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HISTORY  OF 


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KNOX    COUNTY 


ILLINOIS 


ITS  CITIES,  TOWNS  AND  PEOPLE 


By  ALBERT  J.  PERRY 


ILLUSTRATED 


VOLUME  I 


-••  :.•:•.;.:>•.:•/>.,•  CHICAGO  :.' ::    •••- 

,'-"•'•'.•,••..'-•.>'•  ',:'-...-•••- 

THE  S.  J.  CLARKE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

1912  ;. 


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. 

r^i~^T~^'r^  A  /'^T^ 

PREFACE 


^    ,  ,'::^"'^'f'i.-}.-^::i^f?- 
^ ''i^"<>"'^^:V-^;.^-- 


Already  three  histories  of  Knox  county  have  been  written  prior  to  the  pres- 
ent work.     In  each  of  those  volumes  considerable  time  has  been  spent  in  writ- 
ing up  the  early  history  of  the  county  and  especially  of  the  first  settlers.     This 
is  true  of  every  township  within  the  county  and  pretty  full  accounts  of  the  cities 
and  villages  have  been  given.     It  seems  that  but  little  more  can  be  said  along 
that  line.     Galesburg  is  admittedly  somewhat  unique  in  its  origin.     A  colony 
composed  of  refined  and  educated  people  came  here  for  the  avowed  purpose  of 
establishing  a  college  and  surrounding  it  with  good  influences  from  the  start  and 
I    the  history  of  this  movement  has  been  written  and  can  be  found  not  only  in  the 
:    former  county  histories  but  also  in  quite  a  variety  of  publications — especially 
:   the  Semi-Centennial  of  the  Old  First  church  of  the  city  of  Galesburg.     That 
V  little  volimie  states  fully  the  persons  interested  in  the  Galesburg-Knox-college 
f.  movement.    The  difficulties  of  their  journey  have  been  fully  set  out  and  there  is 
;  no  doubt  that  that  feature  of  history  pertaining  to  central  Illinois  will  be  pre- 
r   served  and  will  continue  to  be  the  subject  of  pleasing  fireside  conversation. 
•'         But  little  of  this  side  of  the  question  has  been  indulged  in  by  the  author  of 
V  this  volume.     It  occurred  to  him  in  the  start  that  to  the  present  generation  the 
"  accomplishments  of  these  early  settlers  and  their  descendants  should  be  the 
principal  subject  of  investigation.  '  He  therefore  conceived  the  idea  of  present- 
ing to  the  people  a  careful  and  thorough  statement  of  what  had  been  actually 
done  in  this  county,  without  particularizing  very  much  who  the  actors  were.     It 
v^will  be  discovered  that  the  principal  points  selected  by  the  author  are  the  public 
p(buildings;  and  the  public,  social  and  economic  movements  of  the  people  have 
Mormed  the  basis  of  that  portion  of  the  work  prepared  by  him  personally.     To 
•^make  this  feature  of  the  work  still  more  prominent,  he  arranged  with  certain  in- 
^dividuals,  who  are  in  every  way  qualified,  to  present  various  topics  in  a  thorough 
interesting  manner  along  the  lines  which  he  himself  has  pursued.     The 
earnestly  hopes,  for  he  fully  believes,  that  this  feature  will  be  of  great 

and  of  very  general  interest  to  the  reading  people  of  this  county.     To  be 

wnore  specific  he  would  call  especial  attention  to  the  articles  upon  the  various 
denominations  of  the  county.     It  will  be  found  that  the  following  out- 
has  been  pretty  generally  followed.    First,  a  full  statement  of  belief ;  second, 
organization  of  individuals  sharing  that  belief;  and  third,  the  extent  to 
I  their  hopes,  based  upon  their  belief  and  their  church  organization,  have 
realized.    So  far  as  this  form  is  applicable,  the  secular  articles  have  been 

somewhat  in  the  same  way. 

It  has  been  the  writer's  earnest  endeavor  to  spend  but  little  time  upon  the 
side  of  life,  but  rather  to  consider  carefully  everything  that  seems 
while  and  everything  that  could  make  reasonable  answer  to  the  questions, 


^ 


IV 


PREFACE 


"What  are  you  ^here  for?"  and  "What  are  you  accomplishing  for  the  better- 
ment of  life?" 

The  writer  takes  a  justifiable  pride  in  the  illustrations  which  he  has  secured  for 
this  work  for  they  have  served  a  double  purpose.  They  are  not  only  beautiful 
and  add  a  peculiarly  pleasing  effect  to  the  appearance  of  the  work,  but  in  no 
other  way  could  he  show  the  development  of  the  cities  and  villages  of  the  county 
from  a  primative  condition  to  one  of  prosperity  and  really  intelligent  refine- 
ment, in  fulfillment  of  the  highest  hopes  of  the  founders.  It  is  very  difficult  to 
arrive  at  a  just  word  picture  of  the  progress  of  Knox  county.  The  time  required 
to  discover  and  collate  the  facts  necessary  to  show  such  progress  is  altogether  too 
great,  and  even  if  accomplished,  it  would  then  not  be  visible  as  is  shown  by  these 
illustrations.  ;  • 

To  those  who  have  assisted  in  this  matter,  the  writer  hereby  offers  his  sin- 
cere thanks  and  confesses  in  truth  that  without  their  assistance  this  volume 
would  lack  its  greatest  charm  and  a  very  large  part  of  its  interest  and  benefit. 

A.  J.  P. 

GALESBURG,  Illinois,  July  lo,  1912.         v      -     ^;Xv 


•^.  ;•.  -. 

.-•^''  .'.  -• 


History  of  Knox  County  Illinois 


:  ;''••}•:;;'  '    ^     -::       TERRITORIAL  JURISDICTION       '  ;    :\o';;.^^     ^ 

V:     It  is  believed  by  persons  best  informed  upon  the  archaeology  of  Knox  county 
that  prior  to  1828  it  had  been  the  home  of  at  least  three  distinct  races  of  men. 

The  first  is  known  from  fossils  found  with  the  bones  of  extinct  animals  and 
fragments  of  tropical  wood  from  a  few  to  fifty  feet  below  the  surface,  where 
the  race  seemed  to  have  existed  for  a  long  time  and  are  now  completely  covered 
by  the  drift.  They  left  no  traces  than  are  found  as  above  stated,  some  of  which 
indicate  their  handiwork. 

The  next  race  was  the  mound  builders,  who  here,  as  elsewhere,  was  probably 
an  agricultural  and  semi-civilized  people.  Traces  of  their  occupancy  are  found 
in  various  parts  of  the  county.  They  too  disappeared  without  leaving  anything 
of  their  history. 

The  Indian  with  his  bow  and  arrow  followed  the  mound  builders,  at  what 
time  we  do  not  know,  but  he  was  the  undisputed  owner  of  the  country  for  a  long 
period  of  time.  Whatever  record  of  history  he  made  was  of  such  transitory 
character  that  nothing  is  left  and  nothing  is  known  beyond  some  few  things  that 
may  be  gathered  from  tradition  and  what  transpired  after  the  advent  of  thfc  white 
people.  At  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  America,  he  was  the  occupant  of  the 
soil  but  has  now  passed  away  from  most  of  his  old  haunts  and  his  power  is  gone 
as  surely  as  his  predecessors'.  j  <  ,.  • 

The  revival  of  learning  in  the  fifteenth  century  stimulated  the  desire  for  ex- 
ploration. Spain  was  the  first  to  move  in  a  far  westerly  course  and  the  West 
Indies  were  discovered  by  Columbus.  -The  reports  of  his  meager  success  were 
circulated  in  Europe  when  Portugal,  Erance  and  England  joined  in  the  search 
for  a  new  world.  As  early  as  the  year  looo,  Scandinavian  explorers  had  pre- 
viously occupied  places  on  the  western  shore  of  Greenland,  planted  a  colony 
which  has  been  supposed  by  many  to  have  been  near  the  coast  of  New  England, 
but  this  was  unsuccessful  and  passed  out  of  existence.  Several  unsuccessful 
attempts  were  made  to  establish  colonies  in  this  country  at  different  periods 
along  the  Atlantic  coast  by  the  Erench,  Spaniards,  Portuguese  and  English.  Eer- 
nando  de  Soto,  a  Spanish  chevalier,  explored  this  country  in  1541  as  a  part  of 
Elorida,  but  it  was  never  taken  possession  of  by  the  Spanish.  We  are  interested 
only  in  the  settlements  which  were  finally  effected,  one  in  Virginia  in  1607  by  the 
English,  and  one  made  by  Erance  in  Canada  at  Quebec  in  1608,  and  at  Montreal 


2        '\v;v;vr     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ^v>  :.;:;' 

in  i6ii.  On  April  lo,  1606,  King  James  of  England  granted  the  first  charter 
to  Virginia,  providing  for  the  establishment  of  two  companies,  the  southern 
branch  of  London  Company  to  have  authority  to  occupy  lands  between  the  thirty- 
fourth  degree  and  forty-first  degree  of  north  latitude.  The  second  branch,  or 
Plymouth  Company  was  to  occupy  lands  between  the  thirty-eighth  degree  and 
forty-fifth  degree.  These  two  grants  overlapped  each  other,  but  it  was  provided 
in  the  charter  that  each  should  occupy  the  overlapping  territory  under  certain 
restrictions.  These  two  grants  were  supposed  to  cover  that  part  of  Illinois 
which  includes  Knox  county.  This  charter  left  the  colony  subject  practically  to 
the  domination  of  the  King.  The  Virginia  charter  was  enlarged  in  1609  and 
granted  many  rights  and  powers  to  the  people,  so  that  the  colony  became  prac- 
tically a  corporation,  with  pretty  full  powers  looking  towards  self  government. 
The  territory  described  in  the  second  charter  was  to  extend  two  hundred  miles 
north  and  two  hundred  miles  south  of  Point  Comfort,  "all  that  space  and  circuit 
of  land  from  sea  to  sea,  and  west  and  northwest."  This  somewhat  vague  de-  . 
scription  and  questionable  power  of  the  king  to  grant,  forms  the  basis  of  Vir- 
ginia's claim  to  what  was  afterwards  known  as  the  North  West  Territory.  Noth- 
ing was  known  of  the  west  at  that  time.  The  Appalachian  range  of  mountains 
extending  in  a  somewhat  broken  chain  from  eastern  Canada  southwest  to  Ala- 
bama, and  the  almost  impenetrable  forests,  formed  a  great  barrier  to  the  advance 
of  English  settlement  to  the  westward,  and  at  the  same  time  there  was  a  strip 
of  sea-board  between  the  mountains  and  the  Atlantic  from  one  hundred  to  two 
hundred  miles  wide,  which  for  many  years  gave  abundant  room  for  the  constantly 
increasing  English  settlements. 

Not  so  with  the  French  settlements  of  Canada.  There  was  easy  communica- 
tion by  lake  and  river  between  them  and  that  portion  of  the  country  west  of  the 
mountains  and  of  the  English  settlements.  The  French  eagerly  availed  them- 
selves of  this  advantage  and  established  settlements  at  Detroit,  Fort  Miami, 
Vincennes,  Cahokia,  Kaskaskia  and  along  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi  river 
to  Mobile,  Biloxi,  etc.  This  came  to  be  known  as  New  France  and  was  claimed 
by  France  by  right  of  discovery  and  occupation.  It  would  seem,  in  all  good  con- 
science, that  the  French  claim  to  this  territory  was  superior  to  that  of  England's 
claim,  being  founded  upon  a  substantial  basis,  while  the  English  claim  was  prob- 
ably founded  upon  the  mere  declaration  of  the  discoverer  of  the  coast  from 
which  he  declared  that  all  lands  to  the  west  were  subject  to  his  sovereign.  The 
presence  of  the  French  to  the  west  of  the  English  made  the  English  feel  very 
uncomfortable.  There  were  continually  irritating  circumstances  arising.  The 
Indians  were  enlisted  on  both  sides  and  finally  war  was  declared  between  the. 
two  nations,  and  in  America  this  war  took  the  name  of  the  French  and  Indian  ; 
war.  The  English  were  victorious  and  by  the  Peace  of  Paris  in  1763,  the  north- 
west territory  was  ceded  by  France  to  England,  together  with  Canada,  and  from 
that  time  France  had  no  jurisdiction  over  territory  east  of  the  Mississippi  river. 
By  this  cession  of  territory,  the  claims  of  Virginia  to  the  northwest  territory  by 
virtue  of  her  charter  of  1609,  reading  "from  sea  to  sea,"  became  operative  as. 
far  west  as  the  Mississippi  river.  ;/'.  ^:;  ::C '•'/..;.>.:;•'  ^•-;;:.  .• 

The  next  scene  in  the  American  drama  was  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  which 
began  in  1776.  General  George  Rogers  Clark,  (then  Colonel  Clark)  a  citizen  of 
the  Virginia  colony,  formed  a  scheme  of  wresting  this  territory  from  England 


vl;  V:;H    ^^^:        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         :       :  ;.w,j          8 

and  thereby  preserving  it  to  the  use  of  his  colony,  and  at  the  Peace  of  1783, 
England  relinquished  all  claim  to  this  territory  which  she  had  taken  from  France, 
and  Illinois  was  made  a  county  of  Virginia. 

An  explanation  of  this  statement  ought  to  be  given.  The  word  Illinois  was 
used  by  the  French  to  designate  a  confederacy  of  the  North  American  Indians 
occupying  the  present  area  of  the  state  of  Illinois  and  the  adjacent  parts  of  Wis- 
consin, Iowa  and  Missouri.  This  confederacy  was  composed  of  the  Peoria, 
Kaskaskia,  Cahokia,  Tamaroa  and  Michagamia  Indians.  In  the  language  of  this 
confederacy,  the  word  "Illini"  meant  "a  man."  The  plural  of  this  word  was 
"Illinuk."  The  French  substituted  their  terminal  for  the  plural  "ois"  for  the 
Indian  plural  "uk,"  and  thus  the  name  becanie  Illinois.  In  speaking  generally 
of  the  country  between  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  it  was  called  the  "Illinois 
country,"  because  of  the  Indian  confederacy  occupying  such  a  large  portion  of  it. 
The  Virginia  legislature  therefore  chose  that  name  as  the  name  of  the  county 
created.  The  act  establishing  the  county  of  Illinois,  which  was  for  the  more 
effectual  protection  and  defense  thereof,  passed  both  houses  of  the  Virginia  legis- 
lature on  December  9,  1778.  At  this  time  Virginia  knew  almost  nothing  of  the 
boundary  of  the  county  which  she  proposed  to  establish.  She  wanted  to  incor- 
porate within  this  county  all  that  she  owned  of  the  Northwest  Territory.  There- 
fore "the  new  county  was  to  include  the  inhabitants  of  Virginia  north  of  the 
Ohio  river,"  but  its  location  was  not  more  definitely  prescribed. 

It  stood  without  a  question  that  the  Northwest  Territory  now  belonged  tcy 
the  United  States  subject  to  such  rights  as  Virginia  might  have  therein  by  virtue 
of  her  colonial  charter,  subject  also  to  the  rights  of  the  Indians. 

On  July  9,  1778,  the  several  colonies  which  had  joined  in  the  revolutionary 
struggle  for  independence  from  England,  formed  a  confederacy  which,  under 
articles  of  confederation,  was  known  as  the  United  States,  having  a  president 
and  congress  the  same  as  at  the  present  time.  :  .  *  .  '.  \ 

On  the  6th  day  of  September,  1780,  congress  recommended  to  the  several 
states  in  the  union  having  claims  to  waste  and  unappropriated  lands  in  the  west- 
ern country,  a  liberal  cession  to  the  United  States  of  a  portion  of  their  respective 
claims  for  the  common  benefit  of  the  Union.  In  conformity  with  that  recommen- 
dation, the  state  of  Virginia  appointed  Thomas  Jefferson,  Samuel  Hardy,  Arthur 
Lee  and  James  Monroe,  commissioners  to  execute  a  deed  to  the  United  States, 
in  congress  assembled,  for  the  benefit  of  the  said  states,  all  rights,  title,  claim 
as  well  of  soil  as  jurisdiction,  which  this  commonwealth  hath  to  the  territory  or 
tract  of  country  within  the  limits  of  the  Virginia  charter,  situate,  lying,  and  be- 
ing to  the  northwest  of  the  River  Ohio,  upon  condition  that  the  territory  so  ceded 
shall  be  laid  out  and  formed  into  states  containing  suitable  extent  of  territory 
not  less  than  one  hundred,  nor  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  square,  or 
as  near  thereto  as  circumstances  will  admit.  These  instructions  contained  quite 
specific  conditions  as  to  the  rights  of  the  people  and  the  states  to  be  so  formed. 
It  provided  further  that  the  French  and  Canadian  inhabitants  and  other  settlers 
of  the  Kaskaskies,  St.  Vincents  and  the  neighboring  villages  who  have  professed 
themselves  citizens  of  Virginia,  shall  have  their  possessions  confirmed  to  them 
and  be  protected  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  rights  and  liberties.  It  provided  fur- 
ther that  a  quantity  of  land,  not  exceeding  150.000  acres,  promised  by  this  state 
shall  be  allowed  and  granted  by  them  to  the  then  colonel,  now  General  George 


4      ;:--:'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    K^.;'        >:     ' 

Rogers  Clark  and  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  his  regiment  who  marched  with 
him,  etc.,  in  subduing  this  territory.  The  deed,  in  accordance  with  those  instruc- 
tions, was  executed  to  the  United  States  of  America  on  March  i,  1784,  and 
thereby  all  interests  of  the  state  of  Virginia  in  and  to  the  lands  of  the  state  of 
Illinois  and  Knox  county  were  extinguished  and  transferred  to  the  government 
of  the  United  States.  See  Plate  I. 

On  the  3Oth  day  of  December,  1788,  the  state  of  Virginia  modified  the  con- 
ditions of  grant  to  the  United  States  and  authorized  the  formation  of  five  states 
out  of  the  Northwest  Territory,  if  deemed  advisable  by  congress.  ";..  .  ,^  I-  • 

On  the  7th  day  of  August,  1789,  congress  passed  an  act  for  the  government 
of  the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  river,  but  made  no  division  of  the  same. 

On  May  7,  1800,  congress  divided  the  territory  of  the  United  States  north- 
west of  the  Ohio  into  two  separate  governments  providing  that  all  that  part  of 
the  territory  of  the  United  States  northwest  of  the  Ohio  river  which  lies  westward 
of  the  line  beginning  at  the  Ohio  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Kentucky  river  and 
running  thence  to  Fort  Recovery  and  thence  north  until  it  shall  intersect  the  ter- 
ritorial line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada,  shall  for  the  purpose  of  tem- 
porary government,  constitute  a  separate  territory  and  be  called  the  Indiana  Ter- 
ritory. See  Plate  II. 

On  February  3,  1809,  congress  again  provided  that  from  and  after  the  first 
day  of  March  next,  all  that  part  of  the  Indiana  Territory  which  lies  west  of  the 
Wabash  river  and  a  direct  line  drawn  from  the  said  Wabash  river  and  Post  Vin- 
cennes  due  north  to  the  territorial  line  between  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
shall  for  the  purpose  of  temporary  government  constitute  a  separate  territory 
and  be  called  Illinois.  See  Plate  III. 

On  April  i8,  i8i8,  congress  took  further  action  authorizing  the  inhabitants 
of  the  Territory  of  Illinois  to  form  for  themselves  a  constitution  and  state  gov- 
ernment and  to  assume  such  name  as  they  shall  deem  proper;  and  the  said  state 
when  formed  shall  be  admitted  to  the  Union  upon  the  same  footing  with  the 
original  states  in  all  respects  whatever.  The  boundary  line  of  the  territory  to  be 
thus  admitted  is  described  as  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  river,  thence 
up  the  same  and  with  the  line  of  Indiana  to  the  northwest  corner  of  said  state, 
thence  east  with  the  line  of  same  state  to  the  middle  of  Lake  Michigan,  thence 
north  along  the  middle  line  of  said  lake  to  north  latitude  42  degrees,  30  minutes, 
thence  west  to  the  middle  of  the  Mississippi  river  and  thence  down  along  the 
middle  of  that  river  to  its  confluence  with  the  Ohio  river  and  thence  up  the  latter 
river  along  its  northwestern  shore  to  the  beginning.  See  Plate  IV. 

A  constitutional  convention  was  called  at  Kaskaskia,  August  26,  i8i8,  which 
adopted  a  constitution  of  the  state  to  be  submitted  to  congress  for  adoption  and 
under  which  Illinois  became  a  state  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

The  question  of  extinguishing  the  Indian  titles  to  the  lands  in  the  Northwest 
Territory  had  been  taken  up  by  the  United  States  government.  There  was  con- 
siderable tardiness  on  the  part  of  the  government  in  relation  to  this  question. 
Settlers  were  coming  in  from  the  east  and  squatting  upon  the  public  lands  with- 
out any  authority  of  law  and  there  was  much  uneasiness  on  their  part  lest  they 
might  make  improvements  more  or  less  valuable,  and  in  the  end  lose  their  entire 
time  and  investment  because  no  arrangement  for  a  permanent  purchase  of  the 
land  had  been  made.  Numerous  petitions  setting  up  these  facts  were  sent  to 


;:/•:;;:::::      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^      v.!^--  5 

congress  and  congress  failed  to  act  upon  them.  The  territory  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Mississippi  river  belonged  to  Spain,  and  at  one  time  there  was  a  strong  feeling 
among  the  American  settlers  that  they  would  be  better  off  to  go  over  into  Spanish 
territory  and  deal  with  the  Spanish  government  than  to  remain  within  the  juris- 
diction of  the  United  States  and  be  so  long  in  an  uncertain  condition.  Neverthe- 
less, the  population  continued  to  increase  and  petitions  for  relief  were  continually 
circulated,  until  finally  in  the  year  1804  a  treaty  was  made  at  St.  Louis  on  the 
third  day  of  November,  with  the  Sauks  and  Foxes,  whereby  that  part  of  Illinois 
west  of  the  Illinois  and  Fox  rivers  was  ceded  to  the  United  States.  Black  Hawk, 
the  principal  chief  of  the  Sauk  Indians,  did  not  sign  this  treaty,  but  it  is  claimed 
that  he  confirmed  it  on  several  subsequent  occasions.  This  treaty  contained  an 
article  which  wrought  great  mischief  as  it  led  to  the  Black  Hawk  War  of  1832. 
By  Article  VII  of  that  treaty,  it  was  provided  that  "as  long  as  the  lands  which 
are  now  ceded  to  the  United  States  remain  their  property,  the  Indians  belonging 
to  the  said  tribes  shall  enjoy  the  privilege  of  living  or  hunting  upon  them."  It 
was  expected  by  that  clause  that  until  the  government  made  survey  and  sold  these 
lands,  the  Indians  should  remain  unmolested  by  the  white  people,  but  this  did  not 
follow.  The  principal  Indian  village  of  these  tribes  was  situated  within  the  ceded 
territory  near  where  the  city  of  Rock  Island  now  stands.  The  Indians  cultivated 
quite  an  area  of  land  as  best  they  knew  how  and  produced  very  good  crops.  This 
fact  was  a  continual  temptation  to  the  white  people  coming  into  the  ceded  area, 
and  after  awhile  the  white  people  made  demonstrations  calculated  to  either  drive 
the  Indians  out  of  their  home  and  across  the  Mississippi  river  into  what  is  now 
Iowa,  or  to  excite  their  anger  and  lead  to  war.  The  Indians  were  in  the  habit 
of  going  north  in  the  winter  time  to  hunt,  returning  in  the  spring  with  their  cured 
meats  and  furs  to  cultivate  their  ground  and  raise  their  grain  and  vegetables. 
During  the  absence  of  the  Indians  the  white  people  would  commit  depredations 
by  burning  their  homes,  and  one  year  they  went  upon  the  ground  and  plowed  up 
their  national  cemetery.  This  proved  unendurable  to  the  Indians,  and  the  Black 
Hawk  war  followed.  The  Indians  offered  to  retire,  cross  the  Mississippi  and 
never  again  come  upon  the  ceded  territory  for  the  sum  of  six  thousand  dollars. 
This  offer  was  laughed  at  and  its  refusal  shut  out  all  opportunity  to  avoid  the 
war  which  followed  and  which  cost  the  lives  of  many  white  men  and  a  treasure 
of  over  two  millions  of  dollars,  and  practically  exterminated  the  Indians  who 
had  fought  in  defense  of  their  homes  and  the  resting  place  of  their  dead.  As  a 
matter  of  course,  the  result  of  this  war  was  the  complete  forfeiture  by  the  Indians 
of  the  lands  ceded  by  the  treaty  of  1804.  There  was  left,  however,  an  indelible 
mark  of  shame  upon  the  white  man.  See  Plate  V.  . 

From  the  foregoing  account,  it  will  appear  that  the  land  comprising  the  county 
of  Knox  has  been  under  ten  territorial  jurisdictions,  two  of  them  being  extinct 
races,  one  Indian  race,  one  under  France,  one  under  England,  one  under  Vir- 
ginia,  one  a  territory  of  the  United  States,  one  the  territory  of  Indiana,  one  the 
territory  of  Illinois,  and  lastly  the  state  of  Illinois. 

Although  Knox  county  is  not  especially  concerned  with  the  matter,  it  will  be 
interesting  to  add  that  at  the  time  of  the  Enabling  Act  passed  by  congress  for  the 
adoption  of  a  constitution  for  the  state  of  Illinois,  Judge  Nathaniel  Pope,  father 
of  Major  General  John  Pope  of  the  Union  army  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion, 
was  a  delegate  in  congress  from  the  territory  of  Illinois.  It  was  proposed  to  fix 


6         -"'::•;':  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        "  .    x  T  -  ,  7 

the  northern  boundary  at  a  line  running  westward  from  the  southern  extremity 
of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  center  of  the  Mississippi  river.  Judge  Pope  urged  that 
the  northern  boundary  of  Illinois  be  set  far  enough  north  to  give  Illinois  a  liberal 
frontage  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Michigan.  His  argument  for  that  change  was 
that  the  southern  point  of  the  state  of  Illinois  extended  far  into  the  south.  It 
will  be  seen  from  a  map  of  the  United  States  that  it  reaches  nearly  to  the  south- 
ern boundary  of  the  states  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia  and  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  state  of  Tennessee,  which  is  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  south  of  the  city  of  Washington.  If  the  northern  boundary  of  the  state 
could  be  pushed  far  enough  north  to  give  a  good  frontage  upon  Lake  Michigan, 
it  would  make  Illinois  a  most  potent  factor  in  tying  together  the  two  sections  of 
the  Union,  the  north  and  the  south.  On  the  north  there  would  be  easy  communi- 
cation with  the  east  by  way  of  the  great  lakes,  and  on  the  south  with  the  entire 
south  by  way  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  in  case  any  difficulty  should  arise  be- 
tween the  two  sections  of  the  country,  the  geographical  position  of  the  state  of 
Illinois  would  be  a  most  peculiar  and  powerful  one.  The  arguments  of  Judge 
Pope  convinced  congress,  and  the  boundary  line  was  fixed  as  we  now  have  it, 
quite  well  up  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Michigan.  That  act  gave  to  Illinois  the 
city  of  Qiicago,  and  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  Illinois  fully  performed  all 
the  duties  devolving  upon  it  and  foretold  by  the  able  judge. 

Knox  county,  of  course,  shares  in  whatever  honor  and  pride  there  may  be  in 
being  a  part  of  a  state  so  situated,  and  which  has  now  become  so  influential  in 
all  governmental  matters.  '  -•  '  '  : 


THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  COUNTY    =  . 

The  division  of  Illinois  into  counties  began  in  1790.  More  than  the  east 
half  of  that  part  of  the  state  south  of  the  Illinois  river  constituted  one  county,  and 
was  called  Knox  county.  Changes  and  further  subdivisions  were  made  in  1793, 
i8oi,  1803  and  1809.  In  1809  the  name  of  Knox  county  drops  out.  In  the  sub- 
division of  1790  that  portion  between  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers  was  un- 
touched. In  the  subdivisions  of  iSoi,  1803  and  1809,  it  was  included  within  the 
limits  of  St.  Clair  county,  which  comprised  about  four-fifths  of  the  entire  area 
of  the  state,  Randolph  county  occupying  the  other  one-fifth  in  the  southern  por- 
tion of  the  state.  In  the  subdivisions  of  1812  and  1813,  about  the  same  amount 
of  territory  and  similarly  located,  was  called  Madison  county.  The  territory  now 
occupied  by  Knox  county  remained  a  part  of  Madison  county  until  1821,  when 
that  portion  of  the  state  lying  between  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers  was 
called  Pike  county.  See  Plate  VI. 

On  the  28th  day  of  January,  1823,  a  further  subdivision  was  made,  and  Pike 
county  was  cut  down  to  a  very  small  part  of  what  it  once  was.  Fulton  county 
was  laid  out  and  covered  the  south  four  townships  of  what  is  now  Knox  county. 
The  balance  of  the  land  now  comprising  Knox  county  and  the  territory  north 
and  east  was  attached  to  Fulton  county  for  judicial  purposes.  This  will  be  shown 
by  Plate  VII. 

On  the  1 3th  day  of  January,  1825.  Knox  county  was  formed  by  an  act  of  the 


'  -         •        :         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^•:->          7         . 

legislature,  and  it  covered  the  same  territory  that  it  covers  today,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  four  townships  on  the  north,  the  four  townships  on  the  south  previously  - 
included  in  Fulton  county  being  given  to  Knox,  and  four  townships  on  the  north 
being  given  to  Henry  county,  giving  to  Knox  county  sixteen  townships  only.    See 
Plate  VIH.  ...       ' 

The  county  remained  the  same  until  1831,  when  on  January  13,  the  boundary  :•':- 
of  the  county  was  changed  by  adding  a  row  of  townships  on  the  north  and  two  ;   ,  .  \ 
townships.  Numbers  12  and  13  in  Range  5  East,  on  the  east  as  shown  by  Plate  v    ,      - 

IX.  ^•''^''- 

Another   change   was   made    March    2,    1839,  whereby   the   two   townships,'     '•, 
Numbers  12  and  13  North  in  Range  5  East,  were  taken  from  Knox  and  given  :'    .!  : 
to  Stark  county.    This  is  shown  by  Plate  X.    Since  that  time  there  has  been  no  v    :; 
'  change  in  the  area  of  Knox  county.  :  v  T  . 

Thus  it  is  shown  that  the  territory  comprising  the  county  of  Knox  today,  has  •• 
been  a  part  of  St.  Clair,  Madison  and  Pike  counties,  and  that  a  part  of  the  terri- 
tory  of  Knox  county  has  heretofore  formed  a  part  of  Fulton  and  Henry  counties.       - 
The  inhabitants  of  the  county  at  different  points  were  obliged  to  go  to  Lewistown,     ' '    • 
Rushville,  Pittsfield,  Edwardsville  and  Kaskaskia  to  secure  an  abstract  of  title  '      '  / 
to  their  lands.    After  the  formation  of  Knox  county  in  its  present  shape,  the  rec-  > 
ords  pertaining  to  lands  in  Knox  county  were  carefully  copied  from  the  above  ; 

places  and  now  constitute  a  part  of  the  records  of  Knox  county.     It  is  supposed,       . 
however,  that  the  records  of  Knox  county  today  as  kept  at  Galesburg,  are  com-  -  :•  >  > 
plete,  and  that  there  is  no  reason  for  visiting  other  county  seats  for  information  -' 
concerning  Knox  county  lands.  V   .  :  ' 

During  the  progress  of  fixing  the  territory,  state  and  county  boundaries,  a   ,     .  • 
systematic  plan  of  survey  had  been  pursued.    The  plan  of  congress  consisted  in  ;V 
running  a  base  line  east  and  west  through  some  point  having  a  natural  witness,  if  ;•:':.,.. 
possible,  and  running  a  meridian  line  north  and  south  from  this  base  line.    Then 
beginning  in  the  angle  formed  by  those  base  and  meridian  lies,  lay  out  the  town-  . 
ships  six  miles  square.     The  north  and  south  rows  of  townships  were  called 
ranges,  and  the  ranges  were  numbered  one,  two,  three,  etc.,  east  or  west  of  the    .•.-,.. 
meridian  as  the  case  might  be.  ^  ^  ; 

'.      The  description  of  the  lands  in  Knox  county  is  arrived  at  in  the  following   ;     .    ;- 
way:  the  city  of  Beardstown  in  Cass  county,  Illinois,  is  on  the  Illinois  river,  and    >   \   . 
is  taken  as  the  starting  point  for  all  descriptions  of  land  west  of  the  Illinois  river.    ::    ' 
A  line  running  due  north  from  Beardstown  is  known  as  the  fourth  principal  me-     - 
ridian.     This  meridian  forms  the  western  boundary  of  Knox  county.     All  lands 
east  of  that  meridian  and  controlled  by  it,  are  described  as  east  of  the  fourth  prin-    ;. 
cipal  meridian.    Another  line  passing  through  Beardstown  runs  west  from  here    ^        - 
to  the  Mississippi  river,  and  is  known  as  the  base  line.    If  you  take  a  township    •    '   .; 
map  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  start  at  Beardstown  and  count  the  townships    V^       h-' 
northward  until  you  reach  Knox  county,  you  will  find  that  the  southwest  town-     :  '  ; 
ship  of  Knox  county  is  the  ninth  township  north  of  the  base  line  running  through       ;       ; 
Beardstown.     It  is  also  east  of  the  fourth  principal  meridian.     Therefore,  the    '      . 
southwest  township  of  Knox  county  would  be  described  as  township  9,  north  of     .:..         . 
the  base  line,  and  in  range  i,  east  of  the  fourth  principal  meridian.     This  town-        v;       ' 
ship  is  also  known  as  Indian  Point.     The  southeast  township  of  the  county  is        '     ... 
known  as  Salem  township,  and  under  congressional  description  would  be  known      >    . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


as  township  9,  north  of  the  base  line,  and  in  range  4,  east  of  the  fourth  principal 
meridian.  Each  township  is  divided  into  sections  ^each  one  mile  square,  and  each 
township  therefore  has  thirty-six  sections.  They  are  numbered  beginning  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  township  for  number  one,  running  westward  six  miles, 
then  drop  one  mile  south  and  you  have  section  number  seven,  then  you  run  east- 
ward six  miles  and  you  have  section  twelve,  then  drop  southward  one  mile  and 
run  west  six  miles  and  you  have  section  eighteen,  and  so  on  until  you  have  num- 
bered all  sections  in  the  township,  giving  you  thirty-six  sections  in  all.  Knox 
county  has  twenty  townships  which  would  make  720  sections,  making  approxi- 
mately 450,800  acres.  ^  '  :"  ^  .:  ^  '.'-;:  .:[-;:;.;.:^ 

It  is  a  simple  matter  from  the  above  congressional  rule  to  describe  any  frac- 
tion of  any  section  in  the  county.  If  you  are  purchasing  the  northeast  quarter  of 
section  i,  township  ii  north,  in  range  i,  east  of  the  fourth  principal  meridian, 
you  know  that  it  is  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  the  northeast  corner  of 
Galesburg  township. 

The  following  table  shows  a  complete  description  of  each  township  in  tiic 
county  of  Knox  as  at  present  existing : 


Indian    Point 

—  Twp. 

9 

N., 

R. 

I 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.  -; 

Cedar 

—  Twp. 

10 

N., 

R. 

I 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Galesburg 

—  Twp. 

II 

N., 

R. 

I 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Henderson 

—  Twp. 

12 

N., 

R. 

I 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Rio 

—  Twp. 

13 

N., 

R. 

I 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Chestnut 

—  Twp. 

9 

N., 

R. 

2 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Orange 

—  Twp. 

lO 

N., 

R. 

2 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Knox 

—  Twp. 

II 

N., 

R. 

2 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Sparta 

—  Twp. 

12 

N.. 

R. 

2 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.  ;  :. 

Ontario 

—Twp. 

13 

N., 

R. 

2 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.    :' 

Maquon 

—  Twp. 

9 

N., 

R. 

3 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Haw   Creek 

—  Twp. 

lO 

N.. 

R. 

3 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Persifer 

—  Twp. 

II 

N., 

R. 

3 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Copley 

—  Twp. 

12 

N., 

R. 

3 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

Walnut  Grov( 

;  —  Twp. 

13 

N., 

R. 

3 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.  ;• 

Salem 

—  Twp. 

9 

N., 

R. 

4 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.  '"- 

Elba 

—  Twp. 

lO 

X., 

R. 

4 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.  .:  .  ; 

Truro 

—  Twp. 

II 

N.. 

R. 

4 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.    • 

Victoria 

—  Twp. 

12 

N., 

R. 

4 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M.    ; 

Lynn 

—  Twp. 

13 

N., 

R. 

4 

E. 

of 

the 

4th 

P. 

M. 

It  is  now  proper  to  consider  the  governmental  organization  of  the  county.  The 
writer  once  knew  an  intelligent,  educated  young  Russian  who  remarked  that  the 
most  noticeable  thing  he  saw  when  he  first  came  to  America  was  the  ease  with 
which  a  new  movement,  society  or  party  could  be  started.  In  Europe  all  social 
organizations  began  with  the  preacher  or  some  ministerial  officer.  If  he  ap- 
proved, he  called  the  meeting,  called  it  to  order,  was  its  chairman,  appointed  its 
secretary  and  conducted  the  whole  proceedings.  In  America  when  public  action 
was  considered  necessary  on  any  question,  a  self-appointed  committee  called  a 
mass  meeting,  the  people  assembled  and  some  one  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting. 
A  resolution  approving  the  object  of  the  meeting  would  be  offered,  discussed  and 
passed  if  approved,  or  a  committee  would  be  appointed  and  an  adjournment  taken 


Plate   I — Outline   of   Northwest   Territoiy   ceded   to   the   United    States   by    Virginia,    Connecticut   and 
Massachusetts. 

Plate   II — Division   of  Northwest  Territory    into    Indiana   and    Ohio   Territories.  ,    :-.  .....•• 


^^. 


IV 


Plate    III — Division   of    Northwest    Territory    into    State   of   Ohio   and    Illinois,    Indiana    and    Michigan 

Territories. 

Plate  I\' — Division  of  Northwest  Territory  into   States  of  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Ohio  and   Territory  of 

Michigan.  ,  .         .     .  .    ,        .  .        •.  .^.  .  .  . 


•^   ^)/    -^^^i;;  ';;;'^    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '     •"  0 

to  enable  the  committee  to  give  the  matter  more  careful  consideration  and  present 
it  in  better  shape  to  the  adjourned  meeting.  The  thing  especially  noticeable  to 
the  young  Russian  was  the  absence  of  the  preacher,  whereas  in  Europe  he  was 
the  whole  thing,  while  here  the  people  originated  and  carried  through  their  own 
measures.  The  preacher  is  welcome  on  such  occasions,  but  he  comes  in  citizens' 
clothing  and  not  in  ministerial  robes  or  vestments. 

Township,  county  and  state  governments  originate  in  very  much  the  same    - 
way.    There  is  a  little  more  formality  in  the  start.    They  all  possess  a  certain  leg-    •.; 
islative,  judicial  and  executive  capacity  which  has  to  be  recognized  by  other  com- 
monwealths and  it  is  necessary  that  such  organizations  have  a  definite  starting,  usu-    •' 
ally  by  proclamation  or  notice  from  the  proper  constituted  authority.    When  once 
set  in  motion  the  whole  thing  becomes  a  government  by  the  people.  i 

7;  It  has  been  shown  that  on  January  13,  1825,  the  legislature  fixed  the  boundary  ; 
of  Knox  county,  not  as  it  is  today,  but  giving  to  it  sixteen  townships.  By  the 
year  1830  it  was  believed  that  Knox  county  had  350  inhabitants,  and  it  was  so 
made  to  appear  to  the  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young,  judge  of  the  5th  judicial  circuit 
of  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  on  the  tenth  day  of  June,  1830,  he  issued  his  order 
for  the  organization  of  Knox  county  by  the  election  of  three  county  commission- 
ers, one  sheriff  and  one  coroner  to  serve  in  and  for  said  county  of  Knox  until 
superseded  by  the  persons  elected  at  the  general  election  to  be  held  the  first  Mon- 
day of  August  next.  .  i. 

The  organization  of  Knox  county  is  of  such  interest  and  importance  to  the 
people  that  all  orders  pertaining  to  the  same  are  given  in  full,  and  no  more  fitting 
tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  John  G.  Sanborn,  under  whose  skill  and 
ability  this  organization  was  effected,  than  the  publication  of  such  orders  in  this 
history.  The  accuracy  of  these  orders,  written  at  such  an  early  date,  will  be  ob- 
served and  appreciated  by  every  attorney  in  this  county. 

The  following  are  ^the  orders  in  the  circuit  court  of  said  county  held  on  the 
first  Monday  in  October,  1830,  which  was  the  first  day  of  the  first  term  of  said 
court  ever  held  in  Knox  county.  ••;/;•.  •  . :' .  -; 

..  ..•     \  ';;          •    :  /^x      OCTOBER  TERM,    1830     i^^' ^         ;  .'-';•'.>  V" 

.•')  PLEAS,  before  the  Honorable  Richard  M.  Young,  judge  of  the  fifth  judicial 
circuit  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  at  a  circuit  court,  began  and  holden  in  and  for  the 
county  of  Knox  and  state  aforesaid,  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Gum,  Esq.,  in 
said  county,  on  Eriday,  the  first  day  of  October,  it  being  the  last  Eriday  before 
the  first  Monday  in  the  said  month  of  October,  in  the  year  of  Our  Lord,  One 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  - 
the  fifty-fifth :  '  .  '. 

Present,  The  Hon.  Richa.rd  M.  Young,  circuit  judge ;  John  G.  Sanborn,  clerk ;     ,: 
Stephen  Osborn,  sheriff ;  James  M.  Strode,  Esq.,  state's  atty.  pro  tem. 

ORDERED  :     That  the  order  heretofore  made  on  the  tenth  day  of  June  in  the     . 
year  of  Our  Lord,  1830,  for  the  organization  of  the  said  county  of  Knox.  tbgether 
with  the  order,  made  on  the  5th  day  of  July,  A.  D.,  1830,  regulating  the  times  of 
holding  the  circuit  court  in  said  county,  be  spread  upon  the  records  of  this  court ; 
which  said  orders  are  in  the  words,  and  figures  following,  to  wit : 


10          :    •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^^-^ 

State  of  Illinois,  )  ^,  ,       \  ;..  -     ;;. ;    ;  • 

Fifth  Judicial  Circuit :      j 

The  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  all  who  shall  see  these  Presents: 
Greeting: 

Whereas,  by  the  ninth  and  eleventh  sections  of  the  act  entitled  "An  Act 
forming  new  Counties  out  of  the  Counties  of  Pike  and  Fulton,  and  the  attached 
parts  thereof"  approved  i3th  January,  1825,  it  is  made  the  duty  of  the  presiding 
judge  of  the  fifth  judicial  circuit  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  whenever  it  shall  be 
made  appear,  to  his  satisfaction,  that  either  of  the  counties  of  Hancock,  Warren, 
Mercer,  Henry,  Putnam  or  Knox  contain  three  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants,  to 
proceed  to  organize  the  same,  and  to  grant  an  order  for  the  election  of  officers, 
preparatory  thereto;  and  whereas,  it  has  been  made  appear  to  my  satisfaction, 
that  the  said  county  of  Knox  contains  three  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants  and  up- 
wards, and  inasmuch  as  the  greater  part  of  the  qualified  voters  of  the  said  county, 
have  requested  by  petition,  that  the  same  should  be  organized  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible ;  I  do  therefore  in  pursuance  of  the  power  vested  in  me  by  virtue  of 
the  9th  and  nth  sections  of  the  above  recited  act,  ORDER  and  DIRECT,  that  an  elec- 
tion be  held  in  and  for  the  said  county  of  Knox  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Gum,  on 
Saturday,  the  third  day  of  July,  A.  D.,  1830,  for  the  election  of  three  county  com- 
missioners, one  sheriff  and  one  coroner,  to  serve,  when  elected  and  qualified,  in 
and  for  the  said  county  of  Knox,  respectively,  until  they  shall  be  superseded,  by 
the  persons  who  may  be  elected  at  the  general  election,  to  be  held  on  the  first  Mon- 
day in  August  next ;  and  for  the  purpose  of  having  this  order  carried  into  execu- 
tion, I  do  hereby  appoint  Jacob  Gum,  Stephen  Osborn  and  Nicholas  Voiles  of 
said  county,  judges  of  the  said  election,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  set  up  written  or 
printed  advertisements,  or  notices  of  said  election,  in  at  least  six  of  the  most 
public  places  in  said  county  inclusive  of  the  place  at  which  said  election  is  hereby 
directed  to  be  held,  having  regard  to  the  situation  and  population  of  the  different 
settlements  within  said  county  at  least  ten  days  previous  to  the  said  election,  to 
the  end  that  all  persons  concerned  may  have  timely  notice  thereof.  The  election 
to  be  VIVA  VOCE,  between  the  hours  of  lo  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  7  o'clock 
in  the  evening  of  said  day  and  conducted,  as  /ar  as  may  be  practicable,  in  con- 
formity with  the  act  entitled  "An  act  regulating  elections,"  approved  January  loth, 
1829.  And  lastly,  the  said  judges  are  to  certify  the  result  of  said  election  to  the 
secretary  of  state  as  soon  as  thereafter  may  be  convenient,  in  order  that  the  per- 
sons who  may  be  elected  may  be  commissioned  and  qualified  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible.  And  after  the  election  of  the  said  county  officers,  I  do  hereby  de- 
clare the  said  county  of  Knox,  to  be  organized,  and  entitled  to  the  same  rights 
and  privileges,  as  the  other  counties  in  this  state. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Lewistown,  this  loth  day  of  June,  in  the 
year  of  Our  Lord,  1830,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  the  fifty- 
fourth.  . 

•-..-,  -A  1 

.;  RICHARD  M.  YOUNG,       ' 

'-•'•'-• 

\.    :;.•'.;,.:  Judge  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  State  of  Illinois.      ", 

JOHN  G.  SANBORN  produced  in  court  his  appointment  as  clerk  of  said  court, 
which  was  ordered  to  be  entered  of  record,  and  is  in  the  words  and  figures  fol- 
lowing, to-wit : 


•      '  >  -    ^      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ."xV^/         H 

State  of  Illinois, 


I  Set. 


Fifth  Judicial  Circuit. 

;•    The  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  all  who  shall  see  these  presents; 
Greeting: 

Know  ye,  that  I,  Richard  M.  Young,  judge  of  the  fifth  judicial  circuit  of  the 
state  of  Illinois,  north  of  the  Illinois  river,  and  presiding  judge  of  the  circuit 
court,  in  and  for,  the  county  of  Knox,  and  state  aforesaid  (whenever  the  same 
shall  be  organized),  reposing  especial  trust  and  confidence  in  the  integrity  and 
capacity  of  John  G.  Sanborn,  Esq.,  have,  and  by  these  presents  do,  for  and  in 
behalf  of  the  people  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  appoint  him  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court  in  and  for  the  said  county  of  Knox,  and  state  aforesaid.  And  I  do  hereby 
authorize  and  empower  him,  to  have  and  to  exercise  all  the  powers  and  duties, 
legally  appertaining  to  the  said  office,  and  to  collect  and  receive  all  the  emolu- 
ments therefrom  arising,  during  good  behaviour. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Lewistown  this  loth  day  of  June  A.  D., 
1830,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  the  fifty-fourth.       -..-'< 
(SEAL)          •    ,  •      ,    .     -  RICHARD  M.  YOUNG.          -^ 

Judge  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  Illinois. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young,  judge  of  the  fifth 
judicial  circuit  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  for  the  holding  of  an  election  for  the 
election  of  county  commissioners,  it  will  appear  from  the  following  that  said 
election  was  held  on  the  third  day  of  July.  1830,  and  the  action  of  the  commis- 
sioners in  pursuance  thereof  is  herein  entered  in  full. 

--'    •'  '       :.'•- ' 

,     •  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  COURT — ^SPECIAL  TERM  JULY  7TH,    1830^  :.     • 

At  a  special  term  of  a  county  commissioners  court  began  and  held  at  the 
house  of  John  B.  Gum,  Esq.,  in  and  for  the  county  of  Knox  in  the  state  of  Illi- 
nois on  this  seventh  day  of  July  A.  D.  1830  (pursuant  to  notice  of  Riggs  Pen- 
nington,  Philip  Hash  and  Charles  Hansford,  commissioners  elect  for  said  county ; 

Present,  Riggs  Pennington,  Philip  Hash  and  Charles  Hansford,  who,  at  an 
election,  held  in  and  for  the  said  county  of  Knox,  on  the  3rd  day  of  July  A.  D. 
1830,  in  pursuance  of  an  order  of  the  Honorable  Richard  M.  Young,  judge  of 
the  fifth  judicial  circuit,  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  were  duly  elected  to  the  office  of 
county  commissioners  for  said  county  of  Knox ;  and  the  said  county  commis- 
sioners being  duly  sworn  into  office,  the  said  court  was  declared  duly  organized 
for  the  transaction  of  business  by  Stephen  Osborn  the  sheriff  elect  for  said 
county. 

John  B.  Gum  was  appointed  by  the  judges  of  this  court  as  a  clerk  of  said 
court. 

ORDERED:  That  this  court  be  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  same  place  on  the 
9th  day  of  July  instant,  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  said  day. 

The  appointment  of  John  B.  Gum  as  clerk  of  the  county  commissioners 
court  for  some  reason  proved  unsuccessful  and  he  declined  to  serve,  probably 
because  he  preferred  to  be  county  treasurer,  to  which  office  he  was  appointed 
July  9th.  Whereupon  John  G.  Sanborn  was  appointed.  By  this  appointment 


12  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    >^-;:.: 

Mr.  Sanborn  became  clerk  of  both  courts  in  the  county.  The    following   orders 
of  court  will  fully  show  this  appointment:  .  .     .    .         . 

.  :^; ':  SPECIAL  TERM  JULY  9,  1830  .••/:'•    :/;.-' 

At  a  special  term  of  the  county  commissioners  court,  began  and  held  at  the 
house  of  John  B.  Gum,  Esq.,  in  and  for  the  county  of  Knox  in  the  state  of  Illi- 
nois pursuant  to  adjournment,  this  pth  day  of  July  A.  D.  1830. 

Present,  Riggs  Pennington,  Philip  Hash,  Charles  Hansford,  county 
commissioners. 

John  B.  Gum  who,  at  the  last  special  term  of  this  court,  was  appointed  clerk 
of  said  court,  having  declined  the  acceptance  of  said  appointment,  John  G.  San- 
bom  was  thereupon  appointed  clerk  of  this  court.  •  t  ;;  . 

John  G.  Sanborn  produced  in  court  his  appointment  as  clerk  of  the  county 
commissioners  court  for  the  county  of  Knox,  and  was  sworn  into  office  by  Philip 
Hash  one  of  the  commissioners  of  said  court ;  which  appointment  and  oath  is  in 
the  words  and  figures  following,  to  wit: 

Knox  County,     |  c  ..  •  :     •,  ' - 

State  of  Illinois,  j        '  ,-          ... 

To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  Greeting: — 

Know  ye,  that  we  the  undersigned  county  commissioners  in  and  for  the 
said  county  of  Knox  and  state  of  Illinois,  reposing  special  trust  and  confidence 
in  the  integrity  and  capacity  of  John  G.  Sanborn,  have,  and  by  these  presents  do, 
in  behalf  of  the  people  of  the  said  county  of  Knox,  appoint  the  said  John  G. 
Sanborn  clerk  of  the  county  commissioners  court  in  and  for  the  said  county  of 
Knox  and  state  of  Illinois.  And  we  do  hereby  authorize  and  empower  the  said 
John  G.  Sanborn,  to  have  and  to  exercise  all  the  powers  and  duties  legally 
appertaining  to  the  said  office,  and  to  collect  and  receive  all  the  emoluments, 
arising  therefrom,  during  good  behavior. 

Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  this  ninth  day  of  July  in  the  year  of  Our 
Lord  1830,  and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  the  fifty- fourth,] 

.....  ,        CHARLES    HANSFORD,     .....    (SEAL)     . 

.^     .       .  .  RIGGS   PENNINGTON,    ';";';•, (SEAL)     -I, 

':••  PHILIP  HASH,  '     -  ^' (SEAL) 

ORDERED:  That  the  temporary  seat  of  justice  for  Knox  county  shall  be  at 
the  house  of  John  B.  Gum,  Esq..  in  said  county. 

ORDERED  :  That  for  the  purpose  of  holding  the  next  general  election,  to  be 
held  on  the  first  Monday  of  August  next,  the  said  county  of  Knox  shall  be  one 
precinct  and  that  the  said  election  shall  be  held  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Gum, 
Esq. 

ORDERED:  That  Jacob  Gum.  Nicholas  V^oiles  and  Thomas  Maxwell  be  ap- 
pointed to  act  as  judges  of  election  in  the  district  composed  of  the  county  of 
Knox.  :.::-.•-;  1:  -V 

ORDERED:  That  t.he  clerk  be  authorized  to  procure  a  suitable  seal  for  this 
court,  and  also  a  suitable  seal  for  the  circuit  court ;  and  also  all  necessary  and 
suitable  books,  for  the  circuit  and  county  commissioners  courts,  for  said  county, 

ORDERED  :     That  the  sum  of  seventy-five  cents  be  allowed  to  each  of  the 


/:^;  ;;:;:';    ..:-;-f  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;    V  -  •:K:        18 

judges  and  clerks  of  an  election  held  on  the  3rd  day  of  July ;  and  that  the  clerk 
issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  each,  viz.,  .  .    .         „      ,j, 

No.  I  Jacob  Gum,  for  seventy-five  cents.  v     .     :. 

;  '  No.  2  Nicholas  Voiles,  for  seventy-five  cents.       ,-•    .  ,    •    •  '.  '  -;  ''^-.  ; 

;  .;  No.  3  Stephen  Osborn,  for  seventy-five  cents.         ^  r   •   :  ':>  v-i  V,  ^  ^'   v  : 

•    No.  4  William  McMurtry  for  seventy-five  cents. /--'^  '''•'••  '^ 

;.  :'  No.  5  Jonathan  C.  Reed  for  seventy-five  cents. 

John  B.  Gum  was  appointed  by  the  Commissioners  of  this  Court,  Treasurer 
for  the  county  of  Knox,  and  it  was  .  C 

OIIDERED:  That  the  clerk  deliver  to  him  his  appointment,  and  request  him 
to  file  his  bond,  for  the  penal  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  with  the  clerk  of  this 
court  before  the  next  term  thereof. 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  a  license  for  retailing  spirituous  liquors  for 
the  term  of  one  year  from  the  date  thereof,  to  Samuel  S.  White  in  said  county, 
on  his  paying  into  the  county  treasury  the  sum  of  two  dollars,  and  to  the  clerk 
his  fees  for  issuing  the  same ;  and  that  the  following  tavern  rates  be  established, 
for  the  regulation  of  the  said  Samuel  S.  White,  viz : 

For  a  half  pint  of  whiskey   12^  cents 

-        For  a  half  pint  of  brandy    i8^  cents       V; 

For  a  half  pint  of  wine    ' 25  cents        ' 

For  a  meal  of  victuals 25  cents 

;  •.      For  lodging  for  one  person  one  night    12^  cents      :.•;: 

•  :       For  a  feed  of  corn  or  oats  for  a  horse 12^  cents       .;' . 

For  feed  and  stabling  for  a  horse  one  night 25  cents 

We  have  now  traced  the  territorial  jurisdiction  and  the  organization  of  the 
county  of  Knox  to  a  point  where  everything  may  proceed  with  orderly  sequence. 
We  are  now  leaving  that  part  of  our  subject  to  take  up  the  general  business  of 
the  county  at  a  point  where  we  have  the  circuit  and  county  commissioners  courts 
fully  established  and  all  the  county  officers  properly  inducted  into  office. 

It  is  interesting  to  notice,  however,  that  the  first  act  of  the  county  after  its  full 
preparation  to  do  business  was  the  granting  of  a  license  to  sell  intoxicating  liq- 
uor, a  thing  which  could  not  be  done  today  under  any  circumstances  whatever. 
The  board  of  supervisors  have  at  different  times  been  petitioned  for  the  grant- 
ing of  such  a  license  and  have  always  refused  to  do  so  by  an  overwhelming  vote. 
We  may  learn  one  thing,  however,  from  this  record,  that  the  drinking  of  liquor 
in  all  probability  was  not  carried  on  in  the  tippling  house  proper  but  was  pur- 
chased and  taken  home  in  small  quantities  for  home  consumption,  which  much 
minimizes  the  evil  of  the  traffic.  The  tippling  house  with  its  attendant  evils  was 
reserved  for  the  time  when  the  business  became  differentiated  from  all  other 
businesses  and  when  the  fight  for  profits  was  concentrated  upon  the  sale  of  liq- 
uor alone. 

It  will  be  our  duty  to  take  up  in  the  next  and  succeeding  chapters  a  considera- 
tion of  the  more  important  transactions  of  the  county  of  Knox. 


14  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


:.       MINOR  COURTS  AND  PERMANENT  SEAT  OF  JUSTICE         •'> ' 
:••••/•  :     •          .:-   •.^••^::.VV..:-..>..-:X;- :•••-/  ::..rv-:v:-:<;^.   . 

After  placing  the  county  machinery  in  good  working  order,  the  commissioners 
undertook  the  work  of  providing  minor  courts  for  the  people,  and  to  get  posses- 
sion of  such  funds  as  were  coming  from  the  county  of  Fulton  from  taxes  levied 
on  Knox  county  property  while  Knox  county  was  under  judicial  control  of  Fulton 
county  as  shown  in  previous  pages  of  this  history.  The  orders  on  these  matters 
are  given  in  full  for  the  purpose  of  showing  methods  of  transacting  business  in 
those  days. 

ORDERED:    That  for  the  election  of  justices  of  the  peace  and  constables,  the      ' 
county  of  Knox  shall  be  and  hereby  is  divided  into  two  districts,  bounded  and 
defined  as  follows: — The  first  of  said  districts  shall  include  all  that  part  of  the  .v  ,  ' - 
said  county  lying  north  of  the  township  line  between  townships  number  ten  and    .; 
eleven  north,  and  shall  be  called  the  "Henderson"  district.     And  the  second  of 
said  districts,  shall  include  all  that  part  of  said  county  lying  south  of  the  town- 
ship line  between  townships  number  ten  and  eleven  north,  and  shall  be  called  the        .;; 
."Spoon  River"  district.  i: 

ORDERED:     That  J^cob  Gum,  Nicholas  Voiles  and  Thomas  Maxwell  be,  and  'VV.: 
hereby  are,  appointed  judges  of  elections  for  justices  of  the  peace  and  consta-  .     'v' 
bles,  in  the  "Henderson"  district  in  the  county  of  Knox,  and  that  elections  in  :  '   .' 
said  district  be  held  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Gum,  Esq.,  and  that  an  election  be     •  • 
held  in  said  district  on  the  7th  day  of  August  next,  for  three  justices  of  the  j  I'',- 
peace  and  two  constables.  '  ;/., 

ORDERED:    That  Abraham  Swarts,  Hiram  Palmer  and  Parnack  Owen,  be,  and         ., 
are  hereby,  appointed  judges  of  elections  for  justices  of  the  peace  and  consta-    •;  :- 
bles  in  the  "Spoon  River"  district  in  the  county  of  Knox,  and  that  elections  in     ;  . 
said  district  be  held  at  the  house  of  Abraham  Swarts,  Esq.,  and  that  an  election  '..-.''^ 
be  held  in  said  district  on  Saturday  the  7th  day  of  August  next,  for  two  justices    '    1 . 

of  the  peace  and  two  constables.  :.    :  'V    .^•'^-.?.'^ ''•:':'.    '':-"•?!         •  '-rV;-.^'-; 

To  the  County  Commissioners  of  Fulton  County : — 

We  the  undersigned  county  commissioners  of  Knox  county  do  hereby  peti- 
tion your  honorable  court  to  grant  an  order  of  said  court,  to  furnish  to  the 
clerk  of  the  county  commissioners  court  of  Knox  county  a  list  of  the  property 
in  said  county  of  Knox,  assessed  for  taxation  by  the  county  of  Fulton  for  the  ,\  .. 
present  year,  and  to  relinquish  to  the  said  county  of  Knox,  the  right  of  collect-        v 
ing  said  taxes.    And  should  the  above  petition  be  granted,  we  do  hereby  agree  to         • 
account   to   your   honorable   court,    for   all   taxes   on   lands   in    said    county   of         ? 
Knox,  with  which  the  county  of  Fulton  may  have  become  chargeable  by  the  - 
auditor  of  public  accounts;  and   further,  to  account   for  expenses  legally  in-, 
curred  in  taking  the  assessment  of  said  county  of  Knox.  ;.;..;• 

Dated  Knox  county,  this  I7th  day  of  July,  1830.      \^  '    ..      u'^-,^  V     I    •.-  ^  ^  !V^^^, 
•  V  >^.;!:-..  ••  .  .  .    .'    ^        •  ''.'•'•'•':       CHARLES  HANSFORD,         ',  'f^ 

•-  -.^^  ;X- ;,.,'.'  ..,•-     '       '•':•••'  •^']-     ..-''.'.;;••'       RiGGs   PEXNINGTON,  ,  ./;';v!.y 

PHILIP  HASH.  V^' 

ORDERED:    That  the  clerk  of  this  court  leave  the  above  recited  memorial,     -:''v. 
with  the  clerk  of  the  county  commissioners  court  of  Fulton  county,  and  re- 
quest him  to  lay  the  same  before  said  court,  at  their  next  regular  or  special  term. 


-  .;  V.      •    •:  /  "f  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   ^  ^  16 

'  It  will  be  remembered  that  Riggs  Pennington,  Philip  Hash  and  Charles  Hans- 
ford  were  elected  members  of  county  commissioners  court  on  July  3,  1830,  to 
organize  the  county;  that  they  met  on  the  7th  of  July  and  adjourned  to  July  gth; 
that  on  said  July  gth  they  ordered  a  new  election  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  John 
B.  Gum  on  the  first  Monday  in  August  following  at  the  time  of  the  general 
election;  that  election  was  held  as  provided  and  Pennington,  Hash  and  Alexan- 
der Frakes  were  elected  to  the  first  commissioners  court  under  the  general 
election  in  the  county.  At  the  December  term  1830  of  the  court  was  reported 
upon  what  conditions  the  county  commissioners  of  Fulton  county  would  turn 
over  to  Knox  county  the  collection  of  taxes  which  had  been  levied  by  Fulton 
county  on  Knox  county  property.  The  order  of  approval  is  as  follows  : 

ORDERED:  That  the  conditions  proposed  by  county  commissioners  of  Ful- 
ton county  at  their  special  term  on  the  26th  of  August,  as  certified  by  the  clerk 
of  said  court  on  file  be  accepted,  and  that  the  clerk  of  this  court  issue  an  order  for 
the  sum  of  eight  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents,  and  cause  the  said  amount  to  be 
paid  into  the  county  treasury  of  Fulton  county  on  or  before  the  first  Monday  of 
March,  1831. 

It  seems  from  the  above  that  the  work  of  assessing  and  extending  the  taxes 
on  Knox  county  property  at  that  time  could  be  done  for  $8.25.  The  assessment 
of  taxes  at  that  time  was  a  very  simple  matter.  The  following  order  was  entered 
at  the  March  term  1831  of  said  court. 

ORDERED:     That  a  tax  of  one-half  per  centum  be  assessed  on  all  personal 
property  liable  to  taxation  by  law,  in  the  county  of  Knox  for  the  year  1831. 
':••'  John  B.  Gum,  treasurer  of  Knox  county,  produced  in  court  a  statement  of 
his  account  with  the  said  county  as  follows:  ,. 

The  county  of  Knox  in  a/c  with  John  B.  Gum  ...................  .....  Cr. 

By  Specie  received  of  Sam'I  S.  White  for  tavern  license  ............  .\$     2.OO 

By  amount   of  the   revenue   received   from   the   state  treasury   for  the  -; 

year  1830  —  being  Jhe  specie  rec'd  in  exchange  for  the  same   ........  320.00 

By  amount  rec'd  from  the  sheriff  of  Knox  county  being  the  amount 

collected  by  him  for  taxes  on  personal  property  for  the  year  1830  as          . 
;    follows,   viz  :    .................................................      ;  ;t  -ix  ' 

-     -      State    Paper    .................................  $  5.00   ,  v;-V;   •  .';'•  A>:; 

;  ;'*  '•         County    Orders    ..............................    10.75      '  - 

''''''^-•^       Specie    .....................................  .     3-57  19-32 


The  county  of  Knox   Dr.     To  paid  county  orders  as  follows,  viz  : 

:  .  ;    No.     I  Jacob    Gum    .................................  75         v    -.  '  ,     ; 

,;•     No.     2  Nicholas    Voiles    .............................  75     :^'V  -:-;:''.  :K; 

'•...•   No.     3  Stephen    Osborn    .............................  75       .;P,':':''V^ 

No.     4  Wm.    McMurtry    .............................  75     -.  •  .•  • 

.      No.     7  Nicholas    Voiles    .............................  75     ;'.;  }   .  v  •    ^ 

."    No.     8  Charles    Hansford    ...........................  75      -:^'-/,:    '^1 

•  .     No.  lO  Wm.    McMurtry    .............................  75     •.    ?;  x,   '  7-'  ' 

.    No.  13   Charles   Hansford    ..........................    1.50        •  T 

>  ;    No.  19  John  B.  Gum   ..............................  4.00      -^        10.75 

Balance  remaining  in  the  county  treasury  this  7th  day  of  March,  1831    .  .$330.57 
.  ,  JOHN  B.  GUM,    Treasurer  of  Knox  County, 


16  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ORDERED:  That  the  above  account  be  accepted,  and  that  the  treasurer  be  al- 
lowed two  per  cent  on  the  amount  paid  out  of  the  county  treasury  as  per  the 
above  account. 

ORDERED:  That  John  B.  Guni^be  reappointed  treasurer  of  Knox  county  and 
that  he  be  required  to  give  a  new  bond  for  the  penal  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars, 
and  file  the  same  in  this  court. 

The  money  received  from  the  state  was  the  greatest  part  of  the  revenue  of 
the  county  as  shown  by  the  above  report  of  the  county  treasurer.  Five  hundred 
dollars  was  the  amount  of  the  treasurer's  bond  for  that  year. 

The  temporary  seat  of  justice  was  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Gum,  Esq.,  located 
on  section  32,  Henderson  township.  In  the  very  nature  of  things,  this  arrange- 
ment could  not  last  long.  Accordingly  on  the  I2th  day  of  March,  1831,  the 
county  commissioners  ordered  the  construction  of  a  court  house  upon  specifica- 
tions  which  are  entered  below.  The  contract  for  the  building  was  let  in  two 
parts  and  was  divided  according  to  the  following  orders: 

ORDERED:  That  a  contract  be  entered  into  with  the  lowest  bidder  for  the 
erection  of  a  court  house  as  follows:  To  be  built  of  logs  hewed  on  the  ground 
and  raised  two  stories  high,  the  first  story  to  be  nine  feet  high  between  the 
sleepers  and  joists,  the  second  story  to  be  eight  feet  between  the  joists  and  top 
of  the  wall  plates;  the  size  of  the  building  to  be  twenty-eight  feet  long  and 
twenty  feet  wide,  the  corners  to  be  sawed  down  after  the  building  is  raised. 
Thirteen  sleepers  to  be  delivered  on  the  ground;  and  thirteen  joists  to  be  nine 
inches  by  three  inches  in  size  to  be  hewed  straight  and  planed  smooth  and  placed 
in  the  building  at  equal  distances  apart,  level  and  ready  for  the  reception  of  a 
floor;  said  building  to  be  erected  on  such  part  of  the  quarter  section  designated 
by  law,  for  the  seat  of  justice  for  said  county  as  may  be  selected  by  the  county 
commissioners  on  or  before  the  loth  day  of  April^  and  said  job  to  be  completed 
on  or  before  the  2Oth  day  of  May  next;  said  building  to  be  placed  on  a  solid  and 
permanent  foundation  of  pillars  of  stone,  one  at  each  corner  and  one  at  the 
center  of  each  side,  to  be  raised  one  foot  above  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The 
sills  are  to  be  hewed  square,  ten  by  twelve  inches  in  size  and  to  be  laid  level  and 
so  as  to  leave  four  inches  clear  inside  the  logs,  and  to  be  made  of  good  sound 
over  cup*  or  white  oak  timber — the  first  round  of  logs  above  the  sills  also  to  be 
over  cup  or  white  oak;  the  wall  plates  are  to  be  hewed  square,  lo  by  8  inches  in 
size  and  to  be  delivered  on  the  ground — two  plates  28  feet  long,  and  two  plates 
20  feet  long. 

ORDERED:  That  a  contract  be  entered  into  with  the  lowest  bidder,  for  com- 
pleting  and  finishing  the  court  house  in  the  following  manner,  viz :  The  plates 
are  to  be  raised  and  laid  level  and  a  good  substantial  roof  to  be  put  on,  made  of 
good  black  walnut  shingles  i8  inches  in  length,  jointed  and  well  put  on;  thirteen 
sleepers  to  be  hewed  on  one  side  and  laid  level  in  a  workmanlike  manner,  and  a 
floor  of  good  white  oak  or  ash  plank  one  and  one- fourth  inch  thick  and  7  by  9 
inches  wide  to  be  laid  close  but  not  jointed  or  laid  down  tight;  two  windows  and 
one  door  to  be  cut  out  and  cased  and  faced  with  plank,  the  windows  to  be  of 
suitable  size  to  receive  the  sash  for  12  lights  of  glass  8  by  lO  inches,  the  door  to 
be  of  good  large  suitable  size,  and  to  be  made  of  good  plank  and  made  to  fit  the 


*burr  oak. 


Plate   V — That   part   of   Illinois  ceded   by   the   Indians   Nov.   3rd,    180*. 
covering  Knox  County. 


Plate   VI — Pike   County,   Illinois,   covering   what   is  now   Knox   County.       .    ;••.. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ?   ;  ^  17 

casing,  and  well  hung  in  a  workmanlike  manner.  The  windows  and  door  to  be 
placed  in  such  part  of  the  building  as  the  commissioners  may  direct  on  or  before 
the  2oth  day  of  May  next,  and  the  whole  work  to  be  completed  before  the  first 
Monday  in  June  next. 

At  this  time  there  was  no  town  in  which,  and  no  land  belonging  to  the  county, 
on  which  to  build  this  court  house.  Nevertheless,  on  the  same  day  the  court 
entered  the  following  orders: 

ORDERED:  That  a  contract  be  entered  into  with  the  lowest  bidder  for  posts 
and  stakes  for  laying  out  a  town  at  the  seat  of  justice  for  said  county  as  follows: 
Four  posts  for  the  corners  of  the  public  square  to  be  seven  feet  in  length,  12 
inches  squari,  to  be  hewed  and  planed  for  four  feet  in  length  and  a  suitable  head 
cut  or  turned,  the  head  to  be  painted  white  and  the  remainder  of  the  four  feet 
to  be  painted  red  or  black — three  feet  at  the  lower  end  of  said  posts  to  be  left 
the  full  size  of  the  timber,  and  to  be  the  butt  ends  of  white  oak  or  over  cup  trees. 
Three  hundred  stakes  three  feet  in  length,  to  be  shaved  four  inches  square  for 
one  foot  in  length  at  the  upper  end' — the  lower  end  to  be  hewed  or  shaved  to  a 
point  and  the  remainder  to  be  hewed  or  shaved  square — to  be  delivered  at  or 
near  the  center  of  the  quarter  section  designated  for  the  seat  of  justice  for  said 
county  on  or  before  the  ist  day  of  April  next.  The  posts  may  be  painted  after 
they  shall  be  placed  in  the  ground  at  any  time  before  the  2Oth  day  of  May  next, 
the  stakes  to  be  made  of  large  over  cup  timber  suitable  for  board  timber. 

ORDERED:  That  the  foregoing  jobs  of  work  be  offered  to  be  let  to  the  lowest 
bidder  upon  the  following  terms,  viz:  One-third  part  of  the  amount  of  each 
contract  to  be  paid  out  of  the  county  treasury  on  taking  the  contract  and  upon 
the  contractor's  giving  bond  with  security  approved  by  the  court  for  the  per- 
formance of  the  contract ;  and  the  other  two-thirds  of  the  amount  of  edch  con- 
tract to  be  paid  out  of  the  first  money  arising  from  the  sale  of  lots  in  said  town, 
or  out  of  the  revenue  which  may  be  due  from  the  state  treasury  to  said  county 
for  the  year  1831,  whenever  it  shall  come  into  the  county  treasury.  Every  per- 
son taking  a  contract,  shall  within  two  days  after  taking  a  contract,  enter  into 
a  bond  with  sufficient  security  in  a  penalty  of  double  the  aniount  of  said  con- 
tract for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  same.  .  •/ 

William  Lewis,  having  offered  to  take  the  first  contract  for  the  erection  of  a 
court  house  for  the  sum  of  seventy-eight  dollars,  and  being  the  lowest  bidder  for 
same  it  is  therefore  ORDERED:  That  a  contract  be  entered  into  for  the  same. 

Parnach  Owen,  having  offered  to  take  the  second  contract  for  completing  and 
finishing  the  court  house,  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars,  and  he  being  the 
lowest  bidder,  it  is  ORDERED  :  That  a  contract  be  entered  into  with  him  for  same. 

Andrew  Osborn,  having  offered  to  take  the  third  contract  for  posts  and 
stakes,  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  dollars,  and  he  being  the  lowest  bidder  for  the 
same  it  is  therefore  ORDERED:  That  a  contract  be  made  with  him  for  the  same. 

On  the  i4th  day  of  March  it  was  concluded  that  six  more  windows  were 
needed  in  the  court  house  and  we  find  the  following  entry. 

Parnach  Owen,  having  offered  to  make  six  additional  windows  in  the  court 
house  of  the  same  description  as  those  mentioned  in  his  contract,  for  the  sum  of 
six  dollars,  ORDERED:  That  the  same  be  added  to  his  contract. 

Provision  having  been  made  for  a  court  house,  the  county  commissioners 
took  steps  to  acquire  land  on  which  to  build  and  for  laying  out  a  town  which 


Vol.  I— 1 


18  •"  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

should  constitute  a  permanent  seat  of  justice.  On  March  24th  the  following 
proceedings  were  had  in  said  matter: 

ORDERED  :  That  some  suitable  person  be  employed  to  proceed  on  to  the  land 
offices  in  Springfield,  as  agent  for  the  county  of  Knox,  to  secure  the  title  to  said 
county  by  pre-emption  for  the  S.  W.  28 — ii  N. — 2  E.,  being  the  land  designated 
by  law  as  the  permanent  seat  of  justice,  for  said  county;  and  for  this  purpose 
that  the  same  be  offered  to  the  lowest  bidder  upon  his  giving  bond  in  a  penalty 
of  double  the  amount  of  money  entrusted  to  him,  with  sufficient  securties  to  be 
approved  by  the  court,  conditioned  that  the  person  so  employed  and  empowered 
shall  proceed  to  go  to  the  land  offices  in  Springfield  as  soon  as  practicable,  and 
make  application  for  said  land  in  the  name  of  the  county  commissioners  of  said 
county,  and  make  return  of  the  certificate  he  may  receive  for  said  land,  on  or 
before  the  loth  day  of  April  next,  to  the  said  commissioners  or  to  the  clerk  of 
said  court. 

Rees  Jones,  having  offered  to  go  on  to  the  land  offices  at  Springfield  as  agent 
as  before  mentioned,  for  the  sum  of  eight  dollars,  and  having  offered  a  bond 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  said  commission  as  above  specified,  it  is 
ORDERED:  That  the  said  offer  and  bond  be  accepted  and  that  the  bond  be  filed 
in  the  clerk's  office. 

ORDERED:  That  Rees  Jones  be  and  he  hereby  is  employed  and  authorized  as 
agent  for  the  county  commissioners  of  Knox  county,  to  proceed  on  to  the  land 
offices  at  Springfield  and  make  application  in  the  name  of  the  said  county  com- 
missioners for  the  use  of  said  county,  for  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  twen- 
ty-eight, in  township  eleven  north,  in  range  two  east,  of  the  fourth  principal 
meridian,  being  the  quarter  section  designated  by  law  for  the  seat  of  justice  for 
said  county,  and  to  which  the  said  commissioners  are  entitled  to  the  right  of 
pre-emption,  according  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  that  the  clerk  of 
this  court  furnish  them  with  a  certified  copy  of  this  order,  and  also  a  certified 
copy  of  the  act  passed  at  the  last  session  of  the  general  assembly  of  this  state, 
entitled  "An  act  to  establish  a  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  Knox  county  and 
for  other  purposes,"  approved  January  15,  1831.  And  for  the  purposes  afore- 
said, the  clerk  is  hereby  authorized  to  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of 
Rees  Jones,  agent  for  said  commissioners,  as  aforesaid  for  the  sum  of  two  hun- 
dred and  five  dollars.  r  -•'•-,:  ^ -.::-'.'''  h  -  '  'V  .  ; 

ORDERED  :  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Rees 
Jones  for  eight  dollars,  his  compensation  for  going  to  Springfield  as  agent  for 
the  county  commissioners  of  Knox  county. 

Having  arranged  for  the  purchase  of  land  on  which  to  build  a  town  and  a 
court  house,  the  committee  on  the  first  day  of  April,  1831,  entered  into  a  con- 
tract with  Parnach  Owen  for  dividing  the  same  into  lots  and  blocks  according 
to  the  following  plan. 

ORDERED:  That  a  contract  be  made  with  Parnach  Owen  for  laying  out  the 
town  of  Henderson,  the  minutes  of  which  contract  are  as  follows:  The  said 
Owen  agrees  to  survey  and  establish  the  exterior  lines  and  corners  of  the  south- 
west quarter  of  section  twenty-eight  in  township  eleven  north,  in  range  two 
east,  and  to  lay  off  the  streets  of  said  town  as  follows:  Main  street  to  be  six 
rods  wide,  the  north  side  of  said  street  to  be  54  rods  south  of,  and  parallel  with 
the  north  line  of  the  said  quarter  section ;  two  other  streets  4  rods  wide  to  be  laid 


fla^j;   ^ 


Plate   \'II — Fulton   County,   Illinois,  covering  the  south   four  townships  of   what   is   now   Knox   County. 

Plate    \'III — Knox    County,    Illinois,    as   formed    Jan.    13,    18i5.      The    north    four    townships    of    Knox 
County   of   to-day,   then   covered   by    Henry   County. 


Plate   IX — Knox   County,   Illinois,  as   formed  Jan.   15,   1831,  being  the   same  as  to-day,   with   two   town- 
ships added   on   the   northeast. 


Plat».     V k'nnv     rniintM 


:'  V--  .;  ;     '  ^:    :;   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .  19 

'  "  \         ' 

out  at  a  distance  of  20  rods  one  on  each  side  of  and  parallel  with  Main  street; 
two  other  streets  4  rods  wide  to  be  laid  out  from  South  to  North  across  said  quar- 
ter section  40  rods  distant  from  and  parallel  with  the  east  and  west  lines  of  said 
quarter  section ;  and  two  other  cross  streets  4  rods  wide  extending  from  the 
south  to  North  street,  and  crossing  Main  street  and  20  rods  from  and  parallel 
with  the  east  and  west  streets  and  bounding  the  public  square  on  the  east  and 
west  sides ;  the  public  square  to  be  laid  out  and  bounded  east  and  west  by  the  two 
last  mentioned  cross  streets  and  extending  lo  rods  north  and  south  of  Main 
street;  all  the  blocks  between  north  and  south  street  to  be  laid  out  in  lots  to 
contain  one  quarter  of  an  acre  of  land  and  to  be  lo  rods  in  length  by  40  rods  in 
width  fronting  north  and  south  upon  one  of  the  streets  running  east  and  west; 
the  remainder  of  the  quarter  section  to  be  laid  off  into  out  lots  as  follows :  The 
land  on  the  north  side  of  North  street  to  be  divided  into  4  lots  and  the  land  on 
the  south  side  of  South  street  to  be  divided  into  8  lots  as  nearly  equal  in  size  as 
may  be  thought  advisable,  said  Owen  to  stick  and  drive  and  number  the  stakes 
at  the  corners  of  the  lots  and  set  4  posts  and  the  said  Owen  is  to  be  paid  twelve 
and  a  half  cents  for  each  large  and  small  lot,  in  said  town  as  a  full  compensation 
for  laying  out  and  surveying  said  town ;  to  be  paid  and  discharged  in  lots  in  said 
town  at  the  same  prices  and  rates  as  may  be  obtained  for  the  same  at  the  first 
sale  of  lots  for  cash  or  prompt  payment. 

On  the  9th  day  of  April,  1831,  there  was  another  meeting  of  the  county  com- 
missioners at  which  was  presented  the  following  receipt  showing  the  purchase 
of  land  which  had  been  set  apart  by  law  for  the  seat  of  justice  of  Knox  county. 

.'.:-:/;''::':.."•;;  "'•'.' .;{:r'^      RECEIVER'S  OFFICE.  '/.J.'- /-:.•:  .    '•         ^.'^'V:-' '.•'•':';:"• 

No.  4793.     (Duplicate)      ;;V    '  .       ;"  •  ^' :  '    '   :'_::•.'.:•:•:  -   -v       ,  .    .-; 

'         •;•-•'';;»>.••.>:     :• -,•  SPRINGFIELD,  April  ist,  1831. 

Received  from  Alexander  C.  Frakes  and  Riggs  Penning^on,  (county  commis- 
sioners of  Knox  county.  111.)  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars,  being  in  full  for 
S.  W.  qr.  of  section  No.  28,  township  No.  ii  North,  Range  No.  2  east,  4th  pi. 
md.  containing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  at  the  rate  of  $1.25  per  acre.  $200. 

•/:        V'-'V;.'xV.  --^      •-''•':'  ';---^'-;;-v^  JOHN  TAYLOR,  Receiver. 

And  now  having  acquired  perfect  title  to  the  land  by  purchase  from  the  gov- 
ernment and  having  subdivided  the  same  into  lots  and  blocks,  a  day  was  fixed 
for  the  sale  of  such  lots  and  blocks  as  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  offer  at  the 
time.  .:'.>•>;•.:•••••-:;•;•:".';;''•;  •  '' ^.'- •..;','';- 

ORDERED  :  That  a  sale  of  lots  in  the  town  of  Henderson  be  made  on  the  23rd 
day  of  April,  1831,  as  follows:  The  lots  which  may  be  offered  for  sale  will  be 
sold  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  immediately  after  the  sale  of  the  lots,  the  pur- 
chasers will  be  required  to  give  a  note  or  obligation  with  approved  security  for 
the  amount  for  which  each  lot  shall  be  sold,  payable  in  three  equal  installments ; 
one-third  part  of  said  amount  payable  in  12  months,  one-third  part  in  i8  months, 
and  one-third  part  in  24  months  from  the  day  of  sale;  subject,  however,  to  a 
deduction  of  eight  per  centum  per  annum,  for  the  payment  of  the  said  amount 
at  the  time  of  sale,  or  at  the  same  rate  for  the  payment  of  any  of  the  said  in- 
stallments, at  any  time  before  the  same  shall  become  due;  and  the  purchasers 
will  receive  from  the  county  commissioners  a  bond  for  a  deed  to  be  made  on 


20 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


the  full  payment  of  the  amount  for  which  each  lot  may  be  sold;  and  the  clerk     V 
is  required  to  prepare  blank  bonds  and  notes  for  said  sale.  j-; 

A  plat  of  the  ground  as  surveyed  was  made  and  acknowledged  by  the    ,/, 
county  commissioners  before  William  McMurtry,  a  justice  of  the  peace  of  said       . 
county,  being  the  town  of  Henderson,  and  was  delivered  to  the  recorder  of  the 
county  according  to  law  on  the  23rd  day  of  April,  1831,  being  the  day  on  which' 
certain  lots  were  sold  at  auction.     At  that  sale  seventy-nine  lots  were  sold  for        ^ 
$1,256  or  an  average  price  of  practically  $15.90  per  lot.    The  lots  varied  in  price 
from  $4  up  to  $6i  each.     For  making  the  survey  Parnach  Owen  was  paid  the 
sum  of  $18.25  ^"d  it  was  ordered  that  the  court  house  be  located  on  the  south-        • 
west  corner  of  lot  lo,  in  block  5,  so  as  to  front  on  Main  street  28  feet.    It  was    . 
ordered  that  a  further  sale  of  lots  be  made  on  Monday  the  i3th  day  of  June,    *   . 
1831.     Upon  that  day  a  second  sale  was  made  which  resulted  in  disposing  of     .:'  v 
eighteen  lots  for  a  gross  sum  of  $233.50.     Upon  the  same  day  the  work  per- 
formed by  William  Lewis  on  the  court  house  was  examined  and  approved  and         '•'• 
Mr.  Lewis  was  discharged  from  the  contract  and  was  paid  $52,  also  Parnach    ;-:^.' 
Owen  appeared  and  was  discharged  from  the  contract  and  he  was  allowed  $6   :;  '  •' 
in  addition  for  extra  work  and  paid  $76.66.     Upon  the  same  day  Andrew  Os-   ; 
born  appeared  with  his  contract  for  stakes  and  posts  which  was  declared  satis-    .    . 
fied  and  he  was  discharged  from  further  work  and  the  clerk  was  directed  to   - '  . 
issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  the  sum  of  $io  in  payment  of  said  contract.    •• 

On  the  6th  day  of  September,  1831,  the  county  commissioners  court  con-    -'V' 
vened   and  entered  the   following  order  in   regard   to   further  work  upon   the    ,•;  ^ 
court  house.  .:;' 

ORDERED:     That  notice  be  given  that  on  Saturday  the  I7th  day  of  Septem-    •:;; 
ber  inst.  at  the  court  house  in  the  town  of  Henderson,  the  following  jobs  of    ' 
work  will  severally  be  let  to  the  lowest  bidder,  to-wit:  For  underpinning  the    '   ' 
walls  of  the  court  house  and  for  finishing  the  walls  of  the  court  house  by  chink-     '  \' 
ing  and  daubing  the  same,  and  nailing  boards  on  the  outside  over  the  cracks    v;;. 
and  daubing.     For  furnishing  oak  or  ash  plank  and  laying  loose  the  upper  floor    ,- 
in  the  court  house.    For  furnishing  sash,  glass,  putty,  etc.,  and  finishing  the  win- 
dows of  the  court  house;  making  a  suitable  seat  for  the  judge,  table  for  the 
clerk  and  seats  for  the  court,  the  particulars  respecting  the  same  to  be  made   f . 
known  at  the  time  they  are  let  out.         • ;.   ' .  >•  vV;  ^j    '  v.v'  /   '  -  ;^':' 

ORDERED  :  That  John  G.  Sanborn  be  authorized  to  procure  a  suitable  stove 
and  stove  pipe  for  the  court  house,  and  also  a  lock  and  key  for  the  same. 

ORDERED:  That  no  family  be  permitted  to  reside  in  the  court  house,  and 
that  as  soon  as  the  same  shall  be  finished  it  shall  be  kept  locked,  and  the  key 
thereof  deposited  with  the  clerk  of  this  court.  .; 

On  the  1 7th  day  of  September,  1831,  the  commissioners  proceeded  to  let  the 
contract  for  completing  the  court  house  according  to  the  notice  previously  given 
and  the  reading  of  the  contract  and  specifications  are  so  quaint  and  full  of  in-  ; 
structions  that  they  are  given  in  full  below.  It  is  certainly  a  matter  of  educa- 
tion to  the  people  of  today  and  will  continue  to  be  such  more  and  more  as  time 
passes  on.  They  are  as  follows: 

The  commissioners  proceeded  agreeably  to  notice  given  to  let  out  the  jobs 
of  work  for  finishing  the  court  house  as  follows :  A  contract  was  entered  into  by 
the  commissioners  with  Robert  K.  Hendricks  for  underpinning  the  court  house 


;y>f:;.   •;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .  .  yt  21 

with  good  sound  rock  to  be  laid  to  face  on  the  outside  and  laid  tight  and  in  a 
workmanlike  manner.  Also  to  chink  the  cracks  of  the  walls  on  the  inside  with 
blocks  of  suitable  size  to  fill  the  cracks  and  of  convenient  lengths  to  be  laid  in 
lengthwise  so  as  to  fill  up  the  cracks  full  and  plum  with  the  wall  and  fastened 
with  pins  well  drove  into  the  logs  and  the  pins  sawed  off  close: — The  cracks  to 
be  filled  full  and  plum  with  the  outside  of  the  logs  with  clay  mortar  well  worked 
and  tempered  and  mixed  with  straw  or  hay  and  rough  boards  of  sufficient  width 
to  cover  the  cracks  and  daubing  to  be  nailed  on  the  outside  over  the  daubing — 
to  be  completed  on  or  before  the  22nd  day  of  October  next,  and  for  which  the 
said  commissioners  agreed  to  pay  to  the  said  Hendricks  the  sum  of  thirty- 
seven  dollars  and  a  half,  of  which  one  dollar  and  forty-nine  cents  is  to  be  paid 
out  of  the  treasury  upon  entering  contract  as  above,  and  the  remaining  sum  of 
thirty-six  to  be  allowed  to  the  said  Hendricks  in  payment  of  any  town  lots 
sold  at  any  former  sale : — it  was 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  the  said 
Robert  K.  Hendricks  for  the  sum  of  one  dollar  and  forty-nine  cents  on  the 
above  named  contract. 

Calvin  Glass  having  offered  to  furnish  oak  or  ash  plank  i  ^  inches  thick  and 
eight  or  nine  inches  wide  for  the  upper  floor  in  the  court  house,  and  to  lay  the 
same  loose,  on  or  before  the  22nd  day  of  October  next,  for  the  sum  of  eighteen 
dollars,  which  offer  was  accepted  by  the  commissioners — one-half  of  the  said 
sum  to  be  paid  by  an  order  on  treasurer  on  the  ensealing  hereof,  and  the  other 
half  to  be  paid  on  the  completion  of  the  same :  Whereupon  it  was 

ORDERED  :  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Calvin 
Glass  for  the  sum  of  nine  dollars  on  the  above  contract. 

Calvin  Glass  offered  to  finish  and  complete  eight  windows  in  the  court  house 
and  to  furnish  glass,  putty  and  other  materials  requisite  for  the  same — each  win- 
dow to  contain  two  sash,  each  of  six  lights  of  8  by  lo  glass  (12  lights  to  each 
•window),  the  glass  to  be  set  with  putty  and  the  sash  to  be  primed,  fitted  and  put 
in  in  a  workmanlike  manner.  Also  to  erect  a  seat  or  stand  for  the  judges  as  fol- 
lows: a  platform  to  be  erected  seven  feet  long,  three  and  a  half  feet  wide  and 
eighteen  inches  high,  with  a  step  or  stair  at  each  end  of  the  same;  standards  to 
be  inserted  and  framed  in,  and  the  front  and  back  to  be  closed  up  with  plank 
neatly  jointed  and  matched,  the  front  to  be  two  feet  nine  inches  above  the  top 
of  the  platform,  and  an  inclined  writing  shelf  about  fifteen  inches  broad  placed 
on  the  top,  projecting  over  the  front  about  one-third  part  of  the  width  of  it. 
The  platform  to  be  framed  and  put  together  so  as  to  stand  independent  of  the 
walls  of  the  building — the  whole  to  be  made  of  good  suitable  plank  in  a  work- 
manlike manner.  Also  a  table  two  feet  and  ten  inches  high,  seven  feet  long  and 
three  and  a  half  feet  wide,  the  legs  to  be  framed  together  at  the  top  and  bottom, 
and  to  be  made  strong  and  finished  in  a  neat,  substantial,  and  workmanlike  man- 
ner. Also  six  seats  or  benches  of-  suitable  height,  nine  or  ten  feet  long  and  at  least 
twelve  inches  wide,  to  be  made  of  suitable  plank,  the  l^s  to  be  of  plank  and 
braced  with  strips  on  each  side,  and  to  be  planed  smooth  and  made  strong  and 
substantial ;  to  furnish  all  the  materials  requisite  and  suitable  for  the  whole  of 
the  above  work  and  to  complete  the  same  on  or  before  the  22nd  of  October  next, 
for  the  sum  of  forty-three  dollars,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  county  treasury  on  the 
completion  of  said  work ;  and  the  said  offer  having  been  accepted. 


22  '  :      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  prepare  written  contracts  for  the  above  work  with 
Calvin  Glass  and  execute  the  same  on  part  of  the  commissioners  upon  his  enter- 
ing into  contract  and  giving  security  for  the  performance  of  the  same. 

On  September  7th,  1831,  the  following  orders  were  given: 

ORDERED  :  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert 
K.  Hendricks  for  the  sum  of  five  dollars  and  fifty  cents  in  part  on  his  contract 
for  completing  the  court  house. 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Calvin 
Glass  for  the  siun  of  fifteen  dollars  in  part  on  his  contract  for  windows,  etc.,  for 
the  court  house.  .  , 

September  15,  1832,  we  find  the  following  orders: 

Upon  the  request  of  the  court,  George  A.  Charles  and  John  B.  Gum  having 
taken  into  consideration  the  contract  of  Robert  K.  Hendricks,  and  having  ex- 
amined the  work  performed  under  said  contract,  gave  it  as  their  opinion  to  the 
court,  that  the  said  Robert  K.  Hendricks  is  not  entitled  to  full  compensation  for 
said  work,  but  that  the  sum  of  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  be  deducted  from  the 
amount  of  said  contract.  Whereupon  it  is 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Robert 
K.  Hendricks,  or  bearer,  for  the  sum  of  twenty-eight  dollars,  receivable  in  pay- 
ment of  any  town  lots  sold  at  any  sale  previous  to  the  ijth  day  of  October,  1831, 
as  a  full  compensation  for  the  work  done  on  said  contract,  and  that  the  said  con- 
tract and  bond  be  endorsed  satisfied,  and  the  said  Robert  K.  Hendricks  and  his 
security  be  released  from  said  contract  and  bond. 

ORDERED  :  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  for  the  sum  of 
thirty-three  dollars  in  favor  of  Calvin  Glass  or  bearer,  being  in  full  compensation 
for  a  certain  contract  entered  into  by  the  said  Glass  for  finishing  the  court  house 
by  putting  in  windows,  making  seats,  table  and  judge's  stand,  and  the  above  in- 
cluding five  dollars  additional  compensation  for  extra  work  done  on  the  judge's 
stand,  etc.,  and  that  the  said  contract  and  bond  be  endorsed  satisfied. 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Calvin 
Glass  or  bearer,  for  the  sum  of  nine  dollars  in  full,  compensation  for  his  con- 
tract for  furnishing  plank  and  laying  loose  the  upper  fioor  of  the  court  house; 
and  that  the  said  Calvin  Glass  be  held  on  his  contract  accountable  for  any  de- 
ficiency of  plank  which  may  be  required  to  lay  said  floor  agreeably  to  contract. 


THE  TOPOGRAPHY  AiND  GEOLOGY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

BY  FREDERICK  R.  JELLIFF 

The  topography  of  Knox  county  is  determined  by  the  watershed  between 
the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers.  This  elevation  diagonally  traverses  the 
northwest  part  of  the  county  and  creates  two  main  drainage  districts,  the  one  to 
the  south  and  southeast  with  Spoon  river  as  its  main  channel,  and  the  other  to 
the  northwest,  with  branches  of  Pope  and  Henderson  creeks  furnishing  the 
outlet.  By  much  the  larger  part  of  the  county  is  drained  by  Spoon  river  and 
its  net  work  of  creeks  with  their  brooks  and  rivulets.  These  run  south  and 
east  on  the  north  and  west  side  of  the  river  and  north  and  northwest  and  west 


^   •  ^^      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    '  >     ;    '  28 

on  the  east  and  south  side  of  the  river.  This  ridge  varies  from  a  quarter  to  a 
mile  in  width  and  is  part  of  the  watershed  extending  from  nearly  the  north 
boundary  of  the  State  to  the  south  and  west. 

Knox  county  is  thus  by  no  means  a  uniform  surface,  a  level  prairie,  but 
is  diversified,  with  its  rich  prairie  uplands,  its  long  slopes  to  the  streams,  its 
rounded  hills,  its  often  broad  valleys  and  occasionally  abrupt  bluffs. 

There  is  a  remarkable  ramification  of  streams  as  a  glance  at  the  map  will 
show.  Counting  the  mapped  contributary  streams.  Spoon  river  has  a  total 
of  352  tributaries  in  this  county,  not  including  those  of  Walnut  creek,  that  afford 
drainage  to  every  mile  of  its  basin.  On  the  north  it  has  twelve  main  streams  and 
twelve  on  the  south  and  east.  Court  creek,  running  east  from  east  of  Galesburg 
to  the  river  gets  to  be  a  fine  stream  often  with  wide  and  picturesque  valley, 
with  high,  rounded  hills  for  a  border;  and  emptying  into  it  are  nine  main 
branches,  some  of  which  extend  far  north  into  the  adjacent  territory.  Haw 
creek  is  another  handsome  stream,  with  Brush  as  one  of  its  main  assets,  and  with 
a  total  of  eleven  main  tributaries,  including  those  of  Brush.  French  creek 
which  flows  from  the  east  brings  to  Spoon  river  the  waters  of  ten  main  tribu- 
taries, while  Willow  creek  in  the  extreme  south  part  of  the  county  conveys  the 
waters  of  five  more.  The  laterals  of  all  these  creeks  have  their  subdivisions, 
their  sloughs  and  their  draws,  extending  into  seemingly  level  uplands,  and  all 
charged  with  water  during  times  of  heavy  rainfalls.  In  all  are  352  recognizable 
and  mapped  Spoon  river  streams,  little  and  big,  reticulated  like  veins,  conveying 
water,  sculpturing  the  land,  often  filled  with  precious  humus,  and  gradually 
planing  down  the  level  of  the  county.  Every  hill  is  the  result  of  this  process, 
and  every  valley  represents  the  work  of  a  stream. 

Walnut  creek,  which  drains  the  northeast  part  of  the  county,  has  no  less 
than  sixty-seven  tributaries  little  and  big,  including  the  subdivisions  of  its  main 
branches,  and  is  a  Spoon  river  auxiliary.  To  the  northwest  are  Pope  creek 
with  twenty-five  tributaries,  and  Henderson  with  forty-seven,  and  including 
Cedar  Fork  with  fifteen,  all  flowing  west  into  the  Mississippi  river,  while  in 
the  extreme  southwest  part  of  the  county  is  Cedar  creek  with  twenty-four 
tributaries  emptying  into  Spoon  river. 

.      1>-^',  ..;'--:i';'^v>.' •/'••/•'  ^v.•  V        THE  STREAM   SYSTEM  '       ',  ^:'l.  ''-•''• 


To   recapitulate  the  stream  system  of  the  county,   including  all  mapped 
streams,  is  as  follows: 

Spoon  river,  unnamed 21 

Walnut  creek    67 

Court  creek 64 

Brush  creek  ; 43 

Haw  creek  , .  v\r /;- 45 

Willow  creek 22 

French  creek  51 

Cedar  creek   24 

Miscellaneous    15 

Pope  creek   25 


24  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Henderson  creek 48 

Cedar  Fork  15 


Total 440 

Of  this  total,  eighty-eight  find  their  way  to  the  Mississippi,  while  the  remainder 
belong  to  the  Spoon  river  system. 

Thus  all  told  on  the  720  square  miles  of  territory  in  this  county  there  are 
440  streams,  agencies  in  shaping  the  surface  and  giving  it  its  present  contour  and 
character.  These  are  fed  by  the  thirty-six  to  forty-eight  inches  of  annual  rain- 
fall, either  by  direct  flow  from  the  surface,  or  from  seepage  or  springs.  It 
should  also  be  remembered  that  every  stream  has  for  its  feeders  its  rills  and 
rivulets.  It  is  indeed  amazing  how  large  a  work  is  accomplished  by  a  mere 
streamlet  during  a  heavy  rain,  as  it  excavates  a  ravine  in  the  soft  hill  side,  or 
plows  its  way  down  a  cultivated  incline,  bearing  soil  away  to  the  bottom  land. 

A  Knox  county  hill  represents  the  labor  usually  of  two  small  streams  that 
in  descending  from  the  upland  gradually  excavate  more  and  more  deeply  until 
the  bottom  is  reached  through  which  they  meander  to  the  main  channel,  the  hill 
sides  meanwhile  being  rounded  into  agreeable  proportions  by  the  washing  away 
of  the  material  and  the  action  of  frost  and  atmosphere.  As  one  walks  along  a 
creek  like  Court  he  can  see  hill  after  hill,  between  each  two  of  which  comes 
tumbling  and  singing  a  rivulet.  The  four  hundred  and  forty  streams  mean  there- 
fore more  than  this  number  of  hills,  indicating  that  the  areas  of  level  land  are 
never  more  than  a  few  square  miles  in  extent  and  that  the  whole  territory  is 
magnificently  drained. 

;..,  ;      -         ;;         THE  DRAINAGE  AREA  ;;      • 

When  one  comes  to  the  drainage  areas  he  finds  that  they  are  approximately 
distributed  as  follows: 

Spoon  river  drainage  area  430  square  miles. 

Walnut  creek  drainage  area  ii8  square  miles. 

Pope  creek  drainage  area  30  square  miles. 

Henderson  creek  drainage  area  62  square  miles. 

Cedar  Fork  drainage  area  28  square  miles.  -/[/I 

;  :        ;          .V  •  THE    ALTITUDES  ' 

The  highest  altitude  on  record  in  the  county  is  that  at  Wataga,  835  feet  above 
the  sea  level;  the  lowest,  532  feet,  that  at  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy 
bridge  at  London  Mills.  The  river  bed  is  some  distance  below  the  bridge,  so 
that  the  elevation  of  the  river  itself  is  less  than  the  figure  shown  for  the  bridge. 
Then  the  835  feet  is  not  the  highest  altitude.  Wataga  is  about  a  mile  south  of 
the  watershed  and  on  its  southern  slope.  The  elevation  of  the  ridge  is  higher 
than  Wataga.  Northwest  of  Oneida  is  Pilot  Knob,  a  conspicuous  landmark  and 
in  the  early  day  serving  as  a  guide  to  travelers.  From  this  the  land  slopes  in 
all  directions  and  the  altitude  at  its  summit  must  be  considerably  greater  than  that 
of  Wataga.  It  is  judging  from  the  altitude  of  Oneida  not  far  from  870  feet. 

Thus  there  is  between  the  highest  point  in  the  county  and  the  lowest  a  dif- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -        25 

ference  of  at  least  350  feet.    In  going  from  Spoon  river  bridge  near  London  Mills 
to  Pilot  Knob,  one  would  ascend  about  this  distance. 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  altitudes  at  important  points  in  the  county: 

Wataga 835 

Oneida  815 

Galesburg 788,  756 

Rio  782 

Knoxville 778 

Saluda 770 

,  ....      Altona 760 

'  '•  H  •      Abingdon 753 

Williamsfield 711 

Gilson 689 

Belong 685 

Rapatee 684 

^  Knox 678 

Yates  City   674 

Hermon ...>;w;,..:Vv.,>,.>.»  Vs-^i:ii 653 

.     ,        Douglas 652 

-V,,''       St.  Augustine 647 

.     .        Maquon 630 

^^^^j      Appleton ^i-.:*'i^ .W.i,rf>-;^.; 604 

^  :--\      Dahinda 597 

Maquon  railroad  Spoon  river  bridge 571 

C.  B.  &  Q.  bridge  at  London  Mills 532 

Some  altitudes  of  towns  just  outside  the  county  throw  some  light  on  the  gen- 
eral trend  of  elevations:  . 

Woodhull .824 

Galva 850 

Kewanee 854 

London  Mills 543 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  higher  altitudes  belong  to  the  towns  on  the  water- 
shed or  near  it,  such  as  Oneida,  Wataga  and  Galesburg,  while  as  one  goes  toward 
Spoon  river  or  toward  Walnut  creek  or  Henderson  or  Pope  creeks,  the  altitudes 
fall.  .;^;:^.. 

This  is  illustrated  by  the  altitudes  from  Galesburg  to  Spoon  river  via  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  and  Quincy  railroad  as  follows : 

Galesburg 788 

Knoxville ;  »•;  i 778 

Gilson 689 

Maquon 630 

Spoon  river  ,' 571 

Douglas 652 

Yates  City 674 

In  these  figures  one  can  almost  see  the  Spoon  river  valley. 

Equally  interesting  is  the  showing  from  Galesburg  along  the  line  of  the  Santa 
Fe: 


26  •  ;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

^-  ; ,      :  Galesburg 788 

:•  •:•.','  (•  Knox 678 

.    :       :  Appleton 604 

f        ;  •  Dahinda 597 

..  , . ,   .-  ,  Williamsfield 711 

•  ."    ";     Pilot  Knob  is  a  point  from  which  descents  radiate;  Victoria  is  another;  Knoxville 
'  ,.  I   :/  in  a  measure  another,  with  streams  flowing  into  Haw  creek  south  of  it  and  streams 
...',:.      ''flowing  into  Court  creek  north  of  it.     Abingdon  and  Yates  City  occupy  high  points 
> -' -        from  which  streams  flow.  . 

':•'"  '    '     ,j.    .  •      - 

•  "  :;  IMMENSITY   OF   EROSION  '  ^'          •' 

'.:  '•    /  '         If,  then,  one  takes  his  stand  on  Pilot  Knob,  he  is  in  a  position  to  comprehend 

V  the  enormous  amount  of  erosion  accomplished  by  Spoon  river  and  its  branches 

;•  ;  since  the  day  when  the  accumulation  of  drift  ceased,  and  also  the  work  done  in 

.  ,  ' '.  this  same  way  by  Pope  and  Henderson  creeks.     This  removed  mass  at  the  London 

.,  .;  Mills  bridge  would  have  a  thickness  of  more  than  three  hundred  feet.     East  and 

{  ,  .     west  of  the  Knob  a  large  thickness  has  also  been  removed.     When  the  floods 

;  •  '     following  the  glacier  disappeared  it  is  likely  that  there  were  no  such  surface  in- 

•'•  ..  equalities  as  now  exist.    Possibly  the  surface  may  have  been  something  like  that 

..  ;..  of  southern  Texas,  practically  level,  with  sluggish  streams.     There  is  evidence 

that  since  the  glacial  epoch  ended  there  has  been  a  slow  elevation  of  the  land,  so 

;.  that  greater  velocity  was  given  to  the  streams,  their  number  was  multiplied  and 

.  .  their  capacity  for  erosion  was  increased.    The  removal  of  an  irregular  layer  over 

'  .,  three  hundred  feet  in  thickness  at  the  south  end,  a  hundred  or  more  at  the  east 

.  •'•';  end  and  as  much  at  the  west,  covering  all  but  a  few  miles  of  the  surface  of  the 

.     .  county,  and  thinning  as  the  watershed  is  approached,  represents  the  work  of  the 

•     .-  tributaries  of  the  county,  since  the  period  of  elevation  began,  and  accounts  for 

'•  V  ••  the  variety  noticed  in  the  topography  of  the  county. 

;'  .           The  significance  of  this  discussion  of  erosion  as  a  topographical  factor  lies  in 

;  this,  that  with  all  the  numerous  stream  agencies  and  slopes,  the  soil  is  being 

V     •;  slowly  carried  away  toward  the  valleys  and  the  seas.     The  period  of  soil  deposi- 

:  :  :  tion  seems  in  large  measure  to  have  ceased.     If  the  present  soil  covering  is  re- 
moved, there  appears  no  present  agency  to  renew  it.     There  are  already  many 

^'  ;••.  bare  hills  and  slopes,  the  soil  on  which  is  scanty.     The  farther  back  the  waters 

j. '  eat  their  way,  the  less  the  upland.     The  present  denudation  of  soil  must  be  much 

;    .  ;  greater  than  it  was  during  the  days  when  the  ground  was  covered  with  dense 

\  growths  of  prairie  grass,  and  then  the  slough  and  creek  bottoms  were  heavy  with 

".  :  coarse  sedges  or  other  soil  protecting  plants.     Now  the  plow  of  the  farmer  leaves 

>  j  \  the  earth  friable,  an  easy  mark  for  heavy  rains.     The  bare  field  soft,  unprotected, 

• '.  is  easily  cut  into  by  the  small  streams  and  the  soil  is  quickly  conveyed  away. 

•;;•  Single  heavy  rains  often  make  deep  ravines  in  such  areas.     Then  with  the  soil 

.:;  '  ploughed,  harrowed,  pulverized,  the  winds  sweep  away  clouds  of  it  in  dust,  and 

'^s.  scatter  it  far  and  wide.     These  leveling  agencies  may  through  the  removal  of 

,  the  soil  render  unproductive  in  the  distant  future  the  now  fertile  acres  of  this 

•".  ,  county.     The  Knox  county  soil  map  published  by  the  State  Geological  department 

.  shows  large  areas  adjacent  to  the  streams  stripped  of  the  black  soil,  characteristic 

V  of  the  uplands.         .      - 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  27 

The  topography  of  Lake  Rice  east  of  Galesburg,  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water, 
affords  an  illustration.  It  is  surrounded  by  these  deep  ravines,  especially  along 
its  eastern  shore,  and  some  of  these  extend  far  up  into  the  ploughed  fields.  North 
of  Knoxville  one  can  follow  a  little  stream  and  find  that  in  the  course  of  a  mile 
and  a  half  it  has  dug  a  deep  valley  for  itself,  while  extending  down  the  sandstone 
and  clay  shales  to  its  valley  are  deep  crevasses,  affording  an  excellent  opportunity 
to  study  the  formations. 


•....:;;.'      SOIL,    THE   GREATEST    ASSET         '  •  \' 

The  greatest  asset  of  Knox  county  is  its  soil.  Several  varieties  are  mentioned, 
according  to  the  clay  and  sand  and  humus  elements.  Judging  from  the  recent 
census  report,  this  surface  is  worth  nearly  forty-eight  million  dollars  at  the 
present  time,  with  promise  of  a  larger  valuation  in  the  future,  if  properly  con- 
served. On  the  upland  prairies  is  found  the  dark,  fertile  stratum  with  its  under- 
lying subsoil.  It  thins  out  on  the  hills,  and  there  the  covering  is  more  clayey, 
while  in  the  bottom  lands  is  the  often  thick  deposit  of  alluvium.  The  upland  sub- 
soil is  underlain  by  a  deposit  of  drift,  thirty  to  sixty  feet  in  depth,  and  this  drift 
rests  on  the  coal  measure  rocks.  Immediately  under  the  subsoil  is  a  stratum  of 
yellow  clay,  eight  to  fifteen  feet  in  thickness,  and  often  containing  beds  of  sand. 
Frequently  about  eight  feet  below  the  surface  is  found  a  second  soil  from  six 
inches  to  a  foot  in  depth  and  of  a  chocolate  color.  Below  the  yellow  clay  is  the 
blue  clay,  at  the  base  of  which  there  is  usually  a  deposit  of  gravel  and  sand,  while 
scattered  through  the  entire  deposit  are  boulders,  some  of  which  are  of  large  pro- 
portions. 

Thus  a  section  of  a  boring  through  any  of  the  prairie  uplands  would  pass 
through  the  following  materials: 

Soil — two  to  three  feet.  -  .  '':^   '^; 

Subsoil — twelve  to  twenty-four  inches.  '  -Iv:     '; 

Yellow  clay — five  feet.  .      '•;.>! 

Second  soil — eight  to  twelve  inches,  .     .        V^ 

Yellow  clay — ^three  to  ten  feet.  .         :.•  '.  :  ; 

.  ..-•''•''.'.•    .,'-    '. 

Blue  clay — twenty-five  to  forty  feet.     '  '^-:;'  •     .'  : 

Coal  measure  rocks.  .      .  -."v  • 


.:      ;^  THE   WATER    RESERVOIR  ';      '          -'::  v 

The  yellow  clays  with  their  sand  deposits  are  the  great  underlying  water  reser- 
voir. The  blue  clay  will  not  allow  the  passage  of  water  through  it;  that  is,  it 
is  impervious.  The  rain  passes  through  the  porous  soil  and  subsoil  and  is  gradu- 
ally diffused  through  the  yellow  clays  where  it  is  held,  because  it  cannot  sink 
through  the  blue  clay.  It  is  thus  kept  within  reach  of  the  roots  of  vegetation. 
Where  streams  cut  through  the  yellow  clays,  as  along  the  hill  sides,  there  are 
springs  and  seepage  that  maintain  the  streams.  This  retention  of  water  in  the 
yellow  clays  is  a  magnificent  provision,  as  all  can  readily  see.  .:  ; 


28  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

A  section  would  disclose  something  like  this: 


soil  -' 

subsoil 

yellow  clay — water  reservoir 

•f. 

second  soil 

yellow  clay — water  reservoir 

blue  clay — Impervious  f 

sand  and  gravel  j 

coal  measure  rocks  ' 


Wells  are  usually  sunk  into  the  yellow  clays  and  perhaps  a  short  distance  into 
the  blue  clay,  but  the  water  flows  into  the  well  from  the  yellow  clays,  impregnated 
with  the  lime,  magnesia,  iron  and  other  minerals  dissolved  out  on  the  way. 

This  interesting  arrangement  of  the  deposits  is  a  vital  factor  in  agriculture. 
If  in  place  of  the  blue  clay  there  were  sand  or  other  porous  material  the  water 
would  sink  beyond  the  reach  of  plants,  there  might  be  no  streams  and  a  desert 
like  condition  might  result.  If  the  blue  day  extended  to  the  surface,  as  water 
could  not  sink,  the  tendency  would  be  to  form  swamps.  As  it  is,  the  great  under- 
ground water  supply  so  near  to  the  surface  and  maintained  there  is  a  most  bene- 
ficent and  magnificent  treasure  for  maintaining  the  streams  and  for  supplying 
all  life  with  needed  moisture. 

The  drift  contains  at  some  points  in  the  county  beds  of  sand  and  also  of  gravel. 
At  one  time  gravel  was  extensively  mined  in  the  hills  along  the  northwest  shore  of 
Lake  Rice  east  of  Galesburg,  and  also  in  Maquon  township. 

The  surface  formations  of  the  county  thus  include  the  soils,  the  water  stratum 
of  yellow  clays,  the  blue  clay,  the  coal  hieasure  shales,  sandstones,  and  limestones, 
and  the  coal  veins,  six  in  number,  all  here  and  there  exposed  in  the  county. 

••  DISTRIBUTION    OF   SOILS 

The  soil  survey  of  the  county  shows  that  the  surface  formation  approximately 
consists  of  468  square  miles  of  black  loam,  which  is  the  superior  soil  of  the 
county ;  ten  square  miles  of  black  clay  soil,  almost  like  gumbo  in  its  tenacious 
qualities;'  185  square  miles  of  clay  soil,  and  55  miles  of  bottom  land.  In  Ontario 
township  nearly  all  the  surface  formation  is  set  down  as  black  loam,  and  in  this 
respect  it  leads  the  county.  Galesburg  township  also  has  a  large  preponderance 
of  this  soil.  On  the  other  hand,  such  townships  as  Copley  and  Victoria  have 
much  clay  loam,  not  however,  lacking  in  fertility,  while  Maquon  township  has 
the  largest  area  of  bottom  lands. 

The  largest  areas  of  black  clay  loam  are  found  northwest  of  Galesburg. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  29 

THE  COAL  RESOURCES  .. 

At  one  time  there  extended  all  over  the  county  six  veins  of  coal  and  their  in- 
termediate strata  of  limestone,  sandstone,  and  clay  shales.  They  are  nearly  hori- 
zontal with  a  slight  dip  to  the  southeast,  toward  the  center  of  the  Illinois  coal 
field.  The  sixth  and  fifth  veins  are  now  found  only  in  the  north  part  of  the 
county  and  a  small  section  in  Salem  and  Elba  townships.  These  two  veins  have 
been  mined  in  Walnut  Grove,  Sparta,  Ontario,  Victoria  and  Copley  townships 
north  of  Spoon  river  and  in  Elba  and  Salem  townships  south  of  the  river.  In  the 
vicinity  of  Spoon  river  valley  they  are  not  found  simply  because  they  have  been 
with  all  their  strata  eroded. 

As  one  therefore  goes  down  the  incline  toward  Spoon  river  he  gets  below  the 
horizon  of  these  two  veins  and  is  in  that  of  No.  4,  and  as  he  goes  still  farther 
he  passes  below  the  horizon  of  No.  4  and  reaches  the  horizon  of  No.  3,  which  is 
found  in  the  banks  of  the  river  in  places  in  Truro  township,  while  still  farther 
south  one  passes  into  the  horizon  of  No.  2.  Thus  the  river  and  its  tributaries 
before  the  south  limit  of  the  county  is  reached  have  washed  away  the  strata  of 
four  veins. 

There  is  a  fine  illustration  of  this  along  Brush  creek  south  of  Knoxville,  the 
sandstone  hills  making  a  very  picturesque  valley  and  the  slate  and  coal  appearing 
at  the  base  of  the  sandstone  a  few  feet  above  the  bank  of  the  creek. 

The  same  erosion  of  coal  veins  is  noticed  going  west  from  Wataga  down  the 
slopes  of  Henderson  creek.  Vein  No.  6  has  been  mined  just  west  of  that  village 
and  starting  from  this  point  one  descends  past  successive  veins  until  in  one  place 
in  Henderson  township  he  is  on  the  horizon  of  No.  i.  In  walking  west  from 
Oneida,  the  horizon  of  No.  6,  mined  there  years  ago,  he  comes  to  the  horizon 
of  No.  3,  in  the  vicinity  of  Pope  creek. 

That  streams  have  cut,  down  through  coal  veins  and  their  strata,  leaving 
them  exposed  on  each  side  of  the  valley,  explains  why  drift  mines  are  so  com- 
monly met  in  the  hills  facing  the  bottom  lands.  As  the  veins  are  nearly  horizon- 
tal it  is  easy  to  trace  them  in  the  hillsides.  That  just  above  the  bottom  of  Court 
creek  east  of  Knox  station  can  be  followed  clear  to  Spoon  river,  and  there  it  is 
found  just  below  the  bed  of  the  river.  In  Henderson  township  five  miles  north- 
west of  Galesburg  a  seam  can  be  traced  along  the  hillsides  a  short  distance  above 
the  bottom  lands. 

In  Henderson  township  it  is  believed  that  all  six  of  the  veins  of  coal  are  either 
exposed  or  mined.  In  section  26  the  streams  have  cut  deeply  into  the  shales. 
High  in  the  bluflfs  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township  are  found  fossils  associated 
with  vein  No.  6.  In  the  shafts  penetrating  the  creek  bottom  farther  west  three 
veins  were  gone  through.  Still  farther  down  the  valley  is  a  vein  thought  to  be 
the  equivalent  of  No.  i,  the  lowest  of  the  series. 

THE   INTERMEDIATE   ROCKS  .  :  ; 

Each  coal  vein  is  separated  from  the  one  below  by  a  series  of  rocks,  some- 
times solid,  sometimes  shaly;  the  distance  between  the  veins  varying,  and  the 
veins  not  always  appearing  to  be  continuous.  From  thirty  to  sixty  feet  of  rock 
usually  separate  one  vein  from  that  below  it,  although  occasionally  a  vein  is  split 


80  ^    •   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

up  into  two  or  three  seams.  The  rock  is  ordinarily  sandstone  or  a  clay  shale, 
that  passes  easily  and  naturally  into  sandstone.  In  the  case  of  vein  No.  3  found 
along  several  streams  running  into  Spoon  river,  there  is  a  very  interesting  series 
of  formations  extending  twenty  feet  above  the  vein,  comprising  a  friable  black 
shale,  with  lines  of  concretions,  deposited  in  parallel  lines,  and  often  containing 
shells  and  other  marine  animals.  Above  this  black  shale  is  a  very  valuable  clay 
shale  deposit,  from  which  are  made  the  Galesburg  paving  brick.  Bluffs  of  this 
clay  surround  Lake  Rice,  and  Glenwood  Lake  and  extend  along  Court  creek  for 
miles  to  Spoon  river.  Streams  running  from  the  north  and  south  to  Court  creek 
cut  through  this  shale.  It  is  thus  the  surface  coal  measure  formation  over  a 
number  of  square  miles  along  Court  creek.  The  same  condition  is  noticeable 
along  Haw  creek  and  its  branches,  although  there  the  shale  is  more  likely  lo 
pass  into  sandstone  than  farther  north.  Indeed  even  along  Court  creek  and 
its  laterals  there  are  stretches  of  sandstone,  and  often  great  concretions  of  sand- 
stone and  ironstone  abound  in  the  formation,  even  where  the  layers  are  consistent 
enough  for  brick  making.  All  along  the  drift  lies  on  top  of  the  formation  and 
must  be  stripped  oflf.  Then  come  forty  to  sixty  feet  of  bluish  white  brick  shale, 
which  when  the  sandstone  is  absent,  is  wonderfully  fine  grained.  . 

As  one  approaches  its  base,  he  finds  the  remains  of  coal  measure  vegetation 
in  the  shape  of  fern  leaves  and  the  stems  of  coal  measure  plants ;  then  he  passes 
into  the  black  shale  with  its  layers  of  concretions  often  filled  with  sea  shells ;  then 
he  strikes  the  slate,  which  reflects  a  vast  variety  of  ancient  life,  ranging  from 
large  sharks  and  gigantic  water  fleas  to  the  beautiful  shells  of  the  nautilus  family; 
then  comes  the  coal  seam,  formerly  mined  along  the  creek.  The  region  thus  gives 
the  scientist  as  well  as  the  manufacturer  something  worth  considering. 

In  the  hills  south  and  north  of  this  wonderful  deposit  is  a  coal  vein  presumed 
to  be  No.  4. 

'.•':.'._•      '  .         -    '•'••  GEOLOGIC    LIFE 

All  along  Court  creek  to  Spoon  river  is  one  traveling  between  bluffs  of  this 
clay  shale  and  sandstone.  A  few  feet  above  the  creek  juts  out  a  ferruginous 
limestone  rock  that  abounds  in  ancient  snails  and  bivalves.  As  one  nears  Spoon 
river,  the  bluffs  along  the  creek  are  rounded  and  picturesque.  From  the  sand- 
stone concretions  one  may  obtain  fine  specimens  of  fern  fronds.  Then  as  the 
river  is  reached  the  slate  is  found  at  the  base  of  the  bluffs,  with  its  relics  of 
ancient  sea  life,  while  in  the  waters  of  the  river  itself  are  the  modern  fish  and 
mollusks. 

A  section  of  a  Spoon  river  bluff  in  Haw  creek  township  affords  the  following, 
illustrative  of  what  has  been  said.  •  •  .;, 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  31 


Imcr  portion  oontuiw  fo 

ana  >t«l  or  00*1  •nniro  pint*. 


lorioa  or  oonervtiana  and  claar  nala 
altamatiiv,  tM  Mncntiona  con. 
tatlOitc  Bariiw  nalli  <ith  ooc»- 
atoial  nattili,  ana  ttm  Ktim 
iiondinc  into  tlaek 
portion  or  ttua  ii 
•itn  nat  aitalla. 
eonerotiana  ara  iron 


T3Sr 


v — „    ..    .  

Pate  contalniim  r»aini  or '~  anoiant  abarKa  ana  nanoa. 


Coal,  ana  Balow  it  tuo  firo  clay  ropraaantijn 
tiw  loii  on  ihioii  tno  TO(ot»ttoB  i 


There  is  scarcely  a  rock  in  the  county  that  does  not  speak  of  life  and  forces, 
of  the  sea,  of  elevation,  of  depression  and  of  elevation  again.  C--'  V. ; 

In  Henderson  township  there  are  fine  bluffs  of  shale  that  some  day  may  be 
utilized.  The  same  is  true  of  shales  over  No.  6  in  Sparta  township,  although 
there  a  strong  tendency  to  concretionary  structure  is  shown.  All  along  Spoon 
river  one  sees  shale  bluff  structure.  In  Cedar  township  there  are  large  accumula- 
tions of  shale. 

The  day  may  come  when  even  the  masses  of  ironstone  formations  found  above 
some  of  the  veins  may  be  utilized.  In  Victoria  township  the  shale  was  once 
used  in  the  manufacture  of  tile,  and  in  Cedar  township  for  making  brick.  When 
processes  are  better  understood  more  of  these  may  be  serviceable,  for  such  is  the 
topography  of  the  county  that  there  are  frequent  exposures.  ,  :.  : 

'';-'•        THE   COAL    MINING   INDUSTRY  I  .  -      ' 

There  is  not  much  data  regarding  the  history  of  mining  in  this  county.  Mines 
are  known  to  have  been  operated  in  Sparta  township  as  early  as  1850  and  for 
twenty  years  thereafter  assumed  an  importance  that  they  have  not  since  attained. 
Sparta  township  was  for  a  long  time  a  leader  in  production  owing  to  its  proxi- 
mity to  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  main  line.  The  earliest  mine  of 
which  there  is  specific  record  is  that  opened  by  E.  F.  Ranney  in  1850  in  section 
23,  Sparta  township.  H.  H.  May  was  operating  a  mine  in  the  same  township 
as  early  as  1854.  It  is  known  that  scores  of  mines  have  been  opened  in  that 
township,  have  been  worked  out  and  abandoned.  Over  a  half  century  ago  coal 
was  mined  in  the  south  part  of  Maquon  township  and  has  been  since.  One  of 
the  oldest  mines  was  on  the  David  Masters'  farm  and  was  run  by  a  man  named 
I-opeman.  During  the  civil  war  coal  was  taken  from  the  J.  K.  Lane  farm  in 
the  same  township  and  from  the  F.  M.  Davis  farm.  The  Cope  farm  also  has 
yielded  considerable  coal. 

In  Copley  township  there  has  been  at  times  considerable  mining  and  one  in 
traversing  the  streams  of  that  township  finds  many  evidences  of  former  mining 


32  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

operations.  Two  of  the  oldest -mines  are  those  operated  on  the  James  McGovern 
and  Charles  Morgan  farms,  and  we  believe  that  they  are  still  yielding  coal  of 
an  excellent  quality. 

One  of  the  earliest  shaft  mines  in  the  county  was  that  operated  near  Oneida 
by  Messrs.  Camp  and  Powell,  and  it  was  perhaps  the  only  extensive  mine  ever  run 
in  that  township. 

When  the  Illinois  geological  survey  of  the  county  was  made,  just  prior  to 
1870,  it  listed  a  large  number  of  mines.  Nearly  every  township  in  the  county 
was  represented.  Much  valuable  information  was  given.  It  is  to  be  doubted 
if  there  are  today  in  operation  a  half  dozen  mines  that  were  then  running,  and  of 
which  sections  are  given  in  the  works  of  the  survey.  This  indicates  that  there 
are  melancholy  features  connected  with  Knox  county  mining,  and  that  more  than 
one  man  has  failed  to  make  money  operating  a  mine.  Some  large  mines  have 
flourished  for  a  few  years  only  to  be  closed  because  either  of  inability  to  cope 
with  the  water  or  because  of  the  imperfections  of  the  veins  and  the  abundance  of 
the  clay  intrusions. 

For  years  in  the  early  days  there  was  much  stripping  of  coal  done  in  the 
creek  bottoms  where  the  veins  were  very  near  the  surface.  All  that  had  to  be 
done  was  to  remove  the  thin  superficial  covering  of  soil  or  of  slate  and  the  coal 
was  within  reach,  and  was  then  very  easily  removed.  This  method  has  been 
abandoned  with  the  exhaustion  of  this  accessible  supply. 

While  there  is  coal  in  nearly  every  township  of  the  county,  if  not  all,  there 
are  but  few  extensive  workings.  For  years  a  conspicuous  sight  in  the  seventies, 
and  perhaps  before,  was  the  large  colliery  just  southwest  of  Wataga,  near  the 
railroad  track.  Among  those  that  operated  from  time  to  time  large  mines  in  the 
county  were  R.  M.  Campbell,  east  of  Wataga,  the  Essexes  in  Henderson  town- 
ship, the  Cliffords  in  the  western  part  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  Alex  Baird  in 
Henderson  township,  the  Eppersons  in  Rio  township,  and  the  Etherly  Company, 
whose  plant  was  abandoned  in  recent  years.  The  cheapness  at  which  outside 
coals  can  be  placed  at  the  larger  centers  of  the  county  is  the  real  occasion  of  the 
decline  in  mining,  notwithstanding  the  large  coal  acreage. 

The  last  available  statistics  of  mining  in  the  county  are  those  of  1910,  pub- 
lished by  the  State.  These  show  27  mines  in  the  county  producing  that  year 
38,673  tons,  and  employing  122  miners  and  sixteen  other  hands.  The  largest 
mines  were  those  of  the  Pendergast  Brothers  at  Soperville,  Rodell  &  Mitchell  of 
Wataga,  and  Thomas  H.  Mellan  of  Soperville.  The  total  for  the  county  is  but 
a  fraction  of  that  produced  a  half  century  ago. 

Of  the  six  veins  of  coal.  No.  6  has  been  most  extensively  mined,  owing  to 
the  thickness  of  the  vein  and  the  ease  with  which  it  can  be  removed.  It  is  usually 
four  and  a  half  feet  in  thickness  and  has  a  clay  seam  two  inches  in  width  that 
serves  as  a  parting  between  the  upper  and  lower  parts  of  the  vein.  No.  4  is  not 
so  shaly,  seems  more  dense  and  compact.  No.  3  is  not  a  thick  vein,  usually  about 
thirty  inches  to  three  feet.  No.  2  is  also  a  thin  vein  but  of  very  excellent  quality. 
No.  I  if  correctly  enumerated,  is  a  thick  vein,  four  to  seven  feet.  Some  of  the 
veins  of  the  county  are  difficult  to  place  because  of  peculiar  conditions  surround- 
ing them. 


'            •            •,  '-     •'''-'*:     ;     '     if .'  '  •     .    ^* ,   •             I  '-       '.'•'-•  ••.     *'**'.  -^  •'--••  't   -,--       .'        J, 

'.•'.-'          .'"'        ...        •    '     -'-•'',                 ' '        '.''•"''            .      •  -  '       •  '.        -'         ''•'•:.-    ''^<  *"     '  '    '  ,     •   '      .•-•'-,'*•     ••'•'•'' 

-.       .-    •       -    '.         •,    ' -•    ;  ••.'         .                    '-,    -    .          '        ''^     ••'.'.'•'-      •' '  *-  '    *  '•      •'••          '-  ''•     ''. '•-^  -  •        .-     '•'-•    ^       • 

'•,'.'.•.•.     •     :-        j,    -  •            "  ••      '    '   .     .••*:-.-  '.'I      ''«'          .       '    '.     .   '.'.i,          '  V  .-j .'  -  , .  '''''-'.   -.    ,'-  ''''    '  ''  '     '.'          '  . 


Map   of    Knox    County,    Illinois,    showing    streams,    watersheds   and    drainage    areas       The    fiffures   with 
each  municipality  give  the  altit.de.     The  numbers  of  coal  veins  are  also  indicated.     The  dotted  lines  along 


streams  indicate   width   of   bottom. 


:.•  -Tr'-  '''^••"••••'''^  "i--'''- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  88 

THE  STONE  QUARRIES 

In  the  early  day  there  was  considerable  stone  quarried  in  Knox  County  but 
at  the  present  time  there  is  but  very  little,  owing  to  the  better  quality  of  stone  that 
can  be  procured  elsewhere.  The  early  quarries  were  situated  not  far  from 
Knoxville.  North  of  that  city,  along  the  bank  of  a  small  stream  that  runs  into 
Court  creek  can  be  seen  the  site  of  a  quarry  in  a  sandstone  bluflf.  This  stone  is 
in  large  blocks  and  hardens  on  exposure.  It  was  used  in  the  construction  of 
some  of  the  buildings  in  ICnoxville  and  elsewhere  in  the  county.  Farther  north 
in  section  sixteen  in  the  same  township  is  still  another  quarry  relic.  From  this 
were  taken  blocks  of  conglomerate,  that  were  hard  and  very  durable,  composed 
of  limestone  pebbles,  cemented  solidly  together.  This  stone  was  used  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  foundation  of  the  Old  First  Church  of  Galesburg.  This  indi- 
cates that  stone  was  quarried  there  as  early  as  1846.  The  Hope  Cemetery  wall, 
Galesburg,  is  made  of  this  same  enduring  material.  Stone  was  also  quarried  in 
the  sandstone  beds  along  Haw  creek  south  of  Knoxville.  Over  vein  No.  6  of 
coal  there  is  often  a  heavy  seam  of  limestone  that  has  been  used  for  foundation 
and  other  purposes.  In  the  north  part  of  the  county  a  bastard  limestone  was 
formerly  quarried.  As  a  rule  outside  of  the  conglomerate  the  rock  of  the  county 
is  likely  to  shale  and  split  under  the  influence  of  the  weather. 

,  --.  '  r 

A  SECOND  SOIL  :     • 

A  few  feet  below  the  surface  in  some  parts  of  the  county  is  found  a  second 
soil,  or  perhaps  it  might  be  better  termed  a  first  soil,  as  it  antedates  the  present. 
In  passing,  it  might  be  remarked  that  each  coal  vein  indicates  that  under  it  was  a 
soil  on  which  flourished  the  dense  vegetable  growth  that  was  subsequently,  when 
the  land  was  again  submerged,  compressed  into  coal.  This  soil  is  usually  termed 
fireclay,  and  traversing  it  in' all  directions  are  the  roots  of  coal  measure  plants. 
Thus  there  were  six  soils  for  coal  making  plants  and  subsequently  six  periods 
when  the  land  was  under  the  surface  of  the  sea,  as  the  presence  of  so  much 
marine  life  in  the  rocks  between  the  coal  veins  clearly  shows. 

The  second  soil  is  of  course  of  recent  formation.  There  lie  above  it  four  to 
six  feet  of  the  yellow  clay,  and  yellow  clay  below  it.  It  denotes  a  period  above 
the  level  of  the  waters  and  conditions  suited  to  vegetable  growth.  It  is  in  associa- 
tion with  this  soil  that  the  remains  of  elephants  and  mastodons  are  found.  The 
parts  most  often  discovered  are  the  teeth,  because  their  enamel  resists  best  the 
processes  of  decay.  A  number  of  fine  specimens  have  been  exhumed  in  this 
county.  In  the  Galesburg  waterworks  excavation  in  Cedar  Fork  valley,  three 
well  preserved  teeth  and  parts  of  the  hip  bone  of  an  elephant  were  found. 
Around  thfem  were  fragments  of  cedars  of  considerable  thickness.  In  the  same 
trench  was  found  the  long,  handsome  tusk  of  some  member  of  tlie  swine  family. 
In  a  brick  yard  pit  near  Oneida  in  the  second  soil  were  found  numerous  bones 
of  a  mastodon,  while  in  a  marshy  place  near  the  same  city  was  found  a  great 
tusk.  From  a  Spoon  river  bluff  was  taken  a  well  preserved  tooth  of  a  mastodon, 
and  on  a  gravel  bank  in  the  river  was  discovered  a  mighty  tusk.  Recently  near 
Woodhull  several  gigantic  teeth  have  been  unearthed,  and  still  more  recently  in 
excavating  at  Galva  immense  molars  of  some  species  of  elephant  were  found. 

VoLI— • 


34 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


During  the  period  when  elephants,  mastodon  and  great  swine  roamed  over  Knox 
county,  probably  many  other  mammalian  species  lived. 

This  is  mentioned  simply  to  show  the  variations  in  the  topography  of  the 
county  during  the  ages,  and  the  life  to  which  each  variation  gave  subsistence. 
The  present  configuration  is  the  outcome  of  the  slow  elevation  of  the  land,  per- 
mitting the  deposition  of  the  subsoil  and  the  soil,  and  the  incessant  operations  of 
water,  air,  temf>eratures  and  life,  since  the  deposition  of  the  clays  in  the  glacial 
epoch.  ^  ^  .  :  '  •••':  -"  ':  •  .';:'^  •" 

-'-:•'••''_  •;';'       -    •  ,•  •    SPOON  RIVER  NOTES  •,;-,  ;.<:,''''"''''""'    '""':•' 

From  the  topographical  and  scienic  view,  main  interest  centers  around  Spoon 
river.  It  enters  Truro  township  on  the  east  side  of  the  county  and  takes  a  ser- 
pentine southwesterly  course  through  Truro,  Haw  Creek,  Maquon  and  Chestnut 
townships.  On  the  way  it  touches  Persifer  and  Elba  townships.  Its  northern 
part  is  marked  by  narrow  valleys  and  in  a  few  places  the  river  runs  between 
bluflfs.  From  where  French  creek  enters  to  the  junction  with  Haw  creek,  the 
river  runs  through  a  broad  and  fertile  bottom.  This  is  one  and  a  half  miles 
in  width  at  the  French  creek  juncture,  broadens  to  two  miles  at  the  Pease  creek 
juncture,  and  from  there  to  the  mouth  of  Haw  creek  varies  from  three  quarters 
to  one  and  a  half  miles  in  width.  Standing  on  the  shore  opposite  Haw  creek 
entrance,  one  can  look  along  four  miles  of  bottom  land. 

\\'here  Court  creek  enters  the  river  there  is  a  bottom  of  a  mile  and  a  half 
in  width,  but  it  is  not  long  continued. 

Eight  square  miles  of  bottom  land  are  included  in  Spoon  river  valley  between 
the  mouths  of  French  and  Willow  creeks,  and  in  places  it  seems  to  be  from  six 
to  ten  feet  in  thickness.  All  this  represents  what  the  streams  have  in  part 
brought  down  from  the  hills  and  uplands. 

The  topography  of  Spoon  river  valley  can  be  seen  to  good  advantage  from  the 
bridge  southeast  of  Maquon.  The  valley  broadens  and  the  bottom  is  nearly 
three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  width.  The  river  flows  in  a  channel  cut  in  the  allu- 
vium and  the  banks  show  this  deposit  to  be  eight  to  ten  feet  in  thickness.  The 
highlands  are  well  back.  The  broad  bottom  extends  north  and  south  as  far  as 
the  eye  can  see.  It  seems  to  be  all  under  cultivation  and  as  the  soil  is  so  deep 
and  rich  ought  to  bear  magnificent  crops.  The  view  from  the  hills  above  down 
the  valley  is  a  charming  one. 


THE    HILL   STRUCTURE 


The  hill  structure  of  the  county  is  well  shown  in  a  ride  west  from  Maquon 
past  that  curiosity.  Horseshoe  Lake  or  Bend,  an  isolated  body  of  water  in  the 
south  part  of  Orange  township,  and  having  some  fame  as  a  fishing  resort.  On 
the  north  side  of  this  lake  are  high  hills,  between  which  and  from  springs  comes 
the  water  that  feeds  the  lake.  This  natural  reservoir  occupies  a  part  of  the  basin 
between  Pig  and  Haw  creeks.  To  the  south  and  southeast  there  is  bottom  land. 
Judging  from  the  natural  features,  this  lake  may  occupy  what  was  once  the  chanf 
nel  of  Pig  creek,  or  perhaps  even  Haw,  and  its  ends  for  some  reason  having 
become  filled,  the  stream  was  forced  to  cut  its  way  farther  south.  It  is  said  that. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  35 

during  times  of  flood  Haw  creek  backs  into  it,  and  this  indicates  that  the  level 
of  the  two  are  not  far  from  identical.  At  the  time  of  the  visit  the  reservoir 
ranged  from  two  to  five  rods  in  width,  but  it  was  said  that  its  beauty  had  been 
marred  by  the  attempts  to  drain  its  waters.  An  early  tradition  is  that  the  lake 
was  made  by  dams  formed  by  the  beavers. 

Before  one  gets  to  this  lake,  there  is  a  fine  series  of  hills  descending  from 
the  higher  level,  and  so  facing  the  road  that  one  can  discern  the  rounded  hollows 
down  which  the  water  descends  between  each  pair  of  hills.  '. ; 

All  these  facts  indicate  how  well  adapted  this  county  is  to  be  the  home  of 
civilized  man  and  what  a  variety  of  life  it  can  support.  Verily,  it  is  one  of  the 
choice  garden  spots  of  the  earth. 


INDIANS.  " 

BY  EVA  CHAPIN  MAPLE,  MAQUON,  ILL.  r-. A     >'.";; 

The  knowledge  of  man  does  not  extend  back  far  enough,  to  tell  us  what 
manner  of  people  the  very  first  inhabitants  of  Knox  county  were.  When  the 
white  men  came,  they  found  this  country  inhabited  by  the  Red  Men.  But  who 
were  here  before  the  Indians?  One  historian  says  that  "the  entire  valley  of  the 
Illinois  river  from  Starved  Rock  to  the  Mississippi  was,  unknown  ages  ago,  the 
home  of  a  still  different  race  from  any  yet  enumerated.  Time  can  scarcely  be 
reckoned  in  considering  the  ages  in  which  human  life  has  found  existence  along 
the  rivers  of  this  state.  Again  and  again  has  this  land  been  trodden  by  different 
races,  cities  have  risen  and  fallen,  and  great  people  have  vanished  utterly,  leav- 
ing behind  them  no  record  of  existence,  except  their  voiceless  graves." 

• 

:•:."•,.' .-^\:-^^-v  ;-•'•"-•;':'-.  -.•**...       MOUND  BUILDERS      :^/':'c'v;-..A-v  •  .  .  ;'    ;-::^'-',-'V-  V; 

The  earliest  race  of  people,  which  left  us  any  trace  of  their  existence  in  our 
land,  we  call  the  Mound  Builders.  Whether  these  strange  builders  of  mounds 
were  the  ancient  ancestors  of  the  Red  Men  whom  Qjlumbus  found  in  America, 
or  were  an  entirely  different  race  of  beings,  scientists  are  not  agreed. 

Mounds  of  different  sizes,  shapes  and  kinds  are  to  be  found  along  the  banks 
of  certain  streams,  notably  the  Illinois  and  some  of  its  tributaries.  Spoon  river 
is  quite  rich  in  these  relics.  There  are  three  types  of  mounds  existing :  the  ossu- 
ary, the  sacrificial  and  the  altar.  The  first  named  type  is  the  most  common,  being 
found  in  many  parts  of  the  county.  Whether  all  the  burial  mounds  commonly 
called  "Indian  graves"  are  graves  of  Indians  or  are  part  of  Mound  Builders' 
ossuary  mounds,  is  not  known  to  the  writer. 

The  only  sacrificial  mound  which  could  be  located,  is  situated  on  the  N.  E. 
quarter  of  N.  E.  quarter.  Section  12,  Truro  township.  One  writer,  in  speaking 
of  it,  says  "on  a  well  prepared  earthen  altar,  four  men  and  one  woman  were 
burned,  so  that  the  bones  were  charred,  and  the  soil  was  impregnated  to  a  con- 
siderable depth  with  the  oleaginous  matter.  In  an  excavation  beneath  this  altar 
were  the  skeletons  of  two  men." 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

The  "altar"  or  "temple"  mounds  are  the  largest   and   perhaps    most   note- 
worthy, their  age  is  still  an  unsolved  problem. 

The  Ataerican  Indian  knew  nothing  of  their  origin  or  use,  and  had  no  tra- 
ditions concerning  them.     But  in  later  years,  the  Indians  sometimes  used  them 
;/    for  burial  purposes,  by  digging  into  one  side  of  the  mound  and  placing  their 
' ':  dead  therein. 

It  is  evident  that  the  Mound  Builders  were  sun  worshipers,  as  their  altar 
.  mounds  invariably  faced  the  east. 

;  ,'    ......  ALTAR  OR  TEMPLE    MOUNDS  )^      ;  ^;v; 'i;-'  '^  '        •  ^i  ; 

Before  the  ruthless  hand  of  civilization  had  destroyed  these  land  marks,  many 

:   of  these   Mound    Builder    mounds    or,   as   they   are   generally    called,   "Indian 

.  ;  mounds,"  might     have  been    seen  along  the  banks  of   Spoon  river.     There    is 

one  fine  specimen  of  the  altar  mound  in  Maquon  township.    It  is  situated  on  the 

.   S.  E.  quarter  of  Section  4,  just  a  short  distance  south  of  the  town  of  Maquon.    It 

:     is  spoken  of,  locally,  as  "The  Mound,"  or  "The  Indian  Mound."  This  mound 

..•    rises  from  the  bottom  land,  about  sixty  rods  from  the  north  bank  of  Spoon  river. 

.  It  is  now  covered  with  timber,  but  the  oldest  settlers  tell  us,  that  when  the  first 

':":-  white  people  came,  there  was  not  a  tree  upon  the  mound.  The  mound  is  of  natural 

origin,  largely  composed  of  sand  and  gravel,  but  is  covered  many  feet  deep  with 

a  clay  unlike  any  found  in  that  vicinity.     Originally,  its  shape  was  clearly  de- 

..  fined,  but  the  effect  of  the  elements,  and  the  tread  of  the  feet  of  cattle  for  ages 

have  rendered  it  less  distinct.    The  general  outline  is  diamond  shaped,  with  the 

'.  corners  pointing  toward  the  four  points  of  the  compass.    At  the  eastern  point 

was  a  rude  elevation   forming  an  altar.     The  mound  is  164  rods  long  and  60 

rods  at  the  widest  part.    The  clay  was  evidently  used  to  prevent  the  growth  of 

;  vegetation,  and  to  preserve  the  outline  of  the  mound. 

'•'-•''•'••'"•;-;'•'.'' V'     ••"'      '-'        •   ...        TRAjLS        ^ '•'.-/•'•:•'-, ---^ -'••'•"•:':•  ,:'':i'''- 

The  plungfing  buffalo,  keen  of  instinct,  and  very  practical,  broke  great  roads 
;  across  the  continent  in  search  of  food,  water  and  salt.    These  "traces"  or  paths, 
lead  from  timber  groves,  to  timber  groves,  always  seeking  the  shortest  and  best 
:  route  descending  and  crossing  the  streams,  usually  at  the  bars  formed  at  the 
mouth  of  some  smaller  stream.     These  roads  were  swept  clear  of   debris  in 
.  summer  and  snow  in  winter.    The  wild  Indian,  having  the  same  instinct  as  the 
wild  animal,  followed  the  same  trails  and  wore  them  smooth  by  frequent  use. 
The  earliest  white  explorers  were  dependent  on  the  buffalo  and  the  Indian  for 
ways  of  getting  about.     And  later  came  the  first  settlers  to  travel  over  these 
same  trails,  in  looking  for  a  home.    Many  of  these  trails  became  public  high- 
ways continuing  until  this  day,  monuments  of  the  past.    Thus  we  may  mention 
:      the  great  Galena  trail  from  Peoria,  passing  through  Knox  county,  where  it 
V     forms  in  two  branches  and  goes  to  Galena,  one  branch  going  by  way  of  Rock 
:    Island.    One  of  the  earliest  roads  in  Illinois  was  one  of  these  trails  from  Dan- 
;  ville,   Illinois,   near  the   famous   Vermillion  salt   springs  on   the   south-eastern 
border  of  Illinois  to  Peoria.    This  became  the  "Danville  and  Fort  Clark  road," 
•      over  which  came  the  earliest  settlers  to  the  military  tract.    This  trail  became  a 


^,.";.\;^  7  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .        :    :    '        87 

well  traveled  road  about  1815.  This  part  of  the  state  being  settled  earlier  than 
the  more  eastern  parts,  owing  to  the  fact  of  the  allotment  by  the  government 
of  this  territory,  to  the  soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812,  thus  it  will  be  seen  that 
the  stream  of  earliest  immigrants  came  from  the  eastern  states,  usually  by  the 
Ohio  river,  disembarking  and  following  these  two  trails  mentioned,  into  and 
through  Knox  county  at  a  very  early  date.  /  ;; 

It  will  be  seen,  by  the  accompanying  map,  that  Indian  trails  extended  over 
the  greater  part  of  Knox  county,  several  of  these  being  important  thorough- 
fares. One  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  that  takes  an  easterly  course, 
became  the  main  road  to  Chicago.  The  one  taking  a  diagonal  course  from 
Indian  Point  township  to  Truro  township,  is  probably  the  oldest  known  trail  in 
the  county.  It  was  used  by  the  Indians  and  French  as  early  as.  1673,  it  being 
in  a  direct  course  from  La  Salle,  on  the  Illinois,  to  the  Mississippi  river.  It 
was  quite  largely  used  by  Indian  trading  parties,  and  formed  a  part  of  a  direct 
line  of  Savage  communication  between  the  Chicago  portage  and  the  Mississippi 
river.  During  the  French  occupancy,  it  was  used  by  the  French  missionary  and 
the  fur  trader.  This  path  is  believed,  by  many,  to  be  the  identical  one  used  by 
Father  Marquette  and  Joliet  on  their  return  eastward  on  their  voyage  of  dis- 
covery. This  old  trail  held  its  course  through  Hancock,  Warren,  Knox,  Stark 
and  Bureau  counties. 

Several  points  within  the  state  appear  to  have  been  the  favorite  meeting 
places,  not  of  one  tribe  alone,  but  of  many  tribes,  and  thus  diverging  trails  led 
thereto.  Peoria,  Rock  Island  and  Chicago  river  were  important  places.  Thus 
Maquon  became  quite  a  center  of  Indian  population,  situated  as  it  is  at  the 
crossing  of  two  main  trails. 

"History  holds  in  her  iron  hand,  no  more  picturesque  story  than  these  trails 
could  reveal,  were  their  guarded  secrets  known.  Here  met  the  nations  of  the 
Old  World  and  the  New-«— Indian  and  White,  Spaniard,  Frenchman,  Briton  and 
American ;  priest  and  nun,  soldier  and  adventurer,  settler  and  outlaw,  fair  pa- 
trician women,  and  the  outpouring  from  the  Saltpetriere  and  other  hospitals 
of  Paris." 

-    ;-::-,'J-;- ••';'••;.'•     ;V '';./;;;.  ,V/;..V-  INDIAN    TRIBES  -^K:^  •';/'--_^^-^' ''••'  -   V    -  '  ';'' -/'V;  V^-'-' 

When  Father  Marquette  and  his  companions,  with  their  two  Indian  guides 
were  floating  down  the  "Father  of  Waters,"  they  noticed  an  Indian  trail. 
Mooring  their  canoes,  they  followed  the  trail  about  six  miles,  where  they  came 
to  an  Indian  village.  The  inhabitants  came  out  to  meet  him,  and  after  smok- 
ing the  calumet,  they  addressed  him  thus:  "We  are  the  Illini.  How  beautiful 
is  the  sun,  oh  Frenchman,  when  thou  comest  to  see  us.  Our  village  awaits 
thee.  Thou  shalt  enter  in  peace  all  our  dwellings." 

.'^^-••'.•'!vx-v':''v-'  :.--^/ ..'•'};;-.'.;:•     THE  ILLINI  ''•,'•.--•''•'':•••' -'^'-r  .'':'    .•  .'•;'"^^- '.. > 

The  first  authentic  history  we  have  of  the  Indians  of  the  Mississippi  valley 
reached  us  through  preserved  records  of  La  Salle,  the  French  fur  trader  and 
explorer,  who  spent  the  winter  of  1679-80,  at  what  is  now  Peoria.  We  know 
that  he  and  his  companions  were  within  twenty  miles  of  Knox  county  and  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  they  traversed  her  soil  also. 


W  -          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'.  The  Indian  word  "Illini,"  means  in  their  language,  "superior  men."  This 
Illini,  or  Illinois  confederacy  was  composed  of  five  tribes :  Michigamies,  Caho- 
kias,  Kaskaskias,  Peorias  and  Tamaoras.  They  were  intensely  warlike,  being 
almost  constantly  in  conflict  with  other  tribes.  They  were  migratory  and  de- 
pended largely  upon  the  summer  and  winter  hunts.  In  their  wars  with  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes,  they  suffered  severely.  About  1722  they  were  overpowered 
by  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  with  the  aid  of  other  tribes.  .--.,.• 

•  SACS  AND  FOXES  .- 

• 

From  that  time  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  held,  for  many  years,  the  supremacy  of 
the  land  between  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers.  But  the  Kickapoos  and 
the  Pottawatomies  contended  with  them,  each  holding  certain  portions.  Upon 
the  arrival  of  the  white  people  these  different  tribes  were  in  the  vicinity  of 
Knox  county. 

The  Foxes  called  themselves  Musk-wah-ha-kee,  a  name  composed  of  two 
words,  meaning  "those  of  red  earth."  The  French  called  them  On-ta-ga-mies, 
that  being  their  spelling  of  the  name  given  them  by  other  tribes,  the  meaning  be- 
ing "Foxes,"  and  was  bestowed  upon  them  because  their  totem  (or  armorial 
device,  as  it  might  be  called),  was  a  fox. 

.  The  name  of  their  allied  brethren,  the  Sacs,  is  variously  spelled,  in  Indian 
dialects,  Ou-sa-kies,  sauks,  etc.  Black  Hawk  was  of  this  tribe.  Black  Hawk's 
Indian  name  was  Ma-ka-bai-mis-he-kia-kiak,  meaning  black  sparrow  hawk. 
Both  Sacs  and  Foxes  were  of  Canadian  origin.  They  were  a  courageous  peo- 
ple: shrewd,  politic  and  enterprising. 

^  A  PECULIAR  CUSTOM       .;:v'  ' 

The  Sacs  and  Foxes  had  a  peculiar  custom  unnoticed  in  other  Indian  tribes. 
Each  male  child,  at  birth,  was  marked  with  either  black  or  white  paint,  the 
mother  being  extremely  careful  to  apply  the  colors  alternately,  so  that  each  fam- 
ily, and  the  entire  nation,  might  be  thus  divided  into  two  nearly  equal  clans, 
the  blacks  and  the  whites,  the  object  of  these  marks  being  to  keep  alive  a  con- 
stant spirit  of  emulation  in  the  tribe.  In  their  games,  hunts  and  public  cere- 
monies, the  blacks  always  contended  with  the  whites,  while  in  war  each  party 
was  ambitious  to  take  more  scalps  than  the  other. 

.  POTTAWATOMIES  . 

The  Pottawatomies  were  among  the  most  energetic  and  powerful  of  the 
Indian  tribes  of  the  northwest.  They  came  to  Illinois  from  Wisconsin.  For 
a  long  period  of  years  they  were  a  power  in  the  Illinois  country,  and  were  the 
last  tribe  to  leave  its  borders  upon  the  encroachment  of  the  whites.  They  were 
the  ones  found  in  Knox  county,  by  its  first  white  settlers.  The  name  Potta- 
watomie,  means  "we  are  making  a  fire." 

•         '  INDIAN   LAW    MAKING       ' 

Their  general  councils  were  composed  of  the  chiefs  and  old  men.  When  in 
council,  they  usually  sat  in  concentric  circles  around  the  speaker,  and  each  in- 


-     -'-^-'v  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '      -•    I       39 

•^^'  •    •'••  "-•  ''-^v  ,     I      :   '  '  •  .~::'.^-- 

dividual,  notwithstanding  the  fiery  passions  that  ranked  within,  preserved  an 
exterior  as  immovable  as  if  cast  in  bronze.  Before  commencing  business,  a 
person  appeared  with  the  sacred  pipe,  and  another  with  fire  to  kindle  it.  After 
being  lighted,  it  was  first  presented  to  heaven,  secondly  to  earth,  thirdly  to  the 
presiding  spirit,  and  lastly  to  the  several  councilors,  each  of  whom  took  a  whiff. 
These  formalities  were  observed  with  scrupulous  exactness.  {  ../.;;..;? 

\^;  V^.;        .-.•':'    ?;.'^'     POTTAWATOMIE    CHIEF    SHAUBENA  .^  ^  ^  ^  ''/v  ';  .    '-^  ;*• 

Shaubena  was  a  faithful  friend  of  the  white  men,  and  often  his  life  was  en- 
dangered because  of  it.  After  the  death  of  the  chiefs.  Black  Patridge  and  Sen- 
achwine,  no  chief  ever  exerted  so  much  infiuence  over  his  nation  as  did  Shau- 
bena. He  often  prevented  the  tribe  from  going  to  war.  The  Sacs  and  Foxes 
were  always  trying  to  kill  him,  and  he  was  hunted  down  as  a  wild  beast.  They 
killed  his  son,  Pypeogee  and  his  nephew,  Pyps,  to  enrage  him.  Black  Hawk,  be- 
ing aware  of  Shaubena's  infiuence,  twice  visited  him  to  enlist  him  in  his  cause, 
but  was  unsuccessful.  While  Black  Hawk  was  a  prisoner  at  Jefferson  barracks, 
he  said,  "Had  it  not  been  for  Shaubena,  the  whole  Pottawatomie  nation  would 
have  joined  his  standard,  and  he  could  have  continued  the  war  for  years."  -v  ;. 

Many  early  settlers  of  Knox  county  owe  their  lives  to  Shaubena,  as  he  was 
ever  on  the  alert  to  save  the  whites.  He  frequently  visited  the  settlers  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county.  It  is  said  that  at  one  time  he  visited  the  settlers 
at  Fraker's  Grove,  in  Lynn  township,  warning  them  to  leave,  that  they  would 
be  killed  if  they  didn't.  David  Cooper,  John  Essex,  Thomas  Essex,  Sr.,  Thomas 
Essex,  Jr.,  with  their  families,  fled  to  the  fort  near  Pekin,  Illinois.  All  but 
the  last  named  returned  later, 

Shaubena  often  went  to  the  home  of  John  Essex.  He  was  always  kind 
to  them,  once  bringing  them  a  quarter  of  a  deer  that  he  had  killed.  .;;'  .-v^. 

iV  .'     ^:V::•:^:     CHARACTERISTICS    OF   THE   EARLY    INDIANS  -  ;'  ;•    ;-'^     •- 

In  an  interview  given  Mr.  Fred  R.  Jelliff,  Major  Thomas  McKee,  of  Gales- 
burg,  said :  "The  Indians  most  frequently  seen  in  this  locality  were  Foxes,  Sacs, 
Kickapoos  and  Pottawatomies.  They  were  alike  in  many  particulars.  The 
Kickapoos  and  Foxes  were  often  in  the  vicinity  of  Henderson  Grove,  which 
was  a  favorite  sugar  camp.  They  were  as  kind  a  people  as  you  ever  saw.  They 
were  considerate.  For  instance,  if  you  were  in  a  wigwam  talking,  the  rest  would 
keep  quiet  and  give  you  respectful  attention.  They  did  not  interrupt  you.  They 
made  their  children  act  with  deference  in  the  presence  of  strangers.  They  did 
not  hunt,  perhaps  as  extensively  as  do  some  other  tribes.  They  lived  on  com 
and  beans,  on  berries  and  other  fruits  gathered  in  the  woods,  while  a  favorite 
dish  was  the  wild  potato,  or  penyon,  as  it  was  called.  This  they  found  in  the 
bottom  lands.  It  was  formerly  quite  abundant  but  of  late  I  have  not  noticed  it. 
They  speared  and  caught  fish,  not  small  game,  and  now  and  then  secured  a  deer. 
The  squaws  did  the  work,  such  as  gathering  the  penyon  and  cultivating  their 
ample  crops."  Their  life  was  one  of  simplicity,  and  if  was  not  until  they  were 
aroused  by  injustice  and  unkindness,  that  they  became  cruel  and  warlike.  The 
Pottawatomies  retained  their  identity  as  a  tribe  better  than  the  others. 


40  .    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

<  >;  POTTAWATOMIE  LANGUAGE  • :     :    ^^ 

The  language  of  these  Illinois  natives  was  simple,  consisting  of  but  a  few 
words  made  plain  by  the  most  significant  of  gestures.  Their  names  were  long 
and  full  of  vowels.  The  following  are  some  of  the  words  used  by  the  Potta- 

watomies:  ..  . 

horse   Nan-ka-toka-shaw    cow  ,...'......!!.;.'....  Nan-noose 

dog Co-co-sh     hog   N,emoose 

gun Pos-ka-soogan     tomahawk Quimesockin 

knife   Co-mone     water Bish 

fire    Sco-ti     whisky   Sco-ti-o-pe 

drink Tela-ma-cool     food    Wau-a-net 

mean  Mean-net     white  men Che-mo-ko-man 

the  future Mon-a-to     small  Pe-tete 

baby    Pap-poose     potato  Pen-yon 

nothing  left Chocaco     you  are  a  liar   Kiwa-lis-ki 

pumpkin    Wam-pa-cum     beans Ko-kees 

corn Ta-min     melons    Esh-kos-si-min 

hominy   Do-min-a-bo 

'•'•'/ r-/ •":•'''':  '•• .      ;    '  .       '         HOME  LIFE       ''''"-••-';,.••':  •'".•.••^••; '• 

The  Pottawatomie  summer  camps  were  near  the  fishing  points,  and  the  winter 
camps  in  the  timber  where  the  birds  and  wild  animals  sought  shelter  from  the 
cold.  ' 

The  Pottawatomie  wigwam  was  from  six  to  ten  feet  in  diameter — a  circle 
of  poles  meeting  in  center  at  top,  and  bound  together  with  buckskin  thongs. 
This  frame  was  wrapped  on  the  outside  to  the  top  with  mats  made  of  bull- 
rushes  woven  together,  lattice  style,  with  long  fibers  of  rushes  and  grasses,  or 
sometimes  it  was  covered  with  strips  of  bark.  In  winter,  the  wigwam  was 
banked  with  ashes  around  its  base.  Inside  there  was  a  hole  about  two  feet  deep 
in  the  center  of  the  wigwam  for  the  fire,  the  smoke  finding  its  way  out  the 
best  it  could  through  a  small  opening  at  the  top  of  the  wigwam.  The  earth 
floor  of  the  wigwam  was  covered  with  the  skins  of  wild  animals,  killed  when 
the  fur  was  long  and  thick.  In  winter,  the  Indian  men  sat  most  of  the  time  on 
the  rugs  smoking  and  playing  cards,  while  the  squaws  did  the  work.  The  men 
killed  the  game  and  the  squaws  prepared  the  meat  for  future  use  by  jerking  it. 
The  squaws  made  the  gardens  usually  on  a  rich  piece  of  ground.  They  pre- 
pared the  ground  by  breaking  it  in  a  rude  way,  and  planted  pumpkins,  beans, 
potatoes  and  melons.  The  garden  spot  was  fenced  with  Jack  oak  trees.  The 
small  trees  were  .cut  down  and  dragged  to  the  garden  spot.  Forked  sticks  were 
driven  into  the  ground  for  the  trees  to  rest  upon.  These  were  arranged  so 
closely  as  to  make  a  fence  that  was  impregnable  to  the  wild  hog  or  other  small 
wild  animals.  The  ripened  com  was  shelled  and  broken  to  pieces  by  pounding 
it  in  a  hollowed-out  log  with  a  wooden  club.  This  corn  was  boiled  with  water 
and  a  piece  of  pork,  making  the  favorite  hog  and  hominy.  Pumpkins  were  cut 
in  strips  and  dried  in  the  sun  for  winter  use.  The  men  were  dressed  in  buck- 
skin  breech-clout  moccasins  and  leggins,  and  a  blanket  fastened  about  the 


MAP  SHOWING  INDIAN  TRAILS  THROUGH  THE  COUNTY 


.    /,    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  41 

waist  with  a  skin  belt.  When  ready  to  sleep,  they  curled  down  among  the  fur 
rugs  and  pulled  the  blankets  close  about  their  heads.  Every  Pottawatomie  In- 
dian man  carried,  swinging  to  his  belt,  a  skunk  skin,  with  head,  teeth,  claws  and 
tail  intact.  In  this  skunk  skin  he  carried  his  tobacco,  and  in  an  opening  just 
back  of  the  fore  legs,  he  tucked  his  pipe.  Then  he  had  a  flat  piece  of  stone  or 
mud  that  he  used  for  painting  his  face.  His  meth9d  was  to  paint  this  flat  piece 
with  blood  root  (called  by  the  early  settlers  Indian  paint),  in  designs  of  lines 
and  crosses;  and  when  he  had  the  figure  finished  to  his  taste,  he  pressed  it  with 
the  paint  still  moist,  to  his  face.  The  Pottawatomie  women  never  smoked,  and 
never  painted,  except  a  line  down  the  center  of  the  head  from  forehead  to  back 
of  neck,  where  the  hair  was  parted. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  way  the  squaws  cared  for  their  babies.  The 
Pottawatomies  never  had  large  families,  and  regarded,  with  disgust,  the  many 
children  of  the  white  people's  houses.  The  Indian  mother  devoted  her  whole 
time  to  the  care  of  her  pappoose.  The  baby  was  laid  upon  a  flat  piece  of  linn 
bark,  called  by  the  Pottawatomies  a  chimote.  The  baby  was  fastened  to  the 
chimote  by  wrapping  with  cloth  from  feet  to  chest.  And  at  the  chest,  the  ends 
were  tied  in  front  and  to  them  was  tied  a  string  of  beads  or  something  bright 

:;  for  the  baby  to  play  with.  The  arms  were  left  free,  and  another  strip  of  cloth 
was  bound  across  the  forehead  and  was  tied  to  the  back  of  the  board.  \\'hen 
the  mother  traveled,  she  swung  the  baby  on  the  chimote  to  her  back,  and  when 
she  worked,  she  stood  the  chimote  against  a  tree.  The  Pottawatomie  babies 

•;    were  often  pretty  and  seldom  cried.  4?  %' 


:''V'       -Xv  -V    •;•   -      ;  .;      LOCAL  ITEMS  OF  HISTOWT  •::>: 

Knox  county  has  been  the  home,  for  a  longer  and  shorter  period  of  time, 
of  many  tribes  of  Indians.  From  past  historians  and  from  people  now  living, 
it  is  learned  that  sixteen  and  possibly  all  of  the  twenty  townships  of  the  county 
have  been  inhabited  by  them.  The  following  local  items  have  been  gleaned 
from  accounts  of  the  aborigines  and  of  the  relics  found  in  various  places  : 

^  Rio  Township  '  '     '  ' 

In  1832  John  Cresswell  settled  on  the  S.  W.  Quarter  of  Section  27.  During 
that  year,  a  fort  was  made  on  his  land,  it  was  named  Fort  A^ie  in  honor  of 
Mrs.  Cresswell.  In  1836  the  fort  was  torn  down  by  Joseph  Hahn,  who  built  a 
barn  of  the  logs  and  which  he  used  for  tramping  out  wheat  with  horses.  Other 
thrashing  machines  were  unknown.  Another  fort  was  built,  it  is  said,  on  Sec- 
tion 33.  These  forts  were  built  to  protect  the  white  settlers  during  the  Black 
Hawk  war. 

-?.-/;:v^;;:     :  ;  V       A       Ontario  Township  :-    ^:    :;/:;••:' 

The  only  hill  in  the  township  of  any  size  is  Pilot  Knob,  having  an  eighty  acre 
grove  upon  it.  In  this  vicinity  many  Indian  arrows  have  been  found.  ..;;:...- 

'   .....  Walnut  Grove  Township 

During  the  year  1836-57,  a  band  of  Indians  about  thirty  in  number,  camped 
for  a  short  time,  just  west  of  John  Thompson's  residence,  and  near  the  present 


:^          .,v.;    :.    .         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^A/V^;  :';'>;' 

Altona  high  school  building.    An  old  Indian  and  his  squaw  remained  long  after      ! 
the  rest  of  the  Indians  had  gone.    This  pair  were  considered  good  neighbors.   ;.:>;; 

Lynn  Township       •  ^    .     :  •  :    • 

Mr.  Michael  Fraker,  in  1828,  while  still  living  in  Kentucky,  purchased  a 
farm  from  the  government  in  Lynn  township.  Upon  his  arrival,  he  found  a 
band  of  Indians  located  on  his  land  on  Section  23.  There  was  quite  a  contro- 
versy as  to  whom  the  land  belonged,  the  Indians  claiming  they  received  their 
title  directly  from  their  god.  Mr.  Fraker  used  considerable  diplomacy.  He,  be- 
ing a  blacksmith,  mended  their  guns,  and  did  other  favors  for  them.  They  in' 
turn,  helped  him  build  his  cabin.  They  could  see  no  reason  why  he  put  in  so 
much  chinking  between  the  logs  to  make  them  tight.  They  finally  decided  to 
move.  They  went  seven  miles  east  and  built  a  village  on  Indian  creek.  They 
always  remained  friendly  to  Mr.  Fraker,  coming  back  every  spring  to  make 
maple  sugar,  and  to  raise  sugar  corn  and  vegetables,  leaving  in  the  fall  for  their 
hunting  grounds.  Near  Frakers,  there  is  a  fine  spring,  trails  leading  in  all  di- 
rections from  this  spring.  ;  .  •  r  .  .  ;•  .;;. -' ^v^;  •; 

Henderson  Township 

Indians  had  corn  fields  on  Sections  23  and  26  and  cultivated  the  soil  for 
years.  In  an  early  day,  a  well  was  dug  on  Section  30  near  the  creek.  At  a 
depth  of  60  feet,  the  workmen  found  what  seemed  to  be  an  Indian  camping 
ground.  Ashes,  stumps  and  general  rubbish  fresh  as  if  the  fire  had  just  gone 
out ;  a  cedar  log  was  also  found. 

The  Indians  lived  in  wigwams,  helped  the  settlers  make  maple  sugar  and 
were  friendly  till  the  war  broke  out.  Anticipating  an  Indian  outbreak,  the 
white  settlers  built  two  forts.  One  fort  on  Section  33,  was  named  Lewis  Fort. 
A  description  of  this  fort  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  article.  The  other  on  Sec- 
tion lo,  was  unnamed.  This  township  furnished  a  company  of  "Minute  Rang- 
ers" in  the  Black  Hawk  war. 

,    ,        ,  :'  Copley  Township         ;    :    :    ;:::  ;;i;' 

At  Foreman's  Grove,  on  Foreman  creek,  near  the  northern  limits  of  the 
township,  a  small  tribe  of  Indians  were  located  when  the  first  settlers  arrived. 

Knox  Township  •''•      '     •-     •      '  •     .1^ 

On  Section  32  are  several  Indian  graves,  and  several  trails  pass  through 
the  township. 

'  Persifer  Township  -v  ...    I 

One  branch  of  the  Gelena  trail  passes  through  the  township  from  north  to 
south,  crossing  Court  creek  where  Appleton  bridge  now  stands.  The  north  end. 
of  the  bridge  stands  in  the  Indian  ford.  There  was  an  Indian  village  on  the 
present  site  of  Dahinda  (lodge  poles  were  still  standing  in  1830).  On  the 
bluffs  nearby  are  25  or  30  mounds,  supposed  to  be  Indian  graves.  Many  arrows, 
stone  axes  and  bullets  have  been  found  in  the  township.  Sections  35  and  36  be- 


.V  ;S ':;;'•::••:;;  ;J  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :  ;    <;<  ..  43 

ing  particularly  rich  in  these  relics.  Indian  ladders  were  found  in  the  woods 
by  the  early  settlers.  They  were  made  by  cutting  a  small  tree  having  many 
limbs,  then  cutting  the  limbs  off  so  as  to  leave  enough  of  a  stump  on  each  limb 
to  make  a  step.  The  last  Indians  seen  were  on  Section  14,  N.  E.  quarter.  There 
is  every  evidence  that  a  fierce  battle  was  once  fought  on  the  north  and  east 
quarter  of  Section  14,  about  two.  miles  north  and  west  of  where  Court  creek 
empties  into  Spoon  river.  Within  an  area  of  a  few  acres,  large  numbers  of  bul- 
lets have  been  plowed  up,  and  have  been  picked  up  by  handfuls.  They  are  of 
the  old-fashioned  kind  of  bullets,  such  as  were  used  in  the  smooth  bore  Queen 
Anne  muskets  of  two  centuries  ago.  This  would  indicate  revolutionary  times, 
or  before.  .;';,:  -V..v';r;./--v.-'--;\ :/:  ^.'-:  .-'•'•',':- 

Maple  sugar  was  made  in  this  township  annually.  There  were  several  tra- 
ditions of  hidden  wealth  buried  by  the  Indians.  A  cellar  was  dug  on  the  Taylor 
farm  in  1841,  when  at  the  depth  of  four  feet,  three  bars  of  copper  were  found, 
which  had  been  hand  forged  out.  In  digging  a  well,  at  the  depth  of  twenty-two 
feet,  remains  of  a  camp-fire,  charcoal  and  rubbish  were  found.  '.  ..  :  .  • 

•''•••  •(  •.'^\-  •'•'.•  •  "^' ,''''.-•''  -\  •-•-.        Truro  Township        '-•'''   v"^'-'":.  '  •;  '  ••    •.  -.^'v^iy  .:-'' 

On  the  S.  W.  quarter  of  Section  31,  on  land  owned  by  Charles  Bradford,  a 
number  of  Indian  graves  were  found,  when  the  first  white  settlers  came.  The 
corpses  had  been  buried  in  the  forks  of  the  trees,  ten  to  fifteen  feet  above  the 
ground.  Logs  had  been  split  in  halves  and  hollowed  out,  the  forks  of  the  trees 
were  cut  away  with  their  tomahawks  sufficient  to  let  them  in,  and  the  rude  cof- 
fins there  rested  with  their  skeleton  contents  until  about  1836,  when  the  whites 
took  them  down  and  buried  them  in  the  earth.  One  sacrificial  mound  is  located 
on  the  e^st  quarter  of  Section  12  of  Truro  township. 

,;'.."''•.-•'''  ':•  '-.'".;••,:   :/'  .'        •'•   'V       Cedar  Township  ''•^-•/:'---:'.  ;:;•;. -V'.          '    x'".;'-:-.--  •-^' 

Mrs.  John  Reed  settled  on  Section  17,  in  1836,  on  the  very  ground  where  the 
Indians  had  camped,  and  used  water  from  the  same  spring.  'V".  ;^ 

.  ;--;^',:-'  -^  :'-;•'./"  ••',^'  .^''       Orange  Township       .  ••'•  :-''-:--vV  ,  •  ^      .      '••••'•':-''•-•:':•'.' 
;•,;> -v::-  V-    -..V.^-..  •'•/•• -.Ki^.-';  A-.;--V'.  •;•:'.  r' .       -.•  •  ^-v  :-':;/;--^-^  ^ 

.-  There  were  many  Indians  in  the  township  when  the  whites  came.  In  early 
times  there  was  a  small  grove  on  the  N.  E.  quarter  of  Section  i6.  Orange  town- 
ship. This  was  a  favorite  camping  place  for  the  roving  bands  of  Indians  on 
their  way  from  Spoon  river  to  the  Mississippi.  Numerous  fine  specimens  of  ar- 
row points  were  found  here  on  Mr.  Myers  Eiker's  farm. 

The  last  appearance  of  any  considerable  number  of  Indians  in  Orange  town- 
ship was  in  1843,  when  several  hundred  Sacs  and  Foxes  camped  on  the  north- 
west quarter  of  Section  5,  while  on  their  way  to  the  reservation  in  Indian  Ter- 
ritory. A  block  house  was  built  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  3.  It  was 
called  McCallister's  fort.  The  land  is  now  owned  by  Mrs.  J.  M.  Nisley.  One 
man  was  killed  by  Indians  near  this  fort.  r  •  -,  .  .-••-..'/.• 


44  •  HISTORY 'OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^v-': 

'      5^"'-  Haw  Creek  Township  ^    '  ^  ^ 

In  this  township  was  an  arrow-maker's  workshop.  On  Red  Chalk  hill,  vast 
numbers  of  arrows  in  all  stages  of  completeness,  and  flint  chips  are  found, 
showing  that  here  arrows  were  made.  •  .  ••".:: 


Indian  Point  Toivnship  ' 

There  was  but  one  grove  of  timber  in  the  township,  and  that  extended  into 
a  point.  Along  the  edge  of  this  timber,  which  extended  from  Cedar  Fork  to 
Section  i6,  many  Indian  remains  were  found.  Remains  of  bark  wigwams.  Hint 
arrows,  axes,  hatchets  and  domestic  utensils  were  found.  Hence  the  name  of 
the  township.  Indian  creek  empties  into  Cedar  Fork,  and  that  into  Spoon  river. 

-•:•"'•-  Chestnut  Township  .v:v.'..v  :.••;.:'     1     \; 

On  Section  12,  were  many  graves,  on  the  bank  of  Haw  creek  near  the  iron 
bridge.  On  land  belonging  to  Carl  Burnside,  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  Sec- 
tion 15,  Chestnut  township,  are  four  mounds  about  three  feet  high  and  forty- 
five  feet  in  circumference.  Some  interesting  things  were  once  found  in  them 
when  opened  some  ten  years  ago.  On  Section  33  are  a  group  of  three  graves. 

On  Mr.  Charles  Burnside's  farm.  Chestnut  township.  Section  14,  northeast 
quarter,  the  hills  and  valleys  back  of  his  house  were  covered  with  arrows  and 
implements  of  war,  many  yet  remaining.  Across  the  road  on  land  belonging  to 
Mr.  William  Swigart,  Section  ii,  southeast  quarter,  there  is  a  valley  north  of 
the  house  where  the  ground  was  covered  with  arrows,  as  were  the  hills  surround- 
ing it.  If  we  only  knew  what  mighty  tribes  contended  here.  y|*  ' 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  all  the  Pottawatomie  Indians  dis- 
apf>eared  forever  from  this  locality,  none  of  the  whites  knowing  when  or  where 
they  went. 

'''•^t  Maquon  Township   -       ;:  •':;^    •^>::.  -;.'•'-•   I 

Along  the  banks  of  Spoon  river  the  Red  Men  found  their  Paradise.  Its  wa- 
ters were  filled  with  fish  and  mussels,  while  wild  fowls  haunted  its  banks,  and 
deer  and  small  game  abounded  in  its  woodland  and  prairie.  It  was  called,  in 
the  Algonquin  tongue,  the  language  used  by  the  Pottawatomie  Indians,  A-ma- 
quon-sip-pi,  A-ma-quon  meaning  mussel,  or  mussel  shell.  The  Indians  used  the 
shell  as  we  do  spoons  for  dipping  up  food.  The  word  sip-pi  means  river,  thus 
A-ma-quon-sip-pi  meant  Spoon  river.  Because  of  the  Indians'  manner  of  pro- 
nouncing the  first  syllable  of  a  word  very  short,  it  was  difficult  for  the  white 
man's  ear  to  catch  the  sound,  and  thus  it  was  an  easy  step  from  A-ma-quon- 
sip-pi  to  Maquon.  In  a  government  report,  in  1813,  Brigadier  General  Howard 
speaks  of  several  encampments  on  the  "Maquonie"  as  the  river  was  known  at 
that  time. 

Amaquon  village  was  situated  on  the  S.  E.  quarter  of  Section  4,  Maquon 
township.  It  was  located  near  a  hill,  and  near  a  fine  spring  of  water ;  there  was 
a  garden  and  orchard  on  the  hill  north  and  a  garden  east  of  it.  These  gardens 
were  fenced  with  jack  oak  trees.  The  trees  of  this  orchard  furnished  fruit  for 
Mr.  Wm.  Palmer,  the  first  white  man  to  build  a  house  in  Knox  county.  It  was 
built  on  the  top  of  the  hill  just  beside  where  the  main  trails  crossed. 


,  V  A  .^- : ,  '•: ,':     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ''-      -  :       45 

Village  No.  2  was  situated  about. a  half  mile  distant  to  the  north  on  the 
northeast  quarter  of  Section  4,  on  the  spot  where  later  Mr.  Nelson  Selby,  the 
first  land  owner  in  Maquon  township,  settled.  The  tent  poles  of  this  village 
were  still  standing  in  1850.  Mr.  Selby's  daughter,  Mrs.  Mahala  Benson,  used 
to  play,  when  a  child  with  the  buckskin  thongs  with  which  the  tent  poles  had 
been  tied.  This  village  had  its  garden  northeast  of  it,  on  a  small  flat  of  very 
.{.  rich  soil  one  quarter  of  an  acre  in  size.  For  many  years,  the  kettle  sticks  re-: 
mained  in  this  garden.  Where  the  Indians  held  their  annual  green  corn  feasts 
and  dances,  south  of  the  garden,  were  three  Indian  graves.  Northeast  of  this 
garden,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  is  the  famous  Selby  spring,  which  the  Indians 
opened  and  used.  In  the  year  1850,  a  white  man  brought  an  Indian  troop  to 
give  a  show  in  Maquon.  When  they  camped  at  the  south  edge  of  town,  these 
Indians  went  straight  to  the  Selby  spring  for  water,  showing  that  they  were 
familiar  with  the  place. 

•  V       Village  No.  3  was  on  the  southeast  quarter.  Section  2,  Maquon  township. 
j   It  was  in  a  valley  on  the  north  of  the  bluff  on  French  creek. 

Village  No.  4  was  located  on  the  Mrs.  Lodema  McGirr  farm  on  the  north- 
:'  west  quarter  of  Section  12,  Maquon  township.  Tent  poles,  maple  sugar  troughs 
.;'  and  wat^r  boxes  were  there  many  years  after  white  settlers  came. 

(Village  No.  5  was  on  Mr.  Menzo  Morse's  farm,  northeast  quarter  of  Sec- 
'tion  35,  Maquon  township.    It  was  on  a  depression  surrounded  by  hills  and  near 
a  large  spring.     Indians  spent  the  winter  of  1829  here.     Old  settlers  remember 
that  there  were  about  lOO  inhabitants  in  this  village  of  which  the  larger  num- 
ber were  men.   '.    ';';'/•;;  -;  : 
Several  burial  grounds  were  found  in  Maquon  township.     One  of  consider- 

•  able  size  was  on  the  bluff  or  mound  at  the  mouth  of  French  creek,  a  short  dis- 
tance southeast  of  Maquon,  on  the  southeast  quarter,  Section  2.     The  builders 
of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  railroad  cut  through  a  large  number  of  graves  in  the  year 
1856.    On  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  5,  during  the  childhood  of  the  older 
settlers,  there  were  more  than  a  dozen  burial  mounds  from  35  to  40  feet  in 
circumference. 


u,  .•    :      ^_-   ,^-;.  v.'/    .     ,  '•  :^       Salem  Township 

In  the  eastern  part  of  Salem  township  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Avery  Dalton, 
Knox  county's  oldest  inhabitant,  was  held  annually,  Pottawatqmie  green  corn 
feasts  and  dances ;  also,  councils  were  held.  ..  :  ,.,... 

-•'/'>   ;•. -.'^ '..•/:'.,.•  V'-:'-    ' 'u...^'"-.  v'-   L«t;w  Fort       •'.•'•-;•>••';•'•...'''-••''    ^;       ^ .•••:•  ^'•'.•'••' 

Lewis  Fort,  in  Henderson  township,  was  built  by  Wm.  Lewis  and  sixteen 
others  in  the  short  time  of  four  weeks.  It  was  near  the  woods,  was  210  feet 
square,  and  was  built  of  oak  timbers,  twelve  feet  each  in  length,  set  close  to- 
gether in  the  ground,  forming  a  piece  fence  or  palisade  eight  feet  in  height. 
This  was  lined  with  chunks  of  sod  two  feet  wide,  four  feet  thick,  and  two  feet 
in  length.  Portholes  were  made  every  four  feet.  Block  houses  were  erected 
on  two  of  the  corners,  at  which  each  of  the  four  sides  of  the  fort  could  be 
guarded.  These  houses  were  i6  x  20  feet,  and  projected  slightly  beyond  the 
fence  to  prevent  the  approach  of  incendiaries.  A  shed  extended  all  the  way 


^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

around  the  inside.  The  only  place  of  entry  was  a  doorway,  twelve  feet  wide, 
closed  with  a  heavy  puncheon  door.  A  sham  cannon  of  basswood  gave  the  fort 
a  deadly  look.  The  other  forts  were  of  the  same  general  plan. 

•'  '••^'-•'. "•.'  '-•''" 

'    X/^-     .  INDIANS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION       /       U  V  :   '  !:   .  \ 

It  is  little  known  that  this  portion  of  Illinois  took  any  part  in  the  revolution- 
ary war,  but  the  American  army  marched  through  Knox  county  on  their  way 
from  Peoria  to  Rock  Island.  Colonel  (afterwards  General)  George  Rogers 
Clark,  received  twenty  volunteers  from  Kentucky,  under  Captain  John  Mont- 
gomery, which  was  an  important  addition  to  his  army.  Captain  Montgomery, 
is  described  as  one  of  the  "Long  Hunters  of  Kentucky,  Irishman  full  of  Fight." 
In  1778  he  was  made  lieutenant  colonel  and  given  the  title  "Commander  in 
chief  of  the  X'irginia  Troops  in  the  County  of  Illinois."  | 

The  condition  of  the  American  army  may  be  judged  from  an  extract  of  a 
letter  he  wrote  in  September,  1779,  to  General  Clark:  "I  would  be  glad  if  it 
is  in  your  power  to  send  to  me  a  Relefe  to  me  for  the  soldiers,  if  it  is  only  as 
much  as  will  make  them  a  little  Jump  Jacote  and  a  pair  of  overalls,  I  think 
they  might  scuffle  through." 

On  May  26,  1779,  the  British  and  Indians  attacked  the  Americans  at  Caho- 
kia,  Illinois.  The  command  was  under  a  Mr.  Hess,  and  was  composed  of  750 
men.  including  servants  and  Indians.  These  were  Menominies,  Sioux  and  Sacs 
and  Foxes.  General  Clark  and  his  men  made  so  brave  a  resistance  at  Cahokia, 
that  the  British  retreated  northward,  one  part  going  by  the  Mississippi  river, 
and  the  other  going  by  the  Illinois  river.  Colonel  Montgomery  was  ordered  to 
follow  the  enemy  up  the  Illinois  river  to  the  lake  (Peoria),  and  then  cross  the 
country  and  attack  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  on  Rock  river  near  its  mouth.  This  at- 
tack during  the  fore  part  of  June,  I78o,"by  the  American  army  upon  the  Rock 
river  town  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  is  the  only  event  in  the  Revolutionary  war 
that  brought  the  American  army  so  far  north.  And  notice :  Knox  county  is  in 
a  direct  line  between  Peoria  and  Rock  Island,  and  that  the  well  traveled  Galena 
trail  passes  from  one  to  the  other,  therefore,  the  army  must  have  marched 
through  Knox  county.  The  Indian  villages  of  Maquonia  were  on  the  well  worn 
trail  from  Peoria  to  Rock  river  (Indian  village),  hence  it  is  no  stretch  of  im- 
agination to  presume  that  they  passed  through  the  present  village  of  Maquon. 
Another  evidence  is  this :  there  are,  within  the  confines  of  Knox  county,  abundant 
evidence  that  there  were,  at  least,  three  heavy  battles  fought  on  her  soil  and 
neither  battlefield  is  ten  miles  away  from  Maquon. 

This  American  army,  under  Colonel  Montgomery,  consisted  of  350  men, 
according  to  his  letter  written  February  22,  1783,  to  the  Honorable,  the  board 
of  commissioners  for  the  settlement  of  western  accounts.  Among  other  things 
he  says,  after  speaking  of  General  Clark's  movements  and  commands:  "After 
giving  me  instructions  he  (General  Gark)  left  Cohos  (Cohokia)  the  fourth  of 
June  with  a  small  escort  for  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  river,  on  his  route  to  Ken- 
tucky. I  immediately  proceeded  to  the  business  I  was  ordered,  and  marched 
three  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  the  lake  open  on  the  Illinois  river,  and  from 
thence  to  the  Rock  river,  destroying  the  towns  and  crops  proposed."  Colonel 
Montgomery  gives  no  detailed  account  of  the  march  from  Cahokia,  or  of  the 


,^      /;,:/::;:•     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;^^  47 

engagement  at  Rock  river.  It  was  probably  only  a  minor  matter  to  this  "Fight- 
ing Irishman."  No  mention  is  made  how  the  Montgomery  army  returned,  but 
it  is  safe  to  presume  that  they  went  as  they  came,  by  land.  .,-.,-  .x- 

••.^'•^  '.•'•'•'' -^--yy   '.'.V-.'':'V..^. .;";'.•,  INDIAN  TREATIES     ,V'.:M:''-V;-  .'     '    ,  •.. .vKv-'r';  :'-^' 

;  There  were,  at  Iea:st,  three  Indian  treaties  that  effected  the  Indians  of  Knox 
county.  Th  first  one  being  a  treaty  made  at  St.  Lx)uis,  on  November  3,  1804, 
between  William  Henry  Harrison,  governor  of  Indian  Territory,  and  of  the  Dis- 
trict  of  Louisiana,  with  the  chief  and  the  head  men  of  the  United  Sacs  and 
Foxes,  tribes  of  Indians.  It  is  as  follows : 

For  this  land,  the  Indians  were  to  have  goods  to  the  value  of  $2,234.50,  and 
an  annuity  of  $i,ooo  per  year.  By  a  treaty  at  Fort  Madison,  April,  1809,  and 
renewed  during  different  years,  they  were  allowed  to  remain  on  the  lands  until 
they  were  surveyed.  •'A\  ;  ^;-  '^^^ 

;:::  It  seems  that  the  Ottawas,  Chippewas  and  the  Pottawatomies  also  claimed 
rights  in  these  lands.  On  August  24,  i8i6,  a  treaty  was  entered  into  between 
the  United  States  and  these  Indians,  under  which  the  Indians  relinquished  all 
claims  on  these  lands,  as  follows :  The  head  chiefs  and  warriors  for  themselves 
and  the  tribes  they  represent,  agree  to  relinquish,  and  hereby  do  relinquish,  to 
the  United  States,  all  their  rights,  claims  and  title  to  the  land  contained  in  the 
before  mentioned  session  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  which  lies  south  of  a  due  west 
line,  from  the  southern  extremity  of  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi  river. 
And  they,  moreover,  cede  to  the  United  States  all  the  land  contained  in  the  fol- 
lowing  bounds,  to-wit:  Beginning  at  the  left  bank  of  the  Fox  river  of  Illinois, 
ten  miles  above  the  mouth  of  said  Fox  river,  thence  running  so  as  to  cross  Sandy 
Creek,  ten  miles  above  its  mouth ;  thence  in  a  direct  line  to  a  point  ten  miles 
north  of  the  west  end  of  Portage,  between  Chicago  Creek,  which  empties  into 
Lake  Michigan.  The  general  boundary  line  between  the  lands  of  the  United 
States  and  the  said  Indian  tribes  shall  be  as  follows,  to-wit :  Beginning  at  a  point 
on  the  Missouri  river  opposite  of  the  mouth  of  the  Gasconade  river,  thence  in 
a  direct  course  so  as  to  strike  the  river  Jefferson  (in  Iowa),  at  the  distance  of 
thirty  miles  from  its  mouth,  and  down  the  said  Jefferson  to  the  Mississippi, 
thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  the  mouth  of  the  Onisconsing  river,  and  up  the 
same  which  shall  be  thirty-six  miles  in  a  direct  line  to  the  point  where  the  Fox 
river  (a  branch  of  the  Illinois)  leaves  the  small  lake  Sakaegan,  then  down  the 
Fox  river  to  the  Illinois  river  and  down  the  same  to  the  Mississippi.  The 
treaty  (Aug.  24,  i8i6)  was  attended  by  twenty-eight  chief  Pottawatomies,  Otta- 
was, Sacs  and  Foxes,  and  Kickapoos.  .:  -.,,..  ,,  V  .  ' 

•''-'••'•'-•"•:.-'•.:,:>:  ;-X  ,     -    .  ^    ;,;,';   ;';V. 

;•.-;•-'.;"-.'. -V';''';- •'•'•'•• '•^'    '  /'f'^^^-/.-..  LANDS  SI;RVEYED     ''''•' '\   "';'.' "^    '       •     : '' •' v .:'-:':-x 

^ ''-••'."•/;:  ••':.\^'\^:-  :'-'  ••:>••- ^_:x '::.. 

From  i8i6  to  1823,  the  land  between  the  Illinois  and  the  Mississippi  rivers 

was  surveyed,  by  congressional  enactment.  May  6,  1812,  and  subsequently  the 
military  tract  of  Illinois  was  created  consisting,  as  we  know,  of  the  land  between 
the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers  south  of  the  north  line  of  what  is  now  Bureau 
and  Henry  counties. 

Black  Hawk,  chief  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  who  fought  for  the  British  in  the 


48       ,         .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

War  of  1812,  declared  these  treaties  were  not  binding,  and  that  they  would  not 
abide  by  them.  Many  whites  moved  upon  the  land  of  the  Indian.  In  1831, 
Black  Hawk  and  a  band  of  warriors  established  themselves  on  the  disputed  ter- 
ritory, ordering  the  whites  to  leave  at  once.  '-''./ 

• ;    .     ,•  *'       ••  -  '    •  -•    ^,  V  •' 

'      :  '.  .  j-  •;  j-  V  ILLINOIS  INDIANS  IN  THE  WAR  OF  l8l2       .     ^  >    ; 

Upon  the  declaration  of  war  in  June,  1812,  the  Pottawatomies  and  most  other 
tribes  of  Indians  in  the  territory  of  Illinois,  strongly  sympathized  with  England. 
Just  prior  to  the  War  of  1812,  Tecumseh,  the  great  Indian  chieftain,  endeav- 
ored to  arouse  the  western  Indians  against  the  whites.  For  this  purpose,  he 
visited  Illinois  and  perhaps  Knox  county.  Long  years  afterwards  the  Potta- 
watomie  chief,  Shabbona  (  who  then  lived  in  Bureau  county)  stated  that  Te- 
cumseh came  to  him  personally  to  get  him  and  his  tribe  to  join  with  him  against 
the  whites. 

It  is  not  generally  known  that  Illinois  took  any  important  part  in  the  War 
of  1812,  but  the  record,  though  incomplete,  shows  that  at  least  four  regiments 
and  a  number  of  rangers  were  enlisted  and  in  active  service,  and  had  it  not 
been  for  the  bravery  and  vigilance  of  these  rangers,  the  other  settlements  of 
Illinois  would  have  met  the  sad  fate  of  Fort  Dearborn. 

'•','^-'      i:";;-^j^'       .  MAQUONIA   INDIANS  ^ '•."•'-'/  i.;    '•'• 

In  September,  1812,  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  at  Camp  Russell,  near  Ed- 
wardsville,  not  far  from  St.  Louis,  to  march  to  capture  Peoria,  as  the  white 
settlers  there  were  supposed  to  be  in  sympathy  with  the  Indians,  and  was  to  take 
the  Indian  tribes  in  that  vicinity.  During  the  expedition.  Major  Boone,  was  sent 
with  one  hundred  from  Peoria  in  the  direction  of  Rock  river,  to  look  out  for 
war  parties  of  Indians.  When  he  went  back,  he  reported  that  he  had  penetrated 
the  country  northwesterly  and  within  forty-five  miles  of  Rock  river,  he  said 
there  were  several  encampments  of  Indians  of  the  Maquonia,  which  seemed 
to  be  deserted  about  the  time  the  army  arrived  at  Peoria.  This  is  from  records 
of  the  adjutant  general  of  Illinois,  and  to  my  mind  is  conclusive  evidence  that 
the  army  marched  to  Spoon  river,  which  was  known  by  that  name  at  that  time, 
and  crossed  it  at  Maquon,  Knox  county,  Illinois.  I  can  not  otherwise  account 
for  the  name  as  there  is  not  another  town  in  America  by  that  name. 

Another  expedition  during  the  War  of  1812  marched  from  Edwardsville  to 
Quincy,  where  was  a  large  Sacs  and  Fox  village,  thence  across  what  is  now 
Schuyler  and  Fulton  counties,  to  the  mouth  of  Spoon  river,  near  where  Havana 
now  is,  and  thence  to  Peoria  and  destroyed  the  Pottawatomie  village  of  Chief 
Gomo,  near  Chillicothe.  Peoria  was  burned  and  the  inhabitants  carried  away 
in  1813.  •  . 

;:         '•-         "  '  \  ':^  .  BLACK  HAWK  WAR  -     ; 


Black  Hawk  war  seems  to  be  a  blot  upon  the  fair  name  of  Illinois  because 
of  the  greed  of  some  of  the  white  people  who  were  determined  to  have  the  land. 


V^-'::  .-^  V  ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         /         • '  49 

•.•;iV-':.;-^.  •'-•;:  •^-     -    .•'••-• 

regardless  of  the  Indian  rights  and  claims.    The  following  speech,  by  the  famous 
Black  Hawk,  explains  the  Indian's  idea  in  the  matter:   .....•.,  ..     • 

••;•'-•:    •^';'.;  r.'-^ ,'       BLACK  HAWK  TO  GENERAL  STREET   '  ,        .' 

"You  have  taken  me  prisoner  with  all  my  warriors.  I  am  much  grieved, 
for  I  expected,  if  I  did  not  defeat  you,  to  hold  out  much  longer,  and  give  you 
much  trouble,  before  I  surrendered.  I  tried  hard  to  bring  you  into  ambush,  but 
your  last  general  understood  Indian  fighting.  I  determined  to  rush  on  you  and 
fight  you  face  to  face.  I  fought  hard,  but  your  guns  were  well  aimed.  The  bul- 
lets flew  like  birds  through  the  air  and  whizzed  by  our  ears  like  the  wind  through 
the  trees  in  winter.  My  warriors  fell  around  me.  It  began  to  look  dismal. 

"I  saw  my  evil  day  at  hand.  The  sun  rose  dim  upon  us  in  the  morning  and  at 
night  it  sank  in  a  dark  cloud  and  looked  like  a  ball  of  fire.  That  was  the  last  sun 
that  shone  on  Black  Hawk.  His  heart  is  dead  and  no  longer  beats  quick  in  his 
bosom.  He  is  now  a  prisoner  of  the  white  men:  they  will  do  with  him  as  they 
wish,  but  he  can  stand  torture,  and  is  not  afraid  of  death.  He  is  no  coward. 
Black  Hawk  is  an  Indian.  He  has  done  nothing  for  which  an  Indian  ought  to 
be  ashamed.  He  has  fought  for  his  countrymen,  against  the  white  men  who 
came,  year  after  year,  to  cheat  them  and  take  away  their  land. 

"You  know  the  cause  of  our  making  war.  It  is  known  to  all  white  men. 
They  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  it.  The  white  men  despise  the  Indians  and  drive 
them  from  their  homes.  They  smile  in  the  face  of  the  poor  Indian,  to  cheat 
him;  they  shake  him  by  the  hand,  to  gain  his  confidence,  to  make  him  drunk, 
and  to  deceive  him.  We  told  them  to  let  us  alone  and  keep  away  from  us,  but 
they  followed  on  and  beset  our  paths  and  they  coiled  themselves  among  us  like 
a  snake.  They  poisoned  us  by  their  touch.  We  were  not  safe.  We  lived  in 
danger.  We  looked  up  to  the  Great  Spirit.  We  went  to  our  Father.  We  were 
encouraged.  His  great  council  gave  us  fair  words  and  big  promises,  but  we  got 
no  satisfaction;  things  were  growing  worse.  There  were  no  deer  in  the  forests. 
The  oppossum  and  beaver  were  fled.  The  springs  were  drying  up,  and  our 
squaws  and  pappooses  were  without  food  to  keep  them  from  starving. 

"We  called  a  great  council  and  built  a  large  fire.  The  spirit  of  our  fathers 
arose,  and  spoke  to  us  to  avenge  our  wrongs  or  die.  We  set  up  the  war-whoop, 
and  dug  up  the  tomahawk ;  our  knives  were  ready,  and  the  heart  of  Black  Hawk 
swelled  high  in  his  bosom,  when  he  led  his  warriors  to  the  battle.  He  is  satis- 
fied. He  will  go  to  the  world  of  Spirits  contended.  He  has  done  his  duty. 
His  father  will  meet  him  there  and  commend  him. 

"Black  Hawk  is  a  true  Indian,  and  he  disdains  to  cry  like  a  woman.  He 
feels  for  his  wife,  for  his  children,  for  his  friends,  but  he  does  not  care  for  him- 
self. He  cares  for  the  nation  and  the  Indian.  They  will  suffer.  He  laments 
their  fate.  Farewell,  my  nation.  Black  Hawk  tried  to  save  you  and  avenge 
your  wrongs.  He  drank  the  blood  of  some  of  the  whites.  He  has  been  taken 
prisoner,  and  his  plans  are  crushed.  He  can  do  no  more.  He  is  near  his  end. 
His  sun  is  setting,  and  he  will  rise  no  more.  Farewell  to  Black  Hawk." 

I  wish  to  acknowledge  my  obligation  for  local  history  to  Major  Thomas 
McKee's  Reminiscences  of  old  days  in  Illinois,  Miss  J.  H.  McKenney,  Mrs.  El- 
sie D.  Hartsook,  Mr.  J.  W.  Miles,  Captain  C.  C.  Craig,  J.  W.  Adams,  and  others. 


Vol.  I- 


50 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


The  following  authorities  have  been  consulted:  •-'-;'-;'•>- 

Chapman's  History  of  Knox  County.  •  -          -;.•:•..•  ; 

Bateman  and  Selby  History  of  Knox  County.  •          •    .'-    .  _. 

Momette's  Mississippi  Valley,  Vol.  II,  p.  loi.  :i 

Butterfield  Conquest  of  111.,  p.  270.  '  •         '    ;        '':'.•'  ^-       / 

Draper  Mss.,  49,  147.  ;         •    ' 

Canadian  Archives,  Series  B.,  Vol.  97,  pt.  2,  p.  349.  .      f 

Treaty  Nov.  3,  1804,  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  Vol.  7,  p.  84.  . 

Treaty  Aug.  24,  i8i6,  U.  S.  Statutes  at  Large,  Vol.  7,  p.  146.  . 

Calendar  Virginia  State  Papers,  Vol.  Ill,  Page  441,  as  searched  by  Wm.  A. 
Meese,  of  Rock  Island.  -  ..          -         ...  .  .       ; 


COURTS— THEIR  JURISDICTION  AND    SUITS    OF  PUBLIC  IMPOR- 
TANCE 

,     BY  HON.  GEORGE  W.  THOMPSON,  JUDGE  CIRCUIT  AND  APPELLATE  COURTS. 

The  legal  history  of  Knox  county  in  detail  would  include  a  review  of  the 
acts  of  the  legislature  from  the  admission  of  the  state  of  Illinois  into  the  Union, 
the  records  of  the  courts  which  had  jurisdiction  over  the  territory  now  within  the 
county,  a  biography  of  the  judges  who  have  presided  over  the  courts  having  such 
jurisdiction  and  of  the  leading  lawyers  who  have  conducted  litigation  concerning 
public  matters  in  the  county  and  a  review  of  the  more  important  cases  tried 
within  the  county.  This  history  of  the  county,  in  the  appropriate  departments, 
will  contain  biographical  sketches  of  the  lawyers  who  have  practiced  and  are 
now  practicing  before  the  bar  and  of  the  judges  who  have  presided  over  the 
courts  of  record  in  the  county.  It  is  intended  in  this  sketch  to  review  only  topics 
of  general  interest  concerning  legal  matters  within  the  county.  The  statutes  of 
the  state  required  that  the  territory  within  the  limits  of  the  county  should  have 
three  hundred  inhabitants  before  it  could  be  organized  as  a  county,  and  there 
was  included  within  the  county  when  first  organized  the  territory  now  within  its 
boundaries  with  the  two  townships  that  are  now  the  west  townships  of  Stark 
county  and  which  were  detached  from  Knox  county  in  1839,  when  Stark  county 
was  organized. 

An  order  was  entered  in  the  circuit  court  at  Lewistown  in  Fulton  county,  of 
which  Knox  was  then  a  part,  on  the  5th  of  July,  1830,  that  a  term  of  the  circuit 
court  be  held  in  Knox  county  on  the  Friday  before  the  first  Monday  in  October, 
1830. 

When  this  county  was  organized  the  statutes  of  the  state  provided,  that  the 
county  commissioners  court  in  each  county  should  divide  the  county  into  districts, 
in  each  of  which  two  justices  of  the  peace  should  be  elected,  except  in  the  district 
in  which  the  county  seat  was  situated  and  in  that  district  three  justices  of  the 
peace  should  be  elected.  Justices  of  the  peace  had  substantially  the  same  juris- 
diction in  criminal  and  in  civil  matters  that  they  have  at  the  present  time,  with 
the  exception  that  in  civil  matters  their  jurisdiction  was  limited  to  the  sum  of 
$ioo.  The  statute  then  in  force  is  very  similar  to  the  present  statute  except  that 
justices  have  been  given  additional  jurisdiction  in  a  few  other  special  matters; 


.;•--;    .;.>••;.-        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^     :::-         51 

there  has  been  very  little  change  in  the  practice  in  such  courts.     In  1874  their 
jurisdiction  was  enlarged  to  controversies  not  exceeding  $200, 

The  statutes  in  force  in  1830  also  provided  that  a  court  of  record  styled 
"the  court  of  probate"  should  be  established  and  held  at  the  several  county  seats, 
and  that  the  judges  of  probate  should  be  appointed  by  the  general  assembly  to 
be  paid  a  reasonable  compensation  to  be  allowed  them  out  of  the  county  treasury 
by  the  county  commissioners'  court.  They  were  required  to  hold  terms  on  the 
first  Monday  in  every  month  and  had  jurisdiction  over  estates  of  deceased  per- 
sons. The  only  jurisdiction  that  the  court  of  probate  had  when  first  established 
was  in  the  matter  of  estates  of  deceased  persons,  the  appointment  of  guardians 
and  matters  relating  to  apprentices.  They  had  no  jurisdiction  in  the  allowance  of 
claims  against  estates  if  the  claim  exceeded  $IOCXD  or  in  proceedings  to  sell  real 
estate  to  pay  debts. 

In  1837  the  legislature  changed  the  name  from  probate  judge  to  probate  jus- 
tice, and  made  the  office  elective  by  the  voters  for  the  term  of  four  years.  The 
probate  justice  was  also  given  the  same  jurisdiction  in  civil  matters  as  justices 
of  the  peace,  and  in  cases  of  debt  or  assumpsit  where  an  administrator  or  executor 
was  a  party,  they  had  civil  jurisdiction  to  the  extent  of  $1000.  In  1845  the 
style  of  ihe  probate  justice  was  changed  by  the  legislature  to  "probate  justice  of 
the  peace;"  the  term  of  office  was  reduced  to  two  years,  but  their  jurisdiction 
remained  substantially  the  same  as  under  the  act  of  1837.  ; 

The  constitution  of  1848  provided  that  a  county  court  should  be  established 
and  that  a  county  judge  should  be  elected  in  each  county.  By  the  statute  of  1849 
county  courts  were  given  full  jurisdiction  in  the  settlement  of  estates,  including 
the  power  to  sell  real  estates  of  decedents  to  pay  debts,  with  the  same  jurisdiction 
as  justices  of  the  peace  in  civil  suits,  where  the  amount  involved  did  not  exceed 
$ioo.  In  1872,  under  the  constitution  of  1870,  the  jurisdiction  of  county  courts 
in  civil  suits  was  enlarged,  giving  them  jurisdiction  in  all  matters  over  which 
justices  of  the  peace  had  jurisdiction,  when  the  amount  involved  did  not  exceed 
$500  with  jurisdiction,  concurrent  with  the  circuit  court,  over  appeals  from  jus- 
tices of  the  peace,  but  appeals  from  the  county  court  when  sitting  as  a  justice  of 
the  peace,  were  to  be  taken  to  the  circuit  court.  They  were  also  given  jurisdic- 
tion over  criminal  cases,  where  the  punishment  was  not  imprisonment  in  the  peni- 
tentiary or  death,  and  the  circuit  court  was  authorized  to  certify  indictments  in 
such  matters  to  the  county  court  for  trial.  In  1877  the  jurisdiction  of  the  county 
courts  was  extended  in  civil  suits  to  $1000;  law  terms  were  established  for  that 
court,  and  appeals  in  common  law  cases  directed  to  be  taken  to  the  appellate 
court  and  in  proceedings  for  the  sale  of  real  estate  to  pay  debts  of  decedents  to 
the  supreme  court. 

There  was  also  a  court  of  record  for  the  government  of  counties,  established 
when  the  state  was  organized,  called  "the  county  commissioners'  court."  It  was 
composed  of  three  county  commissioners  elected  in  each  county ;  they  had  power 
to  appoint  a  clerk.  The  jurisdiction  of  this  court  was  limited  to  matters  concern- 
ing the  county  revenue,  the  imposing  of  county  taxes,  granting  licenses  for  ferries 
and  "taverns"  and  anything  that  brought  in  revenue  to  the  county.  It  also  had 
jurisdiction  in  all  cases  of  public  roads,  canals,  turnpike  roads  and  toll  bridges. 
While  styled  a  court,  it  was  simply  the  means  of  county  government.  This  court 
continued  until  1849,  when  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  counties  to  adopt  town- 


52  HISTORY  OF  KNox  COUNTY    ' ^^'.•-:f^:---::'^:'^--::\^: -.^^.^''^ 

ship  organization  by  a  vote  of  the  people.  'While  it  is  styled  a  court,  yet  it  had 
no  jurisdiction  in  civil  matters,  between  third  parties  or  in  criminal  matters,  its 
jurisdiction  being  limited  to  county  business. 

The  circuit  court  in  Illinois  has  always  been  a  court  having  general  jurisdic- 
tion over  all  legal  matters  except  in  the  probate  of  wills  and  the  settlement  of 
estates.     The  first  term  of  the  circuit  court  was  opened  in  Knox  county  in  a    '' 
"temporary  seat  of  justice"  on  the  first  day  of  October,  1830,  at  the  home  of 
John  B.  Gum,  which  was  a  log  cabin  on  section  thirty-two  in  Henderson  township.  .^  ':'•' 

The  first  judicial  order,  made  in  the  circuit  court  of  Knox  county  on  that  :;•"• 
day,  directed  the  recording  of  an  order  made  at  Lewistown  on  June  lO,  1830,  that  /; ! 
an  election  be  held  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Gum  for  the  election  of  three  county  ';. 
commissioners,  a  sheriff  and  coroner,  to  be  held  on  the  3rd  of  July,  1830.    There 
was  a  grand  and  petit  jury  in  attendance.     On  the  first  day  of  court  the  grand 
jury  made  a  report  concerning  the  condition  of  the  jail  and  that  there  was  no  ''  '; 
business  for  their  consideration.     The  court  adjourned  until  the  next  day  when  -  , 
the  court  was  adjourned  for  the  term.     The  only  business  transacted  by  the  court   -  - 
at  that  term,  other  than  directing  the  recording  of  the  orders  concerning  the      v 
organization  of  the  county,  the  approval  of  the  bonds  of  John  G.  Sanborn,  as 
clerk  of  the  court,  of  Stephen  Osburn  as  sheriff,  ordering  such  bonds  recorded,  ^ 
the  appointing  of  a  temporary  states  attorney  and  the  empanelling  and  discharging  .  .-'X 
of  grand  and  petit  juries  was  to  certify  to  the  county  commissioners  court,  that  .'^  : 
the  sheriff  had  attended  court  two  days.  •' .  • 

On  January  15,  1831,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  providing,  "that  the  seat     ; 
of  justice  for  the  county  of  Knox  is  hereby  permanently  established  on  the  south-  S." 
west  quarter  of  section  twenty-eight  in  township  eleven  north,  of  range  two  east"  .  , 
and  authorizing  the  county  commissioners  of  the  county  to  purchase  said  quarter  'v  ! 
of  land  of  the  United  States  "and  to  lay  off  on  the  same  a  town  which  shall  be  •.  ..-.• 
called  Henderson."     (Laws  of  1831,  page  62.)     On  December  22nd,  1832,  the  >; •;/ 
legislature  enacted:    "That  the  county  seat  of  Knox,  hitherto  known  by  the  name  :-'•; 
of  Henderson,  shall  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  act  be  known  and  desig-       ; 
nated  by  the  name  of  Knoxville."    Knoxville  remained  a  town  until  1853,  when      :' 
it  was  incorporated  as  a  city  by  an  act  of  the  legislature.  •  -    -': 

In  March,  1831,  the  county  commissioners  made  a  contract  with  William  -  ;• 
Lewis  for  the  building  of  a  court  house  in  the  town  of  Henderson  to  which  the  .';.. 
legislature  had  transferred  the  seat  of  justice.     A  two  story  court  house  twenty-      :^ 
eight  feet  long  by  twenty  feet  wide  built  of  hewed  logs  was  completed  in  1833,  at  -•   ; 
a  cost  when  furnished  of  less  than  $40x5,  which  served  all  the  purposes  of  a  court  «  \y 
house  until  1840,  when  a  two  story  brick  court  house  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  ''••;. 
$15,450  on  the  public  square  in  Knoxville.     That  building  still  stands  and  is  now    -  ;; 
used  by  the  city  of  Knoxville  as  an  office  building.     In  1854  a  two  room  fireproof      • 
brick  building  was  erected  near  the  court  house  for  the  use  of  the  clerks  and  for  .  ,V 
the  safe  keeping  of  the  records.  :",; 

In  1873  the  county  seat  was  changed  from'  Knoxville  to  Galesburg,  where  -l.t  r 
court  was  held  in  the  opera  house  on  the  south  side  of  the  square  until  October  ;•- 
term  1883.  The  records  of  the  county  were  kept,  and  the  clerk's  offices  were  ;  ; 
located  in  a  one  story  fireproof  building  on  South  Cherry  street,  which  had  been  .  ; 
built  by  the  city  of  Galesburg  for  the  use  of  the  county,  where  the  city  hall  of 
Galesburg  now  stands.  That  building  was  also  used  as  a  county  court  room. 


:;C;  ;;-^:;;^;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :<  • -^         68 

In  1882  the  county  began  the  erection  of  a  second  story  over  the  clerk's  offices 
which  was  reached  by  an  outside  stairway.  The  circuit  court  was  held  in  the 
second  story  of  this  building  from  October,  1883,  until  the  present  court  house 
was  completed  in  1886  at  a  cost,  when  furnished,  of  about  $150,000. 

In  1860  the  question  of  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  from  Knoxville  to 
Galesburg  was  raised.  From  that  time  the  location  of  the  county  seat  figured 
much  in  the  official  affairs  and  in  the  politics  of  the  county.  Dennis  Clark  who 
resided  in  Abingdon  was  elected  county  judge  in  November,  1865,  and  held  that 
office  five  successive  terms  and  until  the  election  in  1886.  The  fact  that  the  city 
of  his  residence  was  favorable  to  the  change  of  the  county  seat  to  Galesburg  was 
long  used  as  an  argument  why  the  citizens  of  Galesburg  should  vote  for  him  for 
county  judge.  In  1862  in  a  constitutional  convention,  propositions  were  offered, 
contended  for  and  resisted,  the  ultimate  motive  of  which  was  the  removal  of  the 
county  seat  of  Knox  county  from  Knoxville  to  Galesburg.  In  1865  an  act  was 
passed  by  the  legislature  providing  for  a  change  from  Knoxville  to  Galesburg  if 
the  people  of  the  county  should  by  a  vote  of  its  citizens  favor  such  removal..  In 
March,  1869,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  the  supervisors  to  appoint  commis- 
sioners to  contract  with  the  city  of  Galesburg  or  persons  offering  gifts  to  the 
county  as  an  inducement  for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  Galesburg.  An 
election  was  held  on  the  question  of  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  Galesburg 
on  April  6,  1869.  On  the  face  of  the  returns  the  vote  was  against  the  removal. 
That  election  was  contested,  and  on  a  trial  in  the  circuit  court  of  McDonough 
county,  where  the  case  was  transferred,  by  a  change  of  venue,  it  was  held.  Judge 
Higby  of  Pike  county  presiding,  that  the  majority  of  the  vote  on  the  location  of 
the  county  seat  was  in  favor  of  Galesburg.  The  case  was  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant and  closely  contested  civil  cases  that  have  arisen  in  this  county.  The  ablest 
lawyers  that  could  be  found  in  the  state  were  employed  in  the  case.  The  law  firm 
of  Craig  and  Harvey,  composed  of  Judge  A.  M.  Craig,  who  at  that  time  lived 
midway  between  Galesburg  and  Knoxville,  and  later  was  elected  to  the  supreme 
bench  of  the  state,  and  his  brother-in-law,  Curtis  K.  Harvey,  a  very  promising 
young  lawyer,  were  the  leading  counsel  for  the  city  of  Knoxville.  They  were 
assisted  by  G.  L.  Hannaman  and  P.  H.  Sanford,  who  resided  in  Knoxville  and 
who  afterwards  from  1886  to  1898  presided  as  judge  of  the  county  court  after 
the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  Galesburg,  but  who  lived  and  died  in  Knox- 
ville, and  by  Eagan  and  Temple  and  H.  M.  Weed  of  Peoria,  and  Beckwith,  Ayer 
&  Kales  of  Chicago.  The  case  for  the  city  of  Galesburg  was  presented  by  Mc- 
Kenzie  and  Williams,  Frost  &  Tunnicliff  and  Kitchell  and  Arnold.  E.  P.  Will- 
iams of  McKenzie  and  Williams  is  entitled  to  much  credit  for  the  great  care 
and  freedom  from  error  with  which  the  case  was  presented  in  the  circuit  court, 
and  the  ultimate  success  of  Galesburg  at  the  end  of  the  case  in  the  supreme 
court. 

At  the  time  of  the  county  seat  contest  all  that  was  required  in  favor  of  a  re- 
moval was  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast.  Prior  to  that  contest  there  was  no  gen- 
eral legislation  in  such  matters,  but  special  acts  were  passed  by  the  general  as- 
sembly concerning  different  counties.  The  constitution  of  1870  contains  a  pro- 
vision that  a  vote  to  change  a  county  seat  shall  not  be  taken  oftener  than  once  in 
ten  years,  and  that  if  the  new  location  is  further  from  the  center  of  the  county 
than  the  old  one,  then  a  vote  of  three-fifths  of  the  votes  of  the  county  in  favor 


iN-  •!  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^  :^  '•••:-••  "^ 

of  the  removal  is  required  to  move  it,  but  if  the  new  location  is  nearer  the  center 
of  the  county,  then  a  majority  vote  only  shall  be  necessary.  The  contest  in  Knox 
county  was  the  cause  of  the  foregoing  provision. 

On  June  ii,  1832,  court  was  opened  in  the  new  log  court  house  just  finished 
in  Knoxville,  then  called  Henderson.  The  grand  jury  empanelled  at  that  term 
reported  that  there  were  no  violations  of  law,  and  the  records  show  that  there 
was  no  business  before  the  court  either  of  a  criminal  or  civil  nature.  The  first 
bill  in  chancery  filed  in  this  county  was  a  bill  for  divorce,  at  that  time  called  a 
libel  for  divorce,  filed  to  the  October  term,  1832,  entitled  Tanner  vs.  Tanner. 
At  that  term,  there  being  no  general  statute  concerning  notice  of  suit  to  non-resi- 
dent defendants  by  publication,  an  order  was  made  for  the  publication  of  notice 
to  the  defendant  in  a  public  newspaper  published  in  the  state.  The  libellant, 
Rhoda  Tanner,  upon  a  showing  as  to  her  poverty,  not  only  procured  an  order  that 
she  be  permitted  to  prosecute  her  suit  as  a  poor  person  without  the  payment  of 
any  costs,  but  also  secured  an  order  directing  and  requiring  James  W.  Whitney, 
an  attorney,  to  prosecute  her  suit  without  any  compensation  or  fee.  The  only 
other  business  at  that  term  was  the  issuing  of  attachments  against  persons  sum- 
moned for  jury  service  who  have  failed  to  appear. 

At  the  June  term  1833,  in  Knoxville  the  first  entry  on  the  records  of  the 
county  was  made  in  a  criminal  case.  That  case  came  on  a  change  of  venue  from 
McDonough  county.  The  only  common  law  case  upon  the  docket  at  that  term, 
in  which  any  order  was  made,  was  an  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  a  justice  of 
the  peace,  which  had  been  obtained  on  a  note  dated  in  May,  1830,  "payable  in 
young  cattle."  O.  H.  Browning,  a  lawyer  from  Quincy,  a  leader  of  the  bar  in  the 
state  in  his  day,  appeared  as  the  attorney  for  the  defendant.  The  defendant  pro- 
cured a  continuance  and  the  case  was  not  disposed  of  until  1834,  when,  the  de- 
fendant being  unable  to  obtain  any  further  postponement,  the  appeal  was  dis- 
missed and  judgment  for  $21.15  rendered  against  the  defendant.  .  •  1  • 
:  . ;  The  second  and  third  chancery  suits,  begun  within  the  county,  were  also  bills 
for  divorce.  A  decree  was  entered  in  April,  1834,  granting  a  divorce  to  the 
libellant,  in  the  bill  for  divorce  filed  to  the  October  term,  1832.  The  first  indict- 
ment returned  by  a  grand  jury,  for  an  offence  committed  within  the  county,  was 
returned  at  the  April  term,  1834.  At  that  term  two  indictments  were  returned, 
one  charging  certain  defendants  with  riot,  and  another  charging  the  defendant 
with  selling  intoxicating  liquor  without  a  license.  The  cases  were  tried  before  a 
petit  jury  and  the  defendants  were  acquitted. 

Under  the  constitution  of  i8i8  the  judicial  power  of  the  state  was  vested  in  a 
supreme  court  and  such  inferior  courts  as  the  general  assembly  might  establish. 
It  provided  that  the  justices  of  the  supreme  court  and  of  the  inferior  courts 
should  be  appointed  by  a  joint  ballot  of  both  branches  of  the  general  assembly 
and  be  commissioned  by  the  governor  and  hold  their  offices  during  good  be- 
havior, until  the  end  of  the  first  session  of  the  legislature  after  January  i,  1824. 

Richard  M.  Young,  one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  who  received  a 
salary  of  $1000  each,  presided  over  the  circuit  court  in  Knox  county  from  its 
organization  until  the  May  term,  1837,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  James  H.  Rals- 
ton. Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  from  1841 
to  1843  and  presided  over  the  circuit  court  of  Knox  county  during  that  time. 
In  1848  a  new  constitution  was  adopted  by  the  state  which  declared  that  the 


>-^^te  V:'^;-"^v    ;  '    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   :':".:--      56 

judicial  power  of  the  state  should  be  vested  in  a  supreme  court  consisting  of 
three  judges,  in  circuit  courts,  county  courts  and  in  justices  of  the  peace,  all  of 
whom  should  be  elected  by  the  people  of  fixed  and  definite  terms.  The  consti- 
tution of  1848  fixed  the  salaries  of  judges  of  the  supreme  court  at  $1200  per 
annum  and  of  the  judges  of  the  circuit  court  at  $icxx>  per  annum. 

The  constitution  of  1870  increased  the  number  of  judges  of  the  supreme  court 
to  seven  and  the  salary  of  such  judges  to  $4C»o  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 
It  also  made  provision  for  the  creation  of  inferior  appellate  courts  by  the  general 
assembly,  which  provision  was  acted  on  in  1877,  and  the  appellate  courts  estab- 
lished. It  fixed  the  salaries  of  circuit  judges  at  $3000  per  annum  until  otherwise 
provided  by  law.  V-.':'^^  •".  ^..•,. 

The  appellate  courts  were  formed  by  an  act  dividing  the  state  into  a  certain 
number  of  circuits,  each  circuit  being  composed  of  several  counties,  and  electing 
three  circuit  judges  in  each.  The  state  was  divided  into  four  appellate  districts. 
The  supreme  court  assigns  three  circuit  judges  to  each  district,  who  do  appellate 
duty  as  well  as  circuit  court  duty,  however  without  any  additional  pecuniary  com- 
pensation, but  are  recompensed  by  the  honor  of  the  appointment. 

In  the  constitutions  of  i8i8  and  1848  there  was  no  restriction  against  special 
legislation,  and  much  of  the  time  of  the  general  assembly  was  occupied  with  legis- 
lation, concerning  matters  of  local  interest  only,  in  which  the  public  at  large  was 
not  interested.  The  constitution  of  1870  contains  a  provision  against  special 
legislation  concerning  certain  enumerated  things,  and  provides  generally  that  in 
all  cases  where  a  general  law  can  be  made  applicable  no  special  law  shall  be 
enacted.  Section  42  of  an  act  passed  by  the  legislature  and  approved  March  2, 
1839,  provides :  "That  Turner  Roundtree,  Thomas  Gilbert  and  z\grippa  L.  Mar- 
tin, of  the  county  of  Knox,  be  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  commissioners  to 
review,  survey  and  relocate  that  part  of  the  state  road  leading  from  Knoxville 
in  Knox  county  to  New  Boston,  in  Mercer  county,  which  lies  in  the  said  county 
of  Knox,  so  that  said  road,  as  relocated,  may  run  through  the  town  of  Gales- 
burg  in  said  county  of  Knox,  and  strike  the  present  state  road  at  some  point 
between  Galesburg  and  Alfred  Brown's."  In  1841  an  act  was  passed  requiring 
an  election  to  be  held  in  Cherry  Grove  precinct,  in  Knox  county,  for  the  election 
of  an  additional  justice  of  the  peace  and  constable  who  shall  reside  within  the 
limits  of  the  town  of  Abingdon. 

Some  of  the  special  charters  created  by  acts  passed  under  the  old  constitutions 
of  the  state  are  cherished  as  very  valuable,  while  the  rights  secured  by  others  have 
been  abandoned.  The  Farmers  and  Mechanics  Bank  of  Galesburg  is  incorpo- 
rated and  exercises  its  corporate  rights  as  a  bank  under  a  special  charter  obtained 
from  the  legislature.  The  cities  of  Galesburg,  Abingdon,  and  Oneida,  each,  were 
incorporated  under  special  charters.  The  original  charters  obtained  from  the  leg- 
islature by  these  cities  continued  many  specially  valuable  provisions,  amongst 
others  may  be  mentioned  the  prohibition  against  licensing  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
liquors  as  a  beverage.  Abingdon  and  Oneida  still  cling  to  their  original  charters, 
with  the  result  that  no  intoxicating  liquor  has  ever  been  legally  sold  as  a  beverage 
within  their  boundaries.  In  1876  the  city  of  Galesburg,  by  a  vote  of  its  inhabit- 
ants, became  incorporated  under  the  general  incorporation  act  concerning  the 
incorporation  of  cities  and  villages  passed  in  1872,  and  relinquished  its  charter 
prohibition  against  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquor.  The  public  school  system  of 


56  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

:^|:-- 
Galesburg  is  still  acting  under  the  provisions  of  a  special  school  charter  adopted 

in  1859. 

The  public  school  system  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  while  existing  under  a 
special  act,  is  controlled  by  the  general  school  law  in  the  conduct  of  some  of  its 
business  and  in  some  matters  by  its  special  charter.  In  1882  there  appeared  in  the 
public  newspapers  of  the  city  articles  written  by  a  prominent  lawyer  contending 
that  the  board  of  education  of  the  city  was  not  controlled  by  the  general  school 
law,  and  that  it  was  unnecessary  for  the  teachers  employed  in  the  city  schools  to 
go  to  the  expense  and  trouble  of  procuring  certificates  of  their  fitness  to  teach 
from  the  county  superintendent  of  schools.  The  result  of  the  newspaper  articles 
was  that  a  citizen  of  the  same  political  persuasion  as  the  author  of  the  articles 
employed  a  lawyer  who  occupied  offices  near  those  of  the  author  of  the  articles 
to  bring  a  suit  to  enjoin  the  payment  of  the  salary  of  a  teacher  of  penmanship, 
who,  teaching  a  special  subject  only,  did  not  have  a  certificate  from  the  county 
superintendent  licensing  to  teach.  The  writer  of  the  newspaper  articles  was 
employed  to  defend  the  school  board  against  the  injunction  suit  and  show  that 
his  published  articles  laid  down  correct  legal  principles.  The  circuit  court  held 
that  no  teacher  in  the  public  schools  was  entitled  to  be  paid  out  of  the  school 
fund,  unless  he  held  a  proper  certificate  from  the  county  superintendent  of 
schools.  The  case  was  appealed  to  the  supreme  court,  where  it  was  expected, 
that  as  the  briefs  for  the  citizens  who  brought  the  suit,  only  perfunctorily  stated 
his  contention  and  the  defendant's  brief  was  an  able  one,  that  the  case  would  be 
reversed  and  the  school  board  exempted-  from  the  provisions  of  the  general 
school  law.  Another  leading  lawyer  of  the  city,  James  A.  McKenzie,  who  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  best  common  law  pleaders  that  ever  practiced  in  the  county, 
and  who  had  a  state  wide  reputation,  quietly  filed  a  brief  as  a  friend  of  the  court 
and  for  the  public  good,  and  the  decree  of  the  trial  court  was  affirmed  in  an 
opinion  published  in  112  111.  Supreme  Court  Reports  at  page  ii,  much  to  the  dis- 
comfiture of  the  lawyer,  who  had  instigated  the  suit  by  his  published  letters  and 
who  apparently  had  his  choice  of  sides  in  the  case. 

A  comparison  of  the  judicial  records  of  the  first  few  years  of  the  county  with 
those  of  later  years  demonstrates  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  were  neither 
different  in  their  characteristics  nor  distinctly  better  or  worse  than  its  citizens  of 
the  present  time.  The  first  action  usually  taken  by  a  defendant  in  court  was  to 
move  for  a  continuance.  The  proportion  of  divorces  compared  with  other  chan- 
cery suits  was  then  apparently  as  great  as  at  present,  and  the  court  compelled 
attorneys  to  prosecute  suits  for  divorce  in  behalf  of  poor  persons  without  re- 
ward, a  proceeding  unknown  at  the  present  time  in  civil  suits  between  parties. 
Now  there  is  an  outcry  for  the  defense  against  such  sirits  by  the  public,  instead 
of  assistance  to  complainants  therein.  Selling  intoxicating  liquor,  without  a 
license,  was  in  the  early  years  of  the  county  a  frequent  offense,  and  there  was 
the  same  difficulty  in  procuring  convictions  that  now  exists.  A  large  proportion 
of  the  judicial  records  of  the  circuit  court,  in  its  earlier  years,  is  made  up  of  or- 
ders for  attachments  for  contempt  against  parties  summoned  for  jury  service, 
who  had  failed  to  appear.  The  parties  on  the  hearing  of  the  attachments  were 
usually  discharged,  occasionally,  however,  being  taxed  with  the  costs  of  the  at- 
tachment. Serving  on  juries,  especially  on  grand  juries  was  a  service  rendered 
at  that  time  apparently  more  unwillingly  than  at  present,  for  which  there  was 


THE  CITY  HALL 

Located   on   South   Cherry   Street,   between   Simmons  and  Tompkins   Streets.      Erected   1905-6.    Value, 

$45,000. 


S6  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    . 

Galesburg  is  still  acting  under  the  provisions  of  a  special  school  charter  adopted 
in  1859. 

The  public  school  system  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  while  existing  under  a 
special  act,  is  controlled  by  the  general  school  law  in  the  conduct  of  some  of  its 
business  and  in  some  matters  by  its  special  charter.  In  1882  there  appeared  in  the 
public  newspapers  of  the  city  articles  written  by  a  prominent  lawyer  contending 
that  the  board  of  education  of  the  city  was  not  controlled  by  the  general  school 
law,  and  that  it  was  unnecessary  for  the  teachers  employed  in  the  city  schools  to 
go  to  the  expense  and  trouble  of  procuring  certificates  of  their  fitness  to  teach 
from  the  county  superintendent  of  schools.  The  result  of  the  newspaper  articles 
was  that  a  citizen  of  the  same  political  persuasion  as  the  author  of  the  articles 
employed  a  lawyer  who  occupied  offices  near  those  of  the  author  of  the  articles 
to  bring  a  suit  to  enjoin  the  payment  of  the  salary  of  a  teacher  of  penmanship, 
who,  teaching  a  special  subject  only,  did  not  have  a  certificate  from  the  county 
superintendent  licensing  to  teach.  The  writer  of  the  newspaper  articles  was 
employed  to  defend  the  school  board  against  the  injunction  suit  and  show  that 
his  published  articles  laid  down  correct  legal  principles.  The  circuit  court  held 
that  no  teacher  in  the  public  schools  was  entitled  to  be  paid  out  of  the  school 
fund,  unless  he  held  a  proper  certificate  from  the  county  superintendent  of 
schools.  The  case  was  appealed  to  the  supreme  court,  where  it  was  expected, 
that  as  the  briefs  for  the  citizens  who  brought  the  suit,  only  perfunctorily  stated 
his  contention  and  the  defendant's  brief  was  an  able  one,  that  the  case  would  be 
reversed  and  the  school  board  exempted  from  the  provisions  of  the  general 
school  law.  Another  leading  lawyer  of  the  city,  James  A.  McKenzie,  who  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  best  common  law  pleaders  that  ever  practiced  in  the  county, 
and  who  had  a  state  wide  reputation,  quietly  filed  a  brief  as  a  friend  of  the  court 
and  for  the  public  good,  and  the  decree  of  the  trial  court  was  affirmed  in  an 
opinion  published  in  112  111.  Supreme  Court  Reports  at  page  ii,  much  to  the  dis- 
comfiture of  the  lawyer,  who  had  instigated  the  suit  by  his  published  letters  and 
who  apparently  had  his  choice  of  sides  in  the  case. 

A  comparison  of  the  judicial  records  of  the  first  few  years  of  the  county  with 
those  of  later  years  demonstrates  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  were  neither 
different  in  their  characteristics  nor  distinctly  better  or  worse  than  its  citizens  of 
the  present  time.  The  first  action  usually  taken  by  a  defendant  in  court  was  to 
move  for  a  continuance.  The  proportion  of  divorces  compared  with  other  chan- 
cery suits  was  then  apparently  as  great  as  at  present,  and  the  court  compelled 
attorneys  to  prosecute  suits  for  divorce  in  behalf  of  poor  persons  without  re- 
ward, a  proceeding  unknown  at  the  present  time  in  civil  suits  between  parties. 
Now  there  is  an  outcry  for  the  defense  against  such  suits  by  the  public,  instead 
of  assistance  to  complainants  therein.  Selling  intoxicating  liquor,  without  a 
license,  was  in  the  early  years  of  the  county  a  frequent  oflfense,  and  there  was 
the  same  difficulty  in  procuring  convictions  that  now  exists.  A  large  proportion 
of  the  judicial  records  of  the  circuit  court,  in  its  earlier  years,  is  made  up  of  or- 
ders for  attachments  for  contempt  against  parties  summoned  for  jury  service, 
who  had  failed  to  appear.  The  parties  on  the  hearing  of  the  attachments  were 
usually  discharged,  occasionally,  however,  being  taxed  with  the  costs  of  the  at- 
tachment. Serving  on  juries,  especially  on  grand  juries  was  a  service  rendered 
at  that  time  apparently  more  unwillingly  than  at  present,  for  which  there  was 

•  •  :'/.T-    .       •  .   ^  .•  •      •  •        \  -^  • 


THE  CITY  HALL  - 

Located    on    South    Cherry    Street,   between    Simmons   and   Tompkins    Streets.      Erected    1905-C.     \'aluc, 
$45,110(1. 


,'* « 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  57 

then  more  reason  than  now,  in  addition  to  the  lack  of  transportation  facilities,  as 
grand  jurors  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  county  received  no  mileage  or  compensa- 
tion of  any  kind,  and  petit  jurors  received  25c  a  day  for  each  civil  case  in  which 
they  served,  and  no  compensation  whatever  in  criminal  cases. 

The  territory  within  the  state  of  Illinois  was  originally  with  other  territory 
northwest  of  the  Ohio  river,  within  the  state  of  Virginia  and  was  in  1778  organ- 
ized into  the  county  of  Illinois.  In  1783  it  was  ceded  to  the  United  States  by 
the  state  of  Virginia,  and  by  the  ordinance  of  the  i3th  day  of  July,  1787,  was 
erected  into  a  territorial  government.  That  ordinance  contains  certain  articles 
of  compact,  between  the  original  states  and  the  people  in  that  territory,  which 
articles  it  is  declared  shall  forever  remain  unalterable  unless  by  common  con- 
sent. The  ordinance  provides,  among  other  things,  that  the  inhabitants  of  said 
territory  shall  always  be  entitled  to  the  benefits  of  judicial  proceedings  according 
to  the  course  of  common  law.  There  is  still  in  the  statutes  of  Illinois  an  act 
which  provides,  "That  the  common  law  of  England  so  far  as  the  same  is  ap- 
plicable and  of  a  general  nature,  and  all  statutes  or  acts  of  the  British  parliament 
made  in  aid  of,  and  to  supply  the  defects  of  the  common  law,  prior  to  the  fourth 
year  of,  James  the  First,  excepting  the  second  section  of  the  sixth  chapter  of 
43d  Elizabeth,  the  eighth  chapter  of  the  I3th  Elizabeth,  and  the  ninth  chapter 
of  37th  Henry  Eighth  and  which  are  of  a  general  nature  and  not  local  to  that 
kingdom  shall  be  the  rule  of  decisions  and  shall  be  considered  as  of  full  force 
until  repealed  by  legislative  authority."  The  legislature  fixed  the  law  as  it  was 
in  England  in  1607,  the  fourth  year  of  James  the  First,  as  the  period  at  which 
the  law  of  England  should  be  made  applicable  to  this  country  instead  of  the  year 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  for  the  reason  that  was  the  time  of  the  in- 
stitution of  the  first  territorial  government  in  America.  The  adoption  of  the 
common  law,  as  it  was  in  1607,  has  been  construed  as  only  applicable  in  cases 
where  that  law  is  applicable  to  the  habits  and  conditions  of  our  society  and  in 
harmony  with  the  genius,  spirit  and  objects  of  American  institutions.  By  the 
common  law  is  meant  those  maxims,  principles  and  forms  of  procedure  that  have 
no  written  law  to  warrant  them,  but  are  founded  on  the  laws  of  nature  and  the 
dictates  of  reason  and  have  by  usage  and  custom  become  interwoven  with  the 
written  laws.  This  law  is  found  in  the  records  of  the  courts,  and  writings  of 
men  skilled  in  the  profession,  whose  statements  of  the  law  are  deductions  and 
conclusions  gathered  from  the  decisions  of  the  courts. 

The  practice  and  procedure  in  the  trial  courts,  in  our  times,  are  but  little  dif- 
.  ferent  from  the  practice  at  the  time  the  county  was  organized  or  as  it  was  in 
1607.  The  pleadings,  in  courts  were  then  written  by  the  attorneys,  now  they  are 
usually  dictated  to  stenographers,  are  typewritten  and  are  more  verbose.  By  the 
change  in  office  methods,  the  conciseness  and  precision  that  governed  in  earlier 
times  has  been  lost.  The  procedure  in  the  courts  both  in  civil  and  criminal 
matters  has  not  advanced  and  has  not  kept  pace  with  the  improvements  in  other 
sciences,  but  clings  to  the  rule  of  precedent.  Several  attempts  have  been  made 
by  the  judiciary  and  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  state  to  simplify  and  expedite 
the  methods  of  court  procedure,  but  the  recommendations  of  practice  commissions, 
the  last  of  which  was  made  in  1907,  have  been  practically  ignored  by  the  legisla- 
ture. While  the  statutes  of  the  state  make  a  large  volume,  that  part  of  them 
applicable  to  practice  in  courts  of  record  is  contained  within  less  than  forty 


58  r  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        V  "^  ;  .v  .'Iw      ;^;''. 

pages  of  the  present  statute.  The  most  important  statute  modifying  the  old  -;  ; 
common  law  practice  is  the  statute  of  amendments,  which  permits  any  process  '.'.'- 
or  pleading  in  a  civil  suit  to  be  amended  by  leave  of  the  court  for  the  furtherance  ;  .. 
of  justice  at  any  time  even  after  judgment.  ;- 

Knox  county  is  in  the  military  tract  of  Illinois: — the  land  in  it  was  set  apart       .- 
by  the  federal  government  for  the  soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812  to  be  located  upon  •  '  '^ 
by  them.     The  warrants  issued  to  the  soldiers  were  in  great  part  bought  up  by     ..:• 
speculators,  who  located  the  warrants  on  land  the  title  to  which  was  in  the  gov-   *;- 
ernment.     Many  of  the  soldiers  who  themselves  located  their  warrants  and  re-  :•;'  • 
ceived  the  patents  for  their  land,  either  sold  the  land,  or  the  land  being  so  far  .;;  - 
from  the  settled  parts  of  the  country,  it  was  regarded  by  the  owners  of  so  little    ;  \ 
value  that  they  paid  no  attention  to  their  property  and  permitted  it  to  be  sold       ' 
for  taxes.     The  result  was  that  after  a  patent  had  been  issued  to  a  soldier  and    " ' 
the  land  remained  vacant  and  unoccupied,  or  it  was  occupied  by  squatters  with-      J 
out  any  claim  of  title,  speculators  would  secure  some  kind  of  a  title,  either  a  tax      ' 
title  or  a  deed,  either  from  the  soldier,  or  some  one  of  the  same  name.     It  did    ' 
not  seem  to  be  important,  whether  the  maker  of  the  deed  was  the  soldier  or  a  V. ' 
descendant,  if  he  could  make  a  deed  in  the  name  of  the  patentee.     Titles  to  land        • 
were  very  uncertain.    Many  fraudulent  titles  were  recorded,  and  frequently  there 
were  several  titles  of  record  to  the  same  tract  of  land.     The  result  was,  that  in    '  '.. 
1839  statutes  were  enacted  by  the  legislature  for  the  purpose  of  quieting  titles. 
One  of  these  statutes  provided  that  whenever  any  person,  having  claim  and  color  ;  •''•• 
of  title  made  in  good  faith  to  vacant  and  unoccupied  land,  shall  pay  all  taxes  :.. 
legally  assessed  thereon  for  seven  successive  years,  he  shall  be  adjudged  the  legal     ; ; 
owner  of  such  vacant  land,  according  to  the  purport  of  his  paper  title.     Another    .  > 
section  provided  that  every  person  in  the  actual  possession  of  land  under  claim     . 
and  color  of  title,  made  in  good  faith,  and  who  shall  for  seven  successive  years 
continue  in  possession  and  shall  during  said  time  pay  all  taxes  legally  assessed    ;. 
against  such  land,  shall  be  adjudged  the  owner  to  the  extent  and  purport  of  his      ' 
paper  title.     The  purpose  of  the  passage  of  these  statutes  was  to  perfect  and  give   .  , ' 
good  title  to  land,  which  parties  had  in  good  faith  bought  from  others,  who  had     :•'. 
no  title  or  only  a  fraudulent  title,  and  to  put  an  end  to  the  very  general  litigation    .  - 
concerning  land  titles.     The  courts  held  that  while  these  statutes  purported  to  be  ,.  • .' 
statutes  making  title,  yet  they  could  only  be  used  as  a  shield  to  defend  the  title    .•..:' 
of  the  party  in  possession  and  could  not  be  used  as  a  sword  to  destroy  the  title  of        ; 
others.    The  case  of  Hale  vs.  Gladfelter,  which  was  tried  in  the  circuit  court  of  V  i 
Knox  county  before  Hon.  A.  A.  Smith  of  Galesburg,  judge  presiding,  and  taken 
by  appeal  to  the  supreme  court  involved  the  title  to  a  quarter  section  of  land  in 
Victoria  township  in  this  county,  secured  a  construction  of  the  statutes  referred   V.   . 
to.     It  was  one  of  the  most  important  civil  cases  tried  in  this  county  and  had 
very  able  lawyers  opposed  to  each  other ;  Leander  Douglas  represented  T.  J.  Hale, 
who  was  ultimately  successful,  and  Frost  and  Tunnicliff,  P.  H.  Sanford  and    ;;. 
Martin  Shallenberger  of  Toulon,  represented  Levi  Gladfelter.  >  . 

In  1882  Edgar  A.  Bancroft,  then  starting  in  the  practice  of  law,  began  in    -    ; 
Knox  county  a  case  of  great  public  importance  entitled  Jones  vs.  the  Chicago  &      '': 
Burlington   Railroad   Co.,   to   recover   penalties   for   overcharges   on   shipment    .'.  - 
of  stocks.     F.  A.  Willoughby  and  F.  S.  Murphy  were  subsequently  associated       ' '. 
with  Bancroft  for  the  plaintiff  and  O.  F.  Price  and  Williams  and  Lawrence  of     :';;^ 


''':,;:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .;        -        59 

Galesburg,  with  Chicago  attorneys  represented  the  railroad  company.  In  this 
cause  was  tested  the  validity  of  an  act  of  the  legislature  passed  in  1873,  entitled 
an  act  to  prevent  extortion  and  unjust  discrimination  in  the  rates  charged  for 
the  transportation  of  passengers  and  freight.  The  act  authorized  the  railroad 
and  warehouse  commissioners  to  make  schedules  of  reasonable  and  maximum 
rates  for  the  transportation  of  passengers  and  freight,  and  gave  to  persons  who 
were  injured  by  any  violation  of  the  act,  a  right  of  recovery  for  three  times  the 
amount  of  the  damages  sustained  and  attorneys  fees.  The  case  was  tried  in  the 
circuit  court  of  Knox  county.  Judge  Glenn  of  -Monmouth  presiding,  and  a  judg- 
ment rendered  in  favor  of  the  plaintiff  for  $2,868.60  and  $1,200  attorneys  fees. 
The  case  was  not  finally  disposed  of  in  the  supreme  court  of  Illinois  until  1894 
because  of  transfers  back  and  forth  between  the  state  and  federal  courts,  when 
the  judgment  was  affirmed  in  an  opinion  by  the  supreme  court  of  this  state  es- 
tablishing the  validity  of  the  statute  and  the  control  of  the  state  over  common 
carriers. 

A  history  of  the  trial  of  judicial  matters  in  Knox  county  would  be  incom- 
plete without  reference  to  two  judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  state  and  a 
circuit  judge  who  resided  in  Knox  county  during  their  terms  of  offices.  In  1864 
Charles  'B.  Lawrence,  then  a  judge  of  the  circuit  court  of  Knox  county,  was 
elected  to  the  supreme  bench.  His  record  as  a  nisi  prius  judge  has  not  been  ex- 
celled in  the  state  for  wisdom  and  accuracy.  His  opinions  in  the  supreme  court 
are  contained  in  volumes  36  to  67  and  are  very  concise  models  of  legal  literature 
and  learning.  They  leave  no  doubt  as  to  the  law  therein  laid  down. 

In  1873  he  was  succeeded  by  Alfred  M.  Craig,  who  held  a  seat  on  that  bench 
until  1900.  His  opinions  are  found  in  volumes  67  to  i86  inclusive  and  are  noted 
for  their  clearness  and  hard  common  sense.  He  displayed  g^eat  legal  acumen 
in  adapting  judicial  principles  to  new  and  changing  conditions,  without  being 
chargeable  with  judicial  legislation.  In  a  case  involving  the  question  of  the  right 
of  school  directors  to  provide  separate  schools  for  colored  children,  in  which  the 
supreme  court  judges  were  divided  in  opinion.  Judge  Craig  held  with  the  ma- 
jority, that  while  school  directors  had  large  discretionary  powers,  yet  they  had 
no  right  to  discriminate  between  children  on  account  of  color  or  social  condition. 
He  wrote  the  opinion  in  the  famous  Illinois  Central  Railroad  case,  involving  the 
right  of  the  railroad  company  under  its  charter  to  submerged  lands  along  the  lake 
front  in  Chicago,  in  which  it  was  decided  that  the  state  held  the  title  to  the  lands 
within  its  boundaries  covered  by  the  waters  of  Lake  Michigan,  in  trust  for  the 
people  and  that  the  state  had  no  right  to  sell  such  lands. 

Arthur  A.  Smith,  judge  of  the  circuit  court  from  1867  to  1894,  was  born  in 
Batavia,  Ohio.  He  graduated  from  Knox  College  in  1853.  He  studied  law  for  a 
while  in  New  York  and  afterwards  in  Peoria  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and 
opened  a  law  office  in  Galesburg  in  1855.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war 
he  helped  to  organize  the  83rd  Regiment  of  Illinois  Infantry,  of  which  he  was 
elected  lieutenant  colonel.  He  served  his  country  well  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  brigadier  general.  For  a  short  time 
after  the  close  of  the  war.  General  Smith  remained  at  Clarksville,  but  returned 
to  Galesburg  in  1866,  where  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  In  the  early  part 
of  1867,  he  was  appointed  circuit  judge  to  fill  the  vacancy  created  by  the  resigna- 
tion of  Judge  John  S.  Thompson  of  Mercer  county.  '  •  .  -  v  ;'  - 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         r ^-o     ;, 

Judge  Smith  was  succeeded  by  Judge  Hiram  Bigelow  of  Galva,  in  Henry 
county,  who  served  out  the  remainder  of  Judge  Smith's  term,  ,\  I  ...:  ' 

Judge  Bigelow  was  succeeded  by  the  writer  of  this  article,  who  is  now  serving 
his  third  term  as  circuit  judge. 


V:?//  COURTHOUSES          '     '    ;^\"       -^^ 

In  pursuance  of  the  policy  announced  in  the  preface  of  this  history,  it  is 
now  our  intention  to  write  up  the  several  matters  of  interest  to  the  people  of 
this  county  in  such  detail  as  to  present  them  as  they  really  occurred. 

In  our  third  chapter  it  seemed  natural  and  convenient  to  attach  an  account 
of  the  construction  of  the  first  court  house  and  jail  to  the  account  of  the  final 
organization  of  the  courts  and  the  election  of  the  county  and  township  or  dis- 
trict officers.  We  were  explicit  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  construction  of 
the  court  house,  but  the  jail  does  not  appear  in  so  much  detail  on  the  record. 
In  fact,  it  does  not  seem  to  have  been  fully  paid  for  until  the  year  1838. 

Since  that  time  two  court  houses  and  two  jails  have  been  erected  in  Knox 
county.  All  of  these  buildings  were  fine  structures  for  the  times  in  which  they 
were  built,  and  it  will  be  seen  from  the  account  here  given,  that  they  were  all 
thoroughly  well  built,  and  that  there  was  never  the  slightest  evidence  or  sus- 
picion of  fraud  or  dishonesty  in  the  work.  It  was  the  writer's  pleasure  and 
honor  to  have  been  county  clerk  during  the  construction  of  the  present  court 
house,  and  he  wishes  here'  to  state  that  during  all  that  period  the  men  comprising 
the  county  board  of  Knox  county  were  men  of  honor  and  ability  and  would 
have  been  a  credit  to  any  state  legislature  of  any  state  of  the  Union. 

•We  will  now  proceed  with  our  account  of  Knox  county  court  house  con- 
struction. 

In  December,  1836,  it  appears  from  the  records  that  the  county  commis- 
sioners were  moved  to  consider  the  question  of  again  building  a  court  house. 
The  log  structure  which  was  erected  at  the  start,  and  costing  less  than  $400, 
was  in  the  very  nature  of  things  temporary  and  designed  only  to  meet  the  then 
pressing  needs  of  the  county.  It  does 'not  appear  from  the  records  that  there 
had  been  any  previous  discussion  upon  this  subject  on  the  part  of  the  people, 
but  we  find  a  simple  order  directing  the  preparation  of  plans  with  the  provision 
for  advertising  the  same  and  placing  those  plans  where  they  would  be  acces- 
sible to  such  architects  as  might  be  found  in  the  then  new  cities  of  the  state. 
The  following  orders  appear  of  record : 

ORDERED:  That  Henry  J.  Runkle  (or  some  other  person  whom  he  may  em- 
ploy) be  requested  to  furnish  three  copies  of  a  suitable  draft  for  a  court  house 
to  be  erected  in  the  town  of  Knoxville,  of  the  following  description:  The  main 
building  to  be  40  feet  wide  by  50  feet  in  length  with  a  portico  in  front  of  suit- 
able proportion,  supported  by  stone  pillars.  The  basement  story  to  be  of  stone 
and  to  be  divided  in  the  middle  lengthwise  by  a  hall  or  passage  and  one  side 
divided  into  three  apartments,  and  the  other  side  in  four  apartments,  and  the 
main  building  to  be  of  brick,  the  whole  to  be  of  suitable  proportion. 

ORDERED  :    That  the  clerk  make  out  an  advertisement  and  cause  the  same  to 


.  ;: ;:  ->  ^    •'••  ••  •:_    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         :  ,   .  ,    61 

be  inserted  in  the  newspapers  printed  at  Peoria  and  Quincy.  That  sealed  pro- 
posals will  be  received  at  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  this  court  until  the  March 
term  of  this  court  for  said  building  in  separate  contracts :  one  for  the  walls  and 
outside  of  said  building,  and  the  other  for  the  inside  work  of  said  building,  hav- 
ing reference,  to  the  said  drafts  for  particular  information,  the  said  drafts  to 
be  deposited  with  the  clerks  of  the  county  commissioners  courts  of  the  counties 
of  Knox,  Peoria  and  Adams. 

It  appears  further  that  the  foregoing  advertisements  did  not  result  in  the 
production  of  any  plans  or  at  least  any  plans  that  were  satisfactory,  for  we  find 
the  following  order  entered  of  record  at  the  March  term,  to  which  term  of  court 
plans  were  to  be  returned. 

ORDERED:  That  Eldert  Runkle,  one  of  the  commissioners  of  this  court,  be 
and  he  is  hereby  appointed  and  authorized  on  the  behalf  of  said  court  to  pro- 
cure  a  suitable  draft  or  drafts  of  a  court  house  for  said  county,  previous  to  the 
next  regular  term  of  this  court.  .  :  .  j  :  -  J^  ^  '•  ^ 

The  county  commissioners'  record  does  not  make  any  statement  in  regard  to 
plans  and  specifications  for  court  house  filed  pursuant  to  notice  given  at  the 
September  term  of  court.  Plans  and  specifications  were,  however,  filed  with 
the  clerk  of  the  court,  but  were  probably  too  elaborate  and  were  therefore  not 
entered  of  record ;  but  we  find  a  contract  for  the  building  of  a  new  court  house 
for  the  sum  of  $15,450,  made  and  entered  into  with  Alvah  Wheeler  and  Zelotes 
Cooley,  who  at  that  time  lived  in  Hancock  county,  Illinois.  This  contract  is 
given  below  as  it  is  made  for  the  erection  of  the  building  which  now  stands  in 
the  public  square  at  Knoxville,  and  is  therefore  of  sufficient  interest  to  the  peo- 
pie  of  this  county  to  copy  it  from  the  records  which  are  scarcely  ever  seen, 
and  make  it  a  matter  of  historic  value  by  including  it  in  this  history  of  Knox 
county.  The  following  is  the  contract : 

Alvah  Wheeler  and  Zelotes  Cooley  have  entered  into  contract  with  the  com- 
missioners  of  Knox  county  in  articles  of  agreement  as  follows:  This  agree- 
ment  made  and  entered  into  this  tenth  day  of  March,  A.  D.,  1838,  between  AJ- 
vah  Wheeler  and  Zelotes  Cooley  of  Hancock  county,  in  the  state  of  Illinois  of 
the  first  part,  and  Jos  Rowe,  James  Ferguson  and  Eldert  Runkle,  county  com- 
missioners  of  the  said  county  of  Knox  in  said  state  of  Illinois  on  behalf  of  said 
county  of  Knox  of  the  second  part,  Witnesseth:  That  the  said  party  of  the  first 
part  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  covenants  on  the  part  of  the  said  party  of 
the  second  part  hereinafter  mentioned,  hereby  covenants  and  agrees  to  and 
with  the  said  party  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors  in  office  to  furnish 
the  materials  for  and  to  erect  and  build  a  court  house  in  the  town  of  Knoxville, 
in  said  county  of  Knox  (upon  such  site  as  shall  be  designated  by  the  said  party 
of  the  second  part)  agreeably  to  certain  plans  and  specifications  by  them  filed 
with  the  clerk  of  the  county  commissioners'  court  of  said  county  of  Knox  (to 
which  plans  and  specifications  reference  is  herein  had,  and  they  are  made  a 
part  of  this  agreement),  the  said  court  house  to  be  fully  completed  and  finished 
(agreeably  to  said  plans  and  specifications),  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  May, 
A.  D.,  1840. 

In  consideration  whereof,  the  said  party  of  the  second  part  for  themselves 
and  their  successors  in  office  hereby  covenant  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said 
party  of  the  first  part  to  pay  to  the  said  party  of  the  first  part,  the  sum  of  fifteen 


|i|;;;'4^--  •     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          V-'^^^J 

thousand,  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  at  the  times  and  in  the  manner  fol- 
lowing, to-wit:  To  advance  to  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  (when  this  agree- 
ment is  executed),  the  sum  of  one  thousand,  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
(which  sum  is  to  be  secured  to  the  said  party  of  the  second  part  by  good  per- 
sonal security  to  be  by  them  approved),  and  tb  make  further  payments  from 
time  to  time  (as  often  as  once  per  month  as  required  by  the  said  party  of  the 
first  part)  as  the  work  progresses  proportioned  to  the  progress  thereof,  so  that 
the  last  payment  shall  be  made  when  the  said  court  house  is  completed.  And 
it  is  mutually  understood  and  agreed  by  and  between  the  parties  that  in  estimat- 
ing the  progress  of  said  building  reference  shall  be  had  to  the  value  of  the  mate- 
rials provided  therefor  and  of  the  labor  bestowed  thereon,  so  that  the  said  party 
of  the  first  part  may  (whenever  an  estimate  is  made)  be  paid  a  sum  proportioned 
to  the  advancement  of  the  work,  and  it  is  further  mutually  agreed  by  and  be- 
tween the  parties  that  if  at  any  time  they  shall  not  agree  upon  the  amounts  which 
should  then  be  paid,  that  then  each  party  shall  nominate  one  person  who  to- 
gether shall  estimate  the  progress  of  said  work  and  fix  the  amount  which  is  at 
that  time  to  be  paid  to  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  and  if  the  two  persons 
thus  nominated  shall  disagree  they  two  shall  appoint  a  third  person  to  act  as 
umpire,  whose  decision  shall  be  final  in  the  premises,  and  the  said  party  of  the 
second  part  shall  thereupon  pay  to  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  the  sum  fixed 
by  said  umpire. 

And  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  further  covenants  and  agrees  to  and 
with  the  said  party  of  the  second  part,  that  whenever  any  materials  by  them  pro- 
vided for  said  court  house  shall  have  been  estimated,  and  they  shall  have  received 
the  payment  based  upon  such  estimate,  that  then  the  materials  so  estimated  shall 
be  considered  and  shall  be  the  absolute  property  of  the  said  party  of  the  second 
part,  subject  however  to  be  used  in  and  about  the  building  of  said  court  house  by 
the  said  party  of  the  first  part.  It  is 'further  mutually  understood  and  agreed 
by  and  between  the  parties  aforesaid  that  if  the  said  party  of  the  second  part 
shall  deem  it  expedient  to  make  any  change  or  alteration  in  the  plans  or  specifi- 
cations that  then  such  change  or  alteration  shall  be  made  in  such  building  and  if 
such  change  or  alteration  increases  the  expense  of  said  court  house,  that  then  the 
said  party  of  the  second  part  shall  pay  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  (in  addition 
to  the  gross  sum  above  mentioned)  a  reasonable  compensation,  proportioned  to 
such  increased  expense,  and  on  the  other  hand,  if  any  such  change  or  changes 
shall  diminish  the  expense  of  said  building,  that  then  the  said  parties  of  the  first 
part  shall  make  a  reasonable  deduction  from  said  gross  sum,  proportioned  to 
such  diminished  expense.  In  witness  of  which  said  several  premises  the  said 
parties  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  affixed  their  seals  the  day  and  year 
first  above  written. 

Witness,  S.  H.  LITTLE.  :;..;;:--      ./•   :;v''  -I 

...,-•.•  (Signed)     ALVAH   WHEELER,    (SE.^L)      . 

,:•.  '  ZELOTES   COOLEY.      (SEAL) 

'  Messrs.  Wheeler  and  Cooley  entered  into  bond  in  the  penal  sum  of  $28,000 
with  the  county  commissioners  with  Moses  Stevens,  Sidney  H.  Little,  Wesley 
Williams,  David  W.  Matthews,  Thos.  L.  Barnes  and  Jesse  B.  Winn  of  Hancock 
county,  state  of  Illinois  as  sureties  and  John  G.  Sanborn.  Parnach  Owen,  Her- 
man Knox,  Enos  Pomeroy,  Robert  L.  Hannaman,  Geo.  A.  Charles  and  George 


'':;       f  ;•;  V    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  ;  68 

Newman  of  the  county  of  Knox  and  state  of  Illinois  also  as  sureties.  The  county 
commissioners  at  this  time  were  Joseph  Rowe,  James  Ferguson  and  Eldert 
Runkle.  This  court  house  was  completed  in  good  shape  by  the  contractors  but  it 
is  a  little  interesting  to  know  that  at  the  start  they  proceeded  to  borrow  from 
Knox  county  the  sum  of  $1,450  and  gave  a  note  therefor  signed  by  nearly  all 
of  the  men  who  were  upon  their  bond  as  sureties.  The  following  is  a  copy  of 
the  note. 

k 

Alvah  Wheeler  and  Zelotes  Cooley  presented  in  court  a  note  in  words  as 
follows,  to-wit:  "•?;',  •.  '.  ^•;.  <::'  .\  /r=  .  .\S'-v  : 

$1,450 — On  or  before  the  first  day  of  July  next,  we  jointly  and  severally 
promise  to  pay  to  Joseph  Rowe,  James  Ferguson  and  Eldert  Ruukle,  county 
commissioners  of  Knox  county,  or  to  their  successors  in  office,  the  sum  of  one 
thousand,  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  value  received.  .V'.  .  '• ;  V  > x 

Dated  March  loth,  1838.    ,.;;>;:•  : :  ^'i  ^   .  ;;.    •  ; 

,;   (Signed)     ALVAH  WHEELER,    ':\-:  1      .         THOS.  L.  BARNES,  '.;.;- 

;;  ZELOTES  COOLEY,         >'     .•  J-  B.  WINN,  '   v^>:/ 

\.;;{.;^::;;;-    MOSES  STEVENS,       -:;  ;.   ^    i        JOHN  G.  SANBORN,  .'    .       :,•;•::••' 

:/..'  ';•-!,•. •^.•;';;.S.  H.  LITTLE, '::•.•';''•'•••''.':..--'•'•''!  PARNACH  OWEN,     ;-:\.  .  :.'\^' '••f-\:/'>'' •"•'!? 

•:';':'•':"'.':/ "•^•'' WESLEY  WILLIAMS,       :;'•;>;;.;      HERMAN  KNOX,  ':;..;.•''-: r.'-\^'-;.'^;5,;X;-:; 

0:>  D.W.MATTHEWS,  GEORGE  A.  CHARLES.  r  ;!  ,.;  ^^i 

'   '     ORDERED:    That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Alvah     ;.:  ;^.  •?•• 

Wheeler  and  Zelotes  Cooley  for  the  sum  of  one  thousand,  four  hundred  and  fifty     -v      Vv.' , 

dollars,  on  above  note.  ^^  'r.?  • '.:;'' 

This  contract  for  the  new  court  house  placed  the  county  where  it  had  to  raise     :V '  .;'•  'x' 
money  to  meet  the  payments  on  the  same.    Accordingly  on  the  same  day  in  which      ;  •    V;  v. . .; 
the  contract  was  entered  into,  the  county  commissioners  entered  the  following        vvv.;..  V 
order  for  the  collection  of  a  part  of  the  money  which  had  been  loaned  out  from     :.;;:'  '.v'^ 
time  to  time.  i  ;•  . ; 

ORDERED  :    That  the  treasurer  notify  all  persons  (owing  money  due  the  county)       ..    • ';. 
to  pay  to  said  treasurer  the  twenty-four  percentum,  as  ordered  by  the  commis-     A   •••'.;'.• 
sioners  court  at  March  term  and  interest,  and  that  he  notify  Lester  J.  Gillett,  Geo.      ,  •  ./;  •.,^''.; 
Losey  and  Gilbert  Buckingham,  to  pay  in  (as  required  above)  and  to  renew  their      .. ..:  *  •' •  .; 
bonds  with  approved  securities.  "^^  '.  :  j; 

And  that  the  treasurer  is  hereby  authorized  to  put  in  suit  all  notes,  that  are      \;'.      •     ' 
not  paid  as  above  specified  and  to  employ  an  attorney  for  that  purpose.  -  '    ?'     : 

The  court  house  plans  as  originally  drawn  did  not  provide  for  a  cupola.     It      '•  ':'  '  '  r. 
.was  afterwards  concluded  that  it  better  have  one  for  then  as  now  a  court  house       .'-'     :.4  .> 
without  a  cupola  or  a  dome  did  not  seem  quite  in  keeping  with  the  architecture       -V?-';:-' 
of  public  buildings.    Accordingly  at  the  January  special  term  1839  the  following         .:  .'• 
order  was  entered  pursuant  to  the  agreement  with  the  contractors.  Wheeler  and       ,.'-:?>  - 
Cooley.  ..'•.- 

ORDERED:  That  the  plan  and  specifications  for  a  cupola  on  the  court  house,  -"'  .> 
be  filed,  plan  marked  letter  A.,  specifications  marked  B.,  and  the  same  be  con-  "';  ;' 
sidered  a  contract  in  accordance  with  said  plan  and  specifications,  and  is  made  "^  ^  • 
a  part  of  the  original  contract,  for  building  the  court  house,  with  \Vheeler  and  i;  > 
Cooley.  The  consideration  for  building  said  cupola  as  per  specifications  to  be  :: . .  - 
seven  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  '•"' 

A  further  change  was  made  in  the  plans  and  specifications  of  the  building 


64  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  \ 

at  that  time  which  it  is  doubtful  would  be  made  at  the  present  time  considering 
that  the  brick  then  burned  were  so  soft  and  porous.  This  order  is  also  given: 
ORDERED:  That  Wheeler  and  Cooley  be  and  they  are  hereby  requested  to 
alter  so  much  of  the  court-house  contract  as  requires  the  furrowing  and  lathing 
of  the  inside  walls  of  the  house,  and  the  same  be  plastered  on  the  brick  work, 
the  difference  of  expense  to  be  deducted  from  original  contract. 
.  By  the  March  term  of  the  county  commissioners  court  1839  the  court  house 
was  sufficiently  advanced  to  consider  the  question  of  painting  the  exterior  of 
the  building.  The  following  order  will  show  the  color  agreed  upon.  Some  of 
our  older  citizens  may  remember  the  first  color  given  the  building,  which  was 

yellow.  .' /•''•^•'•:  .-'"•:!-:. 'A'.  •.  •'•/••"•'^  :'•'• 

ORDERED:  That  Wheeler  and  Cooley  be  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to 
paint  the  outside  of  the  court  house  cream  color,  the  difference  of  expense  of 
paint  to  be  allowed  on  their  contract. 

.  •  Again  in  the  June  term  1839  the  county  commissioners  decided  to  add  to 
the  plans  and  specifications  with  which  the  contract  was  originally  made.  This 
addition  is  fully  described  in  the  following  order: 

ORDERED  :  That  Wheeler  and  Cooley  are  to  be  allowed  four  hundred  dollars 
for  putting  on  the  court  house  Venetian  blinds  for  all  the  windows,  except  the 
lower  side  lights  to  be  finished  complete,  in  proportion  to  the  rest  of  the  build- 
ing. Also  sixty  dollars  for  deafening  the  court  room  fioor  and  the  stairs,  also 
fi'fteen  dollars  for  putting  in  folding  doors  between  the  two  first  offices  on  the 
west  side,  the  whole  to  be  finished  in  a  good  and  substantial  manner.  An  al- 
lowance has  been  made  in  the  above  contract  for  not  putting  in  the  two  doors 
in  the  two  north  offices  as  specified  in  the  original  contract. 

Also  at  the  same  term  of  court  it  was  decided  to  put  a  lightning  rod  upon 
the  building: 

ORDERED  :  That  John  Eads  be  and  is  hereby  authorized  to  furnish  a  light- 
ning rod  for  the  court  house,  out  of  ^  of  an  inch  iron,  at  19  cents  per  pound, 
the  silver  plating  of  the  points  to  be  allowed  for  at  cost. 

At  the  December  term  1839  of  the  county  commissioners  court  of  Knox 
county  on  the  4th  day  of  December  a  final  settlement  was  had  with  Wheeler  and 
Cooley  for  the  construction  of  the  court  house  and  the  following  orders  were 
entered : 

ORDERED:  That  at  the  settlement  with  Wheeler  and  Cooley  for  building  the 
court  house  in  Knoxville,  the  sum  of  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  two  dol- 
lars is  due  to  Zelotes  Cooley  on  the  same  and  that  he  be  allowed  interest  on  the 
same  at  the  rate  of  twelve  per  centum  per  annum. 

ORDERED:  That  at  the  settlement  with  Wheeler  and  Cooley  for  building  the 
court  house  in  Knoxville  the  sum  of  one  thousand,  three  hundred  and  two  dol- 
lars is  due  to  Alvah  Wheeler  and  that  he  be  allowed  interest  on  the  same  at 
the  rate  of  twelve  per  centum  per  annum. 

At  the  March  term  1840  further  action  was  taken  in  regard  to  the  court  house. 
A  table  for  the  bar  in  the  court  room  to  be  covered  was  ordered  at  a  cost  of 
$12  without  the  cover.  At  the  same  term  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  get  some 
income  from  the  court  house  and  the  following  orders  were  entered: 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  of  the  court  rent  the  two  upper  jury  rooms  at 
one  dollar  and  twenty  five  cents  per  month  each  subject  to  the  use  of  the  jurors 


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64  ,:•'.:-:•:•:':  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

at  that  time  which  it  is  doubtful  would  be  made  at  the  present  time  considering 
that  the  brick  then  burned  were  so  soft  and  porous.  This  order  is  also  given: 

ORDERED:  That  Wheeler  and  Cooley  be  and  they  are  hereby  requested  to 
alter  so  much  of  the  court-house  contract  as  requires  the  furrowing  and  lathing 
of  the  inside  walls  of  the  house,  and  the  same  be  plastered  on  the  brick  work, 
the  difference  of  expense  to  be  deducted  from  original  contract.  ) 

By  the  March  term  of  the  county  commissioners  court  1839  the  court  house 
was  sufficiently  advanced  to  consider  the  question  of  painting  the  exterior  of 
the  building.  The  following  order  will  show  the  color  agreed  upon.  Some  of 
our  older  citizens  may  remember  the  first  color  given  the  building,  which  was 
yellow. 

ORDERED:  That  Wheeler  and  Cooley  be  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to 
paint  the  outside  of  the  court  house  cream  color,  the  difference  of  expense  of 
paint  to  be  allowed  on  their  contract.  '  I 

Again  in  the  June  term  1839  the  county  commissioners  decided  to  add  to 
the  plans  and  specifications  with  which  the  contract  was  originally  made.  This 
addition  is  fully  described  in  the  following  order: 

ORDERED  :  That  Wheeler  and  Cooley  are  to  be  allowed  four  hundred  dollars 
for  putting  on  the  court  house  Venetian  blinds  for  all  the  windows,  except  the 
lower  side  lights  to  be  finished  complete,  in  proportion  to  the  rest  of  the  build- 
ing. Also  sixty  dollars  for  deafening  the  court  room  floor  and  the  stairs,  also 
fifteen  dollars  for  putting  in  folding  doors  between  the  two  first  offices  on  the 
west  side,  the  whole  to  be  finished  in  a  good  and  substantial  manner.  An  al- 
lowance has  been  made  in  the  above  contract  for  not  putting  in  the  two  doors 
in  the  two  north  offices  as  specified  in  the  original  contract. 

Also  at  the  same  term  of  court  it  was  decided  to  put  a  lightning  rod  upon 
the  building: 

ORDERED:  That  John  Eads  be  and  is  hereby  authorized  to  furnish  a  light- 
ning rod  for  the  court  house,  out  of  -%  of  an  inch  iron,  at  19  cents  per  pound, 
the  silver  plating  of  the  points  to  be  allowed  for  at  cost. 

At  the  December  term  1839  of  the  county  commissioners  court  of  Knox 
county  on  the  4th  day  of  December  a  final  settlement  was  had  with  Wheeler  and 
Cooley  for  the  construction  of  the  court  house  and  the  following  orders  were 
entered : 

ORDERED:  That  at  the  settlement  with  Wheeler  and  Cooley  for  building  the 
court  house  in  Knoxville,  the  sum  of  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  two  dol- 
lars is  due  to  Zelotes  Cooley  on  the  same  and  that  he  be  allowed  interest  on  the 
same  at  the  rate  of  twelve  per  centum  per  annum. 

ORDERED:  That  at  the  settlement  with  Wheeler  and  Cooley  for  building  the 
court  house  in  Knoxville  the  sum  of  one  thousand,  three  hundred  and  two  dol- 
lars is  due  to  Alvah  Wheeler  and  that  he  be  allowed  interest  on  the  same  at 
the  rate  of  twelve  per  centum  per  annum. 

At  the  March  term  1840  further  action  was  taken  in  regard  to  the  court  house. 
A  table  for  the  bar  in  the  court  room  to  be  covered  was  ordered  at  a  cost  of 
$12  without  the  cover.  At  the  same  term  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  get  some 
income  from  the  court  house  and  the  following  orders  were  entered: 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  of  the  court  rent  the  two  upper  jury  rooms  at 
one  dollar  and  twenty  five  cents  per  month  each  subject  to  the  use  of  the  jurors 


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:^V  ;;.,:•:.        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  :       65 

and  the  lower  north  west  corner  room  at  two  dollars  and  eight  and  a  half  cents, 
and  if  the  lessees  will  put  in  good  cylinder  coal  stoves,  they  can  relinquish  the 
same  to  the  county  at  cost  in  rent  if  any  one  wishes  to  rent  the  same  for  office,  etc. 
ORDERED:  That  the  north  east  room  in  court  house,  lower  floor,  be  rented 
to  Walker  L.  Bean  for  twenty-five  dollars,  and  a  lease  given  for  the  same. 

ORDERED:     That  the  middle  room  in  court  house  lower  floor  east  side  be 
'  rented  to  Julius  Manning  for  forty  dollars  and  lease  given  for  the  same. 

ORDERED:  That  the  middle  room  in  the  court  house  lower  floor  west  side 
be  rented  to  C.  K.  Harvey  and  John  Jackson  for  twenty  five  dollars  subject  for 
the  use  of  the  commissioners  court  for  court  purposes. 

"•^        On  the  7th  day  of  March  of  the  same  year  it  was  decided  to  sell  the  old 
court  house  independent  of  the  lot.  /      i'-s:-   '. 

ORDERED  :     That  the  clerk  put  up  notices  to  sell  the  old  court  house  without 
the  lot,  to  be  sold  to  the  highest  bidder  on  the  ist  day  of  April,  and  also  the 
letting  of  a  fence  round  the  court  house  to  be  let  at  the  same  time,  specifications 
for  fence  and  terms  for  the  sale  of  the  court  house  will  be  made  known  at  day 
;    .  of  sale. 

Upon  the  first  day  of  April  1840  the  sale  of  the  court  house  was  entered  of 
:.;•.  record  a's  follows: 

.,'  .        The  old  court  house  is  hereby  sold  to  Alvah  Wheeler  for  the  sum  of  eighty 
;.  nine  dollars  and  fifty  cents,  for  which  a  note  is  filed,  said  Wheeler  is  to  have 
.  -,   two  years  use  of  the  lots  it  now  stands  on. 

An  entry  is  made  in  the  June  term  1840  of  settlement  in  part  with  Wheeler 

;Vv  and  Cooley  for  the  construction  of  the  court  house  as  follows: 

• . •-  '•.  •  ORDERED:     That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Alvah 

•' :' '  Wheeler  for  four  hundred  and  fifty  three  dollars  and  eighty  five  cents  in  full  of 

•  :,^  settlement  as  specified  on  the  record  of  this  court  at  December  term  1839. 

'  ORDERED  :     That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Wheeler 

and  Cooley  for  two  hundred  and  thirty  seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents  for  con- 

/   tract  for  blinds,  etc.  •;  '  .  i  v 

V-.         At  the  December  term  1840  the  county  commissioners  made  final  settlement 

"     with  Zelotes  Cooley  for  his  share  of  the  contract  for  construction  of  the  new 

court  house  as  appears  from  the  following  entry  upon  our  record. 
;.:;vv ;  -:  Zelotes  Cooley  stated  an  account  due  him  from  county  of  Knox  as  follows: 

;,;;:;..     Dec.  4,  1839  Amt.  as  per  order  Dec.  term  of  this  court $1,302.00 

.,  • '  -     Mch.   7,    1840   Interest   on   same — 12% 40.36 


'•;-:V"-^  :^  ':--\.^^  ;  - :.  '  ••••..•::  ••v;:^  ;;•"/•--  ':'.•  /•  >''::^,'.  /•  -^•' ^'-'-^.^-  1,342.36 

/y    Mch.  7,  1840  Amt.  paid  March  term  1840 900.00 

v-'v;:?-.-  -r--  .  •'"•''    "  .:.•'-  '•'-'--.  ^'--  :':-'-^:  •:'.    -'  ,  •  :"'/'••.••.•'(  Z :''•.''•''•  A:.  "V  , .  - 

^,.     ••                   -                                                        ...                         .  442-36 

:  }    Dec.  lo,  1840  9  3/30  months  interest  at  12% 40.25 


$482.61 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasury  in  favor  of  Zelotes 
Cooley  for  four  hundred  and  eighty  two  dollars  and  sixty  one  cents  for  account 
as  above  stated.  '^ A :•'•';:-.'••:••'•  -  '  ' -V  V 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  care  with  which  every  proposition  to  expend 


TtLl- 


•et^     :Vi^5c/  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNT Y  .    //;-.^">  v^.: 

money  was  formerly  considered  by  the  board  of  supervisors  and  if  a  little  care 
be  taken  to  examine  the  ayes  and  nays  it  will  be  found  that  the  division  in  the 
^     board  was  shown  in  a  singular  uniformity. 

At  the  January  meeting,  1858,  supervisor  Charles  offered  the  following  reso- 
lution for  making  certain  changes  in  the  court  house.  '.-';:.;••'.'  .1  V 

Resolved,  that  the  board  deem  it  expedient  to  repair  and  enlarge  the  court 
room,  by  taking  out  all  partition  walls  in  the  upper  story,  and  make  it  one  room, 
and  that  we  appoint  an  agent  to  contract  and  superintend  the  work  and  have 
it  done  as  soon  as  convenient  and  render  an  account  to  this  board. 
.  Resolved,  That  the  chair  appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  property  or  expediency  of  enlarging,  improving  or  repairing  the  court 
house;  to  take  into  consideration  the  different  ways  of  making  such  alteration 
or  improvement,  with  the  probable  expense  of  such  different  alterations,  and  to 
report  to  next  meeting  of  this  board.  ;  . '  -^  /•' ;  '  ;-'^V'  .;/]:' 

Supervisor  Miles  read  report  of  committee  appointed  at  last  meeting  of  the 
board  to  make  estimates  of  the  expense  of  alterations  and  repairs  to  the  court 
house  and  present  plans  for  such  alterations,  when  on  motion  of  supervisor 
Charles  the  report  was  received  and  the  committee  discharged.  .  -'  I  "  -' 

Supervisor  Charles  brought  up  the  matter  of  enlargement  of  the  court  room 
and  repairs  to  court  house,  when  supervisor  Martin  offered  the  following  reso- 
lution : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  make  any  repairs  to  the  court  house  at 
present.  Which  was  discussed  at  length  when  Supervisor  Charles  offered  a  reso- 
lution to  postpone  action  on  said  motion  until  tomorrow  morning — carried. 

Supervisor  Charles  offered  the  following  substitute,  for  resolution  of  Super- 
visor Martin  in  relation  to  improvement  of  the  court  house. 

:  Resolved,  That  this  board  appoint  Z.  Cooley  to  have  the  court  room  enlarged 

.     and  repaired  according  to  plans  presented  to  this  board,  by  the  committee  ap- 
;     pointed  at  previous  meeting  and  in  such  manner  as  not  to  cost  over  five  hundred 
dollars,  and  present  bill  at  next  meeting  of  the  board. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  demanded,  resulted.  Yeas,  Messrs.  Routh,  Charles, 
LeBaron,  Godfrey,  Miles,  McCornack,  Stuckey,  Knable,  Jarnagin,  Shinn  and 
Tucker,  ii.  Nays,  Messrs.  Meek,  Kelly,  Gale,  Brown,  Titus,  Martin,  Holyoke 
and  Gibbs,  8.  Resolution  substituted. 

Supervisor  Brown  offered  the  following  resolution  as  a  substitute  for  that  of 
supervisor  Charles :  .  :.  ,  '•;:^-:-  .  :-;  I 

Resolved,  That  it  is  inexpedient  to  make  the  repairs  on  the  court  house  con- 
templated in  the  report  of  the  committee  on  that  subject. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  called  for,  the  vote  resulted — Yeas,  Messrs.  Kelly, 
Gale,  Brown,  Martin,  Holyoke  and  Gibbs,  6.  Nays,  Messrs.  Routh,  Charles, 
LeBaron,  Godfrey,  Miles,  McCornack,  Stuckey,  Knable,  Shinn,  Tucker,  Jarna- 
gin, II,  so  the  substitute  was  lost. 

Supervisor  Gale  then  offered  the  following  substitute  for  Supervisor  Charles' 
substitute : 

Resolved,  That  the  subject  of  repairs  and  alterations  be  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee to  report  in  full  at  the  next  meeting,  full  specifications  and  estimates  of 
'   the  cost  of  repairs  and  alterations  according  to  the  plan  presented  by  the  com- 
.     mittee  of  the  last  meeting. 


f; ;-;.:>;      ";    ^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;  :f  '  ^  '.  -^ 

Yeas  and  nays  were  demanded  on  adoption  of  substitute,  resulting  as  follows : 
Yeas,  .Messrs.  Meek,  Kelly,  Gale,  Brown,  Titus,  Martin,  LeBaron  and  Gibbs — 8. 
Nays,  Messrs.  Routh.  Charles,  Holyoke,  Godfrey,  Miles,  McCornack,  Stuckey, 
Knable,  Shinn,  Tucker  and  Jarnagin — ii.  So  the  substitute  was  lost. 

Supervisor  Miles  then  offered  the  following  resolution  as  a  substitute  for 
the  resolution  of  supervisor  Charles,  which  substitute  was  accepted  by  super- 
visor Charles,  as  follows,  to-wit: 

Resolved,  That  Z.  Cooley  be  appointed  to  have  the  court  room  enlarged  and 
repaired  according  to  the  plan  presented  to  this  board  by  the  committee  appointed 
by  a  former  board.  Provided  the  same  can  be  done  in  a  good  and  workmanlike 
manner,  according  to  said  plan,  and  Provided,  said  repairs  and  alterations  can 
be  done  at  a  cost  to  the  county,  not  exceeding  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars; 
and  if  the  said  Cooley  cannot  contract  for  or  do  the  work  and  have  the  same 
completed  for  that  sum,  he  is  not  to  commence  the  job. 

The  previous  question  being  demanded,  and  the  yeas  and  nays  called,  the 
resolution  was  adopted. 

Yeas,  Messrs.  Routh,  Charles,  LeBaron,  Godfrey,  Miles,  McCornack,  Stuckey, 
Knable,  .Shinn,  Tucker  and  Jarnagin — ii.  Nays,  .Messrs.  Meek,  Kelly,  Gale, 
Brown,  Titus,  Martin,  Holyoke  and  Gibbs — 8. 

These  repairs  were  made  by  Mr.  Cooley  and  he  was  paid  $265.77  ^t  the 
September  meeting,  1858,  which  covered  all  cost  except  painting,  papering  and 
:  whitewashing.      V  ••  -     -"  V'.vv^;--.y--::r  .•;•••-.:;'•'•;">:  '"••-.'I 

September    1866. — The   committee   appointed   at  the  April  meeting  of   the 
board  to  complete  repairs  and  paint  halls  of  court  house  and  offices,  made  the 
following  report. 
To  the  Board  of  Supervisors:    .•     ;'"'•-...;">  ^r  :•-:-...;  :^.r  --;>.- 

Your  committee  appointed  at  the  April  meeting  1866,  to  complete  repairs 
and  painting  of  the  court  house  halls,  sheriff's  and  jury  rooms,  would  report, 
That  they  engaged  one  Kellar  to  do  the  work,  that  after  cleaning  the  work  and 
puttying  up,  no  painting  having  been  done  for  some  28  years,  and  the  wood  work 
very  much  out  of  repair;  they  found  the  work  of  Mr.  Kellar  not  such  as  they 
could  approve;  and  therefore  procured  other  and  competent  painters,  engaging 
Mr.  Ball  of  Galesburg,  to  do  a  job  similar  to  that  done  in  the  court  room,  at 
the  rate  of  $3.50  per  day,  which  was  the  lowest  we  could  obtain  a  competent 
^::' hand  for.  '':' ^/.^'''''..^-^/O -iv;"^ '•"'::.''  .  ;  ' :  ,-.f/ ./>V : 

•         We  would  therefore  recommend  the  allowance  of  the  following  bills,  con- 
/v-nected  with  the  repairs  and  painting,  amounting  to  $404.85. 

This  seems  to  be  the  last  expenditure  ever  made  on  the  Knoxville  court  house 
by  the  county.     An  election  for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  Galesburg  was 
:  ;  held  eleven  years  later  which  resulted  in  removal  to  that  place  in  February,  1873. 

The  city  of  Galesburg  was  obligated  to  furnish  fire  proof  county  offices, 
court  and  jury  rooms  for  ten  years  after  removal  so  nothing  appears  on  record 
in  regard  to  court  house  matters  until  about  the  time  this  ten-year  period  had 
expired.  There  we  find  the  following  at  the  '  ~'j  ;'.  ' 

April  meeting,  1878. — Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  judiciary  committee  be  directed  to  inquire  and  report  at 
the  next  meeting  of  the  board,  whether  any  measures  must  be  taken  during  the 


96         ;:^;y;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /     //•':;;. 

current  year  to  secure  adequate  provisions  for  court  and  jury  rooms  for  the 
use  of  the  county,  and  to  make  to  the  board  such  recommendations  as  the  case 
seems  to  require. 

July  meeting,  1878. — Mr.  Temple,  from  committee  on  judiciary  and  clerk's 
offices,  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  adopted  at  the  last 
April  meeting  of  the  board  in  regard  to  court  house,  presented  the  following 
report:  ,  ;  .  ...  .^;>..v  ;,  .  •  i 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee  would  respectfully  report  in  regard  to  the  resolution  of  Mr. 
Gale,  at  the  April  meeting,  under  which  the  committee  were  instructed  to  inquire 
into  the  necessity  of  taking  action  during  the  coming  year,  towards  securing 
rooms  for  circuit  court,  that  the  committee  met  at  the  county  clerk's  office  and 
examined  papers  on  file  relating  to  the  removal  of  the  county  seat;  and  while 
it  may  be  an  open  question  as  to  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  ten  years  for  which 
the  city  of  Galesburg  is  bound  to  furnish  buildings  for  court  house  purposes, 
the  committee  conferred  with  owners  of  the  present  rooms  occupied  for  such 
purposes,  and  other  proprietors  of  rooms  in  the  city,  and  received  offers  as 
follows : 

From  the  proprietors  of  the  opera  house,  they  received  an  offer  of  the  use 
of  the  present  court  room  at  $i,ooo  per  year.  From  !Mr.  John  Johnston,  pro- 
prietor of  Caledonia  Hall,  received  an  offer  of  his  rooms  at  $400  per  year,  the 
county  to  be  at  the  expense  of  any  changes  required  for  heating,  ventilating,  etc. 
And  would  respectfully  leave  it  to  the  board  to  judge  from  these  offers  whether 
any  immediate  action  is  necessary. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hale,  the  report  was  accepted,  and  Mr.  Sellon  offered  the 
following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Whereas,  It  seems  to  be  an  open  question  as  to  when  the  lease  of  the  opera 
house  for  county  purposes  expires  under  the  contract ;  therefore  ;  .' ;  .  j 

Resolved,  That  the  judiciary  committee  be  directed  to  examine  the  papers  and 
investigate  the  matter,  and  that  said  committee  report  to  the  board  at  the  Sep- 
tember meeting,  1878. 

September  meeting,  1878. — The  following  is  taken  from  the  report  of  Mr. 
Temple,  from  committee  on  judiciary  and  clerk's  offices : 

Your  committee  would  further  report,  that  in  relation  to  the  resolution  of 
Mr.  Sellon,  referring  the  subject  of  providing  court  rooms,  etc.,  for  the  circut 
court,  that  they  have  met  and  discussed  the  question,  and  would  recommend  that 
in  view  of  the  uncertainty  and  difference  of  opinion,  as  to  the  obligation  of  the 
city  of  Galesburg  to  furnish  buildings  beyond  the  coming  spring,  a  contract 
be  executed  between  the  board  and  the  proprietors  of  the  rooms  at  present  occu- 
pied, provided  the  rooms  be  furnished  on  the  same  terms  as  at  present,  said 
contract  to  take  effect  from  and  after  the  expiration  of  the  time  for  which  the 
city  of  Galesburg  is  bound  to  furnish  the  same. 

The  committee  have  decided  to  present  to  the  board  the  contract  and  other 
papers  bearing  upon  the  subject,  believing  that  the  information  desired  can  be 
better  supplied  by  the  reading  of  these  documents,  than  by  an  expression  of 


-V  V         :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :  ;     \       69 

opinion  by  the  committee  on  a  matter  which  is  at  best  a  doubtful  question  of 
V.  law  and  equity.  ','.'  '•.;;;..:-  '  ^  ,.  ;  ',  ';'"^ '^'.  :^'^' ,-:-,\;C"'\?;-'\r  .--;:"•';••••' 

.•'?    "    r  /     .  '       ,  ;'^  '  ''         Respectfully  submitted,  .V 

:'''\-''^''-'-''-'^''^-.''----^  .-....-.   :    ,.-^    J-   W.  TEMPLE,       /v,; 

C.;;:; -'V./ '• '    •"  :^  '/  ';     ••^/ '-.-'•'';•-  '::;v;^;:•v•^-^•••'••..^•:^•5/^     L.  W.   BENSON,       '"'; 
••^"['••'. .•''•'''     ••'    •  '"     -  :- •''•v\:>^v-;'-  '•-'';-;.'  /.'':'^-vs';/''-    W.    SELDEN    GALE,      • 

''-'.:^';^y':'^. -',.;•,'''.;    .'        ..':./-•-.'/•;•  -I- •;••"'-••;. v' •     '^-^ -•  r  '^C'.f  -  :"^  •'-      TnOS.    McKEE.  -'•-.-:••;/; 

On  motion  th^  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and  adopted  (except  as 
to  report  in  relation  to  rooms  for  circuit  court),  and  orders  directed  to  issue  in 
accordance  with  recommendations  of  committee. 

Mr.  Gale  made  a  statement  in  regard  to  present  contract  and  obligations  on 
the  part  of  the  city,  leasing  rooms,  now  occupied  for  court  purposes,  and  offered 
the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  and  clerk  of  this  board  be  authorized  to  con- 
tract with  the  owners  of  the  opera  house  in  Galesburg,  for  use  of  court  rooms 
at  the  rates  now  paid  by  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  with  like  conditions,  for  a 
term  to  .commence  at  the  end  of  the  term  of  lease  to  the  city,  and  to  terminate 
on  six  months'  notice. 

' '        Mr.  Sellon,  wishing  to  offer  a  minority  report,  Mr.  Gale  withdrew  his  reso- 
lutions, when  Mr.  Sellon  made  the  following  minority  report:  '  : 
Mr.  Chairman  and  Members  of  the  Board: 

Your  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  investigating  the  papers  and 
facts  as  to  the  extent  of  the  lease  of  court  rooms  and  offices,  having  carefully 
examined  all  the  papers  bearing  upon  the  lease  of  the  opera  house  for  county 
purposes,  including  the  lease  and  stipulations,  find  the  following  indisputable 
facts  to  exist : 

First.  The  city  of  Galesburg  is  bound  by  stipulations  to  furnish,  free  of  cost 
to  the  county,  suitable  rooms  for  county  and  court  purposes  for  a  term  of  years 
not  to  exceed  ten.  ^.  '  •  -v-  ^  i:^^.-  ::^  :- 

Second.  A  lease  was  obtained  by  the  city  from  Messrs.  Bfechwald  &  Co. 
for  the  use  of  the  opera  house  for  court  and  county  purposes,  during  the  term 
as  specified  in  the  above  named  stipulations,  viz.,  ten  years.  • 

Third.  Said  lease  dated  from  January  29,  1873,  and  the  county  has  occu- 
pied said  opera  house  for  said  purpose  from  that  date  to  the  present. 

In  view  of  these  facts  a  minority,  and  perhaps  a  majority  of  your  commit- 
tee, are  of  the  opinion  that  the  obligation  of  the  city  to  the  county  is  not  can- 
celled, and  will  not  be  under  the  contract  until  January,  1883,  and  we  would 
respectfully  recommend  that  this  board  be  governed  in  their  action  by  the  facts 
in  the  case. 

We  would  further  state,  that  we  have  had  no  official  communication  with 
the  city  authorities  as  to  the  terms  of  termination  of  said  lease,  and  we  have 
reason  to  believe  that  the  city  will,  in  good  faith,  fulfill  her  obligations  to  the 
county  in  this  regard. 

•  Therefore,  we  advise  to  let  the  whole  matter  rest  where  it  is,  and  respect- 
fully ask  the  acceptance  and  adoption  of  this  report  as  a  substitute  for  the 
majority  report,  ."'•'yy.v, :•;•;.  '••,.,  :,•  -  -.fc;;.-;' '/••:, ^  •;  •..•;.,;:->:•:•;'-•'>.'•/,  ^.'^~'^ '>::••'•'--  ,'  ''-^'  ':• 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.     '/:'!.:'' 
.  .  /'v'r.rX        EDWARD  SELLON. 


•    -'•-'   •      - .-  •        ••'      '•    j  '.'**•'  •'  •   *  ''  '.''-',•''  '•     ''"'      .  '      '  '    '       "  .  '"' 

•  •'\  :•  •  •-.',•'     '  ''i'-f:'    •  '  ••  •  •    -   ;      -  -          _••,•• 

:     TO       /^^SV  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;';:-    ^  ;  •;  :  :  1     ;   , 

;  Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  report  of  the  minority  of  the  committee  be  ac- 

cepted and  adopted.    Carried.  ^^         -^ 

Mr.  Gale  then  renewed  the  resolution  for  the  adoption  of  his  resolution  last 
before  offered,  and  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  was  also  adopted. 
;          January  meeting,   1879. — The  clerk  presented  report  of  special  committee, 
.'   appointed  at  last  meeting  of  the  board,  in  relation  to  renting  opera  house  for 
court  purposes;  which  report -was  referred  to  committee  on  judiciary  and  clerks' 
offices. 

April  meeting,  1879. — Mr.  Gale  (W.  S.)  presented  the  following  report  of 
the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  in  regard  to  furnishing  court  and  jury 
rooms  for  the  county: 
To  His  Honor  the  Mayor  and  City  Council: 

In  regard  to  the  matter  of  furnishing  to  the  county  court  and  jury  rooms, 
your  committee  beg  leave  to  report: 

By  special  statute,  authority  was  given  the  city  to  contract  with  commis- 
sioners appointed  by  the  county  board,  upon  certain  terms  and  conditions.    Un- 
der that  authority,  the  city,  in  March,  1869,  contracted  with  the  commissioners 
to  furnish  a  site  for  a  court  house,  a  site  for  a  jail,  a  lot  for  clerks'  offices,  and  to 
.     erect  on  such  lot  a  suitable  building;  to  pay  to  the  county  $20,000,  to  be  applied 
in  the  erection  of  a  jail,  and  to  furnish  the  county  with  suitable  court  and  jury 
-  rooms  until  a  court  house  should  be  erected,  but  not  to  exceed  a  period  of  ten 
years.     The  contract  to  be  void  in  case  the  majority  of  votes  cast  at  the  county 
seat  election  in  April,  1869,  should  be  against  removal  to  Galesburg;  else  in  full 
force. 

At  such  April  election  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  were  for  removal;  and 
the  city  did  fully  perform  every  condition  except  the  last  named,  and  did  tender 
to  the  circuit  court  at  its  first  term  held  thereafter,  suitable  rooms. 

The  expense  to  the  city  of  the  performance  of   this  contract  was  about 
,   $40,000,  all  of  which  was  paid  immediately  after  the  said  election.    .;.,-•.      I 
;         But  the  advantage  expected  to  result  from  this  expenditure  was  not  realized 
for  four  years  thereafter,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  canvassing  board  declared 
the  result  otherwise  than  in  favor  of  removal ;  and  until  the  action  of  the  board 
was  pronounced  erroneous  in  the  circuit  court,  and  the  decision  of  the  supreme 
court  affirming  such  decision  in  the  circuit  court  was  published,  the  county  of- 
ficers refused  to  recognize  Galesburg  as  the  county  seat. 

During  all  this  time  the  city  of  Galesburg  was  paying  interest  on  its  public 
debt,  $40,000  larger  than  it  would  have  been  but  for  the  expenditure  above  re- 

•  ferred  to,  without  receiving  any  benefit  therefrom.     The  city  was  ready,  willing 

-  and  anxious  to  secure  the  expected  advantage  at  the  further  cost  of  providing 
court  and  jury  rooms.     In  February,  1873,  the  county  offices  were  removed  to 

•     Galesburg,  and  since  that  time  the  city  has  provided  court  and  jury  rooms. 
:.  '  Next  month,  ten  years  will  have  expired  since  the  contract  spoken  of  be- 
came in  force,  and  since  the  city  has,  so  far  as  it  was  permitted  to,  performed 
its  part  of  the  contract;  and  since  that  time  there  has  been  no  default  on  the  part 
of  the  city. 

If  the  city  has,  during  that  time,  in  point  of  fact,  supplied  court  and  jury 

rooms  for  only  six  years,  it  has  been  because  the  county,  to  the  great  prejudice 

.  of  the  city,  refused  to  occupy  such  rooms.    .  .  .        ..    ,     ,  .1  , 


-::\-v^:;  ;,^-;;;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    .v  7i 

Your  committee  are  of  opinion —    '•'•-'.-     -;    :'j  ':•-..  -     •. .  . 

First,  That  the  city  has  fully  performed  its  contract,  and  is  not  liable  to  the 
county  to  furnish  rooms  for  any  greater  length  of  time.  - 

Second,  That  the  power  of  the  city  to  contract,  depending  entirely  upon  the 
special  statute,  is  exhausted  and  no  new  contract  can  be  made. 

Your  committee  have  no  means  of  knowing  the  views  that  will  prevail  in 
the  county  board,  and  are  of  the  opinion  that  if  possible  all  collision  with  the 
county  board  likely  to  result  in  expense  or  inconvenience  to  the  public  should 
be  carefully  avoided,  and  recommend, 

That  the  finance  committee  be  authorized  and  directed  to  communicate  with 
the  county  board;  to  inform  the  board  that  the  opinion  of  the  council  is  that  the 
city  is  not  under  obligation  to  further  furnish  court  and  jury  rooms;  and  in 
case  the  county  board  shall  not  concur  in  such  opinion  the  finance  committee  be 
authorized  to  arrange  with  the  county  board  for  a  speedy  reference  to  the 
courts  of  the  questions  in  dispute.  i  ^^  '•  ^: '  "  .  '  • " 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true  transcript  of  a  report  of  the 
finance- committee,  adopted  by  the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  at  a 
meeting  held  on  March  8,  1879. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  subscribed  my  name,  and  affixed  the 
official  seal  of  said  city,  this  eleventh  day  of  April,  1879.  .  :  .;;.: 

(SEAL)  W.  A.  RYAN,  City  Clerk.        - 

Upon  the  reading  of  such  report,  Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolutions, 
which  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  to  consist  of  Messrs.  Aldrich,  Benson,  Corey, 
Robson  and  Harden  be  appointed  to  confer  with  committee  of  the  city  council 
of  Galesburg,  and  arrange  for  a  prompt  reference  of  the  question  named  in  the 
communication  of  the  city  council  to  the  courts. 

Resolved,  That  the  judiciary  committee  be  authorized,  if  necessary,  to  make 
temporary  arrangements  for  court  and  jury  rooms  until  the  next  meeting  of 
this  board. 

April  meeting,  1879. — Mr.  Aldrich  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  adopted:  .r 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  question  concern-.' 
ing  court  and  jury  rooms,  be  authorized  to  employ  counsel  to  assist  the  state's 
attorney,  if  in  their  judgment  they  deem  it  necessary. 

April  meeting,  1880. — Mr.  Robson,  from  special  committee  in  regard  to  the 
suit  between  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  the  county,  involving  the  rent  of  court 
and  jury  rooms,  presented  the  following  report:  ,';•:.; '?.,=  rv..;:..  -  ' 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  communication  of  the  mayor 
and  city  council  of  Galesburg,  in  regard  to  the  matter  of  furnishing  to  the 
county,  court  and  jury  rooms,  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  employed  J.  J.  .•- 
Tunnicliff,  state's  attorney,  and  P.  H.  Sanford,  Esq.,  as  attorneys  for  the  county 
In  said  matter,  and  that  they  have  got  an  agreed  case  with  Mr.  Leach,  the  city 
attorney  for  Galesburg,  and  that  they  have  agreed  to  submit  said  case  as  agreed 
to  Judge  Pleasants  for  his  opinion.  ^-'^  -  ' 

:-:.>,•'.-.;.:'    v--f^   •",:;.•';;>..>;-.         D.  W.  ALDRICH,  Chairman.        / 


72  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .    .|     , 

.V   •  '   •  .     '.•••:.-•  •:  •',  \ .  '•'•  •'.'•' 

On  tnutiun  of  Mr.  Gale  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accei>ted,  and  the 
committee,  so  far  as  the  same  are  still  members  of  this  1x>ard,  be  continued. 

January  meeting,  1881. — Mr.  Gale  (W.  S.J,  from  special  committee,  pre- 
sented the  following  report: 

•  Your  special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  questions  of  removing 
the  court  room,  and  the  future  provision  for  court  and  jury  rooms,  Ijeg  leave 
to  report — 

That  while  it  is  the  duty  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  supply  the  county  with 
court  and  jury  rooms  for  two  years,  it  is  not  advisable  for  the  county  to  make 
any  other  provision  for  that  purpose  at  present,  but  they  recommend  that  this 
board  authorize  the  committee  to  consent  to  any  change  in  location  which  the 
city  council  may  desire  to  make,  which  shall  be  approved  by  the  judges,  and, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  afford  increased  conveniences  to  the  people  of 
,  the  county.  '  '  ''••••:;-;:'..;;  '•.  ''^'\  •'';-'••'';'•>,•::•'•  ,:^'~ '';•-•  'l:l;^->'j  :-':'.;-:-'-^ 

In  reference  to  permanent  possession,  they  have  to  say  that  the  present 
scattered  accommodations  for  court  rooms  and  offices  have  nothing  but  economy 
to  recommend  them.  That  they  are,  and  always  will  be,  in  many  ways  un- 
satisfactory, that  they  have  already  become  in  some  respects  quite  insufficient, 
and  are  gradually  becoming  more  so,  and  they  should  at  some  time  give  way  to 
suitable  and  permanent  provision  in  building  specially  adapted  to  the  purpose, 
and  owned  by  the  county. 

That  the  present  time  is  in  some  respects  a  favorable  one  for  building  by  the 
county.  .-.^  >  V..:.;^  •:'.'.  "v /-"''J ''•'•.•'''i:/.^it''- ;••/'- \^^->v-v|-  •';;'''-^ 

The  cost  of  labor  and  materials  is  much  less  than  it  has  been,  the  county 
is  fairly  prosperous,  owes  no  corporate  debt,  and  is  in  good  credit,  the  rate  of 
taxation  for  county  purposes  being  but  about  one-half  of  what  it  was  a  few 
years  ago.  •  ;••  -  ..'  ;  '  :  •  '  ,U--v.'."';'-"-.--';./..'-; -C  I -'•^''  '^" 

Should  it  be  thought  best  to  extend  the  time  of  payment  over  a  term  of 
years,  it  would  be  easy  to  secure  the  money  at  a  rate  of  interest  not  more  than 
half  of  what  the  county  has  within  a  short  time  paid. 

They  believe  the  bonds  of  the  county  can  be  disposed  of  at  par.  bearing  a 
rate  of  interest  not  exceeding  5  per  cent;  that  a  series  of  bonds  having  from  i 
to  20  years  to  run,  can  be  so  negotiated  that  an  annual  payment  not  exceeding 
8  per  cent  will  keep  down  the  interest  and  extinguish  the  principal  within  20 
years. 

Your  committee  are  further  of  the  opinion  that  there  should  be  no  undue 
haste  in  the  erection  of  buildings  designed  to  be  permanent ;  that  no  expense, 
except  for  preliminary  examinations,  should  be  incurred  until  plans  and  esti- 
mates are  fully  matured  and  proved  to  be  acceptable  to  the  county ;  that  in  build- 
ing once  for  all,  great  care  should  be  taken  to  provide  buildings  creditable  in  their 
appearance  to  the  taste  and  good  sense  of  the  people  of  the  county,  thoroughly 
substantial,  constructed  economically,  not  beyond  the  real  wants  of  the  county, 
but  so  as  amply  to  provide  sufficient  and  suitable  room  for  everj'  department. 

To  procure  the  necessary  information  and  advice,  and  to  properly  mature 
such  plans,  will  require  time  and  the  careful  attention  of  somebody,  and,  until 
such  time  has  been  taken  and  improved,  the  county  will  not  be  in  a  situation  to 
commence  building,  however  favorable  the  situation  may  otherwise  be. 

We  recommend  that  the  subject  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee,  to 


STEPHEN  .V   DOUGLAS    .-       . 


Lincoln's  appearance  in   lSo8\ 


Lincoln  a^  a  law  student        .    '    . 


72x0:,^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       : 

•     On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted,  and  the 
committee,  so  far  as  the  same  are  still  members  of  this  board,  be  continued. 

January  meeting,  i88i. — Mr.  Gale  (W.  S.),  from  special  committee,  pre- 
sented the  following  report : 

Your  special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  questions  of  removing 
the  court  room,  and  the  future  provision  for  court  and  jury  rooms,  beg  leave 
to  report — 

That  while  it  is  the  duty  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  supply  the  county  with 
court  and  jury  rooms  for  two  years,  it  is  not  advisable  for  the  county  to  make 
any  other  provision  for  that  purpose  at  present,  but  they  recommend  that  this 
board  authorize  the  committee  to  consent  to  any  change  in  location  which  the 
city  council  may  desire  to  make,  which  shall  be  approved  by  the  judges,  and, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  afford  increased  conveniences  to  the  people  of 
the  county.  •  . 

In  reference  to  permanent  possession,  they  have  to  say  that  the  present 
scattered  accommodations  for  court  rooms  and  offices  have  nothing  but  economy 
to  recommend  them.  That  they  are,  and  always  will  be,  in  many  ways  un- 
satisfactory, that  they  have  already  become  in  some  respects  quite  insufficient, 
and  are  gradually  becoming  more  so,  and  they  should  at  some  time  give  way  to 
suitable  and  permanent  provision  in  building  specially  adapted  to  the  purpose, 
and  owned  by  the  county. 

That  the  present  time  is  in  some  respects  a  favorable  one  for  building  by  the 
county.  ,  .  '  •  .  1 

The  cost  of  labor  and  materials  is  much  less  than  it  has  been,  the  county 
is  fairly  prosperous,  owes  no  corporate  debt,  and  is  in  good  credit,  the  rate  of 
taxation  for  county  purposes  being  but  about  one-half  of  what  it  was  a  few 
years  ago.  1 

Should  it  be  thought  best  to  extend  the  time  of  payment  over  a  term  of 
years,  it  would  be  easy  to  secure  the  money  at  a  rate  of  interest  not  more  than 
half  of  what  the  county  has  within  a  short  time  paid. 

They  believe  the  bonds  of  the  county  can  be  disposed  of  at  par.  bearing  a 
rate  of  interest  not  exceeding  5  per  cent;  that  a  series  of  bonds  having  from  i 
to  20  years  to  run,  can  be  so  negotiated  that  an  annual  payment  not  exceeding 
8  per  cent  will  keep  down  the  interest  and  extinguish  the  principal  within  20 
years. 

Your  committee  are  further  of  the  opinion  that  there  should  be  no  undue 
haste  in  the  erection  of  buildings  designed  to  be  permanent ;  that  no  expense, 
except  for  preliminary  examinations,  should  be  incurred  until  plans  and  esti- 
mates are  fully  matured  and  proved  to  be  acceptable  to  the  county ;  that  in  build- 
ing once  for  all,  great  care  should  be  taken  to  provide  buildings  creditable  in  their 
appearance  to  the  taste  and  good  sense  of  the  people  of  the  county,  thoroughly 
substantial,  constructed  economically,  not  beyond  the  real  wants  of  the  county, 
but  so  as  amply  to  provide  sufficient  and  suitable  room  for  every  department. 

To  procure  the  necessary  information  and  advice,  and  to  properly  mature 
such  plans,  will  require  time  and  the  careful  attention  of  somebody,  and,  until 
such  time  has  been  taken  and  improved,  the  county  will  not  be  in  a  situation  to 
commence  building,  however  favorable  the  situation  may  otherwise  be. 

We  recommend  that  the  subject  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  committee,  to 


AUKA11.V.U   ,, 


STEPIIKN  A.   DOUGLAS 


•     Lincoln's  appearance  in  ISoS'V     J^ 


'.  Lincoln  UN  a  law  student 


••-••   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -      •  78 

report  to  the  next  meeting  of  this  board  such  progress  as  they  may  be  able  to 
make  in  procuring  information,  plans  and  estimates. 

On  motion,  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted.  It  was  then  moved 
to  adopt  the  report  of  the  committee,  and  the  yeas  and  nays  being  called  for, 
the  motion  was  lost  by  the  following  vote: 

Yeas— Messrs.  Gale  (G.  W.),  Gale  (W.  S.),  McKee,  McFarland,  Robson, 
Andrews  and  Corey — 8. 

Nays — Messrs.  Boydston,  Kimball,  Dieterich,  Rankin,  May,  Reynolds, Simp- 
son, Woodmansee,  Benson,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Leighton,  Mathews,  Tucker, 
Sansbury  and  Todd — 16. 

April  meeting,  i88i. — Mr.  May  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted:  -  .V;  ^^.^ ;). '•^.;  .•  :  ,:^;-^;..  ,  • 

Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Dieterich,  Mathews  and 
Charles,  be  authorized  to  confer  with  owners  of  rooms  in  Galesburg  suitable 
for  court  rooms,  and  obtain  of  them  written  proposals  for  rent  of  said  rooms, 
to  be  furnished  the  county  for  a  term  of  five  years  next  ensuing  after  the  ex- 
piration of  the  present  lease  of  court  rooms  from  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  the 
county,  and  to  report  said  offers  of  rates  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  board  in 
such  shape  that  acceptance  by  the  board  shall  close  the  contract  for  lease. 

Mr.  Robson  offered  the  following  resolution:  •-:    ^. 

X  Resolved,  That  the  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  appoint  a  special 
committee  of  three  to  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  board  on  the  expense 
of  building  another  story  on  the  clerk's  office,  or  building  another  room  on  the 
north  side  of  said  office  for  the  use  of  the  county  court,  treasurer's  office  and 
state's  attorney.  Lost. 

The  chairman  announced  the  following  committee  under  resolutions  of  the 
board: 

On  resolution  in  matter  of  fire-proof  offices — Messrs.  Mathews,  Charles  and 
Wertman. 

July  adjourned  meeting,  i88i. — Mr.  Deiterich,  from  special  committee  in  re- 
lation to  court  room,  reported:  -  .  ;-  i  .  . 

GALESBURG,  August  i,  i88i.    ;  - 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee,  authorized  by  a  resolution  passed  by  this  board,  to  consult 
the  owners  of  rooms  in  Galesburg  suitable  for  court  rooms,  and  obtain  from 
them  written  proposals  for  rent  of  said  rooms  for  county  purposes,  for  a  term 
of  five  years,  next  ensuing  after  the  present  lease  for  court  rooms  shall  expire, 
and  report  said  offers  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  board. 

In  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  resolution,  we  called  first  to  see  the 
owners  of  the  opera  hall  building,  but  finding  but  one  of  them  in,  we  could  ac- 
complish nothing.  Our  call,  however,  was  the  means  of  assembling  them  to- 
gether subsequently  for  consultation.  At  that  meeting  the  subject  was  fully 
discussed,  and  the  conclusion  reached,  that  as  they  have  no  competition  in  the 
premises,  they  would  submit  the  case  to  the  decision  of  the  board,  and  in  order 
that  all  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  a  conference  with  all  the  owners  of  the  build- 
ing might  be  removed,  they  authorized  Chas.  Brechwald  to  act  as  their  agent  in 
negotiating  with  the  board  of  supervisors,  and  whatever  agreement  the  parties 
may  determine  upon,  shall  be  binding  on  their  part.  .;  ;•;:•- 


74  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         > 

Upon  reaching  this  conclusion,  Mr.  Brechwald,  in  the  capacity  of  agent  for 
all  interested,  submitted  in  writing,  with  his  name  thereto  appended,  the  propo- 
sition thus:  "\\'e  will  lease  to  the  county  of  Knox  the  needed  rooms  for  county 
purposes  in  the  opera  house  building  for  a  term  of  five  years,  or  less,  at  the 
option  of  the  county,  at  a  price  of  rent  per  annum  that  the  board  of  supervisors 
in  its  discretion  may  fix.  The  rent  to  cease  at  any  time  during  the  period  stated 
should  the  people  of  the  county  in  the  meantime  build  a  court  house." 

I  made  three  efforts  to  see  John  Johnston,  Esq.,  owner  of  Caledonia  Hall, 
but  failed  to  find  him,  and  finally  I  asked  Mr.  Greenleaf  to  send  him  to  see  me, 
which  he  did  not  do,  but  before  leaving  home,  he  wrote  a  letter  and  addressed 
it  to  the  committee,  which  was  sent  to  me,  and  in  which  he  made  the  following 
proposition :  "I  will  rent  to  the  county  of  Knox,  Caledonia  Hall  for  a  term  of 
years  (not  less  than  five)  at  an  annual  rent  of  $500."  Signed  John  Johnston. 

As  your  committee  have  not  agreed  upon  any  special  advantages  of  either 
of  the  rooms  in  question,  we  submit  that  matter  to  the  discriminating  judgment 
of  the  board,  and  ask  that  we  be  discharged  from  any  further  special  duty  in 
the  premises. 

,  •  /  G.    V.    DiETERICH,          V 

>,     :  '     '         R.  G.  MATHEWS, 

A.   G.  CHARLES. 

On  motion  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted. 

Mr.  Mathews  was  called  upon  for  report  of  the  special  committee,  having 
the  matter  of  adding  a  second  story  to  the  fireproof  offices  under  consideration, 
so  that  the  board  might  consider  both  matters  at  the  same  time.  j 

Mr.  'Mathews  reported  as  follows : 

GALESBURG,  Aug.  ist.  i88i. 
Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board: 

Your  committee  appointed  at  our  last  April  meeting  to  look  into  the  feasi- 
bility and  probable  cost  of  adding  a  second  story  to  the  present  county  office  build- 
ing, would,  after  investigation  and  consultation  with  architects  report  as  follows: 
The  probable  cost  would  not  exceed  $i,8cK),  and  in  their  opinion  would  not  im- 
pair the  safety  of  said  building.  -  .  - ^ ^'  "  ,  :  i  ]  ;.  •;  , 

,   ,v.,.;.:.^:..  .        .  ,     ,       '•        :''••'       ';     R.    G.    MATHEWS/         ;•'''";•, 

/,.'.•>'•':••'.''  '       .      •  '  .        ,       '•        '•.'./   A.   G.  CHARLES,      -     '/.'\  v' 

,.^^;;>;.^ ';  -  '  '  .    ".      -;  '  •'••    •  .  '    -.    L.  F.  WERTMAN,    '       •'•:•;: 

,   '•/•••  .'.':•;'        ••  •         '        /;'   '  •-      '-•   '••:_' -'^J.. -:••''-'-.'-.        Committee.     -' 

On  motion  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted.  ; . 

Mr.  May  moved  that  the  proposition  of  Mr.  Johnston  for  the  lease  of  Cale- 
donia Hall,  now  known  as  the  "Academy  of  Music"  for  five  years  from  the 
expiration  of  the  present  lease  of  the  "Opera  House"  be  accepted. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  substitute  for  Mr.  May's  motion:     \      ,         . 

Resolred,  That  there  be  a  committee  of  five  appointed,  who  shall  report  to 
the  next  meeting  of  this  board  plans  and  estimates  for  the  proposed  enlarge- 
ment of  the  clerks'  offices ;  such  improvement  to  be  made  in  such  manner  as 
not  to  impair  the  fire  proof  character  of  the  rooms;  ^'  '  .V  I  v-  V..  ' 

And  also  to  receive  definite  propositions  from  the  owners  of  halls,  and 
estimates  of  the  necessary  cost  to  the  county  of  fitting  up  such  rooms ; 

And  to  report  upon  the  relative  advantages  of  each  of  such  rooms. 


';'::;  V  : :,   :  '•''    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .  ;:    ; /    75 

Mr.  May  moved  to  amend  the  substitute  of  Mr.  Gale  by  referring  the  resolu- 
tion to  a  committee  consisting  of  the  same  members  of  the  lx)ard  as  constituted 
the  committee  in  relation  to  addition  to  fire-proof  building  and  rental  of  half 
for  court  room.  . '. 

After   some   discussion,    Mr.    Gale   suggested   the   ajjpointment   of  'Messrs, 
Robson,  Todd,  Charles,  Mathews,  and  the  chairman,  as  the  committee  under 
his  substitute;  which  was  acceptable  to   Mr.   May,  and  the   resolution,   as  so  ; 
amended,  was  accepted  by  Mr.  May,  and  adopted  by  the  lx>ard.  /  . 

September  meeting,    i88l. — The   special   order   being  the   report  of   special  .-  ; 
committee  on  renting  court  rooms  and  building  addition  to  clerks'  offices. 
'      Mr.  Robson  presented  the  following  report:   ;'.'."<."  ;.•'-:... 

Board  of  Supervisors — September  Meeting,  i88i.  '    :  ;: 

Your  special  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  receiving  defi-  •' 
nite  propositions  from  the  owners  of  halls  suitable  for  court  house  purposes,  •;-  :• 
and  estimates  of  the  cost  of  the  county  of  fitting  up  such  rooms  and  other    / 
duties,  would  respectfully  report.  -. 

Th'at  your  committee  has  examined  the  opera  house,  which  has  been  cleaned 
and  improved  since  our  last  meeting  and  of  its  convenience  this  board  is  cog- 
nizant. We  find  we  can  rent  said  room  and  necessary  jury  rooms,  for  the 
sum  of  $940  per  annum  (not  including  treasurer's  office),  or  at  the  same  rate 
of  rent  paid  by  the  city  of  Galesburg  therefor.  The  lease  to  terminate  at  the  •; 
will  of  the  county.  • 

That  we  examined  the  academy  of  music,  and  are  offered  it  by  Mr.  Johnston 
for  the  sum  of  $500  per  annum  for  a  term  of  not  less  than  five  years  from  the 
first  day  of  February,  1883 ;  with  authority  to  make  such  alterations  therein 
as  may  be  deemed  necessary.  That  we  have  estimates  of  the  cost  of  such 
changes  as  we  thought  necessary  to  accommodate  the  court  and  find  they  can 
be  made  for  about  $400,  and  we  estimate  that  an  additional  $100  %vill  be  needed 
for  heating  purposes,  which  would  be  an  average  rental  of  $600  per  annum  . 
for  the  five  years. 

That  we  examined  the  commercial  college  room,  and  are  offered  the  same.    • 
together  with  three  rooms  on  the  second  fioor  for  jury  rooms,  by  the  owner,  .'. 
Mr.  Allen,  for  the  sum  of  $500  per  annum  for  the  term  of  five  years.     The  .  '- 
cost  of  fitting  up  said  rooms  would  be  about  the  same  as  the  academy  of  music. 

At  the  prices  named  your  committee  think  the  academy  of  music  preferable    . '; 
to  the  other  rooms.  •: 

Your  committee  would   further  report,  that  they  have  had  plans   for  the      - 
second  story  addition  to  the  clerks'  office,  together  with  plans  for  iron  roof  and  •  . 
iron  stairs  for  said  building,  drawn,  thus  providing  for  maintaining  the  fire-    -,:; 
proof   character   of   the   building,   and    from   estimates   received    from   several  /•• 
parties  as  to  cost,  we  find  the  expense  will  be  not  exceeding  §5,000,  one  estimate 
being  less  than  $4,000.  :.         .          • 

That  the  estimates  for  said  addition  with  tin  roof  and  wooden  stairs,  covered   ^  .' 
with  tin  roof,  are  from  $i,ooo  to  $1,200  less.  .  .  ,     ; 

Respectfully  submitted,  ''  v'^-  .  ; 

;;  WM.  ROBSON,  y  0  R.  G.  MATHEWS,  '  \f  T.  J.  HALE,  ^  v  f^-  >^  ; 
^•'  A.G.CHARLES,  ^.  .<."''••::.'/ W.  B.  TODD,  . -i',:^v- •.••••  ^.vV':'--"' - -^  /-:•••' v..-::;^''."- .;•  •'• 
•;...,-'  -  '..^.  .  ;•.-•:'''•;: -'-••;,  ....,.,  .-.••.••.'-.•"•".';•-''•' '"'-^ -^'•:'-  -;  Committee.  O-'' 


76        -ry';-      -'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;;      ^^  '    ;^ 

Your  committee  would  further  report  that  since  preparing  the  foregoing, 
they  have  received  another  offer  from  the  owners  of  the  opera  house,  as 
follows:  ,  .  - ,  ; 

GALESBURG,  Sept.  21,  i88i. 

The  undersigned,  representing  the  proprietors  of  the  opera  house  building, 
in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  hereby  offers  to  the  county  of  Knox  to  extend  the  same 
occupancy  and  use  that  the  county  now  has  in  said  opera  house  building,  for 
court  house  and  court  room  purposes,  beyond  the  termination  of  the  present 
lease,  for  such  period  as  the  said  county  may  wish  to  occupy  the  same  for  court 
house  and  court  room  purposes,  for  the  annual  rental  of  five  hundred  ($500) 
dollars.  C.  Brechwald. 

Which  they  now  deem  the  most  advantageous  offer.         ... 

Respectfully  submitted, 
,  ••••  '      .  WM.  RoBSON, 

,  ;-  ,  .  •      .    A.  G.  CHARLES, 

.,  .  .,-_,      •  .    •    ,  ,  •  ' 

•  Y  R-  G.  MATHEW.S, 

,.  .      -v'  ,  .  W.  B.  ToDD, 

;  ..^;  T.  J.  HALE, 

''•''•   ;^.'.-\  '  '•'  :       '  •        .     •  ':         :        Committee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Dieterich  the  report  of  the  committee  was  received.        • , 
'        Mr.  May  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  so  much  of  the  report  relates  to  the  improvement  to  be  made 
on  the  record  building,  and  as  relates  to  the  rental  of  the  opera  house  build- 
ing for  five  years,  be  adopted;  and  that  the  same  committee  be  continued,  and 
instructed  to  carry  out  the  plans  and  provisions  of  the  report  and  close  the 
contract  of  lease  mentioned. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the   following  substitute:  '  r.  '      -  .1 

Resolved.  That  the  offer  of  the  owners  of  the  opera  house  be  accepted, 
and  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  procure  from  said  owners  a  contract 
for  the  use  of  the  rooms  now  occupied  by  the  courts  for  court  and  jury  rooms, 
for  a  term  beginning  with  the  close  of  the  present  term  of  occupancy  by  the 
county,  and  terminating  at  the  pleasure  of  the  board.  •  .  "  I  . 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  demanded  on  the  substitute,  resulted : 

Yeas — Messrs.  Boydstun,  Latimer,  Gale,  Dieterich,  McKee,  Robson,  Boyn- 
ton,  Leighton  and  Fredricks — 9. 

Nays — .Messrs.  Patch,  Smith,  May,  McCallister.  Charles,  Montgomery,  Sum- 
ner,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Wertman,  Mathews,  Shaffer,  Sansbury  and  Todd — 14. 
Substitute  lost. 

And  the  question  recurring  on  the  resolution  of  Mr.  May,  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Gale,  the  resolution  was  ordered  to  lie  over  and  be  made  the  special  order  for 
two  o'clock  tomorrow  afternoon.  ,',  •'••  ,  ,;.:.:  ^^:"••'^'''.'  ^-  i  ' 

At  two  o'clock  the  board  was  called  to  order,  the  special  business  being  the 
consideration  of  the  resolution  of  Mr.  May. 

Mr.  Dieterich  called  for  a  division  of  the  question.  Objection  being  made, 
the  question  was  voted  upon  and  the  division  ordered.  '.-  .;  '  .  . 

Mr.  McKee  was  called  to  the  chair.  ;.  '.  ' 

Mr.  Hale  then  obtained  the  fioor,  and  presented  the  following  as  a  substitute 


:  P       .   V^    ;;•    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     :  ; 

for  that  portion  of  the  resolution  of  Mr.  May  relating  to  the  enlargement  of 
the  county  offices:       i';':;^^^^^-/::^  :-':•;•  •;.."::'.•••'•-.-'-. 

Resolved,  That  the  present  committee  be  continued,  and  be  instructed  to 
procure  necessary  plans  and  specifications  and  proceed  to  make  contracts  with 
the  lowest  and  best  bidder  for  the  enlargement  of  the  county  offices  by  the  erec- 
tion of  a  second  story  and  the  necessary  approaches  thereto  to  be  erected  and 
completed  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  satisfactory  to  said  committee,  and  at  a 
total  cost  not  exceeding  five  thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  May  accepted  the  substitute,  and  the  resolution  was  adopted. 
•'•'•'••    Yeas — Messrs.   Latimer,    Patch,    Smith,   May,   McCallister,   Charles,    Mont- 
gomery,   Robson,    Sumner,    Boynton,    Rebstock,    Wyman,    Leighton,    Fredricks, 
Wertman,  Mathews,  Shaffer,  Sansbury,  Todd  and  Hale — 20.  .,,_,. 

Nays — 'Messrs.  Boydstun,  Gale,  Dieterich,  McKee  and  Chambers — 5. 

Mr.  Hale  off^ered  the  following  substitute  for  the  second  clause  of  resolu- 
tion of  Mr.  May:  :'. '•:^:."- V ''^^-r: '::' x"'--;;'/-';  •  /:.-'•.  V>^;  •(•:.'•".;  ^ - 

Resolved,  That  this  board  accept  the  proposal  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
opera  house  building,  dated  Sept.  2ist,  and  that  the  committee  be  instructed 
to  close  up  a  contract  with  said  proprietors  of  the  opera  house  building  for 
the  occupancy  of  the  same  for  court  house  purposes,  for  a  period  of  not  ex- 
ceeding five  years  from  the  termination  of  present  lease,  '.v;  ... 

Mr.  May  moved  to  amend  the  substitute  by  striking  out  the  words  "not  ex- 
ceeding." Carried. 

Yeas — Messrs.  Patch,  McKee,  Smith,  May,  McCallister,  Charles,  Mont- 
gomery, Rebstock,  Wyman,  Wertman,  Mathews,  Shaffer,  Sansbury  and  Todd — 14, 

Nays — Messrs.  Boydstun,  Latimer,  Dieterich,  Gale,  Chambers,  Robson,  Sum- 
ner, Leighton,  Fredericks  and  Hale — lo. 

And  the  substitute  as  amended  was  adopted,  by  the  following  vote:  Yeas — 
Messrs.  Boydstun,  Patch,  Dieterich,  Smith,  May,  McCallister,  Charles,  Mont- 
gomery, Robson,  Sumner,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Wertman,  Mathews,  Shaffer,  Sans- 
bury and  Todd — 17. 

Nays — Messrs.  Latimer,  Gale,  McKee,  Chambers,  Hale,  Leighton,  and  Fred- 
ricks — 7.  V'  •  '  ?:,' 
•>^  Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution:  ..  i /:;/  :,^  ;•.;;;;'  .;.::•.; 

Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  board  the  erection  of  a  court  house 
in  Knox  county  should  be  undertaken  at  the  proper  time,  with  a  view  to  com- 
pletion six  years  from  the  present  time. 

That  no  expense  should  be  incurred  in  such  building  except  upon  thoroughly 
matured  plans,  which  will  secure  to  the  county  suitable  accommodations  at 
reasonable  expense. 

That  we  recommend  to  succeeding  board  the  levy  of  an  ani\ual  tax  of  one 
mill  on  the  dollar  valuation,  the  fund  so  raised  to  be  kept  invested  in  govern- 
ment bonds  or  other  suitable  securities,  and  that  at  a  suitable  time  plans  should  be 
procured  and  fully  matured,  such  plans  to  be  canvassed  and  acted  on  by  at 
least  two  successive  boards. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  called  was  adopted:  .     .r  .  .-     .;' 

Yeas — Messrs,  Boydstun,  Latimer,  Patch,  Gale,  Dieterich,  McKee,  Chambers, 
Smith,  May,  McCallister,  Robson,  Sumner,  Fredricks,  Todd  and  Hale — 15. 


78  :.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^^"/v:,. 

Nays — Messrs.  Charles,  Montgomery,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Leighton,  Wert- 
man,  Mathews,  ShaflFer  and  Sansbury — 9.  /.••....'::  |  .  !'  ; 

December  meeting,  i88i. — Mr.  Todd,  from  special  committee  on  court  house 
and  clerk's  office  reported  contract  made  with  the  owners  of  the  opera  house 
for  court  and  jury  rooms  at  a  rental  of  $500  per  annum  when  .Mr.  Mathews 
moved  that  the  lease  be  accepted  at  the  original  proposition,  and  that  the  chair- 
man of  the  board  be  authorized  to  execute  contract  therefor. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  called  for  on  Mr.  Mathews'  motion,  it  was  adopted : 
'  Yeas — Messrs.  Boydstun,  Latimer,  Patch,  Chambers,  Smith,  Townsend,  Mc- 
Callister,  Charles,  Montgomery,  Sumner,  Boynton,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Leighton, 
Fredricks,  Wertman,  Mathews,  Sansbury  and  Todd — 19.  :.  •  1  :  •  • 

Nays — -Messrs.  Gale  and  McKee — 2. 

January   meeting,    1882. — Mr.   Robson,    from   special   committee  on   county 
buildings,  made  the  following  report: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors:  .  •  :' ,    -,  .     -     -I  ,     ' 

Your  special  committee  on  county  buildings,  etc.,  would  respectfully  report 
that  all  matters  referred  them  have  been  attended  to,  and  recommend  that  the 
clerk  be  directed  to  issue  orders  in  payment  of  allowances  made. 
.  Your  committee  report  that  the  addition  to  the  county  building  has  been 
accepted  by  them,  the  same  being  as  nearly  completed  as  the  weather  would 
permit ;  that  of  the  contract  price  therefor  $4,933.00,  the  sum  of  $2,000  was  paid 
by  clerk's  orders,  we  recommend  that  an  order  now  issue  to  Frost  Manufactur- 
ing Company,  the  contractors,  for  $2,900,  and  that  the  remainder  of  contract 
price,  $33  be  retained  until  the  work  is  completed.  • 

Your  committee  would   further   report,  that   the   following  extra  expenses 
were  incurred  in  and  about  said  improvements : 
Frost  Manufacturing  Company,  for  plumbing,  gas  fixtures,  repairing  and 

painting   old   shutters    $52.18 

A.  S.  Anderson,  repairing  brick  work  of  lower  story  and  extra  stone  work    12.62 
Babcock  &  Pierpont,  guttering,  and  conductors  for  building,  and  other 

incidental    repairs    for   offices    46.78 

Parry  &  Stevens,  expenses  to  Chicago  and  return,  and  labor  on  plans  and          :  • 

specifications    for    building    iS.OO 

A.  J.   Perry,   5  days  work  on  plans  and  specifications  for  addition  to 

clerks'   offices    20.00 

;  •  Respectfully  submitted,       :          .'•,>•-•-• 

•;'•:•;•'  .  •  •:    .          ..         WM.  ROBSON, 

;••'/*  '  R.  G.  MATHEWS, 

;/ •  .  W.  B.  TODD, 

;  '"V;^  .       •  .  -.  A.  G.  CHARLES, 

'•::.::::-^^'^:&'      ••.     •        •.    •  .    .•     .../•' v\, ';•".:/-.'    t.  J.  HALE.    ;:;.•> 

On  motion,  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted,  approved  and  its 
reconfmendations  concurred  in. 

The  chairman,  as  special  committee  to  complete  contract  for  renting  the 
opera  house  for  court  purposes,  reported  that  duty  performed,  and  presented 
the  contract. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  .Mathews,  the  report  was  accepted  and  approved,  and  the 
clerk  directed  to  have  said  contract  of  lease  recorded. 


.v::;/:     '•/-:':;•       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .'.V    i;/;.  .      79 

April  meeting,  1883. — Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  and  asked 
that  it  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  judiciary  and  clerks'  offices. 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  judiciary  and  clerk's  offices 
be  authorized  to  allow  the  city  council  of  Galesburg  to  hold  their  meetings  in 
the  county  court  room  on  such  terms  as  will  indemnify  the  county  for  any  in- 
creased expense  in  case  of  lighting  or  heating  the  room,  and  in  no  case  to  in- 
terfere with  the  use  of  the  room  for  county  purposes,  such  permission  to  be 
only  until  the  further  pleasure  of  the  board,  and  at  all  times  revocable. 

The  resolution  was  so  referred.  •••      •  .:•;•',••  ;  •  :'- s' . 

The  following  is  taken  from  a  report  of  the  committee  on  judiciary  and 
clerks'  offices: 

We  recommend  the  passage  of  the  resolution  referred  to  as  authorizing 
the  use  of  the  court  room  by  the  city  of  Galesburg. 

;  September  meeting,  1883. — Mr.  Gale  moved  that  a  tax  of  one  mill  on  the 
dollar  valuation  be  levied  on  all  taxable  property  in  Knox  county  in  accordance 
with  the  following  resolution,  passed  at  the  September  meeting,  i88i,  of  the 
board  of  supervisors,  viz: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  board  the  erection  of  a  court  house 
in  Knox  county  should  be  undertaken  at  the  proper  time  with  a  view  to  com-, 
pletion  six  years  from  the  present  time ;  that  no  expense  should  be  incurred  in 
such  building  except  upon  thoroughly  matured  plans  which  will  secure  to  the 
county  suitable  accommodations  at  reasonable  expense;  that  we  recommend  to 
succeeding  boards  the  levy  of  an  annual  tax  of  one  mill  on  the  dollar  valuation, 
the  fund  so  raised  to  be  kept  invested  in  government  bonds  or  other  suitable 
securities,  and  that  at  a  suitable  time  plans  should  be  procured  and  fully  matured, 
such  plans  to  be  canvassed  and  acted  on  by  at  least  two  successive  boards. 

The  ayes  and  nays  being  called  the  vote  stood:  :     :-.-;•'.. 

Ayes — Latimer,  Paden,  Gale,  Boydstun,  Greenleaf ,  Hawkinson — 6. 

Nays — Harden,   Rankin,   May,   Eiker,   Charles,   Montgomery,   Allen,   Boyn- 
ton,   Rebstock,   Wyman,  Leighton,   Fredricks,   Sloan,   Mathews,  Wilder,   Sans-- 
bury,  Todd — 17.    The  motion  was  declared  lost.  '  '.::;i"''^ 

The  final  resolution  in  relation  to  the  construction  of  a  new  court  house  for 
the  county  of  Knox  offered  at  the  September  meeting,  1883  by  Mr.  W.  S.  Gale, ' 
seemed  a  reasonable  one  and  was  offered  with  the  full  expectation  that  it 
would  pass.  The  use  of  the  opera  house  for  court  purposes  was  never  con- 
venient, nor  was  it  ever  considered  safe.  At  the  September  1881  meeting  of  the 
board,  a  committee  was  instructed  to  procure  necessary  plans  and  specifications 
and  proceed  to  make  contracts  with  the  lowest  and  best  bidder  for  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  county  offices  by  the  erection  of  a  second  story  and  the  approaches 
thereto  etc.,  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  five  thousand  dollars.  This  work  was 
substantially  completed  by  the  January  meeting  of  1882.  A  committee  of  the 
board  had  canvassed  the  city  for  suitable  rooms  and  conveniences  for  holding 
court  for  five  years,  which  resulted  in  a  new  contract  with  the  opera  house 
people,  ordered  at  the  September  meeting  i88i.  (It  is  well  to  remember  that , 
the  opera  house  burned  in  the  fall  of  1883.)  It  was  not  contemplated  that  the 
circuit  court  would  be  held  in  the  so-called  fire  proof  building  for  there  were  ^ 
no  jury  rooms.  It  could  not  be  otherwise,  therefore,  but  apparent  to  every 
one  that  a  court  house  was  much  needed  and  must  soon  be  built.  Neverthe- 


80  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

less,  the  resolution  was  beaten  by  a  vote  of  6  to  17.  The  disappointment  to 
the  friends  of  the  resolution  was  great.  The  difficulty  was  the  resolution  orig- 
inated with  a  Galesburg  man  whom  the  county  feared.  To  the  county  people, 
the  court  house  was  simply  an  ornament  to  Galesburg  and  not  many  of  the 

':  county  supervisors  cared  to  act  in  opposition  to  that  feeling.  This  was  well 
known  to  the  county  officers  and  they  believed  that  a  movement  for  a  new  court 
house  originating  somewhere  in  the  country  would  at  once  be  popular  and  suc- 
ceed. Acting  upon  this  belief  two  of  the  county  officers  interviewed  Mr, 
Charles  P.  Sansbury,  supervisor  of  Victoria  township,  at  the  close  of  the  Janu- 

.  ary  meeting  1884,  urging  him  as  coming  from  a  distant  township,  to  head  such 
a  movement.  Mr.  Sansbury  went  home,  called  a  meeting  of  his  constituents, 
explained  to  them  the  full  situation  and  by  a  unanimous  vote,  strong  resolu- 
tions were  passed  endorsing  the  movement  for  a  new  court  house,  calling  upon 
the  board  to  proceed  to  build  and  authorizing  Mr.  Sansbury  to  use  his  in- 
fluence to  aid  the  accomplishment  of  the  same.  This  action  was  approved  and 

!  confirmed  by  the  voters  of  Victoria  township  at  the  April  election  and  he  was 
re-elected  to  the  county  board  and  had  the  pleasure  of  aiding  in  the  success  of 
the  plan  to  build,  as  shown  by  the  following  action  taken  at  the  April  meeting 
1884. 

April  meeting,  1884. — Dr.  Foote  offered  the  following  resolution,  and  moved 
its  adoption: 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Sloan,  Robson  and  Gale  be  appointed  a  committee 
to  report  to  the  board  a  resolution  for  the  appointment  of  a  committee  on  public 
buildings,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  pre- 
paring plans  for  the  building  of  a  court  house,  or  to  consider  and  report  to 
the  board  plans  for  such  building.  ^^  :  '. 

•    ,       Mr.  May  moved  to  amend  by  adding  "and  that  said  committee  be  requested 
'  to  report  said  resolution  tomorrow  afternoon  at  2  o'clock."     Carried.     .  ,        .  ; 
And  thereupon  the  resolution  as  amended  was  adopted. 
Thursday  morning,  April  17,  1884. — Mr.  Gale,  in  behalf  of  the  committee 

^     on  resolutions  in  regard  to  building  committee  asked  leave  to  report  at  once. 

y.         On  motion,  leave  was  granted. 

'  He  thereupon  reported  the  following  report  and  resolution: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 
,.  ••  Your  committee,  appointed  to  draft  a  resolution  appointing  a  committee  on 
buildings,  beg  leave  to  report  for  the  consideration  of  the  board  the  following 
resolution.  In  drafting  the  resolution  the  committee  have  assumed  that,  how- 
ever desirable  it  might  be  to  proceed  at  an  early  date  with  the  erection  of  a 
court  house,  the  board  cannot  be  prepared  to  take  definite  action  until  after  a 
full  and  thorough  investigation,  ascertaining  the  wants  of  the  county  and  the 
best  and  most  satisfactory  way  of  meeting  those  wants. 

They  believe  the  board  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  no  serious  ex- 
pense should  be  incurred  and  no  irrevocable  steps  be  taken  until  all  questions 
connected  with  building  shall  have  been  fully  and  freely  discussed  by  the  board 
in  full  session  and  an  intelligent  understanding  obtained;  and  that  building 
shall  not  begin  until  after  full  and  complete  plans  are  agreed  by  the  board  and 
reliable  estimates  of  the  cost  obtained. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  appointed  a  committee  on  public  buildings,  whose 


X  COLLEGE  FOR  LINCO 


SCENE  OF  THE   LINCOLN-DOUGLAS   DEBATE 

The  fifth  of  the  seven  debates  between  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Stephen  A.   Douglas  was  held  at  Gales- 

"       ,  and  was 
ieth  anni- 


1  lie     IIILII      UI      IIIC      &CVCI1      UCUdlCa      UCIWCCII      ^n  Ul  ct  Iliilll      1^III(.U1II      dllu      ^^ICCIICll      .'A.       L^UUKK^S      W<aa      IICIU 

burg  Oct.  7,   1858,  on  a  platform  erected  on   the  eaft  side  of  the  main  building  of  Knox  College,  and  was 
listened  to  by  a  great  multitude  of  people,  over  a  thousand  of  whom  were  still  living  at  the  fifti 


versary  celebration  in   1908. 


80    vV.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;    :   :. 

.  •    >^ 

less,  the  resolution  was  beaten  by  a  vote  of  6  to  17.  The  disappointment  to 
the  friends  of  the  resolution  was  great.  The  difficulty  was  the  resolution  orig- 
inated with  a  Galesburg  man  whom  the  county  feared.  To  the  county  people, 
the  court  house  was  simply  an  ornament  to  Galesburg  and  not  many  of  the 
county  supervisors  cared  to  act  in  opposition  to  that  feeling.  This  was  well 
known  to  the  county  officers  and  they  believed  that  a  movement  for  a  new  court 
house  originating  somewhere  in  the  country  would  at  once  be  popular  and  suc- 
ceed. Acting  upon  this  belief  two  of  the  county  officers  interviewed  Mr. 
Charles  P.  Sansbury,  supervisor  of  X'ictoria  township,  at  the  close  of  the  Janu- 
ary meeting  1884,  urging  him  as  coming  from  a  distant  township,  to  head  such 
a  movement.  'Mr.  Sansbury  w'ent  home,  called  a  meeting  of  his  constituents, 
explained  to  them  the  full  situation  and  by  a  unanimous  vote,  strong  resolu- 
tions were  passed  endorsing  the  movement  for  a  new  court  house,  calling  upon 
the  board  to  proceed  to  build  and  authorizing  Mr.  Sansbury  to  use  his  in- 
fluence to  aid  the  accomplishment  of  the  same.  This  action  was  approved  and 
confirmed  by  the  voters  of  Mctoria  township  at  the  April  election  and  he  was 
re-elected  to  the  county  board  and  had  the  pleasure  of  aiding  in  the  success  of 
the  plan  to  build,  as  shown  by  the  following  action  taken  at  the  April  meeting 
1884. 

April  meeting,  1884. — Dr.  Foote  offered  the  following  resolution,  and  moved 
its  adoption : 

Rcsohed,  That  Messrs.  Sloan,  Robson  and  Gale  be  appointed  a  committee 
to  report  to  the  board  a  resolution  for  the  appointment  of  a  committee  on  public 
buildings,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  pre- 
paring plans  for  the  building  of  a  court  house,  or  to  consider  and  report  to 
the  board  plans  for  such  building. 

Mr.  May  moved  to  amend  by  adding  "and  that  said  committee  be  requested 
to  report  said  resolution  tomorrow  afternoon  at  2  o'clock."  Carried,  i 

And  thereupon  the  resolution  as  amended  was  adopted. 

Thursday  morning,  April  17,  1884. — Mr.  Gale,  in  behalf  of  the  committee 
on  resolutions  in  regard  to  building  committee  asked  leave  to  report  at  once. 

On  motion,  leave  was  granted. 

He  thereupon  reported  the  following  report  and  resolution : 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Snpcn'isors  of  Knox  County: 

Your  committee,  appointed  to  draft  a  resolution  appointing  a  committee  on 
buildings,  beg  leave  to  report  for  the  consideration  of  the  board  the  following 
resolution.  In  drafting  the  resolution  the  committee  have  assumed  that,  how- 
ever desirable  it  might  be  to  proceed  at  an  early  date  with  the  erection  of  a 
court  house,  the  board  cannot  be  prepared  to  take  definite  action  until  after  a 
full  and  thorough  investigation,  ascertaining  the  wants  of  the  county  and  the 
best  and  most  satisfactory  way  of  meeting  those  wants. 

They  believe  the  board  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  no  serious  ex- 
pense should  be  incurred  and  no  irrevocable  steps  be  taken  until  all  questions 
connected  with  building  shall  have  been  fully  and  freely  discussed  by  the  board 
in  full  session  and  an  intelligent  understanding  obtained ;  and  that  building 
shall  not  begin  until  after  full  and  complete  plans  are  agreed  by  the  board  and 
reliable  estimates  of  the  cost  obtained. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  appointed  a  committee  on  public  buildings,  whose 


ox  COLLEGE  FOR  LINCOLF 


SCKNE  OF  THE   LINCOLN-DOUGLAS   DKBATE 


The  fifth  of  the  seven  debates  between  Abraham  Lincoln  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  held  at  Gales- 
burg  Oct.  7.  1858.  on  a  platform  erected  on  the  eart  side  of  the  main  building  of  Knox  College,  and  was 
listened  to  by  a  great  multitude  of  people,  over  a  thousand  of  whom  were  still  living  at  the  fiftieth  anni- 
versary celebration  in  1908. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  %  81 

duty  it  shall  be  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  preparing  plans  for 
building  a  court  house;  to  inquire  into  the  requirements  of  the  county  for  the 
proper  accommodation  of  courts  and  county  officers;  to  inquire  into  the  cost 
and  relative  advantages  of  available  materials  for  building;  and  if  in  the  opinion 
of  the  committee  desirable,  to  procure  plans  and  estimates  of  a  suitable  building, 
which  can  be  erected  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $100,000,  to  ascertain  what  disposal 
can  be  advantageously  made  of  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  county  offices, 
by  sale  to  the  city  or  otherwise,  leaving  possession  in  the  county  until  other 
accommodations  can  be  secured;  to  report  to  the  board  at  its  next  regular 
meeting,  or  at  any  meeting,  which  may  be  sooner  called,  whatever  progress  shall 
have  been  made.  That  the  committee  be  appointed  by  the  chair  with  the 
approval  of  the  board,  one  member  to  be  selected  from  each  of  the  districts 
as  constituted  by  the  resolution  creating  the  committee  on  equalization. 

/,.•;•  '''-'v'    ^..  v-.;;;    :;'-'V;:>-'.,  JOHN   SLOAN,      •    ''\:.,^-'.':!.. 

'  '        '' 


W.  SELDEN  GALE.          \    ..  • 

-•,.•.'••<-,. 

Mr.  Latimer  moved  the  adoption  of  the  resolution.  ,  ;  .  .- 

Mr.  May  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute:  ;  V  'v  ;. 

Resolved,  That  the  question  whether  measures  should  not  be  adopted  in- 
volving expense  to  the  county,  for  the  purpose  of  beginning  the  erection  of  a 
court  house  in  this  county,  is  a  question  properly  belonging  to  the  people  of 
Knox  county  to  decide;  and  that  a  good  and  sufficient  building  can  and  ought 
to  be  erected  and  finished,  ready  for  use,  for  a  sum  not  greater  than  $100,000, 
and  should  by  no  means  cost  to  exceed  that  amount.  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  supervisors  are  hereby  instructed  to  give  the  proper  notice 
so  that  the  several  townships  will,  at  the  annual  spring  election  next  April,  vote 
for  or  against  the  erection  of  a  new  court  house  building,  the  cost  of  which, 
when  completed,  shall  not  exceed  $100,000.  '  ;  .  :  .''^ 

Mr.  Gale  objected  to  the  substitute  as  not  being  germain  to  the  subject 

The  chairman  ruled  that  the  substitute  was  in  order,  and  thereupon  thd  ayes 
and  nays  were  called  on  the  substitute  with  the  following  result. 
:     Ayes  —  'May,  Clark,  Charles,  Montgomery,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Parker,  Todd 
—8. 

Nays  —  Harden,  Latimer,  Paden,  Gale,  Cooke,  Olson,  McKee,  Foote,  Rankin, 
Robson,  Allen,  Townsend,  Boynton,  Leighton,  Andrews,  Sloan,  Sansbury  —  17. 
The  substitute  was  lost.  •.  •  -,  i 

The  ayes  and  nays  were  after  a  full  discussion  of  the  question  called  on  the 
resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  and  resulted  as  follows: 

Ayes  —  Harden,  Latimer,  Paden,  Gale,  Cooke,  Olson,  McKee,  Foote,  Rankin,"* 
Townsend,  Robson,  Allen,  Boynton,  Leighton,  Andrews,  Sloan,  Sansbury  —  17. 

Nays  —  May,  Clark,  Charles,  Montgomery,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Parker,  Todd 

' 


.., 

The  resolution  declared  adopted. 

In  pursuance  of  the  resolution  adopted  yesterday,  the  chairman  announced 
the  following  committee  on  public  buildings:  Messrs.  Sloan,  Robson,  Gale, 
Charles,  Harden,  Leighton. 

The  first  point  now  to  be  considered  was  what  shall  be  the  plan  of  the  new 
building.  Immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  the  board,  -Mr.  W.  Selden  Gale 


82  .        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

called  on  the  writer,  who  was  then  county  clerk,  and  the  arrangement  of  the 
rooms  thoroughly  considered.  It  was  agreed  that  the  circuit  clerk  should  have 
two  rooms,  one  as  clerk  and  one  as  recorder,  with  door  between  and  that  the 
sheriff's  office  should  open  into  the  office  of  the  circuit  clerk;  that  the  county 
.  clerk  should  have  a  large  office  and  a  work  room  and  that  the  office  of  the 
county  judge  should  be  adjacent  to  and  opening  into  the  county  clerk's  office. 
The  office  of  the  treasurer  and  superintendent  of  schools  were  also  provided  for 
on  the  first  floor.  The  county  and  circuit  court  rooms  and  state's  attorneys' 
office  were  provided  for  on  the  second  floor.  The  supervisors'  and  jury  rooms 
put  on  the  third  floor.  With  these  ideas  as  a  starting  point,  Mr.  Gale  went 
home  and  the  next  day  returned  to  the  county  clerk  with  the  plan  worked  out, 
substantially  as  the  building  was  erected.  The  committee  was  called  together 
and  approved  the  plan.  The  committee  thought  it  advisable  to  employ  an 
architect  to  come  to  Galesburg  and  develop  a  general  design  and  work  out  the 
details  under  their  inspection  and  so  called  a  Mr.  Hackney  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa 
to  Galesburg,  who  undertook  the  work.  This  soon  proved  unsatisfactory.  The 
committee  let  Mr.  Hackney  go  and  at  once  advertised  for  plans,  based  on  the 
sketch  made  by  Mr.  Gale.  This  resulted  in  a  number  of  designs  from  different 
architects,  which  were  submitted  -at  the  July  meeting  1884,  and  upon  which 
the  following  action  was  taken. 

July  meeting,  1884.  Mr.  Gale  stated  that  the  building  committee  had  given 
considerable  attention  to  the  matters  referred  to  it,  but  were  not  ready  to  report; 
that  there  were  in  attendance  several  architects  with  designs  for  court  houses, 
which  the  committee  would  like  to  examine,  and  he  asked  that  the  committee 
might  be  excused  from  the  board  for  a  time,  to  further  consider  these  plans  and 
other  matters  connected  with  building.  .  •  I  •;:•.'' 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Latimer  the  building  committee  was  excused. 

1:30  P.  M. — The  building  committee  asked  for  further  time  in  which  to 
examine  plans  and  other  matters  connected  with  court  house  construction. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  May  the  matter  was  referred  back  to  the  committee  with 
instructions  to  report  to  the  board  in  two  weeks.  •  |  ;  •.. 

Adjourned  meeting  July  28,  1884. — Mr.  Gale  in  behalf  of  the  building  com- 
mittee, asked  that  said  committee  be  excused  during  the  reading  of  the  record 
and  of  the  bills,  as  they  had  some  matters  to  arrange  before  making  a  report. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McKee  the  request  was  granted.  {-^    X. 

Mr.  May  stated  that  the  building  committee  at  the  meeting  of  July  14,  re- 
ported  that  they  had  not  agreed  upon  a  plan  for  court  house,  and  asked  that 
they  be  authorized  to  select  a  plan  and  make  the  contracts,  or  that  the  board 
grant  them  more  time  in  which  to  report  a  plan  to  the  board,  whereas  the  record 
simply  shows  that  the  committee  asked  for  more  time.  He  desired  the  record 
to  show  the  facts. 

By  agreement  the  matter  was  postponed  until  the  building  committee  should 
be  present. 

The  building  committee  having  entered,  the  matter  of  the  correction  of  the 
record  suggested  by  Mr.  May  was  brought  up. 

Mr.  Gale  having  made  an  explanation  of  the  matter,  moved  that  the  record 
as  written  by  the  clerk  stand  approved.  Carried. 

Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  report  of  the  building  committee:    .,; 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

The  building  committee  have  received  and  considered  the  several  plans  sub- 
mitted to  them  by  architects  in  attendance. 

Of  these  plans  they  recommend  to  the  consideration  of  the  board  as  their 
preference  the  plan  submitted  by  E.  E.  Myers,  of  Detroit,  the  character  of  the 
building  being  fully  described  in  the  plans,  sketches,  estimates  and  statements 
herewith  submitted. 

The  estimated  cost  of  the  building  (furniture  and  heating  apparatus  not 
included)  built  of  brick  with  trimmings  of  cut  stone  and  terra  cotta  is  about 
$90,000.  And  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee  it  can  be  built  in  the  manner 
described  for  a  sum  within,  or  not  much  exceeding  the  estimate. 

The  committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  same  designs  are  with  slight  modifi- 
cation well  adapted  to  stone  construction,  and  may  be  erected  in  stone,  the 
walls  in  rock-faced  Gladstone  stone,  or  Bedford  stone  with  cut  stone  trimmings, 
for  an  additional  cost  of  .about  six  thousand  dollars. 

The  committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  stone  construction  if  stone  from 
Gladstone  quarries  can  be  obtained  or  equally  satisfactory  stone  can  be  else- 
where obtained  at  a  reasonable  cost,  will  give  best  satisfaction  to  the  board  and 
to  the  public. 

They  recommend  that  the  committee  be  authorized  to  employ  Col.  Myers 
to  prepare  plans  and  specifications  of  the  building,  substantially  as  described 
both  in  brick  and  stone  construction,  preparatory  to  advertising  for  contracts. 

The  employment  to  be  upon  the  condition  that  in  case  the  building  cannot 
be  let  after  due  advertisement  to  responsible  parties  who  will  promptly  come 
forward  and  secure  the  performance  of  their  contracts  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  board  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  or  such  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding one  hundred  thousand  dollars  as  the  architect  and  committee  may  agree 
on,  such  plan  shall  not  be  accepted  or  paid  for,  except  at  the  option  of  the  board. 

And  if  the  plans  and  specifications  shall  be  in  any  way  deficient  or  incom- 
plete, the  said  Myers  shall  be  liable  for  all  loss  or  damage  or  extra  expense  oc- 
casioned by  such  defect  or  omission. 

And  that  the  committee  be  authorized  to  advertise  for  bids  for  construction. 

W.  SELDEN  GALE,         A.  G.  CHARLES, 

•-•     ::^       ;;:/;;.'      >:'^         WM.  ROBSON,  WM.  H.  LEIGHTON,        '/^ 

V      :;S\  '.•'          JOHN  SLOAN,  M.  B.  HARDEN.       ';,-,..  i;;^ 

Mr.  Gale 'also  read  the  following  letter  from  the  architect  in  regard  to  the 
character  of  the  proposed  building: 

GALESBURG,  ILL.,  July  25,  1884. 
To  the  Hon.  Board  of  Supervisors,  Galesburg,  III,:  ; 

GENTLEMEN  : — The  design  I  have  submitted  for  your  new  court  house  is  for 
a  first-class  fire-proof  building,  built  of  the  best  and  most  substantial  materials 
and  workmanship,  the  foundation  to  be  of  stone,  laid  in  hydraulic  cement  mortar. 
The  basement  will  contain  all  the  water  closets,  wash  basins,  the  steam  heating 
and  ventilating  apparatus.  The  plans  of  each  story  will  contain  the  several 
apartments  for  all  the  county  offices,  court  rooms,  etc.,  and  to  be  of  the  several 
sizes  and  forms  as  shown  upon  the  plans.  The  exterior  parts  of  the  building 
will  be  of  pressed  brick,  terra  cotta  and  cut  stone  for  all  the  surfaces  above 
the  basement  or  first  floor  line;  the  basement  wall  above  the  grade  line  will  be 


84  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  . 

rock  face  work;  all  cornices,  belt  courses  and  sills  will  be  cut  stone,  except 
such  portions  thereof  as  are  shown  to  be  terra  cotta.  The  floors  of  all  apart- 
ments in  each  story  will  be  iron  beams,  with  brick  arches,  to  be  turned  between 
the  beams,  and  concreted  up  solid  to  receive  either  the  wood  or  encaustic  tile 
floors.  The  entire  frame  work  of  the  roof  and  tower  will  be  wrought  iron, 
and  have  iron  arches  between  the  beams,  and  concreted  up  solid  to  receive  the 
slates  of  the  roof.  The  entire  roof  will  be  covered  with  extra  heavy  slate; 
all  gutters  and  valleys  to  be  lined  with  the  best  quality  and  grade  of  tin.  The 
stairs  will  be  made  of  cast-iron.  The  galleries  in  the  circuit  court  room  will 
be  supported  on  wrought  iron  girders  concealed  within  the  gallery  fronts.  The 
ceiling  of  this  court  room  will  be  stained  glass  sky-light  placed  within  a  curved 
dome,  which  will  afford  a  direct  vertical  light  either  in  day-time,  or  at  night, 
the  light  being  placed  over  the  sky-light.  The  outer  sky-light  will  be  made  of 
heavy  hammered  glass.  The  outside  door  sills  will  be  granite  surfaces,  patent 
axe-flnish.  The  steps  should  be  by  all  means  made  of  the  same  material,  as 
it  is  the  best  that  can  be  used  for  such  purposes,  where  the  material  is  sub- 
jected, not  only  to  so  great  a  wear  and  tear,  but  this  material  in  so  exposed  a 
surface  is  decidedly  the  best  to  resist  not  only  the  uses,  but  also  the  action  of 
the  elements.  All  the  interior  finish  of  the  basement  will  be  long-leaf,  best 
quality,  yellow  pine.  All  the  interior  finish  of  the  first  and  second  stories  will 
be  red  oak.  The  finish  of  the  third  story  will  be  long-leaf  yellow  pine,  the  surface 
finished  in  oil  and  varnish.  The  glass  used  in  all  the  windows  will  be  the  best 
quality  French  plate-glass,  full  quarter  inch  thick.  The  floors  of  the  corridors 
will  be  encaustic  tile.  The  floors  of  all  offices,  court  rooms  and  galleries  will 
be  long-leaf  yellow  pine,  bedded  solid  on  the  concrete,  and  secured  to  the  floor 
strips  with  secret  nailing.  All  the  walls  will  be  built  of  brick,  laid  in  a  mortar 
composed  of  hydraulic  lime  and  hydraulic  cement  mortar.  Pressed  brick  should 
be  laid  with  what  is  termed  a  steel  tucked  joint,  using  glazier's  black  putty 
for  the  tucking  of  the  work ;  all  the  backing  of  the  pressed  brick,  will  be  brick 
laid  in  cement  mortar.  All  interior  walls  to  be  hard  burned  brick  laid  in  cement 
mortar.  This  building  can  be  erected,  using  first  class  workmanship  and  mate- 
rials for  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  ($100,000).  Should  you  desire  to  use 
in  place  of  pressed  brick  for  the  outer  walls,  rock-faced  stone  work  or  scratch 
mason-work,  using  either  Sagetown  marble,  Indiana  stone,  from  Elliottsville, 
or  Ohio  blue  sand  stone,  the  cost  of  the  structure  will  be  increased  about  six 
thousand  dollars  ($6,000),  making  a  total  cost  of  one  hundred  and  six  thousand 
dollars.  You  can  rely  upon  getting  a  structure  of  first-class  character,  and 
of  a  style  of  architecture  and  finish  that  will  not  be  in  any  respect  inferior  to 
any  of  the  first-class  modern  court  houses  erected  in  your  state. 

The  building,  either  built  of  pressed  brick  or  stone,  will  be  one  of  the  hand- 
somest structures  in  your  state,  and  in  no  wise  be  inferior  either  in  style  or 
finish  to  any  of  such  buildings. 

Yours  truly,  E.  E.  MYERS. 

Mr.  Latimer  moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  adopted  and  its 
recommendations  concurred  in.  .-  :  ,  .  - ;.  i 

'        ,  •  -,  I 

Mr.  May  moved  to  amend  that  the  report  be  accepted  and  the  committee 
discharged. 

Amendment  withdrawn.   ,  .-  :         :.  .       •,   v  ".•^:;  :>•/;.;-; 


.,    ,;  :.:  j     .        J-   >'.     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :  .  86 

Mr.  Rebstock  moved  that  the  report  be  accepted,  except  its  recommendations. 
Lost. 

On  motion  of  -Mr.  McKee,  the  board  adjourned  until  tomorrow  morning  at 
lo  o'clock. 

/      Wednesday  morning  July  30,  1884. — Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
.-     Present — Hon.  R.  G.  Mathews,  chairman. 

Supervisors — Harden,  Latimer,  Paden,  Gale,  Cooke,  Olson,  McKee,  Rankin, 
May,  Clark,  Charles,  Montgomery,  Allen,  Boynton,  Rebstock,  Wyman,  Leigh- 
ton,  Andrews,  Sloan,  Parker,  Sansbury,  Todd. 

;•  The  chairman  stated  that  the  matter  for  consideration  was  the  motion  of  Mr. 
Latimer  to  adopt  the  report  of  the  building  committee  and  concur  in  its  recom- 
mendation. 

After  full  discussion  and  explanation  of  the  matter,  the  motion  of  Mr, 
Latimer  was  carried.  /  ,  ' 

/;•    Mr.  McKee  offered  the  following  resolution  and  moved  its  adoption: 

Resolved,  That  the  present  building  committee  be  constituted  a  permanent 
building  committee,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  advertise  for  bids  for  building  a 
court  house,  which  bids,  when  received,  are  to  be  opened  when  the  board  is  in 
session,  for  the  consideration  of  the  board,  and  to  perform  all  other  duties  per- 
taining to  the  building  of  a  court  house.  ,.>  ,  --. 

Resolution  adopted. 
;  •;     Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  of  the  board  be  authorized  to  contract  with  the 
city  of  Galesburg,  or  its  authorized  agent  for  the  sale  of  the  county  building,  and 
lot  occupied  by  clerks'  offices  and  other  uses  for  the  sum  of  $10,000.  The  pos- 
session to  be  retained  by  the  county  until  the  completion  of  the  new  court  house, 
allowing  the  city  to  make  such  use  of  the  building  as  may  not  inconvenience  the 
county  officers.  The  purchase  money  to  be  paid  when  called  for,  whenever  the 
contract  for  the  completion  of  the  court  house  shall  be  made,  and  $30,000  ex- 
pended in  the  erection.  The  contract  to  be  rescinded  at  the  option  of  either 
party,  if  no  commencement  shall  be  made  of  the  building  befbre  the  first  day  of 
January  next,  and  that  the  building  committee  be  directed  not  to  incur  any  con- 
siderable expense  in  preparing  to  build  until  the  completion  of  this  contract. 

The  bill  of  Mr.  W.  F.  Hackney  amounting  to  $420.25,  for  preparing  plans, 
and  other  services  for  the  building  committee,  was  read  and  referred  to  the 
committee  on  judiciary  and  clerks'  offices.  . 

Mr.  Gale  requested  to  be  excused  from  the  committee  while  considering  the 
bill,  and  moved  that  Mr.  Latimer  be  substituted  in  his  place.  Carried. 

Mr.  Todd  read  the  following  report  of  the  judiciary  committee  on  the  bill  of 
Mr.  Hackney.        ?'      •' 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors:      .  -y 

Your  committee  on  judiciary  and  clerks'  offices  would  respectfully  report 
that  we  have  examined  the  bill  of  W.  F.  Hackney,  and  accompanying  papers, 
and  we  recommend  that  he  be  paid  $120.25  in  full  of  bill  presented  amounting 
to  $420.25.  Respectfully  submitted,  ;  . 

.,   .  '       /:        ;v;,  ..-  J.    W.    At,LEN,  J.     S.    LATIMER,    J./V\, 

.  \  ;    -   ;  V  :  I  ^       ^  JAMES  REBSTOCK,        W.  B.  TODD.      ;';"/:L 

"^'- '••:';•'•';';;:  '•v;--t-'"'V/'U>.:-'-:.^'v-  .         M.  D.  COOKE,  ,v.,  >~r-;;-' 


^(lav;.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  |      y 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Harden,  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted,  and  its  rec- 
ommendations concurred  in. 

,    September  meeting,   1884. — Mr,  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  and 
moved  that  it  be  referred  to  the  miscellaneous  committee: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  that  it  is  for  the 
interest,  comfort  and  convenience  of  the  people  of  the  county  that  the  vicinity 
of  the  court  house  and  the  usually  traveled  route  from  the  depot  to  the  court 
house,  and  from  the  court  house  to  the  business  portion  of  the  city,  should  be 
kept  free  from  the  presence  of  dram  shops  and  their  disagreeable  accompani- 
ments; that  this  board  respectfully  call  the  attention  of  the  city  council  of 
Galesburg  to  the  subject,  and  ask  the  council  to  consider  the  propriety  of  tak- 
ing immediate  action,  before  vested  interests  opposed  to  such  action  intervene, 
to  prevent  the  establishment  of  dram  shops  in  the  vicinity  of  the  court  house 
park,  on  Broad  street  between  the  park  and  the  public  square,  and  on  either 
route  from  the  depot  to  the  court  house  park  by  way  of  South  street  or  Tomp- 
kins  street ;  that  the  clerk  of  the  board  be  directed  to  present  a  copy  of  this  reso- 
lution to  the  city  council. 

September  meeting,   1884. — Mr.  Gale  asked  leave  to  submit  the  following 
report  of  the  building  committee. 
To  the  Honorable,  the  Board  of  Supervisors:         ; 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  committee  on  buildings  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  did 
on  the  1st  day  of  August  contract  with  E.  E.  Myers  in  accordance  with  the  in- 
structions of  the  board,  passed  at  the  last  meeting;  that  since  that  time  Col. 
Myers  has  been  employed  in  preparing  plans  and  specifications.  The  committee 
have  not  advertised  for  bids  for  material  and  construction  for  the  reason  that 
the  plans  and  specifications  have  not  been  completed.  The  committee  are  now 
advised  that  the  plans  and  specifications  will  be  completed  on  the  I5th  day  of 
this  month,  and  the  committee  recommend  that  they  be  directed  to  advertise  at 
once  for  bids  for  materials  and  construction,  such  bids  to  be  examined  by  the 
board  on  the  3d  of  October.  ;  , 

*  •',;    '  ^^    :          '         W.  SELDEN  GALE, 

'*;^.  •..:',•'  •'••^.y.      .'      •  -'         -^     ;":•;'•:•••''''•'•''•>         W.    H.   LEIGHTON,         ;; 

'';^'".\--":^-:'''t:V •'.•;.•:        .     ''.•.•'••'..;''•.'•''•'.•:'''       JOHN  SLOAN, 

'':'•:,•''.'  ''.'',    ''  •'•.•••:"-:,'•;/•':'     u.';  A.   G.   CHARLES, 

M.  B.  HARDEN. 

:  •  On  motion,  the  report  was  adopted  and  its  recommendations  concurred  in. 
.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  it  was  ordered  that  when  this  board  adjourn  it 
adjourns  to  meet  October  3d,  1884. 

Adjourned  Meeting  Oct.  3d,  1884. — Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Called  to  order  by  clerk. 

Present:  Messrs.  Harden,  Latimer,  Paden,  Gale,  Foote,  Cooke,  McKee, 
Olson,  Rankin,  May,  Townsend,  Robson,  Allen,  Wyman,  Leighton,  Andrews, 
Parker  and  Todd.  .  ,•  - 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  Mr.  Paden  was  elected  temporary  chairman.' 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  time  in  which  to  file  bids  for  the  construction 
of  a  new  court  house  was  extended  to  one-thirty  P.  M. 
:^    On  motion  the  board  adjourned  to  one-thirty  P.  M. 
:    •    One-thirty  P.  -M. — Board  called  to  order  by  chairman  Mathews. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :  87 

Present  same  as  this  forenoon,  with  Messrs.  Charles,  Sloan,  Clark,  Mont- 
gomery, Boynton,  Rebstock  and  Sansbury. 

The  clerk  read  a  portion  of  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  September  lOth, 
when,  on  motion,  the  reading  was  suspended,  and,  on  motion,  the  clerk  pro- 
ceeded to  open  bids  for  the  construction  of  a  court  house,  which  were  as 
follows : 

The  Young  &  Farrell  Diamond  Stone  Sawing  Co.,  Brick $183,804.97 

Thomas  &  Hugh  Caldwell,  Stone   155,099.50 

'.  ' ;    Same,   Brick    152,459.00 

Same,  Brick,  with  Ohio  Sand  Stone  Trimmings 148,059.00 

Parry  &  Stevens,  Stone   133,000.00 

Same,   Brick    128,000.00 

Fire  Proof  Construction  Co.,  Hollow  Tile  Arches   4,303.20 

;      Union  Foundry  and  Pullman  Car  Wheel  Works,  Iron  Work..     26,600.00 
-.     A.  Wallbaum  &  Co.,  Stone  Work  Complete   35,600.00 

•  On  motion  of  Dr.  Foote  the  bids  were  referred  to  the  building  committee. 

•  On  motion  said  committee  were  permitted  to  retire  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
porting on  said  bids. 

The  building  committee  entered  and  Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  report: 

The  committee  have  examined  the  bids  referred  to  them,  and  are  of  opinion 
that  it  is  not  for  the  interest  of  the  county  to  accept  either  of  the  bids.    They 
recommend  a  further  advertisement  for  bids  to  be  opened  on  October  24th. 
;.^'  i^t  Vi  v- V  '  -V    V  W.  S.  GALE,  Chairman. 

On  motion  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recommendation  con- 
curred in. 

Adjourned  Sept.  Meeting  October  24,  1884. — Board  met  pursuant  to  ad- 
journment. Present:  Hon.  R.  G.  Mathews,  chairman.  •.  ' 

Supervisors:  Messrs.  Harden,  Latimer,  Paden,  Gale,  Foote,  Cooke,  McKee, 
Olson,  Rankin,  May,  Clark,  Charles,  Montgomery,  Boynton,  Wyman,  Sloan, 
Parker,  Sansbury,  Todd. 

The  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  October  3d  were  read  and  approved. 

A  recess  was  taken  to  await  the  arrival  of  absent  supervisors. 

Messrs.  Robson,  Allen,  Leighton  and  Andrews   having  entered  the  board 
was  called  to  order,  and  on  motion,  the  clerk  proceeded  to  open  and  read  the 
bids  for  the  construction  of  a  new  court  house  as  follows: 
Robert  C.  Greenlee,  in  best  Ohio  blue  stone  for  exterior,  with  Joliet      . .  ,../•      .-- ; 
or  lime  stone  for  foundation,  corrugated  iron  arches  for  ceilings, 
except   for  corridors  and  court   rooms,  where  hollow  tile  will 

be   used    $      1 19444 

Charles  Ballance,  cut-stone  trimmings  of  Bedford,  Indiana,  stone. .          13,900 

Of  Berea,  Ohio,  sand-stone  delivered  on  cars  at  Galesburg 14,600 

Will  cut  and  deliver  rubbed  ashler  at  building  at  45  cts. 
per  superficial  foot,  and  will  use  ornamental  stone  in  place 
of  terra  cotta  for  $5,000  extra.  V 

Thos.  &  H.  Colwell,  using  Sagetown  marble 145,000 

Ohio  blue  stone,  band,  pier  and  bearing  blocks  150,000 

Pressed  brick  and  terra  cotta 142,500 

Wallbaum  Stone  and  Mining  Co.  dressed  stone  for  stone  building. .          21,000 


88  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /j 

Same  for  brick  building 16,000 

Bassett  &  Beaver,  plumbing  and  gas  fitting   1,200 

Peter  G.  Straub  &  Co.,  all  stone  work  for  a  stone  building,  using 
-.,    Berea   sand   stone   above   grade   line,   and   Joliet   or   Gladstone 

;  ,    below  grade    44,800 

Parry  &  Stevens,   for  brick  building 120,000 

For   stone   building   125,000 

Will  use  Bedford  stone  trimmings  and  Ohio  sand  stone  for  ashler 

...  work    ioT 128,000 

.  .7.  Or,  if  the. county  will  furnish  cut  stone  on  cars  at  Galesburg, 

c:u          all  .iron,  in  .place. in  the  .building,  all  brick  on  the  ground,  all 
;'V.         glass,,  and  .door  and  window  trimmings,  all  tile  for  floors, 

and  .hollow  tile  in  place  in  building,  will  do  balance  for. . . .          64,000 

Dawson  &  Anderson,  the  exterior  of  building  to  be  all  of  stone  from 

Bedford,  Ind,,  or  Ohio  blue  stone,  fire  proof  arches  to  be  cor- 

•3J   rugated  iron  except  over  court  rooms,  which  will  be  hollow  tiles, 

«:?':  window  sash  to  be  hung  with  best  silver  lake  braided  cord,  for 

the  sum   of    114,311.52 

Sagetown  or  Joliet   stone    1 19,000.00 

Press   brick  and  terra  cotta    ; 1 1 1,000.00 

John  C.  Allen,  press  brick,  stone  trimmings   I28,633.oa 

Stone,  facings    131,000.00 

'•'•:.      .•'•'•'•    Will  furnish  and  set  ashler  work  for  50  cents  each  super- 
•r.'...        ficial  foot,  and  use  stone  in  place  of  terra  cotta  for  $5,000 

additional. 
The  Young  and   Farrell  Diamond  Stone  Sawing  Co.,   Salem,  Ind., 

stone   building    160,084.00 

Ohio  sand  stone  building    161,584.00 

Brick  building    154,840.00 

Green    Serpentine    stone 173,084.00 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Latimer,  the  foregoing  bids  were  referred  to  the  building 
committee. 

On  motion,  the  board  adjourned  until  half-past  one  o'clock.  .;; 

•       One-thirty  P.M. — Board  called  to  order  by  the  chairman.       . :  ;.C::  . 
Present  the  same  as  this  morning.  \- 

Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  report  of  the  building  committee:         ' 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 
••       Your  committee  on  buildings  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  examined  the 
several  bids  referred  to  them,  and  they  find  the  bid  of  Dawson  &  Anderson  the 
lowest  and  best  bid. 

This  bid  being,  in  stone  construction,  $114,311.52,  and  in  brick  construction, 
$111,000.  '-v  ;V  •  I" ---:-- ^V:\ 

The  next  lowest  and  best  bid  is  that  of  Robert  C.  Greenlee,  $119,444  in 
stone. 

They  recommend  the  acceptance  and  approval  of  the  bid  of  Dawson  & 
Anderson  for  stone  construction,  and  that  the  committee  be  directed  to  con- 
clude a  contract  with  Dawson  &  Anderson  for  the  erection  of  the  court  house, 
to  be  completed  September  ist,  1886.  The  committee  are  satisfied  that  these 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         :  89 

bids  are  as  low  as  the  board  can  expect  for  this  building,  and  are  satisfied  that 
the  bidders  are  men  of  character  and  responsibility.  They  are  further  of  the 
opinion  that  the  building,  if  completed  according  to  the  plans,  will  be  a  credit 
to"  the  county,  and  they  do  not  believe  it  is  for  the  interest  of  the  county  to 
reduce  either  the  size  or  character  of  the  building. 

W.    SELDEN  GALE,  W.  H.  .LEIGHTON, 

:^;-'-  .ti-?-:--V:-i  -;.'•;:.  ^          WM.  ROBSON,  A.  G.  CHARLES, 

M.  B.  HARDEN,  JOHN  SLOAN. 

Moved  by  Dr.  Foote,  that  the  foregoing  report  be  accepted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in. 

Ayes  and  Nays  demanded  by  Mr.  McKee.  •  .    .      .'.   _: 

The  roll  being  called,  resulted  as  follows  : 

Ayes  —  Harden,  Latimer,  Paden,  Gale,  Foote,  Cooke,  Olson,  Charles,  Robson, 
Allen,  Boynton,  Leighton,  Andrews,  Sloan,  Sansbury  and  Todd,  i6. 

Nays  —  McKee,  Rankin,  May,  Clark,  Montgomery,  Wyman  and  Parker,  7. 
Motion  adopted. 

And  thereupon,  said  committee  entered  into  a  contract  with  Dawson  & 
Anderson  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  for  the  construction  of  the  court  house  according  to 
the  full  plans  and  specifications  prepared  by  said  architect,  E.  E.  Myers,  of 
Detroit,  Michigan,  and  on  file  with  the  county  clerk.  ';:  • 

Said  contractors  immediately  made  preparations  to  begin  the  work  of  con- 
struction and  in  pursuance  thereof,  the  ground  for  said  building  was  broken 
October  26,  1884,  and  before  building  preparations  were  suspended  on  account 
of  cold  weather,  the  footings,  and  quite  a  portion  of  the  foundation,  were  put  in. 
:,  January  Meeting,  1885.  —  Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  report  of  the  building 
committee  : 
To  the  Hon.,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  January  Meeting, 


GENTLEMEN  :  —  Your  building  committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  upon  the 
day  after  the  close  of  the  October  meeting  they  proceeded  to  locate  the  court 
house.  That  immediately  after  work  was  commenced  by  the  contractor,  and 
between  that  time  and  the  second  Wednesday  of  December  the  excavation  for 
the  building  was  made,  the  trenches  for  the  outside  walls  and  a  portion  of  the 
inside  walls  were  dug  and  filled  with  concrete  and  covered  with  footing  stone. 

A  considerable  amouot  of  material  for  the  foundation  is  collected  upon  the 
ground.  Since  the  date  last  mentioned^  no  work  has  been  done,  it  being  thought 
better  for  the  interests  of  the  county  and  the  contractor  to  suspend  operations 
till  settled  weather  in  the  spring.  By  the  terms  of  the  contract,  the  contractor 
is  entitled  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  each  month  to  receive  from  the  county 
payment  for  the  work  done  up  to  that  time,  less  lo  per  cent,  and  less  amounts 
already  paid.  No  provision  was  made  by  the  board  at  the  last  meeting  to  meet 
such  payments,  unless  the  very  general  authority  given  to  the  committee  might 
be  considered  as  authorizing  them  to  order  payment. 

It  appears  that  the  contractor  had  expended  about  $2,500  prior  to  the  second 
Wednesday  of  December.  It  was  thought  desirable  to  avoid  the  expense  of  a 


90  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  L 

special  meeting  of  the  board,  and  the  committee  took  the  responsibility  of  ad- 
vising the  issuing  by  the  clerk  and  payment  by  the  treasurer  of  orders  to  the 
amount  of  $i,8oo  to  the  contractors.  They  also  procured  the  clerk  to  issue 
to  the  chairman  of  the  committee  an  order  for  $14.65  to  cover  the  incidental 
expenses  incurred  by  the  committee  since  its  appointment. 

The  committee  ask  the  approval  of  the  board  of  their  action  in  making  pay- 
tnents,  and  desire  that  some  provision  may  be  made  to  provide  for  payments 
coming  due  during  the  interval  of  the  meetings  of  the  board.  They  recommend 
the  passage  of  a  resolution  that  the  clerk  be  authorized  to  issue  to  the  contractor 
on  court  house  orders  for  such  amounts  as  by  the  terms  of  the  contract  the 
contractors  are  entitled  to  receive,  upon  the  request  of  the  building  committee. 

They  also  advise  that  the  building  committee  be  authorized  to  appoint  a  super- 
intendent of  the  work.  It  is  well  understood  that  the  work  cannot  be  allowed  to 
proceed  with  safety  to  the  county  except  under  the  constant  supervision  of  a 
capable  and  reliable  builder.  During  the  progress  of  the  work  already  per- 
formed, the  committee  requested  Samuel  J.  Parry  to  take  temporary  charge  and 
it  being  from  day  to  day  doubtful  how  far  the  work  would  proceed  without 
interruption  by  winter  weather,  it  was  for  the  time  found  necessary,  the  price 
named  by  Mr.  Parry  as  satisfactory  to  him  was  50  cents  per  hour  for  the  time 
actually  spent.  ;  ,.  ' 

.  .  W.    SELDEN  GALE,  A.  G.  CHARLES, 

V.  WM.  RoBSON,  W.  H.  LEIGHTON, 

M.  B.  HARDEN,  JOHN  SLOAN. 

.;  •   On  motion  of  Mr.  Latimer,  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in. 

April  Meeting,  1885. — Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was 
adopted  and  its  recommendation  concurred  in. 

RESOLVED:  That  the  building  committee  be  directed  to  procure  suitable 
plans  of  the  heating  apparatus  for  the  new  court  house  and  advertise  for  bids 
for  its  construction,  such  bids  to  be  opened  and  passed  upon  by  the  board  at 
the  July  meeting. 

July  Meeting,  1885. — On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  building  committee  was 
authorized  to  make  such  temporary  arrangement  for  jury  and  circuit  rooms  as 
may  be  necessary,  and  that  the  sheriff  be  directed  to  have  the  telephone  now  at 
the  opera  house,  moved  to  the  county  court  room. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  opening  of  the  bids  for  steam  heating  at  new 
court  house  was  made  the  special  order  for  tomorrow  at  ii  o'clock  a.  m.  ^  I  ,  .. 

Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  additional  report  of  the  building  committee: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

The  building  committee  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  board  to  the  neces- 
sity of  the  construction  of  a  cistern  for  rain  water  at  the  court  house,  and  the 
importance  of  undertaking  it  while  the  ground  is  comparatively  free  from  water. 
They  have  not  given  the  subject  the  consideration  necessary  to  express  an 
opinion  as  to  the  necessary  capacity  of  the  cistern,  but  recommend  that  the 


•     „       :'"•;.    X  •"''^'•'•..'j',  ;•'•.':.•/ 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  91 

committee  be  directed  to  procure  the  construction  of  a  cistern  of  such  size  and 
at  such  time  as  they  may  think  best. 

W.    SELDEN  GALE,  JOHN  SLOAN, 

^  •  ;  ;      W.  RoBSON,  M.  B.  HARDEN, 

R.  W.  MILES,  WM.  H.  LEIGHTON. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Foote  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in. 

The  chairman  called  Mr.  Harden  to  preside  while  he  read  the  following 
report:  .;  •  ;  ; 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

The  undersigned,  who,  by  virtue  of  a  resolution  of  your  honorable  body  at 
the  July  meeting,  1884,  was  made  special  committee  to  dispose  of  the  county 
building  to  the  city  of  Galesburg,  would  beg  leave  to  oflfer  the  following  report : 
That  he  conferred  with  the  honorable  mayor  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  who  was 
empowered  by  the  city  council  to  act  for  the  city,  and  that  the  city  attorney  at 
our  dictation  drew  a  contract  selling  to  the  city  the  county's  interest  in  said  build- 
ing and  lot  for  a  consideration  of  $10,000,  the  money  to  become  due  when  $30,- 
ooo  was  actually  expended  in  the  erection  of  the  new  court  house,  the  county  to 
retain  possession  until  the  completion  of  the  same,  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  have 
such  present  use  of  said  county  building  as  would  not  inconvenience  the  county. 
Said  contract  was  duly  signed  and  placed  on  record  by  Mayor  Stewart  for  the 
city  of  Galesburg,  and  by  the  undersigfned  for  Knox  county,  August  14,  1884. 

R.  G.  MATHEWS. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Miles  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and  the  clerk 
directed  to  place  the  same  on  record. 

Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  corrected  report  of  the  building  committee  on 
steam  heating :  . 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

The  building  committee  beg  leave  to  report  the  following  substitute  on  steam 
heating:  ivV 

The  lowest  bid  is  that  of  Samuel  I.  Pope  &  Co.,  of  Chicago,  who  propose  to 
furnish  the  entire  heating  and  ventilating  apparatus  as  specified  for  the  sum  of 
$8,911.27,  with  privilege  to  the  county  to  make  any  additions  or  deductions  at 
the  rates  named  in  the  schedule  accompanying  the  bid.  The  committee  recom- 
mend the  acceptance  of  this  bid,  and  that  the  committee  be  authorized  to  con- 
tract with  them  on  the  terms  of  the  bid,  deducting  from  the  amount  above 
named  one  gas  engine,  $1,400,  two  fans  with  belting,  $657.56,  as  per  schedule, 
leaving  cost  $6,853.71.  The  omitted  items  are  designed  simply  for  ventilation. 
We  are  advised  that  by  a  very  simple  and  cheap  expedient  all  that  is  surrendered 
can  be  secured  without  that  expense.  Considering  the  fact  that  the  building  is 
both  by  its  location  and  mode  of  construction  easily  ventilated  and  a  cool  build- 
ing in  summer,  we  do  not  advise  an  outlay  so  great  when  so  little  necessity 

exists.          -  •-'  •;••:•;     ,  "•  '"V^'   '!'V 

;;  V    7;     ;.  y       V      W.    SELDEN  GALE,  W.  H.  LEIGHTON, 

^ 'j;-:V;' ;  ^•;;- •;•  V     WM.  ROBSON,  JOHN  SLOAN,          ,.;-,. 

'      -        •  -     R.  W.  MILES,  M.  B.  HARDEN.          - 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Latimer,  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in.  • 


Q2  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; , 

•       Mr.  Gale  read  report  on  contract  for  heating  new  court  house: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

The  building  committee  desire  to  report  that  they  have,  as  directed  by  the 
board,  entered  into  a  contract  with  Samuel  I.  Pope  &  Co.,  of  Chicago,  to  put 
in  the  apparatus  for  heating  the  court  house,  which  contract  they  herewith 
submit  as  follows:  -  ;:'  •  ''.,'-. 

Articles  of  agreement  made  and  concluded  at  the  city  of  Galesburg,  in  the 
county  of  Knox,  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  this,  the  eighteenth  day  of  August,  A.  D., 
1885,  by  and  between  W.  Selden  Gale,  Wm.  H.  Robson,  John  Sloan,  Rufus  W. 
Miles,  Wm.  H.  Leighton  and  M.  Harden,  constituting  the  court  house  building 
committee,  appointed  by  the  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  said  com-  .. .  . 
mittee  being  hereinafter  known  as  the  party  of  the  first  part,  and  Samuel  I. 
Pope  &  Co.,  of  Chicago,  Cook  county,  Illinois,  second  part  as  follows,  to-wit: 

The  said  party  of  the  second  part  do  hereby  agree  to,  and  with  the  said  party 
of  the  first  part,  or  their  successors  in  office;  that  they,  the  said  party  of  the 
second  part  shall,  and  will  execute  all  the  work  and  furnish  all  the  materials  of 
every  character  required  by  the  plans  and  specifications,  to  heat  and  ventilate 
the  Knox  county  court  house,  said  building  situated  in  the  city  of  Galesburg, 
within  the  county  and  state  as  first  above  written.  Said  plans  and  specifications 
are  hereby  constituted  as  a  part  and  parcel  of  this  contract  as  much  so  as  if  each  ,^  , 
and  every  part  thereof  was  at  length  herein  set  forth  and  fully  described.  ;  '•  ; 

The  said  party  of  the  first  part  does  hereby  agree  to,  and  will,  in  behalf  of      ;-, "' 
the  board  of  supervisors  of  said  county,  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid  unto  the  parties  v;     -> 
of  the  second  part,  the  sum  of  six  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  forty-three,  sev-  '.,     • 
enty-seven  one-hundreths  dollars  for  all  of  said  work  and  material.     Payments;/     ., 
on  said  work  shall  be  made  on  the  several  parts  of  the  work  and  material  in  ac-  <    •  .•' 
cordance  with  the  prices  stated  in  the  schedule  hereto  connected;  said  schedule  ' '  .,   - 
being  only  for  the  purpose  of  setting  forth  the  payments  to  be  made  to  the  con-  ;  :;  I 
tractor,  and  for  no  other  consideration ;  on  each  and  every  payment  on  work       V.\;. 
and  material  that  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the  amount  for  all  cost  of  work,  labor;''  .:..- 
and  material,  shall  be  retained  until  the  final  acceptance  of  the  contract,  subject  •' 
to  the  conditions  stated  in  the  general  instructions  to  bidders.    Being  understood        ,; 
that  payments  on  all  work  and  material  shall  be  made  once  each  month.    Upon  •        ' 
such  payments  being  made  unto  the  party  of  the  second  part  for  any  work  or '.    .    ^ 
material,  then  such  material  and  work  shall  be  deemed  in  the  possession  of  the  ,    ;.; 
party  of  the  first  part,  and  shall  be  by  them  in  their  possession  as  part  security     j  ;•/ 
for  moneys  advanced,  and  in  guarantee  in  addition  to  that  required  by  bond.      ..";.: 

The  said  party  of  the  second  part  does  hereby  agree  to  commence  said  work  ;;'  .."'  ' 
in  said  building  as  soon  as  the  condition  of  the  building  permit  of,  and  not  later  ;   •  '-•" 
than  when  the  roof  is  completed  on  said  building,  and  to  finish  the  same  as  soon  .  - 
thereafter  as  possible  within  the  limited  time  named  in  the  specifications  and     •  •;  \ 
general  instructions.     The  eliminations  marked  in  the  specifications  of  the  omis- 
sions of  the  gas  engines  and  fans  was  made  at  schedule  prices,  before  execution 
of  this  contract.  'v  V.  -     :  '--j?   -.:;'"    v 

In  witness  whereof,  the  parties  hereinbefore  named,  in  behalf  of  the  board 
of  supervisors  of  said  county,  and  the  party  of  the  second  part,  each  have  hereto 
set  their  hands  and  seals  the  day  and  year  first  above  written ;  this  contract  only 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  93 

to  take  effect  when  the  said  party  of  the  second  part  has  furnished  his  bond  and 
approved  security. 

Witness  our  hands  and  seals,  =   .  '        ,   !^ 

v.--;^';  %,;•;:'/;     W.  SELDEN  GALE,  M.  B.  HARDEN,     v    •;'/  '  .;^ 

iC'V; '  "vcW^-^v:;:  .V        R.  W.  MILES,  JOHN  SLOAN,  ^:cV^' 

;    /o':--      ••.  ^^:;. j      W.  H.  LEIGHTON,  SAM'L  I.  POPE  &  Co.      ^i^i? 

'J;V.;;...';.;.'  •;.'..' yU{^;.;;-;         WM.   ROBSON,  -•••;. 

/:.;>':   v-C.:-     •;    V     (Witness)  ALBERTA.  PERRY,  County  Clerk. 

Mr.  Anderson,  of  Dawson  &  Anderson,  contractors  of  new  court  house,  ap- 
peared and  by  permission  addressed  the  board,  asking  assistance  in  procuring 
water.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Latimer,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  building  com- 
mittee with  power  to  act. 

September  Meeting,  1885. — Mr.  Gale  from  the  committee  on  building,  stated 
that  no  arrangement  had  yet  been  made  for  the  construction  of  a  cistern  at  the 
court  house.  He  read  the  proposition  of  A.  P.  Anderson  to  construct  a  cistern 
13  feet  6  inches  in  diameter  in  the  clear,  9  feet  deep  in  the  clear  between  inlet 
and  overflow  pipes,  walls  and  arch  8  inches  thick,  bottom  3  bricks  thick  laid  flat- 
wise, all  of  hard  burned  brick,  thoroughly  cemented  inside  and  out,  with  8  inch 
overflow  pipe  connected  with  present  sewer,  stone  and  iron  top  at  grade  line, 
for  $285,  to  be  constructed  under  the  supervision  of  the  superintendent  at  the 
court  house.  ,  "v'  .  . 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Latimer  the  proposition  was  accepted. 

January   Meeting,    1886. — The   following   report  of   the  building  committee 
was  read  and  referred  to  the  committee  on  revenue: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors:  . 

Gentlemen : — The  committee  on  building  court  house  beg  leave  to  report  that 
the  cistern  authorized  by  the  board    at  its  last  meeting  has  been  completed  and 
order  issued  by  the  clerk,  by   instructions  of   the   committee,   to   A.    P.   An- 
derson, contractor,  for  the  sum  of  $301,50.     Until  within  the  last  ninety  days, 
the  progress  has  been  satisfactory,  but  since  that  time  much  less  has  been  done 
than  the  committee  had  reason  to  expect  would  have  been  done  sixty  days  ago. 
The  delay  seems  to  have  been  caused  by  failure  of  the  sub-contractors,  who  were 
to  put  on  the  framework  of  the  roof  to  use  due  diligence.     There  now  seems 
no  prospect  of  doing  more  than  to  complete  the  framework  of  the  roof  before 
the  coming  of  warm  weather.    The  committee  have  used  all  the  means  in  their 
power  to  hasten  the  operations  of  the  iron  contractors,  and  regret  that  their  ef- 
forts have  not  been  more  successful.    The  committee  have  authorized  the  clerk 
to  draw  orders  in  favor  of  Dawson  &  Anderson  to  apply  on  contract,  amount 
aggregating  $46,610.54.  .  ..    '•  ? j.. >•;  v.;- 

,.      Y...  ...  .  .      Respectfully  submitted,  <  ; 

,;•;;.  '.;:^  V'-'/'.:_;.;,  :•/••"-/  ••','•!•,  W.  SELDEN  GALE,       '  '"'H'; 

^  ^-     '•;•>.  ^  V   V I  ;.  Vx    . .  •=  Chairman  of  Committee.       -^ 

April  Meeting,  1886. — Thursday,  April  22,  one-thirty  P.  M. — Board  called  to 
order  by  chairman.  Present  same  as  this  forenoon.  -. 

Mr.  Gale  called  up  the  report  of  the  building  committee,  and  read  that  por- 
tion of  said  report  pertaining  to  the  laying  off  and  grading  of  the  court  house 
grounds.  On  motion  the  recommendation  in  relation  thereto  was  concurred  in. 

Mr.  Gale  then  read  that  portion  of  said  report  pertaining  to  the  advertisement 


-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; 

for  bids  for  furniture.    A  motion  by  Mr.  Boydstun  to  concur  in  the  recommen- 
dations, was  withdrawn. 

Mr.  Gale  then  read  that  portion  of  said  report  pertaining  to  the  assignment 
of  rooms.  On  motion  the  recommendations  of  the  committee  were  concurred  in. 

Mr.  Gale  moved  to  strike  out  the  recommendation  of  the  committee  in  regard 
to  furniture,  and  insert  the  following:  y  I  '  .; 

That  the  committee  be  directed  to  advertise  at  once  for  bids  for  furniture, 
the  bidders  to  furnish  the  designs.  That  the  bids  be  required  to  be  made  sub- 
ject to  the  examination  of  the  committee  and  the  acceptance  by  the  board.  That 
the  committee  be  directed  to  examine  and  carefully  compare  the  bids,  and  when 
any  shall  be  received,  which  the  committee  shall  deem  worthy  of  attention,  they 
shall  notify  the  chairman  of  the  board,  who  shall  call  the  board  together.  That 
when  this  board  adjourn  it  shall  adjourn  subject  to  the  call  of  the  chairman. 
.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Rebstock,  the  foregoing  resolution  amendatory  of  said  re- 
port, was  adopted.  - 

Moved  by  Mr.  Sisson  that  said  report  as  amended  be  adopted,  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in,  and  that  it  be  spread  upon  the  records  of  the  bo^rd. 

The  ayes  and  nays  being  called  for,  the  vote  stood  as  follows :  ^  -     - 

Ayes — Messrs.  Hunter,  Mosser,  Paden,  Gale,  Cooke,  Boydstun,  Olson,  Mc- 
Kee,  Sisson,  May,  Townsend,  Luther,  Clark,  Robson,  Hurd,  Miles,  Leighton, 
Andrews  and  Sloan — 18. 

Xays — Messrs.  Simpson,  Glisson,  Cooley,  Rebstock,  Parker,  C.  S.  Clark  and 
Gibbs — 7,  \.  '•  •.  .;"  ".-.'  ;'-^'-'--'''v''.:'' .--•'-•.''  •'-••^•'".••'^^  :•-•'>•';•.'.,;>'''•—' 

The  motion  prevailed. 

The  report  of  the  building  committee,  as  amended,  is  as  follows:'..-' 

The  committee  on  building  beg  leave  to  report : 

The  condition  and  progress  of  the  building  will  be  best  understood  by  mem-  . 
bers  of  the  board  by  actual  inspection.  While  the  progress  made  has  been  less 
than  was  hoped  for,  they  think  the  construction  so  far  is  fairly  satisfactory,  and 
they  are  still  of  opinion  that  whether  there  be  considered  its  substantial  char- 
acter, its  convenience,  its  beauty  or  its  cost,  the  "building  will  prove  satisfactory 
to  those  specially  concerned  in  its  erection,  and  to  the  citizens  of  the  county. 

Messrs.  Dawson  &  Anderson  sublet  the  contract  for  the  iron  construction  to 
other  parties,  who  in  turn  sublet  the  construction  of  the  frame  work  of  the  roof. 
This  work  should  have  been  completed  early  in  November,  which  would  have 
enabled  the  work  to  go  on  all  winter,  and  made  the  completion  of  the  building 
within  the  contract  time,  the  ist  of  September,  entirely  within  the  power  of  the 
contractor.  The  neglect  to  complete  this  work  in  time,  has  so  far  delayed  the  en- 
tire work  as  to  make  its  completion  within  that  time  no  longer  a  possibility. 

An  effort  should  be  made  to  secure  the  completion  of  the  offices  so  as  to  permit 
the  clerks  to  remove  before  the  pressure  of  fall  work  on  their  offices,  and  to  secure 
one  court  room  for  the  October  term.  But  we  believe  it  better  to  suffer  some  in- 
convenience from  delay  rather  than  hasten  the  completion  at  the  risk  of  getting 
anything  but  permanent  work. 

The  time  within  which  it  may  be  expected  to  complete  the  building  may  be 
estimated,  by  calculating  the  time  necessary  for  the  work  of  plastering,  now  just 
beginning. 

2nd.    The  time  the  work  should  stand  to  become  sufficiently  dry  to  receive  the 


•'    :o;.-          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    V        -^  05 

woodwork,  and  3rd,  the  time  necessary  to  set  up  the  woodwork  then  already  pre- 
pared. 

The  other  portions  of  the  work  should  be  carried  on  simultaneously  so  as  to 
cause  no  delay.  '  .•  .  • 

It  is  perhaps  hardly  worth  while  to  refer  to  various  reports  which  have  ob- 
tained some  currency,  of  danger  to  the  county  from  failure  on  the  part  of  the 
contractors. 

We  have  only  to  say  that  we  have  no  reason  to  question  the  perfect  good  faith 
of  the  contractors,  or  their  ability  to  complete  their  undertaking.  And  that  ad- 
vanced as  the  work  now  is,  it  is  not  possible  the  county  can  suffer  any  disasterous 
loss  in  any  contingency. 

The  work  already  done  is  undoubtedly  much  more  expensive,  compared  with 
the  originally  estimated  cost  than  that  which  is  to  be  done.  :  ;  v 

The  committee  had  hoped  to  find  the  plans  so  complete  that  no  changes 
whatever  could  be  called  for.  But  they  cannot  conceive  it  profitable  to  perpetuate 
an  error,  and  there  is  no  time  when  a  mistake  or  oversight  can  be  so  easily  cor- 
rected as  in  time  of  construction.  When  they  consider  the  magnitude  of  the 
work,  the  unusual  and  complicated  plan  and  character  of  the  building,  the  various 
uses  to  which  it  is  to  be  put,  the  difficulty,  owing  to  distance,  or  consultation  with 
the  architect,  the  fact  that  the  plans  were  required  to  be  made  in  a  limited  time 
and  in  two  different  modes  of  construction,  the  committee  thought  they  were 
hardly  warranted  in  expecting  a  realization  of  such  hopes.  They  have  thought 
necessary,  in  process  of  construction,  to  require  changes  as  follows:  On  the  ist 
floor  a  door  To  be  made  in  the  tower  room,  connecting  it  and  permitting  it  to  be 
used  in  connection  with  the  room  next  south  of  it.  A  double  glass  door  in  place 
of  the  single  one  connecting  the  two  rooms  of  the  county  clerk  for  the  better 
lighting  of  the  inner  room. 

The  filling  up  of  space  in  the  basement  under  the  vault  for  greater  security. 
In  the  second  story  a  change  in  the  partition  between  the  judge's  room  and  the 
library,  and  dispensing  with  the  water  closet,  and  substituting  a  wash  bowl  and 
urinal  in  the  judge's  room. 

In  the  third  story  another  door  connecting  two  jury  rooms  in  south  wing,  to 
be  opened  when  necessary  to  secure  better  accommodations  for  a  jury  detained 
all  night,  and  providing  one  of  the  rooms  with  a  wash  bowl  and  urinal.  A  change 
in  partition  at  north  end  of  corridor  so  as  to  shut  off  the  stairway  leading  to  the 
attic. 

These  changes  all  told,  will  cost  but  little,  but  the  cost  will  be  an  addition  to 
the  contract  price. 

The  committee  also  accepted  the  offer  made  by  the  contractor,  believing  it 
to  be  advantageous  to  the  county,  to  substitute  red  oak  for -yellow  pine,  where 
yellow  pine  is  specified,  in  all  doors  above  the  basement,  and  all  wood  work  in 
second  story  corridor  and  smaller  court  room  for  $300. 

In  the  exterior  of  the  building,  the  contractor  claimed  the  minarets  and  upper 
cornice  of  the  tower  were  to  be  of  iron.  The  architect  said  they  were  to  be  of 
stone.  The  committee  thought  to  finish  the  most  conspicuous  part  of  the  build- 
ing with  an  inferior  material  would  detract  too  much  from  the  appearance,  and 
directed  the  contractor  to  use  stone. 

An  examination  of  the  specifications  shows  that  in  the  original  or  brick  con- 


96  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

struction,  iron  was  called  for ;  that  in  changing  to  a  stone  construction  the  same 
specifications  were  used,  substituting  other  language  when  necessary,  that  the  sec- 
tion affecting  this  work  seemed  to  be  overlooked  in  making  the  changes. 

The  contractor  evidently  made  the  estimates  on  which  his  bid  was  founded, 
for  iron  work,  the  language  misled  him,  if  it  did  not  justify  him,  and  it  does 
not  seem  unreasonable  for  him  to  claim  compensation  for  the  difference. 

The  committee  required  the  diamond  shaped  stones  in  the  gable  to  be  rubbed 
stone ;  the  contractor  claimed  they  were  to  be  rockfaced.  The  committee  thought 
it  would  be  as  required,  leaving  the  contractor  to  make  his  claim  if  the  terms  of 
the  specifications  were  not  clearly  in  our  favor. 

Besides  these  changes  ordered,  the  committee  were  called  upon  to  settle  the 
terms  of  the  contract  as  to  the  ceilings.  In  the  original  specifications  the  ceal- 
ings  in  the  basement  were  to  be  brick  arches ;  in  the  first,  second  and  third  stories 
to  be  hollow  tile,  plastered.  :•.  .  ^-v- 

The  bid  accepted,  made  by  Dawson  &  Anderson,  substituted  iron  arches  for 
all  brick  and  hollow  tile,  except  in  the  court  room ;  provided  brick  or  hollow  tile 
might  be  substituted  for  the  iron  ones  at  the  difference  in  price  named  in  the 
schedule.  The  committee  determined  to  substitute  brick  arches,  plastered,  for 
the  iron  mentioned  in  the  bid  and  the  hollow  tile  required  in  the  original  specifi- 
cations, in  the  corridors  in  the  first  and  second  stories,  at  the  additional  expense 
of  $2.50  per  square  over  the  cost  of  iron. 

The  cost  of  all  changes  and  additions  made  and  proposed  is  small,  and  made 
at  the  time  the  building  is  in  progress,  will  add  no  more  to  the  cost  than  if  con- 
tained'in  the  original  specifications.  The  difference  in  cost  would  have  probably 
appeared  in  the  estimates  of  contractors  on  which  the  bids  were  founded. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  provide  for  laying  off  and  grading  the  court  house 
grounds  and  paving  the  necessary  walks.  The  committee  have  availed  themselves 
of  an  opportunity  to  purchase  a  small  amount  of  earth,  delivered  on  the  grounds, 
and  other  opportunities  to  purchase  on  favorable  terms  may  appear.  They  rec- 
ommend that  the  committee  be  authorized  to  prepare  or  procure  plans  for  lay- 
ing off  the  grounds,  to  be  reported  to  the  board  for  consideration,  and  in  the 
meantime  they  be  authorized  to  purchase  earth  when  they  can  do  so  to  manifest 
advantage. 

The  committee  have  not  heretofore  called  the  attention  of  the  board  to  the 
subject  of  furniture  for  the  court  house  for  the  reason  that  the  delay  in  the  com- 
pletion of  the  building  justified  a  postponement  of  preparation  for  furnishing. 
It  is,  however,  desirable  that  the  county  should  not  be  delayed  in  the  occupancy 
of  the  building  when  completed  for  want  of  furniture. 

It  is  also  desirable  that  time  enough  should  be  taken  to  settle  carefully  on 
plans,  to  secure  competition,  and  to  give  ample  time  to  the  contractor  to  furnish 
perfect  work. 

We  recommend  that  the  committee  be  directed  to  advertise  at  once  for  bids 
for  furniture,  the  bidders  to  furnish  the  designs.  That  the  bids  be  required  to 
be  made  subject  to  the  examination  of  the  committee  and  the  acceptance  by  the 
board.  That  the  committee  be  directed  to  examine  and  carefully  compare  the 
bids,  and  when  any  shall  be  received  which  the  committee  shall  deem  worthy  of 
attention,  they  shall  notify  the  chairman  of  the  board  who  shall  call  the  board 
together.  That  when  this  board  adjourn  it  shall  adjourn  subject  to  the  call  of  the- 
chairman.  .  • . 


96       •••••  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ,;,,:'^ 

struction,  iron  was  called  for ;  that  in  changing  to  a  stone  construction  the  same 
specifications  were  used,  substituting  other  language  when  necessary,  that  the  sec- 
tion affecting  this  work  seemed  to  be  overlooked  in  making  the  changes. 

The  contractor  evidently  made  the  estimates  on  which  his  bid  was  founded, 
for  iron  work,  the  language  misled  him,  if  it  did  not  justify  him,  and  it  does 
not  seem  unreasonable  for  him  to  claim  compensation  for  the  difference. 

The  committee  required  the  diamond  shaped  stones  in  the  gable  to  be  rubbed 
stone ;  the  contractor  claimed  they  were  to  be  rockfaced.  The  committee  thought 
it  would  be  as  required,  leaving  the  contractor  to  make  his  claim  if  the  terms  of 
the  specifications  were  not  clearly  in  our  favor.  .. ;  ;  | 

Besides  these  changes  ordered,  the  committee  were  called  upon  to  settle  the 
terms  of  the  contract  as  to  the  ceilings.  In  the  original  specifications  the  ceal- 
ings  in  the  basement  were  to  be  brick  arches ;  in  the  first,  second  and  third  stories 
to  be  hollow  tile,  plastered.  .:  ^^ v^.  .•  ^;^'  .^ ;  •'!  "  I  r  '.  -  : 

The  bid  accepted,  made  by  Dawson  &  Anderson,  substituted  iron  arches  for 
all  brick  and  hollow  tile,  except  in  the  court  room ;  provided  brick  or  hollow  tile 
might  be  substituted  for  the  iron  ones  at  the  difference  in  price  named  in  the 
schedule.  The  committee  determined  to  substitute  brick  arches,  plastered,  for 
the  iron  mentioned  in  the  bid  and  the  hollow  tile  required  in  the  original  specifi- 
cations, in  the  corridors  in  the  first  and  second  stories,  at  the  additional  expense 
of  $2.50  per  square  over  the  cost  of  iron. 

The  cost  of  all  changes  and  additions  made  and  proposed  is  small,  and  made 
at  the  time  the  building  is  in  progress,  will  add  no  more  to  the  cost  than  if  con- . 
tained  in  the  original  specifications.     The  difference  in  cost  would  have  probably 
appeared  in  the  estimates  of  contractors  on  which  the  bids  were  founded. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  provide  for  laying  off  and  grading  the  court  house 
grounds  and  paving  the  necessary  walks.  The  committee  have  availed  themselves 
of  an  opportunity  to  purchase  a  small  amount  of  earth,  delivered  on  the  grounds, 
and  other  opportunities  to  purchase  on  favorable  terms  may  appear.  They  rec- 
ommend that  the  committee  be  authorized  to  prepare  or  procure  plans  for  lay- 
ing off  the  grounds,  to  be  reported  to  the  board  for  consideration,  and  in  the 
meantime  they  be  authorized  to  purchase  earth  when  they  can  do  so  to  manifest 
advantage. 

The  committee  have  not  heretofore  called  the  attention  of  the  board  to  the 
subject  of  furniture  for  the  court  house  for  the  reason  that  the  delay  in  the  com- 
pletion of  the  building  justified  a  postponement  of  preparation  for  furnishing. 
It  is.  however,  desirable  that  the  county  should  not  be  delayed  in  the  occupancy 
of  the  building  when  completed  for  want  of  furniture. 

It  is  also  desirable  that  time  enough  should  be  taken  to  settle  carefully  on 
plans,  to  secure  competition,  and  to  give  ample  time  to  the  contractor  to  furnish 
perfect  work. 

We  recommend  that  the  committee  be  directed  to  advertise  at  once  for  bids 
for  furniture,  the  bidders  to  furnish  the  designs.  That  the  bids  be  required  to 
be  made  subject  to  the  examination  of  the  committee  and  the  acceptance  by  the 
board.  That  the  committee  be  directed  to  examine  and  carefully  compare  the 
bids,  and  when  any  shall  be  received  which  the  committee  shall  deem  worthy  of 
attention,  they  shall  notify  the  chairman  of  the  board  who  shall  call  the  board 
together.  That  when  this  board  adjourn  it  shall  adjourn  subject  to  the  call  of  the- 
chairman.  .  .  ;  •  ^  ...•;;  .. 


I 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  »7 

As  a  preliminary  to  calling  for  bids,  we  ask  the  board  to  assign  the  rooms  to 
their  various  uses,  and  we  recommend : 

That  the  three  court  rooms  be  arranged  and  furnished  so  that  they  may  each 
of  them  serve  for  either  of  the  courts,  for  the  meetings  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors and  for  such  other  assemblies  of  officers  and  citizens  on  county  business, 
as  should  be  provided  for. 

That  on  the  first  floor,  the  room  on  the  right  of  the  east  entrance  be  assigned 
to  the  school  superintendent. 

The  room  on  the  right  of  the  north  entrance,  to  the  county  judge. 

The  room  on  the  left,  to  the  treasurer. 

The  room  on  the  right  of  the  west  entrance,  to  the  recorder. 

The  two  rooms  opposite,  to  the  county  clerk. 

The  large  room  in  the  south  wing,  to  the  circuit  clerk. 

That  there  be  assigned  to  the  sheriff  either  the  room  to  the  left  of  the  east 
entrance,  or  the  adjoining  room  in  the  south  wing,  the  other  to  remain  for  the 
present  unassigned. 

The  room  in  the  tower,  to  the  treasurer  and  school  superintendent,  the  treas- 
urer to  have  prior  right  of  occupancy  when  necessary  to  his  business. 

That  each  county  officer  have  a  case  in  the  vault  for  the  storage  of  valuable 
papers,  or  property  requiring  special  security.  •-:••'. 

That  in  the  second  story,  the  room  next  south  of  the  tower  room,  to  the 
master  in  chancery. 

The  tower  room  and  room  west,  to  the  county  attorney.          -    ;  '•'. 

The  other  two  north  rooms  to  be  ladies'  waiting  rooms.  '.-. • 

The  south  wing  for  judges'  room,  consultation  room  and  library. 

The  rooms  in  the  third  story  to  be  used  as  jury  and  witness  rooms.  The 
room  next  north  of  the  smaller  court  room  to  be  the  grand  jury  room. 

W.  SELDEN  GALE,  R.  W.  MILES, 

•-   ••..•:        WM.  RoBSON,  JOHN  SLOAN, 

M.  B.  HARDEN,  WM.  H.  LEIGHTON. 

The  building  committee  beg  leave  to  report,  that  in  reply  to  the  resolution  of 
the  board  calling  for  information  as  to  cost  of  changes  in  the  building,  ordered 
by  the  committee,  they  have  procured  from  the  contractor  the  following  estimates : 

Expense  of  door  in  tower  room $  71.25 

Double  door  in  clerk's  office 30.00 

Door  in  third  story 30.00 

Change  in  partition  2d  story 

Extra  wash  basin  and  urinal 40.00    • 

Change  in  attic  stairs  " 50.00 

Substitution  of  oak  for  pine 300.00 

800  feet  concrete  filling  in  vault,  at  2oc 160.00 


Cost  of  changes  ordered  by  committee $681.25 

Substituting  for  iron  3,450  feet  brick  arches,  at  $2.50 86.25 

$767.50 

Vet  1—7 


98  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Amount  claimed  for  stone  cornice  and  minarets  in  place  of  iron,  difference 
in  cost: 

4  stone  minarets,  $130  each   $520.00 

40  feet  tower  cornice   40.00 

88  feet  gable  cornice,  at  $i.6o  140.80 

4  carved  finials    60.00 


-                      '                       '                 '      "     '  '    '"  $760.80 
Amount  claimed  for  extra  work  on  diamond  shaped  stones : 

246  feet,  at  5oc   $123.00 

io6  feet,  at  7oc    74.20 


•••'"-:!.  ^     •  ;•     '•.   .^':'':'\-'-':-.^':''!^  ^  .'•'•-' ;-vr''''''-  $197.20 

-'•:^':^  '"'-'.     "•  '  •'.:^- '^;^^^: ;;'-'. '^••••\^;.''" ^' ;•.-.•;;•     W.  SELDEN  GALE,       ;-.;;v 

Chairman. 

Special  May  Meeting,  1886. — The  chairman  stated  that  the  meeting  was 
called  at  the  request  of  the  building  committee  for  the  purpose  of  examining 
proposals  and  designs  for  furniture  for  the  new  court  house,  and  considering 
the  report  of  the  building  committee  thereon. 

The  clerk  then  read  the  proposals  of  A.  H.  Andrews  &  Co.,  of  Chicago.  Also 
the  proposal  of  Conant  Bros.,  of  Toledo,  Ohio. 

During  the  reading  of  the  last  named  proposal,  Mr.  Chas.  Ghsson,  of  Knox, 
entered.  :/ 

The  clerk  then  read  the  proposals  of  the  Phoenix  Furniture  Company,  of 
Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  and  of  Thos.  Kane  &  Co.,  of  Chicago. 

Each  of  said  proposals  were  accompanied  with  schedules  of  furniture  and 
prices  referring  to  the  designs  submitted,  all  of  which  were  laid  before  the  board. 

The  report  of  the  building  committee  was  then  read  as  follows : 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supennsors: 

Your  committee  in  compliance  with  the  resolution  of  the  board,  advertised 
for  proposals  for  furniture,  to  be  opened  by  the  committee  on  the  4th  inst.  They 
felt  justified  in  fixing  an  early  time  from  the  fact  that  several  of  the  best  houses 
in  the  country  had  visited  the  building  in  anticipation  of  such  a  call,  and  were 
known  to  have  prepared  plans ;  and  it  was  thought  no  further  delay  need  be 
made  to  secure  fair  competition.  Special  notices  were  sent  to  all  who  had  by 
personal  application  or  correspondence  indicated  an  intention  of  giving  attention 
to  the  job. 

The  committee  received  a  communication  from  the  Mitchell  Furniture  Co., 
of  Cincinnati,  asking  a  postponement  of  the  letting,  on  account  of  the  labor  troubles 
and  the  consequent  temporary  closing  of  their  works.  Proposals  were  received 
from  Thos.  Kane  &  Co.,  of  Chicago ;  the  Phoenix  Furniture  Co.,  of  Grand  Rapids, 
Mich. ;  A.  H.  Andrews  &  Co.,  of  Chicago,  and  Conant  Bros.,  of  Toledo,  Ohio, 
all  of  which  proposals,  with  the  accompanying  samples  and  exhibits  are  submitted 
to  the  board. 

The  bids,  except  the  first  named,  were  presented  in  person  by  a  proprietor  or 
agent  of  the  firm  interested. 

It  was  agreed  that  the  bids  should  not  be  disclosed  until  presented  to  the 
board,  but  that  each  party  should  have  the  fullest  opportunity  to  explain  his 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;;,;;;  99 

proposal  to  the  committee,  sitting  with  closed  doors.  There  were  present  with 
the  committee,  for  advice  and  assistance,  the  architect  of  the  building,  the  county 
clerk  and  the  circuit  clerk. 

The  bid  of  Thomas  Kane  &  Co.  was  accompanied  by  very  few  designs  and 
no  samples.  No  gross  amount  is  mentioned,  but  items  are  given  and  prices  at- 
tached with  reference  to  the  designs  furnished  and  printed  catalogue  of  goods 
and  prices  published  by  the  firm.  The  other  bids  are  accompanied  by  schedules, 
substantially  alike  in  items,  admitting  of  ready  comparison. 

The  bid  of  the  Phoenix  Co.  is  exclusive  of  all  seats,  $7,765.40. 

The  bid  of  Andrews  &  Co.  is  in  two  forms.  With  one  set  of  designs  it  is 
$11,123.80;  with  plainer  designs  and  cheaper  work,  $9,193.65.  "u 

The  bid  of  Conant  Bros,  gives  no  gross  amount,  but  affixes  to  each  item  in 
the  schedule  from  two  to  eight  prices,  according  to  design,  workmanship  and  ma- 
terial. Reviewing  these  schedules  for  comparison,  and  taking  the  items  recom- 
mended by  the  committee,  as  herinafter  stated,  we  find  them,  as  nearly  as  we 
have  been  able  to  calculate,  to  compare  as  follows: 

Phoenix  Co.,  about  $7,200.  . 

Andrews  &  Co.,  highest  bid,  $7,610.  .;   -  ' 

Andrews  &  Co.,  lowest  bid,  $6,655.  '  .:         ^  .'-^' ~ 

Conant  Bros.,  from  less  than  $6,000  to  over  $8,000.     ';  ^^; .    .: 

It  is  at  once  evident  that,  taking  medium  prices  in  the  bids  of  Andrews  &  Co. 
and  of  Conant  Bros,  there  is  but  very  little-  difference  in  the  bids  of  the  three 
houses.  The  bids  of  Conant  Bros,  are  both  the  highest  and  the  lowest. 

The  bid  of  the  Phoenix  Co.  is  higher  than  one  bid  of  Andrews  &  Co.  and 
lower  than  the  other,  and  it  is  only  by  careful  examination  of  the  descriptions 
and  designs  that  it  can  be  determined  from  which  the  most  satisfactory  selection 
can  be  made,  and  it  is  perhaps  proper  here  to  say  that  it  has  been  generally  re- 
marked by  persons  examining  the  building,  with  reference  to  bidding  on  the  fur- 
niture, that  the  building  being  architecturally  different  from  all  other  court  houses 
(the  Cincinnati  court  house  is  said  to  be  of  similar  style),  it  could  only  be  well 
and  tastefully  furnished  from  designs  specially  prepared  to  conform  to  its  peculiar 
style. 

The  committee  think  Conant  Bros,  have  had  a  better  appreciation  of  the  build- 
ing or  have  been  willing  to  take  more  pains  than  others.  They  believe  the  board 
will  find  their  designs  finer  and  more  in  keeping  with  the  building  than  any  others 
presented,  and  the  committee  believe  that  at  same  cost  the  best  selection  may  be 
made  from  their  bid. 

The  committee  recommend  that  the  board  authorize  the  committee  to  contract 
with  Conant  Bros,  for  the  articles  of  furniture  in  the  list  herewith  presented,  to 
be  selected  by  the  committee  in  walnut,  cherry  and  oak,  in  such  proportions  as 
they  may  think  best  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $7,250. 

In  the  matter  of  chairs,  the  committee  are  not  satisfied  that  the  best  or  most 
economical  selection  can  be  made  from  these  proposals.  That  unlike  the  other 
furniture  they  will  not  be  made  expressly  for  the  building,  but  that  they  can  at 
any  time  be  bought  in  the  market,  and  that  plenty  of  time  may  safely  be  taken 
to  make  selection  and  purchase. 

The  committee  have  received  bids  for  file  cases  from  Schlect  &  Field  and  from 
Conant  Bros.  These  are  to  contain  the  papers  put  into  each  pigeon  hole.  Both 


100  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

their  patterns  are  decided  improvements  on  those  in  common  use  obtained  from 
stationers.  But  in  judgment  of  the  committee,  the  advantage  to  this  county  from 
their  use  are  by  no  means  commensurate  with  the  increased  expense. 

L.  A.  TowNSEND,  WM.  ROBSON, 

./--  W.  SELDEN  GALE,  W.  H.  LEIGHTON, 

JOHN  SLOAN,  RUFUS  W.  MILES. 

The  foregoing  report  was  placed  before  the  board  to  be  considered  and  exam- 
ined in  connection  with  the  proposals  and  designs  above  submitted. 

On  motion  the  board  took  a  recess  until  one-thirty  P.  M. 

-     One-thirty  P.  M. — Board  called  to  order  by  chairman.  1>     , 

.;    Present,  same  as  this  morning. 

The  board  having  examined  and  considered  the  several  proposals  and  designs 
for  furniture  submitted  and  the  report  of  the  building  committee,  it  was  moved 
by  Mr.  Paden  that  the  board  accept  said  report  and  concur  in  its  recommenda- 
tions, and  that  said  committee  be  authorized  to  purchase  such  chairs  and  seats 
as  may  be  needed  in  the  new  court  house  at  a  cost  not  to  exceed  $2,500,  which 
motion  was  adopted. 

Thereupon,  they  entered  into  contract  with  Conant  Brothers  Furniture  Com- 
pany, on  the  I7th  day  of  May,  1886. 

July  Meeting,  1886. — Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  report  of  the.  building  com- 
mittee : 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

GENTLEMEN  : — The  building  committee  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the 
board  to  the  necessity  of  providing  mantels  and  grates  for  the  building;  nineteen 
are  required.  The  committee  have  had  proposals  sent  them  from  several  parties. 
They  are  of  opinion  that  slate  mantels  may  be  obtained  with  grates,  and  all  com- 
plete and  in  place  suitable  for  the  situation,  for  from  $700  to  $800.  The  com- 
mittee wish  to  be  advised  if  any  action  in  the  case  on  their  part  is  desired. 

W.  SELDEN  GALE,  Chairman. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Paden,  the  committee  were  authorized  to  contract  for 
grates  and  mantels  on  the  best  terms  obtainable. 

January  Meeting,  1887. — Mr.  Gale  made  a  verbal  report  in  behalf  of  the  build- 
ing committee  stating  that  it  had  been  hoped  that  all  contracts  for  matters  con- 
nected with  the  building  could  be  closed  up  at  the  present  meeting.  This  cannot 
be  done  and  the  committee  would  recommend  that  when  the  board  adjourns,  it 
adjourn  for  about  two.  weeks.  It  is  desirable  that  Mr.  Myers  be  present,  and  he 
has  informed  the  committee  that  he  can  be  here  at  about  that  time.  The  com- 
mittee were  requested  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  board  to  prepare  a  detailed  state- 
ment of  orders  drawn  for  all  work  connected  with  the  court  house.  In  conse- 
quence of  the  unfinished  condition  of  the  work  the  committee  are  unable  to  com- 
ply, but  a  verbal  statement  may  be  made  which  will  give  the  board  the  informa- 
tion necessary  to  enable  the  members  to  act  understandingly  upon  any  question 
which  may  arise  until  such  time  as  a  full  written  statement  can  be  made. 

Mr.  Gale  then  stated,  to  the  board,  the  condition  of  the  various  contracts  and 
the  amounts  paid  upon  each,  respectively,  which  he  requested  the  supervisors  to 
take  down  each  for  himself. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

RESOLVED:    That  there  be  a  reception  held  at  the  court  house,  by  the  board 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  101 

of  supervisors,  on  the  26th  inst.,  from  lo  o'clock  A.  M.  until  ten  o'clock  P.  M., 
and  that  citizens  of  the  county  and  their  friends  be  respectfully  invited  to  attend. 

January  Adjourned  Meeting,  1887. — On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  board  took 
a  recess  subject  to  the  call  of  the  chairman. 

During  recess,  dedicatory  exercises  were  held  in  the  circuit  court  room,  which 
were  attended  by  a  large  concourse  of  people.  Brief  addresses  were  made  by 
the  architect.  Col.  E.  E.  Myers,  the  contractor;  John  Anderson;  Hon.  R.  G. 
Mathews,  chairman  of  the  board;  Hon.  Clark  E.  Carr;  Judge  J.  J.  Glenn;  Judge 
Sanford,  and  Messrs.  E.  P.  Williams,  W.  Selden  Gale,  and  R.  W.  Miles. 

During  the  exercises,  the  following  resolution  was  offered  by  Mr.  F.  Chris- 
tianer,  of  Abingdon,  which  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  people  of  Knox  county,  in  mass  meeting  assembled, 
do  offer  our  thanks  to  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the  county  of  Knox  for  their 
successful  efforts  in  the  erection  of  this  court  house,  and  for  their  thorough  hon- 
esty and  integrity  in  the  building  of  the  same,  and  we  ask  that  these  resolutions 
be  spread  upon  the  records  of  said  board. 

Mr.  Gale  stated  that  the  building  committee  were  ready  to  report  on  a  portion 
of  the  matters  before  them  if  the  board  desired.  On  motion  of  Mr.  May  the 
building  committee  were  requested  to  report. 

Mr.  Gale  then  reported  a  bill  in  favor  of  Col.  E.  E.  Myers,  of  $i,ooo,  balance 
of  architect's  fees,  and  asked  that  it  be  referred  with  other  matters  pending. 

The  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  was  adopted. 

Mr.  Gale  then  read  the  following  additional  report  of  the  building  committee : 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

.  The  building  committee  have  rendered  a  partial  settlement  with  Messrs.  Daw- 
son  &  Anderson,  court  house  contractors. 

The  contract  was  originally  taken  at  the  sum  of $114,311.52 

To  this  was  added  by  direction  of  the  board,  at  the  April  meeting, 

1886 1,725.50 

Under  the  authority  of  the  board  to  make  some  improvements  in  the 

basement  the  committee  have  directed  plastering  and  wainscoting 

and  places  for  washbowls  and  sinks,  and  have  allowed  Dawson 

&  Anderson   53-7O 

The  committee  thought  best  to  make  some  changes  in  the  supports  for 

the  gallery,  involving  the  casing  of  supporting  beams,  for  which 

they  allowed  D.  &  A 88.00 

The  committee  also  allowed  for  work  apparently  not  belonging  to  the 

contract,  but  necessary  to  be  done  in  fitting  woodwork  around 

furniture    8.05 

Around  mantels    17-15 

For  putting  up  strips  for  hooks  on  the  walls  and  bulletin  boards,  and 

assisting  in  repairing  and  removing  furniture  from  old  building. .  83.03 

For  alteration  in  stone  coping  to  steps 42.00 


Making  a  total  of .'. .  .$116,328.94 

In  the  matter  of  stained  glass  in  the  ceiling  to  main  court  room,  the  contrac- 
tors proposed  to  put  in  plain  cathedral  glass.  :  •  . . ' ' 

The  committee  did  not  consider  this  arrangement  suitable,  and  it  appearing 


102  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

on  examination  of  the  contract  that  it  was  stipulated  that  the  glass  should  be  of 
such  pattern  as  the  architect  should  require,  the  committee  applied  to  Col.  Myers 
to  furnish  f)atterns. 

Under  his  direction  patterns  were  sent,  costing  $960.  The  committee  found 
that  the  contractors  had,  in  making  the  estimate  on  which  their  bid  was  based, 
allowed  themselves  only  $200.  The  committee  were,  considering  that  the  real 
cost  of  the  building  to  the  contractors  was  already  far  beyond  the  amount  esti- 
mated by  them  for  the  work  at  the  bidding,  very  reluctant  to  require  so  large 
additional  cost.  At  the  same  time  they  believed  the  fulfillment  of  the  contract 
according  to  the  views  of  the  contractors  would  not  be  satisfactory  to  the  public. 

The  conclusion  of  the  committee  was  to  contract  with  Geo.  A.  Misch  for  put- 
ting in  the  light  in  less  expensive  patterns  than  those  proposed  for  $506. 

This  amount,  paid  by  county,  might  be  deducted  from  the  contract  of  Dawson 
&  Anderson.  The  committee  are,  however,  prepared  to  recommend  that  only  so 
much  be  charged  the  contractors  as  the  cost  by  them  estimated  at  the  bidding, 
say  $200. 

At  the  meeting  of  April.  1886.  the  committee  reported  that  Dawson  &  Ander- 
son had  proposed  to  substitute  oak  finish  for  pine  throughout  the  building  for 
$500.  or  in  the  halls  and  one  court  room  for  $300;  that  the  committee  had  ac- 
cepted the  last  proposition.  This  action  of  the  committee  was  approved  by  the 
board  and  $300  added  on  that  account  to  the  contract.  Dawson  &  Anderson  have 
substituted  oak  throughout  the  building,  though  without  promise  of  extra  pay 
beyond  the  $300  already  allowed. 

They  ask  the  board  to  allow  $200  additional.  That  the  change  is  worth  that 
amount  to  the  building  the  committee  believe,  and  recommend  it  be  allowed. 

Should  the  board  concur  in  the  recommendation  as  to  glass  and  oak  finish,  it 
will  leave  the  amount  due  on  the  contract  of  Dawson  &  Anderson  unchanged,  at 
$116.328.94 — the  county  paying  Misch  $506. 

.:  This  amount  is  subject  to  offset  for  want  of  completion  within  the  contract 
time,  it  being  stipulated  that  the  building  should  be  completed  by  Sept.  ist,  1886, 
and  a  penalty  of  $20  per  day  for  any  delay. 

The  county  began  to  have  a  very  limited  use  of  a  small  part  of  the  building 
about  Nov.  1 5th.  It  was  not  till  the  last  of  December  the  clerks  were  able  to 
move  into  their  not  quite  finished  offices,  and  not  till  now  that  the  county  has 
full  use  of  the  building. 

Dawson  &  Anderson  claim  allowance  for  items  of  work  required  by  the  com- 
mittee, which  the  committee  claimed  the  right  to  require  under  the  contract, 
which  the  contractors  insisted  were  not  required  by  a  fair  construction  of  the 
terms  of  the  contract,  and  which  were  performed  by  them  under  protest. 
For  15.000  brick  required  to  be  put  in  tower  in  excess  of  what  appeared 

to  be  shown  in  paper $255.00 

For  extra  cost  of  hardware  in  door  trimmings,  committee  requiring  better 

quality  than  contractors  expected  to   furnish 424.50 

For  changes  in  window  casings 292.00 


...  -3<^ 

.-^s  to  these  items,  the  committee  required  them  because  they  thought  theyN- 
ought  to  be  done,  even  if  at  the  cost  of  the  county,  and  that  the  contract  gave 
them  the  right  to  require  it. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  103 

They  are  not,  however,  quite  sure  that  the  right  to  require  the  work  is  alto- 
gether free  from  doubt,  and  are  satisfied  the  cost  was  not  included  in  the  con- 
tractor's estimate  when  he  made  the  bid. 

While  the  committee  have  not  felt  authorized  to  admit  the  claims,  they  think 
it  entirely  proper  that  the  board  should  consider  the  propriety  of  giving  the  con- 
tractors the  benefit  of  the  doubt. 

Dawson  &  Anderson  have  further  stated  to  the  committee,  and  the  committee 
have  examined  the  schedule,  on  which  the  bid  was  made,  and  found  the  statement 
correct,  that  in  making  the  schedule  important  items  were  omitted,  and  while  the 
contract  required  the  performance  of  the  work  and  to  have  been  done  without 
other  compensation  than  the  profits,  if  any,  on  the  enumerated  items. 

First,  a  clerical  error  appeared  by  which  their  bid  was  unintentionally  re- 
duced $2,000. 

The  items  of  plastering  were  estimated  at  $4,200  and  so  appear  in  the  sched- 
ule, but  the  amount  is  carried  into  the  general  summary  at  $2,200. 

The  following  items  were  overlooked  and  omitted  entirely  from  the  schedule: 

2,825  fee  concreting  under  inside  walls $  570.00 

6,800  fee  basement  floor 682.50 

3  extra  granite  steps 9O-75 

154  feet  gallery  front  at  $5 770.00 

4  clock  dials  in  tower 120.00 

I  vault  door  of  iron i  lo.oo 

Difference  between  lime  and  cement  used  in  concreting  floors 489.00 


$2,831.25 

In  the  estimate  of  the  stone  work  very  large  under-estimate  of  items  were 
made,  and  some  errors  of  calculation.  ;.  . 

It  is  difficult  and  not  perhaps  profitable,  to  go  over  the  whole  calculation. 

The  work  is  so  complicated  that  none  but  an  expert,  with  plenty  of  time  at 
his  disposal  could  correctly  estimate  it. 

It  is  undoubtedly  placed  in  the  schedules  at  several  thousand  dollars  less  than 
it  was  done  for,  or  could  be  done  for. 

The  committee  has  not  felt  authorized  to  do  more  than  allow  the  contractors 
for  each  item  as  the  county  was  clearly  under  obligation  to  pay  by  the  strict 
terms  of  the  contract. 

How  far  it  is  proper  for  the  board  to  go  on  giving  liberal  interpretation  to  the 
terms  of  the  contract,  or  in  allowing  extra  compensation  for  work  done,  required 
to  be  done  by  the  contract,  yet  omitted  from  the  contractor's  estimate,  each  super- 
visor should  judge  for  himself.  The  committee  desire  only  to  present  the  facts 
without  recommendations,  leaving  each  member  of  the  committee  as  well  as  every 
other  supervisor  to  act  independently. 

Some  facts  in  the  case  are  as  follows:  While  the  work  is  not  entirely  free 
from  criticism,  it  is  on  the  whole  well  done,  much  of  it  better  than  might  have 
been  expected. 

The  contractors  have  been  held  to  strict  compliance,  without  the  favors  and 
indulgences  commonly,  if  not  usually,  given  on  public  buildings  by  architects  and 
superintendents.  While  it  cannot  be  said  nothing  has  been  lost  by  neglect  or  bad 
management,  on  the  whole,  fewer  mistakes  than  are  usual  on  such  buildings  have 


104  ;   ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

been  made,  and  great  care  has  been  taken  in  procuring  the  best  terms  in  sub- 
contracts and  purchase  of  supplies,  and  on  the  whole,  such  business  has  been 
successfully  done. 

If  held  to  the  strict  construction  of  the  contract  the  contractors  are  heavy 
losers  on  the  job,  even  with  all  the  allowance  they  suggest  to  the  board,  they  will 
not  be  indemnified. 

The  contract  was  made  by  both  the  county  and  contractors,  in  good  faith, 
with  the  expectation  that  it  could  be  performed  for  the  money  stipulated. 

The  errors  in  the  schedule  were  not  discovered  till  the  work  was  well  under 
way.  Much  allowance  must  be  made  for  the  seeming  carelessness  of  the  con- 
tractors in  this.  The  plan  of  the  building  is  different  from  that  of  any  similar 
building.  It  is  very  complicated,  and  although  the  plans  and  specifications  are 
unusually  complete,  a  careful  and  complete  estimate  of  all  its  parts  requires  an 
amount  of  care,  skill  and  time  very  difficult  for  the  contractors  to  give  in  the 
time  limited. 

The  next  lowest  bid,  at  the  letting,  to  that  of  Dawson  &  Anderson,  was  $4,500 
higher,  and  was  made  by  a  contractor  of  experience  in  building  court  houses,  and 
based  on  simple  comparison  of  size  of  building  with  that  of  others  erected  by  him. 
It  may  be  properly  said  that  in  offering  to  erect  the  building  at  the  amount 
named  in  the  proposals  (a  lower  figure  than  would  represent  the  cost),  the  board 
was  misled,  that  while  the  board  was  willing  to  contract  at  that  price  for  this 
building,  the  plan  might  have  been  modified  or  abandoned  if  it  had  been  shown 
to  cost  any  larger  sum. 

On  the  other  hand,  perhaps,  the  building  is  worth  all  it  cost,  with  such  addi- 
lions  as  the  board  may  make  to  the  contractors'  compensation,  and  no  one  would 
wish  to  lose  the  building  for  the  price. 

; .  Nobody  offered  to  perform  the  contract  for  less  than  $4,500  more  than  these 
contractors,  and  if  to  that  party  the  contract  had  been  let,  the  same  questions 
might  have  arisen  with  him. 

If  the  proposition  to  build  the  house  at  less  than  what  the  county  is  ultimately 
called  upon  to  pay,  induced  the  acceptance  of  the  contract,  and  if  no  bid  being 
received  for  less  than  is  now  proposed  to  pay,  the  board  would  have  refused  to 
go  on  with  the  plan.  It  may  be  fortunate  that  the  board  was  deceived  and  led 
into  what  has  proved  for  the  advantage  of  the  county. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  May,  the  clerk  was  directed  to  get  the  foregoing  report 
printed  for  the  use  of  the  board.  !     - 

Mr.  Gale  then  read  the  following  further  report  of  the  building  committee: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supen'isors: 

The  building  committee  recommend  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  retain 
the  control  of  the  building  to  such  extent  as  they  shall  find  necessary  until  the 
next  meeting  of  the  board.  That  they  be  instructed  to  see  that  the  erection  and 
finishing  of  the  building  be  completed  according  to  existing  contracts  and  in  com- 
pliance with  the  instructions  of  the  board,  and  to  settle  contracts  made  by  them 
in  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the  board  and  to  order  the  issuing  of  county 
orders  when  necessary  to  fulfill  such  contracts. 

.;.      They  recommend  the  assignment  of  rooms  as  follows:  ,,,.     .  .  ..: 

;i     Rooms  i,  2  and  3  to  the  county  judge  and  county  clerk.  '^V-  *  -   : 

-.;     Rooms  4  and  5  to  the  circuit  clerk.  .'^    '  -    ' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >;  106 

Room  6  to  the  sheriff  for  an  office.  •       . 

Room  8  to  the  school  superintendent.  .: .,         • 

Room  lo  to  the  county  treasurer. 

Room  9  to  the  treasurer  and  school  superintendent,  the  treasurer  to  have 
precedence,  so  far  as  the  duties  of  his  office  make  it  necessary. 

Rooms  12  and  13  to  the  state's  attorney,  conditional  that  he  occupy  the  same 
in  person,  keeping  his  office  open  during  the  business  hours  the  year  around. 

Room  II  to  the  master  in  chancery  on  like  conditions. 

Room  17  to  the  circuit  judge  as  private  room.  -'     v    .. 

Room  i8  as  a  library  and  waiting  room  for  the  use  of  the  bar. 

Room  19  to  be  attached  to  i8  for  like  purposes. 

That  14  be  set  apart  for  the  exclusive  use  of  ladies.  15  for  a  waiting  room 
for  ladies  and  their  attendants.  21  for  the  grand  jury.  22  and  23  to  be  in  con- 
trol of  grand  jury  when  required.  ;  ; 

That  the  court  rooms  i6,  20  and  30  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  circuit  and  county 
courts,  the  circuit  court  to  have  precedence  in  i6  and  the  county  court  to  have 
precedence  in  20  unless  the  circuit  court  be  first  in  possession. 

That  the  board  of  supervisors  meet  and  organize  at  each  regular  or  special 
meeting,  when  no  other  provision  has  been  made,  in  room  20;  or  if  room  20 
be  occupied  by  one  of  the  courts,  then  in  room  30;  or  if  both  be  so  occupied,  then 
in  room  i6. 

That  the  rooms  assigned  to  the  county  officers  be  in  the  control  of  the  officers 
to  whom  they  are  severally  assigned;  that  the  other  rooms  be  in  the  care  of  the 
sheriff  to  be  made  ready  and  opened,  when  required  for  their  proper  uses ;  that 
the  rooms  not  otherwise  occupied  be  used  as  may  be  needed  for  witness,  jury, 
committee  or  consultation  rooms,  and  by  the  county  officers  when  needed  for 
work  not  conveniently  done  in  their  respective  offices.  ;::;/.. 

That  the  sheriff  be  directed  to  open  the  rooms  in  the  court  house,  when  not 
in  use  for  county  purposes,  for  such  public  or  political  meetings  as  according  to 
the  custom  and  practice  of  the  county,  may  properly  be  held  therein,  such  privi- 
leges to  be  exercised  under  such  conditions  and  limitations  or  extensions  as  the 
board  may  from  time  to  time  provide,  or  as  may,  between  the  sessions  of  the 
board,  be  ordered  by  the  chairman  of  the  board  or  the  building  committee. 

They  recommend  that  the  desk  formerly  in  use  by  the  deputy  county  clerk 
be  given  to  the  coroner  and  placed  in  the  building  as  the  coroner  may,  with  the 
approval  of  the  building  committee,  designate. 

W.  SELDEN  GALE,  Chairman. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Simpson,  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Luther  Clark  that  Col.  Myers  be  requested  to  state  to  the 
board,  if,  in  the  items  of  extras  claimed  by  the  contractor  on  account  of  better 
material  having  been  furnished  than  is  required  by  the  contract,  the  material  so 
furnished  is  better  than  required. 

Friday  Morning,  Jan.  28th,  1887. — The  board  then  proceeded  to  the  consid- 
eration of  the  report  of  the  building  committee  in  relation  to  a  final  settlement 
with  Messrs.  Dawson  &  Anderson. 

Pending  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Anderson  on  said  report.         '.;;.'. 

On  hiotion  the  board  adjourned  to  one-thirty  this  afternoon,  -i    v^; 


V    106  ^    •         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'='•  .'    One-thirty  P.  M. — Board  called  to  order  by  the  chairman. 
:          Present  same  as  this  forenoon. 

The  board  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  building  com- 
"'    mittee,  and  Mr.  Anderson  proceeded  in  his  remarks. 

•-.          At  the  close  of  Mr.  Anderson's  remarks,  Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  reso- 
:''    lution  and  moved  its  adoption : 

/'          Resolved,  That  the  building  committee  be  authorized  to  settle  with  Dawson 

&  Anderson  for  the  work  done  by  them,  and  yet  to  be  done  by  the  terms  of  the 

:••    contract,  to  make  such  allowance  for  extras  and  errors  as  they  think  just,  and 

:'..    to  determine  the  amount  to  be  charged  them  for  delay  in  completion  of  the  build- 

:     ing,  but  the  entire  amount  allowed  for  work  heretofore  done  on  the  building  or 

to  be  done  on  the  contract  as  contracted  by  the  committee  shall  not  exceed  the 

..    amount  of  $121,328.90  in  excess  of  the  amount  charged  for  damages  by  reason 

.     of  delay. 

Mr.  May  moved  as  a  substitute  that  the  matter  of  final  settlement  with  Daw- 
-;    son  &  Anderson  be  postponed  until  the  April  meeting  of  the  board. 

Mr.  Rebstock  offered  the  following  resolutions  as  an  amendment  to  the  mo- 
tion of  Mr.  May : 

>          RESOLVED:  ist.  That  the  building  committee  is  instructed  to  settle  with  Daw- 
son  &  Anderson  on  the  terms  of  the  contract. 

2nd,  And  if  the  committee  find  on  examination  of  Mr.  Anderson's  claims  for 
extra  work  done  on  the  court  house  (any  portion  of  said  claims  are  valid),  that 
f    they  settle  with  him  as  far  as  the  county  is  liable  for  extra  work  done. 
•i          (The  words  in  brackets  above  are  added  by  the  clerk  to  express  the  full  mean- 
ing of  the  resolution.) 

Moved  by  Mr.  Gibbs  that  the  items  of  extras  claimed  by  Dawson  &  Anderson 
be  passed  upon  severally. 

And  thereupon  the  chairman  ruled  the  action  to  be  upon  the  motion  of  Mr. 
May.  ,.-..;  -  (  •  . 

The  votes  by  ayes  and  nays  was  as  follows : 
Ayes — Hunter,  Mosser,  Paden,  Boydstun,  McKee,  Sisson,  May,  Townsend, 

•  Luther  Clark,  Simpson,  Hurd,  Parker  and  Chas  S.  Clark — 13.  -.:[•.'•• 

Nays — Gale,  Cooke,  Olson,  Glisson,  Robson,  Rebstock,  Miles,  Leighton,  An- 
drews, Sloan  and  Gibbs — ii. 

Motion  was  carried.  ''  •   v    •  ; 

.    ..-  .    On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  recommendation  of  the  committee  in  relation  to 

•  the  oak  finish  and  the  ornamental  stained  glass  furnished  by  Geo.  C.  Misch  was 
adopted. 

Mr.  Gale  stated  that  the  building  committee  had  expected  to  present  a  de- 
tailed statement  of  expenditures  on  all  matters  connected  with  the  court  house, 
:      but  owing  to  the  unsettled  condition  of  accounts,  had  been  unable  to  do  so.     He 
moved  that  the  committee  be  directed  to  prepare  such  a  statement  as  soon  as 
possible  and  cause  the  same  to  be  published.    Carried. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Paden  that  we  reconsider  the  motion  of  Mr.  May  to  postpone 
:      action  on  the  report  of  the  building  committee  in  the  matter  of  final  settlement 
with  Dawson  &  Abderson  until  the  April  meeting.  i 

Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows: 
:     :     Ayes — Paden,   Gale,   Boydstun,   Cooke,   Olson,   McKee,   Sisson,  Townsen,d, 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         v^  107 

Simpson,  Robson,  Kurd,  Rebstock,  Miles,  Leighton,  Andrews,  Sloan  and  Gibbs 

—17- 

Nays — Hunter,   Mosser,   May,  Luther  Clark,   Glisson,   Parker  and  Chas   S.  • 

Clark— 7. 

The  motion  prevailed  and  the  report  reconsidered.  •.'.;.. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Paden,  it  was  ordered  that  the  board  pass  on  the  disputed 
items  severally,  and  that  the  building  committee  be  authorized  to  settle  with  Daw- 
son  &  Anderson,  paying  such  claims  as  may  be  allowed  by  the  board. 

The  clerk  then  read  the  first  disputed  claim  for  15,000  brick  placed  in  the 
tower  of  the  building,  $255.00.  .,  :;;;; 

Moved  by  Mr.  Gale  that  the  claim  be  allowed.    Carried. 

The  next  item  was  read,  claim  of  $424.50,  for  extra  cost  of  hardware  in  door 
trimmings. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Cooke  that  the  claim  be  allowed.'  . 

Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows: 

Ayes — Messrs.  Paden,  Gale,  Boydstun,  Cooke,  Olson,  Townsend,  Glisson, 
Robson,  Hurd,  Miles,  Leighton,  Aindrews,  Sloan — 13. 

Nays — Messrs.  Hunter,  Mosser,  McKee,  Sisson,  May,  Luther  Clark,  Simp- 
son, Rebstock,  Parker,  Chas.  S.  Clark  and  Gibbs — ii.  •  /  . 

The  motion  prevailed  and  the  claim  was  allowed. 

The  next  claim,  $292,  for  change  in  window  cases,  was  read. :;.-.; 

Mr.  Miles  moved  to  allow  $192  on  the  claim.  '    •  • 

Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows:  •  •?  ;> 

Ayes — Messrs.  Paden,  Gale,  Boydstun,  Cooke,  Olson,  Townsend,  Glisson, 
Robson,  Hurd,  Miles,  Leighton,  Andrews  and  Sloan — 13. 

Nays — Messrs.  Hunter,  Mosser,  McKee,  Sisson,  May,  Luther  Clark,  Simp- 
son, Rebstock,  Parker,  Chas.  S.  Clark  and  Gibbs — ii.  'V  • 

The  motion  prevailed.  ,     . '     •  -• 

The  next  item,  $2.000  clerical  error  in  addition,  was  read.  ;'  . 

Mr.  Olson  moved  to  allow  the  item.  ':  :: 

Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows:  . 

Ayes — Messrs.  Gale,  Cooke,  Olson.  Robson,  Leighton  and  Sloan — 6. 

Nays — Messrs.  Hunter,  Mosser,  Paden,  Boydstun,  McKee,  Sisson,  May, 
Townsend,  Luther  Qark,  Simpson,  Glisson,  Hurd,  Rebstock,  Miles,  Andrews, 
Parker,  Chas.  S.  Clark  and  Gibbs — 18. 

The  motion  was  lost.  ••-,          -•  '    /'/ 

The  next  item,  $570,  for  concpete  under  inside  walls,  was  read.       ;    •<'• 

Mr.  Cooke  moved  that  it  be  allowed.  -'    . . . 

Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows:  .  .-  r- 

Ayes — Messrs.  Gale,  Cooke,  Olson,  Robson,  Andrews  and  Sloan — 6. 

Nays — Messrs.  Hunter,  Mosser,  Paden,  Boydstun,  McKee,  Sisson,  May, 
Townsend,  Luther  Clark,  Simpson,  Glisson,  Hurd,  Rebstock,  Miles,  Leighton, 
Parker,  Chas.  S.  Clark  and  Gibbs — 18. 

The  motion  was  lost.  :.  .,;. 

The  next  item,  $682.50,  for  basement  floor,  was  read.  •'';;: 

Moved  by  Mr.  Boydstun  that  $500  be  allowed  on  same.  v  't     " 

Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows: 

Ayes — Messrs.  Paden,  Gale,  Boydstun,  Cooke,  Olson,  Townsend,  Robson  and 
Sloan— «.  ; 


108  ?-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;^:|;;; 

:•     Nays — Messrs.  Hunter,  Mosser,  McKee,  Sisson,  May,  Luther  Clark,  Simp- 
son, Glisson,  Hurd,  Rebstock,  Miles,  Leighton,  Andrews,  Parker,  C.  S.  Clark  and 
Gibbs — 16.  ...  .    .  .     -     . 

The  motion  was  lost.  ^  ^\  ^';?'. :?'. ''J/^.  ; :  • 

•  The  next  item,  $770.00  for  gallery  front,  was  read.  >/.•..    =    ' 
Moved  by  Mr.  Gale  that  the  claim  be  allowed.        •      .;.'-•'  •'•  . 

..     Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows:  >'.•.- 

•  Ayes — Messrs.  Gale.  Cooke,  Olson,  Robson  and  Sloan — 5. 

Nays — Messrs.  Hunter,  Mosser,  Paden,  Boydstun,  McKee,  Sisson,  May, 
Townsend,  Luther  Gark,  Simpson,  Glisson,  Hurd,  Rebstock,  Miles,  Leighton, 
Andrews,  Parker,  Chas.  S.  Gark  and  Gibbs — 19.  .  -.,.:,-.•,.••--. 

The  motion  was  lost.  '    . ,      •:  ' 

•  The  next  item  $120.00  for  4  clock  dials  in  tower,  was  read.  -';  '  ,  ; 
;  Moved  by  Mr.  Cooke  that  the  claim  be  allowed.  Lost.  .;'  '•;  . .  • 
':-  The  next  item  $iio.oo,  for  vault  door  was  read.  ;  .,  .-  :  ,'- 

Moved  by  Mr.  Miles,  that  the  item  be  allowed.            '     -  V  ••".  :'• 

:•      Ayes  and  nays  were  called  as  follows :  "' 

Ayes — Messrs.  Paden.  Gale.  Boydstun.  Cooke,  Olson,  Townsend,  Glisson, 
Robson,  Miles.  Andrews  and  Sloan — ii.  j  . :.  '"- 

Xays — Messrs.  Hunter.  Mosser.  McKee,  Sisson,  May,  Luther  Clark,  Sittipson, 
Hurd.  Rebstock.  Leighton,  Parker,  C.  S.  dark  and  Gibbs — 13. 

The  motion  was  lost.  "••    '    I  - 

The  last  item.  $489.00.  difference  between  lime  and  cement  mortar  for  floors. 

Mr.  Paden  moved  to  allow  $300.00  on  this  item.    The  motion  was  lost. 

January  Meeting,  1887. — The  following  are  the  duties  assigned  to  the  janitor 
by  the  committee  and  adopted  by  the  board : 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  janitor:  '    r  ^    • '     '     .  r  •  '  .  1   :;;' 

To  receive  and  store  the  fuel. 

Take  charge  of  the  heating  apparatus  and  grates,  and  to  keep  each  room  in  the  • 
house  suitably  warm,  and  heat  turned  off  when  not  needed. 

To  attend  to  the  water  supply  and  take  care  of  all  closets  and  wash-bowls. 

To  keep  all  offices,  corridors,  court  rooms  and  jury  rooms  well  cleaned  and  in 
good  order,  and  to  keep  in  order  the  basement  and  attic. 

To  light  the  corridors  and  public  rooms  when  needed,  and  turn  off  the  lights 
at  proper  time,  the  work  to  be  done  at  proper  hours  so  as  not  to  interfere  with 
the  use  of  the  rooms ;  to  remain  in  the  building  all  night  to  guard  the  same,  or  to 
employ  for  the  purpose  a  suitable  person  capable  of  taking  charge  of  the  heating 
apparatus. 

To  keep  the  walks  and  lawns,  when  constructed,  in  proper  condition,  to  em- 
ploy at  his  own  expense  so  much  help  as  may  be  needed  to  properly  perform  the 
whole  work.  '  .  j  .  . 

It  shall  be  a  condition  of  the  agreement  that  he  shall  not  leave  the  employment 
on  his  own  motion,  except  on  thirty  days'  notice  to  the  board  in  session,  but  shall 
be  liable  to  removal  by  the  board  at  anytime. 

:        And  your  comhiittee  would  recommend  that  the  compensation  be  $1,200  per 
year. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  building  committee  was  authorized  to  allow  on  the 
disputed  claims  of  Dawson  &  Anderson  a  sum  not  exceeding  the  amount  of  dam- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        \  .. 

ages  which  may  be  claimed  by  the  county,  of  Dawson  &  Anderson,  by  reason  of 
delay  in  the  completion  of  the  building. 

July  Meeting,  1887. — Mr.  Gale  read  the  report  of  the  building  committee  on 
walks,  which  was  also  laid  over  for  future  consideration. 

Mr.  Gale  presented  a  list  of  all  orders  drawn  on  the  treasurer  on  account  of 
construction  of  court  house  and  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  same,  including  heat- 
ing, architect's  fees,  advertising,  cistern,  furniture,  superintendent's  salary,  ex- 
penses of  building  committee,  grading,  gas  fixtures,  mantels  and  sundries,  which 
was  laid  over  for  the  inspection  of  the  board  and  future  action. 

The  report  of  the  building  committee  in  relation  to  walks  being  called  up,  was 
read  by  the  clerk  as  follows :  .  ...  , 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee  have  made  inquiry  as  to  cost  of  various  materials  for  pave- 
ment of  walks  on  court  house  grounds.  ;.  .; 

•They  find  the  cost  of  hard  burned  brick,  such  as  is  used  in  the  city,  will  not  : 
exceed  lo  cents  per  square  foot.    That  the  cost  of  Berea  stone  flagging  laid,  will 
not  exceed  27  cents. 

That  the  competing  propositions,  something  may  be  saved  on  the  brick  and  pos- 
sibly on  the  stone. 

That  the  cost  of  asphalt  concrete  is  not  far  from  that  of  brick,  and  that  con- 
crete of  Portland  cement  is  about  the  same  as  stone. 

The  area  of  walks,  exclusive  of  sidewalk  on  outside  of  the  grounds,  will  be 
12,000  to  16,000  feet,  according  to  the  plans  to  be  adopted  and  width  of  walks. 

The  committee  consider  the  concrete  walks  out  of  the  question.  ; 

'      That  the  preference  should  be  given  to  stone,  except  for  the  excess  of  cost. 

That  on  grounds  of  economy,  the  committee  recommend  the  use  of  brick  for 
material.  =  ;i;\.>'  \  ; 

They  recommend  the  plan  of  walks  heretofore  proposed  and  now  presented,  be 
adopted,  subject  to  such  modification  as  the  committee  may  find  expedient,  not 
materially  increasing  expense. 

That  the  committee  be  authorized  to  contract  for  the  materials  and  work  on 
the  best  terms  practicable,  by  Advertisement  or  otherwise. 

That  the  committee  be  authorized  to  build  one-half  the  walks  through  the 
centeriof  the  park  and  to  agree  with  the  city  for  the  construction  of  sidewalks  and 
street  curbing,  the  county  paying  the  proportion  of  such  expense  paid  by  other 
proprietors  of  frontage  in  like  cases.  -  ?  -''.•?; 

W.  SELDEN  GALE,  Chairman. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Mathews,  the  report  was  accepted,  and  its  recommenda- 
tions concurred  in,  and  the  committee  was  instructed  to  contract  and  complete 
the  walks  in  accordance  with  the  plans  submitted,  said  walks  to  be  made  of  good 
hard  burned  brick,  and  to  be  completed  as  soon  as  possible. 

A  list  of  all  orders  to  date  on  the  county  treasurer  on  account  of  labor  and 
material  used  in  the  construction  of  the  new  court  house  was  presented,  aggre- 
gating $146,453.51. 

Court  house    $113,631.16 

Miscellaneous    items    503.40      '  .' 

Steam  heating 7,072.67      '.;•- 

Architect 4,120.25       ;•'•. 


110                             HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -       . 

Advertising 81.50 

'         Cistern 3O375 

Furniture 10,280.45 

'          Superintendent 2,853.50 

Building  committee    2,736.75 

Sundry  expenses  of  building  committee 50-58 

,      Grading 2,146.56 

.          Mantels   706.00 

Sundries  327-55 

Gas  fixtures 908.06 

Sundry  expenses  and  furnishings 722.33 


Total $146,453.51 

September  Meeting,  1887. — The  clerk  read  the  report  of  the  building  com- 
mittee showing  claims  amounting  to  $684.53.  |  " 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  report  was  accepted  and  its  recommendations  con-  • 
curred  in. 

Mr.  Sisson  stated  that  Prof.  Richards,  of  the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg,  was  present  and  desired  to  present  a  matter  to  the  board  in  regard  to  the 
walks  to  be  built  in  the  city  park  and  bordering  on  the  court  house  grounds. 

By  consent  Prof.  Richards  addressed  the  board,  stating  that  it  had  at  one 
time  been  contemplated  that  a  walk  12  feet  wide  would  be  built  on  the  center 
line  of  Broad  street  continued  through  the  park ;  that  it  was  not  probable  that  a  ' 
street  would  be  opened  through  the  park  and  be  paved  between  the  elm  trees, 
making  a  driveway  of  about  i6  or  i8  feet  wide  and  a  walk  laid  on  each  side  of 
this  driveway  outside  of  the  elms.  He  asked  that  the  county  board  waive  the 
formality  of  a  special  assessment  proceeding  in  court  and  arrange  with  the  city 
to  bear  the  expense  of  this  improvement  equally. 

And  thereupon,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

That  the  building  committee  be  authorized  to  confer  with  the  representative 
of  the  city  and  agree  on  such  division  of  the  management  and  care  of  the  park 
and  court  house  grounds  as  may  seem  to  be  most  advantageous,  and  on  a  equi- 
table division  of  the  cost  thereof. 

(In  offering  the  above  resolution,  Mr.  Gale  stated  that  the  title  to  the  ground 
to  be  occupied  by  the  proposed  street  or  driveway,  was  somewhat  doubtful,  it 
not  being  certain  just  where  it  rested,  and  before  definite  action  on  the  proposi- 
tion of  Prof.  Richards,  the  matter  should  be  investigated. — Clerk.) 

January  Meeting,  1888. — ^ — Your  committee  to  whom  was  referred  sundry 
bills  for  labor  and  material  in  construction  at  court  house  and  grounds  would 
beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report  on  the  matters  before  them.  They  have 
examined  the  bills,  and  finding  them  correct,  they  recommend  that  orders  issue 
for  their  payment,  aggregating  $1,104.26. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  report  was  accepted  and  its  recommendations  con- 
curred in. 

Mr.  Gale  read  a  further  report  of  the  same  committee  on  other  matters  re- 
ferred to  them  for  consideration  and  action  during  vacation.  ,  ...  .  ;.  .  • 

°  ', "'  '^.•:''  .•  /  |.  -  •' .  •', 

To  the  Hon.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen:  • 

The  building  committee  beg  leave  to  report  as  to  their  proceedings  in  vacation. 


,^;;v^v"  ;:       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,          ;      • ;  :      .    'ill 

They  have  caused  to  be  built  of  brick  the  walks  on  the  grounds  heretofore  con-V; ;. 
templated  by  the  action  of  the  board,  except  the  walk  in  the  center  of  the  park; 
they  have  furnished  brick  for  sidewalks  on  the  three  sides  of  the  county  grounds 
which  have  been  laid  by  authority  of  the  city.  In  this  the  rule  usually  adopted 
in  the  construction  of  brick  pavements  in  the  city  is  followed,  the  practice  in  such 
case  being  for  the  city  to  build  the  sidewalks  and  the  proprietors  furnishing  either 
in  part  or  wholly  the  brick.  Upon  constructing  the  pavements,  it  was  found 
that  additional  filling  was  necessary  for  proper  grades.  This  was  increased  by 
some  changes  made  by  the  city  in  the  grade  of  the  city's  portion  of  the  park. 
They  have  made  such  additional  filling  and  grading  as  seemed  necessary.  .  .• 

As  directed  by  the  board,  the  committee  have  sought  to  make  some  agree-  V 
ment  with  the  city  government  for  such  division  and  management  of  the  park 
and  court  house  grounds  as  might  seem  advantageous,  and  for  an  equitable 
division  of  the  cost.  -    . 

The  park  and  court  house  grounds  consist  of  what  appears  on  the  original 
plat  of  the  town  in  blocks  38  and  39  and  a  strip  of  land  6  rods  in  width  appear- 
ing as  a  street  and  separating  the  blocks.  -   ' ''.. 
•       This  street  seems  to  never  have  been  worked  as  a  street,  but  the  two  blocks 
and  intervening  space  have  been  for  more  than  thirty  years  inclosed  together  for 
a  park,  most  of  the  ground  previous  to  that  time  being  always  open  and  in  a      ^-'^ 
state  of  nature.     At  the  time  of  the  vote  on  the  removal  of  the  county  seat,  the  C  . 
city  as  authorized  by  law,  pledged  to  the  county  in  case  of  removal,  the  east  half  ;•;;<. 
of  the  park  grounds  as  a  court  house  site,  the  title  and  occupancy  then  being  in  ^.jr 
Knox  college.     The  city  procured  from  the  college  a  deed  to  the  county  of  block  :  • 
39,  conditioned  on  its  occupancy  by  a  court  house,  and  afterwards  secured  from 
the  college  a  deed  of  blocks  38  and  39,  subject  to  the  county's  claim,  to  be  used 
exclusively  as  a  park.                      '^  V^                                                 .        ,  ,     ;'  ^-'•^.   '.^•-'''~.': 

The  location  of  the  court  house  has  been  made  with  regard  to  the  situation  -     . 
as  supposed  to  be  secured  by  these  proceedings.  .v, 

As  seemed  to  the  committee  equitable,  the  proposition  was  made  to  the  city  -^; '  ' 
council  that  the  county  and  city  should  each  care  for  one-half  of  the  grounds,  :. 
the  county  building,  .all  necessary  walks  to  accommodate  persons  approaching  •  .^ 
the  court  house  or  crossing  the  grounds  in  any  direction  on  the  east  half  and  join-  V 
ing  the  city  equally  in  the  cost  of  such  walk  as  might  be  convenient  on  the  divid-  .  :v 
ing  line.  No  direct  answer  has  been  received  to  the  proposition.  .' 

^       The  committee  learned  through  the  newspapers  that  the  city  council  had  or-  •:.'.. 
dered  the  opening  of  Broad  street  through  the  park,  and  the  paving  of  the  street 
and  sidewalks  on  each  side  of  the  street,  the  entire  cost  to  be  assessed  against  the 
property  abutting  on  the  street.  v  ,; 

The  committee  were  advised  that  the  right  of  the  council  to  open  Broad  street.  ' 
through  the  park  was  at  most  doubtful.     It  seemed  to  the  committee  that  so  far 
as  the  interests  and  convenience  of  the  county  at  large  was  concerned,  it  was 
very  undesirable.     They  failed  to  see  the  justice  and  propriety  of  compelling  the 
taxpayers  of  the  county  outside  the  city  limits  to  contribute  to  the  expense  of 
such  construction,  of  no  use  whatever  for  the  purpose  of  approach  to  the  county 
buildings.     The  injustice  seemed  greater  in  the  fact  that  the  universal  rule  in  . 
the  city  in  like  improvements  has  been  to  charge  only  one-half  the  cost  of  im- 
provements against  the  abutting  property.     They  found  the  cost  assessed  against 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ":^ 

the  county  would  amount  to  about  one  thousand  dollars.  Under  these  circum- 
stances the  committee  thought  it  their  duty  to  ask  for  an  injunction,  which  would 
at  least  delay  the  matter  until  the  meeting  of  the  board.  An  injunction  was 
asked  for  and  obtained.  The  committee  desire  to  refer  the  question  to  the  board 
to  consider  what  further  action  should  be  taken.  The  committee  made  request 
of  the  council  to  curb  Cherry  street  on  the  east  side  of  the  grounds  according  to 
the  plans  adopted  two  years  ago,  and  for  which  the  county  paid  an  assessment. 
They  also  asked  that  Tompkins  and  South  streets  be  curbed,  the  county  paying 
the  proportion  of  expense  usually  paid  by  holders  of  frontage  for  like  improve- 
ments. So  far  as  is  known  to  the  committee,  no  action  has  been  taken  by  the  city. 

In  carrying  out  the  instructions  of  the  board,  there  has  been  expended  on 
the  grounds  by  the  committee: 
Allowed  and  paid  by  the  board  at  the  September  meeting  to  Neeley          I 

C.   Woods   for  brick $    304.02 

Sundry  bills  for  sand,  cinders,  earth  and  labor 386.51 

Orders  have  been  issued  by  the  clerk  since  last  meeting  by  direction  of 

the  committee  for  items  of  earth  delivered,  for  grading  and  work 
'  '  on  court  house  grounds,  as  shown  by  clerk's  report  of  orders  issued, 

to  the  amount  of 511-85 

There  have  been  also  presented  at  this  meeting  bills  the  the  payment 

of  which  the  committee  has  recommended 1,113.46 


'".     ^'  ^:'f.•::  .         ;  $2,315-84 

.    .   ,  .V,  '  \       W.  SELDEN  GALE, 

' '-  '.:•:-:;;''•;:.  ^  -'        .>...-,        .    '•    R.  w.  MILES, 

!:;•        .  L.  A.  TowNSEND, 

•• ,  '       ',"•;-•''-•  '    •     .   -       '.-     •••'          J.W.ANDREWS,    ','•': 

JAMES  PADEN. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McKee  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and  the  action 
of  the  committee  in  relation  to  the  matters  therein  contained  approved. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted.      -.!'•'•.:     { 

That  the  building  committee  be  instructed  to  purchase  suitable  beds  and  bed- 
dings to  lodge  a  jury  in  the  court  house. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  in  regard  to  the  enlargement  of  the 
jury  box,  which  was  adopted. 

'      That  the  building  committee  be  directed  to  secure  a  proper  enlargement  of  the 
jury  box  in  the  circuit  court  room. 

April  Meeting,  1888. — Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  standing  committees  of  the 
board  be  the  same  in  number,  name  and  duties  as  last  year. 

Mr.  May  moved  to  amend  by  adding,  except  the  building  committee,  and  that 
that  committee  be  dispensed  with.  I 

The  ayes  and  nays  being  called  for  were  taken  with  the  following  result: 

Ayes — ^Messrs.  Hunter,  George,  Boydstun,  Rearick,  Cooke,  Sisson,  May, 
Clark,  Simpson,  Sipherd,  Stephenson,  Allen,  Rebstock,  Becker,  Mason,  Baird, 
Shaffer,  McCrea  and  Barlow — 19. 

Nays— Messrs.  Latimer,  Gale,  McKee.  Townsend,  Robson,  Andrews— 6. 
Carried. 

And  thereupon  Mr.  Gale's  motion  as  amended  was  adopted.     -  >. 


;^^^::       ^      ••        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :          .}Vl  '  J     113 

V;.:VV'--:-'/'\A_.  ->;.-;.-^  :  .;_:  .:.     ;';^f.-\- 

Mr.  May  moved  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  members  of  the  board  heretofore  com- 
posing the  building  committee  for  their  efficient  and  faithful  services  connected 
with  the  construction  of  the  court  house.  Carried. 

Mr.  Simpson  moved  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  on  court  house 
and  grounds.  Carried.  .  1,.  .';--•; 

Mr.  May  moved  that  the  committee  be  appointed  by  ballot.     Carried. 

Mr.  Steph(;nson  moved  that  the  five  supervisors  receiving  the  highest  number 
of  votes  be  Declared  elected.  Carried. 

The  chairman  appointed  Mr.  Richey  and  Mr.  Stuckey  tellers.       ;    /':;.?-.': 

There  were  twenty-four  full  votes  cast  for  the  committee  and  one  blank.          ^ 

Of  which  Mr.  Gale  received  20,  Mr.  Townsend  14,  Mr.  Robson  12,  Mr.  Sis- 
son  9,  Mr.  Miles  8,  Mr.  Rebstock  8,  Mr.  May  7  and  the  others  scattering. 

Messrs.  Gale,  Townsend,  Robson  and  Sisson,  being  the  four  receiving  the 
highest  number  of  votes,  were  declared  elected.  Messrs.  Miles  and  Rebstock 
each  receiving  eight  votes,  Mr.  Rebstock  withdrew  his  name,  and  on  his  motion 
Mr.  Miles  was  declared  elected. 

April  1 8,  1888. — Letter  of  Dawson  &  Anderson  and  agreement  between  Daw- 
son  &  Anderson,  Pittsburg  Bridge  Co.,  and  Eagle  Iron  Works  in  regard  to  final 
settlement  of  iron  contracts  for  court  house  were  read  and  referred  to  the  same 
committee;  also  copy  of  letter  of  county  clerk  to  Dawson  &  Anderson,  showing 
statement  of  account  in  the  matter  of  construction  of  court  house. 

April  19,  1888. — Statement  of  Dawson  &  Anderson  asking  for  an  allowance 
of  $4,741.50,  on  account  of  errors  in  estimates  and  of  items  furnished  but  claimed 
not  to  be  required  by  the  contract  for  the  construction  of  the  court  house  was 
read. 

One  P.  M. — The  hour  for  the  special  order  of  the  afternoon  having  arrived, 
Mr.  E.  A.  Bancroft  appeared  and  addressed  the  board  in  behalf  of  Dawson  & 
Anderson. 

Mr.  Bancroft  having  concluded  his  remarks,  Mr.  Latimer  moved  that  the 
matter  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  court  house  and  grounds  to  report  at  next 
meeting  of  the  board.  •  .  ''v/  -  ^  : 

The  ayei  and  nays  being  called  for  resulted  as  follows : 

Ayes — Hunter,  Latimer,  George,  Gale,  Boydstun,  McKee,  Rearick,  Cooke, 
Sisson,  Townsend,  Clark,  Simpson,  Sipherd,  Robson,  Stephenson,  Rebstock, 
Becker,  Andrews,  Mason,  Shaffer,  Barlow,  McCrea.  •  .  .  • '^ 

Nay — Allen,  ../••••  •:^;-..-  -  ••• /;-.v  >-->::.';.;v;-.;:--;,v;v;  •-  ->,"  •/•^-i'  ..      •;•.'•  '•^'-••'''  •.'''•••"• 
Tlje  motion  prevailed. 

Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  report  of  the  same  committee  in  relation  to  mat- 
ters pending  with  Messrs.  Dawson  and  Anderson. 

State  of  Illinois,  )  7-  .ij'^^  ^-''V. x --•'•;  \;  •.•••;.->;..    .  '.'•->- 

Knox  County,     j  ^  '  ,• ;        •; 

BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS,  APRIL  TERM,  APRIL  i8,  A.  D.  1888.      ;       ' 
Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors: 

. -v'.  Your  committee  on  court  house  and  grounds  in  the  matter  of  claims  con- 
.  nected  with  the  contract  with  Messrs.  Dawson  &  Anderson,  beg  leave  to  report : 

It  appears  that  the  amount  found  due  Dawson  &  Anderson  in  February,  1887, 
as  appears  by  the  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  board,  and  by  the  account  kept 
by  the  county  clerk,  was $i  17,797.19 

' '  ' 


^  tv; :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     . .     ' '•^.'^ . 

'.  ..'.;. ,•i^.•  'ixi;:t/'  •'. .         '  "  .'  v  -•  '^    .''•  '' 

Less  payments  which  to  this  date  amount  to 113,631.16 


Leaving  a  balance ....,,.' ......  i....$    4,166.03 

which  amount  has  been  held  back  to  indemnify  the  county  against  any  possible 
claim  against  the  county  by  parties  sub-contractors  for  the  iron  work  on  the 
court  house.  i 

The  papers  referred  to  this  committee  show  a  settlement  between  these  parties 
and  Messrs.  Dawson  &  Anderson. 

The  committee  recommend  that  these  papers  be  filed  and  made  matters  of 
record  and  that  orders  issue  in  conformity  to  such  settlement  as  follows:  ).' .  , 

To  Eagle  Iron  Works,  Detroit $3,750.00 

The  Frost  'Manufacturing  Co 136.83 

Williams,  Lawrence  &  Bancroft lOO.OO 

Dawson  &  Anderson 179.20 

The  committee  further  recommend  that  inasmuch  as  Messrs.  Dawson  &  An- 
derson were  entitled  to  receive  the  amount  of  $4,166.03  one  year  and  more  ago, 
and  the  amount  has  been  withheld  for  the  protection  of  the  county,  and  it  seems 
but  just  that  interest  be  allowed  for  this  detention;  that  a  further  order  issue 
to  Dawson  &  Anderson  on  account  of  interest  to  the  amount  of  $250  or  six  per 
cent,  on  the  amount  due  them  last  year. 

In  the  matter  of  petition  of  citizens  who  have  sat  on  jury  for  enlargement 
of  jury  box,  we  recommend  that  the  request  be  complied  with. 
.       All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  . ,  ;;.     ,'.       Vr:.-  •;,.;     | 

V  .  W.   SELDEN   GALE.   Chairman. 

DETROIT,  MICH.,  MARCH  27th  1888. 
IV.  Selden  Gale,  Esq.,  Chairman  Building  Committee  and  the  Commissioners 

of  Knox  County,  Galesburg,  Illinois.  -'•'••   :'f^     '  .'.  ::^  •^';  'S'sCV'; '.  ^X:'   1 

GENTLEMEN  : — We  attach  hereto  authority  to  Dickenson  and  Thurber,  of 
Detroit,  Michigan,  to  settle  for  all  claims  in  connection  with  the  building  of  the 
court  house  on  behalf  of  the  Pittsburg  Bridge  Company;  also  enclose  a  letter 
directed  to  you  signed  by  the  Eagle  Iron  Works  and  Dickenson  and  Thurber,  at- 
torneys for  the  Pittsburg  Bridge  Company,  empowering  our  firm  to 'make  settle- 
ment with  you  and  your  county  for  all  claims  for  building  your  court  house 
at  Galesburg;  also  enclose  a  letter  from  Messrs.  Dawson  and  Anderson  directed 
to  you  embodying  an  order  that  you  pay  to  us  the  sxun  of  $3,750.00,  and  charge 
the  same  to  their  account.  ;  ,':...':;.':  ;V^  :  I 

Acting  under  the  authorities  shown  by  these  letters  we  do  hereby  for  and  on 
behalf  of  the  Eagle  Iron  Works,  and  on  behalf  of  the  Pittsburg  Bridge  Com- 
pany, fully  and  completely  discharge  you  as  chairman  of  the  building  committee, 
and  the  building  committee  of  the  county  commissioners  of  Knox  county,  and 
the  commissioners  of  Knox  county  and  the  county  of  Knox  from  all  claims  and 
demands  whatsoever  growing  out  of,  or  in  any  way  connected  with  the  building 
or  building  contracts  for  the  building  of  the  Galesburg  court  house. 

We  trust  this  will  enable  you  to  call  your  committee  together  and  act  upon  it. 
This  discharge,  however,  to  take  effect  only  upon  the  acceptance  and  payment  to 
us  of  the  sum  of  $2.750,  in  accordance  with  the  enclosed  order  of  Dawson  and 
Anderson,  otherwise  these  papers  to  be  returned  to  us. 


rv^v'>v'-^ ;/•;.;;::  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V^:.';-       115 

-  If  you  need  anything  further  from  us  kindly  inform  us,  or  let  your  attorneys 
draw  such  papers  as  will  answer  the  purpose.  -'    •  ;       •:":.' 

..-.V. •;';;:'•.    ••.;^  •   •:.  .r.  V.. -^i  ..;>.•.••     Very  truly  yours,  >:;,.•.•  :."'V 

".--'.:-C^  •'-''. ^^•,'.''-  .'  •.-^' ''';-;-••'•' ..^•..  :  MOORE  &  MOORE.      /'^ 

'        ••''"•        •    '         -•^v  :f-     V  PiTTSBURG,  March  I7th,  1888.     {'. 

Commissioners  of  Knox  Co.,  Gdesburg,  III. 

GENTLEMEN  : — We  hereby  appoint  our  attorneys,  Messrs.  Dickenson  and  Thur- 
ber,  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  to  receipt  for  us,  and  in  our  name,  in  full  for  all  amounts 
due  us  on  our  claims  against  the  Eagle  Iron  Works,  Dawson  &  Anderson,  and 
yourselves. 

•  . 'X ''•:'•.•''•.•'.,"'    •'.;•    '  ..  ;V' .C:r.""  '  V:  Yours  truly,       •:;?:.'!•.•/:•.  -x:-- •     -'•.-•-•/••..:•"•'::•:..; 

••-    ;        .'  ^     ^  ^  ;,      .:  THE  PITTSBURG  BRIDGE  Co.,          ,• 

(SEAL)     ;•'•-'     .    v      -   ;    ':     x^.'  '  •  V;  J-  H.  SAWYER,  Sec'y.       , 

'  •   '     ;       •        DETROIT,  MICH.,  March  27,  1888.      ;' 

W.  Selden  Gale,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  Building  Committee  of  Knox  Co.,  III. 

DEAR  SIR  : — Terms  of  settlement  having  been  agreed  upon  between  the  Eagle 
Iron  Works  and  ourselves  for  work  done  and  material  furnished  by  them  for 
the  Galesburg  court  house,  you  are  hereby  authorized  to  pay  them  or  their  order 
three  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ($3,750),  and  charge  same  to  our 
account. : 'V- :;>-.'^"': //•;:;:>•;.;;•-:;/'••••  -./'.•^  .x;'-.  .  -  '^:.  "':':''..v^'- ••' '^  ••'' 

-      -  "      •      '.      ;          -^   ':  '     Very  truly  yours,  -v -' 

•-'^     •-•'•'.'•.'''•;' ^•., --'  —  '-V;  "^ -'j  •"•,       .  ,,  DAWSON  &  ANDERSON.     ''     •; 

•  -     :     ;.     /^         V    -.    -•  DETROIT,  March  20,  1888.      ^ 

W.  Selden  Gale,  Esq.,  Chairman  Building  Committee,  Galesburg,  III. 

DEAR  SIR  : — Terms  of  settlement  having  been  agreed  upon  between  ourselves, 
we  hereby  empower  Moore  &  Moore  to  complete  settlement  with  your  county 
for  all  claims  for  building  court  house  and  to  give  full  discharge  therefor. 

Very  truly  yours,  •    '•>  .   ^ 

v/.^-'.:   \  !...-;•  •^';'-     •'-•'•••;/:'>;,/ 1,'. ;'.•/;;•'  EAGLE  IRON  WORKS,     -.^>' 

by  C.  J.  O'HARA,  Sec.  and  Treas.      V 

Dickenson  &  Thurber,  attorneys  for  Pittsburg  Bridge  Co. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Cooke  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in.  ;.;?;-  ^ 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  on  motion  of  Mr.  McKee 
was  adopted. 

That  the  committee  on  court  house  and  grounds  be  authorized  to  procure  an 
enlargement  of  the  jury  box  in  circuit  court  room.  '  ;  ' :'  -./ 

A  suitable  book  case  to  hold  the  law  books  owned  by  the  county  and  kept  for 
use  of  circuit  court.  .  ... . 

A  suitable  case  as  asked  for  by  county  clerk  for  his  office.  '.'.•''•"'  '•'.'. 

Such  furniture  as  may  be  necssary  for  sheriff's  office.    '  .';'.•'/:. 

That  the  committee  be  authorized  to  make  arrangements  to  procure  water 
for  use  of  court  house  from  the  city,  and  have  the  stone  work  of  the  court  house 
repointed  where  needed. 

That  the  same  committee  be  authorized  to  join  the  city  in  the  construction  of 
such  walks  as  may  be  agreed  on  at  the  boundary  of  the  county  portion  of  pub- 
lic grounds. 

That  the  same  committee  be  authorized  to  consent  to  such  assessments  by 


116  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ::•-•>;'•'- 

the  city  as  are  just  and  proper  for  pavements  and  curbing  adjacent  to  court 
house  grounds,  and  be  directed  to  protect  the  county  from  assessments  which 
may  seem  to  be  unjust  or  of  doubtful  propriety. 

September  Meeting,  1888. — Mr.  Gale  presented  the  following  report  of  the 
building  committee  which  was  read,  and  action  thereon  deferred  until  the  next 
meeting  of  the  board.  :../•''  ''  .'.  '-'  ^V-  'i^  -  :  I;  ; 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

The  building  committee,  in  reference  to  the  claims  of  Dawson  &  Anderson, 
court  house  contractors,  beg  leave  to  report: 

Messrs.  Dawson  &  Anderson  claim  an  allowance  not  yet  made  them  by  the 
board  of  the  sum  of  $1,741.50.  This  sum  is  composed  of  three  items:  i 

Concrete  under  inside  foundation  walls   $570.00 

Basement    floor    682.50 

Lime  and  cement  in  iron  ceilings  489.00 

This  is  work  the  committee  required,  believing  it  necessary  to  the  proper 
construction  of  the  building,  and  claiming  with  some  reason  that  it  was  included 
in  the  specifications  and  plans.  The  work  was  done  by  Dawson  &  Anderson  un- 
der protest,  they  claiming  their  contract  did  not  require  it.  The  committee  did 
not  feel  authorized  to  order  or  allow  for  extra  construction,  and  after  settling 
with  the  contractors  for  such  claims  as  were  indisputably  due,  referred  these 
matters  to  the  board,  believing  if  it  shall  appear  to  the  board,  that  the  terms 
of  the  contract  did  not  require  the  work,  its  necessity  would  be  recognized,  the 
action  of  the  committee  approved  and  payment  ordered.  Upon  re-examination 
of  the  matter  by  the  committee,  under  the  reference  made  at  the  July  meeting,  the 
committee  is  satisfied  that  the  right  to  demand  this  work  is  at  least  doubtful, 
that  the  contractors  in  bidding  did  not  contemplate  doing  it,  and  in  fact,  have 
done  the  work  without  pay  for  it. 

They  are  of  the  opinion  that  there  is  at  least  a  strong  probability  that  the 
contractors  can  legally  recover,  and  they  recommend  that  these  items  be  paid. 
These  items  include  all  that  the  contractors  claim  to  be  legally  entitled  to,  be- 
yond the  payments  already  received. 

They  claim,  however,  that  the  county  ought  to  allow  them  a  further  sum,  a 
claim  not  based  on  any  legal  right,  but  due  them  on  grounds  of  equity  and  fair 
dealing. 

Their  bid  for  construction  was  accompanied  by  a  schedule  in  which  was 
set  down  the  estimated  cost  of  each  item  of  work  and  material.  The  amount 
bid  was  the  sum  total  of  these  items,  with  addition  of  5  per  cent,  to  cover  cost  of 
superintendence  and  contingent  expenses.  In  this  schedule  there  were  three 
important  omissions. 

Nothing  was  set  down  for  the  gallery  front  which  cost  them $  770.00  ,. 

The  iron  door  of  the  vault  costing i  lo.oo     , 

The  dial  faces  in  the  tower  costing  120.00 


•  Total    $1000.00 

The  bid  was  further  reduced  in  amount  by  an  error  in  addition,  the  plaster- 
ing being  carried  with  the  column  of  totals  $2,000  less  than  the  estimate. 

As  to  these  claims  the  committee  made  no  recommendation.     They  do  not 
believe  that  the  county  can  be  legally  obliged  to  make  any  allowance  for  these 


;X     v'      •    •:  <  ^  ;^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  •-    •  •      117 

errors  of  calculation.  The  appeal  is  made  by  them  to  a  sense  of  justice  and 
such  an  appeal  should  be  answered  by  each  member  of  the  board  for  himself,  re- 
garding, as  he  should,  the  opinion  and  wishes  of  his  constituents. 

It  may  be  said  in  behalf  of  the  contractors,  the  woodwork  in  the  building 
being  very  superior,  both  in  workmanship  and  material,  and  although  the  con- 
tractors succeeded  in  getting  it  very  cheaply,  considering  its  character,  its  cost 
to  the  contractors,  aside  from  the  gallery  front,  exceeded  the  estimate  in  the 
schedule,  and  it  is  the  opinion  of  that  member  of  the  committee,  who  is  best 
qualified  to  judge  of  such  work,  Mr.  Robson,  that  the  contract  might  have  been 
filled  with  work  sufficiently  inferior  and  cheaper  to  have  saved  the  loss,  even 
including  the  gallery  front.  The  vault  door  is  very  cheap — the  result  of  a  for- 
tunate opportunity  to  buy  at  a  bargain.  \.  j 

The  contractors  have  been  held  to  a  rigid  performance  of  the  contract  to 
a  degree  unusual  in  public  work.  They  have  done  honest  and  faithful  work. 
If  all  their  claims  were  allowed,  the  cost  of  the  building  to  the  county  would 
be  less  than  anybody  else  offered  to  do  the  same  work  for.  The  contractors 
would  still  be  large  losers,  and  the  committee  do  not  believe  the  work  could 
have  been  done,  and  as  well  done  by  anybody  at  the  cost.  .  .,  .  .  ,.. 

Respectfully  submitted,  '  i '.-  v    "•  v 

•'.•,;•-.;•_'.;.-....•''     .-:•;".'';'••/  •;;.;':-;•  W.  SELDEN  GALE,    .^'v"'^:, ••:•.,;: 

^-'.'  V.'  '"  '•'':'-.•''.  '';'.•  '•  •.'•;'  ^ /,••-•  •-••.;•..;-.  ".••  '\.-i^:V'        LEON  A.  TOWNSEND,    ^-'^-^^ 
-;,    '••':-',;-.  '.. ':  •     '';•''    -   ;'^-::  .'^;v"'  'c  :'^  V :''  '"  V  ;  .    WM.  ROBSON,     ..  .  .^    ..;.,•/;;  I  ; 

; .'''':.  :;"•".:  ..?'.'-.; ;'. .r''; ...;::;;' ^-Cv.;,:;  v^^-^-v^'-; ''• ' ^  R.  w.  MILES,    -'.•;''''. ^v'i-Vi^V-'' 

•^'    •       '—    ;-^    ";••-.:    •:•.'::••;;   .•-:-  '••':"''.':.  c' •'•  H.  M.  SiSSON.     •""••"    '    "•'••''.'•"" 

January  Meeting,  1889. — On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  report  of  the  build- 
ing committee  in  relation  to  Dawson  &  Anderson,  filed  at  the  last  meeting  of 
the  board,  was  taken  up  for  consideration  and  read  by  the  clerk. 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  three  items :  ;:--.*    N,  v 

Concrete  under  interior  walls  of  court  house $  570.00 

Concrete  floor  in  basement  of  court  house 682.50 

And  a  difference  in  cost  of  concrete  used  over  iron  arches  in  the 

court  house  over  that  claimed  to  be  required  by  the  contract 489.00 

And  aggregating   1741.50 

be  allowed  and  paid,  on  condition  that  the  amount  be  received  in  full  of  all  claims, 
whatsoever,  by  said  Dawson  &  Anderson  against  Knox  county,  on  acconut  of 
the  construction  of  the  court  house  and  of  all  matters  growing  out  of  the  same. 
Carried. 

Mr.  Gale  read  the  following  report  of  the  committee  on  building  and  grounds : 
State  of  Illinois,  )  ,..,:-.-.-  .  ,.  '  .-.  .- 

I  QQ  _'.    .     '         '-.       f'      .•'.'.'•'''          .     .  -       ••  •      •       _  :••','•',       ~.       '••  '-      '  •'•"..''  *       .•  -^  '.-  .-.,.'•  „• 

Knox  County,     j      "  '- •;.....--.. 

BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS,  J.\NUARY  SESSION,  JANUARY  9,  A.  D.,  1889.       ?'       , ,; 
Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors:  ;"•;,.  •  ..  .  •• 

Your  committee  on  building  claims  would  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have 
examined  all  claims  presented  to  them,  and  recommend  the  payment  of  the  fol- 
lowing, and  that  the  clerk  be  directed  to  issue  orders  on  the  county  treasurer  to 
the  claimants  for  the  several  amounts  allowed  as  follows,  to-wit:  - 

Conant  Bros.  Furniture  Co.,  jury  box,  bill  $28.15,  allow  $  23.65 

Same,  new  furniture  for  offices   743.67 


;  '      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :::\ :  -  ^-  ^  ;;• " 

•'.  " .  •     '•-  •  .    '    '..-  '-' 

/       Robert  A.  Ross,  setting  up  furniture  .................  ".'. .,'...  1 . . .     10.45 

-  ,  Parry  &  Stevens,  work  on  jury  box 17-42 

,      All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted,  '          ^  ?.,:•  '•r',  • 

^     .     :.v:.^.,  •  .  ;;  '     -          W,   SELDEN  GALE, 

'•-'•'-. '.:?^.'--;>:;^';;  ..       '      .'':,'•,•/-""•':'••.'•''.•.       R.  W.  MILES, 
•  V  '       '    '"^  '  '  '  '  H.  M.  SISSON.     •• 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sisson,  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in. 

At  the  January  meeting,  1889,  a  final  report  of  the  committee  on  buildings 
and  grounds  was  made  and  a  final  payment  was  made  Dawson  &  Anderson, 
general  contractors  on  account  of  the  building.  Final  settlement  was  also  made 
for  furniture  and  putting  same  in  place.  These  two  payments  were  the  final 
payments  and  completed  the  building  so  far  as  it  had  been  planned  up  to  that 
time. 

At  the  April  meeting,  1889,  there  was  a  reorganization  of  the  committees, 
when  the  committee  on  buildings  and  grounds  was  dropped.  ;v "';;.;-  j 

Full  reports  of  the  progress  of  the  work  on  this  court  house  have  been  in- 
corporated in  this  history,  but  we  deem  it  a  matter  of  historic  value  to  add  a 
complete  copy  of  the  annual  report  of  the  county  clerk,  which  was  submitted 
to  the  board  of  supervisors  at  the  September  meeting,  1889,  as  it  shows  the 
financial  condition  of  Knox  county  after  the  payment  of  every  bill  incurred  in 
the  construction  of  the  court  house.  Not  a  bond  had  been  issued  in  aid  of 
this  construction.  An  annual  tax,  sufficient  to  care  for  the  annual  progress 
in  the  work  on  the  building,  had  been  levied  and  many  of  the  tax  payers  of  the 
county  found  it  difficult  to  believe  that  the  work  was  completed  and  paid  for. 
There  was  cash  on  hand  September  i,  1884,  the  sum  of  $23,089.36.  The  board 
made  a  levy  that  fall  of  $80,000  for  all  purposes.  Out  of  this  all  bills  for 
court  house  construction  were  paid  besides  all  bills  for  the  current  expenses 
for  the  county  the  ensuing  year,  leaving  $22,034.43  on  hand,  September  i,  1885. 
The  city  of  Galesburg  owed  the  county  $10,000  for  the  fire-proof,  which  would 
make  $32,034.43  at  the  disposal  of  the  county  board  for  the  ensuing  year.  The 
board  thereupon  again  levied  $80,000  for  all  purposes,  which  made  an  aggre- 
gate of  $113,034.43,  with  which  to  pay  current  expenses  and  work  on  the  court 
house  from  September  i,  1885  to  September  i,  1886.  The  financial  statement 
for  September  1886,  shows  amount  on  hand  $13,474.75.  It  was  thought  best 
to  levy  a  tax  for  $80,000,  which  would  make  an  entire  clean-up  of  all  expendi- 
tures on  account  of  the  new  court  house  and  all  furnishings  connected  there- 
with. This  was  done  and  the  following  report  shows  the  result:  | 

September,  1889. — The  following  is  the  county  clerk's  annual  statement : 

•  .  GALESBURG,  111.,  Sept.  lo,  1889. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

.  I  herewith  present  the  county  treasurer's  financial  statement  for  the  year 
ending  September  i,  1889,  showing  cash  on  hand  $18,788.62.  This  amount  ac- 
cording to  past  experience  will  probably  be  sufficient  to  pay  all  demands  upon 
the  treasury  until  receipts  are  realized  from  the  collection  of  taxes. 

The  proceedings  of  the  board  have  been  published  and  distributed  as  pro- 
vided by  law. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  Dawson  &  Anderson  claimed  a  balance  due  them 


•-'••^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -'^      119 

of  about  $4,840.50,  which  the  board  had  refused  to  allow.     At  the  Januaty 

-:  meeting  of  1889,  the  matter  was  again  considered,  and  three  items  of  said  claun. 

•    aggregating  $1,741.50,  were  allowed  on  condition  that  the  amount  be  received 

;      in   full  of  all  claims  whatsoever  by  said  Dawson  &  Anderson  against  Knox 

:     county  on  account  of  the  construction  of  the  court  house,  and  of  all  matters 

'•1  growing  out  of  the  same.     The  amount  was  paid  and  accepted  on  the  terms 

•  •   named.     The  sheriff's  office  has  also  been  equipped  with  furniture  at  a  cost 

;  of  $313.17.     At  the  July  meeting  of  1887,  a  detailed  statement  of  orders  issued 

;..    on  account  of  court  house  construction  was  presented  and  published,  aggregat- 

'    ing  $146,453.51.     All  orders  issued  since  then  have  been  published  in  detail, 

.    but  it  will  doubtless  be  interesting  to  the  board  and  the  people  to  see  a  sum- 

;.  •  mary  of  the  whole  thing,  including  the  items  above  mentioned.     I  therefore 

:  V  present  them  as  follows,  viz:         .•       .^';:    "••;.;','•;••..  .•••::  -'C'-V; 

-.  Court  house $120,293.59     '';••     • 

_  ;          Steam   heating    7,072.67      >;  'X^ 

;•    ,  ;        Architect   4,120.25     :;  ":^  • ; 

Advertising 81.50     '  .     ./ 

::;x  Cisterns 3O375       x.:'  : 

.  :.  Furniture 10,601.12       K  / 

,  ,          Superintendent 2,853.50      .*-,• 

.     -.  •          Building  committee 3,160.83          .  : 

Grading 2,607.16      -  ^>:/ 

Sundry  expenses 1.049.88      '    .'•  : 

'V  Gas  fixtures 908.06      '.:''•':-'•!: 

Mantels   706.00      ^V.; 

:  ;          Walks 1,941.74     '•'•'•:•]•••: 

Carpets   560.95        ; ;- : 


•  Total $156,261.00         •' 

The  ordinary  accumulation  of  papers  and  files  has  made  it  necessary  to  pro- 
cure some  furniture  not  included  in  the  above.  They  are  omitted  because  they  are 
such  as  will  be  called  for  from  time  to  time  in  the  future,  and  are  not  properly 
chargeable  to  the  account  of  construction,  unless  the  account  is  to  be  kept  open  for 
all  time,  as  is  the  practice  of  railway  companies.  ?;;•;-  .:  ;:  • 

The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  amount  of  claims  allowed  during  the  year 
compared  with  those  allowed  during  the  year  1888.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind 
that  in  making  these  statements,  the  year  is  reckoned  from  September  ist  to  Sep- 
tember ist: 

-^'•'..•^•-..^:''''^-.-:\^:--^'----''^'.::'-:^--.':^^^^^  l888        ^  /;-      1889       ' 

Salary    for   county    judge $  1,500.00        $  1,500.00 

Miscellaneous  bills,  including  supervisors'  services   ....  2,549.32  1,834.48 

Judiciary  and  clerk's  offices 3,512.27  2,845.22 

Jail  and  jail  expenses  5,871.70  7,031.35 

Jurors  circuit  court,  orders  paid 5,579-O5  4,703.55 

Jurors  county  court,  orders  paid 444.10  520.50 

Foreign  witnesses 129.06  295.50 

Roads   and  bridges    2,906.00  1,936.95 

Alms  house  and  farm .' 10,978.29  9,579-93 


120               :•               HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^     -  :       ' 

Outside  pauper  claims  2,023.73  1,447.94 

Charitable  institutions 687.03  .       615.31 

Stationery  and  printing 1,803.21  1,977.06 

Wolf  bounty 360.00  127.00 

Janitor  1,200.00  1,200.00 

Election 1,483.50 

Fuel   549.70  .       580.97 

Refunding  taxes ii-77  ^- "''-       3.27 

Interest  account 95-O2  23.43 

Court  house  4,4i7-53  i,74i-5O 

Walks 1,780.64  .    152.50 

Grading    460.60 

Building  committee 308.30  i3-6o 

Carpet 560.95          

Court  reporter 630.25  . .    685.00 

Court  house  and  grounds 499-52 

Furniture  for  sheriff's  office .  \-^  3^3-^7 

Attorney's   fees,   injunction   suit 150.00 

Criminal  costs  Henry  Co 120.05  


$48,478.57        $4i,;36i.25 

It  is  gratifying  to  note  that  the  expenditures  of  the  county  have  returned  to 
a  normal  figure ;  that  even  with  the  purchase  of  nearly  $800  worth  of  new  furni- 
ture and  the  payment  of  $1,740  to  Dawson  &  Anderson,  the  amount  expended  is 
somewhat  below  the  usual  levy  of  six  years  ago. 

It  would  seem  that  a  levy  of  $40,000  would  be  sufficient  for  the  year.  ' 
It  is  with  pain  that  I  mention  the  fact  that  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  cir- 
cuit court  became  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Josiah  Gale  by  a  railroad  accident 
near  Esterbrook  in  the  state  of  Colorado  on  the  29th  of  August  last.  The  sad 
news  reached  us  in  the  forenoon  of  the  3Oth.  His  honor.  Judge  Glenn,  of  the 
circuit  court,  was  appraised  of  the  occurrence  and  after  consultation  with  the 
attorneys  and  others  interested,  the  appointment  of  Mr.  George  W.  Gale,  brother 
of  deceased,  to  fill  vacancy  until  a  successor  shall  be  elected,  was  made  by  Judges 
Glenn  and  Pleasants,  and  the  governor  was  notified  of  their  act. 

Respectfully  submitted,  •  ! 

'    .        ;  :  'v-  /:      '    '•'_.'::.-'     ALBERT  J.  PERRY,  County  Clerk,  ':_... 

Thus  was  completed  and  equipped  with  every  convenience  for  the  county  of 
Knox  an  elegant  court  house,  thoroughly  well  built  in  every  particular,  for  the 
sum  of  $156,261.00.  It  has  one  fault.  It  was  thought  that  glass  was  more  ex- 
pensive than  stone,  the  windows  were  made  small  to  lessen  the  cost  and  there- 
fore the  halls  and  some  of  the  rooms  are  rather  dark.  With  larger  windows  the 
building  would  be  almost  faultless. 

The  writer  here  desires  to  make  a  few  statements  in  addition  to  all  the  record 
history  given  in  relation  to  the  building  of  this  court  house.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  this  work  the  board  of  supervisors  was  composed  of  the  following  indi- 
viduals: •.  .  ,^  .  :  -. 

M.  B.  Harden,  from  Indian  Point  township.  -    :;.;.;'.;.;';; 

J.  S.  Latifner,  from  Cedar  township.  ,  :?.:;.' 


:-     '\V  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  3-       121 

James  Paden,  from  Galesburg  township.                      ,-  ;  „.  ;--    •'        x/: 

W.  Selden  Gale,  from  city  of  Galesburg  township.  ••-  '\           ,:.'.';,' 

Milo  D.  Cooke,  from  city  of  Galesburg  township.    .    ;;  ;       .'..  •     , 

S.  H.  Olson,  from  city  of  Galesburg  township,      '.j;  -  -     /'      \. 

Thomas  McKee,  from  city  of  Galesburg  township,    n'v.  .     -         / 

Geo.  W.  Foote,  from  city  of  Galesburg  township.        -  ;       '!  /      . 

Samuel  Rankin,  from  Henderson  township.                    '  .;  .      •    , 

Samuel  W.  May,  from  Rio  township.                  ;.'  \;^v    .  .                 ?:.;:;; 

Leon  A.  Townsend,  from  Chestnut  township.     .; ..       .;  .      .        :.....  .  .-.. 

:.-.'.;•      •-.-;.  .     '     •  •.      : -r,      •'_>  -. 

Luther  Clark,  from  Orange  township.  .  •         i  ^^  ,;      .       '1 

A.  G.  Charles,  from  Knox  township.        •    '    '=/..•    ;  ^  =    /       ' 

Harvey  Montgomery,  from  Knox  township.         ;  .'  '  •    ''" 

William  Robson,  from  Sparta  township.       ,  ••.    >    ^     :-  ;..-?: 

J.  W.  Allen,  from  Ontario  township.  •v^^'-y';  ':•',•.::>:'  .  •  ••-     ^^ 

Joshua  Boynton,  from  Maquon  township.          ' '  .  ^i     '  t  :    . 

James  Rebstock,  from  Haw  Creek  township.         ;•  .      '  :  -f     '  .    .  J 

E.  J.  Wyman,  from  Persifer  township.  ;:/V;,..h/  : -•    V 

Wm.  H.  Leighton,  from  Copley  township.  .  r  ,  '  . 

John  W.  Andrews,  from  Walnut  Grove  township.       i-.:  r  -.^  '.:.;> 

John  Sloan,  from  Salem  township.  -•  '-,''..' 

A.  G.  Mathews,  from  Elba  township.         '::';'.'.,  ,        ;;•.... 

W.  H.  Parker,  from  Truro  township.  ..--.'..,  :  •       ^ 

r'    .*     '"     •    •    .   .     '-'••'-.-    •  ,     '  "^       '-•      .•'-'>'    •   .• 

C.  P.  Sansbury,  from  Victoria  township.      ;:••   .;;^^';::r^    .^;:          -        •  '  ^r  / 

W.  B.  Todd,  from  Lynn  township.  ''     '       '  .     -       •     . 

Mr.  R.  G.  Mathews  was  elected  chairman  and  the  building  committee  was 
composed  of  the  following  persons :  Sloan,  Robson,  Gale,  Charles,  Harden,  Leigh- 
ton.  In  1885  Mr.  Miles  was  placed  on  the  building  committee  in  the  place  of 
Charles,  not  in  the  board.  In  1886  Mr.  Townsend  was  placed  on  the  building 
committee  in  the  place  of  Harden,  not  re-elected.  In  1887  Mr.  Andrews  was 
placed  on  the  committee  in  the  place  of  Miles  and  Mr.  Miles  was  added  to  the 
committee  by  vote  of  the  board.  In  1888  the  name  of  the  committee  was  changed 
to  court  house  and  grounds.  The  new  committee  consisted  of  Gale,  Robson. 
Townsend,  Sisson  and  Miles.  It  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Gale  and  Mr.  Robson  were 
the  only  members  who  remained  on  the  committee  from  the  beginning  until  the 
completion  of  the  court  house.  The  only  members  who  are  still  living  who  were 
on  the  board  at  the  time  the  work  was  begun  are  S.  H.  Olson,  Samuel  Rankin, 
Samuel  W.  May,  Leon  A.  Townsend,  Harvey  Montgomery,  James  Rebstock  and 
John  W.  Andrews — seven  members  still  living  and  nineteen  gone  to  their  long 

home.          [-.':.•:••.•••  ^.  ^••.'' ['•":-.-'::::'•--:,.' •\-.'^.-  •''./-...:    '••.•' 

As  already  stated,  it  was  the  writer's  privilege  to  have  been  county  clerk  and 
clerk  of  the  board  of  supervisors  during  the  period  of  court  house  construction, 
and  therefore  to  have  been  intimately  acquainted  with  all  of  these  men,  and  he 
feels  at  liberty  to  speak  somewhat  freely  in  regard  to  them.  The  long  contest 
over  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  from  Knoxville  to  Galesburg  had  divided 
the  county  into  two  opposing  camps,  each  camp  made  up  of  selected  men  who 
were  elected  for  the  express  purpose  of  looking  closely  after  that  one  interest. 
The  board  contained  an  unusual  proportion  of  bracing  men.  It  ranked  high  for 
its  business  capacity  and  strict  integrity.  Not  a  man  was  placed  there  through 


\%>;--:\.  ,'-     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    'v^-V-^v- ;/'•;:; 

his  own  machinations,  but  purely  because  the  people  wanted  him.  It  is  doubtful 
if  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  or  in  fact  any  other  state,  ever  contained 
a  higher  percentage  of  upright  and  capable  men.  Each  man  had  fought  to  the 
limit  for  the  people  he  represented  in  the  county  seat  contest,  and  when  the  bat- 
tle was  over  and  the  order  to  build  was  voted,  there  was  not  a  single  obstructionist 
in  the  board,  but  all  turned  their  attention  and  their  best  efforts  to  securing  a 
good  building  at  the  lowest  price.  Not  one  dollar  of  graft  was  ever  paid  to  any- 
one on  account  of  any  work  connected  with  that  job.  The  actual  cost  of  the 
building  was  about  $7,c«o  more  than  the  county  paid  for  it,  and  it  was  only  by 
the  careful  management  of  the  building  committee  that  the  job  was  completed  at 
all  by  the  contractors.  If  the  committee  had  done  differently,  the  contractors 
would  have  failed  before  the  close  of  the  year  1885,  and  the  work  have  been  re- 
let  to  some  other  parties  at  a  jnuch  higher  price.  The  contract  provided  that 
monthly  estimates  of  work  done  should  be  made  and  paid  for,  less  15%  to  be 
retained  by  the  committee.  It  soon  became  evident  that  the  stone  work  would 
cost  many  thousands  of  dollars  more  than  was  bid,  and  that  if  the  contract  were 
adhered  to  strictly,  the  work  could  not  be  finished.  It  was  made  to  appear  to 
the  committee  that  a  good  profit  would  come  to  the  contractor  in  the  plastering, 
glass,  iron  and  woodwork.  This  work  was  to  be  done  and  paid  tor  later,  so  the 
committee,  rather  than  bankrupt  the  contractor  at  the  start,  take  the  job  off  his 
hands  and  find  some  other  way  to  complete  it,  chose  to  pay  the  full  amount  of 
each  monthly  estimate,  and  on  one  occasion  overpaid  the  sum  of  $2,cxx).  This 
assistance  enabled  the  contractor  to  complete  the  job,  but  owing  to  his  mistakes 
in  figuring,  omissions  and  possibly  bad  management,  his  profits  on  the  other 
classes  of  work  did  not  make  him  whole. 

The  next  work  of  importance  connected  with  the  court  house,  was  the  instal- 
lation of  the  electric  lighting  plant,  the  telephone  system  and  the  remodelling  of 
the  heating  plant,  which  covers  the  extension  of  these  three  conveniences  to  the 
jail.  If  the  board  had  realized  the  full  cost  of  this  work,  it  is  somewhat  doubtful 
whether  it  would  have  been  done,  but  they  are  very  great  conveniences,  we 
may  almost  say  necessities,  under  the  modern  way  of  living  and  doing  business. 
After  more  or  less  discussion  in  the  board,  the  work  was  begun  in  the  summer  of 
1906,  and  the  first  report  was  made  to  the  board  at  the  September  meeting.  These 
reports  are  sufficiently  explicit  to  show  the  improvements  and  are  therefore 
given  without  further  comment. 

December  Meeting,  1906. — Your  committee  on  the  installation  of  the  electric 
light  and  power  plant  have  examined  the  report  of  Adkins-Smeeton  Co.,  and  find : 

1.  That  there  is  an  error  in  said  report  in  stating  the  cost  of  the  light  and 
power  plant  and  the  office  telephone  system  as  follows :    The  item  amounting  to 
$557.95,  with  credits  of  $134.52,  leaving  a  balance  of  $423.43,  in  the  bill  of  Henry 
Newgard  &  Co.,  is  stated  in  the  auditors'  report  to  be  for  "extra  work,  feeders 
underground,"  whereas,  the  bill  of  this  item  shows  that  every  dollat-  thereof  was 
for  material  for  the  underground  system  and  none  of  it  for  labor. 

This  error  is  misleading  in  that  it  apparently  increases  the  labor  bill  by  the 

sum  of  $423.43.      •    •^-       ;  •:.:.;;;•;:';'-••':••:'  •  .-,•:,:•-••;•;;  .•>.''•: -TV 

2.  We  further  note  that  the  auditors'  report  shows  an  alleged  overcharge 
for  labor  on  the  jail  feeders  of  $1,114.83. 

In  order  to  reach  this  result,  the  auditors  have,  evidently  by  unintentional 


;:•;;;;-:->'.•:''     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; :;   - 

mistake,  duplicated  an  item  of  $799.50,  expended  for  labor,  charging  this  amount 
first  to  the  telephone  system,  and  again  afterwards  to  the  jail  feeders. 

The  auditors'  report  makes  an  "analysis  of  cost,"  in  which  the  total  cost 
of  the  telephone  system  is  figured  at  $1712.  In  this  amount  is  included  a  bill  of 
Henry  Newgard  and  Co.,  for  $1542.85,  consisting  of  materials  amounting  to 
$514.35,  and  labor  as  follows:  ..  ^•-  </••  •;  ^•;•  x-;  :^:\f  •;^''::'v  .  -.  -;  "  ^ 

Colly,  282  hours $211.50  • 

X,     •     Nordberg,  365   hours 219.00          ' 

;  •:  •      Hall,  333  hours 199.80 

I        Johnson,  284  hours 1 13.60        y 

;      :       Krouse,  280  hours 168.00         C; 

;    >:        Crane,  224  hours 89.60          ^^ 

;      :J      Allen,  2  hours 1.20        .:V; 

Carpenter,  i8  hours io.8o 

Plasterers,  25  hours 15.00          •  ' 


"     •'    '  Total  :', V. $1,028.50        '    '' 

When  the  auditors  come  to  analyze  the  cost  of  the  jail  feeders,  they  again  in-; 
elude  a  labor  item  amounting  to  $799.50.    This  item  consists  of  the  same  labor 
above  mentioned  and  already  charged  to  the  telephone  system,  apparently  as  fol- 
lows : 

Colly,  282  hours    $21 1.50        .  v 

Nordberg,  365  hours 219.00          '  '^ 

Hall,  333  hours 199.80        :'•:. 

.•'.      Krouse,  280  hours i68.oo          / 

;.       Allen,  2  hours 1.20 


Total  $799-50 

Thus  according  to  the  auditors'  "analysis,"  this  item  of  $799.50  is  duplicated 
and  charged  to  the  jail  feeders  when  in  fact  it  has  already  been  charged  to  the 
telephone  system.  In  this  way,  by  adtling  this  sum  of  $799.50  to  the  correct  bill 
for  the  jail  feeders  which  amounts  to  $448.16,  the  auditors'  report  figures  the  total 
labor  cost  of  the  jail  feeders  to  be  $1,247.66,  or  nearly  three  times  the  true  amount 
thereof. 

It  is  therefore  evident  that  the  auditors'  finding  as  to  the  over  charge  of  labor, 
being  based  on  these  incorrect  figures,  is  also  incorrect.  .: 

3.  We  further  report  that  in  figuring  the  alleged  overcharge  the  auditors  have 
estimated  the  labor  cost  on  the  jail  feeders  to  amount  to  $138.83.  This  estimate 
is  not  based  on  any  inspection  of  the  work  actually  done,  nor  upon  any  expert 
knowledge  of  its  cost  or  its  value,  but  is  based  solely  upon  an  estimate  as  to  the 
time  required  for  the  work  apparently  founded  on  Mr.  Allen's  report.  Mr.  Allen's 
report  in  this  particular  is  evidently  defective  and  incomplete,  inasmuch  as  the 
auditors  estimate  the  time  of  work  required  on  the  jail  feeders  at  271^  hours  when 
it  is  evident  to  any  one  who  will  carefully  inspect  the  work,  that  it  could  not,  by 
any  possibility,  have  been  completed  in  that  length  of  time.  -.  .  .  •. : 

Your  committee  further  calls  the  attention  of  the  board  to  the  fact  that  the 
total  labor  cost  on  the  jail  feeders  is  $448.16  instead  of  $1,247.66.  as  stated  in  the 
auditors'  report ;  that  this  item  of  $448.16  includes  not  only  the  digging  of  the  ditch 


124  V         :       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •;        ^   . 

for  the  conduits,  but  also  cutting  through  the  heavy  foundations  of  the  court 
house  and  jail,  repairing  the  same  with  concrete  and  cement,  and  putting  them  in 
as  good  condition  as  before,  taking  up  and  relaying  the  side  walk  in  three  places, 
taking  up  and  relaying  the  pavement  on  Cherry  street,  which  was  crossed  diag- 
onally, and  the  placing  and  tamping  down  of  three  iron  pipes  constituting  the 
conduit.  This  work  was  done  in  the  winter  when  the  ground  was  frozen  and  in 
refilling  the  trench,  the  dirt  had  to  be  dissolved  in  water.  In  addition  to  the 
cost  of  laying  the  conduit  there  was  the  labor  of  pulling  the  cable  and  wires 
through  the  conduits  and  putting  them  in  place. 

-^  •••;;..  ^  ;.  JAMES  A.  EPPERSON, 

''.'/''    J':>-'-r, '••   •  \  ,/,.';    •;  /.   -'^     E.  V.  ALLEN, 

E.  P.  ROBSON. 

An  extended  discussion  followed  relative  to  matters  pertaining  to  the  special 
reports  of  the  lighting  committee  by  Supervisors  McDowell,  Gale,  Latimer, 
Robson,  Epperson,  McWilliams  and  Burkhalter. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McWilliams  the  board  adjourned  until  one  o'clock  p.  ni. 

One  o'clock  p.  m. — Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present — Same  as  this  forenoon.  ••.''-.••  :        -    ^  V,:-     •>  ;'':.n  ':'•!'       ' 

Mr.  Robson  of  the  jail  committee  then  made  further  verbal  statements  rela- 
tive to  the  lighting  plant  for  the  court  house  and  jail  and  the  discussion  of  that 
subject  and  the  telephone  system  was  resumed  by  various  members  of  the 
board. 

December  meeting,  1906. — Statement  of  the  cost  of  the  purchase  and  in- 
stallation of  the  electric  light  and  power  plant  for  the  court  house  and  jail  and 
telephone  system  for  same  buildings. 

Contract  price  with  Henry  Newgard  &  Co.,  which  included  wiring  of 
'    buildings,  engine,  generator  and  storage  battery,  and  the  connecting 

of  the  engine  with  the  steam  plant  of  the  court  house   $  5.311.00 

Extra  on  larger  engine  and  generator  than  stated  in  original  contract        150.00 

Contract  price  with  David  J.  Braun  Mfg.  Co.,  fixtures  2,834.20 

Hanging  fixtures  (Henry  Newgard  &  Co.)  not  in  original  contract..  200.00 
Material  and  labor  on  underground  conduits  not  contemplated  when  |-  . 

original    specifications    were   made    871.59 

Light  bulbs,  glass  shades,  and  fuses,  not  included  in  contract 594.48 


Total   cost  of    lighting   plant $9,961.27 

Material  and  labor  necessary  for  repairing  and  remodeling  the  steam 
plant  and  placing  same  in  safe  condition  for  furnishing  power, 
which  said  material  and  labor  was  found  to  be  necessary  only  after 
the  work  of  connecting  the  steam  plant  with  the  engine  was  begun  $  2,635.25 

The  telephone  system,  which  was  a  separate  job  from  the  others  and 
not  contemplated  when  the  original  contract  was  let,  was  installed 
along  with  the  wiring  for  lighting  plant  because  deemed  an  econ- 
omy of  time  and  labor  $  1,712.60 

Edwin  A.  Allen,  superintendent,  which  item  of  cost  covers  the  super-  T 
intendence  and  inspection  of  the  three  foregoing  jobs,  viz:  wiring 
and  installing  of  electric  plant,  hanging  fixtures,  remodeling  heat- 
ing plant,  and  installation  of  telephone  system   654.28 


•/••^;'-'^;':v;.;''v.;;--:.'v.;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^,;•v        •    - •;^;.;;; 
Extra  janitor  service 664.90 


Total  cost  of  lighting  and  power  plant,  heating  plant  and  telephone. $15,628.30 
One  bill,  "Job  No.  8888  contract"  included  in  auditors' 

report  and  which  bill  is  not  allowed  or  to  be  allowed.  .$74.62  ',;.•; 
Error  in  statement  of  American  Electric  Supply  Co.,  and  ;;  i'' 

.    amount   actually   paid    i  .00  75-^2 

Making  the  total  as  per  auditors'  report   $15,703.92 

.  The  bills  for  all  the  above  amounts,  and  the  receipts  for  the  payments 
thereon,  or  for  county  orders  issued  therefor  are  on  file  in  the  county  clerk's 
office. 

Out  of  the  total  cost  of  the  lighting  plant,  $9,961.27,  there  might  be  de- 
ducted an  amount  of  about  $2,500.00,  being  the  estimated  cost  of  engine,  gen- 
erator and  storage  battery,  making  a  cost  of  $7,461.27  as  the  amount  necessary 
to  have  been  expended  in  order  to  purchase  electric  current. 

Amounts  paid  Galesburg  Gas  &  Electric  Light  Company  for  lighting  county 
^ail  and  court  house : 

.    ;•    ..   For  the  year  1901   $  643.38    V    /-:, 

•  For  the  year  1902 882.10  .  .y;'  '.. 

:         For  the  year  1903 947-54     •^:  7'$.; 

;  For  the  year  1904 1,023.10       'v'",' 

For  the  year  1905 1,253.26    r^    - 

••'•'>"'V'' ^'- ;•  .    '•'•••...••':'      -  -  V- '.^"-'f'  :''.-•'.,•;:..•;;/••;'.{.•.••.    JAS.   A.  EPPERSON,      '".:•.".'-/;''' 

'^•.     '^."    •''.'_;          .        •"''•.-''"'•;•.•'-;'''.•••'-    V'^X. •/-'.-•;'       E.    p.    ROBSON,  •-  . .  \:- ?''V''^ 

;•:';;•./.;..    ',.:'^V       '•  '   -       ,      .^V7''v''''      '''••';.'••    Vv-V,     J.    L.    MclLRAVY,  •       ;';;V 

'•'••'::'••"•''••'••''/•'.':',''  '•..  X"'--''''^r'/';"r''^';''^'. !'••''"••"  \:'    J-   L.    BURKHALTER,  •'^:',-:;., 

':-i^V   •'.;•'..     •".   :•    '  :  ,     •'.  .";--/.;!>v:.   ':.'•:.''   ,:-:-V.:;>,--^;,     E.    V.    ALLEN,  "/\^-'',--' 

''•••.   '••.•'•''•'':••'  •/.•"•    -';'-^-    '.-i'-' ".•'.^'  •'  '.  .'•••'..^•'•-^'--'''''    --•••...-..          Committee.    •••:  . 


;.       ;          "        FIRE  PROOF  BUILDING— KNOXVILLE  ;;^-l:- 

An  account  of  the  construction  of  the  building  known  as  the  fire  proof  at 
Knoxville  may  properly  be  considered  as  a  supplement  to  the  account  of  court 
house  building.  It  was  begfun  in  the  summer  of  1854  and  was  settled  for  in  full 
February  9,  1856,  although  the  receipt  was  not  filed  until  the  May  meeting,  1856. 

The  following  is  the  brief  record  history  of  the  construction  of  this  building: 

June  meeting,  1854. — At  the  June  meeting  of  the  board  of  supervisors  1854 
bids  for  the  construction  of  fire  proof  offices  were  presented,  opened  and  acted 
upon  as  follows: 

The  board  in  pursuance  to  notice  given  now  proceeded  to  open  the  bids  for 
building  fire  proof  offices,  two  bids  only  were  offered,  Samuel  Fox  having  made  a 
bid  for  building  the  said  offices  of  $5,375.00  and  Edson  Huggins  for  the  sum  of 
$5,700.00.  :  . 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Reynolds  it  was  voted  that  the  bid  of  Samuel  Fox  for 
the  fire  proof  offices  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  public  buildings  to  consult 
with  Mr.  Fox  in  regard  to  the  payments  and  the  time  of  completing  the  same,  etc. 


126  .     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

;  The  committee  on  public  buildings  and  grounds  to  whom  was  referred  the 
proposition  and  to  consult  with  Mr.  Fox  in  reference  to  the  building  fire  proof 
offices  now  filed  a  report  which  was  read  and  adopted  by  the  board. 

Resolved,  That  the  bid  of  Samuel  Fox  be  accepted  upon  the  basis  of  the  re- 
port submitted  this  morning,  in  relation  to  the  fire  proof  buildings,  and  that  Z. 
Cooley  be  appointed  to  superintend  the  building,  construction  and  completion  of 
the  same,  and  that  the  committee  on  public  buildings  close  the  contract,  and  take 
bond  of  the  contractor. 

Mr.  Gale  moved  to  lay  the  resolution  on  the  table  till  the  next  September 
meeting  of  this  board.  '  •  %.  ;  -  .  '  .v;  -  "H.V -'-'r  ;  .J  v/M-.'.  i 

Mr.  Reynolds  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays  on  the  motion,  which  resulted 
as  follows : 

-  Yeas— W.  S.  Gale,  J.  McMurtry,  R.  Heflin,  T.  H.  Taylor,  J.  Hammond,  J. 
G.  Hamrick,  G.  W.  Manley,  J.  H.  Nicholson.  Nays — Daniel  Meek,  H.  A.  Kelly, 
S.  Collins,  H.  G.  Reynolds,  Wm.  M.  Dark,  I.  O.  Stanley,  A.  Ward,  M.  B.  Mason, 
T.  H.  Ross,  J.  L.  Jarnagin,  Jonathan  Gibbs. 

The  vote  was  then  taken  by  yeas  and  nays  on  the  passage  of  the  resolution 
which  resulted  as  follows:  -  I 

Yeas— D.  Meek,  H.  A.  Kelly,  S.  Collins,  H.  G.  Reynolds,  Wm.  M.  Clark, 
I.  O.  Stanley,  A.  Ward,  M.  B.  Mason,  T.  B.  Ross,  J.  L.  Jamagin,  Jonathan 
Gibbs.     Nays — W.  S.  Gale.  J.  McMurtry,  R.  Heflin,  T.  H.  Taylor,  J.  Hammond, 
J.  G.  Hamrick,  G.  W.    Manley,  J.  H.  Nicholson. 
:       Resolution  adopted.  .:';;.       :^         .:    'V  >..,.,:;:,'.•',,.  |.     O 

By  the  December  meeting  the  construction  of  the  fire  proof  building  had 
reached  a  point  where  the  board  of  supervisors  found  it  advisable  to  adopt  the 
following  resolution : 

On  motion  it  is  ordered  that  the  superintendent  of  the  building  of  the  fire 
proof  offices  be  authorized  to  draw  orders  in  favor  of  Samuel  Fox  from  time 
to  time  in  such  sums  as  he  shall  judge  advisable  in  accordance  with  the  contract 
between  said  Fox  and  the  building  committee. 

The  board  of  supervisors  again  took  action  on  the  fire  proof  building  at  the 
January  meeting  1856,  as  follows:  .  :.  :.-  •  .|  ; 

To  the  Hon.  Body  of  Supervisors  of  Knojc  county,  III.: 

Report  of  the  committee  to  whom  was  appointed  to  examine  the  account  of 
Samuel  Fox  in  building  of  the  fire  proof  building  do  report  that  we  have  exam- 
ined said  account  and  find  according  to  the  best  information  we  can  get  to  be 
correct,  the  said  Fox  agrees  to  have  the  two  offices  ready  for  occupancy  in  two 
weeks  and  to  have  the  building  completed  by  the  ist  day  of  May  for  the  per- 
formance of  which  he  agrees  to  give  sufficient  security,  in  consideration  of  which 
your  committee  recommend  that  the  board  of  supervisors  make  a  final  settle- 
ment with  said  Fox  and  allow  him  over  and  above  his  account  $500  for  his  time 
and  work  not  presented  in  his  bill.  Your  committee  find  from  examination  of 
the  building  and  all  the  information  that  we  can  get  that  the  work  is  done  in  the 
most  satisfactory  manner.  "•  '.  '^  -: 

Knoxville,  July  15,  1856.  .       ;     v'" 

.         ,  GEO.   A.   CHARLES, 

,:   '-^..^  %:,;;-V^       ,  •  '    :       •  "'  .  ]   -^'•;  '-•'    -.'  •       F.  B.  ROSS,  ,^> 

.'.-:-'•;':•''•  -•.''"'..'•:••••''  I.  R.  JOHNSTON,      ^^ 

.-.  ".T.'^"..''  .-.•  '  '          ^  .     .  '  ,  '.-   -  ,-'-'•  , ,'     •'••'    ••;•."•  •'-'.:.'    Committee. 


V:  ;/:>;:::/••,:-        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        .    f-'^' 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  Mr.  Fox  be  allowed  $500  above  the  contract  price,  $350 
to  be  paid  now  and  $150  on  the  completion  of  the  building.  .  r 

Mr.  Johnston  moved  to  amend  the  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  by  substituting  the 
report  of  the  committee. 

Motion  on  the  amendment  carried.  '        .         .        -..-i 

Moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  adopted  and  that  Samuel  Fox 
be  allowed  $1,167.39  above  the  contract  price.  Adopted.  -^  .,-.;:;.  :.v:-v' 

ORDERED  :  That  Geo.  A.  Charles  be  and  he  is  appointed  by  the  board  to  settle 
with  Samuel  Fox  on  the  completion  of  the  fire  proof  offices  according  to  contract. 
'  On  the  7th  of  January,  1856,  the  fire  proof  building  was  again  the  subject  of 
action  by  the  board :  '  ;• 

ORDERED:  That  Messrs.  Morey  and  Cooley  be  authorized  to  have  the  fire  proof  ' 
office  fitted  in  a  suitable  manner  and  render  bill  at  the  next  meeting  of  this  board. 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  Geo.  A. 
Charles  for  twenty-seven  hundred  dollars  to  pay  to  Samuel  Fox  on  his  con- 
tract for  building  the  fire  proof  offices  upon  said  Fox  filing  and  giving  good 
security  for  the  finishing  of  said  offices  to  be  by  him  approved. 

May  meeting,  1856. — Geo.  A.  Charles,  who  was  appointed  at  the  last  meet- 
ing of  the  board  (in  January  last)  to  settle  with  Samuel  Fox  for  building  the 
clerk's  offices  and  to  whom  an  order  was  passed  by  this  board  at  that  time  for 
the  sum  of  twenty-seven  hundred  dollars  for  the  purpose  of  making  such  set-  ,. 
tlement  upon  said  Fox  completing  his  contract,  now  files  and  presents  to  the 
board  receipts  from  said  Fox  for  said  sum  which  receipts  are  in  the  words  and 
figures  following:  '.'...; 

It  appears  that  Mr.  Charles  paid  Samuel  Fox  upon  said  fire  proof  building 
on  February  9,  1856,  the  sum  of  $2,700  and  receipts  for  the  same  having  been 
presented  to  the  court  his  report  of  settlement  with  said  Fox  was  received  and 
the  following  order  entered:  •  >  1 

On  motion  it  is  ordered  that  the  report  of  Geo.  A.  Charles  in  the  business  of 
settling  with  Samuel  Fox  be  received  and  that  he  be  discharged. 

This  building  was  used  as  a  fire-proof  depository  for  the  valuable  records 
of  Knox  county  from  the  time  of  its  completion  until  February,  1873,  ^  period 
of  about  seventeen  years,  when  the  county   seat  was  removed  to  Galesburg. 
The  books  were  then  put  into  a  building  also  called  the  fire-proof,  situated  on 
South  Cherry  street  on  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  new  city  hall.     This  build-  - ' 
ing  was  used  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the  county  records  until  the  new  court 
house  was  ready  for  occupancy.     The  county  offices  moved  into  the  new  court  v' 
house  about  January  5,  1887.       :  .  ;..-:-  .T^-  .  .:   •••,    -^  -  ••-::=,  .^    S;;    '.- 


;x'>.r'.V^^>     ;V  /  ;  .    THE  COUNTY  SEAT  FIGHT    . 

The  struggle  for  the  final  location  of  the  seat  of  justice  of  Knox  county 
was  characterized  by  much  the  same  tactics  on  the  two  sides  as  has  always 
attended  such  social  wars.  It  has  been  related  in  this  history  that  the  first 
courts  and  elections  were  held  at  the  house  of  John  B.  Gum,  Esq..  who  resided 
on  Section  32  in  Henderson  township  at  that  time.  On  March  24,  1830,  Rees 


128          .:  .        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -X;;!^ 

Jones  was  employed  to  go  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  purchase  the  southwest 
quarter  of  Section  28,  Knox  township,  which  had  been  designated  by  law  for 
the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  the  county.  This  land  was  bought  and  paid 
for  and  the  court  house  and  jail  erected  upon  it.  A  portion,  at  least,  of  the  land 
so  purchased  was  surveyed  into  streets  and  lots  and  sold  at  auction  and  thus 
the  town  of  Henderson  (afterwards  the  name  was  changed  to  Knoxville)  was 
started  as  the  permanent  "seat  of  justice."  The  town  of  Galesburg  was  started 
in  1836.  Knox  college  was  chartered  in  1837  and  thus  there  ^yas  established  a 
competitor  with  Knoxville  only  five  miles  away.  Both  towns  increased  in  pop- 
ulation at  about  the  same  rate  and  did  not  differ  very  much  until  the  advent  of 
the  railroads  in  1854  as  the  result  of  negotiations  which  had  been  in  progress 
for  three  or  four  years.  No  sooner  had  the  railroad  reached  Galesburg  than  she 
turned  her  covetous  eyes  to  the  county  seat  and  quietly  laid  plans  for  wresting 
the  prize  from  Knoxville.  The  centering  of  the  railroads  from  the  north,  south, 
east  and  west  and  the  location  of  shops  and  round  houses  at  Galesburg  gave  the 
town  a  boom  that  raised  the  population  rapidly,  doubling  that  of  Knoxville  sev- 
eral times. 

From  that  time  on  may  be  seen  in  the  acts  of  the  board  of  supervisors, 
sometimes  dimly,  sometimes  vividly,  the  out-cropping  of  this  contest,  each  side 
taking  the  aggressive  and  acting  upon  the  defensive  as  the  case  demanded.  The 
aggressive  policy  of  Galesburg  was  directed  to  an  increase  of  its  power  and 
influence  in  the  county  board ;  its  defensive  policy  to  prevent  all  further  im- 
provements at  Knoxville.  The  policy  of  Knoxville  was  upon  the  whole  de- 
fensive in  resisting  the  growth  of  the  power  and  influence  of  Galesburg.  Both 
parties  sought  legislative  relief ;  Galesburg  by  obtaining  a  bill  for  the  division  of 
the  township  from  the  city  in  such  a  way  as  to  increase  its  representation  in 
the  county  board ;  Knoxville  by  inserting  a  clause  in  the  new  constitution  touch- 
ing the  removal  of  county  seats  from  a  point  away  from  the  center  of  the 
county  to  a  point  nearer  the  center  of  the  county.  T  '  -  •  • 

Quite  a  large  part  of  this  struggle  will  be  found  in  the  chapters  on  court 
houses,  jails  and  the  alms  house  and  poor  farm.  This  chapter  gives  those  pro- 
ceedings of  the  county  board  which  have  a  more  direct  bearing  on  the  conflict 
and  it  is  therefore  given  under  the  heading  "The  County  Seat  Fight."  The 
first  move  was  made  by  Galesburg  in  the  spring  of  1856.  ;  ,•:.;. 

At  the  spring  election  of  1856  an  assistant  supervisor  for  the  town  of  Gales- 
burg was  voted  for.  Samuel  W.  Brown  was  elected  and  he  presented  his  cer- 
tificate of  election  at  a  special  May  meeting  of  the  board  and  the  following 
action  was  taken.  '  .  -  v;  •  ,  :  ^  .  ^  I  ' 

Samuel  W.  Brown  now  presents  to  the  board  his  certificate  of  election  as  as- 
sistant supervisor  of  the  town  of  Galesburg,  together  with  a  list  of  legal  voters 
of  said  township  made  under  the  authority  of  the  township  officers  with  the  ap- 
pointment of  said  officers  to  take  the  same  from  which  it  appears  that  said  town- 
ship contained  829  legal  voters  on  the  ist  day  of  April  last — when  on  motion  it 
was  voted  that  Samuel  W.  Brown  be  entitled  to  his  seat  as  a  member  of  this 
board. 

January,  1866. — Mr.  Gale  presented  a  petition  of  citizens  of  Galesburg  asking 
a  division  of  said  town,  which  on  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  was  referred  to  a  committee, 
the  chair  appointing  Messrs.  Gale,  \^aughn  and  Dunlap,  with  instructions  to  re- 
port to  the  present  meeting  of  the  board. 


.,    THK   FIRST    KXOX    COUNTY   JAIL 


THE  OLD  COURT  HOUSE  AT  KNOXVILLE 


128  .        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Jones  was  employed  to  go  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  purchase  the  southwest 
quarter  of  Section  28,  Knox  township,  which  had  been  designated  by  law  for 
the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  the  county.  This  land  was  bought  and  paid 
for  and  the  court  house  and  jail  erected  upon  it.  A  portion,  at  least,  of  the  land 
so  purchased  was  surveyed  into  streets  and  lots  and  sold  at  auction  and  thus 
the  town  of  Henderson  (afterwards  the  name  was  changed  to  Knoxville)  was 
started  as  the  permanent  "seat  of  justice."  The  town  of  Galesburg  was  started 
in  1836.  Knox  college  was  chartered  in  1837  and  thus  there  was  established  a 
competitor  with  Knoxville  only  five  miles  away.  Both  towns  increased  in  pop- 
ulation at  about  the  same  rate  and  did  not  differ  very  much  until  the  advent  of 
the  railroads  in  1854  as  the  result  of  negotiations  which  had  been  in  progress 
for  three  or  four  years.  No  sooner  had  the  railroad  reached  Galesburg  than  she 
turned  her  covetous  eyes  to  the  county  seat  and  quietly  laid  plans  for  wresting 
the  prize  from  Knoxville.  The  centering  of  the  railroads  from  the  north,  south, 
east  and  west  and  the  location  of  shops  and  round  houses  at  Galesburg  gave  the 
town  a  boom  that  raised  the  population  rapidly,  doubling  that  of  Knoxville  sev- 
eral times. 

From  that  time  on  may  be  seen  in  the  acts  of  the  board  of  supervisors, 
sometimes  dimly,  sometimes  vividly,  the  out-cropping  of  this  contest,  each  side 
taking  the  aggressive  and  acting  upon  the  defensive  as  the  case  demanded.  The 
aggressive  policy  of  Galesburg  was  directed  to  an  increase  of  its  power  and 
influence  in  the  county  board ;  its  defensive  policy  to  prevent  all  further  im- 
provements at  Knoxville.  The  policy  of  Knoxville  was  upon  the  whole  de- 
fensive in  resisting  the  growth  of  the  power  and  influence  of  Galesburg.  Both 
parties  sought  legislative  relief ;  Galesburg  by  obtaining  a  bill  for  the  division  of 
the  township  from  the  city  in  such  a  way  as  to  increase  its  representation  in 
the  county  board ;  Knoxville  by  inserting  a  clause  in  the  new  constitution  touch- 
ing the  removal  of  county  seats  from  a  point  away  from  the  center  of  the 
county  to  a  point  nearer  the  center  of  the  county.  '  '  j  .. 

Quite  a  large  part  of  this  struggle  will  be  found  in  the  chapters  on  court 
houses,  jails  and  the  alms  house  and  poor  farm.  This  chapter  gives  those  pro- 
ceedings of  the  county  board  which  have  a  more  direct  bearing  on  the  conflict 
and  it  is  therefore  given  under  the  heading  "The  County  Seat  Fight."  The 
first  move  was  made  by  Galesburg  in  the  spring  of  1856. 

At  the  spring  election  of  1856  an  assistant  supervisor  for  the  town  of  Gales- 
burg was  voted  for.  Samuel  W.  Brown  was  elected  and  he  presented  his  cer- 
tificate of  election  at  a  special  !May  meeting  of  the  board  and  the  following 
action  was  taken.  ,  .  •  >  ^  .-  I  '•  . 

Samuel  W.  Brown  now  presents  to  the  board  his  certificate  of  election  as  as- 
sistant supervisor  of  the  town  of  Galesburg,  together  with  a  list  of  legal  voters 
of  said  township  made  under  the  authority  of  the  township  officers  with  the  ap- 
pointment of  said  officers  to  take  the  same  from  which  it  appears  that  said  town- 
ship contained  829  legal  voters  on  the  ist  day  of  April  last — when  on  motion  it 
was  voted  that  Samuel  W.  Brown  be  entitled  to  his  seat  as  a  member  of  this 
board. 

January,  1866. — Mr.  Gale  presented  a  petition  of  citizens  of  Galesburg  asking 
a  division  of  said  town,  which  on  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  was  referred  to  a  committee, 
the  chair  appointing  Messrs.  Gale,  \'aughn  and  Dunlap,  with  instructions  to  re- 
port to  the  present  meeting  of  the  board. 


-  .        -_ 


:;    FIRST    KXOX    COUNTY    lA 


THE  OLD  COURT  HOUSE  AT   KNOXVILLE 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  129 

Mr.  Gale  from  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition  of  citizens  of 
Galesburg  for  a  division  of  said  town,  made  the  following  report  which  was 
adopted : 

OKUICKIO):  That  so  much  of  the  territory  of  the  town  of  Galesburg  as  is  con- 
tained in  Sections  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  15,  16,  17,  i8,  19,  20,  21,  22,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31,^      ; 
32,  33,  34,  and  the  west  half  of  Section  3,  and  the  west  half  of  Section  lo,  in  town- 
ship II  north  of  range  one  east,  be  constituted  a  town  to  Ix;  called  the  town  of        : 
West  Galesburg. 

April  meeting  1866. — This  meeting  opened  with  L,  E.  Conger  supervisor  elect 
from  the  town  of  Galesburg. 

Mr.  Rhea  of  Salem  moved  that  a  committee  of  three  l>e  apfx>inted  to  examine 
and  report  as  to  the  rights  and  qualifications  of  assistant  sujjervisors  from  the 
towns  of  Galesburg  and  West  Galesburg.  Carried.  When  the  chair  apjxjinted 
Messrs.  Rhea,  Dunlap  and  Meek  said  committee.  ;>  ,>;:.'-•  . 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  rights  of  the  assistant  supen'isors 
in  Galesburg  and  West  Galesburg  to  their  seats,  reported  that  they  had  made  the 
necessary  examination,  and  would  report  that  each  of  said  towns  are  entitled  to 
a  supervisor  and  assistant  supervisor  each.  Report  accepted  and  approved. 

April  meeting,  1867. — At  this  meeting  of  the  Ixjard,  the  struggle  over  the  loca-.- 
tion  of  the  county  seat  had  advanced  to  a  point  where  the  representation  of  Gales- 
burg in  the  Ixjard  was  challenged.    It  was  conceded  that  A.  C.  Clay  was  duly  elected 
a  member — other  members  from  Galesburg  were  voted  for  whose  names  were         • 
not  put  on  the  roll  of  supervisors.    After  the  organization  of  the  board,  Mr.  Clay, ;  , 
therefore  made  the  following  motion : 

Mr.  Clay  moved  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  the  chair,  from  dif- 
ferent towns,  to  examine  credentials,  with  power  to  send  for  persons  and  papers. 
Adopted,  when  the  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Clay,  X'aughn.  Beadle,  Dunlap  and        ./ 
Shaffer  said  committee. 

On  motion  the  board  took  a  recess  to  enable  the  committee  to  investigate  the        •' 
credentials  of  members  claiming  seats  from  the  city  of  Galesburg,  Knoxville  and 
elsewhere.  ;;   . :  •  ' 

Board  called  to  order  by  temporary  chairman. 

The  committee  on  credentials  made  the  following  report  which  was  on  motion;.':; ' 
accepted,  and  the  committee  discharged : 

;       Your  committee  would  report  that  the  following  is  a  list  of  superv'isors  duly        '• 

elected:  -:".-:  •-/-.-  :•.^.^:.;•K^=•:•  .'-.  y^7   :^;:^.:>'  ";--•./•    .v 

Indian  Point.  .  . Daniel  Meek         V,^;-'/-  ; 

:       Cedar    E.  S.  Harden       ;;:;/• 

V   V      Galesburg .i.  .:i ,.:. A.  C.  Clay          ^  Av  ; 

: ;  ,  ,       Henderson   A.  J.  Dunlap       :^:  V: 

•  •  Rio   John  Wycofl       :^  ^        ; 

,  :         Chestnut    Thomas  Xewell       vl^  ::  ^ 

•         Orange T.  W.  Sumner        •;;";: 

'(    .U      Knox   George  A.  Charles      t   /^^     , 

;   V         Sparta  J.  M.  Holyoke       cj^^    ^ 

"'•:'•'      Ontario   Orin  Beadle  7'  : 

5.  •;      Maquon   J.  G.  HamHck  V::i 

;=    ;       Haw  Creek   .:^i< V*  r,.^ .  - .  \\'m.  Swigan       ;  V  / 


130  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ^.  •/:;:>:: 

Persifer   R.  W.  Miles     •   "• 

Copley    James  Johnson  ' 

Walnut  Grove J.  S.  Chambers      ;   • 

Salem   CM.  Hall     •  v 

Elba  H.  H.  Wood       :   v 

Truro  B.  B.  Shaffer          y 

Victoria   H.  J.  Vaughn         '••',-^ 

Lynn   Joseph  D.  Gibbs 

Your  committee  would  further  report  in  the  case  of  the  persons  claiming  seats 
from  the  city  of  Galesburg,  that  we  find  by  examining  the  poll  lists  of  the  city  of 
Galesburg,  that  1,375  persons  voted  at  the  last  city  election;  and  Isaac  Delano, 
F.  R.  Bartlett,  Holcomb,  Stewart,  C.  P.  West,  J.  R.  West,  Stanley,  L.  E.  Conger, 
Crocker,  Hickey,  Bates,  Robinson,  Chaplain,  Troman,  Morse,  Russell,  Nash,  Chap- 
lain, Bergen,  Williams,  Comstock,  Ekins  and  Owens,  swear  that  they  are  ac- 
quainted with,  and  personally  know  292  persons  that  are  legal  voters,  whose 
names  do  not  appear  on  the  poll  list,  making  in  all  1,667  legal  voters  residing  in 
the  city  of  Galesburg.  It  also  appears  that  there  are  49  names  of  persons  residing 
in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  in  addition  to  the  above,  that  are  not  properly  certified 
to,  which  may  or  may  not  be  legal  voters.  And  your  committee  would  report  that 
W.  Selden  Gale,  Henry  R.  Sanderson,  L.  E.  Conger,  and  Richard  H.  Whiting,  are 
duly  elected  supervisors,  and  are  entitled  to  seats  in  this  board  from  the  city  of 
Galesburg. 

And  your  committee  would  further  report,  that  there  has  been  no  evidence 
produced  to  show  that  Knoxville  is  entitled  to  more  than  one  supervisor. 
.  -  .^-  ;  ...         •  A.  C.  CLAY, 

Chm.  of  Committee. 

Mr.  Dunlap  moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  adopted. 
Mr.  Charles  moved  to  amend  that  the  members  elect  from  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg be  rejected  until  they  produce  a  certified  copy  of  the  act  under  which  they 
claim  to  be  elected.    Lost. 

Mr.  Gibbs  moved  that  the  board  adjourn  until  tomorrow  morning  at  9  o'clock. 
Lost. 

.  Mr.  Charles  appealed  from  the  decision  of  the  chair  and  demanded  the  yeas 
and  nays  thereon.  The  chair  being  sustained  by  the  following  vote :  Yeas — 
Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Dunlap,  Wycoff,  Newell,  Sumner,  Holyoke,  Beadle, 
Hamrick,  Swigart,  Miles,  Johnson,  Chambers,  Hall,  Wood,  Shaffer,  Vaughn  and 
Gibbs,  19.  Nays— Mr.  Charles,  i.  ^  .  ;  :  ;  :.  ;-.V:.;- ".•'":;;•:•: -M:  '"; 
The  question  being  on  the  adoption  of  the  report  of  the  committee,  the  yeas 
and  nays  were  demanded,  resulting : 

Yeas — Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Dunlap,  Wycoff,  Newell,  Sumner, 
Charles,  Holyoke,  Beadle,  Hamrick,  Swigart,  Miles,  Johnson,  Chambers,  Hall, 
Wood,  Shaffer,  Vaughn,  and  Gibbs,  20.  Nays — None.  ,  I 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Miles  the  same  committee  were  reappointed  to  investigate 
the  credentials  of  the  assistant  supervisor  from  the  town  of  Knox. 

On  motion  adjourned  until  9  o'clock  tomorrow  morning.  i    '  • 

The  next  day  the  board  elected  a  permanent  chairman,  Mr.  Holyoke,  of  Sparta : 
The  vote  stood:  Holyoke.  12;  Miles,  lo.  .  ,  .  ',i  -.  . 

Thereupon  Mr.  Holyoke  was  declared  elected.  •:»       ./•;.>     V 


^    ^V;  v;     :  .  '    ;:/\'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  :V^':^  •        131 

•  .          Mr.  Clay  from  committee  on  credentials  made  the  following  report.  '. 
;-        The  committee  appointed  on  the  credentials  of  members  ask  leave  to  report: 

-  That  H.  N.  Keightley  is  entitled  to  his  seat  as  assistant  supervisor  from  Knox. 

'  A.  C.  CLAY,  Chairman, 

..       •        Mr.  Miles  moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  accepted  and  adopted. 

::V;     Carried.' '   '     V>:---''';'''f •:?;•.;•'•'•  •'''\.;vr_.-\..v,,—''^  ..    ^:'  ';• 

:  .         Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  credentials  of  Mr.  Thomas  McKee,  claiming  a  seat  as 

.  ...    one  of  the  supervisors  from  the  city  of  Galesburg  be  referred  to  the  committee  on 

.       credentials. 

.,',-        Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute:     >  v^^..  i  L  >.  -.    .  !i  - 

.        ;      Resolved,    That  hereafter,  when  any  town  shall  claim  an  extra  member  of  this 

-  y  board,  over  and  above  the  representation  said  town  has  heretofore  had,  that  the 

votes  actually  cast  at  the  town  meeting  at  which  such  extra  member  claims  to 

•  •     have  been  elected,  shall  be  deemed  by  this  board  as  the  number  of  actual  legal  votes 
-.       in  said  township.         •  '   -J'  /  -  .'  • 

On  which  resolution,  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting:  Yeas — Messrs. 
Newell,  Sumner,  Charles,  Keightley,  Hamrick,  Swigart,  Miles,  Johnson,  Hall, 

•  Wood,  Shaffer  and  Vaughn,  12.    Nays — Messrs.  Meek,  Hardin,  Clay,  Gale,  Con- 
'  ger,  Sanderson,  Whiting,  Dunlap,  Wyckoff,  Beadle,  Chambers,  Gibbs  and  chair- 

:  •  man,  13.    Lost.  ;.",  -      ••-.     .;^ 

-  The  question  recurring  on  Mr.  Gale's  motion,  it  was  adopted. 

Mr.  Clay,  from  committee  on  credentials,  reported  as  follows:  Your  commit- 
tee appointed  on  credentials,  ask  leave  to  report.  That  they  have  examined  the  cre- 
;  :  dentials  of  Thomas  McKee  from  the  city  of  Galesburg,  and  find  him  entitled  to  a 
•  seat  as  supervisor  in  this  board  upon  substantially  the  same  evidence  that  entitled 
the  assistant  supervisor  of  Knox  to  a  seat  in  this  board. 

A.  C.  CLAY,  Chairman. 

On  motion,  said  report  was  accepted  and  the  committee  discharged  and  action 
'     thereon  postponed  until  this  afternoon. 

;          Mr.  Whiting  moved  the  adoption  of  the  report  of  the  committee  on  credentials, 
and  that  Thomas  !McKee  be  admitted  as  a  member  of  this  board.  Adopted.  Yeas — 
.  :  ;  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Gale,  Conger,  Sanderson,  Whiting,  Dunlap.  Wyc- 
koff, Beadle,  Chambers,  \'^aughn  and  Gibbs,  13.    Nays — Messrs.  Sumner,  Charles, 
.  .    Keightley,  Hamrick,  Swigart,  Johnson,  Hall,  Wood  and  Shaffer,  9.    Absent  Mr. 

Newell;  excused,  Mr.  Miles,  2. 

:  Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution:     -•'     '  -.   '..,  :  -•  ;    .     : 

:          Resolved,    That  hereafter  when  any  town  shall  claim  an  extra  member  of  this 
board,  over  and  above  the  representation  said  town  now  has.  that  the  votes  actually 
cast  at  the  town  meeting  at  which  such  extra  member  claims  to  have  been  elected, 
shall  be  deemed  by  this  board  as  the  number  of  actual  legal  votes  in  said  township. 
V '  Laid  upon  the  table :  Yeas — Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Gale,  Conger,  San- 

derson, Whiting,  Wyckoff,  Charles,  Keightley,  Beadle,  Chambers.  Hamrick,  Hall 
and  Gibbs,  15.  Nays — Messrs.  Dunlap.  Swigart.  Miles,  Johnson  and  Vaughn.  5. 
Absent — ^Messrs.  McKee  and  Newell,  2.  Excused — Messrs.  Sumner,  Wood  and 
Shaffer,  3.  •  ••; '/V-V  A hr-::--  -^ •'-r'.:':'..';'  ^  ; '.  \.y ••-'•(, ^.-•'^'•-'•-'c' 

September.    1868. — Mr.  Wood   from  select  committee  appointed  at  the  last 
meeting  of  the  board  reported  as  follows : 

We,  the  committee,  appointed  to  investigate  and  inquire  into  the  number  of 


132          •  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

legal  voters  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  and  in  the  town  of  Knox,  beg  leave  to  re- 
port, that  we  have  partially  investigated  the  matter,  but  are  not  now  prepared  to 
make  a  full  report,  and  would  respectfully  ask  further  time.  I 

H.  H.  WOOD,  -.  . 

::  \  :''^:H'V'^  .'  //':,';;•::"••''•••,'''•:•••      T.  w.  SuMNER,     •;;'•; 

:       ''^  ,     "  •         . .  O.   BEADLE,         1 

\  ^v  C.  H.  JACKSON, 

•.'.'%-;..'''_  .  .          '  •         -,'."••,        '       ,  -  %'  /,. .       E.  S.  HARDEN,  ' 

:  '  Committee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Lanphere,  the  report  was  accepted  and  further  time  granted 

the  committee.  •     .  .•   ..V^^V -•-••..'• 'V'-H  '^.'-. 

iVIr.  Sumner,  member  of  the  committee  to  inquire  into  the  number  of  super- 
visors the  city  of  Galesburg  and  town  of  Knox  are  entitled  to  in  this  board,  pre- 
sented the  following  report : 

The  undersigned,  members  of  the  committee  at  the  last  meeting  of  this  board 
to  inquire  into  and  ascertain  how  many  supervisors  the  city  of  Galesburg  is  en- 
titled to  in  this  board,  under  an  act  entitled  "An  Act  to  divide  the  Towns  of  Gales- 
burg and  West  Galesburg,"  as  said  city  is  at  present  districted;  also  to  investi- 
gate the  rights  of  the  assistant  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Knox  to  a  seat  in  this 
board ;  after  considering  the  report  made  yesterday,  which  does  not  embrace  the 
subject  matter  under  consideration  by  said  committee,  and  being  desirous  of  being 
excused  from  further  service  on  such  committee,  would  ask  leave  of  this  board 
to  report  their  action  up  to  the  present  time.  r  A  •;  ^'  '  ;•  .1 

:  The  undersigned  would  therefore  state,  that  in  regard  to  the  rights  of  the  as- 
sistant supervisor  of  Knox  to  a  seat,  a  register  of  voters  of  the  town  of  Knox  was 
presented  to  the  committee,  containing  850  names,  and  that  witnesses  were  pro- 
duced who  recognized  823  persons  named  in  such  register  as  voters  in  said  town 
of  Knox  at  the  time  of  holding  the  election  for  supervisor  and  assistant  supervisor. 

The  undersigned,  with  other  members  of  the  committee,  met  at  Galesburg  to 
investigate  into  the  number  of  supervisors  the  city  of  Galesburg  is  entitled  to 
under  the  act,  as  at  present  districted.  Registers  (together  with  the  names  of 
voters  sworn  in),  were  presented,  not  sustained  as  any  evidence  that  the  names 
thereon  were  all  legal  voters,  but  given  as  the  best  evidence  in  the  possession  of  the 
parties,  by  which  appears  that  the  ist  and  5th  wards  comprise  one  election  dis- 
trict, has  762  voters ;  that  the  2d,  3d  and  6th  wards  comprise  another  election  dis- 
trict, and  has  on  the  register  784  voters ;  and  the  4th  ward  is  another  election  dis- 
trict and  has  596  voters  on  register.  That  the  district  composed  of  the  ist  and  5th 
wards  elect  two  supervisors ;  that  composed  of  the  2d,  3d  and  6th  wards  elect  two 
supervisors,  and  the  4th  ward  elects  one  supervisor. 

The  law  provides  "at  each  annual  city  election  there  shall  be  elected  in  the  city 
of  Galesburg,  one  or  more  supervisors.  The  number  shall  not  exceed  the  number 
of  wards  in  such  city,  and  shall  not  be  greater  than  one  for  every  four  hundred 
legal  voters  in  said  city.  The  city  council  may  from  time  to  time  divide  the  city 
into  districts  for  the  election  of  supervisors,  each  district  to  elect  one  or  more,  • 
as  the  council  may  provide,  but  in  forming  districts  no  ward  shall  be  divided." 

We  have  now  reported  the  facts  as  we  found  them ;  and  must  leave  this  board 
to  determine  whether  the  clerk  of  said  city  in  granting  certificjites  of  election  to 
two  supervisors  from  each  of  the  following  districts,  to-wit :  that  composed  of  the 


^^•:V-, ;:•<:.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     •    ^V-^Vx/      188 

1st  and  5th  wards,  with  only  762  names  on  the  register,  and  that  district  composed      ' 
of  the  2d,  3d  and  6th  wards  with  784  voters  registered,  performed  his  duty  ac-     '_'. 
cording  to  such  law,  or  whether  he  exceeded  his  powers  in  granting  such  certifi- 
cates, when  it  appears  by  the  evidence  that  there  were  not  twice  four  hundred 
voters  in  either  of  said  election  districts,  even  by  the  showing  of  the  registers,  ' 

Believing  that  any  further  examination  is  unnecessary,  and  that  the  object  of     • 
yesterday's  report,  being  only  for  delay,  the  undersigned  members  of  the  com-     ,  • 
mittee  desire  to  be  relieved  from  any  further  exzimination  of  the  subject. 
•    ^  ;  ^•'•'''.^:  THOS.  W.  SuMNER.    •  '^ 

"  ;.   Mr.  Charles  moved  that  the  report  be  accepted,  and  Mr.  Sumner  relieved  from 
further  action  on  said  committee,  when  Mr.  Clay  moved,  that  the  whole  matter  be     ; 
laid  upon  the  table.    Carried. 

January  Meeting,  1869. — Mr.  Wood,  from  select  committee,  to  whom  was  re- 
ferred the  matter  of  the  number  of  supervisors  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  town        : 
of  Knox  are  entitled  to  in  this  board,  reported  as  follows: 

"We  the  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  claims  of  Knox  and  Gales- 
burg,  as  to  their  claims  for  the  number  of  supervisors  in  the  board,  after  examin-     ^  ' 
ing  papers,  and  hearing  evidence,  find  that  Knoxville  is  entitled  to  two  and  the 
city  of  Galesburg  to  five  supervisors,    X:-;.;j  :^  ^  ; ,    .     v  :  ;  :.;  ;  v-  .-^    ; 

..;  .  :  ;..;.-,•  •..-..-.  .  ...  --  V' '' "'a V-;;';^ '.^:-'; ''  H.  H.  WOOD,  vri'V'': 
•',•':';::,•;,.•'•  '  ':•'•;•.  -v'/:  ^V^.>-- /:;/•.';.•••:  'i'-.  ••:'.'.•:"';'''•-••;-.'  E.  S.  HARDEN,  ^:;•:^-^•,.r  "'• 
;.v ''•  '  ^'-:,:  ''  •'''''\^^' ••-''•' •••^ •':-:-!' i.^ -.^••^^  •  O,  BEADLE,  ^^:'- :^'': '/•;.; 

.    ":; :  •:  /i  .  ..:.    ":  -  ..;;;-  ••-.•':.•;:  ;r'  '•'-•  '\."''!  '•'/•^''-^.  ';'•  " '-^.V'       ''    .          Committee,    'y  '•  --.. 
:     Report  accepted  and  committee  discharged.  .  .x    .          .      .   .  ' 

MARCH  SPECIAL  MEETING,  1869  ;.'-,.." 

State  of  Illinois,    )  •::>:•';:' ^:^V;.-'^'    ' 

'  L    CO  ''..'•...'     -v  •-• 

T^  /~^  ,  r  ^^«  .    •          •,-.•••       .-         -  • .  •  •  .-^  •        •  .•  '  •      .'*      .'•-*.• 

Knox  County        j       v,      . /      ••:"':••..:.:   \';.^  --vv.;.-^-.:";  .   :- .  ; '/  ^  •••^.j^;-    .    . 

March  Special  Meeting 

Special  meeting  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county  held  in  the  court    •; 
house,  in  the  city  of  Knoxville,  in  said  county,  called  by  the  clerk  of  the  county       - 
court,  in  pursuance  of  the  following  notice:      ^yV''  -''  :     v^V. 

To  James  J.  Egan,  Esq.,  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County, 
State  of  Illinois: 

The  undersigned,  being  one-third  of  the  members  of  the  board  of  supervisors      ;.; 
of  said  county  of  Knox,  do  request  that  a  special  meeting  of  said  board  be  held,      V 
to  convene  on  the  23d  day  of  March,  A.  D.,  1869,  at  the  court  house  in  the  town     : ' 
of  Knoxville,  in  said  county.  . .   .;  r  ..'---.;•.".•        ' 

Dated  this  I5th  day  of  March,  A.  D.,  1869.    '  '     .^-V.'V  ." 

^:  HENRY   R.    SANDERSON,  JOSEPH  D.  GIBBS,      o;^:'  . 

;•:'       ." y  '       . •  ;       E.  S.  HARDEN,  ,.;v.^.;>;    J.  S.  CHAMBERS,    r;.J^:;X:V. 

-,;••'-;, :^  ;          ;       G.  C.  LANPHERE,       ;^.  j/  --^     J.  M.  HOLYOKE,     '  >X:;r'.;'      :•  • 
• '..    V         '  •     ,      D.  H.  FRISBIE,         .--^  •„•''::    O.  BEADLE.        ..      v  ••';••/.••;"• 
"';'':•..,'•-;.;; ^'    :•   ;;  I '•       L.  E.  CONGER,     •'-"•'>' •'>,>^^-:- ^;^..,  A,  C.  CLAY,     ;-^:;-v'-^  ^.  ...'','';• 
•"-•'••'.-•; -^^ -' 'C ••••      R.  H,  WHITING,  ••'V^- /iv^:.  /.'-^^.'^:••:•'^V^•  ";:•"';. 

The  following  supervisors  answered  to  their  names:  Hon.  Joseph  H.  Holyoke,      .. 
chairman;  Messrs.  P.  H.  Smith,  E.  S.  Harden,  A.  C.  Clay,  D.  H.  Frisbie,  L.  E.      .  . 
Conger,  H.  R.  Sanderson,  R.  H.  Whiting,  G.  C.  Lanphere,  C.  H.  Jackson,  Daniel      . 
Robertson,  Owen  Betterton,  T,  W.  Sumner,  G.  A.  Charles,  P.  H.  Sanford,  Orin     ; 


134  1.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;  v;V  ;v/. 

Beadle,  A.  Humphreys,  Peter  Lacy,  James  Dossett,  James  Johnston,  J.  S.  Cham- 
bers, J.  M.  Corey,  H.  N.  Wood  and  Joseph  D.  Gibbs.       .      -  '..•;:.:..  •:  •/     .  j 

Board  opened  by  proclamation.      .   ,  . 

JAMES  J.  EGAN,  Clerk, 

-'•^  -  '       : :  •  ;  .    w.  S.  SEACORD,  Slieriff. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Lanphere,  the  clerk  read  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  re- 
moval of  the  county  seat  of  Knox  county." 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  that  Messrs.  P.  H.  Smith,  of  Indian  Point,  J.  M. 
Holyoke,  of  Sparta,  F.  C.  Smith,  of  Ontario,  Amos  Ward,  of  Walnut  Grove  and 
D.  Corey,  of  Salem,  be  appointed  commissioners  of  public  buildings,  under  said 
act. 

Mr.  Sanford  moved  to  amend  by  substituting  the  name  of  H.  J.  Vaughn,  of 
Victoria,  for  that  of  Amos  Ward.  Lost. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Charles  further  action  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson 
was  postponed  until  afternoon.  .;.  'V  ^C.V  '  ''-  1- 

Ye?is — Messrs.  Smith,  Harden,  Jackson,  Robertson,  Betterton,  Sumner, 
Charles,  Sanford,  Beadle,  Humphreys,  Lacy,  Dossett,  Johnston,  Corey  and 
Wood,  15.  Nays — Messrs.  Qay,  Frisbie,  Conger,  Sanderson,  Whiting,  Lanphere, 
Chambers  and  Gibbs,  8.  .  .  \;;  ..  ::  •':"  -^  .'  v;;.  .;;V^';  ••  •  \  ^'1  / 

The  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson  for  the  appointment  of  commissioners  of  pub- 
lic buildings,  being  the  special  order,  was  called  up. 

Mr.  Lacy  moved  to  amend  by  substituting  Rufus  W.  Miles,  as  one  of  said 
commissioners,  in  place  of  F.  C.  Smith,  which  amendment  was  lost.  Yeas — 
Messrs.  Betterton,  Sumner,  Charles,  Sanford,  Humphreys,  Lacy,  Dossett,  John- 
ston, Tucker  and  Vaughn,  lo.  Nays — Messrs.  Smith,  Harden,  Clay,  Frisbie,  Con- 
ger, Sanderson,  Whiting,  Lanphere,  Jackson,  Robertson,  Chambers,  Corey,  Wood 
and  Mr.  Chairman,  14. 

The  question  recurring  upon  the  adoption  of  the  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson,  ; 
appointing  Messrs.  P.  H.  Smith,  J.  M.  Holyoke,  F.  C.  Smith,  Amos  Ward  and  D. 
Corey,  Jr.,  as  commissioners  of  public  buildings,  the  same  was  adopted.    Yeas — 
Messrs.  Smith,  Harden,  Clay,  Frisbie,  Conger,  Sanderson,  Whiting,  Lanphere,  • 
Jackson,  Robertson,  Beadle,  Johnston,  Chambers,  Corey  and  chairman,  15.   Nays — 
Messrs.   Betterton,   Sumner,   Sanford,   Humphreys,   Lacy,   Dossett,  Wood   and 
Vaughn,  9.     Excused — Mr.  Charles,  i. 

Mr.  Lanphere  offered  the  following  resolution:  •.-.,-  -I 

Resolred,  That  if  the  vote  about  to  be  taken  on  the  question  of  moving  the 
county  seat  to  Galesburg,  shall  be  in  favor  of  such  removal,  that  then  the  com- 
missioners having  such  matter  in  charge,  shall  not  under  any  circumstances  move 
from  the  building  they  are  now  in,  the  records  and  files  in  the  respective  office  of  ' 
county  and  circuit  clerk,  until  a  building  is  completed  and  ready  for  use  in  Gales- 
burg, as  secure  and  suitable  as  the  one  in  which  said  records  and  files  are  now 
kept. 

Mr.  Vaughn  moved  to  amend  by  striking  out  all  after  the  word  "resolved,"   - 
and  insert  "that  this  board  will  not  meddle  with  business  properly  belonging  to 
the  next  board  of  supervisors,"  which  was  lost  by  the  following  vote.     Yeas — 
Messrs.  Betterton,  Sumner,  Charles,  Sanford,  Humphreys,  Lacy,  Dossett,  John-    . 
ston,  Corey,  Wood,  Tucker  and  Vaughn,   12.    Nays — Messrs.   Smith,  Harden, 
Clay,    Frisbie,    Conger,    Sanderson,    Whiting,    Lanphere,    Jackson,    Robertson, 
Beadle,  Charnbers  and  Gibbs,  13. 


;>    .C         ,^    :  ;     ;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >r^;:  ;'•  '       135 

The  resolution  of  Mr.  Lanphere  was  then  adopted  by  the  following  vote: 
Yeas — Messrs.  Smith,  Harden,  Clay,  Frisbie,  Conger,  Sanderson,  Whiting,  Lan- 
phere, Jackson,  Robertson,  Beadle,  Chambers,  Corey  and  Gibbs,  14.  Xays — 
Messrs.  Betterton,  Charles,  Sanford,  Humphreys,  Lacy,  Dossett,  Tucker  and 
Vaughn,  9.  Messrs.  Sumner  and  Johnston,  excused.  .  "  -r  v 

Mr.  Charles  in  explanation  of  his  vote,  said  he  voted  no,  because  he  did  not 
believe  it  was  right  for  the  board  of  supervisors  to  amend  or  change  the  law  as 
passed  by  the  legislature,  and  would  recommend  that  the  resolution  be  referred 
to  the  legislature,  to  be  passed  as  a  supplemental  act  to  the  enabling  act.  .  ' 

Mr.  Sanford  explained  that  he  voted  no,  because  the  law  provided  for,  and 
expressed  the  duties  of  the  commissioners,  and  the  board  had  no  right  to  alter  or 
modify  the  requirements  of  the  law.  ; 

Mr.  Humphreys  explained  that  he  voted  no,  because  he  objected  to  the  board 
passing  resolutions  for  the  purpose  of  making  capital  to  be  used  in  the  election.  . 

Mr.  Wood  explained  that  he  voted  no,  because  he  believed  it  right  to  do  so. -.  ' 

May  Meeting,  1869. — There  were  present  at  this  meeting,  Messrs.  P.  H. 
Smith,  M.  C.  Bates,  A.  C.  Clay,  H.  R.  Sanderson,  Geo.  C.  Lanphere,  L.  E  Con- 
ger, Geo.  V.  Deiterich,  M.  Belden,  H.  M.  Sisson,  Daniel  Robertson,  Thomas  Xevv- 
ell,  Thomas  W.  Sumner,  George  A.  Charles,  P.  H.  Sanford,  J.  M.  Holyoke,  Grin 
Beadle,  B.  H.  Morgan,  Wm.  Swigart,  James  Dossett,  James  Johnston,  J.  S. 
Chambers,  John  Sloan,  L.  A.  Lawrence,  John  Wilson,  H.  J.  Vaughn,  O.  M. 
Gross;  James  J.  Egan,  clerk,  by  J.  S.  Winter,  deputy;  Wilkins  Seacord,  sheriff.  :. 

Mr.  Sumner  moved  to  make  the  temporary  chairman  the  permanent  chairman.   . 
Lost.  /      . 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  that  the  board  proceed  to  ballot  for  chairman.    Carried.   • 

The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Smith  and  Sumner  tellers.  > ':' 

'    Messrs.  H.  J.  Vaughn  and  J.  M.  Holyoke  were  put  in  nomination,  the  ballot  re-v '  - 
suiting,  J.  M.  Holyoke  fourteen  votes,  H.  J.  Vaughn  twelve  votes.     Hon.  J.  AI. 
Holyoke  was  declared  duly  elected  chairman.  , 

Mr.  Sanderson  offered  the  following  resolution:       '  •        •-    -•  ••- 

RESOLVED:  That  Supervisors  Lanphere,  of  Galesburg;  Sanford,  of  Knox; 
Lawrence,  of  Elba;  Sisson,  of  Henderson,  and  Gross,  of  Lynn,  be  appointed  a 
committee  to  investigate  the  result  of  the  election  on  the  removal  of  the  county 
seat,  and  report  to  the  board  at  this  meeting. 

Mr.  Charles  moved  to  lay  the  resolution  on  the  table,  and  the  yeas  and  nays 
being  called,  the  motion  was  lost.    Yeas — Messrs.  Newell,  Sumner,  Charles,  San-  . 
ford,  Morgan,  Swigart,  Dossett,  Johnston,  Sloan,  Lawrence,  Wilson  and  X'aughn, 
12.     Nays — Messrs,    Smith,   Bates,   Clay,   Sanderson,   Lanphere,   Conger,    Deit-    . 
erich,  Belden,  Sisson,  Robertson,  Beadle,  Chambers,  Gross  and  Chairman,  14.      .   . 

The  question  recurring  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Sanderson,/:  : 
the  same  was  adopted.  Yeas — Messrs.  Smith,  Bates,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Lanphere, 
Conger,  Deiterich,  Belden,  Sisson,  Robertson,  Beadle,  Chambers  and  Gross,  13. 
Nays — Messrs.  Newell,  Sanford,  Morgan,  Johnston,  Sloan  and  \^aughn,  6. 
Excused — Messrs.  Sumner,  Charles,  Dossett,  Lawrence  and  Wilson,  5.  Refused 
to  vote,  Mr.  Swigart,  I.  -.-;'•::  .  '•:•  ---.^ :.;;'>-;: 

Explanation  of  votes — Mr.  Sumner  wished  to  be  excused  because  Tie  thougrht 
the  board  had  no  power  to  appoint  such  committee.  Mr.  Charles  wished  to  be 
excused  for  a  similar  reason.  Mr.  Swigart  refused  to  vote  because  the  board 


186        '^V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      x^t'C  , 

had  no  power  to  canvass  the  vote,  or  delegate  such  power  to  a  committee;  that 
the  action  was  entirely  without  authority  of  law,  and  he  would  not  vote  unless 
some  law  or  precedent  could  be  produced ;  that  he  was  already  ready  to  vote  one 
way  or  another  on  any  question  that  might  arise,  when  the  board  had  a  legal 
right  to  act,  but  on  this  question  he  would  not  vote,  nor  did  he  want  to  be  ex- 
cused. Mr.  Dossett  wished  to  be  excused  for  reasons  given  by  others ;  and  Mr. 
Lawrence  and  Mr.  Wilson  were  excused  for  similar  reasons. 

Mr.  Charles  also  presented  the  following,  requesting  that  it  be  entered  of 
record : 

To  the  Hon.  Board  of  Supervisors :  The  undersigned,  in  behalf  of  citizens 
of  Knoxville  and  vicinity,  would  respectfully  report  that  prior  to  the  election  on 
the  county  seat  question  (April  6,  1869),  a  subscription  was  made  by  them,  of 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  to  aid  in  the  erection  of  a  county  jail  at  the  city  of 
Knoxville,  should  the  vote  be  in  favor  of  the  city  of  Knoxville;  and  whereas, 
the  result  of  said  election  was  in  favor  of  said  city  of  Knoxville,  we  will  state 
that  said  subscription  is  in  the  hands  of  the  county  treasurer,  with  the  payment 
fully  guaranteed,  to  be  used  by  the  board  of  supervisors  on  the  conditions  named 
in  said  subscription.  GEORGE  A.  CHARLES. 

Mr.  Swigart  introduced  a  resolution  that  the  board  accept  the  donation  of 
$2O,(XX)  offered  by  citizens  of  Knoxville  and  vicinity,  and  proceed  to  erect  a  jail 
at  Knoxville. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson,  the  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table,  the  vote 
being  the  same  as  on  other  questions  pertaining  to  the  county  seat  contest. 

Mr.  Lanphere,  from  the  committee  appointed,  twenty-four  hours  previously, 
"to  investigate  the  result  of  the  election  on  the  removal  of  the  county  seat,"  pre- 
sented a  voluminous  "report,"  signed  by  three  members  of  the  committee,  em- 
bracing a  number  of  lengthy  affidavits  in  regard  to  the  election  in  Knox  town- 
ship only,  and  moved  its  adoption  by  the  board.  -  :  .  •  v:'  ;V  ,-.;•;.:]  .  .  • 

Mr.  Sanford  made  a  statement  in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  the  committee, 
showing  there  had  been  no  meeting  of  the  committee;  that  the  "report"  as  pre- 
sented was  ex  parte  and  one-sided,  and  had  evidently  been  prepared  before  the 
committee  was  appointed ;  and  that  if  it  was  within  the  functions  of  the  board 
of  supervisors  to  institute  an  investigation  of  this  kin'd,  the  inquiry  should  ex- 
tend to  other  precincts,  as  well  as  Knox  township. 

The  "report  of  the  committee"  was  then  adopted,  by  the  usual  vote— yeas, 
14;  nays,  12.  -  I 

Sheriff  Seacord  served  upon  the  board  a  summons  to  appear  at  the  June  term 
of  the  circuit  court,  to  answer  a  bill  of  complaint  filed  by  Geo.  Davis,  of  Gales- 
burg,  in  regard  to  the  county  seat  election. 

It  being  moved  that  the  board  authorize  Mr.  Sanford  to  employ  counsel  in 
the  case  on  behalf  of  the  board.  ':  •  ;.  .  :  V  "^  v  >'  '  Oj\V  /' 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  to  amend  by  substituting  Mr.  Lanphere  and  the  other 
members  of  the  judiciary  committee  for  that  duty.  The  amendment  was  adopted 
— yeas,  14;  nays,  12. 

Mr.  Lanphere,  from  special  committee  appointed  yesterday,  made  the  fol- 
lowing report :  . .-  -  ,  j. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

Your  committee  appointed  to  investigate  and  ascertain  the  result  of  the  elec- 


:'!^--':r'--'^^^'^:  ''•'•'•••       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^V:^;  137 

tion  on  the  removal  of  the  county  seat,  beg  leave  respectfully  to  report  that  they 
have  given  to  the  subject  such  consideration  as  the  limited  time  at  their  disposal 
has  permitted. 

They  find  that  the  law  providing  for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  makes 
no  provision  for  officially  determining  the  result  of  the  election,  beyond  the  sim- 
ple canvass  of  the  returns  made  by  the  several  boards  of  election;  this  canvass 
to  be  made  by  the  county  clerk  and  two  justices.  The  law  makes  no  provision 
for  the  issue  of  any  certificate  by  the  clerk,  and  it  seems  to  be  admitted  on  all 
hands,  in  accordance  with  the  doctrine  in  the  case  reported  in  the  2Oth  Ills.,  that 
even  if  such  a  certificate  had  been  provided  for,  it  would  not  be  entitled  to  be  re- 
garded as  evidence. 

The  board  of  supervisors  being  absolutely  required  to  perform  certain  du- 
ties if  the  result  of  the  vote  has  been  for  removal,  and  having  other  important 
duties  to  perform  if  the  result  be  against  removal ;  and  as  either  by  the  design  or 
imperfection  of  the  law,  no  person  has  been  appointed  to  determine  the  result, 
they  are,  of  necessity,  put  upon  their  inquiry. 

The  most  available  evidence  in  the  reach  of  the  committee  are  the  returns  of 
the  boards  of  election.  In  the  absence  of  anything  to  contradict  the  certificates 
of  the  boards  of  election,  your  committee  believe  they  may  properly  be  taken  as 
prima  facie  evidence.  These  returns  show,  in  the  aggregate,  a  majority  of  247 
against  removal. 

Your  committee,  however,  in  examining  these  returns,  find  disclosed  the 
startling  fact  that  the  town  of  Knox  returns  1,520  votes,  all  but  17  against  re-  ;, 
moval ;  a  number  more  than  three  times  the  usual  vote  of  that  town,  about  three 
and  one-half  times  as  great  as  was  cast  by  the  same  town  four  years  before  on 
the  same  question ;  a  number  about  two  and  one-half  times  as  great  as  the  num- 
ber of  white  males  ovei  twenty  years  of  age,  residing  in  that  town  less  than  four 
years  before,  as  appears  by  the  census  returns. 

The  committee  believe  from  their  own  knowledge  of  the  town,  and  from  the 
general  opinion  as  they  hear  it  expressed,  that  the  growth  of  the  town  of  Knox 
during  the  four  years  last  past  has  been  far  from  rapid.  They  can  but  regard 
such  a  return  as  so  manifestly  false  on  the  face  of  it,  as  to  entitle  it  to  very  little 
consideration  in  arriving  at  the  number  of  votes  actually  cast  in  that  town. 

Your  committee  are  also  in  possession  of  affidavits  of  persons  of  entire  re- 
spectability, which  affidavits  your  committe  beg  leave  to  submit  as  part  of  this 
report,  showing  that  the  election  in  the  town  of  Knox  was  conducted  not  only 
without  any  regard  to  the  usual  forms  of  elections,  and  without  the  usual  safe- 
guards against  illegal  and  fraudulent  voting,  but  was  evidently  intended  and  ar- 
ranged for  a  fraud  from  the  outset. 

Taking  into  account,  first,  the  absolutely  incredible  character  of  the  returns 
from  the  town  of  Knox,  and  second,  the  gross  character  of  the  frauds  openly 
practiced,  as  appear  from  the  affidavits  referred  to,  the  committee  are  of  opin- 
ion that  the  returns  of  the  town  of  Knox  should  be  entirely  set  aside  as  affording 
no  evidence  whatever  of  the  number  of  votes  actually  cast  in  that  town.  .  :; 

What  the  number  of  legal  votes  actually  were,  or  how  cast,  your  committee 
can  only  ascertain,  by  instituting  inquiries  which  would  consume  very  much  more 
time  than  has  been  put  at  their  disposal. 

They  are  disposed  in  the  absence  of  other  data,  to  take  the  vote  of  last  No-  ^ 


138  ;:.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;VCT  ;V 

vember  as  a  basis,  the  vote  at  that  time  being  639,  a  number  a  little  greater  than 
was  returned  by  Mr.  McGowan,  who  took  the  census  three  and  one-half  years 
before  the  April  election,  as  the  number  of  white  males  in  that  town  over  twenty 
years  of  age. 

Your  committee  think  that  the  number  equal  to  the  white  males  in  their  2ist 
year,  added  to  the  number  of  alien  white  males  over  20,  to  the  number  of  short 
residents,  and  the  number  of  those  who  are  kept  from  the  polls  by  absence  from 
home,  sickness,  indifference  as  to  the  result,  and  other  causes,  is  a  very  large  al- 
lowance for  the  growth  of  the  voting  population  of  the  town  of  Knox  in  that  period. 

They  are  also  in  possession  of  testimony  that  at  the  November  election  the 
feeling  ran  high ;  extraordinary  efforts  were  made  to  get  out  voters,  and  many 
persons  not  legal  voters  were  allowed  to  vote. 

Deducting  from  the  returns  the  excess  returned  in  April,  over  the  number  re- 
turned in  November,  from  the  town  of  Knox,  which  is  884,  and  the  majority  of 
247  against  removal,  is  converted  into  a  majority  of  634  for  removal. 

In  all  the  towns  giving  majorities  for  removal,  with  one  exception,  we  find 
a  large  vote  given  against  removal,  enough  perhaps,  to  guard  reasonably  well 
the  purity  of  the  polls.  From  none  of  these  towns  has  any  complaint  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  your  committee. 

In  most  of  the  towns  giving  majorities  against  removal,  the  adverse  vote  was 
small  and  the  opportunity  and  temptation  to  illegal  voting  had  not  the  usual 
check  of  a  vigilant  opposition.  .  -.'\.  .  -  1  . 

With  one  exception,  however,  these  towns'  cast  less  votes  than  were  cast  in 
the  same  towns  last  November. 

The  exception  is  the  town  of  Orange,  which  cast  i8  votes  in  excess  to  the 
votes  cast  in  November,  all  the  votes  in  the  town  but  five  being  against  removal. 
We  are  assured  on  the  authority  of  persons  of  the  highest  respectability,  living 
in  that  town,  that  many  voters  stayed  at  home  on  the  day  of  the  April  election, 
and  that  many  illegal  votes  were  cast.  We  are  informed  that  one  of  the  oldest 
and  best  known  residents  of  that  town,  who  voted  against  removal,  estimated  the 
fraudulent  vote  in  Orange  at  fifty.  -  ••  :  .  '  •>  :'  'v  \-A';  •  ":;  ;-\l':^^  • 

Your  committee  have  not,  however,  had  the  opportunity  to  investigate  the 
true  state  of  facts  existing  in  that  town  or  others.  They  are,  however,  clearly 
of  the  opinion  that  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  nineteen  towns  and  a  purging 
of  their  polls,  would,  so  far  as  it  affected  the  result  at  all,  increase,  to  some  ex- 
tent, the  majority  for  removal. 

Admitting  (an  admission  favorable  to  the  vote  against  removal,  as  we  think), 
that  the  legal  vote  cast  in  Knox  was  639,  that  the  returns  from  the  nineteen  other 
towns  were  correct,  there  remains  a  majority  of  634  for  removal.  If  from  this 
be  deducted,  as  some  claim  should  be,  the  ninety  votes  cast  for  town  and  city 
officers,  by  persons  who  did  not  vote  on  the  county  seat  question,  and  the  ma- 
jority is  still  544. 

This  majority  can  only  be  overcome  by  supposing  an  illegal  vote  of  that 
amount  was  cast  in  the  city  of  Galesburg.  Of  this  no  evidence  has  been  pro- 
duced. That  in  a  community  where  the  public  sentiment  was  so  unequivocally 
one-sided,  there  was  unusual  temptation  and  opportunity  for  fraudulent  vot- 
ing, it  is  true,  and  it  is  also  true  that  the  vote  of  April  exceeded  the  vote  of  No- 
vember, 714.  •;•;  Ov  "•'  ;  : 


,;;A'-- .•A--v^y^:- ;:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   ,  .    -S^'     . 

'.-•'-.      But  on  the  other  hand  the  following  facts  are  unquestionably  true : 

1st,  the  elections  in  Galesburg,  in  April,  were  conducted  with  a  full  regard 
to  the  usual  forms.    The  votes  were  all  duly  registered,  and  no  person  allowed 
to  vote  unless  his  name  was  on  the  register,  except  by  swearing  in  his  vote  and  ' 
making  the  legal  proof  of  his  right.    The  election  was  public  and  open,  the  num- 
ber of  votes  cast  at  all  times  during  the  day  being  known  to  the  bystanders,  by  ! 
whom  the  judges,  clerks  and  voters  could  be  distinctly  seen. 

2d.     All  the  city  officers,  and  the  justices  and  constables  were  elected  at  the  :; 
same  time,  as  many  votes  being  cast  for  those  officers  as  on  the  county  seat.    The  .' 
election  was  sharply  contested  by  rival  candidates,  each  having  an  interest  in  pre- 
venting frauds  attempted  by  his  opponents.    The  votes  were  publically  counted,     ; 
and  the  ballots,  books  and  papers  preserved  according  to  law.     No  extensive   . 
frauds  could  be  committed  except  with  the  knowledge  of  many  persons.  •  : 

•  .      3d.     It  is  well  konwn  that  the  November  election  in  the  city  of  Galesburg 
failed  to  call  out  a  full  vote,  local  causes  well  understood,  but  on  which  the  com-   . 
mittee  need  not  dwell,  contributed  to  that  result. 

4th.     In  consequence  of  the  extension  of  the  railroad  works  in  Galesburg, 
much  greater  number  of  men  were  in  the  railroad  employ  in  April  than  in  No-     -• 
vember. 

5th.     The  vote  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  large  as  it  is,  is  not  very  greatly  in   /. 
excess  of  what  might  reasonably  be  calculated  on  by  comparison  with  other  votes    . 
in  the  last  eight  years,  and  with  the  census  returns,  considering  the  very  great  ap-      - 
parent  growth  of  that  city.  ; 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  say,  in  conclusion,  that  while  in  the  short  time 
since  their  appointment  they  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  all  the  facts  bear-    '  ; 
ing  upon  the  case,  and  to  come  to  such  conclusion  as  would  enable  them  to  say     V 
with  precision  what  was  the  exact  state  of  the  vote,  they  are  clearly  of  this  opin- 
ion, that  those  returns  that  are  entitled  to  any  confidence,  show  a  majority  for  re-     : 
moval ;  and  though  that  majority  may  be  reduced  by  proving  the  votes  really  cast,    v 
or  tendered  in  the  town  of  Knox,  and  may  perhaps  b.e  further  affected  by  a  thor-     ': 
ough  purging  of  the  polls,  there  is  no  probability  the  result  would  be  changed.         -• 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted,          .  ..  -..^  •      .   : 

' .;  _         .  ...^      . ^. .„;•':'.:' ;.v^;rv.:'^^-;  G.    LANPHERE,  '•-'';;•;   '..^^ ; 

,''.-••;".'  •: .:  '   . '^^  •  :^'^/ --'^y';  ::•'';  ^''•:•'v'v^^•'.'V^^. '^;'-%>-^'''-'.'\^  M.  GROSS,      ''..^•'' ••:•['•::.•'.• 

/  ••' .  ••-'  ••  -•'•'-   .  •'•'.••  .'..  ..A'. V  .•.?:••«•-;•  •  -'•'••::.  ^...'- /:.-.^:^'\- •'.''.         H.   M.   SISSON,  ••'''-   ^'.''•-'••^ 

Committee.  . 

Mr.  Clay  moved  that  the  report  of  the  committee  be  approved,  and  after  ... 

considerable  discussion,  the  yeas  and  nays  were  demanded,  and  the  resolution  ".. 

adopted.     Yeas — Messrs.   Smith,   Bates,  Clay,    Sanderson,    Lanphere,    Conger,  >' 

Deiterich,  Belden,  Sisson,  Robertson,  Beadle,  Chambers,  Gross  and  Chairman,  ; 
14.      Nays — Messrs.    Newell,    Sanford,    Morgan.    Swigart,    Dossett,    Johnston,      : 

Sloan,  Lawrence,  Wilson  and  Vaughn,  lo.  Refusing  to  vote — Messrs.  Sumner  -  .; 

and  Charles.  \^. 

Explanation  of  votes. — Mr.  Sumner  said  that  a  resolution  had  passed  the  ''{, 

Board  this  morning,  that  this  board  would  not  take  any  action  upon  any  report,  , 

or  reports,  made  by  any  illegal  committee  or  committees;  that  the  action  of  this  - : 

board  appointing  a  committee  to  canvass  the  county  seat  vote,  was  assuming  a  ' 
power  not  conferred  by  law,  but  directly  in  opposition  thereto,  that  the  com- 


140       ,;•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;:  ;-V  I 

mittee  was  an  illegal  one,  and  appointed  for  an  illegal  purpose,  and  as  he  would 
not  stultify  himself,  he  should  refuse  to  vote  upon  the  question  and  also  refuse    •. 
to  be  excused.  .     ...;  [         -    .;.: 

Mr.  Charles  for  similar  reasons  refused  to  vote  or  be  excused. 

On  motion  it  was  ordered  that  the  alms  house  committee  be  authorized  to 
approve  the  records  of  this  meeting  when  written  up. 

At  this  time  the  sheriflf  of  Knox  county,  who  had  been  in  waiting  for  some  ' 
time,  served  upon  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  James  Egan,  county  '_'• 
clerk ;  J.  W.  Temple,  circuit  clerk,  and  Dennis  Clark,  county  judge  of  Knox  '- 
county.  111.,  a  summons  to  appear  at  the  June  term  of  the  circuit  court  to  answer  • 
the  complaint  of  George  Davis,  of  Galesburg. \:;:'^^::.v>v\-r\/ •;-  I'-  •;  V;; 

The  judiciary  committee  were  authorized  to  employ  counsel  on  behalf  of  the     ' 
board  of  supervisors  in  said  suit.  , ; 

September  Meeting,  1869. — There  were  present  at  this  meeting,  Hon,  J.  M.     . 
Holyoke,  chairman ;  supervisors,  Messrs.  P.  H.  Smith,  M.  C.  Bates,  A.  C.  Clay,  Vv 
H.  R.  Sanderson,  L.  E.  Conger,  G.  V.  Deiterich,  M.  Belden,  H.  M.  Sisson,  Thomas 
Newell,  Thos.  W.  Sumner,  George  A.  Charles,  P.  H.  Sanford,  Orin  Beadle,  B. 
H.  Morgan,  John  Sloan,  John  Wilson  and  O.  M.  Gross,  James  J.  Egan,  clerk;   ".- 
Wilkins  Seacord,  sheriflf. 

Board  opened  by  proclamation.  ,      :    ^        :  !     v  .  ..       : 

The  chairman  presented  the  certificate  of  appointment  of  E.   P.  Williams   ;  • 
as  one  of  the  supervisors  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  to  fill  a  vacancy  occasioned 
by  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Lanphere.  - 

On  motion,  Mr.  Williams  took  his  seat  in  the  board.     .  ••          I      :;-     v 

Mr.  Holyoke,  from  "commissioners  on  public  buildings,"  presented  the  fol-  '^ 
lowing: 

"To  the  Honorable  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

The  undersigned  commissioners  of  public  buildings  appointed  by  your  hon- 
orable body,  under  the  law  regulating  the  removal  of  the  county  seat,  respect-    .: 
fully  report  that  the  city  of  Galesburg,  in  pursuance  of  the  obligation  entered    ; 
into  by  the  mayor  and  aldermen  of  said  city,  have  erected  in  said  city  a  fire  > 
proof  building  of  sufficient  capacity  and  convienience  for  the  use  of  the  circuit  ' : 
and  county  clerks;  and  the  same  will  be  ready  for  the  use  of  said  officers  when- 
ever the  board  of  supervisors  shall  order  the  removal  of  the  records  and  papers   . 
belonging  to  the  county.     By  order  of  the  commissioners.  .  : 

J.  M.  HOLYOKE,  Chairman,  .  '  r.  i 
;••;.;•;".•  :-;       .  •    F.  E.  SMITH,  S'^cre/orj.       ^ '.      ' 

Directed  to  lie  upon  the  table.  .     ,  :        / 

JANUARY  SPECIAL  MEETING,  A.  D.,  1873.         ^;  .     .  ; 

State  of  Illinois,  ) 

Knox  County,      j  ss.  ,  _..  ^^    .          V'    '    ; 

.   •  .;'\^  >'-i  .  '  January  Special  Meeting.     ;:;.  I  /';'•:'' 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  held  pursuant  to  :v 
a  call,  issued  at  the  request  of  one-third  of  the  members  thereof,  at  Knoxville,  •'- 
in  said  county,  on  Thursday,  the  3Oth  day  of  January,  A.  D.,  1873.  ;  v ! 

Present — Hon.  A.  C.  Clay,  chairman ;  Supervisors,  Messrs.  P.  H.  Smith,  M.  .,:. 
C.  Bates,  W.  S.  Gale,  G.  V.  Dieterich,  J.  M.  Morse,  B.  S.  Stanley,  H.  R.  Sander-  '  • ; 
son,  John  Junk,  D.  Wainwright,  Heber  Gillis,  Peter  Godfrey,  Geo.  A.  Charles,     '  ^ 


•;;;:/';':  :\;;:^;;         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;:-:     :  141 

G.  G.  Stearns,  H.  P.  Wood,  A.  S.  Curtis,  L.  W.  Benson,  Wm.  Swigart,  W.  H.  . 
Leighton,  AL  P.  Stephens,  J.  W.  Hensley,  Wm.  West,  John  Wilson,  M.  B.  Ogden,    •  • 
James  Soles,  John  S.  Winter,  clerk;  A.  W.  Berggren,  sheriff.  .  .    ,        ..,.    ,_;. • 

Board  opened  by  proclamation.  '     '  , 

The  chairman  presented  decree  of  McDonough  circuit  court,  in  the  county  ; 
seat  case,  and  requested  its  reading  by  the  clerk.       .;.,    /  i    :•:;"'.'    '/    ' 

State  of  Illinois,         )  ;         .•^^ '•..-:•:•.-':•"••-  '/-"'    :    !^-'' '/    ' 

McDonough  County,  j  ss.  :••        "    ; 

In  the  McDonough  Circuit  Court,  September  Term,  A.  D.,  1871.  '•  ^'• 
'       George  Davis,  who  sues  on  behalf  of  himself,  as  well  as  on  behalf  of  all  the 
tax  payers  of  the  county  Knox  and  state  of  Illinois,  who  choose  to  be  made 
complainants  therein,  vs.  the  board  of  supervisors    of    Knox    county,    Illinois, 
James  J.  Egan,  county  clerk  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  James  W.  Temple,  circuit 
clerk  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  Dennis  Clark,  county  judge  of  Knox  county,  .  - 
Ills.    In  chancery.     Change  of  venue  from  Knox  county.  Ills.         .  .  ;^ 

This  cause  coming  on  to  be  heard  upon  the  bill,  answers,  replications,  plead- 
ings and  evidence,  and  after  hearing  counsel  for  the  respective  parties,  the  court 
finds  upon  the  evidence,  and  adjudges  and  decrees  that  a  majority  of  the  legal 
voters  of  the  county  of  Knox,  did,  at  an  election  held  on  the  sixth  day  of  April, 
1869,  in  said  county  of  Knox,  pursuant  to  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  this  state, 
approved  March  lO,  1869,  referred  to  in  the  original  and  amended  bill,  referred 
to  in  this  case,  vote  in  favor  of  removal  of  the  county  seat  of  said  county  from 
the  city  of  Knoxville  to  the  city  of  Galesburg  in  said  county,  that  the  allega- 
tions of  the  bill  are  true,  and  the  said  defendants,  the  board  of  supervisors  of  v 
Knox  county  aforesaid,  and  the  clerk  of  said  board,  are  hereby  directed  to  spread 
the  result  of  said  election  and  of  the  canvass  thereof  upon  the  record  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  and  state  upon  said  record  that  the  result 
of  said  election  and  canvass  thereof  was  in  favor  of  removal  of  the  county  seat 
of  said  county  from  Knoxville  to  the  city  of  Galesburg,  in  said  county,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  two  hundred  voters;  and  said  court  further  finds  and  decrees  that  the 
return  of  said  election  in  the  town  of  Knox,  purporting  to  be  made  by  the  officers 
of  said  election  therein  is  illegal,  fraudulent,  false  and  void ;  and  that  the  result  I  / 
of  said  election  heretofore  spread  upon  the  record  of  the  board  of  supervisors, 
be  set  aside  as  incorrect.  It  is  further  ordered  that  the  fact  be  stated  upon  said 
records  of  said  board,  that  said  election  resulted  in  favor  of  the  removal  of  the 
county  seat  of  Knox  county,  from  the  city  of  Knoxville  to  the  city  of  Galesburg 
in  conformity  with  this  decree.  And  it  is  further  ordered  that  the  defendants, 
the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  pay  the  costs  of  this  suit;  and  there- 
upon defendants  and  each  of  them  pray  an  appeal  to  the  supreme  court  of  the 
central  grand  division  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  which  is  allowed  upon  the  defend- 
ants or  either  of  them  entering  into  bond  in  the  penal  sum  of  one  thousand  dol- 
lars, with  security,  which,  by  consent  of  parties,  is  to  be  approved  by  the  clerk, 
within  forty  days  from  the  rendition  of  this  decree,  said  appeal  bond  to  be  con- 
ditional according  to  law.  •:.  • 
'•  ;^';^."'v:'''' •^' :v- •"-'-•.•'•.-••;;•••.•';•"'  ''/'v  -••  '•••^;'.'^':.''.r.'-' :_.'-:-.''''^ •.•.•/•-  C.  L.  HIGBEE.  .''•.-•' 


142        ''  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY     l^;  v  ; 

-;',••  ^        ' 

State  of  Illinois,  )  ^      .    :'  •      -         /:  .  •  ..^•' ,:  ;  -  ,:    .: 

McDonough  County,  j  ^f' 

I,  I.  N.  Pearson,  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  in  and  for  said  county,  do  hereby 
certify  that  the  above  and  foregoing  is  a  true  and  complete  copy  of  the  final  de- 
cree rendered  in  said  cause,  and  filed  therein  on  the  7th  day  of  October,  A.  D., 
1872,  as  appears  of  record  from  the  books  and  files  in  my  office. 

Witness,  my  hand  and  the  seal  of  said  court  at  Macomb,  this  29th  day  of  Jan- 
uary, A.  D.,  1873. 

(SEAL.)  ^  -        I.  N.  PEARSON,  C/^rfe. 

•    Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted:  i.      'I     •: 

Rcsol'ced,  That  the  decree  of  his  honor.  Judge  Higbee,  rendered  in  the  Mc- 
Donough circuit  court,  in  the  case  of  Geo.  Davis  vs.  board  of  supervisors  of 
Knox  county,  et  al.  having  been  affirmed  by  the  supreme  court,  be  spread  upon 
the  records  of  this  board,  and  the  clerk  of  the  board  be  directed  to  correct  the 
records  as  ordered  by  the  court  in  said  decree.  ] 

The  decision  of  the  supreme  court,  in  the  case  of  George  Davis  vs.  board  of 
supervisors  of  Knox  county,  et  al,  having  been  read,  it  was 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Charles,  ordered  that  the  decision  of  the  supreme  court 
in  said  case,  be  spread  upon  the  records  of  this  board,  and  be  published  with 
the  proceedings  thereof  in  pamphlet  form.  . 

i/'2  O'clock,  P.  M. — Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.       ;     '  • 

Mr.  Sanderson  presented  the  following  resolutions: 
.  Resolved,  That  the  sherifif  and  clerks  be  directed  to  remove  the  books,  pa- 
pers and  furniture  of  the  county  to  Galesburg  as  rapidly  as  required  by  the  in- 
terests of  the  county,  employing  such  assistance  as  may  be  necessary ;  that  for 
so  much  expense  as  is  made  necessary  by  the  removal,  the  said  officers  be  di- 
rected to  send  in  bills  for  expenses  to  the  city  of  Galesburg. 

,  Resoh'ed,    That  the  said  officers,  with  the  approval  of  the  chairman  of  com- 
mittee on  judiciary  and  clerks  offices,  be  authorized  to  purchase  such  furniture 
as  may  be  necessary  for  their  offices,  which  must  be  procured  before  the  next 
meeting  of  this  board.    Adopted. 
.    Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted:          | 

Resoh'ed,  That  there  be  a  committee  of  five,  of  whom  the  chairman  of  this 
board  shall  be  one,  and  the  other  members  appointed  by  the  chair,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  procure  plans  and  estimates  for  a  county  jail. 

Resolved,  That  said  committee  be  directed  to  report,  what  provisions,  if  any, 
it  is  necessary  to  make  for  the  county  at  Galesburg,  what  future  provision 
should  be  made  by  the  city  of  Galesburg;  also,  what  real  estate  belongs  to  the 
county  at  Knoxville,  and  what  disposition  should  be  made  of  such  real  estate. 

The  chairman  announced  as  such  committee,  in  addition  to  the  chairman, 
Messrs.  Gale.  Charles.  Bates  and  Ogden.  :^  ^^'  ....  .  '  1  •  ' 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  Mr.  Gale,  and  adopted : 

Resoh-ed,  That  when  this  board  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to  meet  four  weeks 
from  today,  at  the  clerk's  office  in  the  city  of  Galesburg. 

•Mr.  Wood  presented  report  of  board  of  commissioners  of  public  buildings, 
which  report  was  accepted,  and  ordered  to  be  spread  upon  the  records.  I  • 

To  the  Hon.  Board  of  Siif>en'isors  of  Kno.r  Co.: 

The  undersigned  commissioners  of  public  buildings  appointed  under  the  act 


y^^:  ^        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /    ;    .v,      143 

for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  of  Knox  county,  hereby  respectfully  report : 

We  have  in  our  possession  the  following  list  of  property  pledged  by  the  au- 
thorities of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  before  the  election,  in  aid  of  the  removal  of  .- 
the  county  seat:  : 

1st.  A  warranty  deed  from  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  the  county  of  Knox  for 
a  part  of  lots  seven  and  eight  in  block  thirty-one,  as  numbered  on  the  original 
plot  of  Galesburg,  being  four  and  one-half  rods  off  the  north  side  of  lots  seven 
and  eight,  being  the  premises  commonly  known  as  the  "fire  proof  building." 

2d.  Warranty  deed  from  A.  N.  Bancroft  and  wife  to  Knox  county,  convey- 
ing  the  west,  two-thirds  of  lot  number  seven  (7),  in  block  forty-five  (45),  in  the 
southern  addition  to  the  town  of  Galesburg.  This  lot  was  intended  for  a  jail 
lot,  but  is  not  so  expressed  in  the  deed. 

3d.  Warranty  deed  from  Knox  College  to  Knox  county,  for  block  numbered 
thirty-nine  (39),  in  the  original  plot  of  Galesburg,  being  the  east  half  of  the  ground 
known  as  the  "College  Park."  This  deed  is  upon  the  express  condition  that  the 
ground  shall  be  used  as  a  site  for  a  court  house  and  for  no  other  purpose. 

4th.  The  obligation  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  furnish  suitable  rooms  for 
the  use  of  the  county  Knox,  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  for  court  and  jury  rooms 
for  a  period  not  exceeding  ten  years,  and  to  pay  all  necessary  expenses  incurred 
in  the  removal  of  the  county  records  and  property  from  Knoxville  to  Galesburg.  . 

5th.  Two  certificates  of  deposit  for  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  each, 
payable  to  the  order  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  board  of  supervisors 
of  Knox  county,  for  the  removal  of  the  county  seat.  One  of  said  certificates 
being  signed  by  Weston  Arnold,  cashier  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Gales- 
burg, and  the  other  by  M.  L.  Smalley,  cashier  First  National  Bank  of  Galesburg. 

6th.  An  agreement  or  lease  between  the  owners  of  the  Opera  House  on  the 
south  side  the  public  square  in  Galesburg,  and  the  city  authorities,  for  the  use 
of  the  Opera  House  for  county  purposes  for  the  term  of  years  signified  by  the 
obligations  of  the  city,  also  the  resolution  of  the  city  council  for  the  payment  of 
the  actual  cost  of  removal. 

7th.     A  lease  from  C.  Brechwald  for  a  room  in  Concordia  block.     -"'  '-''"' 

We  would  further  report  that  everything  seems  to  be  in  readiness  on  the  part 
of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  for  the  removal ;  and  would  ask  your  honorable  body 
to  take  such  action  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  above  named  effects,  and  as  to 
the  time  of  effecting  the  actual  removal  as  may  seem  to  you  just  and  proper. 

J.  M.  HoLYOKE,       ^-i;- ; 

...;;:;;  ^'i/^f/v:-       V.-  ,..,^   -^       Chairman  of  Commissioners,  •'-/•_: 
•        Knoxville,  Jan.  30,  1873.  .•>.:•;'  •      ;     .•         .:;'/^V 

Mr.  Soles  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,    That  the  sheriff  and  clerks  remove  their  books  and  papers  forth-v 
with  to  Galesburg,  in  order  to  be  in  readiness  to  hold  circuit  court  in  said  city, 
next  Monday.  ,    -•  r-/. -••.;•••  ;-^v.  ;  „  /  .•:.•>•..  -•  v     , ,    .-   ^-'.-^  "•;•>:  '•  ••  •• 

Mr.  Hensley  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute : 

Resoh'ed,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  board,  that  the  commissioners  of  pub- 
lic buildings  proceed  at  once  to  remove  the  records  of  the  county  to  Galesburg, 
so  as  not  to  delay  the  proceedings  of  February  term  of  court.  ;  ;.  .'  ;^; 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following: 

Resolved,    That  the  committee  on  public  buildings  be  directed  to  proceed  at 


144     ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;    |  i; ;  • 

once,  in  conjunction  with  the  officers  of  the  county,  to  remove  the  county  prop- 
erty to  Galesburg.  K.   ;' 

Resolved,    That  the  deeds  and  abstracts  in  the  hands  of  the  commissioners 
be  filed  with  the  county  clerk,  and  that  the  money  in  their  hands  be  paid  to  the 
county  treasurer,  and  held  by  him  as  a  special  fund  for  jail  building  purposes. 
;        Resolved,    That  the  clerk  be  directed  to  record  the  deeds  and  contracts  re- 
ceived from  the  committee. 

Mr.  Hensley  accepted  the  substitute  of  Mr.  Gale,  when  the  substitute  was 
adopted  and  the  resolution  passed. 

On  motion  adjourned  until  Thursday,  February  27,  1873.  ^       •' 


;    ^v;    .  JAILS  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     v^-       / 

A  brief  account  of  the  construction  of  the  "Old  Log  Jail"  was  given  at  the 
close  of  the  chapter  on  Minor  Courts  and  Permanent  Seat  of  Justice,  By 
1840  the  question  of  a  new  jail  was  again  considered.  At  the  December  term 
of  that  year  of  the  County  Commissioners  court,  the  subject  was  formally  acted 
upon,  as  shown  by  the  following  order : 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  publish  in  the  Peoria  Press  and  Peoria  Register 
notices  for  plans  and  specifications  and  sealed  proposals  for  building  a  jail  in 
the  town  of  Knoxville  to  be  two  stories  high,  not  larger  than  thirty  by  fifty  feet 
nor  smaller  than  twenty-five  by  forty-five  feet,  to  include  a  dwelling  in  said 
building,  said  plans,  specifications  and  sealed  proposals  to  be  received  and  opened 
on  the  25th  day  of  January,  1841 ;  to  be  finished  two  years  from  the  first  Mon- 
day of  March,  1841.  ;;  •';?,:;.'* ^' '  ;\^/-i''v;  ;  I  '•/;'•••. 

On  January  26th,  1841,  we  find  the  following  order  in  relation  to  the  con- 
struction of  the  jail,  plans  and  specifications  for  which  were  called  for  at  the 
December  term. 

ORDERED:  That  the  contract  for  building  a  jail  in  the  town  of  Knoxville 
be  let  to  Zelotes  Cooley,  in  accordance  to  plans  and  specifications  by  him  filed 
in  clerk's  office  of  the  court  for  the  sum  of  eight  thousand,  seven  hundred 
and  twenty- four  dollars,  provided  that  he  enter  into  bond  with  good  security 
approved  by  the  court,  and  also  that  both  parties  agree  to  the  article  of  agree- 
ment or  contract  to  be  entered  into  at  regular  March  term  of  this  court  and 
to  be  finished  in  three  years  from  March  next,  or  as  the  parties  can  agree,  said 
Zelotes  Cooley  and  this  court  further  agree  to  exchange  the  present  jail  lot  for 
forty  feet  on  the  public  square  and  twenty-six  feet  on  North  street  to  make 
square  corner  in  center  of  the  lot  of  Lot  No.  5,  in  Block  No.  6,  on  which  to 
locate  said  jail,  provided  said  Z.  Cooley  obtains  a  good  title  to  the  same. 

Nevertheless,  Zelotes  Cooley  never  entered  into  a  contract  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  jail,  and  it  nowhere  appears  of  record  that  he  had  anything  to 
do  with  it.  The  contract  was  made  with  Alvah  Wheeler  and  the  records  show 
that  all  through  the  years  1842,  1843,  1844,  and  the  beginning  of  1845,  he  was 
working  upon  the  building.  The  following  entry,  made  March  5th,  1845,  is  a 
summing  up  of  the  whole  transaction,  and  Mr.  Wheeler  is  paid  for  the  contract 

in  full,  $7,784.    ' . ,  " ;-    •;.•;' :.•'.•;-';•'.•'•.  • '-': '  '•'.  '••/'•: .;';•  ; . 


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HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

once,  in  conjunction  with  the  officers  of  the  county,  to  remove  the  county  prop- 
erty to  Galesburg.  '  \  1 

Resoh-ed,  That  the  deeds  and  abstracts  in  the  hands  of  the  commissioners 
be  filed  with  the  county  clerk,  and  that  the  money  in  their  hands  be  paid  to  the 
county  treasurer,  and  held  by  him  as  a  special  fund  for  jail  building  purposes. 

Resolved,  That  the  clerk  be  directed  to  record  the  deeds  and  contracts  re- 
ceived from  the  committee.  ,  i 

Mr.  Hensley  accepted  the  substitute  of  Mr.  Gale,  when  the  substitute  was 
adopted  and  the  resolution  passed. 

On  motion  adjourned  until  Thursday,  February  27,  1873. 


.    •  JAILS  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

A  brief  account  of  the  construction  of  the  ''Old  Log  Jail"  was  given  at  the 
close  of  the  chapter  on  Minor  Courts  and  Permanent  Seat  of  Justice.  By 
1840  the  question  of  a  new  jail  was  again  considered.  At  the  December  term 
of  that  year  of  the  County  Commissioners  court,  the  subject  was  formally  acted 
upon,  as  shown  by  the  following  order: 

ORDERKD:  That  the  clerk  publish  in  the  Peoria  Press  and  Peoria  Register 
notices  for  plans  and  specifications  and  sealed  proposals  for  building  a  jail  in 
the  town  of  Knoxville  to  be  two  stories  high,  not  larger  than  thirty  by  fifty  feet 
nor  smaller  than  twenty-five  by  forty-five  feet,  to  include  a  dwelling  in  said 
building,  said  plans,  specifications  and  sealed  proposals  to  be  received  and  opened 
on  the  25th  day  of  January,  1841 ;  to  be  finished  two  years  from  the  first  Mon- 
day of  March,  1841. 

On  January  26th,  1841,  we  find  the  following  order  in  relation  to  the  con- 
struction of  the  jail,  plans  and  specifications  for  which  were  called  for  at  the 
December  term. 

ORDERED:  That  the  contract  for  building  a  jail  in  the  town  of  Knoxville 
be  let  to  Zelotes  Cooley,  in  accordance  to  plans  and  specifications  by  him  filed 
in  clerk's  office  of  the  court  for  the  sum  of  eight  thousand,  seven  hundred 
and  twenty-four  dollars,  provided  that  he  enter  into  bond  with  good  security 
approved  by  the  court,  and  also  that  both  parties  agree  to  the  article  of  agree- 
ment or  contract  to  be  entered  into  at  regular  March  term  of  this  court  and 
to  be  finished  in  three  years  from  March  next,  or  as  the  ])arties  can  agree,  said 
Zelotes  Cooley  and  this  court  further  agree  to  exchange  the  present  jail  lot  for 
forty  feet  on  the  public  square  and  twenty-six  feet  on  North  street  to  make 
square  corner  in  center  of  the  lot  of  Lot  No.  5,  in  Block  No.  6,  on  which  to 
locate  said  jail,  provided  said  Z.  Cooley  obtains  a  good  title  to  the  same.  : 

Nevertheless,  Zelotes  Cooley  never  entered  into  a  contract  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  jail,  and  it  nowhere  appears  of  record  that  he  had  anything  to 
do  with  it.  The  contract  was  made  with  Alvah  Wheeler  and  the  records  show 
that  all  through  the  years  1842,  1843,  1844,  and  the  beginning  of  1845,  he  was 
working  upon  the  building.  The  following  entry,  made  March  5th,  1845,  is  a 
summing  up  of  the  whole  transaction,  and  Mr.  \\'heeler  is  paid  for  the  contract 
in  full,  $7,784. 


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;:•;:;;- x^   .;..;:  ;^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'V      ,          145 

A.  Wheeler,  account  with  county  on  jail  contract.         ,  :.! 

March  6/41  Amount  contract   '. $7724.00 

March      45  doors  extra   50.00 

March  Casing  doors  extra lo.oo 


'•;'.  'v'''.l''>-^'^--'iHSV;---S'.;VZv^  •'  $7784.00 

'•   March  5/45  Cash    paid ,  r. .......... $5708.00 

Deduction  on  cistern 30.00   5738.00 


•'' 'V-;  V-':::^.-':'''-v,  .v;:-^'/:"  $2046.00 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  A. 
Wheeler  for  two  thousand  and  forty-six  dollars,  in  full  for  jail  contract. 

This  jail  is  still  standing  on  the  west  side  of  the  public  square  in  the  City 
of  Knoxville,  and  is  now  in  use  as  a  city  prison.  It  would  seem,  from  the 
following  order  entered  upon  the  county  commissioners'  record,  that  it  was  not 
always  well  cared  for. 

"ORDERED:  That  the  sheriff  clean  out  the  jail  and  not  suffer  the  cells  or 
debtors'  apartments  of  the  same  to  be  used  for  any  purpose  whatever  except 
for  prisoners."  The  time  was  when  a  clean  jail  was  an  exception  worthy  of 
note,  and  not  so  very  long  ago  either,  if  we  are  to  credit  the  statements  of 
the  State  Boards  of  Health  and  Charities.  Knox  county  is  to  be  congratulated 
on  this  early  action  of  its  commissioners.  ^  -  ;. 

The  building  was  pretty  thoroughly  overhauled  in  1863.  We  prefer,  how- 
ever, to  tell  the  story  of  this  building  from  the  record  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors. A  movement  for  betterments  began  in  i86i,  when  an  unsuccessful 
attempt  was  made  to  start  a  new  building.  Another  unsuccessful  attempt  to 
build  was  made  in  1867,  all  of  which  will  more  fully  and  interestingly  appear 
from  the  record  herein  inserted. 

At  the  January  meeting,  i86i.  Supervisor  LeBaron  offered  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  to  build  a  good  jail  in  Knox  county  for 
the  more  effectual  keeping  of  prisoners,  which  was  seconded  and  determined 
in  the  negative. 

The  following  report,  submitted  at  the  May  meeting,  1863,  shows  the 
condition  of  the  jail. 

The  undersigned  committee  on  jail  repairs,  appointed  at  the  last  meeting 
of  the  board,  would  respectfully  report: 

That  in  pursuance  of  the  duties  enjoined  upon  us,  we  made  a  thorough 
and  careful  examination  of  the  jail  and  found  the  reports  of  the  grand  jurors 
correct  in  their  statements  that  thorough  repairs  were  absolutely  necessary ;  that 
the  jail  was  not  safe,  a  mere  loophole  for  the  escape  of  prisoners;  that  owing 
to  the  situation  of  the  vault  it  was  offensive  and  unclean  to  such  a  degree  as 
to  endanger  the  health  of  the  prisoners  and  also  the  family  having  charge 
of  the  same. 

Your  committee  examined  several  plans  for  the  repairs,  taking  into  account 
the  cost  and  also  the  security  to  be  gained,  and  adopted  one  which  has  nearly 
been  carried  into  effect,  to-wit:  Lining  the  inner  surface  of  the  outer  walls 
below  with  heavy  boiled  iron,  riveted  to  454-inch  iron  bars,  giving  it  great 

ToLI— U 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      'v-vX: 

.firmness,  and  affording  space  for  deep  countersinking,  so  that  the  riveting  is 

perfectly   smooth   on   the   inside,   and   preventing   the   possibility  of    removing 

/   rivets,  and  the  whole  firmly  bolted  in  such  manner  that  the  casing  could  not 

. '    be  removed  even  by  the  use  of  suitable  tools,  without  making  much  noise,  and 

a  great  length  of  time  spent  thereon.    To  obviate  the  stench  and  enable  the  jail 

'      to  be  kept  clean,  your  committee  has  caused  holes  eight  inches   in  diameter 

to  be  cut  through  the  solid  rock  and  iron  casings,  on  an  angle  of  45  degrees 

;  and  are  now  engaged  in  erecting  a  brick  vault  on  the  outside  of  the  jail  twelve 

feet  long  by  five  feet  wide,  to  be  drawn  in  when  a  suitable  distance  from  the 

.  :    ,  ground  and  a  chimney  or  flue  therefrom  to  extend  above  the  roof  of  the  build- 

ing,  this  arrangement,  with  close-fitting  covers  on  the  iron  seats  inside  of  th« 

jail,  with  little  care  on  the  part  of  the  jailor,  will  render  the  jail  as  free  from 

smell  as  any  building  unexposed  to  the  sun's  rays  can  be  expected  to  be. 

When  the  iron  work  is  painted  white,  and  the  stone  work  well  whitewashed, 
'     -  the  rooms  will  be  as  light  as  before  the  lining  was  put  in. 
'  .  Your  committee  would   recommend,  if  deemed  necessary  by  the  board  to 

have  the  additional  room,  that  the  upper  rooms  be  similarly  incased  (the  rooms 
being  now  utterly  worthless  for  prison  purposes).     This  might  be  done  with 
much  lighter  material,  and  would  be  sufficiently  secure  for  parties  imprisoned 
or  held  for  minor  offenses,  thus  relieving  them  from  the  necessity  of  being 
locked  up  in  cells  during  the  night  and  leaving  additional  room  for  the  safe 
keeping  of  desperate  characters,   besides  enabling  the  jailer  to  keep  the  un- 
fortunate, or  those  who  have  perhaps  committed  a  minor  offense  for  the  first 
;     time,  from  the  contamination  of  the  older  and  more  desperate  characters. 
:    -       1  Your  committee  would  report  expenses  incurred  so  far,  as  follows:      I       ••  '..'• 

;  Bill  of  Miles  Smith  for  iron,  freight,  etc $512.70 

Bill  of  William  Armstrong  for  labor,  etc 376.11 

Bill  of  Joseph  Schumaker,  draying 4.00 

Bill  of  Z.  W.  Stevens,  lime,  sand,  etc 23.20 

Bill  of  James  McCracken  for  brick I7-SO 

Bill  of  Daniel  Fox,  hauling  brick 6.00 

Making    $939-51 

.  ••    The   additional   expense  which   will  have   to  be   incurred   to   complete   the 

•  improvements  your  committee  have  in  contemplation,  is  estimated  at  about  $50, 
.   making  the  whole  expense  for  repairing  the  prison  department  of  the  jail  cost 

.^    a  trifle  less  than  $1000. 

We  have  estimated  that  the  cost  of  making  the  repairs  to  the  upper  rooms 
.        of  the  jail,  contemplated  in  a  former  portion  of  the  report,  will  be  about  the 

•  sum  of  $700.  •  .,     . 

Respectfully  submitted,  >.  "  ,     ^        ^     , 

'     .'-  ,-:  '^^^ih  '  '      •  ^'  ARMS,       •  •.  •  '^ 

:'•,'/<..  .  :  ;       JOHN  S.  WINTER,         ;• 

Committee. 

Your  committee  would  further  report  that  an  examination  of  tht  dwelling 

:         part  of  the  jail  building  satisfied  your  committee  that  considerable  repairs  were 

necessary,  the  plastering  and  paper  dirty  and  broken,  and  the  fencing  broken 

'    down,  posts  rotted,  etc.    The  sheriff  called  our  attention  to  these  matters,  but 


'::t^'  ;  V;     ;s  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;     /•   -:f  147 

we  were  disposed  to  refer  the  matter  to  the  board,   as   further   repairs   are 

required,  to-  wit  :  Pointing  up  of  brick  work,  repairs  to  roof,  and  the  building 

should  be  painted  and  pointed.     But  the  sheriff  deemed  the  immediate  repairs 

so  necessary  that  he  proceeded  to  have  the  same  done  and  for  which  bills 

will  be  presented.  .'./W'>-"'-  •>'>•'•     -^      -^      -'-'-'''  ,P^  ';'-"  ••:" 

'.•.';'."•'-•  '•  :••-•'.  "^-  '  ••  •.'-?.•„"-  •  v'U'.  -'-  •^'-;-'v'':'-'^/C'^'       C.  ARMS,       ..•.-'  i,  '  ••.'•'''•.I''i- 

;--\;:.^  :'  •'•'':'•:.  ":     ;•••.'''•'  '•'  /J  ;'.'-,  '•'•:.'  •  :.^-"-  >'•;'-'  -''•-v-  :  '•-:•:         JOHN  S.  WINTER,          ';^ 

'  "'  '    ''":'•''     '"       •  Committee.     : 

'  ;    On  motion  of  Supervisor  Potter  said  report  was  accepted  and  approved.        ; 
•  January,  1866.  —  Mr.  Harden  offered  the  following  resolution:  '-•: 

Resolved,  That  whereas  the  board  of  supervisors  have  examined  the  con- 
dition  of  the  county  jail,  feel  that  the  frequent  escapes  of  prisoners  is  entirely 
chargeable  to  the  culpable  negligence  of  the  proper  custodians  of  said  jail  and 
recommend  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  investigate  the  causes 
and  apply  the  proper  remedy.  Resolution  adopted,  when  the  chairman  appointed 
Messrs.  Harden,  Gray  and  Arms  committee,  as  provided  for  by  the  resolution. 

April,  1866.  —  Mr.  Arms  from  the  committee  to  which  was  referred  the 
matter  of  the  frequent  escape  of  prisoners  from  the  county  jail, 

Reported,  That  your  committee  appointed  to  investigate  the  cause  of  the 
frequent  escape  of  prisoners  proceeded  to  obtain  such  evidence  as  came  within 
their  reach,  and  report  that  they  referred  the  matter  to  the  grand  jury  to  take 
such  action  upon  it  as  in  their  wisdom  was  necessary. 

September,  1867.  —  Mr.  Keightley  from  jail  committee  presented  the  follow- 
ing  monthly  report: 

In  regard  to  the  requirements  of  a  resolution  passed  at  the  last  meeting 
of  this  board  the  undersigned,  a  portion  of  the  committee  on  jail  and  jail 
expenses,  would  submit  the  following  report:  -  :  .. 

They  visited  the  jail  and  examined  it  thoroughly,  and  found  that  the  same 
is  unsafe  and  insecure,  and  not  sufficient  to  hold  prisoners  of  bad  and  desperate 
characters  incarcerated  therein.  That  the  cells  of  same  are  badly  ventilated, 
damp  and  unhealthy.  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  portion  of  the  committee 
said  jail  cannot  be  made  safe,  secure  and  comfortable  without  incurring  a  very 
large  expense  to  the  county.  That  a  portion  of  said  committee  have  taken 
considerable  pains,  and  trouble  to  see  and  examine  other  jails  and  find  the 
one  in  Henry  county  in  every  and  all  respects,  as  to  security  of  prisoners  and 
safety  of  health,  as  also  its  general  arrangements,  to  be  such  a  one  as  this, 
or  any  county  in  need  of  a  jail,  requires.  That  such  a  jail  could  be  built  by 
this  county,  by  working  in  the  njaterial  of  the  old  jail,  for  $25,000  or  $30,000. 
That  Henry  county  jail  will  accommodate  thirty  prisoners;  that  our  present 
jail  has  to  be  guarded  night  and  day  to  keep  its  prisoners  from  escaping,  at  a 
great  expense  to  the  county. 

This  portion  of  the  committee  would  recommend  the  building  of  a  new  jail, 
substantially  upon  the  plan  of  the  one  in  Henry  county. 

-      The   committee   further   report,   that   in  their  opinion,   prisoners   cannot  be 
dieted  with  present  prices  of  provisions  for  less  than  75  cents  per  day.  '  ;.     /i.-- 
.-     ,       .    .    .         .   ..-     ;.        .      :.    V    ,.    -     ...          H.  N.  KEIGHTLEY,'.'  ./•;' 

•'•••'  -  ^          •-  • 


Mr.  Vaughn  moved  that  hereafter  62^2  cents  per  day  be  allowed  for  dieting 


148  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -:''-    A 

prisoners.  Lost.  Yeas,  Messrs.  Meek,  Gale,  Conger,  Newell,  Beadle,  Hamrick, 
Swigart,  Johnston,  Vaughn  and  Gibbs,  lo.  Nays,  Messrs.  Harden,  Clay,  Whiting, 
McKee,  Dunlap,  Wykoff,  Sumner,  Charles,  Keightley,  Chambers,  Hall,  Wood 
and  Shaffer,  13. 

Mr.  McKee  moved  that  50  cents  per  day  be  allowed  in  future  for  dieting 
prisoners.  Lost.  Yeas,  Messrs.  McKee,  Dunlap,  Sumner,  Charles,  Hamrick, 
Wood  and  Shaffer,  7.  Nays,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Gale,  Conger, 
Whiting,  Wykoff,  Newell,  Keightley,  Beadle,  Swigart,  Johnston,  Chambers, 
Hall,  Vaughn  and  Gibbs,  i6. 

Mr.  Harden  moved  that  75  cents  per  day  be  allowed  for  dieting  prisoners. 
Carried.  Yeas,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Gale,  Conger,  Whiting,  Wykoff, 
Beadle,  Swigart,  Johnston,  Chambers,  Hall  and  Gibbs,  13.  Nays,  Messrs.  McKee, 
Charles,  Hamrick,  Wood,  Shaffer  and  Vaughn,  6.  .,  :  •  .T  .. 

Adjourned  until  2  o'clock  P.  M.  • 

January,  1868. — Mr.  McKee  offered  the  following  resolution: 
•  Resolved,  That  this  board  will  hereafter  allow  but  fifty  cents  per  day 
for  dieting  prisoners  while  in  the  county  jail.  Lost.  Yeas,  Messrs.  Clay, 
McKee,  Dunlap,  Wykoff,  Newell,  Hamrick,  Johnston,  Shaffer  and  Vaughn,  9. 
Nays,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Sanderson,  Whiting,  Sumner, 
Beadle,  Swigart,  Miles,  Chambers,  Hall,  Wood  and  Gibbs,  14. 

In  April,  1869,  an  election  was  held  to  decide  upon  the  question  of  the 
removal  of  the  county  seat  from  Knoxville  to  Galesburg.  The  returns  gave 
the  victory  to  Knoxville,  when  the  matter  was  taken  into  court,  where  it 
remained  until  January,  1873,  when  by  the  decision  of  the  State  Supreme  court, 
the  county  seat  was  moved  to  Galesburg.  The  decision  was  read  at  January 
special  meeting  of  that  year,  when  by  a  formal  vote  of  the  board  of  supervisors, 
the  removal  was  at  once  made  effective.  The  Knoxville  interests  soon  began 
to  circulate  petitions  calling  for  another  vote  on  the  question  at  a  special  election 
for  that  purpose  to  be  held  one  week  after  the  general  election,  to  be  held 
in  the  month  of  November.  At  the  March  special  meeting,  1873,  a  movement 
for  the  construction  of  a  new  county  jail  was  begun.  In  the  interest  of 
Knoxville,  Mr.  Lewis  Andrews  had  applied  to  Hon.  Thomas  F.  Tipton,  judge 
of  the  Circuit  court  of  McLean  county,  for  an  injunction  restraining  the  board 
of  supervisors  of  Knox  county  from  building  a  jail.  No  notice  had  been  given 
to  Galesburg  parties,  and  upon  an  ex-parte  hearing,  a  temporary  injunction  was 
granted  and  served  upon  the  board  at  this  March  meeting.  Hon.  E.  P.  Williams, 
of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  was  employed  by  the  board  of  supervisors  to  look  after 
the  matter.  Upon  a  full  hearing  of  the  case  before  the  Hon.  Henry  B.  Hopkins, 
judge  of  the  Circuit  court  of  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  the  injunction  was  dis- 
solved. An  appeal  was  taken  to  the  Supreme  court  of  the  state,  where  the 
decree  of  the  Circuit  court  of  Peoria  county  was  affirmed. 

,       The  steps  for  the  building  of  the  jail  at  Galesburg  will  more  fully  appear 
from  the  following  record. 

An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  at  city  of  Galesburg,  February 
27th,  1873. 

Present — Hon.  A.  C.  Clay,  chairman;  members,  Messrs.  P.  H.  Smith,  M.  C. 
Bates,  W.  S.  Gale,  J.  M.  Morse,  B.  S.  Stanley,  H.  R.  Sanderson,  John  Junk, 
Heber  Gillis,  Daniel  Wainwright,  Peter  Godfrey,  George  A.  Charles,  G.  G. 


:      >   ;-        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  o'    '  149 

Stearns,  L.  W.  Benson,   Wm.   Swigart,   R.   W.   Miles,  H.  E.  Stevens,  J.  W. 
Hensley,  Wm.  West  and  John  Wilson.    John  S.  Winter,  clerk.  A.  W.  Berggren, 

sheriff. 

Mr.  Wood  presented  the  following  statement  from  commissioners  on  public 
buildings:  •  i' ;  ' '-;.^; .:  .;;  'viVV- 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

*  *  *  The  directions  of  your  honorable  board  have  in  all  respects  been 
complied  with.  That  the  deeds  and  leases  are  deposited  with  the  county  clerk 
and  are  now  matters  of  record ;  and  the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  fur- 
nished by  the  city  of  Galesburg,  as  aforesaid,  is  now  in  the  county  treasury. 

.:...•..         .     Respectfully,  ...'V 

•:';-^'\'v;.-''/\':/;\->^v-;;. .••-•*>•.,?  :,.".V  '•;'•      '       J.  M.  HOLYOKE,    •''""•'.- 

,.;  ,;^     ••'::-.'?-•;';.'.  ./^;  vU:,;;  .-^Vvl  v^  v:!:      Chairman  of  Committee.     '. ..; 
.-  •      On  motion  the  report  was  ordered  recorded  and  published.  ; 

Mr.  Gale,  from  special  committee  to  procure  plans  and  estimates  for  a 
county  jail,  reported  that  said  committee  have  examined  the  jails  in  the  counties 
of  Henry  and  Peoria,  and  examined  various  plans  submitted  to  them;  that 
they  have  procured  from  Mr.  Quayle,  of  Peoria,  plans  modeled  after  the 
Peoria  jail,  with  some  reduction  of  size,  which  they  beg  leave  to  submit  for 
the  consideration  of  the  board. 

Mr.  Charles  moved  that  the  jail  committee  be  directed  to  report  plans 
and  specifications  for  building  a  jail  in  the  city  of  Galesburg  which  shall  not 
cost  to  exceed  $50,000  and  make  such  report  to  a  meeting  of  the  board  to  be 
held  two  weeks  from  today.  . .  .  <  ; 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute:     '  '  ..;..-    c-    :. 

That  the  committee  be  directed  to  have  complete  specifications  with  the  plan 
for  a  jail  filed  in  the  county  clerk's  office,  that  the  clerk  be  directed  to  adver- 
tise for  proposals  to  be  examined  by  this  board  at  a  meeting  two  weeks  hence, 
that  the  committee  in  the  meantime  be  instructed  to  further  scrutinize  the 
plan  with  a  view  of  proposing  such  changes  at  such  meeting  as  they  may  find 
desirable.  .  .  .-.•  ..• ':  ;  ;  J;'' ;  /  :  J 

Mr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Bates  proposed  amendments,  but  neither  meeting  a 
second. 

Mr.  Charles  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute:  •..••"'..••:•..; 

.  Resolved,  That  the  clerk  of  this  board  be  required  to  have  published  in 
the  Chicago  Times  and  Chicago  Journal,  and  the  weekly  papers  of  this  county, 
the  following  notice. 


'•,-,-';;•;-••';'     1  _-••-•••••;-..;;:•;;:"        NOTICE     ;-.;:  .;.•.,;:•...•.    ..    •.;--••.,/•••••:•... ^. 

Sealed  proposals  will  be  received  at  the  county  clerk's  office  up  to  lo  o'clock 
A.  M.  of  April  i4th,  1873,  for  a  new  jail  to  be  built  in  the  city  of  Galesburg, 
County  of  Knox  and  State  of  Illinois,  according  to  plans  and  specifications 
to  be  filed  in  the  county  clerk's  office;  to  be  completed  in  eight  months  after 
the  letting  of  the  contract.  The  board  of  supervisors  reserving  the  right  to 
reject  any  and  all  bids  not  considered  advantageous  to  the  county. 

By  order  of  the'  board.  '  -i  '>  -''-'"•• 

;  '    The  yeas  and  nays  being  called,  resulting :  Yeas,  Messrs.  Wainwright,  God- 


150      ;>-:V-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ':^,';:;     •    : 

f rey,  Charles,  Stearns,  Miles,  Hensley,  West  and  Wilson,  8.  Nays,  Messrs.  '  . 
Smith,  Bates,  Gale,  Dieterich,  Morse,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Junk,  Gillis,  Wood,  • 
Curtis,  Benson,  Swigart,  Stephens  and  Ogden,  15.  Lost,  v,  .•  j  .:  " 

The  question  being  upon  the  substitute  of  Mr.  Gale,  it  was  carried:   Yeas,        -.' 
Messrs.  Bates,  Gale,  Dieterich,  Morse,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Junk,  Gillis,  Wood.         : 
Curtis,   Benson,   Stephens,   Ogden   and   Chairman,   14.     Nays,   Messrs.    Smith, 
Wainwright,    Godfrey,   Charles,   Stearns,    Swigart,    Miles,   Hensley,   West  and 
Wilson,  lo.     Absent,  Messrs.  Leighton  and  Soles,  2.  ..  .- 

Mr.  Miles  moved  to  amend  motion  as  substituted,  by  postponing  the  time       '; 
for  meeting  of  the  board  for  the  examination  of  proposals,  until  the  second 
Tuesday  in  April.     Ruled  out  of  order.         •:.-;  :;•:.;''''•  -vie!:  :'v  I       fv;  ^V"^'; 

The  substitute  of  Mr.  Gale  was  then  adopted.    Yeas,  Messrs.  Bates,  Gale,;;  .; 
Dieterich,    Morse,    Stanley,    Sanderson,    Junk,    Gillis,    Wood,    Curtis,    Benson,        >• 
Stephens,  Ogden  and  Chairman,  14.     Nays,  Messrs.  Smith,  Wainwright,  God-,  '  ; 
frey,  Charles,  Stearns,  Swigart,  Miles,  Hensley,  West  and  Wilson,  lO.       I         .        ' 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Ogden  the  board  adjourned  for  two  weeks  from  today,  .       . 
to  meet  again  at  this  place.  •  ;• 

March  Special  Meeting. — A  March  special  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  at  \.      . 
the  city  of  Galesburg,  March  I3th,  1873.  ^ 

Present,  same  as  at  last  meeting  with  G.  V.  Dieterich,  H.  P.  Wood,  A.  S.  i   •' 
Curtis,  Wm.  A.  Leighton,  M.  B.  Ogden  and  James  Soles,  added.       .    v  .,  .  ..         -  ' 

Board  opened  by  proclamation.  .; 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  special  order,  being  examination  of  proposals  for     .    ' 
building  county  jail  at  Galesburg,  take  precedence  of  the  reading  of  the  min-     . 
utes  of  former  meeting  of  the  board,  and  that  the  board  now  proceed  to  open       '. 
bids  for  construction  of  jail.     Carried.  ' 

The  sheriff,  by  his  deputy,  served  a  writ  of  injunction  upon  the  board  of      ,7 
supervisors,  and  each  member  thereof  present,  at  the  suit  of  Lewis  Andrews,      • 
granted  by  Hon.  Thomas  F.  Tipton,  judge  of  the  Circuit  court  of  McLean       , 
county,  enjoining  said  board  of  supervisors  from  "Letting  any  contract  to  build  '.'      ; 
any  county  jail,  or  county  prison,  or  any  building  of  any  kind  or  description; 
whatsoever,  to  be  used,  or  purposed  to  be  used,  for  the  confinement  of  prisoners,  "." 
or  for  any  other  purpose,  for  which  a  county  jail  or  county  prison  is  commonly      '    > 
used,  and  enjoining  and  restraining  said  board  of  supervisors  from  taking  any 
further  steps  whatsoever  towards  the  building  of  a  county  jail  or  county  prison." 

Mr.  Charles  moved  that  the  board  adjourn  until  the  i4th  day  of  April  next.  '    / 
Yeas  9.     Nays  14.     Excused  i.     Absent  i.  '-'.  .'..''    1  ' 

Mr.   Hazzard,  one  of  the  parties  having  made  a  bid   for  building  county 
jail,  on  behalf  of  himself  and  other  bidders,  asked  leave  to  withdraw  their     ;:• 
bids  from  examination.     On  motion  of  Mr.  Charles  the  request  was  granted,    -^-  •  - 
when  several  bids  were  withdrawn,   r  ;•;.;;,:....•.:•.''-:' v'-';'^""?'  ;:•!••      '••-' 

Mr.  Charles  moved  that  proposals  filed  by  parties  not  present,  be  returned        ' 
to  the  parties  unopened.     Lost.     Yeas,  Messrs.  Wainwright.  Godfrey,  Charles,  . 
Stearns,  Swigart,  Miles,  Leighton,  West,  Wilson  and  Ogden,  lo.    Nays,  Messrs.      .   '^ 
Smith,  Bates,  Gale,  Dieterich,  Morse.  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Junk,  Gillis,  Wood,       .;:- 
Curtis,  Benson,  Stephens  and  Soles,   14.  i -.'.-'  j         '...= 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution:  -    \ 

Resolved,     That   this   board   will   proceed   to   let   the  contract    for  building         • 


;;'.  ;^:    ';  :  V     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;  v    -v 

a  jail,  conditioned  upon  the  dissolution  of  the  injunction,  Provided,  the  bids         '  • 
when  opened  shall  prove  to  be  satisfactory.     Adopted.     Yeas,  Messrs.  Bates,     •'.'; 
Gale,  Dieterich,  Morse,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Junk,  Gillis,  Wood,  Curtis,  Benson,         .  / 
Stephens  and  Soles,  13.     Nays,  Messrs.  Smith,  Wainwright,  Godfrey,  Charles,  ,:•:;: 
Stearns,  Swigart,  Miles,  Leighton,  West  and  Wilson,  lo.    Excused,  Mr.  Ogden, 
I.     Absent,  Mr.  Hensley,  i.  ...   • 

The  clerk  called  attention  of  the  board  to  the  wording  of  injunction,  and         :  .  , 
his  duties.  ; ;'  • . ; 

The  board,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  proceeded  to  open  proposals,  received,-  '•;.-.' 
those  previously  withdrawn  having  been  returned.  '•/     - 

''••"      The  bids  received  were  as  follows:  ;'      •'   ';  '''''//•;  -X/     ••;/ 

Bid  of  Norris  &  Hinckley $43,7OO          \, 

Bid  of  Charles  Ulrickson,  Peoria 37.I5O        ' ;' 

Bid  of  Hiram  H.  Pierce,  Peoria 36,000 

Bid  of  Frost  Mfg.  Co.,  Galesburg 39,75O         '  •; 

Bid  of  J.  P.  Chapman,  Galesburg 41 ,346          ';• 

Bid  of  Samuel  J.  Parry,  Galesburg 41,000 

Bid  of  A.  Wallbaun,  Chicago   42,650 

Bid  of  James  Hazzard  &  Son,  Peoria 35.5OO        • 

: , . :        or  for  brick  and  stone  work 21,643     ;• 

Bid  of  James  Sherman,  Batavia  39,ooo 

or  for  masonry 20,000  ,         , 

Bid  of  F.  W.  Menke  &  Co.,  Quincy,  for  brick  and  stone  work 22,972 '/ 

Bid  of  Johnson  &  Askew,  Macomb,  for  brick  and  stone  work 28,000        •  .- 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted:  :..;    -V 

Resolved,    That  the  chair  appoint  a  committee  to  compare  the  bids  offered 
and   to   report   for   the   consideration   of   the  board   this   afternoon   the   most        ,. 
favorable  bid,  with  contract  and  bonds,  it  being  understood  that  the  contract^        • 
and  bonds  are  to  be  conditioned  upon  the  dissolution  of  the  injunction.  -  '•  .  . 

The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Ogden,  Miles  and  Wood  said  committee.  .;    ;   ' 

Mr.  Charles  presented  the   following  protest,  which  after  being  read,  was  /'  -    • 
ordered  spread  upon  the  records.  ;•    .' . 

. ;      "We,   the  undersigned,    supervisors   of   Knox   county,    do   hereby    solemnly-;/' 
protest  and  remonstrate  against  any  action  being  taken  by  the  board  for  the          -., 
erection  of  a  county  jail,  or  any  other  county  buildings  in  the  city  of  Galesburg, 
or  for  the  outlay  or  expenditure  of  any  of  the  county  funds  for  such  purpose; 
of   the  entering  into  any  contracts,   or   incurring  any   indebtedness   for  such 
purpose;  and  demand  that  this  protest  be  spread  upon  the  records  of  this  board,  .;.    ;"  . 
for  the  following  reasons,  viz.:  :   .  ;: 

That  any  such  action  by  this  board  would  be  wholly  illegal,  and  in  defiance         :  /  : 
of  the  injunction  issued  by  a  court  of  competent  jurisdiction  and  duly  served, 
and  in  contempt  of  such  court;  and  in  violation  of  our  solemn  oaths  to  support  v    •    ' 
and  abide  by  the  law.  ':   • 

Because   any  contract  or   contracts   entered   into  by  this   board,   with   any    '     - 
person  or  persons,  for  the  erection  of  a  county  jail  or  any  other  public  county         •.' 
building  in  the  city  of  Galesburg  would  be  wholly  illegal  and  void,  and  in  de-        .• 
fiance  of  said  injunction,  and  in  contempt  of  the  court  issuing  such  injunction.  i  . 

Because  a  majority  of  the  tax  payers  and  legal  voters  of  this  county  are     .  • 


152  •;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :v  ;"';  ^    •     |      ;.   ;\ 

not  in  favor  of  the  county  seat  being  and  remaining  in  the  city  of  Galesburg, 
and  are  opposed  to  any  county  buildings  being  erected  in  said  city,  or  any 
indebtedness  being  incurred,  or  funds  of  the  county  being  expended  for  any 
such  purpose.  That  at  the  election  held  upon  the  relocation  of  the  county 
seat,  in  the  year  1869,  it  was  determined  by  the  Supreme  court  of  this  state, 
in  adjudicating  the  effects  of  such  election,  that  after  casting  out  the  entire 
vote  of  Knox  township,  except  311  votes,  there  was  but  about  lOO  majority 
in  favor  of  removal ;  whereas  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  and  admitted  by  the 
pleadings  in  said  cause,  that  there  were  legfally  cast  in  said  Knox  township 
about  700  legal  votes  against  removal,  there  would  have  been  a  clear  majority 
against  removal  of  about  200.  It,  therefore,  appearing  that  the  real  expression 
of  the  voters  of  the  county  at  that  time  was  against  removal,  the  inference 
is  unavoidable  that  a  majority  of  the  voters  of  said  county  were  and  are 
opposed  to  the  location  of  the  county  seat  in  the  city  of  Galesburg. 

Because  the  question  of  a  relocation  of  the  county  seat  is  now  pending 
before  the  people  of  said  county,  and  due  notice  has  been  given  to  determine 
the  will  of  the  people  of  said  county,  whether  the  county  seat  shall  remain 
in  the  city  of  Galesburg  or  be  removed  to  the  city  of  Knoxville,  by  a  vote  to 
be  taken  at  an  election  to  be  held  in  said  county  in  November  next.  Common 
justice  demands  that  the  people  of  said  county  should  determine  at  which 
place  they  desire  their  county  seat  should  remain  and  be  located  before  this 
board  proceed  to  erect  any  other  county  buildings,  or  incur  any  indebtedness 
or  expenditure  of  moneys  for  such  purpose.  That  the  interests  of  the  county 
will  be  best  subserved  by  awaiting  the  final  decision  of  the  people  of  the  county. 
That  the  erection  of  county  buildings  before  such  question  is  determined  would 
be  unjust  to  the  tax  payers  and  electors  of  this  county,  and  injurious  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  citizens. 

Because  at  the  time  this  board  was  elected  by  the  people  it  was  not  known, 
nor  expected,  that  during  the  existence  of  the  present  board,  the  county  seat 
would  be  removed  to  the  city  of  Galesburg.  And  further,  it  was  not  known 
that  this  board  would  proceed  to  take  any  measures  towards  the  erection  of 
any  county  buildings  in  said  county  or  incur  any  indebtedness  beyond  the 
ordinary  expenses  of  the  county,  and  that  a  decent  respect  for  the  wishes 
of  the  people  demands  that  before  this  board  take  any  such  action  the  people 
of  the  county  should  have  an  opportunity  to  express  by  their  votes  whether 
they  are  in  favor  of  any  public  buildings  being  erected  in  said  county,  and 
whether  any  such  indebtedness  should  be  incurred,  or  means  expended ;  that 
the  people  should  at  least  be  allowed  through  their  representatives  elected,  after 
due  notice  of  any  such  expenditure,  whether  they  are  in  favor  of  any  such 
proceeding  of  this  board. 

Because,  if  at  the  election  to  be  held  in  November  next,  a  majority  of 
the  voters  of  said  county  should  be  in  favor  of  relocating  the  county  seat  in 
the  city  of  Knoxville,  there  are  in  said  city  all  necessary  county  buildings 
(with  the  exception  of  some  few  repairs  to  the  county  jail),  sufficient  to 
(answer  the  needs  of  the  county,  for  many  years  to  come;  in  fact,  equal  if  not 
better  than  similar  buildings  in  a  majority  of  the  counties  of  this  state.  ..  • 

Because  the  people  of  Knox  county  are  grievously  oppressed  with  taxes. 
That  the  county  is  now  largely  in  debt,  and  to  pay  off  such  indebtedness,  will 


.;,;:  yv;;;:^:     :     r;.;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          /•;:,;;)          153 

require  a  large  amount  of  tax  to  be  collected  from  the  tax  payers  of  the  county.- 
That  the  experience  of  other  counties  that  have  incurred  large  indebtedness 
in  the  erection  of  county  buildings,  or  for  other  purposes,  teaches  that  the 
burden  of  such  indebtedness,  and  payment  of  consequent  large  taxes,  prostrate 
the  general  interests  of  the  county  and  largely  decreases  the  value  of  the 
lands,  products  and  property  of  such  counties,  and  that  the  creation  of  such 
an  indebtedness  upon  this  county  at  the  present  time,  without  first  awaiting 
an  expression  of  the  wishes  of  the  tax  payers  of  this  county,  would  justly 
call  forth  their  severest  censure  and  be  in  violation  of  our  sworn  duty  to  protect 
the  public  good,  and  faithfully  subserve  the  public  welfare.  ,  X;  .--,'. 

Because  the  county  is  so  largely  in  debt  and  without  any  money  in  the 
treasury,  or  present  means  to  discharge  such  debt,  so  that  to  increase  any 
indebtedness  would  be  wholly  illegal.  That  before  the  board  can  properly 
proceed  to  erect,  or  cause  to  be  erected,  any  county  buildings  in  this  county 
a  tax  must  be  levied  and  the  necessary  funds  provided.  That  such  funds  do 
not  now  exist,  and  that  to  proceed  to  erect  any  county  buildings  without  such 
necessary  funds  being  provided,  would  be  wholly  unwarranted  by  law  and 
all  contracts  entered  into  for  such  purposes  would  be  unlawful  and  of  no 
effect,  further  than  to  involve  the  county  in  expensive  and  useless  litigation. 

Because  the  promised  donations  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  towards  the 
erection  of  such  county  buildings,  and  lands  on  which  to  locate  the  same,  are 
wholly  illegal  and  void,  as  lately  decided  by  the  Supreme  court  of  the  state  in 
a  similar  case,  and  were  and  are  fraudulently  made  for  the  purf)ose  of  deceiv-r 
ing  the  tax  payers  of  this  county.  And  whereas  it  appears  by  the  decision 
of  our  Supreme  court  that  all  such  donations  can  be  recovered  by  the  city 
of  Galesburg  at  the  expense  of  the  county  and  entail  upon  the  tax  payers 
of  the  county  an  additional  binder,  it  is  gross  injustice  to  the  tax  payers  of 
the  county  to  erect  such  buildings  upon  and  in  consideration  of  such  promises, 
now  known  to  be  void,  and  of  no  effect. 

And,  finally,  for  the  reasons  we  have  suggested  and  many  others  which 
we  might  urge,  justice  to  ourselves,  to  our  constituents,  to  the  tax  payers  and 
the  people  of  the  county,  all  demand  that  we  protest  and  remonstrate  against 
the  unwarranted,  hasty  and  unjust  action  of  this  board.  Believing,  as  we  do, 
that  the  tax  payers  of  this  county  are  already  sadly  oppressed  with  the  burden  of 
heavy  taxes,  and  that  could  they  be  heard,  they  would  express  themselves 
by  a  very  large  majority  against  the  unjust  and  hasty  action  of  this  board, 
and  against  the  unjust  and  oppressive  taxation  which  it  is  proposed  to  infiict 
upon  them.  And  further,  knowing  as  we  do,  that  the  farming  and  producing 
interests  of  the  county  are  suffering  grievously  from  the  unjust  and  excessive 
extortion  of  monopolies,  in  addition  to  the  heavy  load  of  necessary  taxation 
and  the  decreased  value  of  their  products,  that  they  look  to  us  as  guardians 
of  their  interests  and  of  the  county  finances,  to  protect  them  a*  far  as  lies 
in  our  power  from  any  unjust  oppression,  such  as  is  proposed  to  be  inflicted 
upon  them  by  a  majority  of  this  board.  We  would  consider  ourselves  direlect 
in  our  duty  did  we  not  in  their  names  present  this  protest  and  remonstrance, 
believing  our  constituents  and  the  people  of  the  county  generally  will  sustain 
us  and  be  rejoiced  in  an  action. 


154  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      y  >V  ;  V 

We,   therefore,  respectfully   ask   the   board   to  consider   this   remonstrance 

and  to  spread  the  same  upon  their  record..     \  '  I         '-• 

;.;/-  GEORGE  A.  CHARLES,  DANIEL  WAINWRIGHT, 

.  '    . M  "  .        W.  S.  LEIGHTON,  JOHN  WILSON,     . 

;          :•'•.  WILLIAM  G.  WEST,  G.  G.  STEARNS,        ;'  •    ' 

'    "    ,  WILLIAM  SwiGART,  RUFUS  W.  MILES, 

.'•'"-•.       .  .         •             :  ;•         PETER  GODFREY.      \'v   ';:'•; 

.  -  :•     •••      .  '<  •',. 

Mr.  Wood  from  special  committee  reported  as  follows:      V     ;'..". 
To  the  Hon.  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee,  to  whom  the  bids  for  building  county  jail  and  jailor's  resi- 
dence were  referred,  would  report: 

That  the  bid  of  Messrs.  James  Hazzard  &  Son  was  the  lowest  offered,  being 
for  the  sum  of  thirty-five  thousand,  five  hundred  dollars  ($35,500),  but  they  not 
being  willing  to  enter  into  a  contract,  or  stand  to  that  bid  for  two  weeks, 
provided  the  injunction  served  on  the  board  of  supervisors  be  dissolved  in  that 
time,  we  accept  the  bid  of  Hiram  Pierce  for  the  sum  of  thirty-six  thousand 
dollars  ($36,000),  he  agreeing  to  stand  to  said  bid  for  said  two  weeks  and 
execute  good  and  sufficient  securities  to  that  effect. 

:.,•-::;-  •    •  ;.•  ..      M.  B.  OGDEN, 

"•/•';'.-^-r'    f     '     .      ',-\;'"  ''•'/•:'.••'.•'•;:.'•-'.  •"'-'••?^      H.    P.    WOOD.       • 

On  motion  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and  adopted. 
Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 
Resolved,     That  the  committee  appointed  to  procure  plans  for  the  jail  be 
authorized  to  close  contract  with  and  obtain  bonds  from  Hiram  H.  Pierce,  on 
the  terms  of  his  bid.  Provided,  the  injunction  obtained  against  the  board  shall 
be  dissolved  within  two  weeks  from  this  date.     .         '         ' '.       .   ;^.          M  »' 
Mr.  Gale  also  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 
Resolved,    That  the  same  committee  be  authorized  to  exchange  the  lot  deeded 
to  the  county  by  A.  N.  Bancroft  for  another  lot,  provided  by  such  exchange  a 
lot  equally  well  situated  and  large  in  size  and  better  adapted  for  a  site  for  a 
jail  can  be  obtained  without  any  further  cost  to  the  county,  and  to  locate  the 
jail  on  such  lot. 

Mr.  Morse  moved  that  when  this  board  adjourn  it  adjourn  to  meet  at  thit 
place  two  weeks  from  today  at  lo  o'clock  A.  M.  Carried. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted:  -       | 

Resolved,  That  E.  P.  Williams,  Esq.,  be  appointed  by  the  board  to  apply 
for  a  dissolution  of  the  injunction  obtained  against  this  board. 

While  the  board  of  supervisors  was  awaiting  a  final  decision  of  the  in- 
junction case  restraining  it  from  doing  anything  towards  building  a  jail  the 
second  vote  on  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  was  taken,  "being  an  election 
for  and  against  the  removal  of  the  county  seat  of  the  County  of  Knox  from 
Galesburg  to  Knoxville,"  held  November  nth,  1873.  The  canvass  of  votes  and 
certificate  of  the  result  was  filed  with  the  county  clerk  and  recorded  in  Vol.  D 
of  Supervisors  Record,  page  283,  and  is  as  follows:  .  ;  • 


;v:'   7      ./    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;v      '  7l:.:: 
or  Precincts  :  • ;      "             -^V  "•;-.:;;.•:      For  Removal  Against  Removal 

St.    Augustine 4^  : /V' ;r  •"<<|?v  ^^  ; 

Indian  Point  ' 76  ;         "9     >  y, 

Cedar    125  >      205,     ,   .' 

Galesburg  9  •        I59      '^ 

City  of  Galesburg,  ist  ward  o  •        225        . 

City  of  Galesburg,  2nd  ward    o  ,        240      /, 

City  of  Galesburg,  3rd  ward    O  ;  v       259 

City  of  Galesburg,  4th  ward o  ;        370 

City  of  Galesburg,  5th  ward 4  .;       298 

City  of  Galesburg,  6th  ward o  •       234        ^ 

City  of  Galesburg,  7th  ward 2  :         '         283     f-'-. 

Henderson    44  -.       229 

Rio      100  .            .      ^V'S!^     ;; 

Chestnut  221  -  -  ;  ;  i**^'  ;  5 

Orange    245  •                    •' ;J*;     -  ^ 

Knox    546  V;.         t*;'  " : 

Sparta  87  '':'•'       206     :v 

Ontario 59  256      ; 

Maquon    246  ...      .^ . ;    y 

Haw  Creek   208  V 

Persifer    162  .     ;      .   ;;;  •?'.: 

Copley 150  ^'•-•• 

Walnut  Grove 125  .             : ',      176 

Salem    276  -•        1 1 1 

Elba    192  I 

Truro    135  ^    '        '/ 

Victoria 167  .^ V 

Lynn    84' 


v-;  :-;;••••;.•  -.,,;;-•  •;.: '•^'-•;N.-':--'-^^  •-v:-'.•.•^. '-.-a':  •-^.'    3309  ••-;;'••  ...   3785  ;y:%^ 

•TV'  ••    ''•'''   .-;',•.;•     ...^.V.'-  /-'-/V'         ABSTRACT   OF  VOTES      ';•/.;:;  '-V'...   -•  '    .    •'••'''.,: /^^^••.^^.':'.'^.'^ 

For  and  against  removal  of  the  county  seat  of  Knox  county.  State  of  Illinois,   V 
from  Galesburg,  its  present  location,  to  the  city  of  Knoxville,  in  said  county,  at     ,  • 
an  election  held  in  said  county  on  Tuesday,  the  nth  day  of  November,  A.  D. 
One  Thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  Seventy-Three. 

For  removal,  received  three  thousand  three  hundred  and  nine  (3309)  votes.  •• 

Against   removal,    received    three   thousand    seven    hundred   and    eighty-five  '' 
(3785)  votes.  -^• 

We  the  undersigned  justices  of  the  peace  of  the  county  above  named  were     > 
this  day  taken  to  the  assistance  of  the  county  clerk  of  said  county,  and  the 
poll  books  for  the  aforesaid  election  were  opened  and  the  foregoing  abstract  . 
made  in  our  presence,  at  the  clerk's  office  at  Galesburg  in  said  county,  this   ••  ; 
I5th  day  of  November,  A.  D.  1873. 

"'•    '    •  ••  '  '     ' '    ••'  -    ISAAC  MASTIN/'  -  ;^v  ;  V 

:;;"    '  '-: ;    ^    v'  'v         •    .  \-;:-'>    "^       Police  Magistrate  of  City  of  Kno.rville.  S;,,  •'> 
J.''-'"..  ::•';''"•'.•-';•:••'' ;'o^^-r;.~'';/..--;^:  G.   A.   MARSH,       •'•"•''-;: 

'     ;'         ;  :^  y-  v!^;:;  Police  Magistrate  of  City  of  Galesburg. -[^i^t^^ 


156  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  y.i^::  5  V 

State  of  Illinois,  )  '          !  >.       ,     .  .'  ::  ^;y     ;:.... 

Knox  County,      j      '  ^  ••;v^^/..'' ••''•'•;.;. '':>.;-v^r,--';V ;.;;; 

I,  John  S.  Winter,  clerk  of  the  cotinty  court  within  and  for  the  county 
and  state  aforesaid,  do  certify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  correct  statement  of  the 
votes  cast  "for  removal"  and  "against  removal"  of  the  county  seat  of  Knox 
county  from  the  city  of  Galesburg,  its  present  location,  to  the  city  of  Knox- 
ville,  in  said  county,  at  an  election  held  in  the  different  towns,  wards  and 
precincts  in  the  County  of  Knox,  in  said  state,  on  Tuesday,  the  nth  day  of 
November,  A.  D.  1873. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  affixed  the  seal  of 
said  court,  at  my  office  in  Galesburg,  in  said  county,  this  I5th  day  of  November, 
A.  D.  1873. 
(SEAL)  •  ,  .       JOHN  S.  WINTER, 

•      .  •  -     •       County  Clerk. 

'.•  At  the  request  of  one-third  of  the  members  of  the  board  a  special  meeting 
was  called  for  December  2nd,  1873,  when  the  board  took  further  action  upon 
the  question  of  building  a  jail,  as  follows: 

December  Special  Meeting,  1873. — At  the  special  meeting  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  of  Knox  County,  pursuant  to  a  call  of  the  county  clerk,  at  the  request 
of  one-third  of  the  members  of  said  board,  held  at  the  court  house  in  the  city 
of  Galesburg,  in  said  county,  on  Tuesday,  the  2nd  day  of  December,  A.  D.  1873. 
Present,  Hon.  A.  C.  Clay,  Chairman.  Supervisors,  P.  M.  Shoop,  O.  Beadle, 
W.  S.  Gale,  L.  W.  Benson,  J.  M.  Morse,  G.  V.  Dieterich,  Wm.  Swigart.  Jas.  L. 
McCornack,  B.  S.  Stanley,  Jas.  Johnston,  H.  R.  Sanderson,  John  Sloan,  Geo.  A. 
Charles,  Jas.  H.  Nicholson,  H.  P.  Wood,  L.  D.  Shinn  and  H.  J.  Vaughn.  John 
S.  Winter,  Clerk.  A.  W.  Berggren,  Sheriff. 
^  Board  opened  by  proclamation.  :\:  V  .-•  ..  \:>^'- •'  /;  1  ,  ' 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  that  the  business  of  this  meeting  be  confined  to  such 
action  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  early  construction  of  a  jail  for  Knox 
county,  and  the  examination  and  approval  of  official  bonds. 

Messrs.  Junk,  Wainwright  and  Robson  entered.       :••.;>/..  I 

Messrs.  Campbell  and  Harlan  appointed  to  fill  vacancies  admitted  to  seats 
in  the  board. 

Mr.  Swigart  moved  to  amend,  by  postponing  all  action  in  regard  to  a 
county  jail,  until  the  board  received  notice  that  the  injunction  pending  in  the 
Supreme  court  is  dissolved.  Lost.  Yeas,  Messrs.  Wainwright,  Harlan,  Swigart, 
McCornack,  Nicholson  and  Shinn,  6.  Nays,  Messrs.  Campbell,  Shoop,  Gale, 
Dieterich,  Morse,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Junk,  Robson,  Charles,  Wood,  Beadle, 
Benson,  Johnston,  Sloan  and  Vaughn,  i6. 

The  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson  was  then  adopted.          •.•;';.-'          ..1;      * 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  to  take  at  once  the  preliminary  steps  .towards 
building  a  jail,  and  to  proceed  with  the  building,  if  an  advantageous  contract 
can  be  made ;  provided  it  shall  appear  that  the  entire  cost  of  building  and  all 
the  contingent  expenses  shall  not  exceed  $20,000  in  addition  to  the  amount 
now  in  the  county  treasury  as  a  special  jail  building  fund. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  appointed  at  this  meeting,  a  committee  of  five 
supervisors,  to  be  called  the  jail  building  committee;  that  it  shall  be  the  duty 


V':V    :  ^;;  V    ;       e  '    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;  ;:^^;'         167 

of  such  committee  to  examine  and  revise  the  plans  and  specifications  now  on 
file  in  the  clerk's  office;  that  the  committee  be  authorized  to  make  such  modifi- 
cations as  seem  expedient,  not  materially  increasing  the  expense  or  changing 
the  style, 

Resolved,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  clerk,  under  the  direction  of 
such  committee,  to  advertise  for  proposals  for  building  such  jail.  Such  pro- 
posals to  be  opened  by  the  board  at  its  next  meeting.  The  board  reserving 
the  right  to  reject  all  the  proposals,  if  none  be  found  satisfactory. 

Resolved,  That  the  clerk  of  the  board  act  as  clerk  of  the  committee  and 
keep  a  record  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  committee.  .  : 

One-half  past  one  o'clock,  P.  M. — Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

The  question  being  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions  offered  by  Mr.  Gale, 
they  were  adopted.  '  .;•;  s  \v:'>-:  :  -' •  '-^"^ 

:  Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  chair  appoint  the  committee  provided  for  by  the 
resolutions,  and  that  the  chairman  of  the  board  be  a  member  of  said  committee, 
and  chairman  thereof.  Withdrawn. 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  that  the  chair  appoint  committee  of  five,  provided 
for  by  Mr.  Gale's  resolutions,  constituting  a  jail  building  committee,  and  that 
the  chairman  of  this  board  be  added  to  such  committee,  and  be  chairman  thereof. 
Adopted. 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  to  suspend  the  rule.  Carried,  when  '  '  • 
:  Mr.  Sanderson  moved  the  appointment  of  a  Committee  on  old  county  build- 
ings, with  George  A.  Charles  as  chairman,  with  instructions  to  report  at  the 
next  meeting  of  the  board,  their  condition  and  the  disposition  proper  to  be 
made  of  the  same.  Carried.  The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Charles,  Beadle, 
and  Harlan  such  committee,  \  't^  :'^.  •^•:  -.  '  '  •'  - 

The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Gale,  Charles,  Sloan,  Wood  and  Campbell  as 
members  of  the  jail  building  committee. 

At  the  request  of  members,  the  clerk  read  specifications  for  building  a  new 
jail. 

January  Meeting,  1874. — There  were  present  at  this  meeting,  Hon.  A.  C. 
Clay,  chairman.  Supervisors,  Messrs.  W.  W.  Campbell,  H.  P.  Wood,  P.  M, 
Shoop,  O.  Beadle,  W.  S.  Gale,  L.  W.  Benson,  J.  M.  Morse,  Wm.  Swigart,  B. 
S.  Stanley,  R,  W.  Miles,  Daniel  Wainwright,  James  Johnston,  Geo.  W.  Harlan, 
John  Sloan,  Geo.  A.  Charles,  J.  H.  Nicholson,  C.  K.  Harvey,  I..  D.  Shinn,  H, 
J.  Vaughn.  J.  S.  Winter,  clerk.  A.  W.  Berggren,  sheriflf.  .  .  .  .  ;„ 

Board  opened  by  proclamation. 

Mr.  Clay,  from  the  jail  building  committee,  reported,  that  they  have  as 
directed,  examined  the  plan  and  specifications  for  jail  in  the  clerk's  office;  that 
they  have  made  some  changes  which  meet  with  the  unanimous  approval  of  the 
committee. 

That  they  had  caused  to  be  advertised  a  call  for  sealed  proposals;  that  as 
there  are  in  attendance  several  persons  interested  in  such  proposals,  they  recom- 
mend that  the  board  proceed  at  once  to  examine  such  proposals.  On  motion 
the  report  of  the  jail  committee  was  accepted  and  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson,  the  changes  made  by  the  special  jail  com- 
mittee in  the  plans  and  specifications  for  building  county  jail  were  read,  and  on 
motion  the  amendments  and  alterations  made  by  the  committee  were  approved 
by  the  board.  >  .,.>.,  ;^\  .  .  ..  .-  ,,^:;.;..--.  ^.  •-  .  -......-•. 


158         /  '•         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ,:yv; 

The  clerk  opened  and  read  the  bids,  as  follows:        , '.    ..'.  >    '     >'. 

F.  C.  Smith,  Galesburg .$38,300 

Hiram    H.    Pierce,    Peoria 36,000 

John   T.    Rhodes,    Springfield,    111 38,000 

Hopping  &   Ridgeley,    Springfield,   111 35,2OO 

Samuel  J.   Parry,   Galesburg,   111 35,3OO 

Ira    R.    Stevens,    Galesburg,    III 34.9OO 

J,    P.   Chapman,   Galesburg,   111 38,200 

Geo.  P.  Adams,  cut  stone,  Joliet,  111 1 1,200 

Thomas   E.    Smith,   Galesburg,   111 38,500 

W.    F.    Bushnell,   Mendota,   111 33,ooo 

Wallace  Carter,  masonry    21,940 

Thomas   McKee,   Galesburg,   111 3S>723 

W.    S.    Bounton,   iron   work    4)3OO 

Gindle   Bros,   cut   stone,    Chicago,   111 14,500 

J.  W.  Atkinson,  galvanized  iron  and  roof,  etc.,  Chicago,  111 1,780 

Norris  &  Hinckley,  Indianapolis,  Ind 37,4OO 

A.    M.   Hill,    Galesburg,   111 39,95O 

Chas.  Ulrickson,  Peoria,  111 35,86o 

Geo.   L.   Arnold,   Galesburg,   111 36,700 

H.    Andrews,   Chicago,    111 31,500 

James    Shannon,    Batavia,    III 36,750 

W.  B.  Bushnell,  Quincy,  111 35,ooo 

Daniel  Collins,  (cut  stone  $15,000)   Batavia,  111 13,000 

H.  H.  Ward,  Chicago 19,900 

Singer  &  Talcott  Stone  Co.,  cut  stone 8,6oo 

Singer  &  Talcott,  Chicago,  cut  stone  amended  as  per  specifications 9,57O 

A.    Walbaum 38,300 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson,  all  bids  received  were  referred  to  the  special 
jail  committee. 

-..  Jan.    15,    1874. — The   jail   building   committee   to   whom   was   referred   the 
proposals  received  for  building  jail,  made  the  following   .   :    ,  .  • 

•    .''v.'^;^'-^  .  .     _.  REPORT       '..,•;•,..-.•  ;••--.;•:.,;•;• 

That  they  have  examined  the  proposals  referred  to  them,  and  find  that 
the  lowest  bid  for  building  jail  complete,  is  made  by  H.  Andrews,  for  the  sum 
of  $31.500.  Your  committee  are  unable  to  find  any  person  acquainted  with  said 
Andrews,  and  his  bid  contains  no  other  reference  to  his  residence  or  ability 
to  perform  the  contract,  if  given  to  him,  than  the  address  of  his  letter,  which 
is  dated  "Chicago."  Your  committe  would  further  report  that  they  have  tele- 
graphed to  W.  F.  Bushnell,  the  next  lowest  bidder,  being  for  $33,000  to  meet 
the  committee  tomorrow  morning;  and  if  he  has  had  understanding  of  the 
modifications  made  in  the  plan  and  specifications,  and  furnishes  good  and  suf- 
ficient bond,  your  committee  are  of  the  opinion  the  contract  should  be  awarded 
to  him.  Galesburg,  Jan.  14,  1874. 

In  the  absence  of  W.  F.  Bushnell,  and  the  uncertainty  when  he  m^y  be 
heard  from,  -'__:  •  .  .  '  ..:':^:' -'•;.;''  '"'•  ~ '•'::'.••-'•.''••••••;/•.;  .'>1.'t--.' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  159 


:,      Mr.   Gale  moved  that  the  bid   of   Ira   R.    Stevens,    for   building   the 
complete  for  the  sum  of  ($34,900)  thirty  four  thousand  nine  hundred  dollars,- 
be  accepted.  , 

/'      Mr.  Junk  entered.     ,.-••;.  •  '   /•f'^'---':-;..'  f-'':^':^-^J--'^;:'i."-'':.-  ^-.^  .  .  •'  -  '.  "•^.  .'-':.;,;^-'o':"'-'v-- 

On  motion  the  further  consideration  of  Mr.  Gale's  motion  was  postponed 
until  half  past  one  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Afternoon    session.  —  Board    met    pursuant   to   adjournment.      Present    same 
as  in  the  morning,  and  Mr.  Shoop.  •.:  ,  •       :/ 

The  order  of  business  being  Mr.  Gale's  motion  to  accept  the  bid  of  Ira  R.  .-, 
Stevens  for  building  county  jail,  the  motion  after  some  discussion  was  adopted. 
Yeas  —  Messrs.    Shoop,    Campbell,    Gale,   Dieterich,     Morse,     Stanley,     Robson,  " 
Charles,  Harvey,  Wood,  Miles,  Johnston,  Sloan,  Nicholson,  Vaughn,  15,  ,- 

Nays  —  Messrs.  Junk,  Wainwright,  and  McCornack,  3.  -::....•.*•'• 

:      Excused,  Mr.  Swigart.  .    :/ 

.       Absent,  Messrs.  Sanderson,  Harlan,  Beadle,  Benson,  Shinn,  and  Soles,  6.          ; 

Mr.   Stevens   appeared   before   the  board,   and   presented   his   bond   in   the  ; 
sum  of  $10,000,  signed  by  himself  as  principal,  and  by  Samuel  J.  Parry,  Samuel  . 
Hitchcock,  E.  P.  Breckinridge  and  George  W.  Brown  as  securities,  conditioned;' 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  contract.  :"' 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  bond  of  Ira  R.  Stevens  be  approved,  and  the: 
chairman  and  clerk  be  authorized  to  sign  contract  on  the  part  of  the  board  with 
said  Stevens  for  building  jail.     Adopted.  .   ;      v  ,:,t,,  ,!;- 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted:  V; 

Resolved,  That  the  special  jail  building  committee  continue  in  charge  of   ' 
the  building  until  the  board  shall  otherwise  provide.     That  the  chairman  of 
the   committee   act  as   superintendent   with   such   assistance   as   the   committee 
may  provide  for.  .     .^.-  .    .  ,.     .      ,  ^  .   .    v 

Mr.   Gale  presented  the   following  proposition:  '  ' 

GALESBURG,   III.,  Jan.    13,    1874.       .. 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  Illinois:  :' 

GENTLEMEN  —  I   hereby  propose  and  agree  to  sell  to  the  county  my  resi- 
dence   in  block  45,   adjoining  the  lot   donated  by  the   city  of   Galesburg   for  / 
a  jail  lot,  for  the  sum  of  twenty-six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  , 

;;';;.;..;•  ;'','.^;\-;    /''...^''v^'-'/ivl-'  ;/••'•"      Respectfully,  ;.''--.-:\'  .;•'•  ^\  /''*••;  v;'^-:'-  •.'"'•,;:•;.••- 

.;.•  .'.';!•  .•  '';  ^^  '•.••••-/:  '.-'y''  ':•,:.•:'."  "'•',  \''\  ^^/;;-'-;'.'^  :  '•;•    ABIGAL  BURLINGHAM,   .VvV;.  ..;'  ^ 

HATTIE  BURLINGHAM.  , 

And  in  connection  with  such  proposition  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  board  accept  the  proposition  of  Mrs.  Burlingham  to  i  ; 
sell  to  the  county  lot  8,  block  45  for  the  sum  of  $2,650,  and  that  an  order  • 
issue  to  her  for  that  amount,  payable  upon  the  delivery  of  proper  conveyance  •:.: 
to  the  county  clerk,  showing  complete  chain  of  title.  - 

Resolved,   That   the   chairman   of   jail    building   committee   be   directed   to    - 
dispose  of  the  house  standing  on  the  lot,  to  the  best  advantage.  ;. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Morse,  the  board  took  a  recess  of  half  an  hour  to  /,• 
enable  members  to  examine  lots  on  which  it  is  proposed  to  build  the  jail. 

On  resuming  business,  Mr.  Charles  moved  to  postpone  further  consideration  .;; 
of  the  resolutions  until  tomorrow  morning.  Carried.  • 

Mr.   Beadle,   from   special   committee,   in   reference   to   disposal   of   county 
buildings  at  Knoxville,  made  the  following  report:      ..  .     ,-          .-  ' 


160  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :C    :;;,:. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County:  •  -V: 

We,  your  committee,  appointed  to  report  what  disposition  should  be  made 
of  the  county  buildings,  located  in  the  city  of  Knoxville,  would  recommend 
that  they  be  offered  at  public  auction,  and  sold  to  the  highest  bidder  for  cash, 

•\:.''-:/'./: ;    •  ,  ;.         -'^      ;.       -  ••         O.  BEADLE,        •    ^,.1.   ••,•••;•• 

•'  '"'•.7^;;-V  :    :\       '  ''';•;:.;"  '-••''^'/-        G.  W.  HARLAN, 

Committee. 

Mr.  Charles,  of  special  committee,  made  the  following  minority  report:    . 
'  To  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County:    .    ••.-  /,  v-   I    •   j    . 

We,  the  undersigned,  being  appointed  a  committee  at  the  special  meeting 
of  the  board,  held  on  the  2d  day  of  December,  1873,  "to  consider  and  report 
to  this  board  what  disposition  had  better  be  made  of  the  county  buildings 
in  the  city  of  Knoxville,"  do  report,  that  we  recommend  that  the  clerk  of 
this  board  be  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  make  a  quit-claim  deed  in 
consideration  of  one  dollar,  to  all  the  county  buildings  standing  on  the  public 
square  in  sai'd  city  of  Knoxville,  to  the  city  council  of  said  city.  Also  to 
include  in  said  deed,  the  jail  and  lot  upon  which  it  stands,  being  the  south 
part  of  lot  No.  one,  in  block  No.  five,  with  the  exception  that  the  county 
continues  to  occupy  said  jail  as  long  as  the  county  desires;  with  the  privilege 
at  any  time  to  confine  insane  persons,  or  others  that  the  county  may  see 
proper.  Such  deed  or  deeds  to  be  reported  to  this  board  for  approval. 
•''•:.*••%;  Respectfully  submitted,  •  . -:;  :^^  v  :•  - !  •;  ;r  V 

GEORGE  A.  CHARLES. 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  that  the  minority  report  be  accepted  by  the  board 
and  adopted.  On  which  motion  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting: 

Yeas — Messrs.  Shoop,  Gale,  Dieterich,  Morse,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Junk, 
Robson,  Harvey,  Charles,  Miles,  Sloan  and  Vaughn,  13.  .  . 

Nays — ^Messrs.  Campbell,  Wainwright,  Wood,  Beadle,  Swigart  McCor- 
nack,  Johnston  and  Nicholson,  8. 

Absent — Messrs.  Harlan,  Benson,  Shinn  and  Soles,  4.          !-     ' 

So  the  motion  prevailed.  XV          /.      •;;- T.     '•'!•';  v\ 

Jan.  1 6,  1874. — Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present — Hon.  A.  C.  Clay,  chairman ;  Supervisors — Messrs.  Campbell,  Gale, 
Dieterich,  Morse,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Robson,  Wainwright,  Harlan,  Charles, 
Harvey,  Beadle,  Benson,  Swigart,  Miles,  McCornack,  Johnston,  Sloan,  and 
Nicholson. 

The  special  order  being  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  accepting  the  proposition 
of  Mrs.  Burlingham  for  the  sale  of  lot  adjoining  jail  lot. 

Mr.  Harvey  offered  the  following  substitute:  X''r  -       '        1 

Whereas,  It  appears  that  the  lot  donated  by  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  Knox 
county,  for  the  location  of  the  county  jail  is  not  large  enough  for  that  purpose, 
and  it  appears  that  an  additional  lot  must  be  purchased  at  a  cost  of  not  less  than 
$2,600.00;  and  it  further  appearing  that  a  lot  suitable  for  such  purpose  can  be 
purchased  from  the  city  of  Galesburg,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,500.00  and  the  re- 
conveyance of  the  lot  already  donated  by  the  city  of  Galesburg;  be  it 

Resolved,  That  a  quit-claim  deed  be  made  by  the  board  of  supervisors  to 
the  City  of  Galesburg  for  the  lot  already  donated,  in  consideration  of  the  lot 
now  occupied  by  said  city  as  a  wood  lot,  on  the  comer  of  Simmons  and  Cedar 


.    V:^/^v  V-A- 

streets,  to  be  conveyed  to  the  county  by  said  city,  and  that  the  sum  of  $1,500.00 
in  addition  be  paid  to  said  city,  in  case  of  the  conveyance  of  said  last  mentioned 
lot,  provided,  that  said  lot  be  conveyed  by  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  the  county         •-. 
within  thirty  days  from  this  date,  and  grant  to  the  county  the  use  of  the  sewer 
on  Broad  street  for  drainage,  without  costs.  <\  •  . 

After  some  discussion,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Campbell,  further  consideration  of 
substitute  of  Mr.  Harvey  was  postponed  until  afternoon. 

Afternoon  session — Mr.  Harvey's  substitute  for  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  in 
reference  to  purchase  of  additional  jail  lot  being  in  order,  after  further  dis- 
cussion was  rejected.  .  .•  .  ;  . 

Yeas — Messrs.  Dieterich,  Sanderson,  Junk,  Robson,  Wainwright,  Harvey, 
Benson,  Swigart,  McCornack  and  Nicholson,  lo. 

Nays — Messrs.  Campbell,  Gale,  Morse,  Stanley,  Harlan,  Charles,  Beadle, 
Miles,  Johnston,  Sloan  and  Vaughn,  ii.  •  ^I'l  I"  .- 

The  question  recurring  on  the  passage  of  Mr.  Gale's  resolutions,  the  same 
were  adopted.  v 

Yeas — Messrs.  Campbell,  Gale,  Morse,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  Junk,  Robson, 
Harlan,  Charles,  Beadle,  Benson,  Miles,  McCornack,  Johnston,  Sloan  and 
Vaughan,  i6.  ^:  ':.r •"./:•;, ?^ 

Nays — Messrs.  Dieterich,  Harlan,  Harvey,  Swigart  and  Nicholson,  5.  :  ', 

The  clerk  presented  deeds  in  accordance  with  resolutions  of  yesterday,  grant-  -  ; 
ing  the  public  buildings  in  Knoxville  to  that  city,  which  deeds  on  motion  of  Mr.;  '  . 
Gale,  were  approved  by  the  board.  -/:.  ;  '  :/- 

July  adjourned  meeting,  1874. — Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolutions 
and  moved  that  they  be  laid  over  until  tomorrow  morning,  or  until  after  disposing 
of  special  order :  ' 

Resolved,  That  the  jail  building  committee  be  authorized  to  consent,  on  behalf 
of  the  county,  to  such  assessment  as  may  be  made  against  the  property  of  the 
county  by  the  City  of  Galesburg,  for  the  drainage  of  Cherry  street,  provided 
such  assessment  should,  in  the  judgment  of  the  committee,  be  fair  and  reasonable, 
and  for  the  interest  of  the  county.  :  /. 

Resolved,  That  the  jail  building  committee  be  authorized  to  negotiate  for 
the  lot  owned  by  Bancroft,  between  the  jail  lot  and  South  street,  and  report 
to  the  board,  or  contract  for  said  lot  or  part  thereof  in  behalf  of  the  county,  if 
in  their  judgment  the  interest  of  the  county  may  require.  -  :  '.  * 

Mr.  Gale  called  up  the  resolution,  authorizing  the  jail  building  committee  to 
assent,  on  the  part  of  the  county,  to  such  assessments  as  might  be  required,  to 
be  levied  on  county  property  by  the  city  of  Galesburg  in  constructing  a  sewer 
in  Cherry  street;  and  the  board  being  advised  in  relation  thereto,  the  same  was       ''•' 
adopted,     :       ,      '  -  .     .  '^•:'''.--- 

Action  on  the  second  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale's  was  postponed  until  tomor-   ;  V 
row  morning.  '      . 

July  28,  1874. — Mr.  Sumner  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted:  t;  '  ' 

Resolved,  That  the  superintendent  of  the  jail  building  be  directed  to  build 
a  suitable  and  substantial  fence  around  the  jail  lots,  the  kind  of  fence  and  manner 
of  building  to  be  by  and  under  the  instruction  of  the  board. 
-•       On  motion  of  Mr.  Sumner,  Messrs.  Miles.  Dieterich  and  Campbell  were  ap- 

...  VoL  X—ll  .  ......  .  .     , 


102          •  '  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .      •^.;;:: 

pointed  a  committee  to  obtain  plan  and  specifications  for  building  fence  on  jail 
lots,  with  instructions  to  report  this  afternoon. 

Mr.  Stanley  moved  that  the  same  committee  be  instructed  to  report  on  the 
cost  of  building  walk  in  front  of  jail  lot,  and  necessary  stone  walks  to  front  and 
north  doors  of  jail.  Carried.  ::.-^  •;'•'-:.  .  '  I  ^^''-.^ 

Mr.  Gale  called  up  his  resolution  in  regard  to  the  purchase  of  additional 
grounds  for  jail  building. 

Mr.  Junk  moved  to  lay  the  matter  on  the  table,  on  which  the  yeas  and  nays 
were  demanded,  resulting:  •;.  =:.J  -  .  '  \  •:  -...v'^;'  :  ..  i  '  ;  ;  -• 

Yeas — Messrs.  Junk,  Deatherage,  VVainwright,  Sumner,  Eiker,  Temple,  John- 
ston,  Nicholson,  Wilder  and  Ogden,  lo. 

Nays — Messrs.  Campbell,  Gale,  Dieterich,  Stanley,  Sanderson,  DeLong,  Crane, 
Donason,  Swigart,  Miles  and  Sloan,  ii.  Lx)st.  - "v 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  to  amend  by  authorizing  the  jail  committee  to  purchase 
the  south  half  of  the  Bancroft  lot,  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  six  hundred  dollars. 

Afternoon  session. — Mr.  Sumner  moved  to  refer  the  matter  of  purchase  of 
additional  jail  lot  to  a  special  committee.  Lost. 

Mr.  Sumner  then  moved  to  postpone  action  until  the  next  meeting  of  the 
board.  Lost. 

Mr.  Sanderson  withdrew  his  amendment,  and  Mr.  Gale  by  consent  modified 
the  resolution  to  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  jail  building  committee  be  authorized  to  ascertain  on  what 
terms  the  lot,  or  south  half  of  the  lot,  owned  by  Bancroft,  between  the  jail 
lots  and  South  street,  can  be  obtained,  and  report  to  the  board  at  its  next 
meeting. 

Resolution  as  modified,  adopted.  r  '      •  .r..  .;  •  i'     ;  •  .A   .  I 

Mr.  Dieterich,  from  special  committee  on  fence  and  sidewalks  for  jail,  re- 
ported an  estimated  cost  for  iron  fence  in  front  of  jail  lots,  and  close  board 
fence  on  the  other  three  sides,  and  also  for  stone  walks  to  front  door,  and  door 
of  sheriff's  office.  Report  accepted.  '  ?>, 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  that  the  jail  building  committee  be  directed  to  build 
a  tight  board  fence  on  the  north,  east  and  south  sides  of  jail  lot,  and  a  good 
substantial  picket  fence  in  front,  and  where  necessary  on  said  lots.  Carried. 

September  meeting,  1874. — Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  jail  building  committee 
be  instructed  to  build  sidewalk  in  front  of  jail  lot  of  Bloomington  concrete,  sim- 
ilar to  the  walks  now  being  laid  in  the  public  square  by  the  City  of  Galesburg. 

Mr.  Swigart  moved  to  amend  by  substituting  stone  walks.  Lost.  Motion  of 
Mr.  Gale  was  then  adopted. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted:     ^-i     :  j       . 

Resolved,  That  the  jail  building  committee  be  authorized  to  procure  bedsteads 
and  bedding  for  so  many  of  the  cells  as  it  appears  to  be  necessary  to  use,  and 
such  other  furniture  for  the  jail  rooms  and  the  sheriff's  office  as  is  necessary. 

Mr.  Gale  further  moved,  that  the  jail  building  committee  be  authorized  to 
procure  connection  for  the  jail  and  sheriff's  house  with  the  gas  main,  and  to 
procure  suitable  gas  fixtures  for  the  building.  Adopted. 

Mr.  Gale,  from  special  committee,  reported  in  regard  to  addition  to  jail  lot: 
That  the  committee  had  failed  to  obtain  any  different  terms  than  heretofore 
reported;  and  moved  that  the  chairman  of  the  jail  building  committee  be  au- 


_._,:::-\:':^:^''-^^^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          v>V> 

thorized  to  purchase  the  Bancroft  lot,  north  of  the  east  end  of  jail  lots  for  a 
sum  not  exceeding  $1,500.    Lost.  '>'/       ;  ^ •.-":?'- CV    V-',-' 

V     Mr.  Sanderson  was  called  to  the  chair,  when 

Mr.  Clay  moved  that  the  jail  building  committee  be  authorized  to  pur- 
chase the  south  four  rods  of  the  Bancroft  lot,  as  an  addition  to  the  jail  lot, 
at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $800.00.  v  .. 

Mr.  DeLong  moved  to  amend  by  authorizing  the  purchase  of  the  whole  of  the 
Bancroft  lot  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $1,500.00.    Carried.    Yeas — Messrs.  Shoop, 
V     Gale,  Dieterich,  Morse,  Stanley,  Deatherage,  DeLong,  Donason,  Swigart,  Sloan. 
'  '''•••  Soles  and  the  chairman,  12 ;  Nays — Messrs.  Sanderson,  Junk,  Wainwright,  Sum- 
,    ner,  Eiker,  Temple,  Johnston,  Nicholson  and  Wilder,  9.     Whereupon  the  reso- 
:  lution  as  amended  was  adopted.    Yeas — Messrs.  Sharp,  Gale,  Dieterich,  Morse, 
Stanley,  Sanderson,  DeLong,  Donason,  Swigart,  Sloan,  Soles  and  the  chairman, 
•X  12;  Nays — Messrs.  Junk,  Deatherage,  Wainwright,    Sumner,    Eiker,    Temple, 
•     Johnston,  Nicholson  and  Wilber,  9. 

Mr.  Clay  moved  that  the  jail  building  committee  be  authorized  to  sell  on  the 
:•  best  possible  terms  the  house  on  the  south  half  of  the  Bancroft  lot;  and  to  sell 
the  north  half  of  the  lot  if  found  to  be  to  the  interest  of  the  county  to  do  so. 
-'  Adopted.         .•'-.-_  j':.  :':'-,''      ;/ 

September  adjourned  meeting,   1874. — The  special  business  of  the  meeting 
.  .  being  the  reception  of  the  county  jail  from  the  contractors,  A.  C.  Clay,  sup- 
':  erintendent  of  construction,  made  the  following  report : 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors:  .  'rV;,         . .-.".- 

.        As   superintendent  of  construction  of   jail,   under  appointment   from  your 
honorable  body,  I  would  respectfully  report : 

That  the  jail  and  sheriff's  house  has  been  completed  according  to  contract, 
.     (except  building  cistern,  and  connecting  drainage,  to  be  done  as  soon  as  water 
in  the  ground  will  permit),  and  the  same  is  now  ready  for  your  acceptance. 

As  superintendent,  I  have,  from  time  to  time,  found  it  necessary  to  modify 

and  alter  original  plans,  and  after  consultation   in  most  instances   with  your 

special  jail  committee,  have  made  such  alterations  and  modifications  as   were 

-deemed  beneficial,  or  tending  to  greater  security  of  the  jail;  first,  when  possible, 

,    agreeing  with  the  contractors  as  to  the  cost  of  such  changes.     The  cost  of  the 

jail  and  sheriff's  house,  including  the  cistern  and  drain  connections  yet  to  be 

constructed),  is  a  follows: 

Contract  price  ; , .  .$34.900.00 

Extra  to  contractor  for  materials  and  labor,  in  alterations,  etc 2,452.01 

Making  .$37.352.01 

';   And  I  would  further  report,  that  the  original  ground  being  found  too 

' ,  small,  an  additional  lot  was  bought  for 1,800.00 

1  That  additional  expenditures  have  been  made  as  follows:  V  .;:.     ';•  ,  ''A 

Committee  visiting  jails  in  1873,  allowed  at  March  meeting,  v      .•;'.. 

1873    $116.50       ^^'^'}^^--;' 

-  Paid  Wm.  Quayle,  architect,  for  plans,  etc 210.00       ,-  • :  ^'  ' 

.  Paid  for  advertising  for  contracts 70.10      '  :  .    '-'v  \' 

;  ;  Paid    Wm.    Quayle,    for   copy    of    plans 8.00       '  •  "/'-5 

Paid   committee,    for    services,    (say) 125.00 

Paid  Winter,  for  copy  of  specifications IO.OO          539.6o 

;^ :;^;^:  Making $39,691.61 


164 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Which  sum  has  been  paid,  except  about  15  per  cent,,  to  con- 

...    tractor.  .' V  . 

I  would  further  report,  that  an  additional  lot,  under  direction  ^  ; 
of  the  board,  was  bought  at  $1,500,  the  north  half  of  ; : 
which  with  the  buildings  on  the  lot  so  purchased  sold  for,  '  -'  '• 

say  $900,  leaving  the  south  half  at  a  cost  of $600.00 

Necessary  fencing,  already  ordered,  will  cost 628.00 

Stone  walks  on  jail  lot,  laid  under  order  of  the  board,  as 

per  bill    391.00 

Sidewalk  is  estimated  to  cost loo.oo 

Grading  of  lot,  and  for  sidewalk 75-OO 

Gas  fixtures  will  cost  probably loo.oo 

Surveyor's  bill  is  4.00 


Making  to  be  provided  for $1,898.00 


Making  the  cost  of  jail  building  and  lots,  entire $41,589.61 

On  which  sum  there  has  been  paid  as  follows: 

Ira  R.  Stevens,  contractor $31,450.64 

Jail  lot   1,800.00 

Architect,  committee,  advertising,  etc 530.60 


Making    $33,790.24 


Leaving  unpaid  the  sum  of $  7,799.37 

I  would  recommend  that  you  pay  the  amount  due  Ira  R.  Stevens  on  con- 
tract and  for  extras  $37,352.01,  less  amount  paid  to  him  as  shown  by  the 
report,  $31,450.64,  and  the  further  sum  of  $500.00  to  be  retained  until  the  cistern 
is  built,  and  connections  are  made  with  drainage,  as  required  by  contract,  being 
the  sum  of  $5,401.37;  and  also  that  provision  be  made  for  work  yet  to  be  done, 
such  as  fencing,  sidewalk,  gas  fixtures,  etc. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.      ,-         ,'•':.         .  /  - 

A.  C.  CLAY.     ;. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson  the  report  was  received. 

•  Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  north  half  of  lot  last  purchased  from  A.  N.  Ban- 
croft, be  held  for  sale  at  $900.00,  and  asked  that  the  consideration  of  said  motion 
be  postponed  until  after  the  board  shall  visit  the  jail. 

Afternoon  session. — Mr.  Ogden  called  up  report  of  A.  C.  Clay,  superintend- 
ent of  jail,  and  moved  that  the  report  be  adopted  and  that  order  issue  to  Ira  R, 
Stevens,  contractor,  in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  report.  '  I 

Mr.  Gale  moved  to  amend  by  adding: 

To  be  delivered  upon  the  certificate  of  the  superintendent,  that  the  said 
contractor  has  given  him  full  satisfaction  that  all  claims  of  laborers  and  sub- 
contractors have  been  fully  paid. 

Amendment  adopted,  and  motion  as  amended  passed.  •   |    _  .  ; 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  nine  hundred  dollars  be  appropriated  subject  to  the 
order  of  the  superintendent,  to  be  exf>ended  in  carrying  out  the  other  recom- 
mendations of  the  report.  Adopted. 


:-         -^^^    i      "         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^    .  /^        165 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  chairman  be  authorized  to  receive  deed  from  A. 
N.  Bancroft  for  lot  purchased,  and  pay  interest  on  purchase  money  until  the 
first  day  of  February  next,  at  which  time  payment  shall  be  made  for  said  lot. 
•:    Carried. 

;         Mr.  Gale  called  up  his  motion,  made  this  morning,  in  regard  to  the  sale 
:    of  the  north  end  of  Bancroft  lot.  ;'-''..;,  :•.;'.. 

;  •'     Mr.  Swigart  moved  to  amend  by  directing  the  chairman  to  sell  and  remove 
the  buildings  on  said  lot,  when 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  action  was  postjwned  until  the  January  meeting 
.    of  the  board. 

;      :.  On  motion,  the  sheriff  was  directed  to  rent  and  collect  rents  of  dwelling 
.   house  on  north  end  of  said  lot.  ,:.•-;- 

:  Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted : 
'  '  Resolved,  That  the  jail  building  committee  be  directed  to  procure  survey 
and  plan  of  drainage  for  the  jail,  and  go  on  and  contract  the  same  in  the  mode 
most  satisfactory  and  economical  to  the  county,  unless  the  City  of  Galesburg 
shall  take  immediate  action  for  the  drainage  of  Cherry  street,  on  terms  sat- 
isfactory to  the  committee. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted.  '.-'•,•-.- 
'  Resolved,  That  the  sheriff  be  directed  to  take  possession  of  the  jail,  and 
prepare  the  same  for  the  use  of  the  prisoners,  but  that  no  prisoners  be  removed 
until  the  jail  is  in  condition  to  receive  them  with  safety  to  health,  and  sewerage 
immediately  necessary  be  provided ;  and  that  supervisors  Morse  and  Clay  be 
a  committee  to  advise  the  sheriff  as  to  when  the  jail  can  be  inhabited  with 
safety. 

January  meeting,  1875. — Mr.  Clay,  from  jail  building  committee,  made  the 
following  report: 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: '^i-^ ^.'r-:''.'''^f'.''':--  '••••.    ::/>  '" 

Since  the  last  meeting  of  the  board,  the  contractor  of  the  jail  has  com- 
pleted the  cistern  and  made  the  necessary  connections.  I  accepted  it  and  made 
an  order  on  the  county  clerk  for  balance  due  him  on  the  jail  contract,  viz: 
$500,  taking  his  receipt  in  full. 

:  I  have  paid  out  of  fund     appropriated  for  fencing,  grading,  etc.,  $782.60, 
;  as  follows:  .     ,        ;  .5- 

.   Paid  Mr.  McMakin  for  lo  mattresses,  each  $2.00 .,.....;.....$  20.00 

Paid  Stevens  &  Parry  for  fencing  etc.,  as  per  bill  attached 697.73 

Paid  Monmouth  M.  &  M.  Co.,  for  2,500  paving  brick 50.00 

Paid  C.  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  for  freight  on  brick  from  Monmouth 14-85 

And  there  remains  a  small  bill   for  hauling  brick  from  depot,  which  has 
:  not  been  presented  for  payment. 

'.'  >•  I  would  also  report  that  I  sold  the  house  on  rear  end  of  jail  lot  for  $40.00, 
the  best  price  I  could  get. 

I  would  further  report  that  the  jail  building  committee  were  unable  to  make 

any  arrangement  with  the  City  of  Galesburg  about  the  drainage  for  the  jail. 

••The   committee  then   procured   plans  and   estimates    for   sewerage   for   the 

jail  of  Mr.  Churchill,  city  engineer,  and  let  the  contract  for  building  the  sewer 

-  to  Parry  &  Stevens  at  engineer's  estimate.     I  would  recommend  that  provision 


166  •       .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     V  • ;;. ;        • 

be  made  for  their  payment,  amounting  to  $1,412.77,  and  interest  from  Nov. 
1st,  1874  at  ten  per  cent,  v '•;/'-•;;/:;  .-''•'[..  ^/ 

.All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.    .       .  .•-       . 

A.  C.  CLAY. 

On  motion  the  rep>ort  was  approved,  and  it  was  ordered  that  balance  of  ap- 
propriation be  cancelled. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  clerk  was  directed  to  issue  an  order  in  favot 

•  of   Parry   &   Stevens,  in  payment   for  sewerage  contract,  payable   March    ist, 
1875,  for  the  sum  of  $1,412.77,  with  interest  at  ten  per  cent  for  four  months, 
amounting  to  $1,459.87. 

Mr.  Sanderson  moved  that  the  sum  of  $600,  being  at  the  rate  of  $ioo  per 
month,  be  allowed  and  paid  to  A.  C.  Clay,  as  superintendent  in  building  county 
jail. 

Mr.  Gale  moved  to  amend  by  allowing  Mr.  Clay  supervisor's  per  diem  and 
mileage  for  i6o  days'  service.  After  some  discussion  Mr.  Sanderson  offered 
the  following  substitute: 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  $3.12^^  per  day  for  i6o  days  be  allowed  and 
paid  to  A.  C.  Clay,  superintendent  of  jail  building;  and  that  the  further  sum 
of  $ioo,  advanced  by  Mr.  Clay  to  obtain  possession  of  jail  lot  be  refunded  to 
him;  and  that  in  payment  the  clerk  issue  order  to  A.  C.  Clay  for  the  sum 
of  $500  for  services,  and  an  order  for  $ioo  for  money  advanced.  . 

Substitute  carried  and  adopted. 

September  meeting,  1883. — In  behalf  of  the  jail  committee,  Mr.  May  made 
a  verbal  rep>ort  on  the  question  of  heating  the  jail  and  repairing  the  roof.  He 
said  the  present  system  of  heating  is  by  hot  air,  and  under  ordinary  circum- 

•  stances  will  answer  well  enough  so  far  as  the  prison  department  is  concerned, 
.  but  in  very  cold  weather  it  is  difficult  to  get  up  sufficient  heat  to  make  the 

prisoners  comfortable  and  the  furnaces  have  to  be  run  so  hard  that  they  re- 
quire frequent  and  expensive  repairs.  To  fit  the  furnace  for  use  this  winter 
will  require  an  outlay  of  at  least  $300.  But  the  great  objection  to  the  present 
system  of  heating  consists  in  the  fact  that  the  cells  in  which  the  insane  are 

•  necessarily  kept,  when  confined  in  jail,  are  heated  by  stoves,  thus  entailing  the 
great  risk  of  the  loss  of  the  jail  by  fire.     Your  committee  find  that  on  several 
occasions  stoves  have  been  taken   to  pieces  or  knocked   down  by   insane   pa- 
tients temporarily  confined  in  the  jail.     Your  committee  has  investigated  the 

.    question  of  steam-heating  and  they  are  of  the  opinion   that  the  jail   can  be 
better  warmed,  at  a  less  expense  and  with  absolute  safety  by  the  use  of  steam. 
;•  We  present  to  the  board  several  propositions  ranging  in  price  from  $725  to  $975, 
and  regarding  it  a  less  expensive  and  at  the  same  time  a  more  efficient  system, 
y  and  removing  as  it  does  the  danger  of  fire  alluded  to,  we  recommend  the  substi- 
tution of  steam  heating  for  the  present  one.     We  also  recommend  that  the  jail 
roof  be  painted  and  such  little  repairs  made  as  may  be  necessary. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and  its 
recommendations  concurred  in,  and  the  chairman  of  the  board  and  the  chairman 
of  the  jail  committee  were  authorized  to  contract  for  the  change  on  the  most 
advantageous  terms  possible. 

January  meeting,  1884. — Mr.  May,  of  the  special  committee  on  heating  the 
jail,  read  the  following  report: 


'^':Ci''^     -r         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  • " x  v >          167 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

The  undersigned,  to  whom  at  the  last  session  of  this  board  the  matter  of 
heating  the  county  jail  by  a  steam  heating  apparatus  was  referred,  with  power 
to  act,  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  immediately  entered  upon  the  duties 
devolved  upon  them;  that  having  had  several  conferences  with  the  managers 
of  the  Haxton  Steam  Heating  Company,  of  Kewanee,  111.,  they  were  able 
to  make  a  contract  with  them  to  place  their  apparatus  in  the  jail  building 
for  heating  the  same  with  steam,  which  contract  accompanies  this  report. 
We  further  report  that  we  watched  the  work  of  introducing  the  apparatus 
into  the  building  as  it  progressed  and  becoming  convinced  that  it  would  be 
to  the  advantage  of  the  county  to  have  the  apparatus  extended  so  as  to  heat 
the  entire  building,  we  authorized  such  enlargement  of  the  contract,  and  we 
report  that  in  our  opinion  the  entire  building  is  now  adequately  supplied  with 
steam  heating  apparatus  well  adapted  to  that  purpose.  We  submit  our  doings 
aforesaid,  together  with  the  bill  of  $905.84,  submitted  by  the  contractors 
aforesaid,  and  ask  that  they  be  approved  and  the  said  bill  allowed. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.        .  ;     : ..  .. 

•"  .  /•/•>:''  s.  w.  MAY,    ^'••'•'•-•^^.::^^- 

'  '    >VV^;-mx---.^^':     T.  J.  HALE,          '      -•"'^;^;';^ 

••.\-il^-'' "  .  ^  Special  Committee.     '^•.- 

On   motion  of  Mr.   Greenleaf  the   foregoing  report   was   adopted   and   its 
recommendations  concurred  in,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue  orders  therefor. 


::^  /  ;     -  ::  THE  CARE  OF  PETTY  CRIMINALS   ;.;;>: -vvi '.':-:;: 

In  1883  the  agitation  began  for  the  employment  of  such  petty  criminals,  as 
may  be  convicted  of  a  crime  involving  a  fine  or  a  fine  and  jail  sentence,  in 
some  work  for  the  purpose  of  making  collection  of  the  fine  and  relieving  the 
prisoners  of  the  monotony  and  evil  effects  of  languishing  in  jail.  The  jail 
has  long  and  justly  been  considered  as  a  primary  school  to  the  penitentiary 
and  therefore  a  very  damaging  judgment  to  be  pronounced  against  a  young 
or  first  offender.  The  seeming  better  opinion  has  been  held  for  many  years 
that  such  offenders  should  be  set  to  work  and  even  allowed  some  compensation 
therefor. 

At  that  time  Mr.  Robert  Mathews  introduced  the  following  resolution:         -^ 

Adjourned  meeting  August  6,  1883. — Resolved,  That  the  judiciary  com- 
mittee be  directed  to  confer  with  the  authorities  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  and 
report  at  the  next  meeting  of  this  board  the  feasibility  and  probable  cost  of 
some  method  by  which  persons  convicted  of  crime  and  sentenced  to  the  county 
jail  by  the  proper  authorities  can  be  made  to  work  out  such  fines  under  proper 
restraint  and  direction. 

The  record  does  not  show  that  anything  was  done  pursuant  to  the  passage 
of  this  resolution.  '•:  \  :^:' •.-':%'-' 

At  the  December  meeting  of  the  board  1892  Mr.  L.  A.  Lawrence  of  Yates 
City  introduced  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted. 

December,   1892. — Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Super- 


168         ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

visors:  In  view  of  the  great  expense  of  our  county  in  maintaining  so 
many  petty  criminals  in  idleness  who  are  sentenced  to  various  terms  of  im- 
prisonment in  our  county  jail  by  police,  justice  and  other  courts,  and  believing 
that  a  well  planned  and  directed  work  house  or  house  of  correction  would  re- 
duce such  expense  to  a  minimum  point  or  overcome  it  altogether.  Therefore, 
Rcsohcd,  That  the  chairman  of  this  board  appoint  a  committee  of  throe 
members  to  examine  into  the  workings  of  such  institutions  in  other  counties 
and  report  at  the  next  regular  meeting  of  this  board  upon  the  advisability 
of  introducing  such  an  institution  into  our  county. 

In  conformity  with  the  foregoing  the  chairman  appointed  Messrs.  Law- 
rence, Gale  and  Robson  as  such  committee.  7.  • -j  ,  \ 

March,   1893. — Mr.  Lawrence,  of  the  special  committee,  appointed  at  the 
December  meeting  of  this  board  to  examine  into  the  workings  of  houses  of 
correction  as  operated  in  other  counties,  read  the  following  report : 
Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

We,  the  undersigned,  committee  appointed  at  the  last  regular  meeting  to 
examine  into  the  workings  of  houses  of  correction  as  operated  in  other  coun- 
ties with  a  view  of  introducing  a  similar  system  into  this  county  if  found  to 
be  practical  and  advisable,  would  respectfully  report  as  follows:  .' I  r/^. 

We  have  visited  the  house  of  correction  at  Peoria,  which  was  organized 
and  is  operated  wholly  by  the  city  of  Peoria,  and  from  statements  made  by 
the  superintendent  of  that  institution,  covering  its  workings  for  a  period 
of  thirteen  years  and  from  our  own  observation,  we  are  of  the  opinion  that 
such  an  institution  is  both  practical  and  advisable  for  the  following  reasons,  viz : 

1st.  The  criminal  and  vagrant  class,  or  those  who  prey  upon  the  com- 
munity at  large,  are  inclined  to  shun  those  communities  where  houses  of  cor- 
rection or  work  houses  are  located.  i  .  '  '  '. 

2nd.  We  believe  that  a  criminal  while  held  in  custody  in  default  of  pay- 
ment of  fine  for  misdemeanors  committed,  is  better  situated  both  for  himself 
and  the  public  at  large  if  compelled  to  labor  at  some  useful  employment  than 
if  permitted  to  lie  in  idleness  especially  if  he  is  to  be  associated  with  others 
of  a  similar  class,  for  they  will  then  be  more  than  likely  engaged  in  schemes 
and  plans  for  further  and  more  to  be  dreaded  criminal  conduct. 

3rd.  W'e  believe  that  a  criminal  compelled  to  labor  while  deprived  of  his 
liberty  on  account  of  misdemeanors  committed,  will  be  more  likely  to  seek 
and  engage  in  some  honest  employment  after  his  liberation  than  he  would  do 
were  he  permitted  to  remain  in  useless  idleness  during  his  detention. 

4th.  We  believe  there  will  be  less  eflFort  made  in  trying  to  escape  from 
custody  by  those  offenders  who  are  kept  busily  at  work  than  by  those  who 
are  simply  watered,  housed,  fed  and  kept  in  comfortable  idleness  with  plenty 
of  time  at  their  disposal  to  plan  deeper  crimes  and  means  of  escape.  j  .;  A  • 

5th.  We  believe  that  a  house  of  correction,  well  arranged  and  conducteid, 
can  be  made  almost  if  not  quite  self  supporting,  and  thus  relieve  the  tax 
payers  of  the  ever  present  burden  of  supporting  a  class  of  criminal  and  vagrant 
idlers.  •  '  --J^.  '•'^.•--  '•"'  .;^' 

In  other  words,  we  believe  such  an  institution  will  be  the  means  of  en- 
abling the  thrifty  part  of  the  public  to  compel  those  who  are  ever  a  menace  to 
peace,  order  and  prosperity,  to  pay  with  their  own  labor  the  penalty  of  their 
misdeeds,  while  being  at  the  same  time  reformatory  in  effects.  ;'••/]•:''•; 


;v^:|/. ::;:;;;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     •, --j^^-  i69 

But  while  we  are  persuaded  in  the  above  opinion  we  are  not  yet  suf- 
;  ficiently  informed  upon  the  question  whether  Knox  county  separate  and  apart 
.  from  the  incorporated  towns  in  the  county  has  a  sufficient  number  of  of- 
';  fenders  to  deal  with  to  justify  the  necessary  outlay  of  money.  If  we  may 

-  suppose  that  all  the  incorporated  towns  in  the  county  including  the  city  of 

•  Galesburg,   would  be   willing  to  contract  with  the  county   for  the  keeping  of 
;  their   offenders   during   their   various   terms   of    imprisonment   at   a    sufficient 

sum  per  diem  to  cover  cost  of  dieting,  then  we  think  the  question  practically 
settled  in  favor  of  such  an  institution;  we  have  not  yet  that  information, 
but  in  view  of  all  the  conditions  of  the  case  your  committee  would  respect- 
fully ask  that  its  work  of  investigation  be  continued  until  the  next  regular 
meeting  with  instructions  to  confer  with  the  authorities  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg  and  the  other  incorporated  towns  in  the  county  and  ascertain,  if  possible, 
whether  said  authorities  will  co-operate  with  Knox  county  in  some  plan  as 
above  suggested  to  justify  the  county  in  the  necessary  outlay  in  erecting  an 
institution  that  promises  a  better  means  of  handling  their  and  our  offenders 
against  the  public  peace  and  order,  and  also  to  ascertain  and  report  upon  the 
approximate  cost  of  erecting  said  institution. 

'-vX''-v'-,v\^' ''"•.-'•''."';'•:'  ^>->:'v        L.  A.  LAWRENCE,     '^./;'^:  ' 

•;;.;-.;.•-:••':'-';?;.''''.! -^^  '•'-.-' V •;•'•': ',;-::;/- ••',•  /Vo/^ /•.?-'^-:  ^-^        ^-  SELDEN  GALE,     ••V.:^,-' 
••  WM.  RoBSON, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Burkhalter,  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its 
recommendations  concurred  in. 

September,    1893. — Mr.    Lawrence,   of   the   committee    on   workhouse,    sub- 
mitted the  following  report: 
To  the  Honorable  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of 

Knox  County,  Illinois: 

We,  the  undersigned  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  a 
continued  investigation  of  the  advisability  of  building  a  workhouse  in  Knox 
county  at  the  March  meeting  of  1893,  respectfully  report  as  follows,  viz:  On 
June  29th  last  we  addressed  to  the  authorities  of  the  several  cities  and  villages 
of  Knox  county  the  following  circular  letter  as  embodying  the  information 
we  then  desired  in  the  above  matter,  and  asked  a  prompt  reply  to  the  same: 

1st.     Do  you  as  the  representatives  of  the  village  of believe 

that  a  workhouse  is  a  practical  and  advisable  institution  to  be  built  in  our 
county?  v-.,\:-/'  ^'•.- '..•:/,;•:'.•;'•  /•••.:-'::•'•:::••.. 

2nd.    Would  you,  as  the  representatives  of  the  people  of  the  village  of 

,  be  willing  to  contract  with  the  authorities  of  Knox  county  for 

the  keeping  of  as  many  of  such  offenders  as  may  fall  into  your  hands  during 
their  several  terms  of  imprisonment,  as  by  law  may  be  imposed,  at  an  expense 
to  you  of  not  more  than  thirty-five  cents  a  day  for  their  dieting  and  cost 
of  transportation  to  workhouse? 

3rd.  About  how  many  committals  per  annum  will  you  probably  have, 
judging  from  past  experience,  that  would  be  subject  to  the  workhouse,  if  one 
were  built?  c  •'';.  ^v'  •''«:.'>- V 

:      The  above  questions  can  be  very  readily  answered  by  a  "yes"  or  "no"  im--- 
mediately  following  the  first  and  second  ones,  and  by  the  suggested  number 
following  the  third  one,  and  when  signed  by  the  president  and  clerk  of  the 


170 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


village  or  city,  will   furnish  the  board  a  very  substantial  basis  of  action   in 
the  matter  of  building  a  workhouse  as  proposed.  I          '... 

By  the  committee:  .     ,          .         v         .  .   ,      L.  A.  LAWRENCE,        Jrl  :  : 

.'  •• .  '^  •. --v...     ••''•-•.';/'"' '^'     :'''   W.  SELDEN  GALE.   •'''••  ^-^  •.:';/, 

',;.;.  .::f-v...- >•    •      ^  -        :-.•;.••.    ,•   -    -^••'    .;V'.-\'  WM.  ROBSON.        •:-::-^"r'^:'-. 

To   that    circular    letter    we  have    received    replies    from    eight    towns    as 
follows:                          :  .  •.    ,/^.:r;>      .:    /  ,:..:; 

Names  of  towns.  .  .  Questions.      v  :     '  ...  Annual 

'.  •  "' y  Commitments 


:      .  . ,  .:    .      Commitments./;';;"^";,;;;'/; 

1.  Yates  city   Yes.         Yes.     .-'      ;  6  to  lo. 

2.  Maquon    No.  No.  '  •       None. 

-;  ^-"-  ''•'-'•'.-  . 

3.  Abingdon     No.  No.  :  6  to  lo. 

4.  Wataga   No.  —  -  -    - .  Indefinite. 

5.  Henderson    No.  Yes.  ;f  -^v  5.          .  ., 

6.  Galesburg    Yes.  Yes.  ^  A:  567.      ,  -> 

7.  Oneida    No.  No.          ;      .-  5. 

8.  Knoxville  (not  by  Knox  county) Yes.  — '       .;  :  4O-         • 

Total  number  reporting,  8.  ,•  -  v!  •_    - 

Victoria  gives  no  answer.                       ;  .       •.   r!  ^'     ,  >  !' 

•    •    St.  Augustine  gives  no  answer.  v     -      :         ^'-'•^•'J \:.\:.  •-:•,. : 

'Altona  gives  no  answer.     ::  •-      •       'i-'^V  ,-     •    -'^^ 

:;   Number  not   reporting,   3.       .  v  ;"..       :V;  \         ;\      '' 

Total  number  of  probable  committals  by  the  towns  reporting,  623. 

Number  of  committals  by  Knox   county  annually,   estimated   from   sherifi 
records   (average  sentence  30  days),  50. 
-.;.  Total  number  of  probable  committals  per  annum,  673.  '    I    ;-•-    r 

From  the  above  it  would  appear  that  we  might  expect  an  average  of  at 
least  ten  persons  per  day  under  sentence  and  subject  to  work  house  labor,  with 
the  probability  of  an  increase  in  the  number  in  proportion  to  the  increase  of 
population  and  business  interests.  A  majority  of  the  towns  of  our  county  do 
not  report  favorably  upon  the  proposition  to  build  a  workhouse,  yet  we  feel 
assured  that  such  an  institution  is  practical  and  needed,  and  will  be  appreciated 
when  better  understood. 

.Two  plans  present  themselves,  for  carrying  into  effect  the  proposed  work  if 
favored  by  this  body,  viz :  To  purchase  land  having  a  dep>osit  of  clay  suitable 
for  brick  making,  and  then  erect  buildings  adapted  to  the  safe-keeping  and 
working  of  those  subject  to  such  penalty;  or,  second,  to  erect  suitable  build- 
ings in  our  present  jail  yard  to  the  carrying  on  of  such  mechanical  work  as 
may  be  best  adapted  to  our  times  and  circumstances,  whereby  all  offenders  that 
may  be  subject  thereto  can  be  usefully  employed ;  and,  in  order  to  further 
develop  the  matter,  we  most  respectfully  recommend  that  the  above  plans  be 
investigated  by  a  committee  to  be  named  by  the  honorable  chairman,  and  that 
the  probable  cost  of  site  and  buildings  in  each  case  be  estimated  and  reported 
at  the  regular  meeting  of  the  board  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable. 

By  the  committee :  ' 

,  L.  A.  LAWRENCE,      W.  SELDEN,  GALE,  j       ^i 


>:::\;:^,r  £       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;    -\- V:,,  171 

Mr.  McCrea  moved  that  the  report  be  accepted  and  adopted,  the  roll  being 
called  on  Mr.  McCrea's  motion  as  follows:  '.-.••  •'  '••'  • 

••',       Yeas — Messrs.    Gale,    Boydstun,    Burkhalter,    Nelson,    Stanton,    Humphrey, 
Pickrel,  Lawrence,  Pitman,  McCrea  and  Emery,   ii. 

Nays — Messrs.  Byram,  Latimer,  Felt,  Sisson,  Reece,  Simpson,  Smith,  Steph- 
enson,  Bearmore,  Young,  Becker,  Hubbell  and  Seward.  13.  Lost. 

When  on  motion  of  Mr.  McCrea  the  foregoing  report  was  accepted  and 
said  committee  discharged. 

After  two  such  excellent  and  comprehensive  rejxjrts  on  this  subject,  it  seems 
strange  that  it  would  be  so  unceremoniously  dropped.  However,  at  the  Sep- 
tember meeting,  1904,  it  was  brought  up  again  by  the  presentation  of  the  fol- 
lowing petition:  ...,;:•'•.•.  :;  V  '••-•'  "  -i^:  '  ^•=. 

^^         V     •?:-  (^'y       PETITION  FOR  WORKHOUSE  v  •:     '  ''     '^' v 

September  meeting,  1904. — To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of 
Knox  County,  III.  Gentlemen:  We,  the  undersigned  voters  and  tax  payers 
of  Salem  and  Elba  townships  in  said  county,  hereby  petition  that  prompt  steps 
be  taken  by  you  for  the  organization  and  construction  of  a  workhouse  in  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  whereby  those  who  are  found  guilty  of  committing  any  of  the 
misdemeanors  enumerated  in  the  laws,  ordinances  or  statutes  of  the  munici- 
palities of  our  county  or  of  the  state  at  large  may  be  compelled  by  their  labor 
to  defray  the  expense  of  their  keeping  while  under  sentence  as  provided  in  the 
criminal  code  of  the  statute  of  Illinois. 

We  believe  that  such  a  provision  will  have  a  tendency  to  lessen  the  number  . 
of  misdemeanors  committed  and  reduce  the  expense  of  the  county  in  connection 
with  the  same. 

Said  petitions  being  signed  by  one  hundred  forty-six  residents  of  Salem 
township  and  nine  residents  of  Elba  township. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Me  Williams  the  above  p>etitions  were  made  a  special 
order  of  business  for  Thursday  at  10:30  o'clock  A.  M. 

Thursday  morning. — The  hour  of  10:30  having  arrived,  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Sawyer,  the  matter  relating  to  the  petition  for  a  workhouse  for  Knox  county 
was  referred  to  the  police  committee  with  instructions  to  report  at  the  next 
regular  meeting  of  this  board. 

Nothing  was  done  and  four  years  went  by  before  anything  further  appears 
on  the  subject, 
i      At  the  December  meeting,  1908,  the  following  appears  of  record: 

December,  1908. — Mr.  Barlow  read  the  following  report  of  the  special 
committee  on  the  employment  of  prisoners,  and  moved  its  adoption : 

''.•-:'  GALESBURG,  111.,  November  28,  1908. 

To  the  Honorable  Chairman  and  members  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the 

County  of  Knox  and  State  of  Illinois: 

GENTLEMEN — The  Committee  apf>ointed  by  your  honorable  body  to  confer 
with  a  like  committee  to  be  appointed  by  the  honorable  mayor  and  city  council  ' 
of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report: 

Your  committee,  together  with  the  committee  appointed  by  the  city  council, 
met  on  the  evening  of  November  28th,  1908,  and  after  thoroughly  discussing 


172  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'-  the  question  of  finding  employment  for  persons  held  in  custody  both  at  the 
county  jail  and  city  prison,  we  the  undersigned  committee,  would  respectfully 
recommend  that  the  county  and  city  join  together  in  securing  a  suitable  place 
for  a  rock  pile,  whereon  those  persons  held  in  custody  could  be  made  to  work. 

-  And  the  product  from  such  labor  be  used  to  improve  the  streets  and  roads 
'"'",.  within  the  city  and  county.  K\  -  s.\;;     .-  /•;../  ;j-      .?  :: 

Signed  by  the  committee.  .7*'-; 

•  ' ,  AMES  A.  BARLOW,  C.  A.  PALMGREN,      '   ' 
1  •    'X  •    -^  •                              .    ;;     S.  M.  WHITING,  J.  P.  MCDERMOTT, 

'-'-'•'•-  :.-''.;^:;>--^'- ''.:,."••      O.J.JOHNSON.  .-.l-^:-' :"/•;'•.- 

Mr.  Robson  offered  as  a  substitute  to  the  motion  of  adoption  of  the  report 
that  the  consideration  thereon  be  deferred  until  1 130  P.  M.,  which  was  adopted. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  McWilliams  the  board  adjourned  until  i  :3o  P.  M. 
The  hour  for  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  special  committee  on  the 
employment  of  prisoners,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Barlow,  said  report  was  adopted. 
.  employment  of  prisoners  having  arrived,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Barlow,  said  report 
was  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hoxworth  the  special  committee  on  employment  of  prison- 
:  ers  was  continued  and  directed  to  report  at  the  next  meeting  the  plan  and 
probable  expense  to  the  county  to  carry  out  the  plan  proposed. 

It  seems  that  a  motion  to  ascertain  the  cost  of  any  proposed  improvement 
of  this  kind  was  sufficient  to  postpone  action  indefinitely.  However,  at  the 
December  meeting  1910  Mr.  Barlow  brought  up  the  question  again  in  such  a 
way  that  results  were  finally  obtained. 

December,  1910. — Mr.  Barlow  brought  up  the  question  of  a  rock  pile  or  a 

workhouse  for  the  prisoners  in  the  county  jail,  and  offered  a  motion  that  the 

chair  appoint  a  new  committee  of  three  members  of  the  board  to  confer  with 

;   the  city  authorities  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  on  the  question  of  preparing  a 

^  place  for  working  the  prisoners  in  the  county  jail. 

The  time  having  arrived  which  was  set  for  the  special  order  of  business  the 
'':  resolution  presented  by  the  special  committee  was  read,  and  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Robson,  was  adopted. 

The  chairman  then  announced  that  he  would  appoint  Messrs.  Barlow,  Burn- 

• .    side  and  Whiting  as  members  of  the  committee  to  confer  with  the  city  authorities 

of  the  city  of  Galesburg  on  the  matter  of  the  employment  of  the  prisoners 

in  the  county  jail  in  some  suitable  place.        ,;     v  i    ;'   »' . 

;         March,    1911. — Mr.    Barlow,   of   the   special   committee  on   employment  of 

prisoners,  presented  the  following  report,  which  on  motion  of  Mr.  Clark,  was 

•  •    adopted  and  its  recommendation  concurred  in: 

.  „       .  GALESBURG,  111.,  March  22,  1911. 

..    To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

GENTLEMEN — Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  seciir- 
;     ing  a  suitable  place  wherein  the  convicts  held  in  our  county  jail  from  time  to 
V     time  might  be  required  to  crack  rock  or  perform  other  kinds  of  manual  labor, 
wish  to  make  the  following  report: 

We  had  a  meeting  with  the  chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the  city 
council  to  co-operate  with  us  on  the  above  proposition,  and  we  find  that  they 
are  quite  anxious  to  take  hold  with  us  and  help  to  secure  a  suitable  place  for 


^;v;         ^;   (  :    r.     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  173 

same.  Therefore  your  committee  would  recommend  that  they  be  given  power 
to  get  options  on  what  they  consider  to  be  suitable  property,  acting  jointly  with 
the  committee  appointed  by  the  city  council  with  a  view  of  each,  the  county  and 
city,  bearing  one-half  the  expense  incurred  in  procuring  such  a  site  and  improve- 
ment of  same,  and  report  their  findings  at  the  April  meeting  of  said  Board. 

;'.--vvV:  ^    /    •;;.^:  •  .  ;.  RespectfuIIy  submitted,  ..:•>;.•  v  . 

/:••";'•:.'•-.•  ^i  •••;'•  -;';:'^;;;••.._.    -^^_:/:,..-^.  Signed:  AMES  A.  BARLOW,       •.••  :^V' 

•"•'•'    V-''  Y  ;-^T..''-\  ''••.•''^•/x.i^.•'•;^./.^/^,,  .,•.:,....-..:.,         S.  M.  WHITING,  '•':{•: 

v;  ..  '  •-'.•.^^/'•••'    -  '  '  '•';  •'•'''.'•:i^.i  •'•:'.  V^^,;^-    '',:•-''.'•'•'  ^''  •'  '•'          T.  E.  BURNSIDE,  •:'  . 

.'':;.-..'.'.;.•.=••>  :•'.  .y>.V.:.v,  ^y,:~  -'"•';  ,^'.  ,•••;.''.'•     Committee.      •'•'.'•.. 

September,  1911.  —  The  following  report  of  the  special  committee  on  work- 
house was  presented  and  read,  which,  upon  motion  of  Mr.  Robson,  was  ap- 
proved and  its  recommendations  concurred  in  : 
To  the  Honorable  Chairman  and  Gentleman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors: 

;  Your  special  committee  appointed  by  this  board  to  confer  with  authorities 
of  the  city  of  Galesburg  in  regard  to  the  matter  of  the  establishing  of  a  work-  . 
house,  beg  leave  to  report  that  in  conjunction  with  a  committee  appointed  by 
the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  purchased  a  parcel  of  ground  described 
as  the  west  four  rods  of  lots  one  (i)  and  two  (2)  in  the  subdivision  of 
original  lot  one  (i)  in  block  forty-five  (45)  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  said  tract  or  lot  being  adjacent  to  the  property  on  which  the 
county  jail  is  located,  for  the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  ($3000.00),  one- 
half  of  which  purchase  price  is  to  be  paid  by  Knox  county.  The  deed  for  said 
property  has  been  executed  and  delivered  and  has,  by  your  joint  committee, 
been  placed  in  the  custody  and  keeping  of  the  city  clerk  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg. Your  committee  would  further  report  that  they  have  entered  into  a 
joint  agreement  with  the  committee  of  the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Gales-  -  • 
burg,  placing  the  control  and  management  of  the  premises  above  referred  to 
for  rental  purposes  in  the  hands  of  Frank  F.  Seaman,  sheriff,  or  his  successors 
in  office,  which  said  agreement  is  presented  with  this  report  and  we  recommend 
that  it  appear  herewith  in  the  record  of  the  proceedings  of  this  board. 

'  Your  committee  would  recommend  that  their  action  as  above  reported,  be 
approved  by  this  board,  and  we  would  further  recommend  that  the  sum  of 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  ($1500.00)  be  included  on  the  county  tax  levy  for  the 
purpose  of  payment  of  the  portion  of  the  purchase  price  of  said  workhouse 
premises  to  be  borne  by  the  county. 

:  We  would  further  recommend  that  the  county  clerk  be  authorized  to  issue  a 
county  clerk's  order  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  hundred  and  twenty-seven  dollars, 
payable  to  the  undersigned  members  of  the  special  committee,  in  payment  of 
the  note  for  the  money  advanced  for  the  purchase  price  of  said  workhouse  lot, 
which  was  signed  by  your  committee,  together  with  the  interest  due  on  said  note 
to  this  date. 

We  would  further  recommend  that  the  sum  of  two  hundred  fifty  ($250.00) 
dollars  also  be  included  in  the  county  tax  levy  for  the  purpose  of  making  the 
necessary  improvements  on  said  premises.  .'  ' 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  T,  E.  BURNSIDE, 

'..;>,.  -..:•,.•-.-..-:....•..-....•..  ..-.,-  v.  ,  ,.  /   ^  W.   H.   PANKEY, 


'    •  ^''  •'-•'-  --  ''         '-•*"-•-''• 


174  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .:  ;^ 

'   •.  •          •  '  -.-.-•-.y-- 

.  '  THIS  AGREEMENT  made  and  entered  into  this  24th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1911, 
by  and  between  the  county  of  Knox,  party  of  the  first  part,  and  the  city  of 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  party  of  the  second  part, 

IVitncsscth:  That  it  is  mutually  agreed  by  and  between  the  parties  hereto, 
each  being  an  owner  in  common  of  an  undivided  one-half  (J/^)  interest  in  the 
west  four  (4)  rods  of  Lots  one  (i)  and  two  (2)  in  the  subdivision  of  original 
Lot  one  (i)  in  Block  forty-five  (45)  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  that  the  control  and  management  of  said  premises,  for  rental  purposes 
shall  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  F.  F.  Seaman,  sheriff,  or  his  successor  in  office 
and  that  the  said  F.  F.  Seaman  or  his  successor,  shall  be  and  is  hereby  empoweretl 
as  agent  of  both  parties  hereto  to  execute  and  sign  all  the  necessary  papers 
or  instruments  incident  to  the  leasing  said  premises,  and  is  empowered  to  sign 
same  and  when  so  signed  such  papers  shall  have  the  same  force  and  virtue 
as  though  signed  by  the  parties  hereto;  but  this  authority  shall  not  extend 
to  the  making  of  deeds  or  incumbrances  against  said  land  or  the  execution  of 
instruments  for  such  purposes;  and  the  said  F.  F.  Seaman  or  his  successor 
is  hereby  authorized  and  employed  to  collect  all  rents  and  profits  from  said 
property  and  to  apply  the  same  to  the  proper  care  and  maintenance  of  said 
premises  and  any  sums  remaining  in  his  hands  after  such  expenses  shall  at  the 
end  of  each  six  months  be  paid  over  by  him,  one-half  to  each  of  the  parties 
hereto,  at  the  same  time  rendering  to  each  of  said  parties  an  itemized  statement 
of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  by  him  as  such  agent. 

.     Witness  our  hands  and  seals  the  day  and  year  first  above  written.     Two 
pages,  executed  in  duplicate.  .  ,, 

COUNTY  OF  KNOX,  IN  THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 

•  '-'':'{  By  T.  E.  BuRNsiDE,  -^-v      .      (SEAL) 

.. .    ,      •  A.  I.  SARGENT,  ^  .    •,.      -v     .    v        (SEAL) 

.  ;  !   and  W.  H.  PANKEY.  v:         •     -        (SEAL) 

.  '        CITY  OF  GALESBURG,  ILLINOIS     .        /    .   , 

V   '  By  J.  F.  GRETTA,  .      ^  (SEAL) 

and  H.  O.  CHAMBERS.   •      •  .    -      -'.';.        •>':;;',  •;       (SEAL) 

Mr.  Robson  offered  a  motion,  which  prevailed,  that  the  present  special 
committee  on  workhouse  be  retained  with  power  to  carry  out  the  recommenda- 
tions contained  in  their  report. 

December,  1911. — Mr.  Burnside  of  the  special  committee  on  workhouse  pre- 
sented the  following  report,  which  was  read,  and  on  motion  of  Mr.  Robson 
was  accepted  by  the  board  and  its  recommendations  concurred  in:  ,  . 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Superz-isors  of  Knox  County,  Illinois: 

GENTLEMEN  :  Your  special  committee  appointed  by  the  board  of  supervisors 
on  jail  yard  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report:  C.  x  J  j;  •  ;  ' 

Together  with  the  special  committee  of  the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg we  have  improved  said  property  by  placing  a  new  fence  and  shed  on 
jail  yard,  and  also  by  making  some  needed  repairs  on  the  house.  Since  acquir- 
ing title  and  improving  said  property  there  has  been  a  legal  question  raised 
as  to  the  sentencing  of  prisoners  to  labor.  We  have  requested  the  state's 
attorney  to  furnish  a  resolution  in  relation  to  the  matter,  which  is  herewith 
attached. 

We  also  beg  leave  to  submit  bills  incurred  in  the  improvement  of  said 


..V;';  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V;/  176 

property  owned  jointly  by  Knox  county  and  the  city  of  Galesburg,  amounting 
to  $422.93,  of  which  said  amount  Knox  county  is  to  pay  one-half,  to-wit,  $211.47,  r' 
which  your  committee  recommended  be  allowed  and  the  clerk  be  directed  to 
issue  an  order  to  Frank  F.  Seaman,  sheriff,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  Knox 
county's  share  of  said  expense.  '•   '  •  .  .- 

-•^--•;.-:.v'\'.  ..-••v^;;.;..  f;;v''  •':;.••^\:;;:_,,:^;:/.^;;;;••U:;^•^;/-.;:;V     ^•-'        T.  E.  BuRNSiDE,       .-v; 

/'>"-'-'^v",-  ^-''••-"'  ':-^(''.--^-^---:^^'^^^^^^  W.  H.  PANKEY,      :;,:.';. 

•.'/'•'    •"'"•'•       •-  v^..---^ :•;-••••••-•.-••;•..••' -^      •-  -•^•••-         A.I.SARGENT.  "' 

The  following  communication  and  resolution  presented  with  and  referred 
to  in  the  foregoing  report  of  the  special  committee  on  workhouse,  were  also 
read,  whereupon  on  motion  of  Mr.  DuVon  the  resolution  as  submitted  was 
adopted : 

'^  •   "-       /   '        GALESBURG,  111.,  December  i3th,  1911.         1, 
Mr.  Burnside,  Supervisor:    r  /  V  ,     .  /: 

DEAR  SIR:     Pursuant  to  your  request  to  draft  a  resolution  providing  that-'/ 
the  prisoners  confined  in  the  county  jail  be  required  to  labor  for  the  benefit  s 
of  the  county  during  the  term  of  their  imprisonment  in  the  jail  yard  provided  '', 
for  that  purpose  by  the  county  board,  I  have  drafted  the  following  resolution. 

The  question  is  involved  in  considerable  doubt,  and  the  various  provisions 
of  the  statute  are  somewhat  conflicting  in  regard  thereto,  and  in  the  absence  , 
of  a  judicial  decision  on  that  particular  question,   I  have  used  as  nearly  as  ' 
possible  the  language  of  the  statute  in  the  resolution.     I  do  not,  in  submitting 
the  resolution,  desire  to  be  understood  officially  as  stating  that  it  will  be  upheld 
by  the  courts  upon  a  test,  but  that  it  is  merely  drawn  at  your  request  in  com- 
pliance, as  nearly  as  may  be,  with  the  present  arrangement  that  the  board  has 
provided,  regarding  the  employment  of  prisoners. 
•'•••;:::";:-.  '    '\.'\  Respectfully  submitted, 

A.   J.   BOUTELLE, 

State's  Attorney, 
•'      Beit   ^^  •^-"     ••••-•  ^•^••. -•'•-'-• ''•-•^••••''^•"-••-^•'-'•^'=^- 

Resolved,  by  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  That  any 
person  convicted  in  any  court  of  this  state,  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  having  juris- 
diction, of  a  crime  or  misdemeanor,  the  punishment  of  which  is  confinement 
in  the  county  jail,  may  be  sentenced  by  the  court,  in  which  such  conviction  is 
had,  to  labor  for  the  benefit  of  the  county  during  the  term  of  such  imprison- 
ment, in  the  jail  yard  of  the  Knox  county  jail,  provided  for  that  purpose  by 
the  said  Knox  county  board  of  supervisors. 

Mr.  Pankey  thereupon  offered  a  motion  that  F.  F.  Seaman,  sheriff,  be 
authorized  and  directed  to  turn  over  the  county's  portion,  being  one-half,  of 
the  rent  money  received  for  the  house  at  the  jail  yard,  which  portion  amounts 
to  $22.50,  into  the  county  treasury,  which  motion  prevailed.  -^^  ..:.•...; 


-;  '^;      :       :     M    ALMSHOUSE  AND  POOR-FARM.         v       .;  '    ;i  ^- :" 

There  is  nothing  more  interesting  to  the  people  of  a  county  than  the  con- 
struction of   its  public  buildings.     It  is   so  natural   for  people   to   criticise  a 


176  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;•  ,  -  ^:;  / 

•  -  ••'•I-    ..'  ~-  :::\-  t 

building  that  they  begin  to  do  it  from  the  time  the  grade  and  marking  stakes 
are  drawn  and  keep  it  up  until  it  is  completed.  This  is  true  even  of  private 
residences  and  it  is  especially  true  of  public  buildings  after  the  wants  of  the 
county  are  such  as  to  demand  imposing  and  costly  structures.  !  ••'•'••- 

In  connection  with  the  building  of  an  almshouse  and  the  purchase  and 
support  of  a  poor-farm,  another  question  arises  which  involves  the  policy  of 
how  best  to  care  for  the  poor.  It  would  seem  that  such  aid  must  be  rendered 
in  one  of  three  ways.  First,  if  the  family  has  a  small  home,  to  give  such 
family  a  little  aid  to  supplement  such  partial  support  as  may  be  obtained 
from  the  home  place;  second,  if  the  person  or  family  is  entirely  destitute  they 
must  be  farmed  out — so  to  speak — to  the  lowest  bidder  in  the  township  where 
they  reside  and  the  expense  borne  by  the  township;  or,  third,  the  destitute 
persons  must  be  sent  to  county  almshouse  and  poor-farm.  All  three  of  these 
plans  may  be  pursued,  to  a  certain  extent,  at  the  same  time.  A  person  at  the 
almshouse  is  openly  a  charge  upon  the  county,  which  fact  is  very  humiliating 
to  a  proud  person,  and  such  person  will  remain  in  his  home  town  until  absolutely 
compelled  to  join  the  great  army  of  the  poor.  From  the  organization  of  the 
county,  in  1830,  to  the  adoption  of  township  organization,  in  1853,  the  county 
commissioners  were  voting  money  out  of  county  funds  for  the  support  of  the 
poor.  Numerous  instances  appear  of  record  where  the  poor  person  was 
farmed  out  to  the  lowest  bidder  for  some  definite  time.  Upon  the  adoption 
of  township  organization  each  township  had  a  representative  in  the  county  board 
and  the  question  became  at  once  a  pertinent  one,  "What  can  this  representative 
do  for  the  care  of  the  poor  in  his  own  township?" 

Probably  the  real  question  of  how  best  to  care  for  the  poor  came  up  for 
the  first  time  for  discussion  immediately  after  the  adoption  of  township  organiza- 
tion. Is  it  better  to  have  a  good,  comfortable  poorhouse,  supplied  with  every 
convenience  for  making  the  poor  comfortable  and  somewhat  happy,  or  shall 
we  continue  the  old  practice  of  farming  them  out  to  be  kept  by  the  man  who 
would  do  it  the  cheapest  and  furnish  food  and  care  according  to  the  price. 
From  the  immediate  steps  taken  by  the  board  looking  to  the  establishment  of 
a  poorhouse  and  farm  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  old  idea  that  you 
must  make  the  lot  of  the  poor  as  hard  as  possible  to  avoid  all  inducements 
to  the  people  to  become  paupers  was  passing  away.  The  conflict  of  these  two 
policies  will  be  noticed  pretty  much  all  the  way  through  by  a  study  of  the 
resolutions  offered. 

The  first  steps  taken  toward  the  erection  of  a  poorhouse  was  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  committee  at  the  December  meeting,  1853,  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors, when  the  following  motion,  offered  by  W.  Selden  Gale,  was  passed: 

On  motion  of  W.  Selden  Gale  it  was  voted  that  a  committee  of  three  be 
appointed  to  make  the  necessary  inquiries  in  regard  to  the  propriety  of  purchas- 
ing  a  farm  for  the  purpose  of  a  county  poorhouse  and  the  expense  of  maintain- 
ing paupers  on  any  plan,  and  to  get  all  the  information  that  they  can  obtain 
in  the  matter  and  report  to  the  next  meeting  of  this  board.  W.  Selden  Gale, 
Peter  Frans  and  William  M.  Clark  were  appointed  said  committee. 

The  following  motions  were  passed  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  information 
as  to  the  cost  of  the  care  of  paupers  in  the  county  of  Knox  for  the  benefit 
of  the  committee  above  provided  for.  ;  -,  .  '  vV  '.::-,::  •'. 


•   '  V;  f-          -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  177 

,  Moved  by  William  M.  Clark  and  seconded  by  George  W.  Manley  that  the 
overseers  of  the  poor  be  directed  to  advertise  by  putting  up  three  written  notices 
ten  days  in  their  respective  towns  that  they  will  let  the  keeping  of  the  town 
paupers  to  the  lowest  responsible  bidder,  provided  the  bid  be  satisfactory  to 
the  overseer.  Provided  further,  that  the  pauper  may  be  removed  at  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  overseer.  ;-v>-  ;•:;  -  ;  ..  .:  -.  •-••:••••  ,. 

On  motion  it  is 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  make  out  the  expense  of  keeping  the  county  paupers 
for  the  last  4  years  for  the  committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  pauper 
matters  yesterday,  - 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the 'treasury  in  favor  of  James 
Bunce  for  three  dollars  for  medical  attendance  rendered  a  Swede  woman,  a 
pauper  in  the  town  of  Galesburg. 

•-  It  has  been  a  custom  of  the  commissioners  of  the  County  court  for  years 
prior  to  this  time  to  advertise  in  this  manner  for  the  lowest  bidder  for  keeping 
the  poor  people  of  the  county,  and  the  custom  was  so  common  that  nothing 
was  thought  of  it.  It  would  seem  that  a  little  reflection  upon  the  subject  would 
convince  any  one  that  the  lowest  bidder  plan  was  the  best  plan  by  which  a 
poor  person  could  be  cared  for  and  made  most  uncomfortable  of  all,  yet  public 
work  and  public  policy  seems  to  dictate  that  way  of  letting  contracts.  How- 
ever, if  people  are  driven  to  offer  and  perform  duties  of  that  kind  at  the  lowest 
possible  cost,  they  will  generally  get  even  by  making  the  provisions  and  care 
as  cheap  as  possible.  - 

The  committee  on  poorhouse  were  again   instructed  at  the  May  meeting, 
1855,  to  look  further  into  the  matter  to  ascertain  a   favorable  place  to  pur- 
chase land  and  the  best  plans  for  a  building. 
':•:•'  On  motion  it  is  :         ^- .-:^H.:;r, -^::v-^^v^;^ 

ORDERED:     That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  ascertain  where  is 
best  to  purchase  land  for  a  poorhouse  and  the  best  plan  of  building  and  the 
probable  and  best  means  of  paying  for  the  same  and  report  to  this  board  at 
their  September  annual  meeting.    Committee  on  the  above,          .:  ' ;.  v 
:  :  -;;/',•,>:;  .         ••; ;  .-'^  /;';,>•.-•.;••:'-.' ':^~--' '-;'-^.v--;"'.- ;-/•         GEORGE  A.  CHARLES,    vv, 

:'.,:-.  ..W'/     '•'•  •//'  '      •.  .•V-';^-;-"-^'"  v'. •'•;'' '•<••'•'•;>  •••'j- "^;.;'"\."i:  THOMAS  GILBERT,  ^f:>'' 

\  '     '"      ''     ''         ''  '•  '          THOMAS  B.  Ross. 

:-  The  further  action  of  the  board  at  the  September  meeting  was  taken  in 
the  passage  of  the  following  resolution:  ^ .--.  • 

Resolved,  That  George  A.  Charles,  Thomas  Gilbert  and  T.  J.  Hale  be 
appointed  a  committee  with  authority  to  purchase  the  W.  ^  of  the  SW.  y^  oi 
Section  21,  Township  Eleven  north  of  Range  2  east,  for  the  sum  of  three 
thousand  dollars,  for  a  county  farm,  upon  such  terms  as  may  be  agreed  upon 
between  the  owner,  T.  J.  Bestor,  and  said  committee,  or  some  other  farm  which 
to  them  shall  seem  best,  in  a  sum  not  exceeding  four  thousand  dollars. 

On  January  i6th,  1856,  at  a  meeting  of  the  board  the  following  action 
was  taken  in  regard  to  the  poor-farm. 

ORDERED:  That  George  A.  Charles,  Thomas  Gilbert  and  R.  W.  Miles  be 
appointed  a  committee  to  take  charge  of  the  poor-farm  and  they  are  authorized 
to  take  full  charge  of  the  same  and  to  rent  it  on  such  terms  as  to  them  shall 
seem  best  for  the  interests  of  the  county  and  the  poor. 

,'   .  ToLI— U  ••••.•.,;^    •:    :.     .-.-•..•.•-    ....    •.  .:.   -;  •••    -•...-••:••-•--,>-•- 


178  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ^ 

The  farm  was  paid  for  the  same  day.  ,    ^-  ; .         :      -/ 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasury  to  the  committee 
on  the  poor-farm  for  the  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars,  to  be  applied  to  the 
payment  of  said  farm  and  they  are  authorized  to  pay  for  the  same  and 
receive  a  deed  therefor  in  accordance  with  the  contract  for  the  purchase  of 
the  same. 

May  Special  Meeting,  1856. — Resolved,  That  George  A.  Charles  be  ap- 
pointed superintendent  of  the  county  farm  with  authority  to  make  such  con- 
tracts from  time  to  time  as  to  him  shall  seem  most  for  the  interests  of 
the  county  and  the  welfare  of  the  paupers,  to  make  suitable  repairs  and  neces- 
sary improvements  and  to  employ  any  such  assistance  or  medical  services  as 
may  be  necessary,  and  make  report  to  this  board  from  time  to  time. 

January  Special  Meeting,  1857. — Rental  of  the  poor-farm.       ':...•'      I.     . 

ON  MOTION  it  is  ordered  that  the  county  poor-farm  be  rented  to  Henry  G. 
Colgin  for  the  term  of  one  year  from  the  ist  day  of  April  next  at  the  sum 
of  two  hundred  dollars — the  said  Colgin  to  take  charge  of  and  keep  all  the 
paupers  of  the  county  at  the  sum  of  two  dollars  per  week,  furnishing  all  nec- 
essary provisions  and  doing  all  washing  for  said  paupers.  -•;![.'.. 

Poor- Farm  for  1858. — January,  1858.  Resolved,  That  George  A.  Charles, 
W.  S.  Gale  and  J.  M.  Holyoke  be  appointed  a  committee  to  hire  a  superintend- 
ent of  the  poor-farm  for  the  coming  year  and  that  they  be  allowed  to  procure 
stock  and  farming  tools  to  cultivate  said  farm  and  make  such  other  arrange- 
ments as  they  may  deem  best,  and  report  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  board. 

Rule  for  care  of  paupers.  Resolved,  That  all  paupers  should  be  brought  to 
the  poor-farm,  except  in  such  cases  as  the  removal  is  inexpedient  or  improper, 
and  that  in  all  cases  of  bills  presented  to  this  board  by  overseers  of  the  poor 
for  relief,  they  be  expected  to  give  reasons  for  their  non-removal  to  the  poor- 
house. 

May,  1858. — Resolution  on  poor-farm  offered  by  Supervisor  Charles.       ' 

Resolved,  That  this  board  deem  it  inexpedient  for  the  county  to  any 
longer  support  the  paupers  under  the  system  now  in  practice,  and  ,;  |  : 

Resolved,    That  each  town  hereafter  support  its  own  paupers,  and  further 

Resolved,  That  the  clerk  cause  a  notice  to  be  published  in  the  newspapers 
of  Knoxville  and  Galesburg,  of  a  public  sale  of  the  county  poor-farm,  to  take 
place  on  the  second  day  of  the  next  September  term  of  this  board,  said  sale  to 
be  made  for  one-third  cash  in  hand,  the  balance  in  one  and  two  years,  possession 
given  the  first  of  April  next,  and  further 

Resolved,  That  the  paupers  that  are  at  the  said  farm  on  the  said  first  day 
of  April  next,  be  taken  to  the  respective  towns  from  which  they  came,  and 
be  supported  by  said  towns  respectively.  .  i  .; 

\\'hich  resolution,  on  motion  of  Supervisor  Miles,  was  laid  over  for  further 
consideration  until  tomorrow. 

May,  1858. — Supervisor  Charles  called  up  resolution  in  relation  to  sale 
of  poor-farm  when  Supervisor  Gale  made  a  motion  to  postpone  action  until 
September  meeting,  to  which  Supervisor  Miles  offered  an  amendment  that 
action  be  indefinitely  postponed,  which  amendment  was  adopted. 

January,  1859. — Supervisor  Nelson  presented  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,    That  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county  deem  it  necessary 


^-  v,;C'     V  >.;  v^:^    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         vA  <  V 

to  dispose  of  Knox  county  poor-farm,  and  that  there  be  a  committee  appointed 
by  the  present  board  of  supervisors  to  make  the  necessary  preparations  to  dis- 
pose of  said  farm,  and  that  the  proceeds  of  the  said  farm  be  placed  in  trie 
county  treasury;  and  futhermore,  in  pursuance  of  "An  act  passed  by  the  legis- 
lature of  the  State  of  Illinois  during  its  session  of  the  year  1857"  that  each 
town  of  the  said  county  of  Knox,  make  provisions  to  cancel  all  demands  that 
may  arise  in  case  of  paupers  residing  in  the  same,  and  that  after  the  ist  day  of 
April  next,  every  pauper  on  said  farm  shall  be  removed  to  the  town  from 
whence  they  came. 
'  Resolution  laid  on  the  table.  ..i.";^.  :^"-  ^;^-- --"A  'I--: 

Supervisor  Nelson  then  offered  the  following  resolution  as  a  substitute  for 
the  one  presented  by  him  yesterday  and  which  was  laid  on  the  table: 

Resolved,  That  the  respective  towns  in  the  county  of  Knox  be  required  to 
support  the  paupers  residing  in  the  same  in  accordance  with  an  act  provided  by 
the  legislature  of  the  state  of  Illinois  for  the  counties  of  Ogle  and  Knox,  ap- 
proved February  i6th,  1857,  and  that  the  paupers  that  may  be  at  the  poor- 
farm  on  the  first  day  of  April,  1859,  shall  be  sent  to  the  towns  from  whence 
they  came  at  the  expense  of  the  county ;  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed 
by  the  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  to  have  charge  and  the  leasing 
of  said  poor-farm,  for  the  next  year,  from  the  first  day  of  April  next,  and 
that  the  rent  of  said  farm  shall  be  paid  in  cash  at  such  rates  fixed  by  said 
committee,  and  the  same  when  collected  be  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  county 
to  be  used  for  county  purposes,  and  furthermore,  that  Rufus  W.  Miles,  our 
representative  in  the  legislature,  is  hereby  requested  by  the  board  of  supervisors 
of  Knox  county  to  take  the  steps  to  repeal  said  act  "Approved  February  i6th, 
1857." 

Supervisor  Gale  moved  that  action  on  resolution  be  referred  until  board 
gets  through  with  other  business.  Lost. 

Supervisor  Gale  moved  that  the  whole  subject  be  deferred  to  a  committee 
to  report  at  next  meeting  of  the  board,  all  information  of  expenses  of  paupers 
outside  and  in  county  poorhouse,  and  the  expense  of  the  different  systems  of 
managing  the  poorhouse.  :  '  -?:; 

Supervisor  Martin  offered  the  following  resolution  as  a  substitute: 

Resolved,  That  at  the  town  meetings  in  the  spring  of  1859  the  following 
question  be  submitted  to  the  voters  of  Knox  county: 

:  "Shall  the  paupers  of  the  county  be  supported  by  the  county,  or  by  the 
towns  to  which  they  belong?"  After  discussion  Mr.  Martin  withdrew  his  sub- 
stitute, whereupon  Mr.  Gale  withdrew  his  motion,  and  offered  the  following 
substitute : 

.,/:  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  at  a  meeting  of  the 
board  to  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  March  next  on  the  subject  of  paup>er- 
ism,  and  the  cost  of  the  different  systems  of  managing  the  same,  presenting  in 
tabular  form  the  comparative  expense,  by  reference  to  cost  incurred  in  sup- 
porting paupers  in  former  years. 

On  which  resolution  the  yeas  and  nays  were  demanded,  and  resulted: 

Yeas,  Messrs.  Gale,  Brown,  Martin,  Charles  and  Stuckey,  5.  Nays,  Messrs. 
Meek,  Kelly,  Nelson,  Titus,  Routh,  LeBarron,  Hamrick,  Godfrey,  Benson, 
McCornack,  Knable,  Tucker  and  Jamagin,  13.  Substitute  lost. 


180  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^:I:^v;t.;:, 

The  question  recurring  on  the  adoption  of  resolution  of  Supervisor  Nelson, 
the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting:  -  j  :•'•.'.' 

Yeas,  Messrs.  Meek,  Kelly,  Nelson,  Titus,  Martin,  LeBarron,  Hamrick, 
Godfrey,  Benson,  Knable,  Tucker  and  Jarnagin,  12.  Nays,  Messrs.  Gale,  Brown, 
Routh,  Holyoke  and  Stuckey,  5.  Resolution  adopted. 

The  following  resolution  is  given  for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  develop- 
ment of  the  sentiment  in  Knox  county  upon  the  subject  of  the  care  of  the 
poor. 

Supervisor  Charles  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  on  motion 
adopted:  '  1 

Resolved,  That  whereas  Dr.  J.  W.  Spaulding  and  Dr.  Taylor  of  Galesburg 
have  each  of  them  appealed  from  the  decisions  of  this  board  to  the  circuit  court 
of  Knox  county  in  cases  of  obstetrics  where  one  is  allowed  five  dollars  and 
the  other  nineteen  50/100  dollars,  both  being  pauper  cases,  and  whereas  this 
board  have  by  a  preceding  resolution  ordered  that  each  town  hereafter  takes 
care  of  its  own  paupers,  which  will  in  the  future  prevent  any  further  account 
between  this  board  and  the  medical  faculty  of  Galesburg,  and 

Whereas.  Under  these  considerations  and  to  stop  all  further  litigation  at 
the  expense  of  the  county,  therefore.  .  ;•  .'  '  .  •  :  v;'  1  : 

Resolved,  That  this  board  allow  these  bills,  or  such  part,  as  have  not  been 
allowed  heretofore,  which  in  the  case  of  Spaulding  is  five  dollars  and  Taylor's 
six  50/100  dollars,  said  Spaulding  and  Taylor  paying  all  costs  heretofore  made 
in  said  cases,  and  that  the  orders  be  so  expressed  by  the  clerk  when  issued  that 
it  may  be  known  that  said  orders  are  issued  according  to  the  spirit  of  these 
resolutions. 

The  chair  then  named  Messrs.  Charles,  Martin  and  Benson  committee 
under  resolution  of  Supervisor  Nelson  in  reference  to  paupers  and  poor-farm 
passed  yesterday.  '  •  •"  •  .'  f.  .  ^'.  ,~"  '••  •  .  ^'!''-:/-.  •;.,-;V'-;'.'::U.  v:v\>--;-/1  '••..'.•-• 

January  Meeting,   1860. — Supervisor  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  paupers  of 
the  county,  said  committee  to  be  authorized  to  superintend  the  poor-farm,  and 
provide  for  taking  charge  of  the  poor;  to  employ  physicians  on  contract,  at 
Knoxville  and  Galesburg  and  elsewhere  where  the  interests  of  the  county  may 
require ;  to  receive  from  the  poor  masters  of  the  county  reports  of  individuals 
in  their  charge  and  direct  that  such  person  be  supported  outside  of  the  poor- 
house  or  returned  to  the  poorhouse,  as  may  be  for  the  interest  of  the  county. 
That  no  expenses  be  paid  on  any  pauper  outside  the  poorhouse  more  than 
twenty-four  hours  before  notice  sent  to  the  committee  nor  after  orders  in  the 
case  made  by  the  committee,  except  on  the  order  of  the  committee. 

On  which  resolution  the  yeas  and  nays  were  demanded,  resulting:  Yeas, 
Messrs.  Stevens,  Gale,  Charles,  Hammond.  Manley  and  Jones,  6.  Nays,  Messrs. 
Meek.  McKee,  Robertson,  Martin,  Routh,  Swigart,  McComack,  Stuckey,  Knable 
and  Tucker,  lo.  Lost.  .  ..... 

Supervisor  Charles  offered  the  following:  '    '      •'         -•  1      r    . 

Resolved,  That  this  board  deem  it  expedient  to  keep  the  paupers  of  this 
county  at  the  county  poorhouse,  and  all  expenses  arising  from  the  bringing  of 
paupers  to  said  poor- farm ;  and  expenses  accruing  at  said  farm  be  paid  from 
the  county  treasury,  and  further. 


:••?;;:  • '      ,/;..';  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         x:,  >.,  . 

•T''  .'  - 

'-  Resolved,    That  this  county  will  pay  no  expense  arising  for  taking  care  of 
paupers  outside  of  said  farm. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  called,  resulted:  Yeas,  Messrs.  Stevens,  Gale. 
Routh,  Charles,  Hammond,  Manley,  McCornack,  Stuckey  and  Jones,  9.  Xays, 
Messrs.  Meek,  McKee,  Robertson,  Martin,  Swigart,  Knable  and  Tucker,  7. 
Adopted. 

Supervisor  McKee  moved  that  the  foregoing  resolution  take  effect  on  the 
1 5th  day  of  April  next.  Carried. 

And  the  same  day,  for  the  purpose  of  more  effectually  carrying  into  opera- 
tion the  foregoing  resolution,  the  following  was  introduced  and  passed: 
,  .   Supervisor  Charles  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  there  be  a  committee  of  three  appointed  to  take  charge  of 
the  poor-farm,  and  make  the  necessary  arrangements  and  contracts  as  to  them 
may  seem  best  and  proper  to  receive  and  take  care  of  the  county  paupers  from 
the  1 5th  of  April  next. 

On  motion  the  supervisor  of  Knox  township,  the  chairman  of  the  board  and 
the  county  clerk  were  appointed  said  committee. 

-.r  At  the  January  meeting,  i86i,  there  appears  the  first  systematic  report 
from  the  committee  on  the  poor-farm,  which  on  motion  of  Supervisor  Gale, 
was  received  and  ordered  to  be  spread  upon  the  records.  This  report  is  signed 
by  George  A.  Charles,  J.  M.  Holyoke  and  John  S.  Winter,  as  a  committee  that 
had  been  appointed  to  take  charge  of  this  farm.  It  shows  the  entire  expense 
of  the  farm  up  to  that  time  had  been  $789.57.  No  objections  to  or  criticism 
upon  said  report  seem  to  have  been  made.  It  is  therefore  reasonable  to  supf>ose 
that  the  cost  was  satisfactory  to  the  board. 

The  following  report,  submitted  at  the  May  meeting,  1863,  is  given  in  full 
for  the  purpose  of  showing  a  little  of  the  conditions  under  which  the  board 
of  supervisors  had  been  laboring.  Upon  the  one  hand  was  the  poor  of  the 
county,  then  increasing  in  number  the  same  as  today,  as  well  as  here  and  there 
an  insane  person,  all  of  these  people  needing  care  and  such  care  as  can  come 
only  from  the  very  best  surroundings.  On  the  other  hand,  was  the  apparently 
excessive  cost  of  maintaining  a  poor-farm,  well  equipped  with  buildings  and 
apparatus,  and  it  appears  from  resolutions  of  the  board  herein  contained  that 
a  strong  effort  had  been  made  to  throw  these  people  wholly  upon  the  town- 
ships, abandon  the  idea  of  a  central  home,  sell  the  farm  that  had  been  pur- 
chased for  the  purposes  of  a  home  and  the  county  thereby  relieve  itself  of 
what  was  thought  by  some  members  of  the  board  an  intolerable  and  unnecessary 
expense.  This  report  led,  as  will  be  seen  from  subsequent  actions  of  the  board, 
to  the  construction  of  one  of  the  finest  and  most  commodious  almshouses  in  the 
State  of  Illinois  and  one  that  will  stand  inspection  from  almost  any  point  of 

view.          .-'-.    .•••:,     \,  :•••••     , ';.-;"-x,v-;  •-  -':  ••    •        '•'• 

;':..••;'•.";=•..:-'•.••;     -..vo' ''"'-'•''•-•''•:''••':''         REPORT  ''  '~'''  '  '    .     ;'.^  ^      '.•'^   '•••'-'' 

The  committee  on  poor-farm  would  respectfully  report,  that  in  accordance 
with  the  resolution  passed  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  board  they  have  pur- 
chased from  F.  Andrews,  overseer  of  the  poor-farm,  his  stock  thereon  (horses 
excepted),  to-wit:  4  cows,  3  two-year-old  cattle  and  3  yearlings,  for  the  sum 


182  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .j 

of  one  hundred  and  thirty  ($I3O.CX))  dollars.  We  find  that  the  farm  can  well 
sustain  that  amount  of  stock  or  more,  and  that  hereafter  the  increase  thereon 
will  aid  materially  in  furnishing  provisions  for  the  inmates  of  the  institution. 

We  have  renewed  the  contract  with  Mr.  Andrews  as  overseer  for  another 
year,  at  the  same  rate  as  was  paid  during  last  year,  to-wit,  $525.00.  And  here 
we  would  state  that  we  have  made  frequent  visits  to  the  poor-farm,  at  such 
times  as  suited  our  convenience,  and  would  say  that  we  have  always  found 
the  house  clean  and  neat,  the  inmates  contented  and  happy  as  persons  situated 
as  they  are  can  be,  and  the  gradual  improvement  of  the  farm,  with  the  good 
order  in  which  the  fences  are  kept,  and  the  property  taken  care  of  in  our 
estimation,  speaks  well  for  the  management  of  our  overseer,  and  the  care  and 
industry  of  the  matron. 

The  regular  number  of  inmates  is  nine,  of  which  five  are  insane,  two  idiotic 
and  two  claim  the  sympathy  and  support  of  the  public  from  age  and  infirmity. 
Another  case  which  has  caused  some  trouble  is  Gustavus  Anderson,  returned 
from  the  insane  asylum  as  incurable,  but  who  after  his  return  we  found,  with 
the  present  accommodations  that  it  was  impossible  to  keep,  as,  unless  he  was 
closely  confined  or  imprisoned,  he  would  continually  escape.  For  some  time 
past  he  had  been  in  Galesburg,  and  bills  will  be  presented  from  that  town  for  his 
support.  Your  committee,  with  full  knowledge  of  the  capacity  of  the  poor- 
house,  know  that  the  overseer  could  not  keep  him  without  employing  someone 
to  watch  him.  And  your  committee  would  urge  upon  the  board,  the  propriety 
of  constructing  some  good  and  suitable  building  for  keeping  the  insane  of  the 
county,  which  we  find  to  be  the  class  of  paupers  which  now,  as  they  will 
hereafter,  form  the  principal  portion  of  those  needing  aid  from  the  county 
authorities,  such  buildings  require  to  be  built  of  brick,  and  heated  by  furnace 
that  fires  may  not  originate  therefrom,  and  their  erection  would  be  a  credit 
to  our  county.  We  cannot  pass  this  matter  and  justify  our  consciences  without 
referring  to  a  case  now  in  the  poor-farm.  A  girl  known  as  Crazy  Hannah,  who 
has  been  confined  in  a  small  room  over  three  years,  unsafe  to  permit  to  go 
out  and  breathe  the  fresh  air  of  Heaven,  compelled  to  live  within  four  close 
walls,  until  her  destiny  is  fulfilled ;  during  all  the  cold  days  and  nights  of  winter 
that  poor,  demented  girl  cannot  approach  the  fire,  between  her  and  it,  at  a 
safe  distance  from  her  hands,  has  to  be  placed  strong  iron  bars  lest  she  should 
set  fire  to  the  building.  With  all  the  "modern  improvements"  for  heating  build- 
ings suitable  for  persons  in  her  condition,  are  we  as  citizens  of  Knox  county 
doing  our  duty  to  the  unfortunate  of  our  county? 

By  our  direction  the  overseer  has  purchased  young  fruit  trees,  and  set  them 
out,  so  that  in  a  few  years  the  farm  will  be  abundantly  supplied  with  fruit. 

A  large  garden  has  been  made  this  season,  which  will  furnish  the  inmates 
of  the  poor-farm  good  and  wholesome  living  and  be  conducive  to  their  health. 

In  conclusion,  let  the  committee  ask  that  the  board,  in  a  body,  proceed  to 
the  farm,  examine  its  condition  and  see  what  is  required  to  make  it  such  a 
poor-farm  as  the  County  of  Knox  should  have,  so  that  its  members  may  act 
understandingly. 

The  following  is  a  report  of  bills  of  articles  purchased  by  the  overseer  for 
the  four  months  just  closed: 


;,::^  ;:,;:;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ,:     ,^:  183 

Thomas    Muir,    dry   goods $  24.83 

Thomas   Higgins,   meat   bill 19.35 

James    Hogg,    clothing    5.00 

.;     C.  L.  Stewart  &  Co.,  shoes 6.60 

Eads  &  Price,  dry  goods 16.63 

J.  W.  Cams,  clothing   7.50 

;./.    Miles  Smith,  hardware,  nails,  etc 10.09 

N;  i    R.  N.  Wallace,  groceries 7.65 

"•^^^   A.    Thompson,   groceries    i?-?! 

:\  ,;;v  \V.  G.  Jones,  lumber 1.30 

-;  W.  Y.  Miller,  fruit  trees •••^'•* 10.30 

^':  Eiker  &  Bro.,  flour ..»^^«^«y 12.50 

' "      B.   Booth,  blacksmithing 7.55 

•     F.   Andrews,  cash   for  molasses $  5.00 

80  gal.    soap   at  2oc i6.oo  21.00 

Making $i68.oi 

For  which  your  committee  ask  that  orders  may  be  passed  in  payment  to  the 
parties  named  and  would  also  ask  that  an  order  issue  in  favor  of  F.  Andrews 
for  $130,  the  purchase  price  of  the  stock,  bought  under  direction  of  the  board, 
by  us.  •:•  ,  -...  -;;.  ,-/  -  ...  •-•.,. 

.  -•         ..,;.  Respectfully  submitted, 

•  ;'\.  •:r.x:.V  -•'    •  ''-'••:^";''.f'-.  JOHN  S.  WINTER, 

';i'--;^^'^''^^  V?'' v^'--T^v• '-'•:, :-H'^'V  C.  ARMS, 

Committee. 

Which  report  on  motion  of  Supervisor  Mathews  was  accepted  and  approved. 
Whereupon  the  Clerk  was  instructed  to  issue  orders  in  payment  to  the  parties 
named  for  the  sums  specified  in  the  report.  .:;':. 

At  the  same  term  the  board  passed  the  following  resolution : 

Supervisor  Mathews  moved  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  obtain 
information  as  to  the  plans  and  cost  of  erecting  such  a  building  on  the  poor- 
farm  for  the  safe  and  comfortable  keeping  of  the  insane  of  the  county  as  is 
contemplated  in  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  poor-farm,  and  required  by 
the  county,  and  report  at  the  September  meeting  of  this  board.  Adopted. 

The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Davis,  Arms  and  Winter  said  committee. 
,.  :         May  Meeting,  1864. — Supervisor  Nelson  offered  the  following  resolution: 
«' ;        Resolved,    That  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1864,  that  all 
persons  becoming  chargeable  as  paupers  remaining  in  the  different  towns  of 
Knox  county,  and  the  same  being  sick,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  unable  to 
be   removed   to  the   county  poor-farm   during  such   sickness,   the   same   being 
certified  to  by  the  overseer  of  the  poor  and  attending  physician;  all  such  bills 
that  are  reasonable  attending  such  sickness,  together  with  a  reasonable  bill  for 
a  physician,  be  allowed  and  paid  by  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county, 
when  said  bills  shall  be  presented. 

On  which  resolution  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called  resulting:  Yeas,  Messrs. 
Finch,  Stewart,  Nelson  and  Heflin,  4.  Nays,  Messrs.  Meek,  Lowrie,  Newell, 
Hagey,  Arms,  Holyoke,  LeBarron,  Potter,  Pickrell,  McComack,  Stuckey, 
Knable,  Nicholson,  Shaffer,  Lyons  and  Gibbs,  i6. 


184  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

At  the  September  special  meeting,  held  January,  1865,  the  committee  on 
poor- farm  closed  their  report  with  the  following  appeal  for  something  to  be 
done  to  relieve  the  deplorable  conditions  at  the  poorhouse. 

Your  committee  do  not  feel  willing  to  let  this  meeting  pass  without  calling 
the  serious  attention  of  this  Board  to  the  condition  of  these  poor,  unfortunate 
beings  whom  God  has  committed  to  our  especial  care — a  trust  that  your  com- 
mittee feel  this  honorable  board  has  not  discharged.  There  is  but  one  very 
poor  building  for  the  poor  master's^  family  and  the  paupers,  having  six  rooms 
below  and  two  small  chambers,  a  hall  running  through  the  building  divides  the 
lower  rooms,  two  rooms  and  a  small  store  room  on  one  side  are  occupied  by 
the  family.  On  the  other  side,  the  two  larger  rooms  are  used  during  the  day 
by  the  paupers  and  the  small  room  has  been  fitted  up  as  a  grated  cell  for  Crazy 
Hannah,  a  grated  partition  separating  her  from  the  stove. 

At  night  the  paupers,  many  of  whom  are  idiotic  or  insane,  are  locked  up 
in  the  two  small  chambers,  and  this  with  the  present  class  of  inmates,  has 
to  be  done  irrespective  of  numbers,  and  almost  of  the  condition  of  the  paupers. 
From  this  brief  statement  it  will  be  seen  how  illy  adapted  the  premises  are 
to  purposes  of  a  poorhouse,  even  when  all  are  in  health;  but  when  any  are 
sick  it  is  impossible  to  make  them  comfortable,  and  especially  is  this  so  when, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  man  with  the  frozen  feet,  it  becomes  as  a  loathsome  pest- 
house,  not  only  to  the  paupers  but  to  the  poor  master  and  his  family,  the  stench 
from  the  gangrened  foot  filling  every  part  of  the  building,  and  sickening  the 
inmates. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  your  committee  most  earnestly  call  upon  this  board 
to  take  some  steps  to  make  such  improvements  that  it  may  no  longer  with  truth 
be  said,  "That  the  poorhouse  is  a  disgrace  to  Knox  county." 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

-  R.  W.  MILES, 

•'  '        :'-••....':  '•.•••;'.•••:-;' •,^-  .-'.  ^     -..   :•.;'•  JOHN  S.  WINTER, 

'^-  -^  :•'--;-•'    •'":,';''"      ''    •      '  '••";-•'..'/-'•'  CEPHAS  ARMS, 

:  '  Committee. 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Stewart,  it  was  ordered  that  an  appropriation  not 
to  exceed  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  be  made  to  the  committee  on  the 
poor-farm,  to  build  a  suitable  dwelling  for  the  poor  master,  and  to  make  such 
repairs  on  the  present  building  as  may  be  needed  to  make  it  comfortable  for 
the  paupers. 

April,   1865. — Report  of  poor-farm  committee: 

Mr.  Arms  from  committee  on  poor-farm  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  on  motion  accepted  and  approved,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue  orders 
to  the  parties  named  in  accordance  with  said  report: 

Your  poor-farm  committee  report  that  they  have  renewed  the  contract 
with  Mr.  Andrews  as  overseer  of  the  poor-farm  for  the  present  year  on  the 
same  terms  as  last  year,  viz. :  $600 ;  that  the  paupers,  twelve  in  number,  have 
been  made  as  comfortable,  your  committee  believes,  as  the  circumstances  of  the 
case  would  admit. 

We  have  contracted  for  the  erection  of  a  building  on  the  farm  for  the  over- 
seer's family  in  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  board  at  its  January  meet- 
ing, which  is  now  in  process  of  erection,  and  when  completed  will  give  the 


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184      ;        .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '     .. 

At  the  September  special  meeting,  held  January,  1865,  the  committee  on 
poor-farm  closed  their  report  with  the  following  appeal  for  something  to  be 
done  to  relieve  the  deplorable  conditions  at  the  poorhouse.  I  :  ' 

Your  committee  do  not  feel  willing  to  let  this  meeting  pass  without  calling 
the  serious  attention  of  this  Board  to  the  condition  of  these  poor,  unfortunate 
beings  whom  God  has  committed  to  our  especial  care — a  trust  that  your  com- 
mittee feel  this  honorable  board  has  not  discharged.  There  is  but  one  very 
poor  building  for  the  poor  master's-  family  and  the  paupers,  having  six  rooms 
below  and  two  small  chambers,  a  hall  running  through  the  building  divides  the 
k)wer  rooms,  two  rooms  and  a  small  store  room  on  one  side  are  occupied  by 
the  family.  On  the  other  side,  the  two  larger  rooms  are  used  during  the  day 
by  the  paupers  and  the  small  room  has  been  fitted  up  as  a  grated  cell  for  Crazy  . 
Hannah,  a  grated  partition  separating  her  from  the  stove. 

At  night  the  paupers,  many  of  whom  are  idiotic  or  insane,  are  locked  up 
in  the  two  small  chambers,  and  this  with  the  present  class  of  inmates,  has 
to  be  done  irrespective  of  numbers,  and  almost  of  the  condition  of  the  paupers. 
From  this  brief  statement  it  will  be  seen  how  illy  adapted  the  premises  are 
to  purposes  of  a  poorhouse,  even  when  all  are  in  health ;  but  when  any  are 
sick  it  is  impossible  to  make  them  comfortable,  and  especially  is  this  so  when, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  man  with  the  frozen  feet,  it  becomes  as  a  loathsome  pest- :. 
house,  not  only  to  the  paupers  but  to  the  poor  master  and  his  family,  the  stench 
from  the  gangrened  foot  filling  every  part  of  the  building,  and  sickening  the 
inmates. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  your  committee  most  earnestly  call  upon  this  board 
to  take  some  steps  to  make  such  improvements  that  it  may  no  longer  with  truth 
be  said.  "That  the  poorhouse  is  a  disgrace  to  Knox  county." 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted,  .         ' 

.    /:'':;;'  R.  W.  MILES,  •    > 

. '   i     '. .  .  JOHN  S.  WINTER. 

'^;^.  :  CEPHAS  ARMS, 

Committee. 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Stewart,  it  was  ordered  that  an  appropriation  not 
to  exceed  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars  be  made  to  the  committee  on  the 
poor-farm,  to  build  a  suitable  dwelling  for  the  poor  master,  and  to  make  such 
repairs  on  the  i)resent  building  as  may  be  needed  to  make  it  comfortable  for 
the  paupers. 

April,    1865. — Report  of   poor-farm   committee:  -' .    .      .        L  . 

Mr,  Arms  from  committee  on  poor-farm  made  the  following  report,  which 
was  on  motion  accepted  and  approved,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue  orders 
to  the  parties  named  in  accordance  with  said  report: 

Your  poor-farm  committee  report  that  they  have  renewed  the  contract 
with  Mr,  Andrews  as  overseer  of  the  poor-farm  for  the  present  year  on  the 
same  terms  as  last  year,  viz.:  $600;  that  the  paupers,  twelve  in  number,  have 
been  made  as  comfortable,  your  committee  believes,  as  the  circumstances  of  the 
case  would  admit. 

We  have  contracted  for  the  erection  of  a  building  on  the  farm  for  the  over-  ;. 
seer's  family  in  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  board  at  its  January  meet- 
ing, which   is  now   in   process  of  erection,  and  when  completed  will  give  the 


.  •  ^-.        -  •  .-  -  -• 

•-''•*•;        .''' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  185 

whole  of  the  main  building  for  the  accommodation  of  the  paupers.  We  have 
audited  the  several  bills  presented  for  articles  furnished  to  the  poor-farm,  and 
recommend  that  orders  issue  in  favor  of  the  persons,  aggregating  $587.98. 

R.  VV.  MILES, 
JOHN  S.  WINTER, 
rf ••''••:•  CEPHAS  ARMS, 

Committee. 

September,  1865. — The  undersigned  committee  on  the  poor-farm  would 
respectfully  report : 

That  in  compliance  with  the  order  of  the  board  we  have  built  upon  the 
poor- farm  a  dwelling  house  18x30  feet  in  size,  one  and  one-half  stories  high 
with  a  good  cellar  under  the  whole  building,  and  that  the  same  has  been  done 
in  a  substantial  manner;  that  we  have  had  both  ends  of  the  poorhouse  new 
sided,  and  made  other  repairs  to  said  building  as  we  deemed  necessary ;  that 
the  entire  cost  of  said  new  building,  and  repairs  on  the  old  house,  amount  to 
$1487.12.  We  would  further  state  that  owing  to  the  number  of  flies  we  did  not 
think  it  best  to  finish  painting  the  buildings  until  fall. 

January,  1866. — The  clerk  then  read  a  circular  from  the  superintendent 
of  the  Illinois  hospital  for  the  insane,  when  Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following 
resolution,  which  was  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  poor-farm  have  discretion  to  provide 
for  the  support  of  insane  paupers  in  the  state  hospital  for  the  insane. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  it  was  ordered  that  the  poor-farm  committee  be 
instructed  to  examine  and  report  what  action  is  necessary  for  the  proper  care 
and  support  of  the  incurable  insane  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Gate  then  presented  the  following  resolution : 

That  this  board  will  pay  the  expense  incurred  by  the  poor-farm  commit- 
tee, in  preparing  report  and  plans  for  the  improvement  of  the  poorhouse  and 
premises  to  be  made  for  the  care  of  the  insane,  and  full  compensation  for  the 
time  spent  by  the  members  of  the  committee. 

That  the   said   committee  be  authorized   to  make   temporary  provision    for 
the  care  of  the  insane  so  far  as  the  present  arrangements  of  the  poorhouse  are 
insufficient. 
April,  1866. — Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  question  relating  to  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse 
be  referred  to  a  committee  to  consist  of  the  poor-farm  committee  and  two  other 
supervisors — Messrs.  Beadle  and  Harden. 

That  the  committee  be  instructed  to  re-examine  the  subject,  and  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  so  modifying  the  proposed  plans  as  to  require  the  erection  of 
a  building  suitable  to  the  present  wants  of  the  county  and  capable  of  economical 
extension  as  the  wants  of  the  county  increase.  ;;  •  : 

That  the  committee  also  consider  the  necessity  or  propriety  of  purchasing 
an  addition  to  the  poor-farm,  and  also  the  advantages  of  a  re-location  on  other 
grounds. 

That  this  committee  report  at  the  next  meeting,  or  at  a  special  meeting  to 
be  called  for  the  purpose  by  advice  of  such  committee. 

May,  1866. — On  motion  it  was  ordered  that  a  special  meeting  of  this  board 
be  held  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  May,  being  the  29th  day  of  said  month. 


186  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

May  Special,  1866. — Mr.  Rhea  offered  the  following  preamble  and  reso- 
lution : 

]Vhereas,     It  is  due  to  humanity  that  we  should  look  well  to  the  comfort 
and  welfare  of  our  fellow  beings  whose  misfortune  it  is  to  be  thrown  upon 
•-the  charity  of  our  county,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  board  adopt  the  plan  on  exhibition  in  the  clerk's 
office,  drawn  by  W.  W.  Boyington  of  Chicago,  for  a  poorhouse,  and  that  we 
erect  the  following  portions  of  said  plan :  the  middle  or  steward's  apartments, 
:'  •  with  the  right  wing  of  said  plan,  and  that  the  balance  of  said  plan  be  built 
.  and  completed  as  soon  as  the  demands  require,  any  resolution  of  the  board 
to  the  contrary;  and  that  there  be  a  building  committee  of  three  appointed  to 
let  and  make  a  contract  for  said  portions  of  plan  mentioned  above,  and  that 
the  entire  job  be  let  to  the  same  party,  the  said  party  giving  bonds  and  security 
in  double  the  cost  of  said  building  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties 
and  for  further  security  to  the  county,  the  county  shall  retain  one-third  of  the 
entire  costs  of  said  building  until  it  is  inspected  and  approved. 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  substitute : 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting  to  whom  was 
referred  the  questions  relating  to  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse,  be  authorized 
to  purchase  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  ^4,  ii  N.  i  east,  at  a  price  not 
exceeding  $7,600,  if  a  perfect  title  can  be  had,  and  that  the  same  committee 
be  authorized  to  proceed  to  the  erection  on  said  grounds  of  a  poorhouse  on 
the  plan  recommended  by  the  poor-farm  committee  at  the  last  meeting,  so  much 
to  be  finished  this  season  as  is  needed  for  present  use. 

Resolution  adopted.  , 

;',.•       Mr.  Conger  presented  the  following  resolution:  '         ' 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  appointed  to  erect  the  poorhouse  be  authorized 
to  borrow  money  on  the  credit  of  the  county  to  such  extent  as  may  be  necessary 
to  meet  their  expenditures.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson  it  was  ordered  that  the 
clerk  be  added  to  said  committee. 

June  Special  Meeting,   1866. — The  chairman  directed  the  clerk  to  read  the 
call  under  which  this  meeting  is  held,  which  is  as  follows : 
, .  "To  James  J.  Egan,  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  State 

of  Illinois: 

"The  undersigned  being  one-third  of  the  members  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors of  Knox  county,  do  request  that  a  special  meeting  of  said  board  will  be 
held,  to  convene  on  the  I2th  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1866,  at  the  court  house  in  the 
City  of  Knoxville,  to  re-examine  the  matter  of  the  location  or  re-location  of  the 
poor-farm.  Dated  this  2nd  day  of  June,  A.  D.  1866. 
•  ,  ,  "RuFus  W.  MILES,  "Wn.  B.  KELLAR, 

'     :   :      -.;-  T  "G.   W.   HEAGY,  "J.   M.   CoMBS,  ;  .   ,, 

.  :'     '     '  '^  '     ...  .  "A.  EBRIGHT,  "E.  B.  RHEA,  '  = 

.  ••  "CEPHAS  ARMS,  "J.  A.  ADAMS, 

'.  '••  •  .  "REUBEN  HEFLIN." 

V  Mr.  Rhea,  moved  that  the  action  had  at  the  adjourned  meeting  on  the  29th 
day  of  May  last  be  reconsidered,  on  which  motion  the  yeas  and  nays  were 
demanded,  resulting:  Yeas,  Messrs.  Heflin,  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms,  Ebright, 
Combs,  Kelldr,  Johnston,  Stuckey,  Rhea,  Adams,  Thompson  and  Chairman,  13. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  Ig7 

Nays,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Beadle 
and  Vaughn,  9.  Absent,  Mr.  Gibbs.  Adopted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  and  by  consent,  the  report  of  a  part  of  the  poor- 
farm  committee  was  read. 

Report  of  Messrs.  L.  E.  Conger,  E.  S.  Harden  and  Orin  Beadle,  members 
of  the  poor- farm  committee.  ^  •  •  > 

The  undersigned  members  of  the  committee  authorized  to  purchase  a  poor- 
farm,  and  erect  a  poorhouse,  beg  leave  respectfully  to  report : 

The  members  of  the  committee  then  present  met  at  the  close  of  the  last 
meeting  of  the  board,  and  agreed  to  meet  at  the  council  room  in  the  city  of 
Galesburg,  on  the  Friday  following,  Mr.  Conger  informing  the  committee  that 
he  had  the  refusal  of  the  land  proposed  to  be  purchased,  for  the  next  day  only. 
It  was,  as  we  understood,  agreed  that  Mr.  Conger  should  close  the  purchase 
at  once,  conditioned  on  the  soundness  of  the  title,  and  that  A.  M.  Craig,  Esq., 
should  examine  the  records,  and  report  to  Mr.  Conger  as  early  as  practicable 
the  next  day. 

We  considered  the  action  of  the  board  decisive  as  to  the  selection  of  the 
location,  and  understood  the  desire  of  the  board  to  be  that  the  work  should 
be  commenced  with  the  least  possible  delay.  Upon  the  next  day,  Mr.  Conger 
learned  that  one  of  the  persons  of  whom  the  land  was  to  be  purchased  had 
expressed  regret  at  having  offered  it  at  that  price,  and  that  another  person  was 
about  to  attempt  to  purchase.  As  there  were  four  different  owners  of  the 
land  and  either  one  of  them  might  destroy  the  value  of  the  purchase  to  the 
county  by  refusing  to  comply,  and  the  power  to  enforce  compliance  with  the 
agreement  giving  refusal  was  questionable,  he  thought  no  time  ought  to  be  lost 
in  fastening  the  purchase. 

Not  expecting  to  get  Mr.  Craig's  report  until  noon,  he  called  for  advice  on 
Messrs.  Douglas  and  Arnold,  who  had  formerly  owned  the  land.  Mr.  Arnold 
assured  him  that  Mr.  Craig  could  not  report  otherwise  than  that  the  title  was 
complete  of  record;  that  Judge  Douglas  and  himself  had  carefully  perfected  the 
title.  He  also  exhibited  the  title  deeds  and  expressed  perfect  confidence  in  the 
title.  :;•: 

Mr.  Conger  therefore  ordered  the  preparation  of  the  necessary  papers,  and 
notified  the  owners  that  he  took  the  land,  provided  the  examination  showed 
good  title. 

Mr.  Craig  not  arriving  as  expected,  Mr.  Conger  proceeded  to  complete  the 
purchase,  and  take  the  deeds.  While  so  engaged,  Mr.  Craig  arrived  and  sub- 
mitted a  full  abstract  of  title,  reported  the  title  so  far  as  appeared  of  record, 
perfect,  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  it  was  a  safe  title  to  buy.  At  the  same 
time  Mr.  Conger  received  letters  from  Messrs.  Miles  and  Arms,  members  of 
the  committee,  and  from  Mr.  Egan,  assuming  to  be  a  member  of  the  committee, 
advising  that  the  interest  of  the  county  might  be  promoted  by  a  delay.  These 
gentlemen  gave  no  reason  for  their  advice.  Mr.  Conger  thought  he  saw  no 
danger  to  the  .interests  of  the  county  in  delay,  and  thought  he  had  gone  too 
far  with  the  owners  of  the  land,  honorably  to  recede,  and  while  some  might 
be  willing  to  release  him  others  might  not.  At  the  same  time  Mr.  Dunlap, 
supervisor  from  Henderson,  informed  him  that  he  had  just  seen  Mr.  Miles ; 
that  Mr.  Miles  told  him  he  desired  delay  because  the  citizens  of  Knoxville, 


188  :     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

disappointed  by  the  action  of  the  board,  in  locating  the  poorhouse,  were  dis- 
posed to  endeavor  to  raise  by  subscription  means  to  purchase  or  aid  in  purchas- 
ing a  farm,  if  the  board  would  re-consider  the  location,  and  that  he  intended 
to  join  with  such  supervisors  as  were  willing  to  call  a  special  meeting  for  the 
purpose. 

The  committee  had  already  given  a  great  deal  of  attention  to  the  selection 
of  the  site,  and  Mr.  Conger  was  convinced  no  other  location  that  the  board 
would  accept  could  be  obtained  in  the  vicinity  of  either  Galesburg  or  Knoxville 
for  less  than  from  $2CXX)  to  $4000  advance  on  the  price  of  the  land  already 
selected,  that  none  equally  desirable  could  be  had  at  that  rate  even.  That  to 
throw  away  the  chance  already  secured,  in  the  hopes  that  after  the  chance 
was  gone,  the  citizens  of  Knoxville  would  contribute  $6000  or  $8000  for  the 
purpose  of  controlling  the  location  seemed  to  him  a  very  unbusinesslike  trans- 
action. It  seemed  to  him  quite  likely  that  those  who  desired  to  control  the 
location  might  find  it  the  cheapest  way  to  purchase  one  of  the  four  interests 
in  the  land  in  question,  and  thus  defeat  any  attempt  to  secure  it  again,  and 
compel  the  county  to  make  a  location  elsewhere,  on  less  favorable  terms.  In 
these  views  Mr.  Dunlap  entirely  concurred. 

On  Friday,  the  time  set  for  the  meeting  of  the  committee,  there  were  pres- 
ent, Messrs.  Harden,  Beadle  and  Conger.  After  waiting  until  afternoon  for  the 
arrival  of  the  other  members  of  the  committee  they  proceeded  to  receive  state- 
ment from  Mr.  Conger  of  his  action  and  examined  the  land.  ( 

In  the  absence  of  the  gentleman  who  was  understood  to  be  chairman  of 
the  committee,  Mr.  Harden  was  appointed  temporary  chainnan.  Mr.  Conger's 
action  was  approved  and  the  deeds  ordered  to  be  placed  on  record. 

We  have  explained  our  action  and  motives  the  more  fully  that  we  wish 
to  show  that  we  have  not  intended  to  show  any  lack  of  courtesy  towards  the 
other  members  of  the  committee,  or  in  any  wise  to  take  any  advantage  of 
power  temporarily  placed  in  our  hands  by  our  associates  in  the  board  and  tie 
up  the  hands  of  the  board,  or  in  any  way  embarrass  its  free  action. 

If  the  opinions  of  other  members  of  the  committee  have  not  had  due  weight 
with  us,  it  is  because  they  did  not  give  us  an  opportunity  for  consultation  with 
them.  We  did  no  more  than  we  thought  the  exigencies  of  the  case  required 
and  believe  that  had  the  committee  been  full  its  members  would  have  concurred ; 
that  under  the  circumstances  we  could  not  do  less.  What  we  have  done  has  been 
done  in  good  faith,  and  we  believe  for  the  interest  of  the  county,  and  we  expect 
to  be  sustained  by  the  board.  We  are  more  than  ever  satisfied  with  the  location. 
The  land  is  of  first  quality,  and  possesses  the  diversified  surface  desirable  in  a 
farm,  both  for  beauty  and  utility. 

.  -.  'Near  the  center  of  the  tract  it  affords  a  beautiful  site  for  building,  command- 
ing a  view  of  the  whole  farm,  and  of  the  county  for  miles  around.  Near  enough 
to  the  highway,  but  sufficiently  removed  for  desirable  privacy. 

In  full  view  of  all  the  railroads,  a  handsome  building  will  be  a  conspicuous 
ornament  to  the  county. 

We  are  assured  that  there  will  be  every  facility  given  by  the  railroad  com- 
pany, both  for  delivering  of  building  materials  on  the  ground,  and  hereafter  land- 
ing inmates  upon  the  premises  at  a  platform  to  be  erected  near  the  track,  also 
for  the  delivery  of  fuel  and  other  heavy  supplies.  Its  proximity  to  a  station 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;   y  189 

where  extra  engines  are  kept  constantly  heated  will  enable  the  railroad  to 
give  many  such  facilities,  without  expense,  that  could  not  well  be  given  the 
same  distance  from  other  stations. 

Situated  nearly  midway  between  the  western  portion  of  the  City  of  Gales- 
burg  and  the  City  of  Knoxville  those  large  centers  of  population  could  not  be 
better  accommodated,  and  its  nearness  to  the  point  where  all  the  railroads 
converge  gives  it  peculiar  advantages  in  accommodating  the  county  towns. 

We  believe  the  greatest  value  of  the  poorhouse  will  be  as  a  hospital  and 
that  suitable  provisions  of  ambulance,  easy  chairs  and  the  proper  use  of  the 
facilities  of  the  railroad,  very  sick  persons  can  be  removed  from  any  place  in 
.the  county  without  danger,  and  that  once  there,  they  can  be  well  cared  for  at 
an  expense  below  the  cost  of  medical  attendance  alone  in  the  country  towns. 

To  carry  out  such  arrangements  we  consider  a  location  on  the  railroad 
indispensable,  and  we  regard  it  as  a  great  advantage  that  the  superintendent 
shall  receive  his  mail  at  Galesburg,  from  which  point  he  can  communicate  with 
the  authorities  of  the  several  towns  with  promptness,  and  can  in  most  cases 
know  the  situation,  and  remove  the  patient  in  24  to  48  hours  less  time  than 
if  the  location  was  at  another  point. 

In  conclusion  we  recommend  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  proceed 
with  the  construction  of  the  building  with  the  least  delay,  consistent  with  the 
proper  economy  of  the  work. 

In  the  purchase  of  the  land,  the  amount  expended  was  $•^600.00. 
:.'  E.  S.  HARDEN, 

':\: 'v- :  ;•:;;•....  .:  •'.. r-'v" 'v/-^:  ;•  '.'•••  •-•  O.  BEADLE, 

^';;;;  !;K'\,;.'-v :;!.':.;>;'  ;  j. "''  •"  L.  E.  CONGER, 

Committee. 

'-     Mr.    Miles   from   committee   on   poor- farm,   made   a   verbal   report  of   the 
action  of  the  remainder  of  the  committee.  V     I'-' 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Conger  and  by  consent  the  abstract  of  title  made  by 
Hon.  A.  M.  Craig  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  in  Township  1 1  N.  i 
E.  was  read. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Arms,  it  was  voted  that  the  board  immediately  on  conven- 
ing in  the  afternoon,  will  hear  a  report  on  the  title  of  said  land  from  Mr.  San- 
ford. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Heagy,  adjourned  until  half  past  one  o'clock  P.  M.  Board 
met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolutions  as  a  substitute  for  Mr.  Gale's 
resolution,  passed  at  the  adjourned  meeting.  May  29.  last. 

Resolved,  That  the  purchase  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  ii  N. 
I  E.  made  by  the  committee  of  the  poor-farm  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  rati- 
fied and  approved.  And,  be  it  further  ,'. , ;'-. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  poor-farm  hereafter  consist  of  Messrs. 
R.  W.  Miles,  C.  Arms  and  L.  E.  Conger,  and  that  in  case  the  piece  of  land,  of 
about  32  acres  south  of  the  poor-farm,  owned  by  John  Eads,  be  donated  to 
the  county  free  of  costs,  and  that  the  piece  of  ground  west  of  the  poor  farm  of 
about  36  acres,  owned  by  W.  Y.  Miller,  can  be  purchased  for  $35  per  acre,  and 
a  good  defensible  title  can  be  had,  then  and  in  that  case,  the  aforesaid  commit- 
tee be  and  they  are  hereby  instructed  to  purchase  said  land  of  said  Miller,  and 


.190  ;.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

.  to  commence  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse  as  soon  as  possible  on  the  grounds 
of  the  present  poor-farm;  the  same  to  be  constructed  after  the  plans  and  speci- 
fications of  W.  W.  Boyington,  now  in  the  hands  of  the  poor-farm  committee, 
save  and  except  one  of  the  wings,  the  committee  to  determine  which  one  to 
be  left  off.  And  the'  committee  are  hereby  empowered  to  borrow  money  on  the 
credit  of  the  county  for  the  construction  of  said  building,  and  the  purchase  of 
the  land  of  said  Miller,  and  that  already  purchased  by  the  poor-farm  commit- 

;  tee.  to  the  amount  of  forty  thousand  dollars,  and  no  more,  without  further 
authority  from  this  board,  and  that  the  committee  retain  20  per  cent,  of  the 
contract  price  in  their  hands  for  the  faithful  completion  of  the  work.  And,  be  it 
further 

Resolved,  That  in  case  a  good  and  sufficient  title  to  the  above  mentioned 
land,  satisfactory  to  the  members  of  the  committee,  cannot  be  had,  on  the  con- 
ditions above  specified,  then  and  in  that  case,  the  committee  be  and  is  hereby 
authorized  to  commence  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse  on  the  same  conditions 
above  specified,  on  the  land  now  purchased  by  the  committee,  that  is  the  north- 
west quarter  of  Section  24.  Township  ii  N.  i  E. 

Which  substitute  was  accepted  by  the  board  by  the  following  votes :  Yeas, 
Messrs.  Heflin.  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms,  Combs,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Stuckey,  Rhea, 

:  Adams,  Thompson,  Vaughn  and  Chairman,  13.     Nays,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden, 

.Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Ebright  and  Beadle,  9. 

•.  Mr.  Gale  offered  the   following  as  a  substitute  for  the  substitute  of   Mr, 
Vaughn.  :;  ^  j       v^  v 

Resolved,     That  when  this  board  adjourn  it  adjourn  for  five  weeks. 
That  the  purchase  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  in  Township  ii 
N.  I  E.  be  confirmed. 

That  the  supervisor  from  Indian  Point,  Victoria,  Truro,  Henderson  and 
Sparta  be  appointed  a  committee  to  report  upon  the  best  location  for  a  poor- 
house, taking  into  account  convenience  to  the  county,  expense  of  site,  cost  of 
buildings  and  future  running  expenses. 

Mr.  Combs  moved  to  amend  by  striking  out  the  names  of  the  committee 
and  that  the  chair  appoint  said  committee.  Amendment  lost  by  the  following 
vote :  Yeas,  Messrs.  Hefiin,  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms,  Combs,  Kellar,  Rhea,  Adams, 
Thompson  and  Vaughn,  lo.  Nays,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay, 
Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Ebright,  Beadle,  Johnston  and  Stuckey,  ii. 

Mr.  Arms  moved  to  amend  Mr.  Gale's  resolution  by  adding  Messrs.  Combs 

'  and  Kellar  to  the  committee  named,  which  amendment  was  carried  by  the 
following  vote :  Yeas,  Messrs.  Hefiin,  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms,  Combs,  Kellar, 
Johnston,  Stuckey,  Rhea,  Adams,  Thompson,  Vaughn  and  Chairman,  13.  Nays, 
Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Ebright  and 
Beadle,  9. 

The  question  recurring  on  the  acceptance  of  the  substitute  of  Mr.  Gale  as 
amended,  it  was  accepted  by  the  following  vote:  Yeas,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden, 

;  Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Hefiin,  Newell,  Beadle  and  Stuckey,  ii. 
Nays,  Messrs.  Heagy,  Arms,  Ebright,  Combs,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Rhea,  Adams, 
Thompson,  Vaughn  and  Mr.  Chairman,  lo. 

>        On  motion  of  Mr.  Stuckey  adjourned  until  lo  o'clock  tomorrow  morning. 
;  V-  The  chairman  announced  that  the  substitute  of  Mr.  Gale  under  considera- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;-^-  191 

tion  yesterday  evening,  was  in  order,  when  Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following 
resolutions  as  a  substitute  therefor: 

Resolved,  That  the  purchase  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  Town- 
ship II  N.  I  E.  made  by  Messrs.  L.  E.  Conger,  O.  Beadle  and  E.  S.  Harden, 
members  of  the  poor-farm  committee,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  ratified  and 
approved.  And,  it  is  further 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  poor-farm  hereafter  consist  of  Messrs. 
R.  W.  Miles,  C.  Arms  and  L.  E.  Conger,  and  that  in  case  the  piece  of  land  of 
about  32  acres,  south  of  and  adjoining  the  poor-farm,  owned  by  John  Eads, 
and  the  piece  of  land  west  of  and  adjoining  the  poor-farm,  of  about  36  acres, 
owned  by  William  Y.  Miller,  be  donated,  and  a  deed  of  the  same  made  to  the 
county  free  of  cost;  then,  and  in  that  case,  the  aforesaid  committee  be  and  they 
are  hereby  instructed  and  empowered  to  commence  the  construction  of  a  poor- 
house  as  soon  as  possible,  on  the  grounds  of  the  present  poor-farm ;  the  same 
to  be  constructed  after  the  plans  and  specifications  of  W.  W.  Boyington,  now 
in  the  hands  of  the  poor-farm  committee,  save  and  'except  one  of  the  wings, 
extending  from  the  steward's  department;  the  committee  to  determine  which  one 
to  be  left  off,  and  the  said  committee  are  hereby  empowered  to  borrow  money 
on  the  credit  of  the  county  for  the  construction  of  said  building,  and  for  the 
payment  of  the  aforesaid  northwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  Township  1 1  N.  i  E. 
to  the  amount  of  thirty-five  thousand  dollars,  and  no  more,  without  further 
authority  from  this  board,  and  that  the  committee  retain  20  per  cent  of  the 
contract  price  in  their  hands  for  the  faithful  completion  of  the  work.  And,  be 
it  further 

Resolved,  That  in  case  a  good  and  sufficient  title  to  the  above  described 
lands,  adjoining  the  present  poor-farm,  cannot  be  had  on  the  above  mentioned 
conditions,  and  satisfactory  to  the  aforesaid  committee;  then  and  in  that  case 
the  committee  be  and  it  is  hereby  instructed  and  authorized  to  commence 
immediately  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section 
24,  Township  ii  N.  i  E.  in  the  same  manner,  and  on  the  same  conditions  as 
above  specified.  And,  it  is  further  ..'-•:  o 

Resolved,  That  all  resolutions  heretofore  passed  by  this  board,  and  in- 
consistent with  this  resolution,  in  regard  to  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse, 
be  and  they  are  hereby  rescinded. 

Mr.  Rhea  offered  the  following  amendment: 

Whereas,  there  have  been  deeds  executed  to  Knox  county  of  the  N.  W.  24, 
II  N.  I  E.  under  instructions  of  Mr.  L.  E.  Conger,  a  member  of  the  poor- farm 
committee  under  protest  of  one-half  of  said  committee,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  Knox  county  quit  claim  to  the  said  L.  E.  Conger,  all 
claims  in  said  tract  of  land  as  the  record  does  show  a  title  to  said  land  con- 
trary to  instructions,  and  the  action  of  said  members  of  committee  are  hereby 
rescinded.  And  that  the  contractors  of  said  buildings  be  required  to  give  security 
in  double  the  amount  of  costs  of  buildings. 

A  question  of  order  being  raised  on  the  amendment,  the  chairman  decided 
the  amendment  out  of  order. 

And  the  question  being  on  the  acceptance  of  Mr.  Vaughn's  substitute  the  yeas 
and  nays  were  demanded,  resulting:  Yeas,  Messrs.  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms, 
Ebright,  Combs,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Stuckey,  Rhea,  Adams,  Thompson,  Vaughn 


192  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  Mr.  Chairman,   13.     Nays,  Messrs.   Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay, 
Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Heflin,  Beadle  and  Gibbs,  lO.    Substitute  accepted. 

A  motion  to  adjourn  was  then  offered,  on  which  the  yeas  and  nays  were 
called,  resulting:  Yeas,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson, 
Dunlap,  Heflin,  Beadle,  Combs  and  Gibbs,  ii.  Nays,  Messrs.  Newell,  Heagy, 
Arms,  Ebright,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Stuckey,  Rhea,  Adams,  Thompson,  Vaughn 
and  Mr.  Chairman,  12.  Lost. 

Mr.  Ebright  moved  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  receive  pro- 
posals from  the  several  points  desiring  to  secure  the  location  of  the  poor-farm, 
and  report  at  1 130  o'clock  this  afternoon.  Adopted.  The  chairman  appointed 
Messrs.  Ebright,  Stuckey,  Conger,  Vaughn  and  Rhea,  said  committee. 

On  motion  adjourned  until  half  past  one  o'clock. 

Mr.  Ebright  from  committee  on  receiving  proposals  from  towns  for  the 
location  of  poor-farm,  reported  the  following  proposals: 

1st.  I,  John  Eads,  do  hereby  agree  to  convey  by  deed,  for  the  purpose  of, 
ar-'J  as  a  poor-farm  for  Knox  county,  state  of  Illinois,  to  the  board  of  super- 
visors Oi  said  county,  my  land  lying  east  of  the  city  of  Knoxville,  in  said 
county,  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Peoria  road  leading  east  from  Knoxville, 
on  the  west  and  south,  by  the  road  leading  from  Maquon  to  Knoxville,  being 
about  117  acres  and  parts  of  the  S.  E.  quarter  of  Sec.  27  and  N.  E.  34  in  town- 
ship II  N.,  range  2  east  in  said  county,  for  the  sum  of  $17  per  acre,  provided 
said  board  will  erect,  or  cause  to  be  erected  on  said  land  the  poorhouse  now 
in  contemplation  of  erection. 

2nd.  I,  Cephas  Arms,  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Knox,  do  hereby  offer 
the  donation  of  33  acres,  lying  south  of  and  adjoining  the  poor-farm,  owned 
by  John  Eads,  and  about  36  acres  adjoining,  and  lying  west  of  the  poor-farm, 
owned  by  Wm.  Y.  Miller,  for  poor-farm  purposes  to  the  board  of  supervisors 
of  Knox  county.  111.,  provided  said  board  will  erect  or  cause  to  be  erected 
on  said  poor-farm  the  poorhouse  now  in  contemplation  of  erection,  and  do 
guarantee  the  conveyance  of  said  lands  to  the  said  board  on  the  above  conditions. 

3rd.  I  will  see  that  the  county  have  paid  into  the  treasury  within  ten  days 
$10,000  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  poorhouse  on  Boyington's  plan,  on  N.  W. 
24,  II  N.  I.  E.  W.  SELDEN  GALE. 

4th.  The  town  of  Lynn  will  donate  to  the  county  of  Knox,  the  S.  W. 
quarter  of  section  lo,  13  N.  4  E.  with  a  clear  title,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting 
a  county  poorhouse  upon  it.  ,.•-... 

...  ,    -  '•  JOSEPH  D.  GIBBS, 

'  ''  Superintendent. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson  it  was  voted  that  the  report  of  the  committee 
be  accepted. 

The  question  being  on  the  adoption  of  Mr.  Vaughn's  resolution,  Mr.  San- 
derson moved  to  substitute  therefor  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  this  board  confirm  the  purchase  of  the  northwest  quarter 
of  section  24,  town  ii  N.  i  E. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  demanded,  resulted:  Yeas — Messrs.  Meek,  Har- 
den, Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Heflin,  Ebright,  Beadle,  Stuckey, 
Thompson,  Vaughn  and  Gibbs,  14.  Nays — Messrs.  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms, 
Combs,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Rhea,  Adams  and  Chairman,  9.  Substitute  accepted, 
when  on  motion  said  resolution  was  adopted. 


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HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and   Mr.   Chairman,    13.     Nays,   Messrs.   Meek,   Harden,   Gale,   Conger,   Clay, 
Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Heflin,  Beadle  and  Gibbs,  lo.     Substitute  accepted. 

A  motion  to  adjourn  was  then  offered,  on  which  the  yeas  and  nays  were 
called,  resulting:  Yeas,  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson, 
Dunlap,  Heflin,  Beadle,  Combs  and  Gibbs,  ii.  Nays,  Messrs.  Newell,  Heagy, 
Arms,  Ebright,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Stuckey,  Rhea,  Adams,  Thompson,  Vaughn 
and  ^Ir.  Chairman,  12.  Lost. 

Mr.  Ebright  moved  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  receive  pro- 
posals from  the  several  points  desiring  to  secure  the  location  of  the  poor-farm, 
and  report  at  i  :3O  o'clock  this  afternoon.  Adopted.  The  chairman  appointed 
Messrs.  Ebright,  Stuckey,  Conger,  \'aughn  and  Rhea,  said  committee. 

On  motion  adjourned  until  half  past  one  o'clock. 

Mr.  Ebright  from  committee  on  receiving  proposals  from  towns  for  the 
location  of  poor-farm,  reported  the  following  proposals:  |  ^  - 

1st.  I,  John  Eads,  do  hereby  agree  to  convey  by  deed,  for  the  purpose  of, 
a.r."  as  a  poor-farm  for  Knox  county,  state  of  Illinois,  to  the  board  of  super- 
visors Oi  said  county,  my  land  lying  east  of  the  city  of  Knoxville,  in  said 
county,  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Peoria  road  leading  east  from  Knoxville, 
on  the  west  and  south,  by  the  road  leading  from  Maquon  to  Knoxville,  being 
about  117  acres  and  parts  of  the  S,  E.  quarter  of  Sec,  27  and  N.  E.  34  in  town- 
ship II  N.,  range  2  east  in  said  county,  for  the  sum  of  $17  per  acre,  provided 
said  board  will  erect,  or  cause  to  be  erected  on  said  land  the  poorhouse  now 
in  contemplation  of  erection,  ,  : '-  :.  .(  '  . 

2nd,  I,  Cephas  Arms,  supervisor  of  the  town  of  Knox,  do  hereby  offer 
the  donation  of  33  acres,  lying  south  of  and  adjoining  the  poor-farm,  owned 
by  John  Eads,  and  about  36  acres  adjoining,  and  lying  west  of  the  poor-farm, 
owned  by  Wm.  Y.  Miller,  for  poor- farm  purposes  to  the  board  of  supervisors 
of  Knox  county.  111.,  provided  said  board  will  erect  or  cause  to  be  erected 
on  said  poor-farm  the  poorhouse  now  in  contemplation  of  erection,  and  do 
guarantee  the  conveyance  of  said  lands  to  the  said  board  on  the  above  conditions, 

3rd.  I  will  see  that  the  county  have  paid  into  the  treasury  within  ten  days 
$10,000  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  poorhouse  on  Boyington's  plan,  on  N.  W. 
24,  II  X.  I.  E.  W.  SELDEN  GALE. 

4th.  The  town  of  Lynn  will  donate  to  the  county  of  Knox,  the  S.  W. 
quarter  of  section  lo,  13  N.  4  E,  with  a  clear  title,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting 
a  county  poorhouse  upon  it.  .  .  .  '  •  : 

. ,  ,  '    JOSEPH  D,  GIBBS, 

,  Superintendent. 

•       On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson  it  was  voted  that  the  report  of  the  committee 
be   accepted.  ;  j 

The  question  being  on  the  adoption  of  Mr.  Vaughn's  resolution,  Mr.  San- 
derson moved  to  substitute  therefor  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  this  board  confirm  the  purchase  of  the  northwest  quarter 
of  section  24,  town  ii  N.  i  E.  •  '  '  ."  -:  ;  |  ••'.; 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  demanded,  resulted :  Yeas — Messrs.  Meek,  Har- 
den, Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Heflin,  Ebright,  Beadle,  Stuckey, 
Thompson,  \'aughn  and  Gibbs,  14.  Nays — Messrs.  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms, 
Combs,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Rhea,  Adams  and  Chairman,  9.  Substitute  accepted, 
when  on  motion  said  resolution  was  adopted.  - 


S.5.      5C 


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H:^:;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .. :.  193 

Mr.   Arms  offered  the   following   resolution:  ••        • 

C;   -         Resolved,  That  the  proposition  of   the  town  of  ICnox,   donating  lands   in 
V.          addition  to  the  present  poor- farm,  upon  the  conditions  specified,  be  accepted. 
.'.-r  Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  as  a  substitute: 

•T-.;  i  Resolved,  That  the  poorhouse  building  committee  be  directed  to  proceed 
';;  -  .  to  erect  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  24,  ii  north  i  east,  the  center  and 
.-.";'  one  wing  of  the  plan  for  poorhouse  adopted  at  last  meeting,  provided  the 
':'•'.'••  sum  of  $10,000  shall  be  paid  into  the  county  treasury  within  ten  days  by  the 
.  C  '•  authorities  of  Galesburg,  as  a  donation  for  the  purpose. 
•'  V  That  the  said  committee  be  authorized  to  borrow  money  for  the  purpose 

•  :       ;  of  such  erection  and  payment  of  land,  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  $15,000. 

•:.  •/  Mr.  Arms  withdrew  his  resolution,  when  Mr.  Rhea  offered  the  following 

•.•..•-  substitute  for  Mr.  Gale's  resolution: 

'      '   .  Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  the  poor-farm  hereafter  consist  of  Messrs. 

;;    . ;' '.  R.  W.  Miles,  C.  Arms  and  L.  E.  Conger;  and  that  in  case  the  piece  of  land 

.    '  •  of  about  32  acres,  south  of  and  adjoining  the  poor- farm,  owned  by  John  Eads, 

;...;..  jjjfl  i^j^g  piece  of  land  west  of  and  adjoining  the  poor-farm,  of  about  36  acres, 

'••'•  1     V  owned  by  W.  Y.  Miller,  be  donated  and  a  deed  of  the  same  made  to  the  county, 

.  •  .''  free  of  costs;  then  and  in  that  case,  the  aforesaid  committee  be,  and  they  are 

;;•''*,  hereby   instiaicted   and   empowered  to   commence   the  construction   of  a   poor- 

:. y,  .  house  as  soon  as  possible,  on  the  grounds  of  the  present  poor- farm — the  same 

-  ::    .,.  to  be  constructed  after  the  plans  and  specifications  of  W.  W.  Boyington,  now 
:;•;'•.;  in  the  hands  of  the  poor-farm  committee,  save  and  except  one  of  the  wings 

;-"!;:   extending  from  the  steward's  department — the  committee  to  determine  which 

.;.;.';  one  to  be  left  off.  And  the  said  committee  are  hereby  empowered  to  borrow 
;..  .?;  money  on  the  credit  of  the  county  for  the  construction  of  the  said  building, 
'  ^  ,  and  for  the  payment  of  the  (purchase  money  of  the)  northwest  quarter  of 

.;./:.  section  24,  town  ii  N.  i  E.  to  the  amount  of  twenty  thousand  dollars,  and  no 
•';',:  more,  without  further  authority  from  this  board.  And  that  the  committee 

,  >  retain  twenty  per  cent  of  the  contract  price  in  their  hands  for  the  faithful 
•^  y^  .  completion  of  the  work.  And  be  it  further  v  i' 

';' '  Resolved,  That  in  case  a  good  and  sufficient  title  to  the  above  described 

/  ••  -- '  lands  adjoining  the  present  poor-farm,  cannot  be  had  on  the  above  mentioned 
.''•'.  .•  conditions,  and  satisfactory  to  the  aforesaid  committee,  then  and  in  that  case, 
-:•  ,,  the  committee.be,  and  it  is  hereby  instructed  and  authorized  to  commence  im- 
iyj  /;•;  mediately  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse,  on  the  N.  W.  quarter  of  Section 

..  -'.v/  24,  T.  II  N.  I  E.  in  the  same  manner  and  on  the  same  conditions  as  above 
V :  .  specified.  And  be  it  further 

.:;  Resolved,  That  all  resolutions  heretofore  passed  by  this  board,  and  incon- 

':'>/'  ';  sistent  with  this  resolution  in  regard  to  the  construction  of  a  poorhouse,  be, 
'.:";  and  they  are  hereby  rescinded. 

:;  j  On  the  adoption  of  which  substitute,  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  re- 
:v;>  ":  suiting:  Yeas — Messrs.  Heflin,  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms,  Combs,  Kellar,  John- 
4  -•• ,  ston,  Stuckey,  Rhea,  Adams,  Thompson,  Vaughn  and  Mr.  Chairman,  13.  Nays — 
;i;,.;';  Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Ebright,  Beadle 
and  Gibbs,  lo.  Adopted. 

And  the  question  being  shall  the  resolution  pass,  the  yeas  and  nays  were 
called,  and  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  following  vote :    Yeas — Messrs.  Heflin, 

Vol.  I— 18 


194  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '       v 

Newell,  Heagy,  Arms,  Ebright,  Combs,  Kellar,  Johnston,  Stuckey,  Rhea,  Adams, 
Thompson,  Vaughn  and  Mr.  Chairman,  14.  Nays — Messrs.  Meek,  Harden, 
Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Beadle  and  Gibbs,  9. 

On  motion  adjourned.  .•     t     •.'.•. 

;  .  January,  1867 — The  poor-farm  committee  reported  that  by  their  estimates 
it  will  require  about  $15,000  additional  to  complete  the  building  and  properly 
stock  and  improve  said  farm. 

'.:•''-••  •:"  Tr  f-  :;'/  \     a\-  ,.        '..:"•. 

,   .   ,.  .  REPORT   OF    POOR-FARM    CXDMMITTEE      "'::--;'; 

••  V  •;\?^;t'^:;''"'.,      .  '•'-  A,  •.';'-:','-."..'•'•     v    :  ^"\':'i  "•'...:      JANUARY,    7th,    1867.     '  :}• 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

As  the  poor-farm  committee  made  no  written  report  at  the  Sept.  ineeting, 
we  will  briefly  state  that  at  the  special  meeting  in  June  1866,  your  committee 
was  directed  (provided  the  titles  to  certain  parcels  of  land  adjoining  the  old 
poor-farm,  proposed  to  be  donated  to  Knox  county  by  the  citizens  of  Knox- 
ville,  were  good  and  sufficient  titles)  to  accept  of  the  deeds,  and  proceed  to 
erect  one  wing  and  the  center  building  of  the  poorhouse  according  to  plans 
and  specifications  of  W.  W.  Boyington.  Your  committee  consulted  Messrs.  San- 
ford  and  Craig  as  to  the  titles  to  said  land.  They  pronounced  the  titles  good. 
Your  committee  accepted  the  deeds  and  immediately  advertised  for  proposals 
for  erecting  the  building.  Upon  opening  the  bids,  the  bid  of  Mr.  Wm.  Arm- 
strong was  decided  to  be  the  lowest  and  best  bid,  and  the  contract  was  im- 
mediately drawn  up  and  signed  accordingly.  Mr.  Armstrong  contracts  that 
for  the  sum  of  $26,900.00  he  will  erect  and  complete  the  building  ready  for 
use,  warming  apparatus  included,  subject  to  the  approval  of  W.  W.  Boyington. 
Owing  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  Mr.  Armstrong  will  not  be  able  to 
complete  the  building  according  to  the  time  of  the  contract,  but  your  commit- 
tee believe  that  Mr.  Armstrong  has  faithfully  tried  to  comply  with  the  terms 
of  the  contract  not  only  as  to  time,  but  in  material  and  workmanship  of  the 
building.  Your  committee  was  also  authorized  to  borrow  $20,000  to  be  ex- 
pended on  the  building  and  for  paying  for  the  N.  W.  quarter  of  section  24, 
II  N.  2  E.  An  itemized  statement  attached  shows  the  amount  of  expenditures 
to  be  $16,769.99. 

April,  1867. — Mr.  Gale  moved  that  when  this  board  adjourned,  that  it 
be  until  called  together  by  the  poor-farm  committee.  Carried.  Yeas — Messrs. 
Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Gale,  Conger,  Sanderson,  Whiting,  WyckoflF,  Beadle, 
Miles,  Johnston,  Chambers,  Hall,  Vaughn  and  Gibbs,  15.  Nays — Messrs.  McKee, 
Sumner,  Charles.  Keightley,  Hanrick,  Swigart  and  Shaffer,  7.  Excused,  Messrs. 
Dunlap  and  Wood,  2. 

September,  1867. — Mr.  Miles  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was 
adopted:  •:..-;-••.•,  --^j  -  I  \0  A  ' 

Resolved,  That  the  buildings  heretofore  known  and  called  the  Knox  county 
poorhouse,  be  hereafter  known  and  called  the  Knox  county  almshouse. 

.:,'.;,..      '  REPORT   OF    POOR-FARM    COMMITTEE       ;:.:••,-;•.; 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County:  - 

The  committee  on  poor- farm  and  building  would  report  as  follows ; 


;.;^;^   v;^    ;;,•   ;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          .:^-.;V,         195 

That  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  board  they  have  borrowed  money 

to  the  amount  of $19,578.00 

Amoimt  previously  borrowed    28,550.00 


Total  amount  borrowed   $48,128.00     , 

The  amount  expended  by  the  committee    since    the    com-  .  ...,....-.          ;  • 

mencement  of  the  poorhouse  in  July,  1866,  is — (Sun-  '  '•,';' 

>     dry  items)   $47,239.04  ^     ^ 

>.--•-•...-'::.  :.,.^•:-  :^ -•.••:.'         •:  $47,239.04   x  .  1 

Amount  paid  by  committee  on  the  original  contract $26,900.00   .  --  .-  ' 

Amount  allowed  by  W.   W.   Boyington    for    extra    work  -v       .-.'-'.• 

and  heating  apparatus 5,650.82  „.-',-: 

Money  expended  for  Galesburg  farm 8,201.83          •".    \          : 

Amount  paid  on  notes  prin.  and  int 1,500.00   .;'   ^:  -    .•      -• 

Range  and  fixtures    450.95      ;..-"'.••  ' 

Grates  and  mantles   217.00  .,'.':,.>'      .  ; 

W.  W.  Boyington   690.55       -;:.'.  . 

Making  a  total  of ; . . , . ;...'. . ,'. . , $43,61 1.15    -    .. 

Leaving  a  balance  not  accounted  for  of 3,627.89  :? ,  . 

;.;.  -.••  ^-^ -,••-.• --•;v-:-, .,.:•.-._.:•.-...•  -.•.•.-...- A...          .^  .V  $47^239.04  ;;^ ;.;;.; 

•       This  balance  of  $3,627.89  has  been  expended  by  the  committee  in  stocking   .     .. 
the  farm,  tiles  and  drain,  wagons,  harness,  plows,  furniture,  expenses  of  insane 
at  Jacksonville,  etc.,  etc.    All  of  which  is  shown  in  the  report  of  the  committee   ;  V 
in  separate  items  in  the  payment  of  the  amount  $47,239.04.  .  - 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  .        ':    •  r/i    ;"/..,.., 

:'^  ':-\ ':;/'•  •"''•r\,-^---:<;;-.'-;-'':^- ;/•'•:.•  '  ;;/.M,.V..'      R.  W.  MILES,        '^-;;;.:'J.,  j,.;,. ; 

;/•"'.'••-..        .'••'"-  >'--;v:x'::'V---- ''•':.:" -^-.-.x:   -.••^••'//•'•V: '.'••..'./:.      L.  E.  CONGER,  >'.''.';••'-• 

GEO.  A.  CHARLES.  ;\ 

January  13,  1868. — Called  meeting. — Mr.  Gale  moved  that  Messrs.  Conger 

and  Whiting  be  appointed  a  committee  to  sell  such  portion  of  the  Galesburg 

poor-farm  as  lies  north  of  the  railroad.    Adopted.  .          '  ,  ' 

Mr.  Gale  then  moved  that  the  sale  made  by  the  committee  of  such  portion    . : 

of  the  Galesburg  poor-farm   (N.  W.  24,  ii   N.,   i   E.)   that  lies  south  of  the 

railroad  be  approved  and  confirmed.     Adopted. 

July  Meeting,  1876. — The  almshouse  committee  presents  the  f(4llowing  fur-   ;. 

ther  report:  v./^;  •''- "V';.-^ .' ^V.'-'  •     •. -.---^ -.•;';••''>•?'•'•.•.•'.••"- 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County:  '  • 

Your  committee  on  almshouse  and  paupers  would  respectfully  present  the 
following:  • 

,  .      Whereas,    The  present  ventilation  of  the  Knox  county  almshouse  has  been  ':  ; 
declared  by  the  secretary  of  the  state  board  of  charities,  to  be  wholly  insufficient 
to  secure  wholesome  air  for  the  inmates,  and 

Whereas,  Your  committee  by  careful  examination  find  the  accommodation 
for  the  insane  wholly  inadequate,  all  the  cells  being  filled,  and  there  are  several 
still  running  at  large  on  the  premises,  for  whose  safety  and  the  safety  of  others,    ..  V 
cells  should  be  provided;  and  there  are  also  quite  a  number  at  the  insane  hos-  .  '  : 
pitals  that  are  liable  to  be  returned  at  any  time;  and  : 


196         ••••'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     V^cvVi^.;: 

Whereas,  The  laundry  accommodations  were  originally  designed  to  be  in 
the  east  wing  of  the  originally  planned  building,  but  are  now  in  the  west  base- 
ment designed  for  cellars,  and  is  not  only  wholly  inadequate  for  the  purpose, 
but  the  dampness  arising  from  it  is  injurious  to  the  building,  and  endangers  the 
health  of  the  inmates;  and 

Whereas,  The  heating  apparatus  in  said  building  has  entirely  given  out,  and 
must  be  renewed  at  great  expense  before  another  winter;  and 

Whereas,  Under  the  present  arrangements  it  is  impossible  for  the  superin- 
tendent to  keep  the  sexes  properly  separated,  which  is  absolutely  necessary  in 
order  to  sustain  the  moral  character  of  the  institution;  and 

Whereas,  Labor  and  material  are  at  this  time  unusually  cheap,  therefore 
your  committee  would  earnestly  recommend,  that  the  board  of  supervisors  take 
immediate  steps  to  add  to  the  present  building  the  east  wing  contemplated  in 
the  original  design  of  said  building,  the  plans  and  specifications  of  which  your 
committee  understand  are  in  the  hands  of  the  county  clerk,  and  also  to  adopt  a 
proper  plan  for  heating  and  ventilation  of  the  whole  building  upon  the  most  ap- 
proved and  economical  plan.  All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

D.  M.  ElKER,          '^^'V': 
'.•'';:'-;  •   •..'        .  :  >•    G.  V.  DiETERICH,        "'        » 

.•';'':  •      ;  „  ;.    •       -;  J.  S.  CHAMBERS,          :     ,. 

'^''   ''•<''}':>.  ^    ...  .'  ';,;-••-".,•'.';     -'-v,-    WM.  G.  WEST,     j..:-;:''^^ 

•.'-<^.  .'•',.    •  .    ,  .  .       .''V-/.:/    •    .          .   ''     ';;  S.  S.  STUCKEY,      '       'V' 

^   -•-  •  -  •••  Committee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Holyoke,  the  matter  was  referred  to  almshouse  commit- 
tee, with  instructions  to  report  fully  at  the  adjourned  meeting  of  the  board,  the 
probable  cost  of  the  contemplated  improvement,  and  expense  of  necessary  heating 
and  ventilation. 

July  Adjourned  Meeting,  1876. — Mr.  Eiker,  from  almshouse  committee,  pre- 
sented the  following  special  report:  .  ,.  ..•;••?.:..  ..4  ; 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

Your  committee  on  almshouse  and  paupers,  to  whom  was  referred  the  mat- 
ter reported  by  them  at  the  July  meeting,  would  report  that  they  have  attended 
to  the  duty  assigned  to  them,  and  herewith  present  the  original  plans  and  specifica- 
tions, from  which  the  present  building  was  erected,  together  with  drawings  by 
Messrs.  Parry  &  Stevens,  presenting  the  changes  which  your  committee  would 
recommend.  From  them  you  will  readily  see  that,  although  we  have  added  8 
feet  in  length  and  2  feet  in  width  to  the  east  wing,  yet  it  will  not  detract  from 
the  original  design  nor  materially  increase  the  expense.  In  the  present  building 
we  have  but  8  insane  cells.  In  the  new  wing  we  get  19,  together  with  all  the 
laundry  and  baking  accommodations,  the  want  of  which  has  so  long  been  felt. 
To  heat  and  ventilate  the  entire  building,  your  committee  would  recommend 
that  the  boiler  be  situated  outside  of  the  west  end  of  the  building;  that  a  chimney 
be  erected  for  boiler  purposes,  from  which  the  best  of  ventilation  can  be  secured 
for  that  part  of  the  building  now  erected.  For  the  new  part,  ventilation  can 
readily  be  obtained  from  the  large  chimney  shown  in  the  plan. 

•  The  estimated  cost  of  building  complete  in  all  parts,  exclusive  of  heating 
apparatus  and  fixtures,  as  furnished  us  by  Messrs.  Parry  &  Stevens,  will  be 
about  $15.000,  and  as  furnished  us  by  W.  O.  Thomas,  of  Macomb,  $13,425,  the 


>:;v /^:;^-::^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^;7>;;;        197   f' 

latter  party  omitting  several  points  which  would   increase  his  estimate.     For    ; 
heating  and  ventilating,   the  estimated   cost  is   as   follows :     For  boiler-house,  . 
setting  boiler,  and  smoke-stack,  45  feet  high,  with  sheet  iron  flue,  same  height,     - 
$620;  for  heating  apparatus,  including  boiler  and  all  necessary  fixtures  to  in- 
sure the  heating  of  the  whole  building,  $2,339.68,  the  latter  estimate  from  Frost 
Manufacturing  Company,  making  the  estimates,  including  all  complete,  amount    ^ 
to  $17,959.68. 

Your  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  estimates  presented  are  liberal, 
and  that  the  cost  of  contemplated  improvement  would  not  exceed  estimates,  but 
competition  in  bidding  for  contract  would  materially  reduce  them.     For  reasons 
given  in  our  former  report,  and  correspondence  furnished  us  by  the  clerk,  from    '  . 
our  insane  asylums,  your  committee   feel  the  urgent  necessity  of  putting  the     . 
building  under  contract  at  once,  as  we  are  informed  that  it  can  be  completed     ; 
by  January  i,  1877.      -.^•-.' v  .'    .  ..:V::.  ' 

•;  And  we  therefore  would  recommend  that  the  plans  and  specifications,  as 
presented,  be  adopted,  and  that  provision  be  made  for  the  amount  of  money 
necessary,  at  a  low  rate  of  interest,  until  our  present  tax  can  be  levied  and  col- 
lected, and  that  the  clerk  be  directed  to  advertise  for  sealed  proposals  for  build- 
ing and  heating,  separate  or  combined,  according  to  plan  and  specifications,  for  . 
the  space  of  15  days.  •-^-.  . '^v.x  ..-'•;-:  'v. :.:  v  •• 

,-"\.v'- ::'''"'.'-..••'''••••".'-  7/'^^-'V-''-'' '•:;...     D.  M.  ElKER,  ••'•'">:.•.:'.',' 

'V   "'•'.  :'  ';-^-       '^ '•.••'  •'''^^^^'>  •.••''':?•  V'-H'-'V  ••'"'.-.  ••'..^:''    J.  S.  CHAMBERS,     ';'•!'•".:' 

.    -';•••'.-•,•,.   :'   '-  •    .•;':•  •'^:--^ -^    '          •.>••:•;'•.:;;.:•:•'    'v-:'^    '••"      G.   V.   DiETERICH,   ^  ;-^  r:'':-  •,; 

":.-:-•-•-;'-.         -^'^   -"^/>/^'--  '-'S  •'-'-'' 'r.--:^-  :-''-,  ^ '':•:!    S.  S.  SrucKEY,      v^':'': 'x';, ; 

WILLIAM  G.  WEST.      I    :.' 
:•  .     On  motion  adjourned  until  half  past  one  o'clock.  '•:   ,: 

Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  -<:.•   --  .     . 

The  order  of  business  being  the  special  report  of  the  committee  on  alms- 
house  and  paupers.  ' 

Mr.  Felt  moved  that  the  special  report  of  the  committee  be  accepted,  adopted,     • 
and  its  recommendations  concurred  in.     Carried,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  ad- 
vertise for  proposals  as  contemplated  by  the  report.        .          .'  ^'^  7.  •'•'''^^'^^'f^-''^-'^:.^    ': 

Mr.  Eiker  presented  the  following  resolutions:  ^; -•'••.;>;:;;.  :>^;X^  ::-./: 

Resolved,  That  when  this  board  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to  meet  on  Monday, 
August  2ist,  for  the  purpose  of  opening  bids  for  building  addition  to  alms-     • 
house,  and  the  transaction  of  other  business  connected  therewith,  as  may  be 
deemed  necessary.  ;"  -  .       ;   ';%;/:.;•  :-.'^:;..T.V 

;    The  yeas  and  nays  being  called,  the  resolution  was  adopted : 

Yeas — Messrs.  Campbell,  Felt,  Gale,  Brown,  Chambers,  Sisson,  McFarland,     ; 
Barnett,   Eiker,   Woodmansee,   Temple,   Stuckey,   Sloan,  West  and   Mr.   Chair- 
man,   15.         ^'.    •••    -   ''  •   '^  :'  •'.-•''•'•  ••     '-•   -''  /y 

V  .    Nays — Messrs.  Bates,  Deatherage,  Holyoke,  Curtis,  Swigart,  England,  Tuck-    ^; 
er  and  Gaines,  8. 

August   Special   Meeting,    1876. — Mr.   Dieterich,   from  committee  on  alms-     , 
house,  made  the  following  report: 

•>v;;^;',.--',v'v  .•^._-4^-\\o;.'  "'V '"v,;.:-'^'. '••:-!••  •'^•4'i^:-    GALESBURG,  Aug.  2ist,  1876.  .'i:^'  ':• 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee,  to  whom  was  submitted  the  duty  of  comparing  bids  made,    '' 


198  •'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        -'v}.^;;;    ^ 

for  adding  on  an  east  wing  of  the  Knox  county  almshouse,  and  the  heating 
apparatus  necessary  to  the  completion  of  old  and  the  contemplated  new  build- 
ing herewith  report  that,  we  have  had  the  various  bids  under  consideration,  and 
if  we  are  to  decide  in  favor  of  the  bids  made,  on  the  basis  of  the  plans  and 
specifications  upon  which  the  bids  were  made,  we  have  decided  in  favor  of 
Stevens  &  Parry,  whose  bid  is  $16,250;  but  a  bid  has  been  presented  by  Parry 
&  Stevens,  amounting  to  $17,400,  which  includes  the  largest  sized  boiler  that 
any  of  the  bidders  have  named,  and  qualifies  all  and  everything  that  may  be 
needed  to  the  full  completion  of  building  and  heating  apparatus,  including  all 
changes  that  may  be  conceived  necessary  for  comfort  and  convenience,  during 
the  progress  of  the  building,  without  extra  charge.  We  submit  to  the  board 
the  two  propositions,  and  ask  that  they  consider  and  decide  which  of  the  two 
propositions  had  best  be  accepted.  As  for  ourselves,  we  recommend  this  lat- 
ter proposition,  and  think  it  will  be  cheaper  and  more  satisfactory,  in  the  con- 
clusion, than  the  first.  .  j 

;  ;         D.  M.  EiKER, 

:      .   •;  •  G.   V.  DiETERICH, 

•i  ••';:.      .  J.  S.  CHAMBERS,        ,      • 

..•V'''i  •          V     '         '  S.  S.  STUCKEY, 

WM.  G.  WEST. 

On  motion,  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted. 

Mr.  Holyoke  offered  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Parry  &  Stevens  be  and  are  hereby  awarded  the  con- 
tract for  the  construction  of  the  east  wing  and  other  improvements  at  the 
Knox  county  almshouse,  they  having,  in  our  judgment,  made  the  lowest  and 
best  bid  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  the  almshouse  committee  be  authorized  and  directed  to 
draw  a  contract  with  Messrs.  Parry  &  Stevens,  which  shall  specify  all  the 
materials  to  be  furnished  and  all  the  work  to  be  performed;  that  no  alterations 
or  additions  be  made  which  shall  increase  the  expense  above  the  contract  price; 
and  that  said  committee  be  empowered  to  bind  the  county  to  pay  the  contract 
price  of  $17,400  in  monthly  payments,  not  exceeding  85  per  cent,  on  the  work 
done  and  the  materials  furnished  during  the  month  preceding.  •  :  j  • 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  almshouse  committee  be  authorized  to  employ 
Zelotes  Cooley,  Esq.,  as  superintendent  of  building. 

Mr.  Dieterich  moved  to  amend  by  substituting  the  name  of  Mr.  D.  M.  Eiker, 
in  place  of  Mr.  Cooley.  Lost.  -  -  .  ./.  :L  ^  V  "  /  ;'r  -•'  "^;''>-..  • , ;  i  ^  •  .v- 

Yeas — Messrs.  Campbell,  Felt,  Dieterich,  Chambers,  Barnett,  Woodmansee, 
Stuckey,  Soles  and  Mr.  Chairman,  9. 

Nays — Messrs.  Gale,  Brown,  Sisson,  Deatherage,  McFarland,  Holyoke^,  Cur- 
tis, England,  Swigart,  Temple,  Sloan,  West,  Tucker  and  Gaines,  14, 

The  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  was  then  adopted.       ,:,,;.;:•. 

It  being  intimated  that  Mr.  Cooley  might  not  accept  the  position  of  sup- 
erintendent. 

Mr.  Holyoke  moved,  that  if  the  committee  cannot  employ  Mr.  Cooley,  that 
they  employ  some  other  competent  person  as  superintendent,  who  is  not  a 
member  of  the  committee.  Adopted.  : 

January  Meeting,  1877. — Part  of  report  of  almshouse  committee. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -    :^:  199 


4          We  expected  to  be  able  to  report  the   fact  that  the  east  wing,  which  is 
under  contract  for  building,  had  been  completed  and  ready  for  use.     In  this 
v"  we   have   been   disappointed,   but  in  accordance  with   the   expectations   of   the 
builders,  it  will  be  ready  for  delivery  in  two  weeks  hence,  and  we  suggest  that 
;  v^  Mr.  Cooley  examine  the  premises  thoroughly  before  accepting  the  keys. 
'•         During  the  process  of  putting  up  the  new  part  of  the  building,  it  was  dis- 
•    covered  that  some  necessary  repairs  should  be  applied  to  the  old  building,  in 
'-•   order  to  protect  it  from  decay,  which  has  been  done  by  order  of  the  committee, 
.  r:  after  carefully  weighing  the  importance  of  making  the  repairs. 
•-  -        :  ;;:  •;•';•;:;.'::/'.  Respectfully  submitted,  .:-  ^;  :;:-;\;.. 

"..•::  .,•-''  •/'..--'.'••  .'•'-•   v!.^-:..----  •  :   ••  -'••'••' \' ::':'-'  ,r  .;  ••;..->•.  D.  M.  ElKER,  '  H"^^ 

''-.'.-.'.'.  V ^: •' ''^' •••' \- '':.••''-':'•'''• '^^  '•  C-ly-^^^'''''''^^^^^^^  G.  V.  DIETERICH,    :^'^^''-;.; 

,  y"'^i:  ."j, ;,:; ,. ; \^  !•'.  ( '  ;  -^  'C": ' :•;•;  v\;'-;v ';/•• -y;^-;? $'  'v- •:;•  ^>-  WM.  G.  WEST,  --'"r: 
•.>;''"•-•'•••''-'' \ -'•.''.'''/•.  V  •'•;''/•  ^••v'-  '  ''':.','-./';' r\:-.- ;;•;•' v^"  J.  S.  CHAMBERS,  ' -' -'v; 
.':-  '  '•'•\^-  ••'.-. .:-'':^f^'.{:"-'--'-'~^-  S.  S.  SXUCKEY.  -" ' 

On  motion  the  report  of  committee  was  accepted  and  its  recommendations 
;    concurred  in,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue  orders  in  payment. 

April  Meeting,  1877. — The  following,  taken  from  the  report  of  the  alms- 
house  committee  submitted  April  23rd,  1877,  describes  quite  fully  the  condi- 
tions  then  existing  in  regard  to  the  almshouse  which  had  recently  been  con- 
structed: 

From  the  exhibit  herewith  made  of  cost  per  week  for  each  inmate  since  our 

last  meeting,  a  disparity  between  this  and  former  reports  upon  the  same,  seems 

:.  startling,   and   if  not  cognizant   of   the  causes  of  accountability   for  this  dis- 

parity,  you  might  bring  accusations  of  unnecessary  extravagance  having  been 

indulged  in,  in  furnishing  supplies  for  the  place.     If,  however,  we  deduct  from 

the   footing  of  the  bill,  all  that  pertains  to  furnishing  materials   for  the   full 

equipment  of  the  premises,  and  include  the  improvements  that  were  actually 

-  necessary  to  be  done,  in  order  to  protect  the  old  part  of  the  house  from  decay, 

',;;  our  exhibit  per  capita  will  not  exceed  the  average  of  our  former  reports. 

.;         Your  committee  further  report,  that  during  the  process  of  putting  up  the 

T  new  wing  of  the  building,  the  fact  was  made  manifest  that  the  original  specifi- 

:      cations  did  not  contemplate  all  that  was  necessary  for  adapting  the  premise  to 

comfort  and  convenience.     Several  changes  and  improvements  were  suggested 

by  Mrs.  Cleveland,  accepted  by  the  committee,  and  executed  by  the  contractors, 

:.;-  without  additional  expense  to  the-  county,  but  at  considerable  expense  to  the 

:  -  contractors.   J',  ^^\  ^  ^-  •- 

:  :f.   -Your  committee  further  submit,  that  the  county  of  Knox  has  now  a  building. 

ample  in  capacity  for  accommodating  all  of  the  pauper  element,  that  will  be 

likely  at  any  time  to  need  county  charity;  and  at  the  same  time  accommodate  a 

'  due  proportion  of  those  who  are  afflicted  with  lunacy  or  idiocy. 

,-....  The  surrender  of  the  new  wing  to  the  superintendent  whom  you  appointed 

.    to  supervise  the  work,  and  character  of  the  material  used  in  the  construction  of 

-,  the  building,  and  from  whom  you  will  have  a  report,  created  the  impression  of 

,;;.  disparity  in  appearance  between  the  old  and  the  new,  that  it  stimulated  Mrs. 

:'  Cleveland  to  give  the  old  part  a  thorough  renovating  in  order  that  harmony 

.  should  be  obtained  at  once,  instead  of  deferring  this  part  of  the  work  to  May, 

--^  the  usual  period  for  cleaning  up  and  making  repairs,  always  needed  when  this 


200  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

duty  is  performed;  and  the  expenses  for  which  usually  amount  to  three,  and 
sometimes  four  hundred  dollars,  and  has  always  been  reported  at  our  July 
meeting.  This  work  being  done,  the  expense  of  it  is  included  in  this  report. 
The  premises  are  in  commendable  order,  and  our  worthy  matron  will  shirk  no 
duty  incumbent  upon  her,  to  keep  them  continuously  in  praiseworthy  condition. 
In  conclusion  we  submit  that,  in  accordance  with  your  instructions,  we  in- 
sured the  almshouse  for  the  term  of  five  years  from  the  I5th  day  of  January 
last,  to  the  amount  of  $30,000,  and  the  furniture  within  the  house  to  the  extent 
of  $3,000,  at  two  per  cent,  for  the  term  or  period  of  five  years. 

'•   '  "'•,.;'.   '       '  '     '    .  •  '--^  •,'•'   /  •'"•,'-:•:'-.;  D.  M.  EiKER,   I..  ,:-••..:;• 

;'•'':  .  .  '\  •        G.   V.   DiETERICH,          V    ; 

WM.  G.  WEST. 

The  foregoing  report,  having  been  amended  by  the  committee  to  conform  to 
resolution  of  Mr.  Gale,  adopted  yesterday. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  report  of  the  committee,  as  recorded,  was  ac- 
cepted, and  the  clerk  ordered  to  issue  orders  in  payment  of  allowances  made. 

The  almshouse  committee  presented  the  following  report  of  Mr.  Z.  Cooley, 
superintendent  of  building  east  wing  of  almshouse: 
State  of  Illinois,  I  •  .  •\!         -:      : 

Knox  County,    j  ^^' 
To  the  Honorable,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  said  County: 

The  undersigned,  who  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  building  of  the 
addition  to  the  Knox  county  almshouse,  respectfully  reports  to  your  honorable 
body,  that  the  contractors,  Messrs.  Parry  &  Stevens,  have  erected  and  completed 
said  building  in  all  respects  as  required  by  their  contract,  in  accordance  with 
the  plans  and  specifications,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  undersigned  in  all  re- 
spects, except  the  plastering;  which  is  owing  to  the  very  unfavorable  weather 
at  the  time  when  it  was  done,  and  when  it  had  to  be  done  in  order  that  the 
contractors  might  complete  their  building  within  the  time  they  were  required 
to  do  so  by  their  contract ;  and  that  the  county  might  have  the  use  of  the  build- 
ing during  the  past  winter.  The  undersigned  did  not  think  that  he  ought  to 
require  the  contractors  to  delay  their  work  until  favorable  weather  for  so  doing, 
and  which  there  was  then  no  prospect  of  until  another  season.  Then  the  reason 
that  said  plastering  is  not  entirely  satisfactory  to  the  undersigned,  is  not  that 
the  material  used  and  the  workmanship  furnished  was  not  good  and  sufficient, 
but  for  the  reason  that  at  the  time  it  was  done  and  required  to  be  done,  it 
was  impossible  to  do  or  make  a  first-class  job.  The  undersigned  would  further 
report  that  upon  an  examination  of  said  plastering  during  the  past  week,  he 
found  it  to  be  in  a  better  condition  than  he  had  expected.  That  an  expenditure 
of  from  eight  to  ten  dollars,  whenever  in  the  future  the  house  required  cleaning 
and  renovating,  would  remove  most  of  the  defects  that  now  appear  upon  some 
of  the  walls.  The  undersigned  would  further  report  that  he  has  granted  to 
the  contractors,  Messrs.  Parry  &  Stevens,  to  apply  upon  their  said  contract, 
certificates  for  the  sum  of  $17,300.  All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Z.   COOLEY. 

'       On  motion  of  Mr.  Eiker,  the  report  of  Mr.  Cooley  was  accepted,  and  the 
clerk  directed  to  issue  an  order  in  favor  of  Parry  &  Stevens  for  the  sum  of 


f;;f     ;;;;::.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;;:^    ;        201 

.7      one  hundred  dollars,  in  full  payment  of  contract  for  building  east  wing  of 
.     i     almshouse.  ; 

•:•    ;-       Mr.  Holyoke  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 
.;    "      Resolved,  That  we  endorse  the  action  of  the  almshouse  committee  in  all 
;    the  expenses  incurred  by  the  county  in  the  renovation  and  repair  of  the  old 
.  ;;      building,  and  the  furnishing  of  both  old  and  new;  and  inasmuch  as  everything 
about  the  almshouse  is  in  first-rate  order,  we  instruct  the  almshouse  committee 
to  rest  upon  the  laurels  already  won,  and  incur  no  more  expenses  at  the  aims- 
house,  except  for  subsistence  and  hired  help;  until  the  next  meeting  of  the 
board,  unless  absolutely  necessary.  .   ;       •  (_. 

-•     April  Meeting,  1878. — Mr.  Temple  offered  the  following  resolution:  .:'.. 
'     •        Resolved,     That  the  almshouse  committee  be  instructed  when  making  their 
report  and  pauper  bills   submitted   to   them,  to   report   for  payment  only  that 
:    .' .  class  of  bills  which  by  the  rules  heretofore  and  at  present  in  force  become 
:',^    properly  county  charges.      Vvy  •  '    -•  :          \:  ,;^.^ 

Mr.    Sellon   moved  to  amend   rule   in   force   relating  to  pauper  claims  by 

•  ,        adding  the  following  clause: 

..          "Except  in  case  where  temporary,  or  partial  support  can  be  furnished  by 
'  the  county  at  less  expense  than  if  removed  to  the  almshouse."  . 

,   .  .;       Mr.  McKee  moved  to  lay  proposed  addition  to  the  rule  on  the  table.     Lost. 
:'    -          Yeas — Messrs.  McKee,  Sisson,  Bair,  Sumner,  Higgins,  Sloan  and  Tucker,  7. 
Nays — Messrs.  Butler,  Latimer,  Gale  (W.  S.),  Dieterich,  Nelson,  Hale,  Mc- 
."     }  Farland,  Eiker,  Robson,   Stephenson,  Benson,  Aldrich,  Temple,  Multer,  West, 
V.    ^   Gaines  and  Sellon,  17.  ;i^;:;^ 

;.         The  motion  of  Mr.  Sellon  was  then  adopted,  and  it  was  ordered  that  the 
'.-,    •   rule  as  amended  be  published  with  the  proceedings  of  the  board. 
'     '  The  rule  as  amended  reads:  -:.•.- 

'  Resolved,    That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  several  overseers  of  the  poor  in  this 
'       county  to  remove  to  the  almshouse  all  persons  requiring  relief  from  the  county, 
:        except  in  the  following  cases :  ,-.,..,        ..     -         .,  .-^.. 

;  Persons  having  some  contagious  disease.  '  '    ^'^ V^;> 

Persons  whose  health  will  be  endangered  by  removal.  •••:/;'  i;- 

:.  .Persons  not  residents  of  the  county  requiring  only  slight  aid.      .  =    /     v-^   .':  -V 

Cases,  where  temporary  or  partial  support  can  be  furnished  by  the  county, 

•  •;        at  less  expense  than  if  removed  to  the  almshouse. 

;          And  that  the  county  will  not  be  responsible  for  relief  given  outside  of  alms- 
;.     house,  except  in  above  cases.  •     :.'  : 

.'         ;-    July  Meeting,  1878. — Mr.  Hale  offered  the  following  resolution: 
; '".  '         That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  devise  some  means  of  adequate 
,        protection  from  fire  for  the  Knox  county  almshouse  property  and  report  to  the 
,.      ,;.  next  regular  meeting  of  this  board. 

,•;":.     That  before  the  next  regular  meeting  of  this  board  the  superintendent  of 
. ;    -    the  Knox  county  almshouse  be  instructed  to  discontinue  the  practice  of  smoking 

'      tobacco  by  the  inmates  of  said  institution. 

'    .J         That  before  the  next  regular  meeting  of  the  board  the  superintendent  of  the 
;     Knox  county  almshouse,  be  instructed  to  discontinue  the  habitual  use  of  opium 
.'    .  in  any  form  by  the  inmates  of  said  institution.  ;    i        .  KL.';;- 

V  ,    .  ^  ,  On  motion  referred  to  committee  on  almshouse  and  paupers.  -.    vV.  v  .••  . 


202  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;'.>-  V 

---.'.  1    '      '        V  / 

September  Meeting,  1878.— Mr.  Hale  from  special  committee  in  regard  to 
securing  almshouse  property  from  damage  of  fire,  by  permission,  presented  the 
following  report : 

GALESBURG,  111.,  Sept.  lo,  1878.      ' 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County:  -"V     •• 

Your  special  committee,  appointed  at  the  last  regular  session  of  this  board, 
to  devise  some  means  of  adequate  protection  from  fire  for  the  Knox  county 
almshouse  property  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  given  some  consideration 
to  the  subject  matter  referred  to  them. 

They  report  that  they  find  the  premises  at  present  almost  wholly  without 
means  of  extinguishment  of  a  fire  if  one  should  occur.  They  recommend  that 
water  tanks  of  suitable  size,  and  adapted  to  the  purpose  designed,  be  placed  in 
the  attics  of  the  two  wings  of  the  building,  and  elsewhere  if  found  necessary, 
to  be  kept  constantly  filled  with  water,  and  with  necessary  reels  of  hose  on 
each  floor  and  with  convenient  means  of  attachment  with  the  standing  pipes,  as 
a  tolerable  means  of  extinguishment  of  fires  in  case  of  their  occurrence.  They 
recommend  that  your  committee  (or  such  other  committee  as  you  shall  appoint), 
be  authorized  to  employ  Zelotes  Cooley,  Esq.,  or  some  other  competent  person, 
to  prepare  and  submit  a  plan  in  detail  for  carrying  out  the  foregoing  recommenda- 
tions, with  an  estimate  of  the  probable  cost,  to  be  submitted  to  this  board,  at  its 
next  regular  session. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  -''  '  '  : 

•  ,..'>..':'-  ../•'''   ''•       '  •     .  .''  •'••  ''  -.  '  T.  J.  HALE, 

:'  ••..•::---^^';.--  ^      ••  ,' /     '•'•^--     '..    •  '.         I' '••'.--.'-''    D.  M.  ElKER, 

D.  VV.  ALDRICH. 

On  motion  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and  adopted. 

Mr.  Eiker  from  committee  on  almshouse  read  report  of  county  physician,  and 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Hale  said  report  was  received  and  ordered  to  be  printed  with 
the  proceedings  of  the  board.  .  , 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Kno.v  County,  Illinois. 

GENTLEMEN  : — I  would  respectfully  report  for  the  information  of  the  people 
of  the  county  that  there  are  at  present  io6  inmates  in  the  Knox  county  aims- 
house.  Of  this  number  25  are  insane.  The  capacity  of  the  house  for  the  proper 
care  of  this  class  of  persons  is  limited  by  the  number  of  properly  prepared 
rooms.  Of  these  there  are  only  23.  While  some  of  this  class  may,  with  safety,  be 
permitted  to  enjoy  the  free  range  of  the  common  wards  in  the  day  time,  there 
is  not  one  that  can  be  trusted  at  liberty  during  the  night.  Common  humanity 
requires  that  this  class  be  restricted  in  their  liberty  as  little  as  possible,  com- 
patible with  their  safety,  the  safety  of  the  house  and  the  safety  of  others.  When 
it  is  considered  what  devices  such  persons  will  resort  to  for  the  purpose  of 
greater  freedom  of  action,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  escapes  will  occur. 
They  do  occur  at  asylums,  where  every  safeguard  known  to  hospital  manage- 
ment is  in  force,  and  the  wonder  is  they  do  not  occur  more  frequently  from  our 
almshouse,  where  the  means  for  the  absolute  safety  of  the  inmates  is  so  limited. 
This  class  is  progressively  increasing  in  number.  They  are  being  sent  back 
from  the  insane  hospital  as  incurable ;  the  County  court  continues  to  send  them 
till  arrangements  are  made  for  their  reception  at  the  asylum,  which  reception 
generally  turns  on  the  demand  that  some  of  the  county's  representatives  at  the 

:•-•-.',;•'••    -ivV  .    '       -       •       ,  ,.'••     '  .'       .    "' .  •-.     •  '     ,••',-     •-'';•-••-'•-    ;•'/'•.    .;'  4  ••'':;•' 


^r       r  :>     :;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;       7;^';        203 

asylum  be  removed  back  to  the  county  almshouse.  This  interchange  of  recently 
insane  for  incurable  insane  has  been  going  on  between  the  almshouse  and  insane 
asylum  for  now  these  several  years.  The  records  of  Knox  county  do  not 
show  a  return  at  all  commensurate  with  the  expense  of  hospital  treatment. 
Of  the  numerous  cases  sent  to  the  state  hospitals,  how  many  have  returned  cured  ? 
The  gentlemen  of  the  board  can  each  answer  for  himself  and  for  his  own  town- 
ship. The  function  of  the  state  asylums,  it  seems,  is  principally  the  safe  care 
of  the  insane,  and  this  care  should  not  be  limited  by  the  mere  fact  that  a 
"county's  quota"  is  full,  any  more  than  the  care  of  the  almshouse  should  be 
limited  by  the  mere  fact  that  one  or  two  townships  furnish  the  larger  number 
of  inmates,  some  townships  not  being  represented  at  all.  This  is  a  reason,  we 
understand,  that  the  asylum  authorities  give  for  not  promptly  receiving  those 
recently  adjudged  insane.  If  now  Knox  county's  quota  is  more  than  full  at  the 
asylum,  the  capacity  of  the  almshouse  is  more  than  exhausted,  and  other  pro- 
visions must  soon  be  provided  for  this  unfortunate  class  of  our  citizens;  and  no 
apology  is  needed  if  I  present  in  this  connection  some  statistics  bearing  upon  .- 
the  expense  of  furnishing  the  protection. 

From  a  paper  read  by  Dr.  Wilbur  of  New  York  before  the  American  Social 
Science  Association  in  September,  1877,  it  appears  that  the  cost  of  the  building 
alone  of  twenty  insane  asylums  in  the  United  States  was  $19,506,000.  Number 
of  insane  provided  for  by  these  twenty  asylums,  9,875.  Furniture  and  other 
appliances  are  not  included  in  the  above  estimate.  The  per  capita  cost  is  more 
than  $2,000.  But  one  Illinois  asylum  was  included  in  the  above  estimate.  The 
cost  of  it  was  put  down  at  $534,000  with  a  capacity  of  450,  making  it  $1,186.66 
per  capita.  Fstimating  the  cost  of  the  Knox  county  almshouse  at  $50,000,  with 
an  average  family  of  75,  the  cost  per  capita  is  only  $666.  Showing  a  very  decided 
economy  in  the  county  taking  care  of  its  own  incurable  insane.  Whether  it  is 
generally  known  or  not,  there  has  been  between  ten  and  twelve  million  dollars 
uselessly  expended  in  the  construction  of  state  hospitals,  of  such  a  character  that 
one-half  of  the  insane  of  the  country  might  be  luxuriously  taken  care  of  while 
the  other  half  are  insecurely  kept  in  almshouses.  And  here  I  might  state  that  it 
is  the  judgment  of  those  qualified  to  give  an  opinion  in  the  case,  that  the  insane 
and  sane  paupers  should  not  be  kept  together;  that  is,  separate  buildings  should 
be  provided  for  each.  .-. 

In  addition  to  the  25  insane  in  the  almshouse  there  are  25  idiots.  These 
patients,  when  the  idiocy  does  not  depend  upon  epilepsy,  might  very  well  be  kept 
with  the  sane  poor.  Since  the  last  annual  meeting  (September,  1877)  there  have 
been  but  five  deaths:  .:•'  -  -:  -;;.H; :.  '  '  -  : 

Intemperance  and  old  age 90  years     .; 

Epilepsy    70  years     •; 

Bright's  disease 49  years 

Consumption    35  years 

Cholera  inf antum  and  congenital  syphilis 3  months 

There  has  been  in  the  same  time  three  births.    The  superintendent  has  pro- 
vided a  register  and  library  fund  book  for  the  use  of  visitors  who  may  feel 
disposed  to  contribute  anything  towards  providing  reading  matter  for  the  family. 
This  fund  has  already  secured  the  regular  reception  of  several  magazines  and  ^•'. 
enabled  the  superintendent  to  purchase  quite  a  number  of  useful  and  enter- 


204  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;-V;.; 

•  taining  books  for  the  family.    The  Library  is  indebted  to  Mr.  Cephas  Arms  of 
Knoxville  for  some  twenty  or  twenty-five  volumes,  Judge  Douglas  and  daughter 
of  Galesburg  have  the  thanks  of  the  family  for  numerous  volumes  of  the  "Ladies 

•  Repository."    The  First  National  bank  of  Knoxville  has  continued  its  contribu- 
tion of  files  of  the  Chicago  dailies.     For  all  these  favors  the  family  desires, 
through  me,  to  extend  its  thanks. 

It  remains  for  me  to  report  on  the  resolution  of  the  board,  at  its  last  meet- 
ing, in  respect  to  the  discontinuance  of  the  habitual  use  of  opium  in  any  form 
by  the  inmates  of  the  almshouse.  Before  the  passage  of  the  resolution  I  had 
made  several  attempts  to  reduce  the  amount  used.  Every  reduction  I  made  was 
:  ascribed  by  the  patients  to  some  "grudge"  the  superintendent  or  physician  had 
against  them,  so  I  availed  myself  of  a  semi-permission,  on  the  part  of  some  mem- 

•  bers  of  the  board,  to  continue  the  usual  allowance,  till  the  present  meeting 
with  the  full  understanding  of  the  patients  that  it  would  then  positively  and 
abruptly  stop.    Any  subterfuge  on  the  part  of  the  habitual  opium  eater,  in  order 
to  obtain  the  drug,  is  considered  honorable  and  here,  as  the  last  supply  has  run 
short,  certain  plans  have  been  resorted  to.     One  of  the  patients,  after  boasting 

•  that  he  was  cured,  was  caught  at  the  medicine  case  helping  himself  from  the 
laudanum  bottle.     He  states  that  he  has  had  no  morphine  from  the  county  for 
six  weeks.     To  your  physician's  personal  knowledge  he  has  had  two  drachm 
bottles  of  morphine  in  this  time,  his  full  amount. 

We  can  see  no  more  reason  why  opium  intoxication  should  be  permitted  at 
the  almshouse  than  alcoholic  intoxication;  and  we  are  thankful  to  the  board 
that  it  has  assumed  the  responsibility  of  forbidding  its  continuance,  in  this  way 
relieving  us  of  unjust  censure  on  the  part  of  the  patients.  ,  .,  , 

Respectfully,  .  .  ;      1         ; 

•O^'-:  t  '-''•  M.  A.   McCLELLAND. 

Mr.  Gale  presented  a  resolution  directing  the  almshouse  committee  to  adver- 
tise for  supplies  for  that  institution.  Referred  to  committee  on  almshouse  and 
paupers. 

January,  1879. — Mr.  Hale,  from  special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the 
subject  of  protection  to  the  almshouse  from  fire,  presented  the  following  report: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

Your  committee,  heretofore  appointed  to  inquire  into  and  report  upon  the 
practicability  and  expense  of  providing  some  adequate  protection  from  loss  and 
casualty  from  fire  in  the  Knox  county  almshouse  and  by  subsequent  resolution, 
authorized  to  employ  Zelotes  Cooley,  Esq.,  to  examine  the  several  plans  proposed, 
and  report  the  result,  with  the  probable  expense  of  the  plan  recommended,  beg 
leave  to  submit  the  following  report  from  Mr.  Cooley,  in  compliance  with  the 
foregoing  resolution,  towit: 
State  of  Illinois,  )  '  •  ;  ;  -  .'  -V-,  ,:•  / 

y  ss.  '  * 

Knox  County,     j      '  .  .     • 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supertnsors  of  Kno.r  County,  Illinois. 

The  undersigned,  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  providing  some  suitable 
plan  for  the  protection  of  the  county  almshouse  from  destruction  by  fire,  re- 
spectfully report:  That  he  made  an  examination  of  the  building  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  after  considering  the  matter  would  recommend  that  the  two  water 
tanks  now  in  the  building  be  used  for  that  purpose,  with  an  additional  tank,  to 


V:::     :}•.;;  ;;;;^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :^c  :          205 

be  placed  as  near  the  center  of  the  building  as  can  be,  with  a  capacity  equal  to 
the  other  two  tanks  in  the  building,  all  these  tanks  I  would  connect  by  suitable 
pipes  running  from  each  tank  to  the  basement  story  of  the  building,  connecting 
with  a  horizontal  pipe  running  east  and  west  from  the  west  tank  to  the  east 
one;  from  the  horizontal  pipe  I  would  have  three  stand  pipes,  one  in  each  wing 
of  the  building,  and  the  other  near  the  center  east  and  west,  running  up  through 
both  stories,  making  three  places  in  each  story  for  discharging  the  water.  It 
would  require  something  like  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  feet  of  hose  pipe  for 
each  story.  From  such  information  as  I  have  been  able  to  obtain,  I  think  that 
the  cost  of  the  works  complete,  would  be  about  three  hundred  dollars.  ;•!; 

.         ,  ;•  ;  .       Respectfully  submitted,         -,  -  •  ,>'  . 

Z.  CooLEY.  " 

Your  committee  have  examined  the  plan  submitted  in  the  foregoing  report 
and  deem  it  practicable,  and  the  probable  expenses  reasonable ;  and  recommend 
that  the  said  plan  be  adopted,  and  that  the  undersigned  committee  be  authorized 
and  instructed  to  superintend  the  construction  and  erection  of  said  improve- 
ment, with  such  authority  to  make  purchases,  and  employ  assistants  and  perform 
other  acts  as  shall  be  necessary  in  the  execution  of  the  duty  imposed  upon  them.- ' 
All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  >  '=-V:.  ,,-••-'•  •  ;  .  '-  '-^ ' 

••::  ,  .  ,  ;  ...•;.  ..•..-,  -  ,  •:.::,• ,  -  •^..  •  •: ;;....  -? 'KV^ ^"^^'f' /^ ' :'  T.  J.  HALE,'  '  ''  -;.  ;f;^'- 
'•'\'.''-'.'-'^'''i','.  V  -^  •.  ''  •/'••••^ ':';-.  ^--v>r.-"='- ^':?vi'•""/^; :!.  "';/.  D.  W.  ALDRICH,""'  :•' 
.••-•'--'••'•'••''''  '  ••-•'•'•'•^^'"•'•••^^•••••'^.^•'-  -^•."-.  .-•-:••• -v':-^  :.:.-. -:^^  D.  M.  ElKER.  ;•; 

Messrs.  Eiker,  Higgins,  Temple,  West  and  Gaines  entered.  .  '    •  - 

On  motion  of  Mr.  W.  S.  Gale  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and 

adopted.  .  .  r   .n-  -     .:,          

Mr.  Butler  offered  the  following  resolution:     "        '  '  '    ''"' 

Resolved,  That  in  place  and  stead  of  all  rules  now  in  force  in  this  board 
relating  to  pauper  claims,  the  following  be  adopted:  '  , 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  several  overseers  of  the  poor  in  this 
county  to  remove  to  the  almshouse  all  persons  requiring  relief  from  the  county, 
except  in  the  following  cases : 

'••        1st.     Persons  having  some  contagious  disease.-;/:';;:;'  ':   :f:';'     '^ 

2nd.  Persons  too  sick  to  be  removed.  ,;...;;;.;'  ::,  '-•  •    '-^'y*  - '^ 

And  that  the  county  will  not  be  responsible  for  relief  given  outside  of  the 
almshouse,  except  in  the  above  cases,  and  then  only  when  the  relief  has  been 
ordered  by  the  overseer  of  the  poor  of  the  town  where  the  relief  is  given. 
,'        The  yeas  and  nays  being  demanded,  resulted:  ;  '.   •^^. 

Yeas— Messrs.  Butler,  Latimer,  Gale  (G.  W.),  Gale  (W.  S.),  Dieten'ch, 
Nelson,  Sisson,  McFarland,  Sumner,  Eiker,  Higgins,  Robson,  Stephenson.  Ben- 
son, Aldrich,  VVyman,  Temple,  Andrews,  Corey,  West,  Tucker,  Gaines  and 

Sellon  23.  ':;'-'- X  ••••.••.'  ^-^•^'^•"'•'••^'^i'  .''••••-;'    ,^X'';'''^^,'^'^-:.'- -i^'-/ 

'Nays — None.       .'.--i^  •  ^'i-'--;  •  v ',- '.- '.vi'- ' /^^  >'v:V..-':^^r  "^       '        /^'."XliS'^^V-V'-' 

Resolution  adopted. 

April  Meeting,  1879. — Mr.  Hale  from  special  committee  on  protection  to  the 
almshouse  from  fire  presented  the  following  rfeport: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County.          .      :-•;-•..  .r'/v;. 

The  undersigned  committee  heretofore  appointed  to  contract  for  and  super- 


206  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -/.^^    :: 

intend  the  construction  of  an  approved  plan  for  protection  from  fire  in  the  Knox 
county  almshouse,  beg  leave  to  report: 

That  acting  under  the  authority  conferred  upon  them  they  employed  the 
Haxtun  Steam  Heating  Company  of  Kewanee,  111.,  to  construct  and  place  in 
the  said  building  such  an  apparatus  as  was  approved  by  the  said  board,  at  the 
January  meeting,  1879,  by  contract  accpmpanying  this  report,  for  the  sum  of 
$335;  that  the  said  contractors  have  constructed  and  placed  the  said  apparatus 
in  the  said  building,  but  that  up  to  this  date  it  has  not  been  perfected  so  as  to  be 
accepted  by  the  committee.  They  recommend  that  the  sum  of  $338.41  (of  which 
sum  $3.41  is  for  extra  materials  not  covered  by  the  contract)  be  appropriated  to 
the  payment  for  said  improvements,  to  be  paid  over  to  the  contractors  when  the 
said  work  and  apparatus  shall  be  complete  and  perfect  according  to  contract 
and  accepted  by  this  committee. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  '       '.  •       ••.:.''...• 

:,-.--.v.-.-;.    --     •       .    •'        .          :,.•.;    •:'•••••/''•••  ^     T.  J.  HALE, 

"    .^/;'-^-':-"/       '  -  •       ..    ^    ';  '\    ;•-.;•'••       '•"        D.    M.    ElKER, 

'••,';:';:•'•:•'•"-•     •     -      -'      •       :    /.  •'':'-^-';"  ^'---^  •;::;:''.•:';      D.  W.  ALDRICH, '" "    .'- •. 
>          -'i  •-:"''  Committee.     - '' 

On  motion  the  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  and  its  recommendations 
concurred  in. 

Mr.  Eiker  moved  to  amend  rules  governing  aid  rendered  to  paupers  by 
adding  an  additional  exception,  as  follows: 

3rd.     Persons  not  resident  in  the  town  where  aided.    -.  --    •       - 
-      Amendment  adopted.  ..  •        .,»      .,        " 

The  rules  as  amended  read : 

Resolved,  That  in  place  and  stead  of  all  rules  now  in  force  in  this  board 
relating  to  pauper  claims  the  following  be  adopted : 

.  .:.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  several  overseers  of  the  poor  in  this 
county  to  remove  to  the  almshouse  all  persons  requiring  relief  from  the  county, 
except  in  the  following  cases: 

1st.     Persons  having   some   contagious   disease.          '•;.<,:.-.; 

2nd.     Persons  too  sick  to  be  removed.         ,•'.•'.';    -        : 
-  3rd.     Persons  not  resident  in  the  town  where  aided.         '    .  • 

And  that  the  county  will  not  be  responsible  for  relief  given  outside  of  the 
almshouse,  except  in  the  above  cases,  and  then  onlv  when  the  relief  has  been 
ordered  by  the  overseer  of  the  poor  of  the  town  where  the  relief  is  given. 

July  Meeting,  1879. — Communication  of  Mrs.  L.  J.  Cleveland.  :'•/:•.  1.  ;  , .. 
To  the  Honorable  Almshouse  Committee  and  Board  of  Supervisors. 

GENTLEMEN  : — Your  superintendent  would  respectfully  submit  the  following 
report.  Since  your  last  meeting  there  have  been  I37i/^  individual  weeks  board 
furnished  at  a  cost  of  $1.09,  not  including  improvements  and  repairs;  and 
$1.57  including  all  expenses  incurred  in  operating  the  institution  and  farm.  At 
present  there  are  103  inmates,  59  males  and  44  females.  Of  this  number  25  are 
over  60  years  of  age,  14  over  70  and  4  over  80,  and  12  children  under  lo. 
Of  the  above  number  29  are  insane,  22  idiotic.  There  have  been  no  births  and 
but  one  death,  which  was  that  of  the  oldest  member  of  the  family.  We  are 
under  obligation  to  Rev.  Mr.  Waddle  and  Deacon  Arms  for  conducting  the 
funeral  services. 


'-•:-^.\-^^::'::^y^^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^\:^  ":  207 

c  Through  the  kindness  of  the  Presbyterian  clergy  and  laymen,  and  the  Swedish 
clergy  of  Knoxville,  the  inmates  have  the  advantage  of  religious  instruction 
almost  every  sabbath,  and  generous  benefactors  have  furnished  them  with  a 
sufficient  supply  of  reading  matter. 

The  usual  amount  of  repairing,  plastering,  kalsomining,  painting  and  paper- 
ing, with  the  addition  of  replacing  three  stone  window  cappings,  has  been  done ; 
also  considerable  cane  matting  has  been  furnished.  However,  it  requires  con- 
stant renewing  and  repairing  to  preserve  the  building,  and  keep  the  institution 
in  a  good  condition.  Unfortunately  the  house  is  not  properly  constructed  to 
care  for  and  treat  insane  patients.  Those  who  are  safe  to  be  at  liberty  have 
free  range  of  the  wards  and  yard  during  the  day;  those  that  are  not  safe  to  be 
so  left  are  taken  out  three  times  a  day  by  an  attendant  and  exercised.  Constant 
attention  is  given  to  cleanliness,  patients  being  bathed  as  often  as  necessary. 
This  is  not  all  that  ought  to  be  done,  but  all  that  can  be  done  with  the  present 
arrangements.  There  are  a  few  of  the  patients  who  are  very  destructive,  and 
for  the  purpose  of  restraining  them  at  such  times  we  use  Fisher's  patent  leather 
muffs,  otherwise  they  would  destroy  all  within  their  reach. 

In  respect  to  the  purchasing  of  supplies  the  same  course  has  been  pursued  as 
heretofore;  bids  have  been  solicited  from  numerous  dealers,  and  the  purchases 
have  been  made  from  those  who  furnished  the  best  goods  for  the  least  money. 

Believing  a  visit  by  the  board  to  the  institution  would  be  advantageous  to  the 
citizens  of  the  county  I  extend  a  cordial  invitation  to  your  honorable  body  to 
visit  the  house  and  farm  during  the  present  meeting. 

.'  ;._  .-j'J '' .;•    ;-;'';/-^  :'':..•'_  •\:.^  }••'•'        Respectfully,  ':•.•;•'.' J-'-f'^^-:^ 

:     MRS.  L.  J.  CLEVELAND.    '  "'• 

Communication  of  M.  A.  McClelland.  .    ,    '. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County.  -----     =  '      .  • 

GENTLEMEN  : — During  the  past  three  months  there  have  been  eighteen  admis- 
sions to  the  almshouse.  With  the  exception  of  four  children,  all  of  these  have 
been  more  or  less  sick.  One,  a  tramp,  was  dangerously  so,  and  is  not  likely 
to  recover.  Repeated  attacks  of  pleurisy  have  resulted  in  the  exudation  of  pus 
in  the  pleural  cavity.  Two  of  the  recent  admissions  have  left  the  house;  the 
others  remain.  One,  coming  in  with  a  comeal  ulcer  and  purulent  inflammation 
of  the  eyes,  was  sent — as  soon  as  she  could  be  got  ready — to  the  state  eye  and 
ear  infirmary.  The  corneal  ulceration  had  commenced  but  ten  days  before  her 
admission,  and,  being  over  center  of  pupil,  there  seemed  a  probability  that,  after 
healing,  there  would  be  such  an  amount  of  opacity  left  that  permanent  blindness 
and  permanent  pauperism  would  follow.  This  seemed  a  sufficient  reason  for 
sending  her  to  Chicago.  While  your  physician  is  perhaps  as  competent  as  any 
other  general  practitioner  in  the  county  to  treat  diseases  of  the  eye,  he  does  not 
pretend  to  the  skill  possessed  by  the  surgeons  in  charge  of  the  state  hospital  for 
diseases  of  the  eye  and  ear.  Inasmuch  as  the  only  cost  for  treatment  at  the  state 
hospital  is  the  railroad  fare  to  and  from  Chicago,  I  would  strongly  recommend 
that  such  patients  be  sent  direct  from  several  towns,  rather  than  sending  them 
to  the  almshouse,  as  being  much  cheaper,  and  also  affording  the  patient  a  better 
chance  for  recovery,  from  early  treatment.  An  affidavit  from  the  patient  as  to  his 
being  a  pauper,  and  a  certificate  from  the  supervisor  that  the  patient  is  one.  is 
all  that  is  necessary  to  insure  admission  to  the  hosptial.  The  return  ticket 


208  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

should  be  sent  to  the  superintendent,  so  that,  in  case  of  fire  or  any  epidemic 
disease  occuring,  the  patient  may  be  prpmptly  returned  to  the  county.  A  complete 
change  of  clothing  is  also  required.  The  patient  above  referred  to  was  treated 
last  winter,  as  an  out-door  patient ;  but  from  that  attack  and  a  prior  one  she  had 
entirely  recovered.  '  '•-•  •  '- '  '•  -'  /'  ':  .  v^V.  -I 

Of  the  recent  admissions,  one  is  alleged  to  be  insane;  yet  no  steps  have 
been  taken  to  have  him  so  pronounced  by  the  legally  constituted  authorities. 
He  is  being  held  by  the  superintendent  at  the  risk  of  those  who  brought  him 
to  the  almshouse.  There  is  probably  no  doubt  as  to  his  condition,  but  this 
should  have  been  determined  before  he  was  sent  to  the  house. 

There  is  another  case — a  man  about  30  years  of  age — sent  in  January  last 
to  the  house,  to  wait  for  admission  to  the  insane  hospital.  If  it  falls  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  sheriff  to  convey  such  parties  to  the  asylum,  he  had  better 
keep  them  under  his  own  control  and  observation  till  such  transference  is  made. 
The  patient  might,  in  this  way,  get  the  benefit  of  earlier  treatment,  which  is  most 
valuable  in  insanity  as  in  other  diseases. 

Within  the  past  few  weeks  there  has  come  into  the  hands  of  your  physician 
the  report  of  the  state  board  of  public  charities  (Repoit  for  1878),  which  would 
make  rather  valuable  reading  for  many  citizens  of  the  county,  whose  deductions 
as  to  the  relative  cost  and  manner  of  keeping  paupers  in  various  parts  of  the 
state  are  quite  at  variance  with  the  facts.  In  respect  to  one  county  that  has  been 
held  up  as  a  model  for  us  the  report  says:  "This  county  has  never  treated  its 
insane  well.  Two  of  the  present  inmates,  who  are  insane,  have  been  shut  up 
for  seventeen  years.  One  was  kept  for  many  years  in  chains.  They  are  not 
properly  cared  for  in  respect  to  cleanliness."  It  falls  within  the  province  of  the 
superintendent  and  the  honorable  almshouse  committee  to  report  how  such 
patients  are  kept  in  Knox  county.  I  might  say,  however,  that  the  "model" 
county — although  five  townships  smaller,  and  with  500  less  population  (census 
of  1870)  than  Knox  county — had,  from  the  ist  day  of  October,  1877,  to  the 
3Oth  day  of  September,  1878,  17,645  days'  board  at  the  different  state  institutions, 
while  Knox  county  had  but  13,823 — a  difference  of  3,822  days'  board.  The 
outdoor  relief  also  varies  greatly.  At  a  late  meeting  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors there  were  641  persons  aided  from  the  county  treasury.  The  farm  in 
this  county  contains  nearly  200  acres,  and  the  family  averages  below  eighty. 
When,  therefore,  comparisons  are  made  for  the  purpose  of  putting  the  man- 
agement of  the  Knox  county  charities  in  an  unfavorable  light,  it  would  be  nothing 
more  than  justice  to  make  the  comparison  a  complete  one  by  taking  some  pains 
to  learn  all  the  facts  bearing  upon  the  case.  ;"'.-''-  I  -;••  ••  \  .; 

Respectfully,      .;.    v 

•''  :         ^  -     ^J     ^     McCLELLAND. 

September  Meeting,  1880. — Mr.  Gale  (G.  W.)  offered  the  following  resolu- 
tion, which  was  adopted:  ;  ;  :  ^i^./  -;;';.  j:-:^-,:r-).=  - 

Resolved,  That  upon  certificate  of  the  chairman  of  the  almshouse  committee 
that  the  work  has  been  completed  and  accepted  by  the  committee,  the  clerk  be 
directed  to  issue  orders  in  favor  of  Merrill  &  Wilber  for  $iio,  being  the  bal- 
ance due  them  for  work,  repairing  basement  and  building  coal  house  at  aims- 
house.  •  ..-  : :.  ,  -« 

Mr.  Gale  (G.  W.)  offered  the  following  resolution:    •:•'.. 


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208    ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

should  be  sent  to  the  superintendent,  so  that,  in  case  of  fire  or  any  epidemic 
disease  occuring,  the  patient  may  be  promptly  returned  to  the  county.  A  complete 
change  of  clothing  is  also  required.  The  patient  above  referred  to  was  treated 
last  winter,  as  an  out-door  patient;  but  from  that  attack  and  a  prior  one  she  had 
entirely  recovered.  . 

Of  the  recent  admissions,  one  is  alleged  to  be  insane;  yet  no  steps  have 
been  taken  to  have  him  so  pronounced  by  the  legally  constituted  authorities. 
He  is  being  held  by  the  superintendent  at  the  risk  of  those  who  brought  him 
to  the  almshouse.  There  is  probably  no  doubt  as  to  his  condition,  but  this 
should  have  been  determined  before  he  was  sent  to  the  house.  1 

There  is  another  case — a  man  about  30  years  of  age — sent  in  January  last 
to  the  house,  to  wait  for  admission  to  the  insane  hospital.  If  it  falls  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  sheriff  to  convey  such  parties  to  the  asylum,  he  had  better 
keep  them  under  his  own  control  and  observation  till  such  transference  is  made. 
The  patient  might,  in  this  way,  get  the  benefit  of  earlier  treatment,  which  is  most 
valuable  in  insanity  as  in  other  diseases. 

Within  the  past  few  weeks  there  has  come  into  the  hands  of  your  physician 
the  report  of  the  state  board  of  public  charities  (Report  for  1878),  which  would 
make  rather  valuable  reading  for  many  citizens  of  the  county,  whose  deductions 
as  to  the  relative  cost  and  manner  of  keeping  paupers  in  various  parts  of  the 
state  are  quite  at  variance  with  the  facts.  In  respect  to  one  county  that  has  been 
held  up  as  a  model  for  us  the  report  says :  "This  county  has  never  treated  its 
insane  well.  Two  of  the  present  inmates,  who  are  insane,  have  been  shut  up 
for  seventeen  years.  One  was  kept  for  many  years  in  chains.  They  are  not 
properly  cared  for  in  respect  to  cleanliness."  It  falls  within  the  province  of  the 
superintendent  and  the  honorable  almshouse  committee  to  report  how  such 
patients  are  kept  in  Knox  county.  I  might  say,  however,  that  the  "model" 
county — although  five  townships  smaller,  and  with  500  less  population  (census 
of  1870)  than  Knox  county — had,  from  the  ist  day  of  October,  1877,  to  the 
30th  day  of  September,  1878,  17,645  days'  board  at  the  different  state  institutions, 
while  Knox  county  had  but  13,823 — a  difference  of  3,822  days'  board.  The 
outdoor  relief  also  varies  greatly.  At  a  late  meeting  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors there  were  641  persons  aided  from  the  county  treasury.  The  farm  in 
this  county  contains  nearly  200  acres,  and  the  family  averages  below  eighty. 
When,  therefore,  comparisons  are  made  for  the  purpose  of  putting  the  man- 
agement of  the  Knox  county  charities  in  an  unfavorable  light,  it  would  be  nothing 
more  than  justice  to  make  the  comparison  a  complete  one  by  taking  some  pains 
to  learn  all  the  facts  bearing  upon  the  case.  •  .  |  .. 

Respectfully,         '  ' 

'    '•  M.  A,   McCLELLAND. 

September  Meeting,  1880. — Mr.  Gale  (G.  W.)  offered  the  following  resolu- 
tion, which  was  adopted :  •  '  .  I  . 

Resolved,  That  upon  certificate  of  the  chairman  of  the  almshouse  committee 
that  the  work  has  been  completed  and  accepted  by  the  committee,  the  clerk  be 
directed  to  issue  orders  in  favor  of  Merrill  &  Wilber  for  $iio,  being  the  bal- 
ance due  them  for  work,  repairing  basement  and  building  coal  house  at  aims- 
house.  •  .  ^  . 

Mr.  Gale  (G.  W.)  offered  the  following  resolution:       •     .       ^ 


•J. 

c 


E. 


.        :^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^'i  209 

Resolved,     That  the  purchase  of  tobacco  by  the  county  for  use  by  the  inmates 
of  the  almshouse  and  jail  be  discontinued.  :         .... 

Yeas  and  nays  being  called : 

Yeas— Messrs.  Boydston,  Kimball,  Gale  (G.  W.),  Gale  (W.  S.),  Dieterich, 
McKee,  Morse,  Rankin,  May,  Stephenson,  Rebstock,  Corey  and  Tucker,  13.         - 
Nays — Messrs.  McFarland,  Simpson,  Woodmansee,  Leighton,  Mathews,  Sans- 
bury  and  Todd,  7.    Carried. 

January  Meeting,  1882. — Mr.  Robson  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
•..was  adopted: 

Resolved,     That  in  place  and  stead  of  all  orders  now  in  force  relating  to 
pauper  claims,  the  following  be  adopted:  .=^. 

Resolved,    That  the  county  will  not  be  responsible  for  relief  given  to  persons 
;    having  contagious  diseases. 

-  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  several  overseers  of  the  poor  of  the 
./;  county  to  remove  to  the  almshouse  all  persons  requiring  relief  from  the  county, 
:.'  except  in  the  following  cases:  .  .  .;  .  ,.  , 

:          1st.     Persons  not  resident  in  the  town  where  aided.  .     .      r.    .  :>.;V. 

2nd.     Persons  too  sick  to  be  removed.  .     .  :  .  •    -•    .      .; 

And  the  county  will  not  be  responsible  for  relief  given  outside  the  almshouse, 
"except  in  the  above  cases,  and  then  only  when  relief  has  been  ordered  by  the 
overseer  of  the  poor  in  the  town  where  the  relief  is  given. 

Mr.  May  moved  that  the  overseer  of  the  poor  of  the  city  of  Galesburg 
•shall  receive  from  the  county  a  sum  not  exceeding  three  hundred  dollars  per 
:  annum  for  his  services.     Adopted.  .-•,': 

;         Adjourned  Meeting,  August  6,  1883. — Mr.  Charles  read  the  following  report 
'  of  the  committee  on  almshouse  and  paupers  on  almshouse  proper : 

We  desire  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  we  have  not  sufficient  accommoda- 
.  tion  for  our  insane  at  the  county  almshouse  and  would  recommend  the  appoint- 
•:  ment  of  a  committee  to  take  the  matter  into  consideration  and  report  at  our  next 
meeting..     .       .        .  ....  j ;--.;.-.-.      •..^/  ...  •  v 


'..:'',j>  -'iV:;^         A.  G.  CHARLES, 

•..>•-/'.  ••'•'•-   :       '•,^.'-"''":.   r^' ^'-\l^-v- C ':•''':•'•-•-''•.'•' 'fV ''."•'•' •?'-^!;.-.'       J.  A.  FREDRICKS, 
;•-":-•    •. .    .^\' ;•.-  ^"'^..'c.  v'''-^';--:  .^,: -'';•'•-;. V/V''-'',.%'^-'«'V'V  M.  B.  HARDEN, 

'  ' D.  GREENLEAF. 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  report  be  adopted  and  its  recommendations  con- 
curred in,  except  the  last  clause  pertaining  to  increased  accommodations  at  the 
almshouse.  Carried.  .  _:  . . 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  matter  pertaining  to  the  increased  accommodations 
at  the  almshousp  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  almshouse  and  paupers. 

Mr.  Charles  moved  to  amend  by  adding  Mr.  Hale  and  Mr.  Gale  to  the 
committee.  :  r.  r  .  v  ^  -•' 

The  motion  as  amended  was  adopted. 

September  Meeting,  1883. — A  communication  from  the  state  board  of  public 
charities  in  regard  to  increased  accommodation  for  the  insane  was  read  and 
referred  to  same  committee. 

.  Mr.  Charles  read  the  following  report  of  the  committee  to  whom  was  re- 
ferred the  matter  of  providing  increased  accommodations  for  the  insane: 


Vol.     1—14 


210  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;    ;.^  ,    ^ 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors.       >,..,,  v 

Your  special  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  increased 
accommodations  for  the  insane  at  the  almshouse,  beg  leave  to  report  that  after 
inquiry,  we  find  there  are  in  the  almshouse  thirty-three  insane  patients.  With 
the  exception  of  three  or  four  they  are  easily  managed.  We  learn  that  the  state, 
acting  under  a  bill  appropriating  nearly  $500,000,  is  now  making  accommodations 
for  about  fourteen  hundred  patients  in  addition  to  those  already  provided  for, 
which  will  allow  our  county  an  additional  quota  of  about  sixteen. 

Your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  when  the  accommodations  above  referred 
to  are  completed  there  will  be  ample  room  at  our  almshouse  for  all  that  may 
remain. 

We,  therefore,  recommend  that  no  action  be  taken  at  the  present  in  the 
matter  of  making  further  accommodations  for  the  insane. 
•       'V^'V'^:  Respectfully  submitted,  v^V;-'^^    '^  •••-'!  ' 

;    -iiv;;      '  A.G.CHARLES,  i,    v'     M.  B.  HARDEN,       ; 

iV,    :  J.  A.  FREDRICKS,  T.  J.  HALE,  - 

W.  SELDEN  GALE. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Eiker,  said  report  was  accepted  and  its  recommendations 
concurred  in.  •  ;  :  .  .  '  ",  •  I  \;^'';  : 

January,  1890. — The  hour  for  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  special 
committee  on  care  of  the  insane  having  arrived,  the  report  was  called  up,  and 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Simpson  the  report  was  adopted  and  its  recommendations 
concurred  in  by  the  board.  '  ^  •''-''• '•->"::,v-'^Y 

The  following  is  the  report:  i"      .    • 

BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS,  JANUARY  TERM,  1890. 

The  committee  appointed  to  consider  the  provision  to  be  made  for  the  insane 
beg  leave  to  report: 

.  .  In  making  their  investigation  they  have  visited  the  state  institutions  at  Jack- 
sonville and  Kankakee  and  the  county  houses  in  neighboring  counties,  where 
provision  has  recently  been  made  for  the  county  insane.  After  advising  with 
the  superintendents  of  these  institutions,  examining  buildings  and  equipment, 
and  giving  attention  to  the  methods  of  management,  they  consulted  Mr.  I.  A. 
Coleman,  the  architect  of  the  state  buildings  now  in  progress  of  construction,  and 
after  conference  and  consultation  with  him  on  the  ground  at  the  almshouse, 
employed  him  to  furnish  plans  and  estimates  of  cost,  which  they  herewith  sub- 
mit. The  plans  are  for  a  building  three  stories  in  height,  to  correspond  with 
the  present  almshouse  building,  attached  to  the  west  wing  by  a  corridor  adapted 
to  use  in  connection  with  the  almshouse,  under  the  same  superintendent,  using 
in  common  the  present  offices,  kitchen,  laundry  and  heating  apparatus — to  ac- 
commodate forty  patients  and  to  be  constructed  as  nearly  fire-proof  as  possible 
with  reasonable  outlay.  .'•-•'-..' 

.  The  committee  find  it  impossible  to  determine  with  any  certainty  the  number 
of  patients  the  county  will  be  called  upon  to  provide  for.  It  has  been  the  declared 
policy  of  the  state  to  provide  for  all  the  insane,  others  as  well  as  those  who  are 
a  public  charge.  The  provision  made  by  the  state  has  never  been  quite  adequate, 
and  the  additions  made  from  time  to  time  have  been  exceeded  by  the  increase  in 
applicants.  This  county  has  always  been  obliged  to  care  for  some  of  the  insane 


•iv  •    ;:v       V  '   '        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         7v:n  211   ;V 

poor,  and  has  also  sheltered  some  who  were  not  paupers,  but  who  could  neither     • 
get  admittance  into  the  state  asylums  nor  be  properly  cared  for  at  home.  v;^ 

Six  years  ago  some  provision  to  be  made  by  the  county  seemed  imperative,     .v 
but  about  that  time  the  state  institutions  were  very  much  enlarged,  the  quota      ~  ' 
of  this  county  was  increased  and  as  some  counties  were  slow  in  calling  for  the    ^^  . 
accommodations  they  were  entitled  to,  this  county  was  permitted  to  send  patients     '  . 
in  excess  of  its  quota,  and  was  for  the  time  relieved.     At  the  present  time  all    ,; ' 
the  state  institutions  appear  to  be  crowded  and  this  county  is  called  on  to  remove    ' 
all  its  patients  in  excess  of  its  quota.  , 

.:'     Provision  has  been  made  for  an  increase  of  capacity  of  three  asylums  of   - 
300  each,  an  addition  of  nearly  25  per  cent  to  the  present  capacity  of  all  the     ;  ; 
asylums.     This  will  not  be  available  before  1891.     In  the  meantime  the  census       .  - 
for   1890  will  afford  a  new  basis   for  apportionment,  and  the  advantage  this   '.- 
county  might  gain  will  be  to  a  large  extent  neutralized  by  the  excessive  com-    v 
parative  growth  of  Cook  county.  ; .  ;.„.•;    ;  no.-.  :  - 

While  Knox  county  is  one  of  the  few  that  has,  since  the  last  census,  mater-       : 
ially  added  to  its  population,  it  is  quite  certain  its  growth  has  been  in  a  less  ratio 
than  that  of  the  whole  state.  Cook  county  included. 

If  the  number  of  the  insane  contirtues  to  increase  with  the  increase  of  popula-     .•/ 
tion  (and  for  years  past  the  increase  of  insane  seems  relatively  greater),  there   .'  . 
will  be  an  increased  pressure,  only  to  be  relieved  by  additional  provision  to  be  .-    . 
made  by  the  state,  except  so  far  as  some  relief  may  be  had  by  change  of  basis  ;^^;'.' 
of  apportionment./  ^i^^     :  :  •  ^-^'  ;  ;x';''^:  - 

The  apportionment  is  now  made  among  counties  according  to  population.   ;v 
It  may  hereafter  be  fixed  according  to  the  number  of  insane.    If,  as  seems  to  be   t.  : 
the  case,  the  insane  in  this  county  are  usually  numerous  compared  with  the    ..  . 
population,  we  may  realize  some  greater  increase  of  quota  in  the  next  appor-     " 
tionment.    ;.*-ri-  ;       .  .^:; 

That  such  change  of  basis  will  be  made  is  not  certain.     Nor  is  it  certain  • 
the  state  will  continue  to  extend  its  asylums.     The  opinion  may  prevail  that  it     ;:• 
is  better  to  leave  the  several  counties  to  provide  each  for  itself  for  any  further 
increase.    And  it  may  be  well  to  say  that  after  what  the  committee  have  learned  l-:'-'.^'. 
of  the  methods  of  management  in  the  state  asylums  and  the  county  houses,  their    '/ 
opinions  on  this  subject  are  modified,  and  they  believe,  that,  while  as  a  general    .;  .. 
rule,  a  more  careful  management  of  public  funds  may  be  expected  from  county   ;•;-- 
boards  than  from  state  officials,  yet  in  the  provision  for  and  care  of  the  insane 
the  best  results  are  to  be  hoped  for  when  the  institution  is  sufficiently  large  to    : 
afford  and  secure  the  highest  education  and  talent  in  the  management  and  the   , 
most   thoroughly   trained    and    competent   assistants,    and    when    the   outlay    in 
construction  and  equipment  will  be  in  the  hands  of  those  who  have  made  the 
matter  a  special  study.  ;      -.  .  • 

But  the  opinion  of  this  committee  or  this  board  on  this  subject  will  not  control     '  . 
the  action  of  the  state,  and  the  most  it  is  worth  is  as  an  indication  of  the  con-    ;•;  , 
elusions  to  which  others,  with  opportunity  for  investigation,  may  be  likely  to    /:    , 
arrive.  -v 

In  estimating  the  wants  of  this  county  in  new  constructions   we  do  not    ;; 
think  it  worth  while  to  take  into  account  the  small  provision  not  existing  in  the 
almshouse  and  jail.      ......       .        ,     .  -.     .  ..  '' • 


".-';':•'         '.''      •'.•-'  -'     .•.'.•;'.•;  V -••->'•-;;'. 

212  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^-pi;/ L^ 

That  in  the  jail  is  needed  for  temporary  detention  of  persons  on  their  way 
elsewhere.  That  in  the  almshouse  does  not  permit  the  seclusion  of  the  patients 
from  non-insane  inmates,  or  the  special  care  patients  might  have  associated  with 
the  other  insane  and  put  to  the  use  of  paupers,  it  is  a  small  margin  for  increase 
in  their  number.  !. 

The  number  of  Knox  county  insane  now  in  public  institutions  is:  At  Jack-j; 
sonville,  46;  Kankakee,  ii;  almshouse,  i8;  jail,  4;  in  all,  79.  Our  present 
quota  in  the  state  institutions  is  46,  and  we  are  entitled  to  place  these  only  at 
Jacksonville,  leaving  to  be  provided  for  by  this  county,  33.  This  number  to  be 
cared  for  by  the  county  will  be  decreased  in  the  distribution  of  the  provision 
now  being  made  by  the  state.  "  '  i  '  ' 

It  may  possibly  be  further  reduced  by  a  change  in  basis  of  apportionment. 
And  if  the  state  should  extend  its  provision  for  the  insane  to  meet  the  further 
increase  of  population,  either  by  enlarging  the  asylums  or  the  building  of  new 
ones,  there  may  never  be  anything  more  than  a  temporary  increase  and  the 
building  may  stand  only  partially  occupied  and  useful  as  a  guarantee  against 
inconvenience  caused  by  a  sudden  increase  of  population  in  this  county  or 
some  delay  in  state  action  in  making  provision  to  meet  the  increase  of  population 
in  the  state.  But  if  no  further  provision  be  made  by  the  state  and  the 
county  be  called  on  to  take  care  of  its  own  increase  or  meet  the  diminution  of 
its  quota  consequent  on  increase  of  population  in  other  parts  of  the  state,  it 
will  not  be  many  years  that  a  house  for  40  patients  will  exceed  the  wants  of 
the  county. 

The  committee  believe  no  time  should  be  lost  in  making  whatever  provision 
the  board  thinks  best  to  make,  and  they  recommend  that  a  committee  be  author- 
ized to  settle  upon  plans  substantially  conforming  to  those  furnished  by  Mr. 
Coleman ;  that  they  be  authorized  to  employ  an  architect  to  make  complete  work- 
ing plans  and  prepare  proi>er  specifications,  to  advertise  for  building  contracts, 
to  let  contracts  and  to  proceed  with  the  building  as  rapidly  as  can  be  made 
profitable. 

They  think  by  prompt  action  the  contract  may  be  let  by  the  middle  of 
February  and  the  work  begun  as  soon  as  the  materials  can  be  had  and  the 
weather  will  permit  work.  ,  .  .  '.  \' .  '  -  .  ''*^\  • /:;  •  K;^^' :.|  ..'-  ' 

.-....-  ^'•'','    '         :  W.  SELDEN  GALE.        • 

.. -'-    .\:v,:^:V/:     •  •         ^    '.:;;  '•     ...     '       '^  ,'  _ '-'"^       WM.  RoBSON,  ..;' 

..  •  ';v%'':V:,'^      .  .       ''.      •_.,          •  •'  ••'•".•       H.  M.  SissoN,        .''.-. 

•':,;'-:',;.:••;•!'':  -  .    '    '    \.    ••;:,';.'    .     .    ' -^  '    '     .-       J.  S.  SiMPSON,         : '•    •; 

;     .  .•  .'V  JAMES  REBSTOCK. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Rearick  that  the  proposed  building  committee  consist  of  three 
members.  Carried. 

Supervisor  George  entered.  :.".-..-  (        - 

Moved  by  Mr.  Robson  that  the  expenditures  of  the  committee  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  proposed  building  be  limited  to  $25,000.  Carried. 

Moved  by  Mr.  O'Connor  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  adopt  a  plan  of 
construction  practically  fireproof.  Carried. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Gale  that  the  motion  fixing  the  number  of  the  committee  at 
three  be  reconsidered.  Carried.  .  '  •  ./  .  i  '.''" 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  number  of  the  committee  was  increased  to  five. 


.^   ;      /      ^    ,    ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;  -  ^ -  ;^  218 

Pending  committee,  work,  on  motion  of  Mr.  O'Connor  the  board  adjourned    V:-. 
to  1:30  P.  M.  v:  /  •'.'••••• 

One  Thirty  P.  M. — Board  called  to  order  by  the  chairman.     Present,  same   :'  ;' 
as  this  forenoon. 

The  chairman  announced  the  appointment  of  the  following  named  members  to 
compose  the  building  committee:     Messrs.  Gale,  Simpson,  Robson,  Sisson  and  5. 
Rebstock.  •-.  r  ^ .    -v^-  .'    •  ' 

April,  1890. — Moved  by  Mr.  Simpson  that  the  chairman  appoint  a  committee    '  • 
of  five  on  almshouse  annex.    Carried. 

Mr.  Robson  then  called  for  the  reading  of  the  contract  with  Mr.  Munson 
for  the  construction  of  the  almshouse  annex.  \'  .  -x 

Moved  by  Mr.  Robson  that  the  questions  presented  by  the  options  in  the  ;    r' 
contract  lie  over  until  tomorrow  at  ii  o'clock. 

The  chairman  announced  the  appointment  of  the   following  committee  on 
annex  to  the  almshouse.  "^  '      > 

Messrs.  Robson,  Sisson,  Simpson,  Rebstock  and  Boydstun.  .^x;'i  \'   .  v    ',  ., 

Mr.  Robson  called  up  the  matters  in  the  contract  for  the  construction  of  the  ' 
annex  to  the  almshouse.    He  stated  that  the  committee  advertised  for  bids  to  be  .     ; 
opened   February    i5th,   but  that   they   received   no  bids   which   they   accepted  ,-.:    . 
and  so  advertised  again  for  March  i8th,  when  they  obtained  a  larger  number  ';.•    • 
of  competitors.     The  committee  had  contracted  with   Mr.   P.  O.   Munson  of  ; .-'; 
Galesburg,  to  put  up  the  annex  according  to  =  plans  and  specifications  furnished   .     ' 
by  Mr.  I.  C.  Coleman,  architect,  using  thorough  fireproof  construction  except  as         ; 
to  the  roof,  which  would  be  wood  covered  with  slate,  the  building  to  be  finished 
in  southern  pine  and  all  for  $24,000;  for  $24,300  if  finished  in  white  oak;  for  $26,-  '  .: 
459  if  the  building  is  finished  inside  with  white  oak  and  with  iron  roof  con-  '  ' 
struction.    This  committee  desire  instruction  from  the  board  as  to  which  option  •   ;• 
they  should  accept. 

: '      Moved  by  Mr.  Becker  that  the  committee  be  directed  to  accept  the  $24,000  : 
bid  with  pine  and  wood  roof  construction. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Simpson,  as  a  substitute,  that  the  committee  be  directed  to       .  - 
accept  the  $26,459  ^'^  with  oak  and  iron  roof  construction.  .;  •  ; 

The  ayes  and  nays  being  called  resulted  as  follows:  •.-.:-.%';.  -i    ; 

Ayes — McWilliams,   Austin,   Boydstun,   Rearick,   Burkhalter,   Peter   Nelson,     ,'  - 
Nels  Nelson,  Sisson,  Clark,  Simpson,  Smith,  Robson,  Boynton,  Rebstock,  Whit-      ; 
ing.  Mason,  Fmery,  17.  •  -'' 

Nays — Wilson,  Heflin,  Stephenson,  Young,  Becker,  Baird,  Seward,  McCrea,  8.      >'  . 

The  substitute  prevailed.        .•  ;      . 

Mr.  Simpson  stated  that  owing  to  the  necessity  for  an  increase  in  the  facilities    ; 
for  the  care  of  the  insane  the  board  at  the  September  meeting  authorized  the 
almshouse  committee  to  make  such  temporary  arrangements  as  were  best  until 
the  January  meeting.    That  at  the  January  meeting  it  became  apparent  that  more 
room  would  be  required  than  the  county  could  provide  at  once,  there  being  eleven  -^ . . 
patients  at  Kankakee,  which  had  been  ordered  to  be  removed.     Accordingly  he         . 
visited  Peoria  county  for  the  purpose  of  making  arrangements  for  the  temporary 
use  of  a  part  of  their  vacancies  in  the  state  hospital  for  the  insane  at  Jackson- 
ville.   The  county  board  of   Peoria  county  being  in  session  at  the  time  gave  Knox 
county  permission  to  use  12  vacancies  until  such  time  as  we  could  provide  more  •..'  . 


214  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •/;;:; 

room  or  until  such  vacancies  might  be  wanted  for  their  own  necessities.     Mr. 
Simpson  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,     That  the  thanks  of  this  board  are  due  and  are  hereby  tendered 
to  the  county  board  of   Peoria  county  for  their  courtesy  in  permitting  us  to 
use  a  portion  of  their  quota  of  insane  at  the  hospital  at  Jacksonville. 
;      July,  1890. — Mr.  Robson  reported  that  the  contractor  was  making  reasonable 
progress  in  the  work  of  constructing  the  annex  to  the  almshouse. .  ,  .  .,      ,      .. 

September,  1890. — Clerk's  statement: 

There  will  yet  be  expended  on  the  annex  to  the  almshouse  about  $17,000. 
If  the  board  is  to  pursue  the  same  policy  in  paying  for  the  annex  to  the  almshouse 
that  was  adopted  in  paying  for  the  courthouse,  it  would  seem  that  a  levy  of 
$52,000  would  pay  for  the  building  and  run  the  county  until  tax  collections  are 
made  in  the  winter  of  1892.  Some  arrangement,  however,  should  be  made  for  the 
payment  of  county  orders  this  fall,  as  the  estimates  on  the  building  soon  to  be 
made  will  speedily  consume  what  funds  are  now  on  hand.  |  ;  •  , 

January,    1891. — Wm.   Robson,   chairman  of   the   building  committee,   read 
the  following  report,  and  at  his  request  the  consideration  of  the  same  was  made 
a  special  order  for  ii  o'clock  A.  M.  tomorrow. 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors,       ':':•'.    •; ;     V    A.>i;  -^•''^v;    .    vA,  .]•        ;' 

Your  committee  on  building  had  hoped  that  they  could  have  reported  the 
completion  of  the  annex  to  the  almshouse  at  the  present  meeting.  This  cannot 
be  done.  The  contractor  says  he  will  finish  the  building  within  three  weeks. 
It  seems  to  your  committee  that  the  work  can  be  done  in  that  time.  We  would 
report  the  amounts  paid  to  the  contractor,  Mr.  Munson,  on  the  following  dates, 
also  the  amount  of  the  contract  price,  and  the  amount  unpaid  on  said  contract 
and  the  amount  your  committee  would  recommend  be  allowed  said  contractor 
Munson  for  work  done  not  included  in  contract: 

Amount  of  contract $26,459.00 

1st  estimate.  May  14,  1890 $  1,435.44 

2nd  estimate,  June  19,  1890 2,935.60 

3rd  estimate,  July  i6,  1890 2,739.36 

4th  estimate,  August  i8,  1890 1,589.52 

5th  estimate,  September  5,  1890 4,745.82 

6th  estimate,  October  i6,  1890 1,228.48 

7th  estimate,  November  26,  1890 2,530.64 


Total   ............................................  $17,204.86 

Balance  unpaid  on  contract   ......................................  $9,554.14 

Amount  estimated  for  work  not  in  contract,  $379.48,  itemized  as  follows  : 
Excavating  extra  depth  in  foundation  ...............................  $  23.50 

22,510  brick  in  foundation  and  partitions  at  $10.50  per  M  ..............   236.35 

1  1  yards  plastering  at  3Oc  ..........................................       3-3O 

Mason    work,   cutting  stone   door   sills  ..............................       2.80 

2,044^  ft.  channel  iron  at  4C  per  ft  .................................     81.78 

O.  C.  Housel,  extra  on  wood  work,  paid  by  Munson  ....................     31.75 


The  hour  having  arrived  for  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  building 


•;K  -i;   X     .r       ^^^  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;       '•    '  215 

•  committee,  Mr.  Robson,  chairman  of  said  committee,  made  explanation  of  the 
:.,  extra  expense  incurred  by  the  contractor  in  making  substantial  foundation  and 
:  other  necessary  changes  not  in  contract.  Thereupon  Mr.  Nels  Nelson  moved  that 
,  said  committee  be  authorized  to  make  final  settlement  with  the  contractor  when 
•/  the  building  is  completed,  and  to  accept  the  same.  Carried. 
:.  Mr.  Rebstock  moved  thatithe  almshouse  committee  be  authorized  to  procure 

•  the  necessary  furniture  and  furnishings  required  for  the  annex.    Carried. 

: .         April,  1891. — Mr.  Robson  read  the  following  report  of  the  building  committee : 
_.    To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors.  7  .     :^- 

-  Your  committee  on  building  would   respectfully   report  that  the  annex  to 
',  the  almshouse  is  ready  for  occupancy  and  that  there  has  been  paid  for  Mr.  I.  C. 

Coleman,   architect,   $324.50,   the  balance  due   him  on   the   completion  of   the 

;  building,  and  that  there  has  been  paid  to  Mr.  Munson,  contractor,  the  sum  of 

$26,704.86,  leaving  unpaid  the  sum  of  $133.62,  to  be  paid  when  he  has  finished 

;  all  work  according  to  contract.     The  weather  having  been  such  that  he  has 

not  been  able  to  finish  grading,  etc. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  subniitted.       >-^!      >'  ''''''''^"'''''''•^'i^-,'-.: 

''.'    ^'>. :•-. -^  ^'•'-'. ;''//.'-.":-'  ''^'•''•- :  ^''•'-^•^.yJ.JYS-^.r^'^'--'/'.'^       WM.  ROBSON,     '":'-;- 

:',    -':        .;:;    '•^•   \,     ;^;^- ;/..;''._.'    'V^  •''-.':- '"'V- ^•'l.'.-:. •'''''•' ^-'-:-         J-  S.  SiMPSON,    _.- v^'^' 
•:'''"••?•';  '•  •':;.'-'.    :\..':'..    ;\-' ;-'"^--V. /.:•/.-//.;,  :".-;:•'  ':'[''i''''-"        H.  M.  SissoN,          \' 

;•;•;•'  '"-^^-r. ,':'•'     .•  •  •' ''--^  ^,•V''/  •-:^^^-   .  "/•'•^:^,j^'v:^"; •:;'••'"'''''•'        W.  A.  BOYDSTUN,     '' 
;v'-' '^'••''•^•-'- -''•'•  ••'••/•"•':••";:••   A.' •^"-  '-'^    .-A 'v; ;.':••-:•;;'•;.-•;•;••.•  JAMES  REBSTOCK. 

March  Meeting,  1896. — Mr.  Robson  of  the  almshouse  committee  read  the  fol- 
';  lowing  and  moved  that  the  same  be  adopted  as  the  rules  of  the  almshouse. 

Carried. 

'•.'  ;  :'.  •  '-.-'^y •.•-;- ;^^:'--v. •;,;. 

>    '-     RULES    AND    REGULATIONS    FOR    THE    ALMSHOUSE     ;^^  ^/'  ^^ 

:        ,  KNOXVILLE,  ILLINOIS,  January  i,  1894. 

;  1.  The  superintendent  shall  have  complete  control  over  the  inmates,  but 
this  privilege  must  be  exercised  in  a  humane  and  consistent  manner,  resorting 
to  restraint  only  when  necessary  to  establish  and  keep  a  prevailing  good  order. 

^  2.  All  patients  to  be  carefully  examined  on  admission,  and  all  moneys 
and  effects  of  value  found  in  their  possession,  to  be  taken  by  the  superintendent 
and  referred  to  the  almshouse  committee,  who  shall  direct  what  disposition 
shall  be  made  of  them.  When  patients  conclude  to  leave  the  premises,  their 
persons,  packages,  trunks,  etc.,  may  be  searched  by  the  superintendent. 

3.     All  letters  to  and  from  the  inmates  of  the  institution  to  pass  through 
the  superintendent's  hands  and  if  thought  necessary,  to  be  examined  and  treated 

•  with  reference  to  keeping  good  order  in  family. 

'         4.     Patients,  under  no  circumstances,  to  leave  the  premises  on  a  visit  to 

'    KnWville  or  elsewhere,  without  j>ermission.  •.  .. 

5.  Patients  are  forbidden  to  abuse  each  other,  and  whoever  wilfully  does 
.    so  will  thereby  become  a  proper  subject  for  the  superintendent's  interference. 

6.  Inmates  coming  to  the  premises  in  an  intoxicated  condition,  will  be  con- 
sidered  vagrants,  and  may  be  immediately  discharged  from  the  house. 

;,         7.     Patients  who  are  able  shall,  when  called  upon,  assist  to  wait  upon  the 
'  sick,  and  thus  render  themselves  as  useful  as  possible.     And  if  able  shall  help 
upon  the  farm,  when  needed. 


216  -•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


8.  Patients  must  not  wilfully  waste  or  destroy  anything  about  the  premises, 
but  rather  aid  in  caring  for  all  material  used  here. 

9.  All  clothing  and  other  effects  belonging  to  patients  in  the  house,  which 
are  not  appropriated  for  funeral  purposes,  shall  be  kept  and  used  by  surviving 
patients.   :'-;  .     .    '••:.•:•  .'.'•^:''• -••^^-   '•'.••    '^/,-   :-/:-'^--:^-':!\'\ '''^^ 

10.  Visitors   are   requested  to   refrain   from   talking  with   insane   patients, 
except  relatives;  but  under  no  consideration  to  commit  themselves  to  promises 
of  future  favor. 

11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  physician  to  carefully  scrutinize  patients  who 
come  under  his  care;  and  administer  medicines  to  each  as  may  seem  to  him 
best  adapted  to  their  needs,  and  he  may  consistently  prescribe  exercises  for  them 
for  the  promotion  of  their  health. 

•      ,  -  WM.  RoBSON, 

,^'  .   : 'o  '  -  J-  S.  SIMPSON, 

•        .  v^:^  ..  ;        ^-  R.  A.  LOWER, 

,  V  '  •  K.  R.  MARKS, 

/"  ,•  '       •  ..  .         •      ••  .   :          F.T.ALBERT, 

•      -  •'  Committee. 

April  Meeting,   1898. — Mr.  Simpson  of  the  almshouse  committee  read  the 
following  report   in    relation   to   the   matter  of   the  care  of   the   insane  at  the 
almshouse: 
Mr,   Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors:  ! 

Your  committee  on  almshouse  and  paupers  have  at  different  times  during 
the  past  year  called  your  attention  to  the  crowded  condition  of  the  insane  de- 
partment at  the  almshouse,  showing  that  while  it  was  constructed  to  care 
for  40  patients,  we  have,  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year,  been  caring 
for  from  65  to  67.  As  to  whether  insanity  is  on  the  increase  among  us 
we  must  leave  to  those  who  are  able  to  make  that  careful  and  discriminating 
investigation  necessary  to  determine. 

The  state  has  from  time  to  time  built  new  asylums  and  has  frequently  in- 
creased their  capacity  by  adding  new  buildings,  but  has  never  yet  succeeded 
in  keeping  up  to  the  demand  from  increased  applicants  for  admission,  not- 
withstanding the  growing  sentiment  that  the  state  should  take  care  of  all 
insane,  those  who  are  a  public  charge,  as  well  as  those  who  are  not.  In  January, 
1890,  when  it  became  necessary  to  build  the  present  annex,  the  number  of  Knox 
county's  insane  was  79,  and  were  cared  for  as  follows:  At  Jacksonville,  46; 
at  Kankakee,  ii;  at  almshouse,  i8;  at  jail,  4;  we  find  that  at  the  present  time 
the  number  of  Knox  county's  insane  in  public  institutions  are  as  follows:  At 
Jacksonville,  56;  at  Kankakee,  3;  at  almshouse,  64;  making  123  in  all.  Your 
committee  had  hoped,  on  completion  of  the  new  Western  hospital  for  insane, 
that  in  the  apportionment  to  be  made  in  connection  therewith  we  would  be 
allowed  such  increased  ratio  as  would  afford  us  such  relief  as  would  enable  us, 
with  our  present  buildings,  to  care  for  what  we  might  have  until  such  time 
as  the  asylum  for  the  incurable  insane  at  Peoria  might  be  completed.  The 
district  for  the  western  hospital  has  been  made,  the  quota  for  each  county 
assigned,  and  the  same  approved  by  the  governor,  and  we  find  that  we  are 
allowed  accommodation  for  9  more  patients,  i.  e.,  62  in  place  of  53,  and  we 


;•;  ^V^    •:  VV     :    F      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '-  t-         217 

have  been  notified  that  on  the  removal  of  our  patients  from  Jacksonville  to~-'  - 
Rock  Island  that  the  3  at  Kankakee  must  also  be  removed.  • 

There  is  but  little  prospect  for  the  completion  of  the  asylum  for  the  in-  - 
curable  insane  in  less  than  from  2  to  3  years  and  we  can  expect  to  have  but 
little  relief   from  it  when  completed.     This  will  leave  64  patients   for  Knox  , 
county  to  care  for  after  we  obtain  the  relief  afforded  by  the  completion  of 
the  Western  hospital,  which  will  be  some  time  next  month. 

The  present  building  for  insane,  known  as  the  annex  to  the  Knox  county 
almshouse,   is   occupied  by  both  males  and   females,   the  males  occupying  the 
basement  and  first  floors;  the  females  occupying  the  second  floor;   14  of  the  - 
latter  have  to  be  furnished  with  sleeping  room  on  this  floor  in  the  west  wing 
of  the  men's  department  of  the  almshouse  proper.     In  the  men's  department 
there  is  one  room  with  lo  beds  in  it,  another  with  4,  and  another  with  3.    This      • 
is  not  recognized  as  the  proper  way  to  room  this  class  of  patients,  unless  a  '-''  > 
watchman  is  within  hearing  distance  all  the  time  at  night.  ;  ' 

Your  committee  believes  that  no  time  should  be  lost  in  making  some  ad-        . 
ditional   provision   for   the  care  of  this   unfortunate  class   of   people   in   our 
county.     That  an  addition  as  nearly  fireproof  in  construction  as  practicable  be 
built   on   the   east   side   of   the   present   building   and   connected   therewith   by 
corridors,  to  be  used  in  caring  for  the  insane  women  committed  to  the  county's 
care,  and  would  recommend  that  a  committee  be  authorized  to  settle  on  plans 
substantially  conforming  to  those  shown  to  the  board  by  your  committee;  that   ^  ^ 
they  be  authorized  to  employ  an  architect  to  make   complete   working  plans 
and  prepare  proper  specifications;  to  advertise  for  building  contracts;   to  let 
contracts,  and  to  proceed  with  the  building  as  rapidly  as  it  can  profitably  be 
done.     The  cost  of  said  building  not  to  exceed  $  .............  •;  ^ 

;      All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  c;;  ..';/,.-'...     J;-;.^^-.''  ^;:  ••'^-   :.'- 


''"''"'.;.,>':      "'/-'    \   '''\     ^-  ^''-'V.'}'-.^  .''''•':/*---^'::'-V--:'-;'^;'.''        J.  S.  SiMPSON,       ^.t;.  ^^^  ',;.:;,' 

.;.  •  :•'../'•':  •  ••  :'-'•.  .•'.^.-'jv/-  "•.::'•"  ^''y-'-^-r^'  ':''.:  K.  R.  MARKS,  :-:-:::(:l:.f'-  i'."'- 
•^>^  :"•'''':••  ,\-...  •:''',':''-:'.,  -'•^/-  ••'  '../•'V-'-^^-^:-'-'-^-  F.  T.  ALBERT,  ..V-'-^'-.;,  >•  ' 
.'•  ''  :'^  ••'''•':-•  '-•'^-  ''.'•  ^f  .''•••  ''  -^  •-'••;  >^'">l:^  .':'••.•'••  HUGH  SLOAN,  '-\v:v.\ 

Committee.       ••••_ 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hubbell  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recom-  ::  • 
mendations  concurred  in.  ..: 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Rebstock  the  chairman  was  authorized  and  directed  to  I- 
appoint  a  committee  of  five  (one  of  whom  shall  be  the  chairman  of  the  board)  -.-.'. 
to  carry  out  the  recommendations  contained  in  the  foregoing  report.  '   . 

July  Meeting,   1898.  —  Mr.  Simpson,  from  the  building  committee,  read  the  .  .y 
following  report:  •.-'•:•  v.      '  ;'  \;^' 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors:  ,;    r  ::r  ;  ;v!  \  -..-  ;• 

The  committee  provided  for  at  the  last  meeting  to  act  as  a  building  com- 
mittee  in  the  construction  of  a  new  building  at  the  almshouse  for  the  use  of  insane 
would   respectfully   report,   that  they  met  on   April   23   and  consulted  several 
architects  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  and  arranged  with  each  of  them  to  submit       , 
plans  best  suited  for  the  purpose  for  which  the  proposed  annex  was  to  be 
built.     April  28  your  committee  met  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  plan.^        ' 
offered  by  the  different  architects  and  after  careful  examination  selected  those 


218        ;•  HISTORY  OF  KN OX  COUNTY         A";    ;: 

prepared  by  Messrs.  Gotschalk  &  Beadle,  as  best  suited  for  the  proposed  annex 
and  entered  into  an  agreement  with  said  Gotschalk  &  Beadle  to  make  all  draw- 
ings, details,  working  plans  and  specifications,  assist  in  letting  contract,  act  as 
supervising  architect  when  called  upon  by  the  building  committee  during  the 
construction  of  said  building  for  the  sum  of  $150,  and  if  the  committee  desire 
the  further  services  of  an  architect  in  preparing  plans  for  a  laundry  building, 
said  Gotschalk  &  Beadle  agree  to  furnish  said  plans  and  specifications  without 
further  expense  to  the  county.  After  said  plans  and  specifications  had  been 
prepared  and  approved  your  committee  advertised  for  bids  for  the  construc- 
tion of  the  annex  in  accordance  with  said  plans  and  specifications.  Said  bids 
were  opened  June  6,  1898,  as  follows:  .  .  ... 

P.  T.  Olson .^..?^...;:..:r $20,773 

Munson  &  Tingleaf   19,60x3 

Peter  McL.  Davidson 23,200 

O.  C.  Housel   24,773 

Sweeny  &  Ream   20,900 

(The  above  bids  were  exclusive  of  the  heating.) 

«    Munson  and  Tingleaf  being  the  lowest  bidders  were  awarded  the  contract 
at  their  bid  of  19,600  dollars.       .-  .     v  i       I     ;^  ,•• 

Your  committee  entered  into  contract  with  said  parties  for  construction  oi 
said  annex,  they  filing  a  bond  in  the  sum  of  $5,000  for  the  faithful  completion 
of  said  building,  said  contract  and  bond  being  on  file  with  the  clerk  of  the 
board.  \^  •  - ''  ^.'.'^.  '>-'_;:'  •  '  .'.  '/'.•;•••. ""/-^  •  I'- '•.-.''''. .' 

As  soon  as  the  work  of  construction  commenced  your  committee  employed 
Mr.  A.  C.  Phillipson,  of  Galesburg,  as  superintendent  of  material  and  con- 
struction at  a  salary  of  $2.00  per  day. 

Your  committee  met  at  the  almshouse  on  July  8th  and  after  insf>ecting  the 
work  done  and  material  on  hand  made  their  first  estimate  of  cost  of  work  done 
and  material  on  the  grounds.  .  .  .  ,  .  t  .  . 

Amounting  to $1,613.50         ^   . 

.     :         Less  15  per  cent  242.02 

Leaving  amount  due  on  their  first  estimate  of 1,371.48 

For  which  amount  they  would  ask  that  the  clerk  be  directed  to  issue  an 
order  in  payment  thereof. 

And  would  ask  that  the  clerk  be  instructed  to  issue  orders  once  each  month 
in  payment  of  estimate  made  by  your  committee  in  accordance  with  the  con- 
tract made  with  Messrs.  Munson  &  Tingleaf.         . //-T  •'>•';..>:'-•' 
•     All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  .       •  , 

J.  S.  SIMPSON, 

:    .:,:.;.  -.    WM.  ROBSON, 

•'  .•    •'••:'^-'..      •.      •-  ^  ''    •'      '         '    :'.      ,/:'.;•''/••'.>'•'    J.  L.  BURKH  ALTER,  •-•::V_, 
,  ;'^-v  .    •  ',  •    •  .•         •'•>'  J- R- YOUNG,     .:  I  ;•':•:' 

:.       •   ;.  ,  .  ;  :   :      -.  JAMES  REBSTOCK, 

'  '  Committee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Becker,  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in.  ^  .    V         ;       >          -.x  vi;;^-^ 
September  Meeting,  1898. — Mr.  Burkhalter,  of  the  building  committee,  read 
the  following  report: 


':'  V       ;•-'';:  ^  .;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ?          ^;^-   \        219 

Mr,  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee  on  the  building  of  the  new  annex  to  the  Knox  county  alms- 
house  would  respectfully  report  that  the  construction  of  the  building  is  progress- 
ing at  about  the  rate  such  buildings  usually  do.  Some  delay  was  caused  waiting 
tor  iron  when  the  building  was  ready  for  the  beams  for  the  first  floor,  and 
when  your  committee  was  in  session  at  the  almshouse  on  the  Qth  inst.  word 
was  received  from  the  yards  furnishing  the  brick  for  the  outside  of  the  walls 
that  they  could  not  furnish  any  more  of  the  brick  contracted  for  till  a  new 
kiln  could  be  made.  This  of  course  must  cause  additional  delay,  in  all  other 
respects  the  work  is  progressing  very  satisfactorily  to  your  committee. 

Your  committee  met  at  the  almshouse  on  August  Qth  and  made  their  second 
estimate  of  work  done  and  material  furnished  and  on  the  grounds  and  found 
the  amount  due  the  contractors  at  that  time  to  be  $1863.24. 
'  They  also  met  on  September  gth  and  made  their  third  monthly  estimate  and 
found  the  amount  due  the  contractors  at  that  time  to  be  $1551.80,  and  re- 
quested the  clerk  to  issue  orders  in  payment  of  these  amounts  as  authorized  to 
do  at  the  July  meeting  of  the  board.  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  board  your 
committee  reported  that  we  had  employed  Mr.  A.  C.  Phillipson  as  superintend- 
ent of  construction  but  we  neglected  to  ask  that  provision  be  made  for  payment 
for  his  services. 

At  the  meeting  of  your  committee  on  August  Qth  and  September  pth,  we 
gave  him  an  order  on  the  clerk  for  the  amount  due  him,  and  the  clerk  having 
honored  the  same  we  would  ask  your  approval  of  our  action  and  would  ask  that 
the  clerk  be  authorized  to  issue  orders  in  payment  for  his  services  as  super- 
intendent of  construction  once  per  month  on  the  order  of  the  committee. 

Your  committee  would  further  report  that  the  steam  heating  in  the  old 
building  which  was  constructed  on  what  is  known  as  the  two  pipe  system  has 
not  worked  well  for  some  time  and  should  be  improved,  and  knowing  that  it 
was  necessary  to  run  new  mains  from  the  present  boiler  room  to  the  new  building 
believed  it  would  be  economy  for  the  county  to  have  it  changed  to  what  is 
now  used  and  known  as  the  "one  pipe  system,"  requested  bids  for  the  plumbing 
and  heating  in  new  building,  also  for  changing  the  piping  in  old  building  to 
that  system.  Said  bids  were  opened  at  the  almshouse  August  Qth,  1898,  as 

follows:  ;:=.;.: 

Allen  Myers  &  Co.,  of  Rock  Island,  for  heating    new    building    and 

changing  old  building   $3,020.00 

Nailon  Bros.,  Peoria,  same  3.000.00 

O'Connor  Bros.,  Peoria,  plumbing  new  building 2,100.00 

Galesburg  Plumbing  &  Heating  Co.,  plumbing  and  heating  in  new  build- 
ing using  2OOO  feet  of  radiation  therein  and  changing  old  building.  . .   4,730.00 
C.  S.  Telford,  plumbing  and  heating  in  new  building  as  per  plans  and 
specifications  so  as  to  furnish  70  degrees  inside  when  20  degrees  out- 
side, and  changing  old  building 4,827.75 

The  slight  difference  between  the  last  two  bids  caused  the  sub-committee 
investigating  the  matter,  considerable  anxiety  as  to  which  of  the  bids  was 
really  the  lowest.  A  call  on  the  different  firms  showed  that  while  one  was 
figuring  for  2000  feet  of  radiation,  the  other  was  figuring  for  2312.  Owing  to 
the  fact  that  nearly  all  the  radiation  in  the  new  building  must  be  in  the  halls 


220  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '      r^  -  '•  1: 

-..     •  -/.'-.p.  :..^ :.,;./. 

or  corridors,  it  is  evident  that  something  in  excess  of  the  usual  amount  must 
be  used;  considerable  more  than  if  the  radiators  could  be  placed  in  the  rooms. 
The  best  information  we  could  find  from  parties  not  interested  in  either  firm, 
assured  us  that  in  view  of  the  indirect  way  of  heating,  and  the  amount  of 
windows  it  was  even  doubtful  if  2312  feet  was  enough,  certainly  not  any  more 
than  was  required.  Your  committee  therefore  believing  Mr.  Telford  to  be  the 
lowest  bidder  have  awarded  him  the  work,  and  entered  into  a  contract  with  him 
for  the  faithful  performance  thereof.  The  contract  and  bond  being  placed 
on  file  with  the  county  clerk.  ..'.^  ^  v  .  •  • 

.       All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  •.  -^     •^.:1  •     •, 

,,. .  .  '  •-      J-  S.  SIMPSON, 

..  (i'\,'.:^-:[:       '  [''  ''>..'     '  . .''  ^^;:\'.v':.       WM.  ROBSON,        '''''-..' 

•      ,.  j  •  ,\          J.  L.  BURKHALTER,  7 

-  .>-;;.'  •     '  -'     JAMES  REBSTOCK,   -v       . 

••  ;';.  .  V-   •    -    '      .       •  ;  J-  E.  YOUNG,  ; . 

Committee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Marks,  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in.  .  ':'•••':•'•'•'-•.•':".  --  I  •  •  '; 

December  Meeting,  1898. — Mr.  Burkhalter  of  the  building  committee,  read 
the  following  report :  ,  .  .;  . 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee  on  the  construction  of  the  new  annex  to  the  Knox  county 
almshouse,  would  respectfully  report  that  the  construction  of  the  building  is 
making  some  progress  but  on  account  of  the  inclement  and  cold  weather,  and 
the  many  difficulties  encountered  in  obtaining  suitable  brick  and  other  material, 
specified  under  the  contract,  the  progress  has  not  been  as  speedy  as  your  com- 
mittee has  hoped  for  or  expected,  but  with  fair  weather  the  conditions  are  such 
now  that  we  may  reasonably  hope  for  more  speedy  progress  towards  completion 
of  the  annex. 

On  November  29th,  1898,  your  committee  met  at  the  almshouse  and  made 
their  5th  monthly  estimate  of  materials  furnished  and  work  done  on  the  annex, 
which  showed  an  aggregate  of  $10,406.99  expended  on  the  building,  from  which 
amount  your  committee  have  deducted  15  per  cent,  (as  provided  for  under  the 
contract),  viz.,  $1,561.05,  leaving  due  and  payable  to  the  contractors  $8,845.94, 
which  amount  has  under  the  direction  of  your  committee  been  paid  to  the  con- 
tractors Munson  &  Tingleaf  by  county  clerk's  orders.  .  :l  ::•  .  -- 

On  September  27th,  1898,  your  committee  met  at  the  almshouse  to  receive 
and  open  proposals  for  the  erection  of  a  laundry  building  at  the  almshouse  as 
provided  for  at  the  July  meeting  of  the  board,  at  which  meeting  three  bids  were 
received,  from  F.  W.  Hawk,  D.  H.  Fink  and  P.  O.  Munson,  varying  materially 
in  amounts  or  figures.  F.  W.  Hawk  being  the  lowest  bidder  was  awarded  the 
contract  for  the  erection  and  completion  of  the  laundry  building  for  the  sum 
of  $1,600.00  to  be  paid  for  on  the  completion  of  the  building  provided  the  weather 
and  other  conditions  were  such  that  the  building  be  finished  by  December  loth. 
1898.  But  if,  after  a  proper  effort  on  the  part  of  contractor,  the  building  could 
not  be  finished  by  that  date,  a  payment  should  be  made  equal  to  75  per  cent,  of 
the  amount  of  work  done  and  material  furnished  on  the  ground.  The  first  es- 
timate was  made  December  9th,  1898,  and  shows  the  amount  of  labor  and  material 


^>^f 'V/:   :^->i:  /4         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  \  ;^\     221 

furnished  and  on  the  ground  to  be  $1,114.26,  of  which  your  committee  retain  as 
provided  under  the  contract,  25  per  cent.  ($278.56),  leaving  amount  due  and 
payable  to  the  contractor  $835.70,  for  which  amount  we  recommend  that  county 
clerk's  order  be  issued  to  F.  W.  Hawk  for  the  use  of  A.  M.  Parmenter  and 
E.  L.  Lacey  in  payment  of  the  first  estimate. 

In  the  matter  of  the  bill  of  the  Frost  Manufacturing  Co.  for  new  boiler  and 

'tank  for  the  laundry  building,  $321.00,  we  find  the  same  correct  and  recommend 
that  a  county  order  be  issued  for  the  amount. 

In  the  matter  of  the  bill  of  Gottschalk  &  Beadle,  architects,  for  one-half  of 

.;  the  contract  price  for  services  as  architects  for  the  construction  of  the  new 
annex  and  the  laundry  building  at  the  almshouse,  your  committee  would  recom- 
m.end  that  a  county  order  be  issued  to  Gottschalk  &  Beadle  for  $75.00.  .  :  .. 

:         All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  ,       ...       .  ..  -    VC    ' 

•.;  ."'r..;v. '•'..';  J- S.  SIMPSON,   '"  ' -.^  v ., ; : 

-.-•:-'.;::/''..:•    ;--';:    '  '   -V  •''•'•;./. v   :.%-V  '.''''..'-'. ''v','.  ...;^-''  J.  L.  BuRKHALTER,  '  ;'.^'  ' 

'••\  /    '•:'   •  ^.'\  -  -.  '  ^ .-•  v' .•"'•'••'  •",':'•--•.'.- V;.'.  •••:^ "•'>'' WM.  RoBsoN,    •-•••:;;''':;.' '• 
'•.':;:;•;;,••''•.       :;•;...    /',:^   :./.;  .^;:  ,;^  ;.»':';' :'VV^.^:v|,V/:.'-:;;J.  R.  YOUNG,          '•';'•;,;.:' 
:•'',...',  '.'  \  •  '•;  -  ;•      '  •' :  ./^";^;  .'''•'.   '/  •••"'^^  ••^:,''-'.'-^  '••'•''•.'•'•  JAMES  REBSTOCK,  -'- 

'''    ''  '  '  •         '"'  Committee.       • 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Becker,  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in.  -  v.;",:,^^    ~  .  .•    ;  /   ^,.'::' 
April    Meeting,    1899. — Mr.    Simpson   of  the  building  committee   read  the 
following  report  in  relation  to  the  building  of  the  annex  to  the  almshouse. 
'Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors: 
i           Your  building  committee  would  respectfully  report  that  they  had  hoped  that 
they  might  have  been  able  to  report  that  the  new  annex  to  the  almshouse  was 
'•  completed  or  nearly  so,  but  owing  to  the  length  of  time  it  has  taken  the  plaster- 
>•  ing  to  dry,  the  work  of  finishing  has  been  greatly  delayed.     With   favorable 
weather  we  think  it  can  be  completed  some  time  in  the  coming  month.          .:;•'  . 
During  the  process  of  construction  your  committee  thought  it  best  to  sub- 
'     stitute  hollow  tile  for  floor  and  ceilings  and  mackolite  for  partitions  in  place  of 
expanded  metal,  which  had  been  contracted   for.     For  making  this  exchange 
:    the  contractor  agreed  to  deduct  the  sum  of  $200.00.     We  would  submit  the 
'"•  following  statement  of  amounts  paid  the  contractors  to  the  present  time,  also 
^  the  contract  price:          ....  .       ..                  .    .  ..:;..  •:  -    ..-..- 

Amount  of   contract $19,600.00 

•    Deduction  for  exchange  from  expanded  metal  to  hollow  tile  and  macko- 

;>         lite  fire  proofing  200.00 


-;';•/>:>/••'  ^•^•-•''••'^':-''';^i-.-  ;;;-':-;^<'v\-.';  $I9,4OO.OO 

.:  1st.  estimate  July  7 .!..'...,.....'.....'.....'.....  .V.  .$1,371.48 

2d.  estimate  Aug.  7 1,863.24  •;-:.'   :•  ' 

';    3rd.  estimate  September  9 1,551.80  ;     :   '   . 

: :  4th  estimate  October  14 2,175.42  •     ,-\'  v 

t  5th  estimate  November  29 1,884.00  ;: ,    :.''.. 

6th  estimate  January  26 4,076.91  ;;      .    ', 

:    7th  estimate  March  30 2,329.94  .    '   v  S. 

•;      •  Balance  due  on  contract  $  4,147.21 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


The  following  amounts  we  would  recommend  be  allowed  the  contractors  for 
extra  work  done,  not  called  for  in  the  contract,  but  thought  to  be  necessary 
by  your  committee. 

Door  and  entrance  to  basement $30.00 

Extra  support  for  guttering 18.00 

Moving  partition  and  filling  opening 6.25 

Door  under  stairway  and  labor 5.25 

Other  extras,  carpenter  work,  etc 12.00 


Total    $71.50 

Making  a  balance  that  would  be  due  the  contractors  at  the  completion  of 

the  building  of  $4,218.71 

'  Your  committee  would  also  recommend  that  upon  the  satisfactory  comple- 
tion  of  the  building  they  be  authorized  to  accept  the  same  and  make  a  final 
settlement  with  Messrs.  Munson  &  Tingleaf,  the  contractors,  and  that  upon 
the  order  of  your  committee  the  clerk  be  authorized  to  issue  an  order  in  pay- 
ment  thereof. 

Your  committee  would  further  recommend  that  they  be  authorized  to  accept 
the  new  laundry  building  upon  its  completion,  and  make  final  settlement  with 
F.  W.  Hawk,  contractor,  and  that  the  clerk  be  authorized  to  issue  an  order  in 
final  payment  of  same  on  the  order  of  the  committee. 

Your  committee  would  further  report  that  the  specifications  for  the  plumbing 
for  the  new  building  provide  for  a  hot  water  heater  of  40  gallons  capacity. 
Your  committee  believing  this  entirely  too  small,  would  recommend  that  they 
be  authorized  to  arrange  with  the  contractors  for  one  from  175  to  200  gallons. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

'    '  J.  S.  SIMPSON,  I  ..- 

.         ;  {  ,,);/v  •  .        /  ;       J.  L.  BURKHALTER,          ; J. 

'  ••  ;'O::'y,.- •  .  .     •          •    ,.   ^  •'.••./      .'^'v;     J.R.  YOUNG,  --v^ 

;'V;'.''-V-^    .  ,  ;^-     '         .    '.••?     :;'       :,/.•••-•      jAMES  REBSTOCK, '..;/;':-.•, 

''•-,•';•.' '^'-^'-^      '  .     •    :  ••       '    ''      .-  '.'':.     J.  F.  LATIMER,        "  '  V '' 

;;;•'•-•'-.•'' ^ '••'  '.  ^          '^''•-  •'•'      • '••  .^-     '••:       '.        ''''•'        Committee.  ^' • 

..    On  motion  of  Mr.  Phelps,  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recom- 
mendations  concurred  in. 

December  Meeting,  1900. — Mr.  Gault  of  the  almshouse  committee  presented 
a  statement  in  regard  to  the  construction  of  a  cement  walk  and  the  recommenda- 
tion  in  relation  thereto  was  adopted.  ,  .  -  '.  : '  •  1  ;;  '; 

Your  committee  would  also  report  that  in  accordance  with  the  instructions 
of  the  board  at  its  last  meeting  we  have  had  completed  a  cement  walk  leaciing 
from  the  almshouse  to  the  road  at  a  cost  of  17  cents  a  foot  for  2394  feet,  amount- 
ing  to  $406.98  with  the  contractors'  written  guarantee  attached  to  their  bill  read- 
ing  as  follows :  "We  guarantee  this  cement  walk  for  the  period  of  5  years  from 
date,  should  any  defects  show  up  during  this  period  of  time  which  are  caused 
by  the  action  of  frost  or  the  elements,  or  from  defective  material  or  workman- 
ship,  we  agree  to  replace  such  walk  at  our  expense."  Signed  Terry  &  Lewis, 

Oct.  i8th,  1900.  -'  ^"••;  '^' '  •^-'     •^'''^•'     '••:'''-    '"   -'-'W'-x-'^-''^;';':'---!-''"  '•'  ' 

:•     We  recommend  the  payment  of  the  bill.  ' -i  x-  . 

Terry  &  Lewis,  2394  feet  cement  walk  at  I7c  per  foot .$406.98 


•  /:  5  -;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  :;^  ' 

And  the  almshouse  committee  also  presented  the  following  recommendation 
in  regard  to  water  supply,  which  was  adopted:  • 

Whereas,  The  present  water  supply  at  the  almshouse  is  insufficient  for  the 
ordinary  use  of  the  almshouse,  and  is  totally  inadequate  for  fire  protection. 
Therefore,  we  would  ask  that  we  be  authorized  to  arrange  for  sufficient  supply 
of  water,  either  by  digging  new  well  or  by  contract  with  the  city  of  Knoxville, 
as  upon  further  investigation  seems  to  us  best.  . ..  >:  ^  •  ^.  -."T  ."^-f: 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.  '  •     ,  '    . 

;.;:      ._    .^..^  .,,,..      ..    ..  ..,:...x:tfc''  o.  L.  FAY,    "''-/;;,:; 

; ;' '- ' l;;.'"^- •  v';-  '  : '.  /',':•. :;--;:-v'->-..  ::''"';•'>'-. .- /  '•  "•''•;',:-^  "•••./'•'•..    F.  T.  ALBERT,       '•:"'"''•'', 

./'•-•''':>•  :v'-'      •    ^^•''^^:^^•  •:''•'    ''-'•  -^-v  ..  .  ^' ,'.-.  S^<^/'.-Cr   -'^^  •-'•;        L    B.   GAULT,       •:'.:.     -/^.-/-f^ 

^'''•':    '':'-.- •••''•^••••^   .-/••  i-vP''::'^^^:/ '''''<•::•'•'•'''•' ^'--^'-'-'v-^'-v     GEO.  W,  GALE,      ';;'••••-?;•• 

•  ':','•":    /:  ^,.  •.••:•-''  :;./'-:/V^""  •^•':•'•••'^'\••-;•'^•^  •;•' '^-'^  S.    McWiLLIAMS,  ;'.  . 

••-''•-•  '    .  '••   .:.-.       •:-•  ..  .•  •:  Committee.   " 

"-'-•     September  Meeting,  1901. — Mr.  Gale  of  the  same  committee  read  a  special 
report  in  relation  to  the  extension  of  water  mains  to  the  almshouse  and  on  his 
motion  the  same  was  adopted  and  its  recommendations  concurred  in.          ,     ,  . 
Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supcn'isors: 

Your  committee  who  were  directed  to  secure  from  the  city  of  Knoxville,  if 
possible,  connection  with  the  city  water  service  so  as  to  aflFord  better  fire  pro- 
tection, and  water  service  for  the  almshouse — would  report,  that  they  have  made 
with  the  city  of  Knoxville,  the  contract  herewith  presented,  to-wit: 

It  is  hereby  agreed  by  and  between  the  county  of  Knox,  represented  by  the 
almshouse  committee  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county  and  state  of 
Illinois,  and  the  city  of  Knoxville,  a  municipal  corporation  situated  in  said  county 
and  state  that  the  city  will  extend  its  present  water  system  so  as  to  give  water 
service  to  the  almshouse  in  said  city  of  Knoxville:  That  the  city  will  at  once 
lay  a  four  (4)  inch  main  pipe  of  standard  weight  from  the  end  of  their  present 
system  in  front  of  St.  Mary's  school  in  said  city  to  the  northwest  corner  of 
Douglas  and  Market  streets,  there  to  connect  with  a  pipe  to  be  laid  by  the  county, 
extending  from  that  point  to  the  almshouse  and  grounds  and  connecting  with 
such  hydrants  in  and  about  the  premises  as  the  said  committee  shall  direct  and 
provide.  After  the  completion  of  such  work  the  city  of  Knoxville  will  at  all 
times  furnish  all  water  desired  by  said  county  for  fire  protection,  house  use  and 
other  purposes,  the  same  as  furnished  other  water  customers  and  citizens  of 
Knoxville. 

For  such  service  the  county  shall  pay  to  the  city  quarterly  a  meter  rate  for 
the  water  used  at  the  rate  of  two  (2)  cents  per  lOO  gallons  for  an  amount  be- 
tween looo  and  3000  gallons  per  day,  and  one  and  three- fourths  (i^)  cents 
per  loo  gallons  for  an  amount  equal  to  3000  gallons  per  day  or  more. 

The  county  is  to  furnish  a  four  inch  meter  and  all  connections  and  place  same 
at  a  suitable  place  on  the  line  of  pipe  and  all  work  done  on  this  line  shall  be  under 
the  supervision  of  the  superintendent  of  water  works  of  the  said  city.  . 

rv   Dated  this  iQth  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1901.  .    ,\;V       >  :     -,;;v-.v 

;'    (Seal)       .    .     ,    .     .,  .-        CITY  OF  KNOXVILLE,  '. 

.  ;'-  \  :  '  ^  By  Jesse  Pickrel,  Mayor.    :':.'• 

•  .    (Seal)    ;  •      •;    ::^;:  /  ^-       KNOX  COUNTY  ALMSHOUSE  COMMITTEE,  v 

i^:^  •^^,^''' J:.  '•'••'  ';-:-'\'-\''-^--''  ''^l' :\:'^^^^^^  By.  O.  L.  Fay,  Chairman. 


224  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

••  Also  that  to  carry  out  this  agreement  they  had  plans  and  specifications  for 
the  proposed  work  made  by  John  McAuley,  the  city  engineer  of  Galesburg,  and 
advertised  for  bids  for  the  performance  of  the  work  according  to  such  plans. 

That  upon  opening  the  bids  B.  O.  Krotter  was  found  to  be  the  lowest  bidder, 
and  contract  entered  into  with  him  for  such  work  for  the  sum  of  $1,639.30.  A 
copy  of  said  contract  together  with  the  bond  for  its  faithful  performance  and 
the  plans  of  the  proposed  work  are  now  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  county  clerk. 

Your  committee  would  also  ask  that  upon  the  proper  certificate  of  the  alms- 
house  committee  the  county  clerk  be  directed  to  issue  county  orders  in  payment 
of  such  amounts  as  may  be  found  due  for  work  done,  according  to  the  terms 
of  such  contract.  ,  .-.=  ••  -v 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

;  O.  L.  FAY, 

.•'.'_:- '•';''^' ''•  •  '''''-''•••'•'        ''•••.    ••'•        F.T.ALBERT,     ''';.•'.•'.''/•••.; 

..-.'/r^'H-''"-.  •    .   •       ..    ,       :'    '; -,    ^:    '  \          I.  B.  GAULT, 'I  •  •;';-;  '••:'•• '^ '• 

-  '  V  :•        GEO.  W.  GALE,  :;; 

r    •'•.  .  ,       ;.  ,      •  /    •'•-:•  S.    McWiLLIAMS,  ! 

•'  Committee. 

December  Meeting,  1901. — The  following  mentioned  is  contained  in  the 
report  of  the  almshouse  and  poor-farm  committee  presented  by  Mr.  Gale 
at  the  December  meeting  1901 : 

Your  committee  would  also  report  that  the  pipe  has  been  laid  and  connec- 
tions made  with  the  water  works  of  the  city  of  Knoxville  so  that  the  almshouse 
is  now  provided  with  the  water  service  and  fire  protection  we  were  directed 
to  secure. 

March  Meeting,  1903. — The  following  communication  was  read  and  re- 
ferred to  the  almshouse  committee: 

.  .".'  GiLSON,  ILL.,  March   14,   1903. 

To  the  Board  of  Supervisors:  .,  .-  ;    •          j      .         . 

YOUR  HONORABLE  BODY. — Upon  receiving  information  that  you  were  wanting 
to  purchase  more  land  for  the  benefit  and  use  of  the  Knox  county  almshouse,  I 
take  pleasure  in  announcing  that  the  estate  of  Amos  B.  Palmer,  deceased,  is 
for  sale,  lying  north  and  west  of  county  farm  containing  133^  acres,  more  or 
less;  80  acres  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  balance  consisting  of  two  pastures, 
one  at  the  north  and  one  at  the  south  of  said  133^  acres,  with  an  abundance 
of  wafer  in  both,  and  a  never  failing  well  at  the  house,  a  good  young  orchard 
and  other  fruit  also  a  good  house  of  8  rooms,  good  barn,  cribs  and  sheds,  a 
good  new  windmill  and  tank.  We  can  give  you  immediate  possession.  Price 
$11,000.  Terms  one  half  cash,  balance  on  two  years  time,  for  first  mortgage, 
with  interest  at  the  rate  of  5^  per  cent  per  annum  if  desired. 

I  further  state  that  said  estate  is  free  from  all  incumbrance  and  can  give 
a  clear  title.  .-.  :•  .''  :.  .-.  ;.;''••  •  •-.••  ••  -  .-'-.  •  ••'•.'••;''-'-v-';"/^.'..v>.-;' ..  •) . -•;'  ;-';r,i: 

Any  information  desired  will  be  promptly  attended  to. 

Hoping  this  may  meet  your  approval,  I  remain  yours  very  sincerely,  await- 
ing an  early  reply. 

!  :       >.    ORLO  S.  PALMER,      /- ••: 

:  ,  .      Executor,  Gilson,  III. 

The  following  is  contained  in  a  report  of  the  almshouse  committee  made  by 
Mr.  Butt  at  the  March  meeting  1903:  . 


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224  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  : 

Also  that  to  carry  out  this  agreement  they  had  plans  and  specifications  for 
the  proposed  work  made  by  John  McAuley,  the  city  engineer  of  Galesburg,  and 
advertised  for  bids  for  the  performance  of  the  work  according  to  such  plans. 

That  upon  opening  the  bids  B.  O.  Krotter  was  found  to  be  the  lowest  bidder, 
and  contract  entered  into  with  him  for  such  work  for  the  sum  of  $1,639.30.  A 
copy  of  said  contract  together  with  the  bond  for  its  faithful  performance  and 
the  plans  of  the  proposed  work  are  now  on  file  in  the  oflfice  of  the  county  clerk. 
Your  committee  would  also  ask  that  upon  the  proper  certificate  of  the  alms- 
house  committee  the  county  clerk  be  directed  to  issue  county  orders  in  payment 
of  such  amounts  as  may  be  found  due  for  work  done,  according  to  the  terms 
of  such  contract.  :,  - 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

O.  L.  FAY, 
;  •'  F.  T.  ALBERT, 

.  I.  B.  GAULT,          /      •  V 

•  GEO.  W.  GALE, 

...  .  .  -  S.    McWiLLIAMS, 

Committee.       • 

December  Meeting,  1901. — The  following  mentioned  is  contained  in  the 
report  of  the  almshouse  and  poor-farm  committee  presented  by  Mr.  Gale 
at  the  December  meeting  1901 : 

Your  committee  would  also  report  that  the  pipe  has  been  laid  and  connec- 
tions made  with  the  water  works  of  the  city  of  Knoxville  so  that  the  almshouse 
is  now  provided  with  the  water  service  and  fire  protection  we  were  directed 
to  secure. 

March  Meeting,  1903. — The  following  communication  was  read  and  re- 
ferred to  the  almshouse  committee: 

.      .  GiLSON,  ILL.,   March    14,    1903. 

To  the  Board  of  Supcrrisors:  ..  -        .         •     j 

YOUR  HoxoRAiJLE  BODY. — Upon  receiving  information  that  you  were  wanting 
to  purchase  more  land  for  the  benefit  and  use  of  the  Knox  county  almshouse,  I 
take  pleasure  in  announcing  that  the  estate  of  Amos  B.  Palmer,  deceased,  is 
for  sale,  lying  north  and  west  of  county  farm  containing  133^^  acres,  more  or 
less ;  80  acres  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  balance  consisting  of  two  pastures, 
one  at  the  north  and  one  at  the  south  of  said  133^^  acres,  with  an  abundance 
of  water  in  both,  and  a  never  failing  well  at  the  house,  a  good  young  orchard 
and  other  fruit  also  a  good  house  of  8  rooms,  good  barn,  cribs  and  sheds,  a 
good  new  windmill  and  tank.  We  can  give  you  immediate  possession.  Price 
$11, coo.  Terms  one  half  cash,  balance  on  two  years  time,  for  first  mortgage, 
with  interest  at  the  rate  of  5^'  per  cent  per  annum  if  desired. 

I  further  state  that  said  estate  is  free  from  all  incumbrance  and  can  give 
a  clear  title.  •  .  •  •.  V:  '\'.  •  •  '  t 

Any  information  desired  will  be  promptly  attended  to. 

Hoping  this  may  meet  your  approval,  I  remain  yours  very  sincerely,  await- 
ing an  early  reply. 

ORLO  S.  PALMER, 
E.vecutor,  Gilson,  III. 

The  following  is  contained  in  a  report  of  the  almshouse  committee  made  by 
Mr.  Butt  at  the  March  meeting  1903: 


I 

' 


2.    X 


vy/i.  ;^.-:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :  225 

, '  -'X   •       •         ' '  ', 

In  regard  to  a  communication  from  Orlo  S.  Palmer,  administrator  of  the 
estate  of  Amos  B.  Palmer  offering  the  Palmer  farm  of  I33>i  acres  to  the 
county  for  the  sum  of  $11,000.00,  we  would  respectfully  refer  to  the  open 
board  for  your  consideration. 

The  proposition  of  Orlo  S.  Palmer  for  the  sale  of  land  to  Knox  county  re- 
ferred to  the  almshouse  committee  and  referred  back  to  the  open  board,  was, 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  not  accepted. 

September  Meeting,  1904. — Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which 
was,  on  his  motion,  made  a  special  order  of  business  for  Thursday  at  ii  a.  m. 

Resolved,  That  the  almshouse  committee  be  directed  to  prepare  the  south 
rooms  on  the  lower  floor  of  the  west  wing  of  the  almshouse  for  use  as  a  ward 
for  contagious  diseases  and  arrange  for  the  care  of  all  patients  brought  there 
suffering  from  such  diseases. 

V-  And,  that  after  said  committee  shall  have  so  arranged  and  shall  notify 
the  several  supervisors  and  poor  masters  of  the  county  that  they  are  prepared 
to  care  for  such  cases;  all  persons  suffering  from  contagious  diseases  who  shall 
become  county  charges  shall,  whenever  possible,  be  by  the  several  supervisors 
and  poor  masters  removed  to  the  almshouse  for  care,  and  that  in  such  cases 
the  county  will  not  be  responsible  or  pay  any  bills  for  aid  rendered  outside 
of  the  almshouse,  except  the  expense  of  removal  to  the  almshouse,  and  care  of 
patients  before  such  removal  can  be  made. 

Thursday  Morning. — The  hour  having  arrived  for  the  special  order  of  busi- 
ness relating  to  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale,  of  the  almshouse  committee  offered 
on  Tuesday,  Mr.  Gale  moved  the  adoption  of  said  resolution  whereupon  a  roll 
was  demanded,  which  resulted  as  follows: 

Ayes — McWilliams,  Latimer,  Gale,  Sisson,  Geer,  Swanson,  Burkhalter, 
George,  Junk,  Butt,  Young,  Farwell,  Oberholtzer,  Cardiff,  14. 

Nays — Cowan,  Epperson,  Clark,  Robson,  Fredericks,  Woods,  McDowell, 
Sawyer,  Sloan,  Elliott,  lo.  ...  ,:  •-. -  -  ,-  ..  -  .  .  .  .  :. ,  -•; 

Motion  carried. 

December,  1904. — TJie  hour  having  arrived  for  action  on  the  motion  of  Mr. 
Butt  of  yesterday,  which  was  set  for  a  special  order  of  business  for  2  p.  m. 
today,  in  the  matter  of  rescinding  the  action  of  the  board  at  the  September  meet- 
ing in  relation  to  providing  certain  rooms  in  the  almshouse  for  the  care  of 
patients  having  contagious  diseases,  the  same  was,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Cowan,  laid 
on  the  table.  .'•:'..-•.,..'/'•-•.' ^^-"^'j.'-":,- .•  ^•''-^'  •  '  -^  ^r  •;•-?. --V. ... 

-  V    December  Meeting,  1906. — Mr.  McWilliams  of  the  almshouse  committee  read 
the  following  special  report : 

The  committee  which  were  appointed  to  meet  with  the  city  of  Galesburg  in 
regard  to  a  pest-house  will  report  that  they  find  that  Knox  county  has  paid  on 
smallpox  cases  for  doctor  bills,  nurses  and  groceries,  approximately  the  sum  of 
$3,805.66  for  the  six  years  ending  September,  1906. 

And  the  committee  would  recommend  that  the  chair  appoint  a  committee  of 
three  to  meet  with  a  like  committee  of  aldermen  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  fur- 
ther investigate  the  advisability  of  building  an  isolated  hospital  for  contagious 
diseases  and  report  to  the  board  at  the  March  meeting  before  entering  into  any 
contract  whatsoever.  S.  McWiLLiAMS. 

Mr.  McWilliams  moved  the  adoption  of  the  foregoing  report,  which  was 
seconded.  '  •  • 

TM.S-U          •.'•-..••.;•';.•-;•':-.•-       ^•:.--.    ••  •>        .-  -^.:-.- 


226  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '      :>:-^^V  ;,•''-' 

'  -  _"     •.    •  -^l'-:  •.;;/•'••!.-,-•:  •'-;'.•;. 

After  some  discussion,  Mr.  Gale  moved  as  an  amendment  that  the  chair 
appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  act  with  a  like  number  from  the  city  council  of 
the  city  of  Galesburg  to  make  temporary  provision  for  the  care  of  cases  of  con- 
tagious diseases  now  on  hand  and  that  may  arise,  which  amendment  was  adopted. 

Whereupon  the  chair  appointed  as  said  committee  of  three,  Supervisors 
McWilliams,  Gale  and  Butt.  Mr.  Gale  stated  that  he  would  be  unable  to  serve 
on  said  committee,  whereupon  the  chair  substituted  Supervisor  Farwell  in  his 
stead. 

March  Meeting,  1907. — Mr.  Butt  of  the  special  committee  appointed  at  the 
December  meeting  of  the  board  read  the  following  report,  and  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Davison  the  same  was  adopted : 

GALESBURG,  111.,  March  21,  1907. 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors.        •:..:•.::'-'  --vx'-''    I':  C/f- '^ 

GENTLEMEN  : — Your  committee  of  three,  which  was  appointed  at  the  Decem- 
ber meeting  to  meet  with  a  like  number  from  the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg,  to  make  temporary  provision  for  the  care  of  cases  of  contagious  diseases 
that  were  then  on  hand,  and  that  might  arise,  would  beg  leave  to  make  the  follow- 
ing report:  :,/:.'  '  ';:.  r  '  -v's':'-^^^.v •-';:.,•--•:..-.:"-.':••->.  ^•  ••'•'''''-':  :•::•  IrlJ:'-^-  ''''• 

The  committee  representing  the  board  of  supervisors,  with  a  like  committee 
representing  the  city  council,  met  on  January  pth,  1907.  Present — Dr.  Maley 
S.  McWilliams.  Henry  Hawkinson,  O.  J.  Johnson  and  H.  J.  Butt,  and  Robert 
Farwell,  together  with  Dr.  Hall  of  the  board  of  health,  and  H.  J.  Butt,  secretary. 
The  matter  of  a  temporary  pesthouse  or  detention  hospital  were  fully  discussed 
and  recommendations  were  offered  by  the  doctors  present.  The  committee 
adjourned  until  afternoon,  when  a  meeting  was  again  held,  and  the  representa- 
tives of  the  city  council  that  had  conferred  with  the  city  board  of  health,  and 
had  concluded  that  in  as  much  as  there  was  an  emergency  existing,  a  temporary 
pesthouse  should  at  once  be  secured.  Dr.  Hall  of  the  board  of  health  reported 
that  the  board  of  health  had  rented  the  house  owned  by  Mr.  Gray  on  the  corner  of 
Academy  and  Main  streets. 

-  Upon  motion.  Dr.  Maley,  representing  the  city  council,  and  H.  J.  Butt,  repre- 
senting the  board  of  supervisors,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  furnish  the 
house  as  quickly  as  possible.  The  house  was  furnished  as  quickly  and  as  cheaply 
as  could  possibly  be  done,  and  on  the  lOth  day  of  January  it  was  ready  for 
occupancy.  .:.  --xC  '  '•'  '  -  .  ;  •';  ^^••^' ••'_r  ;  v- :  v|  :  .•-•.•;S - 

On  the  nth  day  of  January,  this  committee  and  all  the  board  of  health  and 
officers  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  were  served  with  injunction  to  not  further  use 
the  house  rented  by  the  board  of  health  for  a  pesthouse.  Dr.  Hall  reported  that 
there  was  one  case  already  in  the  house  when  the  injunction  was  served. 
The  injunction  suit  was  finally  tried  and  the  temporary  injunction  was  made 
permanent. 

Your  committee — Messrs.  McWilliams,  Farwell  and  Butt,  met  immediately 
after  the  injunction  proceedings  were  finished,  and  concluded  unanimously  that 
so  far  as  the  county  committee  was  concerned,  they  would  take  no  further  part 
in  any  further  attempt  to  establish  a  temporary  pesthouse  in  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg. 

This  committee  would  recommend  to  your  honorable  body  that  the  county 
purchase  a  piece  of  land  outside  of  the  city  limits  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  and 


'    ::r;>.;  ;        '    -  :       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY..          .  : '4    .      227 

build  thereon  a  pesthouse  at  a  cost  of  not  to  exceed  $3,000.00  and  report  at  April    f-  , 
meeting  of  board.  .   .  .     .„..  .     ,  „.:.     .   .;    .  :  X 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.      'V  ;:••;       ^''  '  '•;..-..-'   .. 

''     .  .    .  '     '.          '•-,:-.-       .~-'--'".':      '  .' 

:  '^[••'•'''•'-    S.    McWiLLIAMS,       •••'    ;''>^': '•"•;.'•-••• 

-:;•'•' -.^.v'"-      •,  "'''•••••••-'"•''';•'-;:.-:-'•' •'i'-;'.-'^;:'i-;'X''.:   ROBERT  E.  FARWELL,  ./y-  ^'^o;':- ^•. 

'^:  •,  -'..;.;: \. :;:•'•,:;•  V  ;;:::•;:; ; •>,; i^^/,. •.;' • ;;; ^;- \,>'t :£'" ^'.  H.  J.  BUTT,  " '  '•'•r^/;'-' 

Committee.  -";. 

September  Meeting,   1907. — Mr.  McDowell  offered  a  motion  that  the  alms- •- 
house  committee  be  authorized  to  purchase  additional  land  for  the  almshouse  and 
poor- farm  at  a  cost  of  not  to  exceed  the  amount  of  $5,000.00.  ..  •.  ;       •  -  -•  <C 

A  roll  call  upon  the  adoption  of  said  motion  resulted  as  follows:  ::; 

Ayes — McWilliams,  Latimer,  Paden,  Burkhalter,  Geer,  Larson,  O'Neill,  Bar-  - 
low,  Burgland,  Davison,  Deatherage,  Jones,  Butt,  Spenny,  Greig,  Hoxworth,  Reb-    ;  /. 
stock.  Young,  McDowell,  Whiting,  Sloan,  Mcllravy,  22.  •,;'•.-•.•-;',.    >•   ' 

Nays — Farwell,  Oberholtzer,  2.  ' 

Thereupon  the  chair  declared  that  as  a  two-thirds  majority  of  all  the  mem-  .^  '; 
bers  of  the  county  board  had  voted  in  the  affirmative,  the  motion  was  carried.  ; 

December   Meeting,    1907. — Mr.   Whiting  offered   the   following   resolution,.-./. 
which  on  his  motion  was  adopted:  :~ ,, 

Resolved,  That  the  county  clerk  be  directed  to  issue  orders  at  the  rate  of 
seventy-five  dollars  ($75.00)  per  month  for  the  ensuing  year  payable  to  the  order 
of  the  Knox  County  Kindergarten  Association  of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  upon  the 
same  condition  as  to  the  care  of  children  who  are,  or  may  become,  county  charges     .. 
as  are  now  required  by  the  rules  of  this  board.  7  , 

September  Meeting,  1908. — Mr.  McWilliams  of  the  almshouse  committee 
presented  the  following  report,  which,  on  his  motion,  was  made  a  special  order 
of  business  for  Thursday  at  1 130  p.  m.  ^ '.-:' 

GALESBURG,  111.,  Sept.  8th,  1908.          • 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors,  Knox  County,  Illinois.  , 

GENTLEMEN: — Your  committee  which  were  authorized  by  the  motion  of  Su- 
pervisor  Butt  at  the  June  meeting  of  this  board  to  investigate  the  matter  of  light- 
ing the  Knox  county  almshouse  and  buildings,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following   . 
report:  /v    : 

That  your  committee  met  at  the  court  house  in  Galesburg  on  August  4th,  '  ;   -^ 
1908,  and  found  that  in  order  to  get  at  the  matter  of  investigation  of  a  lighting  >V. 
system  for  the  above-named  buildings  that  it  was  necessary  to  have  a  blueprint  v;   ' 
made  of  the  same;  whereupon  your  committee  contracted  with  Architect  J.  Grant 
Beadle  to  make  the  same  at  a  cost  of  $50.00,  and  upon  the  receipt  of  the  same  we 
proceeded  to  advertise  for  bids  for  the  wiring  for  electricity  and  the  piping  for 
gas  of  the  said  buildings,  as  per  specifications,  and  received  the  following  bids         ' 
for  piping  said  buildings  for  gas :          ;  .    •  :.v  /v  /  v.:^  -;.   .         .  :      .   ;:.:--^_.;; 


BID  OF  C.  S.  TELFORD  COMPANY 


"We  hereby  offer  and  agree  to  do  the  gas  fitting  in  the  Knox  county  aims- 
house,  in  Knoxville,  Illinois,  furnishing  all  pipe,  fittings  and  labor  in  accordance 
to  the  plans  and  specifications  furnished  by  J.  Grant  Beadle,  architect,  for  the 


228          "::••  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :•:;:;:-  X.^ 

sum  of  five  hundred  and  ten  dollars  ($510.00).  This  proposition  does  not  include 
gas  fixtures." 

And  also  received  the  following  bid  for  wiring  for  electricity:  .':     •- 

:  -    .     BID  OF  THE   KNOXVILLE  ELECTRIC   LIGHT  AND   POWER   COMPANY 

"We  the  undersigned,  will  agree  to  furnish  all  material  and  labor  for  wiring 
the  Knox  county  almshouse,  and  all  of  the  outbuildings  for  electric  lights  as 
per  your  specifications,  except  the  chandeliers,  which  were  not  specified  what 
kind  they  should  be,  but  will  furnish  all  wire,  sockets  and  labor  for  wiring  and 
hanging  such  fixtures  as  you  may  choose,  for  the  sum  of  $1,531.00. 

"We  also  agree  to  furnish  one  switch  or  feeder  panel  board  to  be  blue  Ver- 
mont marble,  i^  inches  thick,  30  by  48  inches,  complete  with  all  switches  and 
fuse,  for  the  additional  sum  of  $130.00.  ,;;-..  .  |  : 

"We,  the  undersigned,  will  agree  to  furnish  electric  current  for  lighting  the 
Knox  county  almshouse  at  Knoxville  at  the  following  price :  The  first  250  kilo- 
watts consumed  each  month,  lo  cents  per  kilowatt;  the  second  250  kilowatts.  9 
cents  per  kilowatt.  All  above  500  kilowatts  consumed  each  month,  up  to  i,ooo 
kilowatts,  8  cents  per  kilowatt;  all  above  i.ooo  kilowatts  consumed  each  month, 
7  cents  per  kilowatt;  we  to  furnish  all  poles,  wire  and  other  material.  Also 
all  transformers,  meters,  and  deliver  the  current  on  board  in  building,  free  of 
cost  to  you."  '  •.';;"•''..•'  .  '--.  •  r-.-  ..'  -v  -/.^  .  .[  '•^.''.-^. 

Your  committee  herewith  also  present  the  bids  of  the  Arthur  Frantzeen 
Company,  McFell  Electric  Company  and  the  Macomb  Electric  Construction  Com- 
pany, which  we  recommend  be  filed. 

Your  committee  would  respectfully  recommend  that  the  matter  of  lighting  the 
almshouse  and  buildings  be  referred  to  the  open  board  for  final  decision.  |;  > 

Bid  for  piping  for  gas , $    5  lo.oo 

Bid  for  wiring  for  electricity 1,531.00 

Bid  for  switchboard    130.00 


Total  cost  as  per  bids $2,171.00 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

S.    M.    McWiLLIAMS,  ' 

.  >'i^;  .  J.  O.  BAIRD,  ;•'      . 

'  'vi  •  .  .  :  JOHN  C.  GEER,    >    7^ 

^'; .  .'•  .X:',';  '  ";    ''       •    \  •  .••'•-.     '         .          JOHN  SPENNY,     V;,\ 

:         •:-;^:.  .        '  R.E.DAVIDSON, 

.        ..-:...       _  •  Committee. 

The  hour  set  for  the  special  order  of  business  relative  to  the  matter  of  the 
piping  and  wiring  of  the  Knox  county  almshouse  at  Knoxville,  on  motion,  the 
report  of  the  almshouse  committee,  presented  to  the  board  on  Tuesday  morning, 
was  again  read. 

After  some  discussion  Mr.  Barlow  moved  that  the  almshouse  committee  be 
instructed  to  investigate  the  different  lighting  systems,  and  they  be  authorized 
to  install  such  a  system  of  lighting  at  the  almshouse  as  the  committee  deemed 
advisable  and  most  economical  for  the  county,  which  motion  carried. 

December,  1908. — Mr.  Davidson,  of  the  committee  on  almshouse  and  outside 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :    V';  -v     229 


pauper  claims,  read  the  following  special  report  in  relation  to  wiring  and  piping 
of  the  almshouse  for  lighting,  which,  on  his  motion,  was  adopted  and  its  recom- 
mendations concurred  in:  :  v,.    :  .v.i      •: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  Illinois: 

Your  committee  on  almshouse  and  poor-farm  would  respectfully  present  the 
following  report  on  the  matter  of  wiring  the  almshouse  for  lighting  by  electricity 
and  piping  the  same  for  gas,  in  accordance  with  the  meeting  of  the  board  of 
supervisors : 

Your  committee  met  at  the  Knox  county  court  house  in  Galesburg  on  Thurs- 
day, September  17,  1908,  to  advertise  for  bids  for  wiring  and  piping  the  aims- 
house  for  light  purposes  according  to  plans  and  specifications  on  file  in  the  county 
clerk's  office. 

Upon  motion  made  by  Mr.  Geer  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Baird,  Mr.  Spenny 
and  Mr.  Cooke  were  empowered  to  oversee  work  in  regard  to  repairing  and  set- 
ting old  boiler  taken  out  of  laundry  at  almshouse  and  to  be  used  for  heating 
purposes  at  almshouse.  Motion  carried. 

Your  committee  again  met  at  the  Knox  county  court  house  on  Monday, 
October  12,  1908,  to  open  bids  for  wiring  and  piping  almshouse. 

Upon  motion  made  by  Mr.  Geer  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Baird,  the  Knoxville 
Electric  Light  and  Power  Company  were  allowed  the  contract  for  wiring  the 
almshouse  for  the  sum  of  $1,200.00,  according  to  plans  and  specifications  by 
J.  Grant  Beadle,  architect,  now  on  file  in  the  county  clerk's  office.  Also  that 
said  Knoxville  Electric  Light  and  Power  Company  be  allowed  the  sum  of  $125 
for  one  Vermont  marble  switchboard,  24x60  inches,  ij4  inches  thicfc,  all  wired  up 
complete.  Motion  carried;  bond  of  $i,ooo  to  accompany  the  contract. 

It  was  further  agreed  to  enter  into  contract  with  said  Knoxville  Electric 
Light  and  Power  Company  to  furnish  light  at  almshouse  for  two  years  from 
January  i,  1909,  for  the  sum  of  7^/2  cents  per  kilowatt.  -  '.•  .  • 

The  bid  of  C.  S.  Telford  for  piping  almshouse  for  gas  according  to  plans 
and  specifications  furnished  by  J.  Grant  Beadle,  architect,  now  on  file  in  county 
clerk's  office,  for  $465,  was  accepted  and  contract  entered  into,  a  bond  of  $300 
being  attached  to  contract. 

We  would  recommend  that  the  clerk  be  directed  to  issue  a  county  order  to 
J.  Grant  Beadle,  for  $55,  for  making  plans  and  specifications  for  wiring  and 
piping  the  almshouse  and  buildings,  in  accordance  with  contract  with  him  as 
heretofore  reported  by  your  committee  to  this  board. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted.    We  move  the  adoption  of  the  report 
and  recommendations  concurred  in.-..      :•;  .  .,    /  .  -r  -.  :  ;  •; 

...    ...      ._.       ._  .^     ._.....,.....    ,-:••:;.•. ^'"''.;^;''v':-''       S.  M.  McWiLLiAMS,     '-^•^.;' 

-.••,':'  .-.  ..  •'':-.  '  -./    •' '  'i-''l  ^V^vV  .V  •'•;.':'•'•'-;' v'^::  V.-        J.  O.  BMRD,  :f,--\-^ 

^::,v';^  ;/.•;.;;  '.V.:  :^-  -^^  •'.:V-'.;-.;'.."":--'..  '  ^- -.•'^i-X'T-i  -      R-  E.  DAVIDSOJJ,:.^ ••:-•;(.':!'] 

V   ^'^^/ '''.^'^^-••'  '• -v    '"'^   ',•;•-' -;":'^\,^'  ^'  /''-:;..;..  /'^' \:- ',:N\''I-         JOHN  C.  GEER,      .;    i'- '•''-'''/•-, 

•''!'-..••     ".''• -v  ••';•.' -i'   .,  ^••'•" '••-'.    ;•.••''.•:'.'•. ''^'•^•':'?-."'        JOHN  SPENNY,  '•'.. 

•  Committee. 

September,  1909. — On  motion  of  Mr.  McWilliams,  the  board  granted  the 
privilege  of  the  floor  to  Dr.  C.  B.  Ripley,  who  addressed  the  board  on  the  subject 
of  establishing  a  county  sanitarium  for  the  treatment  of  tuberculosis. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sloan,  the  almshouse  committee  was  authorized  to  enter 


230  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    '';--•    ? 

into  contract  with  one  of  the  hospitals  in  the  city  of  Galesburg  for  the  care  of 
county  patients,  -    .  .,  ;  :  ; " '.f-'.    ::v,  v  ^ 

December,  1909. — The  following  special  report  of  the  almshouse  corhmittee, 
together  with  contract,  order  to  county  clerk  and  statements  relative  to  purchase 
of  the  Nicholas  Peterson  farm  were  read : 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Kno.r  County,  Illinois:      •:  i  :)  :      '    ; 

Your  committee  authorized  at  the  September  meeting  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors of  Knox  county  to  purchase  additional  land  for  the  almshouse  and  poor- 
farm,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report : 

That  on  October  23,  1909,  your  committee  purchased  from  C.  W.  Morris  his 
interest  in  what  is  known  as  the  Nicholas  Peterson  farm,  he  holding  a  contract 
for  the  same,  agreeing  to  pay  therefore  $19,925,  and  for  which  said  interest  of 
said  C.  W.  Morris  in  said  contract,  we  paid  by  county  clerk's  order  $3,800, 
leaving  due  on  said  contract  sums  due  as  follows,  to-wit: 

January  i,  1910,  $1,125,  ^"d  March  3,  1910,  $15,000.  -•:--:;: -1       ^, 

Your  committee  would  recommend  that  they  be  granted  authority  to  make 
such  arrangements  as  are  necessary  for  meeting  the  further  terms  of  the  contract, 
and  to  direct  the  county  clerk  to  issue  clerk's  orders  in  payment  thereof.  Said 
land  described  as  follows:  Situate  in  the  county  of  Knox  and  state  of  Illinois, 
known  and  described  as  lots  one  (i)  and  five  (5)  (according  to  the  plat  on 
page  366  of  Volume  44,  Knox  County  Deed  Records)  of  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  twenty  (20),  and  also  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter 
of  said  section  twenty  (20),  all  of  said  lands  situated  in  township  eleven  (ii) 
north,  range  two  (2)  east  of  the  fourth  principal  meridian.  ;•...:,••  .|  ' 

June,  1911. — Mr.  Sargent  presented  and  read  the  following  communication, 
together  with  the  petitions  accompanying  same.  ; 

GALESBURG,  111.,  June  13,  1911. 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,        ,..,•':  1 

GENTLEMEN: — At  a  meeting  held  on  Tuesday  evening,  June  8,  1911,  the 
undersigned  discussed  the  question  of  the  feasibility  of  a  tent  colony  for  the 
treatment  of  those  in  this  county  afflicted  with  tuberculosis,  and  it  was  the 
unanimous  sentiment  that  the  time  had  come  for  a  positive  step  in  this  direction 
and  that  your  honorable  body  is  best  situated  to  take  the  initial  steps,  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  the  county  has  already  purchased  the  land  needed  for  that  purpose. 
It  was  generally  understood  at  the  time  of  the  acquisition  that  ultimately  the 
county  would  establish  such  a  tent  colony  or  sanitarium  there  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  people  of  this  county.  Since  the  procuring  of  the  land  there  have 
been  many  deaths  in  the  county  from  consumption,  and  there  are  now  within  its 
confines  many  such  with  the  disease.  It  seems  only  the  part  of  mercy  that  all 
such  be  afforded  the  modern  facilities  for  treatment  close  at  home.  It  was  the 
unanimous  opinion  of  those  of  us  who  are  physicians  that  the  tent  colony  offers 
the  best  method  of  stamping  out  the  disease.  As  taxpayer^  and  citizens  we  ask 
your  respectful  consideration  of  the  subject,  and  also  that  you  assist  insofar  as 
your  honorable  body  can  in  the  dissemination  of  information  among  the  homes 


:V  ^  ;•  •  ;;:w-   X      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ;'•;;::-    231     ^ 

of  the  county  regarding  the  disease  to  the  end  that  its  ravages  may  be  mitigated. 
All  of  which,  with  the  accompanying  petitions,  is  respectfully  submitted.  .''''.^'  ! 

>  r"       :  :..;    ;-"    .  J.  M.  Cox,  M.D.,  -;  .'4        J-  C.  SIMPSON,     -v.^;;:  ;\ 

>;   •:\'xu      •::::••   J.  F.  PERCY,  M.D.,        -  ;:;;       G.  W.  KIRBY,  v.' V.';..:  ; 

.-.:'..          •'  •,   C.  B.  RiPLEY,  M.D.,       ''''  ROBERT  CHAPPELL,    -    .,  'v 

y  T.  '^^     ;      :',•    ^^' :;    G.  A.  LONGBRAKE,  M.D.,  A.I.SARGENT,          ^.:'^'v    '; 

:;^'   V.     /  '  :•'    GEORGE  W.  THOMPSON,  A.  B.  DIETZ,^  v. ::-./.; -v.: 

E.  R.  DRAKE,  FRED  R.  JELLIFF. 

We,  the  undersigned,  being  firmly  convinced  that  the  time  has  come  when 
this  county  should  provide  suitable  equipment  for  the  stamping  out  of  tuber- 
culosis in  our  midst,  and  thereby  saving  to  the  community  hundreds  of  useful 
lives ;  and  believing  that  further  delay  is  unjustifiable,  do  hereby  respectfully 
petition  the  honorable  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county  to  take  immediate 
steps  toward  equipping  a  tent  colony  on  the  land  recently  purchased  by  the  board  \ 
for  that  purpose.  .  ;;.  :r  .:/  :  v;^.::  :. 

••:  .        •  •  CLARK  E.  CARR,  F.M.CONNOLLY,        .;^-:'.\-v,:  ^^     .    ' 

.;    '         ;/-.:>  GEORGE  W.  PRINCE,  REV.  STUART  M.  CAMPBELL,      .;> 

'  •        -       :.  M.  J.  DAUGHERTY,  THOMAS  MCCLELLAND,  ': 

•  GEORGE  SANDERSON,  AND  200  OTHERS.  .     :?  •    . 

Dr.   Sargent  then  stated  that  Dr.  Cox  and  others  of  the   Medical   Society         -. 
of  the  City  of   Galesburg  and  Knox   county  were  present  and   he  requested 
that  they  be  permitted  to  address  the  board.    Whereupon  he  introduced  Dr.  Cox,        -^ 
who  stated  that  he  was  representing  the  Medical  Society  of  the  City  of  Galesburg, 
and  came  before  them  to  urge  the  necessity  and  importance  of  the  establishment         ; 
of  a  sanitarium  for  the  care  and  treatment  of  persons  afflicted  with  tuberculosis, 
and  suggested  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  the  members  of  the  board  of        •'• 
supervisors  to  investigate  the  question  and  give  it  thorough  consideration,  with 
the  object  of  establishing  such  a  sanitarium  on  a  broad  basis  so  that  all  classes 
could  and  would  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  thereof.  .    j'  : 

Dr.  William  O'R.  Bradley  also  addressed  the  board,  and  he  urged  the  co-oper- 
ation of  the  board  of  supervisors  with  the  medical  societies  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg and  Knox  county  in  establishing  and  putting  in  order  and  thoroughly  equip- 
ping a  sanitarium  for  the  treatment  of  tuberculosis.  '  .  '. : 

Dr.  G.  A.  Longbrake  also  appeared  and  emphasized  the  importance  of  isola- 
tion of  tubercular  patients  for  their  own  benefit  and  for  the  prevention  of  the 
spread  of  the  disease  among  persons  not  affected  by  it. 

Dr.  Ryan  also  spoke  to  the  board  and  emphasized  the  importance  of  the  estab-';>  ' 
lishment  of  a  sanitarium  for  the  treatment  of  tuberculosis.  .:,     ..•...:; 

Dr.  Ripley  stated  that  he  appeared  as  the  representative  of  the  County  Medi- 
cal Society,  and  the  County  Society  joined  with  the  City  Medical  Society  in  urg-        '•:- 
ing  the  importance  of  the  matter  of  the  establishment  of  a  sanitarium  for  the 
proper  treatment  of  tuberculosis.  ,  :  .-  .  ^ 

Mr.  Greig  here  stated  to  the  board  that  personally  he  realized  .the  need  of  the 
proper  care  and  treatment  of  tubercular  subjects  and  the  great  importance  of  the  '^ 
matter;  but  that  if  the  sanitarium  mentioned  in  the  discussion  before  the  board 
would  be  solely  for  the  accommodation  of  patients  from  Knox  county,  he  ques- 
tioned whether  the  community  was  large  enough  to  warrant  the  great  expense 
necessary  to  establish  and  properly  equip  and  maintain  a  sanitarium,  and  he 


232  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^t'"  :.  V; 

expressed  his  belief  that  the  time  would  come  when  the  treatment  and  care 
of  tubercular  cases  would  be  carried  on  in  like  manner  by  the  state  as  the  insane 
patients  are  now  cared  for,  and  in  such  a  case  the  large  outlay  by  counties  for 
the  purpose  would  be  useless. 

Dr,  Sargent  then  offered  a  motion  that  a  special  committee  of  five  members 
of  the  board  be  appointed  by  the  chairman,  with  instructions  to  confer  with  the 
medical  societies  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county  and  make  some  defi- 
nite recommendations  as  to  the  propriety  of  establishing  a  colony  or  sanitarium 
for  the  care  and  treatment  of  tuberculosis,  and  report  the  results  of  their  con-  ' 
siderations  to  the  next  September  meeting  of  the  county  board,  which  motion 
prevailed. 

Mr.  Deatherage  then  offered  a  motion  that  the  special  committee  be  appointed 
for  the  consideration  of  the  tubercular  colony  and  sanitarium  matter,  be  given 
authority  to  visit  sanitaria  in  other  places  and  investigate  the  methods  and  expense 
of  conducting  such  places  and  make  a  full  report  of  same  to  the  board,  and  the 
county  to  pay  the  expense  of  the  committee  in  making  such  investigations,  which 
motion  prevailed. 

September,  1911. — The  chair  announced  that  the  hour  had  arrived  which  was 
set  for  a  special  order  of  business,  and  offered  the  representatives  of  the  Knox 
County  and  Galesburg  Medical  Societies  that  were  present  the  privilege  of  address- 
ing the  board. 

Whereupon  Dr.  Cox  appeared  and  discussed  the  estimated  cost  of  establish- 
ment and  maintenance  of  a  sanitarium  for  the  treatment  of  tuberculosis  for 
Knox  county,  as  based  upon  reports  on  like  institutions  in  the  state  of  New 
York  and  other  eastern  states. 

Mr.  Minnich,  secretary  of  the  Illinois  association  for  the  prevention  of  Tuber- 
culosis also  spoke  briefly  along  the  same  lines  and  of  the  purpose  and  value  of 
such  as  institution.  .  -  ., 

Dr.  Franing  then  spoke  briefly  on  the  same  subject. 

Mr.  Robson  of  the  special  committee  on  the  sanitarium  for  the  treatment 
of  tuberculosis  read  the  following  report:  "  '  .^^  •  •  -I  -:• 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  pertaining  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  tuberculosis  sanitarium,  would  respectfully  report  to  your  hon- 
orable board,  that  they  met  on  Aug.  pth  at  the  court  house,  at  which  time  a 
number  of  the  physicians  were  present  and  their  arguments  were  heard,  and  we 
are  presenting  herewith  a  folder  presented  by  the  physicians  as  their  final  ar- 
gument in  favor  of  the  establishment  of  a  county  sanitarium. 

From  the  statement  made  by  the  physicians  we  have  their  estimate  that  there 
are  approximately  234  people  in  Knox  county  affected  with  tuberculosis.  We 
have  the  statement  of  the  physicians  that  in  1909  there  were  in  Knox  county 
297  deaths,  from  all  causes,  and  50  of  these  were  from  tuberculosis.  We  find 
from  the  records  that  during  the  year  from  Nov.,  1909,  to  Nov.,  1910,  there 
were  28  deaths  reported  as  caused  from  tuberculosis  and  8  more  from  some 
form  of  tuberculosis  other  than  pulmonary  tuberculosis.  From  this  informa- 
tion it  would  seem,  that  if  a  tubercular  sanitarium  were  to  be  established,  that 
it  should  have  a  capacity  of  from  50  to  60  patients. 

With  the  idea  of  seeking  further  information,  as  to  what  was  necessary  in 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  /> '      288 


the  establishing  of  a  proper  tubercular  sanitarium,  your  committee  visited  the 
Edward  sanitarium,  at  Naperville,  111.  This  is  an  institution  for  the  treatment 
of  incipient  pulmonary  tuberculosis,  and  only  patients  in  the  early  stages  of 
pulmonary  tuberculosis  are  admitted. 

;  This  institution  has  a  permanent  service  building,  with  dining  room,  kitchen, 
laundry  and  accommodations  for  the  employees.  It  also  has  a  medical  building, 
including  office,  medical  facilities,  laboratory,  infirmary  and  rooms  for  the 
medical  and  nursing  stafl.  The  service  building  was  a  gift,  and  represents  an 
expenditure  of  approximately  $12,000.  The  medical  building  was  built  at  a 
cost  of  $21,435.  This  cost  does  not  include  the  installation  of  a  laboratory, 
such  as  seems  to  be  necessary  for  an  institution  of  this  kind,  and  which  would 
cost  approximately  $4,000,  this  being  the  cost  of  the  laboratory  at  Ottawa. 
This  institution  has  also  4  open  air  shacks  with  a  capacity  of  36  beds.  These 
shacks  cost  approximately  $i,ioo  each.  There  are  also  5  tents,  having  a  ca- 
pacity of  lo  beds,  which  cost  about  $125.00  each.  This  gives  a  capacity  of 
46  patients  in  the  shacks  and  tents,  the  balance  being  provided  for  in  the  medical 
building.  There  are  also  in  this  institution,  two  day  resting  shacks,  representing 
a  cost  of  a  little  over  $500  or  a  total  investment  of  approximately  $42,500. 
:  .  This  institution  shows  a  total  operating  expense,  outside  of  improvements 
to  buildings  and  grounds  and  furniture  and  furnishings,  of  approximately 
$21,600  per  year.  The  per  capita  expense  at  this  place  is  approximately  $10.00 
per  patient  per  week.  It  will  also  be  noted  that  these  patients  are  expected  to 
do  considerable  towards  their  own  care,  in  the  way  of  taking  care  of  their 
accommodations,  such  as  care  of  sleeping  quarters,  etc.  ;  ;;. 

Your  committee  also  visited  the  colony  at  Ottawa,  111.,  and  found  there  an 
institution  with  a  capacity  of  about  60  patients.  This  institution  has  an  ad- 
ministration building,  containing  the  dining  room,  offices,  and  accommodations 
for  the  employees,  together  with  heating  plant  and  kitchen,  which  represents 
a  cost  of  approximately  $25.000.  There  is  a  bath  house  costing  $4500  and  an 
annex  or  shack,  containing  the  laboratory  and  sleeping  apartments  for  5  or 
6  patients.  At  this  institution  the  patients  are  principally  kept  in  tents,  each 
patient  having  an  individual  tent.  About  half  of  the  tents  in  this  institution 
are  permanent  affairs  and  cost  about  $250.00  each,  and  the  other  are  temporary 
tents  and  cost  about  $215.00  each.  The  total  investment  here  represents  ap- 
proximately $48,000.00. 

At  this  institution,  not  only  the  incipient  cases  are  admitted  but  also  the 
more  advanced,  although  the  latter  are  not  desired.  The  annual  cost  of  main- 
taining this  institution  was  not  obtainable  although  we  were  advised  by  the 
superintendent  that  the  pay  roll  was  about  $2000  per  month,  and  judging  from 
the  records  of  the  Edward  Sanitarium  at  Naperville,  your  committee  is  in- 
clined to  the  belief  that  this  represents  about  one-half  of  the  actual  cost  of 

operation.  •::/':  .^'V;-.' ';•-.:/..>.,  .•'--  -.:'    .    .'••!;•;':/;';•>;;-."•-:/ 

The  cost  of  construction  given  herein  for  the  two  institutions  does  not 
include  the  cost  of  real  estate  or  the  installation  of  the  proper  water  service, 
nor  the  drainage  or  sewerage  proposition. 

, ;.  Both  of  the  institutions  mentioned,  cater  principally  to  the  patients  who 
are  able  to  pay  their  way,  more  especially  the  colony  at  Ottawa.  The  colony 
at  Naperville  received  contributions  from  outside  sources  which  enables  them 


234          :•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .;^':  •  :  I 

to  provide  for  a  number  of  free  patients.  Their  statement  from  1907  to  1911, 
shows  that  40  per  cent  of  the  patients  were  pay  patients,  51  per  cent  were  free 
patients  maintained  by  private  subscriptions  and  from  other  sources,  and  9  per 
cent  were  semi  free,  or  in  other  words,  assisted  in  part  by  various  organizations 
and  individuals. 

The  costs  enumerated  herein,  are  for  the  care  of  the  incipient  cases.  It 
would  appear  that  this  cost  would  necessarily  be  insufficient  where  the  care 
of  advanced  cases  are  to  be  undertaken. 

Your  committee  is  very  firmly  of  the  belief,  that  if  Knox  county  is  to  un- 
dertake the  establishment  of  a  tuberculosis  sanitarium  that  it  should,  most  em- 
phatically, provide  for  the  care  of  the  advanced  cases,  although  there  is  no 
way  by  which  these  apparently  dangerous  cases  may  be  compelled  to  submit  to 
treatment  or  even  to  the  sanitarium,  except  in  the  most  advanced  cases,  coming 
from  the  homes  where  the  illness  causes  dependency.  These  cases  have  been, 
and  are  now  being  received  at  the  almshouse  and  cared  for  in  a  very  satisfactory 
manner.  •:-•  ;.;•.:-.;.••  y/  ••••;.;'•':;,-, ''^  .';!.''•.  -"v^'-'i':', ••.•/'•'"' 

Your  committee  is  further  of  the  opinion  that  should  this  honorable  board 
see  fit,  at  this  time,  to  establish  a  county  sanitarium  for  the  care  and  treat- 
ment of  tuberculosis,  that  a  reasonable  sanitarium  could  be  established  at  a 
cost  of  approximately  $25,000.  '•'  -  •  :;;v>- ,;•-.'•;.;-  V;;;^^-!  .:•. 

The  fact  that  the  present  tax  levy  is  practically  up  to  the  limit  allowed  by 
law,  would  make  it  necessary  that  this  amount  be  provided  by  a  bond  issue  of 
the  county  for  this  purpose. 

Your  committee  further  believes  that  a  great  deal  of  good  might  be  done 
along  this  line  by  education  and  would  recommend  that  the  matter  be  taken 
up  with  the  county  superintendent  of  schools  in  order  that  the  results  obtained 
from  proper  care  in  cases  of  tuberculosis  might  be  taught  in  the  public  schools 
of  the  county. 
'••.•'•:!•'  "  ••\\  ••-..'•  ::  v'- .  E.  P.  RoBsoN,  -t  •.;•:"'. 

•,  ',>  V :  '     ,  .  ^  '   S.  A.  HoxwoRTH, 

'••'      :  \;:,'^ :  .  ••         ':".':.    •    •'    .  '  '         '  -^:^'   J.  W.  BARRY, 

.     •    N:;-  •:  •  :  J-  O-  BAIRD, 

•'••    >'V ';••''•''•'       •    '        '         "''       •""     •     •"•'      ':'•''/' •.^" "  A.  F.  PADEN. 
To  the  Honorable,  the  Special  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox 

County,  on  the  Question  of  a  Tuberculosis  Sanitarium. 

GENTLEMEN  : — In  this  final  argument  in  favor  of  the  establishment  of  a 
county  sanitarium  for  the  treatment  of  tubercular  patients,  it  is  not  our  in- 
tention or  desire  to  wear  out  the  patience  of  this  honorable  body.  We  wish  to 
present  simply  the  salient  points  touching  upon  the  cause  of  the  disease,  its 
universal  dissemination,  false  ideas  about  its  propagation  and  spread,  its  social 
side  and  its  financial  aspect,  its  prevention  and  lastly  its  care  and  cure,  so 
that  you  will  have  a  firm  basis  of  fact  for  your  action. 

The  disease  was  named  phthisis  or  consumption  by  the  Greeks  because  of 
[  its  wasting  action.  Hippocrates,  the  Greak  physician,  who  lived  twenty  cen- 
turies ago,  gives  an  accurate  description  of  the  disease,  which  does  not  vary 
much  from  what  we  see  today.  The  disease  has  spread  so  that  today  it  is 
found  in  every  clime  and  among  all  people.  Its  virulence  varies  with  the 
physical  development  of  the  people,  their  racial  history  and  their  environment 


^';^  :       .':^;'  ;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -    ^    .^v      235 

and  social  habits.  Some  people  are  unusually  susceptible  to  the  disease,  notable 
the  negroes,  and  mulattoes  and  the  Indians,  especially  half  breeds.  People  who 
have  lived  an  outdoor  life  for  generations  and  are  then  housed  by  civilization 
are  very  prone  to  it  and  whole  tribes  have  been  "literally  wiped  off  the  face 
of  the  earth"  when  they  have  been  educated  to  clothes  and  foul  smelling  hut. 

The  real  nature  of  the  disease  was  not  known  until  1882  when  Koch,  the 
great  German  scientist,  discovered  the  germ,  and  by  cultivation  and  inoculation 
proved  it  to  be  the  cause  of  the  disease.  Prior  to  this  time  it  was  supposed  to 
be  hereditary  and  when  a  person  was  attacked  all  hope  was  gone  and  little  was 
done  in  the  way  of  prevention  or  cure. 

The  disease  is  caused  by  the  bacillus  tuberculosis,  a  small  germ  which  has 
to  be  magnified  800  or  i,ooo  times  and  colored  before  it  can  be  detected.  It  is 
hardy  and  tenacious  of  life.  When  expectorated  and  allowed  to  lodge  in  a  warm, 
damp  place,  it  will  live  two  months. 

Heating  to  a  temperature  of  145  degrees  will  not  kill  it.  If,  however,  it  is 
exposed  to  the  air  and  sunlight  for  two  days  it  will  be  destroyed.  Sunlight 
and  fresh  air  sounds  the  death  knell  of  tuberculosis.  The  germs  have  never 
been  discovered  in  the  blood  nor  is  there  an  authentic  instance  where  the  dis- 
ease has  been  transmitted  from  the  mother  to  the  unborn  child. 

It  is  mildly  contagious,  if  at  all.  It  is  transmitted  in  two  ways  usually — 
by  inhalation  and  by  means  of  the  food.  Sixty-four  per  cent  occurs  by  inhaling 
the  dried  sputum  and  20  per  cent  by  ingesting  the  germs.  There  may  be  other 
ways  but  they  are  not  fully  proven,  possibly  by  inoculation.  The  infection 
occurs  by  means  of  the  dried  sputum,  which  is  carried  about  by  the  air  and 
inhaled,  or  by  drops  of  mucous  which  may  be  expectorated  on  the  pillow  or 
sheets  and  some  one  lies  on  them  and  becomes  infected.  The  tonsil  is  an  ex- 
cellent resting  place  for  the  germ  until  it  matures  and  develops. 

It  is  quite  well  established  that  children  are  infected  by  tuberculosis  cow's 
milk.  That  fact  that  nearly  all  children  who  have  tuberculosis  have  the  glands 
of  the  bowel  and  its  covering  infected,  would  seem  to  prove  this  conclusively. 

Years  ago  when  it  was  the  common  belief  that  the  disease  was  hereditary  and, 
therefore,  inevitable  in  a  family,  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  a  sick  patient 
cover  the  floor  with  foul  expectoration  which  was  allowed  to  dry  and  was 
wafted  by  the  wind  to  all  parts  of  the  neighborhood,  infecting  not  only  the 
family,  but  every  one  in  the  vicinity.  Domestic  animals  have  often  been  thus 
infected. 

It  has  been  conclusively  proven  that  7  per  cent  of  all  deaths  are  due  to  the 
disease  the  world  over.  That,  however,  does  not  tell  half  the  story.  German 
pathologists  have  proven  by  autopsies  that  fully  75  per  cent  of  all  the  people  who 
died  had  the  disease  in  some  form  or  other.  This  was  true  of  children  as  well 
as  adults.  What  a  sad  state  of  affairs!  Fortunately  all  people  who  have  tu- 
bercles do  not  develop  the  disease.  They  are  a  constant  menace,  however, 
so  that  when  the  system  becomes  debilitated  and  the  people  live  in  dark  houses 
with  foul  air,  there  is  a  physical  explosion  and  consumption  results.  The  far 
greater  frequency  of  tuberculosis  in  cities  as  compared  to  country  districts  and 
villages  is  shown  by  statistics  of  Paris  in  the  number  of  cases  per  thousand  5 
per  cent  and  in  the  villages  2  per  cent.  Under  preventive  measures  and  better 
hygiene  the  ratio  of  tuberculosis  is  gradually  decreasing.  In  New  York  the 


1286        ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     !.-";^  i\ 

mortality  has  decreased  50  per  cent  in  lo  years,  and  it  has  fallen  40  per  cent 
in  Philadelphia  in  the  same  time.  Hilles  has  shown  that  by  the  same  rate  of 
decrease  as  has  occurred  in  Prussia  in  the  past  ten  years,  the  disease  will  be 

:  extinct  in  1927,  and  in  England  1947. 

It  is  an  appalling  thing  to  contemplate  that  at  least  75  per  cent  of  our 
people  carry  the  germs  of  tuberculosis.  It  is  estimated  that  more  than  one 
hundred  thousand  die  from  the  disease  annually  in  the  United  States.  During 

.  1909  there  were  65,612  deaths  in  the  state  of  Illinois  from  all  causes  and 
7,078  were  from  consumption.  In  the  age  period  between  20  and  30  there 
were  in  Illinois  5,205  deaths  from  all  causes.  Of  this  number  1849  were  from 
tuberculosis  which  is  a  death  rate  of  35  per  cent.  Thus  during  the  most  active 
period  of  life  35  per  cent  of  the  deaths  are  from  this  dread  disease.  In  Knox 
county  alone  there  were  497  deaths  from  all  causes  and  50  of  those  were 

.     from  consumption.     This  is  not  a  sporadic  condition  due  to  some  sudden  epi- 
demic, but  is  a  continuous  condition.       ;         ;  s ''    -    ;^'  --"'.i.^';', "''    -^  .1  : 
..  Thus  the  matter  is  brought  down  to  our  homes.     Every  year  fifty  of  our 

.  people  die  of  this  disease  and  almost  half  of  them  are  at  the  development  per- 
iod. It  is  time  something  were  done  to  check  the  ravages  of  this  death  dealing 
agent.  How  many  homes  have  you  seen  in  your  county  completely  decimated 
by  this  disease  because  the  patients  could  not  get  proper  care?  Prevention  is 
the  watch  word.  The  people  are  being  educated  along  the  line  of  hygiene 
by  the  schools  and  various  organizations  for  the  prevention  of  tuberculosis, 
but  it  will  be  several  generations  before  the  disease  is  under  control.  In  the 

J  meantime  the  unfortunates  who  have  the  disease  have  to  be  cared  for  and  cured 
if  possible.  While  change  of  climate  plays  a  part  in  the  checking  of  the  dis- 

•' .  ease,  it  is  unimportant  as  compared  to  the  proper  care  and  feeding  in  the  climate 
and  environment  to  which  the  consumptive  is  accustomed.  Home  treatment  is 

'  almost  a  failure  in  those  cases.  They  need  at  all  times  intelligent  supervision. 
They  may  be  educated  to  sleep  out  of  doors  which  helps  a  great  deal,  but  their 
diet  must  be  well  balanced  and  of  such  a  quality  that  it  can  be  properly  as- 
similated. It  is  much  harder  to  control  the  patients  in  their  own  home  because 
of  the  anxious  solicitation  of  their  friends,  who  break  the  rules  laid  down  and  ir- 
retrievably injure  the  patient.  It  is  impossible  to  make  unhygienic  surroundings 
fit  for  consumptive  patients.  The  surroundings  should  be  pleasant  and  every- 

•  thing  done  that  would  tend  to  take  his  mind  from  himself  and  his  terrible  af- 
fliction. It  would  be  a  revelation  for  you  to  see  the  patients  sent  even  from 
good  homes  to  the  sanitarium  by  people  who  thought  they  were  competent 
to  handle  the  patient.  In  nearly  every  case  a  crime  against  good  judgment  was 
committed  when  it  was  sought  to  do  only  good. 

The  sanitarium  is  as  necessary  in  the  treatment  of  tuberculosis  as   is  the 

.     hospital  in  the  successful  handling  of  medical  and  surgical  cases. 

It  is  an  institution  equipped  for  the  care  of  the  sick  and  has  facilities  for 

'  the  successful  application  of  physiological  therapeutics  that  cannot  be  provided 
in  the  home. 

Of  the  many  obstacles  to  the  successful  application  of  the  treatment  of 
tuberculosis,  not  the  least  is  in  meeting  the  necessary  expense  of  treatment. 

•.  When  sanitarium  treatment  is  suggested  as  it  has  been  in  the  past,  we  were 
met  with  the  obstacle  that  the  patient  was  not  able  to  stand  the  expense.  That 


^;;  -  ;y  V      ;,;      ;•     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^          ' .'-.'•C:.  ,     2gt7. 

was  all  too  true,  and  it  is  for  that  very  reason  that  county  sanitariums  are  being 
established.  They  will  reduce  the  expense  to  the  minimum,  and  at  the  same 
time  will  be  near  at  hand  for  the  patients. 

'-  However,  we  cannot  escape  from  the  burden  of  tuberculosis,  no  matter 
which  way  we  turn.  It  must  be  borne  by  the  patient  or  his  friends  or  by  the 
state.  Fortunately  the  cure  is  the  least  expensive,  but  up  to  the  present  the 
fact  has  not  been  realized.  There  is  as  much  money  spent  in  the  care  of  tuber- 
culosis patients  as  would  be  necessary  to  cure  all  those  afflicted  if  properly  ap- 
plied. It  will  usually  cost  less  to  cure  a  patient  in  a  sanitarium  than  to  care  for 
him  during  the  months  and  even  years  of  his  illness,  to  say  nothing  about  the 
loss  of  his  own  time  and  that  of  his  friends  who  care  for  him.  . .  ,-  . 

THE  ECONOMIC  VALUE  OF  THE  SANITARIUM  TREATMENT  OF  PULMONARY         .';; 

'••'•V-'\:';. /,'-   .:'.  ^-'\-''', '':•:;.;:;..•:.:••::-'  TUBERCULOSIS  ''-'--i/-:    '  ^:' '•  ,:~'^:  •.•.•-:;'••'•• 

Dr.  David  Russell  Lyman,  Wallingford :  The  Gaylord  Farm  Sanitarium  was 
opened  September,  1904,  and  on  May  ii,  1911,  they  had  676  discharged 
patients  who  had  been  away  from  the  institution  for  six  months  or  longer. 
Thirty-four  were  school  children  and  had  no  earning  capacity.  This  left  633 
cases  on  wh'ich  my  study  is  based.  X^he  results  of  treatment  are  in  direct 
ratio  with  the  stage  of  the  disease  at  which  the  diagnosis  is  made.  The  in- 
cipient cases  show  an  average  total  earning  of  $1,020.60,  the  moderately  ad- 
vanced of  $842.22,  while  the  far  advanced  earned  an  average  of  $192.10.  The 
incipient  cases  showed  a  working  capacity  of  70  per  cent,  of  their  total  time 
since  discharge ;  the  moderately  advanced  59  per  cent,  and  the  far  advanced  only 
23  per  cent.  The  average  weekly  wages  varied  but  little  for  the  three  classes. 
In  another  table  dealing  with  262  cases  discharged  as  "arrested.,"  253  "improved," 
and  ii8  "progressive"  the  arrested  show  an  average  total  earnings  of  $1,039.48; 
the  improved  $719.53 ;  the  progressive  only  $72.55.  The  percentage  of  "weeks 
of  work"  to  "weeks  of  life"  is  67  per  cent,  for  the  arrested,  47  per  cent,  for 
the  improved  and  14  per  cent,  for  the  progressives.  The  total  expenditure  was 
$236,744.51,  whereas  the  amount  already  earned  by  discharged  patients  was 
$464,406.00,  a  return  of  about  200  per  cent,  within  six  years  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  work. 

Truden :  Reports  at  the  Adirondack's  Sanitarium  show  72  per  cent,  of  in- 
cipient cases  cured,  and  17  per  cent  of  advanced  cases.  Rutland  Sanitarium 
shows  72  per  cent  of  incipient  cases  cured  and  46  per  cent  of  advanced. 

Truden  says  that  out  of  1,000  cases  treated  and  followed  up  at  the  end  of 
15  years  46  per  cent  were  still  living. 

The  apparent  simplicity  of  the  treatment  of  pulmonary  tuberculosis  is  one 
of  the  chief  sources  of  error  in  its  application  and  involves  a  real  danger.  This 
is  a  fundamental  fact  which  is  not  but  must  be  realized  before  we  are  on  a 
solid  footing.  The  medical  profession  have  reached  substantially  the  agreement 
that  the  underlying  principles  of  treatment  is  constant  fresh  air,  good  and 
abundant  food  and  rest.  :.•;...'. 

We  have  not  attempted  to  go  into  the  details  of  the  economic  loss  from 
tuberculosis,  because  it  would  consume  too  much  space,  but,  the  few  data  given 
above  will  show  the  great  saving  to  the  state  from  the  cure  of  those  afflicted. 


238          '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      •    v-' 

Tuberculosis  is  the  greatest  scourge  of  all  the  ages.         ;xf--^  ^    •  '•  /  ^ 

It  has  the  highest  death  rate  of  any  disease.  •      '-•      , 

It  is   not   hereditary.  •.:•',.       • 

It  is  preventable.  :.  :~     "  .\    .'       • 

It  can  be  cured  if  taken  in  time. 

The  sanitarium  is  the  proper  place  for  the  care  and  treatment. 

With  this  great  array  of  scientific  facts  and  data  attesting  the  universality  >. ' 

of  the  disease  and  its  enormous  death  rate  before  you,  what  is  your  duty  as  % 
supervisors?                                             '•   •  ,                                                T       '  ; -^v' v-  V^^ 

The  legislature  at  its  last  meeting  passed  a  bill  giving  counties  the  right  ^   . 

to  provide  suitable  sanitaria  for  the  care  of  its  tubercular  patients.    By  so  doing  -,v  • 

they  recognize  the  right  of  the  state  to  provide  for  its  delinquents  and  to  pro-  ^r,. 

tect  its  citizens  in  their  health  as  well  as  in  their  social  or  financial  status.     At  '  :^ 

various   times   in  the  last  few   decades  the  state   has  passed   laws  giving  the  ;.'/.:. 
health  department,  in  the  state  as  well  as  in  the  cities,  the  power  to  induce  quar- 

antine  for  the  protection  of  its  citizens,  and  in  some  cases  it  has  even  provided  •.-, 

means  of  cure,  viz.,  the  supplying  of  antitoxin  for  the  cure  of  diphtheria.  "".  v> 

In  addition  to  the  state  law  recently  passed  prohibiting  the  public  drinking  .  '.' 

cup.    Chicago  has  passed  a  local  ordinance  to  the  same  effect  so  that  they  might  ,';:, 

better  control  the  situation.  •  v  > 

If   Knox   county   supervisors   were   to   pass   a   resolution    favorable   to   the  -  "^^ 

erection  of  a  suitable  sanitarium  it  would  not  be  a  pioneer  in  this  matter — for  ;: > 

already  it  is  found  from  statistics  published  in  the  new  tuberculosis  directory  .•  ^: 

of  the  national  association  for  the  study  and  prevention  of  tuberculosis,  that  .  •  • 

over  700  cities  and  towns  of  the  United  States  and  Canada  are  engaged  in  .    .•• 

the  war  against  consumption  and  that  on  April  i,  1911,  there  were  nearly  1,500  ' '  , 

different  agencies. at  work  in  the  crusade;  an  increase  of  nearly  700  per  cent  • 

in  the  last  seven  years.  V ' 

The  new  directory  lists  421  tuberculosis  sanitaria  hospitals  and  day  camps;  .A;.-' 

511  associations  and  committees  for  the  prevention  of  tuberculosis;  342  special  r^f 

dispensaries;  68  open  air  schools;  98  hospitals  for  the  insane  and  penal  in-  :. V 

stitutions  making  special  provision  for  their  tuberculosis  inmates,  besides  giving  ..'-'V 

an  account  of  the  anti-tuberculosis  legislation  in  every  state  and  in  about  250  •"•: 

cities.  v-"- 

The  evidence  of  the  necessity  for  a  sanitarium  is  so  overwhelming  that  it  'f;,-: 

seems  as  if  no  doubt  could  exist.     If  your  honorable  board  have  any  doubts  .<  . 

about   the   feasibility   of   the   institution,   it   must  be   because   of   the   financial  •;;,  ; 

consideration  alone.     When  our  committee  appeared  before  you  nine  weeks  ago  ''/.•• 

the  matter  was  presented  in  a  crude  form,  and  at  that  time  no  plan  of  sanitarium  1  v  .- 

or  plan  of  handling  the  patients  was  presented.     We  considered  it  advisable  to  .:'.; 

leave  that  to  the  better  judgment  of  the  board,  and  we  felt  sure  that  they  would  .  .;• 

be  able  to  elaborate  a  plan  after  mature  consideration  which  would  answer  the  ;^ 

purpose  and  would  not  be  a  burden  to  the  tax  payers.  -•:. 

From   the   statistics   presented    it   appears   that   it   is    a   matter  of   personal  •;!'' 

interest  to  at  least  75  per  cent  of  the  people  of  the  county,  which  is  indeed  a  large  '  >'^ 

majority.  '-•;'• 

Following  our  last  conference  with  the  board  we  were  told  to  go  out  among  :  ••  :• 

the  people,  the  voters  and  tax  payers,  and  get  an  expression  of  opinion  upon  the  -4V; 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   ^         >     "^: 


239 


project.  Your  honorable  committee  of  the  board,  we  have  done  so.  We  have 
worked  hard  and  held  meetings  in  sixteen  cities  and  towns  of  our  county. 
We  have  endeavored  to  educate  the  people  as  to  the  great  danger  of  the  disease, 
while  at  the  same  time  we  have  presented  the  plan  as  proposed  and  asked  for 
a  suitable  expression  of  their  opinion  as  to  whether  or  not  they  wanted  such  a 
means  of  treating  the  disease.  In  every  place  resolutions  were  passed  urging 
the  supervisors  to  immediately  arrange  for  the  erection  of  a  suitable  sanitarium. 
These  sixteen  resolutions  passed  in  open  meeting  and  signed  by  the  secretary 
and  president  of  the  meeting  are  herewith  attached  for  your  perusal  and  con- 
sideration. All  the  newspapers  of  the  county  are  favorable  to  the  plan  and 
they  certainly  voice  the  sentiment  of  the  community — all  the  people  are  for  it — 
and  they  speak  for  themselves.  Honorable  supervisors,  what  more  can  you  ask? 
Pass  the  resolution  authorizing  the  erection  of  such  a  sanitarium.  We  do  not 
come  as  beggars  asking  a  crust  for  ourselves,  we  come  simply  in  the  spirit  of 
a  broad  humanity,  the  representatives  of  the  people  whom  you  serve.  They 
demand  it.  I  might  say  that  we  come  as  representatives  of  our  great  republic, 
whose  citizens  we  are;  of  the  great  State  of  Illinois  of  which  Knox  county 
is  a  part  and  which  has  given  you  the  power  in  this  matter  to  protect  and  pre- 
serve its  citizens ;  of  this  fine  County  of  Knox,  whose  supervisors  you  are.  We 
come  at  the  instance  of  the  fathers  and  mothers  who  demand  that  their  sons 
and  daughters  be  given  an  equal  chance  in  this  great  struggle  for  existence  by 
upbuilding  their  physical  condition  so  they  may  cope  on  a  more  equal  footing 
with  their  more  fortunate  neighbors. 

Of  all  the  good  things  you  have  advocated  for  the  county  none,  I  am  sure, 
will  redound  to  your  credit  more  than  this. 

Gentlemen,  in  the  name  of  humanity  we  ask  that  you  resolve  to  supply  a 
sanitarium  for  the  cure  of  these  debilitated  and  unhappy  people. 

(Signed)  DR.  J.  NEIL  Cox,  DR.  Louis  BECKER, 

;          •  DR.  T.  E.  BIRMINGHAM,  DR.  G.  A.  LONGBRAKE,     ;, 

>          :         .  .    DR.    WM.  O'R.  BRADLEY,  DR.  J.  M.  BOHAN,          V^ 

;;    :  -  ^    ;;  V:-    DR.  F.  G.  HALL,  .      DR.  L.  R.  RYAN,        ;-::f^ 

Committee. 

Mr.  Mott  offered  a  motion  that  the  report  of  the  special  committee  be  filed 
and  made  a  matter  of  record  and  that  the  committee  be  discharged,  which 
motion  prevailed.  ,  .'--^ ::<;'•' J '•:;>•'''''*:  '  ;  .  ^^''^^i^.U  ' 


>    V,  MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY,     j  V  '     ";>:', 

::/^''''  •  •••'''-",'-:'''l'-'. '''^::: -'::•' :^--      BY  CAPT.  CHAS.  C.  CRAIG.     .^  '-,  '  -  ^  /'.^'^•.•''\':,'^'''''^z-' 

Knox  county  was  named  from  a  soldier.  General  Henry  Knox.  of  Revolution- 
ary  war  fame,  chief  of  artillery  under  Washington  and  afterward  secretary  of 
war. 

The  earliest  inhabitants  of  what  is  now  Knox  county,  of  which  we  have  any 
record,  were  the  Indians.  Their  principal  pursuits  were  war,  and  the  chase,  and 
many  of  their  implements  of  warfare  have  been  found  in  all  parts  of  the  county. 


240       ••  '      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -    ~' 

While  little  is  known  of  them  in  this  vicinity  prior  to  the  advent  of  the  early 
French  explorers,  the  woodlands  and  prairies  of  Illinois  abounded  in  game  and 
the  fertile  and  productive  lands  of  this  vicinity  were  altogether  as  desirable  to  the 
savage  tribes  in  their  day  as  they  are  to  us  at  the  present  time. 

The  first  tribe  of  Indians  that  occupied  the  Illinois  country  called  themselves 
the  mini,  which  in  their  language  signified  "Men"  or  "Superior  Men,"  and  for 
a  long  time  they  held  the  hunting  grounds  of  this  state  and  waged  successful 
warfare  against  the  Miamis  and  Iroquois  on  the  east,  the  Chickasaws  on  the 
south,  the  Osage  and  Pawnees  of  the  southwest  and  the  Pottawatomies  of  the 
north.  At  a  later  day  the  wonderful  resources  and  fertility  of  the  Illinois  coun- 
try were  fully  appreciated  and  coveted  by  the  explorers  from  the  old  world. 
The  European  wars  of  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries  extended  to  the 
American  colonies,  even  to  the  extreme  frontiers,  and  the  adventurers  of  France, 
Fngland  and  Spain,  with  hostile  Indian  tribes  as  their  allies,  successfully  fought 
for  possession  of  the  beautiful  Illinois  country,  and  more  effectively  than  we 
now  realize.  Whether  any  of  their  battles  took  place  in  Knox  county,  or  in  this 
immediate  vicinity,  we  do  not  know.  .  .  .-.  .  ;  ;.,  J/  -v  1  '  .  •:  ! 

There  was  a  difference  in  the  arrows,  spears  and  axes  made  and  used  by  the 
different  tribes,  and  the  presence  of  such  implements  of  warfare  used  by  tribes 
whose  territory  was  far  from  Illinois  would  indicate  they  had  been  used  in 
warfare  between  them  and  the  Indians  inhabiting  this  state.  -  j  '  . 

There  is  a  field  on  the  banks  of  Sugar  creek,  where  it  crosses  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  fourteen  in  Persifer  township  in  this  county,  where,  accord- 
ing to  the  residents  of  that  neighborhood,  quantities  of  bullets  have  been  found 
within  an  area  of  a  few  acres.  This  place  is  on  the  old  Indian  trail  that  ran 
from  the  towns  of  the  Illini,  about  where  the  village  of  Utica  now  stands;  in  a 
southwesterly  direction  across  Knox  county  to  where  the  Des  Moines  river 
empties  into  the  Mississippi.  These  bullets  are  mostly  the  round,  old-fashioned 
musket  balls  in  use  over  two  hundred  years  ago.  When  the  Illini  were  defeated 
and  driven  from  their  villages  along  the  upper  Illinois  by  the  treacherous  and 
savage  Iroquois,  as  narrated  by  Tonti,  La  Salle's  able  lieutenant,  and  an  eye- 
witness to  the  massacre,  their  flight  was  toward  the  southwest,  possibly  some  of 
the  fugitives  followed  this  trail.  Again,  a  century  later,  when  the  last  of  the 
Illini  were  defeated  by  the  Pottawatomies,  some  of  them  may  have  been  over- 
taken on  this  trail,  or  an  expedition  from  the  Spanish  colonies  or  a  band  of 
traders  may  have  there  fought  to  the  death. 

We  have  no  record  of  any  operations  in  the  Revolutionary  war  in  North- 
western Illinois.  In  the  War  of  1812  and  the  Indian  wars  preceding,  the  set- 
tlers took  an  important  part,  and  the  muster  rolls  have  been  preserved  of  several 
companies  of  rangers  from  the  southern  part  of  the  state  who  were  in  that  war. 
These  rosters  are  published  in  Volume  9  of  the  Adjutant  General's  Report  of 
Illinois.  During  this  war  the  British  incited  the  Northern  Indian  tribes  to 
harrass  the  frontier  settlements,  and  the  settlers  of  Illinois  territory  organized 
to  protect  themselves.  One  of  the  expeditions,  under  General  Howard  from 
Fort  Russell,  marched  up  the  Mississippi  river  to  about  the  present  site  of 
Quincy,  from  there  crossing  over  to  the  Illinois  river  to  Havana,  and  from  there 
to  Peoria.  In  this  expedition  Major  Boone  was  sent  with  a  force  to  scour  the 
Spoon  river  country  towards  Rock  river,  and  penetrated  into  what  is  now  Knox 


••  '  :    •-      -•  Y.   M.   C.   A.    BUILDING  '     '    ":    ' 

Located   on   North    Prairie    Street,   between    Main   and    Ferris   Streets.      Built   in    1897.      Value,   $30,000. 
Association  organized  in  1883. 


240;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

While  little  is  known  of  them  in  this  vicinity  prior  to  the  advent  of  the  early 
French  explorers,  the  woodlands  and  prairies  of  Illinois  abounded  in  game  and 
the  fertile  and  productive  lands  of  this  vicinity  were  altogether  as  desirable  to  the 
savage  tribes  in  their  day  as  they  are  to  us  at  the  present  time.  .| 

The  first  tribe  of  Indians  that  occupied  the  Illinois  country  called  themselves 
the  Illini,  which  in  their  language  signified  "^len"  or  "Superior  Men,"  and  for 
a  long  time  they  held  the  hunting  grounds  of  this  state  and  waged  successful 
warfare  against  the  Miamis  and  Iroquois  on  the  east,  the  Chickasaws  on  the 
south,  the  Osage  and  Pawnees  of  the  southwest  and  the  Pottawatomies  of  the 
north.  At  a  later  day  the  wonderful  resources  and  fertility  of  the  Illinois  coun- 
try w'ere  fully  appreciated  and  coveted  by  the  explorers  from  the  old  world. 
The  European  \vars  of  the  seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries  extended  to  the 
American  colonies,  even  to  the  extreme  frontiers,  and  the  adventurers  of  France, 
England  and  Spain,  with  hostile  Indian  tribes  as  their  allies,  successfully  fought 
for  possession  of  the  beautiful  Illinois  country,  and  more  effectively  than  we 
now  realize.  Whether  any  of  their  battles  took  place  in  Knox  county,  or  in  this 
immediate  vicinity,  we  do  not  know.  ,  .  ^\  ^ 

There  was  a  difference  in  the  arrows,  spears  and  axes  made  and  used  by  the 
different  tribes,  and  the  presence  of  such  implements  of  warfare  used  by  tribes 
whose  territory  was  far  from  Illinois  would  indicate  they  had  been  used  in 
warfare  between  them  and  the  Indians  inhabiting  this  state.  .  I 

There  is  a  field  on  the  banks  of  Sugar  creek,  where  it  crosses  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  fourteen  in  Persifer  township  in  this  county,  where,  accord- 
ing to  the  residents  of  that  neighborhood,  quantities  of  bullets  have  been  found 
within  an  area  of  a  few  acres.  This  place  is  on  the  old  Indian  trail  that  ran 
from  the  towns  of  the  Illini,  about  where  the  village  of  Utica  now  stands ;  in  a 
southwesterly  direction  across  Knox  county  to  where  the  Des  Moines  river 
empties  into  the  Mississippi.  These  bullets  are  mostly  the  round,  old-fashioned 
musket  balls  in  use  over  two  hundred  years  ago.  When  the  Illini  were  defeated 
and  driven  from  their  villages  along  the  upper  Illinois  by  the  treacherous  and 
savage  Iroquois,  as  narrated  by  Tonti,  La  Salle's  able  lieutenant,  and  an  eye- 
witness to  the  massacre,  their  flight  was  toward  the  southwest,  possibly  some  of 
tlie  fugitives  followed  this  trail.  Again,  a  century  later,  when  the  last  of  the 
Illini  were  defeated  by  the  Pottawatomies,  some  of  them  may  have  been  over- 
taken on  this  trail,  or  an  expedition  from  the  Spanish  colonies  or  a  band  of 
traders  may  have  there  fought  to  the  death. 

We  have  no  record  of  any  operations  in  the  Revolutionary  war  in  North- 
western Illinois.  In  the  War  of  1812  and  the  Indian  wars  preceding,  the  set- 
tlers took  an  important  part,  and  the  muster  rolls  have  been  preserved  of  several 
comi)anies  of  rangers  from  the  southern  part  of  the  state  who  were  in  that  war. 
The^.e  rosters  are  published  in  Volume  9  of  the  Adjutant  General's  Report  of 
Illinois.  During  this  war  the  British  incited  the  Northern  Indian  tribes  to 
harrass  the  frontier  settlements,  and  the  settlers  of  Illinois  territory  organized 
to  protect  themselves.  One  of  the  expeditions,  under  General  Howard  from 
Fort  Russell,  marched  up  the  Mississippi  river  to  about  the  present  site  of 
Quincy,  from  there  crossing  over  to  the  Illinois  river  to  Havana,  and  from  there 
to  Peoria.  In  this  expedition  Major  Boone  was  sent  with  a  force  to  scour  the 
Spoon  river  country  towards  Rock  river,  and  penetrated  into  what  is  now  Knox 


'-   "    '  V.    M.    C.    A.    RUILOING  '. 

Located   on   North    Prairie   Street,   between    Main   and    Kerris   Streets.      Ruilt   in   1897.      X'alue,   $30,000. 
Association   organized   in   1883. 


:.;.;/:  V-,      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'V  241 

country,  crossing  Spoon  river,  or  the  Amaquonia,  as  it  was  then  called  by  its  ; 
Indian  name,  probably  about  where  the  village  of   Maquon  now  stands,  and 
from  there  returned  to  Peoria,  or  Fort  Clarke  as  it  was  then  known.     This  is 
the  earliest  record  that  has  been  found  of  any  military  expeditions  into  what  is 
now  Knox  county. 

The  first  war  in  which  the  inhabitants  of  Knox  county  participated  was  the 
Black  Hawk  war  of  1832.  Knox  county,  with  its  present  boundaries,  was  organ- 
ized in  1825.  The  jurisdiction  of  the  Knox  county  commissioners  extended  as 
far  north  as  Rock  river  and  the  actual  scene  of  hostilities.  As  early  as  1831 
the  few  families  of  the  county  sent  Thomas  McKee,  Thomas  Maxwell,  Joseph 
Rowe  and  Robert  Greenwell  to  consult  with  General  Gaines,  commander  of 
the  military  post  on  Rock  Island,  about  means  of  defense.  This  party  came 
Upon  a  large  band  of  mounted  Indians,  who  followed  them  for  some  distance, 
but  were  assured  by  Major  McKee,  who  was  able  to  speak  their  language,  that 
they  were  on  their  way  to  trade  with  Davenport,  who  was  well  and  favorably 
known  by  the  Indians,  and  they  were  allowed  to  proceed.  On  arriving  at  the 
fort  they  were  assured  by  the  general  that  there  was  no  immediate  danger 
and  returned  with  this  news,  after  many  adventures.  '?' 

The  following  spring,  1832,  Black  Hawk  recrossed  the  Mississippi.  Major 
McKee,  together  with  James  McMurtry  and  Fontleroy  Freeman,  again  made 
the  perilous  journey  to  Rock  Island,  where  they  secured  one  hundred  guns  with 
accoutrements.  These  were  sent  down  to  river  to  Oquawka,  and  from  there 
brought  in  wagons  to  this  county,  where  they  were  distributed  among  seventy- 
two  men  living  in  Knox  and  Warren  counties,  comprising  nearly  the  entire  male 
population. 

Another  party  commanded  by  Mr.  St.  Vrain,  which  was  sent  by  General 
Atkinson  to  Rock  Island  about  the  same  time  was  massacred.  With  the  arms 
thus  secured  a  military  organization  called  the  "Volunteer  Rangers"  was  organ- 
ized, consisting  of  the  following  men  and  officers: 

Captain,  William  McMurtry ;  first  lieutenant,  George  G.  Lattimore ;  second 
lieutenant.  Turner  R.  Roundtree;  sergeants,  Edward  Martin,  Benjamin  Brown, 
Josiah  Vaughn,  James  McMurtry;  corporals,  Edward  Fuqua,  James  H.  Round- 
tree,  Thomas  Maxwell,  Jr.,  Obadiah  Fuqua ;  privates,  Edmund  Adcock,  Jesse 
Adkins,  Peter  Bell,  James  Brown,  Franklin  B.  Barber,  Wilson  Brown,  Alfred 
Brown,  George  Brown,  Joshua  Brown,  Henry  Bell,  James  McM.  Criswell,  Ebur 
Criswell,  William  Corban,  Solomon  Davis,  Daniel  Fuqua,  Alexander  Frakes, 
James  Ferguson,  John  Fraker,  Luster  T.  Gillett,  James  Goff.  Zachias  Hunt.  Wil- 
liam Hilton,  Robert  K.  Hendricks,  Joseph  Holiday,  Berryman  Jennings,  Theo- 
dore Jennings,  Reese  Jones,  William  Lewis,  Thomas  W.  McKee,  John  McMurtry, 
James  McGehee,  Thomas  Maxwell,  Sr.,  James  Maxwell,  John  Miles,  Thomas  C. 

McCallister, McCallister,  Daniel  Miles,  Elisha  Miles,  John  Norton,  James 

Nevett,  Andrew  Osbourn,  Stephen  Osbourn,  Parnach  Owen,  Simeon  Penning- 
ton,  John  D.  Roundtree,  John  P.  Robinson,  Joseph  Row,  Jonathan  Rice,  Alex- 
ander Robertson,  Josiah  Stillings,  John  Vaughn,  Samuel  S.  White,  Joseph  Wal- 
lace. Calvin  Williams  and  William  Williams.  , 

The  command  was  mounted,  each  man  furnished  his  own  horse.  They  ranged 
over  the  country  from  this  county  to  the  Mississippi  river  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Oquawka.  They  were  out  about  sixty  days,  but  were  in  no  engagements 

with  the  enemy.  • :, 

Toi.  r  — le 


242  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^V'^ 

-       For  further  protection  three  log  forts  were  constructed,  two  in  Henderson 
township,  one  on  section  ten  and  the  other  on  section  thirty-three,  and  one  in 
Rio  township  in  section  twenty-two.     Each  fort  consisted  of  a  stockade  about 
200  feet  square,  built  of  oak  timbers  12  feet  in  length,  forming  a  fence  about 
8  or  9  feet  high,  lined  with  sod.     On  two  of  the  comers  were  erected  block  i 
houses  by  which  each  of  the  four  sides  of  the  fort  could  be  protected.     These  = 
were  i6  by  20  feet  and  the  second  story  projected  beyond  the  walls,  thus  en- 
abling the  guard  to  prevent  the  approach  of  incendiaries. 

Several  times  during  the  Black  Hawk  war  the  settlers  left  their  homes 
in  the  county  and  fled  to  these  forts  for  protection  on  rumors  that  the  Indians 
were  coming.  It  is  probable  that  but  for  the  efforts  of  Shabbona,  a  Pottawatomie 
chief,  who  had  great  influence  with  the  Indians  of  this  part  of  the  state,  and 
who  prevented  his  people  from  taking  part  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  that  the 
frontier  settlements  would  have  been  devastated  even  south  of  the  Illinois  river. 
Shabbona  was  a  great  chief,  and  often  visited  this  county,  where  he  had  many  ^ 
friends  among  the  whites.  He  and  his  warriors  fought  in  the  War  of  1812. 
Tecumseh  was  killed  by  his  side  in  the  Battle  of  the  Thames.  Afterwards  he 
befriended  the  whites,  and  when  Black  Hawk  was  taken  prisoner  he  said  had 
it  not  been  for  Shabbona  the  whole  Pottawatomie  nation  would  have  joined  him, 
and  he  could  have  continued  the  war  for  years.  After  the  surrender  of  Black 
Hawk  in  August,  1832,  hostilities  ceased.  In  1833  rumors  were  rife  that  the 
Indians  were  dissatisfied  with  the  treaty  they  had  made  and  would  again  cross 
the  Mississippi  resolved  upon  another  war,  but  these  reports  proved  to  be 
unfounded,  and  that  was  the  last  of  Indian  warfare  in  Knox  county. 

The  only  survivor  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  now  living,  as  far  as  known,  is 
Mr.  Avery  Dalton  of  Elmwood.  Mr.  Dalton  is  upwards  of  a  hundred  years  old 
and  formerly  lived  in  Knox  county.  He  was  a  member  of  Captain  David  W. 
Barnes'  company,  from  Fulton  county.  This  company  was  in  the  Battle  of 
Stillman's  Run  and  several  of  its  members  were  killed  or  wounded.  A  few  years 
ago  the  writer  of  this  article  had  an  interesting  visit  with  Mr.  Dalton  at  his  home 
in  Elmwood,  in  which  the  old  gentleman  narrated  his  personal  experiences  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  and  as  a  hunter  in  the  pioneer  days. 

As  the  county  became  more  settled,  the  militia  was  organized.  The  officers 
were  appointed  by  the  governor,  who  organized  the  men  of  the  county  into  com- 
panies. These  would  meet  once  or  twice  a  year,  following  the  fashion  of  the 
New  England  Muster  Day.  Thomas  McKee  was  chosen  major  of  the  militia 
in  1838,  and  for  several  years  held  that  office.  At  the  beginning  of  the  Mexican 
war  he  assembled  the  militia  of  the  county  at  Knoxville,  to  the  number  of  fifteen 
hundred;  from  this  number  a  company  of  one  hundred  and  nine  men  were 
formed  and  volunteered  for  the  war  with  Mexico,  but  the  quota  of  this  state  was 
already  full,  so  this  company  was  not  accepted. 

In  a  company  from  Fulton  county,  commanded  by  the  late  Lewis  W.  Ross 
as  captain,  there  was  at  least  one  Knox  county  man,  Hugh  Patton,  who  lived 
many  years  at  Maquon,  and  probably  others.  -..,>•  I  . 

Hon.  Rufus  Cleveland,  one  of  the  few  survivors  of  the  Mexican  war,  is  still 
living  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  at  this  writing,  full  of  years  and  honors,  having 
served  in  both  the  Mexican  and  Civil  wars. 
-       In  the  Civil  war  there  were  only  seven  counties  in  the  state  that  furnished  a 


;;-.::   V     prv,;-       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •:;•:'-          243       -:;  ; 

larger  number  of  soldiers  than  Knox  county,  and  none  that  filled  their  quotas          .' ' 
more  promptly.     Knox  county  was  called  upon  to  furnish  3,842  men,  but  finally 
credited  by  the  adjutant-g«ieral  of  the  state  with  only  3,837.    There  were  many 
who  left  the  county  to  enlist  in  foreign  regiments,  and  the  colored  troops  to  the 
number  of  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  were  never  credited  to  Knox  county.    .  -  •;      -/ 

Besides  the  filling  of  her  quota  of  the  regular  calls  of  the  president,  she  fur- 
nished 326  men  in  answer  to  the  governor's  call  for  ico  day  men,  making  a  total 
of  at  least  4,200  men.     These  were  distributed  among  82  regiments,  and  in  190         .    . 
different  companies.     Of  this  number  123  were  killed  in  action,   i68  wounded  • 

and  344  died;  96  suffered  the  horrors  of  prison  life,  some  of  whom  died  at        i,; 
Andersonville  and  Libby. 

One  of  the  famous  characters  of  the  Civil  war  was Bickerdyke, 

"Mother  Bickerdyke"  as  she  was  known.     She  went  from  Knox  county  as  an 
army  nurse  and  by  her  efforts  with  the  sanitary  commission  and  in  the  army 
hospitals  did  untold  good  among  the  sick  and  wounded.     A  monument  has  been          .  ?, 
erected  to  her  memory  in  the  Court  House  park.  •  '  > 

After  the  Civil  war  little  was  done  in  military  matters  for  many  years.     In 
1876  the   Fourth  Regiment   Illinois   National   Guard  was  organized;  the  com-^     1 
manding  officer  was  Colonel  William  Whiting  of  Altona,  and  among  the  other V~:.' 
field  officers  were.  Major  O.  L.  Higgins  of  Oneida;  Lieutenant  William  O.  Whit- >.         '  , 
ing,    adjutant,     Altona;     Lieutenant     Theodore    A.     Wetmore,     quartermaster,  > 
Oneida,  and  among  the  non-commissioned  staff  were  D.  W.  Wooley,  color  ser-  ^ 
geant,  Altona;  George  W.  Williams,  drum-major,  Galesburg;  Charles  S.  Mat-       ^;.'. 
teson  and  Arthur  W.  Ladd,  principal  musicians,  Oneida.     Three  companies  of 
this  regiment  were  stationed  in  Knox  county.  Company  A  at  Oneida,  commanded 
by  Captain  Frank  Murdock;  Company  B,  known  as  the  College  City  Guards, 
commanded  by  Captain  E.  F.  Phelps  at  Galesburg,  and  Company  C,  commanded-/;  , 

by  Captain  Charles  A.  Smith,  stationed  at  Altona.    Also  there  were  two  sections  .1 '  •  ; 
of  a  battery  commanded  by  Captain  Aaron  Brown  at  Altona,  the  regimental  band 
at  Oneida  and  drum  corps  at  Galesburg.  ^ 

Among  the  members  of  the  Galesburg  company  were  Frank  D.  Bellows,  Ed.          ,  '• 
R.  Drake,  Fred  H.  Holmes,  Charles  J.  Munson,  Charles  W.  Munson,  George  W.  :  , 

Prince  and  Daniel  S.  Hecker.    This  regiment  was  called  into  service  during  the ,  .      . 
railroad  strikes  of  1877  and  rendered  efficient  duty  at  East  St.  Louis  and  Gales- 
burg. -'";•..'-•."-•"••';  ••:'.--.^^-.'c'';.'-/  ;.;•" ':.'  "/I'V-v- ;•>;.,.: 

On  the  reorganization  of  the  Illinois  National  Guard  the  Sixth  regiment  was        ' 
organized  from  the  companies  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  state.    The  Gales-          .    . 
burg  company  became  Company  C  of  the  Sixth.    This  company  was  again  called  ;  .,  ,v.' 
into  service  at  East  St.  Louis  during  the  railroad  strikes  in  1887  under  Captain  E 

William  Weeks;  again  in   1894  at  the  Miners'  and  American  Railroad  union  •' 

strike  at  Pekin  and  Spring  Valley  under  Captain  T.  L.  McGirr.  ..-  ;  ^•.:  ; 

In  1897  Company  D  of  Abingdon  was  organized  and  assigned  to  the  Sixth   i'^    /   '• 
regiment.    July  7,  1897,  Battery  B  of  the  artillery  battalion  was  organized  from   •  ^   ''  V 
the  Galesburg  Light  artillery,  which  up  to  that  time  had  been  a  private  organiza-          .  : 
tion.    At  the  outbreak  of  the  Spanish  -war  members  of  Company  C  and  Company 
D  volunteered  and  were  mustered  in  with  the  rest  of  the  regiment  forming  the  ". 

Sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.    The  rosters  of  these  respective  companies  were          ;. 
as  follows:     Captain,  Thomas  L.  McGirr;  first  lieutenant,  Conrad  A.  Byloff;         V 


244  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ', 

second  lieutenant,  Daniel  K.  Smith;  first  sergeant,  Frank  E.  Johnson;  sergeants, 
Edwin  C.  Reed ;  Carl  J.  L.  Borine ;  corporal,  Walter  F.  Coolidge ;  musicians, 
Thomas  W.  Thomson ;  Mark  J.  Potter ;  privates,  Benjamin  Anderson,  Ivan  Boh- 
man,  Alfred  B.  Bawman,  Ira  E.  Benson,  Jacob  C.  Benedict,  Jacob  D.  Bir,  Alvin  P. 
Burkhalter,  William  Campbell,  Willis  E.  Calkins,  William  H.  Copp,  Edqin  J. 
Corbin,  Victor  N.  Cochran,  William  Detrick,  Frank  E.  DeFord,  Joseph  H.  Dunn, 
Jr.,  Jacob  C.  Diefenderfer,  George  L.  Elder,  Oscar  Franden,  John  Farrow,  Fred 
W.  Gottick,  Benjamin  W.  Holcomb,  Harry  B.  Hopkins,  Rolla  C.  Hopkins,  Oscar 
L.  Hensel,  Herbert  S.  Hosier,  Richard  D.  Hulse,  Charles  V.  Huew,  William  A. 
Jackson,  William  A.  Johnson,  Charles  O.  Johnson,  Roy  E.  Jones,  Joseph  H. 
Knutson,  Lewis  W.  Kay,  George  R.  Longbreak,  William  H.  McKinty,  George 
McLaughlin,  George  R.  Martin,  Hugh  K.  Mullen,  Arthur  A.  Metcalf,  Ludvick 
Nelson,  John  A.  Nelson,  Mart  J.  Nelson,  Albert  Peterson,  Charles  A.  Philblad, 
Howard  L.  Pettett,  Frank  M.  Pierce,  Charles  R.  Pendarvis,  Jacobs  S.  Palmer, 

E.  P.  Peckenpaugh,  Noble  F.  Potts,  Charles  J.  Rose,  Henry  W.  Raker,  Henry 
C.  Smith,  William  K.  Steele,  Robert  J.  Samuelson,  Carl  H.  Schneider,  Homer 
Spilman,  James  W.  Stizer,  Philip  D.  Sharpies,  Con  Sequist,  Charles  A.  Sandburg, 
John  Scott,  Frank  N.  Steele,  Andrew  P.  Fanning,  Edwin  F.  Tracy,  Benjamin 

F.  Underwood,  Leonard  S.  Wager,  Warren  Williamson,  Jesse  F.  Wiley,  Charles 
H.  Winders,  Charles  F.  Wade,  Harry  C.  Woodard,  Oscar  S.  Wilson,  Clyde  R. 
Westfall,  Bert  Wolf ;  recruits,  William  P.  Brown,  Louis  L.  Cummings,  William 
H.  Dunlap,  George  W.   Folley,   Morton  C.   Freer,  James   S.   Gentry,   Fred  C. 
Harms,  James  B.  Heflin,  Grant  G.  Hoofnagle,  Frederick  A.  Knock,  Claude  W.  B. 
Lindstrum,  Ralph  Matterson,  David  E.  Moses,  Harry  S.  Murphy,  David  Mur- 
phy, Dick  W.  Neely,  Arthur  C.  Palmer,  George  V.  Philblad,  Herman  H.  Potter, 
LaFayette  Ryan,  Robert  Spratt,  Emerson  Spence,  John  W.  Thomas,  James  A. 
Weils  and  Thomas  M.  West.  ..  T      .: 

Company  D — Captain,  Frank  W.  Latimer;  first  lieutenant,  Frank  R.  Trevor; 
second  lieutenant,  Leonidas  T.  Reagor ;  first  sergeant,  James  S.  Barton ;  sergeants, 
Albert  R.  Maginnis,  J.  Arthur  Whitwan,  William  T.  Johnson ;  corporals,  John  H. 
Smith,  Fred  J.  Fisher,  Daniel  H.  Kennedy,  William  H.  Birdsall,  James  R.  Bacon, 
Max  F.  C.  Stromlow ;  privates,  George  E.  Allen,  Fred  D.  Armstrong,  Glen  C. 
Aiken,  Ash  A.  Atkins,  Charles  A.  Atkins,  Frank  L.  Angler,  Frank  Bacon,  Almen- 
dis  B.  Beard,  Charles  L.  Bomfarden,  Ed.  S.  Babcock,  Seymour  X.  Briggs, 
George  B.  Burton,  William  H.  Banty,  John  W.  Cox,  Arthur  Cross,  Frank  Cra- 
mer, Charles  H.  Clark,  William  S.  Carter,  David  E.  Davis,  Clarence  V.  Earll, 
Robert  B.  Edwards,  Lemuel  T.  Earll,  Edwin  Flake,  John  W.  Ferris,  John  J. 
Fickle,  Mert  Fletcher,  James  R.  Goforth,  George  E.  Cotch,  Wilbur  George,  Lewis 
A.  Harshbarger,  Frank  L.  Henler,  Charles  Huddleston,  James  Handwright, 
Lester  Hollister,  Harry  A.  Johnson,  Carl  Jungstrom,  James  H.  Jones,  Edwin  Ken- 
nedy, Albert  Kennedy,  Earl  Klock,  Bert  C.  King,  John  G.  Kreig,  John  F.  Leigh, 
Albert  Linstrom,  Adelbert  D.  Lewis,  Harry  E.  Melvin,  Grant  F.  Moore,  Byron 
Merritt,  David  J.  Nordwall,  James  W.  Oman,  Charles  Peabody,  Arthur  E.  Pea- 
cock, Frank  Purdy.  William  H.  Pierce,  William  L.  Robinson,  Edward  A.  Robin- 
son, Guy  Robinson,  John  M.  Rankin,  Joe  Shipplett,  Ira  C.  Swartz,  Sargeant 
Scanlan,  Nile  E.  Stewart,  John  Stevenson,  Harry  Tyner,  Arthur  B.  Wright, 
Dale  A.  Woolley,  Walter  Woods,  Harry  Weston,  Roy  Wallis,  Walter  H.  Ward ; 
recruits,  William  A.  Adams,  Philip  O.  Bowman,  Frank  W.  Boynton,  Edward  H. 


;^:  ;  •;: ; ;  . : '<•.  'j;  •::.  -  ,  ,    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ••••:^:f  245 

•  Brandt,  Lawrence  E.  Clarke,  Maurice  L.  Carr,  John  W.  Dailey,  Louis  F.  De- 
,•  Hass,  Oria  Harmon,  Lester  D.  Hittle,  Leander  W.  Hoy,  George  D.  Judson, 
/;  Norman  Litchfield,  Charlie  B.   Moore,   Clarence  L.   Miller,  John  L.   Newkirk, 
Frank  C.  Philbrook,  Charles  C.  Paul,  Frank  W.  Peterson,  Isaac  P.  Powell,  Fred 
E.  Ross,  Roy  V.  Spencer,  Frank  Scanlan,  Judson  S.  Taylor,  George  E.  Temple. 
This  regiment  was  ordered  to  Springfield  April  26,  1898,  and  mustered  into 
the  service  for  two  years  May  ii,  1898.    Left  Springfield,  Illinois,  May  17,  1898, 
by  rail  to  Camp  Russel  A.  Alger,  Virginia,  arriving  May  20,  1898.     Remaining 
until  July  5,  1898,  when  regiment  left  by  rail  for  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
arriving  July  6,  1898.    Companies  E,  F  and  I  embarked  on  board  U.  S.  S.  Colum- 
bia, Company  A  embarked  on  board  U.  S.  S.  Yale,  July  8,  1898,  for  Cuba,  arriv- 
ing at  Santiago,  July  13,  1898.    Companies  B,  C,  G,  H,  K  and  L  embarked  on 
U.  S.  S.  Rita  July  lo,  1898,  arriving  at  Santiago  July  15,  1898.     Companies  D 
and  M  embarked  on  board  Transport  No.  21  July  21,   1898,  arriving  at  Ponce 
Porto  Rico  July  27,  1898.     The  troops  did  not  disembark  at  Cuba,  at  Sibony, 
July  i6,  1898,  Guantanomo  Bay  July  i8th  and  2Oth,  at  Baigniri  July  20,  1898, 
returned  to  Guantanomo  Bay  July  21,  1898.    Sailed  from  Guantanomo  Bay  July 
21,  1898,  for  Porto  Rico,  arriving  at  Guanica,  Porto  Rico,  July  25,  1898.     In 
camp  at  Guanica  until  July  30,  1898.     Company  G  in  action  July  26,  1898,  four 
miles  from  Guanica.     The  regiment  marched  from  Guanica  to  Youco,  July  30, 
1898.    Marched  from  Youco  to  Tallaboia  July  31,  1898.    Marched  from  Tallaboia 
to  Ponce  August  i,  1898.     In  camp  at  Ponce  until  August  9,  1898,  when  regi- 
ment marched  to  Guaragnos.    Left  Guaragnos  and  marched  four  miles  over  the 
mountain  August  lo,  1898.     Advanced  to  Adjuntas  August  nth.     In  camp  at 
Adjuntas  until  August  i6,  1898,  when  regiment  marched  to  Utuado.     In  camp 
at  Utuado  until  August  26th,  when  regiment  returned  to  Adjuntas.    Left  Adjun- 
tas August  28,  1898,  and  marched  to  Ponce.    In  camp  at  Ponce  until  September 
7,  1898,  when  the  regiment  embarked  on  board  U.  S.  S.  Monitoba  at  Port  Ponce. 
Arrived  at  Weehawken,  New  Jersey,  September  13,  1898.     Left  Weehawken  by 
rail  for  Springfield,  Illinois,  arriving  at  the  latter  place  September  i6,  1898.    In 
camp  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  until  September  22,  1898,  when  the  various  com- 
panies left  by  rail  for  their  respective  home  stations  under  G.  O.  No.  130,  A.  G.  O. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield,   Illinois,   November  25,    1898. 
The  two  Knox  county  companies  were  through  the  war  with  this  regiment. 
Battery  B  volunteered  but  was  not  accepted  as  only  one  battery  of  artillery  was 
taken  from  the  state.    During  the  same  year  the  battery  was  called  into  service 
at  Springfield,  Pana  and  Virden  during  the  coal  strike  and  received  the  thanks 
of  the  governor  for  efficiency.    The  battery  was  out  altogether  about  six  weeks. 
The  members  of  the  battery  were  as  follows:     Captain,  Charles  C.  Craig;  first 
lieutenant,  Frank  C.  Henry ;  second  lieutenants,  John  F.  Hamilton  and  William 
W.  Smith ;  sergeants,  Lewis  W.  Patric,  Guy  P.  Williams,  Armor  Moreland,  James 
Temple,  Fred  W.  Smith ;  quartermaster  sergeant,  Edward  C.  Branham ;  com- 
missary sergeant,  Buford  N.  Stoner;  stable  sergeant,  John  E.  Maley;  corporals, 
James  E.  Davis,  William  F.  Love  joy,  Fred  C.  Remier,  Albert  F.  Scogland,  George 
W.  Flynn,  Leroy  A.  Scudder,  Howard  A.  Freer,  John  B.  Bridge;  musicians, 
Roy  L.  Martin  and  Friend  L.  Smith;  privates,  Norman  C.  Allen,  Fred  L.  An- 
drews, Jay  Addleman,  John  O.  Barton,  Charles  S.  Brown,  Orvie  Bone,  Ward  J. 
Carley,  Frank  W.  Crain,  Ben  S.  Carpenter,  Fred  C.  Clay,  Fred  Cookley,  Clyde 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


:      Culver,  Robert  Dial,  Charles  Dickerson,  Earl  R.  Futhey,  Albert  Gail,  Otis  Goflf, 

.     Charles  Hendricks,  Mark  Hendryx,  Frank  A.  Hawkinson,  Henry  H.  Hawkinson, 

John  A.  Hovvland,  William  Harris,  Charles  A.  Healey,  Morgan  N.  James,  Kirk 

M.  Johnson,  Rupert  F.  Kinsloe,  Neal  J.  Kirk,  Joseph  E.  Krotter,  Albert  C.  Lar- 

:    son,  Lewis  L.  Larson,  Robert  R.  McKee,  Edward  L.  Nolan,  Henry  W.  Norton, 

George  F.  Orgibet,  Alfred  E.  Osterberg,  James  C.  Morris,  Jesse  E.  Paden,  Charles 

A.  Pierce,  Roy  L.  Sanford,  Reuben  W.  Scudder,  Roy  H.  Short,  Fred  R.  Springer, 

Fred  F.  Smith,  George  H.  Smith,  Guy  D.  Tuttle,  George  E.  Treadwell,  Roy  E. 

..   Thompson,  John  H.  Williams,  John  M.  B.  Wachs,  Hugh  E.  Weeks,  Rollin  Waters, 

James  E.  Howard,  Frank  Robinson,  Harry  G.  Hull,  James  F,  Ludlow.  I      - 

>          In  addition  to  the  foregoing  organization  the  following  served  in  Battery  A 

from  this  state: 

;  Gustaf  J.  Kohler,  Clyde  W.  Beson,  Charles  M.  Colkins,  Henry  C.  Hill,  Joseph 

Krother,  Rolla  Mount  and  W.  W.  McConnell,  Ervin  Hunt,  H.  E.  Stecker  and 
Chauncy  Cooke  of  the  Third  United  States  Engineers  and  several  others  from 
Knox  county  served  in  the  regular  army  and  navy  and  organizations  from  other 
states  besides  those  already  mentioned. 

•          In  1899  Captain  McGirr  and  Captain  Latimer  were  both  appointed  captains 

.    in  the  United  States  volunteers  and  Captain  McGirr  enlisted  several  men  in  the 

.     county,  which  he  took  with  the  Forty-fifth  volunteer  infantry  to  serve  in  the 

Philippines.    Captain  Latimer  served  as  captain  in  the  United  States  volunteers. 

Battery  B  after  being  in  the  state  service  many  years  was  mustered  out  in 

1907.    At  this  writing  the  only  military  organization  in  the  county  is  Company  C 

of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  Illinois  National  Guard,  commanded  by  Captain  Roy  C. 

r    Wright,  First  Lieutenant  Alfred  E.  Nuller,  Second  Lieutenant  James  E.  Davis. 

It  is  impossible  in  this  brief  sketch  to  give  the  individual  records  of  Knox 

county  soldiers,  or  to  narrate  their  experiences  and  adventures;  to  do  so,  inter- 

/    esting  as  it  would  be,  would  take  many  volumes.  [;.;,.  : 

The  record  of  achievements  of  the  soldiers  of  Knox  county  is  a  part  of  the 

honorable  history  of  our  great  state  of  Illinois,  and  of  the  United  States.     No 

community  has  a  prouder  history  of  brave  men  and  noble  women.    To  the  women 

war  was  all  sorrow  and  suffering.  I.;    .  s      .  I  •'... 

The  people  of  Knox  county  in  war  and  in  peace  have  acted  well  their  part. 

;    May  our  future  history  be  as  honorable  as  our  past. 


KNOX   COUNTY  VOLUNTEERS 


ABBREVIATIONS 


Adjt. Adjutant  Con Consolidated 

Art Artillery  Cav Cavalry 

Col Colonel  Capd Captured 

Capt Captain  Desrtd Deserted 

Corpl Corporal  Dis Disability 

Comsy Commissary  Disch Discharged 

Com Commissioned  Ex Expired 


;C     ?:::-.-:<     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .          >'  247 

E  .....  .........  .  ...........  Enlisted  Pro  .........  .  .............  Promoted 

Hos  .......................  Hospital  Regt  ......................  Regiment 

Inf  ........................  Infantry  Re-E  ....................  Re-Enlisted 

KM  ..........................  Killed  Res  .......................  Resigned 

Lieut  ....................  Lieutenant  Sergt  ......................  Sergeant 

Maj  .........................  Major  Trans  ...................  Transferred 

M.  O  ..................  Mustered  out  Vet  ........................  Veteran 

Pris  .......................  Prisoner  Wd  .....  .  .................  Wounded 

,/  -,!-."-^  ;-"V-/.^'-.  .c-'-^-'..;"-":'-':'%  v:!;'  ;;'  TTH  INFANTRY  •':•;•.;;;  vy'-\v-"    '  •  V;  .;;  '.:^:-"v  .-••,  /  •'•'• 
'/:.'.'••..•'•-':'".:    ."'v''v-    ';";••••':'>;;/;       COMPANY  D     ':'-:'.•'•';';'.;  .^'^  •  '        '.'.,"••'  •'•''"A-'  ='-^;:^ 

First  Lieutenant  :;:.,•.:.•>. 

•"Y   Flint,  Solomon  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  25,  1864,  m.  o.  July  9,  1865.        :'-•.',; 

'••  COMPANY    E  ._  •.    _,.    ^,.       .'.'"•;-'•,    '.^ 

•       Walton,  James  H.,  Yates  City,  e.  Feb.  12,  1862.  ,-^^:;':-^"-  '         <;      -'  v:r  \^'  '  : 

./:•••;.:-•.'-.   '.•,.-'-.:--•.  ^..'^-:-,    ,  COMPANY    I       ,•    ;.•;;; 

'.     Jarnagin^  Spencer  L.,  Oneida,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i,  died  Mound  City,  Dec.  15,  1862. 
',      Lynch,  Francis  M.,  Oneida,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i. 

Morman,  Michael,  Oneida,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i.  ;. 

;'     Pitts,  Francis  G.,  Oneida,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i,  died  Monterey,  Tenn.,  June  14,  1862. 

Shannan,  Samuel,  Oneida,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i.  :  ,.  -•..-•>, 

'•  •  '          '  •  '•.'".'  •  /i-  ••'';'-  ',  ''•' 

/;':..':      .•.'•.'•    v  -.'.-.•';•  JV'.  ;     ^^'    8TH   INFANTRY         •  "'  -^     •''-•';•;  s-^''^" 

Graybam,  Robt.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  22,  1864,  disch.  Sept.  21,  1865.         r../.^'  ' 
v;     Brittian,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  17,  1865,  m.  o.  May  ii,  1865.         •         ;;  -    r 
•     Doyle,  Michael,  Galesburg,  e.  April  17,  1865.  .._,  '     ''.  -'^     -.- 

Green,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  17,  1865.         ~  '  ;:-;Y;  .         p 

Harvey,  Wm.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  lo,  1865.        '  •        ^      -..••'• 


.  INFANTRY       ..- 

.'''.;'  ''•'     '  '     -'  ,:    -  •.^.^\^  v..'-.      COMPANY  B      --.:'-'•: 
;      Gill,  Henry,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  23,  1864.        ^S^-%; 

•'';'','  .":".-':'•/.•>•'•,>'.''''•:••  !^-  ">:••:•'•  .=  >':'r  • 

'•'•••'."  •'•;.'."-•    "•:-.-'  •'  .\-  :'-'-y:  •<      COMPANY  c     .n  ./-v: 

'•'••    '•     '  "     '     -•....-•...    •.  •  •          Musician       ""     """  ......  ......  '  ^.~:- 

Patrick,  Benj.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  21,  1862,  dis.  ,•; 

•  Privates  i^v  :';::• 

•  Codding,  Geo.  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Aug.  31,  1864.      .-.;..';' 
Ferry,  James  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.  jv.;    ' 
Huffmire,  Wm.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i.  .         .   !  .  >  -^•'  ;::vv 
Hubbard,  E.  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  trans,  to  regular  army  Dec.  25, 

1862.  .    ^ 

James,  Wm.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  disch.  Sept  12,  1862.  dis. 
Morris,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  died  Feb.  3,  1865,  of  wounds. 
:       Nixon,  P.  O.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865,  corpl. 


248 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Pettingill,  Samuel  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865,  corpl. 

Randall,  Orville,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865,  corpl. 

Skevin,  Jacob  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i. 

Schneider,  Henry,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.     i      ..     .. 

Ford,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  i,  1864,  vet.,  sick  in  hospital,  m.  o.  of  regt.  •.   , 

Hall,  Harmon  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.      /V 

Lewis,  James  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.       . '  ; 

Craft,  T.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13,  i86i,  died  Feb.  21,  1863. 

Gee,  Henry,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  23,  1864,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.    ;  ; 

Goodell,  Benj.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  24,  1864,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.    "• 

Girrard,  John  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  24,  1864,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865. 

Howard,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  15,  i86i. 

Hankey,  C.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  12,  i86l,  vet.,  pro.  2d  lieut.,  m.  o.  July  4, 

1865.          ; ,-.  •::;-•.  •,-:<;••  -•;.••;--.•-..-••-  •  •• 

James,  W.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  23,  1864,  disch.  Jan.  27,  1865,  dis. 
Lewis,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  5,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.  , 
Moon,  Job,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865. 
Middleton,  J.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  7,  i86i,  trans,  to  regular  army. 
Packard,  W.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  23,  1864,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.     1 
St.  Clair,  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  23,  1864,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.      ..     _      . 

\;-'=^;:-    '  I4TH  INFANTRY  (REORGANIZED)    :.\  ,  •.'  0     >•  ;; 

"'.//'••  '••_^~''^..     \.  _     .  ,-.  .    .'    COMPANY    C  "  :-'-.^;;'';v:-;;--X^    './'-*•; 

'^•••;  •••'"'   ''  ..  -     '••'.'•,•.'      Privates      ••  "• '"'-'-'^ '-'.! '-'V.  •  ^''••;'-;'    • /'..''^ 

Atherton,  Wm.  B.,  Lynn.,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865.  v';     i'  -%    .:  U'y    >  ' ?  - 

Bell,  G.  W.,  Truro,  e.  Feb.  22,  1865,  m.  o.  July  31^  1865.   •. ;-;    \  ;  /; ;; 
Baldwin,  G.,  Lynn,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865,  m.  o.  June  13,  1865. 
Caldwell,  H.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.   21,   1865,  m.  o.  Sept.   i6,   1865. 
Jones,  J.  E.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.  ;'i      -' 
Johnson,  Wm.,  Lynn,  e.  Feb.  28,  1865.  ,>7  .- 

Kinmouth,  O.  F.,  Lynn,  e.  Feb.  27,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.    '•' 
Harper,  James,  Rio,  e.  March  i6,  1865.  - 

Rakestraw,  R.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i,  1865. 
Stuckey,  J.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.  •  ;  ,  V  ^  .   ' 
Shepherd.  Jas.,  Rio,  e.  March  i6,  1865.  • 

White  W.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  May  29,  1865.     ;•:    ;    ^ ,  . 
Welch,  I.,  Lynn,  e.  Feb.  24,  1865,  m.  o.  May  23,  1865.  j  V.' 

COMPANY  F      .,  :  •:  ";.,:•''  ^/'^I'v /'.  •;: 

Heflin,  Martin,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.    ': 

•'     .•"^^•..{'4;?- •'.,.•,-'  '    '-.       '       "•     COMPANY   G      .     •'     .•.;''''^A''-J--'':-vA';' ''>v;'- 

;''v^?^'^^.:     '^  '  First  Sergeant       .   /'-.•      \:: '.•:-•'.' v    ::.' 

Bramell,  Wm.  H.,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  pro.  2d  lieut.,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

;'       •       ,      ...     ':^       Corporals    '   ./.^   'r  -'•••  '-,.:/\ 

Hurlburt,  George  F.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  15,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865,  sergt. 


:^;:^^;-    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '%     :.,  249 

Fry,  John,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.  ;  ;  vV^  ,^  -  ^  w'i'n-;^/-:^- /•  V 

Kelly,  John,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.     •  ••  --'^^f-:-,'  -J!:.'^^'':?^.-.' 

-.,    ..  •    .  Privates  ..>  ; 

Bowen,  George  G.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  pro.  corpl,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

Beck,  Jacob,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865,  m.  o.  June  19,  1865. 

Baker,  Geo.  W.,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.  v..^'  ..:;:. 

Bell,  George,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  disch.  July  17,  1865. 

Bruninger,  G.,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.          '  / 

Bleikner,  Henry,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.          .  ,     .  .  : 

Brown,  Henry,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.  :..•'''.         ,   . 

Chapman,  Wm.  H.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.          :      -':  -  .;. 

Denin,  Peter,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865.  •••,'. 

Doty,  J.  W.,  Elba,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  disch.  July  17,  1865,  dis. 

Derby,  J.  W.,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865,  corpl. 

Doering,  D.  J.,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

Fishback,  Killian,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.  '•. , . . 

Harris,  Jas.  A.,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  8,  1865. 

Harsh,  Jacob  W.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  15,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

Hogan,  Timothy  J.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865. 

Hall,  James,  Truro,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865.  .        .* 

Johnson,  Harmon,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865. 

Kirtner,  David  H.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  disch.  July  17,  1865,  dis. 

Kock,  Geo.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  15,  1865,  m.  o.  June  19,  1865. 

Lynch,  John,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865.  :/ 

Noel,  Jackson,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.  •;:-•*-•  .; 

Norris,  Edward,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865.  ,       r:; 

Oltman,  Geo.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.  ''•. 

Ries,  Michael,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

Rotterman,  Frank,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  16,  1865. 

Shutts,  James,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  July  19,  1865. 

Strattan,  Wm.,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  June  20,  1865. 

Schneider,  Joseph,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  died  March  6,  1865. 

Strasberger,  Jacob,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

Sands,  John  H.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.  '    :        v 

Jr  ;  /'•     Smith,  William,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865.         ^;  :  ;v.  : 

/'     :  ;.    Woodruff,  J.  H.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.        . 
^   V     :     White,  Wm.  L.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865. 

'•;'/••  ^'.----^  .•:••'••-..;';•. --v-  V;.  ..-,•  .;.v:,.-..     .•       COMPANY    H  •••'^^*-  '•^'•-   V  ;  ' .  x'' 

;; 'v;": ;.":;.  \:  First  Lieutenant  ;; 

.  ;: '    ;    Snow,  Corydon  P.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865.      ; 

•'•'•-'••' >'.\  ;;• 'r>H>.-- ,'  . ,.;  •'•  r''<;:.v.''   '''•        Musician  .  ;^..  :•,,  .^- 

V        .     Brown,  W.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

•    -.:   ':-^-  .. 

;''•.•':.:?.•.:;/•:•:'''•' "-^   '•-"• '^•.'•:.''^'"-^.'-"'^  •^        Sergeant  -     ,•"',   -  .  .v-' 

,._•..,   .-^  •..  .  C7  • 

V-V.         Price,  Emerson  J.,  Cedar,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  June  19,  1865. 


250  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ,      ~" 

^  •  •'•'-''...  I--'':   Corporals          •'  ''.-- 

Vincent,  Wm.  G.,  Lynn.,  e.  Feb.  27,  1865,  •pro.  sergt.,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 
.;       Sweely,  Michael,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i8,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1866. 

;.''  .: '  '  ^     •    ••  :      •   •:'-  ^-  •    Privates      '•  "  "  '•  ''•  '"•'''^-:'-;•^;^ /*.-"';•'' 

Astell,  N.  J.,  Cedar,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  8,  1865.       '.;^-o:^-;./  ;: 
Hammar,  Sam'l  J.,  Cedar,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  died  March  31,  1865.      . , 
Parker,  Chas.  W.,  Cedar,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  May  23,  1865. 
Peters,  Julius,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i8,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 
Yocum,  Wm.  M.,  Knox,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

;     '•':•,.,;,'/.•'   ;       .    /  ;.      ,   ;        i6TH  INFANTRY     •':,'•-;••' •'•^v'-;  :"':''   .\-;; 

COMPANY  A 

Spencer,  Brainard  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864,  absent  on  furlough  at  m.  o.  . 
of  regt. 

'"'".-'  '  COMPANY  F     .'_;.•,•.,    '•V;-;^V.'^-'-V  ''"' 

.  :        ,      Recruit       •'-•'•'•'   •"..-:'.;  ^-r'.'.-'--'-^...''':  •  ' 

Blue,  Harrison,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i8,  1864.  •  :    .  ^- •-       . 

".  :  •••'••'•'•'•••'    •'•  .      j^Tjj  INFANTRY         "      ''  "     "  ''    '  '  '"  "  ' 

The  i7th  Reg.  111.  Inf.  Vols.  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service 
at  Peoria,  111.,  on  the  24th  day  of  May,  i86i.    Left  for  Alton,  111.,  late,  in  July, 
proceeded  to  St.  Charles,  thence  to  Warrenton,  Mo.,  where  it  remained  about        ; 
two  weeks.     The  regiment  left  Warrenton   for  St.  Louis  and  embarked  on       ' 
transports  for  Bird's  Point,  Mo. ;  thence  to  Sulphur  Springs  Landing ;  debarking,  .^ 
went  to  Pilot  Knob,  Mo.,  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Jeff  Thompson,  and  joined  Prentice's       :; 
command  at  Jackson,  Mo.,  thence  to  Kentucky  and  aided  in  the  construction  of       . 
Fort  Holt.    Was  then  ordered  to  Cape  Girardeau  and  were  again  sent  in  pursuit 
of  Jeff  Thompson;  participated  in  the  engagement  near  Greenfield;  returned  to         ^ 
Cape  Girardeau  and  performed  provost  duty  until  February,  1862.     Were  then 
ordered  to  Fort  Henry;  participated  in  that  engagement  and  Fort  Donelson,  .: 
losing  several  men  killed,  wounded  and  taken  prisoners.     Soon  after  went  to      ;^; 
Pittsburg  Landing  and  was  assigned  to  the  army  of  West  Tennessee ;  engaged  . 
in  the  battle  of  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  suffering  great  loss  in  killed  and   .  .;•' 
wounded;   was   in   the   advance   to  Corinth;  after  the   evacuation   of   Corinth  \!    ' 
marched  to  Jackson,  Tenn. ;  remained  until  July,  when  they  were  ordered  to  .,     .-• 
Bolivar,   where  they  remained  until   November,   1862,  participating  during  the   .     :^ 
time  in  the  expedition  to  luka  to  reinforce  Gen.  Rosecrans,  where  they  were  '  .  :  - 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  the  Hatchie;  marched  to  Lagrange,  Tenn.;  the  middle  .    ; 
of  November,   reporting  to  Gen.  John  A.   Logan,  and  were  assigned  to  duty  ... 
as  provost  guard.    Early  in  December  marched  to  Holly  Springs,  via  Abbyville  '  ; 
and  Oxford.     After  the  battle  of   Holly   Springs  were  assigned  to  Gen.   Mc- 
Pherson's  command,  then  proceeded  to  Moscow,  Collierville  and  Memphis,  and     :\  ; 
were  assigned  to  duty  at  the  navy  yard,  remaining  until  June  i6,  then  embarking  .. '  > 
for  Vicksburg,  re-embarking  for  Lake  Providence,  La.,  where  they  remained  .     .: 
until  the  investment  of  Vicksburg  began.    Went  to  Milliken's  Bend,  May  i,  com-  , "   N 
menced  the  march  across  the  Delta  to  Pekin's  Landing,  advanced  with  McPher-    '  i; 


'-NvW-'::  •  •;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       fV^      ;;;:J'      251 

son's  command  to  the  final  investment  of  Vicksburg.  After  the  surrender  of 
that  city,  remained  there,  making  frequent  incursions  into  the  enemy's  country 
until  May,  1864,  the  term  of  service  expiring  on  the  24th  of  May  of  that  year. 

The  regiment  was  ordered  to  Springfield,  111.,  to  muster  out,  when  those  who 
had  not  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  received  their  final  discharge.  A  sufficient  number 
not  having  enlisted  to  entitle  them  to  retain  their  regimental  organization,  were 
consolidated  with  the  8th  111.  Inf.,  and  were  finally  mustered  out  with  that  regi- 
ment  in  the  Spring  of  1866.  ' 

There  were  131  men  from  this  county  in  the  I7th,  4  were  killed,  3  wounded,  8 
died,  i  taken  prisoner,  v^;."\  •'..-..  •-:; 


;/,:.:        •       .-.     :.  :         /:      .•-     Licutenant-C  oloHel         •••  v.  .-  ,  T-.-    -•'' 

;',.-'.'.  Smith,  Francis  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  i86i,  term  expired  June,  1864.     :-.,'"...,;    ^-  -.  , 

r,;\.  ••;;••,;;;  Chaplain. 

.:.  ;   '      Kingsbury,  Sanford  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  23,  i86i,  term  expired  June,  1864. 

-•"'•'    ••-'•''.'  '.''-i'  '•  ',   \'^-'V  ;^^';'.•.'':    COMPANY  c      .'•>'-  v-/-'X;v-.',.    '.'::"'••';:---•;'"';'> 
'-  \  -'/'---••-":'..••.''';'  V'"  .'"'^  ••;'••;.•        Privates     '    •'-;/—•'.•••:>'•   ''-'•  •      .•"''.—  ?-^';  '.'';.•/'! 

Allen,  Cyrus,  St.  Augustine,  e.  May  25,   i86i,  pro.  2d  lieut.,  term  expired 
.June,  1864.  ,  ..     ;,-.,..        •  ;.;.;.., 

;         Babbett,  Joel,  St.  Augustine,  e.  May  25,  i86i.    '  '  -!  .:'j:V  ';;  l^!;.  ;V'^; 

Combs,  John  T.,  Maquon,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  •--  •,       v    '.  _•    :o 

Fry,  John,  Maquon,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  7,  1862.  ',:'     '  ;        :^ 

::  ,    Hughes,  George,  Maquon,  May  25,  i86i.  -  -  .     .^-  .-j 

V:   •    .    McGrew,  John  L.,  Maquon,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  June  12,  1862.         -'.''".{/•. 
'.•;•  Robinson,  Barney  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  .;  ' 


•  '  Ruble,  George,  Maquon,  e.  June  i,  i86i.  -';:.'..^   ,     ..;    ' 

f  ;         Stinyard,  Augustus,  Yates  City,  e.  June  i,  1861,  disch.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  dis.     .v.V:    -;  "^  '      '• 

'.;  ^^>-;  .,-....  \';.:\     '  ,'•",  V-S.'-;-"'':  •';    COMPANY  D      •/;.  w.'::;;;-,^'-:.  ;•;    -         :::-^-^~--\^^---"::  ,^:  ••.•'' "^,' 
.•  ';\  .  0-  ••''  '.v  ••••'-•  .''^j'   '^     ^-'v'v'  -': .      Sergeant          '->/'••.  '•^.^•.-•^- -'.-.'/•:•'•  .       •..••.''':  •••  \:-.':f'~^ ':.-.- \:  ''/'•• 
;.:.  Green,  Sanford  M.,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  April  28,  1862,  dis.    .-iVr; ;.'.'.;:'> 


.     •' ,  '     •  '  Corporals 

Mathews,  A.  Curtis,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  pro.  ist  lieut,  resigned  Feb.  i8,      ,     .        ' 

A:^,  1863.     '••  :•  -v/  --':•••' -^-'V "';-.:''/.:-  ••:-  ••' :-'-r;: :•:''::';:>'.:'; >::...:-'^-- 

.V        ;  Davis,  John  W.,  Wataga,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  13,  1862.      V^;'      .--{;;;•;:*. 

V\  •/••'r'"' '   •     •••     '  '        '     ••••••'    •       Musicians        "  '  '"  '       '  '"    '-V'.^":'"  ^ '\--i-' .-:'• 

:i  •   :  V   Pippin,  Barnett  M.,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  March  29,  1862,  dis.^'^;^>^V  :^  %;   ; 

•  '•..-:''•'•  ''•  ^^. :'•'•• '^V'-;'-^  ..''••'•''  ••••-•''•:"': -'^^  •'••:    ' :  ,    •.:;^--^^";;'.'. .._••  ,11  ;•.'•';:,;  f, .;  ..i' 

••V  V:'    -"-.':-  .-:.-^' :•'•!•'.•"-;'•''    '•''•^,  ;''.;:•-••       Privates  :  '-.••.•'^/'•.;."'-)'''-;.'-/;'!": ;.  .'•'•'/•-';^ 

..-:'>   Brooks,  Benjamin  F.,  Victoria,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  25,  1862,  dis.    1    ,/  ..          • 


•  .  .•  ''  ••''.-•'•.•'''•':.:.'..•  .•''•';.'*  r-^:''.'/' ••'-^-  '  •^•':"'^..-'-;  ".•.;•?! -f. ;•-'••,'':- i  '  '  '.  .  '  /•' ".-.''v^^  .  ..A."  ••-:"';'•.':;.'''  •.^' 
.^  '•'.:'  J-  .'.;••• -v^.  .•;/;..'•,  _•.;'.  .-.•'•  ^.'."v  '\ '.;•;•;•'-.'•'./'•-••.'.  •.^',  i.  V  ••';''•;.  .  ''  '•  •  •.  -i  ^'  :•  ^^'i'  .•!^v•'•-  ••••.'•  '• 
>\-'..'  ;••  •  •  V-  ••_.•••.•-,-  .  -•-  .••.•!.  -.-j- •..;..  •..•  :  •-,•.••••;•:•,.  -.•'.••  •••••  :...;•  • :,-  -  '•:•••,  •  ,  ••:.•-,;••  .•>•••::.->' 


252 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Beggs,  Adonijah,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  1861,  disch.  June  13,  1862,  dis,       ;     -• 

Flemsburg,  Henry,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  died  May  19,  1862.          i       :     V 

Guliher,  Jason  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 

Harrington,  Isaac  J.,  Victoria,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  April  30,  1862,  dis. 

Harvey,  John  C.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  24,  1862,  dis.  =     .  - 

Jewell,  Charles,  Victoria,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  15,  1862,  dis. 

Kellogg,  Charles,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  accidentally  killed  March  i8,  1862. 

McVicker,  Alexander,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 

Moore,  William,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86l.  •.     :     V;.    ,    - 

Mitchell,  Joseph  H.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 

Newton,  Orlo  C.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  . 

Olson,  William  C.,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  4,  1862,  wounds. 

Risling,  Samuel,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  kid.  at  Fort  Donelson,  Feb.  13,  1862. 

Rogers,  Jackson  J.,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  2,  1862,  dis. 

Reynolds,  John  W.,  Victoria,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  4,  i86i,  dis. 

Strong,  John  C.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  13,  1862. 

Teter,  David  W.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  20,  1862,  dis. 

Wales,  Otis  A.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 

Wyman,  Cornelius,  Victoria,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  E,  8th  Inf. 

Walrath,  Abraham  E.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  June  14,  1862,  dis. 

Wedge,  D.  A.,  Victoria,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  vet.          .         . 

•  ••'"-•  '••  •    •        '    '         Recruits     "'•       '     -'  •   '•  ^    '   ,'•     • 

Harvey,  William  H.,  Altona,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  term  ex.  Aug.  lo,  1865. 

Johnson,  Jonas,  Wataga,  e.  Jan.  22,  1864,  disch.  June  3,  1865,  dis. 

Ruch,  Phillip  J.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  E,  8th  Inf.,  pro  .  corpl., 
m.  o.  May  4,  1866.  ,  . 

Teter,  Solomon  C.,  Altona,  e.  June  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  June  24,  1864. 

Wales,  Edwin  M.,  Altona,  e.  Nov.  20,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  F,  8th  Inf.,  pro. 
sergt.,  m.  o.  May  4,  1866.  •  :  V  ^;'  '•:•  ,\','w.v-,  ,  '  •- 

'•      .;\',v'J'i.'--;  '    .-, 'COMPANY  E       .    .'•''  :,V' •vN"';  ;;.•",';•;;.;-• 

:  .--•/-' if  •  V '.    ,  ;      •         Captains      ;.      '/'',  [-T-."  :;^' '•-'-..•'.,.':   ' 

Smith,  Francis  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  19,  i86i,  pro.  to  Heut.  col.      . 
Harding,  Roderick  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  20,  i86i,  res.  May  15,  1862. 
Smith,  George  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  15,  1862,  res.  Feb.  i6,  1863. 
Merrill,  William  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1863,  term  ex.  June,  1864. 

First  Lieutenants          /    :     :V;       '       :.:• 

Beswick,  James  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  20,  i86i.  ; 

Clough,  David,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1863,  term  ex.  June,  1864. 

.       .v^'  '  Second  Lieutenant         •  /;  -    .v       'y  •;,  - 

Wells,  John  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1863,  term  ex.  June,  1864.         . 

"  '  First  Sergeant  .. 

Sumner,  Harlan  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  March  29,  1862,  dis. 


.     ;  V :   •  -^Jvv  -•  :<:   "     M  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  J )      253 

''''•'''•'  'f'"'''' •' --'^  '••-•••.  -^ ;  v;  '--.:•.  -•^•\:--V-\'       Sergeants  '.;.:>;;..>:;;•      ;  •.    -'J.^.;- '•"'•>':' ' ..--^ 

.          Matteson,  Chas.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.        :  V  ;  ..:'^; 

•  ,.     ,  Willard,  George  B.,  Gilson,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  8th  Inf.     y    :f:  '    ... 

-     '    •    '  .  V       »     ,'-        't  -        -'    .i  , 

^^  .•/.'•:•.•-••.';-     •     •: '  .•.'•'•'' -'..^  '•••V.      Corporals         '.•  ^-'x''v?- -^-^  ^.--         ''''•  ^    -' •'' i.  -^ 

•  .      Ewing,  John  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  April  24,  1862,  dis.        " 

Dorman,  Dolan,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  :         .  ,.. ' 

•    .         Brand,  Emerson,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  12,  1862.      ---..:•-.; 
Burtch,  Horace,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  .-       ,L   '- 

Hughes,  Wesley,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  •"•,:';  •  '     _        '  - 

Smith,  Theodore  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.    \  ;'-..  :J"       •     i  - 

,;     ,  ^  Norene,  Nelson  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  ;>y-5^  :^  ^     A;  •,;•  V\    '"  ^ .; 

;:     '  ''  •"  "•^•'^'     '••  '  •     '•  ''    '":•'•''•• -'-^     Musician  '"•'•-"'•:•;';-'<:.;'/.     -../'.    ''.'^'^  ;,'':??  ^"^ 
/  Filmore,  Addison  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  \(^"  ' '/  -   ^/-     ^  ^ 

'.•,":•.••.';'•'  •;'••:/-'•••;  ^'  Privates  •>'.-'•."•'-•• 

.  *  '*'        .~      .'-••:•  ;  - .-  '       r     ' 

;  -         Andrews,  Samuel  J.  M.,  Galesburg.  e.  May  25,  i86i,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 
'.  ,         Boam,  Benjamin  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  :- 

Butler,  Solon,  Abingdon,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  dis.  '  ,       ;: 

-v          Brothers,  Franklin  M.,  Henderson,  e.  May  25,   i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  E., 
^  8th  Inf.  .;,: 

Benton,  George  W.,  Henderson,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  died  April  9,  1862,  wounds. 

Beam,  Samuel  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  discharged  May  i6,  1862. 
.  :         Baker,  Torralio,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  ••'.     v 

Brown,  Henry  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  kid.  at  Vicksburg,  July  4.  1863. 
;-         Beswick,  William,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.     .,,...,.-  ;::., -.•:..-•. 

"        Busby,  Thomas  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.        ';;;:-/-:  /->•/;''>';;: 

;,         Carson,  Edward,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  '  •  .      .      v     . 

Courtney,  George,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  June  17,  1862,  dis.       '-i 

Colville,  Robert,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  i6,  1862,  dis.  .. 

Colbourn,  John,  Galesburg,  e.   May  25,   i86i,  kid.  at  Fort  Donelson,  Feb. 
'.;  ;  13.  1862. 

•  Coe,  Edward  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.      ^'    •  -  -  .' .     • 
/-••        Dunham,  Mulford  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  kid.  at  Fort  Donelson,  Feb. 

'f-       13,     1862.  ...     :..,..,,, 

'.>          Erickson,  Oloff,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25.  i86i,  disch.  May  i6,  1862.        ?          ;> 
Frantz,  Christian,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  .  ,?  . 

Griffer,  Joseph,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  20.  1862.         .      .,  V^     . 

.    .         Graham,  Joseph,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  July  24.  i86i.  •;:::'-: 

Goddard,  E.  Miles,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25.  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  May  28,  1866.  v.  .      ; 

'V         Gallant,  Lloyd,  Galesburg.  e.  May  25,  i86i.  ,.;    '  "x. 

'  Gillett,  W.  Jasper,  Abingdon,  e.  May  25,  i86i.       :.:'^.  •-•'-      ;       '      '- v.;  -^i^;-    : 

Hughes,  George,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  \  ••- .  i-     .  .V    ;-•>• 

Hughes,  Albert  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  .    :-^    ^k 

>:         Hicks,  Mason  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  i6,  1862.  •'    .  .  v  • 

[''•:        Johnston,  John  C.,  Henderson,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  ;..'  4;!    :  =  1 


254 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


;     Judson,  Franklin,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.      •    ::.-    .>•-..';: 
:    Jackson,  William  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  died  April  8,  1862. 
.' '   Lock,  Alfonzo,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 

.V^   Lane,  Elias  F.,  Henderson,  e.  May  25,  i86l.  V;^  •>''.'     .- 

'     Landon,  Merrill  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  '        • 

'.   Lanni,  August,  Galesburg  e.  May  25,  i86i.  :-.        .      ' 

'  ;    Leran,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  March  31,  1862. 

Miles,  John  A.,   Galesburg,   e.   May  25,   i86i.  •  •' 

Moore,  Rufus  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  April  24,  1862,  dis.     - 
;  i  Ostron,  John  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  trans,  to  gunboat  service  Feb. 
2,  1862.  ,.;-.;,    -.:•  . 

Olson,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 
.     Potter,  Andrew  J.,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  July  30,  1862. 

Samuels,  Jno.  L.,  Henderson,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  drowned  Nov.  21,  i86i.     '. 
Simcox,  Robert,  Henderson,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  June  13,  1862.     |     •  ^     •" 
'-    Stokes,  Horace,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  13.  1862.  \ 

Swanson,  A.  Swan,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  April  28,  1862.  ./ 

Spinner,  Joseph  F.,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  i86l,  disch.  Aug.  2,  1862.  .' 

Thompson,  Alexander,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  May  i6,  1862,  dis.  ri- 
Temple,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  ;    •     . 

';   VanBremer,  Benjamin,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86l.    '          :  '      • 
'   Vertrees,  Chas.  M.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  May  25,  1861.    -  -          .  ' 
West,  Julius  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  •    '. 

Woolen,  Robert,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  trans,  to  gunboat  Feb.  2,  1862. 

•  /.-.^--i'''; '. :        •.  : . '•  --.  Recruits  •  ^^; ':''-• '>V.-.':-:  '--.'  '  /••']-.•[:',••  ^• 

Barrell,  George  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  28,  1862. 

Booten,  John  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  ii,  1863,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  8th  Inf.,  m.  o. 
May  4,  1866. 

Carpenter,  Benjamin  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  died  April  12,  1862.  .       '• 

Fitch,  Harman,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i.          :       -.    '••'••',.•    ;  .  . 

Graham,  Joseph,  Henderson  Grove,  e.  Feb.  6,  1862. 
'      Kilpatrick,  Joseph,  Oneida,  e.  June  15,  i86i,  disch.  April  30,  1862,  dis. 
,     Levin,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  5.  1864,  m.  o.  May  28,  1866. 

Lawson,  William,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  8th  Inf.,  died 

Oct.  1, 1865.  '         .    :      :  ; 

Linn,  James  H.,  Gilson,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  E,  8th  Inf.,  m.  o. 
May  28,  1866. 

Long,  Edwin  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  died  Feb.  21,  1862,  wounds.    T 

Moore,  James  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  14,  1862. 

Rose,  Albert,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i.  ;  ?  •.;-;>;'. 

Stokes,  Horace,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 

Slouson,  Rufus  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  disch.  June  17,  1862. 

Wells,  John  H.,  Galesburg.  e.  June  15,  i86i.  • 

Parsons,  Freeman,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  pris.  of  war,  m.  o.  Feb.  22,  1865. 

Walker,  Thomas  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,  i86i. 

Flowers,  William  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  2,  1863,  trans,  to  Col.  B,  8th  Inf.,. 
died.  April  13,  1865. 


;'''.;:;..;:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •:••;•;  .266 

'•:':'''  ''  '".  >'-^X,'-^' •.•/•'.''.''.:''•  i'':;'..^,      COMPANY  i     "^•'•r-';:V'U''V  '  '  -.'•:    ';'?'''.:''''•;'-' .'^ *•'?•-•  \ :' 

'"••'•'-    ••"•-"'•'  '''' First  Lieutenant       ,'.••.-;';"'••      .-•  ^-    - '  •"'•  V -".'.^  •!'  V'^  • 

-.'-     Glancey,  Theodore,  Abingdon,  e.  May  25,  i86i,  term  ex.  June,  1864.      •!;    .:•     V  : 

,  '  '  Privates        ••     •     -  - ..   •    .      — -^^^ 

McGrath,  Joseph  V.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A,  8th  Inf.,    ;:     , 
pro.  corpl.,  m.  o.  May  4,  1866.  v' 

Miles,  Isaac  O.,  North  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  12,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  A,  8th  Inf.,    :':-' 
disch.   Aug.    II,    1864.   ;..  :      L:,r'.    ,         ;  ,  /    •    '.  '       V 

../ '•;•;; ''-A:' <  28TH  INFANTRY;.;;- :  ^'^.V -.•;'  :    ^;  ^- -;-.•-..•.-,  v.-'-^.;. 

-•';•'     f  •••-    -  -  ••     -•    -          COMPANY  G  '"     '     "  '        ;.  ;.''\''v-^. --''"••' 

;      Coates,  Nathan,  Truro,  e.  March  13,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865.  ..•;/' 

'    Martin,  William  H.,  Rio,  e.  March  14,  1865.    !?;  ;;V  •''•-.; ''--^ 

;     McCarty,  Edward,  Rio,  e.  March  14,  1865.  ;•,  .;   r--  .;';;.;.  :v1  '  '  ^' 

^^     McLean,  David,  Rio,  e.  March  14,  1865.        .'::/^;V;^:    .  ;>.;;,,;•  :,;v^.. 

Powers,  James,  Rio,  e.  March  14,  1865.  >^  -  ^     ^^•    .  -'>;,/•  ^ 

Riley,  Charles,  Rio,  e.  March  14,  1865.        -^-^  ;'••••  ^-  .-      ;^,'^:;:   .:••. 

Slow,  John,  Douglass,  e.  March  4,  1865,  m.  o.  March  4,  1866.  .-;      ..'   '  / 

Lowery.  Albert  H.,  Henderson,  Co.  H.,  e.  March  13,  1865,  m.  o.  March  13. "  TV 

1866.     ,    '        .....-.......,-,-  .-;.,,.-.••.-        .       --v  ..-••  ...;-:K;K •' 

'  '•,'••  ',  ^'"  \"  :  -^   '•-•;  ' '":-  .C  3OTH  INFANTRY  ^-:./''-'  •'  ";'J  .         -'  -.   -^'•';' .'.••''^.';^-;^-,v-"' j..' ./ 
-•---.   -•.•:''•-•'. '^ •'••'•••'-'.; ..I'"'  '      COMPANY  A     'AT\':'r' -"•;''/,   -      '." --••v.^/^'Vi"  '^v-:.; 
-,•',-'     -.:..::'''•      -;•:•:.--'•'.'•-.         Sergeant         -•'••--•'•".''•••.,•••-'•''    •  • '  ^';'-"' •';^^'.  • 

Titus,  Abner  L.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  12,  i86i,  disch.  at  Paducah,  Feb.  27,  1862,    V 
wounds.      .;.•^-..   -'•'••;,;•...;?:-:•;/;,>.•••'-••-"'.•<•,- v:>;/.\.v. -••'•,•  ';•:..:'/:'-   .'.;••:':••';•': -- 

-  .,  Privates  ^^-V-:'''^''i;:'>''-' 

Alexander,  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865.  •; v 

;    Goodnoch,  E.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865,  sergt.       .- 
Graw,  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  24,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  15,  1865.  ';.: 

Hanson,  L.  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865,  sergt.  •  ;  ,  t 
Rodgers,  Albert,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  3,  1864.  ,:'^  .:, 

Smith,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  27,  i86i,  died  Feb.  3,  1862.  ;•.''•: ^;: 

Valentine,  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1861,  disch.  May  3,  1862,  dis.      •<;;>'          : 
'    :  Roe,  Silas  J.,  Indian  Ft.,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  4,  1865.         '        C.  V  .   '  b 

-  -    •••..':     ' ..    •  -.^'   '    '•.'•.'.  COMPANY  G"  ':>.;;..'.;>,:     ;:.;'';:"•;  V  ,1?^:"'' -i-i^'f 
.    •                                                    First  Lieutenant         ^  '.  T  .  ; ';;   ':\;   • 

McClure,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  res.  Sept.  15,  1864.        v./C  ^        .M 

-    '  Captain         ;'>,>..-;.  ''•.-  r^v----    -    ': 

Wolf,  David  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865.     >'•>, 

'•,  -      '--^      •••'/.'/•':•'' ''.'•••S -.:.••'•:       Corporals       '^"'^:-::,y./-::'^.:   •:     •  .      -v  y'^"  ' '' ••-•V/   C 

-  Miller,  Benj.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept  30,  i86i,  m.  o.  ist  sergt.  -..''-';.;''•-,    ! 
'      Logan,  James  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  pro.  ist  lieut  i  <•  !• 

Hurst,  H.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865,  ist  sergt..:j.;.A  .   .?  - 


256  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


'-.-••     •.  .--,••':•         Privates -''"''' '"'•^'"''~-' ^"'•'''' '•'•^""• 

,   Dodson,  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  disch.  April  15,  1862,  dis. 
.;  Purdue,  J.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  April  4,  1862. 
;   ;.  Ditts,  J.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  28,  i86i. 

.  :   VVillett,  D.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Jan.  6,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 
/  Patterson,  Aaron,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.   i,   i86i. 

Willett,  T.,  Abingdon,  e.  Jan.  6,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865.  V, 

330  INFANTRY 

Was  organized  at  Campt  Butler  in  i86i.  Sept.  20,  moved  to  Ironton,  Mo., 
remained  during  the  winter.  March,  1862,  moved  with  the  command  of  Gen. 
Steele  southward,  passing  into  Arkansas  at  Pitman's  Ferry,  and  marching  via 
Pocahontas  and  Jacksonport  to  Batesville,  where  it  joined  Gen.  Curtis'  army; 
thence  via  Jacksonport,  Augusta  and  Clarendon,  to  Helena.  Was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Cache,  and  in  many  skirmishes.  At  the  battle  of  cotton  plant,  Co.  A, 
on  skirmish  line,  met  and  checked  a  charge  of  2,000  Texan  Rangers. 
:  During  July  and  August  were  camped  20  miles  south  of  Helena,  and  en- 
gaged  in  eight  expeditions  up  and  down  the  river.  Sept.  i,  was  moved  up 
the  river  to  Sulphur  Springs,  and  thence  to  Pilot  Knob  Nov.  15,  moved  to  Van 
Buren,  Ark.  Made  winter  campaign  in  Southeast  Missouri.  Was  ordered 
to  Ste.  Genevieve,  Mo.,  where,  with  the  command,  it  embarked  for  Milliken's 
Bend,  La.  Attached  to  the  ist.  Brig.,  ist.  Div.,  i3th  Army  Corps,  it  was  en- 
gaged  in  all  its  battles,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Gibson,  Champion 
Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  assault  and  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  the  siege  of  Jack- 
son.  In  August,  moved  to  New  Orleans  with  i3th  Corps.  In  October  en- 
gaged  in  the  campaign  up  the  Bayou  Teche.  Returned  to  New  Orleans  in 
November.  Thence  ordered  to  Brownsville,  Texas,  but,  before  landing,  was 
ordered  to  Arkansas  Pass.  Disembarked  on  St.  Joseph's  Island,  marched  up 
St.  Joseph's  and  Matagorda  Islands  to  Saluria,  participating  in  the  capture  of 
Fort  Esperanza.  Thence  moved  to  Indianola  and  Port  Lavaca.  January  i,  1864, 
the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  and  March  14  reached  Bloomington,  111.,  and 
received  veteran  furlough.  April  lo,  1864,  was  re-organized  at  Camp  Butler,  and 
proceeded  to  New  Orleans,  arriving  29th  and  camping  at  Carrollton.  May  17, 
ordered  to  Brashear  City,  La.  Soon  after  its  arrival  the  regiment  was  scattered 
along  the  line  of  road  as  guard.  Sept.  17,  1864,  the  non-veterans,  were  started 
home,  via  New  York  City  with  rebel  prisoners  in  charge.  March  2,  1865,  or- 
dered to  join  the  i6th  Army  Corps.  Near  Boutte  Station  the  train  was  thrown 
from  the  track,  and  9  men  killed  and  70  wounded. 

1 8th  Regiment  embarked  on  Lake  Ponchartrain  for  Mobile  expedition.  Moved, 
via  Fort  Gaines  and  Navy  Cove,  landed  on  Fish  River,  Ala.,  and  marched  with 
Gen.  Canby's  army  up  east  side  of  Mobile  Bay.  March  27  arrived  in  front 
of  Spanish  Fort,  the  main  defense  of  Mobile,  and  until  its  capture,  April  8, 
was  actively  engaged.  After  the  surrender  of  Mobile,  marched  for  Montgomery, 
Ala.  Here  it  received  the  news  of  Lee  and  Johnson's  surrender.  Moved  to 
Vicksburg,  April  14,  1865.  Mustered  out  of  service  Nov.  24,  1865. 

The  33d.  Regiment  had  io6  men  from  Knox  County;  2  were  killed,  13  died, 
5  were  wounded,  and  4  were  prisoners. 


ILLINOIS  HOTEL 


Located  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Kellogg  Streets.     Erected  as  Brown't  Hotel  in  187i.     Kemodeled 
in   1903. 


HOTEL   ANNEX 
Located   on   the   corner   of   North    I'rairie   and   Ferris   Streets.      Erected   in    1808. 


256        .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '    ^         ; 

Privates 

Dodson,  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  disch.  April  15,  1862,  dis. 
Purdue,  J.  VV.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  April  4,  1862. 
Ditts,  J.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  28,  i86i. 

Willett,  D.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Jan.  6,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 
Patterson,  Aaron,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.    i,   i86l. 
Willett,  T.,  Abingdon,  e.  Jan.  6,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865. 

330  INFANTRV  '     i:  :^  • 

Was  organized  at  Campt  Butler  in  i86i.  Sept.  20,  moved  to  Ironton,  Mo., 
remained  during  the  winter.  March,  1862,  moved  with  the  command  of  Gen. 
Steele  southward,  passing  into  Arkansas  at  Pitman's  Ferry,  and  marching  via 
Pocahontas  and  Jacksonport  to  Batesville,  where  it  joined  Gen.  Curtis'  army; 
thence  via  Jacksonport,  Augusta  and  Clarendon,  to  Helena.  Was  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Cache,  and  in  many  skirmishes.  At  the  battle  of  cotton  plant,  Co.  A, 
on  skirmish  line,  met  and  checked  a  charge  of  2,000  Texan  Rangers. 

During  July  and  August  were  camped  20  miles  south  of  Helena,  and  en- 
gaged in  eight  expeditions  up  and  down  the  river.  Sept.  i,  was  moved  up 
the  river  to  Sulphur  Springs,  and  thence  to  Pilot  Knob  Nov.  15,  moved  to  \'an 
Buren,  Ark.  Made  winter  campaign  in  Southeast  Missouri.  Was  ordered 
to  Ste.  Genevieve,  Mo.,  where,  with  the  command,  it  embarked  for  Milliken's 
Bend,  La.  Attached  to  the  ist.  Brig.,  ist.  Div.,  i3th  Army  Corps,  it  was  en- 
gaged in  all  its  battles,  participating  in  the  battles  o'  Fort  Gibson,  Champion 
Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  assault  and  siege  of  \'icksburg  and  the  siege  of  Jack- 
son. In  August,  moved  to  New  Orleans  with  i3th  Corps.  In  October  en- 
gaged in  the  campaign  up  the  Bayou  Teche.  Returned  to  New  Orleans  in 
November.  Thence  ordered  to  Brownsville,  Texas,  but,  before  landing,  was 
ordered  to  Arkansas  Pass.  Disembarked  on  St.  Joseph's  Island,  marched  up 
St.  Joseph's  and  Matagorda  Islands  to  Saluria.  participating  in  the  capture  of 
Fort  Esperanza.  Thence  moved  to  Indianola  and  Port  Lavaca.  January  i,  1864, 
the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  and  March  14  reached  Bloomington,  111.,  and 
received  veteran  furlough.  April  lo,  1864,  was  re-organized  at  Camp  Butler,  and 
proceeded  to  New  Orleans,  arriving  29th  and  camping  at  Carrollton.  May  17, 
ordered  to  Brashear  City,  La.  Soon  after  its  arrival  the  regiment  was  scattered 
along  the  line  of  road  as  guard.  Sept.  17,  1864,  the  non-veterans,  were  started 
home,  via  New  York  City  with  rebel  prisoners  in  charge.  March  2,  1865,  or- 
dered to  join  the  i6th  Army  Corps.  Near  Boutte  Station  the  train  was  thrown 
from  the  track,  and  g  men  killed  and  70  wounded. 

1 8th  Regiment  embarked  on  Lake  Ponchartrain  for  Mobile  expedition.  Moved, 
via  Fort  Gaines  and  Navy  Cove,  landed  on  Fish  River,  Ala.,  and  marched  with 
Gen.  Canby's  army  up  east  side  of  Mobile  Bay.  March  27  arrived  in  front 
of  Spanish  Fort,  the  main  defense  of  Mobile,  and  until  its  capture,  April  8, 
was  actively  engaged.  After  the  surrender  of  Mobile,  marched  for  Montgomery, 
Ala.  Here  it  received  the  news  of  Lee  and  Johnson's  surrender.  Moved  to 
Vicksburg,  April  14,  1865.  Mustered  out  of  service  Nov.  24.  1865.  |. 

The  33d.  Regiment  had  io6  men  from  Knox  County;  2  were  killed.  13  died, 
5  were  wounded,  and  4  were  prisoners. 


^  ILLINOIS   HOTEL  ''         -,-  ^., 

Located   on   tlie  corner  of   Main  and   Kellogg  Streets.      Erected  as   llrown'r    Hotel   in   IXTi.      Remod<;Ied 
in   l!io:>. 


HOTEL    ANNEX 
Located  on   the   corner   of   North    I'lairie   and    Kerris   Streets.      Erected   in    I81I.S. 


,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          :"  257 

COMPANY    A 

Privates  - . ':, 

Scott,  Alexander  E.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  21,  i86i, 
Scott,  Thomas,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  21,  i86i. 

COMPANY    B  . 

Loud,  Silas  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864,  sick  at  Nashville  at  m.  o. 
McQueen,  Wm.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  8.  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Parkinson,  Jacob  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864,  sick  at  m.  o.  regt. 
Seanson,  Neltz,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  prisoner  of  war  at  m.  o.  regt. 
Lang,  Issac  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  13,  1862.  '  v 

._.  ,   ...^'-V:':'-      .  COMPANY  E  ,';.''•',   .      .--'    ' 

••-"'-    '••'•'     ••^•-•-'  Captain 

Bryan,  William  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  27,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant 

Stone,  Clarendon  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  res.  June  i8,  1862. 
Marsh,  Edward,  Abingdon,  e.  June  22,  1863,  res.  June  6,  1864. 

V-   •''  .'  •  ''  " .'    ,-•'!    '  '' 

Sergeant 
Clarke,  George  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  14,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  6,  1862,  dis. 

Corporals  :-;•.,/; 

Munroe,  George  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  22,  1862,  dis. 
Ward,  Henry  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  15,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  22,  1862,  dis. 

;V  ;•;/:;  Privates  ;>     -. 

Anderson,  Abram  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  14,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  20,  1863,  dis. 

Butler,  James  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  12,  i86i. 

Bumer,  John  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  27,  i86i,  pro.  corpl,  disch.  Dec.  lO, 
1862,  dis. 

Burlingame,  Spencer,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet.,  died  at 
Brashear  City,  July  14,  1864. 

Burlingame,  William  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  wd.  at  Vicksburg,  May 
22,  1863. 

Davis,  James  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  26,  i86i,  kid.  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863. 

Davis,  John  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  27,  i86i. 

Davis,  Frank  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Oct.  19,  1862. 

Irland,  William,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Nov.  ii,  1862. 

Moore,  William  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  24,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  H. 

Overstreet,  Mitchell  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  28,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  27,  1862,  dis. 

Pisley,  Prince  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  28,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  17,  1862,  wd. 

Pratt,  Charles  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  23,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24. 
1865,  as  1st.  sergt. 

White,  George  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet.,  disch.  May  13, 

1865,  as  corpl,  dis.  '  - 

voLi— 17  :' :. 


258  ;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Porter,  John  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  23,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24, 
1865,  as  corpl. 

Flecker,  James  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  August  23,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet.,  disch  Nov. 
29,  1864,  dis. 

Wiley,  Walter  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet,  m.  o.  Nov.  24, 
1865,  as  corpl.  ..    .; 

Recruits 

Abbott,  George  W.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  trans,  to  Inf.  corps,  Jan. 
15.  1864. 

Simmons,  Madison,  St.  Augfustine,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i. 

Watson,  Jason  L.,  Galesburg,  e.   Sept.  21,   i86i,  kid.  at  Vicksburg,  May 
22,  1863. 

Watson,  James  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  6,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24, 
1865,  as  corpl. 

Taylor,  George  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  4,  i86i,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.     . 

,     '  COMPANY    F 

Lewis,  James  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864,  P"s.  war  at  m.  o.  regt. 
Swanson,  August,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  19,  1864,  pris.  war  at  m.  o.  regt. 

..'•.-:•"''  ^\     ^..  -  •''••"•  COMPANY    H  ,,  .-;' 

Captains 

McKenzie,  James  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  res.  March  lo,  1863. 
Smith,  Geo.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  lo,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

-'    "•        '  ••'•''.•-,•'-'  •-    .  ,      -'..X   .';- 

First  Lieutenant 

Williams,  Robert  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  res.  July  i,  1863. 
Chambers,  Emmet  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  NOV.  24,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant 

:.       Ryland,  John  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  re-e.  as  vet. 
;       Follett,  John  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

:        '  Privates  .1  ;.-;., 

Allen,  Jesse,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Barrer,  Thomas,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865,  as 
1st.  sergt. 

Bay,  James  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Bay,  Robert,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  ii,  1864.  -  .| 

Beare,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i. 

Boatman,  Aaron,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865,  corpl. 
^         Cameron,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.  Jan.  7,  1863. 

Carnes,  Edward  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  -Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  29,  1863,  dis. 
:.        Chapman,  Grove  L.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  May  i8,  1865, 
sergt.,  wounds. 

Conant,  Reuben  H.,  Galesburg,  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865,  as 

sergt.  ';•'-;••.•:.-'  ,' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY; Jv^:  259 

Converse,  Elbur  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet,  m,  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Davis,  James  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  July  13,  1865,  wounds. 

Davis,  William  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Arcadia,  Mo.,  Dec. 
19,  i86i. 

Ellison,  James  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  i8,  1863,  dis. 

Fauble,  Josiah  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  i6,  1862,  dis. 

Ferris,  Frederick  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  2d.  lieut.  74th.  U. 
S.  Col.  Inf. 

Freeze,  Joseph,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  May  30,  1862,  dis. 

Hatch,  John  F.,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  corpl.  trans.  Miss.,  marine  brig., 
Feb.  22,  1863. 

Hayes,  Festus  C.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  trans,  to  vet.,  res.  corps,  March 
15,  1864. 

Hicks,  Lauren  Myron,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Oldtown,  Ark., 
Sept.  21,  1862. 

Hitt,  Loren,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.   19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  ii,  1864. 

Hyde,  Jedediah  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  corpl,  died  at  Helena,  Aug. 
19,  1862.  ':^.'  :^ 

Ingle,  John,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  26,  1863,  dis. 

Jackson,  Eli  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  Sept.  i,  1865,  as 
corpl,  dis. 

Jackson,  Henry  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  ii,  1864,  as  corpl. 
:•  Jackson,  James  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  ii,  1864,  as  sergt. 

Jones,  William,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  Dec.  28, 
1862. 

Keyes,  Asahel,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  9,  1863,  dis. 

Martin,  Arthur,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Terre  Banne,  La.,  Sept. 

I,     1864.  -..::.. 

Martz,  Alexander,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i.          X\ 

McCay,  Lewis  R.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i. 

McHenry,  Daniel,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Mills,  Joseph,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  Nov.  25,  1862. 

Mott,  George  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  15,  i86i,  dis. 

Morgan,  Albert  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  trans,  to  vet.,  res.  corps, 
March  15,  1864. 

Reed,  Matthew,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  corpL 

Rodecker,  William  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  trans,  to  Miss,  marine 
brig.,  Feb.  22,  1863. 

Smith,  Samuel  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Steel,  Henry,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  ii,  1864. 

Steel,  Samuel  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  30,  1862,  dis. 

Tripp,  Augustus  J.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  corpl,  died  at  Ironton,  Dec. 
2,  i86i. 

Recruits 

Brothers,  Francis,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1863,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Nov.  20,  1862. 
Boeington,  Hyrcann,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i. 

Cemer,  William  H.,  Galesburg,  Oct.  7,  i86i,  vet.,  died  at  Cairo,  Nov.  14,  1864. 
Fremole,  William,  Maquon,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865,  as  corpl. 


260  r-;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Fletcher,  Samuel,  Galesburg,  e.  March  ii,  1863. 

Goddard,  George  V.  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24, 
1865,  as  corpl. 

Howe,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  4,  1862,  trans,  to  Miss,  marine  brig.,  Feb. 
22,  1863. 

Miller,  Swan,  Galesburg,  e.  March  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  March  ii,  1865. 
. .     Miller,  Jacob,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
V      Mott,  Avin  K.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  24,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
,-      Mitchell,  Alexander,  Rio,  e.  Feb.  i,  1865,  died  at  Vicksburg,  Sept.  17,  1865. 
'     Swazze,  Benoni  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i,  disch.  March  29,  1863,  dis. 
;  •     Swanson,  Andrew,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  31,  1862,  dis. 
'"._    Treadwell,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  26,  1862,  dis. 

Vanderwalker,  Edward,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
•       Woolsey,  Isaac.,  Maquon,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  22,  1862,  dis. 

COMPANY    I 

'.:'•  Coe,  Robert  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  5,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865,  as  sergt. 

,.  Coe,  David  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  5,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  27,  1863,  wounds. 

\  '  Davis,  Daniel  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  dis. 

:-•  Kerrigan,  Frank,  Galesburg,  e.  April  7,   1865. 

•V      •-  '•.  36TH  INFANTRY  '.:' 

.  •:    '  COMPANY   A  •    •  •'*• 

Boggs,  Elijah,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 
•>•      Brott,  Chas.  E.,  Copley,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 
.'      Cams,  John  N.,  Copley,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 
.       England,  George,  Copley,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  - 

;;      Harrison,  Jacob  H.,  Copley,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 
'       Hurr,  Edwin  L.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 

McDowell,  Mathew  H.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 

Phillips,  William,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 
'•.I     Todd,  Warfield  B.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  27,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 
•      Warrenford,  James,  Persifer,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  i86s< 

Wagher,  Albert  C.,  Copley,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865. 

COMPANY   D  .    : 

•'       Bassinger,  John,  Elba,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 

Crawford,  Robt.  R.,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  kid.  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov. 

30,  1864. 

Kimler,   William,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  died  Jeflfersonville,  Jan.  25,  1865, 
wounds. 

Kimler,  Walker,  Elba,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 
:       Lapham,  Leroy,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 

Lapham,  Edward,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  kid.  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Dec. 
1 6,  1864. 

Patten,  David  M.,  Elba,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  disch.  May  29,  1865,  wounds. 
•  .       Russell,  Robt.,  Elba,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  disch.  June  14,  1865,  pris.  war. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    v-^:    ;;:  .;  261 

Roath,  Robt,  Elba,  e.  Sept  27,  1864,  m.  o.  May  29,  1865.      -     V 
Tucker,  John,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 
Temple,  John,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  'm.  o.  June  30,  1865. 
Zimmerman,  Andrew  J.,  Elba,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 

COMPANY    F  ;;.  •  • 

Dilley,  Washington,  Persifer,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 
Grump,  Nelson  H.,  Persifer,  e.  Oct.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  8,  1865. 
Jamagen,  Isaac  M.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 

COMPANY   G 

Hapenstall,  Charles,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Oct.  14,  1864,  died  at  Quincy,  Dec.  26, 
1864,  wounds. 

•       COMPANY    H 

Cook,  Thomas  G.,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  disch.  June  15,  1865. 

"-,--''.^^i-/' ;-.,^;.'.:'----.-.i;.'-.  COMPANY    I  •;:.;.'- 

Byram,  Washington,  Indian  Pt.,  e.   Sept.  27,   1864,  died  at  Keokuk,  April 
II,  1865. 

Blake,  Alfred,  Haw  Creek,  Sept.  27,  1864,  died  at  Quincy,  Jan.  3,  1865. 
;  Clark,  Newton  G.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 

:>  i,  :      Martin,  William,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Sept  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 
;••  ;•    Shay,  Moses,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 
Tatten,  David  H.,  Elba,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 
Tules,  David  H.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Sept.  27,  1864.  :  V  .  i 


l:'-^;-'/.'::;^,;--.-;,:./:^,.;:.^.  ^- ;,,;;  37TH  INFANTRY  ..',  :••  ':'    '  Xc'v;C'.:^. 

;';  ••••  !-^:'-- <.->^---.-:v-'.-'--^.'  ';,Jy-  COMPANY  B          .  '• '"^' :,  •  •'.  v':-'*^'/-': 

Sergeant 
Bleakley,  Henderson  B.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  i,  1862,  dis. 

•.  ~^-- .'  Privates  )  ;         '.  /• 

Buflfum,  Emery  S.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i.  ••:   '     '   l.-y'-v' i"^ 

Buffum,  John  W.,  Altona,  Aug.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m  o.  March  27,  1866. 
Barney,  Wm.  H.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  May  i,  1866. 
Crogan,  Peter,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  4,  1864. 
Dudley,  George  W.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  4,  1864. 
Dudley,  Charles,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  19,  1864.      :•;:'., 
Ellsworth,  Alma,  Lynn,  Aug.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  26,  1865. 
Lee,  Richard  M.  J.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  kid.  by  guerrillas  April 
25,  1865. 

Miner,  Martin  V.  B.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  26,  1865. 
Patrick,  Wm.  M.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  4,  1864. 
Reed,  Isaac  W.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Reed,  Ira  C.  Jr.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  1861,  vet,  m.  o.  May  15,  1866. 
Sellon,  Brodia,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  4,  1864. 


262  :  V      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

,;     .;,  Sterns,  John  O.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug  19,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  March  6,  1866,  sergt. 

;.'•:'.  Wyman,  James,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  14,  1862,  wounds. 

•  : :  Whitehead,  Albert,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  29,  1864. 
V;:  Wilkinson,  T.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  4,  1864. 

.  ^  420  INFANTRY 

:  :  Was  organized  at  Chicago,  July  22,   i86i.     Moved  to  St.  Louis  Sept.  21, 

vi  i86i ;  joined  Maj-Gen.  Hunter  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  Oct.  i8,  i86i  and  was  assigned  to 

.;•  Col.  Palmer's  brigade.     Arrived  at  Warsaw,  Oct.  25.     Moved,  Nov.   i,  at   lo 

v\  o'clock,  p.  m.,  and  reached  Springfield,  Mo.,  a  distance  of  97  miles,  at  4  o'clock, 

•  '-  p.  m.,  on  the  4th.     Moved  from  Springfield  on  the  9th,  and  went  into  winter 

quarters  at  Smithton,  Mo.    Marched  from  Smithton,  Feb.  3,  1862,  to  St.  Charles, 
Mo.    Arrived  at  Fort  Hold,  Kan.,  Feb.  20.    Occupied  Columbus,  March  4,  1862. 

•  '     Moved  to  Island  No.  lO,  March  15,  and  was  engaged  until  its  surrender  on  the 
V       nth  of  April.     Col.  Roberts,  with  50  men  of  Co.  A.,  spiked  6  guns  of  the 

enemy  on  the  night  of  April  i;  joined  Gen.  Pope's  army  nth;  moved  to  Fort 

;' '     Pillow,   I4th;  moved  to  Hamburg,  Tenn.,  arriving  April  22.     Was  engaged  in 

the  siege  of  Corinth.    Engaged  in  the  battle  of  Farmington,  May  9,  1862,  losing 

;-     2  killed,  12  wounded,  and  3  missing.    Led  the  advance  in  the  pursuit  of  Beaure- 

,     gard's  army  to  Baldwin,  Miss.     The  42d  occupied  Courtland,  Ala.,  from  July 

,       25  until  Sept.  3,   1862,  when  it  left  for  Nashville,  Tenn.,  skirmished  with  the 

:;  •      enemy  Dec.  30,  and  was  engaged  in  battle  of  Stone  River  Dec.  31,  with  loss  of 

''•'.'•     22  killed,  Ii6  wounded,  and  85  prisoners.    Engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  Van  Dorn. 

.   '     June  24,  entered  upon  the  Tullahoma  campaign.    July  31,  camped  at  Bridgeport, 

;  •.;     Ala.     Sept.  2,  engaged  in  the  Chattanooga  campaign;  marched  to  Alpine,  Ga., 

.•"     thence  to  Trenton,  and  crossed  Lookout  Mountain.     Engaged  Sept.  19  and  20 

:-;'     in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  losing  28  killed,  128  wounded,  and  28  prisoners, 

;  r  •     and  retreated  to  Chattanooga.    Nov.  28,  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge, 

;   ;     lost  5  killed  and  40  wounded,  being  on  the  skirmish  line  during  the  whole  en- 

'-       gagement.     Jan   i,   1864,  regiment  re-enlisted;  entered  Atlanta  campaign  May 

'        3;  was  engaged  at  Rock  Face  Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  New  Hope  Church, 

Pine  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and 

Lovejoy  Station,  encamping  at  Atlanta  Sept.  8.    Total  loss  in  the  campaign,  20 

'.        killed,  89  wounded,  and  7  prisoners.     June  15,  moved  by  rail  to  Johnsonville, 

•  ,•       Tenn.,  and  thence  by  water  to  New  Orleans,  and  camped  at  Chalmette  June  23. 

-  Jan.  10,  1866,  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

-     Ninety-eight  men  from  Knox  county  were  in  Co.  C.  of  the  42d.  Regiment; 
15  were  killed,  20  wounded,  12  died,  and  4  were  taken  prisoners. 

:'  ';•    '  ^  '     '  '         Colonel 

,   -     Walworth,  Nathan  H.,  Oneida,  e.  July  22,  i86i,  res.  April  13,  1864. 

::."'-.''''•'   :::.:.•  • -I  Major  ;, 

i;  ::i-      Leighton,  James,  Oneida,  e.  July  22,  i86i,  kid.  Sept.  20,  1863.  • 

.;:;.•;,:.'•-  -  •    -  Surgeon 

:'    ;         Goddard,  John  H.,  Sparta,  April  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .,  263 

Sergeant  Majors 

St.  Clair,  Percy,  Oneida,  Sept.  3,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  4,  1862,  dis. 
Parshall,  Gilbert  A.,  Oneida,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  pro.  Capt.  Co.  B.,  kid.  in  action, 
Nov.  29,  1864. 

Musicians  '         .'-. 

.  •  .••  •    ' '  j '  *•* ' 

Millsom,  Wm.  G.,  Oneida,   ..,  died  July  23,  1864.  '         .  :>' 

Howland,  J.  M.,  Oneida,  e,  Jan.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865.    .11 

'i_  •    '  ,'',. 

:;,...-.^-,  COMPANY   C  .....'     .•'^--'• 

Captains  ':^.'-'^ 

Preston,  L.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  Dec.  31,  1863. 
Powell,  Orville,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  pris.  at  Libby,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec. 
i6,  1865,  wounds.  ';  v 

First  Lieutenants  ' ,.        •  > , 

Furguson,  Nicholas  P.,  Walnut  Grove,  Dec.  24,  i86i,  res.  June  13,  1862. 
Powell,  Brainard  J.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  kid.  at  Resaca,  May  15,  1864. 
Stark,  J.,  Oneida,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865. 

-  •__    '.'._, 

Second  Lieutenants  "•'.-%':" 

Scudder,  Egbert  M.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  res.  Feb.  24,  1865. 
Wallace,  John,  Oneida,  ..,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865.      .    .  , 

•>';:.  c--/  •iS'.:-?':'^ 'v   -.-^  Sergeants  .  :,        .- 

Walker,  A.  A.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1864.  ; 

Sweet,  N.  B.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  ;   . ;  ,;    X 

Corporals 

Mosher,  Geo.  E.,  Oneida,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  Jan.  2,  1862. 

Neeley,  Andrew,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  i8,  1864,  as  sergt., 
wounds. 

Aberdeen,  John,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  sergt.,  wd.  at  Stone  River, 
disch.  April  20,  1863. 

Bart,  George  W.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  invalid  corps. 


Privates 

Andreas,  P.  B.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Camp  Worth,  Mo.,  Dec. 
i6,  i86i. 

Anderson,  D.  E.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  V.  R.  C. 

Anderson,  C.  C.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  kid.  at  Chicamauga. 

Allen,  A.  E.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  Dec.  9,  i86i. 

Anderson,  Chas.  W.,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  8,  i86i. 

Burt,  Francis,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  killed  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  30,  1862. 

Burt,  William,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  5,  1864. 

Burt,  Jas.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  22,  i86i,  died  at  Camp  Hunter,  Mo.,  Nov.  22,  i86i. 

Bartholomew,  Alfred,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  Aug. 
20,  1863. 


264  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Barton,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865,  as  corpl, 
Bryant,  Allen  J.,  Walnut  Grove. 
;       Booher,  David,  Oneida. 

Barnes,  T.  J.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  vet.,  res.  corps. 
Bo,  Peter,  Oneida. 

•  Calkins,  Calvin,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  i,  1864,  wounds.  I       . 
Cornish,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1864.          ' 
Carver,  Luther  R.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1864,  wd. 
Cooley,  Orion  R.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  15,  1865,  pris. 
Cooley,  Sam'l.  H.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  May  2,  1862. 
Conger,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i. 

Chapman,  Asa,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  trans,  to  Eng.  corps  Sept.  i8,  i86i. 

Edgerton,  Rollin  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Annapolis,  Dec. 
20,  1864. 

Eaves,  Jesse  T.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865,  wd. 

Erickson,  Alfred,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.   lo,  i86i,  wd.  at  Stone  River,  trans,  to 
V.  R.  C. 

Feeley,  Thomas,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  13,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865,  wd.     vV;  -. 

Feeley,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  1.^-^  ^^ 

Gardner,  Benjamin  F.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  kid.  at  Mission  Ridge;. 

Goodair,  James  B.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  May  30,  1864,  wd. 
.      Guthrie,  J.,  Oneida,  Sept.  17,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Hanson,  John,  Oneida,  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.,  wd.  at  Mission  Ridge. 

Hawland,  Joseph;  Oneida,  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  kid.  at  Chickamauga. 

Hand,  George  W.,  Oneida,  Aug.  20,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Hand,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  17,  1862. 

Hulse,  Lewis  V.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865. 

Holt,  Martin  V.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1864. 

Higgins,  Orlando  L.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.   i6,   i86i,  vet.,  disch.  June  5,   1865, 
pris.,  wd. 

Hawks,  Valentine,  Victoria,  e.   Aug.   lo,   i86i,  trans,   to  eng.  corps   Sept. 
i8,  i86i.  : 

Judson,  Whitcomb,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  May  ii,  1865,  wd. 

Jones,  Owen  R.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865,  as  sergt. 
'       Johnson,  Charles,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  22,  i86i,  kid.  at  Stone  River. 

Leonard,  Henry  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865,  as 
sergt.,  wd.  /-    :• 

Lamphere,  Alonzo,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet,  disch.  July  6,  1865,  as 
corpl,  wd. 

Lamphere,  Joseph,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  died  June  25,  1862.        -1 
r       Linquist,  Charles,  Oneida,  Aug.  22,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865,  as  corpl,  wd. 

McConnell,  Peter,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  15,   1865,  as 
corpl,  pris. 

Mclntosh,  George  D.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  17,  1862,  dis. 

McCornack,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  died  May  28,  1864. 

•  McKanckie,  Robert,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
McKanckie,  William,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  kid.  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May 

15,  1864.         ,  .        .          . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :;:rU 

Maxwell,  Thomas  J.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  kid.  at  Mission  Ridge,  Nov. 
25,  1863.  .  . 

Maynard,  Stanley,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i. 

Nofscar,  Jacob,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  July  17,  1862. 

Purdey,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  wd.  at  Stone  River,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Pierce,  Patrick  H.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Piatt,  Jacob,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  corpl,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865. 

Pierce,  Wm.  H.  H.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  22,  i86i,  wd.  twice,  m.  o,  Sept.  i6,  1864. 

Roach,  Edward,  Altona.  ;  v  '• 

Reynolds,  Warren,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  i6,  kid.  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Rice,  George,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  July  15,  1862,  dis. 

Shamp,  Joseph  S.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Scudder,  Giles  B.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  25,  1863,  dis. 

Starr,  William  A.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  24,  1862. 

Sullivan,  Michael,  Oneida. 

Strain,  Milton,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  April  19,  1862,  dis. 

Shaw,  Charles,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  trans,  to  regt.  band. 

Starr,  James  T.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Tynan,  William,  Oneida,  e.  Au^.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865. 

Thomas,  Hubert  J.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  i6,  kid.  by  railroad  accident,  Oct.  i6,  1864. 

Thomas,  P.  J.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  disch.  April  7,  1862,  dis. 

Thompson,  David,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  eng.  corps  Sept.  i8,  i86i. 

Whiting,  Wilbert  L.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet,  kid.  at  Calhoun,  Ga.,  May 
i6,  1864.  •;-..;.  '  : 

'Recruits  .  > 

Anderson,  Calvin  B.,  Wat^ga. 

Fowler,  David  W.,  Oneida,  kid.  at  Mission  Ridge,  Nov.  25,  1863. 

McCreery,  Henry,  Altona,  e.  March  8,  1865,  died  June  3,  1865. 

Spencer,  Marion,  Altona,  e.  March  8,  1865,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865. 

Voris,  Mills.  Oneida,  e.  March  ii,  1862,  disch.  June  24,  1864,  wounds. 
':'-':l   Wallace,  John,  vet,  m.  o.  Dec.  i6,  1865,  as  ist  sergt. 

'  %  .  --•-•. .,  .'•,•      .-    ../_ 

430  INFANTRY 

The  43d.  Infantry  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler  in  September,  i86i,  by  Col. 
Julius  Raith.  Oct.  8  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  St.  Louis.  Feb.  6,  moved 
to  Fort  Henry,  arriving  on  the  loth;  i8th  moved  to  Fort  Donelson.  March 
4,  moved  to  Bell's  Landing,  and  I4th  arrived  at  Savannah,  Tenn. ;  22nd  moved 
to  Pittsburg  Landing.  The  strength  of  the  regiment  was  then  6io  men.  The 
regiment  was  in  the  two  days'  bloody  battle  of  Shiloh,  losing  in  killed  and 
wounded  200.  Was  engaged  during  the  siege  of  Corinth.  In  the  spring  of 
1863,  200  men  of  the  regiment  were  mounted,  by  order  of  Brig.-Gen.  Mason 
Brayman,  commanding  post,  and  did  excellent  service  capturing  guerrillas.  At 
Jenkin's  Ferry,  the  army  of  Kirby  Smith  having  come  up,  they  were  attacked 
with  great  fury.  The  43d,  and  a  section  of  Vaughn's  Battery,  being  rear  guard, 
were  first  attacked;  loss  in  this  battle,  700;  but  that  of  the  enemy  over  2,000. 
About  4,000  men  engaged  the  enemy's  force,  which  amounted  to  20,000  men. 
May  3,  arrived  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  where  the  regiment  was  mustered  out 
Nov.  30,  1865.,  .^, 


266 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


-      The  43d  Regiment  had  83  men  from  Knox  county;  i  was  killed,  3  were 
wounded,  and  14  died. 

Surgeon 

'f . 

Starkloflf,  Hugh  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  term  ex.  Dec.  i6,  1864. 


•  ;  ;     ,        ^  -  COMPANY    C      '0  ' 

•'  •".'•..'/'     •.-:.•';•••'';          Captains       ;,'-'j; 

Edva^l,  aioff  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died  May  7,  1862. 
Arosenius,  Carl,  Galesburg,  Trans,  to  Co.  A,  con.,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 

First  Lieutenants 
Andberg,  John  P.,  Galesburg,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  term  ex. 

Second  Lieutenants  ,  . 

McCool,  Nels  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died. 
Knutson,  Nels,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  term  ex. • 


; .      First  Sergeant 
Holt,  Magnus  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  June  14,  1862,  wd. 


'  "          Sergeants      ':    :v_{;' 

Nelson,  Nels,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,        •'•      • 
Anderson,  Nels,  Galesburg,  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  May  22,  1862,  dis. 


Corporals 

Anderson,  Gustaf  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con., 
m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 

Cling,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 

Nov.    30,    1865.  ...  :;^    i     :;;.:• 

Hallfast,  OloflF  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con., 
m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 

Bentzson,  Peter,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m. 
O.  Nov.  30,  1865.  .  . 

Larson,  Adolph,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  4,  1862,  dis." . 

Paulson,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  26,  1864. 


•  '\--  .        :;-;;.,.         "''  ..    .^.    ,;\''     Privates       .n':'"^-./ -.;•.;•  '•':;:'•/ 

Anderson,  Andrew  J.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m. 

o.  Nov.  30.  1865. 

Anderson,  Lewis  J.,  Galesburg,  e.   Sept.   i,   i86i,  died  at  St.  Louis,  June 

14,  1862. 

Anderson,  William,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died  at  Hebron,  Miss.,  Aug. 

15.  1863. 

.       Botelson,  Nels,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  1861,  disch.  Oct.  ii,  1862,  wd.      . 
Benning,  Henry,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  July  8,  1862,  dis. 
Erickson,  John  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  April  29,  1862,  dis.    •     - 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ^  ^       / ;.  267 

Engstrom,  Andrew,  Wataga,  €.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  musician,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A., 
con.,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 

Dudley,  David  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  wagoner,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1864. 

Harpman,  William,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  14,  1862,  Dis. 

Johnson,  Chas.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  9,  1862,  dis. 

Johnson,  Jno.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died  at  Helena,  Ark.,  Aug.  21,  1863. 

Johnson,  Charles  P.,  Ontario,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept  26,  1864. 

Lundquist,  John,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Feb.  4,  1862. 

Malmberg,  Swen  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con., 
disch.  Sept.  2,  1865,  dis. 

Nelson,  Swen  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Sept. 
30,  1862. 

Nelson,  Weste,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Dec.  i6,  i86— . 

Nelson,  Louis,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865. 

Olson,  Swen,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  June  21,  1862,  wd. 

Olson,  Peter,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  26,  1864. 

Olson,  Nels,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  died  at  Savannah,  Tenn.,  April 
lO,  1862. 

Olson,  William,  Wataga,  e  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Olson,  Swen  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m. 
o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 

Peterson,  Nels  C,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con., 
died  at  Knoxville  Jan.  24,  1865. 

Peterson,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con,,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865,  as  corpl.  •  .  .  :; 

Peterson,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i. 

Peterson,  Olof,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  8,  1862,  dis. 

Peterson,  Nels  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  trans,  to  inv.  corps,  Nov. 
15,  1863. 

Peterson,  Swen  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  m. 
o.  July  31,  1865.  ...-,.: 

Peterson,  Swen,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i. 

Sandberg,  Andrew,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  26,  1864. 

Swenson,  Swen  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i.  "•'     I'.!  / 

Swenson,  Swen,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Sept. 
15,  1864. 

Swenson,  Begt.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  6,  1862,  dis. 

Recruits 

Anderson,  James,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865. 

Esping,  Exel,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o.  Nov. 
30,  1865. 

Holt,  Magnus  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864,  pro.  to  ii3th  U.  S.  C.  T. 

Huttburg,  Samuel  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  29,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m. 
o.  Nov.  30,  1865.  ,  \  -• 


268 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Hockomb,  Magnus,  Galesburg,  e.  March  ii,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m. 
o.  May  25,  1865. 

Johnson,  William,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  15,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  died  at 
Mound  City,  Oct.  25,  1864. 

Jacobson,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  March  ii,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865. 

Johnson,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  March  i,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865. 

Johnson,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  March  21,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865. 

Larson,  John,  Lynn,  e.  March  25,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o.  Nov. 
30,  1865. 

Mengerson,  Samuel  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  27,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con., 
m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.  -:  •  ,  x ;  K  X'-" 

Peterson,  Swen,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  25,  1863,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  m.  o. 
Nov.  30,  1865. 

Samuelson,  Charles  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  ii,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con., 

m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.   ..; '.'•-""'^:'"'•> '..-•;''''''':'•.;•''  .     •:-r:,-l:V--vV..v.  • 

William,  Gustaf,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864,  trans,  to  Co.  A.,  con.,  died  at 
Little  Rock,  Oct.  i6,  1864. 


;    '•  '        .    ''         COMPANY  E          ••  'v  '•'  ^'i-;..--/-/;;:.;.  ,';•-•:; 

Kaser,  Johann,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  kid.  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 


;  COMPANY   c  —  (Consolidated 

/•'"-''-•'•'  Recruits- 

Anderson,  C.  F.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  i,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.  ' 
;l    .  Anderson,  Charles,  Lynn,  e.  March  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.       •;.  ;  • 

V  Johnson,  John  F.,  Lynn,  e.  March  lo,  1865,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Oct.  22,  1865. 
•.  V   Lunstrum,  Gustave  F.,  Lynn,  e.  March  24,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 
Ryddall,  Swen,  Lynn,  e.  March  24,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 
Strum,  E.,  Lynn,  e.  March  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 
-  ,      Swanson,  L.,  Lynn,  e.  March  ID,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 

-.    Johnson,  Samuel,  Lynn,  e.  March  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  June  i6,  1865. 
'  :'\    Johnson,  C.,  Lynn,  March  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  June  ii,  1865. 

'     ,     ''  •-  •        ".'  .     't 

';..-''.:.j:\r''-  .••;..          •       ,'     '  '   V-.-''    COMPANY    K  •     •.•:-.'::'•':;.'•;':•  '^:^v  ';,.:•  ^ 

'.-  '•'•-'         '.  -  •      :::    ••.Sergeant        \'  'v--.V';-';V---  ;;•'•;•',;'••',' 

Harris,  J.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  25,  1865. 

•     •'      '•       •  Corporals  •••••-•••.•  ^ 

.'      '  •  « 

Walls,  James  E.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865,  as  sergt. 
Calhoun,  John  T.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.        ,•; 
•      Hamilton,  Robert  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.  •. 

Fleming,  Sylvester,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.     .     .   ;: 
;   ;    Spence,  W.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 


:.^.,.,    -::-..,.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTRY       ::C     ':;:.,.:       269    • 

l^'i'^xf  >•.'-'•.-  Privates  •    .^       .'^'^-v- 

Henry,  Anthony,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 
Ogle,  Thomas  N.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 
Shoemaker,  Solomon  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865.          • 
Murbary,  Charles,  Lynn,  e.  March  24,  1865.  ,.•'..' 

,'.'•';:  ^     :v-\::  45TH   INFANTRY  ~ 

•'  •  The  Washburne  Lead  Mine  Regiment  was  organized  at  Chicago,  Dec.  25, 
l86i.  Mustered  into  service  as  the  45th  Infantry  Jan.  15,  1862,  moved  to 
Cairo,  111.,  Feb.  1 1 ;  rnoved  toward  Fort  Donelson,  and  during  the  succeeding 

'*.  days  bore  its  part  of  the  suffering  and  of  the  battle.  The  flag  of  the  45th  was 
the  first  planted  on  the  enemy's  works.  Loss  2  killed,  26  wounded.  The  45th 
took  a  conspicuous  and  honorable  part  in  the  two  days'  battle  of  Shiloh,  losing 
26  killed,  199  wounded  and  missing — nearly  half  the  regiment.  On  the  5th, 
marched  to  Bethel,  7th  to  Montezuma,  and  on  8th  to  Jackson,  Tenn.,  the  enemy 
flying  at  its  approach.  Mustered  out  July  12,  1865,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  arrived 
at  Chicago,  July  15,  1865,  for  final  payment  and  discharge.  ;' 

:•  The  45th  Regiment  contained  79  men  from  Knox  county ;  5  were  killed,  6 

-       wounded,  9  died,  and  i  was  taken  prisoner. 

''••'•'•'-•  •^•-:';^  •..•.•'•:.  :-.'•'- i-'^-'-C/:'.^.,  COMPANY  I      .^i^v'V'-:: '.''••.' :C     ' ''^^  :;'-;.' -•'^•/'.';'v^'':!  ••"'.'. 

,   .    .•     Horton,  James  W.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  25,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.   17,  1862.      ,/;'---C 
.-,         .  Riggs,  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  29,  1865,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.  .          .'  >  -iv  r!- 

••::•'•".':•  •>-;v...-..;  •:'..•  •:••;'':'•. .":':\k;-:'    COMPANY  K     .•: V.- •  ;•v•'•^••' ^ '--^ ^     Xi  ••xV'-;..,/' r •';.'.•• 


^  '.;/^;    Holcomb,  Benjamin  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  24,  i86i,  term  ex.  Dec.  24,  1864.  '-W^"^;;  ^:  •     \; 

:;••';-•''•    ':-•'•'     '   '       ' ''    •'    •  First  Lieutenants  ';'•','. I  '•;^•V''';^-' ''''-'^'•    .':- 

:  v         Gray,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  Dec.  24,  i86i,  term  ex.  Dec.  24,  1864.  '"         ^   .        .    -. 

'  ••;          Doles,  Augustus  W.,  Henderson,  e.  Dec.  25,  1864,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.     ":-;  >    V 

•••''•:-•'.'  ^':  ;  ^V  '  -'"''V     '' ' :.Vv•:•'•'•.v:^,;^i'-•'•  • -'V  'v-v"    •"•      ••'••'••••"^T. '.•"';>•;:•  ,'/'-•''/:'• 

'     ;'  Second  Lieutenants  ;  V^:'.'; ''^?^:^^^  '    . '       ' 

•;  •  •  V     Hunt,  Luther  B.,  Wataga,  e.  Dec.  24,  i86i,  res.  June  i,  1862.  -•>:.'';:.; 

V   Amett,  Wm.  H.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  9,  1865,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  vet.        ";vi;'./;'   ^    \: 

•v.v. '.';';:':..;•:;-•;  -_:v-/;\v'V:'V;'-;'- -..-.;.  Sergeants        _  ,.;     ^  ',••'.;' ^/';;-^;''r.  ''•..;•  .^'•;",.. 

;:.•;;.:=••'  Fraser,  R.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23.  1864.  V:  ^i>-''.^- .^""^  : 

I.'.'  .;'•-   Huxley,  Edward  R.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  15,  i86i,  disch.  June  i,  1862,  wd.     :;;..:/ .^'/V  .;;';;^;: 
;;';•>     Ricker,  Horace  M.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23,  1864.  ;   V''^^    ^  ' 

•-'';;'.J.',0'-S:'''-'-'':  '•>^.'•V^'^•V•^!'•:. :'••';'-'•'•';  ^.- ••''-' ;^,  '•^:''--V'     '  '    '     ••':•  ^-.^/I  -''^'-.'^'V:'-'     'V-'-' 

'i:'-'-':''.:':-'-l',  J.;-^'-'-:- •'•••:  \ '•'/'/':  Corporals      -^-r^---  \-. ;.  ."'C;^?.|-.,;..  .^^.•-  .,.'  : 

-  ''    .     Sines,  Isaac,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  sergt.,  kid.  at  Vicksburg,  June  26,  1863.    ^^  •  -       .^  .;• 
'.«.   "       Gordon,  John,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  died  at  Savannah,  April  24,  1862,    Vf-     .  ,. 

;;•;;•     wounds.  " -,,  "'/•  •-:'  ,••"- 

,•:  Vj  ;;    Thrope,  Ambrose  A.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  23,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  12,  1863.        -V;;  .;?::.••-' 


270  :    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -          •    ;    ]::.v:;> 

Colling\\'ood,  Jonathan,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23,  1864,         • 
Smith,  Sidney  M.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23,  1864. 
Baker,  Benjamin  F.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Feb. 
27,  1862. 

Greer,  George  W.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  kid.  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862.    ' 

•-    .•  ''  ..;      '    ;  ,  ;.^:/        Musicians       '.-':•••  V^'-' >•:''' "'V '.••'/:•;/ -V'"'- 

Denison,   Charles  M.,  Wataga,  e.   Sept.   i6,   i86i,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
15,1862.  .     .•.. 

Logan,  Cyrus  C.,  Altona,  e.  Sept.  25,  i86i,  disch.  April  28,  1862,  dis.        :.    r:  - 

'  .     ;  Privates        •  ,:\  Vv-'.^.   |<  •     -^  "  ' 

.:     Buckman,  Peter,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  17,  i86i,  kid.  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862.   ' . 
;        Bilton,  John,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  26,  1862,  dis.  .,' 

Bunker,  Dwight,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  19,  1862,  wounds. 
;-    Cole,  Stephen  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  4,  i86i,  disch.  April  30,  1862,  wounds. 

Comstock,  John,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  5,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  24,  1864.       v?''.';  • 
.      Conley,  Lindsey  G..  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  May  15,  1862. 

Doles,  Albert  O..  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  2,  i86i,  died  at  Quincy,  April  21,  1862. 
Delain,  Olof,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  17,  i86i. 

Denton,  Henman  F.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  disch.  July  23,  1862,  dis.         ; 
7    Eastman,  Alfred  A.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  June  22,  1862,  dis.          : 
.'•     Eastman,  Edward  H..  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  June  22,  1862,  dis. 
Fulford,  Charles  W.,  Wataga,  e.  Nov.  ii.  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  U.  S.  Navy. 
Gilbert,  Delos,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  died  at  Shiloh  April  i8,  1862.         •   - 
Henderson.  William  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

-  Halstan,  Samuel,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  8,  i86i,  disch.  July  23,  1862,  dis.          • 

•  Hawks,  Richard,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  lo,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

.',   Lewis,  Quintus  C.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  died  at  Vicksburg,  Oct.  30,  1863. 

Laird,  Allen,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  as  corpl. 

McClure,  Hugh,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23,  1864.       .j  '• 

McCleery,  Solomon,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  disch.  July  23,  1862,  dis.      .,   • 

Matterson,  George  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  2,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23,  1864. 

Nash,  Joseph,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i. 

Kendall,  Joshua,  Henderson,  e.  Nov.  ii,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  U.  S.  Navy.    . 
-'    O'Brien,  Henry,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i.  i     •  .  ;   ; 

.     Ohlson,  Nels,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  17,  i86i,  disch.  June  24,  1862. 
:  ;    Piper,  Benjamin,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  2,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  as  corpl. 
.    Paddock,  Daniel,  Wataga,  e.  Dec.  3,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  i,  1863,  dis.       ; 

Ricker,  W.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  2,  1862. 

Rowe,  Anson,  Jr.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  March 
6,  1862. 

Ramsey,  Alfred  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  vet,  died  at  Andersonville 
prison,  grave  No.  1765.  '-''v^  .'.'•'>-  U    v      • 

.       Shumate,  Joshua  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Sept.  30,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Soner,  George  W.,   Henderson,  e.  Oct.  8,   i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July   12,   1865, 
as  sergt. 


•  ;-    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;        «1        .:   ' :. 

:V    Sweet,  Henry  F.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  died  Aug.  22,  1863.    ;>>-:^  v  :-"X    ^^r'     ^ 
V       Smith,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23,  1864.  '"-:  :  -^^  •:'  . 

'•      Thomas,  Hiram,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.         '•       ;.  ,  i  '  ; 

Thorp,  Orville  R.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  28,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  as  corpl.    '•'.;         : 

Taylor,  William  C.,  Jr.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  20,   i86i,  vet.,  pro.  to  ist.  lieut.    '...--.- 
and  Q.  M.  ^;'!-'- 

Tebbetts,  William  H.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  kid.  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862.     ;;.,       - 
<:     Taylor,  Nathan  S.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  24,  i86i,  dis.    ;:     -i. 
-,'•      Wandless,  Joseph.  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  4,  1862,  wd.^-         .--:.; 

Wentworth,  Milton,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  i8,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  5,  1862,  dis.  'I 

•      Williams,  Joseph  S.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i.  :  '•  • 

':••     Wilks,  T.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  23,  1864.  "    l^:'      X  • '"        X 

:       Wild,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  13,  i86i,  died  at  Cairo,  Feb.  27,  1862.  ^    ^^     X>        • 

;>-     Yancy,  Walter  C.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  23,  i86i,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  i862.V,    v*' 
'     Yancy,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  Dec.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  July  20,  1862,  dis.  ,..     ,     /;     .    - 

/;.•;,:,  v'rX'  'X. :.:;''  ^'V'  '••'.'  ;,vX  ''•;'•. :^'.•X  Rfcruits  ..v':V'c ;'•••;;''.'.  _•  •'-  .  '  '  ' :  -Vv  '  ''•-  V'  •'  .X  XXX-  '•  -'  ' 
Collins,  W.,  Wataga,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  wd.  -  X  X-Xl.  •  XX  -. 
Clapp,  H.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Mar.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  "  X;  "X 

Doles,  G.  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  -T     X  -      ;  ••'  " 

Morse,  Augustus,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  X'  .V^  ; 

:      Morse,  G.  N.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.         .;-•;:;..    X;;.'X' 
Merrick,  Stephen  F.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  July  12,  i865.X/'X^X     '        '  ^' 
.  •     Osborn,  Stephen  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.      >:    X 'X  "        ' 
Rouse,  Benj.  F.,  Oneida,  e.  June  23,  1862,  m.  o.  June  3,  1865,  corpLi   XX  -  :  X         : 
X     Roberts,  George  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.   iX:X;X"  ^      XX 

Shumate,  W.  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  ;.     :  X^XX  •   ; 
_.-,     Fisk,  T.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  7,  1864,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  X  'X    X  X  /    X      :  ^ 

':-     Thorp,  C.  O.,  Wataga,  e.  Feb.  25,  1864,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.       jXi^   X'/X^X  /-X  ^        • 
X     Tye,  T., -Henderson,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  X-    X'^X  - -"X  XX    v    - 

•V,X;--V  =  V' v'    -^^- v:'  'X-'XX'v  /  X-X:X:;!  47TH  INFANTRY    '  \';-'^-'X\     ''•'..    ';  ;-X-':-'X--''X-';'  ''••;!' ---X''  .•' 
••':.;'..•-•          '  '      ^^  ^X"  •       COMPANY  A      -  -..'v.-!';  ^;,^,      \  ^      -'• '';'---Xc  "''••':.  •••"^--'•.•^XX 

;    ,  Nims,  Herbert,  Altona,  e.  Aug.   i6,  i86i.  •   •''   :X:,XXXXX 

-      Nims,  O.  L.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  m.  o,  Oct.  ii,  1864.    X     X  V-'X   X';';  ;  f'T  ^^  X/X 

•'':'••••'.,-.•=:       ':--^.-'y.'.y  -•-•'.•'    ••         COMPANY  C     'X-' :.'"..  ^.V.  ","      ^V  '    '  X -' 'X  X'' 'X^! -"^'''X'.   'V  "' 

^:-''' '"' --X^":-' ^  Captain  ;  ;••       •;'       -    .-X"";^' -^-.X'-XX'^-^.  .-':''- 

Hoptanstall,  A.  C.,  Galesburg,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.  X  .        '    X  /.XX;:X  ; 

',  '''•'..  ,-_•*.'.'"*•''.-•-*-,'..- 

X':--'-'  '-^ '-:••'••:•   .- •^•.';  X'-'-'-'^'rv-V:'  .V    Corporal       -I:'"'-.:'' :-XX'. ':  ;'          :-:-"/'."^X' X''vX-/  •  X -X 
Aaron,  Wilmore  B.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  disch.  May  i8,  1862,  dis.  X      . 


';•'•..;      Adams,  J.  M.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  disch.  Apr.  28,  1863,  dis.    '  -'•'/'•-. 

.'./'-.      Faith,  W.  J.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  vet.,  corpl,  trans.  Co.  B,  con.     rf-      ;  X 
;  .X;  X'     Green,  J.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  ii,  1864.        ^     .  V    XX  ^^''  '    " 

-'i^O-''-V    '•'''•  '•^~  '  -••; '••^:?, '''-XV ';-.-'".••'-      '•'•'v'-'    .'>.'•  V; '  ^'^ ' -^:   ' 
'..  .--  •  ''.'^^ (''V :<:•'•'  ;..;?''  '.'i<-*'  /'--    '  "•  •''•  \-':''-r,'"'^^--f:--  •'•?•;':'.,; 


272 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Holcomb,  Samuel  R.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  disch.  March  27,  1863,  dis. 
, ;  Kinsler,  John  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  m.  o.  Aug.  i8,  1864.       j 
.   •  Null,  Samuel,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  i8,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  20,  1862,  dis.       •' 


;  ^-^:".  :v:;;'^::.-.  -  j  •...  ''    \.,}'-      COMPANY    E         ':.  ^::  :':-•' ''I  :';':' '••.'''':''•' -''''''v 

;  '      -•      Sergeants       ,  \'.  :•"  -i^^-v''  •;v';-\vO  • 

O'Connor,  Edward,  Elba,  e.  Feb.  15,  1865,  died  at  Selma,  Ala.,  Oct.  24,  1865. 
y      Walch,  Richard,  Elba,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  died  at  Selma,  Ala.,  Oct.  12,  1865.  v;,  ' 
Haley,  James,  Indian  Pt,  e.  Feb.  28,  1865. 

;•,  /-         Corporals.        =:    "^ /•';'''"'?' v^^  ^  - 

y  -   O'Connor,  Dennis,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866,  as  sergt. 
Fahey,  James,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866,  as  sergt.  • 
Daniels,  P.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866. 

'  • . .-  •  ••       Privates.       •'•  •-''•'••   >  ';.:.;•••:,••:'•-' 

.    :  '  -    ':••'.-'-    .:*•••'    .  '     '    '•"     '        ..'     ' 

.       Burk,  Thomas,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  i6,  i86i.    ";       . 

O'Rouke,  Michael,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i6,  i86i.  V-    .,  ',..,'• 

-  v'  Byrne,  J.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.  '...      :  '  '^ 
.       Brady,  M.,  Elba,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.  ^  '  .. 

Bulger,  J.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.     -    .'.  • 

Dunnigan,  John,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  28,  1865.  .:      ' 

.     Dermont,  B.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866. 

Fisher,  Francis,  Elba,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866,  as  corpl 
.     Hanley,  James,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Jan.  27,  1865.        M;:  ::';;;•  ^' -"''./. 

Hennessey,  W.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866. 

Kelch,  A.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.      ;.      '       ; 

Keely,  E.  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.  ..    ' 

O'Driscoll,  L.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.    \  .   ;  ..•'   . 
;•  ^.  Ryan,  Martin,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  28,   1865.   ^>  ;      ::'ivv'\  :      •  /v   ,    - 

Redmond,  J.,  Sparta,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.       ' }.  -  V 
;    Scott,  W.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  28,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.      '•        /  ; 

Wade,  J.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866.        /•  .   \ 

.-'  V.'' •';''^'':-..  :.  •          •    '  SOTH  INFANTRY  v:"V\':;:-.;;;:-,::-'.\.t'.^ y'^ 

. '...'•.>;;>••.;',•  '      -        •  ;••      •      :     ...      COMPANY    G  ;^      ;  V  v'.. ''-I .;:   l-'-'V'.V  'V 

Corporals. 

Babbitt,  Israel,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  April  3, 
1862. 

Rankins,  John  W.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  21,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  27,  1864.  v  i 
Callison,  Woods  B.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24.  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  27,  1864,  as 

sergt.      :^,..:        ...........    ..^        .         ..:..-.;.   ::^-.-..:..v....^  -.../-•••i:-,.;;.  .. 

Privates.  .     • 

Bowman,  Jacob,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  disch.  July  31,  1862,  dis. 
Babbitt,  James,  Jr.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  27,  1864,  corpl. 
Babbitt,  James  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.,  sergt. 


;'-:    :V     ••  :^^'f^;::'^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  y\          278 

vv>.i  \  Babbitt,  John  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  27,  1864,  corpl.  -.-.  ^ 

<;..  \  .'.  Babbitt,  Hugh,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  '  v  -  '   . 

jV^'V'.  V  Hants,  George  W.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  27,  1864.'      ?v'^ 

'  ;    •',  Hants,  Daniel,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.,  June  15,  1862.        ;'; 

.       ;  Rogers,  Erastus,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  12,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  19,  1864.        -       . 

•:...?'!  Williams,  Anson  L.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Sept.  24,  186?;  m.  o.  Sept.  27,  1864.  .'    -.V 

;.;:;;-:  Walton,  George,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i.  /.    ^ 

i^  /"-;:;, -^v--:?'  •''!':  ^ '•;••:'';.   ^  /"^'-    ''V ''•''I'"- •;/'.•-;,'•       COMPANY    I        '•?•./';'.'>. 'ih^  ./:  •;  ',  ••:.'::.-•' ..'•'.^':  •':•':  •/^''  '"'•,• 

..•-.:     Beetly,  Edwin  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.        ;     .; 
Molden,  Ananias,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Sept.  i6,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.       .     .  .  -; 
,   ;'          Flynn,  Benjamin,  Knoxville,  e.  March  9,  1864.  ,  •  .    '  ' 

.      •         Mitchell,  Alexander,  Knoxville,  e.  March  9,  1864.     .  .  ,•.    •'  /. '.i    '  -  .: 

'•:.;'•'.  .^.'.  -:•,'..•  ':;^'.' •;'./';  •,-/.'•-  "'!:.'.:--:-^'-    SIST  INFANTRY       ->""\:-'-  -:  '''  V-/-'^'-'  /••-•', '••'',-'''':V' 

••-•^'-''    ••'•'./':  .v;-./.  ;|     ''•'  \"-^ ';'."'     •'.•'''          COMPANY    C      _  •    '^f^r^}',•'':.  ".-.      _  ".'•'":'' \- '^' ^.'- •::'''•. 

;.  ,    /  First  Lieutenant  •    /    . ;        '  : . 

;:      Eads,  Albert,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  24,  i86i,  term  ex.  Jan.  17,  1865.     -'  >',     '"     •  • 

•:":.'  .''^- :-'•'-.,;•:•..;..,•  v"^.  >-'"..'•.';'.. 'V';-       Second  Lieutenant     ',.^:''  -^  •     '          "' •^:''- •' •  ^  :.-;'''^ 
;  Rambo,  John  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  20,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  25,  1865.      .:     ',    , 

'.':   ;  /  ;'       •    •    : ••          •- •          Privates.'       •'••-'•  • •-       •    .:••  ^;: 

•,...'       Duncan,  Rufus  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  20,  i86i,  pris.,  m.  o.  March  15,  1865. 
.;:         Flatt,  Daniel,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  20,  i86i,  vet.,  corpl.,  kid.  at  Kenesaw,  June    f 

^;^^    27,1864.  :^^:-'.-:- :;:-.  ••.V-,-  -   .;:v. •.;•:'.••..•.••.  ^-^^ 

Garrett,  Benjamin,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  20,   i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  April  24, 
>y     1862.  -• 

:'  "  Heagy,  Harry  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept  25,  1865,  as    f 

'..X     corpl.  "•,•   ;'-'    '-;•"  '^^'••.^-•'•^'  ~      '     .  '''     •  •  • '  V.  I  •  -  ;'^ '' ''^  "'„;? 

•: .  Huggins,  William  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  21,  i86i,  vet.,  kid.  at  New  Hope   >-• 

,;        Church,  Ga.,  June  3,  1864.  '^  ,;.,..;.  -.  ,  .  ' 

Jackson,  Francis,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  14,  i86i.        '    ""  '    '' '  '  v: 

:•         :     Jackson,  Henry,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  27,  i86i,  died  at  Andersonville  prison,   v  > 
•}•/     June  29,  1864,  grave  2658.    -M;,  v/  -  /', 

.;  ,  Lobach,  Joseph  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  i8,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  pris.   :"•. 

^-        of  war.  ;• 

.,  McGowan,  Curtis,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  20,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  25,  1865.      -'•.'* 

"!;•:-'_      Morey,  Daniel  N.,  Knoxvilk,  e.  Sept  20,  i86i.v'i:4  •          >      :'    v^.- 

/      ;.}    Maxfield,  Erastus  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept  20,  i86i,  died'  at  Louisville,  Ky.  ;A        ' 
;/  ;-''^     Rezzer,  Henry  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept  20,  i86i.   ..,    ^.  ...,..•  .    •.     •' 

?      •:"-     Woolsey,  Henry  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.    '::;'•;   '  •  : :   '-. v-I  ) 


Garrett,  Benjamin  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864,  died  July  i6,  1864,  wounds. 
Rambo,  George,  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864,  died  July  30,  1864,  wounds. 


ToLI— U 


274 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


sergt. 


•..v:C >.':,;'-.    .      •         .•         •    .    •  -;        COMPANY    H      ,A,;--;'-<;.v,;..<;->^^;-'-,:-. 

:  \    0         Privates. 

:    Burgland,  Jonas,  Victoria,  e.  Nov.  4,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  28,  1865 

From,  Erick,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  29,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  25,  1865,  as 

Johnson,  Jacob,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1862. 

Johnson,  James,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  29,  i86i.     >  .^  '. 

Lindy,  William,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  9,  1862,  capt.  Sept.  19,  1863,  died. 

Linda,  Lewis,  Victoria,  Dec.  18,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  28,  1865. 

Minard,  Milton  D.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  29,  1861. 

:     Moss,  Sardus  B.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  29,  i86i.         ;     ...--'^   ^'       •  •  .^'^ 

:    Martin,  J.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  29,  i86i,  disch.  July  14,  1862. 

'       Mosher,  Palmer,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  22,  i86i.  :     > 

^      Minard,  Adolphus  P.,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  25,  1862,  m.  o.  Feb.  20,  1865.  j 

Riggens,  Sylvester  B.,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  12,  1862. 

Rosa,  William,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  29,  i86i,  died  at  Big  Springs,  Miss.,  July  14, 
1862.  .      vv    .V  :•  .  V    ' 

Scott,  William  O.,  Truro,  e.  Dec.  13,  i86i.  ' ,  ;:^  .  .  ' 

Sweeney,  Edwin  P.,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  23,  i86i. 
.     Tothill,  Richard,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  29,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  28,  1865. 

Wolf,  Leonard,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  25,  i86i,  disch.  April  7,  1862., 


':'; ;./'.':;"...  -  COMPANY    K        •,'  .•^\';  :^-V      •'.:''-;'••• 

'      •  •  Privates, 

Cook,  Archibald,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862,  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  Dec.  28, 

1863,  pris.--  .'/   -    '•-'     ^^.."'' :•';-:  •;;'.'>••  '•  '•  r'.^  "'•-^•''  •.>^:''-'.-.-':.\'':'-^' ••'::'• 

Diles,  Samuel,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  26,  1865. 

'      Gowde,  Julius  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  ii,  i86r,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  Feb.  7,  1864. 
Lewis,  Henry  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  21,  i86i,  disch.  March  i,  1862. 
May,  Harvey  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  ii,  i86i.  . 

Mirandy,  Cyrus,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  26,  1861,  disch.  April  19,  1862.    |     .-  ' 
Robinson,  Thomas  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  20,  1862,  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  Jan. 

21,  1864,  pris. 

White,  Daniel,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  i8,  l86i.  -    '-;•.';.:•::• 

Kendrick,  L.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  7,  i86i,  trans.  57th  Inf.  r     / 
Miles,  David  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  7,  i86i,  trans.  57th  Inf.  • 

Pruitt,  William  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  trans.  57th  Inf. 
Petty,  William  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  14,  1864,  trans.  57th  Inf. 


INFANTRY        ,     ;  ;    :     . 

Was  organized  at  Camp  Douglas,  and  mustered  into  service  Oct.  31,  i86l. 
Nov.  9  left  Camp  Douglas.  Remained  at  Camp  Benton  until  Jan.  12,  1862,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  Paducah,  Ky.  On  the  morning  of  March  15  marched  out 
with  expedition  from  a  point  some  14  miles  above  Pittsburg  Landing,  for  the 
surprise  and  overthrow  of  Corinth. 

The  opening  of  the  battle,  Sunday  morning,  found  the  regiment  in  position 
with  an  effective  force  of  873  men.  Col.  Stewart  was  wounded  and  9  of  the 
line  officers,  3  of  whom  died  of  wounds;  102  enlisted  men  were  killed  and 


,   .^;-:A  '^;^  ;-•;;;  ;;ia        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .      l^/\  275 

.      ,;  mortally  wounded,  and  i6i  wounded  and  taken  prisoners.     The  regiment  was 

^ '.  :  with  the  army  in  advance  on  Corinth,  and  at  Russell's  house.  May  17,  lost  in 

-'    \  .  skirmish  8  men — 2  killed  and  6  wounded.     Entered  Corinth  May  30;  thence 

- 1    .-'  with  Gen.  Sherman,  westward  along  Memphis  and  Charleston  R.  R.    The  regi- 

.;;';.  ment   re-embarked   with   army   and   was   present   and   under   fire   at   battle   of 

.     ' '  Arkansas   Post  Jan.    lo  and   ii,   1863,  losing  three  men,  wounded.     Was  at 

;.\  •  •  Vicksburg  in  1863,  participating  in  the  fight.    Participated  in  the  siege  of  Jackson, 

'    ;    ;'  Miss.     On  3oth  Oct.,  1863,  marched  from  East  Point,  on  Tennessee  river,  for 

:!    '.<  Chattanooga.     During  night  of  23rd,  with  rest  of  brigade,  manned  a  fleet  of 

.  ;.;•  pontoon  boats  in  North  Chickamauga  creek,  and  in  the  midst  of  rain  and  intense 

.;  r   .;  darkness,  with  muffled  oars,   descended  and  crossed  the   Tennessee  river  and 

,  ;    ;';  captured  the  enemy's  picket  line.     Nov.  25  marched  with  Sherman  to  the  relief 

'.:'/.  of  Knoxville,  E.  Tenn.     June  27,  1864,  participated  in  assault  upon  Kenesaw 

.  •  Mountain,  Ga.    July  22  the  regiment  was  again  engaged  with  an  effective  force 

;      _  V  of  239  men,  and  came  out  of  the  engagement  with  i8o  men.     Was  in  the  siege 

:'    .     ;  of  Atlanta;  in  battle  of  Jonesboro.     In  a  short  campaign  of  a  little  over  two 

:.     .;  months  the  regiment  lost  half  its  number.     Marched  with  army,  via  Richmond, 

/:-     .-  to  Washington;  participated  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington.     During  its 

j.  term  of  service  the  rigment  marched  3,374  miles.                                 ••!.'' 

..  The  55th  Regiment  had  8i  men  from  Knox  county,  of  whom  3  were  killed, 

.    ;  .     2  wounded,  7  died,  and  i  was  taken  prisoner. 


,•••-'--';./'.;/::';    ;^;   •'.:'••'.  ;•.^ /':    COMPANY    A 

:':•]',-.{'':•  :  •^:  T.'          Captain 

Ridenour,  John  B.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  res.  June  15,  1865. 


'•  '•-  .•.'"--•'     -"  '      v:•:.^'^^:••>;•.^'  "  •       Corporal 

Presson,  Joseph  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  2,  i86i,  pro.  q.  m.  sergt. 

'  Privates.   '"        ""  "  .'•- 

Brown,  John,  e.  Oct.  29,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  non-com,  staflf. 
Hayden,  A,  R.,  e.  Oct.  30,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864. 


-•';'/''.;<.:•_-':  /^:..  /.  "'•''.'    -.•.••'••,'::;;;'''--".?';:•:,  'j;-.   COMPANY  D  <;'':';.  V'.;-;-.V:'_^    ••     '   ^'\-\-']:l:-:-'.'-:-:l>\--^;-':-'-'^  ••-/''••'• 
;.:;;;:        "        .....  .....      '"'     '       ''      Musician   :./;:'',-:\^--       ^'  .  ,•       •.;'':'•••••;  v^!  •''''"•''•--'!.'•;•':'• 

'.  '  Parvin,  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i,  vet  :\j;.  '-1>>  '  '  -  ;  •    ;^:V  %^     ':y       - 

•;•:.•/•:;'•;••:-;-.-..  .•,,••--:.••••'.;.••,-:=•:        Recruit  '.'.    ^:.       "^'^-x^  ''.'''V^^^^^;v':.  '>  '    ' 

>         Dunn,  H.,  Truro,  e.  Jan.  g,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865.  [  V:   V'K  •    :  ^.;  V        J^    • 

;^''.\  '!'--';'^'.'^":/  >'';.;••;'.;.'-'/•"•'  ''t^;'-'.,;--''';;'  ''  COMPANY  F  .•;'••:'  -^  '  '  '.  --•,.  ^''^V-'i  '''•'  V.  ..:'•':.••:'-'•' 
\:,"'::':':i~:'/:''''-^^'-'^::'  ''  /:""••  ^  ^v^-'j  v:^  .•''••  First  LieutgHant  :.:v\'  >-.;?.  •  ;  :=  '  V;'-'  ;.  ?:  ''^  ^"V;:---;  -:J  '.''j 
-  •  Presson,  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  31,  i86i,  res.  March  5,  1862.  ^:  ;V  >-  '  V  . 

v;.  ..'^''        '      ••••-•-•••     •-•••    •    •••'-.    •.   ••-       Privates,    ?-"'.^'^'  '::-';/,.      ':       '-  .  •.  ^  v;.,.'^-:;:\v-.',,    '"'-;  'f-:, 

V.  .-  .'v        Reynolds,  Joel,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  8,  i86i.'  -  -  '  ^     :  --y   j     i;^.  ,;,....v  • 

y  /  ;:•         Holmes,  David  N.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  ist  Lieut     C'^:'"      •  '  •    f^; 


276 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


•   Keffer,  Jacob  W.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  ii,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  i86i,  as 
sergt.       •..-  .  :        ^;     ,..;,•••;,,       -.-,.,    ';;-•.;.. /^.,;-,  :..••:•;-../'.•.• 

COMPANY  H     ,'':.••  .V   -:^-:.  .;•:/..  '  ••• 

Trout,  Lewis,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  8,  i86i.        .  •    X  ;:.        . 

;    '•  •'"'.••-'''  1      ••' 

•'- ;' _-;;;-^_'       '    •   ..  ^  .  .  •/.     COMPANY  I       '     ^    '' ;  ":•'..•:;'/'-•'' 

.::-^^:^l  :••'      .'  '•'•^-        Privates.         '.•'-'•;.''./.•.'''••: 

Crocker,  G.  W.,  Knox  Grove,  e.  Aug.  26,  i86i,  vet.  died  at  Marietta,  Ga.,    v? '    '•:•:. 

Sept.  30,   1864,  wounds.  -;;•-. 

Matlock,  J.  W.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  i8,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865.  -'        •,  ;' %?"?.  -v 

Rickman,  M.  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  17,  1861.  .       •;>.   ;  ?•.    . 


.-    'U'.:.. !;;.;_         •        '  -;        COMPANY    K         :'      .    \  •'.•'.'-,• /J.  .:--.;" 

Captains  '         •  ,  . 

Black,  J.,  Abingdon,  e.,  Oct.  31,  i86i,  res.  Feb.  9,  1863. 
Kays,  James  VV.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865. 

.       ,:;..•.  First  Lieutenants 

Fillmore,  John  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Nov.  26,  1862. 
Grounds,  William,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  23,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865. 


,     ^s     .     '  ;     Second  Lieutenants         '    .     \;    V    ^-  ^  I 

.     Gillett,  Andrew  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  31,  i86i,  resigned  April  7,  1862. 
Lomax,  William  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  hon.  disch.  Oct.  31,  1864. 

•     '  -.      '  '     First  Sergeant  ::v       '    •      ^^ 

Encell,  Charles  K.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.     -  .   '•  '/   ,i 

•:"•'  i    ''-.••  ^"..          •  •  '  '  •     ' ' '  •  '.•          -•    .^••.  •^•'  :,,.-.-•''/ 

Sergeant  .•',';; 

•     Massey,  James  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  20,  i86i.         .;     / 

'.''  Corporals.  ,•'-       _-.''•'     /,-    -       / 

-   Burnaugh,  William  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Morris,  James  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i. 

Miller,  Moletus,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865,  as  sergt. 

Westfall,  E.  P.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  21,  i86i. 
;  Hawthorne,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.         ;;     ,  ^  •'   ^^         ' 

Babbitt,  Harry,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  23,  i86i.  S'  ^^'v'  ^ '    :^ 

:•'•''''"'   "  '"     '  '         Privates.       '     -  •   '  .••'.••';•'".'..  .•'X^'''- 

Anderson,  John,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  17,  i86i.  •  -    ''   ' 

Bellwood,  Milton,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  22, 

1863.  ..-:.-:>..^'-:::.:-  •-.:•>; 

Bonham,  B.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.  .     /.        :     ^. 

Bellwood,  Lemuel,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  1861. 

Baldwin,  Martin,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  trans,  to  invalid  corps. 


;;^'>;-v^^^x''^'^v?'--"';3r:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     /;/•;•}:'•••;"•'    '277    •:y;N^'- 

i  •;  Bonham,  A.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Chesney,  William  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  for  dis.  July  31, 

1865.  :..     •: 

Curtice,  Daniel,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Nov.  7,  i86l. 
Cox,  Robert  M.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865,  as      '      . 
'  corpl.      V  :.;::'.:';-••  -^  •'  •':  •    •  "v"^:  >  '•'-.  •:-'.""!' 

Comes,  Joseph  P.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865,  as 
corpl.  , 

,  Addison  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864.  .- 


^ 

'Coy,  George  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865,  as 
,  sergt.  •,---  -^•'    ,;•'.-:--••:  :-• 

-  -•-•',.-.  -T   ..;..'-.; 

Coy,  U.  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  4,  i86i.  -•  . 

Davice,  Moses  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  i8,  i86i,  trans,  to  invalid  corps. 

Deen,  William  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  20,  i86i,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  May  i,  1864. 

Dickey,  Henry,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864.     :   :,:./; 

Forey,  Ostrando  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i. 

Goold,  Jesse,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  died  at  Belle  Isle,  rebel  prison. 

Greene,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  kid.  while  on  picket  Aug.  14,  1863. 

Hall,  William  M.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.  '•.;;'. 

Johnson,  N.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  20,  i86i.    ;;^   v.':      •  :^^     >;  w   ^  '   ' 

Kays,  Henry,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i. 

Latimer,  Thomas  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865,  as 
1st  sergt. 

Murray,  Sidney  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864.       ;  '. 

Mapes,  Asbury,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i. 

Marshall,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865,  as  sergt. 

Mount,  William,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  kid.  near  Atlanta,  Ga., 
Aug.  4,  1864.  ^^/•-..--  ••:-^-^--  ^=•?'^:^^^  /••-.-'';,  -r  ;  v:  'r  ^^.-;v.  --:. 

Maxson,  Duane,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.  .  'i.^^  i' 

Miller,  Francis  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Feb.  20, 
1862.  . 

McKibben,  L.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Moneymaker,  Wm.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  20,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865. 

Moneymaker,  J.  K.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  20,  i86i,  died  at  Youngs  Pt.,  La., 
Feb.  8,  1863.  , 

Meadows,  H.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  25,  i86l.     .;.   C.':  •':•>; 

Newkirk,  A.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  23,  i86i.    '^--:'  -\  VvV     o  / 

Nelson,  William  H.,  Soluda,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.   ^  ^  y-,^  '  ;.    /  '-  V^  ••    V 

Pointer,  James  T.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  ist  sergt.,  died  at 
Duvall's  Bluff,  Ju4y  25,  1865. 

Rose,  Mason  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.''     '"-  :,;.•'..    •  •' 

Rhodecker,  G.  W.,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Nov.  i,  1864.  -  ;   ;-^  ••  f.  •  '"  ^ 

Reckner,  Daniel,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  23,  i86i.  •"' 

Raymond,  T.  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  23.  i86i.  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  May  i,  i86l. 

Rechey,  S.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  for  old  age  Nov.  3,  i86i. 

Spencer,  William,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865,  as 
sergt.,  wd.  .  :-:,^-  '  S'V'-  :.v  —.-'•'  - 

South,  Elijah,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.         .     /  '•;'     V  ;^  '•"••• 


278  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      v-^;;-. 

s '     '  •  .-•.''        »X.  ', 

.Spitzer,  Andrew,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864.  -  - 
.  J  Shoop,  Thomas  T.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Staggs,  David  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i. 

Townsend,  J.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i,  died.  -:•%•..;.'., 
-  Williford,  William  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  22,  i86i.  ;'.  .  '  ,  • 


Recruits  ;:  •  •; 

Crouch,  Hiram,  Sparta,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865. 
Campbell,  Joseph  H.,  Sparta,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865. 
Newkirk,  Absalom  W.,  Sparta,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865. 
Romesburg,  David,  Sparta,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  14,  1865. 
Stiles,  Edgar  G.,  Sparta,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind. 


'••\V.'  ..        .,  57TH  INFANTRY  '  .  .    .'''•^•"••^'•''•-•-:"'^-' 

'•    \>.:'-'       •  '        -^        '  :      COMPANY    A  '.   v  ••   '^';    •       ;"%'.;' ''^ -'  "-'^ 

Dawdell,  Thomas,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  13,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Ball,  James,  Galesburg,  disch.  July  20,  1862,  wounds.      . 

^•\r*'' --'^  ._  .    '    '          COMPANY  D       '.  '••/;•:;;'/'•'':•......'.-.,. 

';;   -.  •      Sergeant  ••'  "'     -^  .     ; 

Olson,  Olof,  Victoria,  e.  Nov.  lo,  i86i,  term  ex.  1864.        >  •       . 


Privates  v  /     - 

Broberg,  A.,  Gilson,  e.  Oct.  ii,  i86i,  term  ex.  1864. 
Gamett,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  8,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Hanson,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  8,  i86i,  term  ex.  1864.       •  '    .y      ,;;; 
Norlund,  Lars,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  20,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  July  5,  1862. 
Peterson,  P.  L.,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  20,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  May  29,  1862. 
Rudeman,  O.,  Victoria,  e.  Dec.  19,  i86i,  term  ex.  1864. 
Erickson,  John,  Truro,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.  : 

Quinburg,  Peter,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Johnson,  Olof,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Nordquist,  Louis,  Wataga,  e.  Dec.  25,  i86i,  term  ex.  1864. 

•'•'.."•',    ^      •  •--    •   COMPANY  E     .'.''•':::•_••.'•'••'-•.•"''. 

.•';,/•'/,<'  '    .  Captain  ;•;/.'.<•',%  .v_ -.'/.,' 

Passenger,  Charles  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  27,  i86i,  vet.,  died. 


•••-••''"•-"''•       '  •         •  '  '•  Privates    '•  •     '  •  '-: -I -';-•''. '.-'.•^.' '-•'•;';.'' 

Anderson,  Andrew,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  21,  i86i.        -    -  • '   -         .- 
Bell,  Anderson,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Davis,  Frank  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  died  at  Pittsburg,  Tenn.,  April 
15,  1862. 

Davis,  Martin,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  7,  i86i,  disch.  April  29,  1862. 
Davis,  Dighton,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Hendricks,  Loran  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  7,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865!  ,  • 


:j;V ':•;{.         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '^  .     v;      279         •;^'-: 

Smith,  Thomas,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  25,  i86i.  '-A- •.       ':    •  ^v  -    .^  ;::•;..    J.'-V  -J^:'.-  - 

Watkins,  John  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  vet.  m.  o.  July  7,  1865..'  -;;:.*  .v;-;/ 
Wait,  Alva  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.    ..         .       '    •  '   t 


COMPANY    H  •:.;•-••••>;••:       -  .•\     •-'  ".-.'^  ;•;;:;••••',.•  .'/v.'-  •--•'.': 

^:-^  '>.;,' ^ •:'•:,:,.';/•.   -/^ j' "' '^^•.•' ' /•  V  •  • '      Scrgeont     ^"•'... ••>  — ;  '.'^  '  '  '      •  •  ;:;•.';  X';-^-'-' '•:-;--'''' "^;-.'':-. 
*       Reed,  H.,  Lynn,  e.  Sept.  29,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  25,  1864.  ;        •      i-^'  .  ;  '    '         •' 

Corporals.  '  .  v;     .  ., 

Cochran,  Edward,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  5,  i86i,  kid.  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  Oct.  4,        - 
1862.  ^'  'V 

McCabe,  Henry,  Lynn,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  vet,  died  pris.  of  war.      '       .  .  . 

Privates      '    "'  •          '         ''^';~^'!'"-'' I/- "•'-[' --'':'.^' 

Annis,  John,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  25,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Sept.  8,  1862.  '       ";  /   " 

Berknmeier,  Christopher,  Lynn,  e.  Oct.  lO,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.        .:0  K 
Bennett,  Phineas,  Lynn,  e.  Sept.  29,  i86i.  ' '-:^  '•.//.-- 

;       Boswell,  Riel,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  21,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  April  29,  1862.       .  •  >^.  '      :.     /v. 
Codding,  Jasper  C.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  29,  i86i.  .  ;    .      •       ; 

Cotteral,  William  H.,  Lynn,  e.  Oct.  15,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  i,  1862,  minor.        "•'  '"•         '  ; 
Coon,  Charles,  Victoria,  e.  Nov.  20,  vet.,  sergt.,  kid.  at  Resaca,  May  17,  1864.         .    ' 
Dudley,  Henry,  Lynn,  e.  Oct.  2,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  April  29,  1862.    ^r  ;.v.:   -;.:.;-;-";. 
Hanna,  William,  Elba,  e.  Oct.  15,  i86i.  '-C;  ;--'"t--  r  :.    ;  '> 

Hurlburt,  Horace,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  20,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.    1- :   •   .''v    ::;        ^ 
Miller,  C.,  Lynn,  e.  Sept.  26,  i86i,  died  July  ii,  1862.  A^^  •  ^•'  ;  V"  •    :  ;     ]: 

Rice,  F.  L.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.      A.;  :v^ ; ;      ^  f-:v  ':-;    ' 
Spalding,  John  A.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  29,  i86i,  disch.  for  promotion.  ;.-         >    ". 

Garrety,  Daniel,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Oct.  15,  i86i,  kid.  at  Corinth,  Oct.  3,  1862."  j  -   . ,.     , . 

•;'••.:  _.-f  /.'';  ;,;  ,    .£:  '•'•?.'.;,•-'•":     58TH  INFANTRY     --'^  'Ji^'.:','-    ;   •  "  •:".'_•'' ^''••••-   '/'v?-^'-' .  .;':-^-    .- . 

;';.'.-'''.;.; -.-v.  ;..-:  ^'^  .v-;j.-s '/'..:.•..:.;  COMPANY  A          '•-•  .^''.•'•:.:    '•   .;         'v!;-'^:';r:''.--' ':r-Vi.'.' '   • 
Barney,  G.  Eugene,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  29,  i86i,  trans,  as  ist  sergt.  to  Co.  E.     , 
Stanley,  James  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  21,  i86i,  vet,  disch.  for  dis.  April  23, 

1862.  ^  V. 

'",     ^  .•'•;,•;•'••••  ."'•'":'..' V-'-^''-'X-''-V- COMPANY  G,:-''''^.:>-:^'-^;-:--- '  ' '' ,'^'     ''•';'••••'.:'••.-:>'''::;- •.'?•.••'    '.Vi.' 

-•    '•''•:?••.    •••/   ./^>    ;'•;  *^  ::•/';      Captain      I' •'•-'.•.'.':••'.•••-     '  -- - -v,^.- :>U-^^:v'^;\-:v:-   ;:   '^;  - 

"   ,-  -.-•   .  -;     .-  ,;     -'•••,,.. 

Fuller,  Loring  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  31,  i86i,  term  ex.  Feb.  7,  1865.       '•!.;-*':     ^ : 

; '"       Priz-ates  '      •'':•''•'-/-•''':'•.'':' 

Bennett,  William,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  31,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Oct.  8,  1862.     :>•,:-     .V  /   ' 
Camp,  Sterling  T.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  4,  i86i,  pro.  musician.  :  :  -  •        -,     ' 

Camp,  H.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  4,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  7,  1865.         .-;•,":-;•'.'  :^.l.      ; 
Cronnole,  John  P.,  Gilson,  e.  Dec.  30,  i86i,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  . 

5,  1862.  S  ':  : 

Fogirty,  John,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Nov.  26,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  March  25,  1863.        .          • 
Garrard,  H.,  St  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  9,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  7,  1865.  ", 


280        '        •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    -i'-'r; 

Gillett,  W.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  29,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  I,  died  of  wounds 
received  at  Shiloh. 

Gillett,  F.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  29,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  I.  • 

Grabill,  J.,  Gilson,  e.  Dec.  i8,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  7,  1865.  "  .  V  • 

Grabill,  A.,  Gilson,  e.  Dec.  i6,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Hull,  Daniel  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  24,  died  of  accidental  wounds  Feb.  14, 
1862. 

Hatfield,  G.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  12,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  I,  vet,  m.  o.  April  i, 
1866.  •  -./••'.•:;-:;.;::  ••./^:^-^"^:• '<G-.:V:<^' '•.:••  -1 

Henness,  George  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  20,  i86i,  died  at  Evansville,  Ind. 
.   Imil,  Thomas,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Nov.  17,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  June  14,  1862.    :  - 

Kitcben,  David,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  28,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  April  24,  1862. 
'•       McDonnell,  James  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  5,  i86i. 

Meadow,  William  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  31,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  I,  vet.,  m.  o. 
April  I,  1866. 

Nation,  Joseph,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  25,  i86i,  died  on  Tenn.  river  April  lo, 
1862,  wounds. 

;-    •    Nation,  Elijah,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  20,  i86i,  vet.  trans,  to  Co.  B,  m.  o.  April 
I,  1866.  ;.-r;:  I.     :.  ;• 

Peabody,  George  N.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  3,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  I,  vet.,  m.  o. 
April  I,  1866. 

Perry,  William  M.,  Gilson,  e.  Dec.   i6,  i86i.  *    • 

Ryan,  Peter,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Nov.  26,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  7,  1865. 
';        Richey,  Samuel  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  26,  i86i. 

Ryan,  Thomas,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  30,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  7,  1865. 

Sibley,  Lucien  G.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  26,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Aug.  5,  1862. 

Staggs,  Allison  M.,  Gilson,  e.  Dec.  9,  i86i,  trans,  to  Co.  B,  vet.,  m.  o.  May  2, 
1866.  ...-  ,  :^. 

Staggs,  John  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  28,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Aug.  21,  1862.    :  ' 

Thompson,  J.  M.,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i6,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Aug.  3,  1863.         /  ' 

Thompson,  Errick,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  4,  i86i,  m.  o.  Feb.  7,  1865,  was  pris. 

Griffin,  Augustus,  Galesburg,  e.  March  21,  i86i.      .,•;•::--. 

•  X;  59TH  INFANTRY        .:';:;:;• 

The  9th  Infantry  Missouri  Vols.  was  organized  at  St.  Louis,  Sept.  i8,  i86i. 
The  companies  composing  the  regiment  had  been  raised  in  Illinois,  and  mustered 
in  at  sundry  times.  Sept.  21,  i86i,  ordered  to  Jefferson  City;  3Oth  moved  to 
Booneville;  Dec.  15,  i86i,  moved  to  Georgetown,  Mo.;  23rd,  returned  to  Lamine 
Bridge.  Jan.  i,  P.  Sidney  Post  was  commissioned  major.  Feb.  12,  1862,  by  an 
order  of  the  War  Department,  the  9th  of  Missouri  Vols.  was  changed  to  the  59th 
Illinois  Vol.  Infantry.  Feb.  22  moved  to  Cross  Hollows.  March  6  moved  to 
Pea  Ridge.  On  the  7th  fought  the  enemy  all  day;  Major  P.  Sidney  Post  was 
severely  wounded.  Lieut.-Col.  Frederic  was  severely  wounded,  and  Capt.  Hale 
commanded  the  regiment  during  the  fight.  April  j.  Col.  Kelton  having  resigned, 
Maj.  Post  was  commissioned  colonel.  After  'evacuation  of  Corinth,  pursued  the 
retreating  enemy  as  far  as  Booneville;  i8th  crossed  the  Tennessee  at  Eastport 
and  camped  at  Waterloo ;  Col.  Post  took  command  of  brigade.  Oct.  8  was  heavily 
engaged  at  Chaplin  Hills,  losing  113  killed  and  wounded,  out  of  361  men  going 


;-;,:-:;:•    ;:•^--'     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   ••;:;':         281 

into  action.    Arrived  at  Nashville  Nov.  7,  near  which  place  the  regiment  remained 
during  the  year. 

The  59th  Regiment  had  104  men  from  Knox  county;  3  were  killed,  8  wounded.'. 
and  14  died.  . 

•'''.•":•'•'-•-••'••'.•-'  •'..  ;  v' •';•>.:'"" :'---?'.-7      Colonel      V-  ;'':.;' v~:>    •     /•  .••  %  '•.^'•.'|;.V\^'-^'-,. ' 
Post,  p.  Sidney,  Galesburg.  ^^ '/i/' ;"";:;;/         .          V!' .:>:,'  ;.     .  ;: 

'•      -  .-•.••-,  -_  .  ..-•.•:-      '    j  •         •   ,'   .'•  . 

...  ----.-....•  '•  •'-•  •-'',•,''       '  •  .  •'      '.    •  •   •• ;     •  -'-?•'•.'  '-    -' 

Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hale,  Clayton,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  absent,  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regiment.      .' 

•  •:^:,.  .V-.  •':.;'v-\.:/v."  '^•]:.^--^  .->,•.  '-.i    Adjutant    >;-:;/\;'.  ••,.,'•  ::\'\/.-;  ;V';  •'.-"  :-Vc^.i' •"''• 
West,  Samuel,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  pro.  capt.  Co.  I,  res.  Nov.  22,  1864. 

'•     '      •  :•    ''        '    '"      '•'•••-=  —  •      Surgeon     ''  ••''•'••'•    •'          .'<• '^ -I  "''"^V,';l  •-• 
Bunce,  Charks,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  25,  1862,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.         '  v  :,,   v 

-./'••  -iv ;'.:•,•       '  Assistant  Surgeon         ."-/•:  ,.:•,;•"•'/••'••'•  ;-.C-:-''=;,---i;\  ;x  • 

Gaston,  Joseph  W.,  Knoxville,  died  Sept.  3,  1864.  ^  >     v   - ';      • 

-•'•-.'•'   '••-•••"   ''.''-   .'-•'•:';'..•;    Sergeant-Majors    ••••-•  •^'••' .^-^  "'•''••  '"^' ''" -^  •,.'.-;'';•, 

Smith,  John  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  15,  1863,  wounds,  i .' '  ' 
Ayers,  George  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.       •-..'•; 
-.    ....  .    .-.  ...-.-    •.......•  ..    -..•.-...-.•.         .•.     ..•••-'. •:";;-'^^::.''^'^l 

'-•'':    '  (  '•'•''•.  •':'•'••  -"';'^-:' ';v ';.-•:•;.:.•;-•  COMPANY  A  "";;.;•':  -^^---.r    •  ,;    .  .'  •'  i"  ,  .-:''^.r:.\,;'v '"'. 
•  •"•-'••  ••   '••  .--•._•••:     •:-  -.      Captains      ••    -'•^.•'•.-     •  '  •    •;      •  -"^-'-''^  -       '  •    :. 

Bailey,  David  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  at  Knoxville,  Oct.  lo,  1864. 
Elrich,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  >  ..  •     7  • 

First  Lieutenants  "''.'^^      v^. 

Sanderson,  Alexander,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  'I^ ;,;'.'  1' 
Patton,  Samuel  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.          ";';'••• 


^'''. .'''-'  Sergeants          •>''•.;'  /  •'•- -v '..  "•.^:0- 

.i-;.^    ; :  Higgins,  Edwin  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  trans.  V.  R.  C.       ••/^:v   .':' 

.;•;-•.'  West,  Samuel,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  pro.  com.  sergt.  '.' v.  V-'  '' 

,.  Hall,  John,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  May  i,  1862.      •••"'•••'" --'•.,.'^: 

'    •.:  Anderson,  Phillip,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Oct.  21,  i86i.       ;'• 

:>•..-.. /V'  '-••-•    ••  ••    •    •     ••    •      ••          Corporals.     ''      '  "t;.v-\      ,       .-•  .•;^'.''-'''-:'- .'=^.- 

Y.'..  Warren,  Edward  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  1861.'"  '      •  •  •  "  ' 

.'-.;'  V  Collins,  Albert,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  20,  1863,  as  sergt, 
•,'..;•.'-•  wounds.  ';."•'•-••-;•:/.- -v7V'--.;--'i  .•:•;/.-'•-;..'''•<":'. 

'V'^;  Dennis,  John  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  31,  i86i,  dis.    .     . 

••  -     .  Elrich,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died.  : 

•.•:,':  Huptonstull,  Jacob,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  Oct.  31,  i86i.      , 


282  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       /K     ' 

.  '1    '  ;•'.  *•'.'•     ;  ' 

'  '':'"--ifi^.v  \;  '•  ^  Musicians     ••,:.;'";•:.,-.:.„;' •;•;.:•;>,.':: 

Owen,  Thomas  R.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  April  lo,  1862. 
Rodecker,  William  P.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  trans,  to  bat.  A,  2d  art. 


...     ..  •         '  '.       •>.      IVagoner        .'•  •^--vi  ^  '.;.;.'!''- r^  •.'.••  J;....' v^' v'^-.;.^';.';.'''^' 

Woolsey,  Wm.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  July  17,  1864,        ••,,.'- 
wounds.  •  ^  •  • ,  .       -    _       •••:•:.•  ,.•'-  ::.   'I     ;-.   ';  -.v   ••';:'.>'-'''-.'^ 

Privates  ;\'.; 

Allen,  Richard,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  June  17,  1865,  as  sergt.,   ;  /  , 

wounds. 

Beatty,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  '  •        '  x    ;.^--s  ' 
Burnaugh,  Nathan,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  Nov.  7,  i86i.        :.    :    V^^^^^^ 
Bryan,  Joseph  N.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  sergt.  ;.  ••^.  -  •.: 
Calkins,  Charles  E.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  Dec.  20,  1862.  .^-''  - ;..- 

Collinson,  Anthony,  Abingdon,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  !,•-•-;- 

Camp,  Wm.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  June  29,  1865,  as  sergt.,  .;•'•';:;• 

wounds.  i          .     •:- . ; :   . .;  - 

Canfield,  George  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  ';••.- 

Castle,  Geo.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  sergt.   :;;,{; 
Colwell,  James  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  12,  1864,  as  sergt.,    ;'.;-     •.; 

Corbin,  Francis,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  at  Louisville,  Oct.  i,  i86i.   .-  '   ; 
Crentz,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  2,  1864,  dis.  -^^  !^\  '•' 

Cuthill,  Gray,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  17,  1862,  dis.        -  '   ';  •"^": 
Dawson,  George,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  i6,  i86i,  dis.        .         •.•:",.. 
Dallmeyer,  George,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  trans,  to  Miss,  marine  brigade.    .  _-;f .   ' 
Donnelly,  James  A.,  Knox  Co.,  July  17,  i86i,  sergt.,  died  at  Louisville,  March  .    r-' 

20,  1864.  ^  ;:•;•:: 

Donnelly,  Jefferson  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  15,  i86l,  dis.   '. ,;       ' 
Finch,  Lewis,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.       |  r  :,  • 

Gardiner,  Seth  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86l,  vet.,  sergt.,  killed  at  Rough   •;•"•• 

Station,  July  4,  1864. 

Godfrey,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 

George,  J.  K.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  April  6,  1863,  dis.: 

Goodwin,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  17,  1864,  sergt.        .  : 

Glendon,  John,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  Dec.  i8,  1863. 

Goff,  Francis  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86l,  kid.  at  Perryville,  Ky.,  Oct.  8, 

1862. 

•  Goff,  Royal  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  corpl.  .  -..., 
Griffith,  Benj.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  U.  S.  signal  corps. 
Hupstonstull,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  20,  1862,  dis. 

.      Hall,  James  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i.  :    ;'; 

Hopkins,  Wallace,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  6,  i86i,  dis.         ,'' 
Hoppers,  Thomas  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  of  wounds  June  9,  1863. 
Howard,  F.  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.          ...      . 
Humphreys,  Z.  C.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  2,  1863.      -     :  '•   : 
Lotta,  John  S.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i. 


.;,  ;;::\';K-;--  .%.-:;v    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^:       v-.,. 

v.'     Martin,  Graham,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  of  wounds  April  22,  1863. 
;      Matteson,  Benj.  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  sergt. 
;     Matteson,  Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  sergt. 
.      Mather,  David,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  ;•" 

;.     McDowell,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  trans,  to  Miss,  marine  corps.  '    "  '•; 
Moore,  John  B.,  Victoria,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.        l^>  .  -:V.X; 
;•     Morris,  Frederick,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  17,  1864. ...  ; r.O'  ^  •:;;; ';^ 
V     Mount,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  July  17,  i86i.  • '  ;:Ci  •  ^i'^^  r 

;     Murray,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.        ^^-f  :'!•,. 
Neeley,  David  J.,  Oneida,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.         .-..; 
;:      O'Harra,  W.  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i.       '-'::••.  .   ^   ^         :r^^:.^iv--!  A  '%> 
•>      Payton,  John,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i.  .;. 

Peterson,  John   P.,  Victoria,  e.  July   17,   i86i,  vet.,  kid.  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  ;   ^ 
May  29,  1864.  'r^'.. 

Plummer,  J.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  6,  i86i,  dis.       ^   X     -v 
:;      Quirk,  Edward,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  1861,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  '" 

Raymond,  James  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  at  Jeflferson  City,  Mo.,  :;. 

Oct8,  i86i.  ;;: 

Russell,  M.  R.  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  Nov.  20,  i86i.      •    y.     ..•"=.''', 
-•,      Southerland,  John,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i.  ' l-i'i^:  !v  v-'^f  ;'';^:  • 

.      Tanner,  Frank,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  transferred  to  Miss,  mortar  fleet.      .. 

Williams,  Thomas,  Knoxville,  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  r 

Wagher,  Alfred  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  transferred  to  Miss,  marine  .; 
brigade."    •'•.-.''-'     ••;'-.'%?•  ^.:  •.^.  •••  •   '••-:      ''V/-.^  ^-^'l 

Wagher,  Wm.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  26,  1864.      r   i:^. ^v-/^^    i^'--.; 

Wagher,  F.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  20,  i86i,  dis.^V    ';. :      ->.  '  . 
,;      Watkins,  Daniel,  Gilson,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.          '    '  :  L'v'.^v 

Watson,  William,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  corpl.     .V-':-:. 
,'     Welsh,  John,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  i8,  1864.      :r:..    ;    S'^^ 
.       Williams,  Chas.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i.  .  V; 

,      White,  Mitchell,  Abingdon,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  U.  S.  V.  engineers.    ; 

•  Westbrook,  N.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  vet.,  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt.  ' 

-  Wyman,  Arthur,  Abingdon,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  transferred  to  Miss,  marine 
brigade.     ';'/--   ,vi  ."'.."••'  '••-•'' ^'i'  ':••  :j\ '•^•' '::•  vX  ':\.;:;''^  •[•:  ^•:':;- r;  •     '      '  ^'-'.':.^':-  .^'l'^'..  •  i^--^ 

\ '.>  .:.!l:^ :''.:-"   .'.-':..>-.  V'V '^/.'"^'-^   Recruits       •'• -:'^'^^:^^:'^--    "  "         ••.v-.'--''''v'.':i''-^';^ -:. 

Cherrington,  M.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  died  at  Syracuse,  Mo.,  Dec.  8,  ; ' 
i86i.  .,    .^; 

Duncan,  Robert,  Knox  Co.,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  corpl.      ;;'::;,/ 
:     Holcomb,  J.  B.,  Knox  Co.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  7vV': 

Haskins,  Edward,  Knox  Co.,  trans,  to  Miss,  marine  brigade.       .      >     /*;•':- 

/     Horseman,  Eli  J.,  Knox  Co.,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865,  sergt.  V'.'  ;  •   V'!    v 

.-      Mitchell,  George  E.,  Knox  Co.,  discharged  Dec.  22,  1864,  wounds.  :..     -V  :>-,•.;. 

:     Minard,  David  M.,  Knox  Co.,  corpl.,  died  Dec.  6,  1863.  V'-;  ;  '-y>-    V^^ 

'',     Pratt,  E.  A.,  Knoxville,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  ;         /••     V\:!i'' :•- 

''•       Patton,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  died  at  Louisville,  Jan.  4,  1864.  'V.''-':^??  .'!«" 

Porter,  Herman  D.,  Knoxville,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  sergt.  .-      /          -'vV-;-'  /'' 


284 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    •;^>  H  V' 


^•_.;:;^•l•^.-^,  '    •      .   •     '       .      ->  •        COMPANY  B    ;•••••'•.;;'''-  :;'"'.'-'-':'" 
'.';;''-^/;-'^;.  •;..  •  •     Privates       •'x,''---\"'.V,-  '•'>•'•":'.••''.' 

Low,  Joseph,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  trans,  to  Davidson's  Peoria  battery, 
m.  o.  Aug.  1 8,  1864.  .     .    . 

Rynerson,  Cicero  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Aug.  i8,  1864.      .,.;..•'.;. 

Swenson,  Nelson,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  19,  1864.  v  -v 


'•']:C^'-'-  .-          '-^       COMPANY  c    ,:.:'•';  ^-V'''  V.  '':'.''"'.'.' 

.  '  .^*'  1  •  »     .  -   '    -'  '•"'-**'-  ^  ''-'  ^  .•-..- 

Captain  A' 

Arosneis,  Carl,  Knoxville,  e.  July  17,  i86i.          •.        .        '        . 

:';••;'  '  •  .•  COMPANY    I     ;       ••'  ^  .;-•>•;/   '-''.• 

.'.  Captain         •"•'       ^    '    -V-  '  .  ; 

Doolittle,  Charles  C.,  Galesburg,  detached.  :         :    • 

-,,  '.-*•*'•.'• 

••'•'  Private  ;.         .  -: 

Duncan,  Robert,  Knoxville,  e.  March  i8,  1864.  >.:  •  .,    .  \   ' 

COMPANY    F 

Barlow,  T.  S.,  Oneida,  e.  Oct.  2,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  corpl. 
^  ;.  64TH  INFANTRY  :         l        ;       . 

/-:-':•';.:  "^   :      •     '  '         •'-  COMPANY    D'     .     -      ;   V^  -•;.:•;;...;..,•.'' 

'•':-';;v  .  v,   •  ,     ',    .•  •;.-    Captain        ,••    ••;'••',•'..•!.,>''•,     .'  .   ' 

Stewart,  John  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  i6,  i86i,  pro.  maj.  ';   .         ..  '  ; 

'•    '  First  Lieutenant  • 

Stewart,  William  N.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  i6,  i86i,  res.  June  20,  1862. 


Musician 
Rubart,  James,  St.  Augustine,  Dec.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  disch.  Jan.  i,  1865,  wounds.  '". 

v--^'  First  Sergeant  ;  ^•-:     •  '      .     .     \ 

Fleming,  Thomas,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  17,  1864. 


Sergeant 
Bowden,  Geo.  W.,  Hermon,  Nov.  i,  i86i,  disch.  for  dis.  July  7,  1862. 

.vi.'-;v;  •  Corporals          :'••';:   vr^^r'v-':    y.-,;.';  -j 

Stephens,  James  P.,  Hermon,  Nov.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  ii,  1865. 
Chapman,  Reuben,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  ii,  1865. 


-:•;:;•'.•''.'.  ••••.'    -^  Privates        •''    •' •"       '•   '  ^  •'•    '  ' "''  ''  '• 

Beldon,  Chas.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  ii,  1865. 
Sheets,  John,  St.  Augustine,  Dec.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1865. 


:::  :  7:^i  f -'      ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  J  ;  /  ^  ^^ 

'-/'  -*''  • 

/       Chapman,  Mason  R.,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  q.  m.  sergt.     ' . 

^.      Deskin,  Enoch,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  24,  1864.      .  •    '•  v  ./ 
Epperson,  P.  B.,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  died  at  Marietta,  Ga., 
I,  1864,  wounds. 

Haver,  Horace,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  ;;  .     .    •  :' 

Hendricks,  A.  G.,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i, "   "X          .     •          '- 

'     McKee,  James,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  ii,  1865,  as 

sergt. 

McDonald,  Wm.,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  24,  1864.  • -' 

McDonald,  John,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  disch.  July  23,  1862,  dis.    '    {  : 
McDonald,  John,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  disch.  July  23,  1862,  dis. 
Switzer,  Isaac,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  24,  1864. 
'      Shoemaker,  J.  J.,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  vet,  pris.  of  war,  at  m.  o.  of 
Thurman,  James,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i. 

.:     Underwood,  Wm.,  Hermon,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  Dec.  24,  1864.        ;"  ; 
Virtue,  Thos.  R.,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  22,  1862,  dis.    ... 

/;      Whitehead,  John,  Hermon,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  i,  1862,  dis.        ; 

•,-,  :^^' V-./'-,^    ;.-./''..  :\  :'.•':./.•':'•-;•.        Recruits       '::-••;;'>•.  .•^'•'.  '       '•    •     "•••'''^v^' 

•  Beldon,  Geo.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Eeb.  21,  1864,  m.  o.  July  ii,  1865.    .;;  .;-; 
Bread,  Geo.  F.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  29,  1862,  m.  o.  May  31,  1865.  /  . 
Decker,  Wm.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  May  31,  1865.            .  '  vv 

.'     Donegan,  Michael,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  May  31,  1865.  .' 
Caruthers,  M.  S.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  May  31,  1865.         :••: 
Gassett,  James  H.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  13,  1863,  m.  o.  June  12,  1865.    .y ';;:'' 
Haver,  George,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  May  31,  1865,  as  corpl. 

•  Headley,  John,  Hermon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 
Massey,  David,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  May  31,  1862.       '      .  .  7 '' 
Milan,  Lewis,  Hermon,  e.  Jan.  19,  1862,  m.  o.  April  25,  1865.  ; 
Methenia,  S.,  Hermon,  e.  Jan.  17,  1862,  m.  o.  Jan.  29,  1865.                  ;;•.' 
Vice,  J.,  Hermon,  e.,  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  May  31,  1865.                   .     j' 
Rupert,  J.  N.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  21,  i86i.                                     . 

.;;,,,;;•  ,,\\--  .  •.•:•--•:•:•:;•••.  .-.-.j  65TH  INFANTRY  p'v'-:-\..  •  "'''!:-'•-- 
.•/'>;;;:•"••;;'. I.;  ^';',  '^  V  •;,  :-i-'.;':^  :.-_:  COMPANY  A  x  .  .•.^^;.-''!.- ••;  ^  '  :  ^-  -r- ••••.'v-''" 
'•  •;^''-/';'/'  :•'"••  Privates  '.-•':."'•/:.''.'-''  V'-'^ '• 

Bailey,  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  31,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.        -   ; 

Crouch,  William,  Altona,  e.  Feb.  25,  1862,  vet,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865. 
.     Crites,  Eli,  Oneida,  e.  Feb.  28,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865. 
;      Connor,  M.  R.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  24,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865. 

Echerd,  Wm.,  Victoria,  e.  March  6,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.  -  :  \;    . 

Hanna,  J.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  5,  1862,  vet,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.    •• 

Hanna,  G.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  April  i8,  1865. 
'     Johnson,  Alex.,  Henderson,  e.  March  9,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.       . 

Lane,  I.,  Altona,  e.  Feb.  i8,  1862,  vet,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.  - 'X 

.      Snell,  Jacob,  Altona,  e.  Feb.  23,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.  .- ;' 

Wilt,  John,  Henderson,  e.  March  6,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.  ;  .: 


July .;. 


first  S 


regt. 


286  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :.    ; 

Wilt,  Wm.  J.,  Sparta,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  July  13,  1865.  v.   . 
Shaw,  Ed.  W.,  Oneida,  e.  Feb.  22,  1862,  vet.         .'::... 
Allen,  Henry,  Oneida.  e.  April  5,  1862,  vet.  '  V^     •;       '^ 

Glen,  J.,  Oneida.  :      ;    •;/  ;>:;;; 

.        '     66TH  INFANTRY      ;,/,'  ;;':/'.;'? 

..•;-•-'"•''•  •  •'  ^  COMPANY    A     ^'  •'•'•'-"  •'''':..'/'^-':-. 

•;     Ross,  George,  e.  Nov.  25,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.  ^  . 

'':'.;•.  •••f--  '.         •      /  '.,•'      COMPANY  F         ..;'."'•  V/  -v''--^  ^•'^ 

FtVj^  Sergeant 
Courtney,  John  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  vet.  pro.  2d  lieut 


^^ '-..•'.  ^.•.  .  .•'-,:.-.'       Sergeant     ,  . ,':  ;.-'^'^  ••'>'..;•••'  ; 

Riggs,  William  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Corinth,  Aug.  23,  1862.  -f.V 

Corporals 

Pratt,  Troy,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Sheffield,  Frederick,  Abingdon,  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  April  5, 

1862.  ,.  •   ;  .    .^>.-:.^v'^VV::;.;:4-;.;;^-,^  vf.'^- 

Shrader,  Edwin,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  June  30,  1862,  dis.  '  ;  ,   :      j. 

•  ..••^•-      .  .'     '        --    ^    ..,:•       Privates        -     .-'   •  .'•  •: -'v.'.  ••;,'•.  I-- •••:.;;,.•..,/.• 

Addleman,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865,  as  corpl.     , 
Niven,  David  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i.        P.     s;-"-   .  ';  "^         I-      /X'      :^  ^ 
Powder,  Robert,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  21,  1864.  ' 

Swartz,  Edward,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  7  ,1865.  .          i 

Virtue,  Samuel,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i.  •     f 

Virtue,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i.  ',  '  .'  ; 

Recruits 

Bell,  William  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Blair,  Andrew  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  26,  1864,  m.  o.  July  14,  1865.        ;  .  '•    : 
Boydston,  Wm.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865.         •        ' 
Bailey,  Ezra,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864,  died  at  Kingston,  Ga.,  Aug.  5,  1864. 
Clark,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865,  wd. 
Gossett,  John  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Leadieu,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
McPherrin,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Owen,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Peabody,  Washington,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Tunnicliff,  C.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 
Williford,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  July  7,  1865. 


Unassigned 

Andrew,  James  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864,  third  enlistment. 
Axtell,  N.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  12,  1864,  disch.  June  12,  1864. 


;-:;:'^;:  V:''   ,-^  V^^^^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     >:-    ::t;^;         287 

Cannon,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  disch.  May  14,  1864.  V::;  -•-'';• 
Downs,  Levi  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864,  third  enlistment.  ,-  .  v:  >  v . 
Frisbie,  Samuel  F.,  Henderson,  e.  March  i6,  1864.  .---'/ 7-lA:V-. 

Wells,  James  A.,  Henderson,  e.  March  i6,  1864,  vet.  recruit.  .'.•-:  --  V  "'. 
Williamson,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  March  i6,  1864.  /:  V  :  ' 

Russell,  Charles,  Alton,  e.  May  i,  1862,  m.  o.  May  15,  1865.  ;  :  -  :i 

Russell,  Ed.  C.,  Alton,  e.  May  i,  1862,  m.  o.  May  15,  1865.     :-v    •.-.;••'! 

-•.:'.''  -;•-.       ,  -.  V- •?     --'. 

*      .          '  •-••.-   r^; 

.;'•••:'•;••:•'-  .,',-•':...-"„•'.•'  ••^:%;'"/-'-  67TH  INFANTRY.      •- '. :^•^;•'  '  —    -  ••'.;•;"  •,'••'':/.-:-•" 

.'     .        '      '  .       ^-  .  •  .'     •        ••-•;•-•'  '"    ..  '          '  r  ••»-'.---.  •'-.''•'.-•.'•'•      -^  -•.- 

;•;;.. v';:;".^//',/.'^-  ••.;"':.••  t.-,-'l  ^''        COMPANY  F    -''.--/V -/-V;.-'  -' \_.  •      •  "XA-'.- '''-•.•- -^^r  "'•;,• 

Adams,  W.,  Yates  City,  e.  Jan.  2,  1862.    >•;:;  v  v.  ':  -  r              ;•    \^'-  •;• 
Chrisman,  Geo.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  2,  1862.     •\'-'^''-'::-'  •''.'•^:''    /  "        .v     '  '  -   -  /  ; 

Grim,  Wm.,  Yates  City,  Jan.  3,  1862.           '  • '.' . 'Tv"^  .      ,  -'       V":   '?:- 

Grim,  Milton,  Yates  City,  e.  May  31,  1862.    .';"'''.!.. C:!  •      .'  \   .  :;  '^  : 

Miller,  J.  O.,  Yates  City,  e.  Jan.  2,  1862. ;..    -j  ^.v  ,.'•  >  :  V 'v '„•;.;-;': 

Richardson,  I.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  2,  1862.        .  ;    ',  '    'v.:       V 

Shallenberger,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  2,  1862.      i  ••'••;;;;  •   :  \  •    '.  ',V^;  ; 

Swadley,  D.  F.,  Yates  City,  Jan.  4,  1862.       :•;;''-;:  ,     •;.  -i  .• 

Shealy,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  3,  1862.      !  -  .;    :>.  '  ''  x  '   >?  A  \^ 

Sherman,  O.,  Maquon.           •:;:•:';     •^"••.'V';'^  V;   -  •           ;     v  :  .  •'  '    r. 

Ziner,  J.,  Maquon.           «  •                                     'v-^^;';  ''?\N--i::^ 

• -;v A-'  6qTH  INFANTRY    ^''/..""V:   •       •'..•>.:.'.•':-!-' 

,  ,    -    •  ••.••'.•..-••'•--.'"  'j'  '•'  -^  '•     •'         >'-**•  .-•  '   •- .-  '.       .'.''•'          '  :  "^  .'-- 

-  ^ '''••- ':i--  •''';''•' '•'•.'''••    '•::/;•"'''          COMPANY  D    ,;!';.:'•; '^-^  >5-  •'       A'"      -'':'-V,:'"''v' '--''''v;. 
':•''•''''    '  :•••-.-•  Musician    "••'••••-••••••     •-    •   •''';..•''-' x',,.'--^;. 

Barnes,  Wm.  W.,  Oneida,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  5,  1862,  corpL    ..'I-    V^ 

'"'^^  •';'"'      '  "  •        •'  '•""     Privates  '  "  '  '  '  '  '    '  '';•••;  .-"  -  v.;'-^  [•: 

Benson,  O.  P.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.        ^k     :., 
Burnham,  Asa.,  Oneida,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.  'f  .     ;  \  :  r  -  : 

Carson,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.        '•;  :     '   V,-; 
Case,  J.  W.,  Victoria,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.       '         -  .    .,.-''. 
Elliott,  G.  W.,  Victoria,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.         -.:  '^    .  v'.;^'r 
Godaer,  Wm.,  Altona,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862. 
Jones,  O.,  Oneida,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.     r .     -         :  ' 
Lamphere,  J.,  Oneida,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.  :  -^v; 

Millberger,  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.  ..  : 

Mollony,  P.  J.,  Lynn,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.  ' 

Prather,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.        .  • 
Powell,  E.,  Oneida,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.        .  ,'      : 

Swan,  P.,  Altona,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.  '      ; 

Topper,  E.,  Altona,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.        '       ,     v    •;' 
Taft,  N.  G.,  Ontario,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.  .  ' V. 

Clark,  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.'  . 

White,  N.,  Victoria,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862,  corpl.          ;'  • 

.•.,"      •:^-'.'.     •^'^^  '  ,  •.  .^v- "  COMPANY    F  -   .     •  '        .    -.:W'.- 

Cavanaugh,  J.,  Ontario,  e.  June  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1862.          .''.- 
Williams,  James,  Galesburg,  e.  June  4,  1862,  disch.  July  6,  1862.      .; 


288  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•"•':•'•-'•- ^ ^.  ^   ^.    '      7IST  INFANTRY      •:'.";.;;'. 

^  .''--'•"'•'•"'  .;      -.  .  COMPANY    B  ^'     ••:•.:', 

Courtney,  James  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  lo,  1862. 
Wade,  Hirman,  Henderson,  e,  July  lo,  1862.          ,.  . 

•  COMPANY  D          ; .      ;•;. 

Emerson,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862.  ,  V 

Howard,  F.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  3,  1862.  ;    v 

Nation,  John,  Henderson,  e.  July  5,  1862. 
Stiggall,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  July  4,  1862. 
Scott,  William,  Galesburg,  e.  July  3,  1862.  '  . 


•:''.,•->';"  '  COMPANY  E   v:    '"';.:•". ^ \ .  "v.  ••'' 

•-t' '        '     .          '  .-;.'.'.'-..' 

,:':',;,  Second  Lieutenant     •'-.:•        ' 

Latimer,  William  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  22,  1862.  .     ;       • 

'•''"--••  ••     Sergeants      '  -         -          ''     •  : 

Craig,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Hair,  J.  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 

'  Corporals         "     '"'"''' 

Thompkins,  Spencer,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Goldman,  Elisha  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i2,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Baker,  Willis  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Aiken,  Lewis  B.,  Oneida,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Davis,  Marcus,  Galesburg,  e.  July  7,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Poling,  Theodore  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862 
Latimer,  Jonathan  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  5,  1862,  m,  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Howard,  John  M.,  Galesburg.  e.  July  7,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 

:.•>:•--'- '-.'^     •   '•  •••-.••'•.     Privates      •'••/-'.;/';':>, '>'.-':\    . 

Ayers,  Geo.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Andrews,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Comstock,  Merrill  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Downs,  Levi  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  5,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Dickerson,  Fountain,  Abingdon,  e.  July  5,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Dowdy,  J.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  20.  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Forquher,  David,  Galesburg,  e.  June  24,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Howard,  W.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  24,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Loud,  Silas  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Moburg,  Andrew,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Myers,  Richard,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i8,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Norris,  Joseph  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Norris,  John  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Price,  Charles  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Rogers,  G.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i8,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 
Robinson',  M.  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i6,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


289 


Strongs  Samuel  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862.     A  ,  ':;;^::; 

Scott,  Henry  C,  Galesburg,  e.  July  21,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862.  :^  :>':'•• 
Wetmore,  T.  K.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862.         ,  ^ 

Wright,  Paul,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862.      ;  '  ••.  ^i^^^ 
Woodward,  H.  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862.        •; 
Weltey,  Joseph,  Galesburg,  e.  July  4,  1862,  m.  o.  Oct.  29,  1862.  V:  • 

"      •^'•'•'"•.    .  '.   '-?••;-- 

.;•'•':;.  '•^'  /'•-'•'•    :  •:•-."-  /'•'•'V;'',     COMPANY  F      "•''"":'•  'v'-^-  v  .  -"•     '•••^'  C--^"i-:  .'':•'•'•• 


;v  Post,  William  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i8i,  1862.       .;\?;:-<"v      .         •    '-J/;'  '•'.'  ;. 

;'-''    '    •    •    -          -••    •                       Privates    ''^  '''-,•'-'''•.  ^:,-  •''{"-.  ''•'^•^•..-  ':!''     :- 

,5  Pierce,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  July  24,  1862.      ••:^   ;  -Ci  '  •  '      '    .  •  ;:^\ 

'.:  Price,  Hershell,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i8,  1862.  .:;;"-•  •/••^':  -•,. 

:  ;    Plumer,  J.  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i8,  1862.      y--;l:<  •-;:       ,  '  ^  '  '.vr-' 

:.  ,  West,  Dolphus,  Galesburg,  e.  July  19,  1862.     :],-•'  A;  ;  .?  .  5^  :  ;  •  Ji' 

•...-'^'-   .-..:••      ;     ''.•'••-•^^•••'  :'"•'•  720  INFANTRY    --,:•':•;  .^'%//  ;;•'•.•••;-'—•.;    ^  "••> 

'  -  Was  organized  at  Chicago,  as  the  ist  Regiment  of  the  Chicago  Board  of 
Trade.  Its  first  bills  were  put  out  for  one  company,  calling  itself  the  "Hancock 
Guards,"  on  July  23,  1862,  and  exactly  one  month  afterward  the  entire 
regiment  was  complete  and  mustered  into  service  for  three  years.  The  very 
day  of  their  muster  they  were  started  for  Cairo,  where  they  arrived  on  the  24th. 
Their  strength  at  that  time  was  37  officers  and  930  men.  On  the  6th  of  Sep- 
tember  they  were  ordered  to  Paducah,  Kan.,  March  i  the  division  of  which  the 
72d  Regiment  formed  a  part  started  down  the  Yazoo  Pass,  but  finding  Fort 
Pemberton  in  their  way,  and  not  being  able  to  take  it  then,  went  back  April  23, 
then  landed  at  Milliken's  Bend,  La.,  and  from  there  marched  with  Grant's  army 
to  Vicksburg.  May  i6  they  arrived  at  Champion  Hills,  just  in  time  to  turn  the 
enemy's  left,  and  by  that  movement  decided  the  fate  of  the  day.  Oct.  30,  1864, 
they  were  ordered  to  report  to  Maj.-Gen.  Howard  and  in  pursuance  of  this  order 
arrived  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  13.  They  there  found  themselves  too  late  to 
join  Sherman  in  his  "great  march  to  the  sea." 

Schofield's  army  found  it  convenient  to  retire  toward  Nashville.  On  Nov.  29 
they  evacuated  Columbia,  and  the  72nd  was  in  a  severe  skirmish  with  the  enemy  at 
Spring  Hill,  on  the  road  between  Columbia  and  Franklin.  On  the  succeeding  day 
they  arrived  at  Franklin,  and  hastily  threw  up  some  light  earthworks.  About  4 
o'clock  that  afternoon  Hood  attacked  them,  and  the  battle  raged  from  that  hour 
until  midnight  with  terrific  fury.  In  that  fight  the  72d  lost  9  officers  out  of  i6 
engaged,  and  152  men,  who  were  either  killed  or  severely  wounded.  On  Aug.  6 
they  were  mustered  out  of  service  at  Vicksburg,  and  then  marched  directly  home 
to  Chicago.  During  their  term  of  service  they  received  450  recruits  and  when 
ordered  home  they  transferred  270  of  these  to  the  32d  Illinois  Veteran  Vols.,  at 
Meriden,  Miss.  They  brought  home  22  officers  and  310  men. 

The  72d  Regiment  contained  80  men  from  Knox  county;  6  were  killed,  3 
wounded,  7  died,  and  5  were  taken  prisoners.  :'  :  ^' 


290  .      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

;,;  .n^'/:/^' ./        ".••".         "  ".;.•.  COMPANY   B     .;--„-.:;-...,•.-•  ,/'^'.v  .'.    •  ..'i 

I  ^  Recruits  '        . 

:        Ayres,  Nelson,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.  , '  ;.;/, 

.        Burton,  Hiram  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.  :• 

Benneson,  Henry,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  disch.  for  pro.  -','•: 

Cole,  Stephen  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.  |  r    v-  ;;  .:; 

Cronan,  Richard,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  i8,  1863,  kid.  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov.  30, 


Dean,  Charles,  Henderson,  e.  Jan.  22,  1864.  "  ' 

Davis,  James  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  kid.  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov.  30, 

1864.  -:.•:.-;.•/:.;.:•;:  -;  -  .^....^.  ...  .;vx::v:  -/.i;^  >,.- r\  •-:;•/ 

Frickle,  Erastus,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.          ,  : 
Hatfield,  Isaac  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Holmes,  David  H.,  Wataga,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Hammond,  J.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1864. 

Johnson,  Frank  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Lond,  Silas  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864,  sick  at  Nashville. 
Lewis,  James  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864,  pris.  of  war. 
McQueen,  W.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Matthews,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Mason,  Swen,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  29,  1865. 
Nevett,  Wilson  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  7,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Peterson,  Peter,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Parkinson,  Isaac,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864.  .  • 

Penny,  Columbus,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  June  27,  1865. 
Swanson,  Nelse,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  taken  pris.  Nov.  30,  1864.  ' 

Swanson,  August,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  pris.  of  war.  : 

Swanson,  Eric,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  m.  o.  June  20,  1865.  i  :':  v 
Snyder,  Robert  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  29,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Taylor,  Jerry,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  killed  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov.  30, 

1864. 

Vantee,  John,  Maquon,  €.  Dec.  i8,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.         ' 
Vantee,  J.  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  9,  1863,  pris.  of  war,  died  Nov.  1865.  j 

Whitman,  Isaac  A.,  Altona,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1864,  sick  at  New  Orleans. 

V     Whitman,  Geo.  E.,  Altona,  e.  Feb.  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 
Waters,  John,  Wataga,  e.  Jan.  25,  1863,  m.  o.  Noy.  24,  1865. 
Walker,  Geo.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  19,  1863,  died  while  a  pris.  at  Corinth,     v- 
Woodward,  H.  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  4,  1863,  killed  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov. 

30,    1864.  ...  ....  ..      ...    ..,\  v:.K.v  ..  ..•.^,  :-.. 

.'-     -.  •'  ,  '    :.       COMPANY  C    '•"•:'••' •'r^',^'-''''-:^''.i:,'^---.  • 

•    "  Sergeant  -':»;-. 

Barnes,  Samuel  D.,  Galesburg,  pro.  ist  lieut.  1864,  U.  S.  C.  Q. 


COMPANY   F  ^;:.  /.;. /..l''";^. .;'..•;  .'.r; 

Beary,  Daniel,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  26,  1864,  m.  6.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Collins,  John,  Galesburg,  Jan.  5,  1864,  died  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  May  4,  1865. 

Grant,  Charles  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  disch.  for  dis.  Nov.  7,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  291 


.•;;';;;-'T\-r;. .,;'.';'••-''  COMPANY   G  -.;.;•;   .; 

Anderson,  Andrew  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.      v^     . 
James,  Thomas,  Galesburg. 

Magoon,  Wm.  E.,  Oneida,  e.  Feb.  20,  1864,  on  furlough  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
Padduck,  Lemuel,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.  t 


.;:'...:'.'''.    ''..',•-':    '"../.'.VV^'^-.  .;•':'.:•'',••.    '-._:     COMPANY  I  ..•;,''<-.•- -.=;•- x.^  '   .v;-  •    ••. 

Sergeants 

'•        Corbin,  Richard  B.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  for  dis.  March 
30,  1863. 

Bennett,  Geo.  W.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865.      i   , 

-•.        .••:-v.>..  .         ';•••.•    :.-v  ••..-;•••       Corporal    '••••••-•;'-•       -       •'     •.,:..'--.•-:••:  :'•••.•.^ 

Winsett,  John,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  for  dis.  Feb.  6,  1863. 

Musicians  ; 

Harrod,  Allen  H.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  for  dis.  Feb.  6,  1863. 
Hall,  Wm.  M.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  May  25,  1865. 

]  Wagoner  t'; 

Jennings,  William,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  8,  1863. 

:'•'•;•••.•:-:'"•••',-'/    ^  '•,;'/••:-•. A;'-'-; A ;r!':-^:-      Privates  ••    '         ;>':'vr-V  •';v^;v';- 

Abbot,  Orin  H.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  7,  1865.         -  .- 
Babbitt,  C.  F.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  absent,  wd.  at  m.  o.  regt.     ',: •'"'''.' 
Bradbury,  N.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  7,  1865. 
Burrage,  Dewitt  C.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  died  at  St.  Lx>uis  July 

31, 1863.     --^ :^:r-;'" •  :•; . : -•;'  ;-^r:r: ^^  -••-:^^^Tl 

Collinson,  Victor,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  May  29,  1865.        ^ 
Chreighton,  John  M.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  May  29,  1865.        ,=^ 
Freese,  Phillip,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  May  29,  1865. 
Freese,  James,  St.  Augfustine,  e.  Aug.   14,  1862,  m.  o.  May  29,   1865,  as 
corpl.,  wd.  ;.  'v  ' 

Frelder,  William,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  May  29,  1865.          . ' 
Honts,  Daniel,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  trans,  to  invalid  corps.     ;,     • 
Honts,  James  E.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  7,  1865. 
Lovewill,  C.  W.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  kid.  at  Vicksburg,  May  22, 

1863. 

Owen,  B.  D.  C.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  3,  1865. 

Randall,  Edwin,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.   14,   1862,  died  at  Ft.   Pemberton, 
April  3,  1863. 

Roe,  J.  E.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865.     ; ,  .;,:  X;    r    ,  . 

Switzer,  Peter,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  7,  1865.       '.•':.. 


Recruits 


Babbitt,  S.  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Jan.  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.     ' ;  ;;    . /•  jf 
Bowers,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864.          ,  ;'^;.          '  V^^.'  >/'•-> 


':;';-'.  '^.''^  \^-':  'v'..;.-  ''• '  '.;;•''' -..^  '-i^:  ••.'•'':•  •  ;,'  -' '^VV.^V^/'-'T-'''"'- '^V\^'' '"'!.•      ''  '       ''  V"''-'   •'^''• 
'"•",••'  '^•.  '••,J'y'''., ;.  '''^  .'''''•;;-  !'"';•''  ^ic^,'.'^'.'\.^;'   •'-'^''•;^/-'\-,;.-''^- ^  /••<--'';.'.^'''-  .  '  ..'-•:  '-  •'•.^•:-:'  ':.•;' 


:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -^^^    f' 

Collinson,  James  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864,  disch.  May  ii,  1865,  wounds. 
'    Darffy,  F.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863,  disch.  Oct.  4,  1864,  dis. 
•   ',  Imel,  T.  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

:   Miller,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  €.  Dec.  27,  1863. 

.     McGrew,  D.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

McGrew,  C.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

.    McGrew,  J.  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865. 

Margors,  Sandy,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864,  kid.  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov. 
30,  1864. 

Smith,  C  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1865.  I          : 

'    Snyder,  Solomon,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1864,  died  at  Vicksburg,  May  25,  1864. 
Scott,  Wm.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Jan.  5,  missing  in  action  at  Franklin,  Tenn., 
Nov.  30,  1864. 

Thurman,  Isaac,  Galesburg,  absent,  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.    '-    .  •.  - 
Turner,  C.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  24,  1864. 
Haurmon.  Isaac,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864.  _,         . 

: ;' V  •    _  -       77TH  INFANTRY        '".>'!'•;•.•'•;''•'•' v '.;'-' 

This  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  Sept.  3,  1862,  at 
Peoria ;  remained  in  camp  there  till  Oct.  4.  It  then  proceeded  to  Covington,  Ky., 
and  reported  to  Maj.-Gen.  Gordon  Granger.  Nov.  20,  1862,  the  regiment  em- 
barked on  steamer  for  Memphis;  remained  there  until  Dec.  20.  The  division 
was  re-organized  and  reported  to  Maj.-Gen.  Sherman.  Embarked  at  Memphis 
on  the  2Oth,  and  proceeded  down  the  river  with  Sherman's  army  for  the  capture 
of  Vicksburg.  The  77th  occupied  the  extreme  right  of  the  line,  and  participated 
in  the  attack  on  rebel  works.  After  four  days  fighting  the  attack  was  abandoned, 
and  the  army  proceeded  to  Milliken's  Bend,  La.  Left  there  Jan.  5,  1863,  and 
arrived  at  Arkansas  Post  on  the  loth.  Participated  in  the  assault  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning;  after  a  few  hours  hard  fighting,  carried  the  place,  capturing  all 
it  contained.  The  loss  of  the  regiment  here  was  6  killed  and  39  wounded — some 
of  the  latter  mortally.  The  regiment  in  this  battle  behaved  admirably,  and 
was  complimented  by  the  commanding  general  for  its  gallant  conduct. 

The  regiment  remained  with  Gen.  Grant's  army  during  the  entire  campaign 
around  Vicksburg,  and  the  siege  of  the  latter  place,  until  its  surrender.  It  was 
engaged  in  the  actions  at  Champion  Hills,  May  17;  Black  River  Bridge,  May  19; 
first  charge  on  Vicksburg,  the  22nd  and  23rd;  losing  in  these  engagements  20 
killed,  86  wounded  and  26  missing.  Vicksburg  surrendered  on  the  4th  of  July, 
and  the  next  day  the  regiment  marched  to  Jackson  with  the  army  under  Sher- 
man. Arrived  July  9,  and  was  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy  at  that  place  till 
the  1 6th,  when  Jackson  was  evacuated,  and  the  77th  returned  to  Vicksburg,  where 
it  remained  till  Aug.  25,  when  it  embarked  for  New  Orleans,  where  it  re- 
mained in  camp  until  Oct.  3.  Left  New  Orleans  at  that  time  for  Western 
Louisiana;  marched  up  Red  River,  driving  the  enemy  until  Sabine  Cross  Roads 
was  reached  on  the  8th  of  April,  1864,  where  it  met  the  enemy  in  force.  The  77th 
belonged  to  the  division  under  Gen.  Ransom,  which  was  ordered  forward  to 
support  the  advance  cavalry.  Before  the  army  could  be  brought  forward  to 
their  support  the  whole  rebel  army  came  down  on  them  and  overwhelmed  the 
entire  division.  In  this  engagement  the  77th  suffered  terribly :  Lieut.-Col.  Webb 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^^;  >/:;      .     293 


was  killed  instantly,  besides  176  officers  and  men  killed,  wounded,  and  made         ; 
prisoners,  leaving  only  125  men  in  the  regiment  for  duty.    On  the  next  day  Gen. 
A.  J.  Smith's  corps  came  up,  and  at  Reasant  Hill  another  battle  was  fought,         ; 
ending  in  the  complete  defeat  of  the  rebels.    The  regiment  was  with  Gen.  Canby's        '•" 
army  during  the  entire  siege  and  capture  of  Spanish  Fort,  Blakely,  and  Mobile,       .: 
and  was  under  fire  the  entire  time.     It  remained  in  camp  at  Mobile  until  July 
lo,  1865,  at  which  time  it  was  mustered  out  of  service. 

In  this  regiment  were  154  men  from  Knox  county,  in  four  companies.     Of 
these  3  were  killed,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  17  died,  lo  wounded,  and  5  taken        , 
prisoners.  '  v 

r  '  ^  •  -   -   Lieutenant  Colonel         •'-  ....   f-';:.  ;-..•*;.. 

Burdett,  John  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  res.  Jan.  3,  1865.         -  ;^^    .•;..•, 

'>':':  Sergeant  Major  .:'--J'.';:.;;=  v  t.;-- '  '  x'-^v"'v- -v, •-'-': 

Ayres,  Henry  P.,  Galesburg,  pro.  adjt.,    ,   .     .  ..Vl?.-!  ^     ;-^,          .7  '  A--'-';    ^    • 

^•'  '•'    ^  "  '   .  •-  -^ -^^ '  .•l>•'^  •":       Q,  M.  Sergeant    V--::.^--^     :      •     -••'•;•',. 'V-^/-;^:-V''--'; ', 
Stiller,  Wm.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.     ;     .-  :  '  J  ; 

•'.'',..  '-•  •,:•':,•-  •  '    /'    ':''''•:••  ^•^.•'/':  ••         COMPANY   A'  '.   ^f'-rVo'^;  ..  -  .  '_-'  \    '    --,''"-;:'  ••..^^  v"  "''•  ^     '" 

Captain         '" '  '     '        ; ':  V\'.,';,c;; '  ^ 

Steams,  Gardner  G.,  Knoxville,  Sept.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.    .  '.'^  -:;';:•• 

,''  •;'  '^''x;'--   '.\-  -;'•;...',  • . '.;  :v;"...     First  Lieutenant    H/';:-'-N.-  •  .:'  .   •.     .•;••:•. •:'''v-V'"-:t--V  7  •/', 
Clark,  Merritt  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  18(65.       :/!  .'  'v    :    ., 

•  '  '   •-          •    -  '    Second  Lieutenants       '  '  ,.;•    ;_  ;  .  .    -X'T/:' 

Arms,  Charles  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  declined  com.  :-    : 

W^illcox,  Wm.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  pris.  14  months,  m.  o.  July 

10,1865.      :  ,,\    •^:^/^^, :•..-.•  :^^ -•>..'  '.-'-O". ,     ^      ~ ':.-_••  ..•--'^-''•- •.,•':.'' -^ 

:.•;.;•:'.;•,;••-...;•.;•'•'';•  .V  .'••:. V^       First  Sergeant      •^' :.'.•>;.;       •    -  cicVO-i,,  .•-^^,  •' 
Holcomb,  W.  H.,  Jr.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  in  U.  S.  C.  troops.  1    V 

'••''-   -•     '  '' "  '     -       -T     •....•    ,,.:,..,.       Sergeant    ••'-^'-  "'^'-  '-   •  ^ ••  ''•'••-     ''     ^^  ;\, _,'.;' 

Harrison,  Thomas,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i8,  1862,  pro.  in  U.  S.  C.  troops.   -       >i' 

•'".  .\- -',•'.'•,' --v •'^'"'  •  ^'>-.'..     Corporal         t-';?--.';''  '/'O-'V'.- .'V'V'-'''-V''v.7" ''/ 

Sanbum,  John  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  in  U.  S.  C.  troops.       '   •^" 
West,  Lyman,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.  •-     .. 

Griffith,  John  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  7,  1865,  as  sergt. ..  }    - 
Fields,  Charles  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.          ,  '  -    . 

•  Privates  '  r-.     . 

Avery,  Robt..  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  pris.  at  Andersonville,  m.  o. 
June  9,  1865.  V 


294        ;  :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     v^^^'Vif-;, 

.Anderson,  John,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.   ii,   1862,  disch.   for  wounds  received 
at  Ark.  Post. 

Bacon,  H.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  kid.  at  New  Orleans,  Dec.  25,  1863. 

Barber,  Henry  A.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  as  sergt. 
y    Bolt,  Samuel,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  died  of  wounds,  June  21,  1863. 
,     Bull,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  April  6,  1863,  dis.     f:  ' 

Burdett,  W.  H.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  April  7,  1863,  dis.    .':!; 
;     Burlingame,  J.  C,  Galesburg,  e.  July  17,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.  :•' 

•    Butler,  G.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  August  9,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865,  sergt. 

Churchill,  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Young's  Point,  La.,  Feb. 

7,  1863.  t      ^   ;J^ 

Coe,  W.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  June  2,  1865,  sergt.  dis.          . ''  ; 

Connell,  Geo.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  •   • 

i   Conner,  Isaac,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865.      I       ' 
•.    Dippery,  Milton,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Nov.  17,  1863,  wounds.  • 

Divert,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 

Ferris,  H.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  pro.  in  U.  S.  C.  troops. 
•;    Fisher,  Alex.  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  in  Knox  Co.,  Oct.  lo  1863. 

Foster,  C.  P.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  disch.  April  7,  1863,  dis.       I;       . 

Fuller,  F.  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.  ; 

'   :    Green,  Fdwin  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  corpl.          .  v 
:     Hall,  Ira  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.  '  ^ 

Hester,  H.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  April  7,  1863,  dis.     I 
.       Hensey,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  April  7,  1863,  dis.  ; 

Holcomb,  Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.   15,   1862,  died  at  New  Orleans,  Nov. 
lo,  1863. 

Hurd,  A.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865. 

Jenney,  E.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 

Losey,  H.  E.,  Galesburg,  Oct.  i,  1862,  pro.  maj.  in  U.  S.  C.  troops. 

Luddington,  W.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Cairo,  March  lo,  1863. 

Mather,  S.  or  Lewis  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Feb. 

14,1863.  '     i 

Mather,  Lewis,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  St.  Louis,  March  i6,  1863. 
;       Miller,  H.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  in  U.  S.  C.  troops.  . 
.       McGraw,  J.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 

Moore,  J.  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  June  ii,  1863,  dis. 
'    Ostrander,  J.   W.,   Knoxville,  e.  July  31,    1862,   died  at  Milliken's   Bend 
April  6,  1863. 

Ott,  William,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  pris.  war.  .'• 

Rambo,  Julius,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 

Randall,  J.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865.       1  ; 

,     Reynolds,  John,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  disch.  June  3,  1863,  dis.          -.    ; 

Russell,  Alfred,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  July  17,  1865.    . 

Sanburn,  C.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
.     Swan,  Lewis  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 

Tarleton,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865.  ; 

Tompkins,  John,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  died  of  wounds)  Jan.  i6,  1863. 

Ward,  C.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  pro.  hos.  steward  U.  S.  A. 


. ;  :^-: .;  .^  •.;:'• ;  ^  ? ;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Wilber,  John,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  1862,  kid.  at  Vicksburg,  May  22,  1863. 
^       Witherell,  A.  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
:v      Woodmansee,  Geo.  Jr.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 

Woodruff,  Joseph  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  at  Young's  Point,  La., 
June  9,  1863. 
:      Woolsey,  J.  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 

^ _        ^  .    .        - .    .     ^  .  ,  '*' 

•;.'"'"    '          "'  -.•-•-•-••..•,.•.     Recruits      •'' '      '  < 

:      Allison,  W.  C.  C.,  Galesburg,  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
:      Arms,  H.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  i6,  1863,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865.    • 

Bartlett,  Levi  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865. 

Bancroft,  C.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  8,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Boher,  Daniel,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865 

Bates,  Francis,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  26,  1864,  died  at  Galesburg,  Oct.  12,  1864. 

Chadrich,  E.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
.      Conaro,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864. 

Day,  C.  H.,  Wataga,  e.  Feb.  29,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
V;     Evans,  F.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Heagy,  James  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864,  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July 
l8,  1864. 

Hope,  C.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 
,;       Judson,  Alfred  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  27,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Kay,  Robert,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15.  1865. 

Meadows,  C.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C 

May,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Martin,  F.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Mather,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  9,  1863,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865 

Ott,  Samuel,  Orange,  e.  Nov.  i8,  1863,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Perkins,  Theodore,  Persifer,  e.  Nov.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 

Price,  C.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  9,  1864,  pro.  in  io7th  U.  S.  C.  troop. 
,       Rambo,  J.  S.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  pris.  war. 

Rambo,  Joseph,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  disch.  July  i,  1864,  wounds. 
.     Read,  C.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  9,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
"      Smith,  William,  Gilson,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  pris.  war. 
'•      Smith,  C.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865 

Spidle,  Alfred,  Persifer,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865 

Tree.  Wm.  S.,  Persifer,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  died  at  Tyler,  Texas,  July  22, 
1864,  pris.  war. 

Wallace,  E.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  22,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

Wentworth,  M.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
.  Witherell,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
:  Wills,  Benj.  F.,  Persifer,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  Aug.  9,  1865. 

Wallack,  Jacob,  Persifer,  e.  Feb.  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

•'    '•>••^"•;,''?'{\^''''•  ^  "'''."'•  '''v'/VV^"!;/         COMPANY   F    "  >  j^C  "^^ '''v^":    ....     ; 

.;   •  -•  •.:-.••••      ':•       -.•'.  .•  :•'•:....    .  '..     Captain       ''••-'.'••''••'•••   •  '      .  •  ^ 

Secord,  James  A.,  Yates  City,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.  . 


296  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;: 

.•.•:,:.;  First  Lieutenant  •      •  • 

Kenyon,  Geo.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  capt.,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

,y"'~-^'-'  •'     ••  •   •        '•     '   •    ^      Musician      •'•••"••• -"'^  •'--•••'.';.  "i-  •••'••- ^'•- 

Nixon,  Charles,  Gilson,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  kid.  at  Vicksburg,  June  22,  1863. 


v'.'.  Privates 

Coe,  J.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  corpl. 
Fowler,  William,  Gilson,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  corpl. 
Hummell,  Casper,  Yates  City,  e.  July  28,  1862. 

Irwin,  T.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  i8,  1864,  dis.    ' 
Johnson,  N.  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  disch.  May  30,  1863,  dis. 
Kent,  James  F.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
Lawrence,  Geo.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865,  sergt. 
Lockbaum,  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
Miner,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865.      |        . 
Macey,  D.  B.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 
Miner,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  June  lo,  1863,  dis. 
Newman,  P.  S.  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  May  13,  1865.  " 
Standiford,  DeWitt  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  2,  1865. 
Thurman,  Thomas,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 
Thomas,  G.  W.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 

;:••.-'/'',.'.''      •      '.  .'-.•:':'.     Recruits     -\\ ''''-::.-•'-•'-'••.,''',:'•"•''•• -^ 

Adams,  J.  W.,  Yates  City,  e.  Dec.  29,  1863,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
Hamerick,  J.  D.,  Yates  City,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 
Lutkieweiz,  J.,  Persifer,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 


"^  •;';.;.'•-'/:'•'     "''  ..•      •    '..    COMPANY    G      ,'.-',   •'';  ^^  •-'.;  -X  •-.•'-.'' 

.       ;-.  .  Wagoner  •  •-    ••    -^    . 

Alderdice,  Jacob,  Eugene,  e.  August  6,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1864. 

:  /   •        Privates  "  •_' .  •"- '•; .'' . ,  •  -• 

Collister,  William,  Eugene,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1864. 
Ensley,  Joseph  D.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
Ensley,  Isaac,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
Fetters,  J.  H.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
German,  L.  A.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 
Jacques,  H.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  5,  i86i. 
Martin,  Elias,  Eugene,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  reported  died  of  wounds  received 
April  8,  1864.  -  / 

Niles,  A.  B.,  Eugene,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  pro.  hos.  steward.      ">      . 
Tucker,  S.,  Eugene,  e.  Aug.  lO,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  i8,  1863. 
Hummel,  Casper,  Yates  City. 
Stewart,  Robert  H.,  Elba,  e.  Feb.  19,  1864,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 


1    i^    ;V\      X    V  ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ;'  V-y  297 


•';  ' -:\:  .-••'^•. .;''•'..'   ^  :;.yy-."-:.'^'ry  y->- '••••;:•;      COMPANY  I 
•V    '^"    y  'yy/;'.!. ;                                       First  Lieutenants               '  _•.        '   ^  y'^ -iv';'?.v.--y  r\ 
yy    yv>y      Mathews,  Thomas  C.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  pro.  capt.  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865. 
.'    -        '    Hull,  Abraham,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.    ,        . 

•  vy., "' y^  ••  yv^vy- ',  :• 'y •  •- •* ''^y.-:::;V  .K;  ;•'•  f     Privates  "••-  yy-;"y- '•  .•  y  •;•  '  y'-.'v''  '-'^'^yr-^'y  {'• 

.  .  y      :'^       Anderson,  L.  D.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.     .-  y  yy-y-^  ;  ;w>l 
'»'y  Benton,  R.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862. 
:  y  Cox,  Wm.  M.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  died  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo.,  Feb. 

yy;  ^'jy  2, 1862. 

yy    j          Dixon,  Geo.  M.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865.     ':y  ;.;.>:'). 
'  y  -y:     :•  Finch,  Geo.  T.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865.  ^'V^ 'y  y; 

:  v>  y-      ;  Hill,  J.  C.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lO,  1865.  ''^:/:' ^"--'f ,. 

:.  y.'y- y        Hildebrandt,  P.  A.,  Elba,  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  19,  1863,  ^is. 
;  y    .         Hauler,  Anthony,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Jan.  3,  1863. 
.        /.Jordan,  J.  M.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  July  lo,  1865. 

Keller,  Henry,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  died  at  Covington,  Ky.,  Nov.  15,  1862. 
',   '      .        Matthews,  John  H.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Moore,  D.  D.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  died  at  Young's  Pt.,  La.,  Feb.  i,  1863. 
Thurman,  Alexander,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  1 8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  17,  1865. 
y    :  .-    yTorby,  Thomas,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  18,1862.     .'  y.y;y'y-   :•     '      y. v.  ;  •:.y;.  y; 

-.;       ••:•'    '    '  '^          ,        »    . .        Recruits        •-•    -    '•    •        •  •  ••   ,_\-:-^,-^.^ 

y  ,         Dixon,  J.  W.,  Yates  City,  e.  Dec.  23,  1863,  disch.  May  ii,  1864,  dis.  ;-     y  vv.C 
:  .  McRill,  Samuel,  Eugene,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863,  m.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865.  -'  '•  / 

Null,  S,  C.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865, 'm.  o.  Aug.  15,  1865.  •  y.  .     -y    ,  ;  >, 

'<    y  ;         Denton,  F.  F.,  Galesburg.       .;   ,      .;      :;.;    r-^..    ,  'yy;     o.   ;y 

;^  y.-  ?      King,  C.,  Eugene.  y^'- -.•'->^v'Y.'--'-?  y^^'--'yy:/--' "' '^^ '^'      •  yy.-:- -^v^^ 

y  -  r'y  -  Morrissey,  M.,  Galesburg.    '  '•'y/''yy>"y;'-y  ;•''•-'-••";;•>   y  ;   -"'•'v':''yyy'"-''-:^^; 

..vy.'''y-  Murray,  Walter,  Galesburg.      -y^y'-iy:'  -yr-r^-yy.-yyi^y"-'    •  •  •   ^.y  :'y-  yyr. V- y-; 

^./^    .;  Martin,  F.  N.,  Wataga.              -y''--;   '"y '•'•'" yy-'y':-yy'-;     '  -^ -•  ~  '••  •'••^'•:.-     '-'-' 

':..•'".-  McAllister,  H.  S.,  Galesburg.          yyy.    C.-     y'yy'  •'       ^    ^v^ 

'.-.  "-y^  Stevens,  Samuel,  Galesburg.      y-^  y/ y-y-yy-^'--;'' •  y'-xV  y    •    :  '••••'"' '•y--y.''yy''%'y 

'•••y./y'- y^ '•  ':-----.y';-:--'-.-  ''    •  .-v^^;-  -J^';;-:'        830  INFANTRY     '^  V'^V''   .'•"'''  '-••:^'•'•y':^^•r;V^^";;' 
y  Was  organized  at  Monmouth,  111.,  in  August,  1862,  by  Col.  A.  C.  Harding, 

yyy*-    and  mustered  in  Aug.  21.     Knox  county  furnished  for  the  83rd  416  men,  repn 
;  ..  •    '  resented  in  five  different  companies.     They  moved  from  camp  to  Cairo,  111., 
;y  .     y,  Aug.  25th,  arriving  there  on  the  29th,  and  reported  to  Brig.-Gen.  Tuttle,  Sept. 
y  3rd.     Moved  to  Fort  Henry,  and  on  the  5th,  leaving  two  companies  at  Fort 

Heiman  and  three  at  Fort  Henry,  was  ordered  to  Fort  Donelson,  where  the 

yy         headquarters  remained  during  the  year.  Col.  Low,  5th  Iowa  Cavalry,  commanding 

:•        brigade.     The  companies  remaining  behind  afterwards  rejoined  the  regiment, 

'  •  '       and  it  remained  at  Fort  Donelson  until  Sept.  20,   1863,  when  the  right  wing 

moved  to  Clarksville.  The  whole  country,  especially  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee 
y:  and  Cumberland  rivers,  was  infested  with  guerrillas ;  the  regiment  had  daily 
yy/  skirmishes  with  the  enemy;  some  of  them  were  quite  severe,  as  at  Waverly,  Tenn., 


298 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


and  at  Garretsburg,  Ky.,  where  the  lamented  Gen.  Ransom   then  colonel  of  the 
nth  Illinois,  had  command. 

On  the  3rd  of  February,  1863,  nine  companies  of  the  83rd,  with  Company 
C.,  2nd  Illinois  Light  Artillery,  successfully  resisted  the  attack  of  Forrest  and 

Wheeler,  with  8,000  men.     The  battle  lasted  from  half-past  i  o'clock  till  half-  ;..- 

past  8,  p.  m.,  when,  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  retire,  with  a  loss  of  800  killed  - . 

and  wounded.    The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  13  killed  and  51  wounded.    Col.  V;-' 

Harding,  was  promoted  to  brigadier-general  for  gallant  conduct  on  this  occasion,  ^  : , 

and  Lieut.-Col.  A.  A.  Smith,  to  colonel,    o  '   •.•:  /:.'.' 

While  at  Clarksville  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  several  expeditions  under  .-' 

Maj.-Gen.  L.  H.  Rosseau,  in  pursuit  of  Forrest  and  Wheeler,  who  were  attempt-  .--,; 

ing  the  destruction  of  Ben.  Sherman's  communications.  ••;.. 

During  the  year  1864,  the  regiment  had  some  200  miles  of  comrrtunication  to  'v:;. 

guard,  and  much  heavy  postal  duty.    During  the  winter  of  1864-5,  the  83rd  was  ^.y  !;  ..; 

on  postal  duty  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  .'-  '   ,Vv 

Of  the  men  furnished  by  Knox  county,  there  were  30  died  from  various  .;;':' 

diseases,  6  killed  and  3  wounded.     On  the  26th  of  June,  1865,  the  83rd  was  -f     .•'•: 

mustered  out  at  Nashville,  and  moved  for  Chicago,  Brevet-Brig.-Gen.  Arthur  ;'  \  '': 
A.  Smith  commanding,  where  it  received  pay  and  final  discharge.    •    . 

''  Colonel 

Smith,  Arthur  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  pro.  Brig.-Gen.,  m.  o.  June    <} 

26,1865.         '        '        •' ^''''^ ''•••''•: '--^-^'i.^^ •:/'.•:•••'•- ''':^^:^-:':-;- -'''::-:: 

Lieutenant  Colonel  ;•     :  ;•  . : 

Brott,  Elijah  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  30,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

'  '- •  ;  Quartermasters  •   '       '  ; 

Colton,  John  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  pro.  brig.  q.  m. 
Bissell,  Harmon  D.,  Galesburg,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb.  3,  1863. 
Snyder,  Geo.,  res.  Feb.  7,  1864.  .     :  .  .   ;...  -' 

Sexton,  Wm.  H.  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ..   :     =  ^i   ,>.•'•  ^         -• 


:'•-'•.-''•;>'•!'      ;         -••.'..     '':';•:•'•  Surgeon.       ..•..'•;'./ .v .;  '^VV-'.-.^:^-'^-'-! .: 
Cooper,  Esaias  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Nov.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Second  Assistant  Surgeon        ••  ;' 

Morris,  Richard,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  20,  1862,  pro.  surgeon  iO3d  regt.       ,. 


•/-:.'.>     ;       .  Sergeant  Major      .•:-'•/  ';'':.^    ..  . 

Hurd,  Theodore  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  1862,  disch.  Feb.  3,  1863,  dis. 


'          •  •  ''   '  Musician  ''    " 

Nathaniel,  Victoria,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 


^'-    .-  COMPANY    A  ^-.L-   \:<''A-  ': 

Ritchie,  Adam  C.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Jan.  i8,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 


>; : "     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;         ;  ^  ,;;  290 

'  '"'     -'•''''"                   COMPANY  c                        '',"•'.  ,  /'•'K^.v'-';;;'-\--"'.^ 

Stanley,  F.,  Rio,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  '         •    :    ;;  \;7 

Undersood,  Don  Pedro,  Rio,  e.  March  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.          ;  '    ' 

COMPANY   D  .     -r}^ •        '^'  >• 

Whitcomb,  L.  S.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  •  -    .'      '•  . -; 

Smith,  E.  F.,  Rio,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  ;.       '•;      i;^ 

Thomson,  R.  J.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864.  ;  .::    .       -v  . 


•''?';•%:  '•_[:.•:./•••::..:''•''..  :••:;'•;"  ';•.'.       COMPANY  E    ,;:::-;;..••';•  /         _  '•,;''•':•"'.,'•  "T-v'  ' 

Captain  'f.  :  \;V:^  '.  ',; 

Gilson,  James  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .;•.-.. 

-j-  ':':••.:.'-..•'•:•:.  \  '  .•,-:'-i:,^-.:'-'-  First  Lieutenant      .":V..'--'    ;  '        -'^  ,.;';..>•-:,.  ^ 
Pierce,  Erastus  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.    '  ^ 

Second  Lieutenants  '  ••'.•.- 

'.    •?  '-..',.\  •'•••.  <'-;. 

Parsons,  John  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  res.  Feb.  i8,  1863.  •    ,   -"r 

Tate,  Thomas  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.          '   ^,  ;> 


Sergeants 

West,  David  P.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
Lowther,  William  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  25,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  12,  1863, 
Chillison,  Alexander  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.        i/- 
Anderson,  John  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  June  24,  1863,  dis.        >•  . 

''•'..:••  ;'/••:          •     .'::•''•••-.••••-••'•'•  •;•  v^;i-;-.r;  .•'  \  •   -  '    -  '';•'  ;•.-..::-,  /.-^- 

Corporals  ......      -..•'> 

Arnold,  Nathan  S.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis.  ;•: 
Huntington,  R.  R.,  Rio,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  9,  1863,  wounds.  •  ••  .  . 
Lindsey,  Hugh  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  July  19,  1863,  dis.  '-; 
Henderson,  James,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ..'.: 

Hall,  Ashton,  Copley,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  April  lo,  1863.  ': 
Campbell,  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  sergt. 
Lewis,  Andrew,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  •'  :-  . 

Huffmire,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis.         -'. 

Privates         '  '  ''     '"  .....    '  "i;.  '-":'.••:-;'  .5  '- 

Anderson,  A.,  Victoria,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1862,  wd.        '       '  -  • 
Buck,  Wm.  H.,  Knoxville,  July  25,  1862,  kid.  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb.  3,  1864. 
Borrill,  Robert,  Abingdon,  e.  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.          ..,.>,-. 
Bruce,  Wm.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  July  3,  1863,  dis.  '/.  • 

Barrett,  Moses,  Copley,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .     K- 

Baird,  C.,  Ontario,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ''       , 

Blair,  Anthony,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  26,  1863,  dis.          .  -.  .^. 
Bratt,  Carlos,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '^'     ':', 

Bradford,  Wm.  H.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ". 

•'  j.  '  x'    '•.-    . 


300 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Carroll,  Samuel,  Knoxville,  e.  July  25,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  April 
29,  1864. 

Chase,  W.  B.,  Orange,  e.  July  31,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  June  17,  1863. 

Collison,  N.  A.,  Victoria,  e.  July  25,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Cheesman,  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  25,  1862,  disch.  March  23,  1863,  dis.     . :     ^; 

Cronnoble,  Geo.  W.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.        •;'  • 

Case,  Cortes,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Curry,  Geo.  A.,  Knox  county. 

Crump,  Seth,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Coe,  C.  B.,  Center  Point,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Cover,  Wm.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.      - 

Donelly,  Andrew,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Dyer,  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  June  4,  1865,  dis. 

Eason,  Andrew,  Ontario,,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  June  4,  1864. 

Flynn,  Wm.,  Persifer,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
:       Fitch,  Amos  S.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  disch.  March  15,  1865,  dis. 

Gump,  N.  H.,  Gilson,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  Sept.  i8,  1863,  dis. 

Goodman,  A.,  Orange,  e.  July  31,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 
•      Goodman,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Gillis,  T.  S.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Green,  J.  D.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Glenn,  B.  C.,  Center  Pt.,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  drowned  April  20,  1865. 

Gordon,  T.  J.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.     ; 

Hearn,  I.  R.,  Chestnut,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  June  3,  1864,  dis.  . 

Haptonstall,  Wm.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  dis.      •   ; 

Harmon,  Geo.,  Ontario,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  :.-'•.; 

Haynes,  Edward,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.     1 

Hunks,  Geo.   P.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  6,   1862,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,   Nov. 
27,  1862. 

Heath,  S.  F.,  Center  Pt.,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Huflmire,  Geo.  E.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Hulburt,  Lyman  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Hummell,  John,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Hughes,  R.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
:      Johnson,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Jacoby,  J.  W.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Johnson,  Swen,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Lopeman,  L.  S.,  Maquon,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Lopeman,  M.  D.,  Maquon,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Lander,  J.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Lockbaum,  Samuel,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Oct. 
12,  1862. 

Melton,  H.,  Ontario,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  Sept.  i8,  1863,  dis.    \ 

Murray,  T.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Massey,  F.  M.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Mattison,  Swen,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Moore,  Geo.  B.,  Center  Point,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  . 

Mitchell,  R.  H.,  Copley,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 


.,:v;V:  •..('::,    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    .  \  V         301  •^-. 

>     Mcllwain,  Wm.  B.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl.      '  Vi 
;.      Price,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  July  25,  1862,  disch.  June  17,  1863,  dis.      .  ..,:::ri  ••': 

Penn,  Wm.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  24,  1862,  m.  o.  June  21,  1865.  '     ;; ";   : 

'  V;    Peterson,  Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  July  3,  1863,  dis.          '  ". 
•'      Peterson,   Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  July  26,   1862,  died  at  Ft.   Donelson,  Nov.         ; 
12,  1862.  :v        ;-    :.^v.  .  ' '::  '•• 

Phillips,  Edwin,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  2,'i862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.        V      '     v  '  v 
.•       Price,  Robert  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '  :     ' 

:     Pickrel,  J.  W.,  Gilson,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  kid.  by  guerrillas,  Sept.  i8,  1863.       '    ^X  . 

Rynear,  H.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         --.;.•;•-  ^^^^  ^.;.' 
'  '     Russell,  Warren,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  21,  1865,  dis.  V! .  ' 

;'    Richardson,  J.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  March  13,  1863,  dis.   ':-\^'':~ 

Stogdell,  R.  A.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '•' 

•  Sypherd,  J.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  sergt.  •.    . 
Scott,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Oct.  6,  1862. 
Shaw,  C.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  24,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  ist.  sergt.        ^'• 
Strine,  S.  G.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  :'  : 
Stevens,  C.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  sergt.,-'/-;:  . 
Stevenson,  Swen,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  21,  1865.              •     -    '  :. 

r     Stancliff,  Wm.  H.,  Center  Point,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Nov.  19,  1863,  dis.      r..  ''v 
Villier,  O.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .  -.,6.  •• 

-  Vorge,  R.  A.,  Gilson,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '    '     ; ;;  !;;•;. 
:  .     Van  Orman,  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  April  27,  1864,  dis.     ^vv'-/'  vSvv 
.'      Webb,  Valentine  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl.    • : 

Wallace,  J.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl.      ,      ;'  ^ 
,      Wallick,  James  O.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  :;'-'•., 

-';      Wright,  Cyrus,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  25,  1864,  dis.  •    ^^    -  ;  .,• 

-  Wolf,  Alfred  P.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  kid.  by  guerrillas,  Sept.  i8,  1863.     :   '^ 
Wetmore,  C.  B.,  Ontario,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  April  13,  1863,  wounds.    ... 
Woolsey,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865.  ..:;'-.. 
Wilt,  Henry,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.            .  •    ';V      ' 

''••.^ '''•••  :•'::•''  '];  '.j.:      ':•          Recruits  ''.•''•"••'•    •.''      '.•''.•-'.''''-'    '•'.''"'• 

•  Brown,  J.  F.,  e.  April  i,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  ;:,•••": 
Burnett,  J.  E.,  Henderson,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.    i.      ."'•,:.•'.. 

;      Benson,  H.,  Persifer,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  v      ^  ^.         •": 

Benson,  H.  K.,  Persifer,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.          .  \V    .:   :   ' 

^^    Castle,  R.  A.,  Cedar,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  :^'      -  :->  v / 

'        Dailey,  L.  A.,  Rio,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ..-.-. 

Flynn,  Benj.,  Persifer,  e.  March  12,  1864,  kid.  by  guerrillas  at  White  Oak,.  ...  r 
Tenn.,  April  i,  1865.         :'•"-•  ;'\     ,-.::,;•. 

Holcomb,  Ola  W.,  Sparta,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  disch.  May  28,  1865,  dis.       ;   I       : 
Henry,  Wm.  Sparta,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  .  .          Vi. 

\     Howe,  Wm.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Jan.  19,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.       .;         .  .^^     ;/• 
V     Massie,  Eli  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  23,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  >:  '-   •  .  V^ 

;/      Mitchell,  A.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  March  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.      ;  v'\  :V  ^   J 

-  Mattson,  O.  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  Jan.  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  ''.'•;';•: 
:       Mattson,  C.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Jan.  4,  1864,  disch.  June  4,  1865,  dis.      •::..'... 


302  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; 

Parkins,  Levan  A.,  Persifer,  e.  March  i6,  1862,  disch.  March  21,  1865. 
Ramp,  David,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  25,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 
Wilcox,  N.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Zimmerman,  N.,  Persifer,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1865,  pro.  q.  m.  sergt. 

.V'::;,'^  •;•'':  •  ;;    .          COMPANY  G    •''••'."';  vT-^''' ••'!':'•'';,' 

Captain          '"        "     "        .  ' 
Hammick,  John  G.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 


-,^:  ;  -     First  Lieutenants  <      '-. 

Jones,  Horace,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  res.  Nov.  ii,  1863. 
Jones,  John,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862. 


^^s;'-  Second  Lieutenants        '      '     '-.;  ^ 

Morton,  John,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  died  June  19,  1864.  ; 

Hughes,  Clark  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 


"  Sergeants  ... 

Jones,  William,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  pro.  in  i6th  U.  S.  C.  troops. 
Cleveland,  Rufus,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  7,  1762,  disch.  Sept.  26,  1863,  dis. 
Davis,  William,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

•  ~-  •  •  Corporals  '  "'•       ' 

Williams,  John,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  22,  1862,  dis. 
Woods,  Joseph  D.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  20,  1863,  dis. 
Geer,  Anson  C.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  sergt. 
Long,  Charles  S.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
Onderkirk,  P.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  22,  1862,  dis. 
Buffum,  Austin  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Wagoner 
Crabill,  Samuel  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

•,  \  =  k',' ''•  •  •  .  '.    .,  •  '•       Privates        /,••'/'.'-;:':":'  ''.^'^:''V; -!'-'; 'I  ',-;•.•  ^ 

Aldrich,  I.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  15,  1863,  dis. 

Atwood,  C.  L.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  died  at  Fort  Donelson,  Oct.  24,  1862. 

Bartlett,  David,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  sergt. 

Beeson,  Wm.  H.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  sergt. 

Bencher,  John,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.;' 

Boden,  M.  M.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Brown,  Peter,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  22,  1862,  dis.         .. 

Buckley,  N.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Buckman,  C.  F.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  corpl.    < 
;    Buffman,  J.  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.     |     .     . 

Bissell,  H.  D.  ':v 

Crowman,  H.  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  sergt    ;  - 


:K;;;  ;•:  ^;.:  : /"       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -/-•;:^;^V^     803 

Cox,  I.  L.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  disch.  June  4,  1864,  dis.,  corpl.    .   ^  -. . 
Casler,  Edward,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.      -• .;  •   v   -  ?• '; 
Collins,  H.  A.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.        ;;.,;.v.:'.i:*''  %': 
Conlon,  Owen,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.    •      '^      -';;;• 
Cowman,  D.  F.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpL     ^•/:  ! 
Cox,  H.  S.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ;.,•'-. 

Collimane,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  corpl.     :..;.../ 
Dalton,  S.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ;•;,:-•• 

Dorn,  Jacob,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         -  : '^ 

Finney,  Thomas  T.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis.  . 

Grim,  Jonathan,  Sale,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.          .  ,.:;;?; 
Gabriel,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.    ';,'.:/-;. 
Golliday,  Geo.  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ;;•••;;.•.    - 
Gray,  J.  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  20,  1864,  dis.    '.;-';;'     ',^' - 
Grigsby,  T.  S.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         • ;       •        - 
Gunsanlis,  J.  B.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         "^.:;''.   :  ;;  '- 
Hehir,  James,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  /•'       ;  •::'•: 

Holloway,  J.  E.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.       •'.;:... 
Horton,  F.  S.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.      ^  -     ,.;..'• 
Hunter,  Benj.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  4,  1863,  dis,      .  •'•. 

Ingham,  Z.  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         ,   >    .   .- 
Jobes,  W.  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  absent,  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  :;'     , :  • 
Jones,  L.  K.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ,:V-  ;<;;;=:-.. 

Jones,  W.  O.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  :..;-....;<.;  •• 
Leland,  James,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '  ',••;'•,: 
Lewis,  W.  A.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .-.,',:,;-. 
McCoy,  Allen,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ;<',-;.., 

McCoy,  R.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.    ; :      ^;     , './  ^::'  •-•', 
Milam,  James,  Maquon,  e.  Aug  8,  1862,  drowned  Oct.  19,  1864.       '"•'•:..  '^  •• 
Mitchell,  W.  F.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         -JC    ;   .  :      , 
Moore,  H.  H.,  Maquon,  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  :    ;.        • 

Morehead,  D.  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.   •       /'•'<; 
Murphy,  Michael,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.        V.;;  ; . 
Morse,  N.  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  ist  sergt.     -    X; 
McMannan,  G.  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  May  29,  1865,  dis.       .    J  v? 
McCullock,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         '       :    , 
O'Neal,  Cornelius,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  May  15,  1864,  dis. 
Reibstock,  James,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  pro.  in  8th  U.  S.  C.  H.  art. 
Richmond,  Seth,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  corpl. 
Rooth,  R.  M.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  i; 

Roberts,  A.  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .  '„:' 

Roberts,  J.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis.      •  T  y. 
Rozer,  Peter,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         '  ,   ; 
Runnion,  Isaac',  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  absent,  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.       .       :' 
Runnion,  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  j; 

Scott,  Wm.  B.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  corpl.    .;' 
Shafer,  J.  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .     , 


804  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .      ,      X 

Simkins,  Wm.  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862.          •.   '  y       ;. 

Spalding,  J.  T.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.     v 
Stargell,  J.  H.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
Stanton,  John,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
Sutton,  John,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  June  lo,  1863,  dis.     • 
Simkins,  G.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .: 

Simkins,  J.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862.  -•;  t 

Taylor,  F.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
Thurman,  G.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
Thurman,  Jas.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

:'  Thurman,  P.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  -; 

'Timmons,  D.  W.,  Salem,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis. 
Welker,  J.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis. 

,  •   Westfield,  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  July  19,  1863,  dis. 
White,  A.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 


.  ,  Recruits 

Bechamp,  Wm.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865,  corpl. 

Bumbarger,  Peter,  Salem,  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Crabell,  J.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.       ./        :, 

Cowman,  J.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Combs,  J.  T.,  Maquon,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8.  1865,  corpl. 

Darnell,  Geo.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Darnell,  James,  Maquon,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865,  trans,  to  Co.  G.,  6ist  Inf. 

Dalton,  Wm.,  Elba,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  .     *:    |.  j 

Dalton,  Lewis,  Elba,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

George,  Wm.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  9,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Hilligrass,  G.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  19,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 
;•   Hilligrass,  Wm.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.   /       . 
.    Holloway,  J.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.      . 

Haines,  John,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.    '•/-:•; 
f  Hamilton,  L.  '  ' 

Moore,  St.  Claire,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Morse,  J.  C.,  Maquon,  e.  March  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.      ^ 
^    Morehead,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  Feb.  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Ouderkirk,  W.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 
'  Pickenpaugh,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  Feb.  17,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Roath,  B.  M.,  Salem,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  , 

Stephenson,  A.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  13.  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

Thurman,  J.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Sept. 
26,  1864. 

--  .    .  '-.-•.       COMPANY  I  :/  ~--.  ;•''•/  •;.,'^-V- :'.,.; 

'^''"  Captain  '       ,         —    . 

Dawley,  Joseph  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 


:      j;-    -        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :          ;v:          306    ' 

First  Lieutenants  -          :  ,  ,   ,., 

Shoop,  Daniel  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  res.  Feb.  14,  1863.    •;':.'.•:'.;'.'  ^, 
Latime,  Wm.  G.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m,  o.  June  26,  1865.    /• ;  ^V  : 

.,:v '; :':'.. Vv;-.''  Second  Lieutenants  ''''^'^^'.y-':-'--''--'-''^'-- ••,''•'" 

Shrader,  Wm.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  March  20,  1863,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.    •  ^/.'       ;:•       .  ;' 

;;'-''"'••'*•'••  r ••'•'•-"'•    "•  •''^••'"    --^  '••    Sergeants        .    ^""-''''     '^        '    "'/•'  '"'•>i"f,;'/'^N'^'-:.-.  > 
Mann,  James  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  i6,  1862,  pro.  lieut.  3d.  Mo.  Inf.  . 

Gillett,  Andrew  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  ist.  sergt.  5 .  : 

';      Gwinn,  Robert,  T.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  pro.  lieut.  3d  Mo.  Inf.      ..-  .^- :        !  ' 
McCord,  Henry,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6.  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.     '"    •.:-/;•. 

••.  -      -v  i'':^r-  •/••  --  '•  ••;^..  ;;>    ,-'-•-.'..    Corporals    :•.  ';<"  '^-r^.:-       '  . -•    "•••'•;•••  :.'v-\.;; •».'•;  '•-;.•-";/ 
Evans,  Albert,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,   1862,  detached  as  lieut.   ii6th  U.  S. 

C.  troops.  V^^ 

Freeman,  James  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  died  at  Fort  Donelson,  Nov.    .      - 

28,  1862.  ' 

Russell,  James  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  com.  in  vol.  ser.    •  •  T-  i.-.  ./-.. 
Veatch,  Wm.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  as  sergt. 

;        Hearst,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  sergt.      .  ..      :  .    • 
Dowries,  Joseph  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis.     /,.•">' 
Coleman,  John  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  3,  1864,  wounds.      - . ' 
Cochran,  J.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  sergt.    -..•.: 

•.    '    '  '  '  '    "    ' ''      Musicians      '  '"  "  " xV'  /^••' '-^^ ''•-:>'.'/.; 

-•,•**          '    '     •  ,       •••'}'      ' .  - 

.;       Flecker,  Wm.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  "    ;  :  ^      . 

Walkup,  Christopher,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.   ii,   1862,  died  at  Fort  Donelson,       ',' 
Oct.  4,  1862.  •:..•,.•/.•;/.:..  ,•.;•••;••'-';;•::•  ::.'v'-:- ;•;•:. ';,v' ''-•..'':  v;;/.  ..;•.      ,  ,••'.-,-•  ;.::'•;-.:.•.' i"^. -•'' '.-.v 

-^-;  .-•  •   -i-    -'••-.••--•••  ,/...'.:•  .  -•  ;       Wagoner      •••••••••'••-      '^  •     '     '  ' -''V^'  '^;^    .r:'';Cr--.'' 

Garver,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  Jan,  9,  1863,  dis.  :  /     r     -   :Vr 

*       '   ""     .   •.••-•    •.  '•        .     -      •  '      .  '  '.••"''     -  i   X  r"' '.•'--•-''  V    •    '.'   .."•-      •:      .:    ••  .,  .   -  ,      ''•  ':    .     '  .,'   ,     .'      '        .      .  '-.       ,         . 

. "  .'  •  j'  ;•-'-,.        ..        :-'-.-•'.,-''"-..          :     •  '.,•...•,'*•.'.•••',--'     T'  .  .-,•  V-  -.''•   -.^    -.'-*'--.•-.. 

'••..'••':•' ^\'-.:-'^-v/'  ;i--    'V.;-'^'6  v'.-'.:V.    Privates      ;;•:"';;'  :,;_:---'7v  ;''Vv''.' ?>''•..  V;- 

•  Adkins,  Vinton,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.          ,  ~  'x:   ' 
Adkins,  M.  C.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.       -/y    .  '        .  .:    . 
Adkins,  C.  J.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.            .•:;••- 
Blair,  Wm.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.   ;.        •!        v^'. 
Baldwin,  T.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  19,  1862,  dis.    -•."•-:;•'•  v 

'      Brunson,  Esty,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  •'^'  ;'    -:• 
Beers,  Frederick  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  3,  1863,  dis.      ;';      .  .       ; 

Burton,  A.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .     v 

V     Brawn,  D.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ;;./,->; 

Clark,  J.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  5,  1863,  dis.  ,••.'•;-.: 

•  Collison,  J.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  xi   :V     .;      '.  .        . 
Canen,  Allen,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  >'  v          }> 

T«I  f— SO  I  " 


306 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Crawford,  J.  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Chapman,  D,  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m,  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Camp,  J.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Cochran,  Asbury,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  • 

Cochran,  Milton,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ; 

Chaffee,  T.  L.  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  March  15,  1863,  dis. 

Cambridge,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Diefenderfer,  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  iS.  ; 

Diven,  Geo.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  drowned  Aug.  20,  1863.     :    .' 

Edmonson,  J.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  Feb. 
3,  1863. 

Graham,  D.  N.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Hewitt,  David,  Abingdon. 
\      Herriott,  A.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862.       ,    ;;'•      '^  •  ;-    '   f^^  1       ;      •'-. 

Hawkins,  Benj.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  13,  1862,  dis. 

Hale,  J.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Hibbs,  R.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis.  , 

Hood,  U.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Jones,  Elliott,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Latimer,  J.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Myers,  A.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Myers,  I.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Miller,  Eli,  Abingdon,  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ; 

McNamer,  C.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  / 

McCarty,  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  March  13,  1864,  dis.         .      :-•  ; 

Maxwell,  W.  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  :    1 

Miller,  Doctor  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  dis.       '      ; 

Morris,  Miles,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.         [  ,/^ 

Nichols,  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  died  at  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  Jan.  21,  1865. ;'' 

Pointer,  Wm.  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  . 

Russell,  E.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  20,  1862,  disch.  to  accept  com.  in  vol.  service.  '. 

Reeves,  E.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  died  at  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  % 
i6,  1862. 

Shoop,  W.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Strain,  D.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Smith,  F.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Smith,  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  disch.  June  ii,  1863,  dis. 

Smith,  S.  A.  C.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Underwood,  E.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Vandell,  Joseph  D.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
.      Vandell,  C.  W.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis.     1 

Vannander,  J.  W.,  Hermon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  June  2,  1865,  dis. 

Woods,  Peter,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Warren,  L,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

: .  '  ;^v'^,..\.'          .         -•      ^  \    ';.'.'•••     Recruits       •    ,-. ',•.;;;/.":•... -••^^:.  .;'• 
Brown,  Wm.  W.,  Abingdon,  died  at  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  June  26,  1863. 


y"-^;;v(  •';:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          :j          so? 

Fauble,  Geo.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  •',•>:•;; 
Graves,  A.  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  OVv/^M;^  ; 
Kems,  Milton,  Maquon.  '  .';';.;..;. 

Russell,  J.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  14,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 

^v  •   -.-       '  :--   •   •,     •  •  V  >-.'''.-.'.i-^- '  i^-'      COMPANY    K         ''•: ''':.,;..•.•;'      ,/' 

^  :'.:'-":       Captain  ?,•  . 

0     .  /..;-.    '.  ^  -i.       ••   •:•:  :•          •  ^:   •: 

Reynolds,  Geo.  W.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  i 

'•    -•'••'•      First  Lieutenant       '  '  '' 

Russell,  Richard  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  - 

Second  Lieutenant  .  ...  • 
Garrett,  John  S.  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 


'::•'. -.'-[^     •    -••  "'  ...  .'-V'^:;        First  Sergeant     '''•^'•-'•' ..  ,.••'.-•'•: '/-V. ;.:'.', -^.:~.  y.- 
Wilmarth,  A.  O.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  March  i,  1863. 

-.-.'••-  '-^   ;••,••:;•' -^^ '.';'•''•,• '^ ->.'••'  --"..iX  •  •  •,    '  .'^•' '''.••^'  • -i.'.-^:-^'' 

Sergeants  -'".', 

Montgomery,  Wm.  C,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  i,  1862,  dis. 
Swickerd,  Noah,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  ist.  sergt. 
Champlin,  Geo.  H.,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Jan.  13,  1863. 
Hedstrom,  J.  H.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  ist.  lieut.  8th  U.  S.  C.  art. 


Corporals  =    -  •-' --     -     - 

Biggert,  Wm.  W.  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  1st.  lieut.  8th  U.  S. 

C.  Art.  •:•:'•.  •• .'-  ..•^^.v  ;:.;:••:.•••;::'.••-•  .. -:^  .  •-.;  : •  ; 

;       Temple,  James  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  capt.  loist.  U.  S.  C. 

troops. 

Lucien,  Lambert  S.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  capt.  8th  U.  S.  C.  art.     .; 
House,  Geo.  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  8,  1864,  dis.  .';-.- 

Suydam,  J.  T.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Jan.  6.          \ 
Perkins,  Wm.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Aug. 

26,1864. 

Stewart,  Thomas  G.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  June  17,  1863,  dis.  •; 

.Coon,  Northrop,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  May  25,  1864,  dis.  K- 

Wagoner 

Young,  John  M.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Mound  City,  March 
31.  1863. 

' Privates  "  •.:--'•%.-';•  X' '•'••'••'/ 

•  •    Anstrom,  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  :.      . 

Anderson,  Wm.  P.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         '   •»/'  ; 

:       Arie,  Anthony,  Knox,  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl.     ;>> 

!v  Brown,  Wm.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.        ,...::.     .  V... 


.*-'  *t 


806  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


<  .   Barthwell,  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as-corpl.        r    '  •  '  f^^ 
y/'   Barringer,  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  June  2,  1865,  dis.  •.    •.: 

Bomar,  Henry  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis. 
•  f  Cook,  J.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  sergt.  . 

:   Coon,  G.  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  Disch.  Dec.  27,  1862,  dis.    I  -  -ji.' 
; .     Cain,  S.  D.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  |A    ^;.         '       f 

;    Cadwell,  E.  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  f    ^ 

Coleman,  N.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  principal  musician.  \J 

Collins,  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb.  25,  1863. 
Curry,  Andrew  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
.        Cherrington,  M.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Dawson,  J.  C.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ~' 

•  Day,  David,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Feb.  26,  1863. 
X  .  Darr,  Thomas  M.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  6,  1863,  dis. 

••  Everett,  Elmer,  Knox  Co.,  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 

•  Ensign,  Nathan  R.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  ; 
Force,  Joseph,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  March  i,  1865,  dis.     ;  '  ,  ; 

:':  Force,  Isaac,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  13,  1862,  dis.  "     • 

Frederick,  Geo.  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Fort  Henry,  Tenn., 

Sept.  30,  1862.  '  • 'y.:.  •  .y' '•:•',  \"''.'^:''  •:  'I- :    '.•'x'''''C->"^': 

Freed,  John,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
.  ,     Gifford,  T.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Fort  Donelson,  March  6,  1863. 

Gray,  M.  F.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  • 

-.   Grayham,  C.  R.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  at  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  April 
8,  1865. 

Grayham,  Ira  G.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Goff,  J.  E.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Gaines,  Geo.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  sergt. 

Hubbell,  T.  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  ii,  1865,  dis. 

Hurlbutt,  F.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  May  6,  1863,  dis. 

Hoag,  L.  S.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Horton,  Alex.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
.      Harrison,  C.  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  sergt. 

Irving,  J.  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Ives,  N.  B.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  sergt. 

Johnson,  Jonas,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Lynes,  C.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  May  6,  1863,  dis. 

Martin,  Leroy,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  -  '•  i^ 

McCready,  Jesse,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  June  ii,  1864,  dis.   ;    •/ 

Menard,  H.  E.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

McGill,  Wm.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  for  pro.  to  2d  lieut.  8th  U. 
S.  C.  art.     ;  :•'  ,  •'    '      ' ."';' ..  •••-.:•'•"•'-••:•''-,•.:•••  -^V'r^; 
.      McClung,  Geo.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
'      Norton,  Wm.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug  i,  1865,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 

Parmentier,  H.  S.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  24,  1863,  dis,  /.    \/. 
•  Pease,  G^.  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '       ^  '/^ 

Pratt,  David  D.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  corpl.    •,     :^ 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^     \^:  ^  309 


Robinson,  Parsons,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  i,  1862,  dis. 
Reed,  Geo.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .^ 

Slater,  J.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '. 

Sornberger,  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.      ''."=.•;  Cr." 
jytlSomberger,  G.  M.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  July  17,  1863,  dis.       :•     > 
..,  Stockwell,  C.  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.        .....  •4,;;.. 

\  ,'Shade,  Jacob,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .-'::<  ,-  .- 

7   Siriith,  Phillip,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         •-      - ' 
Sawdy,  Rufus,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i;  1862,  died  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Jan.  13,  1863. 
Sweeny,  George,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865. 
Sranley,  J.  L.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  '• 

>    Tapp,  J.  B.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.         '  ;^^ 

Tapp,  Vincent,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  21,  1864,  dis. 
Terry,  David,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  for  pro.  to  2d.  lieut.  in  U. 
S.  C.  troops. 

Whitehead,  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  as  corpl. 
:  •    Williamson,  J.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  March  13,  1863,  dis. 
v      Young,  Robert,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865.  .  v 


Recruits 

Armstrong,  W.  H.,  Sparta,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  pro.  2d.  lieut.  8th  U.  S.  C.  H.  art 
Burgess,  F.  W.,  Copley,  e.  Jan.  25,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 
Collins,  H.  C.,  Sparta,  e.  Nov.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  :••-.'.'; 

Darr,  J.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865,  as  corpl.  v'^ 

Dunbar,  Geo.,  Rio,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865,  corpl,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865. 
Dunbar,  F.  M.,  Rio,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  >    .'; 

Everett,  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865,  as  sergt,         -v 
House,  W.  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Nov.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  ;  .i  , 

McCleery,  J.  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.      -•-•.'."..; 
Pease,  S.  A.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  ,          •       - 

Pease,  A.  T.,  Copley,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.          •:'•';'     '••.'./ 
Russell,  J.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Dec.  14,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  8,  1865.  ' 

Heath,  M.  L.,  Sparta,  e.  Dec.  28,  1863,  died  at  camp  Butler,  Feb.  ii,  1864.     ; 
Miller,  John,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865. 
^  -    Ray,  J.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  3,  1864,  m.  o.  May  21,  1865.       /;  J^  '  v,-    ; -^^ 

'/>  :     .;.....  :..\;..,--."^  :;>,         86TH  INFANTRY 

Was  organized  at  Peoria,  111.,  in  1862.  Moved  for  Louisville.  Marched  from 
camp  Oct.  I,  and  on  the  8th  was  engaged  ih  the  battle  of  Perry ville;  engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  19,  20  and  21.  Moved  into  Lookout  Valley 
Oct.  29.  In  the  night  of  Nov.  23,  crossed  the  river  on  a  pontoon  and  camped 
at  the  foot  of  Missionary  Ridge.  Pursued  the  enemy  on  the  26th  to  Ringgold, 
and  was  then  ordered  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.  Marched  as  far  as  Little  Tennessee 
River,  and  returned  to  Chattanooga  Dec.  i8,  after  a  most  severe  march.  Was 
engaged  at  Buzzard's  Roost,  May  9,  lo  and  ii;  Resaca,  May  14,  15;  Rome, 
I7th, — 6  killed,  ii  wounded;  Dallas  from  May  27  to  June  5;  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, from  June  ii  to  27, — losing  no  killed  and  wounded.  It  ag^in  engaged 


310 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


the  enemy  on  the  banks  of  the  Chattahoochie  on  the  i8th  of  July;  at  Peach 
Tree  Creek  on  the  igth,  and  near  Atlanta,  2oth  and  22nd.  Engaged  in  the 
siege  of  Atlanta,  Commenced  the  "march  to  the  sea"  Nov.  i6.  Arrived  at  Sa- 
vannah, Dec.  21.  After  the  surrender  of  Johnson,  marched,  via  Richmond, 
to  Washington  City,  at  which  place  was  mustered  out  of  service,  June  6,  1865. 
Died,  killed,  and  wounded,  346.  Marched  3,500  miles ;  by  rail  2,000. 

The  86th  Regiment  contained  93  men  from  Knox  county;  5  were  killed,  3 
wounded,  8  died,  and  3  were  taken  prisoners. 


•••-•••V'. :\'  -  •          .        •   ,  ..'      COMPANY  F        ..;'   •• '-.-'y '.:'-•  :-\-  '/ 
v;..'-Xv...,    "  '     -/''^^'^     Captain        ./;''••;'./.'••'•-'.••  .'^;'^' '- 

Burkhalter,  James  L.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  27,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

'    "  First  Lieutenants      •       -' 

Combs,  Nelson  D.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  27,  1862,  res.  Jan.  ii,  1863. 
Hall,  John,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  27,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant 
Lx)veland,  Amos  P.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 


',  '  "          '      ..'-  :•:  '•   •''•      Sergeants    ..,;  -v'"-  '•';•':..•':'':-,'•-'*;.;;;• 

Mire,  John  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2.  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

West,  Timothy  D.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  ist.  sergt. 

Freemold,  John  A.,  Maquon,  e.  July  23,  1862,  kid.  at  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
June  27,  1864. 

Swigart,  Wm.,  Jr.,  Maquon,  e.  July  26,  1862,  died  at  Nashville,  Nov.  i8,  1862. 

Corporals 

Haines,  Barnett  E.,  Maquon,  e.  July  24,   1862,  sergt.,  died  at  Chattanooga, 
May,  1864. 

Dudley,  James  T.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  22,  1865,  sergt.,  wd. 

Ouderkirk,  Samuel  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m,  o.  June  6,  1865. 
:    Liewallen,  William,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  15,  1862,  dis. 

Allen,  Ethan,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862. 
-     Smithson,  J.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Nov.  i8, 

1862.  ...  .  1.  r    •;' 

Scott,  Benj.  P.,  Maquon,  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt.  / 

Gardner,  Wm.  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  July  4,  1865,  as  sergt. 

•  •:.':.'.' ^.:'--.  •          :  :•  .        Musicians      ^  :' :',;\,';.'^' '••••;,•:  ,.;'^.V',-.[-' ^ -•"•'•.;,-. 

Jones,  John  G.,  Maquon,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  March  ii,  1863,  dis. 
•    Smithson,  Wm.  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  2,  1863,  dis.          ;.  / 


Wagoner  /     .•••-A      .-  -    '- 

Barbero,  John,  Jr.,  Maquon,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 


'V- 


^HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;     'vj  ,;  311 

Privates  .v       '..;,;: ;'''^-!^'':^ /:hvs,l; /; 

Arie,  S.  C,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  on  furlough  at  m.  o.  regiment.  I '• . 

Atwood,  C.  B.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      .    ,       : 
Coon,  Wm.  S.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Coon,  David,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  21,  1862,  dis. 
Combs,  Wilson  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  ii,  1863,  dis. 
Coon,  Isaac,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          .  :  .. 
Caulkins,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  July  31,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          ;•;...;:•,• 
Clark,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.      .'  V:    ..U  ;, 
Clark,  N.  G.,  Maquon,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  12,  1863,  dis.  :  V  ;    ", 
Conner,  J.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  July  23,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      .    V    =     ;      . 
Dunn,  D.  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.    .^        '     /^    ^    s 
Davis,  F.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Dawdy,  L.  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  pro.  adjt.,  hon.  disch.  April  25,  1865. 
Darnell,  S.,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  28,  1863,  dis. 
Dickson,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpL  .  j 

Darnell,  Joel.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  March  31,  1865,  dis.      '.';.-.•- 
Davis,  C.  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.         .;    V  . 
Finch,  Bruce,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      v^>  v   X-. 
Foreman,  E.,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  m.  o.  June  29,  1865.       .'-.•'•,    • -;. 
Freemold,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .:'.::-•'=:,.: 

Grove,  Wm.  A.,  Maquon,  e.  July  26,  1862,  m.  o.  May  23,  1865.    5  .•.;.:.:.•.:.' 
Grabill,  Ira,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .         > 

Gibbs,  Harrison,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  v-i/i  X\:-;' 
Grissom,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  i6,  1863,  dis.  V,  u\  '  ., 
George,  Riley,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862.  <  ; 

Griffith,  M.  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl,  .  .. 
Gabriel,  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  May  8,  1863,  dis.  •;  ' 

Humphrey,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  July  23,  1862,  disch.  Apr.  22,  1863,  dis.  •.,...'; 
Hughs,  John,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  17,  1863,  dis. 
Holloway,  Wm.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Nov. 
17,  1862.  V  :  •} 

Housh,  Thomas,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  April  i,  1863,  dis.      c  :     ^. 
Housh,  Adam,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  24,  1863,  dis.        •    • ;  .' 
Housh,  J.  D.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.       :      ',; 
Housh,  Jacob,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  '      -  .- 

Hall,  Henry,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Dec.  i8,  1862. 
Humphry,  F.  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Jones,  Wm.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  31,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Kems,  J.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  '   ' 

McCulloch,  W.  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  3,  1862,  kid.  at  Rome,  Ga.,  May  17,  1864. 
McFarren,  J.  R.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  12,  1863,  dis. 
McVay,  Franklin  L.,  e.  July  24,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  ^  ..         i^--,  . 

McKoon,  C.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.     '         ^    •  .T   : 
Moon,  R.  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  March  ii,  1863,  dis.      .'•'''?': 
Moon,  J.  R.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m,  o.  June  6,  1865.  ""  •  [>• 


812 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


McNaughton,  James,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as-sergt., 
wd. 

McGrew,  J.  A.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

McVay,  J.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Mowry,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  corpl.,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.    : 

Mick,  R.  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  22,  1862,  dis. 

Norris,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  25,  1863. 

Norris,  Geo.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  war  pris. 
-   Ouderkirk,  Martin,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       I  -        -;  . 

Perry,  Wm.  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 

Paterson,  Jesse,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Dec.  i6, 
1864,  wounds. 

Pattee,  J.  F.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.          .  - 
.     Reeder,  Alfred,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  26,  1865,  war  pris.  1     '.• 

•     Smith,  Silas,  Maquon,  e.  July  26,  1862,  kid.  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  Sept.  I,  1864. 
"""•   Smith,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Smith,  J.  M.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  29,  1864,  wounds. 
/  Smith,  John  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Smith,  T.  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  21,  1862,  dis. 

Snyder,  Alex,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Stodgell,  Wm.  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Tumtine,  Reece,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  died  at  Nashville  Jan.  7,  1863. 

Thurman,  Wm.  T.,  Maquon,  e.  July  26,  1862,  trans,  to  Miss.  Marine  Brig.  ^ 

Upp,  C.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  July  29,  1862,  kid.  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  27, 
1864. 

Vogler,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  kid.  at  Rome,  Ga.,  May  17,  1864. 

Wells,  V.  G.,  Maquon,  e.  July  31,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  5,  1864,  dis.  I 

West,  John,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  July  22,  1865,  war  pris. 

Walter,  B.  S.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  2,  1863,  dis. 

Waddle,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  July  24,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  21,  1862,  dis. 

Wilson,  J.  F.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Walter,  C.  R.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  corpl. 

Way,  A.  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  26,  1862,  disch.  March  13,  1863,  dis. 

West,  T.  D.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  26,  1862. 

V- -".'.< -'-v^  ;•    •         ••'.     '.         89TH  INFANTRY  j  •••'••-••;•-•:;,;'.::.;•  \^;v''- 

The  "Railroad  Regiment"  was  organized  by  the  railroad  companies  of  Illinois 
at  Chicago  in  August,  1862;  ordered  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  Sept.  4.  The  regiment 
on  leaving  Louisville  started  in  pursuit  of  the  rebel  forces  under  Gen.  Bragg, 
and  after  a  fruitless  and  wearisome  march  of  a  month  reached  Bowling  Green. 
Chickamauga  seemed  to  fix  the  seal  of  its  devotion.  There  fell  Lieut.-Col. 
Duncan  J.  Hall,  Capts.  Rice,  Spink  and  Whiting,  and  Lieut.  Ellis,  besides  the 
scores  of  brave  men  who  fought  with  noble  heroism,  and  who  dared  to  "do  and 
die"  in  defense  of  the  "old  flag."  At  Mission  Ridge  the  regiment  again  en- 
countered the  foe.  It  then  marched  to-  the  relief  of  Burnside,  besieged  at  Knox- 
ville.  This  accomplished,  it  moved  on  with  the  brigade  in  the  marches  and 
counter-marches  through  East  Tennessee.  -  , 


v;r.\:-;j;     :>        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :^  ^ '"  313      Vi 

.:.••'•  Early  in  April,   1864,  it  marched  with  the  command  to  South  Tennessee,     i '-'.'" 
preparatory  to  G€n.  Sherman's  glorious  campaign  through  West  Georgia,  for  the 
occupation  of  Atlanta.    With  the  brigade  it  participated  in  the  splendid  victories      ,     < 
:-;-;.  of  Rocky  Face,  Resaca,  Pickett's  Mills,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek  '• 

:   •    *"<!  the  flank  movement  of  Atlanta,  and  pursued  the  routed  enemy  in  his  retreat      '      ,' 
;•  \    to  Jonesboro  and  Lovejoy's  Station.     The  regiment  passed  winter  quarters  at      -v/^ 
V  ;    Huntsville,  Ala.,  in  January,  1865,  and  on  the  ist  of  February  traveled  by  rail         . 
/•     to  Nashville.     About  the  middle  of  March  the  command  embarked  on  the  cars       . 
3..  ^  for  East  Tennessee  to  re-establish  communications  through  to  Virginia  and  pre- 
pare to  repel  rebel  invasion.     On  the  surrender  of  Lee's  army  further  move-       -^  . 
'      ments  in  that  section  were  abandoned.    On  June  lo,  1865,  the  89th  was  mustered        r     ; 
'      out  of  the  United  States  service.  . 

•;          The  89th  Regiment  had   171  men  from  Knox  county;   17  were  killed,  6     . 
J  wounded,  28  discharged  and  15  were  taken  prisoners.  '•.:    .:^--  ':"^ 'V  ^  '      :; 

'     :  '•'  Sergeant-Major  .•• ,.      •      X  ^^^    ;.;      , 

;•  :    ;       Burneson,  Nelson  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lO,  1865.  ,    /^         ;        i:  t 

;  .    •  v^  ;      ;       .    •;;  ,;^.^>        Commissary  Sergeant  •.  • .        !;";   /-'"'-vv  — 

Jeffries,  Benj.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  ir,  1863,  dis.        v.  .:-..' 

'•'''''''"  '^   ''•     " "^-  '•  •  '-  •••'     Principal  Musician         "  '    '•'          '    '^'' '^•'^•..'•V':  ••>'-"';;:'''•:' 
Howard,  E.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  3,  1862,  m,  o.  June  lO,  1865,      !  ti'^^v"    vJ 

•'•:•'••'   ;'     •'.'    '  ;^:'   ••-^••''•.{,v:. ;-':;-.'•    COMPANY  A       "•''{/.'''.:''    ^''    .    .  ''V.' -';{•:•''-•.'•:/'.> '.^t'';: 
\.'  •  Sergeant  ''••  •  '^•'''•^\''':'--r-.'. 

:          Holt,  James  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.      ;V';  V  y/    :       • 

'v;"'  ."'/>...:•'.••'  ;':•  -•";  •'•:-^..VA:^-:.vv     Privates     ;"/.:.:"-:-^. --^  ^,-  '    :      '•..'.'•;, ':.''-:::'^;--'o.--'iS...' 

:         Armstrong,  Robert,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  died  at  Andersonville  prison 
;:  '  Aug.  20,  1864,  No.  of  grave  7339.  ,^  .;    ;-    ,        !•  - 

Butman,  A.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  corpl.          ,^  '.v  v 

"  ;        Egan,  J.  I.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  disch.  July  23,  1863,  dis.  .r  •   .  /' 

Fuller,  Gardner,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  died  at  Andersonville  prison 

'-,:'''•;  Sept.  21,  1864.  ;.;•••;•'•.;"'.•  ::^;'. i.:-'"': 

Hadley,  J.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  Sept.  i,  1864,  dis.       .  ':/  >r  •;:    L  ! 
,'          Holt,  R.  M.,  Galesburg, .e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  i6,  1863,  dis.       ^:>  I:/ :    -/ 
^v       Taylor,  W.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  ii,  i86i,  disch.  June  13,  1^3,  dis. ,  v^oX':/  ';  V 

;•-.•.::"•;;     •', •  Recruits  ''\   ',•';'"';'"•'' •;''••':;•.-;•''•;• '^''''' 

,  Ayres,  G.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  5,  1863,  pro.  sergt.-maj. 

Cheeseman,  P.  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  31,  1863,  missing  in  action  at  Pickett's       -7' 
Mills,  Ga.,  May  27,  1864.  -^ '      •{  /  ^-  ; 

•    :.       Edgar,  J.  A.,  Altona,  e.  Sept.  lo,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.          ,      ;    :  ^  ,  V         V 


314 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


COMPANY    B 


;/'.':  Privates  : 

Chesriey,  A.  M.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  12,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 
Fausett,  Geo.  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  9,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 
Miller,  A.  C.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  5,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 
Miller,  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  i,  1863,  kid.  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June 
1864.  . 

Rupell,  Wm.,  Altona,  e.  Sept.  lo,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1863. 
Sweeney,  J.  H.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  31,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 
Wagomen,  M.,  Altona,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863,  died  at  Springfield,  Feb.  5,  1864. 


•     ••.>;;',,•'•',''•.    •  '          /      •    ,;'.'.         COMPANY   C       ,'''";!/'•'.   ''v"-'^;- '":.•- •"'^• 

:  Privates 

Blair,  John,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  13,  1863,  died  at  Nashville  March  30,  1864.          ; 
\;     Bennell,  W.  A.  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  8,  1863. 

Gould,  W.  A.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Sept.  15,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.          I-  .. 

.    Hood,  Geo.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  corpl.       ' 

Jones,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  corpl. 

McFarlane,  Alva,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  5,  1863,  missing  in  action,  Pickett's  Mills, 
Ga.  .:  ;    •      •      •:  ••" '  ••v;'-  •  '^'••^    ••  .V^  :;::;-••.;•  ^-^v;?./.::^;.:  v  :,; :;  I 

Richardson,  Hiram,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Sept.  28,  1863. 

Thompson,  Geo.  W.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Sept.  26,  1863,  died  at  New  Orleans,  June 
29,  1865. 

Warren,  Geo.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  15,  1863,  disch.  March  15,  1864,  dis. 

Whitehead,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  5,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  ;-  J  - 

••     '••r'.'r^- .  '      .  ..        .  •'    ''        COMPANY    E        '.-.-.-   '-'.•••'•'•  :'^^-  '••:',''••.      - 

Musicians  :         ' 

Capron,  A.  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt. 
,      Howard,  E.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  3,  1862,  pro.  principal  musician. 

Privates 

Abbe,  Louis,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865. 
Bramble,  H.  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.       • 
Collins,  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  March  ii,  1863,  dis. 
Clough,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865. 
Frank,  Alonzo,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Hawley,  H.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865. 
Huse,  F.  V.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Oct.  12,  1863,     ;':  -^ 

wounds.  :'-.v!  .. 'C':',  •''•••..  •:••••]•"  .':.'.':;       •-''">•' 

.    Knox,  James,  Jr.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  26,  1862,  dis.  'V      X^;;; 

Lecompton,  F.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Mack,  R.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Oct.  22,  1863, 
wounds.       .-•:'     '•:'••••••''    /;•':'.••'.- v,./ .' '^ -'..-••./•••;:  .  '   \   ':'"'.-.;'••'•:•;' fv:- 

McCall,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  Sept.  lo,  1863,  dis.          .  ,';!^  '' 

Nichols,  James,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  kid.  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862.       .      •• 

:    Scudder,  O.  H.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  ;  v;^:.;;  -^ 


^.;  ;:;  v-^'V    :;r:;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;,;,  315 

Simmons,  W.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Nov.  i,    - 

1864.  ,,       .;•....  .^•;:-     :;.v      y- 

Weed,  Gill,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  > 

Welton,  C.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Wright,  Z.  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864,  died  at  Nashville,  June  27,  1864.      -x 

;.>'"•.:_::  \''-\'' -'v: :>.-•- ^':^'^i^•••^••        COMPANY  c'-V;  v  v'. ':;;.'.;''     /:  •     ''.-:'  •••.   :•/ \ -^;; :>-'; 

Captains  -'•;.;.'-•• 

Whiting,  Thomas,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  25,  1862,  kid.  Sept.  20,  1863.       /,•' 
Howell,  Wm.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  25,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.       :  ,• 

First  Lieutenants  ,-       7^,  ;      ;;;;J, 

Copley,  Isaac,  Copley,  e.  Aug.  25,  1862,  res.  May  8,  1863.  ';V  ii.'  ;  . -, 

Tait,  Peter,  Copley,  e.  Aug.  25,  1862,  kid.  in  action  Dec.  i6,  1864.  v  ;!:,. 

Swickard,  J.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  25,  1862,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.    ;i:  • 


''  Sergeants    '....-..  .,/•;'•';.•;•'  ..•;.  V ..— V-'v    \'^  .   -    V 

Bunson,  Richard  J.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lO,  1865,  as  ist  sergt.    .   •  >  v^/ '.          ." 
.      Smith,  John  B.,  Lynn,  trans.  V.  R.  C.  -       .        ' 

Wales,  H.  G.  O.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  '^^V     ~  ':  ••^;     ?  ^ 

..   -.     :'•  Corporals     .•::.^.>-"','i^--  • /'^i"- -^'-.v 'V-^.-.i/-'-": .';' :  -•" 

:.-....,      '    ':  '  •/.   •:•;'.••-,.-•'    •..:•       -•.-•    -  ••''•.;    '.-:•"      •-.••••.'.-    •.-.-.-..;'   .    ;      '•' 

Dayton,  Wm.  O.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  Feb.  i6,  1863,  dis.  :;..  4         .    ;    :     C' 

McLaughlin,  J.  B.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  sergt.  y-^'-   •-;.:, 

Hayward,  Orange  G.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  sergt.        '-'''•;.,',. 
;      Bumeson,  N.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  pro.  sergt.-maj.  rV;! ,  ;...A-;'  .;       .  ^^ 

Ferguson,  A.  M.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  March  8,  1862,  dis.  :..•.--:>'' 

Berry,  Thomas,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  27,  1864.  ,  ,;''./    ' 

Allen,  S.  D.,  Walnut  Grove,  sergt.,  kid.  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  27,  1864.       -  {  .  I      ;      , 
Wagoner,  G.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  ;..^  .;-  :-   -        ;  /  ^: 

-  Privates  ':•'••'•;'*: -"-5' :'-.yv-'''^-:'-'- 

Atherton,  S.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lO,  1865,  as  musician.      •^.:'-:--^::'^^,:  -.:':^:.:.'- -'['.': '.^'     . 
Buckhart,  J.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  ''    4;   ^^?  *  ^-  v 

Buckhart,  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  V-      ^   -;     "'  4"^  ;      ,: 

Bestor,  D.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862.  .       ^ 

Berry,  Geo.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  died  at  Andersonville  prison,  Aug.  6,  1864,  ••,; 

No.  of  grave  4855.  ':    • . 

Brown,  C.,  Walnut  Grove,  died  March  i,  1864.       ••  ^ '':•-:';  ::;^'^;>•:;  • 

Cole,  Hiram,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  April  i,  1863,  dis.  :>:.''•        '  .  • 

Cragan,  J.,  Lyqn.,  trans.  V.  R.  C.  .    ;:         . 

Codding,  Jasper  C.,  Victoria,  died  at  Andersonville  prison  Dec.  27,  1864,  No.-. .    ;'    • 

of  grave,  12348.  :;^      y.  Y 

":       Campbell,  John,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  •  {   .  .  >  J :       . 

Collinson,  H.  G.,  Walnut  Grove,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  •}  'v^^    '^'.  .;o=^' vJ       ' 

Chimberg,  Nelson,  Walnut  Grove,  died  at  Andersonville  prison,  Sept.  28,  1864,         "v" 

No.  of  grave  9935. 


316 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Craig,  J.  F.,  Lynn,  killed  at  Rocky  Face,  Ga.,  May  9,  1864. 
Collinson,  C.,  Walnut  Grove,  trans.  V.  R.  C.  -    ,. 

Dillworth,  J.  H.,  Lynn,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  :>S  •-.;:.'  A.-. - 
Doyle,  M.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  ''y!  /^  -  •  .  - 
Elsworth,  A.  W.,  Lynn,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  ;"  -'i  : 

Fitch,  Wm.  S.,  Lynn,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  sergt. 

Goddard,  Henry,  Lynn,  died  at  Andersonville  prison  Dec.  i,  1864,  No.  of 
grave  10307. 

Hall,  John  L.,  Lynn,  died  at  Andersonville  prison,  Dec.  4,  1864,  No.  of  grave 

12223.  ..:--/'  ';•;:, -^v.  .•;•;••.; 

Hicks,  Wm.  B.,  Lynn,  trans.  Miss.  Marine  Brig.        •  .-.  ;. .       .  .-,i 

Hager,  Levi,  Lynn,  m.  o.  June  lO,  1865.  ,  . ' 

Harris,  A.  D.,  Victoria,  trans,  to 'engineer  corps.      - 

Higgins,  C.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  Feb.  lo,  1863,  dis. 

Hester,  Isaac,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  27,  1864. 

Higgins,  W.  L.,  Lynn,  died  at  Andersonville  prison,  Nov.  ii,  1864. 

Hulich,  J.  B.,  Copley,  died  June  i6,  1863,  wounds. 

Kerr,  David,  Lynn,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.          .•';--.  ••:j:    ;. . 

Livingston,  J.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.    '    •::;"'    - 

Lamb,  Peter,  Copley,  disch.  Feb.  lo,  1865.  '  .. 

Lyman,  R.  H.,  Lynn,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  sergt. 

Mitchell,  J.  R.,  Walnut  Grove,  died  at  Andersonville  prison,  Oct.  28,  1863, 
No.  of  grave  11617.  \    ;    :  v"  ;       ;'  ^';      ,.      V-    j   7  •"•.'•' 

McLaughlin,  J.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lO,  1865. 

Murray,  Geo.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862.     .       . 

Murphy,  Benj.  F.,  Walnut  Grove,  died  at  Nashville,  March  17,  1863.     T     • 

Nesbitt,  W.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  '  -'         I.          ' 

Newton,  W.  B.,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  19,  1863.   .      ;      . 

Preston,  J.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  June  6,  1864,  dis. 

Rowe,  C.,  Henderson,  m.  o.  June  lO,  1865.  V, 

Riner,  Benj.  J.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  '  '    '.    ,        i 

Rodgers,  N.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  Feb.  i6,  1863,  dis. 

Roosa,  Isaac,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865. 

Rosenleaf,  H.  J.,  Copley,  kid.  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  19,  1863. 

Reynolds,  F.,  Walnut  Grove,  died  at  Nashville,  Dec.  31,  1863. 

Reynolds,  A.,  Victoria,  kid.  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  27,  1864. 

Saddler,  D.  C.,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862. 

Spohr,  Matern,  Lynn,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865. 

Stowell,  A.  G.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  '""' 

Stephins,  E.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Starr,  Geo.  B.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  May  i6,  1865,  dis. 

Strogpn,  Wm.,  Walnut  Grove,  died  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  prison  Nov.  24,  1863. 

Scott,  Wm.,  Walnut  Grove,  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  Nov.  23,  1862. 

Seagriff,  M.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  • 

Smith,  R.  M.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  .   :      ' 

Smith,  H.  P.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  Feb.  12,  1865,  dis. 

Topper,  A.,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  near  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  17,  1864. 


.  :'  -'^^^v^:;;  ;r;::r     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  : -  :^   'v    817 

;  '*  '  ' ..' '''..'   •^  '.-.T;  -,_,:    '', 

;      Tait,  John,  Copley,  died  at  Chattanooga,  July  19,  i8()4,  wounds.      -.•:;.">:•• 

Tait,  Wm.,  Copley,  m.  o.  June  I o,  1865.  y  ;'  :•'  -^       .    - 

!:     Tait,  H.  P.,  Copley,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C  V 

Thompson,  D.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865. 

Ulmbaugh,  J.,  Lynn.,  disch.  March  25,  1865,  dis.  . 

Wells,  Geo.,  Walnut  Grove.  r 

•       Ward,  W.  E.,  Walnut  Grove,  disch.  Jan.  4,  1865,  dis.  .  :     \  C 

•      Wilson,  R.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  i;       ' 

Woolsey,  David,  Walnut  Grove,  kid.  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  3,  1864. 
.  .     Whitney,  T.  F.,  Knoxville,  died  at  Andersonville  prison  Aug.  17,  1864,  No.  .>:  ; 
of  grave  5998.  .•/  '^l:  ^   /  . 'v-^;;-.,;   vv 

,      Whitney,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  m.  o.  June  19,  1865.     •  ;        /      j'^'^  ^  ^ 

.••••'...:•'•.. :\" '•'•••    .-.-;:-..'- >^   •;..-:    Recruits      -'-^  ^-'^''-'^'-^^  -':'.'      "•%  ''.;;'^^;4;'•^^';^/V 
'  Brainbridge,  C.  V.,  Walnut  Grove,  m.  o.  June  lo,  1865.  .    ;,'•''  " 

Blair,  John,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  Aug.  13,  1863,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Dec.  9,  • 

1863.  ;:;: 

Bailey,  J.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  lo,  1863,  died  at  Nashville,  Jan.  ii,  1865.  :  '•? 
wounds.  '\  '. 

'     Bell,  Robert,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  21,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  corpl.     •;/?/• 

'      Brown,  J.,  Oneida,  e.  Nov.  i6,  1862,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  ;  v 

Colburne,  H.  E.,  Altona,  e.  Sept.  i,  1863,  vet.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.      ;/.'::: 

•;     Davis,  Geo.  W.,  Altona.  :-r.-i':'-    ' 

Dudley,  H.  E.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  19,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.          '       't    ,';••;     ;^ 

'::.     Depue,  T.  O.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  5,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.        |\  "  ;  \^= ' 

',      Ford,  W.  E.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  '  :  v  ;/  '.      r     ^ 

Goole,  L.  L.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  5,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.    .         :  v:.-^^^-,: 

••     Hubbell,  T.  C,  Altona.  .  •  ,•  V,; ;' ;'^':  •j^: - 

Lantz,  H.  L.,  Lynn,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.          .•'  ';  .\.;i^V^-         .  ->l7  ,  \:^'    • 'Vx 

Mitchell,  C.  W.,  Altona,  e.  Sept.  12,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.         ;(•  ;':  :;^^'''  •/:  - 
Nelson,  W.  H.,  Altona,  e.  Oct.  5,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  corpl.  / :    ..:'::•;•;•-' 
;     Pemble,  J.  H.,  Knox  Co.,  Aug.  12,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  .-..'-    -• 

Piatt,  J.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  27,  1863,  disch.  March  23,  1865,  dis.     -:'!;-•.  .;'r'v: 
Ray,  A.  J.,  died  at  Chattanooga  July  4,  1864,  wounds.  ^  -, 'v^!  '        '  -/ 

Ross,  W.  M.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  21,  1863,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  :  V  :\     : 

Rogers,  N.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  19,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  '     .   .     .-:  ; 

Shoop,  Geo.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  21,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865,  as  corpl.       '  '-'-';• 

'..'1     Smith,  Jasper  A.,  Altona,  e.  Oct.  ii,  1863,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.,  wounds.   ••:•''. 
Umbaugh,  E.,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  ,-         .      .    < 

;.     Wright,  G.  O.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  19,  1863,  disch.  Dec.  13,  1864,  dis.  P- 

Wagman,  J.,  Altona,  e.  Sept.  i6,  1863,  vet.,  kid.  at  Mission  Ridge,  Nov.  25,    ,   ' 

1863.  •  '  :^.: 

^.'.;' ^.:- ;•"-;'       -."'•:.'.-,  ^/./''-'V;  -.'V'        COMPANY  I    ^T -•: v •.:•-!••-'/  \  ^  ';,'"  "-'v  ::^ ••,._;;•": 

-  ^' f-.'^'V  . '' -'  •::'''•"•.'•••'••;-'•-"  Privates  ...'-;'•  •   ::^  • -v';, v:"-' ^^' '.'C  C" 

.  '    Anderson,  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  9,  1863,  pris.,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.       :•;/:. 
Morey,  A.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  7,  1863.  ...    •  . 

Rhyand,  J.  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  31,   1863,  m.  o.  May  i8,   1865.       ;  .;' >      \:- 


318     .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Stropes,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  2,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 

Vincent,  W.  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  29,  1863,  vet.,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt. 


•;••"••  .     '          •'       '       '    ^-  COMPANY  K   •'.'"•    :i  • ;    .'-V^v '•  ':'   -'i 

'-•"   '•"'        '  -' •      •' '       Privates     •'••-•'•-. ^/'r- •••'•'••-. v...''.  •;•-..-• 

Holding,  W.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 

Courtney,  J.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  21,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 

Harvey,  G.  W.,  Altona,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865.  ; 

Whitton,  Geo.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864,  detached,  m.  o.  Dec.  8,  1865. 

Kay,  Jackson,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Oct.  15,  1863. 

Neil,  J.  W.,  Victoria.       ;.    /    ^V-  \'  •••:.••    ''•"'•  ^'',-'.'^:'-'':-^--:^'J  •;;'/' 

Pease,  S.  A.,  Victoria.         ^   >  ;     '    .   V/     \^;     ;:.• 

Russell,  Wm.,  Knox  Co.  '         -         '  •    /'/       ;.     v 

Swan,  Peter,  Altona.  :  '      .  ;      ;':  /^ 

,-\-.'- ..;••   '        .    -  .       9OTH  INFANTRY    •  ^  ?:":;,c/' •"•-'•'•••"'•;• 

''•;-'''t'         .       '   •  ,  •;•  •,  COMPANY  c      -    "   '^;.^''!'.-:-,  .•••;' 

Privates 

Doris,  S.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  died  at  Memphis,  Oct.  3,  1863.         . 
Hart,  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 
Livers,  Thomas,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  died  Feb.  8,  1863,  wounds. 
O'Neil,  H.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.   June  5,  1865.         .  j    ; 
Thompson,  J.  S.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  5,  1865. 
Robey,  T.  A.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  5,  1865,'  as  sergt.  • 


IO2D  INFANTRY       -•  '  v'-  ],.:.: 

The  iO2d  Inf.  111.  Vols.  was  organized  at  Knoxville,  111.,  in  August,  1862,  by 
Col.  Wm.  McMurtry,  and  mustered  in  Sept.  i  and  2.  Knox  county  was  repre- 
sented in  this  regiment  by  414  men,  in  9  different  companies. 

On  the  22nd  of  September  the  regiment  moved  to  Peorfa,  111.,  and  Oct.  i,  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  and  was  assigned  to  Ward's  brigade,  Dumont's  division,  and 
immediately  moved  southward,  marching  via  Shelbyville,  Frankfort,  Bowling 
Green,  and  Scottsville  to  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  arriving  Nov.  26. 

The  regiment  went  into  winter  quarters  at  Gallatin.  On  June  i,  1863,  moved 
to  Lavergne,  and  from  thence  marched  to  Stewart's  Creek,  where  the  regiment 
was  divided  and  stationed  to  guard  bridges.  On  the  Qth  of  November,  1863, 
moved  to  Lebanon,  and  returned  on  the  nth.  Surgeon  Stanley  was  severely 
wounded  by  guerrillas.  On  Feb.  25,  broke  winter  quarters  at  Lavergne,  and 
marched  via  Tullahoma,  Decherd,  Stevenson,  Ala.,  and  camped  in  Wauhatchie 
Valley,  Tenn.  The  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  2Oth  Army  Corps,  Gen.  Ward's 
brigade.  While  at  Wauhatchie  five  companies  of  the  regiment,  which  had  been 
mounted,  gave  up  their  horses,  but  retained  their  Spencer  rifles  during  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  May  2  commenced  the  campaign.  May  14  was  engaged  at  Resaca, 
leaving  3  killed  and  19  wounded.  On  the  I5th  the  brigade  captured  a  battery 
from  the  enemy  at  Camp  Creek.  The  iO2nd  lost  i8  killed,  6  mortally  wounded, 
70  wounded.  May  25  encountered  the  enemy  at  Burnt  Hickory,  and  was  en- 


;-,^^^;;;    ,    :      :/        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;;^;     .          319         .- 

gaged  four  days,  leaving  4  killed  and  14  wounded.     June  i  was  engaged  at         -  ? 

;       Big  Shanty.    June  15  and  i6  engaged,  losing  13  wounded,  including  Col.  Smith  X 

and  Capt  McManus.     Engaged  July  20  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  losing  2  killed  '; 

and  II  wounded.     Sept.  i6  moved  to  Atlanta.     Nov.  15,  1864,  commenced  the  ,' 

Savannah  march,  arriving  on  the  22nd  at  Milledgeville;  crossed  the  Ogeechee  on        ;.    -.. 
the  29th,  and  Dec.  ii  established  lines  of  battle  at  Savannah,  and  on  the  2ist 
entered  that  city.    Jan.  5,  1865,  moved  to  Hardesville,  and  on  the  3Oth  to  Rob-  .        : 
ertsville,  near  Sister's  Ferry.    Feb.  2  marched  westward  to  Blackville  and  Willis-       ..  - 
town,  thence  northward  to  Columbia,  arriving  Feb.   ipth.     March  ii   reached        .- 
Fayetteville.     March   i6  was  engaged  at  Averysboro,   losing  2  killed  and   19  ' 

wounded,  among  the  latter  were  Captains.  Merritt  and  Matteson,  and  Lieut.  • 

Trego.     March  22  camped  at  Goldsboro.     April   lo  marched  toward  Raleigh, 
where  the  army  remained  until  Johnson's  surrender.    On  the  3Oth  marched  for        .     . 

' ,       Washington,  arriving  May  19.  \   . 

:^  •        Of  the  number  from  Knox  county  in  the  iO2nd,  37  died  from  disease  and '^    :       ' 

•:       wounds  received  during  the  war,  12  killed,  14  wounded,  and  3  prisoners.     On  -      " 
May  24  the  regiment  passed  review  with  our  army  and  June  6,   1865,   was  , 

mustered  out  of  service  and  started  home,  arriving  in  Chicago,  111.,  on  the  9th.          ;  r.  ,- 
June  14  received  payment  and  final  discharge.  '    ; 

'    •  :^-  .      Colonels  ^. -'-"; 

McMurtry,  Wm.  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Sept.  8,  1862,  hon.  disch.  Oct.  24,  1862.         •    -. 
Smith,  Franklin  C.,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  8,  1862,  pro.  brig.-gen.,  m.  o.  June  6,  ^ 

'    1865.  _    . :;:  r.r  V; 

v'^:-,  •••-'•'''-••'        •       •.•-••-:...-•   •:•••••  ;-..•.•••      Majors        •••••-••-•••'••-     -    •     '"-"-/';'."-,;:';;'  '.V  •.;-.--;.';.;• 

;.-       Shinn,  Lemuel  D.,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  res.  Oct  14,  1863.       ;!c  \  -yfV;i      V, 
:  ;:'         Jackson,  Charles  H.,  Henderson,  res.  July  9,  1864.;^!-;^  ,•;;'•    '^;..  '.-:'; 

•'•  -.     Clay,  H.  H.,  Galesburg,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.     •••     >'.•     ,-  '      ;:'<^^^  ;'  >  r    i 

.•;•/,';,'••  •'''•-    '-'•     -^  -''-"•  ^'        Adjutants     '-'-'•'•'" '^'^'-  ''        •;-;>••-..•  •Xh......^-; ''-v;- 

'  '.  "  ••-..-..-'.'.•'•'•'  •  '-.    •  '  ^ 

V   ;      Pitman,  John  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  8,  1862,  res.  Jan.  7,  1863.  .•'^^'      ;  ': 

:      ;     Snyder,  Jacob  H.,  Galesburg,  missing  May  i6,  1865.  V,,.;;/X  .;^- .  w  -  ^ 

-•%  '  Quartermasters  ,;^  •    - 

.;;        Rugar,  Francis  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i6,  1862,  res.  for  pro.  Aug.  17,  1863. ;->  .:  .i/     . 
;         Hamilton,  Hobert,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.,  — ,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ;    ,  :  ;     . 

.•;;.;':  .%::•.;  .i-'Xv  ,•   Surgeons  ;•  :'.•/./•"•••'.•:••'•  .^^ '':,''/.' ';^V 

.  ,        Hamilton,  William,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  25,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       '-  .    .-t     -  .'r     ' 
' ; ;''      Stanway,  Thomas  S.,  res.  Aug.  13,  1864. 
•::.       Bigger,  David  Pi,  Henderson,  trans,  to  9th  Regt,  Inf.  , 

.^;-' .  ".^  .:=:        Chaplain  > 

•        Tullis,  Amos  K.,  Henderson,  e.  Sept.  8,  1862,  res.  Dec.  21,  1862. 


320 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


,;;.sf[-.jv      .  ,  Q.  M.  Sergeant 

Shove,  Clarence  V.,  Oneida,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Commissary  Sergeant 

'        Courtney,  Edward  C.,  Oneida,  m.  o.  June  6,  1863. 


Hospital  Stewards      .-. >    '         '..    ': 

Shaw,  John  B.,  Knoxville,  disch.  July  15,  1863.        '••;;/•:,"' 
Knapp,  James  B.,  Oneida,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ;',,    .*    ^..    - 

N-::^;..'.'        •  •  Principal  Musician         -A  ;;?:.;'::'.:• 

Taylor,  A.  V.  B.,  Galesburg,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       ,    /" 

'',:1^  ;.•';:;_' --^  '.        ;    ^.'     '•         :          .'          COMPANY    A          /•;:;•;    ....V' -.•;''':••  .,;^vv^t 

' '  Captains 

Harding,  Roderick  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  res.  Jan.  7,  1863. 
Andrews,  T.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  25,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

First  Lieutenant       ^         \^   ^  ^         \ 
Courtney,  Michael,  res.  Dec.  21,  1863.  •     .     r     . 


'•.-•,  '.'•'          ,     -        '     •-';-'    ,   '••:•  Corporal        :-.  .": ''.':V,^- '';':;•';:',  '  '  • 

Holmes,  J.  R.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  died  at  Mill  Creek,  Nov.  3,  1863. 


Privates 

Brittingham,  T.  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Brittingham,  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  disch.  March  12,  1863,  dis. 
Eicher,  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       :        j 
Giligur,  P.  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ' 

Offutt,  F.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  died  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  Nov.  lo,  1862. 
Rogers,  C.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  died  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  Oct.  21, 

1862.        '  '  ";.'-';:,  •:  :-A.;V  V  ,.•..  j.. •//::-,;; 

Rogers,  Geo.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June 
10,  1864. 

Richardson,  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  absent,  wd.,  at  m.  o.  regt. 

Vanfleet,  O.  B.,  Sparta,  e.  Aug.  13.  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
;  .    Olson,  Swan  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

•'  ••''-i.'-^^'-::"\     ••     -  '  •     •,          COMPANY  B        ;.;•  •.,^'. •.'.'•-->•'";•  ;.^.0''^' 

!  First  Sergeant 

Gregg,  John  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  disch.  March  13,  1863,  dis. 

-•       .  Sergeant          ':•    ,:1 »;.'..       >.  -  j 

Miles,  Henry  C.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  5,  1863,  disability. 


,.  .;  V-     x:  :!  -  -  :       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        •     ''{^'•- ;:;        321 

•;'/;    Ct.-''::^-. >'".-!•   "''-'-^^  Corporals  v-/'---.'    :       '"yr   l^.f  •>.i'-J>'.-^ 

;        Durand,  Morton  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  19,  1862,  m.  o.  June  15,  1865.  •,- 

Daugherty,  Michael,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  sergt. 

Rich,  John,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  March  12,  1863.    _     - 

i    '  •-/ 

'  •  •-'..•'  ,''  ;•  •••.'    '^'':  .•••\-::^-/  .^  '•'•  ••  .  •-    Musician  '••.•^::  '  •''•'''•      '  '    •..-'^•••'..r:  ••;.'-••-!-;'••••' 

Hodges,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       '^      :  '     -.     J 

.  Privates  -'I 

Blake,  H.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  April  28,  1863,  wounded. 

,        Brown,  J.  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Badger,  J.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  !  /  * :  > ;-,  ;,^;'  ;!    • 

Brown,  A.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  i,  1863,  disability.        .   •    . 
Burton,  H.  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  i6,  1863,  disability. 
Coziah,  Geo.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  trans,  to  Eng.  Corps.  ; 

Duffey,  F.  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  disch.  Sept.  14,  1863,  disability.      .;. 
Davis,  Thomas,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  "  V 

Gregg,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  July  22,  1865,  prisoner.      •"•,-•- 
Hite,  Thomas  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  22,  1862.  ..••:• 

Miles,  F.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  21,  1863,  disability. 
Maxwell,  Robert,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regiment. 
Maxey,  S.  J.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mt.,  July  21,  1864, 
Rogers,  Harvey,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Jan.  i,  1863. 
Reynolds,  Henry,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Dec.  13,  1862. 
Sohoman,  James,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  absent  sick,  m.  o.  regiment. 
Straw,  L.  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga., 

July    20,    1864.  .."-v.:.       :      '  :;V  V'  :-.^    ^V'; 

Trout,  Manuel,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  "";  • 

Trout,  Lewis,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  31,  1863,  corpl.,  dis.  ji 
Wooley,  R.  B.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  c.  June  6,  1865.  ': 

Webber,  Benj.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.     •        •  '^  '     ';  -i  '  •; 

Nelson,  Newton,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       •  ^^  .  ^;- ..  >.  v   -.  '   '          '  ^^''""' '^'•^''•'-^^  J'^.•: 

••';;..'":/'.,.  ;V.  ..•:'.:'•'  "  ;.•;':, t:      COMPANY  C     "'^'•':, "' . ^"' ^;: '  '  ;,   •    ;••';;".-':.;.':•:•-.•::;;/:• 

'^'" ''^ -''•'•  '•    •-•   :'••:   •• ''^  •'    '^;' •    First  Lieutenant     '  '  \,  •'•  '          -'  '  .'\  :'•'•• -^  •"'''''-''••• 

Trego,  Alfred  H.,  Galesburg,  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.    . ;!,        .{•••' 


.y;;:.--.- :••/;•••;.;' ^•:.  '. A' :.,.'';::.,-:••'.-,..•..  COMPANY  D   .: 

•.'•  >^:^;-  '     '       •"  '•  '    '•  "''          Captains      ''   '    '•''•••'  -^  ..-,... 

:  .;  .  V        Willsie,  Horace  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  resigned  April  19,  1863. 
;;:      '       Matteson,  O.  B'.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

;  !^^   V  First  Lieutenant  •:.;:;; 

V.  : -'^   •    Clay,  Irwin  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.     .  ;•       • 


TeL     I— SI 


^  •  '  ' '    •    '..'-"    .'.'-.'    -; '  •  I  1    ••'''*'.        •  •  ,'/  '•.  •    I    .  '  ••  '•  *. ",  ^   '        •'  -•  •"*• .''.'.'   "!'   •     -  -   •'  ''•''"''.''' 

''•'•'•  "'.•    ~      •  -  *  '          "-      •  .     .  .  ,'     .     -'-        *  *  '.•-'»     '.."    ••  •      /-;'-'     '.-  '('    -,".'.-     ,'    ..  *.     -      .*.  .'•- .    .'     •  '    V .  '•'*-•    .  '  '   - 


322 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Sergeants  ; 

Daggett,  Franklin  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Chesebro,  N.  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  3,  1862,  trans,  to  Gen.  Brig. 

•:'-":,;--^' ' ':  •-      '     •    -•        ^      -  ,   .'  Corporals.        /•'-''•:'/•',-.:,'•:':.,•    -;'v 

White,  James,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  sergt.,  died  at  Stewart's  Creek,      ;  V; 
Aug.  9,  1863.  1  .     -:x/r^;; 

Bell,  Thomas  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  '       ,< ''•^/''-  •   . 

Boon,  Hirma.  Jr.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  '•...'•.--; 

Chamberlain,  George  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  pro.  lieut.  in  ist  Tenn.    •,•'''':•:'••,•. 

H.  Art.  •         -.,-•        .-,    ,.    -^         .-..•  :-   .•     ,,;-•.  ..^.^:  „:;•..•:••,.•,;•,.,- 


Musician 
Marble,  Jesse  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Jan.  20,        -/  ;•  ; 

1863.  •   ;='.,.'-  .;-•'•  :^  ••    ''^;:;;;;^-;V^;;v'--y:-',  ' 

Wagoner 
Hackett,  Benj.  F.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 


•  .    -  -•;.'..••••          •  •.  '    ••••        Privates     '   ^  '•     '•      • 

•      Area,  Silas,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.        ,    -v 

Anderson,  R.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.        •]        ; 

Bell,  Wm.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt. 

Babcock,  J.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  22,  1863,  dis.,  entered 
navy  Aug.  30,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  30,  1865. 
•    Billings,  E.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  pris.  of  war.       I          :  ; 

Clark,  G.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Nov.  30,  1863,  dis. 

Canfield,  W.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  disch.  March  lO,  1865,  disability. 

Conley,  John,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Corkins,  E.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Nashville,  Aug.  4,  1864,  wounds. 

Castle,  C.  M.,  Knox,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  corpl.  1  ,     . 

Champlin,  E.  E.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  corpl.,  killed  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15, 
1864. 

Davison,  A.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  7,  1865. 

Dunlap,  Wm.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Groscup,  C.  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Hilton,  Frank,  Galesburg,  e.  July  19,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Johnson,  K.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt. 

Kite,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  disch.  March  13,  1863,  disability. 
,   Kite,  John,  Jr.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Keller,  M.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      ;         1    -. 

Lavery,  Hugh,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862. 
.    Maul,  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  absent  wounded,  at  m.  o.  regt. 

Rounds.  H.,  Henderson,  e.  July  19,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  4,  1862,  dis.  ^' 

Rhykert,  E.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.         ^  .1   ^^  - ; 

Sherman,  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  corpl.,  prisoner 
war.  .  -...    -      .        .  .,.  --     . .,   . .        . ,    ...^  -..  . 


;y;:.    '^>      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        .f/^  .,     323 

•; '   ^^    -,     Spencer,  J.,  Sparta,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      •"•••  -  '•  J'/ • 

0.- C   ;  -.  :  Tompkins,  L,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  March  6,  1863,  disability. 

"'.. /Tribble,  Wm.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  May  6,  1863,  disability. 
v:>  :;;    ;  ;  Castle,  H.  C.,  Knox,  co.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865. 

y     ;^       Hunt,  W.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  April  17,  1865,  disability.       ;; 
;        y         Randall,  D.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.  '^      '    :"   ;  - 

;      ;  Randall,  D.  P.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Dec.  24,  1863,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.        •? ;  /    ^    /- ;i 

Randall,  James  R.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  disch.  Nov.  12,  1863,  dis.      ';•':/ 

y;;  .  •          Strain,  J.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  'V    :;/ 

.    -^  \        Tupper,  Lewis,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  disch.  May  5,  1863,  dis.      ...      '. ; 


;'..\:;  ':,;..'•;.;..•    vjiv'!'  :.::•.::-;.'••:•,:•       COMPANY  F         .-^^JX.'          '    ^      :  i' >.'""•:  >!'• 

•':V' '.•.'•"'•:•-•'  ••.;''''..  V.^;:  •;.'.''        Captotn  '••j'l'r'  ^  •;;';:' •?';^.-'-^'r'; ';:'''''' 

•       :;;     Wooley,  Geo.  W.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  14,  1863,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       •/'./;--;      •  .; 

.''•;.'}''•  '"'    '   '"'''' '"'•'•'''    First  Lieutenants         '' •''    '      •      ',--'.'''.?  '''^^V^'}A^'-^' '^  • 'v  ^ 

Sullivan,  O.  J.,  Rio,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  resigned  Feb.  26,  1863.       .  ;    v  •:":':  v       : 
Peebles,  R.  S.,  Oneida,  e.  Oct.  14,  1863,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.         'f  ^;  -^•. :   •'  1;  i ^        - 

;^/      '  .'  ,  Second  Lieutenant  .1'  ^• 

'    Cornwell,  Ethan  A.,  Henderson,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  resigned  Nov.  24,  1862.  .-:     •  \  \ 

!..,:"•..>    •"•'••'.    •    -::'-v.-<  .\:'    '"''•'  "-:'--''~^:     Sergeants       ^ . ---i^'-l^'- X"  :     .-'-^  .'.,  •'.'••^  .>--^_^- V'-V:;;:-' .^/V 

Epperson,  Charles  S.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  22,  1863,  disability.  V 

; V  >  Plummer,  Geo.  W.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1863,  as  ist  ." ' 

'•>:';'X}'  sergt.  ...^^     ,:.':'••'-''"' 

}     ;  Timberlake,  Wm.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  22,  1863,  disability.        -.       '"      r 

;'.':';'-;  X'- ••.:,:;.••:.  .'•^;';.-    •"•.^.-:v..  ';.\^>'-:-'^"- ,      Corporals  •;•      :/•,;     ;;.--;'-'^''" ';''•;•.!=:••'!   A/';-."'' 

.        ,         Heare,  John  W.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  March  2,  1863,  disability,''    \'  "^      _  / 

V; ;  V  '        Levalley,  Stephen,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  sergt.       ' '  , ".     J~,"    '; 

•;:. .  Epperson,  Thomas,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  27,  1863,  dis.  ^      c-    v    .: 

.  -    .  Robertson,  Martin,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  ii,  1863,  dis.  Vr   -       .  ;  / 

•  :         Ferkins,  Alfred  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.     •.!'."::•  •: 

,:/•/•.;•.••  '  -   •  .  ^  IVagoner  '  '- ;.''s .•''-::-.':''     ^^'\ 

>\  Vonmeter,  Strand,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  1862,  disch.  Jan.  19,  1863,  dis.  -A  ;;  ^^'    . 

••'•'  ••'."''-.  ^••'-':-  "'  '  •:..  '  .''-:-^ ';;<';•:•.••'•.  ••v-.-'.       Privates         :-v'^:-' /'••'.'  •  ^ '  "-  ^:  •j'.-:-^.  .'.';•  V'^^"'--'  ''.•-'.'  -^ 
-     ;  Amy,  Vandom-,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Jan.  22,       .X'     ; 

>..;-•;.;  1863.  ,.._     ,.;-...:..,.. :-^.-..-J-:r /y 

.  .  Briggs,  A.  C.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ,;  '.':.';  ' 

;Q  Brooks,  A.  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt  .'     '  ;  ' 

;      '  :         Burton,  Oliver,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  >  .  ; 

Bueschel,  J.  A.,  Henderson,  Aug.  22,  1862,  discharged  Jan.  21,  1863,  disability.  :  > 

"     '"  ,v  .-.•'X:; '•'.••  •'.'.-'-''.  v-s^f  ^; ;.••••••   ' •'  .^•''•'•^'•:^f^-''---f^^-f'.^--'-^\'":^-.-.  '-    •  ;    .'•.:''• '<Vv;/''>.^'•i:•>^-:•''••^'•' 


824 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


_  ,-  Bennett,  E.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
;.  Bair,  David,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  absent  wounded  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

•  Cubbage,  James,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m,  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Casson,  Levi,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  9,  1863,  disability. 
Champion,  J.  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Dunham,  W.  O.,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862.  -.   , 

Dean,  Thomas,  Henderson,  e.  Sept.  3,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Dean,  Dan'l,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Epperson,  Wm.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
\:\  Fulton,  J.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  19,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.    .;;•.-          .   ( 

Fuller,  H.,  Knoxville.  ;:  ;  :  -,^ 

Fairbanks,  L.  W.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  17,  1863,  dis. 

Gorman,  J.  B.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  corporal,  died  at  Nashville,  June 
i6,  1864. 

Green,  Caleb  I.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  -. 

Green,  Caleb,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Hahn,  Paul,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  died  at  Nashville,  Jan.  9,  1863. 

•  Hardenbrook,  I.  A.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt. 
Hall,  J.  S.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Inick,  Joseph,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  8,   1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1865,  as  corpl., 
prisoner  of  war.  .  .-       :..  .  . .  • 

Kernell,  J..  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862. 
'       Key,  M.  V.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  •      '• 

Linn,  Wm.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
-    Meadows,  Charles,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  March  2,  1863,  dis. 

Morse,  A.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  disch.  March  2,  1863,  dis. 

McDermott,  P.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  lO,  1862,  dis. 

Mason,  L.  L.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Merrick,  Thomas,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  ist  sergt.,  died  of  wounds, 
Nov.  15,  1864.  ,      -  '  r  ' -^  .';';.  I  • 

McDermott,  Thomas,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Jan.  29,  1863. 

Morse,  J.  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  27,  1863,  dis. 

Nation,  William,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862.  1        -     . 

Nelson,  Myron,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt. 

O'Brien,  Matthew,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.         j     .;  . 

Presson,  O.  F.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.       ;  :>;  • 
,  Pool,  T.  H.,  Rio,  e.  July  25,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Rusk,  Hiram,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      :.  •> 

Rusk.  David,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862.  '-.'•.':-/-':     .   • 

Rusk,  John,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  20,  1862,  disability. 

Rafferty,  Michael,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
.    Roundtree,  W.  D.,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862. 
.  .    Rose,  Andrew,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Feb.  3,  1863.     ;  • 
•     Rusk,  Enoch,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  1 

Spence,  Geo.  A.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  March  2,  1863,  disability. 
'.  Smith,  Joseph,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt.       . 


:;yj-:;:J  :;:,;:/.    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;?:-  ;  826 

Stegall,  F.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1863,  absent  wounded  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
Smith,  C.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  discharged  Oct.  25,  1862,  disability. 
Salts,  Laland,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  9,  1868,  dis.     •;     . 
Waters,  S.  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862.  '.V     ,        .^.::    -.^ 

Wilson,  David,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  , 

Weir,  J.  K.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt.  v'  ; 
Welch,  Thomas,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  --T  .v.-. 
Warner,  Asa  H.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862.  -^^  -  ;:'•/ 

Westerdale,  Wm.,  Henderson,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  -"  -  ,; 

Young,  David,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  March  27,  1863,  disability.     ;.;•;.- 
Young,  Michael,  Rio,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .       '; 


;  V    :    V       Bennett.  Geo.,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.  v   r^    >;:         ; 

';  Dredge,  J.  H.,  Henderson,  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.     _X  ,       '  '•.•;.' 

;     ;     ..;  :    Durdan,  I.  C.,  Henderson,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .   v    ..;'; 

.  :'•  .     Drury,  Wm.,  Henderson,  died  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  Oct.  23,  1862.          .'.-!."=: 
-•':.;;  Eddleman,  J.,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m-  o-  July  8,  1865.  /  '  "    '  • 

;   .,:     ,  Errickson,  Swan,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.        -v    v 

'      '  ,.  ^    Gulliher,  J.  G.  Knoxville,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Gokey,  Nelson,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  died  at  Mound  City,  Oct.  12, 
|c.v;:-.   1864.         ^v-;'  :.:"  :-''•,-•     -•:'•'  .:-X.-'::--' 

.  _"  Hurbert,  John,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt.  '.- 
,  -.  •  :  •  :  Holton,  Samuel,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.  .  .  .,  .; 
:  j';  -.  Maxwell,  R.,  Henderson,  e.  March  31,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.  '-^  .  •  . 

;  "    V    ;-,    Maxwell,  J.  F.,  Henderson,  e.  March  14,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.         '  , 

;  .V  ,  McGuire,  Peter,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.      -A   -''       : 

;'.:     .-.^r  O'ram,  Benj.,  Henderson.  -;    ;   :-   •     v'. 

.       .  ^>-  :      Stoud,  N.  B.,  Henderson,  died  at  camp  Nelson,  June  19,  1864.  •     H    - 

'    '.  ;   -  ;       Shepherd,  Wm.  H.,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.        ;  ^: 
;     :    '        Sperry,  Geo.  G.,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.  'Iv^  ' 

V     .        Wiley,  H.,  Henderson,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865.     'JC-':-^----''[^'':^  '':''• 

/\,::'-'iV\'-^V'.i''/;\;:.    .'"':'.;-'.;:•'    r'--.:;'l:.     COMPANY  G    '  •;;:;',';':  v../  ,  ,         •••,.•  v  ;:;_.'-''. 

':'•''::'''''':-'"'•''  X'-rJ-'^  '',-•'->.''  Sergeants         ."     '  '    ^  ''-'.-'.'•-'  '>.'^ 

;    ,'    .;;'•.  Henry,  Aaron  G.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  pro.  2d  Lieut.  ;'. 

r          .  Seaton,  Robert  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  died  Sept.  27,  1862.     ;:T  '  • 


{'.-.  ;.:;',;.:''•••;;/.    -...''':'.:'.-.••-.'-•••:'•••:  ^^:       Corporals:'' '•:y=^'^~  .".   ,"  •^.f-^.:  ':;!'-/:••/';::•. 

:'-  Douglas,  Andrew  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  15,  1863.         ;  r;^ 
'v''   Thomas,  Geo.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          • '^'•'.. '^^•'•^ ••' 

:'{•.':•'•-•'••'    ••  •  '   '•  •  ^-   >•,•.••'.>;-        Privates          --..•••;.••-  •..--.-..  :-^;^.-^;0.,.-- 

' X;   Baker,  J.  O.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  May  9,  1865,  disability.       ^^V  ;:;-• 
;'•    Butcher,  S.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.  ^^^T  •:• 


826 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Cameron,  R.,  Abingdon,  e,  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .^_ 
Cameron,  Peter,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Cummins,  J.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt. 
Banner,  S.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  15,  1863. 
Fox,  J.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Henry,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  13,  1863.       ; 
Hauck,  J.  E.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ..- 
Hoy,  R.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  Dec.  24,  1862.  5    ; 
Jay,  Alvah,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          ''    •    ; 
Johns,  F.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  12,  1865. 
Murphy,  M.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Pearson,  W.  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.         ' 
Stevens,  J.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Starns,  Samuel,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  i6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Seaton,  D.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  trans,  to  Eng.  Corps. 
Wilkinson,  Lewis,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Winters,  Thomas,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Brewer,  J.  B.,  Abingdon,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
Vance,  J.  C.,  Abingdon,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          '       '  •  '  '    •     ' 
Webster,  J.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  i6,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  26,  1865,  disability. 


V.  '•/•v>'  '.,'"'-  '•      •     COMPANY  H      •'"••-•.':'•';/;••,-"   •:-•.•^  ',-.'- 

Captain  .  y  v-  . 

Elliott,  Hiram,  Persifer,  Oct.  24,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ,•:  v       • 

''.    ^',.',-  ;,;,•,      ;  -,  •  .•  First  Lieutenant     ',;•;'"/';'  -/-v-'  •.--''.:.•'   ? 

Thomas,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  24,  1862,  on  detached  service  at  m.  o.  of 


;:•:  Second  Lieutenant       /     -i      ,     : 

Tucker,  Samuel,  Truro,  e.  Oct.  24,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       .  '. 

.-•'.'    •  '-  '"' 

•^•'•^-'^'•'  '      Sergeants  ''  ''       -' 

Parker,  Geo.  W.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  24,  1863,  disability. 
Seward,  S.  S.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .     I  \,  ,  ' 

Cummings,  Geo.  P.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  accidentally  killed  Oct.  31,  1864. 
Shinn,  Harmon  C.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20, 
1864. 

Corporals       .';••''•'          '    •       1;.:,  ;  .  . 

Bullard,  Albert,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  sergt.     1.  ,;. 
German,  Geo.  W.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt.    ;~    ; 
Kasiah,  Joseph,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  15,  1863,  disability. 
Dillon,  Peter  F.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  died  May  27,  1864,  of  wounds.     \. 
German,  John,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  sergt. 
Cole,  Stephen  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  25,  1862,  discharged  April  8,  1863. 
Bergquist,  Andrew  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  transferred  to  Eng.  Corps. 


:^. •••''';", .!^,'(,^-:-:'-\f'r'^^y^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   :•.  ^•.^•;:-/^:--f'    32? 

.%.:  •  •  v-;'.;',;/-      '.•,-.  ;.-•;,  Musicians  -.'  ;7 .-"-•  /..;;.,:  • :. 

:-:-  Johnson,  T.  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.         ;  -  v^;-;    >: 

;  •      Bradford,  Winslow  H.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. ';:  ;^  ;;y/^ 

•/:.•;;-,'  •'• -• -.v'-'-'  •••  -^ ';;•:'  ^v.-^''  ^  ••''•;':       Wagoner 
:%       Foster,  Daniel  J.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862.      ;; 

'"•  ''  ^ 

-,'-'  Privates  -:-'-.-:;./^''\-! V '  ;--..;^J' --J^ . 

Ackerson,  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       '       V...  .  ,   -  .^  :. 

.;-    Brobest,  Obed,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  15,  1863,  disability.  ;.;>:V';   ;  '  ' 

' ;  :^  Bullard,  Calvin,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  Juhe  6,  1865.  V-;  •;.•  .;:,:v-  ^   •.•:'/.': 

-  ; ;;  Bullard,  E.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt.        :; _,,;:  -  '':.;>  '•;•,'. 

;:  C;  Bryson,  Robert,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.      C  ^'    ';:^i  v;^r     -. . 
;  V:      Barlow,  Frank,  Elba,  Aug.  8,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  2,  1863,  disability.  •  •.!',-' 

- '      Baird,  D.  H.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  corpl.,  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15, 

1864.     •:.-.;;,;::/..,;'\ X  •''"-.••/'^ -•••-•'••/•',.;-,•;':'-• 

:;   Bankson  OIoflF,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  J^- ^--i'^ -•-"•'  " 

•  Belcher,  Ira  B.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  24,  1863,  disability.  Vv/::  .,^   ;     -.  . 
':    Catterton,  James,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  //p-:- '        ; 

>\^    Collins,  J.  W.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.         •/•-'  -'-iV     •;;,;'•:;•;; 

^  '   Cunningham,  R.  B.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  15,  1863,  disability.     %  .    ;,.     • 

:•:     Canny,  Thomas,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.        ;.    ;r;  .. ,  .--;;;:';  -.1  ? 

:,    Daniel,  James,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       ;;.    ;;.;;!>.'>:••.  .  V 

;~\.'     Daniel,  Orange,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  •:       •  •/  v    '^  v''    '  - 

:'-_l-  Daniel,  Wm.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.        ^:  :•.   :':^-:'^^:-    '•_•'•       V  :; 

c         Elliott,  Warren,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.  'v; '  •     ' 

;  Elliott,  James,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15,  1864.        •  .     ' 

;-  Foster,  W.  W.,  Elba.  -^-.     r? 

:-,  Farquar,  T.  B.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  disch.  March  7,  1863,  disability.       V 

':.:  Freeborn,  R.  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .''•'.     v.;    '.'[ 

-•  Gardner,  Alfred,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ^.r  -   .  :  .  vT;  '' 

'...'•      Gordon,  C.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  July  5,  1864,  disability.       .'  .  -  :  ;•'. 
,  J.    Gaston,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  pro.  ass't  surgeon,  sgth  regiment.  "I".'":-     ' 

-  V  .  Gearhart,  J.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.  ''..'•!  "•  • 
.^.;v     Hogue,  J.  W.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.      .:.-..   ';  ..         ..-,'.; 

.  Hogue,  Jonathan,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .r;';  V        X ^^     ^ 

.'.;•.  Hunt,  Oloff  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.        "^^'...7.  v  C        ' '/. 

;C''  Hammond,  R.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  26,  1862.  X;.:  IJ,;4:-.:^..,    '   • 

-  Johnson,  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  died  March  28,  1863.  ".I--  .-•;'--'-.>:'       ';':.: 
;.   ;  Knight,  Samuel,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  accidentally  killed,  July  19,  1864. 

'  Kimler,  Joseph,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.     .       .  ,  .. 

';;  Light,  J.  A.,  Elba.  ''''  '^  "'',;;''^"..'^--' ..';':• 

>:•  Lawrence,  L.  A.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  ist  sergt.      \  .     \   ;  -  . 

•  Miranda,  Geo.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  disch.  Aug.  26,  1864,  disability.         V  '• - 

.-  Mire,  J.  F.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  detailed  hospital  steward.  ,  •.••:,.'  =-..-   . 

--^V  Millen,  Allen,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.    .  :,i;^'.v  .-^  <  •  -  •    : 


••'^'  •'":•!:: ^:^ -''.;.•;    •:     ' 


828 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Matthews,  S.  H.,  Galesburg,  e,  Aug.  i,  1862,  disch.  May  i6,  1865,  disability. 

Owens,  Harvey,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  7,  1863,  disability. 

Owens,  Geo.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Patten,  D.  N.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  2,  1863,  disability. . 
j   Powell,  C.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
.   Palmer,  H.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  •      ; 

.      Pratt,  C.  R.  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  19,  1862,  disch.  Sept.  lO,  1863,  disability.    S 

Parrish,  E.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  21,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.  .   V 

Parrish,  I.  L.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  I     \  r  .' 

Ralph,  Francis,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  died  May  20,  1864,  wounds. 

Shinn,  J.  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Smith,  C.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  absent,  disability  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

Scott.  J.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  pro.  lieut.  in  the  i6th  U.  S.  C.  troops. 

Snider,  S.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Shaw,  Fitch,  Knoxville,  e  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Simpkins,  J.  B.,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.    /  r  ;    ' 

Selstrom,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Thomas,  J.  L.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  lo,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Dec.  30,  1862.      ;     •'. 

Temple,  S.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  I 

Tucker,  Thomas,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Truelson,  Nels,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  disch.  May  3,  1865,  disability. 

Van  Winkle,  P.  R.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  Feb. 
lO,  1863. 

,  Volk,  Wm.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  died  at  Bucyrus,  Ohio,  May  30, 
1863.  .      I X   ^- 

Walker,  Geo.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  corpl. 

Wilhelm.  Isaac,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  12,  1863,  disability.      r 

•' •  ..rV'i'%-;    ';  ,,  '       •'  Recruits        •;•'  ';-'•,':•..'.;.'"'.'•' 

Arie,  Thos.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Sept.  28,  1864,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Arie,  Henry,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Sept.  28,  1864,  absent  sick  m.  o.  regiment. 

Balch,  E.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Coakley,  N.  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  lO,  1862.  i.   ,j      ; 

Dunlea,  Michael,  Knoxville.  ''     .-       ,•.:;:••'.' 

Lemmon,  Wm.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865,  m.  o.  July  6,  1865. 

Mire,  R.  F.,  Haw  Creek,  e.  June  22,  1863,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865. 

McClellan,  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Mott,  I.  E.  B.,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Rowland,  Sidney,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865..    •  •. 

Sargeant,  W.  G.,  Persifer,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
. ;  Smith,  W.  H.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  Dec.  i,  1862. 

Snider,  Amos,  Saluda,  e.  Dec.  7,  1863,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
'       Wolf,  Warren,  Truro,  e.  Aug.  28,  1863,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 


A;;  ;^;.;p  >^  .   :>^^^  ^  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^  ;;;;>.       329      -y 

'  .^.;  /v-;^-'-:'  .:v  ^' ^•^^7;^7 'V::-"v:^V  COMPANY  I       .,     v/ ';    '  -  ^    ;'X.".'--V;'-' "'••;•-./ -.7 •'''.• 

;^^  ".;';;..'\v;;-'     '• /'    -'    ^  .^;,•-.". /•-•'••-•••"•.••,        Captains          .-.:.>•:  •\-'     •  .       :.'...•' -^  ,^;r;;;^.  •;-,:'•.-:  ^  . 

;"  r;^/r  King,  Geo.  H.,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  resigned  Sept.  14,  1863.       "   v-V  \  • 
.>;\;;  r%    .  Conger,  Edwin  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  14,  1863,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.     >;V^';.-  •';::, 

;".'/  ;v.' '  :    '  '  First  Lieutenant  '  ""       '•':/'-;,,;;l.;..  .  •;  f':' \ 

;.'•"• 'v7:  Shahan,  Daniel  W.,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  14,  1863,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       ^  {.;      '  ' 

-:,•.•;";'•.,'-.:  V-v\;';.v   -'..    -  v'  ^^^:.'•''•,^.'••'.i^••••,    Second  Lieutenant       ,-,. ;  ,  ^  .    ,  ^  -',:•  ^'  .-;7::v'..7':;;v;''.'•\.;.V:- 
'      '        •     Bonnell,  John  L.,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  resigned  Feb.  4,  1864.        ;;:-'>-^    :     v 

/•7  : ':';;^;-- '  "    '"     '   '• ..•.-•••:-.••   ••         Sergeants        "  •' '"  "  ''       '       '  '  '     ''":''V-';-{7~'-,;-?''7  ' 

••        '>'      Beals,  Reuben,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  ist  sergt.   \  •    -?f  -  :•>•  ?>"- 
'  7;  v,    7   Hall,  Geo.  W.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.    •:>;;-:  7^?     =:; 

' 'v  '' '  •^^.•.     ;  ;,  \',-  Corporals  .'.':V.-X.-'- :>.;.•';  ^:^''-" 

•  ,:•   :     .Brown,  Wm.  H.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June,  1865,  sergt.  ':        / 

•  .  Blossom,  O.  E.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  17,  1863,  disability.    ;   v   -       ; 

.  .  :  McComack,  Peter,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9J  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  sergt.  .-.•;•:;;;: 
-  :  •  '  Fulton,  Christopher  C.,  Sparta,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Nov.  20,  1864.  ;  '^ '  V*  . 
.  ;,;.  Rikert,  Theodore  M.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  /-•-•-.•;.•• 

:    "    ;          Murray,  Geo.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  7,  1862,  disability.  •  .    '     ' 

Brinkerhoff,  John  W.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  sergt.  :->.^ 

•:-::'..•••':'-"' '-:i^'-.' •••.:.-:-  .--^    :;,.;:::  ^  v- ':;..;/••;•;      Muscian     '  -• .        .   '•,•••-'•..''•••;' ••^';''^. '-%•.'/:''; 

.    .;      '      Willis,  Rodney  M.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  ;       :.-••' 

;;;  ^       •: ,    •;    '    '    '  •        ' '"    '  '•"•'  '"'  '  Privates      '      ••••••-•         '  '        -•'-    '     --    •'   ••••'•.; 

'   •.    :  Aiken,  Harvey  L.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Stuarts  Creek,  June  22,         - 

':7-'  .:  1863.        -  ./-:-  ^v-:  ::-'-:^.-r-:':^.::^-i                                               :  '      . ---;;^;.::- :'•  •' •-^^•.  v  .. 

:.'._:  Aiken,  Edward  A.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  corporal,  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,       _  . 

;i-'    ;  May  15,  1864.  ,    ^     .     ,^,.  _        .;>. 

''7'     .  Bunnell,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          ' ••^''•' ''••'. .:'V-^i''  '  •  7 

•  Bulkeley,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  corpl.  ;::V  '    •  ^    v  , 

,:  Billington,  David,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  .-'.:•.•'!:>'      :/••.;.. 

Brodine,  Andrew,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  7,  1865,  disability.       . '  ,;: 

r    ,'.1  Brennan,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.                    .          ?-:      .,         • 

'  ^;  .  Blakley,  Taylor,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       ;        ;!^i  -;7  .      7  ; 

^     \ ,:  Calkins,  Edwin,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  corpl.    .:  -  rv;,';t^     :^-  ' 

V  r  ;.'.•;  Chapman,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.            .-'..;            . 

•'/  V;'  Davie,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          .-  ,      ^  •  '  V;  .: ,? 

:    f':-';  Fuller,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.                 ':•!•:/     ;.*^:-<7 

;y.':.;, "  Fuller,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.             •-':;;  r'-x'.^vv^     :  ; 

.- V  :'-  Finley,  Thomas,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.         .-'•:...      •• 

vi'  :    ;  Gallant,  Nathan,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       ^^      1'  H;-    ''  ;.  V  / 


880  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

.',  Goodheart,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
;    Howey,  Douglas,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Hadley,  Weymouth,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
'.   Humphrey,  Phillip,  Sparta,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  June  22,  1863,  disability. 

Humphrey,  Emery,  Sparta,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Hanson,  Oloff,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  absent  sick  m.  o.  regt.         i  ;  v!"  . 

Kenney,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Feb.  22,  1863. 

Kenney,  Wesley,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
.    Knapp,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  pro.  hospl.  steward. 

Loomis,  M.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  corpl. 

Loft,  Cornelius,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  corpl.,  killed  at  Averysboro,  N.  C., 
March  i6,  1865. 

Leighton,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  22,  1863,  disability,  corpl. 
.  ,    Lee,  Ezra,  Center  Point,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Lee,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  absent  wounded  at  m.  o.  regt.        I  J^. 

Millen,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  corpl. 

Moore,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  i8,  1863,  disability.    • 

Merriatt,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

McConchie,  S.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  27,  1863,  disability. 

McKown,  James,  Altona,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m  o.  June  6,  1865. 

McCochie,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Mills,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Moore,  Rufus,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

McQuade,  Jesse,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  absent  wounded  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

Maine,  Wm.,  Wataga,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      •      . 
'  Olson,  L.,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Olson,  Nels,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Oct.  13,  1863,  disability. 

Olson,  Wm.,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  corpl.,  died  March  26,  1865,  of  wounds. 

Ostrom  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Robertson,  Charles,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.          ,  |  .^ 
•     Reed,  James,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  22,  1863,  disability. 

Reynolds,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  corpl.,  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14, 
1864. 

Reed,  Wm.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  24,  1863,  war  prisoner. 

Reynolds,  Amos,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.         •       . 
•        Ralston,  James  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.  i  -•      . - 

Riley,  Albert,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Ralston,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  May  23,  1863. 

Ricker,  EH,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl. 
.        Richards,  Alfred,  Knox  co.,  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 

Swanson,  Herman,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  of  wounds  June  i6,  1864. 
.,    Stone,  Simon,  Oneida,  e.  Aug. '9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865. 
;    Sweet,  Alex.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  3,  1863,  disability.  •:  - 

Walker,  Samuel,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  transferred  to  Eng.  Corps.         :•'".' 

Waldron,  M.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  disch.  Feb.  22,  1863,  disability. 

Watson,  Robert,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  Nov.  I,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  rV  331 


;.,.vt     Watson  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  corpl.,  died  of  wounds  May  24,  1864. 
r    /      :  Whennell,  John,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.          . 

_  ':,.;::,•,  ..V.  ^  '"'  '•-"''    "'''"-  ••'••-'i'-"  -•-''••        Recruits  ''-•'"•••-.'  j--'-v  ••'.'-.  '- 

'  Harmon,  R.  B.,  Oneida,  disch.  March  i8,  1863,  disability.  ^••^'^-'•':'  -;;':v'' 

•  .  Jones,  Wm.  O.,  e.  May  21,  1863,  missing  May  i6,  1865,  supposed  killed  or 

-(•',;  'V'-  captured,  .\:.::-^^.:'r,  .    '    ^''.  ;••  /.v^-  A-  .«••: 

.:i;  .         .   Milsam,  Thos.,  Oneida,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.       •'':^-'^-^-:-    -^  •'  '     .   .  :'\  -A.- 

'•'•.,''•:/-•._    -•'"•'    ;    V    .',•'  ^?..v•:;  ''•'>''•.,-''-•.      COMPANY  K         '  •:'"^  •-'•''    -•/         .    'i';-.  ..-..-    .--^.^'^  -:\- 

u  '  .  V  ;  Clark,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865.      ^  ,  .^-•   -:;    ^  w' 

!"  Shields,  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  6,  1865,  as  corpl.      J-?!  -  . 
.  %;.        Nolton,  Henderson.  ,....,...        ^  .  :  v  .v    -  •  i-  ...     :  :  .     .>  -Oil  •  ;V  • 

'''^;-  '•;••••'•:•''  .^'V.'/V''--^.^  y--''';-'/;''  ';'•''•       1030  INFANTRY    .-;''.•;"'',/;    ^    '•  -;"''  v;--/-.'-:;,.';..  ,•/.•.. 
-|\/-V--'  ^^--X-''^  '/;''•••.-'''''.'.'  -^  -C'";  .^:-   Principal  Musician       .r".-\;  -  -.'     •  V  ':V\'  -^v  ••'''••.  ^ 
.         Parvin,  Elain  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  m.  o.  June  21,  1865.    ;.       ;  '  .'  V; 


;;  COMPANY  C     '•      ^   '        -  V'.'  -;••-. 'j^^-.-' ' 

Adams,  Wm.  J.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  June  5,  1865.  ;;    •    ;    -^ 

Chapin,  Ord.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  July  24,  1865.  '        : 

Cordner,  T.  J.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  July  24,  1865.  ,:        '/,: 
Mendenhall,  C.  C.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  ni.  o.  July  24,  1865.      >.;.'/ 

McLain,  John,  Tniro,  e.  Jan.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  July  24,  1865.  'jo 

Ralston,  Wm.  D.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  July  24,  1865.  ;-.      .    ,    <^ 

Ralston,  J.  C.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  July  24,  1865.  :  .r     > 

Whitaker,  J.  C.,  Elba,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  July  24,  1865.  A;;       ' ' ;.  ^'  ^^v 

Moorehead,  W.,  Maquon.                              :    ;     v\          .  ;•••:,: 

Hull,  V.  O.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Jan.  i6,  1865.           \   :;;-;^},  '-:/:"  1; 

'-••'••'••:_•'•  •.\^'  ^ '.'--'-•  ;'":"''^-'.v;'' "'•'•'.'   COMPANY  G      v-'v' '-'•^;-      ;  ''  -- '''-\:-~'^'-'.i-'''-V:\ 

•^  ••'.-'";•    '''•-:''•     '/.'- -v'-;:>\-"::>-:^x;.;:       Captain  '^'^  ".4  :-"•-'.'       •'"'••'•' '•-''^  ."..''•''.,• 

Matteson,  Charles  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  4,  1863,  m.  o.  June  21,  1865.  :.  f  •.''      ; 

-        ..        »  -       .  -..  V  •,.  .-    •        .  -  • .  -  '    1'.  •    •'  v" 

,  .  ^  ;r    ;'•;:   .^^^'' ;•':'':':'.••';••;•;-' r;'^      io8TH  INFANTRY  >•'- X^'-;'/  ';-:'•:  •'^-'"^''^''f^- 

•'••;:-'.„':•'-''      ."   •:.''''^' ;':•-'';.''•••••  COMPANY  D         ;:;'''.-.:^  •:'..:;  ^      .  V^^'-^  •••^''.'•-^ -'•"' 

Privates 

Bruner,  S.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  5,  1862,  disch.  March  24,  1863,  principal 
musician.  -.'•,. 

Musselman,  L.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862. ;.  r-  ;v-  J  ^.•  -  '^tS- 

Pippin,  Thomas,  e.  Sept.  5,  1862. 

Reeves,  Wm.  A.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  i8,  1862,  died  at  Young's  Point,  March  6, 
1863. 

Sloat,  C.  F.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  28,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  5,  1865.      .-     •••:'/•'  =  ^V;'' 


332 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Williams,  G.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  5,  1862,  discharged  March  24,  1863,  drum 
major. 

Brockley,  S.  R.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866. 
•    McMasters,  James,  Haw  Creek,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Jan.  21,  1866. 


II2TH  INFANTRY 
.    :•:.,.     Surgeon 
Spalding,  John  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  ii,  1862,  resigned  March  22,  1863. 

'       :v  COMPANY    D 

.••'•'  -Privates 

Baird,  J.  W.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  5,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Beichtel,  F.  M.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  20,  1865. 
:      Brown,  V.  W.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Aug.  il,  1864. 

Buckley,  F.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  June  20,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Flamsburg.  J.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  June  20,  1865.  I      .^ '•;.•-. 

'. ,.    Gustafson,  A.  M.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  June  20,  1862,  as  corpl.     -    •  M..; 

Mallory.  D.  E.,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  discliKNov.  i8,  1863,  wounds.    ;       .  • 

Ridenour,  David,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  p.  JH^e  20,  1865,  as  corpl.   '  .  V    :•-• 

Walton,  James,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o/  JuneS^o,  1865. 
'.  .•     Hammond,  Martin,  Wataga,  e.  Feb.  5,  il 


,  ,  COMPANY 

Corlett,  Thomas,  Lynn,  e.  Aug.  15, 
1863. 

McCoy,  C.  E.,  Thomas,  Lynn,  e.  Au: 
ability.          . 

COMP 

Richards,  H.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Juiy3,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

/  •  -  ^:/;--S  :^    ,  .  132ND  INFANTRY       \:':^:'\---'':.'^y:-^-' 

''.—••••--•-'•'•  ^  ^      -        •  .''        '       COMPANY  B      •    '       '/•'-'':'•'•:•.'•;;";:'.:: 

Elliott,  I.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  May  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 


Milled^ville,  Ky.,  April  17, 
il  lo,  1863,  dis- 


COMPANY    D  -V  : 

.     Ayers,  R.,  Yates  City,  e.  May  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.     ;'      :'     , 

:  -'     ..^''^•  .V  •••        •     ..  "       •'          COMPANY  F       ' \-:  J  ';>:'.-.", :^;  v.'.  •'-':' 

Dunnivan,  Patrick,  Yates  City,  e.  May  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 


;•  -  •  :       COMPANY  G      ;•   '':"-;'/.''-':  V.  .-.'V'/^:- 

.       ..      ,  •  •  '   •  '  "V  -'';''         '••'-..'•'••'-•••  •/  .       ••    •    '•  •  •. 

First  Sergeant 
Barnes,  Wm.  P.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 


.•• ':'  ^-  •••>  rr-v^''^'^;:-."'^ 


;;•  •;-;^:;:;r  ;.';       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,:•;•:         888 

:..  .-iJ;:^;^;  '•••::•:•-;  •:y'-  Sergeants  -'.  :     •:':-''.'=^^.--"-  •^^'"'•'•l-, 

Copp,  A.  M.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.  •  .  V 

Brooks,  Benj.  F.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Tyler,  C.  C.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 


Stone,  J.  A.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.         • 
Loury,  N.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.     -' 
Tinkler,  N.  E.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17.  1864.  > 
Colburn,  Dan,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.     • 
Godair,  W.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Colbum,  H.  C.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 


Scott,  D.  A.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 

-••'-.-•  *•' '    .  '•'••'*'     .  -'    '  '     ,-.'*>',•.''  ?•' 4  .•••.'•          ,'''-•         '          '"'  :  '•''     '•  ". 

'•.'.''.•     -     '      .    •  '      .         '     -        ''.      V-.  -'••'-.•k'      •-'"-•..  .*••.'.•'".''.'•      •  '       '  -       *  -        '    -      f  ••'..-'-• 

Privates.  ;:^  -  : 

Allen,  R.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Bailey,  T.  W.,  Walnut  Grove,  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Baker,  R.  R.,  Oneida,  e.  May  i,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Bryant,  D.  S.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Conant,  H.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Calkins,  A.  B.,  Oneida,  e.  May  i,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Carrigan,  M.,  Oneida,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.     ';;/  .•    ,  • 
Fifield,  J.  L.,  Victoria,  e.  May  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.        '.    :-  ' 
Gould,  John,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  26,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.        / 
Higgins,  H.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Johnson,  C.  E.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.  . 
Keyes,  W.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.  ( 
Leubeck,  J.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
McConnolly  I.  P.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Newton,  B.  A.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Nims,  N.  L.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Nims,  A.  G.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.      / 
Osbom,  A.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.  : 
Purdy,  H.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Powell,  L.,  Oneida,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Reeves,  L.  C.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.      "> 
Riner,  H.  R.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  i,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.      ; 
Ruhl,  P.  A.,  Oneida,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.  • 

Scott,  W.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.       , 
Smith,  Julius,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Van  Scoyk,  Wm.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  April  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Walls,  H.  H.,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  May  7,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 


834 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


COMPANY  H 


:-:'•''  Inburg,  Geo.,  Victoria,  e.  May  24,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864. 
Olson,  Nils,  Galesburg,  e.  May  25,   1864,  m.  o.  Oct.   17,  1864. 

.'••%.''••:;.-/''--•          ,-  .       ':••.'..-:>      COMPANY  K  .'>••  ''VV^  •'    "^r' :•.-;•'•  v 

;.     Hogan,  Martin,  Galesburg,  e.  May  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  17,  1864.    , 

".;    '  P';7;;;  .' -        '    '.        '  I37TH  INFANTRY  •'•';•'';-..':'••-:':.';;':"':'• 

-'..-:'  -"j:' ;'••.       ,'  \  COMPANY    C         '.'';''"•<     •/';V  .''•'•,'''-: 

First  Lieutenant        '          - 
Pitcher,  Oliver  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  June-S,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

^C..^-.  Second  Lieutenant        \:  ::'  '^'  r    ;'  . 

Craig,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

^     '     •"  ^  '  Sergeants  '  '•"•"   '  "    '      ' 

Cooper,  Job.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Fish,  H.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  16,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Latimer,  J.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  pro.  2d  lieut.,  Co.  G.,  m.  o.  Sept. 
24.  1864.  .  ..    .^^    ^ 

Corporals 

Bowman,  E.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Burton,  F.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Lawrence,  C.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.  ;  . 

:     White,  J.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864,  sergeant 

•-^  :/:••'•••"-'-'•      ••      '   ^     '  '  •       Musician    •       •   '-'•'-  '  .'•••-"  ••'.•?••. 

Barrett,  Frank,  Galesburg,  e.  May  4,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Privates 

Allen,  J.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  19,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
.   Anderson,  E.  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Barrett,  E.  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
/     Black,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
•        Cook,  C.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  29,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
•      Carr,  G.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.      ;:, 
Clift,  T.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.       ' 
Chesney,  J.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Coyzad,  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  17,  1864,  m.  o.  May  23,  1865,  pris.  war. 
Dehnert,  Fred,  Galesburg,  e.  May  17,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Duffield,  H.  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
•     Fish,  Charles,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Farquhar,  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  19,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Heath,  H.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Hartford,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 


;o;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -          v  385 

:,     Haney,  J.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

Howard,  William  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864,  corpl. 
•  Johnson,  S.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864. 

-^^     Jones,  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.  .  .-v": j^  --. 

.';     Johnson,  Wm.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  4,  1864.  ^  '    ''.  •;  -  •:'..';.-:,;.' 

Kopp,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.  :->  '• 

Lawson,  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.  '  .  >'V:  1  />; 

McMillen,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.        '    "  ->  ;• 

;'     McCord,  J.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  May  24,  1865,  pris.  war.       : 

''.      Mott,  C.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.     ^^^^    ?,;';  ;^^/ 
McMenes,  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.          :  ;  r-X'--;; 
Mishler,  Samuel,  Galesburg,  e.  May  19,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.    ;       .'  'C'"  . 

:       Morey,  A.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.        i.  '  -;X'v  i 

:       Pierce,  Geo.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.     ~    •  '=     ^  -  - 
Poling,  James,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  killed  at  Memphis  Aug.  21,  1864. 
Poling,  T.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864,  corpl. 
Rogers,  David  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  killed  at  Memphis  Aug.  21,  -^  : 
1864.  XL-X; 

Simmons,  David,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.    ^i'''.;^,^':-''^-:'^--^-- 
Spencer,  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.    .;     I';', '"v  ,'.-.. 

:'       Strong,  S.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  r^./  :.•;'."...?.,:    . 
Sutton,  J.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.         .  •{'  ..  'i,  '  .- ' 
Strain,  J.  E.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.          ;  v:.;.  l'  ft  .•  •  ':   ' 
Smith,  C.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.      -•-.':;/' 
Titus,  Eli,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.  '     !:.     //-V-. 

West.  P.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.  ''^^'vKft  V 

Williams,  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  17,  1864,  m.  o.  May  23,  1865,  pris.  war.v. .. .     '      %. 
Williams,  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May.  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.  ^'/^  !•,;       ' 

Williamson,  Geo.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864.        .,;-.,;' 

'      Worth,  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1864,  sergeant.    :;  ^.  .>•:.,' 

',-'    '  Recruits  '      '  •  ;'  .j-'v  i^>  •;/••;  ^^^. 

Brookings,  E.  S.,  Galesburg,  pris.  war  at  m.  o.  regiment.  ...;';>  t  'Ir  ^W: 

;V..';:;'-.:'.'-^;,vX'., '•';...  ;i. '-•:  1 38TH  INFANTRY  •.;•'.    -    '    '    -^-v 

The  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-eighth  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers  was  organ- 
ized at  Camp  Wood,  Quincy,  111.,  by  Col.  John  W.  Goodwin,  and  mustered  in 
June  21,  1864,  for  one  hundred  days.  On  July  26,  the  regiment  moved  to  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Kan.,  and  was  assigned  to  garrison  duty,  Col.  Goodwin  commanding 
post.  Major  Tunison,  with  Co's.  C  and  F,  occupied  the  post  of  Weston,  Mo., 
from  July  7  to  August  3.  Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  A.  Davis,  commanding  District 
of  Northern  Kansas  and  Maj.  Gen.  Curtis,  commanding  Department  of  Kansas. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  of  the  United  States  at  Springfield, 
111.,  Oct.  14,  1864.  The  1 38th  Regiment  had  lOO-day  men  to  the  number  of  122 
from  Knox  County.  • 


336       :> ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Surgeon 
Bigger,  David  P.,  Wataga,  e.  June  21,  1864,  m,  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

.      -''•'-  •  :       Chaplain       •   -   -^  •":    "  '    ':•;  iy 

Haskins,  B.  F.,  Victoria,  e.'June  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     "; 

Principal  Musician 
Burner,  S.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  17,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

''-.'.-''••''''.'.     :  •   •  '      •'      COMPANY  B     :':;-'."^"''-'/ '.i,;''--';''>, 

'••'.-•;;'.,'•;':    .    .     •  .    '•  .  Captain  !•.--'>•'••':.'.•'.••',• '^'.  :••::''. 

Hunt.  Luther  B.,  Wataga,  e.  June  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

First  Lieutenant 
Gaines,  Homer,  Wataga,  e.  June  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

';''.:•-'  .       Second  Lieutenant       •':,./'•: 

Driggs,  Henry  C.,  Wataga,  e.  June  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

First  Sergeant          '  '  . 

Olmstead,  J.  L.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  absent  sick  m.  o.  regt. 

Sergeants  .   /'     .,;-:.;;;.;;.;,.     . 

Collins,  Wm.  T.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Ingram,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Denton,  F.  F.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.       • 

,/   ^      .  ..-  -       Corporals  \.      .,    ,^^^  .,^  :,',- 

Hubbell,  Wm.  H.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
.   Brown,  Thomas,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

Miller,  A.  R.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

Nead,  Geo.  W.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

Sornberger,  H.,  Copley,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

Packard,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
;   Rhodes.  M.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

Farnham,  Wm.  C.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

'; -.  •'••'"..'•:'•:    ^    -       Musicians  ^.    ...  . 7, ":'..".; vV..; ;..•;.;'.-..- 
Moodley,  Geo.  M.,  Oneida,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Faulkner,  E.  R.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

.^  ',  '•"  •"'•^'••^"''  ''     •  •      •    '    '•        Privates         '     •'.:'•' \.-''Vr-.- .•\;/.  ..•'• 

Andrews,  L.  V.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  .- 
Adams,  P.  R.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
•  Adams,  F.  A.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 


••'-••:  -:•-'•'         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        -^  387 

Anderson,  C.  F.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
•    Alldridge,  B.  D.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  .  . 

A     Barrer,  Henry,  Wataga,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  -  '  -' ' 

::     Brown,  F.  M.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.    !.\  -:;';•;'.; 
'>     Burns,  J.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.        ,V.''v-^ -''•''' 
^;'    Boyd,  R.,  Wataga,  e.  May  28,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1866.        '-^•^•<^f-^'-.:i^.<:- 
. , '    Brott,  E.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  "  :     ?•  C  • ; '  ^"  ; 

Coon,  B.  F.,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  '    '^.^4  "  :-v^  L  r ;; 

::     Coon,  John,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.    V:  Iv:     L  4;.;:: '•; 
-•    Chipping,  T.  W.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.        '^       ;-••:!•  f^v 
;    Davis,  Randall,  Wataga,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.    V-iVr-:-', .  ^v^ 
Davis,  J.  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  '     ;V\;r    '-^^^ 

Daniels,  J.  R.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.       ^  ./   .  •  v  /•  f V 
Denton,  J.  F.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.        i  -..;    ••^/'  ;<  :  !- 
.      Driggs,  Wm.  M.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     '-;;,.••;.;,   .i-v 
•':     Ekstrand,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.'o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  !-'  .,' ..  •'.;7.'    .; 

:;.    Ebright,  C.  C.,  Wataga,  e.  May  17,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.      '  '  3>-;.^^  v;^*' 
J'    Erickson,  E.,  Copley,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  '  i.  •'--  fV.^-:::/-- ' 

V    Fosmire,  F.  S.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.       )  •  r^^  '  .^  ;^   : 
;    Fulmer,  J.  W.,  Wataga,  e.  May  26,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.    •,-:'.•''•;.:;': 
r  •   Freed,  E.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.       .     C'f  •••;^.'';^Xy:;'' ; 
Fisher,  James,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     ''•(      -  ^v  :'?.;•'  \^ 
:  ,   Grees,  H.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  -'    '  i^'  ;v  •.•.'•;. 

/   Hill,  Wm.  C.,  Henderson,  May  13,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
,,     Hanson,  Wm.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
-    Hanson,  Peter,  Wataga,  e.  May  25,  died  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Aug.  i8,  1864. 

Holm,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  28,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
'  •  King,  A.  L.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
,•  •  Larson,  A.  L.,  Victoria,  e.  May  26,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  ;>/'...•  .^ 

Marshall,  W.  A.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864,     :V' '•/•••. 
,'   More,  Benj.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  iv;. 

'*    Norell,  L.  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  .Vj  / 

:    Osbom,  A.  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.      ';.•:' 
Olmstead,  J.  L.,  Copley,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     -v'  •,<  ' 
•;  Osborn,  W.  E.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.      •:'"';; 
.     Olson,  Geo.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  "  ;  : . : 

•     Parkins,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  .   r.  •.  i; 

•.  Pryer,  G.  H.,  Rio,  e.  May  25,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  ;  V^  4  ^'    '.'• 

: :.  Paddock,  Wm.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  .::.':;/- 
';  Russell,  J.  F.,  Wataga,  e.  May  30,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.        >.--;; 
v.^;  Strain,  J.  E.,  Rio,  e.  May  25,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  '-.''V^^^: 

.'  Sweeney,  E.  M.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     ';:.:;;.;? 
Sanderson,  H.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.       .'  •  /:;C. 
Tiffany,  P.,  Victoria,  e.  May  18,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     , ...  /N^i      J 
Tiffany,  N.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Thomas,  J.  E.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  May  18,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Woolsey,  T.  N.,  Victoria,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 


Tol    I— M 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Wilks,  J.,  Wataga,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Yancy,  M.  A.,  Wataga,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 


•,,.•  ;,.:y  •'     :    ,  •  .     '•./.    :   .-.         COMPANY  C         •..—.-'.'''';;;;•:•'-•''••     i}^''-'^ 

^   P'  •          Corporal        .     ;  /^  / 

Lutz,  Joseph  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

••'•''-'-•''  •        •  "    "• '         Musicians        •    -•'  •   •••   •-'•'-"••'. 

Owen,  T.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  lO,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Bell,  J.  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.    :        ' 

Privates 

Bassett,  C.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Cannon,  J.  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  lo,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt, 
,    Carpenter,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Goole,  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Lewton,  N.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.  . 

Nicols,  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  17,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Richey,  J.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Roe,  W.  O.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     ' 
Sheaffer,  Levi,  Abingdon,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Virtue,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

>C4V:';.       '  ,      '';    "     COMPANY  E         '.-•':•'•:;'..-'-';-  .',''\  ''--'V'' 

r/y-vi".  •  First  Lieutenant  '-^          '.:^  ^:-'^''',l'     ,: 

Smith,  Geo.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  June  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

First  Sergeant 
Holcomb,  C.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.     . 

,         ;        Sergeants        --;      v;  •;'•:..;:;,' 
West,  Wm.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Way,  A.  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

•'  "  '••  Corporals         ^^•  ^    .  -.'.-:•'-'':;.=,/ 

Wahlgren,  C.  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Bailey,  Henry  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  30,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Johnson,  J.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Field.  C.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  30,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.        ' 
McGill,  T.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  4,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.      . 
:•  Snell,  S.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864.         . v. 

•  Privates 

Atkins,  Alvin,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Brown,  T.  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        , :    ,  339 

Connor,  C.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Cramer,  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Eiker,  Wm.  N.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Franklin,  L.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Field,  S.  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Fravell,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  7,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
Lawther,  W.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Lochbaum,  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
McGrew,  W.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Milam,  M.  V.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
McFarland,  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Maxwell,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
McCracken,  J.  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Moats,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Middleton,  J.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Mann,  A.  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
McCray,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
McCracken,  R.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
McGrew,  J.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Perry,  Wm.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  4,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Rogers,  J.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Schwartz,  D.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Schwartz,  W.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Stevenson,  T.  Z.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Stonesipher,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Sweet,  G.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Wilcox,  Benj.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Woods,  J.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
West.  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 
Wilcox,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  14,  1864. 

,  ' '  >- 

•       •         •.'•.-'•.  ''•";.'••"•'*.•  .  -  - ''  •  .  .     '•• 

'  '''•:•  /•,>.•"'•'•*',.  /••'-=•;•':  ^•^-    '    I39TH  INFANTRY      ::••'';;•"•;  ,.      .x'- 

-  <  Lieutenant-Colonel 

Willsie,  Horace  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  7, 1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864, 

^  '•':''':,  '•'.  :••.  :-  ;v  V'.'V-'' ' -v'  v^  •''•  ..  •  >•'  COMPANY  D   .-  -/^-V^;  ....         .    .; 

'     >",-^'v  ;'   Captain 
Marble,  Wm.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  7,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 

'"•'     '  •:•:•.;..;:;:.-;  First  Lieutenant         ' "-'  -  -  '^      -     ' 

Reynolds,  Samuel,  Galesburg,  e.  June  i,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 

'    . .  V  ;        V  Second  Lieutenant  •    •  ' 

Thomas,  Frank  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  i,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 


340 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


:  Sergeants 

Fleharty,  Wm.  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  27,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Summer,  Frank,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Smith,  W.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Huntington,  R.  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 

Corporals 

Sanborn,  Lake  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864,  sefgt. 
Landon,  M.  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  to  re-enlist. 
O'Connor,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Turpening,  N.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  to  re-enlist. 
Salts,  Leland,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Spalding,  E.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  30,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Mangom,  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  : 

Armstrong,  T.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 

Musicians 

Marble,  R.  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  27,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Carson,  James  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 

'    ..'    '  ••'      -    •       .••^::'    Wagoner     ;•.  ''.••;.:>.-' "'T..:;'^ '!.;': TV 
St.  George,  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  "May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  to  re-enlist. 


Privates 

Allen,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.          " 
Armstrong,  Geo.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  to  re-enlist 
Brown,  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  to  re-enlist.       v    ;- 
Baird,  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  to  re-enlist. 
Bundy,  F.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864,  corpl.  v 
Cooke,  F.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  27,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  27,  1864. 
Carpenter,  Samuel,  Galesburg,  e.  May  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Carson,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  4,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.          ,-.; 
Cramer,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Curtis,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Cook,  James,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.         '.;'': 
Clark.  A.  B.,  Jr.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.      /.: 
DeVoss,  F.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.       ,  -,  • 
Darnell,  Isaac,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Dailey,  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  19,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  .    . 

Farr,  L.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  30,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  ,  . 

Fuller,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.     ',    •: 
Goddard,  S.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Geer,  J.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  ii,  1864,  absent  sick  m.  o.  regt. 
Goss,  A.  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Gray,  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Hicks.  M.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 

'"      '  "    "' '  '•  •  ••  ''         '   '     "  '  '  "   '  •"  '        '       '    '         '     '" ''    ' 


;;-,-'•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^  V  •  841 

Harper,  C.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  ; 

Herring,  S.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  :'- 

Hatfield,  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  " 

Huff,  Geo.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  re-enlist.     '•;  , 
Haynes,  C.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Humes,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  .-' 

Holmes,  S.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  ^••^:'-^. 
Ingersol,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.          ' 
Johnson,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  re-enlist. 
Knowles,  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  28,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Kern,  G.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ir,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.      -    -    • 
Kellogg,  F.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.          ; 
Linstrum,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.        .'. 
Linquist,  C.  I.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.          ;'• 
Larson,  Jonas,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
McWhirt,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  27,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.        ;    •  .;J'. 
Morse,  G.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  .;",;/;  1 

Marshal,  A.  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  lo,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.       ::;        . 
McCabe,  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.      ...::•-='. 
Miles,  J.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  -'  />  -    ' 

Newman,  P.  V.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.       .  .^.;   .":• 
O'Connor,  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  .•    '.' 

Ostrom,  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  •:•>;;' 

Patterson,  S.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ir,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.      ••:;.  ^'-:  v 
Pearson,  S.  G.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  :'     ;V 

Payden,  D.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  19,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.        '     • 
Philips,  F.  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Peterson,  Olof,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  to  re-enlist. 
Rogers,  H.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Rogers,  W.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864,  re-enlist. 
Reinhart,  G.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Randall,  P.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  died  at  Cairo,  July  26,  1864. 
Randall,  T.  I.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  14,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Runkle,  Geo.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864. 
Shimbur,  N.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  13,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.         /',;..' 
Sullivan,  P.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  "^  ',:  ^ 

Sperry,  M.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  ^  .j;:     ; 

Smith,  Albert,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  vet.          .>  ;. 
StancliflF,  D.  R.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  17,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  vet.       •. 
Sherwood,  M.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.      ^^  ;•;-  v 
Tllden,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.          ;V^^' ;    ' 
Thompson,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  /i>  •'.  v 

Vanvleet,  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.        ;'.;•?:".;:;; 
Wilsie,  M.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  21,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.       •'.'••-.:;;; 
Wirth,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  May  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.         V:  '  V  " 
Webster,  F.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.    ^  ^;  ::o-:v ; 


842 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


.V  Wilkins,  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  ii,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.  ,,^ 

'  Woods,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  1 1,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  28,  1864.       •-. • 

•.;•-..,.     ...    ',' ':       /   ;      ;  /      1 48TH  INFANTRY    '•:;':.  ..  ..      ,.••:••;"',?- 
'"'^'  Colonel  •-•;;:-..  .^^. 

Willsie,  Horace  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 

'•;';••-  -^,'.^;•...  '•••,;'  COMPANY  E  ;:••..;.' 

Aldrich,  D.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept  5,  1865,  corpl.  : 
Anderson,  C.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.          .  ; 
Nelson,  Peter,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  7,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.        'y '' 

•''     V:-V'.>.    '-'•    •         .        ••'.'•'•'•.     COMPANY   F  .    •.r';-- ••::'.  •v""-;.,-'"''^''  -'-  •^^.' 

Captain  ;'.-'r-- ' '  ^'^' .   :  -  \- 

Thomas.  Frank  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 

•-''••-•  '  Second  Lieutenant  "::•". 

Hicks,  Mason  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 


Sergeants 

Smith,  Wm.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865,  ist  sergt. 
Gray,  Samuel,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 


•     .  Corporals     •.,>.,;-  /.n?  ,,>>      '4 

Baker,  Peter  A.  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.     .    ; 
Hibbard,  W.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 
Hinsey,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 


'    •;  ••.  .  '   .     :'•''••      Privates     --•"  '-'.X-.,  •''•,-/'•-'.•'>'!-"•':  :;,:\'^ 

Buckley,  Wm.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. ;  ' 

Brown,  E.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 

Bennel,  R.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 

Bennel,  A.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  21,  1865.         ; 

Bancrott,  G.  A.,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.  ''(  ^  ;  ; 

Bunting,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  July  22,  1865.  | 

Carson,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  detached  at  m.  o.  regt.  \ 

Candee,  C.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  died  at  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  July  20, 
1865. 

Dietrich,  G.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  30,  1865. 

Farnesworth,  C.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865. 
:       Greenwood,  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  7,  1865. 

Herring,  S.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865,  corpl. 

Hitchcock,  J.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  14,  1865,  killed  by  guerrillas,  near  Frank- 
lin, Ky.,  Feb.  28, 1865.  :.  -  •,  v  v  :  ;V 

O'Connor,  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.    .  ;    . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ..  848 


-:^^;'>0-V;'  Olson,  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.  ^'C -/{^^:  '^V:r^  ;  /        v 

'\:^ ;  -•:•;'  Payne,  A.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.    'V'^\/  ^vi-^:l-       ;- 

7;^:;^-' ;-' ;•  Pentacost,  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.    _^:-"^i^j:f/-  \^.;^ ';';>'.. 

;';:;;•:•;';:  Page,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  ii,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865.  :^^ -J^^'>^ -f'-^f'-^  V     : 

•,^'':^':^:i''^-:''^^-'''^-'-  '''••••  ••.••-vV--^^.:'^.:--'^  •.;':•      COMPANY:  '.:'-^.     .••^.;'-^v-.:;.-..%:;;;jf..X;;_ . ;,.  .^;:'/'. 

;;  .   ^  ^  Butt,  D.  W.,  Knoxville,  Feb.  lo,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  5,  1865,  musician.v  ^  -;j      -^     K ;  . 

•    :;•  ;  Wade,  H.  M.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  May  24,  1865.        ^-    ;;^;'V;  '-.;..;: 


i|  :'   •^;      •      '  .     ;  '       '•'-':'"'       Battalion  Adjutant        '         .  •'- 

:':•.•       Smith,  Harry  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  June  i6,  1862. 

•'•''' :--:''\-'-'  .-'V-   :':':-••'';-••.••'  .!^''-''-/'''-'-:-      COMPANY  D     :;.Vv--'      -..  • .    :''\>-  . 
•^     .•:',:  Captain  .  '  5 ; 

•  V     V       Smith,  J.  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.         .i, 

/VV  •'^^'•',;''    X:-:'^--'--  \  .;.''•:.••'.!''> 'K'---        First  Lieutenant  •  \:    '"-•:'      •      .-.^••. 
.  •      -         Hollenberg,  Leonard,  Knoxville,  e.  July  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  June  20,  1862. ,  .;_  .   ;   .^ . ;  >    .  ' 

,::•_•'•..:     :-  '  Second  Lieutenant       -'       •  •  -    •      .-.,^.-^^;::,:-.-^,;.-.  •;- •  ;-:7    . 

:;.::;.:    Murray,  Wm.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ^^^  ^^^^  •  '•'^?^ -vVf     •• 

•  :':^ ••:''••  f.'.\,-.:'.-':     :•  :\ '•••''•,-:^'r-.  ^.'/'•:'.  First  Sergeant  -~  -  '    .-';;'v  '       -:''.:•;'.'. 
.  '-             Stearnes,  Gardner  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  22,  1862,  of  : 

r^:J";-^     wounds.  .    •,  :   \.  •^•'. —  -<-•    ^.v.  •     .      .•          •..:•^^•-7.     v.:.-:V;.-,    .-.••;.•••';'    "-'A' 

•,:;•  ;'^,:,__  •  •    •  •••••-^,  .•^••••--.-        Q,  M.  Sergeant  '     '        "''  '^   "'""'"" /.''.^'''';:  :^^. 

V'  ;  -     Brainbridge,  Geo.  W.,  Lynn,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  i8,  1862,  wounds,     i  V;.     ;     ; 


_    »-*• 


v^;,.!-.''-;.  ^;. ./,••;-:.':;,  Sergeants  •  .: ,       .  •v^.'\'•'^'^;  ^>:  ;••'.,''•:. 

Smith,  Harry  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.     \  >.-2:  •    -: 
Lytle,  John  T.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 
Renstrom,  Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  19,  1862,  wounds. 
Holcomb,  Wm.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.  .\ 


•;  -'.•;:  Corporals        ••....  V^ 

:/-  '  Clark,  G.  Frank,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ;^^v'  :v 

:        Waterburg,  Stephen,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 
X.     Wright,  Geo.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
••.;/•;  Bumeson,  Hiram  V.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  died  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo. 
..     -^  Smiley,  James  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  . 

;?  i    '  Byers,  Samuel,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

'^\  Morris,.  John  V.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.  '   ; 

.  •.  •    Bassett,  Bradford  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  pro.  lieut.  2d  Kan.  cav.        ; 


8M  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

;.  ^••••:'i4l;:?J•;.•;:  '-•'  V:   '   ^ '.;•;;•-;;'••.'•>       Buglers  :'' 

Riggs,  Leander,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 
.       Sanborn,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862, 


'''  '          Saddler 

Craig,  William,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i, 

Blacksmith 
McCarnish,  Thompson  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  21,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 


•..  .'••••'••.  -•  .    '  -    ^,      -•.  ;    .•;  Farrier    '    •    ' •  •' 

Foltz,  Henry,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Wagongr 
Price,  Emery  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

;  -^': 'i:.:  Color  Bearer  ^     ''^-'^   ;" 

Burdett,  J.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Privates 

Abbott,  B.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Abbott,  N.  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Anderson,  J.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Anderson,  G.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  i8,  1862,  wounds. 
.    Anderson,  W.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Anderson,  J.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Andrews,  J.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Andrews,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86l.    v 

Baldwin,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Barnard,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch. 

Barton,  E.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Bays,  W.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
:    Bryant,  James,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.     . 

Burt,  J.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.    ..    .     ' 

Burt,  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  .:•'  . 

Campbell,  J.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86l. 
.     Calkins,  F.  P.,  Oneida,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  disch.  July  14,  1862. 

Coe,  P.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Cone,  G.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

Crossen,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Courtney,  E.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Culver,  Hiram  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  April  i,  1862. 
,     Davis,  G.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  killed  at  Lexington,  Mo. 

Dennis,  D.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  died  April  30,  1862,  wounds. 

Dunham,  W.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Fillmore,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 


.    ,.  e-^--;.,   .S-:;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^  :   :..^-l  345 

'V.  •  .  Finley,  J.  A.,  Oneida,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  sick  at  m.  o.  regt       ,    •/:!  '.:•-•  :  :  '-•''••:  ,,. 

v;x  Gaston,  H.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ^;;^    ^^f"/'    v^   , 

•  -v^-  Gibbs,  J.,  Lynn,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.         i  .»  '^;     ; 
.    ^.  Goddard,  A.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.       .,'..--  ^     . 

':'.;:  Harding,  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  '••'./  ;::     ' 

;. :  V;^  Higley,  E.  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.        ^    /       '?  v 

':•.;..  Hines,  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  \/r^  i  •:  :    0-    .'    ' 

;;;:  Hoag,  L.  D.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.        -'    X''  ^  -.'i'  v     • 

.:    V  .  Holmes,  David,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.       •        "       •      T. 

'  Hotchkiss,  M.  V.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Feb.  lO,  1862,  wounds.  !;    . 

••  Kingsley,  J.  C,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.    . :      .^     :  •  : 

-  Kirk,  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  '  .:'  A..  ;     '    '• 

Krotter,  J.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.       :  -        : 

,- -  V  Lawson,  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  1861,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.         •„.   '.,  r     '-"/, 

.       ,  Martin,  C.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.      '       •  .'  V     ':  .:    v 
:  ;:.-  Matteson,  S.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.        '~:\  :  :;  '''^'};;• 
.  -        :  McBride,  Wm.,  Lynn,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  '  v ;  •  f '  ^  " 

,    /  -  McConn,  A.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.  '•  • 

/  -  McDonald,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  killed  at  Lexington,  Mo.,  Sept.     / 
:.•;-'    20,  i86i.  %:,  ::/•;,,    .>.-•::.,.•?::; 

-  •       :  Meadows,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i,        .:?.',.-.' 

'  Miller,  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.  ;    j- : . ..  .••    '; 

'     .  Morris,  N.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.     .'     ;;-.v'  .'•\'   ;K^ 

-  .    '  Mosier,  G.  S.,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.  ?..  .-   i^    :  .  ''.;    .^ 

•  .  Newkirk,  J.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  .  '      •  •  v   ;  ' 

;    '  Parkhouse,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.    ;       :-••>;'',: 

.     ,  Patterson,  Geo.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  pro.  com.  sergt.  .;.';•••:...'.. 

..    ;  Peabody,  Wm.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.    ./  ./     .:.     ;  :    . 

':',  .  V  Potter,  J.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.        /;./ :.^/;';^^^r.-        '• 

;•  Rench,  F.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.      ^ .\r,-;^-;\_  ^:  •  -"I   ••- 

' : '     '^  Roe,  T.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i.  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.          ;f:;  • :''  '-•''-•'   v 

-  •  Roe,  D.  M.  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.      ;    ,.;V',    •'/:•.;.•'• 
.;.  Samuels,  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.         •     ;,i  .,   -      ' 

'      .  Schnebley,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.        •  --X  --I..;! 

;         :  Sperry,  G.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.         -         '  ;   -    . 

•  ;  ;  Stevens.  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.  "i;  '';;/: 

•  .  Stewart,  Yates,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86l.  ^   /.j-X:-'  :' v.  • 

•  •  Strain,  D.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.          '  :.':i  ''.^  :;^'X      '.. 
;  ;      -  Townsend,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.      .^;  :'':'^'!      ;,. 

;    •:>  Waterberry,  D.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i.    ;.'•.:-•';•,,• 

^  Wemple,  C.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i. 

:  Wetmore,  W.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  drowned. 

. .'  Whitney,  M.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

'   ;  r.  Woolsey,  E.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

y  Young,  J.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  9,  i86i,        . 

.    ' ,  ;'  Young,  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


846 


Annis,  J.  K.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
.    Anderson,  Philip,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
.     Berger,  Harry  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  1861,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Benston,  Olof,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Butts,  G.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
.    Butler,  Cyrus,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Butler,  Wm.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Crothers,  M.  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Colson,  Henry,  Knoxville,  e.  May  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Coakley,  N.  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  5,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Dudley,  Geo.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Downes,  A.  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Fowler,  W.  P.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.      ' 

Gotrich,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Grant,  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Gibbs,  C.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  1861,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Goddard,  Henry,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Gilbord,  J.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  20,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

•  Henry,  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Hicks,  Thomas,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Jones,  J.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Kinney,  W.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Lander,  P.  O.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

;     Lewis,  Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ' 
•-.     Lafferty,  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
:  Lewis,  S.  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i6,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Manchester,  A.  A.  G.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

McGivin,  R.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

McCaslin,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

•  Miller,  M.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
.  Moak,  N.,  Knoxville,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 

Morris,  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
McCaffrey,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Merritt,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
:  Mallory,  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
McRussell,  T.,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  15,  1862,  deserted. 
Norris,  L.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Nelson,  J.  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.         * 
Neale.  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  23,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Nelson,  M.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  7,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Nims.  H.  A.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Olson,  S.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Ostrander,  J.  W.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  5,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Robinson,  C.  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 
Robinson,  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  1861,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862. 


;^;'';::  :;':  ^    V  ;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '/-^'i;    ;•    347 

Rondz,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ;f;x  ;:    .  v  ^  : 

;      Rose,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  iv    ;  ;^:^ '  1^;   ^ 

Rhodes,  F.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ;(*             ,.:;;> 

:       Shaw,  F.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  May  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ;;   J,  ^  :•  ^;;;- 

Short,  E.  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  V^      '  J: ;     -:  ^j 

Schwabby,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ;-:;/.      : ;  [,-••}, 

Shinn,  F.  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  April  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ;  •     ^       .  {    - 

Thompson,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  i  V'J^  :^;     ^  '  ; 

Tibo,  Thomas,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  deserted.  •     '       ;.;  : 
Walgren,  C.  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  15,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.      -     '     )^  !  v 

Wolsey,  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  i,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  14,  1862.  ::r  :?>,.;;;; 

7TH  CAVALRY 

Seventh  Cavalry  was  organized  by  Col.  Wm.  Pitt  Kellogg,  then  of  Canton,  in 
i86l.  In  this  regiment  were  212  men  from  this  county;  two  of  whom  were  killed, 
28  died,  5  were  wounded,  and  8  were  taken  prisoners.  ' ;  '' ;'  '^  >.  \ 

:  COMPANY  B  '  '    K;'-  .  "'•i;---:'^-:.  ' 

•  ''      '      •      .  ••'?-'' 

Porter,  J.,  Ontario,  e.  Jan.  19,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  .;     ;.';.  =  '' 


Woolsey,  Wright,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  12,  i86i,  resigned,  Jan.  2,  1862.       /i ..:;;, 
Hodge,  Levi,  Knox  co.,  e.  Jan.  8,  1862,  resigned  June  i,  1862.  ' '-.  / 

Reynolds,  Wm.  H.,  Orange,  e.  June  i,  1862,  term  expired  Oct.  15,  1864.      •'_• '    : :. 

'  ..\:.;-'.v    ;- ^  ,    .:..'•'.-..-,.;;'''..••;,'     First  Lieutenant    ••.'•,'•.;•,-".,;-  •  ,  '    '    ^'- .v^./;^^'•;.•--.^:  VT"  . 
Mount,  Franklin,  Cedar,  e.  Oct.  12,  1864,  vet.  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.        •,  '•':  :•;.::/.- 

"''.-.•  '  '.    '•• '    '  '  .• '  :  '  •;  '  *""••  . 

Second  Lieutenants  '^:''•:^;^;' 

Yargan,  Wm.  O.,  Orange,  e.  Jan.  8,  1862,  resigned.  May  23,  1862.       -,:.,; 
McCool,  James  S.,  Sparta,  e.  June  i,  1862,  term  expired  Oct.  15,  1864.  ;    !.^      • 

First  Sergeant  - 

Olmstead,  S.  E.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Victoria,  111.,  Dec.  9,  i86i. 

'''.-.:-'-'  ''  •':•.•-.'•''•••'•;'•''  .V- -T      Q.  M.  Sergeant   •'  •-•;/>;    :         '  -/^r-..  •'•  '•••.'' ^.f  :•" 
Olmsted,  C.  W.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  \-'  ^  ^^- v 

Sergeants 

Smith,  Thomas  D.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  March 
2,  1862. 
Morris,  C.  N.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.       ^  :V    V^^'  ' 


348  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

:  ;  :V;v^::;\-  -  :    r';v'   Corporals      .    .•;  :^ 

.'      Vulgimore,  Davis,  Maquon,  e,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  capt.  Co,  G,  m,  o,  Nov. 

4,1865.  '  ,       . 

Garrison,  F.  T.,  Chestnut,  e,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  July  9,  1862,  disability,   ' 
Hendricks,  J.  B.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  13,  1862,  disability. 

";     Davis,  Allen  M.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch,  Dec,  5,  1862,  wounds.  '','.';'•.• 
Potts,  J.,  Chestnut,  e,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Savannah,  Tenn.,  June  8,  1862. 

:*'  "  '  •  Bugler          '      ..-,'; ..\  ;    v   - 

Lawrence,  James,  Knox  co,,  e,  Aug,  lo,  i86i,  vet,  m,  o,  Nov,  4,  1865,  sergt. 


Farrier 
McCray,  Daniel,  Knox  co.,  Aug.  lo,  l86i,  disch.  May  30,  1862,  disability, 

.  '    •;         '  •        Blacksmith      '     '    ''.•^•^'    -'  \  . 

Wilson,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lO,  i86i,  disch.  April  i,  1863,  disability. 

Saddler 
Roscum,  John,  Knox  co,,  e,  Aug,  lo,  i86i,  vet.  m.  o.  Nov,  4,  1865, 

^V-^'*^  .Wagoner  V-      -;'"'.  .i- -:.. 

Caover,  Eli,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  March  3,  1863,  disability.        '  •  -, 

•-•'  Privates  "  '    ..,: 

Ackley,  D.  C.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  June  13,  1862,  disability.    .     '. 
Allen,  J,  H,,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,      •::;:•''    ''•fJ'.V^.'^^;-;/      1    :-;•'•;' 
Barthleman,  G.  C.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug,  lo,  i86i,  disch.  April  i6,  1862,  disability. 
Baldwin,  E.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Betterton,  J.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  13,  1862,  disability,        -    .  ; 
Betterton,  Geo.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet,,  m,  o.  Nov,  4,  1865,  V    .• 

;     Barnett,  Alex.,  Orange,  e,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet,  m,  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,       |      ; .  ;    - 
Bloom,  J.  M.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m,  o,  Nov,  4,  1865,  '•'  . 

Belden,  Geo.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865,  prisoner  of  war, 
Craver,  C.  P.,  Indian  Pt.,  e,  Aug,  lO,  i86i,  vet,,  killed  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
Dec.  15,  1864.         •  :•  '"  •'•-'   . ..  ••  '."::.•:'';/•••'.'•.•;:':•-;'.•' 

Crary,  E.  J.,  Cedar,  e,  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  corpl.  • 
Cunningham,  J.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Jan.  15,  1863,  disability! 
Coe,  J.  W.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  sergt, 
Dennis,  W.  H.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Jacinto,  Miss.,  July  i8,  1862. 
Davis,  Geo.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  June  13,  1862,  disability,    /;•  ' 

:,    Denean,  D.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  July  9,  1862,  disability,         i  - .    :     ' 
Earl,  Geo.,  Sparta,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  ^'     -.- 

Elwell,  J.  E.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  sergt.         ''•.". 
Eastes,  J.  A.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Sept,  2,  1862,  disability,      -  ;  v> 

•    Errick.  Charles,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lO,  i86i,  disch.  April  i6,  1862,  disability. 

Errickson,  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug,  lO,  i86i,  vet,,  pro,  chief  bugler,  m,  o,  Nov,  4. 
1865, 


;.'\::->-^5;;V^>'  ;X      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V  349 

Edrington,  G.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  corpl.  "  -  ; 

:        Fields,  F.  P.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Aug.  26,  1862,  disability.  ;      t 

.       Gibbs.  F.  A.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  July  3,  1862,  disability.  i  •    • 

Garrett,  J.  H.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864.  "  / 

Hubbard,  Uri,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lO,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  --.'..X  • 

Humeston,  C.  J.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  i6,  1862,  disability.      H  .;       ;' 
Henderson,  G.  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  -^  ,>'.;•  '  ; 
Jones,  Safford,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Memphis,  July  30,  1863.         .:;:';.;:;: 

^       Jones,  J.  L.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Aug.  lO,  i86i,  disch.  April  13,  1863,  disability.      .     ;     '^ 
Jones,  C.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  corpl.  '?  V 

Lawrence,  G.  F.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  corpl.  ,:     V.; 

Mather,  J.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Birds'  Point,  Mo.,  Jan.  27,  1862.         :  . 
Mohallan,  A.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  March  14,  1863,  disability.  V. 

Mullis,  S.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  June  13,  1862,  disability.  ;  ;  .  /.. 

Massey,  I.  J.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  >;  v  ; 

Milam,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  April  24,  1866,  prisoner  of  war.i'    '  -    . 
Mott,  S.  C.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  :    ..   v 

Marsh,  A.  B.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Jan.  i6,  1862. ,_-; 
Morey,  J.  K.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lO,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  19,  1862,  disability.  ; '  ^ 

Messenger,  L.  G.,  Victoria,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.       .•,;     ;     , .    •    ' . 
Morrison,  G.  G.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86r,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  .     .  J  •  • . 

More,  E.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  killed  near  Okolona,  Miss.,  Feb.  22, 
1864.  '-^ 

Newgent,  Thomas,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  drowned  April  3,  1862.          .'.".:;;; 
O'Grady,  D.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  pro.  hospl.  steward.  '.:       v 

Potts,  Noah,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Sept.  24,  1865,  prisoner  of  war.  .  •    .': 
Peters,  Jacob,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  24,  1862,  disability.  ';-:.* 

Raines,  P.  R.,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864,  farrier.  ! 

Rutledge,  I.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  missing  in  action  near  Somerville.  .    • 

Short,  H.  T.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  ist  sergt.  .' '; 

;      Shumaker,  J.  H.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  June  13,  1862,  disability. 

Stephens,  Robert,  Cedar,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  died  at  Corinth,  Sept.  15,  1862,  . 

wounds.  :•:;••:,: 

)      Terry,  I.  C.,  Ontario,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1861,  vet.  y-          "      ;Mr^'    "-'v     \ 

Vulgimore,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  trans,  to  invalid  corps.  '.,  >         >    ': 

Whipp,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  sergt.  '  •,   v-^: 

"       Woods,  N.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1865,  ist  sergt.  "        - 

Wallick.  M.  L.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.  corpl.  died  Aug.  lo,  1865,  at 

Decatur,  Ala.  .  '"i  • 

Way,  S.,  Chestnut,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  vet.,  pro.  2d  lieut.  Co.  G.  - 

Wahlgrene,  A.  F.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  lO,  i86i,  vet.,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,        i  ' 

Dec.  i6,  1864.  V. 

.V      Wilcox,  T.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1864.       :      : 
:.      Yargan,  Wm.  O.,  Orange,  e.  Aug.  lo,  i86i.  '" 


850  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

.  ,  Recruits 

';    Booton,  T.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  corpl. 

Bonham,  B.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865,  prisoner  of  war. 
:  .:     Butts,  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  wounds. 

-     Brown,  Leander  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  25,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865, 
.:       Bellwood,  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  25,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.         i 
Booton,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
Byram,  C.  E.,  Orange,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  June  22,  1865. 
;    .    Bellwood,  Levi,  Abingdon,  e.  July  25,  1862,  died  at  Corinth,  Oct.  23,  1862. 
:       Brulin,  C.,  Rio,  e.  March  9,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865, 

Crosson,  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  died  at  Eastport,  Miss.,  April  15,  1865. 
Christopher,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  June  30,  1865. 
Comson,  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  at  Lagrange,  Tenn.,  April  14, 
1863. 

Christopher,  Geo.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  died  at  Memphis,  June  14,  1864. 
>    Calhoun,  J.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  disch.  Sept.  lo,  1863,  disability. 

Cox,  E.  V.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
.;  .     Cannon,  J.  H.,  Knox,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
:      Elwell,  W.  E.  Knoxville,  e.  Nov.  9,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  as  bugler.      •  -  .  • 
Elwell,  E.  B.,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  I     ^^: ' :. 

'  .      Fairchild,  Levi,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
.  •.    Fairchild,  Geo.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  as  corpl. 
'.      Fenton,  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  20,  1865,  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
•       Garrison,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  16,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  1:  '--v  Vv- 

'  :•    Hiram,  Enke,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Hanley,  J.,  Orange,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Harvey  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
\  .;     Hyde,  J.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  4,  1864,  m.  o.  May  17,  1865. 

Harvey,  Joseph,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  died  Memphis,  Aug.  5,  1863. 
Hemdon,  J.  W.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Jan.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Lawrence,  J.  K.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
:     Lawrence,  J.  M.,  Orange,  e.  Dec.  30,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  23,  1865. 
:        Lomax,  C.  P.,  Abingdon,  July  25,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
,::     Lenquist,  J.,  Rio,  e.  March  9,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
,;•     Moore,  Geo.,  Abingdon,  e.  July  25,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
.  ''     Maxson,  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
'       Murdock,  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  in  Knox  co..  111.,  March  14,  1863. 
V;.;.    Mullis,  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  died  at  Memphis,  March  31,  1864. 
.  ;^     Matteson,  M.  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  i,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Morris,  Geo.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  12,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
,    Morris,  N.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  as  sergt.   ;': 
.       Morris,  M.,  Knoxville,  June  24,  1863. 
-  : .    McDonald,  J.,  Rio,  e.  March  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
V      Maholand,  A.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865. 
.     Pearl,  J.,  Salem,  e.  March  9,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  23,  1865. 
':•     Reese,  W.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  March  i6,  1863,  disability. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


351 


Ruble,  Peter,  Kriox  co.,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Stiles,  J.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Stiles,  M.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.          V; 

Shay,  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.      '--       v 

Shay,  D.,  Abingdon,  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  s  ; 

Smith,  Lewis,  Hermon,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.     J  i 

Smith,  I.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1864.  -V- 

Tude,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.     '' 

Thompson,  F.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  6,  1865. 

Thompson,  E.,  Chestnut,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.    /  .•;: 

Way,  J.,  Hermon,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  ; .  * 

Woolsey,  G.  W.,  Orange,  e.  Nov.  9,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.         ^^^  X     -•.    ^:; 

Woolsey,  W.  H.,  Orange,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.         -^'       '' 

Wilcox,  J.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Westerfield,  J.  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  May  i6,  1864,  died  at  Memphis,  Oct.  i8,  1864. 

Wines,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  died  at  LaGrange,  Tenn.,  March  27, 

1863. 

Wilkinson,  R.,  Salem,  e.  March  9,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1864.          'v  . 
Warring,  H.,  Knox  Co.,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

:.    Young,  J.  H.,  Abingdon,  July  28,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

.     Beam,  B.,  Cedar,  e.  Feb.  21,  1865,  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

.''A  V-.V   ''';':••.-'/'/•:  ^ -:''':' N^^"^:^'-:''.-'''-''--'..-'    COMPANY  K  "'V     v,'-^:;-,-'  ^' 

•  -;:•;;• '•\'.--.5:-''  ..  :'-^v'  Recruits  "'.'.    ~'  .  V 

;:    ;  Babbitt,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  24,  1862,  died  at  Andersonville  prison,  July 
20, 1864. 

Benson,  Geo.  C.,  Chestnut,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4, 1865. 
^      Benson,  Wm.  L.,  Chestnut,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Bivins,  W.  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  12,  1865. 

Brown,  Austin  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Bliss,  A.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  missing  in  action  since  Feb.  20,  1864. 

Bowman,  J.  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Bomgardner,  F.  M.,  Chestnut,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  bugler. 

Burnaugh,  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Burnaugh,  A.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Burnaugh,  Joseph,  Orange,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Burnaugh,  Benj.,  Orange,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  prisoner  of  war. 

Cramer,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Cole,  Geo.  V.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20.  1862,  trans,  to  Invalid  Corps. 

Clabaugh,  J.  S.  A.,  Chestnut,  e.  Feb.  23,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Eggers,  Matthew,  Chestnut,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 

Eggers,  James,  Chestnut,  e.  Feb.  23,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  .  v. 

Freeze,  J.  M.,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  -•-.••/ 

Freeze,  H.,  Orange,  e.  July  13,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.       : 

Hall,  Samuel,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  5,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  as  corpl. 

Hale,  M.  D.,  Chestnut,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.  .        ,.    ^ 


852  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Heald,  H.  P.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  pro.  to  sergt.  major,  m.  o.  July  12, 
1865. 

Hendricks,  S.,  Chestnut,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  as  corpl. 
Hohenshelt,  H.,  Orange,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
'  Massie,  Thomas,  Chestnut,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  27,  1865. 
.  McKinzie,  R.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
Morris,  J.  F.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Moon,  R.  A.,  Chestnut,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Neff,  Christian,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
Nelson,  J.  S.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  7,  1862,  drowned  at  Eastport,  Miss.,  March  3, 
1865. 

Parks,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  i8,  1863,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
^     ^  Potter,  Wm.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  30,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
Putnam,  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
Randall,  G.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
•'    .;;  Russell,  H.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt. 
•  :  Routh,  C.  E.,  Chestnut,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
'Routh,  T.  J.,  Chestnut,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Sloan,  A.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 
•      Steach,  G.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  disch.  May  8,  1863,  disability.      ,     , 
Smith,  W.  H.,  Hermon,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  corporal...    .  .:;r';;;.. 
Tyler,  A.  C.,  Galesburg,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  co.  com.  sergt.  /.  -. 

Turner,  Horace,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  serg^.  '.x  '^;_ 
Tift,  E.  W.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  corporal.  .  •;  .^ 
Virtue,  T.  K.,  Hermon,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865,  corporal. 


.>•  COMPANY  L 

Adkins,  James,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  i6,  1862. 

Brown,  Wm.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  28,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Burnett,  D.  D.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  disch.  April  8,  1863,  disability. 

Butler,  J.  E.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Jan.  i6,  1865,  died  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  March  6, 
1865. 

Epperson,  J.  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  lo,  1862,  m.  o.  July  20,  1865, 

Johnson,  N.  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Mitchell,  L.,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Mathewson,  J.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  24,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Miller,  A.  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  24,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865,  corpl. 

Park,  W.  B.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  ii,  1862,  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  July  14,  1863. 

Pyle,  Benj.  F.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  died  at  Lagrange,  Tenn.,  Feb.  15, 
1863. 

Rine,  Michael,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865. 

Reed,  Isom,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Jan.  20,  1862,  m.  o.  Sept.  23,  1865. 

Thompson,  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  4,  1862,  died  at  Memphis,  May  5,  1864. 

West,  H.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Aug.  29,  1862,  disch.  May  13,  1865,  wounds. 
,   West,  J.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

White,  E.,  Abingdon,  e.  Aug.  29,  1862,  killed  at  Early  Grove,  Miss.,  Jan.  25, 

3. 

West,  W.,  Indian  Pt.,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Nov.  4,  1865.      -     /  / 

"•"''.      -  '    .   .V*  •-'  •" ' 

,:',..  Unassigned  Recruits  :'    .; 

Dunbar,  B.  JT.,  Rio,  e.  Jan.  31,  1865.  :,.\   ;      -v/: :';  .AH.'.    ^  - 
Elcha,  John,  Abingdon,  e.  Sept.  2,  1865.  v;!^--/- ;•'      '  • 

Moats,  L.  W.,  Abingdon.  v       -\V:  ;.•;.• 

Adams,  James,  Knox  co.,  e.  Oct.  19, 1864.  :  ;    ^.tV 

-V:-, .,;,  .....  ...V.  ......  9TH  CAVALRY  ..    ••  ;  .;:-Vv;:;;; 

:''"    "    '       '          '"     '    '  COMPANY  C  '  -i^KV 

/     Davison,  J.  L.,  Knox  co.,  e.  Oct.  20,  1864,  m.  o.  May  31,  1865.     ,i  j.*  ^'  ,• 

-.•.;•>;: •;.;::;v^V..-..- •-••,;  COMPANY  H  .';;.:'•;- ^':  •':  .'•^•^•'. 

,•'•''  '  '    -  "  -  •      t  '  •  • 

•  Robinson,  R.,  Knoxville,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864,  disch.  Aug.  4,  1864,  wounds.  .   ' 

•  \  -•-•."     J 

'••     "' '''      •"""'""'  ~  •'  '•  COMPANY  I  •;       '-'••'  .  o;;;;v'.  '^w.^-v'-. 

.;     Hadley,  J.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  17,  i86i.  "  ''••-'  ^;^  ,  • 

.       Wills,  P.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865.  :  / 

Gray,  Wm.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864,  died  at  East  Port,  Miss.,  Feb,  lo,  1865.        V: 

:-v-' 'C-''-'-;'f '-•••":^ ••''': V-:''' A..;-      -  .  COMPANY  K  •   '      -"••;-:'r';v     .  v^\:.. 

:'^''-:'' -'•''-     -•••••;•-••     -         Sergeant  '  •;  '        '''  ''  .'•  '  ':  ^^ 

•  Stanley,  Geo.  C.,  Copley,  e.  Oct.  2,  1861,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864,  ist  sergt.  ;      • ' 

".'.^'•'   %':.^\V -'-v-^.  !''":'  ':-^.'         ':'-.  •:''''  .'-V' 

Corporal  :  .       ;.  - 

i     Hallenback,  Peter,  Copley,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  June  i,  1862,  sergt.  :i'    -•: 

' ''^'' ''•"''"'•';'  '••''•                              Privates                    ''     '' •     "  '''.:':••:  '•.'.• 

Bennett,  Isaac,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Patterson,  Mo.,  May  ii,    >',^  .- 

1862.                                    ,                                         :,:.•• -V.;::.  l'-^  •..;'•> 

Bennett,  Alex.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  June  i,  1862.  i         . 

Brott,  Willis,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  2,  i86i,  vet.,  trans,  to  2d  U.  S.  C.  artillery.  '     .     . 

Belcher,  W.  R.,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  24,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864.  :^   :'  : 

Boggs,  William,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  June  i,  1862.  ;  r^:  ' 

Boggs,  David,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  21,  i86i.  >    ;   ' 

Foster,  E.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  12,  i86i,  vet.,  died  in  hands  of  the  enemy.  ;•.%"'>.' 

Hubbell,  Wm.  H.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  28,  1862.  • 

Jarvis,  S.  G.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  6,  i86i.  ^    ^    . 

Kimbler,  Caleb,  Truro,  e.  Oct.  8,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865.  v'v''  .; 

Moak,  P.,  Victoria,  e.  Oct.  13,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865,  corpl.  '    r 

Olmstead,  W.  B.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Nov.  3,  1862. 

Olmstead,  J.  R.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  June  i,  1862.  >.  . 

Osgood,  W.,  Truro,  e.  Oct.  8,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864.  >"'  r ..., 

' 


854 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Stanley,  J.  M,,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  vet.,  Oct.  31,  1865,  sergt. 

Strong,  W.  F.,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  died  at  Patterson,  Mo.,  April  9,  1862. 

Sager,  S.  S.,  Truro,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Stafford,  S.,  Rio,  e.  Sept.  i8,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865. 

Wayman,  J.,  Victoria,  e.  Sept.  19,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  24,  1862. 

Wilmot,  B.  A.,  Sparta,  e.  Sept.  20,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865,  sergt. 

Wilder,  J.  R.,  Truro,  e.  Oct.  i8,  i86i,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1864. 

Foster,  T.  A.,  Wataga,  e.  Oct.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865,  sergt. 


•  :'•  :.:••',  Recruits 

Blackwood,  L.  D.,  Altona,  e.  Jan.  23,  1864,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865. 
Lynes,  C,  Victoria,  e.  Nov.  25,  i86i. 
^          Neil,  J.  W.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864,  m.  o.  Oc't.  31,  1865,  corpl. 

Smith,  A.  H.,  Altona,  e.  Nov.  25,  i86i,  disch.  July  22,  1862. 
:         Strong,  H.  P.,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  19,  1862.         . 

Shannon,  S.  L.,  Victoria,  e.  Feb.  i,  1864,  m.  o.  June  22,  1865. 
:          Bruner,  Isaac,  Rio,  e.  April  24,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865.  ^ 

.;.  • .;  '      :.;''•;,  '"• ,    COMPANY  L      '•'•"''  •  r-  .  -' - '. 

''.,'•  ..  •  •.  •    .  '-•*•,'  V 

...  ,''\;  '    .   "•     ,      '    '  Privates   ^i ':•.•'..'-' 

.     Gay,  Frank,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865. 
Green,  John,  Elba,  e.  Jan.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865. 
Huntington,  A.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  3,  ^365,  m.  o.  Oct.  31,  1865,  corpl. 
Fox,  Samuel,  Knox  co.,  e.  Sept.  20,  i86i,  Co.  E,  loth  Cavalry. 


.^  :  '  ;          iiTH  CAVALRY 

The  Eleventh  Cavalry  was  organized  by  Col.  Robert  G.  Ingersoll,  of  Peoria. 
.-  This  county  had  men  in  companies  B,  C,  E,  H,  K  and  M — io8  in  all,  two  of  whom 
V,  were  killed ;  8  died. 

Adjutant.  -' 

•  .  Oram,  Benjamin,  Galesburg,  e.  April  20,  1865,  resigned  June  23,  1865. 


•  Surgeon 

Stratton,  Robert  F.,  Maquon,  Jan.  23,  1862,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 


V;  COMPANY  B 

•   .'  *w,     •'' 

Bane,  A.  J.,  Yates  City,  e.  Sept.  21,  i86i,  vet,  died  at  Yates  City,  111.,  May  3, 
\    1864. 

;  Clark,  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept  24,  i86i.      ;/    >  ••',^ 

.  .'••  'v  Recruits  -  J^'.._^::' ••'':'"•:  '",;-. 

-  Awl,  C.  S.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  21,  1865.  ;    v/  ;    : 

•;     -'  Awl,  W.  M.,  Truro,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1865.    '  '^'   '"''"'•  ''"' 
Bevens,  J.  E.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  23,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  355 

Bishop,  i.  A.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  26,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Bevens,  Geo.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  23,  1865,  m.  o.  May  13,  1862. 
Grouse,  E.  H.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
!     Carroll,  C.  C.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  1 8,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  :; 

Jones,  A.  H.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.      v  ;:;:;.   -.^ 

McKeighan,  S.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  23,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Nichols,  J.  H.  H.,  Truro,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1865,  m.  o.  Aug.  5,  1865. 

Orton,  M.,  Salem,  e.  Feb.  3,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.         '•-  •;:• -^  j;^  ' 

Reamy,  E.,  Salem,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.       ..--'•:>•,/ 

*  •       --'*-.'  '  '   "' ' 

.:,•  .    .-.    --,  .  COMPANY  C  .•"-:';'•''• '.if';-  •:• 

'.  '      '       '       '  Captain 

Freeman,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  20,  i86i,  resigned  March  20,  1862. 

;V' /,  First  Lieutenant  :;: 

Brown,  Jacob  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  19,  1864,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  ; 

"  Second  Lieutenant 

Doll,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  28,  1865,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  - 

:  Sergeant  /;     .  • 

Thomas,  Delos,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86i,  died  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Jan.  2, 
1863.  ..... 

r';!  V:  Corporals  .    :•  c^-    -'^  '  .. 

Patch,  James  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  26,  i86i.  >  : 

Sloey,  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  14,  i86i.  :     ^      ;-  \  ; 

•      '''•••    '  -  •  Farrier 

Brown,  W.  N.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

•'•'''     t.  "i  •/•'  :'•'''••-'.', 

Privates 

Allen,  H.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  15,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  sergt. 
Anderson,  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  lo,  i86i,  disch.  Oct.  3,  1864. 
Barrett,  M.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  26,  i86i,  disch.  July  i,  1862,  disability. 
Dunham,  W.,  Henderson,  e.  Nov.  14,  i86i. 

Eakins,  J.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  corpl. 
Fletcher,  A.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  i,  i86r,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Freaks,  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  7,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  corpl. 
Griffith,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  21,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  ist  sergt. 
Geary,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  19,  i86i.  ;^-:;>;  '^ 

Gray,  W.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  corpl. 
Hickey,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  i6,  i86i. 
Mahony,  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  i6,  i86i. 
McPherson,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  19,  i86i,  vet.,  th.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 


856 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


•;  Morrisy,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  14,  i86i. 

^  McMakin,  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  7,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  sergt. 

:  Newell,  H.  S.  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  21,  i86i,  vet. 

'  Rose,  J.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  12,  i86i. 

,'  Rusk,  David,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  12,  i86i,  disch.  Nov.  15,  1862,  disability. 

-  Raymond,  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  19,  disch.  Dec.  lo,  1862,  disability. 

Winters,  Curtis,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  i6,  i86i,  died  at  Galesburg,  Feb.  25,  1862. 

-'..  '  Recruits 

Anderson,  W.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  7,  1865,  "^-  o-  Sept.  30,  1865. 
;     Doll,  S.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  22,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
',     Dunham,  W.  O.,  Henderson,  e.  Dec.  20,  1863,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
; '      Gormley,  C.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
vv     Hogan,  Geo.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Hoggatt,  G.  W.,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864. 

"      Jones,  W.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  27,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
,      Leary,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  3,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
'•      Miller,  H.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  6,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
'      Miles,  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  5,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
.       Moren,  James,  Henderson,  e.  March  23,  1865,  died  in  Illinois,  Aug.  29,  1865. 
; .     Perkins,  A.  L.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Raymond,  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  4,  1862. 

Raymond,  Bingham,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  15,  1864,  died  at  Memphis,  March  25, 
1865. 

Sloan,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  20,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Sheeley,  S.  V.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  4,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
:'      Sperry,  Peter,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  31,  i86i,  disch.  Sept.  7,  1862,  disability. 

Spencer,  J.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  13,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Wimmer,  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  5,  1864. 


•'     '•, '<  ;"..  •          .-    :>••          COMPANY  E       ^    '-;;•;•'  •;••>• 

Privates  -"'• 

'...:     Ford,  J.  C.,  Truro,  e.  Feb.  22,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  corpl.         .    .' 
King,  James,  Elba,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  corpl.  i  - 

',     Lucas,  D.,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
•;      McCoy,  W.,  Elba,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  / 

.  .    Nelson,  J.,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  30,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
'.      Oberholtzer,  John,  Truro,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

Parrish,  J.  W.,  Lynn,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1865. 

.   Shaffer,  T.  J.,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  ;  ;  ; 

Wilson,  J.  K.  P.,  Elba,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  r 

/'•'    ",.'r';  ;''''''•' '"•^•••:-'V:-'\.       COMPANY  H 

.''_'•'•'--  '  '•'  -•  "'    -^       Privates  ••''-'- 

;    Hale,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  March,  9,  1864,  killed  near  Memphis,  March  8,  1865. 
L  Brown,  W.  F.,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •       '  867 

Burdick,  L.  R.,  Truro,  e.  Feb.  22,  1865,  died  at  Memphis,  May  5,  1865. 
Hoadley,  R.,  Copley,  Feb.  9,  1865,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
Jones,  J.  N.,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  9,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  ; 

Thompson,  W.  C.,  Altona,  e.  Feb.  17,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  •: 

:-•!"'/.  •'...•''.-•.  .     .     '• 

COMPANY  I  ,     .    : 

McFarland,  Peter,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  sergt.   .;;;  ' 
x--t     Swain,  M.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct  17,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865,  corpl.  -,'  , 

'••"'iVf''..--.--.^-.-- ^  ••;•  :-.x.  COMPANY  K  ,    .'     •  ,   '-'^ • -J. • ':  ';''-•: 

-•  ?'V.v-"'  ••••••''•'•    "  -    ''•  _  .  '      '       -^•••^•  •    •  •••    .' 

'::--J',-.-^-  Captain  .v. 'i. 

;\^       Woods,  H.  C,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  20,  i86i,  term  ex.  Dec.  19,  1864.  ;    ?^ 

'  -  "(  •    .•    "-.." 

.       .•-,-*.-  ^-       •  -•,.;, 

'    ;•  K' "'  '' '  "  ^^"'  ^  Second  Lieutenant  •:  ':.;  I'i 

•  :.;;••^    Duckett,  Frederick,  Maquon,  e.  March  28,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  •  -, 

,•'7'  •;  Corporal  '-..f-'". 

.-vV        Lindsey,  James,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  5,  1862,  disability.  •:'.;.' 

•/:'••"'':. -v  ••'•'-' .•:'-:r\'--   ^..-'.  Privates  •'..-••'::''..'.•:  ^'-"'',- 

;•;';-•      Achors,  M.  V.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  i8,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Sept  30,  1865.  •  -    '; 

:'•  i;:     Bricker,  Geo.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  vet,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  •   - 

.;';..;,       Barton,  Milton,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i.  -.'  \ 

;•    .--  Dalton,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  killed  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Dec.  6,  1862,  by   ;;;:'•' 

a  citizen.  ^n/ 

Jones,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  disch.  Dec.  19,  1864.  .  V' 

Laughlin,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  died  at  Girard,  111.,  March  ii,  1862.        ;    .'- 
McGhovin,  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  6,  i86i,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  June  i,  ;••-'' 
1862.  _     ,  ........  k:?'::. 

Recruits  •'..  : ,--  • 

.i^V      Allison,  E.  R.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  6,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sept  30,  1865.  .  .  •     / 

;.-;v:/     Benton,  N.,  Maquon,  e.  March  31,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  '•^'  " -^'-V;  -'  V' ; . 

;•:.';,     Dyer,  J.  M.,  Maquon,  e.  March  26,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt.  •  -..^  ;  •:••.•• 

:•'•'[•:•'•':     Duckett,  F.,  Maquon,  e.  June  i8,  1862.  :-/::• 

Dobyns,  S.  C.,  Maquon,  Feb.  ii,  1862,  vet,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.      > :    ;  ^-i 
Huntley,  W.  A.,  Galesburg,  April  26,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865.  ' 

Lewallen,  Wm.,  Maquon,  March  28,  1864,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt 
Mitchell,  J.  A.,  Maquon,  Feb.  i,  1862,  vet 

Moore,  V.  A.,  Maquon,  Dec.  28,  i86i.  ;    .      ^>-.;.'V^^^ 

Waffle,  C.  H.,  Maquon,  March  31,  1864,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
Page.  R.  F.,  Ontario,  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 
::/  Reddingbon,  A.  W.,  Ontario,  Feb.  i6,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept.  30,  1865. 

.r;:''.-:;:  COMPANY  H  :  .  •./;        .  ;'•;•<•' 

.    ' ;:       Roach,  E.,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  21,  1865,  m.  o.  Sept  30,  1865.       '    • 


358  ;      V.     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

,.::      Irwin,  James,  Truro,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1865. 

.^    Hall,  James,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  4,  1863.  ' 

\i;     McChesney,  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  4,  1863. 
Piper,  Allen,  Victoria,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865. 

;v'-:i:'/:';  -'•  -.  '^^  ';':''';-'•   I2TH  CAVALRY -v-Vj:^ 

•;"'•'•,:'••  • -f  v' •" -^ '-'::;;.      COMPANY  i     -'V^;': 

';   :J-/  .  "  .:.;',     '  ~,  '''  Privates 

.       Babbitt,  W.  C.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863,  m.  o.  May  29,  1866. 
Collison,  R.  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863. 

'.    Cox,  J.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

'     Darnell,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  15,  1863,  m.  o.  May  29,  1866. 

••    Jones,  W.  W.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863. 
.       Granger,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  8,  1862,  Co.  D,  I2th  cav. 
{      Terry,  C.  W.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  May  24,  1862,  Co.  D,  I2th  cav.,  term  ex. 
>v    Butterfield,  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  24,  i86i,  Co.  G,  I2th  cav. 
V       Martinson,  Wm.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  24,  i86i,  paroled  prisoner  war.,   . 

Cooper,  L.,  St.  Augustine,  e.  Dec.  21,  1863. 
:        Levens,  C.,  Galesburg. 

-.     Munson,  A.,  Galesburg,  April  28,  1863,  disch.  May  20,  1865,  disability. 

Hester,  G.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  pro.  2d.  lieut.,  Co.  A,  I3th  cav.,  m.  o. 

Dec.  31,  1864. 

. :~  .       ...     .  I4TH  CAVALRY 

•        Company  A  of  the  Fourteenth  Cavalry  was  from  Knox  county,  and  numbered 

seventy-two  men.    They  were  under  command  of  Captains  Marvin  S.  Carr  and 

John  S.  Henderson. 

.::'•  •'•'.'  ".'•-.'•      '••'      '•':'      COMPANY  A    '•.•;,':%-  .•'•••''':-• 

•  .;         Captains  ; 

Carr,  Marvin  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  7,  1863,  resigned  Feb.  lO,  1864. 
:    Henderson,  John  S.,  Maquon,  e.  Feb.  lo,  1864,  resigned  June  27,  1865. 

.1;   -  '*  First  Lieutenant  : 

•      Stevenson,  Richard  S.,  Maquon,  e.  July  14,  1865,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865.      • 

Second  Lieutenant 
i.       Seymour,  Henry,  Galesburg,  e.  July  14,  1865,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

V    ...  •  Hospital  Steu'ards 

'"•'    Dow,  Samuel  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  pro.  surgeon,  i7th  cav. 

Livingston,  Frederick  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  July^i,  1865. 

^y'' '  -  Commissary  Sergeant 

'•     Thurman,  Corry  T.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  missing  in  action  since  Aug. 
31,  1864.  : 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;  359 

'  -''  •  -i  ( 

Sergeants  :;  :? 

Morgan,  James  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  disch.  April  17,  1865,  dis- 
ability. 

Wilson,  Wm.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  ii,  1862,  disch.  July  2,  1865,  disability. 
Seymour,  Henry,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  15,  1862,  pro.  2d.  lieut. 
Baldwin,  Walter,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  July  i,  1865. 

Corporals 

Freemale,  Samuel,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  June  i6,  1864,  pris.  war. 
Johnson,  Henry  S.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 
Allen,  Wm.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  disch.  Dec.  28,  1864,  disability. 
Babcock,  Fred.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  ist  sergt. 
Austin,  N.  T.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  ii,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 
Marquess,  Jonas,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

'  V-"-  Teamster  ;    . 

McHenry,  John,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  disch.  May  8,  1863,  disability. 

/  >'' '     ••  •  '  •   •'•  Farrier 

;  .\  Slaughter,  J.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  died  in  prison  in  Richmond,  Va. 

:^ '"^^^^-cVi.  :••-.:•>;• '-v'  Wagoner  •'•.,;•,.;•••; 

jobes,  W.  I.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  disch.  June  21,  1865,  disability. 

;V>.  Saddler  \vov 

Barton,  Milton,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  disch.  May  21,  1865,  disability. 

"^v-  Privates  v-'^  .  :'•:  ^.,'••' 

Allen,  E.,  Maquon,  e.  Oct.  25,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  sergt. 

Carr,  G.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  8,  1862,  disch.  Jan.  8,  1864,  disability. 

Curley,  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Oct.  25,  1864. 

Comstock,  H.  Jr.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  15,  1862,  disch.  June  4,  1865,  disability. 

Capron,  O.  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13, ,  disch.  July  2,  1865,  disability. 

Errick,  Charles,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  12,  1862,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C. 

Edward,  Frank,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  14,  1862,  detached,  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 

GuflF,  C.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  22,  1862,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865. 

Gabriel,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Oct.  23,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Gleason,  T.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  2,  1862,  missing  in  action  since  Nov.  25, 
1864. 

Howard,  F.  A.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  2,  1862,  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  April 
3.  1863. 

Jones,  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  12,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Jones,  O.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  7,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Kinses,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  22,  1862,  disch.  in  1864,  disability. 

Lewis,  Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  lo,  1865 

Lindsey,  C.  M.,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  15,  1862,  missing  in  action  since  Aug.  13, 
1864. 


860 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


McHenry,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Oct.  lo,  1862,  disch.  May  8,  1863,  disability. 

McCallach,  Z.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  July  30,  1865,  corpl. 
;     McWilliams,  D.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  ii,  1862,  disch.  July  8,  1865,  disability. 

Miller,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862. 
;     Nevitt,  H.  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Oct.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  3,  1865. 

Oleson,  Swan,  Knoxville,  e.  Oct.  15,  1862,  died  in  prison,  Andersonville,  Ga. 

Peterson,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Oct.  15,  1862,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  9,  1865, 

Peterson,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  9,  1862. 

Robinson,  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Nov.  2,  1862,  missing  in  action  Aug.  3,  1864. 
^:     Stanton,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  dFsch.  May  i8,  1863,  disability. 

Simpkins,  N.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862. 
.      Sornberger,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  died  at  Peoria,  111.,  April  7,  1863. 

Squires,  A.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862. 

".:     Smith,  L.  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Nov.  2,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865.      - :-;;    .- 
:      Scott,  C.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  lo,  1862.          ::  "",;'.  v  :    .. 

Spring,  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  12,  1862. 

VanArsdale,  P.,  Henderson,  e.  Oct.  15,  1862,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  sergt. 

West,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  12,  1862,  pro.  Q.  M.  sergt. 

Wimsett,  D.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  July  3,  1865. 
,     Waffle,  Geo.,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  13,  1862,  m.  o.  Aug.  ii,  1865. 
,      Walker,  H.  L.,  Galesburg,  Oct.  i,  1862,  pro.  chief  bugler.  "..:.' 

..-•••'.'  '-         •  '.        -•          Recruits      "•^••'••^  : -.^f^'-.^-^  _•. 

Buell,  M.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863,  m.  o.  July  12,  1865.  ;;  ';';  • 

.     Dopp,  H.,  Salem,  e.  April  3,  1865,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865.  ;  .^ 

Gabriel,  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865. 

House,  A.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Henderson,  J.  R.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  20,  1864,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  wounded. 

Jones,  G,  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863,  missing  in  action  since  Nov.  25,  1864. 
.      Moore,  J.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 
.       Malone,  Thomas,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  July  8,  1865. 

Norris,  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  25,  1863,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865,  corpl.  : 

Pickrel,  H.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1864,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Price,  William,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  25,  1864,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

Stodgell,  G.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Jan.  21,  1864,  killed  in  Ga.,  July  31,  1864. 

White,  Thomas,  Maquon,  e.  Dec.  20,  1863,  missing  in  action  since  Aug.  3, 
1864. 

Young,  W.  J.,  Abingdon,  e.  Feb.  20,  1864,  m.  o.  July  31,  1865. 

;•  ,-.  •          •  i6TH  CAVALRY       v  .;  '.^ 

COMPANY  K  •- 

Hobbs,  R.  C.,  Altona,  e.  May  25,  1863,  m.  o.  Aug.  19,  1865. 
Koontze,  J.  H.,  Oneida,  e.  May  25,  1863,  died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  March  5, 
1864,  prisoner  war. 

Topper,  E.,  Oneida,  e.  March  25,  1863,  m.  o.  Aug.  19,  1865,  pris.  war. 


.,    .       .        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •;-:••  361 

COMPANY  L  ; 

Emerson,  John,  Galesburg,  died  in  Andersonville,  June  12,  1864,    No.  grave 
4,979-       ,.,,,,, 

COMPANY    M 

Butterfield,  W,  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  March  2,  1863,  pris,  war,  m.  o.  June  i6,  1865. 
Fogerty,  E.,  Galesburg. 

Holland,  N.,  Galesburg.  .  .  .-,  > 

Maranda,  C.,  Galesburg.  \  -       ;:',:^  j/ 

-'  -     .     '•-   .  •  '  <     ' ' '"  '  V  * 

1ST  ARTILLERY  .  I'^lf 

Finch,  Oscar,  Walnut  Grove,  e.  bat.  E,  Sepf.  25,  i86i.  .4     ,       .'; 
Vanfleet,  Dubois,  Altona,  e.  in  bat.  E,  Sept.  25,  i86i.          /        V  ;  'iv  - 


:      .  y  .,     ,       ,v  1ST  LIGHT  ARTILLERY  /!"•   =  \  • 

;-/'V  BATTERY  E 

Atwood,  A.  A.,  Elba,  e.  Aug.  29,  1862,  died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Aug.  23,  1863. 

•'.>!  :'";-'\^.:/';v "::,-''••':-- •.'•'••'•i''7-  BATTERY  H  --l^    '•;•'  •••^::'-' 

;.:••  •  V  /  "•:  '^^        ^  Second  Lieutenant  ' :     :.   ' 

Lewis,  Larson,  Knoxville,  e.  June  12,  1865,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 

Privates 

Anderson,  Peter,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  15,  1862,  died  Pittsburg  Landing,  May  9, 
1862. 

Erickson,  Swen,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  26,  1862,  died  at  Memphis,  Sept.  19,  1862. 

Larson,  Peter,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  27,  1862,  vet.,  m.  o.  June  4,  1865,  corpl. 

Landstrom,  John,  Knoxville. 

Mannson,  Peter,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  19,  1862,  drowned  at  sea  by  burning  of 
steamer  Gen.  Lyon,  March  31,  1865. 

Nelson,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  25,  1862,  vet,  m.  o.  June  14,  1865. 

Wyman,  P.  S.,  Galesburg,  e.  Feb.  26,  1862,  vet.  sergt.,  killed  in  battle,  July  22, 
1864. 

Johnson,  S.  J.,  Galesburg.  ;      ..• 

BATTERY  M  :  A  ;",•'"  ^.;  '(V;'.  ^;:-'- :-:^: 

Proctor,  J.,  Yates  City,  e.  Jan.  i,  1862,  m.  o.  July  24,  1865. 


;-c' •ft''~'V'^Vii'.:  ^':i'  2D  LIGHT  ARTILLERY  •;    /  .    '^':;--^^-- 

'  '-''••-••'•'  '••'  '  -'  '  -'•  BATTERY  A  /•  C;   .     •'  '  ^-'i^'' 

Rodecker,  W.  B.,  Knoxville,  disch.  for  disability.  .' 

x;V^\  BATTERY  G  ;- 

Mathiason,  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  6,  i86i,  vet,  died  at  Montgomery,  Ala., 
July  14,  1865. 


362 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


\         ,;.  BATTERY  H 

.-    •      •    .      ..  f-          Captain 
Stenbeck,  Andrew,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  31,  i86l,  resigned  May  25,  1863. 

Privates 

Burton,  J.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865,  sergt. 
Black,  James,  Henderson,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865. 
Coomb,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865.  j 

Davis,  Geo.  W.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  21,  1864,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865,  sergt.    ; 

'  »| 

Lewis,  J.  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865. 

Mitchell,  O.  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  i,  i86i,  vet.,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865,  sergt. 

Harbison,  J.,  Henderson,  e.  Jan.  21,  1864,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865. 

Morse,  J.  A.,  Henderson,  e.  Jan.  2,  1864,  disch.  July  22,  1864,  disability. 

Stevens,  James,  Henderson. 

Morse,  E.  N.,  Henderson,  e.  March  31,  1864,  m.  o.  July  29,  1865. 

Kelly,  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  6,  1865,  m.  o.  June  3,  1865. 

Miller,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  7,  1865. 

Needham,  J.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  7,  1865.        .    :{:•/•}    ••:::-•    ;- 

O'Brien,  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  6,  1865.  •         /  :/  ''^^  \^:     -  "^^ 

White,  E.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  6,  1865.  ^  '    ;.    ^'^   :^   ;'^\  V'^f 

Wood,  T.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  6,  1865.  .•         -V-;      :\v /  K^^-' /  •  :,^   \ 


9TH  U.  S.  COLORED  INFANTRY  AC- 

COMPANY F 

Bryan,  Lloyd,  Maquon,  e.  March  31,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  6,  1865. 
Cruthers,  H.,  Abingdon,  e.  Nov.  lO,  1864,  m.  o.  Nov.  6,  1865. 

--  :,-..•       -•.''•.          COMPANY  G    '^r '-:'••;.••-'  ' 

Johnson,  F.,  Ontario,  e.  Jan.  19,  1865,  absent,  sick,  m.  o.  regt, 
Smith,  Geo.,  Ontario,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865.          ,  .        ,;,,:, 

Taylor,  J.,  Ontario,  e.  Jan.  i8,  1865.  i     •'.  .       .''/;:- 

Williams,  J.,  Ontario,  e.  Jan.  19,  1865.  % :-       -    ;;/Ci'    • 

Dennis,  Fletcher,  Galesburg,  e.  April  8,  1865.          >  >     v^C!'^^^  ' 


Miscellaneous 

Dwyer,  Michael,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864,  in  Co.  G,  9th  inf.,  m.  o.  July  9, 
1865. 
;       Henderson,  James,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  i,  i86i,  in  Co.  K,  I2th  inf.  I      -^  • 

Hite,  John  C.,  Abingdon,  e.  Oct.  27,  1864,  in  Co.  B,  2Oth  inf.,  m.  o.  July  i6, 
1865. 

Dew,  Geo.,  Galesburg,  e.  June  20,  i86i,  in  Co.  F,  2Oth  inf.,  disch.  Dec.  9,  i86i, 
disability. 

Woodward,  H.  B.,  Galesburg,  e.  Jan.  15,  1862,  in  Co.  A,  22d  inf.,  disch. 
June  27,  1862,  disability, 

Martin,  C.,  Galesburg,  corpl.,  e.  March  i8,  1864,  in  Co.  C,  23d  inf.,  wounded 
in  hospl.  at  m.  o. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :  •       •  363 

Lyons,  Daniel,  Galesburg,  e.  March  20,  1862,  in  Co.  C,  23d  inf. 

Mann,  A.  H.,  Knoxville,  surgeon,  e.  Jan.  i,  1864,  in  Co.  I,  26th  inf.,  m.  o. 
July  20,  1865. 

Null,  Geo.  W.,  Yates  City,  e.  Aug.  12,  i86i,  in  Co.  E,  27th  inf.,  vet,  killed 
at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864. 

Massie,  A.  L.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  20,  1864,  in  Co.  B,  29th  inf.,  m.  o.  Nov.  6, 
1865. 

Orcutt,  A.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  17,  i86i,  in  Co.  G,  29th  inft.,  vet. 

Nichols,  Orson,  Galesburg,  e.  in  Co.  K,  3ist  inf.,  trans,  to  N.  C.  S. 

Cawsen,  G.  W.,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  14,  1865,  in  Co.  I,  32d  inf.,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

Culler,  Wm.,  Copley,  e.  Feb.  14,  1865,  in  Co.  I,  32d  inf.,  m.  o.  Sept.  i6,  1865. 

Connor,  Nathaniel,  Maquon,  e.  Sept.  6,  i86i,  in  Co.  K,  34th  inf. 

DeWitt,  Oliver,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  6,  i86i,  in  Co.  K,  34th  inf.,  m.  o.  Oct.  i8, 
1864. 

Gaddes,  T.  J.,  Knoxville,  e.  Sept.  6,  i86i,  in  Co.  K,  34th  inf.,  m.  o.  July  12, 
1865. 

Wilson,  J.  H.,  Galesburg,  e.  July  i,  i86i,  in  Co.  C,  44th  inf.,  m.  o.  Sept.  25, 
1865. 

Murray,  Truman,  Galesburg,  musician,  e.  Sept.  i,  i86i,  in  48th  inf. 

Conger,  E.  D.,  Galesburg,  ist  sergt.,  e.  Sept.  25,  i86i,  in  Co.  G,  32d  inf. 

Prentis,  J.  B.,  Galesburg,  musician,  e.  Sept.  25,  i86i,  in  Co.  G,  52d  inf. 

Green,  C.  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  25,  i86i,  in  Co.  G,  52d  inf. 

Green,  A.  P.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  25,  i86i,  in  Co.  G,  52d  inf.,  vet.,  pro.  1st 
lieut. 
:;       McDougal,  M.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  25,  i86i,  in  Co.  G,  52d  inf. 

Firkins,  John,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  i6,  i86i,  in  Co.  D,  53d  inf.  vet.,  m.  o.  July 
23.  1865. 

Thompson,  G.  W.,  Ontario,  e.  Jan.  20,  1865,  in  Co.  E,  7Oth  inf.,  sick  at  m.  o. 
regt.  •  • 

Hartford,  Geo.,  Abingdon,  e.  June  i8,  1862,  in  Co.  C,  84th  inf.,  corpl.,  died 
at  Nashville,  Jan.  15,  1863. 

Bond,  E.  F.,  Galesburg,  e.  Aug.  8,  1862,  in  Co.  K,  84th  inf.,  m.  o.  June  8,  1865. 

Smith,  Harvey  S.,  Galesburg,  lieut.  Col.,  e.  Sept.  9,  1862,  in  91  st  inf.,  resigned 
Oct.  20,  1864,  since  died.  ;';:;y    :  " 

Phillips,  Edgar  L.,  Knoxville,  surgeon,  e.  Nov.  i8,  1862,  in  9ist  inf.,  resigned 
Sept.  14,  1863. 

VanGilder,  E.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  in  Co.  H,  93d  inf.,  died  Dec.  13, 
1864,  of  wounds,  sergt.  C     t 

VanGilder,  M.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  in  Co.  H,  93d  inf.,  died  May 
15,  1863. 

VanGilder,  W.  H.,  Knoxville,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  in  Co.  H,  93d  inf.,  m.  o.  June 
23,  1863,  corpl. 

Walters,  Albert,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  14,  1862,  in  Co.  H,  93d  inf.,  died  at  Mem- 
phis, March  23,  1863. 

Candee,  M.  G.,  Galesburg,  Aug.  ii,  1862,  in  Co.  F,  ii4th  inf.,  detached  at 
m.  o.  of  regt. 


364  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

.        Hill,  J.  R.,  Yates  City,  e.  Sept.  14,  1862,  in  Co.  F,  ii6th  inf.,  m.  o.  June  7, 
1865. 

Parkins,  J.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Dec.  17,  1863,  in  Co.  F,  iiQth  inf.,  detached  at 
m.  o.  of  regt. 

Thomas,  Thomas,  Wataga,  e.  Aug.  9,  1862,  in  Co.    C,    I24th   inf.,   died  at 
Quincy,  June  II,  1864.     ^      ;':  \''-:A 

Raise,  H.  W.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  in  Co.  D,  I24th  inf.,  m.  o.  Aug.  15, 
1865,  sergt. 

Aiken,  D.  B.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  6,  1862,  in  Co.  D,  I24th  inf.,  m.  o.,  Aug.  15, 
1865. 

Hogabaum,  R.  A.,  Oneida,  e.  Aug.  12,  1862,  in  Co.  D,  I24th  inf.,  disch.  for 
pro.  Jan.,  1864. 

Kenyon,  Geo.  C.,  Knoxville,  e.  July  26,  1865,  capt.  Co.  B,  i3Oth  inf.,  m.  o. 
Aug.  15,  1865. 

McMallen,  E.  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  May  3,  1864,  in  Co.  G,  140  inf.,  m.  o.  Oct.  29, 
1864,  sergt. 

Williams,  W.  D.,  Galesburg,  e.  Sept.  24,  1864,  died  at  Alton,  Feb.  8,  1865. 

Plummer,  J.  N.,  Knoxville,  e.  Feb.  i,  1865,  in  Co.  G,  isoth  inf.,  m.  o.  Jan. 
i6,  1866. 
: ;      Law,  D.  W.,  Maquon,  e.  Feb.  6,  1865,  in  Co.  A,  I5ist  inf.,  m.  o.  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Low,  S.,  Maquon,  e.  Feb.  13,  1865,  in  Co.  A,  I5ist  inf.,  m.  o.  Jan.  24,  1866. 

Lidrick,  M.  R.,  Abingdon.  .-     - 

Cawser,  J.  C.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  6,  1865,  in  U.  S.  vet.  vol.       V     ^; 

Callhour,  J.,  Galesburg,  e.  April  6,  1865,  U.  S.  vet.  vol.          :::"^  ;       : 

Penkenpaugh,  L.  E.,  Henderson,  e.  in  Co.  E,  5th  cav.          ;•!•!'• 

Moore,  Levi,  Henderson,  e.  Feb.  13,  1864,  in  Co.  F,  6th  cav.,  m.  o.  Oct.  27, 
1865. 

Warren,  H.,  Ontario,  e.  Jan.  18,  1865,  in  Co.  I,  6th  cav.,  m.  o.  Nov.  5,  1865. 

Freeman,  Fred  E.,  e.  in  io6th  N.  Y.  inf.,  hospl.  steward,  m.  o.  July  3,  1865. 

.     '  THE  4TH  REGIMENT,  L  N.  G.      v'>  \;-;'r/ !;;••.• 

The  4th  Regiment  Illinois  National  Guards  was  first  organized  at  Peoria, 
February  2,  1876.  Capt.  John  Huff,  commanding  the  National  Blues,  was  elected 
Colonel;  Capt.  W.  Whiting,  commanding  the  Altona  Rifle  Company,  was  elected 
Lieut.-Colonel,  and  Capt.  A.  T.  Johnson  elected  Major.  The  Adjutant- 
General  notified  Lieut.-Colonel  Whiting  that  he  was  in  full  command 
of  the  regiment,  owing  to  the  refusal  of  the  Legislature  to  con- 
firm  Col.  Huff.  During  the  same  winter  the  State  Legislature  passed  a  very 
imperfect  code,  to  organize  and  govern  the  militia  of  the  state.  The  new  code 
went  in  force  July  i,  1877.  As  commanding  officer  of  the  regiment.  Col.  Whiting 
ordered  an  election  at  Galva,  on  the  29th  day  of  June,  for  the  purpose  of  electing 
a  Colonel  to  command  until  February  2,  1878,  as  that  was  the  time  agreed  upon 
to  hold  the  first  election.  There  was  some  question  about  the  time  designated 
for  the  election,  some  commands  claiming  February  2,  others  February  12,  and 
others  February  22.  On  February  i.  Gen.  Jasper  N.  Reese,  commandng  this 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  865 

brigade,  whose  duty  it  was  under  the  new  code  to  order  elections,  issued  special 
order  No.  3,  ordering  an  election  to  be  held  at  Altona,  February  12.  The  order 
was  promulgated  by  Cx>l.  Whiting.  On  the  7th  he  received  a  telegram  from 
Gen.  Reese,  revoking  order  No.  3,  without  any  explanation.  On  the  I2th  there 
was  a  meeting  of  the  field  and  line  officers  at  Oneida.  Col.  Whiting,  with  the 
expectation  of  receiving  a  reprimand  for  something  he  had  or  had  not  done,  was 
called  into  an  adjoining  room,  when  he  was  notified  why  order  No.  3  was  revoked, 
and  handed  a  petition,  signed  by  the  field  and  line  officers,  with  the  information 
that  they  would  not  submit  to  an  election,  and  insisted  that  he  was  duly  elected  for 
five  years  under  the  new  code.  Col.  Whiting  refused  to  comply  with  the  request, 
and  issued  an  order  calling  the  field  and  line  officers  to  meet  at  Kewanee  for  con- 
sultation.  At  said  meeting  it  was  moved  and  carried  unanimously  that  there 
should  be  an  election  ordered  for  the  purpose  of  electing  a  Lieut.-Colonel  and 
Major,  but  no  election  for  Colonel.  Col.  Whiting  requested  Gen.  Reese  to  issue 
an  order  to  elect  a  Colonel,  Lieut.-Colonel  and  Major,  or  accept  his  resignation. 
March  22  he  received  Gen.  Reese's  order  No.  7,  ordering  an  election  at  Galva, 
April  4,  at  which  time  Gen.  Reese  was  present.  Col.  Whiting  received  the  entire 
vote  for  Colonel,  Major  Wm.  Jackson  was  elected  Lieut.-Colonel,  and  Capt.  O.  L. 
Higgins,  Major.  The  fore  part  of  July  1877,  it  was  thought  best  to  re-district 
the  State  under  the  new  law.  Peoria,  with  three  companies,  was  detached  from 
the  4th,  and  with  several  companies  in  that  district  formed  the  7th  Regiment. 
Two  companies  from  Moline  were  detached  from  the  8th  and  assigned  to  the 
4th,  and  a  company  was  formed  at  Princeton  and  assigned  to  the  4th.  Another 
company  formed  at  Moline  and  one  at  Rock  Island  when  the  companies  were  de- 
tached  from  the  4th,  and  the  four  companies  at  Rock  Island  and  Moline  were 
formed  into  the  4th  Battery.  Owing  to  the  re-organization  it  became  necessary 
for  the  members  of  the  4th  Regiment  to  re-enlist ;  but  it  being  in  the  busy  season, 
it  was  not  deemed  necessary  to  muster  the  men  in  until  cooler  weather.  On  the 
23d  of  July,  when  the  great  "strike"  assumed  such  formidable  proportions  that  it 
hung  like  a  pall  over  the  commerce  and  manufactories  of  the  country,  threatening 
not  only  to  block  the  wheels  of  the  nation's  industries,  but  the  life  of  the  nation 
itself,  the  companies  were  all  notified  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  for  march- 
ing  orders  at  any  moment.  History  furnishes  few  instances  where  men  responded 
with  such  alacrity.  Twenty  minutes  after  Capt.  C.  A.  Smith,  commanding  Com- 
pany  C  at  Altona,  had  received  his  orders,  he  had  twenty  men  in  uniform  at  the 
armory;  and  where  a  few  moments  before  all  was  quiet,  and  no  thought  of 
trouble,  now  could  be  seen  and  heard  the  tramp  of  the  military  and  the  com- 
mands  of  officers.  In  four  hours  all  the  companies  of  the  4th  Regiment  reported 
their  men  ready  for  duty.  On  Friday,  July  27,  Col.  Whiting  received  orders  from 
Gen.  E.  N.  Bates,  then  in  command  of  the  2d  Brigade,  to  which  the  4th  Regiment 
belonged,  to  take  any  train  and  proceed  to  Alton  Junction  as  fast  as  possible. 
Col.  Whiting  received  the  order  at  5  p.  m.  and  promulgated  it,  and  at  12  p.  m.  the 
same  night  Cos.  A,  C,  and  H  were  at  Galva.  Soon  after  midnight  Co.  G,  of 
Toulon,  came  to  Galva  in  wagons ;  a  train  from  the  east  soon  brought  Co.  F,  from 
Kewanee.  At  8  a.  m.  they  took  the  cars  for  Peoria,  by  the  P.  &  R.  I.  R.  R.  At 
Wyoming  county  I  joined  them,  and  they  all  continued  their  journey  toward  East 
St  Louis,  arriving  there  early  on  Sunday  morning.  They  went  immediately  on 


366  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

duty,  and  continued  so  until  Tuesday  morning,  when  they  were  ordered  to  pro- 
ceed to  Galesburg.  This  being  the  point  of  intersection  of  four  of  the  branch 
lines  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.,  and  the  residence  of  a  large  number  of  the  striking 
employes  of  the  company,  it  was  feared  serious  trouble  might  ensue;  and  the 
fears  were  founded  upon  the  fact  that  the  strikers  congregated  about  the  depots, 
held  consultations,  and,  by  persuasion  or  intimidation,  prevented  the  running  of 
nearly  all  the  trains  over  the  road.  But  by  the  prompt  though  considerate  action 
of  the  authorities,  and  the  good  sense  of  the  more  intelligent  strikers,  who  cau- 
tioned moderation  and  no  violence  to  property  or  person,  the  trouble  ended  peace- 
ably on  the  first  day  of  August,  after  six  days^  duration,  without  the  destruction 
of  life  or  property  or  the  shedding  of  blood.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Galesburg 
soon  after  dark,  hungry,  dirty  and  tired,  and  remained  there  until  WednesAy 
evening,  when  all  the  companies  except  C  and  F  were  sent  home;  they  remained 
until  Saturday  afternoon.  In  justice  to  the  field,  staff  and  line  officers,  and  espe- 
cially to  the  private  soldiers,  upon  whom  the  brunt  of  the  labor  rested,  it  is  but 
proper  to  say  that  their  ready  and  willing  response  to  the  order,  calling  them 
from  their  work  in  the  shops,  business-places,  fields  and  homes,  will  ever  be  re- 
membered as  a  proud  record.  There  was  no  duty  required  of  them  that  they 
were  not  ready  and  willing  to  perform  at  any  moment. 

;.  The  organization  of  the  militia  is  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the  civil  authori- 
ties to  enforce  law  and  obedience,  when  called  upon.  The  citizens  of  the  great 
State  of  Illinois  need  have  little  fear  that  that  duty  will  be  well  performed,  when 
necessity  requires  it,  by  the  men  who  have  shown  such  willingfness  to  discharge 
it  in  the  past. 

Below  are  the  names  of  the  members  of  this  organization  who  reside  in  this 
county.    The  headquarters  of  the  Regiment  are  at  Altona.       .  „..     .  <•.  ,. 

"•':'•",  •'^- '""'''"'•    \'      '     :  ;       ' -.'^  '•',     BAND    ,:.:^-"  •-;^•;;^^^  — :U:cv'.;'-;' h'/--':': 

The  4th  Regiment  Band  was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1865,  and  has  kept  up 
a  continuous  organization  ever  since.  Previous  to  the  summer  of  1877  it  was- 
known  as  the  Oneida  Cornet  Band.  At  that  time  it  became  the  regimental  band 
for  the  4th  Regiment,  I.  N.  G.  The  band  is  the  oldest  organization  of  the  kind 
in  the  county.  The  following  are  its  members:  C.  S.  ]^atteson,  leader,  ist  E  flat 
cornet;  M.  J.  Ladd,  2d  E  flat  cornet;  A.  W.  Ladd,  ist  B  flat  comet;  Arthur  Som- 
ner,  2d  B  flat  cornet;  Harry  Swafford,  solo  alto;  F.  C.  Bristol,  ist  alto;  E.  Nel- 
son, 2d  alto;  Fremont  Cawkins,  ist  tenor;  Leroy  Cawkins,  2d  tenor;  W.  Jelliff, 
barytone;  John  Howland,  ist  base;  W.  W.  Ladd,  basso;  Willis  Swafford,  snare 
drum ;  Henry  Howland,  bass  drum.  '  •;;  •  -^  v  ;  V 


REGIMENTAL   OFFICERS    :.     .  V;   •  IV  "  V. 

Col.  Wm.  Whiting,  Altona,  Knox  county.  111.       :  ;l  •;•;;';• 
Lieut.-Colonel  Wm.  Jackson.  Elmira,  Stark  county.  111.  •  ^  .J 

Major  O.  L.  Higgins,  Oneida,  Knox  county.  111.  '     ..   ; 

Major  James  F.  Todd,  Surgeon,  Galva,  Henry  county. 
Capt.  Walter  T.  Hall,  Assistant  Surgeon,  Toulon,  Stark  county. 


••'>•;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ::    "  367 

Capt.  G.  Wiley  Martin,  Chaplain,  Prairie  City,  McDonough  county. 
Lieut.  Wm.  O.  Whiting,  Adjutant,  Altona,  Ejiox  county.  .-r -''.'--;.' 

Lieut.  Theodore  A.  Wetmore,  Quartermaster,  Oneida,  Knox  county.    '"-'•';;' 
Onslow  P.  Shellenbarger,  Sergeant-Major,  Toulon,  Stark  county. 
Benjamin  Whitcher,  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Wyoming,  Stark  county. 
Robert  D.  Murray,  Commissary  Sergeant,  Princeton,  Beaver  county. 
Dr.  Barnard  S.  Pick,  Hospital  Steward,  Galva,  Henry  county. 
[       D.  W.  Wooley,  Color  Sergeant,  Altona,  Knox  county.          \       .i/'      •• 

•  Frank  W.  Ward,  Ordinance  Sergeant,  Kewanee,  Henry  county.       :...  ; 
George  W.  Williams,  Drum- Major,  Galesburg,  Knox  county.  ,'. . 

•  Chas.  S.  Matterson,  Principal  Musician,  Oneida,  Knox  county.      ,.    i  -X. 
'       Arthur  W.  Ladd,  Principal  Musician,  Oneida,  Knox  county.  V!'.  ' 

'••  V' >^- •'?;'•  V '''•-;''•'-...: v^N-;'''^!^-vl-       DRUM  CORPS       ;  ,;v-:: .-•:.:'••   ./    -.','''',.••::••;.".  .v:.'t^' 

This  drum  corps,  consisting  of  twenty-one  boys  ranging  in  ages  from  7  to  15, 
was  organized  at  Galesburg  on  the  25th  day  of  May,  1878,  by  Geo.  W.  Williams, 
Drum  Major  of  this  regiment.  This  is  the  third  regiment  of  which  Drum 
Major  Williams  has  filled  the  position  of  Drum  Major.  He  tendered  this  corps 
to  Col.  Whiting,  who  accepted  May  28. 

Geo.  W.  Williams,  Major  and  President;  W.  W.  Williams,  Secretary;  Frank 
Smith,  Treasurer.  ;..•,- 'i'/.v  ;V^^. -''.;''•  '  •'  ••,:  .,'CV'-;-;^^r-^-'^':;;' 

DRUMMERS     ,  i   V 

Walter  W.  Williams,  Gust  Hoffheimer,  •         Geo.  W.  Williams,  Jr.,   -  .  ; 

Horace  Willsie,  Burt  Ekins,  William  Dunsworth,      -.  ^t; 

Frank  Smith,  ^  ^- '  Harry  Parker,      r :  '  .    .      Clarence  Smith,  ;*. 

Lyman  Burk,  ':    ,  Frank  Charvat,  Warren  Marshall,      ;:;.•.- 

Leon  Charvat,  >     ^  Mart.  O'Connor,  Eddie  Hoyle,  V 

Frank  Cuiler,  ,  Samuel  R.  Mead,  Fred.  H.  Calson,      ^^^? '""..:,  ^ 

Chas.  Burton,  •  ;   f-  Howard  Fuller,  ;;;  i-;   Chas.  Fitch.  ;.%  \  cT'" 


';;;  .v' ;    ;;i  COMPANY  A  (STATIONED  AT  ONETOA)  v'    •  -^    i';' 

:  Line  Officers  '  ;  . 

Capt.  Frank  Murdock,  ist  Lieut.  J.  W.  Howland,  2d  Lieut.  Geo.  R.  Moore.     ^ 

'^^-    ---•->     -    '       N on-Commissioned  Officers  •-  >  •  ^ 

ist.  Sergt.  Wm.  Black,         2d  Sergt.  Albert  B.  Risden,  jd  Sergt.  Frank  B.  Moore, 
4th  Sergt.  Howard  Moore,  5th  Sergt.    (Vacant). 

1st  Corp.  Elisha  Kenney,  2d  Corp.  W.  S.  Dunn,  2d  Corp.  Adelbert  Mosher, 
4th  Corp.  J.  L.  Armstrong,  5th  Corp.  Tyler  Thorn,  6th  Corp.  D.  McSkimming. 
7th  Corp.  Frank  JelliflF,  8th  Corp.  Frederick  West,  . 

,>,-;'.;•' '?v^-^';'''.:''^.:^r*^v         Privates      :•'•':;:..;>•'.:-.'•    ''         'V-:--  ,'v' ^'.v-.'-\ 
H.  B.  Allen,     :      ;;T       George  Brainard,  Chas.  L.  Dingman,  v- i^.     . 

Ed.  Butler,     :  .:;;•;.         Jacob  Creston,          ^,   .  .    Ralph  Garrison,     ,  ;;  :'  '  ! 


368 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


L.  C,  Mitchell, 
Chas.  A.  Moore, 
N.  A.  Olson, 
Orrin  E.  Powell, 
Andrew  Simpson, 
Ephraim  Bigham, 
Wm.  E.  Butler, 
Frank  Codding, 
Gardner  G.  Cherrington, 


John  Ferril,   .- 
C.  F.  Kenney, 
Thos.  H.  Mead,  •, 
Edwin  Moore,      ; 
Andrew  Olson,         - 
John  M.  Ray, 
Walter  H.  Vance, 
Henry  P.  Brancher, 
Robert  S.  Bell, 


Albert  Coyle,      '-': 
Chauncy  Decker, 
Nelson  Fink, 
J.  A.  Liggett, 
Watson  J.  Martin, 
W.  Olson, 
P.  Sterling  Olson, 
Lorenzo  T.  Rogers. 


COMPANY  B  (COLLEGE  CITY  GUARDS) 
This  company  is  located  at  Galesburg,  and  was  organized  on  Sept.  24,  1878. 


•"    ••'  Line  Officers  -v:        v   ^ 

Capt.  E.  F.  Phelps,  ist  Lieut.  C.  T.  Wells,  2d  Lieut.  Fred  L.  Brooks. 


N  on-Commissioned   Officers 
1st  Sergt.  Frank  D.  Bel-      2d  Sergt.  Ed.  R.  Drake,       3d  Siergt.  Jas.  E.  Hamblin, 

lows, 
4th  Sergt.  Daniel  S.  Heck-5th  Sergt.  Fred  H.  Holmes,       '        -.-         -  ' 

•:'  er, 

ist  Corp.  Geo.  W.  Man-  2d  Corp.  Lucius  J.  Phelps,  3d  Corp.  John  A.  Nelson, 

ning, 

4th  Corp.  Chas.  P.  Waste.  5th  Corp.  W.  B.  Barnes,      6th  Corp.  Geo.  P.  Worrell. 
7th  Corp.  Frank  W.  Stil-    8th  Corp.  Frank  T.  Thulin,  ;v  ;u.<;  ;  \  :  r, 

son,  •'.          ,       .     :•.••••   •'•-'"  '•     -"  -•  '•''-••  •'.:-\  \V--',v  .•'.'' 


Musician 
Gustave  Werner 

Privates 
O.  T.  Duvon, 
W.  A.  Heizer, 
James  B.  Kingan, 
Frank  H.  McMillen, 
W.  J.  Melins, 
R.  W.  Peterson, 
J.  C.  Reese, 
W.  S.  Wood, 
G.  Walilgreen, 
E.  H.  Cushing, 


Wm.  C.  Alden, 
E.  P.  Chandler,  Jr., 
Wm.  H.  Gillette, 
R.  Jackson, 
Chas.  J.  Munson, 
E.  W.  Moulton, 
J.  M.  Porter.      . 
J.  E.  Rodin, 
Wm.  W.  Tompkins, 
Wm.  W.  Brown, 


H.  E.  Ewing, 
John  B.  Johnson, 
Alfred  Laird, 
Chas.  W.  Munson, 
J.  C.  Olson, 
Geo.  W.  Prince, 
J.  E.  Snow,     /•• 
E.  H.  Welch, 
Walter  N.  Boyer. 


•  ;    :    .  COMPANY  C     (STATIONED  AT  ALTONA)  .   .. 

Line  Officers 
'    Capt.  Chas.  A.  Smith,  ist  Lieut.  James  T.  Starr,  2d  Lieut.  George  B.  Hall. 


:;;:• -V;  : ^  ;    •  -;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  . :.•  r;^:^;>-     369 

Non-Commissioned  Officers 

ist  Sergt.  L.  S.  Whit-       ad  Sergt.  T.  J.  Golliher,    3d  Sergt.  Cornelius  Way- 
comb,  man, 
4th  Sergt.  Harvey  Austin,  5th  Sergt.  Wm.  Krantz,  ;•  ^^^i.--^^.^  :-- 
1st  Corp.  Ed.  Tengblade,  2d  Corp.  F.  A.  Whiting,    3d  Corp.  (vacant.) 
4th  Corp.  John  Beckman,  5th     Corp.     Frank    W.  6th   Corp.   Henry  Morti- ;. 
7th  Corp.  And.  Bergland,     Bartle,                                  men 

8th  Corp.  Curtis  C.  Capps,  :';     yf  ';;;:;•;.;,.: 

.•'-;-          Musician    ;;••   ..  • ''^v;--       •  •  ••     V V"---^  '^.^^tV-v 

v^]'  Edward  S.  Thomas  X:<  ';^-'>V    ;./•>'/ 

Privates     ...  .'   :' 

;  •: :        Chas.  Arvidson,         ^::'''''l  Clarence  M.  Allis,  c  ^•\'i  Samuel  M.  Bowman,    V  V 

V      "John  P.  Bowman,     ; :    y-  Alfred  Beckman,     ^v;;:'  Jas.  M.  Burneson,         'r^ 

•:        Joseph  B.  Copley,     -;  :,•      Dewitt  C.  Copley,    '^;    .;v  Frank  G.  Carlson,          :-;  - 

:r.f        Leander  Collinson,    ;' '  .''^  Chester  J.  Chase,    •-;;  ^^v  Albert  E.  Ericson,        -^/^ 

y  ;       John  M.  Ferguson,  : '.  f^--!-  Mart.  Ferguson,      :^' '••:•:  Wm.  G.  Ferkins,  •;  ;,^ 

K        James  Hakenson,      :•'.,-'  •  Daniel  Henderson,  \;>r.::y:  Lyons  C.  Hurd,      vr::-;"^'/'- 
.;i  :        John  B.  Johnson,       ''^--    Jeflferson  B.  Keel,    \:;:j.'V    Frank  S.  Miller,     •'^''•''/-^,^-\ 

:>^        Chester  F.  Murray,  Thos.   McClure,       •  /v'?  John  Olof  Risburg,       '.';: 

'.    ..       Wm.  F.  Scott,     ....._,;,:..  Jas.   B.  Thompson,  Robert  Patterson.         ;{:••-.. 

-•./•-,'     V,.:;    .'    MEMBERS  OF  BATTERY      (LOCATED  AT  AI.TONA.)         •'      v;!  .  l\. 
'^  :''.        .iV         :.:••'     '" '  ^  ^  Capt.  Aaron  Brown.  '  '.-'•' -vV'- 

:  :  -"   .'.,^':      Section  No.   i — Jack  W.   Farr,   Gunner — 6  Ib.   guns.  v^V-n^r     ':•- 

••  Jesse  T.  Eaves,  No.  i,       Wallace  Smith,  No.  4,        Lemuel  H.  Smith,  No.  7.    . 

':;•'•        Orin  B.  Preston,  No.  2,      Wm.  H.  Keys,  No.  5,         ;-  :       - .. :     -    .:•; ;;  .^- J 

^;'-        E.  B.  Smith,  No.  3,  John  A.  Stuckey,  No.  6.  ^C; '.>.;;,.:  ^• 

:•.;:.  Section  No.  2— Wm.  M.  Stockdale,  Gunner — 6  Ib.  guns.  -'^/f;. 

;  .        Peter  G.  Anderson,  No.  i,  Jacob  Borkhart,  No.  4,       Oscar  Durant,  No.  7>    ;,  ; 
Harry  Vanscoyk,  No.  2,     Chas.  Austin,  No.  5,  .  :-    . 

'.':         Samuel  Pawling,  No.  3,     Cornelius  Wayman,  No.  6.          :  -y   -.^  ; !  '  -.^^:  ';..: 


BOUNTIES  AND  COUNTY  AID  TO  SOLDIERS  AND  THEIR  FAMILIES 
DURING  THE  WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

The  annals  of  the  human  race  furnish  no  instances  of  a  more  exalted  patriot- 
ism than  was  shown  by  both  North  and  South  during  the  struggle  between  the 
spring  of  i86i  and  1865.  This  struggle  came  as  the  climax  to  a  heated  contest, 
nation  wide,  in  and  out  of  Congress.  There  were  two  quite  distinct  civilizations, 
one  in  the  South  based  on  Slavery  and  one  in  the  North  based  on  Freedom. 
The  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  as  president  of  the  United  States  in  1860  by 
the  party  of  freedom  was  understood  throughout  the  South  as  a  direct  assault 

Vol.  1—24 


370  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

upon  their  home  life  and  one  which,  if  not  promptly  resisted,  would  successfully 
bear  down  all  opposition.  It  was  the  storming  and  carrying  their  outposts  and 
first  line  of  defenses.  Ordinances  of  secession  were  promptly  passed  by  eleven 
states,  a  well  equipped  and  carefully  drilled  army  called  into  the  field,  and  a 
successful  charge  made  upon  the  forts  and  other  property  of  the  government 
situated  in  the  South.  This  action  was  responded  to  by  the  government,  backed 
by  the  whole  North,  and  four  years'  conflict  ensued  which  for  patriotism,  mag- 
nitude, devotion  to  principle,  was  never  seen  before.  It  is  doubtful  if  money 
ever  played  so  important  a  part  in  war  before.  There  was  but  little  money  in 
the  country  at  the  start,  but  millions  of  it  was  created.  |  ;,  '^-j 

It  is  hoped  that  some  view  of  what  was  done  at  home  to  maintain  the  man 
in  the  field  may  be  gained  from  the  action  of  the  board  of  supervisors.  This 
account,  it  must  be  remembered,  represents  only  the  money  voted  by  the  county. 
In  addition  to  this  the  state,  cities,  villages  and  townships  voted  liberal  taxes  to 
carry  on  this  war  and  individuals  gave  to  the  limit  of  their  means.  It  is  not  the 
intention  to  do  more  in  this  article  than  to  consider  the  action  of  the  board  and 
thereby  give  some  idea  of  the  taxation  to  which  the  people  submitted  for  the 
sake  of  principle. 

-v;     May  Meeting,  i86i. — Report  of  committee  on  the  question  of  aid  to  the  fam- 
ilies of  soldiers. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  proposition  to  aid  the  families  of 
volunteers  report :  The  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  county  should  make 
provision  to  secure  from  want  the  families  of  volunteers  during  their  absence 
on  service.  The  committee  recommend  the  passage  of  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  supervisor  and  assistant  supervisor  of  each  town  be  au- 
thorized "to  render  such  assistance  as  in  his  judgment  may  be  needful  to  the 
families  of  volunteers  in  actual  service,  and  that  for  such  advances  and  such 
contracts  as  may  be  so  made,  the  county  will  be  responsible.  ^  ^  ?. 

On  motion  said  resolution  was  adopted.  :.;     .,;     .  ' 

September  Meeting,  i86i. — Motion  by  Supervisor  Copley  in  regard  to  sol- 
diers. 

Resolved,  That  the  supervisors  of  the  several  towns  in  Knox  county  furnish 
the  names  of  all  the  volunteers  in  his  town,  together  with  the  number  of  those 
having  families,  and  the  number  of  individuals  in  each,  and  also  report  the  name 
of  the  company  in  which  each  volunteered,  and  that  such  report  be  made  at  the 
January  meeting  of  this  board. 

May  Meeting,  1862. — Report  of  committee  in  aid  of  families  of  soldiers. 

Supervisor  Hamrich,  from  committee  on  claims  in  aid  of  the  families  of  vol- 
unteers, reported,  recommending  the  allowance  of  certain  claims  therewith  pre- 
sented, the  payment  of  a  percentage  named  on  others,  and  the  rejection  of  others, 
as  will  appear  more  fully  below,  and  also  the  following  recommendation,  to-wit: 

We,  your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  bill  for  the  relief  of  the  wives 
and  families  of  volunteers,  report  to  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of 
Knox  County,  that  we  have  examined  the  bills  presented  by  the  several  super- 
visors, and  have  recommended  the  passing  of  orders  for  the  foregoing  amounts, 


:v^^^-  ;:'•:::      ^-' HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V  "  : -'v       371 

;:.  •  '•:-y,r  •'-.-  .'•"'•-•'  ••'..••;•'•:  •  '  '••:',:.-;?-':v 

and  we  further  recommend  that  in  future  the  appropriations  for  the  said  purpose 
be  suspended.     ..•-•,'•        .    i  : 

:.  •,,.-.-.^..  •  ^ -.-^r^''' 'j'l.';':' '^^^:.'-:.'v: '••.-':•  ;v-.^:.^->  .-:--:-;  ••  C.H.JACKSON,  •?•; 
''V''' ''.•'•';.•-''  '•.•.''.•' ••''^•''•';V'''-y,'';'^'-{'-/'*'\'!'  '•'-•':•''.  ^''l'-^'.' •''''''':'''••]:  J-  G.  HAMRICH,,  /  ^-i 
•;/•:  ..'-'.>'••:•'.-''•:•  V''^"/  ./'•^•y.-i^r--^-'^'^-^-'- v':-'-'^'^''''-- '':'•• '''''''^''''  CALEB  FiNCH,  -•"••;;- 
'_'--v'-'''  'v/;'^;^^  ?'''vV'.V^.'-;/c.^  .'•;;^v.'^-'v  ^;^;  Committee, 

•   ..:   Which  report  was  on  motion  accepted  and  the  committee  discharged. 

'  Resolution  of  Supervisor  Jackson  in  regard  to  aid  of  soldiers'  families. 
'  'Resolved,  That  no  assistance  be  hereafter  rendered  by  the  board  of  super- 
visors to  the  wives  and  families  of  volunteers  after  the  said  volunteers  shall  have 
been  in  the  service  of  this  state,  or  the  United  States,  for  the  period  of  three 
months,  but  that  in  lieu  of  such  assistance  the  board  recommend  that  each  town- 
ship take  such  action  and  make  such  provision  for  the  assistance  of  said  families 
residing  in  such  townships  respectively  as  to  them  shall  seem  meet. 

On  which  the  yeas  and  nays  were  demanded,  resulting:  Yeas — Messrs.  Jack- 
son, Robertson,  Godfrey,  Hamrick,  Lotts  and  Wood — 6.  Xays — Messrs.  Meek, 
McKinnie,  Finch,  Newell,  Arms,  LeBarron,  Miles,  McCornack,  Buffum,  Wilson, 
Copley  and  Gibbs,  12.  Resolution  lost. 

Resolution  of  Supervisor  Jackson  in  regard  to  assisting  the  poor,  which  was 
adopted. 

Resolved,  That  this  board  particularly  request  and  instruct  the  supervisors 
of  the  respective  townships  to  use  the  utmost  diligence  to  prevent  frauds,  unnec- 
essary expenditures,  or  improvident  bills,  such  as  sugar,  tea,  coffee,  expensive 
clothing,  high  rents  or  board  bills,  etc.,  etc.,  and  to  give  relief  only  in  cases  of 
absolute  necessity,  and  to  certify  to  all  bills  presented  to  this  board  for  the  relief 
of  the  families  of  volunteers,  and  in  future  no  bills  be  allowed  for  the  aforesaid 
purpose,  except  those  so  certified. 

Resolutions  of  citizens  of  Knox  county  in  regard  to  bounties  to  volunteers. 

Jufy  3ist,  1862.     Special  meeting  of  board  of  supervisors. 

The  clerk  then  read  petitions  from  the  city  councils  of  Knoxville  and  Gales- 
burg  for  the  appropriation  by  this  board  of  a  sum  of  money  for  bounty  purposes, 
to  be  paid  to  volunteers  from  this  county,  when 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Gale  a  committee  of  three  were  appointed  to  draft 
and  recommend  some  plan  of  action  for  the  payment  of  bounty  to  volunteers  in 
accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  said  petitions.  The  chair  appointed 
Messrs.  Gale,  Arms  and  LeBarron  said  committee. 

Resolved,  By  the  people  of  Knox  county,  in  mass  meeting  assembled:  •  '' 
'  •  That  to  encourage  enlistments  into  the  volunteer  service,  this  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors of  Knox  County,  now  in  session  at  the  court  house,  are  hereby  peti- 
tioned and  recommended  to  appropriate  the  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars 
to  be  expended  as  bounty  money  to  enlisted  men  from  Knox  county  under  the 
recent  call  of  the  President,  to  be  paid  upon  such  volunteers  being  regularly  mus- 
tered into  the  service. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  common  council  of  the  city  of  Knoxville,  Knox 
county,  state  of  Illinois,  on  Tuesday  evening,  July  29th,   1862,  on  motion  of 
Alderman  A.  W.  Martin,  the  following  paper  was  unanimously  adopted : 
,    In  view  of  the  recent  call  of  the  President  for  troops,  and  the  evident  ne- 


372  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  j 

cessity  of  getting  a  large  number  of  men  in  the  field  at  an  early  day,  and  consid-  • 
ering  the  existence  of  the  United  States  Government  in  peril,  and  that  in  the 
absence  of  stable  government  there  can  be  neither  personal  security,  nor  security 
in  the  possession  and  enjoyment  of  property,  and  believing  that  the  people  are 
fully  alive  to  the  necessities  pressing  on  their  government  and  that  they  are  will- 
ing to  contribute  any  amount  of  means  necessary  to  subdue  the  existing  rebellion, 

The  mayor  and  common  council  of  the  city  of  Knoxville  do  respectfully  re- 
quest the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County  to  appropriate  a  sum  of  money, 
not  less  than  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  to  be  expended  in  bounties  to  volun- 
teers, and  in  the  support  of  their  families,  in  such  manner  as  the  board  may  deem 
best.  -  ^-  :  .^.  •  •;•;.;•  ..;.,•••-.:-'  ^A.-  .•-. 

.          :   V      •  •  JOHN  G.  SANBORN,  City  Clerk. 

Office  of  the  City  Council,  Galesburg,  111.,  July  igth,  1862. 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  III. 
'•-'-     Gentlemen :    By  direction  of  the  board  of  aldermen  of  the  city  of  Galesburg, 
I  have  the  honor  of  laying  before  you  the  following  preamble  and  resolution, 
passed  unanimously  by  that  body  this  day.  .  ,      .  i  . .     ;: 

Respectfully, 
O"  :          ••:  W.  A.  WOOD,  City  Clerk. 

Whereas,  At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Galesburg,  convened  at  Dunn's  Hall, 
on  the  evening  of  the  I7th  inst.,  to  take  into  consideration  the  call  of  the  Gov- 
ernment for  more  troops  to  take  the  field  immediately,  at  which  meeting  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  was  unanimously  adopted,  to-wit: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  judgment  of  this  meeting  the  city  council  should  ap- 
propriate a  liberal  bounty  to  each  resident  of  the  city  who  will  volunteer  for 
three  years  of  the  war;  and  the  council  are  requested  to  take  the  matter  under 
consideration  as  soon  as  practicable,  and  whereas  the  condition  of  the  country 
calls  for  immediate  action  to  make  the  war  efiFective,  therefore, 

Resolved,  By  the  Board  of  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  Galesburg:  That  they 
recommend  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County  to  meet  and  appro- 
priate the  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  for  war  purposes,  and  that  out  of 
that  sum  they  offer  as  a  bounty  to  each  able-bodied  man  volunteering  for  three 
years,  or  for  the  war,  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  to  be  paid  to  them  when  mus- 
tered into  the  service.  '  -  '^-  ';  S  .  I  \' : 

(SEAL)  W.  A.  WOOD,  City  Clerk. 

Supervisor  Gale,  from  the  committee  appointed  to  report  a  plan  of  action 
for  the  board  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing  petitions  and  recommendations, 
reix>rted  the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  That  the  board  of  supervisors  will  pay  to  each  of  the  first  five  hun- 
dred soldiers  enlisting  for  the  war,  enlisted  in  Knox  county,  for  Knox  county 
companies,  or  to  fill  up  old  regiments,  or  who  may  have  enlisted  in  any  company 
organizing  or  forming  in  this  county,  under  the  President's  call  for  300,000  men, 
during  the  month  of  August  next,  a  bounty  of  forty  dollars,  and  an  additional 
bounty  to  as  many  of  them  as  shall  have  enlisted  before  the  i5th  of  said  month, 
of  twenty  dollars. 

and.  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the  board,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  audit  all  claims  for  such  bounty,  and  on  presentation  of  suitable  proof. 


;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ;:  373 

that  such  claimant  has  fulfilled  the  conditions,  and  been  duly  enlisted  and  re- 
ceived, to  issue  suitable  certificates,  which  shall  entitle  the  bona  fide  holder 
thereof  to  demand  and  receive  at  any  future  meeting  of  this  board,  within  one 
year  from  its  date,  a  county  order,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  committee 
to  file  with  the  clerk  of  the  county  a  statement  of  all  certificates  issued. 

Which  report,  on  motion  of  Supervisor  Finch,  was  accepted  and  the  com- 
mittee discharged,  and  the  adoption  of  the  first  resolution  moved. 

Supervisor  Jackson  moved  to  amend  by  inserting  after  the  words  "forming 
in  this  county"  the  words  "for  a  Knox  county  regiment,"  which  amendment  was 
lost,  and  the  question  being  on  the  adoption  of  the  first  resolution,  the  yeas  and 
nays  were  called,  resulting:  Yeas — Messrs.  McKinnie,  Gale,  Arms,  LeBaron, 
Hamrick,  Miles,  McCornack,  Copley  and  Gibbs — 9.  Nays — Messrs.  Meek,  Finch, 
Jackson,  Robertson,  Godfrey,  Lotts,  Knable,  Wood,  Wilson  and  Chairman — lo. 
Rejected.  >  '  '•  -  -• 

:  Supervisor  LeBaron  then  oflFered  the  following  as  a  substitute  for  the  report 
of  the  committee,  which  was  accepted: 

Whereas,  The  citizens  of  Knox  county,  in  mass  meeting  assembled,  have 
passed  a  resolution  requesting  this  board  of  supervisors  to  appropriate  the  sum 
of  $25,000  to  be  expended  in  additional  bounties  to  volunteers,  and  thus  secure 
at  the  earliest  day  possible,  the  full  quota  of  Knox  county  of  the  300,000  men 
called  for  by  the  President,  to  aid  in  suppressing  the  rebellion,  and  conquering 
a  peace  and  reunion  of  the  states.  And  whereas  similar  petitions  have  been 
received  from  the  cities  of  Galesburg  and  Knoxville  from  their  respective  city 
councils,  and  such  recommendations  meeting  with  our  hearty  approval,  therefore, 

Resolved,  ist,  That  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the  enlistment  of  volunteers 
for  the  United  States  service  to  be  raised  in  the  county  of  Knox,  there  be  ap- 
propriated a  sum  not  exceeding  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  in  this  county,  in 
pursuance  of  an  act  entitled,  "An  act  to  encourage  the  formation  of  and  equip- 
ment of  volunteer  companies."  Approved  May  2nd,  i86l. 

2nd.  That  out  of  the  sum  so  appropriated  there  shall  be  paid  to  each  volunteer 
of  the  first  five  hundred  who  shall  enlist  in  such  service  on  or  before  the  isth 
day  of  August,  A.  D.  1862,  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars.  The  said  sum  shall  be 
payable  to  said  volunteers  when  and  as  soon  as  they  are  legally  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States.  The  right  of  the  party  entitled  to  the  above 
named  bounty  shall  be  decided  by  the  committee  having  charge  of  the  aforesaid 
appropriation,  upon  presentation  to  them  of  his  certificate  of  enlistment,  anc| 
such  other  vouchers  as  may  be  required,  provided  that  volunteers  in  any  com- 
panies now  forming,  or  partly  organized,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  same  bounty; 
and  that  the  bounty  hereby  authorized  shall  only  be  paid  to  such  volunteers  as 
have  not  received  an  equal  or  greater  amount  from  any  other  source  than  the 
United  States  as  a  bounty.  And  whenever  any  volunteer  shall  have  received  any 
bounty  from  any  other  source  than  the  United  States,  the  amount  so  received,  if 
less  than  the  amount  hereby  authorized,  shall  be  considered  as  a  part  of  the 
bounty  hereby  authorized,  such  fact  to  be  established  under  such  regulations  as 
the  committee  may  provide. 

•       3rd.    That  a  War  Fund  committee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox 
County  be  appointed  to  disburse  said  appropriation,  under  such  rules  and  regula- 


374  '          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

tions  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  said  board.  That  the  committee  be  authorized  and 
required  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  with  the  volunteers  enlisted  under 
this  act,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  such  portion  of  the  pay  of  such  volunteers 
as  they  are  willing  to  appropriate  towards  the  support  of  their  families. 

4th.  That  all  orders  on  the  treasurer,  under  the  authority  of  these  resolutions, 
shall  be  receivable  for  payment  of  the  tax  levied  for  this  appropriation. 

5th.  That  the  committee  hereby  appointed  be  required  to  make  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  the  redemption  at  par  of  such  county  orders  as  may  be  issued 
under  these  resolutions,  and  be  authorized  in  the  name  of  the  county  to  borrow 
the  necessary  sum  of  money,  at  a  rate  of  interest  not  exceeding  ten  per  cent. 
\  6th.  That  said  committee  be  authorized  to  pay  such  bounty  to  such  person 
or  persons  only  as  have  been  or  shall  be  enlisted  at  a  recruiting  office  in  this 
county  in  answer  to  a  call  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  300,000 
troops,  unless  the  committee  having  in  charge  this  fund  shall  be  able  to  make 
an  arrangement  with  the  governor  of  this  state,  to  have  duly  credited  to  this 
county  on  said  call  such  men  as  shall  enlist  to  fill  up  companies  previously  or- 
ganized in  this  county. 

7th.  That  this  board  at  its  September  meeting  will  levy  a  tax  under  the  act 
of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  entitled,  "An  act  to  encourage  the 
formation  and  equipment  of  volunteer  companies."  Approved  May  2nd,  i86i, 
sufficient  to  meet  all  expenditures  under  the  foregoing  resolutions. 

Supervisor  Godfrey  moved  to  amend  the  first  resolution  by  inserting  $i6,ooo 
in  place  of  $25,000.  Lost. 

Supervisor  Godfrey  moved  to  amend  second  resolution  by  inserting  $40  for 
bounty  in  place  of  $50.  Lost. 

Supervisor  Copley  moved  to  amend  second  resolution  by  inserting  $60  for 
bounty  in  lieu  of  $50,  on  which  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting  Yeas — 
Messrs.  Arms,  LeBaron,  Hamrick,  Miles,  McCornack,  Copley  and  Gibbs — 7. 

Nays — Messrs.  Meek,  McKinnie,  Gale,  Finch,  Jackson,  Godfrey,  Lotts, 
Knable,  Woods  and  Wilson — lO.  Amendment  rejected. 

Supervisor  Jackson  moved  to  amend  by  adding  the  following  to  the  second 
resolution : 

And  that  no  further  inducements  or  bounty  shall  be  offered  by  this  board  or 
aid  furnished  to  the  families,  of  those  who  shall  volunteer  under  the  present 
requisition  of  the  President,  and  receive  the  aforesaid  bounty. 

On  which  amendment  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting :  Yeas — Messrs. 
Meek.  McKinnie,  Finch,  Jackson,  Robertson,  Godfrey  and  Lotts — 7. 

Nays — Messrs.  Gale,  Arms,  LeBaron,  Hamrick,  Miles,  McCornack,  Knable, 
Wood,  Wilson,  Copley  and  Gibbs — ii.  Lost. 

When  the  question  recurring  upon  the  adoption  of  the  substitute  as  introduced 
it  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Supervisor  LeBaron  introduced  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  unani- 
mously adopted,  to-wit :.-:,;.  .A  :  .:  '",•;-: 

Resolved,  That  the  county  clerk  is  hereby  authorized  to  procure  a  strongly 
bound  book  and  to  inscribe  therein  the  name  of  each  volunteer  into  the  United 
States  Army,  from  this  county,  for  service  during  the  present  rebellion ;  the  town- 
ship in  which  he  resided,  the  company  and  regiment  in  which  he  was  mustered 


'  :^   ^          .it;  V   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   ^   ;  376 

into  service,  and  his  fate,  whether  discharged  by  expiration  of  service,  on  account 
of  sickness  or  wounds,  and  if  killed,  when  and  where.  Which  shall  remain  in 
the  office  of  the  county  clerk  as  a  permanent  record. 

2nd.  That  the  supervisor  of  each  township  is  hereby  authorized  to  collect, 
through  the  school  directors  of  his  town,  or  otherwise,  the  information  contem- 
plated in  the  first  resolution,  and  report  the  same  to  the  county  clerk  prior  to  the 
September  meeting  of  the  Board  for  1862. 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Copley,  the  chairman  and  Messrs.  LeBaron  and 
Arms  were  appointed  War  Fund  committee  under  resolution  number  three. 

Supervisor  Miles  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  county  would  recommend 
that  the  various  companies  forming  in  Knox  county,  be  organized  in  one  regiment 
if  practicable. 

^;.:<^-:-:   ;-;-^"'.^;,  ;-;•'/- ^('.:^        SEPTEMBER   MEETING,    l862  •'•:';':.'',?     >-^      - 

Resolved,  That  the  board  extend  the  appropriation,  made  at  its  last  meeting 
for  volunteers  for  the  service  of  the  State  of  Illinois  or  for  the  United  States, 
to-wit :  The  sum  of  fifty  dollars  for  each  volunteer  to  all  who  may  volunteer  up 
to  and  including  the  I5th  inst.,  or  have  already  volunteered  undfer  the  last  two 
calls  of  the  president  of  the  United  States,  and  who  have  not,  or  do  not  receive 
the  same  amount  of  bounty  from  other  sources  aside  from  the  bounty  paid  by  the 
state  or  the  United  States ;  and  that  in  case  such  volunteers  shall  receive  any  less 
amount  than  the  said  fifty  dollars  that  such  deficiency  be  made  up  by  Knox  county 
upon  the  production  of  the  proper  vouchers  by  the  volunteer  or  his  attorney,  of 
the  amount  he  may  have  received  from  the  said  other  sources. 

•      -,  REPORT  OF  WAR  COMMITTEE,   SEPTEMBER   MEETING,    l862. 

Supervisor  LeBaron  from  War  Fund  committee  made  the  following  report, 
which  was  on  motion  accepted,  and  ordered  to  be  spread  upon  the  record. 

.      The  War  Fund  committee  appointed  at  the  special  meeting  held  July  3ist, 

1862,  report  as  follows:           ^,    -:v-'^  ^.^r-v;^.   :  ;./:.::;•:,           ..       v  /  ;<  v 

In  Capt.  Gilson  Co.  ........'.....  f^.V.^.!:.^ ............;.  85  I'y 

•  ;     ;  In  Capt.  Jackson   Co 21  -.'I,'. 

;/  ;  /':  In  Capt.  Reynolds  Co 83  v/ 

•' •    .  ;:^  In  Capt.  Donleys  Co i6  :, 

^:';  \  j'  In  Capt.  King  Co 72 

f    In  Capt.  Shinn  Co 36  ;J 

. .:    ,' ;.  In  Capt.  Hamrick   Co 4  .•" 

-,' •    In  Capt.  Burkhalter    Co 73  n  = 

>:         In  Capt.  Hardin  Co 46  'v' . 

In  Capt.  Burdett  Co 29 

In  Capt.  Willsay  Co 27 

.  Total  492  r 


376  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ' 

Being  all  who  enlisted  up  to  the  night  of  the  sixth  of  August.  Your  committee 
find  the  total  number  of  enlistments  in  the  county  under  the  last  calls  to  be  about 
eleven  hundred  men.  We  have  as  yet  paid  no  bounty,  having  been  unable  to  get 
the  muster  rolls  of  the  various  companies  until  the  present  date. 

The  special  business  of  the  morning  being  the  consideration  of  the  resolution 
of  Supervisor  Jackson  extending  the  bounty  to  volunteers,  offered  yesterday,  said 
resolution  was  so  modified  by  the  mover  as  to  restrict  the  bounty  offered  "To  those 
who  shall  enlist  in  Knox  county  companies,  or  who  were  or  are  residents  of  Knox 
county,  and  who  volunteer  to  fill  up  old  regiments,  specially  excluding  the  three 
months  men."  ;;::r  :•••;.;  .'.7,7'  :  j' •;•"/'• 

Supervisor  Newell  offered  the  following  substitute  for  the  whole  resolution  of 
Supervisor  Jackson,  to-wit: 

Resolved,  That  this  board  extend  the  appropriation  made  at  its  last  meeting, 
for  volunteers  for  the  service  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  or  for  the  United  States,  to- 
wit,  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars  for  each  volunteer  who  is  a  resident  of  Knox  county, 
who  has  volunteered  under  the  late  two  calls  of  the  President  of  the  United  States 
previous  to  the  8th  inst.,  provided  such  volunteer  has  not  received  the  said  amount 
from  any  other  source  aside  from  the  bounty  of  the  United  States. 

Supervisor  Jackson  moved  to  amend  by  inserting  after  the  words  "resident  of 
Knox  county"  the  words  "or  who  have  volunteered  in  a  Knox  county  company" 
as  defined  in  the  resolution  adopted  at  the  last  meeting  of  this  board.  Amendment 
lost. 

Supervisor  Gale  moved  to  amend  by  striking  out  all  the  resolution  after  and 
including  the  word  "provided"  and  inserting  "And  that  the  bounty  hereby  author-- 
ized  shall  only  be  paid  to  such  volunteers  as  have  not  received  an  equal  or  greater 
amount  from  any  other  source  than  the  United  States  as  a  bounty,  and  whenever 
any  volunteer  shall  have  received  any  bounty  from  any  other  source  than  the 
United  States,  the  amount  so  received,  if  less  than  the  amount  hereby  authorized, 
shall  be  considered  as  a  part  of  the  bounty  hereby  authorized,  such  fact  to  be 
established  under  such  regulations  as  the  committee  may  provide."  Which 
amendment  was  concurred  in. 

Supervisor  Gale  further  moved  to  amend  by  inserting  after  the  "8th  inst."  the 
words  "or  who  have  volunteered  into  old  regiments  since  the  first  of  said  calls 
was  made."  Which  was  agreed  to. 

Supervisor  Buffum  moved  to  substitute  I5th  inst.  in  place  of  8th  inst.  in  the 
resolution,  which  was  agreed  to  by  the  following  vote:     Yeas — Messrs.  Meek, 
Finch,  Jackson,  LeBaron,  Potter,  Lotts,  Miles,  Buffum,  Knable,  Wood,  Wilson,  . 
Copley  and  Gibbs — 13.     Nays — Messrs.  Gale,  Robertson,  Newell,  Godfrey  and 
McCornack — 5. 

The  question  being  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  as  amended,  the  same  ; 
was  unanimously  adopted,  and  as  amended  reads  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  this  board  extend  the  appropriation  made  at  its  last  meeting  \ 
for  volunteers  for  the  service  of  the  State  of  Illinois  or  for  the  United  States, 
to-wit:    The  sum  of  fifty  dollars  for  each  volunteer  who  is  a  resident  of  Knox  . 
county,  who  has  volunteered  under  the  late  two  calls  of  the  President  of  the  ^ 
United  States  previous  to  the  i5th  inst.,  or  who  has  volunteered  into  old  regiments 
since  the  first  of  said  calls  was  made,  and  that  the  bounty  hereby  authorized  shall 


.  l-':^:^:^^' :.'          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v;    "  377 

only  be  paid  to  such  volunteers  as  have  not  received  an  equal  or  greater  amount 
from  any  other  source  than  the  United  States  as  a  bounty.  And  whenever  any 
volunteer  shall  have  received  any  bounty  from  any  other  source  than  the  United 
States,  the  amount  so  received  shall  be  considered  as  a  part  of  the  bounty  hereby 
authorized,  such  fact  to  be  established  under  such  regulations  as  the  committee 
may  provide.  ^  ^  .. .  -•.  .  •,.^.- .-;  /  -.; 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Gale,  it  was 

Ordered,  That  the  War  Fund  committee  appointed  at  the  special  meeting  of 
this  board  be  continued  with  authority  to  act  fully  under  the  foregoing  resolution, 
and  that  said  committee  be  requested  to  report  at  its  earliest  convenience  the  best 
plan  to  be  pursued  in  raising  the  money  to  pay  the  bounties  appropriated  thereby. 

Resolution  by  War  committee  to  borrow  money,  by  Supervisor  Copley. 

Resolved,  That  the  War  Fund  committee  be  authorized  to  borrow  such  sums 
of  money  on  the  credit  of  the  county  for  the  terms  of  two  and  three  years,  at  a 
rate  of  interest  not  exceeding  ten  per  cent  per  annum  as  shall  be  sufficient  to  pay 
all  the  bounties  to  volunteers  that  are  entitled  to  bounties  by  the  act  of  this  board 
of  supervisors  at  their  annual  meeting  held  September  term,  A.  D.  1862,  and  we 
hereby  pledge  the  faith  of  the  county  for  the  redemption  of  all  obligation  entered 
into  by  said  committee  in  pursuance  of  this  resolution. 

January  Meeting,  1863. — Supervisor  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  supervisors  of  the  respective  towns  be  authorized  in  extreme 
cases  to  extend  aid  to  the  families  of  soldiers  who  have  received  the  $50  bounty. 

The  following  report  of  the  War  Fund  committee  was  presented  to  the  board : 

To  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County: 

The  undersigned  War  Fund  committee,  appointed  by  your  honorable  body, 
would  respectfully  report:  That  by  the  authority  granted  us  at  the  July  special 
meeting  of  the  board,  we  borrowed  on  the  credit  of  the  county,  for  the  purpose 
of  paying  bounty  to  the  first  500  volunteers  in  this  county,  under  the  president's 

first  call  for  300,000  men,  the  sum  of $24,900 

And  under  the  extended  authority  given  at  the  September  meeting,  for 

the  purpose  of  paying  bounty  to  additional  volunteers  required  by  the  '' 

second  call  of  the  president  for  300,000  men,  we  borrowed  the  further 

sum  of 33-710 


\/^  Making  a  total  sum  of  .......................................  $58,610 

;  ;  Bal.  Ford  ........................................................  $58,610 

-  We  have  paid  bounties  to  volunteers  as  follows,  through  the  several  bank- 

ers  with  whom  we  deposited,  to-wit:  .  -.  .   --. 

Through  C.  Runkle  &  Co  ...................  ^',.'.'.\'.',',.  ......  $21,600  ^v^'vlv    •: 

Through  A.  D.  Reed  ......................................   10,300    •-''•^•>^^!^i-f. 

\(,  Through  J.  F.  Dunn  &  Co  .................................  23,125  v''^/ 

•  By  certificate  of  indebtedness  issued  in  payment  of  bounties  ----        700 


: 

There  yet  remains  unexpended  of  the  fund,  on  deposit  at  Reed's 
5  :         Bank   ................................................       400 


378          ,  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;.  ;:    -,  i- 

At  Runkle's  Bank llO 

At  Dunn's  Bank 2,375 

^    ::    .      -•   •     ,-    ....:.    -..-•.••.  ..•--.:..;-•. 2,885 


Total  amount  paid  out  and  on  deposit $58,610 

The  amount  on  deposit  is  subject  to  the  payment  of  seven  outstanding  checks, 

amounting  in  the  aggr^ate  to $   400 

Leaving  a  balance,  after  paying  outstanding  checks  of 2485 

-'•••;  •'^V.';-V'''  •  •      '      SUMMARY    '.,..;,•  '^v;'.:. :^^'•.v^•'•^''••'--',  : 

IVar  Fund  Committee  in  account  ivith  War  Fund,  Dr. 

To  amount  of  loans  and  certificates $58,610 

Cr. 

By  1 122  bounties  paid,  each  $50 $56,100 

By  I  bounty  ($25  paid  elsewhere) 25 

By  balance  in  banks  after  paying  outstanding  checks 2,485 

$58,610 

Your  committee  would  further  report,  that  an  examination  of  the  bounty  rolls 
show  that  without  doubt  there  is  bounty  yet  due  and  unpaid  to  36  volunteers,  the 
payment  of  which  will  require  $i,8oo  and  that  eight  others  claim  the  bounty,  but 
who  have  not  made  satisfactory  proof  that  they  are  entitled  thereto;  if  proof  is 
made  they  will  require  $400.  Leaving  still  a  balance  in  the  hands  of  the  committee 
with  which  to  pay  bounty  to  parties  who  may  prove  themselves  entitled  thereto, 
under  the  action  of  the  board,  the  sum  of  $285.  /  X"'  .:^-  '-'•'-;•';. 
,;::>:.:.:.  Respectfully  submitted,  -//v'^?  •.';•''' 

'.'•  ':/.•  •:'^''- 7 .    .  ...  C.  ARMS,  '^.'•'•'-^•'.•. 

:  :    ' '-I  WM.  B.  LEBARON,         "" 

.-•  <7^.'.  ;        •  Committee. 

May  Meeting,  1863. — Supervisor  Holyoke  moved  that  a  committee  of  three  be 
appointed  to  examine  and  report  on  all  claims  presented  for  support  rendered  to 
families  of  volunteers.  Adopted. 

The  committee  on  relief  to  the  families  of  volunteers  reported  claims  aggregat- 
ing $1,816.96,  and  recommended  the  payment  of  same  which  was  adopted. 

September  Meeting,  1863. — The  committee  on  relief  to  the  families  of  volun-;. 
teers  reported  claims  aggregating  $1,735.19. 

Mr.  Holyoke,  from  the  War  Fund  committee  made  a  report  which  on  motion  of 
Mr.  Matthews  was  accepted  and  adopted. 
To  the  War  Fund  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County.     '.-.  j.: 

GENTLEMEN:  As  your  agent  in  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  your  com- 
mittee, I  would  respectfully  report  the  conditions  of  the  funds  of  the  committee : 

The  loan  of  Aug.  i5th,  1862,  under  order  passed  at  the  special  meeting  of  the 

board,  July  3ist,  1862,  amounted  in  the  aggregate  to f $24,900 

Interest  on  same  one  year  at  lO  per  cent 2,490 


:     Making .:..... .''.  '..'. . . . .  1  .^  . .  ;. .  i : .  1 .  •  . . :  .$27,390^ 


)••:•> 6;  ^vW^v;;^ HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :      :^}.;v;  379 

''--.-'-'';';  •''^'•'- -•''•^•...•--''•'^'•:'  •   •   -•;;-••'''•:? 

By  treasurer's  report,  rendered  Sept.  I4th,  1863,  I  find  that  the 

amount  of  principal  paid  thereon  is $19,500 

Amount  of  interest  paid if95o 

';:.  •;•::_•:,•;:•:•-/':  ;;,•;:';-;  .••:::':-:;v;;-^';-^^-^'vV..  .^:;.  ?.;•:.>'. 21450 


Leaving  unpaid  and  not  called  for $  5,940 

The  total  amount  of  loans  made  Oct.  ist,  1862,  under  authority  of  the 

board  of  supervisors,  passed  at  the  September  meeting,  1862,  is  $33,710;  :. 

on  which  on  the  first  day  of  October  next,  interest  will  be  due  amounting 

to  3,371 


Making  a  total  of  ...'...'.  .1 ,$  9,311 

The  total  net  revenue  collected  from  the  war  fund  tax  of  1862  was.  .$28,938.70 
Out  of  which  has  been  paid  for  principal  and  interest. . .  .$21,450.00 

Commissions  on  $28,938.70  received    289.38        ./  ••     . 

Commissions  on  $21,450  paid  out 214.50 

$21,953-88 


Leaving  on  hand $  6,984.82 


Deficiency  for  payment  of  prindpal  and  interest, ........... ... . .  .$  2,326.18 

Total  amount  of  loans   negotiated $58,610.00 

On  which  I  have  paid  as  your  agent —  .',';;'  "      S  '>''-• 

On  bounty  orders  to  soldiers $57j375-OO         •  -;•':-;'' -^.-:   •• 

-To  treasurer  under  order  of  board 1,235.00  •     ':  •    . 

/'.:;:;•:,  58,610.00  "^V:;-.^v-:-v;i 


And  the  treasurer  has  paid  out  of  said  fund. .  $  1,235.00 

'^  Treasurer  commissions  for  receiving  $1,235.00         12.35  ./ 

3   bounty   orders    150.00  ,.            f^ 

His  commission ,... 1.50 

,:;•-;•:•. :?^. ;::;;:  v>^;^''''•^;;;^^P 163.85 


Leaving  a  balance  of $  1,071.15 


:'  Or  a  deficiency  in  the  War  Fund  of $  1,255.03 

;';-:';y-.  -^^ ''''^''•'•^''''::'^-"V.- '^v^^:''-'^-..;..v.'^V-r^^:'--    JOHN  S.  WINTER,  Agent, 

i Accepted:  ^i ;•'••?:'.••' :V/i^'^:^'• '/'/'•;•'?'•;;  H.<'-      '• "   ;.--vc  .; 

J.  M.  HoLYOKE,         :v  /^^^'t---'V.' •'''.'^':r'''-<:--'  -^^Vo:''    '••  -      •';.;•-•':•,•...::'• 
C.  ARMS,  V-V', /:.'••'"-'  •'-••-.'•:•'  -.v/^'?'''-  ,;:;:..'  •^-".; ;•./:''•••/'-' 

;       W.  B.  LEBARON.          :  --••  '     - 

':  ;,  The  payment  of  bills  for  the  maintenance  of  soldiers'  families  seems  to  have 
become  burdensome  in  the  estimation  of  certain  members  of  the  board  as  shown 
by  the  following  resolution  introduced  by  Supervisor  Nelson  at  the  same  meeting. 
Resolved,  By  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  that  from  and 
after  the  September  meeting  of  said  board.  1863,  each  town  of  said  county 
provide  for  the  maintenance  of  the  families  whose  husbands  or  sons  are  engaged 


380  .       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

,  in  the  United  States  military  service ;  and  from  then  that  the  supervision  of 
.  such  families  be  under  the  direction  of  the  supervisor  of  such  town,  where  such 
family  or  families  reside;  and  further  that  such  claims  shall  be  presented  for 
adjustment  before  the  board  of  town  auditors,  at  their  respective  sittings. 

Mr.  Matthews  moved  to  lay  the  resolution  on  the  table.  Carried.  Yeas — 
Messrs.  Meek,  Lourie,  Matthews,  Finch,  Newell,  Newman,  Arms,  Holyoke,  Pot- 
,  ter,  Lacey,  Miles,  Balthis,  Phelps,  Copley  and  Gibbs — 15.  Nays — Messrs.  Nelson, 
Deatherage,  Stuckey,  Wood  and  Shaffer — 5. 

The  bounties  for  the  enlistment  of  soldiers  seemed  quite  troublesome  at  times 
and  led  men  into  positions  that  they  would  think  it  unjust  to  be  charged 
with  in  private  matters.  The  following  action  of  the  board  at  the  same  meeting 
shows  how  men  will  sometimes  relieve  themselves  of  responsibilities  which  they 
ought  manfully  to  assume. 

Mr.  Potter  offered  the  following  preamble  and  resolution:        ••  -  '  I   .:    - 

Whereas,  Cary  Combs,  Wm.  H.  H.  Harshbarger,  Milo  Harlin,  Francis  Phil- 
.  lippi  are  now  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  faithfully  discharging  their 
duties  in  sustaining  our  government,  and.  Whereas,  said  soldiers  enlisted  under  the 
solemn  promise  from  the  officers  by  whom  they  were  enlisted,  that  they  should 
receive  the  same  bounty  as  men  who  were  residents  of  Knox  county,  and  that 
said  promises  were  made  in  good  faith  and  so  accepted  by  said  volunteers,  and 
whereas  said  volunteers  are  residents  of  Fulton  county,  in  the  State  of  Illinois, 

•  and  said  county  having  refused  to  pay  any  bounty  to  her  soldiers,  except  to  such 
soldiers  as  were  heads  of  families,  and  that  such  volunteers  are  unmarried,  and 
therefore  have  received  no  bounty  from  any  source,  therefore  -;     1    :'':..:: 

Resolved,  That  said  volunteers  be  paid  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars  each  from 
•    the  bounty  fund  of  Knox  county,  and  that  the  proper  committee  are  hereby  author- 
ized to  pay  the  same  upon  proper  evidence  being  presented. 

Mr.  Nelson  moved  that  said  resolution  be  laid  under  the  table.    Lost.    Yeas — 
'    Messrs.   Meek,    Lourie,    Nelson,   Deatherage,    Lacey   and    Shaffer — 6.      Nays — 
Messrs.  Matthews,  Finch,  Newell,  Newman,  Arms,  Holyoke,  Potter,  Miles,  Bal- 
this, Stuckey,  Phelps,  Copley  and  Gibbs — 13. 

Mr.  Deatherage  then  moved  that  said  resolution  be  laid  upon  the  table.    Lost. 
Yeas — Messrs.  Meek,  Lourie,  Nelson,  Deatherage,  Newman,  Arms,  Lacey  and 
,    Shaffer — 8.     Nays — Messrs.  Matthews,  Finch,  Newell,  Holyoke,  Potter,  Miles, 
Balthis,  Stuckey,  Phelps,  Wood,  Copley  and  Gibbs — 12. 

The  question  being  upon  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  it  was   negatived. 
Yeas — Mr.    Potter.      Nays — Messrs.    Meek,    Lourie,    Matthews,    Finch,    Nelson, 
..  Deatherage,  Newell,  Newman,  Arms,  Holyoke,  Lacey,  Miles,  Balthis,  Stuckey, 
Phelps,  Wood,  Shaffer,  Copley  and  Gibbs — 19. 

The  committee  on  aid  to  soldiers'  families  reported  to  the  January,  1864, 
meeting  of  the  board  bills  created  in  aid  of  soldiers'  families  aggregating  over 

•  $3.300  which  were  allowed  and  paid,  '-i  '  /•  •    •    •'  'y|^-!.-v  : 

May  Meeting,  1864. — Supervisor  Holyoke  moved  that  a  committee  of  three 
be  appointed  to  audit  claims  for  the  support  of  wives  and  families  of  volunteers, 
which  was  adopted.  Supervisor  Potter  offered  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  all  disabled  soldiers,  from  any  cause,  be  assisted  in  the  same 


•     >  1.         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^:  •'•  381 

manner  and  under  the  same  regulations  as  aid  is  rendered  to  the  families  of 
volunteers  for  the  next  nine  months. 

To  which  resolution  Mr.  Stewart  offered  the  following  amendment: 

Resolved,  That  we  understand  the  resolution  passed  at  the  May  meeting,  i86i, 
embrace  the  case  of  families  of  deceased  and  discharged  soldiers,  if  their  families 
are  actually  in  need  of  assistance. 

After  some  discussion  Mr.  Potter  withdrew  his  resolution.         ' 

Supervisor  Stewart  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  unanimously 
adopted:  v  ; 

Resolved,  That  the  County  of  Knox  will  pay  a  bounty  of  twenty-five  dollars 
to  each  volunteer  accepted  in  the  one  hundred  days'  service  under  the  call  of  the 
governor  of  this  state. 

Supervisor  Stewart  moved  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  prepare 
a  resolution  in  regard  to  payment  of  bounty  to  volunteers  and  all  matters  in  rela- 
tion thereto,  on  which  motion  the  yeas  and  nays  were  demanded,  resulting: 
Yeas — Messrs.  Stewart,  Arms,  Holyoke,  Potter,  Pickrell,  Stuckey  and  Gibbs — 7. 
Nays — Messrs,  Meek,  Lowrie,  Nelson,  Heflin,  Newell,  Hagey,  LeBaron,  McCor- 
nack,  Nicholson,  Shaffer  and  Lyons.  r^'; 

Supervisor  Potter  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  Knox  county  will  pay  a  bounty  of  twenty-five  dollars  to  each 
accepted  recruit  in  the  one  hundred  days'  call  by  the  governor  of  the  state,  for  the 
first  three  hundred  who  shall  enlist  prior  to  the  22nd  day  of  this  month,  provided 
such  recruit  shall  be  actually  mustered  into  the  service,  said  bounty  to  be  paid 
upon  the  same  vouchers  as  have  been  heretofore  required,  and  as  soon  as  said 
vouchers  are  presented. 

On  which  resolution  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  and  adopted  by  the  follow- 
ing vote:  Yeas — Messrs.  Lowrie,  Finch,  Stewart,  Hagey,  Arms,  Holyoke,  Pot- 
ter, Pickrell,  Miles,  McCornack,  Stuckey,  Lyons  and  Gibbs — 13.  Nays — Messrs. 
Meek,  Nelson,  Heflin,  Newell,  LeBaron,  Knable,  Nicholson  and  Shaffer — 9. 

The  committee  on  claims  for  aid  rendered  soldiers  reported,  which  on  motion 
of  Supervisor  Finch  was  accepted  and  adopted,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue 
orders  in  accordance  with  the  report  of  said  committee.  •.'•'  /.-  .'. 

The  undersigned  committee  on  claims  of  supervisors  for  aid  furnished  the 
families  of  volunteers  have  investigated  the  several  claims  presented  as  thorough- 
ly as  time  and  circumstances  permitted  and  recommend  the  allowance  of  all 
claims  enumerated  in  the  following  schedule,  and  that  orders  issue  in  favor  of  the 
persons,  and  for  the  several  amounts  so  enumerated.  The  claims  as  audited 
amount  to  $5.326.99.  An  aggregate  seemingly  large,  but  considering  the  large 
number  of  volunteers  sent  from  the  county,  the  high  price  of  all  articles  of  fam- 
ily subsistence,  your  committee  are  satisfied  the  supervisors  have  in  general  acted 
as  economically  as  the  people  of  the  county  expect  or  desire. 

Special  Meeting,  Aug.  22nd,  1864. — The  clerk  of  the  board  made  a  statement 
of  the  quotas  of  Knox  county  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained  under  the  president's 
call  for  500,000  more  men. 

•  Supervisor  Stewart  moved  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  recom- 
mend some  course  of  action  to  be  adopted  by  the  board  to  fill  the  deficiency  of 
Knox  county  under  the  call  and  to  recommend  some  course  to  be  adopted  to 


382  .      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ascertain  the  exact  condition  of  the  county  in  regard  the  several  calls  for  men. 
Adopted.  The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Stewart,  Potter  and  LeBaron  said  com- 
mittee. 

Supervisor  Stewart,  from  committee,  made  the  following  report: 

Your  committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  in  our  opinion  the  proper  way  to 
ascertain  the  number  of  men  to  be  credited  to  this  county,  would  be  to  have  each 
supervisor  ascertain  as  far  as  possible  the  number  of  enlistments  from  his  town- 
ship, and  report  the  result  of  his  investigation  to  the  county  clerk  by  the  25th 
inst. ;  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  proceed  at  once  to  Springfield  and 
have  the  proper  credits  placed  to  the  township  and  county.  The  said  committee 
to  report  to  an  adjourned  meeting  of  this  board  of  supervisors. 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Holyoke  said  report  was  accepted  and  adopted. 
'      Supervisor  Finch  offered  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  this  board  of  supervisors  will  pay  a  bounty  of  fifty  dollars 
to  any  citizen  of  Knox  county  enlisted  for  one  year,  and  mustered  into  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  after  the  date  of  this  meeting  to  a  sufficient  number 
to  fill  any  deficiency  which  may  hereafter  be  found  to  exist  in  the  quota  of  Knox 
county,  under  the  present  call  for  500,000  more  men. 

Which  resolution,  after  some  discussion,  was  withdrawn.  I.-       .  . 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  special  meeting  of  this  board  to  visit  Spring- 
field, reported  through  the  county  clerk  that  they  had  visited  Springfield,  and 
that  the  deficiency  of  Knox  county  as  reported  at  its  last  meeting  had  been  reduced 
and  that  the  county  on  its  entire  quota  had  an  excess  of  thirty-nine  men;  that 
according  to  the  statement  received  from  the  Provost  Marshal's  office,  the  excess 
of  the  several  towns  which  had  furnished  a  surplus  of  men  amounted  to  183,  and 
that  the  towns  deficient  were  behind  144  men ;  by  which  it  appeared  that  the 
county  was  in  the  aggregate  39  men  in  excess. 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  on  motion  approved,  and  the  committee 
discharged.  '  -:-.;'-;:->.;•"';•.;• 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Potter  it  was  voted  that  a  committee  be  appointed 
to  continue  the  investigation  in  regard  to  where  the  several  volunteers  from  the 
different  towns  in  the  County  of  Knox  have  been  credited;  and  that  the  com- 
mittee have  power  to  appoint  such  persons  as  they  may  deem  necessary  to  assist 
them  in  their  investigation ;  and  further  that  the  county  clerk  prepare  and  pro- 
cure to  be  printed  for  the  use  of  said  committee,  full  rolls  of  all  men  enlisted 
in  Knox  County  from  the  commencement  of  the  war,  furnishing  to  each  super- 
visor a  full  statement  of  enlistment  in  each  town  and  the  published  lists  of  the 
entire  county.  .'  ;  .:'":''  -  ': \ 

September  Meeting,  1864. — Report  of  committee  in  aid  of  soldiers'  families. 

Supervisor  Matthews,  from  committee  on  aid  rendered  soldiers'  families, 
reported  that  said  committee  had  examined  all  bills  presented  and  recomm^ded 
the  payment  of  bills  amounting  to  $6,831.84.  '  - 

Which  report  was  adopted.  ..  -y     . 

Supervisor  Holyoke,  from  War  Fund  committee,  made  the  following  report,' 
which  on  motion  of  Supervisor  Stewart  was  accepted  and  approved. 

The  undersigned  War  Fund  committee  respectfully  report,  that  since  the  last 


:>•  -.T 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  383 

regular  meeting  of  the  board,  bounty  has  been  paid  out  of  the  county  treasury  as 
follows : 

To  three  enlisted  men  claiming  under  the  first  resolution  of  the  board  author- 
izing bounty,  the  sum  of  $50  each $150 

;^  To  312  men  enlisted  for  loo  days'  service  under  the  order  of  the  board  at 
its  May  meeting  at  $25  each $7,800 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  committee  have  exceeded  the  authority  conferred 
by  the  resolution  of  the  board,  which  limited  the  number  to  be  paid  to  three 
hundred.  The  committee  commenced  paying  under  the  impression  that  the  whole 
number  enlisted  would  be  less  than  300;  which  was  the  number  intended  to  be 
paid.  But  on  proceeding  with  the  payments,  your  committee  soon  found  the 
number  enlisted  somewhat  exceeded  the  number  authorized  to  be  paid,  and  as  a 
portion  of  the  payments  had  already  been  made,  we  could  find  no  proper  line  of 
discrimination.  Your  committee  therefore  concluded  to  assume  the  responsi- 
bility of  paying  the  whole,  and  trust  to  the  future  action  of  the  board  for  relief. 
The  whole  number  enlisted  under  that  resolution  will  not  probably  exceed  325, 
leaving  the  number  of  twenty-five  to  be  provided  for  by  this  meeting.  Your  com- 
mittee can  see  no  good  reason  for  making  a  discrimination  among  those  volun- 
teers in  regard  to  bounty.  They  came  promptly  forward  under  the  governor's 
call,  and  having  equally  assisted  in  establishing  the  honor  of  Knox  county  as  being 
the  only  county  in  the  state,  except  Kane,  which  has  furnished  the  full  number 
called  for,  it  seems  to  your  committee  that  they  should  all  be  equally  entitled  to 

pay.  •::;.v..;'^V;  ^•.''••-  V  •;:\.-;-.:;:.-:i-^ 

..    ...A,VV  ''•':;;"''•''.''•; -''"-^V'^-X:    "•.;..'•.  •^^•••;  J-   ^-   HOLYOKE,  ...      :::.^.     ,   'V 

.•/;'>^; '••:;:/ •:\:.;\';-^-;-; :X>J^:^^^^:>^  -         WM.  B.  LEBARON,     '''' •'"^'^•: ''''•'•'• 

,^..y'\^V- ';._..  ;.-,:•,.•:>••:•;.:;•;..-:''..  v :';.•'••  v..;:- s^;  c.  ARMS, 

v;-/- ;..''•^;•;,\.  ^ :••':'  >'-;•;•..  •:-':•••'.•:'••      Committee. 

September  Special  Meeting,  1864. — Mr.  Arms  offered  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  a  bounty  of  fifty  dollars  be  paid  by  this  board  to  each  drafted 
man,  under  the  present  call  of  the  president,  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service,  whose  family  may  be  in  needy  circumstances,  said  bounty  to  be  paid 
to  the  respective  families  of  such  drafted  men  in  such  articles  as  they  may  need, 
by  the  supervisor  of  the  town  where  they  reside.  .  . 

Mr.  Knable  moved  to  substitute  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  the  County  of  Knox  will  pay  $ioo  to  each  man  drafted  to  fill 
the  quota  of  the  several  towns  of  said  county  under  the  present  call,  to  be  paid 
when  proper  evidence  is  presented  of  his  having  been  mustered  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States. 

On  which  substitute  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting:  Yeas — Messrs. 
Holyoke,  LeBaron,  Knable,  Lyons,  Gibbs  and  Chairman — 6.  Nays — Messrs. 
Meek,  Lowrie,  Heflin,  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms  and  McComack — 7.  Lost. 

The  question  recurring  on  resolution  of  Mr.  Arms,  the  same  was  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Holyoke,  it  was 

looted,  That  the  resolution  of  May  I4th,  i86i,  in  regard  to  aid  rendered  to 
families  of  volunteers,  be  extended  and  apply  to  the  families  of  drafted  men. 

January  Meeting,  1865. — Supervisor  Arms  offered  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  adopted:  ....  .,.  ...  • 


384  ..'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  vv:|.;lv 

Resolved,  That  our  senator  and  representative  in  the  general  assembly  of  this 
state,  be  requested  to  use  every  effort  to  procure  the  passage  of  a  law  at  this  ses- 
sion of  the  state  legislature  giving  to  every  volunteer  who  may  be  credited  to  the 
quota  of  this  state,  under  this  or  any  succeeding  draft,  the  sum  of  three  hundred 
dollars,  as  a  state  bounty. 

Further  action  taken  to  furnish  the  quota  of  Knox  county  in  the  additional 
call  of  the  government  for  troops.  ;  ,1.-.  .  '  v:  ^  '1^  ;^  .r 

•  Supervisor  Gray  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  Knox  county  will  pay  a  bounty  of  two  hundred  dollars  to 
each  acceptable  volunteer,  who  shall,  on  or  before  the  1 5th  day  of  February  next, 
enlist  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  to  serve  one  year,  said  bounty  to  be 
paid  on  the  certificate  of  the  Provost  Marshal  of  this  district,  that  such  volunteer 
is  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  to  serve  one  year;  and  that 
such  volunteer  is  credited  on  the  quota  for  volunteers  from  Knox  county.  All 
volunteers  so  paid  shall  be  apportioned  to  the  several  townships  according  to  the 
existing  enrollment.  >  ;  ^•::  ^  --•  •'•••  '•••.'•.•'•  •  -^  •  )  .-  v  '  C 

•  For  which  resolution  Mr.  LeBaron  offered  the  following  substitute:          A       ;• 
Whereas,  The  president  has  issued  a  call  for  300,000  men,  and  a  draft  has 

been  ordered  to  take  place  on  the  I5th  day  of  February  next,  for  the  purpose  of 
filling  said  call,  therefore 

•  Resolved,  That  Knox  county  will  pay  a  bounty  of  three  hundred  dollars  for 
each  acceptable  recruit,  to  make  up  the  deficiency  of  any  town  in  Knox  county, 
to  be  paid  on  the  certificate  of  the  Provost  Marshal  of  the  5th  district,  that  said 
recruit  is  accepted  and  duly  credited  to  some  town  in  this  county. 

•  :  Resolved,  That  any  town  in  said  county  who  may  have  or  shall  furnish  any 
recruit  by  town  authority  or  association,  to  fill  deficiency  of  said  town,  such  town 
shall  be  entitled  from  the  county  treasury  to  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars, 
bounty  for  each  recruit  so  furnished. 

When  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called  on  accepting  of  said  substitute,  it  was 
decided  in  the  affirmative  by  the  following  vote:  Yeas — Messrs.  Meek,  Lowrie, 
Stewart,  Nelson,  Heflin,  Newell,  Heagy,  Arms,  Gray,  LeBaron,  Pickrell,  Miles, 
McCornack,  Knable,  Shaffer,  Lynes  and  Gibbs — 17.  Nays — None.  Absent — 3. 
Excused — I.  Substitute  accepted. 

The  committee  on  aid  to  the  families  of  soldiers  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States  made  the  following  report:  /  .  .  I  ,  :  .o  • 

Mr.  Lowry,  from  committee  to  audit  bills  for  aid  rendered  to  the  families  of 
soldiers,  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  on  motion  accepted,  and 
adopted,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue  orders  to  the  several  parties  named  for 
the  amount  so  found  due  them.  .;•-.:: 

Your  committee  to  whom  were  referred  the  claims  presented  for  the  support 
of  soldiers'  families  would  respectfully  report: 

That  they  have  examined  said  bills  and  recommend  the  following  be  allowed, 
and  orders  issued  in  payment  to  the  several  persons  as  indicated,  making  a  grand 
total  of  $12,390.13.  "  :  :^:;  '</.?;• 

Your  committee  would  remark  in  conclusion  that  the  amount  allowed  seems 
too  large;  and  that  it  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  committee  that  there 
are  some  soldiers'  widows  in  the  county  who  are  drawing  their  support,  whose 


rr--^:.:;-':;^'^^.,    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '  385 

husbands  have  been  killed  in  the  army  and  who  have  received  their  bounties, 
and  are  now  drawing  their  pensions  from  the  government,  and  your  committee 
would  recommend  that  in  such  cases  further  assistance  be  withheld  by  the  super- 
visors. '  , 

Mr.  Arms  offered  a  resolution  in  regard  to  the  raising  of  funds,  payment  of 
bounties  and  the  manner  of  paying  the  same.  This  resolution  was  amended  and 
finally  passed  unanimously  and  reads  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  who  shall  be  authorized 
to  negotiate  a  loan  for  the  terms  of  one,  two  and  three  years,  in  sufficient  amount 
to  pay  the  bounties  to  soldiers  voted  at  this  meeting,  said  committee  to  be  fully 
authorized  to  issue  such  certificate,  or  bonds,  as  may  be  necessary  to  secure  the 
same,  and  this  committee  shall  be  known  as  the  Knox  County  Bounty  Fund 
Committee.  :'> 

Resolved,  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  of  Knox  county  on  the 
presentation  of  the  certificate  of  the  Provost  Marshal,  as  required  by  the  action 
of  this  board,  providing  for  bounties,  to  pay  the  bounty  out  of  the  fund  provided 
by  the  bounty  fund  committee.  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  provide 
a  suitable  book  in  which  he  shall  record  the  name  of  the  recruit  certified  to  by 
the  Provost  Marshal,  with  date  of  payment  and  to  whom  paid.  Provided,  that 
if  any  recruit  shall  elect  to  let  his  bounty  remain  in  the  treasury  of  Knox  county, 
said  certificate  shall  draw  interest  from  date  of  presentation  at  the  rate  of  seven- 
thirty  per  cent,  per  annum,  and  the  treasurer  shall  make  the  necessary  acceptance 
on  the  back  of  said  certificate,  and  also  register  the  same  opposite  the  name  of 
said  recruits  in  his  book  of  recruits. 

On  motion  the  bpacd  appointed  Messrs.  Rufus  W.  Miles,  Cephas  Arms  and 
Wm.  B.  LeBaron  Bounty  Fund  committee  of  Knox  county. 

Pursuant  to  notice  authorized  by  the  seven  members  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors, said  board  met  in  special  meeting  Jan.  27th,  1865,  at  the  court  house  in  the 
City  of  Knoxville  for  the  purpose  of  furthering  the  question  of  bounties  to 
soldiers. 

Supervisor  Matthews  offered  the  following  resolution:       -      ." 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution  adopted  at  the  regular  meeting  in  January 
instant,  be  so  amended  as  to  include  in  its  offer  of  bounty,  drafted  men  who 
have  contributed  to  draft  associations,  as  well  as  to  volunteers.  Lost.  Yeas — 
Messrs.  Matthews,  Stewart,  Nelson  and  Heflin — 4.  Nays — Messrs.  Meek, 
Newell,  Arms,  Gray,  LeBaron,  Potter,  Pickrell,  McCornack,  Knable,  Nicholson, 
Shaffer,  Lynes  and  Gibbs — 13.  Absent — ^3. 

Mr.  Stewart  offered  the  following  resolution,  and  thereon  moved  the  previous 
question. 

Resolved,  That  the  soldiers  now  in  the  field,  or  those  who  may  hereafter 
volunteer,  the  widows  of  deceased  soldiers,  and  widows  who  have  sons  now 
in  the  army,  or  who  may  hereafter  volunteer  from  the  County  of  Knox,  shall 
be  exempt  from  the  payment  of  the  bounty  tax  levied,  or  to  be  levied,  to  pay  the 
bounty  authorized  by  the  board  of  supervisors  at  the  regular  January  meeting  of 
this  board. 

The  question  being,  shall  the  main  question  be  put,  the  yeas  and  nays  were 
called,  resulting  in  the  negative :  Yeas — Messrs.  Matthews,  Stewart,  Hefiin  and 

VoL  1—26 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

»• 

Lynes — 4.  Nays— Messrs.  Meek,  Newell,  Arms,  Gray,  LeBaron,  Potter,  Pick- 
rel,  McComack,  Knable,  Nicholson,  Shaffer  and  Gibbs — 12.  Absent— 4.  .  .. .  . 

Supervisor  LeBaron  moved  to  amend  said  resolution  by  adding : 

Provided  it  does  not  conflict  with  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  State  of 
Illinois.  '  ••:  .  •  •  ! :  - 

Which  amendment  was  carried,  and  the  resolution,  as  amended,  unanimously 
adopted.  ,  . 

Mr.  Arms  offered  the   following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  board  hereby  endorse  the  action  of  the  Bounty  Fund  com- 
mittee in  advertising  for  money  to  pay  bounties,  and  order  that  taxes  be  levied 
for  the  payment  of  such  sums  of  money  as  may  be  needed  to  pay  bounties,  under 
resolutions  passed  January  nth,  A.  D.  1865,  and  that  said  taxes  be  levied,  during 
the  years  1865,  1866  and  1867  at  such  rates  as  will  produce  the  necessary  amount 
of  money  to  pay  indebtedness  of  each  year  respectively,  and  interest  accruing 
thereon  from  time  to  time.  .  -  .  ;  •  :v;..  ;:  }  v::.X: 

Mr.  LeBaron  then  offered  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  our  senator  and  representative  in  the  general  assembly  be 
requested  to  procure  the  passage  of  a  bill  legalizing  the  acts  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  at  their  meetings  January  nth  and  27th,  A.  D.  1865, 
for  paying  bounties,  and  authorizing  said  county  to  issue  bonds,  and  levy  taxes  for 
the  payment  thereof. 

When  Mr.  Potter  offered  the  following  as  a  substitute  therefor,  which  was 
accepted.  •  •  ,r.-^-  :.  ••  '•  "  .  .  •!-  .'  k.-^/- 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the  chair,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  prepare  a  bill  to  be  presented  to  the  legislature  of  Illinois,  legalizing 
the  action  of  this  board  in  levying  a  tax  for  the  payment  of  county  bounties,  as 
contemplated  by  the  resolution  adopted  at  our  January  meeting,  1865,  and  procure 
the  passage  of  the  same.  1-  /  -:-  v  ;'/'-•;  V  :..'?. '^^."?  T/;  'T  •  ;  .•  : 

Which  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted. 

The  chairman  appointed  Messrs.  Potter,  Arms  and  Gray  committee  provided 
for  by  resolution  of  Mr.  Potter. 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Matthews,  it  was  ordered  that  the  time  for  the 
reception  of  bids  for  bounty  loan  be  extended  until  the  loth  day  of  February  next, 
and  that  bids  therefor  remain  unopened  until  that  day. 

The  struggle  of  the  board  of  supervisors  to  raise  money  to  fill  the  quota  of 
soldiers  apportioned  to  Knox  county  was  again  manifested  at  another  special 
meeting  held  Monday,  February  27,  1865.  • :'- .  '  I;  ;•:.•;'.. 

At  the  request  of  the  Bounty  Fund  committee  the  clerk  stated  the  condition 
of  the  loan  authorized  at  the  January  meeting  of  the  board,  from  which  it  ap- 
peared that  but  a  small  portion  of  the  loan  had  been  taken,  and  that  from  that 
source  the  necessary  funds  to  pay  bounties  allowed  at  the  January  meeting  could 
not  be  obtained.  .  '.M,  ir  ":.;>'  . 

Mr.  Potter,  from  committee  appointed  at  the  January  special  meeting  of  the 
board,  to  draft  a  bill  authorizing  the  (Bounty  of  Knox  to  issue  bonds  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring  money  to  pay  bounties  to  volunteers,  and  to  procure  the 
passage  of  the  same  by  the  legislature,  then  in  session,  reported:  That  in  com- 
pliance with  the  resolution  of  the  board,  he  had  prepared  such  a  bill  and  had  been 


;/',:V^{  •;,'•;  :>:?\    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ;.:;c^;>;  387 

to  Springfield  to  procure  its  passage ;  that  when  said  bill  was  presented,  opposi- 
tion was  made  to  its  passage  by  citizens  of  this  county,  through  their  influence 
the  bill  was  defeated,  and  the  authority  to  issue  bonds  withheld. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gray  the  report  was  accepted. 
;:    !Mr.  LeBaron  offered  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions: 
^^:    Whereas,  at  the  January  meeting  of  this  board,  the  County  of  Knox  offered 
a  bounty  of  three  hundred  dollars  to  each  volunteer  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States,  on  the  call  of  the  president  for  300,000  men,  who  shall  be 
credited  to  the  quota  of  any  town  of  said  county,  to  the  amount  of  its  deficiency; 
and  this  board  appointed  a  committee  to  procure  the  money  by  loan,  and 

Whereas,  said  committee,  after  due  publication  and  notice  given,  has  failed  to 
secure  loans  to  a  sufficient  amount  to  pay  the  indebtedness  incurred,  by  reason  of 
such  volunteering,  and  it  being  found  that  under  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  the 

State  of  Illinois,  approved A.  D.  1865,  known  as  "the  Burchard 

bill"  authority  is  given  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County  to  levy  and 
collect  a  special  tax  for  the  payment  of  such  indebtedness,  and  to  prescribe  the 
time  for  the  collection  of  the  same ;  and  it  being  necessary  to  do  so,  to  preserve  the 
credit  and  good  faith  of  the  county,  it  is  therefore 

Ordered  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  that  a  special  tax  of 
two  per  cent  (two  dollars  on  every  one  hundred  dollars  valuation)  be,  and  is 
hereby  levied  and  assessed  upon  each  dollar's  worth  of  taxable  property,  both 
real  and  personal,  within  the  County  of  Knox;  which  tax  shall  be  known  and 
designated  as  the  bounty  tax,  and  the  proceeds  thereof  be  known  as  the  bounty 
tax  fund,  and  shall  be  applied  strictly  in  conformity  with  said  law. 
,  - ;  Ordered,  That  the  county  clerk  procure  suitable  books,  and  immediately  extend 
such  tax  thereon,  taking  the  assessment  of  1864  as  his  basis  for  such  tax. 

Ordered,  That  on  the  completion  of  said  tax  books,  the  clerk  issue  his  war- 
rant, as  provided  by  law,  for  the  collection  of  the  same,  directed  to  the  col- 
lectors of  the  several  towns,  taking  bonds  from  said  collectors  as  provided  by 
law,  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties,  and  requiring  said  collectors  to 
make  returns  thereof  by  the  ist  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1865. 

Ordered,  That  all  taxes  returned  as  delinquent  by  the  town  collectors  to  the 
county  collector,  be  collected  by  said  county  collector,  in  the  same  manner  and  at 
the  same  time,  as  is  now  provided  by  law  for  the  collection  of  state  and  county 
taxes. 

On  the  adoption  of  which  preamble  and  resolutions,  or  orders,  the  yeas  and 
nays  were  ordered,  resulting:  Nays — Messrs.  Meek,  Lowrie,  Heflin,  Newell, 
Heagy,  Arms,  Gray,  LeBaron,  Potter,  Pickrel,  McCornack,  Stuckey,  Knable, 
Nicholson,  Gibbs  and  Mr.  Chairman — 16.  Nays — none.  Absent — 5.  And  there- 
fore declared  adopted. 

Mr.  Lowrie  moved  that  the  town  collectors  be  required  to  make  returns  of  all 
collections  made  every  ten  days  after  the  reception  of  the  tax  books  from  the 
clerk.  Adopted.  : 

On  motion  it  was  voted  that  each  supervisor  be  required  to  certify  to  the 
treasurer  the  name  of  each  volunteer,  who  may  have  been  credited  to  his  town 
respectively,  to  fill  the  quota  thereof;  and  that  said  treasurer  shall  only  pay  on 


388  ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ';-      r'^r^ 

such  certificates  of  the  Provost  Marshal  as  shall  embrace  the  names  so  certified 
by  the  supervisors.  '.v  •'•'•'. 

Resolved,  That  the  county  will  pay  lo  per  cent,  interest  on  all  certificates  of 
enlistment  from  the  date  of  their  issue  by  the  Provost  Marshal  until  the  same  are 
paid  by  the  treasurer. 

On  which  resolution  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  and  the  resolution  lost  by 
the  following  vote;  '.  ; ./  ^I -''r^^  •' 

Yeas — Messrs.  Meek,  Heagy,  Knable  and  Nicholson — ^4. 

Nays — Messrs.  Lowry,  Hefiin,  Newell,  Arms,  Gray,  LeBaron,  Potter,  Pickrel, 
McCornack,  Stuckey,  Gibbs  and  Mr.  Chairman — 12. 
---'.     The  regular  meeting,  April,  1865,  of  the  board  was  held  and  the  allowances 

. 

reported  by  the  committee  on  aid  to  soldiers  seemed  excessively  large  and  an 
effort  of  the  board  was  made  to  limit  expenditures  in  aid  to  soldiers'  families.  ,.. 

Mr.  Gray  presented  the  following: 

Mr.  Gray,  from  committee  appointed  to  audit  claims  presented  for  aid  rendered 
to  families  of  volunteers,  rendered  the  following  report  which  was  on  motion  ac- 
cepted.  Mr.  Arms  moved  to  adopt  so  much  of  the  report  as  relates  to  the  claims 
audited  and  the  recommendation  that  orders  be  issued  in  payment  to  the  several 
parties  named  for  the  sums  specified.  Motion  adopted  and  orders  directed  to 
issue,  aggregating  $11,155.39.  .  :  .X;^  :.l  :': 

Your  committee  would  recommend  that  the  claifns  allowed  as  above,  be  audited 
and  paid,  as  the  goods  were  furnished  and  services  rendered  under  the  approval 
of  the  supervisors  of  the  several  towns,  but  the  accounts  indicate  that  in  some 
cases  supervisors  have  not  adhered  strictly  to  the  rules  adopted  by  this  board, 
for  example,  Indian  Point  claims  aid  is  allowed  $339.35  for  the  single  article  of 
meat,  which  is  more  than  the  whole  amount  claimed  by  either  Ontario,  Sparta,  ! 
Copley,  Walnut  Grove,  Persifer,  Haw  Creek,  Chestnut,  Orange,  Rio  and  Truro, 
for  all  purposes.  That  no  sufficient  explanation  is  given  for  this  great  difference  in 
claims  from  towns  having  about  the  same  population,  and  as  a  check  to  this 
large  disbursement  of  public  money,  we  would  recommend  that  the  board  so 
amend  the  resolution  under  which  we  are  now  acting,  that  each  supervisor  shall 
render  assistance  to  only  such  families  of  soldiers  as  have  volunteered  or  been 
drafted  in  Knox  county;  that  they  use  greater  care,  that  all  supplies  so  given 
shall  be  absolutely  necessary.  We  would  further  recommend  that  the  supervisors 
give  orders,  naming  the  articles  necessary  in  such  order,  and  that  the  orders  be 
attached  to  all  bills  presented  to  this  board  for  payment. 

JOHN  GRAY,  • 

'.'.•,;%!'.•  '      •         .'. '  H.R.SANDERSON, 

••;        ' ''\-"':^.''i- .       '.    :       •    •  ;•^ -'v '•.,.'•''"'•- ^       E.  S.  HARDEN,  .-:••' 

Committee. 

Mr.  Arms  moved  the  adoption  of  the  recommendations  of  the  committee, 
but  subsequently  withdrew  his  motion,  when 

Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution:  '  •-         •'.'----  'v'  '•      1  .';.<. 

'•  Resolved,  That  the  supervisors  be  instructed  to  aid  only  the  families  of  sold- 
iers, citizens  of  this  county,  and  who  have  not  received  a  county  bounty  exceed- 
ing fifty  dollars. 


J::.v>>r  ;     1^.^          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  889 

;  Mr.  Vaughn  moved  to  amend  by  striking  out  the  word  "county"  in  the 
resolution,  and  insert  the  word  "state."  Amendment  lost. 

And  the  question  recurring  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolution,  the  same  was 
passed. 
t>    Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  each  supervisor  be  directed  to  render  to  each  meeting  of  the 
board  a  statement  of  the  number  of  families  assisted  by  him,  the  number  of  per- 
sons in  each  family  and  the  amount  of  assistance  given  to  each. 
;:'     April.  1865. — Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  each  member  of  this  board  be  and  is  hereby  requested  to  ob- 
tain the  names  of  those  residing  in  the  town  which  he  represents,  who  are  now 
(serving)  or  have  served  three  years  in  the  United  States  Military  service,  and 
also  who  may  have  received  wounds  or  died  in  such  service,  that  have  been  as- 
sessed, or  have  paid  the  taxes  assessed  on  their  property  to  raise  funds  to  pay 
bounties  to  volunteers,  known  as  the  2  per  cent,  tax;  and  also  the  amount  that 
each  may  have  been  assessed  or  paid,  and  report  the  same  to  this  board  at  the 
next  annual  meeting. 

And  be  it  further  '    • 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the  chair,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  get  the  opinion  of  competent  counsel  with  a  view  to  determine 
whether  there  is  any  legal  way  in  which  the  taxes  so  assessed  or  paid  by  such 
persons  can  be  refunded  to  them  by  the  county  by  any  act  of  this  board  and 
report  at  the  next  annual  meeting  of  this  board.  V 

,  Mr.  Gale  moved  to  amend  by  adding  after  the  words  "assessed  or  paid,"  and 
said  supervisors  shall  ascertain  and  report  how  much  money  has  been  paid  by 
the  county  to  the  parties  contemplated  to  be  benefited  by  this  resolution,  as 
donations  from  the  county. 

V    Mr.  Curtis  moved  that  the  whole  subject  matter  be  indefinitely  postponed  and 
called  for  the  yeas  and  nays. 

Yeas — Messrs.  Gale,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Gray,  Curtis,  Pickrel,  McCornack 

and    Nicholson — 8.     Nays — Messrs.    Smith,    Harden,    Heflin,    Ferris,    Heagy, 

Arms,  Maple,  Miles,  Stuckey,  Pease,  Vaughn  and  Lafferty — 12.     So  the  board 

refused  to  table  the  resolution.  :        \;    * 

:     The  question  being  on  the  amendment  it  was  adopted  by  the  following  vote: 

Yeas — Messrs.  Harden,  Gale,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Heagy,  Arms,  Gray,  Cur- 
tis, Pickrel,  McCornack,  Stuckey  and  Chairman — 12.  Nays —  Messrs.  Smith, 
Heflin,  Ferris,  Maple,  Pease,  Nicholson,  Vaughn  and  Lafferty — 8. 

The  question  then  being  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  as  amended  was 
decided  in  the  negative  by  the  following  vote: 

Yeas — Messrs.  Smith,  Heftin,  Ferris,  Heagy,  Maple,  Pease  and  Vaughn — 7. 
Nays — Messrs.  Harden,  Gale,  Sanderson,  Dunlap,  Arms,  Gray,  Curtis,  Pickrel, 
McCornack,  Stuckey,  Nicholson,  Lafferty  and  Chairman — 13. 

Mr.  Stuckey  moved  that  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  passed  yesterday  cutting 
off  aid  to  families  of  soldiers,  not  residents  of  Knox  county  at  time  of  enlisting, 
be  reconsidered.  Passed. 

"••••  The  question  then  being,  shall  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  pass,  was  decided  in 
the  negative.  :  ' 


390  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Yeas  —  Messrs.  Smith,  Harden,  Gale,  Sanderson,  Ferris,  Gray,  Curtis,  McCor- 
nack  and  Stuckey  —  9.  Nays  —  Messrs.  Dunlap,  Heflin,  Arms,  Maple,  Pickrel, 
Miles,  Nicholson,  Vaughn  and  Laflferty  —  9. 

September,  1865.  —  Mr.  Curtis  moved  the  allowance  of  bounty  of  fifty  dollars 
to  Patrick  H.  Gilgan,  a  volunteer  in  the  iO2nd  regiment,  which  had  not  been 
paid  owing  to  informality  of  certificate.  Motion  allowed,  and  clerk  directed  to 
issue  order  therefor.  .  .  -.^  .v.  ->  .. 

Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution:       "  ' 

Resolved,  That  each  supervisor  be,  and  is  hereby  requested  to  make  out  a  list 
of  the  names  of  those  in  his  township,  who  have  paid  any  part  of  the  tax,  known 
as  the  two  per  cent,  tax,  which  was  levied  for  the  purpose  of  paying  bounties  to 
volunteers  —  who  were  at  the  time  of  such  payment  in  the  military  service  of  the 
United  States,  or  who  had  been  honorably  discharged  from  such  service;  and 
report  such  list,  with  the  amount  each  has  paid,  to  this  board  at  its  next 


The  yeas  and  nays  being  called,  resulted  :  Yeas  —  Messrs.  Heflin  and  Vaughn 
—  2.  Nays  —  Messrs.  Smith,  Gale,  Dunlap,  Ferris,  Heagy,  Arms,  Gray,  Curtis, 
Pickrel,  Miles,  McCornack,  Stuekey,  Pease  and  Nicholson  —  14.  Absent  — 
Messrs.  Harden,  Sanderson,  Maple,  Thompson  and  Lafferty  —  5.  Lost.  / 

Mr.  Miles  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted:      .  ;     | 

Resolved,  That  John  S.  Winter,  present  county  clerk,  furnish  the  board  of 
supervisors  at  their  next  meeting,  a  list  of  all  who  have  volunteered  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States  from  Knox  county,  and  who  have  not  received  any 
local  bounty.  v  ;x-,  ::;;,.•  .^^^  '1V  •'.' 

We,  the  undersigned  committee,  appointed  to  audit  claims  presented  by  the 
several  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  for  support  rendered  soldiers'  families, 
furnished  since  the  last  meeting  of  this  board,  beg  leave  to  make  the  following 
report:  And  recommend  that  an  order  be  passed  ordering  the  clerk  of  this 
county  to  draw  orders  in  favor  of  the  several  parties  for  the  amounts  named 
below,  as  follows,  and  amounting  to  $7,755.74.  Which  report  on  motion  of  Mr. 
Arms  was  accepted  and  the  recommendation  of  the  committee  concurred  in. 

January,  1866.  —  The  clerk  then  presented  a  list  of  volunteers  who  had  not 
received  local  bounty  (so  far  as  the  same  could  be  ascertained)  in  this  county, 
as  directed  by  the  board  of  supervisors  at  their  September  meeting,  which  report 
was  accepted  ;  and  on  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  report  by  townships  was  referred 
to  the  supervisors  of  the  several  towns,  with  instructions  to  examine  and  correct 
the  same,  and  return  to  the  county  clerk  and  that  the  clerk  make  another  report 
at  the  next  meeting  of  this  board.  ;r  ..  ;  .'.  !.'.;:r  :'  '  I  •  :^ 

Mr.   Sanderson  offered  the   following  motion  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  county  clerk  prepare  a  statement  of  the  amount  of  money 
expended  by  Knox  county  for  bounties;  and  also  the  amount  expended  for  aid  to 
families  of  volunteers,  and  report  to  the  adjutant  general  in  accordance  with  the 
tenor  of  his  circular;  and  that  the  board  recommend  to  the  several  cities,  towns 
and  associations  to  make  returns  of  the  amount  each  town  has  expended  for 
like  purposes,  to  the  county  clerk,  that  such  amounts  may  be  duly  certified  and 
forwarded  to  the  adjutant  general. 

Mr.  Gale,   from  committee  on  claims   for  aid  rendered  to  the   families  of 


-;.;.:;;; ;^;;:;^;;:v^,   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       /- "          391 

soldiers  reported,  and  recommended  the  allowance  of  claims  amounting  to 
$2,896.74. 

Mr.  Gray  offered  the  following  resolution : 

'  Whereas,  The  necessity  for  assistance  to  soldiers'  families  has  nearly 
ceased,  and  whereas,  the  further  assistance  to  such  families  can  be  better  ren- 
dered by  each  town  for  itself,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution  under  which  families  of  volunteers  are  assisted 
by  the  county  is  hereby  annulled. 

Mr.  Gray's  resolution  being  in  order,  Mr.  Pease  moved  to  amend  by  postpon- 
ing the  operation  of  the  resolution  until  after  the  next  meeting  of  the  board. 
Amendment  adopted,  and  the  question  recurring  on  the  adoption  of  the  resolu- 
tion as  amended,  the  same  was  adopted.  Yeas — E.  S.  Harden,  A.  J.  Dunlap,  R. 
Heflin,  L.  D.  Ferris,  G.  W.  Heagy,  Cephas  Arms,  John  Gray,  A.  S.  Curtis, 
James  McCornack,  S.  V.  Stuckey,  Jas.  H.  Nicholson,  John  Lafferty — 13.  Nays — 
Messrs.  P.  H.  Smith,  W.  Selden  Gale,  A.  M.  Maple,  James  Pickrel  and  H.  J. 
Vaughn — 5.  Adopted. 

April,  1866. — Petition  of  Gen.  A.  A.  Smith  for  bounty,  under  resolution 
passed  July  3ist,  A.  D.  1862,  presented  by  Mr.  Gale,  and  on  motion  said  petition 
was  referred  to  a  committee  of  three.  (The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  Arms, 
Heagy  and  Keller.) 

The  committee  to  which  was  referred  the  claims  presented  for  aid  rendered 
to  soldiers'  families,  reported  the  following  claims,  and  recommended  their  al- 
lowance, which  report  was  accepted,  the  recommendation  concurred  in,  and  the 
clerk  directed  to  issue  orders  for  the  several  amounts  allowed  amounting  to 
$1,281.61.  .  .  .  ,. 

Mr.   Dunlap   offered   the    following   resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  board  adopt  and  ratify  the  resolution  passed  at  its  last 
meeting  refusing  further  aid  to  families  of  volunteers  by  the  county  from  and 
after  this  date. 

When  Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  as  an  amendment: 

Resolved,  That  the  supervisor  of  each  town,  be  and  is  hereby  authorized  to 
extend  aid  to  the  families  of  volunteers  who  are  still  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  or  who  have  died  or  been  disabled  in  such  service,  when  such  families 
are  really  in  need  of  such  aid;  and  although  the  families  of  any  deceased  soldier 
may  receive  a  pension  from  the  government  of  eight  dollars  per  month,  this 
shall  be  no  bar  to  such  aid  when  absolutely  needed,  any  resolution  of  this  board 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

The  yeas  and  nays  on  said  amendment  being  called,  resulted :  Yeas — Messrs. 
Meek,  Gale,  Conger,  Clay,  Heagy,  Ebright,  Beadle,  Combs,  Thompson,  Vaughn, 
Gibbs  and  Chairman — 12.  Nays — Messrs.  Dunlap,  Heflin,  Arms,  Kellar.  John- 
son, Rhea,  Adams  and  Newell — 9.  Resolution  as  amended,  adopted. 
'  '  September,  1866. — Mr.  Meek,  from  committee  to  which  were  referred  the 
bills  for  aid  rendered  to  families  of  volunteers,  'reported  recommending  the  al- 
lowance of  claims  amounting  to  $585.92  plus  $222.50. 

Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted: 
-:    Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  be  and  is  hereby  appropriated 
to  the  Soldiers'  Orphans'  Home,  to  be  paid  on  the  order  of  treasurer  of  the  above 


392  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  K    .;--^ 

'  '  •-•'''  V 

mentioned  institution,  upon  the  condition  precedent,  that  some  agent  of  the 
aforesaid  institution  shows,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  county  clerk,  and  the  chair- 
man of  this  board,  that  said  institution  has  already  secured  the  balance  of  fifty 
thousand  dollars,  as  subscription  to  said  institution. 

The  county  clerk  is  hereby  authorized  to  borrow  the  above  amount  on  the 
credit  of  the  county,  and  pay  over  the  amount  on  the  condition  above  stated. 

January,   1867. — Mr.   Gale  presented  report  of  committee  on  aid  rendered 
families  of  soldiers,  and  recommended  the  allowance  of  the   following  claims 
to  the  parties  named  for  the  sums  specified.    Report  accepted  and  adopted.    And 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  clerk  was  directed  to  issue  orders  in  payment,  ag-: 
gregating  $607.33.  / ,.  .  (  ::   V : A  I  :   - ;  =  ^ 

Mr.  Gale  presented  claim  of  Benj.  Lombard  for  furnishing  substitute,  for  the 
sum  of  $300.00  and  moved  the  payment  thereof.  Rejected.  The  board  also 
refused  to  pay  bounty  to  Col.  F.  C.  Smith. 

April,  1867. — The  committee  on  miscellaneous  subjects  to  whom  was  referred 
claims  for  the  support  of  soldiers'  families,  beg  leave  to  report  a  total  of  $967.91, 
which  was  allowed. 

Mr.  Holyoke  presented  a  claim  for  a  one  hundred  days'  service  bounty  under 
former  resolution  of  the  Board,  and  it  appearing  that  said  bounty  had  never 
been  paid,  it  was  voted  that  the  clerk  issue  an  order  to  Wilson  Bandy,  assignee 
of  Thomas  Mollen,  for  the  sum  of  twenty- five  dollars,  in  payment  of  such 
bounty. 

September,  1867. — Mr.  Sumner  offered  the  following  preamble  and  resolution: 

Whereas,  Many  of  our  fellow  citizens  fell  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  it 
is  but  just  that  a  tribute  to  their  worth  and  patriotism  be  erected  by  the  county,, 
and  their  memories  preserved  by  a  grateful  community,  therefore 

Resolved,  By  the  board  of  supervisors,  that  a  suitable  monument  be  erected 
upon  the  public  square  of  the  City  of  Knoxville,  upon  the  tablets  of  which  the 
names  of  each  citizen  of  the  county  who  lost  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country 
shall  be  engraved  and  such  other  memoranda  as  may  be  deemed  proper  by  a 
committee  hereafter  to  be  appointed  to  carry  out  this  resolution. 

Mr.  McKee  moved  to  amend  by  inserting,  that  when  built  it  be  at  the  county 
seat.  Amendment  withdrawn.  •;  .  I  '. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Whiting,  the  whole  subject  was  laid  upon  the  table. 

Mr.  Keightley  moved  that  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Sumner  in  regard  to  a  sold- 
iers' monument  be  taken  from  the  table.  Yeas — Messrs.  McKee,  Sumner, 
Charles,  Keightley,  Hamrick,  Miles,  Hall,  Wood,  Shaffer,  Vaughn  and  Gibbs — ii. 
Nays — Messrs.  Meek,  Harden,  Clay,  Gale,  Conger,  Whiting,  Dunlap,  Beadle, 
Johnson  and  Chambers — lO.  Carried. 

Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution  as  a  substitute  for  Mr.  Sumner's 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  board,  it  is  not  now  prudent  for  the 
county  to  make  an  effort  to  erect  the  proposed  monument,  in  as  much  as  large 
expenditures  have  lately  been  made  by  the  county,  and  that  we  are  not  now 
in  a  condition  to  do  justice  to  this  matter.  And  that  the  resolution  for  the  present 
be  laid  upon  the  table. 

On  which  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting :    Yeas — Messrs.  Meek, 


.;;  '  '•   ;^  -^      •    •    ":     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  393 

;-    Harden,  Clay,  Gale,  Conger,  Whiting,  Dunlap,  Wykoff,  Newell,  Charles,  Beadle, 
Miles,  Johnson,  Chambers,  Vaughn  and  Gibbs — 16.    Nays — Messrs.  McKee,  Sum- 
f      ner,  Keightley,  Hamrick,  Swigart,  Hall  and  Wood — 7.     Carried. 
•  '       Mr.  Miles  then  offered  the  following  substitute  which  was  adopted: 

V.    Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Sumner,  Vaughn  and  Beadle  be  appointed  a  com- 

;     mittee  to  report  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  board  the  probable  cost  of  erecting  a 

'       suitable  monument  to  the  soldiers  of  Knox  county  who  fell  in  the  service  of  their 

;     country  during  the  war  of  the  great  rebellion. 
'.v'"^.    Mr.  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  not  expedient  to  continue  to  aid  the  families  of  soldiers 

•  '•!'.,   in  the  manner  heretofore  done,  and  that  such  aid  cease  after  sixty  days  from  this 
V;    date. 

January,  1869. — Mr  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution: 

"\  -•  .    Resolved,  That  the  supervisor  of  each  town  report  to  this  board  at  their  next 
,.;    meeting,  the  names  of  those  who  paid  any  portion  of  the  tax  levied  to  raise  money 
V   to  pay  bounties  to  soldiers,  known  as  the  2  per  cent,  tax,  and  the  amount  that 
,     each  so  paid  who  were  at  the  time  of  such  payment  in  the  military  service  of  the 
..    United  States.    Lost.  :  • 

.:     ;  :.   Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  W.  Selden  Gale  be,  and  he  is  hereby  requested  to 
.*     procure  if  possible  the  passage  of  a  law  authorizing  the  County  of  Knox  to  re- 
fund the  tax  paid  by  those  who  were  at  time  of  such  payment  in  the  military 
service  of  the  United  States,  which  tax  was  levied  to  raise  money  to  pay  bounties 
to  soldiers,  and  known  as  the  2  per  cent,  tax,  and  that  the  clerk  of  this  board  for- 
•:     ward  a  copy  of  this  resolution  to  Mr.  Gale. 

Mr.  Whiting  moved  to  amend  by  inserting  private  soldiers.    Lost.    The  ques- 
,'     tion  recurring  on  the  passage  of  Mr.  Vaughn's  resolution,  it  was  lost  by  the  fol- 
lowing vote :    Yeas — Messrs.  Whiting,  Dossett,  Johnson  and  Vaughn — ^4.     Nays 
,    — Messrs.  Smith,  Harden,  Clay,  Frisbie,  Sanderson,  Lanphere,  Robertson,  Bet- 
;.;     terton,  Charles,  Beadle,  Lacy,  Chambers,  Corey,  Wood,  Tucker,  Gibbs  and  the 
'    Chairman — 18. 

. :          December  1895. — The  following  communication  from  the  state's  attorney  in 
relation  to  aid  to  indigent  soldiers,  sailors  and  marines  was  read:    -.:.;•  -.  ,    .;.;-.--.. 
.;    To  the  Hon.  Chairman  and  Board  of  Supervisors,  Knox  Co.,  III. 

Gentlemen: — Your  chairman  has  requested  that  I  give  an  opinion  in  relation 
'  to  the  construction  of  one  of  the  statutes  of  this  state,  being  an  act  entitled  an 

-  Act  to  regulate  the  granting  of  relief  to  indigent  war  veterans  and  their  fam- 
ilies ;  the  question  being,  whether  the  relief  provided  for  in  said  act  is  furnished 

'    by  the  individual  townships  or  by  the  county  at  large.    An  examination  of  this  act 
'V  reveals  the  fact  that  it  is  very  loosely  drawn.     The  only  thing  I  am  able  to 
;  •    discover  in  the  act  which  indicates  that  the  relief  granted  to  the  old  soldiers 
and  their  families  is  to  be  furnished  by  the  county  is  from  the  reading  of  the 
first  section  of  the  act,  which  provides,  "That  the  overseer  of  the  poor,  as  used 
'-.   in  this  act,  shall  be  construed  to  mean  all  persons  whose  duty  it  is  under  existing 
'     statutes  to  care  for,  relieve  or  maintain  wholly  or  in  part  any  poor  or  indigent 
.;      person  who  may  be  entitled  to  such  relief  under  the  statutes  of  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois."     ,    •  .-,..,    ... 


394  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Now  in  this  county  the  overseer  of  the  poor  is  the  supervisor  of  each  town- 
ship (outside  of  the  City  of  Galesburg,  where  we  have  a  regularly  appointed 
overseer  of  the  poor)  and  with  the  exception  of  this  fact  I  find  no  where  through 
the  balance  of  this  act  anything  which  would  further  indicate  that  the  care  of 
the  old  soldiers  and  their  families  was  a  county  charge,  but  I  do  find  by  a  careful 
reading  of  the  act  that  indications  all  point  to  the  fact  that  such  care,  so  fur- 
nished, shall  be  a  charge  upon  the  individual  townships. 

This  is  as  near  as  it  is  possible  for  me  to  construe  this  statute  without  prece- 
dent or  authority,  and  leads  me  to  conclude  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the 
legislature  in  passing  this  act  that  the  care  of  the  indigent  old  soldiers,  sailors, 
marines  and  their  families  should  be  a  charge  upon  the  several  townships  through- 
out the  county  where  they  resided  and  not  a  charge  upon  the  county  at  large. 

GALESBURG,  ILL..  Dec.  i8,  1895.  EUGENE  W.  WELCH. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Latimer,  the  foregoing  opinion  of  the  state's  attorney  in 
reference  to  the  law  granting  relief  to  indigent  war  veterans  and  their  families  be 
adopted  as  the  rule  of  this  board. 

Mr.  Nelson,  of  the  special  committee  on  Memorial  Hall  and  Soldiers'  Monu- 
ment, read  the  following  report : 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  State  of  Illinois. 

Gentlemen: — ^Your  committee  appointed  at  the  September  meeting  of  the 
board,  to  act  with  the  memorial  committee  of  the  Grand  Army  of  Knox  County, 
would  respectfully  report  that  we  Jiave  made  careful  inquiry  of  the  county  clerks 
in  the  different  counties  of  this  state,  as  to  what  has  been  done  in  their  respective 
counties  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  men  who  offered  their  services  and 
their  lives  for  the  protection  of  our  great  government  when  its  existence  was  as- 
sailed, and  we  have  together  with  the  memorial  committee  of  the  Grand  Army, 
carefully  canvassed  the  answers  and  explanations  thus  received. 

We  find  in  many  of  the  counties  in  the  state,  nothing  has  been  done  in  rela- 
tion to  this  matter,  but  in  many  other  counties  either  a  monument  or  a  memorial 
hall  has  been  erected,  and  in  some  cases  both  monument  and  a  memorial  room 
are  built.  We  find  that  the  money  to  defray  the  expenses  of  such  memorials  has 
in  some  cases  been  raised  by  private  subscription  and  in  other  cases  by  taxation 
through  the  county  board,  but  in  most  cases  the  county  board  has  made  an  ap- 
propriation direct  from  the  county  treasury  for  the  purpose.  -j  ";-.;; 

Your  committee  find  that  there  is  no  law  authorizing  such  appropriations  by 
the  county  board,  but  we  believe  that  the  patriotic  citizens  of  Knox  county  feel 
that  there  should  be  no  further  unnecessary  delay  in  taking  some  action  that  will 
insure  the  erection  of  such  suitable  memorial  to  the  memory  of  the  men  who 
sacrificed  their  lives  for  the  salvation  of  our  government  and  brought  peace  and 
prosperity  to  the  people,  as  will  be  a  credit  to  the  county,  a  fitting  object  lesson  to 
the  rising  generations  and  some  measure  of  consolation  to  the  large  number  of 
our  people  who  lost  near  and  dear  ones  in  the  terrible  conflict  that  brought  lasting 
peace  to  our  country.  '.-•:.;.-':••  ...  '  ^'; 

Your  committee  would  therefore  recommend:  ,'    • 

First,  That  the  court  room  on  the  third  floor  in  the  east  wing  of  the  court 
house  be  set  apart  as  a  memorial  room  to  the  soldiers  and  sailors  who  enlisted 
from  Knox  county  in  any  of  the  wars  in  the  country  that  occurred  since  the  organ- 


^^nV-:"'-;  ;;::i  ;;..;;:;:-:;  /HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY      ^  •     r  '.  {-  395 

'.'"'' 

ization  of  this  county;  said  room  to  be  used  for  storing  such  relics  from  the 
wars  herein  named,  as  may  be  desirable  to  save,  and  as  a  meeting  place  for 
soMiers  and  sailors  of  the  late  wars  at  such  times  as  the  Grand  Army  posts  of  the 
county  may  determine.  We  recommend  that  said  room  be  properly  fitted  up  for 
the  purposes  above  named,  at  the  expense  of  the  county,  under  the  direction  of  a 
committee  from  the  board  to  act  in  conjunction  with  a  committee  from  the  Grand 
Army  posts  of  the  county. 

Second,  That  the   following  proposition  be  submitted  to  the  voters  of  the 
county  at  the  regular  municipal  and  town  elections  to  be  held  next  spring,  to-wit: 

•     "For  the  appropriation  of  $10,000  by  the  board  of  supervisors    | 

for  the  erection  of  a  monument  to  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  Knox    V  Yes  ,  -  ';;  . 

county."         •.  .:  v';:;;:  .-".  ...   ;  -  ,•  -i::-|-';-":'-  ^'  -'^'''', 

:    "Against   the   appropriation   of   $10,000    for   a   soldiers'    mon-    ]    ..      •    ;. 
ument."    '••'..;•      ./\/''^-y.!  -s;  ;-;'.  .^'-'i-  '  ^'-^  -  "'      ./  '^"''V 


and  that  the  proposition  be  submitted  on  separate  ballots  and  that  separate  ballot 
boxes  be  kept  at  the  polls  for  the  reception  of  such  ballots  and  the  regular  judges 
and  clerks  at  said  election  shall  officiate  in  receiving,  recording  and  counting  said 
ballots,  as  are  appointed  for  the  regular  election  to  be  held  at  that  time,  and  they 

.  shall  transmit  without  delay  to  the  county  clerk  said  poll  books,  tally  lists, 
ballots  and  certificates  of  the  election  pertaining  to  said  appropriation  ;  and  that 
the  county  clerk  be  directed  to  furnish  the  necessary  poll  books,  tally  sheets, 
ballots,  and  instructions  for  said  special  election.  ;.  ;•:.  /  '\  >,-^:...':; 

•  ,       :     .  ..   :          •         =       Respectfully  submitted,  .y 

/;  '•-•\.;;'\;^-  ;  ,'  :  •/•;r\  ••;i''V\'-vr.^--'  ,-^''vV;  ,.       .....  NELS   NELSON,       ;; 

'"''     .'•••"'  .'        '^'''••''  '•:':V^':^  •^':''''-'\''^'\'f^^':-^.-^^^^^  J-  F-  LATIMER,       ^' 

;V.  .-'.'..;.•;•.'-,;"    ?  ^'":  --V-.^';''--.  .'_  •:'-:'-.'^'-':^V.'^'.''-v^--\r''^-'-':''  \    JOHN  McCREA,      •  '• 
-:.•;-.,;,.  .V  _'/-:;-  '^;  •.;,,.;•'  .;;-/    ;•  •.      Committee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Becker,  the  foregoing  report  was  adopted  and  its  recom- 
mendations  concurred  in,  and  the  chair  appointed  as  such  committee  Messrs.  J.  F. 
Latimer,  John  McCrea  and  C.  E.  Allen. 

March,  1896.  ,  i 

The  following  communication  was  read  and  referred  to  the  special  committee 
on  soldiers'  monument  and  memorial  hall: 
To  the  Hon.  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  III.,  Greeting.     '  "  ''  '    "^  " 

../ii  At  a  regular  meeting  of  Morgan  L.  Smith  Post,  No.  666,  Dept.  of  III.,  G.  A. 
R.,  held  at  Yates  City,  111.,  March  7th,  1896,  the  following  action  was  taken,  viz: 
'  L.  A.  Lawrence  introduced  the  following  preamble  and  resolution: 

Whereas,  At  the  last  meeting  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county, 
111.,  held  Dec.  I7th,  1895,  a  resolution  was  passed  submitting  to  the  voters  of 
Knox  county,  111.,  a  proposition  to  vote  for  an  appropriation  of  ten  thousand 
dollars  ($10,000),  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  suitable  monument  to  the  memory 
of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  said  county  who  fell  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  of 
i86i  to  1865,  and  also  to  those  who  have  since  passed  away,  that  bore  their  share 
in  that  honorable  struggle;  said  proposition  to  be  voted  on  at  the  regular  annual 


396  .      .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  j    , 

town  meeting  to  be  held  in  all  the  townships  in  said  county  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
April,  1896;  and  - 

Whereas,  Believing  that  said  appropriation  of  ten  thousand  dollars  ($io,oeo) 
is  not  a  sufficient  sum  to  erect  a  monument  suitable  to  the  purpose  proposed,  or 
one  that  will  be  an  honor  to  Knox  county's  fallen  sons,  or  even  to  the  present 
generation  of  voters  who  may  act  upon  said  proposition  if  successful;  therefore, 
be  it  •  •••^•'•'  ;  •''  '  '  .  '  '''•• 

Resolved  by  this  Post,  That  we  most  earnestly  and  respectfully  request  the 
honorable  board  of  supervisors  of  said  Knox  county  to  reconsider  its  action  taken 
concerning  that  appropriation  and  withdraw  said  proposition  before  it  goes 
before  the  voters  for  their  action,  and  when  so  withdrawn  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed by  said  board  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  solicit  plans  and  estimates  of 
monuments  of  modern  designs,  from  competent  persons,  that  when  erected,  will 
reflect  credit  upon  the  builders,  and  do  deserved  honor  to  those  whose  deeds  we 
would  commemorate ;  and,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  when  such  plans  and  estimates  shall  have  been  presented  and 
shall  be  found  to  fully  answer  £he  demand  as  above  set  forth,  that  the  board  of 
supervisors  of  said  Knox  county  be  requested  then  to  present  to  the  voters  of 
Knox  county,  a  proposition  to  vote  an  appropriation  of  such  sum  as  by  the  above 
estimates  presented,  shall  be  found  sufficient  and  worthy  the  high  purpose  of 
erecting  a  beautiful  memorial  to  those  who,  by  their  patriotic  devotion,  have  made 
it  possible  for  us  to  say  today  in  honorable  fact  what  for  nearly  a  century  before 
the  Civil  War  could  only  be  said  in  unmeaning  words. 

"This  is  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave."    .      '. 

Resolution  adopted.  '-     v  .; 

L.A.LAWRENCE,  ..  '  ;   -•       O.  P.  FETTERS, 

:•     ...    ;^        Adjutant.  ,   .  .     •        -     .      • .  •    •     Commander. 


THE  CITY  OF  GALESBURG  'v  ,:>  ; 


The  city  of  Galesburg  owes  its  existence  to  a  company  of  men  and  women 
who  loved  education  and  religion.  The  founders  of  the  city  were  already  edu- 
cated, refined  and  religious  themselves  and  they  wanted  to  extend  these  advantages 
and  influences  to  the  youth  of  the  land.  In  the  charter  of  the  college  it  is  declared 
in  Sec.  2 :  "The  object  of  said  corporation  shall  be  to  promote  the  general  in- 
terests of  literature  and  to  qualify  young  men  in  the  best  manner  for  the  various 
professional  and  business  occupations  of  society."  It  is  also  stated  in  the  original 
circular:  "The  indications  of  Providence,  as  well  as  the  requisitions  of  Christ, 
impose  on  Christians  of  this  day  peculiar  obligations  to  devise  and  execute,  as  far 
as  in  them  lies,  liberal  and  efficient  plans  for  spreading  the  gospel  through  the 
world.  The  supply  of  an  evangelical  and  able  ministry  is  confessedly  the  most 
important  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  end." 

It  is  for  these  purposes  that  certain  men  and  women  left  Oneida  county.  New 
York,  with  their  friends  from  other  parts  of  the  east,  and  journeyed  overland  to 
Illinois,  meeting  many  trials  and  thrilling  experiences  on  their  way  thither.  The 


§ 

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a. 


C-  R 


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o 


396   '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

town  meeting  to  be  held  in  all  the  townships  in  said  county  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
April,  1896;  and  .    :      '  v'  •       I        .'        • 

Whereas,  Believing  that  said  appropriation  of  ten  thousand  dollars  ($10,000) 
is  not  a  sufficient  sum  to  erect  a  monument  suitable  to  the  purpose  proposed,  or 
one  that  will  be  an  honor  to  Knox  county's  fallen  sons,  or  even  to  the  present 
generation  of  voters  who  may  act  upon  said  proposition  if  successful;  therefore, 
be  it  -  ,  •  .  •  '  '  :  '  '  .  .  '•••••:••'  "„>  ."'--^  1-.  ,"•.''••'-•• 

Resolved  by  this  Post,  That  we  most  earnestly  and  respectfully  request  the 
honorable  board  of  supervisors  of  said  Knox  county  to  reconsider  its  action  taken 
concerning  that  appropriation  and  withdraw  said  proposition  before  it  goes 
before  the  voters  for  their  action,  and  when  so  withdrawn  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed by  said  board  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  solicit  plans  and  estimates  of 
monuments  of  modern  designs,  from  competent  persons,  that  when  erected,  will 
reflect  credit  upon  the  builders,  and  do  deserved  honor  to  those  whose  deeds  we 
would  commemorate ;  and,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  when  such  plans  and  estimates  shall  have  been  presented  and 
shall  be  found  to  fully  answer  tTie  demand  as  above  set  forth,  that  the  board  of 
supervisors  of  said  Knox  county  be  requested  then  to  present  to  the  voters  of 
Knox  county,  a  proposition  to  vote  an  appropriation  of  such  sum  as  by  the  above 
estimates  presented,  shall  be  found  sufficient  and  worthy  the  high  purpose  of 
erecting  a  beautiful  memorial  to  those  who,  by  their  patriotic  devotion,  have  made 
it  possible  for  us  to  say  today  in  honorable  fact  what  for  nearly  a  century  before 
the  Civil  War  could  only  be  said  in  unmeaning  words. 

"This  is  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

Resolution  adopted. 

L.  A.  LAWRENCE,  •  O.  P.  FETTERS,       ; 

.  Adjutant.  ,  ,     .    Commander. 


:  ".    .  THE  CITY  OF  GALESBURG          '• 

The  city  of  Galesburg  owes  its  existence  to  a  company  of  men  and  women 
who  loved  education  and  religion.  The  founders  of  the  city  were  already  edu- 
cated, refined  and  religious  themselves  and  they  wanted  to  extend  these  advantages 
and  influences  to  the  youth  of  the  land.  In  the  charter  of  the  college  it  is  declared 
in  Sec.  2 :  "The  object  of  said  corporation  shall  be  to  promote  the  general  in- 
terests of  literature  and  to  qualify  young  men  in  the  best  manner  for  the  various 
professional  and  business  occupations  of  society."  It  is  also  stated  in  the  original 
circular :  "The  indications  of  Providence,  as  well  as  the  requisitions  of  Christ, 
impose  on  Christians  of  this  day  peculiar  obligations  to  devise  and  execute,  as  far 
as  in  them  lies,  liberal  and  efficient  plans  for  spreading  the  gospel  through  the 
world.  The  supply  of  an  evangelical  and  able  ministry  is  confessedly  the  most 
important  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  end."  .  .  I  V 

It  is  for  these  purposes  that  certain  men  and  women  left  Oneida  county.  New 
York,  with  their  friends  from  other  parts  of  the  east,  and  journeyed  overland  to 
Illinois,  meeting  many  trials  and  thrilling  experiences  on  their  way  thither.  The 


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.•;K^t       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :  >    "^  397 

world  has  had  many  migrations  of  people  from  place  to  place.  In  the  early 
history  of  men  these  migrations  were  probably  due  to  the  lack  of  food  or  the 
desire  for  plunder  and  a  severe  struggle  for  existence,  making  it  necessary  that  a 
portion  of  the  people  separate  from  the  tribe  and  go  elsewhere.  Since  the  dawn  of 
history  these  migrations  have  taken  place  because  of  religious  oppression,  the 
aggressions  of  the  ruling  class  and  the  increasing  curtailment  of  the  liberties  of 
the  common  people.  Not  so,  however,  with  the  people  who  came  to  Galesburg. 
They  lived  in  comfort,  they  had  their  share  of  this  world's  goods,  they  were 
respected  for  their  attainments,  they  enjoyed  the  blessings  of  religious  and  civil 
liberty,  and  their  homes  were  in  a  prosperous  country,  in  a  prosperous  com- 
munity and  there  was  still  plenty  of  land  to  admit  of  expansion.  A  high  and  noble 
declaration  setting  forth  the  reason  of  their  migration  must  therefore  stand  in  all 
truth  and  sincerity. 

It  is  this  same  band  who  came  to  organize  a  Christian  college,  that  also  organ- 
ized the  city  of  Galesburg.  We  have  here  a  remarkable  example  of  the  per- 
sistence of  a  living  principle.  Every  high  ideal,  every  devotion  to  a  pure, 
Christian  faith  that  was  present  with  the  founders  of  Knox  college  and  Gales- 
burg, is  still  to  be  found  in  the  founders  and  their  descendants  and  in  the  accre- 
tions that  have  come  to  our  city  from  other  and  independent  sources.  And  in 
this  fact  we  find  a  fulfillment  of  the  high  hopes  and  purposes  of  the  founders. 
Not  only  in  a  general  way  have  they  left  to  their  descendants  the  noble  spirit  with 
which  the  founders  came  but  there  is  everywhere  evidence  that  much  of  the  same 
spirit  has  permeated  the  lives  of  all  our  citizens.  We  would  not  say  that  every 
thought  in  its  entirety  that  was  entertained  by  our  ancestors  is  still  common  in 
Galesburg.  Those  thoughts  have  been  modified  and  broadened  with  the  lapse  of 
time  and  in  the  ripening  fruit  we  see  clearly  the  real  sweet  and  nutritious  kernel 
that  was  then  partly  hidden  within  the  somewhat  forbidding  but  protecting  shell. 
And  this  is  true  of  all  communities  within  this  county  in  which  these  founders 
settled.  They  brought  with  them  and  have  made  generous  distribution  of  their 
own  noble  qualities. 

The  story  of  migration  has  been  so  often  told  that  it  need  not  here  be  repeated 
in  detail.  There  is  scarcely  a  newspaper  published  in  this  county  that  does  not 
:  occasionally  refer  to  the  experiences  of  these  men.  Again  and  again  t^e  story  is 
told  to  the  children  of  the  public  schools  and  to  the  students  in  our  colleges.  Much 
of  it  also  will  be  found  in  different  parts  of  this  history,  but  rather  let  us  turn 
our  attention  to  some  things  of  interest  which  have  occurred  in  the  course  of  the 
policies  pursued  in  the  corporate  capacity  of  our  city. 

The  village  records  prior  to  the  year  1851  are  not  available,  therefore  a  com- 
mencement address  upon  ...  . ._. 

,•/•;•"'•'    •       ^    GALESBURG    BEFORE    THE    INDUSTRIAL    REVOLUTION 

by  Miss  Helen  M.  Ryan,  read  June  13,  1912  at  her  graduation  from  Knox  college, 
is  submitted  to  cover  that  period.  It  gives  so  complete  a  description,  in  so  small  a 
space,  of  Galesburg  life  prior  to  the  city's  incorporation  and  is  so  full  of  interest 
that  all  will  be  glad  to  find  it  in  these  pages.  ;:.;  -  • -. 

Of  the  scores  of  pioneer  towns,  which  during  the  early  part  of  the  last  cen- 


398  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '^^ 

tury  sprang  up  like  mushrooms  upon  the  rolling  prairie  of  Illinois,  from  some 
tiny  spores  wafted  on  the  breeze  of  western  migration,  Galesburg  is  a  typical 
example.  Its  religious  history  has  been  traced  from  the  very  beginning;  we  have 
long  been  familiar  with  the  early  annals  of  the  college,  which  indeed  was  the  fore- 
runner of  the  town,  while  but  slight  emphasis  has  been  placed  upon  the  industrial 
metamorphosis  through  which  the  village  passed  in  the  early  fifties,  when  after 
strenuous  effort  on  the  part  of  loyal  citizens,  a  railroad  came  through  Galesburg, 
and  rescued  it  from  the  oblivfoh  which  would  otherwise  have  been  its  fate. 

Founded  in  1837,  Galesburg  had  grown  steadily  until  in  1845  it  was  a  flourish- 
'  ing  village  of  some  seventy  dwellings,  "situated  on  the  main  stage  line  between 
Peoria  and  Oquawka"  as  an  old  Knox  catalogue  tells  us.  Around  the  New  Eng- 
land square  were  a  general  store  or  two  and  a  blacksmith  shop,  while  on  the 
southwest  corner  stood  the  first  church,  the  ever  watchful  guardian  of  the  moral 
life  of  the  community. 

Galesburg  passed  the  first  two  decades  of  its  existence  quietly — independent 
of  the  rest  of  the  world.  But  should  we  picture  it  in  1857  we  would  see  a  change, 
evidences  of  the  industrial  revolution,  ushered  in  by  the  coming  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  and  Quincy  railroad,  which  resulted  in  a  new  era  of  industrial  devel- 
opment. No  longer  does  one  store  do  the  business  of  the  community  but  there 
are  merchants  of  various  kinds.  No  longer  do  the  people  gather  in  their  door- 
yards  as  the  clumsy  stage  coach,  with  horn  blowing,  thunders  down  the  road.  No 
longer  is  the  whir  of  saw  or  grist  mill  the  only  evidence  of  industry,  since  from 
the  "Q"  yards  to  Frost's  foundry,  there  is  a  buzz  and  shriek  of  machinery,  the 
clang  of  engine  bells  and  the  scream  of  whistles,  announcing  the  employment  of 
scores  of  men. 

That  first  epoch  in  Galesburg's  economic  history  was  characterized  by  a  lack 
of  transportation  facilities  and  by  an  absence  of  machinery,  two  factors  aflecting 
all  fields  of  activity,  but  especially  prominent  in  determining  the  condition  of 
agriculture  at  that  time.  The  primitive  methods  of  farming  alone  were  sufficient  to 
limit  production,  while  the  difficulty  in  reaching  markets  made  large  crops  unprofit- 
able and  offered  no  incentive  to  inventive  genius  for  the  improvement  of  agricultural 
implements.  Corn  has  always  been  the  chief  export  until  after  the  coming  of  the 
railroad.  Wheat,  however,  has  always  been  produced  in  comparatively  large 
quantities.  With  the  only  farm  implements  an  old  fashioned  wooden  mold-board 
plow,  a  sickle,  a  harvesting  cradle,  and  a  threshing  fiail,  necessitating  the  use  of 
manual  labor  in  all  the  processes,  the  acreage  under  cultivation  was  naturally 
small.  Moreover,  when  the  farmer  had  succeeded  in  harvesting  his  wheat,  he 
must  make  the  tiresome  journey  with  loaded  wagons,  to  Peoria  or  farther  still,  to 
Chicago — the  latter  trip  consuming  two  weeks  with  a  tedious  wait  in  the  elevators 
in  the  city  if  prices  were  high,  perhaps  sixty  cents — causing  farmers  to  rush  their 
wheat  to  market.  Hog  raising  owing  to  the  distance  from  available  markets,  was 
an  unsuccessful  financial  venture,  if  one  may  judge  from  the  experience  of  the 
'  man  from  Knoxville  who  once  succeeded  in  driving  1,300  unruly  pigs  to  Chicago 
at  a  loss  of  $5,000. 

The  absence  of  railroads  and  the  consequent  isolation,  resulted  in  the  industrial 
independence  of  the  community ;  whereas,  within  Galesburg  itself,  owing  to  the 
abundance  of  land,  each  family  was  practically  self-supporting.  There  was  little 


:>^;;v- ;':  ;^^^^^^         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '     ^  -•-:^'    399 

^  need  of  meat  market  or  grocery  store  since  each  one  slaughtered  his  own  meat 

:   .  and  raised  the  necessary  grain,  garden  vegetables  and  fruit  upon  his  ten  acre  lot. 

/:-  -The  housewife's  tasks,  included  besides  the  cooking  and  other  duties  of  the 

•  •  present,  spinning  and  weaving,  the  dipping  of  candles  and  the  making  of  all  the 
V  c  garments  for  the  family,  with  her  own  hands. 

•i::.  Whatever  articles  were  needed  aside  from  the  domestic  productions  could  be 

'•'•:•  -•  '-•:  obtained  at  the  general  store  and  you  need  not  hesitate  to  purchase  if  your  funds 

•  ;  •;  were  low,  for  Mr.  Qjlton  would  accept  whatever  farm  produce  you  had  to  offer 
•  in  exchange  for  needles,  farm  implements  or  calico.    There  was  little  competition 

and  prices  may  have  been  high  but  the  credit  was  long. 

';;  The  village  had  its  own  grist  mills  and  its  saw  mills  make  into  lumber  the  hard 

'.  "  .  .  wood  from  Henderson  Grove.  All  building  materials  with  the  exception  of  hard- 
;  V  '  ware,  glass  and  white  lead,  were  the  product  of  the  neighborhood.  In  the  sash, 
.'  ,  .  .  door  and  blind  factory,  all  the  labor  was  performed  by  hand  for  years. 

-'  •  •'        .''   ,  •- 

':     i          But  Galesburg's  system  of  domestic  economy  was  nearing  its  close,  when,  in 

.  .'      1854  the  first  construction  engine  entered  Galesburg  over  the  railroad  linking  it 

r    V      with  east  and  west.     For  simultaneously  with  the  railroad  came  factories  and 

;,  .  machinery.    The  cornplanter,  invented  and  manufactured  by  Geo.  W.  Brown,  the 

..;  steel  plow  and  the  threshing  machine  revolutionized  agricultural  methods;  new 

appliances  simplified  household  tasks,  increase  of  population  and  multiplication 

.   :        of  machinery  led  to  specialization  of  labor  and  industrial  interdependence  and 

Galesburg  became  a  unit  in  the  economic  life  in  the  nation."      .      ' 

'. .  .  There  does  not  seem  to  have  been  very  much  of  a  scramble  for  office  in  1854. 

.    •   •  On  April  i3th  of  that  year  a  committee  from  the  village  trustees  was  appointed  to 
.     ;      wait  upon  L.  C.  Conger  and  find  out  if  he  would  accept  the  office  of  supervisor  at 
;•;  '   I2j^  cents  per  day  that  the  trustees  agreed  to  allow  him.    Here  is  one  instance  at 
,;••'•  least,  of  the  office  seeking  the  man.  ;  : 

•;  ..  ;  ;        In  the  spring  of  1857,  after  it  became  apparent  that  Galesburg  was  to  be  a 
•--. ':       railroad  town,  the  citizens  aspired  to  give  their  town  the  more  dignified  appellation 
".,  ;•       of  CITY  OF  GALESBURG.    An  election  was  called  for  the  6th  of  April,  the  village 
3    .      trustees  met,  canvassed  the  votes  and  declared  the  following  officers  elected :  H.  R. 
;?_;      ,  Sanderson,  mayor;  O.  S.  Pitcher,  city  clerk;  F.  P.  Sisson,  marshal;  David  San- 
;          bom,  assessor;  George  Davis,  collector;  And.  Phelps,  treasurer;  John  Burlin^am, 
;•;        street  commissioner;  A.  C.  Wiley  and  L.  C.  Conger,  police  magistrates;  M.  S. 
r'-;;:  ,.:  Cooke,  city  justice  of  the  peace.     Aldermen:     ist  ward,  J.  H.  Sherman;  2nd 
•.:    ..  ward,  Edwin  Post;  3d  ward,  J.  F.  Dunn;  4th  ward,  J.  W.  Cothren;  5th  ward, 
•';^'v.  Marcus  Belden;  6th  ward,  E.  M.  Jordan.  :  ,         =:,     .v.^. 

;/};         Majority  against  license,  358.  .        ,,  ,     '    '       ..;>':'        /'•  -  V; 

;-,    ',        Majority  against  gaming,  371.  .   V:  .,•.,- 

.;     y        After  closing  up  the  business  of  the  meeting  the  trustees  shook  hands  and  bid 

-•;  each  other  farewell.  > 

'    ;  '          On  April  9,  1857  the  mayor  and  city  council  met  in  the  session  room  of  the 

•  ;    First  Presbyterian  Church.     Mr.  Pitcher,  clerk,  presented  his  certificate  of  elec- 
,;;;.•   tion,  took  the  oath  of  office  before  A.  C.  Wiley,  J.  P.,  and  proceeded  to  organize 

•'-!.-.  ^^^  council.    The  major  being  absent,  Mr.  J.  H.  Sherman  was  made  acting  mayor. 
/;  ;;.  The  city  had  no  corporate  seal  and  it  was  ordered  that  a  "Scrawl"  around  the 


400  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

word  "seal"  should  be  the  seal  of  the  city  and  that  the  clerk  report  a  suitable 
design  at  the  next  meeting  for  a  city  seal. 

The  council  met  again  April  I3th  when  the  clerk  reported  a  representation  of 
the  main  building  of  Knox  college  as  a  device  for  a  city  seal  which  was  unanimous- 
ly adopted. 

A  room  for  meeting  for  one  year  was  rented  of  R.  H.  Rugar  for  $100.00.  It 
will  be  noted  that  the  vote  on  license  or  no  license  resulted  in  "no  license"  by  358 
majority.  This  vote  applied  to  the  charter  which,  therefore  denied  to  the  council 
the  right  to  license  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquor  until  the  adoption  of  the 
present  charter  containing  license  privilege. 

On  April  i6,  1857  the  council  declared  by  ordinance  all  roads  within  the  city 
to  be  public  streets  and  any  continuation  of  any  of  said  streets  should  bear  the 
name  of  the  street  so  continued.  Questions  like  this  kind  came  in  rapid  succession 
and. were  taken  up  and  disposed  of,  thereby  adjusting  matters  in  conformity  with 
the  broader  outloolc  arising  from  the  new  powers  and  duties  of  the  newly  bom 
city.  In  1860,  a  census  was  taken,  showing  the  total  number  of  inhabitants  to  be 
5,544,  of  whom  2,753  were  males,  2,791  females ;  divided  among  the  different 
races  as  follows:  Swedes,  654;  Irish,  422;  Germans,  222;  other  foreigners,  220; 
Americans,  4,026;  colored,  78;  entitled  to  vote,  1,153. 

A  census  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  Was  also  taken  Oct.  i,  1867,  and  reported 
to  the  council  October  7th,  showing  the  following:  1  .  • 

Total  population  Oct.  i 9,230  ;• . 

American  5,674        .    .' 

Swede 1,650     .  C  •    •  •' 

Irish   865          •   /^^ 

German 467        •  :  ?  " 

''..      ;        Colored    574    ^      ,'^  ^ 

Total  population,  1863 6,475          X  -f' • 

Total  population,  1865 7,7OO         " ''' 

In  the  same  year  a  Norwegian — name  unknown — asked  the  privilege  of  estab- 
lishing a  brewery  within  the  city  limits.    .-  ';|    ,     •      .; 
It  was  in  this  year  that  the  rumblings  of  the  Civil  War  were  first  heaird.       ^. ,  . 

'     •'    -          •  -  GALESBURG  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR    ^         ^!:       ,:  :  / 

Overt  acts  were  committed  by  the  south  at  different  points  during  the  winter 
of  i86i  and  war  began  in  earnest  in  the  spring.  The  pressure  was  immediately 
felt  by  the  families  of  the  men  who  had  volunteered  to  defend  the  nation.  On 
Nov.  19,  i86i,  the  council  voted  an  allowance  of  thirty  to  forty  cents  a  day  for 
each  man  regularly  certified.  An  appropriation  of  $5,000.00  had  been  made  for 
this  purpose  in  the  tax  levy  of  April  19,  i86i.  The  young  city  did  her  full  share. 
In  January,  1865  when  the  government  wanted  to  close  the  war  with  a  mighty 
dash  and  called  loudly  for  additional  troops,  the  council  offered  a  bounty  of 
$500.00  to  include  the  $300.00  offered  for  the  first  sixteen  men  who  would  volun- 
teer. This  action  was  rescinded  when  it  was  learned  that  the  quota  required  of 
the  city  was  much  larger  than  supposed  and  it  was  voted  to  have  placed  to  the 
credit  of  the  township  sixty  volunteers  and  pay  each  $200.00.  The  city  guaran- 


c 


Z 

jc 


400  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

word  "seal"  should  be  the  seal  of  the  city  and  that  the  clerk  report  a  suitable 
design  at  the  next  meeting  for  a  city  seal,  '     :'  •        .         -I 

The  council  met  again  April  I3th  when  the  clerk  reported  a  representation  of 
the  main  building  of  Knox  college  as  a  device  for  a  city  seal  which  was  unanimous- 
ly adopted. 

A  room  for  meeting  for  one  year  was  rented  of  R.  H.  Rugar  for  $100.00.  It 
will  be  noted  that  the  vote  on  license  or  no  license  resulted  in  "no  license"  by  358 
majority.  This  vote  applied  to  the  charter  which,  therefore  denied  to  the  council 
the  right  to  license  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquor  until  the  adoption  of  the 
present  charter  containing  license  privilege. 

On  April  i6,  1857  the  council  declared  by  ordinance  all  roads  within  the  city 
to  be  public  streets  and  any  continuation  of  any  of  said  streets  should  bear  the 
name  of  the  street  so  continued.  Questions  like  this  kind  came  in  rapid  succession 
and. were  taken  up  and  disposed  of,  thereby  adjusting  matters  in  conformity  with 
the  broader  outlooli  arising  from  the  new  powers  and  duties  of  the  newly  born 
city.  In  1860.  a  census  was  taken,  showing  the  total  number  of  inhabitants  to  be 
5,544,  of  whom  2,753  were  males,  2,791  females ;  divided  among  the  different 
races  as  follows:  Swedes,  654;  Irish,  422;  Germans,  222;  other  foreigners,  220; 
Americans,  4,026;  colored,  78;  entitled  to  vote,  1,153. 

A  census  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  Was  also  taken  Oct.  I,  1867,  and  reported 
to  the  council  October  7th,  showing  the  following:  ;  I 

:     ;    Total  population  Oct.  i 9,230 

American   5,674         : 

Swede 1,650 

.         Irish   865         ;      , 

German 467 

Colored    574 

Total  population,  1863 6,475 

Total  population,  1865 7,700 

In  the  same  year  a  Norwegian — name  unknown — asked  the  privilege  of  estab- 
lishing a  brewery  within  the  city  limits. 

It  was  in  this  year  that  the  rumblings  of  the  Civil  War  were  first  heard. 

.'  GALESBURG  IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR 

Overt  acts  were  committed  by  the  south  at  different  points  during  the  winter 
of  i86i  and  war  began  in  earnest  in  the  spring.  The  pressure  was  immediately 
felt  by  the  families  of  the  men  who  had  volunteered  to  defend  the  nation.  On 
Nov.  19,  i86i,  the  council  voted  an  allowance  of  thirty  to  forty  cents  a  day  for 
each  man  regularly  certified.  An  appropriation  of  $5,000.00  had  been  made  for 
this  purpose  in  the  tax  levy  of  April  19,  i86i.  The  young  city  did  her  full  share. 
In  January,  1865  when  the  government  wanted  to  close  the  war  with  a  mighty 
dash  and  called  loudly  for  additional  troops,  the  council  offered  a  bounty  of 
$500.00  to  include  the  $300.00  offered  for  the  first  sixteen  men  who  would  volun- 
teer. This  action  was  rescinded  when  it  was  learned  that  the  quota  required  of 
the  city  was  much  larger  than  supposed  and  it  was  voted  to  have  placed  to  the 
credit  of  the  township  sixty  volunteers  and  pay  each  $200.00.  The  city  guaran- 


^  A.  ..  -. 


7: 
X 


X 

X 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  401 

teed  to  protect  any  person  against  the  draft  who  would  pay  to  tfie  city  treasurer  ..:.•' 

on  or  before  February  25th,  the  amount  assessed  against  him  by  the  township  - 

committee,  the  township  to  procure  thirty  additional  volunteers.    The  collapse  of  - 

the  rebellion  came  April,  1865,  and  August,  1865  the  council  voted  to  take  no  •    ;-  ^ 

further  action  upon  the  subject  of  bounties  except  the  payment  of  $50  to  Samuel  ;  > 

Stevens  as  a  deserved  gratuity  by  virtue  of  his  intentions  and  losses  subject  to  . 

enlistment.  '•  : 

February  I2th,  1866,  the  clerk  reported  that  Galesburg  had  expended  $16,660  -;>   v 

on  account  of  the  war.                                                           '  ^..  '  ;;;• 

November  i8,  1863,  the  council  voted  to  pay  $12.00  per  month  while  in  the  .  , 
service  of  the  United  States  under  the  call  for  300,000  men  then  made.    Mayor 

Dunn  was  absent  and  upon  his  return,  declined  to  sign  the  resolution  and  returned  \.: 

it  with  his  endorsement  "I  hope  the  council  will  reconsider  the  order  for  bounty  -  '; 

for  volunteers,  I  am  afraid  it  will  entail  a  heavy  expense  on  the  city  and  at  the  ^  :    . 

same  time  fail  to  secure  the  desired  object."    At  the  next  meeting,  December  7th,  • .    .f-: 

he  oflfered  his  resignation  which  was  laid  upon  the  table  until  called  up  for  fur-  .JJ 

ther  consideration.    Under  Timothy  Nash,  acting  mayor,  the  council  continued  to  :        ;-.=; 

vote  bounties  and  do  everything  possible  to  keep  Galesburg's  quota  of  soldiers  •      ;  - 

full.        -,;,.  -.  :;-v,..                                                                       ..,;:.:..-,.,-,..  .V7V/^: 

;;';'"'•.•;,••;;'•;  •'^::.'V^  •.':.'•:/:'''•"'      THE  NEW  CHARTER          /  ^'.^ ''.''''"  '"'  ''•':•:-••"• 

;       May  15,  1876,  Mr.  Sanderson  (Henry  R.)  introduced  a  resolution  directing  the  :.'•;• 
mayor  to  give  notice  at  once  for  an  election,  submitting  the  question  to  a  vote  of          \^ 
the  people:    "Shall  this  city  become  incorporated  under  the  general  law  of  this  •.-. 

state."    The  motion  was  laid  upon  the  table  until  next  regular  meeting.     It  was  :.; 

called  up  on  June  lo.    The  resolution  was  amended  so  as  to  read  "and  that  the  ' 

time  for  holding  such  election  be  fixed  on  the  3d  Monday  on  the  I7th  of  July,"  M   '• 
and  in  that  form  it  was  passed.  '..  !     • 

The  vote  in  the  affirmative  was  carried  by  a  majority  of  220.    The  licensing  of  :  '  S    ~ 

dram  shops  was  permitted  under  the  new  charter  and  an  ordinance  to  that  effect  /',  ;  ji:; 

was  passed  April  9,  1877.    Other  changes  were  made.    On  May  i,  1882,  the  city  ;>'./.->• 

attorney  was  instructed  to  prepare  an  ordinance  providing  that  the  offices  of  city  ::'/,.; 
and  town  clerk  shall  be  united  in  the  same  person  and  that  the  offices  of  supervisor  ;  '-J, 
and  poor  master  shall  be  separated,  and  the  poor  master  appointed  by  the  city 

council.    The  next  year  the  offices  of  treasurer  and  town  collector  were  united.  :'••-•; . 

;'':';:: ;';-;':•':;•//';;••, x. :r: •'>  :-..:•  .,:•:,,.•.'•    POLICE  DEPARTMENT        '•  •  "x^  V':-:-';'f ;.;-•;,..:.  '.:''"  C' 

•.-y    This  department  consisted  of  a  constable  only  at  the  start.    The  clerk's  record       j-     r 
shows  that  on  June  2,  1856,  a  police  force  was  established  consisting  of  five  men      .,• 
to  be  selected  by  Constable  Wilsey,  whose  duties  shall  be  "to  arrest  all  disorderly  v; 

persons  and  such  other  duties  in  the  premises  as  is  usually  performed  by  such 
officers."    A  year  later  a  police  department  was  established  by  ordinance  consist-     '  •  v 
ing  of  the  mayor,  marshal  and  such  policemen  as  then  were  or  may  thereafter  be    y       .: 
appointed.     Two  years  later  it  was  voted  that  the  services  of  the  police  be  dis-    ••-/.ri' 
pensed  with  from  and  after  this  date  and  until  further  order  from  the  city  council.   V  • 

VoU  1— M  .-;. 


402  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Today  the  police  department  of  the  city  comprises  the  mayor  as  head  over  all, 
the  chief  of  police,  the  desk  sergeant  and  six  patrolmen.  Exclusive  of  the  mayor, 
the  annual  salaries  aggregate  something  over  $6,7OO.cx).  Attached  to  the  depart- 
ment is  a  fine  ambulance,  a  good  patrol  wagon,  and  a  good  team  of  horses,  the 
upkeep  of  which  is  about  $2CX)  per  annum.  ;: . 

•.    •-  '  ''.    .    .    .      FIRE  DEPARTMENT      ;  "'    •'''  -.^^  '•''.•^- ••^'^'''..\''-:  ^, 

'•'.  '•,      -  '      .          -  ,         '  -   •'''••  •'    •   .'.'1  •_  '.   ..''."*  '  '''"•'  .•.;. 

This  department  is  the  joy  of  the  small  boy,  the  comfort  of  the  adult  and  the 
pride  of  all  good  citizens.  It  is  generally  believed  that  Galesburg  has  the  best  fire 
department  of  any  city  of  like  size  in  the  state.  It  had  its  origin  in  an  old- 
fashioned  volunteer  fire  brigade. 

On  Feb.  5,  1858,  the  city  council  called  upon  all  good  citizens  of  Galesburg  to 
call  at  the  council  room  of  the  city  and  enroll  themselves  members  of  a  volunteer 
bucket  company,  each  agreeing  to  keep  a  bucket  for  the  special  purpose,  and  hold 
himself  in  readiness  to  attend  all  fires  in  the  city  and,  at  the  same  time  it  was 
ordered  that  an  ordinance  for  the  organization  of  a  fire  department  be  prepared. 
The  ordinance  provided  that  the  department  consist  of  an  engineer,  two  assistant 
engineers,  a  city  fire  warden  and  such  fire  engine  men,  hose  men,  hook  and 
ladder,  ax  and  saw  men  and  bucket  company  men  as  may  from  time  to  time  be 
approved  by  the  council,  and  when  so  approved,  and  not  otherwise,  they  shall  be 
enrolled  as  members  of  the  fire  department,  the  aldermen  to  be  ex-officio  fire 
wardens  of  their  respective  wards.  Forty-five  names  were  subscribed  to  the  en- 
rollment. Among  the  subscribers  were  the  following:  '  -1:  .i-'j  ' 

B.  O.  Carr,  J.  B.  Boggs,  George  Ekins,  O.  B.  Judson,  A.  S.  Hoover,  Chas.  L. 
Stevens,  S.  B.  Hoisington,  Geo.  Davis,  Nelson  Finch,  A.  E.  Higgins,  E.  Benner, 
G.  C.  Lanphere,  J.  F.  Edgerton.  The  only  persons  among  the  above  now  living 
are :  B.  O.  Carr,  O.  B.  Judson  and  S.  B.  Hoisington.  It  is  believed  this  was  the 
first  systematic  eflfort  to  secure  a  fire  department  although  in  June,  1856,  authority  ; 
was  voted  to  purchase  a  fire  engine  and  hose  suitable  to  the  town,  and  there  must 
have  been  some  way  of  operating  it.  The  greatest  difficulty  was  the  lack  of  water. 
The  only  source  of  supply  were  private  wells.  George  W.  Brown  &  Co.  had  a 
well  which  they  thought  inexhaustible  and  The  Frost  Manufacturing  Co.  had  one, 
but  the  area  over  which  these  two  could  be  made  servicable  was  very  limited.  A 
large  cistern  was  dug  one  block  east  of  the  Brown  factory  and  another  one  near 
the  Frost  company's  works.  These  cisterns  were  kept  full  from  the  two  wells.  A 
fire  district  was  reached  by  water  pipes  that  were  connected  with  or  rather  served 
by  these  two  cisterns.  But  such  service  was  necessarily  very  imperfect.  In  1870 
there  was  a  movement  in  the  council  for  the  purchase  of  a  steam  fire  engine.  The 
better  judgment  prevailed  and  nothing  was  done.  The  fire  apparatus  already 
owned  was  equal  to  the  water  supply.  In  1879  the  city  purchased  a  fine  chemical 
engine  which  did  excellent  service  until  the  construction  of  the  present  system  of 
water  works.  With  the  finding  of  plenty  of  water  the  fire  department  of  Gales- 
burg began  to  grow  and  today  it  is  one  of  the  most  efficient  that  can  be  found. 
The  central  station  is  located  on  the  south  side  of  Simmons  street  between  Prairie 
and  Cherry  streets.  It  is  fitted  up  in  the  most  up-to-date  style.  There  are  5,000 
telephones  that  may  be  used  to  notify  central  in  case  of  fire.  In  case  of  alarm 


H.  R.  SAXDERSOX 


402      -•    •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        • ;        ^. > 

Today  the  police  department  of  the  city  comprises  the  mayor  as  head  over  all, 
the  chief  of  police,  the  desk  sergeant  and  six  patrolmen.  Exclusive  of  the  mayor, 
the  annual  salaries  aggregate  something  over  $6,700.00.  Attached  to  the  depart- 
ment is  a  fine  ambulance,  a  good  patrol  wagon,  and  a  good  team  of  horses,  the 
upkeep  of  which  is  about  $200  per  annum.  . 

;         ;,  FIRE  DEPARTMENT  '          • 

This  department  is  the  joy  of  the  small  boy,  the  comfort  of  the  adult  and  the 
pride  of  all  good  citizens.  It  is  generally  believed  that  Galesburg  has  the  best  fire 
department  of  any  city  of  like  size  in  the  state.  It  had  its  origin  in  an  old- 
fashioned  volunteer  fire  brigade. 

On  Feb.  5,  1858,  the  city  council  called  upon  all  good  citizens  of  Galesburg  to 
call  at  the  council  room  of  the  city  and  enroll  themselves  members  of  a  volunteer 
bucket  company,  each  agreeing  to  keep  a  bucket  for  the  special  purpose,  and  hold 
himself  in  readiness  to  attend  all  fires  in  the  city  and,  at  the  same  time  it  was 
ordered  that  an  ordinance  for  the  organization  of  a  fire  department  be  prepared. 
The  ordinance  provided  that  the  department  consist  of  an  engineer,  two  assistant 
engineers,  a  city  fire  warden  and  such  fire  engine  men,  hose  men,  hook  and 
ladder,  ax  and  saw  men  and  bucket  company  men  as  may  from  time  to  time  be 
approved  by  the  council,  and  when  so  approved,  and  not  otherwise,  they  shall  be 
enrolled  as  members  of  the  fire  department,  the  aldermen  to  be  ex-officio  fire 
wardens  of  their  respective  wards.  Forty-five  names  were  subscribed  to  the  en- 
rollment. Among  the  subscribers  were  the  following:  •  '•  :  j 

B.  O.  Carr,  J.  B.  Boggs,  George  Ekins.  O.  B.  Judson,  A.  S.  Hoover,  Chas.  L, 
Stevens,  S.  B.  Hoisington.  Geo.  Davis,  Nelson  Finch,  A.  E.  Higgins,  E.  Benner, 
G.  C.  Lanphere.  J.  F.  Edgerton.  The  only  persons  among  the  above  now  living 
are :  B.  O.  Carr,  O.  B.  Judson  and  S.  B.  Hoisington.  It  is  believed  this  was  the 
first  systematic  effort  to  secure  a  fire  department  although  in  June,  1856,  authority 
was  voted  to  purchase  a  fire  engine  and  hose  suitable  to  the  town,  and  there  must 
have  been  some  way  of  operating  it.  The  greatest  difficulty  was  the  lack  of  water. 
The  only  source  of  supply  were  private  wells.  George  W.  Brown  &  Co.  had  a 
well  which  they  thought  inexhaustible  and  The  Frost  Manufacturing  Co.  had  one. 
but  the  area  over  which  these  two  could  be  made  servicable  was  very  limited.  A 
large  cistern  was  dug  one  block  east  of  the  Brown  factory  and  another  one  near 
the  Frost  company's  works.  These  cisterns  were  kept  full  from  the  two  wells.  A 
fire  district  was  reached  by  water  pipes  that  were  connected  with  or  rather  served 
by  these  two  cisterns.  But  such  service  was  necessarily  very  imperfect.  In  1870 
there  was  a  movement  in  the  council  for  the  purchase  of  a  steam  fire  engine.  The 
better  judgment  prevailed  and  nothing  was  done.  The  fire  apparatus  already 
owned  was  equal  to  the  water  supply.  In  1879  the  city  purchased  a  fine  chemical 
engine  which  did  excellent  service  until  the  construction  of  the  present  system  of 
water  works.  With  the  finding  of  plenty  of  water  the  fire  department  of  Gales- 
burg began  to  grow  and  today  it  is  one  of  the  most  efficient  that  can  be  found. 
The  central  station  is  located  on  the  south  side  of  Simmons  street  between  Prairie 
and  Cherry  streets.  It  is  fitted  up  in  the  most  up-to-date  style.  There  are  5,000 
telephones  that  may  be  used  to  notify  central  in  case  of  fire.  In  case  of  alarm 


H.  K.  SAXDKUSd.V 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;;•::.'  403 

the  central  telephone  station  starts  everything  working  by  electricity.  It  lights  the 
building,  rings  all  the  bells,  releases  the  horses,  opens  the  doors  and  the  depart- 
ment is  ready  to  rush  to  a  fire  in  ten  to  fifteen  seconds.  There  are  two  outside 
stations — one  on  Maple  avenue,  near  the  Bateman  school  house,  and  one  on  the 
corner  of  East  Brooks  street  and  Churchill  avenue.  The  department  has  fourteen 
fine  horses,  one  aerial  truck,  65  feet  high,  which  can  be  used  as  a  water  tower, 
one  steam  fire  engine,  one  chemical  double  60  gallon  cylinder  engine,  two  com- 
bination hose  and  chemical  engines,  with  50  gallon  tanks,  550  feet  of  hose,  and 
one  fire  chief  buggy.  All  of  this  apparatus  is  in  first  class  condition  and  is  kept 
clean  and  neat  by  the  men.  The  roster  of  men  includes  the  fire  chief,  one  assistant 
fire  chief,  three  captains  and  sixteen  privates.  These  men  all  undergo  frequent 
thorough  examinations  to  test  their  efficiency  in  every  duty  they  have  to  perform, 
including,  of  course,  localities.  Every  man  must  know  without  asking  the  shortest 
route  to  every  locality  in  the  city  and  must  also  know  the  nearest  hydrants  to  the 
place  where  the  fire  is.  The  equipment  is  ample,  the  discipline  is  perfect. 

•'-I'    -'''.:'•-'••  ^'••'-    '•'•''''--'. '',':^:  WATER  DEPARTMENT  •    .^  •;'.•'  X/ "" 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  the  water  supply  was  very  inadequate  to  the 
necessity  of  the  city,  and  that  private  wells  and  large  reservoirs,  in  the  shape  of 
cisterns,  located  at  different  points,  were  resorted  to.  These  cisterns  were  kept 
filled  with  water  as  storage  for  use  in  case  of  fire,  but  the  city  council  became  un- 
easy and  dissatisfied  with  this  meagre  chest  for  a  water  supply.  There  was  a  spot 
south  of  Main  street  and  lying  on  both  sides  of  Henderson  street  that  seemed  to 
be  yielding  a  great  deal  of  water.  A  small  artificial  lake  had  been  constructed 
there  and  was  supplied  with  water  that  seeped  into  it  from  all  directions.  It  was 
believed  that  this  locality  would  furnish  all  the  water  that  the  city  needed.  A  com- 
mittee of  the  council  had  recommended  the  purchase  of  a  part  of  this  ground,  but 
the  proposition  did  not  carry. 

In  1883,  a  Mr.  Nathan  Shelton  came  to  Galesburg  and  convinced  the  council 
that  he  could  procure  a  sufficient  supply  of  water  by  sinking  a  large  well  just  west 
of  the  Burlington  track,  in  the  valley  of  Cedar  Fork.  A  contract  to  that  effect 
was  made  with  Mr.  Shelton  who  went  ahead  and  sunk  the  well,  laid  water  mains, 
constructed  a  standpipe  and  engine  house  and  purchased  all  of  the  old  water  mains 
then  owned  by  the  city  and,  in  fact,  did  everything  necessary  so  far  as  construc- 
tion was  concerned  to  make  a  complete  system  of  water  works.  In  December, 
1883,  he  gave  notice  to  the  city  that  he  had  assigned  his  franchises,  etc.,  to  the 
Galesburg  Water  Co.,  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  Illinois,  and  further  that  the 
hydrants  as  listed  in  the  notice  were  ready  for  use. 

It  soon  began  to  appear  that  the  water  works  would  be  without  water  before 
very  long,  and  the  council  began  to  inquire  what  could  be  done  to  relieve  the  situ- 
ation. Various  notices  were  made  but  it  finally  came  to  the  point  where  the  city 
declared  the  contract  forfeited,  and  instructed  the  water  committee  to  disconnect 
the  old  water  mains,  formally  owned  by  the  city,  from  the  Shelton  works,  and 
fall  back  upon  the  old  water  supply,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  council  instructed 
the  city  attorney  together  with  added  counsel  to  begin  at  once  the  necessary  legal 


404  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

proceedings  to  annul  the  contract  with  the  Galesburg  Water  Company,  on  the 
ground  of  insufficiency  in  quality  and  quantity  of  water  furnished. 

On  June  i,  1885,  Alderman  Easier  introduced  an  ordinance  repealing  the 
ordinance  providing  for  a  supply  of  water  to  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  authorizing 
Nathan  Shelton  or  assigns  to  construct  and  maintain  water  works.  The  repealing 
ordinance  was  put  upon  its  passage  and  was  passed  by  the  following  vote : 

Yeas :  Easier,  Hamblin,  Shaw,  Anderson,  Johnson,  Overstreet,  Erooks, 
Crocker,  Drury,  Moulton,  Waste  and  Huston,  12.  Nays:  Hammond.  Absent: 
Kennedy. 

At  the  same  time  the  city  attorney  was  authorized  to  take  such  legal  steps  as 
he  may  deem  necessary.  To  have  declared  null  and  void  any  and  all  rights 
granted  under,  and  by,  virtue  of  an  ordinance  passed  May  12,  1883,  in  relation  to 
water  works  and  to  employ  legal  assistance  if  necessary. 

This  case  was  fought  strenuously,  from  the  Circuit  Court  through  the 
Supreme  court  of  the  state  and  the  Supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
decision  was  uniformly  in  favor  of  the  city,  and  by  this  decision  every  cent  of 
valuation  in  $125,000  of  water  bonds  was  eliminated. 

The  city  then  began  to  consider  the  question  of  a  water  supply  in  earnest. 
The  tract  of  land  above  referred  to,  which  had  been  known  as  Crystal  Springs 
property,  lay  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street  and  on  each  side  of  Henderson 
street,  was  again  examined.  It  was  finally  voted  to  purchase  a  certain  part  of  that 
property.  A  test  had  been  made  and  it  was  found  that  the  water  supply  appeared 
to  be  ample. 

The  city  had  repurchased  from  the  Galesburg  Water  Co.,  the  old  Shelton 
works  for  a  very  reasonable  sum.  It  was  decided  to  erect  the  necessary  buildings, 
pumps,  etc.,  upon  the  property  purchased  for  that  purpose,  and  sink  a  series  of 
wells  from  which  water  would  be  pumped  and  delivered,  not  only  to  reservoirs, 
but  directly  to  the  mains.  The  works  were  completed  and  the  supply  has  been 
quite  fit  up  to  the  present  time.  Additional  ground  has  been  purchased,  additional 
wells  were  sunk  and  the  quality  of  water  has  been  first  class  and  the  quantity  not 
ample  but  adequate.  The  wells  which  were  first  sunk  have  been  abandoned.  Other 
wells  have  been  sunk  and  today  the  supply  is  better  than  ever  before. 

A  brief  abstract  from  the  engineer's  report,  for  the  year  1910,  will  close  this 
account  and  give  a  very  clear  idea  of  what  there  is  today. 

^'^^•v^  •  'i  •      ::..  SOURCE  OF  SUPPLY '•\-';,v'>ry':':v:V. ^!-^>"v:^v' 

The  water  for  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  the  residents  thereof  is  secured  from 
six  8-inch  wells  and  from  one  lo-inch  well,  at  an  average  depth  of  80  feet,  and 
three  artesian  wells  at  a  depth  of  1,225  feet. 

The  manner  of  pumping  the  8  and  lo-inch  wells  is  by  an  Impellor  type  of 
pump,  and  by  means  of  the  air-compressor  for  the  artesian  wells. 

During  the  past  year  we  have  put  down  four  8-inch  wells  and,  with  the  one 
just  completed  on  the  reservoir  bank,  making  a  total  of  seven  wells.  •,.; 


THE  CENTRAL  FIRE  STATION 
Located  on  Simmons  Street,  between  Cherry  and  Prairie  Streets.     Erected,  1905-6.     Value,  $30,000. 


404       :•-:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -     •^;.: 

proceedings  to  annul  the  contract  with  the  Galesburg  Water  Company,  on  the 
ground  of  insufficiency  in  quality  and  quantity  of  water  furnished.  -^  | 

On  June  i,  1885,  Alderman  Easier  introduced  an  ordinance  repealing  the 
ordinance  providing  for  a  supply  of  water  to  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  authorizing 
Nathan  Shelton  or  assigns  to  construct  and  maintain  water  works.  The  repealing 
ordinance  was  put  upon  its  passage  and  was  passed  by  the  following  vote:  t 

Yeas:  Easier,  Hamblin,  Shaw,  Anderson,  Johnson,  Overstreet,  Brooks, 
Crocker,  Drury,  Moulton,  Waste  and  Huston,  12.  Nays:  Hammond.  Absent: 
Kennedy. 

At  the  same  time  the  city  attorney  was  authorized  to  take  such  legal  steps  as 
he  may  deem  necessary.  To  have  declared  null  and  void  any  and  all  rights 
granted  under,  and  by,  virtue  of  an  ordinance  passed  May  12,  1883,  in  relation  to 
water  works  and  to  employ  legal  assistance  if  necessary. 

This  case  was  fought  strenuously,  from  the  Circuit  Court  through  the 
Supreme  court  of  the  state  and  the  Supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
decision  was  uniformly  in  favor  of  the  city,  and  by  this  decision  every  cent  of 
valuation  in  $i25.cxx)  of  water  bonds  was  eliminated. 

The  city  then  began  to  consider  the  question  of  a  water  supply  in  earnest. 
The  tract  of  land  above  referred  to,  which  had  been  known  as  Crystal  Springs 
property,  lay  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street  and  on  each  side  of  Henderson 
street,  was  again  examined.  It  was  finally  voted  to  purchase  a  certain  part  of  that 
property.  A  test  had  been  made  and  it  was  found  that  the  water  supply  appeared 
to  be  ample. 

The  city  had  repurchased  from  the  Galesburg  Water  Co.,  the  old  Shelton 
works  for  a  very  reasonable  sum.  It  was  decided  to  erect  the  necessary  buildings, 
pumps,  etc.,  upon  the  property  purchased  for  that  purpose,  and  sink  a  series  of 
wells  from  which  water  would  be  pumped  and  delivered,  not  only  to  reservoirs, 
but  directly  to  the  mains.  The  works  were  completed  and  the  supply  has  been 
quite  fit  up  to  the  present  time.  Additional  ground  has  been  purchased,  additional 
wells  were  sunk  and  the  quality  of  water  has  been  first  class  and  the  quantity  not 
ample  but  adequate.  The  wells  which  were  first  sunk  have  been  abandoned.  Other 
wells  have  been  sunk  and  today  the  supply  is  better  than  ever  before. 

A  brief  abstract  from  the  engineer's  report,  for  the  year  1910,  will  close  this 
account  and  give  a  very  clear  idea  of  what  there  is  today. 

-     .          /  ;  SOURCE   OF   SUPPLY  /         •/        : 

The  water  for  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  the  residents  thereof  is  secured  from 
six  8-inch  wells  and  from  one  loinch  well,  at  an  average  depth  of  80  feet,  and 
three  artesian  wells  at  a  depth  of  1,225  feet. 

The  manner  of  pumping  the  8  and  lo-inch  wells  is  by  an  Impellor  type  of 
pump,  and  by  means  of  the  air-compressor  for  the  artesian  wells. 

During  the  past  year  we  have  put  down  four  8-inch  wells  and,  with  the  one 
just  completed  on  the  reservoir  bank,  making  a  total  of  seven  wells. 


-      .  -       -.   ':  ^  -.     THE  CENTRAL  FIRE   STATION  "."''':'        , 

Located  on  Simmons  Street,  between  Cherry  and  Prairie  Streets.     Erected,  lit05-G.     X'alue,  $30,000. 


,    :  .:;;>';       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      f  406 

•-;X/:        -^li^^O    V-.\.';.:'o  AMOUNT  OF  WATER  PUMPED  ;      '       •      •. 

The  air  compressor  has  not  been  running  continuously,  but  when  in  operation 
it  pumps  215  gallons  per  minute.  Two  of  the  8-inch  wells  are  pumping  an  average 
of  500  gallons  a  minute  each,  and  the  remaining  five  wells  are  pumping  an  average 
of  200  gallons  a  minute  each. 

If  all  the  wells  should  be  operated  for  twenty-four  hours,  two  and  one-half 
million  gallons  would  be  pumped.  The  average  number  of  wells  in  operation  for 
the  year  is  four,  at  an  average  of  eighteen  hours  a  day. 

From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  we  are  pumping  at  least  one  and  one-half 
million  gallons  daily.  As  a  result  it  has  been  determined  that  the  whole  cost  of 
pumping  water  by  the  air  compressor  is  at  the  rate  of  2^  cents  per  i,ooo  gallons, 
and  the  cost  of  pumping  with  two  Impellor  pumps,  in  the  pasture  east  of  Hender- 
son street,  is  four  mills  per  thousand  gallons.  A  test  on  the  Impellor  pumps  near 
the  station  would  make  as  favorable  a  showing,  but  would  show  a  cost  per  one 
thousand  gallons  for  less  than  shown  by  the  air  compressor. 

The  statement  of  receipts  and  expenditures  is  as  follows : 

^^  Total  receipts $30,204.70 

•'       Total  expenditures 27,149.82 

:  Balance    3,054.88 

There  are  today  in  the  city  40^4  miles  of  water  mains,  comprising  pipes  vary- 
ing in  diameter  from  4  inches  to  24  inches.  There  are  420  fire  hydrants  in  the 
city.  The  total  value  of  this  pipe  including  all  hydrants,  valves,  specials,  material 
and  labor  is  $20,021.75.  The  average  domestic  pressure  maintained  during  the 
past  year  has  been  fifty  pounds  which  has  been  giving  satisfaction.  The  ordinary 
fire  pressure  maintained  is  120  pounds.  The  analysis  of  the  water  from  the 
director  of  state  water  sufficiently  shows  that  the  same  is  safe  for  drinking  pur- 
poses. /  ; /i.'v-'  \  '•';..  :'':'-^  .  ;V  J."  -  ••'. 
:•.•-..-;.;,•;..  ••.'•;;:-.;.•..;.•'  .'^>^;..:-v.;v  ;•.  '•'.•  .':;:"-.'^- ^;:;;,\ 

-:/'••':   .'^''' ,'-'•.:...'•'''-       ;-^'''/v''.          STREET   CAR  LINES  '''.-'''-•     '/        ' '''    ' 

•  In  the  fall  of  1871,  a  petition  had  been  filed  with  the  city  council  by  a  company 
known  as  the  Galesburg  Horse  Railway  Co.,  for  an  ordinance  granting  the  use  of 
the  streets  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  for  the  purpose  of  said  horse  railway.  Be- 
fore any  definite  action  had  been  taken.  Ceo.  W.  Brown,  who  at  that  time  manu- 
factured farm  implements,  at  the  corner  of  Kellogg  and  Simmons  streets,  also 
asked  the  privilege  of  constructing  a  horse  railway,  for  freight  purposes,  from  the 
Burlington  freight  depot  to  his  shops  at  the  aforesaid  location,  and  upon  reaching 
Simmons  street  to  go  westward  as  far  as  West  street.  This  would  accommodate 
the  Frost  Manufacturing  Co.,  who  were  located  at  the  latter  point. 

On  November  15,  of  that  year,  an  ordinance  was  introduced  permitting  George 
W.  Brown,  and  others,  to  construct  the  street  railway  as  asked  for,  going  one  block 
further  to  Academy  street,  provided  it  shall  be  constructed  within  one  year. 

There  was  opposition  to  this  railway,  called  for  by  Geo.  W.  Brown  Co.,  and 
the  road  was  never  constructed. 

Under  the  ordinance  granting  the  horse  railway  company  the  right  to  lay  tracks 
in  the  streets  of  Galesburg,  about  ten  rods  of  track  in  Broad  street  just  south  of 


406  '   .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '4  .V; 

the  line  leading  to  Burlington,  Iowa,  was  constructed,  and  an  old  street  car  was 
put  upon  it  which  was  supposed  to  be  equivalent  to  take  possession  of  the  streets 
of  the  city,  under  their  charter  and  the  ordinance. 

It  was  all  that  was  done  for  several  years  until  the  organization  of  the  Street 
Railway  Co.,  that  actually  did  take  possession  of  the  streets  and  operate  a  line  of 
cars.  •  ,  '•/•"./  '';'.'--'-V'-'.:';'.'^"^-  /'- --'^  ,''  '•'•  •  ••|'/"-0-' 

The  petition  of  the  Geo.  W.  Brown  Co.  in  regard  to  a  horse  railway  was 
obtained  by  a  track  from  the  Burlington  Co.,  across  Chamber  street  between  Main 
and  Mulberry  and  across  Seminary  street  near  the  west  end  of  Mulberry,  and 
across  Kellogg,  opposite  the  corn  planter  works.  •  •  '  - 

.  The  company  which  finally  started  operations  obtained  a  franchise  of  January 
5,  1885.    The  incorporators  were : 

Lake  W.  Sanborn,  J.  K.  Mitchell,  Asa  A.  Matteson,  E.  E.  Eosdick,  W.  L. 
Gansing,  William  Kellogg,  C.  D.  Lusk,  W.  L.  Garrison,  E.  O.  Flood,  and  George 
Clayton.  '.  .  '^  ''' ^••;-':'-  •.-'-'••''•'>•'.'••••';;' 

The  corporated  name  of  this  company  was  known  as  the  College  City  Street 
Railway  Co.  This  railway  company  is  now  controlled  by  the  McKinley  Syndicate, 
and  is  a  part  of  this  system. 

;.•:.••''-;;.  •  ,  '     r    RAILROADS       '^  /^V:'. ',;''••••'';/-'•  V\'-V'-\- •'' 

The  history  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  Co.,  will  show  pretty  fully  how  rail-  ' 
roads  were  introduced  into  the  city  of  Galesburg,  but  there  were  some  things  done 
by  the  city  council  which  are  worthy  of  note.      ••.;:.';'•.  I   :/ 

At  that  time  it  seemed  that  the  Rock  Island  road  was  presenting  the  most 
favorable  opportunity  for  an  outlook  from  Galesburg  to  Chicago,  and  the  Central 
Military  Tract  road  was  organized  with  that  thought  in  view  although  they  sub- 
sequently made  connection  with  another  company  at  Mendota. 

''A  resolution  was  introduced  into  the  city  council  on  March  25,  1852,  which 
reads  very  strangely  today,  and  is  as  follows : 

Resolved,  That  the  Central  Military  Tract  Railroad  Co.,  be,  and  they  are  here- 
by authorized  and  empowered  to  occupy  so  much  of  Broad  street  as  may  be  neces- 
sary for  the  construction  and  permanent  location  of  the  said  railroad,  commencing 
at  the  south  side  of  the  public  square  and  running  north  to  fhe  line  of  the  corpora-;  - 
tion.  The  free  right  of  way  in  that  part  of  said  street  being  hereby  granted  to 
the  said  company,  provided  that  if  it  shall  be  found  necessary  to  widen  any  part 
of  said  street,  the  same  shall  be  done  by  the  company  free  of  expense  to  the  town. 
And  be  it  further  .  ;:  '  •.  .'-^  ;^:^  v :  •  . ,  ;5:;:  u  ;  j  ' '•  v  • 

Resolved,  That  the  said  railroad  company  be  and  hereby  are  allowed  the  free 
use  of  so  much  of  the  public  square  as  may  be  necessary  upon  which  to  construct 
a  passenger  depot,  the  same  being  subject  to  such  regulation  and  restrictions  as  the 
president  and  trustees  may  hereafter  see  fit  to  impose. 

Today  we  can  hardly  suppose  what  might  have  happened  if  that  proposition 
had  been  accepted.  The  beautiful  Broad  street  of  today  would  not  be  in  existence 
and  to  make  room  for  the  depot,  on  the  public  square,  which  is  now  being 
erected  would,  of  course,  entirely  change  the  map  of  the  city.  We  may  wonder 
how  little  thought  was,  at  that  time,  given  to  the  future.  Instead  of  a  tract  of  land 


'^•-  ^:  y/V  :  -  :  V   '  ^^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '^I'S;;:  _.  .         407 

of  the  size  of  the  public  square  being  used  for  depot  purposes,  we  now  have  Burl-  .i;;^^ 
ington  company  occupying  several  hundred  acres  for  depot  grounds  and  switch-       .. 
yards.  ''•'•'• 

In  1857,  a  mass  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Galesburg  called  upon  the  city-;    .- 
council  to  subscribe  $30,000  to  the  stock  of  the  Alton  &  Rock  Island  road,  which  f.. .; 
when  amended  with  a  provision  that  the  railroad  actually  come  to  Galesburg,  was ';;     . 
passed.    In  the  summer  of  1857,  an  election  was  held  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  at 
which  it  was  voted  that  the  city  subscribe  $35,ocx)  for  the  stock  of  the  Alton  &  Rock    -  .••' 
Island  R.  R.    The  number  of  votes  in  the  affirmative  was  500,  the  number  against,        ; 
I.    Later  in  May  1870,  the  council  voted  to  call  a  special  election  to  vote  upon  the      ,,' 
proposition  of  the  city  taking  $100,000  stock  of  the  proposed  Court  Creek  Rail-  >: 
road  company,  which,  of  course,  never  materialized.  ...       ..  ,;  ' 

•v•••^-•.-'•^^  --^  •.-.;. -.•'V;v-;,v--  •  ':-:''-  :'.'r.'  -.'  '^:^--':U--' '-:.-^'- .^ •••'.-•/.:'.•'• 

:'•';•.•-'..;;':•:••„••.-'':'-'•"•'•'•,;./' ;'::.x---  CITY  BUILDINGS      '••.•/-'....  /.'^^  /  "  '  •    ••••'  "''.'-  -"•',-.' 

The  city  of  Galesburg  never  owned  a  city  hall  or  fire  department  buildings        .^ 
until  recently.    They  had  a  building  on  Prairie  street  that  answered  the  purpose.    ;/•,, 
It  owned  a  lot  on  Cherry  street  that  answered  for  a  city  prison,  but  in  1895  action  ••''. 
was  taken  that  has  resulted  in  a  very  fine  improvement.  ';;;•. 

•      Alderman  Griffith  on  June   19,   1905,  moved  that  it  be  the  order  of  the     '  ; 
council  that  the  finance  committee  and  city  attorney  draft  an  ordinance  for  the 
balance  of  $70,000  city  bonds,  and  be  used  for  the  purchase  of  site  and  erecting 
city  hall,  police  and  patrol  stations  and  fire  department  building.  '   , 

On  July  3,  1905,  Alderman  Griffith  presented  an  ordinance  in  accordance  with   •' ;' 
the  foregoing  motion.     On  July  17,  the  building  committee  recommended  that       'V 
plans  be  drawn  by  J.  G.  Beadle  for  the  fire  station,  police  and  patrol  stations,    • ;  - 
which  was  adopted,  that  plans  of  Architect  William  Wolfe  for  the  city  hall  be  •' 
adopted.  -:    '• 

The  contract  for  the  fire  station  was  let  to  Peter  T.  Olson,  for  $27,373,  includ-  •   .   ; 
ing  the  building  and  all  fixtures,  except  heating ;  the  construction  of  the  city  prison 
was  let  to  P.  T.  Olson,  for  $11,227,  including  all  fixtures,  except  cages,  iron 
doors,  and  fixtures  belonging  thereto,  and  the  patrol  station  was  let  to  M.  E.  •'.• 
Sweeney,  for  $7,900,  including  all  fixtures. 

'  On  September  20,  it  was  ordered  that  the  contract  for  the  new  city  hall  be  let  V; 
to  Davidson  &  Rundquist,  for  $34,000,  except  marble  work,  hardware,  steam-  • 
heating  and  gas  fixtures.  ,j 

These  buildings  were  all  completed  and  are  now  in  excellent  shape.         .     ;    -  . 

The  first  meeting  held  in  the  new  council  chamber  was  in  Aug.  6,  1906.  -,  •-  .v:  :  .    ' 

''•\  '.'.v' '':''•'''•  ^''•'-.  LIBRARY  BUILDING  "''•..;       -.    :';;/>"' ••^:;'-;.v ^J.-i-''-'^'-'^^ '.• 

Soon  after  the  city  assumed  the  care  and  responsibility  for  the  upkeep  of  a  '- 
Young  Men's  Library  Association,  and  opened  it,  for  the  people,  as  a  free  public  ?.v  . 
library,  the  movement  for  a  new  library  building  began.  ^      • 

On  June  5,  1882,  Hon.  T.  J.  Hale  appeared  before  the  council  and  stated  that  ; ..  , 
the  library  board  desired  to  secure  the  consent  of  the  majority  of  the  voters  of  "-  - 
the  city  for  an  additional  appropriation  for  the  construction  of  a  library  building.  •  •.     . 


•;iV40e          ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  -  Three  days  later,  Alderman  Boggs  offered  a  resolution  that  it  is  the  sense  of  the 

/'  council  that  if  a  majority  of  the  voters  petition  this  council  for  an  appropriation 

•  for  a  library  building,  this  council  will  appropriate  $5,000.    Nothing  was  accom- 
, ;    .  plished  at  that  time. 

:  On  February  5,  1894,  Alderman  Mack  introduced  preamble  and  resolution 

;         suggesting  to  the  directors  of  the  public  library  the  making  of  plans  and  the 

:    C    adoption  of  such  measures  as  are  required  by  law  for  the  erection  of  a  public 

library  building  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  and  that  the  same  be  presented  to  the 

,:       city  council  as  soon  as  possible  for  consideration,  which  was  adopted. 

On  July  i6,  1894,  the  finance  committee  presented  to  the  council  a  copy  of  the 

'     record  of  the  board  of  directors,  of  the  public  library,  for  adoption,  providing  for 

'        a  public  library  building  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  together  with  the  estimate 

.:  j  that  the  cost  of  grounds  and  building,  including  shelving,  racks,  table,  etc.,  etc., 

shall  be  the  sum  of  $50,000,  and  that  the  board  has  determined  that  the  time  over 

•  which  the  collections  of  the  costs  of  said  building  shall  be  spread  be  four  years, 
thus  collecting  $12,500  per  annum.    The  record  was  approved  and  adopted. 

On  April  22,  1895,  the  first  installment  of  $12,500,  was  appropriated  for  the 
•  ;       library.    The  full  amount  voted  by  the  council  was  collected  and  a  building  begun 
in  the  fall  of  1900. 

The  library  board  called  upon  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie  for  a  gift  of  $50,000  for 

•  the  library  building,  which  in  February,  1901,  was  promised  on  condition  that 
the  city  agreed  to  raise  $5,000  annually  for  the  keeping  up  of  the  library,  and 
further  to  furnish  a  proper  building  site.    This  the  council  promptly  responded  to 
in  the  affirmative.  •' 

A  location  for  the  library  building  had  been  purchased  out  of  the  first  moneys 
' :/.  received  for  that  purpose,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Ferris  and  Prairie  streets. 
?  This  location  was  not  thought  desirable  by  the  board  of  directors  in  the  year  1899, 
;        and  a  new  location  was  selected  and  purchased  at  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Sim- 
mons streets  where  it  now  stands.    The  former  location  was  regarded  as  too  far 
)   from  the  public  schools  and  the  ground  was  not  considered  large  enough.     The 
:         present  building  is  exactly  the  same  size  as  the  first  lot  that  was  purchased,  and 
.'  contrary  to  expectations,  the  patronage  of  the  library  has  been  such  that  a  move- 
;    .     ment  for  enlargement  will  probably  begin  in  the  near  future. 
.  X        There  are  today  in  the  public  library  about  40,000  volumes.    The  annual  ex- 

•  penditure  for  magazines  and  newspapers  is  about  $400.    The  number  of  people 
employed  at  the  library  is  eight.    The  number  of  books  delivered  and  used  in  ref- 

,.         erence  work  is  about  150,000  annually. 

':  -'V.'  :.  '•   ",    '"''•:.:''-•;,!;'.;•;•    WORKHOUSE      :;;C' 

The  question  of  putting  petty  criminals  at  work  has  been  before  the  city 

.   ,  '  council  of  Galesburg,  as  well  as  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  for  a 

;.  good  many  years.     The  two  boards  have  had  several  conventions  through  their 

; .    ;  respective  committees  to  bring  about  some  arrangement  whereby  the  petty  crim- 

;  inals  of  the  two  jurisdictions  could  be  put  to  work.    First,  to  pay  their  fines,  and 

'  second  it  was  believed  in  both  boards  that  it  was  vastly  better  for  the  man  to  set 

::  him  to  work  than  to  keep  him  in  idleness.    The  matter  seems  first  to  have  come 


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\  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;       ' 

Three  days  later,  Alderman  Boggs  offered  a  resolution  that  it  is  the  sense  of  the 
council  that  if  a  majority  of  the  voters  petition  this  council  for  an  appropriation 
for  a  library  building,  this  council  will  appropriate  $5,ocx).  Nothing  was  accom- 
plished at  that  time. 

On  February  5,  1894,  Alderman  Mack  introduced  preamble  and  resolution 
suggesting  to  the  directors  of  the  public  library  the  making  of  plans  and  the 
adoption  of  such  measures  as  are  required  by  law  for  the  erection  of  a  public 
library  building  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  and  that  the  same  be  presented  to  the 
city  council  as  soon  as  possible  for  consideration,  which  was  adopted. 

On  July  1 6,  1894,  the  finance  committee  presented  to  the  council  a  copy  of  the 
record  of  the  board  of  directors,  of  the  public  library,  for  adoption,  providing  for 
a  public  library  building  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  together  with  the  estimate 
that  the  cost  of  grounds  and  building,  including  shelving,  racks,  table,  etc.,  etc., 
shall  be  the  sum  of  $50,000,  and  that  the  board  has  determined  that  the  time  over 
which  the  collections  of  the  costs  of  said  building  shall  be  spread  be  four  years, 
thus  collecting  $12,500  per  annum.  The  record  was  approved  and  adopted.  ',  . 

On  April  22,  1895,  the  first  installment  of  $12,500,  was  appropriated  for  the 
library.  The  full  amount  voted  by  the  council  was  collected  and  a  building  begun 
in  the  fall  of  1900. 

•  ':•  The  library  board  called  upon  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie  for  a  gift  of  $50,000  for 
the  library  building,  which  in  February,  1901,  was  promised  on  condition  that 
the  city  agreed  to  raise  $5,000  annually  for  the  keeping  up  of  the  library,  and 
further  to  furnish  a  proper  building  site.  This  the  council  promptly  responded  to 
in  the  affirmative. 

;  A  location  for  the  library  building  had  been  purchased  out  of  the  first  moneys 
received  for  that  purpose,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Ferris  and  Prairie  streets. 
This  location  was  not  thought  desirable  by  the  board  of  directors  in  the  year  1899, 
and  a  new  location  was  selected  and  purchased  at  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Sim- 
mons streets  where  it  now  stands.  The  former  location  was  regarded  as  too  far 
from  the  public  schools  and  the  ground  was  not  considered  large  enough.  The 
present  building  is  exactly  the  same  size  as  the  first  lot  that  was  purchased,  and 
contrary  to  expectations,  the  patronage  of  the  library  has  been  such  that  a  move- 
ment for  enlargement  will  probably  begin  in  the  near  future. 

There  are  today  in  the  public  library  about  40,000  volumes.  The  annual  ex- 
penditure for  magazines  and  newspapers  is  about  $400.  The  number  of  people 
employed  at  the  library  is  eight.  The  number  of  books  delivered  and  used  in  ref- 
erence work  is  about  150,000  annually. 

V  WORK   HOUSE         '  I  ' 

'     .•*;      ,   .  •  •        •  .  •  .       •  I  -     ,•    -  . 

The  question  of  putting  petty  criminals  at  work  has  been  before  the  city 
council  of  Galesburg,  as  well  as  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county,  for  a 
good  many  years.  The  two  boards  have  had  several  conventions  through  their 
respective  committees  to  bring  about  some  arrangement  whereby  the  petty  crim- 
inals of  the  two  jurisdictions  could  be  put  to  work.  First,  to  pay  their  fines,  and 
second  it  was  believed  in  both  boards  that  it  was  vastly  better  for  the  man  to  set 
him  to  work  than  to  keep  him  in  idleness.  The  matter  seems  first  to  have  come 


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.:  ;;:^.>\i        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        V  409 

'y  before  the  council  on  August  3,  1875,  when  a  resolution  to  make  all  able-bodied 

/-  ,;  men  work  out  their  fines  was  passed.    It  will  be  fotmd  from  the  history  of  the 

''    .  ••  county  that  the  question  was  up  several  times  after  that,  before  anything  definite 

.;/  •  :  was  really  accomplished. 

:'  J  ;'  On  September  7,  1909,  the  mayor  appointed  a  police  committee  as  a  special 

-;•'..-;  committee  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  appointed  by  the  board  of  super- 

:^;  i-  visors,  to  consider  the  question  of  maintaining  a  stone  pile  for  the  use  of  the 

•;.  ^  county  and  the  city. 

:--.,'  The  next  action  on  the  part  of  the  city  was  June  5,  1911,  when  Alderman 

;-;,:  Gretta  introduced  an  ordinance  providing  for  the  employment  of  persons  com- 

.V        7  mitted  to  the  city  prison  for  non-payment  of  fines  for  violation  of  city  ordinances. 

;:>.':  This  ordinance  was  passed  with  a  vote  of  14  yeas. 

fv:;.  .  On  June  19,  1911,  Alderman  McFarland  reported  that  he  had  secured  option 

,, ;  .  :  on  a  piece  of  land  at  the  intersection  of  Main  and  Henderson  streets  for  thirty 

;      ..  days.    He  moved  that  the  city  purchase  the  same  and  that  the  city  clerk  and  mayor 

,.  -  -  :  •  be  authorized  to  execute  proper  papers.    Motion  carried. 

/  V    "  On  June  19,  1911,  Alderman  Gretta  from  the  special  committee  on  rock  pile, 

.'•;.  moved  that  the  city  clerk  be  authorized  to  issue  a  warrant  in  payment  of  the  city's 

..       >  share  of  the  property  (bought  for  a  rock  pile  jointly  between  the  county  and  the 

' .     ,;  city),  on  the  direction  of  the  police  committee.    This  vote  was  carried.    From  this 

it  is  seen  that  the  question  so  long  occupying  the  minds  of  the  board  of  super- 

•:.'  visors  and  the  city  council  has  been  solved. 

SALOON  LICENSE  '  :-    ' ? 


Few  questions  have  occupied  the  minds  of  the  city  council  of  the  city  of  Gales>- 
burg  more  continuously  than  the  saloon  question,  and  a  brief  account  of  this  matter 
will  probably  be  interesting. 

In  1855,  on  March  7,  the  matter  was  brought  before  the  council  and  the 
attorney  was  requested  to  draw  an  ordinance  declaring  liquor  shops,  dram  shops, 
etc.,  of  such  character,  a  nuisance.  An  ordinance  was  presented  and  adopted  on 
June  20,  1855,  providing  "that  no  person  shall  within  the  limits  of  said  town  be 
permitted  to  sell  or  offer  for  sale  or  give  away  any  spirituous  or  fermented  liquors, 
any  whiskey,  rum,  gin,  brandy,  wine,  ale,  beer,  porter  or  cider,  any  measures  of 
said  liquors  or  any  alcoholic  imitation  of  any  of  said  liquors  except  for  medicinal 
purposes  under  the  direction  of  a  practicing  physician,  or  for  mechanical  purposes 
without  having  obtained  a  license  to  keep  a  grocery." 

The  following  instance  shows  how  the  foregoing  provision  was  lived  up  to. 

On  Nov.  13,  1855,  it  seems  that  a  barrel  of  liquor  had  been  taken  upon  an 
execution  to  satisfy  a  fine  against  certain  parties  for  committing  an  assault  and 
affray  within  the  corporation  of  Galesburg.  The  liquor  was  to  be  sold.  The 
president  of  the  corporation  was  instructed  and  authorized  to  purchase  the  said 
whiskey  and  destroy  the  same. 

On  May  12,  1856,  Mr.  Young  made  application  for  a  license  to  sell  liquor, 
whereupon  it  was  voted  to  retain  Messrs.  Smith  and  Ford  as  attorneys  for  the 
corporation  and  that  they  be  instructed  to  prosecute  all  persons  being  complained 


410  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  for  selling  liquor  in  violation  of  law.  The  petition  was  laid  upon  the  table 
August  5,  1856,  but  was  again  considered  and  granted  Aug.  ii,  1856. 

In  August,  1856,  an  ordinance  was  passed  providing  that  any  person  found  in- 
toxicated within  the  city  shall  be  deemed  a  nuisance. 

On  May  ii,  1857,  an  ordinance  against  the  sale  of  liquor  and  gaming  was  in- 
troduced and  unanimously  adopted.  The  presence  of  both  of  said  misdemeanors 
was  declared  a  nuisance. 

Mr.  S.  A.  Kingsbury  who  had  been  elected  city  attorney  was  asked  by  the  city 
council,  on  Sept.  14,  1857,  to  resign  because  he  had  not  used  due  diligence  in 
prosecuting  to  conviction  persons  violating  the  ordinances  of  the  city. 

In  1883,  the  Burlington  railroad  people  were  about  to  begin  the  construction 
of  a  new  passenger  depot  upon  block  6i,  and  they  asked  that  lawful  means  be 
taken  to  prevent  the  establishment  of  a  saloon  within  two  blocks  of  the  depot. 

In  February,  1888,  in  compliance  with  a  request  from  the  president  and  secre- 
tary of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.,  the  police  committee  recommended  the  passage  of  reso- 
lutions giving  the  people  of  Galesburg  the  privilege  of  voting  for  or  against  the 
license  of  saloons.  The  result  of  the  election  was  a  majority  of  votes  in  favor  of 
license. 

A  vote  upon  the  question  of  local  option  was  taken  in  the  spring  of  1908.  It 
carried  by  between  600  and  700  majority.  Another  vote  was  taken  in  the  spring 
of  1910,  and  local  option  again  carried  by  something  over  300  majority.  The  same 
question  was  submitted  to  the  voters  of  the  city  in  the  spring  election  of  1912,  and 
resulted  in  a  majority  between  200  and  300  in  favor  of  license. 

•  .  :,.  GENERAL   IMPROVEMENTS          ,';-.:: 

There  has  always  been  an  influence  at  work  in  the  city  of  Galesburg  that  made 
for  better  conditions,  the  same  as  is  felt  in  all  cities,  and  under  this  head  it  is 
proposed  briefly  to  state  a  few  things  that  have  been  attempted  by  the  council  to 
produce  conditions  that  may  be  properly  classed  under  the  head  of  general  im- 
provements. 

On  August  1 6,  1851,  an  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  village  trustees,  remov- 
ing all  slaughter  houses  beyond  the  limits  of  the  city,  provided  that  if  the  business 
be  carried  on  within  the  city,  certain  parts  of  the  animals  slaughtered  must  be 
buried  two  feet  beneath  the  surface  of  the  ground. 

In  1851,  a  resolution  was  passed  calling  for  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  at  Palmer 
A.  Conger's  tavern  to  consider  the  propriety  of  raising  a  tax  for  the  improvement 
of  the  town.  At  the  same  meeting  an  application  was  made  for  a  permit  to  the 
Robinson  family  to  perform  within  the  city.  This  was  probably  in  the  early  days 
of  the  great  Robinson  circus. 

The  tolling  of  the  church  bell  was  prohibited  in  1856,  on  the  occurrence  of  any 
death.  V  '  ^:  : 

In  April,  1857,  Knox  college  asked  that  Tompkins  street  between  Broad  and 
Cherry,  be  closed.  There  were  remonstrances  against  this  petition  and  it  was 
denied  in  consequence  of  no  power  in  the  city  council  to  grant  it.  Of  course  it  is 
plain  to  see  why  the  college  made  this  request  to  close  Tompkins  street  as  it 
would  enlarge  the  area  of  ground  that  could  be  devoted  to  park  purposes. 


GEORGE  SANDERSON 


410  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

of  for  selling  liquor  in  violation  of  law.     The  petition  was  laid  upon  the  table 
August  5,  1836,  but  was  again  considered  and  granted  Aug.  ii,  1856.  .         .. 

In  August,  1856,  an  ordinance  was  passed  providing  that  any  person  found  in- 
toxicated within  the  city  shall  be  deemed  a  nuisance. 

On  May  ii.  1857,  an  ordinance  against  the  sale  of  liquor  and  gaming  was  in- 
troduced and  unanimously  adopted.  The  presence  of  both  of  said  misdemeanors 
was  declared  a  nuisance. 

Mr.  S.  A.  Kingsbury  who  had  been  elected  city  attorney  was  asked  by  the  city 
council,  on  Sept.  14,  1857,  to  resign  because  he  had  not  used  due  diligence  in 
prosecuting  to  conviction  persons  violating  the  ordinances  of  the  city. 
;  In  1883,  the  Burlington  railroad  people  were  about  to  begin  the  construction 
of  a  new  passenger  depot  upon  block  6i,  and  they  asked  that  lawful  means  be 
taken  to  prevent  the  establishment  of  a  saloon  within  two  blocks  of  the  depot. 

In  February,  1888,  in  compliance  with  a  request  from  the  president  and  secre- 
tary of  the  \\'.  C.  T.  U.,  the  police  committee  recommended  the  passage  of  reso- 
lutions giving  the  people  of  Galesburg  the  privilege  of  voting  for  or  against  the 
license  of  saloons.  The  result  of  the  election  was  a  majority  of  votes  in  favor  of 
license. 

A  vote  upon  the  question  of  local  option  was  taken  in  the  spring  of  1908.  It 
carried  by  between  600  and  700  majority.  Another  vote  was  taken  in  the  spring 
of  1910,  and  local  option  again  carried  by  something  over  300  majority.  The  same 
question  was  submitted  to  the  voters  of  the  city  in  the  spring  election  of  1912,  and 
resulted  in  a  majority  between  200  and  300  in  favor  of  license. 

GENERAL    IMPROVEMENTS  ... 

There  has  always  been  an  influence  at  work  in  the  city  of  Galesburg  that  made 
for  better  conditions,  the  same  as  is  felt  in  all  cities,  and  under  this  head  it  is 
proposed  briefly  to  state  a  few  things  that  have  been  attempted  by  the  council  to 
produce  conditions  that  may  be  properly  classed  under  the  head  of  general  im- 
provements. 

On  August  1 6,  1851,  an  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  village  trustees,  remov- 
ing all  slaughter  houses  beyond  the  limits  of  the  city,  provided  that  if  the  business 
be  carried  on  within  the  city,  certain  parts  of  the  animals  slaughtered  must  be 
buried  two  feet  beneath  the  surface  of  the  ground. 

In  1851,  a  resolution  was  passed  calling  for  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  at  Palmer 
A.  Conger's  tavern  to  consider  the  propriety  of  raising  a  tax  for  the  improvement 
of  the  town.  At  the  same  meeting  an  application  was  made  for  a  permit  to  the 
Robinson  family  to  perform  within  the  city.  This  was  probably  in  the  early  days 
of  the  great  Robinson  circus. 

The  tolling  of  the  church  bell  was  prohibited  in  1856,  on  the  occurrence  of  any 
death. 

In  April,  1857,  Knox  college  asked  that  Tompkins  street  between  Broad  and 
Cherry,  be  closed.  There  were  remonstrances  against  this  petition  and  it  was 
denied  in  consequence  of  no  power  in  the  city  council  to  grant  it.  Of  course  it  is 
plain  to  see  why  the  college  made  this  request  to  close  Tompkins  street  as  it 
would  enlarge  the  area  of  ground  that  could  be  devoted  to  park  purposes. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .       ^    ;;  411 

In  the  same  year  the  city  surveyor  was  asked  to  establish  street  grades.  Also 
a  board  of  health  was  formed  and  their  duties  prescribed  by  ordinance. 

All  these  arrangements  were  in  accordance  with  a  certain  desire  for  that  form 
of  improvement  that  would  touch  each  individual  and  where  it  was  calculated  to 
raise  the  general  standard  of  thought  and  feeling  on  the  part  of  the  people  of  the 
city.  .  •;;  > 

After  the  coming  of  the  railroad,  it  was  found  that  railroad  time  differed 
somewhat  from  local  time  and  adoption  of  railroad  time  was  recommended  by 
the  mayor  and  clerk  and  they  also  recommended  an  appropriation  of  $50.03  for 
ringing  the  bell  of  the  first  church  at  12  o'clock  M.  This,  of  course,  was  done  to 
enable  people  to  keep  up  their  time  in  harmony  with  the  railroad  time.  The 
recommendation  was  not  concurred  in. 

In  March,  1859,  the  city  council  closed  that  part  of  Broad  street  passing 
through  the  park  between  Tompkins  and  South  streets.  This  was  a  very  proper 
act  on  the  part  of  the  city.  It  permits  the  maintenance  of  a  very  beautiful  park 
and  court  house  grounds,  and  traffic  through  that  part  of  the  city  would  not  im- 
prove appearances. 

In  1864,  a  petition  signed  by  a  number  of  citizens  was  presented  to  the  city 
council  and  embracing  quite  another  thing.  It  was  asked  that  the  city  council 
favor  the  enterprise  for  introducing  gas  into  the  city  of  Galesburg.  The  petition 
was  referred  to  a  committee  to  report  at  the  next  meeting.  The  committee  re- 
ported that  they  could  not  obtajn  said  information  on  the  subject,  such  as  would 
warrant  them  in  recommending  its  introduction,  but  the  committee  would  be  glad 
to  hold  a  conference  with  the  company  proposing  its  introduction. 

On  July  i8,  1866,  the  council  passed  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  Galesburg  Gas  Light  &  Coke  Co.,  be  permitted  to  erect 
works  and  buildings  on  block  9,  of  this  city,  for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing  gas 
and  coke  and  grant  to  said  company  all  privileges  usually  granted  by  other  cities 
to  gas  light  and  coke  companies. 

The  resolution  was  passed.  Here  is  still  another  industry  of  considerable  pro- 
priety that  was  favored. 

On  April  12,  1860,  Mr.  G.  Peterson  was  granted  the  privilege  of  erecting  a 
tannery  on  Cedar  Fork,  between  Broad  and  Cedar  streets,  on  condition  that  he 
kept  it  nice  and  clean  and  free  from  reasonable  objections  of  citizens  in  the 
neighborhood. 

Later  in  the  year  1877,  there  began  an  effort  to  make  improvements  in  our 
streets,  which  has  resulted  in  the  paving  with  brick  of  so  much  of  our  city.  Alder- 
man Sanderson  moved  that  Main  street  improvements  be  proceeded  with  on  a 
gravel  basis  and  that  the  city  engineer  be  instructed  to  report  estimates  of  the 
cost  of  improving  the  street  in  that  manner  and  that  cost  of  curb  stones  and  good 
substantial  gutters  be  included.  An  ordinance  was  passed  on  September  i,  provid- 
ing for  the  improvement  of  Main  street  with  gravel,  from  the  public  square  to 
Kellogg  street.  Following  this  improvement  came  the  improvement  of  Cherry 
and  Prairie  streets,  with  gravel  which,  in  a  few  years,  was  succeeded  by  brick. 

The  installation  of  free  delivery  of  mail  in  the  city  of  Galesburg  necessitated 
the  posting  of  street  names  and  house  numbers  and  a  communication  from  the 
postmaster  general  to  Postmaster  Carr,  of  Feb.  24,  1883,  encouraged  the  city 


412  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

authorities  to  complete  this  work  as  quickly  as  possible  preparatory  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  free  postal  delivery,  April  i,  next. 

The  question  of  street  lighting  was  considered  in  June,  1883,  and  on  the  8th  of 
June  an  ordinance  was  passed  by  unanimous  vote  providing  for  the  lighting  of  the 
streets  by  electricity. 

In  February,  1906,  it  was  voted  to  buy  78  acres  of  the  Blue  Farm  at  $115,  as  a 
suburban  park  for  the  city  of  Galesburg,  later  something  like  12  acres  more  was 
purchased.  It  has  been  thought  by  many  that  this  was  an  act  of  useless  extrava- 
gance on  the  part  of  the  city.  It  it  probable,  however,  that  in  time  not  only  this 
act  of  the  council  will  be  heartily  endorsed  but  that  other  places  will  yet  be 
selected  and  purchased  for  park  purposes. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  article  in  this  history,  upon  the  subject  of  the  public 
parks,  that  Galesburg  is  very  much  behind  on  that  question,  and  that  the  cities  of 
the  United  States  are  generally  poorly  provided  with  places  for  the  recreation  of 
the  public.  It  goes  without  saying  that  the  taste  for  matters  of  that  kind  is  con- 
stantly increasing  and  that  in  the  not  distant  future  the  cities  of  America  will  be 
well  provided  with  parks  for  the  recreation  and  pleasure  of  their  people. 

;.-  .  THE  GALESBURG  HOSPITAL  :^  :  :  ^ 

The  Galesburg  Hospital  was  founded  in  1891,  and  each  year  since  then  has 
seen  it  expand  in  usefulness.  It  is  situated  on  high  and  well  drained  premises  on 
North  Seminary  street  in  a  quite  part  of  the  city,  and  yet  within  a  few  blocks  of 
the  business  center,  and  reached  by  street  cars.  Its  environments  are  all  that 
could  be  desired.  It  is  under  the  management  of  a  board  of  fifteen  directors, 
chartered  by  the  state,  and  with  the  mayor  of  the  city  as  a  member  ex-officio. 

It  has  been  admitted  to  state  registration  as  a  well  equipped  and  well  managed 
institution.  K"^  ;  ' 

;  Characteristics  of  the  hospital  are  the  abundance  of  light  and  air,  the  excellent 
ventilation,  for  every  room  is  an  outside  room,  and  the  modern  type  of  all  the 
conveniences. 

FOR   WHOM    MAINTAINED 


The  hospital  is  maintained  for  the  reception  and  medical  treatment  of  the  sick 
and  injured  and  disabled  of  all  classes  of  persons  except  those  having  contagious 
diseases,  and  to  maintain  a  training  school  for  nurses.  Since  its  erection  many 
hundreds  of  patients  have  been  successfully  treated  at  this  hospital  and  it  was 
never  so  well  equipped  and  efficiently  administered  as  at  present.  It  is  prepared 
to  care  for  emergency  cases  of  all  descriptions.  ,  .  ., .  ..  .  .,  .... 

.  .'     ,         GROWTH  OF  THE  INSTITUTION.  •^  v' -:'•;-•  ^-^  Vj.;':   •^>- 

During  the  last  two  years  the  capacity  of  the  hospital  has  been  increased  by  a 
handsome  new  wing  and  a  home  for  the  nurses.  This  new  wing  is  practically 
fireproof,  the  fioors  being  of  concrete,  and  the  heating  plant  is  in  the  fireproof 
basement  of  this  addition  contributing  much  to  the  safety  of  the  structure.  The 
home  for  the  nurses  is  built  with  special  reference  to  their  comfort. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        /  413 

The  main  building  was  erected  in  1891,  and  later  the  south  wing  was  built  witlt 
the  hope  that  this  would  meet  the  increasing  demand.  Within  a  few  years  the 
capacity  was  found  inadequate,  which  led  to  the  erection  of  the  new  addition, 
along  lines  that  included  the  latest  ideas  of  hospital  construction.  The  entire 
building  is  modern  and  furnished  with  all  the  modem  conveniences.  It  has  a 
capacity  for  one  hundred  beds,  including  fifty  private  rooms.  It  is  provided  with 
an  electric  elevator  and  is  lighted  with  electricity.  A  sun  room  is  one  of  the 
features.  For  male  patients  convalescing  there  is  a  large,  well  lighted,  comfortable 
lounging  room. 

'':    :,.    .         ,    .;V,f^  ,  ,      .      THE  TRAINING  SCHOOL  FOR  NURSES  '       X^C  - 

This  department  of  the  hospital  is  governed  by  a  joint  committee  from  the 
board  of  trustees  and  the  hospital  staff.  The  directress  of  nurses  has  immediate 
control  and  direction  of  the  nurses,  subject  to  the  general  authority  of  the  super- 
intendent of  the  hospital.  Her  authority  extends  over  all  that  pertains  to  the  dis- 
cipline and  duties  of  the  nurses  and  pupils  both  in  the  hospital  and  the  home,  and 
to  their  conduct  at  all  times,  as  well  as  their  instruction.  V.  .. 

The  home  for  pupil  nurses  occupies  the  extreme  north  wing  of  the  last  addi- 
tion to  the  hospital  building.  The  rooms  are  well  lighted  and  heated  and  com- 
fortably furnished.  On  the  eastern  exposure  of  this  wing  fronts  the  nurses'  par- 
lor, affording  a  beautiful  furnished  room  for  recreation  and  the  reception  of 
friends.  This  portion  of  the  building  is  connected  with  the  hospital  by  corridors, 
but  otherwise  is  a  separate  part  of  the  institution. 

The  school  numbers  about  thirty  pupils  divided  into  preparatory,  junior,  inter- 
mediate, and  senior  classes. 

Candidates  for  admission  must  be  between  twenty  and  thirty-five  years  of  age, 
in  good  general  health,  free  from  physical  deformities,  and  must  have  a  high 
school  education  or  its  equivalent.  Married  women  are  not  accepted  in  the  train- 
ing school. 

The  full  term  is  three  years,  of  which  three  months  are  devoted  to  preparatory 
work.  All  pupils  must  complete  the  full  term  and  must  devote  their  whole  time 
to  the  work,  and  must  not  allow  outside  interests  to  interfere  in  any  way.  Any 
time  that  may  be  lost,  except  in  vacations,  must  be  made  up  at  the  end  of  the  term. 
In  sickness,  nurses  are  cared  for  by  the  hospital  and  attended  by  the  hospital  staff 
so  long  as  they  remain  at  the  hospital. 

The  school  year  begins  the  first  Monday  in  October  and  ends  the  last  Friday 
in  May.  The  course  is  comprehensive,  and  during  the  term  five  lectures  a  week 
are  given  by  the  different  members  of  the  hospital  staff,  as  well  as  the  lectures  and 
demonstrations  given  by  the  superintendent,  directress  of  nurses,  and  the  surgical 
nurse.  Lectures  on  special  subjects  are  also  given  at  stated  intervals  during  the 
year.  Practical  and  bedside  instruction  is  given  by  the  directress  and  surgical 
nurse.  Practical  instruction  in  diets  is  given  by  the  superintendent. 

Pupil  nurses  receive  no  salary  during  their  period  of  training,  but  after  the 
probation  period  of  two  months  is  passed  an  allowance  of  $5.00  per  month  is 
made  to  each  nurse  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  means  for  the  purchase  of 
uniforms,  books,  etc.  : 


414  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Hours  for  recreation  are  provided  for  at  the  discretion  of  the  directress  of 
nurses.  When  practicable,  two  hours  each  week  day,  one  afternoon  each  week, 
and  three  weeks'  vacation  each  year  will  be  allowed. 

When  the  full  term  of  three  years  is  completed  and  the  examinations  satisfac- 
torily passed,  each  nurse  will  receive  a  diploma.  Graduate  nurses  are  eligible,  on 
passing  the  required  examination,  to  state  registration. 

•..•_  V^f  '    •.   '          -    '    '.          THE    MANAGEMENT      ,•"...';;••:::;;'-'      ^-:' /" '-    > 

V  The  internal  management  of  the  institution  is  under  the  administration  of  a 
joint  board  representing  the  board  of  trustees  and  the  physicians  who  give  careful 
attention  to  all  questions  arising  from  the  care  of  patients.  The  training  school 
for  nurses  oflFers  fine  facilities  for  those  desiring  to  master  this  profession,  and 
such  is  the  standard  that  the  graduates  are  now  admitted  on  examination  to  state 
registration.  Being  an  incorporated  institution,  the  hospital  is  subject  to  state 
inspection,  and  has  been  found  well  equipped  and  managed.  The  medical  staff  of 
ten  physicians  renders  valuable  assistance  in  the  training  school  and  along  many 
other  lines. 

:;     '  THE   SURGICAL  DEPARTMENT    :     .   '' ^  .^    '!;  '^''     ;• 'llf 

The  hospital  is  well  equipped  with  all  the  appliances  for  successful  surgical 
operations.  It  has  two  operating  rooms,  furnished  with  all  needed  instruments. 
Its  X-ray  machine  is  one  of  the  best  that  money  could  purchase,  and  of  the  most 
modern  and  effective  kind. 

There  are  departments  equipped  with  all  the  apparatus  for  thorough  sterilizing. 
In  the  diet  kitchen  there  are  all  the  conveniences  by  which  the  nurses  can  prepare 
food  suited  to  the  patients. 

A  competent  graduate  surgical  nurse  is  director  of  surgical  clinics.  . 

;\    :  THE    MATERNITY   DEPARTMENT          '^  .;•";.•::>:•• 

One  of  the  special  features  of  the  institution  is  the  maternity  department.  The 
entire  lower  floor  of  the  south  wing  is  devoted  to  this  purpose.  The  wards  are 
conveniently  located  and  admirably  adapted  to  minister  to  the  comforts  of  patients. 

THE  CHILDREN'S  DEPARTMENT  ,       • 

There  are  two  children's  rooms  at  present  with  eight  beds  and  especially  suited  '.^ 
to  the  care  of  children.  A  children's  room  association  has  been  organized  for  the  ;; 
purpose  of  furnishing  the  rooms  and  keeping  them  equipped.  .; 

The  popularity  of  the  children's  wards  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  twenty-five- 
children  were  treated  in  them  in  a  little  over  two  months.  -;' 


,    , -;  ,•,     ;     .:  •       ;,      GENERAL  WARDS  .    ; ''^'-  ;' "  •  ;"'',y^'' VV-^ 

There  are  general  surgical  wards  for  men  and  the  same  for  women  with  four 
beds  in  each. 


^;f  .••;|;^v';:'i::;;^:r        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •;    -g;;  415 

'.'i'-  ^- :•••.' •'''•'' I.-:    V  --•;    V  ROOMS  ARE  NAMED  .-•'•'•"..••.'•'••••  :'•'{ 

'•.      •'•      '         '  ;    '.  .      .-.'-.  ^'       .-  .          •  '.    . : 

,•'•'*''•.••/•',•--!-•>-'."'•'.•   •^'  -  .  .'•••-       ;'  •  :' 

•  '.- 

Many  of  these  rooms  bear  the  names  of  organizations  and  societies  that  take  y 

•  keen  interest  in  the  institution,  such  as  the  Presbyterian,  Methodist,  Congregation-  '.;.• 

:  alist,  Universalist,  the  Elks,  the  B.  R.  T.,  O.  R.  C.  B.  of  L.  E.  Lombard,  etc.  ;^; 

';•'•.;    ..^-'^''/y^V '•••'-•'  THE  LAUNDRY  '^:,' ••'-    '•;v-^  :\- 

The  hospital  maintains  its  own  laundry,  which  is  furnished  with  all  the  ap- 
pliances  speedily  to  turn  out  satisfactory  work.  ^ 

/  •.••'-•::^:     ^'S  .";.".\i  v'-^^.:  • '^        'THE  ALUMNAE  ASSOCIATION         •••..•   '^  •  ;,v  .-.'-^-v:. -^^-.f ';,>"-••;;.'•''' 

The  training  school  has  a  large  and  loyal  alumnae  association,  containing  / . 
55  members,  nearly  all  resident.  • 

-;  •'.•••:••';-':'.• -^  '     ':^':,^>^\-. '•'-';•'..>          THE   OFFICERS  '':'.''.•''    ^.:'-''>.-' V  •,••: 

The  trustees  of  the  institution  at  the  present  time  are  Robert  Chappell,  of  •' 
the  O.  T.  Johnson  Company;  J.  C.  Simpson,  of  James  C.  Simpson  &  Company;          • 
Alvah  S.  Green,  of  the  law  firm  of  Williams,  Lawrence,  Welsh  and  Green;  Mrs.         ' 

G.  W.  Thompson,  wife  of  Judge  Thompson,  of  the  Circuit  and  Appellate  courts;  \, 

John  Lass;  C.  O.  Lewis,  formerly  of  the  firm  of  Terry  &  Lewis;  Mrs.  Louise  - 

Perrin;  E.  R.  Drake,  of  the  firm  of  Kellogg  Drake  &  Co.;  C.  H.  Chamberlain,  .; 

secretary  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Co.;  Mrs.  W.  D.  Godfrey,  formerly  . 

superintendent  of  the  hospital ;  Miss  Mary  Scott,  assistant  treasurer  of  Knox  Col-  .• 

lege;  Loren  Stevens;  Mrs.  Helen  Backman,  Mrs.  A.  D.  Steams  and  Fred  R.  v  , 

Jelliff,  editor  of  the  Republican-Register,  with  the  Mayor  of  the  City  ex-officio.  '} 

The  officers  of  the  board  are  as  follows:  President,  James  C.  Simpson;  Vice 
President,  E.  R.  Drake;  Treasurer,  C.  O.  Lewis;  Secretary,  Mrs.  Jessie  Irons; 

Superintendent,  Miss  Lois  Eggert.  V- 

The  medical  staflf  consists  of  the  following,  with  Dr.  Nash  as  chief  of  staff :  ' 

Drs.  J.  F.  Percy,  R.  C.  Matheny,  G.  S.  Bower,  E.  N.  Nash,  J.  H.  Bryant,  C.  B.^  ,:: 

Ripley,  A.  E.  Stotts,  Clyde  A.  Finley,  J.  M.  Bohan,  F.  G.  Hall.  '  i    ' 

There  were  904  cases  treated  at  the  hospital  during  the  year  1911.  y 

_  ^  ^  ..'..''•''-.• 

; 'v  •^;.' '•;•;-•';".'  '-.rr'^f-  .•  :•"  ^' •:g^..i:'SP:^''^ ^f .;. 

[^or.;-;;:.\:;:^;. ';.;;'•;'' <J  THE  CITY  OF  KNOXVILLE  •:;;•''  •^•V'^v;---- :  ,;;: 

.' V     •      -.'..     :.•-:•-••  By  O.  L.  CAMPBELL  ;  ;  :r 

"Beautiful  for  situation,  the  joy  of  the  whole  earth."     No  more  beautiful 

or  appropriate  site  could  well  be  selected  than  that  upon  which  is  built  this  historic  "•.• 

town.    Parnach  Owen,  by  order  of  the  County  Commissioners  Court  laid  out  the  •- 

town  on  section  28,  in  Knox  township,  in   1831.     Capt.  John  Charles,   Parry  i' 
Morris,  John  Montgomery,  Dr.  Charles  Hansford,  John  G.  Sanborn,  the  original         '- 
founders  of  this  city  were  certainly  men  of  rare,  good  judgment,  selecting  a 


418    :;  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

site  which  could  not  well  be  improved.  Located  between  the  Illinois  and  Mis- 
sissippi rivers  on  the  east  and  west  and  Court  Creek  and  Hawcreek  on  the  north 
and  south,  gives  perfect  drainage,  freedom  from  disastrous  wind  storms,  and  an 
altogether  desirable  location  for  a  city  of  homes,  healthful  and  pleasing. 

On  the  second  day  of  April,  1836,  the  clerk  of  the  County  Commissioners 
Court  laid  before  the  court  a  certificate  of  the  president  and  clerk  of  the  incor- 
poration of  the  town  of  Knoxville  in  regard  to  said  incorporation  which  reads  as 
follows : 

At  an  election  of  incorporation  held  in  Knoxville  on  the  5th  day  of  March, 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-six,  the  following  is  the  state  of  the  polls : 
One  vote  against  incorporation;  Twenty-four  for  corporation. 

. H.  J.  RuNKLE,  Clerk. 

SAMUEL   SLOCUMB,  President. 

Also  a  certificate  of  the  election  of  trustees  of  the  said  town  of  Knoxville,  as 
follows,  to-wit:  •  .;;:;•'•  '•  '-•  •'•'' 

At  an  election  of  trustees  held  in  the  town  of  Knoxville  on  the  nth  day  of 
March,  1836,  the  following  named  persons  received  the  number  of  votes  opposite 
their  names : 

H.  W.  Higgins  has  sixteen  votes.     .  ]:  :        i   '  -^    •    ''      • 

J.  G.  Sanborn  has  eleven  votes.       .  ^  >;  v        =;  .;; 

Sam'l  Lyter  has  thirteen  votes.          -  -  '.';;•  vi  t  '  '•'     !^^ 
B.  Mothershead  has  fifteen  votes.  ;      .^    ^  ,-••-- 

Chas.  Hansford  has  sixteen  votes.       "  '     ^,.  ';.:.';         • 
John  Eads  has  seven  votes.  .  ;'     ,       .\,.    ;.• 

Wm.  Taber  has  one  vote.      ;  '  •  •  .     .^N;;^  v  '  '•/        '.. 

G.  Burkingham  has  four  votes. 

Consequently,  the  five  first  named  persons  are  elected  as  Trustees  of  Knox- 
ville. 

...    '  •  H.  J.  RUNKLE,  Clerk. 

SAMUEL  SLOCUMB,  President 

The  early  history  of  the  town  is  of  more  than  usual  interest.  Dr.  Hansford, 
who  came  to  Knoxville  in  1832,  was  the  county's  first  physician,  and  his  daughter, 
Grace,  was  our  first  girl  baby.  Elijah  T.  Eads  was  the  first  boy  born  in  the  city, 
and  John  Moore  Bartlett  was  the  first  boy  born  in  the  township.  Capt.  John 
Charles  bought  Parnach  Owens'  farm  on  the  east  side  of  the  city  and  these 
broad  acres,  numbering  nearly  two  thousand  are  still  in  possession  of  the  Charles 
family.  Harvey  Montgomery  owns  nearly  a  thousand  acres  which  were  originally 
settled  on  by  his  father,  John  Montgomery.  Mr.  Montgomery  is  the  oldest  living 
child  born  in  Knox  county.  This  town  began  at  once  to  make  history.  John  G. 
Sanborn  came  in  1832,  started  a  store,  and  during  his  whole  life,  was  a  live,  hon- 
orable citizen.  He  was  gathered  to  his  fathers  at  a  ripe  old  age  on  the  day  Abraham 
Lincoln  died.  He  was  Knoxville's  first  postmaster,  was  the  first  clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court,  the  County  Court,  and  the  County  Commissioners  Court.  The 
Messrs.  Henry,  Eldred  and  Cornelius  Runkle,  who  came  in  the  early  thirties, 
were  a  blessing  to  the  land  of  their  adoption,  being  very  closely  identified  with 
the  history  and  development  of  the  town,  from  its  organization,  the  good  they 
did  can  not  be  forgotten  as  long  as  time  lasts.  Henry,  among  other  enterprises. 


2.25' 


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416  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

site  which  could  not  well  be  improved.     Located  between  the  Illinois  and  Mis- 
sissippi rivers  on  the  east  and  west  and  Court  Creek  and  liawcreek  on  the  north 
and  south,  gives  perfect  drainage,  freedom  from  disastrous  wind  storms,  and  an 
-altogether  desirable  location  for  a  city  of  homes,  healthful  and  pleasing. 

On  the  second  day  of  April,  1836,  the  clerk  of  the  County  Commissioners 
Court  laid  before  the  court  a  certificate  of  the  president  and  clerk  of  the  incor- 
poration of  the  town  of  Knoxville  in  regard  to  said  incorporation  which  reads  as 

•  follows : 

At  an  election  of  incorporation  held  in  Knoxville  on  the  5th  day  of  March, 
one  thousand  eight  lunnlred  and  thirty-six,  the  following  is  the  state  of  the  polls : 
One  vote  against  incorporation;  Twenty-four  for  corporation.  \  .  • 

H.  J.  RuNKLE,  Clerk.  .  •- 

SAMUEL   SLOCUMB,   President. 

Also  a  certificate  of  the  election  of  trustees  of  the  said  town  of  Knoxville,  as 
follows,  to-wit:  !  . 

At  an  election  of  trustees  held  in  the  town  of  Knoxville  on  the  nth  day  of 

•  March,  1836,  the  following  named  persons  received  the  number  of  votes  opposite 
their  names : 

H.  W.  Higgins  has  sixteen  votes.  - 

J.  G.  Sanborn  has  eleven  votes.  / 

Sam'l  Lyter  has  thirteen  votes.  .        .  .      , 

B.  Mothershead  has  fifteen  votes.  '.  v 

Chas.  Hansford  has  sixteen  votes. 
'        John  Eads  has  seven  votes.  . 

\Vm.  Taber  has  one  vote. 
G.  Burkingham  has  four  votes. 

Consequently,  the  five  first  named  persons  are  elected  as  Trustees  of  Knox- 
ville. 

-'.  :  H.  J.  RuNKLE,  Clerk.  • 

SAMUEL  SLOCUMB,  President 

The  early  history  of  the  town  is  of  more  than  usual  interest.     Dr.  Hansford, 
who  came  to  Knoxville  in  1832,  was  the  county's  first  physician,  and  his  daughter, 
Grace,  was  our  first  girl  baby.    Elijah  T.  Eads  was  the  first  boy  born  in  the  city, 
:    and  John  Moore  Bartlett  was  the  first  boy  born  in  the  township.     Capt.  John 
Charles  bought   Parnach  Owens'  farm  on  the  east  side  of  the  city  and  these 
;  broad  acres,  numbering  nearly  two  thousand  are  still  in  possession  of  the  Charles 
family.    Harvey  Montgomery  owns  nearly  a  thousand  acres  which  were  originally 
settled  on  by  his  father,  John  Montgomery.    i\Ir.  ^Montgomery  is  the  oldest  living 
child  born  in  Knox  county.    This  town  began  at  once  to  make  history.    John  G. 
'    Sanborn  came  in  1832,  started  a  store,  and  during  his  whole  life,  was  a  live,  hon- 
orable citizen.  He  was  gathered  to  his  fathers  at  a  ripe  old  age  on  the  day  Abraham 
Lincoln  died.     He  was  Knoxville's  first  postmaster,  was  the  first  clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court,  the  County  Court,  and  the  County  Commissioners  Court.     The 
'    Messrs.  Henry,  Eldred  and  Cornelius  Runkle,  who  came  in  the  early  thirties, 
:    were  a  blessing  to  the  land  of  their  adoption,  being  very  closely  identified  with 
.  the  history  and  development  of  the  town,  from  its  organization,  the  good  they 
/^  did  can  not  be  forgotten  as  long  as  time  lasts.     Henry,  among  other  enterprises, 


ix=^? 

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£  '-'S 

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«  T: 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  417 

owned  the  first  grist  mill  in  the  county.  Eldred,  who  was  identified  with  Henry  in 
various  enterprises  for  twenty  years,  continued  the  business  until  his  death  in 
1865.  Cornelius  was  for  a  long  series  of  years  a  banker,  being  the  first  president 
of  the  Farmers  National  Bank.  He  died  in  1908,  full  of  years  and  honors,  and 
greatly  mourned  by  all. 

Rev.  Jacob  Gum  was  our  first  minister,  services  being  held  in  his  own  home, 
a  two-roomed  log  cabin,  in  1839.  His  grandson,  Jacob  D.  Gum,  was  the  first 
pupil  enrolled  in  the  first  school  taught  in  the  township. 

Daniel  Fuqua,  who  came  here  in  1834  helped  greatly  in  the  work  of  establish- 
ing homes  in  this  county.  His  children  and  grandchildren  numbered  125  when 
he  was  gathered  to  his  fathers  in  1909.  Judge  Robert  L.  Hannaman  came  to 
Knoxville  in  1836.  For  half  a  century  he  was  a  blessing  to  the  community.  H6n. 
James  Knox,  previous  to  his  election  as  congressman  from  this  district  was  one  of 
our  most  enterprising  citizens,  both  as  a  business  man  and  official.  His  bene- 
factions to  St.  Mary's  School  and  St.  Alban's  Academy  have  been  very  large.  His 
contribution  of  a  splendid  town  clock  and  bell  which  are  placed  in  the  cupola  of 
the  public  school  has  always  been  greatly  Appreciated.  He  also  contributed  a  fund 
of  $i,cxx)  each  for  the  use  of  the  Agricultural  Board  and  for  the  keeping  up  of 
the  cemetery  grounds. 

Hon.  George  A.  Charles,  who  was  for  seventeen  years  a  representative  of 
Knox  township  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  Township,  helped  largely 
in  making  this  a  desirable  locality  for  those  to  live  who  followed. 

Hon.  John  H.  Lewis,  who  began  life  here  as  a  young  man,  has  always  encour- 
aged by  liberal  contributions  and  sound  advice  everything  which  would  add  to  the 
welfare  of  our  city  and  its  people. 

Rev.  Dr.  Leffingwell,  rector  of  St.  Mary's  School,  has  done  probably  as  much 
as  any  other  citizen  to  sustain  and  promote  everything  which  was  for  the  better- 
ment of  this  city. 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  people  who  helped  to  found  and  promote  the 
interests  of  Knoxville.  Every  householder  and  home-owner  takes  special  pride 
in  making  it  what  it  is  so  often  called  "Knoxville  the  Beautiful." 

Knoxville  is  well  known  as  a  city  of  churches  and  schools.  Her  churches, 
five  in  number— Presbyterian,  Methodist  Episcopal,  Christian,  Swedish  Lutheran, 
St.  Marys  and  St.  Johns,  both  interior  and  exterior,  are  models  of  church  archi- 
tecture, and  ample  for  every  requirement.  There  are  doubtless  few  cities  of  2,000 
inhabitants  anywhere  which  excel  Knoxville  in  the  number  or  value  of  its 
churches.  Of  its  schools,  an  extended  notice  is  given  elsewhere.  St.  Mary's,  in 
its  convenience,  accessibility,  healthful  location,  and  all  the  accoutrements  which 
make  a  perfect  educational  institution,  where  education  ripens  into  true  culture 
and  broad  character,  is  not  anywhere  excelled. 

St.  Alban's  School  for  boys  is  making  a  name  and  fame  for  itself  in  the 
splendid  education  its  pupils  receive— a  school  where  all  the  requisites  of  a  first 
class  educational  institution  are  apparent— a  healthful  location,  modem  equipment, 
experienced  teachers,  and  a  course  of  study  which  eminently  fits  a  boy  for  a  life 
of  business  or  advanced  study. 

The  Knoxville  public  schools  have  ample  grounds,  splendid  buildings,  modern 


418  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

conveniences  for  study  and  a  corps  of  teachers  not  excelled  anywhere.  The  cost 
of  buildings  and  equipment  was  about  $50,000. 

Knoxville's  latest  acquisition  is  her  Old  Ladies'  Home,  founded  by  Mrs. 
William  Jones.  It  occupies  a  block  in  the  east  part  of  the  city,  and  is  just  being 
completed  at  a  cost  of  $100,000.  It  is  built  of  vitrified  brick  with  cement  trim- 
mings, and  every  modern  convenience  is  being  furnished.  While  the  four  stories 
include  one  hundred  rooms,  arrangements  have  been  made  for  the  accommodation 
of  forty  people.  The  chapel,  dining  room,  reception  parlors,  rest  and  hospital 
rooms  are  all  models  of  beauty,  taste  and  convenience.  It  will  be  ready  for  oc- 
cupancy in  the  fall  of  1912. 

This  town  is  known  far  and  wide  for  having  within  its  borders  one  of  the 
finest  and  best  conducted  alms  houses  in  the  country.  Additions  and  improve- 
ments have  been  made  from  time  to  time,  until  the  present  valuation  of  the  farm 
and  buildings  is  about  $150,000.  While  always  under  the  care  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  and  the  committee,  Knox  county  has  always  been  fortunate  in  the 
selection  of  its  superintendents,  none  of  whom  have  been  more  capable  than  the 
present  appointee,  who  has  managed  the  institution  for  the  past  twelve  years  with 
signal  success. 

•     ;  .  ;  KNOX  COUNTY  OLD  SETTLERS'  ASSOCIATION. 

:         For  a  term  of  years,  numbering  nearly  half  a  century  the  old  settlers  of  Knox 

county  have  assembled  in  Knoxville,  but  it  was  not  until  1886  that  a  formed  con- 

•,  stitution  was  adopted.    At  a  meeting  held  April  3,  1867,  Daniel  Robertson  was 

elected  as  its  first  president;  Major  Thomas  McKee,  vice  president,  and  Judge 

R.  L.  Hannaman,  secretary.    Even  at  this  early  date,  just  after  the  close  of  the 

war  of  the  rebellion,  the  aged  speakers  gave  eloquent  addresses  recounting  the 

happenings  to  the  people  of  the  county.    Since  1885  a  death  roll  has  been  kept  and 

V.  read  each  year.    By  a  resolution  of  the  association  thirty  years  residence  entitles 

one  to  become  an  old  settler,  so  that  each  year  the  death  roll  is  largely  augmented. 

The  present  officers  are  composed  entirely  of  old  settlers  as  follows: 
;;'         President,  N.  T.  Allen,  Galesburg. 

Vice  President,  E.  P.  Williams,  Galesburg. 
:         Secretary  and  Treasurer,  O.  S.  Campbell,  Knoxville. 

'-         ..    :,.      Township  Vice  Presidents 

'^!i^       .  .  •' 

,:        Indian  Point,  E.  H.  Roe.  •,.         - 

'          Cedar,  Pleasant  Marks. 

Galesburg  Township,  H.  H.  Clay. 
: '        City  of  Galesburg,  W.  H.  Wilcox. 

Henderson,  E.  Davidson. 
{:        Rio,  N.  H.  Mansfield. 
!^       Chestnut,  W.  H.  Reese. 

Sparta,  Sidney  Wilmot. 

Maquon,  Joshua  Burnett. 

Persifer,  J.  R.  Young. 


The   old   Hebard   House.   Knoxville,   from   the   uoner  veranda   of   which   Lincoln   addressed   the   crowd 
assembled  in  the  street  on  the  night  of  Oct.   6th,   1858.  •.  -.     :    . 


ONE  OF  THE  EARLIEST  TAVERNS  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 


418 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


conveniences  for  study  and  a  corps  of  teachers  not  excelled  anywhere.  The  cost 
of  buildings  and  equipment  was  about  $50,000. 

Knoxville's  latest  acquisition  is  her  Old  Ladies'  Home,  founded  by  Mrs. 
William  Jones.  It  occupies  a  block  in  the  east  part  of  the  city,  and  is  just  being 
completed  at  a  cost  of  $100,000.  It  is  built  of  vitrified  brick  with  cement  trim- 
mings, and  every  modern  convenience  is  being  furnished.  While  the  four  stories 
include  one  hundred  rooms,  arrangements  have  been  made  for  the  accommodation 
of  forty  people.  The  chapel,  dining  room,  reception  parlors,  rest  and  hospital 
rooms  are  all  models  of  beauty,  taste  and  convenience.  It  will  be  ready  for  oc- 
cupancy in  the  fall  of  1912.  '  .^  .;;•••>>?:  .V.'  ^l  •  . 

This  town  is  known  far  and  wide  for  having  within  its  borders  one  of  the 
finest  and  best  conducted  alms  houses  in  the  country.  Additions  and  improve- 
ments have  been  made  from  time  to  time,  until  the  present  valuation  of  the  farm 
and  buildings  is  about  $150,000.  While  always  under  the  care  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  and  the  committee,  Knox  county  has  always  been  fortunate  in  the 
selection  of  its  superintendents,  none  of  whom  have  been  more  capable  than  the 
present  appointee,  who  has  managed  the  institution  for  the  past  twelve  years  with 
signal  success. 


KXOX  COUNTY  OLD  SETTLERS    ASSOCIATION. 


For  a  term  of  years,  numbering  nearly  half  a  century  the  old  settlers  of  Knox 
county  have  assembled  in  Knoxville,  but  it  was  not  until  1886  that  a  formed  con- 
stitution was  adopted.  At  a  meeting  held  April  3,  1867,  Daniel  Robertson  was 
elected  as  its  first  president;  Major  Thomas  McKee,  vice  president,  and  Judge 
R.  L.  Hannaman,  secretary.  Even  at  this  early  date,  just  after  the  close  of  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  the  aged  speakers  gave  eloquent  addresses  recounting  the 
happenings  to  the  people  of  the  county.  Since  1885  a  death  roll  has  been  kept  and 
read  each  year.  By  a  resolution  of  the  association  thirty  years  residence  entitles 
one  to  become  an  old  settler,  so  that  each  year  the  death  roll  is  largely  augmented. 

The  present  officers  are  composed  entirely  of  old  settlers  as  follows: 

President,  X.  T.  Allen,  Galesburg. 

Vice  President,  E.  P.  Williams,  Galesburg. 

Secretary  and  Treasurer,  O.  S.  Campbell,  Knoxville.        ,   '      ; 

.     -'  ..:V  Township  Vice  Presidents  '.    , 

•  Indian  Point,  E.  H.  Roe.  .       ;    ^          :-.          '=V  :  ';•'   :       -. 
Cedar,  Pleasant  Marks.  .  .  :.;'     ;'- 
Galesburg  Township,  H.  H.  Clay.  ,        '    '. 

V  City  of  Galesburg,  W.  H.  Wilcox.  >        -^ 

.  Henderson,  E.  Davidson.  .  .•  '  .      '    •  •' 

:':;  Rio,  X.  H.  Mansfield.  .:./••. 

-  Chestnut,  W.  H.  Reese.  .  .  '-.,'••:.    '• 
;;.  Sparta,  Sidney  Wilmot.                                                .     :    ;      "' 

';  Maquon,  Joshua  Burnett.  T. '        V       /^ 

'    Persifer,  J.  R.  Young.  I 


The   old    Hebard    House.    Knoxville.    trom   the    ui)i)er   veranda   of    which    Lincoln    addressed    Uie   crowd 
assembled   in   the  street  on   the  night   of  Oct.   (ith.   1858.  ^      •.    •.  .. 


ONE  OF  THE   EARLIEST  TAX'ERNS   IN   KNOX  COUNTY 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  419 


Walnut  Grove,  A.  F.  Ward.  :.;^'^ 

Salem,  L.  A.  Lawrence.  ••. 

Elba,  D.  C.  Hurlbutt.  v'    - 

Truro,  Chas.  Spencer.  '  .  ^ 

Victoria,  Geo.  Reynolds.  -••, 

Knox,  S.  R.  Witherell.  T;'     '     ;~ 

Haw  Creek,  John  U.  Pickrel.  '>           . 

Orange,  W.  H.  Wiley.  • '       '  -t 

Ontario,  George  Wetmore.  \^  '   V  '^y 

Lynn,  J.  Collinson.  ;.-^ .  •       ' " 

Copley,  F.  Becker.        •  '"       ; 

BRICK    MAKING. 

Knox  township  is  known  everywhere  because  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick 
Industry,  located  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  township  where  immense  beds 
of  shale  have  been  discovered.  This  shale  is  a  fine-grained,  slaty,  soft  rock,  re- 
sembling sandstone  in  appearance,  and  is  used  exclusively  in  the  manufacture 
of  vitrified  paving  brick.  So  great  is  the.  demand  for  this  brick  for  use  in  paving 
streets  and  for  walks,  that  all  of  the  four  plants  in  the  Court  Creek  bottom  are 
exclusively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  this  kind  of  brick.  Nearly  half  a  mil- 
lion of  dollars  is  invested  in  the  four  plants,  and  five  hundred  men  are  on  the 
payroll.  The  capacity  of  the  combined  plants  is  nearly  half  a  million  brick  per 
day. 


CITY  OF  ABINGDON  ^  V;  v . 

By  HON.  JOSEPH  W.  LATIMER  :. 

The  City  of  Abingdon  is  located  on  very  high  rolling  ground  and  covers  a  por- 
tion of  section  33  in  Cedar  township  and  a  portion  of  section  4  in  Indian  Point 
township.  The  original  town,  comprising  sixteen  blocks,  was  laid  out  on  section 
33  in  Cedar  township  in  1836.  Frederick  Snyder's  Addition  to  Abingdon,  located 
upon  section  4,  Indian  Point  township,  was  laid  out  in  1849.  The  city  is  named 
after  the  City  of  Abingdon,  Maryland,  the  birthplace  of  A.  D.  Swartz,  the 
founder.  His  wife  was  a  Carroll,  related  to  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  town  it  did  not  make  a  very  rapid  growth.  In  1855  it 
had  acquired  about  five  hundred  inhabitants,  but  between  1855  and  1860  when  the 
colleges,  Hedding  and  Abingdon  college,  were  located  there,  the  population  in- 
creased very  rapidly.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War  it  was  in  a  very  fiourish- 
ing  condition  and  it  furnished  its  full  quota  of  men,  who  entered  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  and  notwithstanding  the  progress  of  the  civil  war,  the  town  con- 
tinued to  grow  in  numbers  and  it  reached  a  population  of  one  thousand  to  twelve 
hundred  people.  Its  growth  has  been  steady  all  along.  In  later  years  it  became 
more  rapid  in  consequence  of  the  location  of  certain  manufacturing  enterprises 


420  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

that  came  to  the  city  or  were  originally  started  there,  and  the  population  today 
is  about  three  thousand,  many,  however,  claiming  three  thousand  five  hundred. 

The  original  inhabitants  were  very  largely  from  Virginia,  Kentucky,  Mary- 
land and  Tennessee  and  they  naturally  sympathized  with  the  southern  idea  in 
regard  to  the  institution  of  slavery.  As  time  passed  on,  however,  these  sympathies 
changed,  especially  with  the  men,  and  they  gradually  became  anti-slavery  in  senti- 
ment and  some  of  them  even  became  agents  of  the  famous  underground  railway. 
Jonothan  Latimer,  father  of  the  writer  of  this  brief  history,  was  among  those 
who  saw  a  better  and  brighter  light  upon  the  side  of  freedom.  The  women 
did  not  change  their  minds  quite  so  rapidly,  and  his  wife,  who,  noticing  with  regret 
the  gradual  change  that  was  coming  over  her  husband,  said  to  him  one  day, 
"Jonothan,  if  you  are  determined  to  go  to  the  devil  yourself,  don't  take  all  the 
boys  with  you."  This  good  mother,  however,  was  as  large-hearted  as  any  of  her 
southern  sisters  and  it  will  do  the  reader  good  to  search  further  for  the  generosity 
of  soul  within  her  by  reading  the  article  in  this  history  on  the  subject  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  church  and  Cherry  Grove  seminary.  It  can  be  said,  however, 
if  to  warm  the  heart  with  thoughts  of  freedom  is  equivalent  to  going  to  the  devil, 
Jonothan  Latimer's  sons  all  sought  the  august  presence  of  that  somewhat  mythical 
being. 

^^'         \'       '.'  HEDDING  COLLEGE 

This  institution  was  chartered  in  1857  under  the  name  of  Hedding  Female 
College.  It  received  its  name  from  Bishop  Hedding  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  It  was  suggested  by  Mr.  J.  B.  F.  Chesney  and  heartily  endorsed  by  other 
interested  parties.  The  name  was  afterwards  changed  to  Hedding  College,  and 
both  boys  and  girls  were  admitted  to  its  halls  upon  equal  terms. 

The  college  has,  in  common  with  all  other  colleges  of  the  country,  had  its  suc- 
cesses and  reverses,  but  it  has  steadily  maintained  a  high  purpose  and  determina- 
tion to  reach  a  final  success.  At  the  present  time  it  has  an  attendance  of  about 
two  hundred,  and  there  is  a  strong  movement  for  a  greater  endowment  and  larger 
attendance.  The  outlook  is  brighter  than  ever  before.  There  is  a  determination 
on  the  part  of  the  denomination  which  is  behind  it,  and  the  people  of  Abingdon, 
to  bring  it  to  the  front  and  place  it  upon  an  enduring  basis. 

President  Walter  D.  Agnew  has  undertaken  this  work  with  a  spirit  that  will 
surely  win.  He  has  accomplished  his  first  point,  the  raising  of  $50,000  toward 
the  endowment.  This  added  to  $50,000  heretofore  raised  completes  the  $100,000 
required  to  be  held  before  the  end  of  the  year  1912.  Rev.  Agnew  will  raise  another 
$100,000  before  the  end  of  the  year  1916,  which,  when  accomplished,  places 
Hedding  upon  the  basis  of  a  college  authorized  to  confer  degrees  and  claim  all 
rights  belonging  to  a  fully  equipped  college  and  without  which  it  would  have  to 
work  upon  the  grade  of  an  academy. 

:  ^-    -       .r  ABINGDON    COLLEGE 

Abingdon  College  was  opened  by  P.  H.  Murphy  in  1853  ^"^  charter  obtained 
in  1855.  Some  of  the  prominent  incorporators  were  Wm.  Maxwell,  P.  H. 


o 
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420       ;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ,    ;•    :r 

that  came  to  the  city  or  were  originally  started  there,  and  the  population  today  !  ' 

is  about  three  thousand,  many,  however,  claiming  three  thousand  five  hundred.   -;  >; 

The  original  inhabitants  were  very  largely  from  Virginia,  Kentucky,  Mary-  •-  ' 

land  and  Tennessee  and  they  naturally  sympathized  with  the  southern  idea  in  ,r:::' 

regard  to  the  institution  of  slavery.    As  time  passed  on,  however,  these  sympathies  .'•> 

changed,  especially  with  the  men,  and  they  gradually  became  anti-slavery  in  senti-  .;  . 

ment  and  some  of  them  even  became  agents  of  the  famous  underground  railway.  - 

Jonothan  Latimer,  father  of  the  writer  of  this  brief  history,  was  among  those  :;  - 

who  saw  a  better  and  brighter  light  upon  the  side  of  freedom.     The  women  ;  •. 
did  not  change  their  minds  quite  so  rapidly,  and  his  wife,  who,  noticing  with  regret 

the  gradual  change  that  was  coming  over  her  husband,  said  to  him  one  day,  .; 

"Jonothan,  if  you  are  determined  to  go  to  the  devil  yourself,  don't  take  all  the  '  - 

boys  with  you."    This  good  mother,  however,  was  as  large-hearted  as  any  of  her  > 

southern  sisters  and  it  will  do  the  reader  good  to  search  further  for  the  generosity  "y'' 

of  soul  within  her  by  reading  the  article  in  this  history  on  the  subject  of  the  Cum-  ',' 

berland  Presbyterian  church  and  Cherry  Grove  seminary.    It  can  be  said,  however,  •',  •• 

if  to  warm  the  heart  with  thoughts  of  freedom  is  equivalent  to  going  to  the  devil,  "i 

Jonothan  Latimer's  sons  all  sought  the  august  presence  of  that  somewhat  mythical  .V. 

being.                                                             .  .••. 

;      :.•;:  •          HEDDING  COLLEGE  J      : ;-         v ':    _    ,  ^         ,• 

This  institution  was  chartered  in  1857  under  the  name  of  Hedding  Female 
College.  It  received  its  name  from  Bishop  Hedding  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  It  was  suggested  by  ]\Ir.  J.  B.  F.  Chesney  and  heartily  endorsed  by  other 
interested  parties.  The  name  was  afterwards  changed  to  Hedding  College,  and 
both  boys  and  girls  were  admitted  to  its  halls  upon  equal  terms. 

The  college  has,  in  common  with  all  other  colleges  of  the  country,  had  its  suc- 
cesses and  reverses,  but  it  has  steadily  maintained  a  high  purpose  and  determina- 
tion to  reach  a  final  success.  At  the  present  time  it  has  an  attendance  of  about 
two  hundred,  and  there  is  a  strong  movement  for  a  greater  endowment  and  larger 
attendance.  The  outlook  is  brighter  than  ever  before.  There  is  a  determination 
on  the  part  of  the  denomination  which  is  behind  it,  and  the  people  of  Abingdon, 
to  bring  it  to  the  front  and  place  it  upon  an  enduring  basis.  '  •  ..  {  -  .  '• 

President  Walter  D.  Agnew  has  undertaken  this  work  with  a  spirit  that  will 
surely  wirt  He  has  accomplished  his  first  point,  the  raising  of  $50,000  toward 
the  endowment.  This  added  to  $50,000  heretofore  raised  completes  the  $100,000 
required  to  be  held  before  the  end  of  the  year  1912.  Rev.  Agnew  will  raise  another 
$100,000  before  the  end  of  the  year  1916,  which,  when  accomplished,  places 
Hedding  upon  the  basis  of  a  college  authorized  to  confer  degrees  and  claim  all 
rights  belonging  to  a  fully  equipped  college  and  without  which  it  would  have  to 
work  upon  the  grade  of  an  academy. 

.      «^::;^i'.^  •     ABINGDON     COLLEGE          -.''•-:•-.;;'• 

Abingdon  College  was  opened  by  P.  H.  Murphy  in  1853  ^nd  charter  obtained 
in  1855.  Some  of  the  prominent  incorporators  were  Wm.  Maxwell,  P.  H. 


p: 

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X 

X 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  421 

Murphy,  J.  C.  Latimer,  John  Miller,  George  Price,  S.  H.  Richey,  Jesse  Purdue 
and  others.  This  was  a  private  enterprise  at  first.  It  was  afterwards  taken  up 
by  the  Christian  church  and  carried  forward  successfully  for  about  twenty-five 
years.  At  one  time  it  had  three  hundred  or  four  hundred  students,  but  owing 
to  some  local  dissensions,  it  succumbed  and  the  infiuences  of  the  church  took  the 
educational  center  to  Eureka,  Illinois. 

THE    PROTESTANT    METHODIST    CHURCH 

The  various  religious  denominations  have  been  written  up  by  others  under 
their  respective  names,  but  it  is  probable  that  the  Protestant  Methodist  denomina- 
tion has  been  overlooked.  This  denomination  at  one  time  was  very  strong  in  this 
vicinity.  At  one  time  they  owned  the  finest  church  edifice  in  the  city  of  Abing- 
don.  They  had  societies  throughout  this  section  of  the  county  and  their  work  was 
the  most  militant  and  progressive  of  almost  any  denomination  in  the  county  at 
that  period. 

It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  state  exactly  the  cause  of  the  disappearance  of  this 
denomination.  Their  inclination  was  to  erect  chapels  and  other  places  of  worship 
in  the  country  and  this  is  always  at  a  disadvantage,  as  the  communicants  have  to 
go  a  long  distance  to  attend  worship,  and  it  is  also  true  that  the  members  gradually 
shifted  to  Congregationalism,  and  it  is  quite  probable  that  these  two  causes  finally 
led  to  the  abandonment  of  that  particular  church  in  Knox  county. 

INDUSTRIES  ^i  /.•.;. 

We  have  spoken  of  the  industries  of  Abingdon  which  have  led  to  its  growth 
in  recent  years.  A  list  of  those  industries  with  the  number  of  men  employed  will 
indicate  very  clearly  how  much  Abingdon  owes  to  her  industries. 

First  we  will  speak  of  the  hand  industries  that  existed  here  years  ago  and 
which  have  been  driven  out  by  the  invention  and  use  of  machinery.  In  the 
4o's  and  5o's  J.  B.  F.  Chesney  manufactured  plows,  which  were  celebrated 
throughout  this  section  of  the  country.  Also  Jonothan  Latimer  built  carriages 
and  buggies  in  the  early  days. 

As  an  example  of  an  early  pioneer  store,  we  cannot  think  of  anything  better 
than  that  of  Jonothan  Latimer,  afterwards  Latimer  and  Meeks,  that  was  located 
in  the  City  of  Abingdon,  under  one  roof  employing  shoemaker,  tailor  and  milliner. 
This  store  kept  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  hardware,  meats  cured  by 
themselves,  a  small  variety  of  drugs ;  they  bought  and  sold  cattle,  hogs,  sheep  and 
all  the  products  of  the  farm.  There  were  two  ways  in  which  they  disposed  of 
their  hogs,  of  which  they  often  owned  several  thousand  taken  in  exchange  for 
goods  sold  during  the  year.  They  would  either  slaughter  them  on  the  farm  and 
haul  their  carcasses  to  Copperas  Landing  on  the  Illinois  river,  or  drive  them  on 
foot  to  the  same  shipping  point.  Generally  the  return  wagons  would  be  loaded 
with  goods  to  be  again  traded  to  the  farmer  for  his  farm  products,  and  generally 
it  may  be  stated  that  everything  received  by  these  traders  from  the  farmers  was 
disposed  of  at  Copperas  Landing,  as  aforesaid.  From  there  of  course  they  were 
shipped  by  boat  to  the  larger  cities,  mostly  St.  Louis.  In  other  instances  the 


422  :       '    :       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

meat  that  was  slaughtered  would  be  packed  in  barrels,  salted  and  shipped  in  this 

way.    At  one  time  there  was  packed  in  a  store  house,  standing  on  the  comer  of 

Main  and  Martin  streets,  cured  meats  waiting  for  disposition.    The  store  house 

burned  down  and  the  entire  contents  became  a  total  loss,  amounting  to  about 

$10,000. 

;.     The  industries  which  are  in  existence  today  are  the  following: 

Abingdon   Paving  Brick   &  Tile   Co 25  men 

Abingdon  Wagon  Co 165-175 

:  Abingdon  Sanitary  Mfg.  Co I35-I5O 

. .          American   Sanitary   Mfg.   Co 135-150 

.  :     '.    Globe  Mfg.  Co 150  men  and  women 

Abingdon  Shirt  and  Overall  Co 50  men  ahd  women 

;  Novelty  Mfg.  Co 15 

^          Abingdon  Trap  Co 20  men  and  women 

;-  Abingdon  Cement  Tile  Works 8  men  and  women 

. :  Abingdon  Silo  Co lO  men 

.'-          Spring  Handle  Co 8  men 

'  .  Spies  Mfg.  Co 40  men 

Cigar  factory  ..5  men 

Perfection   Butter   Separator  Co 12  men 

J  Blair's  Planing  Mill   6  men 

Abingdon  Ice  Cream  Co 6 

Abingdon  Butter  Co 5 

These  industries  are  believed  to  be  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  and  there 
are  indications  of  their  steady  growth.  There  was  a  factory  known  as  the  Animal 
Trap  Factory  which  removed  from  Abingdon  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  about 
?ix  years  ago.  The  building  which  they  occupied  has  been  divided  and  remodeled 
and  today  is  occupied  by  the  Abingdon  Trap  Factory  and  the  Spring  Handle  Co. 

.:,  SOCIAL   AND   CIVIC   ORGANIZATIONS 

• '  Abingdon  has  a  live  commercial  club  which  is  unceasing  in  its  efforts  to  ad- 
vance the  interests  of  Abingdon  and  all  organizations  within  it  designed  to  make 
it  a  greater  Abingdon. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  organizations  that  are  active  in  the  city :  G.  A.  R., 
Odd  Fellows,  Rebekahs,  Modern  Woodmen,  Masons,  Eastern  Star,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  Court  of  Honor,  Ladies  of  Grand  Army. 

.y  PUBLIC   BUILDINGS 

/  _  The  Illinois  Opera  House  and  the  Merchants'  Hotel  of  Abingdon  are  both 
fine  structures.  Probably  nothing  better  in  the  line  can  be  found  in  this  part  of 
the  state  in  a  town  of  the  size  of  Abingdon. 

;.  -  -       •'!':.':''•  CEMETERY 

Abingdon  cemetery  contains  the  bodies  of  sixteen  soldiers  who  fought  in  the 
War  of  1812 :  Jacob  West,  James  Strain,, William  Crow,  Thales  Givens,  Abraham 


'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  428 

Swartz,  Cannon,  Basey,  Israel  Marshall  and  others,  and  one  that  saw  something 
of  the  Revolutionary  War,  although  small  at  the  time.  Joseph  Latimer  saw  the 
burning  of  New  London,  Connecticut,  by  Benedict  Arnold  after  Arnold  went  over 
to  the  British  forces. 


V,'^::;  HENDERSON  TOWNSHIP        ,    •  - 

' ;  V--:::-.  A. v/.  >  -By  S.  H.  McMuRTRY      ••;•'''"•;: -^^^  ^  ; 

In  writing  the  early  history  of  this  particular  locality,  one  is  obliged  to  ignore 
much  that  must  naturally  come  in  other  parts  of  this  history.  We  find  we  have 
to  tell  the  history  of  the  state  or  the  history  of  the  county,  not  the  history  of 
Henderson  township.  Take  the  important  figures  in  the  history  of  this  region  dur- 
ing its  earlier  period  and  you  will  find  that  in  nearly  every  instance  they  do  not 
belong  particularly  to  Henderson,  but  to  the  greater  areas  of  which  this  place 
is  but  a  small  part,  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  the  County  of  Knox. 

The  consciousness  of  the  distinct  personality  of  this  locality  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  our  state  and  county  arouses  in  us  a  feeling  of  pride  in  our  past,  because 
our  earliest  settlers  e^sercised  a  great  influence  that  has  been  of  great  value  to 
humanity.  The  future  of  Knox  county  and  Henderson  in  no  small  part  lay  in 
the  hands  of  those  early  pioneers  and  those  who  were  to  follow  them.  A  future 
full  of  hardships  but  also  full  of  hope  and  aspirations. 

The  question  naturally  arises.  Whence  came  the  first  settlers?  What  condi- 
tions drove  them  to  face  the  hardships  and  privations  to  the  frontier  to  make 
new  homes? 

When  we  consider  that,  Daniel  Robertson,  the  first  settler  in  Henderson  town- 
ship, which  was  also  the  first  settlement  in  Knox  county,  did  not  come  until 
1828,  when  Illinois  had  been  a  state  ten  years,  one  naturally  asks.  Why  was  it 
that  a  locality  full  of  possibilities  was  not  settled  at  an  earlier  date  ?  The  answers 
are  not  so  difficult  when  we  investigate  the  conditions  that  surrounded  our  earlier 
population.  There  were  many  influences  to  retard  immigration ;  the  actual  open- 
ing of  land  offices,  the  promised  land  sales,  the  extinguishing  of  Indian  titles,  the 
limited  means  of  travel,  and  others  no  less  important. 

On  the  Ohio  river  and  its  branches  in  rafts,  or  along  its  banks  by  covered 
wagons,  on  horseback  or  by  foot,  came  the  immigrants  who  were  to  settle  Hender- 
son. They  came  from  the  south  and  east.  Conditions  in  Kentucky  and  other 
southern  states  slowly  drove  the  small  farmer  to  emigrate. 

To  us  of  the  third  generation  who  view  these  fertile  fields  of  grain  in  every 
direction  and  know  of  the  great  wealth  above  and  below  the  ground,  it  seems 
strange  there  was  not  a  rush  of  settlers  into  this  region  in  spite  of  the  natural 
inference  that  the  land  that  could  not  produce  trees  must  be  worthless  as  farm 
land,  which  has  proved  in  the  end  to  be  the  richest  possession  of  our  "Prairie 
State." 

The  early  settlers  of  Henderson  invariably  located  in  the  timber  or  along  its 
border — This  is  not  so  strange  when  we  consider  that  these  pioneers  mostly  had 


424  i.:.  -; :         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

been  brought  up  in  the  shelter  of  the  woods.     This  nearness  to  the  timber  was 
..:'.v.          an  advantage  in  many  ways — It  furnished  material  for  their  log  houses,  fuel  for 

•  '.  their  fireplaces,  meat  for  their  food  and  shelter  from. the  fierce  cold  winds  in 
;"•/  V         winter,  which  often  caused  a  great  deal  of  suffering.     The  first  settlers  were 
i'.  :      .      fond  of  hunting  and  many  interesting  stories  are  told  of  them  in  quest  of  wild 

.  -''^  turkey,  prairie  chicken  and  deer. 

"  ^.  :•  Henderson  was  the  first  township  in  Knox  county  to  be  settled  by  white  men. 

;;;  .\V  It  is  well  watered  by  the  branches  which  make  up  the  head  waters  of  Henderson 

/;  ;.  •  river.    Along  these  branches  originally  stood  one  of  the  finest  groves  of  timber  to 

•  •     •.<  be  found  anywhere  in  Illinois.    Here  was  a  favorite  place  for  Indians,  who  had 
i  >^.,'  extensive  fields  of  corn  on  sections  23  and  26,  south  of  the  Village  of  Henderson. 

•:;.^  These  Indians  were  friendly  and  remained  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  Black 

•..-..•.'•  ,  Hawk  war,  when  they  left  without  doing  any  serious  harm.     In  February,  1828, 

;;      ,  '      Daniel  Robertson  came  and  settled  first  on  section  15.    But  this  land  was  claimed 

.  X  by  a  speculator  an'd  Mr.  Robertson  gave  it  up  and  settled  on  the  southwest  corner 

^j     •       of  section  ii,  where  he  lived  most  of  his  life.    His  brother,  Alexander,  came  in 

a  short  time  and  settled  on  section  2,  where  he  died  in  1853.    During  the  spring 

.;•         5.  and  summer,  others  came,  among  them  were  Jacob  Gum,  a  Baptist  minister,  who 

.  ',  preached  the  first  sermon  in  1829,  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  John  B.  Gum,  on 

•',.•;"     section  32.     This  two-room  log  cabin  was  the  first  county  court  house.    Here 

:  .•  the  first  circuit  court  was  held  October  i,  1830.     The  judge  presiding  was  the 

,.;:'        .  Hon.  Richard  M.  Young,  afterward  United  States  Senator.    Here  also  the  first 

."'•  county  election  was  held,  Mr.  Gum  being  elected  the  first  county  treasurer. 

.'    V    •  Riggs  Pennington  came  about  this  time,  who  became  one  of  the  most  promi- 

?    .     .'  nent  men  of  northern  Illinois — Philip  Hash  and  Chas.  Hansford.     These  three 

.:     ..-  were  the  first  county   commissioners  after  the   actual   organization  in    1830— 

:,    .         Stephen   Osborn,  the  first  sheriff — Pamac  Owen,  the  first  county  surveyor — 

^^'  •'.    '     James  Gum,  Zephaniah  Gum,  whose  child  was  the  first  native  citizen  of  this 

,;   '  settlement.     Robert  and  Eaton  Nance  who  settled  on  section  9. 

''.:.,•;':-         The  first  death  in  Knox  county  was  that  of  a  young  man,  Philip  Nance,  which 

...;•  \    occurred  January  9,  1829,  in  Henderson  township,  and  was  buried  on  section  9. 

Thomas  McKee,  who  came  the  fall  before,  was  present  at  his  death  and  funeral 

and  was  instrumental  in  erecting  a  suitable  stone  at  the  grave.     A  few  years 

'•  .  ;y         later,  the  people  of  the  vicinity  of  Henderson  raised  money  and  erected  an  iron 

'^  ;^  >:• -/^  fence  around  the  grave. 

'',,_'       ','         The  next  year  came  James  McMurtry  with  his  sons,  William  and  James,  and 

:   :  their  families,  from  Indiana.    They  came  in  August  and  settled  on  section  3,  on 

.  .   .."          a  quarter  they  bought  of  Riggs  Pennington,  paying  $1.25  per  acre;  but  afterward 

:     '• .        had  to  repurchase  to  secure  a  clear  title.    It  was  on  their  farm,  on  the  northeast 

.. . !'          40  acres  of  section  lo,  that  the  entire  neighborhood  assisted  in  building  a  fort, 

:-  '        which  would  protect  them  from  the  Indians,  into  this  the  surrounding  families 

.vj  .       before  and  during  the  Black  Hawk  war  would  often  gather.    While  there  were 

;     ':  .  :    often  rumors  of  Indian  uprisings  and  the  settlers  were  constantly  on  the  watch 

;  ,;\;          for  them,  they  were  never  molested  by  them.    A  company  of  rangers  was  or- 

\'  '.;        ganized  by  Wm.  McMurtry,  who  was  their  captain,  to  be  ready  to  pursue  the 

'''.'•'•y\.        Indians  in  all  directions  if  needed.     William  McMurtry  became  quite  an  active 

'  .!-  ,      and  prominent  politician.    He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  the  Demo- 


THE  OLDEST  HOUSE  NOW  STANDING  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 

Two  miles  Northwest  of  Galesburg,   Henderson   Township 


wooi» 


FIFTY  CENTS 


i/i  cHr/ffit  /it/if/Jt  M'hf/i  ///v.v<  •////•///// 
cf  one  Dollar 

r<'tfft'/ti/'(/  III 

a-t 


50  CENT  SHIN   PLASTER 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ::r:. 

been  brought  up  in  the  shelter  of  the  woods.  This  nearness  to  the  timber  was 
an  advantage  in  many  ways — It  furnished  material  for  their  log  houses,  fuel  for 
their  fireplaces,  meat  for  their  food  and  shelter  from  the  fierce  cold  winds  in 
winter,  which  often  caused  a  great  deal  of  suffering.  The  first  settlers  were 
fond  of  hunting  and  many  interesting  stories  are  told  of  them  in  quest  of  wild 
turkey,  prairie  chicken  and  deer. 

Henderson  was  the  first  township  in  Knox  county  to  be  settled  by  white  men. 
It  is  well  watered  by  the  branches  which  make  up  the  head  waters  of  Henderson 
river.  Along  these  branches  originally  stood  one  of  the  finest  groves  of  timber  to 
be  found  anywhere  in  Illinois.  Here  was  a  favorite  place  for  Indians,  who  had 
extensive  fields  of  corn  on  sections  23  and  26,  south  of  the  Village  of  Henderson. 
These  Indians  were  friendly  and  remained  till  the  breaking  out  of  the  Black 
Hawk  war,  when  they  left  without  doing  any  serious  harm.  In  February,  1828, 
Daniel  Robertson  came  and  settled  first  on  section  15.  But  this  land  was  claimed 
by  a  speculator  an'd  Mr.  Robertson  gave  it  up  and  settled  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  section  ii,  where  he  lived  most  of  his  life.  His  brother,  Alexander,  came  in 
a  short  time  and  settled  on  section  2,  where  he  died  in  1853.  During  the  spring 
and  summer,  others  came,  among  them  were  Jacob  Gum,  a  Baptist  minister,  who 
preached  the  first  sermon  in  1829,  at  the  residence  of  his  son,  John  B.  Gum,  on 
section  32.  This  two-room  log  cabin  was  the  first  county  court  house.  Here 
the  first  circuit  court  was  held  October  i,  1830.  The  judge  presiding  was  the 
Hon.  Richard  M.  Young,  afterward  United  States  Senator.  Here  also  the  first 
county  election  was  held,  Mr.  Gum  being  elected  the  first  county  treasurer. 

Riggs  Pennington  came  about  this  time,  who  became  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent men  of  northern  Illinois — Philip  Hash  and  Chas.  Hansford.  These  three 
were  the  first  county  commissioners  after  the  actual  organization  in  1830 — 
Stephen  Osborn,  the  first  sheriff — Parnac  Owen,  the  first  county  surveyor — 
James  Gum,  Zephaniah  Gum,  whose  child  was  the  first  native  citizen  of  this 
settlement.  Robert  and  Eaton  Nance  who  settled  on  section  9.  I  ' 

..The  first  death  in  Knox  county  was  that  of  a  young  man,  Philip  Nance,  which 
occurred  January  9,  1829,  in  Henderson  township,  and  was  buried  on  section  9. 
Thomas  McKee,  who  came  the  fall  before,  was  present  at  his  death  and  funeral 
and  was  instrumental  in  erecting  a  suitable  stone  at  the  grave.  A  few  years 
later,  the  people  of  the  vicinity  of  Henderson  raised  money  and  erected  an  iron 
^  fence  around  the  grave. 

The  next  year  came  James  McMurtry  with  his  sons,  William  and  James,  and 
their  families,  from  Indiana.  They  came  in  August  and  settled  on  section  3,  on 
a  quarter  they  bought  of  Riggs  Pennington,  paying  $1.25  per  acre;  but  afterward 
had  to  repurchase  to  secure  a  clear  title.  It  was  on  their  farm,  on  the  northeast 
40  acres  of  section  lo,  that  the  entire  neighborhood  assisted  in  building  a  fort, 
which  would  protect  them  from  the  Indians,  into  this  the  surrounding  families 
before  and  during  the  Black  Hawk  war  would  often  gather.  While  there  were 
often  rumors  of  Indian  uprisings  and  the  settlers  were  constantly  on  the  watch 
for  them,  they  were  never  molested  by  them.  A  company  of  rangers  was  or- 
ganized by  Wm.  McMurtry,  who  was  their  captain,  to  be  ready  to  pursue  the 
Indians  in  all  directions  if  needed.  William  McMurtry  became  quite  an  active 
and  prominent  politician.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  the  Demo- 


THE  OLDEST  HOUSE  NOW  STANDING  IN   KNOX   COCNTY 

Two  mile?   Northwest   of  Galesburg,    Henderson   Township 


FIFTY  CENTS 


IH  ca !•/•</!(  liindx  /<'///•//  ///y.'»v-////y/ /// 
.V/////X  <>r  one  Dolla 


.•>ii  CENT  SHIN   I'LASTKK 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .  426 

cratic  party  and  a  friend  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  It  was  largely  through  him  that 
the  history  of  Henderson  is  so  closely  connected  with  the  early  history  of  the 
county  and  the  state.  He  was  active  in  the  organization  of  Henderson  township, 
April  5,  1853.  In  1832  he  was  appointed  commissioner  of  schools  and  proved 
a  most  excellent  officer.  He  was  state  senator  for  many  years  and  in  1848  was 
elected  lieutenant-governor  of  Illinois,  with  Governor  French.  His  full  biography 
occurs  in  this  history. 

In  1830  several  new  families  joined  the  settlement — Furguson,  the  Round- 
trees,  the  Goflfs,  Lewis  and  Davis  with  their  families  locating  along  the  south 
part  of  the  grove.  The  same  year  came  Harmon  Brown,  from  Kentucky,  and 
settled  on  section  30  where  he  lived  most  of  his  life.  Mr.  Brown  taught  the 
.second  school,  1833,  on  section  31.  The  first  school  in  the  county  was  at  Hen- 
derson Grove  in  1830,  taught  in  a  log  house  by  Franklin  B.  Barber.  This  primi- 
tive school  was  without  much  system  gotten  up  by  the  local  residents  simply  for 
the  instruction  of  their  own  children  in  the  rudiments.  Here  the  first  school  dis- 
trict was  organized  in  1836  under  the  management  of  Wm.  McMurtry,  the  first 
school  commissioner  who  always  took  an  active  interest  in  the  early  schools.  He 
sold  the  school  lands,  invested  the  money  and  advanced  the  educational  interests 
of  the  county  very  much.  During  the  years  1831-32,  quite  a  number  of  families 
came,  among  these  were  the  Ferrises  who  put  up  a  steam  mill  on  Henderson 
Creek.  This  was  quite  an  event,  and  the  settlers  felt  they  now  had  all  they 
needed. 

The  first  few  years  the  settlers  had  to  go  to  Rushville  for  their  mail,  about 
75  miles.  In  1838,  a  postoffice  was  established  in  the  township  on  section  32,  and 
John  G.  Sanburn  was  the  first  postmaster. 

In  1836,  the  first  of  the  Galesburg  colony  came.  They  located  south  of  the 
grove  and  built  up  what  afterward  became  distinguished  as  Log  City  on  section  33. 
This  settlement  was  only  temporary  and  does  not  strictly  belong  to  the  history 
of  Henderson  township,  but  more  to  Galesburg,  where  they  finally  settled. 

Henderson  township  contains  some  of  the  finest  farming  land  in  the  state, 
and  many  substantial  dwellings  have  taken  the  place  of  the  primitive  log  cabins. 
In  fact,  the  whole  face  of  the  township  has  changed  till  there  is  scarcely  a  trace 
of  the  wilderness  where  the  foundations  for  homes  were  laid  by  those  sturdy 
and  daring  pioneers,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away  and  their  places  are  filled 
by  the  second  and  third  generations. 

The  only  village  in  this  township  is  Henderson  on  section  14.  It  was  laid  out 
June  II,  1835,  and  in  1838  was  incorporated.  In  early  days  it  was  a  flourishing 
place  and  there  were  great  expectations  for  its  future;  but  this  future  was  not 
in  the  control  of  its  citizens.  Previous  to  building  the  railroad  in  1854,  which 
missed  it  a  few  miles,  and  subsequently  caused  its  decline,  it  was  an  important 
place  in  the  county  and  had  the  largest  postoffice  in  the  county,  five  stores,  two 
shoeshops  and  four  blacksmith  shops.  It  commanded  a  large  trade  from  the  sur- 
rounding country.  This  trade  was  attracted  to  the  railroad  stations,  the  village 
steadily  declined,  until  little  remained.  In  1886,  the  Rio  branch  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 
railroad  was  constructed  through  the  village  and  saved  it  from  complete  ex- 
tinction and  some  improvements  have  recently  been  made. 


426-      ';      :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  _ 

ONTARIO  TOWNSHIP 
By  HUGH  GREIG 

Ontario  township  is,  geographically  speaking,  a  square  containing  twenty- 

:       three  thousand  acres  more  or  less  of  remarkably  fertile  land.    With  the  exception 

X    of  considerably  less  than  a  quarter  section  of  timber  locally  known  as  Pilot  Knob, 

almost  every  acre  of  the  township  was  awaiting  the  pioneer  with  his  oxen  and 

. .     breaking  plow.    There  are  scarcely  any  alluvial  deposits,  but  the  dark  vegetable 

-:'  I  loam  commonly  found  on  the  upland  prairie  is  everywhere  in  evidence,  and  the 

•V.  natural  richness  of  the  soil  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  there  is,  in  this 

-  township,  land  that  has  been  continuously  in  crop  for  not  less  than  fifty  years 
?  and  is  still  yielding  a  fair  return. 

The  dark  almost  sandless  loam  is  in  all  probability  the  result  of  plant  growth 
and  plant  decay,  year  by  year,  century  by  century,  perhaps  even  millennium  by  mil- 
lennium; and  the  fine,  variously  colored,  porous  clays  immediately  beneath  are 
an  interesting  study  as  also  is  the  unstratified  drift  which  is  of  varying  thick- 
- .  ness,  and  the  whole  deposit  clearly  shows  that  in  untold  ages  the  forces  of  nature 
were  rounding  and  fashioning  into  their  present  forms  the  large,  small  and 

•  smaller  pebbles  which  are  countless  as  the  grains  of  sand  by  the  sea  shore. 
r-   In  the  historic  era  only  grasses  intermingled  with  many  tinted  flowers  carpeted 
'•  our  prairies.    Yet  there  is  abundant  evidence  to  prove  that  in  the  carboniferous 

r      ^S^  gigantic  tree  ferns  and  other  tropical  plants  grew  here  luxuriantly;  still  our 

;  ,  coal  deposits  are  at  present  not  considered  valuable,  therefore,  there  is  no  mining 

•:  going  on.       ;     '!    :  :        ;    -    -  ' 

.  The  red  man  has  left  but  scant  evidence  of  his  sojourn  here,  though  the  so- 

•  called  Galena  Trail  crossed  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  the  extreme  northerly 
.;  -  part  of  the  township,  and  in  and  near  the  timber  of  Pilot  Knob  numerous  arrow 

•  points  have  been  found,  but  no  vestiges  of  even  temporary  habitation  and  no 
i  burial  mounds  have  been  observed.     Thus,  though  they  without  doubt  all  over 

.   .  these  prairies  hunted  the  wild  native  predatory  animals  and  also  those  desired  for 

;.    food,  they  found  the  wind-swept  plain  an  undesirable  place  to  pitch  their  tents; 

and  we  can  readily  believe  that  the  shady,  sheltering  grove,  with  a  nearby  flowing 

spring,  was  more  their  hearts'  desire. 

•"':-.  .  •    .-,    '         EARLY  SETTLERS    '?' 'c'-'v'J';. H.^ '-'':;:'.-;';; 

,,      •      The  first  settler  of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge,  who  evidently  meant  to 
stay,  was  Alexander  Williams,  he  having  fenced  and  plowed  twenty  acres  on  the 

•  northwest  quarter  of  section  30  in   1833,  ^"^  three  years  afterward  sold  the 
;.;'    same  to  I.  M.  Wetmore.     In  1833,  George  W.  Melton  arrived  and  settled  on 

section    31,    which,    until   his    death    some    sixty   years    later,    was    his    home, 
and  here  were  born  and  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood  a  family  of  children; 
the  eldest  of  whom,  Elizabeth  (subsequently  Mrs.  Ralph  Voris),  was  the  first 
.    white  child  born  in  Ontario  township.     Soon  after  quite  a  number  of  settlers 
'        arrived  nearly  all  of  whom  came  from  Oneida  county.  New  York,  and  even  to- 
day the  names  sound  familiar,  Wetmore,  Crane,  Chapman,  Camp,  Mosher,  Hoi- 
lister,  Savage,  Powell,  Hammond,  Clearwater,  Wikoflf,  Burt,  Conger,  Allen.      : 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :    V^:  'f  427 


Though  there  was  as  yet  no  township  organization,  a  school  was  built  in  1839, 
on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  32,  not  of  course  a  district  school  in  the 
usual  meaning,  but  a  community  school,  and  it  is  unlikely  that  it  was  equipped 
with  all  the  modern  conveniences,  including  individual  drinking  cups,  but  they 
had  slates,  pencils,  some  reading  and  the  omnipresent  spelling  books,  also  we 
have  reason  to  believe  a  liberal  supply  of  fresh  air.  The  curriculum  certainly 
was  not  extensive  but  in  the  words  of  John  Hay  "They  had  a  middling  tight 
grip  on  the  handful  of  things  they  knew."  These  early  settlers  did  not  wait  for 
orders  from  those  high  in  authority  to  constitute  themselves  a  body  politic.  It 
may  be  justly  said  that  they  inherited  a  knowledge  of  self-government,  for  were 
they  not  the  children,  or  children's  children,  of  those  thrifty,  hardy,  self-reliant 
New  Englanders  who  had  journeyed  through  the  trackless  forest  from  the  Massa- 
chusetts or  Connecticut  home  and  again,  near  the  head  waters  of  the  Mohawk 
with  undaunted  courage  and  unremitting  toil,  made  new  homes  for  themselves 
and  their  descendants.  But  though  new  homes,  they  held  fast  the  old  but  un- 
excelled system  of  local  self-government  which  is  the  basis  of  all  that  is  best  in 
American  civil  life.  And  in  order  that  such  ideas  should  become  more  effectively 
practical,  the  scattered  settlers  came  together  at  the  school  house  on  April  5th, 
1853,  and  having  chosen  I.  M.  Wetmore  moderator,  and  W.  J.  Savage,  clerk, 
they  organized  the  township  of  Ontario  and  forthwith  proceeded  to  elect  a  corps 
of  township  officials,  the  list  is  as  follows:  ;  .  v 

' Supervisor,  E.  Crane.  rv.':^  -rv -i'-'^'M^    •  V         ;?./  .';. 

Assessor,/.  Burt.  '•••'  ..--r,^ .-  /^•••'  '' ^'./v; '-•'':•        .'    1^   ;.    .-v--.^- 

•^     Town  clerk,  W.  J.  Savage.  ';';';/•::•{; X;^-       :';:'.   si.'. v7  -ijv"- ;^'''X- 

:'•'•  Collector,  E.  C.  Brott.  •:' v..  •x:!-^  .  ,    '  '"-•"-''-•' •;^V;S^-f 

: .    Overseer  of  the  poor,  T.  F.  P.  Wetmore.  :  /=  ' 

•'.     Commissioners  of  highways,  G.  W.  Melton,  T.  Hammond,  J.  Powell..  >.      -'^  .; 

.  -:'  Constables,  E.  C.  Brott,  J.  W.  Crane. 

Justices  of  the  peace,  E.  Chapman,  S.  E.  Mosher,  and  the  following  named 
persons,  in  the  order  given,  have  served  as  supervisors  from  the  close  of  the  term 
of  E.  Crane,  until  now :  J.  Hammond,  W.  B.  LeBaron,  J.  Hammond,  W.  B. 
LeBaron,  A.  S.  Curtis,  O.  Beadle,  A.  S.  Curtis,  O.  Beadle,  E.  Crane,  A.  S.  Curtis, 
G.  L.  Stephenson,  O.  L.  Fay,  G.  E.  Fredericks,  Hugh  Greig. 

The  school  house  referred  to  was  also  the  religious  center  of  the  community, 
and  services  were  maintained  with  fair  regularity  by  ministers  of  different  de- 
nominations. However,  the  first  church  organization  was  effected  by  the  Presby- 
terians, in  1840,  the  preaching  alternating  between  Henderson  and  the  Ontario 
school  house.  This  society  long  since  ceased  to  be.  There  are,  however,  still  two 
rural  churches  in  the  township,  the  Congregational  church  on  section  30,  the 
other,  the  Christian  church  is  situated  on  section  i.  Both  organizations  are  numer- 
ically weak.  One  chief  cause  of  the  lessening  attendance  at  religious  services 
in  our  rural  churches  is  the  immense  change  that  has  taken  place  in  the  nationality 
of  the  population,  for  whereas,  the  first  settlers  came  from  where  they  might  have 
spoken  English  as  the  mother  tongue,  while  today  nearly,  if  not  quite  half,  of  our 
people  use  as  their  vernacular,  the  Swedish  language — and  though  these  people 
become  American  in  many  ways,  even,  especially  in  business  matters,  using  our 
language,  yet  in  their  religious  affiliations  and  in  their  social  intercourse,  having 


428  ^-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

the  advantage  of  numbers  they  can  and  do  mingle  very  largely,  though,  not  ex- 
clusively, with  those  of  kindred  speech.  So  that,  until  the  passing  of  the  greater 
number  of  those  born  in  the  old  land,  the  land  of  Odin  and  Thor  we  cannot 
expect  them  to  be  in  thought,  in  ideas,  in  speech,  wholly  truly  American. 

But,  and  we  rejoice  that  such  is  the  fact,  no  people  of  European  descent  can 
be  among  us  for  many  generations  without  wholly  ceasing  to  be  in  any  sense 
European,  and  the  coming  historian  may  be  favored  to  record  the  fact  that  the 
inhabitants  of  Ontario  township  foregather  in  business,  in  pleasure,  socially, 
politically,  religiously  animated  with  one  dominating  purpose,  and  that  purpose 
the  all  around  betterment  of  all  the  people.  ;'; 

^..•;...:;^':;:'^'J'V  :'..'.  •'  ;  :';._';;       ciTY  OF  ONEIDA     ''> "r;;:^ ••:'''••: '^v::^- 
:  ^. '."/'-  By  HUGH  GREIG     ..•;-;'•".-:  V- •'•''• 

•     ' -.  '".-. -^-.. •.-•>.""•'          -.   •  •  •'  .  '..-    •-."_   .-  -•    -<  j-k     .  "^  .' • '  t'    .     '• 

On  September  ist,  1854,  C.  F.  Camp,  with  B.  S.  West  and  S.  V.  R.  Holmes, 
platted  the  original  village  of  Oneida,  and  although  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  oificials  had  no 
intention  of  having  a  station  at  that  point,  C.  F.  Camp  had  quite  a  different  opin- 
ion and  as  an  inducement  most  generously  donated  the  railway  company  a  tract 
of  land  500x1.000  feet,  and  ere  the  snow  fell  the  town  that  was  to  be  had  a  fully 
equipped  railway  station.  The  hamlet  grew  but  slowly,  and  it  was  not  until 
December,  1858,  that  it  was  incorporated  as  a  village,  and  on  January  7th,  1859, 
the  following  trustees  were  elected,  viz. :  C.  F.  Camp,  H.  L.  Sage,  J.  M.  Brown, 
J.  M.  Henning,  W.  B.  LeBaron.  The  latter  was  subsequently  chosen  president 
of  the  board.  The  village  gradually  increased  in  size  and  in  population  and  in 
1869,  feeling  itself  seriously  cramped  in  many  ways,  an  influential  delegation  of 
its  citizens  laid  siege  to  the  state  legislature  and  succeeded  in  convincing  our 
Solons  that  it  had  outgrown  its  village  garments  and  what  it  now  needed  was  a 
full  suit  of  city  garb;  and  through  such  and  perhaps  other  arguments  persuasion 
was  accomplished,  a  special  charter  was  granted  and  the  stripling  city's  limits 
were  so  extended  that  more  corn  was  grown  in  Oneida  than  in  any  other  muni- 
cipality in  Illinois.  It  also  grew  wheat,  oats,  fruit,  statesmen  and  numerous  other 
products  useful  and  useless. 

It  was  specified  in  the  charter  that  for  all  coming  time,  nowhere  in  all  its 
extensive  territory  could  intoxicating  liquors  be  sold ;  therefore,  no  license  has 
ever  been  issued  to  any  one  to  open  a  drinking  place  and  thus  tempt  the  weak 
and  unwary.  The  first  mayor  was  F.  G.  Jelliff,  and  the  present  one  is  George 
Burt.  The  first  school  was  built  in  1855  and  it  is  worthy  of  mention  that  its  first 
teacher  was  Mary  Allen  West,  who  later  became  county  superintendent  of 
schools  and  in  such  position  and  others  subsequently  filled,  she  not  only  raised 
the  standard  of  scholarship  among  the  teachers  but  raised  the  standard  of  civic 
righteousness  in  every  home  her  influence  reached.  This  school  house  was  used 
for  a  variety  of  purposes,  such  as  itinerant  shows,  singing  classes,  political  meet- 
ings, etc.,  etc.,  while  on  Sundays  three  denominations  of  Christian  believers  at 
different  hours  held  religious  services,  and  though  never  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  God,  it  was  to  the  pure  in  heart  a  Bethel  indeed.  The  Congregational 
society  was  organized  in  1852,  and  three  years  later  built  the  church  which  is 
still  under  the  control  of  the  denomination.  :.'''.•;' /^  'V'  r' . . 


;.;;-;;;;/:         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :  >  429 

The  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  under  authority  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Schuyler  at  the  school  house  in  district  No.  3,  in  1863,  but  failing  to  receive  suit- 
able support  it  was  re-organized  in  Oneida  in  1865,  a  church  was  shortly  erected 
and  was  demolished  by  a  windstorm  in  1868.  However,  it  was  immediately 
rebuilt,  and  is  still  used  by  the  congregation. 

The  Lutherans  formed  themselves  into  a  society  in  1863,  but  soon  disbanded. 
The  Universalists  had  a  rather  handsome  church  which  was  burned  in  1867,  was 
rebuilt  and  wrecked  by  a  tornado.  Church  and  society  have  disappeared. 
Baptist  church  and  society  also. 

The  First  M.  E.  church  was  built  in  1863,  was  torn  down  and  a  new,  hand- 
some brick  structure  was  erected  in  1909.  The  present  school  house  is  of  brick 
with  stone  foundation  and  stone  trimmings,  was  built  in  1870  and  is  the  centre 
of  more  general  interest  to  us  than  any  other  institution  in  the  city,  or  out  of  it, 
and  though  the  attendance,  for  reasons  well  known,  is  slowly  diminishing,  there 
is  no  wish  to  curtail  its  financial  support.  The  consensus  of  opinion  being  that  by 
a  thorough,  all  around  education  lies  the  main  hope  of  civic  and  all  other  brands 
of  righteousness.  Six  teachers  are  employed,  R.  C.  Rennick,  principal;  Miss 
Katherine  Hannon,  assistant;  grade  teachers.  Miss  McBride,  Miss  Kline,  Miss 
Hedman  and  Miss  Burt. 

There  are  in  the  city  two  grain  elevators,  both  of  which  do  a  fair  amount  of 
business.  One  is  known  as  a  farmers'  elevator,  but  as  slightly  more  than  one- 
half  of  the  stock  is  owned  by  a  very  few  individuals,  is  leased  to  themselves  and 
is  practically  a  privately-owned  house.  The  other  is  in  name  and  in  fact  a  farm- 
ers' elevator,  owned  by  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  farmers,  is  managed  by 
a  board  of  nine  directors,  is,  and  on  the  whole  has  been,  a  profitable  investment. 

Banking  facilities  are  ample  and  satisfactory.  The  Exchange  Bank,  which 
though  retaining  the  name,  has  been  controlled  at  different  times  by  different  in- 
dividuals since  its  beginning  in  the  financially  troublous  year,  1857,  is  now  a 
strong  and  conservatively  managed  institution.  It  became  the  property  of  A.  B. 
Anderson  and  Frank  Murdock  in  1877  and  is  now  known  as  the  Oneida  Exchange 
Bank,  under  the  exclusive  control  of  A.  B.  Anderson  and  son,  in  whose  hands  at 
this  writing  its  resources  and  extent  of  business  are  greater  than  at  any  other 
period  in  its  history. 

The  Oneida  State  Bank,  incorporated  under  the  law  of  Illinois,  in  1891,  is  a 
strong,  well  managed  concern,  capital  $25,ooo.cx),  surplus  $30,000.00.  The  stock 
is  largely  owned  by  farmers  residing  in  the  vicinity,  and  any  share  or  shares  put 
on  the  market  command  a  substantial  premium,  thereby  showing  the  confidence 
of  the  community  in  the  integrity  and  business  sagacity  of  its  board  of  directors. 
At  the  first  meeting  of  the  stockholders,  A.  D.  Metcalf  was  elected  president 
and  held  the  same  office  until  his  death  which  occurred  January  3Oth,  1912.  The 
present  officers  are  as  follows :  G.  K.  Pittard,  president ;  W.  D.  Patty,  cashier ; 
Anna  Anderson,  assistant  cashier. 

In  1876,  Arthur  W.  Ladd  began  the  publication  of  our  first  newspaper  which 
he  called  the  Oneida  News.  It  was  not  of  great  size  and  its  advertising  columns 
did  not  greatly  remind  one  of  similar  pages  in  the  Chicago  dailies ;  but  it  briefly 
and  accurately  recorded  the  momentous  and  other  happenings  of  the  home  town, 
and  while  there  have  been  several  changes  in  owners  and  editors,  also  changes 


430  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -^ 

in  the  name,  yet  with  slight  interruptions  we  have  been  favored  above  our  neigh- 
bors and  our  deserts  in  having  our  local  news  spicily  furnished  us  by  our  own 
weekly  press.  The  present  owner  and  editor  is  F.  C.  Krans.  And  the  better  to 
show  our  literary  proclivities,  it  is  a  pleasure  to  put  on  record  the  fact  that  for 
many  years  we  have  seldom  been  without  a  reading  club,  and  for  quite  a  number 
of  years  the  C.  L.  S.  C.  in  its  weekly  meetings  raised  to  a  most  appreciable 
degree  the  scholarly  attainments  of  a  class  who  had  at  one  time  an  enrollment  of 
twenty-six  members — members  of  all  shades  of  opinion  on  politics,  religion, 
&c.,  &c.,  also  of  all  ages  from  sixteen  to  seventy-five ;  and  during  the  past  years 
a  small  class  weekly  met  and  feasted  on  choice  morsels  culled  from  Browning, 
Shakespeare,  Tennyson  and  last,  but  not  least,  we,  in  Sartor  Resartus,  most  _. 
thoroughly  enjoyed  the  grim  sage  of  Chelsea,  Thomas  Carlyle.  -I-.  ' 

•    ;    The  secret  societies  of  Oneida  have  been  numerous  and  on  the  whole,  by  the   : 
rank  and  file,  well  intentioned.    The  Masonic  Order  was  established  in  1860,  and 
is  now  strong  numerically,  socially  and  helpfully.    Its  benefactions  are  carried  on 
in  such  an  unobtrusive  way  that  one  has  to  be  to  the  manner  born  to  know  how  y 
much  the  right  hand  and  the  left  hand  doeth.    The  present  head  of  the  order  is   j 
H.  J.  Sawyer.    The  order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  which  we  suppose  was  instituted   0 
to  add  a  certain  amount  of  refinement  to  what  had  hitherto  been  a  purely  mascu- 
line aggregation,  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.    Worthy  Matron,  Mrs.  C.  Wikoflf.     : 
Worthy  Patron,  J.  H.  Anderson. 

The  I.  O.  O.  F.  was  at  one  time  in  a  thriving  condition  but  such  cannot  now  be 
said.    The  Oneida  Camp  of  Modern  Woodmen  was  chartered  in  1888  and  from  a    ,• 
very  small  beginning  has  outdistanced  any  local  society  in  numbers,  but  is  now  in 
serious  difficulties  on  account  of  a  recent  radical  change  in  rates,  and  in  one 
respect  it  much  resembles  a  certain  political  party  of  today  having  the  stand- 
patters and  insurgents,  with  a  prospect  of  a  fight  to  a  finish — of  the  Woodmen   •., 
organization.  .  ^ 

There  was  a  branch  of  the  home  Forum  but  it  has  gone  where  such  things 
go.  The  Fraternal  Tribunes  survive,  but  in  a  disagreeable  remembrance.  The 
main  cause  of  the  untimely  decease  of  both  societies  mentioned  and  all  others 
built  on  the  same  plan,  is  the  entire  lack  of  a  stable  foundation  and  though  the 
edifice  may  be  pleasing  to  look  upon,  yet  when  the  rain  of  financial  stringency  ^ 
even  sprinkles  the  structure  collapses — and  great  is  the  fall  thereof. 

There  are  two  women's  clubs  with  a  total  membership  of  more  than  fifty. 
The  various  studies  and  readings  cover  a  wide  range,  including  history,  ancient  ' 
and  modern,  general  literature  of  all  the  ages,  art,  music,  science,  domestic  and 
otherwise,  in  short,  all  that  concerns  not  only  women  but  all  that  is  inspiring 
and  uplifting  to  the  community  as  a  whole.  Such  clubs  in  Oneida  are  the  result 
of  a  suggestion  made  to  several  women  friends  by  Mrs.  Willard  Nelson,  who  was 
the  first  president  of  the  first  club  and  is  now  at  the  head  of  the  New  Century 
Club. 

Mrs.  W.  V.  McKie  is  president  of  the  Twentieth  Century  Club.  There  is 
also  an  Oneida-Altona  branch  of  the  Knox  County  Free  Kindergarten  which 
holds  monthly  meetings  and  in  furnishing  clothing,  food  and  money  much  is 
added  to  the  inadequate  income  of  this  most  worthy  and  ever-needy  institution. 
There  are  at  present  between  60  and  78  active  members.  Mrs.  Hugh  Greig  and 


-'"   -'•  ^•^^^•-^'     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  ':  •     A  431 

Mrs.  John  M.  McKie  have  served  as  president  and  vice  president  respectively 
since  its  organization. 

The  K.  P.  Lodge  has  had  its  ups  and  downs  and  at  this  date  it  is  numerically 
and  every  other  way  in  a  most  prosperous  condition.  F.  S.  Stephenson  is  its 
present  head.  r'  .: . '  .• 

The  Mystic  Workers  under  the  leadership  of  A.  J.  Roe  are  slowly  gaining. 

The  Royal  Neighbors  is,  for  this  vicinity,  a  young  organization  with  no  great 
numbers  but  the  lack  in  that  respect  is  more  than  counterbalanced  by  the  im- 
mense enthusiasm  of  the  members.  Oracle,  Miss  Jessie  Burt. 

The  citizens  of  Oneida,  as  the  general  appearance  of  the  town  plainly  attests, 
have  a  pardonable  pride  in  their  homes  and  home  surroundings;  and  the  one 
notable  beauty  spot  is  the  little  park  which  is  already  the  admiration  of  all,  and  as 
the  years  come  and  go  and  the  treelets  of  today  become  mighty  as  the  forest 
monarchs,  and  the  young  and  the  aged  weary  rest  in  the  welcome  shade,  they,  and 
every  one,  will  see  and  admire  not  only  beauty,  but  beauty  and  grandeur  inter- 
mingled and  all  will  realize  that  our  pagan  ancestors  were  not  far  amiss,  when 
they,  in  the  shady  woodland's  "dim  religious  light"  saw  a  temple,  in  which  they 
and  we  might  worship  God. 

:v;;^  ;;V: '••••.••  ^^•^':/':v;r5:^      SPARTA  TOWNSHIP         (^•-•^'':'"     '   ' 

;•  This  township  was  organized  under  the  township  organization  law,  April  5, 
1853.  A  full  line  of  town  officers  were  nominated  and  elected.  T.  H.  Taylor  was 
the  first  supervisor ;  Asaph  DeLong,  clerk ;  Stephen  Smith,  assessor ;  L.  W. 
Roads,  collector;  D.  Reed,  Stephen  Russell  and  Peter  Davis,  highway  commis- 
sioners; Marvin  Baker,  Hugh  Ferguson,  justices  of  the  peace;  Marshall  P. 
DeLong,  constable.  Mr.  William  Robson,  whose  widow  resides  just  north  of  the 
village  of  Wataga,  was  supervisor  of  the  township  between  twenty  and  thirty 
years  prior  to  his  death. 

The  watershed,  dividing  the  water  courses  that  flow  into  the  Illinois  and 
Mississippi  rivers,  extends  northeast  and  southwest  through  Sparta  township.  In 
fact,  it  will  be  generally  found  that  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  right  of  way  takes  the 
general  course  of  this  watershed  from  its  entrance  into  Knox  county  to  Galesburg, 
and  then  south  to  St.  Augustine,  varying,  of  course,  in  places  from  that  line. 

There  was  formerly  as  fine  a  vein  of  coal  found  in  Sparta  township  as  almost 
in  any  locality  in  this  state.  These  mines  still  produce  coal  but  not  in  such 
quantities  as  heretofore.  This  industry  was  under  the  former  management  of 
J.  M.  Holyoke,  R.  M.  Campbell  and  Peter  Dolan.  The  fourth  vein  was  especially 
sought.  It  was  quite  large,  and  at  one  time  as  many  as  fifty  car  loads  were 
shipped  from  Wataga. 

The  roads  of  the  township  have  always  been  kept  in  good  condition. 

The  schools  and  churches  are  flourishing,  and  reference  to  these  institutions 
will  be  found  under  their  respective  denominational  headings  in  articles  found  in 
this  volume. 


f^:.;jv;•;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

,    ;  V   -4*:^,•     .  .          r     VILLAGE  OF  WATAGA  "''•' 

•••  •"  This  village  was  platted  in  1854,  by  J.  M.  Holyoke,  Silas  Willard  and  Clark 
M.  Greer.  It  was  incorporated  in  1863,  the  first  election  was  held  in  September, 
1863.  It  was  re-incorporated  under  the  general  law,  in  1874,  with  section  i6  as 
its  territory.  J.  M.  Holyoke  was  the  first  resident,  the  first  postmaster  and  the 
first  storekeeper.  George  F.  and  David  P.  Niles,  extensive  farmers  and  stock- 
raisers,  had  large  interests  in  and  around  Wataga.  George  F.  Niles  died  some 
years  ago,  at  Oak  Park,  Illinois,  while  his  brother,  David  P.,  still  resides  on  a 
farm  two  miles  and  a  half  to  the  southwest  of  the  village.  They,  at  one  time, 
owned  the  fiouring  mill  that  is  located  in  Wataga.  It  has  since  been  owned  by 
William  Williamson  and  M.  O.  Williamson  who  introduced  fine  modern 
machinery.  It  is  still  in  operation  and  does  good  work. 

The  churches  of  the  village  of  Wataga  will  be  spoken  of  in  connection  with 
their  denominational  headings  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Wataga  has  a  Masonic  lodge  in  flourishing  condition.  It  also  has  a  lodge  of 
the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  and  Odd  Fellows  lodge;  a  Rebekah  lodge  and  a 
camp  of  Modern  Woodmen. 

W.  S.  Wood  was  one  of  the  very  early  store  keepers  of  the  village  of  Wataga. 
In  1859  he  bought  a  general  merchandise  store,  which  means  about  everything 
that  is  wanted  in  a  country  store,  dry  goods,  clothing,  boots  and  shoes,  hardware, 
paints  and  oils,  farm  implements,  etc.,  etc.,  and  in  those  days  the  general  store 
keeper  had  also  to  receive  general  produce  of  the  farm  in  pay  for  his  goods. 

Mr.  Wood  dealt  largely  in  corn  and  occasionally  sent  his  corn  to  Chicago, 
loaded  it  into  barges  or  boats  and  shipped  it  to  eastern  markets.  Corn  was  al- 
ways taken  in  exchange  for  goods.  Gold  and  silver  soon  disappeared  after  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion  began  and  paper  money  was  at  a  fearful  discount.  In  order 
to  facilitate  trade  and  the  exchange  of  commodities,  the  responsible  merchants 
put  out  what  was  called  "shin  plasters"  for  fractional  currency.  This  script  was 
issued  in  denominations  of  five,  ten,  twenty- five  and  fifty  cent  pieces,  the  man 
who  issued  them  agreeing  to  redeem  when  presented  in  sums  specified  on  the 
face  of  the  script,  usually  one  dollar.  It  did  not  constitute  lawful  money,  but  it 
served  a  very  great  convenience  at  that  time  and  was  issued  in  the  best  of  good 
faith.  Mr.  Wood  issued  a  large  quantity  of  this  money  and  it  is  understood  that 
he  redeemed  every  cent  that  was  presented  for  redemption.  ^ 

•V  ^%;?{    •  :       .       COPLEY  TOWNSHIP  'v  ;:  ^f^;:- • 

'-.'      '     W;-'    •        .  •       .  '  ..;'-        ^     .V'':;i' 

Copley  township  was  named  after  a  prominent  family  who  at  one  time  resided 
within  its  limits.  It  consists  of  a  fertile  prairie  sufficiently  rolling  to  insure  good 
drainage.  The  southern  part  is  more  or  less  broad,  probably  one-fourth  of  its 
area  having  been  original  timber.  It  is  well  watered  by  the  branches  of  Walnut 
and  Court  creeks,  and  other  smaller  streams. 

The  first  settler  of  the  township  was  a  Mr.  Berry,  who  located  near  the 
present  village  of  Victoria.  Matthew  Herbert  and  Larkin  Robinson  came  the 
next  year.  In  1839,  the  Scotch  began  to  come  into  Copley  township  and  settled 
upon  some  of  the  best  lands.  This  movement  increased  until  there  was  quite  a 


;;r-  ::^':«v         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     •     •  433 

band  known  as  the  Scotch  colony.  The  descendants  of  these  men  are,  today,- 
nearly  all  men  of  wealth  and  high  moral  standing  and  elsewhere  in  this  history 
will  be  found  a  very  interesting  account  of  the  Gordons,  Cooks,  McCornicks, 
McKies,  Leightons,  etc.,  etc.,  and  of  their  character  as  a  people. 

It  has  been  the  writer's  privilege  and  pleasure  to  know  many  of  these  men  and 
it  is  almost  a  matter  of  regret  to  note  that  their  descendants  are  losing  somewhat 
of  the  racial  characteristics  of  their  forefathers.  They  are  thrifty,  critical, 
economical,  industrious  and  law-abiding,  the  same  as  their  ancestors ;  in  fact,  they 
are  losing  nothing  whatever  that  is  valuable  to  them  as  citizens,  but  there  is  a 
something  which  is  indescribable,  that  the  "Auld  Scots"  had,  that  the  Americans 
have  not,  that  made  them  a  peculiarly  interesting  people,  and  it  is  this  some- 
thing that  their  descendants  are  gradually  losing.  When  we  say  that  they  are 
becoming  "Americanized,"  it  probably  tells  as  much  of  the  story  as  can  be  told. 

What  is  now  known  as  Foreman's  Grove,  in  the  north  limits  of  the  township, 
was  inhabited  by  the  Indians  when  the  first  settlers  began  to  come  in. 

The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  by  Miss  Mary  J.  Smith,  afterwards 
Mrs.  John  Becker,  in  a  log  schoolhouse,  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  township. 

Jeremiah  Collinson  owned  a  saw-mill,  that  was  operated  by  horsepower,  which 
he  put  up  in  1850. 

There  are  no  large  towns  within  Copley  township,  as  there  are  no  important 
railroads  there.  In  1894,  a  railroad  was  built  from  Wataga,  through  nearly  the 
center  of  the  township,  to  a  mining  village  called  Etherly.  It  was  supposed  that 
there  were  extensive  coal  fields  in  Copley  and  Victoria  townships,  and  these  im- 
provements were  made  in  order  to  develop  these  mines. 

The  village  was  laid  out  on  section  35,  in  1894,  by  Samuel  L.  Charles. 
:        For  some  reason  the  mines  above  mentioned  have  never  paid,  and  the  town  of 
Etherly  has  practically  disappeared,  and  the  railroad  has  since  been  extended  to 
the  village  of  Victoria. 

One  of  the  most  noted  churches  of  the  township  was  known  as  the  John  Knox 
church,  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  under  the  articles  on  the  Presbyterian 
church.  -:;-;::;^'<.  .  .;.  ; 

y  >::;!;  ;;':,;:^g     WALNUT  GROVE  TOWNSHIP          >.;  ^: 

This  township  derives  its  name  from  the  location  of  extensive  groves  within 
its  limits  and  Walnut  creek  and  several  tributaries  water  extensive  portions  of  the 
township.  Surface  and  soil  is  therefore  fine  and  undulated.  There  is  but  one 
village  within  the  township,  that  is  Altona. 

The  first  white  men  that  came  were  Messrs.  Jones  and  Dehart.  They  built  a 
cabin  on  section  31,  but  owing,  to  the  hostilities  of  the  Indians,  they  left  at  the 
time  of  the  Black  Hawk  War.  The  ruins  of  their  cabin  could  still  be  seen  in  1838. 
John  Thompson  was  the  first  permanent  settler,  coming  in  1836.  He  built  the  first 
frame  house.  One  Elder  M.  Smith,  of  the  Mormon  Church,  built  a  frame  house 
in  1840,  on  section  15,  and  in  1842,  several  hundred  of  his  faith  had  located  here. 
They  intended  to  build  a  temple  but  went  to  Hancock  county  upon  the  advice  of 
Joseph  Smith.  Since  their  departure,  settlement  has  been  more  rapid  and  there  is 
found  a  prosperous  and  intelligent  community  now  living  within  the  township. 

'•       Vol.  1—88 


434  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  . 

'  The  first  boy  born  in  the  township  was  John  T.  Poe ;  the  first  girl  was  Helen 
Ward,  who  married  A.  P.  Stevens.  The  first  marriage  was  between  Austin 
Frederick  and  Elizabeth  Finney.  The  first  death  was  that  of  Mrs.  Hinsdale,  a 
sister  of  Amos  Ward.  She  died  in  August,  1838. 

A  schoolhouse  was  built  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  i6,  in  1840, 
and  the  first  teacher  was  Robey  Tabor.  E.  L.  Gross  was  another  early  teacher 
and  he  became  a  distinguished  lawyer  of  Springfield. 

The  first  church  that  was  organized  was  a  Baptist  church  and  they  made  it  a 
place  upon  Court  creek,  for  worship.  Elder  Samuel  Shaw  was  the  organizer  of 
this  band. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1853,  like  all  of  the  townships  in  the  county 
and  Amos  Ward  was  elected  supervisor,  and  we  find  the  names  of  Sage,  Living- 
stone, Collinson,  Allen,  etc.,  etc.,  among  the  township  officers. 

^"    .A::^        -  VILLAGE  OF  ALTONA      '    ; '.>^  !:=      .       .  ^'  '^^ 

Altona  is  the  only  village  in  the  township.  It  is  a  station  on  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  sixteen  miles  northeast  of  Galesburg.  It  is  the 
center  of  quite  a  fine  trade  and  is  among  the  most  prosperous  villages  in  the 
county.  During  the  construction  of  a  Central  Military  Tract  railway,  quite  a 
large  number  of  workmen  camped  near  the  woods  along  the  railroad  line,  and 
Cyrus  Willard  and  J.  S.  Chambers  built  a  store,  on  land  then  owned  by  Daniel 
Allen,  and  supplied  the  wants  of  these  railroad  employees.  This  was  the  first 
building  erected  in  Altona,  and  was  the  first  and  only  store  between  Galesburg 
and  Kewanee.  Other  stores  were  built  in  succeeding  years,  and  the  fact  that  there 
were  no  other  villages  near  by  drew  the  crowd,  greatly  to  the  benefit  of  Altona.  A 
flouring  mill  was  built  by  Nils  Peterson  in  1854,  and  in  connection  with  it  a  dis- 
tillery, which  being  unpopular,  was  discontinued  after  a  year.  The  mill,  however, 
was  in  use  for  quite  a  number  of  years. 

Altona  was  platted  in  1834,  by  John  Piatt,  for  the  heirs  of  John  Thompson. 
E.  B.  Main  and  Daniel  Allen  laid  out  an  addition  to  Altona,  just  northeast  of  the 
original  town.  At  this  time  the  place  was  called  La  Pier,  but  was  changed  to 
Altona  at  the  instructions  of  the  railroad  officers.  There  was  some  confusion  over 
the  fact  that  the  postoffice  was  known  as  Walnut  Grove.  In  1863,  the  name  was 
changed  to  Reno  in  honor  of  the  famous  general  of  that  name.  About  that  time, 
the  name  Reno  became  decidedly  unpopular,  as  three  men  of  that  name  were 
lynched  in  Indiana.  So  the  citizens  rejected  it,  and  they  united  upon  the  name  of 
Altona  for  their  village,  station  and  postoffice. 

Altona  is  blessed  with  splendid  schools.  The  sentiment  of  the  community 
favors  temperance  and  it  always  was  a  "hot  bed  of  abolitionists."  The  churches 
of  the  county  have  been  written  of  so  thoroughly  in  other  places  that  little  need  be 
said  upon  the  subject  in  this  place. 

The  fraternal  organizations  of  Altona  consist  of  the  Altona  Forum,  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Rebekahs.  There  is  also  a  Masonic  lodge. 

It  has  a  fine  public  library  which  is  highly  prized  and  in  constant  use  by  the 
intelligent  citizens. 


;•':      ^   ^  ^  '•  V        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;     r^:v  435 

'."  •^,  '-,''.*'•-•'•.•••-'  -  -  .     '      •:'  "•'     • 

';v;;.^;-^^^ ;<"/;!''•;  '••.,  RIO  TOWNSHIP  / ';  .  .^ ' ;:^^^vj;''''' ' 

•  This  township  is  situated  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county.  It  is  well 
drained  by  Pope  creek  and  Henderson  river.  Along  these  streams  was  once  an 
abundance  of  timber.  The  soil  in  other  parts  of  the  township  is  very  rich,  and  is 
claimed,  by  its  owners,  to  be  equal  to,  or  better  than  that  found  in  almost  any 
other  township  in  the  county.  It  is  certain  that  Rio  township  has  very  valuable 
land.  There  are,  however,  two  railroads  within  the  township ;  one  running  south 
and  west  to  Monmouth,  and  the  other  south  and  east  to  Galesburg,  which  gives 
it  special  facilities  for  shipping  all  kinds  of  farm  products.  I  suppose  the  claim, 
that  the  township  has  richer  land  than  any  other,  is  applicable  to  any  other  town- 
ship in  the  county  which  has  any  real  fine  prairie  land,  and  it  is  fortunate  and 
commendable  that  so  many  of  the  farmers  of  Knox  county  make  similar  claims. 

Joseph  Roe  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  white  man  to  settle  in  this  township. 
His  arrival  was  closely  followed  by  Reece  Jones  and  Joseph  Halliday. 

It  was  found  necessary  to  erect  some  defenses  during  the  Black  Hawk  War, 
and  a  stockade  was  constructed  and  called  Fort  Aggie  m  honor  of  Miss  Cress- 
well.  --  :r 

Whitmore  and  Wyckoff  came  from  Ohio,  on  horseback,  in  1836.  George  W. 
Wier  and  Elsie  Robertson  are  said  to  have  seen  in  one  drove  more  than  fifty  deer, 
in  this  vicinity.  The  names  of  Larkin,  Robertson,  Nelson  and  Louis  Coe,  Samuel 
Milton  and  P.  W.  Epperson  are  old  names  in  the  township  of  Rio.  Thomas 
Marion  Goff  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  township,  April  5,  1835.  This 
part  of  the  township  was  originally  called  North  Prairie,  but  the  citizens  in  1850, 
when  the  name  Rio  Grande  was  so  common,  were  disposed  to  appropriate  this 
name  for  their  township,  but  they  finally  determined  upon  the  simple  word  Rio. 
The  village  of  Rio  was  planted  in  1871,  by  William  Robinson,  and  was  first 
called  Coburg,  in  honor  of  Coe  Brothers.  Mr.  Schroeder  who  now  resides  in 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  kept  a  store  in  Rio.  The  postoffice  was  origfinally  called  North 
Prairie,  and  Nelson  Coe  was  the  first  postmaster.  The  business  interests  of  the 
village  are  in  competent  hands  and  everything  about  it  has  an  air  of  neatness  and 
prosperity.  Many  of  the  older  residents,  however,  are  gone,  either  by  death  or 
removal.  There  is  a  hotel  at  Rio,  and  accommodations  are  very  good. 

Fraternally  Rio  township  is  well  provided.  There  has  always  been  quite  a 
spirit  of  free  masonry,  and  they  have  a  lodge  that  has  always  stood  for  the  best 
in  the  order.  They  also  have  a  chapter  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  known  as 
Horeb  Chapter.  There  is  an  Odd  Fellows  fraternity,  a  camp  of  Modern  Wood- 
men and  a  chapter  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star. 

-S      "'; .  \- V::     '         -•         VICTORIA  TOWNSHIP  )    -/     '  -• ' 

Victoria  township  although  having  some  very  fine  and  fertile  prairies  is,  never- 
theless, quite  broken.  W>lnut  creek  and  its  tributaries  cut  the  southern  portions 
of  the  township,  and,  until  recently,  it  was  rough  and  heavily  timbered.  Beneath 
the  surface,  however,  are  fine  veins  of  coal.  Stock  farming,  in  this  region,  has 
been  extensively  and  successfully  conducted. 

In  Victoria  township,  as  elsewhere,  the  early  settlers  supposed  that  it  was 


436  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

better  to  lcx:ate  near  the  timber.  This,  of  course,  is  true,  when  convenience  to 
fire-wood  is  considered,  but  it  did  not  take  very  many  years  to  find  out  that  the 
rich  soil  was  prairie  soil.  Pioneers  began  to  come  as  early  as  1835,  and  some  of 
them  located  in  the  timber.  Deacon  George  H.  Reynolds  was  the  first  man  to 
build  a  house  upon  the  prairie.  He  was  postmaster  of  Victoria,  and  the  first 
tavern  keeper.  -^'v^  v  i'.v 

Victoria  township  has  given  education  and  church  building  due  consideration, 
both  of  which  were  increased  very  early  in  its  history,  and  today  the  township  is 
well  supplied.  The  first  Swedish  Methodist  Church  ever  established  in  any 
country  was  established  in  the  village  of  Victoria.  It  was  organized  December  15, 
1846,  by  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Hedstrom,  the  founder  of  Swedish  Methodism.  It  had 
but  five  members  to  start  on,  and  today  with  that  starting  point  there  are  five 
large  conferences  in  the  United  States. 

The  first  township  officers  were  elected  in  April,  1853,  at  which  election  J.  L. 
Jarnagin  was  elected  supervisor;  J.  F.  Hovell,  clerk;  B.  Youngs,  assessgr;  C.  A. 
Shurtleff,  collector ;  Alex  Sornberger,  overseer  of  the  poor ;  A.  B.  Codding,  Peter 
Van  Buren  and  J.  W.  Mosher,  highway  commissioners ;  Peter  Van  Buren,  Moses 
Robinson,  justices  of  the  peace;  C.  A.  Shurtleflf  and  Seneca  Mosher,  constables. 

•   .  VILLAGE  OF  VICTORIA  ',  V':':/^.'>   |   '    -     : ;' 

The  village  of  Victoria  is  today  one  of  the  neatest  little  villages  in  the  county. 
It  had  no  railroad  for  many  years.  It  was  located  upon  high  ground,  upon  a 
beautiful  prairie;  and  was  situated  partly  in  Copley  township  and  partly  in 
Victoria  township.  It  was  laid  out  in  May,  1849.  It  seems  that  it  was  started 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  southeast  of  the  present  location,  where  the  pioneers  had 
a  store,  a  tavern  and  a  blacksmith  shop,  but  the  Chicago  road  ran  through  the 
present  site  and  George  F.  Reynolds  accommodated  transients  at  his  house,  and 
the  village  gradually  moved  over  to  its  present  site  and  thereby  the  village  was 
started  before  it  was  ever  surveyed.  Mr.  John  Bftcker,  late  of  Galesburg,  former- 
ly conducted  a  store  there  and  it  is  claimed  that  the  postoffice  distributed  more 
papers,  in  proportion  to  the  population,  than  any  other  town  in  the  county  which 
speaks  well  for  the  intelligence  of  the  people.  -  /•[.'-'. 

In  1899,  the  Galesburg  &  Great  Eastern  Railroad  was  extended  into  the  town- 
ship and  village  and  added  a  new  impetus  to  business.     Lumber  yards,  stock 
yards,  elevators,  a  bank,  additional  business  houses,  were  soon  established.     It 
has  a  good  system  of  schools  and  the  churches  are  well  supported. 
•'  '••'.'•,'•  I •  ••••*;... -.''•'••.,'  '•  .  ••''••' 

:\'\     '    '"      V       ••.     -          LYNN  TOWNSHIP     .,;..>,  _-.:-;^.u,rV:; 

This  township  claims  a  white  settler  about  as  early  as  any  township  in  the 
county.  One  Michael  Fraker  is  said  to  have  arrived  in  the  year  1828,  and 
settled  upon  secftion  23.  He  is  said  to  have  purchased  this  land  while  he  was 
yet  in  Kentucky,  but  he  found  it  occupied  by  the  Indians.  The  men  were  all 
absent  hunting,  but  the  women  and  children  were  upon  the  place.  Mr.  Fraker 
made  himself  at  home  upon  the  property  but  upon  the  return  of  the  Indians  they 
disputed  his  right,  but  he  made  himself  very  friendly  and  useful  to  them  and,  as 


436    ;  ^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          '; 

better  to  locate  near  the  timber.  This,  of  course,  is  true,  when  convenience  to 
fire-wood  is  considered,  but  it  did  not  take  very  many  years  to  find  out  that  the 
rich  soil  was  prairie  soil.  Pioneers  began  to  come  as  early  as  1835,  and  some  of 
them  located  in  the  timber.  Deacon  George  H.  Reynolds  was  the  first  man  to 
build  a  house  upon  the  prairie.  He  was  postmaster  of  Victoria,  and  the  first 
tavern  keeper.  .  .  -I  -''•• 

Victoria  township  has  given  education  and  church  building  due  consideration, 
both  of  which  were  increased  very  early  in  its  history,  and  today  the  township  is 
well  supplied.  The  first  Swedish  ^Methodist  Church  ever  established  in  any 
country  was  established  in  the  village  of  Victoria.  It  was  organized  December  15, 
1846,  by  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Hedstrom,  the  founder  of  Swedish  Methodism.  It  had 
but  five  members  to  start  on,  and  today  with  that  starting  point  there  are  five 
large  conferences  in  the  United  States. 

The  first  township  officers  were  elected  in  April,  1853,  at  which  election  J.  L. 
Jarnagin  was  elected  supervisor ;  J.  F.  Hovell,  clerk ;  B.  Youngs,  assessor ;  C.  A. 
Shurtleff,  collector ;  Alex  Sornberger,  overseer  of  the  poor ;  A.  B.  Codding,  Peter 
\''an  Buren  and  J.  W.  Mosher,  highway  commissioners ;  Peter  Van  Buren,  Moses 
Robinson,  justices  of  the  peace;  C.  A.  Shurtleflf  and  Seneca  Mosher,  constables. 

VILLAGE  OF  VICTORIA 

The  village  of  Victoria  is  today  one  of  the  neatest  little  villages  in  the  county. 
It  had  no  railroad  for  many  years.  It  was  located  upon  high  ground,  upon  a 
beautiful  prairie;  and  was  situated  partly  in  Copley  township  and  partly  in 
\'ictoria  township.  It  was  laid  out  in  May,  1849.  It  seems  that  it  was  started 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  southeast  of  the  present  location,  where  the  pioneers  had 
a  store,  a  tavern  and  a  blacksmith  shop,  but  the  Chicago  road  ran  through  the 
present  site  and  George  F.  Reynolds  accommodated  transients  at  his  house,  and 
the  village  gradually  moved  over  to  its  present  site  and  thereby  the  village  was 
started  before  it  was  ever  surveyed.  ^Ir.  John  Becker,  late  of  Galesburg,  former- 
ly conducted  a  store  there  and  it  is  claimed  that  the  postoffice  distributed  more 
papers,  in  proportion  to  the  population,  than  any  other  town  in  the  county  which 
speaks  well  for  the  intelligence  of  the  people.  •  •  ;  ^'-,  j 

In  1899,  the  Galesburg  &  Great  Eastern  Railroad  was  extended  into  the  town- 
ship and  village  and  added  a  new  impetus  to  business.  Lumber  yards,  stock 
yards,  elevators,  a  bank,  additional  business  houses,  were  soon  established.  It 
has  a  good  system  of  schools  and  the  churches  are  well  supported. 

/  ^:;;  LYNX  TOWNSHIP  '   .:  .. 

This  township  claims  a  white  settler  about  as  early  as  any  township  in  the 
county.  One  ^Michael  Fraker  is  said  to  have  arrived  in  the  year  1828,  and 
settled  upon  se(?tion  23.  He  is  said  to  have  purchased  this  land  while  he  was 
yet  in  Kentucky,  but  he  found  it  occupied  by  the  Indians.  The  men  were  all 
absent  hunting,  but  the  women  and  children  were  upon  the  place.  Mr.  Fraker 
made  himself  at  home  upon  the  property  but  upon  the  return  of  the  Indians  they 
disputed  his  right,  but  he  made  himself  very  friendly  and  useful  to  them  and,  as 


w 

w 

w 


K 


W 
W 

W 


-      •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  437 

he  was  a  blacksmith  and  could  fix  their  guns  and,  in  different  ways  made  himself 
serviceable,  they  at  once  took  him  in,  kindly  helped  him  build  a  cabin,  but  finally 
left  him  in  possession  of  the  property.  The  Indians  made  new  homes  at  Indian 
creek.  They  returned  annually  at  sugar-making  time  which  they  wished  him  to 
regard  as  purely  friendly  visits.  In  Mr.  Fraker's  time,  there  were  quite  a  num- 
ber of  Indians  in  his  neighborhood,  and  their  trails  were  visible  from  Spoon  river 
to  the  Mississippi. 

•  There  was  a  grove  in  the  neighborhood  which  was  named  Fraker's  Grove. 
Upon  the  east  side  of  this  grove,  there  was  a  fiowing  spring  and  the  Indians  made 
free  use  of  it. 

Mr.  Fraker,  being  a  mechanic,  constructed  a  hand  grist  mill,  the  pull  stones 
being  made  of  hard-heads  which  he  found  upon  the  prairie.  It  was  not  of  the 
modem  kind  by  any  means  as  the  upper  stone  was  turned  by  means  of  a  pin  set 
in  the  outer  edge  of  the  stone,  and  was  turned  by  hand.  >  , 

Mr.  Fraker  died  in  1848,  at  the  age  of  79  years. 

The  population  increased  rather  slowly  until  the  arrival  of  the  railroad.  This 
gave  them  trading  and  shipping  points  that  encouraged  settlement  and  then  it 
became  more  populous.  .i;..  • 

The  first  grist  sent  to  a  mill,  that  could  do  any  amount  of  work,  was  taken 
by  William  Dunbar  to  Tazewell  county.  A  person  often  had  to  wait  two  weeks 
for  his  turn  to  come  to  get  grain  in  town. 

Among  the  recreations  that  were  indulged  in,  in  the  early  times,  were  wolf 
hunts  and  both  men  and  women  engaged  in  this  sport.  The  women  went  along 
and  prepared  meals  of  chickens,  potatoes  and  other  eatables  for  the  tired  hunters, 
at  the  close  of  each  day. 

The  township  was  organized  April  5,  1853,  the  same  as  all  other  townships  of 
the  county.  Lynn  township  has  never  had  a  village  that  amounted  to  anything. 
In  the  early  days,  an  effort  was  made  to  attract  people  to  the  south  line  of  the 
township,  called  Centerville.  This  was  afterwards  platted  and  named  Milroy, 
but  that  proved  a  failure  and  nothing  is  left  to  mark  the  spot. 

;:-     ;;..y  :'}  ;;''^;  j      PERSIFER  TOWNSHIP        '  h,    '^.:.:: 

Persifer  township  is  better  adapted  to  grazing  than  to  agriculture  although 
quite  a  large  portion  of  the  surface  is  excellent  farm  land,  but  there  is  consider- 
able bottom  land  which  is  covered  by  timber,  and  there  is  good  timber  along  the 
streams.  Its  mineral  resources  include  coal  and  sandstone. 

Among  the  old  settlers  of  the  township  was,  John  Persifer  Frazer  Smith, 
after  whom  the  first  postoffice,  which  was  established  about  1847,  was  named. 
This,  in  turn,  gave  rise  to  the  name  of  the  township. 

This  township  is  especially  rich  in  its  early  pioneers.  There  were  William 
Norris,  who  came  in  1832 ;  Jessie  and  Willis  Reynolds  and  Beverley  Young  came 
from  Kentucky;  Chas.  Bradford,  from  Ohio,  and  these  parties  settled  about  the 
year  1834,  in  Persifer  township.  R.  C.  Benson,  E.  J.  Wyman,  Jacob  Lorance, 
John  Spear,  are  also  familiar  names.  A  little  later  came  Edmund  Russell,  Isaac 
Sherman,  G.  W.  Mauley,  James  Maxey,  T.  D.  Butt,  John  Colville  and  Caleb 


488  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Reece.  Hon.  R.  W.  Miles  was  also  an  early  settler  in  Persifer,  These  men 
have  always  given  character  to  the  township. 

It  is  said  that  the  first  mill  built  in  Knox  county  was  built  by  Robert  Hendrix 
in  1834,  on  Court  creek,  in  Persifer  township.  The  Elliott  mill  was  built  in  1840, 
at  the  north  of  Court  creek,  on  Spoon  river.  It  was  designed  for  coarse  lumber 
but  was  afterwards  turned  into  a  flouring  mill.  Another  mill  was  built  by  Chas. 
Haptonstall,  about  1848,  on  Court  creek  about  a  half  mile  above  Appleton  bridge. 
These  mills,  of  course,  are  now  no  more. 

Persifer  has  been  well  supplied  with  churches.  Bethel  chapel,  built  in  1863; 
Maxley  chapel,  Mound  and  Persifer  belonging  to  the  United  Brethren  denomina- 
tion, and  a  Mormon  church  at  Dahinda.  •;.]'--  ^ 

The  first  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1841.  Who  taught  the  first  public  school,  is 
not  definitely  known. 

The  Santa  Fe  railroad  runs  into  Persifer,  east  and  west.  Along  Court  creek 
it  gave  rise  to  two  nice  little  towns,  Appleton  and  Dahinda. 


The  present  site  of  Dahinda  was  once  an  Indian  village  as  will  be  learned  from 
the  article,  in  this  history,  on  the  Indians.  For  some  years  after  the  arrival  of 
the  white  men,  remains  of  their  wigwams  were  found  and  there  were  twenty-five 
or  thirty  mounds  near  by  which  contained  human  bones,  presumably  Indian 
graves.  Many  arrow-heads  and  stone  axes  have  been  found,  and  one  branch  of 
the  Galena  trail  passed  through  the  township,  from  north  to  south,  crossing  Court 
creek  at  the  point  where  the  Appleton  bridge  now  stands.  .  •  j  .. .  •  ^ 

The  first  iron  bridge  was  built  in  1875,  where  the  present  Appleton  now 
stands. 

This  village  was  laid  out  in  1888,  by  the  Santa  Fe  road  and  the  Land  Company, 
and  it  contains  about  47^  acres.  It  stands  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section 
24,  as  a  f  i^eight  and  express  office  and  passenger  station.  There  is  a  fine  bridge 
over  the  Spoon  river  near  this  point. 

.•'.->;<%;:'-;.' ^  ,       '.'  •       ^'•'•-       APPLETON  '-'•'":'':''.••••'    ••'•'V;v':.  >V' 

This  village  was  laid  out  in  the  same  year  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
15.  by  those  interested  in  the  Santa  Fe  road.  Miles  Forest  was  the  surveyor. 
There  were  freight  and  express  offices,  a  store,  grain  elevator,  lumber  yard,  dwell- 
ings, etc.,  etc.  There  is  also  a  postoffice.  Grain  and  a  large  quantity  of  stock 
are  shipped  here  annually.  ,  .  ,  .  ^  .  ,  ,  ... 

:    :^7-  TRURO  TOWNSHIP    ;^•^-^-•   '•    % 

This  township  is  known  as  one  of  the  two  roughest  townships  in  the  county. 
This  refers,  of  course,  to  the  surface.  Spoon  river  enters  it  on  section  12,  about 
two  miles  from  the  northeast  corner  of  the  township,  and  flows  southwesterly 
leaving  it  on  section  31,  and  takes  a  course  of  about  fifteen  or  sixteen  miles.  The 
river  has  many  tributaries  and  all  ot  them  cut  the  surface  into  ridges  and  valleyB, 


;     ;;;vX  ^           HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     X     :''$  439 

and,  in  many  places,  have  made  a  very  picturesque  line  of  scenery.  The  timber 
has  been  gradually  disappearing  and  the  land  converted  into  pastures  which  have 
proved  to  be  a  great  source  of  profit.  There  is  a  large  body  of  good  coal  under 
the  surface  which  furnishes  an  ample  supply  of  fuel. 

The  first  settlement  was  made  in  1832,  by  John  Dill.  In  1833,  occurred  the 
first  marriage  ceremony  by  which  Jacob  Ryan  and  Miss  Stemball  were  united. 
The  first  death  was  occasioned  by  the  drowning  in  Spoon  river  of  Mahlon 
Winans,  a  U.  S.  mail  carrier,  who  attempted  to  swim  across  the  river.  Quite  a 
number  of  ferries  were  started  in  the  eastem  and  southeastem  part  of  Knox 
county,  because  Spoon  river  flows  through  that  portion  of  the  county.  One  John 
Colman,  started  a  Spoon  river  ferry  in  1834,  and  it  was  known  by  his  name. 
Afterwards  it  was  called  Trenton. 

Truro  township  has  been  quite  rich  in  Indian  relics,  and  upon  section  31  a 
number  of  graves  were  found.  Logs  had  been  split  into  halves  and  hollowed  out 
for  coffins,  and  they  were  placed  in  the  forks  of  trees,  ten  to  fifteen  feet  above 
the  ground,  where  they  rested,  the  remaining  skeletons  projecting  above  the 
tops.  They  were  taken  down  in  1836  and  given  a  white  man's  burial. 

Notwithstanding  the  roughness  of  the  surface,  there  are  still  level  prairies, 
north  and  south  of  Spoon  river,  that  have  attracted  prosperous  fanners.  The 
land  has  been  well  tilled,  herds  of  cattle,  sheep  and  horses  and  of  well-bred  hogs 
are  common  sights  upon  these  farms. 

The  population  is  chiefly  American-bom  citizens  of  English,  Irish,  Scotch 
and  Swedish  ancestors.  People  of  all  religious  faiths,  Protestants  and  Catholics, 
joined  in  advancing  education.  And  there  is  a  perfect  assimilation  of  different 
nations,  come  through  a  spirit  of  broad  charity  in  the  matter  of  religious  faith. 

''';.•'•.:>  S;'X-^-'X^v,-^-./'':'X-v;    '  WILLIAMSFIELD  ••.^f\      --^.-r/ 

•  The  Santa  Fe  railroad  was  built  through  the  township  of  Truro  in  1887,  and 
on  April  24,  1888,  Williamsfield  was  laid  out  by  E.  P.  Percell  and  has  become 
one  of  the  most  prosperous  towns  in  the  county.  It  has  graded  schools  and 
churches,  banks,  a  printing  office,  etc.,  etc.  Various  lines  of  mercantile  houses  are 
represented  which  include  general  stores,  hardware  stores,  meat  market,  lumber 
yards,  furniture  and  undertaking  establishments,  restaurants,  livery  bams, 
barber  shops,  blacksmith  shops,  dry  goods  and  millinery. 

The  Odd  Fellows  and  Degree  of  Rebekah  are  also  represented  here. 

'^'r-  V  •  :     ::.7;  /:       HAW  CREEK  TOWNSHIP          -         r :  ^  <  ::>!^:  -  i^C^ 


The  surface  of  this  township  is  quite  pictorial  and  attractive.  About  two- 
thirds  of  its  area  is  fine  prairie,  and  the  remainder  has  been  timber  land.  The 
timber  was  chiefly  on  the  east  and  the  west  where  the  surface  is  more  hilly,  the 
prairie  land  lying  between,  and  extending  north  and  south  across  the  township. 
Spoon  river  enters  the  township  at  the  northeast  corner  and  winds  through  the 
first  and  second  tiers  on  the  section  on  the  east  and  leaves  the  township  at  the  mid- 
dle of  section  35.  There  is  a  high  ridge,  constituting  a  watershed,  extending  from 
the  middle  of  the  north  line  southwesterly  and  south,  passing  into  Maquon  town- 


440  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  |- 

ship  pretty  near  the  west  line  of  section  31,  All  of  the  area  between  Spoon  river 
and  this  watershed  is  thoroughly  drained  by  small  streams  that  enter  into  Spoon 
river.  These  streams  not  only  drain  the  land  well,  but  afford  excellent  stock 
water. 

There  is  an  underlying  vein  of  coal  through  the  center  part  and  also  just  west 
of  this  watershed.  It  is  from  20  to  28  inches  thick  and  therefore  cannot  be 
profitably  worked,  yet  more  or  less  of  it  is  mined  for  home  use.  Both  agriculture 
and  stock-raising  are  profitably  carried  on.  The  farmers  are  progressive  and 
the  newer  knowledge  in  regard  to  farming  is  quickly  taken  up. 

There  are  no  colored  people  within  the  township.  The  population  is  almost 
wholly  of  native-born  citizens,  who  are  noted  for  their  sobriety  and  industry 
and  are  universally  well  informed. 

The  first  family  that  settled  in  this  township,  was  that  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Gillmore  Owen,  a  widow  who  was  accompanied  by  her  son,  Pamach,  and  her 
daughters,  from  Ohio,  in  1829.  The  neighbors  were  quite  remote,  some  being  in 
other  townships.  Parnach  Owen  was  a  land  speculator,  and  his  business  took 
him  from  home  quite  a  great  deal.  Two  years  after  their  arrival,  they  removed 
to  Knoxville.  The  son,  Pamach,  was  prominent  in  the  organization  of  the 
county,  and  was  its  first  official  surveyor.  Other  families  came  about  the  same 
time,  James  Nevitt,  Samuel  Slocum,  David  Teel  and  David  Enochs.  Then  came 
Woodford  Pearce,  David  Housh,  Joshua  Burnett,  Jacob  Harshbarger,  Linneus 
Richmond,  William  W.  Dickerson,  and  others. 

There  was  a  well  established  settlement  in  1834.  The  first  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  noted  pioneer.  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright,  in  1831.  Rev.  Richard 
Haney  and  Rev.  William  Clark  were  also  among  the  early  Methodist  circuit 
riders.  Susan  Dempsey  was  the  first  school  teacher,  and  her  work  began  in 
1836.  A  church  was  erected  in  1864,  on  section  17.  Prior  to  that  time,  the 
schoolhouses  of  the  township  were  used  for  religious  services,  and  a  regular  old- 
fashioned  camp  ground  had  been  selected  in  a  grove  not  far  east  of  Gilson.  The 
Methodists  of  the  county  gathered  there  annually  for  a  season  of  religious 
worship,  until  about  two  years  ago,  when  the  improvements  were  all  destroyed  by 
fire.  The  real  estate  was  then  given  to  Hedding  College  of  Abingdon,  and  has 
been  sold. 

It  will  be  interesting  to  notice  a  little  more  fully  the  organization  of  the  camp 
association.  Pursuant  to  a  notice,  published  in  the  Knox  County  Republican,  the 
Knox  county  Methodists  met  in  Orange  chapel,  September  19,  1868,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  a  camp  ground  association.  Peter  Godfrey,  J.  C.  Elwell 
and  Joshua  Burnett,  Jr.,  were  elected  trustees  to  purchase  and  hold  land  for  the 
association.  They  bought  of  N.  G.  Clark,  between  ii  and  12  acres  of  ground  for 
$474.00.  On  September  3,  1869,  the  number  of  trustees  was  increased  to  nine, 
and  on  October  5,  1872,  another  acre  was  purchased  for  $45.00.  It  is  located 
on  the  line  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  a  mile  southeast  of  Gilson,  and  is  well 
adapted  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  purchased.  The  improvements  have 
been  good  in  the  form  of  fences,  corrals  and  buildings,  wells  have  been  dug,  all 
costing  about  $1,500.00.  The  meetings  begin  on  Tuesday,  before  the  fourth  Sun- 
day in  August,  and  last  one  week.  In  1882,  they  began  charging  a  gate  fee  for 


S.V-^^>   ^^^K:;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :        ^'^  441 

all  visitors.    About  $8oo  was  accumulated  in  the  treasury  with  which  substantial 
improvements  were  made. 

In  the  beginning,  the  only  available  markets,  for  farm  products,  were  along 
the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers  and  on  Lake  Michigan.  Grain  was  hauled  to 
Chicago,  the  sellers  bringing  back  merchandise  for  the  local  markets.  The 
Peoria  branch  of  the  Burlington  road  now  i-uns  through  the  township,  and 
affords  a  good  market  at  Gilson,  in  the  northwest,  and  Maquon  in  the  south. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1853,  at  the  same  time  with  all  other  town- 
ships of  the  county.  William  M.  Clark  was  elected  supervisor;  Woodford 
Pearce,  clerk;  Isaac  Lotts,  assessor;  Joseph  Harshbarger,  collector;  Jacob  Wolfe, 
overseer  of  the  poor;  John  N.  Lynn  and  Enoch  Godfrey,  justices  of  the  peace; 
John  Pickrel  and  William  Lewis,  constables ;  Milton  Lotts,  L.  N.  T.  Randall  and 
Benoni  Simpkins,  commissioners  of  highways ;  all  good  stalwart  citizens. 

Two  villages  were  established  within  the  township ;  one  called  Mechanicsburg 
and  the  other  Gilson.  Mechanicsburg  was  built  first.  It  had  a  store,  wagon  and 
blacksmith  shop  and  a  postoffice  which  was  named  Haw  Creek.  On  March  5, 
1857,  the  postoffice  was  removed  to  Gilson  and  the  village  of  Mechanicsburg  fell 
to  decay. 

A  large  grist  mill  was  built  in  an  early  day  on  section  34,  on  Spoon  river. 
For  many  years  the  mill  did  a  flourishing  business.  The  flow  of  the  river 
ceased  to  be  regular  and  as  the  mill  could  be  operated  only  a  portion  of  the  year, 
it  has  been  abandoned. 

In  1849,  there  was  a  great  cholera  scare  in  the  township  of  Maquon.  It  was 
occasioned  by  the  arrival  of  three  immigrant  families,  Stanniford,  Richardson 
and  Foster.  The  scourge  appeared  shortly  after  their  arrival  and  the  community 
was  considerably  disturbed.  It  resulted  in  the  death  of  Mr.  Stanniford,  Mrs. 
Fred  Foster,  Mrs.  Thomas  Richardson,  William  Richardson  and  two  children. 
All  others  escaped.  .-..•: 

This  is  the  township  in  which  occurred  what  is  known  as  the  "Rand 
Tragedy."  In  1877,  a  tramp  entered  the  residence  of  Woodford  Pearce  of 
Gilson,  and  departed  with  quite  an  assortment  of  personal  property,  including 
$75.00  in  money.  The  hue  and  cry  of  theft  was  raised  and  a  posse  soon  started 
in  pursuit.  Rand  was  discovered  in  a  grove  nearby.  He  was  armed,  and  observ- 
ing the  approach  of  his  pursuers  he  retreated  into  a  com  field,  firing  as  he  fled ; 
his  shots  were  returned  and  during  the  conflict  William  Keller  was  shot  in  the 
ankle.  The  field  was  soon  surrounded  by  a  large  number  of  men  and  boys.  The 
tramp  again  took  flight,  firing  as  he  ran.  A  horse,  ridden  by  James  Pickrel,  was 
wounded,  and  the  rider's  knee  bruised.  Another  horse,  carrying  Charles  Maston 
and  Charles  Cramer,  was  shot  and  killed,  and  a  bullet  through  the  heart  killed 
Charles  Beldon.  Shots  were  also  exchanged  with  Charles  McKown,  at  very  short 
range.  The  tramp  received  a  slight  flesh  wound  in  the  arm  and  side,  and  McKown 
was  shot  through  the  left  lung.  Night  coming  on,  the  tramp  made  good  his 
escape.  He  had  cast  aside  his  vest  and  shirt,  and  in  one  pocket  an  express  receipt 
was  found  given  to  Frank  Rand.  This  clew  led  to  his  ultimate  capture  in  St. 
Louis,  through  the  skillful  efforts  of  Frank  Hitchcock,  the  sheriff  of  Peoria 
county.  Before  thfs,  however.  Rand  had  committed  another  robbery  near  St. 
Elmo,  Illinois,  at  the  house  of  John  Scholes,  killing  Mr.  Scholes,  another  man. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


and  dangerously  wounding  a  third.  When  his  arrest  in  St.  Louis  was  attempted, 
he  resisted  and  killed  one  policeman  who  was  assisting  in  making  his  arrest.  He 
was  tried  and  convicted  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  sentenced  to  life  imprisonment 
in  Joliet  penitentiary.  Seven  years  later,  he  broke  the  warden's  skull  with  an 
iron  bar,  and  was  shot  by  a  prison  guard. 

'  '  '«'        "        i- 

-.  ""«"••'' 

'•;•;'•  "'>-'^'P'- '.•':•.'•'.;':         -'•-    '•'•  GILSON  ,    -       ,      >    .      • 

The  village  of  Gilson  was  laid  out  July  lo,  1857,  o"  t^c  southeast  quarter  of 
section  7,  by  Linneus  Richmond  and  James  Gilson.  It  is  just  on  the  edge  of  the 
timber  of  Haw  creek,  eleven  miles  from  Galesburg,  and  is  on  the  Peoria  branch 
of  the  Burlington  road.  The  engines,  at  that  time,  bumed  wood  and  a  large 
trade  for  the  sale  of  wood  to  the  railroad  company  grew  up.  The  trees  have 
been  cut  away  leaving  Gilson  now  the  appearance  of  a  beautiful  prairie  village. 

Gilson  has  a  graded  school  and  two  churches.  Its  business  is  mostly  con- 
fined to  local  trade.  ^•;•^>^  ;  .  .  : 

/./          ;•     •        ELBA  TOWNSHIP    :^:•^^:^t^4• ';i::;:Ct'^\ 

The  surface  of  this  township  is  beautiful  and  undulating.  There  is  good 
natural  drainage  by  French  creek  and  numerous  small  streams  which  flow  into  it. 
French  creek  flows  from  northeast  to  southwest  and  there  has  been  quite  a 
growth  of  timber  along  its  banks.  Spoon  river  crosses  the  northwest  comer. 
The  soil  is  very  fertile  and  adapted  to  the  growth  of  grains  and  a  large  annual 
crop  of  wheat,  corn  and  oats  is  harvested.  Considerable  hay,  timothy,  clover 
and  blue  grass-  is  also  reaped.  Some  apples,  peaches  and  a  large  variety  of  small 
fruits  is  grown  here. 

There  is  no  railroad  in  Elba  township,  but  the  Santa  Fe  line  at  the  north,  and 
the  Burlington  in  the  south,  afford  very  good  shipping  points. 

:•  The  township  was  organized  on  April  5,   1853,  and  a  full  line  of  town 
officers  were  chosen. 

The  earliest  settlers  have  their  beginning  in  Thomas  King,  in  the  fall  of  1836, 
who  settled  upon  section  2  of  Elba  townsTiip.  John  and  Felix  Thurman  soon 
came,  also  Leonard  and  Darius  Jones,  from  New  York.  Not  long  afterwards, 
Jacob  Kightlinger  with  his  wife  arrived.  Mr.  Kightlinger  had  a  large  family  of 
children  and  employed  a  private  tutor  to  instruct  them,  thereby  gaining  time  in 
not  waiting  for  the  establishment  of  a  general  school.  He  is  credited  also  with 
being  the  builder  of  the  first  schoolhouse  of  the  township.  James  Harrison 
Baird  came  from  Pennsylvania  in  1838.  Among  the  later  settlers  came  Josiah 
Nelson,  Henry  Oberholtzer,  William  H.  Baird,  Henry  Potts,  John  Calligan,  John 
Lindsey,  Walter  Bailey,  Benjamin  Pittman,  James  Catterton  and  others.  R.  G. 
Matthews  was  long  a  resident  of  this  township,  but  finally  moved  to  Galesburg 
where  he  held  the  office  of  sheriff  for  some  time,  and  died  in  Galesburg.  He  was 
known  as  a  very  excellent  man.  ":.':/'  .-'.'v:;;'-:-  :-'A 


';:"':;-'^''^''/>'_-'i's>''_,;' •.:;•'-"' 

*'•'..  .  *  .'.      •-   '•       .  •^-  »-      '?'  '.',,' 


,^: -;y:; : :;;^  v;:  V      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^  Vv^if        443 

^:vJ;;•^;'2:''^'•'''^•;'^^.^^^  SALEM  TOWNSHIP  ; b:  /  •' -Hl''^ 

Salem  township  lies  in  the  southeast  corner  of  Knox  county.  It  is  well  watered 
by  small  streams  and  its  natural  features  are  beautiful.  There  are  two  ridges 
crossing  the  township  known  as  divides,  one  of  them  entering  from  the  east  at 
the  southeast  corner  of  section  i  passes  westward.  Just  north  of  Yates  City  it 
then  curves  quickly  to  the  south  and  southeast  passing  through  section  14,  then 
turning  abruptly  to  the  west  it  curves  and  crosses  the  northern  part  of  section  22 
and  then  turns  northwest  and  leaves  the  township  on  the  north  side  of  the  town 
of  Douglas,  formerly  called  Summit.  The  waters  north  of  that  flow  into  French 
creek,  and  there  are  quite  a  number  of  little  streams  which,  with  small  tribu- 
taries, cover  nearly  all  of  the  county.  The  other  divide  starts  in  section  25  and 
passes  northward  for  about  one  and  a  half  miles,  then  turning  a  little  north  and 
west  and  leaves  the  township  at  the  corner  between  sections  i8  and  19.  This  is 
known  as  the  French  creek  and  Willow  Watershed.  It  passes  nearly  parallel 
with  the  first  divide  described,  and  Pease  branch  drains  the  land  between  the  two 
divides,  and  Willow  creek  and  its  branches  take  care  of  that  portion  of  the  town- 
ship south  of  this  last  watershed.  Parties  who  are  interested  in  studying  the 
drainage  of  Knox  county,  will  do  well  to  make  frequent  references  to  the  geo- 
graphical map  prepared  by  Mr.  Jelliff  illustrating  his  article  on  geologic  and 
topographical  topics. 

•  The  township  is  well  provided  with  railroad  facilities.  The  Peoria  division 
of  the  Burlingfton  passes  through  Yates  City.  A  branch  runs  to  the  south  into 
Fulton  county  and  so  on  to  Vermont  and  Rushville.  At  Vermont  it  goes  to  the 
south  and  eastward  and  reaches  St.  Louis. 

It  is  a  delight  to  drive  over  this  township.  Excellent  views  may  be  obtained 
from  almost  any  point  upon  the  ridges  described  above. 

Good  belts  of  timber  were  found  along  the  streams  which  have  been  described, 
most  of  which  has  been  cut  away. 

Salem  township  was  organized  under  the  general  law  April  5,  1853.  The  elec- 
tion was  held  in  a  log  schoolhouse,  near  Michael  Egan's  home,  on  section  29.  S. 
S.  Buflum  was  elected  supervisor.  John  Sloan  was  one  of  Salem's  most  excellent 
citizens,  and  at  one  time  served  eight  succeeding  terms  of  one  year  each  as 
supervisor  of  the  township,  and  at  other  periods  he  served  from  one  to  three 
years.  His  advice  was  found  most  excellent  in  constructing  the  new  court  house 
at  Galesburg. 

The  first  settlement  was  made  by  Alexander  Taylor  in  1834,  then  came  Felix 
and  John  Thurman,  Henry  and  Avery  Dalton,  Solomon  Sherwood,  Benoni  Haw- 
kins, William  Kent,  John  Darnell,  John  Haskins  and  Sala  Blakesbee,  most  of 
whom  brought  their  families  with  them.  Mr.  Avery  Dalton  is  still  living  at  Elm- 
wood,  Illinois.  These  early  settlers  brought  their  religious  faith  with  them,  and, 
from  time  to  time,  held  prayer  meetings  at  different  places.  In  1835  or  1836,  Rev. 
.  Henry  Somers  visited  the  settlement  and  preached  the  first  sermon  at  the  home 
of  William  Kent,  on  section  13. 

James  Mason  built  the  first  saw-mill  on  Kickapoo  creek,  in  section  13,  in  1835. 
Another  one  was  built  a  little  later  by  Anderson  Corbin,  on  section  14. 
..  .The  township  is  well  supplied  with  excellent  bridges,  mostly  constructed  of 


444  i  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

iron  with  good  substantial  stone  abutments.    The  roads  are  in  fairly  good  con- 
dition having  been  graded  and  dragged,  but  no  macadam  has  been  laid. 

There  is  a  large  quantity  of  coal  beneath  the  surface  which  has  been  mined  for 
local  use,  from  an  early  date,  along  the  banks  of  the  stream,  upon  the  north  and 
south  sides  of  the  township.  The  mines  on  Kickapoo  and  Littler's  creeks  are  the 
most  productive.  Messrs.  Pittman  and  Barlow,  blacksmiths  and  farmers,  of 
Fulton  county,  are  said  to  have  taken  out  coal  from  section  25,  in  the  year  1832, 
which  they  used  in  their  own  forges. 

Stock-raising  is  an  important  industry  of  this  township.  It  has  added  a  great 
deal  to  its  wealth.  N.  G.  Daughmer  and  son,  David  Corey  and  son,  H.  A.  and 
James  Sloan,  E.  H.  Ware,  Frank  Runyon,  A.  D.  Moore  and  R.  J.  McKeighan, 
were  all  successful  stock-raisers.  -,  .  •  •  ^  |  .V 

The  schools  of  Salem  township  have  the  benefit  of  a  very  valuable  library 
which  was  started  by  Prof.  W.  L.  Steel,  now  superintendent  of  the  city  schools  of 
Galesburg.  At  that  time  he  was  the  principal  of  the  graded  school  in  Yates  City, 
and  in  September,  1878,  proposed  to  the  school  board,  composed  of  J.  D.  Hoyt, 
J.  M.  Taylor  and  L.  A.  Lawrence,  the  organization  of  a  school  and  public  library, 
to  be  under  the  control  of  the  board,  and  open  at  all  hours  to  pupils  of  the  school 
and  to  the  public,  upon  payment  of  a  membership  fee.  The  plan  was  adopted, 
a  constitution  and  by-laws  framed  and  nearly  $100.00  received  from  a  public  en- 
tertainment given  on  Thanksgiving  Day  of  that  year.  The  movement  was  sup- 
ported by  the  public  from  the  first  and  has  been  regularly  and  systematically 
carried  on.  The  library  has  steadily  grown  and,  at  the  present  time,  has  about 
2,500  volumes  of  all  classes  of  books  which  the  young  men  and  women  of  the 
city  and  township  so  thoroughly  appreciate  and  use.  I  '  .'  :  ' 

A  postoffice  was  established  in  1837,  at  a  place  called  Middle  Grove  which  was 
near  what  is  now  Uniontown. 

The  underground  railroad  had  a  well  defined  road  through  Salem  in  ante- 
bellum times  and  many  a  colored  man  or  woman  found  safe  passage  over  this 
road  on  his  way  to  Canadian  freedom.  .  ,  -;,,'•  '•:.'; 


...•     ....       DOUGLAS        [.-':-.•". '^ '.'••'•:':•'"•••/.•-::•. 

Douglas,  formerly  Summit,  is  Salem  township's  second  village  and  was  laid 
out  on  the  northeast  corner-of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  7,  by  W.  G.  Ware 
in  October,  1856.  It  was  surveyed  by  E.  T.  Byram.' 

Its  existence  is  due  to  the  building  of  the  Peoria  and  Oquawka  railroad. 
.     The   surrounding   country   has   made   it   a   lively   trading  place   in   general 
merchandise.  _       :    'V        •'   .        , .    >.          .;;^'..     -.,    - 

'  "•'    ...-VX-  .        .     .  ...       UNIONTOWN  ;..'..'•-;-"/';"•..'';';•-•'.': 

,'.  '  '  '.        '.-.  . '  .         .  1  '  •'•'.''*•''-'••'..     •^'' 

,•       ,•.'';-'.  ^    •'  -     '  .  •          ,.  '     .       -'•.•-•''  •        - .        .-''..•'-'•  .-•••'•'•     \   ,•      r  *.''.,    •>     -  •  '  -V  ' 

This  is  the  oldest  village  in  the  township  of  Salem.  It  was  laid  out  by  Moses 
Shinn  in  June,  1839,  was  surveyed  and  platted  by  George  A.  Charles. 

It  is  beautifully  situated  in  the  western  extremity  of  a  high  divide  and  over- 
looks a  wide  expanse  of  prairie. 


;^^¥^^:;;;C^r^;  •"       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .  445 

'       -•'    >    •-.    Vi'.^  '    •    .'    *'    "•.-•••••-     '.    ;.        '.  .,     •.         .        -    . 

'      .         •    •.'    -i  '••  •  '•-      •     •    '^.-    -  '  .    -,  -.  .  -  . 

:  It  was  of  considerable  importance  in  the  earlier  days,  and  was  upcm  the 
original  survey  of  the  Peoria  and  Iowa  railroads. 

In  addition  to  the  usual  stores  and  enterprises  connected  with  a  growing  town 
in  those  days,  it  had  a  factory  for  plows  and  wagons,  and  the  burning  of  brick 
was  also  one  of  its  industries.  A  primitive  shingling  machine  was  owned  by 
Elisha  Van  Pelt  in  1843.  Cottonwood  and  black  walnut  were  the  timbers  gener- 
ally used. 

It  had  a  school  in  1843,  in  a  frame  building  originally  intended  for  a  store,  on 
the  corner  of  the  public  square.  ;.  .';•• 

It  is  said  to  have  been  named  from  Uniontown,  Portage  county,  in  Ohio. 

A  later  survey  for  the  railway,  in  1856,  located  a  line  about  two  miles  further 
north  from  the  town,  and  from  that  time  the  village  rapidly  declined  until  1869, 
when  the  legislature  vacated  the  plat. 

:i''.;-C-;;::-;;vV/'V'V;,;;:V;;-        CHESTNUT  TOWNSHIP;.  .v^/:.'.v':    if',:?.:''-'       '^"''v 

Chestnut  township  is  very  rough  in  portions.  Brush  creek  enters  the  town- 
ship on  section  6,  flows  southeast  to  the  central  line  of  the  township  then  again 
winding  to  the  northeast  somewhat,  finally  flowing  in  a  southerly  direction, 
empties  into  Haw  creek  on  section  12  and  thence  finds  its  way,  through  Haw 
creek,  to  Spoon  river  at  west  line  of  section  24.  There  are  numerous  tributaries 
that  flow  into  this  creek,  mostly  from  the  south.  Spoon  river  enters  the  town- 
ship on  section  24,  and  winds  in  southwesterly  direction  leaving  the  township  at 
about  the  middle  of  section  34.  There  is  a  divide  that  enters  the  township  at  the 
village  of  Hermon  on  section  19,  and  this  curves  to  the  north  and  then  quite 
abruptly  to  the  south  in  section  27.  South  of  that  divide  there  are  also 
several  quite  good  streams  that  flow  south  into  Spoon  river.  This  makes  the 
northern  part  of  the  township  quite  rough  and  a  portion  of  the  southern  part. 
The  banks  of  these  streams  were  originally  heavy  timber,  most  of  which  has  been 
cut  away.  It  is  in  one  of  the  southern  rows  of  townships  of  the  county  and  is  the 
second  township  east  of  the  principal  meridian.  The  soil  is  fertile  and  more 
than  half  is  prairie  soil.  It  is  crossed  by  two  lines  of  railroad,  one  running  from 
Lewistown  in  Fulton  county  northward  to  Galesburg,  and  the  other  the  Iowa 
Central.  The  first  railroad  was  formerly  known  as  the  Fulton  County  Narrow 
Gauge,  but  it  is  now  called  the  Havana  branch  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 

The  earliest  settler  was  Anthon  Dolph  from  Kentucky.  He  came  in  1833,  > 
and  raised  a  crop,  and  in  1834  he  became  a  permanent  settler.  The  next  year 
came  John  Terry  from  Virginia  who  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  performed 
the  first  marriage  ceremony  in  the  township,  uniting  a  Mr.  Gay  and  a  Miss 
Cooke,  who  rode  a  long  distance,  to  appear  before  the  justice,  upon  the  back  of 
one  horse.  It  is  said  that  Squire  Terry  once  united  a  couple  who  stood  upon  the 
opposite  bank  of  Spoon  river,  while  he  performed  the  ceremony  on  the  bank, 
the  waters  being  too  high  and  too  tumultuous  for  either  party  to  cross.  The  next 
settlers  were  Robert  Leigh  and  Archibald  Long,  in  1836.  Mr.  Long  raised  hemp 
and  constructed  a  rude  factory  where  he  manufactured  his  own  and  his  neigh- 
bor's hemp  into  rope.  For  a  time  it  was  profitable  and  he  got  to  be  well  off.- 
Mr.  Long  settled  on  section  19,  where,  in  1842,  he  platted  the  village  of  Hermon. 


446  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Being  a  Methodist  preacher,  he  soon  organized  a  Methodist  class  which  met 
regularly  at  his  house  for  many  years.  Mr.  O.  P.  Barton  was  also  an  early 
settler  and  was  noted  for  his  walking  ability.  On  one  occasion  he  walked  to  the 
land  office  at  Quincy,  one  hundred  miles  distant,  and  arrived  there  ahead  of  sev- 
eral other  parties  who  started  on  horseback  at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Herman  Way 
was  another  pioneer  and  was  noted  as  a  hunter.  Mr.  Dolph  built  a  house  of  logs 
in  1833,  and  Mr.  Robert  Leigh  erected  a  brick  house  in  1845,  which  was  the  first 
brick  house  of  the  township.  The  old  state  road  which  ran  from  the  southeast 
portion  of  the  township  in  a  northwesterly  direction  crossed  Spoon  river  which 
was  bridged  in  about  1846.  It  was  a  cumbersome  affair,  and  was  demolished 
and  carried  away  by  a  flood  in  1855. 

A  grave  yard  was  started  on  section  3,  which  was  used  by  the  earlier  settlers, 
but  is  no  longer  used  for  that  purpose.  It  is,  however,  kept  in  good  condition  by 
parties  living  in  the  neighborhood. 

, .  A  Mr.  Howard  built  a  mill  in  1846.  It  was  a  combination  mill  designed  for  the 
manufacture  of  lumber  and  the  grinding  of  corn.  It  was  used  but  a  few  years 
and  then  abandoned.  There  was  a  saw  mill  on  Littler's  creek,  on  section  25,  about 
the  same  time,  which  finally  went  the  same  road  to  destruction. 

Wayside  stores  were  established  in  Chestnut  township,  one  by  John  Terry  on 
section  i6,  and  one  by  Mr.  Moore  on  section  15.  Mr.  Moore's  venture  was  un- 
successful and  soon  abandoned.  The  stock  carried  by  Mr.  Terry  was  also  very 
limited. 

One  of  the  earliest  taverns  was  kept  by  Jonathan  Potts,  on  section  22,  on  the 
old  state  road.  ^:  ,-  ^''I. V  ;  />  ;  •.  ^^v  ••'"!' Vi-^-'.^-  •' 

Dr.  Porter  and  Dr.  Morse  and  Dr.  Wilson,  were  physicians  who,  beginning 
with  1838,  succeeded  each  other  in  the  order  named. 

Dependence  was  placed  upon  a  town  named  Troy,  in  Fulton  county,  and  on 
Knoxville,  Knox  county,  for  postal  facilities.  Hermon  was  made  a  postoffice  in 
1848,  the  mail  being  brought  from  Knoxville.  Mr.  Massey  was  the  first 
pxDstmaster. 

Township  organization  was  not  adopted  until  1857,  at  which  time  Samuel 
Collins  was  elected  supervisor;  John  Terry  and  David  Massey,  justices  of  the 
peace ;  Mr.  Macoy,  clerk ;  and  William  Graves  and  Freeman  West,  constables.  A 
town  called  Harrisonville  was  laid  out  on  section  23  in  1852,  by  Andrew  J.  Parker. 
It  was  upon  the  right  bank  of  Spoon  river,  near  where  the  present  bridge  crosses 
that  stream.  It  never  grew  and  the  place  was  vacated  in  1869,  by  act  of  the 
legislature.  -  V  '  •  •  . '•  -;^:';"•  ^ 

r     '"_:/ ^'''-^^^  •'"••''-        '       /  HERMON   VILLAGE  •  V'.  '  "\ 'r;';^' ,V- .L '^^V  .^ '^ 

The  village  of  Hermon  was  laid  out  by  Archibald  Long  in  May,  1842.  It  was 
originally  named  Harrisonville  but  the  name  was  changed  to  Hermon  in  1848, 
on  the  establishment  of  the  postoffice.  For  a  number  of  years  it  was  a  stirring 
business  place,  but  Knoxville  and  Abingdon  grew  so  rapidly  with  excellent  rail- 
road facilities,  that  it  put  a  stop  to  the  growth  of  Hermon.  It  is  now  a  small 
village  located  on  the  Iowa  Central.  •  '  /^'^  •' ••'-^;;C^-^^^' 


T  -     :  :;  '        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        !       V> 

.  .  ;    >  w  :;  :S^ ;    INDIAN  POINT  TOWNSHIP    -.  v        - ":  ;V  -:.- 

It  is  supposed  that  the  first  white  man  coming  into  Indian  Point,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  a  home,  was  Azel  Dorsey,  who  came  from  Cedar,  in  1829.    He 
remained  but  a  few  years.    The  first  permanent  settlement  was  made  five  years 
later  by  John  B.  Latimer  who  immigrated  from  Tennessee  with  his  family,  in 
1834.    Then  came  John  H.  Lomax  and  Stephen  Howard  from  Kentucky,  John 
Howard,  Isaac  and  Alexander  Latimer  and  John  Crawford,  in  1835.    Mr.  Craw- 
ford was  a  minister  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.    In  1836  Mr.  Daniel 
Meek  purchased  the  home  of  Alexander  Latimer,  and  with  him  came  John  Kil- 
liam.   Other  people  came  along  and  the  list  of  names,  including  so  many  sturdy 
men,  is  tempting,  but  we  cannot  mention  them  all.    Mr.  Merriweather  Brown  and 
Bartlett  Boydstun  were  among  them.     Mr.  Brown  was  at  one  time  a  county 
commissioner.    Mr.  Brown's  son,  William  A.,  was  superintendent  of  the  building 
and  bridge  department  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  company  at  Galesburg.     Mr.  Meek 
was  an  extensive  breeder  of  fine  live  stock  and  took  great  interest  in  public  affairs. 
The  early  settlers  of  Indian  Point  encountered  no  Indians  although  traces  of  their 
occupations  were  found.     The  remains  of  their  wigwams  together  with  arrow  ' 
heads,  spear  heads,  axes  and  other  implements  were  numerous.     This  circum- 
stance gave  the  name  to  the  township  of  Indian  Point.    The  Mount  Hope  Farm 
is  the  highest  point  of  elevation  within  the  township  and  from  it  may  be  obtained 
a  view  extending  twelve  miles  to  the  east  and  commanding  most  of  Indian  Point 
and  Cedar,  also  Orange,  and  a  large  part  of  Chestnut  township.     Most  of  the 
farmers  have  been  engaged  in  raising  grain  and  live  stock.     To  mention  the 
names  of  W.  W.  Byram,  Robert  Byram,  J.  W.  Dawdy,  Robert  Smith,  James 
Bowton,  William  Cable,  Frederick  Hall,  T.  H.  Row,  and  some  others,  brings  a 
vision  of  fine  well  kept  herds  of  cattle.     Mr.  J.  W.   Dawdy  and   son  were  : - 
especially  successful  in  raising  Shorthorn  cattle.    The  Byrams  also  dealt  largely 
in  Norman  horses,  raised  by  themselves.     Fine  Poland  China  hogs  were  also 
produced  upon  the  farms  of  Indian  Point. 

The  first  Protestant  religious  services  held  in  the  township,  of  which  any 
record  has  been  preserved,  were  conducted  by  Rev.  John  Crawford,  a  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian.  They  were  held  at  the  house  of  John  Howard  in  1848.  The 
first  church  organization  was  effected  under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Williams,  a  Methodist, 
at  the  Valley  schoolhouse.  They  both  disbanded  in  1858,  and  subsequently  the 
M.  E.  church  organized  a  class,  but  this  did  not  continue  long.  A  Roman  Cath- 
olic mission  was  established,  at  the  present  site  of  St.  Augustine,  and  at  a  compar- 
atively early  date.  It  was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Father  St.  Cyr  in  1837.  In 
1843,  a  church  building  was  dedicated  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Kendrick  of  St. 
Louis.  Twenty  years  later  a  new  structure  was  built.  The  first  school  was  built 
and  opened  in  the  winter  of  1837,  and  was  taught  by  Dennis  Clark,  later  judge  of 
the  county  court.  The  school  district  embraced  Indian  Point  and  part  of  War- 
ren county,  and  the  schoolhouse  was  constructed  of  logs  and  located  on  section 
1 6.  There  was  an  enrollment  of  thirty  pupils  the  first  winter. 

The  township  is  now  crossed  by  two  railroads,  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.,  and  the 
Central  Iowa.  -  •  -  x  ^:!  " 


448  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,,.;:: 

.•/-,::;-;ff|:;;^ '•;'•.•:;;.    :    ;••;>':     ST.  AUGUSTINE  -^'i -'::'.;>.::* 

The  original  site  of  St.  Augustine,  known  as  "Old  St.  Augustine,"  was  in 
Fulton  county.  When  the  Burlington  road  was  built,  the  company  found  a  side 
track  could  not  be  built  nearer  the  village  than  the  site  of  the  present  depot. 
The  business  soon  drifted  away  from  the  old  town  site.  In  1854,  the  new  St. 
Augustine  was  laid  out  by  E.  T.  Byram,  one-half  mile  north  of  the  old  village. 

;::^V,:;*M.;-.    vV:     .  •^-\,      CEDAR  TOWNSHIP  '•••'"-1'?^:^ 

•  -"''••  f '''  ''''    •  ~  -  ''-'' 

Within  the  limits  of  Cedar  township,  there  is  quite  an  area  which  was 
originally  covered  with  timber.  Brush  creek  enters  along  the  west  side  of  the 
township  for  quite  a  distance,  and  the  land  along  the  creek  with  its  tributaries, 
was  covered  with  a  fine  quality  of  timber.  There  were  sugar  maple,  various 
kinds  of  oak,  walnut,  wild  cherry,  elm,  ash,  basswood  and  hickory.  The  abun- 
dance of  the  wild  cherry  gave  to  the  township  the  name  of  Cherry  Grove,  but 
this  name  proved  a  duplication  of  the  name  of  another  town  elsewhere  within  the 
state,  and  the  people  selected  the  name  of  Cedar  in  its  place. 

There  is  more  or  less  of  coal  and  building  stone  found  within  the  township. 
,.  The  first  settlers  were  Azel  Dorsey,  on  section  i8,  and  Rev.  Hiram  Palmer, 
a  Methodist  minister,  on  section  7,  both  of  whom  came  in  1828.  In  1829,  A.  D. 
Swarts,  the  founder  of  Abingdon  and  Hedding  College,  settled  on  section  17.  The 
first  sermon  heard  in  the  township  was  preached  by  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer.  The 
first  members  of  the  Latimer  family  that  reached  here,  were  Joseph,  and  his  son, 
George.  Jonathan  Latimer  and  Jacob  West  settled  upon  section  28  in  the  follow- 
ing year.  Then  came  John  C.  and  Alexander  Latimer,  their  sister,  Mrs.  Richard 
Boren  and  their  brothers-in-law,  U.  D.  Coy  and  Israel  Marshall. 
.  The  settlers  were  compelled  to  go  to  Ellisville  for  milling  purposes,  and  at 
times  were  compelled  to  wait  for  their  grist,  but  were  served  in  turn  according 
to  the  time  of  their  arrival.  In  1833,  Joshua  Bland  built  a  horsepower  corn- 
cracker  on  section  i6,  which  was  warmly  welcomed  by  the  pioneers. 

Robert  Bell  taught  the  first  school  in  Cherry  Grove  settlement,  and  the 
second  school  in  Knox  county.  {  •'- . 

Cherry  Grove  Seminary  was  founded  by  Jonathan  Latimer  and  the  other 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  denomination,  and  was  located  on  sec- 
tion 29.  From  the  records  of  the  Presbytery,  it  is  established  that  this  school 
opened  prior  to  1840,  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  Cyrus  Haynes,  a  minister  of  that 
creed.  This  seminary  was  abandoned  in  1866,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians 
having  established  a  college  at  Lincoln,  111. 

Indian  Point  and  Cedar,  prior  to  1850,  were  known  as  the  Cherry  Grove 
voting  precincts.  On  January  14,  1850,  by  order  of  the  county  judge.  Cherry 
Grove  was  separated  from  the  other  township.  I  ;.7;  •• 

The  township  was  organized  in  1853,  and  elected  a  full  line  of  officers.  This 
election  was  held  at  what  was  then  known  as  Louisville,  a  small  group  of  houses 
about  three  miles  north  of  Abingdon,  on  section  17.  A  vote  was  taken  for  the 
place  of  holding  the  next  election,  and  this  resulted  in  favor  of  Louisville. 
Louisville  was  laid  out  by  John  S.  Garrett.  It  was  platted  September  30,  1836, 


/^•^•^I'^'-^-^^-.^y^-"'--'"''       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :i-  v?>  449 

and  wjfs  quite  a  town  for  a  time.    The  growth  of  Abingdon,  however,  killed  it, 
and  all  that  is  left  to  mark  the  site  is  a  district  schoolhouse.    Elections  have  ever 
X   since  been  held  at  Abingdon.    Churches  were  established  very  early  in  the  history 
:    of  Cedar  and  will  be  found  treated  in  other  portions  of  this  work. 
•        Farming  and  stock  raising  have  been  the  chief  industries  of  the  township  and 
some  as  fine  stock  has  been  raised  there  as  could  be  found  anywhere  upon  the 
market.     Large  herds  of  Shorthorn,  Hereford,  Galloway,  Angus,  Holstein  and 
Jersey  cattle,  have  been  bred  in  the  township. 

;V        Cedar  has  always  maintained  a  high  degree  of  patriotism.    It  is  said  to  have 

;.'•  furnished  225  volunteers  for  the  Civil  War,  and  of  the  old  settlers  there  are  17 

soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812,  four  of  the  early  Indian  wars  and  two  of  two  Mexi- 

>•    can  wars,  found  in  its  cemeteries.    Forty-nine  soldiers  of  the  Civil  War  are  also 

'  .  buried  within  the  township  limits.  ,      •       :';  .AV 

v,: ;^\^'-i^'-'':':^;-; •-•' '''^'•'  S^'-;^       ORANGE  TOWNSHIP       ^ „ ;•;, '  ':-l:-.''f  ^ ' 

V  :;^        The  early  settlers  of  Orange  township  suffered  somewhat  from  fear  of  Indian 

..-depredations,  the  same  as  in  all  other  townships,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  in 

...   1830  when  the  first  settlers  arrived  the  Indians  were  already  moving  to  the  west, 

,;.    and  very  few  of  them  remained.    Nevertheless,  a  blockhouse  was  erected  in  1830 

.=;.  or  1831,  and  the  murder  of  a  white  man,  by  a  band  of  hostile  savages,  during  the 

'  ;  Black  Hawk  War,  spread  great  consternation  throughout  the  small  community. 

,:        The  township  is  crossed  by  several  well  defined  trails.     The   Peoria   and 

;   Galena  trails  run  diagonally  from  northwest  to  southeast  passing  through  Knox 

.     and  a  northeastern  corner  of  the  present  city  of  Knoxville.     A  little  to  the  west 

.of  this,  there  is  another  which  crosses  Brush  creek  in  section  30,  and  forms  a 

';:v'  pathway  from  Brush  creek  to  the  head  waters  of  Haw  creek. 

.'        Several  Indian  graves  have  been  found  and  their  traces  are  plainly  discernible 

':   just  across  the  Knox  township  boundary  line  on  section  32.    The  last  appearance 

:     of  the  aborigines  was  in  1843,  when  several  hundred  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes 

,  camped  on  section  5  while  moving  from  the  north  to  their  reservation  in  Indian 

:    territory. 

/        Orange  township  also  has  a  good  supply  of  good  timber.     The  timber  land 
•:;  Originally   covered  'about   one-fourth   of    the   township,    and    lay   along   Brush 
.      and  Haw  creeks  and  their  branches,  on  the  west  and  east  sides  respectively,  where 
:  •  the  surface  is  much  broken. 

>;        The  township  is  underlaid  by  three  veins  of  bituminous  coal. 
^          Joseph  Walsh  with  his  family  were  the  first  white  people  to  settle  within  the 
*   limits  of  Orange  township.    Asa  Haynes  came  in  1836.    Having  purchased  300 
r  acres  of  land  on  section  30,  he  erected  a  one-room  log  cabin  in  which  he  and  his 
.  ;  wife  resided  for  some  time.     He  was  a  hardy,  daring  and  venturesome  man, 
-•   without  any  education  other  than  such  as  he  acquired  in  an  Ohio  district  school, 
two   months   each   winter   during   six   or   seven   years.      He   brought   his   two 
children,  a  half-brother,  Hiram,  and  a  neighbor,  Isaac  Hill.     Their  journey  oc- 
cupied nineteen  days.    Most  of  the  time  it  was  rainy  and  the  rivers  were  swollen 
and  their  horses'  harness  never  dried.    Mr.  Haynes  proved  a  valuable  factor  in 
the  development  of  the  new  country.     He  started  the  first  brickyard  in  1840; 


Tol.    I— M 


450  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

built  the  first  sawmill,  operated  by  water  power  from  Brush  creek.  In  1841,  he 
built  a  large  barn,  and  in  1842,  a  brick  house  which  in  those  days  was  regarded 
as  commodious.  Ultimately,  Mr.  Haynes  owned  nearly  i,ooo  acres  of  land  in 
Orange  township.  In  1849,  he  became  captain  of  the  "Jayhawkers,"  and  led  his 
band  of  sixty  across  the  continent  in  search  of  gold  in  California.  Many  of  his 
company  dropped  out  on  the  way,  but  Mr.  Haynes  reached  California  in  safety. 

Mr.  Peter  Godfrey  is  among  the  best  known  settlers  of  1832,  and  he  and  his 
wife  were  among  the  oldest  and  most  honored  couples  belonging  to  the  "Old 
Settlers'  Association"  of  Knox  county.  Among  the  other  early  settlers  were 
Thomas  and  J.  Sumner.  Anderson  Barnett  also  came  in  1837,  settling  on  section 
lo.  He  had  the  largest  family  of  children  ever  raised  in  the  township,  eighteen 
in  number,  and  nearly  all  of  them  reached  the  age  of  maturity. 

The  first  schoolhouse  stood  on  section  14.  It  was  known  as  the  "Wallace 
School"  and  served  the  people  well  as  a  house  for  religious  services  held  within 
its  unplastered  walls.  The  earliest  religious  services  held  in  the  township  were 
conducted  by  Rev.  Edward  Gum,  a  Baptist  minister,  in  the  home  of  James 
Ferguson.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  people  were  the  first  denomination  to 
organize,  however,  and  they  erected  a  house  of  worship,  known  as  the  Orange 
Chapel,  in  1855.  I*  was  built  of  brick  burned  at  the  yard  of  Anderson  Barnett, 
and  they  were  laid  by  Thomas  Ranbow.  The  building  was  dedicated  in  the  spring 
of  1856  by  Rev.  Richard  Haney.  It  was  included  within  the  limits  of  the  Gilson 
circuit.  In  1870  revival  services  were  conducted  at  the  schoolhouse  in  district 
No.  4.  At  that  time  there  was  no  organized  church  other  than  Orange  Chapel, 
although  within  the  township  there  were  Congregationalists  and  Methodists. 
Both  of  these  denominations  were  earnest,  both  organized  societies,  and  Haynes' 
Chapel  was  built  by  the  Methodists.  The  Congregationalists  had  no  place  of 
worship  and  soon  ceased  as  a  local  organization.  A  general  religious  decline  ap- 
peared to  supervene  about  this  time.  ;  ;  T  .,  '  '  •  -.'v  i-v  -^^^  ' 

,•      .'-..'•'•V^'  .  •         •    '  .'''  ^E  LONG          , ;  •  '.••-'''.••; ';v^v';  ^/: 

De  Long  is  the  only  village  in  Orange  township.  It  is  a  flourishing  little 
station  on  what  was  formerly  known  as  the  Narrow  Gauge  road,  but  now  a 
branch  of  the  Burlington  system.  It  owes  its  existence  there  to  H.  S.  Mallory 
who  at  that  time  was  building  the  Narrow  Gauge  road  and  who  bought  the  site, 
laid  it  out  and  called  it  De  Long.  It  is  now  a  flourishing  little  village  and  has 
its  quota  of  Modern  Woodmen,  Good  Templars,  etc.,  etc.  ^v-  ;';,?. 

.;•';: ''.if.--;  .    GALESBURG  TOWNSHIP  v---;^';;, •':;•:••.' 

,v  /.>'*..;(-•;.'    .  .  '  ',:;•''•' .'^,C  . ,-i-'-'-  .•'• 

James  Roe  was  the  first  settler,  coming  in  1832  or  1833.  Soon  after  Isaiah 
Smeltzer  arrived,  and  in  1834,  Gadial  Scott  and  Edward  Morse  came.  Edward 
Morse  was  one  of  the  Henderson  colony,  but  settled  so  far  from  his  neighbors 
as  to  have  been  over  the  Galesburg  line. 

The  land  in  the  township  is  very  fertile.  This  township  now  comprises  27 
sections.  It  was  made  a  separate  town  by  legislative  enactment  in  1867,  placing 


/-&'-J:^'^:::J'-;---:^::'    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ';  ;^          451 

the  City  of  Galesburg  in  another  town  known  as  the  town  of  the  City  of  Gales- 
burg. 

Galesburg  township  from  the  start  adopted  a  policy  of  erecting  permanent 
bridges,  and  there  is  piobably  no  township  in  the  county  that  has  more  and 
better  bridges  than  Galeiburg,  and  the  tax  rate  is  very  low.  .-v 

';v-;^;;-:,C-^'V-/^;K"--^-i.  ^          MAQUON  TOWNSHIP      •  •'-;;^::  •  ^W/'V'^'?-'':^:-': 

The  advent  of  William  Palmer  and  family  at  the  place  where  the  village  of 
Maquon  is  situated,  seems  to  be  the  date  from  which  all  matters  of  importance 
in  relation  to  the  township  of  Maquon  are  reckoned.  This  starting  point  is 
fixed  at  some  time  in  the  year  1827.  Mr.  Palmer  seems  to  have  been  a  typical 
pioneer.  He  is  known  as  the  "bee  man,"  as  that  seems  to  have  been  one  of  his 
favorite  pastimes  or  means  of  support,  or  both..  Mr.  Palmer's  cabin  was  made 
of  black  hickory  poles,  and  on  all  sides  are  said  to  have  been  Indian  gardens. 
Just  why  the  habitations  of  the  redmen,  at  this  point,  are  called  gardens,  is  not 
explained  for  they  were  occupied  only  during  the  winter,  and  in  the  summer 
time  the  Indians  went  away  to  find  better  hunting-grounds  to  the  west.  They 
;  returned  annually  in  the  fall  and  remained  during  the  winter  until  the  year  1832, 
when,  as  one  of  the  results  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  they  left  forever.  Mr. 
Palmer  remained  there  five  or  six  years,  planted  an  orchard  and  cultivated  the 
ground  vacated  by  the  Indians.  His  cabin,  being  located  on  the  Galena  trails, 
afforded  a  stopping  place  for  people  passing  back  and  forth.  Mr.  Palmer  sold 
his  cabin  to  one  Nelson  Selby  and  removed  to  St.  Louis.  This  cabin  was  con- 
structed very  much  like  other  cabins  of  that  day.  It  was  small,  consisting  of  one 
room,  practically  without  windows,  and  with  but  one  door.  The  chimney,  of 
course,  was  made  of  sticks  laid  up,  after  the  same  manner  in  which  the  cabin 
itself  was  built,  and  then  packed  and  plastered  with  mud  so  as  to  withstand 
the  heat  of  the  fire  in  tht  fireplace.  Nevertheless  there  were  frequent  fires  at  Mr. 
Palmer's  mansion  on  account  of  the  "burning  out"  of  the  chimney. 

Another  character  of  Maquon  township  is  spoken  of,  that  of  Simeon  Dolph, 
the  pioneer  ferryman  of  Spoon  river.  He  also  built  a  similar  cabin  which  was  lo- 
cated where  the  Rathburn  house  now  stands.  He  did  not  remain  long.  The  cause 
of  his  leaving  is  supposed  to  have  been  in  consequence  of  a  suspicion  of  foul  play 
being  dealt  out  to  an  unknown  traveler. 

In  1829  Mark  Thurman-with  his  family  took  up  a  residence  upon  section  25, 
J-  and  soon  followed  William  Darnell,  William  Palmer,  Thomas  Thurman  and 
-;  James  Milam.  These  people  .came  from  Ohio,  and  from  that  time  on  the  settlers 
'  came  in  increasing  numbers,  and  in  1837  the  village  of  Maquon  was  laid  out. 
;  A  pretty  little  story  of  the  name  of  this  town  and  township  will  be  found 
in  the  article  upon  the  Indians  of  Knox  county,  where  also  will  be  described  the 
trails  and  relics  which  were  found  so  numerous  in  and  about  the  village  of 
Maquon.  Township  organization  was  completed  in  1853,  and  James  N.  Foster 
was  elected  supervisor;  Nathan  Barbero,  assessor,  and  James  L.  Loman,  col- 
lector. 

The  first  schoolhouse  was  a  log  building  erected  in  1834  on  section  33.  Benja- 
min Brock  was  the  first  teacher.  Another  schoolhouse  was  erected  in  1836  or 


452  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

1837,  a  little  south  of  Bennington.  The  first  school  north  of  Spoon  river  was 
conducted  by  Miss  Mary  Fink  in  a  shed  adjoining  the  residence  of  Peter  Jones, 
father  of  John  Jones.  The  New  Testament  was  the  only  reader.  It  is  said  by 
some  of  Miss  Fink's  pupils  that  she  could  read  and  write  but  could  not  cipher, 
The  township  originally  contained  Maquon,  Bennington  and  Rapatee.  Ben- 
nington was  located  near  the  center  of  the  township  but  it  failed  to  develop  al- 
though it  was  the  township  voting  place  until  1858. 

;.-•  •.;";!•-.,  '--•      •         ;      •    •      •      '    '     ,  •'•.^'"  •'  ,'-r-.-   '^  -,:;'.    ••'.    '^  •"/•,  v''  .,:,:\-,-  ^ 

•'..  '.''/•^'V.'-V  .-,•;'.    ..        '     ;.•';;..•      RAPATEE.   '  "•"'-^-."  ';'•-;• 
:  ':'---:^'.-'^^'---'-'-        -  '       ,•,-_.  .'•':.*•;-•.•:••• 

This  village  has  made  some  progress  and  is  a  snug  little  town  upon  the  Iowa 
Central  railroad.  It  was  laid  out  by  Benjamin  Adams  on  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  33,  and  has  churches,  stores,  blacksmith  shops,  elevators  and  other 
interests  common  in  such  a  town. 


The  village  of  Maquon  is  situated  near  the  site  of  an  old  Indian  village  on 
the  north  line  of  the  township  on  section  4,  with  a  view  of  the  Spoon  river  to 
the  south.  It  was  surveyed  in  1836  by  Parnach  Owen,  assisted  by  John  G.  San- 
burn,  William  McGowan,  Judge  R.  L.  Hannaman,  Mr.  Richmond  and  Mr.  Biers. 

Nothing  that  has  ever  been  said  to  the  knowledge  of  the  writer,  indicates  that 
the  people  of  Maquon  are  different  from  other  people.  They  have  always  been 
a  law-abiding  people  and  as  honorable  in  their  dealings  as  other  folks  so  far  as 
is  known,  but  for  some  reason  not  stated,  the  village  was  slow  in  establishing  re- 
ligious and  educational  influences.  They  had  a  distillery  and  a  racetrack;  both 
of  these  institutions  have  gone  and  a  school  and  a  church  have  taken  their  place, 
and  both  are  well  supported.  The  people  today  are  abreast  with  those  of  any 
other  town  in  the  county,  and  there  is  no  town  in  the  county  where  the  women 
are  more  alive  to  the  interests  of  their  own  sex  than  in  Maquon.  We  are  indebted 
to  the  women  of  that  village  for  a  large  part  of  all  that  is  known  and  preserved 
of  Indian  life  throughout  this  part  of  the  country.  The  village  was  incorporated 
March  19,  1857,  and  the  town  has  steadily  grown  and  today  it  has  about  700 
inhabitants.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it  once  supported  a  distillery,  it  has 
not  supported  a  saloon  for  many  years.  At  present  it  has  ample  banking  facili- 
ties, grocery  stores,  dry  goods,  drug  stores,  newspapers  and  other  industries  that 
supply  about  all  the  wants  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  and  the  surrounding 
county.  •'  I  • 

The  Maquon  physicians  have  always  been  reliable  and  up-to-date.  The 
private  bank  of  William  Swigart  has  been  in  operation  since  i88i.  The  banking 
interests  of  Maquon  are  fully  set  out  in  the  article  on  banks  of  the  county. 

Mr.  A.  M.  Maple  was  for  many  years  a  prosperous  merchant  and  left  the 
business  in  the  hands  of  his  son,  C.  F.  Maple,  in  1896.  These  gentlemen  have  al- 
ways been  highly  spoken  of  for  tffeir  honesty  and  fair  dealing. 

The  religious  and  banking  interests  of  Maquon  have  been  referred  to  in  this 
article  but  the  reader  is  respectfully  referred  to  articles  on  those  subjects  found 
on  other  pages  of  this  history.  If  any  information  is  wanted  in  regard  to  anyone 


MAQUON   HIGH   SCHOOL 


METHODIST  CHURCH,  MAQUON 


MAQUON  HOTEL 


432         :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

1837,  a  little  south  of  Bennington.  The  first  school  north  of  Spoon  river  was 
conducted  by  Miss  Mary  Fink  in  a  shed  adjoining  the  residence  of  Peter  Jones, 
father  of  John  Jones.  The  New  Testament  was  the  only  reader.  It  is  said  by 
some  of  Miss  Fink's  pupils  that  she  could  read  and  write  but  could  not  cipher. 
The  township  originally  contained  Maquon,  Bennington  and  Rapatee.  Ben- 
nington was  located  near  the  center  of  the  township  but  it  failed  to  develop  al- 
though it  was  the  township  voting  place  until  1858. 

.:.'•:,•  RAPATEE. 

This  village  has  made  some  progress  and  is  a  snug  little  town  upon  the  Iowa 
Central  railroad.  It  was  laid  out  by  Benjamin  Adams  on  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  33,  and  has  churches,  stores,  blacksmith  shops,  elevators  and  other 
interests  common  in  such  a  town. 

-;  .  .  MAQUON  :  ' 

The  village  of  Maquon  is  situated  near  the  site  of  an  old  Indian  village  on 
the  north  line  of  the  township  on  section  4,  with  a  view  of  the  Spoon  river  to 
the  south.  It  was  surveyed  in  1836  by  Parnach  Owen,  assisted  by  John  G.  San- 
burn,  William  ^IcGowan,  Judge  R.  L.  Hannaman,  Mr.  Richmond  and  Mr.  Biers. 

Nothing  that  has  ever  been  said  to  the  knowledge  of  the  writer,  indicates  that 
the  people  of  Maquon  are  different  from  other  people.  They  have  always  been 
a  law-abiding  people  and  as  honorable  in  their  dealings  as  other  folks  so  far  as 
is  known,  but  for  some  reason  not  stated,  the  village  was  slow  in  establishing  re- 
ligious and  educational  influences.  They  had  a  distillery  and  a  racetrack;  both 
of  these  institutions  have  gone  and  a  school  and  a  church  have  taken  their  place, 
and  both  are  well  supported.  The  people  today  are  abreast  with  those  of  any 
other  town  in  the  county,  and  there  is  no  town  in  the  county  where  the  women 
are  more  alive  to  the  interests  of  their  own  sex  than  in  Maquon.  We  are  indebted 
to  the  women  of  that  village  for  a  large  part  of  all  that  is  known  and  preserved 
of  Indian  life  throughout  this  part  of  the  country.  The  village  was  incorporated 
March  19,  1857,  and  the  town  has  steadily  grown  and  today  it  has  about  700 
inhabitants.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it  once  supported  a  distillery,  it  has 
not  supported  a  saloon  for  many  years.  At  present  it  has  ample  banking  facili- 
ties, grocery  stores,  dry  goods,  drug  stores,  newspapers  and  other  industries  that 
supply  about  all  the  wants  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  and  the  surrounding 
county. 

The  Maquon  physicians  have  always  been  reliable  and  up-to-date.  The 
private  bank  of  William  Swigart  has  been  in  operation  since  i88i.  The  banking 
interests  of  Maquon  are  fully  set  out  in  the  article  on  banks  of  the  county. 

Mr.  A.  M.  Maple  was  for  many  years  a  prosperous  merchant  and  left  the 
business  in  the  hands  of  his  son,  C.  F.  Maple,  in  1896.  These  gentlemen  have  al- 
ways been  highly  spoken  of  for  tHeir  honesty  and  fair  dealing. 

The  religious  and  banking  interests  of  Maquon  have  been  referred  to  in  this 
article  but  the  reader  is  respectfully  referred  to  articles  on  those  subjects  found 
on  other  pages  of  this  history.  If  any  information  is  wanted  in  regard  to  anyone 


MAQUON    HIGH    SCHOOL 


METHODIST  CHURCH,  MAQUON 


MAQUON  HOTEL 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    -5  453 

of  the  churches  of  Maquon,  reference  to  the  matter  will  be  found  in  the  article 
written  upon  that  church  under  its  respective  denomination,  in  the  article  written 
for  the  whole  county.    The  reader  is  further  referred  to  the  article  on  banking  in 
Knox  county  for  information  in  regard  to  the  several  banks  of  Maquon. 
"          Maquon  has  had  its  share  of  experience  with  the  different  fraternal  organiza- 
tions.   The  Odd  Fellows  have  been  represented  by  the  Maquon  lodge  No.  256, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the  Degree  of  Rebecca.     The  Masons  have  been  represented 
under  the  Maquon  lodge  No.  530,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  there  has  been  a  flourish- 
ing order  of  the  Eastern  Star  for  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  Masons. 
Maquon  lodge  No.  171,  K.  of  P.,  and  the  Bertie  Lenore  Temple  have  also  flour- 
ished here.    These  orders  are  all  fraternal  orders  and  there  is  not  much  that  can 
be  said  to  the  public  in  regard  to  them. 

•*  It  has  been  stated  that  the  village  of  Maquon  was  incorporated  on  the  I9th  of 
March,  1857.  At  that  election  there  were  fifty-five  voters,  forty-one  cast  their 
ballot  for,  and  fourteen  against  incorporation.  Notices  of  this  election  were 
posted  on  the  pth  of  March. 

It  seems   from  the   record  that  saloons  were  licensed   under  the  head  of 

groceries,  and  it  was  provided  "that  the  applicant  should  keep  an  orderly  house 

and  that  he  will  not  permit  any  unlawful  game  or  riots  in  his  house,  or  token 

of  unusual  unrest  therein,  and  that  he  will  not  in  any  manner  sell  any  kind  of 

;'  intoxicating  drink  to  any  persons  who  may  in  any  degree  be  perceivably,  already 

v;  under  the  influence  of  intoxicating  liquor."     It  was  provided  further  that  "gro- 

'    ceries  shall  be  determined  to  include  all  houses  and  places  where  wine,  rum, 

;  brandy,  gin,  whiskey  or  other  similar  spirits  or  mixed  liquors  are  sold." 

•;'         About  the  year  1860  the  people  began  to  be  a  little  negligent  of  their  duties 

'  as  citizens  of  the  village.    In  that  year  an  election  was  called  for  the  26th  day 

of  March,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  a  town-board.     The  polls  were  opened 

but  not  a  voter  appeared.    The  president,  A.  J.  Dunlay,  Carl  T.  Thurman,  A.  M. 

Maple,  Horace  Jones  and  Alfred  Thurman  took  up  the  reins  of  village  government 

and  labored  another  year.     Everything  seemed  to  go  along  all  right  until  1865. 

when  eighteen  votes  were  cast  for  village  trustees. 

No  considerable  amount  of  sidewalks  were  built  until  1865,  when  a  walk  was 
built  to  the  depot  from  the  public  square. 

A  calaboose  was  talked  about  December  13,  1865,  at  a  meeting  called  for 
that  purpose.  It  seems  a  calaboose  had  been  built  by  the  citizens  and  organized 
on  the  West  End,  Block  ii.  This  building  was  made  of  3x6  planks  spiked 
together  and  consisted  of  but  one  small  room,  having  one  door  and  a  small  hole 
for  a  window.  Iron  bars  were  placed  over  the  hole  that  served  for  a  window. 
Two  years  and  one  month  later  it  was  moved  and  seconded  that  the  building 
be  sold  to  the  highest  and  best  bidder,  for  the  highest  cash,  and  the  proceeds 
'  .used  for  building  a  plank  walk.  There  is  nothing  to  show  that  it  was  actually 
sold.  This  building  had  been  bought  by  the  citizens  of  Maquon  village  and  was 
taken  possession  of  by  the  village  at  the  time  above  referred  to. 

Foregoing  facts  regarding  Maquon  township  and  village  have  been  gathered 
;  from  various  sources  and  the  writer  would  make  special  acknowledgments  to 
Mrs.  Eva  Chapin  Maple  and  to  Miss  Jennie  McKenney.  • 


454  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

-  -    \  '        ' 

:  :  •;    -     SOME  FACTS. IN  REGARD  TO  TAXATION 


At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  county  in  1830  there  were  supposed  to 
be  350  inhabitants.  The  needs  of  the  county  were  relatively  very  small  and  taxa- 
tion was  somewhat  primitive  in  the  manner  of  assessing.  There  were  no  roads 
to  keep  up,  the  construction  of  bridges  a  thing  of  the  future  and  the  officers  of  the 
county  were  paid  by  fees  for  the  services  rendered.  As  the  population  in- 
creased and  people  began  to  go  from  township  to  township  and  to  market  at  a 
distance,  the  necessity  for  roads  and  bridges,  became  imperative.  The  products 
of  the  soil  had  tp  be  moved  and  sold;  this  brought  in  more  money  and  a  reason- 
able tax  could  be  levied  and  collected  with  comparative  ease.  If  the  roads  were 
worked  and  the  bridges  built  the  produce  could  be  taken  to  market,  so  about  all 
the  taxing  that  was  done  at  the  start  was  for  roads  and  bridges.  We  therefore 
have  the  following  action  by  the  county  commissioners. 

On  the  i8th  day  of  April,  1835,  the  county  commissioners  levied  the  first 
labor  tax.  The  order  therefor  reads  as  follows :  1  . 

Ordered,  That  the  Labor  Tax  for  each  able-bodied  man  between  the  age  of 
twenty-one  and  fifty  years  shall  be  fixed  at  two  days,  to  be  done  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  supervisor  of  each  road  district  in  which  they  may  reside,  for  the 
ensuing  year  ending  on  the  ist  Monday  in  March,  1836.  .' •.  I  .  ': 

The  following  orders  were  also  issued  for  tax  on  real  estate  and  the  disposition 
of  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  a  tax  of  one-half  the  amount  of  the  state  tax  as  provided  in 
the  Revenue  Law,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  levied  on  every  tract  of  land  situated 
within  said  county  (except  such  lands  as  are  exempt  from  taxation,  by  the  com- 
pact with  the  general  government)  for  the  ensuing  year — said  tax  to  be  assessed, 
collected  and  paid  agreeably  to  the  provisions  of  an  act  concerning  public  roads, 
approved  February  3rd,  1835. 

Ordered,  That  the  tax  levied  on  lands  by  the  foregoing  order  shall  be  applied 
in  the  several  road  districts  in  which  such  lands  are  situated,  for  the  purpose  of 
building  bridges  and  causeways  and  opening  roads,  and  erecting  guide  posts,  so 
far  as  the  same  may  be  needed  for  said  purposes,  under  the  direction  of  the 
several  supervisors  in  said  road  districts ;  the  balance  of  said  tax  to  be  paid  into 
the  county  treasury,  to  be  applied  by  the  county  commissioner's  court,  agreeably 
to  the  provisions  of  the  act  under  which  the  same  is  levied. 

Since  that  time  the  system  of  taxation  has  changed  very  much.  Then  it 
seems  that  a  tax  on  land  was  made  only  for  road  purposes  and  that  a  small 
personal  property  tax  was  sufficient  to  pay  the  other  expenses  of  the  county. 
Today  the  practice  is  to  levy  taxes  upon  all  species  of  property  and  deposit  the 
entire  revenue  with  the  county  treasurer,  and  in  addition  to  that  to  pass  an  ap- 
propriation bill,  every  item  of  which  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  general  sum  so  raised. 

The  following  statement  of  the  property  assessed  and  the  taxes  charged  in 
Knox  county  for  the  year  1855  with  the  addition  of  a  corresponding  statement 
for  the  year  1905  for  comparison  will  be  very  interesting,  and  they  are  given 
below:  ..  .  .  ,.  . . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


455 


"      State  of  Illinois       ]         y;--  ..  ^^l^' ,-^ 

..  .    County  of  Knox     j 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  following  is  a  true  and  correct  statement  of  the 
V,    property  assessed  and  taxes  charged  in  the  County  of  Knox  for  the  year  1855. 
!;.  ;-••:.-:;.•  Number  Amount 

:.-f  Horses    J....  .^.... 9,458        $    542,887.00 

-:     Neat  Cattle   22407  306,751.00 

Mules  and  asses  209        ^^    11,345.00 

•     Sheep    9,473  9,819.00 

:    Hogs  49.551          105,547.00 

Carriages  and  wagons  '. 3*294  133,097.00 

J;  Clocks  and  watches  2,702  14,656.00 

'  ^.  Pianos 45  3.9O5-OO 

V  Goods  and  merchandise  130,599.00 

^  :  Bankers'  property  2OO.OO 

Manufactured  articles 12,622.00 

'•'.  Moneys  and  credits 375,890.00 

.  -•  Bonds,  stocks,  etc 6,234.00 

, ':  Unenumerated  property  197,544.00 

-  •  •  -•  . 

'/  Aggregate    $1,851,096.00 

•  Deductions    71,153.00 

Total  value  of  taxable  personal  property $1,907,130.00 

•  Lands   $3,753.97o.oo 

.    Town  lots 641,279.00        • 

\          Total  value  of  lands  and  town  lots   $4,395,249.00 

Total  value  of  real  and  personal  property $6,302,379.00 

.   State  tax  at  47  cents  on  the  $ioo $29,621.18 

:  do  (schools)  20  cents  on  the  $ioo 12,604.75       i-.- 

•-;•'.'  ,;.:v.-^,;,.     $    42,225.93 

y>  County  tax  at  13  cents  on  the  $ioo. .......... 8,193.09 

do  (special)  13  cents  on  the  $ioo 18,930.65 

••:.:•':-••••'''• ''''-"^'  .>v:;;'-:;:. 27,123.74 

' .      '         Total  tax  levied    $     69,349.67 

,          /n  Testimony  Whereof,  I  have  hereunto  subscribed  my  name  and  affixed  the 
.  •    seal  of  my  office  this  I2th  day  of  December,  A.  D.   1855. 

-     (L.  S.)    .      ,;•  ZELOTES  COOLEY,  Clerk  County  Court. 


456 

:'•  r*' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

STATEMENT   FOR  THE   YEAR    1905 — FIFTY   YEARS   LATER      .'       ' 


,  -  .  •  • 

^.;;>^Vv    ;  ''!^'--;      Value  of  Property  >    •'.; 

for  the  year  1905  V  :  V; 

Horses $1,092,775  : ;  -\  .;  4 

Neat  Cattle   982,445  ,.C,,::  ;.;' 

Mules  and  asses 46,495  ; ';;  :''•  -  > 

Sheep 13.275  V r". .: ;  >  r 

Hcgs   322,385  . ;  v.;^  ^  ^  p 

Steam  engines  72,855  '•.;.;• ';.... . 

Fire  and  burglar  safes 8,655  i       ':..'>-. 

Billiard  and  pool  tables 7»i75  '.  '- 

Carriages  and  wagons 180,630  .'...' 

Watches  and  clocks 28,380  .-'.  •       •-    ':' 

Sewing  and  knitting  machines 27,085  ;;•..•       : 

Pianofortes    172,740  .'-       V  • 

Melodions   and   organs    12,170  '.;  -v  "     *,. 

Franchises    900  :'  ';  -.  '• .  - . 

Annuities    1,125  ^^!  ^<^- 

Patent  rights  65  -i    " 

Goods  and  merchandise 1,219,284  •-  -       -' ;  ' 

Materials  and  manufactured  articles 162,655  '^:;     '••'.•. 

Machinery  and  tools 126,120          •  ,.•  ' 

Agricultural  tools  and  machinery 141,840  v  '  •  .' ; 

Gold  and  silver  plate 5,695  1,;  ,j.  ••  ^ 

Diamonds  and  jewelry 16,075  •:''  • 

Moneys  of  bankers,  etc 243,213  ' ,   i  - 

Credits  of  bankers,  etc 245,207          •'       - 

Moneys  other  than  bankers 1,077,225  •       '"•':.-•-'• 

Credits  other  than  bankers 2,607,600  ;    .    'j 

Bonds  and  stocks 143,970  ;     .     ' '   - 

Foreign  stocks 21,225  '     '  '. '     - 

Property  of  corporations 3,7OO  •>       •,  - . 

Bank  stock  listed  by  individuals lOO  -•.    • ;    ' 

Property  of  saloons  .• ii>975  •  ;,  •  • :   '  •' 

Furniture    769,050  '     :  -  ? ;    • 

Investments  in  real  estate 22,120  .  .• 

Grain  on  hand 368,980  •   ••^'•'  •  X 

All  other  property   277,365 

$10,458,910 

Shares  in  national  and  state  banks. i,35i,35O        ;  -;  ' : ';  ' 

Telegraph  and  telephone  property 29,325 

Personal  property  of  railroads 189,610 

•••-:-^'''.:.:-::  ^  •       : :  :    ^ .  ^  >     ::/.:-^      $12,029,195 


:-ff-f:-< 


::  .,  .'V    '  :  KNOX   COUNTY  FREE   KINDERGARTEN 

Located  on  the  corner  of  South  Cedar  and  Simmons  Streets.  Erected  in  19O4.  Value,  $10,000. 
Institution  established  in  1890.  Purpose:  to  provide  a  temporary  home  for  homeless  and  friendless  children 
of  Knox  County,  and  to  assist  mothers  in  sickness  or  distress. 


CENTRAL   I'.VRR 

A   beautifi?!   spot    'n   the   hrriiier?   i  ortion   of   the   city.      Street   cars  diverge   here   into   all    parts  of   the 
city,     A   favorite   resting  place  in   the   hot   days  of  summer.        .     ..  .  ....._.. 


456 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


STATEMENT    FOR   THE   YEAR    1905 — FIFTY    YEARS   I.ATER 


V  .  Value  of  Property 

for  the  year  1905 

Horses $1,092,775 

Neat   Cattle    982,445 

Mules  and  asses 46,495 

Sheep 13,275 

Hcgs   322,385         .  _ : 

Steam  engines  72,855  ,   ; 

Fire  and  burglar  safes 8,655 

Billiard  and  pool  tables 7.175 

Carriages  and  wagons 180,630 

Watches  and  clocks 28,380 

Sewing  and  knitting  machines 27,085 

Pianofortes    172,740         '      . 

Melodions   and   organs    12,170  . 

Franchises    900  ,  _     . 

Annuities    1,125 

Patent  rights   65  • 

Goods  and  merchandise 1,219,284 

Materials  and  manufactured  articles 162,655         '•         • 

Machinery  and  tools 126,120 

Agricultural  tools  and  machinery 141,840 

Gold  and  silver  plate 5.695 

Diamonds  and  jewelry 16,075  ,  . 

Moneys  of  bankers,  etc 243,213 

Credits  of  bankers,  etc 245,207  ;      ;. 

Moneys  other  than  bankers 1,077,225 

Credits  other  than  bankers 2,607,600 

Bonds  and  stocks 143,970 

Foreign  stocks 21,225 

Property  of  corporations 3.7OO  ; 

Bank  stock  listed  by  individuals lOO        : 

Property  of  saloons 1 1.975 

Furniture    769,050 

Investments  in  real  estate 22,120 

Grain  on  hand 368,980 

All  other  property   277,365 

$10,458,910 

Shares  in  national  and  state  banks 1.35^.350  .  ' 

Telegraph  and  telephone  property 29,325  .    •      -. 

Personal  property  of  railroads 189,610  :  ^  •    .    ' 

•  $12,029,195 


:       .  ~     .^     ;.•;'  KNOX  COUNTY   FRKE   KIXDh-RdARTEX  : 

Located  on  the  corner  of  South  Cedar  and  Simmons  Streets.  Erected  in  I'.MU.  X'alue.  SHi.ooi). 
Institution  established  in  18!»o.  Purpose:  to  provide  a  temporary  home  for  homeless  and  friendless  children 
of  Knox  County,  and  to  assist  mothers  in  sickness  or  distress. 


CKMKAL    I'AKK 

A    brautifi'l    r.pot    'ti    the    hv'nen--    i  ortion    uf    the    city.      Street    cars   diverjie    Iiere    into   all    parts    of    the 
city.      A    favorite   ref.ting   place   in    the   liui    days   uf   suninier.  


;.;:  ^    ''^^         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  "  457 

Improved   lands    $22,998495 

Railroad  lands 37,885 

Improved  lots   14,357.385 

Railroad  lots 600 

37,394,365 


Total  value  of  all  property $49,423,560 

Railroad    property    $  6,193,1 15 

Telegraph  property 16,225 

Telephone  property 68,675 

.,.-.:-:^--:-.;;-.^,.v..-.;.v':---v^'-r -••:...•.  ••:•.:•,;  ,:'v      6,278,015 


Grand  total  of  all  kinds  of  property.  ..i  ».V. .............  .$55,701,575 

Taxes  collected  in  Knox  cotinty  for  year  1905: 

State $  55,281.85 

County 82,926.09 

Town   8,773.73 

Road  and  bridge 44,666.49 

District  road 3,193.27 

City  and  village   139,152.66 

School    198,316.20 

Plat 35.90 

Dog    2,031.00 


:X  :  ''•  Total  $534,377-19 

;'  Valuation  Full  .  Assessed 

V  ' "       $55.457465  '  '  $1 1,091,493 

It  will  appear  from  the  following  order  in  relation  to  interest  on  balances 

>  due  on  the  purchase  of  the  poor  farm  that  the  county  had  occasionally  to  pay 
pretty  high  rates  of  interest: 

On  MOTION  it  is  ordered  that  interest  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  per  cent  per  annum 

'•^  be  allowed  on  the  balances  of  the  purchase  money  unpaid  on  the  poor  farm  the 

;  1st  day  of  July  next  until  paid. 

/:  The  system  for  the  assessment  and  taxation  of  railroads  in  this  county  when 
they  were  first  constructed  is  made  to  appear  in  the  action  taken  by  the  board  of 
supervisors  at  the  September  meeting,  1856,  which  is  here  given  as  it  appears 
on  the  records : 

;;  The  clerk  then  laid  before  the  board  the  schedules  returned  to  his  office  by 
the  different  railroad  companies  being  that  portion  of  the  railroads  in  the  said 
county  of  Knox  for  taxation,  and  after  a  full  examination  by  the  board  of  the 
same  it  is  ordered  that  the  lands  in  the  schedules  of  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad 
be  assessed  at  ten  dollars  per  acre,  and  that  the  other  property  in  said  schedule 
be  assessed  at  the  value  set  forth  in  said  schedule.  It  is  further  ordered  by  the 
board  the  property  of  the  Central  Military  Tract  Railroad  and  also  of  the  Peoria 
and  Oquawka  Railroad  be  assessed  at  the  value  reported  by  said  companies.  Pro- 
vided, however,  and  on  motion  it  is  ordered  that  the  supervisors  of  the  different 
towns  through  which  the  Central  Military  Tract  Railroad  runs  be  authorized  and 


458  •  '       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ••- r  ^  I     Wv 

requested  to  ascertain  the  additional  improvement  made  by  said  company  from 
the  1st  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1855  till  the  ist  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1856,  and  report 
the  amount  of  the  same  to  the  county  clerk  which  additional  amount  to  be 
assessed  and  taxed  to  said  company. 

The  assessing  of  railroad  property  today  is  done  by  the  State  Board  of  Equali- 
zation principally.  Under  the  head  of  right  of  way  is  included  the  road  bed  and 
all  other  permanent  improvements.  All  of  this  is  taken  care  of  by  the  State 
Board  of  Equalization  and  the  county  clerk  distributes  the  value  among  the 
cities,  villages  and  school  districts  through  which  it  passes.  The  local  assessor 
gets  only  the  furniture,  machinery,  etc. 

-  .•  ::'ny'  :  ^  ..  RAILROAD  TAXATION         -     ^     ;.-,..;:'..;  ^  ,.' 

The  Northern  Cross  Railroad  and  the  Peoria  and  Oquawka  Railroad,  not  hav- 
ing filed  schedules  of  the  taxable  property  of  said  roads  as  required  by  l:-w,  the 
county  clerk  presented  to  the  board  the  schedule  filed  by  the  Northern  Cross 
Railroad  for  the  year  1856  and  also  a  schedule  of  the  Peoria  and  Oquawka  Rail- 
road as  made  by  himself,  which  being  examined  by  the  board  were  approved  and 
on  motion  it  is  ordered  by  the  Board  that  the  main  and  side  track  of  both  of 
said  roads  and  the  lands  be  assessed  at  the  same  value  as  the  lands,  main  and  side 
track  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad — and  that  the  rolling  stock 
of  both  the  two  first  named  roads  be  assessed  in  the  same  sums  as  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  road  in  proportion  to  their  rolling  stock  and  other  personal 
property  to  be  estimated  and  made  out  by  the  said  county  clerk. 

One  of  the  unfortunate  habits  into  which  some  of  our  treasurers  of  cities, 
towns  and  townships  fell  before  the  law  forbidding  the  re-election  of  such 
officers,  was  that  of  allowing  personal  property  which  might  be  collected  to  pass 
uncollected  and  returning  it  to  the  county  treasury  to  be  by  him  collected  under 
the  pretense  that  the  municipal  or  township  collector  could  find  no  property  out  of 
which  to  make  such  collection.  As  long  ago  as  May,  1860,  this  practice  had  be- 
come so  fixed  and  prevalent  that  the  board  saw  fit  to  pass  the  following  resolution. 

Supervisor  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  supervisor  of  each  town  where  the  collector  has  manifestly 
failed  in  using  reasonable  diligence  in  the  collection  of  the  personal  property  tax, 
give  notice  to  such  collector  to  procure  a  copy  of  the  delinquent  tax  on  personal 
property,  and  proceed  to  collect  and  report  amount  collected  at  the  next  meeting 
of  this  board  and  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  to  the  board  at  next 
meeting,  what  action  is  expedient  to  be  taken  in  enforcing  the  rights  of  the 
county  against  collectors  neglecting  their  duties.  •  '-•..'.• 

•  The  only  necessity  of  such  a  resolution  is  that  the  officers  neglecting  a  duty  to 
collect  imposed  upon  him  by  law  must  be  that  such  officer  imagined  that  in  case  he 
asked  for  a  re-election  the  persons  so  favored  by  letting  their  personal  property 
tax  go  by  and  be  collected  by  the  county  treasurer  will  be  under  certain  obligations 
to  support  him  in  such  re-election.        ;.     •  C  i, 

January  Meeting,  i86i. — Report  of  committee  on  payment  of  taxes  in  currency. 
Supervisor  Gale,  from  special  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition 


'>^  ;'j  ir;<.        :  ^y^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ".    f  4&9 

of  citizens  of  Knox  county,  asking  the  board  to  authorize  collectors  to  receive 
the  bills  of  Illinois  banks  in  payment  of  taxes,  made  the  following  report : 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition  of  citizens  praying  the 
board  to  authorize  the  collectors  to  receive  currency  in  payment  of  taxes.  Report, 
That  the  revenue  law  provides  that  the  county  revenue  shall  be  collected  in  gold 
and  silver  coin,  county  orders  and  jury  certificates  issued  by  the  county,  and  in 
no  other  currency.  The  collectors  of  this  state  shall  collect  the  revenue  for  state 
purposes  in  gold  and  silver  coin,  auditor's  warrants  and  in  no  other  currency 
whatever.  ^';  .r  - 

The  committee  are  of  opinion  that  no  authority  is  possessed  by  this  board 
to  authorize  the  collector  to  take  any  currency  prohibited  by  statute. 

The  committee  are  of  opinion  that  all  the  taxes,  whether  state,  county  or 
special  should  be  collected  in  the  paper  of  the  secured  banks  of  this  state. 
'-'>  That  the  present  system  required  a  sacrifice  oi\the  part  of  the  tax  payers  that 
the  advantage  to  the  state,  of  receiving  the  revenue  in  gold  does  not  warrant. 

That  during  the  time  of  collection  of  taxes,  the  artificial  demand  created  by 
the  wants  of  the  tax  payers,  enhances  the  price  of  gold,  and  the  same  gold  is 
seldom,  or  never,  worth  to  the  parties  who  receive  it  from  the  state,  as  much  as 
it  costs  the  tax  payers.  r 

The  committee  recommend  that  a  resolution  be  passed  by  the  board  petition- 
ing the  legislature  for  the  passage  of  an  act,  directing  the  collector  to  receive  in 
payment  of  all  taxes  the  secured  notes  of  the  banks  of  this  state,  and  that  the 
board  by  resolution,  recommend  to  the  citizens  of  this  county,  to  petition  the 
legislature  of  this  state  for  the  passage  of  such  an  act.  Which  report  was  ac- 
cepted, and  adopted. 

Supervisor  Charles,  from  committee  to  whom  the  petition  of  N.  Barbero  for 
relief  was  referred,  made  the  following  report: 

--  Report  of  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition  of  Nathaniel  Bar- 
bero asking  to  be  relieved  from  the  liability  as  bondsman,  on  collector's  bond  of 
the  town  of  Maquon,  beg  leave  to  report: 

After  having  duly  considered  the  case,  that  in  our  opinion,  it  is  not  policy  in 
this  board  to  grant  such  relief. 

.      ;^  ,:   :^.  ;.'-;.-•'<      GEO.  A.  CHARLES,  Chairman, 

:.-;V7'";  :•;:•../,  •;•;•'•''  ]^1  ''••••':>/.  "•'•-^ •;•'>".-'•••.'../•:•{''     '^M.  B.  LEBARON,  ;•" 

i:-^»  ••.'.•.' -v.  .•':;''C--''r  ':••  -'•"y'"--'^-'  '"-'-'•  ~'\---.^y-''''- .    CALEB  FINCH,  '-v; 

'•.•;.;  ••;•'.••  ''  ''••^-  •••'.•-':..•..-:'';.:..;  -.v-'  'o^.v.  • -••  •-'•  --•..:.-  Committee.      -•''} 

;:  •   On  motion  said  report  was  accepted  and  the  committee  discharged. 

On  motion  of  Supervisor  Finch  it  was  voted  by  the  board  that  N.  Barbero  be 
and  he  is  hereby  released  from  so  much  of  his  liability  on  such  bond  as  relates 
to  the  county  tax,  and  that  he  is  exonerated  therefrom. 

Supervisor  Gale  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved^  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  board  the  taxes  of  this  state  should 
be  collected  in  the  secured  notes  of  the  banks  of  this  state.  That  the  present 
system  requiring  the  payment  of  taxes  in  a  currency  different  from  the  currency 
required  in  ordinary  business,  imposes  on  the  tax  payers  an  unnecessary  burden, 
a  burden  liable  to  severe  aggravation  in  such  times  as  renders  the  usual  burden  of 
taxation  difficult  lo  be  borne,  and  we  do  therefore  petition  the  general  assembly 


460  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •->.-    ^.- 

of  this  state  to  pass  an  Act,  directing  the  collectors  to  receive  all  taxes  in  the 
secured  bills  of  the  banks  of  this  state. 

,  That  the  clerk  of  the  board  be  directed  to  forward  a  copy  of  this  resolution 
to  our  representatives  in  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  in  this  state  to  be 
by  them  presented  to  the  bodies  of  which  they  are  respectively  members. 

Another  resolution  in  regard  to  taxes  directed  to  the  legislature  January 
meeting,  1861.  • 

Supervisor  Gale  offered  the  following :  ••''';:.••;•''  j .  „ -:   ' 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  board  the  people  of  this  county  desire  the 
extension  of  the  time  for  the  payment  of  taxes,  and  that  such  extension  is  a  de- 
sirable alleviation  of  its  burden,  and  therefore  this  board  do  hereby  petition  the 
general  assembly  of  this  state  to  pass  a  law  extending  the  time  of  collection  of 
taxes,  ninety  days. 

And  that  the  clerk  of  this  board  be  directed  to  forward  to  our  representatives 
in  the  senate  and  house  of  representatives  in  the  state,  a  copy  of  this  resolution 
to  be  by  them  presented  to  the  bodies  of  which  they  are  members. 

•  On  which  resolution  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called,  resulting:    Yeas — Messrs. 
Meek,   Stevens,   Gale,   Finch,   Mansfield,  Robertson,   Routh,   Newman,   Charles, 
Lebolt,  Barber,  Tucker,  Copley  and  Gross — 14.    Nays — Messrs.  LeBaron,  Maney, 
McCornack,  Jones  and  Knable — 5.     Carried. 

•  January  Meeting,  1867. — On  motion  of  Mr.  Sanderson,  it  was  voted  that  this 
board  recommend  the  senator  and  representative  from  this  district  to  use  their 
influence  for  the  passage  of  a  law  for  a  State  Board  of  Equalization  of  Taxes. 

The  foregoing  extracts  from  the  record  of  the  board  supervisors  are  given  to 
show  the  changes  in  manner  of  assessing  taxes  and  also  the  great  increase  in 
the  value  of  property  and  the  amount  of  tax  paid.  The  assessment  of  railroad 
property  was  very  difficult.  The  assessment  was  based  wholly  upon  a  schedule 
of  property  within  the  county,  together  with  a  statement  of  rolling  stock  appor- 
tioned to  the  mileage  of  the  county.  If  the  roads  neglected  to  file  the  schedules, 
the  value  of  railroad  property  had  to  be  arrived  at  by  the  best  judgment  of  the  ;  :' 
county  clerk  and  the  board  of  supervisors.  ..•  ,' 

In  1867  Mr.  Sanderson,  then  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  offered     ..      :.,; 
a  motion  which  was  adopted  asking  for  the  passage  of  a  law  for  a  State  Board  of     '  I  i;:^; 
Equalization  of  Taxes.    Such  a  board  was  created  by  the  legislature.    This  board       '^  .  '  : 
is  in  session  several  months  each  year  and  assesses  not  only  the  various  kinds  of 
railroad  property  and  apportions  the  same  to  the  several  counties,  but  the  property 
of  the  various  other  corporations.    It  seems  that  some  such  agency  is  necessary 
and  the  board  of  supervisors  was  moved  to  pass  that  resolution  because  of  the  • 

necessity  for  such  a  body.  Today  there  is  a  demand  for  the  abolition  of  this 
board,  the  demand  being  based  upon  the  supposition  that  the  board  is  tampered 
with  by  the  railroads  and  corporations.  Even  though  this  be  true,  it  is  a  pertinent 
question  to  ask  what  other  agency  can  take  its  place?  In  some  states  there  is  a 
commission  that  goes  about  and  personally  inspects  localities  so  the  members  may 
use  their  own  judgment  as  to  values  to  better  advantage,  but  it  nowhere  appears 
that  this  commission  is  not  susceptible  to  the  same  influences  as  a  board  of  equali- 
zation or  that  their  opportunities  are  less  numerous.  Society  is  rapidly  becoming 
more  complex  and  changes  in  forms  and  customs  must  be  made  from  time  to 

'  '-'^'^  '",''•  ; 


-   •"  <;      ;  HISTORY  OF  K^OX  COUNTY  ^     '  461 

time  to  facilitate  the  transaction  of  business  and  meet  the  necessary  social  de- 
mands. Personal  honesty  is  quite  a  different  thing  and  a  matter  of  much  slower 
growth.  Hence  the  constant  effort  on  the  part  of  some  officials  to  take  a  dishonest 
advantage  of  all  conditions  that  may  be  made  a  means  of  grafting. 


v,  ;;,^v  ;::•;->:•:>"   PARKS  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;'.^'f>^^w 

''•'.•'  : '        •-        •      -  '         By  PROF.  JOHN  VAN  NESS  STANDISH 

;  '  '  Throughout  the  civilized  world,  the  higher  civilization  has  found  its  abode  in 
i  our  cities.  It  is  in  the  midst  of  throngs  she  dwells.  It  is  by  the  attrition  of 
'?  thought  upon  thought  and  mind  upon  mind  that  improvements  are  made.  It  is 
.''  by  close  proximity  that  original  suggestions  arise.  Many  discoveries  which  have 

.-.  been  mighty  forces  in  the  progress  of  civilization  have  been  the  result  of  accident. 
••  A  chance  word  spoken  by  some  rude  peasant  or  the  careless  touch  of  the  nerve 

'.:    of  a  frog  has  established  empires  or  given  birth  to  one  of  the  most  occult  sciences. 

";^  Great  thoughts  of  great  men  often  have  been  inspired  by  inferior  minds.  It  is 
'':  the  city  dweller  then  that  has  the  larger  opportunity  for  the  work  of  life.  By 

. '-  offering  better  advantages,  the  cities  have  become  lodestones  attracting  the  rural 
'  population  and  in  a  large  measure  depopulating  our  rural  districts. 

•'<..:•;/•;.,''-.:_.        :.''-V^/.^'v-;v    URBAN    AND    COUNTRY    LIFE         "    -^'^         ^''— 'iTV'? -v 

',/       Fifty  years  ago,  only  about  eight  or  ten  per  cent  of  the  population  lived  in 

;!-  cities,  while  ninety  per  cent  lived  contentedly  in  rural  homes.     At  the  present 

.  ;•  time,  rural  occupations  and  rural  scenery  have  lost  their  charm.     The  farmer's 

"T     boy  no  longer  desires  to  follow  the  plough  or  break  the  stubborn  glebe,  but  seeks 

; ,,   rather  some  easier  occupation  in  the  crowded  city.     Consequently,  the  cities  are 

•' V  growing  apace  as  each  census  proves.    Today,  nearly  one-half  of  the  population 

V'  live  in  cities,  and  the  next  decade  may  find  sixty  or  seventy-five  per  cent   living 

r  there.    And  these  thoughts  lead  to  the  subject  matter  to  be  considered,  which  is 

\;    ':V  .' ^     •     :  ^^.^:J  CITY    PARKS    AND    CITY    PLAYGROUNDS       '        "'   '  ' 

;  '.        Parks,  under  various  names,  are  old.    They  probably  antedate  the  history  of 

man.    The  first  recorded  account  is  the  Garden  of  Eden.    Where  its  exact  location 

was,  its  size  and  purpose,  no  Biblical  scholar  as  yet  has  been  able  to  tell.    The 

account  says  that  every  kind  of  tree  grew  there,  even  the  Tree  of  Life.    Every 

Greek  city  had  its  park  or  square  or  market  place,  which  was  cafled  "Agora." 

Usually,  in  the  midst  of  the  square  or  market  place  there  was  a  fountain  and 

sometimes   it  was   surrounded  with  a  colonnade  which   the  people  used  as   a 

promenade.    Without  this  colonnade  were  public  buildings  and  temples  of  worship. 

Within  were  erected  statues  of  heroes  and  altars  to  the  gods.    The  Greek  "Agora" 

.-    was  the  general  meeting  place  of  the  people.     It  was  here  that  laws  and  political 

^::    policies  were  discussed.    It  was  here  that  funeral  orations  were  pronounced.    It 

"•:-   was  here  that  every  kind  of  merchandise  was  bought  and  sold.    And  it  may  be 


462       -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

said  that  the  parks  of  today  can  afford  no  greater  pleasure  to  the  people  than  the 
•'Agora"  afforded  to  the  ancient  Greek.  The  Roman  "Forum"  was  similar  to  the 
Greek  "Agora."  The  same  general  arrangement  prevailed,  and  the  business 
character  was  the  same.  It  was  the  civic  center  of  the  city  and  the  center  for 
the  transaction  of  all  business,  judicial  and  otherwise.  Such  was  the  beginning  of 
the  system  of  parks  of  the  present  age  and  generation,  though  much  enlarged  in 
grandeur  and  magnificence,  and  such  they  stand  as  marks  of  an  advancing  civili- 
zation. One  of  the  great  glories  of  Europe  is  to  be  found  in  her  parks.  They  are 
constant  scenes  of  joy  and  beauty.  There  is  scarcely  a  city  in  all  that  vast  domain 
without  its  beautiful  park,  ornamented  with  the  choicest  shrubs  and  trees.  The 
city  of  Paris  probably  has  more  park  area  under  her  management  than  all  the 
United  States,  if  our  national  parks  be  excepted.  Fontainbleau  with  her  magnifi- 
cent forests  and  Versailles  with  her  parterres  and  her  unique  fountains  have  mort 
than  125,000  acres — the  joy  and  pride  of  her  people.  And  when  her  other  numer- 
ous parks  are  added,  Paris  can  boast  a  park  area  of  more  than  200,000  acres — 
greater  than  any  other  city  in  the  world.  And  if  her  hundreds  of  miles  of 
boulevards  shall  be  considered,  her  park  area  is  simply  immense. 

^         PARKS  IN  AMERICA          -.;•';.•;_: 

It  may  be  said  that  the  park  system  or  park  building  in  America  is  of  recent 
origin.  The  work  was  begun  the  last  half  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Before  1850 
not  a  square  foot  of  ground  had  been  purchased  for  park  purposes.  Cities  we 
had,  without  parks  or  playgrounds.  Cemeteries  were  used  as  common  resorts. 
In  1858  New  York  City  made  the  initial  move  in  purchasing  a  tract  of  land, 
which  is  now  Central  park.  By  thit  example,  other  cities  took  the  cue,  And  as  a 
result  magnificent  systems  of  parks  have  arisen  in  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Balti- 
more, Detroit,  Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  San  Francisco.  And  if  our  national  parks 
shall  be  considered,  America  can  boast  a  system  of  parks  unexcelled  by  any  other 
nation  in  the  wide  world.  At  present,  Europe  may  display  more  art  in  her  park 
system,  but  in  natural  beauty  and  in  extent  and  boldness  of  scenery,  America  shall 
receive  the  palm  and  wear  the  crown. 

•:.:•;.:.,          .  A  GRANDEUR  IN   NATURE         P';;:v  \    v, 

It  was  a  grand  thought  when  God  thought  of  the  tree.  It  was  a  grand 
thought  when  He  thought  of  the  shrub  and  flower.  There  is  beauty  in  the  land- 
scape, there  is  sublimity  in  the  lofty  mountain,  and  there  is  a  feeling  of  awe  in. 
the  mighty  waterfall.  The  tornado  and  the  rushing  waters  are  more  terrible  than 
the  thunders  of  heaven.  All  these  things  we  have  to  make  up  the  grandeur  and 
harmonies  of  the  world.  But  these  things  are  not  wholly  isolated.  They  are  dis- 
tributed according  to  unknown  and  unchanging  laws  of  nature.  All  about  us, 
there  is  much  to  attract  and  admire.  Knox  county  is  not  wholly  bereft  of  those 
things  that  please  the  eye  and  cultivate  the  taste.  She  presents  before  us  a  'Beau- 
tiful landscape,  though  wanting  in  mountain  scenery  and  rivers  of  water.  Who 
has  not  been  entranced  as  he  has  looked  out  upon  her  fields  of  waving  grass  and 
golden  grain?  Who  has  not  been  agitated  with  thrilling  emotions  as  he  has  sur- 


«^^ 


A   SECTION   OF   STANDISH    PARK 

In  the  central  part  of  the    city — lying  directly  weft  of  the   Knox  County   Court   House.     Famous  for  its 
large  variety  of  choice  and  beautiful  trees. 


THE  FIRST  GALESBURG— "OLD  LOG  CITY" 

Located  three  miles  Northwest  of  present  city  limits,  at  edge  of  Henderson  Grove.  Founded  in  1836. 
1.  Prof.  N.  H.  Losey's  residence.  2.  Nehemiah  West's  residence.  3.  Hugh  Conger  in  main  part;  Loren- 
tus  Conger  and  John  West  in  addition.  4.  Riley  Root  and  sister,  Mrs.  Clarissa  Phelps,  Eli  Farnham,  and 
Mrs.  Lyman,  in  succession.  5.  George  Avery  and  his  mother.  6.  Deacon  Goodell's  residence.  7.  John 
West  and  hi.i  father.  8.  Mr.  Lewis'^  residence.  9.  Unidentified.  10.  C.  S.  Colton's  store.  11.  C.  S. 
Colton's  residence.  12.  School  house.  18.  Rev.  G.  W.  Gale's  residence.  14.  John  Kendall's  residence. 
16.  Rev.  John  Water's  residence.  IC.  H.  H.  May's  residence. 


462  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

said  that  the  parks  of  today  can  afford  no  greater  pleasure  to  the  people  than  the   ..    •  ^ 
•'Agora"  afforded  to  the  ancient  Greek.    The  Roman  "Forum"  was  similar  to  the        ; 
Greek  "Agora."     The   same  general  arrangement   prevailed,   and   the  business    •  ' 
character  was  the  same.     It  was  the  civic  center  of  the  city  and  the  center  for       : 
the  transaction  of  all  business,  judicial  and  otherwise.     Such  was  the  beginning  of         : 
the  system  of  i)arks  of  the  present  age  and  generation,  though  much  enlarged  in  ^ 

grandeur  and  magnificence,  and  such  they  stand  as  marks  of  an  advancing  civili-     ' 
zation.    One  of  the  great  glories  of  Europe  is  to  be  found  in  her  parks.    They  are 
constant  scenes  of  joy  and  beauty.    There  is  scarcely  a  city  in  all  that  vast  domain  .  '  .... 
without  its  beautiful  park,  ornamented  with  the  choicest  shrubs  and  trees.    The  ' 

city  of  Paris  probably  has  more  park  area  under  her  management  than  all  the   .     ,    ' 
United  States,  if  our  national  parks  be  excepted.    Fontainbleau  with  her  magniR-    ; 
cent  forests  and  \'ersailles  with  her  parterres  and  her  unique  fountains  have  more  : 

than  125,000  acres — the  joy  and  pride  of  her  people.    And  when  her  other  numer-   ; 
ous  parks  are  added.  Paris  can  boast  a  park  area  of  more  than  200,000  acres —  .'V 
greater  than  any  other  city  in  the  world.     And  if  her  hundreds  of  miles  of          - 
boulevards  shall  be  considered,  her  park  area  is  simply  immense. 

PARKS  IN  AMERICA  .  ' 

It  may  be  said  tliat  the  park  system  or  park  building  in  America  is  of  recent 
origin.  The  work  was  begun  the  last  half  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Before  1850 
not  a  square  foot  of  ground  had  been  purchased  for  park  purposes.  Cities  we 
had,  without  parks  or  playgrounds.  Cemeteries  were  used  as  common  resorts. 
In  1858  New  York  City  made  the  initial  move  in  purchasing  a  tract  of  land, 
which  is  now  Central  park.  P)y  thij,  example,  other  cities  took  the  cue,  and  as  a 
result  magnificent  systems  of  parks  have  arisen  in  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Balti- 
more, Detroit,  Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  San  Francisco.  And  if  our  national  parks 
shall  be  considered,  America  can  boast  a  system  of  parks  unexcelled  by  any  other 
nation  in  the  wide  world.  At  present,  Europe  may  display  more  art  in  her  park 
system,  but  in  natural  beauty  and  in  extent  and  boldness  of  scenery,  America  shall 
receive  the  palm  and  wear  the  crown. 

.    '     .  A  GRANDEUR  IN   NATURE 

It  was  a  grand  thought  when  God  thought  of  the  tree.  It  was  a  grand 
thought  when  He  thought  of  the  shrub  and  flower.  There  is  beauty  in  the  land- 
scape, there  is  sublimity  in  the  lofty  mountain,  and  there  is  a  feeling  of  awe  in 
the  mighty  waterfall.  The  tornado  and  the  rushing  waters  are  more  terrible  than 
the  thunders  of  heaven.  All  these  things  we  have  to  make  up  the  grandeur  and 
harmonies  of  the  world.  But  these  things  are  not  wholly  isolated.  They  are  dis- 
tributed according  to  unknown  and  unchanging  laws  of  nature.  All  about  us, 
there  is  much  to  attract  and  admire.  Knox  county  is  not  wholly  bereft  of  those 
things  that  please  the  eye  and  cultivate  the  taste.  She  presents  before  us  a  beau- 
tiful landscape,  though  wanting  in  mountain  scenery  and  rivers  of  water.  Who 
has  not  been  entranced  as  he  has  looked  out  upon  her  fields  of  waving  grass  and 
golden  grain?  Who  has  not  been  agitated  with  thrilling  emotions  as  he  has  sur- 


A   SIXTION   or   STANDISH    I'AKK 

In  the  central  part  of  the    city — lying  directly   west  of  ihe   Knox   Ccunty   Court    House.     Famous  for  iU 
large  variety   of  choice  and  beautiful   trees. 


THE  FIRST  GALESBCKG— "OI-D  LOG  CITY" 


1.    Prof.   N.  H.  Losey's  residence. 


of  pre: 
•-'.     Xel 


.^    _.    - -,  -  

ehemiah  West's  residence.     :{.    Hugh  C'onper  in  main  part:   Loren- 


tus  Conger  and  John  West  in  addition.  4.  Kiley  Root  and  sister.  Mrs.  Clarissa  I'hejps.  Kli  Farnliam.  and 
Mrs.  Lyman.  in  S'.iccession.  .5.  (Jeorge  .\very  and  his  mother.  (;.  Deacon  Cioodell's  residence.  7.  John 
West  and  hi.s  father.  S.  Mr.  Lewis'  residence.  '>.  Unidentified,  in.  C'.  .S.  Colton's  store.  11.  C.  S. 
Colton's  residence,  li.  School  house.  l:{.  Rev.  d.  W.  dale's  residence.  14.  John  Kendall's  residence. 
15.  Rev.  John  Water's  residence.  1(>.  H.  H.  May's  residence. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  463 

veyed  her  stately  fields  of  corn  and  the  noble  trees  that  stretch  along  the  boundary 
lines?    Truly,  Knox  county  is  one  beautiful  park  and  no  man  can  fail  to  admire 

here  nature's  handiwork. 

.-v;-- \;;;^r-/\-.-..  :-V;_  '-H:?,  ..'-.y-  ;.•  •;./>'\  •:%: ;.'.'/'••>/- ;v..- 

./::••-••'-.>.,:;.  PARKS    OF    GALESBURG  ;       .  :'. '^^ 

Galesburg  cannot  boast  any  great  system  of  parks.  She  has  limited  herself 
to  a  few  small  ones,  which  reflect  credit  on  her  taste,  if  not  on  her  munificence. 
Her  park  system  consists  of  the  following:  Standish  park,  the  Court  House 
park.  Broad  street  boulevard.  Central  park,  Knox  Campus,  and  Lombard  Campus. 
All  of  these,  save  Lombard  Campus,  are  in  the  heart  of  the  city  and  are  lying 
adjacent.  They  constitute  an  area  of  about  twenty-five  acres.  Standish  park 
with  its  many  choice  shrubs  and  trees,  is  the  most  attractive  and  beautiful  of  all. 
It  embraces  about  three  or  four  acres  and  was  established  May  I5th,  1876. 
Originally  the  Court  House  park  was  a  portion  of  Standish  park,  making  an 
area  of  about  eight  acres.  The  first  Board  of  Park  Commissioners,  six  in  number, 
was  appointed  by  Honorable  George  W.  Brown,  who  was  then  mayor  of  the 
city.  The  following  are  the  names:  Honorable  T.  Judson  Hale,  Professor 
George  Churchill,  Honorable  B.  F.  Arnold,  Honorable  O.  T.  Johnson,  John 
McFarland,  and  Professor  J.  V.  N.  Standish.  Honorable  T.  J.  Hale  was  elected 
the  first  president,  serving  in  that  capacity  one  or  two  years.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Professor  Standish  who  is  the  only  original  member  and  has  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  park  commission  for  thirty-four  years.  He  has  also  served  as  super- 
intendent for  the  same  length  of  time.  The  present  members  of  the  park  com- 
mission are  the  following:  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  president  and  superintendent; 
Loren  Stevens,  secretary ;  Hiram  Mars,  P.  M.  Stromberg,  A.  J.  Perry,  and  G.  H. 
Bridge.  ;•>  ^  '^r;  :/  /  :;  , 

.;"'•'*;',";>:•',';'''     -;••':•/.••-  LOMBARD   CAMPUS  '"'':."•.•;  -f 

A  word  must  be  said  in  regard  to  Lombard  Campus,  as  Professor  Standish 
had  much  to  do  in  making  it  what  it  is.  It  covers  a  surface  of  fourteen  acres 
and  is  a  most  beautiful  spot.  It  is  surrounded  with  large  stately  elms  (perhaps 
not  so  magnificent  as  the  New  Haven  elms),  which  in  beauty  and  grandeur  can 
hardly  be  surpassed.  The  campus  itself  is  planted  with  iquite  a  variety  of  trees 
and  shrubs,  every  one  of  which  is  a  specimen.  In  beauty  of  symmetry  and  ele- 
gance of  grace,  no  finer  sugar  maples  can  be  found  than  those  growing  on  Lom- 
bard Campus. 

^.h^V'"'  V'-^''.-.'---;    •:-?'\''-'''''  PARKS   OF   EAST   GALESBURG  /.^••"''' '''•  '-' 

There  are  some  other  parks  in  Knox  county  which  are  worthy  of  mention. 
Just  east  of  Galesburg  is  situated  the  Lake  Rice  park.  It  is  beautiful,  and  with 
its  water,  boating,  fishing  and  golf  grounds,  it  is  an  ideal  spot  for  games  and 
amusement.  Here  is  located  the  Soangetaha  Club — a  club  composed  of  our  best 
citizens.  This  place  is  much  frequented  by  reason  of  its  attractiveness  and 
beauty. 

Just  south  of  Lake  Rice  is  situated  Highland  park  and  Highland  lake  where 


464  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

the  people  assemble  more  frequently  than  at  Lake  Rice  park.  Here  are  held  the 
chautauquas  from  year  to  year,  and  here  are  the  contests  for  the  regatta  prizes 
by  the  lady  students  of  Knox  college. 

'  ;  ;    PARKS   OF   KNOXVILLE 

Knoxville  too  is  not  without  her  park,  and  on  it  stands  a  historic  building. 
Indeed,  on  account  of  its  place  and  style,  it  is  the  most  attractive  building  in  Knox 
county.  It  is  the  "Old  Court  House."  It  is  fashioned  after  the  manner  of  an  old 
Greek  temple.  The  metopes  and  triglyphs  are  seen  in  the  entablature  and  the 
frieze  is  of  the  Doric  order.  The  columns  too  are  Doric,  without  bases  and  with 
sixteen  flutings — in  fitting  resemblance  to  the  Greek  model.  Whoever  has  seen 
a  Greek  temple  will  readily  recognize  the  "Old  Court  House"  as  a  correct  imi- 
tation. 

.:' '  Here  in  Knoxville  is  Gilbert's  park,  which  probably  is  more  frequented  than 
any  other  park  in  the  county.  It  is  small,  well  wooded,  and  without  ornamenta- 
tion. Really,  it  is  park  in  a  state  of  nature,  and  is  much  used  because  it  is  a 
pleasant  retreat. 

In  real  art  and  taste,  the  campus  of  St.  Mary's  school  stands  among  the  first. 
What  a  pleasure  it  is  to  walk  in  upon  those  grounds  and  see  those  masses  of 
flowering  shrubbery  and  the  ornamental  vines  clinging  to  the  barren  walls! 

A  little  farther  to  the  northward  is  the  park  and  garden  of  the  almshouse 
which  in  their  loveliness  and  order  it  is  difficult  to  surpass.  The  lawn  here  is  im- 
maculate. Here  is  a  pattern  for  similar  institutions  to  follow.  A  beautiful  land- 
scape or  a  beautiful  flower  is  a  blessing  to  every  beholder.  '.'•-;' 

;      ;  '         ONEroA  PARK  •'    -^''^      * 

Oneida  is  not  without  her  park,  and  a  beautiful  one  it  is.  To  the  praise  of 
the  citizens  of  this  city,  it  must  be  said  that  it  is  well  kept.  There  is  a  civic  pride 
here  that  is  commendable.  The  plat  of  ground  belongs  to  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  rail- 
road, but  the  citizens  of  Oneida  procured  it  from  the  company  to  be  used  for 
park  purposes.  Here  is  a  lesson  for  other  cities  of  the  county.  Every  one  of 
them  should  have  its  beautiful  park. 

"''"'''''••--:'•:'  .^•''Y;;'.'-yV•^'•-'^.'^ 
•  .  '    ;        /,  >•     •.^.•_:      YATES  CITY      ;^-  v  ^:l/^:>',  .'^^c^j- •'::' 

Yates  City  is  also  in  the  march  of  improvement.  She  has  her  park  already 
planned  and  is  working  it  out  for  the  pleasure  and  benefit  of  her  citizens.  >;-,;. 

t      •••-'•:-%     •  .  .•   ;     •       CONCLUSION  -  ^:  •^-;  •^•- -•  -    •^"  '  '  "-^ '  1-      ...•-:•— 

In  conclusion  it  must  be  said  that  parks  are  not  only  things  of  beauty,  but  a 
necessity.  They  are  educators.  They  make  for  a  higher  civilization.  They  are 
health-giving  resorts  to  millions.  They  are  places  of  rest  to  many  a  weary 
mother  and  a  source  of  delight  and  joy  to  her  children.  In  a  word,  they  are 
man's  best  sanitariums  and  God's  hospitals  for  the  aged,  the  feeble  and  the  care- 
worn. Plant  then  parks  and  playgrounds  and  commons,  and  ornament  them ;  for 
they  are  man's  best  gifts  To  man.  .-. 


THE  COUNTRY   CLUB  GROUNDS   AT   LAKE   RICE 


LAKE  RICE.  NEAR  THE  EASTERN  LIMITS  OF  GALESBURG 


464         -•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^ 

the  people  assemble  more  frequently  than  at  Lake  Rice  park.  Here  are  held  the 
chautauquas  from  year  to  year,  and  here  are  the  contests  for  the  regatta  prizes 
by  the  lady  students  of  Knox  college. 

.    '';.  PARKS   OF    KNOXVILLE         .  ,      V-i 

Knoxville  too  is  not  without  her  park,  and  on  it  stands  a  historic  building. 
Indeed,  on  account  of  its  place  and  style,  it  is  the  most  attractive  building  in  Knox 
county.  It  is  the  "Old  Court  House."  It  is  fashioned  after  the  manner  of  an  old 
Greek  temple.  The  metopes  and  triglyphs  are  seen  in  the  entablature  and  the 
frieze  is  of  the  Doric  order.  The  columns  too  are  Doric,  without  bases  and  with 
sixteen  flutings — in  fitting  resemblance  to  the  Greek  model.  Whoever  has  seen 
a  Greek  temple  will  readily  recognize  the  "Old  Court  House"  as  a  correct  imi- 
tation. 

Here  in  Knoxville  is  Gilbert's  park,  which  probably  is  more  frequented  than 
any  other  park  in  tlie  county.  It  is  small,  well  wooded,  and  without  ornamenta- 
tion. Really,  it  is  park  in  a  state  of  nature,  and  is  much  used  because  it  is  a 
pleasant  retreat. 

In  real  art  and  taste,  the  campus  of  St.  Mary's  school  stands  among  the  first. 
What  a  pleasure  it  is  to  walk  in  upon  those  grounds  and  see  those  masses  of 
flowering  shrubbery  and  the  ornamental  vines  clinging  to  the  barren  walls ! 

A  little  farther  to  the  northward  is  the  park  and  garden  of  the  almshouse 
which  in  their  loveliness  and  order  it  is  difficult  to  surpass.  The  lawn  here  is  im- 
maculate. Here  is  a  pattern  for  similar  institutions  to  follow.  A  beautiful  land- 
scape or  a  beautiful  flower  is  a  blessing  to  every  beholder.  .  , 

•  ONEIDA  PARK  - 

Oneida  is  not  without  her  park,  and  a  beautiful  one  it  is.  To  the  praise  of 
the  citizens  of  this  city,  it  must  be  said  that  it  is  well  kept.  There  is  a  civic  pride 
here  that  is  commendable.  The  plat  of  ground  belongs  to  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  rail- 
road, but  the  citizens  of  Oneida  procured  it  from  the  company  to  be  used  for 
park  purposes.  Here  is  a  lesson  for  other  cities  of  the  county.  Every  one  of 
them  should  have  its  beautiful  park. 

;       .      .  YATES   CITY  V       .' 

Yates  City  is  also  in  the  march  of  improvement.  She  has  her  park  already 
planned  and  is  working  it  out  for  the  pleasure  and  benefit  of  her  citizens. 

'  CONCLUSION  -,  •          t 

In  conclusion  it  must  be  said  that  parks  are  not  only  things  of  beauty,  but  a 
necessity.  They  are  educators.  They  make  for  a  higher  civilization.  They  are 
health-giving  resorts  to  millions.  They  are  places  of  rest  to  many  a  weary 
mother  and  a  source  of  delight  and  joy  to  her  children.  In  a  word,  they  are 
man's  best  sanitariums  and  God's  hospitals  for  the  aged,  the  feeble  and  the  care- 
worn. Plant  then  parks  and  playgrounds  and  commons,  and  ornament  them ;  for 
they  are  man's  best  gifts  To  man.  v  ;  ;. 


THE   COl'XTRY   CI.l'I!   GROUNDS   AT   LAKE   RICE 


LAKE  RICE.  NEAR  THE   EASTERN  LIMITS  OF  GALESIiURG 


V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;•;•  466 

THE  EARLY  DAYS  OF  BANKING  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 
-  /  By  LLOYD  F.  WERTMAN 

The  banks  were  the  stocking  or  teapot,  under  the  hearth-stone,  and  various 
niches  in  the  logs  of  the  houses. 

In  the  early  fifties,  James  Knox  kept  a  grocery  and  general  store  in  Knox- 
ville.  The  building  was  located  north  of  Main  street  on  the  west  side  of  the 
public  square.  The  dignity  of  banking  was  raised  by  Mr.  Knox  when  he  pur- 
chased a  sheet  iron  safe,  placed  it  in  the  back  end  of  his  store  and  received 
deposits  from  his  patrons,  giving  a  receipt  for  money  left  with  him.  When  the 
depositor  wished  to  draw  his  money,  he  produced  his  receipt  and  if  the  depository 
had  not  enough  money  on  hand  for  the  required  needs,  he  patiently  waited  until 
the  supply  was  increased  to  meet  the  demands.  There  was  no  run  or  thought  of 
a  run  on  the  bank. 

Cornelius  Runkle  was  the  first  person  to  start  a  regular  bank  in  Knox  county. 
This  was  a  private  bank  in  Knoxville  north  of  Main  street  on  the  west  side  of 
the  public  square.  He  was  president  and  his  cashier  was  John  Babbington. 
After  some  years,  he  moved  his  bank  and  located  on  the  corner  where  the  Pres- 
byterian church  now  stands,  south  of  his  first  location.  In  1863,  the  bank  was 
nationalized  as  the  First  National  Bank  of  Knoxville,  Illinois.  After  the  death 
of  John  Babbington,  Henry  Runkle  was  elected  cashier.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Herbert  Bailey  and  he  by  Frank  G.  Sanbom.  Mr.  Sanborn  became  president  of 
the  Farmers  National  Bank  afterwards.  The  bank  was  guarded  day  and  night 
by  a  brindled  bull  dog  who  was  always  on  the  alert  for  any  trouble.  After 
twenty  years,  the  charter  expired  and  the  bank  was  reorganized  as  the  Farmers 
National  Bank. 

In  February,  i88i,  Mr.  Cornelius  Runkle,  its  president,  was  attacked  at  night 
in  the  bank  building  by  bank  robbers.  He  roomed  at  the  bank  and  was  alone  at 
the  ti^me  They  tortured  him  severely  by  hanging  him  up,  also  by  placing  him  on 
the  bed  and  pouring  kerosene  oil  over  his  feet  and  applying  the  flame,  burning  .- 

his  feet  severely.  As  he  was  bound  to  his  bed  they  tried  to  make  him  reveal  the 
combination  of  the  safe,  which  he  could  not  do  as  he  did  not  know.  He  kept 
some  money  in  a  small  safe  in  the  banking  room  to  accommodate  customers  after 
banking  hours.  After  the  robbers  were  satisfied  he  could  not  open  the  large  safe,  ; 

they  left  him  and  secured  nearly  $2,500.00  from  the  small  safe.  No  one  was 
ever  arrested  for  the  offense.  ,^ . 

The  Farmers  National  Bank  of  Knoxville  was  organized  and  commenced 
business  January  13,  1885,  with  a  capital  of  $60,000.  !  : 

The  first  officers  and  directors  of  the  bank  were  as  follows:  v  ', .; 

Officers:  F.  G.  Sanborn,  president;  O.  G.  Smith,  cashier;  J.  Z.  Cams,  assist-  ' 

ant  cashier.    Directors:    A.  M.  Craig,  J.  W.  Cams,  C.  W.  Leffingwell,  H.  L.  ';: 

Bailey,  F.  G.  Sanborn,  R.  C.  Price,  J.  S.  Brewer. 

The  Farmers  National  Bank,  taking  up  the  business  of  the  old  First  National 
Bank  at  the  expiration  of  its  charter,  has  experienced  a  steady  and  satisfactory  .  . 

growth  during  the  succeeding  years  and  is  now  operating  with  a  capital  and 
surplus  of  $95,000.  V 

The  present  officers  and  directors  are  as  follows:'  ;  ''• 

Vol    l-.»l'  :,    •;''"'    •     ':; 


466  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

.Officers:  J.  Z.  Cams,  president;  W.  W.  McBride,  cashier;  H.  Huggins, 
assistant  cashier.  Directors:  J.  H.  Lewis,  C.  C.  Craig,  J.  Z.  Cams,  W.  W. 
McBride,  Hubbard  Huggins. 

.  •  KNOX    COUNTY    STATE   BANK,    KNOXVILLE 

The  Knox  County  Bank  of  F.  E.  Wilson  &  Co.,  of  Knoxville,  Illinois,  was 
organized  as  a  private  bank,  by  F.  E.  Wilson,  C.  M.  and  Nellie  J.  Corbin  with  a 
paid  up  capital  of  $25,000  and  opened  for  business  on  January  26,  1903,  in  their 
fine  new  brick  building  on  East  Main  street,  Knoxville,  Illinois,  and  after  about 
three  and  one-half  years  of  very  successful  business,  seeing  the  needs  of  a 
larger  and  stronger  institution,  then  organized  the  Knox  County  State  Bank 
under  a  charter  from  the  state  dated  July  31,  1906,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000  and 
over  fifty  stock  holders. 

This  bank  opened  for  business  on  August  i,  1906,  with  the  following  officers 
in  charge :  F.  E.  Wilson,  president ;  Mark  Burnside,  vice-president ;  R.  R.  Col- 
lins, cashier.  The  first  directors  being:  C.  M.  Corbin,  J.  H.  Lewis,  Jr.,  Mark 
Burnside,  F.  E.  Wilson,  J.  R.  Wilder,  they  purchasing  the  business  of  the 
private  bank,  Knox  County,  of  F.  E.  Wilson  &  Co. 

This  institution  having  had  a  very  large  and  successful  business  since  its 
organization  has,  in  addition  to  their  $50,000  capital  a  surplus  of  $14,000  earned 
and  undivided  profits  of  $5,000,  in  addition  to  paying  a  handsome  dividend  to 
their  stockholders  each  year. 

The  institution  still  retains  its  first  elected  officers  to  manage  its  affairs,  and  its 
present  directors  are:  C.  M.  Corbin,  Omer  N.  Custer,  Frank  Hopkins,  J.  H. 
Lewis,  Jr.,  E.  R.  Lacy,  Mark  Burnside,  F.  E.  Wilson.  Under  their  management, 
the  bank  is  steadily  increasing  their  deposits  and  loans  and  it  now  ranks  as  one  of 
the  foremost  banks  in  the  county,  according  to  its  capital  and  surplus. 

.      ;          PRIVATE  BANK  OF  J.    M.    NISLEY 

.     ''i 

.;  J.  M.  Nisley  commenced  business  with  a  capital  of  $30,000.00,  as  a  private 
banker,  in  Knoxville,  Illinois,  in  February,  1890,  in  a  building  located  on  the 
south  side  of  the  public  square.  The  officials  were  J.  M.  Nisley,  president,  and 
Nathan  Anderson,  cashier.  They  were  assisted  by  the  old  veteran  in  banking 
business,  Cornelius  Runkle,  until  his  death. 

This  bank  has  always  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  its  patrons  and  the  surround- 
ing community  because  of  its  conservative  and  courteous  treatment. 

James  F.  Dunn  located  the  first  bank  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  about  the  year 
1853,  in  a  building  south  of  Main  street,  on  the  east  side  of  the  public  square. 
He  afterwards  moved  from  that  building  to  the  one  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
Main  and  Prairie  streets  and  continued  business  up  to  i86i  when  he  failed.  D.  H. 
Frisbie  was  appointed  assignee  to  close  up  its  affairs. 

Then  followed  the  Sidney  Meyer's  Bank,  called  the  Knox  County  Savings 
Bank,  with  Joseph  Grant  as  cashier.  This  bank  was  located  on  north  side.  Main 
street,  east  of  Cherry  in  the  Mathews'  building,  now  occupied  by  McKamy  &  Doll. 


B.n 


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;^-.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      V;       v 

Officers:  J.  Z.  Cams,  president;  W.  W.  McBride,  cashier;  H.  Huggins, 
assistant  cashier.  Directors:  J.  H.  Lewis,  C.  C.  Craig,  J.  Z.  Cams,  W.  W. 
McBride,  Hubbard  Huggins. 

-  KNOX    COUNTY   STATE    BANK,    KNOXVILLE 

The  Knox  County  Bank  of  F.  E.  Wilson  &  Co.,  of  Knoxville,  Illinois,  was 
organized  as  a  private  bank,  by  F.  E.  Wilson,  C.  M.  and  Nellie  J.  Corbin  with  a 
paid  up  capital  of  $25.000  and  opened  for  business  on  January  26,  1903,  in  their 
fine  new  brick  building  on  East  Main  street,  Knoxville,  Illinois,  and  after  about 
three  and  one-half  years  of  very  successful  business,  seeing  the  needs  of  a 
larger  and  stronger  institution,  then  organized  the  Knox  County  State  Bank 
under  a  charter  from  the  state  dated  July  31,  1906,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000  and 
over  fifty  stock  holders.  .  '  '  ;  ,  j  . 

This  bank  opened  for  business  on  August  i,  1906,  with  the  following  officers 
in  charge :  F.  E.  Wilson,  president ;  Mark  Burnside,  vice-president ;  R.  R.  Col- 
lins, cashier.  The  first  directors  being:  C.  M.  Corbin,  J.  H.  Lewis,  Jr.,  Mark 
Burnside,  F.  E.  Wilson,  J.  R.  Wilder,  they  purchasing  the  business  of  the 
private  bank,  Knox  County,  oi  F.  E.  Wilson  &  Co. 

This  institution  having  had  a  very  large  and  successful  business  since  its 
organization  has,  in  addition  to  their  $50.000  capital  a  surplus  of  $14.000  earned 
and  undivided  profits  of  $5,000,  in  addition  to  paying  a  handsome  dividend  to 
their  stockholders  each  year.  /  | 

The  institution  still  retains  its  first  elected  officers  to  manage  its  affairs,  and  its 
present  directors  are:  C.  M.  Corbin,  Omer  N.  Custer,  Frank  Hopkins,  J.  H. 
Lewis,  Jr.,  E.  R.  Lacy.  Mark  Burnside,  F.  E.  Wilson.  Under  their  management, 
the  bank  is  steadily  increasing  their  deposits  and  loans  and  it  now  ranks  as  one  of 
the  foremost  banks  in  the  county,  according  to  its  capital  and  surplus. 

-.;  PRIVATE  BANK  OF  J.    M.    NISLEY      '. 

J.  M.  Nisley  commenced  business  with  a  capital  of  $30,000.00,  as  a  private 
banker,  in  Knoxville.  Illinois,  in  February,  1890,  in  a  building  located  on  the 
south  side  of  the  public  square.  The  officials  were  J.  M.  Nisley,  president,  and 
Xathan  Anderson,  cashier.  They  were  assisted  by  the  old  veteran  in  banking 
business,  Cornelius  Runkle,  until  his  death.  .  '  '>  :.  ;  .  |  ', 

This  bank  has  always  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  its  patrons  and  the  surround- 
ing community  because  of  its  conservative  and  courteous  treatment. 

James  F.  Dunn  located  the  first  bank  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  about  the  year 
1853,  in  a  building  south  of  Main  street,  on  the  east  side  of  the  public  square. 
He  afterwards  moved  from  that  building  to  the  one  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
Main  and  Prairie  streets  and  continued  business  up  to  i86i  when  he  failed.  D.  H. 
Frisbie  was  appointed  assignee  to  close  up  its  affairs. 

Then  followed  the  Sidney  Meyer's  Bank,  called  the  Knox  County  Savings 
Bank,  with  Joseph  Grant  as  cashier.  This  bank  was  located  on  north  side.  Main 
street,  east  of  Cherry  in  the  Mathews'  building,  now  occupied  by  McKamy  &  Doll. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY;  ;;  467 

It  remained  in  business  only  a  couple  of  years  wh6n  it  closed  out  and  removed  to 
Chicago. 

The  McCoy  Bank  followed,  which  was  located  in  a  building  south  of  Main  on 
the  west  side  of  Prairie  street,  near  the  building  occupied  by  the  old  fire  depart- 
ment, which  bank  was  called  the  Nemaha  County  Bank,  and  issued  currency 
under  that  name.  There  never  was  such  a  place  as  Nemaha  at  that  date.  The 
Nemaha  money  was  taken  by  some  of  the  grocers  and  men  who  traded  here,  but 
was  not  good  on  the  railroad  and  it  drove  out  all  good  money  from  the  city.  Not 
a  dollar  could  be  obtained. 

Then,  about  the  year  1856,  followed  the  A.  D.  Reed  &  Co.  Bank,  located  at 
the  corner  of  Main  and  Cherry  streets  where  now  stands  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics 
Bank  in  what  is  known  as  the  old  Second  National  Bank  Building.  E.  L.  Chap- 
man was  its  cashier.  They  remained  in  business  to  about  1862,  when  they  closed 
out  and  Mr.  Reed  moved  to  Chicago  where  he  died.  This  bank  issued  money  and 
it  was  distributed  quite  generally  in  this  section  and  yet  it  was  worth  only  thirty- 
three  cents  on  the  dollar  and  he  refused  to  take  his  own  money  at  that.  A  bank 
in  Connecticut  furnished  us  all  the  good  money  we  used.  (Hartford  &  New 
Haven.) 

•V.  .;; -/i''/:,;. -.^ :-/;'•';•'•'  FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK  -...'•;-;.^    -y 

First  National  Bank,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  was  organized  December  15,  1863. 
Capital  stock  subscribed  and  paid  in  $100,000.  The  first  stockholders'  meeting 
was  held  on  Tuesday,  December  22,  1863,  at  two  o'clock.  The  following  directors 
were  elected:  C.  H.  Mathews,  J.  D.  Hand,  Charles  E.  Grant,  E.  R.  Adams, 
Timothy  Moshier,  David  Sanborn,  W.  N.  Phillips,  John  Becker  and  L.  E. 
Conger.  Of  the  original  stockholders,  there  is  only  one  living  at  this  date,  J.  T. 
McKnight,  of  this  city,  who  has  passed  to  the  beyond  since  writing  this  article. 
The  first  directors'  meeting  was  held  in  the  office  of  C.  H.  Mathews  at  4 130  P.  M. 
The  board  was  organized  by  electing  C.  H.  Mathews,  president,  David  Sanbom, 
vice-president,  E.  L.  Chapman,  Monmouth,  Illinois,  cashier.  Commenced  busi- 
ness in  the  building  located  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Prairie  streets. 
May  II,  1864,  David  Sanborn  resigned  as  vice-president  and  Francis  Colton  was 
elected  in  his  place.  November  i,  1864,  the  stockholders  voted  to  increase  the 
capital  stock  $50,000.00,  making  the  total  capital  stock  $150,000.  Upon  the  resig- 
nation of  C.  H.  Mathews,  Captain  Francis  Fuller  was  elected  president,  September 
2,  1865,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  thirty  years.  In. the  year  of  1866,  a  new 
banking  building  was  erected  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Main  and  Cherry  streets. 
January  4,  1869,  E.  L.  Chapman,  cashier,  resigned.  January  12,  1869,  M.  S. 
Smalley  succeeded  Mr.  Chapman  as  cashier.  January  14,  1878,  Aza  A.  Madison 
was  elected  vice-president.  January  15,  1883,  Joseph  Hoover  was  elected  cashier, 
and  served  thirteen  years  to  April  27,  1896,  giving  faithful  service. 

The  following  was  the  board  of  directors  January  8,  1883 :  Timothy  Moshier, 
Francis  Fuller,  George  V.  Dietrich,  Charles  E.  Grant,  Zephania  Lewis,  Joseph 
Thirlwell,  James  Paden,  Fred  Seacord,  and  Asa  A.  Madison.  L.  F.  Wertman  was 
elected  vice-president  January  14,  1895,  and  elected  as  president,  January  i8, 
1897,  continuing  in  the  banking  service  to  this  date.  Mr.  Fred  Seacord  was 


468  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

elected  vice-president,  January  i8,  1897,  and  served  to  January  19,  1903.    Mr.  G. 

:;  ;   A.  Lawrence  succeeded  Mr.  Seacord,  as  vice-president,  and  is  serving  at  this  date. 

.-  Mr.  Loren  Stevens  was  appointed  cashier  May  ii,  1896,  and  served  to  June  i, 

/.'  1903.    January  26,  1903,  F.  L.  Conger  was  appointed  assistant  cashier  and  January 

,:    i8,  1904,  appointed  cashier  and  is  serving  in  that  capacity  at  the  present  date. 

The  present  bank  building  was  remodeled  and  rebuilt  in  the  year  1901.    The 

•.:    bank's  net  earnings  have  been  $1,059,250.    Its  present  capital  is  $150,000.00,  sur- 

.-.   plus  and  undivided  profits,  $238,750.00,  total,  $388,750.     The  present  directors 

'->'•   are  Howard  Knowles,  G.  A.  Lawrence,  Robert  Chappell,  Geo.  C.  Lescher,  A.  J. 

Perry.  W.  L.  Steele,  J.  G.  Bumaugh,  G.  L.  Avery,  C.  O.  Lewis  and  L.  F.  Wert- 

\V  man. 

During  all  these  forty-nine  years,  the  First  National  Bank  has  stood  firm  as  a 

t   rock  in  strength,  solid  beyond  question  in  good  times  and  bad ;  conservative  under 

all  circumstances;  has  constantly  worked  for  the  interest  of  its  patrons  and  for 

'  -  the  upbuilding  of  the  city.  :.':;•:•;'";•;:?'•.':•;' 

'-       ;:^  GALESBURG  NATIONAL  BANK  "      '.  :"• 

,     .  -          .  GALESBURG,  ILLINOIS,  February  25,  1884. 

Pursuant  to  a  call  issued  by  W.  W.  Washburn,  the  stockholders  of  the  Gales- 

; :-  burg  National  Bank  assembled  in  the  office  of  Bancroft  &  Moulton  in  the  city  of 

'.  ;    Galesburg,  Illinois,  on  Monday  afternoon,  February  25,  1884,  at  half  past  one 

o'clock    for   the   purpose   of   completing   the   organization   and   electing   eleven 

?/   directors.    The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  W.  W.  Washburn  who  nominated 

for  chairman,  Mr.  F.  H.  Rearick,  who  was  duly  elected.    Mr.  J.  L.  Hastings  was 

^      chosen  secretary.    The  object  of  the  meeting  being  to  complete  the  organization  of 

. :     the   Galesburg   National    Bank,   the    following   named   gentlemen   were   elected 

directors:    William  Robson,  Albert  Webster,  O.  F.  Price,  James  E.  Brown,  A.  A. 

'    Smith,  A.  W.  Berggren,  J.  D.  Besler,  C.  E.  Lanstrum,  B.  F.  Arnold,  W.  W.  Wash- 

.    burn  and  H.  M.  Sisson. 

The  meeting  as  above  was  held  pursuant  to  a  circular  letter  issued  February 

25,  1884,  by  W.  W.  Washburn  and  mailed  to  those  who  had,  at  that  time,  sub- 

;^  ;:    scribed  for  stock  in  the  new  bank  to  be  called  the  Galesburg  National  Bank.    At 

•  the  next  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors,  W.  W.  Washburn  was  elected  president 
of  the  bank  and  James  H.  Losey,  cashier.    The  bank  opened  for  business  in  May, 
1884.    The  gentlemen  who  were  elected  as  directors  at  the  first  meeting  continued 

/  to  serve  without  change  until  the  January  meeting  in  1886,  when  Hon.  A.  A.  Smith, 
at  that  time  circuit  judge,  declined  a  re-election  and  P.  F.  Brown  was  chosen 
director  in  his  place.  Mr.  William  Robson  was  chosen  vice-president  of  the  bank 

;  and  continued  so  until  his  death  in  January,  1901.  On  his  death,  he  was  suc- 
ceeded as  director  by  his  son,  E.  Percy  Robson.  Mr.  W.  W.  Washburn  was  made 
vice-president  to  succeed  Mr.  Robson  and  continued  this  connection  with  the  bank 

'     until  his  death  in  1901.    In  January,  1889,  P.  F.  Brown  was  made  president  and 

; !'     has  so  continued  until  the  present  time.    Mr.  James  H.  Losey  continued  as  cashier 

•  of  the  bank  until  July  i,  1904,  when  he  resigned  to  engage  in  business  of  his  own 
and  was  succeeded  by  A.  S.  Hamilton,  who  still  holds  that  position. 

;.— •    The  present  officers  and  employees  are:   P.   F.   Brown,  president;   A.  W. 


GALESMURG    NATIONAL    BANK    BUILDING 


Located  on  the  corner  rf  Ma-n  anH   I'-airJe   Streets.      Erected  in  1895.      Bank  organized   1884.     Capital 
stock,  $125,000.     Surplus  and  profits,  $165,000. 


/;V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -  .     ;• 

elected  vice-president,  January  i8,  1897,  and  served  to  January  19,  1903.  Mr.  G. 
A.  Lawrence  succeeded  Mr.  Seacord,  as  vice-president,  and  is  serving  at  this  date. 
Mr.  Loren  Stevens  was  appointed  cashier  May  ii,  1896,  and  served  to  June  i, 

.  1903.  January  26,  1903,  F.  L.  Conger  was  appointed  assistant  cashier  and  January 
i8,  1904,  appointed  cashier  and  is  serving  in  that  capacity  at  the  present  date. 
.  The  present  bank  building  was  remodeled  and  rebuilt  in  the  year  1901.  The 
bank's  net  earnings  have  been  $1,059,250.  Its  present  capital  is  $150,000.00,  sur- 
plus and  undivided  profits,  $238,750.00,  total,  $388,750.  The  present  directors 
are  Howard  Knoxvles,  G.  A.  Lawrence,  Robert  Chappell,  Geo.  C.  Lescher,  A.  J. 

•     Perry.  \V.  L.  Steele,  J.  G.  Burnaugh,  G.  L.  Avery,  C.  O.  Lewis  and  L.  F.  VVert- 
man. 

During  all  these  forty-nine  years,  the  First  National  Bank  has  stood  firm  as  a 
rock  in  strength,  solid  beyond  question  in  good  times  and  bad ;  conservative  under 
all  circumstances ;  has  constantly  worked  for  the  interest  of  its  patrons  and  for 
the  upbuilding  of  the  city.  • 

:.  ';  GALESRURG    NATIONAL   BANK  .  , 

':  _     .  GALESBURG,  ILLINOIS,  February  25,  1884. 

Pursuant  to  a  call  issued  by  W.  W.  Washburn,  the  stockholders  of  the  Gales- 
.  burg  National  Bank  assembled  in  the  office  of  Bancroft  &  Moulton  in  the  city  of 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  on  Monday  afternoon,  February  25,  1884,  at  half  past  one 
o'clock  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  organization  and  electing  eleven 
directors.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  W.  W.  Washburn  who  nominated 
for  chairman,  Mr.  F.  H.  Rearick,  who  was  duly  elected.  Mr.  J.  L.  Hastings  was 
chosen  secretary.  The  object  of  the  meeting  being  to  complete  the  organization  of 
the  Galesburg  National  Bank,  the  following  named  gentlemen  were  elected 
directors:  William  Robson,  Albert  Webster,  O.  F.  Price,  James  E.  Brown,  A.  A. 
Smith,  A.  W.  Berggren,  J.  D.  Besler,  C.  E.  Lanstrum,  B.  F.  Arnold,  W.  W.  Wash- 
burn  and  H.  M.  Sisson. 

The  meeting  as  above  was  held  pursuant  to  a  circular  letter  issued  February 
25,  1884,  by  \\'.  W.  Washburn  and  mailed  to  those  who  had,  at  that  time,  sub- 
scribed for  stock  in  the  new  bank  to  be  called  the  Galesburg  National  Bank.  At 
the  next  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors,  W.  W.  Washburn  was  elected  president 
of  the  bank  and  James  H.  Losey,  cashier.  The  bank  opened  for  business  in  May, 
1884.  The  gentlemen  who  were  elected  as  directors  at  the  first  meeting  continued 
to  serve  without  change  until  the  January  meeting  in  1886,  when  Hon.  A.  A.  Smith, 
at  that  time  circuit  judge,  declined  a  re-election  and  P.  F.  Brown  was  chosen 
director  in  his  place.  Mr.  William  Robson  was  chosen  vice-president  of  the  bank 
and  continued  so  until  his  death  in  January,  1901.  On  his  death,  he  was  suc- 
ceeded as  director  by  his  son,  E.  Percy  Robson.  Mr.  W.  W.  Washburn  was  made 
vice-president  to  succeed  Mr.  Robson  and  continued  this  connection  with  the  bank 
until  his  death  in  1901.  In  January,  1889,  P.  F.  Brown  was  made  president  and 
has  so  continued  until  the  present  time.  Mr.  James  H.  Losey  continued  as  cashier 
of  the  bank  until  July  i,  1904,  when  he  resigned  to  engage  in  business  of  his  own 
and  was  succeeded  by  A.  S.  Hamilton,  who  still  holds  that  position. 

The  present  officers  and   employees  are:   P.   F.   Brown,   president;   A.   W. 


CALKSllL'RC    XATIO.NAI.    I'.ANK    I'-fll-DIXC 


Located  I'li   tl>e  corner  <-f  Ma-n  aiiH   I'-i-ne  Street'.      Krected  in   isii.'i.      I'ank  organized   1SS4.     Capital 
stock.  $125,0110.     Surplus  and  profits,  $I(ir),ooo. 


-.'' ;     ;V      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;      -  •; 

Berggren,  vice-president;  A.  S.  Hamilton,  cashier;  Curtis  H.  Brown,  teller; 
Matthew  Johnson,  bookkeeper;  Harry  Anderson,  assistant  bookkeeper;  Qarence 
Gustafson,  clerk  and  messenger;  and  Stella  Carlson,  stenographer. 

The  above  constitutes  the  formation  of  the  bank,  its  first  officers  and  those  at 
present  in  command.  Of  the  original  directors,  there  remain  at  the  present  time 
but  three,  B.  F.  Arnold,  J.  D.  Besler  and  A.  W.  Berggren,  sturdy  rocks  in  the 
foundation  of  a  solid,  substantial  institution.  In  the  ranks  of  its  board,  from  the 
first  to  the  last,  it  may  readily  be  perceived,  conservatism  formed  a  large  element 
in  its  makeup,  standing  always  for  sound  banking  and  financial  strength.  From 
the  first,  it  has  sought  to  care  for  its  patrons  in  such  a  manner  as  to  merit  their 
confidence  and  esteem  and  at  the  same  time,  meet  the  approbation  of  its  stock- 
holders and  founders, 

.(•_,••_*'  ''  '•'•.';  ''••'. 

,•..':;••''..';.:;-••'''..  :••"'.' ^>''^        BANK  OF  GALESBURG  ';    '    ;       - -'''V''  \/'-^':.-:  ••" 

In  January,  1889,  Mr.  J.  R.  Lindgren  of  the  banking  firm  of  Haugan  &  Lind- 
gren  of  Chicago,  111.,  now  State  Bank  of  Chicago,  made  overtures  to  Mr.  P.  N. 
Granville,  then  city  treasurer  of  Galesburg,  to  open  a  savings  bank  in  Galesburg, 
giving  him  authority  to  select  men  for  different  positions  in  the  bank,  Mr.  Lind- 
gren to  finance  the  new  venture.  Mr.  Granville  not  having  had  any  previous  ex- 
perience in  banking,  induced  Mr.  Axel  Gabrielson,  a  experienced  banker,  to  take 
charge  as  cashier  and  Mr.  Henry  E.  Olson,  a  man  of  experience  in  the  insurance 
business,  was  selected  as  bookkeeper,  Mr.  Granville  accepting  the  position  of  assist- 
ant cashier.  The  bank  was  opened  up  for  business  at  No.  308  East  Main  street, 
on  the  first  day  of  April,  1889,  and  gained  the  confidence  of  the  people  from  the 
start.  The  officers  did  not  solicit  or  work  for  commercial  business  accounts, 
although  some  came  to  them  unsolicited.  The  principal  object  was  to  induce  peo- 
ple, who  were  not  accustomed  to  banking,  to  open  an  account  and  receive  interest 
on  such  amounts  as  they  could  lay  aside  from  time  to  time.  No  interest  was  being 
paid  by  other  banks  in  the  city  at  that  time,  nor  did  the  other  banks  pay  interest  on 
deposits  until  1900. 

In  the  summer  of  1891  Hon.  Alfred  M.  Craig,  then  judge  of  the  Supreme  court 
of  the  state  of  Illinois,  having  disposed  of  his  bank  stock  holdings  in  Galesburg, 
entered  into  an  agreement  with  Mr.  J.  R.  Lindgren  to  organize  the  Bank  of 
Galesburg  as  a  state  bank  instead  of  a  private  bank,  and  on  August  4,  1891, 
authority  was  given  by  the  state  "department  to  Axel  Gabrielson,  P.  N.  Granville, 
A.  W.  Berggren  and  A.  M.  Craig  to  incorporate  the  Bank  of  Galesburg,  at  Gales- 
burg, Illinois,  whereupon  the  following  persons  subscribed  for  and  became  stock- 
holders of  the  new  bank,  viz. : 

J.  R.  Lindgren,  A.  M.  Craig,  P.  N.  Granville,  J.  M.  Scott,  H.  E.  Olson,  L.  O. 
Williamson.  A.  W.  Berggren,  J.  F.  Anderson,  N.  O.  G.  Johnson,  W.  H.  Smollinger 
M.  O,  Williamson,  S.  R.  Swanson,  A.  O.  Peterson,  Mrs.  M.  S.  Peterson,  Peter 
Nelson,  F.  D.  Vittum,  G.  N.  Hamilton,  F.  T.  Peterson,  Claus  Anderson,  D.  L. 
Peterson,  J.  P.  Anderson,  E.  L.  Thorsen,  J.  H.  Williamson,  E.  Kimpton,  D.  W. 
Aldrich,  A.  W.  Truedson,  S.  W.  Swanson,  D.  B.  Swanson,  Chas.  Burkhardt,  Thos. 
McKee,  Nels  M.  Burgland,  Olof  Hawkinson,  G.  W.  Thompson,  L.  J.  Olson,  G. 
Hawkinson,  F.  R.  Jelliff,  J.  Williamson,  J.  E.  Williamson,  J.  D.  Welsh,  C.  A. 


470 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Erickson,  A.  W.  Erickson,  Miss  E.  C.  Anderson,  Miss  Lena  Anderson,  Miss  A.  C. 
Highlander,  Miss  Emma  Highlander,  G.  W.  Prince,  S.  H.  Olson,  Mrs.  Elise  Nird- 
linger,  J.  O.  Frost,  Murphy  Bros.  &  Anderson,  R.  W.  Colville,  T.  W.  Peterson,  R. 
W.  Townsend,  L.  A.  Townsend. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  stockholders  was  called  for  the  purpose  of  electing 
directors,  etc.,  to  meet  Sept.  17,  1891,  at  which  meeting  765  shares  were  repre- 
sented. The  number  of  directors  was  fixed  at  nine  and  the  following  were  then 
elected  to  serve  the  remaining  part  of  the  fiscal  year,  each  receiving  the  full  765 
votes,  viz. :  A.  M.  Craig,  P.  N.  Granville,  W.  H.  Smollinger,  M.  O.  Williamson, 
Peter  Nelson,  S.  R.  Swanson,  A.  O.  Peterson,  N.  O.  G.  Johnson  afid  J.  R.  Lind- 
gren. 

: :  On  Sept.  15,  1891,  the  directors  held  their  first  meeting  and  elected  the  fol- 
lowing officers  :  Hon.  A.  M.  Craig,  president ;  Peter  Nelson,  vice-president ;  Axel 
Gabrielson,  cashier ;  P.  N.  Granville,  assistant  cashier  and  secretary. 

The  charter  of  the  bank  was  dated  Oct.  3,  1891,  and  upon  the  5th  day  of 
October,  1891,  the  bank  adopted  its  by-laws  and  opened  up  for  business  under  a 
state  charter.  ^  *;  .  :' 

The  bank  statement  published  for  January  2,  1892,  was  as  follows : 


Statement,  Jan.  2,  1892. 


Resources. 


Liabilities. 


Loans  and  discounts $143,131.46 

Furniture  and  fixtures. . . .       1,425.00 

Premium  account 187.64 

Profit  and  loss 312.63 

Cash  and  sight  exchange. . .     78,210.97 


Capital  stock  paid  in $100,000.00 

Undivided  profits 213.56 

Deposits    122,954.14 


•  $223,167.70     :-;'>•--.'  $223,167.70 

^  Owing  to  director  J.  R.  Lindgren  having  his  home  in  Chicago  he  advised 
having  a  home  man  elected  in  his  stead,  which  wish  was  complied  with  by  electing 
Mr.  Olof  Hawkinson  a  director  at  the  annual  meeting  in  January,  1892.  Our  bank- 
ing room  was  beginning  to  be  considered  as  undesirable  for  such  purposes.  Hon.  A. 
M.  Craig,  the  president,  suggested  the  buying  of  a  lot  and  erecting  a  bank  build- 
ing, and  on  May  23,  1892,  reported  having  an  option  on  a  lot  in  the  next  block 
west  of  our  present  location,  size  25  ft.  by  lOO  ft.  The  board  authorized  the  pur- 
chase of  same,  which  was  accordingly  done,  but  action  on  building  thereon  was 
delayed  on  account  of  leases  and  later  developments  changed  all  plans  from  that 
location.  ^^^-.^  '-•  ••-•'':/•_}':•':••: ^'•'-•^ '...••••::  ^'j;? 

September  19,  1892,  Mr.  Axel  Gabrielson  presented  his  resignation  as  cashier 
on  account  of  entering  into  the  ministry,  whereupon  the  board  accepted  his  resig* 
nation  and  elected  officers  to  fill  vacancies  as  follows :  P.  N.  Granville,  cashier, 
H.  E.  Olson,  assistant  cashier,  and  O.  E.  Peterson,  bookkeeper.  At  the  regular 
meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  of  July  8,  1895,  the  bank  statement  was  read 
showing  an  undivided  profit  of  $8,000.00,  whereupon  a  motion  .was  made  and 
carried  to  pay  a  dividend  of  three  per  cent  to  stockholders  and  place  $5,000.00 
into  a  surplus  fund.  This  was  the  first  dividend  of  this  new  bank. 


V;\:;:  /    ^--    "^VV    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      y     ^         '          471      ./ 

The  need  of  a  large  working  force  was  being  more  manifest  and  on  April  i,  ;? 
1893,  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Craig,  then  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Altona,  was  elected  to  fill      '.; 

the  position  of  teller.  ''. : 

At  the  annual  stockholders'  meeting  of  Jan.  2,  1905,  Major  H.  H.  Clay  .was     ;.  ?; 
elected  director  in  place  of  A.  O.  Peterson,  who  retired  from  the  board. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1895,  Judge  Craig  informed  the  board  that  he  had  -\  . 
procured  a  lease  of  the  corner  store  room  of  the  Fraternity  hall  building,  then  oc-  '•:^/ 
cupied  as  a  drug  store,  for  a  term  of  ten  years,  beginning  February,  1897. 

On  Feb.  5,  1896,  occurred  the  death  of  Mr.  George  H.  Craig,  teller  of  the  ..  ^ 

bank.     His  courteous  and  kindly  disposition  had  endeared  him  to  all  concerned  '.v 

and  it  was  a  severe  blow  to  his  father.  Judge  Craig,  the  president  of  the  bank.  ': :  : 

Mr.  O.  E.  Peterson  was  elected  teller,  to  fill  the  vacancy  and  Mr.  Alfred  J.  Peter-  •-  .,: 

son  was  employed  as  bookkeeper.    On  March  28,  1896,  occurred  the  death  of  Mr.  •'   i 

Olof  Hawkinson,  one  of  our  directors,  and  the  vacancy  was  not  filled  until  the  ';  . 
annual  meeting  in  January,   1897,  at  which  time  Mr.  Nels  M.   Burgland  was     '  . 

elected  a  director  in  his  stead.  '  1 

The  bank  having  leased  the  corner  store  room  of  the  Covenant  Mutual  Asso- 
ciation building,  comer  of  Main  and  Kellogg  street,  proceeded  to  erect  a  vault 
therein  and  on  Feb.  i,  1897,  moved  into  the  more  desirable  and  lighter  room. 

At  this  time  the  following  statement  of  the  condition  of  the  bank  was  shown:  , . 


./  ;  L       '        ..    ;         Statement,  Feb.  6,  1897.                       •    '•  ' 

Resources.  -                                                 Liabilities.  :   .  v. 

Loans  and  discounts $255,123.07  Capital  stock $100,000.00 

Overdrafts   4,503.38  Surplus  40,000.00 

Real  estate 16,000.00  Undivided  profits i,i  10.23 

Furniture  and  fixtures 1,425.00  Dividends  unpaid 1,035.00 

Checks  and  cash  items 22,020.71  Deposits   182,185.70 

Cash  and  sight  exchange . . .     24,808.46 

Current  expenses 45O-3i  t  ' 


Total  assets $324,330.93  Total  assets $324,330.93 

At  the  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  following  the  annual  stockholders' 
meeting  of  Jan.  3,  1898,  Mr.  Peter  Nelson,  then  vice-president,  placed  in  nomina- 
tion director  N.  O.  G.  Johnson  for  that  office  and  he  was  elected  vice-president 
for  the  ensuing  year,  the  other  officers  all  being  re-elected  to  their  respective 
offices.  During  the  year  of  1900,  directors  Peter  Nelson  and  W.  H.  Smollinger 
having  disposed  of  their  bank  stock,  left  a  vacancy  in  the  board,  which  remained 
as  such  until  the  annual  stockholders'  meeting  of  Jan.  7,  1901,  at  which  time 
Messrs.  Thos.  W.  Peterson  and  William  Bumside  were  elected  to  fill  said  vacan- 


During  the  year  1901,  the  work  increased  so  it  became  necessary  to  procure  -• -i 
more  help  and  in  June  of  1901,  Mr.  Arvid  P.  Zetterberg  was  added  to  the  force 

as  bookkeeper.  ':     ' 

:.     October  3,  1901,  being  our  tenth  anniversary  as  an  incorporated  bank,  we  ,.;,,'  ~ 

made  the  following  statement:  -          ....•.«  !.,^ 


472  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Resources.  Liabilities. 

Loans  and  discounts $761,170.02  Capital  stock $100,000.00 

Overdrafts   7,286.31  Surplus  fund 50,000.00 

Furniture  and  fixtures 1,000.00  Undivided  profits 16,750.68 

Bonds 31,400.00  Dividends  unpaid 1,095.00 

Real  estate 10,000.00  Deposits 789,323.82 

Checks  and  cash  items 3,335-95  .,.  •  ,.   ,. ,    - ,                        ,  ..  ,.  . 

Cash  and  sight  exchange ...    142,977.22  .'.'/;.  JtV 


Total  assets $957,169.50  Total  assets $957,i'59.5O 

In  August,  1902,  Mr.  A.  P.  Zetterberg  having  resigned  as  bookkeeper  to  enter 
college,  Mr.  Lawrence  D.  Johnson  was  chosen  to  take  position  of  bookkeeper. 

At  the  directors'  meeting  of  Dec.  22,  1902,  occurred  an  announcement  that 
took  the  board  by  surprise.  The  president,  Hon.  A.  M.  Craig,  stated  he  had  pur- 
chased from  Stewart  Goodrell,  receiver  of  the  Covenant  Mutual  Life  Association, 
lot  six  (6),  block  twenty-eight  (28)  for  the  sum  of  forty-six  thousand  dollars, 
for  the  bank  if  the  directors  chose  to  confirm  it,  otherwise  he  would  keep  it.  The 
directors  promptly  approved  the  action  and  authorized  the  cashier,  P.  N.  Gran- 
ville,  to  pay  the  purchase  money.  This  lot  was  66  ft.  by  165  ft.  deep,  covered  by 
a  building,  a  part  being  six  stories  in  height,  the  front  part  being  three  stories. 
This  purchase  made  safe  our  bank  location,  as  we  occupied  the  corner  store  room 
of  said  building  and  special  gratitude  was  voiced  to  Judge  Craig  in  the  meeting  re- 
garding the  purchase. 

At  the  annual  stockholders'  meeting  of  January,  1903,  Mr.  J.  R.  Lindgren  was 
called  upon  to  act  as  director  in  place  of  director  M.  O.  Williamson,  resigned.  In 
April,  1903,  Mr.  O.  E.  Peterson  resigned  his  position  as  teller  to  accept  the  posi- 
tion of  cashiership  of  the  newly  organized  State  Bank  of  Victoria.  The  resignation 
was  accepted  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Peterson  was  elected  to  fill  the  position  of  teller 
vacated  by  Mr.  O.  E.  Peterson,  and  Mr.  A.  M.  Johnson  was  employed  as  assistant 
bookkeeper.  •  :.-  ••;.'• 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  January,  1904,  Mr.  William  Coffman  was  elected 
director  to  succeed  Mr.  J.  R.  Lindgren  of  Chicago.  On  March  6,  1904,  Mr. 
Henry  E.  Olson,  assistant  cashier,  was  called  away  by  death  and  the  office  of 
assistant  cashier  remained  vacant  until  October  of  the  same  year,  at  which  time 
Mr.  Chas.  E.  Johnson,  teller  of  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank,  was  elected 
assistant  cashier  to  fill  vacancy. 

August,  1905,  H.  N.  Bloomquist  was  employed  as  collector.  During  the  year, 
1906,  director  Nels  M.  Burgland  disposed  of  his  bank  holdings  and  at  the  next 
annual  stockholders'  meeting  (Jan.  7,  1907)  Mr.  Charles  C.  Craig  was  elected 
director  to  fill  vacancy,  and  in  June,  1909,  Mr.  Leonard  Streedain  was  added  to 
the  office  force. 

The  need  for  more  banking  room  was  being  felt  daily  but  owing  to  the  fact  of 
long  leases  held  by  tenants,  the  attempt  was  delayed.  The  lease  of  the  Galesburg 
Business  Men's  Club,  who  were  occupying  the  whole  third  fioor  space  of  the 
building,  would  expire  in  December,  1910,  and  as  they  were  putting  up  a  building 
of  their  own,  the  directors  decided  this  to  be  a  good  time  to  remodel  the  whole 


•  :    ,  '  BANK  OF  GALESBUKG  BUILDING  '  .    :  .    •       . 

Located  on   the  corner  of  Main  and   Kellogg   Streets.      Building  erected  in   1886.     Remodeled   in   191S. 
Bank  established  in   1889.     Capital,  $125,000.      Surplus  fund,  $325,000. 


472        .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•'.'--.••)'.'  .  ,       '-  ;'',.-*' 

.,  .  .-  Resources.  '    '.  Liabilities. 

Loans  and  discounts $761,170.02  Capital  stock $100,000.00 

Overdrafts   7,286.31  Surplus  fund 50,000.00  .-' 

Furniture  and  fixtures 1,000.00  Undivided  profits 16,750.68  ' 

Bonds 31,400.00  Dividends  unpaid 1,095.00    • 

Real  estate 10,000.00  Deposits 789,323.82  '•] 

Checks  and  cash  items 3.335-95  .  .  ...  .   .    ..          . 

Cash  and  sight  exchange.  ..    142,977.22  ^  '.  .  '      •;        ,\ 


Total  assets $957,169.50  Total  assets $957,i^-5O    '-    .: 

In  August.  1902,  Mr.  A.  P.  Zetterberg  having  resigned  as  bookkeeper  to  enter  .     .V 

^'  r    f     ' 

college,  Mr.  Lawrence  D.  Johnson  was  chosen  to  take  position  of  bookkeeper.         ,   -.-' 

At  the  directors'  meeting  of  Dec.  22,  1902,  occurred  an  announcement  that      .   '. 
took  the  board  by  surprise.    The  president,  Hon.  A.  M.  Craig,  stated  he  had  pur-  .  ':• 
chased  from  Stewart  Goodrell,  receiver  of  the  Covenant  Mutual  Life  Association,  ' ,     . 
lot  six  (6),  block  twenty-eight  (28)  for  the  sum  of  forty-six  thousand  dollars,          ^ 
for  the  bank  if  the  directors  chose  to  confirm  it,  otherwise  he  would  keep  it.    The  ' ;    v' 
directors  promptly  approved  the  action  and  authorized  the  cashier,  P.  N.  Gran-  .'     'V 
ville,  to  pay  the  purchase  money.    This  lot  was  66  ft.  by  165  ft.  deep,  covered  by    •.    .  „ 
a  building,  a  part  being  six  stories  in  height,  the  front  part  being  three  stories.      ; ,    ; 
This  purchase  made  safe  our  bank  location,  as  we  occupied  the  corner  store  room         .-; 
of  said  building  and  special  gratitude  was  voiced  to  Judge  Craig  in  the  meeting  re-       ,  - 
garding  the  purchase.  'v  .;' 

At  the  annual  stockholders'  meeting  of  January,  1903,  Mr.  J.  R.  Lindgren  was   •:•';• 
called  upon  to  act  as  director  in  place  of  director  M.  O.  Williamson,  resigned.    In  ,   .^ 
April,  1903,  Mr.  O.  E.  Peterson  resigned  his  position  as  teller  to  accept  the  posi-  ;  ;:    V 
tion  of  cashiership  of  the  newly  organized  State  Hank  of  \'ictoria.    The  resignation        ; 
was  accepted  and  Mr.  A.  J.  Peterson  was  elected  to  fill  the  position  of  teller    .    ,' 
vacated  by  Mr.  O.  E.  Peterson,  and  Mr.  A.  M.  Johnson  was  employed  as  assistant  ;   :. 
bookkeeper.  ^  ,  '..-.;•  V  "I       v     .'       '    > 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  January,  1904,  Mr.  William  Coffman  was  elected 
director  to  succeed  Mr.  J.  R.  Lindgren  of  Chicago.     On  March  6,   1904,  Mr.          , 
Henry  E.  Olson,  assistant  cashier,  was  called  away  by  death  and  the  office  of  •  '  /  . 
assistant  cashier  remained  vacant  imtil  October  of  the  same  year,  at  which  time  '  .> 
Mr.  Chas.  E.  Johnson,  teller  of  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank,  was  elected  '   . 
assistant  cashier  to  fill  vacancy.  1    i 

August.  1905.  H.  N.  Bloomquist  was  employed  as  collector.    During  the  year,  •  ' 
1906.  director  Xels  M.  Burgland  disposed  of  his  bank  holdings  and  at  the  next  '  '   . 
annual  stockholders'  meeting   (Jan.  7.   1907)    Mr.  Charles  C.  Craig  was  elected 
director  to  fill  vacancy,  and  in  June,  1909,  Mr.  Leonard  Streedain  was  added  to  .''      . 
the  office  force.  '      . 

The  need  for  more  banking  room  was  being  felt  daily  but  owing  to  the  fact  of    ;  : : 
long  leases  held  by  tenants,  the  attempt  was  delayed.    The  lease  of  the  Galesburg  ..    ; 
Business  Men's  Club,  who  were  occupying  the  whole  third  floor  space  of  the  ;.^    > 
building,  would  expire  in  December,  1910,  and  as  they  were  putting  up  a  building  '     : .  :' 
of  their  own,  the  directors  decided  this  to  be  a  good  time  to  remodel  the  whole  ;:,.>•- 


;       'V  '    '  ISANK  OK  GALKSnUKG  BUILDING  ''..,;    \  V: 

Located   on   the  corner  of  Main   and    Kcllopg   Streets.      Hnilding  erected   in   188fi.     Remodeled   in    I9I8. 
Bank  estalilished   in   1«(<'J.     Capital,   $U'.'i.(tOO.      Suri)lus   fund,  $325,000. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  473 

building,  enlarge  the  banking  room,  which  was  sorely  needed,  and  make  such 
alterations  as  would  make  the  building  a  modern  one  in  all  respects.  With  this 
end  in  view  Hon,  A.  M.  Craig,  president  of  the  bank,  at  a  meeting  of  the  board  of 
directors.  May  i6,  1910,  presented  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted 
unanimously: 

"Resolved,  That  Chas.  E.  Johnson  and  Directors  H.  H.  Clay,  C.  C.  Craig,  P. 
N.  Granville  and  S.  R.  Swanson  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  committee  to  ex- 
amine Bank  of  Galesburg  building,  report  to  the  board  what  changes  should  be 
made  and  the  cost;  and  they  are  further  authorized  to  employ  an  architect  to 
assist  in  the  investigation,  procure  plans,  etc.,"  which  resolution  was  carried  into 
effect  and  preliminary  work  started. 

In  1910,  A.  M.  Johnson  and  H.  N.  Bloomquist,  bookkeeper  and  assistant  book- 
keeper, resigned  to  accept  other  positions.  R.  A.  Christenson  was  employed  as 
collector. 

At  the  directors'  meeting  held  Sept.  19,  1910,  Hon.  A.  M.  Craig,  president  of 
the  board,  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  capital  stock  should  be  increased 
from  $100,000.00  to  $125,000.00  in  view  of  improvements  contemplated,  and  to 
better  facilitate  the  enlarged  business  demands.  Directors  C.  C.  Craig,  P.  N. 
Granville,  and  T.  W.  Peterson  were  then  appointed  a  committee  with  authority  to 
prepare  necessary  papers,  fix  time  of  a  stockholders'  meeting  to  vote  on  the  ques- 
tion, etc.  Oct.  31,  1910,  was  the  time  fixed,  and  915  votes  were  cast  in  favor  of 
the  proposed  increase  at  the  meeting  held  Oct.  31,  1910,  and  at  the  meeting  held 
I>ec.  5,  1910,  the  total  shares  of  the  increased  stock  was  reported  as  having  been 
subscribed  for  payment  to  be  made  by  Jan.  3,  1911.  On  March  6,  1911,  the  board 
of  directors  authorized  the  building  committee  to  enter  into  a  contract  with  the 
Diebold  Safe  &  Lock  Co.,  of  Canton,  Ohio,  to  build  a  concrete  steel  re-inforced 
vault,  with  steel  lining  and  two  steel  vault  doors,  as  per  specifications  and  at  the 
next  meeting  authorized  the  sam^  committee  to  contract  with  the  Wollaeger 
Manufacturing  Co.,  of  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  to  build  and  furnish  bank  fixtures  for 
new  banking  room,  which  fixtures  were  to  be  of  marble  and  bronze  as  shown  in 
specifications  furnished. 

At  the  directors'  meeting  April  17,  1911,  on  motion  of  Director  Granville,  it 
was  carried  unanimously  that  two  stories  be  added  to  the  front  part  of  the  bank 
building  to  correspond  with  the  five  story  part  in  the  rear  and  also  that  an  expert 
opinion  be  secured  from  some  civil  engineer  firm  in  Chicago  as  to  strength  of 
foundations,  walls  and  columns  of  the  present  building,  and  on  April  20,  1911. 
Messrs.  E.  C.  and  R.  M.  Shankland  Civil  Engineers  Company  of  Chicago  made 
such  examination  very  thoroughly  and  pronounced  it  perfectly  safe.  Architect 
N.  K.  Aldrich  was  then  authorized  to  prepare  plans  and  specifications  and  place  in 
hands  of  contractors  for  bids  on  July  lO,  1911.  Bids  were  received  and  shortly 
thereafter  were  given  to  lowest  bidders  as  follows :  Building  contract  to  Mr.  M. 
E.  Sweeney ;  plumbing,  heating,  etc.,  to  Mr.  Oscar  Hvarven ;  and  electric  lighting 
to  Mr.  F.  J.  Nelson.  In  August,  1911,  the  work  increased  and  Miss  Alma  Palm- 
quist  was  employed  as  stenographer. 

August  28,  1911,  was  the  last  meeting  presided  over  by  the  Hon.  A.  M.  Craig 
of  this  board  of  directors.  During  the  week  he  contracted  a  heavy  cold,  and 
although  he  visited  the  bank  every  day  including  Saturday,  September  2nd,  that 


474  ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

night  at  midnight  he  became  partially  unconscious  and  died  Wednesday  evening, 
Sept.  6,  1911,  beloved  and  revered  by  his  many  associates  and  acquaintances.  He 
had  during  his  long  life  of  8i  years  acquired  both  a  national  and  state  wide 
reputation  as  lawyer,  judge  and  jurist.  His  banking  associates  felt  his  loss  keenly. 
His  ripe  judgment  in  business  affairs,  his  ability  as  a  lawyer  and  adviser  and  his 
standing  as  an  exponent  of  honesty  and  fair  dealing  was  universally  known  and 
his  financial  worth  and  standing  conceded.  His  finances  were  left  in  good  condi- 
tion to  his  two  sons,  Messrs.  Harvey  A.  and  Charles  C.  Craig,  who  were  well 
fitted  by  education  and  ability  to  carry  on  his  affairs.  The  board  of  directors  at 
their  meeting,  Sept.  ii,  1911,  unanimously  made  choice  of  Director  Charles  C. 
Craig  to  become  the  president  of  Bank  of  Galesburg  to  succeed  his  father.  At 
the  same  meeting  Mr.  Chas.  E.  Johnson  was  chosen  a  director  to  fill  vacancy  in 
the  board. 

October  5,  1911,  was  the  2Oth  anniversary  of  this  bank,  and  at  the  close  of 
business  that  day  the  following  statement  was  shown : 

Resources  Liabilities 

Loans  and  discounts. .  .$1,227,454.13  Capital  stock   $    125,000.00 

Overdrafts    12,616.67  Surplus  fund  325,000.00 

Bonds 16,000.00  Undivided  profits    3,569.86 

Banking  house 54,000.00  Dividends  unpaid   150.00 

Checks  and  cash  items.        15,141.90  Reserved  for  taxes  &  int.          5,488.54 

Cash  and  sight  exchange      147,192.57  Deposits  $1,013,197.17 


$1,472,405.57  $1,472,405.57 

Since  the  time  of  incorporation  the  Bank  of  Galesburg  has  distributed  and 
paid  these  princely  amounts  besides  acquiring  a  surplus  fund,  viz: 

Paid  interest  to  its  depositors  the  sum  of $287,967.81 

Paid  in  taxes  the  sum  of 43,793.14 

.;  Paid  dividends  to  stockholders  the  sum  of 96,500.00 


Grand  total   $428,260.95 

At  the  annual  stockholders'  meeting,  January  8,  1912,  the  following  were 
elected  directors  for  the  ensuing  year :  C.  C.  Craig,  N.  O.  G.  Johnson,  Thos.  W. 
Peterson,  S.  R.  Swanson,  H-  H.  Clay,  Wm.  Coffman,  Wm.  Burnside  and  P.  N. 
Granville,  and  they  elected  the  following  officers  and  authorized  the  following 
employees : 

Charles  C.  Craig,  president;  N.  O.  G.  Johnson,  vice  president;  P.  N.  Gran- 
ville, cashier  and  secretary ;  Chas.  E.  Johnson,  asst.  cashier ;  L.  D.  Johnson  and 
A.  J.  Peterson,  tellers ;  Leonard  H.  Streedain,  bookkeeper ;  R.  A.  Christenson,  asst. 
bookkeeper;  Miss  Alma  Palmquist,  stenographer. 

At  this  writing  the  bank  building  is  nearing  completion  and  with  more  room 
and  better  facilities,  the  bank  will  have  even  greater  opportunities  to  serve  the 
people  and  business  interests  of  Galesburg  and  vicinity  than  in  the  past. 

THE    FARMERS    &    MECHANICS    BANK 

This  bank  was  organized  in  1869,  and  its  charter  was  granted  by  a  special 


'.'*.J  ''    -  '*   '•. '  - 

••if.:..'  '    '•'..,;  :- 
•  •'•  , , ;  '  X  -  •'.    ; 


474         -r  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         -    '      • 

night  at  midnight  he  became  partially  unconscious  and  died  Wednesday  evening, 
Sept.  6,  1911,  beloved  and  revered  by  his  many  associates  and  acquaintances.  He 
had  during  his  long  life  of  8i  years  acquired  both  a  national  and  state  wide 
reputation  as  lawyer,  judge  and  jurist.  His  banking  associates  felt  his  loss  keenly. 
His  ripe  judgment  in  business  affairs,  his  ability  as  a  lawyer  and  adviser  and  his 
standing  as  an  exponent  of  honesty  and  fair  dealing  was  universally  known  and 
his  financial  worth  and  standing  conceded.  His  finances  were  left  in  good  condi- 
tion to  his  two  sons,  Messrs.  Harvey  A.  and  Charles  C.  Craig,  who  were  well 
fitted  by  education  and  ability  to  carry  on  his  affairs.  The  board  of  directors  at 
their  meeting,  Sept.  ii,  1911,  unanimously  made  choice  of  Director  Charles  C. 
Craig  to  become  the  president  of  Bank  of  Galesburg  to  succeed  his  father.  At 
the  same  meeting  Mr.  Chas.  E.  Johnson  was  chosen  a  director  to  fill  vacancy  in 
the  board. 

October  5,  1911,  was  the  2Oth  anniversary  of  this  bank,  and  at  the  close  of 
business  that  day  the  following  statement  was  shown : 

Resources  Liabilities 

Loans   and   discounts. .  .$1,227,454.13  Capital  stock    $    125,000.0x3 

Overdrafts    12,616.67  Surplus  fund    325,000.00 

Bonds 16,000.00  Undivided  profits   3,569.86 

Banking  house   54,000.00  Dividends  unpaid    150.00 

Checks  and  cash  items.        15,141.90  Reserved  for  taxes  &  int.          5,488.54 

Cash  and  sight  exchange      147,192.57  Deposits   $1,013,197.17 


7          '      •:^-.  •.•-.'•-.     :^  $1,472,405.57 

Since  the  time  of  incorporation  the  Bank  of  Galesburg  has  distributed  and 
paid  these  princely  amounts  besides  acquiring  a  surplus  fund,  viz : 

Paid  interest  to  its  depositors  the  sum  of $287,967.81  • 

' ;      Paid  in  taxes  the  sum  of 43,793.14       !   . 

Paid  dividends  to  stockholders  the  sum  of 96,500.00 


Grand  total $428,260.95 

At  the  annual  stockholders'  meeting,  January  8,    1912,  the   following  were 

elected  directors  for  the  ensuing  year:    C.  C.  Craig,  N.  O.  G.  Johnson,  Thos.  W. 

Peterson,  S.  R.  Swanson,  H-  H.  Clay,  Wm.  Coffman,  Wm.  Burnside  and  P.  N. 

Granville,  and  they  elected  the  following  officers  and  authorized  the  following 

employees : 

Charles  C.  Craig,  president;  N.  O.  G.  Johnson,  vice  president;  P.  N.  Gran-     • 

ville,  cashier  and  secretary ;  Chas.  E.  Johnson,  asst.  cashier ;  L.  D.  Johnson  and 

A.  J.  Peterson,  tellers  ;  Leonard  H.  Streedain,  bookkeeper;  R.  A.  Christenson,  asst. 

bookkeeper;  Miss  Alma  Palmquist,  stenographer. 

At  this  writing  the  bank  building  is  nearing  completion  and  with  more  room 

and  better  facilities,  the  bank  will  have  even  greater  opportunities  to  serve  the 

people  and  business  interests  of  Galesburg  and  vicinity  than  in  the  past.     ..  > 

:    '^;--      '  .  THE    FARMERS    &    MECHANICS    BANK  '     .         4  :. 

This  bank  was  organized  in  1869,  and  its  charter  was  granted  by  a  special 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  475 

act  of  the  legislature  which  was  permissible  before  the  adoption  of  the  Constitu- 
tion of  1870.  Its  charter  is  perpetual. 

The  original  incorporators  were:  Charles  E.  Grant,  Marcus  Belden,  Andrew 
S.  Hoover,  E.  R.  Adams,  Timothy  Nash,  John  B.  Colton,  Alfred  KitcheU,  A.  C. 
Clay,  Chauncey  S.  Colton,  H.  S.  Hurd,  Chas.  Brechwald. 

The  capital  stock  of  the  bank  was  for  many  years  $100,000.00,  but  in  1891  the 
capital  of  same  was  increased  to  $200,000.00. 

The  first  board  of  directors  were :  C.  S.  Colton,  C.  E.  Grant,  Marcus  Belden, 
H.  S.  Hurd,  J.  B.  Colton,  O.  T.  Johnson,  A.  S.  Hoover,  W.  H,  Little,  E.  R. 
Adams. 

The  presidents  of  this  bank  since  its  organization  have  been  as  follows,  and 
in  the  order  named,  to-wit:  Chauncey  S.  Colton,  Francis  Colton,  J.  L.  Burk- 
halter,  L.  A.  Townsend. 

The  cashiers  of  the  bank  since  its  organization  have  been  as  follows,  and  in 
the  order  named,  to-wit:  W.  M.  Provine,  W.  H.  Little,  P.  F.  Brown,  Ion  Die- 
terich,  L.  F.  Wertman,  L.  A.  Townsend,  S.  V.  Stuckey.  The  present  officers  and 
•  assistants  are  as  follows :  L.  A.  Townsend,  president ;  G.  D.  Crocker,  vice  presi- 
dent; S.  V.  Stuckey,  cashier;  F.  N.  Gay,  asst.  cashier;  Axel  Gabrielson,  asst. 
cashier;  F.  O.  Gustafson,  bookkeeper;  E.  M.  Velander,  asst.  bookkeeper;  Minnie 
Chelburg,  stenographer.  The  present  board  of  directors  are  as  follows:  L.  A. 
Townsend,  G.  D.  Crocker,  S.  V.  Stuckey,  J.  D.  Welsh,  F.  S.  Bartlett,  J.  R. 
Young,  F.  A.  Dean,  J.  W.  Grubb,  H.  F.  Drury. 

The  home  of  this  bank  up  to  1903  was  in  the  Union  hotel  block,  but  in  the 
spring  of  1903  it  purchased  the  old  Second  National  Bank  property  on  the  comer 
of  Cherry  and  Main  streets,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  it  moved  into  this  build- 
ing, where  it  is  now  located. 

It  is  one  of  the  old  "land  marks"  in  the  financial  history  of  this  county,  and 
has  always  been  a  factor  and  closely  identified  with  the  enterprise,  growth  and 
improvements  of  this  city  and  surrounding  country. 

PEOPLE'S  TRUST  &  SAVINGS  BANK,  GALESBURG,  ILI,. 

The  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  had  its  birth  in  the  banking  room  occu- 
pied by  the  old  Second  National  Bank,  at  the  northwest  comer  of  Main  and 
Cherry  streets,  in  the  year  1900.  This  bank  has  grown  from  a  small  institution 
doing  an  exclusive  savings  business,  to  one  of  the  largest  banks  in  this  part  of 
the  state,  transacting  business  in  all  its  branches  and  having  a  large  trust  de- 
partment. 

The  history  of  the  People's  Tmst  &  Savings  Bank  would  be  incomplete  with- 
out going  into  the  history  of  the  Second  National  Bank,  whose  business  they 
eventually  succeeded  to,  and  who  had  occupied  the  same  building  for  forty  years. 
Before  the  organization  of  the  Second  National  Bank  in  1864,  the  bank  building 
had  been  occupied  and  had  been  running  as  a  private  bank,  known  as  Reed's 
Bank,  Mr.  A.  D.  Reed  being  head  of  the  institution.  Mr.  Reed  had  been  promi- 
nent in  financial  circles  in  Galesburg's  early  days,  he  having  built  the  large  home 
now  occupied  by  Mr.  A.  Dean  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Maple  ave. 
Mr.  Reed,  after  the  organization  of  the  Second  National  Bank,  went  to  Chicago 
and  there  organized  the  City  National  Bank  of  Chicago. 

Prominent  in  the  organization  of  the  Second  National  Bank  were  the  sturdy 


476  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

financiers  and  pioneers  of  Galesburg,  among  whom  being  J.  P.  Frost,  organizer 
of  the  Frost  Manufacturing  Company;  Edwin  Post,  the  leading  lumber  man; 
Geo.  W.  Brown,  the  inventor  of  the  Brown  Corn  Planter;  Henry  Hitchcock, 
superintendent  of  the  Burlington  road;  Martin  Gay,  Josiah  Babcock,  J.  F.  Stilson, 
A.  N.  Bancroft,  father  of  Edgar  Bancroft,  Alfred  Knowles,  Andrew  Harrington, 

A.  C.  Reed,  Albert  Watkins,  Norman  Anthony,  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  Job  Swift, 
David  Sanborn,  W.  H.  Browning. 

The  Second  National  Bank  had  a  prosperous  career,  doing  business  forty 
years,  never  missing  a  dividend.  This  bank  had  much  to  do  with  the  building 
up  of  our  industrial  and  educational  institutions.  At  the  expiration  of  its  forty 
years  of  existence,  the  charter  having  expired  in  the  year  1903,  it  was  thought 
best  by  the  directors  to  close  the  affairs  of  the  Second  National  Bank,  their  stock 
having  been  scattered  throughout  the  United  States,  and  there  being  very  few 
local  stockholders  to  help  carry  on  the  business.  The  splendid  prosperity  of  the 
Second  National  Bank  was  due  to  its  strict  adherence  to  rules  of  conservative 
banking  and  its  fair  dealing. 

Among  the  splendid  men  who  had  been  prominent  in  the  management  of  the 
Second  National  Bank,  and  to  a  great  extent  responsible  for  its  prosperity,  were 
David  Sanborn,  a  man  of  broad  intellect  and  splendid  financial  ability;  Mr.  J.  T. 
McKnight,  now  well  known  as  the  most  prominent  figure  in  Galesburg's  financial 
world;  Mr.  Albert  J.  Perry,  for  fourteen  years  president  of  the  bank,  and  Mr. 
J.  G.  Vivion,  for  a  number  of  years  cashier  and  acting  manager  of  the  bank. 

The  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  had  been  doing  business  in  the  banking 
room  of  the  Second  National  Bank  since  the  year  1900.  Among  those  prominent 
in  the  organization  of  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  were  the  following 
well-known  citizens  and  representatives  in  the  financial  world :  J.  T.  McKnight, 
J.  K.  Mitchell,  Hon.  E.  A.  Bancroft,  J.  G.  Vivion,  S.  B.  and  Andrew  Harrington, 
Judge  P.  S.  Post,  J.  C.  Simpson,  Lake  W.  Sanborn,  Judge  G.  W.  Thompson,  W. 

B.  Throop,  G.  K.  Pittard,  W.  A.  Armstrong. 

The  first  board  of  directors  of  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  were 
Messrs.  J.  K.  Mitchell,  J.  T.  McKnight,  P.  S.  Post,  Frank  H.  Johnson,  A.  D. 
Schultz,  W.  B.  Throop,  J.  G.  Vivion. 

The  founders  of  the  bank  felt  that  no  institution  could  be  organized  that 
would  do  more  good  for  the  people  at  large  than  a  large  savings  institution, 
their  idea  being  to  teach  economy,  saving  and  thrift,  these  being  considered  kin- 
dred to  the  home,  the  school,  and  the  church,  for  the  good  of  the  community  and 
the  state;  it  being  especially  desired  to  seek  the  children's  accounts,  in  fact,  the 
idea  was  to  make  this  a  people's  bank,  where  all  people,  farmers,  merchants, 
professional  men,  the  laborers,  in  fact  all  men,  women  and  children  could  have  a 
banking  home,  and  receive  profits  on  their  deposits  whether  large  or  small. 

The  first  officers  of  the  bank  were  as  follows:  J.  K.  Mitchell,  president; 
P.  S.  Post,  vice  president ;  J.  G.  Vivion,  cashier. 

The  affairs  of  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  went  on  prosperously, 
there  being  a  steady  increase  in  deposits.  The  bank  did  exclusively  a  savings 
bank  business  until  the  year  1903,  when  as  above  stated,  the  charter  of  the  Second 
National  Bank  having  expired,  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  took  over  their 
loans,  paying  for  the  same  in  cash.  Most  of  the  depositors  of  the  Second  Na- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  477 

tional  Bank  transferred  their  business  to  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank. 
The  bank  at  this  time  opened  a  commercial  department. 

In  1903  there  had  been  organized  a  new  bank  in  Galesburg,  known  as  the 
Galesburg  Trust  &  Savings  Bank.  A  conference  was  held  between  the  parties 
representing  the  Galesburg  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  and  the  officers  and  directors 
of  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank,  and  a  union  of  the  two  banks  into  one 
large  strong  bank  was  decided  upon.  The  capital  at  this  time  was  increased  from 
$100,000.00  to  $250,000.00,  thus  making  it  one  of  the  strongest  banks  in  central 
Illinois.  The  new  officers  of  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank,  after  this  com- 
bination, were :  Hon.  M.  O.  Williamson,  president ;  J.  G.  Vivion,  vice  president, 
and  H.  J.  Butt,  cashier.  The  directors  were :  M.  O.  Williamson,  H.  J.  Butt,  Geo. 
W.  Gale,  S.  L.  Charles,  H.  D.  Judson,  J.  C.  Simpson,  A.  F.  Paden,  J.  T.  McKnight, 
J.  G.  Vivion,  J.  K.  Mitchell  and  W.  S.  Purington. 

The  bank  has  had  continuous  prosperity  since  the  time  of  its  organization, 
their  business  growing  and  expanding  and  filling  a  larger  and  larger  share  in  the 
financial  affairs  of  the  city  of  Galesburg,  until  at  the  present  time  the  bank  has 
the  largest  deposits  of  any  bank  in  the  city,  or  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

The  bank  has  in  connection  with  the  banking  business  a  trust  department, 
through  which  they  are  authorized  by  the  state  to  act  as  executors,  administrators, 
guardians,  conservators,  or  handle  trusts.  This  department  has  grown  very  popu- 
lar, some  very  large  estates  having  been  settled,  and  are  now  in  course  of  settle- 
ment through  the  bank ;  this  being  acknowledged  the  most  economical  and  safest 
way  of  handling  an  estate.  :V: 

The  officers  of  the  bank  at  the  present  time  are:  M.  O.  Williamson,  presi- 
dent; J.  T.  McKnight,  vice  president;  W.  A.  Armstrong,  cashier;  H.  E.  Hanlon, 
assistant  cashier. 

The  directors  are :  John  H.  Lewis,  Jr.,  Geo.  W.  Thompson,  Samuel  L.  Charles, 
James  O'Connor,  G.  W.  Gale,  C.  F.  Hurburgh,  A.  F.  Paden,  W.  H.  Pankey,  J.  J. 
Welsh,  M.  O.  Williamson  and  J.  T.  McKnight.  ;:;.: 

MAQUON    STATE    BANK  ,  ; 


The  Maquon  State  Bank  was  the  outgrowth  of  and  successor  to  the  bank  of 
Wm.  Swigart.  Mr.  Swlgart  began  his  private  bank  in  i88i.  His  sterling  business 
qualities,  backed  by  rich  holdings  of  real  estate,  gained  and  held  the  confidence  of 
the  community.  This  bank  continued  with  ever-increasing  prosperity  until  Sep- 
tember, 1903,  when  it  was  reorganized  and  chartered  as  the  Maquon  State  Bank 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $30,000.  First  officers  were:  Wm.  Swigart,  president; 
H.  F.  Townsend,  cashier.  Mr.  Swigart  still  continued  to  fill  the  office  of  presi- 
dent and  is,  at  the  age  of  almost  ninety  years,  active,  energetic  and  faithful  in  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  office.  The  other  officers  at  the  present  time  are: 
D.  S.  Hartsook,  vice  president ;  J.  E.  Shearer,  cashier. 

The  present  capital,  surplus  and  undivided  profits  amount  to  $43,000,  with  de- 
posits of  $160,000. 


478  ;    -       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

;  •:  •;      ,         THE   FIRST    NATIONAL   BANK,    MAQUON 

7       Commenced  business  December  24,  1906;  capital,  $35,000. 

Officers  during  the  years  1907  and  1908  were :  F.  C.  Bearmore,  president ;  John 
Wolf,  vice  president;  H.  F.  Townsend,  cashier. 

For  1909:  F.  C.  Bearmore,  president;  John  Wolf,  vice  president;  H.  F.  Han- 
Ion,  cashier. 

For  1910,  1911  and  to  this  date:  F.  C.  Bearmore,  president;  John  Wolf, 
vice  president ;  A.  S.  Potter,  cashier. 

Its  present  capital  is  $35,000;  surplus,  $8,000.  The  bank  has  the  confidence  of 
the  community  and  is  doing  a  prosperous  business. 

.  .  YATES  CITY.      \^ 

The  history  of  the  banking  business  of  Yates  City  began  in  the  fall  of  1871 
when  J.  M.  Taylor  and  Isaac  Lambert  opened  a  bank  in  the  rear  room  of  the 
brick  building,  which  had  been  built  during  the  summer  of  that  year  by  J.  H. 
Nicholson,  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Union  streets. 

The  bank  as  organized  at  this  time  was  known  as  the  Farmers  Bank,  and  J. 
M.  Taylor  held  the  position  of  president;  Isaac  Lambert,  vice  president,  and 
John  Lambert,  cashier.  It  was  a  private  institution,  therefore  did  not  publish  any 
statements  of  its  business,  hence  we  are  unable  to  state  what  its  capital  stock  was 
or  anything  more  concerning  the  details  of  the  business. 

Isaac  Lambert  did  not  continue  long  in  the  firm,  but  soon  withdrew  his  in- 
terest, leaving  J.  M.  Taylor  alone,  who  continued  for  some  years  and  had  at  one 
time  associated  with  him  James  McKeighan,  who  assisted  him  for  a  while  finan- 
cially. About  the  year  1878  or  1879,  Mr.  Taylor,  not  finding  the  business  as 
profitable  as  he  had  anticipated,  concluded  to  close  up  the. business.  This  he  ac- 
complished in  a  few  months'  time.  Then  he  moved  to  Iowa  where  he  again  em- 
barked in  the  same  line. 

At  this  time  there  seems  to  have  been  a  lapse  of  about  one  year  when  there 
was  no  bank  in  active  business,  but  on  August  i,  1880,  J.  H.  Nicholson,  W.  P. 
Parker  and  L.  F.  Wertman  bought  the  fixtures  formerly  used  by  J.  M.  Taylor 
and  Isaac  Lambert,  and  opened  a  bank  in  the  same  room  previously  used  for  that 
purpose,  also  under  the  same  name.  Farmers  Bank,  with  J.  H.  Nicholson,  presi- 
dent; W.  P.  Parker,  vice  president,  and  L.  F.  Wertman,  cashier.  They  had  no 
fixed  capital  stock  at  this  time,  btft  paid  yearly  dividends  from  the  earnings  of 
the  business  and  added  the  balance  to  the  stock. 

The  business  was  conducted  along  these  lines  for  the  next  nine  years  when 
in  1889,  W.  P.  Parker  and  L.  F.  Wertman  withdrew,  as  Mr.  Parker  did  not  desire 
to  continue  longer  in  the  business,  and  Mr.  Wertman  had  made  arrangements 
to  accept  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank  of  Galesburg, 
Illinois. 

The  bank  continued  in  its  usual  manner  from  this  time  and  was  conducted  by 
J.  H.  Nicholson  &  Company  as  proprietors,  J.  H.  Nicholson  being  president;  C. 
D.  North,  vice  president,  and  S.  C.  Ransom,  cashier.  Mr.  Ransom  remained 
in  this  position  until  November,  1890,  when  he  resigned  to  fill  the  office  of  super- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  479 

intendent  of  schools  of  Knox  county,  his  place  being  taken  by  J.  Mason  who  had 
been  for  many  years  a  resident  of  the  community  and  was  therefore  well  known 
to  the  customers  of  the  bank,  Mr.  Mason  continued  in  this  capacity  for  only 
about  one  year  when  he  resigned  to  enter  the  banking  business  for  himself  in  his 
home  town  of  Farmington,  Illinois. 

The  position  of  cashier  was  taken  up  at  this  time  by  F.  E.  Wilson  of  Knoxville, 
Illinois,  who  continued  to  fill  the  office  for  about  twelve  years  or  until  1903,  when 
he  also  resigned,  having  decided  to  open  a  bank  in  Knoxville,  Illinois.  During  the 
time  Mr.  Wilson  served  as  cashier,  the  business  increased  to  the  extent  that  more 
help  was  required,  and  E.  J.  H.  North  was  installed  as  assistant  cashier  in  which 
position  he  remained  until  Augfust,  1906. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Wilson  as  cashfer,  J.  Mason,  who  had  previously 
served  in  this  capacity  during  1890  and  1891,  was  called  upon  again  to  take  up 
the  work  and  he  remained  in  that  position  from  1903  until  August,  1906.  » 

In  1893,  J.  H.  Nicholson,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  J.  H.  Nicholson 
&  Company,  and  president  of  the  bank,  died  and  the  firm  name  was  changed  to 

C.  D.  North  &  Co.,  although  the  bank  continued  to  operate  as  the  Farmers  Bank. 
During  this  same  year,  1893,  it  became  necessary,  on  account  of  the  growing 

business,  to  provide  more  commodious  quarters  and  the  front  room  of  the  same 
building  in  which  the  business  was  being  conducted,  was  remodeled  along  modem 
lines;  a  new  plate  glass  front  being  put  in,  with  a  comer  entrance,  a  fireproof 
brick  vault  being  built,  large  enough  to  accommodate  a  burglar-proof  safe  and 
storage  room  for  valuable  papers,  also  modern  furniture  and  fixtures  and  all 
other  necessary  accoutrements  to  enable  the  business  to  be  handled  more  rapidly 
and  satisfactorily.  Previous  to  this  time,  the  money  and  valuable  papers  had  been 
kept  in  a  large  safe  as  they  had  no  vault,  and  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  their 
being  destroyed  by  fire,  an  open  top  cistern  had  been  built  directly  under  the 
safe,  in  the  basement,  with  the  expectation  that  in  case  of  fire,  the  safe  would 
fall  into  the  cistern,  thus  preventing  the  destruction  of  its  contents. 

The  business  was  continued  in  this  room  under  the  name.  Farmers  Bank,  C, 

D.  North  &  Company,  proprietors,  as  previously  stated,  until  August,  1906,  when 
it  united  with  the  Peoples  Bank,  as  will  be  described  later. 

During  the  summer  of  1889,  Walter  Bailey,  Henry  Hare  and  Robert  Fulton, 
all  men  of  considerable  wealth,  and  residents  of  Salem  and  Elba  townships,  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  decided  to  organize  and  operate  a  second  bank  in  Yates  City,  and 
accordingly  on  September  19,  1889,  all  necessary  arrangements  having  been  made, 
they  opened  for  business  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  brick  building  on  the  east 
half  of  lot  nine  in  block  twenty-two,  which  building  also  joined,  on  the  east,  the 
one  already  occupied  by  the  Farmers  Bank. 

The  paid-up  capital  stock  of  this  institution,  which  was  to  be  known  as  the 
Peoples  Bank,  was  $9,900,  and  Walter  Bailey  was  its  first  president  and  Robert 
Fulton  its  first  cashier.  The  business  was  conducted  by  these  three  men  until 
Mr.  Hare's  death  in  January,  1892,  his  interest  being  assumed  by  his  widow  who 
continued  as  a  partner  until  February,  1893,  when  she  sold  her  interest  to  L.  A. 
Lawrence  who  was  then  in  the  lumber  and  farm  implement  business  in  Yates 
City.  ::v:'':  ; 

Mr.  Fulton's  health  also  failed  at  this  time  and  he  died  in  February,  1893, 


480  :  ;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  his  widow  continued  in  the  business  until  September,  1895,  when  she  sold 
her  share  to  the  other  partners,  Walter  Bailey  and  L.  A.  Lawrence. 

The  next  change  to  occur  in  this  business  was  in  December,  1895,  when  Mr. 
Bailey,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  and  president  of  the  bank,  passed  away  on 
the  I4th  day  of  the  month  and  his  widow  assumed  his  interest  which  necessitated 
the  change  in  the  title  of  the  firm  from  Walter  Bailey  &  Company  to  Harriet  L. 
Bailey  &  Company. 

Mrs.  Bailey  was  connected  with  the  business  until  December,  1899,  when 
she  concluded  to  withdraw  and  sold  her  interest  to  L.  A.  Lawrence,  thus  giving 
him  full  control  of  the  business  and  her  name  was  at  this  time  dropped  from  the 
title  of  the  firm  which  was  from  that  time  until  August  i,  1906,  known  as  the 
Peoples  Bank,  L.  A.  Lawrence,  proprietor. 

During  the  spring  of  1906,  arrangements  were  made  between  the  proprietors 
of  the  Farmers  Bank  and  Peoples  Bank,  previously  described,  to  unite  and  ac- 
cordingly, on  August  I,  1906,  this  plan  was  consummated  and  the  business  of 
the  two  institutions  was  consolidated  into  the  bank  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$20,000,  under  the  name  of  Bank  of  Yates  City,  North,  Nicholson  &  Lawrence, 
proprietors,  in  the  room  previously  occupied  by  the  Farmers  Bank. 

Since  this  union  would  necessitate  more  and  better  facilities  for  conducting 
and  handling  the  business,  the  rear  room  in  the  building,  which  had  served  as 
an  office  for  the  original  bank  in  the  year  1871,  was  now  again  brought  into  use, 
and  a  fireproof  vault  was  constructed  in  this  room,  and  a  nest  of  deposit  boxes 
was  installed  to  provide  storage  room  for  those  having  papers  they  might  wish  to 
keep  in  a  safe  and  private  place.  This  room  was  suitably  fitted  up  with  a  large 
table,  couch  and  other  necessary  furniture  and  serves  as  a  private  consultation 
room  for  the  bank  and  its  patrons. 

The  first  official  board  of  the  Bank  of  Yates  City  consisted  of  L.  A.  Lawrence, 
manager;  J.  Mason,  cashier,  and  A.  J.  Lawrence,  second  cashier. 

Under  the  able  and  efficient  management  of  L.  A.  Lawrence,  the  business 
continued  to  grow  and  spread  out  until  it  covered  not  only  the  community 
surrounding  Yates  City,  but  reached  out  into  more  remote  territory.  In  the 
summer  of  1911,  Mr.  Lawrence's  health  failing,  he  was  compelled  to  retire  from 
the  active  management  of  the  business  and  it  was  given  over  to  his  son,  A.  J. 
Lawrence,  whose  place  as  assistant  cashier  was  now  taken  up  by  H.  E.  North. 

From  a  small  business  as  it  was  first  begun  in  the  year  1871,  it  has  grown  until 
its  total  liabilities  and  resources  amount  to  $230,000  at  the  present  writing,  Febru- 
ary, 1912.  The  Bank  of  Yates  City  is  fully  equipped  to  transact  all  business  that 
comes  ir.  its  line  and  also  has  facilities  for  making  out  all  legal  documents.  It  has 
always  believed  it  was  good  business  to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  in  providing 
the  latest  improved  machines  for  mechanical  writing  and  calculation  and  has  in 
daily  use  the  latest  styles  of  adding  machine,  typewriter,  check  protector  and  other 
such  necessary  articles  for  the  swift  and  correct  handling  of  the  large  business 
that  comes  to  it  daily. 

'        Since  writing  the  above,  L.  A.  Lawrence  has  sold  his  one-half  interest  to 
.  A.  J.  Lawrence  and  Hugh  A.  Sloan. 


PEOl'LE'S  TRUST  AND  SAVINGS   BANK 

Located   on   corner   of   Main   and   Prairie    Streets.      Established   in   1900.      Capital   stock,   $250,000.      Un- 
divided   profits,   $60.000.    .      .    .    .  .  ,  ,.  ,        .  ^^     •,-.'.•  ..-.-...  .,  ...  .-       .     .•      i.., .  . 


.'.-  -  ••'    •  V  '''.  '"•  •    '-•  *'  '  ''•   •   ''' 


480  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  his  widow  continued  in  the  business  until  September,  1895,  when  she  sold 
her  share  to  the  other  partners,  Walter  Bailey  and  L.  A.  Lawrence,  .   L  : 

The  next  change  to  occur  in  this  business  was  in  December,  1895,  when  Mr. 
Bailey,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  and  president  of  the  bank,  passed  away  on 
the  I4th  day  of  the  month  and  his  widow  assumed  his  interest  which  necessitated 
the  change  in  the  title  of  the  firm  from  Walter  Bailey  &  Company  to  Harriet  L. 
Bailey  &  Company.  .  '.I, 

Mrs.  Bailey  was  connected  with  the  business  until  December,  1899,  when 
she  concluded  to  withdraw  and  sold  her  interest  to  L.  A.  Lawrence,  thus  giving 
him  full  control  of  the  business  and  her  name  was  at  this  time  dropped  from  the 
title  of  the  firm  which  was  from  that  time  until  August  i,  1906,  known  as  the 
Peoples  Bank,  L.  A.  Lawrence,  proprietor.  | 

During  the  spring  of  1906,  arrangements  were  made  between  the  proprietors 
of  the  Farmers  Bank  and  Peoples  Bank,  previously  described,  to  unite  and  ac- 
cordingly, on  August  I,  1906,  this  plan  was  consummated  and  the  business  of 
the  two  institutions  was  consolidated  into  the  bank  with  a  capital  stock  of 
$20,000,  under  the  name  of  Bank  of  Yates  City,  North,  Nicholson  &  Lawrence, 
proprietors,  in  the  room  previously  occupied  by  the  Farmers  Bank. 

Since  this  union  would  necessitate  more  and  better  facilities  for  conducting 
and  handling  the  business,  the  rear  room  in  the  building,  which  had  served  as 
an  office  for  the  original  bank  in  the  year  1871,  was  now  again  brought  into  use, 
and  a  fireproof  vault  was  constructed  in  this  room,  and  a  nest  of  deposit  boxes 
was  installed  to  provide  storage  room  for  those  having  papers  they  might  wish  to 
keep  in  a  safe  and  private  place.  This  room  was  suitably  fitted  up  with  a  large 
table,  couch  and  other  necessary  furniture  and  serves  as  a  private  consultation 
room  for  the  bank  and  its  patrons.  ;•  ...  .  . 

The  first  official  board  of  the  Bank  of  Yates  City  consisted  of  L.  A.  Lawrence, 
manager;  J.  Mason,  cashier,  and  A.  J.  Lawrence,  second  cashier. 

Under  the  able  and  efficient  management  of  L.  A.  Lawrence,  the  business 
continued  to  grow  and  spread  out  until  it  covered  not  only  the  community 
surrounding  Yates  City,  but  reached  out  into  more  remote  territory.  In  the 
summer  of  1911,  Mr.  Lawrence's  health  failing,  he  was  compelled  to  retire  from 
the  active  management  of  the  business  and  it  was  given  over  to  his  son,  A.  J. 
Lawrence,  whose  place  as  assistant  cashier  was  now  taken  up  by  H.  E.  North. 

From  a  small  business  as  it  was  first  begun  in  the  year  1871,  it  has  grown  until 
its  total  liabilities  and  resources  amoimt  to  $230,000  at  the  present  writing,  Febru- 
ary, 1912.  The  Bank  of  Yates  City  is  fully  equipped  to  transact  all  business  that 
comes  ir.  its  line  and  also  has  facilities  for  making  out  all  legal  documents.  It  has 
always  believed  it  was  good  business  to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  in  providing 
the  latest  improved  machines  for  mechanical  writing  and  calculation  and  has  in 
daily  use  the  latest  styles  of  adding  machine,  typewriter,  check  protector  and  other 
such  necessary  articles  for  the  swift  and  correct  handling  of  the  large  business 
that  comes  to  it  daily. 

Since  writing  the  above,  L.  A.  Lawrence  has  sold  his  one-half  interest  to 
A.  J.  Lawrence  and  Hugh  A.  Sloan.  ,  -. 


I'KOIM.K'S   TKL'ST   AM)   S.\\  IXiJS   HANK 


Located   on    conicr   tif   .Main   and   I'rairie   Streets.      Kstalilished   in   liXMl.      l'ai>ital   stock.   $J5(l.OOO.      Un- 
divided   iirolits.    $(in.(l<)().         .     , .  .          .  •.       . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  481 

'''''''•"•''''•  ONEIDA  -•>•-•.'':''':/•;' 

''  -     '  f.        .        '  i    •    ' 

The  Oneida  Exchange  Bank  (private  bank),  one  of  the  pioneer  banks,  was 
first  established  in  1858,  was  conducted  by  W.  L.  Hubbard  for  about  nine  years, 
then  by  J.  B.  Congers  for  several  years,  succeeded  by  J,  N.  Congers  for  several 
years.  In  1877,  a  partnership  was  formed  by  A.  B.  Anderson  and  Frank  Murdoch 
which  was  continued  until  Mr.  Murdoch's  death  in  February,  1908.  Since  then 
the  business  has  been  continued  by  A.  B.  Anderson  and  son  (J.  H.  Anderson). 
It  run  without  a  stated  capital.  The  proprietors  are  thoroughly  respected  in  the 
community  and  nobody  questions  their  solvency  or  honesty. 

•'..  '••  .-.!/ 

;-:••:;.•:,-.•:.,;;.:;..'..,:•'•.;.- /"^^^         THE  ONEIDA  STATE  BANK          .'v-'\;V;M 

This  bank  was  organized  in  1891  and  commenced  business  September  17, 
•  1891,  in  its  new  brick  bank  building  erected  in  1891  on  the  west  side  of  Railroad 
street,  with  a  Capital  stock  of  $25,000.  -"";;  •; 

.  The  original  stockholders  were:  E.  Marsh,  L.  R.  Tayler,  H.  W.  Crane,  John 
F.  Wicoff,  Geo.  K.  Pittard,  Gust  E.  Fredericks,  J.  W.  Allen,  W.  L.  Allen,  Geo. 
W.  Brainard,  Mrs.  Geo.  W.  Brairiard,  Frederick  Becker,  W.  O.  Dayton,  Chas.  S. 
Clark,  Wm.  D.  Cook,  Miss  Jennie  Cook,  W.  V.  McKie,  E.  R.  Shaw,  Metcalf 
Bros.,  Jas.  E.  Tayler,  J.  N.  Congers,  A.  F.  McCornack,  H.  ^M.  Mitchell. 

Its  first  officers  were:  A.  D.  Metcalf,  president,  who  served  until  his  death 
in  January,  1912;  A.  F.  McCornack,  vice  president  until  1898;  James  E.  Tayler 
elected  cashier  and  served  to  January,  1895;  W.  D.  Patty  succeeded  Mr.  Tayler 
and  is  cashier  at  this  present  date.  Miss  Anna  Anderson  has  been  assistant  cashier 
since  1895,  and  has  been  connected  with  the  bank  since  1891. 

Gebrge  K.  Pittard  was  elected  vice  president  in  1898  and  served  to  January, 
1912.  On  February  6,  1912,  George  K.  Pittard  was  elected  president,  and  H.  W. 
Crane,  vice  president.  Its  capital  stock  at  this  date  is  $25,000;  surplus,  $25,000. 

Its  present  directors  are:  Geo.  W.  Brainard,  H.  W.  Crane,  John  R.  Mitchell, 
Gust  E.  Fredericks,  W.  D.  Cook,  W.  V.  McKie,  S.  P.  Mitchell,  Ernest  Shaw,  Geo. 
K.  Pittard. 

The  bank  was  burglarized  March  30,  1897,  fully  insured.  The  bank  building 
was  destroyed  by  fire  July  i,  1900,  and  a  new  building  erected. 

.•:; v:;;Vi  • '•   •/-/ .^  ;  ,;.          THE  PEOPLES  BANK  OF  ABINGDON        . '   '    i,^  ;/•'  '"  '  f. 

'•  The  Peoples  Bank  of  Abingdon  opened  December  i,  1878,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $30,000.  The  chief  promoters  in  the  organization  of  this  institution  were 
M.  C.  Bates  and  J.  B.  Mackay,  who  were  elected  president  and  cashier,  respective- 
ly. From  the  first,  this  bank  had  a  bright  outlook  and  drew  the  patronage  of 
the  surrounding  territory  so  much  that  three  years  later,  the  capital  was  increased 
to  $50,000.  But  notwithstanding  its  bright  future,  there  remained  one  great 
hindrance,  namely,  that  it  was  organized  as  a  co-partnership  institution  rather 
than  a  state  or  national.  Hence  the  excessive  loans,  not  only  to  the  stockholders, 
but  directors  as  well,  became  appalling  till  it  was  thought  best  to  organize  as  a 
national  bank  where  excessive  loans  are  not  permissable  and  publicity  of  condition 

Vol.  1—3 1  . 


482  .  :       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

is  demanded.  Through  the  efforts  of  W.  A.  Latimer,  five  of  the  substantial  men 
of  the  town  advanced  ten  thousand  dollars  each  and  a  charter  was  granted  them 
August  5,  1885,  as  the 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK  OF  ABINGDON  ,'.•:: 

These  original  stockholders  were  M.  C.  Bates,  Thos.  Newell,  M.  C.  Kimball, 
J.  Harts  Miller  and  J,  B.  Mackay;  the  last  being  elected  president  and  W.  A. 
Latimer,  cashier,  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  in  January,  1886. 
At  the  end  of  one  year,  Mr.  Mackay  retired  from  the  presidency  and  M.  C.  Kim- 
ball  was  elected  to  the  position,  remaining  till  January,  1893,  when  Thos.  Newell 
succeeded  him.  Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Newell  some  years  later,  W.  B.  Main 
became  president. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  W.  A.  Latimer  in  1888,  the  cashiership  was  tendered 
H.  B.  Scheitlin,  and  on  his  resignation  in  January,  1893,  Orion  Latimer  was 
elected  to  that  position  since  which  time  he  has  been  exceedingly  zealous  in  the 
management  of  the  affairs  connected  with  the  institution.  From  the  very  first, 
he  gained  the  confidence  of  the  people  and  through  his  guidance  and  by  the  se- 
lection of  his  office  force,  this  bank  has  made  remarkable  progress  for  the  last 
quarter  of  a  century.  Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Main  in  January,  1907,  Mr, 
Orion  Latimer  was  elected  president,  which  position  he  now  holds.  At  this  time, 
G.  A.  Shipplett  was  elected  cashier  and  H,  L.  Haynes,  assistant  cashier. 

The  First  National  Bank  has  always  been  noted  for  its  courteous  treatment 
to  its  patrons,  by  doing  small  favors  which  are  of  vital  interest  to  them  and  giving 
them  free  exchange  with  all  the  world. 

During  the  history  of  this  institution,  Abingdon  has  passed  through  the  stages 
of  a  small  village,  country  town,  and  has  grown  to  the  dignity  of  a  small  city  with 
magnificent  residences,  an  excellent  school  system,  including  a  high  class  de- 
nominational college  and  a  large  number  of  thriving  factories.  In  all  these,  the 
First  National  Bank  takes  the  lead  and  keeps  closely  in  touch  with  all  things 
which  are  for  the  betterment  of  Abingdon  and  vicinity.  To  keep  abreast  with  the 
times,  to  care  for  its  clients'  business  requirements  and  to  provide  absolute  safety 
for  its  depositors  has  been  its  chief  concern.  To  follow  out  these  ideas,  the 
capital  was  increased  to  $75,000,  and  a  surplus  of  $80,000  set  aside  in  January, 

1904. 

The  First  National  Bank  is  conducted  on  the  lines  of  conservatism,  coupled 
with  accommodation,  generous  treatment  with  careful  investments,  ample  facilities 
and  absolute  security  for  every  one  of  its  customers. 

Its  present  officers  are :  Orion  Latimer,  president ;  J.  A.  Reynolds,  vice  presi- 
dent; George  A.  Shipplett,  cashier;  H.  L.  Haynes,  assistant  cashier. 

Its  present  directors  are:  H.  L.  Haynes,  B.  P.  Baird,  J.  F.  Latimer,  H.  R, 
Crouch,  J.  A.  Reynolds,  G,  A.  Shipplett,  Carl  S.  Burnside,  C.  D.  Byram,  T.  E, 
Burnside,  W,  B.  Dunlap,  Orion  Latimer.  ;.;  , 

Perhaps   the  best   illustration   of   the   conservatism,   prosperity   and   general 
growth  of  the  institution  can  be  given  by  a  comparison  of  the  first  and  last  pub- 
lished statements,  as  a  national  bank. 
;    •  At  the  close  of  business,  October  i,  1885,       •';          -••"••  '/.^'v--;:' 


X     ;vC  :          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '        rN/::^H¥      483 

--V.   ;:.^    :/'  -;  Resources  -v 

Loans $  73,642.35          :  .: 

United  States  bonds  for  circulation 13,984.37             • 

Cash  and  sight  exchange   16,292.15 

Real  Estate  , 4.554-91        , 


>-;','>;v  ;:;•;•.,;•,  :;'-j;'^pr-::-^.  ':^^f':-^j^:^-\        $108,373.78 

.,:/''-,;•.-.    ,':••'-'•.'•  v•..;V.^'••••';'•^^     Liabilities        A/'V-^;;-;.   ;^  :;    ; 

Capital  stock  fully  paid $  50,000.00 

Surplus  and  undivided  profits 113.46 

Circulation   1 1,240.00 

Deposits    47,020.32 


;••'••  V,-.:  •-  ^v--. .;.;.. :*;::v':.  •:.,;.^' -••.;; -.vj,v;::;;\-.f;^^-j-i-.-j       $108,373.78 

At  the  close  of  business,  February  20,  1912.     -.V.''       ..:          '''.:*•': 

'  •  •  '.'.';'•       •••'•'-.-..:'.  /"•"•-{::.'      Resources       "'?'•.:_•  .vj'  '•  .,..._.. 

,;:;:>  ^ , ';    .'.••?::.''•••''.':' ^  '••-"•{:••-•    ' 

Loans    '. .' .V $635,790.19 

Municipal    bonds    20,000.00 

United  States  bonds  for  circulation  75,000.00 

Cash  and  sight  exchange  77,031.67 

Redemption  fund  with  U.  S.  treasurer 1,950.00 

Real  estate    2,000.00 


':• '-X. •:••://''--,-::/;;' ';'i-;'J  '--f--  .v^'"'^----  '''^•••' ••''-'^>=-''^vj!y.;:     $811,771.86 

''    '       '     '    -••'•"•'••'•''•-••        Liabilities        ;-v=7-/ '.'•''"'''• 

Capital  stock  fully  paid  .'.... . . $  75,000.00 

Surplus  and  undivided  profits  1 17,542.20 

Circulation    . . . .' 75,000.00 

Deposits    541,829.66 

Reserved  for  taxes 2,400.00 


•;;,;: -';:;::;•;;-•. ;,  •;-\.^^>-J^-;.-:;;fe:^ '•''''  -^  •-;v.-f^.>/';::-: .^.:-    $811,771.86  ::;;.J<^ 

:-"•;;:'.•-;:    •    •       .          FIRST  STATE  ft  SAVINGS  BANK,  ABINGDON         .      '      i ; .    -  .A;':^:!; 

This  bank  was  organized  and  began  business  on  April  15,  1902,  with  a  paid-up 
capital  at  that  time  of  $30,000.  ,  - 

On  September  i,  1902,  the  capital  was  increased  to  $6o,OOO. 

The  officers  of  the  bank  elected  at  the  time  of  organization  were :  John  Mosser, 
president;  J,  W.  Hunter,  vice  president;  G.  K.  Slough,  cashier;  F.  W.  Reynolds, 
assistant  cashier,  became  identified  with  the  bank  September  i,  1903,  and  since 
its  organization  there  has  been  no  change  of  any  kind  in  the  officers  of  the  in- 
stitution.,  .V  V.  -  -... 


484  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •    , 

The  board  of  directors  are :  John  Mosser,  J,  W.  Hunter,  Jas.  W.  Cox,  A.  B. 
Spies,  C.  W.  Robertson,  J.  H.  Simmons,  Robert  Byram,  J.  T,  Main,  Samuel  T. 
Mosser.  ; 

The  bank  succeeded  the  private  bank  of  John  Mosser  &  Co.  and  has  been  very 
successful  up  to  this  time. 

The  bank  pays  regular  annual  dividends  of  6%  on  its  capital  stock,  and  now 
has  a  surplus  and  undivided  profit  of  $40,000.  Its  deposits  run  fr.om  $200,000  to 
$250,000.  ].  ""X 

During  the  summer  of  1905,  the  bank  erected  the  building  it  now  occupies 
and  owns.  It  is  considered  by  many  to  be  one  of  the  finest  and  best  equipped 
bank  buildings  in  this  part  of  Illinois. 

Its  officers  and  members  of  its  board  have  been  largely  identified  with  all  the 
progressive  movements  for  the  betterment  of  Abingdon  and  are  all  men  of  high 
standing  and  have  the  entire  confidence  of  the  city  and  community.  The  bank 
has  recently  been  appointed  U.  S.  Depository  for  Postal  Savings. 

.  :>;'    .    ,  •          '•••       BANK  OF  ALTONA        ':    ':; •;  ;  .,  /:-.  ':..:';;',• 

Judge  A.  M.  Craig,  then  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  believing  that  there  was  a  good  opening  for  a  bank  in  the  village  of 
Altona,  acted  upon  his  belief  and  established  the  banking  house  of  A.  M.  Craig 
&  Co.  on  June  i6,  1890,  his  son,  George  H.  Craig,  acting  as  cashier  and  John 
McKie,  assistant  cashier. 

Being  anxious  to  enlarge  their  scope  of  business  and  believing  that  they 
would  be  better  able  to  serve  the  needs  of  their  patrons  by  placing  same  on  a  more 
enduring  basis  by  forming  a  corporation  to  take  over  the  private  banking  business 
of  A.  M.  Craig  &  Co.,  it  was  decided  to  organize  a  state  bank.  A  meeting  was 
held  during  September,  1891,  and  an  application  for  permission  to  organize  a 
state  bank  was  made  to  the  auditor  of  public  accounts  which  was  signed  by  John 
McKie,  George  H.  Craig,  J.  C.  Collinson  and  William  Main. 

The  permit  was  granted  September  15,  1891.  The  law  permitting  the  organiza- 
tion of  state  banks  being  of  recent  enactment  and  the  Bank  of  Altona  being  a 
new  venture,  many  hesitated  to  invest  in  bank  stock  in  the  proposed  new  bank, 
but  by  the  26th  of  September  all  stock  was  subscribed  for  and  the  bank  received 
its  charter,  taking  over  the  banking  house  and  business  of  A.  M.  Craig  &  Co., 
and  began  business  as  a  state  bank  under  the  name  of  the  Bank  of  Altona,  October 
3,  1891,  with  a  paid-up  capital  of  $30,000,  it  being  one  of  the  first  state  banks 
organized. 

As  the  first  board  of  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Altona,  the  stockholders  elected 
the  following:  A.  M.  Craig,  J.  M.  McKie,  C.  S.  Clark,  William  Main,  J.  P.  Wal- 
gren,  J.  C.  Collinson,  Geo.  E.  Challman,  who,  with  the  exception  of  A.  M.  Craig, 
now  deceased,  are  still  serving  on  the  board  of  directors.  At  their  first  meeting, 
the  directors  elected  the  following  officers:  President,  A.  M.  Craig;  vice  presi- 
dent, C.  S.  Clark ;  cashier,  Geo.  H.  Craig ;  assistant  cashier,  J.  M.  McKie. 

According  to  the  principles  of  sound  banking,  it  was  the  aim  of  the  officers 
of  the  bank  to  aid  its  patrons  financially  in  every  way  possible.  Owing  to  the  fact 


fi   ;    v:;y  Xf;     .V    V   :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^  485 

-i^  that  under  the  state  law  they  were  allowed  to  loan  only  ten  per  cent  of  their 
capital  to  one  person,  the  bank  was  handicapped  to  a  certain  extent  in  handling 
real  estate  mortgages  from  lack  of  sufficient  capital,  and  at  an  adjourned  meet- 
ing of  the  stockholders  called  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  bank's  capital,  on 
V    July  25,  1896,  it  was  decided  that  the  capital  stock  be  increased  from  $30,000  to 
.  ;  $50,000.     The  new  stock  was  readily  disposed  of  and  with  ample  capital,  the 
:  •  bank  has  ever  since  been  in  a  position  to  care  for  the  financial  needs  of  the  com- 
'    munity. 

On  the  first  day  of  December,  1903,  a  savings  department  was  established 

in  connection  with  the  bank.    The  rate  of  interest  on  savings  deposits  fixed  by  the 

:,  directors  at  that  time  was  three  per  cent,  which  rate  has  been  maintained  ever 

f  since.    This  department  has  been  well  patronized  until  it  now  contains  practically 

/all  savings  of  the  community.  .  : 

"   ; .  --  There  have  been  but  few  changes  of  officers  and  directors  since  its  organiza- 

i^-  tion.    On  the  6th  day  of  February,  1896,  the  bank  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the 

;  loss  of  its  cashier,  Geo.  H.  Craig,  who  was  stricken  with  typhoid  fever  and  died 

-  at  his  home  in  Galesburg.    As  his  successor,  J.  M.  McKie  was  elected  as  cashier, 

.    February  28,  1896,  and  O.  E.  Peterson  was  elected  as  assistant  cashier,  which 

•  :•   position  he  held  until  January,  1903,  when,  on  account  of  his  connection  with  the 

:^  Bank  of  Galesburg  as  teller,  he  resigned  and  G.  N.  Larson  was  elected  to  fill  the 

-,','•  position  of  assistant  cashier.    For  the  second  time  in  its  history,  the  "silent  reaper" 

•:  entered  into  the  ranks  of  officers  and  directors  when,  on  the  6th  day  of  September, 

'-'•    1911,  its  president,  Hon.  Alfred  M.  Craig,  after  a  brief  illness,  answered  the 

"Roll  Call."    He  was  succeeded  as  president  of  the  bank  by  J.  M.  McKie  who  had 

been  with  the  bank  as  assistant  cashier  and  cashier  ever  since  its  organization, 

'  June  i6,  1890,  and  on  the  board  of  directors,  by  his  son,  C.  C.  Craig. 

The  present  board  of  directors  are:   J.  M.  McKie,  C.  C.  Craig,  C.  S.  Clark, 
'    William  Main,  J.  P.  Walgren,  J.  C.  Collinson,  Geo.  E.  Challman,  and  its  present 
\  officers  are:   President,  J.  M.  McKie;  vice  president,  C.  S.  Clark;  cashier,  G.  N. 
Larson. 

The  bank's  present  capital  is  $50,000,  with  a  surplus  of  $81,000.       .•;--•;••.! 

, -,.>..  .      .    .   ;     '  r  .  .  -        -  .  .        -  •••'•  .'    ,-^-]-'..  f    ' 

.:',,•;,'•'....";'•::.'•'•:'''"•"    STATE  BANK  OF  VICTORIA   -•:  .-__•':"      .  >^'-~.;-i-.-:''.\''^'-v'/ 


The  State  Bank  of  Victoria  was  organized  on  April  6,  1903,  with  a  capital  of 
$35,000.  The  business  of  the  Bank  of  Victoria,  a  private  bank  owned  by  O.  P. 
Stoddard,  Dyer  Ford,  B.  S.  Peck  and  Geo.  D.  Palmer  of  Galva,  Illinois,  having 
been  purchased,  the  new  organization  commenced  business  on  the  29th  day  of 
April,  1903,  in  the  building  formerly  occupied  by  their  predecessors.  This,  how- 
ever, was  to  be  only  their  temporary  location  as  work  on  a  new  two-story  brick 
bank  building  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Union  streets  was  soon  started  and  the 
building  was  completed  and  occupied  by  the  first  .of  October  of  the  same  year. 

The  bank  was  organized  with  the  following  officers  and  directors :  President, 
J.  M.  McKie ;  vice  president,  Frederick  Becker ;  cashier,  O.  E.  Peterson.  Direct- 
ors :  J.  M.  McKie,  Frederick  Becker,  C.  S.  Clark,  J.  A.  Larson,  G.  L.  Hedstrom, 
P.  A.  McDowell,  A.  A.  Hedstrom,  O.  E.  Peterson,  A.  M.  Craig. 

On  January  3,  1910,  C.  V.  Nelson  was  added  to  the  official  staff  as  assistant 


-486  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :-:^  i^ 

cashier,  and  on  July  3,  1911,  a  change  in  the  officers  was  made  necessary  owing 
to  the  previous  resignation  of  the  cashier,  O,  E.  Peterson.     C.  V.  Nelson  was 

,  then  elected  cashier  and  Harrie  S.  Whiting,  assistant  cashier.    The  vacancy  in 

;      the  board  of  directors  caused  by  the  resignation  of  O.  E.  Peterson  was  filled  by  the 

election  of  William  Nelson  as  director  on  January  2,  1911.     Another  vacancy 

caused  by  the  death  of  A.  M.  Craig  was  filled  by  the  election  of  C.  C.  Craig  as 

„     director  on  January  8,  1912.  .'  • 

With  the  above  exceptions,  the  officers  and  directors  of  the  bank  remain  the 
same  as  those  originally  elected  at  its  organization. 

/  For  the  past  six  years,  the  bank  has  paid  dividends  of  six  per  cent  each  year 
to  its  stockholders  and  has  up  to  the  present  time,  accumulated  a  surplus  of 
$17,000.  The  steady  growth  of  the  institution  into  its  present  sound  condition 

^  and  its  conservative  business  methods  enable  it  to  offer  to  the  public  excellent 
banking  facilities,  together  with  absolute  security  to  its  patrons,  which  are 

:L   acknowledged  and  appreciated  by  a  large  majority  of  the  people  of  Victoria  and 

.,  vicinity.  .••'••    •  •   •'':'••  •'•••^v.' v' '"''''''•;.•;-/  :.,'.i- 

FIRST  STATE  BANK  COMPANY,  WILLIAMSFIELD    \y:'  :';.;• 

•  On  January  22,  1890,  L.  J.  Baird  and  David  Cation  opened  a  private  bank  in 

;   Williamsfield,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  under  the  title  of  Bank  of  Williamsfield, 

with  L.  J.  Baird,  president  and  David  Cation,  cashier.    The  business  grew  till  it 

became  necessary  to  employ  more  help,  and  Miss  Emma  Parker  was  appointed 

>      assistant  cashier,  and  in  1900  she  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  J.  Mason,  who 

in  1902  resigned.    He  was  succeeded  by  J.  A.  Elliott.  '  t      > 

-... .  In  1905,  the  same  partners  opened  a  bank  at  Laura,  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Elliott 
.  was  transferred  to  the  cashiership  of  it,  and  Earl  T.   Main  became  assistant 

cashier  for  Bank  of  Williamsfield. 

;.  In  1908  the  bank  was  reorganized  with  a  capital  stock  of  $30,000,  with  L.  J. 

'    -  Baird  as  president  and  David  Cation,  vice  president,  and  Earl  T.  Main,  cashier. 

,'    In  the  fall  of  1908,  Mr.  Baird  concluded  to  go  to  Ames,  Iowa,  and  so  resigned 

the  presidency  and  was  succeeded  to  this  office  by  David  Cation,  and  J.  D.  Doubet 

was  elected  vice  president.     In  March,  Mr.  Main  was  unfortunately  killed  in 

';    a  railroad  accident  near  Marshalltown,  Iowa,  and  Mrs.  Emma  Parker  Cation 

.      was  temporarily  appointed  to  the  position  of  cashier  which  she  held  till  the  an- 

'     nual  meeting  when  G.  W.  Wallick  was  appointed.     About  a  year  after  this, 

,     Mr.  Wallick  resigned  and  Mr.  A.  L.  Harris  was  appointed  to  take  the  place. 

The  bank  has  steadily  grown  and  has  always  enjoyed  a  fair  share  of  busi- 
ness and  at  the  same  time  has  always  endeavored  to  supply  all  worthy  undertak- 
ings with  money.  I  .'\ '  . 
The  present  board  of  directors  are  J.  D.  Doubet,  Jay  Welsh,  P.  A.  Sunwall, 
O.  J.  Oberholtzer,  Robt.  E.  Farwell,  A.  L.  Harris  and  David  Cation. 

,:;.••'."'•••  V^ ;•'•'.'•••..  "'  WATAGA    STATE    BANK        '•''•:'•  ^'•.•^'.y •.''':.-:.'•• 

{          Organized  May  i,  1910.    Capital  stock  paid  in,  $25,000.    Chartered  August 
30,  1910.     Commenced  business,  September  5,  1910.     The  following  board  of 


••^\';v<;.;;/-i ',;;;;•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;  .'"'          487 

directors  has  served  since  the  commencement  of  business,  September  5,  1910: 
M.  O.  Williamson,  W.  E.  Culver,  J.  E.  Williamson,  Geo.  Behringer,  O.  S.  Olson, 
J.  N.  WikoflF,  E.  P.  Williamson.  First  officers:  M.  O.  Williamson,  president; 
J.  E.  Williamson,  vice  president ;  Sig.  B.  Nelson,  cashier.  Present  officers :  J.  E. 
Williamson,  president;  Geo.  Behringer,  vice  president;  Sig.  B.  Nelson,  cashier. 
The  bank  has  enjoyed  a  liberal  patronage.  Paid  a  five  per  cent  dividend  to 
stockholders  in  1911.  Present  resources  over  $90,000.  .  .  ,;, 


;  ^.V/:       THE  PRESS  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          VvVS;  •-^^"li 

;:  V   .;;-.  By  HENRY  EMRICH  /    ••          / 

;  ': . '    '.     The  newspaper  era  of  Knox  county  began  in  1849,  when  the  "Knox  Intelli- 

.:     gence"  was  started  in  Galesburg  by  Rev.  C.  R.  Fisk,  the  paper  being  non-partisan 

.Vr  •     in  politics.     From  that  date  to  the  present  the  editor's  chair  of  many  of  the 

'     '•    papers  that  have  come  and  gone  has  been  filled  by  men  of  ability  and  character, 

:    ^    men  who  advocated  what  they  believed  to  be  right,  and  did  so  from  conscientious 

and  not  mercenary  motives.    Among  these  men,  as  the  writer  knew  them,  were 

;  ,>.  '    J.  H.  Sherman,  C.  J.  Sellon,  Charles  Faxon,  Thomas  Harrison,  John  S.  Winter, 

> ;  \   W.  S.  Bush,  Gen.  M.  S.  Barnes,  Steve  R.  Smith,  E.  A.  Snively,  Gershom  Martin, 

.^      ;   Zaccheus  Beatty,  Judson  Graves,  Joe  Prior,  Clark  E.  Carr,  only  three  of  these, 

'"     Snively,  Carr  and  Graves  being  alive  at  this  writing,       :         r      . 

The  politics  of  the  county  during  the  years  from  1854  down  to  the  election 

of  Abraham  Lincoln  were  often  bitter  in  character,  caused  by  the  pro  and  anti- 

•,,    slavery  policies  of  the  two  leading  political  parties  of  that  time.     But  to  the 

,.•",.   credit  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county,  it  can  be  said  that  at, no  time  was  there 

,;)  -      a  pro-slavery  paper  in  either.    The  only  paper  that  survived  for  any  length  of 

•       ';    time  was  the  Free  Democrat,  started  in  1854,  its  first  editor  being  Southwick 

'       '    Davis,  followed  by  W.  H.  Holcomb  and  B.  F.  Haskins.     In  1855  C.  J.  Sellon 

••       became  the  editor,  W.  J.  Woods  being  the  owner  of  the  office  for  the  two  years 

.  ;    ;    previous.    About  this  time  S.  W.  Brown,  R.  H.  Whiting  and  D.  H.  Frisbie  became 

/ '  .    owners  of  the  plant,  and  S.  D.  McDonald  managed  the  paper.  In  1856  W.  J.  Woods 

.  :        again  became  the  owner  and  C.  J.  Sellon  again  became  the  political  manager.  Late 

;    ;      in  1856  Woods  sold  the  office  to  J.  H.  Sherman,  who  in  1858  leased  the  office  to 

''•..,    Charles  Faxon,  who  conducted  the  paper  until  about  1862  or  1863,  when  Sherman 

,::  v,..    again  resumed  control  of  the  office  with  Thomas  Harrison  as  editor  and  David 

••    f   Myers  as  mechanical  manager.   In  1865  the  plant  was  sold  to  J.  H.  Bailey,  of  the 

-.  •;;     Princeton  Republican,  and  his  brother-in-law,  J.  S.  McClelland,  the  latter  coming  to 

;..;./  Galesburg  from  Ohio.   Later  on  Mr.  Bailey  sold  his  interest  to  W.  S.  Bush,  but 

:  ^  .  ;  Messrs.  McClelland  and  Bush  could  not  agree  in  the  management  of  the  office  and 

>.    Mr.  Bush  retired  and  assumed  editorial  control  of  the  Register  (now  a  part  of  the 

,   ;v:-  Republican  Register).     The  name  of  the  paper  was  then  changed  to  the  "Free 

V    ;    Press."     In  1872  Gen.  M.  S.  Barnes  bought  the  plant  and  changed  it  into  a 

-.•     •     democratic  paper,  the  basis  of  this  change  in  politics  of  the  first  and  oldest  anti- 

>v  •• .    slavery,  free  soil  and  republican  paper,  being  laid  by  Mr.  McClelland  supporting 

'...  •      Horace  Greeley  for  president  as  against  General  Grant  in  1872.    Upon  the  death 


488  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  Gen.  Barnes,  his  son,  Bennett,  took  charge  of  the  plant,  changed  the  name  of 
the  pajjer  to  the  Knox  County  Chronicle,  and  in  1886  sold  the  office  to  Gershom 
Martin,  the  latter  having  unique  and  original  ideas  of  his  own  as  to  the  conduct 
of  an  independent  democratic  paper,  and  upon  his  death  the  office  that  had  Jbeen 
in  continuous  operation  for  more  than  forty  years,  and  during  that  time  passing 
through  the  hands  of  many  other  editors  and  from  a  "black"  republican  to  an 
ultra  democratic  paper,  went  into  "history,"  the  material  being  sold  in  quantities 
to  suit  the  purchaser.  :  v^ 

THE  REGISTER— 1866.  This  paper  was  started  by  Steve  R.  Smith,  Wm.  J. 
Mourer  and  H.  D.  Babcock.  About  1868  W.  S.  Bush,  late  of  the  Free  Press,  took 
editorial  charge  of  the  paper,  and  a  daily  paper  was  issued.  In  1872  E.  F.  Phelps 
bought  the  plant  and  soon  after  the  Register  and  the  Republican  were  merged 
into  the  Republican-Register,  with  Z.  Beatty  as  editor,  who  conducted  it  in  an 
able  manner  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

THE  REPUBLICAN  was  started  in  1870  by  Joe  M.  Prior  and  Henry  Emrich, 
who  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  transferred  the  same  to  Clark  E.  Carr,  who  in 
1873  or  1874  merged  it  with  the  Register  into  the  Republican-Register,  whose 
history  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

The  history  of  the  press  of  Galesburg  would  not  be  complete  without  men- 
tioning W.  S.  Grubb,  who  came  to  Galesburg  from  Atlanta,  Georgia,  in  1878,  and 
organized  the  Galesburg  Publishing  Company,  and  merged  the  two  papers,  the 
Republican  and  the  Register  into  the  Daily  Republican-Register.  As  a  business 
manager  !Mr.  Grubb  had  few  equals  and  no  superiors,  and  under  his  wise  man- 
agement the  financial  affairs  of  the  new  enterprise  flourished  and  the  stock  of 
the  new  company  became  dividend  paying  and  valuable.  He  continued  at  his 
post  of  duty  until  his  death. 

THE  PLAINDEALER.  Judson  Graves  in  1872  removed  the  Republican  news- 
paper plant  from  Kirkwood  to  Galesburg,  and  in  1875  changed  the  name  Re- 
public to  the  Plaindealer,  as  expressing  more  clearly  the  JKtlitical  character 
and  editorial  columns  of  the  paper,  it  being  independent  republican  in  national 
and  state  politics,  and  liberal  in  religious  and  local  matters.  In  1879  Messrs. 
Henry  Emrich  and  Iram  B.  Biggs  purchased  the  office  and  with  Mr.  Emrich  as 
editor  conducted  the  paper  until  October,  1906,  when  they  stopped  its  publication. 
During  these  twenty-seven  years  the  Plaindealer  advocated  the  principles  and 
supported  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party,  but  at  the  same  time  reserving 
to  itself  and  exercising  the  right  to  criticise  the  policies  of  that  party  when  it 
thought  they  were  not  conserving  the  best  interests  of  the  people  as  a  whole.  In 
city  affairs  the  Plaindealer  always  contended  for  good  government  and  as 
a  local  organ  of  the  liberal  party  had  much  to  do  with  shaping  the  policy  of  that 
party  for  good  city  government  and  the  carrying  out  of  many  needed  local  im- 
provements. ,  :  -:  •  \.:':;  ;  ..  ,\  . 

The  list  of  the  various  publications  in  Galesburg  during  the  past  sixty  years 
is  a  long  one  and  only  a  short  mention  of  them  is  possible  here. 

KNOX  INTELLIGENCE — 1849-1850;  Southwick  Davis;  non-partisan;  religious 
in  tendency,  favoring  the  Presbyterian  church. 

NORTHWESTERN  GAZETEER — 1850-1851 ;  Southwick  Davis,  neutral  in  politics. 
"._•  NEWS  LETTER — Geo.  W.  Gale,  Dr.  Bunce  and  Geo.  Lanphere  did  good  work 


THE   GALESBURG   CLUB 
Club  organized  in  1665.     Building  erected  in   191ii.     Value,  including  furnishing!;,  $7u,OUO. 


THE  ELKS  CLUB  HOUSE 


488  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  • 

of  Gen.  Barnes,  his  son,  Bennett,  took  charge  of  the  plant,  changed  the  name  of 
the  paper  to  the  Knox  County  Chronicle,  and  in  1886  sold  the  office  to  Gershom 
Martin,  the  latter  having  unique  and  original  ideas  of  his  own  as  to  the  conduct 
of  an  independent  democratic  paper,  and  upon  his  death  the  office  that  had  been 
in  continuous  operation  for  more  than  forty  years,  and  during  that  time  passing 
through  the  hands  of  many  other  editors  and  from  a  "black"  republican  to  an 
ultra  democratic  paper,  went  into  "history,"  the  material  being  sold  in  quantities 
to  suit  the  purchaser.  .  •  .  --  '  I 

THE  REGISTER — 1866.  This  paper  was  started  by  Steve  R.  Smith,  Wm.  J. 
Mourer  and  H.  D.  Babcock.  About  1868  W.  S.  Bush,  late  of  the  Free  Press,  took 
editorial  charge  of  the  paper,  and  a  daily  paper  was  issued.  In  1872  E.  F.  Phelps 
bought  the  plant  and  soon  after  the  Register  and  the  Republican  were  merged 
into  the  Republican-Register,  with  Z.  Beatty  as  editor,  who  conducted  it  in  an 
able  manner  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

THE  REPUBLICAN  was  started  in  1870  by  Joe  M.  Prior  and  Henry  Emrich, 
who  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  transferred  the  same  to  Clark  E.  Carr,  who  in 
1873  or  1874  merged  it  with  the  Register  into  the  Republican-Register,  whose 
history  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

The  history  of  the  press  of  Galesburg  would  not  be  complete  without  men- 
tioning W.  S.  Grubb,  who  came  to  Galesburg  from  Atlanta,  Georgia,  in  1878,  and 
organized  the  Galesburg  Publishing  Company,  and  merged  the  two  papers,  the 
Republican  and  the  Register  into  the  Daily  Republican-Register.  As  a  business 
manager  Mr.  Grubb  had  few  ecjuals  and  no  superiors,  and  under  his  wise  man- 
agement the  financial  affairs  of  the  new  enterprise  flourished  and  the  stock  of 
the  new  company  became  dividend  paying  and  valuable.  He  continued  at  his 
post  of  duty  until  his  death.  -  .  [ 

THE  PLAINDEALER.  Judson  Graves  in  1872  removed  the  Republican  news- 
paper plant  from  Kirkwood  to  Galesburg,  and  in  1875  changed  the  name  Re- 
public to  the  Plaindealer,  as  expressing  more  clearly  the  political  character 
and  editorial  columns  of  the  paper,  it  being  independent  republican  in  national 
and  state  politics,  and  liberal  in  religious  and  local  matters.  In  1879  Messrs. 
Henry  Emrich  and  Iram  B.  Biggs  purchased  the  office  and  with  Mr.  Emrich  as 
editor  conducted  the  paper  until  October,  1906,  when  they  stopped  its  publication. 
During  these  twenty-seven  years  the  Plaindealer  advocated  the  principles  and 
supported  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party,  but  at  the  same  time  reserving 
to  itself  and  exercising  the  right  to  criticise  the  policies  of  that  party  when  it 
thought  they  were  not  conserving  the  best  interests  of  the  people  as  a  whole.  In 
city  affairs  the  Plaindealer  always  contended  for  good  government  and  as 
a  local  organ  of  the  liberal  party  had  much  to  do  with  shaping  the  policy  of  that 
party  for  good  city  government  and  the  carrying  out  of  many  needed  local  im- 
provements. 

The  list  of  the  various  publications  in  Galesburg  during  the  past  sixty  years 
is  a  long  one  and  only  a  short  mention  of  them  is  possible  here. 

KNOX  INTELLIGENCE — 1849-1850;  Southwick  Davis;  non-partisan;  religious 
in  tendency,  favoring  the  Presbyterian  church.  ;  | 

NORTHWESTERN  GAZETEER — 1850-1851 ;  Southwick  Davis,  neutral  in  politics. 

NEWS  LETTER — Geo.  W.  Gale,  Dr.  Bunce  and  Geo.  Lanphere  did  good  work 


TUK   GALESnUKG   CLL'l! 
Club  organized  in   IS^i.'i.      Itnilding  erected  in   liilii.     Value,  including  furni£liingr 


TlIK   KLKS  CI.UR   IIOl'SK 


V^viV        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -^  489 

to  get  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  through  Galesburg;  later  on  became  a  Free 
Soil  paper.  o       . 

WESTERN  FREEMAN — 1853;  J.  W.  Lane;  anti-salvery. 

FREE  DEMOCRAT — 1854;  referred  to  in  history  of  that  paper. 

HEMLANDET — 1855-1866;  a  secular  as  well  as  religious  Swedish  paper  edited 
:  by  Rev.  T.  N.  Haselquist.  At  that  time  the  only  Swedish  paper  in  the  United 
States,  and  one  that  was  very  influential  in  increasing  the  Swedish  immigration  to 
the  United  States,  hundreds  of  copies  of  each  issue  being  sent  by  Swedish-Ameri- 
cans  to  their  friends  in  Sweden.  It  was  finally  removed  to  Chicago  for  increased 
facilities  and  is  in  existence  today. 

;        DET  RATTA  HEMLANDET — 1856-1862;  an  organ  of  the   Swedish  Lutheran 
;  church. 

.;        FRIHETS  VANNEN — 1859-1861;  a  Swedish  republican  newspaper;  editor  not 
.  known.  . 

KNOX  COUNTY  OBSERVER — 1865 ;  published  by  Louis  V.  Taf t ;  existed  for  only 
a  short  time. 

THE  TIMES — 1867;  Ethan  A.  Snively;  democratic;  existed  for  about  one  year. 

THE  LIBERAL — 1867-1870;  a  very  "liberal"  society  paper,  edited  by  Steve  R. 
Smith.  This  gentleman  also,  in  1873,  started  THE  SIDEWALKINGS,  which  had  only 
a  short  career.  ;  .-,  I 

THE  REVIEW — 1877;  started  by  Colville  Bros.;  republican;  in  1878  it  was 
changed  to  a  monthly  and  soon  after  passed  away.  ' 

Knox  and  Lombard  Colleges  have  also  published  monthly  journals.  The 
Knox  Student  at  Knox  College  and  The  Lombard  Review  at  Lombard  College. 
Both  of  them  have  been  c'onducted  with  marked  ability  and  have  done  much  to 
benefit  their  alma  maters.  At  one  time  the  students  of  Knox  College  published  a 
paper  called  the  Coup  d'  Etat  in  addition  to  the  Knox  Student.  The  Coup  d' 
Etat  was  started  as  the  result  of  a  disagreement  over  the  election  of  nianagers 
of  the  Student.  Both  papers  continued  for  some  time  when  The  Knox  Student 
gave  up  the  fight.  The  Coup  d'  Etat  continued  to  be  published  for  quite  a  number 
of  years  and  finally  the  name  "The  Knox  Student"  was  adopted  as  meaning  more 
to  the  college. 

THE  HIGH  SCHOOL  BUDGET,  a  weekly  edited  and  printed  by  the  students  of  the 
Galesburg  High  School;  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the  high  school  and 
usually  replete  with  "happy  hits"  at  the  expense  of  the  lads  and  lasses  attending 
the  high  school. 

THE  ENTERPRISE  HERALD — The  Abingdon  Enterprise  was  established  in  i88o 
by  J.  C.  Cromer  and  its  first  issue  was  in  July  of  that  year.  He  continued  its 
publication  for  a  couple  of  years  when  he  mysteriously  disappeared  and  has 
never  been  heard  from.  Mrs.  Cromer  then  sold  the  paper  to  Reed  &  Pendarvis, 
who  kept  it  until  1893,  when  it  was  sold  to  C.  A.  Murdock,  who  was  its  editor 
something  over  a  year,  when  it  was  sold  and  consolidated  with  the  Herald.  Dur- 
ing  this  time  its  politics  were  varied,  sometimes  being  republican,  again  inde- 
pendent,  but  never  particularly  vigorous.  •.«' 

The  Herald  was  established  in  March,  1892,  by  E.  M.  Killough,  who  contin- 
ued  its  publication  until  1895,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  M.  A.  Cleveland, 
and  they  together  purchased  the  Enterprise  and  consolidated  the  two,  making  the 


490         ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^1:; 

Enterprise  Herald.  The  Herald  was  democratic  in  politics,  decidedly  so  on  all 
questions.  A  year  later  Mr.  Killough  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner  and 
continued  the  publication  of  the  Enterprise  Herald  until  his  death  in  December, 
1906.  At  this  time  his  widow.  Lulu  Killough,  took  up  the  management  of  the 
paper  and  continued  its  editor  and  publisher  with  a  son.  Merle  B.,  in  charge  of 
the  mechanical  department. 

Locally  the  Enterprise  Herald  has  been  a  home  paper,  working  for  Abingdon 
'and  its  institutions,  giving  of  its  influence  and  its  means  for  the  up-keep  of  the 
same  and  for  the  establishment  of  new  ones.  It  has  never  identified  itself  with 
either  local  party — people's  or  citizens' — but  has  thrown  its  influence  where  it 
felt  would  be  for  the  betterment  of  the  city  in  general,  often  taking  a  decided 
and  active  part  in  the  local  campaign.  '  -'^ 

In  December,  1911,  the  circulation  of  the  paper  was  transferred  to  The  Ko- 
dac,  and  the  mechanical  department  disposed  of. 

THE  PRESS  OF  KNOXVILLE.  Knoxville's  first  newspaper  was  the  Knoxville 
Journal,  first  being  issued  October  5,  1849,  by  John  S.  Winter  and  David  Collins. 
It  was  neutral  in  politics,  but  was  ably  edited  and  a  splendid  exponent  of  the 
best  principles  of  early  times.  In  1852,  Mr.  Winter  transferred  his  interest  to 
Mr.  Collins,  who  in  1855  sold  the  plant  to  Mr.  John  Regan.  Soon  after  the 
politics  was  changed  from  neutral  to  democratic.  Mr.  Winter  then  in  1856 
began  the  publication  of  the  Knox  County  Republican,  when  tfie  Journal  was  dis- 
continued for  want  of  patronage,  and  the  type  and  press  was  moved  to  Elmwood, 
where  for  many  years  Mr.  Regan  printed  the  Messenger.  The  Republican  has  not 
missed  an  issue  since  1856,  which  will  support  the  claim  that  it  is  the  oldest 
newspaper  in  the  county,  or,  in  fact,  this  part  of  the  state.  On  April  7,  1858, 
Zaccheus  Beatty  and  W.  T.  Robinson  succeeded  as  publishers.  After  many  years 
Mr.  Beatty  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Mr.  O.  A.  Barnhart.  On  February  24,  1876, 
the  plant  and  good  will  of  The  Republican  was  purchased  by  O.  L.  Campbell, 
who  immediately  enlarged  the  paper  from  a  four-page  to  an  eight  and  sixteen 
page  paper  and  for  more  than  thirty-four  years  this  newspaper  has  labored  for 
the  upbuilding  of  Knoxville  and  Knox  county.  At  this  time  the  Republican  is 
owned  and  managed  by  H.  B.  Andrews,  who  is  conducting  it  in  harmony  with  the 
early  history  of  the  oflice. 

THE  WiLLiAMSFiELD  TiMES  was  started  in  January,  1889,  by  C.  D.  Benfield. 
In  the  fall  of  1890  the  building  and  the  Times  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Mr. 
Benfield  and  Earl  Benson  restocked  a  new  office  and  continued  the  publication. 
In  the  fall  of  1891  Mr.  Benson  and  J.  M.  Morneny  bought  out  Mr.  Benfield.  On 
April  8,  1893,  the  Times  plant  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Hugh  Irish,  who  came  to 
Williamsfield  from  McDonough,  and  by  him  conducted  in  an  able  manner  up  to 
this  date,  a  period  of  over  eighteen  years.  The  Times  has  always  been  a  non- 
political  paper  and  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  its  home  town  and  people. 

THE  ONEIDA  NEWS  was  founded  by  W.  K.  Maxwell  in  1901  who  conducted  it 
as  an  independent  paper  until  about  five  years  ago,  when  a  stock  company  was 
organized  and  incorporated  for  the  publishing  of  the  paper.  Mr.  Maxwell  was 
editor  and  manager  of  the  News  until  January,  1911,  when  he  disposed  of  his 
interests  in  the  paper  to  Frank  C.  Krans,  who  for  twelve  years  published  the 


.;^;  ;/  v.;;;^--  ;  .  -y'^^  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     • :,: -    .  491 

'•  Altona  Record.  Mr.  Maxwell  went  to  Peoria  where  he  took  a  position  on  the 
Herald  Transcript  as  special  and  editorial  writer.  The  News  is  republican  in 
politics  and  always  ready  to  assist  in  any  movement  for  the  betterment  and  ad- 
vancement of  Oneida. 

:         THE  GALESBURG  DAILY  MAIL  was  started  on  May  14,  1891,  by  the  Daily 

•'•  Mail  Publishing  Co.  The  control  of  the  paper  was  in  the  hands  of  George  W. 
and  William  R.  Colville  and  William  Bennett  Barnes.  Other  members  of  the 

•;  company  were :  S.  H.  Bateman,  General  Philip  S.  Post,  F.  A.  Freer  and  H.  L. 
May.  W.  O.  Lovejoy  later  succeeded  Mr.  Bateman.  George  W.  Colville  was 
managing  editor  and  William  Bennett  Barnes  city  editor,  with  William  R.  Colville 
as  business  manager.  :  r/^  -•.••' 

-  There  was  no  particular  political  motive  in  the  starting  of  the  Mail.     The 
Republican-Register  was  the  warm  supporter  of  Colonel  Clark  E.  Carr  and  op- 
posed to  him  for  the  congressional  nomination  in  the  tenth  district  was  General 
Philip  Sydney  Post.    The  appearance  and  tone  of  the  new  paper  brought  much 

;  credit  to  Messrs.  Colville  and  Barnes  and  leaders  of  the  Post  faction  obtained  a 
heavier  interest  and  then  the  Mail  was  given  the  task  of  counteracting  the 
influence  of  the  Republican -Register  and  fighting  the  battles  of  General  Post. 
The  subsequent  victory  of  General  Post  enhanced  the  Mail's  chances  of  continued 
success. 

In  1895  Messrs.  Colville  and  Barnes  transferred  their  interests  to  D.  H.  and 
Ben  B.  Hampton,  former  proprietors  of  the  Macomb  Bystander.  Early  in  their 
administration  the  publication  was  removed  from  the  job  office  on  Main  street 
to  more  commodious  quarters  in  a  new  building  erected  for  it  at  5052  North 
Cherry  street.  In  August,  1899,  another  move  was  made  to  the  Marquette  build- 
ing on  South  Cherry  street,  where  it  has  occupied  three  floors  and  from  which  it 
proposes  to  move  in  the  autumn  of  1912  still  further  south  on  Cherry  street  to  a 
building  especially  constructed  for  its  occupancy  in  the  city  hall  block. 

-  In  January,  1900,  Frank  H.  Sisson  and  Charles  H.  May  assumed  control  of 
the  Mail,  when  a  transfer  of  the  majority  of  the  stock  was  made  and  the  Messrs. 
Hampton  retired.  ,: 

In  1904  Messrs.  May  and  Sisson  sold  out  their  interest  in  the  paper  to 
Andrew  O.  Lindstrum  and  a  number  of  local  associates.  It  was  conducted  by  them 
until  1907.  The  management  of  this  paper  and  of  the  Republican-Register,  the 
other  daily  paper  of  the  city,  were  closely  allied,  and  there  was  a  demand,  grow- 
ing as  the  years  went  on,  for  a  paper  which  should  be  more  independent.  This 
demand  culminated  in  the  organization  in  October  of  1907  of  the  Galesburg 
Publishing  Company,  whose  object  was  to  publish  the  Galesburg  Evening  Journal. 

Before  the  new  company  could  get  its  plant  in  operation,  however,  overtures 
came  to  it  from  Messrs.  Lindstrum  and  West  (Albert  W.  West  had  meanwhile 
associated  himself  with  Mr.  Lindstrum  in  the  publication  of  the  paper)  to  sell 
the  Mail.  The  overtures  were  followed  by  negotiations,  and  the  negotiations 
were  successful.  On  December  2,  .1907,  all  the  assets  of  the  paper  were  pur- 
chased by  the  new  corporation,  and  from  that  time  it  has  been  issued  under  the 
present  management. 

The  name  of  the  corporation  was  very  similar  to  that  of  the  company  pub- 


492        •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

lishing  the  Republican-Register,  and  to  avoid  confusion  in  the  delivery  of  mail, 
etc.,  it  was  changed  to  Galesburg  Mail  Company.  The  circulation  and  advertising 
patronage  of  the  paper  has  steadily  grown  under  the  new  management,  and  at 
the  present  time  the  issue  is  over  7,100  daily. 

Plans  have  been  laid  for  a  new  building  on  South  Cherry  street,  opposite 
the  postoffice,  and  the  paper  expects  to  enter  its  new  quarters  early  in  the  fall. 
Robert  A.  Chandler  is  general  manager  of  the  paper,  Walter  Whipple  is  editor, 
Geo.  W.  Cowan  is  the  efficient  advertising  manager,  and  W.  C.  Hunter  is  busi- 
ness and  circulation  manager. 

,     The  paper  is  independent  in  policy.       .  ;  '      •;••.(     -'••,;•,;• 
'-'''',.'•'".?;•-•.'•;  •..'-•.''.  5x:  ^"•'- '::'r\ /'    .'•''^^^, ;•".•';••,::•  .•,.'••••:/'•:•::•. ^ 

-;   :  -i^'  i  .  THE   REPUBLICAN-REGISTER        :    :V       •. 

Of  all  the  Galesburg  newspapers  the  Republican-Register,  daily  and  weekly, 
is  the  oldest  and  it  ranks  as  one  of  the  widest  circulated  and  most  influential 
papers  in  the  state.  Its  history  dates  back  nearly  half  a  century  and  the  years 
have  seen  it  grow  steadily  in  circulation  and  influence. 

The  Republican-Register  is  the  outcome  of  the  merging  of  the  Republican 
and  the  Register.    The  former  was  founded  in  1866  by  Stephen  R.  Smith,  William 
J.  Mourer  and  H.  D.  Babcock,  and  in  1872  was  purchased  by  Col.  E.  F.  Phelps,      /. 
afterward  prominent  in  fraternal  circles  here.  •  ' 

The  Register  was  started  in  1870  by  Col.  Clark  E.  Carr,  and  J.  M.  Prior,  and    ;.,;.•.: 
Col.  Carr  is  still  living  to  recall  the  editorial  work  that  he  so  well  did  on  his    'f/^; 
paper.      In     1872    S.    W.    Grubb    purchased    the    Republican.      The    mer-    >  ;'. 
ger    of    the    two    papers     was     accomplished     in     December,     1872,     when          : 
the  Galesburg  Printing  and  Publishing  Company  was  organized  and  incorporated 
with  a  capital  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars  under  the  laws  of  Illinois,  and  the 
consolidated  paper  was  christened  the  Republican-Register,  by  which  title  it  has 
since  been  known.  • 

;  The  first  officers  of  the  company  were  George  V.  Deiterich,  president;  Zac- 
cheus  Beatty,  editor  and  vice  president,  and  S.  W.  Grubb,  secretary-treasurer 
and  business  manager.  With  the  newspaper  plant  was  also  a  job  office.  .^^•. 

The  company  has  published  both  a  daily  and  a  weekly  during  all  these  years.  ^' ••-'•'•'' 
For  a  long  time  the  paper  was  issued  from  the  building  on  the  northeast  corner         .; 
of  the  public  square.    Then  the  plant  was  moved  to  one  of  the  Mathews  build- 
ings on  East  Main  street.    In  1893  the  equipment  was  moved  to  a  handsome  new 
two-story  building  at  154-156  Simmons  street  erected  by  the  company  and  built 
specially  with  reference  to  the  business.     Since  that  date  the  business  has  been 
carried  on  in  this  structure  and  now  takes  every  inch  of  the  entire  building. 
The  company  is  the  only  newspaper  company  in  the  city  that  owns  its  own  build- 
ing containing  special  conveniences  for  effective  work. 

Zaccheus  Beatty,  the  efficient  editor  of  the  paper  for  years,  passed  away  in 
1896.  S.  W.  Grubb,  who  from  the  business  angle,  made  the  plant  a  paying  ven- 
ture, retired  about  1900  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  James  W.  Grubb.  In 
1901  Omer  N.  Custer,  George  A.  Perry  and  Fred  R.  Jelliff  acquired  the  Beatty 
stock  while  the  stock  of  Mr.  Grubb  was  transferred  to  his  son.  For  several 


..?/:-^f:    ;>;::;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         -  -          493 

years  the  last-named  was  the  secretary-treasurer  of  the  company,  until  he  dis- 
posed of  his  holdings  to  Mr.  Custer  and  Mr.  Perry  in  April,  1909.  With  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Beatty  stock,  Mr.  Perry  became  the  business  manager  of  the  com- 
pany and  has  served  since  in  this  capacity  with  rare  fidelity.  Before  coming 
to  the  Republican-Register  he  was  in  the  circulation  department  of  the  Mail  from 
its  incipiency  and  then  for  several  years  had  an  interest  in  the  business  of  the 
Colville  Brothers,  old  and  established  printers  of  the  city. 

When  James  W.  Grubb  sold  his  holdings  Mr.  Custer  was  elected  secretary- 
treasurer  in  his  stead  and  is  still  holding  that  position. 

Mr.  Custer  started  in  twenty  years  or  so*  ago  in  the  circulation  department 
of  the  paper  and  worked  his  way  to  the  front  by  persistent  application  to  its 
interests.  Fred  R.  Jelliflf,  who  began  work  with  the  paper  as  a  reporter  in  1882, 
has  been  its  editor  since  the  death  of  Mr.  Beatty  and  is  the  oldest  newspaper 
man  in  the  city  still  in  the  harness.  Through  thirty  years  he  has  been  continu- 
ously with  the  Republican-Register.  Fred  A.  Dean  for  several  years  has  been  the 
president  of  tlie  company. 

The  Republican-Register  from  a  humble  beginning  has  developed  into  a  thor- 
oughly modern  newspaper.  It  has  a  circulation  of  over  eight  thousand,  which  is 
a  larger  circulation  than  any  other  paper  in  its  territory  possesses.  It  has  the 
full  telegraphic  service  which  comes  over  a  leased  wire  into  its  office,  and  its 
corps  of  correspondents  covers  well  all  the  county  and  much  of  the  surrounding 
country.  From  being  set  by  hand  at  the  case,  the  paper  is  now  set  at  five  linotype 
machines,  and  from  being  run  ofi  by  an  old-fashioned  fiatbed  press  on  the  square, 
the  paper  is  now  run  off  by  a  twenty- four  page  Potter  press.  The  job  office  has 
also  been  from  time  to  time  added  to  and  so  is  thoroughly  equipped. 

The  Republican-Register  is  republican  in  its  politics  and  has  been  so  from  its 

origin,  but  is  not  intolerant.     It  is  recognized  as  fair  and  reliable  in  its  news, 

,;   and  as  maintaining  a  wholesome  tone  aiming  to  be  a  publication  fit  for  the 

:, ':':.'  family  circle.    It  has  striven  to  promote  public  morals  and  respect  for  law.    As 

?  the  dean  of  the  newspapers  of  the  city  it  deservedly  takes  a  high  rank. 


KNOX  COUNTY  COMMON  SCHOOLS 
,  ,    •  .;  BY  PROF.  WALTER  F.  BOYES 

SCHOOL  LANDS  ; 


'  f  The  enabling  act  of  congress  for  the  state  of  Illinois,  April,  i8i8,  donated 
the  sixteenth  section  of  every  township  to  the  inhabitants  thereof  for  school  pur- 
poses. Under  an  act  of  the  general  assembly  of  1831  providing  for  the  sale  of 
these  lands,  the  county  commissioners'  court  appointed  A.  D.  Swartz  commis- 
sioner and  agent  for  the  inhabitants  of  Knox-  county  for  the  sale  of  the  sections 
of  land  numbered  sixteen.  Upon  the  failure  of  Mr.  Swartz  to  qualify,  Wil- 
liam McMurtry  was  appointed  to  the  position.  Prior  to  this  action  of  the  court 
a  subscription  school  had  been  conducted  at  Henderson  Grove  and  slightly  later 
another  at  Cherry  Grove.  But  the  appointment  of  the  commissioner  of  school 


494          .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

lands  was  the  first  official  act  looking  toward  the  establishing  of  public  schools 
in  Knox  county.  The  same  law  commanded  the  appointment  by  the  court  of 
township  trustees  of  school  lands.  On  the  sixth  day  of  September,  1831,  Turner 
A.  Rountree  and  Jesse  D.  Gum  were  so  appointed  for  township  12  north,  range  i 
east,  Henderson.  Other  such  appointments  were  soon  made  and  the  list  of 
township  trustees  was  complete  in.  a  comparatively  short  time.  The  chief  duty 
of  the  county  commissioner  was  to  sell  the  school  lands  upon  the  petition  of 
three-fourths  of  the  voters  of  the  respective  townships;  that  of  the  trustees  was 
to  make  a  map  of  the  land,  dividing  it  into  tracts  of  not  more  than  eighty  acres 
and  to  place  a  value,  not  less  than  ?i.25  per  acre,  on  each  tract  for  the  guidance 
of  the  commissioner  in  making  sales. 

The  first  petition  for  the  sale  of  land  was  that  of  James  Mansfield,  Stephen 
Mitchell,  Harmon  G.  Brown  and  forty-nine  others,  "white  male  inhabitants  over 
the  age  of  twenty-one  years  and  legal  voters  of  the  township  of  land  known 
and  designated  on  the  plats  of  the  surveys  of  the  lands  belonging  to  United 
States  as  township  number  12  north,  range  i  east  of  the  fourth  principal  me- 
ridian." This  petition  was  dated  January  4,  1834,  and  the  fifty-two  signers  in- 
cluded all  but  ten  of  the  voters  of  Henderson  township.  The  trustees  divided 
the  section  into  twenty-  and  forty-acre  lots  and  after  due  advertisement  it  was 
sold  to  six  buyers  at  $1.25  per  acre.  In  the  same  year  ten  of  the  thirteen  voters 
of  Maquon  township  petitioned  for  the  sale  of  their  land.  It  likewise  brought 
the  minimum  legal  price,  $800.  The  last  full  section  of  school  land  to  be  dis- 
posed of  in  the  county  was  that  of  Lynn  township  in  1852  for  $1,576.  Forty 
acres  of  the  Chestnut  section  remained  unsold  until,  following  a  revaluation  by 
Trustees  D.  B.  Routh,  H.  P.  Townsend  and  Samuel  Cashman,  it  was  disposed 
of  in  1868  for  $506.  The  trustees  of  Ontario  township,  in  1848,  valued  their 
section  at  $720,  the  law  fixing  a  minimum  value  having  been  repealed.  During 
the  next  two  years  it  was  sold  for  $767.77,  the  smallest  amount  received  for 
any  school  section  in  the  county.  The  sixteenth  section  of  Galesburg  township, 
three-fourths  of  it  lying  within  the  city  limits,  was  sold  (1839-1848)  in  ten-  and 
twenty-acre  lots  for  the  sum  of  $5,668.  The  section  on  which  Altona  stands 
was  disposed  of  in  1841  for  $2,024.20. 

In  view  of  the  present  great  value  of  these  lands,  the  thought  is  forced  upon 
one  that  something  like  proper  foresight  and  care  would  have  preserved  to  our 
common  schools  sufficient  funds  well-nigh  to  maintain  them.  What  the  net  in- 
come from  one  of  these  sections  would  now  do  for  the  schools  of  a  township 
would  be  something  good  to  see.  But  it  is  to  be  urged  that  in  those  days  the 
railroad  had  not  come  and  no  one  could  have  much  idea  of  the  wonderful  de- 
velopment soon  to  be.  Besides,  it  was  argued  that  the  earliest  settlers  were  in 
greater  need  of  assistance  in  maintaining  their  schools  than  would  be  the  case 
with  later  inhabitants. 

Small  as  was  the  fund  secured  to  each  of  the  townships  from  this  land,  it 
hastened  the  establishment  of  schotols,  and  the  income  from  it  was  for  a  score 
of  years  a  very  considerable  part  of  the  public  money  spent  on  education.  It  is 
interesting  to  note,  too,  that  this  donation  had  a  most  important  influence  in 
determining  the  plan  of  organization  of  public  education  in  Illinois  and  Knox 
county.  The  fact  that  the  title  to  the  land  was  vested  in  the  inhabitants  of  the 


•        ^^       ^"^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .-.  -^  495 

township  accounts  for  the  township  school  officers,  trustees  and  treasurer.  That 
the  county  should  become  the  unit  of  school  supervision  was  likewise  determined 
by  the  land  grant.  The  county  commissioner  of  school  lands  had  at  first  nothing 
to  do  with  schools;  but  when  the  interest  on  school  funds  became  considerable, 
in  1835,  it  was  made  his  duty  to  distribute  the  money  among  the  teachers. 
Gradually  were  added  other  duties  that  made  him  a  supervisor  of  school  work. 

?;: 'X' '/=;-•  '"V  ./•:•'-:   •r'';'^;'.'.:  EARLY  SCHOOLS  '   •^.     .          \''-,"'f-^"\ 

•  f  The  beginnings  of  common  school  education  were  made  in  every  township  of 
the  county  during  the  period  from  1830  to  1841.  These  schools  cannot  be  said 
to  have  had  their  origin  in  any  fostering  care  of  the  state.  The  laws  were  almost 
wholly  ineffective  so  far  as  the  creation  or  development  of  schools  was  con- 
cerned. A  body  of  school  law  had  been  enacted  in  1825,  but  it  proved  to  be 
many  years  ahead  of  the  times  and  was  repealed  in  1827.  During  the  time 
Knox  county  was  establishing  practically  as  many  schools  as  she  will  ever  need, 
the  law  specifically  protected  the  property  holder  against  taxation  for  schools 
unless  his  consent  in  writing  had  been  secured.  As  before  stated,  from  1835 

A  the  interest  on  the  school  fund  was  distributed  to  teachers.     Each  teacher  was 

-.;  required  to  keep  a  record  of  daily  attendance  and  received  such  a  proportion  of 
.  the  fund  of  the  township  as  the  attendance  in  his  school  was  of  the  total  at- 
tendance.    This  was  not  a  large  sum  in  any  case;  but  it  was  something,  and 
it  served  effectively  to  stimulate  and  encourage  the  establishment  of  schools  that 
without  it  would  have  seemed  impossible. 

But  for  the  larger  part  the  schools  of  the  county  came  not  from  the  land 
grant  fund  nor  from  any  outside  stimulus  or  assistance,  but  from  the  desire  of 
the  people  in  the  different  communities  to  educate  their  children.  The  wonder 
is  that  so  many  of  them  had  schools  at  all.  The  financial  support  was  always 
inadequate;  the  steadying  influence  of  a  wise  system  of  laws  was  lacking;  and 
conflicting  notions  of  the  purpose  and  the  management  of  schools  led  some- 

.  times  to  great  confusion.  It  was  legally  mandatory  ujx>n  the  county  commis- 
sioners' court  to  establish  a  school  district  whenever  petitioned  to  do  so  by  a 
majority  of  the  legal  voters  living  within  the  territory  of  the  proposed  new  dis- 
trict. The  law  left  no  discretion  to  the  court  and  had  no  reference  to  the  num- 
ber of  families  in  the  district  formed  or  in  any  other  district  or  districts  that 
might  be  affected.  This  easy  method  of  forming  districts  often  caused  the  divi- 
sion of  territory  already  too  small  and  weak  for  the  support  of  a  school.  The 
first  district  formed  under  this  law  was  that  at  Log  City,  in  1837;  the  second 
v,'as  the  Edgar  or  Hague  district,  now  No.  io8,  southeast  of  Galesburg,  in  the 
same  year.  Indian  Point  district,  now  No.  172,  south  of  Abingdon,  was  the 
third.  In  1840  there  were  eighteen  districts. 

Upon  the  formation  of  a  district  the  citizens  gathered  and  determined  whether 
the  school  should  be  maintained  one-half  by  taxation  and  one-half  by  contribution 
of  the  patrons  in  proportion  to  the  benefits  received  or  wholly  by  taxation.  Such 
taxing  power  as  the  district  had  was  also  lodged  in  this  meeting,  no  one  being 
subject  to  taxation  except  upon  his  written  consent.  Everything  was  done  within 
the  district.  The  officers  were  three  trustees,  a  clerk,  an  assessor,  a  collector  and 


496          ^;'       '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

\  '  ' 

a  treasurer.  The  trustees  employed  the  teacher  and  superintended  the  school. 
During  the  first  ten  years  of  schools  in  the  county,  teachers  were  examined  by  the 
trustees  of  the  district  only.  In  1841  the  law  made  the  township  trustees  of 
schools  the  board  of  examiners  in  townships,  incorporated  for  school  purposes. 
A  certificate  of  qualification  was  necessary  to  the  drawing  of  money  from  the 
school  fund.  Each  district  might  maintain  as  many  schools  as  were  desired. 
Altogether  it  was  democracy  carried  to  the  extreme  in  school  aflfairs.  The  ef- 
fect was  to  make  schools  much  more  numerous  than  they  should  have  been,  to 
destroy  the  possibility  of  system  or  continuity  in  school  work,  and  to  give  to  the 
schools  of  the  period  a  general  character  of  meagerness,  poverty  and  instability. 
The  brighter  side  of  the  situation  was  the  efficiency  and  devotion  of  some  teachers 
and  the  real  earnestness  in  matters  of  education  shown  by  part  of  the  people. 

Among  the  teachers  of  this  earliest  period  were  the  following :  Franklin 
Barber,  1830  or  '31,  and  Harmon  G.  Brown,  1833,  Henderson  township;  Robert 
Bell,  1832,  Mr.  Seymour,  1835.  Cedar  township;  Judge  Dennis  Qark,  1836,  In- 
dian Point;  Thomas  Ellison,  1836,  and  Anderson  Barnell,  1838,  Orange.  About 
this  same  time  and  just  later  schools  were  taught  by  Susan  Dempsey  in  Haw 
Creek,  Henry  Shurtleff  in  Victoria  and  Abiel  Drew  in  Salem. 

:  ,.     .  ;'       COMMISSIONERS  . 

As  stated  previously,  William  McMurtry,  appointed  in  1832,  was  the  first 
county  commissioner  of  school  lands.  Upon  his  resignation  in  1840  Curtis  K. 
Harvey  was  appointed,  his  service  continuing  at  least  until  1845.  Some  of  the 
county  records  were  destroyed  and  the  name  of  the  commissioner  does  not  ap- 
pear in  the  books  that  remain.  In  one  of.  the  oldest  ones  was  found  a  slip  of 
paper  bearing  an  official  statement  to  the  effect  that  on  November  12,  1849, 
Samuel  S.  Seward  purchased  lot  No.  ii  of  the  sixteenth  section  of  Truro  town- 
ship. It  is  signed  T.  Judson  Hale,  school  commissioner.  Mr.  Hale's  biographer 
says  that  he  held  the  office,  1847  to  1849.  This  is  no  doubt  correct,  although 
he  was  also  circuit  clerk  of  the  county  during  a  part  of  this  time ;  but  whether 
Mr.  Harvey  or  another  served  from  1845  to  1847  cannot  be  learned.  In  1845 
the  office  was  made  elective  for  a  term  of  two  years.  At  ihat  time  the  commis- 
sioner was  made  e.\-  officio  county  superintendent  and  was  required  to  visit 
schools,  to  advise  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  them  and  to  examine  teachers. 
William  H.  Whitton  succeeded  Mr.  Hale  in  the  office  and  served  two  terms.  He 
was  followed  by  J.  H.  Noteware  for  the  term  1853-55.  The  title  of  the  office 
had  changed ;  it  had  become  elective  and  was  charged  with  certain  supervisory 
functions ;  but  its  chief  work  was  still  with  the  financial  side  of  school  affairs 
and  the  duties  of  the  office  during  this  period  of  nearly  a  quarter  century  were 
quite  fully  comprehended  in  the  title,  commissioner  of  school  lands. 

';.  ;   V  .       :;  THE  PRESENT  SYSTEM  •^' 

In  1855  the  general  assembly,  yielding  to  the  pressure  of  a  public  opinion 
created  by  the  efforts  of  earnest  men  throughout  the  state,  enacted  a  law  to  estab- 
lish a  system  of  public  schools  in  Illinois.  A  complete  organization  was  pro- 


"  i° 
P--1- 


.w ...... 


2. 


» 


O 

C 

O 


35.    O 
•  .,    O 


O  -1 

3? 


H.I 


496  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          .; 

a  treasurer.  The  trustees  employed  the  teacher  and  superintended  the  school. 
During  the  first  ten  years  of  schools  in  the  county,  teachers  were  examined  by  the 
trustees  of  the  district  only.  In  1841  the  law  made  the  township  trustees  of 
schools  the  board  of  examiners  in  townships,  incorporated  for  school  purposes. 
A  certificate  of  qualification  was  necessary  to  the  drawing  of  money  from  the 
school  fund.  Each  district  might  maintain  as  many  schools  as  were  desired. 
Altogether  it  was  democracy  carried  to  the  extreme  in  school  affairs.  The  ef- 
fect was  to  make  schools  much  more  numerous  than  they  should  have  been,  to 
destroy  the  possibility  of  system  or  continuity  in  school  work,  and  to  give  to  the 
schools  of  tlie  period  a  general  character  of  meagerness,  poverty  and  instability. 
The  brighter  side  of  the  situation  was  the  efficiency  and  devotion  of  some  teachers 
and  the  real  earnestness  in  matters  of  education  shown  by  part  of  the  people. 

Among  the  teachers  of  this  earliest  period  were  the  following  :  Franklin 
Barber.  1830  or  '31.  and  Harmon  G.  Brown,  1833.  Henderson  township;  Robert 
Bell,  1832,  ^Ir.  Seymour,  1835.  Cedar  township;  Judge  Dennis  Clark,  1836,  In- 
dian Point;  Thomas  Ellison,  1836,  and  Anderson  Barnell,  1838,  Orange.  Alxjut 
this  same  time  and  just  later  schools  were  taught  by  Susan  Dempsey  in  Haw 
Creek,  Henry  Shurtlefif  in  \'ictoria  and  Abiel  Drew  in  Salem. 

•;.;;;.          '  •  COMMISSIONERS       '.          ;•  :      .. 

As  stated  previously,  William  McMurtry,  appointed  in  1832,  was  the  first 
county  commissioner  of  school  lands.  Upon  his  resignation  in  1840  Curtis  K. 
Harvey  was  appointed,  his  service  continuing  at  least  until  1845.  Some  of  the 
county  records  were  destroyed  and  the  name  of  the  commissioner  does  not  ap- 
pear in  the  books  that  remain.  In  one  of  the  oldest  ones  was  found  a  slip  of 
paper  bearing  an  official  statement  to  the  effect  that  on  November  12,  1849, 
Samuel  S.  Seward  purchased  lot  No.  ii  of  the  sixteenth  section  of  Truro  town- 
ship. It  is  signed  T.  Judson  Hale,  school  commissioner.  Mr.  Hale's  biographer 
says  that  he  held  the  office,  1847  to  1849.  This  is  no  doubt  correct,  although 
he  was  also  circuit  clerk  of  the  county  during  a  i)art  of  this  time  ;  but  whether 
Mr.  Harvey  or  another  served  from  1845  to  1847  cannot  be  learned.  In  1845 
the  office  was  made  elective  for  a  term  of  two  years.  At  that  time  the  commis- 
sioner was  made  c.v  officio  county  superintendent  and  was  required  to  visit 
schools,  to  advise  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  them  and  to  examine  teachers. 
William  H.  \\  hitton  succeeded  Mr.  Hale  in  the  office  and  served  two  terms.  He 
was  followed  by  J.  H.  Xoteware  for  the  term  1853-55.  The  title  of  the  office 
had  changed  ;  it  had  Ijeconie  elective  and  was  charged  with  certain  supervisory 
functions  ;  but  its  chief  work  was  still  with  the  financial  side  of  school  affairs 
and  the  duties  of  the  office  during  this  period  of  nearly  a  quarter  century  were 
quite  fully  comprehended  in  the  title,  commissioner  of  school  lands.  , 

TIIi;   I'RKStNT  SYSTEJI    '      \   ;;  •  1    .          ' 


In  1855  the  general  assembly.  A^ielding  to  the  pressure  of  a  public  opinion 
created  by  the  efforts  of  earnest  men  throughout  the  state,  enacted  a  law  to  estab- 
lish a  system  of  public  schools  in  Illinois.  A  complete  organization  was  pro- 


3  -3; 

"•"(  " 


=  5     '-, 
r'<       C 


^. 
3? 


••:*.• 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


407 


vided,  from  the  directors  and  teacher  of  the  district  to  a  state  superintendent 
of  public  instruction.  Provision  was  made  by  this  law  for  the  financial  sup- 
port of  schools.  The  power  of  local  taxation  was  restored  in  its  full  effect  as  it 
had  not  been  for  nearly  thirty  years.  This  idea  of  taxing  all  property  for  the 
purpose'  of  education  was  of  slow  growth.  The  laws  that  permitted  a  limited 
taxation  during  the  preceding  twenty  years  had  produced  but  little  money  for 
the  schools  either  in  the  county  or  the  state  at  large.  In  1847  the  total  reported 
for  the  state  was  $8,763;  in  1852,  under  a  slightly  different  law,  it  was  $51,000; 
in  1858,  the  third  year  of  the  new  law,  it  rose  to  $563,460  for  the  state  and 
$12,791.74  for  Knox  county — ^the  sum  the  people  of  the  county  paid  in  taxes  for 
school  purposes  being  $ioo  less  than  was  distributed  to  them  by  the  state  for 
schools. 

Congress  had  provided  that  3  per  cent  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  pub- 
lic lands  in  Illinois,  one-sixth  part  excepted,  should  go  to  establish  a  permanent 
school  fund.  When  in  1836  the  general  government  distributed  $28,000,000  sur- 
plus revenue  among  the  states,  Illinois  placed  the  greater  part  of  her  share, 
which  was  nearly  half  a  million  dollars,  in  the  school  fund.  Interest  on  this 
fund  at  the  rate  of  6  per  cent  has  been,  from  the  middle  thirties,  distributed 
to  the  counties  in  proportion  to  their  minor  population.  The  new  law  added  to 
this  a  two-mill  tax  to  be  collected  on  all  property  in  the  state  and  distributed  to 
the  counties  along  with  the  interest  on  the  permanent  fund.  Then  there  was 
the  income  from  a  small  county  fund,  the  origin  of  which  need  not  be  here 
explained,  and  the  townships  had  each  the  income  from  the  proceeds  of  the 
sale  of  its  school  section.  Thus  the  support  furnished  from  outside  the  people 
themselves  was  fairly  generous.  But  the  development  of  the  public  school  idea 
was  shown  more  truly  in  the  provision  for  local  taxation.  It  was  made  the  duty 
of  the  township  trustees  to  certify  to  the  clerk  of  the  county  court  such  a  rate 
of  taxation  as  would  supply  any  deficiency  in  keeping  "in  good  condition  and 
operation  a  sufficient  number  of  free  schools  for  the  accommodation  of  all  the 
children  in  the  said  township  during  the  ensuing  year."  Legislation  and  the 
good-will  of  the  people  were  working  together  in  the  interest  of  schools. 
^,  Along  with  this  more  nearly  adequate  financial  support  and  more  general 
public  interest  must  come  improvement  in  the  methods  and  work  of  the  schools 
themselves.  Greater  emphasis  was  placed  on  the  supervisory  duties  of  the  county 
school  commissioner.  Varying  requirements  of  scholarship  for  teachers  had 
been  made  since  1845.  I*  was  now  the  duty  of  the  county  commissioner  to 
certify  their  proficiency  in  and  their  ability  to  teach  "orthography,  reading  in 
English,  penmanship,  arithmetic,  English  grammar,  modern  geography  and  the 
history  of  United  States."  He  was  to  visit  schools  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
counsel  and  direction  and  was  allowed  $2  per  day  for  not  to  exceed  fifty  days 
annually  to  be  spent  in  such  work.  , 

First  to  hold  the  position  under  the  new  law  of  1855  was  P.  H.  Sanford. 
He  began  the  task,  decades  long,  of  systematizing  and  unifying  the  work  of 
nearly  two  hundred  independent  and  unrelated  schools. 


Vol.  1—39 


496  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

:^  ...  TEACHERS'  INSTITUTE 

Very  early  in  his  service  he  called  the  teachers  together  for  the  organization 
of  Knox  County  Teachers'  Institute.     The  meetings  of  this  organization  were 
'  held  semi-annually  for  about  twenty-five  years,  then  annually  and  again  semi- 
annually  for  a  time.     While  the  record  is  not  complete,  it  can  be  stated  with- 
out much  room  for  error  that,  with  one  exception,  there  has  been  at  least  one 
:;  meeting  each  year  for  fifty-six  years.    These  meetings  have  occurred  in  the  dif- 
ferent towns,  Knoxville,  Galesburg,  Abingdon,  Oneida,  Altona,  Wataga,   Ma- 

•  quon  and  Yates  City.     They  continued  from  two  to  four  days  each  and  for  fif- 

•  teen  years  the  people  of  the  different  communities  expressed  their  interest  in 
.   education  by  gratuitous  entertainment  of  the  teachers  in  their  homes.     The  old- 
time  custom  of  "boarding  'round"  made  every  person  in  the  country-side   a 
neighbor  to  the  school.     So  this  extending  of  individual  and  community  hos- 
pitality to  the  teachers  doubtless  had  a  share  in  creating  a  place  for  the  schools 
in  the  regard  of  their  patrons  and  supporters.     In  1871  the  organization  voted 
to  pay  for  entertainment  while  attending  the  meetings. 

In  Knox  county,  as  has  generally  been  the  case,  among  the  earliest  and 
strongest  friends  of  the  common  schools  were  those  connected  with  higher  insti- 
tutions of  learning.  Members  of  the  faculties  of  Knox  College,  Lombard  Uni- 
versity, Redding  Seminary  and  Abingdon  College  were  active  in  both  the  man- 
agement and  the  work  of  this  teachers'  association.  Here  is  at  least  a  partial 
list  of  those  who  gave  it  life  and  character:  P.  H.  Sanford,  J.  V.  N.  Standish, 
George  Churchill,  A.  J.  Thompson,  M.  L.  Comstock,  Albert  Hurd,  J.  B.  Roberts, 
H.  E.  Hitchcock,  B.  G.  Hall,  J.  H.  Knapp,  R.  B.  Guild,  J.  F.  Dickinson.  The 
influence  of  these  men  through  these  semi-annual  meetings  went  directly  and 
most  helpfully  into  the  schools  in  their  formative  period.  So  far  as  can  be 
learned  there  had  been  no  recognized  elements  of  unity  or  cohesion  in  the 
schools  of  the  county  prior  to  the  middle  fifties.  There  was  no  system,  no 
center.  Every  district  organization  was  a  law  unto  itself,  every  teacher  like- 
wise. Then  came  this  group  of  strong  men  with  an  organization  whose  pro- 
grams and  discussions  were  to  stand  to  the  teachers  as  an  expression  of  their 
common  task.  Here  was  the  beginning  of  united  effort,  of  a  system  of  schools. 
Theodore  Parker  addressed  the  institute  at  Galesburg,  October,  1857.  The  next 
March  at  Abingdon,  Horace  Mann,  America's  greatest  educator,  delivered  the 
address,  his  subject  being  "Motives  and  Duties  of  Teachers."  Since  that  time 
many  others  of  distinguished  service  to  education  have  been  honored  guests  of 
the  association. 

Reports  of  the  meetings  as  recorded  by  the  different  secretaries  give,  directly 
and  indirectly,  what  seems  to  be  more  than  mere  glimpses  of  the  work  of  the 
schools.  The  placing  of  the  emphasis  varied  from  time  to  time.  The  earliest 
programs  were  given  chiefly  to  the  presentation  of  the  subjects  of  study  in  the 
common  schools  with  a  view  only  to  the  instruction  of  the  teachers  present  in 
the  subject  matter.  While  it  was  probably  not  possible  for  teachers  in  talking 
to  teachers  to  keep  method  entirely  out  of  their  discussions,  it  is  true  that  for 
a  dozen  years  or  more  material  was  presented  almost  entirely  from  the  academic 
side.  English  grammar  was  a  favorite  topic  from  the  first;  mental  arithmetic 


,...^:r;/:        HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  •-  499 

'''*-;•'-....  .' . . 

and  orthography  received  due  care  as  did  reading  and  a  little  later  geograjAy 
was  emphasized  strongly.  Almost  from  the  first,  object  lessons  received  much 
attention.  They  seem  to  have  been  presented  rather  more  from  the  professional 
side.  The  subject  of  physiology  appears  on  the  program  in  1857,  and  drawing 
received  attention  in  1862.  Thirty-five  years  later  physiology  and  hygiene  came 
to  a  place  on  the  program  of  the  common  school.  At  the  April  meeting,  1865, 
the  following  was  adopted:  Resolved,  That  we  consider  it  the  duty  of  every 
teacher  to  inculcate  devotion  to  our  country  and  fidelity  to  our  government ;  and 
that  these  principles  may  have  a  firm  foundation,  the  Constitution  of  United 
States  should  be  studied  in  our  common  schools."  This  was  thirty-five  years 
before  civics  became  a  subject  of  study  in  the  ungraded  schools  and  forty  years 
before  the  statute  of  the  state  made  it  so.  Natural  history  as  suitable  material 
for  study  in  the  common  schools  was  up  for  discussion  at  the  April  meeting, 
1864.  Messrs.  Knapp  and  Comstock,  of  the  association,  and  Messrs.  Lyon  and 
John  F.  Eberhart,  of  Chicago,  took  part.  As  reported  by  the  secretary,  the 
first  two  speakers  favored  the  introduction  of  the  subject.  Professor  Eberhart 
thought  not  much  could  be  done  except  in  the  way  of  general  exercises,  object 
lessons.  The  problem  of  elementary  science,  niature  study,  has  been  a  difficult 
one  to  teachers  ever  since.  The  extent  to  which  the  language  of  the  various 
text  books  should  be  memorized  by  the  pupils  was  an  oft-recurring  subject  of 
discussion.  It  seems  never  to  have  been  settled  exactly;  but  for  many  years 
the  tendency  away  from  any  memorizing  of  texts  was  probably  too  strong. 
.A  •  At  Oneida,  in  1871,  Rev.  James  Gorton  read  a  paper  on  the  subject,  "Com- 
pulsory  Attendance  of  Our  Public  Schools."  It  was  evidently  a  strong  pres- 
entation  in  favor  of  such  attendance  and  was  followed  by  a  spirited  discussion. 
At  the  close  a  vote  was  taken;  those  present,  and  voting,  stood  forty-five  to 
two  in  favor  of  the  views  expressed  in  the  paper. 

The  organization  of  the  association  provided  for  a  standing  committee  on 
text  books.  In  1862,  Robinson's  arithmetic  and  Qark's  grammar  were  recom- 
mended;  and  a  year  later  the  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Thompson, 
Standish,  Hall,  Roberts,  Churchill,  Knapp  and  Dickinson,  reported  books  to 
complete  the  list.  The  report  was  adopted  as  follows:  Resolved,  That  we 
recommend  for  general  use  in  the  schools  of  this  county  ..:•:•; 

1st.     Wilson's  Series  of  Readers. 

•       2d.     Parker  and  Watson's  Fifth  Reader  for  Elocution  Exercises  in  High 
Schools. 

3d.  Sanders',  or  Parker  and  Watson's  Speller,  to  the  exclusion  of  Web- 
ster's  Elementary. 

4th.  Fordyce  A.  Allen's  Primary  Geography  on  the  Plan  of  Object 
Lessons. 

5th.     Sam  W.  Mason's  Manual  of  Gymnastic  Exercises.  '..-  .   -.:  ;.''.r?=r  t. 

.;•..     6th.     Sherwood's  Speller.  ,  •v.^i^v  '.';'- 

7th.    A  slate  for  every  pupil,  especially  the  younger  ones. 

The  idea  of  a  course  of  study  for  ungraded  schools  made  its  appearance  in 
1873,  in  a  paper  on  "Classification  and  Course  of  Study  for  Ungraded  Schools" 
by  County  Superintendent  Christianer.  Miss  Leanna  Hague  read  a  paper  at 
Abingdon,  in  November,  1877,  '^^  grading  country  schools.  She  proposed  also 


800  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

that  there  slunUd  he  a  course  of  sttidy  and  certificates  of  advancement  issued  to 
pupils.  Four  thinjjs  necessary  to  the  accomplislinient  of  this  were  stated  as 
follows:  1 — I'niforniity  of  text  hooks;  2 — Interest  of  parents  and  directors; 
3 — Regularity  of  attendance;  4 — Permanency  of  teachers.  The  paper  was 
heartily  received  and  the  i)lan  approved  hy  resolution.  Later  in  the  same  meet- 
ing a  committee  on  a  course  of  study  for  schools  was  appointed  hy  the  county 
sujxirintendent. 

.';  About  1875,  special  effort  to  interest  parents  and  the  general  public  in  the 
scho<.->ls  seems  to  have  been  made.  An  annual  exhibit  of  school  work  at  the 
Knox  county  fair  was  undertaken  with  this  end  in  view.  A  plan  proposed  in 
1878  by  Dr.  Leffingwell,  of  Knoxville,  to  erect  a  pavilion  on  the  fair  ground  for 
tlie  purpose  was  adopted  and  the  building  constructed.  (•'• 

•  The  president,  upon  motion,  at  the  meeting  in  November,  1880,  appointed 
a  ctMiimittee  of  five  consisting  of  President  Newton  Bateman,  Supt.  Matthew 
Andrews,  Miss  Leanna  Hague,  Mr.  M.  C.  Bates,  and  Mr.  F.  R.  Jelliff,  to  pre- 
pare a  paper  for  distribution  in  the  county  explaining  the  duties  of  the  county 
superintendent  of  schools.  This  seems  to  have  been  in  response  to  a  question 
nK>re  or  less  general  as  to  whether  the  office  was  necessary  and  worth  the  cost. 

Ehiring  the  years  of  die  rebellion,  as  the  records  of  the  association  show, 
the  teachers  were  responsive  to  the  spirit  of  the  times.  At  the  April  meeting, 
1863.  Dr.  Standish  in  the  chair,  J.  H.  Knapp,  J.  B.  Roberts,  and  B.  G.  Hall, 
committee  on  resolutions,  reported  in  part  as  follows:  "Resolved,  That  it  is 
the  duty  of  all  teachers  to  inculcate  patriotic  principles  and  to  encourage  love 
of  country-,  and  that  every  attempt  on  the  part  of  school  boards  to  repress  ex- 
hibitions of  loyal  feeling  toward  our  government,  especially  in  this  time  of  its 
peril,  should  meet  with  the  disapprobation  of  all  true  hearted  educators,  also, 
Tliat  we  request  our  County  Commissioner  not  to  grant  certificates  to  those 
known  to  have  disloyal  sentiments." 

S.  E.  Field,  John  F.  Dickinson,  George  Churchill,  Miss  Emma  Dryer,  and 
Miss  Mary  A.  West  were  the  committee  on  resolutions  for  the  next  meeting. 
Here  is  part  of  their  report:  "4th,  That  to  our  country  in  this  hour  of  strife 
we  swear  anew  our  allegiance,  pledging  ourselves  to  assist  her,  if  need  be  with 
our  lives,  praying  God  to  continue  to  give  wisdom  to  her  rulers,  courage  to  her 
soldiers  and  victory  to  her  arms.  5th,  That,  feeling  as  we  do  the  debt  we  owe 
our  brothers  in  the  field,  we  pledge  ourselves  to  sustain  them  by  our  sympathies, 
our  labors,  and  our  prayers,  assuring  them  that  while  our  hearts  throb  at  the 
thought  of  their  sufferings,  we  rejoice  at  their  victories  and  glory  in  their  hero- 
ism." Similar  expressions  were  given  at  other  times.  President  Lincoln  was 
commended  on  different  occasions,  particularly  for  the  emancipation  proclama- 
tion :  and  later  Andrew  Johnson  was  condemned  as  a  traitor  and  Congress  was 
called  upon  to  impeach  him.  The  body  was  in  session  in  Oneida  at  the  time  of 
Lee's  surrender,  and  the  resolutions  adopted  are  beautiful  in  their  expression  of 
the  joy  of  victory,  of  devotion  to  country,  and  of  thankfulness  to  God  and  the 
nation's  defenders. 

The  importance  of  this  teachers'  organization  to  the  schools  of  the  county 
will  scarcely  be  over-estimated.  For  years  it  furnished  almost  the  only  means  of 
professional  advancement  to  the  teachers.  In  its  meetings  the  new  ideas  were 


=F 


2."    r 
S     2 


3-     X 


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^ 

i 

X 


500       -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

that  there  should  be  a  course  of  study  and  certificates  of  advancement  issued  to 
pupils.  Four  things  necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  this  were  stated  as 
follows:  I — Uniformity  of  text  books;  2 — Interest  of  parents  and  directors; 
3 — Regularity  of  attendance ;  4 — Permanency  of  teachers.  The  paper  was 
heartily  received  and  the  plan  approved  by  resolution.  Later  in  the  same  meet- 
ing a  committee  on  a  course  of  study  for  schools  was  appointed  by  the  county 
superintendent. 

About  1875,  special  effort  to  interest  parents  and  the  general  public  in  the 
schools  seems  to  have  been  made.  An  annual  exhibit  of  school  work  at  the 
Knox  county  fair  was  imdertaken  with  this  end  in  view.  A  plan  proposed  in 
1878  by  Dr.  Leffingwell,  of  Knoxville,  to  erect  a  pavilion  on  the  fair  ground  for 
the  purpose  was  adopted  and  the  building  constructed.  :.  •  ,  !  ,  • 

The  president,  upon  motion,  at  the  meeting  in  November,  1880,  appointed 
a  committee  of  five  consisting  of  President  Newton  Bateman,  Supt.  Matthew 
Andrews,  ^liss  Leanna  Hague,  ]\Ir.  M.  C.  Bates,  and  Mr.  F.  R.  Jelliff,  to  pre- 
pare a  paper  for  distribution  in  the  county  explaining  the  duties  of  the  county 
superintendent  of  schools.  This  seems  to  have  been  in  response  to  a  question 
more  or  less  general  as  to  whether  the  office  was  necessary  and  worth  the  cost. 

During  the  years  of  the  rebellion,  as  the  records  of  the  association  show, 
the  teachers  were  responsive  to  the  spirit  of  the  times.  At  the  April  meeting, 
1863,  Dr.  Standish  in  the  chair,  J.  H.  Knapp,  J.  B.  Roberts,  and  B.  G.  Hall, 
committee  on  resolutions,  reported  in  part  as  follows :  "Resolved,  That  it  is 
the  duty  of  all  teachers  to  inculcate  patriotic  principles  and  to  encourage  love 
of  country,  and  that  every  attempt  on  the  part  of  school  boards  to  repress  ex- 
hibitions of  loyal  feeling  toward  our  government,  especially  in  this  time  of  its 
peril,  should  meet  with  the  disapprobation  of  all  true  hearted  educators,  also. 
That  we  request  our  County  Commissioner  not  to  grant  certificates  to  those 
known  to  have  disloyal  sentiments." 

S.  E.  Field,  John  F.  Dickinson,  George  Churchill,  Miss  Fmma  Dryer,  and 
Miss  Mary  A.  West  were  the  committee  on  resolutions  for  the  next  meeting. 
Here  is  part  of  their  report :  "4th,  That  to  our  country  in  this  hour  of  strife 
we  swear  anew  our  allegiance,  pledging  ourselves  to  assist  her,  if  need  be  with 
our  lives,  praying  God  to  continue  to  give  wisdom  to  her  rulers,  courage  to  her 
soldiers  and  victory  to  her  arms.  5th,  That,  feeling  as  we  do  the  debt  we  owe 
our  brothers  in  the  field,  we  pledge  ourselves  to  sustain  them  by  our  sympathies, 
our  labors,  and  our  prayers,  assuring  them  that  while  our  hearts  throb  at  the 
thought  of  their  sufferings,  we  rejoice  at  their  victories  and  glory  in  their  hero- 
ism." Similar  expressions  were  given  at  other  times.  President  Lincoln  was 
commended  on  different  occasions,  particularly  for  the  emancipation  proclama- 
tion; and  later  Andrew  Johnson  was  condemned  as  a  traitor  and  Congress  was 
called  upon  to  impeach  him.  The  body  was  in  session  in  Oneida  at  the  time  of 
Lee's  surrender,  and  the  resolutions  adopted  are  beautiful  in  their  expression  of 
the  joy  of  victory,  of  devotion  to  country,  and  of  thankfulness  to  God  and  the 
nation's  defenders.  | 

The  importance  of  this  teachers'  organization  to  the  schools  of  the  county 
will  scarcely  be  over-estimated.  For  years  it  furnished  almost  the  only  means  of 
professional  advancement  to  the  teachers.  In  its  meetings  the  new  ideas  were 


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..    I  V  V;>v  %      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ?  ;    > 

advanced  and  tested,  and  the  approval  of  the  body  was  authority  for  much  of 
the  method  in  teaching  and  management  that  found  place  in  the  schools. 


v"  ..:.;-;-  :;--:v^  '.f:./^;;      SCHOOLS  AND  SCHOOLHOUSES  ,  '  '^    .   •: 

The  number  of  school  districts  in  1840,  as  previously  stated,  was  eighteen; 
the  number  increased  to  159  in  1857,  to  175  in  1864,  and  to  189  in  1871.  Very 
many  changes  in  district  boundaries  were  made  in  the  intervening  years,  but  the 
number  reported  in  1911  was  the  same  as  in  1864,  175.  To  this  number,  how- 
ever, may  be  added  parts  of  three  districts,  union  with  adjoining  counties,  and 
the  high  school  district  of  Haw  Creek  township. 

Schoolhouses  to  the  number  of  139  were  reported  by  the  school  commissioner 
in  1857.  The  report  of  1865  showed  184  and  that  of  1868,  198.  No  official 
statement  of  a  larger  number  has  been  found.  In  1911,  the  number  was  i86, 
and  it  had  been  for  some  years.  .  ''.  . 

At  the  beginning  of  this  period  all  the  schools  were  ungraded,  housed  in 
one-room  buildings,  composed  of  pupils  of  all  degrees  of  advancement.  In 
1857,  part  of  one  group  of  schools,  Knoxville,  had  been  combined  and  graded; 
in  1 86 1,  there  were  five  of  these  graded  schools  and  eight  in  1865.  There  were 
sixteen  districts  in  1912,  with  two  or  more  rooms  each,  twenty-nine  graded 
schools  in  all.  During  the  decade  1866  to  1876,  a  substantial  graded  school 
was  erected  in  each  of  the  towns  of  the  county.  Those  in  Abingdon,  Oneida, 
Knoxville  and  Wataga  were  built  of  brick.  Knoxville,  in  1902,  had  come  to 
require  more  room  than  was  provided  in  the  building  of  1876.  To  supply  this 
need  a  brick  building  for  the  accommodation  of  the  high  school  and  the  eighth 
grade  was  erected.  Having  become  too  small,  this  was  enlarged  in  1911.  The 
frame  buildings  of  the  late  sixties  in  Maquon  and  Yates  City  were  replaced  in 
1904,  with  well  constructed  modern  buildings  of  brick.  v 

A  notable  event  in  the  history  of  schools  in  the  county  was  the  union  in  1903 
of  the  districts  of  North  and  South  Abingdon,  and  the  purchase  by  the  new 
district  for  a  high  school  of  the  large  building  formerly  occupied  by  Abingdon 
College.  No  better  example  of  the  wisdom  of  consolidating  schools  can  be  found 
anywhere.  Here  were  two  districts,  neither  one  strong  enough  to  maintain  such 
a  school  as  its  people  desired,  that  solved  most  of  their  problems  by  combining 
them, 

•"•,:,)'  /V-V','''^  :"•.•;"'.•;  :•    '^i'y-'^V';:.  HIGH   SCHOOLS  .,  ;>,-^_- ...;•'.  ;      ;    •,•'"' ^' -;-'/'-\'\? 

The  varying  meaning  of  the  term  high  school  makes  it  difficult  to  leam  just 
the  order  of  the  formation  of  such  schools  in  the  different  towns  of  the  county. 
Giving  the  term  the  meaning  that  it  has  now,  a  school  doing  three  or  four  years 
of  work  beyond  the  eighth  grade,  there  was  no  high  school  outside  of  Galesburg 
until  1872,  when  the  school  at  Knoxville  reached  that  grade.  In  1880  the  county 
superintendent's  report  shows  six,  though  it  is  quite  possible  that  some  of  these 
did  not  come  up  to  the  present  grade  of  high  schools.  In  1912  there  were  three- 
year  high  schools  at  Altona,  Gilson,  Maquon,  Wataga  and  Williamsfield;  and 
schools  with  four-year  courses  at  Abingdon,  Galesburg,  Knoxville,  Oneida  and 


502  .      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  O^^ 

Yates  City.  The  Haw  Creek  township  high  school  (Gilson)  was  organized  in 
1902.  As  compared  with  other  parts  of  the  state  this  county  has  always  stood 
well  in  high  school  work.  It  had  more  high  schools  in  1880  than  any  other 
county  except  Cook.  In  1911  the  proportion  of  high  school  students  to  the 
total  enrollment  of  the  schools  and  to  the  population  of  the  county  was  greater 
than  in  any  other  county  of  Illinois. 

''.'••::•.•:,,..-.•.;        '  .,       •.        SCHOOL  EQUIPMENT      ••'  '.  "(.'J^^-'v!''''-'-:/:.^':,  ^'••'. 

County   Superintendent   Christianer   in    1870   wrote:     "Of  the    192   school-  1    -v^s'i  .-;''. yv/ 
houses  in  the  county,  about  one-half  are  gOod  and  sufficient  for  practical  pur-   ',,::..••,-"• 
poses,  and  about  one-fourth  by  suitable  repairs  can  be  made  comfortable,  and    ;•:.-.:.:'.-;'•;' 
about  one- fourth  ought  to  be  razed  to  the  ground  and  replaced  by  new  ones."  .     .'..,,, 

.   .          .     .,,  "Still  sits  the  schoolhouse  by  the  road,      ,     ,  ,  . 

A  ragged  beggar  sunning."  '   '  '° '. 


Not  quite  the  same  thing  could  be  said  of  our  schoolhouses  in  1912.     But    !    .-;   Vl-'-- 
it  is  true  that  school  architecture  in  the  county  generally  has  not  shown  the      ;      !"-.x. 
advance  it  should  have  mdde.     More  especially  is  this  true  of  the  one-room  :•.>•; 

buildings.     Except  in  a  few  instances  these  buildings  were  erected  with  little    .•'.-.- 
reference  to  proper  lighting  and  ventilation  and  with  only  such  regard  to  effective  -.-',:-:•  . 
heating  as  would  be  provided  for  by  reasonably  substantial  construction.     The   .^,..'   •;:' 
more  recent  influences  in  favor  of  greater  care  in  the  housing  of  schools  have  had  .  %  ';  -V^^ 
considerable  effect.    At  the  beginning  of  1912  there  were  twelve  country  schools  .^  '  -//'f     ,; 
heated  with  basement  furnaces,  all  but  two  of  them  having  been  installed  after     •    ••,,.,: 
the  erection  of  the  building.    Thirty-six  heating  and  ventilating  plants,  virtually       ''';,' 
furnaces  placed  on  the  floor  of  the  room  with  adequate  provision  for  ventilation,    '  .  •  .-  ' 
were  in  use.     Eighteen  other  districts  had  improved  on  the  old  plan  of  a  bare      '.;''..';: 
stove  in  the  center  of  the  room  by  placing  it  in  the  corner  and  surrounding  it  I.  V;  .•;.•:••; 
with  a  jacket.     In  the  report  of  Superintendent  Christianer  previously  referred  :     ;    'yj-'^: 
to,  he  condemned  very  severely  the  seating  of  school  rooms  as  it  was  then.    At   •./.".'  '^.. 
the  time  of  the  last  report  of  the  condition  of  the  schools,  more  than   forty  ;.'?•:' 
years  later,  much  still  remained  to  be  desired  in  this  important  matter,  especially  ;>.-'. 
in  the  arrangement  of  the  desks.     However,  very  general  improvement  in  the       -',  •.:.'•.;:' 
furnishing  and  decoration  of  the  school  rooms  had  been  made.     A  few  build-    •       .,;.:. 
ings  were  still  ceiled  with  lumber;  but  almost  all  were  plastered  and  either  pa-  J  >,;-•.• 
pered  or  calcimined.     Sufficient  blackboard  space,  maps  and  globes  had  come  to  :'.  •"'.  ;  ;v.V  -: 
be  nearly  universal.     But  few   were  entirely   without  suitable  pictures;   prac-  •;;.::''.":.' 
tically  all  had  window  shades  and  nearly  as  many  had  sash  curtains.     At  the  ^••  ;:?'...-: 
time  of  this  writing  more  than  half  the  one-room  schools  in  the  county  were  .'.:-;'' y=' 
supplied  with  musical  instruments.     Two  were  without  books  other  than  a  die-       '     X' /;' 
tionary,  though  all  but  five  had  enough  books  to  be  called  a  library.     Nineteen         ;>.-    • 
schools  had  met  the  requirements  of  the  state  superintendent  of  public  instruc-  ,'::,•;:,-;• 
tion  as  to  grounds,  building,  equipment  and  teaching  for  standard  one-room  :-.:J' :.;•;/!•; 
schools  of  Illinois.  .  '.'••v'O 

Libraries  for  schools  have  for  sixty  years  received  attention.     The  report       .   •./;••; 
of  1867  credited  the  county  with  720  books  in  school  libraries,  that  of  1868,  with;:    .\  'i  i:'J;' 


.>:     •;      ,        ;     :  r    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  508 

..•;:  •'  ••  -  .'•;  ':,..•'••-  •'   •  :•. '  :• :  ;>  .    --•  •;  "••". 

over  1, 800.    The  great  increase  for  the  year  was  due  to  the  libraries  for  public 
schools  furnished  under  certain  conditions  by  the  state.     The  books  were  ill- 
suited  to  children's  reading  and  those  remaining  in  the  schools  forty  years  later 
showed  generally  little  wear  except  that  of  time.     As   reported  in    1872,  the 
twenty-six  school  libraries  of  the  county  numbered  1,599  volumes.     The  Cherry 
Grove  and  Thirlwell  schools  are  reported  to  have  had  the  best  country-school 
libraries  in  those  days.    In  1878  some  books  awarded  the  Yates  City  schools  as 
prizes  for  work  exhibited  at  the  Knox  county  fair,  formed  the  nucleus  of  a  very 
successful  library.    Its  growth  attracted  much  attention  and  it  was  discussed  in 
teachers'  meetings.     The  idea  thus  spread  and  a  few  years  later  began  one  of 
••    the  periods  of  greatest  activity  in  establishing  school  libraries.     The  number  of 
"    books  reported  in  1890  was  6,938;  and  the  number  of  libraries,  120;  in  1900  there 
were  12,359  books  and  145  libraries;  and  in  1911  there  were  24,236  books  in  171 
libraries.     The  Illinois  Pupils'  Reading  Circle  furnished  considerable  stimulus  to 
children's  reading  and  assisted  in  making  the  later  years  of  this  period  fruitful 
.    of  good  books  and  of  a  growing  interest  on  the  part  of  teachers  and  parents  in 
what  the  children  read. 

,-.-.   .:'      •  ?.*-•  .--^  •''.:•.'  ."^v.  ^*  •• 

;/'    •  :   r  :^"    ;V    ;  >;i  '•  THE  COST  OF  THE  SCHOOLS       A       •       .-:•....-  .^^'-'^r'-'v 

The  people  of  the  county  in  1857  paid  for  the  maintenance  of  schools  taxes 
to  the  amount  of  $12,791.94  and   for  the  erection  of  seventeen   schoolhouses 
$10,685.     The  state  distributed  to  the  county   for  school   purposes   that   year 
$12,903.57.    Teachers  were  paid  for  the  school  year  of  1856-1857,  $22,179.89,  at 
average  monthly  wages  of  $14  to  women  and  $28  to  men.     Five  years  later, 
1862,  the  total  tax  was  $19,542  and  the  distributive  fund,  $10,144.     Three  new 
buildings  were  erected  and  343  teachers  were  paid  $22,154,  at  average  wages  of 
•;  $16  for  women  and  $26  for  men — the  highest  wages  paid  to  a  man  being  $55  and 
the  lowest  $17;  and  to  women,  $28  and  $io.     The  county's  share  of  the  state 
;  fund  was  never  greater  than  $15,843.36,  and  from  that  decreased  to  $6,234.75  for 
;  the  year  1910.     Owing  to  the  doubling  by  the  general  assembly  of  the  school 
;  tax  fund  of  $1,000,000,  the  amount  received  from  the  levy  of  1911  was  $13,160.36. 
',  The  amount  of  money  raised  by  local  taxation  has  varied  greatly.    At  the  end  of 
•  the  second  five-year  period  the  amount  was  $94,539 ;  at  the  end  of  the  next  such 
period  it  had  fallen  to  just  less  than  $90,000.    Another  five  years,  1877,  brought 
the  levy  up  to  $102,209.54 ;  but  it  dropped  to  $71,019.61  in  i88i  and  to  $70,282.95 
in  1882.     In  1887  it  was  $89,419;  in  1890,  $86,353.98  and  in  1896,  $146,972.19. 
Any  decrease  in  the  levy  since  that  time  has  been  because  of  the  varying  amount 
spent    for    buildings— the    amount    expended    for   maintenance    of    schools    has 
Steadily  increased.     The  levy  for  1900  was  $140,500,  and  the  report  for  1905 
shows  $186,140.52  collected  for  that  year;  and  for  1910,  $259.792.    The  citv  of 
Galesburg  collected  much  of  this  increase,  its  tax  advancing  from  $30,000  in  1890 
to  $144,000  in  1910.     The  estimated  value  of  school  property  was  $285,255  in 
1875;  in  1900  it  was  $442,375;  and  in  1911,  $805,950. 


504          :..  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

COURSE   OF   STUDY 

Just  what  branches  of  study  should  be  pursued  in  the  common  schools  and 
what  ones  exclude'd  has  always  been  a  question  receiving  much  consideration. 
When  the  system  was  organized  nearly  sixty  years  ago,  the  full  course  provided 
was  reading,  spelling,  writing,  arithmetic,  grammar,  geography  and  history. 
Very  little  emphasis,  however,  was  placed  upon  the  two  last  named.  The  text- 
book in  geography  recommended  in  1862  by  the  teachers'  association  was  a  very 
elementary  presentation  and  nothing  at  all  was  said  of  a  text  in  history.  Music, 
physiology,  civics  and  the  elements  of  biology  and  physics  were  discussed  from 
time  to  time  and  claims  made  for  them  as  suitable  and  necessary  common  school 
subjects.  A  course  of  study  suggested  by  Miss  West,  county  superintendent,  in 
1877  provided  for  all  of  them.  This  course  was  not  generally  adopted,  how- 
ever. The  probability  is  that  geography  became  generally  and  firmly  established 
in  the  schools  during  the  sixties,  and  United  States  history  somewhat  later. 
Physiology  and  hygiene  was  also  added  by  statute  to  the  common  school  course; 
civics  and  the  history  of  Illinois  in  1905. 

In  1884,  County  Superintendent  Steele  prepared  and  introduced  an  outline 
of  study  for  the  ungraded  schools  of  Knox  county.  This  course  provided  for 
the  study  of  civil  government  in  addition  to  those  subjects  that  had  come  to  • 
be  considered  a  part  of  the  course.  Very  briefly  stated  the  aim  of  the  outline 
was  to  make  practical  the  work  of  the  school  room,  to  advance  the  pupils  step 
by  step  and  give  them  credit  for  the  work  done,  to  unify  the  work  of  the 
common  schools  of  the  county,  to  keep  before  the  minds  of  the  pupils  facts 
and  principles  instead  of  paragraphs  and  pages,  and  to  lessen  the  difficulties 
arising  from  lack  of  uniformity  of  text  books.  The  plan  provided  for  a  system 
of  monthly  and,  for  advanced  grades,  township  examinations,  the  latter  having 
been  continued  as  central  examinations  _  to  the  present  time.  The  outline  was 
immediately  successful  and  served  well  for  some  years  in  the  accomplishment 
of  the  author's  purpose.  It  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  valuable  of  such 
outlines  made  anywhere  for  country  schools.  The  state  course  of  study,  an 
outline  prepared  by  a  committee  of  county  superintendents  acting  with  the  State 
Teacher's  association,  came  later  to  take  its  place. 

The  law  of  the  state  lias  always  made  it  the  duty  of  school  directors  to 
adopt  text  books  for  the  district  and  there  has  never  been  any  compulsory  uni- 
formity among  districts  in  the  matter  of  school  books.  In  1895,  County  Sup- 
erintendent Matthew  Andrews,  acting  with  teachers  and  principals  of  the  county 
to  foil  the  plans  of  a  firm  of  publishers  with  a  list  of  poor  books,  secured  the 
very  general  adoption  by  the  districts  of  a  list  proposed  by  himself.  These 
books  were  used  by  the  larger  number  of  the  schools  until  1904.  The  directors 
of  the  county  at  their  annual  meeting  in  March  of  that  year  upon  request  by 
resolution  directed  "the  county  superintendent  of  schools  to  confer  with  teachers 
and  others  and  recommend  a  list  of  text  books  for  uniform  use  in  the  schools 
of  the  county.  The  recommendation  was  made  in  August  of  the  same  year 
and,  without  the  work  of  agents  or  others  than  the  teachers,  the  books  came 
into  immediate  and  very  general  use.  So  responsive  to  the  plan  we're  the  directors 
and  the  people  and  so  interested  the  teachers  that  94  per  cent  of  the  books  used 


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SSOt>  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      . 

.  •        .  COURSE   OF   STUDY 

.  Just  what  brandies  of  study  should  be  pursued  in  the  common  schools  and 
what  ones  exclude'd  has  always  been  a  question  receiving  much  consideration. 
When  the  system  was  organized  nearly  sixty  years  ago,  the  full  course  provided 
was  reading,  spelling,  writing,  arithmetic,  grammar,  geography  and  history. 
Very  little  emphasis,  however,  was  placed  upon  the  two  last  named.  The  text- 
book in  geography  recommended  in  1862  by  the  teachers'  association  was  a  very 
elementary  presentation  and  nothing  at  all  w'as  said  of  a  text  in  history.  Music, 
physiology,  civics  and  the  elements  of  biology  and  physics  were  discussed  from 
time  to  time  and  claims  made  for  them  as  suitable  and  necessary  common  school 
subjects.  A  course  of  study  suggested  by  ^liss  West,  county  superintendent,  in 
1877  provided  for  all  of  them.  This  course  was  not  generally  adopted,  how- 
ever. The  probability  is  that  geography  became  generally  and  firmly  established 
in  the  schools  during  the  sixties,  and  United  States  history  somewhat  later. 
Physiology  and  hygiene  was  also  added  by  statute  to  the  common  school  course; 
civics  and  the  history  of  Illinois  in  1905.  1  '  .  ' 

In  1884,  County  Superintendent  Steele  prepared  and  introduced  an  outline 
of  study  for  the  ungraded  schools  of  Knox  county.  This  course  provided  for 
the  study  of  civil  government  in  addition  to  those  subjects  that  had  come  to 
be  considered  a  part  of  the  course.  Very  briefly  stated  the  aim  of  the  outline 
was  to  make  practical  the  work  of  the  school  room,  to  advance  the  pupils  step 
by  step  and  give  them  credit  for  the  work  done,  to  unify  the  work  of  the 
common  schools  of  the  county,  to  keep  before  the  minds  of  the  pupils  facts 
and  principles  instead  of  paragraphs  and  pages,  and  to  lessen  the  difficulties 
arising  from  lack  of  uniformity  of  text  books.  The  plan  provided  for  a  system 
of  monthly  and,  for  advanced  grades,  township  examinations,  the  latter  having 
been  continued  as  central  examinations  to  the  present  time.  The  outline  was 
immediately  successful  and  served  well  for  some  years  in  the  accomplishment 
of  the  author's  purpose.  It  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  valuable  of  such 
outlines  made  anywhere  for  country  schools.  The  state  course  of  study,  an 
outline  prepared  by  a  committee  of  county  superintendents  acting  with  the  Slate 
Teacher's  association,  came  later  to  take  its  place. 

The  law  of  the  state  has  always  made  it  the  duty  of  school  directors  to 
adopt  text  books  for  the  district  and  there  has  never  been  any  compulsory  uni- 
formity among  districts  in  the  matter  of  school  books.  In  1895,  County  Sup- 
erintendent Matthew  Andrews,  acting  with  teachers  and  principals  of  the  county 
to  foil  the  plans  of  a  firm  of  publishers  with  a  list  of  poor  books,  secured  the 
very  general  adoption  by  the  districts  of  a  list  proposed  by  himself.  These 
books  were  used  by  the  larger  number  of  the  schools  until  1904.  The  directors 
of  the  county  at  their  annual  meeting  in  March  of  that  year  upon  request  by 
resolution  directed  the  county  superintendent  of  schools  to  confer  with  teachers 
and  others  and  recommend  a  list  of  text  books  for  uniform  use  in  the  schools 
of  the  county.  The  recommendation  was  made  in  August  of  the  same  year 
and,  without  the  work  of  agents  or  others  than  the  teachers,  the  books  came 
into  immediate  and  very  general  use.  So  responsive  to  the  plan  were  the  directors 
and  the  people  and  so  interested  the  teachers  that  94  per  cent  of  the  books  used 


-^-  - 

ii'  'J. 


1?.-" 


\^ 

L<»'- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .  /  505 

in  the  ungraded  schcx)ls  that  year  were  of  the  recommended  list.     Since  that 
time  the  county  has  had  the  advantages  of  text  book  uniformity. 

In  order  to  conserve  these  advantages,  a  course  of  study  outlining  the  work 

of  the  text  books  by  years  and  months  was  published  in  1905.     In  addition  to 

the  subjects  regularly  taught  at  that  time,  elementary  agriculture  was  made  a 

part  of  the  course  for  the  seventh  and  eighth  grades.     It  is  not  possible  under 

present  conditions  that  this  work  be  done  in  a  manner  entirely   satisfactory; 

but   its  introduction   was   a   start  toward   the  time   when   the   material   of   the 

,'  course  in  the  country  school  will  be  drawn  very  largely  from  that  which  relate? 

•>-.•;  to  life  in  the  country.    The  county  course  of  study  is  closely  followed  in  all  the 

"-'•''  country  and  village  schools  and,  with  the  accompanying  examinations,  records, 

reports  and  promotions,  it  has  done  much  to  systematize  and  unify  the  schools. 

V----^-'X'''-v  :-.v':V. ''V;V  ' '•;:lv;-  PUPILS  •)'•  .:^:;-' 'v 

.;:'"'     The  number  of  minors  in  1857  was   15,247;  there  were  10,142  persons  of 

,;  school  age  (five  to  twenty-one)  and  9,835  reported  in  school.    If  these  numbers 

..-- ;  are  correct,  they  show  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  persons  of  school  age  to 

V.  .J  have  been  in  school.    In  1870  there  were  reported  20,240  minors,  13,218  persons 

^  -,'  of  school  age  (six  to  twenty-one)  and  9,794  pupils  in  school.     The  numbers  in 

'  :;'  i88i  were  18,057,  12,457  ^"^  8,669.     In  1890  the  decreasing  numbers  showed 

;.  17,191  minors,  12,065  persons  of  school  age  and  8,006  pupils  in  school.     The 

:^;.  three  different  classes  of  persons  were  represented  in   1900  and  1910,  by  the 

.=}.  numbers  16,715,  ii,775  and  9,558  for  the  former  and  16,608,  11,941  and  9,299 

J..V  for  the  latter  year.    The  decrease  in  the  number  of  children  reported  appears 

/•  .  in  the  records  before  the  decrease  in  population  in  any  of  the  divisions  of  the 

•;  V  county  began.    The  proportion  of  minors  to  the  total  population  is  not  so  great 

'  as  formerly. 

:  :.j          The  average  number  of  months  of  school,  considering  both  graded  and  un- 

:>:'•.  graded  schools,  increased  from  65  in  i86i  to  7.36  in  1866,  and  7.6  in  1875.     In 

-  ^:  1880  the  average  number  was  7.1  months;  in  1890,  7.8  months;  in  1900,  8.05 
; -^  months,  and  in  1910,  8.6  months.    The  average  number  of  months  in  ungraded 

~  .  .•    schools  was  as  follows:    For  year  ending  June,  1875,  6.9;  1890,  7.3;  1900,  7.5; 

;  ;,.  1910.  7-8. 

.;.>;••/;'    During  the  more  recent  years  the  compulsory  attendance  law  has  had  con- 

:•-;•  siderable  effect  in  increasing  regularity  of  attendance  in  the  city;  but  in  the 

'  :\r  country  districts  its  influence  has  been  almost  negligible  as  very  few  boards  of 

^    •  directors  have  seen  their  way  to  enforce  the  law  among  their  neighbors.     Pupils 

>;'  in  the  graded  schools  were  in  school  an  average  of  119.3  ^^y^  ^''ch  in  i88i.   This 

'  average  rose  to  136.3  days  in  1900.    It  was  143.6  days  in  1905,  and  143.2  in  1910. 

.  ;  '  In  the  country  schools  each  pupil  was  in  school  an  average  of  80.5  days  in 

/  ,'.  i88i ;  90.2  days  in  1900;  92.2  in  1902;  99.5  in  1905,  and  111.7  i"  1910.     These 

..   ;.  figures  show  two  things — that  interest  in  the  school  work  of  children  has  in- 

•  ;:,  creased  and  that  children  in  towns  have  greatly  the  advantage  of  children  in 
:'  the  country  in  the  matter  of  school  attendance. 


606        :-.^      :  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  :  ,  TEACHERS 

One  knowing  something  of  Knox  county  schools  can  but  regret  the  lack  of 
space  to  write  fully  of  the  character  and  work  of  the  teachers.  Among  them 
have  appeared  the  failures  that  must  always  be  found  in  any  large  group  of 
persons;  some  have  been  unable  to  rise  above  the  limitations  under  which  all 
have  worked ;  very  infrequently  one  has  shown  himself  entirely  unworthy. 

.  But  generally,  they  have  understood  something  of  the  responsibility  resting  upon 
them  and  have  striven  to  meet  it.  Very  many  have  not  waited  for  their  tasks 

\  to  be  pointed  out,  but  have  endeavored  to  learn  what  might  wisely  be  added  to 
the  work  of  the  schbols  and  how  their  efficiency  might  be  increased.  A  simple 
record  of  the  faithfulness  and  devotion  of  the  teachers  would  make  a  splendid 
chapter  in  our  history  and  the  county,  during  its  more  than  eighty  years,  has 
acquired  nothing  of  greater  value  than  the  cumulative  influence  of  those  who 
have  taught  in  its  schools. 

During  many  years  the  teachers  were  employed  for  but  a  term  at  a  time,  there 
being  at  first  two  and  later  three  terms  a  year.  The  service  of  a  teacher  in  a 
district  was  called  a  school  and  it  sometimes  happened  that  the  annual  report 
of  a  township  showed  three  times  as  many  schools  as  districts — that  is,  that  each 
district  had  changed  teachers  every  term.  Gradually  it  came  to  be  the  custom 
to  employ  teachers  for  the  year  and  during  the  last  few  years  not  to  exceed  a 
dozen  schools  annually  have  suffered  from  a  change  of  teachers  during  the  year. 
The  colleges  and  high  schools  have  tended  to  keep  the  standard  relatively 
high  as  to  scholarship  and  the  same  influence  has  helped  in  the  maintenance  of 
a  professional  spirit.  Salaries  have  ranged  from  an  average  of  $14.00  for 
women  and  $28.00  for  men  as  shown  in  the  report  for  1857,  ^o  an  average,  in 

,  1911,  of  $53.00  for  women  and  $89.07  for  men.  ; 

•  ^  •'•-  -^     '•      •••  V   •.--.'.'; ^..••••;.-^-'  •<,-:  : 

-  ;  .     •  ;^    SCHOOL  OFFICERS     -;  v..v  :;,;.' i:-V\' 

More  than  six  hundred  persons  other  than  teachers  are  required  to  fill  the 
official  school  positions  of  the  county.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  there  never 
have  been  so  many  people  at  one  time  intelligently  exerting  themselves  in  the 
interest  of  public  education :  the  officers  have  not  always  been  the  persons  of 
their  communities  best  fitted  for  the  positions  they  held.  However,  it  can  be  said 
that  to  the  care  of  school  directors  may  be  traced  much  of  the  progress  made. 
The  position  has  always  been  called  a  thankless  one,  but  it  is  probable  that 
no  teacher  has  ever  accomplished  much  without  the  s\Tnpathy  and  support  of 
his  board  of  directors  and  few  indeed  are  the  successful  teachers  who  do  not 
gladly  acknowledge  their  obligation  for  such  assistance.  The  school  directors 
of  the  county  have  held  annual  meetings  in  Galesburg  since  1903  and  much  has 
thus  been  accomplished  for  the  schools. 

The  board  of  supervisors,  though  not  charged  with  the  exercise  of  school 
functions,  has  always  touched  the  schools  through  its  relation  to  the  county 
superintendent.  During  a  considerable  part  of  the  time  after  1855  the  board 
had  control  of  the  number  of  days,  at  a  per  diem  fixe^  by  statute,  to  be  spent 
annually  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  office,  and  the  amount  of  office 


S  o 


o 
o  ? 


^D.    r. 


3=     o 


»=; 


B. 

5' 


60ft/  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

..'.'•/•-  TEACHERS  ;      V 

One  knowing  something  of  Knox  county  schools  can  but  regret  the  lack  of 
space  to  write  fully  of  the  character  and  work  of  the  teachers.  Among  them 
have  appeared  the  failures  that  must  always  be  found  in  any  large  group  of 
persons ;  some  have  been  unable  to  rise  above  the  limitations  under  which  all 
have  worked ;  very  infrequently  one  has  shown  himself  entirely  unworthy. 
But  generally,  they  have  understood  something  of  the  responsibility  resting  upon 
them  and  have  striven  to  meet  it.  Very  many  have  not  waited  for  their  tasks 
to  be  pointed  out,  but  have  endeavored  to  learn  what  might  wisely  be  added  to 
the  work  of  the  schbols  and  how  their  efficiency  might  be  increased.  A  simple 
record  of  the  faithfulness  and  devotion  of  the  teachers  would  make  a  splendid 
chapter  in  our  history  and  the  county,  during  its  more  than  eighty  years,  has 
acquired  nothing  of  greater  value  than  the  cumulative  influence  of  those  who 
have  taught  in  its  schools. 

During  many  years  the  teachers  were  employed  for  but  a  term  at  a  time,  there 
being  at  first  two  and  later  three  terms  a  year.  The  service  of  a  teacher  in  a 
district  was  called  a  school  and  it  sometimes  happened  that  the  annual  report 
of  a  tow-nship  showed  three  times  as  many  schools  as  districts — that  is,  that  each 
district  had  changed  teachers  every  term.  Gradually  it  came  to  be  the  custom 
to  employ  teachers  for  the  year  and  during  the  last  few  years  not  to  exceed  a 
dozen  schools  annually  have  suffered  from  a  change  of  teachers  during  the  year. 

The  colleges  and  high  schools  have  tended  to  keep  the  standard  relatively 
high  as  to  scholarship  and  the  same  influence  has  helped  in  the  maintenance  of 
a  professional  spirit.  Salaries  have  ranged  from  an  average  of  $14.00  for 
women  and  $28.00  for  men  as  shown  in  the  report  for  1857,  to  an  average,  in 
1911,  of  $53.CX3  for  women  and  $89.07  for  men.  .  . 

'  .:  .  SCHOOL    OFFICERS  >  '         , 

More  than  six  hundred  persons  other  than  teachers  are  required  to  fill  the 
official  school  positions  of  the  county.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  there  never 
have  been  so  many  people  at  one  time  intelligently  exerting  themselves  in  the 
interest  of  public  education ;  the  officers  have  not  always  been  the  persons  of 
their  communities  best  fitted  for  the  positions  they  held.  However,  it  can  be  said 
that  to  the  care  of  school  directors  may  be  traced  much  of  the  progress  made. 
The  position  has  always  been  called  a  thankless  one,  but  it  is  probable  that 
no  teacher  has  ever  accomplished  much  without  the  sympathy  and  support  of 
his  board  of  directors  and  few  indeed  are  the  successful  teachers  who  do  not 
gladly  acknowledge  their  obligation  for  such  assistance.  The  school  directors 
of  the  county  have  held  annual  meetings  in  Galesburg  since  1903  and  much  has 
thus  been  accomplished  for  the  schools. 

The  board  of  supervisors,  though  not  charged  with  the  exercise  of  school 
functions,  has  always  touched  the  schools  through  its  relation  to  the  county 
superintendent.  During  a  considerable  part  of  the  time  after  1855  the  board 
had  control  of  the  number  of  days,  at  a  per  diem  fixec^  by  statute,  to  be  spent 
annually  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  office,  and  the  amount  of  office 


•^•^ 


s: 

i 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v.  ;  507 

expense  has  always  been  within  its  control.  There  is  in  the  earlier  records  much 
evidence  that  members  of  the  board  did  not  always  favor  the  advancement  of 
popular  education  through  the  agency  of  the  county  superintendent.  But  the 
opposition  seems  to  have  relaxed  about  1875.  In  1883,  under  a  law  merely  per- 
mitting such  action,  the  board  voted  the  superintendent  full  time  for  the  dis- 
charge of  official  duties.  In  1890  by  resolution  the  county  superintendent  was 
authorized  to  purchase  examination  paper,  schedules  and  other  stationery  for 
the  schools  at  the  expense  of  the  county.  In  1904  it  was  made  a  rule  of  the 
board  to  pay  the  expense  of  the  visiting  of  schools  by  the  county  superintendent 
and  in  1907  an  office  assistant  was  provided.  .  .  .; 

Since  1855  the  chief  educational  office  of  the  county  has  been  held  by  eleven 
different  persons.  At  the  beginning  of  this  period  the  title  of  the  office  was 
county  school  commissioner  and  the  term  of  election  was  two  years.  In  1865 
the  duties  of  the  office  were  increased,  the  term  made  four  years  and  the  title 
changed  to  county  superintendent  of  schools.  The  direct  powers  conferred  upon 
the  office  are  not  extensive;  but  the  statute  creates  opportunity  for  leadership. 
Accordingly  success  in  its  administration  consists  in  large  part  of  securing  the 
co-operation  of  teachers  and  all  others  in  the  interest  of  school  work.  The 
active  and  intelligent  support- of  the  schools  by  the  largest  possible  number  of 
their  patrons  and  supporters  would  be  the  ideal  on  one  side ;  and  the  highest 
degree  of  effectiveness  of  the  schools  themselves  through  the  course  of  study 
and  the  teachers  would  be  the  ideal  on  the  other. 

MT.  P.  H.  Sanford  began  the  work  in  1855  and  from  the  first  put  the  stress 
of  his  administration  upon  the  improvement  of  teachers.  His  service,  ending  in 
1 86 1,  seems  to  have  been  characterized  by  an  active  teachers'  organization  which 
he  called  into  being  and  with  which  he  worked  a  number  of  years  after  leaving 
the  office.  J.  H.  Knapp  succeeded  to  the  position  and  continued,  it  seems,  the 
same  general  plan  as  Mr.  Sanford.  The  office  was  a  comparatively  new  one  and 
the  superintendent  was  establishing  and  defining  it  during  these  years.  It  was 
the  period  of  the  civil  war  and  the  duty  of  the  school  to  the  state  was  emphasized. 
Superintendent  Knapp  resigned  in  March,  1869,  and  the  board  of  supervisors 
elected  to  the  place  Mr.  John  S.  Foster,  who  served  until  the  following  De- 
cember, when  Frederick  Christianer  succeeded  him.  Mr.  Christianer  served 
one  term.  Superintendent  and  teachers  during  this  time  seem  to  have  been  striv- 
ing for  some  more  definite  plan  of  school  organization,  for  a  course  of  study  and 
the  grading  of  one-room  schools  which  was  to  come  in  a  dozen  years  later. 

Miss  Mary  Allen  West  came  to  the  office  in  1873  and  was  re-elected  in 
1877.  Through  a  change  in  the  school  law  a  year  was  added  to  this  second 
term  and  Miss  West  served,  in  all,  nine  years.  She  was  a  very  active  official 
and  did  much  to  popularize  the  office  she  held.  She  visited  schools,  attended 
meetings,  and  delivered  addresses  to  the  end  that  the  people  might  know  what 
was  doing.  For  the  first  time,  it  may  be  said,  the  chief  work  of  the  county 
superintendent  was  in  the  direction  of  interesting  other  people  than  teachers 
in  the  work  of  the  schools.  William  L.  Steele  succeeded  Miss  West  in  1882 
and  resigned  the  office  in  1885.  The  characteristics  of  this  administration  were 
a  much  more  definite  organization  of  the  schools  of  the  county  than  had  ex- 
isted before  and  the  development  of  great  activity  in  establishing  school  libra- 


508  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ries.  Both  of  these  have  been  mentioned  elsewhere.  Upon  the  resignation 
of  Superintendent  Steele,  the  board  of  supervisors  appointed  George  W.  Old- 
father  to  succeed  him.  At  the  next  election  Mr.  Oldfather  was  chosen  for  a 
full  term  extending  his  service  to  1890.  His  effective  work  was  along  the  same 
general  lines  as  that  of  his  predecessor.  Shirley  C.  Ransom  was  elected  in  1890 
and  resigned  at  the  end  of  1892  to  be  succeeded,  through  the  action  of  the  board, 
by  Matthew  Andrews  at  the  beginning  of  1903.  The  work  of  Superintend- 
ent Andrews  was  characterized  by  great  activity  in  visiting  schools  and  un- 
tiring energy  in  the  effort  to  improve  the  work  of  the  individual  teacher.  Local 
teachers'  meetings  were  a  prominent  part  of  his  plan.  He  was  succeeded  at  the 
close  of  his  six  years  of  service  by  Ernest  S.  Wilkinson  who  continued  the 
teachers'  meetings  and  added  to  them  an  extension  course  of  a  year  for  the 
improvement  of  the  scholarship  of  teachers.  Walter  F.  Boyes  was  elected  to 
the  office  in  1902.  Uniform  textbooks,  the  county  course  of  study,  agricul- 
ture in  the  schools,  and  directors'  meetings  have  been  spoken  of  elsewhere.  If 
the  writer  might  be  permitted  to  characterize  this  period  of  service,  he  would 
say  that  it  was  marked  chiefly  by  the  hearty  support  given  the  present  county 
superintendent  in  his  work  by  teachers  and  school  officers. 


WOMAN'S  WORK  IN  KNOX  COUNTY— CLUBS,  SOCIETIES,  CORPS, 

'•,:  •:^;-;vev'.-   :  •  ETC.     ..':-•  ••-:'.•.:•;:  '^-'-r-'^V^  • ' : 

•   '•'-  Bi  MARTHA  FARNHAM  WEBSTER        ''     -''       ' 

Tennyson  says,  "Woman  is  the  lesser  of  man."  We  frankly  admit  this  to  be 
true  in  some  respects.  We  believe,  however,  that  woman  is  as  necessary  to  the 
well  being  of  civic,  social,  commercial  and  national  life,  as  is  man  himself.  In 
order  to  make  her  influence  felt  she  need  not  be  identified  with  these  different 
forms  of  human  activity  in  the  same  way  as  is  man.  Indeed  it  were  better  not 
to  be  so.  But  woman  has  her  own  tactful  methods,  her  own  absorbing  interests, 
her  own  enthusiasms,  her  own  appropriate  sphere  of  action.  By  these  means, 
and  through  these  avenues  of  approach,  she  may  reach  out  and  touch  the  world's 
activities  at  almost  every  point  of  contact  with  which  man  has  to  do,  and  may 
wield  an  influence  as  great  and  far-reaching  as  his  own. 

Woman's  forms  of  activity,  and  her  practical  methods  are  distinctively  her 
own,  as  befits  her  womanly  nature.  They  are  characterized  by  greater  enthu- 
siasm of  interest,  more  painstaking  effort  in  the  working  out  of  details,  and 
greater  devotion  to  her  sense  of  duty  to  the  cause  which  she  has  espoused  as  the 
work  in  which  she  is  engaged. 

We  find  these  characteristics  exemplified  as  she  pursues  her  chosen  work  as 
teacher,  philanthropist,  temperance  worker,  church  worker,  business  woman, 
professional  woman,  journalist,  author,  reformer,  and  club  woman,  for  she  brings 
to  these  different  spheres  of  activity,  devotion,  self-sacrifice,  loyalty  and  eu- 
thusiasm  of  a  type  rarely  seen  in  man.  I'.  ; 

v   .,  In  times  of  peace  she  finds  ample  scope  for  all  her  varied  forms  of  activity  and 
service.    And  in  the  stress  and  agony  of  war  she  has  proved  herself  to  be  a  very 


'     ;;^5  '      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .;;  509 

angel  of  mercy  in  her  ministries  to  her  country's  heroes  and  protectors,  who 
have  paid  in  suffering  and  death  the  price  of  the  patriotism  which  she  helped 
to  arouse  and  stimulate  in  them. 

Were  we  to  gather  together,  tabulate  and  sum  up  the  aggregate  of  woman's 
part  and  woman's  influence  as  they  have  been  wrought  into  the  very  warp  and 
woof  of  our  national  life  and  history,  we  should  find  an  overwhelming  balance 
to  woman's  credit. 

In  order  to  reach  this  grand  total  we  should  go  back  to  those  crucial  days 
of  1620,  when,  on  that  stonny,  "stern  and  rock-bound  coast,"  the  women  of 
the  "Mayflower"  gave  proof  of  the  stuff  of  which  woman  is  made.  And  when 
the  "real"  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  inspired  by  the  example  of 
their  mothers,  proved  themselves  to  be  of  no  less  strong  heart  and  heroic  blood 
than  were  their  sons  and  brothers. 

And  later  still  to  1861-65,  the  period  of  the  civil  war,  when  through  the 
prolonged  agony,  five  years  of  unspeakable  horror  and  angfuish,  the  spirit  of 
*he  women  of  1620  and  1776  was  reincarnated  in  the  women  of  fifty  years  ago. 

Through  this  period  of  two  centuries  and  a  half,  the  recital  of  woman's  work 
and  influence  must  be  written,  for  the  most  part,  with  the  pen  of  history  dipped 
in  tears  and  blood. 

But  at  the  close  of  the  civil  war,  the  question  of  re-construction  became  the 
serious  problem  of  the  hour,  involving  not  only  our  national  affairs  to  which 
they  especially  pertained,  but  its  effects  were  also  made  manifest  in  many  and 
varied  movements  touching  social  and  civic  life.  To  woman  the  problem  pre- 
sented itself  in  the  form  of  a  call  to  organized  effort,  to  the  re-adjustment  of 
her  position,  to  the  determining  of  what  her  real  status  should  henceforth  be. 

Up  to  this  time  there  were  no  associated  movements  among  women,  outside 
the  church,  the  suffrage  and  the  anti-slavery  cause,  and  these  associations  were 
made  up  of  both  men  and  women,  and  were,  for  the  most  part,  even  if  not  en- 
tirely controlled  by  men. 

And  so  we  come  to  that  period  in  our  country's  history  when  woman  began 
to  appear  as  a  factor  to  be  considered  in  public  as  well  as  private  movements 
and  events. 

The  movement  for  the  organization  of  clubs  exclusively  for  women  was 
started  in  New  York  city  in  March,  1868.  At  this  time  a  good  deal  of  excite- 
ment had  been  aroused  among  the  literary  women  of  the  city,  because  of  their 
exclusion  from  equal  privileges  with  men  at  a  "Dickens  dinner"  to  be  given 
by  the  Press  club.  As  a  result  of  this  incident  the  women  determined  to  or- 
ganize a  club  of  their  own  by  way  of  experiment.  Twelve  women,  among  whom 
was  Mrs.  J.  C.  Croley,  the  founder,  and  who  therefore  should  be  recognized  as 
the  founder  of  women's  clubs  in  this  country,  met  and  organized  a  club  called 
the  Sorosis.  This  name  is  taken  from  a  botanical  term  of  Greek  derivation 
which  signifies  a  heap  or  collection. 

\  The  women  announced  themselves  as  organized  "for  the  promotion  of  agree- 
able and  useful  relations  among  women  of  literary,  artistic  and  scientific  tastes, 
and  for  the  discussions  and  dissemination  of  principles  and  facts  which  promise 
to  exert  a  salutary  influence  on  women  and  on  society."  This  somewhat  formid- 
able preamble  to  their  constitution  has  the  merit,  at  least,  of  being  all-embracing 


510  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  suggestive.  The  first  president  of  the  Sorosis  was  Sarah  (Willis)  Parton, 
popularly  known  by  her  pen  name,  "Fanny  Fern." 

From  this  small  but  significant  beginning  the  movement  started.  The  little 
craft,  the  Sorosis,  freighted  with  the  future  intellectual  possibilities  and  des- 
tinies of  the  women  of  the  United  States,  was  launched  upon  the  highway  of 
an  ever  broadening  and  out-stretching  sea.  It  was  destined  to  sail  on  to  ports 
then  undiscovered  and  unknown,  and  to  discharge  its  cargo  of  intellectual  treas- 
ures among  women  not  only  in  city  and  village  and  countryside  all  up  and  down 
our  own  broad  land,  but  upon  foreign  shores  as  well,  withersoever  the  influence  of 
American  womanhood  has  followed  the  march  of  American  progress. 

This  movement  was  not  in  the  nature  of  a  revolt,  prompted  by  a  belligerent 
or  defiant  spirit,  as  the  so-called  strong-minded  and  aggressive  women  would 
do  well  to  note.  It  was  more  like  an  awakening  to  new  life  and  activity.  There 
was  nothing  in  the  nature  of  a  demand  or  of  unwomanly  self-assertion. 

The  foundation  principles  of  the  new  movement  were,  "Unity,  fellowship 
of  one  woman  with  another  and  a  platform  of  confessed  ignorance  and  sincere 
desire  to  learn."  No  wonder  that  with  such  a  spirit  in  its  founders,  and  such 
principles  to  nourish  and  sustain  it,  the  influence  of  the  movement  spread 
with  amazing  rapidity,  until  now,  from  that  parent  society,  with  its  twelve  mem- 
bers, there  have  sprung  many  hundreds  of  women's  clubs,  numbering  scores 
of  thousands  of  members  scattered  throughout  our  own  land  and  among  Ameri- 
can women  resident  abroad. 

..  As  another  has  forcibly  expressed  it,  "The  movement  has  brought  together 
women  of  all  creeds  and  no  creed,  women  of  diverse  social  position  and  environ- 
ment, women  of  widely  differing  opportunities  and  degrees  of  culture,  and  has 
made  of  them  an  harmonious  body  enriched  by  the  contributions  of  each  to  the 
other."  --:  '•'-..'•-•;••  ^.vr-  '-••  ^;;V^  :.  .  ^-l-^^  X'-r'' 

This  democracy  of  principle  and  sentiment  is  especially  manifest  in  those 
clubs  which  are  affiliated  with  the  general  system  of  federated  clubs  and  which 
therefore  have  adopted  as  their  own  the  principles  of  the  federation  system  of 
organization,  and  by  means  of  which  the  rapid  growth  of  this  system  has  been 
accelerated.  The  motto  of  the  general  federation  is,  "Unity  in  diversity,"  than 
which  none  more  expressive  or  appropriate  could  have  been  chosen. 

The  patriotic  organizations  among  the  women  are  also  examples  of  this  great 
diversity  of  gifts  and  personalities  combining  to  form  a  more  or  less  harmonious 
whole,  for  in  these  organizations  no  resort  to  black-balling  or  intrigue  can  hon- 
orably be  permitted  to  exclude  any  in  whose  veins  flows  the  blood  of  the  found- 
ers and  patriots  unless  they  be  personally  unworthy  to  be  admitted  as  members. 

A  noteworthy  feature  of  women's  clubs  in  the  fact  that  although  necessarily 
differing  in  their  make-up  and  purpose,  and  in  the  details  of  their  management, 
they  are  alike  in  basis  and  essential  principle.  They  possess  great  flexibility  and 
the  ability  to  lend  themselves  to  the  needs  of  the  community  or  the  locality  in 
which  they  exist,  and  for  whose  improvement  or  moral  uplift  they  have  been 
founded. 

./.  Through  the  medium  of  her  club  life,  woman  has  found  her  place  and  taken 
her  part  in  one  way  or  another  in  almost  every  one  of  the  different  phases  of 
the  world's  activities,  and  we  may  point  with  pride  to  her  success  in  these  un- 
dertakings and  the  high  quality  of  her  work. 


•;^;     i:v        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  511 

In  the  more  important  centers  these  clubs  have  increased  and  prospered 
to  the  extent  of  being  able  to  erect  beautiful  buildings  as  club  houses  for  their 
own  use  and  for  the  accommodation  of  other  similar  organizations  in  their 
locality. 

But  the  best  result  of  the  work  of  woman's  clubs  has  been  seen  in  the  new 
life  of  the  small  town,  the  awakening  of  dormant  neighborhoods,  the  stimulus 
to  higher  thoughts  and  an  uplift  to  their  realm  of  expression,  while  at  the  same 
time  the  spirit  of  democracy  has  been  fostered.  The  atmosphere  and  tone  of 
whole  communities  has  been  changed,  and  in  particular  it  has  taught  women 
how  to  think,  how  to  speak,  how  to  act  for  the  best  good  of  the  community  in 
which  they  live.  It  has  broadened  their  outlook  upon  life  and  brought  them  into 
acquaintance  with  the  world's  best  thinkers.  It  has  taught  them  to  estimate 
values  and  proportions  and  the  basis  of  their  historic  significance  and  the  con- 
nection of  events,  thus  relieving  their  minds  of  the  restrictions  of  local  or  per- 
sonal prejudice  and  enabling  them  to  take  a  higher  level  in  their  estimate  of 
life  and  duty. 

Most  especially  have  these  far-reaching  and  uplifting  influences  become  an 
,  invaluable  asset  in  the  resources  of  the  mother  and  the  teacher,  for  they  have 
opened  a  rich  mine  of  information  and  culture  from  which  they  may  draw  as 
they  face  the  problem  of  the  training  and  instruction  of  children. 

The  fear  that  club  life  for  women  would  have  a  tendency  to  divorce  men 
and  women  in  their  interests  and  pursuits  has  been  proven  to  be  but  a  shadow 
fleeing  before  the  light  of  the  oncoming  day  of  woman's  triumphs  over  her 
petty  restrictions,  placing  her  upon  the  level  of  intellectual  comradship  and  at- 
tainment with  her  brother,  and  leaving  her  untrammeled  to  climb  to  heights 
above  him  if  she  will. 

From  this  brief  review  it  may  be  seen  that  the  growth  in  the  United  States 
of  clubs  for  women,  is,  as  one  author  has  said,  "one  of  the  marvels  of  a  century 
prolific  in  new  movements."  ''!  /; 

Such  was  the  origin  and  development  of  of  the  "club  idea"  among  the  women 
of  the  United  States.     What  has  been  the  effect  of  the  movement  among  the 
women  of  Knox  county?     We  shall  see.     Let  us  consider  for  a  moment  the 
'  natural  advantages  and  privileges  to  which  they  have  fallen  heir. 
'A.-.,  .That    brilliant    Frenchman,    Max    O'Rell,    after    extensive    travels    in    this 
country,  during  which  he  made  a  careful  study  of  American  institutions  and 
American  home  life,  said,  that  if  he  were  to  be  born  again  and  could  have  his 
choice  of  the  conditions  into  which  he  was  to  be  born,  he  would  choose  to  be 
born  an  American  -woman.  :         ;  ;    .. 

Our  own  gifted  fellow  citizen  and  author,  Clark  E.  Carr,  in  the  closing 
sentence  of  his  masterly  address  on  "Illinois,"  says,  "New  York  is  justly  called 
the  Empire  state  and  Pennsylvania  the  Keystone  state,  while  Illinois  must  be 
recognized  as  the  stately  dome  of  the  American  Republic." 

One  of  the  foremost  of  the  journalists  in  our  county,  whose  position  first 
as  teacher  and  scientist,  and  later  as  editor  and  writer,  has  eminently  fitted  him 
to  be  a  judge  of  relative  and  comparative  values  throughout  the  state,  heartily 
concurs  in  the  suggestion  made  by  another  regarding  our  own  county  of  Knox, 
viz.,  that  intellectually,  morally,  socially,  religiously,  educationally,  commercially 


512  ,       .      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  agriculturally  considered  Knox  county  may  be  said  to  rank  among  the  fore- 
most counties  of  the  state. 

:       Thus  are  the  doors  of  opportunity  and  privilege  opened  wide  to  the  favored 
women  of  Knox  county. 

They  are  first  American  -women,  either  by  birthright  or  by  adoption.  Second- 
ly, they  are  daughters  of  the  great  state  of  Illinois,  "Whose  splendors  and 
glories,"  as  Colonel  Carr  eloquently  says,  "'illumine  every  part  of  the  mighty 
edifice  which  she  majestically  canopies."  And  lastly,  their  immediate  environ- 
ment is  one  of  the  fairest  and  most  favored  centers  of  our  commonwealth. 

It  remains  for  us  to  see  what  use  they  have  made  of  the  rich  heritage  to 
which  they  have  succeeded. 

The  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county  brought  with  them  from  the  east  and 
the  south  the  spirit  and  the  purpose  which  have  made  intellectual  develop- 
ment and  culture  the  natural  outgrowth  of  the  seed  implanted  in  the  breasts  of 
their  children.  Since  the  significance  of  the  root  from  which  the  word  "Club" 
is  derived  is  that  which  is  collected  and  clings  or  cleaves  together,  it  may  be 
said  that  club  life  in  Knox  county  began  with  the  women  of  the  Galesburg 
colony  soon  after  their  arrival  at  their  new  home  in  1837,  then  the  trackless, 
treeless  prairie,  now  the  fair  city  of  homes  and  schools  and  churches,  of  shaded 
streets  and  well  trimmed  lawns,  and  parks  and  gardens.  That  little  band  of 
noble  women,  some  of  them  only  recently  married,  some  of  them  still  unmarried, 
others  in  the  prime  of  mature  womenhood,  and  all  of  them  earnest,  thoughtful, 
prayerful  women,  formed  themselves  into  a  society  called  the  "Maternal  Asso- 
ciation." We  smile  at  the  name  from  the  standpoint  of  present  day  ideas  and 
ideals,  but  was  not  theirs  the  true  ideal  working  itself  out  through  the  instincts 
of  motherhood,  impelled  by  the  thought  of  the  mother  love  and  the  mother 
influence  which  must  pervade  and  control  the  life  and  the  destinies  of  the  homes 
which  had  recently  been,  or  were  to  be  established? 

The  purpose  of  this  organization  was  to  discuss  the  interests  of  the  com- 
munity of  which  its  members  formed  so  important  a  part,  and  the  more  inti- 
mate and  vital  questions  relating  to  their  home  life  and  the  training  of  the 
children  and  the  youths  so  far  removed  from  any  other  educational  or  cultivat- 
ing influences.  There  was  no  occasion  for  jealousy  or  pique  because  of  a  fan- 
cied or  intentional  slight  in  the  omission  of  an  invitation  to  join  that  club,  for 
all  who  would  might  become  members  and  share  in  its  duties  and  privileges. 
And  while  they  had  no  printed  programs  as  have  their  daughters  of  to-day,  they 
kept  a  record  of  their  meetings  and  a  list  of  the  members. 

The  membership  list  of  that  first  woman's  club  of  Galesburg  included  old 
colony  family  names  familiar  as  household  words  in  the  homes  of  our  city — Gale, 
Waters,  Blanchard,  Kellogg,  Losey,  Farnham,  Ferris,  Colton,  Conger,  Buck- 
ingham, Sanderson,  Prentice,  Swift,  West,  Wilcox,  Avery,  Phelps,  Holyoke,  Mc- 
Mullen  and  all  the  rest  sacred  to  memory  in  the  history  of  those  early  days. 

This  association  continued  its  life  and  activities  for  a  number  of  years,  at 
least  until  at  sometime  after  1850,  and  therefore  its  history  ante-dates  that  of 
the  Sorosis  founded  in  1868  in  New  York  city. 

In  their  earnest  and  prayerful  efforts  for  the  betterment  of  community  and 
family  life,  the  women  of  Galesburg  were  but  laying  the  foundations  for  that 


Mrs.    Maria    H.    Whiting 


Mrs.    Philip   S.   Post         i-'-.. 


Mrs.  Sara  M.  McCall  -t:    ••  >    J      Miss  Ida  M.  McCaU  •'-: 

•   •;       FOUR  WOMEN  IDENTIFIED  WITH  KNOX  COLLEGE  /.-'S     ' 


512      ^:}.;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; 

and  agriculturally  considered  Knox  county  may  be  said  to  rank  among  the  fore- 
most counties  of  the  state.  .  '    .    •.•'.,..'.  "1 

Thus  are  the  doors  of  opportunity  and  privilege  opened  wide  to  the  favored 
women  of  Knox  county. 

They  are  first  American  i\.oincn,  either  by  birthright  or  by  adoption.  Second- 
ly, they  are  daughters  of  the  great  state  of  Illinois,  "Whose  splendors  and 
glories,"  as  Colonel  Carr  eloquently  sa\-s,  "illumine  every  part  of  the  mighty 
edifice  which  she  majestically  canopies."  And  lastly,  their  immediate  environ- 
ment is  one  of  the  fairest  and  most  favored  centers  of  our  commonwealth. 

It  remains  for  us  to  see  what  use  they  have  made  of  the  rich  heritage  to 
which  they  have  succeeded.  i  | 

The  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county  brought  with  them  from  the  east  and 
the  south  the  spirit  and  the  purpose  which  have  made  intellectual  develop- 
ment and  culture  the  natural  outgrowth  of  the  seed  implanted  in  the  breasts  of 
their  children.  Since  the  significance  of  the  root  from  which  the  word  "Club" 
is  derived  is  that  which  is  collected  and  clings  or  cleaves  together,  it  may  be 
said  that  club  life  in  Knox  county  began  with  the  women  of  the  Galesburg 
colony  soon  after  their  arrival  at  their  new  home  in  1837,  then  the  trackless, 
treeless  prairie,  now  the  fair  city  of  homes  and  schools  and  churches,  of  shaded 
streets  and  well  trimmed  lawns,  and  parks  and  gardens.  That  little  band  of 
noble  women,  some  of  them  only  recently  married,  some  of  them  still  unmarried, 
others  in  the  prime  of  mature  womenhood,  and  all  of  them  earnest,  thoughtful, 
prayerful  women,  formed  themselves  into  a  society  called  the  "Maternal  Asso- 
ciation." We  smile  at  the  name  from  the  standpoint  of  present  day  ideas  and 
ideals,  but  was  not  theirs  the  true  ideal  working  itself  out  through  the  instincts 
of  motherhood,  impelled  by  the  thought  of  the  mother  love  and  the  mother 
influence  which  must  pervade  and  control  the  life  and  the  destinies  of  the  homes 
which  had  recently  been,  or  were  to  be  established?  '  I 

The  purpose  of  this  organization  was  to  discuss  the  interests  of  the  com- 
munity of  which  its  members  formed  so  important  a  part,  and  the  more  inti- 
mate and  vital  questions  relating  to  their  home  life  and  the  training  of  the 
children  and  the  youths  so  far  removed  from  any  other  educational  or  cultivat- 
ing influences.  There  was  no  occasion  for  jealousy  or  pique  because  of  a  fan- 
cied or  intentional  slight  in  the  omission  of  an  invitation  to  join  that  club,  for 
all  who  would  might  become  members  and  share  in  its  duties  and  privileges. 
And  while  they  had  no  printed  programs  as  have  their  daughters  of  to-day,  they 
kept  a  record  of  their  meetings  and  a  list  of  the  members.  .  ;"  •  |  . 

The  membership  list  of  that  first  woman's  club  of  Galesburg  included  old 
colony  family  names  familiar  as  household  words  in  the  homes  of  our  city — Gale, 
Waters,  Blanchard,  Kellogg,  Losey,  Farnham,  Ferris,  Colton,  Conger,  Buck- 
ingham, Sanderson,  Prentice,  Swift,  West,  Wilcox,  Avery,  Phelps,  Holyoke,  Mc- 
Mullen  and  all  the  rest  sacred  to  memory  in  the  history  of  those  early  days. 

This  association  continued  its  life  and  activities  for  a  number  of  years,  at 
least  until  at  sometime  after  1850,  and  therefore  its  history  ante-dates  that  of 
the  Sorosis  founded  in  1868  in  New  York  city. 

In  their  earnest  and  prayerful  efforts  for  the  betterment  of  community  and 
family  life,  the  women  of  Galesburg  were  but  laying  the  foundations  for  that 


Mrs.    Maria    II.    Whiting 


Mrs.    Philip    S.    Post 


Mrs.  Sara  M.  McCall  '     :''  .  •        v  '    Miss  Ida  M.  McCall 

•        FOUR  WOMEN  IDENTIFIED  WITH  KNOX  COLLEGE 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  513 

altar  of  sacrifice  upon  which  were  to  be  offered  'their  husbands  and  sons,  and 
the  added  gift  of  their  own  hearts'  best  treasures  of  love  and  devotion  when 
the  fiery  days  of  the  civil  war  burst  upon  them  and  kindled  the  flame  upon  their 
altar,  a  fiame  which  continued  to  burn  consuming  one  by  one  the  offerings  laid 
thereon  until  the  sacrifice  was  complete. 

The  natural  sequence  of  the  moral  influences  and  the  home  training  which 
preceded  these  events,  followed,  when  husbands,  sons  and  brothers  marched 
to  the  front,  while  wives,  mothers  and  sisters  remained  at  home  to  work  and 
weep  as  they  strove  to  give  them  relief  and  succor.  To  be  efficient  their  help 
must  be  given  through  the  medium  of  organized  effort,  and  here  again  becomes 
apparent  the  idea  of  the  club,  the  "cleaving  together"  of  the  women  in  a  com- 
mon sympathy  and  interest  which  found  its  expression  in  the  Soldiers'  Aid  So- 
ciety of  Galesburg,  one  of  many  found  in  almost  every  hamlet  and  city  in  the 
land,  and  in  which  the  women  of  the  surrounding  towns  also,  as  in  Knoxville 
and  Abingdon,  and  doubtless  in  other  neighborhoods,  bore  a  noble  and  de- 
^  voted  part. 

This  work  as  an  organization  was  supplemented  to  some  extent  by  the 
work  of  the  women  in  their  homes,  some  of  them  taking  home  garments  to 
finish,  or  'to  make  entirely,  in  order  to  make  it  more  of  a  personal  service  to 
their  loved  ones  and  to  the  cause.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  the  material 
for  the  uniforms  of  the  volunteer  soldiers  was  furnished  by  the  government, 
and  this  material  with  pattern  for  cutting  and  shaping  them  was  sent  to  the 
different  localities  where  military  companies  were  organized.  These  were  dis- 
tributed among  the  different  organizations  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  military 
camps.  The  women  of  Galesburg  gathered  practically  in  a  body  to  sew  for 
the  soldiers  who  were  in  camp  in  Knoxville,  Peoria  and  Quincy.  When  the 
uniform  was  finished  a  testament  and  a  handkerchief,  and  often  a  keepsake 
of  some  kind  were  slipped  into  the  breast  pocket  of  each  coat.  One  devoted  and 
truly  patriotic  mother,  a  widow,  Mrs.  Adaline  Clendenin  Ewing,  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  Martha  Cobb  and  Mrs.  Miron  Rhodes,  took  home  the  garments  which 
were  to  be  the  out-fit  of  her  first  born  son,  her  offering  to  her  country's  service, 
and  made  them  all  by  hand.  Into  every  stitch  was  wrought  a  mother's  love 
and  anguish.  Then  she  tucked  into  the  pocket  the  testament,  the  handkerchief 
and  a  letter,  a  sacred  message  from  mother  to  son  in  that  crucial  hour,  and 
sent  him  forth  with  a  mother's  love  and  blessing.  Only  three  short  months 
thereafter,  stricken  with  mortal  illness,  he  was  brought  home  to  receive  that 
mother's  tender  ministries  in  his  few  remaining  hours  of  earthly  need. 

And  this  was  only  a  forerunner  of  the  many  experiences  that  thrilled  the 
hearts  of  the  community  with  sympathy  and  with  sorrow.  Again  and  yet  again 
were  the  homes  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county  opened  to  receive  their  dying 
and  their  dead. 

But  still  undaunted,  the  women  toiled  on  making  garments,  scraping  lint, 
filling  comfort  bags,  preparing  delicacies,  packing  boxes,  forwarding  literature 
and  writing  letters  to  the  soldiers  in  hospital  and  camp. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  all  the  members  of  the  Soldiers?  Aid  Society 
that  are  still  living — Mrs.  Lucy  Chase,  widow  of  Dr.  M.  J.  Chase;  Mrs.  Betsy 
Cook,  widow  of  M.  D.  Cook  and  Mrs.  Ann  Sanderson,  widow  of  Hon.  H.  R. 


Vol.  I— SS 


514  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Sanderson.     Mrs.  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  recently  deceased,   was  also  an  active 
member. 

The  reports  of  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  of  Galesburg,  which  have  been 
preserved,  speak  eloquently,  and  with  a  touching  pathos  of  the  work  of  the 
mothers  and  sisters,  even  of  the  little  children,  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of  the 
brave  boys  in  blue  who  had  gone  out  from  among  them.  The  story  of  what 
was  accomplished  for  their  aid,  both  in  the  hospitals  and  upon  the  field,  reads 
like  a  romance.  The  climax  of  one  supreme  effort  is  worthy  of  note.  In  the 
spring  of  1864  special  appeals  were  made  in  behalf  of  the  soldiers  through 
the  agency  of  the  Christian  Commission.  In  response  a  "Sanitary  Fair"  was 
held  in  Galesburg  which  netted  over  three  thousand  dollars.  This  was  followed 
in  a  few  days  by  a  great  mass-meeting  held  in  the  Old  First  church,  which  stood 
on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Central  Congregational  church.  On  this  occa- 
sion, the  afterward  world-famous  Chaplain  McCabe,  then  just  out  of  Libby 
Prison,  made  an  appeal  so  powerful  in  its  effect  that  in  one  short  half  hour, 
notwithstanding  the  effort  of  a  few  days  previous,  one  thousand  six  hundred 
dollars  were  pledged  to  the  Christian  Commission,  thus  making  five  thousand 
dollars  raised  within  a  iJi;eek  in  response  to  that  special  appeal,  while  at  the 
same  time  the  regular  work  of  the  society  was  not  permitted  to  lapse. 

It  is  in  the  light  of  such  facts  as  these  that  we  are  made  to  realize  the  in- 
tensity of  the  devotion  and  the  patriotic  fervor  which  sustained  those  women 
through  the  unremitting  toil  and  the  long  agony  of  that  bitter  experience. 

Mary  Allen  West,  who  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  having  been  born  in  1837 
in  "Log  City,"  the  first  home  of  the  Galesburg  colonists,  and  whose  influence  as 
an  educator,  a  writer  and  a  philanthropist  afterward  encircled  the  globe,  was 
prominent  in  the  work  of  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society.  During  the  greater  period 
of  its  existence  she  served  as  its  efficient  secretary,  and  she  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  work  intrusted  to  her  the  unusual  qualities  of  leadership  and  of  exec- 
utive ability  with  which  she  was  endowed.  She  possessed  a  heart  of  fire  and 
wielded  a  pen  of  flame,  and  her  burning  words,  whether  written  or  spoken,  must 
have  kindled  anew  the  fires  of  patriotism  in  sinking,  sorrowing  hearts,  while 
they  made  even  the  dry  statistics  of  her  annual  reports  eloquent  with  hope 
and  encouragement. 

And  should  we  of  the  present  imagine  for  a  moment  that  impassioned  thought, 
eloquence  of  sentiment  and  elegance  of  diction  belong  more  especially  to  this 
period  of  culture  and  intellectual  attainment,  let  us  but  read  the  address  pre- 
pared by  order  of  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  of  Galesburg  and  sent  to  their  broth- 
ers in  the  field.  It  was  undoubtedly  written  by  Mary  Allen  West,  a  graduate  of 
Knox  college  of  the  class  of  1855,  although  her  name  does  not  appear.  It  is 
a  most  eloquent,  soul-inspiring  message  which  must  have  thrilled  the  hearts  and 
strengthened  the  purpose  of  the  weary  and  discouraged  soldiers  to  whom  it  was 
addressed. 

In  the  arduous  work  and  the  consuming  anxiety  and  sorrow  of  those  eventful 
years,  as  in  all  the  undertakings  which  have  come  to  their  hands,  the  heroic 
spirit  of  the  women  of  Knox  county  triumphed.  The  word  failure  did  not  oc- 
cur in  their  vocabulary,  and  to  shrink  in  the  presence  of  hardships,  obstacles 


V^^  -"•;^v:    "-'•:         ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  .v::;;  ;         515 

and  grief  was  to  them  an  unknown  principle  of  action.  Their  heroic  creed 
might  well  have  been  expressed  in  these  words : 

''•;:r   '           •  "For  right  is  right,  since  God  is  God,  :   .  :;    /i  :  ^ 

-   '.-v:"  t^      :^  ;     '      -And  right  the  day  must   win;  !    v           ••-/;.•-  ^4 

,\, '  :.X        :;  :    i-   To  doubt  would  be  disloyalty,  vt^^-'vr  =/: 

.  ''';   ;  ^  •;/?:           To  falter  would  be  sin."  ;      .    v 

.     •         "  -.       -'.          '.•'•.•  '         •,'••!..'      .    "-  •         '  -'"';' 

/  And  so  lovingly  and  reverently  do  we  pay  our  tribute  of  remembrance  and 
appreciation  to  the  heroic  example  and  worthy  deeds  of  the  women  of  Knox 
county  of  1861-65. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  indeed  for  some  time  preceding  its  close,  when 
there  was  no  longer  necessity  for  work  for  the  soldiers  in  camp,  field  or  hos- 
pital, it  became  apparent  that  work  must  be  done  for  the  aid  of  the  widows  and 
'  orphans  left  destitute  when  their  natural  protectors  and  supporters  had  been 
stricken  down  by  the  cruel  hand  of  war.  And  therefore  organized  relief  work 
was  continued  under  the  name  of  the  Dorcas  Society. 

This  organization  was  actively  supported  by  many  of  those  ladies  who  had 
worked  in  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society.  Its  beneficent  work  in  caring  for  the  needy 
and  suffering  of  the  city  was  continued  through  the  many  intervening  years, 
until  a  few  years  ago  when  it  became  affiliated  with  the  Free  Kindergarten  As- 
sociation, now  a  county  institution,  maintained  by  the  efforts  not  only  of  the 
women  of  Galesburg,  but  also  of  auxiliary  branches  in  adjacent  towns. 

During  the  decade  which  immediately  succeeded  the  close  of  the  civil  war, 
and  when  all  the  evils  which  follow  the  trail  of  such  a  tremendous  upheaval  in 
civic  and  national  life  ran  riot  in  the  land,  the  movement  for  temperance  reform 
swept  over  the  country  like  a  mighty  tidal  wave,  bearing  upon  its  crest  the  thor- 
oughly aroused  public  sentiment  of  city  and  village  and  country-side  alike. 
'  Knox  county  did  not  escape  the  effects  of  the  on-rushing  current.  She  too  was 
~  aroused  and  awakened  to  effort.  And  again,  here  as  elsewhere,  the  women 
-  took  the  initiative  and  organized  f6r  battle.  This  time  it  was  the  women  who 
were  to  do  the  fighting  as  well  as  the  praying  and  the  weeping. 

The  fight  which  was  tlien  begun  so  many  years  ago  is  still  on.  The 
heroic  creed  which  had  been  the  impulse  to  action  in  the  past  has  ever  been 
their  inspiration  and  incentive,  for  again  and  again,  many  times  repeated,  have 
they  fiung  defiance  to  the  foe  with  the  war  cry,  .  ...  .  ., . 

.,     .         ..;;;        "For  right  is  right,  since  God  is  God,  r^-'.^; .'    '  ^Vv ..    ;.; 

'  i,;.-  '  ,    '•     •  And  right  the  day  must  win." 

And  so  that  great  organization  known  throughout  the  civilized  world  as  the 
Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  sprang  into  being. 

The  following  account  of  the  work  in  this  county  was  written  by  Mrs.  B. 
F.  Arnold  of  Galesburg  and  we  insert  it  w^ithout  change.  Mrs.  Arnold  has 
been  associated  with  the  movement  from  the  beginning,  and  acted  as  president 
of  the  Galesburg  union  for  fourteen  years,  and  is  therefore  better  fitted  than 
anyone  else  to  write  of  its  history  and  work. 

The  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  of  Galesburg  was  the  outgrowth 
of  a  society  organized  by  the  women  under  the  name  of  The  Women's  Union 


516  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :•:"' 

Temperance  Society.  The  first  meeting  was  held  on  the  2Oth  of  February,  1874, 
and  the  organization  of  the  society  was  completed  March  i6th.  On  the  first 
board  of  officers  were  the  following :  President,  Mrs.  M.  Waite ;  Vice-president, 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Sherman;  Rec.  Secretary,  Mrs.  H.  S.  Kurd;  Cor.  Secretary,  Mrs. 
J.  H.  Little;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Job.  Swift. 

The  great  temperance  crusade  in  Ohio  had  recently  sprung  into  being  and 
the  success  of  the  active  campaign  against  intemperance  and  the  saloon  inspired 
the  women  to  follow  in  their  footsteps.  ;..;'=:x.. 

The  record  book  shows  the  names  of  112  of  the  most  prominent  women  of 
the  city  as  charter  members.  In  1875  the  society  voted  to  become  auxiliary  to 
the  state  W.  C.  T.  U.  In  this  year  the  use  of  a  store  room  on  South  Prairie 
street  was  given  by  Mr.  Sheldon  Allen  for  twenty-five  years,  the  society  paying 
all  taxes  and  assessments.  For  twenty-three  years  this  was  headquarters  for 
the  society  and  the  rooms  were  the  rallying  point  for  all  kinds  of  reform  work. 

The  rooms  were  also  used  by  the  Woman's  Christian  Association  and  for 
several  years  a  morning  prayer  meeting  was  held  every  morning  at  nine  o'clock. 
The  prayers  which  ascended  from  these  rooms  surely  were  heard  and  answered 
in  later  years  when  the  licensed  saloons  were  voted  out  of  the  city.  These  coffee  : . 

rooms  were  the  scene  of  much  good  work  along  temperance   lines.     Lunches  /f; 

and  dinners  could  be  had  at  all  times,  and  all  regular  meetings  were  held  here.  ^;  - , 
A  lady  in  charge  was  always  ready  to  give  help  and  advice  to  those  who  sought  ].':'  •.'.-• 
her  counsel.  v  -^^  V'  • 

It  is  of  interest  to  know  the  names  of  some  of  the  good  women  who  have  j' 

passed  on  to  their  reward,  but  whose  good  works  live  after  them.     In  addition          >;'; 
to  the  first  officers  already  recorded,  the  name  of  Mary  Allen  West  stands  pre-    :-;:•?.. 
eminent,  ably  sustained  by  Mrs.  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  Mrs.  Warren  Willard,  Mrs.    •';'•••;:'.:. 
Clement  Leach,  Mrs.  S.  H.  Ferris,  Mrs.  O.  T.  Johnson,  Mrs.  Geo.  Dieterich,     >;••''  V V 
Mrs.  A.  Hyde,  Mrs.  Geo.  Holyoke,  Mrs.  Hamblin  and  others.  ;.';   ; : •; 

In  1875  the  Second  Annual  meeting  of  the  State  W.  C.  T.  U.  was  held  in    v'^^'/  >  : 
Galesburg  presided  over  by  Mrs.  Jennie  Fowler  Willing.  .  ,.     .|    :,••.-      r'-^'- ,-•.' 

Some  of  the  departments  in  which  the  union  has  done  especially  good  work    ':./',.'. 
are  the  following:  :-'.-' 

A  band  of  Hope  of  several  hundred  members  was  organized  among  the  chil-    _' jr;--. 
dren  of  the  city,  and  many  of  the  men  of  today  give  credit  by  their  staunch    /i   ;''. 
temperance  principles  to  the  instructions  received  from  Mary  Allen  West,  Mrs.    >.l'.--.  ;•;' 
Geo.  T.  Holyoke  and  Miss  Jenney.  '•?.:';;; 

A  Girls'  Temperance  union  ably  assisted  by  young  men  was  the  center  of     '''-'•' 
many  instructive  and  enjoyable  occasions  where  the  leadership  of  Miss  Mary 
Hazzard  stood  pre-eminent.     In  later  years  Miss  Hazzard  was  president  of  the 
County  W.  C.  T.  U. 

An  Employment  Bureau  furnished  help  for  many  homes  and  homes  for  many 
workers,  ably  managed  by  Mrs.  E.  N.  Lovejoy. 

Mothers'  meetings  have  always  been  a  feature  of  the  work  of  the  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  have  been  carried  on  with  great  success  in 
later  years  by  courtesy  being  held  in  the  Free  Kindergarten  building.  Those  '•, 

who  attend  are  working  women  who  have  small  time  for  enjoyment,  and  many 
cares.  An  instructive  program  is  given  and  suitable  refreshments  served  by 
committees  from  different  churches.  -.  :  .:  v  '...• 


.          ;'  u        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      V/  :'  517 

The  department  of  work  among  the  soldiers  and  sailors  has  been  exception- 
ally well  conducted  by  Miss  Catherine  Long.  Clippings  and  short  interesting 
articles  in  envelopes  are  sent  to  hospitals  and  army  camps  and  are  circulated  by 
nurses  and  chaplains.  Hundreds  of  envelopes  and  comfort  bags  are  prepared 
and  sent  every  year. 

In  the  year  1901  the  28th  Annual  Meeting  of  the  state  was  held  in  Gales- 
burg.  At  this  meeting  Mrs.  Louise  S.  Rounds  presided  and  laid  down  the  gavel 
after  nineteen  years  of  service  as  state  president.  Miss  Marie  C.  Brehm  was 
her  successor.  .  ;  ' 

In  December,  1892,  the  world  was  called  to  mourn  the  passing  on  of  Miss 
Mary  Allen  West  and  her  body  was  brought  from  far  Japan  to  be  laid  by  the 
side  of  loved  ones  in  Hope  cemetery.  The  union  conducted  the  services  which 
were  attended  by  representatives  from  Chicago,  Peoria,  Monmouth  and  other 
cities.  It  was  said  of  her  that  "The  state  has  produced  no  other  woman  who 
has  rendered  it  such  signal  service." 

By  courtesy  of  the  city  editors  the  press  department  has  supplied  our  daily 
papers  with  a  part  column  of  notices,  communications  and  short  items  of  interest 
along  temperance  lines,  which  has  been  appreciated  by  all  interested  in  the  cause. 

The  temperance  rooms  were  given  up  in  1901  on  account  of  changed  condi- 
tions, and  many  other  good  reasons,  and  a  room  in  Central  church  was  occupied 
for  seven  years.  Since  1907  the  union  has  met  in  the  Baptist  church.  Sixteen 
departments  of  work  are  being  carried  on  by  different  committees. 

In  1911  the  Galesburg  union  was  the  largest  in  the  state,  having  268  mem- 
bers. 

Other  unions  in  the  county  are  Abingdon,  Knoxville,  Wataga,  Rio,  Delong 
and  East  Galesburg,  and  the  enrolled  membership  is  nearly  five  hundred. 

The  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  has  demonstrated  its  right  to 
live  by  the  work  which  it  has  done,  and  as  the  handmaid  of  the  church  will  con- 
tinue to  do  "For  God  and  Home  and  Every  Land." 

•  '   Following  close  upon  the  footsteps  of  the  great  temperance  reform  move- 
ment there  came  to  the  front  that  still  greater  organization  of  women,  "the. 
largest  charitable  organization  in  the  world'',  the  I'Voman's  Relief  Corps.     And 
here  again  we  leave  it  to  the  pen  of  one  who,  by  close  personal  connection  with 
it,  is  better  fitted  than  ourselves  to  tell  of  its  work. 

Mrs.  R.  E.  McCullough,  who  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Woman's  Re- 
lief Corps  of  Galesburg  in  1888,  and  who  was  its  president  for  the  first  three 
years,  has  kindly  given  us  the  following  sketch  of  its  history  which  we  quote  as 
a  whole. 

-  ..••'•^-  ••"/•:;•:,.•       rV-;.,  THE    WOMAN'S    RELIEF    CORPS       '  •    ,::^:;^ 
'•- 

.'•  '^ 

The  first  organization  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  Auxiliary  to  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  was  formed  in  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts  in  1879,  since 
which  time  it  has  grown  to  be  the  largest  charitable  organization  in  the  world. 
Its  special  objects  are  to  render  to  the  veterans  of  the  civil  war  and  their  de- 
pendent ones,  aid  and  comfort  in  sickness  and  distress,  and  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  their  heroic  dead  in  the  sacred  observance  of  Memorial  day. 

The  order  reaches  almost  every  state  in  the  union.  Illinois  stands  third 
in  membership  and  influence,  and  last  year  she  expended  $8,872  in  relief  alone. 


518  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

..  Knox  county  has  but  two  corps,  G.  W.  Trafton  Corps  of  Knoxville,  or- 
ganized in  1907,  now  has  seventy-five  members  with  $40  expended  for  relief 
last  year.  Jas.  T.  Shields  Woman's  Relief  Corps  No.  121,  Auxiliary  to  Post 
45,  G.  A.  R.  of  Galesburg,  was  organized  in  August,  1888,  and  ^t  present  has  one 
hundred  and  seventy-seven  members. 

Corps  committees  visit  the  poor  and  sick,  carrying  them  fruit  and  flowers 
and  in  case  of  need  supply  them  with  food  and  clothing.  For  1911  Corps  No. 
121  expended  for  relief  $43.20,  in  fruit,  and  flowers  $73.56.  Outside  of  regular 
relief  work  the  corps  has  given  $50  to  the  Visiting  Nurse  Association,  $20  to 
the  Galesburg  hospital,  besides  smaller  contributions  to  other  charities  of  the 
city. 

Along  patriotic  lines  the  corps  has  been  active.  In  1909  with  appropriate 
exercises,  we  placed  two  large  flags  in  our  public  schools,  and  the  following 
year  sent  a  large  flag  to  float  over  the  old  home  of  Illinois'  beloved  son,  Abra- 
ham Lincoln.  In  1911  we  presented  a  life  size  portrait  of  Lincoln  to  the  Lin- 
coln Debating  club  of  the  Galesburg  high  school.  Several  years  ago  the  mem- 
bers of  Corps  No.  121  conceived  the  idea  of  erecting  a  soldiers'  monument  to 
the  memory  of  deceased  soldiers  of  this  community.  Finally  after  months  of 
persistent  hard  work,  faithfully  assisted  by  the  members  of  Post  45,  their  efforts 
were  crowned  with  success.  In  1896  the  monument  standing  at  the  northeast 
corner  of  Hope  cemetery  was  dedicated. 

Mary  A.  Bickerdyke,  the  much  loved  army  nurse,  died  in  Kansas  in  Novem- 
ber, 1901,  her  remains  were  brought  to  Galesburg,  her  former  home  for  inter- 
ment in  the  family  burial  lot  in  Linwood  cemetery.  At  once  Corps  121  became 
active  and  with  the  generous  assistance  of  posts  and  corps  throughout  the  state 
were  enable  to  erect  the  substantial  monument  that  marks  her  last  resting  place. 
Not  content  with  this,  the  following  spring  after  Mother  Bickerdyke's  death, 
a  number  of  ladies  from  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps  formed  and  incorporated  an 
association  to  be  known  as  the  "Mother  Bickerdyke  Memorial  Association",  its 
purpose  and  aim  to  erect  a  suitable  testimonial  to  this  beloved  woman.  After 
much  time  and  thought  had  been  expended,  the  association  with  the  valuable 
assistance  of  Honorables  Leon  A.  Townsend  and  Wilfred  Arnold  secured  an  ap- 
propriation of  $5,000  from  the  state,  and  today  the  beautiful  statue  of  Mother 
Bickerdyke,  holding  the  cup  of  cold  water  to  the  dying  soldier's  lips,  graces 
the  Court  House  park  of  this  city.  The  dedication  took  place  during  Encamp- 
ment 'week.  May  22nd,  1906,  and  was  attended  by  eight  thousand  veterans,  vis- 
itors and  citizens.  Governor  Yates  honored  the  association  with  his  presence 
and  delivered  the  address  of  the  day. 

The  motto  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps  is  Fraternity,  Charity  and  Loyalty, 
and  its  religion,  "To  do  unto  others  as  ye  would  that  others  do  unto  you." 

Two  years  after  the  organization  of  the  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  the  movement 
was  inaugurated  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  "The  Galesburg  Free 
Kindergarten  Association",  which  has  since  developed  into  "The  Knox  County 
Free  Kindergarten  Association,"  one  of  the  most  notable  philanthropic  organiza- 
tions in  our  county.  : 

Once  more  we  give  space  to  another  to  speak  of  this  great  institution,  the. 
one  best  qualified  of  all  the  women  of  the  county,  because  of  her  intimate  re- 


^-:V     :    •'•    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  4;  619 

-'••  "   '  .  •  .  }   '-:.'•.    • 

lation  to  its  work,  she  having  served  as  its  president  during  the  entire  period  of 
its  existence,  or  since  1890,  Mrs.  Mary  Claycomb  Grubb. 

We  have  the  more  gladly  yielded  the  space  to  Mrs.  Arnold,  Mrs.  McCul- 
lough  and  Mrs.  Grubb  because  of  our  desire  that  the  three  great  philanthropic 
organizations  which  they  represent  should  receive  the  full  measure  of  justice 
which  could  only  be  given  them  by  these  noble  women  whose  very  existence  and 
most  earnest  endeavor  have  been  wrought  into  their  history. 

In  the  fall  of  1890,  Miss  M.  Evelyn  Strong,  who  founded  and  was  for  many 
years  principal  of  the  Galesburg  Kindergarten  Normal,  inaugurated  a  movement 
to  establish  a  free  kindergarten  for  the  children  of  the  poor  of  Galesburg. 

As  an  initiative  to*  this  undertaking  Miss  Strong  called  upon  the  pastors  of 
the  different  churches  of  the  city  to  preach,  each  one  on  the  same  Sabbath  mom- 
ing,  a  sermon  on  "Free  Kindergartens  and  Their  Advantages."  At  the  same 
time  she  asked  each  of  the  pastors  to  give  her  the  names  of  three  ladies  of  his  con- 
gregation whom  she  might  invite  to  a  conference  with  her  in  regard  to  her 
project.  The  sermons  were  preached  and  in  August  or  September  of  that  year, 
1890,  a  large  number  of  ladies  met  in  the  parlors  of  the  Kindergarten  Normal 
for  the  proposed  conference.  •.  ;•: 

Miss  Strong  was  the  leading  spirit  of  the  meeting  and  associated  with  her 
and  ably  abetting  her  efforts  was  Miss  Alice  Chapin,  Miss  Strong's  great  friend 
and  at  one  time  instructor. 

The  records  of  the  first  two  or  three  years  were  unfortunately  lost  and  many 
of  the  details  of  that  period  are  largely  a  matter  of  memory.  We  do  not  forget, 
however,  that  this  was  distinctively  a  woman's  movement  and  has  always  re- 
mained so.  Gentlemen  have  given  generously  both  of  money  and  helpful  advice. 
In  fact,  their  support  has  contributed  largely  to  the  success  of  this  charity,  but 
while  they  may  become  honorary  members  of  the  association,  they  do  not  have 
a  vote  in  its  proceedings.  The  leading  ladies  of  Galesburg  took  an  active  inter- 
est in  establishing  this,  up  to  that  time,  new  sort  of  charitable  work  in  this 
city  and  it  has  always  commanded  the  loyal  support  of  all  classes. 

At  the  second  meeting  a  constitution  and  by-laws  were  adopted  and  perma- 
nent officers  were  elected  as  follows:  Mrs.  Mary  Claycomb  Grubb,  president; 
Mrs.  O.  F.  Price,  vice-president;  Mrs.  Helena  Crummett  Lee,  secretary;  Mrs. 
Grace  Fahnestock,  treasurer. 

The  organization  was  named  "The  Galesburg  Free  Kindergarten  Association," 
the  purpose  for  which  it  was  created  being,  as  stated  in  the  preamble  of  its  con- 
stitution, "to  maintain  one  or  more  free  kindergartens  in  the  city  of  Galesburg." 

Three  permanent  committees  were  established,  one  on  finances,  one  on  lunches, 
and  one  on  visiting,  each  of  these  committees  being  composed  of  one  lady  from 
each  of  the  churches  represented  in  the  association,  this  charity  being  undertaken 
and  directed  by  the  churches. 

Other  standing  committees  have  been  created  from  time  to  time,  such  as  the 
house  committee,  the  children's  committee,  the  employment  committee,  purchas- 
ing committee,  and  committee  on  menus.  .' 

It  was  on  the  lower  floor  of  the  south  side  of  the  building,  formerly  used  for 
city  offices,  known  as  the  fire  proof  building  (this  building  has  since  given  place  to 
a  very  ornate  city  hall),  on  October  6,  1890,  that  the  doors  of  this  new  institution 


520  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  j 

were  opened  with  twenty-five  children  in  attendance,  and  two  teachers,  Miss 
Mary  Hazzard  and  Miss  Mary  Owen  in  charge,  both  graduates  of  Miss  Strong's 
Kindergarten  Normal.  It  was  a  very  modest  beginning,  and  attracted  so  little 
public  attention  at  that  time  that  the  city  papers  of  that  date  contain  no  mention 
of  the  event. 

Miss  Owen  was  a  young  woman  of  the  negro  race  and  did  efficient  work  as 
assistant  kindergartner  until  1896,  when  she  resigned  and  Miss  Emma  Chase 
of  Binghampton,  New  York,  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

Miss  Hazzard  held  the  position  as  principal  of  the  school  until  her  death. 
May  3ist,  1904,  and  up  to  that  date  the  success  of  the  undertaking  was  largely 
due  to  her  efficiency.  '  .  ; ' 

In  1893,  increased  city  business  caused  a  demand  for  the  rooms  the  school 
was  then  occupying  and  the  association  bought  from  G.  N.  Hamilton  the  Cottage 
Hotel  situated  on  Cherry  street,  which  the  city  council  moved  to  the  southeast 
corner  of  the  land  then  used  as  the  city  market,  giving  us  a  lease  of  the  land, 
and  the  work  was  continued  at  this  place. 

In  the  meantime  it  was  discovered  that  these  children  needed  more  than 
one  lunch  a  week.  They  needed  a  home,  clothing,  mothering  and  one  after  an- 
other came  for  this  kind  of  care  until  the  home  became  one  of  the  important 
features  of  this  charity.  The  demands  became  so  great  that  in  1903,  it  became 
evident  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  provide  a  new  building  to  admit  of  further 
growth  or  even  to  continue  the  home  and  kindergarten. 

Many  friends  rallied  to  this  rather  daring  project.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
A.  Lawrence  headed  the  list  of  the  subscription  with  a  gift  of  one  thousand 
dollars  for  themselves  and  four  hundred  dollars  in  the  names  of  their  three 
children,  Parke,  Louise  and  Rebecca.  Mr.  Grant  Beadle  generously  offered  his 
services  as  an  architect,  and  also  as  supervisor  of,  the  erection  of  the  structure 
and  one  morning  in  June  a  large  number  of  ladies  started  out  from  the  old  build- 
ing on  Simmons  street  to  canvass  for  pledges  to  pay  for  the  new  building.  At 
the  close  of  that  sweet  June  day  there  was  enough  money  in  sight  to  make 
success  assured. 

The  new  building,  erected  at  a  cost  of  $10,000,  stands  at  the  corner  of  Sim- 
mons and  Cedar  streets  and  bears  upon  its  corner  stone  the  inscription  "The  M. 
Evelyn  Strong  Free  Kindergarten,  founded  1890."  Before  breaking  ground  for 
the  erection  of  this  building,  the  city  council  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  members 
of  the  association  a  ninety-nine  year  lease  of  the  south  half  of  the  old  market 
place  and  later  included  in  this  lease  the  north  half  also. 

Few  realized  when  the  free  kindergarten  was  opened,  the  growth  which  this 
charity  was  destined  to  make  nor  could  any  one  foresee  the  good  will  and  the 
consequent  outpouring  of  money  and  supplies  which  it  would  win  from  the 
people  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  cpunty.  It  has  been  the  recipient  of  favors  and 
gifts  from  all  classes  of  our  people.  Rich  and  poor,  church  members  and  non- 
church  members  send  here  money,  food,  clothing,  or  give  other  service.  In  1903 
the  city  council  voted  an  appropriation  of  $75  a  month,  but  this  has  since  been 
reduced  to  $500  a  year.  In  1907,  the  board  of  supervisors  made  an  appropriation 
of  $50  a  month  to  this  work,  the  same  being  afterwards  increased  to  $75.  Since 
this  recognition  by  the  board  of  supervisors,  the  association  has  been  known  as 
"The  Knox  County  Free  Kindergarten  Association."  ,,  .. 


""^^''  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '  521 

Our  endowment  fund  was  started  in  1897,  when  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  A. 
Lawrence  gave  a  generous  sum  for  this  fund  to  be  known  as  "The  Parke  and 
Louise  Lawrence  Fund."  This  has  been  increased  from  year  to  year  by  other 
gifts  by  these  friends  and  by  several  legacies  and  now  amounts  to  $4,500. 

The  expenses  incurred  in  maintaining  this  charity  are  two  kinds.  The  one, 
which  consists  of  the  salaries  paid  our  house  staflf,  is  almost  a  fixed  amount.  The 
other  item  of  expense  is  the  cost  of  maintaining  the  home  and  varies  from  time 
to  time  according  to  the  size  of  the  family  and  other  conditions.  The  average 
cost,  including  salaries  and  every  other  sort  of  expense  for  the  year  ending  May 
1st,  1911,  was  sixty-three  cents  per  day  for  each  child.  The  money  to  meet 
these  expenses  has  come  to  us  from  voluntary  contributions  of  friends,  personal 
appeals  made  to  our  churches  and  entertainments  of  different  kinds.  In  August, 

1904,  an  open  air  performance  of  "As  You  Like  It"  under  the  direction  of  Mrs. 
E.  S.  Gunnell  and  Mr.  Lou  Maddox  put  $1,621.25  into  our  treasury.    In  October, 

1905,  "The  Baby  Carnival"  netted  $1,587.87,  and  the  entertainments  of  "Home 
Coming  Week"  brought  $i,ooo  and  three  tag  days  were  very  profitable.     The 
association  has  been  able  to  pay  for  the  new  building  and  to  meet  all  other  indebt- 

,     edness,  a  fact  which  is  highly  complimentary  to  the  citizens  of  Galesburg  and 

,     Knox  county. 

Since  1903,  the  county  children  who  have  needed  a  home  have  been  sent  to 
the  free  kindergarten  home  instead  of  the  almshouse.  In  this  way  has  one  county 

.  of  our  state  solved  the  question  of  caring  for  such  children,  and  it  certainly  is 
better  than  the  old  way  of  doing  that  work,  if  not  the  best. 

Since  February,  1894,  the  building  under  the  management  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U, 
has  been  opened  one  evening  of  each  month  for  a  mother's  meeting  of  the 

'     poor.      ^  ;>'  -  •  ,VV; 

The  Dorcas  Society,  a  charitable  organization  of  long  standing,  was  merged 
into  the  association  in  1897,  and  the  home  became  a  sort  of  center  for  all 
charities. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  this  is  now  a  Knox  county  as  well  as  in  a  very 
special  sense  a  Galesburg  charity.  It  has  friends  and  supporters  in  all  parts 
of  the  county.  The  ladies  of  Altona  and  Oneida  have  organized  a  branch  asso- 
ciation which  has  a  strong  membership  and  which  is  a  source  of  inestimable 
help  to  the  home. 

We  cannot  give  the  number  of  children  who  have  received  care  and  training 
at  the  kindergarten  home  since  its  opening,  now  more  than  twenty-one  years 
ago.  For  a  number  of  years  an  average  of  a  hundred  children  have  lived  here 

,  for  some  part  of  the  year  and  many  of  them  for  the  entire  twelve  months.  Dur- 
ing the  year  ending  May  ist,  1911,  104  children  were  in  the  home,  the  average 
time  for  each  child  being  about  two  and  one-half  months.  Since  September, 
1911,  the  average  per  month  has  been  above  thirty  and  the  number  of  different 
children  who  have  come  under  the  influence  of  the  home  since  1896  is  over  five 
hundred.  No  one  can  say  how  strong  an  element  this  has  been  in 'the  lives 
of  these  otherwise  neglected  children,  to  make  them  useful  men  and  women.  No 

:    one  can  estimate,  on  the  other  hand,  the  uplift  towards  the  higher  and  nobler 

life  it  has  given  this  community  to  do  this  work.    We  can  almost  say  that  there 

^  has  been  no  step  backward  in  the  now  twenty-one  years  of  the  existence  of  this 


•;    522  •     .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

charity  and  we  are  ready  to  announce  that  the  "Knox  County  Children's  Home 
and  Free  Kindergarten"  is  now  a  permanent  institution,  here  to  stay. 

And  now  we  have  come  to  the  period  of  intellectual  unrest,  the  aspiration 
and  out-reach  for  higher  ideals  and  a  broader  culture,  which  resulted  in  the 
organization  one  by  one  of  the  literary  clubs  and  other  culture  clubs  which  are 
justly  and  pardonably  the  pride  of  the  women  of  this  county.  By  reason  of 
these  organizations  our  county  may,  without  question,  be  rated  as  one  of  the 
leading  literary  centers  of  the  state.  In  Galesburg  alone  there  are  eighteen  ex- 
clusively literary  clubs  with  a  membership  of  upwards  of  nine  hundred,  while  in 
Oneida,  Maquon  and  Abingdon  the  proportion  in  relation  to  the  population  is 
scarcely  less. 

In  the  three  philanthropic  and  patriotic  societies  of  Galesburg  the  member- 
ship is  between  five  hundred  and  six  hundred,  making  nearly  fifteen  hundred 
in  all. 

.  With  a  desire  to  give  full  credit  to  all  the'  clubs  throughout  the  county,  the 

:  writer  sent  out  letters  of  inquiry  to  women  whose  names  she  knew,  or  could 
secure,  in  every  township  in  the  county,  followed  in  some  cases  by  a  second  letter, 
asking  for  information  regarding  the  organized  work  of  women  in  that  particu- 
lar locality,  whether  of  a  literary,  philanthropic,  patriotic  or  beneficent  character. 
Only  Oneida,  Maquon,  Abingdon,  Wataga  and  Ontario  replied  to  the  letter,  and 
only  Maquon  and  Wataga  replied  with  information. 

The  information  regarding  the  Oneida  clubs  is  gathered  from  printed  matter 

at  hand.    There  is  known  to  be  a  club  in  Abingdon  but  we  have  no  information 

regarding  it.     Possibly  there  are  others  in  the  county.     It  is  a  matter  of  regret 

.      to  omit  any  of  them  in  this  summary  of  woman's  work  in  the  county,  but  the 

writer  must  be  pardoned  for  so  doing  after  making  all  due  effort  to  secure  the 

;       desired  information. 

•    The  clubs  of  Oneida,  Maquon  and  Abingdon  are  thoroughly  organized  and 
active.  '     r 

Wataga  combines  the  club  idea  to  some  extent  with  the  earnest^  united  work 

of  the  women  of  the  Congregational  church.     And  it  may  be  said  once  for  all, 

and  in  regard  to  all,  that  the  splendid  efforts  of  the  women's  societies  in  all  the 

.     churches  throughout  the  county  in  their  many  lines  of  work  deserve  to  be  con- 

:     sidered  as  one  of  the  most  important  factors  in  the  all  around  development  of 

these  women. 

It  was  in  1890  that  the  club  idea  began  to  be  developed  in  earnest  in  this 

county.    In  the  twenty-two  years  which  have  elapsed  since  then  the  movement 

has  grown,  until  at  the  present  writing  there  are  known  to  be  thirty-five  women's 

organizations  with  an  approximate  membership  of  two  thousand.     This  includes 

-     the  patriotic  and  philanthropic  as  well  as  the  literary  organizations.     We  give 

below,  as  nearly  as  could  be  ascertained,  a  list  of  the  clubs  of  the  county  with 

.     date  of  organization  and  lines  of  study.        ;;:     • 

;  .  '        '        THE  WOMEN'S  CLUBS  OF  GALESBURG. 

.    :    The  Hawthorne  Club,  organized  in  the  autumn  of  1890,  membership  limited 
7     to  twenty-five.     Object  of  the  club,  the  study  of  history  and  literature,  not 


-^•;-    -^    ;v     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ':  528 

neglecting,  however,  social  and  philanthropic  lines  of  work.  The  topics  studied 
during  the  twenty-two  years  of  the  club's  existence  cover  a  broad  range  of 
research  in  the  fields  of  history,  literature,  art,  miscellany,  sociology,  civic  im- 
provement,  the  old  testament  and  the  drama. 

The  Galesburg  Fortnightly  Qub  was  formally  organized  about  one  year  later 
than  the  Hawthorne  Club,  and  yet  there  are  reasons  for  considering  it  the  ante- 
cedent of  all  the  literary  clubs  of  the  city.  It  was  the  direct  outgrowth  and  de- 
velopment of  a  reading  circle  which  had  met  regularly  for  a  number  of  years 
previously  with  Mrs.  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  who  invited  a  select  circle  of  ladies  to 
come  to  her  home  to  read  and  discuss  literature  and  art,  giving  especial  attention 
to  the  latter  subject.  In  the  study  of  art  Mrs.  Standish  was  exceptionally  well 
fitted  to  guide  them  because  of  her  rich  stores  of  information,  and  the  many 
pictures  illustrative  of  the  study  which  she  had  brought  home  from  her  frequent 
visits  abroad. 

After  enjoying  these  entirely  informal  gatherings  for  a  number  of  years,  the 
ladies  decided  to  organize  themselves  into  a  club  and  chose  the  name,  "The 
Galesburg  Fortnightly  Club,"  Mrs.  Standish  and  many  of  those  who  had  at  some 
time  belonged  to  her  reading  circle  being  among  the  charter  members.  The  mem- 
bership is  limited  to  twenty  and  in  its  list  college  circles,  from  both  of  our  col- 
leges, are  largely  represented,  while  all  of  the  members  are  women  of  high  aims, 
and  earnest  purpose.  ;:  .'' 

The  club  was  organized  for  purely  literary  purposes  and  it  has  held  steadily  -' 
to  its  original  intention. 

Its  program  is  usually  a  heavy  one  and  its  members  take  pride  in  the  fact 
that  never  since  its  organization  has  a  duty  been  assigned  to  any  of  them  that 
has  not  been  performed,  either  by  herself,  or  by  a  substitute  whom  she  has  her- 
self secured.  Its  range  of  topics  for  study  has  almost  encircled  the  globe,  and 
includes  the  history  and  the  intellectual  and  moral  development,  in  all  their  varied 
forms  of  expression,  of  the  different  countries  considered.  Two  years  were  spent 
in  the  study  of  Hebrew  history  and  literature  as  found  in  the  old  testament. 

A  strong  bond  of  sympathy  exists  among  its  members  and  they  are  thoroughly    • 
loyal  to  each  other  and  to  the  interests  of  the  club.    In  common  with  other  clubs, 
they  contribute  to  the  special  objects  which  appeal  to  the  sympathies  of  the  women 
of  the  city,  such  as  the  Visiting  Nurse  Association  and  the  like. 

Rotation  in  office  is  the  principle  on  which  the  club's  officers  are  chosen,  and  ( 
by  virtue  of  this  arrangement,  each  member  at  some  time  holds  every  office  in  the  / 
gift  of  the  club.  ^ 

The  Mosaic  Qub  was  organized  in  1893  ^^^  was  in  a  sense  the  child  of  the 
Hawthorne  Qub.  It  was  started  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  daughters  and 
younger  sisters  of  the  members  of  that  club  the  same  opportunity  for  study  and 
culture  which  they  themselves  enjoyed.  The  Mosaic  Club  was  organized  with 
a  membership  of  sixteen.  Its  course  of  study  is  much  the  same  as  that  of  the 
Hawthorne  Club.  It  now  has  a  membership  of  twenty- four,  with  five  associate  ; 
members.  -:'  :  ;  ' 

The  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  Qub  had  its  origin  in  1893  ^"d  was  named  in 
honor  of  the  genial  "autocrat  of  the  breakfast  table,"  who  was  at  that  time    - 
living,  the  last  one  of  the  famous  "Cambridge  group."  ; 


'•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•"'••  Beginning  as  an  informal  afternoon  reading  circle,  the  club  has  steadily  in- 
: .  creased  in  members  and  interest,  and  improved  in  methods  of  study  until  now  it 
;  ;•  is  a  thoroughly  organized  and  up-to-date  literary  club,  its  purposes  and  objects 

•  being  much  the  same  as  those  of  the  clubs  previously  sketched. 

The  charter  members  of  this  club  enjoy  the  distinction  of  having  each  re- 
ceived a  card  bearing  the  autograph  signature  of  the  poet  whose  name  they 
.adopted.     They  wrote  him  at  the  beginning  stating  that  they  had  organized  a 
"^     club  and  had  named  it  for  him,  and  in  reply  he  sent  them  his  autographs. 

This  club  has  been  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Federation  of  Women's 
..  Clubs  for  fifteen  years  and  has  sent  two  delegates  to  every  state  convention  dur- 
:  ing  that  time.     It  is  one  of  the  two  federated  clubs  which  united  in  inviting  the 
'     State  Federation  to  meet  in  Galesburg  in  1911. 

The  Clio  Club  owes  its  existence  to  the  suggestion  of  the  daughter,  of  one  of 

:     the  charter  members,   followed  by  the  prompt  and  enthusiastic  action  of  the 

-;    mother,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Edgerton.     She  invited  a  number  of  ladies  to  her  home  for 

,  the  purpose  of  forming  themselves  into  a  club  for  sociability,  reading  and  general 

improvement.      Mrs.    Edgerton   therefore   has   the   honor   of   having   been   the 

V    founder  of  the  Clio  Club.     As  one  of  the  members  expressed  it,  Mrs.  Edgerton 

.,  "soon  had  a  list  interested  women  who  were  glad  to  embrace  an  opportunity, 

;:   .  the  road  to  which  had  been  made  so  enticing  and  yet  so  easy.    Everything  must 

be  as  simple  as  possible.     No  printed  programs  were  to  be  used  as  that  would 

r ;  be  too  formal.     We  were  to  meet,  bring  our  work,  have  a  few  words  with  our 

.     neighbors  and  depart,  having  spent  a  delightful  afternoon."  : 

Mrs.  A.  J.  Perry,  the  wife  of  the  editor  of  this  Knox  County  History,  who 

was  its  first  vice-president,  is  the  only  charter  member  who  has  kept  her  active 

~;-    membership  continuously  from  the  beginning. 

Mrs.  Edgar  L.  Larkin  was  the  first  president.     Upon  her  removal  from  the 

city  Mrs.  A.  J.  Perry  succeeded  her  as  president,  and  she  is  the  only  member 

.    of  the  club  to  hold  that  office  for  a  number  of  terms  successively,  her  period  of 

';    .service  extending  for  so  long  a  time  that  she  finally  insisted  upon  sharing  the 

honor  with  other  members. 

The  club  was  organized  in  October,  1894,  with  a  charter  membership  of  four- 

-  -  teen,  which  has  since  been  increased  to  eighteen,  as  the  limit.    The  first  regular 

meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Perry.    The  study  of  the  history  of  Egypt 

was  the  course  adopted  for  the  beginning  of  their  work. 

••  A  description  of  the  lines  of  study  which  followed  this  is  so  pleasing  that  I 

;      quote  it  as  given  by  the  pen  of  one  of  the  members  of  the  club. 
.  :         "Our  course  of  study  after  leaving  Egypt  was  first  to  England,  the  mother 

country,  thence  to  Spain,  the  home  of  the  toreador,  through  Germany  and  France 
.  '  with  their  masters  in  music,  art  and  literature.  Then  with  our  forefathers  we 
,  ;•  came  to  our  own  beloved  America  and  tried  to  'see  ourselves  as  others  see  us.' 
.':  Mexico  in  her  long  struggle  for  freedom  stirred  our  sympathies.  Norway, 
/  Sweden  and  plucky  little  Holland  each  claimed  her  turn  and  each  was  full  of 
•, :-;  interest. 

"The  interest  of  the  Clio  Cub  has  not  been  confined  to  history  or  club  work 

alone,  a  number  of  charities  having  felt  our  interest  in  a  quiet,  but  substantial 

way.     This  year  we  turn  our  attention  to  the  study  of  China." 


,     -v;;:  •        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       >  525 

The  Tourist  Club  was  organized  in  1895.  As  its  name  indicates,  its  primary 
aim  was  to  study  cities  and  countries  which  would  lure  the  traveler  to  visit  them, 
as  also  their  various  points  of  interest.  But  the  course  of  study  has  since  devel- 
oped into  a  general  study  of  history,  literature  and  art.  The  topic  for  this  year 
is  "A  Literary  Pilgrimage."  •'.;;• 

"Mrs.  J.  V.  N.  Standish  was  from  the  first  an  honorary  member,  which  posi- 
tion she  held  until  her  recent  journey  to  the  unknown  country.  When  it  was 
possible  for  her  to  attend  the  meetings  her  presence  was  an  inspiration  as  she 
could  from  her  own  rich  experience  impart  much." 

The  present  membership  is  twenty.  .'. 

The  Home  Culture  Club  is  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Mary  Arnold 
Williams,  the  wife  of  the  late  Edwin  N.  Williams.  Its  membership  is  confined 
to  those  living  north  of  Mary  street  between  Seminary  and  Cedar  streets.  Mrs. 
Williams'  own  pretty  new  home  was  in  this  "neighborhood  of  scattered  homes 
and  little  acquaintance."  The  motives  which  prompted  her  to  the  establishment 
of  the  club  were  the  following,  as  expressed  by  another:  "She  conceived  the 
idea  of  bringing  the  women  of  the  neighborhood  together  by  mutual  helpfulness 
in  the  betterment  of  their  homes,  and  also  to  promote  acquaintance.  Their 
present  needs  were  thought  of  while  a  far  insight  of  the  future  entered  into 
her  plans. 

"After  having  spent  much  of  her  time  previously  for  six  months  working  out 
plans  for  it,  early  in  the  autumn  of  1899  Mrs.  Williams  called  upon,  or  sent  a 
note  to,  all  the  women  of  this  north  end  district  telling  them  of  her  plan  to 
organize  a  neighborhood  club.  The  first  meeting  was  held  upon  the  invitation  of 
Mrs.  Williams  at  her  own  home  far  out  on  North  Cherry  street.  It  proved  to  be 
a  most  interesting  and  impressive  occasion.  Probably  each  one  who  attended  has 
never  forgotten  it.  The  founder  and  leader  lent  to  this  and  to  several  succeed- 
ing meetings  her  own  inimitable  inspiration — a  spirit  which  was  caught  by  the 
charter  members  and  passed  on,  and  then  taken  up  and  understood  most  sur- 
prisingly by  the  new  members  who  came  in  from  time  to  time." 

An  incidental  remark  by  one  of  the  ladies  referring  to  the  gathering  as  "this 
home  culture  club"  fixed  the  permanent  name  for  the  club,  for  thereupon  Mrs. 
Williams  said :  "That  is  the  name  for  the  club.  We  could  find  no  better."  And 
so  the  club  was  named. 

Very  soon,  because  of  rapidly  failing  health,  Mrs.  Williams  was  unable  to 
attend  the  meetings  but  it  was  her  great  desire  that  they  should  go  on  regularly, 
and  she  constantly  sent  messages  to  the  meetings.  Only  a  few  days  before  her 
death,  which  occurred  in  May,  she  said  to  a  member,  "You  will  always  have  the 
Home  Culture  Club." 

As  its  name  indicates,  it  has  always  kept  in  touch  with  everything  that  affects 
the  well-being  of  the  home,  and  which  may  be  included  under  the  general  subject 
of  home  economics.  It  is  also  interested  in  domestic  science  in  the  public  schools 
and  contributed  to  the  establishment  of  that  department  in  our  high  school.  It 
keeps  in  touch  with  the  teachers  of  the  city,  especially  with  those  of  the  Hitch- 
cock school,  where  the  children  of  the  club  members  attend.  It  lends  a  hand 
in  the  line  of  civic  improvement,  and,  in  short,  it  is  interested  in  all  lines  of  work 
which  directly  or  indirectly  affect  the  home. 


V.  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

..V          Of  the  twenty-six  active  members,  eight  are  of  the  original  charter  members. 
,  -  '•:        The  Sorosis  Cub,  which  was  organized  in  February,  1900,  owes  its  founda- 

•  •;  :  tion  largely  to  a  desire  for  more  aggressive  work  than  the  other  clubs  were  doing 
• ;    along  philanthropic  lines,  and  for  a  more  democratic  spirit  in  connection  with  the 
.'  ;  usual  literary  culture  incident  to  club  work. 

:  .  Mrs.  Dr.  D.  C.  Coulson,  now  of  Denver,  was  the  moving  spirit  in  the  found- 

.- >  ing  of  the  Galesburg  Sorosis.  She  felt  that  the  literary  clubs  in  general  were 
'  V  too  exclusive  in  their  policy,  and  that  greater  democracy  of  spirit  should  prevail 

:'; ;    in  women's  organizations.    She  made  this  one  of  the  foundation  principles  of  the 

•  ';  new  club  with  whose  policy  she  had  so  much  to  do.     Its  aims  are  philanthropic, 
.J  ;•; :  economic,  benevolent  and  public  spirited,  as  well  as  literary.     It  contributes  to 
r       the  various  local  causes  included  under  these  heads  for  which  an  appeal  to  the 

;..^  public  is  made,  such  as  the  department  of  domestic  science  in  the  public  schools, 
:.  V  the  Visiting  Nurse  Association  and  the  like. 

•  ,          The  Sorosis  and  the  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  clubs  are  the  two  federated 
,  ^_\  >  clubs  of  the  city  which  united  in  extending  an  invitation  to  the  State  Federation 

?   .;  to  meet  in  Galesburg  in  the  autumn  of  1911,  thus  giving  our  city  the  honor  and 
' ;'  the  pleasure  of  being  hostess  to  the  women's  clubs  of  the  state. 
^     ,        The  Sorosis  has  forty-six  active  members,  five  associate  and  eighteen  hon- 
orary  members. 

The  Round  Table  Club.     As  has  been  the  case  with  a  number  of  the  other 

;:  ;  clubs  of  the  city,  the  Round  Table  Club  was  inaugurated  as  an  informal  reading 

circle,  but  after  a  time  with  increase  of  membership  and  growing  interest  it  felt 

'.  y   the  need  of  a  more  formal  organization.     Its  first  meetings  were  held  in  1900 

.-  and  some  months  afterward  a  constitution  was  adopted  in  which  the  objects  of 

•;    the  club  were  stated  to  be  "social,  literary  and  civic  improvement  and  a  sys- 

/.  ,  tematic  course  of  study  as  planned  for  each  year."    Mrs.  Ellen  Felt  Wood  was 

•.      the  organizer  and  first  president  of  the  club.     It  has  a  present  membership  of 

4  ;-   twenty-two. 

;        St.  Joseph's  Alumnae  Literary  Association.     Some  twenty  years  ago  at  the 

;    suggestion  and  advice  of  Sister  Mary  Matthew,  the  beloved  and  late  lamented 

.:    foundress  of  St.  Joseph's  Academy,  the  Alumnae  were  first  organized  as  an 

. ;'    informal  reading  circle  to  strengthen  and  preserve  the  bond  of  friendship  and 

...    to  promote  the  religious,  social  and  intellectual  culture  of  its  members;  and  to 

;        foster   a   philanthropic   spirit.      Mrs.    Margaret    Mullen    Latterner   was   elected 

'  ; :-,  president.    "Ben  Hur"  was  the  first  study,  meeting  at  the  homes  of  the  members. 

, '  \   In  April,   1895,  "Mikado"  was  successfully  given  by  the  charter  members  and 

;   ..  some  musical  friends;  with  the  proceeds,  the  Academy  parlors  were  decorated 

'^ '     and  refurnished  and   the  first  Alumnae   gold  medal   presented   for  the   senior 

:•:- department.  .     ,  i  /;;  r 

This  association  was  active  also  in  other  directions.     A  surprise  reunion  of 

^  .  -  the  alumnae  was  quietly  planned  by  Mrs.  Madge  Maley  Burns  and  Miss  Mary 

E.  Maley  for  the  purpose  of  properly  celebrating  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of 

'    Sister  Mary  Matthew,  the  foundress  of  the  association.    An  offering  was  made 

to  Sister  Matthew  as  being  her  silver  jubilee.    She  graciously  turned  the  offering 

;    ;.;  into  the  St.  Joseph's  improvement  fund. 

. .  r          Later  in  1903  the  society  took  on  a  somewhat  broader  sphere  of  action,  the 
.:.•  outgrowth  of  the  thought  and  effort  of  Rev.  Father  Joseph  Costa.     Having 


:^U/         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;:^:    >  527 

founded  St.  Joseph's  academy  in  the  early  years  of  his  connections  with  the 
work  of  the  Catholics  in  this  city,  his  great  desire  was  to  enlist  the  interest  of 
the  graduates  of  that  institution  in  the  maintenance  of  it,  and  in  providing  a 
building  and  equipment  suited  not  only  to  the  present  but  also  to  future  needs, 
as  its  growth  and  the  more  exacting  demands  of  modern  life  might  require. 

Accordingly,  in  1903  he  called  a  meeting  of  the  St.  Joseph's  alumnae  resident 
in  Galesburg  and  stated  to  them  his  plan  and  his  desire  for  their  hearty  co- 
operation. They  became  greatly  interested  and  at  once  organized  under  the 
above  name.  Father  Doubleday  of  St.  Patrick's  church  was  also  present  and 
aided  in  their  plans  for  work,  and  they  started  out  in  their  undertaking  with 
great  enthusiasm.  At  first  the  word  "literary"  did  not  appear  in  their  name, 
for  they  had  not  as  yet  planned  for  other  work  than  that  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  funds  for  the  erection  of  the  St.  Joseph's  alumnae  hall  of  the  future 
when  Father  Costa's  plan  should  be  realized.  Their  enthusiasm  for  the  up- 
building of  this  fund  was  stimulated  by  a  feeling  of  deep  loj-alty  to  the  institu- 
tion which  had,  as  they  believed,  exerted  an  ennobling  and  transforming  influ- 
ence upon  their  own  lives,  and  by  the  desire  that  those  who  come  after  them 
should  enjoy  the  same  influences  and  receive  the  same  uplift  as  themselves. 

They  organized  with  thirty-three  members  and  chose  for  their  president  Mrs. 
Lizzie  Slattery  Minehan  (Mrs.  T.  C.).  They  were  so  fortunate  as  to  remain 
under  her  wise  and  energetic  command  for  three  consecutive  terms  of  the  presi- 
dential office.  '  '  \ .  -  v; 

At  the  close  of  the  first  year  they  held  a  bazaar  which  netted  the  society 
about  $800.  With  this  fund,  by  the  advice  of  Father  Doubleday,  they  made 
much  needed  repairs  on  their  academy  building  and  provided  some  of  the  more 
modern  conveniences. 

In  pursuance  of  a  like  policy,  each  year  has  seen  not  only  the  increase  of 

the  fund  for  the  building  of  the  new  hall,  but  also  some  substantial  contribution 

to  the  needs  of  the  old  building,  beloved  by  them  as  the  home  of  their  alma  mater, 

such  as  reference  books  and  apparatus  for  the  department  of  science  and  the 

•Hke.  :v     ; 

Four  years  after  its  organization,  the  society,  under  the  administration  of 
Mrs.  Mary  Norton  Scott  (Mrs.  John),  decided  to  become  a  literary,  as  well  as  a 
business  club,  and  they  have  found  the  combination  very  delightful  and  helpful. 
This  new  feature  of  their  work  did  not  diminish  their  enthusiasm  and  energy 
in  the  pursuit  of  their  objective,  the  hoped  for  alumnae  hall.  This  fact  was 
made  very  apparent  when,  not  long  ago,  the  Republican  Register  offered  a  one 
thousand  dollar  cash  prize  to  the  person  or  organization  securing  the  largest 
number  of  new  subscribers  to  that  paper  within  a  stated  time.  The  president  of 
the  society,  Mrs.  Mary  O'Conner  Mackin  (Mrs.  James),  ably  assisted  by  Mrs. 
Louise  Slattery  Lalor  (Mrs.  Wm.),  took  the  matter  up  and  by  their  skillful 
management  and  personal  efforts  the  prize  was  won  and  the  handsome  sum  of 
one  thousand  dollars  was  added  to  the  alumnae  hall  fund. 

For  the  past  two  years  their  literary  work  has  been  the  study  of  Ireland  and 
the  Irish  people.     The  coming  year  Illinois  will  claim  their  attention. 
Their  membership  is  now  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

The  Author  Qub  is  a  society  for  Swedish  ladies  exclusively.  It  was  organ- 
ized in  1902  "for  the  purpose  of  making  a  systematic  study  of  American  and 


yrU  628  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;      '.  l.:- 

.;  .       foreign  writers  and  other  subjects  of  common  interest."     It  had  for  its  first 
president  Miss  Johannah  C.  Lind,  a  graduate  of  Knox  college  and  a  valued 
teacher  in  our  public  schools.    She  was  retained  in  the  office  of  president  until  her 
'   A  removal  from  the  city. 

'-•''!'        This  club  has  studied  American  and  English  writers,  devoting  one  year  to 

the  study  of  Shakespeare  alone.    For  three  consecutive  years  Germany,  Sweden 

:    and  the  United  States  were  studied  and  papers  prepared  on  the  geographical, 

,  .  '      industrial  and  political  conditions  of  these  countries.     Contemporary  fiction  has 

:    .'     been  read.    The  south  and  its  problems,  and  also  a  few  of  the  southern  writers 

:  have  been  considered.    The  roll  call  at  each  meeting  is  also  a  means  of  becoming 

>     acquainted  with  authors,  for  the  members  respond  to  the  call  of  their  names 

with  a  quotation  from  some  author  selected  for  the  occasion.    The  club,  in  com- 

.      ;  mon  with  other  clubs  in  the  city,  contributes  to  worthy  causes  which  appeal  for 

aid.    For  the  past  three  years  it  has  contributed  to  the  Visiting  Nurse  Associa- 

'  tion  and  other  benevolences  have  been  remembered. 

;     •     \  At  present  the  club  has  sixteen  members,   ••::'.^^-' ''-••"  .:..- 1  -;•;>'• 

,     ;          The  Swedish  Ladies'  Benevolent  Society,  or  as  it  is  familiarly  known,  the 
"S.  L.  B.,"  is  just  what  its  name  indicates,  purely  a  benevolent  organization. 
But  in  order  to  enlist  and  retain  the  interest  of  the  members,  the  work  is  com- 
bined with  social  features  which  make  the. meetings  very  enjoyable.     The  ladies 
spend  a  social  afternoon  together  with  their  needle  work,  music  or  readings,  after 
:        which  light  refreshments  are  served  and  each  lady  drops  into  the  treasury  an 
;  offering,  not  less  than  a  dime  and  on  special  occasions  a  larger  sum,  the  amount 
thus  contributed  being  used  as  it  accumulates,  in  the  relief  of  some  person  or 
object  whose  need  appeals  to  them,  as  in  case  of  illness  or  some  special  emer- 
gency.   They  have  met  together  in  this  way  for  twenty  years.    There  are  thirty- 
;    ,      five  members  with  two  officers,  a  president  and  a  secretary-treasurer. 
:v  The  Galesburg  Equal  Suffrage  Association  was  organized  May  29th,  1907, 

•  /   .  at  the  home  of  Congressman  and  Mrs.  Geo.  W.  Prince,  under  the  leadership  of 
• ,    Dr.  Frances  Wood  of  Chicago.    The  original  officers  were  Mrs.  Lewis  B.  Fisher, 
president;  Mrs.  H.  V.  Neal,  vice-president;   Mrs.  Fred  R.    Jelliff,    secretary; 
Mrs.  Geo.  C.  Lescher,  treasurer. 

'  The  purpose   of   the  organization   is   "to   work   for   the   complete   political 

equality  of  men  and  women."  It  is  affiliated  with  the  state  association  by  pay- 
ing annual  dues  to  that  treasury.  It  has  sent  delegates  to  the  state  conventions, 
thus  keeping  in  touch  with  the  national  and  state  work. 

A  number  of  noted  speakers  have  addressed  the  citizens  of  Galesburg  un- 
der the  auspices  of  this  society,  perhaps  the  most  illustrious  of  whom  is  Miss 
Jane  Addams,  of  national,  or  we  might  truly  say,  of  world-wide  fame  because 
.  of  her  wonderful  influence  and  success  in  the  "settlement  work"   in  Chicago. 
The  Tuscarora  club  dates  its  beginning  to  February,  1908,  when  it  came 
into  being  with  eleven  charter  members  and   announced   its  object  to  be  "to 
stimulate  active  interest  in  the  development  of  individual  and  home  life,  to  pro- 
mote mutual  helpfulness  and  to  maintain  a  program  of  regular  and  prescribed 
v^       study." 

The  greater  number  of  the  discussions  hayfc  been  on  literary  topics  although 
arts  and  crafts  have  claimed  the  attention  of  We  club  to  some  extent.  A  very  im- 
portant and  commendable  feature  of  all  their  meetings  and  one  which  clubs  in 


-•    ^^-         -V      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  629 

general  would  do  well  to  adopt,  is  a  parliamentary  law  drill  at  the  close  of  each 
meeting.  This  is  very  helpful  to  those  who  have  not  been  so  fortunate  as  to 
have  had  that  sort  of  training  as  one  of  the  factors  of  their  earlier  education. 

The  membership  now  numbers  t\venty-one  and  the  meetings  are  held  every 
two  weeks  from  October  to  May. 

The  P.  E.  O.  is  a  national  organization  which  has  the  distinction  of  being* 
the  largest  woman's  secret  organization  in  the  world.  It  had  its  beginning  in 
the  thought  and  effort  of  seven  girls  in  Wesleyan  University,  Mount  Pleasant, 
Iowa,  in  1869.  For  some  years  its  chapters  were  found  only  in  the  middle  west, 
but  now  its  organizations  are  scattered  here  and  there,  from  New  York  and 
Washington  in  the  east  to  Los  Angeles  and  San  Francisco  in  the  west,  and  frcmi 
Vancouver,  B.  C.,  to  Texas. 

The  P.  E.  O.  has  for  its  object  three  lofty  ideals  and  aims  toward  which  it 
is  striving:  A  high  standard  of  womanhood;  loyal  friendship  among  its  mem- 
bers ;  a  helping  hand  in  the  education  of  young  women  who  strive  for  self-support. 

Chapter  W  of  Galesburg  was  organized  in  March,  1909.  Its  membership 
is  restricted  to  twenty-four  active  resident  members.  The  regular  meetings  are 
held  on  the  second  and  fourth  Thursday  of  each  month  from  October  to  May. 
Some  of  the  subjects  taken  up  by  Chapter  W  will  suggest  the  lines  of  work  in 
which  our  local  ladies  are  engaged,  viz. :  "Hospital  Day."  On  this  day  the 
women  consider  the  needs  of  the  Galesburg  hospital,  they  sew  for  it,  contribute 
delicacies  such  as  jellies,  etc.,  and  plan  for  the  maintenance  of  the  room  which 
they  have  furnished.  "Children's  Day",  including  a  program  given  to  the  chil- 
dren and  a  donation  to  the  Free  Kindergarten.  "Mother's  Day."  A  social  aft- 
ernoon with  needle  work,  music  and  readings.  Other  lines  of  study  include  the 
following:  "What  Women  Can  do  to  Improve  Galesburg;"  "The  Founding  of 
Galesburg;"  "Our  College;"  "Our  Public  Schools;"  "Our  Industries;"  "The 
Passion  Play  of  1910;"  "Illinois,  its  Early  History,  Constitution,  Public  Officers, 
Statesmen,  Educators,  Reformers  and  Philanthropists,  Newspaper  Men  and 
Women,  Authors  and  Poets,  Sculptors,  Painters  and  Musicians." 

The  Wednesday  club  is  composed  of  a  select  circle  of  ladies  devoted  to  the 
study  of  music  and  the  drama.  Every  alternate  Wednesday  they  meet  at  the 
home  of  one  of  their  number  to  engage  in  the  study  of  some  musical  classic 
either  of  the  ancient  or  modem  school.  Being  ladies  of  a  high  degree  of  musi- 
cal and  dramatic  talent  and  culture  themselves,  they  are  exceptionally  well  fit- 
ted to  enjoy  these  afternoons  with  the  great  composers. 

Dramatic  art  is  given  a  place  on  their  programs,  for  often  their  rendition 
of  a  musical  masterpiece  is  made  more  vivid  and  real  by  "suiting  the  action 
to  the  word."  In  this  particular  they  are  especially  fortunate  in  having  of  their 
number  one  who  is  acknowledged  to  be  a  most  talented  and  delightful  exponent 
and  teacher  of  this  form  of  expression. 

They  occasionally  invite  some  one  well  versed  in  the  subject  which  they  are 
about  to  study  to  come  in  and  give  them  a  lecture,  or  a  lecture-recital,  as  for 
example,  when  Prof.  W.  F.  Bentley  of  the  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music  gave 
them  a  lecture  on  "Salome"  illustrated  by  a  recital  of  musical  p>assages  from 
that  opera ;  and  when  Rev.  David  Fales  addressed  them  at  the  beginning  of  the 
present  year's  study  on  "The  Making  of  an  Opera." 

ToL  I— M  :  . 


530  :;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;-{ 

The  following  list  of  subjects  for  "the  year  1911-12  will  give  an  idea  of 
the  admirable  work  which  these  ladies  are  doing: 

"The  Music  of  Shakespeare  and  His  Time."    A  lecture  by  Mr.  Dyke  Williams. 
;      "Tristan  and  Isolde,"  Mrs.  J.  Grant  Beadle.  ..  , ..  .-.,..  ....   .... 

'      "Madam  Butterfly,"  Mrs.  Wilfred  Arnold.       S--''^----£'-''!:'^}^-'l'^^ 

'.       "Faust,"  Mrs.  Robert  G.  Chappell.  '  ''  ••  '  ^    ::  ^  ^r;:  '//^  ^; 

"The  Jugglers  of  Notre  Dame,"  Mrs.  George  L.  Price.   ,';,'••. 

"Mefistofele,"  Mrs.  George  H.  Harrison.       .          ....     .v-:   ,>          ; 

-/      "Cendrillon,"  Mrs.  Wm.  G.  D.  Orr.  .  .:';-.  ::  ,.; ;i^^y<>f .  •  "' 

"Natoma,"  Mrs.  Charles  C.  Craig.  '    '."^  "  •     -; >   :^    A'  •  v    -~  •'' 

"Every  Woman,"  Mrs.  Emory  S.  Gunnell.       ;    .  •         ' .  ^^  ^=  <:-    '     ' 
.       "The  Faun,"  Mrs.  Judd  Seacord. 

"Selections  from  Operas,"  Mrs.  William  E.  Phillips,  Mrs.  Dyke  Williams. 

"Faust"  was  given  before  an  open  meeting  of  the  Galesburg  Woman's  Club 
on  March  i6,  1912.  Selections  from  the  text  of  the  opera  were  read  by  Mrs. 
Anna  Chappell  Gunnell  (Mrs.  Emory  S.)  interspersed  with  arias  and  con-, 
certed  numbers  from  the  score,  given  by  Mrs.  Robert  G.  Chappell,  soprano; 
Miss  Alice  May  Carley,  alto;  Prof.  W.  F.  Bentley,  bass;  Mr.  W.  B.  Carlton, 
tenor. 

The  Visiting  Nurse  association  was  the  latest  of  the  purely  philanthropic 
societies  to  be  organized  in  Galesburg.  It  had  its  beginning  in  the  spring  of 
1908,  and  its  beneficent  work  is  largely  .the  result  of  the  untiring  efforts  of  Mrs. 
W.  S.  Purington,  who  originated  the  plan  for  such  an  association  for  Galesburg, 
and  with  the  aid  of  a  number  of  earnest  and  able  women  pushed  it  to  an  as- 
sured success.  Mrs.  Purington  was  its  first  president  and  continued  in  that 
office  until  her  removal  to  Des  Moines,  in  the  spring  of  1911.  It  was  organized 
by  women  and  its  offices  and  management  are  held  by  women,  a  body  of 
eighteen  constituting  the  directorate.  It  was  fortunate  for  the  association  and 
for  our  city  that  its  first  corps  of  directors  was  made  up  of  such  earnest,  efficient 
women  as  were  those  that  started  the  enterprise.  Men  may  become  members 
by  paying  their  dues  and  by  virtue  of  their  membership  are  entitled  to  vote 
for  the  directors.  The  association  sustains  a  visiting  nurse  for  the  city  and 
is  responsible  for  a  nurse  for  the  public  schools,  although  the  salary  for  the 
school  nurse  is  now  met  by  an  appropriation  from  the  city  school  fund.  The 
salary  of  the  city  nurse  is  raised  by  contributions  from  the  woman's  clubs  of 
the  city,  and  by  individual  gifts  from  those  citizens  and  business  men  whose 
sympathies  go  out  toward  this  worthy  object.  It  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  a 
large  proportion  of  the  contributions,  aside  from  those  of  the  woman's  clubs, 
come  from  people  of  small  or  moderate  means. 

A  loan  closet  is  maintained,  the  supplies  for  which  are  provided  by  contri- 
bution. 

The  women  of  this  association  have  been  fortunate  in  securing  the  services  of 
two  very  efficient  trained  nurses  and  their  ministries  to  the  sick,  the  suffering  and 
the  destitute  have  become  indispensable  to  our  city. 

The  Thursday  club  is  a  study  club  which  ^^eets  on  Thursday  afternoon  once 
in  two  weeks.  Its  lines  of  work  are  the  same'as  those  taken  up  by  other  purely 
literary  clubs,  although  they  are  considering^ffie  advisability  of  taking  up  philan- 
thropic work  of  some  kind  in  addition  to  their  literary  pursuits.  They  have  been 

* 


'"•"•         : :  V     -        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  531 

organized   for  about  two   years   and   find  their   meetings  most  enjoyable  and 
profitable. 

Last  year  they  studied  Italian  literature  and  art.  The  present  year  their 
attention  is  given  to  the  study  of  Greece.  They  have  a  membership  of  eighteen 
young  women,  both  married  and  unmarried,  and  their  association  together  is 
very  congenial. 

The  Woman's  Club  of  Galesburg  is  the  youngest  of  the  clubs  in  date  of  or- 
ganization, having  been  started  in  the  spring  of  1911.  It  is  modeled  after  the 
pattern  of  the  Woman's  club  in  general,  having  different  departments  through 
which  the  work  is  carried  on.  In  this  club  there  are  three  departments,  those  of 
civics,  the  home  and  literature  and  art.  The  members  may  work  in  one,  or  in 
all  of  these  departments  as  they  choose. 

In  charge  of  the  civics  department  is  Mrs.  Jennie  Grubb  Fowler,  with  Mrs. 
Louise  M.  Trask  and  Miss  Minnedelle  George  as  associates.  .  . 

The  home  department  is  in  charge  of  Mrs.  Nellie  C.  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  Qara 
C.  Rhodes  and  Mrs.  Frances  H.  Raub. 

The  department  devoted  to  literature  and  art  is  under  the  supervision  of  Miss 
Jessie  R.  Holmes,  Mrs.  Clara  G.  Rhodes  and  Mrs.  Louise  L.  Roberts. 

The  club  has  an  advisory  board  which  includes  the  mayor  of  the  city  and 
eleven  others  of  the  leading  business  and  professional  men  of  the  community. 

It  is  one  of  the  three  federated  organizations  in  the  city.  Its  program  em- 
braces studies  in  child  conservation,  amusements,  commission  form  of  govern- 
ment, sanitation,  nursing,  child  culture  and  historical  and  literary  topics. 

Standing  committees  are  maintained  on  house,  social,  calendar,  auditing,  press 
and  election,  with  a  special  committee  on  music,  and  regularly  appointed  door- 
keeper and  ushers. 

The  membership  now  numbers  225  and  it  is  constantly  growing.  Many  of 
its  members  are  also  members  of  the  smaller  and  more  exclusive  clubs  of  the 
city.  Many  of  them  also  are  members  of  the  Galesburg  Equal  Suffrage  associa- 
tion. 

\    '"    "'        '       "'  '     '  ''  ''    '       '    '        W.  A.  R.  M.  A.  '  .'    '    '••-'•''-..       ,.  ' 

The  Woman's  Auxiliary  to  the  Railway  Mail  association,  though  not  one 
of  the  largest  nor  oldest,  is  nevertheless  one  of  the  most  helpful  and  successful 
of  the  medium-sized,  youthful  woman's  associations  in  the  city. 

Only  ladies  of  the  immediate  families  of  railway  mail  service  employees  are 
eligible  to  membership. 

The  object  is  the  promoting  of  all  the  interests  of  the  Railway  Mail  associa- 
tion; also  of  the  comfort,  the  social  enjoyment  and  literary  advancement  of  the 
members  of  the  families  of  railway  postal  clerks.  v  ;  .: 

The  Galesburg  branch  was  organized  by  the  Burlington  branch,  at  Mrs. 
Young's  home,  Sept.  20,  1906,  was  federated,  Nov.  i6,  1906,  with  the  Nat.  W. 
A.  R.  M.  A.,  which  became  affiliated  with  The  Federation  of  Woman's  clubs, 
January,  1908. 

A  civic  interest  and  pride  has^also  been  shown  at  various  times  by  their  en- 
couragement and  wiriingBess  to  assist  worthy  projects  as  hospitals,  free  kinder- 
garten, visiting  nurse,  girls'  club,  mothers'  congress,  etc. 


632  :^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Under  the  wise  guidance  of  Mrs.  Slader,  Mrs.  Walker,  Mrs.  Golliday  and  the 
.    other  faithful  officers  and  active  members,  the  club  has  more  than  realized  its 
object — inspired  by  its  motto,  "Aiming  at  the  Best." 

Mrs.  Chas.  H.  Bums  is  third  division  chairman  of  the  National  Cub  Exten- 
sion committee — the  United  States  being  divided  into  fourteen  divisions. 

The  Woman's  Improvement  club  was  organized  in  November,  1909,  by  Miss 
Daisy  Dean  Walker  of  Indianapolis,  who  was  at  that  time  in  charge  of  a  pro- 
tective home  for  girls  of  the  negro  race  in  her  home  town.  The  club  is  com- 
posed of  thirty  women  who  are  seeking  self-improvement  and  literary  culture. 
It  also  engages  in  philanthropic  work,  while  social  features  enter  into  the  life 
of  the  club  to  some  extent.  A  special  line  of  work  is  laid  out  for  each  year  and 
each  member  has  a  part  assigned  her.  Much  of  the  club's  success  is  due  to 
Mrs.  L.  C.  Carter,  the  first  president,  who  worked  hard  at  the  beginning  to  insure 
a  good  start  to  their  undertaking.  . ..  ,_^v 

This  club  has  established  a  rest  and  reading  room  for  the  young  men  and 
women  of  the  negro  race  at  No.  1 1  Public  square,  second  floor. 

They  joined  the  State  Federation  of  Negro  Women's  clubs  in  July,  1910,  and 
so  have  for  two  years  been  represented  at  the  state  federation  meetings.  Their 
motto  is  "Loyalty,"  and  they  say  "We  are  striving  to  lift  as  we  climb." 

The  Daisy  Dean  Walker  Culture  club  was  also  organized  in  November,  1909, 
by  Miss  Daisy  Dean  Walker  of  Indianapolis,  who  a  few  days  before  had  or- 
ganized the  Woman's  Improvement  club.  This  club  is  especially  for  the  young 
women  and  young  married  women  and  was  started  with  a  charter  membership 
of  fourteen,  and  has  had  a  most  successful  growth  and  development.  The  num- 
ber of  members  is  restricted  to  twenty — with  five  associate  members. 

The  club  was  formally  organized  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  David  Garnett,  who 
was  chosen  as  the  first  president.  They  first  took  up  the  study  of  the  negro 
writers,  both  literary  and  musical.  Later  the  attention  of  the  club  was  turned 
toward  such  books  and  plays  as  "The  Clansman,"  "The  Leopard's  Spots"  and 
.  "The  Nigger."  Each  year  a  systematic  course  of  study  has  been  mapped  out 
which  is  carefully  considered  by  the  young  women  of  the  club.  The  subject  for 
the  present  year  is  "Modern  Literature."  j  • 

The  club  has  engaged  in  philanthropic  work,  and  has  regular  guest  days  and 
..two  open  days  as  social  features  of  its  programs. 

It  is  a  member  of  the  State  Federation  of  Negro  Women's  clubs. 
:/  The  twenty-three  organized  associations  in  Galesburg,  above  reviewed,  are 
a  credit  to  the  city,  for  separately  and  collectively  they  are  having  an  uplifting 
influence  upon  the  women  who  are  sustaining  them,  as  well  as  being  a  very 
potent  factor  in  creating  a  higher  intellectual  and  moral  standard  in  the  com- 
munity. ;  •  '  •  '  .  v;' 

We  may  also  speak  with  deep  satisfaction  and  pride  of  other  clubs  located 
in  neighboring  towns. 

Probably  not  one  of  the  individual  clubs  in  Galesburg,  aside  from  those  of 
a  specifically  philanthropic  character,  is  doing  better  or  more  really  effective 
work  than  is  that  done  by  the  Illini  club  of  Maquon.  It  deserves  honorable 
mention  because  of  its  remarkable  record  during  the  she  years  of  its  history  as 
an  organization. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  583 


The  mini  club  of  Maquon  was  organized  in  November,  1905,  and  was  largely 
the  outgrowth  of  the  thought  and  effort  of  five  ladies,  Mrs.  H.  Woods,  Mrs.  C. 
E.  Hartsook,  Miss  Jennie  McKinney,  Miss  Abbie  Dickson  and  Mrs.  Eva  Chapin 
Maple.  .;•;.:'''•<;'.  '-v' :•?•*•  v\' .- 

The  first  intention  was  to  have  simply  a  literary  club  for  study  and  mental 
improvement,  but  gradually  the  avenues  of  thought  and  investigation  have  led 
them  out  into  the  alluring  fields  of  local  and  state  history,  political  problems, 
civic  improvement,  the  history  of  other  countries  and  the  great  national  prob- 
lems which  engage  the  thought  of  statesmen  and  politicians.  Bible  study  has 
also  entered  into  their  programs  through  a  prescribed  course  of  three  years. 

As  a  relief  from  their  heavier  work,  they  have  read  with  interest  the  historical 
and  semi-historical  writings  of  Gilbert  Parker,  Emerson  Hough,  Mary  Hartwell 
Catherwood,  Randall  Parrish,  Winston  Churchill  and  Maurice  Thompson.  They 
consider  themselves  especially  fortunate  in  securing  a  little  work  of  John  Regan, 
late  of  Elmwood,  on  the  "Backwoods  and  Prairies"  of  Illinois,  1842-47.  A  list 
of  the  topics  considered  by  this  club  will  in  itself  open  to  the  view  the  broad 
fields  of  education  and  intellectual  culture  through  which  these  ladies  have 
strolled,  gathering  here  and  there  rich  stores  of  pleasure  and  information. 

They  were  organized  just  at  the  beginning  of  a  wider  study  of  our  own 
state  history,  so  the  general  subject  "Illinois"  was  chosen  for  their  first  study, 
and  as  Colonel  Clark  E.  Carr's  book  "The  Illini"  was  new,  its  title  naturally 
suggested  a  name  for  the  new  club,  and  accordingly  it  was  christened  "The 
Illini."  In  the  study  of  Illinois,  they  considered  its  settlement,  landmarks, 
traditions,  early  political  policies,  etc. 

Local  history  next  claimed  their  attention  and  as  a  natural  result,  the  annual 
"Home  Coming"  of  the  village  was  inaugurated  by  this  club;  and  further  re- 
sults of  this  line  of  study  were  the  issuing  of  souvenir  editions  of  the  local 
papers  containing  bits  of  family  and  village  history;  and  furthermore,  they 
became  affiliated  with  the  county  and  state  historical  societies.  In  their  study  of 
local  history  much  time  was  given  to  the  investigation  of  Indian  traditions,  relics 
and  remains,  in  which  that  part  of  the  county  furnishes  an  especially  rich  field 
for  the  explorer. 

A  most  interesting  paper,  and  also  of  great  historical  value  prepared  for 
the  Illini  club  by  Miss  Jennie  McKenney,  as  a  result  of  her  study  of  this  Indian 
lore,  was  read  before  the  Knox  County  Historical  society  and  received  much 
appreciation  and  favorable  comment. 

The  history  of  England  and  her  dependencies  was  continued  through  two 
years. 

Current  events,  especially  those  of  world-wide  interest,  have  had  a  place 
upon  their  programs  from  the  beginning. 

Other  topics  which  have  been  considered  by  the  club  are  the  following: 
"Public  Policies — Out  Banking  and  Monetary  Systems";  "Home  Rule  for  Ire- 
land"; "English  Radicalism";  "Socialism  as  a  Governmental  Possibility";  "Pop- 
ular vs.  Representative  Government" ;  "The  Hague  Tribunal" ;  "The  Peace  Con- 
ference." At  the  request  of  County  Superintendent  W.  F.  Boyes,  the  "Illini" 
was  honored  by  an  opM,  discussion  of  educational  matters  with  some  of  the 
prominent  educators  of  Jme  state. 

As  another  form  of  res  many-sided  efforts,  this  club  laid  the  foundation  for 


534  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

civic  improvement  in  their  town  and  secured  a  franchise  for  the  development 
and  beautifying  of  two  small  parks  on  their  main  street,  but  the  surveys  for  a 
Galesburg-Peoria  interurban  railway  put  a  stop  to  this  work  until  something 
definite  was  known. 

The  latest  achievement  of  the  club  is  the  founding  of  a  "Mother's  club," 
for  the  benefit  of  teachers  and  patrons,  but  the  work  is  so  recent  that  its  value 
as  a  factor  in  the  community  cannot  yet  be  estimated. 

The  New  Century  club  of  Oneida  has  been  in  existence  about  ten  years 
and  has  a  present  membership  of  twenty-two.  Soon  after  its  organization  it 
became  auxiliary  to  the  State  Federation  of  Woman's  clubs. 

Its  aims  and  purposes  and  its  programs  of  study  are  similar  to  those  of  other 
clubs  of  its  kind.  The  club  flower  is  the  carnation,  its  colors  are  pink  and 
green  and  its  motto,  "Hold  fast  to  that  which  is  good." 

(We  regret  that  we  were  unable  to  secure  any  information  of  a  definite  or 
specific  nature  regarding  this  club.) 

:  The  Twentieth  Century  club  of  Oneida  has  for  its  motto,  "The  aim  if 
reached,  or  not,  makes  great  the  life."  Its  programs  include  "discussions  of 
literary,  household,  historical  and  other  topics." 

(In  the  case  of  this  club  also,  our  information  has  been  only  of  a  general 
character.) 

The  Society  of  Mayflower  Descendants,  of  Galesburg,  while  not  exclusively 
a  woman's  organization,  is  indebted  to  a  woman  for  its  begfinning,  and  its  mem- 
bership is  composed  so  largely  of  women,  the  proportion  being  more  than 
three-fourths,  that  it  may  rightfully  claim  a  mention  in  this  sketch  of  woman's 
work  in  the  county.  More  especially  should  it  be  included  because  of  the  fact 
that  on  its  membership  list  may  be  found  the  names  of  residents  of  Oneida, 
Knoxville,  Maquon  and  Abingdon. 

To  Mrs.  Martha  Farnham  Webster  (Mrs.  Charles  Ashley)  is  due  the  credit 
of  the  initiative  thought  and  effort  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  this 
society  as  a  permanent  organization,  with  a  constitution  and  by-laws,  regularly 
elected  officers  and  stated  meetings.  But  her  thought  and  action  found  so 
cordial  a  response  from  the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  "Pilgrims"  resident  in 
and  about  Galesburg,  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  movement  was  spontaneous,  only 
awaiting  the  fitting  occasion  to  spring  into  action. 

The  first  meeting  was  called  by  means  of  notices  in  the  papers  and  announce- 
ments from  the  different  pulpits  on  the  Sabbath  preceding  December  21,  1901. 
All  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims  of  Plymouth  were  asked  to  meet  at  the  home 
of  Dr.  J.  V.  N.  Standish  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  society  of  Mayflower 
descendants.  The  response  to  so  informal  and  general  an  invitation  was  quite 
remarkable  and  very  gratifying,  and  on  that  evening  a  society  was  organized  with 
a  charter  membership  of  sixteen.  Those  present  signed  their  names  to  a 
temporary  compact,  giving  their  lines  of  descent  from  Mayflower  ancestry,  and 
plans  were  made  for  a  meeting  to  be  held  one  year  from  that  date  at  the  home 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webster. 

Each  succeeding  year  since  that  time  on  the  2ist  of  December,  or  the  nearest 
date  convenient  thereto,  the  society  has  observed  this  anniversary  of  "Fore- 
father's Day"  by  a  celebration,  including  a  dinner  at  6:30  and  an  evening's 
program  following  the  dinner.  These  occasions  have  invariably  been  most 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ; ' ;  585 

interesting  and  much  of  the  history  of  the  Plymouth  colony  has  come  to  light 
through  information  gained  from  the  speeches  and  papers  that  have  been  pre- 
sented. Valuable  historical  addresses  have  been  given  by  Dr.  Standish,  Dr, 
Louis  B.  Fisher  and  Prof,  and  Mrs.  Raymond,  of  Knox  college.  Character 
sketches  of  the  signers  of  the  Mayflower  compact  have  been  given  by  members 
of  the  society  who  are  their  descendants. 

Our  national  hymn  "America"  is  always  sung  by  the  society  at  the  beginning 
of  the  evening's  festivities,  as  they  are  gathered  about  the  tables  before  being 
seated  for  the  dinner.  Mrs.  Hemans'  thrilling  and  soul-inspiring  hymn  "The 
Pilgrim  Fathers,"  sung  by  a  chosen  soloist,  has  always  had  a  place  on  the  even- 
ing's program ;  while  the  sympathetic  strains  of  "Auld  Lang  Syne,"  sung  by 
the  entire  company  as  they  rise  for  adjournment,  unite  their  hearts  in  bonds  of 
friendship  and  give  them  happy  anticipations  of  future  gatherings. 

The  charter  membership  of  sixteen  has  increased  to  a  present  membership 
of  forty,  while  during  the  ten  years  the  names  of  upwards  of  sixty  have  been 
enrolled.  The  annual  dinner  and  reunion,  until  that  of  1910,  has  been  held  at 
the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Ashley  Webster.  Since  then  they  have 
been  held  at  one  of  the  down  town  banquet  halls.  ^'.  -d 

The  office  of  president  has  been  held  by  Dr.  J.  V.  N.  Standish  since  the 
organization  of  the  society,  and  that  of  secretary  by  Mrs.  Webster  since  the 
beginning  also. 

The  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  in  Knox  county  are  represented 
by  two  chapters,  one  in  Galesburg  and  one  in  Knoxville. 

The  Rebecca  Parke  chapter,  of  Galesburg,  was  organized  in  January,  1901. 
Mrs.  Robert  W.  Colville  was  its  founder  and  first  regent.  To  her  is  due  the 
credit  of  having  aroused  the  sentiment  and  stimulated  the  interest  of  the  twenty- 
four  women  who  in  June  of  the  same  year  became  charter  members  of  Chapter 
537  of  the  National  Society  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution. 

Its  objects  are  the  same  as  are  those  set  forth  in  the  constitution  of  the 
national  society,  viz. : 

"(i)  To  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the  spirit  of  the  men  and  women  who 
achieved  American  independence,  by  the  acquisition  and  protection  of  historical 
spots,  and  the' erection  of  monuments;  by  the  encouragement  of  historical  re- 
search in  relation  to  the  Revolution  and  the  publication  of  its  results ;  by  the 
preservation  of  documents  and  relics,  and  the  records  of  the  individual  services 
of  Revolutionary  soldiers  and  patriots,  and  by  the  promotion  of  celebrations  of 
all  patriotic  anniversaries. 

"(2)  To  carry  out  the  injunction  of  Washington  in  his  farewell  address 
to  the  American  people,  'to  promote  as  an  object  of  primary  importance  insti- 
tutions for  the  general  diffusion  of  knowledge,'  thus  developing  an  enlightened 
public  opinion  and  affording  to  young  and  old  such  advantages  as  shall  develop 
in  them  the  largest  capacity  for  performing  the  duties  of  American  citizens. 

"(3)  To  cherish,  maintain  and  extend  the  institutions  of  American  free- 
dom, to  foster  true  patriotism  and  love  of  country  and  to  aid  in  securing  for 
mankind  all  the  blessings  of  liberty." 

Truly  a  noble  aim,  and  right  loyally  have  the  women  of  the  Rebecca  Parke 
chapter  risen  to  an  earnest  endeavor  for  the  fulfillment  of  its  spirit  and  its  pur- 
pose. 


536  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Year  by  year  has  witnessed  some  progress  on  the  part  of  the  Rebecca  Parke 
chapter  in  one  or  more  of  the  departments  of  work  undertaken  by  the  na- 
tional society  as  outlined  in  its  constitution. 

While  many  of  the  women  of  this  chapter  are  of  an  intensely  patriotic  spirit 
and  earnest  purpose,  they  have  needed  the  stimulus  of  a  kader  of  like  spirit  with 
themselves,  and  also  the  stimulus  and  incentive  of  co-operative  and  harmonious 
effort.  These  the  chapter  has  enjoyed  to  a  remarkable  degree.  The  four  re- 
gents who  have  served  the  chapter  have  each  in  her  own  way,  and  in  the  use  of 
the  best  resources  at  her  command,  striven  to  carry  out  a  policy  of  patriotic 
service  best  suited  to  the  demands  of  her  term  of  office.  Those  who  have  held 
the  office  of  regent  are  the  following:  Edith  Cole  Colville  (Mrs.  Robert  W.), 
Martha  Farnham  Webster  (Mrs.  Charles  Ashley),  Maria  Judd  Edgerton  (Mrs. 
John  H.),  Ella  Parke  Lawrence  (Mrs.  Geo.  A.)  and  the  present  regent,  Fannie 
Sisson  Everett  (Mrs.  Edward  R.). 

Owing  to  more  favorable  conditions  and  opportunities,  the  chapter  has  been 
permitted  to  do  more  systematic  and  effective  work  under  the  wise,  tactful  and 
stimulating  leadership  of  Mrs.  Geo.  A.  Lawrence,  their  beloved  regent  for  six 
years,  and  whose  leadership  they  could  only  consent  to  relinquish  in  order  that 
she  might  rise  to  a  higher  service  in  the  acceptance  of  the  proffered  honor  of  the 
state  regency,  to  which  office  she  was  elected  in  April,  1911. 

The  practical,  individual  and  united  effort  of  this  chapter,  especially  that  of  a 
patriotic  and  philanthropic  character,  is  clearly  shown  by  the  various  cohimittees 
carrying  on  local,  state  and  national  work,  upon  which  our  members  are  repre- 
sented. We  have  not  space  to  refer  in  detail  to  the  work  of  these  various  com- 
mittees, but  by  giving  free  range  to  the  imagination  as  they  are  named  one  can 
readily  see  what  an  uplifting  and  ennobling  influence  such  a  work  might  have 
upon  the  daughter  who  engages  in  it,  and  upon  those  persons  and  objects  for 
the  advancement  and  betterment  of  which  her  sympathies  and  her  energies  are 
enlisted.  The  very  names  of  the  different  lines  of  work  within  the  province  of 
these  committees  are  in  themselves  a  revelation,  an  -inspiration  and  an  education. 
They  cover  the  broad  field  of  our  country's  needs.  The  influence  of  the  enact- 
ment of  the  plans  and  purposes  therein  suggested  will  enter  into  the  life  and 
activities  of  the  homes,  the  schools,  the  cities,  the  states  of  our  nation  with  a 
purifying  and  transforming  power. 

The  membership  of  this  chapter  is  represented  upon  jt>  of  the  national,  and 
seven  of  the  state  committees,  while  in  some  cases  two  of  our  members  are  ap- 
pointed upon  the  same  committee.  For  example,  two  of  our  number  are  mem- 
bers of  the  national  committee  of  the  Children  of  the  Republic.  Upon  the  com- 
mittee for  the  welfare  of  women  and  children,  Mrs.  Geo.  A.  Lawrence,  our 
late  regent,  is  state  chairman  by  national  appointment.  She  is  also  state  chair- 
man by  national  appointment  of  the  committee  on  good  roads — ocean  to  ocean 
highways  and  vice-chairman  of  the  national  Franco-American  committee.  Six 
of  our  ladies  are  appointed  as  assistant  chairmen  of  important  state  committees, 
and  some  of  this  number  serve  on  more  than  one  of  these  committees. 

In  brief,  three  of  the  members  of  the  Rebecca  Parke  chapter  are  actively 
identified  with  the  work  of  the  national  committees,  and  nine  with  that  of  state 
committees. 


536        '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    -; 

.     Year  by  year  has  witnessed  some  progress  on  the  part  of  the  Rebecca  Parke      V 
chapter  in  one  or  more  of  the  departments  of   work  undertaken  by  the  na-    - 
tional  society  as  outlined  in  its  constitution.  '    ,. 

While  many  of  the  women  of  this  chapter  are  of  an  intensely  patriotic  spirit        V 
and  earnest  purpose,  they  have  needed  the  stimulus  of  a  leader  of  like  spirit  with      ,  • 
themselves,  and  also  the  stimulus  and  incentive  of  co-operative  and  harmonious         ; 
effort.     These  the  chapter  has  enjoyed  to  a  remarkable  degree.     The  four  re-  '  . 
gents  who  have  served  the  chapter  have  each  in  her  own  way,  and  in  the  use  of 
the  best  resources  at  her  command,  striven  to  carry  out  a  policy  of  patriotic    ;  .v 
service  best  suited  to  the  demands  of  her  term  of  office.     Those  who  have  held  i 
the  office  of  regent  are  the  following:     Edith  Cole  Colville  (]Mrs.  Robert  W.),  .  :\ 
Martha  Farnham  Webster  (Mrs.  Charles  Ashley),  Maria  Judd  Edgerton  (Mrs.  ; 
John  H.),  Ella  Parke  Lawrence  (Mrs.  Geo.  A.)  and  the  present  regent,  Fannie    .  -^ 
Sisson  Everett  (Mrs.  Edward  R.).  ; 

Owing  to  more  favorable  conditions  and  opportunities,  the  chapter  has  been    :  .  •; 
permitted  to  do  more  systematic  and  effective  work  under  the  wise,  tactful  and  ,-  .  • 
stimulating  leadership  of  Mrs.  Geo.  A.  Lawrence,  their  beloved  regent  for  six  v    : 
years,  and  whose  leadership  they  could  only  consent  to  relinquish  in  order  that 
she  might  rise  to  a  higher  service  in  the  acceptance  of  the  proffered  honor  of  the 
state  regency,  to  which  office  she  was  elected  in  April,  1911.  •  .  ' 

The  practical,  individual  and  united  effort  of  this  chapter,  especially  that  of  a    .  ';. 
patriotic  and  philanthropic  character,  is  clearly  shown  by  the  various  committees 
carrying  on  local,  state  and  national  work,  upon  which  our  members  are  repre-   .;     ' 
sented.     We  have  not  space  to  refer  in  detail  to  the  work  of  these  various  com-     .     ' 
mittees,  but  by  giving  free  range  to  the  imagination  as  they  are  named  one  can    ';  , 
readily  see  what  an  uplifting  and  ennobling  influence  such  a  work  might  have  - 
upon  the  daughter  who  engages  in  it,  and  upon  those  persons  and  objects  for    .  ' 
the  advancement  and  betterment  of  which  her  sympathies  and  her  energies  are   '  . 
enlisted.    The  very  names  of  the  different  lines  of  work  within  the  province  of    v    . 
these  committees  are  in  themselves  a  revelation,  an  inspiration  and  an  education.       . 
They  cover  the  broad  field  of  our  country's  needs.    The  influence  of  the  enact-       ;  - 
ment  of  the  plans  and  purposes  therein  suggested  will  enter  into  the  life  and      ' 
activities  of  the  homes,  the  schools,  the  cities,  the  states  of  our  nation  with  a    .-    ' 
purifying  and  transforming  power. 

The  membership  of  this  chapter  is  represented  upon  si.v  of  the  national,  and    '    =: 
sn'en  of  the  state  committees,  while  in  some  cases  two  of  our  members  are  ap- 
pointed upon  the  same  committee.     For  example,  two  of  our  number  are  mem-     .    ; 
bers  of  the  national  committee  of  the  Children  of  the  Republic.    Upon  the  com-  ^  ^ 
mittee  for  the  welfare  of  women  and  children,  Mrs.   Geo.  A.  Lawrence,  our 
late  regent,  is  state  chairman  by  national  appointment.     She  is  also  state  chair-       .' 
man  by  national  appointment  of  the  committee  on  good  roads — ocean  to  ocean 
highways  and  vice-chairman  of  the  national  Franco-American  committee.     Six 
of  our  ladies  are  appointed  as  assistant  chairmen  of  important  state  committees,  .     > 
and  some  of  this  number  serve  on  more  than  one  of  these  committees.  '     ': 

In  brief,  three  of  the  members  of  the  Rebecca  Parke  chapter  are  actively    •     ' 
identified  with  the  work  of  the  national  committees,  and  nine  with  that  of  state      - 
committees.  .  , 


|o 

a." 


n  5 


-  /.  '.-  ''v  •  .'    '-'.//-v,  ."•./•-,  '    . 

"     •.•':•'•.  '•  .' .  ,'  ^'--,-  .'i  •' •  '•.'••'      '' 

\*  -'"'          -  *'    ',  •"    '••'•>    '' '.  '  '• 

•  '^ •   .  .     •  -.v    •'.'  .  •.    ':*  -  " .*' 


y-V/;.v-^V'.i';- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  537 

Does  not  the  list  of  these  various  lines  of  work  in  which  our  daughters  are 
engaged  open  to  the  mental  vision  an  ever  outreaching  view  of  rich  fields  in  which 
to  plant  the  seeds  which  it  is  hoped  will  take  deep  root  and  develop  into  a  thor- 
oughly patriotic,  loyal  and  upright  citizenship  of  the  future? 

The  committees  are  as  follows :  .    ;    v 

"Fort  Massac — its  conservation  as  a  national  park,"  ;;      , 

"Memorial  continental  hall."  ;''^  ^. 

"The  American  monthly  magazine — historic — patriotic."  • 

"Historic  spots,  monuments  and  revolutionary  relics." 

"Patriotic  education."  .    . 

"Children  of  the  republic."  '.'•':   '  "      ;, 

"Conservation" — (in  general  and  in  particular).  '     •.;   ;  ' 

"The  welfare  of  women  and  children."  •  ': .     ;    : 

"Good  roads — ocean  to  ocean  highways." 

(The  old  trails — a  memorial  to  pioneer  men  and  women.) 

"Historical  research." 

"Starved  Rock  a  national  park."  );  ',  '. 

Still  other  lines  of  work  suggested  and  urged  by  the  national  society  are  the 
following:  ^  . 

"To  prevent  desecration  of  the  flag." 

"An  interchangeable  bureau,  lectures,  etc.,  for  promoting  patriotic  educa- 
tion." -^  ; 

"Committee  on  national  university."  ^   v%^ 

"Legislation  in  United  States  congress."  ': 

"Committee  on  real  daughters."  -' 

The  Rebecca  Parke  chapter  has  contributed  of  its  money  and  its  personal 
interest  to  the  purchase  and  restoration  of  old  Fort  Massac,  "situated  almost 
within  the  environment  of  the  old  city  of  Metropolis  in  southern  Illinois,  and 
overlooking  many  miles  of  the  Ohio  river  from  its  rocky  heights."  History  gives 
the  date  of  the  erection  of  this  fort  as  probably  1542.  It  was  used  as  a  tem- 
porary fort  by  De  Soto's  men  as  a  protection  from  the  Indians. 

As  a  chapter,  and  individually,  they  hold  certificates  of  stock  in  the  purchase 
of  Lincoln's  birthplace  in  Kentucky — the  old  farm  being  now  set  apart  for  a 
national  park,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  national  society  of  the  Daugh- 
ters of  the  American  Revolution. 

It  has  also,  through  its  members,  contributed  to  the  purchase  and  restora- 
tion of  the  old  Betsy  Ross  house  in  Philadelphia,  the  "birthplace  of  the  Amer- 
ican flag." 

The  conservation  of  Starved  Rock  as  a  national  park  has  claimed  our  loyal 
interest  as  Illinois  daughters,  and  the  Berry  Industrial  school  in  Georgia  ap- 
peals to  us  as  a  demand  for  our  most  earnest  interest  and  support,  from  motives 
of  patriotism  if  for  no  other.  This  is  true  "patriotic  education"  one  of  the  prin- 
ciples for  which  our  national  society  stands. 

The  chapter  is  actively  interested  in  locating  and  marking  the  graves  of  revo- 
lutionary soldiers  in  Knox  county,  and  in  the  verification  of  records  relating  to 
early  history  in  the  county.  Much,  very  much,  has  been  accomplished  and  grate- 
fully do  we  recognize  and  accept  this  opportunity  for  real  service  to  our  country 
as  befits  a  patriotic  organization.  But  much  still  remains  to  be  done. 


538  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

As  has  been  fittingly  expressed  by  another: 

"So  long  as  there  remains  one  hero  or  one  heroine  to  commemorate;  so 
long  as  there  remains  one  spot  to  mark,  because  it  is  sacred  from  labor  done  by 
brain  or  brawn  for  love  of  independence;  one  site  on  which  patriots  contended 
for  human  rights  and  human  liberty ;  while  there  remains  within  the  limits  of 
our  country  one  man,  one  woman,  or  one  child  who  has  not  heard  the  good  news 
of  the  great  fact  in  the  gospel  of  peace  and  brotherhood — that  every  one,  no 
matter  how  humble,  stands  with  the  greatest  in  equality  before  the  tribunal  of 
justice;  one  still  to  be  impressed  by  the  story  of  liberty  so  sublimely  illustrated 
by  examples  of  loyalty,  courage  and  humanity  on  the  part  of  our  ancestors  of 
the  Revolution,  who  laid  so  firmly  the  rugged  foundation  for  this  great  govern- 
ment, cementing  it,  as  it  were,  with  resolves  for  justice,  with  love  of  liberty, 
with  suffering,  tears  and  blood,  this  priceless  heritage  it  is  our  privilege  and 
duty  to  pass  on  to  those  who  come  after  us,  unchanged  in  all  its  glory." 

And  so  we  say,  all  hail,  to  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  and 
may  God  speed  us  in  our  good  work. 

-  ;,  This  completes  the  review  of  woman's  work  in  Knox  county.  It  has  been  a 
careful  and  painstaking  effort  to  include  all  the  organizations  that  have  been 
brought  to  notice,  and  all  those  of  which  information  could  be  secured  by 
labored  investigation.  If  anything  worthy  of  note  has  been  omitted,  it  is  to  be 
regretted,  but  it  has  been  from  no  lack  of  effort  on  the  part  of  the  writer  to  secure 
all  possible  available  information. 

It  is  the  record  of  remarkable  intellectual  activity  and  fervid  philanthropic 
and  patriotic  effort  crowned  with  noteworthy  success,  an  admirable  showing  in 
every  respect. 

It  is  submitted  to  the  women  of  our  county  with  the  hope  that  it  may  awaken 
a  feeling  of  pardonable  pride  in  view  of  what  has  been  accomplished  in  the  past, 
and  stimulate  them  to  an  ambition  to  reach  still  greater  heights  of  achievement 
in  the  future. 

Note: — Mrs.  Albert  J.  Perry,  member  of  the  Qio  club  since  its  organization, 
died  at  her  home  in  Galesburg,  March  ii,  1912. 

Mrs.  Mary  Claycomb  Grubb,  president  of  the  Free  Kindergarten  association, 
died  at  her  home  in  Galesburg,  on  May  26,  1912, 


THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 
BY  LAWRENCE  R.  RYAN,  M.  D. 

Knox  county,  as  far  as  we  are  able  to  leam,  has  always  been  favored  with 
its  full  quota  of  excellent  physicians  who  were  ever  abreast  of  the  times.  Many 
of  the  older  men  live  only  in  the  traditions  of  the  county.  During  the  early 
history  of  the  county,  and  in  fact  until  the  medical  registration  law  of  1877  was 
passed,  there  was  no  record.  Many  competent  physicians  lived,  did  their  work 
in  the  most  approved  manner,  and  "passed  on"  without  leaving  a  monument 
except  in  the  memories  of  those  they  served  and  aided.  Whenever  advances 
have  been  made  in  scientific  medicine,  the  Knox  county  physicians  have  been 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  539 

quick  to  avail  themselves  of  it.  Every  year  some  of  them  go  away  to  take  post 
graduate  work,  and  give  the  people  the  benefit  of  their  new  knowledge  and 
skill.  .  .  . 

There  are  two  well  equipped  hospitals  in  the  county  (The  Galesburg  Cottage 
hospital,  and  St.  Mary's  hospital)  where  almost  any  operation  known  to  surgical 
science  is  -performed  with  skill  and  dispatch.  Many  of  our  physicians  and 
surgeons  have  a  reputation  which  extends  far  beyond  the  confines  of  the  county, 
and  patients  come  from  all  directions  to  receive  the  benefits  of  their  skill. 

The  ratio  of  physicians  in  the  county  to  the  population  has  always  been  about 
one  to  six  hundred.  The  number,  however,  is  constantly  changing.  Since  the 
passage  of  the  registration  act  in  1877,  fully  two  hundred  have  registered  in 
the  county,  but  many  remained  only  a  few  months,  and  others  died.  Of  the 
forty  physicians  in  the  county,  twenty-five  years  ago,  there  are  only  ten  now  in 
practice.  Twenty-two  have  died  and  a  few  who  moved  away  are  still  living. 
Doctor  L.  S.  Lambert  is  the  oldest  practicing  physician  in  the  county.  He  has 
been  in  continuous  practice  since  1866. 

The  completion  of  the  schools  of  medicine  has  also  shown  a  decided  change. 
"Regulars"  have  always  predominated,  but  there  was  about  twenty-five  per  cent 
of  non-regulars  twenty-five  years  ago  and  most  of  those  were  homeopaths,  there 
was  a  smattering  of  eclectics.  At  the  present  time  there  are  scarcely  five  per  cent 
non-regulars.  As  the  science  of  medicine  has  become  more  exact,  and  the  germ 
theory  has  been  develoi>ed  (when  diagnosis  must  depend  upon  the  microscope), 
the  ranks  of  the  homeopaths  have  become  thinned.  Their  places  have  been  taken, 
however,  by  other  cults,  viz.,  osteopaths,  naturopaths,  chiropractic  and  Christian 
scientists. 

In  epidemics  of  disease  and  wherever  the  service  of  a  physician  was  needed, 
the  Knox  county  physician  has  not  been  found  wanting.  He  has  ever  been  at 
the  front  to  bear  his  share  of  the  burden  for  humanity's  sake.  During  the 
Rebellion  several  of  the  Knox  county  men  served  as  surgeons  and  notable 
among  them  was  W.  F.  Tait,  who  recently  passed  to  his  reward,  and  E.  S. 
Cooper.  Many  who  are  now  physicians,  but  were  not  during  the  war,  served 
their  country  in  the  ranks  in  time  of  need.  Among  them  were  D.  W.  Aldrich, 
L.  S.  Lambert,  G.  W.  Foote,  M.  S.  Carr,  E.  L.  Phillips  and  R.  B.  Snead.  All 
of  these  have  been  prominent  in  the  ranks  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

In  the  late  war  with  Spain,  Doctor  Jesse  Rowe,  of  Abingdon,  was  the  only 
Knox  county  physician  who  went  to  the  front.  He  had  a  commission  in  the 
First  Illinois  cavalry  and  served  from  May  21,  1898,  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

Doctor  W.  H.  Maley  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  medical  reserve  corps  in 
the  United  States  army  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  From  1900  to  1908,  he 
was  first  lieutenant  and  assistant  surgeon  in  the  artillery  battalion  of  the  Illinois 
National  Guards. 

The  Knox  county  physicians,  as  is  common  with  the  profession,  have  not 
dabbled  much  in  politics,  except  in  a  general  way.  Three  physicians  have  held 
the  office  of  mayor  of  Galesburg,  and  Doctor  Louis  Becker  is  now  mayor  of 
Knoxville.  D.  W.  Aldrich  was  elected  mayor  of  Galesburg,  in  1887,  G.  W. 
Foote,  in  1885,  and  W.  O'R.  Bradley,  in  1901.  Several  have  served  the  city 
in  the  capacity  of  alderman.  H.  S.  Hurd,  18601863 ;  W.  H.  Maley  and  C.  G. 
Johnson,  several  terms  each.  .  :.- 


540  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'  Doctor  W.  F.  Tait  was  appointed  chief  surgeon  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  at 
Quincy,  which  position  he  held  until  he  was  forced  by  failing  health  to  resign. 

L.  R.  Ryan  was  on  the  National  Gold  Democratic  ticket  in  1896,  as  a  candidate 
for  elector. 

In  club  life  the  physicians  have  been  more  active.  Four  have  been  exalted 
rulers  of  the  Elks  lodge,  viz.,  L.  G.  Hall,  R.  C.  Matheny,  W.  O'R.  Bradley  and 
C,  B.  Horrell.  Doctor  Bradley  also  had  the  honor  to  serve  as  president  of  the 
Retail  Merchants'  association  and  was  its  president  when  Galesburg  held  its  first 
and  most  successful  street  fair. 

Doctors  J.  A.  Denny,  L.  R.  Ryan,  R.  C.  Matheny  and  C.  B.  Ripley  have 
served  on  the  directory  of  the  Galesburg  club. 

In  medical  society  work  the  Knox  county  physicians  have  forged  more  to 
the  front  than  in  war  or  politics,  and  that  is  as  it  should  be.  It  is  their  natural 
sphere.  Until  1893  there  was  no  medical  organization  in  Knox  county.  On  sev- 
eral occasions  feeble  efforts  had  been  made  to  get  the  physicians  together  for  the 
purpose  of  organization,  but  every  effort  met  with  failure  until  1893.  In  the 
spring  of  1893  Doctors  Ryan  and  Bradley  sent  out  notices  for  a  preliminary 
meeting  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  Galesburg  medical  society.  There  was 
a  hearty  response,  and  the  first  meeting  was  held  in  the  offices  of  Aldrich,  Brad- 
ley and  Ryan,  24  South  Cherry  street,  and  an  organization  perfected.  The  so- 
ciety was  called  the  "Galesburg  Medical  society."  In  this  society  there  were 
two  departures  from  the  regular  routine  of  organizations  of  this  kind.  In  order 
to  avoid  friction  and  jealousy  there  were  no  officers  except  the  secretary  and 
treasurer.  The  members  presided  in  alphabetical  order.  The  constitution  and 
by-laws  also  allowed  the  society  to  take  into  membership  "non-regulars,"  viz., 
eclectics  and  homeopaths.  This  was  contrary  to  the  constitution  of  the  American 
Medical  association  and  the  code  of  ethics  and  naturally  created  a  howl  of  in- 
dignation from  the  ultra  regulars  or  "moss  backs"  and  "holier  than  thou"  indi- 
viduals. Strange  as  it  may  seem,  it  was  but  a  few  years  until  this  very  pro- 
vision was  embodied  in  the  new  constitution  of  the  American  Medical  association 
and  all  its  affiliated  societies,  state  and  county.  We,  the  organizers,  were  simply 
ahead  of  the  times.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  ultra  regulars  organized  a  new  so- 
ciety called  the  "Galesburg  club"  the  following  year,  to  which  "non-conformists" 
were  not  eligible.  The  "Galesburg  club"  lasted  about  a  year.  The  society  first 
formed  dragged  out  a  miserable  existence  for  five  years,  and  then  passed  into  a 
state  of  "innocuous  desuetude"  for  five  years  more,  when  it  was  reorganized 
and  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Doctor  L.  R.  Ryan  was  the  secretary  of 
the  first  Galesburg  medical  society. 

In  order  to  affiliate  with  the  state  society  and  the  American  Medical  asso- 
ciation, a  Knox  county  medical  society  was  organized  in  1902.  Doctor  Louis 
Becker  of  Knoxville  was  its  first  president.  Since  then  the  office  of  president 
has  been  filled  by  Doctors  Matheny,  Stewart,  Ryan,  Brown,  Chalmers,  Lytle, 
Cowan,  Davis,  Evans  and  Beecher.  In  order  to  avoid  friction  between  the  city 
and  country  practitioners,  the  presiding  officer  is  chosen  alternately  from  the 
Galesburg  and  smaller  town  districts.  Enthusiastic  meetings  are  held  twice  a 
year,  April  and  September.  The  day  is  devoted  to  scientific  papers  and  busi- 
ness and  the  evening  to  a  banquet,  where  the  inner  man  is  satisfied  and  jest  and 
jollity  are  unconfined.  .  /;  .  .r  • 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ,  541 

Strife  and  petty  jealousy,  which  is  so  common  among  professional  men  in 
small  communities,  is  fast  becoming  a  thing  of  the  past,  and  all  the  physicians 
work  together  for  the  good  of  the  profession  and  suffering  humanity.  The 
county  societies  are  not  allowed  to  have  fee  bills  or  to  attempt  to  regulate  charges. 
The  Galesburg  City  society,  however,  has  a  fee  bill,  which  is  used  simply  as  a 
guide.  Each  physician  makes  his  charges  as  the  exigencies  of  the  case  seem  to 
demand. 

For  forty  years  the  Military  Tract  Medical  association,  which  comprised  all 
the  territory  from  Mendota  to  Quincy  and  from  Peoria  to  the  Mississippi  river, 
took  the  place  of  the  County  society.  All  the  progressive  physicians  in  Knox 
county  were  members  of  that  most  excellent  organization.  Many  of  its  meet- 
ings were  held  in  Galesburg,  and  a  great  many  of  the  Knox  county  men  had 
the  honor  of  being  its  president.  Among  them  may  be  mentioned  Doctors  Judd, 
Hensley,  Reece,  Lambert,  Hopper,  Percy,  Ryan,  Becker,  Horrell  and  Matheny. 

Doctor  Percy  has  had  the  distinguished  honor  of  an  election  as  president  of 
the  State  Medical  society  and  has  been  one  of  its  counsellors  for  many  years. 

Many  of  the  Knox  county  physicians  are  members  of  special  societies,  and 
their  names  appear  frequently  in  the  scientific  programs.  v  • 
V  Thirty  years  ago  few  of  the  physicians  were  graduates  of  literary  colleges. 
A  two  years'  course,  in  an  old  doctor,  was  deemed  sufficient  to  start  him  in 
practice.  Now  there  are  few  young  physicians  in  the  county  who  are  not  gradu- 
ates of  some  literary  college  or  university. 

Doctor  A.  G.  Humphrey,  whose  specialty  was  medical  physiology,  has  re-  j. 
peatedly  read  articles  before  scientific  bodies. 

Doctor  R.  A.  Saunders  was  the  first  physician  to  register  under  the  new  regis-  ' 
tration  law  of  1877.    The  date  of  his  registration  was  Sept.  I2th,  1877.  • 

-;  The  Knox  county  physicians  have  always  been  a  unit  in  insisting  on  quaran- 
tine regulations  and  on  devising  ways  and  means  for  the  prevention  of  disease 
in  our  community.  Repeatedly  they  have  called  the  attention  of  the  people  to 
the  filthy  and  unsanitary  condition  of  Cedar  Fork  creek,  Galesburg,  into  which 
all  the  sewerage  of  the  city  flows,  and  have  pointed  it  out  as  a  disease  breeding 
medium.  Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  first  Galesburg  medical  society  in 
1894  a  resolution  was  drawn  up  and  presented  to  the  city  council,  urging  upon 
them  the  necessity  of  inclosing  Cedar  Fork  creek,  having  a  garbage  crematory 
and  a  suitable  sewerage  system  for  the  city.  (It  is  a  notorious  fact  that  cer- 
tain sections  of  the  city  are  yearly  subject  to  epidemics  of  typhoid  fever  due  to 
deficient  drainage.)  Like  all  good  resolutions  for  the  betterment  of  the  health 
of  the  people,  that  memorial  was  listened  to  in  silence  by  the  good  city  fathers 
and  pigeonholed  and  died  the  death  of  all  "good  resolutions."  The  Cedar  Fork 
still  sends  forth  its  noisome  odors,  an  ever  present  menace  to  the  good  health  of 
the  community  and  also  is  an  everliving  monument  to  the  lack  of  judgment  and 
foresight  of  our  counsellors.  Thousands  to  fight  disease,  but  not  one  cent  to 
prevent  it! 

Twenty  years  ago  many  of  the  foreign  countries,  recognizing  the  wisdom  and 
necessity  of  conserving  the  health  of  their  citizens  and  insisting  on  means  of 
prevention  of  disease,  were  compelling  the  examination  of  the  children  as  to 
their  physical  condition  before  they  entered  school,  so  that  prevalent  disease  or 
deformities  might  be  eradicated  and  others  prevented.  In  1892  Doctor  L.  R. 


542  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'•'  ,*..''• 

Ryan,  on  his  return  from  Germany,  where  he  had  been  studying,  gave  lectures 
before  the  teachers  of  the  city  of  Galesburg  on  the  necessity  of  having  the  chil- 
dren examined,  especially  as  to  the  condition  of  their  sight  and  hearing,  as  those 
were  the  organs  brought  most  into  use  in  the  school  room.  On  many  occasions 
after  that  physicians  have  lectured  before  the  teachers  at  the  County  Institute 
and  much  good  has  come  of  it. 

In  1904,  under  the  administration  of  Doctor  Ben  B.  Baird,  commissioner  of 
health,  a  more  elaborate  plan  of  examination  of  the  school  children's  eyes  was 
instituted.  Doctor  R.  C.  Matheny  and  Doctor  L.  R.  Ryan  made  personal  ex- 
amination of  the  vision  of  several  thousand  children.  As  neither  the  county  or 
city  make  any  financial  provision  for  such  work,  the  service  of  the  physicians  was 
gratuitous. 

Within  the  past  three  years,  however,  the  school  nurse  system  has  been  in- 
stituted and  the  work  of  examination  is  taken  over  by  her,  to  the  great  advan- 
tage of  the  pupil  and  the  teacher. 

Recently,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  courses  of  lectures  on  health 
and  hygiene  have  been  instituted  and  the  Knox  county  physicians  have  given 
the  lectures  on  subjects  assigned  them. 

On  numerous  occasions  the  physicians  have  filled  the  pulpits  on  tuberculosis 
Sunday,  admonishing  the  people  as  to  the  wide  prevalence  of  that  dread  disease 
and  the  great  necessity  of  its  prevention.  These  lectures  have  been  of  inestim- 
able value  in  awakening  interest  among  the  people,  as  is  evidenced  by  the 
complete  organization  the  county  now  has  to  fight  the  disease.  The  propaganda 
organized  by  the  Knox  county  physicians  in  the  spring  of  1911,  for  the  education 
of  all  the  people  of  the  county  as  to  the  dangers  of  tuberculosis  and  of  the 
necessity  of  having  a  county  sanatorium  for  the  treatment  is  one  of  the  most 
unselfish  on  record.  In  1908,  the  Knox  County  Medical  society  appointed  a 
committee  consisting  of  Dr.  C.  B.  Ripley,  chairman,  and  Doctors  Bradley  and 
Cromwell  to  confer  with  a  committee  from  the  county  supervisors  to  see  if  the 
county  would  not  erect  or  provide  a  suitable  sanatorium  for  the  treatment  of 
consumption.  Several  meetings  were  held,  but  very  little  was  done.  Finally 
it  was  discovered  that  a  small  farm  could  be  purchased  near  Knoxville,  which 
would  be  suitable  for  a  tent  colony  at  least.  This  was  purchased,  but  it  soon 
became  evident  that  some  of  the  supervisors  had  "inside  information,"  and  as 
individuals  used  their  knowledge  as  supervisors  to  their  own  profit.  It  was 
finally  threshed  out  in  court  and  the  whole  episode  ruined  all  prospects  of  a 
sanatorium,  and  for  the  time  put  a  quietus  on  the  effort  to  secure  one.  The  matter 
was  held  in  abeyance  for  a  year  or  two.  Finally  in  the  spring  of  1911,  the 
Galesburg  City  Medical  society  called  a  special  meeting  with  the  same  end  in 
view.  The  following  committee  was  appointed:  Dr.  Cox,  chairman;  Doctors 
'  Bradley,  Hall,  Longbrake  and  Ryan.  This  committee  was  augmented  by  three 
^;  from  the  county  society,  Birmingham,  Bohan  and  Becker.  Under  the  active 
guidance  of  Doctor  Cox,  chairman  of  the  committee,  a  strenuous  campaign  was 
begun  at  once.  At  the  beginning  of  the  campaign  the  physicians  were  urged  by 
the  supervisors  to  go  out  among  the  people  and  finally  bring  evidence  to  the 
'  supervisors  that  there  was  need  of  such  an  institution  and  that  the  people  really 
wanted  it.  In  all  good  faith  the  physicians  and  those  interested  did  so,  and 
.brought  the  evidence  and  presented  it.  The  best  plan  seemed  to  be  that  of 


v.^'     ;          :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  543 

• 

securing  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the  business  men,  make  an  educational  as- 
sault on  all  the  towns  of  the  county,  and  finally  to  get  an  expression  of  opinion 
from  each  locality  as  to  the  advisability  of  having  a  county  sanatorium.  Money 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  canvass  was  subscribed  by  the  merchants  and  other 
individuals.  Physicians  who  had  automobiles  loaned  them  for  the  work.  The 
organization  was  complete  and  active  work  was  begim  in  August.  The  county 
was  divided  into  districts  and  a  complete  schedule  of  lectures  was  made,  so  that 
two  physicians  usually  and  one  lay  party  would  appear  at  each  town  at  the 
time  specified.  The  physicians  were  untiring  in  their  efforts,  spurred  on  by 
their  enthusiastic  and  able  chairman.  Doctor  Cox,  who  gave  almost  all  his  time 
during  the  crusade  to  its  furtherance.  Twent}-  towns  and  districts  were  visited 
by  twenty  physicians  and  several  citizens,  attorneys  and  merchants  divided  up 
into  groups  of  three.  The  physicians  discussed  the  scientific  side  and  the  neces- 
sity for  strict  quarantine  and  right  living,  also  urging  the  establishment  of  a 
county  institution  as  the  best  plan  of  treatment.  The  social  and  business  aspect 
was  presented  by  the  non-physicians.  At  each  meeting  place  the  people  in  at- 
tendance were  asked  to  vote  upon  the  following  resolution : 

"At  a  public  meeting  held  in   Knox  Count)',  Ills. 

August 1911.    For  the  purpose  of  devising  ways  and  means  to  check 

the  spread  of  the  dread  disease  tuberculosis  the  following  resolution  was  passed: 

Resolved: — That  the  supervisors  of  Knox  County  be  urged  to  immediately 
arrange  for  the  procuring  or  erection  of  a  suitable  sanatorium  for  the  isolation 
and  cure  of  tubercular  patients. 

Signed i ........  Chairman, 

-"'••"'   '  ,  Secretary." 

Thus  tangible  evidence  of  the  desire  of  the  people  could  be  presented  to  the 
board  of  supervisors.  Everywhere  they  were  received  with  enthusiasm  and 
the  questions  asked  by  the  people  showed  a  deep  interest  in  the  matter.  As  a 
climax  to  the  crusade,  a  large  meeting  was  held  in  Galesburg  in  the  temporary 
wigwam  of  the  Christian  church,  and  Doctor  Petit,  who  has  charge  of  the 
tubercular  sanatorium,  gave  an  entertaining  address. 

The  special  committee  of  the  supervisors  to  consider  the  matter  was  made  up 
of  Hoxworth,  chairman,  and  Robson,  Barry,  Paden  and  Greigg.  This  committee 
agreed  to  meet  the  committee  from  the  medical  society  and  others  interested 
and  hear  arguments.  A  resume  of  the  whole  subject  was  written  up  by  Doctor 
Ryan  on  behalf  of  the  committee  and  presented  in  pamphlet  form  after  being 
read.  Many  of  the  physicians  of  the  county,  besides  those  on  the  committee,  also 
spoke  in  favor  of  the  plan.  Nearly  a  whole  day  was  given  up  to  this  discussion. 
The  arguments  were  so  overwhelming,  and  there  was  such  a  unanimity  of  opin- 
ion among  the  newspapers  and  people  of  standing,  that  it  seemed  as  if  the 
supervisors  could  not  refuse.  It  is  known  that  several  of  the  committee  were 
in  favor  of  it,  but  were  overawed  by  stronger  influence.  The  ccxnmittee  of  the 
physicians  were  forced  to  spend  half  their  time  answering  irrelevant  questions, 
or  brushing  away  imaginary  cobwebs,  and  suppositions,  which  were  pertinent 
only  to  the  mind  of  the  opposition.  Nothing  was  done  except  to  appoint  a  sub- 
committee to  visit  Ottawa  and  Naperville  and  investigate  the  institutions  at  those 
points,  and  a  non-committal  report  was  given  to  the  board  of  supervisors  and 
placed  on  file  without  a  word  of  discussion  by  the  board,  notwithstanding  the 


:;  .    544  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

fact  that  the  day  the  report  was  brought  in,  the  secretary  of  the  State  Anti- 
V        tubercular  society  was  present  and  spoke  before  the  board,  in  hopes  that  some- 
thing might  be  done.     Members  of  the  committee  of  the  medical  societies  also 
added  their  mite.     They  may  as  well  have  saved  their  energy  for  they  were 
:     talking  to  deaf  ears. 

,,''          Thus  ended  the  first  chapter  of  the  great  crusade  to  awaken  the  people  to          - 
•        the  existence  of  a  great  evil  and  to  effect  a  means  of  its  eradication. 

'  When,  oh  when,  will  the  people  consider  enough  their  own  welfare  to  place 

; . .'     it  in  the  hands  of  competent  individuals  who  hold  office  at  their  will  and  con- 

,':;    sider  their  highest  duty  to  be  to  guard  carefully  the  people's  welfare  even 

.    though  it  does  cost  a  little  money?    When  will  shallow  office  holders  realize 

,         that  they  are  there  at  the  will  of  the  people,  and  to  subserve  their  interests 

and  not  to  carry  out  some  personal  political  scheme  or  spite  and  thereby  kill  a 

•  '  ''    plan  that  the  community  needs  for  its  own  protection?  f. 

The  first  move  against  tuberculosis  in  the  county  was  crushed  but  the  end 

•  is  not  yet.     The  work  goes  grandly  on.     Every  newspaper  and  thinking  man 

•  sees  the  necessity  for  such  a  sanatorium.     A  county  organization  which  affiliates 
;.      ;  with  the  State  Anti-tubercular  league  has  been  organized,  and  the  people  are 

daily  being  educated.     Public  sentiment  will  soon  force  Knox  county  to  take 
'.     :  her  place  in  the  progressive  league,  and  establish  a  place  where  those  sorely 
;     afflicted  tubercular  patients  can  be  properly  cared  for.     "Thousands  for  graft, 
.  but  not  a  dollar  for  real  necessity." 

Early  recognizing  the  fact  that  disease  is  conveyed  to  humans  through  the 
•^ '  medium  of  the  milk  of  cows  and  that  a  large  per  cent  of  the  intestinal  diseases 
.;.  of  childhood  and  subsequent  deaths  were  due  to  this  source,  the  Knox  county 
i'     physicians  through  the  Galesburg  Medical  and  Knox  County  Medical  societies 
organized  the  Knox  County  Milk  commission.     The  commission  was  composed 
of  the  following  physicians :  Baird,  chairman ;  Evans,  secretary ;  Longbrake,  Nash, 
:       Beecher  and  Cromwell.    The  commission  was  organized  for  the  purpose  of  edu- 
cating the  people  at  large  to  the  dangers  lurking  in  unclean  milk  and  to  induce 
the  dairy  men  to  increase  the  sanitary  conditions  and  to  eliminate  all  diseased 
;       .  and  particularly  tuberculous  cattle.     An  effort  was  to  be  made  to  compel  the 
.    delivery  of  sterilized  milk  having  its  full  fat  percentage.     The  committee  went 
.        to  work  with  a  will,  but  soon  found  that  when  the  individual's  pocketbook  was  * 

''V   touched  he  rebelled.     The  whole  story  is  graphically  told  by  the  chairman  of  the 
'   •      commission,  who  read  a  paper  before  the  American  Association  of  Medical  Milk 
,    .     commissioners  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  June  6th,   1910,  which  I  here  quote  in         •/ 
full,  and  fully  states  the  work  done  by  Knox  county  physicians:  .. 

SOME  CONSIDERATIONS  OF  THE  PURE  MILK  QUESTION  IN  COUNTRY  DISTRICTS. 
":."•;;';•  I;-;' V^  BY  BEN.  D.  BAIRD,  M.  D.,  GALESBURG,  ILL.  ;- 

'        '     '    .      "'''-, •'*..,*  .-^  iv 

(Reprint  from  Wisconsin  State  Medical  Journal.)       -    - 

In  a  burst  of  public  spiritedness,  characteristic  of  the  profession,  the  Gales- 

;    burg  Medical  society  in  April,  1908,  organized  the  Galesburg  Medical  Milk  com- 

.      mission.    It  is  only  fair  to  say  that  our  desires  were  greater  than  our  resources, 

'  and  the  medical  society  not  having  had  a  great  deal  of  experience  with  milk  com- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  y     •;  545 

missions,  considered  the  honor  of  appointment  to  membership  of  this  com- 
mission, due  and  sufficient  reason  for  proceeding  to  get  busy  with  the  milk 
question,  and  everlastingly  keeping  at  it  without  thought  of  remuneration  or 
wherewithal  to  meet  expenses.  The  public  was  indifferent  to  the  degree  of  ab- 
solutely refusing  even  to  get  interested  in  us,  and  the  city  council  seemed  to 
think  we  were  grafters  when  we  asked  for  a  milk  ordinance  that  would  give  us 
some  authority  to  inspect  milk.  So  that  fell  through,  and  we  were  right  where 
we  started,  only  we  knew  a  few  things  which  we  didn't  know  to  start  out  with. 
We  then  thought  the  milk  dealers  were  easy  and  would  like  to  be  educated  along 
the  lines  of  certified  milk,  so  we  called  them  together  and  talked  to  them,  talked 
to  them  earnestly,  like  fathers.  They  listened  intently  and  seemed  delighted  with 
our  theory.  They  thought  our  talks  were  beautiful  and  our  unselfish  stand  for 
humanity  entitled  us  to  a  bronze  medal,  and  then  they  woke  up  and  said :  "How 
are  we  going  to  pay  for  all  this  when  we're  making  only  a  liz-ing  now?  Your 
theory  is  beautiful,  your  intentions  are  ennobling,  your  certified  milk  is  just  the 
thing',  but  we  are  only  poor  milk  dealers  and  have  to  buy  milk  wherever  we  can 
get  it  so  that  we  can  sell  it  for  enough  profit  to  keep  our  families  in  shoes  and 
our  groceryman  satisfied.  We  can't  build  sanitary  barns  and  put  screens  on 
them,  we  can't  have  our  herds  tested  and  we  can't  make  the  farmers  do  it  be- 
cause they  have  milked  cows  too  long  now  in  the  good  old  filthy,  disease-pro- 
ducing way." 

We  found  that  Galesburg  was  using  about  ten  thousand  quarts  of  milk  daily 
and  two  thousand  five  hundred  quarts  of  cream.  About  15  per  cent  was  pro- 
duced by  two  or  three  dairymen,  the  balance  was  shipped  in  or  furnished  by 
private  families.  We  approached  the  dairymen  in  a  very  cautious  and  respectful 
manner  and  suggested  that  certain  improvements  would  allow  them  to  furnish  a 
better  milk  supply.  Their  reply  was  that  "to  make  these  necessary  improvements 
would  mean  a  raise  in  the  price  of  milk  and  our  customers  wouldn't  stand  for  it, 
and  besides  our  barn  lots  are  so  flat  the  cows  wade  knee-deep  in  mud,  after  each 
rain,"  which  is  literally  true,  as  Galesburg  is  right  on  the  prairies,  "so  we 
couldn't  furnish  certified  milk  if  we  got  twice  as  much  for  it  as  we  now  get" 
(the  average  price  is  about  seven  cents  per  quart).  So  we  were  up  against  it 
again.  All  this  had  taken  us  better  than  a  year,  and  what  we  had  accomplished 
in  the  way  of  certified  milk  wouldn't  hurt  anybody.  But  we  were  the  Medical 
Milk  commission  and  our  duty  was  to  see  that  Galesburg  got  a  better  quality 
of  milk  and  we  had  to  do  it  some  way  and  without  money.  Moral  suasion  had 
failed,  our  milk  ordinance  was  knocked  out,  the  milk  producers  wouldn't  listen, 
the  milk  dealers  couldn't  and  it  looked  as  if  we  were  going  to  be  failures  as  milk 
commissioners.  .  - 

At  the  critical  moment  when  we  were  in  deep  despair  a  Moses  arose  as  of 
old  and  told  us  how  our  superintendent  of  public  schools  had  a  way  of  getting 
things  and  suggested  that  we  have  him  equip  the  chemical  department  of  the 
high  school  with  milk  testing  apparatus  and  have  the  professor  of  chemistry 
adopt  milk  analysis  as  a  part  of  the  regular  curriculum  and  teach  the  pupils  how 
to  analyze  milk  and  teach  them  what  pure  milk  was  and  what  impure  milk  meant, 
to  instruct  them  that  it  was  a  most  valuable  part  of  their  daily  life  to  see  that 
the  family  didn't  buy  filthy  milk  and  by  repeatedly  examining  the  milk  from  their 
own  houses  and  keeping  records  of  the  same  it  would  soon  be  easy  to  tell  which 

T«L  I— 18  


'    -  v  546  •  V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

;  .  /  of  the  dealers  were  handling  the  best  milk  and  soon  the  whole  school  would 
;  -  be  talking  and  comparing  notes  and  the  milk  man  who  wasn't  clean  would  have 

...  ^      to  brush  up  or  he  would  lose  his  business. 

:  This  plan  we  adopted  and  the  board  of  education  made  us  a  very  liberal  al- 

-.  lowance  for  this  equipment  and  installed  it  in  the  chemical  department  of  the 

^  .;•  high  school.  Of  course  this  does  not  include  the  bacterial  count,  but  we  test 
•.?  for  fats,  solids,  preservatives  and  specific  gravity  and  use  the  Wisconsin  curd 
'  ;;  test  for  purity,  so  it  is  after  all  a  very  good  analysis.  A  record  of  every  analysis 

-  is  kept  by  the  professor  of  chemistry  and  the  pupils  themselves  make  the  tests 
.    .:    under  the  supervision  of  their  professor,  and  very  soon  they  become  quite  pro- 
•••'•  '•'  ficient  and  after  a  while  they  positively  refuse  to  use  milk  that  doesn't  come  up 
.  ;'     to  the  standard.    The  high  school  has  nearly  eight  hundred  pupils,  representing 

;      nearly  as  many  families,  and  these  eight  hundred  families  wield  a  tremendous 

V  influence  for  the  betterment  of  the  milk  situation. 

. ..  ;        Recently  in  a  talk  with  the  superintendent  of  schools  and  the  professor  of 
;  V .  chemistry  they  told  me  that  milk  examination  was  specially  dwelt  upon  all 
through  the  four  years'  course  and  they  considered  it  relatively  of  as  great  im- 
portance as  any  other  branch  that  was  taught  because  it  brought  the  question  of 
; :  V:   pure  milk  daily  into  homes  that  previously  had  known  nothing  of  it  and  the  de- 
\.  mand  for  better  milk  was  so  great  that  the  milk  to-day  is  50  per  cent  better  than 
,      ;  when  it  was  inaugurated.     Superintendent  of  Schools  Steel  says:  "It  emphasizes 
;   ..    in  a  way  as  nothing  else  could,  the  value  of  pure  milk  and  bring  it  directly 
/.  i   home  to  the  consumers." 

,     •          Of  course  we  do  not  claim  to  produce  certified  milk  nor  do  we  expect  this 

'     •;    association  to  accept  it  as  such,  but  we  do  claim  to  have  raised  the  standard  of 

milk  in  Galesburg  until  less  than  5  per  cent  of  it  falls  below  the  standard  in 

-r          fats  or  shows  the  presence  of  preservatives  or  filth,  and  this  at  a  time  when  the 

..      milk  was  notoriously  bad,  and  this  in  a  country  which  is  not  a  dairy  country 

and  where  the  conditions  and  environments  are  not  conducive  to  the  production 

-i     of  the  best  milk,  and  we  did  it  without  any  expense.     In  addition  the  inspector 

'     of  high  schools  sent  out  by  the  University  of  Illinois  to  inspect  such  schools  with 

the  idea  of  admitting  their  pupils  to  the  university,  wrote  us  a  very  flattering 

.    letter  in  which  he  commended  us  highly  for  the  step  we  had  taken  and  advo- 

,     v;  eating  strongly  its  general  adoption  by  high  schools  throughout  the  state. 

.V         In  conclusion  I  only  wish  to  reiterate  the  principal  considerations  with  which 

'•.-  ;    we  dealt  and  which  I  believe  will  apply  almost  everywhere  to  towns  of  our  size: 

;    .     First,  the  apathy  of  its  citizens  toward  a  movement  of  this  kind  due  to  a  lack  of 

;,  .    knowledge  of  the  subject.    Second,  the  seeming  inability  to  have  the  city  council 

/  pass  an  operable  ordinance  that  would  assist  us.    Third,  the  backwardness  with 

:  '    which  milk  dealers  and  milk  producers  are  brought  to  see  the  light.    Fourth,  the 

ease  with  which  a  chemical  department  of  a  high  school  can  be  induced  to  take 

,    .'    up  milk  analysis  and  the  general  good  resulting  from  such  procedure. 

:.          Illinois  Standards. — Milk  shall  contain  not  less  than  3%  of  milk  fat,  and  not 
.less  than  8.5%  of  solids  not  fat. 
•  ;: '          U.  S.  Standards. — Standard  milk  is  milk  containing  not  less  than  12%  of  total 

•  ^  solids,  and  not  less  than  8.5%  of  solid  not  fat,  nor  less  than  3.25%  of  milk  fat 

'    •        In   his  recently   published  book   entitled   "Foods   and   Their   Adulteration," 
;        Dr.  Wiley,  chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Chemistry,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 


.;'•/;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  54t  ^ 

says :     "From  thousands  of  analyses  of  American  milks  that  have  been  made 
it  appears  that  the  average  content  of  fat  therein  is  about  Z-9%" 

Doctor  Chalmers  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  our  newspapers  on  all 
subjects  of  interest  to  the  people  and  the  profession,  as  he  takes  a  deep  interest 
both  in  medical  and  civic  life.  •  :  :" 

Doctor  Bradway,  of  Abingdon,  fills  the  chair  of  physiology  in  Abingdon 
college. 

Doctor  Bower,  besides  being  a  rival  of  Whitcomb  Riley,  is  interested  in    ; 
many  of  the  business  enterprises  of  the  city.  •;    .'  ' 

Doctor  Wing  was  for  many  years  chief  medical  director  of  the  C.  M.  L.  A. 
Insurance  society  of  Galesburg. 

For  twenty  years  Knox  county  has  had  the  services  of  two  excellent  woman 
physicians.  Doctors  Rice  and  Law.  There  have  been  others  in  the  county,  but 
they  have  not  remained  long.  ..-  •  . 

For  many  years  Knox  county  was  one  of  the  few  that  had  a  capable  eye 
specialist.  Doctor  L.  S.  Lambert  was  one  of  the  pioneers  in  that  line  of  work 
in  this  county.  At  the  present  time  there  are  four,  Lambert,  Ryan,  Parry  and 
Matheny.  "';•'/••:,:',  ^.  ::/•.•  />';:•.•;:•.';..•?..;-.;'-'. 

•'•'•'_''•..  .  .'          '•••.'  -f  .      -  ~  '•  ^     ,'-'•'.' 


•       EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE  GALESBURG  PUBLIC  SCHOOL 

^v^  >  •     ^r..-  .      BY  PROFESSOR  W.  L.  STEELE  S,^' ^ 

The  history  of  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg  is  divided  into  three  periods: 
The  district  schools,  the  union  graded  schools  and  the  schools  under  the  present 
charter.  Of  the  first  period,  that  of  district  schools,  no  official  records  can  be 
found.  The  first  district  was  organized,  probably,  in  1840,  when  the  village  of 
Galesburg  numbered  272  souls.  As  the  population  increased,  it  was  sub- 
divided, from  time  to  time,  until  there  were  eight  independent  school  districts, 
each  having  its  own  board  of  directors  and  a  little  schoolhouse  of  one  depart- 
ment, when,  in  1858,  they  were  all  united  into  one  district,  comprising  the 
territory  within  the  present  limits  of  Galesburg  and  known  as  the  Union 
Graded  School  District  No.  i.  During  the  nineteen  years,  which  this  period 
covers,  the  population  of  the  city  had  grown  to  nearly  5,000.  A  population  of 
5,000  with  only  eight  school  rooms,  where  three  times  that  number  would  be 
required  today,  calls  for  an  explanation,  which  will  be  given  farther  on. 


THE   FIRST  SCHOOLHOUSE 


The  first  public  school  building,  according  to  tradition,   for  there  are  no 
records  preserved  and  no  account  of  it  was  committed  to  print  for  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century  after  the  event,  was  built  on  the  north  side  of  the  square, 
east  of  Broad  street,  in  1840.     It  was  soon  afterwards  moved  to  the  north  side  ' 
of  Ferris  street,  between   Broad  and   Cherry   streets.     It  was   constructed   in      • 
accordance  with  the  ideas  of  Mr.  C.  S.  Colton,  one  of  the  directors,  and  the  - 
very  novelty  of  the  plan  has  preserved  it  from  the  common  oblivion  of  the  school  '; 


548  '        \    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

architecture  of  that  perioil.  The  floor  was  an  inclined  plane  sloping  from  the 
rear  to  the  front  where  the  teacher's  desk  was  placed,  the  object  being  to  have 
the  pupils  in  full  view  of  the  teacher.  The  pupils  who  attended  that  school  all 
remember  what  a  capital  place  the  aisles  were  to  slide  down  hill,  and  on  this 
account  it  has  not  been  forgotten.  Mr.  Colton,  it  is  said,  afterwards  regretted 
that  all  the  schoolhouses  were  not  built  on  this  plan.  It  would  seat  sixty  pupils. 

•  '          ':         :  ;  '     THE   FIRST   TEACHER 

Mr.  Eli  Farnhani  taught  the  first  school  in  this  building  in  the  winter  of 
1840-41.  The  school  was  in  session  from  four  to  six  months  each  year;  the 
teacher  was  generally  a  college  student  who  was  in  need  of  money  to  complete 
his  education.  Prof.  George  Churchill,  when  a  boy,  went  to  this  school  in  the 
winter  of  1840-41  and  taught  it  in  the  winter  of  1848-49,  when  he  was  a  sopho- 
more in  college.  He  received  a  dollar  a  day  and  boarded  around,  sleeping  at 
home.  One  of  his  pupils  was  Miss  Mary  Allen  West. 

;  LOCATION  OF  SCHOOLHOUSES 

'•  The  names  and  the  locations  of  the  different  school  buildings  at  the  time 
the  districts  were  consolidated  in  1858,  were  as  follows:  Ferris  Street  school, 
on  the  north  side  of  Ferris  street,  west  of  Cherry  street;  East  Main  Street 
school,  sometimes  called  the  Brick  school,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Main 
and  Pine  streets;  West  Main  Street  school,  sometimes  known  as  the  Parker 
school,  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  just  east  of  Walnut  avenue;  Simmons 
Street  school,  known  for  a  time  as  the  Blanchard  school,  on  the  north  side  of 
Simmons  street,  east  of  Academy  ;  Tompkins  Street  school,  where  the  First 
Baptist  church  now  stands  ;  Monmouth  Street  school,  at  the  junction  of  Mon- 
mouth  and  Brooks  streets  ;  Chambers  Street  school,  known  as  the  Depot  school 
on  First  street,  just  west  of  Chambers  street  ;  Kellogg  Street  school,  on  the 
southwest  comer  of  Kellogg  and  Losey  streets. 

-;  "  POVERTY  OF  THE  DISTRICTS 

Comparing  the  dates  of  the  purchase  of  the  different  school  sites,  with  the 
years  when  it  is  certainly  known  schools  were  conducted  on  these  premises,  it 
is  evident  that  the  first  schoolhouses  were  "squatters"  —  too  poor  to  own  the 
land  on  which  they  stood.  The  buildings  themselves  gave  evidence  of  their 
poverty.  The  Galesburg  Free  Democrat,  in  its  issue  of  November  13,  1856,  says, 
editorially,  "Our  present  school  pens  should  be  sold  for  coal  houses."  These 
conditions  can  easily  be  accounted  for.  The  people  of  Illinois  did  not  believe 
in  common  schools  at  that  date;  there  was  no  free  school  law  in  Illinois  till 
1855,  nineteen  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  Galesburg  colony.  It  is  true, 
a  free  school  law  was  enacted  by  the  legislature  in  1825. 

SCHOOL   LAW  OF 


This  law  provided  that  common  schools  should  be  established  free  and  open 
to  ever>-  class  of  white  citizens  between  the  ages  of  five  and  twenty-one  years. 
The  legal  voters  were  empowered  at  the  annual  meeting  to  levy  a  tax  of  one- 


OS 


V.    2 


3' 


c 

i 


648-:  •-  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

architecture  of  that  period.  The  floor  was  an  inclined  plane  sloping  from  the 
rear  to  the  front  where  the  teacher's  desk  was  placed,  the  object  being  to  have 
the  pupils  in  full  view  of  the  teacher.  The  pupils  who  attended  that  school  all 
remember  what  a  capital  place  the  aisles  were  to  slide  down  hill,  and  on  this 
account  it  has  not  been  forgotten.  Mr.  Colton.  it  is  said,  afterwards  regretted 
that  all  the  schoolhouses  were  not  built  on  this  plan.  It  would  seat  sixty  pupils. 

,     Vy-^  THE    FIRST    TEACHER 

Mr.  Eli  Farnham  taught  the  first  school  in  this  building  in  the  winter  of 
1840-41.  The  school  was  in  session  from  four  to  six  months  each  jear;  the 
teacher  was  generally  a  college  student  who  was  in  need  of  money  to  complete 
his  education.  Prof.  George  Churchill,  when  a  boy,  went  to  this  school  in  the 
winter  of  1840-41  and  taught  it  in  the  winter  of  1848-49.  when  he  was  a  sopho- 
more in  college.  He  received  a  dollar  a  day  and  boarded  around,  sleeping  at 
home.  One  of  his  pupils  was  Miss  Mary  Allen  West. 

LOCATION  OF  SCHOOLHOUSES 

The  names  and  the  locations  of  the  different  school  buildings  at  the  time 
the  districts  were  consolidated  in  1858,  were  as  follows :  Ferris  Street  school, 
on  the  north  side  of  Ferris  street,  west  of  Cherry  street;  East  Main  Street 
school,  sometimes  called  the  Brick  school,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Main 
and  Pine  streets ;  West  Main  Street  school,  sometimes  known  as  the  Parker 
school,  on  the  south  side  of  Main  street,  just  east  of  Walnut  avenue;  Simmons 
Street  school,  known  for  a  time  as  the  Blanchard  school,  on  the  north  side  of 
Simmons  street,  east  of  Academy ;  Tompkins  Street  school,  where  the  First 
Baptist  church  now  stands ;  Monmouth  Street  school,  at  the  junction  of  Mon- 
mouth  and  Brooks  streets ;  Chambers  Street  school,  known  as  the  Depot  school 
on  First  street,  just  west  of  Chambers  street;  Kellogg  Street  school,  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Kellogg  and  Losey  streets.  ;  •  , 

POVERTY   OF  THE   DISTRICTS 

Comparing  the  dates  of  the  purchase  of  the  different  school  sites,  with  the 
years  when  it  is  certainly  known  schools  were  conducted  on  these  premises,  it 
is  evident  that  the  first  schoolhouses  were  "squatters" — too  poor  to  own  the 
land  on  which  they  stood.  The  buildings  themselves  gave  evidence  of  their 
poverty.  The  Galesburg  Free  Democrat,  in  its  issue  of  November  13,  1856,  says, 
editorially.  "Our  present  school  pens  should  be  sold  for  coal  houses."  These 
conditions  can  easily  be  accounted  for.  The  people  of  Illinois  did  not  believe 
in  common  schools  at  that  date ;  there  was  no  free  school  law  in  Illinois  till 
1855,  nineteen  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  Galesburg  colony.  It  is  true, 
a  free  school  law  was  enacted  by  the  legislature  in  1825. 

..  .       SCHOOL   LAW   OF    1825      ;      .         ;     '  '' 

This  law  provided  that  common  schools  should  be  established  free  and  open 
to  ever\'  class  of  white  citizens  between  the  ages  of  five  and  twenty-one  years. 
The  legal  voters  were  empowered  at  the  annual  meeting  to  levy  a  tax  of  one- 


3 

5.    > 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          -;     >;  549 

half  of  one  per  cent,  subject  to  a  maximum  limitation  of  $io  to  any  one  person. 
An  appropriation  was  made  by  the  state  of  $2  out  of  every  $ioo  received  into 
the  treasury.  This,  together  with  the  interest  on  the  state  common  school  fund, 
which  consisted  of  three  per  cent  of  the  net  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  public  lands, 
two  townships  donated  for  founding  and  maintaining  a  seminary  of  learning,  and 
the  surplus  revenue  of  the  United  States  distributed  by  act  of  Congress  in  1837, 
made  possible  quite  a  complete  system  of  public  schools.  To  this  must  be 
added,  of  course,  the  income  from  the  i6th  section  of  .every  township  the  most 
munificent  donation  ever  made  to  public  education  by  a  government.  This  came 
from  Congress  in  compliance  with  the  ordinance  of  1787,  which  enjoined  that 
"schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall  forever  be  encouraged."  But  the 
law  was  so  amended  in  1827,  as  virtually  to  nullify  it  by  providing  that  no 
person  should  be  taxed  for  the  maintenance  of  any  school  unless  his  consent 
was  first  obtained  in  writing,  and  the  continuance  of  the  state  appropriation  of  $2 
out  of  every  $ioo  received  into  the  treasury,  being  its  very  life,  was  denied. 
In  1845,  even  the  interest  on  the  state  fund  was  suspended,  owing  to  the  em- 
barrassed condition  of  the  finances — this  state,  like  many  others,  having  stopped 
paying  interest  on  her  public  debt.  From  this  date,  1827,  to  1855,  there  were 
repeated  amendments  and  revisions  of  the  school  law  by  the  legislature,  but  they 
had  no  effect  upon  the  schools,  for  they  all  wanted  tlie  vital  principle  of  the  tax- 
ing power.  As  late  as  1852,  the  total  local  tax  for  school  purposes  in  the  whole 
state  of  Illinois  amounted  to  only  fifty-one  thousand  dollars.  The  school  law 
remained  a  dead  letter  for  twenty-eight  years ;  and  it  was  during  this  period  that 
the  Galesburg  colony  was  founded  and  grew  to  have  a  population  of  three 
thousand.  Under  these  conditions  it  is  no  wonder  that  the  schoolhouses  of 
Galesburg  were  but  little  better  than  coal  houses  and  that  only  three  of  them 
owned  the  land  on  which  they  stood.  .-.  . 

'•'.''.;•''.;  ^-V;:--;:'/;;      ;;=•.;, VV  THE   SCHOOL   SECTION  -..:.  •~-" 

The  income  from  the  sixteenth  section  was,  practically,  all  the  support  upon 
which  the  schools  could  depend  till  1855,  or  rather  1856,  when  the  tax  provided 
by  the  law  of  1855  became  available.  Thus  the  sixteenth  section  was  a  matter 
of  great  importance  at  that  time.  Where  it  was,  what  disposition  was  made  of 
it,  and  how  much  was  realized  from  it,  forms  part  of  the  school  history  of  those 
days;  and  it  is  certainly  a  matter  of  interest  to  us  to-day,  as  we  receive  annually 
the  income  from  that  portion  of  this  fund  which  we  got  when  it  was  divided 
between  Galesburg  and  the  remainder  of  the  township. 

In  an  article,  "A  Brief  History  of  Knox  College,"  prepared  by  the  Rev.  Geo. 
W.  Gale  in  1845,  "for  the  double  purpose  of  public  information  and  a  document 
of  reference,"  he  says:  "The  school  section  (640  acres)  given  by  the  govern- 
ment for  primary  schools,  fell  near  the  town,  and  has  yielded  a  permanent  fund 
of  $7,000,  the  interest  of  which  with  the  annual  state  appropriations  nearly  fur- 
nishes gratuitous  instruction  to  every  child  in  the  township.  Some  of  two  hun- 
dred children  now  profit  by  this  fund."  This  was  written  nine  years  after  the 
founding  of  the  colony.  The  greater  part  of  the  school  section  lies  within  the 
city  limits.  Main  street,  west  from  Henderson  street  to  Linwood  cemetery,  is 
its  north  boundary;  and  Henderson  street,  south  from  Main  street  to  Fifth 
street,  is  its  east  boundary.  .  ;'. 


550  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .• 

','  •  INCOME  FROM  TOWNSHIP  FUND 

When  this  fund  was  divided  between  the  city  and  the  township  there  is  no  - 

record  of  the  amount  that  came  to  the  city.     Whatever  that  amount  was  the 
board  of  education  has  to-day  $5,133.55,  which  is  this  fund  plus  $221.20,  Gales-  T'.- 

burg's  share  of  the  county  fund  that  was  distributed  in  1908  by  the  county  super- 
intendent. 

The  records  of  those  days  show  that  school  funds  were  loaned  at  lo  per  cent. 
Thus  the  net  income  from  the  township  fund  would  be  about  $550  annually.    This 
was  practically  the  amount  of  available  funds  for  school  purposes  from  1839  to 
1855.     The  population  of  the  township  in  1840,  including  the  village  of  Gales- 
burg, was  516,  and  in  1855  the  population  of  the  village  alone  was  2,916.     Dur- 
ing these  fifteen  years  the  public  schools  of  the  village  and  township  of  Gales- 
burg, with  a  population  never  less  than  500  and  reaching  4,000.  had  for  their  sup- 
port but  little  more  than  $500  a  year — not  enough  to  provide  for  more  than  two 
schools  where  there  should  have  been  from  three  to  twenty.     That  the  public 
school  accommodations  were  entirely  inadequate  and  miserably  poor  in  Galesburg        •      ';  .; 
prior  to  1855  is  no  reflection  on  the  intelligence  or  public  spirit  of  the  good  people         ..  %  '.  ' 
of  that  time.    After  this  date,  however,  when  the  present  free  school  law  was  „,:..•*•:;(.' 
enacted,  one  would  naturally  expect  to  find  in  this  community  good  schools  with     .  r;  >;  . 
sufficient  accommodations.  .  :  '  .'i.r 

^:  ;-v.::.;  PUBLIC  INDIFFERENCE  TO  SCHOOLS    :.-;  ;.'-.-. 

In  the  issue  of  Jan.  ist,  1857,  of  the  Galesburg  Free  Democrat,  is  an  article 
signed  by  "E.  S.  W."  (E.  S.  Wilcox,  professor  of  modern  languages  in  Knox  ^ 
college)  in  which  he  advocates  forming  union  graded  schools  and  pronounces  the  • 
present  schools  inefficient,  worse  than  useless — a  shame  to  the  community.  In 
the  issue  of  April  13,  1859,  is  an  article  signed  "Tax-Payer"  in  which  he  says: 
"I  believe  I  may  safely  assert  that  there  is  not  another  town  in  the  state  of  Illi- 
nois, having  as  large  a  population  as  Galesburg,  that  has  done  so  little,  directly, 
for  the  improvement  of  its  common  schools."  In  an  editorial  of  Sept.  3,  1859, 
appears  the  following:  "The  fair  name  of  the  'College  City'  is  being  tarnished 
by  our  shameful  negligence  of  the  interests  of  our  common  schools.  While  we 
rejoice  in  the  higher  educational  facilities  afforded  by  our  colleges  and  semi- 
naries, let  us  no  longer  disgrace  ourselves  by  neglecting  the  masses  in  our  midst, 
whose  right  training  is  more  intimately  connected  with  our  future  prosperity 
than  that  of  any  other  class."  In  an  article  on  union  graded  schools  by  Professor 
Churchill,  Nov.  20,  1856.  is  this  sentence :  "A  schoolhouse  could  be  built  which 
instead  of  being  a  burning  disgrace  to  us  would  be  our  brightest  glory."  He 
must  then  have  had  a  vision  of  that  schoolhouse  which  was  built  ten  years  later 
and  which  to-day  bears  his  name.  ,.  ,.  .  ;;  .  ;  ..  :, .  . 

.-'       ^     '/:-:'-.•''  •     •       •  JOHN   F.    EBERHART    '''::•'.'_.,;]:•':  •^^-.'f':^'^'^^.-:: 

In  the  Editor's  Table  of  the  Illinois  Teacher,  Feb.  27,  1857,  's  an  article  on 
Galesburg  by  John  F.  Eberhart,  one  of  the  distinguished  educational  pioneers 
of  Illinois,  a  promoter  of  the  union  graded  school  system,  in  which  may  be  found 


.  ./^-f  ;  :-;i;  ;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  551 

the  following:  "Galesburg  is  a  pleasant  city,  and  has  already  acquired  a  mer- 
ited  fame  for  literary  enterprise.  Lombard  university,  Knox  male  and  female 
colleges — all  school  buildings  nearly  completed — are  institutions  of  a  high  grade 
and  throw  a  halo  of  light  about  the  place.  The  citizens  are  generally  intelligent 
and  kind  and  probably  think  less  of  money  and  more  of  mind  than  is  customary 
for  a  western  city.  However,  amid  all  their  aspirations  for  the  formation  of  an 
intelligent  community  and  the  full  development  of  true  manhood  and  woman-  . 
hood,  one  very  important  feature  has,  until  lately,  been  overlooked.  Their  am- 
bition  has  soared  above  the  common  schools.  The  dilapidated  condition  of  the 
public  schools  bears  a  woeful  testimony  of  their  neglect.  The  buildings  are  poor,  , 
the  teachers  receive  poor  wages  and  the  result  is  that  they  have  poor  schools."  ;; 

''r-^V:^\iV;;.^-,V/''iy'''''i  •-'••.-:''•"•'•'•'  SIMEON  WRIGHT  ':"-  '-I'/,:  '-''?'.•'•'  'i 

Simeon  Wright,  another  of  our  distinguished  educational  pioneers,  as  state 
agent  of  the  Illinois  Teacher,  wrote  up  Galesburg  for  the  July  (1858)  issue  as 
follows:  "I  am  on  classic  ground.  The  very  atmosphere  breathes  incense  to 
the  goddess  of  letters  and  science.  The  severe  elegance  of  Knox  college  and 
fair  proportions  of  Lombard  university  are  the  material  embodiment  of  the  spirit 
of  the  place.  Here  are  the  higher  institutions  of  learning  just  emerging  from 
infancy  in  all  the  vigor  of  a  young  giantess,  and  here,  also,  are  eight  overshadowed 
public  schools,  and  until  recently  there  were  as  many  districts."  After  referring, 
in  complimentary  terms,  to  Professors  Churchill,  Standish  and  Wilcox  as  educa- 
tors who  most  fully  recognized  the  dependence  of  the  college  on  the  common 
school,  he  makes  this  plea  for  the  eight  overshadowed  public  schools :  "Would 
the  college  raise  the  standard  of  scholarship?  Raise  the  standard  of  elementary 
education.  Would  she  gain  more  students?  Elevate  the  common  school. 
Would  she  extend  her  influence?  Extend  sympathy  and  aid  to  the  common 
schools.  The  more  good  public  schools  there  are  the  more  minds  will  feel 
the  kindling  fire  and  gaze  longingly  toward  the  higher  hills  of  science.  The  col- 
lege  must  grow  with  the  growth  of  popular  knowledge.  Eranklin  once  said: 
"Take  care  of  the  dimes :  the  dollars  will  take  care  of  themselves."  Take  care  v 
of  the  common  schools  and  the  colleges  will  take  care  of  themselves.  \ 

i-..'^\  .;''--^V  -.:^'    ;:'•':"/•'•  '^•-••;--'          ATTITUDE  OF  THE  COLLEGE        ;••,  '-•-..    -•'^fV '•':;-•'•'  ,     '' 

That  it  was  thought  necessary  to  make  such  a  plea  as  this  to  college  men 
and  to  a  college  community  seems  strange;  for  one  would  naturally  think  that 
the  common  school  was  the  child  of  the  college,  but  history  tells  a  different  story.     - 
•The  two  institutions  had  different  origins,  with  little  in  common.     Gov.  Berkeley, 
who  thanked  God  that  there  were  no  free  schools  in  Virginia  and  hoped  that 
there  would  be  none  for  a  hundred  years  to  come,  contributed  to  the  founding 
of  a  college,  William  and  Mary's,  and  that  without  any  feeling  of  inconsistency. 
Happily,  with  the  world's  broader  vision,  all  this  is  changed  now,  and  colleges     - 
and  universities  are  the  friends  of  the  public  schools.  ;  r 

There  were  several  causes  operating  to  produce  this  hostility  to  public  schools. 
In  the  first  place,  as  Professor  Churchill  says,  "Every  man.  woman  and  child 
came  here  to  build  up  Knox  college.  They  were  more  interested  in  this  even  than 


552  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

in  founding  the  city.  Whenever  a  child  had  learned  to  read,  write  and  spell  and 
was  ready  to  study  arithmetic  and  grammar  he  was  entered  in  the  preparatory 
department  of  the  college.  As  a  rule  children  entered  the  academy  when  they 
were  ten  years  of  age."  Under  these  conditions  the  people  did  not  feel  the  need 
of  public  schools  and  naturally  enough  they  regarded  them  as  a  competitor  to 
their  favorite  institution.  Professor  Churchill  was  warned  time  and  again  by 
some  of  the  close  friends  of  the  college  that  he  was  injuring  that  institution  and 
jeopardizing  his  own  position  by  his  activity  in  promoting  public  schools.  Their 
fears  were  not  altogether  groundless.  The  year  before  the  union  graded  schools 
were  organized  Knox  academy  enrolled  over  350  students  to  60  in  the  college  de- 
partment; the  following  year  the  enrollment  was  less  than  150. 

;.•  ;  *  .  PRIVATE  SCHOOLS  •'.:.;  V  :v;  "j: 

The  income  from  the  township  fund  being  inadequate  to  furnish  all  the 
children  what  in  those  days  was  regarded  as  primary  education,  private  schools, 
or  select  schools,  as  they  preferred  to  call  themselves,  sprang  up.  Mrs.  Geo.  A. 
Tryon,  who  started  such  a  school  in  1856,  told  the  writer  that  she  could  recall 
four  others  in  the  village  at  that  time.  For  twenty  years  the  people  had  to  depend. 
to  a  great  extent,  upon  these  schools,  and  they  were  a  power  whose  interests 
were  antagonistic  to  free  schools,  that  had  to  be  reckoned  with  when  it 
came  to  forming  the  free  union  graded  schools.  Even  after  the  districts  were 
united,  such  was  the  influence  of  these  select  schools  and  so  strong  was  the 
feeling  in  their  behalf  that,  in  order  to  get  the  children  to  attend  the  new  schools, 
it  was  necessary  for  the  directors  to  incorporate,  as  it  were,  some  of  these 
schools  into  the  new  system  of  free  public  schools.  Professor  Churchill,  who 
was  one  of  the  three  directors  that,  organized  the  union  graded  schools,  is  the 
authority  for  this  statement.  Mrs.  Tryon  had  a  private  school  of  eighty  pupils 
at  that  time,  and  she  took  fifty  of  them  with  her  to  the  old  post  office  building, 
and  they  were  placed  in  the  grammar  department,  without  examination,  of  which 
she  was  made  principal — an  excellent  person  she  was  for  this  position,  having 
had  experience  in  graded  schools  in  Ohio.  Private  schools  of  this  type,  or 
better  designated  as  select  schools,  died  hard,  the  last  one  not  passing  away  until 
the  late  '8os.  .  •  • .;  .'iV;.  :-  •  :  ;  •  V  .  •' 

•     .     .  •  JEALX)USY   OF   THE   DISTRICTS  .-.-'•: 

The  fact  that  the  city  was  divided  into  eight  separate  and  independent  dis- 
tricts, each  with  its  rights,  its  interests,  its  jealousies,  was  another  source  of  op- 
position. The  reason  this  opposition  alone  did  not  prove  to  be  insurmountable, 
was  due  to  the  poverty  of  the  districts,  they  not  having  enough  property  to 
quarrel  over.  -  .,  .  .  .  ;  -^  ....-,,. 

.  •^     ;  .  CONDITIONS  OPPOSED  TO  FREE   SCHOOLS  ;  .'•.^:  •: 

These  were  the  conditions  that  caused  Galesburg  to  move  slowly  in  forming 
a  system  of  public  education  after  the  free  school  law  was  adopted  in  1855 ;  and 
the  fact  that  it  was  a  comparatively  old  settled  community,  with  three  to  five 
thousand  inhabitants,  with  its  habits  of  thought  and  its  local  institutions  formed 


.'5:: 


1^ 


lf'_ 

S.§    o 
•<    c 

=•«    o 

=•0.    > 


i^-  t« 

^'  n 

S.°-  ffi 

X  c 

^?  o^ 


552  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  F 

in  founding  the  cit\ .  \\'henever  a  child  had  learned  to  read,  write  and  spell  and 
was  ready  to  study  arithmetic  and  grammar  he  was  entered  in  the  preparatory 
department  of  the  college.  As  a  rule  children  entered  the  academy  when  they 
were  ten  years  of  age."  Under  these  conditions  the  people  did  not  feel  the  need 
of  public  schools  and  naturally  enough  they  regarded  them  as  a  competitor  to 
their  favorite  institution.  Professor  Churchill  was  warned  time  and  again  by 
some  of  the  close  friends  of  the  college  that  he  was  injuring  that  institution  and 
jeopardizing  his  own  position  by  his  activity  in  promoting  public  schools.  Their 
fears  were  not  altogether  groundless.  The  year  before  the  union  graded  schools 
were  organized  Knox  academy  enrolled  over  350  students  to  60  in  the  college  de- 
partment; the  following  year  the  enrollment  was  less  than  150. 

.  -       ;         :  '  PRIVATE  SCHOOLS 

The  income  from  the  township  fund  being  inadequate  to  furnish  all  the 
children  what  in  those  days  was  regarded  as  priniar\  education,  private  schools, 
or  select  schools,  as  they  preferred  to  call  themselves,  sprang  up.  Mrs.  Geo.  A. 
Tryon,  who  started  such  a  school  in  1856.  told  the  writer  that  she  could  recall 
four  others  in  the  village  at  that  time.  For  twenty  years  the  people  had  to  depend, 
to  a  great  extent,  upon  these  schools,  and  they  were  a  power  whose  interests 
were  antagonistic  to  free  schools,  that  had  to  be  reckoned  with  when  it 
came  to  forming  the  free  union  graded  schools.  Even  after  the  districts  were 
united,  such  was  the  influence  of  these  select  schools  and  so  strong  was  the 
feeling  in  their  behalf  that,  in  order  to  get  the  children  to  attend  the  new  schools, 
it  was  necessary  for  the  directors  to  incorporate,  as  it  were,  some  of  these 
schools  into  the  new  system  of  free  public  schools.  Professor  Churchill,  who 
was  one  of  the  three  directors  that  organized  the  union  graded  schools,  is  the 
authority  for  this  statement.  Mrs.  Tryon  had  a  private  school  of  eighty  pupils 
at  that  time,  and  she  took  fifty  of  them  with  her  to  the  old  post  office  building, 
and  they  were  placed  in  the  grammar  department,  without  examination,  of  which 
she  was  made  principal — an  excellent  person  she  was  for  this  position,  having 
had  experience  in  graded  schools  in  Ohio.  Private  schools  of  this  type,  or 
better  designated  as  select  schools,  died  hard,  the  last  one  not  passing  away  until 
the  late  '8os.  ,.  r-;  .  : 

/. 

'    :  JEALOUSY   OF   THE   DISTRICTS 

The  fact  that  the  city  was  divided  into  eight  separate  and  independent  dis- 
tricts, each  with  its  rights,  its  interests,  its  jealousies,  was  another  source  of  op- 
position. The  reason  this  opposition  alone  did  not  prove  to  be  insurmountable, 
was  due  to  the  poverty  of  the  districts,  they  not  having  enough  property  to 
quarrel  over.  ..  :  - 

;:  COXDITIONS   OPPOSED  TO   FREE   SCHOOLS  v  - 

Tiiese  were  the  conditions  that  caused  Galesburg  to  move  slowly  in  forming 
a  system  of  public  education  after  the  free  school  law  was  adopted  in  1855 ;  and 
the  fact  that  it  was  a  comparatively  old  settled  community,  with  three  to  five 
thousand  inhabitants,  with  its  habits  of  thought  and  its  local  institutions  formed 


s-A 
2-- 


f2 


"/         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  553 

••'•'••' '  •  •.;      *:   s.  V.  ' 

and  adjusted  to  a  different  state  of  things,  would  tend  to  retard  any  radical 
change.  To  satisfy  the  college,  to  placate  the  private  schools,  to  quiet  the 
fears  of  capital,  and  to  convince  the  eight  districts  that  the  interests  of  each 
would  be  served  better  by  one  united  district,  was  an  undertaking  of  the  first 
magnitude,  compared  to  which  any  other  event  in  the  history  of  our  schools  is 
insignificant. 

-   '.'.  v  .  ••    '      •  •'-•'•'''.-    '••'. 

.,;';-•:;:'';-;:.;:%•.-,'  PROFESSOR  CHURCHILL  .;.      :       .•••^;:v 

It  is  perfectly  evident  that  this  movement  could  never  have  been  successful 
without  a  great  leader,  a  man  with  a  vision,  broad  minded,  progressive,  patient, 
good-natured,  forgetful  of  self,  believing  profoundly  in  education,  and  in  closest 
sympathy  with  his  fellowmen, — and  that  man  was  George  Churchill.  Others  of 
course  there  were,  who  rendered  noble  service  to  the  cause,  but  in  every  step 
taken  to  organize  the  union  graded  schools  and  to  secure  the  present  charter, 
he  led  the  way.  Professor  George  Churchill  is  as  truly  the  founder  of  the 
public  schools  of  Galesburg  as  the  Rev.  George  W.  Gale  is  the  founder  of  the 
city.  When  the  time  comes,  in  the  history  of  Galesburg,  for  erecting  monuments 
to  its  great  characters  the  first  should  have  carved  on  it  Rev.  George  W.  Gale, 
Founder  of  the  City,  and  the  second  should  bear  the  name  George  Churchill, 
Founder  of  the  Public  Schools.  / 

He  was  endowed  by  nature  and  qualified  by  training  for  the  part  he  took  in 
this  great  work.  At  ten  years  of  age  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Galesburg,  in 
1839, — three  years  after  the  first  settlers.  He  attended  the  first  public  school 
taught  in  Galesburg,  in  the  winter  of  1840-41.  He  taught  the  same  school  in 
the  winter  of  1848-49,  when  a  sophomore  in  college.  After  graduating  from 
Knox  college,  he  taught  a  year  in  Farmington.  He  then  spent  a  year  in  Europe, 
devoting  much  of  his  time  to  the  public  schools  of  Germany, — especially  the 
Frederick  William  Gymnasium,  a  graded  school  of  four  thousand  students  from 
seven  to  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  said  it  was  here  that  he  first  imbibed  his 
enthusiasm  for  graded  public  schools.  Full  of  this  spirit  he  returned  to  Gales- 
burg and  took  charge  of  Knox  academy,  in  1855, — the  very  year  the  free 
school  law  was  passed.  In  the  winter  of  this  year,  he  attended  the  State 
Teachers'  association  at  Bloomington.  He  met  Dr.  Bateman  there  and  came 
home  with  fresh  enthusiasm,  and  began  writing  articles  for  the  Galesburg  Free 
Democrat  to  show  the  advantages  of  graded  schools  and  a  consolidated  district. 

;''.••'•'•'. ^•.•.  ••';:-    >V''.> ',•:;.       .  HENRY  BARNARD  ':-.:•-.    '•' 

In  December,  1856,  he  read  a  paper  on  German  schools  at  the  State  Teachers' 
association  in  Chicago.  Henry  Barnard,  who  was  present  and  heard  this 
paper,  at  once  became  interested  in  the  young  man  from  Galesburg;  and  there 
was  no  man  in  this  country,  engaged  in  public  school  work,  whose  friendship 
could  be  so  valuable  to  one  in  Professor  Churchill's  position,  wrestling  with  the 
problem  of  organizing  and  grading  a  system  of  schools.  Henry  Barnard  was 
the  pioneer  of  educational  journalism  in  America,  and  he  had  done  for  the 
schools  of  Connecticut  what  Horace  Mann  did  for  the  schools  of  Massachusetts, 

rganized  and  graded  them.     Before  the  sessions  of  this  meeting  had  ad- 


554  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

journed,  he  promised  Professor  Churchill  to  aid  him  in  getting  men  of  recog- 
nized ability  and  great  experience  in  organizing  and  grading  schools,  to  come 
to  Galesburg  and  conduct  an  educational  campaign.  Before  returning  home 
Professor  Churchill,  on  the  advice  of  Professor  Barnard,  engaged  Mr.  W.  S. 
Baker,  who  had  been  one  of  Barnard's  lieutenants  in  Connecticut  for  six  weeks, 
agreeing  to  pay  him  one  hundred  dollars  and  his  board. 

•  /  .  .  :  W.  B.  BAKER  .     ••:• 

Mr.  Baker  began  his  six  weeks'  campaign  in  Galesburg  in  January,  1857. 
He  would  go  to  a  school  for  a  half  day  or  more  at  a  time  and  enthuse  the  teacher 
and  pupils.  Then  he  would  visit  the  leading  members  of  the  district  and  explain 
to  them  the  advantages  of  consolidation.  Afternoon  meetings  were  also  held  in  the 
Old  First  church  to  which  parents  and  children  came,  the  church  always  being 
full,  and  Mr.  Baker  would  address  them  on  the  benefits  of  a  union  graded  school 
system.  ,  '  •;'  '  ^  ./''" 'r '"'•.••-..''' '';^  •••:•'''._•'•' 

HORACE    MANN  / 

In  the  following  March,  Horace  Mann,  the  greatest  educator  America  has 
produced,  a  most  eloquent  and  irresistible  speaker,  was  induced  to  come  to 
Galesburg  and  deliver  two  lectures  on  free  graded  schools.  These  lectures  were 
also  delivered  in  the  Old  First  church,  and  the  result  of  them,  following  as  they 
did,  so  closely  the  work  of  Mr.  Baker,  was  a  complete  moral  victory  of  con- 
solidated districts  and  graded  schools,  though  formal  and  official  action  was 
not  taken  till  May  or  June,  of  the  next  year.  Professor  Churchill  and  Silas 
Willard  paid  the  expenses  of  Mr.  Baker  and  Horace  Mann  in  this  missionary 
campaign.  '  •/  .  •  .  '  ;  :  -  j 

'      :  V^rf,^;  SILAS  WILLARD   ^      •.•:•, 

Another  remarkable  result  of  these  lectures :  Mr.  Silas  Willard,  in  the  prime 
of  life,  perhaps  the  leading  merchant  of  the  city,  dying  at  his  home  of  tubercu- 
losis, requested  Horace  Mann  to  call  on  him  the  morning  after  his  second  lec- 
ture, which  he  did  in  company  with  Prof.  Churchill.  At  the  close  of  this  con- 
ference Mr.  Willard  said  that  he  would  provide  in  his  will  thirty  thousand  dol- 
lars for  building  a  union  graded  school,  and  he  thought  he  would  donate  two 
or  three  acres  of  ground  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Chambers  streets 
for  the  building  site.  The  Galesburg  Free  Democrat  of  March  3ist,  1857,  closes 
an  editorial  with  this  sentence:  "Silas  Willard  was  buried  in  the  old  cemetery 
to-day  and  was  followed  to  the  grave  by  the  largest  concourse  which  ever  turned 
out  in  Galesburg  to  honor  the  dead."  Mr.  Willard  did  provide  in  his  will  thirty 
thousand  dollars  for  building  a  union  graded  school,  but  there  is  no  record  of 
the  district  receiving  the  money.  Even  if  the  city  did  not  get  the  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars  it  had  the  effect  of  stimulating  the  people  to  action,  for  in  the  Illinois 
Teacher  of  April,  1858,  is  this  item :  "Meetings  of  citizens  of  Galesburg  have 
been  held  to  initiate  measures  for  the  establishment  of  a  system  of  union  graded 
schools  in  that  city  and  for  obtaining  the  benefit  of  the  bequest  of  the  late  Silas 
Willard."  The  school  records  do  show  that  his  widow  did  offer  to  give  the  land 


—  '^:' A  >    ;>        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     •  555 

on  the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and  Chambers  streets  for  a  building  site  for  the 
new  schoolhouse,  but  the  board  of  education,  for  reasons  not  given  in  the  rec- 
ords, purchased  instead  the  lot  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Broad  and  Simmons 
streets.  Why  not  name  the  next  school  building  the  Silas  Willard  school? 


--,r  'v';      ..  •;;  •.'".    .;.;:..         UNION   GRADED  SCHOOLS   ADOPTED  .  ?"'":-';  ":.^''V-:,V: 

This  system  came  into  being  in  May  or  June,  1858,  and  ceased  to  exist  June 
II,  i86i,  when  the  present  system  was  organized.  Apparently  no  attempt  was 
made  to  grade  the  schools  during  the  first  year  of  this  period.  In  fact  the  people 
',  did  not  seem  anxious  to  conduct  them  according  to  the  new  system  after  it  was 
adopted.  There  were  several  provisions  in  the  law  that  made  it  undesirable,  and 
they  thought  the  best  way  to  remedy  these  would  be  to  secure  a  school  charter 

•  from  the  legislature.  '  !    - 

••;';.{-;  ,-/.'..-;;:;';,--^>   :_'•:.• -/'-'.;v'':Uy/.;'  THE   SCHOOL   CHARTER  .;;•.;   ^.    •\.v"''"'--^'-'iv. 

:          For  this  purpose  a  series  of  mass  meetings  was  held  in  the  early  part  of  1858. 

At  one  of  these  meetings  a  committee  of  fifteen  was  appointed  to  draft  a  charter 
^  to  present  to  the  legislature.  On  this  committee  were  Dr.  Skinner  of  Lombard 
.  and  Judge  Lanphere.  Professor  Churchill  was  made  chairman  of  the  commit- 
,  tee.  Judge  Lanphere  was  made  chairman  of  a  sub-committee  to  draw  up  a 

charter  and  present  it  to  the  legislature. 

••    •.'•  .- '     '  .     •  '-  -  ?'- . 

,- .  _  .  ••-.-.  i' .' 

•    •'•:  ":.:';"  \^          TWO  JOKERS  IN  THE  CHARTER    ;-  ,    ;      ,.   'v 

There  were  two  significant  provisions  inserted  in  the  last  section  of  the  char- 
•:   ter  which  were  the  means  of  delaying  its  going  into  operation  for  two  years 
.    and  seven  months.     The  first  of  these  provisos  was,  that  the  act  shall  not  take 
effect  or  be  in  force  unless  the  majority  of  the  legal  voters  shall  decide  in  its 
/    favor;  the  usual  form  would  have  been  to  require  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast 
'    at  the  election.    The  second  proviso  was,  that  the  election  for  this  purpose  must 
be  held  at  such  a  time  and  conducted  in  such  a  manner  as  the  council  of  said 
.   city  may  direct.     Both  of  these  provisions  were  innocent  looking,  and  they  are 
.    customary  in  such  instruments,  but  each  contained  a  joker,  showing  the  char- 
acter of  the  opposition,  which  was  composed  of  men  who  were  always  on  the 

•  alert  and  especially  skillful — the  "standpatters"  of  those  days,  but,  as  it  will  be 
,    seen,  they  were  fighting  a  losing  cause. 

.^:  ,;:•":.•;•  :;v-^''    "'  ELECTION  DENIED  BY  COUNCIL  ';;:":';  \-'  ^v;'--;'  ' 

'  Early  in  the  spring  of  1859  the  friends  of  the  charter  or  those,  as  the  Free 
'•  Democrat  puts  it,  who  wanted  more  than  six  months  of  school  in  a  year  for  the 
,  children  of  the  city,  appealed  to  the  city  council  to  submit  the  adoption  of  the 
.  charter  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  but  it,  in  its  wisdom,  refused  to  call  an  election 
for  that  purpose.  .  :- 


556        .  ,     '       :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 
•         ;    .          ;.    SCHOOL  DIRECTORS  ELECTED 

The  friends  of  free  graded  schools  having  spent  a  year,  since  the  consolida- 
tion of  the  districts,  in  trying  to  secure  a  charter  that  would  give  more  liberal 
provisions  for  public  schools  than  were  contained  in  the  union  graded  school  act, 
and  seeing  no  hope  in  the  immediate  future  that  the  city  council  would  allow 
a  vote  to  be  taken  on  the  charter,  determined  to  do  the  best  that  could  be  done 
with  the  law  they  had.  An  election  for  school  directors  for  school  district  No. 
1,  comprising  all  the  schools  of  the  city,  was  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  Sep- 
tember, 1859.  This  was  the  regular  time  for  holding  school  elections  in  those 
days.  George  Churchill,  A.  B.  Campbell  and  J.  H.  Knapp  were  nominated  at  a 
called  meeting  of  the  citizens  held  on  the  Saturday  evening  before.  There  were 
two  hundred  and  fifty  votes  cast,  and  these  men  were  elected  by  a  majority  of 
sixty-three  votes.  ;:;.•''.'':;'•/' 

-  UNION    GRADED    SCHOOLS    ORGANIZED  •    ;"    I      •- 

The  board  of  directors  went  to  work  immediately  to  organize  a  system  of 
graded  schools,  free  to  all  citizens  of  Galesburg  between  five  and  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  The  schools  up  to  that  time  had  been  mixed  schools,  having  the 
advanced  scholars  in  the  same  room  with  those  learning  their  A  B  C's;  and  the 
variety  of  text-books  was  said  to  be  some  less  than  the  number  of  pupils.  The 
first  thing  the  board  did  was  to  grade  the  scholars  according  to  advancement  in 
studies  into  four  departments  :  Primary,  secondary,  grammar  and  high  school. 
Many  scholars,  it  was  said,  had  been  educated  in  one  branch  and  neglected  in 
others ;  hence  a  regular  course  of  study  was  outlined  and  uniform  text-books 
were  adopted. 

UNION   GRADED   SCHOOLS  OPENED 

The  primary  and  secondary  schools  were  opened  Monday,  Sept.  19,  1859,  in 
ihe  eight  schoolhouses  that  had  come  to  the  board  by  the  consolidation  of  the 
districts.  There  were  eight  teachers  in  these  schools,  and  400  pupils  were  en- 
rolled the  first  week  and  639  during  the  year.  The  advanced  departments, 
grammar  and  high  school,  were  opened,  Wednesday,  Sept.  28,  1859,  in  rooms 
rented  by  the  board.  Three  of  these  rooms  were  in  the  old  post  office  building 
on  South  Broad  street,  opposite  the  Old  First  church.  The  board  rented  three 
other  rooms  this  year,  but  where  it  is  uncertain,  probably  two  of  them  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  square,  the  property  of  Mr.  C.  S.  Colton,  for  the  ad- 
vanced departments,  and  the  other  perhaps,  in  an  outlying  section,  for  the  ele- 
mentary grades.  The  number  of  pupils  enrolled  during  the  year  in  the  high 
school  department  was  60,  and  in  the  grammar  department  i6o,  making  a  total 
enrollment  of  859  for  the  year  in  all  departments.  The  number  of  teachers  was 
fourteen,  and  they  received  $2,197.90  in  salaries.  The  total  cost  of  the  schools 
for  the  year  was  $3,176.89. 

THE  CHARTER  ADOPTED 

The  city  council,  which  had  refused  in  1859  to  allow  the  people  the  privilege 
of  voting  on  the  charter,  had  a  change  of  heart  the  next  year  after  the  city  elec- 
tions and  decided  to  submit  the  charter  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  calling  an  elec- 


,i-::en.-;^-- 


••    '  '•    ^•:'.'-;.:':      t" 

'•':;:,  '^'    -'>?''    .'- 


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8911  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

.  SCHOOL  DIRECTORS  ELECTED    :  >   .   .- 

Tlie  friends  of  free  graded  schools  having  spent  a  year,  since  the  consolida- 
tion of  the  districts,  in  trying  to  secure  a  charter  that  would  give  more  liberal 
provisions  for  public  schools  than  were  contained  in  the  union  graded  school  act, 
and  seeing  no  hope  in  the  immediate  future  that  the  city  council  would  allow 
a  vote  to  he  taken  on  the  charter,  determined  to  do  the  best  that  could  be  done 
with  the  law  they  had.  An  election  for  school  directors  for  school  district  No. 
I,  comprising  all  the  schools  of  the  city,  was  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  Sep- 
teml^er.  1859.  This  was  the  regular  time  for  holding  school  elections  in  those 
days.  George  Churchill.  A.  B.  Campbell  and  J.  H.  Knapp  were  nominated  at  a 
called  meeting  of  the  citizens  held  on  the  Saturday  evening  before.  There  were 
two  hundred  and  fifty  votes  cast,  and  these  men  were  elected  by  a  majority  of 
sixty-three  votes. 

I'NIOX    GRADED    SCHOOLS    ORGANIZED       '          ' 

The  Iward  of  directors  went  to  work  immediately  to  organize  a  system  of 
graded  schools,  free  to  all  citizens  of  Galesburg  between  five  and  twenty-one 
}ears  of  age.  The  schools  up  to  that  time  had  been  mixed  schools,  having  the 
advanced  scholars  in  the  same  room  with  those  learning  their  A  B  C's ;  and  the 
variety  of  text-Iwoks  was  said  to  be  some  less  than  the  number  of  pupils.  The 
first  thing  the  board  did  was  to  grade  the  scholars  according  to  advancement  in 
studies  into  four  departments :  Primary,  secondary,  grammar  and  high  school. 
Many  scholars,  it  was  said,  had  been  educated  in  one  branch  and  neglected  in 
others;  hence  a  regular  course  of  study  was  outlined  and  uniform  text-books 
were  adopted. 

UNION   GRADED   SCHOOLS  OPENED 

The  primary  and  secondary  schools  were  opened  Monday,  Sept.  19,  1859,  in 
ihe  eight  schoolhouses  that  had  come  to  the  board  by  the  consolidation  of  the 
districts.  There  were  eight  teachers  in  these  schools,  and  400  pupils  were  en- 
rolled the  first  week  and  639  during  the  year.  The  advanced  departments, 
grammar  and  high  school,  were  opened.  Wednesday.  Sept.  28.  1859.  in  rooms 
rented  by  the  board.  Three  of  these  rooms  were  in  the  old  post  office  building 
on  South  Broad  street,  opposite  the  Old  First  church.  The  board  rented  three 
other  rooms  this  year,  but  where  it  is  uncertain,  probably  t\vo  of  them  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  square,  the  property  of  Mr.  C.  S.  Colton,  for  the  ad- 
vanced departments,  and  the  other  perhaps,  in  an  outlying  section,  for  the  ele- 
mentary grades.  The  number  of  pupils  enrolled  during  the  year  in  the  high 
school  department  was  60,  and  in  the  grammar  department  i6o.  making  a  total 
enrollment  of  859  for  the  year  in  all  departments.  The  number  of  teachers  was 
fourteen,  and  they  received  $2,197.90  in  salaries.  The  total  cost  of  the  schools 
for  the  year  was  $3.176.89. 

THE  CHARTER  ADOPTED        .  ;• 

The  city  council,  which  had  refused  in  1859  to  allow  the  people  the  privilege 
of  voting  on  the  charter,  had  a  change  of  heart  the  next  year  after  the  city  elec- 
tions and  decided  to  submit  the  charter  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  calling  an  elec- 


" 


I-  G 


X. 

t .-' 
s 


t;   - 

23 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  557 

tion  for  that  purpose  to  be  held  on  Saturday,  June  30,  1860.  The  friends  of 
the  charter  immediately  inaugurated  a  campaign  in  its  favor,  but  they  were  fear- 
ful of  the  result,  for  they  labored  under  a  great  disadvantage,  as  they  had  to 
get  all  their  voters  to  the  polls  on  election  day,  whereas  their  opponents  had  c«ily 
to  remain  away  from  the  polls.  The  Free  Democrat  on  the  evening  before  the 
election  said,  editorially:  "To-morrow  (Saturday)  has  been  set  apart  by  our 
city  fathers  for  a  vote  upon  the  new  school  charter.  It  will  be  noticed  that  a 
majority  of  all  the  legal  voters  must  vote  for  it  in  order  to  make  it  a  law.  Its 
adoption  will,  therefore,  require  nearly  600  votes  in  its  favor,  and  its  friends  will, 
no  doubt,  realize  the  necessity  of  untiring  vigilance;  every  voter  who  stays  at 
home  practically  votes  against  it."  On  election  day  there  were  cast  505  votes  for 
the  act  and  55  votes  against  the  act.  The  friends  of  the  charter  were  satisfied 
and  its  opponents  were  silenced,  as  the  majority  was  so  decisive  that  any  contest 
was  out  of  the  question,  the  highest  number  of  votes  cast  at  the  last  election 
being  629.  The  city  council  accordingly,  on  July  3,  1860,  having  canvassed  the 
votes  as  above,  declared  the  school  charter  legally  adopted  and  a  part  of  the  law 
of  the  city.  This  was  in  July,  1860;  but  the  schools  were  not  organized  under 
the  charter  until  September,  i86i.  The  explanation  of  this  is,  that  the  charter 
provides  for  the  election  of  directors  on  the  first  Monday  in  June ;  hence,  a  board 
of  education  could  not  be  elected  until  June,  i86i. 

:;•;•.;;>.  •-:•:',]  •'•:':'       LAST  YEAR  OF  UNION  GRADED  SCHOOLS  ^:    :'•' 

There  was  nothing  to  do  but  to  continue  the  union  graded  schools  for  another 
year,  which  was  done,  with  R.  B.  Guild  as  superintendent  of  instruction  and 
seventeen  lady  assistants,  being  an  increase  of  four  teachers  over  the  previous 
year.  A  complete  roster  of  these  teachers  may  be  found  in  Root's  Galesburg 
city  directory  for  the  year  i86i,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  public  library.  There 
were  nine  buildings  for  the  primary  and  secondary  schools,  with  twelve  teachers. 
The  central  school,  for  the  grammar  and  high  school  departments,  was  held 
this  year  on  the  west  side  of  the  square  with  five  teachers,  in  rooms  rented  from 
Mr.  C.  S.  Colton.  There  was  a  special  teacher  of  penmanship;  the  German 
language  and  the  rudiments  of  vocal  music  were  taught;  declamations  and 
compositions  were  required  weekly;  and  a  teachers'  class  was  formed  in  the  fall 
and  spring  for  the  especial  benefit  of  those  wishing  to  teach.  With  this  year 
the  union  graded  school  system,  originally  the  ideal  system  of  public  schools, 
came  to  an  end,  having  been  in  operation  only  two  years ;  but  a  stronger,  better 
and  more  complete  system  took  its  place — the  present  one,  which  came  into 
existence  on  the  first  Monday  of  June,  i86i,  by  the  election  of  the  board  of 
education  of  the  Galesburg  school  district.  .  •  ' 

ADVANTAGES   OF  A   CHARTER       - 

The  provision  of  the  charter  that  makes  the  treasurer  and  clerk  of  the  city, 
ex-officio  treasurer  and  clerk  of  the  board  of  education  has,  in  a  large  measure, 
preserved  the  schools  in  the  past  from  political  domination,  by  taking  away  the 
"sinews"  of  political  warfare.  If  the  board  appointed  its  own  treasurer,  as  it 
would  do  under  the  general  law,  then  all  the  banks  and  their  officials  would  be 


558  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

interested  in  the  membership  of  the  board,  not  for  the  good  of  the  schools, 
particularly,  but  for  their  own  benefit,  as  the  school  fund  is  one  of  the  best 
deposits.  If  it  appointed  its  own  clerk,  as  it  would  do  under  the  general  law, 
then  the  politician  for  revenue  would  be  interested  in  who  is  elected  to  the  board, 
for  that  office  is  good  for  a  salary  of  a  thousand  to  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  under 
political  management.  As  it  is,  there  is  nothing  in  the  management  of  the 
schools  by  the  board  of  education,  organized  under  the  charter,  to  call  forth 
the  legitimate  interest  of  any  one,  except  the  welfare  of  the  schools  alone. 

The  provision  that  empowers  the  board  to  locate  the  school  buildings  without 
submitting  each  to  a  vote  of  the  people  as  it  would  be  required  to  do  under  the 
general  law,  has  saved  the  schools,  and  the  city  too,  from  much  bitter  and  need- 
less strife.  Nothing  so  paralyzes  the  efficiency  of  a  school  as  the  warring  of 
antagonistic  interests  in  its  administration. 

'.;>;;:?.••,  THE  LAST  BATTLE  FOR  FREE  SCHOOLS         .  ;:;^:..'  ;;i'; 

At  the  third  meeting  of  the  board  of  education,  held  on  July  9,  i86i,  the 
last  move  in  the  battle  against  free  schools,  that  had  been  so  persistently  and 
ably  waged  since  1855,  was  begun.  In  a  section  of  the  charter,  which  declares 
that  the  schools  shall  be  free,  follows  this  clause,  "or  upon  the  payment  of  such 
rates  of  tuition  as  the  board  shall  prescribe."  All  the  facts  in  the  history  of  the 
case  being  considered,  this  looks  very  much  like  another  joker.  In  accordance 
with  this  provision  the  following  resolution  was  introduced:  "Resolved,  That 
all  student  residents  attending  the  Central  school  shall  pay  the  sum  of  fifty 
cents  per  quarter  tuition,  and  all  attending  other  schools  shall  pay  twenty-five 
cents  per  quarter,  all  to  be  paid  in  advance."  Both  the  wording  and  the  spirit 
of  this  resolution  are  an  echo  from  a  past  age.  On  motion  of  Mr.  Qement  Leach, 
the  member  from  the  Fifth  ward,  it  was  laid  on  the  table  until  the  next  meeting. 
At  the  next  meeting,  July  I5th,  the  motion  was  taken  up  for  consideration  and 
after  a  full  discussion,  the  vote  was  finally  called,  and  it  stood  three  yeas  and 
three  nays.  Hon.  Alfred  Knowles,  v/ho  was  then  mayor  of  the  city,  was 
presiding,  and  it  fell  to  him  to  cast  the  deciding  vote,  which  he  did,  on  the  side 
of  the  negative,  in  favor  of  free  schools.  Thus  Mr.  Knowles  had  the  honor  of 
firing  the  last  shot  in  the  battle  for  free  schools,  and,  because  he  fired  it  in  the 
right  direction,  his  name  will  never  be  allowed  to  die. 

.,..;    '.v,"  '.  V,-'  SCHOOL    BUILDINGS      -^-'AV'''--'-'";- ^' "O'-V  ^ 

The  most  serious  problem  that  confronted  the  board  of  education  when  it 
was  first  organized  under  the  present  charter  in  June,  i86i,  was  the  providing 
of  schoolhouses.  Galesburg  was  then  a  city  of  about  six  thousand  inhabitants 
with  more  than  eight  hundred  pupils  enrolled  in  its  schools.  It  practically  had 
no  school  buildings.  It  is  true  that  the  district  owned  six  or  eight  one-room 
schoolhouses,  but  they  were  built  in  the  days  of  the  independent  school  districts 
and  were  now  unfit  for  school  purposes.  One  of  the  chief  reasons  for  con- 
solidating the  districts  in  1858,  was  to  enable  the  people  the  better  to  provide 
themselves  with  suitable  school  buildings.  Thus  it  is  seen  that  the  board  of 
education  was  required  not  merely  to  make  provision  for  the  natural  growth  of 


"^^ ^^  •     :  -        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .         ^  :.  559 

the  city,  as  the  people  of  today  are  called  upon  to  do,  but  to  provide  at  once 
school  buildings  for  a  city  with  a  population  of  six  thousand. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  the  first  of  January,  1867,  that  the  first  building 
was,  completed  and  ready  for  occupancy.  It  was  then  called  the  high  school ;  it 
is  today  known  as  the  Churchill  school.  The  completion  of  this  building  was 
the  fulfillment  of  the  dream, of  the  independent  districts  when  they  voted  to 
unite  in  1858.  It  was  an  imposing  building  for  that  day,  comparing  favorably 
with  Knox  college  on  the  south  and  Lombard  university  on  the  east  and 
costing  about  the  same  as  each  of  these  institutions  dedicated  to  higher  education. 
Its  erection  may  rightly  be  considered  as  one  of  the  great  events  in  the  history  of 
Galesburg,  since  it  caused  the  common  schools  to  be  recognized  as  one  of  the 
public  and  important  institutions  of  the  city.  It  was  a  credit  and  an  ornament 
to  the  city.  The  State  Teachers'  association  showed  its  appreciation  of  what 
had  been  done  in  Galesburg  for  public  education  by  holding  its  annual  meeting 
of  1867,  in  the  new  building. 

-  The  completion  of  this  building  was  the  first  great  event  in  the  history  of  the 
schools  after  the  adoption  of  the  charter,  and,  strange  to  say,  it  precipitated  the 
first  and  most  serious  crisis  the  schools  have  yet  met.  The  plant  had  cost  ap- 
proximately sixty  thousand  dollars  and  that  was  too  much  for  a  community  that 
had  but  recently  been  converted  to  the  free  school  system.  At  the  annual  school 
election  of  that  year  when  the  board  of  education  asked  for  the  power  to  issue 
more  bonds  with  which  to  build  two  new  schoolhouses,  the  people  arose  and 
administered  to  it  a  crushing  defeat.  The  whole  trend  of  school  affairs  was 
changed  by  it.  New  schoolhouses  were  thereafter  reluctantly  built  and  they 
were  cheaply  constructed ;  the  board,  when  it  attempted  to  levy  a  tax  for  a  new 
building  became  involved  in  a  suit  with  the  city  council ;  it  escaped  an  injunction 
only  by  resorting  to  a  sp>ecies  of  sharp  practice;  and  factions  ruled  the  board 
for  a  decade  and  a  half.  It  has  been  only  within  recent  years  that  the  blighting 
effects  of  this  blow  have  not  been  felt. 

The  second  great  event  in  the  history  of  the  schools  was  the  building  of 
the  present  high  school  building  which  may  be  justly  regarded  as  the  pride  of 
the  city.  It  should  be  remembered  that  the  importance  of  the  high  school  in 
public  education  was  not  then  so  generally  recognized  as  it  is  today.  At  that 
time  no  city  in  the  state  had  erected  a  really  fine  and  modem  building  for  its 
high  school.  There  was  one  such  building  in  Joliet,  but  it  was  a  township  high 
school.  The  high  school  was  still  generally  regarded  as  merely  a  college  pre- 
paratory school  and  did  not  appeal  strongly  to  the  people  as  their  school.  When 
one  of  the  larger  cities  of  Illinois  today  builds  a  high  school,  it  makes  it  the  finest 
public  building  in  the  city.  It  was  not  so  when  the  present  Galesburg  high  school 
was  built.  That  building  was  the  pioneer  of  high  school  buildings  in  the  state. 
The  board  and  the  people  have  since  had  reason  to  congratulate  themselves  on 
having  had  a  vision  and  rising  to  it.  )  ' 

The  mere  building  of  a  schoolhouse  is  not  a  great  event  in  a  school  system, 
except  as  it  embodies  a  deep  conviction  of  the  people,  and  this  is  just  what  the 
building  of  the  Churchill  school,  in  1866,  and  the  high  school,  in  1906,  did,  the 
former  giving  expression  to  the  belief  of  the  people  in  a  system  of  free  ele- 
mentary education  for  all  and  the  latter  their  conviction  that  all  the  children  of 
all  the  people  should  be  given  an  opportunity  to  prepare  themselves  for  life  as 
well  as  for  some  of  the  children  of  some  of  the  people  for  college. 


660        ; '        ;'   ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  R.  B.  Guild  was  superintendent  of  schools  the  first  year,  from  June, 
l86i  to  June,  1862.  There  was  a  corps  of  sixteen  teachers  and  the  number 
of  pupils  enrolled  was  probably  as  many  as  eight  hundred.  No  records  for  this 
year  are  preserved. 

In  June,  1862,  Mr.  J.  B.  Roberts  was  appointed  superintendent  of  schools 
•and  served  twelve  years,  or  until  June,  1874.  During  these  years  the  enrollment 
of  pupils  increased  to  2,268  and  the  number  of  teachers  to  thirty.  Mr.  Roberts' 
administration  may  properly  be  regarded  as  the  period  of  organization.  It  was 
a  period  full  of  educational  activity  and  progress.  It  was  noted,  also,  for  the 
number  of  experiments  tried.  There  was  the  colored  school,  the  German  school, 
the  ungraded  school  for  truants  and  incorrigibles,  the  night  school,  the  teaching 
of  elementary  geometry  in  the  last  three  years  of  the  graded  schools,  and  the 
ordering  of  gymnastic  apparatus  for  the  playgrounds  of  the  two  new  schools. 
These  experiments  were  all  finally  dropped ;  none  of  them  has  been  reinstated, 
and  most  of  them  have  been  completely  forgotten.  Then  there  was  supple- 
mentary reading,  bookkeeping  and  mechanical  drawing  in  the  high  school,  free- 
hand drawing  in  the  grades,  and  music,  which  may  properly  be  included  in  this 
list.  These,  also,  were  tried-  and  dropped,  but  in  later  years  introduced  into  the 
schools  as  important  features  of  modem  education.  Those  who  are  advocating 
a  special  school  for  the  truant  and  the  incorrigible  of  these  degenerate  days  will 
be  surprised  to  find  that  in  those  good  old  times  of  forty  years  ago  and  more, 
there  were  truants  and  incorrigibles  and  a  separate  school  provided  for  them  by 
the  board  of  education.  The  teaching  of  the  elements  of  geometry  in  the  grades, 
partially  anticipated  the  popular  plea  of  President  Eliot  and  others,  made  thirty 
years  later,  for  enriching  the  curriculum  by  bringing  the  elements  of  some  of  the 
high  school  studies  into  the  grades.  The  resolution  of  the  board  of  education 
ordering  the  playgrounds  of  the  high  school  and  the  Fourth  ward  to  be  provided 
with  gymnastic  apparatus,  preceded  by  a  third  of  a  century  the  movement  that 
is  now  sweeping  over  the  country  to  establish  public  playgrounds  and  to  equip 
them  with  physical  apparatus.  In  those  days  there  were  surely  plenty  of  fads — 
"fad"  being  a  generic  term  for  anything  new.  All  honor  to  those  times  for  what 
was  so  courageously  attempted  as  well  as  for  what  was  so  nobly  done. 

Mr.  Roberts  resigned  in  the  summer  of  1874,  to  accept  the  principalship  of 
the  Indianapolis  high  school  and  Mr.  Matthew  Andrews,  who  was  then  super- 
ihtendent  of  schools  at  Macomb,  Illinois,  was  appointed  in  his  place. 

After  a  period  of  active  organization  involving  an  unusual  expenditure  of 
money,  such  as  the  last  period  had  been,  would  naturally  come  one  of  more  or 
less  reaction  and  retrenchment.  This  is  a  law  of  institutional  growth  and  it  is 
well  illustrated  in  at  least  the  first  half  of  this  period.  There  were  two  other 
causes  that  contributed  to  the  general  movement,  either  of  which  alone  would 
have  been  sufficient  to  bring  about  a  reaction.  When  Professor  George  Churchill 
retired  from  the  board  of  education  in  June,  1873,  and  Mr.  J.  B.  Roberts  from 
the  superintendency  a  year  later,  the  management  of  the  schools  passed  com- 
pletely into  the  control,  as  it  were,  of  another  generation.  There  was  then  no 
one  left  in  the  management  of  the  schools  who  thoroughly  understood  their 
organization  and  who  could,  consequently,  be  in  special  sympathy  with  it.  This 
was  the  first  of  the  contributory  causes.  The  second  was  the  financial  panic 
that  swept  over  the  country  at  that  time,  paralyzing  business  and  institutions  of 


MO  y;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  R.  B.  Guild  was  superintendent  of  schools  the  first  year,  from  June, 
1861  to  June,  1862.  There  was  a  corps  of  sixteen  teachers  and  the  number 
of  pupils  enrolled  was  probably  as  many  as  eight  hundred.  No  records  for  this 
year  are  preserved. 

In  June,  1862,  Mr.  J.  B.  Roberts  was  appointed  superintendent  of  schools 
and  served  twelve  years,  or  until  June,  1874.  During  these  years  the  enrollment 
of  pupils  increased  to  2,268  and  the  number  of  teachers  to  thirty.  Mr.  Roberts' 
administration  may  properly  be  regarded  as  the  period  of  organization.  It  was 
a  period  full  of  educational  activity  and  progress.  It  was  noted,  also,  for  the 
number  of  experiments  tried.  There  was  the  colored  school,  the  German  school, 
the  ungraded  school  for  truants  and  incorrigibles,  the  night  school,  the  teaching 
of  elementary  geometry  in  the  last  three  years  of  the  graded  schools,  and  the 
ordering  of  gymnastic  apparatus  for  the  playgrounds  of  the  two  new  schools. 
These  experiments  were  all  finally  dropped ;  none  of  them  has  been  reinstated, 
and  most  of  them  have  been  completely  forgotten.  Then  there  was  supple- 
mentary reading,  bookkeeping  and  mechanical  drawing  in  the  high  school,  free- 
hand drawing  in  the  grades,  and  music,  which  may  properly  be  included  in  this 
list.  These,  also,  were  tried  and  dropped,  but  in  later  years  introduced  into  the 
schools  as  important  features  of  modern  education.  Those  who  are  advocating 
a  special  school  for  the  truant  and  the  incorrigible  of  these  degenerate  days  will 
be  surprised  to  find  that  in  those  good  old  times  of  forty  years  ago  and  more, 
there  were  truants  and  incorrigibles  and  a  separate  school  provided  for  them  by 
the  board  of  education.  The  teaching  of  the  elements  of  geometry  in  the  grades, 
partially  anticipated  the  popular  plea  of  President  Eliot  and  others,  made  thirty 
years  later,  for  enriching  the  curriculum  by  bringing  the  elements  of  some  of  the 
high  school  studies  into  the  grades.  The  resolution  of  the  board  of  education 
ordering  the  playgrounds  of  the  high  school  and  the  Fourth  ward  to  be  provided 
with  gymnastic  apparatus,  preceded  by  a  third  of  a  century  the  movement  that 
is  now  sweeping  over  the  country  to  establish  public  playgrounds  and  to  equip 
them  with  physical  apparatus.  In  those  days  there  were  surely  plenty  of  fads — 
"fad"  being  a  generic  term  for  anj-thing  new.  All  honor  to  those  times  for  what 
was  so  courageously  attempted  as  well  as  for  what  was  so  nobly  done. 

Mr.  Roberts  resigned  in  the  summer  of  1874,  to  accept  the  principalship  of 
the  Indianapolis  high  school  and  !Mr.  Matthew  Andrews,  who  was  then  super- 
intendent of  schools  at  Macomb,  Illinois,  was  appointed  in  his  place.  • 
-After  a  period  of  active  organization  involving  an  unusual  expenditure  of 
money,  such  as  the  last  jieriod  had  been,  would  naturally  come  one  of  more  or 
less  reaction  and  retrenchment.  This  is  a  law  of  institutional  growth  and  it  is 
well  illustrated  in  at  least  the  first  half  of  this  period.  There  were  two  other 
causes  that  contributed  to  the  general  movement,  either  of  which  alone  would 
have  been  sufficient  to  bring  about  a  reaction.  When  Professor  George  Churchill 
retired  from  the  board  of  education  in  June,  1873,  and  Mr.  J.  B.  Roberts  from 
the  superintendency  a  year  later,  the  management  of  the  schools  passed  com- 
pletelx  into  the  control,  as  it  were,  of  another  generation.  There  was  then  no 
one  left  in  the  management  of  the  schools  who  thoroughly  understood  their 
organization  and  who  could,  consequently,  be  in  special  sympathy  with  it.  This 
was  the  first  of  the  contributor}-  causes.  The  second  was  the  financial  panic 
that  swept  over  the  cotmtry  at  that  time,  paralyzing  business  and  institutions  of 


p  ". 
"  3 

11- 


-     X 

a  I  :? 


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' 

r-.n 
c 


^='  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  561 

all  kinds.  The  people  of  those  days  did  not  seem  to  be  conscious  that  their 
actions  were  being  guided  and  controlled  by  such  deep-rooted  and  inexorable 
forces,  but  they  were  inclined  rather  to  attribute  the  trend  of  affairs  to  the 
natural  perversity  of  the  individuals  who  were  in  control.  The  conditions  made 
retrenchment  imperative  and  it  is  not  strange  that  under  the  circumstances 
cheapness  became  the  chief  consideration  in  the  management  of  the  schools. 
The  course  of  study  was  pruned,  all  special  subjects  were  lopped  off,  special 
teachers  dropped,  and  all  salaries  greatly  reduced;  every  schoolhouse  built  cost 
less  than  the  preceding  one ;  the  same  was  true  of  the  furniture  purchased,  and 
the  amount  expended  on  repairs  was  practically  nothing.  The  policy  of  economy 
continued  until  the  tax  levy  \vas  reduced  almost  one-half.  All  this  could  not 
be  done  without  much  friction,  which  was  manifested  in  the  meetings  of  the 
board  and  at  the  school  elections.  In  those  years  the  people  took  a  lively  interest 
in  school  elections,  at  one  or  two  of  which  more  votes  were  polled  than  at  the 
municipal  elections.  About  the  beginning  of  the  second  half  of  this  period 
affairs  began  to  improve  and  by  the  time  it  closed  the  schools  were  in  good 
condition,  having  made  substantial  improvements,  especially  in  regularity  and 
punctuality  of  attendance. 

The  number  of  pupils  registered  during  this  period  of  eleven  years  remained 
about  the  same  from  year  to  year.  The  whole  number  enrolled  for  the  first 
year  was  2,196  and  the  number  for  the  last  year  was  2,112,  a  decrease  of  eighty- 
four  pupils.  There  would  have  been  a  slight  gain  had  not  the  Catholics  opened 
their  parochial  school,  St.  Joseph's  academy,  in  the  fall  of  1879,  which  caused 
a  decrease  in  the  enrollment  for  that  year  of  226. 

•..  The  number  of  teachers  the  first  year  was  twenty-eight,  and  the  number  the 
last  year  (not  including  the  special  teacher  of  penmanship)  was  thirt\--six,  which 
made  an  increase  of  eight  teachers.  It  is  thus  seen  that  the  number  of  teachers 
was  increased  twenty-eight  per  cent,  while  the  number  of  pupils  actually  decreased 
some  three  per  cent,  which  means  that  the  number  of  pupils  to  a  teacher  was 
decreased  in  this  period,  on  an  average,  twenty-five  per  cent.  Of  the  eight 
teachers  added,  five  were  placed  in  the  north  part  of  the  city. 

When  Mr.  Andrews  resigned  the  superintendency  in  June,  1885,  it  was 
with  the  sincere  regret  of  the  board  of  education  and  the  people  generally.  In 
July,  1885,  Mr.  W.  L.  Steele,  then  county  suf>erintendent  of  schools  for  Knox 
county,  was  appointed  superintendent.  Mr.  Steele  has  continued  to  hold  that 
position  to  the  present  time. 

The  schools  having  passed  through  the  period  of  organization  and  the  re- 
actionary years  that  followed,  now  entered  on  one  most  favorable  to  their  steady 
growth  and  development.  During  these  twenty-six  years  the  board  of  education 
pursued  a  f>olicy  that  received  the  support  of  the  people,  for  its  membership, 
with  one  exception,  remained  unchanged  save  by  death,  resignation  or  removal 
from  the  city.  Under  these  conditions  whatever  plans  the  board  may  have  had 
it  could  mattire  and  carry  through  to  completion,  an  ideal  state  of  affairs  and 
one  usually  calculated  to  produce  the  best  results. 

Without  attempting  to  enumerate  all  the  changes,  those  that  gave  character 
to  the  period  and  that  will  perhaps  remain  a  permanent  part  of  the  schools  are 
here  named.  \\Tiile  all  the  buildings  save  one  have  been  erected,  enlarged  or 
remodeled,  at  a  cost  of  approximately  four  hundred  thousand  dollars,  the  high 

T<L    I— M 


562  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

school  and  the  heating  plant  were  its  chief  addition  to  the  physical  equipment. 
The  installation  of  sanitary  closets  in  place  of  the  unhealthful  and  demoralizing 
out-houses,  mechanical  ventilation,  automatic  temperature  control,  the  method  of 
admitting  light  into  the  schoolrogms,  the  drinking  fountains  and  the  school 
nurse,  were  its  contribution  to  sanitation.  No  serious  attention  was  paid  to 
sanitation  in  the  schools  prior  to  1888.  The  introduction  of  music,  drawing, 
physical  training,  manual  training  and  domestic  science  came  in  this  period; 
as  also  supplementary  reading,  the  removal  of  the  fetish  of  examinations,  and 
the  articulation  of  the  schools  with  the  public  library  by  means  of  the  children's 
reading  room.  During  this  period  also  the  average  monthly  enrollment  of 
pupils  to  a  room  was  reduced  from  forty-eight,  in  1885,  to  forty-one,  in  1910,  or 
more  than  fourteen  per  cent;  the  maximum  salary  in  the  grades  was  raised  from 
$55  to  $70  per  month,  or  more  than  twenty-seven  per  cent ;  and  a  training  school 
for  teachers  was  established.  The  inauguration  of  the  elective  system  and  the 
development  of  the  high  school  into  an  institution  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the 
many  who  wish  to  prepare  themselves  for  the  manual,  mechanical  and  commer- 
cial pursuits  of  life,  as  well  as  to  the  relatively  few  who  desire  -to  prepare  for 
college,  was  the  most  distinctive  work  of  the  period.  The  board  of  education 
may  not  at  times  have  moved  as  fast  as  it  might  have  done  or  accomplished  all 
it  was  possible  to  do;  twenty-six  years  is  a  long  time.  It  had  the  satisfaction, 
however,  of  always  moving  forward  without  ever  being  halted  or  reversed  by 
the  people;  every  step  in  advance  was  followed  by  another;  the  last  building  to 
be  erected  was  always  the  best. 

The  number  of  pupils  increased  during  this  period  to  3,814  and  the  number 
of  teachers  to  loi. 

For  a  detailed  history  of  the  schools  see  "Galesburg  Public  Schools — their 
History  and  Work," — published  by  the  board  of  education  in  1911. 


KNOX  COLLEGE        V;-     -yo:  v 
BY  PROF.  WM.  E.  SIMONDS       ;;.:;••,'; 

Among  the  colleges  of  Illinois,  Knox  college  ranks  fourth  in  point  of  age, 
having  received  its  charter  from  the  state  in  1837.  Shurtleff,  Illinois  college  and 
McKendree  were  all  chartered  in  1835,  although  instruction  was  begun  at  Shurt- 
leff  in  1831,  at  Illinois  college  in  1829  and  at  McKendree  in  1828.  The  early 
history  of  Knox  college  is  identified  with  that  of  the  city  in  which  it  stands,  for 
hioth  city  and  college  were  the  realization  of  one  idea.  . 

In  1827  Rev.  George  W.  Gale  established  a  school  upon  a  fertile  farm  ad- 
joining the  village  of  Whitesboro,  three  miles  from  the  city  of  Utica,  New  York. 
Here  he  remained  for  seven  years,  erecting  buildings  for  instruction,  for  lodg- 
ing and  for  manual  labor.  The  course  of  study  was  made  equivalent  to  a  col- 
lege course.  Of  the  teachers  whom  he  associated  with  him,  two,  Innes  Grant 
and  Xehemiah  Losey,  were  afterward  members  of  the  Knox  college  faculty.  The 
peculiar  feature  of  Mr.  Gale's  idea  was  this :  He  believed  that  in  a  college  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  and  with  Workshops  attached  young  men  could  secure  their  edu- 


THE  TRIUMVIRATE  OF  KXOX  COLLEGE 
Professors  M.  L.  Comstock,  George  Churchill,  and  Albert  Hurd. 


562  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

school  and  the  heating  plant  were  its  chief  addition  to  the  physical  equipment. 
The  installation  of  sanitary  closets  in  place  of  the  unhealthful  and  demoralizing 
out-houses,  mechanical  ventilation,  automatic  temperature  control,  the  method  of 
admitting  light  into  the  schoolrooms,  the  drinking  fountains  and  the  school 
nurse,  were  its  contribution  to  sanitation.  No  serious  attention  was  paid  to 
sanitation  in  the  schools  prior  to  1888.  The  introduction  of  music,  drawing, 
physical  training,  manual  training  and  domestic  science  came  in  this  period ; 
as  also  supplementary  reading,  the  removal  of  the  fetish  of  examinations,  and 
the  articulation  of  the  schools  with  the  public  library  by  means  of  the  children's 
reading  room.  During  this  period  also  the  average  monthly  enrollment  of 
pupils  to  a  room  was  reduced  from  forty-eight,  in  1885,  to  forty-one,  in  1910,  or 
more  than  fourteen  per  cent;  the  maximum  salary  in  the  grades  was  raised  from 
$55  to  $70  per  month,  or  more  than  twenty-seven  per  cent ;  and  a  training  school 
for  teachers  was  established.  The  inauguration  of  the  elective  system  and  the 
development  of  the  high  school  into  an  institution  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the 
many  who  wish  to  prepare  themselves  for  the  manual,  mechanical  and  commer- 
cial pursuits  of  life,  as  well  as  to  the  relatively  few  who  desire  -to  prepare  for 
college,  was  the  most  distinctive  work  of  the  period.  The  board  of  education 
may  not  at  times  have  moved  as  fast  as  it  might  have  done  or  accomplished  all 
it  was  ix)ssible  to  do;  twenty-six  years  is  a  long  time.  It  had  the  satisfaction, 
however,  of  always  moving  forward  without  ever  being  halted  or  reversed  by 
the  people ;  every  step  in  advance  was  followed  by  another ;  the  last  building  to 
be  erected  was  always  the  best. 

The  number  of  pupils  increased  during  this  period  to  3,814  and  the  number 
of  teachers  to  loi. 

For  a  detailed  history  of  the  schools  see  "Galesburg  Public  Schools — their 
History  and  Work," — published  by  the  board  of  education  in  1911. 


KNOX  COLLEGE  . 

,  Bv  PROF.  WM.  E.  SIMOXDS  ••',]-•-• 

Among  the  colleges  of  Illinois,  Knox  college  ranks  fourth  in  point  of  age, 
having  received  its  charter  from  the  state  in  1837.  Shurtleff,  Illinois  college  and 
McKendree  were  all  cliartered  in  1835,  although  instruction  was  begun  at  Shurt- 
leff in  1831.  at  Illinois  college  in  1829  and  at  McKendree  in  1828.  The  early 
history  of  Knox  college  is  identified  with  that  of  the  city  in  which  it  stands,  for 
hoth  city  and  college  were  the  realization  of  one  idea.  . 

In  1827  Rev.  George  W.  Gale  established  a  school  upon  a  fertile  farm  ad- 
joining the  village  of  \Vhitesboro,  three  miles  from  the  city  of  Utica,  New  York. 
Here  he  remained  for  seven  years,  erecting  buildings  for  instruction,  for  lodg- 
ing and  for  manual  labor.  The  course  of  study  was  made  equivalent  to  a  col- 
lege course.  Of  the  teachers  whom  he  associated  with  him,  two,  Innes  Grant 
and  Xehemiah  Losey.  were  afterward  members  of  the  Knox  college  faculty.  The 
peculiar  feature  of  ^Ir.  Gale's  idea  was  this :  He  believed  that  in  a  college  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  and  with  workshops  attached  young  men  could  secure  their  edu- 


THE  TRICMVIKATK  OK   KNOX   COUJIC.K 
Professors  M.    L.  Comstock,  George  (  hurcliin,  and   Albert    Hurd. 


;;•       r^"       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :  563 

cation  and  at  the  same  time  be  self-supporting.  All  should  be  required  to  labor 
on  the  farm  or  in  the  shops  three  hours  a  day.  Thus  they  could  provide  the 
means  of  support  and  secure  the  exercise  essential  to  their  health  and  yet  have 
sufficient  time  for  study  and  recitation.  Upwards  of  a  hundred  students  at- 
tended the  school  during  this  period.  Those  who  had  trades  were  put  to  work 
in  the  shops ;  they  paid  their  board,  which  was  charged  at  cost,  and  received  the 
proceeds  of  their  labor.  Some  were  able  to  pay  their  entire  expenses  by  their 
work.  The  rest  were  told  off  into  classes  of  half  a  dozen,  each  under  direction 
of  one  of  their  number  called  a  monitor,  and  set  at  work  on  the  farm  or  at  mar- 
ket gardening.  A  farm  superintendent  arranged  the  work  in  concert  with  the 
monitors.  The  boarding  establishment  was  supported  from  the  profits  of  the 
farm  and  labor  of  the  students  without  a  deficit.  The  funds  necessary  to  estab- 
lish the  institution  and  the  professorships  were  contributed  by  benevolent  persons 
living  in  the  vicinity  who  had  confidence  in  the  management  and  appreciated  the 
design.  Such  was  Oneida  institute  in  1834,  when  Mr.  Gale  resigned  his  con- 
nection with  it.  These  facts  are  preserved  in  a  sketch  of  the  founder  by  his 
son,  William  Selden  Gale,  from  whose  narrative  they  are  taken.  From  this  state- 
ment we  see  how  the  idea  that  was  embodied  in  the  Knox  Manual  Labor  col- 
lege was  conceived. 

In  the  cheap  government  land  of  the  fertile  central  west,  then  to  be  pur- 
chased at  one  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre,  Mr.  Gale  saw  a  great  opportunity 
:  for  the  development  of  his  idea  on  a  larger  scale.  He  would  buy  a  township 
of  land,  reserve  a  town  site  and  a  large  farm  for  the  use  of  the  college,  then 
he  would  lay  of?  the  remainder  of  the  land  in  farms,  place  on  the  land  a  price 
averaging  five  dollars  an  acre  and  with  the  proceeds  of  the  farms  and  the  town 
lots  endow  the  college.  The  project  met  with  favor  and  subscribers  to  the  plan 
were  found.  In  1835  the  committee  appointed  to  make  the  purchase  came  to 
Illinois,  inspected  the  land  available  and  completed  the  bargain.  Returning  to 
Whitesboro,  the  purchase  was  reported,  a  plat  of  the  land  was  made,  the  village 
and  farm  reservation  marked,  an  appraisal  of  from  three  to  eight  dollars  an  acre 
placed  on  each  tract  and  the  distribution  made.  ,-  ;  -  " 

January  7,  1836,  in  the  old  academy  building  in  Whitesboro  (now  Whites- 
town),  New  York,  the  original  circular  which  led  directly  to  the  founding  of 
Galesburg  and  of  Knox  college  was  adopted.  This  circular  clearly  indicates  the 
serious  moral  purpose  in  the  minds  of  the  founders.  Their  plan  comprehended 
something  very  different  from  a  mere  investment  in  western  land  for  personal 
profit,  and  something,  too,  broader  and  deeper  than  merely  the  experiment  of 
establishing  such  a  school.  Their  enterprise  was  inspired  by  a  definite  mis- 
sionary purpose  and  was  characterized  by  religious  zeal — ^although  the  material 
advantages  to  follow  were  by  no  means  lost  sight  of.  Rehearsing  the  obliga- 
tions imposed  on  Christian  people  to  devise  and  execute  plans  for  the  promotion 
of  religion  throughout  the  world  and  to  provide  for  that  purpose  an  educated 
and  devoted  ministry,  the  circular  proceeds  to  show  the  advantages  of  the  manual 
labor  system  as  furnishing  the  opportunity  to  secure  an  education  by  "hundreds 
of  youth  of  talent  and  piety  and  enterprise  (who)  stand  ready  to  enter  upon  the 
work  of  preparation  whenever  a  'wide  and  effectual  door  is  opened'  for  them." 
The  following  paragraph,  the  phraseology  of  which  strikes  oddly  on  the  mod- 
ern ear,  is  of  interest  as  indicating  the  thought  of  the  founders  regarding  the 
education  of  women :  •' 


564  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :•/;- 

'  '  "It  is  beginning  to  be  believed,  and  not  without  good  reason,  that  females  are 
to  act  a  much  more  important  part  in  the  conversion  of  the  world  than  has  been 
generally  supposed;  not  as  preachers  of  the  gospel,  but  as  helpmeets  of  those 
who  are,  and  as  instructors  and  guides  of  the  rising  generations,  not  only  in  the 
nursery,  but  in  the  public  school.  It  should  therefore  be  an  object  of  special 
aim  with  all  who  pray  and  labor  for  the  conversion  of  the  world  to  provide  for 
the  thorough  and  well-directed  education  of  females.  Experiment  has  already 
proved  that  manual  labor  may  be  successfully  introduced  into  female  seminaries, 
and  that  it  is  highly  conducive  to  health  and  piety  and  adapted  to  reduce  the 
expenses  of  education  sufficiently  to  encourage  many  young  ladies  to  qualify 
themselves  in  such  seminaries  for  fields  of  usefulness,  who,  without  that  en- 
couragement,  would  never  have  put  forth  such  efforts."  -j  •  :  '  •  • 

The  circular  closes  with  these  sagacious  words:  "It  is  perfectly  in  the  power 
of  a  /^cf  families  of  moderate  property  to  rear  up  such  institutions,  at  this  time, 
in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  on  a  permanent  basis,  unth  a  great  part  of  the 
endoivment  required  and  on  a  liberal  and  extensive  scale  with  a  great  advantage 
to  themselves  and  families..  Such  a  plan  is  here  proposed,  with  the  design,  if  it 
may  please  the  Lord,  to  carry  it  into  effect." 

There  were  forty-six  subscribers  to  the  plan.  They  voted  that  the  proposed 
institution  should  receive  the  name  Prairie  college,  but  as  this  name  was  after- 
ward  thought  not  properly  distinctive  it  was  changed  to  Knox  Manual  Labor 
college ;  and  it  was  under  that  title  that  the  new  institution  was  incorporated  in 
1837.  There  was  a  twofold  appropriateness  in  thus  adopting  the  name  of  Knox, 
for  it  would  designate  the  location  of  the  school  and  would  also  immediately  sug- 
gest the  relation  of  the  founders  to  Presbyterianism — although  not  especially 
selected  on  that  account. 

Five  of  the  original  colonists  were  named  as  incorporators ;  these  were  George 
W.  Gale,  John  Waters.  Nehemiah  West,  Thomas  Simmons  and  Nehemiah  H. 
Losey.  To  these  were  added  Matthew  Chambers  and  Frastus  Swift,  of  the  Ver- 
mont  accession,  Parnach  Owen  and  John  G.  Sanborn  of  Knoxville,  George  H. 
Wright,  a  Monmouth  physician,  and  Ralph  H.  Hurlburt,  a  leading  merchant  and 
landholder  at  Mount  Sterling;  these  two  gentlemen  were  former  residents  of 
Oneida  county,  N.  Y.  The  first  meeting  of  the  trustees  was  held  in  Knoxville, 
August  9,  1837.  The  board  organized  with  Rev.  John  Waters,  president;  Nehe- 
miah  H.  Losey,  clerk,  and  John  G.  Sanborn,  treasurer.  By  the  terms  of  the 
charter  the  board  was  made  self-perpetuating,  with  power  to  increase  the  num- 
ber  to  twenty-four  in  addition  to  the  president  of  the  college,  ex-officio  a  mem- 
ber. William  Holyoke,  Peter  Butler  and  Sylvanus  Ferris  were  at  this  time 
added.  It  was  voted  by  the  newly  organized  board  to  erect  an  academy  building 
as  soon  as  possible.  In  order  to  make  a  college  it  was  necessary  to  prepare 
material  to  fill  it. 

By  the  fall  of  1838  the  academy  was  ready  for  students  and  the  formal  open- 
ing took  place.  There  were  forty  pupils.  This  building  stood  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Main  and  Cherry  streets  and  was  afterward  moved  a  few  rods  to  the 
north,  where,  at  this  date,  it  still  stands,  in  use  as  a  boarding-house.  Nehemiah 
H.  Losey,  who,  since  the  spring  of  1837,  had  conducted  a  school  at  the  tem- 
porary  settlement  of  Log  City,  was  the  principal  and  Hiram  Marsh  was  his  as- 
sistant.  It  was  not  until  1841  that  the  college  was  fully  organized.  Rev.  Hiram 


'^ '••-''"'•     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  565 

H.  Kellogg  was  its  first  president.  The  faculty  included  Rev.  George  W.  Gale,  ^ 
professor  of  belles  lettrcs  and  acting-professor  of  ancient  languages,  with  Nehe- 
miah  H.  Losey,  professor  of  mathematics.  In  the  following  year  Innes  Grant 
was  added  as  professor  of  languages.  The  first  catalogue,  published  in  1842, 
names  ten  freshmen  and  147  preparatory  students.  The  preparatory  department 
in  the  college  must  be  distinguished  from  the  academy,  which  was  a  separate 
institution. 

'  In  1841  a  ladies'  seminary  had  been  built  on  Seminary  street,  opposite  the 
beginning  of  Tompkins  street,  at  a  cost  of  $5,000.  This  building  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1843.  The  household  effects  and  library  of  President  Kellogg  had 
been  stored  in  the  building  for  some  time,  and  it  had  also  furnished  lodging  for 
a  number  of  the  students.  Its  destruction  at  this  time  led  directly  to  the  erection 
of  the  first  building  on  the  Knox  campus,  a  brick  building  of  moderate  size,  after- 
ward  enlarged,  known  as  East  college.  This  was  built  in  1844;  it  remained, 
in  a  rather  dilapidated  condition  at  the  last,  until  torn  down  in  1900.  In  the 
following  year  a  companion  structure,  named  West  college,  was  built  on  the 
Cedar  street  side  of  the  campus.  It  was  afterward  given  the  name  of  Williston  ; 
hall;  it  remained  standing  until  its  removal  became  necessary  in  1890.  The  old 
distinctive  names  of  these  two  earlier  buildings  had  passed  from  use  long  be- 
fore  their  demolition,  and  they  were  popularly  known  as  the  "East  Bricks"  and 
the  "West  Bricks" — designations  which  not  inaptly  emphasized  the  contrast 
between  them  and  later  more  pretentious  structures.  They,  however,  served  well 
their  generation.  Not  only  did  they  contain  recitation  rooms,  offices  and  society 
halls,  they  also  supplied  quarters  for  about  forty  students.  Apparently  the  young 
ladies,  dispossessed  of  their  quarters  by  the  burning  of  the  seminary,  sought 
shelter  elsewhere.  In  1846  a  new  academy  building  was  erected  on  the  public 
square.  It  was  a  substantial  brick  structure  of  two  stories,  the  upper  story,  ac- 
cording  to  the  annual  catalogue,  being  "appropriated  to  the  female  branch."  For 
the  next  twelve  years  it  continued  to  serve  this  purpose  and  then  was  leased  to  the 
recently  organized  board  of  education,  to  be  used  for  the  new  high  school.  The 
academy  was  then  transferred  to  the  new  college  building,  and  the  "female 
branch"  was  transplanted  to  the  seminary,  where  it  has  flourished  ever  since. 
The  academy  building  was  afterward  demolished  to  make  room  for  the  Union 
hotel.  In  1843  there  were  175  students  in  the  college.  On  account  of  failing 
health.  President  Kellogg  resigned  in  1845,  ^"d  Rev.  Jonathan  Blanchard  was 
chosen  his  successor.  There  were  201  students  then  enrolled. 

The  period  of  President  Blanchard's  administration  forms  an  important  epoch 
in  the  history  of  the  college.  During  this  period  the  foundations  were  strength- 
ened,  the  enterprise  took  on  the  aspect  of  permanent  success;  and  then  there' 
came  a  crisis  in  the  affairs  of  the  institution  which,  for  a  time,  threatened  dis- 
aster.  In  June.  1846,  the  first  class  was  graduated.  Of  its  nine  members  five 
entered  the  ministry,  two  of  whom  became  missionaries;  one  became  a  lawyer, 
one  a  physician,  one  an  editor  and  one  a  professor  of  mathematics.  The  material 
growth  of  the  college  was  noteworthy.  \, 

Mr.  J.  P.  Williston  of  Northampton,  Mass.,  who  through  the  influence  of 
President  Blanchard  had  become  interested  in  the  college,  had  given  it  in  suc- 
cessive  donations  about  $10,000.  Another  liberal  benefactor  of  the  college  in 
this  early  period  of  its  history  was  Mr.  Charles  Phelps  of  Cincinnati,  a  relative 


566  ';;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  President  Blanchard,  who,  in  1853,  turned  over  to  the  trustees  the  titles  to 
eighteen  quarter  sections  of  Illinois  land,  at  an  estimated  value  of  $30,000.  The 
names  of  these  philanthropists  and  their  notable  gifts  should  not  be  forgotten  in 
the  annals  of  the  institution. 

During  the  college  year  of  1849-50  the  question  of  admitting  women  to  col- 
legiate courses  in  the  institution  was  evidently  settled  in  their  favor.  With  the 
sanction  of  the  executive  committee  a  special  department  was  conducted  for  their 
benefit  and  additional  teachers'  were  employed.  The  names  of  fourteen  young 
women  are  listed  in  the  catalogue  published  at  the  close  of  that  year  as  members 
of  this  department,  and  the  records  of  the  trustees  show  that  in  June,  1850,  they 
voted  that  a  female  collegiate  department  should  be  organized  with  a  three  years' 
course  of  study.  The  school  year  was  to  begin  regularly  on  the  first  Wednesday 
in  February  and  to  terminate  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  January.  But  the 
principle  of  co-education  had  not  yet  been  adopted.  In  January,  1851,  three 
young  women  were  graduated  from  this  department — the  first  Knox  alumnae. 

The  advent  of  the  railroad  in  1854  greatly  enlarged  the  resources  of  the  col- 
lege. A  part  of  its  land  was  selected  as  the  site  of  depots,  shops  and  yards,  and 
the  valuation  of  adjoining  property  increased  accordingly.  There  was  a  ready 
sale  for  the  city  lots  and  the  farm  was  sold  advantageously.  It  had  become  evi- 
dent long  before  this  that  the  manual  labor  feature  of  the  original  plan,  although 
successful  at  the  school  in  Whitesboro,  was  impracticable  under  college  man- 
agement in  Galesburg,  and  it  had  been  abandoned.  The  name,  Knox  Manual 
Labor  college,  having  now  become  misleading,  the  phrase  manual  labor  was,  on 
petition  of  the  trustees,  in  1857,  stricken  from  the  title  by  act  of  legislature.  It 
was  estimated  in  1855  that  the  property  of  the  college  was  worth  $400,000.  In 
1856  two  important  buildings  were  begun,  and  in  the  following  year  these  were 
completed  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $100,000.  The  central  college  building,  as  it  was 
then  called,  now  affectionately  known  as  Old  Main,  a  splendid  example  of  the 
Tudor  Gothic  style,  thus  found  its  place  on  the  campus  between  East  college  and 
Williston  hall.  The  other  building,  known  as  the  seminary,  stood  on  Tompkins 
street — and  still  stands,  the  central  portion  of  Whiting  hall.  It  accommodated 
between  eighty  and  ninety  young  women.  This  was  not  the  first  building  pro- 
vided for  the  use  of  the  female  collegiate  department;  an  earlier  seminary  had 
been  built,  at  a  cost  of  $5,000,  in  1841,  which  was  burned  in  1843.  There  had 
been  a  steady  increase  in  the  attendance,  which  in  1857  reached  446,  counting 
all  departments ;  of  these  fifty-one  were  in  the  college  classes.  The  growth  of 
the  town  had  been  very  notable.  The  following  figures  are  significant:  :; 

In  1840  the  population  was  272  (thirty-nine  families). 
;-.  •  In  1850  the  population  was  less  than  800. 

.''     In  1853  the  population  was  less  than  1400.       .    'jf  '/';•';/;::     '''^ 
•::   In  1855  the  population  was  2,916.  ::-.:.;    .    '        .•:'.•;>:''/''''     .  ' 
:     In  1857  the  population  was  5,455. 

In  1856  there  were  304  new  buildings  raised  with  a  combined  valuation  of 
$551,060;  most  of  the  dwellings  costing  from  $3,000  to  $12,000  each.  As  many 
more  were  built  in  1857.  vC ; 

Notwithstanding  the  financial  prosperity  of  the  college  at  this  point  in  its 
history,  a  serious  crisis  now  occurred.  A  bitter  controversy  had  already  developed 
over  the  question  of  denominational  control.  Presbyterians  and  Congregation- 


Hiram    II.    Kelloge 
1838-1846 


Jutiathan   Blanchard 
1846-1857 


Newton   Bateman 

1874-1892 


•    John  H.   Finley 
1892-1899 


FOUR  PRESIDENTS  OF  KNOX  COLLEGE 


566      •  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ,  .          / 

of  President  IJlanchard.  who,  in  1853,  turned  over  to  the  trustees  the  titles  to 
eighteen  ciuarter  sections  of  Illinois  land,  at  an  estimated  value  of  $30,000.  The 
names  of  these  philaiitliropists  and  their  notable  gifts  should  not  be  forgotten  in 
the  annals  of  the  institution. 

During  the  college  year  of  1849-50  the  question  of  admitting  women  to  col- 
legiate courses  in  the  institution  was  evidently  settled  in  their  favor.  With  the 
sanction  of  the  executive  committee  a  special  department  was  conducted  for  their 
benefit  and  additional  teachers  were  emjjloyed.  The  names  of  fourteen  young 
women  are  listed  in  the  catalogue  published  at  the  close  of  that  year  as  members 
of  this  department,  and  the  records  of  the  trustees  show  that  in  June,  1850,  they 
voted  that  a  female  collegiate  department  should  be  organized  with  a  three  years' 
course  of  study.  The  school  year  was  to  begin  regularly  on  the  first  Wednesday 
in  l-'ebruary  and  to  terminate  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  January.  But  the 
principle  of  co-education  had  not  yet  been  adopted.  In  January,  1851,  three 
young  women  were  graduated  from  this  department — the  first  Knox  alumnae. 

The  advent  of  the  railroad  in  1854  greatly  enlarged  the  resources  of  the  col- 
lege. A  part  of  its  land  was  selected  as  the  site  of  depots,  shops  and  yards,  and 
the  valuation  of  adjoining  property  increased  accordingly.  There  was  a  ready 
sale  for  the  city  lots  and  the  farm  was  sold  advantageously.  It  had  become  evi- 
dent long  before  this  that  the  manual  labor  feature  of  the  original  plan,  although 
successful  at  the  school  in  Whitesboro,  was  impracticable  under  college  man- 
agement in  Galesburg,  and  it  had  been  abandoned.  The  name,  Knox  Manual 
Labor  college,  having  now  become  misleading,  the  phrase  manual  labor  was,  on 
petition  of  the  trustees,  in  1857,  stricken  from  the  title  by  act  of  legislature.  It 
was  estimated  in  1855  that  the  property  of  the  college  was  worth  $400,000.  In 
1856  two  important  buildings  were  begun,  and  in  the  following  year  these  were 
completed  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $100,000.  The  central  college  building,  as  it  was 
then  called,  now  affectionately  known  as  Old  INIain,  a  splendid  example  of  the 
Tudor  Gothic  style,  thus  found  its  place  on  the  campus  between  East  college  and 
\\'illiston  hall.  The  other  building,  known  as  the  seminary,  stood  on  Tompkins 
street — and  still  stands,  the  central  portion  of  Whiting  hall.  It  accommodated 
between  eighty  and  ninety  young  women.  This  was  not  the  first  building  pro- 
vided for  the  use  of  the  female  collegiate  department ;  an  earlier  seminary  had 
been  built,  at  a  cost  of  $5,000,  in  1841,  which  was  burned  in  1843.  There  had 
been  a  steady  increase  in  the  attendance,  which  in  1857  reached  446,  counting 
all  departments :  of  these  fifty-one  were  in  the  college  classes.  The  growth  of 
the  town  had  been  very  notable.  The  following  figures  are  significant: 

In  1840  the  population  was  272  (thirty-nine  families). 

In  1850  the  population  was  less  than  800. 

In  1853  the  population  was  less  than  1,400. 

In  1855  the  ixjpulation  was  2,916. 

In  1857  the  population  was  5,455.  •.    -         . 

In  1856  there  were  304  new  buildings  raised  with  a  combined  valuation  of 
8551,060;  most  of  the  dwellings  costing  from  $3,000  to  $12,000  each.  As  many 
more  were  built  in  1857. 

Notwithstanding  the  financial  prosperity  of  the  college  at  this  point  in  its 
history,  a  serious  crisis  now  occurred.  A  bitter  controversy  had  already  developed 
over  the  question  of  denominational  control.  Presbyterians  and  Congregation- 


Iliram    II.     Kel 
l.s;!.s-I,s4G 


•:..      Jntiathaii    Itlaiicliard 


Newton    liateman 


Jiilin    II.    Kiiiley 


I'RKSIDKXTS  OK   KNOX   C'OI.LKC.E 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :•-:  667 

alists  had  been  intimately  associated  in  the  social  and  religious  life  of  the  com- 
munity. For  more  than  a  decade  they  had  worshipped  harmoniously  together  in 
that  broadly  built  and  spacious  meeting  house  on  the  square,  the  historic  First 
church  of  Galesburg.  The  official  head  of  the  college  had  served  at  times  as 
minister  to  the  congregation.  President  Kellogg  had  been  installed  as  pastor  in 
1846  and  Doctor  Blanchard  had  followed  him  in  the  pulpit  when  he  succeeded 
him  in  the  presidency,  serving  the  church  thus  for  two  years.  But  with  the 
expansion  of  the  community  jealousies  had  arisen  and  the  quarrel  grew  so 
fierce  that  it  threatened  to  disrupt  the  college.  This  is  the  period  of  what  has 
been  sometimes  called  "the  Blanchard  war."  Jonathan  Blanchard  was  a  man 
of  strong  convictions,  combative  and  fearless.  During  his  pastorate  in  Cincin- 
nati he  had  been  a  vigorous  and  outspoken  abolitionist.  After  his  removal  to 
Illinois  he  had  dared  to  meet  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  public  debate  and  was 
thought  by  his  friends  to  have  issued  from  that  encounter  with  the  honors  of 
the  field.  His  position  on  the  great  issue  of  the  time  could  not  have  been  ob- 
noxious in  Galesburg,  but  his  views  on  other  matters  had  aroused  strong  (^po- 
sition among  some  of  the  prominent  citizens ;  at  the  same  time  he  had  a  large 
and  ardent  following.  The  core  of  the  quarrel  was  the  denominational  issue  in 
Knox  college,  and  the  two  parties,  the  Presbyterians  headed  by  Rev.  George  W. 
Gale  and  the  Congregationalists  led  by  President  Blanchard,  were  intensely 
stirred.  '  :.^;  / 

The  situation  became  acute  and  at  its  annual  meeting  in  June,  1857,  the 
board  of  trustees,  by  resolution,  respectfully  requested  both  Doctor  Blanchard  and 
Mr.  Gale  to  resign  their  places  on  the  faculty.  Both  gentlemen  immediately 
complied.  When  this  action  was  announced  there  was  great  excitement.  The 
student  body,  which  was  devoted  to  President  Blanchard,  assembled  on  the  steps 
of  the  college  building  and  passed  resolutions  of  regret  at  his  departure.  Many 
of  the  undergraduates  asked  for  dismission.  The  Adelphi  and  Gnothautii  liter- 
ary societies  disbanded,  placing  their  effects  in  the  hands  of  trustees.  Only  one 
of  the  ten  members  of  the  graduating  class  appeared  on  the  commencement  plat- 
form to  deliver  his  address.  The  "war"  continued  for  many  weeks  in  pulpit,  on 
platform  and  in  the  columns  of  the  local  press.  It  became  more  than  a  local 
issue;  letters  discussing  the  situation  appeared  in  the  Congregationalist  Herald 
and  in  the  New  York  Independent.  Some  prominent  people  were  drawn  into  the 
controversy.  Pamphlets  were  printed  and  tables  compiled  to  show  what  financial 
support  had  been  given  the  institution  by  the  two  denominations.  As  late  as  in 
May,  1859,  the  general  association  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Illinois 
adopted  and  printed  a  report  reflecting  severely  on  Knox  college  and  the  Pres- 
byterians. Into  the  merits  of  this  controversy  it  is  altogether  unnecessary  to  go ; 
for  many  years  it  has  been  a  matter  of  ancient  history  and  all  bitterness  of  feeling 
has  long  since  vanished.  The  final  result  was  that  Knox  college  was  made  inde- 
pendent of  all  denominational  control  and,  happily,  thus  remains  to  this  day. 

August  21,  1857,  the  executive  committee  published  "a  circular  to  the 
students  of  Knox  college  in  the  different  departments."  It  began  and  closed  with 
the  following  statements : 

"The  executive  committee  are  happy  to  inform  you  that  the  causes  which 
led  many  of  you  to  withdraw  from  this  institution  are  now  so  far  removed  as  to 
present  no  serious  obstacle  to  your  return.  President  Blanchard  has  consented 


'  :'>-   '.'•':      •    .'  •       ''•"'•-     •''• .  '• 


568  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  • 

to  resume  his  former  place  in  the  faculty,  by  invitation  of  the  executive  commit- 
tee, and  the  place  of  Prof.  Gale  will  be  filled  by  an  experienced  and  successful 
teacher.  '••-'••'  •'  .  /"  .^  -  .:  vvO'  -•  .  -  '  r'  "•  1^- / --u X 

**:)(** 

"It  is  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  we  announce  these  arrangements  (for  board- 
ing, lodging,  etc.),  which  indicate  the  continued  and  increasing  prosperity  of  our 
college.  It  has  been  a  favored  institution.  But  the  means  of  its  usefulness  are 
now  greatly  augmented.  The  trustees  have  the  ability  and  disposition  to  add 
something  to  its  educational  advantages  every  year,  until  they  are  complete  in 
every  department.  Let  the  friends  of  the  college  implore  for  it  the  favor  of  God, 
and  we  trust  that  our  past  troubles  will  furnish  a  lesson  of  wisdom  for  our  guid- 
ance, until  those  very  troubles  shall  be  forgotten  in  the  joy  of  our  future  pros- 
perity and  success." 

In  the  spring  of  the  following  year,  1858,  Rev.  Harvey  Curtis,  D.  D.,  was 
elected  president  by  the  trustees.  The  catalogue  of  the  college  published  in  June, 
1858,  presents  some  facts  which  are  interesting  for  comparison.  The  faculty 
•was  composed  as  follows :  Rev.  Harvey  Curtis,  president-elect  and  professor  of 
intellectual  philosophy ;  Nehemiah  H.  Losey,  professor  of  mathematics  and  nat- 
ural philosophy ;  Innes  Grant,  professor  of  ancient  languages ;  Henry  E.  Hitch- 
cock, professor  of  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy  in  the  female  collegiate  ; 
department ;  Albert  Hurd,  professor  of  natural  sciences ;  E.  S.  Willcox  Phelps 
professor  of  modern  languages ;  Junius  B.  Roberts,  tutor ;  George  Churchill, 
principal  of  the  academic  department ;  Miss  Jane  Everett,  principal  in  the  female 
collegiate  department ;  Miss  Ada  H.  Hayes,  lady  principal  in  the  academic  de- 
partment ;  Miss  E.  L.  Gary,  Miss  Mary  Allen  West,  Mrs.  Sara  M.  McCall,  as- 
sistants in  the  academic  department;  Miss  E.  S.  Kendall,  teacher  of  drawing  c 
and  painting;  Miss  Jennie  W.  Sweetland,  teacher  of  the  piano.  The  chair  of  v- 
philosophy  was  filled  during  this  year  by  Ex-President  Blanchard  and  that  of 
moral  philosophy  and  belles-lettres,  by  Rev.  J.  W.  Bailey,  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  The  roll  of  students  was :  in  the  college,  109 ;  in  the  female  col- 
legiate department,  60;  in  the  academic  department,  gentlemen,  167;  ladies,  158. 
Deducting  names  appearing  more  than  once,  there  were  altogether  in  the  in- 
stitution 455  students.  :•!.•  ••:''•••'.''•'.•.-.•/ •-:'^-^'^--  '  !.  I  ?  ^:'  ; 

The  requirements  for  admission  to  the  college  were  such  as  were  then 
standard  in  American  colleges  and  were  confined  to  Latin  (Ovid,  Caesar,  Sallust), 
Greek  (Anabasis),  mathematics  (elementary  algebra)  and  geography.  No  one 
under  fourteen  years  of  age  could  be  admitted  to  the  freshman  class.  Pre- 
scribed courses  in  Latin,  Greek  and  mathematics  ran  through  the  first  three  years ; 
rhetoric  was  studied  in  the  second  half  of  the  freshman  year;  logic,  anatomy, 
physiology,  zoology  and  botany  were  taken  in  the  sophomore  year ;  chemistry, 
mineralogy,  astronomy  and  German,  in  the  junior  year.  The  senior  year  in- 
cluded courses  in  intellectual  philosophy,  plan  of  salvation,  political  economy, 
Paley's  Natural  Theology,  geology,  German  or  French,  psychology,  Butler's 
Analogy,  British  Eloquence,  Shepherd  On  the  Constitution,  moral  philosophy, 
Paley's  E'cidences,  composition  and  declamation.  It  was  a  well-rounded  course 
of  study  and,  for  its  time,  supplied  admirably  the  requirements  of  a  "liberal  edu- 
cation." In  the  curriculum  of  the  female  collegiate  department  this  course  was 
somewhat  diluted.  There  was  no  Greek ;  there  was  a  year  and  a  half  of  Latin ; 


:y;;:v  'V-p:  y     '.   -v    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :;/  569 

the  mathematics,  however,  included  about  what  was  required    in    the    college. 
There  was  a  course  in  universal  history  and  one  in  English  literature. 

The  college  library  contained  between  two  and  three  thousand  volumes;  the 
mineralogical  and  geological  cabinets  had  about  five  hundred  specimens  each, 
the  beginnings  of  that  remarkable  museum  of  natural  history  collected  by  the 
patient  effort  of  Professor  Hurd.  Special  attention  is  called  in  the  catalogue  to 
the  fact  that  an  excellent  skeleton  has  also  been  obtained  for  the  illustration  of 
anatomy.  It  is  also  announced  that  the  first  half  hour  of  each  day  is  appropriated 
to  devotional  exercises  and  to  lectures  by  the  president  on  various  moral  and  re- 
ligious subjects,  on  which  as  well  as  on  the  worship  of  Gkxi  on  the  Sabbath,  all 
the  members  of  the  institution  are  expected  to  attend.  The  chapel  talks  insti- 
tuted by  Doctor  Blanchard  were  remarkable  examples  of  the  versatility,  intel- 
lectual power  and  moral  purpose  of  that  president;  they  produced  a  lasting  im- 
pression on  the  students  of  that  generation  and  became  a  tradition  of  the  college. 

The  college  year  Was  divided  in  two  terms  of  twenty  weeks  each ;  there  was 
a  vacation  of  two  weeks  in  the  winter  and  one  of  ten  weeks  in  the  summer. 
College  opened  on  the  first  Thursday  in  September,  "at  eight-thirty  A.  M." 
The  female  collegiate  department  had  its  commencement  regularly  in  January ; 
the  college  commencement  occurred  on  the  fourth  Thursday  in  June.  Tuition  in 
the  college  and  the  seminary  was  $20  per  annum ;  in  the  academy  it  was  from 
$12  to  $i6.  All  students  paid  a  fee  of  $2  for  contingent  expenses.  Board,  room 
and  fuel  in  the  seminary  cost  $ioo  and  $5  was  charged  for  the  use  of  furniture. 
Room  rent  in  the  college  buildings  was  $6.  Board  in  the  college  boarding-house 
varied  from  $1.50  to  $2  per  week;  in  private  families  board  could  be  had  at  from 
$2  to  $2.50. 

-' .  This  year  of  1858  was  distinguished  in  the  history  of  the  time  as  the  year 
of  the  great  public  debates  between  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and  Abraham  Lincoln, 
when  the  momentous  question  of  slavery  then  agitating  the  entire  country  was 
discussed  by  Lincoln  and  Douglas,  both  men  being  candidates  for  election  to  the 
United  States  senate.  These  debates  were  held  in  seven  of  the  important  towns 
of  Illinois ;  the  fifth  in  the  series  took  place  at  Galesburg,  on  Knox  college  canj- 
pus,  October  7.  Thousands  attended.  It  was  a  great  day  for  Galesburg  and  the 
college,  and  one  of  the  most  spectacular  events  in  their  history.  A  huge  banner 
emblazoned  with  the  motto  "Knox  College  for  Lincoln"  was  stretched  across  the 
east  wall  of  the  main  college  building,  just  over  the  platform  occupied  by  the  de- 
baters. In  1860  Knox  college  conferred  on  Mr.  Lincoln  the  degree  of  LL.  D., 
and  was  thus  the  first  educational  institution  to  bestow  academic  honors  on  this 
great  citizen  of  Illinois. 

With  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  the  attendance  of  students  was  greatly 
diminished.  The  catalogue  of  1861-62  shows  but  forty-eight  names  of  young 
men,  and  of. these  five  are  designated  as  "gone  to  the  war."  George  Gregory 
Foster,  of  Newark,  Wis.,  is  starred  as  "killed  at  Fredericktown."  Mulford  E. 
Dunham,  of  Bushnell,  as  "killed  at  Fort  Donelson."  There  were  twenty-four 
young  women  in  the  seminary  and  one  hundred  students  in  the  academy  a  total 
of  172,  as  contrasted  with  455  in  1858.  In  the  following  year,  1862-63,  ^or  some 
reason  the  college  did  not  publish  a  catalogue,  but  one  was  published  by  the 
literary  societies  which  gives  the  entire  attendance  as  163.  In  1863-64  we  find 
39  men  in  the  college  and  94  in  the  academy;  seven  of  the  academy  boys  are 


570  :/  .       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;^j; 

registered  in  the  United  States  army,  and  two  in  the  navy.  There  were  129 
young  women  in  their  department,  making  a  total  of  262.  The  next  year  there 
were  but  32  men  in  the  college  and  98  in  the  academy,  the  number  of  young 
women,  however,  had  increased  to  140,  making  the  total  number  of  students  270. 
At  the  end  of  the  catalogue  for  this  year,  (1864-65)  is  printed  a  list  "of  the 
graduates  and  students  of  Knox  college,  who  have  been  or  are  now  in  the  United 
States  military  or  naval  service."  This  list  does  not  include  the  names  of 
academy  students  "because  unfortunately  their  names  have  not  been  preserved." 
Over  the  list  of  names  is  printed  the  motto:  "Honor  to  Whom  Honor."  All 
classes  from  that  of  i86i  to  that  of  1868  are  represented  here,  the  class  of  1864 
providing  eleven  names,  that  of  1865,  twelve;  there  are  in  all  fifty  names,  includ- 
ing one  adjutant,  two  majors,  one  lieutenant-colonel,  one  captain,  ten  lieutenants, 
and  four  sergeants.  Four  men  were  killed  or  died  in  the  service :  G.  G.  Foster, 
'62 ;  W.  D.  Latimer,  '63 ;  J.  W.  Shields,  '63 ;  M.  E.  Dunham,  '65.  In  a  statistical 
paper  prepared  in  1866  by  Rev.  Frederic  T.  Perkins,  pastor  of  the  First  church, 
the  statement  is  made  that  Knox  college  furnished  to  the  Union  army  two  brevet- 
brigadier  generals  and  forty-five  officers  and  privates. 

President  Harvey  Curtis  died  in  the  spring  of  1863.  On  commencement  day, 
June  25,  Rev.  William  S.  Curtis,  D.  D.,  was  inaugurated  as  his  successor.  The 
new  president  took  as  the  theme  of  his  address  "The  American  College."  In  dis- 
cussing the  relation  of  the  college  to  politics  he  described  the  dangers  of  popular 
ignorance  and  passion,  and  the  intense  love  of  power  in  political  leaders. 

"What  a  sea  have  we  spread  out  before  us,  susceptible  to  every  wind  that 
blows,  and  what  elements  of  storm  are  ever  ready  to  visit  it.  The  ship  of  state 
must  ride  upon  this  sea.  *  *  *  Its  sails  are  liable  to  be  torn;  its  masts  cut 
away ;  its  helm  may  pass  into  the  hands  of  unskillful  pilots ;  its  crew  may  become 
mutinous  and  arrayed  in  hostile  factions  one  against  another,  as  painful  events 
are  now  teaching  us."  .  •  ','  '  "'  .'I 

This  is  the  only  reference  in  this  address,  the  tone  of  which  is  purely  aca- 
demic, to  the  exciting  period  through  which  the  nation  was  passing. 

Five  years  later  the  finances  of  the  college  had  fallen  into  a  critical  state.  To 
meet  current  expenses  the  college  land  had  been  disposed  of  without  thought  of 
future  values  or  of  the  necessity  of  preserving  the  productive  endowment  on 
which  the  security  of  the  institution  must  inevitably  depend.  Although  the  lo- 
cation of  railroad  property  on  land  purchased  from  the  college  twelve  years  be- 
fore had  greatly  increased  the  value  of  its  holdings,  a  proportionate  increase  had 
taken  place  in  the  expenditures  for  buildings,  equipment  and  salaries.  The 
income  from  tuition  had  been  abnormally  decreased,  not  only  through  the  effect 
of  the  war  in  diminishing  attendance,  but  also  owing  to  the  fact  that  a  large 
proportion  of  the  students  were  on  free  scholarships  which  had  been  given  to 
each  original  purchaser  of  a  lot  at  the  founding  of  the  town,  and  which  were 
effective  for  twenty-five  years.  It  was  felt  that  an  appeal  must  be  made  to  the 
public ;  and  it  was  proposed  that  the  trustees  should  secure  a  head  for  the  insti- 
tution whose  influence  in  this  direction  would  be  recognized.  Rev.  John  P.  Gul- 
liver. D.  D.,  pastor  of  a  prominent  Congregational  church  in  Chicago,  was  selected 
for  the  position  and  accepted  the  presidency.  He  was  noted  for  his  brilliant 
talent  in  pulpit  and  on  platform,  and  it  was  thought  that  students  would  be  at- 
tracted to  the  college  by  his  reputation.  President  Gulliver  remained  at  Knox 


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570  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

registered  in  the  United  States  army,  and  two  in  the  navy.  There  were  129 
young  women  in  their  department,  making  a  total  of  262.  The  next  year  there 
were  but  32  men  in  the  college  and  98  in  the  academy,  the  number  of  young 
women,  however,  had  increased  to  140,  making  the  total  number  of  students  270. 
At  the  end  of  the  catalogue  for  this  year,  (1864-65)  is  printed  a  list  "of  the 
graduates  and  students  of  Knox  college,  who  have  been  or  are  now  in  the  United 
States  military  or  naval  service."  This  list  does  not  include  the  names  of 
academy  students  "because  unfortunately  their  names  have  not  been  preserved." 
Over  the  list  of  names  is  printed  the  motto :  "Honor  to  Whom  Honor."  All 
classes  from  that  of  1861  to  that  of  1868  are  represented  here,  the  class  of  1864 
providing  eleven  names,  that  of  1865,  twelve;  there  are  in  all  fifty  names,  includ- 
ing one  adjutant,  two  majors,  one  lieutenant-colonel,  one  captain,  ten  lieutenants, 
and  four  sergeants.  Four  men  were  killed  or  died  in  the  service :  G.  G.  Foster, 
'62 ;  W.  D.  Latimer,  '63 ;  J.  W.  Shields,  '63 ;  M.  E.  Dunham,  '65.  In  a  statistical 
paper  prepared  in  1866  by  Rev.  Frederic  T.  Perkins,  pastor  of  the  First  church, 
the  statement  is  made  that  Knox  college  furnished  to  the  Union  army  two  brevet- 
brigadier  generals  and  forty-five  officers  and  privates. 

President  Harvey  Curtis  died  in  the  spring  of  1863.  On  commencement  day, 
June  25,  Rev.  William  S.  Curtis,  D.  D.,  was  inaugurated  as  his  successor.  The 
new  president  took  as  the  theme  of  his  address  "The  American  College."  In  dis- 
cussing the  relation  of  the  college  to  politics  he  described  the  dangers  of  popular 
ignorance  and  passion,  and  the  intense  love  of  power  in  political  leaders. 

"What  a  sea  have  we  spread  out  before  us,  susceptible  to  every  wind  that 
blows,  and  what  elements  of  storm  are  ever  ready  to  visit  it.  The  ship  of  state 
must  ride  upon  this  sea.  *  *  *  Its  sails  are  liable  to  be  torn ;  its  masts  cut 
away ;  its  helm  may  pass  into  the  hands  of  unskillful  pilots ;  its  crew  may  become 
mutinous  and  arrayed  in  hostile  factions  one  against  another,  as  painful  events 
are  now  teaching  us." 

This  is  the  only  reference  in  this  address,  the  tone  of  which  is  purely  aca- 
demic, to  the  exciting  period  through  which  the  nation  was  passing. 

Five  years  later  the  finances  of  the  college  had  fallen  into  a  critical  state.  To 
meet  current  expenses  the  college  land  had  been  disposed  of  without  thought  of 
future  values  or  of  the  necessity  of  preserving  the  productive  endowment  on 
which  the  security  of  the  institution  must  inevitably  depend.  Although  the  lo- 
cation of  railroad  property  on  land  purchased  from  the  college  twelve  years  be- 
fore l;ad  greatly  increased  the  value  of  its  holdings,  a  proportionate  increase  had 
taken  place  in  the  expenditures  for  buildings,  equipment  and  salaries.  The 
income  from  tuition  had  been  abnormally  decreased,  not  only  through  the  effect 
of  the  war  in  diminishing  attendance,  but  also  owing  to  the  fact  that  a  large 
proportion  of  the  students  were  on  free  scholarships  which  had  been  given  to 
each  original  purchaser  of  a  lot  at  the  founding  of  the  town,  and  which  were 
effective  for  twenty-five  years.  It  was  felt  that  an  appeal  must  be  made  to  the 
public ;  and  it  was  proposed  that  the  trustees  should  secure  a  head  for  the  insti- 
tution whose  influence  in  this  direction  would  be  recognized.  Rev.  John  P.  Gul- 
liver. D.  D.,  ])astor  of  a  prominent  Congregational  church  in  Chicago,  was  selected 
for  the  position  and  accepted  the  presidency.  He  was  noted  for  his  brilliant 
talent  in  pulpit  and  on  platform,  and  it  was  thought  that  students  would  be  at- 
tracted to  the  college  by  his  reputation.  President  Gulliver  remained  at  Knox 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   v.-;  571 

from  1868  to  1872.  The  attendance  was  increased  and  the  faculty  was  enlarged. 
But  the  expenses  of  the  institution  increased  likewise,  and,  differing  from  the 
trustees  on  the  policy  to  be  followed,  the  trustees  insisting  on  retrenchment. 
President  Gulliver  resigned.  For  the  three  years  ensuing  there  was  no  presi- 
dent. Professor  Albert  Hurd  discharging  the  duties  of  that  office. 

Reference  has  been  made  to  the  course  of  study  in  the  female  collegiate  de- 
partment. In  June,  1870,  the  trustees  adopted  a  plan  whereby  the  young  women 
in  that  department  were  enabled  to  take  a  course  equivalent  to  that  pursued 
in  the  college  and  to  receive  the  degree  of  B.  A.  at  its  completion.  They  were 
allowed,  however,  to  take  six  years  instead  of  four  "to  avoid  injury  to  health, 
and  to  give  time  for  the  cultivation  of  the  fine  arts  and  other  accomplish- 
ments which  are  not  pursued  by  young  men."  The  courses  were  given,  as  pre- 
viously, in  the  seminary  and  in  separate  classes ;  except  that  in  the  more  ad- 
vanced studies  and  lectures  of  the  senior  year  the  young  women  attended 
classes  with  the  young  men.  It  was  not  long  after  this  until  all  recitations 
were  conducted  in  mixed  classes  in  the  college  building.  In  1891  the  distinc- 
tive course  for  women  was  abandoned  and  replaced  by  the  literary  course, 
leading  to  the  degree  of  B.  L., — bachelor  of  letters.  After  1901  this  degree  was 
no  longer  conferred,  the  literary  course  having  been  dropped  from  the  cata- 
logue two  years  before.  .  . 

In  1875  Newton  Bateman,  LL.  D.,  accepted  the  call  of  the  trustees  to  the 
presidency  and  a  new  epoch  was  begun  in  the  history  of  Knox  college.  Doctor 
Bateman,  whose  name  is  forever  linked  with  the  educational  development  of 
Illinois,  had  but  recently  retired  from  office  as  state  superintendent  of  schools 
— an  office  in  which  he  had  rendered  signal  service  for  a  period  of  fourteen 
years.  To  the  duties  of  his  new  position  he  brought  the  ripe  experience  of  that 
term  of  public  service  and  also  the  experience  gained  during  fourteen  years 
of  active  teaching  previous  to  his  work  as  superintendent.  Warm-hearted, 
genial,  sympathetic  and  tactful.  President  Bateman  was  beloved  by  his  students 
and  admired  by  his  fellow-citizens.  His  scholarly  attainments,  his  native  dig- 
nity and  nobility  of  character  commanded  universal  respect.  Throughout  the 
seventeen  years  of  his  long  period  of  service  as  its  president,  the  college  en- 
joyed a  placid  era  of  continuous  progress.  :  • 

A  department  of  musical  instruction  was  opened  in  1883  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Miss  Lepha  A.  Kelsey.  A  department  of  art  was  created  in  the  same 
year.  In  1884,  a  military  department  was  organized  under  a  law  authorizing 
the  detail  of  ten  army  officers  to  various  institutions  in  the  country ;  the  pas- 
sage of  the  bill  through  congress  was  largely  due  to  the  influence  of  President 
Bateman  who  secured  the  assistance  of  Robert  Lincoln,  the  secretary  of  war, 
and  the  two  senators  from  Illinois,  General  Logan  and  Hon.  Shelby  M.  Cullom. 
A  cadet  corps  was  maintained  at  Knox  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Spanish- 
American  war  in  1899,  after  which  event  the  special  details  were  withdrawn 
from  all  educational  institutions  except  the  state  universities.' 

An  addition  was  placed,  in  1885.  on  the  east  end  of  the  seminary,  and  given 
the  name  of  Whiting  hall  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Maria  Whiting,  for  fifteen  years 
the  beloved  and  devoted  principal.  Seven  years  later  the  west  addition  was 
built  and,  in  1894,  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  Whiting,  the  entire  building  was 
named  Whiting  hall  to  honor  her  memory.  Building  operations  were  resumed 


572  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V      1 

in  1890  with  the  erection  of  alunmi  hall,  the  gift  of  former  students  of  the 
college.  On  October  8th,  the  corner  stone  of  this  structure  was  laid  with 
appropriate  ceremony,  in  the  presence  of  several  thousand  spectators,  by 
President  Benjamin  Harrison.  The  first  half  century  in  the  life  of  college  and 
city  was  completed  in  1887;  and  the  semi-centennial  was  observed  with  enthu- 
siasm. The  town,  the  church  and  the  college  joined  in  a  three-fold  celebra- 
tion of  the  founding  in  a  series  of  gatherings  held  principally  in  the  historic 
First  church,  February  25,  26  and  27. 

The  college  was  in  a  prosperous  condition.  There  had  been  a  steady  in- 
crease in  the  attendance  during  the  years  of  President  Bateman's  incumbency. 
In  1879-80  there  were  391  students;  in  the  following  year  there  were  411;  at 
tlie  time  of  the  semi-centennial  the  total  reached  512;  and  for  the  college  year 
of  1889-90  there  were  6oi  enrolled.  The  spirit  of  the  institution  through- 
out this  administration  was  admirable,  and,  although  the  financial  situation  was 
not  materially  strengthened,  the  affairs  of  the  college  were  felt  to  be  in  good 
condition  because  of  the  popularity  it  enjoyed  and  by  reason  of  the  atmosphere 
of  harmony  and  enthusiasm  in  which  its  work  proceeded.  One  note-worthy 
gift  was  bestowed  on  the  college  in  1889.  This  was  the  first  donation  received 
from  the  Chicago  philanthropist,  the  generous  friend  of  colleges  throughout 
the  land,  Doctor  D.  K.  Pearsons.  In  1889  he  gave  to  Knox  college  real  estate 
in  Chicago  then  valued  at  $50,000.  Unfortunately  this  property  has  not  proved 
so  valuable  to  the  college  as  was  hoped;  it  has  depreciated  in  value  and  the 
income  has  decreased  in  proportion.  .,;"'-•  I  . 

In  1892,  at  the  instance  of  Doctor  Bateman,  whose  physical  strength  had 
failed  with  advancing  years,  the  board  asked  John  H.  Finley  to  accept  the 
presidency.  The  call  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Finley  but  Doctor  Bateman  con- 
tinued to  act  as  president  for  the  following  year.  President  Finley  was  inau- 
gurated at  commencement,  1893;  and  Doctor  Bateman  retained  his  relation  to 
the  college  as  president-emeritus  until  his  death,  October  21,  1897. 

At  the  time  of  his  election  to  this  office.  President  Finley  was  twenty-nine 
years  old — the  youngest  college  president  in  the  country.  He  was  a  graduate 
of  Knox  and  his  career  as  a  student  had  been  unusually  brilliant.  He  had 
worked  his  way  through  college  achieving  every  possible  honor  in  scholarship, 
had  won  the  highest  prizes  in  inter-collegiate  and  inter-state  oratorical  con- 
tests, and  had  been  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  the  institution.  After  leav- 
ing college,  Mr.  Finley  had  taken  graduate  work  at  the  Johns  Hopkins  Uni- 
versity, and  then  had  become  secretary  of  the  State  Charities  Aid  Society  of 
New  York.  He  was  the  founder  and  editor  of  The  Charities  Review,  and 
remained  its  editor  for  several  years.  To  his  new  position  he  brought  the 
enthusiasm  of  youth  and  the  devotion  of  a  loyal  son  of  the  college.  His  own 
undergraduate  life  was  so  recent  that  he  was  able  with  rare  ability  to  enter  into 
the  circumstances  and  needs  of  his  sudents,  and  the  relation  thus  established  was 
intimate  and  helpful.  The  feeling  of  personal  comradeship  that  existed  was 
remarkable.  During  President  Finley's  administration  the  modernization  of 
the  college  was  accomplished  in  the  development  of  courses  in  science;  the 
courses  in  physics,  biology  and  chemistry  were  arranged  in  separate  depart- 
ments. In  1894  the  position  of  Dean  of  Women  was  created.  Instructors  in 
physical  culture  for  both  men  and  women  were  added.  A  department  of 


^'^y.^  >•::;'         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          •  573 

Bible  study  was  established.  Special  lecturers  were  secured  from  the  univer- 
sities and  some  of  the  most  distinguished  scholars  in  the  country  were  brought 
by  President  Finley  to  supplement  and  amplify  the  work  of  the  college. 

It  was  at  this  period  that  university  extension  became  a  popular  feature 
in  education  and  numerous  lecture  study  courses  were  given  under  the  auspices 
of  the  college.  Among  the  special  lecturers  who  thus  appeared  were  Profes- 
sors J.  C  Freeman,  Richard  T.  Ely,  Frederick  J.  Turner  and  Fdward  A. 
Birge,  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin;  Frederick  Starr,  Harry  P.  Judson  and 
Albion  W.  Small,  of  the  University  of  Chicago ;  Frederick  A.  Wines  and  Jacob 
A.  Riis,  of  New  York ;  J.  Graham  Brooks,  of  Harvard  University ;  J.  W.  Jenks, 
of  Cornell  University;  William  R.  French,  of  the  Chicago  Art  Institute;  Alice 
Freeman  Palmer,  then  Dean  of  Women  at  the  University  of  Chicago;  and  Jane 
Addams,  of  Hull  House.  The  lectures  thus  delivered  were  usually  in  courses 
of  six  each,  and  covered  the  fields  of  literature,  history,  economics,  anthro- 
pology, bacteriology,  sociology,  ethics  and  art.  Knox  college  itself  took  up  the 
method  of  extension  work  and  several  of  its  own  instructors  conducted  courses 
in  nearby  towns  and  cities.  In  1894,  1895,  and  1896,  a  summer  session  of  five 
weeks  duration  was  maintained  with  some  success. 

The  custom  of  observing  the  anniversary  of  Founders'  Day  on  the  fifteenth 
of  February  was  introduced  by  President  Finley  in  1894,  on  which  occasion 
the  principal  address  was  delivered  by  Hon.  Geo.  R.  Peck,  of  Chicago,  his 
subject  being  "The  Kingdom  of  Light."  The  anniversary  of  the  Lincoln- 
Douglas  debate  was  celebrated  for  the  first  time  in  1896,  with  a  program  of 
notable  addresses  by  Hon.  Chauncy  M.  Depew  of  New  York,  Senator  Pal- 
mer of  Illinois,  Governor  Bois  of  Iowa,  and  Hon.  Robert  T.  Lincoln.  In  1900, 
a  still  more  noteworthy  celebration  occurred  when  President  William  McKin- 
ley  and  his  cabinet  honored  the  occasion  with  their  presence.  Charles  Emory 
Smith,  postmaster  general  was  the  orator  of  the  day,  but  President  McKinley, 
John  Hay,  secretary  of  state,  with  others  of  the  cabinet,  made  brief  addresses. 

During  the  seven  years  of  President  Finley's  administration  there  was  but 
one  in  which  the  attendance  fell  below  650;  in  1898-99  the  total  number  of  stu- 
dents was  673.  In  1899  Doctor  Finley  resigned  to  take  up  editorial  work  in 
New  York ;  one  year  later  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  chair  of  politics  in  Prince- 
ton University.  Prof.  Thomas  R.  Willard  served  as  acting-president  of  the  col-^^ 
lege  during  the  year  1899-1900.  ^V;  >  v'^.^.i^v^ 

With  the  opening  of  the  year  1900-1901,  began  the  administration  of  Presi- 
dent Thomas  McClelland,  whose  inauguration  took  place  on  Founders'  day," 
February  15,  1901.  Doctor  McClelland,  at  the  time  of  his  election  by  the  trus- 
tees of  Knox  college,  was  the  president  of  Pacific  University,  in  Oregon ;  a 
man  whose  long  experience  as  an  educator  and  college  executive  had  been  ac- 
companied with  distinguished  success.  His  administration,  which  has  con- 
tinued happily  to  the  present  time,  is,  perhaps,  the  most  significant  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  institution.  There  has  been  a  visible  enlargement  in  the  material 
equipment,  both  in  buildings  and  endowment;  and,  parallel  with  this  sub- 
stantial increase  in  its  resources,  there  has  been  also  a  notable  development  in 
the  position  of  the  college  as  a  conspicuous  factor  in  the  educational  work  of  the 
middle  west.  In  these  two  phases  of  its  growth,  in  this  development  both  ex- 
ternal and  internal,  those  connected  with  the  college  and  its  affairs  recognize 


674  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

the  results  of  the  wise  educational  policy,  intelligent  and  tactful  management 
and  unremitting  effort  of  iPresident  McClelland. 

The  new  gymnasium,  a  handsome  structure,  perfectly  equipped  with  all  the 
apparatus  necessary  for  the  fulfillment  of  its  useful  purpose,  was  completed  in 
1908  and  formally  dedicated  on  Founders'  day  in  that  year.  A  banquet  was 
served  in  its  spacious  hall  to  five  hundred  enthusiastic  students  and  alumni. 
The  cost  of  this  building  with  its  equipment  was  $3O,ocx).  It  has  supplied  a 
much-needed  element  in  student  life  and  now  admirably  serves  the  needs  of  the 
college  in  the  important  field  of  physical  training.  There  had  long  stood  upon 
the  campus  an  ugly,  barnlike  structure,  known  as  the  "Gym," 'erected  by  enthu- 
siastic' collegians  in  1876 ;  it  sen'ed  its  modest  purpose  fairly  well  for  a  time,  but 
became  ruinous  and  was  torn  down  in  1904,  to  be  replaced  by  its  worthier  suc- 
cessor. 

Another  notable  observance  of  the  anniversary  of  the  great  debate  oc- 
curred on  October  7,  1908,  when  Hon.  William  H.  Taft,  republican  nominee  for 
the  presidency  of  the  United  States,  was  the  guest  of  honor  and  the  distin- 
guished orator  of  the  occasion.  United  States  Senator  Theodore  E.  Burton, 
of  Ohio,  delivered  the  historical  address  of  the  day ;  and  Hon.  Adlai  E.  Steven- 
son, the  former  vice-president.  Senator  Albert  J.  Hopkins,  of  Illinois,  and  Robert 
Douglas,  of  North  Carolina,  a  grandson  of  the  Little  Giant,  were  also  speak- 
ers. 

The  administrative  force  of  the  college  was  already  engaged  upon  a  most 
important  and  most  strenuous  undertaking;  this  was  a  year-long  campaign  for 
an  endowment  fund  of  a  quarter  million.  The  successful  achievement  of  this 
task  was  finally  consummated  at  a  mass-meeting  of  students  and  friends  of 
Knox  held  in  Central  Congregational  church  on  Founders'  day,  1909.  The 
full  amount  of  this  fund  reached  $260,000,  an  amount  sufficient  to  relieve  the 
college  of  a  debt  accumulated  in  annual  deficits  for  several  years,  and  to  pro- 
duce an  income  sufficient  to  meet  the  annual  expenses  of  the  institution.  It 
was  felt  that  a  new  era  had  begun  and  that  the  greater  and  better  Knox  was 
now  assured.  To  this  endowment  fund  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie  contributed  $50,- 
,000  and  the  General  Education  Board,  which  administers  the  Rockefeller 
fund,  gave  a  like  amount ;  both  gifts  being  conditional  on  the  raising  of  the  en- 
tire sum.  Citizens  of  Galesburg  contributed  amounts  aggregating  $88,000,. 
this  amount  including  large  individual  gifts  from  resident  trustees  of  the  col- 
lege. The  remainder  of  the  fund  was  secured  in  various  sums  from  hundreds 
of  Knox  alumni  and  friends  of  the  college  scattered  from  coast  to  coast.  The 
success  of  this  laborious  and  anxious  enterprise  bears  emphatic  testimony  to 
the  genuine  and  widespread  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  institution,  as  well  as 
to  the  persevering  effort  of  President  McQelland  and  his  faithful  assistants. 

The  enthusiasm  aroused  by  this  event  was  revived  a  month  or  so  later  by  the 
announcement  of  another  very  noteworthy  and  significant  donation.  In  the 
summer  of  1909  Doctor  and  Mrs.  John  Van  Ness  Standish  gave  to  the  college 
property  estimated  at  more  than  $75,000.  This  included  a  deed  of  their 
own  beautiful  residence  and  spacious  gardens  which  face  the  college 
campus,  to  be  known  as  the  Standish  Home  for  the  President  of  Knox  Col- 
lege. The  remainder  of  the  gift  consists  of  valuable  real  estate  in  the  city  of 
Chicago.  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Standish  had  passed  the  greater  part  of  their  lives 


-:v  V  •          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;^.  575 

• 

in  Galesburg,  contributing  to  the  improvement  of  the  city  to  a  degree  that 
cannot  be  estimated.  They  had  lived  beside  Knox  college  for  many  years  and 
had  personally  interested  themselves  in  beautifying  its  somewhat  neglected 
campus.  To  them  the  college  owes  the  present  arrangement  of  trees  and  shrub- 
bery  that  now  adorn  its  grounds,  in  the  later  improvement  of  which  the  creator 
of  the  beautiful  Standish  park  has  been  an  active  agent.  Furthermore  Doctor 
and  Mrs.  Standish  had  devoted  their  lives  to  the  cause  of  education,  and  had 
long  planned  to  bestow  their  property  where  it  might  best  promote  the  cause 
of  intelligence  and  culture  after  they  should  have  passed  away.  Convinced  of 
the  permanency  of  this  institution  and  of  its  broadening  influence  and  useful- 
ness, they  thus  acted — bestowing  on  Knox  college  the  largest  single  gift  it  has 
ever  received.  .-'V^:  '  :• 

On  October  13,  a  day  appropriately  designated  as  Knox-Galesburg  day,  in 
recognition  of  the  close  relationship  existing  between  college  and  city,  the  city 
and  the  college  united  in  a  fitting  testimonial  to  these  public-spirited  benefac- 
tors.  At  noon  the  college  body,  trustees,  faculty  and  students,  with  many 
representative  citizens  of  Galesburg  gathered  in  the  gymnasium.  Doctor  and 
Mrs.  Standish  were  guests  of  honor.  An  informal  luncheon  was  followed  by 
exercises  eloquently  appreciative  of  their  philanthropic  work.  Rev.  Stuart  M. 
Campbell,  Knox  '88,  made  the  principal  address  upon  "The  Debt  of  Galesburg 
to  Doctor  and  Mrs.  Standish."  At  its  close,  in  the  name  of  the  college,  he  pre- 
sented  to  the  subjects  of  his  address  a  silver  loving-cup  "in  appreciation  of  their 
life-long,  broad-minded  and  far-reaching  service  in  behalf  of  civic  improvement 
and  the  advancement  of  education;  and  as  a  token  of  the  love  and  esteem  in 
which  they  are  held."  :  ^ 

The  last  conspicuous  addition  to  the  material  equipment  of  the  college  is 
seen  in  the  splendid  building  known  as  the  George  Davis  Science  hall,  erected 
in  1910-1911  for  the  use  of  the  departments  of  chemistry,  biology  and  physics. 
This  building  receives  its  name  in  memory  of  a  former  treasurer  of  the  college, 
•whose  son-in-law,  Mr.  J.  T.  McKnight,  for  many  years  a  useful  and  an  hon- 
ored  member  of  the  board  of  trustees,  together  with  Mrs.  McKnight,  gave  the 
sum  of  $25,000  toward  its  erection.  In  its  construction  and  furnishing  no  nee- 
essary  expense  was  spared  to  make  ample  provision  for  the  needs  of  these  de-' 
partments.  The  laboratories  are  thoroughly  modern  in  their  equipment  and 
are  not  surpassed  in  convenience  and  efficiency.  The  entire  cost  was  approxi- 
mately $ii5,ocx).  The  dedication  of  Science  hall  was  the  feature  of  the  annual 
Founders'  day  celebration  in  1912. 

•  A  change  was  made  in  the  educational  policy  of  the  institution  in  1909, 
when  the  official  board  determined  to  discontinue  the  existence  of  the  Knox 
academy.  It  had  become  apparent  that  this  department  was  no  longer  a  neces- 
sity. With  the  modern  development  of  the  high  schools  throughout  the  ter- 
ritory from  which  Knox  receives  her  students,  the  number  of  those  entering 
the  preparatory  department  had  steadily  decreased  until  practically  no  students 
were  enrolled  below  the  third  year,  and  most  of  these  were  here  merely  to 
make  up  deficiencies  that  could  be  covered  in  a  single  year  of  well-ordered 
work.  Thus  in  1909-10  there  were  in  the  academy  but  thirty-five  students,  as 
compared  with  352  in  the  college,  136  of  whom  were  regular  freshmen. 

To  render  the  general  equipment  of  the  college  more  complete  a  heating  ^. 


576  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  lighting  plant,  costing  $40,000  with  its  connections,  was  built  in  1911.  It 
stands  on  a  lot  just  east  of  VVillard  field,  and  furnishes  steam  heat  and  electric 
lighting  for  all  the  college  buildings. 

Knox  college  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  educational  institution 
in  Illinois — and  to  this  date  the  only  one — to  be  placed  upon  the  list  of  the 
Carnegie  Foundation  for  the  advancement  of  Teaching.  This  admits  the  pro- 
fessors on  its  faculty  to  benefits  of  the  retiring  allowance  provided  by  that 
fund.  Especially  significant  is  the  recognition  thus  given  to  the  standing  of 
the  college  in  the  educational  world.  Equally  significant  is  the  recent  establish- 
ment of  a  system  of  exchange  professorships  with  Harvard  University.  The 
plan  originated  at  Harvard.  Four  representative  colleges  in  four  western 
states  are  included  in  the  arrangement :  Knox,  Beloit,  Grinnell  and  Colorado. 
By  the  terms  of  this  agreement  Harvard  is  to  send  a  professor  for  a  half  year 
to  these  colleges,  dividing  his  time  equally  among  them,  and  giving  such  regu- 
lar instruction  in  their  courses  as  they  may  require.  In  return  each  of  the  four 
colleges  is  entitled  to  send  to  Harvard  each  year  one  of  its  instructors  for  half 
a  year,  with  the  understanding  that  he  is  to  devote  one-third  of  his  time  as  an 
assistant  and  the  rest  of  his  time  to  graduate  or  research  work  in  Harvard 
university.  The  significance  of  this  agreement  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  is  an  al- 
liance between  colleges  that  stand  for  the  integrity  of  the  four  year  college 
course  and  a  university  that  is  committed  to  the  same  educational  policy.  The 
plan  went  into  operation  in  1912.  Albert  Bushnell  Hart,  Eaton  professor  of 
the  science  of  government,  at  Harvard  University,  spent  the  month  of  February 
at  Knox  college.  He  gave  courses  in  American  history  and  American  govern- 
ment, and  a  series  of  eight  public  lectures  on  American  biography ;  he  also  de- 
livered four  illustrated  lectures  on  Japan,  China,  India,  and  the  Philippine  Is- 
lands. '  '. :; '  ." •-  •' 

The  policy  of  the  institution  throughout  its  history  has  been  to  fulfill,  in  so 
far  as  its  equipment  permitted,  the  ideal  of  a  college  education.  The  scope  of 
its  work  has  varied  at  different  periods.  Some  of  the  departments  of  the  in- 
stitution in  its  earlier  years  have  been  successively  abandoned ;  the  so-called 
commercial  courses,  the  department  of  art,  and  finally  the  preparatory  depart- 
ment, the  old  academy,  have  been  discontinued.  The  curriculum  of  the  college 
itself  has  been  broadened  and  strengthened ;  its  faculty  has  been  increased  until 
it  now  numbers  twenty-three  active  members ;  its  equipment  has  been  greatly 
enlarged ;  but  its  does  not  seek  to  enter  the  field  of  the  university.  It  stands  for 
recognized  college  work  and  does  not  attempt  that  of  the  special  or  profession- 
al school.  Although  the  lines  of  admission  and  classification  are  now  closely 
drawn  the  number  of  students  in  attendance  has  increased  steadily.  In  the 
seventy-fifth  year  of  its  existence  Knox  contains  a  body  of  346  college  students. 

The  limits  of  this  history  will  not  permit  any  account  of  the  social  and  liter- 
ary activities,  which  form  so  prominent  a  part  of  undergraduate  student  life; 
but  no  sketch  of  Knox  college  would  be  adequate  which  omitted  mention  of  the 
service  rendered  by  instructors  and  trustees.  The  members  of  the  executive 
board  of  the  college  have  from  the  first  been  men  of  integrity  and  ability,  loyal 
to  the  highest  interests  of  the  institution,  and  often  displaying  a  remarkable 
degree  of  wisdom  and  foresight  in  their  supervision  of  its  affairs ;  had  it  been 
otherwise  Knox  College  would  not  stand  where  it  does  today.  It  must  be  re- 


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5T6  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  lighting  plant,  costing  $40,000  with  its  connections,  was  built  in  1911.  It 
stands  on  a  lot  just  east  of  VVillard  field,  and  furnishes  steam  heat  and  electric 
lighting  for  all  the  college  buildings. 

Knox  college  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  educational  institution 
in  Illinois — and  to  this  date  the  only  one — to  be  placed  upon  the  list  of  the 
Carnegie  Foundation  for  the  advancement  of  Teaching.  This  admits  the  pro- 
fessors on  its  faculty  to  benefits  of  the  retiring  allowance  provided  by  that 
fund.  Especially  significant  is  the  recognition  thus  given  to  the  standing  of 
the  college  in  the  educational  world.  Fqually  significant  is  the  recent  establish- 
ment of  a  system  of  exchange  professorships  with  Harvard  University.  The 
plan  originated  at  Harvard.  Four  representative  colleges  in  four  western 
states  are  included  in  the  arrangement :  Knox,  Beloit,  Grinnell  and  Colorado. 
By  the  terms  of  this  agreement  Harvard  is  to  send  a  professor  for  a  half  year 
to  these  colleges,  dividing  iiis  time  equally  among  them,  and  giving  such  regu- 
lar instruction  in  their  courses  as  they  may  require.  In  return  each  of  the  four 
colleges  is  entitled  to  send  to  Harvard  each  year  one  of  its  instructors  for  half 
a  year,  with  the  understanding  that  he  is  to  devote  one-third  of  his  time  as  an 
assistant  and  the  rest  of  his  time  to  graduate  or  research  work  in  Harvard 
university.  The  significance  of  this  agreement  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  is  an  al- 
liance between  colleges  that  stand  for  the  integrity  of  the  four  year  college 
course  and  a  university  that  is  committed  to  the  same  educational  policy.  The 
plan  went  into  operation  in  1912.  Albert  Bushnell  Hart,  Eaton  professor  of 
the  science  of  government,  at  Harvard  University,  spent  the  month  of  February 
at  Knox  college.  He  gave  courses  in  American  history  and  American  govern- 
ment, and  a  series  of  eight  public  lectures  on  American  biography ;  he  also  de- 
livered four  illustrated  lectures  on  Japan,  China,  India,  and  the  Philippine  Is- 
lands. 

The  policy  of  the  institution  throughout  its  history  has  been  to  fulfill,  in  so 
far  as  its  equipment  permitted,  the  ideal  of  a  college  education.  The  scope  of 
its  work  has  varied  at  different  periods.  Some  of  the  departments  of  the  in- 
stitution in  its  earlier  years  have  been  successively  abandoned ;  the  so-called 
conmiercial  courses,  the  department  of  art,  and  finally  the  preparatory  depart- 
ment, the  old  academy,  have  been  iliscontinued.  The  curriculum  of  the  college 
itself  has  been  broadened  and  strengthened ;  its  faculty  has  been  increased  until 
it  now  numbers  twenty-three  active  members ;  its  equipment  has  been  greatly 
enlarged :  but  its  does  not  seek  to  enter  the  field  of  the  university.  It  stands  for 
recognized  college  work  and  does  not  attempt  that  of  the  special  or  profession- 
al school.  Although  the  lines  of  admission  and  classification  are  now  closely 
drawn  the  number  of  students  in  attendance  has  increased  steadily.  In  the 
seventy-fifth  year  of  its  existence  Knox  contains  a  body  of  346  college  students. 

The  limits  of  this  history  will  not  permit  any  account  of  the  social  and  liter- 
ary activities,  which  form  so  prominent  a  part  of  undergraduate  student  life; 
but  no  sketch  of  Knox  college  would  be  adequate  which,  omitted  mention  of  the 
service  rendered  by  instructors  and  trustees.  The  members  of  the  executive 
board  of  the  college  have  from  the  first  been  men  of  integrity  and  ability,  loyal 
to  the  highest  interests  of  the  institution,  and  often  displaying  a  remarkable 
degree  of  wisdom  and  foresight  in  their  supervision  of  its  affairs ;  had  it  been 
otherwise  Knox  College  would  not  stand  where  it  does  today.  It  must  be  re- 


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;.;.r'T        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        •"•  577 

membered,  too,  that  the  college  has  been  carried  under  their  guidance  and 
with  their  liberal  assistance  through  some  difficult  and  critical  experiences. 
The  success  of  any  educational  institution  is  closely  associated  with  the  in- 
fluence of  the  stronger  personalities  among  its  teachers.  This  is  eminently  true 
of  Knox  college.  The  lives  of  three  men  are  inseparably  interwoven  with  the 
life  of  the  college.  These  were  the  men  who  composed  the  "triumvirate"  as,  in 
the  closing  years  of  their  long  and  splendid  service  they  were  affectionately 
called.  George  Qiurchill,  Knox,  1851,  became  principal  of  the  academy  in  1855 
and  remained  its  head  for  forty-five  years,  until  his  death  in  1899.  Albert  Kurd, 
Middlebury,  1850  became  a  member  of  the  Knox  faculty  as  teacher  of  the  sci- 
ences,  in  1851 ;  in  1897  he  was  made  professor  of  Latin,  and  continued  to  fill 
that  chair  until  his  death  in  1906,  having  taught  continuously  in  the  college  for 
fifty-five  years.  Milton  L.  Comstock,  Knox,  1851,  became  professor  of  mathe- 
matics in  1858,  retiring  from  active  work  in  1898.  He  died  in  1906.  With 
the  record  of  these  men,  strong  in  character  and  great  teachers,  stands  that 
of  Mrs.  Sarah  M.  McCall,  Mt.  Holyoke,  1851,  who  became  an  instructor  in 
Knox  academy  in  1865.  She  was  principal  of  the  Galesburg  high  school  from 
1869  to  1876,  when  she  became  again  an  instructor  in  Knox  academy  where 
;  she  remained  until  her  retirement  in  1901.  Her  death  occurred  in  1906. 
The  extent  to  which  the  influence  of  these  noble  liv;es  has  entered  into  the 

'' 

spirit  of  Knox  graduates  and  former  students  who  have  established  the  reputa- 
;  tion  of  their  college  in  all  parts  of  the  world  and  in  every  field  of  honorable 
activity  can  not  be  estimated.     And  it  is  in  the  ability  and  usefulness  of  its 
graduates  that  a  college  is  justified. 

';;•-.v^^^'';•>^•'v''V•'X.vJ:  MUSIC  IN  KNOX  COLLEGE  ^v,;::  .  :'''.^::''::;.:K 'v; ;.•-../:- 

-:  .^:     V  :^;;      .,'i'       BY  PROF.  WM.  F.  BENTLEY      ;        :     '-;^' 

The  history  of  music  in  Knox  college  is  simply  a  repetition  of  the  history 
of  music  in  America,  although  when  Knox  college  was*  founded  in  1837,  music 
was  past  the  early  stages  of  our  Puritan  Fathers,  who  believed  that  musical 

;  instruments  belonged  to  the  devil  and  had  no  place  in  our  religious  life.  The 
Puritan  clergy  opposed  even  the  study  of  music ;  "The  names  of  the  musical 
notes  were  considered  blasphemous."  "To  sing  man's  melody  was  a  vain  show 
of  art."  "God  could  not  take  delight  in  praises  where  the  man  of  sin  had  a 
hand  in  making  the  melody."  Having  to  overcome  so  much  of  opposition  it  is 

,  no  wonder  that  music  in  America  in  1837  was  still  in  the  crudest  of  conditions, 
and  only  comparatively  a  few  of  those  who  lived  in  the  larger  cities  of  our 
country,  even  in  the  "Hub,"  Boston,  knew  music  as  an  art  or  science.  Music, 
however,  is  a  part  of  man's  existence,  the  same  as  speech,  and  as  men  converse 
together  without  a  knowledge  of  grammar  or  rhetoric,  so  they  sing  and  play 
upon  instruments  without  a  knowledge  of  melody  or  harmony. 

Music  in  Galesburg  and  in  Knox  college  was,  at  first,  principally  vocal 
music,  as  there  were  few  musical  instruments  owned  by  the  dwellers  in  "Log 
City."  A  limited  number  of  Psalm  tunes  sung  "by  ear"  was  the  extent  of  the 
religious  music  of  the  day.  The  popular  music  consisted  of  love  songs,  bal- 
lads, glees,  and  rounds,  both  humorous  and  pathetic,  which  all  tried  to  sing. 


VoL  1—87 


578  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

During  the  long  winter  evenings,  the  great  diversion  for  the  young  people, 
as  well  as  the  old,  was  "The  Sings,"  which  were  held  in  the  different  homes 
and  which  were  greatly  enjoyed,  the  refreshments  of  pop-corn,  apples,  and 
cider,  aiding,  no  doubt,  in  the  enjoyment. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  follow  in  detail  the  growth  of  this  early  music, 
but  that  is  not  the  object  of  this  article ;  therefore  only  a  few  facts  will  be  men- 
tioned, and  for  this  data  the  writer  quotes  largely  from  historical  articles  writ- 
ten by  Prof.  George  Churchill  and  Mrs.  John  T.  Avery,  which  have  previously 
appeared  in  our  college  and  city  papers.  :  ••  L.  ,-.  -  .  .-:  I  ' 

Of  the  early  settlers  there  were  a  number  who  had  really  good  voices,  and 
could  sing  fairly  well,  notably  Silas  Olmstead  and  E.  R.  Adams,  both  of  whom 
brought  real  musical  culture  and  training  from  the  east.  The  musical  families, 
of  the  Holyokes,  Hitchcocks,  Mills,  Lymans,  Waters,  Churchills,  and  Stanleys, 
besides  many  others,  helped  to  make  Galesburg  noted  for  good  congregational 
singing.  Mrs.  Palmer,  sister  of  Levant  Dilley,  was  considered  the  leading 
singer  among  the  women.  In  1837  John  Kendall  and  wife  came  from  New 
York.  He  had  a  good  voice,  and  brought  with  him  his  violoncello,  the  first  one 
in  the  colony.  Naturally,  he  led  the  music  in  church  with  voice  and  instrument, 
although  he  remained  only  a  short  time.  The  first  piano  was  owned  by  Mrs. 
S.  F.  Dolbear  who  was  the  first  piano  teacher  in  the  college  and  city.  Mr. 
Wm.  B.  Hamblin,  a  shoemaker,  owned  the  first  violin.  The  first  melodian 
(purchased  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.)  was  brought  to  Galesburg  by  Riley  Root.  The 
first  singing  master  was  Samuel  R.  Bacon,  who  in  1839  came  with  his  bride, 
also  a  singer,  and  settled  with  the  colony  at  Geneseo,  Illinois.  Mr.  Bacon  made 
frequent  visits  to  Galesburg,  and  conducted  here  the  old  fashioned  singing 
school  for  many  years.  He  was  a  genuine  master  of  music  with  boundless 
enthusiasm,  a  master  of  reading,  of  expression,  of  purity  of  tone,  and  of  the 
scientific  use  of  the  voice.  He  with  his  violin  did  a  great  and  lasting  work  for 
musical  Galesburg. 

August  15,  1843,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  held  in  the  schoolhouse  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  band.  The  organization  was  perfected  under  the 
name  of  "The  Galesburg  Citizens*  Band,"  and  give  its  first  concert  March  27, 
1844.  This  band  was  in  demand  in  all  the  nearby  towns  as  well  as  at  home  for 
all  celebrations,  college  commencements,  etc.  The  first  great  success  of  the 
band  was  scored  when  they  furnished  the  music  at  a  monster  presidential  gath- 
ering of  the  Henry  Gay  campaign  in  Peoria,  June,  1844,  and  their  elegant  band 
wagon  drawn  by  six  horses  attracted  much  attention. 

Following  Mr.  Bacon,  the  second  musician  of  great  and  sterling  worth  was 
Mr.  L.  B.  Miller,  who  moved  to  Galesburg  in  1856.  Mr.  Miller's  voice  was  a 
sweet,  pure  tenor,  and  as  a  teacher  he  excelled.  He  brought  out  many  of  the 
choruses  from  oratorios  and  cantatas  with  large  and  finely  drilled  singing 
classes.  He  organized  the  first  male  glee  club  of  the  city. 

Up  to  1859  no  other  musical  event  quite  equalled  the  placing  of  the  pipe 
organ  in  the  Old  First  church.  For  several  years,  Mrs.  S.  M.  Owen  was  the 
organist.  Mr.  Owen  was  an  excellent  teacher,  and  the  energetic  leader  of  the 
choir.  After  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Owen  left  Galesburg,  Mrs.  Lyman  West  played 
the  organ  for  two  or  three  years ;  then  came  Prof.  Charles  Fuhrmann  who  was 
a  trained  musician  and  a  really  good  player  on  both  organ  and  piano.  Gales- 


-     V  ;v  :  ;   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


579 


,      burg  and  Knox  college  owe  a  great  debt  to  this  man;  his  ideals  were  high  and 
;  v     the  standard  of  music  as  an  art  was  perceptibly  raised. 

.   ;    •    During  the  period  of  the  civil  war,  the  war  songs  helped  stir  all  hearts 

'.,.   with  patriotic   fervor.     Mrs.   M.  D.  Cooke    with    characteristic    energy,    went 

.  ;    about  the  schools  and  taught  the  children  war  songs.     She  did  such  efficient 

:   •     work  in  training  the  children  that  the  board  of  education  conceived  the  idea  of 

engaging  her  as  a  permanent  instructor  for  several  years. 

i, '          Galesburg,  like  niany  other  American  cities  of  a  half  century  ago,  passed 
\       through  the  musical  convention  stage.     George   F.   Root,   Wm.   P.   Bradbury, 
.     and  other  prominent  men  held  conventions  here,  and  both  the  college  and  the 
•,    city  gave  staunch  support.     Qioral  music  became  one  of  the  distinct  features 
:   "•   of  college  and  city  life.  •.;  ;  ^;  ..• 

;  '          The  music  in  Knox  college  was  so  intimately  associated  with  the  music  in 
Galesburg  that  it  is  difficult  to  separate  the  two  distinct   factions,   for   Knox 
.   '.    college  did  not  engage  its  music  teachers  as  it  did  the  other  instructors,  on  a 
salaried  basis;  it  simply  recommended  certain  teachers  from  the  city  to  the  vari- 
ous students  who  wished  to  study  music.     The  names  of  the  teachers   thus 
'; .   recommended  appeared  in  the  catalog  as  members  of  the  faculty,  but  there  was 
no  course  in  music  offered,  and  the  college  owned  no  instrument  except  the 
:      little  organ  used  for  chapel  exercises.    The  name  of  Mrs.  S.  F.  Dolbear  appears 
:       in  the  catalog  of  1852  as  teacher  of  music,  and  this  was  the  beginning  of  a 
'  •?    long  list  of  music  teachers.         ,      ,   , 
,   '         Miss  Mary  Flagg,   1854.  ; -..•.' 

'.':        ;'  Mrs.  S.  C.  Qiappell,  1855.        •     ' 
';.        -     Miss  Mary  E.  Comstock,  1855. 
-'   V^  Miss   E.   S.   Kendall,    1858. 
.Miss  Jennie  W.   Sweetland,    1858. 

Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Rollo,  1868  (music  students'  names  appearing  in  catalog  for 
.,      the  first  time,  28  students). 
...,;,  Miss  Fannie  W.  Robinson,  Mrs.  Ella  Adele  Olmstead,  1869-70.  .;*"...'•:-,.,.,:  ,j 

'   .-Mrs.  Mary  Ives  Seymore,  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Disbrow,  1870-71. 
:  Mrs.  Mary  F.  Disbrow,  1871-72, 

.'.'       Miss  Julia  M.  Farr,  1872-73.  .  '     '  '^  :^^;     ;" 

•••  •;       Prof.  John  S.  Fuller,  1873-78.  :/:;;    ,    ;.     : . :.:'  v  ;;:;^,  f  'y^-; 

••  .; '    Prof.  Carl  Laux,  Mrs.  Chas.  Hurd,  Mrs.  Emila  B.  Laux,   1878-79.        •  ;  ' 
\  ;  (At  this  time  lessons  in  harmony  were  introduced.)     .  .  .^    I-  ;.'i 

'•.:;/ Prof.  Carl  Laux,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Laux,   1879-80.  ^  •  -^^  :v 

:''•-.;  Mrs.   E.   Clara   Pratt,    i88o-8i.  ^'      ,v  ^V?  ;"  '  ^:.^     '^  v;:^ 

.|;;  ;-  :Miss  Hattie  Adams,  Miss  Julia  Brewer,  1881-82.  :  ; ;      \,  - 

•:  Harry   C.   Brooks,   1882-83.      (Mr.   Brooks   was   regularly  engaged  by   the 

;.     college,  upon  a  percent  plan  of  salary.) 

.    '•       From  1868  to  1883  the  average  yearly  attendance  was  46  students. 
\  /        Lepha  A.  Kelsey,  Florence  Sperry,  Charles  Lindoft,  E.  D.  WycofF,  1883-84. 
•  .  In  this  year  a  prescribed  course  in  piano,  voice,  violin,  organ  and  harmony 

was  formulated,  and  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music  was  established  as  a  regular 
department  of  the  college. 

Miss  Lepha  .A.  Kelsey  remained  as  director  for  the  following  year,   1884- 
.:  ;•.  85,  but  in  the  fall  of  1885  the  writer  of  this  article  was  called  to  take  full  charge 


Miss  Eliza  Shepherd,  1859. 
Prof.  Chas.  Fuhrmann,  1860. 
Mr.  Geo.  F.  Bacon,  1860. 
Miss  Mary  L.   Hatch,    i86i. 
William  August  Henning,   1866. 


580  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  this  department  of  the  college,  and  for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  has 
.  labored  incessantly   for  the   educational,  artistic,  and  financial   success  of  the 

institution. 

;  Although  the'  present  director  was  practically  the  founder  of  the  conserva- 
tory, yet  if  he  had  not  had  the  assistance  and  support  of  Mrs.  Maria  Whiting, 
who  was  at  that  time  the  principal  of  "the  ladies'  seminary,"  now  "Whiting 
hall,"  he  could  have  accomplished  but  a  small  part  of  what  has  been  realized. 

The  equipment  in  1885  consisted  of  an  old  cabinet  organ,  two  old  square 
pianos,  and  one  new  upright.  The  present  equipment  consists  of  a  fine  large 
three  manual  pipe  organ  in  Beecher  chapel,  and  three  two  manual  pedal  organs, 
all  pumped  with  electric  motors.  The  school  owns  also  six  large  grand  pianos, 
and  twenty  upright  pianos  for  practice.  For  the  orchestra  the  school  has  pur- 
chased a  number  of  instruments,  and  has  an  extensive  library  of  music. 

While  the  growth  of  Knox  conservatory  has  been  slow,  the  standards  are 
high,  and  a  diploma  from  this  department  of  the  college  takes  with  it  an  as- 
surance of  good  technical  attainments  and  a  thorough  appreciation  of  the  intel- 
lectual and  artistic  in  music.  There  is  now  an  extended  course  offered,  leading 
to  the  degree  of  musical  bachelor. 

The  home  of  the  conservatory  has  always  been  in  Whiting  hall;  indeed,  the 
east  end  of  the  building  was  originally  built  for  its  use  and  as  a  home  for  L. 
M.  I.  society.  The  pressing  need  of  the  school  at  the  present  time,  if  it  is  to 
grow,  is  a  building  thoroughly  modern  and  up  to  date,  so  that  a  large  number 
of  students  can  be  accommodated. 

It  is  one  thing  to  plan,  another  to  carry  out  the  plan,  and  it  is  to  the  list  of 
•professors  and  instructors  we  must  turn  if  we  would  know  why  Knox  con- 
servatory has  succeeded.     Some  of  these  professors  have  worked  many  years 
side  by  side  with  the  director  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm. 

The  following  list  contains  only  those  who  were  in  the  school  as  regular 
teachers  for  five  or  more  years.  .}  >.  .  .  '  (.  •; 

John  Winter  Thompson,  Mus.  B.,  teacher  of  organ  and  theory  of  music; 
twenty-two  years'  service;  member  of  present  faculty. 

Susan  K.  Clisbee  (Countryman),  teacher  of  violin;  twenty  years'  service. 

Florence  Josephine  Lee  (Whitman),  A.  M,,  teacher  of  voice;  six  years'  serv- 

:'!'  ice- 

Blanche  M.  Boult,  teacher  of  pianoforte  ;  nineteen  years'  service  ;  member  of 
present  faculty. 

Frederick  M.  Mueller,  Mus.  B.,  teacher  of  organ,  theory  and  pianoforte; 
eleven  years'  service.  ,;•  V=i  •  ',.':'•.  •  ^  • 

Harriet  W.  Webster,  teachef  of  pianoforte;  eighteen  years'  service.    ,;-,.. 

Bessie  Cary,  teacher  of  voice;  six  years'  service. 

Forrest  Horrell  (Kellogg),  teacher  of  voice;  six  years'  service.  •     •  ' 
•;        Selma  Zetterberg  (Stromberg),  teacher  of  pianoforte;  six  years'  service. 
'-,       Emelie  C.  Waste,  teacher  of  pianoforte;  five  years'  service.    ,.:]-•.-:•'-:. 
•;        Allan  B.  Dow,  teacher  of  pianoforte;  five  years'  service. 

Lilian  Elwood,  teacher  of  voice;  five  years'  service;  member  of  present  fac- 
'  '  ' 


.        William  Blake  Carlton,  teacher  of  voice  ;  five  years'  service  ;  member  of  pres- 
ent faculty.         .  ,      .'          .          V. 


WHITING  liALL 


Located  on  Tompkins  Street,  between  Cherry  and   Broad.     Erected  in  1857.     Remodeled  in  1885  and 
1892.      Value,  $70,000.     East  wing  occupied  by   Knox  Conservatory  of  Music. 


OLD  MAIN   AND   EAST  WING,  ALUMNI   H.\LL 

Old   Main   erected   in   1857.      Value,   $50,000.      Business   office   of   the   college. 
Alumni  Hall  erected  in  1890-1.     Corner-stone  laid  by  President  Harrison.     Value,  $75,000. 


580  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  this  department  of  the  college,  and  for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  has 
labored  incessantly  for  the  educational,  artistic,  and  financial  success  of  the 
institution.  .  .  ;  : 

Although  the  present  director  was  practically  the  founder  of  the  conserva- 
tory, yet  if  he  had  not  had  the  assistance  and  support  of  Mrs.  Maria  \\'hiting, 
who  was  at  that  time  the  principal  of  "the  ladies'  seminary,"  now  "Whiting 
hall,"  he  could  have  accomplished  but  a  small  part  of  what  has  been  realized. 

The  equipment  in  1885  consisted  of  an  old  cabinet  organ,  two  old  square 
pianos,  and  one  new  upright.  The  present  equipment  consists  of  a  fine  large 
three  manual  pipe  organ  in  I'eecher  chapel,  and  three  two  manual  pedal  organs, 
all  pumped  with  electric  motors.  The  school  owns  also  six  large  grand  pianos, 
and  twenty  upright  pianos  for  practice.  For  the  orchestra  the  school  has  pur- 
chased a  number  of  instruments,  and  has  an  extensive  library  of  music. 

\\'hile  the  growth  of  Knox  conservatory  has  been  slow,  the  standards  are 
high,  and  a  diploma  from  this  department  of  the  college  takes  with  it  an  as- 
surance of  good  technical  attainments  and  a  thorough  appreciation  of  the  intel- 
lectual and  artistic  in  music.  There  is  now  an  extended  course  offered,  leading 
to  the  degree  of  musical  bachelor. 

The  home  of  the  conservatory  has  always  been  in  Whiting  hall ;  indeed,  the 
east  end  of  the  building  was  originally  built  for  its  use  and  as  a  home  for  L. 
M.  I.  society.  The  pressing  need  of  the  school  at  the  present  time,  if  it  is  to 
grow,  is  a  building  thoroughly  modern  and  u\)  to  date,  so  that  a  large  number 
of  students  can  be  accommodated. 

It  is  one  thing  to  plan,  another  to  carry  out  the  plan,  and  it  is  to  the  list  of 
professors  and  instructors  we  must  turn  if  we  would  know  why  Knox  con- 
servatory has  succeeded.  Some  of  these  professors  have  worked  many  years 
side  by  side  with  the  director  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm. 

The  following  list  contains  only  those  who  were  in  the  school  as  regular 
teachers  for  five  or  more  years.  [ 

John  Winter  Thompson,  Mus.  B..  teacher  of  organ  and  theory  of  music; 
twenty-two  years'  service ;  member  of  present  faculty. 

Susan  K.  Clisbee  (Countryman),  teacher  of  violin;  twenty  years'  service. 

Florence  Josephine  Lee  (Whitman),  A.  M.,  teacher  of  voice;  six  years'  serv- 
ice. 

Blanche  M.  Boult.  teacher  of  pianoforte;  nineteen  years'  service;  member  of 
present  faculty. 

Frederick  M.  Mueller,  Mus.  B.,  teacher  of  organ,  theory  and  pianoforte; 
eleven  years'  service.  '  |  .;; 

Harriet  W.  Webster,  teacher  of  pianoforte;  eighteen  years*  service. 

Bessie  Cary,  teacher  of  voice;  six  years'  service. 

Forrest  Horrell   (Kellogg),  teacher  of  voice;  six  years'  service.  ' 

Selma  Zetterberg  (Stromberg),  teacher  of  pianoforte;  six  years'  service. 

Emelie  C.  Waste,  teacher  of  pianoforte;  five  years'  service.       i        .        . 

Allan  B.  Dow,  teacher  of  pianoforte ;  five  years'  service. 

Lilian  Elwood,  teacher  of  voice;  five  years'  service;  member  of  present  fac- 
ulty. '  -  ,  •  -.  .  -  -  .  '  :  :•;:••  -..•  ':•-  I  v^--::/ 

William  Blake  Carlton,  teacher  of  voice ;  five  years'  service ;  member  of  pres- 
ent facultv. 


WHITING  HALL 


Located   on   Tompkins   Street,  between   Cherry   and   Uroad.      Erected   in   1857.      Remodeled   in    1885   and 
1892.      Value,  $70,000.      East   wing  occii])ied  by   Knox   Conservatory   of  Music. 


OLD   .M.M.N    AND    KA.ST   WING,   ALU.MNI    H.\LL 

Old    Main   erected   in   1857.      N'alue,   $50,00(1.      litisiness   office    of   tbe   college. 
Alumni  Hall  erected  in  ISitO-l.     Corner-stone  laid  by  President  Harrison.     X'alue,  $75,000. 


',-  ':V-      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;  581 

Our  graduates,  nearly  two  hundred  in  number,  are  doing  excellent  service  in 
nearl)'  every  state  in  the  Union,  and  some  are  bringing  great  honor  upon  their 
alma  mater.  The  enrollment  of  250  students  is  at  present  about  the  average 
attendance,  with  a  faculty  of  nine  professors. 

A  history  of  "Music  in  Knox  College"  would  not  be  complete  without  men-^ 
tion  of  some  of  the  musical  organizations.  During  the  years  when  Knox  boasted 
of  a  cadet  corps  in  charge  of  a  lieutenant  furnished  by  the  government,  a  cadet 
band  was  organized  and  sustained  as  long  as  the  -military  officer  was  in  charge. 
This  band  of  thirty-five  pieces,  uniformed  in  gray,  was  the  pride  not  only  of 
the  college,  but  of  the  city  as  well. 

For  the  past  decade  of  years  the  Knox  Glee  club  has  held  aloft  the  standard 
of  "Old  Knox"  in  many  states,  even  as  far  west  as  the  Pacific  coast.  The  club 
has  boasted  some  excellent  voices  in  past  years,  but  the  club  of  1912  seems  to 
be  the  culmination  of  good  voices,  good  musicians  and  good  fun-makers. 

Another  organization  is  the  "Knox  Conservatory  Vocal  Society,"  which  was 
organized  in  1890,  and  in  connection  with  the  conservatory  orchestra  presented 
yearly  the  masterpieces  of  choral  music.  In  1899  this  society  was  reorganized, 
and  at  the  present  time  continues  as  a  city  organization  known  as  "the  Gales- 
burg  Musical  Union."  It  gives  from  time  to  time  the  choral  works  of  the  great 
masters,  a  partial  list  of  which  follows  :  "Messiah,"  Handel :  "Creation,"  Haydn ; 
"St.  Paul"  and  "Elijah,"  Mendelssohn;  "Crusaders,"  Gade ;  "Samson  and  De- 
lilah," Saint-Saens;  "Faust,"  Gounod;  "The  Golden  Legend."  Sullivan;  "Scenes 
from  Hiawatha,"  Coleridge-Taylor,  and  "Aida,"  Verdi.  . :. .  '.^ 

Such  organizations  as  "The  Thomas  Orchestra,"  "The  Chicago  Symphony 
Orchestra"  and  "The  Minneapolis  Symphony  Orchestra"  have  played  here  fre- 
quently in  special  concerts  or  in  connection  with  "The  Galesburg  Musical  Union" 
in  the  annual  May  festivals,  which  have  become  a  feature  of  our  city's  life. 

The  conservatory  has  maintained  for  twenty  years  an  artists'  course,  in  which 
many  prominent  artists  have  appeared  in  recital,  giving  the  students  of  the  col- 
lege and  conservatory  an  opportunity  to  hear  the  best,  and  through  this  hearing 
to  acquire  higher  ideals.  The  names  of  only  a  few  of  these  artists  are  recorded : 
Wm.  H.  Sherwood,  Max  Heinrich,  Teresa  Carreno,  Bruno  Steindel,  Godowsky, 
Edward  Baxter  Perry,  Fannie  Bloomfield  Zeisler,  Rudolph  Ganz,  Witherspoon, 
Ellen  Beach  Yaw,  the  Olive  Mead  Quartette,  Maude  Powell  and  Myrtle  Elvyn. 
The  same  spirit  which  exists  in  the  college  regarding  Christian  character  and 
good  morals  exists  in  the  faculty  and  among  the  students  of  the  conservatory, 
and  the  whole  tone  of  the  school  is  hard  work  and  high  ideals. 

As  has  been  stated,  when  the  college  was  first  organized  it  depended  entirely 
upon  the  city  for  its  music,  whereas  now  the  opposite  may  be  said,  for  from 
the  faculty  of  the  conservatory  or  from  its  student  body  the  choristers,  organ- 
ists and  soloists  of  the  various  churches  are  chosen,  and  the  musical  life  of 
Galesburg  is  practically  resultant  of  the  work  of  this  institution. 


582         -     ;     .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;>;   .-:?C 

;^^;;i>  .  LOMBARD  COLLEGE        ^  ^^^i '^^   ' 

.v      '  BY  REV.  EDSON  REIFSNIDER 

The  movement  inaugurated  in  1850  looking  toward  the  establishment  of  an 
institution  of  learning  in  which  religious  pressure,  distasteful  to  those  who  were 
not  classed  as  Evangelical  Christians,  would  not  be  brought  to  bear  upon  their 
children,  had  in  view  no  such  ambitious  end  as  a  college.  On  the  part  of  these 
earnest  souls  there  was  a  strong  feeling  that  the  denominational  control  of  the 
institutions  above  the  grade  of  common  schools,  practically  all  in  the  state  being 
thus  controlled,  was  detrimental  to  free  inquiry  after  truth.  Release  was  most 
eagerly  desired,  also,  from  the  well  meant,  but  unwelcome  interference  with  their 
children  on  the  ground  of  religious  belief.  It  came  about,  therefore,  when  Rev- 
erend Charles  P.  West,  a  pioneer  preacher  of  universalism  in  Illinois,  suggested 
that  a  non-sectarian  "seminary  of  learning"  be  established  by  the  Universalists 
of  Illinois  he  found  an  encouraging  reception  of  his  idea.  •  1- " 

On  the  igth  of  May,  1850,  the  Spoon  River  Association  of  Universalists 
convened  at  Greenbush,  Warren  county.  To  the  association  Mr.  West  presented 
his  plea  for  the  founding  of  an  academy,  having  been  urged  to  do  so  at  a  meet- 
ing held  shortly  before  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Amos  Pierce  of  Greenbush,  for  the 
discussion  of  the  project.  The  association  resolved  that  such  a  school  ought  to 
be  established  at  Galesburg  by  the  Universalists  of  the  state.  Soon  after  this 
the  Henderson  River  association,  meeting  in  Oquaka,  and  the  Universalist  State 
convention,  meeting  in  Toulon,  commended  the  idea,  the  latter  pledging  itself 
to  do  all  possible  to  put  the  plan  into  execution. 

A  canvass  for  the  raising  of  funds  was  started,  the  plan  being  to  organize  a 
joint  stock  company  with  a  capital  of  $5.000,  shares  $25,  when  half  the  amount 
was  subscribed.  Mr.  West  proved  himself  a  man  of  action  as  well  as  of  words, 
being  able  to  announce  in  October  that  the  required  sum  had  been  pledged.  On 
the  24th  of  that  month  the  subscribers  met  in  Galesburg  and  organized  under 
the  name  "The  Universalist  Literary  Society  of  the  State  of  Illinois."  They 
elected  fifteen  trustees,  whose  officers  were  Honorable  Alfred  Brown,  president ; 
Lorentus  E.  Conger,  treasurer,  and  Reverend  C.  P.  West,  secretary.  A  build- 
ing committee  was  appointed  and  Mr.  West  again  went  into  the  field  as  general 
agent  to  make  collections  and  solicit  further  subscriptions.  A  charter  was  secured 
from  the  state  February  15,  1851,  for  "The  Illinois  Liberal  institute,"  that  name 
having  been  selected  at  a  meeting  held  November  29,  1850.  The  object  of  the 
incorporation  was  stated  to  be  the  establishment  and  support  of  education,  it 
being  stipulated  that  property  beyond  the  value  at  any  one  time  of  more  than 
$20,000  could  not  be  held. 

On  the  northwest  corner  of  Seminary  and  Tompkins  streets,  near  the  Bur- 
lington depot,  the  first  building  was  erected.  It  was  of  brick  and  was  begun 
in  the  spring  of  1851,  but  owing  to  the  lack  of  means  at  the  disposal  of  the 
committee  it  was  not  ready  for  occupancy  until  the  first  of  September,  1852. 
The  institute  was  then  opened  with  Reverend  P.  Raymond  Kendall  as  principal 
and  Miss  Caroline  S.  Woodbury  in  charge  of  the  female  department,  these  teach- 
ers having  been  appointed  the  previous  March.  The  courses  offered  were  in 
three  departments — academic,  scientific  and  collegiate,  the  total  enrollment  for 
the  first  year  being  134.  ...  .  _  . 


>    ;?:"  V   ;:  3       '      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY.  •-'        588 

The  choice  of  Professor  Kendall  meant  much  for  the  future  of  the  young 
institution.  He  soon  became  ambitious  to  make  it  something  more  than  the 
academy  first  planned  and  fully  satisfied  the  original  promoters.  He  urged  the 
need  of  a  college  in  addition  to  the  work  done  by  the  institute ;  6ut  he  found  the 
trustees  unwilling  to  further  his  ambition.  His  strong  personality  and  his  enter- 
prise were  such  that  finally  a  reluctant  consent  was  wrung  from  the  board  to 
undertake  the  establishment  of  a  college.  However,  they  made  the  seemingly 
impossible  condition,  the  raising  of  $50,000,  doubtless  believing  that  this  would 
put  an  end  to  the  importunities  to  which  they  had  been  so  opposed.  The  charter 
was  amended  January  26,  1853,  granting  the  right  to  hold  property  to  the 
amount  of  $50,000,  and  to  confer  degrees  for  collegiate  honors.  In  the  fall  of 
1854,  among  other  additions  to  the  faculty,  were  two  teachers  destined  to  render 
the  institution  many  years  of  devoted  service.  They  were  Miss  H.  A.  Kendall, 
afterward  Mrs.  Standish,  and  Professor  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  both  of  them  most 
excellent  and  commanding  teachers,  sketches  of  whose  busy  and  useful  lives  ap- 
pear elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  Professor  Standish,  prior  to  his  coming,  his 
friend  and  classmate.  Professor  Kendall,  had  confided  his  plans  to  make  of  the 
institute  a  college,  relying  on  his  co-operation.  In  furtherance  of  the  plans  Pro- 
fessor Kendall  shortly  after  the  arrival  of  Professor  Standish  took  the  field  to 
canvass  for  the  necessary  funds,  the  latter  becoming  acting  president  and  re- 
maining such  until  the  fall  of  1857. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  27,  1855,  the  building  burned,  the  loss  being  total, 
as  there  was  no  insurance.  The  blow  was  a  serious  one,  but  the  friends  of  the 
institute  and  its  loyal  and  self-sacrificing  teachers  would  not  brook  any  suggestion 
of  failure.  On  learning  of  the  calamity.  Professor  Kendall  hastened  home  from 
Wisconsin  to  find  that  without  an  intermission  recitations  had  been  continued 
in  rooms  temporarily  secured,  in  various  parts  of  the  city  through  the  en- 
ergy of  Professor  Standish.  Professor  Kendall  now  continued  to  press  his 
plans  for  a  college,  and  with  the  aid  of  a  corps  of  assistants,  Messrs.  J.  H. 
Chapin,  W.  S.  Ballou  and  other  Universalist  clergymen,  he  pushed  the  canvass 
for  funds  with  renewed  zeal.  As  a  result  a  total  of  about  $60,000  was  sub- 
scribed, the  larger  part  of  it  being  secured  by  the  sale  of  scholarships,  which 
yielded  twice  their  cost  in  tuition. 

It  was  in  1855  that  Benjamin  Lombard,  then  living  in  Henry,  Illinois,  be- 
stowed his  liberal  gift  of  $20,000  on  the  institution,  and  in  recognition  of  his 
generous  aid  the  name  was  changed  to  Lombard  University.  A  new  building 
costing  $40,000  was  erected  on  a  site  selected  in  an  eighty  acre  tract  in  the  south- 
east part  of  the  city  purchased  from  L.  E.  Conger.  It  is  built  of  brick,  80x66 
feet,  three  stories  high  and  of  modified  gothic  architecture.  Then  it  stood  on 
the  barren  prairie;  now  on  its  fourteen  acre  campus  it  is  surrounded  by  spacious 
lawns,  attractive  shrubbery  and  a  glory  of  magnificent  trees  of  about  forty  choice 
varieties,  the  most  glorious  of  all  being  the  two  rows  of  noble  elms  on  the  north 
and  west.  This  building  was  not  completed  without  many  discouragements. 
Several  times  work  was  suspended  because  the  treasury  was  empty,  but  at  last 
the  roof  was  on  and  late  in  the  fall  of  1856  recitations  were  held  under  its 
shelter.  Several  years  elapsed  before  the  building  was  fully  completed,  and  now 
it  stands  a  monument  to  the  faithful  souls  who  put  so  much  of  themselves  into 
its  walls.  .  ;•  /•  .  .  •."•" 


•    ••'•*  '.'.;-  '     ••       .      '•'•,.  ••• 


;         584  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'         Professor  Kendall  severed  his  connection  with  the  university  in  1856,  though 

for  part  of  the  college  year  of  1858-9  he  was  in  temporary  charge  during  the 

.     absence  of  the  president.    In  the  fall  of  1857  Doctor  Otis  A.  Skinner  became 

•   president.    Into  his  administration  he  put  with  much  intensity  the  brilliant  powers 

'.:     with  which  he  was  endowed,  but  unfortunately  he  was  obliged  to  resign  in  1859, 

though  not  until  he  made  his  fine  influence  an  investment  for  the  future  welfare 

-  •    of  the  school.     It  was  during  his  administration  in  1858  that  Professor  Parker 

became  a  member  of  the  faculty.     He  is  now  in  his  87th  year,  the  honored  pro- 

:    fessor  emeritus  of  the  Greek  language  and  Greek  literature.     His  conspicuous 

•  ability  as  a  teacher  and  his  sincere,  helpful,  kindly  interest  in  the  students  who 
;.    came  under  his  instruction  have  made  his  name  revered. 

James  Partelow  Weston,   D.  D.,  became  the  successor  of  Doctor  Skinner. 

He  remained  in  the  office  from  the  fall  of  1859  until  1872,  his  term  of  service 

being  long  enough  for  him  to  leave  the  impress  of  his  strong  character  not  alone 

upon  Lombard,  but  upon  the  city  as  well.     Very  largely  inspired  by  him,  the 

endowment  was  increased  to  $100,000.     Among  the  generous  donors  were  E.  G. 

'          Hall  and  Lorentus  E.  Conger,  each  giving  $10,000.     Doctor  Weston  was  loved 

•      _   by  teachers,  students  and  friends,  and  the  fact  that  one  of  the  grammar  schools 

of  Galesburg  was  named  for  him  testifies  to  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held. 

Following  the  resignation  of  Doctor  Weston,  Professor  William  Livingston 
>       was  made  provisional  president,  serving  in  that  capacity  for  three  years.     His 
'•     long  connection  with  the  university  as  a  member  of  the  faculty  made  him  ac- 
quainted with  its  needs.     He  came  to  Lombard  in  1855  as  the  professor  of  nat- 
.       ural  science,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death,  December  29,  1879,  he  gave 
to  it  the  full  measure  of  his  devotion.     When  in  1875  Doctor  Nehemiah  White 
was  elected  to  the  presidency  Professor  Livingston  was  appointed  financial  agent 
and  won  for  the  institution  many  warm  friends. through  his  gracious  presenta- 
tion of  its  claims. 

President  White  was  inaugurated  in  the  opera  house,  January  6,  1876,  and 

..      continued  in  office  until  1892,  which  makes  his  term  of  service  as  president  the 

longest  in  Lombard's  history.     He  was  born  in  Wallingford,  Vermont,  in  1835, 

•  was  graduated   from  Middlebury  college,   Middlebury,  Vermont,  in   1857,  and 
entered  at  once  the  ranks  of  the  teacher.     After  holding  several  minor  positions 
he  took  the  chair  of  mathematics  in  St.  Lawrence  University,  Canton,  N.  Y.     In 
1872  he  became  professor  of  ancient  languages  in  Buchtel  College,  Akron,  Ohio, 

•a  position  he  held  until  called  to  Galesburg.  While  in  Ohio  he  was  ordained 
:  to  the  ministry  of  the  Universalist  church.  He  was  a  man  of  ripe  scholarship, 
.  •  deep  spiritual  nature  and  gentle,  kindly  manner. 

It  was  during  his  administration  that  the  project  to  establish  a  theological 
department  was  first  considered.     In  1880  definite  action  was  taken  by  President 
:'     White,  Reverend  F.  L.  Conger  and  Reverend  W.  H.  Ryder,  D.  D.,  and  the  de- 
;    partment  was  established  in  the  fall  of  i88i.     Prior  to  this  the  Universalist  de- 
nomination had  no  divinity  school  in  the  west,  and  the  lack  which  had  been 
,;       felt  for  some  time  was  supplied.     The  school  has  received  many  gifts,  among 
them  being  $20.000  from  the  late  Honorable  A.   G.  Throop,   founder  of  the 

•  Throop  Polytechnic  Institute  at  Pasadena,  California.    Its  largest  benefactor  was 
;  :'   Doctor  Ryder,  whose  generous  provision  for  it  in  his  will  secured  to  it  about 

$50,000.    In  recognition  of  his  abiding  interest  in  it  and  in  the  university  it  was 


MAIN  BUILDING,   LOMBARD  COLLEGE  -,.;'' 

Located  on  East  Knox   Street,  between  Lombard  and  Locust  Streets.      Erected  in  1856.     Cost,  $40,000. 


.     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

^      I'rofessor  Kendall  severed  his  connection  with  the  university  in  1856,  though     ; 
for  part  of  the  college  year  of  1858-9  he  w'as  in  temporary  charge  during  the     .- 
absence  of  the  president.     In  the  fall  of  1857  Doctor  Otis  A.  Skinner  became 
president.    Into  his  administration  he  put  with  much  intensity  the  brilliant  ix)wers 
with  which  he  was  endowed,  but  unfortunately  be  was  obliged  to  resign  in  1859, 
though  not  until  he  made  his  fine  influence  an  investment  for  the  future  welfare 
of  the  school.     It  was  during  his  administration  in  1858  that  Professor  Parker 
became  a  member  of  the  faculty.     He  is  now  in  his  87th  year,  the  honored  pro- 
fessor emeritus  of  the  Greek  language  and  Greek  literature.     His  conspicuous      ,  - 
ability  as  a  teacher  and  his  sincere,  helpful,  kindly  interest  in  the  students  who 
came  under  his  instruction  have  made  his  name  revered. 

James  Partelow  Weston,  D.  D.,  became  the  successor  of  Doctor  Skinner. 
He  remained  in  the  office  from  the  fall  of  1859  until  1872,  his  term  of  service 
being  long  enough  for  him  to  leave  the  impress  of  his  strong  character  not  alone 
ujxin  Lombard,  but  upon  tbe  city  as  well.  Very  largely  ins])ired  by  him,  the 
endowment  was  increased  to  $100.000.  Among  the  generous  donors  were  E.  G. 
Hall  and  Lorentus  F.  Conger,  each  giving  $10,000.  Doctor  Weston  was  loved 
by  teachers,  students  and  friends,  and  the  fact  that  one  of  the  grammar  schools 
of  Galesburg  was  named  for  him  testifies  to  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held. 

Following  the  resignatiori  of  Doctor  Weston.  Professor  William  Livingston 
was  made  provisional  i)resident.  serving  in  that  capacity  for  three  years.  His 
long  connection  with  the  university  as  a  member  of  the  faculty  made  him  ac- 
quainted with  its  needs.  He  came  to  Lombard  in  1855  as  the  professor  of  nat- 
ural science,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death.  December  29,  1879.  he  gave 
to  it  the  ful!  measure  of  his  devotion.  When  in  1875  Doctor  Xehemiah  White 
was  elected  to  the  presidency  Professor  Livingston  was  appointed  financial  agent 
and  won  for  the  institution  many  warm  friends  through  his  gracious  presenta-  ;'  ' 
tion  of  its  claims. 

President  White  was  inaugurated  in  the  opera  house,  January  6,  1876.  and        : 
continued  in  office  until  1892,  which  makes  his  term  of  service  as  president  the 
longest  in  Lombard's  history.     He  was  born  in  Wallingford,  \^ermont,  in  1835,      .. 
was  graduated    from   Middlebury  college,   Middlebury,  Vermont,   in    1857,   and 
entered  at  once  the  ranks  of  the  teacher.     After  holding  several  minor  positions 
he  took  the  chair  of  mathematics  in  .St.  Lawrence  University,  Canton,  X.  Y.     In 
1872  he  became  professor  of  ancient  languages  in  Buchtel  College,  Akron,  Ohio, 
a  position  he  held  until  called  to  Galesburg.     While  in  Ohio  he  was  ordained  ,     : 
to  the  ministrv  of  the  I'niversalist  church.     He  was  a  man  of  ripe  scholarship, 
deep  spiritual  nature  and  gentle,  kindly  manner. 

It  was  during  his  administration  that  the  project  to  establish  a  theological 
department  was  first  considered.  In  1880  definite  action  was  taken  by  President  • 
White.  Reverend  E.  L.  Conger  and  Reverend  W.  H.  Ryder,  D.  D.,  and  the  de- 
partment was  established  in  the  fall  of  1881.  Prior  to  this  the  Universalist  de- 
nomination had  no  divinity  school  in  the  west,  and  the  lack  which  had  been 
felt  for  some  time  was  supplied.  The  school  has  received  many  gifts,  among 
them  being  $20.000  from  the  late  Honorable  A.  G.  Throop,  founder  of  the 
Throop  Polytechnic  Institute  at  Pasadena,  California.  Its  largest  benefactor  was 
Doctor  Ryder,  whose  generous  provision  for  it  in  his  will  secured  to  it  about 
$50,000.  In  recognition  of  liis  abiding  interest  in  it  and  in  the  university  it  was 


'     ;  .MAIX  nUILDING,  LOMHARD  CObLEGE  '*'•'•;  - 

Located  on   Kaft   Knox   Street,  between   Lombard  and   Locust   Streets.     Krected  in   1856.     Cost,  $40,000. 


^  •  ..'* 


;^v;i^^j  •  ^'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  585 

•named  in  1890  Ryder  Divinity  School.    It  has  sent  into  the  ministry  of  the  Uni- 

\  versalist  church  men  and  women  who  have  served  it  with  devotion  and  ability 
and  who  have  made  their  worthy  contribution  to  the  advancement  of  the  Chris- 

r  tian  religion.  In  1892  Doctor  White  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  divinity  school, 
retaining  that  position  until  failing  health  made  necessary  his  resignation  in  1905. 
He  died  in  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y.,  December  8,  1911.  In  1909  Reverend  Edson 
Reif snider,  for  several  years  prior  to  that  time  pastor  of  the  local  Universalist 
church,  was  appointed  dean  of  the  school.  ;  .  v  .'. 

Dr.  John  Clarence  Lee,  a  member  of  the  faculty,  became  president  in  1892, 
but  after  serving  only  a  few  weeks  he  resigned.  His  interest  in  the  elective  sys- 
tem, which  made  somewhat  more  flexible  the  course  of  study  offered,  led  to  its 

/adoption  the  following  year.  ,    . 

V;  ;.  In  October,  1892,  Doctor  Standish  became  president.    He  served  until  June, 

•  1895,  bringing  to  the  office  the  ripened  wisdom  of  a  long  life  devoted  with  en- 
thusiasm to  advancing  the  cause  of  education.    The  need  of  a  building  for  women 
was  urgent,  and  Doctor  Standish  began  a  canvass  for  the  necessary  funds.     Be- 

'  fore  the  completion  of  the  canvass,  however,  the  financial  depression  which  swept 
over  the  country  counseled  delay,  and  the  building  was  not  erected  while  he  was 
president,  though  part  of  the  money  subscribed  was  subsequently  paid. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1895  there  was  called  to  the  office  a  man  whose  adminis- 
tration infused  fresh  life  and  vigor  into  all  the  interests  of  the  school  and 

•  wrought  marked  changes  in  the  appearance  of  the  campus.    This  man  was  Rev- 
erend Charles  Ellwood  Nash,  S.  T.  D.,  who  at  the  time  was  pastor  of  one  of  the 
prominent  Universalist  churches  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.     Doctor  Nash,  being  an 
alumnus  of  Lombard,  brought  to  her  the  ardent  love  of  one  of  her  sons,  and  all 

:  of  his  conspicuous  ability  as  an  inspiring  preacher  and  eloquent  platform  speaker, 
a  quickener  of  the  spirit  of  loyalty  and  an  indefatigable  worker,  was  freely  and 
joyously  placed  under  tribute  to  her.  His  stirring  and  virile  manhood,  his 
hearty  belief  in  the  value  of  education  and  his  contagious  optimism  soon  began 
to  bear  fruit.  In  1896  the  building  for  the  use  of  the  women  of  the  college  was 
erected  near  the  northeast  corner  of  the  campus.  This  building,  known  as  Lom- 
bard hall,  is  of  red  pressed  brick,  three  stories  in  height  and  is  a  model  of  con- 
venience and  comfort.  It  has  proved  a  delightful  home  for  the  young  ladies 
who  have  been  fortunate  enough  to  find  shelter  beneath  its  hospitable  roof.  The 

;  year  following  the  walls  of  the  gymnasium  arose  on  the  campus  between  the 
main  building  and  Lombard  hall.  It  is  two  stories  in  height  and  has  a  fine 
basement  furnished  with  the  necessary  conveniences  of  a  well  equipped  structure 
of  its  character.  It  has  been  a  source  of  keen  satisfaction  to  the  lovers  of  ath- 
letics among  the  students  and  faculty.  On  one  of  the  inner  walls  a  bronze  tab- 
let commends  the  class  of  1897  for  the  important  part  it  took  in  subscribing  to 
the  fund  and  in  making  the  canvass  for  the  building  a  success.  The  president's 
house  across  from  the  campus  on  the  corner  of  Knox  and  Lombard  streets  was 
built  for  Doctor  Nash  for  his  home  and  acquired  by  the  college  after  his  resig- 
nation. Doctor  Nash  presented  the  needs  of  Lombard  so  persuasively  to  its 
friends  that  a  considerable  sum  was  added  to  its  endowment  during  his  adminis- 
tration, and  prior  to  his  resignation  he  had  secured  several  goodly  subscriptions 
toward  a  new  $100,000  fund  for  the  enlargement  of  the  permanent  endowment. 
In  1899  the  name  was  changed  from  Lombard  university  to  Lombard  college,  the 
latter  title  being  considered  more  appropriate  for  an  institution  of  its  character. 


586  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Early  in  1894  Doctor  Nash  resigned  to  accept  an  important  national  office  in 
the  Universalist  church,  and  E>ean  Fredrick  W.  Rich  was  put  in  charge  of  the 
college.  Dean  Rich  had  been  a  teacher  there  for  a  score  of  years  and  was  so 
well  acquainted  with  the  routine  of  administration  that  under  his  intelligent  and 
careful  oversight  none  of  its  interests  suffered.  He  was  at  the  helm  until  the 
fall  of  1905,  turning  it  over  to  the  new  president  at  that  time.  Dean  Rich  has 
been  one  of  the  most  efficient  teachers  connected  with  the  college,  and  when  he 
resigned  at  the  close  of  the  college  year  in  1911  after  a  service  covering  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century  it  was  with  the  consciousness  that  he  had  helped 
hundreds  of  young  men  and  women  to  find  themselves  and  a  worthy  place  in 
life  and  a  friend  whose  regard  for  them  was  sincere  and  true. 

The  present  head  of  Lombard,  Reverend  Lewis  Beals  Fisher,  D.  D.,  assumed 
the  presidency  in  September,  1905.  He  had  been  a  professor  for  fifteen  years  in 
the  Canton  Theological  school.  Canton,  N.  Y.,  a  department  of  St.  Lawrence  Uni- 
versity. He  was  at  once  confronted  by  the  task  of  completing  the  canvass  for  a 
$100,000  fund  begun  by  Doctor  Nash,  and  he  addressed  himself  to  it  with  an 
energy  and  persistency  prophesying  success.  It  was  far  from  easy  of  accom- 
plishment, but  the  appeals  of  this  genial,  warmhearted  man  brought  from  old 
friends  and  new  the  subscriptions  called  for  by  the  terms  of  an  agreement  on 
the  part  of  Mr.  Andrew  Carnegie  to  contribute  $25,000,  provided  the  balance  be 
secured  from  others.  When  the  late  Thomas  Lowry  of  Minneapolis,  who  had 
early  in  the  canvass  pledged  $10,000,  made  the  condition  of  its  payment  the  rais- 
ing of  the  entire  amount  sought  by  December  31,  1906,  a  fresh  impetus  was 
imparted  to  the  enterprise,  and  when  the  day  arrived  the  joyful  announcement 
was  made  that  the  conditions  had  been  met  and  the  fund  was  assured. 

Doctor  Fisher's  conduct  of  his  office  has  been  characterized  by  kindly  regard 
for  the  best  welfare  of  the  teachers  associated  with  him  and  the  students  com- 
mitted to  his  care.  He  has  made  for  himself  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  whose 
friendship  extends  also  to  the  college.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  no  man 
has  ever  occupied  the  presidency  who  has  won  so  readily  the  warm  affection  of 
the  student  body  nor  one  who  has  better  deserved  it. 

The  foregoing  is  mainly  a  statement  of  bare  facts.  Only  those  who  can  read 
liberally  between  the  lines  will  succeed  in  getting  the  whole  story.  Justice  can- 
not begin  to  be  done  in  so  brief  a  sketch,  and  many  must  go  unnamed  whose 
love  and  sacrifice  are  builded  into  the  walls  of  Old  Lombard.  She  has  had  a 
noble  history  and  has  played  a  most  commendable  part  in  furnishing  her  full 
quota  of  strong  and  good  men  and  women  to  the  need  of  a  growing  world,  men 
and  women  some  of  whom  have  become  honorably  known  both  nationally  and 
internationally. 

Though  the  college  had  its  birth  in  a  spirit  of  protest  against  what  was 
deemed  pernicious  sectarian  influences  in  education,  it  was  the  purpose  of  its 
organizers  to  educate  the  young  under  uplifting  Christian  influences.  Chapel 
services  were  held  daily,  attendance  on  which  was  and  still  is  compulsory.  Fail- 
ure to  regularly  attend  church  on  Sunday  was  dealt  with  severely,  but  the  church 
was  left  to  the  free  choice  of  the  student  or  his  parents.  The  early  catalogs 
enumerated  thirty-two  rules  to  which  the  student  pledged  himself  in  writing  be- 
fore being  admitted  to  the  institution.  An  early  rule  reads :  "No  student  shall 
attend  any  dancing  or  other  frivolous  parties  during  term  time  without  the  per- 


' ' 


LADIES'   HALL.   LOMBARD   COLLEGE 
Located   on   Lombard   campus.      Built   in   1895.      Cost.   $35,000. 


586  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

;V       • 

Early  in  1894  Doctor  Xash  resigned  to  accept  an  important  national  office  in 
the  Universalist  church,  and  Dean  Fredrick  W.  Rich  was  put  in  charge  of  the  . 
college.     Dean  Rich  had  been  a  teacher  there  for  a  score  of  years  and  was  so 
well  acquainted  with  the  routine  of  administration  that  under  his  intelligent  and 
careful  oversight  none  of  its  interests  suffered.     He  was  at  the  helm  until  the 
fall  of  1905,  turning  it  over  to  the  new  president  at  that  time.     Dean  Rich  has  ; 
been  one  of  the  most  efficient  teachers  connected  with  the  college,  and  when  he 
resigned  at  the  close  of  the  college  year  in  1911  after  a  service  covering  more  . 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century  it  was  with  the  consciousness  that  he  had  helped 
hundreds  of  young  men  and  women  to  find  themselves  and  a  worthy  place  in  ' 
life  and  a  friend  whose  regard  for  them  was  sincere  and  true. 
:        The  present  head  of  Lombard,  Reverend  Lewis  Beals  Fisher,  D.  D.,  assumed 
the  presidency  in  September,  1905.    He  had  been  a  professor  for  fifteen  years  in 
the  Canton  Theological  school.  Canton,  X.  Y.,  a  department  of  St.  Lawrence  Uni- 
versity.    He  was  at  once  confronted  by  the  task  of  completing  the  canvass  for  a 
$100,000  fund  begun  by  Doctor  Xash,  and  he  addressed  himself  to  it  with  an 
energy  and  persistency  prophesying  success.     It  was  far  from  easy  of  accom- 
plishment, but  the  appeals  of  this  genial,  warmhearted  man  brought  from  old 
friends  and  new  the  subscriptions  called  for  by  the  terms  of  an  agreement  on 
the  part  of  ]\Ir.  Andrew  Carnegie  to  contribute  $25,000,  provided  the  balance  be 
secured  from  others.     When  the  late  Thomas  Lowry  of  Minneapolis,  who  had 
early  in  the  canvass  pledged  $10,000,  made  the  condition  of  its  payment  the  rais- 
ing of  the  entire  amount  sought  by  December  31,    1906,  a  fresh  impetus  was 
imparted  to  the  enterprise,  and  when  the  day  arrived  the  joyful  announcement 
was  made  that  the  conditions  had  been  met  and  the  fund  was  assured.  " 

Doctor  Fisher's  conduct  of  his  office  has  been  characterized  by  kindly  regard 
for  the  best  welfare  of  the  teachers  associated  with  him  and  the  students  com- 
mitted to  his  care.  He  has  made  for  himself  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  whose 
friendship  extends  also  to  the  college.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  no  man 
has  ever  occupied  the  presidency  who  has  won  so  readily  the  warm  affection  of 
the  student  body  nor  one  who  has  better  deserved  it. 

The  foregoing  is  mainly  a  statement  of  bare  facts.  Only  those  who  can  read 
lil^erally  between  the  lines  will  succeed  in  getting  the  whole  story.  Justice  can- 
not begin  to  be  done  in  so  brief  a  sketch,  and  many  must  go  unnamed  whose 
love  and  sacrifice  are  builded  into  the  walls  of  Old  Lombard.  She  has  had  a 
noble  history  and  has  played  a  most  commendable  part  in  furnishing  her  full 
quota  of  strong  and  good  men  and  women  to  the  need  of  a  growing  world,  men 
and  women  some  of  whom  have  become  honorably  known  both  nationally  and 
internationally.  ;:•<.''•.•!  "  -  :  .'^;:,r 

Though  the  college  had  its  birth  in  a  spirit  of  protest  against  what  was 
deemed  pernicious  sectarian  influences  in  education,  it  was  the  purpose  of  its 
organizers  to  educate  the  young  under  uplifting  Qiristian  influences.  Chapel 
services  were  held  daily,  attendance  on  which  was  and  still  is  compulsory.  Fail- 
ure to  regularly  attend  church  on  Sunday  was  dealt  with  severely,  but  the  church 
was  left  to  the  free  choice  of  the  student  or  his  parents.  The  earlv  catalogs 
enumerated  thirty-two  rules  to  which  the  student  pledged  himself  in  writing  be- 
fore being  admitted  to  the  institution.  An  early  rule  reads :  "Xo  student  shall 
attend  any  dancing  or  other  frivolous  parties  during  term  time  without  the  per- 


LADIKS'    HALL,   LOMUARI)   COLLEGE 
Located   on    Lombard   campus.      Huilt    in    lf<f>j.      Cost.    S;i.'>.iMiii. 


,         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .. :       >  587 

inissicm  of  the  faculty."  Students  playing  cards  or  any  games  of  chance  were 
to  be  dealt  with  as  the  faculty  saw  fit,  and  the  intimation  clearly  was  that  they 
would  see  fit  to  do  something  likely  to  be  long  remembered.  \\'ith  the  passage 
of  the  years  the  list  of  formal  rules  gradually  grew  shorter  and  finally  altogether 
disappeared,  but  always  the  concern  of  the  faculty  has  been  to  bring  imder 
wholesome  and  uplifting  influences  the  young  people  placed  in  their  charge,  and 
for  the  result  throughout  these  two  generations  no  apology-  is  necessarj.-.  Like 
other  small  colleges  of  this  countrj-,  Lombard  has  had  her  ideaU.  and  to  their 
guidance  she  has  endeavored  to  hold  true.  Together  with  them  she  has  per- 
formed a  service  of  measureless  value,  and  as  her  influence  has  blessed  the  past 
so  will  it  also  richlv  Wess  the  future.  •  • 


f':        ST.  MARY'S  SCHOOL        y;:..--  ;^^y; 
*'"'   BY  DH.  CHAS.  W.  LEFFIXGWELL    ••_'y\'-  .  ''^ •••'''••': 

St.  Mar}''s  school,  Knoxville,  was  opened  in  April,  1868,  in  the  building  of 
the  Ewing  Female  Universit)',  erected  about  ten  years  before.  For  lack  of  en- 
dowment, that  institution  had  been  compelled  to  discontinue  its  work,  and  the 
property  was  transferred  to  the  Episcopal  diocese  of  Illinob.  Of  the  fifteen  trus- 
tees, ten  are  appointed  to  represent  the  diocese  of  Illinois  and  five  to  represent 
Knox  county.  The  Rev.  Charles  W.  Lefl5ngwell  became  the  founder  and  rectcM" 
of  St.  Mar}-'s,  Mrs.  Leflingwell  being  the  matron  and  Miss  Xancj-  Menedy  Hitch- 
cock the  vice-principal.  Dr.  LeflMgwell  continues  to  this  day  ( 1912)  rector 
of  the  school;  Mrs.  Lefiingwell  was  matron  for  fort>-  years:  Miss  Hitchcock 
was  vice-principal  for  over  twent}--five  years. 

The  school  soon  outgrew  its  limited  accomnxnlations.  and  at  a  cost  of  about 
$25,000  it  was  greatly  improved  and  enlarged.  The  Hon.  James  Knox  con- 
tributed nearly  one-half  the  required  amount.  •"-•-.' 

On  January-  4th,  1883.  the  building  and  contents  were  destroyed  by  fire. 
Within  a  month  the  school  was  reopened  in  the  building  of  Ansgari  College,  in 
Knoxville,  the  few  college  students  finding  homes  in  private  houses  and  reciting 
in  the  rooms  of  the  old  court  house. 

The  cost  of  the  new  school  building,  the  new  stone  chapel  and  the  improve- 
ment of  the  ground  was  about  $100.000.  of  which  nearly  one-half  was  pro^nded 
by  the  legacy  of  Mr.  Knox.  Additions  and  improvements  have  been  made  from 
time  to  time.  In  1901  a  recreation  annex  was  built  and  furnished  at  a  cost  of 
nearly  $10,000.  >  'V 

Succeeding  Miss  Hitchcock  as  principal.  Miss  Emma  Pease  Howard  has 
continued  in  office  to  the  date  of  this  writing  and  for  >ome  years  has  successfully 
managed  the  business  as  well  as  the  academical  work  of  the  institution.  The 
maximum  of  one  hundred  students  in  residence,  with  twenty-  officers  and  teachers, 
has  been  reported  during  most  of  the  time  for  a  quarter  of  a  century-. 

St.  Mar}-'s  is  a  school  for  young  women  who  desire  to  continue  their  work 
two  or  three  years  beyond  the  course  of  the  high  school.  It  is  a  school  home 
where  girls  become  better  daughters:  where  they  are  systematically  trained  for 


588  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

the  duties  of  wifehood  and  motherhood ;  where  they  are  encouraged  to  recognize, 
and  where  they  are  required  to  prepare  for,  their  present  and  future  obligations. 
There  is  a  thorough  preparatory  course  for  younger  girls  and  an  affiliated  school, 
St.  Martha's,  for  little  girls. 

More  than  twenty  states  are  represented  by  the  teachers  and  students  in 
attendance.  The  alumnae  are  resident  in  nearly  every  country  of  the  world — in 
Alaska,  in  Mexico,  in  Canada,  on  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts,  in  Europe, 
Australia,  Hawaii,  the  Philippines,  Guam,  Japan,  China,  Ceylon  and  the  West 
Indies. 

,  ST.  MARTHA'S  SCHOOL  FOR  YOUNGER  GIRLS 

•  Affiliated  with  St.  Mary's  School 

St.  Martha's  school  for  younger  girls  was  opened  in  Knoxville  in  September, 
1911,  by  Miss  Emma  Pease  Howard.  The  building  was  designed  and  con- 
.^tructed  expressly  for  this  work  and  is  located  upon  a  beautiful  campus  adja- 
cent to  St.  Mary's  school,  with  which  institution  St.  Martha's  is  affiliated.  The 
.=chool  .is  entirely  distinct  from  St.  Mary's,  being  complete  in  equipment  and 
especially  adapted  in  methods  and  management  to  the  care  and  training  of  young 
children.  The  official  visitors  are  the  Rt.  Rev.  M.  E.  Fawcett,  D.  D.,  Ph.  D., 
Bishop  of  Quincy,  and  the  Rev.  C.  W.  Leffingwell,  D.  D.,  rector  of  St.  Mary's 
school.  A  fine  corps  of  officers  and  teachers  is  provided,  and  everything  pos- 
sible is  done  to  promote  the  physical,  mental  and  moral  welfare  of  the  little 
girls.  Healthful  recreation  is  a  prominent  feature  of  the  curriculum.  The 
course  of  study  includes  all  branches  taught  in  the  best  public  schools  prepara- 
tory to  the  eighth  grade,  with  instruction  also  in  French  and  German,  drawing, 
music,  dancing,  arts  and  industries. 

Though  St.  Martha's  school  may  not  yet  claim  a  place  in  history,  it  is  a 
unique  and  interesting  development  in  educational  enterprise,  being  the  only 
school  of  high  grade,  so  far  as  we  knew,  which  is  completely  organized  and 
equipped  for  the  care  of  little  girls  exclusively.  Only  those  under  thirteen  years 
of  age  are  received.  .  •:-......  ;  .  •;  - 

.        .  .      ST.  ALBAN'S  SCHOOL 

St.  Alban's  school  for  boys,  Knoxville,  was  founded  in  1890  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
C.  W.  Leffingwell,  and  for  several  years  was  conducted  under  his  supervision. 
The  property  of  Ansgari  college,  having  reverted  to  the  city,  by  the  discontinu- 
ance of  the  Swedish  school  there,  was  transferred  to  Dr.  Leffingwell,  and  by 
him  was  greatly  enlarged  and  improved.  Towards  the  erection  of  the  main 
building  the  Hon.  James  Knox  had  given  $10,000.  The  building  and  equipment 
are  valued  at  $60,000.  The  school  is  widely  and  favorably  known,  and  many 
of  its  graduates  hold  high  positions  in  the  church,  in  the  army  and  in  the  busi- 
ness world.  Mr.  Lucien  F.  Sennett  is  the  present  headmaster  and  lessee  of  the 
school,  and  under  his  capable  management  the  institution  has  steadily  advanced 
in  numbers  and  in  efficiency.  The  maximum  number  of  students  in  residence  is 
now  sixty  and  there  are  some  day  scholars. 


588      "  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY-,    ./'v. : 

\  '  '      '  ••''    ' 

the  duties  of  wifehood  and  motherhood;  where  they  are  encouraged  to  recognize, 
and  where  they  are  required  to  prepare  for,  their  present  and  future  obligations. 
Tliere  is  a  thorough  preparatory  course  for  younger  girls  and  an  affiliated  school, 
St.  Martha's,  for  little  girls. 

More  than  twenty  states  are  represented  by  the  teachers  and  students  in 
attendance.  The  aliunnae  are  resident  in  nearly  every  country  of  the  world — in 
Alaska,  in  Mexico,  in  Canada,  on  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts,  in  Europe, 
Australia.  Hawaii,  the  Philippines.  Guam,  Japan,  China,  Ceylon  and  the  West 
Indies. 

,  '-  ST.  MARTHA'S  SCHOOL  FOR  YOL'NGER  GIRLS       :      .  -: 

:        '  Affiliated  with  St.  Mary's  School    :     •          ; 

St.  Martha's  school  for  younger  girls  was  opened  in  Knoxville  in  September, 
1911,  by  Miss  Emma  Pease  Howard.  The  building  was  designed  and  con- 
structed expressly  for  this  work  and  is  located  upon  a  beautiful  campus  adja- 
cent to  St.  Mary's  school,  with  which  institution  St.  Martha's  is  affiliated.  The 
school  .is  entirely  distinct  from  St.  Mary's,  being  complete  in  equipment  and 
especially  adapted  in  methods  and  management  to  the  care  and  training  of  young 
children.  The  official  visitors  are  the  Rt.  Rev.  ]\I.  E.  Eawcett,  D.  D.,  Ph.  D., 
I'ishop  of  Quincy.  and  the  Rev.  C.  W.  Leffingwell.  D.  D..  rector  of  St.  Mary's 
school.  A  fine  corps  of  officers  and  teachers  is  provided,  and  everything  pos- 
sible is  done  to  promote  the  physical,  mental  and  moral  welfare  of  the  little 
girls  Healthful  recreation  is  a  prominent  feature  of  the  curriculum.  The 
course  of  study  incUules  all  branches  taught  in  the  best  public  schools  prepara- 
tory to  the  eighth  grade,  with  instruction  also  in  French  and  German,  drawing, 
music,  dancing,  arts  and  industries. 

Though  St.  Martha's  school  may  not  yet  claim  a  place  in  history,  it  is  a 
unique  and  interesting  development  in  educational  enterprise,  being  the  only 
school  of  high  grade,  so  far  as  we  knew,  which  is  completely  organized  and 
equipped  for  the  care  of  little  girls  exclusively.  Only  those  under  thirteen  years 
of  age  are  received,  .  .  ; 

•  ST.  ALBAN'S  SCHOOL  •     -    . 

St.  Alban's  school  for  boys,  Knoxville,  was  founded  in  1890  by  the  Rev.  Dr.     '. 
C.  W.  Leffingwell.  and   for  several  years  was  conducted  under  his  supervision. 
The  projjerty  of  Ansgari  college,  having  reverted  to  the  city,  by  the  discontinu- 
ance of  the  Swedish  school  there,  was  transferred  to  Dr.   Leffingwell,  and  by  •  ,. 
him  was  greatly  enlarged  and   improved.     Towards  the  erection  of  the  main 
building  the  Hon.  James  Knox  had  given  $10,000.     The  building  and  equipment 
are  valued  at  $60,000.     The  school  is  widely  and  favorably  known,  and  many 
of  its  graduates  hold  high  positions  in  the  church,  in  the  army  and  in  the  busi- 
ness world.     Mr.  Lucien  F.  Sennett  is  the  present  headmaster  and  lessee  of  the 
school,  and  under  his  ca])able  management  the  institution  has  steadily  advanced   ;- 
in  numbers  and  in  efficiency.     The  maximum  number  of  students  in  residence  is 
now  sixtv  and  there  are  some  dav  scholars. 


00  =r 
cc  n 
•  c. 


£5.    X 

S  ?•      V. 


i3    '^ 

'    ~     X 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >    •  589 

HISTORY  OF  THE  BUSINESS  COLLEGE  FROM  ITS  FOUNDING  IN 

GALESBURG 

BY  J.  H.  Cox  .i--  ; 

In  the  year  1864  Prof.  H.  E.  Hayes  organized  a  school  on  Main  street  on 
the  third  floor  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  Farmers'  and  Mechanics' 
bank.  Mr.  Hayes  was  a  beautiful  penman,  a  fine  scholar,  a  cultured  gentleman 
and  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war.  The  school  was  organized  at  a  time 
when  the  soldiers  who  had  seen  four  years  of  service  were  just  returning  home 
and  had  been  too  busy  in  the  south  to  further  their  education.  They  saw  the 
need  of  more  training  in  order  that  they  might  enter  and  succeed  in  mercantile 
enterprises.  Mr.  J.  B.  Harsh,  now  an  attorney  and  banker  of  Creston,  Iowa,  and 
for  whom  we  are  indebted  to  this  early  history,  taught  in  the  Hayes'  Business 
Institute  while  attending  classes  in  Lombard  College,  1865-66. 

In  the  year  1866-67  Mr.  Harsh  and  Mr.  Hayes  joined  their  fortunes,  and 
then  the  school  was  known  as  the  Hayes  and  Harsh  Business  College.  It  was 
located  in  the  upper  story  of  Colton  block  west  of  the  public  square,  or  west  of 
"Central  park."  The  original  location  was  also  retained  and  was  used  for  a 
telegraph  station,  as  telegraphy  was  one  of  the  branches  taught. 

Prof.  Harsh  purchased  the  remaining  interest  of  Prof.  Hayes  and  changed 
the  name  to  Western  Business  College,  which  name  it  retained  until  it  was  pur- 
chased by  the  present  owner.  Mr.  Harsh  moved  his  school  to  the  third  story 
of  the  new  Allen  building  on  Prairie  street,  now  known  as  the  "Doyle  build- 
ing." The  school  grew  rapidly,  and  over  700  students  were  enrolled  in  the  year 
1867-68. 

In  the  spring  of  1869  Prof.  Harsh  sold  the  institution  to  Prof.  E.  R.  Poole, 
who  retained  the  management  for  a  number  of  years  and  conducted  it  in  the 
same  location. 

In  the  year  1872-73  Mr.  Poole  sold  his  interest  to  J.  M.  Martin  and  Brother, 
who  conducted  it  for  ten  years,  when,  according  to  the  Republican  Register  of 
March  24,  1883,  it  was  sold  to  Prof.  M.  H.  Barringer  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
Prof.  J.  M.  Martin  engaged  in  the  banking  business  at  Burlington  Junction, 
Missouri,  and  A.  B.  Martin  engaged  in  business  in  this  city. 

Prof.  G.  H.  Bridge,  now  of  the  Galesburg  high  school,  was  the  teacher  of 
penmanship  and  telegraphy  under  Mr.  Barringer's  management.  Mr.  Barringer 
moved  his  school  to  the  Nelson  building,  at  the  corner  of  Seminary  and  Main 
streets,  where  Mr.  Brown  purchased  it  in  the  spring  of  1891,  and  it  has  since 
been  known  as  Brown's  Business  College. 

Mr.  C.  C.  Gilliand,  one  of  the  teachers,  was  made  principal  of  the  school 
until  July,  1892,  when  W.  F.  Cadwell  took  charge.  June  29,  1895,  the  college 
was  moved  from  the  Nelson  building  to  the  Arnold  block,  corner  of  Cherry  and 
Simmons,  its  present  location.  Mr.  Cadwell  was  principal  of  the  school  for  ten 
years,  or  until  1902.  He  was  succeeded  by  Prof.  I.  N.  Wright,  who  was  prin- 
cipal for  six  years,  when  J.  H.  Cox,  the  present  principal  of  the  school,  took 
charge. 

Among  the  leading  teachers  who  have  been  connected  with  the  school  are: 
C.  E.  Faust,  a  penmanship  expert  located  in  Chicago;  J.  R.  Anderson,  now 


590  ,         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

owner  of  a  business  college  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri ;  E.  F.  Quintal,  owner  of  a  busi- 
ness college  in  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin ;  J.  B.  Owen,  lumber  merchant  in  Stoning- 
ton,  Illinois ;  Prof.  G.  W.  Roseberry,  proprietor  of  three  business  colleges  in 
Massachusetts;  Gertrude  Harvey,  teacher  of  shorthand  in  the  Davenport  high 
school,  and  Prof.  A.  T.  Scoville,  now  principal  of  Brown's  Sterling  school. 

Mr.  Brown  graduated  as  a  boy  from  the  Eastman's  Business  College  in 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  and  began  teaching  in  the  commercial  department  of 
Hedding  College,  Abingdon,  Illinois.  Later  he  was  employed  by  Whipple  Acad- 
emy at  Jacksonville  as  the  writing  master  and  began  his  work  there  February 
17/1867.  /  V. 

Soon  after  the  business  college  and-  the  academy  separated,  Mr.  Brown  going 
with  the  business  college,  and  the  school  prospered  for  a  number  of  years. 

In  1888  the  Peoria  school  was  purchased  and  was  soon  followed  by  Decatur 
and  then  Galesburg,  until  now  Mr.  Brown  controls  a  chain  of  twenty-nine  busi- 
ness colleges  located  in  the  best  cities  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri  and  Indiana. 
The  Galesburg  school  ranks  well  up  among  the  best  and  is  well  attended.  The 
graduates  may  be  found  in  nearly  all  of  the  business  houses  of  Galesburg  and 
surrounding  territory.  The  annual  graduating  exercises  are  a  new  feature,  and 
forty  to  fifty  young  people  are  given  their  diplomas  each  year. 
;.;  A  new  course  will  be  added  this  year  in  stenotype,  a  machine  invented  to 
write  shorthand. 

The  school  is  now  owned  and  controlled  by  President  G.  W.  Brown ;  how- 
ever, the  actual  management  has  been  shifted  from  his  shoulders  to  Superin- 
tendent R.  H.  Peck,  who  was  at  one  time  teacher  in  the  English  department  of 
the  school.  Mr.  Brown  was  the  first  western  school  manager  to  introduce  type- 
writing in  the  school,  the  first  to  admit  ladies,  and  was  the  first  to  introduce  a 
course  in  salesmanship. 

'  .  The  present  teachers,  aside  from  Principal  J.  H.  Cox,  are  Miss  Maud  Lance, 
shorthand;  Mr.  J.  A.  Ebersol,  bookkeeping;  Miss  Myrtle  Reck,  typewriting  and 
English ;  and  Miss  Dorothy  Bean,  the  stenotype  teacher,  and  Miss  Olga  Thuline, 
assistant. 


THE  CHICAGO,  BURLINGTON  &  QUINCY  RAILROAD  OF  KNOX 
:.-:-^:-         ;  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS 

:      BY  JOHN  LASS 
GENESIS  OF  THE  RAILROAD  ; 

Before  the  advent  of  the  railroad  transportation  was  carried  on  by  means 
of  canals,  as  in  China  to-day,  and  the  construction  of  government  roads,  such 
as  the  Appian  way  of  Italy,  and  a  great  deal  of  commerce  may  be  carried  on 
under  that  old  system.  Besides,  those  roads  were  used  for  military  purposes, 
and  we  may  well  be  surprised  with  their  effectiveness  when  compared  with  mod- 
ern transportation.  The  discovery  of  the  power  of  steam  was  made  by  Heron  in 
the  third  century,  B.  C.  This  power  was  first  applied  to  naval  transportation 
in  the  year  1707  and  was  applied  to  locomotion  upon  land  in  the  year  1804.  As 


K 


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590       .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

owner  of  a  business  college  in  Sjt.  Louis,  Missouri ;  E.  F.  Quintal,  owner  of  a  busi- 
ness college  in  Green  Bay,  \\'isconsin ;  J.  B.  Owen,  lumber  merchant  in  Stoning- 
ton.  Illinois:  Prof.  G.  W.  Roseberry,  proprietor  of  tbree  business  colleges  in 
^lassacbusetts :  Gertrude  Harvey,  teacber  of  sbortband  in  tbe  Davenport  bigh 
school,  and  I'rof.  A.  T.  Scoville,  now  principal  of  Brown's  Sterling  school. 

Mr.  Brown  graduated  as  a  boy  from  tbe  Eastman's  Business  College  in 
rougbkeei)sio.  Xew  York,  and  began  teacbing  in  tbe  commercial  department  of 
I  ledding  College,  Al)ingdon,  Illinois.  Later  be  was  employed  by  Wbipple  Acad- 
emy at  Jacksonville  as  tbe  writing  master  and  began  his  work  there  February 
17,  1867.  .  _-  ,  .  -:  .  .-^  ^  •  t--.  '^^'  ''  •  '  r,  :  ::  . 

Soon  after  tbe  business  college  and  tbe  academy  separated,  Mr.  Brown  going 
with  the  business  college,  and  tbe  scbool  prospered  for  a  number  of  years. 

In  1888  the  Ti-oria  scbool  was  purcbased  and  was  soon  followed  by  Decatur 
and  tben  (jalesburg,  until  now  Mr.  Brown  controls  a  cbain  of  tw-enty-nine  busi- 
ness colleges  located  in  tin-  best  cities  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri  and  Indiana. 
Tbe  Galesburg  scbool  ranks  well  up  among  tbe  best  and  is  well  attended.  Tbe 
graduates  may  be  found  in  nearly  all  of  tbe  business  bouses  of  Galesburg  and 
surrounding  territorv.  Tbe  annual  graduating  exercises  are  a  new  feature,  and 
forty  to  fifty  young  peo])le  are  given  tbeir  diplomas  eacb  year.  j 

A  new  course  will  be  added  tbis  year  in  stenotype,  a  macbine  invented  to 
u'rite  sbortband. 

Tbe  scbool  is  now  owned  and  controlled  by  President  G.  W.  Brown;  bow- 
ever,  tbe  actual  management  lias  been  sbifted  from  bis  sboulders  to  Superin- 
tendent R.  II.  IVck,  wbo  was  at  one  time  teacber  in  tbe  Englisb  department  of 
tbe  scbool.  Mr.  IJrown  was  tbe  first  western  scbool  manager  to  introduce  type- 
writing in  tbe  scliool,  tbe  first  to  admit  ladies,  and  was  tbe  first  to  introduce  a 
course  in  salesmansbip. 

Tbe  present  teacbers,  aside  from  Principal  J.  H.  Cox,  are  Miss  Maud  Lance, 
sbortband;  Mr.  J.  .-X.  Ebersol,  bookkeeping;  ]\Iiss  Myrtle  Reck,  typewriting  and 
Englisb;  and  Miss  Dorotby  Bean,  tbe  stenotype  teacber,  and  Miss  Olga  Tbuline, 
assistant. 


THE    CHICAGO,    BURLIX(;TOX    &    QUIXCY    RAILROAD    OF    KXOX 
•      :  COUXTY,  ILLIXOIS        .      A 

,,  l*>v  JOHN  LASS 

GKNESIS    OJ-'    THE    RAILROAD  ' 

Before  tbe  advent  of  tbe  railroad  transportation  was  carried  on  by  means 
of  canals,  as  in  Cbina  to-day,  and  tbe  construction  of  government  roads,  sucli 
as  tbe  Appian  way  of  Italy,  and  a  great  deal  of  commerce  may  be  carried  on 
under  tbat  old  system.  Besides,  those  roads  were  used  for  military  purposes, 
rnd  we  may  well  l)e  surprised  witb  tbeir  effectiveness  wben  compared  witb  mod- 
ern transportation.  Tbe  discovery  of  tbe  power  of  steam  was  made  by  Heron  in 
tbe  tbird  century,  B.  C.  Tbis  power  was  first  applied  to  naval  transportation 
in  tbe  year  1707  and  was  applied  to  locomotion  upon  land  in  tbe  year  1804.  As 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  591 

in  all  other  primitive  efforts  in  the  application  of  a  new  principle,  the  success 
was  at  first  quite  indifferent,  and  there  elapsed  quite  a  period  of  time  before 
anything  like  real  success  was  arrived  at.  But  the  general  necessities  of  man- 
kind for  something  that  would  transport  passengers  and  freight  quickly  from 
point  to  point  proved  a  great  stimulus  to  additional  invention  and  constant  im- 
provements in  the  method  of  application. 

The  growth  of  the  cities  of  the  world  made  it  imperative  that  some  means 
should  be  discovered  for  bringing  the  products  of  the  country  to  the  city  and  in 
return  the  manufactured  articles  from  the  city  back  to  the  country.  In  the 
early  days  of  railroad  life  there  were  but  small  sections  of  roads  here  and  there, 
but  the  great  body  of  the  land  was  without  any  facilities  of  this  kind.  These 
necessities  were  so  poorly  supplied  that  the  geniuses  of  the  country  were  con- 
stantly working  to  produce  something  really  efficient  in  the  line  of  transporta- 
tion. 

The  immediate  forerunners  of  the  Burlington  system  were  projected  roads 
^  ;  from  Peoria  to  Oquawka,  from  Quincy  northward,  known  as  the  Northern 
'.;.  Cross  railroad,  and  from  Chicago  to  Aurora,  all  located  within  the  state  of  Illi- 
]• ',  nois.  With  a  road  from  Peoria  to  Oquawka  and  another  from  Quincy  north- 
'  -  ward  and  another  from  Chicago  southward  there  was  a  great  desire  to  extend 
;  the  system  so  as  to  connect  all  these  points  with  Chicago.  But  out  of  those 
three  projected  roads  has  grown  the  great  system  and  network  of  railways 
-  known  as  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad.  'v  ;. 

.    ;      /'i  >:  :'C     'v       .  THE  EXTENT   OF  THE   BURLINGTON    SYSTEM  .    :       -    -i 


This  system  has  become  known  as  the  Burlington  route.  It  is  the  parent 
organization  and  corporation  of  an  extensive  system  which  operates  railroads  in 
most  of  the  western  and  northwestern  states.  It  starts  at  Chicago  and  furnishes 
connections  at  St.  Louis,  Kansas  City,  Omaha,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis,  Cheyenne, 
Denver,  Billings,  Deadwood  and  many  other  connecting  and  intermediate  points 
and  has  connections  by  affiliated  roads  such  as  the  Great  Northern,  Northern 
Pacific,  Quincy,  Omaha  &  Kansas  City,  Colorado  Midland,  Western  Pacific,  Den- 
ver &  Rio  Grande,  reaching  the  southwestern  states  at  Los  Angeles,  the  western 
and  northwestern  states  at  San  Francisco,  Seattle  and  Portland;  and  on  the 
southeast  to  the  Ohio  river  and  the  south  and  all  the  southeastern  states.  This 
system  is  destined,  through  its  great  controlling  road,  the  Great  Northern,  to 
tap  the  large  wheat  and  timber  lands  of  Canada  and  the  northwestern  states. 
An  ever  increasing  volume  of  traffic  will  surely  be  brought  to  the  great  north- 
western gateway  by  the  Great  Northern,  the  Northern  Pacific  and  the  Colorado 
Southern  to  the  Burlington  route  and  transported  to  the  eastern,  southern,  cen- 
tral and  gulf  states  and  thence  to  Europe. 

From  the  south  and  east  the  products  of  the  country  will  be  transported  to 
the  important  shipping  points  on  the  north  Pacific  coast,  British  Columbia  and 
Alaska  and  then  to  the  Orient  and  far  away  Asia  and  Europe. 

Surely  a  stupendous  system  of  commercial  activity  of  such  a  character  as 
that  passing  through  the  county  of  Knox  is  worthy  of  the  most  careful  study. 

Railroads  become  one  of  the  most  important  features  in  the  development  of 
the  country.  They  have  been  the  means  of  opening  up  the  broad  domain  to 


592  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

settlement,  and  by  them  every  department  in  life  has  been  most  rapidly  ad- 
vanced, and  they  constitute  in  a  large  degree  the  vital  force  of  an  active  and 
wealthy  civilization.  The  country  is  covered  with  a  network  of  roads  extending 
from  ocean  to  ocean,  penetrating  every  state  and  territory  and  employing  millions 
of  men  and  women,  expending  millions  of  money  for  service,  maintenance  and 
equipment,  and  any  serious  interference  with  the  operation  of  these  roads  would 
at  once  paralyze  the  business  of  the  country  and  result  in  untold  injury  and  suf- 
fering to  the  people.  The  combined  value  of  the  railroads  of  the  country  is 
represented  in  figures  wholly  incomprehensible  to  the  human  mind,  unthinkable 
even  to  their  managers,  and  every  dollar  is  at  the  service  of  the  people. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  agitation  of  railway  building  in  this  county,  which 
was  about  as  early  as  that  of  any  other  part  of  the  state,  the  people  have  been 
very  earnest  and  active  on  the  subject.     The  early  settlers  of  the  county,  being 
largely  from  the  east,  were  naturally  among   the  first  to  desire  a  connection 
by  rail  with  that  part  of  the  world  from  whence  they  came.     They  came  to 
this  country  by  wagon  overland,  slowly  pushing  their  way  over  hills  and  through 
forests,  fording  streams  swollen  with  spring  rains,  halting  for  nothing  except 
the  Sabbath  day.     Today  we  find  them  in  the  midst  of  the  noise  and  whir  of 
revolving  shafts,  of  wheels  of  industry  and  commerce,  enjoying  the  benefits  of  ';.•.;' 
twentieth  century  transportation   and  the  journey  once  made   with   such  trial  ;;     ' . 
and   hardship   is    now   taken    with    comfort   and    the   enjoyment   of   books    and  '';.'• 
newspapers  and  is  completed  within  a  few  hours. 


.•:..:..  THE    DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    BURLINGTON     SYSTEM      ;;• 

The  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad  may  justly  be  said  to  be  the 
origin  of  the  energ)'  and  power  that  has  turned  the  west  and  uncultivated  prairies 
of  the  central  west  into  a  land  of  plenty,  beauty,  business  and  wealth  and  of 
all  the  counties  in  all  this  great  central  west,  Knox  county  and  its  adjoining 
counties  in  Illinois  have  been  made  the  most  productive  and  the  most  blest  of 
all  in  the  advantages  of  business,  culture  and  refinement. 

>•;•;;,',  PEORIA   &  OQUAWKA   R.    R.         :•  /;'•       '\CP 


On  February  12,  1849,  ^^^  legislature  granted  a  charter  to  the  Peoria  & 
Oquawka  Railroad  Co.  with  a  capital  stock  of  $500,000.  Under  this 
charter  a  certain  amount  of  stock  had  to  be  subscribed  by  February  i,  1850, 
before  grading  could  commence  and  besides  this,  other  conditions  were  im- 
posed which  were  burdensome,  but  which  were  modified  by  the  next  legislature. 
The  plan  was  to  construct  a  railroad  from  Peoria  on  the  Illinois  river  to  Oquawka, 
on  the  Mississippi.  );;'•':•.:  :'',  •:;'•!• 

The  first  railroad  meeting  was  held  in  Knox  county,  September  9,  1849,  the 
object  of  which  was  to  provide  for  the  general  assembling  of  the  citizens  in 
October.  There  was  a  large  and  enthusiastic  meeting,  speeches  were  made  by 
James  Knox  and  Robert  S.  Blackwell.  A  motion  was  made  and  carried  in 
favor  of  voluntary  taxation  to  provide  funds  to  prosecute  the  work.  The  es- 
timated cost  was  between  $500,000  and  $750,000.  A  resolution  was  adopted 
requesting  the  commissioners  of  the  county  to  correspond  with  those  of  other 


-.>•.' rv     :";•    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  x     ^  593 

counties  in  order  to  bring  about  concerted  action  in  the  matter.  IMeetings  were 
held  throughout  Knox  county  and  a  great  deal  of  interest  was  manifested. 
The  Knoxville  Journal,  then  owned  by  John  S.  Winter,  was  very  zealous  in  the 
advocacy  of  the  cause,  awakening  an  interest  in  railroad  matters.  A  meeting 
was  held  in  Galesburg,  November  29,  1849. 

The  people  of  Oquawka,  refusing  to  aid  the  enterprise,  the  people  of  Bur- 
lington came  forward  with  the  necessary  subscription,  the  route  was  changed 
to  the  latter  place  and  Oquawka  was  left  out.  The  company  expended  all  their 
money  and  exhausted  their  credit  in  building  the  road  from  Burlington  to 
Kirkwood. 

A  large  meeting  was  again  held  in  Knoxville,  inaugurated  by  the  people  of 
Peoria,  at  which  Judge  Purple  presided.  The  idea  of  the  people  of  Knoxville 
at  this  time  was  that  the  road  would  build  to  Peoria  and  thereby  bring  manu- 
factories nearer  to  them.  But  the  defects  in  tlie  charter  caused  the  project  to 
drag  and  in  the  meantime  the  people  of  Peoria  organized  a  new  company  under 
an  old  charter  which  had  been  granted  to  Andrew  Gray  to  build  a  road  ten  miles 
from  Peoria  and  finally  to  pass  through  Farmington,  Illinois,  and  then  direct 
to  Burlington,  leaving  Knoxville  and  Galesburg  to  the  north.  This  road  was 
called  the  Peoria  &  Mississippi  Railroad  Co. 

The  people  of  Knoxville  favored  the  road  rather  than  have  no  road  in  the 
county.  However,  on  February  lo,  1851,  the  defects  in  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka 
charter  were  removed,  which  allowed  the  company  to  commence  work  with  less 
stock  paid  in  and  to  run  the  road  through  Knoxville  and  Monmouth  with 
Galesburg  left  to  the  north  again. 

vv.:';.:  ;;.''.^;:;  '-..f'  _:  -'.'••'.^•'^^^•'-  CENTRAL  MIUTARY  TRACT  R.  R.          '  :  •  ••  '  '.;^/'^:'         ' 

This  did  not  satisfy  the  citizens  of  Galesburg  and  on  February  15,  1851,  the 
Central  Military  Tract  Railroad  company  was  incorporated  with  Wm.  Mc- 
Murtry,  C.  S.  Colton,  James  Bunce,  W.  S.  Gale,  C.  G.  Lanphere,  H.  H.  May, 
W.  A.  Wood.  Alfred  Brown,  Alvah  Wheeler,  Peter  Grouse,  Amos  Ward, 
Patrick  Dunn,  Daniel  Meek,  Silas  Willard,  A.  C.  Wiley  and  their  associates  and 
successors,  a  body  politic  and  corporate  under  the  name  and  style  of  the  Central 
Military  Tract  Railroad  company,  with  power  to  build  a  road  from  Galesburg, 
in  a  northwesterly  course,  to  some  point  on  the  Rock  Island  and  LaSalle  railroad. 
The  object  of  this  move  was  twofold,  viz.,  to  build  in  the  direction  of  Chicago 
and  thereby  compel  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka  railroad  to  come  to  Galesburg. 

On  June  19,  1852,  the  charter  was  amended  so  as  to  give  them  the  right  to 
build  a  road  from  Galesburg  in  a  northeasterly  direction  on  the  most  direct  and 
eligible  route  to  the  city  of  Chicago,  to  a  point  to  be  designated  by  said  company 
at  or  near  the  line  of  the  Chicago  and  Rock  Island  railroad.  The  charter  orig- 
inated with  a  body  of  men  who  were  wont  to  meet  in  the  office  of  W.  S.  Gale, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  public  square  in  the  city  of  Galesburg.  Among  those 
were  C.  S.  Colton,  W.  S.  Gale,  Silas  Willard,  Geo.  C.  Lanphere,  and  James 
Bunce,  and  they  were  aided  in  their  scheme  by  Marcus  Osborne  of  Rock  Island. 
Their  first  charter  was  written  in  the  office  of  W.  S.  Gale  and  Geo.  C.  Lanphere, 
the  democrat  in  the  ring,  was  sent  to  the  legislature,  which  was  democratic  at 
that  time,  where  the  bill  was  passed.  Under  the  charter,  a  survey  was  made  for 
a  line  to  Sheffield  by  Messrs.  Whipple,  Wentworth  &  Churchill. 

Vol.  I— 38  -'•/••'-^          • 


594  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Plans  and  estimates  were  made  for  this  line  and  the  work  put  under  con- 
tract in  the  winter  of  1851-2.  The  contracts  were  revoked,  however,  and 
nothing  was  done,  the  company  having  changed  its  plans  and  decided  to  meet 
the  Chicago  &  Aurora  road  at  Mendota. 

'•.;-;.-v:-i'Vv'V--   '..    -••,    •  '        AURORA  BRANCH  R.   R.   :,^';-.    ''•'•CJ' 

On  Fehruary  12,  1849,  the  Aurora  Branch  Railroad  company  was  incor- 
porated to  build  a  road  from  Aurora  to  the  Galesburg  and  Chicago  railroad.  On 
June  22,  1852,  this  act  was  amended  to  allow  them  to  extend  their  road  in  a 
southwest  direction  or  to  build  northwest  to  where  they  could  interest  any  rail- 
road, built  or  to  be  built,  and  then  form  connection  with  such  road. 

':.,    .li'^;^  NORTHERN  CROSS  R.  R.  .'•;.  ;.'.:;>^-v       -     u 

February  i,  1851,  power  was  granted  to  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  com- 
pany road,  extending  north  from  Quincy,  Illinois,  to  build  a  branch  from  some 
point  on  that  road  in  Adams  county  and  then  running  in  a  most  expedient  and 
eligible  route  through  the  military  tract,  terminating  at  the  most  advantageous 
point  at  or  near  the  south  terminal  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  with  a 
proviso  that  the  company  should  not  locate  or  construct  this  branch  upon  any 
line  east  of  the  city  of  Knoxville. 

June  21,  1852,  the  act  was  modified  to  authorize  the  Northern  Cross  com- 
pany to  terminate  the  lateral  branch  of  said  road  at  any  point  where  the  railroad 
may  connect  with  any  other  railroad  extending  north  to  the  city  of  Chicago. 

We  now  have  under  consideration  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka,  the  Central  Military 
Tract,  the  Aurora  Branch  and  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  companies.  It  will 
be  found  necessary  to  consider  all  of  these  roads  together  because  upon  their 
completion  the  original  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad  came  into 
existence. 

The  changes  in  the  plans  of  the  Central  Military  Tract  Co.  were  made 
because  of  the  following  circumstances :  While  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka  railroad 
interests  were  being  slowly  worked  up  by  local  subscriptions,  C.  S.  Colton,  of 
Galesburg,  being  in  the  east,  accidentally  met  in  Boston,  J.  W.  Grimes,  of  Bur- 
lington, Iowa,  who  was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  and  also  a  Mr.  Wads- 
worth,  of  Chicago,  who  was  president  of  the  Chicago  &  Aurora  railroad,  and 
after  a  conference  they  decided  that  an  independent  route  direct  to  Chicago  was 
the  most  practicable  line.  Mr.  Colton  returned  home  and  had  a  conference  with 
his  railroad  friends  and  the  changes  were  determined  upon. 
;  It  was  found  impossible  to  secure  eastern  capital  to  aid  in  the  construction 
of  the  road  while  the  rates  of  transportation  were  subject  to  control  by  the 
state  legislature.  A  special  charter  was  prepared  which  removed  the  difficulty - 
and  gave  the  company  the  entire  control  of  the  same  with  full  power  to  estab- 
lish and  regulate  their  rates  of  transportation. 

Mr.  Colton  was  delegated  to  go  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  secure  the  passage 
of  the  special  charter,  which  was  done  June  21,  1852.  At  the  same  date  he  also 
secured  the  amendment  to  the  Chicago  &  Aurora  extension,  authorizing  the 
building  of  that  road  to  Mendota.  It  was  here  that  he  met  for  the  first  time 


:,/'.V  -;  5>.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v^      595 

James  F.  Joy,  afterwards  president  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.,  who  became 
interested  in  Colton's  plans  and  who  suggested  to  him  the  change  of  the  ter- 
minus of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  and  securing  the  interest  of  the  Quincy 
.V;  people  in  this  branch;  and  here  undoubtedly  was  the  inception  of  the  great  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad,  the  pride  of  the  state. 

Subsequently  John  W.  Brooks,  president  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railroad 
Co.,  and  James  F.  Joy,  both  of  Detroit,  interested  themselves  in  the  Central 
Military  Tract  road  and  proposed  that  if  the  people  along  the  route  between 
Galesburg  and  Mendota  would  subscribe  $300,000  they  would  furnish  enough 
more  capital  to  complete  the  grading  of  the  road  and  laying  of  the  ties,  and 
when  that  was  done  they  could  borrow  money  on  the  bonds  of  the  company  to 
complete  the  construction  of  the  road  and  put  it  in  operation.  One  of  the  first 
meetings  to  raise  stock  was  at  the  old  Academy  building  at  Galesburg.  The 
first  three  subscribers  were  James  Bunce,  James  Bull  and  Henry  Ferris.  Mr. 
Bull  failed  to  pay.  Mr.  Bunce  was  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  also  Henry  Ferris, 

•  v.-ho  will  be  remembered  by  many  as  the  father  of  Mrs.  B.  F.  Arnold  and  Mrs. 
Geo.  W.  Prince.     After  several  months  of  canvassing  for  subscriptions  to  the 
new  company  for  the  $300,000,  the  required  guaranty,  they  were  still  short 

.',  $50,000.  At  this  juncture  Messrs.  Joy  and  Brooks  came  to  Galesburg  and  gave 
.--•notice  that  they  could  not  promise  a  further  extension  of  time  on  behalf  of  their 
;  principals,  who  had  agreed  to  build  the  railroad  when  the  required  gttaranty  was 
:  ;  subscribed. 

This  was  a  critical  time,  for  $50,000  must  be  raised  immediately  or  the  whole 
project  would  be  abandoned  and  all  the  work  done  would  be  lost.     Fverybody 
.  in  the  community  had  been  canvassed,  but  to  no  purpose.    At  this  vital  moment 
;;:'-'  C.  S.  Colton  and  Silas  Willard,  who  had  been  the  principal  movers  in  the  enter- 
prise, finally  determined  to  risk  everything  for  the  success  of  the  undertaking, 
and  they  personally  subscribed  the  $50,000,  thereby  binding  all  the  other  sub- 
scribers and  also  the  eastern  capitalists  to  their  contract  for  building  and  operat- 
ing the  road.     This  subscription  was  a  heavy  load  for  these  men  and  they  were 
.  :    obliged  to  borrow  the  entire  amount  at  the  rate  of  lo  per  cent,  all  their  own 
;   ,  means  being  fully  absorbed  in  their  business,  and  it  was  several  years  before 
;    their  stock  paid  any  dividend. 

•'          In  1852  the  line  was  surveyed  from  Galesburg  to  Mendota,  at  first  through 
...Henderson,  but  later  about  four  miles  east. 

Meanwhile  Knoxville  was  fighting  Galesburg  and  trying  to  get  the  Northern 

•  • ,  Cross  Railroad  company  to  come  to  that  city.     The*  people  between  Peoria  and 
i    Burlington  were  anxiously  waiting  for  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka  road  to  go  ahead. 
;>  The  terminal  cities,  Burlington  and  Peoria,  by  vote  subscribed  $75,000  each. 

;      Burlington  thus  got  ahead  of  Oquawka  and  then  Henderson  county  voted  to  take 
"  -.;.  no  stock  in  the  company. 

^ ,.:        On  June  20,  1851,  the  stockholders  of  the  Peoria  &  Oquawka  Railroad  Co. 

-^^jr  met  at  Knoxville  and  elected  the  first  board  of  directors,  as  follows:     Chas. 

Mason  and  J.  W.  Grimes  of  Bloomington,  A.  C.  Harding  and  Samuel  Webster 

of  Monmouth,  James  Knox  and  Julius  Manning  of  Knoxville,,  Asa  D.  Reed  of 

Farmington,  Rudolphus  Rouse  and  Washington  Cockrel  of  Peoria  to  serve  one 

year.     James  Knox  was  chosen  president,  Robert  L.  Hannaman  secretary  and 

i     William  Phelps  treasurer.     The  first  contract  for  grading  the  road  was  let  in 


596  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

October,  1851,  at  the  Peoria  end.  By  September,  1853,  a^l  parts  of  the  Peoria 
&  Oquawka  road  were  under  contract.  When  the  eastern  end  of  the  P.  &  O. 
road  was  built  to  Elmwood  and  the  western  end  to  Monmouth  the  work  ceased. 
The  parties  controlling  the  line  failing  to  complete  the  road,  the  subscribers  be- 
came dissatisfied,  and  W.  S.  Mans  of  Peoria,  James  Knox  of  Knoxville  and 
A.  C.  Harding  of  Monmouth  entered  into  a  contract  to  finish  the  road  between 
Monmouth  and  Elmwood,  but  being  unable  to  carry  out  their  contract  they  sold 
out  to  the  Central  Military  Tract  Co.,  the  latter  agreeing  to  complete,  equip  and 
open  the  road,  which  gave  the  road  to  Galesburg.  After  numerous  efforts  by 
C.  S.  Colton  of  the  Central  Military  Tract  Co.  and  N.  Bushnell  of  the  Northern 
Cross  Co.  a  junction  of  the  two  roads  at  Galesburg  was  agreed  upon  which 
was  subsequently  ratified  by  the  legislature.  By  this  act,  together  with  the  pur- 
chase of  the  contract  for  the  construction  of  the  P.  &  O.  line  by  the  Central 
Military  Tract  Co.,  the  destiny  of  Galesburg  as  a  railroad  center  was  absolutely 

fixed.    -/.   .:..-.  :^.-'•^-^:^V.•.v^:v'.  ':^^'-' :.  ;•  •••.V:;:,-  y'v\\:-^ 

In  October,  1852,  the  Central  Military  Tract  Co.  increased  its  capital  stock 
from  $100,000  to  $600,000  and  elected  the  following  directors:  John  W.  Brooks, 
Henry  Ledyard,  James  F.  Joy,  W.  N.  Lathrop  of  Detroit,  J.  H.  Birch,  C.  G. 
Hammond  and  John  H.  Kinsey  of  Chicago,  C.  G.  Colton,  W.  S.  Gale,  James 
Bunce  and  Silas  Willard  of  Galesburg,  Wm.  McMurtry  of  Henderson  and  John 
H.  Bryant  of  Princeton,  Illinois. 

The  road  from  Burlington  to  Peoria  was  not  completed  until  the  end  of 
1854.  The  first  passenger  trains  began  running  in  the  spring  of  1855.  At  this 
time  the  Chicago  and  Aurora  company  and  the  Central  Military  Tract  company 
and  the  Peoria  and  Oquawka  company  were  all  consolidated  under  the  name  of 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad  company,  the  name  being  adopted 
from  the  terminal  points  of  the  lines  that  formed  the  consolidation.  Upon  the 
consolidation  Galesburg  was  made  a  central  division  from  Mendota  west.  Col. 
C.  G.  Hammond,  formerly  of  the  Michigan  Central,  being  the  general  superin- 
tendent of  the  road,  placed  the  Galesburg  division  under  the  supervision  of  Henry 
Hitchcock  as  assistant  superintendent  on  Jan.  i,  1856. 

Galesburg  has  always  been  the  headquarters  of  the  Galesburg  division.  Here 
are  located  the  company's  shops,  roundhouses,  locomotive  and  car  departments, 
large  stock  yards,  icing  plant,  timber  preserving  plant,  cement  works  and  other 
equipment,  and  here  a  large  number  of  men  live  who  are  employed  in  the  train, 
track  and  engine  service,  also  bridge  men,  carpenters,  shop  men  and  men  em- 
ployed in  other  branches  of  the  service,  and  these  men  have  much  to  do  in 
building  up  Galesburg  and  making  it  one  of  the  most  prosperous  cities  of  the 
central  west. 

From  Galesburg,  the  county  seat  of  Knox  county,  the  center  lines  of  rail- 
road diverge  to  many  points  terminating  in  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis,  Rock 
Island  and  Moline,  Burlington,  Quincy,  Peoria,  Streator,  Rushville  and  West 
Havana,  and  from  these  points  important  connections  are  made  with  all  the 
country,  bringing  Galesburg  and  Knox  county  in  direct  intercourse  with  a  large 
territory  and  making  it  the  distributing  point  for  the  merchandise  and  products 
of  the  central  part  of  the  state.  The  original  offices  and  passenger  station,  which 
had  a  fine  hotel  connected  with  it,  managed  by  the  then  noted  hotel  man  H.  W. 
Belden,  was  located  at  the  intersection  of  Prairie  and  Brooks  streets.  This  sta- 


:,<;::.:;;/ ^:;%        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /          597 

tion  and  offices  were  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  stormy  March  ist,  1881.  Tem- 
porary quarters  were  built  for  use  until  the  new  station  was  built  in  1883  and 
completed  and  occupied  May  4,  1884.  This  new  station  and  office  building  was 
also  destroyed  by  fire  April  27,  1911,  and  temporary  quarters  rebuilt  for  use 
until  the  fine  new  station  now  being  erected  is  completed,  which  will  be  this 
year,  when  Seminary  and  South  streets'  grade  crossings  will  give  place  to  large 
subways.  Probably  Main  and  Mulberry  also  will  later  be  given  subway  cross- 
ings. 

This,  in  a  general  way,  gives  the  origin  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and 
Quincy  Railroad  company  proper,  which  in  1855  consisted  of  but  a  few  miles 
of  road  as  compared  with  its  present  extent.  This  road  extended  from  Chicago 
to  Galesburg,  Galesburg  to  East  Burlington,  south  from  Galesburg  to  Quincy 
and  east  from  Galesburg  to  Peoria,  three  hundred  and  seventy-eight  miles.  This 
was  increased  in  1862  to  four  hundred  and  eight  miles  "by  a  branch  from  Yates 
City  to  Lewistown.  Now  its  main  line,  extending  from  Chicago  to  Denver,  Kan- 
sas City,  Cheyenne,  Billings,  Deadwood,  and  the  whole  number  of  miles  of 
standard  gauge  road  operated  by  the  Burlington  in  1911  was  about  nine  thou- 
sand and  seventy-five  miles.  Of  this  total  seventeen  hundred  and  thirty-two 
miles  were  in  the  state  of  Illinois.  ':.. 

The  total  earnings  and  disbursements  of  the  road  in  the  state  for  the  year 
reached  an  enormous  amount  and  the  tonnage  hauled  was  immense  in  volume  and 
the  prosperity  of  all  the  cities  on  its  line  may  justly  be  said  to  depend  upon  the 
earnings  of  the  employes  of  the  road  and  to  the  business  created  and  made  pos- 
sible  by  the  advantages  given  by  the  road.  The  company  paid  to  the  treasurer 
of  Knox  county,  in  the  year  1910,  $49,646.09  in  taxes. 

In  this  sketch  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  railroad  we  have  aimed  at  giving  the  history 
of  its  inception,  the  events  which  culminated  in  the  consolidation  of  the  different 
railroad  projects  which  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad 
Co.  and  its  operation  in  Knox  county  and  adjacent  territory,  whose  rails 
now  carry  the  product  of  millions  of  acres  of  land  and  move  the  population  of 
a  continent.  This  company  has  the  reputation  of  having  the  best  track  in  the 
United  States.  Its  trains  are  made  of  the  most  elegant  and  serviceable  equip- 
ment  and  with  all  the  latest  facilities  for  service  and  comfort.  The  double  steel 
rail  is  laid  now  on  nearly  all  its  lines  and  the  trains  are  noted  for  their  regularity 
in  running  on  schedule  time.  The  management  of  the  road  is,  and  always  has 
been,  of  the  best  and  in  keeping  with  its  equipment.  '''.'/ 

During  the  twelve  months  ending  June  21,  1912,  the  Burlington  railroad 
carried  22,000,000  passengers  without  causing  a  death.  The  management  also 
announced  that  there  has  not  been  a  fatality  in  the  passenger  list  of  the  suburban 
system  in  five  years.  /;  u 

The  record  covers  the  entire  system  of  9,332  miles.  The  suburban  system, 
which  has  been  clear  of  deaths  for  five  years,  handles  an  average  of  il,ooo  pas- 
sengers  daily  and  operates  i CO  trains  every  twenty-four  hours. 

Of  the  total  mileage  there  is  2,812  in  Illinois,  1,925  in  Iowa,  1,635  '"  Mis- 
souri. 3,523  in  Nebraska,  and  from  54  to  600  in  Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  Kansas, 
Colorado,  South  Dakota,  Wyoming  and  Montana.  The  number  of  passengers 
carried  one  mile  was  1.173,435,093,  and  the  average  distance  traveled  by  each 
passenger  was  53  miles. 


593  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

On  two  or  three  divisions  there  has  not  been  a  passenger  killed  for  three  to 
seven  years. 

.'-  -*  •     '*  ''  '    ^V  '  *"^',-''    '  ;    '     '     '.',        '    '• 

FROM  THE  PRESIDENT  DOWN  ALL  ARE  COURTEOUS  AND  OBLIGING  AND  FAITHFUL 
IN  THE  DISCHARGE  OF  THEIR  RESPECTIVE  DUTIES. 

Up  to  the  present  time  the  consideration  of  the  Burlington  route  has  been 
directed  to  a  brief  review  of  the  construction  of  the  road  beginning  at  Chicago 
and  running  to  Galesburg,  the  road  beginning  at  Quincy  and  running  to  Gales- 
burg,  and  the  road  from  Peoria  to  Burlington.  There  are  other  -branches  of  this 
road  which  belong  in  Knox  county  and  as  shown  in  the  beginning  of  this  article, 
it  is  worth  our  while  to  study  with  some  care  the  growth  of  this  enormous  cor- 
poration even  though  we  go  beyond  the  limits  of  Knox  county.  Inasmuch  as 
this  railroad  system  is  of  such  incalculable  interest  to  Knox  county,  it  is  well 
to  place  before  every  thinking  person  of  the  county  some  knowledge  of  the 
growth  of  nearly  the  entire  system.  We  will  now  proceed  to  recapitulate  very 
briefly  what  has  gone  before  and  to  take  up  the  various  branches  of  the  Bur- 
lington system  that  are  contributing  so  much  business  and  activity  to  the  people 
of  Knox  county. 

To  refer  again  to  the  construction  and  organization  of  the  road.  The  road 
known  as  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  railroad  proper  consists  of  the  main  line,  Chicago 
via  Aurora,  Mendota  and  Galesburg  to  Burlington,  Galesburg  to  Quincy,  the 
branch  from  Aurora  to  Turner  Junction  (on  the  C.  &  N.  W.  Ry.),  from  Gales- 
burg to  Peoria,  and  from  Yates  City  to  Lewistown.  The  name  of  the  road 
built  by  a  company  incorporated  February  12,  1849,  under  the  name  of  the  Aurora 
Branch  Railroad  Co.  was  changed  June  22,  1852,  to  the  Chicago  and  Aurora 
Railroad  Co.  February  14,  1855,  the  name  was  again  change  to  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 
Railroad  Co. 

The  road  from  Mendota  to  Galesburg  was  built  by  a  company  incorporated 
February  15,  1851,  under  the  name  of  the  Central  Military  Tract  Railroad 
Co.  On  July. 9,  1856,  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  and  the  Central  Military  Track  Rail- 
road Co.  were  consolidated  under  the  name  of  the  former  company.  The 
road  from  Galesburg  to  the  Mississippi  river  opposite  Burlington  and  from 
Galesburg  to  Peoria  was  built  by  a  corporation  incorporated  February  12,  1849, 
under  the  name  of  Peoria  &  Oquawka  Railroad  company.  On  February  21,  i86i, 
the  name  was  changed  to  the  Logansport,  Peoria  &  Burlington  Railroad  Co. 
On  October  20,  1862,  the  Logansport,  Peoria  &  Burlington  railroad 
was  purchased  by  G.  S.  Bartlett,  N.  Thayer,  J.  W.  Brooks.  By  authority  of  an 
act  of  the  legislature,  approved  June  19,  1863,  the  purchasers,  on  March  8,  1864, 
organized  a  new  company  under  the  name  of  the  Peoria  &  Burlington  Railroad 
Co.  On  July  24,  1864,  the  Peoria  &  Burlington  railroad  was  consolidated 
with  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.,  under  the  name  of  the  C,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co. 

The  road  from  Galesburg  to  Quincy  was  built  by  a  company  incorporated 
February  lo,  1849,  under  the  name  of  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  Co.  On 
February  lo,  1857,  '^^  name  was  changed  to  the  Quincy  &  Chicago  Railroad 
Co.  The  Quincy  &  Chicago  Railroad  Co.  was  sold  under  foreclosure  on  April 
28,  1864,  and  purchased  by  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.,  and  deeded  to  that  company, 
Jiine  30,  1865.  ;.  ;  '/:.>-•  ^••;.-V 


C.,   B.   &  Q.   PASSENGER   DEPOT 
Located  on  the  corner  of  South   Seminary  and   South   Streets.     Built  in   1883-4.     Value,   $60,000. 


BURNING  OF  THE  C.,   B.  &  O.   DEPOT 
Galesburg,  April  27.  1911. 


533  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

On  two  or  three  divisions  there  has  not  been  a  passenger  killed  for  three  to 

seven   vears. 

•    •    •      :-••:,      .1 

FROM  THE  PRESIDENT  IX)\VX  ALL  ARE  COL'RTEOUS  AND  OBLIGING  AND  FAITHFUL 
IN  THE  DISCHARGE  OF  THEIR  RESPECTIVE  DUTIES.  'I 

Uj)  to  the  present  time  the  consic'icration  of  the  Burlinj^ton  route  has  been 
directed  to  a  brief  review  of  the  construction  of  the  road  beginning  at  Cbicago 
and  running  to  Galesburg,  the  road  beginning  at  Quincy  and  running  to  Ciales- 
burg,  and  the  road  from  IVoria  to  Ijurliugton.  There  are  other  'branches  of  this 
road  which  Ijelong  in  Knox  county  and  as  shown  in  the  beginning  of  this  article, 
it  is  worth  our  while  to  study  with  some  care  the  growth  of  this  enormous  cor- 
jxjration  even  though  we  go  beyond  the  limits  of  Knox  county.  Inasmuch  as 
this  railroad  system  is  of  such  incalculable  interest  to  Knox  county,  it  is  well 
to  i)lace  before  every  thinking  person  of  the  county  some  knowledge  of  the 
growth  of  nearly  the  entire  system.  \\'e  will  now  proceed  to  recapitulate  very 
briefly  what  has  goue  before  and  to  take  up  the  various  brandies  of  the  lUu'- 
lington  system  that  are  contributing  so  much  business  and  activity  to  the  people 
of  Knox  county. 

To  refer  again  to  the  construction  and  organization  of  the  road.  The  road 
known  as  the  C..  I!.  &  O.  railroa<l  i)roper  consists  of  the  main  line.  Chicago 
via  Aurora.  .Mendota  and  (ialesburg  to  lUtrlington,  (ialesbttrg  to  Ouincy.  the 
branch  from  Aurora  to  Turner  junction  (on  the  C.  &  X.  \\'.  Ry. ).  from  ( Jales- 
bttrg  to  I'eoria,  and  from  Vatcs  City  to  Lcwistown.  The  name  of  the  road 
built  by  a  companx  inc(»rpi)rated  l-'ebriiary  12.  i^4().  under  the  name  of  the  Aurora 
Branch  Railroad  Co.  was  changed  Jime  22,  1852.  to  the  Chicago  and  Aurora 
Railroad  CO.  Februarv  14.  i«^33.  the  name  was  again  change  to  the  C.,  15.  &  Q. 
Railroad  Co. 

The  road  from  Mendota  to  Galesburg  was  built  by  a  company  incorporated 
February  15,  1851.  under  the  name  of  the  Central  Military  Tract  Railroad 
Co.  On  July  9.  1856,  the  C.,  1'..  &  Q.  and  the  Central  .Military  Track  Rail- 
road Co.  were  consolidated  under  the  name  of  the  former  company.  The 
road  from  dalesburg  to  the  Mississippi  river  opposite  Burlington  and  from 
(ialesburg  to  Peoria  was  built  liy  a  corporation  incorporated  February  12,  1849, 
under  the  name  of  Peoria  &  Ocpiawka  Railroad  company.  On  February  21,  1861. 
the  name  was  changed  to  the  Logansport,  Peoria  &  P.urlington  Railroad  Co. 
On  October  20,  1862,  the  Logansport.  Peoria  &  Uurlington  railroad 
was  purchased  by  G.  S.  Bartlett,  X.  Thayer,  J.  \V.  Brooks.  By  authority  of  an 
act  of  the  legislature,  approved  June  19,  1863,  the  purchasers,  on  March  8,  1864, 
organized  a  new  company  under  the  name  of  the  Peoria  &  Burlington  Railroad 
Co.  On  July  24,  1864,  the  Peoria  &  Burlington  railroad  was  consolidated 
with  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co..  under  the  name  of  the  C,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co. 

.  The  road  from  Galesburg  to  Ouincy  was  built  by  a  company  incorporated 
February  lo.  1849.  under  tbe  name  of  tbe  Xorthern  Cross  Railroad  Co.  On 
February  lo.  1857.  its  name  was  changed  to  the  Ouincy  &  Chicago  Railroad 
Co.  The  Quincy  &  Chicago  Railroad  Co.  was  sold  under  foreclosure  on  April 
28,  1864,  and  jnirchased  by  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.,  and  deeded  to  that  company, 
June  30,  1865.  ;  . 


(...   I!.   \   <J.    I'.VSSKNtiKK    KKl'OT 
l-ticated   <in   llic   curlier   (if   Soiitli   Seminary   and   Soutli    Slreetf.      lUiilt   in    1,s!«:{-4.      \'alre.   $(iii,<MHi. 


r.L'UMXC.    OK    Till-;   I.,    11.   \    n.    DKI'OT 
(ijilefliurg,   April   -'7,   1!>11. 


.:-  -W' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  599 

,  -1,  •.-'**'-;• 

The  road  from  Yates  City  to  Lewistown  was  built  under  the  name  of  two 
companies.  The  Jacksonville  &  Savanna  R.  R.  Co.,  incorporated  February  14, 
1855,  under  which  name  the  road  was  built  from  Yates  City  southwesterly  to  a 
point  about  four  miles  south  of  Canton.  The  remainder  of  the  road  was  built 
in  the  name  of  the  Peoria  &  Hannibal  R.  R.  Co.,  which  was  incorporated  Feb- 
ruary II,  1853,  under  the  name  of  the  Macomb,  Vermont  &  Bath  R.  R.  Co.  This 
was  changed  to  the  Peoria  &  Hannibal  R.  R.  Co.,  on  February  24,  1854.  No- 
vember 4,  1860,  these  two  pieces  of  road  were  purchased  by  J.  W.  Brooks  and 
J.  F.  Joy.  On  November  6,  i86i,  they  were  transferred  to  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 
R.  R.  Co.  ,;y;^ .  ,'-:.•:  . 

The  branch  from  Buda  to  Elmwood  was  built  by  a  company  incorporated 
under  the  name  of  the  Dixon,  Peoria  &  Hannibal  R.  R.  Co.,  on  March  5,  1867. 
It  was  to  be  built  from  Dixon,  Lee  county,  to  the  Mississippi  river  with  branches. 
The  construction  was  begun  on  a  section  between  Buda  and  Elmwood,  in 
August,  1869,  and  was  opened  for  traffic  February  i,  1870,  leased  to  the  C.,  B. 
&  Q.,  July  I,  1869,  and  on  July  i,  1899,  sold  to  the  Burlington  company. 

The  road  from  Galva  to  New  Boston  was  built  by  a  company  named  the 
Western  Air  Line,  which  was  incorporated  February  9,  1853,  to  build  from 
the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river  at  New  Boston  via  Lacon,  to  the  eastern 
line  of  Illinois,  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana.  On  February  21,  1859, 
the  name  was  changed  to  the  American  Central  Railway  Co.  The  road  was 
built  from  Galva  on  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  road  to  New  Boston.  Construction  was 
begun  soon  after  the  organization  of  the  company,  but  not  very  much  was  ac- 
complished until  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  through  James  J.  Joy,  took  hold  of  it,  in 
1865.  The  road  was  opened  for  traffic  from  Galva  to  New  Boston,  April  23, 
1869.  It  was  leased  to  the  "Q"  on  October  12,  1868,  conveyed  to  the  "Q" 
July  I,  1899.  The  road  from  Keithsburg  Junction  to  Keithsburg  on  the  American 
Central  was  begun  in  1870,  and  opened  for  traffic  July  i,  1899,  under  the  name 
of  Dixon  &  Quincy  R.  R.  Co.,  incorporated  March  4,  1869,  and  conveyed  to  the 
"Q".  The  cars  began  to  run  regularly  between  Aurora  and  Chicago,  via  Turner 
Junction,  October  21,  1850,  and  between  Mendota  and  Chicago,  November  12, 
1853.  The  track  of  the  Galena  and  Chicago  Union  R.  R.  was  used  between 
Turner  Junction  and  Chicago. 

The  construction  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  was  begun  at  Quincy  in 
1851.  The  first  locomotive  reached  Quincy,  March  12,  1854,  and  was  placed 
on  the  track  at  Quincy,  September  12,  1854.  N.  Bushnell,  of  Quincy,  was  then 
president.  The  road  was  completed  from  Quincy  to  Avon,  eighty  miles,  in  the 
fall  of  1855.  On  the  remainder  of  the  road  to  Galesburg  the  track  was  laid  from 
Galesburg  south  and  connection  made  near  Avon,  January  31,  1856.  April  lo, 
1857,  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  was  transferred  to  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co., 
under  jurisdiction  of  Col.  C.  B.  Hammond,  general  superintendent. 

A  company,  incorporated  March  8,  1867,  as  the  Quincy,  Alton  &  St.  Louis 
road,  built  a  branch  from  Quincy  to  Louisiana,  commencing  in  1871.  It  was 
completed  and  opened  for  transportation  between  Quincy  and  St.  Louis,  Decem- 
ber 28,  1871.  ^v 

Another  branch  from  Fall  Creek  to  East  Hannibal  was  leased  to  the  C.,  B.  & 
Q.  in  perpetuity  February  i,  1876,  and  conveyed  June  i,  1890,  to  the  C.,  B.  & 
Q.  R.  R.  Co. 


600  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •'•::;/:,?: 

It  may  be  interesting  to  state  that  several  years  ago  there  died  at  La  Grange, 
Illinois,  a  civil  engineer  eighty-four  years  old  named  Geo.  W.  Waite.  He  took 
a  prominent  part  in  western  railroad  construction.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1830.  In  1848  as  assistant  engineer  of  the  Galena  Central  Railroad  Co.  he  laid 
the  first  railroad  tie  in  Chicago  and  later  built  that  portion  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 
railroad  between  Mendota  and  Aurora.  This  road  formed  a  part  of  the  main 
line  of  the  Burlington  and  the  cars  reached  Princeton,  Illinois,  September  ii, 
1854,  and  on  December  7,  1854,  the  first  locomotive,  The  Reindeer,  steamed 
into  Galesburg  in  charge  of  James  P.  Patch. 

The  road  from  Galesburg  to  Burlington  was  originally  built  to  the  eastern 
bank  of  the  Mississippi  at  a  point  a  short  distance  above  where  the  bridge  is  now 
located.  When  the  bridge  was  built  the  line  was  changed  and  the  "Q"  built  the 
main  track  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  as  far  as  Locust  street.  The  station  on 
the  east  side  of  the  river  was  known  as  East  Burlington.  The  bridge  across 
the  Mississippi  river  was  built  by  the  Burlington  company.  Work  was  com- 
menced on  approaches  in  1867  and  the  first  pile  driven  Jan.  30,  1867.  The.: 
masonry  was  completed  March  30,  1868,  and  the  first  train  crossed  August  13,;' 

1868.  Beginning  July  i,  1890,  this  bridge  was  entirely  rebuilt  as  a  double  track'; 
bridge,  completed  and  put  into  service  October,  1892. 

The  Quincy  and  Warsaw  Railroad  Co.  was  incorporated  Feb.  i6,  1865,  to 
build  a  road  from  Quincy  to  Warsaw.  This  company  built  the  Quincy  to 
Carthage  portion  of  the  branch  from  Quincy  to  Burlington.  In  March,  1869,  the  • . 
act  was  amended  to  authorize  the  construction  of  a  branch  from  Quincy  to 
Carthage  via  Mendon.  The  main  line  was  not  built.  The  construction  of  the 
branch,  however,  was  commenced  Aagust,  1869,  and  completed  and  opened  for 
business  Dec.  25,  1870.  Dec.  i,  1890,  the  branch  was  leased  in  perpetuity  and 
later  transferred  to  the  Burlington  road. 

The  road  from  Carthage  to  Burlington  was  built  by  a  company  incorporated 
by  an  act  of  the  legislature  as  the  Carthage  and  Burlington  Railroad  Co.  March 
8,  1867,  to  build  from  Carthage  via  Dallas  City  to  East  Burlingfton.     Construe-; 
tion  began  Sept.,  1870,  and  was  leased  to  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.  May   lO,  . 

1869,  and  was  transferred  July  i,  1899. 

The  Railroad  Bridge  company  at  Quincy  was  incorporated  under  an  act  of  ' 
the  legislature  approved  Feb.  lo,  1853.     Another  incorporation  under  the  name  \ 
of  the  Quincy  Railroad  Bridge  Co.  was  incorporated  in  Missouri  March  28,  1866, 
and  these  two  companies  consolidated  under  the  name  of  the  Quincy  Railroad 
Bridge  Co.  Nov.  20,   1866.     The  bridge  over  the  Mississippi  river  at  Quincy 
was  built  by  this  Quincy  Railroad  Bridge  Co.  under  authority  of  an  act  of  con- 
gress approved  July  25,  1866.     .•;-,•;;.';    •.        .  • 

On  Nov.  21,  1866,  surveys  were  begim,  and  between  that  date  and  Jan.  ist,  , 
1867,  contracts  were  let  for  building  the  bridge,  and  it  was  completed  and 
opened  for  traffic  Nov.  9,  1868.  On  Jan.  i,  1869,  the  bridge  was  leased  to  the 
C.  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.,  Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western  Railroad  Co.,  and  the  Han- 
nibal &  St.  Joe  Railroad  Co.,  for  the  term  of  the  corporate  existence  of  the 
Bridge  Co.  The  Toledo.  Wabash  &  Western  Railroad  Co.  failed  to  fulfill  its 
obligations  under  the  lease  and  forfeited  the  right  when  the  road  was  sold 
under  foreclosure,  since  which  time  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  and  the  Hannibal  &  St. 
Joe  railroads  have  been  the  sole  lessees.  The  C.,  B.  &  Q.  bought  the  Hannibal 


'    -^ -VV  S.-^'-;   C      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '   r  601 

;  .«.  '  '.  „  .'   -   ^    .    r" -''     ;•     .-   :  :*      ,.  '     '- 

&  St.  Joe  Railroad  company's  interest  and  consolidated  that  road  with  the  C, 
B.  &  Q.  and  thereby  became  in  full  control  of  the  bridge. 

In  July,  1897,  the  work  of  rebuilding  the  Quincy  bridge  was  commenced. 
Seven  spans  were  filled  and  not  rebuilt.  The  work  was  completed  June  i8, 
1898,  and  draw  spans  later.  The  bridge  has  a  highway  attachment  and  was 
opened  for  traffic  Sept.  lo,  1899. 

The  Galesburg  and  Rio  branch  was  built  by  a  company  incorporated  April 
19,  1886,  to  build  from  Galesburg  to  Rio  to  connect  the  Rio  with  the  St.  Lxjuis, 
Rock  Island  &  Chicago  railroad,  now  a  part  of  the  Savanna  and  Rock  Island 
branch  north  of  Rio.  Contracts  for  the  line  were  let  April  15,  1886,  and  opened 
for  traffic  on  Oct.  3,  1886.  On  Oct.  i,  1886,  it  was  leased  to  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 
and  on  June  i,  1889,  conveyed  to  that  company. 

"•  :  The  St.  Louis  &  Rock  Island  and  the  Barstow  &  Savanna  roads  are  a  part 
of  the  road  which  was  formerly  the  Rock  Island  &  Alton  R.  R.  Co.,  St.  Louis, 
Alton  &  Rock  Island  Co.,  St.  Louis,  Rock  Island  &  Chicago  R.  R.  Co.  and  the 
Rockford,  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  Co. 

The  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  R.  R.  Co.  was  incorporated  in  1865,  completed 
to  Monmouth  in  1870  and  the  first  passenger  train  ran  into  Monmouth  Aug.  22, 
1870,  making  connections  with  St.  Louis,  and  connection  was  made  with  Rock 
Island  Nov.  ii,  1870.  The  remainder  of  the  line  was  not  completed  until  it 
was  sold  to  the  St.  Louis,  Rock  Island  &  Chicago  Railroad  Co.  and  subsequently 
came  under  the  control  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  Railroad  Co.  and  known  as  the  St. 
Louis  division,  and  later  in  1904  that  part  of  the  road  from  Rio  north  to  Savanna 
was  transferred  to  the  Galesburg  division. 

The  Keithsburg  and  Gladstone  branch  became  a  part  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  when 
the  Rock  Island  &  St.  Louis  road  was  acquired. 

From  Fulton  north  the  road  was  built  by  a  corporation  known  as  the  C., 
B.  &  N.  R.  R.,  organized  by  C.  E.  Perkins,  A.  E.  Tonzelin  and  Geo.  B.  Har- 
ris, which  was  sold  to  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Oct.  21,  1885,  and  conveyed  to  the  "Q" 
in  1899. 

The  Fulton  Co.  R.  R.,  now  the  West  Havanna  branch,  had  its  origin  in  the 
struggle  between  Canton,  Centerville  (now  Cuba)  and  Lewistown  for  the  county 
seat  of  Fulton  county.  It  was  originally  planned  that  Lewistown  should  be  the 
county  seat,  but  the  other  cities  tried  to  wrest  it  from  her,  and  it  was  not  until 
1878  that  the  final  struggle  between  Canton  and  Lewistown  was  fought.  Lewis- 
town  coming  off  victorious.  This  contest  gave  birth  to  the  idea  of  the  Fulton 
County  Narrow  Gauge  railroad.  The  men  interested  in  Lewistown  claimed  that 
she  must  have  a  railroad  to  protect  her  county  seat  and  in  order  to  secure  the 
votes  of  the  northern  part  of  the  county  promised  to  build  it.  The  enthusiasm 
spread,  and  in  October,  1878,  the  Fulton  County  Narrow  Gauge  Railroad  Co. 
was  organized  and  J.  C.  Wilcoxen  of  Lewistown  accepted  the  contract  to  build 
the  line  from  Havanna  to  Fairview.  After  two  years  of  hard  work  the  first 
train  entered  Lewistown  from  Fairview  on  August  19,  1880.  The  completion 
of  the  Fulton  County  Narrow  Gauge  R.  R.  from  Fairview  to  Galesburg  in  1882 
was  due  to  the  interest  and  financial  backing  of  S.  H.  Mallory  of  Iowa,  who  se- 
cured a  large  interest  in  the  road.  For  twenty-three  years  the  little  narrow  gauge 
system  performed  its  duty,  and  during  those  years  the  stock  gradually  drifted 
into  the  hands  of  the  Burlington  men,  and  since  October,  1905,  when  the  line 


602  ;.          •         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  •  -     L        .v^  :-v^: 

was  changed  from  narrow  gauge  to  standard  gauge,  it  has  been  operated  by  the 
Burlington,  and  in  January,  1906,  the  Burlington  took  possession  of  the  road. 
The  change  to  standard  gauge  was  made  under  the  supervision  of  J.  D,  Besler 
of  the  Burlington  road,  who  for  months  carefully  arranged  for  standard  gauging 
the  line,  and  which  was  successfully  accomplished. 

There  is  an  interesting  incident  in  connection  with  the  first  train  on  the  nar- 
row gauge.    The  engine,  known  as  No.  i,  was  built  at  the  Baldwin  works.     By       ; 
the  time  the  road  was  completed  between  Lewistown  and  Fairview  the  treasury 
was  depleted.    An  order  had  been  placed  for  the  engine,  and  upon  notice  being 
received  that  the  engine  had  arrived  at  Cuba  a  delegation  from  the  south  end  of 
the  line  hauled  a  homemade  car  to  that  place  and  it  was  triumphantly  brought 
back  over  the  line  by  its  new  engine.     This  engine  commenced  service  in  1890 
and  continued  in  active  service  until  the  road  was  made  standard  gauge  in  Octo- 
ber, 1905.     The  engineer  and  fireman  on  the  last  trip  were  M.  K.  Young  and 
Reuben  Simms,  both  men  having  been  in  the  company's  service  for  many  years.       '  • 
Mr.  Young  helped  to  build  the  road  into  Galesburg.     Mr.  J.  W.  O'Donnell,  the 
conductor  of  the  passenger,  had  been  for  many  years  and  is  now  still  running        .-j 
the  passenger  train  from  Galesburg  to  West  Havanna.  '•'. 

In  1873  the  B.  &  M.  railroad  in  Iowa  and  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  were  consolidated       .:: 
under  the  name  of  the  latter,  with  Robert  Harris,  president ;  Mr.  W.  B.  Strong,       v_ 
general  superintendent,  and  T.  J.  Porter  as  superintendent  at  Burlington,  W. 
Beckwith,  superintendent  track,  bridges  and  buildings.  ;•;.- 

The  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  railroad's  main  line  has  been  from  time       ;' 
to  time  changed  to  double  track,  the  first  piece  of  double  track  being  constructed 
in  1864  from  Chicago  to  Lyons,  now  known  as  Riverside,  and  from  that  double         ; 
track  has  been  built  in  sections  as  the  necessities  of  the  traffic  of  the  road  de- 
manded.   The  double  track  first  built  in  Knox  county  was  from  Center  Point  to       ' ; 
Galesburg  in  1877,  Wataga  to  Center  Point,  October,  1880,  Oneida  to  Wataga  in       ; 
1886,  Altona  to  Oneida,  1886,  Galva  to  Altona,   1885,  and  Galesburg  west  to      '^ 
Cameron  in  1879-80,  to  Monmouth,  1886,  Monmouth  to  Kirkwood,  1885,  Kirk- 
wood  to  Biggsville,  1884,  Biggsville  to  Gladstone,  1883,  Gladstone  to  Burling-      ^f: 
ton,  i88i,  Burlington  Bridge  switch  to  Locust  street,  Burlington,  1892.     There 
are  several  pieces  of  third  track,  the  first  being  built  in  July,  1885,  and  others 
in  1886-7  and  1890-91.     There  is  also  a  small  mileage  of  fourth  track  in  Chi-      ;' 
cago.    The  double  track  from  Galesburg  to  Saluda  was  built  in  1907  and  Saluda       ; 
to  Bushnell  in  1910.    A  double  track  is  now  under  construction  between  Gales-       : 
burg  and  Henderson,  Galesburg  and  Knoxville  and  several  other  parts  of  the      !; 
road  in  Illinois  and  Missouri.         •  J      -v.        V.  I-  ;  ;•'.  w '  •s^'-v;;;=V 

The  new  yards  at  Galesburg  opened  August  21,   1906.     The  branch  from       I. 
Savanna  to  Rio  was  transferred  to  Galesburg  division  May  i,  1904.    For  several      ;  ' 
years  the  Burlington,  Carthage  and  Quincy  branch  belonged  to  the  Galesburg 
division,  but  was  later  transferred  to  the  Burlington  division.  ',; 

In  the  foregoing  presentation  we  have  dealt  almost  entirely  with  the  physical  '}^, 
and  organic  part  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Co.,  but  it  is  X; 
desirable  to  speak  something  of  the  personnel  of  the  road. 

The  development  of  the  road  in  Knox  and  adjoining  counties  is  largely  due  :  . 
to  the  sagacious  and  prudent  management  of  Col.  C.  G.  Hammond  and  Henry  -•. 
Hitchcock.  Mr.  Hitchcock  was  from  old  Deerfield,  Massachusetts,  an  agent  at  \-: 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  003 


Rutland,  Vermont,  of  the  Rutland  and  Burlington  railroad.  Later  he  was  in 
charge  of  the  Michigan  Central  road's  yard  in  Chicago.  He  was  a  man  of  rare 
ability,  sagacity  and  good  judgment,  who  thoroughly  organized  the  work  and 
for  more  than  twenty-five  years  most  faithfully  and  successfully  managed  its 
affairs.  He  retired  June,  1881,  with  a  special  token  of  appreciation  of  his  serv- 
ice  given  him  by  a  vote  of  the  directors  of  the  company.  When  he  assumed  the 
management  of  the  Galesburg  division  he  had  with  him  several  men  who  helped 
to  build  the  road  into  Galesburg,  of  whom  we  shall  speak  later. 

Col,  C.  G.  Hammond,  whose  name  we  have  connected  with  that  of  Mr. 
Hitchcock,  was  general  superintendent  of  the  road,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  any 
man  ever  acquired  the  full  confidence  of  his  associates  and  those  under  him  to 
a  greater  degree  than  he.  There  were  associated  with  Colonel  Hammond  and 
Mr.  Hitchcock,  Mr.  C.  W.  Mead  as  division  superintendent  at  Quincy,  Henry 
Martin,  general  freight  agent;  Samuel  Powell,  general  passenger  and  ticket 
agent;  W.  W.  Hawkins,  general  agent  at  Aurora;  Amos  T.  Hall  of  Detroit, 
treasurer;  J.  W.  Cothren,  also  of  Detroit,  and  who  became  local  freight  agent 
at  Galesburg  and  who  opened  all  the  stations  from  Galesburg  to  East  Burling- 
ton;  T.  W.  Seymore,  assistant  general  agent,  and  Max  Hjortsburg,  chief  engi- 
neer,  who  later  built  the  Burlington  bridge.  Among  those  who  helped  to  build 
the  road  from  Aurora  to  Galesburg  were  James  T.  Qark,  John  D.  Besler,  John 
Sullivan,  E.  C.  Olin,  J.  H.  Linsley  and  Samuel  Burch.  James  F.  Joy  was  presi- 
dent  of  the  road.  He  commenced  his  railroad  career  in  the  Galesburg  yards 
and  in  1883  went  into  the  office  of  the  superintendent  of  the  Illinois  lines,  where 
?ie  continued  until  Mr.  Besler  was  promoted  to  general  superintendent,  with 
whom  Mr.  Byram  went  to  Chicago.  Later  he  returned  to  Galesburg,  then  to 
the  Great  Northern  in  the  general  manager's  and  vice-president's  office,  then 
division  superintendent,  then  to  the  C.,  R.  I.  &  P.  R.  R.,  later  returning  to  the 
Burlington  as  division  superintendent  of  the  lines  west  of  the  Missouri,  and 
then  to  Chicago  in  charge  of  the  employment  bureau,  and  from  that  position  to 
the  position  of  vice-president,  as  above  stated. 

It  is  a  pleasure  to  refer  to  some  others  who  are  more  particularly  associated 
with  Knox  county  and  Galesburg  and  who  helped  to  make  the  Galesburg  divi- 
sion the  banner  division  of  the  Burlington  road  and  the  one  from  which  men, 
since  prominent  in  railroad  affairs,  graduated  for  service  in  all  parts  of  the 
United  States. 

The  local  chief  from  the  beginning  was  Henry  Hitchcock,  assistant  superin- 
tendent and  later  division  superintendent,  who  had  as  his  aids  men  whom  he 
had  trained  and  promoted,  B.  O.  Carr,  brother  of  Hon.  Qark  E.  Carr,  and  Gen. 
Eugene  Carr,  Augustus  Sargent,  Charles  Chappel,  who  in  after  years  was  gen- 

:.  Cfal  manager  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  road ;  Sanford  Kingsbury,  his  office  as- 
sistant ;  John  Lass,  chief  clerk ;  H.  F.  Hawley,  train  master,  who  left  for  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  as  superintendent;  James  Alexander,  train  master;  Fred  Tubbs 
and  J.  M.  Ballantine  of  the  telegraph  department;  L.  A.  Howland,  conductor, 

.  afterward  assistant  superintendent.    But  of  all  his  assistants  none  have  succeeded 

;  more  than  A,  N.  Towne,  a  brakeman  and  conductor,  chosen  by  Mr.  Hitchcock 
to  be  his  assistant  and  who  later  became  assistant  general  manager  and  then 
called  to  the  Central  Pacific,  now  the  Southern  Pacific,  at  $5o,cxx3  a  year  in  gold. 

:        J.  T.  Qarke,  formerly  known  as  "Jim  Qarke,"  was  road  master  of  the  entire 


604  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          >     . '    ,;  I        . 

Galesburg  division.  He  came  to  Galesburg  in  1859  and  was  appointed  assistant 
road  master  and  in  1864  general  road  master.  Mr.  Clarke  had  two  assistants, 
S.  F.  Shanklin,  who  had  charge  of  the  Quincy  road,  and  J.  H.  Linsley,  who  had 
charge  of  the  remainder  of  the  division.  The  main  line  from  Galesburg  to  Men- 
dota  having  been  completed,  was  placed  under  the  supervision  of  J.  D.  Besler  in 
1863,  the  present  live,  active  advisor  of  the  road.  Mr.  Clarke  continued  in 
charge  until  aftef  the  consolidation  of  the  B.  &  M.  of  Iowa,  when  he  resigned 
to  accept  a  call  to  the  Union  Pacific  as  general  superintendent.  After  several 
jears  of  service  at  the  most  critical  time  in  the  life  of  the  Union  Pacific,  Mr. 
Clarke  left  to  become  the  general  superintendent  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and 
St.  Paul  road,  where  he  remained  for  several  years.  Unfortunately  his  railroad 
life  was  cut  short  and  upon  his  death  his  remains  were  brought  to  Galesburg,  his 
old  home,  and  deposited  in  Hope  cemetery.  I  '  ^.  '.: 

Mr.  Besler  commenced  his  railroad  life  in  Illinois  in  1853  by  working  from 
time  to  time  on  what  is  now  the  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  road,  and  in  1855 
he  first  began  work  for  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  Co.  on  track  between  Mendota 
and  Aurora.  In  1856  he  went  to  Galva  and  the  following  year  became  track 
foreman  at  Prairie  City.  In  1859  he  was  transferred  to  Augusta  and  for  four 
years  was  extra  gang  foreman  in  charge  of  the  construction  train.  In  1863  Mr. 
Besler  came  to  Galesburg  as  assistant  road  master.  In  1865  he  was  appointed 
road  master  in  charge  of  the  main  line  from  Galesburg  to  Mendota  with  the  addi- 
tion of  the  Galva  and  New  Boston  branch  and  continued  to  hold  that  position 
with  great  credit  to  himself  until  1873.  He  was  appointed  assistant  superintend- 
ent of  track,  bridge  and  buildings.  In  1878  he  was,  in  addition  to  his  other 
position,  appointed  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Galesburg  division.  In  i88i 
he  became  superintendent  of  all  the  lines  in  Illinois  and  in  1885  general  super- 
intendent with  headquarters  in  Chicago,  which  necessitated  his  move  from 
Galesburg  in  1887.  In  1902  after  serving  the  company  as  general  superintend- 
ent for  seventeen  years,  he  left  that  position  and  became  assistant  to  the  second 
vice-president,  and  is  still  connected  with  the  vice-president's  department.  •. 

Mr.  S.  T.  Shanklin,  one  of  Mr.  Qarke's  assistants,  was  a  track  laborer, 
then  conductor  of  construction  train  with  headquarters  at  Abingdon,  then  road 
master  at  Galesburg,  from  1864,  in  charge  of  the  Quincy  line.  On  account  of 
ill  health  he  left  the  road  and  accepted  a  position  as  division  superintendent  of 
the  Union  Pacific  with  headquarters  at  Omaha.  Later  he  left  the  Union  Pacific 
and  became  superintendent  of  the  Missouri  Pacific,  which  position  he  held  until 
at  the  age  of  seventy-five  he  retired  to  a  well  earned  rest. 

Mr.  J.  H.  Linsley,  the  other  assistant  of  Mr.  Clarke,  was  well  known  in 
Galesburg  where  for  many  years  he  resided  and  where  his  widow  still  resides. 
His  daughter,  Mrs.  G.  VV.  Thompson  and  his  son  Fred,  an  engineer  on  the 
Burlington,  also  reside  in  Galesburg.  Mr.  Linsley  was  an  old  C.  B.  &  Q. 
man,  commencing  before  the  road  reached  Galesburg.  In  1848  he  came  west  to 
Michigan  and  was  engaged  in  the  building  department  of  the  Michigan  Cen- 
tral railroad,  following  the  construction  of  that  great  thoroughfare  into  Chicago. 
Later  he  was  with  the  Michigan  Southern  until  1854  when  he  came  to  the 
Burlington  road  and  was  located  at  Princeton  in  codnection  with  the  building 
department  of  what  was  then  the  Central  Military  Tract  railroad.  He  helped 
build  the  Bureau  bridges.  In  1859  Mr.  Linsley,  having  the  gold  fever,  left  the 


>^-    ;--^^^^^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •-         -::          605 

road  for  Pike's  peak.  He  returned  to  Illinois  in  1865,  entered  the  track  de- 
partment of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  railroad  as  assistant  road  master  under  Mr.  Clarke 
and  for  many  years  faithfully  served  the  company  and  retired  at  a  good  age  to 
enjoy  his  remaining  days  in  Galesburg.  .- 

These  four  men,  James  T.  Clarke,  S.  T.  Shanklin,  James  H.  Linsley  and 
J.  D.  Besler,  had  full  charge  of  the  Galesburg  division  at  a  time  when  it  re- 
quired most  arduous  and  strenuous  efforts  to  bring  the  new  roadbed  in  safe  and 
first  class  condition  and  keep  it  so.  " 

Associated  with  these  men  was  Mr.  J.  B.  Scheitlin,  who  had  full  charge 
of  the  office  or  inner  work  of  the  track  department,  which  then  had  its  own 
store  department.  Mr.  Scheitlin  commenced  his  railroad  work  at  Abingdon  as 
assistant  to  the  station  agent.  Soon  after  (in  February,  1856)  the  first  train 
from  Quincy  ran  through  to  Galesburg,  when  the  station  was  first  opened.  In 
August,  1856,  the  agent  suddenly  left  the  service.  Mr.  Scheitlin  was  given 
charge  of  the  station.  About  that  time  Abingdon  had  a  one  stall  engine  house 
and  turntable  and  the  conductors  and  firemen  of  the  construction  crews  made 
their  headquarters  there.  Mr.  Scheitlin  gave  up  the  station  and  came  to  Gales- 
burg to  assume  charge  of  the  books  of  the  track  department.  In  1866,  Mr. 
Scheitlin  was  selected  to  go  with  the  pay  master,  W.  E.  Gillman,  and  later  C.  S. 
Bartlett,  to  assist  in  paying  the  men,  for  twelve  successive  years,  making  the  trip 
over  the  whole  road,  still  having  charge  of  the  office  work.  Mr.  Scheitlin  was  a 
thorough  office  man  and  while  the  outside  work  was  done  by  the  road  masters 
and  superintendent,  much  of  their  success  was  due  to  the  efficiency  and  faith- 
fulness of  the  inside  men  looking  after  the  details  and  keeping  the  supplies  to 
the  front. 

Associated  with  Mr.  Scheitlin  for  a  time  was  Henry  Moore  and  upon  his 
being  transferred  in  1867  to  the  position  of  special  agent,  Mr.  John  Lass  became 
assistant  to  Mr.  Scheitlin,  in  charge  of  the  office  and  track  supplies  and  stores. 
Mr.  Lass  after  five  years'  service  in  office  of  Mercer  and  Edwards,  solicitors  and 
lawyers,  in  England,  commenced  his  work  on  the  Burlington,  in  November,  1866, 
in  the  building  department  headquarters,  which  then  was  a  larger  department, 
where  he  had  the  pleasure  of  doing  a  pleasant  service  to  the  clerk  of  that  office, 
the  editor  of  this  history,  our  esteemed  friend  Mr.  Albert  J.  Perry,  by  relieving 
him  from  his  duty  when  he  responded  to  a  call  from  his  bride-to-be  in  the 
east.  Mr.  Lass  was  for  four  months  in  a  position  as  assistant  to  the  treasurer  of 
Knox  county.  In  the  fall  of  1867,  he  again  entered  the  service  of  the  "Q"  in 
the  track  department,  where  he  remained  until  the  year  1872,  when  Superin- 
tendent Hitchcock  called  him  to  his  office,  where  he  was  associated  with  Mr. 
Samuel  Charles  and  others.  After  the  consolidation  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  with  the 
B.  &  M.,  changes  were  made  in  the  division  superintendent's  office.  Mr.  San- 
ford  Kingsburv,  for  many  years  Mr.  Hitchcock's  chief  deck,  was  transferred 
to  the  position  of  train  master  and  later  left  for  the  Central  Pacific  with  Mr.  A. 
N.  Towne.  Mr.  Lass  then  became  chief  clerk  and  continued  with  Mr.  Hitchcock 
until  he  retired  from  the  service  of  the  Burlington,  in  i88i.  The  office  work 
of  the  assistant  superintendent,  Mr.  Besler.  was  also  under  his  charge.  In 
1890,  Mr.  Lass  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Galesburg  division  which 
then  included  the  main  line  Mendota  to  Burlington  as  well  as  the  Burlington  to 
Quincy  branch,  and  all  the  present  division  with  the  exception  of  the  Savanna 


606  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  ;> 

branch  north  of  this,  and  after  three  years  he  returned  to  the  inside  work  in 
charge  of  the  Illinois  lines  office. 

Mr.  Lass  has  been  continuously  in  the  service  from  1866  to  the  present 
time,  closely  associated  with  the  first  superintendent,  Mr.  Hitchcock,  as  well 
as  with  Mr.  Besler,  and  all  the  other  superintendents  and  the  track,  bridge 
and  building  department  men.  ^'••,  '  f-  •  c-  . 

Mr.  Samuel   Burch  was  also  one  of  the  first  men  in  the  service  and  had 
charge  of  the  bridge  department.     Another  old  employe  was  E.  C.  Olin.     In 
1853,  Mr.  Olin,  a  carpenter,  came  west  from  New  York,  and  for  some  time 
worked  for  the  Chicago  Northwestern  railroad.     In  1885,  he  began  work  for 
the  Burlington,  at  Aurora.     He  moved  to  Galesburg,  in   1873,  where  he  was    . 
in  charge  of  the  bridge  department  for  many  years,  until  he  retired  to  his  farm 
in  Iowa,  where  he  died  at  an  advanced  age.     His  daughter,  Mrs.  George  W.  ': 
Bridge,  still  resides  here.          \'^i    '  /     •    -  •   ^    ;   '-^-  .  I  '  .'^  i!'^ 

There  is  now  in  the  service  of  the  company,  Mr.  John  Sullivan,  a  thorough    .' 
going  track  man,  none  better  in  that  line  of  work.     He  is  another  of  the  old 
stock.  / 

When  Mr.  Sullivan  came  west  upon  his  arrival  upon  these  shores  from  Ire-  ^ 
land,  the  land  of  the  green  and  beauty,  he  began  to  work  on  the  track  of  the  - 
Burlington  at  Somonauk,  in  1857.     In  May.  1860,  he  came  to  Galesburg,  when,  '• 
after  three  years  he  was  appointed  track  foreman  at  Kewanee,  and  five  years-; 
later  at  Hinsdale,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  1868,  where  he  was  foreman    . 
of  an  extra  gang  at  Sandwich.     This  position  he  held  until  1871,  when  he  was  V 
promoted  to  the  position  of  division  road  master  with  headquarters  at  Aurora, 
from  whence  he  was  transferred  to  Galesburg.     He  had  charge  of  all  the  main  '. 
line  from  Mendota  to  Burlington,  including  the  Galesburg  yard,  also  the  Galva  :; 
and  Gladstone  branch.     Mr.  Sullivan's  home  has  been  in  Galesburg  from  the  > 
time  he  became  road  master  on  this  division  and  he  and  his  family  are  well  ', 
known  and  respected.  ' 

There  were  two  other  men  in  the  track  department  associated  with  Mr.  • . 
Clarke.  Succeeding  Mr.  Shanklin  was  Archer  Bracey  from  New  York,  and  Mr.  •• 
C.  H.  Cuyler,  who  commenced  work  on  the  track  on  the  Quincy  branch  in  .' 
1857.  Later  he  became  section  foreman,  then  in  charge  of  an  extra  gang  and  ' 
for  years  he  was  also  assistant  road  master.  ;• 

Mr.  C.  P.  Stringham  was  also  road  master  and  was  a  good  track  man.     His 
daughters  are  still  living  in  Galesburg.    When  Mr.  Shanklin  went  to  the  Union 
Pacific  he  was  followed,  in  1871,  by  Mr.  Stringham,  Isaac  Kennedy  and  Michael  V 
Carey,  and  others. 

The  water  department  was  in  charge  of  James  V.  Pangburn  until  1891,  whea 
he  was  succeeded  by  William  Harrison,  who  is  now  in  charge.          .      -J        -  ;;^   ; 

The  building  department  had  charge  of  the  erection  of  all  the  stations  and 
other  buildings  on  all  the  new  branches  which  were  opened  from  time  to  time. 
Mr.  Abe  H.  Huntington  was  at  the  head  of  this  department.     In  1874,  he  went  . 
to  Denver,  where  he  died  some  years  later.     With  Mr.  Huntington,  from  1865    . 
to  1873,  was  Albert  J.  Perry,  who  as  chief  clerk  had  charge  of  the  office.  ^. 

Mr.  Perry  resigned  January  i,  1873,  and  in  July  of  that  year  entered  the  cir-  :r 
cuit  clerk's  office,  where  he  remained  for  nine  years,  when  he  was  elected  county  ' 
clerk  for  two  terms.  He  is  well  known  to  all  people  of  Knox  county  and  will  V 


^>   ^^":    ^-          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '-     -        •-'• :      607 

further  be  known  as  the  editor  of  this  history.  He  was  elected  treasurer  of  Knox 
college  in  1891,  and  still  holds  that  office.  He  was  also  president  of  the  Second 
National  bank  from  January,  1891,  to  February,  1903,  when  he  entered  into  the 
loan  and  investment  business,  which  he  has  followed  to  the  present  time,  and  is 
still  conducting  a  nice  business  in  that  line. 

Mr.  W.  A.  Boydstun  succeeded  Mr.  Huntington  and  was  foreman  of  the 
building  department  and  continued  in  charge  until  he  retired.  Mr.  Boydstun's 
son,  J.  F.  Boydstun,  was  for  a  time  assistant  train  master  and  has  been  for 
many  years  one  of  the  best  engineers  in  the  road's  service.  Mr.  Boydstun's 
wife,  family  and  brother,  C.  O.  Boydstun,  formerly  a  "Q"  man,  still  reside  in 
Galesburg. 

Mr.  Fred  H.  Tubbs  was  superintendent  of  the  telegraph  of  the  Galesburg 
division  for  a  time,  but  left  to  be  general  superintendent  of  the  Western  Union 
Telegraph  office  in  Chicago. 

Another  employe  most  closely  connected  with  the  Galesburg  division  was 
Fletcher  C.  Rice,  who  commenced  his  railroad  career  as  an  operator  at  Mon- 
moutli,  Kirkwood,  and  other  stations,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg  as  train  dis- 
patcher, in  1867.  He  was  made  chief  dispatcher  and  chief  operator  in  1878, 
and  train  master  in  i88i.  He  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Galesburg 
division  in  1888,  superintendent  of  Illinois  lines  in  1902,  general  superintendent 
in  1904.  Later  he  became  general  inspector  of  transportation  on  the  vice-presi- 
dent's staflf.  Mr.  Rice  always  had  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  men  who 
were  under  his  supervision  while  on  the  Galesburg  and  Illinois  divisions. 

Mr.  C.  F.  Jaureiet,  a  Canadian  Frenchman,  was  for  a  long  time  in  the  early 
operation  of  the  road  master  mechanic  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  lines  at  Aurora, 
with  Mr.  Cheney,  in  charge  of  the  locomotive  department  at  Galesburg. 

Mr.  Cheney  was  killed  at  Canton  in  a  train  accident.  Mr.  William  Wilson 
succeeded  Mr.  Cheney  and  after  several  years  he  was  called  by  the  general 
manager,  Chappell,  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  road  to  be  head  of  the  locomotive 
department  of  that  road.  Mr.  Chappell,  who  was  Mr.  Hitchcock's  assistant, 
while  on  the  Burlington,  recognized  Mr.  Wilson's'  ability.  Mr.  Wilson  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  Geo.  Hackney,  who  afterwards  became  superintendent  of  motive 
power  of  the  A.  T.  &  S.  F.  road. 

There  were  others  connected  with  the  locomotive  and  car  departments,  one 
for  many  years,  Mr.  John  Bassler,  whose  family  still  reside  in  Galesburg.  Mr. 
Bassler  had  charge  of  the  car  department  and  was  a  competent  man,  who  later 
went  to  Burlington  to  take  charge  of  the  shops  there  and  afterwards  resigned 
and  was  in  business  in  Galesburg  for  many  years. 

Mr.  James  Lamb,  Mr.  H.  J.  Small  and  others  may  be  remembered  in  con- 
nection with  the  locomotive  and  car  departments. 

Robert  W.  Colville,  one  of  the  old  employes,  a  Galesburg  boy,  for  many 
years  was  in  charge  of  the  locomotive  and  car  departments  at  Galesburg.  He 
was  well  known  to  all  the  men  as  "Bob."  Under  his  jurisdiction  the  depart- 
ments were  well  handled.  Mr.  Colville  and  the  men  worked  as  a  unit  in  good 
service.  But  unfortunately  the  life  of  Mr.  Colville  was  instantly  terminated 
December  28,  1909,  by  an  accident  which  spread  a  gloom  over  the  whole  C.  B. 
&  Q.  road.  Men  from  all  parts  of  the  road  attended  the  funeral  services.  Mr. 
ColviUe's  family  are  residing  in  Galesburg.  .-..:.;  f-  j  v  '  '• 


608  V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  J.  T.  Bassett  was  also  in  the  old  car  department  and  still  is  in  the  service 
of  the  company.  He  had  charge  of  this  department  for  many  years,  was  known 
and  respected  by  all.  He  and  his  family  make  their  home  in  Galesburg. 

In  connection  with  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  and  Knox  county,  more  particularly  Gales- 
hurg,  it  may  be  interesting  to  know  of  the  number  of  young  men  who  have  prac- 
tically had  their  start  in  the  offices  or  departments  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  at  Gales- 
burg. 

Another  Galesburg  boy,  W.  G.  Besler,  entered  the  assistant  superintendent's 
office  in  April,  1880.  From  there  he  was  called  to  the  office  of  superintendent 
of  Illinois  lines.  He  went  to  Chicago  in  1886  with  his  father,  Mr.  J.  D.  Besler, 
where  he  entered  the  general  manager's  office.  He  took  a  course  in  the  Boston 
School  of  Technology.  Returning  to  Chicago,  he  was  appointed  train  master 
at  Fulton,  then  became  division  superintendent  of  the  St.  Louis  division  and 
from  there  he  went  to  the  Reading  railroad  as  general  manager  and  is  now  vice- 
president  and  general  manager  of  the  Central  railroad  of  New  Jersey.  , 

Mr.  H.  M.  Tompkins,  clerk  of  the  superintendent  of  chief  dispatcher,  is  now 
superintendent  of  the  Michigan  Central  railroad. 

C.  J.  Balch,  former  clerk,  is  now  on  western  railroads.          •    '^  ;i.  I         •  :v  • 
:       A.  T.   Lindgren,  clerk  of   division   superintendent,  was   promoted   to  chief 
clerk,  then  to  general  superintendent's  office  in  Chicago  with  Mr.  Besler  and 
later  left  the  service  and  is  and  has  been  for  many  years  secretary  of  the  large 
Scandinavian  Loan  association. 

C.  S.  Belden,  clerk  to  assistant  contractor  of  construction  work,  is  now  in 
Minneapolis  connected  with  the  wholesale  exportation  of  flour  and  flour  ex- 
pert. 

Will  Van  Schaak,  general  agent  of  the  St.  M.  &  Pere  Marquette  railroad, 
W.  A.  Armstrong,  cashier  P.  T.  &  S.  bank;  C.  K.  Armstrong,  assistant  pas- 
senger agent  of  Central  railroad  of  New  Jersey;  P.  N.  Granville,  Cashier  of  the 
Bank  of  Galesburg;  C.  M.  Hunt,  court  stenographer;  Fay  Scudder  of  the  C.  B. 
&  Q.  railroad  office  and  Geo.  L.  Price,  now  of  Galesburg  Furnishing  Co.,  have 
all  been  efficient  and  active  employes. 

The  following  are  familia'r  names  upon  the  books  of  the  Burlington  at  Gales- 
burg: Fred  Barndt,  J.  P.  McDermott,  W.  E.  Fuller,  chief  dispatcher;  Frank 
Hart,  clerk,  now  general  agent  at  Clinton.  Iowa ;  W.  H.  Wallace,  O.  F.  Price  gen- 
eral solicitor  at  Galesburg ;  Wilkins  Seacord,  sui>erintendent  stock  yards ;  Asbury 
Cochrun,  Mr.  Seacord's  assistant  and  now  superintendent ;  Chas.  F.  Cothren,  as- 
sistant to  his  father,  J.  W.  Cothren,  the  first  freight  agent,  until  he  retired  from 
the  road,  then  succeeded  him  as  freight  agent  and  is  still  in  the  employ  of  the 
company ;  W.  L.  Barnes,  Fred  Seacord,  assistant  train  master  and  later  assistant 
ticket  agent ;  Hamilton  R.  Kearney,  clerk ;  A.  S.  Crawford,  deceased,  division  pas- 
senger and  ticket  agent  at  Galesburg;  E.  S.  Gunnell,  claim  agent,  now  of  the 
O.  T.  Johnson  store ;  W.  E.  Kee,  claim  agent,  now  in  Chicago  law  department ; 
C.  M.  Snyder,  H.  D.  Skidmore  and  A.  L.  West,  division  freight  agents ;  J.  P. 
Van  Clute,  J.  M.  Root,  James  Hopcraft,  deceased ;  A.  T.  Chittenden,  Gus  Hal- 
line,  C.  H.  Stead,  deceased,  dispatchers ;  James  Dickson,  now  in  charge  of  Quincy 
shops ;  C.  S.  Belden,  A.  C.  Noteware,  Michael  Franey,  deceased,  in  charge  of  track, 
Galesburg  yard;  Patrick  McQuillan,  also  of  track  department;  C.  G.  Hurd, 
deceased,  E.  S.  Moulton,  C.  S.  Twyman,  W.  F.  Bloomquist,  George  Tobin,  Patrick 


/:.::/:-;;         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  609 

Tobin,  all  of  the  ticket  office ;  J.  R.  Weeks,  formerly  superintendent's  chief  clerk ; 
H.  E.  Husted,  Chas.  F.  Lass,  E.  M.  Bristol,  E.  J.  Dickson,  Grover  F.  Ekins, 
now  in  charge  of  a  church  in  Cleveland ;  W.  H.  Spinner,  operator,  chief  clerk 
with  Mr.  Rice,  later  the  well  known  ticket  agent  at  Galesburg,  now  with  the 
New  York  Life  Insurance  Co. ;  F.  W.  Churchill,  C.  P.  Matingly,  Fred  Finch, 
now  of  the  Great  Northern ;  W.  C.  Blaich,  chief  clerk  division  superintendent, 
now  with  the  Big  Creek  Colliery  Co.,  and  and  the  People's  Fuel  Co. ;  Mr.  Wesley 
Woods,  now  with  the  relief  department;  Ed.  F.  Toben,  for  many  years  in  the 
superintendent's  office  and  track  department  and  now  chief  clerk  in  division 
superintendent's  office;  Loren  M.  Peterson,  now  assistant  chief  clerk;  E.  E. 
Watson,  clerk  superintendent's  office;  John  B.  McAuley,  formerly  city  en- 
'  :  gineer  now  contractor,  and  C.  H.  Simcaskey,  chief  clerk,  Aurora. 

In  the  year  1900  there  was  a  gigantic  struggle  for  the  possession  of  the  C. 
.     B.  &  Q.  between  the  Great  Northern  Railroad  Co.,  represented  by  J.  H.  Hill  and 
'^',,  the  Union  Pacific,  represented  by  E.  H.  Harriman,  terminating  as  all  know  in 
'.A  ,  the  control  of  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  passing  out  of  the  hands  of  the  men  of  Boston 
•;  :  and  the  east  and  into  the  hands  of  the  Great  Northern  and  Northern  Pacific  and 
finally  terminating  with  the  Great  Northern  practically  in  full  control.     This 
struggle  was  so  fierce  that  stocks  went  soaring  to  unheard  of  heights  and  for  a 
time  railroad  managers  generally  feared  a  most  disastrous  result.     Nevertheless, 
things  settled  down  and  no  one  outside  of  the  parties  interested  realized  that 
anything  had  happened.     All  that  is  known  or  felt  today  is  that  James  J.  Hill 
;  ..^  became  one  of  the  greatest  of  railroad  kings  and  if  anything  happens  to  interfere 
|; . '  with  the  great  property  concentrated  by  him,  it  will  probably  some  day  become 
,.. .  the  greatest  factor  in  existence  in  the  transportation  problem  of  the  United 
:'.   States  and  the  world.    Northwestern  Canada  is  nowhere  near  developed,  no  one 
can  make  accurate  prediction  of  the  importance  of  Alaska,  there  is  a  constant 
growth  in  the  products  and  productive  power  of  the  great  west  as  well  as  the 
east  and  there  is  yet  to  be  a  greater  interchange  of  the  products  of  the  two  sec- 
tions of  this  country  than  one  can  imagine  and  this  enormous  system  of  rail- 
.  ways  must  perform  the  bulk  of  this  work.    The  great  growth  in  the  population 
•;  of  the  United  States  was  the  first  cause  that  called  this  system   into  being. 
Millions  of  men  and  women  have  made  up  the  constructive  force  and  it  is  now 
proper  to  group  a  few  of  the  commanding  figures  that  have  guided  the  great 
mass  in  its  constructive  work,  all  of  whom  at  some  time  have  been  prominent  in 
.,  ,   C.  B.  &  Q.  matters  and  many  of  them  residents  of  Knox  county. 
•>;          A.  M.  Towne,  president  Southern  Pacific;  E.  P.  Ripley,  president  A.  T.  & 
•,,  S.  F.  R.  R.  Co.;  F.  A.  Delano,  president  Erie  railway;  H.  B.  Stone,  general 
. .:  manager  C.  B.  &  Q. ;  W.  C.  Brown,  president  New  York  Central  &  H.  R.  R. ; 
G.  H.  Ross,  vice-president  Alton ;  J.  D.  Besler,  C.  B.  &  Q.,  of  Chicago ;  W.  G. 
Besler,  vice-president  and  general  manager  Central  of  New  Jersey;  Chas.  Chap- 
.  pell,  president  Chicago  &  Alton ;  J.  T.  Clarke,  general  superintendent  Union  Pa- 
cific and  later  C.  M.  &  St.  P. ;  S.  T.  Shanklin,  division  superintendent  Northern 
Pacific;  Daniel  Willard,  president  Erie  railroad;  Robert  Mather,  president  Rock 
Island  system;  C.  H.  Hudson,  Chicago  and  C.  &  O.  L. ;  C.  H.  Smith,  traffic 
manager  C.  &  O. 

vM         So  intimate  has  been  the  relation  between  the  Michig^an  Central  railroad 
and  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  railroad  that  a  history  of  the  latter  does  not  seem  complete 

-  ;'  Vol.  1  —89 


610        V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i 

•        .'  '  '.!.'• 

without  a  brief  account  of  the  former.  Three  men,  whom  we  have  already 
mentioned,  deserve  a  little  further  notice  before  taking  up  this  part  of  our 
subject,  viz, :  John  W.  Brooks,  James  F.  Joy,  and  John  Murray  Forbes,  who 
may  be  credited  with  the  organization,  consolidation  and  building  of  the  Michi- 
gan Central  and  all  of  whom  have  been  prominent  in  one  way  and  another  with 
the  Burlington  system. 

John  M.  Forbes  from  1846  to  i88i  was  a  great  power  in  the  financial  world, 
who  provided  funds  for  the  completion  and  successful  operation  of  the  Michi- 
gan Central  and  who  did  very  much  the  same  thing  for  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  He  was 
a  man  of  strict  and  unswerving  financial  integrity  and  thereby  established  a 
credit  for  these  roads  upon  a  firm  basis  with  moneyed  interests  of  the  east.  Well 
known  in  London  and  the  orient,  his  word  became  good  for  any  needed  amount 
of  money. 

John  W.  Brooks  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  came  west  and  saw  the  condition 
of  the  Michigan  Central  road.  He  returned  to  Boston  and  New  York  in  the 
hope  of  interesting  financial  men  in  his  scheme.  He  met  John  M.  Forbes,  who 
had  already  some  experience  in  matters  of  this  kind,  and  presented  the  subject 
to  him.  The  Michigan  Central  had  been  built  westward  from  Detroit  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  miles  to  Kalamazoo.  It  had  been  backed  by  the  state  of  Michi- 
gan and  had  cost  $3,500,000.  State  aid,  however,  failed  at  this  period  and  the 
road  was  put  up  for  market.  Mr.  Forbes  had  faith  in  the  scheme  and  undertook 
to  furnish  money  for  the  purchase  of  the  road.  He  employed  the  great  lawyer, 
Daniel  Webster,  to  draft  a  charter  of  the  Michigan  Central  railroad  embody- 
ing the  best  features  of  What  had  been  learned  from  eastern  railroad  experience 
and  sent  Mr.  Brooks  back  to  Michigan  to  secure  the  passage  of  the  charter  by 
the  legislature,  In  1846  after  much  discussion  and  predictions  of  dire  results, 
the  charter  was  granted  and  by  the  act  of  incorporation  the  Michigan  Central 
was  granted  the  property  of  the  road  forever  with  the  proviso  that  after  twenty 
years  the  state  might  repurchase  and  after  thirty  years  might  alter,  amend  or 
repeal  the  charter.  The  purchase  was  made  for  $2,000,000. 

Mr.  James  F.  Joy  was  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  college  and  the  Harvard  Law 
school.  He  came  to  Detroit  and  while  waiting  for  his  practice  to  grow,  he  was 
called  into  this  scheme.  It  was  Brooks  and  Joy  who  presented  this  matter  to 
Forbes  and  they  naturally  became  active  in  the  work  of  bringing  order  out  of  the 
chaos  into  which  the  road  had  fallen.  Forbes  was  made  president  of  the  road. 
Brooks  of  Detroit  was  to  have  charge  of  the  operating.  The  Michigan  Central 
company  took  possession  of  the  property  on  the  23rd  of  September,  1846,  and 
when  the  directors  held  the  first  annual  meeting  in  Detroit,  June,  1847,  the  road 
had  already  prospered  enough  to  justify  immediate  preparations  for  a  forward 
march  toward  Lake  Michigan.  Funds  were  easily  found  to  complete  this  work 
and  soon  these  men  began  to  look  for  opportunities  west  of  Chicago  and  by  a 
series  of  negotiations  heretofore  mentioned  in  this  work,  they  became  interested 
in  the  Btirlington  road. 

At  the  time  these  men  took  hold  of  the  Michigan  Central  road,  it  ran  through 
a  section  of  country  which  was  practically  a  wilderness,  but  the  moment  that 
efficient  management  was  substituted  for  the  previous  bad  management,  traffic  in- 
creased to  such  a  degree  that  the  road  was  shortly  built  to  Chicago  and  transpor- 
tation from  Buffalo  to  Chicago  was  reduced  from  four  days  to  a  few  hours. 


v-r.>       '               HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY                  'v  611 

Towns  have  sprung  up  along  its  line,  it  has  a  magnificent  road  bed,  its  depot 

buildings  are  of  the  finest  in  the  country  and  it  is  one  of  the  first  class  roads 
of  the  United  States.           -^  - 


:;• ';;:  /  ;^    ATCHISON,  TOPEKA  &  SANTA  FE  RAILWAY 

.;;•;••,  /''"•;•,  "••   -:';,•  ';;.";'.;-'-;^^.v---%'  BY  J.  F.  JARRELL  •;;  ''   ;•  ': 

The  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railway  company,  which  has  a  valuable 
plant  in  Galesburg,  operates  in  thirteen  states.  These  Santa  Fe  states  are  Illi- 
nois, Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Oklahoma,  Texas,  Louisiana,  Colorado, 
New  Mexico,  Arizona,  Nevada,  and  California.  This  territory  generally  is 
known  as  the  Great  Southwest.  If  the  thirteen  states  named  were  isolated  from 
the  rest  of  the  world,  the  inhabitants  would  lack  neither  necessities  nor  luxuries 
in  all  the  time  to  come,  for  in  this  section  everything  that  mankind  desires  is 
produced  in  abundance. 

The  Santa  Fe  has  been  a  pioneer  in  the  development  of  the  territory  de- 
scribed. Starting  in  Kansas  when  the  buffalo  ran  wild  and  Indians  were  on  the 
war  path,  it  pushed  its  way  steadily  westward  and  southward,  across  plains  and 
through  mountains,  toward  the  Pacific  ocean  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Having 
obtained  an  outlet  to  tide  waters  on  the  west  and  south,  to  obtain  a  definite  east- 
ern terminus  at  once  became  a  problem  for  the  Santa  Fe  management  to  solve. 

Southern  California  was,  in  the  late  eighties,  beginning  to  boom  its  products 
eastward ;  the  mines  of  New  Mexico  and  Colorado  were  contributing  a  heavy 
traffic ;  the  plains  of  western  Kansas,  Indian  Territory  and  Texas  were  shipping 
vast  and  increasing  numbers  of  cattle  to  eastern  markets,  and  the  grain  fields 
of  Kansas  were  developing  at  a  remarkable  rate.  The  enormous  volume  of 
traffic  which  the  then  5,300  miles  of  the  Santa  Fe  system  was  creating  and  han- 
dling demanded  an  eastern  outlet  beyond  the  Missouri  river. 

Chicago,  the  traffic  center  of  the  great  lakes  and  the  Mississippi  valley,  was 
then,  as  today,  the  central  market.  It  was,  furthermore,  the  center  of  west- 
ward traffic  operations,  and  the  great  homeseeker  movement,  occasioned  by 
cheap  lands  and  booming  conditions  in  the  west  focused  in  that  city.  Chicago 
was,  in  short,  the  logical  eastern  terminus  for  the  Santa  Fe  system. 

To  do  full  justice  to  its  traffic  requirements  and  to  fulfill  its  ambition  for 
a  line  from  the  lakes  to  the  gu\i  and  Pacific  coast  points,  the  Santa  Fe  must, 
then,  strike  directly  from  Kansas  City  to  Chicago,  and,  under  the  indomitable 
leadership  of  President  William  B.  Strong,  the  dream  of  building  into  Chicago 
became  a  splendid  reality  in  the  year  1887. 

To  carry  out  this  project,  the  Chicago,  Santa  Fe  &  California  Railway  com- 
pany was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Illinois  on  December  3, 
1886. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1887,  according  to  information  furnished  by 
G.  D.  Bradley  of  the  Santa  Fe's  accounting  department  at  Topeka,  the  stock 
markets  of  Boston,  New  York  and  London  announced  the  sale  of  $15,000,000 
gold  bonds  of  the  Chicago,  Santa  Fe  &  California  Railway  company.  These 


612  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


bonds,  which  were  payable  semi-annually  in  each  of  the  above  mentioned  cities, 
were  guaranteed  by  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad  company  and 
were  secured  by  a  first  mortgage  on  the  entire  new  road  as  projected  subject 
only  to  $1,500,000  of  prior  lien  bonds.  In  consideration  of  this  guarantee,  the 
Santa  Fe  was  to  receive  the  entire  $30,000,000  stock  issue  of  the  Chicago, 
Santa  Fe  &  California  Railway  company,  thereby  gaining  control  through  a 
direct  ownership  of  two-thirds  of  its  $45,000,000  capital. 

Several  plans  were  proposed  for  getting  into  Chicago,  but  the  one  adopted 
was  to  construct  as  much  of  a  direct  line  as  necessary,  and  to  purchase  such 
minor  lines  as  could  be  used  to  advantage  in  covering  the  distance.  By  this 
plan  it  was  found  possible  to  reduce  the  amount  of  main  line  construction  about 
one  hundred  miles  through  the  purchase  of  a  small  road  leading  into  Chicago 
from  Pekin,  Illinois.  Shortly  after  its  incorporation,  in  December,  1886,  the 
Chicago,  Santa  Fe  &  California  Railway  company  acquired  the  road  and  other 
properties  of  the  Chicago  &  St.  Louis  Railway  company,  which  extended  from 
Chicago  to  Pekin,  about  158  miles,  including  a  short  spur  from  Streator  to 
Coalville.  By  the  terms  of  its  charter  the  Chicago,  Santa  Fe  &  California 
Railway  Company  was  authorized  to  build  an  extension  from  Streator,  Illinois, 
to  Fort  Madison,  Iowa,  connecting  at  the  latter  point  with  an  extension  of  the 
Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  from  Kansas  City.  It  was  authorized,  further, 
to  construct  a  line  from  Pekin  to  Springfield,  Illinois. 

The  Chicago  &  St.  Louis  Railway  company,  which  the  Santa  Fe  absorbed, 
was  known  originally  in  railroad  circles  as  the  "Hinckley  road."  About  the 
year  1869,  a  Chicago  promoter,  named  Francis  C.  Hinckley,  associated  with 
Philip  B.  Shumway  and  Colonel  Ralph  Plumb,  and  backed  largely  by  Moses 
Taylor,  president  of  the  National  City  Bank  of  New  York,  had  built  a  line 
from  Streator  to  Pekin,  a  distance  of  about  sixty-four  miles.  This  was  called 
the  Chicago,  Pekin  &  Southwestern  railroad.  In  1876  this  road  was  extended 
northward  about  thirty  miles  to  Maxon  creek,  near  Coal  City,  the  enterprise 
having  been  conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Cliicago  &  St.  Louis  Railway 
Company.  In  i88i  these  roads  became  involved  in  financial  difficulties  and, 
on  May  lo,  1882,  both  properties  were  reorganized  under  the  name  of  the 
Chicago,  St.  Louis  &  Westera  Railroad  company.  On  January  i,  1884,  this 
line  was  completed  from  Mazon  bridge  to  Chicago,  nearly  seventy  miles.  More 
financial  troubles  ensued,  and  another  reorganization  took  place,  this  time  under 
the  name  of  the  Chicago  &  St.  Louis  Railway  company,  on  January  i,  1885. 
The  property  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Louis  &  Western  was  transferred  to  the 
Chicago  &  St.  Louis  Railway  company  on  May  i,  1885,  and  the  latter  named 
road  was  formally  opened  for  traffic  on  December  21,  1885,  only  to  pass  to 
the  Chicago,  Santa  Fe  &  California  Railway  company  a  year  later. 

In  February,  1887,  A.  A.  Robinson,  chief  engineer  of  the  Santa  Fe  system, 
received  orders  from  President  Strong  to  push  the  line  through  and  have  it 
ready  for  operation  by  January  i,  1888.  This  order  was  literally  carried  into 
effect,  work  being  started  all  along  the  line  with  tremendous  energy. 

The  grading  and  bridge  building  were  let  to  private  contractors,  and  approxi- 
mately five  thousand  men  were  employed  along  the  entire  route,  this  force  being 
increased  later  by  about  two  thousand  railroad  employes  engaged  in  track  and 
structural  work.  The  organization  of  the  engineering  staff  and  this  body  of 


;:  V  .  {  ^  ;::'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ';•      '      613 

.workmen  was  not  unlike  that  of  an  .army  in  the  field.  Over  the  entire  enterprise, 
with  headquarters  in  Topeka,  but  everywhere  present,  was  A.  A.  Robinson,  chief 
engineer.  At  one  time  five  hundred  men  were  employed  on  Santa  Fe  work  in 
Knox  county.  . 

Mr.  Robinson,  who  now  resides  in  Topeka,  having  retired  from  active  rail- 
road work,  told  the  writer  that  he  negotiated  the  arrangement  for  building  the 
Santa  Fe  through  Galesburg  with  a  committee  of  which  Mr.  W.  Selden  Gale  was 
chairman.  Mr.  Gale  was  the  son  of  George  W.  Gale,  founder  of  Galesburg. 
When  news  was  received  in  Galesburg  that  the  Santa  Fe  would  build  east  of 
the  Missouri  river,  the  people  of  Galesburg  promptly  organized  to  capture  the 
new  line.  Galesburg's  proposition  was  to  furnish  a  right  of  way  through  the 
city  without  expense  to  the  Santa  Fe.  A  guaranty,  signed  by  many  leading  citi- 
zens, was  telegraphed  by  Colonel  Clark  E.  Carr  to  the  directors  of  the  Santa  Fe, 
in  session  in  Boston,  and  they  accepted  it.  The  money  to  pay  for  the  right  of 
way  was  afterwards  raised  by  subscription.  The  road  was  built  through  Knox 
county  late  in  the  summer  of  1887.  When  the  work  was  started  in  Galesburg, 
Mr.  Robinson  submitted  all  matters  pertaining  to  grades,  crossings,  depot  site, 
etc.,  to  Chairman  Gale  and  the  other  committeemen,  who  put  them  through  the 
council. 

An  important  feature  of  the  line  from  Chicago  to  Kansas  City  is  that,  while 
the  Santa  Fe  crosses  thirty-four  railroads  in  the  total  distance  of  458  miles,  there 
are  only  four  grade  crossings.  The  Santa  Fe  goes  over  or  under  these  railroads 
at  all  the  other  points.  This  feature  prevents  danger  and  saves  time. 

After  the  completion  of  the  Chicago-Kansas  City  line,  Mr.  Robinson  became 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of  the  Santa  Fe,  and  later  went  to  the  Mex- 
ican Central  railroad  as  its  president.  •: 

Reaching  Chicago,  in  1888,  the  Santa  Fe  began  spreading  its  network  of 
rails  into  a  system  now  aggregating  approximately  ii,cxx)  miles  of  lines  which 
serve  this  vast  empire  of  the  southwest,  its  wealth-yielding  farms  and  ranches, 
its  extensive  mines,  and  its  growing  cities  teeming  with  factories  and  the  marts 
of  trade.':..;,:;;  •-./-"••:;  .  '>.  •^'' -•,;•' 

The  manufacturing  industries  in  the  thirteen  states  served  by  the  Santa  Fe 
have  increased  in  number  and  output  more  than  lOO  per  cent  in  ten  years.  All 
of  the  states  produce  lumber  for  the  market,  except  two.  Ten  of  the  states  are 
coal  producers.  Petroleum  and  natural  gas  are  found  in  nine.  The  wool  indus- 
try is  important  in  twelve.  Stone  for  the  market  is  produced  in  four,  salt  in 
four,  lead  and  zinc  in  seven,  gj'psum  in  eight,  lime  in  three,  cement  in  nine,  sand 
and  gravel  in  ten.  clay  in  eight,  precious  metals  in  six,  copper  in  five,  iron  in  six, 
the  fishing  industry  is  extensive  in  six,  and  every  state  is  rich  in  products  from 
the  farm,  orchard,  ranch  and  garden.  •; ,  .V  • 

The  rapid  development  of  the  southwest  has  made  it  necessary  for  the  Santa 
Fe  to  have  a  two-track  railroad  from  Chicago  to  the  Pacific.  It  now  has  two 
tracks  from  Chicago  to  Belen,  New  Mexico,  a  distance  of  1,400  miles,  and  by 
the  end  of  1912  additional  double  tracking  for  400  miles  will  have  been  finished 
west  of  Belen.  From  Chicago  to  Kansas  City  the  tracks  are  side  by  side.  From 
Kansas  City  the  main  line  runs  through  central  Kansas,  southeastern  Colorado 
and  New  Mexico,  another  line  through  southern  Kansas,  northwestern  Okla- 
homa, the  panhandle  of  Texas  and  central  New  Mexico,  the  two  lines  meeting 


614  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^  ^  '- 

at  Belen,  making  a  two-track  way.  In  addition  the  Santa  Fe  has  double  tracked 
its  main  line  in  Kansas  City  to  Newton,  a  distance  of  201  miles.  It  also  has 
two  tracks  through  the  Arkansas  valley,  from  Holly  to  La  Junta,  in  Colorado. 
The  tracks  west  of  Belen  are  side  by  side.  The  double  tracking  from  Chicago 
to  Kansas  City  was  completed  in  1911.  The  double  tracking  in  Knox  county 
was  done  in  the  summer  of  that  year.  "•"'  ;.:••: 

The  Santa  Fe  of  to-day,  under  the  guidance  of  President  E.  P.  Ripley,  is         /  : 
recognized  as  one  of  the  great  railway  systems  of  the  world,  at  once  conserva- 
tive and  progressive.     The  Ripley  policy  for  team  work  in  all  branches  of  the 
service  and  for  maintaining  a  cordial  relationship  between  officials  and  the  com- 
pany's patrons  has  been  a  strong  factor  in  the  success  of  the  Santa  Fe.      :-;"'•/'-.-••/ 


.          ;.;^  THE  PRFSBYTERIAN  CHURCH          •  ^y  < 

-;    '  V  BY  REV.  STUART  M.  CAMPBELL        ;';.•;: 

• 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  Knox  county  is  represented  by  five  churches —     ^  o 
Altona,  Galesburg,  Knoxville,  Oneida  and  Yates  City.     Formerly  there  was  a     :M.!, 
church  in  Copley  township,  known  as  Knox  church,  which  is  now  closed.    These  /.  .^ 
churches  form  an  integral  part  of  the  religious  body  known  officially  as  "the     :    ';' , 
Presbyterian  church  in  the  United  States  of  America."     This  body  is  for  the  :;.". 
most  part  limited  to  the  northern  part  of  the  "^Jnited  States,  the  similar  body  .  ;"  V- 
in  the  south  being  separately  incorporated  under  the  name  of   "The  Presby-    ;       .; 
terian  Church  in  the  United  States."     To  these  two  branches  of  the  Presby-  ':  :,;^.  f 
terian  family  must  be  added  all  the  groups  following  the  Presbyterial  fonn  of        .; , 
government — such  as  the  Dutch  Reformed,  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  '^':  . 
the  United  Presbyterian,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  and  others.     In  all  it  is  ;  ;•--.';/ 
estimated  that  23,000,000  people  confess  allegiance  to  the  Presbj-terian  system,    .; ' 
and  they  are  found  scattered  throughout  the  world. 

,'   '"-^r ','•':':'•   '         .          '         .   '       HISTORICAL        ;•/•'•' •\''':^:f---^^-- '•••''•:.:•• 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  America  dates  from  1705,  when  the  first  presby- 
tery was  formed  in  Philadelphia.  In  1788  the  general  assembly  was  first  organ- 
ized. There  have  been  a  number  of  breaks  in  the  development  of  the  church, 
owing  to  divergent  views  on  matters  of  government  and  discipline.  In  1870 
there  was  a  union  consummated  between  the  "old  school"  and  "new  school" 
branches,  and  more  recently  there  has  been  consummated  a  union  with  the  Cum- 
berland branch.  The  membership  of  the  national  church  is  now  1,354,000,  with 
1,200,000  scholars  in  Bible  schools.  The  name  Presbyterian  is  the  adaptation 
of  the  Greek  word  for  "elder"  or  "bishop."  It  signifies  government  by  elders, 
who  are  chosen  to  represent  the  people.  It  has  always  been  a  purely  democratic 
church,  and  its  form  of  government  has  been  so  highly  satisfactory  that  many 
other  institutions  have  been  planned  upon  the  same  representative  idea.  Each 
local  church  in  the  Presbyterian  system  is  governed  by  a  board  of  elders,  who 
are  chosen  by  the  congregation;  the  churches  within  a  certain  area  constitute  a 


^  -;    r^; ;   y       .:  C   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  •        615 

"presbytery" ;  all  the  churches  in  a  state  form  a  "synod" ;  and  delegates  from  the 
presbyteries  (equal  clergy  and  laity)  form  the  "general  assembly,"  which  meets 
annually,  and  which  is  the  highest  court  of  the  church. 

The  Presbyterian  church  carries  on  an  immense  amount  of  work  in  this  and 
other  lands.  She  has  been  the  friend  of  the  common  people,  the  nurse  of  lib- 
erty, the  mother  of  democracy,  the  builder  of  schools  and  colleges.  Such  col- 
leges as  Princeton  and  Knox  have  been  planted  by  her  sons,  and  she  continues 
her  great  work,  planting  schools  and  extending  her  influence  in  all  lands.  Her 
missionary  labors  are  extensive  and  permanent.  She  has  now  over  i,ooo  mis- 
sionaries in  the  foreign  field  and  has  distributed  this  past  year  about  $1,70x3,000 
in  these  lands.  In  all  that  makes  for  the  uplift  of  the  world  the  church  has 
been  a  great  contributor;  and  the  dignity  of  her  worship,  with  the  freedom  of 
her  government,  have  combined  to  make  her  service  far-reaching  and  significant. 

\:,'^'-    ':•:•"  .,^^:'-^     .  .,^.;^ '':;:/ ^,"\.   ;.i\.-v.         DOCTRINAL  .;'.,','•    ^-    / 

^  •"•';' 

In  matters  of  doctrine  the  Presbyterian  church  follows  what  is  known  as  the 
Augiistinian  or  Calvinistic  system.  These  doctrines  were  formulated  more 
elaborately  by  John  Calvin  (1509-1564).  Briefly  the  Calvinistic  churches  em- 
phasize the  sovereignty  of  God,  especially  in  matters  of  grace.  The  sovereign 
recognition  of  God  has  given  to  Presbyterianism  a  peculiar  strength,  and  the 
history  of  the  denomination  is  full  of  tragedy.  While  following  what  seems 
like  a  rigid  system,  no  church  surpasses  the  Presbjterian  in  the  simplicity  of  her 
methods,  and  members  are  welcomed  into  her  communion  on  the  simplest  terms. 
Her  conceptions  of  the  Bible,  and  of  the  revelation  of  God  in  Christ,  have  given 
to  her  a  solidity  and  steadfastness  that  remains  unchanged  throughout  the  cen- 
turies, and  her  people  are  planting  the  work  with  the  certainty  of  future  achieve- 
ments and  progress.  Combining  thus  the  rootage  necessary  to  growth  and  the 
fruitage  which  is  the  sign  of  health,  the  church  has  become  the  true  liberal 
church,  and  she  is  filled  with  happiness. 

•    ALTONA    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    APRIL   25TH,    1857          -;-'';.•.:  i 

A  committee  from  Schuyler  presbytery,  composed  of  Isaac  H.  Candee,  D.  D., 
of  Galesburg,  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Vail  of  Knoxville  and  Rev.  Jas.  T.  Bliss  of  Wal- 
nut Grove,  met  a  portion  of  the  citizens  of  this  place  at  their  schoolhouse  to 
organize  a  Presbyterian  church,  as  had  been  before  publicly  announced.  Rev. 
Thomas  S.  Vail  preached  a  sermon  from  Luke  ii,  34:35.  The  committee  hav- 
ing been  duly  organized  for  the  transaction  of  business,  twenty-one  names  were 
given :  Richard  S.  Stuckey  and  Joseph  Finley,  first  elders ;  Joseph  Stuckey,  first 
deacon.  Attest:  I.  H.  Candee,  D.  D.,  Rev.  T.  S.  Vail,  Rev.  J.  T.  Bliss,  com- 
mittee of  presbytery. 

April  lo,  1858,  R.  S.  Stuckey  was  first  delegate  chosen  to  attend  Schuyler 
presbytery.  "V'^-—'-!^ '''•:!:  ••'•=-V  /':•  v  -'-'Xr. '::' 

October  lo,  1859,  Samuel  Russell  was  appointed  delegate  to  attend  the  synod 
at  Chicago,  October  2oth  of  the  same  year. 

First  examination  and  approving  of  minutes  at  Galesburg,  April  ii,  1860.  C. 
Levenworth,  moderator.  The  following  pastors  have  served  since  the  church 


616        ,  .         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

building  was  erected:  Rev.  C.  Levenworth,  who  resided  in  Galesburg;  Rev. 
Giffin  and  Rev.  Jimison,  who  resided  in  Monmouth ;  I.  G.  Scott  lived  in  Gales- 
burg; Rev.  Moore,  Rev.  Harvey,  Rev.  Ayers,  who  resided  in  Galesburg;  Rev. 
Thos.  Watson,  Rev.  Wm.  Parker,  Rev.  John  Rugh,  now  of  White  Hall;  Rev. 
C.  W.  Crofts  of  Morrison,  Rev.  J.  N.  Strain  of  Afton,  Iowa ;  Rev.  W.  B.  Smith, 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  Revs.  Bliss  and  Vance  were  itinerant  ministers  before  house 
was  built.  Rev.  S.  A.  League,  formerly  of  Yates  City,  was  elected  pastor  and 
took  charge  of  work  March  i,  1912. 

Elders :  Thos.  Andrews,  Chas.  Austin  and  J.  W.  McQueen,  clerk.  Trustees  : 
A.  A.  Scott,  James  McGaan,  F.  H.  Olson,  Ed  Main  and  Harry  McGaan.  Mem- 
bership about  loo;  Sunday  school,  45.  House,  eight  roomed  modern  building. 
V-..-....  :  ;.  -•  /  ...  J.  W.  McQueen,  Clerk. 

GALESBURG  PRESBYTERIANISM        \^   .    -     .  -   : 

•. .  ^'*  •  ."..V  •     ;..  .^'•.^'•-''''-•^.•••^ 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  Galesburg  has  a  history  parallel  with  that  of  the 
town  and  of  Knox  college,  all  of  which  were  founded  together.  The  group 
that  came  from  Whitesboro,  N.  Y.,  to  establish  the  town  and  college  were  a 
group  of  church-going  people,  and  soon  after  arriving  here  they  met  to  or- 
ganize as  a  church.  On  February  26,  1837,  the  first  Sunday  service  was  held, 
with  the  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale  as  preacher.  Sixty- four  persons  united  by  letter 
and  eighteen  by  confession  of  faith — eighty-two  ip  all.  On  April  5th  it  was 
agreed  that  the  church  should  be  organized  fully  as  Presbyterian,  and  very 
soon  thereafter  it  was  received  into  the  presbytery  of  Schuyler,  the  corporate 
name  being  "The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Galesburg."  The  first  elders  chosen 
were  Nehemiah  West,  Nehemiah  H.  Losey  and  John  Kendall.  The  deacons 
chosen  were  Thomas  Simmons  and  Abel  Goodell.  The  church  continued  its 
service  until  1845,  when  a  change  occurred  in  its  policy.  The  Congregational 
element  had  been  growing  strong  in  the  young  church,  and  this  group  wished 
some  compromise  that  they  might  have  recognition.  The  compromise  was  ar- 
ranged in  1843  3"d  continued  until  1851,  when  a  group  of  Presbyterians  with- 
drew and  organized  a  church  of  their  own  faith,  known  as  the  Second  Presby- 
terian church.  In  the  service  of  the  First  church  were  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale, 
1836;  Rev.  John  Thomas  A  very,  1836-7;  Rev.  John  Waters,  1837-39;  Rev. 
Horatio  Foote,  1839-40;  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale,  1840-41;  Rev.  Hiram  Huntington 
Kellogg,  1841-43 ;  Rev.  J.  Waters,  Rev.  Edward  Hollester  or  Rev.  Hiram  Marsh, 
1843-44;  Rev.  Lucius  H.  Parker,  1844-45;  Rev.  H.  H.  Kellogg,  1845-47;  Rev. 
Jonothan  Blanchard,  1847-49;  Rev.  Flavel  Bascom,  1849-50. 

The  first  service  of  the  new  Presbyterian  congregation  was  held  in  Knox 
academy  June  29,  1851.  AJter  worshipping  in  a  small  building  on  South 
street  the  congregation  in  i8)p  moved  into  a  new  building  at  the  corner  of  Kel- 
logg and  Main  streets.  In  a  short  time  there  was  a  movement  for  a  more  suit- 
able building,  and  after  some  delays,  incident  in  part  to  the  war,  the  new  edifice 
on  South  Cherry  street  was  proceeded  with  and  occupied  May  7,  1864.  This 
building  was  destroyed  by  fire  Nov.  31.  1891.  The  ministers  serving  this  church 
were :  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale  to  1852,  Rev.  John  W.  Bailey  to  1858,  Rev.  Harvey 
Curtis,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Charles  E.  Stebbins  to  1862.  After  a  group  of  supplies, 
the  Rev.  George  Duffield  became  pastor  in  1865,  continuing  until  1869.  Dr.  Duf- 


616  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

buildinj::  was  erected:  Rev.  C.  Levenworth.  who  resided  in  Galesburg;  Rev. 
Giffin  and  Rev.  Jimison,  who  resided  in  Monmouth ;  I.  G.  Scott  lived  in  Gales- 
hurij;  Rev.  Moore,  Rev.  Harvey,  Rev.  Avers,  who  resided  in  Galesburg;  Rev. 
Thos.  \\'atson.  Rev.  \\'m.  Parker,  Rev.  John  Rugh,  now  of  White  Hall :  Rev. 
C.  W.  Crofts  of  .Morrison,  Rev.  J.  X.  Strain  of  Afton,  Iowa ;  Rev.  W.  B.  Smith, 
St.  Louis,  Mo.  Revs.  Bliss  and  \'ance  were  itinerant  ministers  before  house 
was  built.  Rev.  S.  A.  League,  formerly  of  Yates  City,  was  elected  pastor  and 
took  charge  of  work  ^larch  i,  1912. 

Elders:  Thos.  Andrews,  Chas.  Austin  and  J.  W.  McQueen,  clerk.  Trustees: 
A.  A.  Scott,  James  McGaan,  F.  H.  Olson,  Ed  Main  and  Harry  McGaan.  Mem- 
bership about  loo;  Sunday  school,  45.  House,  eight  roomed  modern  building. 

J.  W.  McQueen,  Clerk.       , 

'  GALESBURG   PRESBYTERIAN  ISM 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  Galesburg  has  a  history  parallel  with  that  of  the 
town  and  of  Knox  college,  all  of  which  were  founded  together.  The  group 
that  came  from  \\'hitcsboro,  X.  Y.,  to  establish  the  town  and  college  were  a 
group  of  church-going  people,  and  soon  after  arriving  here  they  met  to  or- 
ganize as  a  church.  On  February  26,  1837,  the  first  Sunday  service  was  held, 
with  the  Rev.  Geo.  \\'.  Gale  as  preacher.  Sixty-four  persons  united  by  letter 
and  eighteen  by  confession  of  faith — eighty-two  in  all.  On  A])ril  5th  it  was 
agreed  that  the  church  should  be  organized  fully  as  Presbyterian,  and  very 
soon  thereafter  it  was  received  into  the  presbytery  of  Schuyler,  the  corporate 
name  being  "The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Galesburg."  The  first  elders  chosen 
were  Xehemiah  West,  Xehemiah  H.  Losey  and  John  Kendall.  The  deacons 
chosen  were  Thomas  Simmons  and  Abel  Goodell.  The  churcli  continued  its 
service  until  1845,  \vhen  a  change  occurred  in  its  jwlicy.  The  Congregational 
element  had  been  growing  strong  in  the  >oung  church,  and  this  grou])  wished 
some  compromise  that  they  might  have  recognition.  The  compromise  was  ar- 
ranged in  1843  3"fl  continued  until  1851,  when  a  grou])  of  Presbyterians  with- 
drew and  organized  a  church  of  their  own  faith,  known  as  the  Second  Presby- 
terian church.  In  the  service  of  the  First  church  were  Rev.  Geo.  \\'.  Gale, 
1836;  Rev.  John  Thomas  Avery,  1836-7;  Rev.  John  \\'aters,  1837-39;  Rev. 
Horatio  l-'oote,  1839-40:  Rev.  Geo.  \\'.  Gale.  1840-41:  Rev.  Hiram  Huntington 
Kellogg,  1841-43:  Rev.  J.  \\'aters.  Rev.  Edward  Hollester  or  Rev.  Hiram  Marsh, 
1843-44;  Rev.  Lucius  H.  Parker,  1844-45;  Rev.  H.  H.  Kellogg,  1845-47;  Rev. 
Jonothan  Blanchard,  1847-49;  Rev.  Flavel  Bascom,  1849-50. 

The  first  service  of  the  ncu-  Presbyterian  congregation  was  held  in  Knox 
academy  June  29,  1851.  ^\iter  worshi])i)ing  in  a  small  building  on  South 
street  the  congregation  in  i8jo  moved  into  a  new  building  at  the  corner  of  Kel- 
logg and  ^lain  streets.  In  a  short  time  there  was  a  movement  for  a  more  suit- 
able building,  and  after  some  delays,  incident  in  part  to  the  war,  the  new  edifice 
on  .South  Cherry  street  was  proceeded  with  and  occupied  May  7,  1864.  This 
building  was  destroyed  by  fire  X(n-.  31,  1891.  The  ministers  serving  this  church 
were :  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale  to  1852,  Rev.  John  \\'.  Bailey  to  1858,  Rev.  Harvey 
Curtis,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Charles  E.  Stebbins  to  1862.  After  a  group  of  supplies, 
the  Rev.  George  Duffield  became  pastor  in  1865,  continuing  until  1869.  Dr.  Duf- 


I  - 


B  »r    .• 

^''•^ 


2?. 


^^     -rr-    -      '3. 


V  V  -       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '       ^      ^  617 

field's  pastorate  has  been  memorized  by  a  window  in  the  present  church,  re- 
calling his  authorship  of  the  stately  hymn,  "Stand  up,  stand  up  for  Jesus." 
In  1869  Prof.  Llewellyn  Pratt  became  stated  supply. 

In  1854  there  was  organized  in  Galesburg  an  "old  school"  Presbyterian 
church.  This  was  a  national  movement  and  was  based  upon  questions  of  dis- 
cipline. This  body  worshipped  in  a  building  on  North  Cedar  street,  which  was 
occupied  in  1857.  This  building  was  removed  to  Simmons  street  in  1865,  where 
the  work  continued  until  1870.  The  pastors  were  Rev.  T.  S.  Vail  to  1855,  Rev. 
I.  N.  Candee  to  1866,  Rev.  George  Norcross  to  1868,  Rev.  S.  T.  Wilson  to  1870. 

In  1869  and  1870  the  question  of  the  union  of  Presbyterian  interests  was 
taken  up  and  on  March  i,  1870,  the  presbytery  of  Knox  and  Warren  gave  offi- 
cial sanction  to  the  union.  Prof.  Pratt  was  stated  supply  for  a  short  time  of 
the  united  church,  and  in  the  fall  of  1872  the  Rev.  Matthew  B.  Lourie  became 
pastor.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  fall  of  1885  by  Rev.  John  B.  Worrall,  who 
remained  until  1889.  Rev.  John  Hood,  D.  D.,  was  pastor  until  the  congre- 
gation called  the  Rev.  Hamilton  W.  Spence,  Lit.  D.,  who  retired  in  1906.  In 
the  summer  of  1907  the  Rev.  Stuart  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  a  graduate  of  Knox 
College,  class  of  1888,  became  pastor,  and  remains  in  that  office  at  the  date 
of  this  writing. 

In  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Dr.  John  Hood  the  present  splendid  stone  edifice  was 
erected  on  the  corner  of  North  Prairie  and  East  Ferris  streets,  at  a  total  cost 
of  about  $70,000.  •'•'•'::- 

The  church  to-day  reports  about  550  members.  The  Bible  school  has  a  total 
enrollment  of  350.  There  are  flourishing  societies  of  women  and  young  people 
and  a  brotherhood  of  the  men.  In  its  board  of  trustees  are  Mr.  Geo.  C.  Lescher, 
chairman ;  Mr.  W.  L.  Steele,  secretary,  and  Messrs.  L.  F.  Wertman,  Geo.  E. 
Sipherd,  C.  W.  Hoyt,  Geo.  W.  Kirby,  Fred  A.  Dean,  W.  S.  McQanahan,  W.  J. 
Hayward,  R.  O.  Housh,  R.  G.  Sinclair  and  J.  H.  Waterman.  The  church  ses- 
sion is  made  up  as  follows :  The  pastor,  moderator ;  Mr.  G.  T.  Sellew,  clerk, 
and  Messrs.  J.  H.  Losey,  J.  C.  Fahnestock,  J.  N.  Irwin,  A.  F.  McComack,  A.  W. 
Snyder,  A.  A.  Sigsbee  and  R.  N.  Shaw. 

In  1910  the  congregation  bought  for  a  manse  the  property  at  the  corner  of 
Losey  and  Prairie  streets.  It  is  a  beautiful  and  permanent  minister's  home  and 
a  valuable  property. 

The  congregation  has  had  in  its  ranks  many  of  the  leading  educators,  mer- 
chants and  business  men  of  Galesburg,  and  it  has  contributed  very  largely  to 
the  building  of  a  lovely  and  substantial  city.  ,  .^  .  -  . 

y'-/'"'y'    •'./'>!  C,'-^-"  •.:.';;•:'.-/-       JOHN    KNOX   CHURCH          ;^ "'  ^   :         ''••:''-      ''' 

A  very  large  interest  attaches  to  the  history  of  a  church  in  Copley  town- 
ship which  was  known  by  the  name  of  John  Knox  church.    By  referring  to  the .. 
article  on  "The  Scotch  in  Knox  County"  some   facts  concerning  this  church    ', 
will  be  found,  and  to  those  who  cherish  its  memory  these  words  will  have  the ' 
deepest  interest.     It  was  indeed  a  "Scotch"  church,  as  will  be  realized  in  the 
list  of  names   of  the   founders   given   in   the  article   just   referred   to.     This 
church  was  organized  under  the  direction  of  a  committee  of  Schuyler  presbytery, 
on  April  28,  1855,  and  for  the  church  immortality  was  fondly  predicted.    Along  -' 


618  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -- 

with  many  other  country  churches,  it  was  abandoned  some  years  ago,  the 
official  close  of  its  history  occurring  in  1900.  The  church  was  organized  with 
twenty-five  members  from  the  church  at  Knoxville.  The  ruling  elders  chosen 
at  the  time  were :  Mr.  Samuel  McCornack,  Mr.  Lockhart  Leighton,  and  Mr. 
Richard  S.  Stuckey.  The  trusteees  were:  Mr.  Peter  McClymont,  Mr.  Peter 
Gordon,  Mr.  William  McCornack,  Mr.  James  McCornack.  From  the  records 
it  seems  that  Rev.  I.  T.  Bliss  was  first  pastor,  serving  about  four  years  from 
January,  1857.  Rev.  S.  E.  Vance  was  chosen  pastor  in  1863,  and  served  about 
five  years,  and  Rev.  W.  S.  Dool  from  1873.  In  1886,  Rev.  John  Rugh  was  chosen 
pastor,  and  continued  in  the  field  eleven  years.  There  is  much  affection  shown 
by  the  descendants  of  the  original  families  for  this  church,  which  is  now  history 
rapidly  becoming  forgotten.  •  .  •  ;  .  ,  .-  '  .• 

..       "  THE    KNOXVILLE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH  ' 

The  Presbyterian  church  at  Knoxville  was  organized  on  the  fourth  of 
July,  1835,  by  a  committee  of  Schuyler  presbytery,  consisting  of  Rev.  Romulus 
Barnes  and  Rev.  Robert  Stewart.  The  organization  comprised  only  seven  mem- 
bers at  this  meeting,  but  others  soon  united.  David  Hugg^ns  and  Parnach  Owen 
were  elected  to  the  office  of  ruling  elders.  The  church,  after  a  varied  experience 
of  two  generations,  is  now  housed  in  a  very  neat  and  commodious  building.  It  is 
well  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  congregation  in  all  its  departments.  It  is 
valued  at  $16,000.  A  modern  manse  has  just  been  completed,  in  which  the  pastor 
and  family  are  happily  domiciled.  The  value  of  this  home  is  about  $6,000.  V; 

The  list  of  ministers  who  have  served  this  people  for  77  years  is  as  follows: 
E.  P.  Noel,  J.  J.  Miter,  Thomas  Cole,  L.  K.  Hawley,  W.  F.  Fraser,  G.  W.  Gale, 
T.  S.  Vail,  W.  Y.  Miller,  C.  Waterbury,  James  Bassett,  N.  Barrett,  Samuel 
Wyckoff,  G.  N.  Johnson,  D.  G.  Bradford,  J.  D.  Fitzgerald,  John  M.  Waddle, 
W.  H.  Mason.  The  present  pastor  is  Alvin  R.  Mathes,  who  is  doing  a  strong 
work,  and  is  greatly  appreciated  by  his  people  and  the  community.  The  ses- 
sion of  the  church  is  now  composed  of  Horace  L.  Bailey,  Thomas  C.  Love,  Dr. 
Lewis  Becker,  Charles  T.  Chase,  Frank  Y.  Harmony,  T.  B.  Park,  Nathan 
Anderson  and  Ira  J.  Lewis.  The  board  of  trustees  is :  Ira  J.  Lewis,  Nathan 
Anderson,  F.  G.  Shermeyer,  Enos  R.  Lacy  and  William  W.  McBride.  The 
Sunday-school  officers  are :  Nathan  Anderson,  superintendent ;  Ira  J.  Lewis,  as- 
sistant ;  William  W.  McBride,  treasurer ;  John  Sanders,  assistant  secretary ; 
Harry  A.  Parmenter,  secretary ;  Miss  Amanda  C.  Lightner,  superintendent  of 
the  home  department.  Six  missionary  organizations — for  men,  women  and 
young  people,  together  with  a  Christian  endeavor  society,  also  help  make  a  most 
efficient  church. 

.    -,'.:/^'  -  ONEIDA  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH          .    .''^'.-  ...' 

May  4,  1863,  a  committee  appointed  by  Schuyler  presbytery,  consisting  of 
schoolhouse  No.  3,  in  Ontario,  Knox  county,  to  organize  a  Presbyterian  church 
Rev.  I.  N.  Candee,  Rev.  C.  B.  Bristol  and  Elder  Alexander  Milroy,  met  in 
in  answer  to  a  petition  signed  by  many  of  the  citizens  of  that  town. 

Rev.  C.  B.  Bristol  preached  a  sermon  after  which  the  committee  proceeded 


J/n  V  -;  ;  •         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       7  C;      619 

to  organize  the  church,  receiving  from  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona  some 
14  members  and  from  Heathland,  4  more.  The  congregation  then  elected 'as 
elders  the  following  men,  Joseph  Findley  and  James  B.  Ralston,  who  were 
formally  installed.  The  name  of  the  church  was  to  be  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Ontario,  Illinois.  .'  \ 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.   S.   C.  Vance,  who  continued   with   this  church 
four  years.     At  a  meeting  of  Warren  presbytery,  which  was  held  at  the  John 
Knox  church,  September,   1865.  the  name  of  the  church  was  changed  to  the 
•'-    First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Oneida,  •> 

IV'        The  first  church  building  was  probably  built  in  the  year  1865,  as  the  con- 
gregational expense  of  that  year  is  given  as  $3,627,  and  no  other  account  is 
given  of  building,  until  December,  1869,  a  note  in  the  minutes  of  the  session 
gives  thanks  that  the  church  destroyed  by  a  storm  on  May  5,  1868,  had  been 
replaced  by  a  better  and  larger  one.     The  names  of  many  stated  supplies  are 
given  in  the  records,  but  no  name  seems  to  be  retained  longer  than  that  of  Rev. 
'.''?•  ].  Reed  Stuart,  who  seems  to  have  been  pastor  about  five  years.     In  1871,  there 
.'•••  is  an  account  of  a  memorial  bell  being  put  in  place  at  a  cost  of  $290. 

Rev.  S.  L.  Allison  was  pastor  for  four  years,  October,  1880,  to  1884.        .;;:'••. 
;V         Rev.  J.  Rugh,  pastor  for  four  years,  1886  to  1890.  •  .-    .. .  >     . 

•  Rev.  E.  M.  Clingan,  pastor  from  1897  to  1900.  ,':..'         'V      .3 
Rev.  0.  C.  Dale,  1901  to  1902.                                   •      •      •  .  .-r  •:-'   :-.- 

''.-.         Rev.  R.  S.  Strain,  from  1905  to  1908.    During  this  last  pastorate  the  church 
building  was  remodeled  at  a  cost  of  over  $2,000.  .:  -   "; 

The  pastorate  of  Rev.  C.  F.  Wilson  began  in  July,  1909,  and  continues  at 
this  writing.     The  congregation  is  a  substantial  one.     The  church  officers  are 
^    as  follows:  ;  ^-"^  :.;'"•"...'-  s;-;, 

Trustees — John  Mitchell,  John  Milroy,  Douglas  McCullouch,  J.  Frank  Ep- 
'     person,  William  McKie. 

-.        Session — Martin  Gehring,   I.   P.  Mitchell,  W.  G.   Glenn,   Peter   McKissick, 
V;  William  McCornack. 

Superintendent  of  Bible  School — W.  Y.  Glenn.  :   '  ;  A  ; 

Ladies'  Aid  Society — Executive  Committee — Mrs.  I.  P.  Mitchell,  Mrs.  James 
"•  Taggart,  Mrs.  Charles  Dugan. 

Endeavor  Society — Miss  Ethel  McKie,  president ;  Miss  Lulu  Mitchell,  sec- 
•V  retary.     :'•;''' :.'-.  -'•.•';:•:;•  '  ••'•.';  :•'•  .''^•'-'',''^=^';^- 

••'•-•  J  •  ,;.       -,      •    •      . 

•  Brotherhood — S.  P.  Mitchell,  president;  Frank  Epperson,  secretary.       ;-..'.'/ 

'  y^^    V^V;    •      '^   ^^        THE  FIRST   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH   OF  YATES   CITY          -' ;V-:v     .  ,:^.  ^  v;". 

•  Was  organized  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the  presbytery  of  Peoria,  at 

•  Henry,  Illinois,  on  October  20,  1866.     The  committee  consisted  of  Rev.  J.  H. 
.;^-  Smith,  Rev.  Thos.  Stevenson  and  Elder  John  Marshall  of  Farmington,  Illinois. 
;•   This  committee  was  to  visit  Yates  City  and  if  the  way  be  clear  was  to  organize 

.:,    a  church,  and  said  committee  was  authorized  to  make  application  to  the  board 
of  "domestic  missions"  through  the  standing  committee  for  the  sum  of  $200 
,\.  to  support,  for  one  year,  such  missionary  as  the  committee  may  send  to  the  field. 
:  ••  The  following  is  the  committee's  report : 

The  committee  appointed  to  organize  a  church  at  Yates  City,  Illinois,  would 
/'•respectfully  submit  the  following  report:  .;     .  .:  --•.,,, 


620  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '-;:;:.•    4.^: 

At  a  meeting  duly  called  and  held  in  Y.  C.  November  i6,  1866,  a  church  was 
organized  with  i8  members.  Mr.  Joseph  Cunningham  and  W.  B.  Mathews 
were  elected  and  ordained  elders.  ,:  -  .  -  •  ,  ' 

The  session  records  recite  that  the  committee  met  in  the  schoolhouse  on  the 
evening  of  November  i6,  1866,  in  Yates  City  and  after  a  sermon  by  Rev.  Thomas 
Stevenson,  of  the  committee,  an  enrollment  was  made  of  those  desiring  a  church 
organization  and  the  following  named  persons  were  enrolled  as  charter  members : 
Mr.  Robert  Mathews  (he  is  now  96  years  old  and  comes  to  church  occasionally), 
Mrs.  Clarinda  Mathews,  Mr.  Joseph  Cunningham,  Mrs.  Sarah  Cunningham,  Mrs. 
C.  A.  McKissick,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Bryson,  Mr.  W.  B.  Mathews,  Mrs.  Esther 
Mathews,  John  Mathews,  W.  W.  Mathews,  Joseph  Mooney,  Mrs.  Susan 
Mooney,  John  Graver,  Mrs.  Mary  Graver.  .  i  .>:..:.. 

.     All  these  were  from  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Elmwood. 

Nelson  Cunningham  and  Mrs.  Lizzie  Cunningham  and  Theodore  Cunningham 
were  from  the  Presbyterian  church  at  French  Grove,  Illinois.  All  were  ad- 
mitted by  letter.  •  ••'••.'-•;.'  i  •••':..>/• 
Joseph  Cunningham  and  W.  B.  Mathews  were  elected,  ordained  and  installed 
as  elders.  And  John  C.  Bryson,  John  D.  Huey  and  Elder  W.  B.  Mathews 
were  elected  trustees.  The  meeting  closed  with  prayer. 

^  K;       '  '  ^  '..•:       THOMAS  STEVENSON,      '•'•':\'^. 

"•.'^f/-;-/  •         •  '          •.-.:.,'.:     •  ':"''.'       J-  H.  SMITH,        .,,|  ;:••-•'•.'..;•;:! 

•' ';^  •;-:  ;  •     •    ,    .     '•  JOHN  MARSHALL, 

'  .  Committee  of  Presbytery. 

The  church,  which  cost  something  more  than  $3,000,  was  dedicated  Decem- 
ber 6,  1867.  Rev.  J.  H.  Smith  was  the  first  pastor  and  entered  upon  his  labor 
with  the  organization  November  i6,  1866,  and  continued  with  the  church  till 
May,  1870.  Other  ministers  have  served  the  church  as  follows : 

Rev.  J.  E.  Carothers,  October  i6,  1870,  to  September  26,  1874. 
:        Rev.  L.  D.  Wells,  December  25,  1874,  to  October  6,  1877. 
,     Rev.  L.  C.  Little,  August  24,  1878,  to  June  20,  1880.        ,-    ,- 
Rev.  C.  F.  Carson,  June  2,  i88i,  to  March  lo,  1883.         ;:     j 
Rev.  J.  L.  Heming,  April  12,  1884,  to  March  9,  1887.     '    .'   ; 
Rev.  C.  C.  B.  Duncan,  June  4,  1887,  to  September  27,  1890.    =' 
Rev.  J.  L.  Clark,  September  27,  1891,  to  April  6,  1895.    .   - 
Rev.  Wm.  Parsons,  June  25,  1895,  to  April  lo,  1897.        t-  =' 
;..      Rev.  D.  M.  Ross,  November  28,  1897,  to  April  30,  1899. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Qatworthy,  Jr.,  June  12,  1899,  to  May  i,  1901. 

i:       Rev.  Geo.  E.  Young,  July,   1901,  to  April,  1903.  -.V 

Rev.  M.  M.  Cooper,   September  7,   1903,  to   1904.  ;._ 

Rev.  W.  J.  Manifold,  August  6,  1904,  to  August  lo,  1908. 

Rev.  S.  A.  Teague,  January  20,   1909,  to  February  27,   1912,  when  he  re- • 

signed.        -/  •  :  -•  '.^  ;r.-'.":V,-;.':^-'-   '\-':-.^-^-^'.'r  '.  /:l^:/-;.'!;^--''-^-vv-' 

The  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  1867,  by  G.  N.  Pierce  and  was  by 
him  superintended  for  one  year,  when  W.  B.  Mathews  was  chosen  and  con- 
tinued in  this  office  till  his  death,  December,  1890.  Leslie  McKeighan  is  the 
present  (January,  1912)  superintendent,  having  served  in  this  capacity  for 
three  years.  In  December,  1910,  the  church  session  assumed  full  control  of 
the  Sunday  school.  The  result  is  a  well  organized  school,  there  being  nine 
working  organized  classes. 


'    '-  >  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ' 

The  Ladies'  Missionary  society  was  organized  in  May,  1875.  The  first  of- 
ficers were:  President,  Mrs.  Ella  B.  Smith;  vice  president,  Miss  Nannie  Smith; 
secretary,  Mrs.  Mary  Broadfield;  treasurer,  Mrs.  W.  B.  Mathews. 

The  Y.   P.   S.   C.   E.   was  organized  May   5,    1886,   and   during   these   26 
years  has  been  a  strong  and  active  society  of  Christian  workers.     Will  Allen,  ? 
the  present  president,  has  held  this  position  for  nearly  three  years.    The  society 
has  44  members. 

The  Bethany  chapter  of  the  Westminster  guild  was  organized  in  May,  1909, 
with  eight  charter  members.  Miss  Ethel  Mathews  was  elected  president  and 
Mrs.  Teague,  leader.  A  course  of  study  was  adopted  and  has  been  pursued 
during  these  three  years  with  much  interest  and  profit.  The  society  now  has 
36  members  and  has  met  regularly  since  its  organization.  This  was  the  third 
like  society  to  be  organized  in  Peoria  presbytery. 

The  Westminster  circle  was  organized  in  August,  1911,  with  9  charter 
members.  Mrs.  Teague  was  elected  leader  and  Mrs.  Leslie  McKeighan  and 
Miss  Ethel  Mathews,  patronesses.  A  course  of  study  was  adopted  and  they 
met  bi-weekly.  There  are  now  14  members.  . :.  .'.''.V:-^  V 

,;••:'•;•;'.        .         .  •  •'      GIFTS  TO  THE  CHURCH      ''  '•:ir  •       -^  ^' •-..";' 

James  McKeighan,  just  before  his  death  in  1885,  made  the  church  a  present 
of  a  manse  valued  at  $i,ooo.  In  1890,  this  property  was  sold  and  a  new  manse 
built  on  a  lot  adjoining  the  church.  The  building  cost  $1,865. 

In  February,  1900,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McKeighan,  the  wife  of  James  Mc- 
Keighan, bequeathed  to  the  church  $1,500,  to  be  appropriated  to  the  building  of 
a  new  church,  which  was  completed  in  1903,  at  a  cost  of  $8,500  in  cash  and 
about  $1,200  in  work  of  laborers. 

On   February  27,   Mr.   S.   A.   Teague   resigned  to  accept  the  pastorate  at 

Altona,   Illinois,   leaving  the   church   at   this   writing   without   a   pastor.      The 

elders   are,    L.   A.    Lawrence,   John    S.    Mathews,    George    Montgomery,    Will 

Allen,  Leslie  McKeighan  and  Dwight  F.  Lawrence.    Trustees :    John  S.  Mathews, 

.  George  Mathews,  Janies  Hensley,  Miss  Dora  Thurman  and  Mrs.  Olive  Mathews. 


:;  :'../;  V      ;  CHERRY  GROVE  SEMINARY.; 

•.:v:''v  •^'^':';    '•:•:/;'.;;;  :---^'"-:.   BY  M.  C.  BATES.  cT---^, .^. 

The  country  along  the  Cumberland  river,  just  to  the  north  and  east  of 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  was  in  an  early  day  called  Cumberland.  This  region 
lay  in  both  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  was  in  extent  equal  to  several  large 
counties.  Some  of  the  earliest  settlements  of  middle  Tennessee  were  in  this 
part  of  the  state.  The  people  were  largely  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  and  were 
also  largely  of  the  Presbyterian  faith.  The  churches  of  this  Cumberland  coun- 
try were  in  what  was  called  the  Cumberland  presbytery  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  About  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century,  when  a  great  revival  of 
religion  was  prevailing  in  that  country,  this  presbytery  ordanied  to  preach 


622  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :^^^^' 

several  men  who  were  allowed  to  make  exception  to  certain  parts  of  the  West- 
minster confession  of  faith,  so  called  Hyper  Calvinistic,  which  they  thought 
taught  the  doctrine  of  Fatalism.  They  accepted  the  book,  however,  for  "sub- 
stance" of  doctrine.  The  higher  church  courts  in  reviewing  the  action  of  the 
presbytery  refused  to  concur  in  what  the  presbytery  had  done.  After  all  efforts 
to  harmonize  the  differences  between  the  parties  had  failed,  the  general  as- 
sembly dissolved  Cumberland  presbytery.  The  men  who  had  been  ordained 
with  the  reservation  as  above  given,  organized  themselves  into  what  they  again 
called  Cumberland  presbytery.  This  was  done  on  the  4th  of  February,  i8io. 
The  new  presbytery  grew  rapidly.  Other  presbyteries  were  soon  organized,  and 
they  together  took  the  name  "Cumberland  Presbyterian  church."  In  a  few 
years,  the  new  church  spread  into  nearly  all  the  adjoining  states.  These  men 
were  stanchly  evangelical  and  strong,  forceful  preachers.  In  the  earlier  days 
especially,  they  lived  close  to  the  people,  sharing  with  them  the  self-denials 
and  hardship,  incident  to  pioneer  life.  This  helped  to  give  them  great  influence 
with  the  people.  The  church  buildings  of  the  time  would  not  hold  the  people 
that  came  together  to  hear  them  preach.  It  was  during  this  period  and  under 
these  conditions  that  the  practice  of  holding  camp  meetings  was  first  started. 

These  preachers  followed  with  the  tide  of  emigration  into  the  newer  states 
and  aided,  not  only  in  establishing  churches,  but  also  in  starting  common  schools. 
And  as  soon  as  it  was  at  all  practicable,  schools  also  were  established  where 
young  men  and  young  women  who  were  growing  up  in  such  vast  numbers 
might  have  the  advantages  of  a  better  education  than  could  be  had  at  the 
common  schools.  Later  they  founded  colleges  in  many  of  the  states,  v  r  .  <: 

In  the  year  1905,  almost  exactly  a  century  after  the  separation,  these  two 
Presbyterian  churches  were  reunited  into  one  body,  not,  however,  until  in  the 
year  1902,  the  mother  church  had  modified  or  qualified  her  declaration  of  be- 
lief on  the  points  that  had  been  the  cause  of  the  separation. 

In  the  year  1831,  Joseph  Latimer,  ST.,  with  some  of  his  family  came  to 
Knox  county,  settling  on  section  29,  Cedar  township.  In  1832,  his  son,  Jona- 
than Latimer,  and  family  came,  settling  on  section  28.  In  1834,  Alexander 
Latimer,  another  son,  and  family  came  to  the  same  township  and  settled  on 
section  21.  Mrs.  Sarah  Boren,  a  widowed  daughter  of  Joseph  Latimer,  came 
with  him  and  settled  on  section  29,  near  her  father.  George  G.  Latimer,  who 
also  came  with  his  father,  was  married  in  1832,  and  settled  on  section  29.  Urbin 
D.  Coy  married,  in  1833,  Susan  Latimer,  Joseph  Latimer's  youngest  daughter. 
They  settled  a  little  later  on  section  21.  These  people  came  here  from  the 
"Cumberland  country,"  in  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  were  most  of  them 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  In  1835,  nearly  all  of  them, 
together  with  others  of  like  faith,  were  organized  into  the  Cherry  Grove  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  church  in  the  house  of  Joseph  Latimer,  by  the  Rev.  James 
Stockton.  They  worshipped  for  a  time  in  a  log  schoolhouse  situated  near  where 
is  located  the  Cherry  Grove  cemetery.  In  1836,  a  frame  church  was  built  about 
eighty  rods  to  the  northeast  of  this  first  schoolhouse,  in  a  beautiful  walnut  and 
'  sugar  maple  grove  just  at  the  edge  of  the  prairie.  The  following  are  the  names 
of  the  charter  members  of  the  Cherry  Grove  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church, 
organized  June  20,  1835 :  Mrs.  Susan  Coy,  John  Crawford,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Crawford,  Joseph  Latimer,  Mrs.  Ann  Latimer,  George  G.  Latimer,  Mrs.  Rebecca 


'^^:  -  -:  V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  • 

Latimer,  Alexander  Latimer,  Mrs.  Eunice  Latimer,  John  Howard,  Mrs.  Ellen 
Howard,  Miss  Ellen  Howard,  Mrs.  Nancy  Lomax. 

It  has  been  difficult  to  fix  definitely  the  date  when  Cherry  Grove  seminary 
was  started.  The  early  records  have  been  lost.  But  fortunately  there  are  still 
living  those  who  have  aided  greatly  in  determining  the  date.  J.  W.  Stephens 
is  clear  in  his  memory  that  "there  was  a  boarding  school"  at  Cherry  Grove  when 
he  came  to  the  neighborhood  in  1838  and  that  it  was  called  "Cherry  Grove  semi- 
nary." Others  recall  the  names  of  a  Mr.  Seymoure  and  Elias  Byram,  who  taught 
the  school  at  about  this  time.  This  agrees  also  with  the  judgment  and  tradi- 
tions of  the  older  people  who  have  had  the  best  opportunity  to  know,  that  the 
school  was  started  in  this  newly  erected  church  building  in  1837. 

A  charter  was  obtained  from  the  state  legislature  in  1840.  In  1841,  Novem- 
ber 1st,  Rev.  Cyrus  Haynes,  a  college  graduate  and  an  experienced  and  capable 
teacher,  took  charge  as  principal  of  Cherry  Grove  seminary.  For  eight  years 
under  Mr.  Haynes'  management  the  school  prospered.  In  his  time  a  consider- 
able addition  was  built  adjoining  the  church  to  afford  more  room  for  the  school. 
In  1849  another  advance  step  was  taken.  A  large  substantial  two-story  frame 
building,  40x56  feet,  was  erected,  the  lower  story  for  a  chapel  and  church  pur- 
poses, the  upper  story  arranged  for  recitation  and  other  school  purposes.  Mr. 
Haynes  was  followed  by  a  succession  of  strong,  wide-awake  teachers,  among 
them  Rev.  J.  M.  B.  Roach,  O.  H.  Baker,  Rev.  J.  C.  Wagamon  and  others,  all 
of  whom  did  good  work  and  under  whose  management  the  school  continued  to 
prosper.  There  came  to  the  school  a  fine  class  of  young  people,  earnest  and 
enthusiastic,  and  always  loyal  to  the  school.  There  was  a  successful  literary 
society — the  Upsilon — and  a  semi-monthly  paper,  the  Cherry  Leaf,  edited  by 
the  students.  Also  in  later  years  music  was  taught.  .  -  .  > 

The  school  was  in  a  sense  under  the  advice  and  patronage  of  the  Rushville 
presbytery  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  Many  young  men  studying 
for  the  ministry  were  encouraged  to  come  here.  There  were  students  from  a 
large  part  of  Western  Illinois,  and  they  came  also  from  Iowa,  Missouri  and 
Kentucky.  Some  fitted  themselves  here  for  college,  entering  the  best  colleges 
of  the  time  in  the  sophomore  and  sometimes  the  junior  classes.  A  larger  num- 
ber prepared  for  teaching,  others  for  entering  upon  the  study  of  law  or  medi- 
cine, and  all  were  inspired  with  the  hope  of  a  successful  and  useful  life.  A  very 
large  per  cent  of  those  who  were  students  here  made  a  good  record  in  after 
life.  Some  indeed  remarkably  so. 

There  were  grouped  about  Cherry  Grove  seminary  grounds  and  within  a 
half  mile  ten  or  twelve  houses  where  these  students  were  boarded,  or,  as  was 
sometimes  the  case,  boarded  themselves.  Besides  these,  homes  from  a  mile  to  a 
mile  and  a  half  away  took  students  to  board  when  it  was  necessary. 

In  the  year  1866  there  was  located  at  Lincoln,  Illinois,  a  college  by  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  churches  of  the  state.  This  school  was  intended  to  take 
the  place  of  two  or  three  schools  then  in  existence  similar  to  the  one  at  Cherry 
Grove  and  make  of  all  one  strong  college.  This  action,  together  with  the  fact 
that  there  were  at  that  time  two  colleges  in  Galesburg  and  two  in  Abingdon  and 
one  or  two  in  Knoxville,  made  it  apparent  that  there  was  no  longer  a  demand 
for  Cherry  Grove  seminary,  and  accordingly  in  1866  the  school  was  closed.  The 
library  that  had  been  collected  was  sent  to  the  Lincoln  college.  Thus  after  a 


624  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


career  of  marked  usefulness  for  a  period  of  nearly  thirty  years  was  this  action 
taken.  "'';'•.';.:',.'  '-•':••."  V'''--\-i'- >/'•:,•".!.•:..-•. /^' '' 

The  same  year  the  church  erected  a  house  of  worship  in  Abingdon,  which 
was  dedicated  in  February  of  1867.     This  is  still  their  church  home. 

In  i88i,  by  a  vote  of  the  congregation,  they  changed  their  fellowship  in  a  ' 

body  from  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  to  that  of  the  Congregational 
church.  This  action  was  taken  without  any  change  in  belief,  they  retaining  the 
same  articles  of  faith.  It  was  done  for  the  sake  of  closer  fellowship  with  the 
churches  in  the  nearer  vicinity. 

In  maintaining  Cherry  Grove  seminary  all  the  community  joined  heartily. 
Many  sacrifices  were  necessary  and  were  made  cheerfully.    In  some  respects  the      ;:  :•! 
burdens  fell  heaviest  on  the  women  who,  with  meager  facilities  for  doing  so,  ; 

and  very  small  pay,  had  to  care  for  the  students  and  see  that  they  had  as  com- 
fortable homes  as  possible  while  at  school.     Some  of  the  students  were  poor  and       •' 
some  of  the  young  men  were  studying  for  the  ministry  and  were  to  be  encour- 
aged in  every  way  possible.    Among  the  many  unselfish  and  devoted  women  who 
helped  in  this  one  is  worthy  of  especial  mention  because  of  her  long  service  and       .    = 
her  helpful  influence.     Mrs.  George  G.  Latimer,  whose  maiden  name  was  Re- 
becca Drennan,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.     Her  father,  William  Drennan,  who 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  had  moved  to  Sangfamon  county,  Illinois,  from       v 
Kentucky  in  i8i8  and  had  settled  a  few  miles  south  of  Springfield,  where  he       ' 
was  living,  a  man  of  prominence,  in  the  fall  of  1831,  when  Mr.  Latimer  chanced 
to  stop  over  night  with  Mr.  Drennan,  when  on  a  business  trip  to  Vandalia,  then       :/:;!; 
the  capital  of  the  state.     The  next  spring,  in  June,  the  soldiers  of  the  Black      :  •  , 
Hawk  war  were  discharged.     Mr.  Latimer,  who  had  been  serving  in  this  war        .:  • 
as  lieutenant  of  the  "Knox  county  rangers,"  was  now  free,  and  in  the  following      >... 
fall  again  visited  William  Drennan's  home,  this  time  to  bring  away  with  him        ^' 
Mr.  Drennan's  daughter,  Rebecca,  as  his  wife.    The  wedding  trip  was  a  journey      ;:-'/ 
from  Sangamon  county  to  Knox  county  on  horseback.     Mrs.  Latimer  was  but       ':'. 
eighteen  years  old  at  this  time.    She  was  of  the  same  religious  faith  as  her  hus-          .'. 
band.     She  entered  heartily  into  his  plans  for  the  home  building  that  was  al-          , 
ready  started  on  section  29,  Cedar  township,  and  also  for  the  new  church  and      >', .' 
school  that  was  soon  to  follow.     When  Cherry  Grove  seminary  was  started      '-;! 
George  Latimer,  with  his  father  and  brothers,  Jonathan  and  Alexander,  were      ^  '•• 
among  the  active  leaders  in  the  move  and  gave  much  of  their  time  and  liberally 
of  their  means  in  forwarding  the  enterprise.     George  Latimer's  home  was  but 
about  sixty  rods  from  the  seminary  and  church  building,  and  every  interest  that       .1. 
pertained  to  either  always  received  a  cheerful  and  hearty  support  from   Mrs. 
Latimer.     She  was  with  the  foremost  in  entertaining  comers,  and  goers  and  al-      •    • 
ways  of  course  without  thought  of  pay.    When  the  school  was  started  and  from 
that  time  on  her  home  was  always  full  of  students  and  at  almost  a  nominal  price      V  • 
for  board.     Her  sympathy  for  and  helpfulness  to  young  men   were  a  marked         .' 
.  feature  of  her  life.     When  Dennis  Clark,  who  for  eighteen  years  served  so  ac- 
ceptably as  judge  of  the  Knox  county  court,  was  sixteen  years  old,  an  orphan,      .  ; 
and  living  where  he  had  but  little  chance  for  advancement,  left  Sangamon  county       , /' 
he  came  directly  to  George  Latimer's,  having  known  Mrs.  Latimer  before  her       -.X 
marriage.     Here  for  twelve  years,  or  until  his  marriage  in  1845,  he  found  en-      : 
couragement  and  a  congenial  home.     Judge  Clark  always  held  Mrs.  Latimer  in         -.:; 
grateful  esteem  and  affection.  w 


-        '    '          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^        (525 

In  1848  Mrs.  Latimer's  first  great  sorrow  came.  In  the  space  of  two  weeks 
her  husband  and  three  children  were  taken  by  death,  two  of  the  children  being 
buried  in  one  grave.  With  this  crushing  bereavement  came  the  exhibition  of 
her  strong  character.  Left  with  the  entire  care  of  a  young  family,  in  addition 
to  her  household  duties,  she  now  took  the  management  of  the  farm.  Her  only 
son  was  but  ten  years  old.  Beside  her  watchful  care  and  training  of  her  five 
children  her  management  of  the  farm  and  stock  upc«i  it  was  equal  to  that  of  the 
best  farmers  in  the  neighborhood.  Meanwhile  she  in  no  degree  relaxed  her 
interest  in  the  school.  In  1858  Louis  Hanback,  an  orphan  boy  sixteen  or  seven- 
teen years  old,  from  Camp  Point,  Illinois,  came  to  the  seminary.  He  was  with- 
out money,  but  he  was  a  wide-awake,  ambitious  youth.  At  first  he  tried  self- 
boarding,  but  soon  Mrs.  Latimer  learned  of  his  ambition  to  get  an  education 
and  took  him  to  her  home,  where  he  remained  until  the  beginning  of  the  Civil 
war,  when  he  enlisted  and  served  until  it  was  over.  He  then  studied  law  and 
went  west.  Later,  in  1880,  he  was  elected  to  congress  from  a  Kansas  district. 
On  his  way  to  Washington  he  stopped  to  visit  with  his  friend  and  benefactress 
and  to  tell  her  of  his  success.  She  appeared  to  be  as  pleased  and  happy  as  if 
he  were  her  own  son. 

These  cases,  here  given,  show  the  characteristics  which  were  dominant  through 
Mrs.  Latimer's  whole  life. 

It  is  fitting  to  mention  here  one  other  life.  Mrs.  Latimer  had  but  one  son, 
William  Drennan  Latimer.  Aifter  attending  Cherry  Grove  seminary  he  was 
graduated  from  Knox  College  and  Albany,  New  York,  Law  School.  Without 
coming  home  from  Albany  he  went  directly  into  his  country's  service.  In  the 
fall  of  1864  while  on  shipboard  off  Fortress  Monroe  he  died  of  yellow  fever 
and  was  buried  at  sea.  .'  •  '  '  > 


^••.  :   ;  >^  CONGREGATIONALISM  AND  THE  HISTORY  OF  ^^'  •^•:-:^ 

•^^  -:::..•  :;^'\        CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCHES  IN       Vv.:/^V' 
••'^-^x'V-  •;:•.';•?••  -•.  KNOX  COUNTY  .-'.:V^' ;-rV -.:^> 

'••.--.•'•"•"-'.''''.          .''••'  .       '^       '•'''''''.''-'• 

X" '; o        •    .V  •        BY  REV.  DAVID  FALES,  JR.  ,  ~;     ^   i  -? 

"''.'.::•;'•  .v:  •••'•.;^'-' -f  ;/.':> ^^v.; .  '-/•-.'•••  ,/''•••  .V --'^-/i;::-''-  -.>';• 

•.'...        Congregationalism  is  a  term  which  may  be  applied  either  to  a  method  of    . 
;.     church  government  or  to  a  particular  group  of   Protestant  churches.     In  its    '• 
;  r     first  and  broader  significance  it  describes  one  of  the  three  main  types  of  the 
/;      ecclesiastical  polity,  the  others  being  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian.     In  Congrega- 
tional  polity  authority  is  vested  in  the  congregation — whence  the  name — rather 
,       than  in  bishops  or  elders;  and  is  thus  fundamentally  democratic  in  principle. 
V       This  usage  of  the  word  Congregationalism  appropriately  describes  the  polity  of 
;       various   religious   bodies,    such   as  the   Baptists,   the   Plymouth   Brethren,   the 

Christians,  the  Disciples  of   Christ,  the  Unitarians,  the  Universalists  and  the    i: 
r      Hebrew  synagogue  as  well  as  of  the  "Congregationalists."  -- ' 

The  second  and  more  limited  significance  of  the  word  is  found  in  its  ap-    ;. 
y...     plication  to  this  last  group  of  churches.   These  churches.  Congregational  in  their 
:-     government  and  "Evangelical"  in  doctrine,  have  persisted  through  a  common 
history,  dating  from  the  very  origins  of  Congregational  theory  during  the  reign    .  V 


Vol.  1—40 


828  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  Elizabeth,  down  through  many  generations  of  common  hardships,  co-opera- 
tive undertakings,  and  mutual  understanding;  and  have  established  a  recog- 
nized relationship  with  one  another  in  their  various  lands,  and  to  some  extent 
in  international  fraternal  union.  These  are  by  historical  descent  and  common 
acceptance  the  Congregational  churches  proper. 

•    .;  /-    :     •'''••;':,.  ._'-;v>  'POLITY    :',V'.';'^vv:'''''''  "''*''''' 

Congregational  polity  contains  three  fundamental  principles,  embodied  in 
the  three  words,  covenant,  autonomy,  and  fellowship. 

The  covenant  is  that  agreement  by  which  any  group  of  individual  Christians 
may  form  themselves  into  a  congregation,  for  worship,  sacrament  and  Christian 
activity.  By  this  covenant  the  rights  of  individuals  are  acknowledged  and  each 
individual  at  the  same  time  admits  his  responsibility  for  the  common  welfare. 

Autonomy  is  the  principle  of  independent  self-government  by  which  any 
congregation  so  formed  makes  itself  a  complete  church,  not  subject  to  other 
ecclesiastical  authority  outside  itself.  Such  a  congregation  chooses  its  own 
minister,  admits  its  own  members  and  defines  its  own  doctrines. 

Fellowship  is  the  bond  of  obligation  which  any  autonomous  congregation  or 
church  acknowledges  as  a  basis  of  co-operation  with  other  churches  similarly 
minded.  Examples  of  such  fellowships  in  the  United  States  today  are,  local 
associations,  state  associations,  and,  since  1871,  the  national  council,  besides  mort 
informal  congregational  clubs,  ordaining  councils,  and  congresses.  Such  fel- 
lowships have  no  authority  save  that  of  persuasion,  no  power  save  that  of  ad- 
vice, and  no  restraint  over  the  conduct  of  any  church  except  in  freedom  at  any 
time  to  withdraw  fellowship. 

-.'  ;".::Ii  :•;-':,  V       :     ;    '•.  '.::•       •./'         DOCTRINE        '^v'';•,.-^.'.•/•  '-':-'••''••';•-' 

The  doctrinal  position  of  present  day  Congregationalism  is  that  common 
Protestantism  known  as  "Evangelical."  This  position  has  been  reached,  how- 
ever, by  means  of  a  process  of  many  successive  modifications  of  the  pure  Calvin- 
ism of  the  English  reformation  from  which  Anglicanism,  Presbyterianism  and 
Congregationalism  had  their  birth.  In  spite  of  the  liberty  given  their  individual 
opinions,  Congregationalists  as  a  body,  have  been,  on  the  whole,  in  general  agree- 
ment, as  they  have  progressed  through  these  various  modifications. 


.;,  HISTORY 


•  It  is  in  its  history  that  Congregationalism  finds  its  distinctive  feature.  It 
shares  its  government  and  its  doctrine  with  many  bodies,  but  it  has  developed 
out  of  a  rich  past  experience  peculiar  to  itself.  Common  hardships,  common 
enterprises,  and  common  hopes,  have  served  to  hold  together  scattered  churches 
to  which  common  ancestry  and  traditions  have  given  considerable  solidarity. 
Differences  in  history  are  gradually  coming  to  be  the  only  important  differences 
between  the  Protestant  denominations.  Such  traditions  may  be  more  or  less 
valuable  in  different  bodies;  but  to  each,  its  own  past  is  the  most  valuable, 
because  it  is  its  own.  So  long  as  mutual  understanding  in  doctrine  and  co-opera- 


z 

H 


o 

H 


Z 
> 

r 
o 

G 


'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  Elizabeth,  down  through  many  generations  of  common  hardships,  co-opera- 
tive undertakings,  and  mutual  understanding;  and  have  established  a  recog- 
nized relationship  with  one  another  in  their  various  lands,  and  to  some  extent 
in  international  fraternal  union.  These  are  by  historical  descent  and  common 
acceptance  the  Congregational  churches  proper. 

.:  POLITY       .  •     ' 

':  Congregational  polity  contains  three  fundamental  principles,  embodied  in 
the  three  words,  covenant,  autonomy,  and  fellowship. 

The  covenant  is  that  agreement  by  which  any  group  of  individual  Christians 
niay  form  themselves  into  a  congregation,  for  worship,  sacrament  and  Christian 
activity.  By  this  covenant  the  rights  of  individuals  are  acknowledged  and  each 
individual  at  the  same  time  admits  his  responsibility  for  the  common  welfare. 

Autonomy  is  the  principle  of  independent  self-government  by  which  any 
congregation  so  formed  makes  itself  a  complete  church,  not  subject  to  other 
ecclesiastical  authority  outside  itself.  Such  a  congregation  chooses  its  own 
minister,  admits  its  own  members  and  defines  its  own  doctrines.  j  ' 

Fellowship  is  the  bond  of  obligation  which  any  autonomous  congregation  or 
church  acknowledges  as  a  basis  of  co-operation  with  other  churches  similarly 
minded.  Examples  of  such  fellowships  in  the  United  States  today  are,  local 
associations,  state  associations,  and.  since  1871,  the  national  council,  besides  more 
informal  congregational  clubs,  ordaining  councils,  and  congresses.  Such  fel- 
lowships have  no  authority  save  that  of  persuasion,  no  power  save  that  of  ad- 
vice, and  no  restraint  over  the  conduct  of  any  church  except  in  freedom  at  any 
time  to  withdraw  fellowship. 

•  DOCTRINE  .          :  v 

The  doctrinal  position  of  present  day  Congregationalism  is  that  common 
Protestantism  known  as  "Evangelical."  This  position  has  been  reached,  how- 
ever, by  means  of  a  process  of  many  successive  modifications  of  the  pure  Calvin- 
ism of  the  English  reformation  from  which  Anglicanism,  Presbyterianism  and 
Congregationalism  had  their  birth.  In  spite  of  the  liberty  given  their  individual 
opinions,  Congregationalists  as  a  body,  have  been,  on  the  whole,  in  general  agree- 
ment, as  they  have  progressed  through  these  various  modifications. 

:        V  HISTORY  ' 

It  is  in  its  history  that  Congregationalism  finds  its  distinctive  feature.  It 
shares  its  government  and  its  doctrine  with  many  bodies,  but  it  has  developed 
out  of  a  rich  past  experience  peculiar  to  itself.  Common  hardships,  common 
enterprises,  and  common  hopes,  have  served  to  hold  together  scattered  churches 
to  which  common  ancestry  and  traditions  have  given  considerable  solidarity. 
Differences  in  history  are  gradually  coming  to  be  the  only  important  differences 
between  the  Protestant  denominations.  Such  traditions  may  be  more  or  less 
valuable  in  different  bodies;  but  to  each,  its  own  past  is  the  most  valuable, 
because  it  is  its  own.  So  long  as  mutual  understanding  in  doctrine  and  co-opera- 


;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;  ;  ;  627 

tion  in  Christian  work  increases,  each  has  the  more  right  to  the  inspiration  of  its 
own  peculiar  heritage.    Congregationalism  may  rightly  take  pride  in  its  history. 

^r'v  •'/'''/•'•'-•'•••'•-;.'••;.- ''V'"'''-''  ENGLISH  ORIGINS  -'l.^'J       ''';''' 

Puritanism,  out  of  which  Congregationalism  grew,  was  the  indirect  product 
of  the  reformation  in  England,  and  the  direct  product  of  the  translation  of 
the  Bible  into  English.  The  reading  of  the  Bible  developed  during  the  last  half 
of  the  sixteenth  century  a  group  of  spiritually-minded  Christians  of  inde- 
pendent thought  who  intensely  hated  the  abuses  of  the  Anglican  church  of  the 
period.  The  result  was  Puritanism,  a  definite,  sincere  and  powerful  effort  to  re- 
form— "purify" — the  church  from  within.  At  first  a  reaction  against  "Romanist" 
ritual  and  worldly  clergy,  etc.,  it  became  a  systematized  opposition  to  the  whole 
theory  of  priesthood  and  to  the  state  control  of  the  church ;  in  the  end  it  became 
an  arraignment  of  the  English  monarchical  theory  of  state.  The  Puritans  had 
the  courage  of  their  convictions.  As  king-baiters  they  had  good  biblical  ex- 
amples in  Elijah  and  Amos ;  as  church  makers  they  found  a  simple  and  demo- 
cratic model  in  the  early  Apostolic  church,  and  right  sturdily  did  they  attempt 
to  follow  both  models.  The  opposition  such  men  aroused  was  naturally  bitter. 
Such  opposition  was  primarily  political  in  its  animus,  but  to  these  Bible-reading, 
independence-loving,  hard-fighting  individualists,  the  whole  movement  was  the 
cause  of  God.  It  was  destined  to  cost  Charles  the  First  his  head,  George  the 
Third  his  colonies,  and  was  to  impose  on  both  English  and  American  constitu- 
tions the  principle  of  individual  rights ;  it  must  perforce,  therefore,  have  had 
its  birth  in  intense  religious  zeal. 

Separatism  went  even  farther.  It  developed  early  as  the  radical  wing  of 
Puritanism,  urging  the  futility  of  reform  from  within,  the  complete  withdrawal 
of  true  Christians  from  the  church,  and  the  setting  up  of  autonomous  congre- 
gations subservient  neither  to  clergy  nor  state.  This  group  was  from  the  first 
fiercely  persecuted.  Those  of  its  adherents  who  escaped  hanging  were  forced 
either  to  meet  secretly  or  to  flee  to  the  more  tolerant  atmosphere  of  Holland.  It 
was  one  of  these  separatist  groups,  meeting  privately  in  William  Brewster's 
manor  at  Scrooby,  where  it  had  organized  as  a  church  about  1608,  that  had  to 
flee  to  Amsterdam,  in  1609,  later  removing  to  Leyden.  There  was  concocted 
the  plan  for  establishing  a  new  home  for  themselves  in  the  new  world,  and  after 
twelve  years  as  sojourners  with  the  Dutch,  the  congregation  of  Scrooby,  now 
."Pilgrims,"  landed  on  Plymouth  Rock  from  the  Mayflower.  . . 

''•"••    '-•••V/'-"  ''--^^r^ ".'•'; -'^vr-'';' EARLY   AMERICAN    HISTORY  ^•::'-^':    •'•*?.-"• 

The  Separatist  Pilgrims  who  landed  at  Plymouth,  in  1620,  were  confronted 
with  a  new  problem,  namely,  that  of  creating  a  civil  government  for  themselves. 
Their  solution  was  simple ;  they  made  their  church  their  government,  and  in  so 
doing,  they  unconsciously  created  a  much  more  rigid  theory  of  a  church  state 
than  that  which  they  had  so  bitterly  hated  in  England  and  one  which  was  to 
prove  hospitable  to  all  the  evils  of  such  a  system — intolerance,  bigotry  and 
injustice.  Nevertheless,  we  must  not  forget  that  the  compact  signed  in  the 
Mayflower's  cabin  outlined  practically  the  first  pure  democracy  in  the  world  and 


628  V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

that  it  contained  within  itself  the  germs  of  the  coming  American  republic.  For 
a  hundred  years  the  history  of  Congregationalism  is  the  history  of  New  England. 

What  was  an  efficient  type  of  self-government  for  102  Rlgrims  proved  an 
adequate  system  as  well  to  the  thousands  of  English  colonists  who  came  in  dur- 
ing the  seventeenth  century.  The  Puritan  emigrants  who  came  to  Salem,  Boston 
and  elsewhere  in  great  numbers,  driven  out  by  the  persecutions  of  Archbishop 
Laud  under  James  the  First  and  Charles  the  First,  did  not  originally  intend  to 
separate  from  the  Church  of  England.  But  in  a  new  land,  away  from  all  ec- 
clesiastical establishments,  and  under  the  influence  of  the  Plymouth  settlers,  they 
became  independent  congregations — first  of  necessity,  then  of  conviction  and 
choice — and  established  fellowship  with  the  Plymouth  church.  Thus  after  nearly 
a  generation  Puritans  and  Separatists  (the  Pilgrims)  became  reunited  in  New 
England,  and  the  result  is  the  beginning  of  Congregationalism  proper  in  America. 

Beside  its  system  of  government,  certain  other  important  features  character- 
ized early  New  England  Congregationalism.  One  was  the  educational  ideal,  an- 
other the  missionary  spirit,  a  third  the  reforming  temperament. 

Churches  depending  on  careful  interpretation  of  the  Bible  demanded  care- 
fully trained  Bible  students  as  leaders,  and  colleges  for  this  purpose  were  essen- 
tial features  of  the  Congregational  plan.  Harvard  was  founded  in  1636,  Yale  in 
1701.  This  ideal  has  ever  since  marked  all  Congregational  work  and  progress. 
Congregationalists  have  founded  altogether  in  the  United  States  forty-five  col- 
leges, eight  theological  seminaries  and  innumerable  lesser  schools.  This  prin- 
ciple was  applied  in  the  vigorous  work  prosecuted  for  the  negroes  before  and 
after  the  Civil  war  by  the  American  Missionary  Association.  It  was  the  main 
purpose  of  the  New  West  Education  Commission  organized  to  help  pioneer  towns 
in  the  far  west.  It  has  been  recognized  so  thoroughly  in  the  work  of  the  Amer- 
ican Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions  that  this  organization  alone 
is  responsible  for  one  hundred  and  thirteen  colleges  and  high  schools,  thirteen 
theological  seminaries  and  over  twelve  hundred  lesser  schools  in  all  parts  of  the 
world.  Further,  the  New  England  ideal  of  self-government  depended  for  its 
best  success  upon  developing  intelligent  individuals,  so  school  education  for 
everyone  was  provided.  Out  of  this  grew  later  the  American  common-school 
system. 

The  'missionary  spirit  of  the  New  England  churches  found  its  most  notable 
embodiment  in  the  work  of  John  Eliot  for  the  Indians.  He  translated  the  Bible 
for  them  in  1671  and  by  1675  there  were  six  Indian  churches  with  four  thou- 
sand converts.  During  the  next  century  the  missionary  spirit  was  dampened  by 
the  controversial  and  doctrinal  questions  growing  out  of  the  great  awakening 
under  Jonathan  Edwards  and  Whitfield,  1734  to  1750,  but  by  the  end  of  the 
century,  when  the  excitement  caused  by  the  Revolution  had  subsided,  Congre- 
gationalism entered  upon  a  new  period  of  expansion.  After  1791  revival  work 
again  became  prominent  with  results  that  far  surpassed  the  Edwardian  period. 
Meanwhile  new  settlements  were  growing  up  in  Vermont,  New  York  and  across 
the  Alleghanies.  These  called  forth  a  new  exercise  of  missionary  spirit.  Socie- 
ties were  formed  for  this  purpose  in  1798,  1800  and  1809.  The  year  i8io  saw 
also  the  organization  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions. As  time  went  on  new  needs  were  always  provided  for  by  new  organiza- 
tions, whether  for  work  among  negroes,  Indians  and  Eskimos  or  for  building 
churches  and  schools  in  frontier  towns.  •  '  ."  '  • 


".'•:,,  ;';;;:^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -•         -"  «29 

-:^--;:-'-:--';.;"^-^'  "•::"•-  ^.-':/ 

The  reform  temperament  found  ample  opportunity  for  its  expression  during 
colonial  times.  In  the  war  of  Revolution  and  the  events  leading  thereto  it  estab- 
lished itself  forever  as  one  of  the  powerful  influences  of  American  life.  It  is  in 
the  years  following,  however,  that  we  find  it  appearing  vigorously  in  Congre- 
gational churches,  now  as  anti-slavery  or  even  abolition  movements,  and  now 
as  temperance  propaganda.  Later  on,  in  Knox  county,  we  shall  find  the  Con- 
gregational churches  of  Knox  county  worthily  living  up  to  their  traditions,  in 
temperance  agitation,  in  the  underground  railway  and,  in  recent  times,  as  public 
spirited  law  enforcement  and  thoroughgoing  opposition  to  the  low  and  corrupt  ; 
ideals  of  citizenship  all  too  influential  in  political  life  and  city  government.  • 

:,';  ;\O>-.v-'-;.;^;  ;-::'.jV:;   -•'•   .       ••         THE  PLAN  OF  UNION  •'/;    ^';'',       ''"':'•  ./;'.. 

During  the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century  the  rapid  growth  of  popu- 
lation and  prosperity  drew  out  a  corresponding  missionary  zeal  from  some  of 
the  older  established  religious  bodies.  The  relations  of  Congregationalists  and 
Presbyterians  during  this  period  are  especially  interesting  for  the  light  they  throw 
on  the  early  church  history  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county.  In  all  the  home  mis- 
sionary enterprises  in  the  newly  settled  regions  of  New  York,  Ohio  and  the 
middle  states  after  iScxD,  the  Congregationalists  found  themselves  working  hand 
in  hand  with  the  Presbyterians  in  friendly  and  mutual  understanding.  As  a 
result  the  "plan  of  union"  of  i8oi  was  drawn  up  to  promote  the  mutual  for- 
bearance and  co-operation  of  the  two  denominations  in  all  new  communities.  It 
was  a  wholly  honorable  arrangement,  designed  to  be  fair  to  both  parties.  Each 
sacrificed  important  features  of  their  polities  in  order  that  the  individual  churches 
aflfected  might  freely  associate  with  the  nearest  Presbyterian  or  Congregational 
ecclesiastical  body,  as  their  local  circumstances  might  make  desirable.  ; 

In  its  actual  workings,  however,  the  plan  operated  in  favor  of  the  Presby- 
terians. Their  organization  was  better  adapted  to  progressive  work.  New  pres- 
byteries were  soon  formed  in  all  the  missionary  districts,  but  the  new  Congre- 
gational churches,  left  to  themselves,  instead  of  fellowshipping  together,  allied 
themselves  with  these  presbyteries  under  the  plan  of  union  and  in  due  time  were 
absorbed  into  the  Presbyterian  body.  In  this  way,  according  to  an  estimate  of 
one  Presbyterian  historian,  over  two  thousand  churches  originally  Congrega- 
tional became  Presbyterian  between  1815  and  1850.  The  plan  of  union  was 
abandoned  by  the  "old  style"  wing  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  1837,  and  in 
1852  by  the  Congregationalists. 

We  shall  see  how  the  history  of  the  First  church  of  Galesburg  is  affected  by  .;> 
this  plan  of  union. 

V.-'^;^^^^^         {^        CONGREGATIONAL   CHURCHES   IN    KNOX   COUNTY  ^^ 

Nothing  in  the  history  of  Knox  county  better  illustrates  the  great  forces  at 
work  in  American  history  than  the  founding  of  Galesburg  by  the  famous  band 
of  colonists  in  1836,  fully  described  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  The  history  of 
Congregationalism  in  Knox  county  begins,  paradoxically  enough,  with  a  Presby- 
terian church.  The  gradual  transformation  of  this  Presbyterian  church  into  a 
Congregational  church  will  appear  as  the  story  of  the  church  unfolds  itself.  ' 


630  .-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Those  who  settled  Galesburg  came  from  Oneida  county,  New  York,  from  a 
presbytery  composed  partly  of  Congregational  churches,  under  the  plan  of 
union.  The  new  Galesburg  church  had  8i  original  members,  of  whom  63  came 
by  letter.  Of  these  35  brought  letters  from  Presbyterian  and  25  from  Congre- 
gational churches.  The  church  established  relations  under  the  plan  of  union  with 
the  nearest  ecclesiastical  body,  which  was  the  Schuyler  presbytery.  Upon  its 
organization,  February  25,  1837,  it  adopted  as  its  name  the  First  Presbyterian 
church  of  Galesburg.  As  a  church  it  was  an  integral  part  of  the  plan  of  the 
original  founders,  which  was  to  establish  a  Christian  community,  a  Christian 
church  and  a  Christian  college.  While  there  was  a  strong  Congregational  ele- 
ment in  its  membership,  the  Presbyterians  predominated.  Certain  it  is  that  at 
that  time  there  was  no  denominational  feeling  or  ambition,  for  all  such  possi- 
bilities were  swallowed  up  in  the  intense  and  earnest  common  purpose.  The  Rev. 
George  W.  Gale,  the  leading  spirit  in  the  whole  project  and  a  Presbyterian,  was 
its^  first  pastor.  It  is  evident  from  all  the  testimony  that  the  church  at  its  origin 
cared  less  for  denominational  forms  and  names  than  for  religion  and  morals  and 
for  the  work  of  education  and  reform.  It  can  easily  be  understood  that  the 
Congregationalists  would  feel  themselves  thoroughly  at  home  both  by  training 
and  disposition  in  any  pioneer  work,  in  helping  to  found  a  college  or  in  planning 
the  prosecution  of  any  reform.  The  best  ideals  of  both  Presbyterianism  and 
Congregationalism  went  into  the  first  years  of  this  community.  Nevertheless  it 
was  inevitable  that  the  denominational  consciousness,  which  was  rapidly  devel- 
oping in  the  outside  world,  should  naturally  find  reflection  after  a  time  in  the 
life  of  the  Galesburg  church.  In  all  parts  of  the  country  the  plan  of  union  was 
becoming  unworkable.  After  1837  the  old  school  wing  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  America,  had  little  sympathy  with  any  rights  claimed  under  the  plan. 
Meanwhile  the  Congregational  element  in  the  Galesburg  church  increased  in 
numbers  and  influence.  In  1845,  to  meet  their  preferences,  a  compromise  was 
adopted  after  amicable  discussion,  giving  the  church  a  double  ecclesiastical  con- 
nection both  with  the  Congregational  association  and  with  the  presbytery.  In 
May,  1849,  members  of  both  persuasions  were  given  equal  rights  according  to  the 
usage  of  their  own  denominations.  This  compromise  did  not  prove  satisfactory, 
so  on  May  29,  1851,  thirty-seven  of  the  Presbyterian  members  withdrew  and 
formed  the  "Second  Presbyterian  church,"  followed  later  by  eleven  others. 
More  Congregationalists  came  in.  In  the  meantime  the  slavery  question  was 
assuming  greater  importance,  and  many  Presbyterians  became  Congregational- 
ists on  this  account,  for  the  Presbyterian  connection,  because  of  its  large  southern 
relationship,  was  tolerant  to  slavery.  The  Galesburg  Congregationalists,  as  else- 
where, were  vigorously  anti-slavery,  and  the  unwillingness  of  the  Peoria  pres- 
bytery to  modify  its  attitude  toward  the  slavery  question  after  several  requests 
caused  the  church  on  October  6,  1855,  formally  to  dissolve  its  connection  with 
the  presbytery.  A  year  later,  October  8,  1856,  the  name  Presbyterian  was 
dropped  and  the  title  "First  Church  of  Christ  in  Galesburg"  adopted.  The  fel- 
lowship established  with  the  Congregational  association  in  1845  was  maintained, 
and  thus  the  church,  though  still  independent,  became  practically  Congregational. 
As  an  autonomous,  self-governing  congregation,  bound  together  by  covenant 
and  acknowledgfing"  the  obligations  of  fellowship  with  other  similar  churches,  it 
faithfully  perpetuated  the  Separatist  principles  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  years 
before. 


630  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Those  who  settled  Galesburg  came  from  Oneida  county,  Xew  York,  from  a 
presbytery  composed  partly  of  Congregational  churches,  under  the  plan  of 
union.  The  new  Galesburg  church  had  8i  original  members,  of  whom  63  came 
by  letter.  Of  these  35  brought  letters  from  Presbyterian  and  25  from  Congre- 
gational churches.  The  church  established  relations  under  the  plan  of  union  with 
the  nearest  ecclesiastical  body,  which  was  the  Schuyler  presbytery.  Upon  its 
organization,  February  25,  1837,  it  adopted  as  its  name  the  First  Presbyterian 
church  of  Galesburg.  As  a  church  it  was  an  integral  part  of  the  plan  of  the 
original  founders,  which  was  to  establish  a  Christian  community,  a  Christian 
church  and  a  Christian  college.  \\'hile  there  was  a  strong  Congregational  ele- 
ment in  its  membership,  the  Presbyterians  predominated.  Certain  it  is  that  at 
that  time  there  was  no  denominational  feeling  or  ambition,  for  all  such  possi- 
bilities were  swallowed  up  in  the  intense  and  earnest  common  purpose.  The  Rev. 
George  W.  Gale,  the  leading  spirit  in  the  whole  project  and  a  Presbyterian,  was 
its  first  pastor.  It  is  evident  from  all  the  testimony  that  the  church  at  its  origin 
cared  less  for  denominational  forms  and  names  than  for  religion  and  morals  and 
for  the  work  of  education  and  reform.  It  can  easily  be  understood  that  the 
Congregationalists  would  feel  themselves  thoroughly  at  home  both  by  training 
and  disposition  in  any  pioneer  work,  in  helping  to  found  a  college  or  in  planning 
the  prosecution  of  any  reform.  The  best  ideals  of  both  Presbyterianism  and 
Congregationalism  went  into  the  first  years  of  this  community.  Nevertheless  it 
was  inevitable  that  the  denominational  consciousness,  which  was  rapidly  devel- 
oping in  the  outside  world,  should  naturally  find  reflection  after  a  time  in  the 
life  of  the  Galesburg  church.  In  all  parts  of  the  country  the  plan  of  union  was 
becoming  unworkable.  After  1837  the  old  school  wing  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  America,  had  little  sympathy  with  any  rights  claimed  under  the  plan. 
Meanwhile  the  Congregational  element  in  the  Galesburg  church  increased  in 
numbers  and  influence.  In  1845,  to  meet  their  preferences,  a  compromise  was 
adopted  after  amicable  discussion,  giving  the  church  a  double  ecclesiastical  con- 
nection both  with  the  Congregational  association  and  with  the  presbytery.  In 
May,  1849,  niembers  of  both  jjersuasions  were  given  equal  rights  according  to  the 
usage  of  their  own  denom.inations.  This  compromise  did  not  prove  satisfactory, 
so  on  May  29,  1851,  thirty-seven  of  the  Presbyterian  members  withdrew  and 
formed  the  "Second  Presbyterian  church,"  followed  later  by  eleven  others. 
More  Congregationalists  came  in.  In  the  meantime  the  slavery  question  was 
assuming  greater  importance,  and  many  Presbyterians  became  Congregational- 
ists on  this  account,  for  the  Presbyterian  connection,  because  of  its  large  southern 
relationship,  was  tolerant  to  slavery.  The  Galesburg  Congregationalists,  as  else- 
where, were  vigorously  anti-slavery,  and  the  unwillingness  of  the  Peoria  pres- 
bytery to  modify  its  attitude  toward  the  slavery  question  after  several  requests 
caused  the  church  on  October  6,  1855,  formally  to  dissolve  its  connection  with 
the  presbytery.  A  year  later,  October  8,  1856.  the  name  Presbyterian  was 
dropped  and  the  title  "First  Church  of  Christ  in  Galesburg"  adopted.  The  fel- 
lowship established  with  the  Congregational  association  in  1845  was  maintained, 
and  thus  the  church,  though  still  inde])endent,  became  ]iractically  Congregational. 
As  an  autonomous,  self-governing  congregation,  bound  together  by  covenant 
and  acknowledging  the  obligations  of  fellowship  with  other  similar  churches,  it 
faithfully  perjjctuated  the  Separatist  principles  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  years 
before.  .  . 


r, 
I 


n     X 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;  /  631 

With  this  preliminary  explanation,  the  spiritual  history  of  the  church  is  now 
given  from  the  beginning. 

The  history  of  the  "First  Church  of  Christ"  differs  from  that  of  most  pioneer 
churches  in  several  particulars.  It  passed  through  no  period  of  infantile  growth, 
but  sprang  into  existence  at  once,  strong  and  well  disciplined,  with  efficient  men 
and  women  to  labor  and  pray  for  its  success,  and  experienced  officers  to  guide 
its  affairs.  Instead  of  receiving  aid,  it  has  always  ministered  to  others,  now  and 
again  sending  forth  of  its  strength  to  build  upon  other  foundations,  thus  be- 
coming the  "mother  of  churches."  Its  relations  with  Knox  College  have  been 
intimate,  and  it  has  received  permanent  benefit  from  the  labors  of  presidents 
and  professors  and  the  youthful  zeal  of  students. 

The  founding  of  this  church  was  embraced  in  the  same  plan  which  gave 
origin  to  Galesburg  and  Knox  College,  and  a  detailed  account  of  the  whole  move- 
ment will  be  found  in  its  appropriate  place  in  this  volume.  ...  ; 

In  the  fall  of  1836  more  than  thirty  families  were  located  in  cabins  on  the 
south  side  of  Henderson  grove,  awaiting  the  approach  of  spring,  when  they  were 
to  begin  in  earnest  the  erection  of  buildings  and  the  opening  of  farms.  These 
families  were  homogeneous  in  their  character,  partaking  of  the  spirit,  as  they 
sprang  from  the  blood,  of  the  Pilgrim  fathers  of  New  England.  They  loved 
the  Bible,  the  Sabbath  and  the  sanctuary.  They  cherished,  with  slight  or  no 
variation,  the  same  views  of  gospel  truth  and  felt,  as  their  fathers  felt,  the  im- 
portance of  transmitting  the  institutions  of  religion  to  those  who  should  come 
after  them  as  the  richest  inheritance  they  could  leave.  .  •; , 

Nor  were  they,  the  first  winter,  without  the  manifest  presence  of  the  holy 
spirit.  Rev.  John  T.  Avery,  visiting  his  friends  in  their  new  home,  spent  several 
weeks  aiding  the  officiating  pastor.  The  way  for  the  organization  of  a  church 
being  thus  prepared,  the  professors  of  religion  met  at  the  schoolhouse  in  Hen- 
derson grove  February  15,  1837.  The  ministers  present  were  Rev.  John  Waters, 
who  presided,  and  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale.  It  was  resolved:  First,  "That  it  is 
expedient,  as  soon  as  practicable,  to  form  a  church  in  this  place" ;  and,  second, 
"to  hear  each  give  an  account  of  his  or  her  hope."  February  I5th,  I7th,  2ist  and 
25th  were  spent  in  this  way,  and,  when  completed,  a  confession  of  faith  and 
covenant  were  unanimously  approved.  Rev.  Mr.  Noel  of  Knoxville  was  also 
present,  he  having  been  appointed  by  the  presbytery  of  Schuyler  to  assist  in  its 
formation.  Sunday,  February  26th,  the  confession  of  faith  and  covenant  were 
adopted,  and  the  ordinances  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  were  administered. 
April  5th  it  was  unanimously  resolved  "that  it  is  expedient  to  organize  the 
church  fully  as  Presbyterian  and  to  choose  three  elders  and  two  deacons."  Nehe- 
miah  West,  Nehemiah  H.  Losey  and  John  Kendall  were  chosen  elders  and 
Thomas  Simmons  and  Abel  Goodell  deacons.  April  gth  these  were  all  installed 
in  office,  and  the  church  was  declared  organized  by  the  name  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  Galesburg.  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale  reported  to  the  church,  April  25th, 
that  it  had  been  received  under  the  care  of  the  presbytery  of  Schuyler.  Thus 
the  church  began  with  eighty-one  members,  sixty-three  having  presented  letters 
and  eighteen  uniting  on  profession  of  faith. 

During  the  summer  of  1837  meetings  in  the  village  were  held  in  the  school- 
house,  which  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Ferris  street,  between  Broad  and  Cherry, 
till  December,  1838,  when  the  academy  building  was  used  till  the  erection  of  the 


,;  «82  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

church,  in  which  the  first  service  was  held  June  2ist,  1846.     This  building  was 

;    in  constant  use  until  1894,  when  it  was  torn  down  to  make  way  for  the  present 

.•  building,  which  was  begun  in  1895  and  dedicated  in  1898. 

In  all  this  time,  from  1837  to  1898,  there  were  various  withdrawals  of  groups 

.''.''  of  members  to  form  other  churches.    Besides  the  separation  of  the  Presbyterians 

in  1851  there  was  an  amicable  understanding  in  1855  by  which  another  Con- 

.  gregational  church  was  formed.  Thirty-five  members  withdrew  and  established 
the  "First  Congregational  church  in  Galesburg;"  during  the  next  few  years 
eighty-two  other  members  from  the  mother  church  followed  them.  The  prin- 
cipal motive  seems  to  have  been  the  feeling  that  the  parent  church  was  too  large 

:  and  that  two  churches  could  accomplish  more  than  one.     The  new  organization 

-  soon  acquired  an  individuality  of  its  own,  and,  for  the  forty  years  of  its  inde- 
pendent existence,  the  personality  of  its  pastors  and  the  public  spirit  and  influ- 
ence of  its  members  gave  it  a  large  part  in  the  religious  life  of  the  city. 

In  1856  the  "Brick  church"  on  Broad  street,  between  Simmons  and  Tomp- 

.•  kins,  was  built.  The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Edward  Beecher,  D.  D.,  after 
whom  the  building  has  since  been  named.  The  great  storm  of  May,  1858,  blew 
over  the  tall  spire,  which  practically  destroyed  the  building.  To  aid  in  the  re- 
construction, Henry  Ward  Beecher,  brother  of  the  pastor,  lectured  in  Galesburg, 
donating  the  proceeds  to  the  church.  The  parsonage  on  the  corner  of  Broad 
and  North  streets  was  given  the  church  by  Mrs.  Henry  Hitchcock.  For  nearly 
forty  years  these  two  churches,  the  "Brick  church"  and  the  "Old  First"  worked 

;  side  by  side,  but  by  1894  the  time  seemed  ripe  for  reunion.     The  Reverend  H. 

;  A.  Bushnell.  the  last  pastor  of  the  "Brick  church,"  resigned,  and  the  two  churches 
reunited  on  January  i,  1895,  as  "the  Central  Congregational  church  of  Gales- 
burg." To  the  united  membership  the  "Brick  church"  gave  350  members,  the 
"Old"  church  476,  a  total  of  826.  Rev.  A.  F.  Sherrill,  D.  D.,  who  had  been 
pastor  of  the  "Old  First"  church,  continued  as  pastor  of  the  new  reunited  Cen- 
tral church.  The  large  and  impressive  building  which  had  been  planned  as  a 
part  of  the  reunion  was  dedicated  December  4,  1898,  and  still  stands  as  an  appro- 
priate symbol  of  the  history  of  the  church  it  shelters.  Of  the  various  buildings 
acquired  during  these  sixty  years  the  parsonage  of  the  "Brick  church"  was 
taken  over  by  the  Central  church  and  is  still  in  active  use.  Beecher  chapel 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Knox  College,  where  it  receives  constant  use  in  term 
time,  both  as  a  chapel  for  the  college  students  and  to  accommodate  a  part  of 
the  work  of  the  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music.  A  large  wooden  chapel  which 
had  been  built  just  west  of  the  original  great  wooden  church  in  1851  was  not 
torn  down  in  1894,  but  was  moved  out  to  the  east  part  of  the  city,  where  it  be- 
came the  home  of  the  newly  organized  Fast  Main  Street  church  until  December, 
1910.  In  1911,  having  outlived  its  usefulness,  it  was  torn  down. 

The  original  church  building  on  the  square,  that  was  destroyed  in  1894,  played 
many  roles  in  the  life  of  the  city  during  its  existence,  but  none  more  interesting 
than  that  as  protector  and  gfuardian  spirit  of  the  "underground  railroad."  The 
steeple  was  often  used  as  a  hiding  place  for  negroes  and  the  great  auditorium 
often  rang  with  the  denunciations  of  the  fugitive  slave  law,  the  Missouri  com- 
promise, the  Dred  Scott  decision,  and  of  everything  connected  with  the  slave 
system. 

The  temporary  bitterness  accompanying  the  separation  of  these  two  branches 


US. 

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«§ 
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,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,    . 

church,  in  which  the  first  service  was  held  June  2ist,  1846.  This  building  was 
in  constant  use  until  1894,  when  it  was  torn  down  to  make  way  for  the  present 
building,  which  was  begun  in  1895  and  dedicated  in  1898. 

In  all  this  time,  from  1837  to  1898,  there  were  various  withdrawals  of  groups 
of  members  to  form  other  churches.  Besides  the  separation  of  the  Presbyterians 
in  1851  there  was  an  amicable  understanding  in  1855  by  which  another  Con- 
gregational church  was  formed.  Thirty-five  members  withdrew  and  established 
the  "First  Congregational  church  in  Galesburg;"  during  the  next  few  years 
eighty-two  other  members  from  the  mother  church  followed  them.  The  prin- 
cipal motive  seems  to  have  been  the  feeling  that  the  parent  church  was  too  large 
and  that  two  churches  could  accomplish  more  than  one.  The  new  organization 
soon  acquired  an  individuality  of  its  own.  and,  for  the  forty  years  of  its  inde- 
pendent existence,  the  personality  of  its  pastors  and  the  public  spirit  and  infiu- 
ence  of  its  meml^ers  gave  it  a  large  part  in  the  religious  life  of  the  city. 

In  1856  the  "Brick  church"  on  Broad  street,  between  Simmons  and  Tomp- 
kins,  was  built.  The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Edward  Beecher.  D.  D.,  after 
whom  the  building  has  since  been  named.  The  great  storm  of  May,  1858.  blew 
over  the  tall  spire,  which  practically  destroyed  the  building.  To  aid  in  the  re- 
construction. Henry  Ward  Beecher,  brother  of  the  pastor,  lectured  in  Galesburg, 
donating  the  proceeds  to  the  church.  The  parsonage  on  the  corner  of  Broad 
and  Xortli  streets  was  given  the  church  by  Mrs.  Henry  Hitchcock.  For  nearly 
forty  years  these  two  churches,  the  "Brick  church"  and  the  "Old  First"  worked 
side  by  side,  but  by  1894  the  time  seemed  ripe  for  reunion.  The  Reverend  H. 
A.  Bushncll.  the  last  pastor  of  the  "Brick  church,"  resigned,  and  the  two  churches 
reunited  on  Januarv  i,  1895,  ^^  "the  Central  Congregational  church  of  Gales- 
burg." To  the  united  membership  the  "Brick  church"  gave  350  members,  the 
"Old"  church  476.  a  total  of  826.  Rev.  A.  F.  Sherrill,  D.  D..  who  had  been 
pastor  of  the  "Old  First"  church,  continued  as  pastor  of  the  new  reunited  Cen- 
tral church.  The  large  and  impressive  building  which  had  Ix^en  planned  as  a 
part  of  the  reunion  was  dedicated  December  4.  1898.  and  still  stands  as  an  appro- 
priate symbol  of  the  history  of  the  church  it  shelters.  Of  the  various  buildings 
acquired  during  these  sixty  years  the  parsonage  of  the  "Brick  church"  was 
taken  over  by  the  Central  church  and  is  still  in  active  use.  Beecher  chapel 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Knox  College,  where  it  receives  constant  use  in  term 
time,  both  as  a  chapel  for  the  college  students  and  to  accommodate  a  part  of 
the  work  of  the  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music.  A  large  wooden  chapel  which 
had  been  built  just  west  of  the  original  great  wooden  church  in  1851  was  not 
torn  down  in  1894.  but  was  moved  out  to  the  east  part  of  the  city,  where  it  be- 
came the  home  of  the  newly  organized  Fast  Main  Street  church  until  December, 
1910.  In  1911.  having  outlived  its  usefulness,  it  was  torn  down.  |  .  . 

The  original  church  building  on  the  square,  that  was  destroyed  in  1894,  played 
many  roles  in  the  life  of  the  city  during  its  existence,  but  none  more  interesting 
than  that  as  protector  and  guardian  spirit  of  the  "underground  railroad."  The 
steeple  was  often  used  as  a  hiding  place  for  negroes  and  the  great  auditorium 
often  rang  with  the  denunciations  of  the  fugitive  slave  law,  the  Missouri  com- 
promise, the  Dred  Scott  decision,  and  of  everything  connected  with  the  slave 
system. 

The  temporary  bitterness  accompanying  the  separation  of  these  two  branches 


ir 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        v;^  633 

' '.         ..  ..,•>-    '- 

of  Congregationalists  was  far  exceeded  by  the  acrimony  that  soon  after  developed 
in  the  great  controversy  between  the  Presbyterians  and  the  Congregationalists 
concerning  their  respective  rights  in  Knox  College.  From  the  calm  atmosphere 
of  fifty  years  later,  this  trouble  reminds  one  of  the  apostolic  discussion  between 
James  and  John  as  to  which  should  sit  on  the  right  hand  and  which  on  the  left. 
The  original  liberal  and  broad-minded  intention  of  the  founders  came  safely 
through  the  strife ;  the  college  was  originally  intended  to  be  non-sectarian,  and 
is  non-sectarian  today.  Today  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  alike 
are  interested  to  preserve  the  intention  of  the  founders  with  the  liberal 
spirit  of  the  founders.  Nevertheless  while  the  controversy  lasted,  it  was  very 
real  and  very  important  to  those  concerned ;  it  could  not  well  be  otherwise  when' 
such  powerful  personalities  as  Jonathan  Blanchard,  Edward  Beecher  and  George 
W.  Gale,  not  to  speak  of  others,  were  involved. 

In  1898,  Fv.ev.  C.  A.  Vincent,  D.  D.,  was  called  to  become  the  pastor  of 
Central  church.  Under  his  aggressive  leadership  the  church  developed  in 
strength  and  the  balance  of  the  debt  upon  its  great  new  building  was  cleared 
off.  During  the  year  1,907,  as  a  result  of  the  Gipsy  Smith  and  the  W.  A.  Sunday 
revival  campaigns,  410  were  added  to  the  church.  He  was  followed  by  the 
Rev.  J.  Percival  Huget,  D.  D.,  who  came  in  1907,  and  remained  three  years 
adding  by  his  strong  and  eloquent  preaching  and  organizing  activities  much 
strength  to  the  church.  The  membership,  January  i,  1912,  was  1,293,  *"d  there 
were  850  enrolled  in  the  Sunday  school.  The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  C.  E. 
McKinley,  who  took  up  the  work  in  September,  1911.  '/  •  ; 

:"   V  •.''.;•;;;'-;'     ^:;-.       OTHER    GALESBURG    CHURCHES  j/v          -'• 

In  1858,  a  mission  Sunday  school  was  established  in  the  southeast  part  of 
the  town  by  an  organization,  which  in  time  came  to  represent  all  the  Protestant 
churches  of  Galesburg.  In  1894,  there  grew  out  of  this  mission  revival  services 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  city  in  charge  of  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Wannamaker,  an 
evangelist.  The  result  of  this  movement  was  the  organization  of  two  new 
Congregational  churches,  the  Knox  Street  church,  on  the  comer  of  Day  and 
Kriox  streets,  organized  in  August,  1894,  with  22  members;  and  the  Union 
Congregational  church,  organized  August  8,  1894,  with  36  members.  A  new 
building  was  planned  for  the  Knox  Street  church  and  dedicated  June  24,  1895. 
To  the  Union  Congregational  church  was  given  the  old  chapel  of  the  "Old  First" 
which  was  moved  to  a  lot  near  the  corner  of  East  Main  and  Phillips  streets. 
The  church,  upon  entering  this  building  took  the  name  of  "The  E^st  Main 
Street  Congregational  church."  The  project  of  establishing  at  the  same  time 
two  new  churches  proved  to  be  a  little  too  ambitious.  The  Knox  Street 
church  worked  along  for  thirteen  years  with  gradually  declining  fortunes  and 
in  1907,  the  building  was  sold  to  the  United  Brethren,  who  have  since  con- 
ducted a  church  there.  The  East  Main  Street  church  had  a  fairly  prosperous 
history  only  for  a  few  years.  Its  fortune  also  seemed  to  be  declining,  but  in 
1903,  it  took  a  new  grip  on  its  field,  and  has  since  grown  strong  enough,  not 
only  to  become  self-supporting,  but  to  build  an  adequate  and  permanent  new 
building  on  the  corner  of  Whitesboro  and  East  Main  streets  at  a  cost  of  about 
$25,000.  This  building  was  dedicated  December  ii,  1910. 


634          ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .  ; 

CHURCHES    OUTSIDE    OF    GALESBURG          :•-••-; 

The  growth  of  Congregationalism  outside  of  Galesburg  was  determined 
at  first  by  the  development  of  new  settlements.  When  the  railroad  came 
through,  settlements  grew  up  along  its  line  at  Wataga,  Oneida  and  Altona,  and 
Congregational  churches  soon  after  appeared  in  each  of  these  places.  In  two 
cases  churches,  established  under  other  auspices,  became  Congregational,  be- 
cause they  found  the  simple  Congregational  procedure  involving  autonomy, 
covenant  and  fellowship  more  satisfactory.  Thus  the  Victoria  church,  originally 
Presbyterian,  became  Congregational,  as  well  as  the  old  and  influential  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  church  near  Abingdon,  s.  ..!• 

In  later  years,  Congregationalism  in  Knox  county  has  been  affected  by 
the  process  of  change  taking  place  throughout  the  Congregational  denomina- 
tion by  which  attempts  have  been  made  to  make  more  efficient  the  machinery 
for  gaining  their  common  object.  The  "fellowship"  that  was  sufficient  for 
pioneer  days  has  discovered  in  the  complications  of  modern  life  the  need  of  de- 
pendence upon  something  more  systematic  than  voluntary  co-operation.  The 
churches  of  Knox  county  are  affiliated  by  fellowship  with  the  Central  West 
association  of  Congregational  churches  including  the  churches  of  Knox,  Fulton, 
Peoria,  Marshall,  Stark  and  Mercer  counties  and  also  to  the  general  state  con- 
ference of  Illinois.  Both  these  organizations  have  within  two  years  adopted 
new  forms  of  government,  which,  while  they  preserve  carefully  the  original 
Congregational  ideas,  provide  a  new  and  improved  centralization  of  power 
designed  to  be  of  better  help  to  the  weaker  churches,  and  a  more  successful 
means  for  prosecuting  the  great  common  missionary  enterprises. 


;   ':  BRIEF  HISTORIES   OF  INDIVIDUAL   CHURCHES  v-   H 

,;:          .    .   .  ONTARIO    AND    ONEIDA  j         ^  1^     ;. 

The  settlers  of  Ontario  township  began  to  come  in  soon  after  the  arrival  of 
the  settlers  in  Knox  county.  They  came  from  the  same  region — Oneida  county, 
New  York — and  brought  with  them  the  same  ideals  concerning  religion,  educa- 
tion, temperance  and  slavery.  Among  these  settlers  were  the  Williamses,  Nel- 
sons, Wetmores,  Cranes,  Chapmans,  Camps,  Hollisters,  Savages,  Moshers  and 
Powells.  Congregational  churches  were  founded  by  them  in  two  places,  Ontario 
and  Oneida. 

The  earliest  center  of  common  activity  was  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
township  where  the  Camp  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1839,  ^"  which  religious 
.  services  were  held  from  the  first.  Here  was  organized  the  Ontario  church,  on 
August  12,  1848,  with  seventeen  members  and  the  Rev.  D.  Todd  as  first  pastor. 
A  building  was  erected  in  1851,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section  31,  near 
the  school.  In  more  recent  years  a  parsonage  was  added.  This  church  has  the 
distinction  of  being  the  first  strictly  Congregational  church  in  Knox  county,  for 
the  Galesburg  church  was  still  nominally  Presbyterian.  On  January  i,  1912,  the 
membership  of  this  church  was  83  and  there  were  54  in  the  Sunday  school.  The 
Ontario  settlement  also  has  the  honor  of  having  been  an  active  station  on  the 
line  of  the  "underground  railway,"  two  of  the  Congregational  members,  C. 
F.  Camp  and  Howard  Powell  being  active  in  this  work. 


•  ^..i^fv:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  636 

The  other  center  in  Ontario  township  was  developed  by  the  coming  of  the 
railroad  in  1854  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  township,  at  Oneida,  and  there 
a  church  was  organized  December  22,  1855,  with  twenty-one  members. 
Prominent  among  them  were  Deacon  and  Mrs.  Ferris,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William 
Stephenson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hubbard,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pratt,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cor- 
nish, Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  P.  Child,  Lewis  and  Mary  Burt,  and  A.  R.  and  E.  C.  St. 
John.  Not  until  February,  1858,  after  three  years  of  self-sacrificing  toil, 
did  the  Congregationalists  dedicate  their  own  building.  Congregational  fel- 
lowship was  well  illustrated  on  that  occasion  by  the  presence  of  many  from 
the  Ontario  church  and  of  Dr.  Edward  Beecher  and  President  Blanchard  from 
the  Galesburg  churches.  The  first  regular  pastor  was  Rev.  C.  H.  Abemethy. 
This  church  was  very  active  in  anti-slavery  work  and  has  always  been  a  strong 
infiuence  in  temperance  reform.  Its  membership  on  January  i,  1912,  was 
127  and  there  were  loo  in  the  Sunday  school.  ' 


•    •-•;:•.:.•'  ••:  ':•"-;;'.••'./•';.-'.'-.       WATAGA 
'-v'"'  '      '  '     "   '' "'    '  '"'  ''     '  ""  '"" 

Wataga  was  another  settlement  that  grew  up  rapidly  as  the  result  of  the 
railroad  coming,  and  here  also  a  church  was  organized  the  following  year, 
on  June  lo,  1855.  The  first  meeting  was  appropriately  held  in  the  new  sta- 
tion, and  the  church  thereafter  worshipped  in  the  school  house  till  1860,  when 
a  building  was  erected.  To  this  a  parsonage  was  added  in  1876.  The  ten 
original  members  were  A.  P.  Babcock,  Wm.  S.  Farnham,  Mrs.  Maria  Farn- 
ham,  Mrs.  C.  F.  Farnsworth,  Benjamin  Gardner,  Mrs.  Abigail  Gardner,  Sarah 
Gardner,  Mrs.  Minerva  Holyoke,  Chas.  W.  Rhodes,  Mrs.  Jane  Rhodes.  Of 
these  A.  P.  Babcock  in  later  years  as  missionary  for  the  Knox  county  Sunday 
school  association  and  agent  for  the  American  Bible  society  did  a  remarkable 
and  influential  work  of  personal  visitation  throughout  the  county.  The  pres- 
ent membership  of  the  church  is  51,  and  it  has  a  Sunday  school  of  52. 


;;;•;--•;/;,;,.•••:'.•,•  .'v-.v./  ;•''•':•'::.•:/:? 'v'       VICTORIA       '-•%.;-.•'• '.^ '"v-  '"  ..    •{.-•;':- H  ;;-..v:' : 

The  Victoria  church  was  originally  organized  as  a  Presbyterian  church  in 
May,  1841,  the  village  having  had  an  early  growth  by  reason  of  its  situation  on 
the  main  post  route  to  Chicago;  but  in  April,  1849,  the  church  became  identified 
with  the  Congregational  fellowship  and  for  over  fifty  years  had  a  flourishing 
history.  A  good  building  was  erected  in  1852  and  later  a  parsonage.  At  the 
present  time,  however,  although  these  buildings  remain,  the  activity  of  the  church 
has'  ceased. 

/ 

's 

If 

ALTONA 

The  coming  of  the  railroad  is  also  responsible  indirectly  for  the  church  at 
Altona,  which  was  organized  February  21,  1857,  with  nine  members,  under  the 
leadership  of  the  Rev.  A.  Root.  A  building  was  erected  in  1866  and  sometime 
later  a  parsonage.  Of  the  whole  organization  the  parsonage  alone  remains. 
The  church  has  not  been  active  for  some  time'. 


636      V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

' 


The  Rio  Congregational  church  was  organized  in  1871  and  its  building  was 
dedicated  in  1873.  At  the  present  time  it  has  a  co-operative  arrangement  with 
the  Methodist  church,  interesting  as  an  illustration  of  practical  harmony  in  Chris- 
tian work,  under  which  a  union  Sunday  school  and  a  common  pastor  are  main- 
tained. January  i,  1912,  the  church  had  105  members  and  there  were  140  in  the 
union  Sunday  school.  •  -•  .  ',^  '':;!> 

';;.;cv.U;^;  ;'.;•/,.        •;'  '-..    ;-•::-•;      ABINGDON        I     "•   "' '^''j'-^'"- ^' •'''''^- ^:-.  :^,' 

The  Abingdon  church  has  a  continuous  history  longer  than  that  of  any  exist- 
ing Congregational  church  in  Knox  county.  That  history  has  not  been  continu- 
ously Congregational,  however,  for  only  since  i88l  has  it  been  affiliated  with 
the  Congregational  fellowship.  It  originated  as  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church  in  1834  or  1835  with  fifteen  members.  Not  long  after  a  house  of  wor- 
ship was  erected  about  one  and  one-half  miles  northwest  of  -Abingdon,  said  to 
be  the  first  church  building  in  the  county.  In  1866  the  congregation  moved  to 
Abingdon  and  built  a  new  church  there.  In  i88i  the  members  voluntarily  de- 
cided to  transfer  their  connection  to  the  Congregational  body,  since  which  time 
the  church  has  well  perpetuated  the  high  ideals  and  influential  plans  of  its  found- 
ers. On  January  i,  1912,  there  were  248  members  and  127  in  the  Sunday  school, 

•X'^^'l"-/  ^:  '    '          •       •        •     '      .    •'"':,'-.      DELONG          ^  V  r^v.''':'^^,^^  .;•;'';  :.^':;' I  v^^-V,V'''-^'-^ 

:  The  present  Belong  church  came  into  existence  in  1894  as  the  result  of  serv- 
ices held  by  the  Rev.  A.  W.  Bepew,  then  pastor  of  the  Abingdon  church.  An 
attractive  building  was  erected  in  1903.  There  was  on  January  i,  1912,  a  mem- 
bership of  103  and  a  Sunday  school  of  60. 

Altogether  in  the  whole  county  there  was,  on  January  i,  1912,  a  Congrega- 
tional church  membership  of  2,218  and  a  Sunday  school  membership  of  1,648. 


.:,-.);'  THE  METHOBIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

:,7:'-  '      BY  S.  A.  WAGONER  ":' '  • 

I.  Historical,  i.  Methodism  began  in  the  second  quarter  of  the  eighteenth 
century  (1739)  in  England,  as  a  revival  within  the  Established  church  (Episco- 
pal), under  John  Wesley,  preacher,  founder,  statesman;  Chas.  Wesley,  hymn 
writer;  John  Fletcher,  theological  and  controversial  writer,  and  George  White- 
field,  brilliant  pulpit  orator.  These  were  university  men.  And  though  ordained  v-'t 
ministers  of  the  English  church  they  were  soon  denied  the  pulpits  of  the  church. 
Hence  followed  the  famous  field-preaching,  when  as  many  as  20,000  people 
often  heard  Wesley  and  Whitefield.  There  early  developed  a  new  and  remark- 
able agency  of  "lay-preachers"  and  workers,  whose  example  has  been  followed 
in  latter  evangelism  by  such  illustrious  laymen  as  Mr.  Moody  and  Mr.  Sunday.,:- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


637 


and  great  numbers  of  Young  Men's  Christian  association  workers.  The  groups 
resulting  from  this  movement  were  not  called  churches,  but  "societies,"  for  they 
were  still  in  the  English  church,  and  their  houses  were  called  chapels.  The  first 
Methodist  chapel  in  the  world  was  built  in  Bristol,  England,  in  1739. 

The  first  Wesleyan  "conference"  held  in  the  world  was  in  Foundry  chapel, 
London,  in  1744,  with  ten  ministers  present,  four  of  whom  were  lay-preachers. 

2.  Agencies  started  by  Methodism  in  England. 

i  I.     The  Naval  and  Military  Bible  society.     (First  British  Bible  society.) 

":.       2.     First  Tract  society.  '    •  ;  ^!^ 

;   .  :       3.     First  dispensary  in  the  world  (at  the  old  Foundry).  Vy/-.   ..,-.; 

' .  '•      4.     Strangers'  Friend  society. 

;   '     5.    A  Sunday  school  in  High  Wycombe,  fourteen  years  before  Robert 
r  :•...;•.;  ^'  -^       Raikes.  •~-:(-^':''''^^:. 

, ;        6.    London  Missionary  society. 
'• -.       7.     The  class  meeting.       .  ,  .   .- 
8.     The  itinerancy.  ;i     v.-^ 

•'       9.     Publishing  business.    ;•    .T 
'V  lO.     Schools.  v'3' ^ 

:     >.-      II.     Lay  preaching.       ,..       • 

;-•;.:.'  "^     *  *-*  ••"-••-'••'.--  V--   :.        ;  -,    ,.  •!.>-^.  •••      -'    ^_..-     :••.••.'        •  .          -•.-.--••*:    -.•  .- 

12.     Open  air  preaching. 

Mr.  Wesley  did  not  organize  a  new  church  in  England,  but  remained  in  the 
Established  church.  He  aided  in  founding  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in 
America.  ^'/l  :  •'.  '••f-.'f- 

3.  In  America.     The  first  Wesleyan  preaching  in  America  was  in  Georgia 
in  1735,  by  Mr.  Wesley. 

The  first  church  was  built  in  1768  in  New  York.  '  •  '  '  .'".  ^" 

:  The  first  "annual  conference"  was  held  in  1773  in  Philadelphia. 

The  church  as  a  separate  body  was  organized  at  the  Christmas  conference 
in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  in  1784. 

The  first  delegated  general  conference  was  held  in  1812  in  New  York  city, 
with  88  delegates.  There  were  then  688  preachers  and  184,567  members. 

Methodism  has  now  spread  to  all  continents  and  chief  divisions  of  the  world, 
being  firmly  planted  in  the  United  States,  England,  Canada,  Australia,  India, 
China,  Japan,  etc. 

II.  Doctrinal.  Mr.  Wesley  said,  "Life  is  more  than  dogma."  Methodism 
was  a  revival  of  both  life  and  Qoctrine.  It  preached  no  new  doctrine,  but  em- 
phasized cardinal  doctrines  long  neglected.  It  correlated  these  and  came  to  be, 
as  it  still  is,  the  chief  representative  of  the  school  of  the  theolog}-  and  Christian 
philosophy  which  has  come  to  be  the  general  ground  of  Christendom. 

Mr.  Wesley  said,  "Our  main  doctrines,  which  include  all  the  rest,  are  re- 
pentance, faith  and  holiness."  . 

The  doctrinal  controversy  of  the  eighteenth  century  was  between  two  schools 
— one  standing  for  the  "five  points" — ^total  depravity,  particular  election,  partial 
redemption,  effectual  calling,  infallible  perseverance.  Methodism  presented  her 
five  points:  i.  All  men  are  sinners.  2.  All  men  are  redeemed.  3.  All  men 
are  called.  4.  As  many  as  obey  the  call  are  chosen.  5.  Of  those  chosen  as 
many  as  endure  to  the  end  shall  be  saved. 


638  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Emphasis  was  laid  upon  the  universality  of  the  atonement  and  the  witness 
of  the  spirit. 

III.  Government,  It  is  representative,  under  a  constitution.  Its  highest 
authority  is  in  a  delegated  "general  conference"  composed  of  an  equal  number 
of  ministerial  and  lay  delegates  elected  respectively  by  ministers  and  laymen. 

This  conference  meets  every  four  years,  is  the  law-making  body  and  com- 
bines in  itself  legislative,  judicial  and  executive  functions ;  and  while  it  estab- 
lishes certain  church  courts  and  is  an  appellate  court  it  is  not  a  court  of  original 
jurisdiction.  ,  • 

The  governing  body  of  the  local  church  is  the  "quarterly  conference."  It 
consists  of  trustees,  stewards,  class  leaders,  Sunday  school  superintendents  and 
presidents  of  brotherhood,  aid  society  and  Epworth  league.  All  these  are  elected 
by  the  laymen.  Stewards  and  class  leaders  are  nominated  by  the  pastor.  Women 
are  electors  and  are  eligible  to  all  these  offices  and  to  the  general  conference. 

Its  Ministers.  All  ministers  get  their  first  authorization  from  the  quarterly 
conference  (laymen)  and  their  nomination  to  the  annual  conference  (ministers), 
by  whom  they  are  examined  as  to  doctrines,  etc.,  and  by  whom  they  are  or- 
dained and  authorized.  Bishops  are  general  superintendents  elected  by  the  gen- 
eral conference  and  may  be  retired  by  that  body.  They  do  not  give  to  the  church 
any  laws  or  rules ;  they  administer  certain  affairs  under  the  constitution  and 
laws.  District  superintendents  administer  under  the  laws  within  a  "district" 
embracing  20  to  60  pastoral  charges.  -v;  -, . 

Usages.  The  itinerancy  is  the  plan  by  which  ministerial  appointments  are 
made  and  ministerial  exchanges  effected  in  a  regular  and  timely  manner,  so 
that  no  effective  minister  shall  be  without  a  parish  and  no  church  without  a 
pastor.  '-'-:'•  -.••.'-"'•_"•':.•'!'•.;•''••'';•'.";  ^••-.••••''•'•''"•'.''V  •''''"[> '"^'-^ ''',••'•'•••;*• 

Estimates  by  non-Methodists. 

Green,  historian:  "The  Methodists  themselves  were  the  least  result  of  the 
Methodist  revival." 

Lecky,  historian :  "Wesley  has  had  a  wider  constructive  influence  in  the 
sphere  of  religion  than  any  man  since  the  i6th  century ;  and  has  exercised  a 
powerful  influence  on  the  political  history  of  England." 

Goldwin  Smith:  "Against  the  disintegrating  tendencies  of  the  i8th  cen- 
tury the  religious  crusade  of  John  Wesley  was  among  the  strongest  defensive 
forces." 

Dean  Stanley :  "The  Methodist  movement  has  moulded  the  spiritual 
character  of  the  English-speaking  protestantism  of  the  world."  ;. .  ; 

Dr.   Chalmers:     "Methodism   is   Christianity   in   earnest."          '  '       .-  • 
'        IV.     Genius  of  Methodism.     The  outstanding  facts  are  these: 

1.  The  uprising  and  development  of  lay  influence.     Hitherto  in  the  En- 
glish churches  laymen  had  not  exercised  spiritual   functions.     The   Wesleyan 
movement  called  laymen  into  service — class  leaders,  stewards,  exhorters,  local 
preachers.     The  talents  of  Christian  women  also  were  brought  into  use.     In 
both  England  and  America  the  foundations  were  laid  largely  by  lay-preachers. 
Its  genius  is  not  an  aristocracy  but  a  democracy. 

2.  The  simplicity  of  its  doctrinal  requirements   for  membership.     Wesley- 
said  :  "Is  a  man  a  believer  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  is  his  life  suitable  to  his  profes- 
sion, are  the  sole  inquiries  I  make."    The  general  rules  declare,    "There  is  only 


:>-:v;-::     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  639      : 

-  !•  •.;;';..-..'*  -,'.-•  '»' 

one  condition  previously  required  of  those  seeking  admission  to  our  societies —       .  • 
A  desire  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  and  be  saved  from  their  sins."  '•":': 

3.     Confident  testimony  to  present  salvation.     Few,  even  among  the  clergy, 
had  claimed  such  experience  or  declared  the  doctrine  of  Christian  assurance. 
;\_       4.     Catholicity.     This  is   evidenced  by   the   simplicity  and   inclusiveness   of          • 
its  doctrine;  its  generous  spirit  toward  all  communions  that  honor  Christ;  the       '.-.••- 
readiness   with   which   its   members  pass   into  all   other   evangelical   churches; 
;  'and  the  fact  that  the  trend  of  religious  thought  and  philosophy  of  the  modern 
••'.  world  is  toward  Arminian  theology  and  Wesleyan  interpretation. 
;•        V.    Results,    in  1912 —  .^   :•.- 

:i         ,       I.     Ecumenical  Methodism.     About  20  branches  in  the  world.    :-.^--".-:-'i.J\'-^- 

.:-^'.  ;'-  Ministers  (besides  lay -preachers) 55,8o8          ,."?f-'^-     •  / 

. .  .  '::^.^1; . : :.  •  V     Churches 99A97    ',  '•^^'  '•.;!.•;=:•-•''.;'" 

•; V    :V^'.    _::.'..      Members 8,768,616     ;-  'J 'v^v.^V *  ' 

..:••":''•;/  ";/      Members  and  Adherents 32,728,547     >  -/•  •';,.^^^;^ 

/  ;:'    ?      •     '      Sunday  school  scholars 8,273,809     :  ';.V;;.  -^i :;!;•-  O 

;V' O  .       2.     Methodist  Fpiscopal  church  /;  ':^^  ";-'^',-V  v^-     . 

0..,.;\    >    :        Ministers 20,569     Vi  vCr^^r'- -'v'-V 

r>V;.;  7 \  V  ;•'      Members : 3,520,197     -V. '':  --J--  v:-: •/  •.  .. 

:  yv ;-   ;  '  ^'vl-      Members  and  adherents 8,800,492     -'C/  :  '">  ,t,  '••'••.  -. 

,  '  '     ;•'      Sunday  school  scholars 942,429     •:'".••-.'; 

:  ;\  -;  •^••:  '^ .;  ••     Churches 30,397     :', ^  •  c^^^;..  ^;#. ;, :'• 

.;.;.•'•;•-;.  •'.-/••^         Value    • $183,262,593.00      A/'^.j/iv^V"':^'":::^  •  '"'^ 

,•'•-•.     ;  J. .:^'.    •     Parsonages  I3>99O      -  ••    ;:^-^  v,^  '^'^  y 

-••^••-  '^':-^::-f  <'•':•         Value    $  32,285,193.00      :W'H-;;;' 'SJH;.;  /V 

^•^:"  ^^:.  ;     ':      Schools,  colleges,  universities  -      -"-^    "•'•^  ^!  •- 

.'  ;:•:..  Professional,  secondary,  missionary.  360 

:  ...i..    .  .    '      Property  and  endowment $58,057,574.00  -•    ; 

'•/';!;  .;-vH    Students 75,585         .  ......      .--n  :.': 

•''-.-..     1     ••'.'.  /  v"fc/     ^  (.•  -          ^  .•'••'••••','          -    • 

•:.-•;';;     Deaconess  property  and  endowment.  .$     5,601,268.00     •-"'-    ':^v--    •>' 

;      V       ^'' '     Deaconesses 1,360  '-'  •''• 

"^y /'  v;<v..  ':     Book  concern,  publishing  houses,  -^^  .        V- ri-^  -  '^ 

-Vr;  .V       ^i   ...  founded  in  1790 $     5,301:093.90     v  V  :  '''^ 

'"•    '•   '•'      Total  sales  1844  to  1908 $  86,332,177.00 

The  first  that  is  known  of  Methodism  in  Knox  county  seems  to  have  been  in        > 
1834,  when  Peter  Cartwright  held  a  camp  meeting  within  the  boundaries  of  the;-/..   ''. 
county.    In  his  autobiography,  Cartwright  himself  relates  the  following  incident:/^    .-.. 
"In  the  course  of  this  year,  1834,  we  had  a  camp  meeting  in  Knox  county,         '  ; 
Henderson  river  mission.    There  was  a  goodly  number  tented,  and  a  fine  turn         ' 
out  of  people,  for  the  number  of  settlers  in  this  new  and  rising  country.     Our  ' 

encampment  was  pitched  in  a  beautiful  little  grove  on  an  eminence,  surround-         ' 
ed  by  prairie  on  every  hand. 

"There  was  in  this  settlement  an  interesting  and  intelligent  family  from  one 
of  the  eastern  states.    The  younger  members  of  the  family  consisted  of  several         '  - 
young  men   and  young  ladies.     The  young  people  liked  the   Methodists,  and 
were   deeply   convicted;   the   old   people   particularly    the   old    lady,    were    very         ;' 
much  opposed  to  them.    Living,  as  they  did  close  to  the  camp  ground,  they  put          • : 


640  ;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

their  Yankee  ingenuity  to  work  to  keep  their  children  away  from  the  meet- 
ing; but  finding  they  could  not  accomplish  it,  they  at  once  determined  to  pitch 
their  tent  on  the  camp  ground,  and  they  thought  they  would  have  a  better  op- 
portunity to  watch  the  children,  and  counteract  any  influence  we  might  exert  upon 
them.  They  pretended  to  be  very  friendly,  to  save  appearances.  The  old  lady, 
for  the  purpose  of  disarming  me,  treated  me  very  kindly,  and  invited  me  to 
eat  with  them,  which  I  did.  In  the  meantime  one  of  the  daughters,  who  was 
deeply  convicted,  told  me  all  about  her  mother's  opposition  to  the  Methodists, 
and  her  schemes  to  prevent  her  children  from  being  influenced  to  become  reli- 
gious. 

"One  Saturday  evening  I  invited  the  seekers  of  religion  to  come  forward 
to  the  altar  for  the  prayers  of  the  church.  Two  of  her  daughters  came  for- 
ward and  knelt  in  prayer.  A  young  sister,  almost  as  much  opposed  to  the 
Methodists  as  her  mother,  went  into  the  altar  with  a  phial  of  hartshorn,  and 
while  her  two  sisters  were  trying  to  pray  she  slipped  the  hartshorn  to  their 
nose,  in  order  to  drive  them  up  and  prevent  their  seeking  religion.  I  very  soon 
detected  her  in  her  operations,  and  took  hold  of  her  hand,  wrenched  the  phial 
from  her,  led  her  out  of  the  altar,  and  told  her  if  I  caught  her  in  there  any 
more  on  such  business,  I  would  pitch  her'  out  and  publicly  expose  her. 

"While  I  was  talking  to  and  praying  with  these  two  young  ladies  and 
others,  I  saw  the  old  lady,  their  mother,  come  and  take  her  seat  outside  of  the 
altar,  immediately  opposite  her  daughters,  and  if  at  any  time  she  thought  I 
was  not  watching  her,  she  would  kick  them  in  their  sides  to  drive  them  up.  I 
watched  her  very  closely,  and  when  in  the  act  of  kicking  them,  I  took  hold  of 
her  foot  and  gave  her  a  strong  push  backward,  and  over  she  tumbled  among 
the  benches.  Being  a  large  corpulent  woman,  she  had  some  considerable  tussel 
to  right  herself  again.  So  in  this  way  I  defeated  the  scheme  of  the  devil  once 
more.  The  girls  became  very  much  engaged,  but  while  there  were  many  still 
pressing  to  the  altar,  and  my  attention  for  the  moment  was  called  oflf,  the  old 
lady  contrived  to  get  them  out  of  the  altar  into  the  tent.  As  soon  as  I  dis- 
covered what  was  done,  I  gathered  two  or  three  good  singers  and  praying  per- 
sons, and  followed  them  into  the  tent,  and  commenced  singing ;  I  then  gave  them  an 
exhortation ;  then  said  'Let  us  pray,'  and  called  on  the  father  of  the  girls  to  pray 
for  his  children,  but  he  refused ;  I  then  called  on  their  mother  to  kneel  down 
and  pray  for  her  children,  and  she  refused.  In  the  meantime  two  of  the  boys, 
as  well  as  the  two  girls,  became  very  much  aflfected,  and  cried  for  mercy;  and 
presently  the  third  daughter,  that  had  used  the  hartshorn  in  the  altar,  got  aw- 
fully convicted,  and  begged  all  present  to  pray  for  her,  or  she  would  be  lost 
and  damned  forever.  This  was  too  much  for  the  old  people ;  they  became  aw- 
fully alarmed,  and  wept  bitterly ;  and  you  may  be  sure  the  whole  tent  was  in  a 
mighty  uproar.  The  singing,  praying,  and  exhortations  were  kept  up  nearly 
all  night.  Four  of  the  family  were  powerfully  converted,  and  the  sectarian 
devil  in  the  old  father  and  mother  was  affectfully  disarmed,  and  from  that 
blessed  night  they  became  a  religious  family ;  all  joined  the  Methodist  church, 
and,  as  far  as  I  know,  walked  worthy  of  their  high  vocation.  May  they  all 
prove  faithful  till  death,  and  then  receive  a  crown  of  life." 

At  the  annual  conference  in  Springfield,  October  i,  1835,  Peter  Cartwright 


;  FIRST   MKTHOniST   KPISCOPAL   CHURCH 

•      •    .Located   on   the   corner   of   North    Kellopg  and    Kerris    Streets.      Erected   in    1911.     Value,   $95,000. 


640  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

their  Yankee  ingenuity  to  work  to  keep  their  children  a\vay  from  the  meet- 
ing; but  finding  they  could  not  accomplish  it.  they  at  once  determined  to  pitch 
their  tent  on  the  camp  ground,  and  they  thought  they  would  have  a  better  op- 
portunity to  watch  the  children,  and  counteract  any  influence  we  might  exert  upon 
them.  They  pretended  to  be  very  friendly,  to  save  appearances.  The  old  lady, 
for  the  purpose  of  disarming  me.  treated  me  very  kindly,  and  invited  me  to 
eat  with  them,  which  I  did.  In  the  meantime  one  of  the  daughters,  who  was 
deeply  convicted,  told  me  all  about  iier  mother's  opposition  to  the  Methodists, 
and  her  schemes  to  prevent  her  children  from  being  influenced  to  become  reli- 
gious. 

"One  Saturday  evening  I  invited  the  seekers  of  religion  to  come  forward 
to  the  altar  for  the  prayers  of  the  churcli.  Two  of  her  daughters  came  for- 
ward and  knelt  in  prayer.  A  young  sister,  almost  as  much  opposed  to  the 
Methodists  as  her  mother,  went  into  the  altar  with  a  phial  of  hartshorn,  and 
while  her  two  sisters  were  trying  to  pray  she  slipped  the  hartshorn  to  their 
nose,  in  order  to  drive  them  up  and  prevent  their  seeking  religion.  I  very  soon 
detected  her  in  her  operations,  and  took  hold  of  her  hand,  wrenched  the  phial 
from  her.  led  her  out  of  the  altar,  and  told  her  if  I  caught  her  in  there  any 
more  on  such  business.  I  would  pitch  her  out  and  publicly  expose  her. 

"While  I  was  talking  to  and  praying  with  these  two  young  ladies  and 
others.  I  saw  the  old  lady,  their  mother,  come  and  take  her  seat  outside  of  the 
altar,  immediately  opposite  her  daughters,  and  if  at  any  time  she  thought  I 
was  not  watching  her,  she  would  kick  them  in  their  sides  to  drive  them  up.  I 
watched  her  very  closely,  and  when  in  the  act  of  kicking  them.  I  took  hold  of 
her  foot  and  gave  her  a  strong  push  backward,  and  over  she  tumbled  among 
the  benches.  IJeing  a  large  cor])ulent  woman,  she  had  some  considerable  tussel 
to  right  herself  again.  So  in  this  way  I  defeated  the  scheme  of  the  devil  once 
more.  The  girls  became  very  much  engaged,  but  while  there  wore  many  still 
pressing  to  the  altar,  and  my  attention  for  the  moment  was  called  oflf.  the  old 
lady  contrived  to  get  them  out  of  the  altar  into  the  tent.  As  soon  as  1  dis- 
covered what  was  done,  I  gathered  two  or  three  good  singers  and  pra\'ing  ])er- 
sons.  and  followed  them  into  the  tent,  and  commenced  singing:  I  then  gave  them  an 
exhortation  :  then  said  'Let  us  ])ray.'  and  called  on  the  father  of  the  girls  to  pray 
for  his  children,  but  he  refused:  I  then  called  on  their  mother  to  kneel  down 
and  pra\-  for  her  children,  and  she  refused.  In  the  meantime  two  of  the  boys, 
as  well  as  the  two  girls,  became  very  much  affected,  and  cried  for  mercy :  and 
lirescntly  the  third  daughter,  that  had  used  the  hartshorn  in  the  altar,  got  aw- 
fully convicted,  and  begged  all  present  to  pray  for  her.  or  she  would  be  lost 
and  damned  forever.  This  was  too  much  for  the  old  i)eo])le :  they  became  aw- 
fully alarmed,  and  wept  bitterly :  and  you  may  be  sure  the  whole  tent  was  in  a 
mighty  uproar.  The  singing,  jjraying.  and  exhortations  were  kej)t  up  nearly 
all  night.  Four  of  the  family  were  ])owerfully  converted,  and  the  sectarian 
devil  in  the  old  father  and  mother  was  affectfully  disarmed,  and  from  that 
blessed  night  they  became  a  religious  family :  all  joined  the  Methodist  church, 
and,  as  far  as  I  know,  walked  worthy  of  their  high  vocation.  May  they  all 
prove  faithful  till  death,  and  then  receive  a  crown  of  life." 

At  the  annual  conference  in  Springfield,  October  i.  1835.  Peter  Cartwright 


,      •    ..•        l-'lkST    MKI'IIODIST    KI'IS(()1'AI.    ClU'UCII  . 

I.ocate.l    (111    tlic    i-iirnvr    of    Nortli    Ki-ll.ii-j;   ;ni  1    l-'cn  is    Stii-cls.       KrccttMl    in    I'Ml.     Value. 


''•'"^''••-        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '     •  641 

was  appointed  presiding  elder  for  four  years  of  the  Quincy  district,  which  con- 
sisted of  the  following  appointments:  Pittsfield,  Quincy  circuit,  Quincy  mis- 
sion, Rushville  station,  Rushville  circuit.  Canton,  Ft.  Edwards  mission,  Hender- 
son River  mission  and  Knoxville  mission  included  the  counties  of  Knox  and 
Warren  and  part  of  Fulton.  In  1867  permanent  camp  grounds  were  located  at 
Gilson,  and  for  forty-three  years  annual  camp  meetings  were  held  there,  many 
of  the  great  preachers  of  the  denomination  taking  part  from  time  to  time.  When 
in  1910  the  meetings  were  discontinued  and  the  property  given  to  Hedding  Col- 


r   •.,        V'  .."  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  ABINGDON,  ILL.          .  •^>? 

The  first  white  settler  in  Cherry  Grove  was  Hiram  Palmer,  Methodist  local 
•:.-'.  preacher,  who  came  here  in  1828  and  lived  alone  until  A.  D.  Swartz  and  Asel 

•  W.  Dorsey  came  in  the  following  year.    The  first  Methodist  preaching  was  done 
:\l  by  this  Hiram  Palmer  at  the  home  of  A.  D.  Swartz,  in  the  winter  of  1829-1830. 

;.  He  formed  a  small  class  composed  of  A.  D.  Swartz  and  wife  and  Hiram  Palmer 

and  wife.    The  first  traveling  preacher  sent  here  was  Thomas  Mills,  sent  out  by 

.  the  Illinois  conference.     He  had  a  large  circuit,   in  which   Abingdon  was  in- 

;•  eluded.     The  preaching  service  was  maintained  for  eight  years  at  the  home  of 

,  ^^  A.  D.  Swartz,  after  which  the  first  church  was  built,  in  1846.     In  1867  the  first 

.;    church  building  was  torn  down  and  another  built.     The  pastor  at  that  time  was 

-  Rev.  D.  H.  Gray.     The  members  of  the  quarterly  conference  at  that  time  were 

Revs.  M.  E.  Springer,  D.  T.  Wilson,  Wm.  Harvey.     Local  preachers  —  Henry 

,:•  King,  I.  B.  Howards,  John  Dickinson.     Stewards  —  Geo.  Bassett,  P.  M.  Shoop, 

S.  M.  Lewis,  M.  Mowrey,  Henry  Sullivan,  Wm.  Latimer.    Class  leaders  —  C.  W, 

'  ;  C.  Duffield,  O.  P.  Swartz,  John  Wood,  Mr.  Earlel,  Rev.  M.  E.  Springer,  S.  John- 

•^.  sen.     Trustees  —  ^James  Best,  president;  Rev.  M.  E.  Springer,  treasurer;  M.  L. 

Brown,  secretary;  John  E.  Chesney,  Jason  Moore  and  Wm.  Pratt.     James  Se- 

:,'  bree  was  Sunday  school  superintendent.    The  present  edifice  was  erected  on  the 

•  •  site  of  the  Second  church,  corner  of  Latimer  and  Washington  streets,  in  1898; 
;  Rev.  R.  E.  Buckey,  pastor.    The  cornerstone  was  laid  Thursday,  June  i6th. 

,"  '.  ;. 

;'>,•••,.•.'::•     ^'  ,••'.'••  '•.^"  •'^"••^^-r       ALTONA     •  .;  '-  1;'^-;.'-'::  V'  '   .      .  '   '•.•><••'.'"<:::•  ^'"'^ 

/  :••     The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Altona   (original  name  Walnut  grove) 

was  organized  August  I4th,  1853,  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Quincy,  who  was  then  traveling 

•.  Henderson  circuit.     There  were  thirteen  members  received  and  organized,  as 

:  ;  follows:     James  Howey  and  wife,  E.  B.  Main,  wife  and  son,  Delos  S.  Main, 

\   Jacob  Terwilliger  and  wife.  Benjamin  Logan  and  wife,  S.  L.  Butler  and  wife, 

,   Mrs.  Cochran  and  Mary  Leter. 

James  Howey  was  appointed  class  leader  and  E.   B.   Main  and  Benjamin 

•  Logan  elected  stewards.     In  1853  Altona  was  connected  with  the  Victoria  cir- 
;•  cuit  and  served  in  turn  by  Revs.  A.  D.  McCooI,  D.  A.  Falkenberg.  Wm.  J.  Smith, 
,:;  C.  A.  Stine,  W.  P.  Graves,  U.  J.  Giddings,  J.  Kerns,  J.  Matthews  and  J.  D. 


In   1867  Altona  was  made  a  separate  pastorate  and  Rev.  E.   Ransom  ap- 
<;  pointed  pastor.    The  first  place  of  public  worship  used  by  the  Altona  Methodists 

.:  ToL  1-41 


642  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -;:;:• 

was  a  schoolhouse  which  was  only  16x20  feet  in  size  standing  on  what  is  now 
the  northeast  corner  of  Main  and  Depot  streets.  The  present  church  building 
was  erected  in  1857  at  a  cost  of  $3,500,  being  the  first  building  erected  for  pub- 
lic worship  in  the  village.  In  1867  on  becoming  a  distinct  pastoral  charge  the 
parsonage  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,300 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1855,  E.  B.  Main  as  su- 
perintendent. Recent  pastors  of  the  church  have  been  Revs.  W.  S.  Welsh,  A.  P. 
Robson,  A.  M.  Bowlin,  J.  W.  Ferris,  C.  A.  Wright,  G.  H.  McCrea,  A.  E.  Row- 
son.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  G.  H.  Smith.  During  Rev.  J.  W.  Ferris'  min- 
istry the  church  was  remodeled  and  is  now  a  very  beautiful  and  commodious 
building.  Attached  to  this  circuit  is  the  Nekoma  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
where  services  are  held  each  Sunday  afternoon.  -h.  '  I  -  :  /-.. 

The  work  continues  to  prosper,  and  good  is  being  accomplished  by  Methodism 
in  the  town. 

...    .-  .        '     •       ,    '     '  '"    •,-          DAHINDA  'V;'-'     '.'''"/   ''V-S  '••'.:;•'.;':' 

The  Dahinda  Methodist  church  came  into  being  under  the  leadership  of  Miss 
Hattie  Sargent  (now  deceased),  who  agitated  the  matter  and  made  a  beginning 
of  a  subscription  list,  which  others  carried  to  a  successful  issue.  This  was  in 
December,  1903.  The  church  was  built  and  dedicated  November,  1904.  Frank- 
lin Rist  was  its  first  pastor  and  had  much  to  do  with  getting  the  society  organ- 
ized. ;  •  "  ..'';'"'•'•'  •  ^  ''•'•''.;•:"'/''•;  V3  ''--." 

•  •-•jy^:- :•:''••'"'-''  ^    •'      •         •'-    :-        HENDERSON  •      ''-:.•••  '^ -'"'-••     ..y 

The  Methodist  church  of  Henderson  was  erected  in  1874.  The  date  of  the 
formation  of  the  society  is  not  known,  but  it  must  have  been  some  time  in  the 
sixties.  It  is  a  significant  fact  that  the  ground  on  which  the  building  stands  is 
the  site  of  the  old  Buzzard's  Nest,  a  notorious  tavern  and  saloon  of  early  days. 
How  appropriate  that  the  house  of  God  should  be  erected  where  once  stood  the 
house  of  sin.  The  coming  of  the  church  has  indeed  caused  the  decline  of  the 
saloon  rule,  until  the  latter  had  to  go. 

.;  The  most  far-reaching  movement  in  Henderson  of  recent  years  was  the  great 
revival  conducted  by  the  Reverend  George  Hinds  in  the  year  of  1906.  The 
entire  religious  and  moral  sentiment  of  the  community  was  changed  and  the 
churches  gained  many  staunch  supporters. 

Henderson  was  originally  part  of  the  Wataga  charge,  but  has  for  several 
years  past  been  connected  with  Rio.  Among  its  former  pastors  are  some  of  the 
leading  men  of  the  conference — W.  H.  Witter,  N.  T.  Allen,  S.  P.  James,  A.  M. 
Stocking,  S.  P.  Archer,  C.  F.  W.  Smith,  H.  B.  Gough  and  many  others.  Of 
recent  years  the  pastors  have  been  Charles  Van  Dettum,  Evens  Worthily,  George 
Hinds,  H.  B.  Green,  J.  D.  Payne,  I.  E.  Moats.  ;  ';'}:;:' 

••*.•.,•  i/'^-.     •  •         ;  LOUISVILLE          ",    ',••'•  !-;>'-,^'''.'  .;•- 

Mr.  J.  W.  Stephens  furnishes  the  following  statement  in  regard  to  the  Louis- 
ville Methodist  church,  which  formerly  stood  upon  the  Abingdon  road  about 
half  way  from  Galesburg  to  Abingdon.  ..  :;•:.,  -- 


iV'V:  •-'''•-'•'      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :  ;-  V'       643 

. ,  .  .:  The  building  was  30x40  feet,  with  walls  14  feet  high.  The  roof  was  quite 

;4  .,  flat,  probably  not  more  than  one-eighth  pitch.  It  had  four  windows  on  each 

^^>;-  ?;:  side,  but  none  at  the  ends.  It  was  built  by  Reuben  Castle  in  1842,  and  he  re- 

'-:':?•  ceived  for  his  labor  and  the  material  which  he  put  into  it  $150.  Every  piece 

-r^..-^  of  dimension  stuff  that  was  in  the  building  was  hewn  out  of  oak.  It  stood  on 

.'  ^'.  >  blocks  that  raised  the  building  quite  high  from  the  ground.  The  frame  was 

;^  ^-;  '  covered  with  oak  siding  and  it  stood  two  years  without  being  plastered.  It  is 

V  V,/.  not  known  what  was  paid  for  the  plastering. 

.''.  :  In  1878  the  little  church  known  as  Warren  chapel  was  built,  at  which  time 

C;.:.-.  the  Louisville  church  was  abandoned  as  a  house  of  worship.  It  was  given  to 

.-A  V  .  Rev.  R.  Kinney,  and  he  occupied  it  about  five  years  as  a  residence.  Then  Mr. 

•.''.:  J.  W.  Stephens  purchased  the  ground  and  the  church  which  stood  upon  it.  It 

;•-;-;-•  was  sold  to  Mr.  McConchie  in  1889.  He  demolished  the  building  and  put  the 

;.  .  ;  material  into  a  barn  in  Warren  county  in  the  neighborhood  of  what  is  known  as 

f.:  ;..:  the  Reynolds  district. 

•    -.yV         Mr.  Stephens  saw  the  building  as  it  was  being  torn  down  and  si)eaks  of  the 

.  ,.  ,'  structure  as  exceedingly  well  built  and  thoroughly  pinned  together  with  wooden 

.'  -  pins.  During  the  time  when  it  was  used  as  a  church  Mr.  Stephens  says  that 

''•  •'!;'  the  sheep  that  were  running  at  large  used  to  go  under  the  building  and  stay 

;  '  :  •  there  during  their  resting  time  and  the  hottest  parts  of  the  day. 

;'•-;.•  :' ':  ,:.;^-'/';;''.^  ;'::,../•.'.'•'   :'^ ''''.:/'.,'':'••':'  '•'•      MAQUON    ,..-.;•.'/;-'.;...-;  •''-,^'.'  --y^^.'-'^'  -]^'^A'-:^-'i-. 

'">  ,      The  village  of  Maquon  was  forty  years  old  before  the  Christian  influence 

,•'../.  .was  strong  enough  to  establish  a  church.    During  that  time  many  fruitless  efforts 
.-.;•.       had  been  made  by  different  faiths  in  that  direction.    During  the  first  twenty  years 
'        •     of  the  history  of  the  town  it  was  not  considere'^'.  a  suitable  place  for  a  church, 
-•;;'.  as  the  church  members  were  few  and  poor. 

:    :     !•.  j  The  first  preaching  in  the  Maquon  settlement  was  in  a  log  cabin  just  out- 

.V.      .^  side  the  corporate  limits,  that  stood  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  northeast 

.,:#'>.  quarter  of  section  4.    The  cabin  was  built  by  Mr.  Dolph  and  owned  at  the  time 

:    .  by  William  McGowen,  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  town.     This  was 

- .-      •'  ;  in  1825.     The  name  of  the  preacher  was  Parnach  Owen,  who  was  a  Presby- 

>•;••;•  terian  in  faith.    He  came  here  as  a  surveyor  and  laid  out  the  town.     The  first 

;    >V;      Ivlethodist  preaching  was  in  the  same  cabin  about  1838. 

; '0         Rev.  Rufus  Miles  was  the  first  minister  who  held  regular  preaching  services 

;•      •-    at  Maquon.     He  was  a  Presbyterian.     In  1841  or  1842  Mr.  Maddox  erected  a 

.'  building  for  the  purpose  of  putting  in  machinery  for  carding  wool.     It  stood 

,  .V       on  the  west  side  of  the  public  square,  a  little  south  of  the  center.     The  first 

•;     .'   special  service  held  by  the  Methodist  was  in  this  building  and  was  conducted  by 

;".  :  that  old  pioneer  of  Methodism,  Rev.  Stephen  Beggs.    He  was  assisted  by  Henry 

.V:,-.;'  Summers,  William  Clark  and  Rev.  Plummer.     The  first  Methodist  class  was 

.-  :       organized  at  the  close  of  this  meeting.    The  appointment  was  put  on  the  Knox- 

'   ville  circuit  and  Maquon  had  regular  preaching  for  some  time.     "The  old  brick 

-.;,     .     schoolhouse"  was  erected  in  1848  and  became  the  place  for  holding  all  religious 

';'r  meetings  for  many  years. 

•    ".,         In  1859  spiritualism  was  introduced  and  soon  became  the  rage.     It  affected 
•     :'•;     the  community  to  an  alarming  extent.     Seances  were  held  nightly  and  the  whole 


644  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •>. 

community  was  much  disturbed.     Preaching  services  were  practically  broken  up. 
This  state  of  things  lasted  for  a  number  of  years. 

Preaching  was  supplied  from  Knoxville  for  a  number  of  years  in  an  irregu- 
lar way.  In  the  winters  of  1861-2  a  United  Brethren  preacher  by  the  name  of 
Wilmette  held  a  series  of  meetings  in  the  schoolhouse  and  had  about  thirty  con- 
versions. An  effort  was  made  at  that  time  to  build  a  church.  A  subscription 
amounting  to  $1,500  was  gotten  up,  but  for  some  reason  they  did  not  succeed 
in  building.  The  field  was  not  properly  cultivated,  and  most  of  the  converts 
drifted  back.  In  1866  the  old  schoolhouse  was  for  sale.  Some  of  the  women 
who  were  members  of  the  sewing  society  made  up  their  minds  to  purchase  it 
and  arrange  it  for  church  purposes.  It  was  sold  to  them  for  $300  and  refitted 
at  some  additional  expense  and  made  a  very  comfortable  place  in  which  to  hold 
services. 

'  The  next  effort  at  church  building  was  by  Rev.  Stephen  Brink,  who  was  on 
the  Gilson  work.  He  succeeded  in  getting  $1,200  subscribed,  but  the  church  did 
not  materialize.  In  1872  a  man  by  the  name  of  Garretson,  a  Christian  preacher, 
had  a  revival  and  organized  a  society  of  about  fifty.  A  subscription  of  $1,500 
followed,  but  for  some  reason  it  proved  a  failure.  A  Mr.  Grouard,  a  spiritualist,  • 
and  a  Mr.  Carney,  a  Universalist,  next  proposed  a  union  building,  but  nothing 
came  of  it.  In  1875  Maquon  was  put  on  with  the  Summit  work,  and  Rev. 
Charles  W.  Swartz  was  appointed  to  take  charge.  He  began  talking  church  as 
soon  as  he  came  and  succeeded  in  getting  a  subscription  of  $i,6oo,  with  the 
promise  of  more.  The  site  for  the  church  was  purchased  from  Mr.  Thomas 
Benson,  the  building  was  erected  by  Burkhalter  brothers  at  a  cost  of  $4,500  and 
was  dedicated  by  Bishop  Jesse  T.  Peck,  Sept.  ii,  1877.  Rev.  Swartz  served  the 
church  two  years  and  was  followed  by  H.  S.  Humes,  who  remained  one  year. 

Rev.  L.  B.  Dennis  was  appointed  in  1878.  During  his  first  winter  he  suc- 
ceeded in  bringing  about  a  revival  in  which  there  were  one  hundred  conversions. 
It  \vas  the  first  revival  pf  importance  in  Maquon.  Important  because  it  suc- 
ceeded in  permanently  establishing  organized  Christianity  in  Maquon.  He  left 
the  first  authentic  records  of  membership  that  have  been  continued  to  the  present. 

He  remained  two  years  and  was  followed  by  J.  E.  Williams,  who  was  ap- 
pointed in  October,  1880,  and  remained  one  year. 

William  Merriam  next  followed,  and  at  the  end  of  his  first  year  Maquon 
was  put  on  the  Gilson  circuit  and  Merriam  was  sent  to  the  Gilson  work.  He 
died  in  Gilson,  Feb.  12,  1883.  .:/:;>.•:•  •  !•.-;> 

A.  P.  Beal  was  sent  to  fill  out  the  year.  In  October,  1883,  Vincent  Aten  was 
sent  to  Maquon,  it  being  made  a  separate  charge  again.  He  remained  one  year 
and  was  followed  by  R.  B.  Seaman.  He  was  returned  a  second  year.  It  was 
through  his  earnest  efforts  that  the  present  parsonage  was  built.  Rev.  Joe  Bell 
was  appointed  to  Maquon  Oct.  12,  1886.  He  was  returned  the  second  and  third 
time.  These  three  years  were  so  full  of  blessed  results  that  Maquon  people  have 
every  reason  to  long  cherish  his  memory. 

In  1889  R.  D.  Russell  was  sent  to  Maquon  and  was  followed  one  year  later 
by  N.  G.  Clark,  who  remained  one  year. 

In  1891  Rev.  A.  M.  Bowlin  was  appointed  to  the  charge,  remaining  two 
years.  During  Rev.  Bowlin's  pastorate  a  debt  of  $700  on  the  church  was  paid 
off  and  repairs  to  the  amount  of  $850  made. 


:          '    HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY      ;      ;      '  645 

In  1893  J.  P.  McCormick  was  appointed  to  Maquon  and  was  followed  by 
R.  Y.  Hazzard.  His  term  of  service  was  two  years,  being  succeeded  by  J.  G. 
Evans,  who  supplied  it  for  nine  months  in  connection  with  his  work  as  president 
of  Hedding  college.  Rev.  Frank  H.  Winter,  a  Hedding  student,  next  took 
charge,  supplying  until  the  annual  conference  in  1897. 

Maquon  was  without  a  regular  pastor  till  Nov.  lo,  1897,  when  W.  H.  Young 
was  appointed  to  the  work.  Maquon  and  Rapatee  were  associated  this  year, 
Maquon  having  preaching  each  alternate  Sunday  morning.  Rev.  Young  was  re- 
turned  in  1898.  Next  followed  Rev.  D.  T.  Wilson,  whose  gentle  influence  caused 
a  greater  harmony  among  the  people,  both  inside  and  out  of  the  church,  than  had 
existed  heretofore.  Rev.  John  T.  Killip  came  in  1901  to  the  pastorate.  He  re- 
mained  for  two  years.  During  this  time  the  church  was  repaired  and  modernized 
and  rededicated  free  of  debt.  ;•; 

Rev.  J.  G.  A.  Martin  was  appointed  to  the  charge  in  1903  and  was  again 
returned  the  next  year,  his  deep  learning  and  depth  of  thought  being  apparent 
in  the  poetic  trend  of  his  language.  He  resigned  after  serving  six  months  of 
his  second  year.  Rev.  Ira  Moats  was  sent  to  fill  out  the  year.  In  September, 
1906,  Rev.  S.  L.  Clark  was  sent  to  Maquon.  During  his  pastorate  of  two  years 
a  very  successful  revival  was  held  and  many  were  added  to  the  church. 

Rev.  W.  F.  Kettlekamp  succeeded  Mr.  Clark  and  remained  for  three  years. 
During  his  administration  both  the  Maquon  and  Rapatee  churches  were  thor- 
oughly  repaired  and  left  in  excellent  condition  at  a  cost  of  several  hundred  dol- 
lars.  At  the  conference  of  1911  Rev.  U.  Z.  Gilmer  was  appointed  to  the  charge 
and  is  the  incumbent  at  the  present  time. 


Oneida  circuit  was  formed  in  the  autumn  of  1857  from  portions  of  the  Knox- 
ville  and  Henderson  circuits,  with  Rev.  W.  M.  Clark  preacher  in  charge  and 
Rev.  R.  N.  Morse  presiding  elder. 

At  the  conference  of  1858  it  was  transferred  to  Monmouth  district,  with 
Henry  Summers  presiding  elder  and  George  W.  Brown  preacher  in  charge.  The 
following  year  (1859)  Oneida  circuit  was  placed  in  the  Toulon  district,  John 
Morey  presiding  elder,  and  George  W.  Brown  continued  pr«acher  in  charge. 
The  conference  of  1860  returned  Oneida  to  the  Monmouth  district  with  Henry 
Summers  presiding  elder  and  William  Watson  preacher  in  charge,  Bernard  Kel- 
ley  being  employed  as  assistant  preacher.  During  the  two  years  of  Rev.  Watson's 
pastorate  the  church  enjoyed  a  great  revival,  the  record  of  those  years  showing 
the  names  of  165  probationers  received. 

Until  1862  the  society  held  its  meetings  in  the  schoolhouse.  Now,  under  the 
pastorate  of  Wm.  J.  Smith,  a  church  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  more  than  $3,000 
and  dedicated  by  Rev.  Thomas  M.  Eddy,  D.  D. 

In  1864  Oneida  became  a  station  and  N.  C.  Lewis  was  appointed  pastor. 
Since  1864  the  appointment  of  pastors  has  been  as  follows  :  1865,  S.  L.  Hamil- 
ton; 1866-67,  Wm.  Watson;  1868,  M.  Spurlock;  1869-70,  C.  B.  Couch;  1871, 
H.  I.  Brown;  1872,  H.  C.  Foote;  1873,  Chas.  H.  Brace,  Wm.  Merriam;  1874- 
75,  Chas.  H.  Brace;  1876,  L.  B.  Dennis;  1877,  C.  B.  Couch;  1878-79,  C.  B. 
Couch;  1880,  S.  L.  Falkner;  1881-82,  J.  W.  Otterman;  1883,  W.  A.  Pratt;  1884, 


646  X;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .    | 

N.  T.  Allen;  1885,  -  ;  1886,  S.  P.  James;  1887-8-9,  W.  H. 
Witter;  1890-91,  Wm,  Watson;  1892-93,  J.  J.  Hunter;  1894-5-6,  E.  C.  Ander- 
son; 1897-8-9,  O.  P.  Graves;  1900,  A.  C.  Wood;  1901-02,  E.  E.  Diflfenbaugh; 
1903-04,  W.  R.  Carr;  1905-6-7,  I.  J.  Letherman;  1908-9-10,  Chas.  Van  Dettum; 
1911,  R.  A.  Gordon. 

The  present  beautiful  church  was  erected  in  1909,  dedicated  in  June  by  Dr. 
Edwin  A.  Schell,  president  of  Iowa  Wesleyan  University,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa. 
Rev.  Chas.  Van  Dettum  was  pastor.  The  building  committee  was  A.  J.  Roe, 
Isaac  Henderson  and  S.  V.  Hannam.  A.  H.  Youngren  was  the  contractor.  The 
building  cost  $10,000. 

/:  The  present  trustees  of  the  church  are  Joseph  Masters,  president  ;  A.  J.  Roe, 
C.  J.  Talbot,  Geo.  W.  Ide,  Isaac  Henderson,  Jas.  Weech,  Jr.,  S.  V.  Hannam,  A. 
F.  Adams,  Geo.  W.  Adams. 


The  Methodist  church  building  of  Rio  was  built  in  the  year  of  1894  and 
dedicated  in  December  of  that  year.  The  society  had,  however,  existed  for  many 
years  prior  to  this  date.  The  exact  time  is  not  known,  but  the  class  existed  as 
early  as  1850.  In  1853  a  man  by  the  name  of  Coe  was  class  leader.  During 
these  early  days  the  services  were  held  in  the  schoolhouse  and  other  accessible 
buildings,  often  even  in  barns.  When  in  1872  the  Congregationalist  church 
was  erected  an  arrangement  was  affected  whereby  the  Methodists  had  the  use 
of  that  building  each  alternate  Sunday.  Here  they  continued  to  worship  until 
their  own  house  was  built. 

Rio  has  always  been  part  of  a  circuit  or  charge,  sharing  its  pastor  with  North 
Henderson,  Alpha,  New  Windsor  and  Henderson  successively.  From  the  be- 
ginning the  church  has  had  steady,  healthful  growth.  Many  of  its  former  pas- 
tors are  now  quite  prominent  in  church  circles.  Among  those  that  have  served 
the  church  in  recent  years  are  T.  A.  Beal,  M.  L.  O'Harra,  W.  C.  Crane,  E.  S. 
Busby,  Earl  Ballew,  Charles  Van  Dettum,  George  Hinds,  J.  D.  Payne,  H.  B. 
Green  and  Ira  E.  Moats. 

VICTORIA          •  • 

First  American  M.  E.  church  erected  here  October  27,  1854.  In  1836  Zadok 
Hall  was  appointed  to  the  Kickapoo  mission,  which  embraced  all  the  territory 
between  here  and  Laura.  That  fall  the  first  Methodist  class  was  organized  at 
Old  Salem  schoolhouse,  four  miles  southeast  of  present  village  of  Victoria. 
Here  Methodism  first  took  root.  Victoria  was  a  part  of  the  Lafayette  circuit 
in  1843. 

In  1844  we  were  transferred  to  Rock  River  conference.     On  the  Ilth  of 
May,  1849,  the  present  village  of  Victoria  was  laid  out. 
:•'•     New  church  was  dedicated  June  5,  1910.  ''.  • 

•;  '.:•''•  .'••.'          ''-:,   ,,   '••   '     WATAGA  -'•'•'.''''/  '''''•  ,''"<•,'' 

.'•       The  Methodist  church   was  organized   in  Wataga,  January  9,   1858.     The 
present  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1864.     .          .  ,.. 

Great  Revival,  :;'J.::  .^ 


••;--    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :'/;'  647 

The  great  revival  meetings  were  held  in  February,  1882.  As  the  result 
80  people  were  taken  into  the  church.  Rev.  John  Rugh  was  pastor.  This  was 
probably  the  greatest  revival  in  the  history  of  the  Wataga  Methodist  church. 

In  the  early  history  Wataga  was  on  a  circuit  with  five  other  charges.  At  the 
present  time  the  church  has  a  membership  of  seventy.  Wm.  Clark  was  the  first 
preacher,  he  being  the  father  of  N.  G.  Clark  who  is  still  alive.  The  church  has 
had  a  battle  to  live  all  these  years.  At  the  present  it  is  in  a  healthy  condition. 

V;-..;-  WILLIAMSFIELD  ; 

'    ^^  P-'-    .  .       .-:  '•-      '' 

The  Williamsfield  Methodist  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  John  Gimson  in 
1890,  then  pastor  at  Victoria.  The  building  was  erected  in  the  same  year  and  at 
the  next  conference  the  church  was  placed  on  the  Elba  circuit.  In  1894,  under 
the  pastorate  of  John  Killip,  the  parsonage  was  built.  In  1906  the  church  was 
remodelled  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Franklin  Rist.  • 

V         '      '  •  -  GALESBURG 


The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Galesburg  was  organized  in  1847 
by  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Hedstrom,  wifh  A.  M.  and  Mrs.  Follett,  L.  H.  and  Mrs.  Mary 
Haskell,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beam  as  members — six  in  all.  It  was  then  an  appoint- 
ment of  the  Knoxville  circuit,  belonged  to  the  Rock  River  conference,  and 
continued  so  until  1855,  when  the  Peoria,  now  Central  Illinois  conference,  was 
organized.  The  first  building  was  erected  in  1851,  by  the  American  and  Swedish 
Methodists  jointly.  It  was  a  wooden  structure  36x50  feet  in  size,  and  located  at 
the  corner  of  Kellogg  and  Tompkins  streets,  a  plat  of  ground  which,  for  more 
than  sixty  years  has  been  the  gathering  point  for  Methodism  in  Galesburg,  and 
around  which  cluster  many  sacred  memories  by  the  older  members  of  the 
church.  The  building  was  not  entirely  finished  until  1853,  when  on  the  third 
Sunday  in  November  it  was  dedicated  by  that  noted  pioneer  preacher.  Rev.  Peter 
Cartwright.  The  building  now  stands  (1912)  on  the  Seacord  farm  east  of  town 
and  is  doing  service  as  a  barn. 

Pastors  of  the  church  from  1847  to  1855  were  H.  Hadley,  Lewis  R.  Ellis, 
Isaac  Poole,  A.  Wolincroft,  J.  F.  Chaffee,  B.  Applebee,  Wm.  Haney. 

The  partnership  of  the  American  and  Swedish  members  was  dissolved  by 
mutual  and  friendly  agreement  in  1853,  leaving  the  American  members  in  pos- 
session of  the  property,  and  in  1855  the  Galesburg  church  became  an  inde- 
pendent station.  The  following  have  been  the  pastors  to  date:  1855-1856, 
Milton  Haney;  1856-1858,  John  P.  Brooks;  1858-1860,  J.  O.  Gilbert;  1860-1862, 
Wm.  H.  Hunter;  1862-1864,  L.  B.  Kent;  1864-1867,  A.  Magee;  1867-1868,  M. 
F.  Havermale;  1868-1870,  D.  H.  Gray;  1870-1873,  G.  W.  Arnold;  1873-1876, 
Selah  W.  Brown;  1876-1879.  Geo.  W.  Brown;  1879-1882,  R.  G.  Pearce;  1882- 
1884,  W.  M.  Collins;  1884-1887,  H.  D.  Clark;  1887-1892,  G.  J.  Luckey;  1892- 
1896,  C.  W.  Blodgett;  1896-1897,  N.  G.  Lyon;  1897-1903,  T.  W.  McVety; 
1903-1906,  Joe  Bell;  1906-1908,  J.  W.  Frizzelle;  1908-  ,  Samuel  Van  Pelt. 

The  presiding  elders  of  the  district,  including  Knox  county,  have  been  R. 
Haney,  John  Morey,  Milton  Bourne,  H.  Summers,  Francis  Smith,  W.  H.  Hunter, 
B.  C.  Swarts,  A.  K.  Tullis,  W.  M.  Collins,  M.  C.  Bowlin,  J.  S.  Cummings,  G. 
J.  Luckey,  M.  A.  Head,  H.  D.  Clark,  J.  H.  Ryan,  R.  E.  Buckey,  Joe  Bell. 


648  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

The  second  session  of  the  Central  Illinois  conference  (organized  in  1856) 
was  held  in  Abingdon  in  1857.  A  session  of  the  conference  was  held  in  Gales- 
burg  in  1862,  when  a  memorial  was  sent  to  President  Lincoln  urging  the  emanci- 
pation of  the  slaves.  Rev.  Richard  Haney,  a  notable  Methodist  preacher  of  this 
section  for  many  years,  has  made  the  claim  that  said  memorial  was  the  first 
of  a  large  number  of  such  memorials  sent  to  the  president,  and  that  it  had  much 
to  do  with  the  famous  emancipation  proclamation. 

Other  sessions  of  the  Central  Illinois  conference  held  in  the  county  were 
in  Galesburg  in  1873  and  1889,  and  in  Abingdon  in  1906. 

In  1872  a  new  brick  and  stone  trimmed  church  was  erected,  replacing  the  old 
wooden  structure  on  the  corner  of  Kellogg  and  Tompkins  streets.  It  was  Gothic 
style,  45x90  feet,  the  most  beautiful  church  of  the  denomination  in  the  county 
in  its  time,  and  cost  $36,000.  It  was  remodeled  in  1895,  at  an  additional  cost  of 
$27,000  and  on  July  22,  1909  was  destroyed  by  fire — a  singular  coincident  of  the 
burning  of  the  church  is  noted  that  on  the  same  day  (July  22)  thirty-seven  years 
before,  the  corner  stone  laying  exercises  of  the  church  were  held. 

An  incident  worthy  of  mention  in  connection  with  the  events  here  described 
is  that  Rev.  N.  T.  Allen,  now  a  member  of  the  official  board  of  the  present 
Galesburg  church,  was  present  at  the  dedication  of  the  original  church  in  1853 ; 
also  at  the  dedication  of  the  new  church  in  1873 ;  also  at  the  dedication  of  the 
remodeled  church  in  1895 ;  and  also  present  at  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone 
of  the  magnificent  new  church  now  in  the  course  of  construction  at  the  corner 
of  Kellogg  and  Ferris  streets. 

^:  •  During  the  whole  history  of  the  Galesburg  church,  the  Sunday  school  has 
been  an  important  factor  in  the  progress  of  the  church.  So  far  as  may  be  de- 
termined with  certainty,  the  following  have  served  as  superintendents  in  chief: 
John  A.  Marshall,  C.  C.  Merrill,  O.  B.  Folger,  Matthew  Andrews,  H.  E.  Jud- 
son,  S.  A.  Wagoner,  W.  A.  Jordan,  R.  W.  Roadstrum. 

The  Epworth  League,  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  the  Woman's  Foreign  and 
Home  Missionary  Societies,  the  Standard  Bearers,  the  Men's  Brotherhood, 
and  other  similar  societies  have  all  been  worthy  of  mention. 

The  new  building  now  nearing  completion  will  cost  with  grounds  and  equip- 
ment over  $100,000.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  Sunday,  October  i,  1911,  by 
David  G.  Downey,  D.  D.  The  building  committee  are : 

Samuel  Van  Pelt,  D.  D.,  ex-officio  chairman. 
•-        Wm.  A.  Jordan,  vice  chairman   (deceased).          .  •  . 

.      -     Simon  A.  Wagoner,  secretary.  ••.' 

Judson  W.  Hoover,  treasurer. 

Arthur  R.  Anderson,  Walter  C.  Frank,  John  G.  Burnaugh. 
:.-        Architects — J.  Grant  Beadle,  Norman  K.  Aldrich. 

Builder— Peter  T.  Olson. 

.:  .'  Summary       .,^    ';.•'/:.?.'. 5:' ;\^ 

The  best  statistics  available  gives  the  summary  of  Methodism  in  Knox  county 
as  follows:  (1912.)  • ' !  "j->^' ''•  ' ' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;./•     >  649 

Members 4»O35 

Members  and  adherents 10,087 

Churches  and  parsonages $296,200 

College  and  endowments 


Total  property $471,200 

Per  capita  church  property    $i  i6 


RISE  AND  PROGRESS  OF  SWEDISH  METHODISM 

.•• 'i;r'^^''4;  A  i  ••:•;:,       BY  AXEL  GABRIELSON  .''."'_ 

The  organization  and  growth  of  the  Methodist  church  under  John  Wesley, 
in  England  in  1739,  and  in  America  in  1784,  with  Wesley's  approval,  under 
leadership  of  Philip  Embury,  Thomas  Webb,  Richard  Boardman,  Joseph  Pilmoor, 
Francis  Asbury,  Richard  Wright,  Thomas  Coke,  Richard  Whatcoat,  Thomas 
Vasey  and  others,  is  authentic  history,  familiar  to  many  and  accessible  to  any 
one,  but  the  history  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  Swedish  Methodism,  an  integral 
of  the  Church  of  John  Wesley,  is  little  known,  and  nowhere  written  in  the 
English  language,  and  it  is  to  supply  this  omission  that  the  writer  offers  this 
article  to  the  readers  of  the  History  of  Knox  County,  Illinois,  the  history  of  this 
church  being  so  inseparably  connected  with  that  of  the  county,  that  the  history 
of  the  county  without  that  of  the  church  must  necessarily  be  incomplete. 

"Who  hath  despised  the  day  of  small  things?"  was  asked  centuries  before  the 
dawn  of  the  Christian  era,  affording  reason  for  the  belief  that  some  people  then 
living,  made  the  mistake  of  despising  small  things,  and  in  so  doing,  gave  di- 
vine offense,  subjecting  themselves  to  loss,  and  the  displeasure  and  censure  of 
prophet  and  seer. 

If  simple  folk,  in  primitive  times,  were  prone  to  discount  beginnings,  and 
set  small  value  upon  embryo  matter,  no  wonder  that  in  an  age  like  the  twentieth 
century,  the  shrine  of  big  things  only,  attracts  devotees  en  mass,  and  enjoys 
acclaim,  and  that  matters  of  any  kind,  however  meritorious,  if  small  unassum- 
ing and  modest,  often  fail  of  recognition  and  support,  because  the  scale  of  their 
beginnings  is  in  the  diminutive.  However,  the  fact  remains  that  many,  if  not 
all,  of  the  colossal  things  of  the  present,  are  but  the  result  of  small  and  insig- 
nificant beginnings  of  the  near  or  remote  past,  and  therefore  youth  of  this  age, 
tempted  especially  to  want  to  begin  at  the  zenith,  impatient  of  any  suggestion 
of  need  of  a  required  period  of  effort  and  growth,  preceding  fruition  of  hope, 
do  well  to  study  the  present  in  the  light  of  the  past  and  the  experiences  of  the 
fathers,  and  learn,  that  the  admired,  magnificent,  finished  superstructure,  or 
finished  product,  delighting  the  eye  and  thrilling  the  senses,  and  over  which 
we  exclaim,  to  the  one  who  can  read,  always  tells  the  mean  story  of  laborious 
excavation,  foundation  building  course  by  course,  then  construction  round  upon 
round,  through  weary  days  and  months  and  possibly  years  of  tedious  toil,  and 
toil  of  brawn  and  brain. 

Mica  of  old  extolled  not  the  big  city,  the  world  center  of  his  day,  but  the 


650  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

% 

little  City  of  Bethlehem,  saying — "And  thou  Bethlehem,  in  the  land  of  Juda, 
are  not  least  of  the  princes  of  Juda,  for  out  of  thee  shall  come  a  governor  that 
shall  rule  my  people  Israel,"  and  if  it  be  not  deemed  a  sacrilege,  for  purposes 
of  this  article,  the  writer  desires  to  paraphrase  this  prophecy  thus :  "And  thou 
Victoria,  in  the  land  of  Illinois,  art  not  least  among  the  cities  of  Illinois,  for 
out  of  thee  has  come  a  church,  that  is  blessing  thousands  upon  thousands  of  my 
people." 

•  December  15,  1846,  Jonas  Hedstrom,  by  occupation  a  blacksmith,  and  by  the 
grace  of  God,  a  preacher,  in  Victoria,  Illinois,  organized  the  first  Swedish 
Methodist  church  in  America  and  in  the  world.  The  causes  that  lead  to  the 
founding  of  the  Methodist  sect  among  the  Swedes,  anti-dates  this  period,  how- 
ever, by  many  years,  and  must  be  related  in  this  connection  to  afford  correct 
knowledge  of  facts,  and  to  give  due  credit  where  credit  belongs.  Olof  G.  Hed- 
strom, older  brother  of  Jonas  Hedstrom,  born  in  Sweden,  1803,  emigrated  to 
America  in  1825,  landing  in  New  York  city.  This  brother's  conversion  occur- 
red in  Dr.  Phoebus'  church  in  New  York,  in  1829,  three  weeks  after  his  mar- 
riage to  the  godly  and  piously  zealous  Caroline  Pinckney. 

Four  years  after  his  conversion,  in  1833.  O.  G.  Hedstrom  revisited  his  na- 
tive land,  for  the  express  purpose  of  testifying  to  the  saving  grace  of  God,  to 
those  of  his  own  blood,  and  so  effectual  was  his  testimony,  that  not  only  his 
parents,  but  also  his  brother  Jonas,  ten  years  his  junior,  joyfully  embraced 
salvation. 

Having  seen  the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  land  of  his  birth  accomplished, 
O.  G.  Hedstrom  returned  to  America,  that  same  year,  bringing  his  brother 
Jonas  back  with  his  to  his  adopted  country. 

Following  his  return  to  America,  O.  G.  Hedstrom,  up  to  that  time  a  successful 
tailor  and  merchant,  abandoned  secular  pursuits  for  the  ministry  entering  the 
New  York  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  on  probation  in  1835, 
laboring  successfully  in  that  connection  as  an  English  speaking  Methodist 
preacher,  in  various  appointments,  until  1845,  when,  on  May  I4th  of  that  year, 
he  was  appointed  by  the  presiding  bishop  of  the  conference  convened  in  the 
Forsyth  Street  church.  New  York,  to  the  North  River  mission,  the  first  in- 
stance of  a  Swedish  Methodist  minister  being  appointed  to  labor  among  Scan- 
dinavians in  America.  But  while  serving  English  speaking  churches,  being 
stationed  in  New  York  city  and  environments  for  ten  years,  from  1835  to  1845, 
Mr.  Hedstrom  had  done  much  missionary  work  among  Swedish  sailors  and  emi- 
grants on  incoming  vessels,  and  among  these  had  won  many  converts,  some  of 
whom,  returning  to  the  home  land,  told  of  their  conversion,  and  their  testimonies, 
prayers,  exhortations  and  interpretation  of  scripture,  had  the  effect  of  arousing 
an  interest  in  religious  and  spiritual  things,  among  large  numbers  of  people  in 
all  parts  of  Sweden,  who  were  called  "readers,"  because  of  their  constant  search- 
ing of  the  scriptures  and  earnest  effort  to  conform  to  its  teaching. 

Incidentally,  out  of  this  movement  grew  the  Jansonist  revival  under  Eric 
Janson  and  Olof  Olson,  men  of  fine  character,  and  unusual  power  and  ability, 
who  coming  in  touch  with  O.  G.  Hedstrom  and  his  converts  in  America  and 
Sweden,  had  experienced  conversion.  These  godly  men,  and  their  ardent  loyal 
followers  were  subjected  to  persecution,  imprisonment  and  confiscation  of  prop- 


t/] 

s 
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c 


5C 
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•:••:.  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

little  City  of  Bethlehem,  saying — "And  thou  Bethlehem,  in  the  land  of  Juda, 
are  not  least  of  the  princes  of  Juda,  for  out  of  thee  shall  come  a  governor  that 
shall  rule  my  people  Israel,"  and  if  ic  be  not  deemed  a  sacrilege,  for  purposes 
of  this  article,  the  writer  desires  to  paraphrase  this  prophecy  thus :  "And  thou 
\'ictoria.  in  the  land  of  Illinois,  art  not  least  among  the  cities  of  Illinois,  for 
out  of  thee  has  come  a  church,  that  is  blessing  thousands  upon  thousands  of  my 
people."  -  •;;.;',.  I  •  .  \: 

December  15,  1846,  Jonas  Hedstrom.  by  occupation  a  blacksmith,  and  by  the 
grace  of  God.  a  j^reacher.  in  \'ictoria.  Illinois,  organized  the  first  Swedish 
Methodist  church  in  America  and  in  the  world.  The  causes  that  lead  to  the 
founding  of  the  Methodist  sect  among  the  Swedes,  anti-dates  this  period,  how- 
ever, by  many  years,  and  must  be  related  in  this  connection  to  afford  correct 
knowledge  of  facts,  and  to  give  due  credit  where  credit  belongs.  Olof  G.  Hed- 
strom. older  brother  of  Jonas  Hedstrom,  born  in  Sweden.  1803.  emigrated  to 
America  in  1825.  landing  in  Xew  York  city.  This  brother's  conversion  occur- 
red in  Dr.  Phoebus'  church  in  Xew  York,  in  1829.  three  weeks  after  his  mar- 
riage to  the  godly  and  piously  zealous  Caroline  Pinckney. 

Four  years  after  his  conversion,  in  1833.  ().  G.  Hedstrom  revisited  his  na- 
tive land,  for  the  express  purpose  of  testifying  to  the  saving  grace  of  God.  to 
those  of  his  own  blood,  and  so  effectual  was  his  testimony,  that  not  only  his 
parents,  but  also  his  brother  Jonas,  ten  years  his  junior,  joyfully  embraced 
salvation. 

Having  seen  the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  land  of  his  birth  accomplished. 
O.  G.  Hedstrom  returned  to  America,  that  same  year,  bringing  his  brother 
Jonas  back  with  his  to  his  adopted  country.  .  .  I 

Following  his  return  to  America.  O.  G.  Hedstrom,  up  to  that  time  a  successful 
tailor  and  merchant,  abandoned  secular  jnirsuits  for  the  ministry  entering  the 
Xew  York  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  on  probation  in  1835, 
laboring  successfully  in  that  connection  as  an  Fnglish  speaking  Methodist 
preacher,  in  various  appointments,  until  1845.  when,  on  May  I4th  of  that  year, 
he  was  a])pointed  by  the  presiding  bishop  of  the  conference  convened  in  the 
Forsyth  Street  churcii.  Xew  York,  to  the  Xorth  River  mission,  the  first  in- 
stance of  a  .Swedish  Methodist  minister  being  appointed  to  labor  among  Scan- 
dinavians in  America.  But  while  serving  English  speaking  churches,  being 
stationed  in  Xew  York  city  and  environments  for  ten  years,  from  1835  to  1845, 
^Ir.  Hedstrom  had  done  much  missionary  work  among  Swedish  sailors  and  emi- 
grants on  'ucoming  vessels,  and  among  these  had  won  many  converts,  some  of 
whom,  returning  to  the  home  land,  ti^ld  of  their  conversion,  and  their  testimonies, 
prayers,  exhortations  and  interpretation  of  scri])ture,  had  the  effect  of  arousing 
an  interest  in  religious  and  spiritual  things,  among  large  numbers  of  people  in 
all  parts  of  Sweden,  who  were  called  "readers."  because  of  their  constant  search- 
ing of  the  scriptures  and  earnest  effort  to  conform  to  its  teaching. 

Incidentally,  out  of  this  movement  grew  the  Jansonist  revival  under  Eric 
Janson  and  Olof  Olson,  men  of  fine  character,  and  unusual  power  and  ability, 
who  coming  in  touch  with  O.  G.  He<lstrom  and  his  converts  in  America  and 
Sweden,  had  experienced  conversion.  These  godly  men,  and  their  ardent  loyal 
followers  were  subjected  to  persecution,  imprisonment  and  confiscation  of  prop- 


• — I 

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:-: 


.        •'          ..    •.•-'.• 

•  '.  '  -  '     -••-     .•:  -^'-^ii..'  . ' 

'"'    :-'  '\-*->^^^-^ 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         -      :  651 

erty,  and  when  opportunity  offered  in  1846,  many  Jansonists  emigrated  to  America, 
enduring  great  hardships  and  privations,  but  finally,  successfully  established  in 
Bishop  Hill,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  a  flourishing  Swedish  communistic  colony. 
To  their  original  numbers  were  added  many  thousand  more  in  the  years  1847, 
'48,  '49,  '50,  '51,  '52,  '53,  '54,  '55  and  later,  and  to  these  hardy,  virile,  honest, 
godfearing  men  and  women  of  the  frozen  northland,  Illinois  and  her  happy  con- 
tented successful  citizen,  owe  no  small  meed  of  praise,  for  their  early  contribu- 
tion to  the  prosperity  and  development  of  a  great  virgin  state. 

Beginning  with  his  appointment  to  the  North  River  mission  in  1845,  O.  G. 
Hedstrom  commenced  a  service  for  his  fellow  countrymen,  in  his  mother  tongue, 
that  continued  uninterruptedly  through  three  full  decades  till  1875,  when  he 
retired  from  active  service,  and  two  years  later,  on  the  5th  of  May,  1877,  was 
summoned  to  his  reward.  The  scene  of  this  unwonted  long  service,  was  laid 
in  the  North  river.  New  York,  the  gateway  to  America  for  countless  thousands 
of  Swedish  emigrants  coming  here  from  1845  to  1875. 

Associated  with  George  T.  Cobb,  whose  gift  of  fifty  dollars  was  the  first 
contribution  for  the  cause,  O.  G.  Hedstrom,  with  William  G.  Rogers  and  others 
of  the  Asbury  M.  E.  church  of  New  York,  purchased  the  good  ship  Henry 
Seeds,  lying  in  North  river,  rechristening  it  to  the  John  Wesley,  often  famili- 
arly and  lovingly  referred  to  as  the  Bethel  ship,  a  veritable  gospel  ship,  and 
here,  upon  this  ship,  lying  in  its  slip,  tugging  at  its  chains  and  anchor,  seven 
days  in  the  week  for  thirty  years,  the  precious  gospel  truth  of  full,  free  and 
present  salvation  was  sown  with  unsparing  hand  by  this  man  of  God  and  his 
co-laborers — ^but  all  the  work  done  on  the  Bethel  ship,  John  Wesley,  was  purely 
missionary  through  the  many  years  of  its  long  existence,  and  its  founder,  reso- 
lutely refused  to  surrender  it  for  a  permanent  land  work,  although  he  lent  his 
aid  to  cottage  work  among  his  countrymen  in  Brooklyn  and  New  York,  which 
eventually  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  Emanuel  Swedish  M.  E.  church 
in  Brooklyn  in  1866,  and  the  Lexington  Avenue  Swedish  M.  E.  church  in  New 
York  city,  in  1874. 

Accompanying  his  brother  O.  G.  Hedstrom  to  America  on  his  return  to  the 
land  of  his  adoption  in  1833,  after  his  brief  visit  to  Sweden,  Jonas  Hedstrom 
spent  the  first  five  years  of  his  life  in  this  country  in  New  York  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  in  1838  came  to  Illinois,  stopping  in  Victoria,  Knox  county,  where, 
soon  after  his  arrival,  he  married  Diantha  Sornberg. 

The  young  people  lived  for  a  short  time  two  miles  east  of  Victoria,  in  a 
neighborhood  then  called  Earmington,  but  soon  returned  to  Victoria,  where  Hed- 
strom continued  to  live  until  his  death.  May  ii,  1859. 

A  year  after  coming  to  Victoria,  Jonas  Hedstrom  began  to  preach,  and 
since  there  were  no  people  of  his  nationality  there  at  that  time,  his  services  for 
four  or  five  years  were  conducted  in  English,  until  beginning  with  1845,  large 
numbers  of  incoming  Swedes  settling  in  various  points  in  Illinois  supplied  a  con- 
stituancy  of  his  own  countrymen,  to  whom  he  devoted  himself  thereafter  exclu- 
sively. Comparatively  soon,  now,  the  consequences  of  the  coming  of  the 
young  Swede,  Olof  G.  Hedstrom,  to  our  friendly  shores  in  1825,  his  conversion 
among  English  speaking  Methodists,  and  attendent  missionary  efforts  as  lay- 
man and  preacher,  with  his  own  family,  among  his  own  countrymen,  in  the 


652  ,        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

fatherland  and  in  New  York  harbor  for  a  period  of  thirteen  years,  ripened  in 
the  organization  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  church,  not  by  himself,  in  New  York, 
but  by  a  convert — his  brother,  a  thousand  miles  removed  from  the  scenes  of  his 
own  activity,  in  a  little,  inland,  Illinois  prairie  town. 

The  Swedish  Methodist  mother  church,  founded  December  15,  1846,  in  Vic- 
toria, Illinois,  by  Jonas  Hedstrom,  the  blacksmith  lay-preacher,  had  indeed  a 
small  beginning,  the  place  of  its  birth  being  a  tiny  log  house,  in  a  little  frontier 
village,  with  an  original,  or  charter,  membership  of  only  five  souls,  namely: 
Jonas  Hedstrom  and  wife,  Andrew  Hjelm  and  wife  and  Peter  Newberg — but 
as  in  this  article  we  follow  the  story  of  the  progress  of  the  Swedish  Methodist 
church  from  its  beginning  till  the  present  time,  even  when  endeavoring  to  give 
credit  to  her  men,  ministry  and  laity,  as  the  immediate  agents  of  her  advance- 
ment, so  remarkable  appears  her  accomplishment,  we  shall  be  lead  to  exclaim 
spontaneously,  "What  hath  God  wrought !" 

After  organization,  the  growth  of  the  Victoria  Swedish  Methodist  society 
under  Mr.  Hedstrom's  watchful  care  and  zeal,  was  steady  and  constant,  and  it 
soon  assumed  a  magnitude  and  influence  in  the  community  of  no  mean  propor- 
tion, and  now  in  1912,  after  sixty-six  years  of  splendid  continuous  history,  and 
having  sent  out  scores  of  her  people  into  Iowa.  Nebraska  and  Kansas  who  have 
organized  and  built  up  Swedish  Methodist  societies  in  those  states,  she  has  a 
remaining  membership  of  120,  and  carries  on  all  of  the  activities  of  a  live  ag- 
gressive church.  The  ministers,  who  have  served  the  mother  church  as  stationed 
pastors,  after  the  passing  of  the  circuit  riders,  are :  N.  O.  Westergreen,  V.  Wit- 
ting, Peter  Newberg,  Albert  Ericson,  N.  Peterson,  Lott  Lindquist,  J.  H.  Eks- 
trand,  H.  W.  Eklund,  John  Burstrom,  A.  Walgren,  H.  Olson,  C.  E.  Livin,  J. 
B.  Anderson,  P.  M.  Johnson,  Hugo  Aim,  J.  A.  Palmquist,  Olof  Johnson,  J.  P. 
Miller,  Otto  A.  Rabe,  John  Borgeson,  Andrew  Hermanson,  Theodore  N.  Peter- 
son, Martin  Hess,  H.  W.  Willing,  Nels  W.  Bard  and  the  present  encumbent,  A. 
J.  Strandell.  -  ;  -  >  - ;.  ^: 

In  1847,  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  Mr.  Hedstrom  was  admitted  on  trial  in  the  Cen- 
tral Illinois  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  three  years  later, 
July  I,  1850,  in  Plainfield,  Illinois,  was  ordained  an  elder  by  Bishop  L.  L. 
Hamline,  and  with  the  prestige  of  the  recognition  and  approval  thus  given  him 
by  the  church,  Mr.  Hedstrom  was  encouraged  to  begin  an  active  campaign  of 
conservation  and  expansion,  which  resulted  in  gathering  about  himself,  from 
among  his  converts,  a  group  of  helpers  and  co-laborers,  with  whose  assistance, 
he  pushed  his  activities  beyond  Victoria  and  environments,  to  more  remote  and 
distant  points.  The  first  preachers  sharing  with  Mr.  Hedstrom  the  honors  of 
the  extension  of  Swedish  Methodism,  after  the  founding  of  the  mother  church, 
coming  to  him  and  the  work  in  order  named,  were  Andrew  Ericson,  John 
Brown,  Peter  Challman,  Peter  Newberg,  Eric  Shogren,  Victor  Witting  and 
S.  B.  Newman,  and  the  first  circuit  these  seven  men,  with  Hedstrom,  traveled, 
after  the  manner  of  the  early  Methodist  follow  up  system  of  visitation,  with  Vic- 
toria as  the  place  of  beginning,  was  Wataga,  LaEayette,  Knoxville,  Galesburg, 
Andover,  ^loline,  Geneseo  and  Chicago,  all  in  Illinois,  and  New  Sweden  in 
Iowa,  and  in  1854,  the  combined  enrolled  membership  of  these  several  places  had 
reached  480  souls,  all  gained  by  conversion,  and  profession  of  faith. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      "-"     -  653 

In  only  four  other  places  in  Knox  county,  besides  Victoria,  namely,  Wataga, 
Knoxville,  Altona  and  Galesburg  was  any  work  done  by  Mr.  Hedstrom  and  co- 
laborers  for  the  very  good  reason  that  here  only  were  found  any  Swedish  set- 
tlers, .r;.  .> :  : 

In  Knoxville  and  Altona  small  classes  were  formed,  but  no  church  organiza- 
tion was  effected  or  church  building  enterprise  begun  and  in  due  time,  through 
removals,  and  merging  into  the  English  speaking  Methodist  churches,  this  mem- 
bership was  dissipated  and  Swedish  Methodism  at  these  points  became  extinct 
but  the  work  in  Wataga  and  Galesburg  proved  permanent  and  together  with 
Victoria,  constitute  the  places  in  Knox  county,  where  the  Swedish  Methodist 
church  is  actively  at  work  in  1912. 

The  church  in  Wataga,  although  having  a  good  house  of  worship  and  in  its 
earlier  history  especially  a  fairly  strong  membership,  with  rare  exceptions  has 
had  no  resident  pastors,  being  served  instead  in  turn  by  the  early  circuit  riders, 
and  pastors  in  charge  of  other  nearby  churches  in  Knox,  Henry  and  Mercer 
counties. 

Until  recently  it  has  maintained  a  fine  Sunday  school  but  because  of  dimin- 
ishing numbers  have  now  abandoned  it.  The  present  church  membership  is 
only  twenty,  and  growing  less,  and  ere  long  this  society  will  have  passed,  but  its 
influence  will  remain  long  thereafter,  for  out  of  it  into  other  churches  in  Wataga 
and  in  western  churches  have  gone  splendid  men  and  women  who  gratefully 
and  lovingly  remember  the  Wataga  Swedish  Methodist  church  as  their  alma 
mater  in  Christian  teaching,  piety  and  practice. 

The  Galesburg  Swedish  Methodist  church,  had  its  origin,  primarily,  in  a 
little  class  of  Swedish  worshipers  and  converts,  gathered  about  Mr.  Hedstrom 
on  his  periodical  visits,  and  this  class  was  the  nucleus  also  of  the  English  speak- 
ing, or  First  Methodist  church,  of  Galesburg,  for  to  the  small  body  of  Swedes, 
attracted  to  Mr.  Hedstrom's  services,  came  too,  increasing  numbers  of  English 
speaking  sympathizers,  who  soon  by  very  preponderance  of  numbers,  became 
the  dominant  body,  and  with  their  Swedish  fellow  Methodist,  organized  the 
First  Methodist  church  of  Galesburg  in  1847.  The  original  Swedish  class  con- 
•  tinued  to  fellowship  and  worship  with  the  English  church  until  1848,  when  a 
large  number  of  Swedish  new  comers,  coming  direct  to  Galesburg  from  Sweden, 
via  New  York  and  Olof  G.  Hedstrom's  North  River  Bethel  Ship  mission,  unable 
to  benefit  by  the  English  language  in  public  services,  required  an  exclusive 
Swedish  society,  and  then  the  Swedes,  with  the  godspeed,  blessing  and  material 
aid  of  their  English  speaking  brethren,  withdrew  from  the  First  Methodist 
church,  and  under  Jonas  Hedstrom,  formally  organized  the  Swedish  Methodist 
church,  and  built  a  little  chapel  of  their  own,  on  the  north  side  of  Ferris  street, 
between  Seminary  and  Kellogg  streets,  which  continued  to  be  their  church  home 
and  scene  of  Christian  work  and  activity  until  1872,  when  the  society  built  and 
moved  to  their  present  church,  at  the  corner  of  Waters  and  Kellogg  streets. 

The  Galesburg  church  at  present  numbers  a  membership  of  three  hundred, 
owning  excellent  church  and  parsonage  properties  and  is  vigorous  and 
aggressive  in  all  forms  of  Christian  activities,  and  of  her  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, not  a  few  gifted,  godly  men  and  women,  have  gone  out  as  ministers,  mis- 
sionaries and  Sunday  school  workers,  who  in  life  and  deed  reflect  great  credit 


654  "  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

upon  this  church  and  ministry,  evidencing  unmistakably,  faithful  and  unfalter- 
ing inculcation  of  the  plain,  sound  doctrine  and  teaching  of  John  Wesley, 
through  a  period  of  sixty-five  years  or  more.  The  ministers  who  have  served 
the  Galesburg  church  are  first  the  pioneer  preachers  as  circuit  riders,  namely, 

.  Hedstrom,  Brown,  Challman,  Newberg,  Shogren,  Witting,  and  Newman,  fol- 
:>.,  lowed  beginning  with  1857,  by  the  stationed  preachers,  A.  J.  Anderson,  Peter 

;'  Newberg,  Lott  Lindquist,  N.  O.  Westergreen,  A.  J.  Anderson  (second  term),  S. 
B.  Newman,  N.  O.  Westergreen  (second  term),  John  Linn,  Alfred  Anderson, 
O.  Gunderson,  H.  W.  Eklund,  Eric  Shogren,  C.  G.  Nelson,  Nels  Eagle,  A.  G. 
Johnson,  Martin  Hess,  Olof  Johnson,  H.  L.  Lindquist,  John  W.  Swenson,  and  the 
present  pastor,  Theodore  N.  Peterson,  whose  service  began  with  his  appoint- 
ment to  the  charge  in  September,  1910. 

•  This  space  has  been  given  to  the  Victoria,  Wataga  and  Galesburg  churches, 
because  they  are  Knox  county  institutions,  and  from  them,  following  the  causes 
leading  to  their  organization,  emanate  largely  the  infiuences  developing  into  a 
nation  wide  American  Swedish  Methodism  and  extending  also  into  the  three  Scan- 
dinavian countries,  Sweden,  Norway  and  Denmark.     For  thirty-one  years  after 
the  organization  of  the  first  society,  the  individual  Swedish  Methodist  churches 

':  found  their  conference  connection  within  the  boundary  of  some  English  speak- 
ing conference,  and  scarcely  thought  of  any  other  possible  arrangement,  until 
•:  at  a  free  conference  or  gathering  held  in  Oiicago  in  1866,  the  desirability  of  a 
-:    distinctively   Swedish   Methodist   conference   was   earnestly   discussed,   and   the 
advisability  of  an  appeal  to  the  general  conference  for  an  enabling  act,  to  or- 

•  ganize   such  conference,   seriously  considered,   but  no  movement   looking   to  a 
realization  of  this  advance  was  made  then,  nor  indeed,  until  a  whole  decade 
later,  when  the  general  conference  granted  the  petition  of  the  Swedish  churches 
and  preachers,  and  the  North  West  Swedish   Methodist  Episcopal  conference 
was  organized  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  in  September  1877,  «^"d  the  magnitude  of 
the  work,  and  field  covered  by  this  conference,  may  be  seen,  when  it  is  realized 
that  the  boundary  of  the  conference  extended   from  New  York  on  the  east, 
westward,   including   churches   in   New   York,    Pennsylvania,   Indiana,   Illinois, 
Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  Iowa,  Nebraska,  Kansas  and  Missouri. 

One  of  the  epoch  marking  events  in  the  advance  of  the  Swedish  Methodist 
1:  '•    .;      .     church  as  a  body,  was  the  establishment  of  its  church  organ  Sandebudet  (Mes- 
r    .;;•/,       senger)  in  1860,  in  Chicago,  a  publication  still  existing,  still  growing,  and  now 
-;...;.  as  ever  a  great  force  in  furthering  the  interests  of  Swedish  Methodism.     A  di- 
:    ';-'       ••   vinity  school  projected  in  1870,  temporarily  operated  in  Galesburg  for  two  years, 
:  '     .V    and  thereafter  permanently  located  in  Evanston,  Illinois,  greatly  conducing  to 
••-:  v:' .  the  welfare  and  advancement  of  all  of  the  societies,  is  one  of  the  early  big  things 
,  , :      .:  .  achieved  by  the  Swedish  Methodist  church  and  reflects  its  wisdom  and  foresight, 
'  ;;,.:•      for  out  of  this  school,  for  forty  years,  has  come  hei-  best  men,  supplying  her  with 

\^     '      able  editors,  professors,  preachers  and  missionaries. 

;  r^      >  •  .       From  the  foregoing,  the  discerning  reader  can  readily  trace  the  hand  of 

,..':;  providence,  in  meeting  in  an  emergency,  the  spiritual  needs  of  a  poor,  alien, 

'.':-•'•„'.  helpless  people,  and  as  easily,  too,  follow  the  same  providential  leading  in  the 

•  .  '       .       raising  up  of  men,  and  effecting  means  for  the  extension,  expansion  and  larger 

• ;'  '    -     growth  of  a  work  peculiarly  fitted  to  permanently  influence  and  mould  religious- 


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6S1  - V.  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  - 

upon  this  churcli  aiul  ministry,  evidencing  unmistakably,  faithful  and  unfalter- 
in.ij  inculcation  of  the  plain,  sound  doctrine  and  teaching  of  John  \\'esley, 
through  a  period  of  sixty-five  years  or  more.  The  ministers  who  have  served 
the  C'lalcsburg  church  are  first  the  pioneer  preachers  as  circuit  riders,  namely, 
Hedstrom.  I'>ro\vn.  Challman,  Xewberg,  Shogren,  Witting,  and  Newman,  fol- 
lowed beginning  with  1857,  by  the  stationed  preachers.  A.  J.  Anderson,  Peter 
Newberg,  Lott  Lindquist,  N.  O.  Westergreen,  A.  J.  Anderson  (second  term),  S. 
15.  Newman,  N.  O.  Westergreen  (second  term),  John  Linn,  Alfred  Anderson, 
().  (lunderson.  H.  W.  Eklund,  Eric  Shogren,  C.  G.  Nelson,  Nels  Eagle,  A.  G. 
Johnson,  Martin  Hess,  Olof  Johnson,  H.  L.  Lindquist,  John  W.  Swenson,  and  the 
present  ])astor.  Theodore  N.  Peterson,  whose  service  began  with  his  appoint- 
ment to  the  charge  in  September,  1910. 

This  sjiace  has  been  given  to  the  X'ictoria,  Wataga  and  Galesburg  churches, 
because  they  are  Knox  county  institutions,  and  from  them,  following  the  causes 
leading  to  their  organization,  emanate  largely  the  influences  developing  into  a 
nation  wide  American  Swedish  Methodism  and  extending  also  into  the  three  Scan- 
dinavian countries,  Sweden,  Norway  and  Denmark.  Eor  thirty-one  years  after 
the  organization  of  the  first  society,  the  individual  Swedish  Methodist  churches 
found  their  conference  connection  within  the  boundary  of  some  English  speak- 
ing conference,  and  scarcely  thought  of  any  other  possible  arrangement,  until 
at  a  free  conference  or  gathering  held  in  Chicago  in  1866,  the  desirability  of  a 
distinctively  Swedish  Methorlist  conference  was  earnestly  discussed,  and  the 
advisability  of  an  appeal  to  the  general  conference  for  an  enabling  act,  to  or- 
ganize such  conference,  seriously  considered,  but  no  movement  looking  to  a 
realization  of  this  advance  was  made  then,  nor  indeed,  until  a  whole  decade 
later,  when  the  general  conference  granted  the  petition  of  the  Swedish  churches 
and  preachers,  and  the  North  West  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  conference 
was  organized  in  dalesburg,  Illinois,  in  September  1877,  ''"*'  ^'^^  magnitude  of 
the  work,  and  field  covered  by  this  conference,  may  be  seen,  when  it  is  realized 
that  the  boundary  of  the  conference  extended  from  New  York  on  the  east, 
westward,  including  churches  in  New  York.  Pennsylvania,  Indiana.  Illinois, 
Wisconsin.  Minnesota,  Iowa,  Nebraska,  Kansas  and  Missouri. 

One  of  the  epoch  marking  events  in  the  advance  of  the  Swedish  Methodist 
church  as  a  l)o(ly,  was  the  establishment  of  its  church  organ  Sandebudet  (Mes- 
senger) in  1860,  in  Chicago,  a  publication  still  e.xisting,  still  growing,  and  now 
as  ever  a  great  force  in  furthering  the  interests  of  Swedish  Methodism.  A  di- 
vinity school  projected  in  1870.  temporarily  ojjcrated  in  (ialesburg  for  two  years, 
and  thereafter  permanently  located  in  Evanston,  Illinois,  greatly  conducing  to 
the  welfare  and  advancement  of  all  of  the  societies,  is  one  of  the  early  big  things 
achieved  by  the  Swedish  Methodist  church  and  reflects  its  wisdom  and  foresight, 
for  out  of  this  school,  for  forty  years,  has  come  her  best  men.  supplying  hef  with 
able  editors,  professors,  preachers  and  missionaries. 

From  the  foregoing,  the  discerning  reader  can  readily  trace  the  hand  of 
providence,  in  meeting  in  an  emergency,  the  spiritual  needs  of  a  poor,  alien, 
helpless  people,  and  as  easily,  too,  follow  the  same  providential  leading  in  the 
raising  up  of  men,  and  effecting  means  for  the  extension,  expansion  and  larger 
growth  of  a  work  peculiarly  fitted  to  permanently  influence  and  mould  religious- 


f 


II 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      V";      V          655 

ly,  thousands  upon  thousands  of  Swedes,  coming  to  America  to  make  and  build 
homes,  for  while  now,  in  this  favored  land,  we  have  large  bodies  of  Swedish 
Evangelical  Christian  churches,  other  than  the  Methodist,  some  of  which  largely 
overshadow  her  in  numerical  strength,  and  temporal  wealth,  it  remains  true,  that 
all  of  these  owe  something  to  her,  as  the  pioneer  church,  forerunner,  path- 
finder, and  advance  agent  of  success,  as  seen  from  the  view  point  of  Christian 
Swedish  churches,  and  in  this  connection  it  is  especially  pleasant  to  chronicle, 
•that  the  disposition  everywhere,  by  the  informed,  among  her  Swedish  sister 
churches  of  other  denominations,  is,  to  accord  to  her  generous  and  grateful  ac- 
knowledgment, which  she  in  turn,  gracefully,  and  with  becoming  modesty  ac- 
cepts— a  situation  which,  if  rare,  yet  at  once  is  beautiful,  and  conducive  to  genu- 
ine Christian  unity. 

In  America,  at  the  present  time,  the  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
.  has  four  conferences,  and  one  mission  conference,  namely :  Central  Swedish, 
Western  Swedish,  Northern  Swedish,  Eastern  Swedish,  and  Pacific  Swedish 
mission,  outgrowths  of  the  original  North  West  Swedish  conference,  with  an  or- 
dained and  local  ministry  numbering  three  hundred  and  ten,  and  a  total  laity 
membership  of  seventeen  thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty  four,  and  in  addition 
to  churches  and  members  shepherded  by  pastors  within  these  conferences,  also 
has  churches  and  pastors  in  the  English  Austin  and  Gulf  conferences  of  Texas 
and  Lx)uisiana,  which  added  easily  raises  the  total  Swedish  Methodist  con- 
stituency in  America  beyond  18,000,  and  to  this  figure,  to  get  the  grand 
total  of  the  numerical  strength  of  Swedish  Methodism,  is  to  be  added  also,  three 
hundred  and  four  clerical,  and  seventeen  thousand  four  hundred  and  four  laity 
members  of  the  church  in  Sweden,  a  direct  result  of  O.  G.  Hedstrom's  work  in 
the  Bethel  ship  in  New  York  harbor  and  of  Jonas  Hedstrom's  work  in  Victoria, 
making  a  combined  Swedish  Methodist  membership  in  Sweden  and  America, 
of  seven  hundred  and  four  preachers,  and  approximately  thirty-six  thousand 
laymen.  Nor  is  the  harvest  reaped  through  the  agency  of  the  Swedish  Metho- 
dist church,  with  the  Hedstrom  brothers  as  its  founders,  limited  to  the  confines 
of  America  and  Sweden,  for  out  of  it  too  has  grown  the  separate  Norwegian 
and  Danish  Methodist  work  in  America,  Norway  and  Denmark,  and  Methodist 
Episcopal  work  in  Finland,  and  Saint  Petersburg,  Russia. 

Of  the  denominational  enterprises  and  interests  projected  by  the  Swedish 
Methodist  church,  are  to  be  enumerated  the  Theological  seminary  at  Evanston, 
Illinois,  with  buildings  valued  at  sixty-five  thousand  dollars,  and  an  endowment 
of  forty  thousand  dollars.  The  Theological  school  of  Sweden  at  Upsala  having 
a  building  worth  four  thousand  dollars  and  an  endowment  of  twenty-two  thou- 
sand dollars  in  American  money — a  Swedish  general  college  and  educational  in- 
stitution at  Austin,  Texas — Bethany  Home  at  Ravenswood,  Illinois,  for  aged 
indigent  people,  with  property  valued  at  forty-five  thousand  dollars,  and  an  en- 
dowment of  thirty-seven  thousand,  a  similar  home,  recently  launched  at  Clay 
Center,  Kansas,  and  yet  another  more  lately  projected  in  the  Eastern  Swedish 
conference.  A  fiourishing  paying  book-publishing  concern  in  Chicago,  and  one 
in  Sweden.  Susanna  Wesley  home  for  homeless  Swedish  girls  in  Chicago, 
Sandebudet,  organ  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  church  in  America;  Epworth 
Klockan,  the  young  people's  paper;  Sondags-Skol  Baneret,  the  Sunday  school 


656          ..      ;    r          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  • 

publication,  and  Lilla  Sandebudet,  the  organ  of  the  church  in  Sweden,  and  ad-  •:••.• 
ditional  to  these  are  a  church  fire  insurance  company,  a  ministerial   life   as- 
surance  company,  and  the  Swedish  Methodist  Aid  association  now  in  its  thirty- 
fourth  year,  solvent,  sound  and  secure  as  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar,  meriting  and 
enjoying  universal  confidence.         ..•-.. 

That  the  indomitable  spirit  of  conquest  characteristic  of  John  Wesley,  founder 
of  Methodism,  has  been  bequeathed  in  rich  measure  to  the  Swedish  Methodist 
church,  is  self  evident,  for,  like  him,  it  too  deems  the  world  to  be  its  parish —  . 
and  therefore,  the  harbor  of  New  York  with  its  hundreds  of  thousands  of  on-.   •; 
coming  Scandinavians,  or  the  fertile  plains  of  Illinois,  the  great  pioneer  west*,  v- . 
northwest,  southwest,  and   Pacific  states,   the  teeming  cities  of  New  England,,   -'r. 
nor  Sweden,  Finland  or  St.  Petersburg,  though  generously  yielding  to  the  ap- 
peal of  her  noble  ambassadors  of  the  cross,  have  been  able  to  contain  her,  and 
so  today,   in  the  sunrise  or  hermit  kingdom.   Doctor   Garfield  Anderson   and 
Sister  Naomi,  worthy  son  and  daughter  of  a  worthy  sire,  the  Reverend  Alfred 
Anderson,   first   student  and  graduate  of   the   Swedish   Methodist   Theological 
seminary  while  located  in  Galesburg,  now  permanently  established  in  Evanston, 
are  preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  of  Methodism,  in  Wonju,  Korea,  and 
projecting  and   establishing   a    Swedish   Methodist   memorial   hospital   in   that        . 
city,  making  Swedish  Methodism  synonymous  with  world  wide  Methodism,  for, 
from  the  rising  to  the  setting  of  the  sun,  in  a  circle  of  ten  thousand  miles,  her 
preachers  and  missionaries  may  now  be  found  and  the  proofs  of  her  beneficent 
ministry  seen.  ''••  • 

Concerning  the  polity  and  teaching  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  church  but 
little,  perhaps,  if  anything,  need  be  said  in  this  article,  for  these  are  identical 
with  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  the  Swedish  Methodist 
church  is  an  integral  part,  and  are  well  known.  In  government  it  is  Episcopal, 
in  form  of  worship  ritualistic,  in  belief  Armenian,  and  in  method  and  manner 
of  work  Evangelistic.  Its  law-making  body  is  the  general  conference,  which 
meets  once  in  a  quadrennium,  and  is  composed  of  the  bishops,  as  presiding 
officers,  and  of  an  equal  number  of  clerical  and  lay  delegates,  representative  of  . 
the  whole  church.  - 

The  annual  conference,  a  body  corporate  of  the  ministers  within  a  given 
conference  boundary,  of  which,  at  the  time  of  the  last  general  conference,  in 
1908,  there  were  132,  has  the  temporal  and  spiritual  supervision  of  the  churches 
within  its  boundary.  The  quarterly  conference  is  the  authorized  business  body 
of  the  local  church,  confirming  acts  of  pastors,  officials  and  committees,  approv-  r  ; 
ing  and  directing  expenditures,  and  apportioning  benevolences.  ^  .  .•;:,'  . 

So  faithful  to  the  belief  and  teaching  of  the  founder  of  the  Methodist  church        v 
are  the  pastors  and  churches  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  church  of  today  that 
everywhere,  in  all  of  their  societies,  now  as  in  the  days  of  the  Hedstroms,  or  of 
the  Wesleys  and  their  co-workers,  one  may  hear  in  sermon  and  exhortation  the 
doctrine  of  the  fall  of  man,  conditional  election,  atonement  and  possible  uni-    -  .; . 
versal  redemption,  salvation  by  grace,  the  danger  of  resisting  grace,  and  pos- 
sibility  of  falling  from  grace,  while  justification,  the  new  birth  and  holiness  or 
sanctification,  are  proclaimed  as  the  necessity  and  privilege,  of  all  men  in  Christ        : 
Jesus.        v\-    ::.-'•.'•     ;     ':;,   '-'•''•••:•'•:--''••''.: '::V--;:-:':::.''-  ::\'--:': 


::;.;:    V  :;.        f;;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^  ^   .    -.-/.        657 
:^:  -i;:;-         BAPTIST  CHURCH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY      ^^':  ;v:  , 

'•v^-.';''C^>' ','.''-•'''-;:'•':.•.  BY  E.   R.   DRAKE  -^    '-.  .;:-:i^'':^'^-:^'.'y:\ 

I  am  asked  to  tell,  in  a  few  words,  what  the  Baptist  denomination  stands 
for,  what  it  has  contributed  to  the  cause  of  religion,  and  to  human  welfare,  and 
to  give  a  short  history  of  the  Baptists  of  Knox  county. 

Prior  to  the  German  reformation,  the  expression  of  Christianity  in  de- 
nominationalism  was  very  limited,  but  with  the  right  of  private  judgment  and 
freedom  from  ecclesiastical  superiors,  there  arose  a  great  variety  of  opinion  in 
the  interpretation  of  the  New  Testament  and  so  modern  denominationalism  was 
the  outgrowth,  consequently,  as  a  religious  sect,  the  Baptists  cannot  claim  a  direct 
succession  from  apostolic  times,  but  they  do  claim  a  spiritual  succession,  for 
the  truths  they  have  fostered  and  taught  have  always  been  held  and  practiced 
by  followers  of  the  Christ,  though  under  various  names. 

While  these  truths  have, -in  part,  been  upheld  by  other  sects,  it  remains  an 
historical  fact  that  the  Baptists  throughout  their  entire  history,  have  consistently 
stood  for  practically  the  same  doctrines  that  they  hold  today.  From  the  earliest 
times,  the  Baptists  have  stood  for  the  principle  that  religion  is  a  personal  matter 
between  soul  and  God  and  so  from  this  fundamental  truth  there  has  been  evolved 
the  statement  which,  probably  more  clearly  and  completely  than  any  other  ex- 
pression, states  the  Baptist  position,  which  they  have  always  upheld,  the  doctrine 
of  the  soul's  competency  in  religious  matters  under  God,  and  this  doctrine  was 
a  distinctive  Baptist  contribution  to  the  world's  thought. 

The  Biblical  significance  of  the  soul's  competency  is  the  right  of  the  individual 
to  the  interpretation  of  and  obedience  to  the  scriptures,  which  alone  are  ac- 
cepted as  the  rule  of  faith  and  life.  This  doctrine  in  relation  to  the  individual 
means  soul  freedom,  or  the  liberty  of  conscience.  ,.- 

Bancroft,  the  historian,  says,  regarding  Roger  Williams,  the  founder  of  the 
First  Baptist  church  in  America,  and  also  founder  of  the  first  commonwealth 
(Rhode  Island  colony),  in  all  history  that  exemplified  the  entire  and  absolute 
separation  of  religious  and  civil  affairs  that  "He  (Williams),  the  the  first  person 
in  modern  Christendom  to  assert  in  its  plenitude  the  doctrine  of  the  liberty  of 
conscience  and  the  equality  of  opinion  before  the  law.  Williams  would  permit 
persecutions  of  no  opinion  of  religion,  leaving  heresy  unharmed  by  law  and 
orthodoxy  unprotected  by  the  terrors  of  penal  laws.  Freedom  of  conscience, 
unlimited  freedom  of  mind  was,  from  the  first,  the  trophy  of  the  Baptists." 

The  ecclesiastical*  significance  of  this  great  doctrine  of  the  competency  of 
the  soul  is,  the  equality  of  believers  and  a  regenerate  membership,  or  a  mem- 
bership where  each  individual  for  himself,  having  received  an  experience  of 
divine  truth,  has  surrendered  himself  to  Jesus  Christ  as  savior  and  Lord. 

Perhaps  more  than  all  other  doctrines,  this  has  been  the  cause  of  controversy, 
strife,  persecution  and  martyrdom  of  thousands  in  many  lands,  under  many 
names  through  centuries  of  intolerance  and  oppression. 

The  Pedo-Baptists,  as  the  established  church  under  various  names  was  gen- 
erally called,  standing  for  the  efficacy  of  infant  baptism  and  sharing  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  civil  governments;  while  the  Ana-Baptists,  or  Re-Baptizers, 
stood  for  the  baptism  of  believers  only,  using  the  scriptural  mode  of  immersion. 

Vol.    1—42 


658  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^i 

and  always  contending  for  the  entire  separation  of  the  church  from  all  civil  mat- 
ters. 

A  Baptist  church  is  a  simple  democracy  where  each  member  has  a  voice  and 
ihe  majority  rule.  Each  church  is  a  unit  recognizing  no  higher  ecclesiastical  au- 
thority than  itself,  and  these  churches  are  banded  together  solely  for  the  purpose 
of  unifying  and  strengfthening  denominational  interests  and  promoting  its  great 
missionary  undertakings,  which  have  been  signally  blessed  throughout  the  world. 

And  lastly,  the  significance  of  this  paramount  doctrine  of  the  soul's  com- 
petency, politically,  is  the  entire  separation  of  church  and  state;  while  other  de- 
nominations have  shared  with  the  Baptists  in  the  promulgation  of  many  phases  of 
religious  truth,  to  them  belong  the  credit  of  holding  the  unique  position  of  al- 
ways and  everywhere  advocating  this  great  principle  of  the  total  separation  of 
all  religious  from  civil  affairs,  which  they  claim  as  the  very  foundation  of  a 
pure  church  and  a  stable  government.  '  .- 

Very  significant,  indeed,  in  all  Baptist  history  has  been  their  love  of  liberty. 
In  the  dark  centuries  preceding  the  reformation  and  afterwards;  in  Germany, 
in  Switzerland,  in  France,  in  Sweden  and  in  England;  in  Cromwell's  army  on 
land  and  on  sea  are  found  the  liberty  loving  baptists.  How  very  significant  also 
was  the  part  they  had  in  the  great  struggle  for  religious  and  civil  liberty  on 
this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  which  resulted  in  the  formation  of  this  union  of  states, 
the  first  government  among  men  where  all  are  guaranteed  freedom  of  worship 
and  equality  before  the  law. 

Of  deep  interest  in  that  early  struggle  for  independence  was  the  convention 
called  by  the  Baptist  churches  of  the  colony  of  Virginia,  more  than  sixty  in  number 
who  met  in  Dover  May,  1775,  and  adopted  a  petition  asking  for  full  religious 
liberty,  which  petition  was  presented  to  that  memorable  convention  called  in  1775 
by  the  colonies,  "to  consider  the  state  of  the  county."  A  committee  composed 
of  Jeremiah  Waller,  John  Williams  and  George  Roberts  presented  this  petition 
to  the  convention  of  delegates  representing  the  colonies  and  enlisted  as  cham- 
pions of  the  measure  such  leaders  as  Thos.  Jefferson,  James  Madison  and  Patrick 
Henry. 

The  constitution  of  the  United  States  adopted  in  September,  1787,  provides: 
"No  religious  test  shall  ever  be  required  as  a  qualification  to  any  office  or  public 
trust  in  the  United  States."  The  Baptists  were  not  satisfied  with  this  declara- 
tion and  again  called  a  meeting  of  the  churches  of  Virginia  in  March,  1788. 
This  movement,  in  which  the  Presbyterians  joined,  resulted  in  the  first  amend- 
ment to  the  constitution,  which  reads :  "Congress  shall  make  no  law  respecting 
an  establishment  of  religion  or  prohibiting  the  free  exercise  thereof  or  abridging 
the  freedom  of  speech  or  of  the  press  or  the  right  of  the  people  to  assemble  and 
to  petition  the  government  for  redress  of  grievances." 

And  thus  was  incorporated  into  the  organic  law  of  the  land  the  old  Baptist 
doctrine  of  soul  liberty,  and  the  world  for  the  first  time  in  all  its  history  saw  a 
great  nation  where  men  were  free  to  worship  God  in  their  own  way,  with  no 
one  to  molest  or  make  afraid. 

The  earliest  Baptist  preacher  in  Knox  county  was  probably  Elder  John  Lo- 
gan, who  organized  the  church  in  Knoxville  and  in  other  nearby  settlements  in 
Stark,  Fulton,  Warren  and  other  counties  in  the  early  '3os.  Elder  Stickney 
was  another  pioneer  preacher  in  this  county  and  was  the  first  resident  pastor 
of  the  Galesburg  church,  as  will  be  shown  later  in  this  paper. 


':!;;-;>::i;:',;v/:;-  ;•  J     HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  /^^    ;   ;::;:.;     659 

.;;;:?:••''•-'.;."  THE   FIRST   BAPTIST   CHURCH,   GALESBURG  ••         . " 

:'  In  1837  the  first  colony  came  to  this  place  from  the  east  to  establish  a  col- 
lege. It  was  at  the  time  when  our  great  state  was  just  emerging  from  a  wilder- 
ness of  prairies.  Springfield  had  just  been  made  the  capital.  It  was  the  year 
when  the  murder  of  Elijah  Lovejoy,  the  state's  first  martyr  to  the  cause  of 
slavery,  so  agitated  the  people.  The  first  railroad  was  in  process  of  construc- 
tion, but  it  was  the  prairie  schooner  that  brought  the  ever-increasing  immigra- 
tion into  the  state. 

These  good  people  of  the  first  colony  founded  the  college,  the  third  in  the 
state,  and  around  it  grew  up  the  village,  later  the  city,  of  Galesburg.  Even 
among  the  very  earliest  settlers  there  was  here  and  there  a  Baptist. 

But  it  was  ten  years  later  that  a  few  Baptists  commenced  holding  meetings 
alternately  between  Knoxville  and  Galesburg.  One  of  the  first  meetings  was 
held  at  the  home  of  Geo.  W.  Crandall,  which  was  located  on  West  Main  street. 
This  house  is  still  standing  and  is  now  known  as  the  Roberts'  homestead. 

.\mong  the  items  of  interest  recorded  we  note  this:  After  renewing  the 
covenant  they  appointed  "Deacon  March  a  committee  to  see  Brother  Barker  for 
not  coming  to  meeting."  (Good  old  days,  when  the  deacons  looked  after  the 
derelict  members.)  They  adjourned  after  voting  to  meet  in  Knoxville  in  four 
weeks  to  consider  about  building  a  meetinghouse.  . 

At  the  Knoxville  meeting  it  was  voted  to  change  the  name  and  location  of 
the  church  and  call  it  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Galesburg,  and  so  this  meeting, 
held  January  15,  1848,  marks  our  beginning  as  an  organization,  and  on  the  I5th 
day  of  January,  1912,  the  church  passed  its  sixty-fourth  milestone.  At  this  same 
meeting  it  was  decided  that  the  time  had  come  to  build  a  meetinghouse  at  Gales- 
burg. Trustees  were  elected  and  a  building  committee  appointed.  The  first 
pastor  of  the  church  was  the  pioneer  worker  and  missionary.  Elder  Stickney, 
who  received  the  munificent  salary  of  $200  per  year  and  was  paid  in  part  by 
the  church  and  in  part  of  the  Home  Missionary  society.  In  the  spring  of  1848 
we  find  that  delegates  were  appointed  to  the  "Ottawd  association,"  and  we  are 
reminded  that  it  was  the  beginning  and  early  days  for  the  Baptist  cause  in  the 
state.  The  associations  were  fewer  and  covered  a  greater  extent  of  territory. 
We  get  a  glimpse  into  the  spiritual  life  of  the  little  church  from  this  record: 
"July  I,  1848,  covenant  meeting.  Prayer  by  Elder  Stickney.  After  reading  the 
covenant  all  the  brothers  and  sisters  spoke,  eighteen  in  all,  and  the  blessed  Jesus 
was  in  our  midst." 

Elder  Gross  was  the  second  pastor.  He  also  received  a  salary  of  $200  per 
year,  payable  quarterly,  the  church  having  the  right  to  furnish  such  things  as  he 
might  need  for  his  family  at  market  price  in  Galesburg  in  payment  thereof. 

The  meetings  during  this  time  were  held  in  a  district  schoolhouse,  situated 
on  Ferris  street,  east  of  Broad.  Another  meeting  place  was  in  the  upper  part 
of  the  old  brick  wagon  shop  on  West  Main  street,  between  West  and  Academy 
streets.  Cedar  Fork  (of  local  fame)  furnished  a  baptistry,  and  many  baptisms 
took  place  about  where  the  Santa  Fe  passenger  depot  now  stands.  By  May  4, 
1850,  the  membership  had  grown  to  80.  A  site  was  finally  secured  on  the  corner 
of  Broad  and  Tompkins  streets  and  the  first  meetinghouse  begun  July  i,  1850.  It 
was  not  completed  and  dedicated  until  June  8,  1852.  It  was  the  first  Baptist 


660  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  o^ 

meetinghouse  in  Knox  county  and  was  a  well-built  structure  32  feet  by  45  feet, 
with  i8-foot  posts,  and  cost  about  $2,500. 

With  the  new  meetinghouse  came  a  time  of  rapid  growth,  and  the  church 
received  large  accessions.  At  the  first  meeting  in  the  new  house  it  was  re- 
solved, "That  we  do  something  to  start  a  Sunday  school." 

In  October,  1855,  Rev.  Silas  Tucker  became  pastor  of  the  church.  His  was 
a  marked  pastorate.  He  was  a  capable,  bright  preacher,  and  the  house  was  soon 
filled  to  overflowing.  An  effort  was  made  to  enlarge  the  house,  and  a  commit- 
tee  appointed  to  carry  out  this  plan.  At  no  time  had  so  many  accessions  been 
made  to  the  church.  There  seemed  to  be  a  spirit  of  constant  revival.  The 
Sunday  school  also  prospered.  In  the  financial  reports  for  1856  we  find  the  re- 
ceipts  to  have  been  $1,362.95  and  the  expenditures  $1,342.06;  no  deficit  there. 
A  resolution  of  gratitude  follows,  and  the  pastor's  salary  was  raised  from  $800 

to    $I,OOO. 

An  interesting  bit  of  history  in  the  late  fifties  was  the  coming  of  a  Swedish 
Baptist  minister  telling  of  the  persecution  and  imprisonment  of  his  brethren  in 
his  native  land.  The  story  so  impressed  C.  M.  Carr  that  he  insisted  on  taking 
this  man  to  the  meeting  of  the  Illinois  River  association,  which  was  held  that 
year  at  Tremont,  Tazewell  county.  A  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  association 
and  sent  to  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  then  United  States  senator  from  Illinois  (whose 
wife  was  a  Baptist)  and  who  gave  the  land  for  the  first  university  of  Qiicago, 
requesting  him  to  use  his  influence  with  President  Buchanan  to  intercede  for  this 
people.  This  was  done  through  our  ambassador  at  Stockholm  and  resulted  in 
a  great  step  forward  in  the  progress  of  religious  liberty  in  that  country.  ";;  v" 

In  the  spring  of  1858  clouds  gathered  and  the  sky  was  darkened.  Paul  found 
it  necessary  in  writing  to  the  church  at  Corinth  to  say:  "I  beseech  you,  brethren, 
by  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  there  be  no  divisions  among  you." 
And  from  that  day  on  nearly  every  church  has  need  at  some  time  of  that  same 
appeal.  We  are  told  that  one  of  the  first  points  of  difference  was  whether  it 
were  wise  to  accept  the  gift  of  a  library  from  an  eastern  Sunday  school,  a  con- 
tribution of  children.  Some  thought  it  ought  to  be  received,  while  others  felt 
that  we  were  well  able  to  provide  for  our  own  needs  and  it  should  be  sent  where 
they  were  really  poor.  It  was  a  trifling  matter,  but  the  principle  at  stake  was 
an  important  one.  Then  they  were  divided  on  the  question  of  enlarging.  Some 
thought  the  church  was  large  enough  and  did  not  want  to  go  in  debt.  Others 
wanted  to  go  ahead,  to  keep  abreast  of  the  spirit  of  the  times  and  of  the  town, 
and  enlarge  the  house.  Pastor  Tucker  thought  the  small  room  was  injuring  his 
voice  and  a  large  room  would  be  easier  to  speak  in.  Mole  hills  grew  into  moun- 
tains, until  finally  there  was  a  division.  May  i,  1859,  forty-one  were  dismissed 
by  letter  to  form  a  new  church.  At  the  same  meeting  ten  were  received  for  bap- 
tism, and  at  the  communion  service  next  day  it  is  recorded  that  a  larger  number 
were  present  than  ever  before.  >,?•.-';  -  '  \  1  "^  ''x^  •- 

The  work  of  enlarging  the  church  was  undertaken  and  completed  in  Septem- 
ber, 1858.  By  this  addition  the  seating  capacity  of  the  church  was  nearly  doubled. 

We  find  the  first  meeting  of  a  choir  in  a  resolution  passed  on  February  13, 
1859,  to  the  effect  "that  the  church  have  choir  singing  and  employ  someone  to 
play  the  melodeon."  The  first  leader  of  the  choir  was  Jos.  Bristol.  On  the  first 
Sunday  in  April,  1859,  Elder  Tucker  closed  his  pastorate  and  for  some  time  the 


•;';-;.\:;^.^  v:.v\v  .;V    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    -  /         >;/:        661 

church  was  pastorless.  Then  we  have  in  rapid  succession  the  names  of  Eastes, 
Daniels,  Johnson,  Green  and  Northorp.  These  pastorates  were  short,  but  we 
cannot  tell  as  to  the  degree  of  sweetness.  September  i,  1864,  Rev.  W.  W.  Moore 
was  settled  upon  a  salary  of  $550  and  a  donation.  (Oh  the  bliss  of  those  dona- 
tions. What  joy  the  preachers'  children  are  deprived  of  in  this  day.  Santa 
Claus  and  Christmas  are  nowhere!) 

In  regard  to  the  forty-one  who  were  dismissed,  they  held  a  number  of  meet- 
ings at  the  residence  of  Timothy  Walker,  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square, 
and  a  few  days  after  their  dismissal  some  fifteen  of  them  effected  an  organiza- 
tion. Many  names  among  the  fifteen  are  familiar  to  many  of  us :  Kingsberry, 
Leach,  Moulton,  Horton,  Bates,  Ferris,  Drake,  Clark.  S.  A.  Kingsberry,  brother 
of  our  late  Deacon  Kingsberry,  became  pastor  of  the  new  church.  During  the 
summer  of  1859  the  Cherry  street  church  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$2,500.  -••j-\.  .  ;•';;:•;. ^-v^'-v.;- 

This  building  still  stands  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Cherry  and  South  streets 
and  is  now  occupied  by  our  colored  Baptist  brethren.  Mr.  Kingsberry  was 
greatly  beloved  and  his  preaching  thoroughly  enjoyed ;  but  when  the  rebellion 
broke  out  in  i86i  he  resigned  and  went  into  the  army  as  chaplain. 

Rev.  Isaac  Fargo  was  next  called  to  the  pastorate  and  remained  with  the 
church  until  through  his  wise  efforts  the  two  churches  were  reunited  in  Novem- 
ber, 1864.  So  the  Cherry  Street  church  had  but  these  two  pastors,  Kingsberry 
and  Fargo.  While  both  have  passed  tc  the  great  beyond,  yet  their  lives  still 
live,  for  they  were  ideal  men  and  have  left  to  us  a  blessed  memory. 

From,  the  very  start  of  his  pastorate,  which  began  June,  1862,  Mr.  Fargo 
felt  that  it  was  a  mistake  to  have  two  churches  and  so  directed  his  efforts  toward 
a  union.  The  winter  following  his  settlement  the  church  enjoyed  a  gracious  re- 
vival, some  fifty  uniting.  The  time  was  opportune  for  carrying  out  his  earnest 
desire,  for  all  hearts  were  united  in  their  great  anxiety  for  the  nation's  safety. 
There  came  a  time  in  the  early  part  of  1863,  which  was  the  darkest  time  in  our 
civil  war,  that  congress  set  apart  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  for  the  success 
of  our  armies.  At  Mr.  Fargo's  suggestion  the  Cherry  Street  church  invited  the 
First  church  to  unite  with  them  in  this  solemn  observance.  The  meeting,  which 
took  place  in  the  old  First  church  and  was  led  by  Mr.  Fargo,  lasted  three  hours. 
And  as  they  prayed  together  in  the  great  common  cause  their  hearts  were  drawn 
closer  and  the  very  next  day  steps  toward  a  union  were  taken.  In  his  unselfish 
interest  Mr.  Fargo  resigned,  not  wishing  in  any  way  to  stand  in  the  way  of  a 
union  that  should  be  genuine  and  equal.  I  cannot  go  into  full  details,  but  only 
say  that  through  this  good  pastor's  efforts  the  union  was  consummated.  There 
was  only  one  hitch  in  the  progress  of  affairs,  and  that  nearly  proved  fatal.  Be- 
fore the  first  steps  toward  a  union  had  been  taken  Rev.  Moore  had  been  called 
to  the  First  church,  and  when  he  came  advocated  the  maintenance  of  the  two 
churches,  and  for  several  weeks  the  union  was  postponed.  But  he  saw  his  mis- 
take and  negotiations  were  reopened  and  brought  to  a  harmonious  close  Novem- 
ber 6,  1864.  On  the  first  Sabbath  in  November  the  union  was  celebrated  in  the 
First  Baptist  church.  Mr.  Moore  officiated.  The  next  evening  Mr.  Fargo  pre- 
sided at  the  business  meeting.  As  Brother  Fargo  had  accepted  a  call  elsewhere, 
Brother  Moore  was  settled  as  pastor  over  the  church.  J.  P.  Bates  was  chosen 
clerk.  The  deacons  were  C.  Leach,  Jr.,  and  E.  Ray  from  the  Cherry  Street 
church;  Jno.  Purdy  and  C.  A.  Hincklev  from  the  First  church.  '.  -. 


662  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

The  building  and  lot  on  Broad  street  were  sold  to  the  city  and  passed  into 
the  hands  of  the  board  of  education,  and  to-day  upon  that  site  stands  our  beauti- 
ful high  school  building.  In  the  transaction  the  church  received  the  present  lot. 
In  May,  1865,  W.  D.  Clark  was  called  as  pastor  and  began  his  labors  in  June. 
Now  all  the  energies  of  both  pastor  and  people  were  turned  toward  the  erection 
of  a  new  church.  The  Cherry  Street  church  soon  became  too  small  to  hold  the 
congregation  and  it  was  decided  to  use  Caledonia  hall,  the  leading  public  hall  of 
the  city  at  that  time.  In  the  winter  of  1866  a  great  revival  swept  over  the  city ; 
the  churches  united  and  the  pastors,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  carried  forward  the 
work  without  help,  preaching  in  turn  every  night.  There  was  Dr.  Beecher,  Dr. 
Perkins,  Dr.  Duffield  and  others,  including  the  pastor.  And  the  Christian  people 
went  by  twos  into  all  the  homes  and  carried  the  message.  It  was  the  greatest 
revival  up  to  that  time  in  the  history  of  the  church,  and  at  one  time  the  hand 
of  fellowship  was  given  to  75. 

The  great  revival  did  not  detract,  but  rather  added  zest  to  the  plans  for  build- 
ing a  new  house,  and  in  1866  plans  were  agreed  upon  by  the  church  and  the  new 
house  of  worship  begun.  When  completed  it  was  a  beautiful  structure  and  stood 
for  many  years  at  the  head  of  church  architecture  in  this  city.  It  cost  $30,000, 
a  sum  very  much  larger  than  was  expected,  and  entailed  upon  the  church  a  debt 
which  was  not  lifted  for  some  years. 

Pastor  Clark  closed  his  labors  here  January  12,  1868,  and  left  the  church 
larger  and  stronger  than  ever.  Many  of  the  most  influential  members  the  church 
has  had  came  in  during  his  pastorate.  The  congregations  were  the  largest  thus 
far  in  the  history  of  the  church. 

In  February,  1868,  J.  H.  Griffith  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  church,  and 
on  April  9,  1868,  the  edifice  was  dedicated,  the  pastor  preaching  the  sermon.  It 
was  a  very  impressive  sermon  and  is  still  remembered  by  many.  Rev.  I.  Fargo 
preached  in  the  evening.  It  was  a  great  day  for  the  church  and  marked  a  great 
advancement  Qf  the  Baptist  interest  in  this  city.  A  new  house  of  worship,  a 
strong  pastor  and  a  strong  church  membership  all  foretold  the  progress  which 
was  made  during  the  pastorate  of  this  really  eminent  preacher  and  pastor. 

The  amount  subscribed  on  the  day  of  dedication  was  sufficient  to  pay  all 
claims,  had  the  pledges  all  been  paid,  but  they  were  not.  With  arrearages  on 
current  expenses  each  year  and  lo  per  cent  interest  paid  on  borrowed  money, 
the  church  found  itself  greatly  burdened.  When  Dr.  Wm.  M.  Haigh  was  settled 
as  pastor,  October,  1873,  the  church  was  in  a  financial  strait.  But  by  a  most 
heroic  effort  of  pastor  and  people  the  burden  of  indebtedness  was  lifted.  Too 
much  praise  cannot  be  given  Wm.  M.  Haigh  for  his  wise  leadership  and  busi- 
ness administration  of  affairs  during  those  years.  At  the  close  of  his  pastorate, 
August,  1877,  the  debt  with  accumulated  interest  was  all  paid  but  about  $2,000, 
and  it  had  taken  nearly  $14,000  to  accomplish  this.  At  that  time  the  church 
had  340  members. 

W.  H.  H.  Templeton  was  the  next  pastor,  and  following  him  Rev.  J.  W.  T. 
Booth,  who  served  the  church  from  March,  1878,  until  September,  1880.  He 
was  a  preacher  of  much  ability  and  has  filled  a  number  of  important  pulpits  in 
the  east  since  his  removal  from  Galesburg. 

There  are  those  whom  we  love  to  honor,  and  as  I  come  to  name  the  next 
pastor,  I  am  sure  that  a  thrill  of  gratitude  and  love  will  fill  many  hearts.  O. 


:;:C:.;  :::-;:.:-       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :^;''  088 

A.  Williams  came  to  the  church  April,  i88i,  and  remained  its  pastor  till  No- 
vember I,  1886.  We  would  write  over  this  pastorate  in  large  letters:  "Spiritual 
enlargement,"  Dr.  Williams  won  for  himself  by  his  kind,  friendly,  Christian 
spirit  the  confidence  and  affection  of  the  whole  community. 

During  his  pastorate  i8o  were  baptized,  and  the  membership  reached  the 
highest  point  in  its  history,  437. 

After  Mr.  Williams  left,  the  church  was  without  a  pastor  about  one  and  a 
half  years,  but  work  did  not  stop,  "the  Baptists  go  right  on  just  the  same, 
whether  they  have  a  pastor  or  not." 

;  J.  B.  Woodland  came  to  the  pastorate  in  May,  1888,  from  Nova  Scotia.  This 
was  his  first  pastorate  in  the  United  States.  He  was  a  man  of  deep  sympathy 
and  an  eloquent  preacher.  Thirty  were  baptized  during  his  pastorate,  which 
closed  November  i,  1889. 

Our  next  pastor,  O.  W.  Van  Osdel,  came  to  us  in  January,  1890.  His 
pastorate  was  the  longest  in  the  history  of  tlie  church,  extending  over  nearly 
six  years.  The  most  of  you  know  how  much  of  success  and  adversity,  heart- 
ache and  rejoicing  were  crowded  into  those  six  years.  During  the  first  year 
came  the  purchase  of  our  pipe  organ.  It  was  made  possible  by  an  offer  made 
by  our  late  sister,  Mary  C.  Ferris,  to  give  a  generous  sum  toward  its  purchase. 
It  was  a  fine  instrument,  and  was  dedicated  in  November,  1891.  Our  present 
instrument  was  purchased  to  take  its  place,  and  stands  as  a  memorial  of  one 
who  for  more  than  fifty  years  was  a  faithful  member  and  worker  in  this 
church.  During  the  year  of  1892,  the  church  building  was  thoroughly  re- 
paired, outside  and  in,  and  preparations  were  about  completed  for  a  great  mis- 
sionary conference,  which  was  to  be  held  in  the  church,  when,  without  a 
moment's  warning,  the  flames  burst  forth  and  soon  our  beautiful  church,  doubly 
dear  to  us  because  of  its  memories,  lay  in  ashes  at  our  feet.  Will  we  ever 
forget  the  sight,  as  the  fire  crept  higher  and  higher  until  that  tall  spire  was 
enveloped  in  flames  that  seemed  to  scorch  our  very  heart  strings.  The  fire  oc- 
curred on  Monday  at  5:45,  December  19,  1892.  That  same  evening  a  meeting 
was  held  at  the  home  of  S.  H.  McOmber,  and  it  was  fine  to  see  the  undaunted 
spirit  of  courage  and  pluck  that  was  shown  by  the  pastor  and  those  men,  the 
officers  of  the  church. 

Before  the  embers  had  died  out  they  were  planning  for  this  new  church, 
which  was  to  rise  from  the  ashes  of  the  old.  Nothing  stopped.  The  Sunday 
services  were  held  in  the  circuit  court  room,  and  prayer  meeting  in  Miss  Strong's 
kindergarten  school  building.  The  cornerstone  of  the  new  house  was  laid 
June  15th,  and  the  first  service,  a  prayer  meeting,  held  December  6th,  and  the 
formal  opening  January  21,  1894. 

The  total  cost  of  the  building  and  furniture  was  $33,834,  of  which  amount 
$9,209  remained  unpaid  at  the  time  of  opening.  What  joy  it  was  again  .to  have 
a  church  home.  Following  the  opening  came  a  series  of  meetings  in  which 
many  were  brought  to  Christ.  At  the  close  of  the  meetings  115  members  were 
received  at  one  communion  service. 

September  29,  1895,  Pastor  Van  Osdel  resigned,  after  these  six  years  of 
earnest,  faithful  work.  For  five  months  after  Dr.  Van  Osdel  left,  the  church 
was  without  a  pastor,  but  we  were  simply  waiting,  quietly  and  patiently,  for 
the  man  we  wanted,  keeping  in  mind  the  adage,  "all  things  come  to  him  that 


:  664  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

^  waits."  And  our  patience  was  amply  rewarded,  for  on  March  20,  1896,  Dr.  W. 
H.  Geistweit  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  this  church.  Soon  our  house 
was  filled  to  overflowing.  The  Sabbath  evening  congregations  taxed  the  seat- 

:    ing  capacity  of  our  large  house  to  its  utmost.     Our  mid-week  meetings  were 

?  large  and  filled  with  a  lively,  blessed  enthusiasm.  Never  was  a  pastor  better 
loved,  and  never  did  a  pastor  more  earnestly  strive  to  lead  his  people  to  higher 
ideals  of  Christian  living.  But  I  am  dealing  with  very  recent  history.  During 

';   this  pastorate  we  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  church.     But  we 

were  to  keep  our  pastor  only  three  years;  during  which  time  about  loo  were 

.      received  into  the  church,  seventy  by  Baptism.     Then  Chicago,  ever  ready  to 

.  •    take  the  best,  reached  out  her  hand  and  he  was  gone.  We  accepted  his  resignation 

.,    because  he  told  us  to. 

>  We  did  not  wait  long  for  our  next  pastor.  On  March  8,  1899,  by  a  unani- 
mous vote.  Dr.  T.  G.  Soares  was  called  to  the  pastorate.  He  came  to  us  on 
the  first  Sunday  in  April,  as  did  his  predecessor.  He  found  the  church  laboring 

'  over  the  debt  question,  and  soon  after  his  coming  the  debt  was  bonded,  thus 
reducing  the  interest  considerably.  The  mission  school,  now  called  Cameron 

•  chapel,  was  some  of  the  fruitage  resulting  from  this  pastor's  earnest  labors.   But 
we  were  not  to  enjoy  in  peace  for  long  our  scholarly  preacher,  of  whom  the 

,   church   had   become   very    fond   and   proud.     Once   more   that   rapacious    city 
!     stretched  forth  her  hand,  and  our  paster  was  no  more,  for  he  had  been  called 
up  to  Chicago.     He  had  been  with  us  three  years,  and  during  that  time,  one 
•'•    hundred  were  added  to  the  church.         .   ' 

July  12,  1902,  Rev.  J.  Y.  Aitchison  was  called  to  be  our  pastor.    The  $9,000 

debt    on   the   church   building   hung   heavy    over   our    heads,    and    the    pastor's 

Scotch  blood  rebelled.     He  made  up  his  mind  it  must  be  lifted.     One  morning 

.     we  awakened  to  the  fact  that  the  thing  was  done ;  it  seemed  to  us  almost  in  a 

•  night,  but  in  reality  it  had  taken  twelve  weeks  of  steady,  untiring  work,  per- 
formed by  one  man,  and  he  preached  to  us  two  sermons  every  Sunday  and  kept 
up  his  many  other  pastoral  duties.     Will  we  ever  cease  to  wonder  how  it  was 
accomplished?     Pledges  to  the  amount  of  $11,283.36  were  secured,  $9,450  for 

^    bonds  and  accrued  interest,  $1,833.36  for  repairs  and  floating  debt.     And  the 

:    pledges  were  paid  without  one  cent  shrinkage.    Now  we  were  ready  to  dedicate 

'    our  church.     Jubilee  services  were  held  January  17-21,  1904,  in  recognition  of 

;     the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  opening  of  the  church  edifice,  and  the  liquidation 

of  the  debt.     And  all  along  through  these  years  souls  have  been  saved  and 

-•    added  to  the  church,  532  have  been  received  into  the  membership  of  the  church, 

'     349  by  baptism;  244  of  this  number  have  united  with  us    (176  of  these  by 

•  baptism)   since  October  i,  1907,  as  the  fruitage  of  the  great  Sunday  meetings. 

Within  the  last  fifteen  years  the  church  has  lost  many  of  its  old  and  tried 

,  members.     Deacons  Lewis  and  Kingsberry,  Wyrum,  Wiswell,  Deacon  Benner 

and  wife,  Charles  Waste  and  C.  G.  Selleck. 
':          Pastor  Aitchison  resigned  in  December,  1909,  to  become  the  joint  secretary 

•  of  American  Baptist  Foreign  and  Home  Missionary  societies.     His  pastorate 
of  over  seven  years  will  always  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  memorable  epochs 

.    in  our  history.     It  was  a  period  of  growth  materially,  as  well  as  spiritually,  the 
••membership  rising  to  the  900  mark. 

Januar\',  1910,  the  church  called  Rev.  Frank  E.  R.  Miller,  of  Grand  Forks, 

'  ' 


•  SWEDISH  BAPTIST  CHURCH  -       .- 

Located  on  North  Chambers  Street,  near  North  Street.     Organized  in  1888.     Building  erected  in  1898. 
Value,  $7,500. 


664     ;.  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

waits."  And  our  patience  was  amply  rewarded,  for  on  March  20,  1896,  Dr.  W. 
H.  Geistweit  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  this  church.  Soon  our  house 
was  filled  to  overliowing-.  The  Sabbath  evening  congregations  taxed  the  seat- 
ing capacity  of  our  large  house  to  its  utmost.  Our  mid-week  meetings  were 
large  and  filled  with  a  lively,  blessed  enthusiasm.  Never  was  a  pastor  better 
loved,  and  never  did  a  pastor  more  earnestly  strive  to  lead  his  people  to  higher 
ideals  of  Christian  living.  But  1  am  dealing  with  very  recent  history.  During 
this  pastorate  we  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  church.  lUit  we 
were  to  keep  our  pastor  only  three  years ;  during  which  time  about  loo  were 
received  into  the  church,  seventy  by  Baptism.  Then  Chicago,  ever  ready  to 
take  the  best,  reached  out  her  hand  and  he  was  gone.  We  accepted  his  resignation 
because  he  told  us  to. 

We  did  not  wait  long  for  our  next  pastor.  On  March  8,  1899,  by  a  unani- 
mous vote.  Dr.  T.  G.  Soares  was  called  to  the  pastorate.  He  came  to  us  on 
the  first  Sunday  in  April,  as  did  his  predecessor.  He  found  the  church  laboring 
over  the  debt  question,  and  soon  after  his  coming  the  debt  was  bonded,  thus 
reilucing  the  interest  considerably.  The  mission  school,  now  called  Cameron 
chapel,  was  some  of  the  fruitage  resulting  from  this  pastor's  earnest  labors.  But 
we  v.'cre  not  to  enjov  in  i)eace  for  long  our  scholarly  preacher,  of  whom  the 
church  had  liecome  very  fond  and  jiroud.  Once  more  that  rapacious  city 
stretched  forth  her  hand,  and  our  pastor  was  no  more,  for  he  had  been  called 
up  to  Chicago.  Me  had  bct-n  with  us  three  years,  and  during  t'nat  time,  one 
hundred  were  added  to  the  church. 

July  12.  1902.  Rev.  J.  Y.  Aitchison  was  called  to  be  our  pastor.  The  $9.000 
debt  on  the  church  building  hung  heavy  over  our  heads,  and  the  pastor's 
Scotch  blood  rebelled.  He  made  up  his  mind  it  must  'je  lifted.  (  )ne  morning 
we  awakened  to  the  fact  that  the  thing  was  done:  it  seemed  to  us  almost  in  a 
night,  but  in  reality  it  had  taken  twelve  weeks  of  steady,  untiring  work,  jjcr- 
formed  by  one  man.  and  he  preached  to  us  two  scrtiions  every  Sutiday  and  kept 
U])  his  many  other  pastoral  duties.  \\'ill  we  ever  cease  to  wonder  how  it  was 
accomplished?  Pledges  to  the  amount  of  $11.283.36  were  secured.  $9.450  for 
bonds  and  accrued  interest,  $1.833.36  for  repairs  and  floating  debt.  And  the 
pledges  were  ])aid  without  one  cent  shrinkage.  Now  we  were  ready  to  dedicate 
our  church.  Jubilee  services  were  held  January  17-21.  1904,  in  recognitirm  of 
the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  ojietiing  of  the  church  edifice,  and  the  liquidation 
of  tl;e  debt.  And  all  along  through  these  years  souls  have  been  saved  and 
added  to  the  church.  532  have  l>cen  received  into  the  membership  of  the  church, 
349  by  baptist!! ;  244  of  this  nutnber  have  ut!itcd  with  us  (176  of  these  by 
bai)tis!!i)  since  October  i,  1907.  as  tiic  fruitage  of  the  great  Sut!day  t!!eetings. 

\\  ithit!  the  last  fifteen  years  the  church  has  lost  many  of  its  old  and  tried 
met!!bers.  Deacons  Lewis  and  Kingsberry.  \\'yrum.  Wiswell,  Deacon  P.enner 
and  wife,  Charles  Waste  and  C.  fi.  Selleck. 

Pastor  Aitchisnn  resigned  in  December.  1909.  to  become  the  joint  secretary 
of  Americat!  Baptist  Foreign  and  Hon!e  Missionary  societies.  His  pastorate 
of  over  seven  years  will  always  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  t!!en!orable  epochs 
in  our  history.  It  was  a  period  of  growth  ti!aterially,  as  well  as  spiritually,  the 
nK't!!bership  rising  to  the  900  mark. 

January,  1910,  the  church  called  Rev.  Frank  F.  R.  Miller,  of  Grand  Forks, 


SUKIilSIl    r.Al'TlST   fllL'KC  II  '      ' 

Located   on    Xortli  I'liamhers   Strci-l,   near   Nurtli    Stm-l.      ( »i!,'aiiizi-il   in    1»>.      Ituil.linn  cri-cU-iI   ill   1898. 
Value,   $7,.'iiii). 


'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          /;''  665 

North  Dakota,  to  the  pastorate.  He  came  March  i,  1910,  and  still  serves  the 
church  with  eminent  satisfaction  and  success.  He  is  a  preacher  of  unusual 
ability,  showing  in  every  sermon,  in  every  prayer  meeting  and  in  all  other 
services,  that  painstaking  care  in  preparation  which  characterizes  the  trained 
and  skilled  workman.  He  is,  moreover,  a  gospel  preacher  and  has  already  had 
the  privilege  of  welcoming  into  the  church  membership  a  large  number  of 
confessors. 


\   •    'X/Vy;;:  THE  ONTARIO  BAPTIST  CHURCH  ;   ,  "^  v' 

\-:v':";/ -li     -     -'.i     ^^^     BY  MRS.  B.  F.  COLWELL  .•  -       : 

.- .-.  October,  1836,  Isaac  M.  Wetmore  came  from  Whitesboro,  Oneida  county, 
New  York,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Ontario,  Knox  county,  Illinois.  He  brought 
his  church  letter  and  put  it  in  the  nearest  Baptist  church,  which  was  at  Knox- 
ville,  Illinois. 

Soon  after  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cyrus  Robbins  came  from  the  east  and  they  united 
with  the  church  at  Knoxville.  •  i-c, 

March  gth,  1844,  a  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Henderson,  Knox  county, 
and  as  it  was  much  nearer  Ontario  Isaac  M.  Wetmore,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cyrus  Rob- 
bins  and  Abram  S.  Clearwater  united  with  it.  Rev.  A.  Gross  was  the  pastor. 

April  29,  1854,  a  Baptist  church  was  organized  at  Ontario,  Knox  county,  Illi- 
nois, with  the  following  members:  Isaac  M.  Wetmore,  Abram  S.  Clearwater, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cyrus  Robbins,  Asher  H.  Wetmore,  Miss  Cornelia  Wetmore 
(Crane),  Miss  Olive  T.  Wetmore  (Cone),  Miss  Cynthia  Robbins  (Shaw),  Mr. 
T.  Scott  Cone,  Mr.  Newton  Robbins,  Mr.  Jackson  Rodgers,  Mr.  George  E.  Boo- 
strom,  Mr.  Oliver  Ide,  R.  S.  Johnson,  pastor.  I.  S.  Wetmore  elected  deacon,  and 
remained  during  his  life. 

This  church  has  alwaj's  been  self-supporting.  After  their  organization  in 
1854  they  bought  out  those  who  had  assisted  them  in  building  a  union  house  in 
1852,  at  a  great  sacrifice  to  some  of  the  members.  In  1874  they  erected  a  good 
eight-room  parsonage.  They  always  gave  very  liberally  to  missions.  They  had 
many  good  pastors — John  Wilder,  Silas  Tucker,  D.  D.,  C.  C.  Moore,  J.  B.  Con- 
yers,  B.  F.  Colwell,  Isaac  Fargo,  A.  R.  Godwin,  Wm.  H.  Dickman,  C.  L.  Fland- 
ers and  others.  Their  influence  has  circled  the  globe,  and  eternity  alone  can 
reveal  the  good  that  little  church  accomplished. 

February  20,  1858.  a  number  were  dismissed  from  the  Ontario  Baptist  church 
to  help  organize  a  Baptist  church  in  Oneida,  with  John  Wilder  as  pastor,  who  sup- 
plied both  churches  for  several  years.  He  was  followed  by  Silas  Tucker,  D.  D., 
J.  B.  Conyers,  B.  F.  Colwel!  and  others.  They  built  a  good  house  of  worship, 
had  a  large  congregation  and  flourishing  Sunday  school.  The  building  was  de- 
stroyed by  a  cyclone.  The  people  were  discouraged  and  never  rebuilt.  Pitt  H. 
and  Penn  E.  Moore  were  baptized  into  this  church.  Pitt  has  spent  thirty-two 
3'ears  in  Nowgong,  Assam,  India.  He  has  translated  the  New  Testament, 
Psalms,  hymns,  schoolbooks  and  many  other  helpful  books  into  the  Assamese 
language  and  has  a  large  school  connected  with  the  mission.  Penn  E.  Moore  has 
been  laboring  in  India  twenty  years.  He  is  at  Kampar,  India.  He  has  been 
greatly  afflicted,  but  his  whole  heart  is  in  the  work.  He  has  one  son  in  this 


660  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

country.  His  mother's  last  message  to  him  was,  to  "always  make  known  the 
Lx>rd  Jesus."  Mathew  Samuelson  organized  a  church  at  Stromsburg,  Nebraska, 
which  was  a  flourishing  church  according  to  last  accounts.  Peter  Gipson  organ- 
ized and  practically  supported  a  church  in  Altona.  Many  have  gone  west  and 
are  carrying  on  the  good  work — one  as  a  Sunday  school  missionary  in  California. 

After  many  deaths  and  removals  the  few  left  did  not  feel  able  to  sustain  a 
pastor.  The  parsonage  was  sold  and  moved  to  Wataga  June  22,  1911.  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet Clearwater  bought  the  church  building  and  land.  One  thousand  dollars 
($i,ooo)  was  deposited  with  the  Peoria  Baptist  association,  to  be  held  in  trust 
for  Ontario  should  they  be  able  to  build  again,  the  rest  of  the  money  going  to 
Galesburg  to  help  in  Baptist  mission  work.  Thus  those  historic  bufldings  have 
passed  away,  but  the  sweet  memory  of  that  church  will  live  in  the  hearts  of 
many  while  life  lasts. 

The  first  Sunday  school  in  Ontario  was  organized  in  1836  in  the  log  cabin 
of  Isaac  M.  Wetmore  and  removed  to  the  schoolhouse,  when  one  was  built,  and 
afterward  to  the  church,  where  Mr.  Wetmore  was  superintendent  for  many 
years. 

Many  very  amusing  anecdotes  could  be  related  in  regard  to  the  class  of  peo- 
ple who  attended  this  school.  They  could  not  understand  why  anyone  would 
teach  without  remuneration,  so  when  the  Whitesboro  church  sent  a  Sunday  school 
library  they  were  very  much  frightened  and  were  sure  they  would  have  to  pay. 

April  4th,  1873,  the  ladies  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Ontario  organized  a 
home  and  foreign  missionary  society  and  appxjinted  Mrs.  Emily  Moore  president, 
C.  A.  Wetmore  secretary.  At  their  twenty-fifth  anniversary  they  reported  hav- 
ing sent  two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars  to  the  missionaries, 
besides  clothing,  etc.  At  the  present  time  three  members  are  supporting  three 
native  teachers  in  India. 

Isaac  M.  Wetmore  circulated  the  first .  temperance  pledge  in  Ontario  and 
met  more  opposition  on  election  day  than  we  do  now,  for  the  candidates  fur- 
nished "free  whiskey  in  barrels  and  drank  from  dippers,"  threatening  to  burn 
out  all  who  would  not  drink.  Isaac  M.  Wetmore  also  kept  an  underground  sta- 
tion, where  the  Galesburg  people  brought  fugitives  during  the  night  and  he  took 
them  to  Andover  in  the  morning.  .:'---.; 


;;•; '.:       THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 

•       ;  V  V ^:  N  BY  REV.  BERNARD  ROE,  O.  C.  i ^.'  ^K^ :•• .- ^  •: '.;  :^  '; 

The  Catholic  church  is  a  union  of  all  those  who  believe  in  Christ  and  are 
bound  together  under  one  head,  who  is  called  the  Pope.  The  very  word  "cath- 
olic" implies  universality,  and,  therefore,  the  Catholic  church  must  extend 
throughout  all  ages  and  her  aim  is  to  reach  every  portion  of  the  world,  accord- 
ing to  the  command  of  Christ  to  His  apostles,  "Go  ye  and  teach  all  nations." 
The  bond  of  union  in  the  Catholic  church  is  very  close  and  strong.  Each  sep- 
arate congregation  is  united  under  its  pastor,  the  various  pastors  are  united  un- 
der the  bishop  of  the  diocese,  and  all  of  the  bishops  of  the  whole  Catholic  world 


660  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  ,      ' 

country.  His  mother's  last  message  to  him  was,  to  "always  make  known  the 
Lord  Jesus."  ^lathew  Samuelson  organized  a  church  at  Stromsburg,  Nebraska, 
which  was  a  flourishing  church  according  to  last  accounts.  Peter  Gipson  organ- 
ized and  practically  supported  a  church  in  Altona.  Many  have  gone  west  and 
are  carrying  on  the  good  work — one  a?  a  Sunday  school  missionary  in  California. 

After  many  deaths  and  removals  the  few  left  did  not  feel  able  to  sustain  a 
pastor.  The  parsonage  was  sold  and  moved  to  \\'ataga  June  22,  191 1.  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet Clearwater  bought  the  church  building  and  land.  One  thousand  dollars 
($i.ooo)  was  (lei)osited  with  the  I'eoria  r.ajjtist  association,  to  IK  held  in  trust 
for  ( )ntario  should  they  be  able  to  build  again,  the  rest  of  the  money  going  to 
Gale>burg  to  help  in  IJaptist  mission  work.  TIuis  diose  historic  buildings  have 
passed  away,  but  the  sweet  memory  of  that  church  will  live  in  the  hearts  of 
many  while  life  lasts. 

The  first  Sunday  school  in  Ontario  was  organized  in  1836  in  the  log  cabin 
of  Isaac  M.  \\'etmore  and  removed  to  the  schoolhouse,  when  one  was  built,  and 
afterward  to  the  church,  where  Mr.  \\'etmore  was  superintendent  for  many 
years.  :  -  •..;'.[. 

Many  very  amusing  anecdotes  could  lie  related  in  regard  to  the  class  of  peo- 
ple who  attended  this  school.  They  could  not  understand  why  anyone  would 
teach  without  remuneration,  so  when  the  \\'hitesboro  church  sent  a  Sunday  school 
library  they  were  very  much  frightened  and  were  sure  they  would  have  to  pay. 

April  4th,  1873,  the  ladies  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Ontario  organized  a 
home  and  foreign  missionary  society  and  appointed  Mrs.  Emily  Moore  president, 
C.  A.  Wetmore  secretary.  At  their  twenty-fifth  anniversary  they  reported  hav- 
ing sent  two  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars  to  the  missionaries, 
besides  clothing,  etc.  At  the  present  time  three  members  are  supporting  three 
native  teachers  in  India. 

Isaac  M.  Wetmore  circulated  the  first  temperance  pledge  in  Ontario  and 
met  more  opposition  on  election  day  than  we  do  now,  for  the  candidates  fur- 
nished "free  whiskey  in  barrels  and  drank  from  dippers,"  threatening  to  burn 
out  all  who  would  not  drink.  Isaac  M.  \\'etmore  also  kept  an  underground  sta- 
tion, where  the  Galesburg  people  brought  fugitives  during  the  night  and  he  took 
them  to  Andover  in  the  morninjr. 


THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 
BY  REV.  BicRXARD  ROE,  O.  C. 

The  Catholic  church  is  a  union  of  all  those  who  believe  in  Christ  and  are 
lx)und  together  under  one  head,  who  is  called  the  Poi>e.  The  very  word  "cath- 
olic" implies  universality,  and,  therefore,  the  Catholic  church  must  e.xtend 
throughout  all  ages  and  her  aim  is  to  reach  every  portion  of  the  world,  accord- 
ing to  the  command  of  Christ  to  His  apostles,  "Go  ye  and  teach  all  nations." 
The  bond  of  union  in  the  Catholic  church  is  very  close  and  strong.  Each  sep- 
arate congregation  is  united  under  its  pastor,  the  various  pastors  are  united  un- 
der the  bishop  of  the  diocese,  and  all  of  the  bishops  of  the  whole  Catholic  world 


2' 
I 


HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  667 

are  united  under  their  common  head,  the  bishop  of  Rome.  The  bishop  of  Rome, 
who  is  the  successor  of  St.  Peter,  and  who  is  regarded  as  the  vicar  of  Christ  on 
earth,  is  the  supreme  authority,  and  from  him  descends  authority  to  the  indi- 
vidual bishop  and  through  them  to  the  priests.  •  .  '. 

There  are  two  great  divisions  in  the  CathoHc  church  that  are  called  the 
"church  teaching"  and  the  "church  taught."  The  "church  teaching"  means  those 
who  have  authority,  from  Christ,  to  teach,  and  these  are  the  bishops,  with  the 
pope  at  their  head.  The  "church  taught"  means  the  whole  congregation  of  the 
faithful,  including  the  priests  and  lower  clergy.  While  the  priests  are  often  re- 
garded as  teachers,  they  are  not  really  the  authority  for  teaching,  but  their  of- 
fice is  to  learn  and  study  better  the  teaching  of  the  church  and  then  to  make  it 
known  and  explain  it  to  the  people  and  urge  them  to  the  belief  and  practice. 

The  main  principle  of  government,  in  the   Catholic  church,   is   authority. 
This  is  based  on  the  Holy  Scriptures,  for  Christ  said  to  his  Apostles,  and,  con- 
sequently, to  the  teaching  authorities  of  the  church,  "He  that  heareth  you,  hear- 
eth  me — He  that  despiseth  you,  despiseth  me."     Again,  in  another  passage  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  "li  he  will  not  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  to  you  as  a 
heathen  and  a  publican."    Once  more  Christ  said  to  his  Apostles,  and  therefore 
to   the  church,   "All  authority  g^ven   me   in   heaven   and   on   earth," — "as   the 
Father  hath  sent  me,  I  also  send  you."    He  said  to  them  again,  "Go  ye  and  teach 
,;  all  nations."     The  authority  then,    for   the   teaching   power   in  the   church   of 
\.  God,  is  derived  from  Christ.     Therefore,  all  Catholics  know  that  in  obeying 
her  teaching,  that  is  the  bishop's  and  their  head,  the  bishop  of  Rome,  they  are 
.'  obeying  Christ,  who  gave  them  power  and  authority.  ^   ., 

;f      :•     .  :..    .:  .     •;-.,•:     ;    THE  TEACHING  OF  THE  CATHOLIC   CHURCH  0  :     V 

.  ^   ;•       '•",:'•.    -^  •:•-•••-;    j  •:•  •'        :  ... 

'  •  :   The  teachings  of  the  Catholic  church  are  contained  in  the  Apostles'  creed 
and  the  ten  commandments.     All  other,  is  only  a  development,  or  an  explana- 
tion of  these  fundamentals.     The  Catholic  church  teaches  the  doctrine  of  the 
Holy  Trinity,  namely,  that  God  is  one  in  nature  (that  is.  in  His  essence),  and 
three  in  person.    She  teaches  us  that,  to  God  the  Father,  the  first  person  of  the 
blessed  trinity,  is  attributed  the  work  of  creation  and  the  preserving  and  main- 
.  taining   of   the   universe,   and,   therefore,   that   our   own   existence,   as   human 
creatures,  is  specially  dependent  on  the   Eternal   Father.     She   teaches  again, 
that  God  the  Son,  the  second  person  of  the  blessed  trinity,  is  the  Redeemer  and 
Savior  of  the  human  race.     In  other  words,  that  it  is  only  by  the  merits  of 
,,  Christ's  passion  and  death  that  men  can  be  saved.     Again,  she  tells  us  that 
it  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  third  person  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  to  apply, 
'    to  the  souls  of  men,  these  same  merits  of  Christ ;  and  we  call  this  action  of 
-i  the  Holy  Ghost  by  the  name  of  grace,  which  means  the  help  that  God  g^ves  men 
I    to  do  good  or  to  avoid  evil.  .      i; 

j  The  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  carried  on,  in  the  Catholic  church,  chiefly 
by  what  is  called  the  sacramental  system.  The  very  word  "sacrament"  means 
the  making  holy  of  something  which  before  was  neither  good  nor  bad.  A 
sacrament  is  an  outward  or  visible  sign,  which  is  instituted  by  Christ  and 
conveys  grace  to  the  soul.  There  are  seven  of  these  sacraments  and  each  has 
its  own  peculiar  effect,  and  they  correspond  to  the  chief  events  in  the  natural 
life. 


668  :  :^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

As  we  come  into  this  world  by  birth,  so  we  are  born  to  the  spiritual  life, 
by  baptism.  Christ's  words  are,  "Unless  a  man  be  born  again  of  water  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  can  not  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God."  Later  on,  the 
child  needs  strengthening  and  in  the  church,  the  soul  is  strengthened  and 
receives  courage  to  fight  the  battles  of  life,  by  the  sacrament  of  confirmation. 
The  child  too,  as  well  as  the  grown  man,  needs  food  and  drink,  and  for  the 
soul  we  have  the  sacrament  of  the  Holy  Eucharist,  which  is  the  body  and  blood 
of  Christ,  given  us  as  our  spiritual  food  and  drink,  to  nourish,  to  strengthen, 
and  to  give  vigor  and  health  to  the  soul.  In  the  course  of  time,  the  body  often 
falls  ill  and  medicine  is  necessary,  and  often  the  presence  of  the  doctor.  The 
soul  too  falls  ill,  by  sin,  and  we  need  spiritual  remedies  to  restore  God's  favor, 
which  means  health  to  the  soul,  and  we  have  the  spiritual  medicine  in  the 
sacrament  of  penance.  The  time  comes  when  one  must  die,  and  here  again  the 
Catholic  church  helps  us,  with  the  sacrament  of  extreme  unction,  where  the 
priest  anoints  with  oil  and  prays  over  the  sick  one.  The  other  two  sacra- 
ments are  what  we  call  social  matrimony  to  make  holy  the  bond  of  union  between 
man  and  woman,  for  the  propagation  of  the  human  race,  and  the  sacrament 
of  holy  order,  for  the  continuance  of  the  ministry  in  the  church. 

'.-nv^:;  THE   WORSHIP   OF   THE   CATHOLIC    CHURCH  i.     ,;. 

The  word  "worship"  has  a  very  broad  meaning.  It  signifies,  in  its  origin, 
the  worthship,  or  rather  recognizing  or  acknowledging  the  worthship  of  a 
thing.  Consequently,  in  old  English  usage,  the  word  "worship"  is  applied  to 
the  old  London  guilds  and  to  the  office  of  the  mayor,  but  when  applied  in 
religion,  it  means  essentially  acknowledging  the  worth  of  God,  that  is,  that  God 
is  the  supreme,  absolute,  personal  being  to  whom  we  belong  and  owe  all  that 
we  have.  We  can  apply  the  wqrd,  also,  to  God's  chosen  creatures,  who  are 
already  in  heaven,  the  angels  and  saints,  and  acknowledge  their  worth  as 
creatures  of  God,  yet  specially  honored  by  Him.  1  ' 

The  essential  act  of  Catholic  worship  is  the  holy  mass.  The  mass  means  a 
renewal  of  the  offering  which  Christ  made  of  Himself,  when  He  died  upon  the 
cross.  It  is  by  Christ's  command  that  the  mass  is  offered,  for  on  the  night  before 
he  suffered,  he  took  bread  into  his  hands  and  said,  "This  is  my  body."  He  took 
wine  in  the  chalice  and  said,  "This  is  my  blood,"  and  after  that  He  said,  to  his 
Apostles,  "Do  this  for  a  memory  of  me."  And  St.  Paul  tells  us,  speaking  of 
this  same  thing,  "As  often  as  ye  do  these  things,  ye  shall  show  forth  the  death, 
of  the  Lord  until  He  come."  The  Catholic  teaching,  then,  is  that  the  instant 
the  words  of  consecration  are  pronounced,  by  a  bishop  or  priest  who  has  re- 
ceived his  authority  from  the  Apostles,  in  that  same  moment,  the  bread  and 
wine  are  changed  into  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  and  Christ,  our  Lord,  our 
God,  is  truly  and  substantially  present  on  the  altar,  and  verily  there  is  an  in- 
finite sacrifice.  For  in  this  action,  our  Lord  puts  aside  his  Godhead,  or  hides 
his  Godhead,  and  takes  the  form,  not  simply  of  man,  but  of  man's  food  and 
drink.  God  humbles  Himself, — "makes  Himself  a  nothing,"  in  the  Pauline  ex- 
pression. Now,  the  Catholic  church  offers  this  sacrifice  to  God  as  an  act  of 
worship,  and  because  it  is  the  act  of  Qirist,  therefore,  it  is  infinite,  consequently. 


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668  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTY 

As  \ve  come  into  this  world  by  birtli,  so  \ve  are  born  to  the  spiritual  life, 
by  baptism.  Christ  s  words  arc.  "Unless  a  man  be  born  again  of  water  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  can  not  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  God."  Later  on,  the 
child  needs  strengthening  and  in  the  church,  the  soul  is  strengthened  and 
receives  courage  to  fight  the  battles  of  life,  by  the  sacrament  of  confirmation. 
The  child  too,  as  well  as  the  grown  man,  needs  food  and  drink,  and  for  the 
soul  we  have  the  sacrament  of  the  Holy  Eucharist,  which  is  the  body  and  blood 
of  Christ,  given  us  as  our  spiritual  food  and  drink,  to  nourish,  to  strengthen, 
and  to  give  vigor  and  health  to  the  soul.  In  the  course  of  time,  the  body  often 
falls  ill  and  medicine  is  necessary,  and  often  the  presence  of  the  doctor.  The 
soul  too  falls  ill,  by  sin,  and  we  need  spiritual  remedies  to  restore  God's  favor, 
which  means  health  to  the  soul,  and  we  have  the  spiritual  medicine  in  the 
sacrament  of  penance.  The  time  comes  when  one  must  die,  and  here  again  the 
Catholic  church  helps  us,  with  the  sacrament  of  extreme  unction,  where  the 
priest  anoints  with  oil  and  prays  over  the  sick  one.  The  other  two  sacra- 
ments are  what  we  call  social  matrimony  to  make  holy  the  bond  of  union  between 
man  and  woman,  for  the  projjagation  of  tlie  human  race,  and  the  sacrament 
of  holy  order,  for  the  continuance  of  the  ministry  in  the  church. 

.    •;.  Tllli:    WOKSUir    or    Tlll::    CATHOLIC    CIIUKCII 

The  word  "worshij)"  has  a  very  brond  meaning.  It  signifies,  in  its  origin, 
the  worthship,  or  rather  recognizing  or  acknowledging  the  worthship  of  a 
thing.  Consequently,  in  old  luiglish  usage,  the  word  "worship"  is  ai)plie(l  to 
the  old  London  guilds  and  to  the  office  of  the  mayor,  but  when  applied  in 
religion,  it  means  essentially  acknowledging  the  worth  of  (iod,  that  is,  that  (iod 
is  the  supreme,  absolute,  personal  being  to  whom  we  belong  and  owe  all  that 
we  have.  \\'e  can  apply  the  W()rd,  also,  to  (jod's  chosen  creatures,  who  are 
already  in  heaven,  the  angels  and  saints,  and  acknttwledgc  their  worth  as 
creatures  of  Ciod,  yet  specially  honored  by  Him. 

The  essential  act  of  Catholic  worshi])  is  the  holy  mass.  The  mass  means  a 
renewal  of  the  oft'ering  which  Christ  made  of  Himself,  when  He  died  upon  the 
cross.  It  is  by  (Christ's  command  that  the  mass  is  offered,  for  on  the  night  before 
he  suft'ered,  he  took  bread  into  his  hands  and  said,  "This  is  my  body."  He  took 
wine  in  the  chalice  and  said,  "This  is  my  blood."  and  after  that  He  said,  to  his 
Apostles,  "Do  this  for  a  memory  of  me."  And  St.  I'aui  tells  us.  speaking  of 
this  same  thing,  "As  often  as  ye  do  these  things,  ye  shall  show  forth  the  death 
of  the  Lord  until  He  come."  The  Cathf)lic  teaching,  tiien,  is  that  the  instant 
the  words  of  consecration  are  pronounced,  by  a  bishoj)  or  priest  who  has  re- 
ceived his  authority  from  the  Ajiostles,  in  that  same  moment,  the  bread  and 
wine  are  changed  into  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  and  Christ,  our  Lord,  our 
God,  is  truly  and  substantially  present  on  the  altar,  and  verily  there  is  an  in- 
finite sacrifice.  For  in  tliis  action,  our  Lord  puts  aside  his  (iodhead,  or  hides 
his  Godhead,  and  takes  the  form,  not  sim])ly  of  man.  but  of  man's  food  and 
drink.  God  humbles  Himself, — "makes  Himself  a  nothing,"  in  the  i'auline  ex- 
jiression.  Xow,  the  Catholic  church  oflfers  this  sacrifice  to  Ciod  as  an  act  of 
worshi]).  and  l')ecause  it  is  the  act  of  Christ,  therefore,  it  is  infinite,  consequently, 


. 

it 


, 


ft 


il  ;•; 


^  ^  :v.v:-^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    i      ••',  669 

it  is  an  infinite  act  of  worship.  All  Catholics,  who  possibly  can,  are  commanded 
to  assist  at  this  sacrifice  of  the  mass  on  all  Sundays  and  holy  days.  There  are 
other  acts  of  worship  of  God  in  the  Catholic  church,  such  as  "the  divine  office" 
— specially  Vespers,  "Benediction  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament,"  and  other  ser- 
vices, but  the  benefit  that  is  to  be  derived  from  them  depends  principally  on 
the  devotion  of  those  who  assist,  whereas,  the  mass  is  God's  own  act  and, 
therefore,  necessarily  holy  and  good.  .".. 

.; :         As  to  the  so-called  worship  of  the  angels  and  saints,  it  means  an  acknowledg- 
,,-.     ment  of  their  worth  as  the  special  friends  of  God  in  heaven,  who,  consequently, 
can  plead  with  Him  for  us,  and  who  know  what  we  are  doing,  since  Christ 
has  told  us  "The  angels  in  heaven  rejoice  over  a  sinner  doing  penance."     We 
then  honor  the  angels  and  saints,  and  pray  to  them.     But  there  is  an  infinite 
difference  between  the  worship  of  the  saints  and  the  worship  of  the  all  holy 
..    God.     He  is  the  Creator,  they  are  creatures. 

As  regards  practical  life.     All  Catholics  are  bound  to  be  observers  of  the 
;    Ten  Commandments,  excepting,  that  by  authority  of  the  Catholic  church,  prob- 
ably by  the  direction  of  Christ,  Himself,  the  Sabbath  day  was  changed  to  the 
;. .    Sunday,  as  the  day  set  aside  for  the  worship  of  God.     The  commandments  of 
;.  '   the  church  are  little  more  than  an  amplification  of  some  of  the  commandments. 
'  .    As  regards  the  Ten  Commandments,  some  concern  the  natural  law  and  others 
':.    are  a  positive  law.     As  to  the  natural  la,w,   there  can  be  no  excuse  and  no 
:     exemption.    As  regards  the  positive  law,  it  requires  a  very  grave  reason  to  justify 
-   ,   exemption.    For  instance,  the  keeping  holy  the  Sabbath  day, — a  justification  for 
/      the  non-observance  of  the  Sabbath  day  would  be  necessary  work. 

The  aim  of  the  Catholic  church  is  to  show  men  the  way  to  heaven  and  help 

.;,„    them  to  enter  in;  this  is  the  work  that  her  divine  Master  came   down  upon 

'     the  earth  to  do.     God,  Himself,  will  not  force  anyone — what  He  does  is  to 

.;  .  help.     Such  being  the  aim  of  the  Catholic  church,  she  makes  use  of  all  the 

,';.   means  that  she  can.     She  takes  the  human  race  for  what  it  is,  with  its  strong 

..;  inclination    for   good   and   its   perverse   turns   to   evil,   and   she   endeavors   to 

..,    strengthen  the  good  and  root  out  the  evil.     Man  has  three  great  powers,  free 

i-'  will,  understanding  and  feeling.     With  the  last  of  these,  the  church  has  little, 

.".'  or  nothing  directly  in  command.     Her  chief  object  is  to  train  the  soul,  that  is, 

^    the   intellectual   powers  and   the   will.     She   trains   the   intellectual,   by   giving 

-:;•    knowledge,  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.     She  influences  the  will  power,  by  en- 

'  .;;  deavoring  to  show  the  beauty  and  the  charm  of  the  things  of  good,  to  manifest, 

'  •    as  much  as  she  can,  the  infinite,  boundless  love  of  God.     The  means  that  the 

'.;    Catholic  church  makes  use  of  are  physical,  intellectual  and  moral.     Under  the 

V  .  heading  of  physical  would  come  our  church  buildings,  schools,  hospitals,  public 

.;:     institutions  for  charitable  works.    The  intellectual  means  would  be  instruction  and 

'      education.     The  moral  means  would  be  the  worship  of  God,  the  sacramental 

;    system,  sermons,  exhortations  and,  not  least,  good  example. 

.      \../.  "       HOW    HAVE   THESE    WORKS   BEEN    CARRIED   ON    IN    KNOX    COUNTY? 

--..^        At  the  present  day  there  are  four  principal  centers  of  Catholicism.    Of  these, 

•  of  course,  the  chief  is  Galesburg;  St.  Augustine  comes  next,  then  Wataga  and 

Williamsfield.    The  origin  of  Catholicity,  in  Galesburg,  is  a  strong  contrast  with 


670  V^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

that  of  St.  Augustine.  The  original  agreement  of  the  founders  of  Galesburg 
township  forbdds  the  selling  of  ground  for  the  building  of  any  church  or  insti- 
tution other  than  Presbyterian.  We  Catholics  cannot  complain  of  this,  because 
the  original  founders  were  an  essentially  Presbyterian  fellowship,  and  they  wished 
to  keep  away  all  religious  strife.  Yet  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  the  Catholic 
church  made  its  way,  even  into  this  Protestant  center.  St.  Augustine,  on  the 
other  hand,  was  quite  a  Catholic  foundation.  The  Mattinglys  and  several  other 
Catholic  families,  from  Kentucky,  came  in  1837  and  joined  other  Catholic  fami- 
lies, chiefly  farmers  from  Ohio.  They  formed  an  agricultural  colony  and  built 
the  Church  of  St.  Augustine,  taking  the  name  from  Austin,  or  Augustine,  Mat- 
tingly.  The  town  grew  up  around  and  took  its  name  from  the  church. 
;  To  return  to  Galesburg,  in  the  '4os,  various  Irish  families,  among  them  the 
Grimes  and  the  O'Connors,  settled  in  the  Spoon  River  valley.  A  decade  later 
many  of  them  moved  to  Galesburg  and  joined  forty  or  fifty  Catholic  families, 
who  came  here  from  New  Lebanon,  Columbus  county.  New  York,  and  from 
Pittsfield,  Massachusetts.  This  was  in  the  years  '55,  '56  and  '57.  They  found 
grievous  difficulties  to  contend  with  in  the  exercise  of  their  religion,  for  there 
was  no  church  and  at  first  not  even  a  pastor.  They  were  compelled  to  go  as  far 
as  St.  Augustine  for  all  religious  worship  and  even  to  carry  hither  their  dead. 
Father  John  Fitnam  was  the  first  pastor,  from  1856  to  1857,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Father  O'Neil.  Father  O'Neil  made  the  first  attempt  at  building  a  Catholic 
church  outside  the  then  city  limits.  For  a  while  previous  to  this  mass  had 
been  celebrated  over  Mooney's  blacksmith  shop,  on  the  site  of  the  present  kinder- 
garten school.  Father  O'Neil  laid  plans  for  the  building  of  a  frame  church 
on  a  site  on  the  south  side  of  East  Second  street,  between  South  Kellogg  and 
Seminary  streets.  The  building  was  already  well  advanced,  when  the  cyclone 
of  1858  struck  and  utterly  destroyed  it. 

In  those  days  prejudice  was  so  strong  against  Catholicism  that  a  public 
thanksgiving  was  celebrated  in  some  of  the  churches  for  this  so-called  act  of 
God. 

But,  nothing  daunted,  the  Catholic  body  set  to  work  once  more  and  pur- 
chased a  site  on  South  Academy  street,  near  the  Burlington  railway  crossing,  and 
they  built  the  present  St.  Patrick's  church  in  the  year  1863.  Most  of  the  credit 
for  this  is  due  to  Father  O'Neil,  who,  however,  was  sent  elsewhere  before  he 
could  complete  the  work.  Father  James  Powers  succeeded  him  on  July  5,  1863, 
but  staid  only  a  short  while,  and  he  was  replaced  by  Father  Maurice  Howard  in 
1864.  Father  Howard  added  the  church  tower  and  the  bell. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Father  Howard,  Michael  O'Neil  started  a  subscrip- 
tion and  bought  a  Catholic  burial  ground  on  the  south  side  of  Lake  George,  now 
known  as  Old  St.  Mary's  cemetery.  Father  Howard  labored  for  the  Catholic 
people  of  the  district  for  about  thirteen  years,  and  it  must,  at  times,  have  taxed 
even  his  utmost  powers,  for  the  district  of  Galesburg  then  extended  from  Oneida 
on  the  north  to  Maquon  and  Table  Grove  on  the  south.  On  August  i6,  1877, 
Father  Howard  resigned  the  pastorate  of  Galesburg,  as  he  was  unwilling  to  as- 
sume the  responsibility  of  building  schools. 

Father  Joseph  Costa,  O.  C.,  succeeded  Father  Howard,  and  to  him,  aided  by 
a  hearty  co-operation  of  the  Catholic  body,  is  due,  in  a  great  part,  all  the  credit 
for  the  present  fine  buildings  and  the  good  social  standing  of  Catholics  in  this 


670  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

that  of  St.  Augustine.  The  original  agreement  of  the  founders  of  Galesburg 
townshij)  forljids  the  selling  of  ground  for  the  building  of  any  church  or  insti- 
tution other  than  I'resbyterian.  We  Catholics  cannot  complain  of  this,  because 
the  original  founders  were  an  essentially  Presbyterian  fellowship,  and  they  wished 
to  keep  away  all  religious  strife.  Vet  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  the  Catholic 
church  made  its  way,  even  into  this  Protestant  center.  St.  Augustine,  on  the 
other  hand,  was  quite  a  Catholic  foundation.  The  Mattinglys  and  several  other 
Catholic  families,  from  Kentucky,  came  in  1837  and  joined  other  Catholic  fami- 
lies, chieHy  farmers  from  Ohio.  They  formed  an  agricultural  colony  and  built 
the  Church  of  St.  Augustine,  taking  the  name  from  Austin,  or  Augustine,  Mat- 
tingly.  The  town  grew  up  around  and  took  its  name  from  the  church. 

To  return  to  Galesburg,  in  the  '4os,  various  Irish  families,  among  them  the 
Grimes  and  the  ( )*Connors,  settled  in  the  Spoon  River  valley.  A  decade  later 
many  of  them  moved  to  Galesburg  and  joined  forty  or  fifty  Catholic  families, 
v.'ho  came  here  from  Xew  Lebanon,  Columbus  county,  Xew  York,  and  from 
Pittsfield.  Massachusetts.  This  was  in  the  years  '55,  '56  and  '57.  They  found 
grievous  difficulties  to  contend  with  in  the  exercise  of  their  religion,  for  there 
was  no  church  and  at  first  not  even  a  pastor.  They  were  compelled  to  go  as  far 
as  St.  Augustine  for  all  religious  worship  and  even  to  carry  hither  their  dead. 
Father  John  I-'itnam  was  the  first  pastor,  from  1856  to  1857,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Father  ( )'Xeil.  Father  O'Xeil  made  the  first  attempt  at  building  a  Catholic 
church  outside  the  then  city  limits.  For  a  while  previous  to  this  mass  had 
been  celebrated  over  Mooney's  blacksmith  shop,  on  the  site  of  the  present  kinder- 
garten school.  I-'ather  ( )'Xeil  laid  plans  for  the  building  of  a  frame  church 
on  a  site  on  the  ^outh  side  of  East  Second  street,  between  South  Kellogg  and 
Seminary  streets.  The  building  was  already  well  advanced,  when  the  cyclone 
of  1858  struck  and  utterly  destroyed  it. 

In  those  days  ])rL'judice  was  so  strong  against  Catholicism  that  a  public 
thanksgiving  was  celebrated  in  some  of  the  churches  for  this  so-called  act  of 
God.  I 

P>ut,  nothing  daunted,  the  Catholic  body  set  to  work  once  more  and  pur- 
chased a  site  on  South  Academy  street,  near  the  lUirlington  railway  crossing,  and 
they  built  the  ])resent  St.  Patrick's  church  in  the  year  1863.  Most  of  the  credit 
for  this  is  due  to  Father  O'Xeil,  who,  however,  was  sent  elsewhere  before  he 
could  C(inii)lete  the  work.  Father  James  Powers  succeeded  him  on  July  5,  1863, 
but  staid  only  a  short  while,  and  he  was  replaced  by  leather  Maurice  Howard  in 
1864.  I'ather  Howard  added  the  church  tower  and  the  bell. 

During  the  ])astorate  of  I'ather  Howard.  Michael  O'Xeil  started  a  subscrip- 
tion and  bought  a  Catholic  burial  ground  on  the  south  side  of  Lake  George,  now 
known  as  ( )1(1  St.  Mary's  cemetery.  Father  Howard  lalxDred  for  the  Catholic 
people  of  the  district  for  about  thirteen  years,  and  it  must,  at  times,  have  taxed 
even  his  utmost  jiowers,  for  the  district  of  Galesburg  then  extended  from  Oneida 
on  the  north  to  Maquon  and  Table  Grove  on  the  south.  On  August  i6.  1877, 
Father  Howard  resigned  the  i)astorate  of  Galesburg,  as  he  was  unwilling  to  as- 
sume the  responsibility  of  building  schools. 

Father  Jose])h  Costa,  O.  C.,  succeeded  Father  Howard,  and  to  him.  aided  by 
a  hearty  co-ojK-ration  of  the  Catholic  body,  is  due.  in  a  great  part,  all  the  credit 
for  the  present  fine  buildings  and  the  good  social  standing  of  Catholics  in  this 


I- 
ii 


'^ 

r-a 


£.2. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .  671 

city.  Immediately  on  his  arrival  Father  Costa  grasped  the  urgency  of  building 
a  Catholic  school  that  should  be  on  an  equal  footing  with  any  educational  insti- 
tution in  the  city.  (A  sketch  of  the  life  of  Father  Costa  may  be  read  elsewhere 
in  the  biographical  volume  of  this  history.)  During  his  first  year  he  built  St. 
Joseph's  academy  and  the  following  year  the  adjoining  convent,  which  was 
opened  in  1879,  at  a  total  cost  of  nearly  $30,000,  the  money  being  raised  by  very 
generous  donations,  chiefly  from  the  workingmen.  A  few  years  later  he  pur- 
chased a  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  St.  Mary's  school  and  opened  it  as  a 
..  primary  school  for  smaller  children,  who  could  not  safely  cross  the  C.,  B.  &  Q. 
tracks.  St.  Joseph's  academy  and  St.  Mary's  school  were  both  placed  under  the 
care  of  the  Sisters  of  Providence  from  St.  Mary  in  the  Woods,  Indiana,  and 
one  can  hardly  say  enough  to  praise  their  indefatigible  zeal  and  labor  for  the 
advancement  in  secular  and  religious  education  of  their  pupils.  Self-sacrifice  and 
constant  vigilance  have  been  the  keynotes  of  their  work.  At  the  present  day 
there  are  about  250  pupils  at  the  academy  and  between  seventy  and  eighty  at  St. 
-;  Mary's  school.  :  '  ^  / 

Father  Costa's  greatest  work  was  undertaken  a  few  years  later,  when,  on 
account  of  the  developments  of  the  railway,  many  Irish  and  other  Catholic  work- 
men came  to  the  town  and  so  filled  up  the  little  church  at  St.  Patrick's  that  it 
became  imperative  to  build  another  church,  and  Father  Costa  determined  on 
something  that  should  be  a  credit  to  the  Catholic  body.  Through  the  agency  of 
Mr.  Michael  English  he  purchased  a  site  on  the  comer  of  South  Prairie  and 
West  South  streets,  and  there  he  built  the  present  church  of  Corpus  Christi,  at 
a  cost  of  between  $45,000  and  $50,000.  This  was  in  the  year  1883,  when  the 
church  was  solemnly  opened  and  blessed  by  Rev.  Bishop  Spalding.  Three 
years  later  he  built  the  present  rectory  on  the  adjoining  property.  There  is  little 
need  to  say  that  the  raising  of  these  great  sums  of  money  involved  much  labor, 
but  the  people  were  generous,  and  all  threw  themselves  into  the  work  with  heart 
and  soul  and  there  was  thorough  co-operation  between  congregation  and  pastor. 

But  Father  Costa's  labors  were  not  yet  over.  Looking  around,  he  saw  the 
need  of  an  educational  institution  for  the  Catholic  boys  and  young  men  of  the 
neighborhood,  but  now  he  found  that  the  congregation  could  scarcely  support 
the  burden  of  a  new  edifice,  and  he  applied  to  his  own  superiors  for  aid.  He 
bought  a  site  on  Tompkins  and  Prairie  and  plans  were  drawn  in  the  hope  of  ful- 
filling a  long  cherished  desire — a  college  for  Catholic  boys.  In  the  years  '93  and 
'94  the  building  was  put  up  at  a  cost  of  between  $40,000  and  $50,000,  most  of 
which  was  paid  by  Father  Costa  and  the  superiors  of  the  Order  of  Charity.  The 
institution  has  this  year  been  incorporated  under  charter  as  Corpus  Christi  col- 
lege. The  first  president  of  Corpus  Christi  college  was  Father  Ernest  Hawley, 
who  had  but  recently  come  from  Europe.  At  first  the  pupils  were  very  few,  num- 
bering only  25  at  the  end  of  the  first  academic  year.  Since  then  the  college  has 
steadily  gone  on,  increasing  in  numbers  and  efficiency.  Father  Costa  himself 
later  took  the  presidency  of  the  college,  but  in  1902  he  handed  it  over  to  Father 
George  Doubleday,  the  present  much  respected  incumbent.  During  the  past  few 
years  the  average  number  of  pupils  (all  over  twelve  years)  has  been  about  one 
hundred.  Many  of  the  past  students  are  now  in  the  front  rank  of  the  clerical, 
medical  and  legal  professions  or  the  great  railroads,  on  the  farms  and  in  the  main  :^ 
walks  of  national  public  life. 


672         ;    •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

But  even  now  Father  Costa  was  not  fully  satisfied  with  the  educational  re- 
sources of  the  parish.  There  was  a  growing  need  in  the  seventh  ward  of  more 
stable  school  accommodation  for  the  children,  and  he  soon  set  about  planning 
for  the  building  of  the  present  St.  Mary's  school,  which  was  erected  in  the 
year  1905  at  a  cost  of  about  $20,000. 

In  the  year  1887  Bishop  Spalding  divided  the  parishes  of  Corpus  Christi 
and  St.  Patrick's.  Father  Costa  was  left  parish  priest  of  Corpus  Christi  and  dean 
of  the  district,  and  Father  Louis  Selva,  his  nephew,  was  appointed  pastor  of  St. 
Patrick's.  He  was  succeeded  a  few  years  later  by  Father  Doubleday,  who  later 
became  president  of  Corpus  Christi  college  and  in  1898  resigned  St.  Patrick's  in 
favor  of  Father  F.  Baines,  who  has  since  then  held  the  pastorate. 

The  next  work  done  by  the  Catholic  body  in  the  city,  was  the  purchase  of 
St.  Mary's  hospital.  In  1908,  the  sisters  of  St.  Francis,  from  Peoria,  came 
and  took  possession  and  since  then  they  have  exercised  one  of  the  excellent 
works  of  charity,  nursing  and  tending,  with  indefatigable  care,  the  sick  and 
the  poor.  The  praise  and  thanks  of  many  in  Galesburg  will  go  out  to  these 
sisters  for  the  attendance  and  loving  care  of  those  whom  misfortune,  accident 
and  sickness  have  brought  nigh  unto  death. 

But  Father  Costa,  though  in  the  "sere  and  yellow  leaf,"  is  still  full  of 
energj-  and  many  plans.  He  sees  the  need,  and  all  are  with  him,  of  a  Catholic 
hall  where  the  different  Catholic  organizations  may  home;  and,  at  the  present 
moment,  a  vigorous  attempt  is  being  made  to  raise  the  necessary  funds. 

It  was  one  of  the  glories  of  Father  Costa,  and  of  his  congregation,  that  ' 
no  debts  are  left  on  these  splendid  buildings,  save  a  comparatively  small  one  on 
St.  Mary's  school.     The  Catholics  are  still  a  small  body  in  the  town,  numbering 
at  most  some  3,000,  but  a  great  work  has  been  begun  and,  with  the  blessing  of 
God,  will  go  on  and  increase.     The  Catholic  church  is  ever  striving  to  attain 
her  ends  and,  consequently,  she  can  never  rest  satisfied.     Priests  and  people 
must  be  ever  on  the  onward  march  and  ready  for  all  dangers  in  the  battle  of  V 
life.       ••  •  ••  '•     •:',•::/-.     '.,:    •;       -:.•.•-,-..;•-,>••  ......... 


;;.':::::  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH  IN  ST.  AUGUSTINE  :  ' ,. '. 

^  The  parish  of  St.  Augustine  is  one  of  the  most  interesting,  and  possibly 
the  oldest,  in  the  diocese  of  Peoria.  It  was  founded  within  the  boundary  of 
what  was  then  Fulton  county.  Later  on,  church  and  town  passed  on  wheels  into 
Knox  county.  As  the  very  name  itself  applies,  St.  Augustine  is  a  Catholic 
foundation.  As  far  back  as  1836,  and  '37,  a  Catholic  colony  was  formed  and 
John  Gallett  and  G.  McEIroy  came  from  Ohio,  and  the  Mattinglys  and  man> 
other  Canadian-Irish,  who  had  long  settled  near  the  home  of  Bishop  Spalding, 
came  froni  Kentucky.  They  built  a  little  church  for  themselves,  in  1844,  dedi- 
cating it  to  St.  Augustine,  and  the  township  sprang  up  around  and  took  its 
name  from  the  church.  Father  St.  Cyr  was  the  first  priest  to  serve  the  district., 
from  1837  to  '39,  but  he  and  Fathers  Con  way  and  Doyle,  who  succeeded  him, 
had  no  residence  there.  Various  priests  came,  with  more  or  less  regularity, 
now  from  LaSalle,  like  Father  Raho,  or  Father  Brady  from  Kickapoo.  The 
first  resident  priest  was  Father  James  Halpin,  who  took  charge  in  1873. 

In  the  meantime,  the  present  church  was  built,  in  1863,  under  the  supervi- 


•    '..'..    .    '••    •*••  •  ,   •     .     J'^    *'.  •       .•  '..    -  t  -'*  ',«'''.'..'.  •  • 
•    ':''  •-'•  "-'••''.'.','  *•;'.•',•   •   ".      /  '  ..        •''.• 


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672  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

Dut  even  no\v  Father  Costa  was  not  fully  satisfied  with  the  educational  re- 
sources of  the  parish.  There  was  a  growing  need  in  the  seventh  ward  of  more 
stalile  school  accommodation  for  the  children,  and  he  soon  set  about  planning 
for  the  building  of  the  present  St.  Mary's  school,  which  was  erected  in  the 
\-ear  1905  at  a  cost  of  alx)ut  $20,000. 

In  the  year  1887  Bishop  Spalding  divided  the  parishes  of  Corpus  Christi 
and  St.  Patrick's.  Father  Costa  was  left  parish  priest  of  Corpus  Christi  and  dean 
of  the  district,  and  Father  Louis  Selva,  his  nephew,  was  appointed  pastor  of  St. 
Patrick's.  He  was  succeeded  a  fe\v  years  later  by  Father  Doubleday,  who  later 
became  i)resident  of  Corpus  Christi  college  and  in  i8y8  resigned  St.  Patrick's  in 
favor  of  I-'ather  F.  IJaines,  who  has  since  then  held  the  pastorate. 

The  next  work  done  by  the  Catholic  body  in  the  city,  was  the  purchase  of 
St.  Mary's  hospital.  In  iyo8.  the  sisters  of  St.  Francis,  from  Peoria,  came 
and  took  possession  and  since  then  they  have  exercised  one  of  the  excellent 
works  of  charity,  nursing  and  tending,  with  indefatigable  care,  the  sick  and 
the  poor.  The  praise  and  thanks  of  many  in  Galesburg  will  go  out  to  these 
sisters  for  the  attendance  and  loving  care  of  those  whom  misfortune,  accident 
and  sickness  have  brought  nigh  unto  death. 

But  Father  Costa,  though  in  the  "sere  and  yellow  leaf,"  is  still  full  of 
energy  and  many  plans.  He  sees  the  need,  and  all  are  with  him,  of  a  Catholic 
hall  where  the  different  Catholic  organizations  may  home;  and,  at  the  present 
moment,  a  vigorous  attempt  is  being  made  to  raise  the  necessary  funds. 

It  was  one  of  the  glories  of  Father  Costa,  and  of  his  congregation,  that 
no  debts  are  left  on  these  splendid  buildings,  save  a  comparatively  small  one  on 
St.  Mary's  school.  The  Catholics  are  still  a  small  bodv  in  the  town,  numbering 
at  most  some  3.000.  but  a  great  work  has  been  begun  and,  with  the  blessing  of 
God,  will  go  on  and  increase.  The  Catholic  church  is  ever  striving  to  attain 
her  ends  and,  consequently,  she  can  never  rest  satisfied.  Priests  and  jjeople 
must  be  ever  on  tb.e  onward  n;arch  and  ready  for  all  dangers  in  the  battle  of 
life.  '  .  .  ;  ^ 

Tllli   CATHOLIC    CIU'RCII    IX    .ST.    AL'IJL'STIXE 

The  i)arish  of  St.  Augustine  is  one  of  the  most  interesting,  and  possibly 
the  oldest,  in  the  di(,)cese  of  J'eoria.  It  was  founded  \\ithin  the  boundary  of 
what  was  then  Fulton  county.  Later  on.  church  and  town  passed  on  wheels  into 
Knox  county.  As  the  very  name  itself  applies,  St.  Augustine  is  a  Catholic 
foundation.  As  far  I)ack  as  1836,  and  '37.  a  Catholic  colony  was  formed  and 
John  Gallett  and  G.  McFlroy  came  from  Ohio,  and  the  Mattinglys  and  man\ 
other  Canadian-Irish,  who  had  long  settled  near  the  home  of  Bisho|)  Sjialding. 
came  froni  Kentucky.  They  built  a  little  church  for  themselves,  in  1844,  dedi- 
cating it  to  St.  Augustine,  and  the  township  sjirang  up  around  and  took  its 
name  from  the  church.  Father  St.  Cyr  was  the  first  j)riest  to  serve  the  district, 
from  1837  to  '39.  but  he  and  Fathers  Con  way  and  Doyle,  who  succeeded  him. 
had  no  residence  there.  \'arious  priests  came,  with  more  or  less  regularity, 
now  from  LaSalle,  like  Father  Raho.  or  Father  Brady  from  Kickapoo.  The 
first  resident  priest  was  Father  James  HaljMn.  who  took  charge  in  1873. 
;.  In  the  meantime,  the  jjresent  church  was  Iniilt.  in  1863,  under  the  suj^ervi- 


? 

2.1 


-   - 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          >       •  673 

sion  of  Father  Allbrecht.  A  few  years  afterwards,  Father  Larmer  removed  it 
from  Fulton  county,  across  the  border  to  its  present  site  in  Knox  county.  This 
was  on  account  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  railway  being  compelled,  by  the  circumstances 
of  the  ground,  to  place  their  depot  so  far  north  of  the  old  town.  When  the 
town  came  to  the  depot,  the  church  was  bound  to  follow. 

Since  the  time  of  Father  Halpin,  many  priests  have  held  the  pastorate. 
Father  Maurice  Howard,  on  leaving  Galesburg,  was  at  St.  Augustine  from 
1876  to  1878.  Father  P.  J.  O'Reilly,  now  Bishop  O'Reilly,  succeeded  him  and 
remained  until  iSSi.  From  i88i  to  1884,  Father  Fallihee  was  pastor.  Father 
Dunn,  from  1884  to  1887,  and  Father  Scheuren  from  1887  to  1893.  Father 
Kniery  was  there  from  1894  to  1897,  and  he  was  followed  by  Father  Kelly,  who, 
in  his  turn,  was  succeeded  by  Father  Markey,  the  present  parish  priest.  The 
original  priest's  house  was  built  by  Father  Halpin  about  1874  or  '75,  but  a 
very  unfortunate  accident  happened  in  1911,  when  a  fire  broke  out  and  the 
house  was  utterly  destroyed.  This  year,  1912,  by  the  self-sacrificing  generosity 
of  the  people.  Father  Markey  has  been  enabled  to  build  up  a  substantial  and 
handsome  brick  residence. 

.v;?;  -':';•;"    ,v   "  THE    CATHOLIC    CHURCH    IN    WATAGA  ;.    .  .     .-•''" 

<  The  increase  in  the  Catholic  population  of  ICnox  county  is  due,  chiefly,  to 
the  railway  development.  When  the  railways  were  built,  in  the  sixties,  great 
numbers  of  American-Irish  laborers  came  to  the  district  and  settled,  for  the 
most  part,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Galesburg.  After  a  while,  many  of  these 
took  to  farming.  They  either  rented,  or  by  dint  of  great  economy,  were  en- 
abled to  purchase  theif  lands.  Little  by  little,  they  and  their  families  spread 
over  the  county,  but  foi  the  most  part,  they  formed  little  colonies,  such  as  at 
Wataga,  Williamsfield,  Maquon,  Abingdon,  Soperville,  Rio  and  Saluda.  Wataga 
and  Williamsfield  were  the  most  notable  of  these  centers.  At  first,  all  came 
within  the  limits  of  the  Galesburg  parish,  as  well  as  a  large  district  extending  into 
adjoining  counties.  When  the  increase  of  numbers  came.  Bishop  Spalding  cut 
off  some  portions  of  the  district  and  among  them,  Wataga,  which  was  assigned 
to  Galva  and  Williamsfield,  which  now  belongs  to  the  parish  of  Elmwood. 
Also  Abingdon,  which  is  within  the  limits  of  St.  Augustine  parish. 

About  seven  or  eight  years  ago,  the  Catholic  body  around  Wataga  built  a 
little  church  for  themselves  and  this  church  was  solemnly  blessed  by  Father 
Costa,  rural  dean  of  the  district.  This  chapel  is  served  from  Galva,  every  two 
weeks. 

Williamsfield  and  Abingdon  are  other  small  centers  of  Catholic  activity 
within  the  county  limits,  but,  as  yet,  they  have  no  chapel  of  their  own,  but 
have  mass  regularly  every  month,  celebrated  in  a  private  dwelling,  or  a  rented 
building. 

During  recent  years,  there  has  been  a  considerable  increase  in  the  number  of 
Catholics,  due,  no  doubt,  to  natural  increase,  but  also  to  a  very  considerable 
extent,  to  the  political  persecutions  and,  consequent  insecurity  of  life  and  prop- 
erty of  southeastern  Europe.  Many  Slavs  have  come  from  southern  Austria 
and,  at  the  time  of  writing,  there  is  a  considerable  immigration  of  Albanians, 
who,  suffering  under  Turkish  misrule,  have  abandoned  their  country  and,  with 

Vol.    1—43- 


674  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^1        - 

wives  and  children,  are  seeking  a  home  under  the  flag  of  liberty.  The  advent 
of  these  foreigners  presents  a  new  problem  for  the  Catholic  church.  These 
men,  for  the  most  part  well  educated  and  accustomed  to  ease  and  comforts  of 
life,  find  themselves  here  in  a  new  home  land,  without  knowing  the  language, 
without  experience,  and  many  of  them  in  poverty,  robbed,  as  they  were,  by 
the  Turkish  soldiery.  They  are  all  Catholics  and  the  church  must  do  her  best 
to  provide  for  them.  The  greatest  difficulty  is  the  language,  but  they  need 
also  help  and  advice  as  to  their  employment  and  the  forming  of  their  homes. 


/v;.-;  THE  JEWS  AND  THEIR  RELIGION       c: 

.     >^';:;v  BY  MAX  J.  MACK        ^-^-'-'-v  ;"';••:- 

The  ancient  Hebrews,  during  the  many  years  they  lived  in  peace  under  the 
rule  of  their  own  kings,  were  shepherds  and  agriculturists.    They  were  a  peace- 

'  ful.  God-fearing  people,  brave  in  the  defense  of  their  country  and  martyrs  to 
their  religious  belief.  Finally,  defeated  and  driven  from  their  own  country  into 
other  lands,  they  were  always  subjected  to  persecution,  and  due  from  centuries 
long  expulsion  from  the  soil  and  from  their  original  agricultural  pursuits,  they 
have  become,  more  than  others,  city-dwelling  folks.  They  were  forced  into 
othei;  occupations ;  they  became  the  merchants  and  money  lenders  of  the  world, 
and  their  descendants  of  the  present  century  are  still  largely  engaged  in  busi- 

.   ness  undertakings.     They  entered  into  the  professions;  they  drifted  into  litera- 
.     ture,  science  and  music,  becoming  proficient  and  then  prominent  in  whatever 

'  field  they  entered.  Today,  in  Europe  and  America,  Jews  are  amongst  the  leading 
men  in  the  professional  and  business  world,  in  art,  science,  literature  and  music, 
and  thousands  are  garment  makers  and  mechanics — and  there  are  many  Jewish 
artisans.  •.•'"-  •'•'••''•,- .'-^ •.-':'.'••:'./:',;  ';',:^:;'-'  '-  I'-;-" '•'••;;-'••'•.< 

I  It  is  the  hope  of  the  American  philanthropist  that  the  Jews  will  again 
become  tillers  of  the  soil  to  a  larger  degree,  and  every  effort  is  being  made  to 

,  turn  some  of  the  thousands  of  Jewish  emigrants  that  yearly  come  to  America 
away  from  the  large  cities  on  to  the  farm  of  the  west  and  the  northwest. 

It  is  perhaps  not  generally  known,  but  is  a  fact  just  the  same,  that  in 
length  of  residence  and  participation  in  every  struggle  for  the  welfare  of  the 
country,  the  Jews  of  America  equal  that  of  any  other  religious  denomination. 
,.  The  Jew  in  the  United  States  is  American  to  the  core.  In  1654,  thirty-four 
years  after  the  Mayflower  landed  the  Pilgrim  fathers  at  Plymouth,  Massachu- 
setts, the  St.  Caterina  arrived  at  New  Amsterdam  (the  present  New  York) 
with  twenty-three  Jews  on  board.  In  1682  the  Jews  of  New  Amsterdam  rented 
a  house  for  religious  service,  although  undoubtedly  they  met  for  worship  before 
that. 

In  all  the  wars  of  the  country  Jews  have  taken  prominent  and  honorable  part. 

,  Beginning  with  the  revolutionary  struggle,  Jews  have  fought  on  all  the  bat- 
tlefields where  patriots  gave  their  lives  that  their  country  might  live.  There 

.  were  nine  Jews  amongst  the  signers  to  the  now  important  resolutions  of  1765,  the 
first  step  which  eventually  led  to  the  war  of  the  revolution.  . .' 


V  ^V:;  •    y      :     ^:      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY--  ;,        675 

In  the  records  of  the  revolutionary  army,  incomplete  as  they  are, 'are  the 
names  of  twenty-seven  Jewish  officers.  One  Jew,  Haym  Solomon,  rendered 
invaluable  financial  services  to  the  government  during  the  darkest  days  of  the 
revolutionary  war,  he  being  the  chief  individual  reliance  of  Robert  Morris,  su- 
perintendent of  finance;  Solomon  loaned  the  government  $2C»,ooo,  an  immense 
sum  of  money  in  those  days. 

Forty-three  Jews  are  recorded  in  the  war  of  1812;  fifty-seven  are  recorded 
in  the  Mexican  war.  In  the  civil  war  7,500  Jews  fought  in  the  northern  and 
southern  armies,  a  larger  number  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  Jews  who  were 
then  in  the  United  States,  about  150,000,  than  was  furnished  by  any  other  re- 
ligious denomination.  For  the  Spanish- American  war  2,451  Jews  enlisted  in 
the  army  and  forty-two  in  the  navy ;  thirty-two  were  officers. 

I  wish  that  I  had  the  space  to  write  in  detail  concerning  the  settlement,  his- 
tory and  services  of  the  Jews  in  all  states  of  the  Union.  In  the  cabinet,  in  the 
United  States  senate,  our  house  of  representatives,  in  the  diplomatic  service,  in 
state  legislature,  on  the  bench,  in  federal,  state  and  municipal  offices,  hundreds  of 
Jews  have  served  and  are  serving  the  federal  government,  its  states  and  cities- 
They  are  prepared  to  make  all  sacrifices  for  their  country  either  in  war  or  peace 
and  constantly  strive  for  the  perpetuation  of  good  government,  whilst  being 
loyal  to  the  faith  and  race  tradition. 

'  The  term  "Jewish  nationality"  is  a  misnomer.  They  are  racial,  but  not  na- 
tional. There  is  no  Jewish  nation  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  therefore  no  per- 
son of  Jewish  nationality.  The  word  "Jewish"  applies  purely  to  a  religious  belief. 
The  principles  and  doctrines  upon  which  the  whole  system  of  the  Jewish  re- 
ligion is  founded  may  be  reduced  to  the  following  articles : 

1st.  That  there  exists  one  God,  the  undivided  and  indivisible  Creator  and 
ruler  of  the  universe,  in  whom  is  centered  the  essence  of  all  power  and  wisdom 
£nd  goodness. 

2nd.  That  the  omnipotent  creator  rules  the  universe  exclusively  by  His  own 
dominion,  and  that  no  mediator  intervenes  between  Him  and  His  creatures. 

3rd.    That  the  writings  of  Moses  and  the  prophets  who  succeeded  him  were 
written  by  divine  authority  and  inspiration,  and  that  these  only  constitute  the 
holy  testament,  arfd  these  only  are  the  rule  and  guide  for  our  religious  conduct. 
:       4th.     That  the  human  soul — the  essence  of  our  being — is  spiritual  and  im- 
mortal like  the  Almighty  God  who  gave  it.  . 

5th.  That  our  soul,  after  being  by  death  separated  from  our  body,  will  re- 
ceive its  reward  or  punishment  at  the  hands  of  the  Creator  in  accordance  with 
our  acts  and  conduct  in  the  present  life.  The  doctrine  we  hold  in  regard  to  future 
reward  and  punishment  is  that  the  recompense  of  the  soul  will  be  of  a  purely 
spiritual  nature ;  that  it  will  have  its  reward  in  enjoying  eternal  life  and  bliss  in 
the  immediate  presence  of  .God,  who  is  the  source  of  life  and  happiness,  and  its 
punishment  in  the  opposite. 

The  chief  duties  required  of  its  disciples  by  the  Jewish  religion  are : 

1st.  To  reverence  and  worship  God,  to  obey  His  will  and  to  be  thankful  for 
His  goodness. 

2nd.  To  be  just  and  charitable  toward  our  fellow-beings;  to  promote  their 
morals  and  welfare  and  to  do  to  them  as  we  wish  them  to  do  to  us. 

3rd.    To  improve  our  mind  and  understanding;  to  acquire  knowledge  and  so 


676  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

conduct  our  lives  and  actions  as  to  promote  our  own  perfection  and  happiness 
and  at  the  same  time  that  of  our  fellow-creatures. 

Two  thousand  years  of  trials,  tribulations  and  humiliations  for  the  sake  of  his 
religion  has  taught  the  Jew  tolerance  and  respect  for  all  other  religions,  there- 
fore you  never  hear  of  his  trying  to  proselyte  anyone.  The  prejudice  against 
Jews  in  this  country,  in  our  city  and  county,  if  there  be  any,  is  caused  by  wrong 
impressions  and  gross  misrepresentations  of  their  characteristics.  Instead  of  tak- 
ing the  thousands  of  Jews  famous  in  the  world  of  finance,  letters,  business,  music, 
diplomacy  and  statesmanship  as  the  standard,  the  Jew  is  usually  judged  and 
wrongfully  judged  by  the  lowest  of  his  race. 

The  Jewish  people  who  have  resided  in  Galesburg  during  the  past  sixty  years 
were  mostly  engaged  in  business  enterprises.  There  is  one  who  is  at  present  and 
has  been  for  a  number  of  years  a  locomotive  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  C.,  B. 
&  Q.  R.  R.  Co.  It  is  Harry  Glickson,  well  liked  by  all  his  fellow-employes ;  and 
there  have  been  a  few  others  who  were  railroad  employes  and  mechanics,  but  as 
a  rule  they  are  and  have  been  merchants,  and  for  that  reason  a  history  of  the 
Jews  of  Galesburg  will  be  a  mere  sketch  of  business  men,  lacking  in  interesting 
or  exciting  details.  ,  '  : ':  ;;'  -  •  •:" ;  J  V;  •;  •'.  •  \" 

The  Jewish  people  of  Galesburg,  like  those  of  other  communities,  are  public- 
spirited,  patriotic  and  law-abiding.  They  always  favor  public  improvements; 
are  liberal  contributors  to  public  enterprise,  never  turn  down  a  worthy  charity 
and  never  refuse  help  to  the  deserving  poor,  especially  the  poor  of  their  own 
people.  Indeed,  a  Jew  in  need  of  help  never  goes  to  any  but  a  co-religionist  for 
assistance,  and  he  is  never  refused  help. 

Although  always  few  in  number,  the  Jewish  people  of  Galesburg  have  a 
church  organization  of  their  own  wherever  possible.  Forty  years  ago  they  had 
a  congregation  with  their  own  rabbi,  but  this  was  given  up  after  a  few  years. 
Five  years  ago  the  present  congregation  "Sons  of  Judah"  was  organized,  Louis 
Nirdlinger  being  its  first  president,  and  he  held  the  office  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  The  congregation  holds  its  services  in  the  Universalist  church  on  Sun- 
day evenings  (but  not  regularly),  and  they  are  conducted  by  Rabbi  Chas.  S.  Levi 
of  Peoria,  assisted  by  a  splendid  choir. 

The  Jews  have  a  cemetery  of  their  own,  it  being  a  beautiful  place  only  a  few 
rods  south  of  Linwood  cemetery. 

The  Jewish  women  have  an  organization  known  as  the  "Ladies'  Aid  society," 
partly  social,  but  mostly  charitable,  its  principal  aim  and  object  being  to  aid 
destitute  Jewish  people,  either  living  here  or  transient. 

The  first  Jewish  citizen  of  Knox  county  was  Abraham  Jacobi,  who  came  to 
Knoxville  from  Peoria  in  1850  and  moved  from  there  to  Galesburg  in  1855,  en- 
gaging in  the  clothing  business  on  the  north  side  of  the  square.  He  retired  from 
business  in  1890,  his  son  Albert  taking  over  his  interest  in  the  firm  of  Jacobi  and 
Mack.  Mr.  A.  Jacobi  died  November  24th,  1909.  Mr.  Jacobi  has  four  sons 
living,  members  of  the  firm  of  Jacobi  Bros,  and  Mack — Harry  A.,  Fred  D.  and 
Albert  G.  Jacobi,  residing  in  Galesburg,  while  one  son,  Nathan,  lives  in  Tracy, 
Minn.  Solomon  Spear  came  to  Galesburg  at  an  early  day  and  first  started  in  the 
dry  goods  business,  but  afterward  conducted  a  hat  and  fur  business,  retail,  but  later 
became  a  jobber  of  hats,  caps  and  gloves  in  Galesburg,  Illinois.  Mr.  Spear  se- 
cured a  half  interest  in  the  management  of  the  Illinois  hotel,  retaining  the  same 
until  a  year  ago.  -  r.,-;  -'v;;  •;  '•  . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >    :       677 

The  Mayer  brothers,  Henry  and  Abraham,  engaged  in  Galesburg  first  in  the 
clothing  business.  Henry  Mayer  afterwards  became  a  manufacturer  and  re- 
tailer of  cigars,  until  the  time  of  his  death.  His  three  sons  are  now  in  the 
hotel  business  in  Chicago. 

:  .Max  J.  Mack  came  to  Galesburg  from  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1875,  was  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  one  year,  and  in  1876  formed  a  partnership  with  his  father-in- 
law,  A.  Jacobi.  Jn  1895  the  present  firm  of  Jacobi  Bros,  and  Mack  was  organ- 
ized, s!.:''.  .•;.;-.•  :•  /•  •  •^-,/  .- 

Solomon  Frolich  came  to  Galesburg  in  1879  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale 
and  retail  liquor  business  with  Henry  Gardt.  In  1883  Louis  Nirdlinger  moved 
to  Galesburg  from  Winchester.  Illinois,  and  became  a  partner  in  the  firm.  Mr. 
Nirdlinger  died  November  28,  1910,  and  his  son,  Sidney,  took  his  interest  in  the 
firm  of  Frolich  &  Nirdlinger. 

Harry  A.  Jacobi  came  from  Tracy,  Minnesota,  in  1895.  Henry  Herman,  in 
1899;  I.  Bondi  and  H.  G.  Bondi  of  Bondi  Bros.  Co.,  and  I.  H.  Hexter  in  1897. 
Mr.  Hexter  died  June  22,  1911.  L.  Bernstein  came  in  1895;  J.  J.  Winkler,  the 
optician,  in  1897;  Jos.  Gross  of  the  Gross  Mfg.  Co.,  in  1898. 

Charles  Gumbiner  originally  came  to  Galesburg  in  1876,  but  left  after  re- 
maining a  few  years.  He  returned  in  1893.  The  three  Bowman  brothers  came 
in  1906.  D.  C.  Halper,  in  1897;  M.  Stamm,  in  1902;  B.  Michaelson,  in  1900; 
Charles  Schimmel  and  Mr.  Freedman,  in  1910,  and  Block  and  Sax,  in  1912. 


•      •  /    •     THE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY   :-:  ^  ;>    ;  > -;  c-:  ;  v \; 

•  --^^ -,'•;••''--'•/-'•'' '"-'''^  '  '•'-"'''••.    ';>''•••':.'' V^•1  •.'••'.••••''•  ^ 

V.  ,  ;    ;        BY  THE  REV.  CHARLES  W.  LEFFINGWELL,  D.D.      .    ?•  ':•  X^  •V'i.'i^'  '': 

The  Episcopal  church  was  not  largely  represented  among  the  pioneers  of  -;  • 

Illinois,  and  very  few  churchmen  settled  in  Knox  county.     Some  of  them,  as  in  '  •-'. 

other  parts  of  the  state,  were  Church  of  England  people,  who  remained  steadfast  ' ,  •  1 

in  their  traditional  faith  and  worship,  though  for  a  long  time  they  were  without  ; 

pastors  and  churches.     Bishop  Philander  Chase,  the  first  bishop  of  Illinois  (1835  ./^ 

to  1852),  passed  through  Knox  county  in  1836,  holding  services  and  looking  i"    . 

up  members  of  his  scattered  flock.    His  long  journeys  over  the  great  diocese  of  -•;: 

Illinois  were  made  by  boat  on  the  rivers  and  in  his  old  family  carriage  (which  ,  1;- 

he  called  "the  ark")   across  the  prairies.     He  met  with  many  accidents  in  his  ^'  ; 

travels,  and  being  a  very  heavy  man,  his  ribs  were  frequently  broken.    It  is  said  V    •: 

that  nearly  every  rib  in  his  body  suffered  in  that  way,  and  that  some  were  v  : 

broken  twice.    The  story  is  told  that  on  one  of  his  visitations   (it  might  have  ;,     ..' 

been  in  Knox  county),  when  the  tavern  keeper's  son  was  about  to  go  out  with  . 

notices  that  the  bishop  would  preach,  the  landlord  inquired:     "What  denomina-  ^  •^:'- 

tion  shall  I  tell  the  people  you  belong  to?"    "Tell  them,"  said  the  bishop,  "that  I  '  > , 

belong  to  the  church  which  translated  the  Bible."    The  lad  rushed  out,  ringing  a  ';. ;. 
bell  and  shouting,  "The  man  who  translated  the  Bible  will  preach  at  the  school- =,-; 

house  tonight !"  .  :  £ 

Bishop  Whitehouse  succeeded  Bishop  Chase,  and  after  him  Bishop  McLaren  -' .{• 

had  the  oversight  of  all  Illinois,  for  a  time.     In   1877,  the  great  diocese  was  ;   : 


678  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

divided  into  three,  named  Chicago,  Quincy  and  Springfield,  Knox  county  being         >\.; 
in  the  Quincy  diocese.     Bishop   Alexander   Burgess   was   the   first  bishop   of        •• 
Quincy  (1878-1901)  ;  Bishop  Taylor  succeeded,  his  episcopate  being  very  short;        \  ' 
Bishop  Fawcett  became  bishop  of  Quincy,  in   1904.     These  were  all  good  and       .:'" 
strong  men,  and  their  helpful  influence  was  felt  throughout  the  community.  ;•.. 

The  first  parish  organized  in  the  county  was  St.  John's,  Knoxville,  1843.    The        :;.' 
first  vestry,  elected  September  9th,  at  the  house  of  Wm.  Lighton,  was  John  G.        >. 
Sanborn  and  Elisha  Hummastun,  wardens,  and  John  Johnston,  Darius  A.  Beck-         -; 
with  and  James  Knox.     Names  of  others  appear  in  the  records  of  the  parish  as         :•: 
active  in  the  work  of  the  early  days,  Wm.  Hester,  H.  N.  Keightley,  Wm.  N.         ;. 
Phillips,  P.  H.  Sanford,  John  Babbington.  ' 

The  Rev.   Dudley  Chase,  son  of  Bishop  Chase,   was  the  first  minister  in         •' 
charge  of  St.  John's  parish,  Knoxville,  coming  from  Jubilee  college  in  Peoria         .^ . 
county,  to  officiate  on  Sundays.     His  first  baptism  is  recorded  under  date  of        '-i 
September  7,  1844;  Hester  Francis,  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  Johnston,  born        r; 
October  20,  1843.  '  ^:  • 

Upon  the  organization  of  Grace  church,  Galesburg   (1859),  its  rector,  the        r  . 
Rev.  Wm.  T.  Smithett,  took  charge  of  the  parish  in  Knoxville.     The  Rev.  J.  S.  _.•;, 
Chamberlain,  followed  Mr.  Smithett  as  missionary  in  charge.     Under  his  ad- '     ; .  •  . 
ministration  St.  John's  church  was  built,  though  unfortunately  with  a  large  debt         .. 
for  the  small  parish  to  carry.  !•  :H;   ": 

Upon  the  establishment  of  St.  Mary's  school  in  Knoxville  the  rector  of  the  ::/ 
school  became  rector  of  the  parish,  and  the  school  attended  Sunday  services  in  ;  . 
the  parish  church.  The  Rev.  E.  H.  Rudd  was  for  some  years  rector  of  St.  John's,  '.•  • 
and  for  many  years  was  chaplain  and  instructor  in  St.  Mary's  school.  '-.•'•.,'!: 

Grace  church,  Galesburg,  was  organized  as  a  parish  in  1859,  having  for  some         .-  : 
years  been  served  as  a  mission.    At  a  meeting  held  in  the  office  of  Sidney  Myers,    ,     .'" 
September  28th,  articles  of  association  were  signed  by  the  following:     J.   R.  .;'-', 
Gordon,  S.  Gordon,  H.  D.  Brackett,  Josias  Grant,  G.  Bement,  A.  McDowell,  Wm. ^^  .  ;  . 
L.  Ransom,  G.  C.  Lamphere,  Lin  P.  Gowdey,  Wm.  N.  Phillips,  O.  J.  Flagg,  G.        ,-. ; 
Tee,  Thomas  B.  Martin,  B.  Nettleton,  Wm.  Merwin  Ransom,  D.  C.  Brown,  W.  J. 
DeLancey,  L.   R.   Brown,  Sydney  Myers,  Elisha  Field. 

It  was  under  Bishop  Whitehouse  that  the  parish  was  admitted  into  union 
with  the  diocese  of  Illinois.  The  Rev.  Wm.  T.  Smithett  presided  at  the  meeting 
of  organization  and  afterwards  became  rector  of  the  parish.  Under  his  ener- 
getic  leadership  a  church  was  soon  built  and  opened  for  worship,  Christmas,  1860. 
The  first  vestry  was  elected  October  24,  1859,  consisting  of:  Sydney  Myers 
and  Wm.  N.  Phillips,  wardens ;  Wm.  M.  Ransom,  Harry  T.  Smith,  Josias  Grant, 
Geo.  W.  Woods,  D.  C.  Brown,  D.  Bronson,  Lucius  Chapman,  Timothy  Nash. 

In  June,  1862,  a  resolution  of  thanks  was  adopted  by  the  vestry,  to  the  rector 
"for  his  untiring  efforts  to  place  the  parish  free  from  debt,  as  well  as  for  his 
uniform  devotion  to  all  the  duties  of  his  office." 

The  Rev.  L.  N.  Freeman  succeeded  Mr.  Smithett,  early  in  1863,  remaining  ^ 

only  a  year,  to  be  followed  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Cracraft,  in  April,  1864.     Mr. 
Cracraft's  course  was  somewhat  eccentric  (to  say  the  least),  from  an  Episcopal 
point  of  view,  and  he  soon  got  the  parish  divided  and  himself  into  trouble  with 
the  bishop  of  the  diocese.     Some  who  disapproved  of  his  "preaching  politics"         .    , 
and  shutting  up  his  own  church  to  preach  elsewhere,  withdrew  from  the  parish,  = 


I 


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:;  55 


678  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

divided  into  three,  named  Chicago.  Quincy  and  Springfield,  Knox  county  being 
in  the  Quincy  diocese.  Bishop  Alexander  Burgess  was  the  first  bishop  of 
Quincy  (1878-1901)  ;  Bishop  Taylor  succeeded,  his  episcopate  being  very  short; 
Bishop  Fawcett  became  bishop  of  Quincy,  in  1904.  These  were  all  good  and 
strong  men,  and  their  helpful  iuHuence  was  felt  throughout  the  community. 

The  first  parish  organized  in  the  county  was  St.  John's.  Knoxville,  1843.  The 
first  vestry,  elected  September  yth,  at  the  house  of  \\'m.  Lighton,  was  John  G. 
Sanborn  and  Elisha  Hummastun,  wardens,  and  John  Johnston,  Darius  A.  Beck- 
with  and  James  Knox.  Names  of  others  appear  in  the  records  of  the  parish  as 
active  in  the  work  of  the  early  days.  \\'m.  Hester.  H.  X.  Keightley,  \Vm.  X. 
Phillips,  P.  H.  Sanford,  John  Babbington. 

The  Kev.  Dudley  Chase,  son  of  Bishop  C'hase.  was  the  first  minister  in 
charge  of  St.  John's  ])arish,  Knox\'ille,  coming  from  Jubilee  college  in  Peoria 
county,  to  officiate  on  Sundays.  His  first  ba])tism  is  recorded  under  date  of 
September  7,  11^44;  Hester  l-'rancis.  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  Johnston,  born 
October  20,  18^3. 

Upon  the  (organization  of  .Grace  church,  dalesburg  (1859),  its  rector,  the 
Rev.  \\'m.  T.  Smithett.  took  charge  of  the  joarish  in  Knoxville.  The  Rev.  J.  S, 
Chamberlain,  followed  .Mr.  Smithett  as  missionary  in  charge.  Under  his  ad- 
ministration St.  John's  church  was  built,  though  unfortunately  with  a  large  debt 
for  the  small  parish  to  carry.  .  '  /I 

Upon  the  establishment  of  St.  Mary's  school  in  Knoxville  the  rector  of  the 
school  became  rector  of  the  parish,  and  the  school  attended  Sunday  services  in 
the  parish  church.  The  Rev.  E.  II.  Rudd  was  for  some  years  rector  of  St.  John's, 
and  for  many  years  was  chaplain  and  instructor  in  St.  Mary's  school. 

Cirace  church.  ( ialesburg.  was  organized  as  a  j)arish  in  1859.  having  for  some 
years  been  served  as  a  mission.  .\t  a  meeting  held  in  the  office  of  Sidney  Myers, 
September  28th.  articles  of  association  were  signed  by  the  following:  J.  R. 
Gordon.  S.  Gordon.  H.  1).  l^racketl.  Josias  Grant,  d.  liement.  .\.  McDowell.  \Vm. 
L.  Ransom.  G.  C.  Lamphere.  Lin  P.  (jowdey.  \\'m.  X.  Phillips.  ().  J.  Flagg,  G. 
Tee,  Thomas  B.  Martin.  15.  .\ettleton,  \Vm.  Merwin  Ransom  D.  C.  Brown,  \V.  J. 
DeLancey.  L.  R.  Brown.  Sydney  ]\Iyers.  Elisha  Field. 

It  was  under  Bisho])  \\'hiteliouse  that  the  ])arish  was  admitted  into  union 
with  the  diocese  of  Illinois.  The  Rev.  \\'m.  T.  Smithett  jjresided  at  the  meeting 
of  organization  and  afterwards  became  rector  of  the  parish.  Under  his  ener- 
getic leadershi])  a  church  was  soon  built  and  opened  for  worship,  Christmas,  1860. 
The  first  vestry  was  eK'Cled  ( )ctober  24.  1859.  consisting  of:  Sydney  Myers 
and  \\'rii.  X.  Phillips,  wardens;  \\m.  M.  Ransom.  Harry  T.  Smith.  Josias  (irant, 
Geo.  \\'.  \\'o()(ls.  I).  C.  I'.roun.  I).  Bronson.  Lucius  Chapman,  Timothy  Xash. 

Ir.  June,  i8f)2.  a  resolution  of  thanks  was  adopted  by  the  vestry,  to  the  rector 
"for  his  untiring  efforts  to  place  the  ])arish  free  from  debt,  as  well  as  for  his 
uniform  devotion  to  all  the  duties  of  his  office." 

The  Rev.  L.  X.  l-'rceman  succeeded  Mr.  Smithett,  earlv  in  i8<')3.  remaining 
only  a  year,  to  be  folloued  by  tbe  Rev.  J.  \\'.  Cracraft.  in  April,  181^)4.  Mr. 
Cracraft's  course  was  somewhat  eccentric  (to  >ay  the  lea.st).  from  an  l'4)iscopal 
point  of  view,  and  lie  soon  got  the  ])arish  divided  and  himself  into  trouble  with 
the  bishop  of  the  diocese.  Some  who  disapproved  of  his  "preaching  politics" 
and  shutting  up  his  own  church  to  preach  elsewhere,  withdrew  from  the  parish. 


*    ;•-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  679 

•  j-  ,• ,  '  • 

while  others  became  violent  partisans  in  his  support.  The  excitement  of  con- 
troversy found  expression  in  the  Cnicago  papers  and  in  sundry  pamphlets  which 
were  widely  circulated.  The  bishop  ordered  the  church  closed,  and  the  senior 
warden,  Thomas  B.  Martin,  who  at  this  writing  is  still  senior  warden,  put  a 
padlock  and  a  notice  on  the  door.  These  were  removed  by  order  of  the  vestry, 
and  Mr.  Martin  was  threatened  with  prosecution  in  the  civil  courts.  Mr.  Cracraft 
was  inhibited  by  the  bishop  and  the  parish  was  suspended  by  the  convention  of 
the  diocese.  •  • 

Though  the  contumacious  rector  and  his  friends  made  a  brave  struggle,  they 
soon  "began  to  feel  the  halter  draw."  In  a  year  the  pew  rents  had  fallen  off  so 
much  that,  on  November  i8,  1865,  Mr.  Cracraft  was  constrained  to  make  a 
proposition  to  remain  in  charge  for  what  he  could  get  after  paying  all  expenses 
of  the  church,  including  the  elements  for  the  holy  communion.  In  July,  1866, 
he  withdrew,  and  all  parties  seem  to  have  become  convinced  that  an  Episcopal 
church,  at  war  with  the  bishop  and  diocese,  could  not  prosper.  Respectfuj  over- 
tures were  made  for  reinstatement,  "and  they  lived  together  happy  ever  after." 

The  Rev.  C.  A.  Bruce  was  the  next  pastor,  his  rectorship  lasting  about  a 
year.  The  Rev.  F.  W.  Boyd  followed,  with  another  brief  rectorship.  In  1868, 
Mr.  C.  W.  Leffingwell,  who  had  opened  St.  Mary's  school,  Knoxville,  was 
supplying  Sunday  services.  The  Rev.  W.  Thompson  was  pastor,  1869-1871,  and 
the  Rev.  Stephen  T.  Allen  from  1871  to  1877.  His  successors  were:  The  Rev. 
G.  H.  Higgins,  1877-1880;  the  Rev.  C.  J.  Shrimpton,  1881-1887;  the  Rev.  John 
Wilkinson,  1888-1890;  the  Rev.  C.  R.  Hodge,  1891-1893;  the  Rev.  W.  B.  Guion, 
1894-1895;  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Benham,  1896-1898;  the  Rev.  E.  F.  Gee,  1899-1902; 
the  Rev.  B.  E.  Diggs,  1904-1906;  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Mason,  1907-1910;  the  Rev. 
Arthur  S.  Peck,  1911. 

Among  the  Galesburg  families  not  heretofore  mentioned  that  have  been  help- 
ful in  sustaining  Grace  church,  should  be  noted  those  of  David  Greenleaf  and 
Col.  Clark  E.  Carr.  Thomas  B.  Martin  was  first  elected  vestryman  in  1864,  and 
during  most  of  the  time  since,  to  the  date  of  this  writing,  has  held  the  office  and 
performed  efficiently  the  duties  of  senior  warden.  .  • ' ;  • 

St.  John's  church,  Galesburg,  was  organized  in  1893,  and  soon  after  was  ad- 
mitted to  union  with  the  Synod  of  Quincy.  It  is  a  Swedish  congregation,  and  by 
license  of  the  bishop  the  liturgy  and  ritual  of  the  old  church  of  Sweden  are,  for 
the  most  part,  used.  The  present  pastor  (1912),  the  Rev.  John  E.  Almfeldt,  dur- 
ing his  brief  term,  has  succeeded  in  getting  a  lot  and  a  new  church,  and  has 
greatly  strengthened  the  work.  There  is  also  a  Swedish  mission  at  Woodhull. 

Perhaps  more  important  and  far-reaching  than  parochial  work,  in  Knox 
county,  has  been  the  influence  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  building  and  main- 
taining educational  institutions.  Some  account  of  St.  Mary's,  St.  Alban's  and  St. 
Martha's  schools  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  --•  -  •  'v 


..:T          680  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -^^ ^ '  " 

;     ;     ••i'vS';'        THE  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 

'•••'-     '      ' •'   '    ''    .'  •  -'•' ,  ' 

'     ;  ••  :=X'?  \  BY  REV.  CARL  J.  BENGSTON     ••v:'^;.^     :•  : 

.,"  The  Lutheran  church  is  the  oldest  Protestant  church,  being  the  first  to  spring     .., 

'  from  the  reformation.     It  is  also  the  largest  of  the  Protestant  churches.     It  is     '•' 

•    -         the  principal  church  in  Germany,  the  state  church  in  Sweden,  Norway  and  Den- 
7       mark  and  is  comparatively  strong  in  the  Baltic  provinces  of  Russia.    In  America     -  • 
it  is  divided  into  four  general  organizations,  the  general  synod,  the  general  coun-    '• 
'    .    cil,  the  synodical  conference  and  the  united  synod  south  and  several  independ- 
;  ent  synods,  and  it  ranks  third  in  membership,  being  outnumbered  only  by  the 

^!         Methodists  and  the  Baptists.         '.:';•     •'-•^t^;=  .:^;;;  J;  ;--.-i>:i'',> '•' 

It  is  commonly  known  as  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church.    The  word  "evan- 
;  gelJcal"  had  "its  origin  in  the  stress  laid  upon  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  by      ; 

Luther  and  his  co-laborers  over  against  the  errors,  the  legalism  and  the  fables     x 
of  Rome,"  and  was  not  intended  to  express  any  marks  of  distinction  from  the    ''. 
other  Protestant  churches  as  is  sometimes  erroneously  stated  and  believed.     The     ,;; 
.        word  "Lutheran"  was  taken  from  the  founder  of  the  church,  the  great  hero  of    •'- 
the  reformation,  Martin  Luther.     Both  names  were  first  applied  to  the  follow-    . 
ers  of  Luther,  in  a  sneering  way,  by  the  Catholic  priests  of  the  day  and  were     .'• 
.    •        afterwards  adopted  by  the  church  as  its  historic  name,  ;  vI     •   '    '  -   1  '^: 

The  reformation  dates  from  the  3ist  of  October,  1517,  when  Luther  pub- 
.     lished  his  ninety-five  theses  by  nailing  them  to  the  door  of  the  old  Castle  church      ; 
in  Wittenberg.     While  primarily  directed  against  the  sale  of  indulgences,  au-     •:; 
thorized  by  the  pope,  these  theses  contained  the  fundamental  truths  upon  which      ; 
the  Lutheran  church  is  based.     Luther  denied  that  the  church  possessed  an  in- 
finite fund  of  spiritual  treasures  in  the  merits,  i.  e.,  the  sufferings  and  sacrifices     .-. 
:    '          of  Christ,  the  saints  and  all  the  redeemed,  that  it  could  at  will  dispense,  if  it  chose,     • 
for  cash.     He  contended  that  God  alone  could  forgive  sins  and  that  man  was 
justified  by  faith  alone  through  the  meritorious  work  of  Christ.     The  effect  of     '• 
r       •     these  theses  was  tremendous.     No  greater  defiance  had  ever  before  been  hurled     . 
:  against  the  Church  of  Rome.    All  Europe  awoke  as  out  of  a  long  and  troublous     ;. 

sleep.     Men's  attention  everywhere  was  directed  as  never  before  to  the  sins  that     • 
'    were  daily  committed  under  the  guise  of  religion.    The  result  was  greater  even 
•  than  Luther  could  have  realized,  and  he  very  soon  found  that  he  could  not  re-    v 

.    ,       trace  his  steps,  but  must  go  on,  under  the  guidance  and  in  the  strength  of  God, 
..    ^    \ '     until  he  had  finished  his  work  that  unfolded  itself  to  him  step  by  step  and  the 
\>       reformation  was  accomplished.  v 

'  :^;      V>.,v  '  THE  AUGSBURG   CONFESSION        ';•':;•,• 

.'  ;;    r^:-^  ,  THE   LUTHERAN   CHURCH  .,•';.' 

Like  all  orthodox  churches,  the  Lutheran  church  has  three  ecumenical  creeds, 

the  apostolic,  the  nicene  and  the  athanasian.     Besides  these  it  has  its  own  dis- 

.  tinct  confession,  known  as  the  Augsburg  Confession,  from  the  fact  that  it  was 

'    submitted  by  the  different  Lutheran  churches  in  Germany  to  the  Emperor  Charles 

the  Fifth  at  the  diet  of  Augsburg  on  June  25,  1530,  as  a  summary  of  their  re- 


^^•/^X;-!:'        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^  ^          681 

ligious  belief.  Some  of  the  general  bodies  constituting  the  Lutheran  church  sub- 
scribe to  the  Augsburg  confession  only.  Others  subscribe  to  it  with  this  addi- 
tion, "being  understood  in  accordance  with  the  further  developments  of  these  doc- 
trines as  contained  in  the  other  symbolical  books  of  the  Lutheran  church."  These 
"other  symbolical  books"  are  the  Apology  for  the  Augsburg  Confession,  the 
Schmalcald  Articles,  Luther's  Smaller  and  Larger  Catechism  and  the  Formula 
of  Concord.  Space  will  not  permit  giving  a  history  of  these  books,  nor  even  of 
the  Augsburg  Confession.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  of  the  latter  that  it  was  written 
by  Philip  Melanchthon,  the  scholar  of  the  reformation,  and  carefully  revised  by 
Luther.  As  to  its  contents,  it  was  based  partly  on  what  is  known  as  the  Mar- 
burg-Schwalbach  articles,  written  by  Luther  in  the  autumn  of  the  previous  year, 
and  partly  on  the  Targan  articles,  written  largely  by  Melanchthon  and  sutMnitted 
to  the  Elector  John  in  March,  1530.  The  Augsburg  Confession  contains  twenty- 
eight  articles,,  of  which  the  first  twenty-one  treat  of  the  doctrines  of  the  church 
and  the  other  seve^n  of  abuses  that  had  crept  into  the  Roman  church. 

;    /  '  :  V:.'/'V.^  •   ;.    THE  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  IN  SWEDEN  '^^i.'  -•;•''' 

As  we  are  concerned  in  this  article  mainly  with  the  Swedish  branch  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  it  might  be  well  to  mention  briefly  the  introduction  and  estab- 
lishment of  Lutheranism  in  Sweden.  At  the  time  of  the  reformation  the  Church 
of  Rome  was  supreme  in  Furope.  The  Latin  and  the  Germanic  races  were  all 
Catholic.  Sweden  had  been  a  Catholic  country  for  more  than  five  centuries. 
But  the  dawn  of  the  new  era,  the  revival  of  learning,  had  reached  the  countries 
of  the  far  north.  Young  men  began,  as  never  before,  to  flock  to  the  universities 
of  the  continent  to  study.  In  1516  we  find  one  of  these  young  men  from  Sweden, 
Olavus  Petri,  at  the  university  of  Wittenberg,  where  Luther  was  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal teachers.  This  young  man  was,  no  doubt,  in  Wittenberg  in  1517  and  must 
have  read  the  ninety-five  theses  of  Luther.  He  must  also  have  been  a  most  will- 
ing witness  to  the  tremendous  results  of  the  publication  of  these  theses,  and  we 
are  safe  in  saying  that  he  undoubtedly  listened  to  some  of  the  discussions  that 
followed.  This  young  man  possessed  some  of  the  characteristics  of  his  great 
teacher,  and,  like  Luther,  though  in  a  less  pronounced  degree,  he  had  experienced 
m  his  own  heart  the  birth  of  the  reformation. 

In  1519  Olavus  Petri  returned  to  Sweden.  The  Bible  was  now  his  light  and 
he  was  filled  with  the  blessed  assurance  that  his  sins  were  forgiven.  His  first 
field  of  activity  was  the  city  of  Strengnoes,  where  he  was  first  clerk  to  the 
bishop,  then  principal  of  the  cloister  school,  and  then  consecrated  a  deacon.  Here 
he  immediately  began  to  give  lectures  on  portions  of  the  holy  scriptures  to  the 
canons  and  choristers  under  his  care.  Many  of  the  young  men  were  soon  won 
over  to  the  new  faith,  and  one  elderly  man  of  great  influence,  the  learned  Lau- 
rentius  Andreae,  was  so  powerfully  impressed  by  the  truth  of  God  that  he  openly 
defended  the  young  and  eloquent  Olavus  Petri  against  those  who  opposed  him. 

These  were  stirring  days,  politically,  in  Sweden.  King  Christian  of  .Den- 
mark had  invaded  the  country  with  a  powerful  army,  intending  to  bring  it  under 
his  sway  and  in  order  to  insure  himself  of  ultimate  success  in  this  undertak- 
ing he  had  secured  certain  commissions  from  the  pope.  He  was  everywhere  suc- 
cessful and  in  a  remarkably  short  time  had  conquered  the  whole  country.  But 


^;;  >  fl82  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ->    :   I    '    : 

.    ;•        it  was  to  be  only  for  a  short  time.     Drunk  with  the  glory  of  his  conquest,  he 

•          .    wreaked  such  bloody  vengeance  on  those  who  had  opposed  him,  especially  among 

•.        ••   the  nobility,  that  the  whole  country  soon  arose  in  revolt.    A  wave  of  patriotism 

..    :         arose  in  the  north  and  rolled  on  toward  the  south,  increasing  in  magnitude  as  it 

:'    went.     It  centered  around  one  man,  the  young  and  fearless  Gustavus  Vasa,  who 

at  the  head  of  his  Dalecarlians  pushed  south,  and  did  not  stop  until  he  had 

/  driven  King  Christian  and  his  army  out  of  the  kingdom. 

While  at  Streng^oes,  Gustavus  Vasa  first  came  in  contact  with  the  two  men 
;.     -   .   who  had  openly  espoused  the  reformation.     He  appears  to  have  been  greatly 
.    impressed  with  their  ability  and   also  with   the  truth  that  they  preached,    for 
.  r   when  he  had  become  established  at  Stockholm  as  King  of  Sweden  he  immedi- 
.    ately  called  them  there  and  made  Andreae  his  chancellor  and  Petri  at  once  clerk 
;          ;    of  the  city  and  preacher  of  the  court  church.     He  apparently  was  determined, 
,       from  the  first,  to  make  the  Lutheran  church  the  church  of  his  kingdom.    And  by 
judicious  movements,  as  well  as  by  the  great  personal  power  Jie  wielded,  he  suc- 
ceeded four  years  later,  at  the  diet  of  Vesteraas  in  1527,  in  having  all  the  legal 
.  \     barriers  removed  for  the  formal  introduction  of  the  reformation  everywhere  in 
Sweden.     There  naturally  was  some  opposition  to  the  change  among  the  people 
'v   and  especially  among  the  Dalecarlians,  but  the  leaders  of  the  new  movement 
.    understood  the  Swedish  mind  and  gradually  overcame  every  obstacle.     One  pow- 
erful aid  in  their  work  was  the  translation  into  Swedish  of  the  New  Testament, 
in  1526,  and  of  the  whole  Bible,  in  1541. 

i     ,          For  more  than  half  a  century,  the  Catholic  church  made  persistent  but  un- 
•:  successful  eflforts  to  check  the  growth  of  Lutheranism  in  Sweden.    But  towards 
.      .       the  close  of  the  century,  great  dangers  threatened  the  church.     King  John,  who 
'- .  .       had  been  influenced  by  Calvinism  and  had  sought  to  infuse  it  into  the  church, 
had  died  and  the  heir  to  the  throne.  King  Sigismund  of  Poland,  was  a  bigoted 
Catholic.     For  this  reason  it  became  necessary  for  the  leaders  of  the  church  to 
take  such  steps  as  would  safeguard  it  against  any  eflforts  of  the  king  to  supplant  it. 
y     During  the  interim  Duke  Charles,  temporary  head  of  the  realm,  called  a  church 
council  at  Upsala,  in  1593,  to  settle  once  for  all  whether  or  not  the  Lutheran 
church  should  be  the  church  of  Sweden.     At  this  council,  composed  largely  of 
the  state  senators  and  some  400  clergymen  from  different  parts  of  the  realm,  and 
:         a  few  influential  business  men,  and  sitting  from  the  3rd  to  the  igth  of  March, 
.  '.    •       the  three  ecumenical  creeds  were  first  adopted.     And  then,  on  March  5th,  the 
':  Augsburg  Confession,  as  subscribed  to  by  the  Lutherans  in  Germany,  was  unan- 

imously adopted  as  the  common  faith  of  the  people  of  the  kingdom.    It  was  also 
-      decided  that  the  king  should  be  bound  by  oath,  before  he  could  be  crowned,  to 

respect  the  religious  faith  of  his  subjects.    '.,-!• 

.  ;     •.          It  seems  almost  incredible  that  the  Lutheran  church  of  Sweden  could  have 

;  ;       ,  been  able  to  establish  itself  and  to  exist  for  70  years  in  these  strenuous  times 

-.  without   setting    forth    in   any   confessional   document   the    principles    that    had 

.•         brought  about  the  change.     But  the  explanation  must  be  sought  mainly  in  the 

'     •     .    fact  that  in  Sweden  the  reformation  really  began  from  the  throne  and  gradually 

f.'    ;';      worked  its  way  down  through  the  mass  of  the  people.     The  change  from  the 

:  •    -  i     old  to  the  new  had  been  so  gradual  that  few  noticed  it,  and  the  champions  of 

'     •      .    the  reformation  were  never  required,  by  the  temporal  ruler,  to  give  public  ac- 

•         count  of  their  faith,  as  had  been  the  case  in  Germany.    And  when  the  estates  of 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  683 

the  realm  did  decide  to  adopt  Lutheranism  as  a  common  faith,  after  having 
been  confessed  by  the  people  for  more  than  half  a  century,  this  was  done  because 
of  dangers  to  their  faith  that  they  had  just  passed  through  and  because  of  still 
greater  dangers  that  were  threatening.  ; 


;_;;..•.....,  _^;.-.''-;^':-v'-::  ;.;      WHAT  IS  LUTHERANISM  ?  ''         V'      .'.••';;/'.:•"' v';!.-^ '! 

What  are  the  teachings  of  the  Lutheran  church?     It  will  not  be  possible  to 
give  a  full  answer  to  this  question  here.    Only  in  a  broad  sense  can  the  tenets 
of  our  church  be  stated.     Two  basic  principles  underlie  the  Lutheran  church, 
both  being  especially  emphasized  by  Luther.     The  first  is  called  the  "formal 
principle,"  and  is  expressed  thus,  "The  sacred  scriptures  are  the  word  of  God 
and  the  only  infallible  rule  for  man's  faith  and  life."    To  this  view  of  the  scrip- 
tures alone  having  a  normative  value  Luther  came,  as  you  might  say,  by  slow 
stages.     He  had  been  too  well  schooled  in  the  doctrines  and  the  power  of  his 
church  to  reject  her  authority  hastily.    But  he  naturally  must  come  to  the  position 
'"'••  where  he  could  not  concede  that  either  pope  or  church  council  had  any  authority 
r  :  ;.C    over  and  above  the  word  of  God.     Neither  are  infallible.     But  the  word  of  God 
is.    The  second  principle  is  called  the  "material  principle,"  and  is  thus  expressed, 
'..:         "Man  is  justified  before  God  by  faith  alone  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  not  by  any 
.'.•-•    •   works  of  his  own."    It  was  this  view  of  his  own  salvation  that  caused  Luther  to 

make  his  first  break  with  the  Roman  church.  .   -  ' 

::^:,r          According  to  the  Lutheran  view,   speaking  broadly,   "there   is   an   intimate 
!vr        union  of  the  supernatural  with  the  natural,  of  the  inner  with  the  outer,  of  the 
;  •         divine  with  the  human,  in  such  a  way  that  the  former  is  present  and  active  in, 
•-'':  '-•'-   with  and  by  the  latter,  and  that  the  latter  is  a  God-given  organ  and  form  of 
:•/        existence,  in  the  present  world,  of  the  former.     With  regard  to  the  person  of 
A          the  Redeemer  the  Lutheran  church  acknowledges  with  the  greatest  emphasis  and 
v7        earnestness  the  divine  mystery  in  the  incarnation   (John  i,  14)   of  the  Son  of 
,•          God,  and  maintains  in  unqualified  faith  the  incarnate  as  the  one  in  whom  the 
divine  and  the  human  are  absolutely  united  in  a  mutual  interpenetration.     She 
emphasizes  the  objective  redemption  in  Christ  as  well  as  the  subjective  appro- 
priation by  faith  of  the  divine  grace  of  salvation.     The  Lutheran  church  ac- 
knowledges that  the  church  of  Christ  in  this  world  has  both  an  invisible  and  a 
visible  form.    At  the  same  time,  that  she  gives  to  God  alone  the  glory  for  the 
conversion  and  salvation  of  men,  she  does  not  deny  that  through  the  workings 
of  the  grace  of  God  in  conversion  the  human  will  is  set  free  to  voluntarily 
appropriate  and  make  use  of  the  gifts  of  the  saving  grace  of  God.     She  refuses 
to  know  anything  whatever  of  words  without  the  spirit,  or  of  spirit  without  the 
word,  but  holds  that  the  two  are  organically  united ;  and  in  the  sacrament  of  the 
altar,  she  neither  allows  the  heavenly  gift  to  supplant  the  visible  elements,  nor 
yet  the  latter  to  supplant  the  former,  but  possesses  and  acknowledges  the  invisible 
sacramental  gift  and  the  visible  element  in  the  most  beautiful  union. 

This  view  is  characteristic  also  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  her  relation  to 
human  life  in  general.  She  holds  that  the  Christian  is  placed  in  the  world  by  God 
to  be  his  servant,  and  that  all  the  human  relations  are  to  be  hallowed  by  faith 
and  love.  This  view  is  also  fundamental  for  the  Lutheran  order  of  church 


684         <  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^l^} 

service,  and  determines  her  relation  to  art.  In  the  world  of  nature,  that  is  to 
say,  faith  sees  everywhere  visible  types  and  similes  of  the  invisible  glory  that 
shall  be  revealed  for  the  first  time  on  the  day  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  For 
this  reason,  art  and  poetry  receive  here  their  right  recognition,  not  as  objects 
for  idolization  as  in  the  church  of  Rome,  but  in  their  temporal  significance,  until 
further,  as  typical  expressions,  in  advance  of  the  glory  of  the  coming  world,  where 
spirit  and  corporeality  transformed  will  fuse  into  one  essence.  "Ullman." 


WHAT  INFLUENCES  BROUGHT  THE  LUTHERANS  TO   KNOX   COUNTY? 


The  earliest  exodus  of  Swedes  to  America  was  in  the  I7th  century,  when,  in  ; 

1637,  ^  number  of  them  settled  along  the  Delaware  river.     This  was  a  crown  '/ 

colony  of  Sweden,  augmented  from  time  to  time  by  new  colonists  until   the  '.^i 
Swedes  gradually  occupied  all  the  lands  along  the  Delaware  from  the  ocean  to 

the  neighborhood  where  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  now  stands.     The  country  was  •. 

wrested  from  their  control  by  the  Dutch,  in  1655,  but  the  colonies  continued  to  . 

exist.      Being   Lutherans,   these    sturdy   people    from   the    north    founded    their  ;; 

churches  wherever  they  settled.     They  brought  their  pastors  with  them  or  sent  \; 
for  them  after  they  had  arrived.     But  because  they  were  not  properly  united  into 

any  organic  body,  or  synod,  nor  received  the  spiritual  care  and  attention  that  • 

they  needed  from  the  mother  church  of  Sweden,  these  historic  Swedish  Lutheran  ?: 

churches  on  the  Delaware  were  gradually  absorbed  by  the  Episcopal  church  in  the  ^ 

first  half  of  the  iQth  century.     That  they  did  not  affiliate,  as  might  have  been  ; 

expected,  with  the  German  Lutheran  churches  must  have  depended  upon  historic  ; 

reasons  as  well  as,  possibly,  on  the  failure  of  the  Germans  to  properly  approach  -:- 

the  Swedes  in  the  matter  of  church  affiliation.  >  ,.-     ,    •  .• 

,  • ;         *-•.,..  '•^'     . 

The  next  more  general   and  much   more   important  exodus  of   Swedes  to     ', 
America  began  in  the   fourth  decade  of  the   last  century,   and  has  continued     :^. 
more  or  less  steadily  to  the  present  day.     If  the  cause  of  the  first  exodus  had 
been  an  effort  on  the  part  of  the  Swedish  government  to  found  colonies  in  the      . 
new  world  in  order  to  extend  its  power,  the  cause  of  the  second  exodus  has     ... 
been  rather  a  desire  and  a  hope  on  the  part  of  the  individual  emigrants  to  better      '• 
their   physical   conditions.     Great   prospects   and   possibilities   were   pictured    to 
them  by  a  few  individuals  who  had  come  still  earlier  and  found  the  country 
rich  in  resources  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  could  and  would  brave  the  hard-    \ . 
ships  and  dangers  of  frontier  life.    To  this  should  possibly  be  added  as  a  second     .'. 
cause,  though  not  so  marked,  a  spirit  of  unrest,  brought  on  largely  by  the  ar- 
rogance and  oppression  of  the  privileged  classes,  the  aristocracy  that  had  become     •• 
also  the  plutocracy,  who  had  failed  to  show  a  proper  appreciation  of  the  peasantry, 
forgetting  that  the  proper  development  and  the  actual  prosperity  of  a  country 
depend  largely  on  a  contented  and  happy  peasantry.     In  some  instances,  religious 
intolerance  enters  also  as  a  part  cause  for  the  emigration,  as  was  the  case  with     s 
Eric  Jansson  and  his  followers  who  settled  in  and  around  what  is  now  Bishop  Hill.     •  [ 

These  early  settlers  came  in  large  parties,  consisting  of  relatives  and  friends,  "••'.• 
often  large  enough  to  charter  a  whole  sailing  vessel  for  the  voyage.  One  such  \, 
party,  the  first  settled  along  Pine  lake  in  Wisconsin,  in  1841,  another,  the  second,  V 
settled  along  the  Skunk  river  in  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  in  1845.  0"^  party,  .' 


.:^"   -          -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :Vr.:^    685 

coming  mostly  from  the  northern  part  of  Sweden  and  bringing  with  them  their 
pastor  in  the  person  of  the  Rev.  L.  P.  Esbjorn,  the  learned  pioneer  Swedish 
Lutheran  preacher  and  educator  in  America  in  the  nineteenth  century,  settled  in 
Henry  county,  Illinois,  in  1849.  Other  parties  followed  and  settled  in  south- 
western New  York  and  northeastern  Pennsylvania.  And  still  others  pushed  north 
and  settled  in  Minnesota.  The  Swedish  Lutherans  who  settled  in  Knox  county 
came  mostly  from  the  southern  part  of  Sweden  in  1850  and  the  following  years 
and  settled  around  Galesburg  and  Knoxville,  Wataga  and  Altona. 

For  three  years  Rev.  Fsbjorn  was  the  only  spiritual  adviser  of  the  Lutherans 
in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  ministered  faithfully  to  the  scattered  flocks  in 
Henry,  Knox,  Bureau  and  Rock  Island  counties,  organizing  churches  in  An- 
dover  and  Moline,  in  1850,  and  in  Galesburg  in  1851.  The  church  in  Galesburg 
was  the  first  Lutheran  church  to  be  organized  in  Knox  county.  The  following 
year  it  received  its  first  settled  pastor  in  the  Rev.  T.  N.  Hasselquist,  who  ar- 
rived in  the  fall  of  the  year  with  his  wife  and  servant  and  about  sixty  of  his 
relatives  and  friends  and  immediately  entered  upon  his  duties  as  pastor  of  his 
people.  Rev.  Hasselquist  proved  himself  to  be  an  unusually  gifted  organizer 
and  leader.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  highly  educated,  Mrs.  Hasselquist  speak- 
ing readily  French  and  German  and  English  in  addition  to  her  own  language. 
Both  were  devout  and  earnest  Christians  and  understood  thoroughly  their  peo- 
ple. They  had  come  in  order  to  devote  their  life  to  the  Swedish  Lutheran  cause 
in  America,  and  though  they  had  known  only  comfort  and  ease  at  home  they 
were  prepared  to  share  joyfully  with  their  people  the  privations  and  hardships 
connected  with  frontier  life.  Yet  it  must  also  be  said  to  the  credit  of  these  early 
Lutheran  settlers  that  they  gladly  shared  what  little  they  had  of  this  world's 
goods  with  their  pastors. 

The  Lutherans  scattered  over  the  county,  and  churches  were  organized  in 
Knoxville,  in  1853;  in  Wataga,  in  1856;  in  Altona,  in  1859,  and  at  Soperville,  in 
1870.  In  1906  Trinity  English  Lutheran  church  of  Galesburg  was  organized  to 
meet  the  needs  of  an  ever  increasing  number  of  those  Lutherans  who  more  read- 
ily understand  the  English  language. 

These  early  Lutheran  pioneers  in  Illinois,  with  others  who  settled  east  and 
west  and  north,  were  the  founders  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  America, 
known  as  the  Augustana  synod,  and  organized  in  June,  1860,  in  Clinton,  Wiscon- 
sin. This  synod  numbered,  in  1910,  625  ministers,  1,145  congregations  with  172,- 
239  communicants  and  a  total  membership  of  261,713. 


TO  WHAT  EXTENT  CAN  THE  LUTHERANS  BE  SAID  TO   HAVE  REALIZED  THEIR   HOPES 
...       IN  ORGANIZING  THEIR  CHURCH   IN  KNOX  COUNTY        .       ;^ 

It  has  already  been  made  clear  that  a  large  majority  of  the  Swedes  who  first 
settled  in  Knox  county  were  Lutherans.  But  they  not  only  were  Lutherans,- 
they  desired  most  earnestly  to  remain  Lutherans.  Primarily  they  had  come  from 
their  distant  homes  to  America  in  the  hope  of  here  bettering  their  temporal  con- 
ditions and  not  because  of  any  religious  reason.  But  at  the  same  time,  as  a 
Christian  people,  they  brought  their  Bibles  and  other  devotional  books  with  them. 
They  were,  as  a  rule,  a  pious  people  with  deep  religious  convictions.  It  is  but 
natural  that  they  should  desire  to  worship  their  God  in  their  own  language  and 


686  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

according  to  the  usages  of  their  Lutheran  church.  At  the  same  time  they  were 
desirous  of  spiritually  caring  for  the  growing  number  of  their  countrymen  who 
continued  to  come  after  them.  And  it  is  not  presuming  too  much  to  say  that 
they  wished  to  plant  the  Lutheran  church  so  deep  in  Knox  county  that  it  would 
continue  to  live  and  grow  and  be  a  blessing  to  their  descendants  from  genera- 
tion to  generation.  Those  who  believe  that  the  descendants  of  the  Lutherans  are 
not  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  loyalty  to  their  church  or  have  not  strong  religious 
convictions  but  will  remain  Lutherans  only  so  long  as  they  speak  their  foreign 
language  will  find  themselves  greatly  mistaken. 

Granting  then  that  these  were  their  hopes  and  aspirations  in  founding  their 
church  in  this  county,  we  can  say  that  they  have  more  than  realized  them.  For 
more  than  half  a  century  the  Lutheran  church  has  been  a  blessing  to  thousands 
of  the  citizens  of  the  county.  Its  influence  for  good  in  the  different  localities  can 
hardly  be  estimated.  It  is  stronger  to-day  than  ever  before,  and  it  is  continuing 
to  grow.  As  the  Swedish  population  in  the  county  increased  and  it  became  nec- 
essary for  some  to  leave  in  order  that  there  should  be  more  room  for  others,  hun- 
dreds  of  families  migrated  to  different  parts  of  Iowa,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and 
other  states,  where  they  formed  the  nucleus  of  thrifty  settlements  and  strong 
Lutheran  churches.  The  difficulties  of  the  Lutherans  have  indeed  been  many  and 
at  times  almost  disheartening,  but  they  have  persevered.  God  has  prospered  them 
greatly  in  material  things  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  land,  and  He  has  also 
richly  blessed  them  spiritually.  The  church  is  now  in  its  transition  period,  when 
the  language  question  is  most  vexatious,  but  once  safely  through  this  period, 
when  leakage  in  membership  because  of  the  language  is  greatest,  greater  things 
are  in  store  for  her,  if  only  her  members  remain  loyal  to  their  God  and  the 
principles  of  the  reformation  and  take  an  ever  increasing  interest  in  those  things 
that  work  for  the  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  community  in  which 
they  live. 

:v,W'.J  THE   FIRST  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  OF  GALESBURG 

This  church  was  organized  August  24,  1851,  by  the  Rev.  L.  P.  Esbjorn,  who 
had  preached  regularly  in  Galesburg  since  his  arrival  in  Andover  in  1849.  The 
membership  was  then  only  forty  adult  persons.  Its  first  settled  pastor  was  the 
Rev.  T.  N.  Hasselquist,  who  arrived  from  Sweden  October  28,  1852.  The  first 
church  had  been  built  in  1850,  but  for  some  reason  it  had  i>assed  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  Lutherans  and  was  bought  back  by  them  in  1852,  from  the  Metho- 
dists. This  church  building  was  afterwards  enlarged,  but  soon  became  entirely 
too  small  and  inadequate  for  the  steadily  growing  congregation.  The  present 
church  was  erected  in  1869.  The  pipe  organ  was  built  in  1877,  completed  April 
12,  1878,  the  parsonage  in  1878  and  the  Luther  hall  as  it  now  is,  in  1885,  thor- 
oughly remodeled  in  1901.  The  Elim  chapel  on  Arnold  and  Summit  streets, 
1903.  Rev.  T.  N.  Hasselquist  served  as  pastor  of  the  church  for  eleven  years, 
when  he,  in  1863,  was  called  to  still  greater  usefulness  as  professor  of  theology  in 
Augustana  seminary  and  subsequently  as  president  of  the  institution.  He  was 
succeeded  as  pastor  in  Galesburg  by  the  Rev.  A.  W.  Dahlsten.  Other  pastors 
who  have  served  the  church  are  Rev.  N.  Th.  Winquist,  1869-1873;  Rev.  S.  P.  A. 
Lindahl,  1873-1885;  Rev.  C.  A.  Backman,  1885-1888;  Rev.  C.  J.  E.  Haterius, 


FIRST  SWEDISH  EV.  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  ; 

Located  on  the  corner  of  North   Sem'nary  anj  Waters  Streets.     Erected  in   1869.     Remodeled  in  1891. 
and  in  1899.      Value,  $20,UOy. 


686  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

according  to  the  usages  of  their  Lutheran  church.  At  the  same  time  they  were 
desirous  of  spiritually  caring  for  the  growing  number  of  their  countrymen  who 
continued  to  come  after  them.  And  it  is  not  presuming  too  much  to  say  that 
they  wished  to  plant  the  Lutheran  church  so  deep  in  Knox  county  that  it  would 
continue  to  live  and  grow  and  he  a  hlessing  to  their  descendants  from  genera- 
tion to  generation.  Those  who  believe  that  the  descendants  of  the  Lutherans  are 
not  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  loyalty  to  their  church  or  have  not  strong  religious 
convictions  but  will  remain  Lutherans  only  so  long  as  they  speak  their  foreign 
language  will  find  themselves  greatly  mistaken. 

(Iranting  then  that  these  were  their  hopes  and  aspirations  in  founding  their 
church  in  this  county,  we  can  say  that  they  have  more  than  realized  them.  For 
more  than  half  a  century  the  Lutheran  church  has  been  a  blessing  to  thousands 
of  the  citizens  of  the  county.  Its  influence  for  good  in  the  different  localities  can 
hardly  be  estimated.  It  is  stronger  to-day  than  ever  before,  and  it  is  continuing 
to  grow.  As  the  Swedish  p<)]nilation  in  the  county  increased  and  it  became  nec- 
essary for  some  to  leave  in  order  that  there  should  be  more  room  for  others,  bun- 
(lre<ls  of  families  migrated  to  dififerent  parts  of  Iowa,  Kansas,  Nebraska  and 
other  states,  where  they  formed  the  nucleus  of  thrifty  settlements  and  strong 
Lutheran  clnircbes.  The  difficulties  of  tbe  Lutherans  have  indeed  been  many  and 
at  times  almost  disheartening,  but  tbey  have  persevered.  God  has  prosj)ered  them 
greatly  in  material  things  out  of  the  abundance  of  the  land,  and  He  has  also 
richly  blessed  them  spiritually.  The  church  is  now  in  its  transition  period,  when 
the  language  (|uestii)n  is  most  vexatious,  but  once  safely  tbrougb  tbis  period, 
when  leakage  in  membership  because  of  the  language  is  greatest,  greater  things 
;ire  in  store  fr.r  her.  if  only  her  members  remain  loyal  to  tbeir  Cod  and  tbe 
|irinci])Ies  of  the  reformation  and  take  an  ever  increasing  interest  in  those  things 
tiiat  work  for  the  temjioral  and  s])iritual  welfare  of  the  community  in  which 
they  live. 

,;    '  Tin:    KIKST    I.l'TllKUAX    CIirRCII    OK   r.AI.KSItrRH 

Thi^  church  was  organized  August  24,  1851,  by  the  Rev.  L.  1'.  Esbjorn,  who 
had  preached  regularly  in  ( ialesburg  since  his  arrival  in  Andover  in  1849.  The 
membership  was  then  only  forty  adult  jjersons.  Its  first  settled  pastor  was  the 
Rev.  T.  X.  Ha-^sel(|uist.  who  arrived  from  Sweden  October  28.  1852.  Tbe  first 
clniroh  had  been  built  in  1850.  but  for  some  reason  it  bad  passed  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  Lutherans  and  was  hought  back  by  them  in  1852,  from  the  Metho- 
dists. This  church  building  was  afterwards  enlarged,  but  soon  l>ecame  entirely 
too  small  and  inade(|uate  for  tbe  steadily  growing  congregation.  Tbe  jiresent 
cluirch  was  erected  in  i8CK^.  The  ptpc  organ  was  built  in  1877.  completed  April 
12.  1878.  the  parsonage  in  1878  and  the  Luther  hall  as  it  now  is,  in  1885,  thor- 
oughly remodeled  in  1901.  The  Elim  chapel  on  Arnold  and  Summit  streets, 
1903.  Rev.  T.  X.  Hassek|uist  served  as  pastor  of  the  church  for  eleven  years, 
when  he.  in  1863.  was  called  to  still  greater  usefulness  as  professor  of  theology  in 
Augustana  seminary  and  subsequently  as  president  of  tbe  institution.  He  was 
succeeded  as  pastor  in  Galesburg  by  the  Rev.  A.  W.  Dahlsten.  Other  pastors 
who  have  served  the  church  are  Rev.  X.  Th.  Winquist,  18^)9-1873:  Rev.  S.  P.  A. 
Lindahl,  1873-1885:  Rev.  C.  A.  Backman,  1885-1888:  Rev.  C.  J.  E.  Haterius, 


sT  SVVKDISII  K\'.  II'TIIKKAX  (iirucir 


I^ocated  on  the  corner  «(  N'mtli   St-ni  iiavv  an  1   XVaU-vs  Stn-L-t  .      l-'.n-ili-il   in    l^r.'i.      Uomixleled   in    ISOl, 
and  111   IM'.lii.     Value.  $iiMi(i:i. 


f^          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         :/  687 

1889-1898;  Rev.  Peter  Peterson,  1898-1904,  the  present  pastor.  Rev.  F.  A.  John- 
son since  March  31,  1905.  The  Sunday  school  has  an  enrollment  of  ninety  teach- 
ers and  seven  hundred  scholars.  Other  organizations  within  the  church  are  the 
Mission  and  Tract  society,  since  1885,  with  a  membership  (1910)  of  213;  the 
Luther  league,  since  1898,  with  91  members;  the  Martha  society  (1891),  the 
Society  of  Loyal  Helpers  (1899),  with  60  members;  the  Men's  league  (1900), 
with  157  members;  the  Dorcas  society  (1903),  with  80  members.  The  church 
has  a  splendid  choir,  an  orchestra  and  a  male  chorus.  It  numbered,  in  1910, 
1,446  communicants  and  a  total  membership  of  2,010  souls.  It  is  the  strongest 
church  of  the  city  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

•'••.      •'•    ,',"'.••  .  -..'     -    -     '"•      •'•       '"         .     '.i   .'     .,!'..      ''.       . 

,'>:*:    THE   SWEDISH   EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN    CHURCH    OF   KNOXVILLE 

The  first  Lutherans  to  settle  in  and  around  Knoxville  came  about  the  year 
1849.  More  arrived  in  1850,  1851  and  1852,  and  a  large  number  in  1853.  When 
Rev.  T.  N.  Hasselquist  arrived  in  October,  1852,  it  was  his  first  intention  to 
settle  in  Knoxville.  For  that  purpose  twenty  acres  of  land  upon  which  stood 
a  log  cabin  was  purchased  for  $200  by  John  Johnson,  Swan  Randon  and  John 
Truedson.  But  because  of  its  location  to  the  south  of  the  city.  Rev.  Hasselquist 
found  the  distance  to  Galesburg  too  great  and  consequently  to  make  the  latter  city 
his  home,  and  the  property  in  Knoxville  was  afterwards  sold.  Immediately  upon 
his  arrival  Rev.  Hasselquist  began  gathering  signatures  of  such  as  desired  to 
organize  a  Lutheran  church,  but  an  organization  was  not  effected  until  March  21, 
1853.  Who  and  how  many  the  charter  members  were  it  is  not  possible  to  state, 
as  the  earliest  records  of  the  church  have  been  lost. 

In  1854,  a  lot  was  purchased  on  W.  South  street,  and  the  same  year  a  church 
was  built,  largely  from  material  that  had  been  donated.  This  church  was  dedi- 
cated December  2,  1855.  An  addition  to  this  church  was  built  in  1872,  and 
another  in  1879.  In  the  year  1910,  it  was  decided  to  erect  a  new  modern  church 
and  a  lot  was  purchased  on  the  corner  of  South  and  Timber  streets,  and  a  brick 
structure  erected  at  a  cost  of  $14,000.  It  was  dedicated  April  14,  1912. 

The  first  parsonage  was  purchased  in  1869,  and  after  being  enlarged  later 
served  its  purpose  until  1901,  when  it  was  sold  and  a  new  one  built  at  a  cost 
of  $3,000. 

The  church  has  been  served  by  the  following  pastors,  T.  N.  Hasselquist,  1853- 
1863;  S.  G.  Larson,  1863-1869;  A.  G.  Setterdahl,  1869-1874;  C.  Walleen,  1874- 
1877;  J.  F.  Borg,  1877-1879;  H.  P.  Quist.  1879-1886;  A.  Norrbom,  1887-1890; 
P.  A.  Cederstam,  1891-1895;  H.  P.  Ottoson,  1897-1906;  O.  G.  Berg,  1907-1910; 
O.  W.  Ferm,  1910-1911;  Carl  J.  Bengston,  1911. 

The  congregation  numbers  (1912)  190  adult  members  and  has  a  total  mem- 
bership of  300.  It  has  a  Sunday  school  with  an  enrollment  of  75,  an  active 
ladies'  aid  society  and  Luther  league  and  men's  league.  The  language  used  is 
largely  Fnglish,  this  language  being  used  exclusively  in  the  Sunday  school  and 
the  Luther  league  and  in  all  Sunday  evening  services.  The  Swedish  is  still  used 
at  the  Sunday  morning  services. 


688       ;;,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^    -i    j 

THE   SWEDISH    EVANGELICAL   LUTHERAN    CHURCH    OF   ALTONA 


'.i^:- 


As  the  records  of  the  organization  of  this  church  have  been  lost,  it  is  not 
ixjssible  to  state  with  certainty  the  date  of  its  organization.  Persons  living,  who 
were  present  at  the  organization,  state  that  it  took  place  in  1854.  So  much  is 
certain  that  the  church  was  organized  some  time  between  1854  and  1859.  The 
lot  upon  which  the  present  church  was  erected,  in  1864,  was  purchased  in  1859. 
In  1869  a  parsonag^e  was  built,  and  in  1869  a  tower  was  added  to  the  church 
building.  Rev.  T.  N.  Hasselquist  served  the  church  as  pastor,  in  addition  to  his 
other  duties,  until  1860.  The  other  pastors  have  been  Rev.  F.  O.  Duvell  (or 
Dowell),  18601861;  Rev.  S.  G.  Larson,  1864-1866;  Rev.  P.  M.  Sannquist,  1866- 
1871 ;  Rev.  A.  Lindholm,  1871-1880;  Rev.  L.  G.  Abrahamson,  1880-1886;  Rev.  S. 
P.  A.  Lindahl,  1886-1890;  Rev.  J.  G.  Dahlberg,  1891-1899,  and  the  present  pastor, 
Rev.  Erl  Anderson,  since  1899.  The  church  numbers  300  communicants  and 
has  a  total  membership  of  432. 


>     THE  SWEDISH  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  OF  WATAGA,  ILLINOIS    ^ 

-rr-Vv/V..;      .'        •  ^     •  ;:,;,.;    .-^  .••  •[       •      .V    ^f 

•     '  BY  REV.  CARL.  J.  BENGTON  .    . 

This  congregation  is  generally  conceded  to  have  been  organized  in  1853, 


same  year  that  the  church  at  Knoxville  was  organized,  although  the  earliest 
statistics  of  the  synod  make  1856  the  year  of  organization.  The  exact  date  of 
organization  is  not  known  as  the  earliest  records  appear  to  have  been  lost.  It 
is  almost  certain  that  the  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  T.  N.  Hasselquist, 
who  at  that  time  had  charge  of  almost  all  the  church  work  among  the  Lutherans 
in  Knox  county. 

Wataga  was  not,  until  last  year,  an  independent  charge.  In  i86i,  Wataga 
was  added  to  Altona,  and  served  for  two  years  by  the  Rev.  J.  F.  O.  Duvell.  For 
eleven  years,  or  until  1873,  the  church  was  a  part  of  the  Knoxville  charge,  then 
it  was  added  to  the  Altona  charge  for  one  year  and  after  that  to  the  Henderson 
Grove  charge  for  one  year.  After  this  again  it  was  a  part  of  the  Knoxville 
charge  for  three  years,  or  until  1879,  and  then  of  the  Altona  charge  for  six  years, 
or  until  1885.  In  1886,  Wataga  was  again  added  to  the  Henderson  Grove 
charge,  remaining  in  this  connection  three  years,  and  then  it  was  a  part  of  the 
Galva  charge  for  five  years,  or  until  1903.  From  the  first  of  the  year 
1904,  until  1910,  Wataga  was  a  part  of  the  Knoxville  charge.  In  1911,  it  be- 
came an  independent  pastorate  and  received  its  first  settled  pastor  July  17  of 
that  year,  in  the  Rev.  Jas.  Hultberg. 

It  is  not  definitely  known  when  the  first  church  building  was  erected,  but 
it  was  struck  by  lightning,  in  1875,  and  burned  to  the  ground.  The  present 
church  was  built  the  same  year  and  dedicated  February  2,  1876.  Later  an  ad- 
dition was  built  to  the  church,  which  is  used  as  a  Luther  hall  by  the  young  people 
and  at  social  gatherings. 

The  church  has  at  present  150  communicant  members  and  50  children,  in  all 
200  souls.  The  Sunday  school  numbers  in  all  50  members.  It  has  an  active 
ladies'  aid  society  and  a  Luther  league.  :^  ;  •','"'. 


V.: :/  .;y;    ::        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;;•>  • 

.  :•,.:     -./^I'v,    /  :  .  TRINITY   EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN   CHURCH,  ^     V-"^^V          .      . 

•         '    '  GALESBURG,    ILLINOIS  -         '"'-'- 

The  facts  concerning  the  organization  of  this  church  and  the  causes  that  led 
up  to  the  same  are  of  such  iniportance  that  they  should  be  mentioned  more  in 
detail,  to  enable  one  to  get  a  true  conception  of  the  work.  Galesburg,  as  has 
already  been  stated,  is  one  of  the  pioneer  fields,  of  the  Lutheran  Augustana 
synod.  The  First  Swedish  Lutheran  church  was  organized  in  1851,  nine  years 
before  the  organization  of  the  synod.  As  time  advanced,  the  English  question 
became  more  and  more  urgent  within  the  First  church.  Many  of  the  young 
people  did  not  learn  the  Swedish  language,  others  married  into  families  of  other 
nationalities,  and  as  a  result,  it  became  necessary  not  only  to  give  instruction 
in  English  in  the  Sunday  school  and  catechetical  classes,  but  also  to  have  full 
English  services  at  regular  intervals  and  to  use  the  English  at  the  meetings  of 
the  young  people  and  other  societies.  But  in  a  city  the  size  of  Galesburg  and  in 
a  church  as  large  as  the  First  Lutheran,  this  arrangement  could,  in  the  end, 
satisfy  neither  those  who  desired  the  Swedish  nor  those  who  clamored  for 
English. 

Two  ideas  were  held  forth  as  a  solution  of  the  question ;  one  that  the  con- 
gregation should  gradually  resolve  itself  into  an  English  speaking  church  and  a 
new  Swedish  congregation  be  organized,  and  the  other  that  a  new  English 
speaking  congregation  be  organized.  This  latter  idea  became  the  prevailing  one 
and  resulted  in  the  organization  of  an  English  Lutheran  church.  Already,  in 
1890,  an  effort  had  been  made  to  organize  such  a  congregation,  but  nothing 
came  of  it,  and  it  was  not  until  1906,  that  definite  steps  were  taken  to  organize 
an  English  Lutheran  church  in  Galesburg.  During  the  summer  of  that  year, 
the  synod  of  northern  Illinois,  a  branch  of  the  general  synod  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  of  America,  sent  its  field  secretary  to  Galesburg  with  the  view  of  or- 
ganizing an  English  church.  It  now  became  urgent,  if  anything  was  to  be  done 
by  the  Augustana  synod,  that  it  be  done  at  once.  The  executive  committee  of 
the  Illinois  conference  was  therefore  communicated  with,  the  field  secretary  of 
the  synod  of  northern  Illinois  was  withdrawn,  and  steps  taken  by  the  Swedish 
congregation  to  organize  an  English  church  without  delay.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  congregation,  held  September  24th,  the  following  very  liberal  resolutions 

were  passed:        '.  ;  /.v  r:  ^  ^,-  :         -^  •  ;  w- .^^  --.,..• 

Resolved:  '^      >    • 

I.    "That  the  congregation  will  gladly  welcome  an  English  Lutheran 
';       church   in   Galesburg,  organized  in   all   respects   in  accordance   with   the 
word  of  God  and  the  constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
•;  :;  ,       Augustana  synod. 

-:.'  2.     "That  the  congregation  will  leave  it  to  the  freedom  of  each  in- 

.  .V;        dividual  member  to  join  such  church,  if  he  or  she  so  desires. 
V    '  .  3-     "That  the  congregation  invoke  God's  richest  blessing  upon  such 

•":'•       English  work. 

',  4-     "That  the  congregation  petition  the  executive  board  of  the  Illinois 

:  .  V       conference  to  call  a  pastor  to  have  charge  of  the  English  work,  after 
consultation  with  the  joint  board  and  with  such  persons  as  shall  designate 
...•;       their  desire  to  join  the  new  church. 

.:'/•'  -  •      Tol    1-44  -  .,     ..."'      •--     -      .'•-"'.       .       - 


690  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

5.     "That  the  congregation  grant,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  newly 
organized  church,  the  privilege  of  using  the  church  edifice  and  Luther 
1'  hall  for  services,  Sunday  school  and  other  meetings  until  a  new  church 

'   ;          building  has  been  erected. 

'-  6.     "That  the  congregation  shall  pay  half  of  the  salary  of  the  new 

.C          pastor  for  the  first  year,  beginning  at  the  time  he  enters  upon  his  duties. 
'  7.     "That  the  congregation  declare  its  willingness  to  give  assistance, 

according  to  its  means,  to  the  English  work  during  the  coming  years,  to 
such  an  extent  as  the  congregation  may  deem  it  necessary  and  wise. 
.  ;  8.     "That  the  newly  organized  church  be  granted  the  privilege  of 

;.  soliciting  donations  from  members  of  the  congregation  for  the  purpose  of 

procuring  church  property. 

9.  "That  the  congregation  shall  return  to  the  exclusive  use  of  the 
Swedish  language  as  soon  as  that  may  be  done,  and  thereby  promote  the 
true  interest  of  the  whole  church  work,  the  Swedish  as  well  as  the  English." 
Steps  were  immediately  taken  to  organize  the  new  church.  Mr.  E.  G.  Knock 
of  the  Theological  seminary  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  was  called  by  the  executive 
board  of  the  conference  to  take  temporary  charge  of  the  work.  He  met  general 
encouragement  in  his  labors,  and  on  Monday  evening,  December  3,  1906,  a  called 
meeting  was  held  in  Luther  hall  for  the  purpose  of  organization.  The  meeting 
was  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Knock.  Rev.  F.  A.  Johnsson,  pastor  of  the  First 
Swedish  Lutheran  church,  was  elected  chairman  and  Mr.  Elem  Lavin,  secretary, 
and  the  work  of  organizing  carried  through.  One  hundred  and  nine  persons 
present  at  this  meeting  pledged  themselves  as  members,  and  sixty-two  additional 
pledges  of  persons  not  present  were  in  hand,  making  a  total  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy-one  members  on  the  day  of  organization.  By  a  resolution  all  those  who 
joined  before  January  i,  1907,  would  be  considered  charter  members.  By  Janu- 
ary 1st  fifty-one  additional  persons  had  joined,  making  the  total  number  of  char- 
ter members  of  Trinity  Lutheran  church  two  hundred  and  twenty-two.  To  these 
should  be  added  thirty  children,  making  the  total  two  hundred  and-  fifty-two 
souls. 

The  following  were  elected  deacons :  Messrs.  D.  B.  Swanson,  Elem  N.  Lavin 
and  W.  A.  Morehead,  and  the  following  trustees,  Messrs.  D.  L.  Peterson,  L.  D. 
Johnson,  P.  F.  Swanson,  C.  A.  Swanson  and  A.  E.  Steinfeldt.  Mr.  Elem  Lavin 
was  elected  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and  Mr.  W.  A.  Morehead  as- 
sistant superintendent.  At  the  annual  meeting,  January  2,  1907,  the  number  of 
deacons  was  increased  to  six  and  the  following  additional  ones  elected :  Messrs. 
R.  G.  Gill.  Elmer  Moburg  and  F.  E.  Ferguson. 

The  good  will  and  intentions  of  the  First  Lutheran  church  were  shown  at  the 
organization  of  Trinity  Sunday  school  on  the  first  Sunday  of  January,  1907, 
when  about  250  members  of  the  First  church  Sunday  school  were  transferred 
with  books  and  other  necessary  literature  to  Trinity  Sunday  school,  which  met 
in  Luther  hall.  All  of  these  had  signified  their  desire  of  receiving  instruction  in 
English  and  had  also  received  the  consent  of  their  parents  to  join  the  English 
Sunday  school.  In  the  number  was  also  contained  a  large  percentage  of  teach- 
ing force  in  the  Swedish  Sunday  school. 

Trinity's  first  call  for  a  pastor  was  extended  to  Rev.  C,  E.  Haflfsten  of  Rock 
Island,  but  since  he  declined  to  accept,  a  call  was  extended  on  January  29,  1907, 


690  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     : 

•  '          5.     "That  the  congregation  grant,   as   far   as  practicable,   the  newly    ' 
-          organized  church,  the  privilege  of  using  the  church  edifice  and  Luther 
;•     hall  for  services.  Sunday  school  and  other  meetings  until  a  new  church 
building  has  been  erected. 

6.     "That  the  congregation  shall  pay  half  of  the  salary  of  the  new    ; 
'*      pastor  for  the  first  year,  beginning  at  the  time  he  enters  upon  his  duties. 
•      •          7-     "That  the  congregation  declare  its  willingness  to  give  assistance, 
.''    according  to  its  means,  to  the  English  work  during  the  coming  years,  to 
'        !     such  an  extent  as  the  congregation  may  deem  it  necessary  and  wise. 

•  8.     "That   the  newly   organized   church  be   granted   the   privilege   of 

.         soliciting  donations  from  membeis  of  the  congregation  for  the  purpose  of 

procuring  church  property.  .  i 

.  9.     "That   the  congregation   shall   return  to   the  exclusive  use   of   the     • 

Swedish  language  as  soon  as  that  mav  be  done,  and  thereby  promote  the 
true  interest  of  the  whole  church  work,  the  Swedish  as  well  as  the  English." 
Steps  \\'cre  iiiniiediateh  taken  to  organize  the  new  church.     Mr.  E.  G.  Knock 
of  the  Theological  seminary  at  Rock  Island.  Illinois,  was  called  by  the  executive 
board  of  the  cunfcrencc  to  take  temporary  charge  of  the  work.     He  met  general 
encouragement  in  his  labors,  and  on  Monday  evening,  December  3,  1906,  a  called    . 
meeting  was  held  in  Luther  hall  for  the  purpose  of  organization.     The  meeting 
was  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Knock.     Rev.  E.  A.  Johnsson,  pastor  of  tho   Eirst 
Swedish  Lutheran  church,  was  elected  chairman  and  Mr.  Elem  Lavin.  secretary, 
and  the  work  of  organizing  carried  through.     One  hundred  and  nine  ])ersons 
present  at  this  meeting  pledged  themselves  as  memlx.Ts,  and  sixty-two  additional  \ 
])Iedges  of  persfjns  not  present  were  in  hand,  making  a  total  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy-one  members  on  the  day  of  organization.     Uy  a  resolution  all  those  who  y 
joined  before  January  i,   1907.  would  be  considered  charter  members.     l>y  Janu- 
ary 1st  fifty-one  additional  persons  had  joined,  making  the  total  number  of  char-  ; 
ter  members  of  Trinity  Lutheran  church  two  himdred  and  twentv-two.     To  these 
should  be  added  thirty  children,  making  the  total   two  hundred  and-  fifty-two 
souls.  , 

The  following  were  elected  deacons:  Messrs.  D.  15.  Swanson.  Elem  X.  Lavin 
and  \\  .  A.  Morehead.  and  the  following  trustees.  Messrs.  D.  L.  Peterson,  L.  D. 
John'if)n.  P.  !•'.  Swanson.  C.  A.  Swanson  and  A.  E.  Steinfeldt.  Mr.  Elem  Lavin 
was  electc-d  <u])erintendent  of  the  .^unday  school  and  .Mr.  \\'.  .A.  Morehead  as- 
>istant  suj)erintendcnt.  At  the  annual  meeting.  January  2.  1907.  the  number  of 
deacons  was  increased  to  six  and  tlie  following  additional  ones  elected:  Messrs. 
R.  (i.  (iill.  Elmer  Moburg  and  E.  E.  Eerguson.  •.,  ,  -  1  •  -/ 

The  good  will  and  intentions  of  the  l-'irst  Lutheran  church  were  shown  at  the 
organization  of  Trinity  Sunday  school  on  the  first  .Stuiday  of  January,  1907, 
when  about  250  members  of  the  Eirst  church  Sunday  school  were  transferred 
with  books  and  other  necessary  literature  to  Trinity  Sunday  school,  which  met  :• 
in  Luther  hall.  All  of  these  had  signified  their  desire  of  receiving  instruction  in 
English  and  had  also  received  the  consent  of  their  parents  to  join  the  English 
Sunday  school.  In  the  number  was  also  contained  a  large  percentage  of  teach- 
ing force  in  the  Swedish  Sunday  school. 

Trinity's  first  call  for  a  pastor  was  extended  to  Rev.  C.  E.  Haflfsten  of  Rock 
Island,  but  since  he  declined  to  accept,  a  call  was  extended  on  January  29.  1907, 


ffs 

It: 


=  -. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ^'.  601 

Mr.  F.  O.  Hanson  of  the  Theological  seminary,  who  accepted  the  call  and  entered 
upon  his  pastorate  immediately  after  his  ordination  to  the  ministry,  preaching 
his  first  sermon  on  June  29,  1907. 

In  June,  1907,  the  church  purchased  what  was  then  known  as  the  St.  John's 
Episcopal  church  and  immediately  began  operations  to  complete  it,  as  it  had 
hitherto  been  in  an  unfinished  state.  The  work  progressed  rapidly,  and  on  De- 
cember lo  the  first  meeting  in  the  nature  of  a  prayer  meeting  was  held  in  the 
basement.  The  entire  church  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  May,  1908,  and  on 
Sunday,  May  17,  the  congregation  formally  moved  into  its  own  temple  of  wor- 
ship. All  services  had  hitherto  been  held  in  Luther  hall  of  the  First  church.  The 
total  expense  for  the  purchase  and  remodeling  and  furnishing  of  the  church 
had  been  $24,000.  To  meet  this  $8,000  were  subscribed  among  the  members  and 
friends  of  the  church  the  first  year.  Since  that  time  more  money  has  been  sub- 
scribed and  paid  in,  so  that  the  present  indebtedness  on  the  church  amounts 
only  to  about  $10,000. 

Within  the  church  are  the  following  organizations,  the  Euodia  society,  con- 
sisting of  all  the  members  of  the  church  and  of  a  social  nature  exclusively;  the 
Ladies'  Aid  society,  organized  early  in  1907,  very  active  and  successful ;  the 
Young  Ladies'  auxiliary,  organized  shortly  after  the  Ladies'  Aid,  and  being  just 
what  the  name  suggests,  viz.,  an  auxiliary  to  this  society ;  the  Luther  league,  or- 
ganized in  November,  1907,  and  holding  devotional  meetings  every  Sunday  even- 
ing at  6 :30. 

Trinity  congregation  now  (1911)  numbers  640  communicant  members  and 
207,  a  total  of  847  souls.  This  marvelous  growth  in  four  years  abundantly 
proves  that  the  Swedish  Lutherans  in  the  older  Swedish  centers  are  rapidly  be- 
coming Americanized  and  that  the  English  language  will  have  to  be  used  as 
the  medium  for  religious  instruction  more  than  hitherto.  ;  v 


^.^       GERMAN  EVANGELICAL  LUTHERAN   CHURCH  • 

:;r{^- :-;;  ::/'.'-;'^;;"  ^^.  BY  H.  W.  KOWERT          '  -J  ; ' .' ' '' '•' 

About  the  year  1859  or  '60  the  Rev.  Selle,  a  minister  of  the  German  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  synod  of  Missouri  and  pastor  of  a  congregation  of  that  de- 
nomination in  Rock  Island,  made  a  missionary  tour  of  this  part  of  Illinois  and 
found  on  this  tour  the  German  people  of  Lutheran  faith  who  had  settled  in 
Galesburg. 

This  new  field  was  turned  over  to  the  Rev.  Paulus  Heid,  minister  of  the 
same  denomination  and  pastor  at  Peoria.  Rev.  Heid  was  more  able  to  take  this 
charge  under  his  care  than  the  Rev.  Selle.  The  railroad  from  Peoria  to  Gales- 
burg  had  just  been  built,  while  Rev.  Selle  was  forced  to  come  here  by  team. 

Rev.  Heid  then  came  to  Galesburg  every  four  weeks  and  conducted  divine 
services  in  a  hall  on  West  Main  street;  also  gave  instruction  to  the  children. 

A  congregation  was  soon  organized.  The  name  which  the  congregation  as- 
sumed was :  "The  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  St.  John's  congregation  of  the 
unaltered  Augsburg  confession." 


692  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

No  definite  statement  as  to  the  date  or  manner  of  organization  can  be  made. 
The  earliest  records  on  hand,  which  are  minutes  of  meetings  held  on  October  28 
and  November  23,  i86i,  and  the  organization  paper  filed  for  record  in  the  Cir- 
cuit court  of  Knox  county,  testify  mainly  that  the  congregation,  which  had  been 
previously  organized  and  had  assumed  the  name  given  above,  did  meet  on  the 
28th  day  of  October,  i86i,  and  choose  for  their  trustees:  John  Bassler,  for  two 
years ;  Leonhard  Dennhoefer,  for  one  year ;  Friedrich  Axen,  also  for  one  year. 
Nor  can  a  complete  or  correct  list  of  the  charter  members  be  given.  But  so  far 
as  can  be  learned  from  the  early  records  and  personal  recollection  of  two  mem- 
bers still  living  the  following  may  be  mentioned :  Jacob  Sauter,  Leonhard  Denn- 
hoefer, John  Bassler,  Friederick  Axen,  George  Sutter,  Friederich  Hindricks,  Wm. 
Geisler,  Simon  Miihlberger,  John  Weis,  John  Oberhauser.  Of  these  Jacob 
Sauter  and  Leonhard  Dennhoefer  are  still  living  and  members  of  the  congre- 
gation. 

After  the  organization,  steps  were  at  once  taken  to  buy  a  suitable  site  for 
church  purposes.  The  trustees  served  as  buying  and  building  committee. 

The  congregation  decided  to  buy  a  corner  lot  on  Seminary  and  Berrien 
streets,  and  authorized  their  trustees  to  give  out  the  contract  for  building  the 
church,  which  was  to  be  36  feet  long,  34  feet  broad  and  14  feet  high. 

The  above  mentioned  lot  was  not  bought,  but  instead  a  lot  on  the  corner  of 
Brooks  and  Chambers  streets.  The  church,  however,  was  not  erected  on  this 
lot,  as  will  be  explained  later. 

Rev.  Heid  continued  serving  the  congregation  about  once  a  month  until  the 
early  part  of  1863,  when  the  congregation  succeeded  in  calling  as  their  pastor 
the  Rev.  G.  Gruber.  It  deserves  to  be  noted  that  the  members  conducted  a  read- 
ing service  on  those  Sundays  on  which  Rev.  Heid  could  not  be  here,  one  of  the 
trustees  reading  a  sermon  from  a  Lutheran  postil. 

The  congregation  having  now  its  own  minister,  who  conducted  services  every 
Sunday  and  instructed  these  children  during  the  week,  the  life  and  interest  in 
church  affairs  began  to  grow  and  the  desire  to  have  their  own  church  home  be- 
came stronger.  And  when  the  Universalist  congregation  offered  to  sell  to  our 
congregation  their  church  property  on  Tompkins,  near  Seminary,  the  offer  was 
readily  accepted  and  the  lots  on  Brooks  and  Chambers  streets  sold  to  help  pay 
for  this  property.  This  was  in  the  summer  of  1863.  : ,.  :  '  -^ 

As  the  church  was  in  an  L  shape  and  larger  than  the  congregation  needed, 
the  rear  part,  which  was  the  newer,  was  separated  from  the  front  part,  moved 
and  remodeled  to  serve  as  parsonage  and  school. 

'  •••    Rev.  Gruber' was  pastor  of  the  congregation  from  1863-1868,  in  which  year 
he  accepted  a  call  to  Warsaw,  Illinois.     '  v:    -  ..  . 

Of  the  following  years,  1868-1874,  there  is  hardly  any  record.  The  min- 
ister called  to  succeed  Rev.  Gruber  was  Rev.  Boeber,  after  whom,  according  to 
recollections  of  members,  came  Rev.  Rausch  and  Rev.  Klein.  The  history  of  the 
congregation  in  these  years  can  be  learned  from  the  minutes  of  the  meeting, 
which  was  held  on  the  first  Sunday  after  New  Year,  1875.  Rev.  C.  Lotz,  mem- 
ber of  the  Iowa  synod,  was  then  pastor  of  the  congregation,  coming  here  in 
October,  1874. 

From  the  minutes  of  this  meeting,  we  learn  that  the  congregation,  in  the 
years  1868-1874.  had  departed  from  their  original  confessional  and  doctrinal 


'v-;;:  .:0  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    -     ^      -  693 

position  and  had  also  assumed  a  new  name.  The  confessional  and  doctrinal  posi- 
tion which  was  held  in  these  years  was  that  of  the  "German  Evangelical  Synod  of 
North  America." 

The  congregation,  therefore,  passed  the  following  resolutions,  in  this  meet- 
ing: To  assume  the  original  name,  and,  whereas,  the  original  constitution 
had  disappeared,  to  draw  up  a  new  constitution  in  harmony  with  the  original 
confessional  and  doctrinal  position.  This  constitution  was  adopted  February, 
1875. 

When  Rev.  Lotz  left,  in  1880,  the  congregation  called  a  minister  from  the 
Wisconsin  synod,  the  Rev.  Genisige.  He,  however,  was  compelled,  on  account 
of  sickness,  to  resign  after  a  few  months.  Rev.  H.  Bendler,  from  the  same 
synod,  was  his  successor.  During  his  ministry,  the  present  church  of  the  cc«i- 
gregation  was  built.  The  new  church  cost  about  $3,6cx),  the  ladies'  society  fur- 
nishing the  pulpit,  altar  and  benches.  The  church  was  dedicated  August  ir, 
1882. 

When  Rev.  Bendler,  in  1883,  accepted  a  call  to  Burlington,  Wisconsin,  Rev. 
Traut,  of  Peoria,  was  asked  to  serve  the  congregation  and  help  them  towards 
getting  another  minister.  After  three  months  the  Rev.  Bergen,  of  the  Missouri 
synod,  was  called.  He  was  pastor  from  1883  to  1885. 

After  his  departure,  the  congregation  was  without  a  minister  of  their  own 
for  i6  years.  The  minister  from  the  Kewanee  Lutheran  church  preached  here 
only  every  third  Sunday.  Ministers  who  thus  served  the  congregation  were 
Rev.  O.  L.  Hohenstein,  1885-1891;  Rev.  D.  Lochner,  1891-1894;  Rev.  A.  E. 
Reincke,  1894-1900;  Rev.  H.  E.  Jacobs,  five  months,  when  he  succeeded  in  hav- 
ing the  congregation  again  call  a  minister  of  their  own.  Rev.  H.  Schmidt  was 
called  and  was  pastor  from  1901  to  1909.  When  he  left.  Rev.  H.  W.  Kowert 
was  called  as  pastor.  -..:->  ... 


:      -•  :v    ;;.:     CHRISTIANS  OR  DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST 

''r:-'-.-r-J'':;  •;;•';•'.;:.';•'•  *;7^-    BY  CHESTER  E.  CONNER       'i^^V..'.-'   •-•  ^••;;"'  '•'''•"':'-•': 

Ranking  fourth  among  the  so-called  Protestant  bodies  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
race  in  America  is  a  people  calling  themselves  "Christians  or  Disciples  of  Christ," 
and  designating  their  congregations  "Cliristian  churches,  or  Churches  of  Christ." 

The  people  wearing  the  above  and  other  scriptural  designations  constitute  a 
movement  within  the  church.  They  do  not  claim  to  be  "the  church,"  but  only  a 
portion  of  it  or  a  movement  on  the  part  of  some  of  its  membership ;  but  being  a 
portion,  it  does  not  follow  that  they  are  a  sect  or  denomination.  They  think  of 
themselves  as  "Christians  only,  but  not  the  only  Christians." 

This  movement  had  its  origin  about  one  hundred  years  ago.  It  sprang 
from  the  people  somewhat  simultaneously  in  different  sections  of  America,  and 
from  diverse  denominations,  receiving  its  strong  initial  impulse  from  the  preachers 
and  scattered  members  of  the  various  churches  on  the  frontiers  of  America.  Led 
by  such  able  ministers  of  the  gospel  as  Thomas  and  Alexander  Campbell,  of 
the  Seceeder  Presbyterian  church  in  western  Pennsylvania;  Walter  Scott,  a 


694  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

prominent  Baptist  evangelist,  in  Ohio;  and  Barton  W.  Stone,  of  the  regular 
Presbyterian  church  in  Kentucky,  they  sought  for  common  ground  upon  which 
all  Christians  could  stand  united  and  work  together  to  extend  the  kingdom  of 
God  among  the  perils  of  pioneer  life.  This  they  found  by  ceasing  to  recognize 
as  binding  human  names  and  creeds  and  by  maintaining  the  faith,  ordinances, 
names  and  ideals  of  the  New  Testament  church. 

;  The  growth  of  this  movement  has  been  marvelous.  Since  the  beginning  of 
the  Protestant  reformation  no  religious  body  has  continued  through  the  years 
to  grow  so  rapidly.  The  first  church  to  stand  forth  as  Christian  only  was  at 
Brush  Run,  Pennsylvania,  in  i8ii,  with  but  a  handful  of  members.  Now  there 
are  11,280  churches  with  1,375,000  members,  comprising  a  fellowship  that  ranks 
sixth  among  all  the  Christian  bodies  of  the  new  world.  There  are  about  116,000 
members  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  1,900  in  Knox  county.  These  people  accept 
the  Bible,  and  especially  the  New  Testament,  as  the  only  authoritative  religious 
guide  book.  They  cannot  be  accused  of  a  private  road  in  religion  or  of  asking 
men  to  accept  some  alleged  new  revelation,  for  their  ap>peal  is  "the  word  of  God 
liveth  and  abideth  forever." 

They  accept  Jesus  as  the  Christ,  the  son  of  God,  the  Savior  of  the  world,  as 
their  only  creed.  They  have  laid  aside  all  humanly  devised  statements  of  faith, 
all  the  historic  and  authoritative  creeds  of  the  church  as  being  unauthorized,  un- 
necessary, and  as  tending  toward  schisms  or  the  perpetuation  of  those  now  exist- 
ing. On  Him  the  church  is  builded,  and  "he  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life." 
Recognizing  Christ  as  the  living  head  of  the  church.  His  word  is  their  only 
law  in  religious  matters.  While  they  hold  large  conventions  each  year  their 
sessions  are  always  deliberative,  never  legislative.  Each  person  is,  under  the 
divine  will,  keeper  of  his  own  conscience.  It  is  remarkable  that  among  these 
people  there  has  never  been  a  heresy  trial,  the  ministry  exercising  the  utmost 
freedom  in  preaching  and  teaching  and  in  the  order  and  form  of  religious  exer- 
cises and  worship.  Notwithstanding  this  fact,  their  services  are  always  dignified 
and  marked  with  extreme  simplicity.  :•-:.-;..-':; 

These  people  preach  and  practice  the  calling  of  scriptural  things  by  scriptural 
names.  These  names  do  not  differentiate  them  from  other  Christians,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  tend  to  break  down  all  barriers  between  believers.  They  believe  that 
all  denominational  names  help  to  perpetuate  divisions  in  the  church  and  that  these 
must  all  be  abandoned  before  that  unity  for  which  our  Master  prayed  and  His 
Apostles  labored  shall  be  brought  to  pass. 

From  the  beginning  of  this  movement  the  plea  has  been  for  the  union  of  all 
believers,  that  the  world  might  thereby  more  speedily  and  more  surely  have  the 
truth.  They  believe  this  matter  to  be  of  gravest  concern  to  the  church,  as  it 
undoubtedly  was  to  the  Master  when  he  prayed  the  Father  that  it  might  be  so, 
as  recorded  in  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  the  Gospel  of  John.  The  Disciples  of 
Christ  maintain  a  commission  on  Christian  union,  and  through  its  activity  in 
behalf  of  this  great  plea  believers  of  all  communions  are  being  brought  face  to 
face  with  the  necessity  for  union  if  the  un-CTiristian  world  is  to  be  reached  with 
the  gospel  message.  Out  of  a  conference  of  this  commission  recently  had  with 
the  Christian  Unity  Foundation,  of  New  York  city,  an  Episcopal  organization, 
the  foundation  prepared  a  remarkable  and  valuable  pamphlet  entitled,  "The 
Disciples  of  Christ — A  Brief  Statement  of  Their  Doctrine  and  Status  in  the 


MS. 


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694      L  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          .  , 

prominent  Baptist  evangelist,  in  Ohio ;  and  Barton  \V.  Stone,  of  the  regular 
Presbyterian  church  in  Kentucky,  they  sought  for  common  ground  upon  which 
all  Christians  could  stand  united  and  work  together  to  extend  the  kingdom  of 
God  among  the  perils  of  pioneer  life.  This  they  found  by  ceasing  to  recognize 
as  binding  human  names  and  creeds  and  by  maintaining  the  faith,  ordinances, 
names  and  ideals  of  the  Xew  Testament  church. 

The  growth  of  this  movement  has  been  marvelous.  Since  the  beginning  of 
the  Protestant  reformation  no  religious  body  has  continued  through  the  years 
to  grow  so  rapidly.  The  first  church  to  stand  forth  as  Christian  only  was  at 
Brush  Run,  Pennsylvania,  in  1811,  with  but  a  handful  of  members.  Now  there 
are  11,280  churches  with  1,375,000  members,  comprising  a  fellowship  that  ranks 
sixth  among  all  the  Christian  bodies  of  the  new  world.  There  are  about  116,000 
members  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  and  1,900  in  Knox  county.  These  people  accei)t 
the  Bible,  and  especially  the  Xew  Testament,  as  the  only  authoritative  religious 
guide  book.  They  cannot  be  accused  of  a  private  road  in  religion  or  of  asking 
men  to  accept  scjiiie  alleged  new  revelation,  for  their  api)eal  is  "the  word  of  God 
liveth  and  abideth  forever." 

They  acce])t  Jesus  as  the  Christ,  the  son  of  God.  the  Savior  of  the  world,  as 
their  only  creed.  They  have  laid  aside  all  humanly  devised  statements  of  faith, 
all  the  historic  and  authoritative  creeds  of  the  church  as  Ijeing  unauthorized,  un- 
necessary, and  as  tending  toward  schisms  or  the  perpetuation  of  those  now  exist- 
ing. On  Him  the  church  is  builded,  and  'he  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life." 
Recognizing  Christ  as  the  living  head  of  the  church.  His  word  is  their  only 
law  in  religious  matters.  \\'hile  they  hold  large  conventions  each  year  their 
sessions  are  always  deliljerative,  never  legislative.  Each  i)erson  is,  under  the 
divine  will,  keeper  of  his  own  conscience.  It  is  remarkable  that  among  these 
people  there  lias  never  "heen  a  heresy  trial,  the  ministry  exercising  the  utmost 
freedom  in  preaching  and  teaching  and  in  the  order  and  form  of  religious  exer- 
cises and  worship.  Notwithstanding  this  fact,  their  services  are  always  dignified 
and  marked  with  extreme  simplicity.  •  -  ]  . 

These  ])e()ple  preach  and  practice  the  calling  of  scriptural  things  bv  scriptural 
names.  These  names  do  not  difterentiale  them  from  other  Christians,  btit,  on  the 
contrary,  tend  to  lireak  down  all  barriers  between  believers.  They  believe  that 
all  denominational  names  help  to  perpetuate  divisions  in  the  church  and  that  these 
must  all  be  abandoned  before  that  unity  for  which  our  Master  prayed  and  His 
Apostles  labored  shall  be  brought  to  pass. 

From  the  beginning  of  this  movement  the  plea  has  been  for  the  union  of  all 
believers,  that  the  world  might  thereby  more  speedily  and  more  surely  have  the 
truth.  They  believe  this  matter  to  be  of  gravest  concern  to  the  church,  as  it 
un<loubtedly  was  to  the  Master  when  he  ])raye(l  the  Father  that  it  might  be  so. 
as  recorded  in  the  seventeenth  chapter  of  the  Gospel  of  John.  The  Disciples  of 
Christ  maintain  a  commission  on  Christian  union,  and  through  its  activity  in 
behalf  of  this  great  plea  believers  of  all  communions  are  l>eing  brought  face  to 
face  with  the  necessity  for  union  if  the  un-CTiristian  world  is  to  be  reached  with 
the  gospel  message.  Out  of  a  conference  of  this  commission  recently  had  with 
the  Christian  Unity  Foundation,  of  Xew  York  city,  an  Episcopal  organization, 
the  foundation  prepared  a  remarkable  and  valuable  pamphlet  entitled,  "The 
Disciples  of  Christ — A  Brief  Statement  of  Their  Doctrine  and  Status  in  the 


e 

1« 

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;;;\v        :vv     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  696 

United  States,"  and  at  their  own  expense  distributed  it  throughout  the  country, 
which  is  perhaps  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  divided  Christendom  that  one  com- 
munion has  prepared  a  friendly  statement  regarding  another  communion  and 
distributed  it  at  its  own  expense.  Copies  of  the  pamphlet  may  be  had  by  ad- 
dressing the  Christian  Unity  foundation,  143  E.  Thirty-seventh  street.  New 
York  City.  Preparations  are  being  made  for  a  world  conference  on  faith  and 
order,  to  be  held  six  or  eight  years  hence  in  this  country  or  Europe.  Already 
eighteen  communions  have  consented  to  be  represented  and  have  appointed  their 
commissions.  Never  have  conditions  been  so  ripe  for  the  union  of  the  divided 
house  of  God  as  in  these  times,  and  every  disciple  of  Christ  in  all  parts  of  the 
world  hails  it  with  delight,  for  Christ's  conquest  of  the  world  depends  upon  the 
union  of  His  forces.  The  work  of  the  Disciples  of  Christ  for  Christian  union 
may  be  more  fully  known  by  addressing  the  Commission  on  Christian  Union,  E. 
W.  Burnham,  secretary,  Springfield,  Illinois. 

These  people  are  actively  engaged  in  missions  both  at  home  and  abroad, 
maintaining  the  most  remote  mission  station  in  all  the  world  at  Batang,  on  the 
border  of  Tibet.  Their  mission  at  Bolenge,  Africa,  is  remarkable  for  its  evangel- 
istic activity.  Each  nine  members  support  the  tenth  in  evangelistic  work. 
There  were,  at  the  close  of  1911,  nine  hundred  and  nine  members  in  this 
congregation,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  two  were  supported  as  evangelists. 
The  membership  and  the  number  of  evangelists  have  greatly  increased 
since  the  publication  of  the  1911  report.  The  Christian  missionaries  in  China 
have,  during  the  current  revolution,  had  great  influence  with  the  dignitaries  of 
both  the  revolutionists  and  the  dynasty,  and  have  thus  brought  the  work  of  the 
disciples  in  that  land  into  prominence.  The  Eirst  Christian  Church  of  Galesburg 
is  one  of  a  large  and  rapidly  increasing  number  of  congregations  which  sup- 
ports its  own  missionary-  on  the  foreign  field.  Mrs.  W.  R.  Hunt,  stationed  at 
Chuchow,  China,  is  their  representative.  The  practicability  of  Christian  union 
is  being  demonstrated  in  foreign  mission  work,  where  denominational  differences 
are  forgotten  in  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  the  heathen  world.  It  is  significant  of 
the  early  conquest  of  the  home  land  that  men  are  forgetting  their  differences  of 
opinion  and  discovering  their  oneness  of  faith.  The  general  missionary  boards  of 
the  Disciples  of  Christ,  located  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  direct  missionary  activities 
in  America,  the  territorial  provinces,  India.  Japan,  China,  Africa,  Philippine 
Islands,  England,  Cuba,  Turkey,  Scandinavia,  Australia,  Hawaii  and  Tibet,  and 
have  numerous  hospitals,  colleges  and  universities  with  excellent  faculties  and 
equipment  for  the  carrying  on  of  their  great  work.  The  Disciples  of  Christ  are 
also  very  active  in  evangelism  and  education,  and  along  all  lines  of  moral  and 
social  reform.  One  of  the  most  promising  agencies  of  the  church  is  of  recent 
origin,  the  brotherhood,  which  now  has  national  and  state  organizations,  and 
many  local  chapters.  There  are  two  prominent  local  brotherhoods  in  this  county, 
one  in  the  Galesburg  Christian  church  and  the  other  in  the  church  at  Knoxville. 
The  beloved  pastor  of  the  Galesburg  church  is  the  honored  president  of  the 
Illinois  State  Brotherhood  of  the  Disciples  of  Christ.  Mr.  R.  A.  Long,  of  Kansas 
City,  Missouri,  is  the  president  of  the  general  movement,  and  E.  E.  Elliott  and  J. 
K.  Shellenberger  are  secretaries,  with  headquarters  at  Kansas  City.  The  brother- 
hood publishes  a  monthly  magazine  called  "Christian  Men,"  which  is  regarded 
by  men  of  several  communions  as  the  very  best  periodical  literature  of  its  kind. 


696  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         _    -^ 

It  was  first  issued  January  i,  1909,  and  is  now  being  sent  regularly  to  about 
twenty  thousand  subscribers.  .  . 

It  has  been  impossible  for  the  writer  to  prepare  at  this  time  a  statement  of 
the  history  of  the  disciples  of  Christ  in  this  state  and  county.  Rev.  B.  J.  Rad- 
ford,  of  Eureka,  Illinois,  is  now  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  a  work  of  this 
kind  which  will,  when  completed,  be  of  great  interest  and  value.  i 

It  is  sufficient  here  to  state  that  among  the  very  first  settlers  in  Knox  county 
were  some  who  stood  identified  with  the  doctrine  and  plea  of  the  disciples.    One 
of  the  very  first  congregations  of   worshipers  in   the  county  was  a  Christian 
church  at  Henderson.     The  date  of  its  organization  is  not  known.     Mr.  E.  B.     ' ; 
Reynolds,  who  resides  at  67  Blaine  avenue,  Galesburg,  Illinois,  states  that  ac-     . 
cording  to  his  best  recollection  this  congregation  was  organized  about  1838  or 
1839.    Judge  C.  H.  Nelson,  who  has  known  the  history  of  Henderson  from  his 
childhood,  and  still  resides  there,  writes:     "In  regard  to  the  organization  of 
the  Christian  church  at  this  place,  I  have  no  data  previous  to  the  year  1843.     ^ 
well  remember  that  there  was  an  organization  of  this  church  as  far  back  as  the 
year  mentioned.     Services   were  held   then   and   for   some  years   afterward   in 
the  schoolhouses  by  itinerate  preachers,  among  whom  were  John  E.  Murphy, 
Smith  Wallace  and  John  E.  Martin.    At  that  time  Morran  Baker  was  an  active 
member  of  the  church.    About  the  year  1850,  the  church  succeeded  in  building     ;; 
a  brick  chapel  in  the  village.     The  work  seemed  to  move  rather  slowly  up  to    A 
1853,  and  about  this  time  Rev.  Ziba  Brown  held  a  revival  which  resulted  in  many     '- 
conversions   and   additions   to   the   membership,   among   whom   were   many    of     ^ 
the  prominent  families  of  the  community.    Rev.  Jas.  Gaston  came  to  the  church 
in  the  spring  of  1854,  and  continued  to  be  its  minister  for  nine  years,  during 
which  time  several  revivals  were  held  and  the  church  increased  in  membership 
and  in  influence  in  the  community.     After  Rev.    Gaston's    ministry    came    to 
an  end,  the  work  rapidly  went  down,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  1895     r 
and  1896,  regular  services  have  not  since  been  maintained."     Others  have  given 
their  opinions  as  to  the  time  when  the  Henderson  church  organized,  and  are     ,., 
pretty  well  agreed  that  it  was  between  1837  and  1839.  • 

Other  congregations  flourished  in  the  very  early  times  at  French  Grove,  .. 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county,  about  which  nothing  definite  can  now  be  learned ;  V 
at  Walnut  Grove,  which  was  near  Altona,  and  was  one  of  the  strong  churches  of  • 
the  county  in  the  days  before  the  railroad  was  built  through  this  section ;  and 
also  at  Knoxville  there  was  a  small  congregation  consisting  of  about  twelve  people, 
among  whom  were  Elder  Jacob  Gum,  who  performed  ministerial  duties ;  Doctor 
Hansford  and  wife ;  John  Karns,  who  for  a  long  time  was  a  tailor  and  clothing 
merchant  in  Knoxville ;  and  John  Eads.  who  was  very  active  in  religious  work. 
The  Knoxville  organization  was  first  formed  about  the  same  time  as  the  work 
at  Henderson,  but  was  not  maintained  longer  than  about  ten  years.  Union  church 
was  built  during  the  summer  of  1850,  about  five  miles  east  and  one  mile  north 
of  Galesburg.  The  congregation  organized  in  December  of  that  year.  These 
people  never  had  a  resident  pastor.  In  addition  to  those  who  ministered  at  Hen- 
derson, the  following  ministered  at  Union  :  Milton  Dodge,  Jordan  Dodge,  Robert 
Wallace,  Patrick  H.  Murphy,  Henry  Murphy,  James  Butler  and  many  others 
of  some  prominence.  Mr.  E.  B.  Reynolds  was  very  active  in  the  work  at  Union. 


'       •;         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        .:  697 

Anthony  Rhodes  was  here  ordained  to  the  Christian  ministry,  March  lo,  1869, 
Rev.  Smith  Wallace  being  in  charge  of  the  ordination  service.  The  name  of 
Mr.  John  Spooner  is  also  prominently  mentioned  in  connection  with  Union  church. 
About  the  year  1869,  Rev.  J.  H.  Garrison  held  a  revival  meeting  in  Knoxville 
which  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  church,  and  the  members  at  Union  trans- 
ferred their  membership  to  Knoxville,  thus  ending  the  organized  work  at  Union. 
The  Knoxville  church  has  continued  to  grow  and  is  now  one  of  the  splendid 
groups  of  disciples  in  this  county.  Flourishing  congregations  are  also  to  be 
found  at  Abingdon,  Galesburg,  Hermon  and  St.  Augustine,  and  at  East  Gales- 
burg  (Randall  P.  O.)  the  First  Christian  church  of  Galesburg  maintains  a  mis- 
sion. All  of  these  congregations,  with  the  exception  of  the  Galesburg  church,  are 
established  in  commodious  and  conveniently  arranged  meeting  houses,  and  this 
congregation  has  purchased  a  most  excellent  lot  situated  at  the  corner  of  Broad 
and  North  streets,  and  is  now  raising  funds  with  which  to  build  a  large,  modern 
plant  on  that  site. 

The  disciples  met  in  very  early  times  in  Galesburg  sometimes  in  the  public 
hall  and  more  often  in  a  dwelling,  and  later  on  regular  meetings  were  held  in  the 
office  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Vivion.  Elder  Haley  was  one  of  the  first  preachers  to  present 
the  plea  of  the  disciples  in  this  city.  The  disciples  did  not  organize,  however, 
until  in  1871.  The  meeting  at  which  this  organization  was  effected  was  held  in 
Dr.  Vivion's  office.  About  this  time  a  meeting  house  was  purchased  from  the 
Swedish  M.  E.  church,  and  immediately  thereafter  Knowles  Shaw,  the  noted 
evangelist  and  gospel  singer,  was  engaged  for  a  revival  meeting.  Some  strength 
was  added  to  the  movement  through  the  revival  and  the  cause  of  the  disciples  was 
now  fairly  launched  in  this  city.  The  congregation  was  incorporated  April  ii, 
1872,  the  certificate  of  incorporation  being  filed  July  31,  1872,  and  Henry  M. 
Bruner,  Maximilian  Shelton  and  John  B.  Scheitlan  were  named  as  trustees.  The 
corporate  name  adopted  at  this  time  was  "The  Christian  Church  of  Galesburg." 
Until  1878  the  congregation  continued  to  meet  on  east  Ferris  street  (the  build- 
ing stood  on  the  north  side  of  Ferris  midway  between  Kellogg  and  Seminary 
streets),  and  during  that  year  the  house  was  moved  to  West  Tompkins  street 
between  Broad  and  Cedar.  Here  the  disciples  met  until  1892,  when  they  moved 
into  the  building  which  they  now  occupy  on  North  West  street.  This  building  was 
dedicated  by  Rev.  F,  M.  Rains,  March  6,  1892,  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  G.  J. 
Ellis.  On  December  31,  1911,  the  corporate  name  of  this  congregation  was 
changed  to  "The  First  Christian  Church  of  Galesburg,"  and  the  following  were 
elected  and  now  serve  as  trustees :  Roy  Patty,  C.  E.  Conner,  R.  C.  Rice,  W.  D. 
Godfrey  and  Dr.  E.  D.  Wing.  Alfred  Peterson,  church  clerk,  reported  a  mem- 
bership of  eight  hundred  seventy-two  persons  at  the  beginning  of  1912. 

During  the  past  three  or  four  years  the  Galesbrrg  church  has  made  very 
rapid  progress.  It  has  undertaken  large  tasks  and  assumed  heavy  responsibilities 
which  have  deeply  impressed  the  community  with  the  magnitude  of  their  faith 
and  the  earnestness  of  their  zeal.  In  May,  1911,  they  entered  upon  a  great 
revival  effort  under  the  leadership  of  Chas.  Reign  Scoville  and  his  talented  com- 
pany, consisting  in  all  of  eight  persons.  On  Tuesday,  May  i6th,  in  preparation 
for  the  meetings,  a  monster  tabernacle  was  erected  on  the  Foley  lot,  comer  of 
North  Broad  and  Waters  streets.  The  labor  was  donated  by  about  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy  members  and  friends,  and  the  building  was  practically  com- 


898         /.^    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'"  ;\  pleted  by  the  hour  set  for  the  dedicatory  service,  and  Rev.  J.  Fred  Jones  of 

;'.  Bloomington.  Illinois,  formally  set  the  building  apart  for  religious  services  that 

•; ; ;  same  evening.     The  ladies  of  the  church   served  hot  dinner  free   to  all   who 

^  labored  on  the  building.     It  was  a  great  day  in  the  history  of  religious  activity 

;  ,;  in  this  county  and  in  this  part  of  the  state.     Another  huge  task  was  accom- 

;'  plished  in  preparation  for  the  meetings  when  these  people  made  a  thorough  and 

;  systematic  canvass  of  the  city,  getting  a  complete  religious  census  and  distribut- 

^;  '  ing  announcements  and  literature.  The  revival  continued  four  weeks  and  was 

':'-• . ,  attended  by  multitudes  of  people,  many  of  whom  were  converted  to  the  Christian 

•\  faith  and  caused  to  lead  better  lives.  Five  hundred  and  thirty-eight  persons 

. .  :  made  public  confession  of  their  faith  in  Christ.  From  the  first  night  of  invita- 

•  .  tion  until  the  close  of  the  meetings  each  night  the  people  witnessed  the  baptism  of 

•  penitent  believers. 

-  Many  godly  men  have  served  the  Christian  churches  of  Knox  county  through 

:;  the  past  years,  and  the  influence  of  their  lives  still  leads  the  way  to  higher  and 

>  nobler  endeavor.     Rev.  James  A.  Barnett  came  to  the  Galesburg  church  Novem- 

i  "  her  i.  1907,  and  he  has  proven  to  be  a  faithful  minister,  a  capable  leader  and  a 

;  .:  tireless  worker.     The  progress  of  the  work  in  this  city  and  county  during  the 

the  past  years,  and  the  influence  of  their  lives  still  leads  the  way  to  higher  and 

,.  his  great  faith  in  the  plea  of  the  disciples  of  Christ. 

;  ,  .  .,                            C.  E.  CONNER. 

'.  Galesburg,  Illinois,  March  21,   1912. 

•,  '  ;  Much  of  the  foregoing  is  taken  from  the  1912  year  book  of  the  Disciples  of 

•.\  Christ,  and  acknowledgments  are  also  due  the  friends  who  assisted  me  in  the 

•  preparation  of  local  history. — C.  E.  C.  :  ..     :. 


CHURCH  OF  THE  UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST 
;  .  •       BY  REV.  E.  FOWLER  I 

Among  the  religious  organizations  of  the  last  hundred  years  in  this  country, 
none  are  more  interesting  in  their  rise  and  development,  nor  more  aggressive  in 
their  activities  today,  than  the  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  The 
events  that  led  to  the  establishing  of  the  church  had  their  beginning  before  the 
war  of  the  revolution.  It  is  a  little  difficult  to  mark  an  exact  date  as  the  begin- 
ning of  the  church.  It  was  not  founded  as  a  result  of  any  schism,  or  broken  off 
from  any  other  organization  as  a  result  of  any  unpleasant  relation  or  any  mere 
matter  of  church  government.  The  men  who  formed  it  came  from  different  de- 
nominations and  did  not,  for  years,  have  any  thought  of  forming  a  new  denomina- 
tion. 

Philip  William  Otterbein  came  to  this  country  from  Germany  as  a  missionary 
in  the  German  Reformed  church  in  1752.  He  was  quite  spiritual  in  his  make  up 
and  preached  a  clear  positive  doctrine.  The  churches  of  that  period  were,  in  many 
instances,  cold  and  formal  and  many  persons  were  members  in  name  only. 
Under  the  preaching  of  Otterbein,  some  were  stirred  to  activity  while  in  other 
cases  opposition  was  met  with.  There  were  ministers  in  other  churches  that 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

were  having  the  same  experiences,  and  these  ministers,  because  of  their  common 
experience,  came  together,  from  time  to  time,  for  counsel  and  encouragement. 
In  1766,  a  great  meeting  was  held  in  Isaac  Long's  barn  in  Lancaster  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. At  this  meeting,  Otterbein  and  Rev.  Martin  Boehm  met  for  the  first 
time.  Boehm  was  a  minister  in  the  Mennonite  church  and  preached  the  sermon 
on  this  occasion.  He  preached  with  such  unction  and  power,  that  when  he  had 
finished  and  was  about  to  sit  down,  the  great  Otterbein  clasped  him  in  his  arms 
and  exclaimed,  "We  are  brethren !"  This  exclamation  probably  gave  rise  to  the 
name,  though  the  formal  organization  was  not  made  for  some  years  afterward. 
Such  meetings  were  continued  at  different  times  but  not  till  September  of  1800 
was  the  name  United  Brethren  in  Christ  taken  and  bishops  elected. 

The  United  Brethren  in  Christ  is  Arminian  in  doctrine,  and  the  government 
in  many  respects  is  the  counterpart  of  the  American  republic.  There  is  a  fur- 
tunate  balancing  of  power  between  the  laity  and  the  ministry,  so  that  neither 
can  act  independently  of  the  other.  The  government  is  vested  primarily  in  the 
general  conference  which  meets  every  four  years  and  is  composed  of  an  equal 
number  of  ministers  and  laymen.  The  bishops  and  other  general  officers  are 
elected  by  the  general  conference  for  a  term  of  four  years.  The  presiding  elders 
are  elected  by  their  respective  conferences  annually.  There  are  local  and  quar- 
terly conference  preachers,  who  have  no  charge,  but  preach  as  they  have  oppor- 
tunity. The  churches  are  supplied  with  pastors  on  the  itinerant  plan. 

The  German  language  was  used  exclusively,  for  the  first  forty  or  fifty  years. 
The  long  delay  of  the  church  in  adopting  the  English  as  its  principal  tongue 
operated  greatly  against  its  growth,  the  German  population  always  constituting 
but  a  small  fraction  of  the  whole.  The  German  speaking  people,  too,  were  less 
progressive  than  their  English  neighbors,  and  this  conservatism  militated  against 
the  growth  of  the  church.  There  was  a  constant  tendency,  just  as  we  find  it  now 
with  languages  other  than  the  English,  to  drift  over  into  the  English.  The 
children  of  the  German  families  were  steadily  breaking  away  from  their  moorings 
and  finding  homes  in  the  English  speaking  churches.  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  from  its  close  resemblance  to  the  United  Brethren  in  doctrine,  polity,  and 
general  church  life,  and  from  the  intimate  association  of  the  ministers  and  people 
of  the  two  denominations,  naturally  profited  at  our  expense.  When  once  the 
transition  from  the  German  to  the  English  became  pronounced,  the  increase  be- 
gan to  grow  rapidly.  Eor  years,  the  question  of  fraternal  orders  was  a  troublous 
question,  the  church  refusing  to  admit  to  membership  any  one  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  any  secret  order.  As  the  number  of  orders  multiplied  and  their  member- 
ship grew,  this  became  a  serious  question,  and  in  many  places,  the  churches  ex- 
perienced difficulties  because  of  this  question.  This  finally  resulted  in  a  division  in 
the  denomination,  in  1889,  when  the  general  conference  revised  the  constitution 
in  this  respect.  Since  that  time  there  has  been  two  branches  of  the  church  known 
as  "liberals"  and  "radicals."  Both  branches  are  represented  in  Knox  county. 

The  liberal  branch  has  experienced  a  good  growth,  the  last  few  years,  now  hav- 
ing a  membership  of  about  300,000. 

The  denomination  has  evidently  had  an  imporant  place  in  moulding  religious 
sentiment  throughout  the  country  all  these  years.  The  following  is  what  the 
church  has  and  still  stands  for,  briefiy  told:  ,  .  ..  .  ;, 


700  ^v     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

First — For  a  positive  Christian  experience.  The  "new  birth"  has  been 
emphasized  all  these  years  as  necessary  to  the  Christian  life.  The  church  stands 
for  a  positive  Christian  experience  as  opposed  to  a  mere  ritualistic  or  formal 
service.  We  believe  in  the  power  of  Godliness  to  save  from  sin. 

Second — The  United  Brethren  church  has  always  maintained  a  liberal  and 
fraternal  spirit  toward  other  denominations.  Not  only  have  we  welcomed  to  all 
our  regular  and  sacramental  services  members  from  other  churches,  but  have  al- 
ways stood  ready  to  join  in  any  movement  that  had  for  its  purpose  the  extension 
of  God's  kingdom.  In  fact,  we  have  been  so  liberal  in  practice,  that  it  has  hindered 
our  denominational  growth.  Emphasizing  the  need  of  a  definite  Christian  experi- 
ence rather  than  the  necessity  of  church  membership,  our  church  has  been  a  great 
feeder  for  other  churches.  The  Methodists,  the  Presbyterians,  the  Baptists,  the 
Congregationalists,  and  in  fact,  every  evangelical  church  have  profited  at  our 
expense.  Not  only  members  in  their  pews,  but  ministers  filling  their  pulpits,  who 
were  born  in  United  Brethren  homes,  and  converted  at  United  Brethren  altars, 
and  educated  in  United  Brethren  schools. 

Third — The  church  has  always  stood  for  loyalty  to  the  government.  When 
our  national  life  was  dominated  by  the  slave  spirit  and  when  some  of  the  other 
churches  in  humility  were  down  on  their  knees  in  submission  to  that  spirit,  our 
church,  though  operating  mostly  in  the  border  states  of  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
stood  firmly  against  it.  During  the  civil  war,  the  church  was  thoroughly  loyal 
to  the  old  flag  and  according  to  statistics  sent  more  of  her  sons  to  the  front  than 
any  other  church  body  of  equal  size. 

We  have  always  stood  uncompromisingly  opposed  to  the  liquor  traffic.  It 
is  now  comparatively  an  easy  thing  to  stand  against  this  traffic,  but  it  was  not  al- 
ways so.  The  time  was  when  it  was  not  popular  to  forbid  church  members  from 
making  and  using  strong  drink.  But  the  United  Brethren  church  has  always 
maintained  such  position. 

Fourth — The  church  stands  for  Christian  education.  We  believe  that  the  spirit- 
ual and  mental  training  should  go  hand  in  hand.  We  now  have  ten  institutions 
for  higher  education.  In  addition  to  these,  we  have  one  of  the  best  equipped 
publishing  plants  in  the  United  States  that  is  sending  out  our  books  and  peri- 
odicals to  all  parts  of  the  world. 

Fifth — We  are  a  missionary  church.  We  have  two  missionary  societies; 
the  home  and  the  foreign.  The  one  is  active  in  planting  our  church  in  the  cities 
and  in  carrying  the  gospel  to  the  frontier  settlements.  The  foreign  society  main- 
tains missions  in  Africa,  China,  Japan,  Porto  Rico  and  the  Philippines. 

In  the  year  1835,  Rev.  Joshua  Dunham  was  appointed  presiding  elder  for  the 
state  of  Illinois.  At  that  time,  there  was  but  one  circuit  of  the  church  in  the  state 
and  that  a  mission.  The  fertile  and  almost  boundless  prairies  presented  an  ir- 
resistible attraction  to  immigration,  and  with  the  pioneer  settler  came  the  pioneer 
minister.  Mr.  Dunham  was  soon  joined  by  Rev.  Josiah  Davis  and  Rev.  John 
Hoobler.  Others  soon  followed  and  in  a  few  years  there  were  many  preaching 
places  established  in  different  parts  of  the  state.  The  circuits  were  large  and  the 
appointments  were  widely  separated  and  the  ministers  were  required  to  be  absent 
from  their  homes  for  weeks  together,  but  by  their  faithful  work  the  church 
was  established  in  many  parts  of  the  state.  These  were  plain  men,  but  stalwart  in 


^^^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •-   -  ^  701 

character,  mighty  in  faith,  inflexible  in  purpose,  and  rich  in  achievement.  They 
rode  on  horseback,  or  sometimes  went  on  foot,  far  away  from  home  and  loved 
ones,  hundreds  of  miles  across  the  great  prairies  then  new  and  unsubdued,  but 
now  throbbing  with  great  life.  .1, 

Preaching  points  were  established  in  the  homes  of  the  people,  in  school 
houses,  and  when  the  weather  would  permit,  in  the  open  air.  It  was  perhaps  in 
the  latter  part  of  the'3os,  or  early  part  of  the  '4Os  that  some  of  these  pioneer 
preachers  reached  Knox  county.  Unfortunately  the  records  of  those  early  days 
were  not  carefully  kept  and  it  is  difficult  to  gather  exact  data  for  local  history. 

The  earlier  preaching  points  established  in  the  county  were  at  the  Condra 
school  house  in  Henderson  township  and  the  Washington  school  house  in  Rio 
township.  An  organization  was  effected  at  the  Condra  school  house  at  an  early 
date  and  in  all  probability  was  the  oldest  of  the  denomination  in  the  county.  Some 
of  the  earlier  members  of  this  organization  were  Ira  Lane,  Abraham  Cubbage 
and  family,  John  Cubbage  and  family.  Mrs.  Wm.  Condra,  Wm.  Watters  and  wife, 
Isaac  Waters  and  wife,  Gideon  Pitman  and  wife.  Some  of  the  earlier  ministers 
were  Barney  Wagner,  M.  Ambrose,  Joshua  Dunham,  George  Weaver,  a  Mr. 
Condon,  Oscar  Smith,  Isaac  Kretsinger,  Jacob  Kenoyer,  Andy  Wimsett  (famil- 
iarly known  everywhere  as  "Uncle  Andy"),  D.  F.  Baer,  and  F.  J.  Dunn.  The 
last  named  is  still  living  (1912)  and  has  his  home  in  Knoxville  and  at  the  ripe 
age  of  93,  still  maintains  an  active  interest  in  the  church  and  ccwnmunity,  and 
preaches  occasionally,  as  he  has  opportunity.  J  ••;: 

For  years  the  congregation  worshiped  in  the  neighborhood  school  house  but 
such  was  the  growth  of  the  congregation,  that  a  brick  church  was  built  about 
the  year  1858.  This  building  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  Andy  Wimsett  and  the  meet- 
ing was  then  continued  as  a  revival  for  a  period  of  some  four  or  five  weeks  and 
there  were  a  number  of  conversions  resulted.  This  building  served  as  a  place  of 
worship  for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  later  years,  two  congregations  resulted 
from  this  one.  An  organization  was  formed  in  Henderson  in  the  early  '"/os, 
where  services  have  been  regularly  maintained  down  to  the  present  time.  Also 
about  the  same  time,  that  the  Henderson  organization  was  made,  an  organization 
was  effected  and  a  building  erected  at  what  was  known  as  Maple  Grove  across  the 
county  line. 

In  1857,  Samuel  Calkins  and  family  moved  from  Indiana  and  settled  in  Haw 
Creek  township,  and  he  being  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  soon  in- 
duced some  of  the  United  Brethren  ministers  to  establish  a  preaching  point  at  the 
Hazel  Green  school  house.  Appointments  were  also  established  at  the  Nevit  school 
house,  and  a  little  later  at  the  Miles  school  house,  in  Persifer  township. 

An  organization  was  soon  perfected  at  the  Hazel  Green  school  house,  some  of 
the  earlier  members  being  Samuel  Calkins  and  wife,  B.  F.  Conner  and  wife.  Miles 
Steward  and  wife,  Mrs.  L.  Andrews,  Tobias  Wells,  Jonathan  Harshbarger  and 
others.  B.  F.  Conner,  who  was  a  local  preacher,  was  the  first  class  leader.  It 
is  related  that  in  the  early  history  of  the  church,  a  great  revival  was  held  under 
the  ministry  of  Rev.  Wm.  Hankins  and  that  there  were  some  sixty  or  more  con- 
versions. People  came  from  some  distance  to  attend,  and  at  times  there  was 
much  shouting  over  the  salvation  of  souls.  It  is  related,  that  on  one  particular 
evening,  some  recent  converts  began  singing  on  their  way  to  meeting,  and  from 


702  .:-  HISTORY  OF  KN OX  COUNTY 

.  •)   .'  ; 

singing  to  shouting  and  in  this  way  came  into  the  house.  This  minister  had  al- 
ready begun  the  services  and  was  reading,  when  they  entered,  some  singing, 
and  some  shouting,  and  the  minister  had  to  stop  his  reading  and  give  all  time  for 
shouting. 

Uncle  Andy  Wimsett  was  one  of  the  great  revivalists  of  the  times  and 
held  meetings  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  and  always  with  a  goodly  number 
of  converts  added  to  the  church.  It  is  related  of  him  that  at  one  time,  when 
holding  a  meeting  in  a  school  house,  where  they  were  disturbed  by  some  of 
the  boys  on  their  way  home  from  services  by  hallooing  and  shouting,  and  other 
disturbances,  that  one  evening  when  the  boys  had  been  especially  noisy  the 
evening  before,  that  when  Uncle  Andy  was  praying,  he  said,  "And  now.  Lord, 
those  boys — you  know  them,  those  that  go  hallooing  and  shouting  about  like 
Indians"  (here  naming  several  tribes  of  Indians),  and  finally  closed  by  saying, 
"Now,  Lord,  make  their  hearts  as  soft  as  their  heads." 

This  Hazel  Green  appointment  was  maintained  for  a  number  of  years  and 
finally  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  church  in  Gilson,  where  a  building  was 
erected  and  dedicated  in  1866.  Soon  after  it  was  dedicated,  a  session  of  the 
Northern  Illinois  Annual  Conference  was  held  in  this  building.  This  appoint- 
ment has  maintained  services  down  to  the  present  time. 

Other  churches  that  grew  out  of  these  earlier  appointments  were  Persifer 
and  Mound  churches  in  Persifer  township,  and  the  Union  church  in  Haw  Creek 
township,  all  of  which  were  erected  in  the  'jos.  All  of  these  are  maintaining 
regular  services,  excepting  the  Mound  church,  which  has  been  discontinued 
for  the  last  few  years.  In  the  early  'gos,  soon  after  the  decision  of  the  denom- 
ination over  the  question  of  secret  orders,  a  number  of  the  members  belonging 
to  the  Mound  class  withdrew  from  that  organization  and  formed  the  Appleton 
United  Brethren  church,  this  t)eing  the  only  representative  of  the  "radical" 
branch  in  the  county. 

In  the  year  1860,  four  or  five  farmers  of  different  denominations  desired 
to  open  a  Sunday  school,  and  organized  one  to  meet  each  Sunday  in  a  little 
log  school  house,  near  where  the  South  Grove  United  Brethren  church  in 
Chestnut  township  now  stands.  Mr.  John  Spurlock,  a  Christian  of  sterling 
quality,  was  chosen  as  superintendent.  After  about  a  year  of  successful  Sunday 
school  work,  two  brothers  by  the  name  of  Ross,  both  United  Brethren  preach- 
ers, came  and  Rev.  D.  J.  B.  Ross  held  a  big  revival  meeting  in  the  grove  that 
surrounds  the  present  church  building.  Many  were  converted  and  in  1862 
the  class  had  reached  such  a  size  that  the  school  house  could  not  accommodate  them 
and  arrangements  were  made  to  build  a  church.  The  ground,  about  one-half 
acre,  was  donated  by  Mr.  George  Drum  and  the  church  erected  and  dedicated 
soon  after.  Mr.  John  Spurlock  was  the  father  of  two  sons,  both  preachers, 
and  there  are  also  two  grandsons  that  are  preachers. 

The  last  organization  in  the  county  is  that  of  the  church  in  the  city  of 
Galesburg.  In  the  fall  of  1906,  Rev.  E.  Fowler  was  appointed  by  the  pre- 
siding elder.  Rev.  V.  W.  Overton,  to  open  up  work  in  the  city  of  Galesburg. 
He,  with  his  family,  moved  to  the  city  in  December,  1906.  The  first  services 
were  held  in  the  Woman's  Association  rooms.  No.  347  E.  Main  street,  on  Sun- 
day, February  3,  1907.  The  following  week  the  pastor,  together  with  Rev. 
J.  E.  Shannon,  evangelist  of  Marion,  Indiana,  began  a  series  of  meetings  at  the 


^  _^ 


UNITED   BRETHREN   CHURCH 


Located  on   the   corner  of   Knox   and   Day   Streets.      Society   organized   March,    1908.      Building  erected 
1C08.      Value,  $15,000.,   ..  ,   .  ^.  .        ....    ..   ,     . 


UNI VERSALIST  CHURCH  ' 

Located    on    the   corner    of    South    Prairie   and    Tompkins    Streets.      Erected    in    1895.      Value,    $30,000. 


702  HISTORY  OF  K^OX  COUNTY    ; 


to  shouting  ami  in  this  way  came  into  the  house.  This  minister  had  al- 
ready bej^iui  the  services  and  was  reading,  when  they  entered,  some  singing, 
and  some  shouting,  and  tlie  minister  had  to  stop  his  reading  and  give  all  time  for 
shouting. 

L'ncle  Andy  U'imsett  was  one  of  the  great  revivalists  of  the  times  and 
held  meetings  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  and  always  with  a  goodly  number 
of  converts  added  to  the  church.  It  is  related  of  him  that  at  one  time,  when 
Iiolding  a  mcrting  in  a  school  house,  where  they  were  disturbed  by  some  of 
the  boys  on  their  way  home  from  services  by  ballooing  and  shouting,  and  other 
disturbances,  tliat  one  evenmg  when  the  boys  had  been  especially  noisy  the 
evening  before,  that  when  I'ncle  Andy  was  praying,  he  said.  "And  now.  Lord. 
those  boys  —  you  know  tbem.  those  that  go  hallooing  and  shouting  about  like 
Indians"  (here  naming  several  tribes  of  Indians),  and  finally  closed  by  saying, 
"Xow,  Lord,  make  their  hearts  as  soft  as  their  heads." 

This  Hazel  (!recn  api)ointment  was  maintained  for  a  number  of  years  and 
finally  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  church  in  Gilson,  where  a  building  was 
erected  and  dedicated  in  iSf/).  Soon  after  it  was  dedicated,  a  session  of  the 
Northern  Illinois  Annual  Conference  was  held  in  this  building.  This  appoint- 
ment has  maintained  services  down  to  the  present  time.  I  '  .; 

Other  churches  that  grew  out  of  these  earlier  apix)intments  were  Persifer 
jind  Mound  churches  in  I'ersifer  townshi]).  and  the  Union  church  in  Haw  Creek 
townshi]).  all  of  which  were  erected  in  the  'jos.  All  of  these  are  maintaining 
regular  services,  excelling  the  Mound  church,  which  has  been  discontinued 
for  tlie  last  few  years.  In  the  early  'yos.  soon  after  the  decision  of  the  denom- 
ination over  the  question  of  secret  orders,  a  number  of  the  members  belonging 
to  the  Mound  class  withdrew  from  that  organization  and  formed  the  Appleton 
L'nited  P.rethren  church,  this  being  the  only  representative  of  the  "radical" 
branch  in  the  county.  .  '  •'.  ,  I  •  •  '.'. 

In  the  year  1860,  four  or  five  farmers  of  different  denominations  desired 
to  open  a  Sunday  school,  and  organized  one  to  meet  each  Sunday  in  a  little 
log  school  house,  near  wliere  the  South  Grove  United  Brethren  church  in 
Giestnut  township  now  stands.  Mr.  John  Spurlock,  a  Christian  of  sterling 
quality,  was  chosen  as  superintendent.  After  about  a  year  of  successful  Sunday 
school  work,  two  brothers  by  tbe  name  of  Ross,  Iwth  United  I'.rethren  preach- 
ers. came  and  Rev.  1).  J.  ]\.  Ross  held  a  big  revival  meeting  in  the  grove  that 
surrounds  the  i)resent  clnirch  building.  Many  were  converted  and  in  1862 
the  class  had  reached  such  a  size  that  the  school  house  could  not  accommodate  them 
and  arrangements  were  made  to  build  a  church.  The  ground,  about  one-half 
acre,  was  donated  by  Mr.  (ieorge  Drum  and  the  church  erected  and  dedicated 
soon  after.  Mr.  John  Spurlock  was  the  father  of  two  sons,  both  preachers. 
and  there  are  also  two  grandsons  that  are  jjreachers.  •  ;  |.  .  :  '  , 

The  last  organization  in  the  county  is  that  of  the  church  in  the  city  of 
Cialesburg.  In  the  fall  of  KX^».  Rev.  E.  Fowler  was  appointed  by  the  pre- 
siding elder.  Rev.  \'.  \\'.  (  )verton,  to  open  uj)  work  in  the  city  of  Galesburg. 
He,  with  his  family,  moved  to  the  city  in  December,  1906.  The  first  services 
were  held  in  the  Woman's  Association  rooms.  No.  347  E.  Main  street,  on  Sun- 
day. February  3.  1907.  The  following  week  the  pastor,  together  with  Rev. 
J.  E.  Shannon,  evangelist  of  Marion,  Indiana,  began  a  series  of  meetings  at  the 


rXIIKI)    1!I<1.-|  IIUKN   Clll'UC  11 
catfd   on    Ili<'   roriier   t>f    Kntix    aiul    1  >ay    Streets.      Snciety    organixcd    Marcli,    11M»J%.      lUii 

\';ilile,    Sl.'i.lKM). 


erected 


-   '  '  r.M\  KRSAI.IST   lliriUlI 

Located    (m    tlie   c.iriu-r    of    Soutli    Prairie   aii.l    'Lniipkiiis    Streets.      Krecte.l    in    1  Mi.').      Value.    S:{<MMtO.  ' 
Socittv   ornanizeil.   1J<.').'). 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  703 

above-named  rooms.  After  one  week,  the  meetings  were  transferred  to  what 
was  then  known  as  the  Knox  Street  Congregational  church.  Here  a  three 
weeks'  meeting  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  some  thirty  persons  and  arrange- 
ments were  made  to  organize  the  church.  Bishop  C.  M.  Mathews,  of  Chicago, 
was  secured  for  Sunday,  March  24,  1907,  to  make  the  organization.  The  day 
was  a  bright,  beautiful  spring  day  and  good  congregations  were  out,  both  morn- 
ing and  evening.  In  the  morning  the  bishop's  subject  was  "The  Song  of  Im- 
mortality." I  John  3:2.  After  the  sermon,  the  pastor  read  the  names  of 
thirty-seven  persons  who  had  given  their  names  for  membership.  These  were 
called  forward  and  addressed  by  the  bishop  as  to  their  duties  as  Christians  and 
members  of  the  church,  after  which  he  and  the  pastor  extended  the  hand  of 
fellowship.  At  the  evening  session,  fifteen  more  were  received  into  the  church, 
making  a  charter  membership  of  fifty-two.  Wm.  Larson  was  elected  as  the 
first  class  leader  and  James  Sumner  as  Sunday  School  superintendent.  Ar- 
rangements were  soon  afterward  made  for  the  transfer  of  the  property  to  the 
United  Brethren.  This  building  continued  as  the  place  of  worship  until  January 
29,  1908,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.  This  was  replaced  by  a  substantial 
brick  building,  which  was  completed  and  dedicated  January  31,  1909. 

Ministers  preaching,  at  the  present  time  (1912),  in  the  county,  are  Rev. 
Mary  Murrell,  Henderson ;  Rev.  B.  L.  Towsley,  Gilson ;  Rev.  W.  L.  Turney, 
South  Grove;  and  Rev.  E.  Fowler,  Galesburg.  Rev.  S.  Garman  is  the  pre- 
siding elder.  .  . 


HISTORY  OF  UNIVERSALISM  IN  THE  COUNTY  OF  KNOX 
BY  MARY  CLAYCOMB  GRUBB  ' 

The  great  distinctive  thought  in  Universalism,  that  which  marks  most  strongly 
its  difference  from  other  religious  doctrines,  is  the  belief  in  the  final  "harmony 
of  all  souls  with  God."  This  belief,  not  a  new  one,  but  old  as  Christianity  itself, 
is  founded  on  the  same  Holy  Scriptures  which  other  Christians  accept,  but  on 
a  different  interpretation  of  them.  We  believe  that  the  Bible  teaches  Univer- 
salism. (We  quote  from  "The  History  of  Universalism,  by  L.  B.  Fisher,  D.  D., 
and  by  doing  so  acknowledge  the  assistance  this  work  has  been  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  this  article.)  "When  we  say  that  the  Bible  is  a  Universalist  book,  we 
mean  that  Universalism  is  the  logic  of  the  Bible."  The  Bible  shows  "a  God 
absolutely  on  the  side  of  mankind."  It  shows  that  "the  movement  of  the  whole 
moral  power  of  the  universe  is  toward  a  racial  redemption"  and  that  "God 
will  have  all  men  to  be  saved."  If  God  succeeds,  then  Universalism  is  the 
result,  and  the  Bible  reveals  a  successful  God.  The  plan  of  this  article  does 
not  permit  of  argument  or  proofs,  but  only  of  a  general  statement  of  the  growth 
and  development  of  this  beautiful  faith.  It  was  held  by  many  of  the  early 
Christians  and  it  was  not  until  544  that  a  local  council  condemned  Univer- 
salism as  heresy.  Although  there  were  those  who  still  believed  this  cheering 
doctrine,  even  then,  there  was  no  open  avowal  of  it  or  any  attempt  to  organize 
a  Universalist  church.  After  this  date  the  first  breaking  away,  openly,  from 


'        704  ':    :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

the  generally  accepted  teachings  of  the  Christians  was  toward  the  eighteenth 
century,  and  practically  all  the  difference  at  that  time  was  the  avowal  that  pun- 

l  ishment  is  not  endless,  but  that  all  will  finally  be  saved.  The  first  Universalists 
believed  in  a  lost  race,  an  offended  God,  the  need  of  redemption,  but  they  also 

'         believed  that  Jesus  died  for  all  and  therefore  all  will  be  saved. 

John  Murray,  the  pioneer  of  Universalism  in  America,  was  a  very  good 
calvinist  in  every  point  save  this  one,  the  final  salvation  of  all  mankind,  a  belief 
to  which  he  had  become  converted  by  hearing  the  London  preacher,  James 

••  Relly.  He  came  to  America  in  1770,  but  we  must  here  omit  the  story  of  his 
meeting  Thomas  Potter  on  the  shores  of  New  Jersey,  where  he  was  prevailed 
upon  to  preach  his  doctrine,  then  new  to  most  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  country, 
and  the  further  story  of  his  work  in  teaching  and  preaching,  along  with  other 
believers  in  this  faith,  for  many  years  after..  Hosea  Ballou,  the  father  of  the 
present  day  Universalism,  represents  the  second  stage  in  the  growth  of  this 
doctrine.  He  advanced  a  new  theology  which  claimed  the  unity  and  supremacy 
of  God  instead  of  the  trinity,  that  the  atonement  was  not  the  reconciling  of 
God  to  man,  but  of  man  to  God,  the  putting  at-one-ment  of  a  rebellious  child 
with  a  loving  Father.  God  does  not  need  to  be  changed,  but  man  needs  to  be 
reconciled  to  his  law.  Hosea  Ballou  believed  in  a  God  who  is  "an  absolute 
sovereign  of  infinite  love  and  wisdom." 

To  be  sure,  there  were  all  along  differences  in  opinions  on  some  points,  some 
believing  that  there  is  no  punishment  after  death  and  others  that  there  is,  and 
so  on,  but  new  light  was  beginning  to  shine  upon  the  gloomy  religion  which 
then  held  most  of  the  Christians.  A  better  understanding  of  the  Scriptures, 
new  versions,  progress  in  knowledge,  have  only  helped  to  establish  and  de- 
velop these  new  views  and  modern  Universalism  is  the  outgrowth  of  these  later 
interpretations  of  the  Scriptures. 

;     .          The  creed  of  the  Universalist  of  today,  if  he  may  be  said  to  have  a  creed, 
;        is  expressed  in  three  statements  adopted  at  the  convention  held  at  Winchester, 
N.  H.,  in  1803,  and  known  as  the  Winchester  Profession  of  Belief. 

v;  c  J        These  statements  are  as  follows: 

I.  We  believe  that  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  contain 
:         a  revelation  of  the  character  of  God  and  of  the  duty,  interest,  and  final  destina- 

tion of  mankind. 

II.  We  believe  that  there  is  one  God  whose  nature  is  love,  revealed  in  one 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  one  Holy  Spirit  of  Grace  who  will  finally  restore  the 

.  whole  family  of  mankind  to  holiness  and  happiness. 

III.  We  believe  that  holiness  and  true  happiness  are  inseparably  connected 
and  that  believers  ought  to  be  careful  to  maintain  order  and  practice  good  works 

;/         for  these  things  are  good  and  profitable  unto  men." 

These  three  articles  remained  our  only  official  statement  of  belief  until  1899. 

Previous  to  that  date,  however,  there  was  much  discussion  of  this  creed  and 

many  attempts   at   creed   doctoring.     The  convention   held   at   Boston  in   1899 

:'  -adopted  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  endorsing  the  Winchester  Profession 

but  adding  thereto  the  following  conditions  of  fellowship  : 

"First,  the  acceptance  of  the  essential  principles  of  the  Universalist  faith, 
to-wit: 


..          . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;,    :  705 

I.  The  universal  fatherhood  of  God. 

II.  The  Spiritual  authority  and  leadership  of  His  Son,  Jesus  Christ; 
HI.     The  trustworthiness  of  the  Bible  as  containing  a  revelation  from  God; 
IV.    The  certainty  of  just  retribution  for  sin; 

V.     The  final  harmony  of  all  souls  with  God." 

"The  Winchester  Profession  is  commended  as  containing  these  principles, 
but  neither  this  nor  any  other  precise  form  of  word  is  required  as  a  condition 
of  fellowship,  provided  always,  that  the  principles  above  stated  be  professed." 

"Second,  The  acknowledgment  of  the  authority  of  the  general  convention 
and  assent  to  its  laws." 

Universalism  has  suffered  much  from  ignorance  of  its  teachings  and  a  mis- 
understanding of  its  requirements.  It  is  an  exacting  religion.  To  be  a  Univer- 
salist  and  to  live  Universalism  demands  that  one  should  not  only  profess,  but 
t!o;  that  he  should  "love  God  with  all  his  heart,  and  with  all  his  soul,  and 
with  all  his  strength,  and  with  all  his  mind,  and  his  neighbors  as  himself."  This 
is  not  easy  to  do,  all  will  agree.  We  believe  that  there  is  no  escape  from  the 
punishment  for  sin;  that  he  who  dies  in  his  sins  must  pay  the  full  penalty,  but 
we  do  not  believe  that  this  covers  an  eternity  of  woe ;  God  will  not  fail  to 
finally  save  all  his  children. 

Few  professed  Universalists  live  up  fully  to  this  beautiful  faith,  but  there 
are  among  them  many  saintly  men  and  women  who  are  fine  examples  of  its 
influence. 

This,  a  very  brief  statement  of  the  growth  and  development  of  Universalism, 
has  seemed  necessary  to  a  full  understanding  of  the  rest  of  the  article. 

The  mere  statement  of  the  number  of  members  of  this  Christian  denomina- 
tion, the  enumeration  of  its  churches,  its  schools,  and  other  property  holdings 
will  not  give  an  adequate  idea  of  its  progress.  This  beautiful  faith  has  been 
like  a  ray  of  sunshine  in  the  midst  of  darkness  and  its  teachings  have  touched 
and  softened  all  other  religious  beliefs  until  they  are  permeated  with  its  prin- 
ciples and  the  ministers  in  other  pulpits,  the  members  of  other  churches  preach 
and  practice  them. 

In  this  way  we  may  say  that  Universalism  has  made  a  wonderful  gfrowth 
in  not  only  Knox  county  but  also  in  America. 

Galesburg,  Knox  county,  has  always  been  recognized  as  the  center  of  Uni- 
versalism in  this  part  of  the  state.  Here  was  the  first  organized  society,  here 
was  established  our  school,  Lombard  college,  and  from  here  the  influence  of 
this  denomination  has  gone  out  to  other  places.  Parishes  have  been  maintained 
for  longer  or  shorter  periods  in  other  places  in  the  county,  as  at  Oneida,  Yates 
City  and  at  other  points,  but  none  of  these  have  proved  permanent  organizations, 
although  there  are  Universalists  in  all  parts  of  the  county.  At  Abingdon,  within 
the  last  two  years,  a  parish  has  been  organized  and  a  new  church  is  nearing 
completion.  The  promise  of  a  successful  effort  at  that  point  is  good. 

I  have  obtained  from  a  history  given  by  Dr.  J.  V.  N.  Standish  in  1895,  when 
the  congregation  left  the  old  church  edifice  to  occupy  the  present  building  at 
the  corner  of  Prairie  and  Tompkins  streets,  many  of  the  facts  given  in  this 
sketch  and  hereby  acknowledge  the  debt  I  owe  him.  The  record  of  the  clerk's 
books  have  supplied  others. 

There  are  two  separate  organizations  in  the  church  here,  one  known  as  the 

Vol.     T— 45 


706  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

First  Universalist  Society  of  Galesburg,  the  other  as  the  First  Universalist 
church  of  Galesburg.  The  first  meeting  to  organize  the  Society,  the  older  of  the 
two  organizations,  was  held  in  December,  1854,  at  the  home  of  Uriah  Conger 
on  Mulberry  street.  This  organization  was  completed  in  January,  1855,  under 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  William  A.  Ballou.  All  of  that  company,  few  in  number, 
have  passed  on  to  the  "great  beyond"  and  we  have  not  even  a  list  of  their 
names,  as  the  first  record  book  was  lost. 

Jesse  Beals  was  the  first  clerk  and  held  that  office  until  failing  health  com- 
pelled him  to  resign.  Dr.  J.  V.  N.  Standish  was  chosen  as  his  successor,  serving 
until  he  resigned  in  December,  1870.  Prof.  Isaac  A.  Parker  was  then  elected 
clerk  and  held  the  office  until  1911,  a  period  of  forty-one  years.  Prof.  Frank 
H.  Fowler,  who  for  a  number  of  years  acted  as  assistant  clerk,  is  now  the  official 
secretary  of  the  parish. 

The  preamble  of  the  constitution  of  this  society  reads  as  follows :    "We,  the 

subscribers,   feeling  desirous  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our 

Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  do  hereby  form  ourselves  into  a  society  that  we 

:  may  be  helpers  to  each  other,  and  by  our  united  energies  we  may  better  serve 

'the  purposes  of  religion  and  truth." 

The  purpose  of  the  organization  is  stated  in  Article  II,  and  is  this,  "The 
object  of  this  Society  shall  be  the  promotion  of  truth  and  morality  among  its 
members,  and  also  in  the  world  at  large.  And  as  the  gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  tends  above  all  things  to  inspire  the  heart  with  the  motives  of  benevo- 
lence and  virtue,  this  Society  shall  deem  it  one  of  its  main  objects  to  support 
tfte  preaching  of  the  gospel  and  to  aid  in  any  other  practicable  way  in  spread- 
ing the  knowledge  of  it  among  men." 

These  statements  are  clear  and  simple  and  may  be  accepted  without  ques- 
tion by  any  believer  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

The  third  article  of  the  constitution  affirms  that  this  society  adopts  as  the  basis 
of  its  religious  faith  the  Winchester  profession  of  belief  accepted  by  the  general 
convention  of  Universalists. 

The  officers  of  the  society  consist  of  a  moderator,  clerk,  treasurer,  and  at  pres- 
ent a  board  of  six  trustees.  The  business  matters  of  this  church  are  under 
the  control  and  management  of  the  society  or  of  its  board  of  trustees.  They  meet 
all  obligations  and  expenses,  provide  the  minister  to  occupy  its  pulpit,  and  have 
the  care  of  the  grounds  and  buildings.  The  whole  number  of  members  at  present 
is  represented  by  two  hundred  families. 

The  church  was  organized  in  1857  by  Rev.  Otis  A.  Skinner,  then  president 
of  Lombard  college,  assisted  by  Dr.  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  at  whose  suggestion  this 
step  was  taken.  Its  officers  are  a  moderator,  the  pastor  by  a  constitutional  pro- 
vision always  holding  that  office,  a  clerk,  and  deacons.  The  first  clerk  of  the 
church  was  Dr.  J.  V.  N.  Standish,  who  held  the  office  until  1897,  a  period  of 
more  than  forty  years. 

At  its  inception,  the  profession  of  faith  of  the  church  was  brief,  consisting 
only  of  the  declaration,  "We  believe  in  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, claiming  for  ourselves  and  according  to  others  the  right  to  interpret  them 
in  the  fear  of  God,  and  according  to  the  light  which  He  has  given  us ;  and  we  adopt 
the  written  word  of  our  Lord  and  His  apostles  as  our  standard  of  faith  and  sys- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;,  707 

tern  of  discipline,  and  as  revealing  the  great  truth  of  the  final  reconcilation  of  all 
things  to  God,  so  that  He  at  last  shall  be  all  in  all." 

This  church  was  first  known  as  an  association,  but  in  1869  it  took  the  name 
of  First  Universalist  church  of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  at  the  same  time  adopted 
as  its  creed  the  Winchester  profession  of  belief.  The  secular  affairs  of  the  church 
are  managed  entirely  by  the  society,  but  its  members  "consider  the  church  or- 
ganization the  best  means  of  conserving  and  carrying  forward  the  great  interests 
of  religion." 

The  members  at  its  organization  numbered  forty-two.  Among  those  earliest 
members  were  Samuel  Dow,  Rev.  J.  P.  Fuller,  A.  S.  Devendorf,  J.  V.  N.  Stan- 
dish,  Rev.  L.  J.  Carney,  Lorenzo  Chapin,  W.  H.  Pettee,  Wm.  Livingston,  Jesse 
Beals,  Mrs.  Samuel  Dow,  Mrs.  E.  S.  Jordon,  Mrs.  Jesse  Beals,  L.  E.  Conger, 
Uriah  Conger  and  wife,  Mrs.  L.  E.  Conger,  Mrs.  J.  L.  Qay,  O.  A.  Skinner, 
Francis  Pryne  and  wife,  S.  W,  Brown,  Mrs.  Fielding  Miles,  Joseph  Williams, 
Mrs.  Seba  Williams,  Mrs.  W.  D.  Look,  all  of  them  earnest  men  and  women  and 
devoted  to  the  church  of  their  choice.  Two  are  still  living.  Dr.  J.  V.  N.  Standish 
of  Galesburg  and  Mrs.  Pryne  who  lives  with  her  two  daughters,  Josephine  and 
Effie,  at  Waseca,  Minnesota. 

The  ministers  who  have  been  called  to  preside  over  this  people  have  been  men 
of  talent  and  power.  We  find  among  them  the  gifted  orator,  the  keen  theologian, 
the  cultured  scholar,  the  fine  writer  and  deep  thinker. 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  William  S.  Ballou  whose  term  of  service  was  about 
two  years.  -  ••-:/' 

Rev.  Otis  A.  Skinner  officiated  as  pastor  from  the  fall  of  1857  to  1859  and 
was  the  first  pastor  of  both  society  and  church. 

The  next  pastor.  Rev.  A.  G.  Hibbard,  came  to  us  from  the  Congregationalists 
and  remained  also  two  years. 

Rev.  H.  Slade  succeeded  him  and  under  his  administration  the  second  church 
building  was  erected,  the  congregation  previous  to  that  time  using  at  first 
the  old  Liberal  institute  until  it  was  burned  in  1855.  For  a  short  time  thereafter 
the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  was  used  for  Sabbath  worship  when  the  society  in 
the  fall  of  1855  bought  a  small  church  belonging  to  the  Second  Presbyterian 
church.  This  building  stood  on  South  street,  but  was  moved  to  Tompkins  street 
to  the  block  east^of  Kellogg  street.  A  subscription  book  was  opened  for  the  pur- 
pose of  raising  funds  to  build  the  new  church  in  January,  1863,  and  the  building 
was  dedicated  in  January,  1864,  Rev.  H.  R.  Nye,  D.  D.,  preaching  the  dedicatory 
sermon.  The  church  was  prosperous  under  Mr.  Slade's  ministration  and  its 
people  were  happy.  Rev.  William  S.  Balch  succeeded  Mr.  Slade  as  pastor  in 
1865,  and  served  the  church  for  five  years. 

Rev.  W.  G.  Haskell's  pastorate  was  brief,  covering  the  year  from  1870  to  1871 
only.  .  v^J  :r 

Rev.  S.  A.  Gardner  followed  Mr.  Haskell  and  was  the  pastor  for  a  period  of 
four  years  to  be  succeeded  by  Rev.  Geo.  S.  Weaver,  two  years,  then  Rev.  Charles 
W.  Tomlinson,  three  years.  Rev.  Stephen  Crane,  three  years,  and  then  Rev. 
Edwin  J.  Chaffee,  two  years.  Rev.  George  B.  Stocking  became  pastor  of  the 
Galesburg  church  in  1894.  At  this  time  it  had  become  evident  that  the  congre- 
gation must  again  enter  upon  the  work  of  erecting  another  edifice,  and  the  can- 


708  ^  -   : ;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

vass  for  funds  to  do  this  was  begun  with  enthusiasm.  In  May,  1894,  a  farewell 
service  was  held  in  the  old  church  and  from  that  date  the  services  were  held  in 
the  circuit  court  room  until  the  new  building  was  completed.  At  this  service  Dr. 
Standish  read  the  historical  sketch.  I  quote  from  this  address.  "Old  church,  you 
have  witnessed  many  and  varied  scenes.  From  a  small  village,  as  it  were,  you 
have  seen  a  beautiful  city  grow  up  about  you.  You  have  seen  halls  of  learning 
and  courts  of  justice  spring  into  existence  right  before  you.  *  *  *  You  have 
seen  those  that  loved  you  dearly  taken  from  you.  You  will  never  forget  a  San- 
bom,  a  Knowles,  a  Conger,  a  Harrington,  a  Wester,  a  Livingstone  and  many 
others  that  once  trod  these  halls.  Now  the  time  has  come  when  we  must  part. 
We  shall  leave  you  without  any  regrets.  *  *  *  The  times  demand  a  change. 
We  must  keep  pace  with  the  march  of  events.  Old  churches,  old  creeds  and  old 
forms  must  stand  aside. 

"Our  brethren  of  other  churches  are  already  in  the  field  and  a  spirit  of  liberal- 
ism is  taking  possession  of  them.  In  liberal  Christian  thought  they  are  nearly 
abreast  of  us  and  we  must  not  delay  but  march  on.  Our  creed  and  our  religion 
demand  that  we  shall  lead  the  van." 

The  entire  cost  of  the  bell,  furnishings,  lot  and  building  of  the  old  church  ex- 
ceeded $ii,ooo.  The  new  building  was  dedicated  on  May  5,  1895,  and  the 
services  were  impressive,  the  faces  of  all  present  showing  the  joy  coming  from 
a  good  work  accomplished.  The  closing  exercise  was  the  singing  of  a  hymn, 
written  by  Mrs.  Julia  A.  Carney.  The  cost  of  the  new  building  was  $27,000  and 
the  pledges  received  at  the  dedication  were  sufficient  to  cover  all  indebtedness. 
In  the  afternoon  the  pastors  of  the  different  churches  of  the  city  brought  their 
greetings  to  the  Universalists  and  in  the  evening  services  were  conducted  by  the 
Young  People's  society. 

Dr.  Stocking  continued  to  serve  as  pastor  until  1902,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  Edson  Reifsnider  in  June  1902,  who  served  this  congregation  until  he  re- 
signed to  become  dean  of  Ryder  Divinity  school  at  Lombard  college  in  1908. 
Rev.  Albert  R.  Fiske  was  called  to  be  the  pastor  January,  1910,  and  is  just  en- 
tering upon  his  third  year  of  service  for  this  parish  with  a  church  free  from  debt, 
a  united  congregation  and  every  promise  of  success  for  the  future. 

The  pulpit  of  this  church  during  the  intervals  between  the  pastorates  has  been 
filled  by  leading  men  of  the  Universalist  denomination.  We  find  among  them 
Rev.  Chas.  P.  West,  Rev.  P.  R.  Kendall,  the  first  president  of  Lombard,  Rev. 
Josiah  Davis,  Rev.  J.  P.  Fuller,  Professor  Wm.  Livingston,  Prof.  J.  C.  Lee,  Dr. 
Nehemiah  White,  Dr.  C.  Ellwood  Nash,  and  Dr.  Lewis  B.  Fisher,  the  last  three 
while  serving  as  presidents  of  Lombard  college. 

The  first  deacons  of  the  church  were  Rev.  J.  P.  Fuller,  and  Jesse  Beals.  In 
1860,  A.  S.  Devendorf  was  made  deacon  in. place  of  Mr.  Beals.  In  1863  S.  D. 
Colburn  and  C.  Stevens  were  chosen.  In  July,  1864,  Prof.  I.  A.  Parker  was 
elected  in  Mr.  Stevens'  place  and  is  still  serving  the  church  in  this  office,  a  period 
of  forty-eight  years.  Albert  Webster  was  elected  to  the  office  of  deacon  in  i88i 
and  served  until  his  death  in  1901,  when  Hiram  Myers  was  chosen  to  fill  this 
vacancy.  Rev.  Edson  Reifsnider  is  at  present  clerk  of  the  church  while  the  pas- 
tor. Rev.  Albert  Fiske,  is  the  moderator.  The  active  membership  of  the  church 
at  present  is  275.  . '^  ;-'•>,>;•  v 


>;^   ;r         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  709 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1855,  Hon.  Samuel  W.  Brown  being 
its  first  superintendent.  Dr.  Standish  succeeded  him  in  1860,  filling  the  office 
for  nearly  twenty  years.  Others  who  have  served  the  church  in  this  capacity  are 
Otis  Jones,  Rev.  Eben  H.  Chapin,  William  Mecorney,  James  W.  Carney,  Hon. 
T.  J.  Hale,  John  W.  Grubb,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Nash,  Dr.  E.  N.  Nash  and  Edson  Reif- 
snider.  The  present  superintendent  is  J.  S.  Adams,  and  he  is  bringing  the  Sun- 
day school  up  to  a  high  standard. 

A  Young  People's  Christian  union  has  been  maintained  by  the  young  people 
of  the  church  and  of  the  college  and  a  Junior  league  has  at  times  been  a  feature 
of  the  work  of  the  church. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  society  has  for  many  years  been  an  active,  efficient  organiza- 
tion and  has  been  of  great  service  in  the  work  of  the  church.  It  was  organized 
in  1866,  under  the  able  direction  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Balch.  This  organization  paid  $i,- 
500  to  the  building  fund  of  the  new  church  and  since  its  completion  has  main- 
tained an  organist  and  choir  for  the  church  services,  and  helped  to  meet  other 
church  expenses,  the  past  year  having  raised  for  church  expenses  the  sum  of 
$1,478.  Mrs.  Chas.  A.  Webster  is  now  the  president,  Mrs.  Edson  Reifsnider, 
secretary,  and  Mrs.  Howard  Knowles,  treasurer. 

Under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Albert  R.  Fiske,  the  church  has  been  open  daily 
for  the  service  to  those  who  might  need  its  help.  A  very  successful  Girls  club 
was  conducted  in  its  parlors  for  some  months,  while  in  the  office  of  the  church 
for  two  seasons  an  employment  bureau  has  been  maintained,  and  here  the  needy 
have  been  helped  by  gifts  of  food,  clothing,  and  temporary  loans,  and  employment 
for  those  out  of  work  has  been  found  free  of  cost  to  the  applicant. 

This  is  a  step  in  the  line  of  work  which  many  churches  are  now  seeking, 
the  keynote  of  which  is  service  to  others.  The  maintenance  of  the  Girls  club 
has  recently  been  undertaken  by  the  civics  department  of  Galesburg  Woman's 
club  and  will  soon  be  recognized  as  one  of  the  permanent  institutions  of  Gales- 
burg.  A  very  successful  Boys  club  was  conducted  in  the  church  for  some  months, 
and  now  it  is  expected  that  a  parish  house  will  be  erected  where  not  only  the 
Boys  club  but  other  kinds  of  social  service  may  find  a  home.  The  Universalist 
church  leads  in  this  kind  of  work  in  Galesburg. 

A  feature  of  church  life  for  this  parish  under  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Fiske  is 
the  church  Bulletin  which  is  issued  monthly.  It  contains  not  only  such  announce- 
ments as  are  of  interest  to  the  congregation,  but  a  sermon  which  is  adapted  to 
missionary  work  for  the  Universalist  church. 

For  nearly  sixty  years  this  church  has  ministered  to  its  people  in  this  com- 
munity, teaching  the  fatherhood  of  God  and  the  brotherhood  of  all  men  and  that 
all  souls  will  finally  be  harmonized  with  God.  Its  growth  cannot  be  measured 
by  what  appears  in  this  history,  but  the  influence  it  has  had  in  spreading  the  prin- 
ciples of  this  beautiful  faith  to  all  churches  and  all  peoples  in  the  communitv. 


710  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Kr  SEVENTH-DAY  ADVENTISTS 

;-  BY  A.  C.  GAYLORD 

The  Seventh-Day  Adventist  denomination  was  developed  by  the  great  Ad- 
vent movement  which  swept  over  the  world  from  1834  to  1844.  This  movement 
stirred  the  world,  as  the  message  of  the  soon  coming  of  Christ  was  proclaimed  in 
all  the  leading  countries  of  the  earth  by  men  who,  without  a  knowledge  of  one 
another's  work,  went  forth  to  sound  the  same  message. 

The  basis  of  this  proclamation  was  the  prophetic  periods  of  the  eighth  and 
ninth  chapters  of  Daniel  and  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  Revelation,  the  slogan 
being,  "The  hour  of  His  judgment  is  come."  Thousands  from  all  denominations 
accepted  the  message  and  for  a  time  believed  in  the  soon  coming  of  Christ ;  but 
not  realizing  the  fulfilment  of  their  hopes  so  soon  as  expected  most  of  these  aban- 
doned their  belief  and  returned  to  their  former  faith. 

A  few,  however,  still  clung  to  the  idea  that  there  was  a  great  truth  in  that 
movement  though  but  dimly  comprehended  at  the  time,  and  these  searched  the 
word  for  further  light  on  the  prophecies,  the  proclamation  of  which  had  been  at- 
tended by  such  wonderful  manifestations  of  divine  power.  ; 

They  soon  discovered  that  the  hour  of  His  judgment  is  a  brief  though  in- 
definite  period  just  preceding  the  second  coming  of  Christ — court  week — at 
which  time  the  cases  of  all  are  investigated  before  judgment  is  passed.  That  dur- 
ing this  time  we  are  to  look  for  the  signs  given  in  the  Word  of  God  as  tokens  of 
the  end,  which  they  believe  is  near,  but  do  not  set  any  definite  time  for  that  event. 

As  they  continued  searching  the  word  light  was  revealed  on  other  points, 
prominent  among  which  was  the  fact  that  the  seventh  day  of  the  week  is  still  the 
Sabbath  as  required  by  the  fourth  commandment  of  the  law  of  God,  and  that  in 
the  last  days  there  is  a  special  call  to  reform  on  this  point  and  to  return  to  the 
Sabbath  of  the  Bible. 

These  two  truths — the  belief  in  the  near  advent  of  Christ  and  the  seventh  day 
of  the  week  as  the  Sabbath — have  given  them  the  name  of  Seventh-day  Advent- 
ists. 

The  fundamental  idea  which  has  served  as  the  actuating  impulse  and  the  cre- 
ative principle  of  this  movement  is  loyalty  to  the  plain  teachings  of  the  Word 
of  God,  rather  than  to  tradition  or  creed.  United  with  this  is  the  recognition  of  the 
fact  that  God  gives  light  upon  the  scriptures  for  the  proclamation  of  special  truths 
due  to  the  world  at  any  special  time. 

Thus,  when  the  time  came  for  the  first  advent  of  Christ,  God  raised  up  John 
the  Baptist,  charged  with  a  divine  message  based  on  the  fulfilment  of  prophecy. 
This  forerunner  of  our  Lord  proclaimed  to  rulers,  priests  and  people  the  truths 
they  needed  to  know  in  order  to  be  ready  to  receive  the  Saviour. 
•  Just  so,  as  the  great  prophetic  periods  recorded  in  scripture  had  either  come 
to  a  close  or  were  nearing  fulfilment  and  the  specific  signs  marking  the  last  gen- 
eration were  appearing,  the  providence  of  God  raised  up  the  great  second  ad- 
vent movement.  This  movement  is  proclaiming  to  the  world  the  speedy  second 
coming  of  Christ  in  power  and  glory,  and  with  special  emphasis  urging  upon  all 
repentance  toward  God  and  faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  obedience  to 
His  Word  as  a  preparation  for  that  event.  >.«.;..,•..-.  .  \  i  :  ., 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /^  :      -^     711 

Prominent  among  their  points  of  doctrine  are  the  following :     ' 

1.  They  believe  in  the  deity,  divinity,  and  pre-existence  of  Christ. 

2.  In  salvation  from  sin  through  faith  in  the  merits  and  atoning  work  of 
Christ — "righteousness  by  faith,"  the  original  Protestant  doctrine;  also  that  faith 
without  works  (obedience)   is  dead. 

3.  In  conversion  or  a  new  birth  by  the  operation  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

4.  In  the  perpetual  obligation  to  obey  the  law  of  God — ^the  ten  command- 
ments— but  this  can  be  done  only  by  grace,  through  faith. 

5.  That  man  is  not  by  nature  immortal,  that  eternal  life  is  a  gift  of  God 
given  only  in  Christ. 

6.  In  a  literal  resurrection  from  the  dead,  and  that  rewards  and  punish- 
ments are  bestowed  at  the  close  of  the  judgment.  '         ?:  .'        "- 

7.  That  immersion  is  the  scriptural  mode  of  baptism. 

8.  In  the  separation  of  church  and  state  and  in  granting  to  every  man 
freedom  to  believe  or  not  to  believe,  to  worship  or  not  to  worship,  according 
to  his  own  choice.    They  are  especially  active  in  opposing  the  efforts  made  to 
enforce  religion  by  law. 

9.  They  believe  in  and  practice  temperance  in  the  strictest  sense,  and  are 
putting  forth  earnest  efforts  in  the  temperance  cause.    They  use  no  tea,  coffee, 
tobacco,  nor  alcoholic   drinks.     Vegetarianism  is  advocated  and  a   large   pro- 
portion of  the  members  practice  it. 

10.  That  the  best  method  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  is  that  which  God 
has  established,  and  have  therefore  adopted  the  tithing  system  for  raising  means 
to  carry  forward  their  work. 

11.  That  the  divine  commission  to  go  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature  is  still  in   full  force,  and  to  this  work  Seventh-day 
Adventists  are  devoting  their  means  and  their  lives. 

Seventh-day  Adventists  have  not  set  aside  or  modified  any  of  their  first 
principles  of  faith ;  but  as  the  Word  is  searched  and  new  light  revealed  it  is 
accepted  and  added  to  what  they  already  have.  One  truth  never  contradicts 
another  but  only  adds  to  and  strengthens  its  meaning. 

Seventh-day  Adventists  were  not  organized  as  a  separate  denomination  till 
i86i,  when  the  rapid  growth  of  the  movement  made  such  a  step  necessary. 

It  was  first  suggested  in  1859  that  each  state  hold  an  annual  meeting  in 
which  careful  planning  of  the  work  should  be  made.  This  suggestion  really 
looked  forward  to  the  formation  of  state  conference  organizations. 

During  the  summer  of  1860,  the  subject  was  discussed  at  length  in  their 
paper.  The  Advent  Review  and  Sabbath  Herald,  and  in  a  general  meeting  of 
representatives  from  different  states  held  in  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  October, 
1860,  there  was  a  candid  consideration  of  the  subject  and  a  full  and  free  dis- 
cussion of  legal  organization  which  was  gradually  perfected. 

In  October,  i86i,  the  Michigan  conference  was  organized  by  the  election  of 
a  chairman,  a  secretary,  and  an  executive  committee  of  three.  By  vote  of  the 
conference,  it  was  recommended  that  the  believers  enter  into  church  organiza- 
tion adopting  the  following  as  a  church  covenant: 

"We,  the  undersigned,  hereby  associate  ourselves  together  as  a  church,  taking 
the  name  Seventh-day  Adventists,  covenanting  to  keep  the  commandments  of 
God  and  the  faith  of  Jesus."  ...  .- .- 


712  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

At  this  conference  it  was  first  decided  that  credentials  should  be  granted 
to  all  Seventh-day  Adventist  ministers  in  this  state  who  were  in  good  standing 
and  that  ministers  should  carry  papers  consisting  of  a  certificate  of  ordination 
and  credentials  signed  by  the  chairman  and  clerk  of  the  conference,  which 
credentials  should  be  renewed  annually. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1862,  the  Michigan  conference  held  its  first  ses- 
sion in  Monterey,  Mich. 

Here,  for  the  first  time,  was  presented  the  idea  of  receiving  churches  into 
conferences,  as  members  were  voted  into  churches.  As  seventeen  churches  in 
the  state  had  already  been  organized,  these  were,  by  vote,  taken  into  the  con- 
ference and  all  members  of  these  churches,  who  were  present,  were  accepted 
as  delegates. 

It  was  at  this  conference  too  that  the  plan  was  adopted  of  paying  minis- 
ters a  certain  sum  per  week  for  services  rendered.  This  plan  of  organization 
was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  other  states,  and  in  May,  1863,  the  general 
conference  held  its  first  session  in  Battle  Creek,  Mich.  May  2ist  a  constitution 
was  adopted  by  the  general  conference  and  on  the  same  day  a  constitution  was 
recommended  to  the  state  conferences  which  was  soon  adopted. 

Thus,  step  by  step,  as  necessity  required,  order  was  established  in  the  work. 
The  same  principles  adopted  in  the  organization  up  to  1864  were  incorporated 
into  the  work  as  it  enlarged  and  extended  to  other  countries  and  nationalities. 

As  the  movement  advanced,  the  following  general  organizations  were  formed, 
the  officers  of  which  were  elected  at  the  regular  sessions  of  the  general  con- 
ference : 

The  General  Conference  association — a  legal  body  of  twenty-one  members 
to  hold  the  title  to  the  property  of  the  various  institutions  in  America  and 
ether  countries.  •  ^v.-' v-::;  >;.-,•-,,: 

The  Foreign  Mission  board — to  superintend  and  extend  mission  work  out- 
side of  organized  conferences. 

The  International  Tract  society — whose  province  was  the  distribution  of 
reading  matter  and  correspondence,  seeking  to  open  up  new  missions. 

The  Religious  Liberty  Association — its  special  field  being  to  aid  those  per- 
secuted for  conscience  sake  and  to  circulate  literature  on  the  principles  of  religious 
liberty. 

The  International  Sabbath-school  Association — the  object  of  which  was  the 
building  up  and  advancement  of  the  Sabbath-school  work  in  all  fields. 

The  Medical  Missionary  and  Benevolent  Association — its  work  relating  to 
the  training  of  physicians  and  nurses,  the  conducting  of  sanitariums,  homes  for 
orphans,  the  aged,  etc. 

The  Young  People's  Missionary  Volunteer  society — the  purpose  of  which 
is  to  foster  the  missionary  spirit  among  the  young  people  of  the  denomination. 

In  the  Seventh-day  Adventist  denomination  just  as  the  members  are  united 
in  a  local  church  so  the  local  churches  are  united  in  local  conferences  and  the 
local  conferences  are  united  in  a  union  conference,  consisting  of  from  three  to 
five  local  conferences;  and  the  union  conferences  form  the  general  conference. 

The  General  Conference  acts  only  in  an  advisory  way  in  organized  fields 
but  has  direct  supervision  in  unorganized  territories,  mainly  now  in  heathen 
lands.  ^.. 


;     V      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  713 

The  statistical  report  of  1910  shows  a  membership  of  104,562,  with  io6 
organized  conferences,  2,769  church  buildings,  74  sanitariums  located  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  world  devoted  to  the  treatment  of  the  sick  and  to  promote 
the  principles  of  health  and  temperance,  believing  that  the  true  gospel  has 
healing  for  the  body  as  well  as  for  the  soul.  In  these  sanitariums  there  are 
employed  about  2,000  skilled  physicians,  surgeons  and  nurses,  who  treat  their 
patients  without  drugs  and  endeavor  to  correct  improper  habits  of  living  and  to 
bring  them  in  harmony  with  nature's  laws. 

In  these  institutions  are  utilized  all  the  established  remedial  measures  includ- 
ing scientific  hydrotherapy,  massage  and  Swedish  movements,  electrical  treat- 
ments, sensible  dietetics,  regulated  physical  culture,  and  modern  surgery.  The 
assets  of  these  institutions  are  over  $3,368,000.  .  -;  ' 

Aside  from  the  sanitarium  work  for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  the  denomina- 
tion is  carrying  on  a  complete  system  of  education  which  combines  the  training 
of  head,  hand  and  heart,  believing  that  the  only  true  education  is  a  three-fold 
development.  They  have  86  colleges  and  academies  and  594  primary  schools, 
with  an  enrollment  of  20,526 ;  assets  of  over  $2,000,000. 

Another  important  feature  is  the  publishing  work.  They  have  twenty-eight 
publishing  houses  devoted  exclusively  to  the  publication  of  Christian  literature, 
which  is  issued  in  67  languages  in  the  form  of  363  bound  books,  315  pamphlets, 
12,000  tracts,  126  periodicals.  This  literature  is  circulated  in  all  parts  of  the 
world. 

Seventh-day  Adventists  are  a  missionary  people  and  are  working  on  the 
basis  of  "The  gospelto  all  the  world  in  this  generation,''  believing  that  when 
this  is  accomplished  the  end  will  come  as  stated  by  Christ  in  Matt.  24:14. 

They  are  now  contributing  over  $2,000,000  annually  for  evangelistic  work. 
The  per  capita  for  1910  was  $21.27.  The  per  capita  for  foreign  missions  from 
communicants  in  the  United  States  for  1910  was  $6.58,  and  for  the  world  $5.44. 
The  Sabbath  schools  are  contributing  over  $2,000  a  week  for  foreign  missions. 

Of  the  57  countries  in  which  missions  are  sustained  by  the  Protestant  mis- 
sionary societies,  throughout  the  world.  Seventh-day  Adventists  have  entered  47. 
They  have  also  entered  a  large  number  of  countries  not  entered  by  any  other 
Protestant  society ;  so  they  are  now  carrying  on  missionary  work  in  more  than 
70  countries.  .,.;.:..•..;•;  V 

The  following  statistical  report  speaks  for  itself  regarding  the  growth  of  the 
movement : 

Confer-     Insti-     :'•'->:'•;-'-:'=•.  Annual        Per  Cent     Per 

Year,  ences.     tutions.         Value.        Members    Contributions,     of  Gain.  Capita. 

1865          7          I      $       38,712.53          4,000      $      12,000.00        $  3.00 

1875         13          5  282,179.55          8,022  39,618.62      219.15          4.94 

1885        28        II  885,382.97        20,547  167,540.43      322.87          8.1 1 

1895  36  29  2,858.725.82  47,680  419,801.65  150.58  8.80 
1905  80  126  4,799,419.51  87,311  1,180,917.64  181.31  13.52 
1910  io6  i88  10,633,266.71  104,526  2.223,767.52  88.31  21.27 

Notice  that  the  last  figures  are  for  five  years,  instead  of  ten. 

The  church  of  this  faith  in  Galesburg  was  organized  in  1897  in  American 
Hall  on  East  Main  street,  with  a  charter  membership  of  i6.  The  first  Seventh- 
day  Adventists  in  Galesburg  were  Charles  Newberry  and  wife,  of  Monmouth 
boulevard,  they  having  come  here  from  Michigan  in  the  early  eighties. 


'714  ';  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

-          The  first  sermon  preached  in  Galesburg  by  a  Seventh-day  Adventist  minister 

'       was  by  Pastor  L.  D.  Santee  in  1895,  in  a  tent  erected  for  that  purpose  at  the 

.     corner  of  Allen's  avenue  and  Main  street,  where  he,  assisted  by  Pastor  W.  D. 

Curtis,  conducted  evangelistic  services  for  a  number  of  weeks.     All  but  three 

or  four  of  the  charter  members  of  this  church  were  converted  to  the  faith  in 

.   •   this  city.     They  continued  to  meet  in  American  Hall  to  the  year  1903,  when 

•-'     they  purchased  a  lot  on  Elaine  avenue  and  erected  a  small  church  building  at 

V   a  cost  of  $2,500.    This  building  was  dedicated  in  March,  1904. 

In  the  fifteen  years  since  the  organization  of  this  church,  two  hundred  and 

'    '   fifty  members  have  enrolled.    Of  this  number,  five  have  gone  out  as  missionaries 

.       to  foreign  countries:    one  to  Africa,  two  to  Australia,  and  two  to  Honolulu. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ames,  for  several  years  members  of  this  church,  went  to  Mountain 

,  •   Grove,  Missouri,  and  established  an  orphanage,  where  they  are  caring  for  and 

educating  more  than  twenty  orphans.    Another  member,  Mr.  Corbally,  went  out 

from  here  into  the  ministry,  and  has  raised  up  a  large  number  of  churches  in 

^'    the  west.    This  company  also  furnished  the  funds  which  established  a  mission 

at  Bulawayo,  South  Africa. 

The  church  in  this  city  has  never  had  a  regular  pastor,  but  services  are 

.      carried  on  regularly  each  week  by  the  lay  members,  under  the  direction  of  a 

leader  or  elder  chosen  from  the  membership.    The  late  James  M.  Osbom  served 

../    the  church  in  this  capacity  for  the  past  seven  years,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 

which  occurred  January  3,  1912. 

'  During   the   fifteen   years   this   church   has   existed,   they   have   contributed 

,      $16,350    for    evangelistic    work,    aside    from    building    their    church    and    sus- 
taining the  local  work.    They  are  also  putting  forth  earnest  effort  in  this  city 
to  encourage  the  study  of  the  Bible,  and  to  hold  up  Christ  as  the  only  Redeemer 
:    and  Saviour  of  men.  -  -\'    ;••,;.:  ;  I 

The  church   in   Galesburg  is   the  only  one   of  this   denomination  in   Knox 
.county.  ..  ,•.:,..;-..   I       ..  .•    • 

,  '          .     .  Yours  Respectfully,  ;"- 

';,.  •  •      :      \,  A.  C.  GAYLORD.      / 


A   BRIEF  HISTORY   OF  THE  REORGANIZED   CHURCH   OF  JESUS 
CHRIST,  OF  LATTER  DAY  SAINTS,  AND  OF  ITS  RISE  AND       ••- 
:/:.<,;  GROWTH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS.      ,     |       ,-     ;  v 

•^  I  have  carefully  read  the  following  article,  and  it  meets  my  approval.     The 
facts  pertaining  to  the  general  history  of  the  church  are  correct.          1   ,     •  ' '' 
.  r-:vir;    ^       •  •  .  HEMAN  C.  SMITH, 

,-.  /V.  ;      .  General  Historian   of  the  Reorganised   Church 

'  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints. 

Since  the  history  of  no  people  is  complete  without  it  take  into  account  the 
religious  principles  that  have  governed  in  the  lives  of  its  citizens;  and  since 
there  have  been  in  the  past,  and  are  now,  those  citizens  dwelling  within  Knox 
county  who  adhere  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Reorganized  Church  of  Jesus  Christ, 
of  Latter  Day  Saints,  we,  briefiy  as  may  be  possible,  endeavor  to  set  forth  what 


'-"'••        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;  ::v  715 

those  principles  are;  what  the  source  of  inspiration  claimed  by  its  founders; 
and  to  chronicle  some  of  the  more  important  events  in  the  lives  of  its  leaders. 

We  have  gathered  our  information  from  the  accredited  standard  records  of 
this  church,  and  have  received  the  approval  and  sanction  of  the  general  church 
historian,  Heman  C.  Smith,  of  Lamoni,  Iowa.  Therefore,  we  submit  the  article 
as  authentic. 

Joseph  Smith,  the  man  whose  name  is  most  familiar  in  connection  with  what 
the  world  is  pleased  to  call  "Mormonism,"  was  born  in  the  town  of  Sharon, 
Vermont,  December  23rd,  1805, 

When  but  ten  years  of  age,  his  father  moved  his  family  to  Palmyra,  New 
York,  and  four  years  later  to  Manchester,  a  town  in  the  same  county.  While 
living  at  this  latter  place,  Joseph  Smith  says  "there  obtained  an  unusual  excite- 
ment on  the  subject  of  religion.  It  commenced  with  the  Methodists,  but  soon 
became  general  among  all  the  sects  in  that  region  of  country ;  indeed,  multitudes 
united  themselves  to  the  different  religious  parties,  which  created  no  small  stir 
and  division  amongst  the  people,  some  crying,  'lo,  here !'  and  some,  'lo,  there !' " 

Joseph  Smith's  family  were  not  unaffected  by  all  this  excitement.  But  his 
mother,  sister,  and  two  brothers  joined  the  Presbyterian  church.  Joseph,  him- 
self, thought  seriously  upon  these  matters  and  became  inclined  to  unite  with  the 
Methodist  church. 

But  the  conflict  between  the  various  claimants  as  to  which  was  the  right 
:':  church  was  so  great  that  he  grew  uncertain  in  mind  and  knew  not  whom  to 
believe  nor  what  to  do.  Often  he  said  to  himself,  "If  any  of  these  are  right, 
how  shall  I  know  it?" 

It  was  at  this  juncture  that  he  was  reading  his  Bible,  one  day,  and  came 
to  the  book  of  James.  He  read  the  5th  verse  of  the  ist  chapter.  "If  any  man 
lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God  who  giveth  to  all  men  liberally  and  upbraideth 
not;  and  it  shall  be  given  him."  Thrilled  with  a  strange  and  new  sense  of 
the  significance  of  the  statement,  and  of  its  application  to  his  present  need,  he 
determined  to  put  the  matter  to  the  test,  and  sought  God  for  counsel. 

Going  apart  to  a  secluded  spot  in  the  woods,  he  knelt  in  prayer,  and  poured 

forth  his  desires  to  God.    At  first,  thick  darkness  seemed  to  envelop  him.     This 

was  followed  by  the  appearance  of  a  pillar  of  light  which  descended  from  the 

Heavens,  and  the  messenger  of  the  Almighty  answered  his  petition.     He  was 

instructed  to  join  none  of  these  "sects,"  for  their  creeds  were  an  abomination 

.,  in  the  sight  of  God.     To  quote,  the  Voice  said,  "They  draw  near  to  me  with 

>;  their  lips,  but  their  hearts  are  far  from  me ;  and  they  teach  for  doctrine  the 

.{:  commandments  of  men,  having  a  form  of  godliness  but  they  deny  the  power 

>:^I  thereof."  .  ;  :  ;' 

When  he  related  this  remarkable  experience  to  some  of  the  preachers  of  the 
neighborhood,  his  story  was  greeted  with  contempt  and  unbelief.  But,  notwith- 
standing this,  it  excited  the  most  bitter  persecution,  which  grew  and  multiplied 
as  the  days  went  by. 

But  Joseph  Smith  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  vision,  and  ceased  not  to 
bear  testimony  to  the  knowledge  received.  He  continued  in  the  common  avo- 
cations of  life  for  the  next  few  years,  until  September  2ist,  1823,  when  there 
was  another  visitation  from  the  messenger  of  God.  After  describing  the  per- 
sonal appearance  of  his  heavenly  visitor,  Joseph  Smith  relat';s  the  occurrence 


"/.  716  ^  :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•;    thus:    "He  called  me  by  name,  and  said  unto  me  that  he  was  a  messenger  sent 

from  the  presence  of  God  to  me,  and  that  his  name  was  Nephi.    That  God  had 

, '     a  work  for  me  to  do,  and  that  my  name  should  be  had  for  good  and  evil,  among 

:'     all  nations,  kindreds,  and  tongues;  or  that  it   should  be  both  good  and  evil 

-;     spoken  of  among  all  people.     He  said  that  there  was  a  book  deposited,  written 

upon  gold  plates,  giving  an  account  of  the  former  inhabitants  of  this  continent, 

and  the  source  from  whence  they  sprang.     He  also  said  that  the  fulness  of 

.    the  everlasting  gospel  was  contained  in  it,  as  delivered  by  the  Savior  to  the 

;       ancient  inhabitants.     Also  that  there  were  two  stones,  in  silver  bows,  and  these 

stones  fastened  to  a  breastplate  constituted  what  is  called  the  Urim  and  Thum- 

~       mim,  and  the  possession  and  use  of  these  stones  was  what  constituted  seers  in 

•  ancient  or  former  times,  and  that  God  had  prepared  them  for  the  purpose  of 
^  ':V      translating  the  book.     *     *     * " 

.      ,     '      Much   more   instruction   was   given,   and   the   place   where   the  plates   were 

•  deposited  was  so  plainly  shown,  in  the  vision,  that  he  had  no  trouble  to  go 
directly  to  the  spot  the  next  day.     The  entire  vision  was  repeated  three  times, 
successively. 

The  day  following  this  remarkable  experience,  he  went  to  the  place  shown 

•  '     him  in  the  vision  and  found  the  plates  with  the  Urim  and  Thummim  exactly  as 
.  •     stated  by  the  messenger.    He  was  not  permitted  to  come  into  possession  of  them, 

however,  for  four  years,  or  until  September  22,  1827,  when  the  work  of  translat- 
ing the  book  began.  The  work  of  translation  occupied  the  greater  part  of  the 
next  two  years  so  that  the  first  edition  was  not  issued  until  1830.  In  this  work, 

V.j  he  was  greatly  assisted  by  Oliver  Cowdery,  who  acted  as  scribe,  and  by  Martin 
Harris,  who  assisted  with  his  means.  These  two,  together  with  David  Whitmer, 

,         who  also  aided  them,  were  permitted  to  examine  and  bear  witness  to  the  divinity 

of  the  plates,  and  the  angelic  ministration  which  accompanied  their  delivery  and 

'     translation.     Their  testimony,  which  remained  unretracted  and  unshaken  to  the 

end  of  their  lives,  was  as  follows:  ,^,.     ..  I    -•     •  -  '.v 

"Be  it  known  unto  all  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  people,  unto  whom  this 

:      work  shall  come,  that  we  through  the  grace  of  God,  the  Father,  and  our  Lord 

:       Jesus  Christ,  have  seen  the  plates  which  contain  this  record,  which  is  a  record  of 

-      the  people  of  Nephi ;  and  also  of  the  Lamanites,  their  brethren ;  and  also  of  the 

people  of  Jared,  who  came  from  the  tower  of  which  hath  been  spoken;  and  we 

.    :      also  know  that  they  have  been  translated  by  the  gift  and  power  of  God,  for  his 

..       voice  hath  declared  it  unto  us;  wherefore  we  know  of  a  surety  that  the  work  is 

..:/  true.  And  we  also  testify  that  we  have  seen  the  engravings  which  are  upon  the 
plates;  and  they  have  been  shown  unto  us  by  the  power  of  God  and  not  of  man. 
And  we  declare  with  words  of  soberness,  that  an  angel  of  God  came  down  from 
heaven  and  brought  and  laid  before  our  eyes,  that  we  beheld  and  saw  the  plates 
and  the  engravings  thereon ;  and  we  know  that  it  is  by  the  grace  of  God,  the 
Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  we  beheld  and  bear  record  that  these 

.  '  things  are  true ;  and  it  is  marvelous  in  our  eyes,  nevertheless,  the  voice  of  the 
Lord  commanded  us  that  we  should  bear  record  of  it ;  wherefore,  to  be  obedient 
unto  the  commandments  of  God  we  bear  testimony  of  these  things.  And  we 

:  know  that  if  we  are  faithful  in  Christ,  we  shall  rid  our  garments  of  the  blood  of 
all  men,  and  be  found  spotless  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ,  and  shall 


"V       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;'-    ^  •:.:  717 

dwell  with  him  eternally  in  the  heavens.    And  the  honor  be  to  the  Father,  and  to 
the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  one  God.    Amen." 

.;,..;'  (Signed)     OLIVER  COWDERY, 

vv.;v,.-/^7  ;:.;  ;.-  V  .,,  ••T--;''.'>v-  DAVID  WHITMER, 

MARTIN  HARRIS. 

•    •  •-•'  ^. ,-- 

'The  Book  of  Mormon  is  the  record  of  God's  dealings  with  the  inhabitants  of 
the  American  continent,  of  the  ministry  of  their  priests,  and  the  teachings  of 
their  prophets,  of  the  reign  of  their  kings,  and  the  rulers  of  the  land.  It  covers 
historically  twenty-six  centuries,  from  the  dispersion  from  Babel,  2200  B.  C.,  to 
the  hiding  of  the  records,  about  400  A.  D. 

The  book  derives  its  name  from  the  compiler.  Mormon,  a  Nephite  prophet 
and  general,  who  prepared  metallic  plates,  by  the  instruction  of  the  Lord,  and  en- 
graved thereon  the  abridged  history  of  the  Nephite  and  Lamanite  nations. 
T  While  the  translation  of  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  being  carried  on,  from 
1827  to  1830,  another  equally  important,  if  not  a  greater  work,  was  being  insti- 
tuted; and  that  was  the  establishment  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  upon  the 
earth.  The  everlasting  Gospel  was  once  again  taught  among  men,  in  fulfillment 
of  the  prophecy  uttered  by  John,  the  Revelator,  upon  the  Isle  of  Patmos,  recorded 
in  Rev.  14 :6.  The  angel  had  come ;  the  gospel  was  preached. 

The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  was  formally  organized,  agreeable  to  the  laws 
of  the  land,  April  6,  1830,  at  Fayette,  Seneca  county.  New  York. 

Making  claim  to  a  restoration  and  not  a  reformation  of  the  gospel,  the  or- 
ganization included  the  same  officers  as  were  mentioned  in  the  "apostolic"  church 
of  New  Testament  history,  namely — apostles,  prophets,  pastors,  teachers,  evan- 
gelists, elders,  priests,  deacons,  bishops,  etc. 

The  faith  and  doctrine  included, 

(ist)  Faith  in  God  and  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  Heb.  ii:6;  i  Pet.  1:21; 
I  Tim.  I  :io;  John  3:16;  Mark  ii  :22. 

(2nd)     Repentance.     (Ceasing  to  do  evil  and  learning  to  do  well.)     Matt 
'•-3:2;  Luke  13:8;  Ezek.  18:30;  Mark  1:5;  Acts  2:38. 

(3rd)     Baptism,  by  immersion  for  the  remission  of  sins.     Matt.  3:13;  Mark 
-,1:4,5;  Luke  3:3;  John  3:5;  Acts  2:38;  22:16;  2:41;  8:12,  37,  38. 

(4th)  Laying  on  of  hands  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  ordination  of 
the  ministry,  the  healing  of  the  sick,  and  the  blessing  of  children.  Acts  8:17; 
13:2,  3;  Mark  16:17;  Dent.  34:9;  i  Tim.  4:14;  i  Cor.  12:3,  .,  • 

(5th)  Resurrection  of  the  body;  that  the  dead  in  Christ  will  rise  first,  and 
the  rest  of  the  dead  will  not  live  again  until  the  thousand  years  are  expired.  Job 
19:25,  26;  Dan.  12:2;  I  Cor.  15:42;  i  Thes.  4:16;  Rev.  20:  6;  Acts  17:31. 

(6th)  Eternal  Judgment,  which  provides  that  men  shall  be  judged,  re- 
warded, or  punished,  according  to  the  degree  of  good  or  evil  they  shall  have 
done.  Rev.  20:12;  Eccle.  3:17;  Matt.  16:27. 

Further,  the  church  believes  that  no  man  has  the  right  to  minister  in  the  or- 
dinances of  the  church,  "except  he  be  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron"  and  authori- 
tatively ordained  to  the  office  in  which  he  occupies.  ^  :'- 

Relative  to  marriage,  the  church  has  always'  taught  that  the  law  of  God  pro- 
vides for  but  one  companion  in  wedlock  for  either  man  or  woman,  except  in 
cases  of  death,  or  where  the  contract  is  broken  by  transgression.  Upon  this 


718  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

matter  the  Book  of  Mormon  is  very  explicit,  reading,  "Wherefore,  my  brethren, 
hear  me  and  hearken  to  the  word  of  the  Lord,  For  there  shall  not  any  man 
among  you  have  save  it  be  one  wife,  and  concubines  he  shall  have  none.  For,  I, 
the  Lord  God  delighteth  in  the  chastity  of  women.  And  whoredoms  are  an 
abomination  before  me,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts."  Jacob  2:6,  7. 

Thus  was  the  church  organized  in  1830,  and  such  was  the  doctrine  taught 
then.  -  \- 

Such  is  the  organization,  faith  and  doctrine  held  now  by  the  re-organized 
church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints  which  claims  to  be  the  successor  to  the 
original  church. 

This  claim  has  been  sustained  by  the  decision  rendered  by  Judge  L.  S.  Sher- 
man of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Lake  county,  Ohio,  in  the  "Kirtland  Temple 
Suit" ;  and  by  Judge  John  F.  Phillipps  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States 
for  the  western  district  of  Missouri,  western  division,  at  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  in 
the  celebrated  "Temple  Lot  Case." 

: .  From  the  place  of  its  organization  at  Fayette,  New  York,  the  main  body  of  the 
church  moved  westward,  settling  in  Ohio,  and  there  building  a  temple  at  Kirt- 
land. This  temple  is  standing  today  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  and  is  visited 
annually  by  sightseers  from  all  over  the  world.  From  here,  emigration  carried 
the  greater  number  to  Missouri  where  large  numbers  settled  in  Jackson  county 
with  headquarters  at  Independence,  near  where  Kansas  City  now  stands. 

The  same  spirit  of  persecution  which  had  very  early  been  manifested  by  those  -, 
who  opposed  the  message  and  mission  of  Joseph  Smith  and  his  associates,  f  ol- :'' 
lowed  them  here  and  was  much  increased  by  the  fact  that  the  Latter  Day  Saints, 
without  exception,  were  opposed  to  slavery.     Without  entering  into  the  details 
of  those  terrible  times,  when  "might"  seemed  to  make  "right,"  we  will  only  state 
that  during  the  winter  of  1838-39,  the  saints  were  forcibly  driven  from  their 
homes  and  most  of  them  compelled  to  leave  the  state.    Large  numbers  crossed 
the  Mississippi  river  into  Illinois  and  many  found  a  temporary  shelter  with  the 
kind  hearted  people  of  Quincy.     Among  these  were  the  families  of  Joseph  and 
Hyrum  Smith. 

Here,  in  April,  Joseph  Smith  came,  and  in  May,   1839,  they  moved  on  to 
the  little  town  of  Commerce.    This  place  was  a  village  of  some  half  dozen  houses  , 
situated  on  the  Mississippi  river.    The  land  was  literally  a  swampy  wilderness, 
when  purchased  by  the  refugees.     They  were  joined  by  others  and  the  village 
grew  into  a  thriving  town  within  the  next  few  years. 

On  April  21,  1840,  the  name  of  Commerce  was  officially  changed  to  Nauvoo. 
Nauvoo  became  the  headquarters  of  the  church.  The  erection  of  another  temple 
was  begun.  ••  ,  ''- :,v:'-.,.v-;^;..  •;:''-^  -;:..;>'•.''.-.-' 

But  they  were  not  allowed  to  dwell  here  in  peace.  Continued  and  unceasing 
efforts  were  made  to  destroy  the  lives  of  the  leaders ;  they  were  repeatedly 
charged  with  crimes  of  which  they  were  never  proven  guilty.  In  the  year  1844, 
Joseph  and  Hyrum  Smith,  together  with  several  others,  were  charged  with 
"riot."  Fearing  the  violence  of  the  mob  spirit  so  prevalent,  they  crossed  the 
river  into  Iowa,  where  they  were  secure  for  the  time  being.  But  upon  receiving 
assurance  from  Governor  Ford  that  they  would  be  protected  by  the  state  militia, 
they  returned,  went  to  Carthage,  and  gave  themselves  into  custody. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :'  719 

On  June  27,  1844,  the  jail  was  surrounded  by  a  mob  of  from  150  to  200  men 
(the  greater  part  of  the  guard  had  been  withdrawn)  and  Joseph  and  Hyrum 
Smith  were  shot  and  instantly  killed.  And  as  is  ever  the  case,  the  blood  of  the 
martyr  but  strengthens  the  cause  for  which  he  dies. 

It  seemed  to  have  been  generally  conceded  that  young  Joseph  Smith,  the  son 
of  the  slain  president,  should  occupy  his  father's  place,  but  he  was  only  a  lad  of 
12  years  of  age.  What  to  do  until  he  should  reach  an  age  to  fit  him  for  the 
responsibility,  was  the  grave  question  that  confronted  the  church.  In  the  pre- 
ceding 14  years  since  the  church  was  organized  at  Fayette,  in  New  York,  with  but 
six  members,  there  had  been  a  remarkable  growth  made.  Despite  all  the  fierce 
opposition  encountered,  they  now  numbered  between  150,000  and  200,000  mem- 
bers. Only  about  30,000  of  these  resided  at  or  near  Nauvoo. 

In  the  decade  that  followed  the  death  of  the  prophet  and  president  of  the 
church,  many  would-be  leaders  arose.  The  members  that  were  at  Nauvoo,  were 
scattered  in  various  directions,  some  going  with  one,  some  with  another.  They 
were  indeed  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd. 

A  portion  of  these  at  Nauvoo  followed  Brigham  Young  and  his  associates 
out  across  the  western  plains,  and  it  is  largely  owing  to  the  conduct  of  this 
faction  that  the  name  of  Latter  Day  Saint  came  to  be  regarded  as  synonymous 
with  evil. 

But  the  major  part  of  the  church  remained  faithful  to  the  original  doctrine 
and  teachings  of  the  prophet  and  waited  for  the  time  when  God  should  raise 
up  faithful  men  to  again  unite  them  under  one  banner,  and  that,  the  unchange- 
able message  of  the  gospel, 
leader.     Since  the  year  1852,  the  church  has  been  known  as  the  Re-organized 

Gradually  this  was  accomplished.  In  April,  1860,  Joseph  Smith,  son  of 
Joseph  Smith,  martyred,  was  formally  accepted  by  the  church  as  its  prophet  and 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter  Day  Saints.  The  reason  is  quite  evident. 

And  from  that  date  until  this  present  writing,  the  church  has  made  steady 
progress  in  membership  and  in  the  esteem  of  all  honorable  men. 
'.  And  now  we  come  to  the  time  when  these  people  became  identified  with  the 
history  of  Knox  county. 

Prior  to  the  year  of  1860,  there  had  moved  into  Knox  county  several  families 
who  were  members  of  the  church  in  the  days  of  Joseph  and  Hyrum  Smith. 
Among  these  was  Zenos  H.  Gurley,  a  man  very  intimately  associated  with  the 
reorganization  of  the  church ;  one  who  was  not  only  an  active  local  preacher,  but 
who  also  labored  for  many  years  under  general  church  conference  appointment. 

Through  his  efforts,  together  with  those  of  others  no  less  zealous,  a  flourish- 
ing branch  (congregation)  of  the  church  was  soon  built  up  and  established  at 
Henderson  and  long  known  as  the  "Henderson  Grove  branch."  To  the  original 
number,  many  more  names  were  added  by  conversions.  During  the  year  of 
1870,  a  chapel  was  built  and  for  many  years  was  the  gathering  place  for  not 
only  the  resident  members,  but  the  quarterly  conferences  were  often  held  at  this 
place  in  the  years  that  followed.  ^:  -iv  -  • 

Possessed  of  the  "missionary  spirit"  to  an  unusual  degree,  the  elders  of  the 
Henderson  Grove  branch  were  very  active  in  promulgating  the  doctrine  of  their 
church  and  preached  their  faith  in  all  the  surrounding  territory.  Since  they 


720          ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

went  without  hire,  and  their  only  reward  was  the  joy .  of  sharing  with  others 
the  consolation  of  a  "heaven-born"  faith,  we  must  credit  them  with  sincerity, 
at  least.  Laboring  in  the  field,  the  shop,  or  at  the  bench  during  the  day,  they 
would  drive  or  walk  for  miles  at  night  or  on  Sunday  in  order  to  preach  in  school- 
house  or  church.  Such  efforts  resulted  in  other  branches  being  established. 

At  Abingdon,  a  branch  existed  for  a  number  of  years.  They  reported  but 
ten  or  eleven  members  in  1862,  but  the  next  year  their  report  read  "member- 
ship over  forty,  with  great  interest  manifested." 

About  this  time,  several  families  belonging  to  the  church  were  residents  of 
Galesburg.  And  here,  on  November  15,  1863,  was  held  a  meeting,  or  council, 
which  was  the  beginning  of  the  organization  of  the  several  branches  in  north- 
west Illinois  into  what  is  now  known  as  the  "Kewanee  district." 

The  following  ministry  from  Knox  county  attended  this  meeting,  and  partici- 
pated in  its  deliberations :  Zenos  H.  Gurley,  Edwin  Stafford,  Lorin  Page,  C.  M. 
Brown,  Thos.  Allen,  W.  A.  Moore  and  Eli  Atkinson. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  '7os  and  as  a  direct  result  of  the  labors  of  Elder  M. 
T.  Short,  there  was  a  small  branch  established  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county 
at  Truro. 

A  similar  effort  was  made  at  Victoria  by  other  elders  and  resulted  in  the 
work  being  rooted  here  in  an  organized  branch  composed  of  some  twenty  or 
more  members.  - 

At  Viola,  likewise,  a  small  nucleus  was  organized.  But  all  three  of  these 
congregations  made  but  an  indifferent  growth,  and  after  an  existence  extending 
over  some  twenty  years,  they  ceased  to  live.  The  membership  was  largely  scat- 
tered ;  some  of  them  later  being  instrumental  in  establishing  the  church  at  Dahinda. 

Long  ago,  death  and  removals  had  depleted  the  numbers  at  Abingdon,  and 
where  there  was  once  a  growing  congregation,  there  was  no  longer  any  branch. 

But  Henderson  Grove  branch  lived  and  grew.  They  continued  to  send 
representatives  to  the  district  conferences,  and  reported  to  the  same  until  in 
the  early  part  of  1900.  Then  this  congregation,  like  the  others  mentioned,  was 
affected  by  death  and  removals.  The  little  chapel  was  sold,  and  the  scattered 
membership  largely  enrolled  elsewhere. 

But  at  no  time  since  1860,  has  there  been  a  date  when  the  Reorganized 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  has  not  been  represented  in  Knox  county  by  one  or 
more  congregations.  The  last  one  to  be  organized  and  the  only  one  now  extant 
within  the  county  is  the  one  at  Dahinda,  Illinois,  known  as  the  Dahinda  branch. 

In  1896,  the  saints  living  near  Dahinda  made  an  effort  to  build  a  chapel  for 
church  services  at  that  place.  Helped  along  by  favorable  friends  they  succeeded 
in  doing  this  and  the  building  was  ready  to  occupy  in  May.  It  was  not  dedicated, 
however,  until  in  June,  1904,  when  Elder  J.  W.  Wight,  missionary-in-charge  of 
the  Kewanee  district,  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  at  a  session  of  the  district 
conference. 

Beginning  with  but  eleven  names,  this  branch  has  made  a  steady  growth, 
and  have  added  to  the  original  number,  by  baptism,  sixty-one  names.  Additions 
by  letter  have  swelled  this  number  to  over  eighty,  but  death  and  removals  have 
decreased  the  list  until  today  there  is  a  membership  of  about  sixty.  Some  of 
these  members  are  the  descendants  of  the  early-day  Latter  Day  Saints,  but  a 


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720  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

went  without  hire,  and  their  only  reward  was  the  joy  of  sharing  with  others 
the  consolation  of  a  "heavon-born"  faith,  we  mtist  credit  them  with  sincerity, 
at  least.  Laboring  in  the  field,  the  shop,  or  at  the  bench  during  the  day,  they 
would  drive  or  walk  for  miles  at  night  or  on  Sunday  in  order  to  preach  in  school- 
house  or  church.  Such  efforts  resulted  in  other  branches  being  established. 

At  Abingdon,  a  branch  existed  for  a  number  of  years.  They  reported  btit 
ten  or  eleven  members  in  1862.  but  the  next  year  their  report  read  "member- 
ship over  forty,  with  great  interest  manifested.  ' 

Alx)ut  this  time,  several  families  belonging  to  the  church  were  residents  of 
Galesburg.  And  here,  on  November  15,  1863,  was  held  a  meeting,  or  council, 
which  was  the  beginning  of  the  organization  of  the  several  branches  in  north- 
west Illinois  into  what  is  now  known  as  the  "Kewanee  district." 

The  following  ministry  from  Knox  county  attended  this  meeting,  and  partici- 
pated in  its  deliberations :  Zenos  H.  Gurley,  Edwin  Stafford,  Lorin  Page.  C.  M. 
Brown.  Thos.  Allen.  \\'.  A.  Moore  and  EH  Atkinson. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  '/os  and  as  a  direct  result  of  the  labors  of  Elder  M. 
T.  Short,  there  was  a  small  branch  established  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  county 
at  Truro. 

A  similar  effort  was  made  at  \  ictoria  by  other  elders  and  resulted  in  the 
work  being  rooted  here  in  an  organized  branch  composed  of  some  twenty  or 
more  members. 

At  X'iola,  likewise,  a  small  nucleus  was  organized.  But  all  three  of  these 
congregations  made  but  an  indifferent  growth,  and  after  an  existence  extending 
over  some  twenty  years,  they  ceased  to  live.  The  membership  was  largely  scat- 
tered ;  some  of  them  later  being  instrumental  in  establishing  the  church  at  Dahinda. 

Long  ago,  death  and  removals  had  depleted  the  numbers  at  Abingdon,  and 
where  there  was  once  a  growing  congregation,  there  was  no  longer  any  branch. 

But  Henderson  Grove  branch  lived  and  grew.  They  continued  to  send 
representatives  to  the  district  conferences,  and  reported  to  the  same  until  in 
the  early  part  of  1900,  Then  this  congregation,  like  the  others  mentioned,  was 
affected  by  death  and  removals.  The  little  chapel  was  sold,  and  the  scattered 
membership  largely  enrolled  elseuhere. 

But  at  no  time  since  1860,  has  there  been  a  date  when  the  Reorganized 
Church  of  Jesus  Christ  has  not  been  represented  in  Knox  county  by  one  or 
more  congregations.  The  last  one  to  be  organized  and  the  only  one  now  extant 
within  the  count\  is  the  one  at  Dahinda,  Illinois,  known  as  the  Dahinda  branch. 

In  1896,  the  saints  living  near  Dahinda  made  an  effort  to  build  a  chapel  for 
church  services  at  that  i)lace.  Helped  along  by  favorable  friends  they  succeeded 
in  doing  this  and  the  building  was  ready  to  occupy  in  May.  It  was  not  dedicated, 
however,  until  in  June,  i<p4,  when  I-'lder  J.  \\'.  Wight,  missionary-in-charge  of 
the  Kewanee  district,  preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  at  a  session  of  the  district 
conference. 

r>eginning  with  but  eleven  names,  this  branch  has  made  a  steady  growth; 
and  have  added  to  the  original  numl)er,  by  baptism,  sixty-one  names.  Additions 
by  letter  have  swelled  this  number  to  over  eightv,  but  death  and  removals  have 
decreased  the  list  until  today  there  is  a  membershi])  of  about  sixtv.  Some  of 
these  members  are  the  descendants  of  the  early-day  Latter  Day  Saints,  but  a 


J    X 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        -^ :  721 

large  number  are  those  who  have  been  converted  and  joined  the  church  in  recent 
years. 

There  is  a  scattered  membership  residing  at  Galesburg,  Victoria,  Henderson 
and  elsewhere  in  the  county,  but  only  at  Dahinda  is  there  a  local  organization 
with  regularly  appointed  weekly  services.  The  church  here  is  in  charge  of  the 
local  ministry. 

Dahinda  branch  reports  to,  and  is  under  the  supervision  of  the  Kewanee 
district,  and  the  district  makes  report  to  the  general  church  conferences  held 
annually. 

The  official  headquarters  of  the  church,  herein  described  are  at  Lamoni,  Iowa. 
From  the  publishing  house  located  at  this  place,  is  issued  the  official  paper  of 
the  church,  "The  Saints  Herald,"  together  with  various  other  publications,  tracts, 
books,  etc. 

The  aged  president  and  prophet  of  the  Reorganized  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter  Day  Saints  lived  at  Lamoni  for  many  years  until  recently,  when  he 
moved  to  Independence,  Missouri,  where  he  now  resides. 

The  work  of  the  ministry,  or  priesthood  of  the  church,  may  be  classed  under 
three  general  heads,  namely,  that  of  the  pastoral,  the  missionary  and  the  financial. 

The  pastoral  or  presiding  line  includes  the  work  of  the  presidency,  high 
priests,  elders,  priests,  teachers  and  Beacons.  •  •  •  • 

Each  local  congregation  is  presided  over  by  an  elder,  a  priest,  a  teacher  or  a 
deacon,  sustained  by  the  vote  of  the  branch. 

Each  district  is' presided  over  by  a  high  priest,  or  an  elder  sustained  by  the 
vote  of  the  district.  ' 

The  entire  church  is  presided  over  by  a  president,  assisted  by  two  counsellors. 
These  are  appointed  by  revelation,  but  are  acknowledged  or  received  by  the  voice 
of  the  church. 

The  missionary  line  of  the  priesthood  is  composed  of  the  twelve  apostles, 
the  seventies  of  elders;  also  the  high  priests,  elders  and  priests  when  laboring 
in  missionary  work.  The  entire  missionary  work,  that  is  presenting  the  gospel 
to  those  who  are  not  members  of  the  church,  is  in  charge  of  the  twelve  apostles. 
The  seventies  are  sent  under  their  direction  and  report  their  labors  direct  to 
them. 

The  finances  of  the  church  are  in  charge  of  a  presiding  bishop,  assisted  by 
two  counsellors,  assisted  by  other  bishops.  The  families  of  the  ministry  are 
sustained  from  the  church  treasury,  which  is  supplied  by  the  tithes  and  offerings 
paid  in  by  the  members.  Each  member  contributes  according  as  he  has  been 
prospered,  and  each  family  receives  according  to  their  needs  and  requirements. 

The  books  accepted  by  the  church  as  containing  the  word  of  God  are  the 
Bible,  the  book  of  Mormon,  and  the  doctrine  and  covenants. 

The  Latter  Day  Saints  believe  in  a  God  that  never  changes ;  in  a  Gospel  that 
never  changes,  but  is  the  same  in  all  ages  of  the  world,  that  obedience  to  the 
same  law  will  always  produce  the  same  effect,  and  hence  the  same  "gifts  and 
blessings"  accompany  the  obedient  believer  today  as  in  former  times. 

They  believe  in  a  religion  that  will  enable  the  individual  to  develop  a  char- 
acter fit  to  associate  with  the  Divine  One.  It  must  prepare  man  "to  live,"  not 

especially  "to  die."    That  death  does  not  change  character;  it  only  changes  en- 
voi.   I— 4« 


722  -'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  I.   . 

vironment.    Therefore,  we  believe  that  obedience  to  its  principles  will  make  men 
better  citizens  of  the  town,  county  and  state. 

In  conclusion,  we  say  in  the  words  of  Jesus  (John  7-17),  "If  any  man  will 
do  his  will  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine,  whether  it  be  of  God  or  whether  I 
speak  of  myself."  .  ,  ..  .  ,•  I- 

;   '    .;  MARY  E.  GILLIN, 

:•  Secretary  and  Historian,  Kewanee  District. 


ri^J^i   .  CHRISTIAN  SCIENCE  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 

The  Christian  Science  church  was  founded  in  1879  by  Mary  Baker  Eddy, 
the  discoverer  of  Christian  Science  and  author  of  its  text-book,  "Science  and 
Health,  with  Key  to  the  Scriptures."  The  church  was  organized  "to  commem- 
orate the  word  and  works  of  our  Master,  which  should  reinstate  primitive  Chris- 
tianity and  its  lost  element  of  healing"  (Church  Manual).  In  1892  the  church 
was  reorganized  as  The  First  Church  of  Christ,  Scientist,  known  as  The  Mother 
church,  in  Boston,  Massachusetts.  The  present  officers  of  The  Mother  church 
are :  President,  Judge  Clifford  P.  Smith ;  clerk,  John  V.  Dittemore ;  treasurer, 
Stephen  A.  Chase;  directors,  Archibald  McLellan,  Allison  V.  Stewart,  Stephen 
A.  Chase,  John  V.  Dittemore,  Adam  H.  Dickey.  ,  i 

All  Christian  Science  churches  and  societies,  of  which  there  are  now  1,260 
in  the  United  States  and  135  in  foreign  countries,  are  branches  of  The  Mother 
church.  Lesson-sermons  compiled  from  the  Bible  and  "Science  and  Health,  with 
Key  to  the  Scriptures"  are  read  at  the  services  in  Christian  Science  churches. 
There  are  about  five  thousand  Christian  Science  practitioners  regularly  devoting 
their  time  to  the  practice  of  Christian  Science  mind  healing. 

Mrs.  Eddy  founded  The  Christian  Science  Journal,  Sentinel,  Quarterly,  Der 
Herold  der  Christian  Science  and  the  Christian  Science  Monitor  (a  daily  news- 
paper), all  of  which  are  published  by  the  Christian  Science  Publishing  society 
in  Boston. 

There  is  in  connection  with  the  Christian  Science  movement  an  official  board 
of  lectureship  designed  to  furnish  the  public  correct  information  concerning  the 
fundamental  teachings  of  Christian  Science.  Lectures  given  by  members  of 
this  board  are  free  to  the  public. 

There  are  in  the  state  of  Illinois  ninety-two  Christian  Science  churches  and 
societies.  All  of  these  churches  hold  public  services  and  maintain  free  reading 
rooms  where  the  public  may  have  access  to  all  authorized  publications  on  the 
subject  of  Christian  Science. 

Christian  Science  was  first  introduced  in  Galesburg  about  1886.  Services 
were  held  at  the  home  of  one  of  the  Scientists,  and  the  interest  gradually  in- 
creased uritil  the  year  1909,  when  it  seemed  best  to  purchase  a  church  home. 
Accordingly  the  Hale  property  on  the  corner  of  South  and  Cedar  streets  was 
purchased  and  the  building  remodeled  into  a  large  audience  room,  which  ac- 
commodates about  two  hundred.  Services  are  held  every  Sunday  morning  at 
lo  130  and  Sunday  school  at  1 1 145.  Wednesday  evening  testimonial  meetings  are 
held  at  8  o'clock.  There  is  also  a  reading  room  in  the  building,  which  is  open 


-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  723 

daily  except  Sundays  and  legal  holidays  from  12:30  to  4  p.  m.  The  public  is 
welcome  to  this  reading  room,  and  Christian  Science  literature  may  be  read  or 
purchased  there. 

Three  former  residents  of  Knox  county  who  are  prominently  identified  with 
the  Christian  Science  movement  are  Alfred  Farlow  and  Willis  F.  Gross  of  Bos- 
ton and  John  H.  Wheeler  of  Kansas  City. 

GEORGE  SHAW  COOK. 

In  nearly  every  township  of  this  county  there  are  a  few  members  of  this 
church,  but  Galesburg,  having  the  only  branch  church  within  the  county,  the  out- 
side members  have  to  come  to  Galesburg  when  they  attend  church.  Members 
from  Knoxville  are  often  visitors  at  the  church  in  Galesburg. — Editor. 


^  ^    v^V      •     ^  :    :^    '  •      THE  IRISH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY 

;';  •  :      BY  MRS.  LIZZIE  MINEHAN,  MARGARET  SLATTERY  AND  ROSE  HOBEN 

Because  of  the  fact  that  the  story  of  Ireland's  golden  age  is  comparatively 
unknown,  and  because  of  another  fact,  that  the  coming  into  the  knowledge  of 
that  age  is  a  great  source  of  pleasure  to  the  Irish  especially,  we  have  woven 
some  of  it  into  our  work  on  the  county,  for  which  liberty  we  trust  that  our 
readers  will  f>ardon  us. 

"To  begin  wid,"  Knox  county  bears  the  name  of  an  Irishman.  It  has  been 
'A;  ;  estimated  that  one- fourth  of  the  officers  in  the  Revolutionary  war  were  of  Irish 
birth  or  parentage.  Among  that  number  was  General  Henry  Knox,  the  dis- 
tinguished soldier,  statesman  and  confidential  friend  of  the  great  Washington. 
In  the  naming  of  the  many  counties  of  the  Military  Tract  it  was  planned  to  do 
honor  to  the  heroes  of  the  revolution,  and  thus  it  came  about  that  these  twenty 
townships  of  the  fairest  land  in  all  Illinois  have  become  a  lasting  monument  to 
the  memory  of  Henry  Knox.  Stark,  Sullivan  and  Wayne  are  the  names  of  sis- 
ter counties  that  in  like  manner  give  lasting  testimony  to  the  high  per  cent  of 
Irish  blood  that  officered  the  American  revolution,  while  we  make  but  passing 
^'  ;:•  reference  here  to  the  quantities  of  that  blood  which  fired  the  veins  of  the  rank 
;,r  and  file  of  the  Colonial  army. 

You  know  then  that  the  Irish  were  here  early  in  colonial  history  and  that 
as  an  integral  part  of  the  growing  population  of  the  eastern  states  they  drifted 
westward  on  the  tide  of  a  pioneer  people  and  with  that  people  took  root  where 
they  lodged.  You  do  not  know,  perhaps,  just  how  the  Irish  came  to  be  in  and 
of  this  country  and  why  it  was  that  they  left  their  island  home  in  such  myriads 
during  certain  decades ;  the  climax  of  emigration  being  reached  in  the  unpre- 
cedented exodus  that  took  place  during  the  third  quarter  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, when  Knox  county  was  making  its  most  rapid  growth.  ;. 

In  order  to  make  clear  the  causes  of  that  outward  movement,  we  will  touch 
upon  some  history  known  to  but  few  except  the  most  interested. 

We  introduce  this  historical  sketch  with  a  spotlight  picture  of  the  Irish  na- 
tion in  that  glorious  and  now  almost  forgotten  period  that  lies  between  the  con- 
version of  Ireland  to  Christianity  by  St.  Patrick  in  the  fifth  century  and  its  sub- 


-' v'724  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

jugation  by  the  English  in  the  twelfth.    This  picture  we  have  adapted  from  "Ire- 
land's Story,"  by  Johnson  and  Spencer. 

This  island  was  the  most  potent  factor  in  the  refinement  of  Europe  and  the 
civilization  of  the  world.  The  classics,  the  arts  and  the  sciences  flourished  in 
the  Emerald  isle  when  qamelopards  and  tigers  bounded  in  the  Roman  amphi- 
theater. These  Irish  apostles,  Columba  to  Scotland  and  England,  Columbanus 
to  the  banks  of  the  Rhine,  in  Switzerland  and  in  Italy,  Fursa  to  Belgium,  Virgil 

:  to  Austria,  were  among  the  missionaries  who  went  in  companies,  taking  with 
them  their  books,  those  beautiful  manuscripts  for  which  Ireland  is  justly  noted. 
Excelling  in  religious  and  classical  learning,  they  were  also  skilled  in  music,  paint- 
ing and  carving.  This  enthusiasm  for  teaching  flowed  from  a  sincere  and  abun- 
dant culture  at  home.  The  fame  of  her  schools  and  universities  went  abroad 
and  students  flocked  to  Ireland  from  all  the  neighboring  countries,  especially 
from  England,  coming  thence  in  fleet  loads.  From  kings  and  nobles  down  to 
the  poorest  students  all  were  received,  cared  for  and  taught  free  of  charge. 
Where?  In  Ireland.  St.  Finian's  school  at  Oonard  had  3,000  pupils  and  the 
'  school  at  Bangor  had  almost  as  many.  Well  might  Ireland  be  called  the  bridge 
over  the  dark  ages.  The  Roman  empire  fell,  swallowed  up  by  the  tide  of  north- 
ern savages,  Gaul  was  overrun  by  the  Franks,  Spain  and  Italy  by  the  Lom- 
bards, Britain  by  Angles,  Saxons  and  Danes,  Austria  was  swept  by  Asiatic 
nomads,  all  Europe  was  submerged  by  a  deluge  of  heathendom.  Ireland  was 
the  one  exception,  the  ark  of  safety  for  the  old  wisdom  and  beauty  of  the 
classical  days.  Ireland  was  the  bridge  over  the  dark  ages,  and  as  soon  as  the 
flood  of  heathen  invasion  ebbed  light  and  hope  crossed  the  bridge  and  were  car- 
ried by  Irish  teachers  and  preachers  to  all  the  new  formed  countries  of  Eu- 
rope. 

;  .  There  are  nearly  sixteen  million  Americans  here  in  the  United  States  to-day 

'-that  can  look  back  with  pride  upon  this  brilliant  picture  of  old  Ireland's  golden 

past,  for  to  them  as  Irish-Americans  it  is  a  family  possession.    Many  millions  of 

'        them,  however,  never  take  that  backward  look,  because  in  so  doing  they  must 

,         look  across  the  broad  and  terrible  gulf  of  bitter  centuries  that  yawns  between. 

;;        The  first  Irish  who  came  to  the  United  States  were  the  prisoners  taken  in 

the  Cromwellian  wars.    They  were  delivered  to  the  English  merchants,  who  sold 

them  as  slaves  to  the  planters  of  Virginia  and  the  West  Indies.     In  those  black 

days   Cromwell  paid  $25   for  the  head  of  a  wolf  and  $50   for  the   head  of 

•  v  a  patriot  Irishman.  •'>••••::••'•  ^- , : 

You  have  heard  of  the  blue  laws  of  Connecticut.     For  two  hundred  years 

-  .     they  have  been  obsolete,  a  joke,  a  standard  space  filler,  used  by  the  compilers 

of  almanacs.  Have  you  heard  of  the  penal  laws?  Far  from  being  a  joke,  they 
were  in  force  from  the  days  of  William  and  Mary  down  through  two  centuries 
and  up  to  the  days  of  our  own  fathers,  when  the  history  of  Knox  county  begins. 
,  These  laws  lie  back  of  Irish  emigration,  for  they  were  the  means  of  converting 
into  utter  misery  the  lives  of  the  happiest  natured  people  on  earth.  They  ob- 
literated even  the  footprints  of  learning  and  education  and  by  strangling  to  an 
early  death  every  native  trade  and  industry,  these  same  laws  converted  into  a 
barren,  neglected  waste  the  fertile  and  entrancingly  beautiful  island  home  of 
the  Irish  race. 

The  penal  laws  were  directed  chiefly  at  the  Catholic  population,  but  caused 


'•   '         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :-  725 

just  as  much  suffering  among  the  Presbyterians  of  the  north  and  the  other  non- 
conformists to  the  English  church.  Each  law  struck  a  two-edged  blow,  first  at 
the  ancient  religion  of  the  Irish,  second  at  his  ancient  thirst  for  education.  "Cath- 
olics were  strictly  forbidden  to  teach  either  in  private  or  in  public,  and  parents 
were  forbidden  to  send  their  children  out  of  Ireland  to  be  educated.  This  meant 
absolute  lack  of  education  for  Catholics.  The  eldest  son  of  a  Catholic  land- 
owner, if  he  went  over  to  the  legal  church,  could  straightway  oust  his  father 
and  take  all  his  possessions.  No  Catholic  could  buy  land  or  lease  it  for  a  long 
term.  He  could  not  inherit  an  estate  under  a  will.  No  renter  could  make  a 
profit  greater  than  one-third  of  the  rent.  Of  course  he  could  not  sit  in  parlia- 
ment. He  could  not  hold  civil  or  military  office.  Besides  this  tithes  had  to  be 
paid  to  the  Anglican  clergy,  who  collected  them  rigorously.  Catholic  and  Protes- 
tant suffered  alike."  Finally  the  English  parliament  passed  an  act  in  1699  P''^' 
hibiting  trade  relations  between  Ireland  and  all  external  ports,  thus  deliber- 
ately killing  that  which  had  been  the  subsistence  of  the  masses.  Ireland's  best 
single  commodity  was  wool.  Like  the  Irish  linen  of  to-day,  Irish  wool  was  then 
famed  all  over  Europe,  finding  a  large  market  and  bringing  high  prices.  The 
English  merchants,  fearing  the  competition,  demanded  its  complete  destruction. 
Nothing  was  left  the  Irish  but  starvation  or  immigration.  Great  numbers  of 
the  Presbyterians  and  non-conformists  left  at  once  and  found  their  way  to  New 
England,  where  they  straightway  gave  great  impetus  to  the  weaving  industries 
that  have  since  made  New  England  rich  as  well  as  famous.  •' 

Jonathan  Swift,  Protestant,  a  noted  writer  and  dean  of  St.  Patrick's,  Dublin, 
who  has  left  us  full  accounts  of  the  distress  of  the  times,  tells  us  that  the  pov- 
erty and  misery  caused  by  the  destruction  of  all  these  trades  brought  famine  and 
pestilence  in  their  wake. 

During  the  eighteenth  century  the  peasantry  of  Ireland,  the  most  wretched 
in  all  Europe,  were  reduced  to  a  state  of  misery,  from  which  they  have  not  fully 
recovered  to-day.  In  considering  this  legislation  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  a 
similar  state  of  affairs  existed  in  other  lands  at  the  same  time.  Only  in  Ire- 
land, however,  did  a  small  minority  try  to  suppress  the  religion  of  a  whole  na- 
tion on  whose  confiscated  land  they  lived  and  whose  revenues  they  enjoyed. 

What  stamps  the  Irish  penal  laws  as  particularly  infamous  is  that  they  rep- 
resented not  only  religious  bigotry,  oppression  and  cruelty,  all  three  common 
enough  in  those  days,  but  also  a  broken  promise,  a  violation  of  the  solemn  prom- 
ises of  the  treaty  of  Limerick.  Under  the  provisions  of  that  treaty  the  Irish 
leaders  had  consented  to  end  the  war  and  dismissed  the  army  of  relief  which 
had  already  reached  Limerick  from  France. 

Relief  came  from  an  unexpected  quarter.  Across  the  open  Atlantic  to  the 
westward  providence  flung  wide  the  doors  to  the  English  colonies  of  the  new 
world  and  there  a  young  people  might  work  out  its  destiny  and  at  the  same 
time  ward  off  outside  interference.  Into  that  colonial  life  the  Irish  entered 
heart  and  soul,  and  when  the  war  for  independence  gathered  and  broke  there 
were  minute  men  and  Green  Mountain  boys  in  plenty  whose  speech  was  tinctured 
with  the  brogue,  who  exercised  especial  zeal  in  the  prompt  and  efficient  deliv- 
ery of  powder  and  ball  to  the  red-coated  ranks  of  England.  That  the  Irish 
in  America,  like  the  Irish  elsewhere,  have  been  a  military  people  goes  without 
saying.  From  Major  Mollie  Pitcher  on  the  plains  of  Monmouth  to  Bucky 


;/      726  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

O'Neil  at  Santiago,  from  Andrew  Jackson  at  New  Orleans  to  Phil  Sheridan  of 

•  Shenandoah  fame,  the  Irish  have  been  on  the  firing  line. 

Some  one  has  said  "that  an  Irishman  may  get  on  the  wrong  side  of  the  fight, 
but  one  thing  is  certain,  he  will  never  get  on  the  fence." 

•  ^        "It  is  a  matter  of  simple  truth  in  American  history  that  the  Kellys,  Burks 

and  Sheas  have  been  to  the  front  in  every  generation.  They  were  all  in  the 
battle  of  Lexington,  and  the  same  names  appear  on  the  death  list  of  the  ill-fated 
Maine." 

Beginning  with  the  prisoners  of  war  exported  to  America  in  the  days  of 
•     Cromwell  and  including  the  Presbyterian  weavers  who  fled  to  these  shores  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  there  were  always   fresh  relays  of  Irish  coming  to  the 
;         colonies  and  later  to  the  United  States.     These  were  rapidly  absorbed,  and  in 
a  few  decades  became  difficult  of  detection  among  the  masses  of  the  popula- 
tion.    In  contrast  with  these  there  was  the  constant  influx  of  the  late  arrivals, 

•  simplest  of   the  simple  and  greenest  of  the  green  apparently,  but  every  one 
equipped  with  a  willing  hand,  a  bright,  observing  eye  and  an  unfailing  sense  of 
humor — a  three-round  ladder  that  leads  to  the  top  of  any  situation. 

Before  the  famine  of  1847  the  population  of  Ireland  was  nearly  nine  million. 

To-day  it  is  less  than  half  that  total,  having  diminished  every  year  in  the  last 

:         half  century.     No  western  country  has  ever  suffered  a  calamity  equal  to  that 

of  the  black  '47,  and  as  to  the  events  of  that  year  and  those  immediately  fol- 

•  lowing  it,  question  any  graybearded  Irishman  of  your  acquaintance. 

In  the  earliest  county  records  we  find  the  name  of  Michael  Fraker,  the  first 

-V  settler  not  only  in  Lynn  township,  but  the  first  in  that  entire  portion  of  the 

I     '.county.    Major  Thomas  McKee,  hero  of  the  first  and  second  Black  Hawk  wars, 

'      and  Hon.  Wm.  McMurtry,  lieutenant  governor  of  Illinois  in  1848,  were  pioneers 

:       'of  Irish  extraction,  the  latter  locating  in  Henderson  township  in  1829. 

'         The  descendants  of  Francis  McDonough  are  to-day  living  upon  the  land 

.      just  north  of  the  limits  of  Galesburg  that  was  given  to  Mr.  McDonough  by  the 

government  for  his  services  in  the  War  of  1812.     Mr.  McDonough  came  here 

'         from  Kentucky  in  1854  with  the  family  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Michael  Duflfy,  to 

'  •     .take  possession  of  his  allotment  of  the  Military  Tract. 

At  the  village  of  St.  Augustine  in  Indian  Point  township  occurred  in  1837 

;  •  the  first  grouping  of  Irish  settlers  within  the  county.     It  has  been  said  that  the 

>  state  of  Illinois  constituted  an  important  link  between  the  north  and  the  south 

.    .    in  the  stress  of  Civil  war  times,  stretching  its  length  for  four  hundred  miles 

'    •     across  the  very  center  of  the  nation.    It  lay  open  to  two  distinct  lines  of  settle- 

^      -  ment,  namely,  the  Hudson  river,  Mohawk  valley  and  Great  Lakes  route  and  the 

.,  Virginia,  Maryland  and  Kentucky  trail.     Over  the  one  came  the  Yankee,  the 

:      York  stater  and  the  rawer  emigrant  from  the  old  country;  over  the  other  came 

•  the  drawling  tongued,  slow  moving,  courteous  southerner,  and  with  him  many  a 

pure  blooded  Irish  family,  identified  for  two  or  more  centuries,  perhaps,  with 

the  American  colonies  of  the  southern  seaboard.     In  Illinois  these  two  streams 

flowed  rapidly  together  and  became  an  important  factor  in  cementing  the  Union. 

To  Knox  county  came  Irish  blood  by  both  channels.    The  southerner  came  first. 

.  '  '        Up  from  Beardstown,  Kentucky,  in  the  late  thirties  came  the  founders  of 

.         St.  Augustine.     They  traveled  on  horseback  and  were  headed  by  one  Patrick 

Clements,  a  man  of  wealth  and  related  to  the  Spaulding  family  of  Maryland. 


X:    ;..       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  727 

With  him  came  Henry  and  Austin  Matingly,  William  and  Henderson  Hogan, 
Hamilton  O'Man,  Joseph,  Marcellas  and  Lawrence  McKeiman,  John  Gallet, 
George  Tippet,  Thomas  Livers  and  Patrick  H.  Smith.  There  were  men  of  Eng- 
lish and  French  extraction  in  this  party,  but  as  many  of  the  names  given  are  pure 
Irish  and  most  of  the  families  seem  to  be  related  we  give  the  entire  roll. 

These  men  established  the  Catholic  church  in  St.  Augustine,  and  became  im- 
portant owners  of  land  in  Fulton  and  Knox  counties.  As  to  their  sterling  and 
kindly  qualities,  we  have  the  interesting  testimony  of  the  venerable  Mrs.  Mary 
Barber  Roe,  of  Garfield  avenue,  Galesburg.  Mrs.  Roe  is  herself  a  native  of 
New  York,  and  came  to  St.  Augustine  in  1841.  Her  mind  is  bright  and  active 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-seven.  Of  the  pioneers  mentioned  above,  she 
says,  "I  tell  you  those  were  good  people.  No  matter  what  church  the  sick  or 
the  needy  belonged  to,  they  would  take  them  right  in  and  care  for  them." 

Robert  Supple  and  John  Kinella  joined  the  colony  in  the  late  '4Os. 

From  Pennsylvania,  by  way  of  the  Illinois  river,  came  the  families  of  Thomas 
and  Michael  Dougherty,  in  1854.  They  were  soon  followed  by  about  fifteen 
other  families,  among  them  were  Patrick  O'Pray,  Edward,  John  and  Barney 
Larkins. 

After  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  was  built,  which  soon  became  the  Quincy 
branch  of  the  Burlington,  the  colony  was  greatly  augmented. 

The  following  with  their  families  came  in  the  '5os :  Nicholas  Crow,  Thomas 
and  William  Burke,  James  and  John  Fogerty,  John  Keams,  Peter  Mack,  Lawrence 
Clay  and  M.  Condon.  ^.-  . '; 

A  group  that  formed  almost  immediately  after  the  St.  Augustine  colony  was 
that  of  the  Presbyterian  Irish  of  Salem  township.  These  sturdy  pioneers  came 
from  the  counties  of  northern  Ireland,  and  landed  most  of  them  at  Philadelphia. 
From  1839  to  1850,  they  were  entering  from  the  government  small  pieces  of 
land  in  the  township  where  their  descendants  now  own  entensive  tracts. 

The  Mathews,  William  and  John,  were  emigrants  from  County  Tyrone.  The 
late  Robert  G.  Mathews  was  a  son  of  John  Mathews.  For  six  years  R.  G. 
Mathews  served  on  the  county  board  of  supervisors  and  was  chairman  of  that 
board  while  the  court  house  was  being  built.  For  a  term  of  eighteen  years  he 
served  the  county  in  the  offices  of  sheriff  and  deputy  sheriff  alternately.  In 
that  capacity  also  he  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  county.  Charles  H. 
Mathews,  father  of  Mrs.  J.  Grant  Beadle,  who  at  his  death,  in  1883,  was  rated 
as  the  wealthiest  man  in  Galesburg,  was  the  son  of  another  John  Mathews,  also 
an  emigrant  from  County  Tyrone. 

The  Sloans,  John  and  Solomon  R.,  were  emigrants  from  County  Antrim 
and  County  Derry  respectively.  The  former  is  known  as  the  Hon.  John  Sloan, 
having  served  on  the  county  board  of  supervisors  from  1869  to  1878,  after 
which  he  was  sent  to  the  state  legislature,  where  he  served  several  terms  as 
democratic  representative.  His  son,  Hugh  Sloan,  has  long  been  a  prominent 
member  of  the  county  board. 

The  McKeighans,  Alexander  and  James,  were  emigrants  from  County  Antrim. 
Alexander  H.  McKeighan  is  a  son  of  the  former  and  for  many  years  has  been 
proprietor  and  publisher  of  the  Yates  City  Banner. 

John  Wasson  was  a  native  of  County  Fermaugh,  and  like  the  others  of  this 


V   ^728  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  - 

,*-*'•  ^  '^. ' 

'.group,  became,  during  his  long  residence,  in  Salem,  a  man  of  wealth  and  in-     ;  -: 
vv  fluence.  -.  " 

The  office  of  W.  S.  Gale,  in  the  year  1851-52,  was  a  meeting  place  for  the      /  . 
directors  of  the  Central   Military  Tract  Railroad  Co.     These  promoters,  one 
'  ^     Patrick  Dunn  among  them,  were  using  every  means  to  attract  the  prospective      ;• 
//::;  railroad  through  Galesburg.     Their  gigantic  efforts  brought  gigantic  returns.      .  :• 
:;     Their  every  hope  was  realized  and  some  things  unthought  of  as  well,  for  at  that      •;  • 
very  time,  as  we  have  shown,  events  across  the  sea  were  loosing  the  unparalleled      ;;'. 
•     flood  of  immigration  that  swept  into  the  land  during  the  '5os  and  '6os.  The  heads      ^. 
: .  of  nearly  every  full  blooded  Irish  family  in  the  county  came  in  by  stage  or  along 

tlie  new  laid  rails  of  the  "Q"  during  those  two  decades,  first  perhaps,  as  roister-      ' ; 
;^  ing,  high  spirited  lads  plying  the  pick  and  shovel  in  the  construction  gangs  that        • 
:       pushed  the  glistening  steel  into  the  waiting  west,  often  as  raw  farm  hands  and       .. ; 
' ;  untrained  house  maids  stepping  from  immigrant  trains  with  scanty  bundled  be- 
longings.    A  few  years,  and  they  came  as  better  trained  artisans,  having  been 
;   '  apprenticed  in  the  towns  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York,  where  they  had  lingered 
:       for  a  short  time  before  pushing  west.  •  •.  : 

In  Columbia  county.  New  York,  the  Shaker  settlements  were  flourishing  in       / 
•  the  '5OS.     Many  of  the  immigrants  took  the  stage  at  Albany  and  obtained  em- 
ployment in  and  about  Lebanon,     The  Tilden  family  of  that  place,  as  well  as 
:  ;  the  Shakers,  were  large  employers;  and  just  over  the  line  in  Pittsfield,  Massachu- 
setts, Barker  Brothers,  manufacturers  of  drugs,  added  many  other  Irish  to  their        - 
.. ;  pay  roll.    There,  at  Lebanon  and  at  Pittsfield,  many  a  lad  and  lassie  from  opposite 
counties  of  Ireland  met  for  the  first  time  and  either  married  outright  or  plighted 
' :     their  troth  until  they  should  lay  up  a  little  and  meet  again  on  the  plains  of 
/  ,     Illinois,  for  this  stop  in  the  Mohawk  valley  was  merely  to  get  their  bearings  and 
.       earn  the  price  of  a  railroad  ticket  to  the  state  where  it  was  rumored  the  Gales, 
:  ••   Moshers  and  Ferrises  would  pay  higher  wages  and  so  open  the  door  to  larger 
-;    opportunities. 

.    ,        In  Pittsfield  was  formed  the  clan  of  Redingtons,  Hobins,  Herleys,  Careys, 

-    Hewitts,  Magners,  Mackeys,  Browns,  Franeys,  O'Connells  and  Haleys.     From 

Lebanon  came  another  group  made  up  of  the  Nortons,  Penderghasts,  Maleys, 

.  '  Coffeys,  Minihans,  Milans,   Shays,  Nashes,  O'Connors,   Ryans,  Hustons,   Car- 

'      modys,  Flynns,  Torticels,  Slatterys;  as  Mrs.  Margaret  Nash  Minihan  puts  it, 

"We  followed  each  other  like  the  ducks." 

Mr.  John  Slattery  tells  of  early  experience  on  the  Tilden  place.  ;-  .7.; 

:'  ,        Weeding  all  day  under  a  blistering  New  York  sun  at  raw  seventeen  was  far 

different  from  leading  the  life  of  an  idle  care- free  boy  under  the  caressing  skies 

of  Limerick.     Worn  out  by  the  sickening  heat,  he  lay  down  to  rest  a  moment 

between  the  rows  of  herbs.    He  closed  his  eyes  and  opened  them  to  behold  H.  A. 

•.  Tilden  himself  peering  down  at  him.    The  reddest  kind  of  a  blush  poured  up  into 

the  boy's  hair.     At  the  same  instant  there  flashed  into  his  mind  the  possible 

consequences  of  his  breach  of  duty — disgrace,  no  work,  the  dependent  brothers 

and  sisters.    "I — I'm  sick,"  he  faltered.    Mr.  Tilden  cried  out  "He's  sunstruck," 

lifted  the  astonished  lad  carefully  to  his  feet,  supported  his  agitated  steps  to 

^    ;  the  house  and  telling  him  not  to  try  to  talk  made  him  comfortable  on  a  couch. 

,; ••;  At  sundown  he  was  dismissed  as  being  out  of  danger  and  as  the  shamefaced  boy 

"*• 


'  VJiVV^.V;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '          ,      ,   ,729 

scuttled  home  to  his  father's  cabin,  he  vowed  a  lasting  devotion  to  his  kind- 
hearted  employer. 

When  Samuel  J.  Tildeii  was  elected  by  the  people  to  the  presidency,  in  1876, 
and  lost  by  one  historic  vote  in  the  heated  contest  that  followed,  there  was  many 
a  democratic  vote  polled  in  Knox  county  that  carried  with  it  an  extra  measure  of 
good  will,  because  of  personal  memories  of  Lebanon  and  the  Tildens. 

Many  families  came  to  Galesburg  from  the  old  country  directly,  such  as  the 
Connertons  and  Keefes.  Mr.  Connerton  used  to  twit  his  pious  little  wife  with 
having  said  to  him  fifty  years  ago  when  preparing  for  their  wedding  trip,  "Tom, 
I  will  go  any  place  in  the  west  with  you  and  live  on  two  meals  a  day  if  you  will 
settle  near  a  church."  "We  lived  next  door  to  St.  Patrick's  church,  first  oa 
one  side  and  then  on  the  other,"  said  Mr.  Connerton,  "but  all  these  forty-seven 
years  I  have  noted  she  likes  her  three  square  meals  a  day."  The  home  of  this 
pioneer  couple  was  rendered  sacred  to  many  a  Galesburg  family  as  the  place 
where  "father  and  mother"  were  united  in  matrimony  before  the  completion  of 
St.  Patrick's  church. 

Most  of  those  mentioned  in  the  preceding  groups  made  permanent  homes  in 
Galesburg,  while  a  high  percentage  took  up  land  at  the  earliest  opportunity  and 
became  prominent  and  permanent  farmers  in  their  respective  townships. 

Henderson  creek  was  a  sizable  prairie  stream.  Along  its  banks  stretched 
heavy  patches  of  timber,  and  these  miniature  forests  have  become  historic -in 
Knox  county  as  "Henderson  Grove,"  or  briefly,  "the  grove."  (We  are  in- 
debted to  Mrs.  Eliza  Minehan,  of  Arthur  avenue,  and  to  the  family  of  Mr. 
Michael  Huston  for  most  of  our  data  concerning  the  Grove  colony.) 

This  timber  land  was  obtainable  by  the  early  settlers  in  fifty  acre  tracts.  The 
price  was  low,  but  mountain  high  to  the  penniless.  At  the  cost  of  heavy  and 
prolonged  manual  labor,  any  able  bodied  man  might  become  a  landlord.  The 
Milans,  Boylstons,  Minehans,  Coffeys,  Penderghasts,  Shays,  O'Briens,  Powers, 
Donahues,  McGraths,  Cofields  and  Slatterys  here  obtained  their  first  square  foot 
of  land  and  were  well  established  as  tillers  of  the  soil  at  the  outbreak  of  civil 
war.  In  many  cases  two  brothers  would  take  up  fifty  acres  between  them,  fell 
the  trees  and  grub  out  the  stumps  by  their  combined  efforts.  Fuel  and  building 
material  were  to  be  had  for  the  hacking  and  splitting.  Log  houses  were  quickly 
rolled  up  and  housekeeping  began  with  the  briefest  of  ceremony.  One  great 
advantage  of  living  in  the  Grove  was  the  diversity  of  labor  obtainable  when  the 
farming  season  ended.  Wood  could  be  cut  at  fifty  cents  per  cord  and  hauled  to 
Galesburg.  Coal  mines  were  being  opened  here  and  there  along  the  creek,  while 
Brow's  brick  yard  was  rapidly  converting  timber  clay  into  building  material. 
Blazed  trails  led  from  cabin  to  cabin  and  each  new  comer  from  Lebanon  or  far 
off  Ireland  was  given  the  heartiest  of  welcomes  by  each  hearthstone  where  he 
listened  with  open  mouthed  pleasure  to  the  bombastic  measures  of  "the  praises  of 
Henderson  Grove,"  as  sung  in  the  wailing  cadences  of  a  genuine  Celtic  "Come 
All  Ye."  This  poetic  gem  was  composed  by  one  Nicholas  Lawrence,  a  roving 
Irish  wood  chopper  who  sat  himself  down  one  day  on  a  newly  sawed  log  and 
made  himself  the  wonder  of  the  community  by  the  careless  ease  with  which  he 
wrote  off  the  rolling  stanzes.  .;-=•,: 


730  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  THE  PRAISES  OF  HENDERSON   GROVE  ..::'.'. 

•:-  ,-;_•.     V  •":';'-'''  1857      '^''' ''":'p;/'4^^^ 

.  V  ;  Air,  Bundle  and  Go.    4  '/,-:^'&y:/;!'--^^ 

•'- .  I 

.  .;  I've  traveled  the  states,  and  I've  ranged  them  all  over, 

;  From  Mexico's  gulf  to  Canada's  shore. 

/:;:-.';'',  I  was  in  Nebraska,  in  Utah  and  Kansas,         '/"  '^^' •.;••>.• 

And  across  the  ocean  where  billows  do  roll.     ;i.,  '•  '.; 

'    .  _. ,  I  was  in  Alabama,  likewise  Louisiana,        .    ..'.;';:  ./^r; 

^-V;  :.:'v:  And  sweet  Indiana  I  often  did  rove.  '.,.-•!•  ;-. 

-    :  <v;.'.>  But  it  is  my  declaration,  in  all  this  nation         •       v.    ..    •   ' 

-.•;:'  V;  I  saw  no  place  equal  to  Henderson  Grove.     ; /I?.  •  •  .^  .    •  = 


The  Grove  is  the  healthiest  part  of  creation,     ,.'    -^  : 

The  loveliest  place  that  a  mortal  can  dwell;        •  '  V 

It  would  take  some  great  poet  of  vast  education      !- 

And  deep  appreciation,  its  praises  to  tell. 

But  had  I  this  whole  country,  its  mansions  and  houses, 

I  would  rather  live  here  in  a  simple  alcove. 

The  fire  of  old  Bacchus  is  here  to  arouse  us        ./.^ 

Whenever  we're  drowsy  in  Henderson  Grove.    C'  ••  '; 


;    The  trees  in  the  Grove  are  the  best  in  the  nation. 
They  answer  each  purpose  our  wants  do  require. 
With  walnut  and  oak  we  build  our  habitation,      . 
Good  hickory  and  maple  we  chop  for  our  fire,     /v'   • 

•    The  linns  and  the  elms  are  tall  beyond  measure,  '  • 
They  clatter  their  leaves  midst  the  thunders  of  Jove. 
The  Swedes  and  the  Irish  are  vying  with  each  other 
Purchasing  farms  in  Henderson  Grove.         .   ..\  . 


The  birds  of  the  Grove  are  melodious,  charming,       -  '• 
They  twitter  their  notes  with  beauty  and  skill,  ;••••• 

The  blackbirds  and  thrush  in  concert  each  morning. 
At  night  we  are  charmed  by  the  sweet  whip-poor-will. 
There  are  pigeons  and  prairie  hens  here  beyond  number. 
Besides  the  wild  partridge  and  sweet  turtle  dove,  :-, 

And  game  of  all  kinds  to  entice  the  fond  hunter    .^r,.       ! 
To  ramble  all  day  through  Henderson  Grove.    •     v!      -.1 


The  folks  of  the  Grove  are  goodhearted  and  social, 
The  blessings  of  freedom  they  seem  to  enjoy. 


;;';,;/;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      '      •  781 

.    ;•        Are  honest,  industrious  and  jovial,  _.  .^;< 

" "-.         No  envy  or  malice  their  peace  to  destroy.  ;     •        /• 
-.;;'        No  matter  what  country  or  county  you  hail  from,  '.'  v 

It's  here  you  are  treated  with  kindness  and  love.  .    •;": 

•.;;.!         I  challenge  the  state  from  Galena  to  Cairo,     :;  -    •  ^ V'v: 
r=  .;            To  find  such  good  neighbors  as  live  in  the  Grove.  .It   '.'.•,..'.-: 

At  Williamsfield  the  first  Irish  settler  was  Patric  Grady,  who  made  himself 
memorable  in  that  section  by  using  as  a  building  material  for  his  house  quantities 
of  pebbles  from  the  banks  of  the  Spoon.  .  / 

Peter  Morgan  arrived  soon  after.  Peter  gave  up  the  seafaring  life  for  that 
of  a  farmer.  We  are  told  that  he  crossed  the  ocean  seventeen  times. 

From  Limerick,  in  1852,  came  the  Welsh  brothers,  Richard  and  Michael,  ac- 
companied by  James  Murphy.  They  landed  at  New  Orleans  on  Christmas  day 
of  that  year.  The  father  of  these  elder  Welshes  raised  horses  for  the  fox  chase 
in  the  old  country.  Owing  to  this  circumstance  his  sons  struck  up  an  acquaintance 
at  first  sight  with  the  driver  of  an  especially  fine  team  of  horses  on  the  streets 
of  Peoria.  The  driver  was  Simpkins  of  Maquon.  As  a  result  of  this  chance 
meeting  the  wanderers  located  at  Williamsfield.  The  Welsh  brothers  had  had 
the  opportunity  of  college  training  at  Dublin.  Michael,  generally  known  as 
Squire  Welsh,  filled  many  offices  of  trust  during  his  long  life  in  Elba  township. 
The  squire  was  justly  proud  of  his  title  and  resented  from  his  old  associates  the 
familiarity  with  which  some  of  them  addressed  him  as  "Mike."  Michael  Grimes 
was  riding  home  from  Williamsfield  with  him  one  rainy  day,  and  in  his  con- 
versation frequently  and  emphatically  addressed  him  as  "Mike."  The  squire 
chafed  inwardly  and  at  length  protested.  "Why  don't  you  call  me  squire,  that's 
me  title  ?"  "Faith,  I'll  never  call  the  likes  of  you  squire,"  was  the  answer.  Argu- 
ing the  point  they  reached  the  banks  of  the  angry  Spoon.  The  squire  stopped  his 
horses  and  seemed  greatly  concerned  as  to  the  condition  of  one  of  the  traces  of 
the  nigh  horse.  "Will  you  get  out  and  fasten  that  trace.  Grimes  ?"  "I  will  that," 
said  Grimes.  He  had  scarcely  cleared  the  wheel  when  the  squire  struck  his 
spirited  horses  a  resounding  crack  with  the  whip.  They  plunged  headlong  into 
the  river  and  before  the  astonished  Grimes  could  draw  a  second  breath,  the 
tail  board  of  the  wagon  was  far  beyond  his  reach.  He  realized  he  was  beaten. 
He  said  severak things  to  Mr.  Welsh  in  loud  tones.  It  was  only  when  he  began 
pleading,  "Please,  Mr.  Squire,  won't  you  come  back?"  that  Mr.  Welsh's  hearing 
•returned.  v'^  •^. 

Other  pioneers  of  the  vicinity  of  Williamsfield  were  Philip  Brenan,  John 
Malone,  Dennis  Murphy  and  Michael  O'Connor.  These  in  their  day  and  gen-, 
eration  acquired  fine  farms  which  have  passed  on  to  their  descendants. 

In  Sparta  township  on  the  rough  land  bordering  North  creek,  which  is  a 
tributary  of  Spoon  river,  settled  a  number  of  immigrants,  chiefly  from  County 
Waterford. 

Mr.  Patrick  O'Connor,  of  Wataga,  gives  the  following  account  of  early  set- 
tlers at  Barefoot.  Mr.  James  O'Connor  with  his  sons,  Patrick  and  Thomas,  took 
up  land  there  in  1855.  Antedating  them  several  years  was  Solomon  McCIeary  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  .  •,- 


732  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'  ••  Following  the  O'Connors  came  Peter  O'Hern,  Michael  Murray,  John  Mangon, 
William  Butler,  James  Torticil,  Thomas  O'Brien  and  Ed  Kennedy,  known 
throughout  the  community  as  "the  king."  He  was  considered  final  authority  on 
all  matters  pertaining  to  law  and  justice. 

These  men,  by  their  industry  and  perseverance,  converted  timber  land  and 
virgin  prairie  into  productive  farms,  which  in  many  cases  are  still  operated  by 
their  sons  or  grandsons.  The  dwellers  along  North  creek  were  quaintly  termed 
in  an  early  day  "the  Barefoot  Nation."  There,  as  elsewhere  throughout  the 
county,  expensive  shoe  leather  was  reserved  for  wear  on  Sundays  and  state  oc- 
casions. Sometimes  there  was  but  one  pair  of  shoes  in  a  family  and  he  who 
was  most  speedy  in  dressing  stood  the  best  chance  of  securing  the  family  shoes 
to  complete  his  toilet. 

There  was  a  lovesick  swain  in  the  North  Creek  community  who  felt  his 
heartstrings  drawn  in  the  direction  of  Henderson  Grove.  Being  a  little  bit 
slow,  perhaps,  or  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  good  nature,  he  found  that 
Sunday  after  Sunday  he  was  losing  his  turn  at  the  coveted  footwear.  He 
must  have  been  stout  of  heart,  as  well  as  calloused  of  sole,  for,  nothing  daunted, 
he  covered  regularly  the  long  miles  that  intervened  between  him  and  the  object 
of  his  affection.  The  people  of  the  Grove  took  notice  of  the  young  man's  cour- 
age and  devotion  and,  overlooking  their  own  bare  toes,  which  were  quite  the 
correct  thing  when  one  was  at  home,  humorously  termed  their  friends  of  the 
North  Creek  locality,  "The  Barefoot  Nation,"  which  in  time  became  abbrevi- 
ated to  "Barefoot." 

:  As  early  as  1855  ^  number  of  Irish  were  already  settled  within  a  radius  of 
a  few  miles  of  what  is  now  the  village  of  Oneida.  Among  the  first  were  the 
Sullivan  brothers — Owen,  Michael  and  Daniel.  A  few  years  later  came  the 
Swift  brothers — Martin  and  John;  the  Barry  brothers — James  and  Michael — 
came  in  1857:  Joseph  and  James  McGovern,  Simon,  Clark  and  Owen  Conley 
settled  in  the  locality  since  known  as  Dublin.  Other  early  comers  were  Dan 
Faloon,  Pat  Mead,  Locke  Feely,  Timothy  Hannon,  Thomas  Huston  and  Patrick 
Nash. 

The  breaking  out  of  prairie  sod,  the  digging  of  coal,  the  quarrying  of  stone 
and  the  making  of  brick  were  the  chief  occupations  of  the  new  comers  to 
Ontario  and  Sparta  townships.  A  brickyard  was  kept  by  Tom  Quinn  and  Tom 
Ryan  near  Oneida.  John  Dimsey  conducted  one  of  the  first  butcher  shops 
there. 

Mr.  Timothy  Hannon  opened  a  shoe  shop  in  1857  in  this  village.  During 
the  fifty-five  years  that  have  since  elapsed  Mr.  Hannon  has  shod  two  genera- 
tions of  Oneida's  inhabitants.  In  front  of  his  store  stands  a  splendid  hard 
maple  that  was  planted  by  him  and  his  good  wife  on  their  wedding  day  fifty- 
three  years  ago.  His  most  distinguished  patron  was  one  that  walked  into  a 
shop  which  he  operated  in  Springfield  previous  to  his  coming  to  Oneida.  That 
patron  was  Abraham  Lincoln,  for  whom  Mr.  Hannon  made  a  substantial  pair 
of  shoes. 

Michael  Courtney  was  an  early  resident  of  Oneida,  a  colonel  in  the  Civil 
war,  and,  like  the  others  of  his  family,  influential  in  the  life  of  the  community. 
George  Courtney  was  a  road  foreman  of  engines  for  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.  at 
the  time  of  his  death  by  accident  in  1889.  .....  ,  .  , 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  733 

There  were  but  few  Irish  families  scattered  over  the  other  townships  of 
the  northern  portion  of  the  county. 

John  Sheahan  took  up  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Lynn  township  in  1864. 
His  brother-in-law,  Richard  Goodman,  came  to  Lynn  in  1865.  The  Story  fam- 
ily, James  Graham  and  John  Hagarty  came  a  few  years  later.  Patrich  Sheahan 
and  his  family  took  up  land  in  Walnut  Grove  township  in  1866.  The  Welsh 
brothers,  Patrick,  James,  John  and  Thomas,  with  their  brother-in-law.  Henry 
Locklin,  were  pioneer  owners  of  land  both  in  Rio  township  and  over  the  line 
in  Henry  county. 

These  early  settlers  by  their  untiring  efforts  and  keen  business  insight  be- 
came, all  of  them,  substantial  citizens,  and  some  of  them  owners  of  extensive 
tracts  of  land,  which  to-day  means  wealth  and  independence  for  their  children. 
But  few  of  the  emigrants  from  the  old  country  were  so  daring  as  to  embark  at 
once  on  the  stormy  seas  of  a  business  career.  The  following  did  so  and  were 
highly  successful : 

Daniel  Farrell  was  a  pioneer  in  the  clothing  business  in  Galesburg,  and 
those  who  knew  him  best  are  enthusiastic  in  their  appreciation  of  all  that  he  did 
in  the  old  days  of  religious  and  political  dissension  as  mediator.  He  lived  to 
a  ripe  old  age,  always  at  his  post  of  business,  a  dignified  and  lovable  figure  in 
the  community.  Edward  Houston  conducted  a  grocery  store  in  Wataga  for 
years.  He  was  postmaster  of  that  place  during  both  of  Cleveland's  adminis- 
trations. Mr.  Thomas  Keefe  was  in  the  grain  business  first  at  Wataga,  then 
at  St.  Augustine  and  for  the  last  twenty-five  years  has  been  a  leading  lumber 
merchant  in  Galesburg. 

An  amusing  incident  of  Mr.  Keefe's  boyhood  is  the  fact  that  when  his 
father  decided  to  leave  the  old  home  in  Roscommon  and  try  his  fortune  in  the 
new  world  he  deliberated  long  and  earnestly  over  the  chances  of  his  youngest 
children  securing  an  education  in  America.  Depressed  by  reports  of  scanty 
schools  in  that  wilderness,  he  left  the  young  Thomas  and  his  brother,  still 
younger,  to  attend  the  school  kept  by  their  uncle  in  Ireland.  The  father  and 
the  rest  of  the  family  proceeded  to  New  York.  Four  years  passed  before  the 
younger  children  were  permitted  to  come  on  and  join  their  elders  in  "York 
state." 

Mr.  James  O'Connor,  now  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business,  has 
been  actively  associated  with  the  growth  and  development  of  Galesburg  from 
early  manhood.  Timothy  Hannon,  pioneer  shoe  merchant  at  Oneida,  has  been 
mentioned  previously. 

There  is  a  tendency  to  regard  the  Irish  as  merely  an  element  of  the  rank 
and  file,  while  the  truth  of  the  matter  is,  their  work  has  been  structural.  At 
first  they  had  nothing  to  offer  but  labor,  and  labor  was  what  Knox  county 
needed  in  her  early  days.  In  the  clearing  away  of  timber,  in  the  breaking  up 
of  prairie  sod,  in  the  building  of  railroads  and  in  the  construction  of  solid 
masonry,  the  handiwork  of  the  Irish  laborer  was  everywhere.  That  laborer 
had  had  but  the  briefest  of  schooling  in  the  newly  established  national  schools 
of  the  old  country.  In  many  cases  he  could  barely  write  his  name  and  just 
spell  out  the  headlines  in  the  weekly  paper.  Most  of  them,  however,  were  well 
able  to  peruse  that  paper  from  end  to  end  and  were  soon  deeply  interested  in 
every  live  question  of  the  day.  That  laborer,  being  Irish,  was  the  best  of  good 


784  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  , 

.  -4' 

fellows  (often  to  his  undoing).  He  was  fluent  of  speech,  a  persuader  of  men 
by  birth  and  a  leader  of  causes  by  inheritance.  Fate  and  the  lack  of  education 
left  him  a  worker  with  his  hands.  He  raised  large  families,  and  to  his  children 
he  gave  the  education  for  which  he  had  thirsted  and  with  it  his  native  gifts  of 
magnetism  and  persuasion.  The  second  generation  took  to  the  professions,  to 
business  and  to  public  life  like  the  duck  to  the  quiet  pool. 

From  many  generalities  we  have  at  last  come  to  the  winding  path  of  con- 
tinuous personal  mention.  As  your  g^ide  on  the  long  journey  that  we  have 
come  together,  we  must  warn  you  of  many  abrupt  turns  from  this  person  to 
that  and  of  very  sudden  leaps  from  one  calling  to  another  in  no  way  connected 
with  it. 

Hon.  M.  J.  Dougherty  represents  the  second  generation  of  the  St.  Augustine 
group.  The  father  of  Mr.  Dougherty  came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  five. 
With  his  parents  he  boarded  the  first  ship  that  sailed  out  of  Lxjndonderry  har- 
bor after  peace  was  declared  and  it  was  known  in  that  port  that  the  War  of 
1812  was  over.  News  traveled  but  slowly  in  those  days,  and  we  know  that  the 
battle  of  New  Orleans  was  fought  after  peace  was  declared.  It  is  interesting 
to  learn  that  the  above  mentioned  ship  was  given  a  lively  chase,  all  of  one  day, 
by  an  American  privateer.  How  much  of  wit  and  good-fellowship  the  Knox 
county  bar  would  have  lost  had  one  of  those  death-dealing  cannon  balls  taken 
effect !  Landing  at  Philadelphia,  they  went  west  by  ox  team  and  steamboat  until 
Mr.  Thomas  Dougherty  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  St.  Augustine  colony.  The 
younger  Mr.  Dougherty  has  been  for  years  a  prominent  member  of  the  bar.  He 
was  postmaster  for  the  city  of  Galesburg  during  Cleveland's  administration  and 
has  represented  this  district  in  the  state  legislature  for  a  number  of  terms. 

Lewis  Matingly  was  sheriff  of  Williams  county,  Kansas,  for  many  years 
and  led  the  posse  of  citizens  that  broke  up  the  notorious  James  gang. 

John  Keefe,  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas  Keefe  of  Galesburg,  left  St.  Augus- 
tine for  Sioux  City,  Iowa,  where  he  has  long  been  a  prominent  and  respected 
citizen.  Mr.  Keefe  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Flynn  and  Keefe,  street  pave- 
ment contractors.  :^'  '  .  .  r"  ?-  :  I  ->^ '.';'•:' 

We  have  already  mentioned  two  representatives  of  the  second  generation  of 
the  Salem  group,  R.  G.  Mathews  and  Hugh  Sloan.  James  Wasson,  the  attor- 
ney, belongs  to  that  group. 

Representatives  of  the  Henderson  Grove  group  are  James  Minehan,  editor 
of  a  paper  at  Geddes,  South  Dakota ;  W.  H.  Coffey  and  the  Slattery  brothers. 
Mr.  Coffey  is  justice  of  the  peace  in  Galesburg.  Dr.  W.  H.  Slattery  is  located 
in  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  and  Dr.  George  N.  in  New  York  city. 

From  Williamsfield  came  those  able  attorneys  Judge  J.  D.  Welsh  and  his 
cousip,  James  J. ;  also  Dr.  Thomas  Murphy,  a  prominent  physician  of  Cedar 
Rapids,  Iowa. 

Of  the  Oneida  barefoot  group  Harry  A.  Nash,  son  of  Patrick  Nash,  repre- 
sents the  second  generation.  Mr.  Nash  is  a  leading  citizen  of  Perry,  Iowa,  where 
he  follows  the  business  of  real  estate,  insurance  and  investments.  The  Torticell 
brothers,  sons  of  James  Torticell,  are  both  in  business  in  Kewanee,  James  L. 
in  the  plumbing,  and  Will  dealing  in  hardware.  Dan  Hannon,  son  of  Timothy 
Hannon,  is  auditor  for  Adams  Express  Company  in  Denver,  Colorado. 

Prominent  sons  of  Galesburg  are  Dr.  L.  R.  Ryan,  widely  known  as  an  eye 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         >  735 

and  ear  specialist,  the  Maley  brothers,  Dr.  W.  H.  and  Dr.  George,  Dr.  Thomas 
Birmingham  and  Dr.  Frank  Flynn.  Attorneys,  the  late  J.  C.  Stephens,  Edward 
McTiernan,  of  Chicago,  Will  Brown  of  Bellingham,  Washington,  W.  H.  Sullivan 
and  J.  E.  Maley.  In  mercantile  pursuits  are  M.  J.  Buckley,  grocer ;  John  Huston, 
grocer;  George  Farrell,  one  of  the  partners  in  the  clothing  store  founded  by 
his  father  Daniel  Farrell;  J.  B.  McAuley,  contractor;  the  O'Connor  brothers, 
Mart  and  J.  D.,  contractors ;  Miss  Jean  Halpin,  beauty  parlors ;  Miss  Mollie 
Morrissey,  ladies'  supplies;  Daniel  Nolan,  of  the  blacksmithing  firm  of  Dewine 
&  Nolan,  Joseph  Sullivan,  laundry  business;  Bernard  Ryan,  banker  and  lumber 
merchant  at  Neleigh,  Nebraska;  the  Hurley  brothers,  Myer  and  Exiward.  Ed- 
ward Hurley  is  president  of  the  Hurley  Machine  Company  of  Chicago.  Through 
the  successful  management  of  a  newly  invented  pneumatic  tool  he  leaped  into 
the  millionaire  class.  Mr.  Myer  Hurley  is  proprietor  of  a  fiardware  store  at 
Marseline,  Kansas,  and  holds  an  important  position  among  the  officials  of  the  B. 
of  L.  E.  Miss  Kathryn  Ryan  is  proprietor  of  a  dry  goods  store  at  Black  Foot, 
Idaho.  Mr.  Edwin  Daugherty,  son  of  Honorable  and  Mrs.  M.  J.  Daugherty, 
is  in  the  wiring  business  at  Riverside,  California.  " 

Among  the  adopted  sons  of  Galesburg  are  Dr.  W.  O'R.  Bradley,  Dr.  John 
Bohan  and  Dr.  Fred  Gurley,  J.  P.  Foley,  undertaker;  J.  P.  Quigley,  plumber. 

Knox  county  has  contributed  these  names  to  the  roll  of  the  clergy :  Rev. 
Wm.  Graham,  son  of  James  Graham,  theological  student  at  Rochester,  New  York ; 
Rev.  Edward  Welsh,  of  Keithsburg,  son  of  Thomas  Welsh;  Rev.  J.  J.  Burk,  of 
Peoria,  son  of  Thomas  Burk,  of  St.  Augustine. 

Less  than  twenty  years  ago  Knox  county  adopted  that  genial  clergyman.  Rev. 
John  Phelan,  who  came  direct  from  the  Royal  University  at  Dublin  to  open  Corpus 
Christi  lyceum.  Of  a  retiring  nature,  he  has  endeared  himself  by  the  charm  of 
his  personality  not  only  to  the  students  in  his  charge,  but  to  the  various  com- 
munities which  they  represent. 

From  the  first,  the  Irish  have  been  intimately  associated  with  the  railroad. 
Mr.  James  Clary,  of  South  Chambers  street,  retired  from  active  service  ten  years 
ago.  He  was  for  forty-seven  consecutive  years  a  section  boss  on  the  Quincy 
branch  and  gives  many  interesting  pictures  of  the  floating  population  that  made 
up  his  gangs  through  all  that  period.  Mr.  John  Sullivan  entered  the  employ  of 
the  Burlington  in  1860.  He  was  made  division  road  master  in  1871,  which  posi- 
tion he  is  acceptably  filling  today.  v  ; 

Of  the  second  generation  in  railroad  life  are  the  following:  Michael  Franey, 
who  was  called  from  the  Galesburg  shops  to  become  master  mechanic  and  super- 
intendent of  shops  at  Collinwood,  Ohio,  for  the  Lake  Shore  railroad.  Will 
Graham  comes  from  a  family  of  railroaders,  his  father  and  five  uncles  being  well 
known  conductors.  Mr.  Will  Graham  is  road  master  at  Superior,  Michigan. 
Maurice  Daley  is  superintendent  of  a  western  railroad  with  headquarters  at 
Seattle,  Washington.  His  brother,  James  Daley,  is  state  boiler  inspector  of 
Montana,  with  headquarters  at  Helena.  Frank  P.  Dolan,  son  of  John  Dolan,  of 
North  Cedar  street,  won  distinction  in  the  railroad  world  at  an  early  age.  Bom 
and  educated  at  St.  Augustine,  he  became  a  dependable  operator  at  the  age  of 
fourteen.  He  rose  rapidly  to  the  general  superintendency  of  the  Rock  Island, 
with  his  headquarters  at  Topeka,  Kansas. 


736          r;   ;;    :    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Patrick  H.  Morrissey  has  made  Galesburg  his  home  for  a  quarter  of  ,a  cen- 
tury. Entering  the  railroad  life  as  a  call  boy,  he  is  now  president  of  the  American 
Railroad  Employees  and  Investors  Association.  His  national  standing  is  best 
attested  by  the  following  extracts  from  lengthy  articles  concerning  him  in  our 
best  magazines.  The  Saturday  Evening  Post  of  January  8,  1910,  says:  "Mr. 
Morrissey  is  a  diplomat  of  long  experience  and  approved  skill,  a  man  of  fairness 
and  moderation."  He  is  justifiably  proud  of  a  letter  written  him  by  a  recent 
tenant  of  the  White  House,  in  which  he  is  assurred  "That  mighty  few  men  have 
helped  me  as  much  as  you  have."  In  the  Outlook  of  August  5,  1911,  Mr.  Roose- 
velt says  of  a  speech  made  by  Mr.  Morrissey  to  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive 
Engineers,  "It  sets  forth  such  good  doctrine  that  I  wish  it  were  possible  to  quote 
it  in  full.  I  cordially  agree  with  Mr.  Morrissey's  views  on  this  matter."  These 
quoted  words  are  much  more  forcible  and  expressive  than  would  be  any  com- 
ments of  ours.  ;  ...;•,; 

George  Davis,  for  twenty  years  treasurer  of  Knox  College,  was  a  native  of 
County  Lietrim,  Ireland.  The  splendid  new  building  just  dedicated  to  science  at 
Knox  IS  a  lasting  monument  to  his  name.  A  large  donor  to  that  building  was 
J.  T.  McKnight,  a  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Davis,  a  trustee  of  Knox,  and  a  most  in- 
fluential citizen  of  Galesburg.  Although  a  man  of  means,  Mr.  McKnight  is  also 
a  man  of  affairs,  active  in  every  interest  of  the  community.  Mr.  McKnight  is 
the  son  of  an  immigrant  from  County  Monaghan. 

The  late  Alfred  M.  Craig  was  one  of  Knox  county's  best  known  sons,  both  as 
jurist  and  banker.  He  served  on  the  supreme  bench  of  the  state  for  twenty-seven 
years.  Judge  Craig  was  the  grandson  of  an  immigrant  from  Londonderry. 

Dr.  Thomas  McClelland,  for  the  past  twelve  years  president  of  Knox  College, 
is  a  native  of  Colraine,  North  Ireland.  During  his  administration  the  endowment 
of  Knox  College  has  been  raised  $350,000.  Two  handsome  buildings  have  been 
erected  during  this  term  which  have  greatly  enhanced  the  usefulness  of  this  pro- 
gfressive  college. 

Professor  W.  L.  Steele  is  the  son  of  an  immigrant  from  County  Antrim,  his 
father  being  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  country.  Mr.  Steele 
has  devoted  a  life  work  of  incalculable  and  lasting  value  to  the  county,  first  as 
superintendent  of  county  schools  and  later  as  superintendent  of  the  public  schools 
of  Galesburg.  He  has  given  these  schools  a  reputation  that  is  state  wide  for 
excellence  and  efficiency.  By  the  introduction  of  the  outline  of  study  for  the 
country  schools  and  the  institution  of  the  yearly  township  examination,  he  brought 
order  out  of  chaos  and  gave  to  the  whole  system  a  solid  basis  of  well  graded 
work. 

Thomas  Smith,  father  of  Mrs.  Geo.  W.  Gale,  was  a  pioneer  contractor  and 
mason,  widely  respected  throughout  the  county. 

Rev.  Joseph  Bell,  the  present  superintendent  of  the  Galesburg  district  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  informs  us  that  his  four  grandparents  were  natives  of 
the  County  Down. 

Others  of  more  remote  Irish  descent  are  W.  F.  Boyes,  county  superintendent 
of  schools;  Judge  R.  C.  Rice;  the  Hardy  brothers,  of  the  law  firm  of  Hardy, 
Welsh  &  Hardy,  and  Attorney  B.  E.  McLaughlin;  John  George,  a  pioneer 
farmer  of  Galesburg,  whose  sons,  C.  and  E.,  are  ranked  among  the  prominent 


-   .  '  ..r  >-  •   •    • 
•  ••     ::V.--  •    ••• 

'  •"•'•S>--:;  ;•••  .'' 
.•:<i.^:  •;::,• 


O    —• 

§3 

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1 


736  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Patrick  H.  Morrissey  has  made  Galesburg  his  home  for  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury. Enterin.ij  the  railroad  life  as  a  call  boy.  he  is  now  president  of  the  American 
Railroad  Emi)loyees  and  Investors  Association.  His  national  standing  is  best 
attested  by  the  following  extracts  from  lengthy  articles  concerning  him  in  our 
best  magazines.  The  Saturday  Evening  Post  of  January  8,  1910,  says:  "Mr. 
Morrissey  is  a  diplomat  of  long  experience  and  approved  skill,  a  man  of  fairness 
and  moderation."  He  is  justifiably  proud  of  a  letter  written  him  by  a  recent 
tenant  of  the  \\'hite  House,  in  which  he  is  assurred  "That  mighty  few  men  have 
helped  me  as  much  as  you  have."  In  the  Outlook  of  August  5.  1911,  Mr.  Roose- 
velt says  of  a  si)eech  made  by  Mr.  Morrissey  to  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive 
Engineers,  "It  sets  forth  such  good  doctrine  that  I  wish  it  were  jiossiblc  to  quote 
it  in  full.  I  cordially  agree  with  Mr.  !Morrissey's  views  on  this  matter."  These 
quoted  words  are  much  more  forcible  and  expressive  than  would  be  any  com- 
ments of  ours.  'I 

George  Davis,  for  twenty  years  treasurer  of  Knox  College,  was  a  native  of 
County  Lietrim.  Ireland.  The  splendid  new  building  just  dedicated  to  science  at 
Knox  IS  a  lasting  monument  to  his  name.  A  large  donor  to  that  building  was 
J.  T.  McKnight,  a  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Davis,  a  trustee  of  Knox,  and  a  most  in- 
fltiential  citizen  of  Galesburg.  Although  a  man  of  means,  Mr.  McKnight  is  also 
a  man  of  affairs,  active  in  every  interest  of  the  community.  Mr.  McKnight  is 
the  SDn  of  an  immigrant  from  County  Monaghan. 

The  late  Alfred  M.  Craig  was  one  of  Knox  county's  best  known  sons,  both  as 
jurist  and  banker.  He  served  on  the  supreme  bench  of  the  state  for  twenty-seven 
years.  Judge  Craig  was  the  grandson  of  an  immigrant  from  Londonderry. 

Dr.  Thomas  McClelland,  for  the  past  twelve  years  president  of  Knox  College, 
is  a  native  of  Colraine.  Xorth  Ireland.  During  his  administration  the  endowment 
of  Knox  College  has  been  raised  $350,000.  Two  handsome  l)uildings  have  been 
erected  during  this  term  which  have  greatly  enhanced  the  usefulness  of  this  pro- 
gressive college. 

Professor  \V.  L.  Steele  is  the  son  of  an  immigrant  from  County  Antrim,  his 
father  being  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  country.  Mr.  Steele 
has  devoted  a  life  work  of  incalculable  and  lasting  value  to  the  count\',  first  as 
superintendent  of  county  schools  and  later  as  superintendent  of  the  public  schools 
of  Galesburg.  He  has  given  these  schools  a  reputation  that  is  state  wide  for 
excellence  and  efficiency.  P)y  the  introduction  of  the  outline  of  study  for  the 
country  schools  and  the  institution  of  the  \early  township  examination,  he  brought 
order  out  oi  chaos  and  gave  to  the  whole  system  a  solid  basis  of  well  graded 
work. 

Thomas  Smith,  father  of  Mrs.  Geo.  \V.  Gale,  was  a  pioneer  contractor  and 
mason,  widely  respected  throughout  the  county. 

Rev.  Joseph  Bell,  the  present  superintendent  of  the  Galesburg  district  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  informs  us  that  his  four  grandparents  were  natives  of 
the  County  Down. 

Others  of  more  remote  Irish  descent  are  \\'.  E.  Boyes.  county  superintendent 
of  schools ;  Judge  R.  C.  Rice :  the  Hardy  brothers,  of  the  law  firm  of  Hardy. 
Welsh  &  Hardy,  and  Attorney  B.  E.  McLatighlin ;  John  George,  a  pioneer 
farmer  of  Galesburg,  whose  sons,  C.  and  E.,  are  ranked  among  the  prominent 


1      X 

-     X 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;      ;/  737 

business  men  of  Omaha ;  Captain  F.  A.  Freer,  for  many  years  postmaster  of 
Galesburg,  who  came  of  a  Huguenot  family  that  emigrated  from  France  to  Ire- 
land. There  the  original  name  Frere  took  on  its  present  form.  J.  C.  Stuart, 
father  of  Mrs.  F.  W.  Wolf  and  Miss  Maud  Stuart,  was  mayor  of  Galesburg  for 
three  terms.  The  grandfather  of  Mr.  Stuart  was  a  native  of  Ireland. 

Our  list  ends  with  the  name  of  Galesburg's  present  mayor,  George  Sander- 
son, who  is  a  grandson  of  Patrick  Dunn,  one  of  Galesburg's  first  bankers,  and 
our  history  of  the  Irish  in  Knox  county  will  close  with  the  following  series 
of  incidents  and  stories,  which  are  true  in  every  detail.  •-; 

Patrick  Reddington   was   an   unknown   nabob  among  his   fellows,   arriving 
here  from   Pittsfield   with  six  hundred  gold  dollars,  earned   in   the  employ  of 
Barker  Brothers,  sewed  in  the  lining  of  his  belt.     This  was  in  the  very  time 
when  barrels  of  wildcat  money  were  being  rolled  from  McCoy's  bank  in  Gales- 
burg and  burned  on  the  public  square.     Two  hundred  dollars  of  Mr.  Redding- 
ton's  belted  hoard  made  up  a  trust  fund  belonging  to  his  sweetheart.     He  went 
to  work  on  a  farm  where  there  were  frequent  wrestling  bouts  among  the  men, 
and  it  became  a  matter  of  great  concern  to  Patrick  lest  his  treasure  be  discov- 
ered.    His  employer  was  taken  into  his  confidence  and  offered  to  care  for  the 
money.     The  offer  was  accepted  and  Patrick  treasured  carefully  the  piece  of 
paper  that  recorded  the  exchange.     The  heartbreaking  panic  of  '57  came  on, 
and  among  its  sorrowing  victims  were  Patrick  and  his  young  wife.     There  was 
but  scanty  consolation  in  the  possession  of  a  doubtful  note  that  represented  the 
solid  earnings  of  six  long  years.     A  decade  later  Patrick  was  a  rising  land- 
owner and  raiser  of  stock.     He  determined  to  avail  himself  of  the  neat  profits 
of  the  middleman,  and  when  his  first  carload  of  stock  was  ready  for  market 
he  ventured  to  Chicago  alone.     Nervous  and  with  beating  heart  he  heard  the 
comments  of  the  dignified  buyers,   fearful   lest  he  should  have  to   reship   his 
cattle  tp  Galesburg.     But  not  so.     His  stock  brought  the  highest  price  on  the 
market.     Regaling  himself  with  a  simple  breakfast  of  fruit  eaten  in  front  of 
a  pretentious  barroom,  he  was  interrupted  by  the  gruff  voice  of  the  pompous 
proprietor,  who  ordered  him  to  gather  up  the  peelings  and  move  on.     Stung 
by  the  indignity  of  the  tone  and  realizing  the   size  of  his   substantial  check, 
Patrick  thought,  'Til  show  him."     Squaring  himself,  he  walked  past  the  pro- 
prietor and  casually  displayed  his  check  as  he  stood  at  the  counter.     He  studied 
the  wet  goods  with  critical  eye  and  coolly  ordered  a  quantity  of  the  very  best 
imported  liquor  in  the  place.     He  stated  that  he  would  call   for  it  later  and 
declined   every   advance   of    the   transformed   proprietor,    who    was    more   than 
anxious  to  attend  to  the  cashing  of  the  imposing  check.     Mr.  Reddington  neg- 
lected to  say  how  much  later,  but  proceeded  straight  to  the  statiori  with  a  merry 
twinkle  in  his  eye,  and  to  this  day  of  our  Lord  he  has  not  yet  returned  for 
his  purchase. 

James  Phillips  was  a  notable  wag  and  a  good  fellow  known  far  and  near. 
A  temperance  lecture  was  being  preached  at  St.  Patrick's,  and  James,  in  re- 
sponse to  invitation,  was  there,  but,  perhaps  foreseeing  trouble,  pulled  away 
from  his  escort  sufficiently  to  pass  beyond  a  portly  lady  of  great  dignity  and 
so  secured  an  end  seat  with  his  back  against  the  wall.  The  missionary  father 
was  a  powerful  speaker,  and  before  he  concluded  dozens  were  crowding  for- 
ward to  sign  the  pledge.  Every  man  around  Mr.  Phillips  went  up  and  signed, 

Vol.    1—47  ,    .     ... 


738  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

but  he  sat  immovable.  His  brother  and  sisters,  nephews  and  nieces  could  not 
reach  him,  but  they  appealed  with  eye  and  hand.  But  his  eyes  were  riveted 
upon  the  speaker.  At  length  one  and  then  another  of  the  relatives  leaned 
toward  the  woman  next  to  Mr.  Phillips  and  whispered  her  to  urge  James  for- 
ward. At  that  the  object  of  all  this  interest  sat  up  with  great  dignity,  rolled 
a  reproving  eye  at  the  whole  group  and  whispered  loudly :  "Can't  ye  let  this 
woman  alone?  She  looks  like  a  sober  woman." 

Nearly  all  the  Irishmen  that  came  over  during  the  '50$  and  '6os  cast  in  '  '" 
their  lot  with  the  democratic  party,  the  reason  being  that  that  party  welcomed 
immigration   rather  than  opposed  it. 

The  "Know  Nothings"  were  an  extreme  branch  of  the  republicans,  and  they 
voiced  the  bitterest  of  prejudice  against  the  newcomers.  In  the  east  convents, 
schools  and  churches  built  by  the  Irish  were  fired  by  fanatics  allied  to  the  Know 
Nothings,  and  this,  of  course,  had  the  immediate  effect  of  swinging  the  newly 
naturalized  to  the  other  party  with  a  vengeance.  -^ . 

In  Knox  county,  as  elsewhere,  in  those  days  political  feeling  ran  so  high  in 
contrast  with  our  times  that  a  rally  of  to-day  looks  like  a  Sunday  school  picnic 
in  comparison.  We  are  coming  to  a  story  of  the  redhot  campaign  of  1856,  in 
which  figures  a  wild  Irishman  of  Goliath  bulk  and  build  and  with  ultra  David 
gameness. 

''Big  Bill"  was  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Wm.  Ferris  and  was  quite  a  favorite  : 
with  his  employer,  who  found  him  willing  always  and  quite  tractable.  The 
townspeople  had  opinions  of  their  own  concerning  him.  Mr.  Ferris  owned  a  •:. 
team  of  most  fractious  mules  which  were  as  wild  as  Bill.  He  was  the  only  per- 
son who  could  handle  them.  Bill  would  tear  down  Main  street  from  one  end 
to  the  other,  mounted  on  one  mule  and  leading  the  other,  singing  and  yelling  at  : 
the  top  of  his  voice,  while  those  on  foot  were  privileged  to  look  out  for  them-  ,; 
selves.  The  village  policeman  grew  quite  indignant  at  his  repeated  failures 
to  stop  Bill.  One  evening  when  the  watchman  was  in  good  sprinting  trim  he 
managed  to  get  the  front  mule  by  the  halter.  Did  Bill  or  the  mule  stop?  Not 
they!  They  rolled  the  representative  of  the  law  in  the  dust,  neatly  hurdled  him 
and  then  tore  up  Academy  street  to  the  Ferris  barn.  It  was  a  short  walk  to  220 
North  Academy,  and  the  dusty,  boiling,  indignant  watchman  soon  arrived,  lan- 
tern in  hand.  Straight  upstairs  to  where  he  knew  the  Irish  boys  slept  he  went, 
and,  with  lantern  held  high  in  shaking  hand,  he  scanned  their  beds.  Doc  lay  on 
the  outside,  Mike  in  the  middle  and  over  next  the  wall  was  Big  Bill,  deeper 
in  sleep  that  the  other  two,  for  every  muscle  was  relaxed  and  loud,  regular 
snoring  pulsated  from  his  open  mouth.  He  was  a  perfect  picture  of  sleeping 
innocence.  The  irate  watchman  stopped,  influenced  by  the  fact  that  two  other 
able-bodied  sons  of  Erin  lay  between  him  and  the  object  of  his  wrath,  as  Bill 
intended  they  should.  He  prudently  turned  on  his  heel  and  went  downstairs 
to  vent  his  wrath  on  Mr.  Ferris,  ordering  him  to  discharge  the  whole  gang  on 
general  principles  if  nothing  more.  Mr.  Ferris  indignantly  refused,  declaring 
that  the  boys  were  all  right  and  that  Bill  in  particular  would  jump  to  obey  his 
least  wish,  day  or  night.  "Let  those  fellows  alone  and  they  won't  make  you 
any  trouble." 

One  evening  about  this  time  a  string  of  teams  was  on  its  way  home.  Big 
Bill  mounted  on  one  of  the  mules  in  the  lead.  The  boys  in  the  rear  twitted 


•^  -^  :^/:;•:          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;      ^  ^:-:      .       739 

.''•    •.'     •  '.-.••"••  :^-~>: 

Bill  with  having  to  open  the  gate  for  the  rest.  But  that  dauntless  hind  had 
no  such  intention  and  with  a  dig  of  his  heels,  a  rattle  of  the  reins  and  an  en- 
couraging, threatening  "Ah — ^ha.  Jack,  Jennie,"  leaped  his  team  over  the  gate 
and  went  on  in  triumph.  V  . 

The  democrats  scheduled  a  rally,  but,  being  in  the  minority,  their  parade 
was  broken  up.  The  republicans  were  to  have  a  rally,  and  the  democratic 
boys  were  anxious  to  get  even  and  enlisted  in  their  service  Josiah  Gale,  a 
brother  of  W.  Selden  Gale,  and,  unlike  his  better  known  brother,  a  staunch 
democrat.  He  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  boys  a  spirited  team  of  young 

Morgan  horses  hitched  to  a  good  stout  lumber  wagon  with  Jack  as 

driver.  According  to  plan,  the  horses  were  to  become  unmanageable  at  the 
head  of  Main  street  just  as  the  procession  was  about  to  start.  The  streets  were 
thronged  with  excited,  hotblooded  partisans.  The  smoky  glare  of  the  torch- 
light and  the  dazzling  gleam  of  fireworks  lit  up  a  sea  of  faces  intent  on  the 
exciting  spectacle.  Gaudy  floats,  high  waving  banners,  gallant  republicans 
forming  in  serried  ranks  and  mounted  marshals  galloping  up  and  down,  all 
were  watching  for  the  signal  that  meant  the  final  start.  One  village  band  and 
then  another  struck  up  the  strains  of  "The  Star  Spangled  Banner."  Up  near 
Seminary  street  a  dreadful  commotion  broke  out,  which  swelled  and  grew  to  a 
frightful  clamor.  The  procession  wavered  and  broke,  rolling  the  crowd  of 
spectators  back  over  the  boardwalks  up  dark  stairways  and  streaming  into  side 
streets.  The  music  died  in  a  discordant  wail,  and  the  rattling  sound  of  clat- 
tering trumpet  and  horn  followed,  for  the  Morgans  with  distended  nostrils  and 
eyes  starting  from  their  sockets,  smarting  and  resentful  under  the  lash  of  their 
daring  driver,  availed  themselves  of  an  undisputed  right  of  way  down  Main 
street.  There  was  no  stop  until  the  Gale  farm  was  reached,  where  Jack  tossed 
the  reins  to  a  faithful  accomplice,  leaped  to  the  back  of  a  fresh  horse,  and, 
leaving  the  mounted  police  far  behind,  disappeared  in  the  direction  of  the  south 
timber. 

Meantime  on  a  side  street  things  were  happening.  Insulting  remarks  were 
directed  at  two  Irishmen.  A  fistic  combat  started.  Big  Bill,  speeding  to  the 
aid  of  his  friends,  was  gathered  in  with  them  by  the  police.  Doc  was  a  specta- 
tor and  told  me  about  it.  "Bill  knocked  the  first  policeman  down  wid  wan 
blow  of  his  fist.  Another  stud  between  him  and  the  door.  Bill  grabbed  him 
by  the  coat  collar  and  hurled  him  clean  over  his  shoulder.  Oh !  a  fine  big 
sthrappin'  fellow  was  Bill!  In  front  of  the  lockup  Bill  prepared  for  more 
trouble  by  taking  a  buildin'  brick  in  each  hand.  Officer  Heroune  came  running 
up,  and  by  the  same  token  it  would  have  been  betther  for  him  to  have  stayed 
away.  'Stand  back!' -says  Bill  in  a  terrible  voice.  'Stand  back,'  he  says  a  sec- 
ond time.  A  third  time  'Stand  back!'  Heroune  didn't  know  Bill.  He  came 
on  till  he  met  the  brick.  Then  he  stopped,  wilted  on  the  flat  of  his  back.  It 
was  six  months  before  he  was  around  again.  A  big,  tall  butcher  named  Brink- 
erhoof  held  Bill  till  he  was  overpowered  and  locked  up. 

"Hogan  and  I  left  the  crowd  yelling  and  cheering  and  making  threats  outside 
the  jail,  and  we  went  home.  We  barricaded  the  door  good,  for  we  heard  that 
the  republicans  were  going  to  hang  the  whole  gang  of  us  up  at  Ferrises. 
Hogan  took  the  ax,  I  took  the  spade,  and  I  never  shut  an  eye  all  night.  About 
three  o'clock  I  heard  a  noise  on  the  stairs  and  something  heavy  struck  the  door 


•746  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :     :;:: 

a  terrible  blow.  I  thought  it  was  all  up.  I  called  Hogan  and  found  he  was 
sound  asleep.  I  gave  him  a  vicious  jab  wid  me  elbow,  for  how  he  could  sleep 

•  I  didn't  know.  Says  I,  'They're  here.'  Says  Hogan,  'Who?'  Says  I,  "The  re- 
publicans to  hang  us.'  'No,  it  ain't,'  says  Hogan,  rubbing  his  eyes,  'that  is 

..  Bill.'  'You  are  right,'  says  I,  for  I  heard  his  voice.  We  opened  the  door 
quick  to  stop  the  pounding.  Bill  bounded  in  and  began  bundling  up  his 
clothes.  He  had  broken  jail  and  looked  like  a  Zulu.  In  two  seconds  he  was 
gone,  and  it  was  many  a  day  before  we  saw  him  again,  for  he  stayed  hid  in 

:  Henderson  Grove  till  Heroune  was  well  out  of  danger.  Then  he  again  went 
to  work  for  Mr.  Pitcher,  who  liked  his  help  so  much  that  he  settled  for  Bill 
with  the  court  for  $50."  .  .  -  ;  ,  '  ':  " 


THE  SWEDES  IN  KNOX  COUNTY  AND  GALESBURG 

';.       />,^.;;  BY  AXEL  GABRIELSON    :•'':;-:;'..; 

Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  her  chief  city,  Galesburg,  and  also  lesser  cities 
.  .  and  towns,  are  typical  American  communities  in  build,  socially  and  education- 
;•  ally,  and  in  customs,  habits  and  taste  as  well,  and  yet,  as  will  be  seen  by  an 
.:  investigation  of  the  facts,  a  good  proportion,  probably  50  per  cent  of  the  popu- 
lation, is  foreign  born  or  the  descendants  of  foreigners,  a  condition  at  once  a 
tribute  to  the  power  and  thoroughness  and  grace  and  ease  of  American  assimi- 
lation and  of  nice  foreign  adaptiveness. 

Chief  among  foreign-born  citizens  and  their  descendants,  in  Knox  county, 

are  the  Irish,  Scotch,   Germans  and   Swedes,  the   Swedes  being  the  strongest 

.   numerically.     Lately  a  considerable  number  of   Italians,  Austrians,   Poles  and 

Mexicans  have  come  into  Knox  county,  and  principally  to  Galesburg,  adding 

to  the  total  foreign  element,  and  while  they  are  too  recent  in  arrival  to  have  yet 

made  any  appreciable  impression,  given  time  and  opportunity  they,  too,  no  doubt, 

.    will  merge  beautifully  into  the  body  politic  and  contribute  generously  to  the 

welfare   and   upbuilding  of  our   commonwealth. 

The  first  Swedish  immigations  to  America  date  back  to   1038-1665,  result- 
ing in  the  founding  of  New  Sweden  ("Paradis  Udden,"  or  "Paradise  Point") 
on  the  Delaware  river,  in  the  original  project  of  which  the  king,  the  great  Gustaf 
Adolph  the  Second,  of  Sweden,  was  interested,  but  which  he  was  not  permitted 
to  consummate,  that  honor  falling  instead  to  his  chancellor,  the  brilliant  Axel 
Oxenstjerna.     Between  the  periods  of  1638  and   1665  ten  colonization  parties 
were  equipped  and  sent  out  to  the  new  world,  and  as  late  as   1693,  fifty-five 
.  years  after  the  arrival  of  the  first  party  of  Swedish  immigrants  on  American 
soil,  there  still  remained  one  thousand  of  them  in  the  settlement  of  New  Sweden. 
During  the  existence  of  New  Sweden  as  a  colony  of  Swedes  thirty-five  min- 
>    isters  or  preachers  were  sent  out  to  it  from  the  mother  country  to  minister  to 
the  three  churches  at  Wicacoa,  now   Philadelphia,   Kristina  and   Racoon,   and 
chief  among  these  preachers  was  the  talented  and  distinguished  Carl  Magnus 
'  Wrangle,  of  the  noble  family  of  Sag  and  Wachel.     This  early  Swedish  set- 
tlement, it  is  true,  lost  its  distinctive  identity  as  such  after  a  period  of  a  third 


:^:r>^:v    ::;•:;:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;   "^-  741 

of  a  century,  being  by  conquest  merged  into  the  stronger  Holland  settlements 
along  the  Delaware,  these,  too,  in  turn  being  obliged  to  give  way  to  the  Eng- 
lish, but  after  a  lapse  of  nearly  300  years  multiplied  evidences  of  the  early 
presence  and  influence  of  the  Swedes  may  be  found  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia 
and  vicinity.  :•.•-/;.  ^.^  ,'.:.. 

So  far  as  known,  the  first  Swede  who  came  to  Illinois  was  Raphael  Widen, 
who,  January  12,  1814,  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace  of  St.  Claire  county 
by  the  territorial  governor  Ninan  Edwards  and  was  one  of  fourteen  territorial 
justices,  conducting  the  affairs  of  Randolph  county  from  December,  i8i8,  to 
May,  1819,  and  also  a  member  of  the  fourth  and  fifth  general  assemblies,  serv- 
ing as  president  of  the  fourth  general  assembly. 

Olof  G.  Hedstrom  came  to  America  in  1825,  settling  in  New  York,  and  in 
1833  his  brother,  Jonas  Hedstrom,  joined  him,  the  latter,  pushing  on  to  Vic- 
toria, Illinois,  in  1838.  G.  Unonius,  with  a  little  party  coming  to  America  in 
1841,  settled  on  Pine  lake,  near  Nashotah,  Wisconsin.  In  1844  a  company 
of  fifty  Swedish  immigrants,  with  Daniel  Larson  as  leader  and  spokesman,  land- 
ed and  settled  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  a  second  company  of  sixty  immi- 
grants under  Larson's  leadership  came  a  little  later,  settling  in  Campello  and 
Brockton,  Massachusetts.  Peter  Cassell  and  five  families  came  to  America 
from  Sweden  in  1845  ^"d  settled  in  New  Sweden,  Iowa,  where  his  son,  An- 
drew Cassell,  and  his  descendants  still  live,  honored  and  respected  by  all,  Swedes 
and  Americans  alike.  '^.  '•.'''•'',•"•'-  • 

,.  Between  1665  and  1846  but  few  Swedes  immigrated  to  America,  and  such 
as  came  arrived  not  as  parties  or  colonies,  but  as  individual  families  or  singly. 
However,  beginning  with  1845  or  earlier  a  wanderlust  for  America  revived  in 
Swedish  hearts  on  the  mother  soil,  and  in  1846  large  parties  and  colonies  of 
the  sons  and  daughters  of  the  north  again  landed  on  our  shores,  this  time  not 
remaining  in  the  east,  as  before,  but  instead  resolutely  setting  their  faces  toward 
the  setting  sun  they  tirelessly  continued  their  long  journey  on  lake  and  river 
by  boat  and  on  land  by  wagon  and  on  foot,  until  they  reached  the  rich  fertile 
lands  of  Henry  county,  in  western  Illinois,  where  their  guiding  star  stopped, 
when  they,  too,  stood  still,  and,  looking  around,  discovered  that  this  was  their 
Mecca  and  that  they  now  had  reached  their  long-sought  goal. 

The  Swedish  immigrations  beginning  in  1845,  and  resulting  in  the  founding 
of  the  Swedish  Communistic  colony  at  Bishop  Hill,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1846,  is  called  the  Jansonist  movement,  being  inspired  by  Eric  Janson, 
a  religious  leader  and  preacher,  who  with  his  followers,  because  of  persecutions, 
imprisonment  and  confiscations  of  property  in  the  homeland,  came  to  America, 
"the  land  of  the  free  and  home  of  the  brave,"  that  here  they  might  worship 
God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscience,  and  without  molestation 
engage  in  the  pursuit  of  liberty,  peace  and  happiness.  Having  found  \vhat  they 
sought,  these  courageous,  stalwart  sons  of  the  north,  exponents  of  the  simple  life, 
in  hopeful  toil  and  labor  subdued  the  wilderness,  tilled  the  virgin  soil,  and  pass- 
ing, left  to  their  descendants,  a  priceless  heritage  in  character,  of  motive  and 
purpose  in  life  and  material  wealth  as  well.  Bishop  Hill  enjoys  the  distinction 
of  being  the  first  and  oldest  exclusively  Swedish  settlement  in  America,  subsequent 
to  the  New  Sweden  settlement  of  1638-1665,  on  the  Delaware,  and  Victoria  and 
Galesburg  in  Knox,  and  Andover  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  follow  it,  but  the 


742  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  x! 

large  masses  of  Swede  immigrants  coming  to  these  places  later  than  the  Bishop 
Hill  settlement  found  that  pioneer  American  and  individual  Swede  settlers  had 
preceded  them,  and  established  an  embryo  civilization  with  which  to  hospitably 
greet  later  comers  on  arrival.  All  Swedish  immigrations,  following  the  Bishop 
Hill  settlement,  differ  from  it  too,  in  that  material  welfare  and  advancement,  not 
religious  liberty,  was  the  motive.  '  :  ,..;••:: 

It  will  interest  readers  of  the  Knox  county  history,  not  familiar  with  the 
facts,  to  know  that  in  fifteen  of  the  one  hundred  and  two  counties  of  Illinois,  are 
many  communities  urban  and  rural,  with  so  large  a  population  of  Swedish 
citizens,  as  to  warrant  calling  them  Swedish  counties.  These  counties  are  Cook, 
Winnebago,  Kane,  DeKalb,  Will,  Bureau,  Henry,  Rock  Island,  Mercer,  Warren, 
Knox,  Peoria,  McLean,  Ford  and  Vermillion.  Flourishing  cities,  towns  and 
rural  districts,  in  each  of  these  counties,  have  Swedes  numerically  strong  enough 
to  make  distinct  impression  upon  the  body  politic,  for  weal  or  woe,  and  since 
the  Swede  counties  and  communities  rank  high,  if  not  highest  in  the  state  in  point 
of  wealth,  education,  refinement  and  Christian  culture,  and  all  that  makes  for 
good  citizenship,  it  is  conceded  that  the  Swedes  as  a  rule  stand  for  the  uplift 
and  betterment  of  themselves  and  surroundings.  In  the  counties  of  Illinois 
designated  as  Swede  counties  are  the  following  communities  in  which  there  are 
large  numbers  of  Swedes:  Galesburg,  Knoxville,  Wataga,  Altona,  Victoria,  Hen- 
derson, Galva,  Bishop  Hill,  Cambridge,  Nekoma,  Kewanee,  Geneseo,  Orion,  Osco, 
Lynn,  Woodhull,  Ophiem,  Rock  Island,  Moline,  Aledo,  New  Boston,  Keithsburg, 
Swedona,  LaFayette,  Toulon,  Monmouth,  Roseville,  Swan  Creek,  Princeton, 
Wyanet,  New  Bedford,  St.  Charles,  Geneva,  Batavia,  Elgin,  DeKalb,  Sycamore, 
Rockford,  Peccatonica,  Blooming^on,  Paxton,  Danville,  Peoria,  Joliet  and  Chi- 
cago— the  latter  place  alone  with  its  suburbs,  having  an  approximate  Swedish 
population  of  a  quarter  of  a  million,  and  it  has  been  said  that  starting  at  Galva, 
in  Henry  county,  and  going  west  to  Keithsburg  and  New  Boston,  on  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles,  a  traveler  may  pass  along  all  the  way  on 
soil  owned  or  tilled  by  a  Swede. 

Daniel  Robertson,  the  first  white  settler,  came  to  Henderson,  Knox  county, 
in  1828,  and  in  1830  the  county  was  organized  with  a  population  of  230  scant, 
and  in  1836,  Geo.  W.  Gale  and  company  came  to  the  county,  organizing  Gales- 
burg  the  following  year  with  a  population  of  about  232.  Ten  years  later,  in 
1847,  3"d  seven  years  before  the  advent  of  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  railroad  in  Knox 
county.  Galesburg  already  had  a  Swedish  population  of  20,  among  whom  were 
John  Youngberg,  Nels  Hedstrom,  Andrew  Thorsell,  a  Mr.  Modine,  Kristina 
Muhr  and  Olof  Nelson.  :^  :.  ;''.•.';./  \l  :  --^ 

In  1854  the  stream  of  Swedish  immigration  to  Galesburg  became  most  active, 
continuing  steadily  until  1880.  at  which  time  the  Swedish  population  was  at 
least  three  thousand  five  hundred,  if  not  four  thousand.  Since  1880,  there  has 
been  no  arrival  of  greater  parties  of  immigrants  direct  from  Sweden  to  Galesburg, 
although  families  as  such  and  individuals  have  been  coming  all  the  while,  and 
still  do,  and  these,  together  with  the  natural  increase  by  birth,  make  the  Swedish 
population  of  Galesburg,  in  1912,  easily  eight  thousand — a  figure  of  no  mean 
proportion,  when  considered  that  it  constitutes  more  than  a  third  of  the  whole 
population  of  the  city.  j.  :  '  .'..'v/'v.-y  .-";,•: 


•  :  ^     T  .  ^;.        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  ''  743 

,    -.'.--•- 

As  a  rule  the  Swedes  were  poor  and  many  penniless  on  arrival,  having  either 
borrowed,  perhaps,  or  spent  their  all  in  paying  for  their  passage,  and  work  and 
wages,  therefore,  for  them,  was  an  immediate  pressing  need,  and  hence  it  was 
no  uncommon  experience  to  greet  a  company  of  newcomer  Swedes  on  the  depot 
landing  one  day,  with  their  wooden  chests,  bundles,  bags  and  baggage  all  around 
them,  and  the  next,  after  temporarily  depositing  the  women,  children  and  lug- 
gage in  some  friendly  home  or  shelter,  find  the  men  already  at  work,  beginning 
at  the  first  possible  moment  on  American  soil,  the  foundation  of  success,  of  home 
and  fortune,  through  the  commendable  and  sure  medium  of  labor  and  applica- 
tion. 

With  rare  if  any  exception,  all  began  American  life  with  common  manual 
labor,  at  a  prevailing  low  wage,  first  learned  the  language  spoken,  and  then 
through  sheer  merit  and  inherent  worth,  rose  to  better  and  more  responsible 
and  lucrative  position,  as  farm  tenants  and  farm  owners,  mechanics  and  boss 
workmen  or  superintendents,  clerks,  merchants  and  bankers,  or,  as  official  and 
political  men,  or  in  the  professions,  attained  to  large  and  honorable  places  in  the 
community  and  vicinity. 

Among  the  industries  of  Galesburg,  either  past  or  present,  with  which  her 
Swedish  citizens  have  been  identified  as  projectors  and  owners  or  as  responsible 
managers  and  workmen  in  supplying  brain  and  brawn,  in  founding  and  develop- 
ing them,  are  the  Charles  Johnson  brick  yards,  Abraham  Nelson  furniture  shop. 
Industrial  Machine  Works,  Galesburg  Machine  Works,  the  Brown  Corn  Planter 
Co.,  the  G.  D.  Colton  Co.  foundry;  Frost  Manufacturing  Co.,  the  O.  B.  Judson 
Furniture  Co.,  and  the  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railway  Company,  in  all  of  which  the  rank  and 
file  of  workmen  were  and  are  Swedes,  some  of  whom  attained  to  enviable  prom- 
inence in  management  and  conduct  of  the  business — among  whom  besides  the 
personal  names  given  above,  may  be  mentioned,  first,  the  brothers  Charles  and 
William  Erickson,  for  fifty  years  continuously  in  the  employ  of  the  "Q"  railway, 
and  now  foremen  respectively  of  the  round  house,  and  machine  shops,  where 
also  their  father  before  them  was  a  trusted  workman.  Also  may  be  named  in 
this  general  connection,  J.  A.  Oberg,  D.  L.  Peterson,  Claus  Anderson,  Alfred 
Lindgren,  P.  N.  Granville,  Magnus  Holmes,  Andrew  G.  Gabrielson,  John  Pierson, 
Andrew  Stromstedt,  F.  T.  'Albert,  W.  A.  Peterson,  Claus  Thoreen,  Peter  Olson, 
John  A.  Ehn,  Magnus  Peterson,  Frank  A.  Olson,  W.  O.  Nelson,  Andrew  P. 
Gustafson,  Aug.  Abramson,  Peter  Swanson,  J.  A.  Renstrom,  A.  O.  Peterson, 
Andrew  Johnson,  L.  J.  Olson,  Swen,  Peter  and  Ernest  Ekwall,  S.  J.  Johnson,  T. 
W.  Peterson,  Abram  Anderson,  A.  J.  Anderson,  F.  O.  Peterson,  C.  X.  Johnson, 
S.  W.  Nystrom,  Frank  A.  Gustafson,  J.  W.  and  Claus  Ekwall  and  many  others 
equally  deserving  of  mention  if  space  would  permit. 

Among  early  Swedish  Galesburg  merchants  and  tradesmen  are :  Hawkinson  & 
'.  Pierson,  Hawkinson  &  Charlson,  Akey  Themanson,  C.  E.  Landstrom,  Xelson  & 
Bengston,  Peter  Nelson,  Clarkson  &  Johnson,  Clarkson  &  Roadstrum,  Xelson  & 
Swenson,  Olson  &  Hofflund,  grocers ;  Nelson  &  Williamson,  dry  goods ;  Victor 
Velander;  John  Granville;  Wenquist  &  Johnson,  boot  and  shoe  dealers;  Abram 
Nelson,  furniture;  Swen  Nyman,  jeweler;  Swen  Anderson,  John  Peterson  and 
N.  G.  Engstrand,  tailors;  Chas.  Ferris;  Clarkson  &  Anderson  and  John  Ekwall, 
restaurant ;  A.  O.  Ahlenius,  J.  W.  Anderson,  butchers ;  Peter  Gabrielson,  Peter 


744  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Wetterberg,  J.  F.  Johnson  and  Eskil  Johnson,  blacksmith,  wagon  and  carriage        i 

shop ;  Andrew  Thorsell,  Fred  Lindquist  and  brother  and  C.  J.  Lindquist,  painters 

and  decorators.  ..    • 

At  present  out  of  forty-four  grocery  establishments  doing  business  in  Gales-       '  /, 
burg  twenty-one  are  owned  and  operated  exclusively  by   Swedes,   and  in  all 
other  lines,  too,  of  mercantile  activities  one  finds  a  like  proportionate  per  cent 
in  the  hands  of  and  owned  by  Swedes,  who  by  close  application,  careful  and 
conscientious  observance  of  business  principle  and  frugality,  coupled  with  keen         ;-/ 
knowledge  and  shrewd  forethought,  are  surely,  if  yet  slowly,  accumulating  a  ;;   .  -  ' 
competence.     Foremost  among  present  day  Swede  business  establishments  are  ;  '       • 
such  houses  as  the  N.  P.  Nelson  Co.,  dry  goods;  J.  H.  Nelson  Co.,  Jarl  Young  .  i-  . 
&  Co.  and  A.  P.  Wetterberg,  clothing  and  men's  furnishings;  Swanson  &  Perce-    , 
ful,  Hannah  Holcomb,  Highlander  &  Faulks,  Johnson  &  Fagerburg,  millinery;     •;  " 
A.  E.  Steinfeldt,  jeweler ;  Holmes  Bros.,  laundry ;  Lindstrum  &  West  and  Oscar  .  ^. 
Thorelius,  druggists;  Karl  Salzberg,  harness  and  saddlery;  A.  O.  Lindstrum,  O.  ^;    '- 
P.  Wenquist,  insurance;  Eric  Cederoth,  W.  A.  Anderson  &  Co.,  shoes;  P.  B.    .'      ' ' 
Anderson,  Oscar  Johnson,  Albert  Joneson,  J.  I.  Engstrand  &  Bro.,  tailors;  A.  i;-^;:    ,; 
A.  Hallberg,  artist;  M.  W.  Olson,  dentist;  C.  G.  Johnson,  physician;  R.  J.  Wai-  ^    ;' 
berg,  attorney;  C.  A.  West,  undertaker  and  embalmer;  Duvon  &  Brown,  C.  S.     ' 
Peterson  &  Co.,  bakery;  Lass  &  Larson  Co.,  C.  J.  Lindquist,  decorators  and    ~-  'V 
painters;  T.  E.  Johnson  Machine  Shop,  A.  F.  Landstrum  &  Co.,  Galesburg  Ma-  -;     ;• 
chine  Works,  automobile  and  ga/age;   Galesburg   Broom   Co.,   David   Carlson, ';'.;.; 
Charles  Hawkinson,  planing  mill;  Hoflflund  Bros.,  G.  A.  Swenson,  cigars;  W.    ;    .. 
M.  Stromberg,  Hawkinson  &  Kenyon,  confectioners;  P.  T.  Olson,  John  Dahl-  '  ?; 
berg,   Victor  Johnson,   Carl   Carlson,   Nels   Person,   C.   E.   Youngquist,    P.   O.  •;.';; 
Munson,  C.  E.  Rundquist,  C.  N.  Munson,  A.  F.  Strandberg,  F.  O.  Munson,      :  v  ' 
contractors  and  builders;  S.  H.  Olson  &  Co.,  J.  H.  Walberg,  Ericson  &  Larson,  :;.; 
Galesburg  Commercial   Union,  R.  O.   Ahlenius,   Larsen-Hulgren   Grocery   Co.,  .  3     • 
J.  A.  Oberg  &  Son,  O.  W.  Johnson  &  Bro.,  J.  T.  Johnson  &  Co.  and  C.  M. 
Burgland  and  a  dozen  additional  grocery  firms,  swell,  but  do  not  complete,  the 
list  of  Galesburg's  Swede  merchants,  now  actively  in  business. 
•.      Galesburg's  first  fire  department  was  organized  in  1856,  and  nine  years  later, 
in   1865,  an  all  Swede  fire  company,  called  Ericson   Engine  Company  No.  2, 
numbering  sixty  men,  was  formed,  captained  by  O.  P.  Pearson,  and  soon  after 
a   Swedish   fire   hose  company,   captained   by   D.   L.   Peterson,   was   organized. 
Between  these  Swedish  companies  and  the  other  Galesburg  fire  company,  the 
Tornado,  and  the  Peoria  and  Quincy  companies,  friendly  but  sharp  contests  of 
superiority  often  occurred,  leading  to  a  high  degree  of  efficiency  and  skill,  and 
on  two  occasions  the  Swede  fire  laddies  captured  from  their  worthy  opponent 
the  prizes  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  and  fifty  dollars  offered  the  winner.     In  this 
day  and  age  Galesburg  boasts  a  paid  fire  department,  but  even  so  the  spirit  of 
the  old   Swedish  volunteer   fire   fighters   seems  to   move  a  younger   and   later 
generation  of  Swedes,  for  a  respectable  number  of  the  personnel  of  the  present 
department,   including   its   capable   chief,    Martin   Peterson,   are    Swedish   lads, 
who  time  and  again  have  demonstrated,  like  their  "landsmen"  of  old,  that  they  . 

understand  the  science  and  art  of  fighting  and  subduing  fire.  ,    .j  -    .    . 

Among  early   Swedish   societies   in   Galesburg  was   Scandia,  a  literary  or-  '      ;>• 
ganization   formed  in   1866.     Its  fii'st  president  was  Louis   Peterson,  now  de- 


;%'^:4;  A:' ;;;;;;  'HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .  y;-:--'-'    745 

'•'.  .  ;.  ceased.    Its  second  president,  the  Honorable  A.  W.  Berggren,  many  times  hon- 

. .    ored'  with    high    political   preferment   by   his    fellow-townsmen,    respected   and 

:     esteemed  by  all  Swedes  who  know  him,  still  lives,  hale,  hearty  and  active,  ap- 

.;.     parently  wholly  untouched  by  the  weight  of  passing  years,  a  typical,  ideal,  self- 

.  -    made,  becomingly  modest  man.     Svea   Independent  Order  of   Good   Templars 

:  '•     was  formed  in  1867,  A.  O.  Peterson,  P.  B.  Anderson,  L.  L.  Gibson,  Hon.  Nels 

:  ;  Nelson  and  A.  Youngreen,  the  first  two  still  living  and  residents  of  Galesburg, 

'..  '    being  prominent  in  its  organization. 

-..V First   Scandinavian  Lodge,   No.  446,   Independent  Order  of   Odd  Fellows, 

;.;      was  organized  in  1871,  with  Hon.  A.  W.  Berggren,  N.  G. ;  A.  Klingberg,  V. 

,     '   G. ;   P.  B.  Anders,  R.   S. ;  John  Clarkson,  treasurer.     Present  Swedish   Gales- 

:,     burg  fraternal  organizations  are  Svea  I.  O.  G.  T.,  First  Scandinavian  Lx)dge, 

No.  446,  L  O.  O.  F.,  and  Vasa  Lodge  210,  Independent  Order  of  Svithiod, 

.  ,  each  of  which  is  active,  aggressive  and  prosperous. 

Galesburg  Swedish  citizens  of  remote  years,  as  well  as  those  of  a  later  day 

:        and  present  period,  aspired  and  attained  to  political  honors  in  the  community. 

^.;    ;.  In  1860-1-2  P.  L.  Hawkinson  was  street  superintendent.     P.  Shoberg  in  1863 

/'       was  the  first  Swede  to  be  elected  to  the  Galesburg  common. council  as  alderman; 

' -^  Lewis  Bergland  was  elected  street  commissioner  in  1865;  John  Peterson  alder- 

..  A    man,  1867  and  '68.     Beginning  with  1871,  the  Hon.  Nels  Nelson,  recently  de- 

''-•--.  ceased,  was  repeatedly  honored   for  long  terms  with  the  office  of  city  treas- 

.  .  rV  urer  and  city  clerk,  and  the  Hon.  A.  W.  Berggren,  late  in  the  sixties  and  during 

V  the  seventies  and  eighties,  was  successively  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of 

:    ;   the  peace,  sheriff  and  state  senator  and  later,  by  appointment,  served  with  dis- 

.,    .-:  tinction,   too.   as   warden   of  the  Joliet   penitentiary.     Other   Swede   men,   too, 

,  '     notably  P.  N.  Granville,  Albert  Truedson  and  N.  J.  Oleen,  have  filled  places 

'.honorably   in   Galesburg's   official   family,   and   in   the   common   council   and   at 

.   present  Hon.  C.  F.  Hurburgh  is  state  senator;  F.  F.  Seaman,  sheriff,  and  Charles 

.      H.   Westerberg,  circuit  clerk,  while  no  inconsiderable  number  of   Swede  men 

.-     ,  enjoy  the  distinction  of  being  members  of  the  honorable  body  of  supervisors. 

Galesburg's  Swedish  churches,  strictly  speaking,  are  five  in  number,  namely: 

,'•' First  Evangelical  Lutheran,  Emanuel  Methodist  Episcopal,   Saint  John's  Epis- 

:-       copal.  Covenant  or  Congregational  and  Baptist  church,  but  the  Lutheran  and 

Covenant  churches  each  maintain  a  chapel  and  Sunday  school  in  outlying  dis- 

--       tricts,  and  in  addition  Swedes  constitute  fully  95  per  cent  of  the  membership 

.V     of  Trinity  Lutheran  church,  which  by  courtesy  is  called  an  English  church,  be- 

': .  V  cause  its  services   are  conducted  in   that   language.     But   since  each  of   these 

.church  societies  is  to  be  treated  separately  in  this  work  by  competent  writers, 

V       it  is  needless  to  enlarge  upon  them  here  beyond  this  point. 

f.'-          Patriotism,  loyalty  and  courage  are  marked  features  in  Swedish  character, 

V .  :   and  therefore  when  in  the  dark  and  trying  years  of  i86i-'65  the  fate  of  the 

American  nation  hung  in  the  balance   Swedes  everywhere,  with  other  valiant 

sons,  responded  in  large  numbers  to  the  country's  call  for  men  tried  and  true, 

and  Galesburg  sent  out  her  full  quota  of  these.     Company  C,  Illinois  Volunteers, 

43d  regiment,  was   recruited   in   Galesburg  and  organized  in  Camp   Butler  in 

September,    i86i,   all   in   its   enrollment  being   Swedes,   with   the   exception   of 

two  men.     February  6,  1862,  the  company  was  ordered  to  Fort  Henry,  and  on 

February  i8th  to  Fort  Donaldson  and  was  joined  to  General  Ross's  brigade  of 

General   McQelland's   division.  .-  - ;  •      -  • 


746  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         .      •; 

:     With  its  regiment,  Company  C  went  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  thereafter    ^  rj  ; 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  in  which  engagement  Captain  Olof  S.  Ed-    ^..  \ 
vail  fell,  together  with  comrades  Lars  O.  Berglof  and  Carl  Samuelson.     The  :- 

company  also  distinguished  itself  at  the  siege  of  Corinth  and  in  battle  with  ; 

General  Forrest,  in  capture  of  guerrilla  forces  and  at  Little  Rock  in  battle  with  "' 

General   Shelby's  brigade  and  in  the  assault  of   Prairie  d'Anne  and  Camden.    '    .. 
At  Jenkins  Ferry  Company  C  fought  in  the  memorable  battle  when  4,000  Union   ;    i 
soldiers  repulsed  20,000  of  the  rebel  force  under  Kirby  Smith's  army  division,    ;- !    ; 
entailing  a  loss  of  2,000  of  the  enemies  at  a  cost  of  700  Union  soldiers.  -..     •, 

On  May  3,  1865,  Company  C  returned  to  Little  Rock,  at  which  time  and    •   '    ': 
place' it  was  mustered  out  of  the  service.     A  roster  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  ' 

men  composing  Company  C  cannot  be  given  here,  but  appended  is  a  list  of  the    v'      ; 
officers  of  the  company,  all  gallant  men,  heroes  in  peace  or  war,  all  of  whom,    7.  i'  ' 
so  far  as  the  writer  knows,  with  the  great  majority  of  their  comrades  in  arms,       1; 
have  responded  to  "taps",  put  out  the  lights  and  Iain  down  to  well  earned,    :. 
peaceful,  undisturbed  rest.        .  ,        -.:  ........         %•;•..: 

1..     lii!;;!  LIST  OF  OFFICERS  OF  COMPANY  C  .      ''  • 

:    Hugo  A.  Starkhoflf,  Olof  S.  Edvall,  Carl  Arocenius,  captains. 

Olof  S.  Edvall,  John  P.  Arendberg,  first  lieutenants.       ;.         : 

Nels  C.  McCooI,  Nels  Knutson,  second  lieutenants,   v   ^   '    '  :    • 

Magnus  M.  Holt,  first  sergeant. 

Nels  Peterson,  Nels  Knutson,  Nels  Nelson,  Nels  Anderson,  sergeants.  • 

Gust  Anderson,  Charles  Kling,  John  W.  Erickson,  Olof  A.  Hallfast,  Peter 
Bergstrom,  Adolph  Larson,  Magnus  Larson,  John  Paulson,  corporals. 

Andrew  Engstrom,  musician. 

In  monetary  matters  Swedes  in  Galesburg  have  taken  a  proper  place  in  the 
community  corresponding  to  their  character,  numbers  and  influence  as  a  people. 
Invariably  the  Swedish  householder  owns  his  home,  has  good  remunerative  em- 
ployment or  is  in  business  for  himself,  and  independent  usually,  whatever  his 
vocation  or  calling  may  be  and  in  each  of  the  five  strong,  splendid  banks  or 
financial  institutions  of  Galesburg,  the  Swedes  also  are  given  marked  recognition 
in  directory  boards,  and  in  official  and  clerical  force. 

The  Bank  of  Galesburg,  an  institution  with  capital  surplus  and  undivided 
profits  of  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  deposits  in  excess 
of  one  million  and  assets  beyond  a  million  and  a  half  dollars,  organized,  mainly 
capitalized,  largely  officered  and  generally  patronized  by  Swedes,  is  commonly 
spoken  of  as  the  Swede  bank.  N.  O.  G.  Johnson  is  its  vice-president,  P.  N. 
Granville,  cashier,  and  C.  E.  Johnson,  assistant  cashier,  each  of  whom  are  di- 
rectors too,  together  with  Thomas  W.  Peterson  and  Sam.  R.  Swanson,  all  Swede 
men.  Hon.  M.  O.  Williamson,  a  Swede,  and  formerly  treasurer  of  the  state  of 
Illinois,  is  president  of  the  People's  Trust  and  Savings  bank,  of  which  bank,  too. 
Senator  C.  F.  Hurburgh  is  a  director,  and  Hon.  A.  W.  Berggren  for  many 
years  has  been  and  still  is  the  efficient  and  respected  vice-president  of  the  Gales- 
burg National  bank. 

Galesburg  is  favorably  known  far  and  wide  as  an  educational  center,  and  no 
class  of  her  citizens,  not  excepting  the  original  settlers  who  made  it  a  school  and 
college  community,  have  benefited  more  by  its  halls  and  avenues  of  learning,  than 


'  -  '-:  •^•-.:'  ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;//'         747 

her  Swedish  population.  To  finish  the  grade  and  high  school  courses,  is  the 
general  practice  of  Galesburg  young  people,  and  many  go  on  through  college 
and  university,  distinguishing  themselves  in  scholarship,  in  professional  and 
higher  walks  of  life,  or  win  fame  in  the  vocational  affairs  of  men. 


THE  SCOTCH  IN  KNOX  COUNTY  .    ;;-;j-;..;^; 

;  "'-.•:-''^;^  .'V'-Z /-•'•.  .-.;•.-' •\-: -!;''-        BY  HUGH  GREIG  '••''-.';-/..'/•;•••'' '^ -'-'-•••••' 

One  cannot,  in  any  true  sense,  write  a  sketch  of  the  Scottish  born  citizens  who 
live,  or  have  lived,  in  this  county  without  a  fairly  clear  understanding  of  some 
of  the  conditions  which  in  a  measure  made  the  Scotchman  what  he  is. 

We  must  bear  in  mind  that  Scotland  is  a  small  country,  in  all,  less  than  two- 
thirds  the  size  of  Illinois.  A  large  portion  is  comparatively  barren  moorland. 
Farming,  however,  has  always  been  fairly  prosperous,  and  it  is  probably  true 
that  in  no  equal  area  of  equally  good  soil  is  so  much  put  in  and  consequently  in 
no  similar  area  is  so  much  taken  out. 

I  It  is  perhaps  needless  to  say  that  nearly  all  the  farmers  are  merely  tenants, 
but  to  an  Illinois  tenant  this  statement  is  somewhat  misleading  because  many 
farmers  not  only  spend  a  lifetime  on  the  same  place,  but  there  are  families  who 
have  occupied  the  same  farm  for  several  generations  with  a  reasonable  prospect 
of  continuing  to  do  so. 

But  while  farmers  increased,  farms  did  not;  and  though  other  industries  gave 
remunerative  employment  to  increasing  numbers,  yet  there  remained  an  unwanted 
fraction  of  the  people  for  whom  an  outlet  was  needed,  and  found.  Large  numbers 
migrated  to  the  southern  end  of  their  own  island,  while  even  greater  numbers 
scattered  themselves  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  British  empire, 
and  in  business,  in  science,  in  literature  and  even  in  halls  of  legislation  in  England, 
in  India,  in  Canada ;  in  short,  in  every  British  colony,  they  seemed  to  wield  an 
influence  out  of  all  proportion  to  their  numerical  strength. 

-T  In  America, — the  "melting  pot"  of  the  nations, — where  the  Scottish  people 
come  into  keen  competition  with  the  skilled  and  unskilled  labor  of  two  continents, 
they  seem  to  more  than  hold  their  own,  and  are  not  often  engaged  in  the  most 
menial  tasks  which  though  honorable  are  not  alluring. 

There  were,  no  doubt,  numerous  causes  contributing  to  this  way  of  getting  on 
in  the  world.  As  previously  stated,  their  country  was  small  and,  on  the  whole, 
infertile.  Its  climate  was  most  capricious.  Moreover,  for  centuries  the  Scots 
were  on  anything  but  good  terms  with  their  richer  and  much  more  populous 
neighbor  kingdom  on  the  south.  All  were  more  or  less  lawless ;  there  was  be- 
tween the  two  countries  what  might  be  called  a  neutral  zone — but  which  really 
was  a  fighting  zone.  All  tangible  property  belonged  to  the  strongest  band  of 
thieves.  Such  conditions  led  to  much  desultory  warfare.  The  Scots,  being  the 
weaker  numerically,  had,  in  order  to  hold  their  own,  to  become  more  persistent 
and  more  shrewd  in  their  wholesale  stealing  operations.  Besides  this  noted 
border  warfare,  on  many  occasions  the  armies  of  the  two  kingdoms  came  to- 
gether in  sanguinary  conflict,  sometimes  on  English,  but  more  often  on  Scottish 


748  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

soil.  Eventually,  however,  the  weaker  gained  their  independence,  and  in  an  after 
century  under  a  Scottish  king,  England  and  Scotland  became  one  nation,  though 
not  exactly  one  people. 

It  is  possible  this  almost  constant  battle  with  adverse  conditions — whether  it 
be  of  climate,  soil,  poverty,  a  pugnacious  neighbor  Scot  or  little  less  pugnacious 
Saxon  from  beyond  the  Tweed — may  have  been  a  sort  of  education, — an  education 
severe  certainly,  strenuous  certainly,  but  perhaps  the  only  kind  suitable  to  the 
people,  place  and  time ;  and  in  all  the  succeeding  days,  even  until  now,  we  see 
its  effects  in  a  dour,  canny,  self-assertive,  self-reliant  people. 

Perhaps  no  one  thing  so  influenced  and  moulded  the  character  of  the  Scottish 
people  as  that  great  wave  of  religious  reformation  which  touched  and,  to  some 
extent,  changed  the  thought  of  the  Christian  world.  In  some  countries  of  Europe, 
the  monarch  embraced  Protestantism  and  led  his  subjects  in  the  same  direction; 
most  notably  the  great  Tudor  Henry  VIII  of  England  gave  to  noble  and  peasant 
alike  a  slightly  changed  religious  system ;  a  church  in  many  of  its  forms  resem- 
bling that  of  Rome,  but  with  the  Roman  pontiff  left  out.  The  king  himself  be- . 
coming  the  head  of  this  newly  constituted  church,  his  people  as  a  whole,  clergy 
and  flock,  high  and  low,  meekly  acquiesced. 

How  diflferent  in  Scotland,  where  a  succession  of  weak  and  vacillating 
Stuarts  occupied  the  throne,  and  instead  of  being  leaders  were  led,  or  rather 
driven.  The  idea  that  the  king  should  be  the  acknowledged  head  of  the  church 
never  became  prevalent  among  the  Scottish  people.  They  had  bowed  the  knee  in 
matters  of  religion  to  a  foreign  ecclesiastical  autocrat,  the  yoke  became  irksome, 
was  discarded,  and  now  they  had  no  wish  to  substitute  a  king  for  a  pope.  But 
alas,  for  the  peace  of  Scotland !  This  complete  independence  of  the  church  from 
all  parliamentary  meddling  was  not  to  the  royal  liking.  Therefore,  the  mandate 
went  forth  that  a  uniform  ecclesiastical  system  must  prevail  from  John  O'Groats 
to  Lands  End,  and  such  system  was  to  be  Episcopalian. 

Acquiescence,  however,  did  not  follow  the  mandate  north  of  the  Tweed.  The 
Scots  respected  royalty  and  were  firm  believers  in  the  monarchical  plan  of  gov- 
ernment ;  they  were  Christians,  militant  Christians,  and  Episcopacy,  prelacy, 
papacy,  were  to  them  almost  synonymous  terms,  and  leaving  the  question  of 
creed  entirely  out  of  sight  (which,  however,  they  did  not  do)  not  only  the 
ministers,  but  the  vast  majority  of  the  common  people  were  utterly  opposed  to  any 
system  of  church  government  which  recognized  any  man  as  supreme  head,  be 
he  king  or  bishop. 

It  is  no  doubt  true  that  during  all  the  many  years  of  ecclesiastical  and  doctrinal 
readjustment,  there  were  in  Scotland,  in  the  ministry  and  laity,  excellent  leaders. 
At  the  same  time,  there  were  not  only  willing,  but  intelligent  followers,  men  in 
the  full  possession  of  the  spirit  of  intellectual  independence,  claiming  the  right 
of  the  individual  to  think,  and  having  thought,  to  express  his  convictions.  Among 
those  leaders,  and  chief  among  them,  was  he  who  never  feared  the  face  of  man,  he 
of  clear  insight  scholar,  preacher,  statesman,  patriot — John  Knox — measured, 
by  today's  standard,  stern,  exacting,  intolerant,  but  in  his  day  and  generation, 
liberal.  To  John  Knox,  more  than  to  any  other  man,  is  Scotland  indebted  for 
its  excellent  system  of  education.  It  is  not,  of  course,  to  be  supposed  that  Knox 
could  look  adown  the  vista  of  the  centuries  and  see  the  means  supplied  whereby 


>;•     -•     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^;  749 

every  child,  poor  and  rich,  would  be  equally  favored  with  school  privileges.  Nor 
is  it  to  be  understood  that  he  found  his  fellow  country-men  wholly  illiterate, 
for  the  congregations  who  gladly  heard  his  preaching  and  as  gladly  applauded 
when  he  personally  took  to  task  his  and  Scotland's  queen,  the  clever,  witty, 
wayward  Mary  Stuart,  were  not  dullards.  They  were  the  same  people  who, 
with  Knox  and  other  scholarly  leaders,  gave  to  their  country  that  most  logical 
ecclesiastical  republican  system  known  as  Presbyterianism — a  system  that  in  a 
very  large  measure  compelled  them  almost  to  a  man,  and  woman,  to  acquaint 
themselves  not  only  with  the  doctrines,  but  also  with  the  polity  of  the  church ; 
and  building  even  better  than  they  knew,  this  same  spirit  of  doctrinal  research, 
in  after  years,  divided  the  Presbyterians  into  sects,  the  members  of  each  feeling 
that  all  were  in  duty  bound  to  argue  the  point,  with  all  comers.  The  writer  has, 
in  his  boyhood  days,  heard  many  earnest  and  lengthened  discussions  in  which 
the  scriptures,  from  Genesis  to  Revelation,  were  ransacked  for  quotations  which, 
it  was  hoped,  would  overwhelm  an  opponent. 

As  to  the  ministers,  they  were  very  largely  recruited  from  the  homes  of  a 
thrifty,  self-denying  and  comparatively  poor  peasantry.  They  were  well  educated, 
were  invariably  college  men,  so  that  in  their  intellectual  equipment  they  had,  in 
their  respective  communities,  no  superiors;  although,  because  of  the  critical 
spirit  prevailing,  their  parishioners  were  wont  to  quote  the  lines  of  Burns : 

•;      .:   '•^- .    v^      :•    "What's    a'    the    jargon    o'    your    schools   :•    '  .    "••v.'    i/vl  . 
','•••.' ^••^''^^'.y'--   ••'']     Your  Latin  names  for  horns  and  stools,  ;';:^;^  -'-/'':  ^' 

:;'''/;•    .          -:    .:      If  honest  nature  made  ye  fools  .  : '-j^  ^:'^- " -.v' 

V     r-;;   ',;\-''  What  sairs  your  grammars!"  —    .          '   v;-'  \.  :';,;••; 

>  \'''\ '•::•.•;'•     •  •  ,.    ,•  -„•  ;     •:• ,  ..'/•..'.-.  •':-V'-' 

But  none  the  less  the  minister  was  ever  the  chief  man  in  the  community,  not  only 
on  the  Sabbath  or  other  holy  days,  but  every  day,  sharing  in  the  simple  joys 
and  comforting  in  the  com.mon  sorrows  that  befell  the  flock.  The  schoolmaster, 
who  in  very  truth  was  the  school  master,  and  the  doctor,  also  college  men,  ranked 
just  a  little  lower  than  the  clergy.  Strange  as  it  may  seem  to  the  man  of  today, 
though  the  minister  might  know  more  of  Hebrew,  Greek  and  Latin  than  did  his 
hearers,  yet  King  James'  version  of  the  English  Bible  was  almost  if  not  quite 
as  often  read,  carefully  read  and  clearly  understood,  by  the  man  at  the  anvil  or 
plough,  as  by  any  D.D.  in  Scotland  or  out  of  it.  The  shorter  catechism,  which 
to  the  average  boy  or  girl  was  not  short,  and  anything  but  a  pleasure  to  memorize, 
yet  memorized  it  must  needs  be.  However,  it  is  at  least  a  comfort  to  know  that 
we  were  not  required  to  understand  it. 

Such  were  some  of  the  educative  conditions  which,  for  good  or  ill  mentally, 
morally  and  theologically,  largely  moulded  the  sturdy  Scots,  who,  bidding  adieu 
to  poor,  but  miich  loved  native  land,  crossed  the  ocean,  and  in  the  formative 
period  in  the  history  of  this  commonwealth  in  some  measure  assisted  in  laying  a 
foundation,  of  which  no  superstructure  needs  to  be  ashamed.  They  brought  with 
them  an  inheritance  of  good  physique,  good  moral  fibre,  a  deeply  religious  turn  of 
mind,  a  willingness  to  work,  a  passion  for  saving.  The  Scotchman  is  a  good 
neighbor,  a  good  friend,  an  outspoken,  honorable  enemy,  a  patriot  in  the  old 
home,  a  patriot  in  the  new;  in  religion,  conservative,  in  politics,  decidedly  pro- 


750  .,    '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

gressive.    With  him  sparkling  wit  is  a  rarity,  a  peculiar  grim  humor  uncommonly 
common. 

There  also  came  with  him,  or  in  him,  a  strange  glorification  of  the  virtues  of 
strong  drink.  Though  there  were  so-called  unsociable  individuals  who  eschewed 
the  cheering  cup,  yet  on  the  whole,  the  national  failing  asserted  itself  and  many 
a  transplanted  Tam  O'Shanter  found  at  hand  a  Souter  Johnny,  who  gladly  with 
him  felt  "O'er  a'  the  ills  o'  life  victorious."  It  is  a  matter  for  regret  that  our 
peasant  poet,  while  he  did  not  originate  the  sentiment,  yet  he  is  quite  largely  to 
blame  for  its  perpetuation,  thus,  by  his  genius,  making  the  convival  habit  almost 
a  virtue.  It  seems  strange  that  he  who  on  the  farm  of  Mossgiel  in  his  young, 
ardent  manhood  and  poethood  ..  r  •.:•.;:•...•>  :'.••.... 

'l/>!^-^  '  "Walked  in  glory  and  in  joy     .;  /'S:;!   U:.  ;.-.';.>  • 

;  U;^:  Following  his  plough  upon  the  mountain  side" 

and  at  the  same  place  and  time  could  sing,  and  sing  from  the  heart  of  the 

"Wee,  modest,  crimson  tipped  flower" 
could,  and  did  also  sing  '  V.  :\  : , 

•'/:":'  "Fortune,  if  thou'll  but  gie  rne  still        ;  •'     ;- 

•  ;;V'_ '  .  Hale  breeks,  a  scone,  and  whisky  gill     .  T       ^ 

*^  '  An'  rowth  o'rhyme  tae  rave  at  will     V     .;.'::,:,• 

^  '" \f..  /  •  Tak'  a'  the  rest  ./'•'•'''.  :^:''.  •'.^' •''' 

^;:  ?.  An'  deal't  aboot  as  thy  blind  skill  ,     ^          •  r 

'.'-:Xr  •  Directs  thee  best."  .;':•.  :v^^{;:    /•-;:/• 

In  this  connection,  it  may  be  well  to  quote  the  remark  of  an  Altona  merchant,  who 
well  knew  and  respected  the  first  generation  of  Scots.    Said  he : 

"They  were  sometimes  hilariously  happy  on  Saturday  afternoons,  but 
all  were  good  Presbyterians  on  Sunday." 

And  ••••-'•-  •':•;•; '^-;Vv    :.•./:•);;;•••;  V..,v 

-  -,  i.'        ••-.'_,- 

:.,->;;•;.-    "In  trading,  cash  was  sometimes  lacking,  but  credit  never."      ;.   V>'-  . 

No  doubt,  the  criticism  in  legard  to  the  failing  was  just  the  recognition  of 
their  honor  equally  so. 

The  early  settlers  on  these  prairies,  come  from  where  they  might,  suffered 
many  privations.  The  Scots,  unused  to  the  excessive  summer  heat  apd  the 
equally  excessive  winter  cold,  occasionally,  no  doubt,  wished  themselves  in  the 
"land  of  the  mountain  and  the  flood,"  but  the  wish  remained  a  wish,  and  as  new 
arrivals  came,  the  loneliness  gradually  passed  away. 

Between  1835  and  1855,  nearly  all  of  the  Scottish  people  who  have  been 
residents  of  this  county  arrived,  and  though  they  can  be  found  in  various  sections, 
yet  it  is  only  the  northern  part  of  Copley  township  that  can  truly  be  called  a 
Scottish  settlement. 

And  to  some  it  may  appear  strange  that  not  until  the  eighties  did  the  Scottish 
residents  of  this  vicinity,  led  by  a  few  of  the  more  intense  lovers  of  the  "land  of 
brown  heath,"  from  themselves  into  a  Caledonian  society  which  enjoyed  a  short 
if  not  uneventful  existence. 

The  annual  meetings  were,  with  one  exception,  held  on  the  anniversary  of  the 
birth  of  Scotland's  peasant  poet ;  he  who,  by  his  genius,  gave  to  our  Lallan  tongue, 
a  name  and  place  in  the  world's  literature.  A  name  and  fame  which  must  en- 


:••':'     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      vV;  751 

dure  seeing  that  he  has  in  his  own  beautiful  simple  words,  with  a  master  hand, 
touched  the  universal  heart.  And  when  we  foregathered,  we  often  spoke  of  the 
poet's  birth,  that  birth  in  the  "auld  clay  biggin'  "  when  the  "Janwar  win'  blew 
hansel  in  on  Robin";  and  though  the  midwinter  night  might  be  such 

:v./vr  '.?'•';.'•  ••",'-      "That  a  child  might  understand                   .  .  v.,.    "-;v -•;:• 

The  Deil  had  business  on  his  hand"  .    .••     ,.-'-- 

yet  to  us,  for  the  time  being,  a  loyal,  happy  band  of  Scots,  ,'V'" 

The  minutes   winged   their   way   with  pleasure.  '    • 

It  was  an  evening  of  reminiscences,  we  each  and  all,  who  were  to  the  man- 
ner born  in  memory,  saw  the  lonely  height  and  home,  the  mist-covered  mountain, 
the  deep-wooded  glen,  the  far-reaching  stretches  of  unsullied  purple  heather; 
and  it  often  seems  to  the  writer  that  we,  who  have  spent  our  days,  few  or 
many,  on  this,  our  most  prosaic  prairie,  can  hardly  imagine  the  exquisite  pleas- 
ure that  comes  to  the  average  Scot  of  whatever  station  when  he  sees  the  rural 
beauties  of  his  native  land,  when  in  the  words  of  Burns  ', 

'For  nature's  charms  the  hills  and  woods,    .\  %  ..     ,  Ji-. 

The  flow'ry  dells,  the  foaming  floods 

Are  free  alike  to  a';  :   .    ' 

On  Braes  when  we  please,  then,       -  :. 
We'll  sit  and  sowth  a  tune,  .; 

••-  : "  ;':>^  V^r  _       Syne  rhyme  tilt  we'll  time  tilt  ;  -; 

,;   ;^    ;  V,  .{         And  sing't  whan  we  hae  dune." 

And  someone  who  called  to  mind  his  crook  and  plaid  hummed,  if  but  to 
himself,  the  moorland  ditty —  •;-'.:;• 

,:^;.y-     v/':;'.       '.    "Ca'  the  yowes  tae  the  knowes,  ..  •    '  >   ~         :  .-'"v'J? ';^^^ 

Ca'  them  whaur  the  heather  grows,  K^  ^   ,  ,':':<-'.^'-v ;;;';: 

Ca'  them  whaur  the  burnie  rowes,  ',.-    • 
^ ';.•;:>             My  bonnie  dearie." 

Then  hand  in  hand  the  various  circles,  in  unison,  feelingly  sang:   V.  '..:.='.".•':.':•;'. 

^^;'. ':;;'-';::-    "Should   auld   acquaintance   be    forgot,  /;  ^-    ;    '':^  v-' '^^'•^  '  ;. ' 

;•./•/'.:           And  never  brought  to  min',  ;  ^  /           \.\;.'  ;;  r;  ^:J^'>1;.    : 

-' •      i;^     '•        Should   auld  acquaintance  be   forgot,  ;y  ;     '     .if  A^'i/VA  ,   V 

days  o'  lang   syne."  .  .         ,            .i       -.  v.-    ..       . 


But  in  the  passing  of  the  older  Scots  the  society  lost  the  enthusiasm  of 
numbers  and  for  some  years  no  meetings  were  held;  but  in  the  late  summer 
of  1904  we  and  our  descendants,  in  all  about  one  hundred,  again  came  together  . 
at  Craig-Knowe  farm  and  had  as  speaker  for  the  occasion.  Rev.  Hamilton 
Spence,  who  was  most  assuredly  in  the  spirit  on  that  day,  for  such  winning 
eloquence,  such  a  masterly  mingling  of  pathos  and  pleasantry  will  not  be  by 
us  forgotten;  and  as  the  autumn  sun  sped  toward  the  glowing  west 

.>;:...-;.  V  ^  "We  each  took  off  our  several  way,  .     .    .    -  '  ./••'^  v 

:r.;V ;/•'.-•'>•.;••'.'       Resolved  to  meet  some  other  day."          '    ;       .•-•-:'-/' 


;    752  ;     ;^^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

...       By  far  the  larger  percentage   of  the  immigrants  became  farmers,  though 
quite  a  number  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and   others,   with  their  well- 

•  trained  hands,  well  trained  by  the  now  almost  obsolete  apprentice  system,  se- 

•  cured  for  themselves  a  competence.     Back  to  the  soil  was  not  at  that  time  a 
common  cry;  however  it  was  to  the  soil  they  nearly  all  went,  and  they  were 
wise  or  fortunate  in  selecting  exceptionally  good  land.     It  may  not  have  been 
scientifically,   but   it   was   at   least   carefully   farmed,   and   for   many   years   the 
crops  were  sufficiently  abundant,  and  even  though  prices  were  low  and  mar- 
kets distant  the  early  education  in  thriftiness  which  nearly  all  had  inherited  or 

'  acquired  in  the  old  home  made  them  "contented  wi'  little  and  cantie  wi'  mair." 
Nevertheless  this  constant  moneyless  condition  became  monotonous  and  per- 
haps exasperating,  as  this  recorded  incident  will  show:  Some  guid  wife  had 
been,  perhaps  not  for  the  first  time,  reminded  that  she  ought  to  be  a  little 
'more  saving,  and  replied:  "Oh,  it's  hain  whan  ye  hae  an'  it's  hain  whan  ye 

:  haena ;  it's  a  deil  o'  a  hainin'."  The  significance  of  this  anecdote  is  not  applic- 
able to  the  women  alone,  for  the  hainin'  was  necessarily  practiced  both  indoors 
and  out,  and  it  is  well  known  that  the  women  of  the  settlement  were  in  every 
true  sense  worthy  helpmeets  not  only  in  the  saving  but  also  in  the  making,  for 
were  the  fathers,  brothers,  husbands  unusually  busy  in  the  field  a  most  willing 
and  often  a  strong  hand  from  indoors  kindly  came  and  such  were,  as  a  rule, 
quite  as  able  to  grace  a  harvest  field  as  "ben  the  hoose." 

;  Many  of  the  settlers  had  been  brought  up  in  houses  in  Scotland  which  were 

'  neither  comfortable  nor  convenient.  They  had  but  few  ideas  and  almost  no 
experience  in  house  erection,  and  when,  with  the  help  of  neighbors,  they  un- 

•  dertook  to  build,  with  logs  or  even  a   frame  house,  they  were  handling  ma- 
-     terials  wholly  new  to  them ;  and  the  finished  product  was  not  always  a  thing 

of  beauty  or  convenience ;  but  it  was  a  home,  it  was  their  own,  and  these  were 
comforting  thoughts ;  thoughts  that  greatly  modified  their  homesickness.  The 
outbuildings  were  usually  of  a  type  even  more  primitive  than  the  houses,  and 
it  has  been  said  that  when  barn  accumulations  became  troublesome  they  moved 
the  barn.  •  :/;>•:? 

Postoffices,  while  not  so  distant  as  markets,  were  not  at  all  convenient,  and 
they  were  not  much  needed;  letter  writing,  while  not  a  lost  art,  was  not  much 
practiced.  There  was  nothing  very  exciting  to  write  about  and  a  more  potent 
reason  was  the  great  cost  of  postage,  especially  when  compared  with  the  aver- 
age income.  It  is  well  known  that  there  were  isolated  cases  where  letters  re- 
mained in  the  hands  of  the  postmaster  for  many  weeks  after  they  were  known 
to  be  there  solely  because  of  the  lack  of  money  to  pay  the  postage.  When,  as 

.•     is  most  likely,  such  letters  were  from  loved  ones  in  the  far  away  home  we  can 

form  some  idea  of  the  scarcity  of  ready  money.     Of  course  daily  newspapers 

.  were  unheard  of,  even  weeklies  were  rare;  the  magazine  for  the  prairie  was 

yet  to  be.    The  peripatetic  book  man  of  other  days  was  missing  and  missed,  but 

;  in  every  home,  however  poor,  there  was  at  least  one  book,  the  Bible,  containing 
the  Old'  and  New  Testaments  with  Psalms  in  meter,  Scottish  version,  and  its 
unique  worth  in  private  estimation  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  it  was  often  re- 
ferred to  in  speaking  of  family  worship  as  "taking  the  Book." 

Coming  as  they  did  from  a  land  where  a  community  without  a  church  was 

.     unknown,  it  was  felt  as  a  peculiar  deprivation  that  they  could  not,  as  Pres- 


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752  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

By   far  the  larger  percentage   of   the   immigrants   became   farmers,   though 
quite  a   number  engaged   in   mercantile   pursuits,   and   others,    with   their   well- 
trained  hands,  well  trained  by  the  now  almost  obsolete  apprentice  system,  se-      , 
cured  for  themselves  a  competence.     Back  to  the  soil  was  not  at  that  time  a 
common  cry;  however  it  was  to  the  soil  they  nearly  all  went,  and  they  were     '  ; 
wise  or  fortunate  in  selecting  exceptionally  good  land.     It  may  not  have  been     -  . 
scientifically,    but    it    was   at    least    carefully    farmed,    and    for   many    years   the    ; 
croi)s  were  sufficiently  abundant,  and  even  though  i)rices   were  low   and  mar-    . 
kets  distant  the  early  education  in  thriftiness  which  nearly  all  had  inherited  or    . 
ac(|uired  in  the  ohl  home  made  them  "contented  wi'  little  and  cantie  wi'  niair." 
Nevertheless    this   constant    moneyless    condition    became    monotonous    and    per- 
ha])s  e.\asi)erating.  as  this  recorded  incident  will  show:     Some  guid  wife  had  .••". 
been,   perha])s  not    for   tlie   first  time,   reminded   that   she   ought  to  be  a   little       : 
more  saving,  and  replied :     "Oh.  it's  hain  whan  ye  hae  an'  it's  hain  whan  ye 
haena :  it's  a  deil  o'  a  liainin'."     The  significance  of  this  anecdote  is  not  applic- 
able to  the  women  alone,  for  the  hainin'  was  necessarily  practiced  both  indoors 
and  out,  and  it  is  well  known  that  the  women  of  the  settlement  were  in  every  ".   , 
true  sense  worthy  heljMueets  not  only  in  the  saving  but  also  in  the  making,  for        : 
were  the  fathers,  brothers,  husbands  unusually  busy  in  the  field  a  most  willing  .  : 
and  often  a  strong  hand  from  indoors  kindly  came  and  stich  were,  as  a  rule,       . 
quite  as  able  to  grace  a  harvest  field  as  "ben  the  boose."  - 

Many  of  the  settlers  had  been  brought  u])  in  houses  in  Scotland  which  were  ' 
neitber   comfortable   nor   convenient.      They   bad   but    few   ideas   and   almost   no    • 
experience  in   bouse  erection,  and   when,   with   the  help  of  neighlwrs.  they  un-      .' 
dertook  to  build,   with   logs  or  even  a    frame  house,   they   were  handling  ma- 
terials wholly  new  to  them ;  and  the  finished  product  was  not  always  a  thing     . 
of  beatity  or  convenience:  but  it  was  a  home,  it  was  their  own.  and  these  were 
comforting  thoughts:   thoughts   that  greatly   modified   their  homesickness.     The 
outl)uil(lings   were  tisually  of  a  type  even  nKjre  ])rimitive  than   the  houses,  and        . 
it  has  Ijeen  said  that  when  barn  accumulations  became  troublesome  they  move'l   ^  . 
the  barn.  ! 

Postofifices.  while  not  so  distant  as  markets,  were  not  at  all  convenient,  and    .' 
they  were  not  much  needed ;  letter  writing,  while  not  a  lost  art.  was  not  nnich 
practiced.     Tliere  was  nothing  very  exciting  to  write  alxnit  and  a  more  potent    ,_ 
reason  was  the  great  cost  of  postage,  especially  when  comjiared  with  the  aver- 
age incoyie.     It  is  well  known  that  there  were  isolated  cases  where  letters  re- 
mained in  the  bands  of  the  postmaster  for  man\   weeks  after  they  were  known       • 
to  be  there  solely  because  of  tbe  lack  of  money  to  pay  tlie  postage.     When,  as 
is  most  likely,  such  letters  were  from  loved  ones  in  tbe  far  away  liome  we  can 
form  some  idea  of  the  scarcity  of  ready  money.     Of  course  daily  newspapers 
were  tuibea'-d  of.  even   weeklies   were  rare:   the  magazine   for  the  prairie  was     . 
yet  to  be.     Tbe  peripatetic  book  man  of  other  days  was  missing  and  missed,  but 
in  every  home,  however  i)oor.  there  was  at  least  one  book,  the  liible.  containing       .-. 
the  Old  and  Xew  Testaments  with   I'salms  in  meter,  Scottish  version,  and  its 
unique  worth  in  private  estimation  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  it  was  often  re-       ••. 
ferred  to  in  s|)eaking  of  family  worshij)  as  "taking  the  Book."  . 

Coming  as  they  did  from  a  land  where  a  community  without  a  church  was 
unknown,   it   was   felt   as   a   peculiar   deprivation   that   they   could   not,   as   Pres-    ; 


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*          «*      -^    *       ^  *^  *  J 

•    "i^':^'^^ 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       V'  753 

byterians,  come  together  in  a  church  of  their  own  denomination  and  in  some 
old,   ever  new,  song,  with   the  precentor's  aid 

"Chant  their  artless  notes  in  simple  guise," 

and  not  in  the  words  of  Heber,  Watts,  Wesley  or  even  of  the  Scottish  Bonar, 
but  in  the  crudely  versified  Psalms  of  David,  in  Dundee's 

^.,,       •  •;-„         "Wild  warbling  measures  rise  ..-';. A- 

'V  V-,5^    -    •  v;  ••':        Or  plaintive  martyrs  worthy  of  the  name." 

For  a  number  of  years  in  a  most  primitive  appearing  log  structure — used 
as  a  schoolhouse — situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  Victoria  road  and  some 
three  and  one-half  miles  west  of  that  village,  a  faithful  few,  when  a  minister 
could  be  secured,  met  in  public  worship.  In  the  course  of  time  a  frame  building 
was  erected  which  served  as  schoolhouse  and  church,  and  although  the  occa- 
sional preacher  was  usually  a  Presbyterian  yet  to  some  of  the  older  attendants 
it  must  have  seemed  rather  strange  and  scarcely  the  proper  thing  to  do,  to  in- 
vite to  preach,  as  they  did,  one  who  had  been  ordained  as  a  Methodist,  or  even 
one  as  Lyman  B.  Ferris,  who,  though  respected  and  loved  by  the  whole  com- 
munity, had  never  been  ordained  at  all. 

Although  these  occasional  meetings  were  spiritually  and  socially  profitable 
and  enjoyed  as  such,  still  the  ideal  ever  present  in  the  thought  of  the  settlement 
was  their  own  church,  their  own  manse,  their  own  minister — he  who  would 
be  to  the  little  flock  a  shepherd  indeed.  Today,  when  customs  and  creeds  are 
equally  elastic,  it  is  somewhat  amusing  to  hear  of  the  peculiar  experiences,  in 
church  affairs,  of  the  iconoclasts  of  that  early  day ;  for  instance,  when  a  certain 
musical  enthusiast  induced  some  of  his  young  friends  to  join  with  him  in  organ- 
izing a  choir,  and  having  succeeded,  they,  on  a  subsequent  Sabbath,  hymn  books 
in  hand,  presented  themselves  before  the  astonished  congregation.  The  hymn  was 
announced ;  there  was  a  murmur  of  suppressed  excitement  and  one  of  the  fathers 
in  Israel  marched  out  slamming  the  door,  and  otherwise  letting  it  be  known  that 
he  disapproved  of  such  sacrilegious  conduct. 

Even  a  day  came  when  it  was  suggested  that  an  org^n  would  greatly  help  in 
the  musical  part  of  the  services ;  but  ere  the  suggestion  became  more  than  such, 
there  were  many  earnest  discussions  concerning  the  sinfulness  of  the  sin ;  and 
one  not  rigidly  sanctimonious  member  gave  them  to  understand  that  "tam  so  and 
so  and'  Johnnie  so  an'  so,  and'  me'  we  dinna  believe  in  praising  God  wi'  a 
blaw  o'  win'."  But  the  hymn  book  came,  likewise  the  organ,  likewise  heaven's 
blessings.  And  in  the  estimation  of  the  community  no  greater  blessing  could  be 
given  than  that  long  hoped  for,  fervently  prayed  for,  church  home. 

For  although,  in  April,  1855,  Rev.  T.  S.  Vaile  and  R.  C.  Matthews,  by  au- 
thority from  the  presbytery  of  Schuyler,  organized  the  John  Knox  Presbyterian 
church, — the  names  of  the  first  members  of  which  are  herewith  given :  William 
Leighton,  Janet  McCornack,  Elizabeth  Kelley  McCornack,  Samuel  McCornack, 
Janet  -Tait  McCornack,  Margaret  McGymont,  Mary  Ann  Gordon,  James  McCor- 
nack, John  McDowell,  Sr.,  Agnes  McDowell,  Mary  Miller  McCornack,  Lock- 
hart  Leighton,  John  McKie,  Janet  Stewart  McKie,  Robert  McCornack,  Peter 
McClymont,  John  McConchie,  Elizabeth  McConchie,  George  Stephenson,  Rich- 

Vol.  n— 48 


754  i    /  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ard  Stuckey,  Martha  Jane  Stuckey,  Mary  Wood,  John  Aberdeen,  David  Mc- 
Conchie.   Isabella   Stephenson. 

Trustees  elected  for  one  year:     Peter  McQymont,  William  McCornack,  An- 
drew McCornack,  Peter  Gordon,  James  McCornack.     Elected  deacon:    Andrew  ^.. 
McCornack.  ;• 

Samuel  McCornack,  Lockhart  Leighton,  Richard  Stuckey  were  elected  elders. 
However,  it  was  not  until  the  spring  of  1863,  that,  on  land  donated  by  James 
Cook,  the  thankful  congregation  finally  realized  their*  fondest  hopes  and  saw 
their  own  church  occupying  the   site   whereon  had  stood  the  log  and   frame  ._. 
schoolhouses  both  of  which,  by  their  associations,  had  been  endeared  to  them.        ' 

The  name  given  was  an  additional  bond  that  bound  as  one,  the  old  land  and 
the  new.     Here  for  nearly  fifty  years  this  Scottish  community  weekly  assembled 
in  public  worship.     No  doubt,  during  the  services  many  hearts  turned  to  the 
auld  hame,  to  the  auld  kirk,  where  all  around  the  "mossy  marbles"  mutely  marked  .. ' 
where  -.  •  ,     :.  ,-..,•.;-      :  .-••-•:•'.    '-;.•:.  .''..•;.^ 

;    '  .-.'V  "The  rude  forefathers  of  the  hamlet  sleep."!       • 

The  John  Knox  Presbyterian  church,  born  of  the  desire  of  the  Scottish  im- 
migrants to  gather  as  a  body  of  worshippers,  lived  its  life — a  life  of  blessing  to  the 
individual  and  to  the  community ;  it  ceased  to  exist  as  a  structure,  it  even  ceased 
as  an  organization,  but  its  influence  has  not  and  shall  not  cease.  Many  of 
the  members  took  their  letters  of  dismissal  and  allied  themselves  with  the  church 
of  their  choice  in  some  nearby  village;  others  moved  to  various  parts  of  the 
state;  others  to  states  farther  west;  and  some,  like  the  old  church,  ceased  to  be. 

And  yet  must  we  not  conclude  that  the  spirit  which  animated  the  fathers, 
that  spirit  which  defied  militant  persecutors,  who,  with  fire  and  sword  for 
decades,  desolated  Scotland,  has  not  yet  vanished  from  the  land?  Are  there 
now  none  who  are  willing  to  make  sacrifices,  to  give  life  itself  that  the  right  to 
worship  God  as  they  choose  may  not  perish  from  the  earth? 

In  this,  an  age  of  readjustment  in  matters  of  belief,  do  the  Scots  of  today 
forget  their  duty  to  the  neighbor,  be  that  neighbor  in  Knox  county  or  in 
Hindostan  ? 

Perhaps  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  Scots  of  today  are  still  fairly 
Christian  in  their  ideals,  fairly  Christian  in  their  daily  living,  fairly  Christian  in 
their  forgetfulness  of  the  lapses  of  the  yesterday,  fairly  Christian  in  their  un- 
faltering faith  in  the  morrow. 

Therefore,  though  the  church  itself  is  but  a  memory,  even  the  original  or- 
ganization beyond  human  reconstruction,  yet  may  not  the  scattered  remnant 
collectively  or  individually,  in  the  words  of  Tennyson,  look  trustfully  to  ....... 

;'.-:i;;^      .  "That  God  who  ever  lives  and  loves,  •.    -    • 

•    {^x'  .:  One  God,  one  law,  one  element  /   :    ' 

-•if^''    •  And  one  far  off  divine  event  ^   .  , 

:'  =  To  which  the  whole  creation  moves." 

It  must  have  been,  to  the  remaining  few,  a  day  of  peculiar  sadness,  when 
the  purchaser  of  their  old  and  loved  church  home  began  the  work  of  demolition 
and  in  truth  they  might  have  said,  "The  past  rises  before  me  like  a  dream.'* 


^V-.:;/:       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  755 

They  remembered  the  daily  self-denial  on  the  part  of  the  community  as  a  whole, 
a  self-denial  with  one  principal  aim  in  view.  They  were  willing  to  bear  the 
inconveniences  and  discomforts  of  their  poorly  built,  poorly  furnished  homes, 
and  in  time  they  gladly  realized  that  the  many  littles  made  a  meikle,  and  that 
meikle  became  transformed  into  a  church  of  their  choice,  and  that  assuredly  was 
well  worth,  not  a  day,  but  many  days  of  self-denial,  and  afterwards  of  hearty 
thanksgiving. 

It  is  not  to  be  inferred  that  at  that  time  there  was,  among  the  settlers,  any 

real  poverty,  they  were — to  slightly  change  the  words  of  Burns — "Weel  fedy 

weel  clad,  weel  sarkit,"  but  the  money-getting  opportunities  on  the  prairie  were 

exceedingly  limited,  and  the  individual  capital  brought  from  Scotland  was  meager 

enough,  for  by  far  the  larger  part  of  the  immigrants  were  drawn   from  the 

ranks  of  the  smaller  tenant  farmers  who,  through  the  strictest  economy,  were  in 

comparatively  easy  circumstances,  but  found  it  impossible  to  furnish  the  means  for 

placing  each  member  of  the  family  in  a  position  similar  to  their  own.     Such, 

however,  were  well  equipped  to  make  their  way  in  this  new  land ;  theirs  had  been 

a  life  of  hard  work,  plain  fare,  and  small  pay ;  such  conditions,  for  a  considerable 

time,  were  much  the  same  here;  socially  there  was  little,  if  any,  change;  in  the 

old  home  they  met  and  mingled  with  their  own  class ;  there  being  scarcely  any 

other  here,  they  freely  mingled  as  before.     But  a  very  few  had  received  the 

so-called  higher  education,  yet  as  a  rule  a  thorough  schooling  had  not  been 

•I!-,  neglected  and  it  is  almost  certain  that  there  is  not  now,  nor  at  any  time  has 

been,  in  this  county,  a  person  of  Scottish  birth  who  is  or  was  wholly  illiterate. 

As  stated,  but  very  few  were  highly  educated,  so  that,  in  this  respect,  all  were 

j  fv  on  a  fairly  good  level,  as  in  their  intellectual,  so  in  their  moral  and  religious  train- 

.;•  •;  •    ing,  and  this  sameness  manifested  itself  in  the  neighborly  spirit  that  permeated 

:  and  controlled  the  community;  they  seemed  to  share  their  joys  and  their  sor- 
rows. They  shared  their  toil,  and  this  kindly  and  mutual  helpfulness  in  some 
measure  grew  out  of  a  mutual  need,  and  this  in  turn  developed  that  spirit  of 

'''  •  unfeigned  hospitality,  which  is  one  of  the  most  pronounced  and  redeeming  traits 
of  the  Scottish  peasantry ;  and  though  here  but  a  transplanted  virtue,  it  found  a 
congenial  environment,  so  that  not  only  relatives,  friends,  neighbors,  but  even 
the  stranger  within  the  gates  lacked  not  of  aught  which  the  humble  prairie  home 
could  grant. 

They  were  equally  neighborly  in  their  recreations.  As  towns,  villages  and 
dollars  were  scarce,  they  were  compelled  to  furnish  their  own  amusements,  and 
one  that  was  much  and  often  enjoyed  was  dancing,  and  it  is  quite  probable 
that  it  was  indulged  in  oftener  than  was  recommended  by  some  of  those  who 

.  had  lost  the  knack  thereof.  It  also  was  a  transplanted  virtue — or  vice — as  the 
case  may  be,  and  the  vicinity  seldom  lacked  some  rustic  violinist  who  perhaps 

,         knew  as  much  of  Greek  as  of  musical  notes,  j'et  he  all  the  same  with 

'.   .,-c './,;:''-•;      ;     "Hornpipes,  jigs,   strathsplys   and  reels      _  "-y  ;.^ 

/.^•;^..iv^,  .-'X-;  '          Put  life  and  mettle  in  their  heels."          ,      ... 

And  on  other  occasions,  at  social  gatherings,  the  long  winter  evening  was 
most  pleasantly  spent  at  what  was  locally  known  as  "sang  aboot,"  and  the  songs 
were  almost  invariably  reminders  of  the  land  where 


756  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          .,  ,;  :  : 

"The  snawdrap  and  primrose  the  woodlands  adorn  ; 

.  And  violets  bathe  in  the  (dew)  o'  the  morn."     :    ...     v.  • 

Or  Annie  Laurie,  Bonnie  Boon,  Afton  Water,  Coming  Thro'  the  Rye,  John 
Anderson  My  Jo,  and  the  parting  song  seldom  failed  to  have  the  words:   '.'.:-/ 

•  "We  twa  hae  paid 'It  i' the  burn  A:  ;;;:.-;'c-    :^'.^V^"^^^^ 

Frae   morning   sun   til   dine."      \V  •''   i       ,•;•;• 

r    '   All  of  the.se  various  amusements — the  dance,  the  song,  or  what  not — were  in      .'  ; 
their  rustic  manner  as  eagerly  pursued  and  as  keenly  enjoyed  as  such  ever     .    : 
could  have  been  under  what  might  be  considered  more  favorable  circumstances;     ;  •: 
but  all  were  wholly  weekday  pleasures.     When  the  Sabbath  came  it  was  Sab-     '•.[•'. 
bath  indeed.     If  anyone  to  himself  or  herself  essayed  to  hum  a  tune  there  cer-     V" 
tainly  was  no  hint  of  ragtime  in  it.    Lips  were  so  trained  they  could  not  take    ;."  • 
on,  on  that  day,  a  whistling  form;  there  was  in  all  and  over  all  a  Sabbath  sol-       x' 
emnity,  and,  as  has  been  mentioned,  for  years  previous  to  the  erection  of  the     ;./' 
John  Knox  church  services  were  held  and  attendance  at  public  worship  was      vr 
not  a  matter  of  good  weather,  good  clothes  or  even  of  good  intentions,  but 
was  strictly  a  religious  duty.    They  brought  with  them  from  over  the  sea  some      ^. 
national  failings,  and  may  have  acquired  a  few  after  their  arrival,  but  non-at-     ;  , 
tendance  at  church  on  the  Sabbath  day  was  not  one  of  them.    There  was,  how-       .; 
ever,  as  shown  by  the  records,  an  occasional  individual  who  for  some  reason,      ;• 
or  for  no  reason,  absented  himself  even  for  years  from  church,  and  it  being     S'^' 
the  duty  of  the  session  to  advise,  admonish,  indeed,  so  far  as  possible,  compel       " 
the  recalcitrant  member  to  at  least  assume  the  virtue  of  attending  divine  serv-       / 
ices,  and,  by  holding  the  sword  of  excommunication  over  the  guilty  head,  an 
apparent,  if  not  a  real  change  of  heart  usually  took  place.  I    "  ...  -  :  '  .. 

It  is,  however,  a  pleasure  to  note  that  the  labors  of  the  elders  were  not    ?••. 
greatly  increased  on  this  account.  -  , 

In  the  reference  on  a  previous  page  to  the  school  master  it  is  feared  that  .; 
some  may  have  received  the  impression  that  he  was  in  his  sphere  a  tyrant,  and  •«' 
it  is  no  doubt  true  that  there  were,  in  that  profession,  men  who  were  patience-  :.; 
less,  tactless,  overbearing,  even  cruel,  as  there  are  such  in  all  the  grades  from 
the  prince  to  the  pauper,  inclusive,  but  in  their  life  and  life's  work  they  were 
worthy  of  honor,  respect,  love,  as  earnest,  capable,  Christian  gentlemen ;  it  is 
also  true  that  in  the  schoolroom  their  word  was  law,  they  were  clothed  with 
more  than  a  little  brief  authority,  but  such  authority  was  simply  on  a  par  with 
that  in  the  home.  The  phrase,  the  life's  work,  may  to  some  appear  meaning- 
less when  we  note  that  teachers  of  to-day,  in  a  way,  resemble  birds  of  passage, 
changing  schools  as  they  might  garments.  I  well  remember  the  master  from 
whom  I  received  my  school  training.  He  had  been  in  the  same  position  for 
years  previous  to  my  school  days  and  for  many  years  afterwards,  and  from  the 
same  school  within  a  short  time  a  teacher  voluntarily  retired  after  an  incum- 
bency of  more  than  forty  years.  It  is  small  wonder  that  the  teacher  ranked 
high  as  a  component  part  of  the  community,  for  besides  his  scholarly  acquire- 
ments, which  were  of  a  high  order,  he  shared  with  the  minister  in  the  moral 
and  spiritual  training  of  the  .young.  Therefore  in  the  matter  of  doctrinal  sound- 
ness he  had  to  be  like  Caesar's  wife,  above  suspicion ;  and  it  is  little  less  wonder 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


757 


that  in  all  of  their  world-wide  wanderings  these  teachers  never  lost  sight  of 
many  a  gifted  and  longer  lived  "Geordie  Hoo."  The  pen  picture  of  the  "Dom- 
sie" by  Ian  McLaren,  while  faultlessly  truthful,  is  not  at  all  unique.  Many 
of  us  can  call  from  memory's  "land  of  used  to  be"  just  such  another,  so  that 
we  can  most  heartily  appreciate  the  beautiful  little  poem,  and  bless  the  author, 
Dr.  John  H.  Finley,  for  putting  into  rhyme  and  that  in  our  own  loved  dialect, 
"The  Retirement  of  Domsie." 

'^-"^  V-  .;•  y     .:  •          "Dear  Domsie  has  slippit  awa',     .,.*!.  ^'    '.^  >V-^-• 
V;.^  v'  »  ;•   '      '           He's  silently  gane  frae  the  glen;    ^-^  •  .        ^:'v^' :'v^;, 
—  ,;;..•,•  V.'        .1     He  heard  i'  the  nicht  a  voice  ca',      ;,  .v        ,J  .\  :  rv-ir"  I'.- '^ 
Guid  servant  and  faithfu',  'Come,  Ben.'"  .      •    i'-^V^^-'^- 
and  concluding:  V  "-^^  ^  ''k   •'; 
"Whan  I  maun  gang  oot  frae  myglen;  '-••':     'j    ^j^;--^ 
An'  owre  strange  hills  I  maun  fare,      .  %;!  -i'^'b ''•-  . 
I  pray  to  meet  Domsie  again  .     •      .•>-•'     >-:-r*^ 
Whaur  skails  the  bit  schule  nevermair."  ' 

The  following  is  a  list  of  people  of  Scottish  birth  who  are,  or  have  been, 
residents  of  Knox  county,  and,  while  not  strictly  accurate  in  names  or  dates, 
is  approximately  so: 

'  ,.  '•          '  •          FROM   COUNTY  OF  AYR  AND  DATE  ARRIVAL  IN   AMERICA  ',  :      ' 


—A—         .^.  . 
Allen,  Mrs  .............  .  .  .....  1853 

Andrew,  Thomas   ..............  1855 

Andrew,  John  .................  1855 

Andrew,  Hugh  ................  1855 

Andrew,  Mrs.  Hugh  ............  1855 

Anderson,  James   ..............  1860 

Anderson,  Mrs.  James  ..........  1860 

Anderson,  James,  Jr  ............  1860 

Anderson,  A.  B  ................  1852 

—  B—,.  ,.....,  :^^.^_.,,  -,.,-. 

Boyd,  James    ........  ..........  1857 

.  Baird,  Hugh    ..................  1868 

Baird,  Thomas    ................  1875 

r^-./-.;v    .-.:••       _c  __  '^  -v,..^  --    ••  .  .. 

'   -    •  V^  '    '  '•     -      ' 

Collinson,  Mrs  .................  1849 


Dougan,  Hugh    .............  ...  1855 


Dougan,  John   .................  1855 

Dougan,  Mrs  ..................  1855 

Dougan,  Mrs.  James  ...........  1857 

Doak,  John  ....................  1848 

Doak,  Mrs.  John  ...............  1853 

Dougan,  Gilbert   ...............  1855 

Dougan,  James   ................  1855 


Gibson,   James    ................  1856 

Gibson,    Mrs.   James  ............  1856 

Griffith,  Mrs.  William  ...........  1856 

Gemmel,  Thomas   ..............  1856 

Greig,  Hugh   ..................  1866 

Gehring,  Mrs.  Christian  .........  1856 

—  H—       ::..- 
Hobbs,   Mrs.  John  ......  .  .......  1856 

Hobbs,  Mrs.  Thomas  ............  1855 

Hamilton,  Andrew   .............  1852 

Hamilton,  David  ...............  1852 

Hansen,  Mrs.  Swan  .............  1874 

Hansen,   Jean    .................  1874 

Hurst,    Mrs.   John  ..............  1850 

Howie,  Mrs  ...................  1850 

_J_     ^-V., 

Johnston,   Mrs.  Joseph..  ........  1857 

Johnston,  Mrs.  Joseph  ...........  1880 

Jennings,  Mrs  .................  1853 

—  L—      ;v;-..;. 
Logan,  John   .............  .  ____  1880 


758 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


;    •-:  _M—  •      ./>.•.;> 

Meikle,  James  1880 

Morrison,   Matthew    1853 

Morrison,    Alexander 1848 

:      Morgan,  John  1853 

Morgan,  Charles   1853 

Morgan,  Robert   1853 

•    Morgan,  William   1853 

Morgan,  Mrs.  A.  D 1860 

Morgan,   A.   D 1853 

Main,   Andrew    1853 

.     Main,  Mrs.  William 1853 

Main,   William    1853 

Montgomery,  Thomas   1860 

,    Montgomery,  Mrs.  Thomas 1856 

,      Main,  Peter 1855 

Main,  Mrs.   Peter 1855 

Main,  James    1860 

.    Morgan,  James  1853 

Murdoch,  Thomas    1850 

'.    Murdoch,   Mrs.  Thomas 1850 

'    Murdoch,    Francis 1850 

•  :  Murdoch,  James  1850 

•.-:%:,.--.-,,  —Me—         .    .       ,.,:    ;•  . 

McMaster,  George  1850 

McMaster,  Thomas  1850 

V  McKie;  William  1840 

McKie,  Mrs.  William 1840 

.   McKie,  Thomas    1843 

V  McKie,  Mrs.  Thomas 1854 

McKie,  John 1849 

McKie,  Mrs.  John 1849 

McKie,  Robert  1849 

Mcllrick,  Helen  1850 

!  McGaan,  William  1857 

McGaan,  Mrs.  William 1857 

V  McGaan,  James 1857 

;  McQuarrie,  Alan 1850 

McQuarrie,  Mrs.  Alan 1850 

McMaster,  John 1850 

McMaster,  Mrs.  John 1850 

.  McMaster,  John 1850 

-  McMaster,   James 1850 

. :  McMaster,  David 1850 

"'  McCulloch,  Mrs.  William. 1856 

'    McCulloch,   James i86i 


McCulloch,   Mrs.  James. :'......  .1861 

McCulloch,  Douglas i86i 

McCulloch,  John i86i 

McCulloch,    Agnes i86i      - 

McCulloch,  Janet i86i    - . 

McDonald,   Mrs 1858      ' 

McCornack,  Mrs.  Robert 1857    " 

McClymont,    Peter 1844 

McSkimming,    Hugh , .  1856    . 

McMillan,  James 1878 

Mcllraith,  John 1890   X 

McSkimming,  Mrs.  Hugh 1856    ^ 

McSkimming,  William 1856 

McSkimming,    Hugh 1856    J; 

Parker,  Mrs ...'...  1865     ' 

Peacock,  Andrew 1857      - 


Regan,   John 1842     -  • 

Regan,  Mrs.  John 1842     • 

Stewart,  Charles 1853      , 

Stewart,  Mrs.  Charles 1852     ^ 

Stephenson,  Mrs.  George 1864 

Simpson,    David 1857 

Smith,  Mrs.  Joseph 1857 

— T— 
Tower,   Mrs .'; . . .  1856 

Whannel,  Peter ......1857 

Whannel,  Thomas 1857 

Whannel,  Robert 1857 

Whannel,  Mrs.  John 1857 

Whannel,  John 1857 

Whannel,  John 1857 

Walkenshaw,  Mrs 1853 

Wallace,  David 1854 

Wallace,  Mrs.  David 1854 

Wallace,  Alexander 1854 

Wallace,  John 1854 

FROM  COUNTY  OF  ABERDEEN 

Chalmers,  George  S 1872 

Stephenson,  George 1850 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


759 


FROM    COUNTY   OF   BANFF 

Mackintosh,  George  D 1860 

FROM   COUNTY  OF  ELGIN 

Davidson,  William 1858 

Innes,  Mr 1^56 

McL.  Davidson,  Peter 1880 

McL.  Davidson,  Mrs.  Peter 1880 

McL.  Davidson,  Mrs.  Peter 1909 

McKay,  Mrs.  William 1890 

McKay,  William 1890 

Murdock.  George  A 1857 

Phimster,  Mr 1856 

FROM  COUNTY  OF  KINCARDINE 

Aberdeen,  John 1852 

Leighton,  John 1850 

Leighton,  John  A 1835 

Leighton,   Lockhart 1850 

Leighton,  Mrs.  Lockhart 1850 

Leighton,  Mrs.  Lockhart 1852 

Leighton,  William 1835 

Leighton,  Mrs.  William 1835 

Stpphenson,  Mrs.  William 1852 

Wood,  Alexander 1852 

Wallace,  Mrs.  John 1852 

FRQM    COUNTY    OF    KIRKCUDBRIGHT 

Anderson,  Mrs.  A.  B 1857 

Gordon,  Peter 1847 

Gordon,  Mrs.  Peter 1845 

Hamilton,  Mrs.  David 1850 

McCornack,  Mr 1837 

McComack,  Mrs 1837 

McCornack,   James  .1 1835 

McCornack,  Mrs.  James 1835 

McCornack,  Robert 1837 

McCornack,  Mrs.  Robert 1837 

McCornack,  Samuel 1839 

McComack,  Mrs.  Samuel 1839 

McCornack,  William 1839 

McCornack,  James 1839 

McCornack,  Margaret 1839 

McCornack,  Alexander 1839 

McCornack,  Mrs.  Alexander 1839 

McCartney,   Mr 1850 

McConchie,  Mrs.  Robert 1850 

McCuIloch,  Jane 1865 

McCulloch,  Jennie 1865 

McCulloch,  William 1857 


McQuie,    Peter  .....  ...  .........  1857 

McQuie,  Mrs.  Peter  ----  .  ........  1857 

McQuie,  John  ......  ............  1857 

McQuie,   William  ----  •  ...........  1857 

McCulloch,  John  ................  1865 

McCulloch,  Mrs.  John  ...........  1865 

Muir,  Thomas  ..................  1839 

Rodecker,  Mrs  ..................  1850 

Reid,  Samuel  ...........  ........  1850 

Stephenson,    James  ..............  1850 

Stephenson,  George  L  ...........  1850 

Stephenson,  William  .............  1850 

Stephenson,   Andrew  .............  1850 

Scott,  Robert  ...............  ^  ____  1850 

Tait,  Peter  .....................  1845 

Tait,  Huston  ...................  1845 

Tait,  John  .....................  1845 

Tait,    William  ..................  1845 

Talbot,  Mrs.  William  ............  1850 

FROM    COUNTY  OF  LANARK 

Cation,  James  ..................  1843 

Cation,  Mrs.  James  .............  1852 

Cation,  William  .................  1843 

Cation,   Mrs.   William  ...........  1843 

Colville,   George  ............  ____  1851 

Colville,  William  ................  1851 

Colville,  Robert  .................  1850 

McLean,  Mr  ..................  .  .  1884 

Reid,  David  ....................  1858 

Thompson,    Mr  ..................  1884 

FROM   COUNTY  OF  LINLITHGOW 

Cook,  Mrs.  James  ...............  1851 

FROM  COUNTY  OF  PERTH 

Robertson,  Daniel  ...............  1828 

Robertson,   Alexander  ...........  1828 

FROM   COUNTY  OF  ROXBURGH 

Cook,   James  ...................  1852 

Scott,   T.   A  ....................  1880 

Stothart,    Henry 


FROM   COUNTY  OF  STIRLING 

Johnston,  James  ................  1882 

FROM    COUNTY  OF   WIGTON 

Black,  Mrs.  William  .............  1854 

Brown,  Mrs.  B.  F  ...............  1863 

Burt,  Mrs.  John  ................  1863 


760 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Dougan,  Mrs.  Gilbert 1857 

Greig,  Mrs.  Hugh 1868 

Johnston,    Joseph 1852 

Johnston,    Williatm 1862 

Kester,  Mrs.  Charles 1852 

Logg,    William 1856 

Logg,  Mrs.  William 1856 

Logg,  James  1856 

Logg,  William 1856 

Logg,   John 1856 

Logg,   Elizabeth 1856 

Mackintosh,  Mrs.  Geo.  D 1861 

McConnel,    William 1878 

McConnel,  Mrs.  William 1878 

McConnel,    Alexander 1878 

McConnel,  James 1878 

McConnel,  David 1878 

McConnel,  John 1878 

McConnel,   Joseph 1878 

McConnel,  Albert 1878 

McConnel,   Jessie 1878 

McConnel,  Mary 1878 

McLean,  William 1869 

McLean,  Mrs.  William 1869 

McLean,  James 1869 

McLean,   John 1869 

McLean,  Maggie 1869 

McLean,   Mary 1869 

McLean,  Elizabeth 1869 

McConnel,    William 

McConnel,  Mrs.  William 

McKie,  Mrs.  Robert 1856 

McConchie,  David 1850 

!McConchie,  Mrs.  David 1850 

McConchie,  Robert 1857 

McConchie,  Mrs.  Robert 1857 

McConchie,  Alexander 1857 

McConchie,   David 1857 


McConchie,    William 1857 

McConchie,  John. 1854 

McConchie,  Mrs.  John ...1854 

McConchie,  John 1854 

McConchie,  James 1854 

McConchie,  Samuel 1854 

McConchie,  Agnes 1854 

McConchie,  John 1854 

McDowell,  John 1848 

McDowell,  Mrs.  John 1848 

McDowell,  John 1848 

McDowell,  Mrs.  John 1848 

McKissock,  Peter 1872 

Matteson,  Mrs.  Charles 1863 

Milroy,  John 1850 

Milroy,  Mrs.  John 1850 

Milroy,  Samuel 1850 

Milroy,  Mrs.  Samuel 1850 

Milroy,  Alexander 1850 

Milroy,  Alexander 1850 

Milroy,  Mrs.  Alexander 1850 

Milroy,  Mrs.  Alexander 1850 

Olmstead,  Mrs 1863 

Peacock,  Mrs.  Andrew 1860 

Ross,  David 1863 

Ross,  Mrs.  David 1863 

Ross,  James 1863 

Ross,  William , 1863 

Ross,  Jessie 1863 

Scott,  John iSs) 

Scott,  Mrs.  John 1851 

Scott,  Alexander 1851 

Scott,  Mrs.  Alexander 1851 

Sweeny,  Peter 1860 

Sweeny,  William 1860 

Sweeny,  Mrs.  William 1860 

Sweeny,  John 1860 


•l. . 


THE  NEGRO  PEOPLE 


A  history  of  the  people  of  Knox  county  would  be  far  from  complete  without 
some  account  of  the  negroes.  In  fact,  when  we  come  to  consider  the  different 
races  that  have  homes  here,  the  negro  race  is  of  scarcely  less  importance  than  any 
other  one  race.  Not  perhaps  on  account  of  the  work  it  has  done  or  on  account  of 
any  place  it  has  filled  in  this  county  from  an  economic  viewpoint,  but  rather 


'^    -   "^ -''       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -^  761 

because  its  history  here  is  supplemental  to  conditions  and  experiences  which 
were  at  the  bottom  of  a  civilization  which  had  been  developing  in  one-half  of  the 
whole  United  States  for  two  hundred  years.  The  influence  of  negro  slavery 
can  be  seen  in  old  colonial  life  of  Virginia,  Maryland  and  the  Carolinas  and 
wherever  that  life  existed.  It  may  be  difficult  to  imagine  that  the  courtly  man- 
ners, the  quiet  dignity,  the  almost  limitless  hospitality  which  characterized  the 
southern  colonial  gentleman  had  its  origin  largely  in  the  unrequited  toil  of  an 
inferior  race.  Of  course  climatic  conditions  always  play  a  part  in  moulding  the 
character  of  a  race;  but  beyond  all  this,  the  fact  that  the  institution  of  slavery 
gave  leisure  and  therefore  refinement  to  the  whole  household  still  remains.  The 
financially  successful  owners  of  slaves  had  much  less  to  do  than  their  northern 
brethren  who  not  only  contended  with  a  more  vigorous  climate  but  looked  wholly 
after  their  own  personal  matters  upon  which  their  subsistence  and  that  of  their 
families  depended.  The  leisure  that  was  enjoyed  in  the  southern  colonial  home 
was  spent  largely  in  the  entertainment  of  friends.  Th  social  side  of  life  was 
the  principal  element  in  which  he  lived  and  the  largest  contribution  that  came 
to  this  state  of  existence  came  from  the  negro  slave.  This  life  had  been  moulding 
the  southern  character  for  generations. 

But  let  it  be  said  of  the  negro  slave,  that  the  institution  of  slavery  did  not 
inure  to  the  sole  benefit  of  the  white  men.  The  negro  received  a  certain  benefit 
•also.  Some  of  them  lived  on,  comparatively,  quite  intimate  terms  with  their 
masters  and  derived  much  intellectual  benefit  thereby.  And  it  would  seem  that 
in  no  other  way  can  we  account  for  the  phenomenal  advancement  of  the  race 
since  the  limiting  influences  of  slavery  have  been  removed.  The  progress  of 
the  black  man  in  the  United  States  has  been  almost  as  remarkable  in  the  last 
half  century  as  the  progress  of  the  Japanese  in  Japan  and  if  we  consider  the 
races  from  the  standpoint  of  general  improvement  and  not  the  military  side,  we 
may  reasonably  give  the  negro  first  place.  The  number  of  homes  that  the 
negroes  have  made  for  themselves,  the  farms  that  they  have  acquired,  the  pro- 
fessions  they  have  adopted,  the  wealth  they  have  gained,  not  only  as  a  people, 
but  as  individuals  (some  of  them  are  really  wealthy),  all  speak  most  hopefully 
of  and  for  the  future  of  our  colored  citizens. 

Truly,  then,  a  consideration  of  the  negro  race  in  Knox  county  will  be  of 
especial  interest. 

This  consideration,  however,  is  attended  with  more  or  less  difficulty.  The 
first  comers  left  little  or  no  record  of  their  doings.  Most  of  them  have  passed 
away  and  those  who  are  still  living  have  rather  poor  or  uncertain  memories,  so 
that  anything  like  exact  or  authentic  accounts  are  hard  to  get.  Generally  speak- 
ing, the  negroes  have  been  unskilled  day  laborers  in  this  county.  Some  have 
been  masons,  some  carpenters,  and  others  contractors.  We  are  pleased  to  present 
the  following  article  by  Mr.  Lewis  .C.  Carter,  one  of  our  most  respected  citizens 
of  the  negro  race: 

'  .  .......  .     .          ;-^:  .r;,,     i;='''-?X':' 

;  /  V.     /-'    ;,;;.4  ••       THE  NEGRO  RACE — BY  MR.  LEWIS  c.  CARTER  '' r^''/ ;^'-•^. ;". 

Among  the  first  of  the  negro  people  coming  to  Knox  county  before  the  civil 
war  were  Harry  Van  Allen  and  Susan  Van  Allen,  his  wife.  They  came  some 
time  about  the  year  1840.  They  were  free  people  and  if  they  were  ever  slaves. 


762  ;      :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

the  writer  never  knew  it.  Being  the  only  colored  people  in  Galesburg  at  that 
time,  they  were  very  prominent.  Mrs.  Van  Allen  was  a  member  of  the  old 
First  church.  Mr.  Van  Allen  died  some  time  in  the  fifties. 

Two  children  were  born  to  them,  Mary  and  Owen  Van  Allen.  Owen  Van 
Allen  became  a  barber,  following  the  trade  of  his  father.  He  is  now  living  in 
the  west.  Mary  died  some  years  ago. 

Some  years  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Van  Allen  was  married  to 
Mr.  Thomas  Richardson,  being  his  second  wife.  Thomas  Richardson  was  also 
among  the  early  colored  people  of  Galesburg,  He  and  his  first  wife,  were  about 
the  second  arrivals  in  Galesburg  of  the  colored  people.  Mr.  Richardson 
became  a  prominent  and  useful  citizen  of  Knox  county.  His  home  was  on  the 
corner  of  West  and  Ferris  streets  where  the  Galesburg  Electric  Light  and  Power 
company's  plant  now  stands.  The  property  passed  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Rich- 
ardsons  a  few  years  ago.  Mr.  Richardson  was  well  known  as  a  good  farmer  and 
a  very  capable  teamster.  He  had  eight  children,  four  sons  and  four  daughters  and 
all  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood.  The  boys  were  Tilford,  Samuel,  Ben- 
jamin and  Richard ;  the  daughters,  Angeline,  Janet,  Clarissa,  and  Prodine.  Farm- 
ing was  the  principal  occupation  of  the  sons.  They  were  well  known  in  the  city 
and  county  for  years.  Samuel  owned  property  in  the  northwest  corner  of  section 
nine,  Galesburg  township.  As  far  as  known,  all  of  the  first  family  of  children 
are  dead.  Some  of  the  grandchildren  are  living.  Alfred  Richardson 
still  resides  in  this  city.  He  has  been  a  trusted  night  watchman  of 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  company  for  many  years,  and  his 
devotion  to  duty  has  given  him  an  enviable  reputation.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he 
is  known  to  the  tramps  who  swarm  in  this  part  of  the  state  as  a  man  who  permits 
no  lounging  about  the  company's  buildings  or  yard.  He  has  served  several  terms 
on  the  police  force  of  the  city  with  equal  credit. 

The  Searles  family  was  one  of  the  largest  of  the  early  colored  families.  The 
old  gentleman,  Mr.  Francis  Searles,  was  born  in  Steward  county,  Georgia,  March 
8.  1772.  He  was  a  white  man.  His  wife.  Mrs.  Polly  Searles.  was  born  in  the 
same  county  and  state  and  was  a  colored  woman.  They  left  their  native  state  in 
the  year  1847  and  came  to  Galesburg  where  they  made  their  home  until  he  died, 
in  1875.  For  a  time  they  lived  on  South  Chambers  street.  He  bought  the  old 
Chappell  farm  situated  one  mile  northwest  of  Galesburg,  where  he  was  living 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  wife  followed  him  a  few  years  after.  Their  family 
consisted  of  three  sons  and  six  daughters  and  they  all  reached  mature  ages, 
and  they  stood  well  among  their  people.  James  Matteson  Searles,  the  oldest  son, 
was  an  expert  in  well-digging  and  laying  sewer.  His  son  George  W.  Searles  was 
a  graduate  of  Knox  college.  John  Adams  Searles,  the  youngest  son,  moved  to 
Kansas  and  settled  upon  a  farm  belonging  to  one  of  his  sisters,  where  he  died  last 
year.  The  other  brother  died  in  1880.  The  daughters  were  Mary  Ann,  Jane 
Gensey,  Betsey,  Sarah,  Charlotte  and  Martha.  Four  of  the  daughters  are  still 
living  and  are  well  along  in  years.  Mary  Ann  lives  on  North  Henderson  street  and 
her  name  is  Richardson.  She  is  the  mother  of  Albert  Richardson  above  spoken  of. 
Charlotte  lives  at  473  South  Chambers  street  where  she  has  resided  since  the  death 
of  her  parents.  She  was  injured  in  a  railroad  accident  some  forty  years  ago,  by 
which  she  lost  a  leg  and  an  arm.  She  follows  the  trade  of  dressmaker  and  earns 


'•'•'•     -:^V"      HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  768 

• 

her  living  thereby.  The  olcier  sister  runs  a  nine  hundred  acre  farm  in  Kansas. 
She  is  a  widow.  The  youngest  sister,  Martha,  lives  in  Chicago.  The  mother 
was  a  liberated  slave  before  the  war  and  the  children  were  all  free-born. 

Rev.  Levi  Henderson  was  the  first  negro  minister  of  Galesburg.  He  came 
in  an  early  day  and  his  home  was  about  No.  423  West  Tompkins  street.  Rev. 
Henderson  built  the  first  colored  church  in  Galesburg,  known  as  Allen  Chapel 
on  East  Tompkins  street.  Rev.  Henderson  was  a  very  devout  man.-  The  writer 
of  this  article,  at  that  time  a  runaway  slave  boy,  had  the  pleasure  of  living  with 
him  in  July,  1863.  He  died  in  the  '7os  and  his  wife  followed  him  a  few  years 
later. 

Rev.  McGill  and  his  wife,  Rachel,  were  a  very  venerable  couple.  Mr.  McGill 
was  one  of  the  early  pastors  of  Allen  chapel.  He  was  a  retired  minister  of  the 
denomination.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  two  sons  and  five  daughters. 
One  of  the  daughters  is  living  in  Iowa.  His  son,  Isaiah  McGill,  was  well  known 
in  Galesburg  for  many  years.  He  followed  the  trade  of  brick  mason  and  plasterer. 
His  son,  Hiram  McGill,  is  now  living  in  this  city  and  follows  the  trade  of  his 
father  Isaiah. 

Many  families  came  from  the  south  during  and  after  the  war,  which  in- 
creased the  colored  population  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county  very  materially. 
Aaron  Welcome  and  his  wife,  Sarah,  came  in  1862.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
also  followed  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1863  he,  with  William  Webster,  John 
Davis  and  several  others,  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 
There  also  came  the  following  between  1862  and  1875 :  George  Fletcher, 
Thomas  Roads  and  wife,  Paul  Fletcher  and  wife,  Abraham  Murray  and  wife. 
Perry  Cook  and  wife,  Edward  Washington  and  wife,  William  Stewart,  William 
Laport,  Peter  Lawsey,  William  Elsey  and  brother,  George  Owens  and  wife, 
John  Brown  and  wife,  George  Solomon,  John  Hopkins  and  wife,  Elijah  Slaugh- 
ter and  wife,  John  A.  Logan,  James  Lyons  and  wife,  Moses  Jenkins  and  wife, 
James  Johnson  and  wife,  Andrew  Anderson  and  wife,  Thomas  Stevens  and  wife, 
Elias  Fletcher  and  wife,  Jefferson  Turner  and  wife,  James  McGruder  and  wife 
and  Dennis  Fletcher  and  wife.  Several  sons  of  Andrew  Anderson  are  still  liv- 
ing in  Galesburg  and  Charles  McGruder,  son  of  James  McGruder,  is  now  the 
janitor  of  Central  Primary  school  building. 

The  Gash  family  constitutes  quite  a  large  circle.  They  came  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  war.  They  were  Jefferson  Gash,  Anderson  Gash,  William  Gash, 
George  Gash,  Harrison  (Tip)  Gash,  Sarah  Gash,  Mrs.  Craig,  Mrs.  Waters, 
Mrs.  Brown,  Mrs.  Williams  and  George,  her  husband,  and  Mrs.  Hildridge, 
being  the  brothers  and  sisters  of  the  Gash  family. 

Among  those  who  came  to  Galesburg  about  this  time  were  William  Stewart 
and  wife,  Levi  Johnson  and  wife  (the  wife  being  a  sister  of  the  Gashes),  Isaac 
Green  and  wife,  Mrs.  Melissa  Alexander  (later  Mrs.  Warren,  who  became  a 
successful  nurse),  Jesse  Hazel  and  wife,  Henry  Will  and  wife  and  William 
Davis.  Isaac  Green  died  December  ii,  1911,  at  the  age  of  76  years.  He  raised 
a  large  family.  Jesse  Hazel  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  was  taken 
prisoner  and  confined  in  Libby  prison  for  nine  months.  He  is  still  a  conspicuous 
figure  on  our  streets.  William  Davis  was  also  a  soldier  and  a  capable  plasterer 
and  mason. 


764  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Most  of  the  above  persons  spent  Iheir  lives  in  Galesburg  and  helped  to 
develop  the  resources  of  the  gity  and  county  in  their  respective  vocations  and 
trades.  Though  their  pursuits  were  in  the  common  walks  of  life,  yet  they  were 
useful  and  filled  a  general  demand,  some  as  farmers  and  some  as  common  la- 
borers or  mechanics.  Most  of  these  people  came  from  Missouri,  but  Kentucky, 
Tennessee  and  Louisiana  have  each  furnished  quite  a  number.  Richard  Worth- 
ington,  an  old  soldier,  came  from  Kentucky.  He  was  very  well  to  do  and  was 
supposed  to  be  worth  $30,000  to  $40,000.  He  died  recently,  leaving  one  son, 
Richard,  Jr.,  and  a  fourth  wife. 

The  negroes  of  the  south,  as  a  rule,  were  better  posted  on  the  progress  of 
the  war  than  the  poor  white  people,  for  the  reason  that  some  of  their  numbers 
were  always  with  the  better  educated  class  of  the  white  people.  They  were  house 
servants  and  therefore  heard  the  newspapers  read  and  heard  war  matters  talked 
over.  The  information  thus  acquired  was  communicated  to  the  colored  people 
on  the  farms  at  secret  meetings  held  by  the  colored  people.  At  these  meetings 
the  war  situation  was  pretty  carefully  considered.  The  question  of  freedom 
was  also  much  talked  of.  The  result  of  every  battle  fought,  as  reported  in  the 
southern  papers,  was  soon  known  to  the  colored  people.  They  knew  the  details 
and  whether  the  victory  was  favorable  to  the  master  or  to  the  slave.  The  coun- 
tenances of  the  white  people  were  carefully  observed  and  if  an  anxious  expression 
was  seen,  the  colored  people  knew  the  news  was  good  for  them  and  bad  for  their 
masters,  and  the  reading  aloud  of  the  papers  told  the  story.  Besides  this  source 
of  information  there  could  always  be  found  in  every  community  some  white 
man  or  men  who  sympathized  with  the  slave,  and  these  men  helped  to  keep  the 
slaves  informed  of  the  true  conditions  and  really  encouraged  them  in  hoping  for 
freedom  as  the  final  result  of  the  war. 

All  of  the  above  named  families  became  property  owners,  as  well  as  a  number 
of  colored  families  not  mentioned  in  this  article.  Out  of  a  population  of  about 
twelve  hundred  colored  people,  there  are  about  165  families  who  own  homes. 
Many  of  these  homes  are  comfortable  and  compare  favorably  with  the  homes 
owned  by  the  laboring  classes  of  other  races.  As  it  is  with  the  white  men,  the 
homes  of  the  colored  men  improve  as  their  conditions  improve  and  the  race 
generally  developes  as  conditions  grow  better. 

There  are  two  churches  in  the  city  of  Galesburg  belonging  to  the  colored 
people,  the  African  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  the  Second  Baptist  church. 
The  total  value  of  the  two  church  properties  is  about  $20,000. 

I  am  pleased  to  insert  also  the  autobiography  of  Mr.  Lewis  C.  Carter,  author 
of  the  foregoing  account  of  the  negro  race  in  Knox  county. 

I  was  born  on  the  farm  of  Winder  C.  Dingle  four  miles  north  of  Palmyra, 
county  seat  of  Marion  county,  Missouri,  and  aboat  fifteen  miles  southwest  of 
Quincy,  Illinois,  on  the  I5th  day  of  March,  1850.  I  was  the  slave  of  Mr.  Dingle, 
he  having  purchased  my  mother  about  six  months  before  I  was  born.  My 
mother  had  been  the  property  of  his  brother-in-law,  Wm.  Kelly.  Kelly  had 
mortgaged  all  of  his  property,  including  my  mother,  to  a  money  lender  and  slave 
dealer  by  the  name  of  Bill  Thompson.  Mr.  Kelly  lost  his  property  as  the  result 
of  a  fast  life  and  high  living.  At  the  request  of  Mr.  Kelly,  my  mother  was 
purchased  by  Mr.  Dingle.  My  life  on  the  farm  was  passed  about  like  the  average 
slave  boy  of  that  day.  As  soon  as  I  was  large  enough  to  run  about  I  was  kept 


:  ;•  v.;     ;v      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :      v    .Vv         765 

busy  as  errand  boy.  I  was  also  soon  large  enough  to  look  after  the  babies,  both 
white  and  colored.  Later  I  waited  upon  the  table  and  drove  the  carriage  for  my 
mistress  on  her  visits  around  the  neighborhood.  I  also  looked  after  the  saddle 
horse.  At  eight  years  of  age  I  was  put  to  plowing  corn  and  other  field  work  in 
general.  Mr.  Dingle  had  but  a  few  slaves,  three  men,  Edmond,  Bill  and  Jack. 
When  I  was  about  nine  years  old  Jack  was  sold  south.  Soon  after  Ned,  as  he 
was  called,  was  sold  to  a  Dr.  Geater  in  our  neighborhood.  In  i86i  Bill  died 
with  lung  trouble,  leaving  me  the  only  male  slave,  except  a  brother  four  years 
old.  I  had  three  sisters  on  the  place.  There  were  two  other  girl  slaves. 

Dr.  Dingle  had  two  daughters  and  four  sons.  The  sons  had  to  work  on  the 
farm  the  same  as  boys  do  in  Illinois.  He  also  hired  slaves  from  other  farmers. 
It  was  through  the  influence  and  assistance  of  one  of  these  hired  slaves  that  I 
ran  away  from  my  owner.  The  name  of  this  slave  was  Ephraim  Easley,  the 
uncle  of  William  Easley,  the  porter  at  the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  club  of  this 
city.  Ephraim  owned  a  horse  which  he  sold  to  the  soldiers  for  $90.  He  had 
married  one  of  the  slave  girls.  On  Monday  night,  July  14,  1863,  he  took  his 
wife,  one  of  my  sisters,  the  other  slave  girl  and  myself  and  our  plow  horses 
and  left  for  the  land  of  freedom.  We  left  our  horses  in  the  woods  near  Quincy 
all  night  in  the  rain.  We  had  ridden  the  horses  (four  of  them)  thus  far  and 
there  turned  them  loose,  hoping  that  they  would  find  their  way  back  to  the  farm, 
and  we  learned  that  they  were  recovered  about  a  week  later. 

We  arrived  in  Galesburg  Thursday  night,  July  17,  1863.  We  did  not  know 
where  we  were  going  to  stop.  The  bus  driver  took  us  to  the  home  of  Mr. 
Henry  Bailey,  situated  on  East  Ferris  street  on  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the 
Swedish  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Bailey  proved  to  be  an  old  acquaintance  of  us 
all.  He  had  recently  come  from  Palmyra.  I  remained  there  a  week.  I  worked 
for  a  Mr.  Stowell  on  the  Knoxville  road  for  twenty-five  cents  a  day  hoeing  corn. 
I  spent  my  first  free  money  for  a  hickory  shirt,  as  I  had  but  the  one  I  wore 
on  my  back.  Shirts  were  high  in  those  days,  the  same  could  be  bought  now  for 
twenty-five  cents.  I  lived  a  week  with  Rev.  Henderson,  the  colored  Methodist 
minister  and  then  with  Dr.  Chapman,  who  found  me  a  home  on  a  farm  with 
Cyrus  Metcalf,  living  north  of  Mr.  Chas.  A.  Hinckley  on  Farnham  street.  I 
went  there  August  7,  1863,  and  remained  until  March  i,  1864,  when  Mr.  Met- 
calf moved  to  Ontario  township  onto  his  brother  Michael's  farm  where  I  re- 
mained for  two  years.  All  this  time  I  worked  for  my  board  and  clothes  as  I 
had  been  disabled  the  winter  of  1863-4  with  rheumatism.  That  winter  was  a 
very  severe  one,  the  roads  were  blocked  and  drifted  in  every  direction  and  my 
rheumatism  proved  to  be  a  very  stubborn  case  for  I  was  in  bad  shape  for  several 
years.  Nevertheless,  the  two  years  spent  in  Ontario  were  exceedingly  pleasant 
and  happy  ones.  I  had  been  given  my  first  opportunity  of  attending  the  public 
schools.  I  was  fourteen  years  old.  January  i,  1865,  I  started  to  the  Ontario 
school.  It  was  a  happy  day  for  me.  My  mother  used  to  tell  me  in  slavery  that 
in  the  north  black  children  and  white  would  go  to  the  same  school.  I  could 
not  realize  it  until  I  had  seen  it.  I  nearly  mastered  three  books  the  first  three 
months.  Three  months  of  schooling  a  year  were  all  boys  got  at  that  time,  yet 
they  seemed  to  get  about  as  much  out  of  it  as  they  do  now  in  nine  months  or  a 
year.  Clothes  was  not  the  question  in  our  grandfathers'  days.  High  heeled 
shoes  and  peg-leg  pants  were  not  known. 


766  ...  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  Metcalf  moved  to  Oneida  in  the  spring  of  1866  and  I  hired  out  to  Wm. 
Stephenson  for  three  months.  The  remainder  of  the  summer  I  worked  for 
Henry  Leffingwell  at  Ontario.  He  was  a  brother  of  Dr.  Leffingwell  of  St. 
Mary's  school,  Knoxville. 

About  the  middle  of  August,  1866,  I  met  Mr.  S.  H.  Ferris  who  lived  in 
Galesburg.  He  owned  a  farm  at  Woodhull.  I  finally  bound  myself  to  him  until 
1  would  be  twenty-one  years  of  age.  I  was  to  have  board,  clothing,  three 
months'  schooling  each  year,  one  dollar  a  month  to  buy  collars,  ties,  take  my  girl 
to  shows  and  buggy  riding,  and  one  hundred  dollars  at  the  end  of  my  service. 
I  had  to  figure  some  to  make  ends  meet.  When  I  became  twenty-one  I  had 
overdrawn  $2.35  of  my  monthly  dues,  so  that  was  taken  oflf  of  my  hundred  dol- 
lars. I  took  a  horse  instead  of  the  money.  A  year  later  I  sold  the  horse  to  a  Mr. 
David  Cutter  for  $75.  I  finally  had  to  take  two  months'  board  for  pay.  That 
was  living  high — five  years'  work  for  two  months'  board.  All  together  I  obtained 
twenty-two  months'  schooling,  against  nine  years'  schooling  that  the  average  boy 
gets  today.  All  of  my  four  boys  received  that  or  more. 

I  worked  nine  months  for  Mr.  Ferris  after  I  was  twenty-one.  The  last  of 
November,  1871,  I  went  to  work  for  Mr.  Henry  Hitchcock,  superintendent  of 
the  "Burlington"  at  Galesburg.  I  worked  for  him  five  years,  then  went  into  the 
gfrocery  store  of  Greene  &  Dore,  June  12,  1876.  I  remained  with  that  store 
through  five  changes  of  proprietors,  covering  a  period  of  seventeen  and  one 
fourth  years.  From  that  house  I  took  up  employment  with  D.  C.  Raymond  & 
SOB,  for  whom  I  have  worked  over  eighteen  years,  making  over  thirty-five  years 
in  the  grocery  business. 

In  1878,  June  i8th,  I  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  Louisa  Alexander,  daugh- 
ter of  Mrs.  Melissa  Alexander,  a  widow,  who  came  from  Palmyra  in  the  fall  of 
1864.  They  were  the  slaves  of  Walker  Loutham  of  Palmyra.  Her  brothers, 
Ralph  and  John,  came  with  them.  Ralph  Alexander  was  one  of  the  first  mail 
carriers  in  Galesburg,  appointed  by  Hon.  Clark  E.  Carr  while  he  was  post- 
master. To  our  union  six  children  were  born,  four  sons  and  two  daughters, 
Eugene,  Estelle.  Lewis.  Jr..  Eva,  Clarence  and  Harold.  At  this  writing  all  are 
living  and  in  good  health.  The  oldest  is  thirty-two,  the  youngest  eighteen.  We 
purchased  our  home  at  i86  West  South  street  of  Hon.  T.  J.  Hale  in  i88i  and  are 
living  in  the  same  house  at  the  present  time.  I  have  always  endeavored  to  lend 
my  influence  to  every  cause  that  seemed  good  to  me,  and  to  work  as  far  as  pos- 
sible for  the  improvement  of  the  moral  tone  of  the  city,  and  I  am  pleased  to 
add  that  my  wife  has  always  been  an  active  associate  and  worker  in  all  efforts 
of  this  kind.  .  .  ./  i/r\  \^''-  ^  .ivA'^  .'.v;' 
,.:  LEWIS  C.  CARTER. 

The  fact  that  Mr.  Carter  has  spent  thirty-five  years  in  the  grocery  business 
in  this  city  with  but  one  change  in  location  is  a  strong  testimonial  to  his  honesty, 
ability  and  courtesy  as  a  salesman  and  the  writer  further  states  that  during  all 
those  years  he  has  been  personally  acquainted  with  Mr.  Carter,  has  found  him 
all  that  one  could  expect  from  a  young  man  who  has  always  displayed  the 
steady  perseverance,  industry  and  upright  character  revealed  in  the  foregoing 
autobiography.  That  it  is  not  birth  or  education  alone  that  makes  a  man  is 
conclusively  demonstrated  by  the  story  of  Mr.  Carter's  life. 

7  -   :  .•;       r';-  ,  '•  EDITOR. 


Vr  -:      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :   :  767 

;  'J>:^:^  -    LABOR  UNIONISM  IN  KNOX  COUNTY      '  :-"^;  . 

••V:"''^- v^^-v..;-- ..^.•^--  BY  E.  A.  TATE  ..•       •      '  •••^-: 

•'.;''-••-.:,•••'"'•-•'.•*•  .••...'_:-../ 

'  '•    ;  •  .-•  •  ,  •.         .    '•'.'•'•  •'•''  •"    •  '•  .'    '  ••'      •'.?.•" 

::•.'•':-;  ..•''^-         THE  RISE  OF  TRADES   UNIONISM  IN  GENERAL  •  •:  .. 

Though  the  "song  of  the  toiler" — the  cry  of  an  underpaid  producing  class 
— the  struggle  for  existence  of  that  overwhelming  portion  of  humanity  forced 
to  undergo  severe  oppression  at  the  hands  of  the  taskmasters,  has  continued 
throughout  all  ages,  the  present-day  labor  union  is  of  but  comparatively  recent 
origin,  and  scarcely  more  than  in  its  infancy. 

The  history  of  the  past  five  centuries  teems  with  narratives  of  gallant 
efforts  made  to  improve  the  industrial  and  social  conditions  of  the  working 
classes;  yet  little  relief  obtained  earlier  than  the  middle  of  the  igth  century 
when  the  spirit  of  united  effort  through  organization  took  permanent  hold 
upon  the  world's  producers. 

Strife,  strikes  and  revolts  against  the  tyranny  of  taskmasters  have  existed 
since  time  began.  Moses,  the  great  leader  and  emancipator  of  the  Israelites, 
tells  in  the  book  of  Exodus  of  Holy  Writ,  1500  years  before  the  coming  of 
Christ,  how  Pharaoh  so  oppressed  the  children  of  Israel  and  made  conditions 
so  unbearable  that  the  toilers,  unable  to  produce  the  required  quantity  of  brick, 
were  forced  to  strike  for  freedom  and  flee  into  a  new  country.  Early  histo- 
rians of  England  relate  wonderful  stories  of  rebellions  of  the  workers  against 
conditions  made  unbearable  by  an  obdurate  employing  class.  Yet  we  can- 
not regard  as  in  any  way  analogous  to  the  trades  union  movement  of  today  the 
innumerable  insurrections  of  subject  races,  or  even  the  revolts  of  the  tailors' 
"serving-men,"  the  cotton  spinners  and  others  of  early  England  of  which  the 
annals  of  history  are  full.  They  were  not  evoked  by  any  clearly  definite  body 
of  men,  nor  did  they  result  in  any  permanent  association  of  toilers. 

The  earliest  record  of  any  form  of  orgfanization  among  the  working  classes 
dates  back  to  the  early  part  of  the  I3th  century  and  even  these  primitive  as- 
sociations, found  chiefly  in  England  and  known  as  Guilds  or  Eriendly  socie- 
ties, bear  but  little  resemblance  to  the  trades  unions  of  the  present  generation, 
largely  because  of  the  fact  that  the  membership  consisted  of  both  the  master 
and  the  journeymen  in  any  craft  or  trade  (and  sometimes  of  many  trades)  and 
the  former  always  made  sure  that  his  interests  were  not  neglected.  He  fre- 
quently presided  at  the  meeting,  imposed  and  collected  the  dues. and  fines,  paid 
out  the  funds  and  conducted  whatever  correspondence  was  necessar<'.  Any 
attempts  on  the  part  of  the  journeymen  to  secure  increased  wages,  shorter  hours 
or  better  conditions  were  promptly  frustrated. 

Several  things  contributed  to  the  journeyman's  indifference  or  lethargy  in 
attempting  to  bring  about  any  change  in  the  make-up  or  management  of  these 
associations.  No  master  employed  any  great  number  of  journejTnen— one  or 
two  being  the  rule  rather  than  the  exception,  and  the  journeyman  looked  for- 
ward to  the  time  when  his  ability  would  permit  him  to  open  shop  for  himself. 
Hence,  there  was  a  constant  changing  going  on  and  the  journejTnan  accepted 
his  surroundings  for  the  time  being  with  little  thought  of  bettering  his  work- 
ing conditions. 


768  ,  :    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

.  In  the  year  1387,  however,  the  "serving  men"  of  the  London  cord  wainers 
are  reported  to  be  aiming  at  making  a  "permanent  fraternity"  in  rebellion  against 
the  "overseers  of  the  trade,"  and  nine  years  later  the  saddlers'  "serving  men" 
announced  they  had  a  fraternity  "time-out-of  mind,"  though  the  masters  de- 
clared it  was  not  more  than  13  years  old,  and  that  its  object  was  to  raise  wages. 
In  1415,  a  law  was  passed  forbidding  the  "serving  men  and  journeymen"  in 
London  to  dwell  apart  from  their  masters  "as  they  hold  assemblies  and  have 
formed  a  kind  of  association."  The  masters  and  the  nobility  of  the  nation  had 
always  looked  upon  the  toilers  as  a  sort  of  chattel  property  belonging  to  them, 
and,  of  course,  held  sufficient  influence  with  the  law  makers  to  control  legisla- 
tion in  their  favor.  On  the  other  hand,  the  workers  had  for  so  many  centuries 
accepted  these  conditions  and  toiled  on — 14,  15  and  even  i8  hours  a  day — caring 
little  else  than  to  serve  their  masters,  that  the  next  fifty  years  saw  only  isolated 
attempts  at  some  sort  of  separate  associations  of  workers.  About  the  beginning 
of  the  next  century,  however,  the  masters  were  aroused  to  find  many  "friendly 
societies"  and  other  organizations  solely  of  journeymen  being  formed.  More- 
over, the  trouble  was  not  confined  to  London,  and  in  1538,  we  find  the  bishop 
of  Ely  reporting  to  Cromwell  that  "21  journeymen  shoemakers  have  assembled 
on  a  hill  without  the  town  and  sent  three  of  their  number  to  summon  all  the 
master  shoemakers  to  meet  them  in  order  to  insist  upon  an  advance  in  wages, 
threatening  that  'there  shall  none  come  into  town  to  serve  for  that  wages  within 
a  twelve  month  and  a  day,  but  we  woll  have  an  harme  or  legge  of  hym  except 
they  woll  take  an  othe  as  we  have  doon'."  '  ! 

•  ^:-.''^;'^|.'5    •  ^  . '.  '      ,;  LABOR  UNIONS  OF  ENGLAND       -'••>:;.-';.;-;:'•   :,-\ 

Prior  to  1700,  however,  no  continuous  association  of  wage  earners  existed 
for  maintaining  or  improving  the  conditions  of  employment.  The  journey- 
men tailors  formed  what  might  be  classed  the  first  possible  forerunner  of  the 
trades  union,  in  England,  by  organizing  a  trade  society  about  1710  to  1720,  and 
between  that  time  and  the  close  of  the  century  a  number  of  other  societies  of 
tradesmen  were  instituted,  only  to  be  exterminated  later  by  the  passage  of  the 
famous  "general  combination  act"  in  1799,  which  forbid  any  combinations  of 
wage  earners  in  the  united  kingdom. 

Through  the  efforts  of  one  Francis  Place,  a  member  of  the  common  council, 
a  broadminded  man,  whose  sympathies  extended  to  the  toiling  masses,  though 
he  himself  was  a  man  of  some  wealth,  this  unjust  act  was  repealed  in  the  early 
part  of  the  nineteenth  century  and  organizations  of  labor  began  once  more  to 
thrive  throughout  the  kingdom. 

The  traditional  history  of  the  trades  union  movement  represents  the  period 
prior  to  i8io  as  one  of  unmitigated  persecution  and  continuous  repression. 
Such  unions  as  claimed  an  existence  before  that  date  possessed  a  romantic  legend 
of  its  early  days.  The  midnight  meeting  of  patriots  in  the  corner  of  the  field, 
the  buried  box  of  records,  the  secret  oath,  the  long  terms  of  imprisonment  of 
the  leaders  formed  the  base  of  many  an  interesting  anecdote  told  later  as  the 
organizations  gained  strength  throughout  the  land.  Even  as  late  as  1834  six 
Dorchester  labor  leaders  were  convicted  for  the  mere  act  of  administering  an 


':  :  '     -        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY-/  ^^    -  769 

oath  and  sentenced  to  seven  years'  imprisonment,  which  action  stirred  the  toil- 
ers to  still  greater  demands  for  justice  and  the  right  to  associate  themselves 
together  for  protection.  ..;  ': 

Early  in  1829  the  fact  became  self-evident  that  solidarity  among  the  whole 
body  of  wage  earners  was  essential  against  the  combination  of  employers,  and, 
following  a  disastrous  six  months'  strike  at  Hyde,  near  Manchester,  the  spin- 
ners' societies  of  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland  were  invited  to  send  delegates 
to  a  conference  to  be  held  at  Ramsey,  in  the  Isle  of  Man,  in  the  month  of 
December,  1829.  As  the  result  of  this  conference  a  "grand  general  union  of 
the  United  Kingdom"  was  established,  subject  to  an  annual  delegate  meeting. 
John  Doherty  was  general  secretary  and  Thomas  Foster  and  Patrick  McGowan 
were  appointed  to  organize  the  spinners  throughout  the  United  Kingdom.  The 
revenue  of  the  grand  union  consisted  of  a  tax  of  a  penny  a  week  per  member. 

In  February,  1830,  at  Doherty 's  instigation,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Man- 
chester, consisting  of  delegates  from  twenty  different  organized  trades,  which 
resulted  in  the  establishment  five  months  later  of  the  "National  Association  for 
the  Protection  of  Labor,"  the  expressed  purpose  of  which  was  to  resist  reduc- 
tions, but  not  to  strike  for  advance. 

About  the  time  of  the  forming  of  this  association  the  United  Trades  Co- 
operative Journal  (a  weekly  paper  devoted  to  the  cause  of  labor)  was  launched 
in  London,  but  was  presently  brought  to  an  abrupt  end  by  the  commissioner  of 
stamps,  who  insisted  upon  each  copy  bearing  a  four-penny  stamp.  In  January, 
1831,  Francis  Place  (the  toilers'  friend)  established  a  paper  called  the  "Voice 
of  the  People,"  said  later  to  have  30,000  circulation. 

After  two  years'  existence  we  hear  no  more  of  this  national  association,  but 
a  builders'  union  sprang  up  composed  of  seven  distinct  building  trades,  all  sep- 
arate, yet  with  centralized  authority  for  defensive  and  aggressive  purposes. 
This  union  sent  strong  demands  for  shorter  hours  and  more  pay  to  the  em- 
ployers, who  got  together  and  decided  to  refuse  the  demands.  They  publicly 
declared  that  henceforth  no  man  need  apply  for  work  unless  he  was  prepared 
to  sign  a  formal  renunciation  of  the  trades  union  and  all  its  works.  In  the 
very  heat  of  the  battle  the  annual  convention  of  delegates  was  held  at  Man- 
chester, lasting  six  days,  at  which  it  was  decided  to  erect  a  central  office  build- 
ing at  Birmingham,  to  be  known  as  "Builders'  Guild  hall."  After  a  fair  start  the 
building  was  abandoned.  The  strike  failed,  as  did  also  two  other  great  strikes 
at  Liverpool  and  Manchester,  and  many  of  the  local  unions  were  broken  up, 
causing  the  disruption  of  the  General  Builders'  union. 

In  1833  Doherty  began  the  agitation  for  an  eight-hour  workday,  and  new 
unions  began  to  form  with  some  rapidity,  until  in  1834  Robert  Owen  organized 
the  "Grand  National  Consolidated  Trade  union,"  the  real  forerunner  of  the 
trades  union  of  to-day. 

This,  then,  is  in  brief  the  history  of  the  beginning  of  trades  unionism  through- 
out the  world,  and  England  is  its  birthplace. 

To-day  the  British  Trades  Union  congress,  organized  in  1868,  and  which 
corresponds  in  America  to  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  is  the  national 
head  or  federation  of  all  the  unions  of  the  British  Isles.  Though  not  so  large 
as  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  it  is  a  gigantic  organization  embracing 
1,665,000  trades  unionists.  At  the  last  convention,  held  at  Newcastle-on-Tyne, 

ToL    I— 4« 


770 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


England,  September  4th  to  9th,  1911,  there  were  521  delegates,  and  the  re- 
ports of  the  secretary  showed  an  increase  in  membership  of  14,418  during  the 
previous  year.  Daniel  J.  Tobin  and  William  McFarlane  were  fraternal  dele- 
gates to  that  convention  from  the  American  Federation  of  Labor.  The  British 
Trades  Union  league  is  the  federation  of  the  women's  unions  and  has  affiliated 
about  280,000  women  trades  unionists.  • .- ,  -,-...:  ,;v  ••..  r'. 

.       .'•      '  *     .        ,'.••-•>..•. 

.;  IN   OTHER   COUNTRIES       ^;,      :  ^j   '    !     ^'  •> 

;  ;  The  history  of  the  movement  in  other  European  countries  is  very  similar 
to  that  of  England.  All  went  through  a  period  of  severe  oppression.  But  to- 
day Germany,  France,  Switzerland,  Italy,  Spain,  and  even  Hungary,  Bulgaria, 
Roumania  and  others  have  their  national  federation,  embracing  almost  the  entire 
labor  forces  in  their  respective  countries.  •  .' 

.     ,         ;  ;  INTERNATIONAL   TRADES   UNIONS         ./;     ••'^,r       ' 

,";  Then  came  a  closer  relationship  of  the  toilers  of  the  entire  world,  and  a 
convention  of  national  trades  federations  was  formed.  Beginning  August  loth, 
1911,  the  seventh  biennial  international  conference  of  representatives  of  national 
trades  union  centers  was  held  at  Budapest,  Hungary.  Twenty-seven  delegates, 
representing  eighteen  nations,  and  two  official  interpreters  (both  union  men,  each 
of  whom  spoke  three  languages)  composed  the  convention.  Herr  S.  Jaszai  of 
Hungary  was  chairman  and  J.  Sassenback,  representing  Germany,  was  secre- 
tary. James  Duncan,  national  secretary  of  the  Granite  Cutters  of  America  and 
first  vice-president  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  represented  North 
America  at  the  conference.  The  preceding  conference  (1909)  was  held  at 
Paris,  and  an  invitation  has  been  extended  to  hold  the  1915  meeting  at  San 
Francisco,  when  the  Panama  exposition  will  be  on  in  that  city. 


TRADES    UNIONS    IN    AMERICA 


The  birth  of  trades  unionism  in  America  occurred  in  the  year  1803,  when 
we  find  the  New  York  Society  of  Journeymen  Shipwrights  was  incorporated  on 
April  3rd.  The  house  carpenters  of  New  York  city  soon  followed,  as  did  also 
a  society  of  journeymen  tailors,  both  of  which  were  organized  and  incorporated 
in  the  year  1806.  The  aims  of  these  unions  at  this  early  date  were  the  short- 
ening  of  the  daily  labor  time  and  an  increase  in  wages. 

As  time  drew  on  the  workingmen  in  other  trades  began  to  realize  the  bene- 
fits  of  organization,  and  many  new  unions  were  formed,  not  only  in  New  York 
city,  but  in  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore  and  several  others  of  the  large 
cities  of  America.  Then  came  the  idea  of  a  union  of  unions — the  first  form  of 
federation  in  the  United  States — and  in  August,  1833,  a  "general  trades  union" 
was  formed  in  New  York,  binding  together  in  one  federation  all  the  local 
unions  of  the  city.  On  December  2nd,  1833,  occurred  what  had  been  adver- 
tised in  one  of  the  daily  papers  of  New  York  as  a  procession  of  the  "general 
trades  union,"  taking  part  in  which  were  the  following  local  unions:  Typo- 
graphical union.  Journeymen  House  Carpenters,  Bookbinders,  Leather  Dress- 


;? Ji;^ 7 :^';c ;/:.:-•          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  771 

ers,  Coopers,  Carvers  and  Gilders,  Bakers,  Cabinetmakers,  Cordwainers,  Tailors, 
Silk  Hatters,  Stonecutters,  Tin  Plate  and  Sheet  Iron  Workers,  Typefounders, 
Hat  Finishers,  Willow  Basket  Makers,  Chair  Makers  and  Gilders,  Sail  Makers 
and  Block  and  Pump  Makers.  The  parade  was  an  imposing  one,  with  Robert 
Townsend,  Jr.,  as  grand  marshal,  following  which  an  address  was  delivered  by 
Ely  Moore,  who  afterwards  (during  Jackson's  administration)  became  the 
first  labor  representative  in  congress. 

January  8,  1834,  the  General  Trades  union  of  Boston  was  formed,  and 
about  the  same  time  a  similar  organization  was  instituted  in  Baltimore.  Aside 
from  a  few  of  these  large  cities,  nothing  was  done  in  the  way  of  federation  until 
about  the  close  of  the  civil  war. 

The  earliest  federation  of  any  form  embracing  larger  districts  than  the  city 
was  the  New  England  association  of  farmers,  mechanics  and  laborers,  whose 
first  meeting  was  held  in  Boston,  in  1832,  though  no  records  of  this  meeting 
are  found.  Subsequent  meetings  were  held  in  1833  and  1834,  but  after  that 
date  we  lose  all  trace  of  the  association.  Eleven  years  later,  however,  another 
organization  was  formed  in  New  England  called  the  New  England  Working- 
men's  association.  This  was  not  a  federation,  but  a  larger  association  of  the 
individual  mechanics  and  working  men  of  the  New  England  states.  Aside  from 
its  formation,  little  was  ever  heard  from  it.  In  the  same  year  (1845)  the  first 
national  industrial  congress  was  held  in  New  York,  with  representatives  from 
the  unions  of  all  the  large  cities  of  the  east.  Annual  meetings  were  held  for 
the  next  four  or  five  years,  after  which  it  drops  entirely  out  of  existence. 

From  about  1850  to  the  close  of  the  civil  war  was  a  period  of  autonomous 
trade  organizations  on  a  national  basis,  while  little  energy  was  spent  devising 
or  perfecting  federations  of  any  kind.  The  International  Typographical  union 
was  organized  in  1850,  the  National  Trade  Association  of  Hat  Finishers,  in  1854, 
the  Iron  Molders  Union  of  North  America,  in  1859,  the  machinists,  blacksmiths. 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers  and  scores  of  others  from  1860  to  '66. 

In  1866  the  central  unions  or  trades  assemblies  of  New  York  and  Baltimore 
issued  a  call  for  a  national  labor  congress,  and  on  August  20,  1866,  lOO  dele- 
gates representing  6i  labor  organizations,  met  in  Baltimore.  These  delegates 
came  from  international,  national  and  local  unions  and  city  central  bodies 
throughout  the  country.  Political,  industrial  and  social  questions  of  every  hue 
were  brought  forth  and  discussed.  The  "National  Labor  union"  was  formed  as 
the  result  of  this  meeting  and  Chicago  was  selected  as  the  place  of  holding  the 
session  the  following  year,  at  which  time  more  than  200  delegates  were  in  at- 
tendance. In  1868  two  conventions  were  held,  one  in  May,  at  Pittsburgh,  and 
the  other  in  September,  at  New  York.  This  latter  meeting  was  called  principally 
to  discuss  the  general  movement  for  an  8-liour  day.  Nothing  of  special  im- 
portance transpired  at  the  conventions  of  1869,  '70  and  '71,  which  met  at  Chi- 
cago, Boston  and  Philadelphia.  At  the  convention  of  1872,  held  in  Columbus, 
the  "National  Labor  union"  felt  called  upon  to  enter  politics  and  nominated 
David  Davis,  of  Illinois,  for  president  of  the  United  States.  This  action,  how- 
ever, proved  the  undoing  of  the  National  union,  for  the  locals,  one  by  one, 
withdrew,  and  the  "National  Labor  union"  died  out. 

Tradps  unions  in   1873,  like  everything  else  that  depended  upon  industrial 


772  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

activity  for  support,  went  to  the  wall  in  the  financial  panic,  and  wages  fell  rapidly. 
An  effort  to  revive  the  National  Labor  union  at  a  meeting  at  Rochester,  New 
York,  April  4,  1874,  showed  no  life,  and  another  convention  at  Tyrone,  Pennsyl-; 
vania,  in  1875,  met  a  like  fate. 

In  1878,  however,  there  began  a  healthy  growth  of  local  unions,  central 
bodies  and  even  national  organizations.  In  i88i  a  call  was  published  emanating 
from  the  central  and  western  states  for  a  convention,  which  was  held  at 
Pittsburgh  about  the  middle  of  November  of  that  year.  This  convention  was 
important  as  laying  the  foundation  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor,  and 
was  organized  with  John  Jarrett,  president  of  the  Amalgamated  Association 
'  of  Iron  and  Steel  Workers,  as  chairman.  One  hundred  and  seven  delegates 
were  in  attendance  and  an  organization  was  formed  to  be  known  as  the  Federa-. 
tion  of  Organized  Trades  and  Labor  Unions  of  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
Samuel  Gompers,  now  president  of  the  A.  F.  of  L.,  was  a  member  of  the  first 
congressional  committee ;  and  at  the  second  convention,  held  at  Qeveland,  Ohio, 
in  November,  1882,  Mr.  Gompers  was  chosen  as  president  of  the  federation, 
which  position  he  has  retained  ever  since.  The  third  meeting  was  held  in  New 
York,  the  fourth  in  Chicago,  the  fifth  in  Washington.  At  this  fifth  session, 
the  tactics  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  a  secret  society,  organized  in  1869,  at 
Philadelphia,  by  a  local  union  of  clothing  cutters,  was  severely  criticised  and 
condemned.  At  the  next  session,  held  in  November,  1886,  the  title  of  American 
Federation  of  Labor  was  adopted  and  from  which  point  the  organization  dates 
the  beginning  of  an  aggressive,  firm,  onward  march  until  today  its  membership 
consists  of  115  national  and  international  unions,  having  jurisdiction  over  ap- 
proximately 28,000  local  unions,  493  local  unions  having  no  national  heads,  631 
city  central  bodies,  187  federal  labor  unions,  and  38  state  federations;  represent- 
ing in  all  an  affiliated  membership,  September  i,  1911,  of  1,768,614  trades 
unionists;  gaining  199,723  over  the  previous  year.  The  four  great  railroad 
brotherhoods,  the  bricklayers  and  several  other  trades  organizations  are  not 
affiliated  with  the  A.  F.  of  L.,  hence  the  1,768,614  members  represent  but  a 
part  of  the  organized  labor  movement  of  America. 

The  officers  of  the  American  Federation  of  Labor  consist  of  a  president, 
eight  vice-presidents,  a  secretary  and  a  treasurer;  all  of  whom  constitute  the 
executive  council,  empowered  to  transact  official  business  when  the  convention 
is  not  in  session.  Samuel  Gompers,  a  cigarmaker,  is  president;  Frank  Morrison, 
a  member  of  Chicago  Typographical  union,  is  secretary;  and  John  B.  Lennon, 
a  tailor  of  Bloomington,  Illinois,  is  treasurer.  Last  year  the  receipts  from 
all  sources  were  $182,914.96,  and  the  expenditures  $175,524.08.  The  balance 
in  the  treasury,  September  30,  1911,  was  $189,579.56.  -'•! 

The  A.  F.  of  L.  is  divided  into  departments  embracing  the  building  trades 
department,  the  metal  trades  department,  the  label  trades  department,  and  the 
railroad  employes'  department;  each  having  a  secretary  to  look  after  the  affairs 
of  his  respective  department.  J  ;  Vi  V-;^  -I  • --r  -•> 

As  an  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  use  of  the  label,  48,234,136  garment  workers' 
labels  were  used  during  the  year  ending  September  30,  1911,  while  the  bakery 
and  confectionery  workers  used  548,210,590  labels  during  the  same  period  and 
the  cigarmakers,  27,795,900. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  778 


The  inception  and  marvellous  growth  of  the  railroad  brotherhoods  above 
referred  to — the  engineers,  firemen,  trammen  and  conductors — forms  an  inter- 
esting part  of  the  world's  labor  history. 

In  1831  the  first  steam  locomotive  tested  in  the  United  States  was  given  a 
tryout  on  a  short  road  between  Albany  and  Schenectady,  in  the  state  of  New 
York,  and  in  1906,  the  first  great  electric  high  speed  passenger  engine  was 
tested  on  almost  the  same  historic  ground. 

Only  a  little  more  than  thirty  years  after  the  first  test,  with  the  country 
well  honeycombed  with  railroad  lines,  the  few  engineers  who  daily  gathered 
about  the  little  old  dingy  roundhouse  at  Marshall,  Michigan,  instituted  a  move- 
ment from  which  resulted  the  first  organization  of  railway  employes  in  America. 
W.  D.  Robinson  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the  agitation  for  some  sort  of  banding 
together  for  mutual  benefit.  Others  agreed  that  they  should  get  together 
somewhere  and  organize.  Invitations  were  therefore  extended  a  number  of 
engineers  ort  other  roads  and  a  meeting  was  held  at  Detroit,  Michigan,  May  8, 
1863,  at  which  an  order  was  founded  known  as  the  "Brotherhood  of  the  Foot- 
board." Mr.  Robinson  acted  as  chairman.  He  formulated  the  obligation  and 
read  it  to  the  twelve  engineers  who  had  responded  to  the  call,  as  they  stood  in  a 
circle  with  joined  hands.  The  rec6rds  of  this  meeting  contain  the  following: 

"It  was  motioned  and  carried  that  George  Adams  and  E.  F.  Elwell  see  about 
getting  hall  and  furniture  for  same. 

;  "It  was  motioned  and  carried  that  the  $10.00  should  be  paid  back  to  Mr. 
Robinson  and  Mr.  Shephard  which  was  their  initiation  fee,  and  the  same  has 
been  done. 

"The  following  members  were  initiated:  Geo.  Adams,  pd.  $5.cx);  Fred 
Smith,  pd.  $5.00;  E.  F.  Elwell,  pd.  $5.00;  Mat  McCormack,  pd.  $5.00;  Edward 
Garrison,  pd.  $5.00;  A.  Mott,  pd.  $5.00;  Samuel  Hall,  pd.  $5.00;  Fred  Swart, 
pd.  $5.00;  Fred  H.  Johnson,  pd.  $5.00." 

This  was  the  starting  of  what  today  is  Division  No.  i.  Brotherhood  of  Loco- 
motive Engineers.  A  few  days  later  Division  No.  2,  Brotherhood  of  the  Foot- 
board, was  formed  at  Marshall,  Michigan,  and  the  next  month  the  engineers  at 
Galesburg  founded  a  brotherhood  in  this  city. 

The  name  Brotherhood  of  the  Footboard  was  changed  to  Brotherhood  of 
Locomotive  Engineers  in  1865.  W.  D.  Robinson  was  the  first  grand  chief 
engineer. 

On  the  I4th  of  May,  1910,  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers  dedi- 
cated a  magnificent,  up-to-date,  absolutely  fireproof  office  and  headquarters 
building  in  the  city  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  This  building,  erected  and  owned  by 
the  brotherhood,  contains  over  500  offices,  with  132,000  square  feet  of  fioor 
space,  and  has  on  the  ground  floor  an  auditorium  seating  about  1,400  people.  It 
is  15  stories  high,  built  of  structural  steel  with  outside  walls  of  white  stone  and 
white  glazed  tile,  and  stands  at  the  corner  of  Ontario  and  St.  Clair  streets,  a 
magnificent  monument  to  the  rapid  developments  and  achievements  of  organized 
labor. 

Five  years  after  the  organization  of  the  first  Brotherhood  of  the  Footboard, 
the  conductors  employed  on  the  Amboy  division  of  the  Illinois  Central  and  the 
Chicago  division  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  railroad  met  at  Amboy, 


774  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Illinois,  and  formed  an  order  known  as  the  Conductors  union.  In  1878,  the 
present  name — Order  of  Railway  Conductors — was  adopted. 

The  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Firemen  was  organized  in  1874  at  Port 
Jarvis,  New  York,  and  from  this  has  grown  the  present  continent-wide  and 
powerful  organization  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Firemen  and  Engine- 
men.  •  --'X.  '-•"'.  /  .  •; 

The  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen,  now  numbering  many  thousands, 
is  the  youngest  of  the  train-service  brotherhoods  and  was  organized  at  Oneonta, 
New  York,  September  23rd,  1883. 

The  Switchmen's  International  union,  the  Order  of  Railroad  Telegraphers, 
the  Order  of  Railroad  Station  Agents,  the  Order  of  Railway  Qerks  and  other 
kindred  organizations  have  followed. 

From  a  few  miles  of  wooden  track  in  1830  the  railroad  business  has  grown 
so  rapidly  that  to-day  there  are  more  than  325,000  miles  of  track  in  the  United 
States  and  about  1,500,000  persons  engaged  in  the  industry,  the  greater  por- 
tion of  whom  are  members  of  the  various  brotherhoods.  ,.-./.  . 

'-•  >     '.,  _  *«'.'       v. 

.,   .;,^';:  LABOR  UNIONS  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   .!>!;:,- r;.. 

Galesburg  Lodge  No.  62,  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers,  has  the 
distinction  to-day  of  being  the  oldest  labor  organization  in  Knox  county.  Its 
charter,  now  hanging  on  the  east  wall  of  the  Trades  Assembly  hall,  bears  the 
date  January  i7th,  1865,  though  its  history  dates  back  almost  two  years  prior 
to  that  time.  ,'  '  ': 

About  the  middle  of  June,  1863,  ten  or  a  dozen  of  the  engineers  running 
out  of  Galesburg,  imbued  with  the  idea  that  "in  union  there  is  strength"  and 
inspired  by  the  institution  of  the  first  railroad  brotherhood  in  America  only  a 
month  previous  at  Detroit,  met  in  a  little  back  room  over  where  is  now  Burt's 
drug  store  and  formed  a  local  organization  known  as  the  "Brotherhood  of  the 
Footboard."  And  Stephen  A.  Randall  of  556  South  Broad  street  is  the  only 
surviving  charter  member  of  that  little  band  of  devoted  men  who,  in  this  county, 
first  awoke  to  the  realization  of  the  need  of  workingmen  banding  themselves 
together  for  protection  and  advancement.  '  -.i 

Knowing  full  well  that  capital  was  unalterably  opposed  to  combinations  of 
labor,  the  utmost  secrecy  was  maintained  as  to  membership  in  the  new  society, 
for  knowledge  of  its  existence  had  spread  to  the  company  to  whom  it  was  a 
"thorn  in  the  flesh."  The  railroad  officials  determined  to  nip  the  new  union 
.in  its  infancy  and  used  every  tactic  to  find  out  just  who  were  members.  Every 
engineer  found  to  belong,  or  thought  to  belong,  was  summarily  discharged.  Mr. 
Randall  was  one  of  the  men  instrumental  in  forming  the  organization  and  one 
also  who  was  soon  let  out  of  the  company's  employment.  Those  who  were  dis- 
charged left  the  city  and  sought  work  elsewhere,  only  to  learn  that  they  were 
blacklisted,  and  securing  a  run  on  other  roads  was  a  difficult  proposition.  Mr. 
Randall  returned  to  Galesburg,  however,  and  was  one  of  the  men  who,  in 
January,  1865,  transformed  the  "Brotherhood  of  the  Footboard"  into  Galesburg 
Division  No.  62,  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers. 

Notwithstanding  the  opposition  of  the  company,  the  men  were  determined 
that  they  should  not  be  deprived  of  their  rights  to  organize,  and  soon  the  or- 
ganization grew  so  strong  that  the  company  began  to  realize  the  futility  of 
further  antagonism  and  ceased  its  hostility.  Many  of  the  discharged  engineers 


^:J-'^'-    -      -^  ^   •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;      '-  775 

were  reinstated  to  their  former  runs,  among  whom  was  Mr.  Randall,  who  re- 
mained in  the  engine  service  of  the  Burlington,  the  Wabash  and  one  or  two 
other  roads,  until,  as  he  puts  it,  "the  trains  were  made  so  long  that  the  engi- 
neer could  not  hear  the  shouts  of  the  conductor  from  the  way-car,"  when  he 
retired  from  the  service  and  has  since  devoted  himself  to  caring  for  a  small 
farm  he  succeeded  in  acquiring,  though  he  still  maintains  his  membership  in 
the  brotherhood,  and  was  last  year  given  an  honorary  membership  by  the  grand 
lodge,  a  thing  held  by  few  members  of  the  order.  . 

,  :  Mr.  Randall  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  Galesburg's  Brotherhood 
of  the  Footboard  was  the  fourth  railroad  brotherhood  to  be  formed  in  America, 
and  though  given  No.  62,  many  lodges  have  lower  numbers  which  were  since 
formed,  such  as  Los  Angeles  No.  5,  Indianapolis  No.  ii,  Springfield  No.  23, 
Aurora  No.  32,  etc.  With  a  twinkle  in  his  eye,  he  relates  that  Galesburg, 
though  the  fourth  to  form,  was  given  No.  62  to  make  the  railroads  believe  there 
were  many  locals  in  existence  and  that  the  order  was  exceedingly  strong. 

Galesburg  now  has  two  lodges  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engi- 
neers, the  second,  No.  644,  being  instituted  February  29th,  1904,  and  is  the 
largest  brotherhood  in  the  United  States  on  any  one  railroad  division. 

Singular  as  it  may  seem,  though  the  engineers  had  sown  the  seed  of  union- 
ism in  this  county  in  1863,  no  further  efforts  were  made  to  formulate  other 
organizations  for  almost  twenty  years.  The  records  at  headquarters  in  Peoria 
of  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Firemen  and  Enginemen  show  that  Progress 
Lodge  No.  105,  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Firemen,  was  organized  at  Gales- 
burg March  I5th,  1882,  with  twenty-two  charter  members.  Also  that  the  lodge 
was  removed  to  Chillicothe,  Illinois,  in  September,  1899  (after  the  Burlington 
strike),  and  finally  surrendered  its  charter  on  June  loth,  1902.  However,  the 
firemen  soon  realized  that  this  was  too  big  a  division  point  to  be  without  an 
organization,  and  Lodge  No.  477,  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Firemen,  was 
instituted  here  May  ist,  1904.  The  name  was  changed  to  Brotherhood  of  Loco- 
motive Firemen  and  Enginemen  March  ist,  1909.  ./  •  • 

The  cigarmakers  were  the  third  to  take  the  step  towards  forming  a  union, 
and  on  March  22,  1883.  a  charter,  signed  by  Adolph  Strausser,  as  interna- 
tional president,  was  granted  to  Cigarmakers'  Local  Union  No.  200  of  Gales- 
burg, Illinois.  The  first  officers  were:  Val  Weiss,  president;  Ed  Tomlins, 
vice-president ;  J.  A.  Williams,  recording  and  corresponding  secretary ;  C.  Geist, 
financial  secretary,  and  D.  Sherlock,  doorkeeper.  None  of  its  charter  members 
now  reside  here,  and  little  is  known  of  the  early  formation  of  this,  the  first 
trades  organization  to  begin  its  existence  in  this  vicinity.  '•:.'.;• 

Galesburg  Division  No.  83,  Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  was  next  in 
line  and  was  formed  July  23rd,  1883.  The  following  years,  in  September,  Gales- 
burg Lodge  No.  24,  Brotherhood  of  Railroad  Trainmen,  first  saw  the  light  of 
day.  Both  of  these  railroad  organizations  met  with  some  opposition  on  the  part 
of  the  company  at  first,  but  later  were  well  received,  and  to-day  are  flourishing 
brotherhoods. 

Seven  years  later  tliere  developed  a  spirit  of  organization  among  the  trades- 
men of  the  city,  and  Brotherhood  of  Carpenters  and  Joiners  No.  360  was  or- 
ganized December  22,  1890,  with  Oscar  Renier,  first  chairman ;  Cal  Gray,  sec- 
retary, and  J.  R.  Rogers,  treasurer.  The  initial  meeting  was  held  in  a  small 


776  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

hall  on  the  south  side  of  the  public  square.  Typographical  Union  No,  288  soon 
followed  with  a  meeting  in  the  old  Brotherhood  Steam  Print  office  on  South 
Cherry  street,  where  the  Plaindealer  now  operates,  and  was  granted  a  charter 
February  22nd,  1891.  A  number  of  tailors  met  in  what  was  then  Fletcher's 
tailor  shop  on  the  second  floor  over  where  is  now  the  People's  Trust  and  Sav- 
ings bank,  and  organized  Journeymen  Tailors'  Union  No.  169  on  March  2ist, 
1891.  During  the  winter  some  of  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  railroad 
trainmen  began  the  agitation  for  a  women's  auxiliary  to  the  trainmen,  which 
resulted  in  the  formation  on  January  ipth,  1891,  of  Sincerity  Lx)dge  No.  6, 
L.  A.  to  B.  of  R.  T. 

As  summer  approached  these  new  trades  organizations  began  to  discuss  the 
advisability  of  celebrating  Labor  Day — the  first  Monday  in  September  being 
designated  as  a  legal  holiday  in  many  of  the  states  of  the  nation  by  this  time. 
The  carpenters  and  the  tailors  favored  the  holding  of  a  celebration,  while  the 
other  unions  and  brotherhoods  did  not.  Celebrating  Labor  Day  at  this  early 
date  was  rather  a  difficult  undertaking.  Trades  organizations  were  compara- 
tively a  new  thing  and  lacked  numbers.  Many  of  the  citizens  also  looked  upon 
them  as  sort  of  anarchistic  bodies  designed  to  destroy  rather  than  to  build  up 
industry.  Few  cared  to  encourage  them,  and  the  securing  of  speakers  for  such 
an  occasion  was  no  easy  task.  However,  the  carpenters  and  tailors  determined 
to  pull  off  a  celebration  and  gained  the  consent  of  Eugene  W.  Welch  and  Con- 
gressman George  W.  Prince  to  deliver  addresses. 

On  September  the  7th,  1891,  then,  the  first  Labor  Day  celebration  was  held 
in  Knox  county.  At  prcx)  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  Galesburg  Marine  band, 
dressed  for  the  first  time  in  their  new  uniforms,  began  playing  in  front  of 
the  square  facing  Main  street.  By  io:oo  o'clock  the  parade  was  formed  on 
Main  street,  headed  by  Lewis  Thompson,  of  the  carpenters,  as  chief  marshal, 
with  John  Forsythe  of  the  tailors  and  Chris  Geisler  of  the  carpenters  as  assistant 
marshals.  The  standard  bearer  for  the  tailors  was  C.  G.  Lind,  while  Ed.  Bushong 
bore  the  banner  for  the  carpenters.  In  line  were  40  tailors  and  58  carpenters, 
besides  a  few  scattering  members  from  the  cigarmakers,  printers  and  perhaps 
one  or  two  other  organizations.  Following  the  band  came  the  speakers'  carriage 
— a  handsome  new  barouche,  drawn  by  J.  H.  Williamson's  matched  team  of 
greys,  with  "Hank"  himself  handling  the  lines.  Seated  with  the  speakers  were 
Chas.  Hasselleaf,  president  of  the  carpenters,  and  Albert  Johanson,  president  of 
the  tailors.  The  profession  passed  around  the  square  and  east  on  Main  street 
across  the  "Q"  tracks  to  Pearl  street,  wHere  street  cars  were  waiting  and  all 
went  out  to  Highland  Park,  where  the  festivities  were  to  be  held.  An  admission 
to  the  park  of  ten  cents  was  charged  to  help  defray  expenses. 

After  a  stirring  selection  by  the  band,  Mr.  Hasselleaf,  who  acted  as  chair- 
man, introduced  Hon.  Geo.  W.  Prince,  who  delivered  a  splendid  address  to  the 
great  crowd  which  had  gathered.  He  was  followed  by  Eugene  W.  Welch,  who, 
in  a  short  but  stirring  speech,  made  a  deep  impression  with  the  union  men  on 
the  ground.  B.  F.  Holcomb  and  F.  A.  Freer  were  also  called  to  the  stand  and 
made  short  speeches.  A  basket  dinner  followed,  which  was  greatly  enjoyed. 
Then  the  afternoon  was  devoted  to  games  and  sports  of  various  kinds.  Dancing 
proved  a  special  feature  of  both  afternoon  and  evening  with  Gaines'  orchestra 
furnishing  the  music.  •  v. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  777 

The  success  of  the  first  Labor  Day  celebration  and  the  showing  made  by  the 
carpenters  and  tailors  inspired  other  tradesmen  and  resulted  in  the  organization, 
on  December  14,  1891,  of  Bricklayers  and  Masons'  Union  No.  12,  and  of 
Painters  and  Decorators'  Union  No.  29,  on  December  28th,  of  the  same  year. 

In  Galesburg,  as  it  had  been  elsewhere,  when  a  sufficient  number  of  trades 
were  organized,  the  tendency  was  to  associate  all  into  one  central  body  composed 
of  delegates  from  each  of  the  unions.  In  the  room  known  as  Spring's  hall,  104 
Main  street,  delegates  from  the  various  unions  of  the  city  met,  on  July  8,  1892, 
and  formed  the  Galesburg  Trades  and  Labor  assembly.  J.  Forsythe  of  the 
tailors'  union  called  the  meeting  to  order.  A.  G.  Mathieson,  George  Gallamo 
and  Daniel  Nolan  were  chosen  as  -a  committee  on  credentials  and  they  re- 
ported the  following  delegates  present  and  entitled  to  a  voice  in  the  proceedings : 

Cigarmakers,  No.  200 — A.  M.  Everly,  W.  L.  Woods,  F.  J.  Weiss. 

Painters,  No.  29 — ^J.  A.  Peterson,  H.  W.  Lohmar,  C.  M.  Peterman. 

Tailors,  No.  169 — Daniel  Nolan,  J.  Forsythe,  Edward  Ayten. 

Carpenters,  No.  360 — C.  H.  Geisler,  J.  R.  Rogers,  N.  P.  Swanson. 

Printers,  No.  288 — Geo.  Gallarno,  H.  C.  Smalley,  A.  G.  Matheson. 

Bricklayers,  No.  12 — A.  W.  Truedson,  W.  E.  Harry,  W.  Davis. 

The  election  of  its  first  officers  resulted  as  follows :  President,  A.  M.  Everly ; 
vice-president,  J.  Forsythe ;  recording  and  corresponding  secretary,  George  Gal- 
lamo; financial  secretary,  W.  E.  Harry;  treasurer,  Daniel  Nolan;  sergeant-at 
arms,  J.  R.  Rogers ;  trustees,  C.  H.  Geisler,  H.  W.  Lohmar  and  A.  W.  Truedson. 

Standing  committees  were  appointed  on  organization,  legislation,  grievances, 
labels  and  printing. 

The  four  principal  officers  of  the  assembly  since  its  birth  are  shown  by  the 
annexed  table: 

OFFICERS    OF    GALESBURG    TRADES    ASSEMBLY    SINCE    ORGANIZATION 

1892-93,  A.  M.  Everly,  Cigarmakers,  President;  Geo.  Gallarna,  Printers, 
Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary;  D.  Nolan,  Tailors,  Treasurer;  W.  E. 
Harry,  Bricklayers,  Financial  Secretary. 

1893-94,  L.  N.  Thompson,  Carpenters,  President;  L.  R.  Maddox,  Printers, 
Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary;  D.  Nolan,  Tailors,  Treasurer;  W.  E. 
Harry,  Bricklayers,  Financial  Secretary. 

1894-95,  Adolph  Fink,  Printers,  J.  H.  Donnelly,  Cigarmakers,  Presidents; 
L.  R.  Maddox,  Printers,  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  D.  Nolan, 
Tailors,  Treasurer;  W.  E.  Harry,  Bricklayers,  Financial  Secretary. 

1895-96,  L.  N.  Thompson,  Carpenters,  President;  W.  E.  Qeveland,  Broom- 
makers,  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary;  D.  Nolan,  Tailors,  Treasurer; 
A.  Gustafson,  Painters,  Financial  Secretary. 

1896-97.  J.  A.  Smith,  Printers,  W.  A.  Marshall,  Printers,  Presidents;  E.  A. 
Tate,  Printers,  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary;  D.  Nolan,  Tailors, 
Treasurer;  A.  Gustafson,  Painters,  Financial  Secretary. 

1897-98,  W.  A.  Marshall,  Printers,  President;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Record- 
ing and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  D.  Nolan,  Tailors,  Treasurer ;  C.  H.  Eckhart, 
Printers,  Financial  Secretary. 

1898-99.  H.  Holborn,  Bricklayers,  President;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Record- 


778  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ing  and  Corresponding  Secretary;  D.  Nolan,  Tailors,  Treasurer;  A,  Gustafson,. 
Painters,  Financial  Secretary. 

I899-I9CX),  J.  C.  Tate,  Carpenters,  President;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Record- 
ing and  Corresponding  Secretary;  Earle  Thompson,  Printers,  Treasurer;  A. 
Gustafson,  Painters,  Financial  Secretary. 

1900-01,  J.  C.  Tate,  Carpenters,  President;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary;  Geo.  Sanderson,  Clerks,  Treasurer;  J.  H.  Mc- 
Kamy,  Clerks,  Financial  Secretary. 

1901-02,  J.  C.  Tate,  Carpenters,  President;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  W.  O.  Thompson,  Cigarmakers,  Treasurer ;  J.  H. 
McKamy,  Gerks,  Financial  Secretary.  • 

1902-03,  W.  R.  Boyer,  Broommakers,  W.  O.  Thompson,  Cigarmakers,  Presi- 
dents ;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  W.  O. 
Thompson,  Cigarmakers,  Treasurer;  H.  E.  Kent,  Cigarmakers,  Financial  Sec- 
retary. 

1903-04,  E.  P.  Nelson,  Clerks,  President;  Mrs.  N.  D.  Parker,  Label  League, 
Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  E.  J.  Hughes,  Bricklayers,  Treasurer ; 
J.  C.  Sjodin,  Painters,  Financial  Secretary. 

1904-05,  E.  P.  Nelson,  Clerks,  J.  C.  Sjodin,  Painters,  Presidents;  E.  J.  Corbin, 
Painters,  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  L.  A.  Swanson,  Broommakers, 
Treasurer ;  F.  W.  Kinney,  Cigarmakers,  Financial  Secretary. 

1905-06,  J.  C.  Sjodin,  Painters.  President;  E.  J.  Corbin,  Painters,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Treasurer ;  W.  H.  Mc- 
Keighan,  Printers,  Financial  Secretary. 

;  1906-07,  J.  C.  Sjodin,  Painters,  W.  F.  Kinney,  Cigarmakers,  W.  A.  Marshall, 
Printers.  Presidents ;  C.  F.  Calson.  Printers,  Recording  and  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary ;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Treasurer ;  J.  Hultgren,  Broommakers,  Financial 
Secretary. 

1907-08,  W.  H.  Lohmar,  Painters,  President;  C.  F.  Calson,  Printers,  Record- 
ing and  Corresponding  Secretary ;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Treasurer ;  Geo.  Palmer, 
Printers,  Financial  Secretary. 

1908-09,  F.  L.  Morrill,  Cigarmakers,  C.  F.  Calson,  Printers,  Presidents;  E. 
J.  Corbin,  Painters,  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary;  E.  A.  Tate, 
Printers,  Treasurer ;  Geo.  Palmer,  Printers,  Financial  Secretary. 

1909-10,  E.  J.  Corbin,  Painters,  President;  Geo.  Palmer,  Printers,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary;  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  Treasurer;  Henry  Isaacson, 
Clerks,  Financial  Secretary. 

1910-11,  E.  A.  Tate,  Printers,  President;  Geo.  Palmer,  Printers,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary;  J.  W.  Ramp,  Clerks,  Treasurer;  C.  S.  Bartlett,- 
Qerks,  Financial  Secretary. 

1911-12,  Geo.  Palmer,  Printers,  President;  R.  S.  Barnes,  Printers,  Recording 
and  Corresponding  Secretary;  J.  W.  Ramp,  Qerks,  Treasurer;  C.  S.  Bartlett, 
Clerks,  Financial  Secretary. 

One  of  the  first  actions  of  the  assembly  was  to  pass  resolutions  at  its  initial 
meeting  offering  sympathy,  support  and  aid  to  the  miners  at  Homestead,  Pennsyl- 
vania. At  this  meeting  it  was  also  decided  to  celebrate  Labor  Day  under  the 
auspices  of  the  trades  assembly.  At  the  second  meeting,  July  20,  1892,  a  com- 


-""'-         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  779 

mittee  consisting  of  J.  Forsythe,  C.  H.  Geisler,  A.  G.  Matheson,  W.  E.  Hairy, 
C.  M.  Peterman  and  A.  M.  Everly  was  appointed  to  make  arrangements.  The 
committee  met  the  following  Sunday  and  started  plans  which  resulted  in  Gales- 
burg's  first  celebration  of  Labor  Day  under  the  auspices  of  the  Galesburg  Trades 
and  Labor  assembly  the  first  Monday  in  September,  1892.  A  splendid  parade  was 
held  on  the  principal  streets  of  the  city  in  the  forenoon  with  two  bands  and 
many  floats.  The  afternoon  exercises  were  held  at  Highland  Park,  where 
nearly  6,000  people  assembled.  Mayor  Forrest  F.  Cooke  and  Hon.  S.  H. 
Bashear  were  the  speakers.  Galesburg  trades  unions  have  participated  in  Labor 
Day  celebrations  as  follows : 

• 

LABOR   DAY    CELEBRATIONS    PARTICIPATED    IN    BY    LOCAL    UNIONS 

1891 — Highland  Park.  L.  N.  Thompson,  Marshal.  Speakers:  Hon.  G.  W. 
Prince  and  E.  W.  Welch.  Chairman,  Charles  Hasselleaf. 

1892 — Highland  Park.  Speakers:  Mayor  F.  F.  Cooke  and  Hon.  S.  H. 
Bashear.  Chairman,  J.  Forsythe.  •.;:-. 

1893 — Lake  George.  Speakers :  Mayor  Cooke,  W.  F.  Bailey  and  John 
Hammerstrom.  Chairman,  O.  N.  Marshall. 

1894 — Went  to  Quincy  (Baldwin  Park).  '• 

1895 — Lake  George.  J.  H.  Donnelly,  Marshal.  Speakers:  Father  L.  S. 
Coffin,  Godfrey  Haas  and  Rev.  J.  H.  Rudy,  Quincy.  Chairman,  G.  C.  Wright. 

1896 — Lake  George  (Kewanee  here).  A.  Gustafson,  Marshal.  Speakers: 
Mayor  Tunnicliff  and  Bishop  Fallows.  (W.  J.  Bryan  spoke  from  train  at  Mul- 
berry street  in  the  evening.)  Chairman,  J.  H.  Donnelly. 

1897 — Lake  George.  C.  C.  Mattocks,  Marshal.  Speakers:  Mayor  Cooke, 
Cong.  Prince,  Rev.  Stead,  M.  J.  Daugherty  and  C.  K.  Ladd  of  Kewanee.  Chair- 
man, W.  A.  Marshall. 

1898 — Went  to  Kewanee.  (2,285  tickets  sold  here.)  Speakers:  Cong. 
Prince  and  A.  J.  Boutelle.  • :. 

1899 — Galesburg  Race  track.  Speakers:  Hon.  L.  Y.  Sherman  and  Thos. 
L  Kidd.  Chairman,  J.  C.  Tate. 

1900 — Went  to  Canton.     Speaker:     Eugene  V.  Debs.        " 

1901 — Court  House  Park.  (Kewanee,  Canton  and  Farmington  here.) 
Speakers:  Bishop  Spalding,  W.  A.  Alton,  Peoria,  and  George  Thompson, 
Chicago.  Chairman,  J.  C.  Tate. 

1902 — Went  to  Kewanee. 

1903— Went  to  Peoria  by  way  of  P.  T.  Co.  and  L  C.  Ry.  Speaker:  John 
B.  Lenon.  .  • 

1904— Maley's  Grove.  Speakers:  W,  T.  Wallace  and  John  C.  Sjodin. 
Chairman,  E.  P.  Nelson. 

1905 — Highland  Park.  E.  A.  Tate,  Marshal.  Speakers:  Clarence  Darrow, 
S.  G.  Cunningham,  Mayor  Sanborn  and  Ex-Mayor  Shumway.  Chairman,  J.  C. 
Sjodin.  ..  , 

1906 — Highland  Park  (Kewanee  and  Canton).  W.  L  Jordan,  Marshal. 
Speakers:  Mayor  Shumway  and  J.  H.  Dehner.  Chairman,  J.  C.  Sjodin. 

1907 — Went  to  Burlington,  Iowa. 


780  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

1908 — Parker  Amusement  Co.  on  Frost  lot. 

1909 — No  celebration  here;  some  went  to  Rock  Island,  some  to  Peoria. 

1910 — Excursion  on  the  new  Rock  Island  Southern  Traction  line  to  Rock 
Island. 

191 1 — Highland  Park.  -  Speaker :     P.  J.  Flannery,  Chicago. 

The  following  condensed  list  of  Knox  county's  labor  unions,  with  dates  of 
organization,  will  prove  of  value  to  some  students  of  labor  history : 

Brotherhood  of  Footboard,  1863,  changed  to  Division  62,  B.  of  L.  E.,  Janu- 
ary 17,  1865;  B.  of  L.  F.  March  15,  1882,  reorganized  May  i,  1904,  changed 
to  B.  of  L.  F.  &  E.  March  i,  1909;  Cigarmakers,  March  22,  1883;  O.  R.  C, 
July  23,  1883;  B.  of  R.  T.,  September,  1884;  Carpenters,  December  22,  1890; 
L.  A.  to  B.  of  R.  T.  No.  6,  January  19,  1891 ;  Typographical,  February  22, 
1891 ;  Tailors,  March  21,  1891  ;  Bricklayers,  December  14,  1891  ;  Painters,  De- 
cember 28,  1891;  Trades  Assembly,  July  8,  1892;  Barbers,  November,  1892, 
reorganized  May  12,  1898,  again  January  i,  1902;  Building  Laborers,  Decem- 
ber lo,  1892;  Stonecutters,  April  4,  1893,  reorganized  1905;  Plumbers,  April 
i8,  1893;  Broommakers,  August  14,  1895;  Federal  Labor  union,  September  i8, 
1896;  Retail  Clerks,  September  30,  1897,  reorganized  May  15,  1906;  Plasterers, 
February  5,  1898;  Bakers,  June  17,  1899;  Iron  Molders,  August  14,  1899; 
Laundry  Workers,  August  29,  1899;  Ladies'  Label  league,  November  13,  1900; 
Teamsters,  December  8,  1900;  Broom  Corn  Sorters,  Sizers  and  Helpers,  Janu- 
ary 19,  1901 ;  Hod  Carriers,  January  29,  1901 ;  Electrical  Workers,  May  9,  1901 ; 
Horseshoers,  May  14,  1901  ;  Sheet  Metal  Workers,  August  5,  1901,  reorgan- 
ized May  7,  1903;  Women's  Trades  Union  league,  December  14,  1901;  Musi- 
cians, January  14,  1902;  Brickmakers,  March  15,  1902,  reorganized  March  14, 
1910;  Bartenders,  July  28,  1902;  Ice  Handlers,  August  5,  1902;  Machinists, 
November  26,  1902 ;  Pressmen,  May  23,  1903 ;  Street  Car  Men,  September  22, 
1903,  reorganized  October  22,  1908;  B.  of  L.  E.,  Division  644,  February  29, 
1904;  L.  A.  to  B.  of  L.  E.,  February  14,  1905;  News  Boys,  March  17,  1906; 
T.  M.  A.,  December  29,  1906;  L.  S.  to  B.  of  L.  F.  &  E.,  1909;  Stage  Em- 
ployees, July  13,  1909;  L.  A.  to  B.  of  R.  T.  No.  425,  July  24,  1909;  Cement 
Workers,  September  i8,  1909;  Freight  Handlers,  February  28,  1910;  Steam 
Shovel  and  Dredge  Men,  April,  1910;  Stationery  Firemen,  May  5,  1910;  Dray- 
men, October  i,  1910;  Garment  Workers,  August  7,  1911;  the  Lathers,  Black- 
smiths, Switchmen,  Bro.  Ry.  Clerks,  Bro.  Ry.  Carmen,  dates  not  learned. 

After  organizing  on  July  8,  1892,  the  Trades  assembly  met  in  Spring's 
hall,  Ib4  Main  street,  nearly  two  years,  when  it  removed  to  a  hall  at  the  corner 
of  Prairie  and  Simmons  streets,  over  Wright's  laundry,  now  Ferris  feed  store. 
In  1895  the  third  floor  of  the  Peter  Nelson  block,  corner  Main  and  Seminary, 
was  rented  and  the  assembly  met  there  until  October  21,  1897,  when  it  occupied 
a  hall  in  the  Ferris  building  at  8  Main  street.  On  December  i6,  1898,  the  as- 
sembly rented  the  third  floor  of  the  new  Jacobi  Bros.  &  Mack  building,  where 
fine  quarters  were  established  and  occupied  until  March  lo,  1904,  when  the 
central  body  moved  to  the  Buckley  building,  12  Main  street.  Finding  more 
room  necessary,  a  door  was  cut  through  the  wall  separating  the  Buckley  build- 
ing from  the  Lescher  building  and  both  halls  were  occupied.  On  September 
22,  1905,  the  second  floor  of  the  Buckley  building  was  also  leased  and  fitted  up 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '^  781 

and  some  of  the  unions  met  there.  On  October  3,  1898,  the  assembly  bought 
the  lease  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  in  the  O'Connor  building,  at  6i  South 
Cherry  street,  and  removed  to  that  hall,  remaining  there  until  May,  1910,  when 
it  leased  the  entire  fifth  floor  of  the  Bank  of  Galesburg  building,  with  elevator 
service  at  the  Kellogg  street  entrance,  and  has  met  there  since.  Twenty-one 
unions  are  now  sub-renting  of  the  Trades  assembly,  while  the  others  meet  in 
various  other  halls  of  the  city. 

In  the  spring  of  1901  the  assembly  voted  to  place  a  business  agent  in  the 
field  to  keep  in  close  touch  with  industrial  conditions  in  the  city,  report  unfair 
work,  act  as  arbitrator  in  disputes  and  secure  the  best  conditions  possible  for 
the  toilers.  Accordingly  on  April  ii  H.  W.  Lohmar  was  elected  to  act  in  that 
capacity  and  served  for  one  year.  On  May  22,  1902,  G.  A.  Tilton  was  elected 
and  served  until  June  ii,  1903,  when  he  resigned  and  the  office  was  left  vacant 
for  a  year.  On  July  27,  1904,  Mr.  Tilton  was  again  selected  to  act  as  business 
agent,  and  did  so  until  November.  The  assembly  dispensed  with  a  business 
agent  then  until  May  21,  1908,  when  C.  M.  Peterman  was  elected,  but  resigned 
on  August  I.  He  was  succeeded  by  Ed  Wood,  who  filled  the  office  for  six 
months.  On  April  8,  1909,  E.  K.  Brasel  was  made  business  agent  and  served 
until  the  fall  of  1910,  since  which  time  the  assembly  has  done  without  such  offi- 
cer. The  business  agent  devoted  his  entire  time  to  the  interests  of  the  unions 
and  the  assembly  and  was  paid  a  salary  raised  by  a  special  per  capita  tax  upon 
all  bodies  affiliated  with  the  Trades  assembly.  His  was  a  disagreeable  job  at 
best,  always  sought  when  trouble  arose,  frequently  sent  to  inform  employers 
that  unfair  conditions  must  cease  or  trouble  would  begin.  Threatened,  abused, 
despised  by  the  employer,  who  would  take  advantage  of  labor,  the  business 
agent,  nevertheless,  accomplished  much  good  in  his  daily  rounds,  straightened 
out  many  a  knotty  situation,  secured  shorter  hours  and  better  pay  for  the  toilers 
of  the  city. 

Much  of  the  success  of  organized  labor  in  a  community  depends  upon  the 
facilities  for  intelligently  informing,  not  only  the  entire  membership  of  all  or- 
ganizations, but  the  public  at  large,  upon  the  objects  and  aims  of  labor  unions,  and 
presenting  a  fair  statement  of  the  issues  in  any  controversy.  To  this  end  Gales- 
burg  and  the  surrounding  territory  has  been  exceptionally  fortunate  in  hav- 
ing a  newspaper  published  weekly  in  the  interest  of  the  toilers,  which  has  borne 
the  highest  respect  of  the  citizens  generally. 

The  Galesburg  Labor  News  was  founded  by  Jacob  Smith  in  November, 
1895,  and,  although  the  voyage  of  seventeen  years  has  been  extremely  rough 
at  times  the  little  ship  has  sailed  steadily  onward  bearing  its  messages  of  cheer 
and  encouragement,  spreading  the  doctrines  of  trades  unionism,  never  missing 
an  issue.  Two  years  previous  Charles  F.  Calson  had  launched  "The  Unionist," 
a  most  creditable  advocate  of  trades  unionism,  which  appeared  in  May,  1893, 
but,  owing  to  the  financial  distresses  which  invaded  the  country  during  that 
year,  was  soon  forced  to  suspend  publication. 

On  November  7,  1896,  Henry  C.  Smalley  acquired  a  half  interest  in  the 
Galesburg  Labor  News,  and  the  sheet  was  enlarged  and  its  usefulness  extended 
through  the  new  blood  instilled  and  a  greatly  increased  circulation.  January 
'i6,  1897,  the  paper  was  removed  from  the  "Gazette"  office — the  scene  of  its 


782  • ;    ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

birth — to  the  "Plaindealer"  printing  office.  On  September  4  of  that  year  Mr. 
Smalley  assumed  full  control  of  the  paper  by  purchasing  the  interest  of  Mr. 
Smith  and  for  six  years  labored  unceasingly  to  give  his  readers  a  reliable,  fair 
and  conscientious  publication  devoted  to  the  cause  of  labor.  His  untimely  death 
on  October  29,  1903,  brought  sorrow  to  a  multitude  of  admirers  both  in  and 
out  the  ranks  of  trades  unionism.  He  was  a  member  of  the  city  council,  being 
an  alderman  from  the  first  ward,  and  was  known  for  his  honesty  of  purpose, 
his  clear  understanding  of  the  needs  of  a  growing  city  and  his  conscientious 
efforts  to  give  it  his  best  endeavors.  On  November  i  five  hundred  union  men 
marched  with  bowed  heads  to  pay  tribute  to  a  departed  leader.  The  services 
were  held  at  the  Baptist  church  conducted  by  Rev.  J.  Y.  Aitchison.  John  C. 
Stevens  also  spoke. 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Smalley,  his  brother,  S.  Warren  Smalley,  took  con- 
trol of  the  Labor  News  and,  with  J.  L.  Wilcox  as  editor,  continued  to  issue 
the  paper  until  his  death,  September  4,  1904,  the  day  before  Labor  Day.  Then 
it  was  that  a  stock  company  was  formed  and  the  purchase  of  the  paper  made 
from  the  heirs.  The  stock  of  this  company  was  subscribed  entirely  by  the 
unions  of  Galesburg,  Canton  and  Monmouth,  and  the  paper  is  still  owned  and 
published  by  the  unions.  No  individuals  own  any  of  the  stock.  The  first  offi- 
cers of  the  board  of  directors  were  C.  T.  Salisbury,  president;  S.  O.  Means, 
of  Monmouth,  vice-president;  William  A.  Marshall,  secretary,  and  C  F.  Keel- 
ing, treasurer.  J.  L.  Wilcox  was  chosen  as  editor,  but  resigned  on  April  I, 
1905.  E.  A.  Tate,  then  of  Chicago,  was  selected  as  editor  and  manager  of 
the  paper  and  got  out  his  first  issue  on  April  28,  1905. 

The  paper  was  now  being  issued  from  the  press  of  the  Evening  Mail.  After 
six  months'  publication  in  this  office,  Mr.  Tate  presented  the  company  a  plan 
to  purchase  an  outfit  of  its  own,  and  on  November  i,  1905,  a  plant  was  in- 
stalled at  143  South  Cherry  street,  which  has  since  been  paid  for  out  of  the 
earnings  of  the  company.  Mr.  Tate  resigned  on  December  i,  1910,  to  accept 
the  position  of  deputy  county  treasurer,  and  George  H.  C.  Palmer  was  re- 
elected  as  editor  and  manager,  which  position  he  has  since  filled  with  credit  to 
the  company.  t ':•' 

The  labor  union  of  to-day  is  indeed  a  complex  institution.  It  is  made  up 
of  a  great  variety  of  minds,  each  possessing  ideas  of  perhaps  widely  different 
character,  yet  so  blended  into  the  one  real  purpose  of  uplifting  mankind  as  to 
make  it  a  most  compact  organization,  exceedingly  democratic  in  its  principle  of 
abiding  by  the  will  of  the  majority.  It  thrives  through  the  axiom  that  "the 
welfare  of  one  is  the  concern  of  all."  No  community  of  any  industrial  im- 
portance could  prosper  well  without  it.  The  idea  of  freedom  of  contract  by 
the  individual  in  a  community  where  no  unions  exist  means  the  competition  of 
the  laborers  to  secure  a  job  resulting  in  the  lowest  standard  of  wages,  long 
hours  of  toil,  the  inability  of  the  parents  to  properly  educate  the  oncoming  gen- 
eration, all  of  which  in  turn  means  very  little  money  to  be  spent  in  the  regu- 
lar channels  of  trade  and  which  determines  the  prosperity  of  the  community. 
If  the  workmen  get  good  pay  the  business  man  will  enjoy  a  good  trade;  if 
poorly  paid,  the  business  interests  will  suffer  and  prosperity  lurk  in  the  dis- 
tance. .  .  -..,..,, 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  788 

Frequently  we  see  conflict  between  capital  and  labor.  Neither  will  agree 
to  the  appeals  of  the  other.  Each  hurls  abuse  at  the  other  and  threatens  dire 
results.  Labor  boycotts  and  capital  blacklists.  Almost  invariably  it  is  a  mis- 
understanding of  the  absolute  needs  of  the  one  or  the  other.  A  conservative 
conference  by  both  parties  would  doubtless  reveal  a  means  of  conciliatory  meth- 
ods beneficial  to  all. 

No  organization  of  capital  ever  destroyed  a  combination  of  labor  that  did  not, 
or  will  not,  again  come  forth  stronger  and  more  determined  than  ever.  Both 
are  essential  to  the  needs  of  society  as  composed  to-day,  and  both  are,  or  ought 
to  be,  of  vast  benefit  to  society.  Carefully  compare  the  intelligence,  the  moral- 
ity, the  social  and  financial  standing  of  a  community  thoroughly  unionized  with 
one  where  no  organizations  exist  and  you  will  readily  discern  the  superiority 
of  the  organized  community. 

The  spirit  of  fraternity  existing  in  all  unions  is  especially  helpful  to  a  com- 
munity. Many  a  sick  or  decrepit  brother  has  been  kept  from  want  through 
acts  of  kindness  on  the  part  of  fellow-unionists.  Families  of  deceased  members 
have  been  provided  with  means  to  tide  them  over  perils  that  confronted  them. 
Sanitariums,  hospitals  and  homes  have  been  established  to  care  for  the  aged 
and  disabled  members  in  their  declining  years.  The  railroad  brotherhoods  have 
a  home  for  disabled  railroad  men  at  Highland  Park,  Illinois,  valued  at  a  quar- 
ter of  a  million  dollars,  where  hundreds  of  the  so-called  "broken  rails"  have 
been  happily  cared  for.  Beneath  the  shadow  of  Pike's  Peak  at  Colorado  Springs 
the  printers  have  established  a  home  where  consumptive  and  otherwise  disabled 
printers  are  enjoying  the  hospitality  of  their  more  fortunate  brothers,  who  take 
great  pride  in  providing  this  beautiful  home  for  the  wornout  typesetters,  many 
of  whom  are  restored  to  health  and  returned  to  their  families  cured  of  the  dread 
disease.  Six  hundred  thousand  dollars  has  been  spent  in  the  purchase  of  lands, 
erection  of  buildings,  tents,  annexes  and  cottages.  The  pressmen  have  re- 
cently established  a  home  in  the  beautiful  hills  of  Kentucky.  These  homes  are 
maintained  through  setting  aside  a  small  fraction  of  the  annual  dues  paid  by 
each  member,  little  felt  by  him  as  he  contributes  his  share  to  the  maintenance 
of  an  organization  which  pays  him  a  hundred  per  cent  dividend  in  the  advanced 
wage  and  improved  working  condition. 

Occasionally  a  trades  unionist  oversteps  the  bounds  of  propriety  and  com- 
mits deeds  which  reflect  discredit  upon  the  organization.  These  are  to  be  de- 
plored and  should  not  be  charged  up  to  the  unions,  none  of  which  approves  any 
act  of  violence  or  lawlessness.  The  time  is  fast  coming  when  trades  unionism 
will  be  better  understood  and  commended  rather  than  condemned. 


INTERNAL  IMPROVEMENTS 

MISCELLANEOUS 


Water  transportation  in  the  early  days  was  considered  of  much  more  im- 
portance to  the  people  than  it  is  today.  Then  there  seemed  to  be  no  question 
about  the  advisability  of  using  the  streams  of  the  state  for  that  purpose  and  to 


784  '       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

assist  and  further  make  available  the  principle  of  transportation  by  water,  various 
canals  were  constructed  and  it  seems  that  provision  by  the  state  was  made  for  such 
counties  as  had  no  canals  or  railroads  to  aid  in  the  transportation  problem.  In 
illustration  of  this  point,  we  find  the  following  entry  in  the  county  commis- 
sioner's record  of  March  12,  1838. 

Ordered:  That  the  auditor  of  public  accounts  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  be  and 
he  is  hereby  authorized  and  requested  to  issue  his  warrant  on  the  treasurer  of 
said  state,  in  favor  of  H.  J.  Runkle  or  his  order,  for  the  amount  due  Knox  county 
in  the  appropriation  to  the  different  counties  through  which  no  railroad  or 
canal  is  provided  to  be  made  at  the  expense  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  as  provided 
by  the  eighteenth  section  of  "an  act  to  establish  and  maintain  a  general  system 
of  internal  improvements,"  approved  February  27,  1837,  and  that  the  clerks  issue 
a  certified  copy  of  the  order  to  the  said  H.  J.  Runkle. 

This  order  was  made  to  obtain  what  was  coming  to  Knox  county  by  virtue 
of  that  crazy  policy  of  internal  improvements  which  was  inaugurated  in  the 
state  of  Illinois  by  the  act  referred  to  in  the  order  and  which  practically  an- 
nihilated public  and  private  credit  in  the  state  of  Illinois  and  of  the  whole 
country  and  gave  us  the  most  terrific  financial  crash  that  the  country  has  ever 
seen.  It  is  stated  on  good  authority  that  a  former  citizen  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg  was  a  prominent  broker  in  the  city  of  New  York  at  that  time  and  that  he 
lost  every  cent  he  had  and  that  he  never  after  recovered  from  his  downfall. 

Another  call  for  internal  improvement  funds  was  made  by  the  county  of 
Knox  at  the  June  term  of  court  and  at  the  December  term,  1838,  a  payment 
was  actually  made  to  the  county  on  account  of  said  funds. 

To  H.  J.  Runkle,  agent  for  Knox  county  to  draw  the  appropriations  by  an 
act  of  the  legislature  entitled  "an  act  to  establish  and  maintain  a  general  system 
of  internal  improvements"  approved  February  27,  1838,  who  was  appointed  at 
the  June  term  of  this  court,  rendered  his  account  as  follows : 

Drawn  from  the  Fund  Coms 5850. 

,,     .  .         Treasurer's  receipt  filed    $5800. 

•^-r$>  Expenses  of  said  Runkle   49-65 

.'S'^^C  n   days  employed  at  $1.50 16.50 


•SA;.'--';:;V 'I  ';•::::'      $5866.15 

Amount   drawn 5850.00 


Due  H.  J.  Runkle $     16.15 

Ordered:  That  the  clerk  issue  an  order  on  the  treasurer  in  favor  of  H.  J. 
Runkle  for  sixteen  dollars  and  fifteen  cents  for  account  as  above  stated. 

Also,  at  the  June  term,  1839: 

H.  J.  Runkle,  agent,  to  draw  the  internal  improvement  appropriation,  made  an 
additional  return  as  follows : 

One  hundred  and  ninety-nine  dollars  received,  Knoxville,  April  i8,  1839,  of 
H.  J.  Runkle  as  agent  of  the  county  of  Knox,  to  draw  the  appropriation  of  the 
state  of  Illinois,  to  such  counties  through  which  no  railroad  or  canal  passes 
through  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  dollars. 

.         -  (Signed)     JOHN  EADS,  Treasurer. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '^  785 

There  is  another  order  of  the  court  made  at  the  March  term,  1838,  which  will 
be  interesting  reading  and  which  is  given  below.  It  seems  it  was  supposed  that 
there  was  valuable  salt  mines  in  Vermilion  county,  and  the  state  claimed  the 
ownership  of  the  same  and  ordered  the  sale  of  these  lands,  the  proceeds  to  be 
divided  among  certain  counties  named  in  the  act  providing  for  the  sale.  Knox 
county  was  allowed  $ioo  of  the  proceeds  as  shown  by  the  following  order : 

Ordered:  That  the  auditor  of  public  accounts  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  be  and 
he  is  hereby  authorized  and  requested  to  issue  his  warrant  on  the  treasury  of 
said  state  in  favor  of  H.  J.  Runkle  or  his  order  for  one  hundred  dollars,  being 
the  amount  appropriated  to  the  county  of  Knox,  out  of  the  avails  of  the  sales 
of  the  Vermilion  Saline  lands  by  "an  act  making  appropriations  to  counties 
therein  named."  Approved  March  4,  1837,  and  that  the  clerk  issue  a  certified 
copy  of  this  order  to  the  said  H.  J.  Runkle. 

The  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county  has  expressed  itself  on  a  variety 
of  subjects  and  apparently  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Sometimes  the  action  of  the 
board  has  been  very  commendable  and  sometimes  the  action  taken  would  not 
be  taken  again  after  more  experience  and  further  deliberation.  The  following 
resolution  offered  by  W.  S.  Gale,  at  the  January  meeting,  i^,  forms  very  good 
reading  today  and  might  with  propriety  be  offered  today  by  any  board  or  even 
any  political  gathering: 

Resolved,  That  as  the  war  for  the  preservation  of  our  county  and  the  free 
institutions  bequeathed  to  us  by  our  fathers,  has  left  our  county  burdened  with 
a  debt,  vast  in  proportions,  and  testing  to  their  extent  the  endurance  of  the  Amer- 
ican people. 

The  honor  of  the  nation  requires  that  all  this  debt,  and  the  obligations  in- 
curred in  this  great  struggle  shall  be  fully  met  and  paid  to  the  last  dollar. 

That  the  credit  and  commercial  prosperity  of  the  county  are  promoted  by 
such  legislation  as  will  insure  at  an  early  day  the  resumption  of  specie  payment 
by  the  government,  and  the  return  to  coin  as  a  measure  of  value  in  commercial 
transactions. 

That  the  people  of  Knox  county  are  ready  and  willing  to  accept  their  re- 
sponsibilities, and  bear  their  full  proportion  of  the  public  burdens. 

That  asking  no  other  relief,  and  no  other  favors,  they  have  a  right  in  com- 
mon with  their  fellow  citizens,  to  expect  from  the  national  and  state  legislatures, 
such  legislation  as  will  properly  adjust  and  apportion  these  burdens  as  will 
develop  to  the  uttermost  the  industry  of  the  country  and  protect  the  people 
from  plundering,  monopolists  and  office  holders. 

That  we  approve  of  a  tariff  on  foreign  importations  sufficiently  high  to  pro- 
tect the  infant  manufacturing  enterprises  of  the  country,  and  secure  the  de- 
velopment of  our  vast  mineral  resources. 

That  we  believe  it  the  duty  of  the  government  to  secure  the  opening  of  every 
natural  channel  from  the  grain  growing  districts  to  the  seaboard  which  is  worth 
the  necessary  outlay,  and  to  secure  within  a  short  period  a  railroad  communication 
across  the  continent,  and  with  the  rich  mines  of  the  interior. 

That  we  believe  the  control  of  the  great  highways  of  the  country  has  been 
too  long  intrusted  to  the  exclusive  management  of  men,  who  have  no  responsi- 
bilities to  the  public,  and  who  are  expected  to  seek  only  the  promo- 


ToL   1—50 


786  .     ^  ••    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

tion  of  private  interests  without  any  regard  to  the  wants,  necessities  and  interests 
of  the  public  except  so  far  as  attention  thereto  may  promote  such  private  in- 
terests. 

That  while  we  do  not  propose  to  indicate  what  legislation  is  called  for  in 
the  case,  we  are  satisfied  there  is  something  which  requires  correction,  when  a 
railroad  from  the  city  of  Galesburg  to  the  city  of  Chicago  can,  in  one  year, 
without  running  to  its  full  capacity,  earn  a  sum  of  money  equal  to  its  entire  cash 
cost,  when  the  road  through  this  county  to  Peoria  can  collect  rates  of  freight 
which  will  afford  a  fine  compensation  for  wagons  drawn  by  horses. 

That  there  is  something  requiring  correction  when  we  are  entirely  deprived 
of  the  important  markets  of  St.  Louis  and  Cain,  except  in  time  of  navigation, 
notwithstanding  we  have  from  this  county  railroad  communication  with  both, 
from  the  fact  that  the  connecting  railroads  are  the  property  of  different  com- 
panies and  permit  the  passage  of  no  freight,  except  with  the  loss  and  delay 
of  repeated  changes  of  cars,  and  rates  of  freight  double  those  charged  for  similar 
distances  on  single  lines  of  road. 

That  the  construction  of  new  competing  lines  of  railway  is  not  the  true 
remedy  for  these  evils,  requiring  as  it  does  an  impossible  outlay  of  capital  and 
utterly  inefficacious  in  securing  that  connection  of  lines,  and  transfer  of  freight, 
without  suitable  provision  for  which  we  can  never  realize  the  full  benefits  of 
railroad  transportation. 

That  in  our  opinion  prompt  and  wise  legislation  to  effect  the  opening  of  new 
channels  of  trade,  the  improvement  and  proper  control  of  the  old,  protecting 
all  the  vested  rights  of  corporation,  and  the  inalienable  rights  of  the  people,  is 
essential  to  the  prosperity  of  the  country  and  absolutely  required  to  enable  the 
people  to  support  those  burdens,  which  must  be  borne  if  the  national  honor  is 
to  be  sustained. 

ENDORSEMENT  OF  BOARD  OF  HEALTH   AND  INSTITUTE  FOR  IDIOTS 

April,  1866. — Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted :  Resolved,  That  "an  act  to  provide  for  a  board  of  health  in  each  town- 
ship in  those  counties  adopting  township  organization"  approved  February  i6, 
A.  D.  1865,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  accepted  by  this  board. 

January,  1867. — Mr.  Vaughn  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted:  Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox 
county  the  legislature  of  this  state  should  make  a  liberal  appropriation  and  per- 
manently establish  the  institution  now  in  operation  in  this  state  for  the  school- 
ing and  intellectual  elevation  of  idiots.  And  our  senator  and  representative  are 
hereby  respectfully  requested  to  use  their  best  efforts  to  accomplish  this  pur- 
pose. And  that  the  clerk  of  this  board  is  hereby  instructed  to  forward  a  copy 
of  this  resolution  to  the  parties  above  named. 

CONDEMNATION    OF    REGISTRATION    LAW  • 

January,  1869. — Mr.  Lanphere  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted :  Resolved,  That  the  enactment  of  the  registry  law  of  this  state,  ap- 


..  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  787 

proved  February  15,  1865,  has  been  attended  with  a  heavy  expense  to  the  county 
without  any  aggregate  returns.  That  in  our  opinion  it  has  failed  to  prevent 
illegal  voting,  the  ostensible  object  of  its  enactment,  and  we  therefore  request 
our  member  of  the  legislature  to  use  all  honorable  means  to  procure  its  repeal. 

•/.,         ;  :,  CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION  -,    ' 

•'...''•.'''..•  .-•'.. 

January,  1876. — Mr.  Sumner  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
unanimously  adopted:  Whereas,  This  is  the  centennial  of  our  national  birth, 
and  it  appearing  to  us  eminently  fitting  and  proper  that  the  people  should  in 
some  suitable  manner  give  expression  to  their  gratitude  and  appreciation  of  the 
blessings  of  civil  liberty  secured  to  us  in  the  birth  and  continued  growth  and 
prosperity  of  our  free  institutions,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  citizens  of  the  military  tract  to  come 
together  at  Galesburg  on  the  4th  day  of  July  next  and  in  an  appropriate  man- 
ner commemorate  the  centennial  of  our  national  existence. 

April,  1876. — Robert  L.  Hannaman,  Esq.,  appeared  before  the  board  in  be- 
half of  the  committee  on  centennial  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July  and  in  a 
brief  speech  represented  the  action  taken  in  favor  of  such  general  celebration 
of  the  Fourth  to  be  held  in  the  county  at  Galesburg,  and  concluded  by  asking 
on  behalf  of  the  committee  that  the  board  appropriate  from  the  county  fund 
the  sum  of  $2,500  or  $3,000,  to  be  expended  in  such  centennial  celebration. 

On  motion  the  request  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  miscellaneous  busi- 
ness. 

In  the  matter  of  the  request  for  an  appropriation  out  of  the  county  treasury 
to  pay  the  expenses  of  a  centennial  Fourth  of  July  celebration,  your  committee 
would  beg  leave  to  refer  the  same  back  to  the  board  for  its  action. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Holyoke  the  application  for  an  appropriation  in  aid  of 
the  centennial  Fourth  of  July  celebration  was  laid  upon  the  table. 

...—  I. .;...••..  PUBLICATION    OF    THE    PROCEEDINGS   OF    THE    BOARD 

The  board  always  objected  to  the  newspapers'  charges  for  the  publication  of 
its  proceedings,  which  were  considered  too  high.  For  a  number  of  years  the 
proceedings  were  published  in  one  paper  and  also  in  pamphlet  form.  This  mat- 
ter is  pretty  well  explained  in  the  following  action: 

September,  1876. — Mr.  Temple  oifered  the  following  resolution :  Resolved, 
That  the  printing  and  distribution  of  the  proceedings  of  the  board  of  supervisors 
in  pamphlet  form  be  discontinued. 

Mr.  Gaines  moved  to  amend,  or  substitute,  that  the  publication  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  board  in  the  county  papers  be  discontinued;  and  that  in  lieu 
thereof  two  thousand  copies  of  the  proceedings  be  published  in  pamphlet  form. 

Mr.  Felt  moved  to  lay  the  whole  matter  on  the  table.  Adopted.  Those  vot- 
ing in  the  affirmative  were :  Messrs.  Campbell,  Bates,  Felt,  Gale,  Dieterich, 
Chambers,  Sisson,  Deatherage,  McFarland,  Barnett,  Eiker,  Woodmansee,  Swi- 
gart,  Stuckey,  Sloan,  West  and  Soles,  17.  Those  voting  in  the  negative  were: 
Messrs.  Curtis,  England,  Temple,  Tucker  and  Gaines,  5. 


788  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  Felt  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted :  Resolved, 
That  this  board  will  not  pay  any  paper  for  publishing  the  proceedings  of  this 
board,  unless  such  paper  shall  publish  a  full  report,  as  furnished  by  the  clerk. 

:;  .    .       >'  CONCENTRATION    OF   RAILROADS 

April,  1877. — Mr.  Tucker  presented  the  following  resolutions,  which  were 
adopted :  Resolved,  That  whereas  the  concentration  of  all  the  railroads  in  this 
and  the  adjoining  counties,  in  a  single  management,  seriously  threatens  the 
prosperity  of  the  community  and  creates  an  apparent  absolute  necessity  for  con- 
cert of  action  for  the  protection  of  individual  interests ;  that  there  being  no 
other  organization  to  whom  it  more  properly  belongs,  we  deem  it  right  and 
appropriate  for  the  county  board,  as  the  representatives  of  the  people,  to  adopt 
such  measures  as  are  within  its  power  to  secure  to  citizens  such  measure  of  pro- 
tection as  the  law  can  be  made  to  afford,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  revenue  and  equalization  be  directed  to 
inquire  into  and  ascertain  what  rates  of  freight  are  charged  by  the  railroad 
companies  on  property  shipped  to  and  from  points  in  this  county ;  how  such 
rates  compare  with  charges  made  on  other  roads  for  like  service;  whether  such 
rates  are  exorbitant  and  unreasonable  and  contrary  to  law ;  whether  and  to 
what  extent  points  in  this  county  are  discriminated  against;  what  legal  steps 
can  be  taken,  if  any  are  thought  necessary,  to  procure  from  the  companies 
modifications  of  their  charges;  what  legal  redress  the  citizens  of  the  county 
may  have  and  what  steps  may  properly  be  taken  by  the  county  board  to  pro- 
tect its  citizens. 

Resolved  further,  that  the  county  boards  of  the  counties  of  Warren,  Hender- 
son, Mercer,  Henry  and  Stark  be  invited  to  take  similar  action  and  to  corre- 
spond with  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  revenue  and  equalization  with  ref- 
erence to  calling  a  convention  of  representatives  of  the  several  boards  to  pro- 
vide for  united  action. 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  be  directed  to  hold  such  sessions  between  this 
and  the  next  meeting  of  this  board  as  they  may  deem  best  and  that  they  be 
authorized  to  incur  such  reasonable  expenses  as  may  be  required  to  carry  into 
effect  this  resolution. 

. .    .  ^/'Vs'^'-  -'   '•       ..  '  •     • 

.;!;••;•'*'>''  REMONETIZATION  OF   SILVER 

January,  1878. — Mr.  Hale  presented  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions, 
which  were  on  motion  unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  From  the  most  remote  ages,  and  among  all  nations,  gold  and  silver, 
either  exclusively,  or  in  common  with  other  metals,  have,  by  common  consent 
and  universal  custom,  as  well  as  by  the  enactments  of  the  law-making  power, 
been  established,  recognized  and  used,  as  the  representatives  of  value,  and  the 
mediums  of  exchange  of  property,  in  other  words,  as  money ;  and 

Whereas,  The  value  of  all  property  has  been  measured,  and  the  rights  of 
the  creditor,  and  the  liabilities  of  the  debtor  class,  in  every  community,  have 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  789 

been  fixed,  limited  and  defined,  by  the  conjoint  money  power  of  these  two 
metals;  and 

Whereas,  During  the  years  1873-74,  in  an  obscure,  indirect,  oblique — if  not 
in  a  clandestine,  surreptitious  manner — silver  was  in  these  United  States  deprived 
of  its  main  nioney  power;  thus,  in  its  immediate  and  remote  consequences  (if  per- 
sisted in),  causing  a  greater  disturbance  in  values,  and  a  greater  convulsion 
and  revolution  in  every  civil  and  social  relation,  than  any  event  that  has  trans- 
pired in  the  history  of  the  country,  whereby  the  purchasing  power  of  the  money 
remaining,  that  is,  gold,  is  greatly  increased,  but  only  by  the  great  depreciation 
in  the  selling  power  of  property;  whereby  the  value  of  all  securities  and  the 
profits  of  all  creditors  are  greatly  increased,  but  only  by  a  great  increase  in  the 
burdens  and  liabilities  of  all  debtors ;  whereby  the  rich  are  to  be  made  richer,  and 
the  poor  poorer;  and 

Whereas,  Acts  of  legislation  are  pending  in  the  congress  of  the  United  States 
having  in  the  purpose  the  repeal  of  this  unjust,  unequal,  and  injurious  legislation, 
and  the  restoration  to  silver  of  its  original  full  money  power :  Now,  therefore, 
be  it 

Resolved,  by  this  board  of  supervisors,  representing  in  this  expression  the 
almost  unanimous  voice  of  the  people  of  Knox  county,  that  we  denounce  as 
unjust,  unequal,  partial  and  injurious,  the  legislation  that  was  resorted  to  for 
the  demonetization  of  silver,  and  demand  its  repeal. 

Resolved  further.  That  the  senators  and  members  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, from  this  state,  have  our  hearty  approval  and  support  in  their  ef- 
forts to  secure  such  repeal. 

Resolved  further.  That  we  respectfully  but  earnestly  present  these  views  to 
the  president  of  the  United  States,  with  the  hope  that  he  will  unite  with  the 
ether  departments  of  the  government  in  restoring  silver,  as  money,  to  the  circula- 
tion of  the  country. 

Resolved  further.  That  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the  records,  and  a 
copy  thereof  be  furnished  to  the  member  of  congress  from  this  district,  to  the 
senators  from  this  state,  and  to  the  president  of  the  United  States. 

INDUSTRIAL   SCHOOL   FOR   GIRLS     ' 

January,  i88i,  1883. — Mr.  Gale  (W.  S.)  offered  the  following  resolution, 
which  was  made  the  order  of  business  for  2:30  o'clock  this  afternoon: 

Resolved,  That  this  board  request  the  state  senator  and  representatives  from 
this  district  to  endeavor  to  have  repealed  so  much  of  the  law  referring  to  industrial 
school  for  girls,  as  makes  the  counties  from  which  inmates  are  sent  responsible 
for  their  support. 

Mr.  Gale  (G.  W.),  committee  on  almshouse  and  paupers,  read  bills  of  alms- 
house  for  that  institution,  previously  examined  by  the  committee,  and  after  a 
partial  reading  of  said  bills,  the  further  reading  of  such  bills  was  suspended, 
and  the  special  order  of  the  hour  being  called,  it  being  2 130,  the  resolutic«i  offered 
this  morning  by  Mr.  Gale  (G.  W.)  was  called  up. 

The  ladies  representing  the  auxiliary  society  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  school 


790  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  for  girls  being  present,  were  heard  upon  the  resolution,  and  after  a  free  dis- 
.    cussion  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Gale  was  adopted. 

•\,',         January,   1883. — The  following  is  taken  from  report  of  committee  on  mis- 
;    cellaneous  business,  read  by  Mr.  Mathews : 

'  -.      That  in  the  matter  of  resolution  from  the  county  clerk  of  McLean  county,  in 

:      the  matter  of  industrial  school  for  girls,  we  endorse  the  same  and  recommend 

'.  that  a  copy  of  same  be  printed  as  part  of  the  record. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

R.  G.  MATHEWS, 

.   .  :  :  ,          HARVEY  MONTGOMERY, 
!.".•.>,•  '•     ,    ^  •    •;,     ^.  ,-.':".-.',  :•:'*.';,•..  W.  A.  BOYDSTUN, 

•  Committee. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  resolution  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  report: 
.'   ;      Resolved,  That  we  request  our  senator,  Hon.  J.  W.  Fifer,  and  our  representa- 
tive in  the  legislature,  Hons.  LaFayette  Funk,  Simeon  H.  West  and  Thos.  F. 
•^.  Mitchell,  to  use  all  honorable  efforts  to  secure  a  repeal  of  the  "act  to  aid  industrial 

•  school  for  girls,"  or  at  least  so  much  thereof  as  makes  counties  liable  in  any  way 

•  .    for  the  expense  of  maintaining  such  schools,  or  the  expense  of  sending  girls  to 

such  schools.         , ; 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Eiker  said  report  was  accepted  and  the  recommendations 
of  the  committee  concurred  in,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue  orders  in  accord- 
ance therewith. 

:         \;     ri-t;  DESTRUCTIVE  FLOODS,  MARCH,    1883 

March,   1883. — Mr.  Latimer,  chairman  of  the  road  and  bridge  committee, 

;  ;  stated  that  the  bridges  of  the  county  had  been  badly  damaged  by  the  recent 

:/  floods.    The  Trenton  bridge  is  gone;  also  the  bridge  at  London  Mills,  and  the 

;    bridge  known  as  Cedar  Creek  bridge  in  Indian  Point.     The  Burnett  bridge  at 

.  '•'  Maquon  is  badly  damaged.     The  bridge  at  London  Mills  is  a  county  bridge. 

-'  Fulton  county  has  authorized  its  commissioners  to  rebuild  or  replace  the  bridge 

-.  '  on  the  same  conditions  as  it  was  originally  built.    So  far  no  proposition  has  been 

. :,:  made  by  contractors,  with  reference  to  the  old  bridge,  that  is  more  advantageous 

:  '•  to  the  county  than  to  sell  it  for  old  iron ;  some  contractors  refuse  to  consider  the 

.'    old  bridge  at  any  price.    Its  original  cost  was  about  $3,000.     It  is  probable  that 

:.  :  contracts  can  be  made  to  rebuild  this  bridge  for  about  $2,000,  and  the  old  one 

•:•   turned  in  as  old  iron  in  part  payment.     The  Rio  and  Henderson  bridges,  here- 

'  ;•  to  fore  ordered,  are  in  process  of  construction,  and  in  some  of  the  towns  the 

construction  of  stone  abutments  has  been  contracted. 

He  stated   further  that  he  had  considerable  correspondence   with   different 

;    bridge  contractors,  and  had  learned  that  unless  contracts  were  made  at  once 

'.   Knox  county  would  have  to  wait  until  fall  for  the  completion  of  her  bridges,  so 

many  bridges  throughout  this  state  and  other  states  having  been  washed  away, 

and  he  recommended  that  contracts  for  such  bridges  as  we  require  be  made  at 

'  ,  once. 

(Mr.  Robson  said  he  thought  the  committee,  in  making  contracts,  should  be 
\  confined  to  bridges,  the  abutments  for  which  had  been  constructed  and  approved 

.'    ,•     •• 'Vi';"--'' .  •  •  '•/•,..•'•,,  \ '-'   '   •    'V'      '•    ;.;•"•.- ,t  .-..,.  ,^.  •-:   ••.    -  i    : 'i-  •   .  . ; 

.-  '• : -'.^  *:'iiX;^'/ •  '  ••      '  .  •'         - . -.  '     ',''';-.''/'.',''''••  -';"'     '  '.     '..:'''"•'-'•••' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  791 

of  by  the  committee.    This  course  should  be  pursued  for  the  protection  of  the 
county  and  as  a  guarantee  of  good  and  substantial  work. — Clerk.) 

After  some  discussion  Mr.  Robson  offered  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  road  and  bridge  committee  be,  and  is  hereby  authorized, 
in  connection  with  a  like  committee  from  Fulton  county,  the  same  to  act  jointly, 
to  rebuild  or  replace  the  bridge  at  London  Mills,  on  abutments  and  approaches 
to  be  built  by  the  town  of  Chestnut  in  Knox  county  and  the  town  of  Hickory  in 
Fulton  county,  to  the  satisfaction  of  said  committee. 

Mr.  May  offered  the  following  amendment:  .     •' 

Strike  out  all  after  the  words  "to  act  jointly"  and  then  add  "to  rebuild  or 
repair  the  iron  bridge  and  approaches  at  London  Mills  on  abutments  to  be  built 
by  the  town  of  Chestnut  in  Knox  county  and  the  town  of  Hickory  in  Fulton 
county,  to  the  satisfaction  of  said  committee."  •  '•  '':.': 

(It  was  objected  that  the  resolution  as  amended  was  contrary  to  the  usual 
custom  of  the  county  in  this,  that  by  it  the  county  assumed  the  cost  of  con- 
structing the  approaches  to  the  bridge  and  it  would  constitute  a  precedent 
whereby  the  towns,  in  the  future,  might  claim  the  same  relief. 

In  favor  of  the  amendment  it  was  argued  that  this  bridge  was  exceptional 
and  could  not  be  cited  as  a  precedent.  It  is  located  on  the  county  line,  and  the 
resolution  as  amended  corresponds  with  the  action  of  Fulton  county,  and  unless 
the  same  action  is  had  by  Knox  county  no  progress  could  be  made  on  the  work 
until  after  another  meeting  of  the  Fulton  county  board. — Qerk.) 

And  thereupon  Mr.  May's  amendment  was  adopted. 

And  the  question  recurring  on  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Robson,  as  amended, 
and  a  vote  having  been  taken,  said  resolution  as  amended  was  carried. 

Mr,  Wertman  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  road  and  bridge  committee  be  instructed  to  examine  the 
piers  on  Spoon  river  at  the  bridge  known  as  Trenton  bridge  and,  if  found  suit- 
able, to  place  thereon  an  iron  bridge  suitable  for  the  place.  And  if  the  piers 
are  not  found  good  and  substantial  that  said  committee  be  authorized  to  con- 
struct a  bridge  at  that  place  as  soon  as  the  town  of  Truro  makes  said  piers  to 
the  approval  of  said  committee. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Wertman  the  road  and  bridge  committee  were  authorized 
to  sell  the  old  Trenton  bridge  on  Spoon  river  to  the  best  advantage. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Foote  the  joint  committee  of  Knox  and  Fulton  counties 
were  authorized  to  dispose  of  the  old  bridge  at  London  Mills  as  they  see  fit. 

Mr.  Harden  stated  that  the  bridge  at  Cedar  Creek  ought  to  be  of  iron,  and 
moved  that  the  matter  be  referred  to  the  road  and  bridge  committee  with  power 
to  act  and  that  said  committee  be  authorized  to  dispose  of  the  old  wreck  to  the 
best  advantage.  Carried. 

April,  1883. — Mr.  Latimer  read  the  following  report  of  the  committee  on 
roads  and  bridges: 


•  ••-••,  -       ..••'.•  .  '-.,    -••  ,'''.^- 
.-    ''    -'  j'  1  '  r'  ^-    •  '.  '•   '"  '.V  .  »     '  *    ' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'  f'  •'  State  of  Illinois,  -  ^   s'    ^^*:';;  >^ 

'  .  -  .  .      TT  /-          ^  SS.        -;  '.•    .  '.•''•:.-  •      ••••:••  '   '   •  .• 

;.  '.    Knox  County.  \    .  ..  r  v 

,'      :;  Board  of  Supervisors — April  Term,  A.  D.  1883 

.'A;  Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors: 
...-,'•  Your  committee,  to  whom  were  referred   the  matters  pertaining  to   roads 

; .    , ;   and  bridges,  would  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report: 
:'^    ^         On  matters  referred  to  us  at  special  meeting  March  20  we  report  as  fol- 

'   :  i  lows:    We  met  with  the  Fulton  county  committee  at  London  Mills  on  26th  of 
March  and  received  bids  from  five  different  bridge  companies,  and  we  accepted 

•.'   ,    the  bid  from  the  King  Iron  Bridge  company  for  the  erection  of  an  iron  truss 
••-        bridge  120  feet  long,  at  the  sum  of  ($2,563)  twenty-five  hundred  and  sixty-three 

'    :  dollars  and  the  old  bridge  to  be  completed  by  the  ist  of  June  next,  and  also 
;-  -  /   received  proposals  for  the  erection  of  the  approaches,  but  have  not  yet  con- 

•  tracted  for  the  same.     We  also  contracted  with  the  Massilloq  Bridge  company, 
y  •   ';    Ohio,  for  the  erection  of  the  three  bridges  ordered  by  this  board,  namely,  one 

'.••-'   in  Jndian  Point,  66  feet;  one  in  Henderson,  46^  feet;  one  in  Rio,  46^  feet, 
:  to  be  completed  twenty-five  days  after  notification  of  completion  of  the  ma- 
.     sonry,  at  eleven   dollars  and   seventy-five  cents    ($11.75)    P^r   lineal   foot,   the 
same  five  companies  competing. 

•  '     •          The  committee  visited  Walnut  Creek  site  for  bridge,  and  under  the  instruc- 

•  .     ,  tions  of  this  board  we  agreed  with  the  commissioners  of  said  town  of  Walnut 

.  Grove  to  place  an  iron  structure,  on  completion  of  stone  work,  to  the  satisfac- 

. ,  '.  tion  of  this  committee,  and  the  bridge  will  be  contracted  for  by  your  present 

•.     ;  committee.     We  visited  the  Truro  bridge  and  found  the  abutments  of  no  ac- 

•    '  count.    We  sold  the  old  bridge  for  one  hundred  seventy-six  dollars  and  twenty- 

;     ..;  five  cents  ($176.25),  which  amount  is  now  in  hands  of  chairman  of  this  com- 

;  '.;.  mittee   for  your  disposal.     The  old  wooden  bridge  at  Cedar  creek  is  not  yet 

•  disposed  of. 

,.  We  further  report  on  matters  referred  to  us  at  this  meeting,  the  following 

bills  be  allowed:  -.  :'  .  ,/      ;':  -V;-  .  !:•  :     /   j 

•;  .       J.  W.  McCutchen,  com.  work  and  mileage $3-3O 

'      .    J.  A.  Shaffer,  com.  work  and  mileage 5.00 

' '    ' ;    A.  L.  Smith,  com.  work  and  mileage 7.80 

'.  The  appropriation  asked  for  Haw  creek  in  aid  of  .repairs  of  Burnett  bridge, 

,    we  recommend  be  allowed  and  the  amount  of  ($300)  three  hundred  dollars  be 
.:  .      issued  by  the  clerk  in  favor  of  the  highway  commissioners  of  said  town.   .-  . 

J.  S.  LATIMER,  ^  ^r-  '^ 

y  •     ,>;/:•:,  v^         .     WILLIAM  A.  BOYDSTUN,  ';•;-'% 

;,  •-  :>"'.^  ['  ;,          -     '      .  .    ,.:\  '  •         '•  '  ••'•    '-     JAMES  PADEN,       :>' 

',-.•*';'".*•-•-       '         '  -  •    -     .          " •        •'•'•-•        '  •  '  I  •     ^^*     f-" *  IvEiKf         '       ,  •  '    '    ' 

'.-•-''.    I'l" '          ,  •  •  •.-...'          .,*•..          .'••'•       -''•.'.  •'  '',-*-•'•', 

''"''.' •'^•}'-' ''•..'        ,     •   .          •.,'..  ',>'.;.'/'  '•  •    •'     ;,\     JOHN  SLOAN, 

'"''''  '    •  Committee, 

i  On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  said  report  was  accepted  and  its  recommendations 
concurred  in,  and  the  clerk  directed  to  issue  orders  in  accordance  therewith. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  Mr.  Latimer  was  directed  to  pay  into  the  county 
treasury  the  money  received  from  the  sale  of  the  Trenton  bridge. 


V  vi   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .  :  793 


DRAM   SHOP   LICENSE 


••''-  September,  1889. — In  report  of  committee  on  miscellaneous  business  we 
find  the  following:  . 

In  the  matter  of  the  petition  from  Truro  township  asking  the  board  to  grant 
one,  G.  O.  Tucker,  licensed  to  keep  a  dram  shop  in  Williamsfield,  your  commit- 
tee would  refer  the  same  back  to  the  board  for  their  action. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gale,  the  board  took  up  the  question  of  license. 

Moved  by  Mr.  Becker  that  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  for  dram  shop 
license  be  refused.  Carried. 


GALESBURG  BOARD  OF  PARK  COMMISSIONERS 

July,  1894. — The  following  communication  was  read  and  referred  to  the 
judiciary  committee:  .  - 

GALESBURG,  111.,  June  22,   1894. 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Stipennsors  of  Knox  County: 

The  undersigned,  constituting  the  board  of  park  commissioners  of  the  city 
of  Galesburg,  respectfully  represents  that  they  have  as  such  commissioners 
charge  of  the  city  park  adjoining  the  courthouse  grounds  owned  by  the  county. 
The  two  tracts  lie  contiguous,  and,  there  being  no  intersecting  streets,  they  con- 
stitute in  appearance  one  park.  It  would  greatly  improve  the  appearance  to 
have  the  trees  in  both  tracts  uniformly  trimmed  and  the  lawns  and  walks  kept 
clean  and  in  good  condition.  Untrimmed  trees,  dead  trees  and  unkept  lawns 
in  either  tract  of  land  necessarily  disfigure  and  mar  the  symmetry  of  the  other. 
While  we  have  official  charge  of  the  city  park,  the  west  half  of  said  grounds, 
we  tender  our  unofficial  service  to  the  county  in  taking  charge  of  the  court- 
house grounds,  we  offer  to  superintend  the  trimming  of  trees,  the  removal  of 
dead  limbs  and  dead  trees,  caring  for  the  lawn  and  keeping  the  walks  clear 
of  grass  and  weeds  and  the  planting  of  trees  and  shrubbery  with  the  advice 
of  the  sheriff  and  perform  all  duties  connected  with  properly  caring  for  said 
grounds  the  same  as  we  care  for  the  city  park.  •  " 

Our  services,  whether  of  any  particular  value  or  not,  would  be  gratuitous. 
If  permitted  to  take  charge  of  your  grounds,  the  only  expense  would  be  neces- 
sary bills  for  labor,  and  for  any  material  purchased  for  use  on  said  grounds. 

We  respectfully  suggest  that  the  trees  on  the  court  house  grounds  now 
very  much  need  trimming,  and  that  a  trivial  expense  for  unskilled  labor  under 
the  direction  of  a  person  experienced  in  caring  for  trees  will  greatly  improve  the 
appearance  of  the  grounds.  This  proposal  is  not  intended  and  should  not  be 
construed  as  in  the  slightest  degree  criticising  the  condition  of  the  county 
grounds.  ;  ?.  . 

,  ,     Our  view  is  that  uniformity  in  the  care  of  the  park  and  court  house  grounds 
will  be  of  benefit  and  add  much  to  the  beauty  of  both.  .-.,.... 

Very  respectfully,  .  •  . 

:\^'^:^•^f  ;;  3^        J.  V.  N.  STANDISH,  HENRY  GARDT, 

'•  V:^-;    'V/- '    ;;  "^    P-  F.  BROWN,  J.  W.  HAMMOND, 

:v^  \;>'V';r  •  ;?;  >^-,:   HIRAM  MARS,    ,  ,;  O.  F.  PRICE. 


,r    794  ,       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•       .•     Mr.  Gale  presented  the  following  resolution  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  until  further  action  of  the  board,  the  park  commissioners  of 
the  city  of  Galesburg  be  authorized  to  take  charge  of  the  court  house  grounds 

;..  in  terms  and  manner  proposed  in  the  communication  at  this  meeting  read,  from 
said  park  commissioners. 

Referring  to  the  proposition  from  the  park  commissioners  of  the  city  of 
Galesburg  to  take  charge  of  the  court  house  grounds,  your  committee  are  of 
the  opinion  that  it  is  inexpedient  to  place  the  care  of  the  grounds  in  other  hands 
than  the  officers  of  the  county,  and  that  an  attempt  to  give  partial  control  to 

„      others  might  result  in  complications  and  make  it  difficult  to  define  the  responsi- 

'      bilities  of  the  officers  in  general  charge.     The  committee  fully  appreciates  the 
motives  that  prompted  the  offer  of  service  and  recommend  that  the  sheriff  and 

'.     janitor  be  directed  to  give  more  care  to  the  proper  trimming  of  the  trees  and 

=.     care  of  the  grounds  and  avail  themselves  of  the  advantages  of  frequent  con- 
sultations with  the  park  commissioners,  and  that  the  sheriff  be  authorized  to 

';     incur  reasonable  and  necessary  expenses  in  carrying  out  these  directions. 

:  .     .  "         .         INVESTIGATION   OF  CRUELTY   AT  ALMSHOUSE 

July,  1894. — A  petition  was  presented  requesting  the  board  to  investigate  the 
charges  of  cruelty  to  an  idiotic  boy  confined  in  the  almshouse,  John  Moore  by 
name,  by  the  authorities  thereof  by  snipping  or  cutting  off  strips  of  skin  for 
:  the  purpose  of  grafting  upon  the  arm  of  another  inmate.  Said  petition  being 
signed  by  J.  D.  Moore,  J.  B.  Miller,  J.  U.  Pickrel,  J.  D.  Housh  and  eighty-two 
others,  residents  of  the  county.  .  •  .-•  . 

Mr.  Gale  moved  that  the  petition  be  referred  to  the  almshouse  committee 
with  instructions  to  investigate  and  report  to  the  board. 

: ;  Mr.  Pickrel  moved  to  amend  so  that  the  petiton  be  referred  to  a  special 

-'>     committee.    Yeas,  J.  F.  Latimer,  Fd.  A.  Felt,  W.  H.  Wiley,  R.  H.  Pickrel,  John 
R.  Young,  John  McCrea,  6. 

Nays,  W.  S.  Gale.  J.  L.  Burkhalter,  Nels  Nelson,  C.  E.  Allen,  Isaac  Callen- 
•     der,  H.  M.  Sisson,  Alex  Heflin,  Henry  M.  Reece,  J.  S.  Simpson,  Malcom  Smith, 
'     Wm.  Robson,  F.  C.  Beamiore,  Frederick  Becker,  J.  F.  Hubbell,  R.  A.  Lower, 
B.  F.  Pitman,  John  G.  Fmery,  17.     Amendment  lost. 

The  question  recurring  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Gale  the  same  was  adopted  by 
;      a  viva  voce  vote. 

Mr.  Robson  of  the  same  committee,  read  the   following  additional   report, 
;       which,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Sisson,  was  adopted: 

In  the  matter  of  the  complaint  of  cruelty  to  Jake  Moore,  at  the  almshouse, 

by  the  superintendent  and  county  physician,  referred  to  the  committee  for  in- 

'.     vestigation,  we  find  the  undisputable  facts  to  be :    Anne  Kendahl,  a  young  woman 

• :     suffering  from  the  effects  of  a  severe  burn,  and  otherwise  in  ill  health,  was  a 

temporary  inmate  of  the  almshouse.     She  was  of  a  poor,  respectable  family, 

had  been  employed  at  the  time  of  the  accident  as  a  domestic,  and  was  spoken 

of  as  a  well  mannered,  industrious  girl,  and  she  enlisted  sympathy  by  the  bravery 

with  which  she  bore  her  misfortunes. 

Some  portions  of  the  burned  surface  failed  to  heal,  and  the  loss  of  one  arm 


^  i,;::      '.;V      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  795 

was  declared  by  the  surgeon  almost  inevitable  with  any  ordinary  treatment.  A 
relief  was  hoped  for  by  resorting  to  the  process  of  skin-grafting.  There  was 
at  the  same  time  a  permanent  inmate  of  the  almshouse  a  young  man  in  perfect 
health,  with  fine  physical  development — an  idiot  or  intellectual  paralytic — with 
no  defect  in  vocal  organs,  unable  to  speak,  with  no  more  apparent  reason  than 
the  least  intelligent  of  domestic  animals,  requiring  as  constant  care  as  the  most 
helpless  infant. 

To  this  person  the  surgeon  resorted  to  procure  the  necessary  bits  of  skin  to 
supply  the  wants  of  the  patient.  So  far  as  the  patient  is  concerned  the  operation 
seems  to  be  successful  and  the  prospect  good  for  her  discharge  after  a  time, 
with  use  of  both  arms,  not  entirely  perfect,  but  sufficient  to  enable  her  to  provide 
for  herself  and  remove  the  danger  of  her  becoming  a  permanent  public  charge. 

As  to  her,  the  acts  of  the  surgeon  were  eminently  wise  and  humane,  and  he 
is  entitled  to  credit  and  consideration  for  his  courage  and  skill  and  he  has  rendered 
valuable  service  to  the  county. 

As  to  the  man.     It  is  claimed  that  the  operation  of  taking  minute  pieces  of 
the  outer  skin  is  not  very  painful,  and  such  is  the  testimony  of  a  well  known 
citizen  of  Galesburg,  who  underwent  the  same  operation  for  the  benefit  of  a 
.  friend.  '' ^  ; 

That  it  has  not  permanently  injured  him  is  apparent  on  examination,  aside 
from  the  pain  and  uneasiness,  he  suffered  no  inconvenience  as  he  had  nothing  to 
do. 

Of  course  the  consent  of  the  young  man  was  not  asked,  he  was  not  capable 
of  giving  consent  or  of  being  made  to  comprehend  what  was  wanted. 

If  he  could  have  had  a  moment  of  reason  it  might  have  been  called  to  his 
attention,  that  from  infancy  to  manhood  he  had  been  cared  for  by  others  and 
for  many  years  by  persons  who  had  no  interest  in  him  and  on  whom  he  had  no 
other  claims  than  his  helplessness,  that  no  man  of  his  age  in  the  county  had 
greater  prospects  of  a  life  prolonged  to  old  age  and  that  for  all  the  years  tq 
come  he  must  remain  the  same  heavy  charge.  That  this  was  the  one  time  in  all 
his  life  that  he  might  render  some  service  to  others  in  return.  Incapable  of  con- 
sidering or  acting  for  himself,  the  superintendent  assumed  the  right  to  act  for 
him  in  this  case  as  in  others. 

The  superintendent  failed  to  consult  the  relatives  of  the  man  living  in  the 
county,  but  three  years  before  taking  charge  of  the  institution,  he  found  the 
man  there,  and  from  that  time  to  this  no  communication  has  been  received  from 
anyone  on  his  account,  no  one  claiming  to  be  his  friend  has  visited  or  inquired 
for  him,  none  had  in  any  way  contributed  to  the  cost  of  his  keeping,  those  to 
whom  a  legal  liability  to  contribute  attached  were  presumably  unable.  The 
superintendent  considered  him  abandoned  to  the  county  and  supposed  the  of- 
ficials of  the  county  were  expected  to  use  their  own  judgment  and  discretion  in 
his  management,  care  and  support. 

The  committee  fail  to  find  any  good  foundation  for  charges  of  cruelty  or  of 
wilful  and  unnecessary  injury  to  the  young  man.  They  believe  the  efforts  of 

•"-.---  .1  '    •    ••'  v- •'•»'.'         •      •'   '     •.  ..  ''•'  '.  •       '  •    '    '    .--"'•     ''.,"*'*•    •  •' ,    rt  -•>'•>-*.-•          ;          •    '.^f    '     *.'  V ., 

•   '.'  •:•  •  't        •    •'        -   -^  ••        •'        .      '-•:'  '  -       -         -    •        •.••'•,'.'        '      •;.!..  '    _       •-•.•..•-     ^-  •       -.••     :  •'•.-•:      . 


;  r    :        796          ;  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

::>       0  the  surgeon  made  with  the  approval  of  the  superintendent  were  well  meant  and 
•  ;   skillfully  applied  and  were  in  the  interest  of  humanity  and  of  the  public  service. 

•>.     ;:  .       .  .  .  WM.    ROBSON, 

"'"'/':'•-.•                ''^'  " '"  •  -       -'     '••'•'.'  '•;'.'. ^'-.r:^ ••'•'''•;      J-  S.  SIMPSON, 

;-•'•;-    ,^ '•.••'  ,          '      '  :  •  •'  ? ':t  'o. -•:.•''•'•"      W.  F.  STANTON, 

'    -.                        .  '.^v  ;.'!;'       ROUT.   BYRAM, 

.     ;^  V  ;  .     ^'  ,                R.  A.  LOWER, 

-•.. -,''v- •  V  •              -,;'•-  "  •"—'.  ^ '••••''•^'- ;'••'•'.'-  ••   .-••          Committee, 


'   •>"  ORPHANS     HOME    SOCIETY 

September,  1894. — The  following  communication  from  the  Orphans'  Home 
society  was  read  and  referred  to  the  same  committee : 

Illinois   Children's   Home   Society, 

'  '•:  :,••?..      '    ;:.     •        Chicago,  August  29,  1894. 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Knox  County,  III.: 
Gentlemen  : 

I  take  pleasure  in  handing  you  a  list  of  the  children  taken  from  your  county, 
with  date  when  received,  name  of  child,  from  whom  received,  at  what  place,  etc. 
This  society  will  be  glad  to  co-operate  with  you  in  the  care  of  your  home- 
less, dependent  children  and  will  do  so  on  terms  already  agreed  upon,  which 
I  think  will  be  mutually  pleasant  and  helpful  to  you  and  beneficial  to  the  tax- 
payers. When  a  child  of  sound  mind  and  body  is  received  by  us  we  will  under- 
take to  care  for  it  permanently,  placing  it  in  a  carefully  selected  and  well  ap- 
proved family  home,  with  constant  local  oversight  until  of  legal  age. 

Trusting  that  the  relations  of  this  society  and  your  board  may  continue  to 
be  mutually  pleasant  and  helpful,  I  am, 

:';  Very  respectfully,        -•  ...V; >  I '->:  ^;--.-  ^  . 

;...v-v,\;>.  ,.     •  •          ^^    :  ;,    •••:'•/.:•.  ^  ••,  ,•>•..,''.,'-(•;:''.;:':;  GEO.  K.  HOOVER. 

'  -    ;.'.      ' ' 

•.;.'_  = /"=^^^      EIGHTH    ANNUAL    CONVENTION    OF    SUPERVISORS,    MARCH, 

'..  Annual  conventions  of  delegates  representing  the  boards  of  supervisors  from 
the  counties  under  township  organization  had  been  held  annually,  beginning  in 
the  year  1887.  Our  board  did  not  send  representatives  until  the  winter  of  1895. 
W.  Selden  Gale  and  William  Robson  were  the  representatives,  and  their  report 
is  so  full  of  interesting  matter  that  it  is  given  in  full. 

Mr.  Gale  of  the  special  committee  appointed  at  the  December  meeting  of 
this  board  to  represent  the  county  at  the  state  convention  of  supervisors  and 
county  commissioners,  submitted  the  following  report: 
To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors,  Knox  County,  Illinois: 

The  committee  appointed  at  the  December  meeting  of  the  board  to  attend 
the  eighth  annual  convention  of  supervisors  to  be  held  at  Edwardsville  on  the 
1 5th  day  of  January  begs  leave  to  report. 

The  undersigned  only  of  the  committee  were  able  to  fill  the  appointment, 
Mr.  Stephenson,  unfortunately,  being  detained  at  home  by  private  business. 


v\;V:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '  797 

'; .        r    -**'    •  ;  •  •'  - 

-    •  •  .-'.^  .''.'• 

There  were  present  at  the  convention,  besides  the  members  of  the  Madison 
county  board,  one  hundred  delegates  from  forty  counties. 

The  convention  was  mostly  composed  of  gentlemen  who  had  been  connected 
with  their  county  boards  for  several  years,  and  the  design  of  the  meeting  was 
to  permit  discussions  on  matters  especially  pertaining  to  the  management  of 
county  affairs,  comparisons  of  methods  and  exchange  of  views  drawn  from  per- 
sonal experience. 

The  matters  most  freely  discussed  in  the  formal  meetings  and  in  the  con- 
versations among  members  were  those  that  occupy  the  si)ecial  attention  of  the 
boards  at  the  regular  meetings.  Revenue  taxation,  road  and  bridges,  care  of 
poor  and  insane. 

As  to  the  care  of  the  insane,  the  opinion  was  unanimous  and  intensely  felt. 
Men  familiar  with  the  management  of  insane  in  counties  could  form  no  other 
opinion  or  fail  to  realize  its  overshadowing  importance. 

Even  in  counties  like  our  own,  where  all  has  been  done  that  can  well  be 
done  for  the  care  of  those  unfortunates,  the  deficiencies  are  only  too  apparent, 
when  we  compare  them  with  the  state  institutions,  where,  with  larger  numbers 
to  provide  for,  due  classification  can  be  made,  suitable  provision  made  for  each 
class  and  physicians  and  nurses  with  thorough  special  training  supplied. 

An  enlargement  of  some  of  the  existing  institutions  and  the  addition  of  a 
new  institution,  with  capacity  equal  to  the  largest  of  those  belonging  to  the 
state,  would  be  still  less  than  a  fully  adequate  provision  and  ought  not  to  be 
at  all  delayed. 

The  question  is  not  of  cost,  but  of  efficiency.  It  matters  little  whether  the 
expense  is  borne  by  the  people  throughout  the  county  or  the  state.  Compari- 
sons were  made  of  the  methods  of  supporting  the  poor  by  counties  and  by  the 
towns,  as  prevails  under  former  special  legislation  in  some  counties. 

It  was  claimed  where  the  expenses  are  paid  from  the  town  funds  more  care 
was  used  to  avoid  unnecessary  and  excessive  use  of  money  and  closer  scrutiny 
of  bills  than  when  town  officers  made  the  bills  and  the  county  paid  them. 

It  was  also  claimed  that  great  pressure  was  often  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
supervisor  in  favor  of  individuals  not  always  deserving  by  friends  of  the  claim- 
ant, who  are  ready  to  make  their  influence  felt  by  their  votes.  Oftentimes  per- 
sons become  fixed  on  the  counties  as  pensioners  and  cannot,  without  difficulty, 
be  shaken  off,  very  little  credit  being  given  the  supervisors  for  resisting  claims 
in  favor  of  the  town  on  the  county  fund. 

As  an  illustration  an  experience  in  Adams  county  was  given,  where,  after, 
under  the  statute,  a  county  agent  was  appointed  to  relieve  the  supervisor  in 
Quincy,  the  cost  was  reduced  from  $16,000  to  $8,000  per  annum.  The  super- 
visor elected  in  the  city  could  not  free  himself  from  the  local  pressure,  in  large 
part  coming  from  saloonkeepers. 

A  resolution  was  offered  asking  the  legislature  to  provide  for  a  change 
from  county  support  of  poor  to  town  support  in  any  county  where  the  people, 
at  an  election  to  be  called  for  the  purpose,  should  so  decide.  The  committee 
to  whom  it  was  referred  reported  adversely,  and  by  a  majority  vote  of  counties 
the  report  was  sustained. 

Reason  given  it  would  throw  an  undue  proportion  of  the  cost  of  the  poor 


798  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

on  towns  containing  villages  and  practically  exempt  farming  towns  from  that 
tax,  under  present  conditions  the  poor  being  driven  into  the  village  for  shelter. 

The  discussion  fully  confirmed  your  committee  in  the  opinion  that  the  sys- 
tem into  which  this  county  has  drifted  is,  take  it  all  in  all,  the  best. 

We  have  provided  a  comfortable  alms  house,  where  the  worthy  poor  can  meet 
kind  and  humane  treatment,  and  we  insist  that  all  persons,  as  a  condition  of 
receiving  aid  from  the  county,  should,  if  able  to  go,  be  taken  to  the  alms  house. 

Leaving  to  the  small  towns  and  trusting  to  the  humanity  of  their  people 
to  provide  occasional  relief  to  those  in  temporary  want.  Some  counties  go 
further  than  ours  in  providing  for  medical  attendance  on  the  poor  to  be  sup- 
plied by  contract.  They  make  contracts  in  every  town,  the  cost  usually  being 
somewhat  in  proportion  to  population. 

The  convention  was  addressed,  as  by  appointment,  by  Mr.  Charles  W. 
Thomas  of  Belleville  on  equitable  taxation.  Mr.  Thomas  has  very  pronounced 
views  and  a  very  energetic  delivery.  ;.•:/'- 

He  declared  our  system  of  assessment  and  taxation  the  worst  in  existence 
this  side  of  Turkey. 

He  insisted  that  the  increase  in  wealth  in  this  country  is  in  franchise  and 
privileges  in  far  greater  degree  than  in  tangible  property,  and  this  vast  amount : 
of  wealth,  for  the  most  part,  escapes  taxation.  ..      f  • 

He  denounced  the  state  board  of  equalization  and  its  methods  in  the  valua- 
tion of  corporate  property.  He  instanced  the  action  of  the  board  as  to  rail- 
roads. He  said  when  the  board  first  assessed  the  railroads  they  put  an  assess- 
ment upon  their  capital  stock  in  addition  to  the  value  put  on  visible  property; 
that  this  being  resisted  by  the  railroads,  it  was  suspended  during  years  of  liti- 
gation. That  the  courts  of  final  resort  sustained  the  assessment,  but  that  from 
that  time  to  this  the  board  had  never  made  another  assessment  of  such  capital 
stock.  He  stated  the  valuation  and  the  actual  earnings  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton 
railroad,  claiming  that  property  was  undervalued. 

He  explained  and  strongly  advocated  the  system  of  assessment  proposed  in 
the  report  of  the  revenue  commission  of  '86,  by  which  the  revenue  for  the 
state  should  be  derived  from  taxation  of  railroads,  and  other  property  and 
franchise,  which  shall  be  exempt  from  taxation  for  local  purposes,  making  the 
several  counties  independent  of  each  other  in  assessments,  and  take  from 
assessors  the  motive  for  competition  in  lowering  values.  Mr.  Thomas  was  ill 
and  unable  to  complete  his  address  which  was  listened  to  with  great  interest. 

In  conversation  among  members  during  recess,  some  exceptions  were  taken 
to  some  of  Mr.  Thomas'  positions.  A  former  member  of  the  board  of  equaliza- 
tion fully  agreed  that  the  property  of  corporations  was,  in  many  cases  grossly 
under-valued.  But  while  the  railroad  property  seemed  under-valued  as  com- 
pared with  some  descriptions  of  property,  as  compared  with  all  the  .property 
in  the  state,  it  paid  more  than  its  fair  proportion. 

When  the  board  of  equalization  put  an  assessment  upon  the  capital  stock  of 
railroads,  their  visible  property  was  estimated  at  not  more  than  cost  of  replace- 
ment, that  the  assessment  on  capital  stock  was  designed  to  cover  the  difference 
between  such  cost  and  actual  value.  That  this  mode  being  objected  to,  the  board 


> -v^;^       ;-'"        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •  ' '  799 

attempted  to  put  a  value  on  the  visible  property  based,  not  on  apparent  cost,  but 
upon  its  earning  capacity,  and  this  method  has  since  been  followed. 

It  appeared  also,  that  the  tax  on  the  Chicago  &  Alton  railroad,  as  stated  by 
Mr,  Thomas,  was  somewhat  higher  than  it  would  be  under  the  rule  proposed  by 
the  revenue  commission. 

A  gentleman  from  Rock  Island  introduced  a  proposition  for  taxation  of  real 
estate  mortgages  as  an  interest  on  the  land. 

On  this  resolution  and  the  address  of  Mr.  Thomas,  the  committee  on  taxa- 
tion, Mr.  Gale,  chairman,  reported  as  follows : 

In  the  matter  of  the  resolution  referred  to  the  committee  in  regard  to  taxa- 
tion of  mortgage  interests  on  land:  they  are  not  prepared  to  recommend  the 
passage  of  this  resolution  in  its  precise  terms,  they  recommend  an  expression  of 
opinion  by  the  convention  that  encumbered  real  estate  should  be  assessed  against 
the  owner  of  the  equity  and  of  the  encumbrance,  according  to  the  proportionate 
value  of  the  several  interests. 

As  to  the  matters  presented  to  the  convention  in  the  able  address  of  Mr. 
Thomas,  the  committee  recommend  the  convention  ask  of  the  legislature  careful 
consideration  of  plans  to  provide  for  the  revenue  required  for  the  expenses  of 
the  state  from  other  sources  than  the  assessed  valuation  of  property,  leaving  the 
several  counties  independent  of  each  other,  in  matter  of  assessment  and  collec- 
tion of  revenue.  And  the  further  elimination  of  the  element  of  competition 
among  assessors  in  law  valuations,  by  providing  for  assessments  by  county  of- 
ficers, basing  the  levies  for  county,  town  and  municipal  purposes  on  the  valuations 
made  by  such  county  officers. 

The  first  item  of  the  report  was  adopted  with  some  opposition.  The  second 
item  unanimously  adopted.  .  •..:''.. 

The  committee  on  permanent  highways  and  bridges  submitted  a  report  in 
two  propositions. 

First,  the  appointment  of  a  non-partisan  commission  to  have  general  super- 
vision of  the  roads  of  the  state,  the  manner  of  constructing,  with  duty  to  make 
surveys  and  ascertain  character  and  location  of  materials  for  said  construction, 
etc. 

Second,  allowing  county  boards  to  submit  to  the  people  of  their  counties 
the  proposition  to  adopt  a  county  road  system,  with  a  board  of  commissioners 
to  take  charge  of  the  roads  in  the  county  and  employ  engineers,  requiring  all 
road  work  to  be  done  under  the  direction  of  the  county  commissioners  and 
county  engineers,  classifying  the  roads  constructing  the  more  important  at  the 
general  expense  of  the  county. 

The  chairman  of  the  committee,  Mr.  Baldwin,  of  LaSalle  county,  the  author 
of  the  profMDsition,  sustained  the  report  in  a  well  prepared  and  forcible  address. 

He  dwelt  upon  the  great  losses  to  farmers  by  want  of  constant  access  to 
markets  over  good  roads — compared  the  roads  of  Illinois  to  those  of  European 
countries  ancient  and  modern — declared  that  with  all  our  progress  in  civilization 
and  our  improvements,  our  roads  were  getting,  year  by  year,  worse,  under  waste- 
ful and  insufficient  expenditures  and  want  of  system. 

Other  speakers  followed,  sustaining  the  chairman  of  the  committee.  Refer- 
ence was  made  to  the  supply  of  stone,  especially  near  Joliet,  to  the  use  of  con- 


800  '      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

vict  labor  on  the  roads.  A  gentleman  from  Quincy  proposed  a  levy  tax  on 
successions  from  2  to  50  per  cent,  increasing  as  the  value  of  estate  increase,  the 
proceeds  to  be  applied  to  highways.  As  usual  the  Appian  way  was  referred  to. 

The  first  speech  in  opposition  was  hy  a  gentleman  from  Iroquois,  who  had 
spent  part  of  his  life  in  sight  of  European  military  roads,  who  had  practical 
knowledge  of  roads  in  a  country  level  in  its  surface  without  any  material  for 
hard  roads. 

Your  delegates  felt  bound  to  represent  the  feeling  so  decidedly  expressed  in 
the  Fanners'  Institute  of  Knox  county.  Others  rapidly  followed  in  opposition 
to  the  proposition.  It  was  claimed  we  had  already  a  system  of  public  highways  in 
our  magnificent  railroads  connecting  the  remote  districts  with  the  commercial 
centers,  a  system  more  perfect  and  complete  than  ever  till  our  times  was  known 
•to  the  world.  Carrying  men  and  goods  at  an  economy  of  time  and  cost  till  now 
undreamed  of — Amoving  freight  the  length  of  the  state  as  cheaply  as  by  horse 
and  wagon  over  good  roads  for  ten  miles. 

We  were  told  to  compare  the  Appian  way  with  the  Chicago  &  Alton  railroad. 

We  were  reminded  that  the  roads  of  Illinois  that  are  maintained  at  the  cost 
of  the  tax  payer  are  neighborhood  roads  leading  to  the  nearest  station  and 
few  townships  are  without  a  railroad  station  and  that  such  roads  will  be  most 
properly  cared  for  by  the  people  interested  in  their  use. 

The  statement  that  the  roads  of  the  state  were  not  improving  was  on  all 
hands  denied.  Gentlemen  from  counties  that  have  within  a  few  years  adopted 
township  organization  declared  their  roads  are  better  cared  for  under  the  town- 
ship system. 

There  is  a  spirit  of  emulation  in  the  towns  and  taxes  are  more  cheerfully 
paid,  and  liberally  levied  when  the  people  feel  an  interest  in  the  application. 

It  was  urged  that  it  was  only  a  question  of  local  option.  No  county  need 
adopt  the  system  if  opposed  by  the  people,  to  which  it  was  replied,  that  it  was 
not  merely  local  option,  as  it  might  give  the  power  to  a  portion  of  the  county 
by  combination,  to  control  expenditures  to  the  prejudice  of  other  portions.  The 
report  was  rejected  by  an  overwhelming  majority  followed  by  continued  applause. 

A  proposition  recommending  the  amendment  of  the  road  and  bridge  laws, 
to  give  counties  the  option  to  discontinue  collection  of  poll  tax  was  vigorously  de- 
bated and  passed  by  a  small  majority. 

A  proposition  was  adopted  recommending  passage  of  a  law  requiring  semi- 
annual report  to  supervisors  from  state's  attorneys. 

One  recommended  making  the  state's  attorney  ineligible  for  re-election  was 
rejected. 

A  draft  of  a  bill  for  amendment  of  the  Australian  ballot  law  was  introduced, 
coming  from  the  Adams  county  board  and  endorsement  of  convention  asked. 

The  object  was  to  more  clearly  define  the  provisions  of  the  act  as  applying  to 
the  town  election,  while  the  object  was  approved  the  bill  was  too  complex  to 
be  intelligently  passed  upon  by  the  convention  in  the  limited  time.  There  was 
general  expression  of  opinion  in  conversation  that  the  law  ought  not  to  have 
been  made  to  apply  to  town  meetings  in  rural  townships. 

A  committee  was  appointed,  requested  to  personally  present  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  convention  to  the  legislature.  Mr.  Eades,  of  LaSalle  (chairman  of 


'1?    ;•       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;;        801 

convention) ;  Miller,  of  St.  Clair;  Collins,  of  Adams;  Gale,  of  Knox;  Irwin,  of 
Tazewell;  Hay,  of  McLean;  Conklin,  of  Iroquois. 

A  committee  was  directed  to  call  the  9th  annual  convention  to  meet  at  Kan- 
kakee,  January,  1896. 

Your  committee  believe  the  interests  of  the  state  will  be  promoted  by  annual 
convention  of  supervisors  for  consultation,  exchange  of  views  and  comparison  of 
methods.     That  the  value  will  be  in  proportion  to  the  attention  given  them  and 
the  more  or  less  full  representation  of  counties.     They  recommend  the  passage 
of  resolution  calling  the  matter  to  the  attention  of  the  board  of  '95  and  advis-        ' .'  ;^.\ 
ing  the  sending  of  delegates  to  the  convention  of  '96.  .  'v 

......     ...        ,.    ,       .     •    •  W.  SELDEN  GALE, 

'  "' '  '  WILLIAM  ROBSON. 

In  connection  with  the  foregoing  report,  Mr.  Simpson  offered  the  follow-i     • "  !  ' 
ing  resolution,  which  was  adopted:  -  ;  • 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  report  be  adopted  and  that  we  hereby  extend 
a  vote  of  thanks  to  Messrs.  Gale  and  Robson,  our  representatives  to  the  state 
convention  of  supervisors  and  county  commissioners  of  this  state,  for  the  full 
and  complete  report  presented  by  them  of  the  proceedings  of  the  convention. 
And  we  would  hereby  most  heartily  endorse  the  action  of  the  convention  in  its 
adoption  of  the  report  of  its  committee  on  legislation,  recommending  to  the  leg- 
islature the  careful  consideration  of  plans  to  provide  for  the  revenue  required 
for  the  expenses  of  the  state  from  other  sources  than  the  assessed  valuation 
of  property,  and  we  would  also  hereby  approve  their  recommendation  of  calling 
the  attention  of  the  board  of  1895  to  the  convention  which  will  meet  in  Kan- 
kakee  in  January,  1896,  and  their  advising  of  the  sending  of  delegates  to  that 
meeting. 

April,  1904. — Mr.  Robson  offered  .  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
adopted : 

Be  It  Resolved,  That  as  the  next  regular  state  convention  of  county  com- 
missioners, supervisors  and  clerks  is  to  be  held  in  Galesburg  in  1905,  the  chair- 
man of  the  county  board  appoint  a  special  committee  of  seven,  the  chairman 
of  the  board  to  be  a  member  thereof,  to  make  arrangements  for  said  meeting. 

Mr.  Rebstock  announced  the  following  special  committee  on  arrangements 
for  state  convention  of  county  commissioners,  supervisors  and  county  clerks,  to    . 
be  held  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  in  1905:    Messrs.  Robson,  Clark,  Swanson,  Mc- 
Williams,  McDowell  and  Cowan.  .,.,,  . 

December,  1904. — Mr.  Robson  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was     ..     - ,. 
adopted:  ' 

Resolved,  That  the  special  committee  on  arrangements  for  the  state  con- 
vention of  county  commissioners,  supervisors  and  county  clerks  be  and  are 
hereby  authorized  to  proceed  with  and  carry  out  all  necessary  work  pertaining 
to  the  convention. 

:'>:^  .':';;-''•'.'.:..    MOTHER    BICKERDYKE    MONUMENT     .-^^j  ;'•;>•..  ^        ^       ;>v-^:   >'•'/' 

September,  1903. — A  committee  ftf  the  Mother  Bickerdyke  Memorial  asso- 
ciation appeared  before  the  board  and  requested  permission  to  be  heard.  On 

Vol.    1—51  V  .  !V''V''^.  :  •-/     •"  ' 


802        -  j    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

motion  permission  was  granted,  and  Mrs.  Fannie  Blazer  addressed  the  board, 
asking  that  the  Mother  Bickerdyke  Memorial  association  have  leave  to  erect 
a  statue  in  honor  of  Mother  Bickerdyke  on  the  courthouse  grounds. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McWilliams  such  leave  was  granted. 

Mr.  McWilliams  further  moved  that  the  chair  appoint  five  members  of  the 
board  to  form  with  the  chairman  of  the  board  a  special  committee  of  six,  the 
chairman  of  the  board  being  chairman  of  the  special  committee,  to  determine 
the  location  of  the  memorial  statue  on  the  courthouse  grounds  and  to  act  with 
the  committee  having  charge  of  the  same  from  the  association.  The  motion  car- 
ried. 

.'-;.,,: I-.:   .  Wednesday,  2  o'clock  p.  m.     • 

Mr.  Rebstock  announced  the  following  named  persons,  Messrs.  McWilliams, 
Burkhalter,  Sisson,  McDowell  and  Woods,  as  the  special  committee  as  pro- 
vided for  in  yesterday's  proceedings. 

:    .'  ••  •  •.    ."'".-••'•   ::/"'•'.'•  •'-  '  • ;-  •:  -•  ,\  .-."  ••  •.:-•'. ,:'.  :•  v:/  :^^ 

.••::;;  .    •'•:        FERRY   BOATS 

On  the  2nd  day  of  September,  1834,  the  commissioners  of  the  county  en- 
tered into  a  contract  with  Simeon  Dolph  for  building  a  ferry  boat  on  Spoon 
river,  said  boat  to  be  completed  within  three  months  from  this  date  for  the 
sum  of  $45,  to  be  paid  on  the  completion  and  delivery  of  said  boat  agreeably 
to  said  written  contract.  On  the  4th  day  of  March  the  year  following  it  ap- 
pears that  the  ferry  boat  was  completed  according  to  contract  and  that  the  con- 
tract was  returned  and  endorsed  satisfied  by  the  clerk  of  the  court.  It  does  not 
appear  whether  the  boat  was  to  transport  passengers  only  or  whether  it  was 
intended  to  carry  carriages,  horses  and  loaded  wagons.  That  sum  of  money 
to-day  would  just  about  pay  for  a  good  rowboat,  but  it  is  quite  likely  that  at 
the  time  the  boat  was  constructed  it  would  be  large  enough  to  carry  anything 
that  might  come  along  and  seek  passage  over  Spoon  river.  At  that  time  the 
court  ordered  that  the  clerk  issue  a  license  to  Simeon  Dolph  to  keep  ferry  on 
Spoon  river  at  the  crossing  of  the  road  leading  from  Knoxville  in  a  direction 
to  Canton  for  the  term  of  one  year  from  the  first  day  of  March,  1835,  upon 
the  payment  to  the  treasurer  of  the  sum  of  $2  and  giving  bond  as  required  by 
law. 

In  the  early  days  before  very  many  bridges  were  constructed  the  crossing  of 
streams  was  effected  by  means  of  ferries.  We  have  just  noted  the  establishment 
of  a  ferry  on  Spoon  river  where  the  road  from  Knoxville  runs  southeast  toward 
Canton.  On  the  first  day  of  June,  1835,  the  county  commissioners  entered  an 
order  that  the  clerk  issue  a  license  to  Asa  Crooks  of  Henry  county  to  keep  a 
ferry  according  to  the  law  across  Rock  river.  The  following  is  the  order  estab- 
lishing the  ferry,  also  for  the  license  and  the  rates  of  ferriage  established. 

Asa  Crooks  made  application  in  open  court  for  a  ferry  to  be  established  on 
Rock  river  at  or  near  the  Prophet's  Village,  in  Henry  county,  and  the  said  Asa 
Crooks  having  made  it  appear  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  said  commissioners 
that  a  notice  of  his  intention  in  relation  thereto  had  been  posted  upon  the  door 
of  the  courthouse,  in  the  town  of  Knoxville,  at  least  four  weeks  preceding  the 
sitting  of  this  court  and  there  being  no  other  application  before  this  court  in 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  803 

relation  to  a  ferry  on  said  stream,  and  the  court  being  of  opinion  that  said 
ferry  is  necessary  and  of  public  utility,  it  is  therefore  ORDERED:  That  a  ferry 
be  established  on  Rock  river  in  the  county  of  Henry  at  any  point  on  said  river 
within  one  mile  of  the  mouth  of  the  creek  near  Prophet's  Village,  subject  to 
such  regulations,  restrictions  and  forfeitures  as  are  provided  by  law  or  as  may 
hereafter  be  provided  by  law  in  relation  to  ferries. 

ORDERED:  That  the  clerk  of  this  court  issue  a  license  to  Asa  Crook  of 
Henry  county  to  keep  the  said  ferry  according  to  law,  upon  his  paying  into 
the  county  treasury  the  sum  of  two  dollars  for  the  amount  of  the  tax  on  said 
ferry  for  the  term  of  one  year  from  this  date,  being  the  amount  of  the  first 
year's  tax  on  said  ferry,  and  also  on  his  entering  into  a  bond  with  sufficient 
securities  as  provided  for  by  law  in  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars, 
conditioned  as  is  required  by  law. 

At  the  time  this  ferry  was  established  in  Henry  county  the  judicial  business 
of  Henry  county  was  all  performed  by  the  county  commissioners  of  Knox 
county  according  to  the  law  in  force  at  that  time.  Hence  it  is  that  the  commis- 
sioners of  Knox  county  took  jurisdiction  of  this  matter. 

Quite  a  number  of  ferries  were  established  in  this  county.  These  are  given 
as  representative  of  all.  . : 

•"     '  SALARY   OF   STATE'S   ATTORNEY  .;         : 

June,  1910. — The  following  communication  was  read  and  together  with  the 
petition  filed  therewith  referred  to  the  judiciary  committee. 
To  the  Supennsors  of  Knox  County,  Illinois: 

In  the  matter  of  the  petitions  asking  the  judge  to  submit  to  a  vote  the  proposi- 
tion as  to  whether  or  not  the  state's  attorney's  office  should  be  placed  on  a 
salary  basis,  I  beg  leave  to  report  that  petitions  containing  the  names  of  1,478 
voters  have  been  returned  to  my  office. 

The  statute  provides  that  these  petitions  shall  contain  twenty  per  cent  of  the 
legal  voters  of  the  county  before  the  judge  can  order  that  this  question  be  placed 
upon  the  ballot.  We  have  not  found  out  the  exact  number  of  legal  voters,  but 
I  think  that  we  will  have  to  have  approximately  two-thirds  as  many  more  signa- 
tures as  we  now  have. 

Respectfully  submitted.     :".    - 

W.  C.  FRANK. 

September,  1910. — To  the  Judiciary  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Supen-isors  of 
Knox  county,  Illinois: 
Gentlemen:  ;-        . 

In  the  matter  of  petitions  for  placing  the  state's  attorney's  office  on  a  salary 
basis,  I  respectfully  report  that  I  now  have  enough  petitions  returned  to  assure 
the  proposition  being  placed  upon  the  ballot  for  the  November  election,  and  there 
are  a  few  names  to  be  returned  yet.  When  these  others  are  returned  the  whole 
will  be  filed  in  the  county  court  and  the  judge  will  enter  an  order  placing  the 
proposition  upon  the  ballot  for  the  November  election.  ,.  .  j 
Dated  this  I9th  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1910.  "  ' 

Respectfully  submitted. 
'     -  WALTER  C.  FRANK. 


804  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

December,  1910. — The  judiciary  committee  presented  the  following  certified 
copy  of  a  decree  entered  in  the  county  court  on  the  result  of  the  votes  on  the 
question  on  the  proposition  for  placing  the  office  of  the  state's  attorney  on  a 
salary  basis,  which  was  read  and  on  motion  of  Mr.  Barlow  was  ordered  placed 
on  file,  and  that  it  appear  in  the  record  of  the  proceedings:  f  ' 

State  of  Illinois,  1 

^S  '    '    •'''    '••v''"     •••''•     •""'•-•.':  '.•'•    \-      )--''. 

County  of  Knox.  j  '  '  '"  *  .    .•-•  -    i 

In  the  matter  of  the  petition  to  the  Hon.  R.  C.  Rice,  judge  of  the  county 
court  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  to  submit  to  a  vote  of  the  electors  of  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  the  proposition  as  to  whether  or  not  the  electors  of  said  Knox 
county  shall  adopt  an  act  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  said  state  of  Illinois, 
entitled  "an  act  to  amend  an  act  entitled  'an  act  concerning  fees  and  salaries,  and 
to  classify  the  several  counties  of  this  state  with  reference  thereto.' "  Approved 
March  29,  1872,  in  force  July  i,  1872;  as  amended  by  act  approved  June  4,  1889; 
in  force  July  i,  1889;  title  as  amended  by  act  approved  March  28,  1874,  in  force 
July  I,  1874,  by  adding  thereto  eight  new  sections  to  be  known  as  Sections  8a, 
8b,  8c,  8d,  8e,  8f,  8g  and  8h,  approved  May  15,  1903,  in  force  July  i,  1903. 

This  day  it  appearing  to  the  court  from  a  certified  copy  of  the  abstract  of 
votes  on  the  question  for  adopting  the  proposed  amendments  to  "an  act  con- 
cerning fees  and  salaries  and  to  classify  the  several  counties  of  this  state  with 
reference  thereto,  viz. :  Sections  8a,  8b,  8c  (8d),  8e,  8f,  8g  and  8h,  at  an  election 
held  in  the  different  election  districts  in  the  county  of  Knox,  in  the  state  of 
Illinois,  on  Tuesday,  the  eighth  day  of  November.  A.  D.  1910,  as  made  by  the 
county  canvassing  board  of  the  county  aforesaid,  filed  in  this  court  by  Frank  L. 
Adams,  county  clerk  of  Knox  county,  in  said  state,  that  "yes"  received  four 
thousand  two  hundred  forty-eight  votes,  and  "no"  received  one  thousand  one 
hundred  six  votes,  and. 

It  appearing  to  the  court  that  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  for  or  against  said 
proposition  at  said  election  were  for  the  said  proposition. 

Therefore,  it  is  ordered,  adjudged  and  decreed  by  the  county  judge  of  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  that  the  act  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  state  of  Illinois,  en- 
titled "an  act  to  amend  an  act  entitled,  'an  act  concerning  fees  and  salaries,  and 
to  classify  the  several  counties  of  this  state  with  reference  thereto.'  "  Approved 
March  29,  1872,  in  force  July  i,  1872;  as  amended  by  act  approved  June  4, 
1889,  in  force  July  i,  1889;  title  as  amended  by  act  approved  March  28,  1874, 
in  force  July  i,  1874;  by  adding  thereto  eight  new  sections  to  be  known  as 
Sections  8a,  8b,  8c,  8d,  8e,  8f,  8g  and  8h.  Approved  May  15,  1903.  In  force 
July  I,  1903;  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  declared  to  be  in  force  in  the  county 
of  Knox,  in  the  state  of  Illinois. 

Dated  this  twenty-second  day  of  November,  A.  D.  1910. 

;^'A•;::^.  .,•;    ,     • 

•  :';V>''  DETENTION    SCHOOL    FOR    JUVENILE    OFFENDERS 

.  -  -:,^.*..'»    •-  -•  /   -.  7'- 

September,  1910. — There  appeared  before  the  committee  State's  Attorney  Bou- 
telle.  Judge  R.  C.  Rice  and  Mrs.  W.  E.  Simonds  in  the  interest  of  a  detention 
school  for  juvenile  offenders,  and  we  recommend  that  the  sum  of  $500  be  taken 


;:'(;>/::•:'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY:    ;^  806 

from  any  funds  not  otherwise  appropriated,  provided  the  Galesburg  board  of 
education  agree  to  hire  and  pay  the  matron  teacher  for  such  detention  school. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 
;;  S.  N.  WHITING,    ;;::;.C:.; 

HUGH  GREIG,      •  ''     ; "  -'• 

J.  N.  IRWIN,         I:  c;     • 
;  :V;'^:''''":-^ '''''''•' 'V-<;:1'-;^-.'-;  \:-- --;::'''"  -:.,.          C.  A.  CLARK,       .'j;/;:-:."' •/^,  ,    . -.•; 
'^•''•^•••''••'•v  'v:;  .    ^'^••'^'•''''''^'^AA'-'' •'.-•;  'c^^.-li^^-'"-'-         A.  F,  PADEN,   -•:•'-'''-''••;..' "v'-;---'' ':> 
'\V;'.-'''-:'-',v  7'-:' v-.;  J^';;---':': -^^  ;^/.^^f  ^'•;'';  •-'•;  .  Committee, 

'    :    ;'.v      :       :'  '          BOARJD  OF  ELECTION  COMMISSIONERS        V         ;  "{^  ^ 

December,  1910. — Chairman  Hoxworth  addressed  the  board  in  regard  to  the 
board  of  election  commissioners  in  the  city  of  Galesburg,  and  stated  that  as 
they  were  drawing  about  $4,000  a  )ear  from  the  county  for  which  the  county 
itself  derives  no  benefit,  he  wished  the  matter  be  taken  up  by  the  board  with 
the  legislators  from  this  county,  and  that  they  enter  its  earnest  protest  and  sug- 
gested that  a  resolution  on  this  subject  might  accomplish  something. 

He  further  stated  that  he  was  heartily  in  favor  of  a  compulsory  registration 
law,  that  it  should  apply  to  the  entire  county.  He  suggested  that  the  board 
appoint  a  committee  of  three  to  draft  resolutions  on  this  subject  and  that 
the  treasurer  be  directed  to  get  an  opinion  from  the  attorney  general  before  the 
county  pays  out  much  more  money  on  that  account,  but  without  bringing  about 
any  contest  over  the  matter. 

Mr.  Paden  offered  a  motion  that  the  chair  appoint  a  committee  of  three 
to  prepare  resolutions  on  the  subject  of  the  board  of  election  commissioners  in 
the  city  of  Galesburg,  and  the  payment  of  their  salaries  from  the  county  funds, 
which  motion  was  seconded.  '  : 

Mr.  Robson  also  stated  that  he  believed  the  county  should  go  slow  in  paying 
out  funds  for  the  pay  of  the  election  commissioners  in  the  city  of  Galesburg 
as  on  the  face  of  it  it  seemed  contrary  to  American  principles  that  the  county 
should  be  taxed  without  representation,  and  he  favored  the  motion  appointing  a 
committee  to  look  into  the  matter  and  suggested  that  the  committee  instruct 
the  county  treasurer  to  obtain  an  opinion  from  the  attorney  general  and  the 
state's  attorney  on  the  matter. 

The  chairman  then  announced  that  he  would  appoint  Messrs.  Paden,  Greig 
and  Robson  as  a  committee  to  draft  the  resolutions  as  provided  in  the  motion. 

Your  special  committee  on  resolutions  in  the  matter  of  the  election  commis- 
sioner's law  would  respectfully  present  the  following  resolutions : 

Resolved,  that  the  county  treasurer  be  instructed  to  obtain  the  opinions  of 
the  state's  attorney  and  of  the  attorney  general  as  to  the  constitutionality  of  the 
election  law  under  which  the  city  of  Galesburg  is  now  operating. 

And  further,  resolved,  that  this  board  requests  our  representatives  in  the 


•-•  x-'  ;  '.-._•     v./  '•• .. 

:..'"'    "•  <-'•    :'.-•••  • 


806  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

legislature  to  use  their  best  efforts  to  obtain  the  passage  of  a  reasonable  registra- 
tion and  election  law.  •.  '  >\ v  v-  '-•',:•  </ 

,.  .r...  ;  .    '    '•   ''/  .-^     .''•;"''•    A. -F.  PADEN,          '^-r^--' 

vv  ^  ;  HUGH  GREIG,          \-N 

^:  '  .  ;          E.  P.  RoBSON.       .:''   >.. 

March,  1911.  ••     '•.:.;•_;.•'..•';/ ^, ;,-;:•:-:'•"''-. '-^i\:v' .'..:•'•  :^'; •"• 

::.;:•••  ••"      -^      '':  ••-"-'^'^'/'^^   :.-^ ••..'••'''•''':;''     R.  C.  RICE,      y: 

;'.;/^-    -.  ;  .     . .;        County  Judge. 

-;.••:"•-;:  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS 

";'••     .  .-'••^••:;v     >  '       •  ;•  •.••:-  ^  ;;, 

.    Vv'V'.  '      ,  DEPARTMENT   OF   JUSTICE,   SPRINGFIELD         :•;;•;:' 

'''••'  .-     -.ii?v.V  •          .      W.  H.  STEAD,  ATTORNEY-GENERAL  'i-,' 

DECEMBER  20,  1910.       J'-". 
Hon.  George  J.  Eastes,  County  Treasurer,  Galesburg,  Illinois: 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  yours  of  December  I9th,  wherein  you  submit  a  portion 
of  a  resolution  adopted  at  the  December  meeting  of  the  Knox  county  board  of 
supervisors  which  reads  as  follows :  .  vv  . 

"Rcsoh'cd,  that  the  county  treasurer  be  instructed  to  obtain  the  opinions  of 
the  state's  attorney  and  of  the  attorney-general  as  to  the  constitutionality  of  the 
election  law  under  which  the  city  of  Galesburg  is  now  operating." 

•  And,  in  conformity  with  said  resolution,  you  request  my  opinion  upon  the 
question  therein  submitted.  You  also  ask  that  I  supply  you,  upon  a  separate 
sheet,  my  opinion  as  to  whether  or  not  a  county  treasurer  could  be  held  liable  for 
the  moneys  paid  out  as  salaries  of  election  commissioners,  clerk  hire  and  printing 
bills,  in  case  the  law  should  for  any  reason  be  declared  unconstitutional, 

In  reply  will  state  that  the  state's  attorney  is  made  by  statute  the  legal  ad- 
visor of  both  you  and  the  board  of  supervisors  upon  official  matters.  It  is  the 
duty  of  the  attorney-general  to  act  in  an  advisory  capacity  to  the  state's  attor- 
ney when  requested  by  him. 

It  has  never  been  my  policy  to  attempt  to  supercede  the  state's  attorney  in 
matters  pertaining  to  his  office.  To  do  so  might  result  in  embarrassment  not 
only  to  him  but  also  to  this  office.  I  must,  therefore,  in  the  first  instance  refer 
you  to  the  state's  attorney  of  your  county,  and  if  he  is  in  doubt  as  to  the  law  and 
desires  the  opinion  of  this  office  I  shall  be  glad  to  accommodate  him. 

;.  Upon  reflection  I  think  you  will  agree  that  this  policy  is  the  only  proper  one 
and  that  the  attorney-general  should  refrain  from  superceding  the  state's  at- 
torney in  the  performance  of  his  official  duty  of  advising  the  county  officers. 

Regreting  that  I  cannot  comply  with  your  request  or  that  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  in  this  instance,  I  am,  .,,.-'.'•  -' 

:.-.•„.;-;•/-    .  .  -:,        Very  respectfully, 

'"'  '•  •^•^'^''-:  ;"       '  '   '         ^^  -  V' - V    .'         ,.  ..  ...  ...  .      W.  H.  STEAD, 

'    :  -jV,.'^/    :  •  '     '      Attorney-General. 

'  •••  ^''-j^r •-'.'>  / 

..;••.-;.: M'        OFFICE  OF  STATE'S  ATTORNEY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

GALESBURG,  111.,  March  14,  191 1. 
Hon.  George  J.  Eastes,  County  Treasurer,  Galesburg,  Illinois: 

DEAR  SIR:  Replying  to  your  inquiry  as  to  the  letter  of  the  attorney-gen- 
eral regarding  the  matter  of  an  opinion  on  the  "constitutionality  of  the  election 


'K"      A::  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '      :  807 

law  under  which  the  city  of  Galesburg  is  now  operating,"  will  say  that  I  have 
given  the  subject  careful  consideration  and  find  that  our  supreme  court  has 
passed  on  this  question  in  the.  case  of  The  People  vs.  Hoffman  et  al.,  1 16  111., 
page  587,  in  which  it  is  held  that  the  act  referred  to  is  a  valid  one  and  not  in 
contravention  of  any  constitutional  provision.  Also  the  provision  that  the  law 
has  no  operation  in  a  city,  town  or  village  until  adopted  by  the  voters  thereof 
will  not  render  it  local  or  special  or  make  it  invalid.  A  general  law  may  de- 
pend upon  some  contingency  as  when  it  takes  effect  in  a  particular  locality. 
This  election  law  has  also  been  held  constitutional,  and  above  case  cited  with 
approval  in  the  case  of  People  vs.  Wamek,  241  111.,  page  529. 

The  same  question  in  principle  has  been  decided  by  our  supreme  court 
upon  other  laws  where  a  vote  of  the  people  was  necessary  for  their  adoption. 
"It  is  competent  for  the  legislature  to  pass  a  law,  the  ultimate  operation  of 
which  may,  by  its  own  terms,  be  made  to  depend  upon  a  contingency."  "Dele- 
gation of  power  to  make  the  law  is  forbidden,  *  *  *  but  there  can  be  no 
valid  objection  to  a  law  which  confers  any  authority  or  discretion  as  to  its 
execution  to  be  exercised  under  and  in  pursuance  of  the  law  itself."  162  111., 

494. 

Same  rule  was  held  in  reference  to  the  jury  commissioner's  act  of  1897. 
"Constitutions,  like  statutes,  must  receive  a  reasonable  construction.  It  has 
been  determined  and  has  become  the  settled  rule  of  construction  in  this  state 
that  an  act  general  in  its  terms  and  uniform  in  its  operation  upon  all  persons 
and  subject  matter  in  like  situation  is  a  general  law  and  not  obnoxious  to  the 
objection  that  it  is  local  or  special  legislation."  "Before  an  act  of  the  legisla- 
ture can  be  held  unconstitutional  it  must  be  clear  that  it  is  so.  All  doubts  are 
to  be  resolved  in  favor  of  the  validity  of  the  statute."  170  III.,  460. 

In  regard  to  the  civil  service  act  it  was  decided :  "It  is  further  claimed 
that  the  law  is  unconstitutional  as  being  special  legislation.  This  contention  is 
also  without  force,  as  the  law  itself  provides  for  its  operation  only  in  those 
cities  which  by  a  vote  of  the  people  may  adopt  it.  Laws  of  this  character  are 
not  obnoxious  to  the  constitutional  inhibition  against  special  legislation."  171 

111.,  72. 

The  present  local  option  law,  to  which  constitutional  objection  was  raised, 
was  held  not  to  be  contrary  to  the  constitution  in  the  McBride  case,  234  111. 

I  note  in  quoting  from  the  letter  from  the  attorney-general  addressed  to  you 
that  he  states  that  where  the  state's  attorney  is  in  doubt  as  to  the  law  and 
desires  the  opinion  of  the  attorney-general  that  he  would  render  such  opinion. 
However,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  supreme  court  has  passed  squarely  on 
the  constitutionality  of  the  so-called  election  commissioner's  law  it  would  hardly 
be  contended  that  the  question  was  involved  in  any  doubt,  as  a  supreqie  court 
decision  is  the  highest  authority  to  which  I  could  refer  you. 

Respectfully  submitted, 
':•:••••  >;•-:.•  :".;••'•'/•':/';•  :-^.":o^!;--'' ••.-•••'•.''-'•^•i;'.^''^'-  A.  J.  BOUTELLE. 

-.  '•!  '  •'.•    •'.  ••  .'«''    •-'    .''',..';'-.''     ''"    , '  \,  ,•-'•' 

.;/;•'"-'.,•'•;;•;':?:•' .^  •.:  >,;r;-\.>v.vv  ''CORN  GROWING  CONTEST        /•?;•'' .V' '-."•..;,  vV--^    - 

December,  1911. — Supt.  W.  F.  Boyes  appeared  and  read  the  following  re- 
port of  the  Special  Committee  on  the  Boys'  Corn  Growing  Contest : 


808  •      ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Supervisors: 

:  Gentlemen:     Your  committee  appointed  at  the  April  meeting  to  have  charge 
of  the  Boys'  Corn  Growing  Contest  beg  leave  to  report  as  follows : 

Soon  after  their  appointment  the  committee  met  and  formulated  a  plan  for 
the  contest.  First,  second  and  third  prizes  of  $20.00,  $10.00  and  $5.00  respec- 
tively, were  offered  for  each  of  four  exhibits  of  corn  grown  and  selected  by  boys 
in  the  county,  of  eighteen  years  and  under ;  also  three  prizes  of  the  same  amount 
for  the  best  essay  as  to  how  the  writer  produced  his  com.  This  series  of  prizes 
involved  the  expenditure  of  $175.00  and  it  was  found  practicable  to  offer  a 
sweeptakes  prize  of  a  rubber-tired  top  buggy  of  the  value  of  $125.00.  Further, 
prizes  of  $3.00  and  $2.00  were  offered  for  the  best  corn  shown  from  each  town- 
ship, barring  such  exhibits  as  should  receive  county  prizes.  You  were  asked 
individually  to  provide  for  your  townships  the  $5.00  necessary  for  the  last  men- 
tioned prize;  and  you  have  the  thanks  of  the  committee  for  responding  as  you 
did.  :  ,;; 

Mr.  Paden  and  the  County  Superintendent  acted  for  the  committee  in  solicit- 
ing from  the  business  houses  of  Galesburg  the  $200.00  necessary,  in  addition  to 
the  $100.00  appropriated  by  this  Board,  to  carry  out  the  plan. 

As  to  the  response  to  the  plan ;  more  than  two  hundred  boys  expressed 
their  interest,  about  one  hundred,  as  nearly  as  could  be  determined,  planted 
corn.  Many  of  the  plots  were  small  and  in  several  respects  the  season  was 
unfavorable ;  so  a  considerable  number  of  those  who  grew  a  crop  were  unable 
to  exhibit.  However,  just  prior  to  the  time  of  the  show  forty-one  said  they 
had  corn  to  bring  and  thirty-six  entries  of  corn  grown  by  boys  were  made.  In 
addition  to  this  twenty-seven  exhibited  a  selection  of  corn  they  had  made  with- 
out reference  to  the  grower — sixty-three  in  all. 

The  corn  was  scored  by  Mr.  Leigh  F.  Maxey,  Secretary  of  the  Illinois  Corn 
Growers'  Association.  He  expressed  the  judgment  that  it  was  an  unusually  suc- 
cessful show. 

The  attendance  throughout  the  day  was  good,  the  county  court  room  being 
too  small  to  accommodate  all  present  in  the  afternoon.  Addresses  were  deliv- 
ered by  Mr.  Grieg  for  the  committee,  Hon.  Qark  E.  Carr,  Supt.  A.  C.  Butler, 
and  Hon.  J.  W.  Hunter  of  Abingdon. 

The  gathering  of  boys  for  this  contest  was  made  the  occasion  of  organizing 
a  Knox  County  Boys'  Club,  the  purpose  of  which  is  to  foster  among  the  boys 
of  our  county  an  interest  in  and  a  love  for  farm  life  and  to  assist  them  in  doing 
their  part  in  their  homes,  their  schools,  and  their  communities. 

Many  expressions  of  approval  of  such  a  contest  have  come  to  our  ears  from 
intelligent  farmers  and  other  tax  payers  interested  in  the  best  development  of  the 
county. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  your  committee  that  a  good  start  has  been  made  and 
the  members  are  unanimous  in  the  conclusion  that  this  board  would  do  wisely 
to  provide  for  continuing  the  work  of  encouraging  farm  boys  of  the  county  to 
an  interest  in  corn  and  its  production. 

Accordingly,  it  is  hereby  recommended  that  at  this  meeting  a  committee  be 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


800 


empowered   to   have   charge   of   next   year's   contest  and   an   appropriation   of         ;{: 
$2SO.cx)  be  made  for  the  same.  ;  .L  ; 

•j-;":;'"-;.-!/'  •..-'-;•'•'  ^ '''::'•/  '^-1<J.--:--      HuGH  GREIG,  '!:•  v/ }•;.•' 

'^-'  '•./•"'•'"•' ••••••'•'•  '•'''•^•'.'-••"'7=  '; '-• :  '^:v^^'^'---"i5.';^.-5' ••'-vW^^r      J-  O.  BAIRD,  •;'/'';"''•• 

v-;' -v,^-:  ::-v ';'•'' v'- "^'^'!:"v:,/''''; '''-4 :''-;vV;' ''    '"      •':^- ''.";/;. v     A.  F.  PADEN,  "^j- ' 

.,''    '     '  '    ''     ''  '     "'      ""  '"    '"  '  '•  '  '  '''     ''' Committee.        .   .  •^•'•-' 

•       Chairman  Hoxworth  then  announced  that  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  "-i  -'^ 
Superintendent    Boyes,    as    expressed    before  this    board,    he    would    appoint ;'.,::;; 
Messrs.  Grieg,  Baird  and  Paden  as  members  of  the  special  committee  to  co-        :'- 
operate  with  the  county  superintendent  in  the  matter  of  the  corn  contest  and 
exhibition  for  the  boys  of  the  Knox  county  schools  for  the  ensuing  year,  which         ;;: 
appointment  was  concurred  in  by  the  board.  .  ,          V 


v'   V  ''-'''••;     . 


INDEX 


Appalachian  Range,  2.  "  :'.;      ,'-'' 

Abingdon   charter,  55.  ••••.,.••..... 

Almshouse  and  Poor  Farm,  175. 

propriety  of  purchasing,  176,  227,  230. 

order   to   purchase,    177.  ,       -  -.  <,    . 

care  of  paupers,  178,  180,  181."  '       ^  -•  ; 

movement  to  abolish,  178,  179.        .-.  ;i  '••  / 

allowance  of  bills,  180.  ''  ' 

report  of  committee  on  conditions,  181, 
182,  183,  184,  195. 

movement  to  build,  183,  184,  185. 

rule  for  admission,  183,  201,  205,  206,  209. 

care  of  insane  paupers  185,  209,  210,  211, 
212,  216. 

construction   of  addition,   185,   186,    195, 
196,  197. 

report  on  location  and  building,  187,  188, 
189,  190,  191,  192,  193,  194. 

contract  for  east  wing,  197,  198,  199,  200. 

heating  apparatus,  202. 

report   of   superintendent,  202,  203,  206, 
207,  208. 

fire  protection,  204,  205,  206. 

contract  for  construction  of  annex,  213, 
214,  215. 

rules  and  regulations,  215,  216. 

second  insane  annex,  217,  218,  219,  220, 
221,  222. 

water  supply,  223,  224.  .,.''-' 

land  for  sale,  224.  ...•;;•.;•-' 

contagious  diseases,  225.  '•-'.•'/     >  >•  ; 

lighting,  227,  228,  229.  .   /;::>. 

cruelty  investigated,  794,  795,  796.  r,    :'-v 
Abingdon,  city  of,  419.  .••>'••:.';. 

Hedding  college,  420.  ~' 

Abingdon  college,  420. 

Protestant  Methodist  church,  421. 

industries,  421,  422. 

social  and  civic  organizations,  422. 

public  buildings,  422.  .  .  .     - 

cemetary,  422. 
Altona  village,  434. 
Appleton,  village  of,  438. 
Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  R.  R.,  611. 

C,  S.  F.  &  C  Ry  Co.,  612. 

Hinckley   Road,  612. 

C.  &  St.  L.  Ry  Co.,  612.  '    •'  .     J 

C.,  St.  L.  &  w.  Ry  Co.,  612.       A.   ;; 

order  to  build  to  Chicago,  612. 
negotiations  at  Galesburg,  613. 
growth  and  double  tracking,  613. 


Biloxi,  2. 

Black  Hawk,  5,  49. 

Black  Hawk  war,  5,  48. 


811 


Beardstown,  7.  -"•.;-•''/' ;-.^:   .' 

Bancroft,  Edgar  A.,  58.  '    ~  ~ 

Bigelow,   Hiram,  60. 
Banking  in  Knox  county,  465. 

Knox  county  State  Bank,  Knoxville,  466. 
Private  Bank,  J.  M.  Nicely,  466. 
J.  F.  Dunn,  Galesburg,  466. 
Sidney  Myers,  466. 
McCoy  Bank,  467. 
Nemaha  County  Bank,  467. 
Reed  &   Co.,  467. 

Farmers  and  Mechanics,  Galesburg,  467. 
Second   National,   Galesburg,  467. 
First   National   Bank,  467. 
Galesburg  National,  468. 
Bank  of  Galesburg,  469  to  475. 
People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank,  475,  476. 
Maquon   State   Bank,   477. 
First   National,  Maquon,  478. 
in  Yates  City,  478  to  480. 
Oneida  Exchange,  481. 
Oneida  State  Bank,  481. 
People's  Bank  of  Abingdon,  481. 
First  National  of  Abingdon,  482. 
First  State   &   Savings   Bank  of  Abing- 
don, 483. 

Bank  of  Altona,  484. 
State  Bank  of  Victoria,  485. 
First  State  Bank  Co.,  Williamsfield,  486. 
Wataga  State  Bank,  486. 
Brown's  Business  College,  Galesburg,  589, 

590. 
Baptist  Church,  657. 

history,  657,  658. 

First  Baptist  Church,  Galesburg,  659. 
new  building,  659.        .      .'• 
persecutions,  660. 
enlargement  of  building,  660. 
division,  661. 
reunion,  661. 

Broad  St.  building  sold,  662. 
new  building,  662. 
destruction  by  fire,  663. 
present  structure,  663. 
subsequent  history,  664. 
Ontario  church,  665,  666. 


Columbus,  1. 

Cahokia,  2.        ,          >     '- 

Clark,   Gen.   George  Rogers,  2,  4. 

Courts,  establishment  of,  14,  50,  51,  52. 

Court  House,  specifications,  16,  61,  63. 

contract  for,  16,  17,  20,  21,  22,  60,  61,  62, 

88,  89. 
County  seat,  survey  of,  17,  18,  19. 

purchase  of  land,  18,  52. 


812 


INDEX 


Copley  twp.,  Indians,  42.  •     '-••.";     -   , 

Cedar  twp.  Indians,  43.  ,•      .••..'  ;'    . 

Chestnut  twp.  Indians,  44. 

Courts,  trials,  54. 

Constitution  (1818,  1848),  55.       ;  .       , 

Common  law,  57.  .  •;  .•     •    •• 

Central  Military  Tract,  58.          -    ,      -.   .  . 

Craig,  Alfred  M.,  59.  . 

Court   Houses,  60.  '      •      '   ••  . 

Cooley,  Zelotes,  61. 

Court  House,  renting,  65,  68,  69,  70,  71,  72, 
73,  74,  75,  76,  77,  78. 

Court  House,  settlement  for  construc- 
tion, 65.  .,,  .  .  :, 

Court  House  repairs,  66,  67.         •  •  •  '- 
Court  House  jury  rooms,  70. 
Court   House  construction,  72,  77,  79,  80, 
81,  82,  85,  90,  91,  92,  93,  94,  95,  96,  97, 

100,  109,  112,  115,  118. 

Court  House  construction,  employment  of 
E.  E.  Myers,  architect,  83,  84,  86. 

Court  House,  exclusion  of  dram  shops,  86. 

Court  House  construction,  opening  bids, 
87,  88. 

Court  House  construction,  extra  charges, 
97,  98,  105. 

Court   House  furniture,  %,  98,  99,  100. 

Court  House  reception,  100,  101. 

Court  House,  settlement  with  contractors, 

101,  102,   103,   104,    106,   107,    108,   109, 
113,   114,   115,   116,   117,   118. 

Court   House,   assignment   of   rooms,    104, 

105. 

Court  House,  duty  of  janitor,  108. 
Court  House,  paving  walks,  109,  110,  111, 

112. 

Court  House,  new  committee,  113. 
Court  House  final  statement,  118,  119,  120, 

121,   122. 
Court   House,  electric  light,  122,   123,  124, 

125. 

County  seat  fight,  127,  128,  129,  133,  134, 
135,  136,  137,  138.  139,  140. 

division   of  city  and  twp.   of  Galesburg, 
129,  130,  131,  132,  133. 

decision  of  court,  141. 

order  for  removal,  142,  143,  144.      ;   ;• 

donations  by  Galesburg,  143,  149.    ;  .     • 

petition  for  new  election,  148.  .  . 

election  returns,  154,  155. 
County  buildings,   Knoxville,   disposal   of, 

160,  161. 
Criminals,  petty,  care  of,  167  to  170. 

see  workhouse. 

Copley  township,  432.  '     •.    !..    . 

Camp  association,  440.          ,         •       ' 
Chestnut  township,  445.  ;•.,•'• 

Cedar  township,  448. 
Cumberland  Presbyterians,  448. 
Cherry  Grove  Sem.,  621  to  625.    v 
C,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad,  590.  .      ' 

genesis  of  the  railroad,  590.  '    .     . 

extent  of  Burlington  system,  591. 

development  of  Burlington  system,  592. 

Peoria  &  Oquawka  R.  R.,  592,  595,  596. 

Central   Military  Tract   R.  R.,  593,  596. 

Aurora  Branch  R.  R.,  594. 

Northern  Cross  R.  R.,  594,  595,  596,  599. 

Galesburg  to  Mendota  R.  R.,  595. 

P.  &  O.  R.  R.,  595. 


C  &  A.  cmt.  and  P.  &  O.  consolidated, 

596.  .  ... 

Galesburg  division,   596.  1    - 

origin  of  C.,  B.  &  Q.,  597. 
prosperity,   597. 

passengers  carried  in  1912,  597.  ,.,.•:. 
consolidations,  dates  of,  598,  599.  ••'.;,'•.! 
Yates  City  to  Lewistown,  599.  ;  '  '.'  ' 
Buda  to  Elmwood,  599.  •'  V  , 

Galva  to  New  Boston,  599. 
Quincy  to  Burlington,  600.       : 
Quincy  bridge,  600,  601. 
Galesburg  &  Rio  branch,  601.' 
St.  Louis  to  St.  Paul,  601. 
Keithsburg  &  Gladstone,  601. 
West  Havana  branch,  601.  .  '•.    - 

Consolidation  with  B.  &  M.,  602.  ••':;.; 
double  tracking,  602.  .1  ••-•.•.•;•' 

Galesburg  yards,  602.  '  '   '' 

personnel  of  the  road,  602,  603,  604,  605, 

606,  607,  608,  609. 

struggle  \yith  Great  Northern,  609. 
relationship  -with  Michigan  Central,  609. 
Congregationalism,  625. 
polity,  626. 

doctrines,  626.  ''':-'  .!'.'• 

history,  626. 
English  origins,  627. 
early  American  history,  627,  628,  629. 
plan  of  union,  629. 

Congregational  churches  in  Knox  coun- 
ty, 629,  630,  631. 
the  Brick  Church,  632. 
removal  of  old  First  Church,  632.    •.    •-,,1 
slavery,  632. 

controversy  over  Knox  College,  633. 
other  Galesburg  churches,  633. 
churches  outside  of  Galesburg,  634. 
Ontario  &  Oneida,  634,  635. 
Wataga,  635. 
Victoria,  635. 

Altona,  635.  ••';•'      .  ., 

Rio,  636.  Tj  ' :  V  :/ 

Abingdon,  636.       ''•       •'-•''..• 
DeLpng,  636.  •  '  ."•  '' 

Catholic  church,  666. 

teaching,  667. 

worship,  668. 

success  in  Knox  county,  669. 
organization  in  Galesburg,  670. 
advent  of  Rev.  Joseph  Costa,  670;  his 

labors,  671,  672. 
St.    Augustine,   672,   673;    Wataga,   673, 

674. 

Christian  church,  693  to  698.      j          - 
Christian  Science,  722. 
Centennial  celebration,  787. 
Corn  growing  contest,  807,  808,  809. 


Detroit,  2. 

Douglas,  Stephen  A.,  54. 
Divorces,  56.  :,'  ;:.-•• 

Douglas,  Leander,  58. 
Dahinda,  village  of,  438. 
Douglas,  village  of,  444. 
DeLong,  village  of,  450. 
Destructive  floods,  790,  791,  792 
Dram  shops,  793. 


INDEX 


813 


E,"  '••''v!  :.  ••  .• 
.'••--  •  •     •  •. 

Edwardsville,  7.  ';••">?•  ": 

Elba  township,  442.  ;:•••':;. 
Episcopal   church,  677. 

Grace  church,  Galesburg,  678,  679. 

St.  John's  church,  679. 

Election    commissioners,  board    of,    805, 

806,807.  .,:.„• 


First  inhabitants,  1.  ;•  ••.•.•"• 

Florida,  1.  ''•'''"•. 

France  in  Canada,  1,  2.  - ' 

Fort  Miami,  2.  "  i-.-'v:';  '^f. 

France,  New,  2.  •-.•;:',    •<• 

French  and  Indian  war,  2.      '       .  ' 

Fulton  county,  6.       .  '      / . 

Fort  Lewis,  45. 

F.  and  M.  Bank,  Galesburg,  55.     > 

Frost,  T.  G.,  58. 

Ferries  and  ferry  boats,  802,  803. 


Galesburg  7.        •      -•\/'X-     :•.:;•'    ••.;•, 
charter,  55.  '..  .  •••' 

Galesburg  county  seat,  52,  53.      ''• 

Galesburg  public  schools,  55,  56.       •'  -. 

Glenn,  John  J.,  59. 

Galesburg  fire  proof,  77,  78,  79,  85,  91. 
contagious  diseases,  225. 

Galesburg,  city  of,  396. 

before    the    industrial    revolution, 

398,  399. 

incorporation  of,  399. 
census  Oct.  1,  1867,  400.     .      .         ; 
in  Civil  war,  400.  •••;.• 

.    ne\v  charter,  401.  .,      '' . 

^  police  department,  401.  '"•^'\', 

fire  department,  402.  ''!    -.v'"! 

water  department,  403.  ?;!..>.:  v 

source  of  water  supply,  404.     •'-.'''' 
amount  of  water,  405.  •'::.,> 

street  car  lines,  405.  '.'v'..--'   •.•"••- 

railroads,  406.  '^.'  •;:.:,-.  0'' 

city  buildings,  407.  •  ^^.      .' 

library  building,  407,  408.          .  V  ' 
workhouse,  408.  U  f?'.'-' 

saloon  license,  409,  410. 
general  improvements,  410,  411,  412. 
hospital,  412. 

for  whom  maintained,  412.       •.:•.'.-• 
growth,  412.  .    ' 

training  school,  413.  V?-'  '  . 

management,  414. 
surgical    maternity    and     children's 

partments,  414. 

general  wards,  414.  ''•?•  : ;; 

rooms  named,  415.  .../.V^'- 

laundry,  415.  •.''.•_: 

alumni,  415. 
officers,  415. 

Gilson,  village  of,  441,  442. 

Galesburg  township,  450. 

Galesburg  public  schools,  547. 

first  schoolhouse,  547.  •' 

first  teacher,  548.  .;. 

location  of  schoolhouses,  548.  •••-   .'.•' 
poverty  of  districts,  548.  /  • 


397, 


de- 


school  law  of  1825,  548,  549. 

school  section,  549. 

income  from  township  fund,  550. 

public   indifference,   550. 

Eberhart  on   Galesburg  schools,  550. 

Wright  on  same,  551. 

attitude  of  college,  551. 

private  schools,  552. 

jealousy  of  districts,  552. 

opposition  to  free  schools,  552,  558. 

work  of  Prof.  Churchill,  553. 

aid  of  Henry  Barnard,  553. 

W.  D.  Baker,  554. 

Horace  Mann,  554. 

Silas  Willard,  554. 

graded  schools  adopted,  555,  556,  557. 

school  charter,  555,  556. 

the  two  jokers  in  charter,  555. 

election  denied  by  council,  555. 

school  directors  elected,  556. 
:  charter  advantages,   557. 

school  buildings,  558,  559. 

R.  B.  Guild,  superintendent,  560. 
'  J.  B.  Roberts,  superintendent,  560. 

M.  Andrews,  superintendent,  560. 

W.  L.  Steele,  superintendent,  561. 

St.  Joseph's  academy,  561. 


H 

Henry  county,  7. 

Henderson,  county  seat,  18,  19,  20,  52,  54. 

Henderson  twp.  Indians,  42. 

Haw  Creek  twp.   Indians,  44. 

Henderson  township,  423,  424,  425. 

Haw  Creek  township,  439. 

Hermon,  village  of,  446. 

Health,  boards  of,  786.          :  •     ..- 


Indians,  1,  5,  35.  -•. V--^'. -.; 

Indians,  confederacy  of,  3.    '    •''.•. 

mini,  3,  37.  ;r  V 

Illinois   territory,  4.          •       ;.,  ;.^ 
Illinois,  state  of,  4.  ""'  "''  ' 

Illinois,  northern  boundary,  5,  6. 
Indian  trails,  36. 

tribes,  37.  .v^'.    / 

Sacs  and  Foxes,  38.    .    ..      '"  i.  ; 

Pottawatomies,  38.  .;..'•:;..:!;',, 

law-making,  38.  .  v'  f   - .  '.'  •     ' 

early  characteristics,  3^9.      V'  •';'•''.,.-;•' 

Chief  Shaubena,  39.     ' 

Pottawatomie  language,  40. 

home  life,  40,  41. 

local  items  of  history,  41.  '•;-• '\ 

Indian  Point  twp.,  44.          ..:'•.,.. 

of  the  Revolution,  46.          .;-,';• 

treaties,  47.  ••.' 

land  surveys,  47.    -  .  v""*' 

War  of  1812,  48. 

Maquonia,  48. 

Indian   Point    township,    447. 
Ir|sh  people,  723. 

influence  in  Europe,  724. 

European  restrictions,  725. 

relief  from  America,  725. 

early  settlement  at  St.  Augustine,  726. 

Salem  township,  727.    . .      _ 


,7 


814 


INDEX 


•'advent  in  Galesburg,  from  the  east,  728, 

729. 

Henderson  township,  729. 
the    praises    of    Henderson    Grove,    730, 

731. 

Williamsfield,  731. 
The   Barefoot   Nation   Oneida,   Ontario, 

Sparta,  732. 
Lynn   township,   733. 
Irishmen  of  note,  733,  734,  735,  736,  737. 
anecdotes,  737,  738,  739. 
Illinois  internal  improvements,  783,  784. 
Idiots,  institution  for,  786. 
Industrial  school  for  girls,  789.    •,;  ;. 


Judicial  power,  54.  .  •   '.•'•-•    '• 

Jones  vs.  C.,  B.  &  Q.,  58,  59. 
Jail,   appointment   of    building   committee, 
142,  156,  157. 

publication  for  plans,  144,  149.        '  •'.: . 

contract,  144.  V 

settlement  on  contract,  145,  166.     - 

care  of,  145.  .        '   : 

order  for  repairs,  145,  146. 

jail  deliveries,   147.  :  '..'    ••     • 

opening  bids,  150,  151.       .       .•       ''-    ,'  '. 

protest,  151,  152,  153,  158. 

injunction  proceedings,   150.      »       ..    .  • 

awarding  contract,  154,  159. 
:  •  additional  lot,  159,  160,  161,  162,  163,  165. 

drainage  of,  161,  165.  .    . 

fencing  and  sidewalk,   162.         -••.•"  ,.',•• 

completion,  163,  164.  , 

possession  and  furniture,  165. 

heating,  166,  167.  .    , 

Jews  and  their  religion,  674.  • 

doctrines,  675. 

activities  in  Knox  county,  676,  677.  • 

Juvenile  offenders'  detention  school,  804. 


Kaskaskia,  2,  7. 

Knox  county,  jurisdiction  of,  1,  5. 

Knox  county,  development  of,  6. 

Knox  county,  6. 

Knox  county  government,  8,  9,  10. 

Knox  county,  first  election,  11. 

Knox  county  voting  precincts,   12. 

Knox     county     in     account     with     Fulton 
county,  14,  15. 

Knox  county  treasurer's  report,  15. 

Knox  county,  topography  and  geology,  22. 
stream  system,  23,  24. 
drainage  area,  24.  '  .   '    '    •', 

altitudes,  24,  25,  26.  -'   . 

erosion,  26.  .^.V 

soil  asset,  27.  .  •;...,  ' 

water  reservoir,  27.  •     :    ;.' 

soils,  28.  .  -  . 

coal  resources,  29.  •  •      •:.  •  ' 

intermediate  rocks,  29,  30. 
geologic  life,  30.  .  ..••         • 

coal  industry,  31,  32.  ,  .    •. 

stone  quarries,  33.  '    ' ,      .      - 

second   soil  and  fossils,  33. 
Spoon  river  notes,  34.  '  .  , 

hill  structure,  34.  .,     ,,,.,    .•         .      : 

Knox  twp.  Indians,  42.  :'        ',        •.         '    . 


Knoxville  county  seat,  52. 
Knoxville  fireproof,  125,  126,  127. 
Knox  county  kindergarten,  227. 
Knoxville,  city  of,  415,  416,  417. 

brick  making,  419. 
Knox  College,  562. 

The   Ladies'  Seminary,  565. 

•  H.  H.  Kellogg,  president,  564. 
Jonathon  Blanchard,  president,  565. 
admission  of  women,  566. 

Knox  manual  labor,  566. 

denominational  controversy,  566^  567. 

Harvey  Curtis,  president,  568. 
.    the   library,  569. 

the  Lincoln-Douglas  debate,  569. 

college  in  Civil  war,  56^9,  570. 
:    William  S.  Curtis,  president,  570. 
••   John  P.  Gulliver,  president,  570. 

Albert  Hurd,  acting  president,  571. 

Newton  Bateman,  president,  571. 

department  of  music,  571. 
:.   cadet  corps,  571. 

east    and    west    additions    to    Whiting 
Hall,  571. 

Alumni  Hall,  572. 
,     D.  K.  Pearsons,  572.  .- ;.  'v 

•  John  H.  Finley,  president,  572.       -  -  i  C 
university  extension,  573.  '•'..    '..• 

;'    Founder's  day,  573. 

'•    Thomas  McClelland,  president,  573. 

the  new  gymnasium,  574. 

campaign  for  endowment,  574. 

Carnegie  and  educational  board,  574. 
-'    contribution  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Standish, 

574,  575. 
'    George  Davis  Science  Hall,  575. 

new  heating  plant,  575.  i   .     ^i.   ,: 

:;.   policy,  576.  *       -      •'  " 

music  department,  577. 

early  settlers  and  singers,  578,  579. 

early  equipment,  580. 

menibers  of  faculty,  580. 

musical  organizations,  581. 

artists'  recitals,  581. 


London  company,  2.        .•.•—.; 
Lewistown,  7. 

License  tavern,  13.  • 

Lynn  twp.   Indians,  42. 
Liquor  trials,  56. 
Land  titles,  58. 
Lawrence,  Charles  B.,  59. 
Lawrence,  George  A.,  58. 
Lynn  township,  436. 
Lombard  College,  582. 

organization,  582. 

burning  of  building,  583. 
',   liberal  donations,  583. 

P.  Raymond  Kendall,  principal,  582. 

Otis  A.  Skinner,  president,  584. 
'    James  P.  Weston,  president,  584. 
'     Nehemiah  White,  president,  584. 

Edson  Reifsneider,  dean,  585. 
:''    John  Clarence  Lee,  president,  585. 

J.  V.  N.  Standish,  president,  584. 

C.  E.  Nash,  president,  585. 

F.  W.  Rich,  dean,  586.  •  -  .    , 

L.  B.  Fisher,  president,  586. 


INDEX 


815 


Lutheran  church,  680. 

Augsburg  confession,  680,  681. 

in  Sweden,  681,  682. 

what  is  Lutheranism?  683. 

coming  to  Knox  county,  684,  695. 

realizarion  of  their  hopes,  685,  686. 

First    Lutheran   church,   Galesburg,   686, 
687. 

Swedish  Evang.  Knoxville,  687. 

Altona,  688. 

Wataga,  688. 

Trinity  Evang.  Galesburg,  689,  690,  691. 

German  Evang.,  691,  692,  693. 
Latter  Day  Saints,  714. 

origin,  715,  716. 

verification  of  claims,  716. 

the  Book  of  Mormon,  717. 

scriptural  authorization  of  church   doc- 
trine, 717. 

polygamy  condemned,  717,  718. 

history,  718,  719,  720. 

Dahinda  branch,  721.  .  ,  .   ,         .  ..:.  . 

organization,  721.  :  .\  /  v-:;::  ;•-    '/•' 

general  belief,  721. 
Labor  Unionism,  767. 

its  rise  in  general,  767. 

labor  unions  of  England,  768,  769. 

in  other  countries,  770. 

international  unions,  770. 

in  America,  770,  771,  772,  773,  774. 

in  Knox  county,  774,  775,  776. 

list  of  unions,  777,  778,  779. 

Labor  Day  celebrations,  779. 

railroad  unions,  780. 

the  Trades  Assembly,  780,  781. 

the  Galesburg  Labor  News,  781,  782. 

the  labor  union  of  today,  782,  783. 


McKenzie,  James  A.,  56. 


Mound  builders,  1,  35.  '•;.-••;''.'''•;'••.' 

Mississippi  river,  2,  5.  >:';•>:. 

Mobile,  2.  '      ' 

Madison  county,  6. 

Mound  builders  altar  mounds,  36. 

Maquon  twp.  Indians,  44. 

Murphy,  F.  S.,  58. 

Military  of  Knox  county,  239. 

Indian  wars,  240,  241,  242. 

organization  of  militia,  242,  243. 

in  the  Civil  war,  242,  243. 

Illinois    National    Guard,   243,  244,   245, 
246. 

Knox  county  volunteers,  246  to  364. 

Fourth  Regiment,  I.  N.  G.,  364,  365,  366, 
367. 

drum  corps,  367. 

Company  A,  Oneida,  367,  368. 

Company  B  and  C,  College  City  Guards, 


bounties   and  aid   to   families,  369,  370, 

371  to  393. 

aid  by  townships,  393,  394. 
monunient  to  soldiers,  394,  395,  396. 
Mechanicsburg,  village  of,  441. 


Maquon  township,  451. 

Maquon  village,  452. 

Medical  profession  in  Knox  county,  538. 

organization  of  physicians,  540. 

Military  Tract  Medical  Association,  541. 

work  in  schools  and  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  542. 

efforts  to  secure  tuberculosis  sanitorium, 
542,  543,  544. 

pure  milk  proposition,  544,  545,  546. 
Methodist  church,  historical  636,  637. 

doctrinal,  637. 

government,  638. 

genesis  of  Methodism,  638;  results,  639, 
640. 

Abingdon,  641. 

Altona,  641. 

Dahinda,  642.  V?.  '':-. 

Henderson,  642.  ''••:'; 

Louisville,  642. 

Maquon,  643,  644,  645.  " 

Oneida,  645.  •"' 

Rio,  646. 

Victoria,  646.'-     'I  ';':•:•.-' 

Wataga,  646. 

Williamsfield,  647. 

Galesburg,  647,  648. 

summary,  648,  649. 
Methodism,  Swedish,  origin,  649,  650. 

Bishop  Hill,  651. 

Bethel  ship,  651. 

activity  at  Victoria,  651. 

founding  of  church  at  Victoria,  652. 

ordination  of  Jonas  Hedstrom,  652. 

activities  at  various  points,  652,  653. 

Wataga,  653. 

Galesburg,  653,  654. 

its  present  field,  655,  656. 

polity,  656. 

Mormons,  see  Latter  Day  Saints. 
Mother  Bickerdyke  monument,  801,  802. 


N 

Northwest  territory,  2,  3.  ' 

Northwest  territory,  division  of,  4. 
Northwest  territory  Indian  titles,  4. 
Negro  people,  760  to  766. 


Orange  twp.  Indians,  43. 
Oneida  charter,  55. 
Old  Settlers'  Association,  418. 
Ontario  township,  426. 

early  settlers,  426. 
Oneida,  city  of,  428. 
Orange  township,  449. 
Orphans'   Home,  796. 


Plymouth    Company,  2. 
Point  Comfort,  2. 
Pike  county,  6. 
Pittsfield,  7. 

Persifer  twp.  Indians,  42. 
Price,  O.  F.,  58. 
Persifer  township,  437. 


816 


INDEX 


Parks,  of  Knox  county,  461.        -     :=>;•• 

urban  and  country  life,  461. 

city  parks  and  playgrounds,  461. 

parks   in  America,  462.  ...     . 

•     grandeur  in  nature,  462.          v-,'       v  ' 

of  Galesburg,  463.  ^          • 

of  East  Galesburg,  463.  '.-''•••.     '' 

"    of  Lombard  campus,  463.  !•: ,     '    • 

of  Knoxville,  464.  '  •• 

Oneida  park,  464.  •.       . 

'    Yates  City,  464.  '  :'••    .    ,- 

conclusion,  464.  •    ^    • 

Press,  of  Knox  county,  487.  -' 

The  Register,  488.  ' 

The  Republican,  488.  .  . 

The  Plaindealer,  488.  . 

••     Knox  Intelligence,  488. 
'.     Northwestern  Gazateer,  488.          •'      .  ' 

News-Letter,  488. 

.    Western  Freeman,  489.          .   -         .' 
..    Free  Democrat,  489.  '  - 

Hemlandet,  489.  .    . 

Det  Ratta  Hemlandet,  489.  . 

:    Frihets  Vannen,  489.  :    ^    ^^ 

.       Knox  County  Observer,  489.         • 

The  Times,  489.  i-  .'    - 

'     The  Liberal,  489. 

The  Sidewalkines,  489.     .      v    •      .         ; 

The  Review,  489.  -  ; 

The  Knox  Student,  489. '/  ' 

Coup  d'Etat,  489.  .;    -. 

•:     Lombard    Review,  489.  '-.'.'' 

:      High  School  Budget,  489. 

Enterprise   Herald,  489. 
,     The  Press  of  Knoxville,  490. 
.    Knoxville  Journal,  490. 

Knox  County  Republican,  490. 

The  Messenger,  490.  •. 

The  Republican,   Knoxville,  490.          - 

The  Williamsfield  Times,  490. 

The  Oneida  News,  490.  : 

The  Altona  Record,  491. 

The  Galesburg  Daily  Mail,  491. 

Republican  Register,  492,  493. 
Presbyterian  church.     Historical,  614. 

doctrinal,  615. 

Altona  church,  615. 

Galesburg  Presbyterianism,  616,  617. 

John  Knox  church,  617. 

Knoxville  church,  618. 

Oneida  First  Presbyt.  church,  618. 

First  Presbyt.  Yates  City,  619,  620,  621. 

gifts  to  church,  621. 
Park  commissioners,  793,  794.        .     .       . 


Revolution,  war  of,  2.  .      . 

Rock   Island,   5.  '        ' 

Rushville,  7.  .'       •  : 

Ralston,  James  H.,  54. 
Rio  township,  435. 
Rapatee,  village  of,  452. 
Registration   law  condemned,  786. 
Railroads,  concentration  of,  788. 


Soto,  Fernando  de,  1. 
Sauks  and  Foxes,  treaty,  5. 
St.  Clair  county,  6. 


Stark  county,  7. 
Survey,  congressional,  7. 
Sanborn,  John  G.,  9,  11,  12. 
Salem  twp.  Indians,  45. 
State  Road,  Knoxville  to  New  Boston,  55. 
Suits,  character  of,  56.  . 

Smith,  A.  A.,  58,  59,  60.  -       ^ 

Sanford,  P.  H.,  58. 
Shallenberger,  Martin,  58. 
Sanitarium  for  tuberculosis,  229,  230,  231, 
232,  233,  234,  235,  236,  237,  238,  239, 


Sparta  township,  431. 
Salem  township,  443. 
St.  Augustine,  village  of,  448. 
Schools  of  Knox  county,  493.     • 

school  lands,  493,  494. 

early  schools,  495,  496.       ,-  •;• 

commissioners,  496.  ;:'  •  • 

present  system,  496. 

teachers'  institute,  496. 

text  books,  499,  500. 

resolution  for  the  army,  500. 

schoolhouses,  501. 
•     High  schools,  501. 

school  equipment,  502.     --  , 

cost  of  schools,  503. 

course  of  study,  504.          ;.    - 
.     pupils,  505. 
:      teachers,   506. 

officers,  506,  507,  508. 
St.  Mary's  school,  Knoxville,  587.  •    .':••?•'' 

burning^  of  building,  587. 

new  building,  587. 

St.  Martha's  school,  Knoxville,  588. 
St.  Alban's  school,  Knoxville,  588. 
Swedish  Methodism,  see  Methodism. 
Seventh-Day  Adventists,  710. 

doctrines,  710,  711.  :       •  ,    : 

history,  711,  712,  713,  714.        I         -•.;,-: 
Swedes  in  Knox  county,  740.  •;;     -^v- 

early  immigrations,  740,  741.         ;  ;   . 

Swedish   populations,  742.  >    .' 

immigration  to  Galesburg,  742. 

character  of  immigrants,  743. 

business  enterprise,  743,  744,  745. 

Swedish  patriotism,  745,  746. 

Swedish  financial  institutions,  746. 

Swedish  education,  746,  747. 
Scotch  in  Knox  county,  747. 

Scotch  character  and  influence,  747,  748, 
749. 

prone  to  strong  drink,  750.J  ,   /  . 

immigration,  750.  • 

annual  meetings,  750,  751. 

occupations  in  America,  752. 

general  conditions,  753,  754,  755,  756,  757. 

list  of  immigrants,  757  to  760. 
Salt  mines.  Vermilion  county,  785. 
Specie  payments,  785,  786. 
Supervisors,    publication    of    proceedings, 

787. 

Silver,  remonetization  of,  788. 
Supervisors  annual  convention,  796  to  801. 
States  attorney,  salary  of,  803,  804. 


Truro  twp.  Indians,  43. 
Tunnicliff,  J.  J.,  58. 
Thompson,  John  S.,  59. 


INDEX 


Truro  township,  438. 
Taxation,  454  to  458,  459. 

railroad,  458. 

state  board  of  equalization,  460. 
Transportation  facilities,  785,  786. 

u          .-.-:>,• 

U.  S.  Confederation,  3.  •  '..  .  • 

U.  S.  territory  ceded  to,  3,  4.    ;• '  A 
Uniontown,  444.  ;•.;-. 

United  Brethren  church,  698.     '     ;  • 

origin  and  doctrine,  699,  700. 

history,  700  to  703.  ; 

Universalism,  703.  •  '' 

doctrine,  704. 

conditions  of  fellowship,  704,  705. 

history,  705  to  709. 


Vjrgfinia  first  charter,  2.      ,.;>  :     •  •     :    :i 
Vincen_nes,  2.  '••:.,,;.••''.•'.•.'.'• 

Virginia,  county  of,  3.  •''.•*' i'-;    -''V 

Virginia,  3.  '^-.^  ••.. '. ;  Tx  -  -  ';  .  - 

Victoria  township,  435.      ^  ..'.:,    V  'I;' 

village  of,  436.  ' : ;      >  v /;    -  ; 

Williams,  E.  P.,  58.  :   >     - 

Wheeler  Alvah,  61. 
Workhouse,  petition  for,  171  to  175. 
Wataga,  village,  432. 
Walnut  Grove  twp.,  433. 
Williamsfield,  village  of,  439. 
Woman's  work,  clubs,  etc.,  508. 

origin,  509,  510. 

general  effect  of,  510,  511. 

Max  O'Rell  on  American  Women,  511. 

Col.  Carr  on  American  Women,  511,  512. 

The    pioneer   women   of   Knox   county, 
512. 

Soldiers'  aid  societies,  513,  514. 

The  Dorcas  society,  515,  521. 


The  W.  C.  T.  U.,  515. 

The  W.  C.  T.  U.  auxiliary 

The  Woman's  Relief  Corps,  517, 

Free  Kindergarten  Association,  518,  519. 

ne_w  building  of  same,  520. 

Kindergarten  branches,  521. 

Hawthorne  club,  522. 

Galesburg  Fortnightly  club,  523. 

Mosaic  club,  523. 

Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  club,  523. 

Clio  club,  524. 

Tourist  club,  525. 

Home  Culture  club,  525. 

The  Sorosis,  526. 

The  Round  Table  club,  526. 

St.  Joseph's  Alumni  Literary  Associa- 
tion, 526. 

The  Author  club,  527. 

The  Swedish  Ladies'  Benevolent  society, 
528. 

Galesburg  Equal  Suffrage  Association, 
528. 

Tuscarora  club,  528. 

The  P.  E.  O.  club,  528,  529. 

The  Wednesday  club,  529. 

Visiting  Nurse  Association,  530. 

The  Thursday  club,  530. 

The  Woman's  club,  531. 

The  W.  A.  R.  M.  A.,  531. 

The  Woman's   Improvement   club,   532. 

The  Daisy  Dean  Walker  club,  532. 

The  Illini  club,  Maquon,  532. 

The  Mothers'  club,  Maquon,  534. 

The  New  Century  club,  Oneida,  534. 

The  20th   Century  club,  Oneida,  534. 

Society  of  Mayflower  Descendants,  534. 

D.   A.   R.   535,    Rebecca    Parke   cjiapter. 


Young,  Richard  M.,  54. 


Return  this  book  on  or  before  the 
Latest  Date  stamped  below. 


University  of  Illinois  Library 


1  n 


2  9  19W 


APR 


OCT  2  5  lS9i 
JUN  1  9  19{ 


1 


L161— H41 


NOT  TO  BE  TAKEfJ  FROM  IIRRJBV 


HISTORY  OF 


KNOX    COUNTY 


ILLINOIS 


ITS  CITIES,  TOWNS  AND  PEOPLE 


ILLUSTRATED 


VOLUME  II 


CHICAGO 

THE  S.  J.  CLARKE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

1912 


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i       Biographical  '^'ll^icm 

;  ;  COLONEL  CLARK  E.  CARR.  '     ^       :    V^ 

Galesburg  is  proud,  as  well  it  may  be,  of  the  record  of  Colonel  Clark  E. 
Carr,  now  one  of  the  venerable  and  honored  residents  of  the  city.  His  interests 
and  activities,  however,  have  been  so  broad  and  varied  as  to  make  him  a  man  of 
national  character,  for  he  has  sustained  many  important  relations  to  the  public 
service  and  in  other  associations  has  been  found  faultless  in  honor,  fearless  in 
conduct  and  stainless  in  reputation.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Boston,  Erie 
county.  New  York,  May  20,  1836,  and  is  descended  from  a  family  of  English 
origin,  the  records  of  which  are  traced  back  to  the  time  of  the  Norman  Con- 
quest. William  Carr  was  born  in  London,  England,  June  17,  1597,  and  was 
married  May  i6,  1619,  to  Susan  Rothchild,  in  London.  They  came  to  America 
in  the  fall  of  1621  as  passengers  on  the  ship  Fortune,  Captain  Roger  Williams 
commanding,  and  landed  at  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  on  the  7th  of  November. 
For  many  generations  the  branch  of  the  family  of  which  Colonel  Carr  is  a  repre- 
sentative remained  in  New  England.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  the  Rev. 
Qark  Carr,  who  was  born  at  East  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island,  where  one  of  his 
anc^tors,  Caleb  Carr,  had  once  served  as  colonial  governor.  The  Rev.  Clark 
Carr  was  a  Baptist  minister  who  preached  for  fifty  years  in  western  New  York, 
becoming  a  pioneer  of  that  section  of  the  state.  He  married  Patty  Merwin  and 
lived  to  be  eighty  years  of  age,  while  his  wife  reached  the  advanced  age  of 
almost  ninety  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  a  son  and  two  daughters :  Clark 
M. ;  Laura,  who  became  the  wife  of  Ambrose  Torrey ;  and  Louisa,  who  married 
Willard  Alger. 

Clark  M.  Carr,  born  in  the  Empire  state,  was  reared  in  Erie  county.  New 
York,  and  having  arrived  at  years  of  maturity  he  wedded  Delia  Torrey,  a  native 
of  Connecticut  and  a  daughter  of  Asa  and  Lydia  (Roberts)  Torrey.  Her 
father  was  born  in  Weymouth,  Massachusetts,  and  was  of  English  descent. 
The  mother  of  President  Taft  was  a  Torrey,  closely  related  to  Asa  Torrey,  Judge 
Alphonso  Taft,  the  father  of  the  president,  having  married  Louisa  Maria 
Torrey,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  D.  Torrey,  of  Millbury,  Massachusetts. 

It  was  some  years  after  the  marriage  of  Clark  M.  Carr  that  he  removed  to 
the  middle  west,  arriving  in  the  spring  of  1850  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  lived  for  nearly  two  years,  after  which  he  established  his  home  in  Galesburg 
in  the  autumn  of  1851.  Clark  M.  Carr  engaged  in  various  lines  of  business  but 
during  his  residence  in  Galesburg  was  largely  occupied  with  the  promotion  and 
building  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  He  died  in  this  city  in 
1876  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  first  wife,  Mrs.  Delia  (Torrey) 


Biographical 

COLONEL  CLARK  E.  CARR. 

Galesbiirg  is  proud,  as  well  it  may  be.  of  the  record  of  Colonel  Clark  E. 
Carr,  now  one  of  the  venerable  and  honored  residents  of  the  city.  His  interests 
and  activities,  however,  have  been  so  broad  and  varied  as  to  make  him  a  man  of 
national  character,  for  he  has  sustained  many  important  relations  to  the  public 
service  and  in  other  associations  has  been  found  faultless  in  honor,  fearless  in 
conduct  and  stainless  in  reputation.  He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Boston.  Erie 
county,  New  York,  May  20.  1836.  and  is  descended  from  a  family  of  English 
origin,  the  records  of  which  are  traced  back  to  the  time  of  the  Norman  Con- 
quest. William  Carr  was  born  in  London.  England.  June  i/.  1597.  and  was 
married  May  i6.  1619.  to  Susan  Rothchild.  in  London.  They  came  to  America 
in  the  fall  of  1621  as  passengers  on  the  ship  Fortune,  Captain  Roger  Williams 
commanding,  and  landed  at  Plymouth.  Massachusetts,  on  the  /th  of  November. 
Eor  many  generations  the  branch  of  the  family  of  which  Colonel  Carr  is  a  repre- 
sentative remained  in  New  England.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  the  Rev. 
Gark  Carr,  who  was  born  at  East  Greenwich,  Rhode  Island,  where  one  of  his 
ancestors.  Caleb  Carr.  had  once  served  as  colonial  governor.  The  Rev.  Clark 
Carr  was  a  Baptist  minister  who  preached  for  fifty  years  in  western  New  York, 
becoming  a  pioneer  of  that  section  of  the  state.  He  married  Patty  Merwin  and 
lived  to  be  eighty  years  of  age.  while  his  wife  reached  the  advanced  age  of 
almost  ninety  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  a  son  and  two  daughters:  Clark 
M. :  Laura,  who  became  the  wife  of  Ambrose  Torrey;  and  Louisa,  who  married 
Willard  Alger. 

Clark  M.  Carr,  born  in  the  Empire  state,  was  reared  in  Erie  county.  Xcw 
York,  and  having  arrived  at  years  of  maturity  he  wedded  Delia  Torrey.  a  native 
of  Connecticut  and  a  daughter  of  Asa  and  Lydia  (Roberts)  Torrey.  TTer 
father  was  born  in  Weymouth.  Massachusetts,  and  was  of  English  de-^cent. 
The  mother  of  President  Taft  was  a  Torrey.  closely  related  to  Asa  Torrey.  Tii<lge 
Alphonso  Taft.  the  father  of  the  president,  having  married  Louisa  Maria 
Torrey.  a  daughter  of  Samuel  D.  Torrey.  of  Millbury.  Massachusetts. 

It  was  some  years  after  the  marriage  of  Clark  ^].  Carr  that  he  removed  to 
the  middle  west,  arriving  in  the  spring  of  1850  in  Henry  county.  Illinois,  where 
he  lived  for  nearly  two  years,  after  which  he  established  his  home  in  Galesburg 
in  the  autumn  of  1851.  Clark  M.  Carr  engaged  in  various  lines  of  business  but 
during  his  residence  in  Galesburg  was  largely  occupied  with  the  j^romotion  and 
building  of  the  Chicago.  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  He  died  in  this  city  in 
1876  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  His  first  wife.  Mrs.  Delia  (Torrey) 


fv          ::•;'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :•;•  \; 

Carr.  the  mother  of  Colonel  Carr,  died  in  Erie  county.  New  York,  in  1839,  when 
our  subject  was  only  three  years  of  age,  and  in  1845  he  married  again,  his 
second  union  being  with  Miss  Fannie  L.  Yaw.  There  were  four  children  by 
the  first  marriage :  General  Eugene  A.  Carr,  now  deceased ;  Colonel  Byron  O. 
Carr,  living  in  Seattle,  Washington ;  Rev.  Dr.  Horace  M.  Carr,  of  Parsons, 
Kansas ;  and  Colonel  Clark  E.  Carr,  of  this  review.  The  children  by  the  second 
marriage  were :  George  P.,  now  deceased ;  and  Grace,  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Fahn- 
nestock,  of  Galesburg.  The  second  wife  died  in  1888. 

Colonel  Clark  E.  Carr  was  but  thirteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  re- 
moved westward  to  Illinois  and  was  a  lad  of  fifteen  years  when  they  left  Henry 
county  for  Galesburg,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  having  now  resided 
in  this  city  for  six  decades.  He  pursued  his  education  in  Knox  Academy  and 
Knox  College,  after  which  he  returned  to  the  east  in  preparation  for  a  profes- 
sional career  and  was  graduated  from  the  Albany,  New  York,  Law  School  with 
the  LL.  B.  degree.  He  has  since  been  given  the  degree  of  doctor  of  laws  and 
for  many  years  following  his  admission  to  the  bar  in  1857  he  remained  in  prac- 
tice in  Galesburg.  In  fact  he  was  an  active  representative  of  the  bar  here  for 
nearly  forty-five  years  but  for  the  past  ten  years  has  lived  retired.  His  work  in 
the  courts  became  a  matter  of  record  and  indicated  his  comprehensive  knowl- 
edge of  the  law  and  his  ability  to  clearly,  forcefully  and  cogently  present  the 
points  of  his  case  and  the  principles  and  precedents  applicable  thereto. 

As  previously  indicated  Colonel  Carr  has  been  prominently  known  in  many 
public  connections  and  at  all  times  his  life  has  been  one  of  great  serviceableness 
in  the  fields  in  which  he  has  labored.  He  won  his  military  title  by  service  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  on  the  staff  of  Illinois'  distinguished  war  governor,  Richard 
Yates.  He  was  also  postmaster  of  Galesburg  for  twenty-four  years,  being  first 
appointed  to  the  office  in  i86i  by  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  whom  he  was  a  personal 
friend.  In  fact  there  are  few  men  living  in  Illinois  today  who  have  had  a  wider 
acquaintance  among  the  men  of  Illinois  who  have  gained  distinction  and  national 
honors  and  prominence.  Colonel  Carr  has  been  a  member  of  many  commissions, 
becoming  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Soldiers  National  Cemetery  Asso- 
ciation at  Gettysburg,  which  established  the  cemetery  there.  He  was  present 
on  the  occasion  when  Abraham  Lincoln  inaugurated  the  cemetery  and,  seated 
near  him  on  the  stage,  heard  the  president's  matchless  address,  a  full  account 
of  which  Colonel  Carr  has  given  in  his  volume  entitled  "Lincoln  at  Gettysburg." 
Presidential  appointment  under  Benjamin  Harrison  made  him  minister  pleni- 
potentiary and  envoy  extraordinary  to  Denmark  from  1889  until  1893.  In 
politics  he  has  always  been  a  zealous  republican  and  of  the  great  issues  which 
divide  the  two  parties,  with  their  roots  extending  down  to  the  very  bedrock  of 
the  foundations  of  the  republic,  he  has  a  true  statesman's  grasp.  Well  grounded 
in  the  political  maxims  of  the  schools,  he  has  also  studied  the  lessons  of  actual 
life,  arriving  at  his  conclusions  as  a  result  of  what  may  be  called  his  post- 
graduate studies  in  the  school  of  affairs.  (^^  | 

On  the  3ist  day  of  December,  1873,  Colonel  Carr  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Grace  Mills,  a  daughter  of  Hon.  Henry  A.  and  Julia  (Crosby)  Mills, 
of  Mt.  Carroll,  Illinois.  Mr.  Mills,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Carr,  was  a  son  of 
Abiram  and  Grace  (deBerard)  Mills,  the  latter  of  French  descent  while  the 


i    ;     '     •;  :          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          -;        C       '^-^T: 

former  was  a  native  of  New  York,  well  known  as  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Carr  was  Stephen  Crosby,  who  was 
born  in  Herkimer  county.  New  York,  and  was  a  farmer  and  stock  man.  To 
Colonel  and  Mrs.  Carr  there  were  bom  two  children:  Clark  Mills,  who  died 
in  1879  and  for  whom  the  Clark  Mills  Carr  prize  in  Knox  College  is  named; 
and  Julia,  who  became  the  wife  of  Captain  W.  P.  Jackson,  of  the  Third  Infantry 
of  the  United  States  Army,  who  is  now  on  duty  at  Zamboango,  in  the  Philippine 
islands.  Captain  and  Mrs.  Jackson  have  one  child,  Margaret. 

Colonel  Carr  is  the  honored  president  of  the  Illinois  State  Historical  Society 
and  also  of  the  Knox  County  Historical  Association  and  few  men  are  so 
thoroughly  informed  concerning  the  leading  events  which  have  shaped  the  his- 
tory of  the  state.  His  comprehensive  knowledge  of  all  such  has  been  made  the 
basis  of  his  authorship  of  several  most  interesting  volumes,  including:  The 
mini,-  A  Story  of  the  Prairies ;  My  Day  and  Generation ;  Lincoln  at  Gettysburg ; 
The  Postal  Railway  Service;  and  The  Life  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  When  an 
individual  has  advanced  far  on  life's  journey  it  is  frequently  said  of  him :  "He 
is  now  living  quietly  at  his  home,  etc."  It  is  doubtful  if  this  could  ever  be  said 
of  Colonel  Carr.  His  has  always  been  an  active  life  and  he  still  keeps  in  close 
connection  with  events  that  mark  the  trend  of  the  times  and  is  thoroughly  in- 
formed on  the  questions  of  significant  and  vital  interest  to  city,  state  and  nation. 
He  is  continuously  giving  out  of  the  rich  store  of  his  wisdom  and  experience 
for  the  benefit  of  others  and  thus  his  life  remains  a  serviceable  factor  in  the 
world's  work.  -/-  ':  • ',  ':  "•".•^'•'.  •  :r 

The  people  of  Knox  county,  and  especially  the  people  of  Galesburg,  will  be, 
interested  in  knowing  how  much  they  are  indebted  to  Colonel  Clark  E.  Carr  for 
having  in  their  midst  the  great  transcontinental  Atchison,  Topeka  and  Santa  Fe 
Railway  line,  which  is  shown  by  the  following  letters  from  Mr.  William  B.  . 
Strong,  the  president  of  that  great  system  when  the  road  was  built  to  Chicago.   • 

,        .  -        ••-      ;v.  •.  •  The  Partridge  Farm, 

Beloit,  Wisconsin,  December  lo,  '97.  .-• 

MY  DEAR  COLONEL  CARR  :     Yours  of  November  3d  came  while  I  was  in  ' 
Boston  visiting  my  daughter,  otherwise,  it  would  have  had  earlier  attention.    I  was 
glad  to  hear  from  you  and  pleased  to  know  of  Mrs.  Gaythes.     We  were  sorry    . 
to  have  her  sell  her  pretty  home  here  and  leave  us.    Wherever  she  may  reside,     . 
she  will  have  our  best  wishes. 

Touching  the  Santa  Fe,  Chicago  line — ^your  letter  has  brought  it  all  up  to 
me  so  clearly.     It  was  as  you  say,  my  aim  to  have  the  shortest  line  between 
Chicago  and  Kansas  City.     The  shortest  line  runs  some  miles  south  of  Gales-.  ' 
burg — Mr.  Robinson,  the  chief  engineer,  urged  the  adoption  of  this  line  very  ,.  - 
strongly.     Personally,  I  was  anxious  to  have  the  road  run  through  Galesburg,  '•,' 
My  former  connection  with  the  C.  B.  &  Q.  made  me  familiar  with  the  place 
and  its  attractions  for  a  railroad.    The  desire  for  the  short  line  and  Mr.  Robin-'        .; 
son's  pressure  for  the  line  would  have  won  the  day  if  you  had  not  come  forward  .;    ^ 
at  the  right  moment  and  plead  the  cause  of  Galesburg.     It  was  purely  out  of  , 
respect   for  you,   that   I   sent   Mr.  Robinson   to   Galesburg  to  consider   a   line  .     ,  , 
through  Galesburg.     At  that  very  time,  Mr.  Robinson  had  orders  to  adopt  the  ; 
shorter  line.     The  way  you  received  Mr.  Robinson  and  the  arguments  used  by  ;. 


8  ,     '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;•••,'- 

you  and  others,  which  were  communicated  to  me  in  Boston,  caused  the  company 
to  make  the  proposition  to  build  via  Galesburg — ^provided  the  right  of  way 
through  the  city  was  given.  This  proposition  was  limited  to  a  few  days — I  may 
say  a  few  working  hours — it  was  accomplished.  Your  faith,  hope  and  courage 
carried  it  through. 

My  knowledge  of  you  made  me  lean  on  you  in  these  Galesburg  matters  and 
I  want  to  say  to  you  now — as  the  president  of  the  Atchison  Company,  at  that 
time — that  if  it  had  not  been  for  your  efforts,  the  Santa  Fe  line  would  have 
gone  through  from  Fort  Madison  to  Streator  and  left  Galesburg  to  one  side. 
I  believe — all  things  considered,  that  the  best  route  was  adopted.  I  wish  to 
thank  you  for  speaking  so  favorably  of  the  line  from  Kansas  City  to  Chicago 
and  what  you  say  about  the  whole  system  being  disintegrated  without  it — I  fully 
believe  it.  The  Chicago  terminals  and  the  Galveston  line — are  the  three  great 
things  about  which  I  was  roundly  abused — and  woefully  misrepresented.  Today 
they  are  considered  of  great  conception — the  rock  of  strength — and  parties 
claim  supreme  credit  for  all  these  sayings,  who  actually  knew  nothing  of  their 
inception.  Such  is  life.  As  I  hear  and  read,  I  sometimes  wonder  if  I  ever  had 
anything  to  do  with  the  Atchison  system.  In  my  doubt,  and  I  find  when  I  went 
to  that  line  in  D.  C.  1877,  there  were,  all  told,  seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven 
miles.  When  I  left  it  in  1889,  seven  thousand  miles  and  the  average  mortgage 
debt — was  only  fifteen  thousand  dollars  per  mile  and  stock  less  than  twelve 
thousand  dollars  per  mile.  Pardon  length.  :.  ,  •  i  .. 

With  all  good  wishes,  yours  sincerely, 

:  -.    •  .  WM.  B.  STRONG. 

•       ,  ..  The  Partridge  Farm, 

Beloit,  Wisconsin,  January  6,  '98. 

DEAR  COLONEL  CARR:  Yours  of  the  second  inst.  came  safely.  I  thank  you 
for  it.  Your  letter  I  prize.  I  simply  want  to  say  I  was  amazed  to  know  that 
anyone  believed  the  Atchison  line  would  have  come  to  Galesburg  anyway — re- 
gardless of  local  aid.  I  want  to  say  to  you  in  the  most  positive  and  unequivocal 
language  that  the  location  of  the  line  rested  with  Mr.  Robinson  and  myself. 
We  agreed  perfectly  in  the  proposition  made  to  Galesburg  and  in  the  limit  of 
time  for  its  acceptance  or  rejection.  It  was  accepted  the  right  day. 

I  was  in  Boston  and  I  wired  Robinson  positive  instructions  if  the  proposition 
was  not  perfected  by  the  proper  responsible  parties  to  adopt  the  southern  or 
more  direct  route.  The  aid  granted  by  Galesburg  secured  the  Atchison  line, 
and  without  that,  the  road  would  have  been  built  several  miles  south  of  Gales- 
burg. Personally,  I  preferred  to  adopt  the  Galesburg  line  and  there  were  in- 
fluences against  it  which  yielded  on  condition  the  local  aid  was  given.  I  am 
pleased  to  know  of  Galesburg's  prosperity.  I  hope  it  will  continue.  I  am 
pleased  to  know  you  saw  Geo.  R.  Peck.  He  is  a  jewel.  We  fought  and  bled 
together;  he  is  no  coward.  God  bless  him.  --,V '•-:•;:•"  I:  ;i: 

My  Dear  Colonel  I  wish  you  and  yours  a  most  Happy  New  Year  and  may 
it  come  full  of  good  health  and  genuine  prosperity  to  you  and  each  one  dear  to 
you.  Yours  sincerely, 

/  N{V'  WM.  B.  STRONG. 


/    ••    ,        •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :      '  ;        59 

.Sv.  :••=':;        ;        HORATIO  N.  KEIGHTLEY.     •        -' :     :"v-''  ^^' -     . 

'  **  "  '      "  • ' 

One  of  Knoxville's  early  citizens  who  gave  his  cooperation  not  only  to  the 
promotions  of  all  municipal  enterprises  but  also  to  the  development  of  educa-     • 
tional  institutions  was  the  late  Horatio  N.  Keightley.     He  was  a  native  of  the  ; 
state  of  New  York,  having  been  born  in  Cortland  county,  on  the  25th  of  May, 
1825,  and  there  he  was  reared  and  educated.     During  his  boyhood  he  attended 
the  district  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home,  supplementing  the  knowledge 
therein  obtained  by  a  course  in  the  schools  of  Auburn,  New  York.     Having    ' 
decided  to  become  a  lawyer,   upon  the  completion  of  his   preliminary   educa- 
tion he  entered  the  office  of  William  H.  Seward,  where  he  prepared  for  admis- 
sion to  the  bar.     In  1850,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  he  came  to  Knoxville 
and  established  an  office,  continuing  to  be  actively  engaged  in  practice  here  for  - 
over  forty  years.     He  was  one  of  the  well  read  and  widely  informed  attorneys  . 
.   of  the  county,  and  was  connected  with  many  of  the  important  litigations  in    . 
its  early  history,  having  successfully   plead   many   a   cause   in   the   old    court- 
house.   A.  man  of  high  standards  and  upright  principles,  he  became  known  as     . 
one  who  always  conscientiously  devoted  himself  to  the  protection  of  his  clients*     • 
interests.     In  connection  with  his  professional  work  Mr.   Keightley  was  also    ; 
interested  in  the  grain  business  and  agricultural  pursuits.     He  owned  two  fine     . 
farms  east  of  Knoxville  that  he  cultivated  for  two  years,  making  a  specialty 
of  raising  hogs.  '.;'-;'..''•;•./":".:"•.  i.-x"-:">'':;-'-..-:/t^''-';  -  .    '      '  '•  v  ^•.^''^.-'. '?'.'H''-'^- -^ '^ 

Mr.  Keightley  married  Miss  Mary  L.  Ewing,  who  was  born  in  Smithfield, 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  25th  of  January,  1831.     They  were  married  in  this  city, 
on  the  25th  of  May,  1852,  by  the  Rev.  W.  Y.  Miller,  and  always  made  their     - 
home  here.    Mrs.  Keightley  was  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jane  (Campbell)    -. 
Ewing,  the  father  a  native  of  Uniontown  and  the  mother  of  Somerset,  Penn-     : 
sylvania.     The  paternal  grandfather,  David  Ewing,   was  a  native  of  Ireland.    , 
He  came  to  Knoxville  in   1836  and   with   his   brother,   George,   established  a 
general  store.     Here  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away  and  were  laid  to  rest    : 
in  the  cemetery  in  the  vicinity  of   Knoxville.     Grandmother   Ewing's   maiden 
name  was   Ruth  Brown  and   she  was  a  native  of  Maryland.     The  maternal 
grandfather  was  John  Campbell,  who  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  the  United   •• 
States,  first  locating  in  Pennsylvania,  but  later  becoming  a  resident  of  Ohio, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.     Alexander  Ewing,  Mrs.  Keight- 
ley's  father,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  merchants  of  Knoxville,  having  opened 
a  general  store  here  in  1836,  that  he  conducted  for  many  years.     He  was  one   ~ 
of  the  many  who  made  the  long  and  perilous  journey  across  the  prairies  to 
California  in  1849  in  search  of  gold.     Both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away  in 
Knoxville,  her  demise  occurring  on  September  26,   1866,  and  his,  on  the  2d    • 
of  January,  1874.     She  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  in  the  faith 
of  which  denomination  they  reared  their  family.     They  were  the  parents  of 
three  children,  Mrs.  Keightley  being  the  only  one  surviving.     The  others  were 
as  follows:  Anna  M.,  the  wife  of  William  M.  Phillips  of  Galesburg;  and  John 
H.,  who  in  1860  married  Cornelia  Weeks,  and  the  widow  is  now  living  in  El- 
dorado, Kansas.     Among  the  distinguished  members  of  the  Ewing  family  is  to    . 
be  named  General  Ewing,  and  Mrs.  Keightley  is  also  related  to  General  -Sher-     - 
man.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keightley  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  five  are 


W^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    V/- 

now  living.  Ida,  who  was  bom  on  February  4,  1857,  married  John  G.  Breece, 
a  farmer  near  Caldwell,  Kansas,  and  they  have  had  six  children :  Henry,  who  is 
deceased;  Agnes,  the  wife  of  Victor  Larson;  Bertha,  who  married  Carl  Stoner; 
and  Charles,  Horatio  K.  and  Wilbur.  Alice  C.  was  born  on  the  2Oth  of  Sep- 
tember, 1859,  and  died  on  the  ist  of  December,  1907.  Alexander  Ewing,  born 
on  September  15,  i86i,  married  Mary  McAuly  and  has  three  sons:  Thomas 
Ewing,  Charles  Nelson  and  Alexander  Elwood.  He  is  a  resident  of  Danville, 
Washington.  Mary  Ewing,  born  on  January  5,  1864,  is  a  trained  nurse  in 
Chicago  and  the  widow  of  William  Bradford,  by  whom  she  had  two  daughters: 
Helen  and  Dorothy.  Martin  Gay.  of  Wellington,  Kansas,  born  on  the  3d  of 
September,  1866,  married  Sarah  E.  Butts  and  has  four  sons:  George  Martin, 
who  is  in  the  United  States  navy ;  Harry  E. ;  Louis  H. ;  and  Albert  Ray. 

The  family  always  attended  the  Episcopal  church,  in  which  Mr.  Keightley 
held  membership  as  does  also  his  widow.  Fraternally  he  was  a  Mason  and 
politically  a  republican,  and  at  all  times  he  took  an  active  interest  in  affairs 
of  the  municipality,  having  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  several  terms 
as  mayor.  Mr.  Keightley  always  gave  his  assistance  in  promoting  the  develop- 
ment of  the  community  along  lines  he  deemed  qualified  to  best  serve  the  inter- 
ests of  its  citizens.  He  was  the  first  to  start  the  subscription  that  brought  to 
Knoxville  St.  Mary's  school,  an  Episcopalian  institution,  originally  known  as 
Ewing  University,  so  called  from  Mrs.  Keightley's  family.  He  was  held  in 
the  highest  esteem  not  only  in  Knoxville,  where  he  had  resided  for  so  many 
years,  but  in  the  entire  county,  and  his  death,  on  the  7th  of  April,  1896,  caused 
deep  regret  in  the  community.  For  several  years  prior  to  his  demise  he  had 
been  living  retired,  his  failing  health  having  necessitated  his  withdrawal  from 
active  life.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox- 
ville for  seventy-five  years,  forty-nine  of  which  have  been  spent  on  the  old 
family  homestead,  where  she  is  still  living.  Mrs.  Keightley  had  an  extensive 
acquaintance  among  the  early  pioneers  of  this  section,  whose  names  now  figure 
prominently  in  the  state's  history.  She  well  remembers  Lincoln's  early  days 
and  struggles  and  was  present  at  an  address  he  made  from  the  balcony  of  the 
old  Hebbard  House,  in  1858,  and  many  are  the  interesting  reminiscences  she 
relates  of  those  early  days. 


.    :  ':•:  JOHN  VAN  NESS  STANDISH.  .'   ;     '    : 

John  Van  Ness  Standish  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Captain  Miles  Standish,  of 
Pilgrim  fame,  and  was  born  in  Woodstock,  Vermont,  February  26,  1825.  His 
father  was  John  Winslow  Standish,  who  was  born  in  Pembroke,  Massachusetts, 
July  19,  1785.  He  was  a  man  of  many^rtues.  He  was  kind,  affectionate, 
trustful,  and  had  a  heart  full  of  love  for  evaryone.^IJe  possessed  good  natural 
powers  of  mind,  and  lived  to  his  ninetieth  year  an  exemplary  and  honorable  life. 

His  mother  was  Caroline  Williams  MyricK,  who  was  born  in  Woodstock, 
Vermont,  December  20,  1790.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Lieutenant  Samuel 
Myrick,  who  served  his  country  through  the  Revolutionary  war.  She  was  de- 
voted to  her  family  and  friends,  domestic  in  her  home  life,  untiring  in  industry. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,    It 

frugal,  discreet,  intelligent,  and  her  whole  life  of  sacrifice  and  duty  is  stamped 
indelibly  upon  the  memory  of  her  children. 

The  ancestry  of  the  Standish  family  reaches  back  to  a  very  early  period  in 
English  history.  In  the  thirteenth  century,  there  were  two  branches  to  the  fam- 
ily; one  called  tfie  "Standishes  of  Standish,"  and  the  other  the  "Standishes  of 
Duxbury  Hall."  Their  location  was  near  the  village  of  Chorley,  Lancashire. 
The  first  of  the  name  was  Thurston  de  Standish,  who  was  living  in  1222.  He 
had  a  son  Ralph,  who  had  a  son  Hugh.  In  1306,  on  account  of  differences  in 
religious  views,  the  estate  was  divided ;  Jordan  Standish  becoming  the  proprietor 
of  Standish,  and  Hugh,  of  Duxbury  Hall.  In  1677,  Sir  Richard  Standish  oc- 
cupied the  possessions  of  Sir  Frank  Standish.  Titled  nobility  came  into  the 
family  in  the  following  manner:  Froissart  relates  in  his  chronicles  that  when 
Richard  II  and  Wat  Tyler  met,  the  rebel  was  struck  from  his  horse  by  William 
Walworth,  and  then  John  Standish,  the  king's  squire,  alighted,  drew  his  sword, 
and  thrust  it  through  Wat  Tyler's  body.  For  this  act  he  was  knighted.  The 
baronetcy,  which  was  established  in  1676,  became  extinct  in  1812.  '•-:,-'  *-'.-...' 

The  history  of  the  Standish  family  in  America  begins  with  Miles  Standish, 
the  great  Puritan  captain,  who  was  descended  from  the  Standishes  of  Ehixbury 
Hall.  He  was  bom  about  1584  and  died  at  Duxbury,  Massachusetts,  October 
3,  1656.  He  inherited  in  a  preeminent  degree  the  military  qualities  of  his 
ancestors.  He  was  the  Moses  of  his  time  and  led  the  pilgrim  band  into  the 
"Promised  Land"  of  liberty.  Without  him.  New  England  for  a  generation  or 
two  would  have  remained  a  wilderness  and  that  little  Plymouth  colony  would 
have  become  extinct. 

Miles  Standish's- first  wife  was  Rose,  a  most  beautiful  woman.  She  died  in 
about  a  month  after  landing  at  Plymouth.  According  to  tradition,  his  second 
wife  was  Barbara,  a  sister  to  Rose.  By  this  second  marriage  there  were  seven 
children.  The  eldest  was  Alexander,  who  built  the  cottage  in  1666  now  standing 
on  the  "Standish  farm"  at  Duxbury.  For  his  first  wife,  Alexander  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Alden.  His  second  wife  was  Desire  (Sherman)  Doty, 
by  whom  he  had  four  children.  Their  eldest  child  was  Thomas,  who  married 
Mary  Carver.  Thomas  had  six  children,  the  third  birth  being  a  son  whose  name 
was  Thomas,  the  great-grandfather  of  John  Van  Ness.  This  second  Thomas  mar- 
ried Marta  Bisbee  and  had  two  sons,  one  of  whom  was  named  Hadley.  Hadley 
married  Abigail  Gardner  and  became  the  father  of  eleven  children.  The  third 
child  was  John  Winslow,  who  married  Caroline  Williams  Myrick,  They  had 
six  children,  the  fourth  birth  being  John  Van  Ness.  v'.'?' 

John  Van  Ness  Standish  belongs  to  the  sixth  generation  from  the  Pilgrim 
captain.  He  was  not  bom  in  affluence,  and  consequently,  has  been  obliged  to 
depend  upon  his  own  exertions  in  the  great  contest  of  life.  He  received  the 
rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town.  From 
these,  he  passed  into  private  schools,  in  which  he  spent  several  terms.  He  next 
became  a  student  for  several  years,  in  an  academy  at  Lebanon,  New  Hampshire, 
which  would  vie  in  thoroughness  and  scholarship  with  many  of  the  colleges  of 
today.  Having  finished  here  the  entire  course  of  mathematics  save  the  calculus, 
and  being  thoroughly  prepared,  he  matriculated  in  Norwich  University  in  1844, 
and  graduated  as  salutatorian  of  his  class  July  7,  1847.  While  in  college,  he 
was  regarded  as  a  most  excellent  scholar,  and  in  mathematics,  the  leader  of  his 


H        •*:     .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      •   '.V  /      . 

'-.''•'  '  •-.'*•'.'' 

class.  To  meet  his  expenses  during  these  years  of  study,  he  taught  school 
winters,  commencing  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  worked  on  the  farm  summers. 
He  made  study  a  business,  squandered  no  time,  and  had  but  little  leisure  for 
recreation  or  games. 

After  leaving  college,  he  taught  a  select  school  in  Perkinsville,  Vermont, 
and  when  this  was  closed,  he  became  principal  of  a  graded  school  in  the  same 
village.  Not  satisfied  with  the  prospects  in  his  native  state,  he  resolved  to 
seek  his  fortunes  in  the  west.  In  the  fall  of  1850,  he  went  to  western  New 
York  and  taught  in  the  graded  schools  of  Farmington,  Bergen,  Macedon,  and 
Victor,  until  he  was  called  to  the  professorship  of  mathematics  and  astronomy 
in  Lombard  University.  Rev.  P.  R.  Kendall,  a  classmate,  was  its  president, 
and  the  letter  of  invitation  sent  by  him  to  Dr.  Standish  contained  the  following: 
"You  and  I  are  to  build  a  college.  I  want  you  to  take  charge  while  I  collect 
money."  And  it  may  be  said  that  Lombard  University  owes  its  existence  to 
the  labors  of  these  two  men. 

On  October  22,  1854,  Dr.  Standish  arrived  in  Galesburg,  and  on  the  following 
day  he  entered  upon  his  duties  as  acting  president,  and  professor  of  mathematics 
and  astronomy.  He  was  acting  president  for  three  years,  and  the  institution 
prospered  greatly  under  his  management.  From  1854  to  1892,  a  period  of  thirty- 
eight  years,  he  held  his  professorship.  Nor  was  he  confined  to  his  own  depart- 
ment. For  seven  or  eight  years,  he  taught  the  natural  sciences,  and  if  any  new 
branch  of  study  was  introduced.  Dr.  Standish  was  elected  as  the  teacher.  A 
professor  said  to  him,  "You  have  taught  the  whole  college  curriculum."  Dr. 
Standish  replied,  "Not  quite."  Counting  geometry,  calculus,  logic,  Cicero,  Vir- 
gil, and  Livy,  as  distinct  studies,  he  has  taught  over  seventy — ^more  perhaps 
than  any  other  two  professors  in  Galesburg.  .  :'  -'.  .  ;  •  .1  :  '.  ^  ' 

In  1892,  he  was  elected  president  of  Lombard  University,  resigning  in  June, 
1895.  For  the  first  seven  months,  he  canvassed  for  funds,  and  raised  by  sub- 
scription forty-one  thousand,  five  hundred  dollars — a  larger  amount  than  was 
ever  raised  in  so  short  a  time  by  any  other  man  working  in  the  interest  of  the 
university.  The  catalogues  will  show  that  during  his  administration,  the 
patronage  gradually  increased. 

Dr.  Standish  performed  signal  service  for  the  college  outside  of  his  profes- 
sorship. He  planned  the  cabinet  cases  and,  with  the  aid  of  Mrs.  Standish, 
raised  the  money  to  pay  for  them.  He  raised  the  money  and  purchased  the 
cabinet  of  corals.  He  obtained  the  Cowan  collection.  He  secured  the  means 
to  build  the  bookcases.  He  arranged  and  planned  the  shrubbery  on  the  college 
campus.  As  another  has  said,  "There  is  scarcely  a  place  but  that  you  see  his 
hand."  '  ,  .  '  ''  -•;.'••  .'  •_:-.•'  ':.•:;--.",:'- '--  ^v'--:---  '  '•:  \'-.^-':-' 

As  a  teacher.  Dr.  Standish  had  but  few  equals.  He  was  original  in  his  illus- 
trations and  methods,  and  cared  little  for  the  opinions  of  men  as  written  in 
books.  He  was  a  law  unto  himself,  and  his  teaching  was  neither  by  book  nor 
by  rote.  He  was  clear,  incisive,  and  never  allowed  the  dullest  student  to  pass 
from  him  without  a  full  comprehension  of  the  subject.  Many  of  his  pupils  used 
to  say,  "I  can  carry  away  more  of  his  instruction  than  that  of  any  other  teacher." 
Dr.  Anson  L.  Clark,  a  graduate  of  Lombard  University  in  1858,  a  professor 
and  president  of  Bennett  Medical  College  in  Chicago  for  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century,  and  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  health  for  as  long  a  period,  pays 


-        .          :     '          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,:;:;  15 

him  the  following  tribute:  "As  a  teacher,  Professor  Standish  had  few  equals, 
no  superiors.  With  the  subject  so  completely  in  hand  himself,  it  was  always  a 
wonder,  how  for  the  benefit  of  some  dull  pupil  he  could  go  oyer  a  mathematical 
demonstration  again,  again,  and  again,  without  the  slightest  appearance  of  im- 
patience.  And  to  those  observing  this  conflict  between  light  and  darkness,  it 
was  especially  pleasing  to  note  the  kindly  light  of  interest  and  satisfaction  which 
would  pass  over  his  countenance  when  at  last  he  saw  that  he  had  won,  and  that 
the  problem  was  comprehended.  He  made  such  victories  a  life-work  and  ac- 
knowledged no  defeat." 

Rev.  John  R.  Carpenter,  whose  pastorate  is  at  Rockland,  Ohio,  and  who 
graduated  at  the  University  in  1887,  says:  "Dr.  Standish  was  an  ideal  instructor. 
He  was  a  man  of  leading  characteristics,  original,  positive  in  his  convic- 
tions, clear-sighted,  and  always  worked  with  a  definite  and  good  object  before 
him.  He  was  a  growing  teacher,  always  bringing  forth  some  new  view  of  the 
truth.  Those  who  have  been  students  of  Dr.  Standish  are  always  grateful  for 
the  privilege  of  sitting  at  the  feet  of  one  of  the  best  instructors  that  this  counry 
ever  produced.  He  would  carry  his  pupils  up  to  the  heights,  and  give  them  a 
view  of  the  promised  land  just  beyond.  But  when  once  on  the  heights,  no  true 
student  ever  came  down  to  his  old  position. 

D.  L.  Braucher,  a  civil  engineer  and  surveyor,  and  one  of  the  best  mathe- 
maticians ever  connected  with  the  university,  gives  his  impressions  in  the  fol- 
lowing  words:  "Professor  Standish  was  always  thoughtful,  dignified  in  his 
bearing,  and  anxious  to  make  his  pupils  see  the  truth  as  viewed  from  foundation 
principles.  He  seemed  more  like  a  sympathetic  companion  than  teacher,  while 
we  were  delving  for  the  hidden  truths  of  higher  mathematics.  The  more  knotty 
the  problem,  the  more  persistent  the  labor,  till  victory  perched  on  our  banner, 
as  she  always  did.  Time  has  tinted  those  memories  as  delicately  as  the  sunshine 
has  painted  the  rainbow." 

As  a  scholar.  Dr.  Standish  stands  preeminent.  He  is  really  an  all-round 
man.  Not  only  is  he  well  versed  in  the  lore  of  books  and  the  teachings  of  the 
schools,  but  he  has  been  a  great  student  in  the  broad  fields  of  the  world.  He 
is  well  posted  in  almost  every  department  of  science,  literature  and  art.  In 
criticism,  he  has  but  few  equals.  He  excels  in  rhetoric  and  in  grammatical 
construction  in  the  use  of  words,  and  has  been  called  by  some  scholars  a  dic- 
tionary  man.  At  the  ministers'  institutes,  held  in  Chicago  and  other  places,  he 
was  selected  above  all  others  as  the  critic  for  the  entire  sessions. 

In  his  labors  and  zeal  for  the  advancement  and  improvement  of  the  com- 
mon schools,  he  has  hardly  been  excelled  by  any  one.  He  has  held  teachers' 
institutes,  and  lectured  all  over  the  state — from  Jackson  and  Macoupin  counties 
on  the  north.  He  was  chairman  of  the  first  meeting  to  establish  graded  schools 
in  Galesburg,  and  attended  other  meetings  held  in  their  interest.  From  1854 
to  1880,  he  was  a  constant  attendant  at  the  Knox  County  Institute  of  Teachers, 
and  was  a  leading  member  of  the  State  Teachers'  Association.  The  latter  body, 
in  1859,  elected  him  president. 

Dr.  Standish  has  been  a  great  traveler.  In  company  with  Mrs.  Standish,  he 
has  visited  the  old  world  three  times — in  1879,  1882-3,  and  in  1891-2.  With  the 
exception  of  Denmark  and  Portugal,  he  has  visited  every  country  of  Europe. 
Egypt  and  the  Holy  Land,  and  Asia  Minor,  went  to  the  North  Cape  within  nine- 


16  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

teen  degrees  of  the  North  Pole,  saw  the  midnight  sun  seven  nights,  and  took 
a  trip  of  a  hundred  miles  out  on  the  Sahara  Desert.  Both  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Standish 
have  gone  abroad  for  study,  as  well  as  pleasure.  In  his  own  country,  he  has 
visited  every  state  in  the  Union  excepting  the  Carolinas. 

Both  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Standish  are  lovers  of  art.  They  have  visited  every 
large  picture  gallery  in  the  world,  and  many  small  ones.  They  are  conversant 
with  the  museums  of  Europe  and  have  studied  cathedrals  and  parks,  wherever 
they  have  traveled.  Egypt  and  Assyria,  Greece  and  Rome,  have  been  laid 
under  contribution,  and  their  treasures  have  been  spread  out  before  them. 

As  a  public-spirited  man.  Dr.  Standish  holds  a  conspicuous  place  among  his 
fellow  citizens.  He  has  done  much  to  improve  the  city,  and  has  given  more 
hours  of  labor  without  compensation  than  any  other  man  in  it.  For  more  than 
thirty  years,  he  has  made  his  own  grounds  the  most  attractive  in  the  city. 
Another  said  to  him,  "Your  handiwork  is  seen  all  over  Galesburg."  He  has  an 
aesthetic  nature,  and  is  fond  of  mountain  scenery,  and  beauty  of  landscape.  He 
is  a  horticulturist,  and  for  nearly  ten  years,  was  president  of  Knox  County  Agri- 
cultural Society.  He  was  once  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  education, 
and  for  many  years,  has  been  a  director  in  the  Second  National  Bank. 

As  a  man.  Dr.  Standish  is  kind,  benevolent,  and  charitable,  and  will  make 
sacrifices  for  the  public  good.  He  is  open-hearted,  and  believes  in  honesty  of 
purpose  and  intention.  He  has  no  use  for  double-minded  men.  In  religion  he 
is  a  Universalist.  In  politics,  he  is  a  republican. 

Dr.  Standish  was  married,  March  24,  1859,  to  Harriet  Augusta  Kendall, 
daughter  of  Francis  and  Rebecca  (Stowe)  Kendall.  She  was  a  teacher  of  paint- 
ing, French  and  Italian  in  Lombard  University  for  twelve  years.  '  ;  ':*  - ; ^^ 


':  H.  AUGUSTA  STANDISH. 

H.  Augusta  (Kendall)  Standish  was  bom  in  Phillipston,  Massachusetts, 
March  19.  1823.  She  died  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  September  17,  1911.  Her 
parents  were  Francis  and  Rebecca  (Stowe)  Kendall,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Phillipston.  The  Kendall  family  were  a  strong  race,  both  mentally  and 
physically.  Their  line  of  descent  can  be  traced  back  to  one  of  three  brothers, 
who  came  from  England  to  America  about  1630,  and  settled  near  Boston.  In- 
tellectually speaking,  the  Stowe  family  were  not,  in  any  resp)ect,  inferior  to 
the  Kendall  family.  They  were  a  broad-minded  and  sensible  people  and  never 
violated  rules  of  propriety  in  action.  Before  acting,  they  studied  conditions 
and  weighed  results,  so  as  to  accomplish  the  most  without  wasting  energies  or 
expense.  Such  were  the  ruling  characteristics  of  this  Stowe  farriily  and  such 
were  their  merits  as  recorded  in  the  generations  in  which  they  lived.  In  a 
word,  then,  both  of  these  families  were  the  stuflF  out  of  which  good  republics 
are  made.  They  hated  anarchy  and  tyranny  and  loved  freedom  for  freedom's 
sake.  They  believed  in  law  for  the  lawless  and  in  the  largest  liberty  to  those 
who  were  governed  by  the  higher  law.  In  truth,  they  knew  no  law  but  duty 
and  right.  It  was  these  lofty  ideals  that  made  these  families  such  worthy 
citizens. 


•;  r  y  .;  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  ^1  >v  10 

I 

Mrs.  Standish  was  well  bom.  She  lived  a  long  and  useful  life,  and  died 
regretted  by  a  large  company  of  sincere  friends.  When  she  was  but  sixteen 
years  old,  she  lost  by  death  a  loving  mother.  The  management  and  care  of 
the  household  of  five  persons  fell  upon  her.  For  about  five  years  she  engaged 
herself  in  this  domestic  task,  until  failing  health  compelled  a  change. 

In  the  district  school,  Mrs.  Standish's  school  days  were  happy  ones.  She 
was  a  thorough  scholar,  thorough  in  everything  she  undertook.  In  her  studies, 
;  though  the  youngest,  she  led  her  class.  Her  ideals  in  education  were  often 
expressed  by  her  in  two  maxims:  "It  is  a  sin  to  be  ignorant;"  "It  does  not 
hurt  one  to  know."  In  her  domestic  experience  of  five  years,  she  did  not 
wholly  neglect  her  studies.  She  improved  every  leisure  moment  and  became  a 
proficient  in  several  of  the  sciences. 

But  her  educational  acquirements  in  the  district  schools  and  the  instruction 
she  received  from  private  teachers  did  not  satisfy  her  ambition.  She  marked 
out  her  course  and  with  an  unwavering  firmness  pursued  it.  She  left  home 

•  and  friends  and  entered  as  a  student  the  seminary  at  Charlestown,  now  a  part 
of  Boston.    It  was  here  that  she  pursued  the  higher  branches  of  learning  and 

.  became  a  thorough  scholar  in  French  and  Italian.  It  is  here  that  her  love  for 
and  ability  in  art  were  developed,  and  the  many  paintings  in  oil  and  water  colors, 
which  have  for  so  many  years  adorned  her  home,  were  produced.  In  this 
seminary,  she  soon  became  a  favorite.  By  reason  of  her  earnestness  in  school 
work,  her  womanly  character,  and  her  hig^  moral  tone,  she  won  the  affection 
and  confidence  of  both  teacher  and  pupil.  •; 

She  next  attended  school  in  an  academy  at  Shelbume  Falls,  Massachusetts. 

•  Here  she  remained  a  year  or  two,  still  pursuing  the  higher  branches  of  learn- 
.       ing.     At  this  time  there  were  no  colleges  for  women  in  all  our  country,  nor 

.     were  they  even  thought  of.    The  academy  and  seminary  were  the  only  institu- 
,.     tions  offered  them  to  acquire  a  broader  education.     But  it  must  be  said  that 
•    New  England  academies  and  seminaries  of  these  early  times  were  fully  equal 
to  many  of  the  smaller  colleges  of  today.    Then  young  men  and  young  women 
•      "went"  to  school  instead  of  being  "sent."    Education  then  had  its  full  meaning. 
At  Shelburne  Falls,  Mrs.  Standish  bid  farewell  to  seminaries  and  academies, 
as  far  as  her  schooling  was  concerned,  and  afterwards  engaged  in  teaching — 
her  life  work.     Her  first  experience  as  a  teacher  was  in  the  district  schools  of 
her  native  state.     Here  she  taught  with  great  success.     Her  reputation  as  an 
;    instructor  and  disciplinarian  was  so  spread  abroad  that  her  services  were  in 
constant   demand,   even  at  higher  wages   than   other   teachers   were   receiving. 
She  next  took  a  position  in  an  academy  in  Townsend,  Vermont,  where  she  re- 
mained a  year  or  more.     Resigning  her  place  in  the  academy,  she  accepted  a 
similar  position  in  a  private  school  at  Saratoga  Springs,  New  York,  where  she 
remained  until  called  to  Lombard  University,  Galesburg,  Illinois.     She  arrived 
.. '  in   Galesburg,   Tuesday,   August   29,    1854,   and   took  her  position   before   her 
'classes  the  following  day.     The  institution  then  bore  the  name,  "The  Illinois 
Liberal  Institute."     Its  charter  gave  it  the  power  to  confer  degrees  upon  those 
'    students  who  had  finished  a  certain  prescribed  course  of  study.     Although  the 
^      institution  bore  the  name  "Institute,"  it  was  a  college  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses.    What  was  the  character  of  the  institution  at  this  time?     Considering 
this  early  period,  it  was  "large,"  two  hundred  and  thirty-three  being  enrolled 


20      ;  •;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

at  the  end  of  that  school  year.     The  classes  were  composed  mainly  of  students 
advanced  in  age  and  advanced  in  learning.     Advanced  Latin,  advanced  Greek, 
and  the  higher  matheniatics  were  pursued.     There  were  classes  in  the  differ-       V 
ential  and  integral  calculus,  and  students  reading  three  languages,  Latin,  Greek       ' 
and  French,  in  the  same  term.    The  great  body  of  the  students  were  so  anxious       . ' 
to  learn,  that  they  sometimes  petitioned  the  faculty  not  to  omit  but  to  continue       •'.;; 
their  recitations  on  certain  holidays,  which  petitions  were  freely  granted.     To      ; ; 
such  an  institution,  to  such  a  company  of  earnest  students,  Mrs,  Standish  was       . 
introduced,  and  of  the  ability  with  which  she  acquitted  herself,  there  are  hun- 
dreds of  living  witnesses.  : 

Mrs.  Standish  was  elected  to  the  professorship  of  French  and  Italian,  and 
teacher  of  drawing  and  painting.     Nor  was  she  confined  exclusively  to  this 
department.     She  also  taught  classes  in  English  literature,  history,  and  some  of       '. 
the  mathematics.     She  was  principal  of  the  ladies'  department,  and  had  a  large 
task  in  correcting  their  essays.     She  held  her  professorship  for  twelve  years,       > 
resigning  in  June,   1866.     During  these  early  years,  Lombard  University  was 
passing  through  her  most  critical  period.     She  was  carried  through  it  by  the 
sacrifices  of  faithful  teachers  and  faithful  students.     It  may  be  said  truly  that 
Mrs.  Standish  with  others  passed  through  fire  and  water  to  save  the  tottering 
college.     Here  was  an  institution  of  learning  without  a  dollar  in  the  treasury       y 
and  with  no  prospect  of  getting  one,  with  her  chapel  building  in  ashes,  and      ' 
with  unsuitable  recitation  rooms  scattered  all  over  the  city,  some  of  them  half 
a  mile  apart;  and  to  add  to  this  state  of  things,  each  teacher  was  paid  his  back      -  • 
:  salary  at  the  end  of  the  year  in  script  of  doubtful  value.  .,' 

•    Nor  were  conditions  improved  on  entering  the  new  building  in  the  fall  of 
1856.     Here  stood  the  present  college  building  on  the  open  prairie,  far  removed 
from  any  human  habitation.     It  was  unfinished.     The  walls  of  many  of  the       ;" 
rooms  were  naked,  some  had  lath  without  plaster,  and  the  outside  walls  of  the 
rooms  exposed  to  view  the  rough  brick  and  mortar.     There  were  no  baseboards      - 
to  the  rooms  and  blackboards  were  not  even  thought  of  or  planned.     But  the     *' 
greatest  discomfort  was  found  in  the  incapacity  of  two  small  furnaces  to  heat 
the  building.     No  room  was  heated,  and  the  larger  number  had  no  heat  at  all      ;. j 
from  morning  till  night.     In  recitation,  both  teacher  and  pupil,  were  obliged  to      .• 
wear  coats  and  shawls  to  protect  themselves  against  the  cold.     This  was  the      ;.; 
state  of  things  until  near  Christmas  time,  when  a  vacation  was  ordered  with  a      ; . 
promise  of  new  and  better  things.     Nor  was  this  the  only  trouble.     During  that 
winter  this  whole  region  of  country  was  covered  with  ice,  and  then  heavy  rains 
came,  forming  rivers  of  water  near  the  university,  thereby  cutting  it  oflf  com- 
pletely  from  the  city.     To  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  case,  lady  teachers  and 
lady  pupils  were  compelled  to  purchase  and  wear  rubber  boots  in  order  to  reach 
the  university.     Notwithstanding  these  trying  times,  it  must  be  said  that  every 
teacher  and  every  student  did  his  duty.     They  shirked  no  task  and  omitted  no 
lesson.     They  were  at  their  posts  until  the  day  of  vacation. 

Through  all  these  trials,   Mrs.   Standish  passed.     She  murmured  not,   nor 
complained.     She  saw  the  obstacles  in  her  pathway,  but  like  a  pilgrim,  she  took 
her  staff  and  marched  on.     Her  task  was  before  her,  and  she  could  not  be      t 
turned  aside.     She  knew  and  felt  that  success  was  born  of  self-sacrifice  and       ! 
self-determination,  and   success   in   whatever  calling,   though  humble,   gratified       | 


.  %      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;;  .  ^  i  ^  K' 

her  ambition.     It  was  the  well  done  thing  that  received  her  encomiums.     In  all 
her  life  her  motto  was  "Not  how  much,  but  how  well." 

As  a   scholar,   Mrs.   Standish  was  more  than  ordinary.     Indeed,   she   was  ;    ,. 
broadly  educated.     She  was  a  student  all  her  life.     She  had  an  ambition  and  a 
desire  to  learn.     If  any  topic  was  introduced  in  conversation  of  which  she  was 
ignorant,  she  immediately  set  herself  the  task  of  learning  it,  and  that  task  was 
finished  only  when  her  lesson  was  learned  thoroughly.     As  a  botanist,  she  was 
one  of  the  best  in  the  country,  having  made  that  branch  her  favorite  study  for 
more  than  seventy  years.    She  was  a  superior  student  in  astronomy.     She  could 
bound  all  the  visible  constellations  and  call  the  principal  stars  by  name.    Nightly, 
she  waiched  the  planets  in  their  course,  and  often  exclaimed,  "How  wonderful       '.   , 
are  the  works  of  the  Great  Creator!"     In  the  different  branches  of  art,  she  was    . 
almost  supereminent.     She  was  really  the  organizer  of  the  first  reading  clubs 
in  Galesburg.     For  twelve  years,  twice  a  week,  she  invited  the  ladies  of  the     . 
city  to  her  home  and  discoursed  to  them  on  the  beauties  of  the  masterpieces  in       .  . 
painting  and  the  wonderful  creations  of  Phidias,  Michael  Angelo,  and  Canova. 
Nor  was  architecture  omitted.    The  Grecian  temples,  the  basilicas  of  Italy,  and  ' 

the  English  cathedrals  were  pictured  before  them.     When  Mrs.  Laura  Bassett   ; 
visited  Europe  in  1905,  she  wrote  to  Mrs.  Standish,  "It  is  over  twenty  years 
since  I  had  the  privilege  of  meeting  at  your  home  with  several  other  ladies  and 
learning  of  treasures  of  art  and  beauties  of  architecture.     With  the  maps  in      •- 
Baedecker  and  plats  of  the  picture  galleries,  you  made  it  so  plain  that  I  always 
used  to  say  that  I  felt  sure  that  I  could  go  about  here  without  any  trouble  at       -. 
all,  and  would  recognize  these  different  buildings — and  so  it  is."     Nor  is  this 
all.     Mrs.  Standish  was  a  scholar  in  English  literature  and  her  correctness  of 
speech  was  remarkable.     Often  she  would  pause  and  in  thought  search  for  a 
fitting  word.     It  seems  that  she  was  born  with  golden  words  on  her  tongue.  . 

As  a  teacher,  Mrs.  Standish  had  but  few  equals.  Her  great  faculty  was  in 
the  development  of  the  minds  of  her  pupils.  She  saw  that  it  was  not  knowl- 
edge the  pupils  needed,  but  the  power  to  get  knowledge.  In  her  teaching,  she 
was  always  logical  and  never  diffuse.  She  never  left  in  the  pupil's  mind  a  -  / 
subject  hazily  or  poorly  understood.  It  was  always  her  endeavor  to  bring  out 
true  manhood  and  true  womanhood  in  her  pupils. 

As  a  citizen,  Mrs.  Standish  was  well  worthy  of  the  title  of  public  benefactor. 
She  labored  for  others  and  not  for  herself.     She  believed  in  civic  improvements      '     '• 
and  worked  to  make  the  city  a  better  place  to  live  in.     All  rubbish  and  unsightly      .  ' 
things  distressed  her,  and  no  one  knows  how  much  time  she  spent  in  beautify-         •  I 
ing  the  city.    Her  example  and  her  work  she  has  left  behind  her,  which  will  be 
a  profit  to  many.    She  was  ever  charitable  and  kind  and  a  help  to  all  who  knew         ;  :; 
her.    She  loved  the  good,  the  beautiful,  and  the  true,  and  never  descended  from 
the  high  plane  of  true  womanhood. 

Mrs.  Standish  was  united  in  marriage  to  John  Van  Ness  Standish,  a  pro- 
fessor   in  Lombard  University,  March  24,  1859.    The  ceremony  was  performed 
in  the  college  chapel  by  the  Reverend  Otis  A.  Skinner,  D.  D.,  who  was  then    ' 
president   of    the    university,   a    large   number   of    students    and    friends    being      • 
present.     The  golden  wedding  was  celebrated  in  Pasadena,  California,  March 
24,  1909.     There  was  only  "one"  present  who  attended  the  original  wedding,    • 
Mrs.  A.  M.  H.  Ellis,  of  Seattle,  Washington,  formerly  of  Chicago.      -;.-       •      .. 


20       :       ••  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •;• 

at  the  end  of  that  school  year.  The  classes  were  composed  mainly  of  students 
advanced  in  age  and  advanced  in  learning.  Advanced  Latin,  advanced  Greek, 
and  the  higher  matheniatics  were  pursued.  There  were  classes  in  the  differ- 
ential and  integral  calculus,  and  students  reading  three  languages,  Latin,  Greek 
and  French,  in  the  same  term.  The  great  body  of  the  students  were  so  anxious 
to  learn,  that  they  sometimes  petitioned  the  faculty  not  to  omit  but  to  continue 
their  recitations  on  certain  holidays,  which  petitions  were  freely  granted.  To 
such  an  institution,  to  such  a  company  of  earnest  students,  Mrs.  Standish  was 
introduced,  and  of  the  ability  with  which  she  acquitted  herself,  there  are  hun- 
dreds of  living  witnesses. 

Mrs.  Standish  was  elected  to  the  professorship  of  French  and  Italian,  and 
teacher  of  drawing  and  painting.  Nor  was  she  confined  exclusively  to  this 
department.  She  also  taught  classes  in  English  literature,  history,  and  some  of 
the  mathematics.  She  was  principal  of  the  ladies'  department,  and  had  a  large 
task  in  correcting  their  essays.  She  held  her  professorship  for  twelve  years, 
resigning  in  June,  1866.  During  these  early  years,  Lombard  University  was 
passing  through  her  most  critical  period.  She  was  carried  through  it  by  the 
sacrifices  of  faithful  teachers  and  faithful  students.  It  may  be  said  truly  that 
Mrs.  Standish  with  others  passed  through  fire  and  water  to  save  the  tottering 
college.  Here  was  an  institution  of  learning  without  a  dollar  in  the  treasury 
and  with  no  prospect  of  getting  one,  with  her  chapel  building  in  ashes,  and 
with  unsuitable  recitation  rooms  scattered  all  over  the  city,  some  of  them  half 
a  mile  apart ;  and  to  add  to  this  state  of  things,  each  teacher  was  paid  his  back 
salary  at  the  end  of  the  year  in  script  of  doubtful  value. 

Nor  were  conditions  improved  on  entering  the  new  building  in  the  fall  of 
1856.  Here  stood  the  present  college  building  on  the  open  prairie,  far  removed 
from  any  human  habitation.  It  was  unfinished.  The  walls  of  many  of  the 
rooms  were  naked,  some  had  lath  without  plaster,  and  the  outside  walls  of  the 
rooms  exposed  to  view  the  rough  brick  and  mortar.  There  were  no  baseboards 
to  the  rooms  and  blackboards  were  not  even  thought  of  or  planned.  But  the 
greatest  discomfort  was  found  in  the  incapacity  of  two  small  furnaces  to  heat 
the  building.  No  room  was  heated,  and  the  larger  number  had  no  heat  at  all 
from  morning  till  night.  In  recitation,  both  teacher  and  pupil,  were  obliged  to 
wear  coats  and  shawls  to  protect  themselves  against  the  cold.  This  was  the 
state  of  things  until  near  Christmas  time,  when  a  vacation  was  ordered  with  a 
promise  of  new  and  better  things.  Nor  was  this  the  only  trouble.  During  that 
winter  this  whole  region  of  country  was  covered  with  ice,  and  then  heavy  rains 
came,  forming  rivers  of  water  near  the  university,  thereby  cutting  it  off  com- 
pletely from  the  city.  To  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  case,  lady  teachers  and 
lady  pupils  were  compelled  to  purchase  and  wear  rubber  boots  in  order  to  reach 
the  university.  Notwithstanding  these  trying  times,  it  must  be  said  that  every 
teacher  and  every  student  did  his  duty.  They  shirked  no  task  and  omitted  no 
lesson.  They  were  at  their  posts  until  the  day  of  vacation. 

Through  all  these  trials,  Mrs.  Standish  passed.  She  murmured  not,  nor 
complained.  She  saw  the  obstacles  in  her  pathway,  but  like  a  pilgrim,  she  took 
her  staff  and  marched  on.  Her  task  was  before  her,  and  she  could  not  be 
turned  aside.  She  knew  and  felt  that  success  was  born  of  self-sacrifice  and 
self-determination,  and  success  in  whatever  calling,  though  humble,  gratified 


V  .    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -       - ,    '  / 

her  ambition.  It  was  the  well  done  thing  that  received  her  encomiums.  In  all 
her  life  her  motto  was  "Not  how  much,  but  how  well." 

;>'  As  a  scholar,  Mrs.  Standish  was  more  than  ordinary.  Indeed,  she  was 
broadly  educated.  She  was  a  student  all  her  life.  She  had  an  ambition  and  a 
desire  to  learn.  If  any  topic  was  introduced  in  conversation  of  which  she  was 
ignorant,  she  immediately  set  herself  the  task  of  learning  it,  and  that  task  was 
finished  only  when  her  lesson  was  learned  thoroughly.  As  a  botanist,  she  was 
one  of  the  best  in  the  country,  having  made  that  branch  her  favorite  study  for 
more  than  seventy  years.  She  was  a  superior  student  in  astronomy.  She  could 
bound  all  the  visible  constellations  and  call  the  principal  stars  by  name.  Nightly, 
she  watched  the  planets  in  their  course,  and  often  exclaimed,  "How  wonderful 
are  the  works  of  the  Great  Creator!"  In  the  different  branches  of  art,  she  was 
almost  supereminent.  She  was  really  the  organizer  of  the  first  reading  clubs 
in  Galesburg.  For  twelve  years,  twice  a  week,  she  invited  the  ladies  of  the 
city  to  her  home  and  discoursed  to  them  on  the  beauties  of  the  masterpieces  in 
painting  and  the  wonderful  creations  of  Phidias,  Michael  Angelo,  and  Canova. 
Nor  was  architecture  omitted.  The  Grecian  temples,  the  basilicas  of  Italy,  and 
the  Fnglish  cathedrals  were  pictured  before  them.  When  Mrs.  Laura  Bassett 
visited  Europe  in  1905,  she  wrote  to  Mrs.  Standish,  "It  is  over  twenty  years 
since  I  had  the  privilege  of  meeting  at  your  home  with  several  other  ladies  and 
learning  of  treasures  of  art  and  beauties  of  architecture.  With  the  maps  in 
Baedecker  and  plats  of  the  picture  galleries,  you  made  it  so  plain  that  I  always 
used  to  say  that  I  felt  sure  that  I  could  go  about  here  without  any  trouble  at 
all,  and  would  recognize  these  different  buildings — and  so  it  is."  Nor  is  this 
all.  Mrs.  Standish  was  a  scholar  in  English  literature  and  her  correctness  of 
speech  was  remarkable.  Often  she  would  pause  and  in  thought  search  for  a 
fitting  word.  It  seems  that  she  was  born  with  golden  words  on  her  tongue. 

As  a  teacher,  Mrs.  Standish  had  but  few  equals.  Her  great  faculty  was  in 
the  development  of  the  minds  of  her  pupils.  She  saw  that  it  was  not  knowl- 
edge the  pupils  needed,  but  the  power  to  get  knowledge.  In  her  teaching,  she 
was  always  logical  and  never  diffuse.  She  never  left  in  the  pupil's  mind  a 
subject  hazily  or  poorly  understood.  It  was  always  her  endeavor  to  bring  out 
true  manhood  and  true  womanhood  in  her  pupils.  .  '  ;.-''•. 

As  a  citizen,  Mrs.  Standish  was  well  worthy  of  the  title  of  public  benefactor. 
She  labored  for  others  and  not  for  herself.  She  believed  in  civic  improvements 
and  worked  to  make  the  city  a  better  place  to  live  in.  All  rubbish  and  unsightly 
things  distressed  her,  and  no  one  knows  how  much  time  she  spent  in  beautify- 
ing the  city.  Her  example  and  her  work  she  has  left  behind  her,  which  will  be 
a  profit  to  many.  She  was  ever  charitable  and  kind  and  a  help  to  all  who  knew 
her.  She  loved  the  good,  the  beautiful,  and  the  true,  and  never  descended  from 
the  high  plane  of  true  womanhood.  '  ;C-::' ; -V  •- •i^.'--  /  "' ^'•-':'^' '';;'•- 

Mrs.  Standish  was  united  in  marriage  to  John  Van  Ness  Standish,  a  pro- 
fessor in  Lombard  University,  March  24,  1859.  The  ceremony  was  performed 
in  the  college  chapel  by  the  Reverend  Otis  A.  Skinner,  D.  D.,  who  was  then 
president  of  the  university,  a  large  number  of  students  and  friends  being 
present.  .  The  golden  wedding  was  celebrated  in  Pasadena,  California,  March 
24,  1909.  There  was  only  "one"  present  who  attended  the  original  wedding, 
Mrs.  A.  M.  H.  Ellis,  of  Seattle,  Washington,  formerly  of  Chicago. 


22  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :;V;:. 

-Mn  religion,  -Mrs.  Standish  was  a  Universalist,  though  she  was  brought  up 
in  the  Congregationalist  faith.  She  was  far  from  being  narrowly  sectarian. 
She  thought  that  good  works  and  an  upright  life  counted  for  more  than  blind 
belief. 

In  politics,  her  sympathies  were  republican,  and  if  she  could  have  voted,  her 
vote  would  have  been  cast  on  that  side.  In  both  religion  and  politics,  she  be- 
lieved the  higher  law  should  prevail.  . 


-  -^         ,  REV.  FRANCIS  BAINES.      ^'V'-V 

'.          \  '*."T     ,  ';  .  ,  '.'    .       *  "   '.•'     -•   .; 

Rev.  Francis  Baines,  who  is  in  charge  of  the  parish  of  St.  Patrick  of  Gales- 
burg,  was  bom  in  Ehidley,  Worcestershire,  England,  on  the  3d  of  December, 
1874. 

The  preliminary  education  of  Father  Baines  was  obtained  at  Rugby,  after 
which  he  studied  at  Mount  Wadhurst,  Sussex  and  Monte  Calvario,  Italy.  He 
subsequently  went  to  Ratcliffe  College,  as  an  instructor  in  Latin,  remaining 
there  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  engaged  in  mission 
work  at  Loughborough,  Leicestershire,  England,  for  a  year,  and  in  1904  he  came 
to  this  country  as  an  assistant  to  Father  Doubleday,  of  Galesburg.  After  serving 
in  this  capacity  for  four  years  he  was  appointed  head  of  the  parish,  over  which 
he  has  now  presided  for  three  years.  He  is  the  spiritual  counselor  of  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  families  and  has  under  his  supervision  the  following  organiza- 
tions :  Sacred  Heart  Sodality,  Children  of  Mary  and  the  Altar  Society.  St. 
Patrick's  is  one  of  the  popular  parishes  of  the  city.  Father  Baines  is  very  popu- 
lar not  only  in  his  parish  but  throughout  the  city,  as  he  is  a  man  of  rare  culture 
and  scholarly  instincts,  whose  well  stored  mind  makes  him  a  most  delightful 
and  entertaining  conversationalist.  He  is  progressive  in  his  ideas  and  exercises 
a  most  powerful  influence  over  all  the  members  of  his  parish,  who  place  a  high 
valuation  on  his  views  on  any  subject,  appreciating  the  fact  that  they  are  the 
result  of  careful  and  conscientious  deliberation. 


.     ;'r  LLOYD  F.  WERTMAN.    .      ;:    ;^^    ;  / 

Honored  and  respected  by  all,  there  is  no  man  who  occupies  a  more  enviable 
position  in  business  and  financial  circles  in  Galesburg  than  does  Lloyd  F.  Wert- 
man,  the  president  of  the  First  National  Bank.  This  is  not  due  alone  to  the 
success  he  has  achieved  but  also  to  the  straightforward,  honorable  business 
methods  he  has  ever  followed,  and  his  record  indicates  that  success  is  not  a 
matter  of  genius  as  held  by  some  but  is  rather  the  outcome  of  clear  judgment 
and  unfaltering  energy.  He  was  born  in  Bloomsburg,  Pennsylvania,  November 
7,  1845,  and  is  one  of  the  seven  children  of  Elias  and  Mary  (Kistler)  Wertman. 
The  former  was  a  son  of  Daniel  Wertman,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  of 
German  descent.  He  removed  with  his  family  to  Lockport,  New  York,  where 
he  died  when  well  advanced  in  years.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  bom  a  number 


i2  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

In  religion,  .Mrs.  Standish  was  a  L'niversalist,  though  she  was  brought  up 
in  the  Congregationalist  faith.  She  was  far  from  being  narrowly  sectarian. 
She  thought  that  good  works  and  an  upright  life  counted  for  more  than  blind 
belief. 

In  politics,  her  sympathies  were  republican,  and  if  she  could  have  voted,  her 
vote  would  have  been  cast  on  that  side.  In  both  religion  and  politics,  she  be- 
lieved the  higher  law  should  prevail. 


REV.  FRAXCIS  BAIXES. 

•V  .•  •••••.    ,    ^      ! 

Rev.  Francis  Baines,  who  is  in  charge  of  the  parish  of  St.  Patrick  of  Gales- 
burg,  was  bom  in  Dudley,  Worcestershire.  England,  on  the  3d  of  December, 

1874. 

The  preliminary  education  of  Father  Baines  was  obtained  at  Rugby,  after 
which  he  studied  at  Mount  Wadhurst.  Sussex  and  Monte  Calvario,  Italy.  He 
subsequently  went  to  Ratcliffe  College,  as  an  instructor  in  Latin,  remaining 
there  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  tliat  period  he  engaged  in  mission 
work  at  Loughborough,  Leicestershire.  England,  for  a  year,  and  in  1904  he  came 
to  this  country  as  an  assistant  to  Father  Doubleday,  of  Galesburg.  After  serving 
in  this  capacity  for  four  years  he  was  appointed  head  of  the  parish,  over  which 
he  has  now  presiderl  for  three  years.  He  is  the  spiritual  counselor  of  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  families  and  has  under  his  supervision  the  following  organiza- 
tions :  Sacred  Heart  Sodality,  Children  of  Mary  and  the  Altar  Society.  St. 
Patrick's  is  one  of  the  popular  parishes  of  the  city.  Father  Baines  is  very  popu- 
lar not  only  in  his  parish  but  throughout  the  city,  as  he  is  a  man  of  rare  culture 
and  scholarly  instincts,  whose  well  stored  mind  makes  him  a  most  delightful 
and  entertaining  conversationalist.  He  is  progressive  in  his  ideas  and  exercises 
a  most  powerful  influence  over  all  the  members  of  his  parish,  who  place  a  high 
valuation  on  his  views  on  any  subject,  aj^preciating  the  fact  that  they  are  the 
result  of  careful  and  conscientious  deliberation. 


LLOYD  F.  \VERTMA\. 

Honored  and  respected  bv  all.  there  is  no  man  who  occupies  a  more  enviable 
position  in  business  and  financial  circles  in  Galesburg  than  does  Lloyd  F.  Wert- 
man,  the  president  of  the  First  National  Bank.  This  is  not  due  alone  to  the 
success  he  has  achieved  but  also  to  the  straightforward,  honorable  business 
methods  he  has  ever  followed,  and  his  record  indicates  that  success  is  not  a 
matter  of  genius  as  held  by  some  but  is  rather  the  outcome  of  clear  judgment 
and  unfaltering  energ\'.  He  was  born  in  Bloomsburg.  Pennsylvania,  November 
7.  1843,  and  is  one  of  the  seven  children  of  F.lias  and  Mary  CKistler")  Wertman. 
The  former  was  a  son  of  Daniel  Wertman.  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  of 
German  descent.  He  removed  with  his  family  to  Lockport,  New  York,  where 
he  died  when  well  advanced  in  vears.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  a  number 


:-:;>;::'---  :-';'/^-;/:;'-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •.  :^^:-j''':^^-'-l;)^^^ 

of  children,  including  Elias,  Noah,  Daniel,  Emanuel,  John,  Jonathan  and  a 
daughter,  Elias  Wertman  was  also  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state  and  was 
there  reared.  Eventually  he  followed  merchandising  in  Bloomsburg  and  Rohrs- 
burg,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  year  1864  removed  westward  to  Illinois,  settling 
that  spring  in  Knox  county,  where  he  turned  his  attention  to  general  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  followed  farming  in  both  Per  Sifer  and  Elba  townships,  being 
for  many  years  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of  tilling  the  soil.  While  in  Penn- 
sylvania he  had  wedded  Mary  Kistler,  a  native  of  that  state,  as  was  her  father, 
who  was  of  German  lineage.  He  was  a  distiller  and  prominent  farmer.  The 
death  of  Elias  Wertman  occurred  in  Yates  City  when  he  was  about  seventy- 
eight  years  of  age  and  his  wife  passed  away  several  years  before.  They  held 
membership  in  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  were  worthy  Christian  people. 
Of  their  seven  children  five  reached  years  of  maturity,  two  having  died  in  in- 
fancy. Those  who  attained  adult  age  were :  Daniel,  now  deceased ;  Sarah,  the 
widow  of  Sf>encer  L.  Finney,  of  Galesburg;  Mary  Ellen,  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Chester,  of  Creston,  Iowa;  Lloyd  F. ;  and  Martha  J.,  the  widow  of  James  A. 
Wilson,  of  Galesburg. 

In  his  native  town  of  Bloomsburg  Lloyd  F.  Wertman  spent  his  early  youth 
and  began  his  education,  which  was  supplemented  by  further  study  in  the  public 
schools  of  Rohrsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  academy  at  Orangeville,  that 
state.  He  was  also  for  a  year  and  a  half  a  student  in  a  missionary  institute  or 
college  at  Selinsgrove  and  when  his  education  was  completed  he  came  to  the 
middle  west  and  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  renting  a  tract  of  land  adjoin- 
ing his  father's  place.  Subsequently  he  purchased  his  father's  farm  and  remained 
thereon  until  1878,  when  he  removed  to  Yates  City,  Illinois,  where  he  spent  two 
years  in  a  cooperative  store.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  J.  H.  Nicholson  and  W,  P.  Parker  for  the  establishment  of  a 
bank  at  Yates  City.  Their  enterprise  was  known  as  the  Farmers  Bank  and  its 
doors  were  opened  for  business  on  the  ist  of  August,  1880,  with  Mr.  Wertman 
as  cashier.  He  filled  that  position  for  nine  years  and  the  success  of  the  bank 
is  attributable  in  large  measure  to  his  efforts  and  ability.  He  then  sold  out  to 
Mr,  Nicholson  and  came  to  Galesburg,  accepting  the  cashiership  in  the  Farmers 
&  Mechanics  Bank  of  this  city,  with  which  he  was  connected  for  six  years, 
when  he  was  elected  vice  president  of  the  First  National  and  after  two  years 
was  elected  to  the  presidency,  so  that  he  is  now  the  chief  executive  officer  of 
the  bank,  his  guiding  policy  being  such  as  commends  the  institution  to  the  confi- 
dence and  support  of  the  public.  In  the  conduct  of  banking  interests  he  has 
ever  adhered  to  the  principle,  that  the  banking  institution  that  most  carefully 
safeguards  its  business  in  order  to  protect  its  depositors,  is  the  bank  which  most 
merits  the  public  confidence.  >  ^; ---:'";  •^:  --'-v 

On  January  ii,  1870,  Mr.  Wertman  was  married  to  Miss  Isabella  J.  Ober- 
holtzer,  a  native  of  Eugene,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Martha  (Tucker)  Oberholtzer.  The  family  is  an  old  one  here,  having 
been  established  in  pioneer  times.  Her  father  died  from  the  effects  of  army 
experience,  having  been  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  and  her  mother  passed  away 
in  Gilson  when  eighty-five  years  of  age.  To  IMr.  and  Mrs.  Wertman  have  been 
born  five  children:  Elmer,  who  died  in  infancy:  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of 


i.  n— » 


::  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ::    -/" 

Arthur  D.  Stearns,  of  Galesburg,  and  has  four  children,  Philip,  Helen,  Frances 
and  Virginia ;  Martha  Leorah  and  Maude,  who  are  living  at  home ;  and  Norma 
B.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Guy  B.  Hardy,  an  attorney  of  Galesburg,  by  whom  she 
has  one  child,  Jane.  Mr.  Wertman  is  serving  as  a  trustee  in  the  Presbyterian 
church,  in  which  his  wife  holds  membership.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican, 
giving  unfaltering  support  to  the  party,  and  while  residing  in  Elba  township  he 
served  as  township  clerk  for  ten  years,  was  collector  for  two  or  three  terms 
and  was  also  one  of  the  county  supervisors  while  living  in  Yates  City.  For 
twelve  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  school  board  and  was 
chairman  of  its  finance  committee.  No  public  trust  reposed  in  him  has  ever 
been  betrayed  in  the  slightest  degree  and  in  public  office  he  has  done  eflfective 
work  for  progress  and  improvement.  Wherever  known  he  is  held  in  high 
regard  and  most  of  all  where  best  known.  The  close  attention  which  he  has 
given  to  his  business  affairs  and  the  honorable  and  progressive  methods  which 
he  has  followed  have  constituted  the  secret  of  his  success,  which  has  won  him 
to  a  prominent  position  in  business  circles  among  the  men  of  affluence  in  this 
county. 


RICHARD  AUSTIN  LAWRENCE. 


Richard  Austin  Lawrence  was  one  of  the  early  residents  of  Galesburg, 
identified  for  a  period  with  its  mercantile  interests  although  later  he  became 
closely  associated  with  agricultural  activities  in  Knox  county.  He  was  born 
in  Littleton,  Massachusetts.  September  27.  1823,  and  is  descended  from  New 
England  ancestry  long  represented  in  this  country.  His  great-grandfather  was 
David  Lawrence,  also  a  native  of  Littleton,  and  in  Massachusetts  he  married 
Hannah  Sawtell.  of  Groton.  that  state.  Their  son,  David  Lawrence.  Jr..  the 
grandfather  of  Richard  A.  Lawrence,  was  also  born  in  Littleton  and  married 
Martha  Adams,  a  native  of  Lincoln,  Massachusetts.  They  were  the  parents  of 
George  Lawrence,  likewise  a  native  of  Littleton,  who  on  arriving  at  years 
of  maturity  wedded  Rebecca  Merriam.  who  was  born  in  Concord,  ^Massachusetts, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lucy  (Wheeler)  Merriam.  Her  father  was 
likewise  a  native  of  Concord  as  was  his  father.  Joseph  Merriam,  so  that  in  both 
the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  Richard  A.  Lawrence  was  descended  from  ances- 
try long  connected  with  New  England. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Richard  Austin  Lawrence  attended  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town  and  continued  his  residence  in  Littleton  until 
thirty-two  years  of  age.  Careful  consideration  of  the  business  situation  in  the 
east  as  compared  with  the  west  led  him  to  the  belief  that  he  would  have  better 
and  broader  opportunities  in  the  Mississippi  valley  and  in  1855,  therefore,  he 
left  his  home  in  Massachusetts  and  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois.  He  had 
previously  been  married,  on  the  i6th  of  May,  1853,  to  Miss  Edna  Miller,  and 
it  was  two  years  later  that  they  left  New  England  for  Galesburg.  Here  Mr. 
Lawrence  established  a  store  which  he  conducted  for  a  time,  but  later  turned  his 
attention  to  farming  which  was  more  to  his  liking.  In  that  business  he  won 
substantial  success  and  as  his  financial  resources  increased  he  acquired  consid- 


:y;::.  /;:       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •    f'^^      27 

arable  land  west  of  the  city,  adding  to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  and  im- 
proving the  greater  part  of  his  property.  He  earned  for  himself  the  name  of 
being  a  thorough  and  successful  agriculturist  and  did  much  to  develop  the 
county  along  that  line.  Moreover,  in  his  business  affairs  he  was  progressive 
and  determined  and  his  success  was  the  legitimate  and  merited  reward  of  his 
own  labors.  '-'"•/'  •''••-:':-/-  ••':••-  -•  .••'•  .''.'...•• '•^'•"•>- 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lawrence  there  were  born  seven  children  of  whom  four 
are  yet  living :  George  A.,  a  resident  of  Galesburg ;  Fannie  E.,  who  is  the  widow 
of  John  G.  Vivion  and  resides  in  Galesburg;  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Linn,  of  Emerson, 
Iowa;  and  Bernard  P.,  a  resident  of  Seattle,  Washington.  '.'.'/. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Lawrence  was  a  republican  from  the  organization 
of  the  party  and  always  supported  its  men  and  measures  yet  did  not  seek  nor 
desire  office  for  himself.  He  held  membership  in  the  First  Baptist  church  and 
his  life  was  passed  in  harmony  with  his  professions.  He  passed  away  on  the 
nth  of  August,  1905,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  Knox  county 
thus  lost  not  only  one  of  its  forceful  residents  but  also  a  citizen  of  worth  who 
in  every  relation  of  life  was  found  honorable  and  reliable.  He  did  not  seek 
to  figure  prominently  in  public  affairs  but  was  ever  faithful  to  his  duties  and 
exemplified  in  his  relations  with  his  fellowmen  his  Christian  belief.  !-•!•. 


^. •'•'•/-;•;--;•;•'-;:.:••;••:•?•;     FRANK  L.  ADAMS.       -^-     '. '      •". -.V'--- ':'.';•'• -^•:'^  -•/;• 

On  the  roster  of  county  officials  in  Knox  county  appears  the  name  of  Frank 
L.  Adams,  who  is  now  filling  the  office  of  county  clerk,  in  which  connection  he  - 
is  making  a  creditable  record  by  the  prompt,  capable  and  systematic  manner  in'.;'' 
which  he  is  meeting  the  duties  that  devolve  upon  him.     Illinois  numbers  him  - 
among  her  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Yates  City,  September  23, 
1866.     His  grandfather,  William  L.  Adams,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  , 
this  county,  to  which  he  removed  when  he  left  his  native  state  of  Ohio  and  '   ;' 
sought  a  home  in  Illinois.     To  provide  for  his  family  he  followed  various  pur-       : 
suits.     His  wife  died  soon  after  the  removal  to  Knox  county  but  William  L.      '' 
Adams  lived  to  an  advanced  age.    In  the  family  were  three  sons  and  two  daugh-  '; 
ters:  Wilson;  John  W. ;  Henry;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  Edward  Phillips;  and  Anna, 
living  in  Mulvane,  Kansas.     :?...;.:;•:..;'.'.;:-         '-vr.;  : .  :.-^{X  •if^ :  :.;.  -v 

The  first  named,  Wilson  Adams,  was  born  in  Ohio  and  was  but  a  young  lad   ^ 
when  his  parents  moved  westward  to  Knox  county,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  was  reared  in  Yates  City  and  vicinity  and  there  learned  the  harness  maker's  '  , 
trade,  which  he  followed  as  long  as  he  was  able  to  work.     He  has  since  lived  '':  . 
retired  in  Yates  City  save  for  a  period  of  five  years  spent  in  Galesburg.     He 
was  a  soldier  for  a  time  during  the  progress  of  the  Civil  war  and  engaged  in 
guard  duty  in  Chicago.     His  political  allegiance  has  always  been  given  to  the       , 
republican  party,  with  which  he  has  voted  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  .  . 
right  of  franchise.    He  wedded  Jane  Kerns,  also  a  native  of  Ohio  and  a  daugh-      : 
ter  of  Alexander  Kerns,  who  was  born  in  that  state  and  made  one  of  the  first  '^  : 
settlements  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  building  one  of  the  earliest  homes  at  Yates  '•  , 
City.     He  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade.     Both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  an  ?i. 


r.'/i;^;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -CrK^^^^^^^ 

advanced  age  and  passed  away  in  this  county.  They  had  two  daughters,  Jane 
and  Emma,  the  latter  now  the  widow  of  Stephen  J.  Johnson.  The  former  be- 
came the  wife  of  Wilson  Adams  and  the  mother  of  two  children,  Frank  L. 
and  Cora,  but  the  latter  died  at  the  age  of  two  years. 

Frank  L.  Adams  was  reared  in  Yates  City  and  always  resided  there  until 
1890,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg.  He  had  attended  the  public  schools  there 
and  after  starting  out  in  the  business  world  had  followed  merchandising  for  a 
number  of  years.  His  capability  for  public  office  was  appreciated  by  M.  O. 
Williamson,  who  appointed  him  to  the  position  of  deputy  county  clerk,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  until  1901,  when  Mr.  Williamson  resigned  to  enter  the  office 
of  state  treasurer.  !Mr.  Adams  was  then  appointed  to  the  vacant  position  by  the 
board  of  supervisors  and  in  1901  assumed  the  position,  to  which  he  was  regu- 
larly elected  in  the  following  April.  For  ten  years  he  has  now  held  this  position, 
his  reelections  coming  to  him  as  the  unequivocal  expression  of  the  high  regard 
reposed  in  him  and  appreciation  for  the  worth  and  fidelity  that  he  has  ever  dis- 
played in  office.  •' ;  ->  -  .•^' ;  vi^r  I'  •\' 

Mr.  Adams  was  married  on  the  7th  of  November,  1884,  to  Miss  A^nie  D. 
Houser,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Sarah  (Merchant)  Houser.  Mrs.  Adams 
was  born  in  Yates  City,  her  parents  having  become  early  settlers  of  Knox  county. 
Both  died  at  Yates  City,  her  father  on  the  3d  of  September,  1903,  and  her  mother 
in  1883.  They  had  a  family  of  five  children:  Mary  and  Martha,  twins;  Laura; 
and  Annie  and  Nellie,  twins.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  have  been  born  a 
daughter,  Emma  Marie,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Galesburg  high  school  and  is 
now  attending  the  Conservatory  of  Music  at  Knox  College.  ]'•••• 

Mr.  Adams  has  always  been  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  republican  party  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  for  several  years  was  chair- 
man of  the  Knox  county  republican  central  committee,  in  which  connection  he 
put  forth  earnest  and  effective  effort  to  advance  the  growth  and  insure  the  suc- 
cess of  the  party.  He  belongs  to  Galesburg  Lodge,  No.  894,  B.  P.  O.  E.,  and 
also  to  the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  Club,  being  interested  in  the  movement  to 
promote  the  business  activity  and  enhance  the  welfare  of  the  city. 


,       :  JOHN  M.  NISLEY.         -  : 

John  M.  Nisley,  who  for  a  quarter  of  a  century  or  more  as  a  banker  of  '.,;.•:; 

Knoxville  has  done  much  to  sustain  the  financial  stability  of  the  county  and  by  ,•..;•': 

honorable  and  progressive  methods  has  won  for  himself  a  position  among  the  •/   •. 

representative  citizens  of  this  section,  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsyl-  :•;-;;;,': 

vania,  near  Chambersburg,  November  26,  1840.     He  was  one  of  the  nine  chil-  -'=... 
dren  of  Joseph  and  Mary   (Schwartz)   Nisley,  who  were  also  natives  of  the 
Keystone  state.     The  paternal  grandfather  was  of  German  descent  and  both 

he  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  days  in  Pennsylvania.     Of  their  children  two  >  ^ 
came  to  Illinois — Joseph  and  Herman,  the  latter  settling  in  La  Salle  county, 
where  he  died.     The  maternal  grandfather  of  John  M.   Nisley  was  Daniel 

Schwartz,  a  native  of  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  devoted  his  life  to  . . 

farming.     With  his  wife,  Mrs.  Catharine  Schwartz,  he  removed  westward,  be-  :;;;;;!     . 


V  r> -:;':•: 'HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •    •;      •:        29 


coming  pioneers  of   Knox   county,   Illinois.     They   settled   in   Knoxvflle,   Mr. 
Schwartz  purchasing  a  tract  of  land  on  section  31,  Knox  township,  although  they 

'    lived  in  the  village.     Both  he  and  his  wife  were  more  than  eighty  years  of  age 
•     when  they  were  called  to  their  final  rest.     In  their  family  were  seven  children, 
Mary,  Christian,  Susanna,  Daniel.  Samuel,  John  and  Catharine. 

Joseph  Nisley,  father  of  John  M.  Nisley,  was  reared  in  Pennsylvania  and, 
being  left  an  orphan  when  but  nine  years  of  age  was  bound  out  to  learn  the 

.  cabinetmaker's  trade,  his  apprenticeship  covering  almost  the  remaining  period  of 
his  minority.  He  worked  at  the  trade  until  the  spring  of  1843,  when  he  sought 
a  home  in  the  middle  west,  making  his  way  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  taking 
up  his  abode  upon  a  farm  on  section  31,  Knox  township.  With  characteristic 
energy  he  began  to  till  the  soil  and  transform  the  wild  prairie  into  productive 
fields.  Year  by  year  the  work  was  carried  on  with  success  and  he  had  wrought 
a  marked  transformation  in  the  appearance  of  the  farm  when  on  the  2d  of  Janu- 
ary, 1860,  he  passed  away,  at  about  the  age  of  sixty  years.  His  wife  long  sur- 

-  vived  him  and  died  in  1894,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.     When  in  Pennsyl- 

.  vania  they  held  membership  in  the  German  Reformed  church  but  as  there  was 

no  organization  of  that  denomination  in  this  county  Mr.  Nisley  afterward  be- 

.  came  a  Lutheran,  while  his  wife  placed  her  membership  in  the  Presbyterian 
church.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children  of  whom  seven  reached  years 
of  maturity,  namely:  Daniel  W.  and  Abraham,  both  now  deceased;  Elizabeth, 
the  deceased  wife  of  Thomas  Turney ;  Samuel,  who  has  passed  away ;  John  M. ; 
Mary,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Orlando  Case;  and  Ellen,  the  wife  of 
Thomas  J.  Scott,  of  Galesburg. 

John  M.  Nisley  has  been  continuously  a  resident  of  Knox  county  since  1843, 
or  for  sixty-eight  years.  His  youthful  days  were  spent  upon  his  father's  farm 
and  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  and  in  the  Knoxville  pub- 
lic schools.  When  not  busy  with  his  text-books  he  worked  in  the  fields  and 
gained  practical  experience  in  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil,  so  that  he  was 
well  qualified  to  engage  in  fanning  on  his  own  account  after  he  had  attained  his 
majority.  For  twelve  or  fifteen  years  thereafter  he  cultivated  the  old  home 
farm  as  a  renter  and  he  later  purchased  it,  but  eventually  disposed  of  the  prop- 
erty and  came  to  Knoxville,  where  he  lived  retired  for  a  time.  Indolence  and 
idleness,  however,  are  utterly  foreign  to  his  nature  and.  not  content  without 
some  occupation  or  business  interest,  he  turned  his  attention  to  banking  in 
1885,  opening  a  private  bank,  which  he  has  since  conducted,  having  now  a  well 
appointed  establishment  on  the  south  side  of  the  square.  Knowing  that  the 

'  bank  prospers  most  which  most  carefully  safeguards  the  interests  of  its  deposi- 
tors, he  has  conducted  his  business  upon  a  conservative  basis  and  has  made  the 
establishment  one  of  the  thoroughly  reliable  financial  institutions  of  the  county. 
On  the  iQth  of  December,  1889,  Mr.  Nisley  married  Miss  Kate  C.  Runkle, 
of  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  where  her  birth  occurred.  Her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
John  Runkle.  were  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  but  removed  westward 
when  Peoria  county  was  largely  a  frontier  district.  They  became  identified  with 
farming  interests  there  and  both  passed  away  on  the  old  homestead  farm.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nisley  are  widely  and  favorably  known  not  only  in  Knoxville  but 
throughout  the  county,  where  they  have  a  circle  of  friends  almost  coextensive 
with  the  circle  of  their  acquaintance.  Mr.  Nisley  was  made  a  Mason  in  1882 


80  ;r;;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :/ ;.  •  "    ^ 

and  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  teachings  and  tenets  of  the  craft.  His  political 
allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  for  two  or  three  terms  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  city  council,  in  which  connection  he  has  exercised  his 
official  prerogatives  in  support  of  various  progressive  public  measures.  His  co- 
operation can  always  be  counted  upon  to  further  any  project  for  the  general 
good  and  as  a  man  and  citizen  he  stands  high  in  the  community.  His  success, 
indicates  the  wise  use  which  he  has  made  of  his  time  and  opportunities,  for  in 
the  careful  management  of  his  farming  interests  and  of  his  banking  activities 
he  has  won  substantial  success  and  the  most  envious  cannot  grudge  him  his 
prosperity,  so  worthily  has  it  been  gained. 


.          ;;    •  CYRUS  MINOR  AVERY.      :    :       ' 

In  the  city  of  Galesburg,  where  many  years  of  his  life  were  passed,  Cyrus 
Minor  Avery  was  widely  known  and  his  many  attractive  social  qualities  and 
admirable  characteristics  gained  for  him  the  friendship  and  kindly  regard  of 
all  with  whom  he  came  into  contact.  He  was  one  of  Galesburg's  native  sons, 
his  birth  having  here  occurred  on  the  iQth  of  June,  1846,  when  the  city  was 
but  a  small  town  and  outlying  districts  of  the  state  were  largely  undeveloped 
and  unimproved.  His  parents  were  George  and  Saraphena  Princess  Mary 
(Phelps)  Avery,  both  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York.  The  father  was  born 
in  New  Lebanon  and  was  a  representative  in  the  seventh  generation  of  a  family 
that  traces  its  ancestry  back  to  Christopher  Avery,  the  Hne  coming  down  through 
James,  Thomas,  Abraham,  Nathan  and  William  Thomas  to  George.  As  a 
young  man  the  last  named  came  to  the  west,  arriving  in  Galesburg  in  1837. 
Here  he  built  the  second  house  in  what  was  then  known  as  Log  City.  Later 
the  place  of  his  abode  now  on  West  Main  street  came  to  be  called  the  Avery 
farm.  There  he  followed  general  agricultural  pursuits  at  a  time  when  the  most 
foresighted  could  not  have  dreamed  that  his  place  would  one  day  be  near  the 
very  heart  of  the  enterprising  city.  The  lady  whom  he  afterward  made  his 
wife  came  to  the  west  with  her  brother  and  rhother,  settling  in  Knoxville,  where 
they  were  married.  For  many  years  Mr.  Avery  continued  to  engage  in  general 
farming  but  at  length  retired  and  took  up  his  abode  within  the  limits  of  Gales- 
burg, living  on  North  Cherry  street.  There  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil  sup- 
plied him  with  the  necessities  and  comforts  of  life  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  ist  of  January,  1884.  His  wife  also  died  at  the  Cherry 
street  home.  They  were  members  of  the  First  Congregational  church,  in  the 
work  qf  which  they  took  active  and  helpful  part,  Mr.  Avery  serving  as  deacon 
for  many  years.  His  political  indorsement  was  given  to  the  republican  party. 
In  the  family  were  six  children:  Robert  H.,  who  died  September  13,  1892; 
Mary,  the  wife  of  W.  R.  Butcher,  living  at  Roodhouse,  Illinois ;  John  T.,  who 
died  August  ii,  1905,  at  Galesburg;  Cyrus  M. ;  Phoebe  T.,  who  is  living  in 
Biloxi,  Mississippi;  and  George,  also  of  Biloxi. 

Cyrus  M.  Avery  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg  and  in 
Knox  College,  where  he  completed  his  course  with  the  class  of  1868.  He  worked 
with  his  father  on  the  farm  for  a  time  and  was  early  trained  to  habits  of  indus- 


30     .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

and  has  always  been  loyal  to  the  teachings  and  tenets  of  the  craft.  His  political 
allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  for  two  or  three  terms  he  has 
been  a  nic'iiiljcr  of  the  city  council,  in  which  connection  he  has  exercised  his 
official  prerogatives  in  su])port  of  various  ])n)gressivc  |)ublic  measures.  His  co- 
operation can  always  be  counted  upon  to  further  any  project  for  the  general 
good  and  as  a  man  and  citixen  lie  stands  high  in  the  coninutnity.  llis  success, 
indicates  tlie  wise  use  which  he  has  made  of  his  time  and  opportunities,  for  in 
the  careful  management  of  his  farming  interests  and  of  his  banking  activities 
he  has  won  substantial  success  and  the  most  envious  cannot  grudge  him  his 
prosperity,  so  wortliily  has  it  been  gained. 


CYRUS  :\1IXOR  AX'ERY. 

In  the  city  of  Cialesbiirg.  where  many  years  of  his  life  were  passed,  Cyrus 
Minor  Avery  was  widely  known  and  his  many  attractive  social  (|ualities  and 
admirable  characteristics  gained  for  Iiim  the  friendship  and  kindly  regard  of 
all  with  wliom  he  came  into  contact.  He  was  one  of  Ciales1)urg's  native  sons, 
his  l)irth  having  here  occurred  on  the  iQth  of  lune.  1846,  when  the  city  was 
Init  a  small  town  and  otttlying  districts  of  the  state  were  largely  undeveloped 
and  unimproved.  llis  j)arents  were  (ieorge  and  Saraphena  Princess  Mary 
(I'heli)s)  Avery,  both  natives  of  the  state  of  Xew  ^'ork.  Tlie  father  was  born 
in  Xeu'  Lel)anon  and  was  a  representative  in  the  >eveiitli  generation  of  a  family 
tliat  traces  its  ancestry  back  to  Christopher  Avery,  the  line  coming  down  tlirough 
James.  Thomas,  Abraham,  Xathan  and  William  Thomas  to  George.  As  a 
young  man  the  last  named  came  to  the  west,  arriving  in  Galeslnirg  in  1^37. 
Here  he  built  the  second  hotise  in  what  was  then  known  as  Log  City.  I^ter 
the  place  of  his  al)ode  now  on  West  Main  street  came  to  be  called  the  Avery 
farm.  There  he  followed  general  agricultural  pursuits  at  a  time  wlien  the  most 
ff)resighted  could  not  have  dreamed  that  his  \i\acc  would  one  day  be  near  the 
very  heart  of  the  enterprising  city.  The  lady  whom  he  afterward  made  his 
w'ife  came  to  the  west  with  her  brother  and  mother,  settling  in  Knoxville,  where 
they  were  married.  For  many  years  Mr.  Avery  continued  to  engage  in  general 
fanning  btit  at  length  retired  and  took  u])  Iiis  abode  within  the  limits  of  Gales- 
btirg,  living  on  X'orth  Cherry  street.  There  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil  sup- 
])lied  him  with  the  necessities  and  comforts  of  life  up  to  tlie  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  ist  of  January,  1X84.  llis  wife  also  died  at  the  Cherry 
>treet  home.  They  were  members  of  tlie  First  Congregational  church,  in  the 
work  of  which  they  took  active  and  helpful  part,  Mr.  Avery  serving  as  deacon 
for  many  years.  His  political  in<lorsement  was  given  to  the  republican  party. 
In  the  family  were  six  children:  Koljcrt  II.,  who  died  Sejjtember  13,  1892: 
Mary,  the  wife  of  W.  R.  lUitcher,  living  at  Roodhouse,  Illinois;  John  T.,  who 
<lied  August  ii,  T<>O5,  at  Galesburg:  C'yrus  M. ;  I'hoel)e  T..  who  is  living  in 
r.iloxi,  Mississippi ;  and  George,  also  of  Biloxi. 

Cyrus  M.  Avery  was  educated  in  the  i)iiblic  schools  of  (j;ilesl)urg  and  in 
Knox  College,  where  he  com])leted  his  course  with  the  class  of  1868.  He  worked 
with  his  father  on  the  farm  for  a  time  and  was  earlv  trained  to  ha])its  of  indus- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

try  and  diligence.  He  afterward  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  business  and 
made  for  himself  a  creditable  position  in  trade  circles  in  his  native  city.  E^rly 
in  the  '705  he  joined  his  brother,  Robert  Hanneman  Avery,  in  the  establishment 
of  a  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  agricultural  implements  in  Galesburg.  The 
brother  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  was  captured  and  was  held  as  a 
prisoner  at  Andersonville,  where  he  spent  many  otherwise  idle  hours  in  drawing 
in  the  sand  of  the  prison  yard  designs  of  agricultural  implements  which  he  be- 
gan to  make  soon  after  his  release,  the  first  being  a  stalk  cutter  and  a  corn 
planter.  When  the  plans  of  the  brothers  were  perfected  for  the  conduct  of  an 
agricultural  implement  manufactory,  they  began  business  under  the  style  of 
R.  H.  &  C.  M.  Avery,  operating  their  plant  at  Galesburg  until  1882,  when  they 
went  to  Peoria  and  made  arrangements  for  removing  their  factory  to  the  latter 
city.  There  the  enterprise  was  developed  into  a  very  large  corporation  known 
as  the  Avery  Company.  In  1883,  after  the  removal  of  the  business  to  Peoria, 
the  Avery  Planter  Company  was  organized  with  a  capital  of  two  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars.  Ten  years  later  the  authorized  capital  was  increased  to  three 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  in  1900  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Avery 
Manufacturing  Company,  at  which  time  the  capital  stock  was  increased  to  one 
million  dollars.  The  business  continued  to  grow  and  is  now  capitalized  for  two 
million,  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  plant  is  one  of  the  most  extensive 
and  prominent  productive  industries  of  Peoria,  with  business  connections  that 
reach  out  to  all  parts  of  the  world.  C.  M.  Avery  continued  active  in  the  man- 
agement and  control  of  the  interests  at  Peoria  until  1902,  when  he  returned  to 
his  native  city  and  erected  here  a  large,  comfortable  and  attractive  modern  resi- 
dence. The  remainder  of  his  life,  was  divided  between  the  two  cities  of  Gales- 
burg and  Peoria,  although  he  regarded  the  former  as  his  home. 

It  was  here  on  the  4th  of  October,  1877,  that  Mr.  Avery  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Minnie  Evalena  Bartholomew,  who  was  born  at  Elmwood,  Illinois, 
February  25,  1856,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Luzerne  and  Sarah  Elvira  (Payne) 
Bartholomew.  They  became  the  parents  of  five  children :  Elvira  Princess, 
born  September  25,  1878;  George  Luzerne,  September  12,  1879;  Grace  Ophelia, 
October  8,  1883;  Harriette,  June  20,  1886;  and  Cyrus  Minor,  May  29,  1899. 
The  first  two  were  bom  in  Galesburg,  the  last  three  in  Peoria.  George  Luzerne 
Avery  is  still  connected  with  the  Avery  Company  as  its  secretary.  The  enter- 
prise is  now  a  business  of  mammoth  proportions  and  includes  the  manufacture 
of  agricultural  implements,  farm  wagons,  engines,  threshers,  engine  gang  plows, 
gas  tractors  and  city  and  farm  trucks.  While  the  factory  and  main  office  are 
at  Peoria,  branch  houses  are  maintained  at  Omaha,  Nebraska ;  Des  Moines, 
Iowa ;  Minneapolis,  Minnesota ;  Fargo,  North  Dakota ;  Billings,  Montana ;  Kan- 
sas City,  Missouri ;  Indianaf>olis,  Indiana ;  St.  Louis,  Missouri ;  Grand  Forks, 
North  Dakota;  Sioux  Falls,  South  Laknta;  and  Aberdeen,  South  Dakota. 

The  family  circle  was  broken  by  death,  when  on  the  I5th  of  September,  1905, 
in  Galesburg,  Cyrus  M.  Avery  passed  away.  His  life  record  has  been  a  credit 
and  honor  to  the  city  which  had  ever  honored  and  respected  him.  His  business 
career  was  notable  by  reason  of  its  successful  achievement  and  the  extent  of 
the  concern  which  was  develop'^d  through  the  enterprise  and  under  the  able 
direction  of  himself  and  brother.  He  seemed  to  possess  a  facult)'  for  devising 
and  executing  the  right  thing  at  the  right  time  and  this  was  joined  to  every  day 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


common  sense.  He  seemed  easily  to  discriminate  between  the  essential  and  the 
non-essential,  to  see  the  possibility  for  the  coordination  of  forces  and  to  use 
each  opportunity  to  the  best  advantage.  Method  and  system  were  ever  features 
of  the  business,  together  with  the  employment  of  skilled  and  expert  workmen. 
In  matters  of  judgment  Mr.  Avery  was  seldom  if  ever  at  fault  and  what  he 
accomplished  represented  the  fit  utilization  of  the  innate  powers  and  talents  which 
were  his.  As  prosperity  came  to  him  he  continually  reached  out  a  helping  hand 
to  those  less  fortunate  and  his  benevolence  was  manifest  in  generous  support 
of  many  worthy  public  projects  and  charities.  Something  of  his  position  in 
the  city  of  his  birth  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  at  his  demise  the  year  book  of 
Knox  College  for  1907  bore  the  following  inscription: 

•     •:   /^  "To  the  memory  of       ^    •    .       :    •     '      / 

:•.;  -  Cyrus  Minor  Avery,  -..''••:' 

honored  alumnus,  valued  trustee,  successful 

.•  business  man,  upright  and  influential  citizen;     .-. 

•       .  .  whose  singular  nobility  of  character,  loyal 

'•  friendship  and  warm-hearted,  open-handed    • 

/;  generosity,  his  Alma  Mater  holds  in  grateful     •  ' 

•  and  loving  esteem,  :       •      ;' 

'.  This  book  is  Dedicated."        ./'  ^      . 

••'-      .;-*'  .•-..''  '  ••'-•.'''"'*••-*'.• 

This  pictured  forth  the  feeling  entertained  for  him  not  only  in  Galesburg, 
and  in  Peoria,  but  wherever  he  was  known  and  no  higher  testimonial  of  his  char- 
acter could  be  given  than  the  fact  that  he  was  most  honored  where  best  known. 


FREDERICK  REUBEN  JELLIFF. 


Frederick  Reuben  Jelliflf,  editor  of  the  Republican-Register,  of  Galesburg,  is 
the  son  of  Fletcher  Gould  and  Mary  (Wilcox)  Jelliff  and  was  born  in  Whites- 
boro.  New  York,  September  25,  1854.  His  father  was  the  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hezekiah  JellifF  and  was  born  on  Long  Island,  Connecticut,  June  i6,  1823. 
Coming  to  Knox  county,  he  served  as  mayor  of  Oneida  in  1869  and  his  last 
years  were  passed  in  Galesburg,  where  he  died  September  i8,  1902.  The  mother 
of  Frederick  R.  Jelliff  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Marv  White  Wilcox  and  was 
born  in  Whitesboro,  New  York,  March  21,  1824,  being  descended  from  a  dis- 
tinguished New  England  family  that  came  from  England  not  long  after  the 
arrival  of  the  Mayflower.  She  was  married  to  Mr.  JellifF,  May  14,  1846,  and 
unto  them  were  born  nine  children :  Laura,  who  died  in  childhood ;  Helen  E., 
the  wife  of  J.  Warren  Spera,  of  Piper  City,  Illinois ;  William  T.,  of  Galva,  this 
state;  Charles  F.,  of  Galesburg;  Frederick  R. ;  Franklin  G.,  living  in  Leaven- 
worth,  Kansas;  Mary  W.,  of  Galesburg,  who  is  the  widow  of  Frank  Stilson; 
Louisa  C.,  the  wife  of  W.  J.  Johnston,  of  Galesburg;  and  Lincoln  H.,  of  Spring 
Coulee,  Alberta,  Canada.  The  mother  died  November  26,  1903. 

It  was  in  1858  that  the  family  removed  from  Whitesboro,  New  York,  to 
Oneida,  Illinois,  where  Frederick  R.  Jelliff  spent  his  boyhood  and  attended  the 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  ;  /   "    ;      35 

city  schools.    In  1871  he  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  Knox  College  'i 
and  was  graduated  with  honors  in  1878.     During  three  winter  seasons,  while  V  • 
a  college  student,  he  taught  school  in  the  Dunlap  district,  northeast  of  Gales-   > 
burg,  meanwhile  keeping  up  with  his  classes  as  far  as  possible  by  private  study. 
In  the  fall  following  his  graduation  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  Galesburg 
high  school  and  for  three  years  was  teacher  of  the  first  year's  work  in  that  in-  • 
stitution.    He  next  became  local  editor  of  the  Republican-Register,  with  which 
he  has  since  been  associated.     At  the  time  he  began  reporting,  Zaccheus  Beatty  '- 
was  the  editor  and  Samuel  W.  Grubb  was  business  manager.     Mr.  Beatty  died 
in  1896,  but  for  some  time  prior  to  his  death,  owing  to  his  frequent  attacks  of 
illness,  Mr.  Jelliff  did  the  editorial  work  on  the  paper  in  addition  to  having 
oversight  of  the  news  department.     He  served  as  acting  editor  from  the  time  .     . 
of  Mr.  Beatty's  death  until  he  acquired  an  interest  in  the  paper  four  or  five; 
years  later  and  was  then  appointed  editor,  in  which  capacity  he  has  since  served,  y 
He  has  seen  the  paper  develop  from  a  small  sheet  containing  no  telegraphic     . 
news  and  having  a  daily  circulation  of  but  a  few  hundred,  to  one  carrying  the 
full  telegraphic  news  of  the  day,  covering  the  local  field  comprehensively  and         . 
the  field  within  forty  miles  of  Galesburg  to  a  remarkable  extent  and  having  a     '  . 
circulation  of  thousands.     During  all  this  time  he  has  faithfully  tried  to  do  his        . 
part  to  contribute  to  this  growth.     Since  he  became  reporter  both  of  the  men  . 
who  then  so  ably  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  Republican-Register  have  passed 
away,  Mr.  Grubb  dying  several  years  ago.     The  present  secretary-treasurer  of   '     ' 
the  paper,  O.  N.  Custer,  began  as  a  solicitor  under  the  old  management  and      - 
worked  his  way  up  to  his  present  position,  while  George  A.  Perry,  the  efficient    * 
business  manager,  joined  the  paper  on  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Grubb.  : 

In  addition  to  his  work  on  the  Republican-Register  Mr.  Jelliff  has  been  in-  5 
terested  in  lines  of  work  having  for  their  object  the  moral  progress  of  the  city  : 
and  its  material  development.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislative  council  of  •  > 
the  anti-saloon  league,  under  whose  direction  the  town  went  dry  twice  before 
the  local  option  law  was  passed  and  in  the  two  campaigns  under  that  law,  in  ; 
1908  and  1910,  had  a  share  in  directing  the  battle  for  the  "dries."  In  his  edi- 
torial expressions  he  has  been  consistent  in  his  support  for  a  clean  and  whole- 
some city  and  for  honesty  and  efficiency  in  the  administration  of  public  affairs. 
In  the  Galesburg  Public  Improvement  Association  and  the  Galesburg  Historical 
Society  he  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  program  committees  for  several  years. 
He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Hospital  Board  from  the  time  of 
its  foundation  and  during  most  of  this  period  has  been  the  chairman  of  the 
committee  on  accounts  and  at  present  is  also  a  member  of  the  administrative 
committee.  While  Richard  Yates  was  governor  of  Illinois  he  appointed  Mr. 
Jelliff  a  member  of  the  Western  Illinois  State  Normal  School  at  Macomb  and 
he  has  for  ten  years  been  a  member  of  that  board,  serving  some  of  the  time  as 
its  secretary,  Mr.  Jelliff  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church. 
For  several  terms  he  was  president  of  the  men's  league  of  the  church  and  he 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  from  the  time 
he  aided  in  its  organization  to  the  present.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers,  with 
Dr.  John  H.  Finley,  now  president  of  the  Collie  of  the  City  of  New  York,  of 
the  Sunset  Gub  and  during  much  of  the  time  of  its  existence  its  secretary.  A 
lover  of  nature,  Mr.  Jelliff  has  for  years  made  a  study  of  the  geok>^  of  the 


34 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX 'COUNTY 


common  sense.  He  seemed  easily  to  discriminate  between  the  essential  and  the 
non-essential,  to  see  the  possibility  for  the  coordination  of  forces  and  to  use 
each  opportunity  to  the  best  advantage.  Method  and  system  were  ever  features 
of  the  business,  together  with  the  employment  of  skilled  and  expert  workmen. 
In  matters  of  judgement  Mr.  Avery  was  seldom  if  ever  at  fault  and  what  he 
accomplished  represented  the  fit  utilization  of  the  innate  powers  and  talents  which 
were  his.  As  prosperity  came  to  him  he  continually  reached  out  a  helping  hand 
to  those  less  fortunate  and  his  benevolence  was  manifest  in  generous  support 
of  many  worthy  public  projects  and  charities.  Something  of  his  position  in 
the  city  of  his  birth  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  at  his  demise  the  year  book  of 
Knox  College  for  1907  bore  the  following  inscription:  ;••-..•••,.; 

./.•':''  "To  the  memory  of  ••;-'_       - 

.•;;!.  .  Cyrus  Minor  Avery,  .       . : 

:•:;,  honored  alumnus,  valued  trustee,  successful  • 

;          •     1 V'  business  man,  upright  and  influential  citizen;        ,:  ; 

'    ;     ;\  whose  singular  nobility  of  character,  loyal  .      . 

.    '      .'-.;-.:•  friendship  and  warm-hearted,  open-handed       ;  .  ;' 

.     .  generosity,  his  Alma  Mater  holds  in  grateful  ;     ... 

.     ..X  •  and  loving  esteem,  '    .' 

This  book  is  Dedicated." 

This  pictured  forth  the  feeling  entertained  for  him  not  only  in  Galesburg, 
and  in  Peoria,  but  wherever  he  was  known  and  no  higher  testimonial  of  his  char- 
acter could  be  given  than  the  fact  that  he  was  most  honored  where  best  known. 


FREDERICK  REUBEN  JELLIFF. 


•  Frederick  Reuben  Jelliff,  editor  of  the  Republican-Register,  of  Galesburg,  is 
the  son  of  Fletcher  Gould  and  Mary  (Wilcox)  Jelliff  and  was  born  in  Whites- 
boro.  New  York,  September  25,  1854.  His  father  was  the  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hezekiah  Jelliff  and  was  born  on  Long  Island,  Connecticut,  June  i6,  1823. 
Coming  to  Knox  county,  he  served  as  mayor  of  Oneida  in  1869  and  his  last 
years  were  passed  in  Galesburg,  where  he  died  September  i8,  1902.  The  mother 
of  Frederick  R.  Jelliff  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Marv  White  Wilcox  and  was 
born  in  Whitesboro,  New  York,  March  21,  1824,  being  descended  from  a  dis- 
tinguished New  England  family  that  came  from  England  not  long  after  the 
arrival  of  the  Mayflower.  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Jelliff,  May  14,  1846,  and 
unto  them  were  born  nine  children :  Laura,  who  died  in  childhood ;  Helen  E., 
the  wife  of  J.  Warren  Spera,  of  Piper  City,  Illinois ;  William  T.,  of  Galva,  this 
state;  Charles  F.,  of  Galesburg;  Frederick  R. ;  Franklin  G.,  living  in  Leaven- 
worth,  Kansas;  Mary  W.,  of  Galesburg,  who  is  the  widow  of  Frank  Stilson; 
Louisa  C.,  the  wife  of  W.  J.  Johnston,  of  Galesburg;  and  Lincoln  H.,  of  Spring 
Coulee,  Alberta,  Canada.  The  mother  died  November  26,  1903. 

It  was  in  1858  that  the  family  removed  from  Whitesboro,  New  York,  to 
Oneida,  Illinois,  where  Frederick  R.  Jelliff  spent  his  boyhood  and  attended  the 


";:;-v^:  :::,;;.          :     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ,     •'  v^-';:  ^: 

city  schools.  In  1871  he  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  Knox  CoUcfe 
and  was  graduated  with  honors  in  1878.  During  three  winter  seasons,  while 
a  college  student,  he  taught  school  in  the  Dunlap  district,  northeast  of  Gales- 
hurg,  meanwhile  keeping  up  with  his  classes  as  far  as  possible  by  private  study. 
In  the  fall  following  his  graduation  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  Galesburg 
high  school  and  for  three  years  was  teacher  of  the  first  year's  work  in  that  in- 
stitution. He  next  became  local  editor  of  the  Republican-Register,  with  which 
he  has  since  been  associated.  At  the  time  he  began  reporting,  Zaccheus  Beatty 
was  the  editor  and  Samuel  W.  Grubb  was  business  manager.  Mr.  Beatty  died 
in  1896,  but  for  some  time  prior  to  his  death,  owing  to  his  frequent  attacks  of 
illness,  Mr.  Jelliff  did  the  editorial  work  on  the  paper  in  addition  to  having 
oversight  of  the  news  department.  He  served  as  acting  editor  from  the  time 
of  Mr.  Beatty's  death  until  he  acquired  an  interest  in  the  paper  four  or  five 
years  later  and  was  then  appointed  editor,  in  which  capacity  he  has  since  served. 
He  has  seen  the  paper  develop  from  a  small  sheet  containing  no  telegraphic 
news  and  having  a  daily  circulation  of  but  a  few  hundred,  to  one  carrying  the 
full  telegraphic  news  of  the  day,  covering  the  local  field  comprehensively  and 
the  field  within  forty  miles  of  Galesburg  to  a  remarkable  extent  and  having  a 
circulation  of  thousands.  During  all  this  time  he  has  faithfully  tried  to  do  his 
part  to  contribute  to  this  growth.  Since  he  became  reporter  both  of  the  men 
who  then  so  ably  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  Republican-Register  have  passed 
away,  Mr.  Grubb  dying  several  years  ago.  The  present  secretary-treasurer  of 
the  paper,  O.  N.  Custer,  began  as  a  solicitor  under  the  old  management  and 
worked  his  way  up  to  his  present  position,  while  George  A.  Perry,  the  efficient 
business  manager,  joined  the  paper  on  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Grubb. 

In  addition  to  his  work  on  the  Republican-Register  Mr.  Jelliff  has  been  in- 
terested in  lines  of  work  having  for  their  object  the  moral  progress  of  the  city 
and  its  material  development.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislative  council  of 
the  anti-saloon  league,  under  whose  direction  the  town  went  dry  twice  before 
the  local  option  law  was  passed  and  in  the  two  campaigns  under  that  law,  in 
1908  and  1910,  had  a  share  in  directing  the  battle  for  the  "dries."  In  his  edi- 
torial expressions  he  has  been  consistent  in  his  support  for  a  clean  and  whole- 
some city  and  for  honesty  and  efficiency  in  the  administration  of  public  affairs. 
In  the  Galesburg  Public  Improvement  Association  and  the  Galesburg  Historical 
Society  he  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  program  committees  for  several  years. 
He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Hospital  Board  from  the  time  of 
its  foundation  and  during  most  of  this  period  has  been  the  chairman  of  the 
committee  on  accounts  and  at  present  is  also  a  member  of  the  administrative 
committee.  While  Richard  Yates  was  governor  of  Illinois  he  appointed  Mr. 
JelliflF  a  member  of  the  Western  Illinois  State  Normal  School  at  Macomb  and 
he  has  for  ten  years  been  a  member  of  that  board,  serving  some  of  the  time  as 
its  secretary.  Mr.  Jelliff  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church. 
For  several  terms  he  was  president  of  the  men's  league  of  the  church  and  he 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  from  the  time 
he  aided  in  its  organization  to  the  present.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers,  with 
Dr.  John  H.  Finley,  now  president  of  the  Collie  of  the  City  of  New  York,  of 
the  Sunset  Qub  and  during  much  of  the  time  of  its  existence  its  secretary.  A 
lover  of  nature,  Mr.  JellifJ  has  for  years  made  a  study  of  the  geology  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;. ;!  K;' . 


county  and  has  contributed  several  papers  on  this  subject  to  teachers'  institutes 
and  local  societies.  His  geological  collection  is  extensive  and  covers  a  wide 
range  of  the  country. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  1897,  Mr.  Jelliff  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lillie  C.  Bassler,  who  was  born  December  ii,  1860,  to  John  and  Mary  (Kern) 
Bassler,  in  Galesburg,  which  place  has  always  been  her  home  with  the  exception 
of  three  years,  from  the  spring  of  1874  until  the  spring  of  1877,  when  the 
family  lived  in  Burlington,  Iowa.  During  that  period  she  was  a  student  in  the 
Burlington  high  school.  On  returning  to  Galesburg  she  entered  Knox  College, 
from  which  she  was  graduated  with  honor  in  i88i.  While  in  college  she  won 
two  prizes,  a  first  and  second,  in  declamation,  and  her  talent  in  this  direction 
was  afterward  freely  given  to  the  public  at  social  gatherings  and  in  the  temper- 
ance work  in  which  she  has  always  been  deeply  interested.  For  nine  years  after 
her  graduation  she  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg  and  then,  wishing 
to  make  further  advancement  in  her  favorite  pursuit,  she  took  a  two  years' 
course  in  the  Boston  School  of  Oratory  under  Moses  True  Brown,  from  which 
institution  she  received  a  diploma  in  1892.  Subsequently  her  work  of  teaching 
was  confined  more  closely  to  expression,  which  she  taught  privately,  also  in  the 
Galesburg  high  school,  in  the  Waco  (Texas)  Female  College  and  in  the  Oswego 
(Kansas)  Ladies'  College.  Many  of  her  pupils  have  taken  silver,  gold  and  grand 
gold  medals  in  the  Demorest  temperance  contests ;  one  received  a  diamond  medal 
and  another  tied  for  the  same  honor.  Her  services  as  judge  on  declamatory  and 
oratorical  contests  have  been  repeatedly  sought  and  rendered.  Soon  after  her 
marriage  in  1897  she  became  a  member  of  the  Tourist  Club,  which  she  has  served 
as  secretary  and  president.  A  member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church, 
she  has  always  been  active  in  its  Aid  Society,  which  she  also  served  as  presi- 
dent. For  one  year  she  was  vice  president  of  the  Free  Kindergarten  Associa- 
tion and  two  of  the  most  successful  tag  days  ever  held  were  due  in  considerable 
measure  to  her  efforts.  She  also  took  an  active  part  in  two  successful  cam- 
paigns for  a  dry  town  and  she  has  twice  served  on  the  committee  of  inspection 
for  the  Municipal  Improvement  Association  and  also  on  other  important  com- 
mittees. A  member  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  her  activity 
in  its  regular  work  has  only  been  limited  by  her  other  obligations.  The  duties 
connected  with  her  own  home  were  always  placed  first  by  her.  The  only  child 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jelliff,  Doretta  Marie,  died  April  21,  1899,  two  days  after 
her  birth.  •  ;v  , -.- -^  ..,•.;•.  •:x•'^•.•.•^^• -.  ..^••.-;.  ".•..•••. ^^  /-..' 


'  'i^-y •:-.••  WILLIAM  A.  JORDAN.       •:  4"  sv'- 

It  has  been  said  when  in  the  battle  of  life  the  city  boy  crosses  swords  with 
a  country  lad  the  odds  are  against  him.  The  early  rising,  the  daily  tasks  and 
the  ecnomical  habits  of  the  country  boy  prepare  him  for  the  struggle  that  must 
precede  ascendancy.  William  A.  Jordan  is  numbered  among  those  who,  reared 
to  farm  life,  have  turned  to  the  city  for  the  business  opportunities  which  they 
sought,  and  in  the  utilization  and  improvement  of  advantages  which  have  come 
to  him  he  has  made  steady  advancement,  bringing  him  at  length  to  a  most 


'.pV'--;.''';-'-^^ '.r--'"'-'     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .;  •y::'v.^i^;V-:-;:;^ 

creditable  and  enviable  position  in  commercial  circles  of  Galesburg,  where  he 
is  conducting  an  important  enterprise  as  the  senior  member  of  the  wholesale 
grocery  firm  of  the  W.  A.  Jordan  Company.     He  was  born  in  Guernsey  county, 
.Ohio,  June  19,  1863,  a  son  of  William  N.  and  Margaret  (Stevens)  Jordan,  who 
were  also  natives  of  that  state.     The  family,  however,  was  founded  in  New 
England  at  an  early  period  in  the  colonization  of  the  new  world  and  Newton 
Jordan,  the  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.     He  became  a  farmer, 
utilizing  that  occupation  in  the  support  of  his  family.     His  wife  died  in  early 
womanhood,  leaving  five  children,  William  N.,  Israel,  Tain,  Lewis  and  Rebecca. 
The  Stevens  family  is  of  Scotch  lineage  and  the  maternal  grandparents  of  Mr. 
Jordan  were  Reuben  and  Elizabeth   Stevens.     The  former  was  born  in  Ohio, 
where  he  died  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-four  years,  while  his  wife  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven.     Their  children  were  Jane,  Prissey,  Margaret, 
Ann,  James,   Addison  and   William.     Of  these  Margaret  became  the  wife  of 
William  N.  Jordan,  and  they  began  domestic  life  upon  a  farm  in  Ohio.     Mr, 
Jordan  has  been  reared  in  that  state  and  devoted  much  of  his  life  to  general 
agricultural  pursuits  but  had  also  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade,   which   he 
followed  in  connection  with   farming.     At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  his 
patriotic  nature  was  aroused  and  he  enlisted,  serving  for  four  years.     He  was 
first  a  private  in  the  infantry  ranks  and  afterward  became  a  cavalryman.     When 
the  war  was  over  he  returned  to  his  native  state,  where  he  followed  farming  and 
also  worked  at  the  stone  mason's  trade  until    1887,  when  he  disposed  of  his 
business  interests  there  and  removed  to  Grenola.  Kansas,  where  he  carried  on 
agricultural  pursuits  until   1905.     In  that  year  he  retired  from  active  business 
life  in  possession  of  a  handsome  competence,  which  was  the  merited  reward 
of  his  labors.    Removing  to  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  he  now  lives  there  with  his 
daughter  Mrs.  Coleman.     His  wife  died  in  January,  1892,  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
four  years.     She  was  a  Baptist  in  religious  faith  in  her  younger  days  but  after- 
ward went   with   her   husband    and    children   to   the    Methodist    church.      The 
family  numbered  beside  our  subject   four  sons  and  three  daughters:   Colonel 
Ellsworth  Jordan,  of  Galesburg ;  Raymond,  deceased ;  James  L.,  who  is  living 
in  Rollinsville,  Colorado ;  John  H.,  a  resident  of  Chanute.  Kansas ;  Renna,  the 
wife  of  John  Crother,  of  Grenola,  Kansas ;  Lizzie,  the  wife  of  Ware  Sprague, 
of  Chanute,   Kansas ;  and  Margaret,   the  wife  of   C.   L.   Coleman,   of    Kansas 
City,  Missouri.  -v ';••••"  -:r,/;^^  .';•;!':  v^-,- '.;••      ••••-' ^'.^.  '••''^^^.•' .-..•• 

William  A.  Jordan  spent  his  youthful  days  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  re- 
maining on  his  father's  farm  until  he  had  attained  his  majority  and  early  becom- 
ing familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors  incident  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields. 
His  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  and  public  schools  and  in  1884  he 
came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Crocker  &  Robbins,  grocers 
of  this  city.  He  attended  night  school  in  Professor  Barringer's  Business  Col- 
lege. For  seven  years  he  remained  with  the  firm  of  Crocker  &  Robbins — a 
fact  which  indicates  his  thorough  reliability  and  worth — and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  he  was  admitted  to  a  partnership,  a  stock  company  being  organized  with 
a  capital  of  ten  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Jordan  purchased  a  fifth  interest  in  the 
business  and  became  manager,  but  at  the  end  of  three  years  he  resigned  that 
position  and  in  1894  established  his  present  business  under  the  firm  name  of 
W.  A.  Jordan  Company.  He  is  now  the  president,  with  F.  S.  Johnson  as  sec- 


40  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        r'^;    ' 

retary  and  treasurer.    The  enterprise  was  established  on  a  small  scale  and  they 
delivered  goods  with  a  cart.     The  next  spring  a  second-hand  delivery  wagon 
was  purchased  and  the  family  horse  was  used  for  delivery  purposes.    Gradually, 
however,  the  business  has  grown  and  its  scope  has  been  extended  until  the, 
house  now  conducts  a  large  wholesale  trade  in  groceries  and  fruits,  shipping 
its  goods  to  several  states.    Mr.  Jordan  is  a  man  of  resourceful  business  ability,  ,. 
who  has  not  limited  his  efforts  to  one  line,  for  he  is  now  a  director  of  the  E.  Z. 
Trapp  Manufacturing  Company  and  is  also  financially  interested  in  the  Wag- 
ner Printing  Company  of  Galesburg  and  other  business  projects  of  this  city 
and  in  the  Sun  Tunnel,  Milling  &  Transportation  Company  of  Gilpin  county,. 
Colorado. 

On  the  i8th  of  November,  1890,  Mr.  Jordan  was  married  to  Miss  Molly 
M.  Elder,  a  daughter  of  William  J.  and  Molly  Elder,  both  of  whom  were  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania  and  are  now  residents  of  Galesburg.  The  father  served 
throughout  the  entire  period  of  the  Civil  war  as  a  defender  of  the  Union  cause. 
In  his  family  are  three  children  who  are  yet  living,  Molly,  Alto  and  William 
J.  Mrs.  Jordan  was  born  at  Dry  Run,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  her  marriage  has 
become  the  mother  of  three  sons,  Qarence  William,  Cecil  A.  and  Rayinond  Elder. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jordan  hold  membership  in  the  Eirst  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  he  is  serving  as  chairman  of  its  board  of  trustees,  while  for  sixteen 
years  he  has  been  superintendent  of  its  Sunday  school.  He  is  much  interested 
in  all  the  departments  of  church  work  and  by  liberal  contribution  of  his  time 
and  means  has  done  much  to  promote  the  growth  of  the  church  and  extend  its 
influence.  He  became  one  of  the  early  members  of  the  Galesburg  Club  and 
served  on  the  building  committee  that  erected  the  present  handsome  club- 
house. He  has  attained  success  without  allowing  personal  interests  or  ambition  '.•'' 
to  dwarf  his  public  spirit  or  activities.  His  is  the  record  of  a  strenuous  life — r 
the  record  of  a  strong  individuality,  sure  of  itself,  stable  in  purpose,  quick  in/; 
perception,  swift  in  decision,  and  energetic  and  persistent  in  action. 


-;/>  HON.  ROBERT  CLIEFORD  RICE.      J     ; 

Hon.  Robert  Clifford  Rice,  who  since  his  admission  to  the  bar  has  given  his 
undivided  attention  to  the  work  of  the  courts,  his  ability  as  advocate  and  coun- 
selor recommending  him  for  election  to  the  bench,  is  now  serving  as  judge  of 
the  county  court  of  Knox  county,  to  which  he  was  chosen  by  popular  suf- 
frage in  1906  and  again  in  1910,  so  that  he  is  now  serving  for  the  second  term. 
He  was  born  in  Berwick  township.  Warren  county,  Illinois,  March  31,  1872, 
one  of  the  three  children  of  Harvey  and  Laura  (Walker)  Rice.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  Rev.  Robert  Rice,  a  minister  of  the  Christian  church,  who 
also  devoted  a  portion  of  his  time  to  fanning.  He  became  an  early  settler  of 
Warren  county,  Illinois,  where  he  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  and  also 
engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel  as  opportunity  offered.  His  death  resulted  from 
the  effects  of  injuries  sustained,  while  hauling  lumber,  in  middle  life.  His  wife, 
who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary  Iden,  survived  him  for  many  years  and 
passed  away  in  Abingdon,  Illinois,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  They  were 


;^,..  ;:-::f '  ''.•;^y,:.,^      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;;' v'^iz^v-  v- .;-<!;• 

the  parents  of  a  number  of  children,  including  Harvey,  Izora,  William,  Perry  ^ 
and  several  who  died  in  infancy.    The  maternal  grandfather  of  Judge  Rice  was 
George  Walker,  who  also  made  farming  his  life  work.    He  wedded  Sarah  Hedges 
and  they  became  early  residents  of  Warren  county,  where  his  attention  was  given 
to  the  work  of  the  fields  until  his  labors  were  ended  by  death  when  he  was  in  the 
prime  of  life.     His  wife  passed  away  when  about  sixty  years  of  age.     Their  •• 
family  numbered  six  children,  Laura,  Bird,  Dottie,  May  and  two,  who  died  in 
infancy. 

Harvey  Rice,  the  father  of  Judge  Rice,  spent  his  youthful  days  in  Indiana 
and  Illinois,  coming  to  the  latter  state  when  yet  a  boy  and  reaching  his  majority  .- 
when  a  resident  of  Warren  county.    He  early  became  familiar  with  all  the  duties 
and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist  and,  after  spending  one  year  in 
Nebraska,  in  early  manhood  returned  to  Warren  county,   where  he  followed 
farming  until  his  death.     He  was  killed  by  lightning  in  1875,  when  but  twenty-  . 
nine  years  of  age.     In  early  manhood  he  had  wedded  Laura  Walker,  a  native  .;, 
of  this  state,  and  the  three  children  born  unto  them  were :  Carl,  who  died  in  in-  >. 
fancy ;  Robert  Clifford ;  and  Eva,  now  the  deceased  wife  of  George  Messplay.        V 
Judge  Rice  is  now  the  only  survivor  of  his  family,  although  his  mother  is  still     : 
living  in  Monmouth,  Illinois,  with  the  judge's  stepsister.    He  spent  his  youth  on 
the  old  homestead  farm  in  his  native  county  and  through  the  summer  months  y. 
aided  in  the  work  of  the  fields,  while  in  the  winter  seasons  he  attended  the  country    . 
schools.    Later  he  had  the  advantage  of  a  course  in  the  Abingdon  Normal  Col- 
lege, from   which  he   was  graduated   with  the  class  of   1893.     He  afterward 
engaged  in  teaching  in  the  district  schools  for  two  terms  and  later  worked  at  / 
the  printer's  trade  on  the  Enterprise-Herald,  of  Abingdon,  for  a  year.     While  ' 
thus  engaged  he  devoted  his  evening  hours  to  reading  law  under  the  direction  - 
of  Judge  Dennis  Clark,  who  was  judge  of  the  county  court  for  twenty-one  years,  v 
In  September,  1895,  Mr.  Rice  came  to  Galesburg  and  entered  the  office  of  Thomp- 
son &  Shumway  as  a  student,  there  continuing  his  reading  until  his  admission  to  " 
the  bar  in  January,  1897.    The  following  year  he  began  practice  in  Galesburg  as  ; 
a  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Carney,  Shumway  &  Rice,  this  association  being, 
maintained  until  Mr.  Carney  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city.     The  two  remain- 
ing partners  continued  together  until  Mr.  Shumway  was  chosen  as  the  chief  execu-   • ' 
tive  of  the  city,  subsequent  to  which  time  Mr.  Rice  pra^iced  alone  with  good- 
success  until  1906,  when  he  was  elected  county  judge.     An  excellent  presence, 
an  earnest  manner,  marked  strength  of  character,  a  thorough  grasp  of  the  law  - 
and  the  ability  to  accurately  apply  its  principles  made  him  an  effective  and  suc- 
cessful advocate  and  insured  him  equal  rank  with  the  distinguished  men  who 
have  presided  over  the  county  court.     Public  indorsement  of  the  first  term  of   v 
service  came  to  him  in  his  reelection  in  1910.     His  reported  opinions  indicate 
his  legal  learning  and  superior  ability  and  show  a  thorough  mastery  of  the  ques- 
tions involved,  together  with  an  admirable  terseness  and  clearness  in  the  state- 
ment of  the  principles  upon  which  his  opinions  rest. 

S     On  the  I7th  of  April,  1901,  Judge  Rice  was  married  to  Miss  Kathryn  Greg- 
ory, of  Bowling  Green,  Indiana,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth   (Carr)    ' 
Gregory.    Mrs.  Rice  was  born  in  Bowling  Green,  Indiana,  and  her  parents  were   ;•' 
also  natives  of  that  state.    Her  father,  who  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  Union  army 
m  the  Civil  war,  died  in  1884,  but  her  mother  is  still  living  and  yet  makes  her  .. 


42  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .,;,'-;.:- 

home  in  Bowling  Green.  In  their  family  were  five  children,  Leota,  Lena,  Kath- 
ryn.  Bertha  and  Gertrude,  the  last  two  of  whom  are  deceased.  Judge  and  Mrs. 
Rice  have  become  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Dorothy.  In  his  political  views 
Judge  Rice  has  always  been  a  republican,  stanchly  advocating  the  principles  of 
the  party,  yet  never  allowing  his  political  preference  to  interfere  in  the  slightest 
degree  with  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Christian  church  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Science  church. 
Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  also 
with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  His  entire  life  has  been  passed 
in  this  section  of  the  state,  and  in  Galesburg,  where  he  has  now  resided  for  six- 
teen years,  he  has  made  many  friends,  who  esteem  him  no  less  for  the  individ- 
uality of  a  personal  character  which  impresses  itself  upon  the  community  than 
for  the  superior  ability  he  has  displayed  in  the  profession  which  he  has  chosen 
as  his  life  work.  .  •  .^  ;  '.-,.•• 


;;::;'  FREDERICK  ZINA  WIKOFF.       ,.    :     :? 

Frederick  Zina  WikoflF,  a  lifelong  resident  of  Knox  county,  spending  the 
greater  part  of  his  years  in  Sparta  township,  represented  one  of  the  old  pioneer 
families  here  and  his  personal  record  was  in  harmony  with  that  of  an  honored 
and  honorable  ancestry.  He  ever  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  by 
reason  of  his  practical  methods  and  progressive  spirit  contributed  much  to  the 
general  advancement  along  agricultural  lines.  He  was  born  in  Ontario,  Illinois, 
December  27,  1846,  his  parents  being  John  and  Cornelia  (Crane)  Wikoff.  The 
family  originally  bore  the  name  of  Van  Wikoff  and  came  of  Dutch  ancestry. 
John  Wikoff,  father  of  Frederick  Z.  Wikoff,  came  from  New  Jersey  to  Illinois 
in  the  fall  of  1836,  making  the  trip  from  Ohio  on  horseback.  Knox  county 
was  his  destination  and  after  arriving  here  he  entered  one  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  land,  situated  on  section  36,  Rio  township.  It  was  just  as  it  had  come 
from  the  hand  of  nature,  not  a  furrow  having  been  turned  nor  an  improvement 
made  upon  the  place,  but  the  soil  was  naturally  rich  and  productive  and  responded 
readily  to  the  care  ancj  labor  which  he  bestowed  upon  it.  Year  after  year  the 
work  of  cultivation  and  improvement  was  carried  forward  until  the  farm  became 
one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  that  section.  Thereon  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wikoff 
resided  for  fifty-four  years,  celebrating  their  golden  wedding  there.  In  early 
manhood  he  had  married  Cornelia  Crane,  a  daughter  of  Zina  Crane,  who  came 
with  his  family  to  Knox  county  when  Mrs.  Wikoff  was  but  fourteen  years  of  age, 
making  the  journey  from  the  state  of  New  York  overland  in  wagons.  She  after- 
ward engaged  in  teaching  school  in  Henderson  and  always  strove  to  cultivate  a 
love  of  learning  among  her  children.  She  also  proved  a  faithful  companion 
and  helpmate  to  her  husband,  aiding  and  encouraging  him  throughout  his  busi- 
ness career.  The  farm  that  John  Wikoff  secured  on  coming  to  Knox  county  is 
still  in  possession  of  the  family,  being  now  occupied  by  a  son  of  Frederick  Z. 
Wikoff.  The  old  homestead  is  a  beautiful  place,  having  been  improved  by  two 
generations  and  always  kept  in  excellent  condition.  John  Wikoff  was  actively 
interested  in  the  public  welfare  and  gave  his  aid  and  cooperation  to  many  move- 


;•  ^;::       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;:       ^^ '-- -  ; 

ments  for  the  general  good.  He  was  at  one  time  supervisor  of  Rio  township 
and  there  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April  30,  1897,  when  he 
was  eighty-four  years  of  age.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  five  children : 
Gertrude  A.,  now  the  widow  of  Hiram  Colby ;  Frederick  Z.,  of  this  review ;  Har- 
riet E.,  the  wife  of  G.  H.  Pratt ;  Carrie  F.,  the  wife  of  S.  T.  Howell ;  and  Mary 
M.,  the  wife  of  O.  Oliver,  now  deceased. 

Frederick  Z.  WikoflF  spent  his  entire  life  in  Knox  county,  being  reared  upon 
the  old  homestead  farm,  where  he  was  early  trained  to  habits  of  industry, 
economy  and  integrity.  He  acquired  his  education  in  Knox  and  Hedding  Col- 
leges and  the  intellectual  development  thus  stimulated  constituted  a  chief  source 
of  his  success.  His  entire  life  was  devoted  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  and 
he  became  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  in  Knox  county,  in  the  cultivation  of  which 
he  was  very  successful,  adding  thereto  many  improvements. 

On  the  i6th  of  September,  1874,  Mr.  Wikoff  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ida  M.  Conger,  a  daughter  of  John  N.  and  Elizabeth  (Wheeler)  Conger.  Her 
grandfather,  Uzziah  Conger,  came  to  Knox  county,  in  1838,  and  settled  in  Cherry 
Grove.  He  married  Hannah  West  and  they  lived  to  celebrate  their  golden  wed- 
ding. Their  son,  John  N.  Conger,  was  a  native  of  New  York  and,  having 
arrived  at  years  of  maturity,  wedded  Elizabeth  Wheeler,  a  native  of  Connecticut 
and  a  daughter  of  Alvah  and  Jerusha  (Stevens)  Wheeler  who  on  leaving  New 
England  removed  from  Connecticut  to  Knoxville,  Illinois,  in  1838.  Mr.  Wheeler 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  assisted  in  building  the  first  courthouse  in  Knox 
county.  It  was  their  daughter  Elizabeth  who  became  the  wife  of  John  N.  Con- 
ger, who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county  and  is  mentioned  elsewhere 
in  this  volume.  Their  daughter  Ida  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  WikoflF  and  to  them 
were  born  four  children  who  are  living:  Winn  C. ;  Gem,  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
W.  B.  Nelson ;  John  N. ;  and  Cornelia.  They  also  lost  a  child.  The  death  of  Mr. 
Wikoflf  occurred  March  lo,  1905.  when  he  was  but  fifty-eight  years  of  age.  He 
had  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  Sparta  township  and  no  one  of  the  com- 
munity was  more  widely  known  or  more  highly  respected.  His  political  allegiance 
was  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  was  ever  a  public-spirited  citizen,  inter- 
ested in  the  welfare  and  upbuilding  of  county,  state  and  nation.  He  attended  the 
Baptist  church  and  was  ever  a  kindly  and  generous  man,  whose  heart  went  out 
in  ready  response  to  all  who  needed  assistance,  while  his  beneficent  spirit  was 
manifest  in  many  tangible  ways.  He  did  not  seek  to  figure  prominently  in  the 
public  life  of  the  community,  but  his  genuine  personal  worth  gained  him  high 
regard  so  that  his  death  was  deeply  deplored  not  only  by  his  immediate  family, 
among  whom  he  was  ever  a  devoted  husband  and  father,  but  also  by  the  many 
friends  whom  he  had  won  during  his  long  residence  in  Knox  county.  ;  ^  . ;  . 


JAMES  D.  O'CONNOR. 


James  D.  O'Connor,  engaged  in  a  general  contracting  business  in  Galesburg, 
his  native  city,  was  born  January  31.  1872,  a  son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Ryan) 
O'Connor.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Lebanon,  New  York,  while  the  mother 
was  born  in  County  Limerick,  Ireland,  whence  she  was  brought  to  the  United 


''  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ,; 

'     .  •  ,         '      -  -'>    •'     "' 

'   States  by  her  parents  when  three  years  old.    In  his  boyhood  days  James  O'Con- 

:   nor  came  to  Galesburg  and  in  early  manhood  was  here  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 

ness,  while  later  he  figured  prominently  in   real-estate  circles,  winning  along 

'.•  those  lones  the  success  that  now  enables  him  to  live  retired,  his  home  being  at  No. 

173  West  Main  street.    He  is  an  independent  voter,  standing  for  progress  and 

S    improvement  rather  than  for  partisanship,  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  apprecia- 

',   tive  of  his  worth  and  ability,  several  times  elected  him  to  represent  the  second 

;.    ward  as  alderman.     He  was  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  appraisers.     He 

..    belongs  to  the  Catholic  church  and  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 

-'..   the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Galesburg  Club,    His  wife  died 

:    in  November,  1904.     In  the  family  were  six  children :  Martin,  who  is  a  resident 

of  Galesburg,  Illinois;  Mary,  deceased;  James  D.,  of  this  review;  Lillian,  the 

.     wife  of  C.  H.  Nold,  of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri ;  Alice,  the  wife  of  W.  C.  Johnson, 

of  Galesburg;  and  Fred,  who  has  passed  away.  >  - 1 

In  St.  Joseph's  Academy  James  D.  O'Connor  pursued  his  early  education"! 

and   afterward    attended    Notre    Dame    University    of    South    Bend,    Indiana. 

Throughout  the  entire  period  of  his  connection  with  business  affairs  he  has 

:     engaged  in  general  contracting,  putting  in  a  large  portion  of  the  sewers  of  this 

;     city  and  doing  much  other  public  work  which  has  placed  him  in  a  substantial 

position   among  the   industrious,   enterprising  and    successful   business   men   of 

the  city.     He  has  ever  realized  that  energy  is  the  basis  of  business  advancement 

and  has  diligently  and  persistently  prosecuted  his  work  so  that  substantial  re- 

r,    suits  have  been  achieved. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  1897,  Mr.  O'Connor  was  married  in  this  city  to 
Miss  Louisa  Hurley,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Hurley,  of  Galesburg.  They 
now  have  two  children:  Ruth,  whose  natal  day  was  October  22,  1898;  and  Fred, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  the  iQth  of  November,  1899.  Both  were  born  in 
Galesburg.  The  parents  are  communicants  of  the  Catholic  church  and  in  poli- 
tics Mr.  O'Connor  has  followed  in  his  father's  footsteps,  maintaining  an  inde- 
pendent position,  supporting  such  measures  as  he  deems  effective  forces  in 
good  government  and  such  candidates  as  he  believes  will  prove  loyal  to  the 
public  trust.  He  has  himself  served  as  alderman  from  the  first  ward  during  the 
past  four  years  and  exercises  his  official  prerogatives  in  support  of  many  pro- 
gressive movements  for  the  general  good. 


;;;^j;        •  JAMES  H.  ROUNDTREE.      -      v 

James  H.  Roundtree  is  a  retired  farmer  living  at  No.  860  North  Cedar  street, 
in  Galesburg.  He  has  made  his  home  in  the  city  since  1892,  previous  to  which 
time  he  was  closely  associated  with  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  still  the 
owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  acres  from  which  he 
derives  a  substantial  annual  income.  He  was  born  at  Old  Henderson,  in  this 
county,  December  lo,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  John  D.  and  Docia  (Fuqua)  Round- 
tree,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Dudley 
Roundtree,  who  was  bom  in  the  Old  Dominion  and  became  an  early  settler  of 
Hart  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  died  when  well  advanced  in  years.  He  was 


44       .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY         . 

States  by  her  parents  when  three  years  old.  In  his  boyhood  days  James  O'Con- 
nor came  to  Galesburg  and  in  early  manhood  was  here  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness, while  later  he  figured  prominently  in  real-estate  circles,  winning  along 
those  lones  the  success  that  now  enables  him  to  live  retired,  his  home  being  at  No. 
173  West  Main  street.  He  is  an  independent  voter,  standing  for  progress  and 
improvement  rather  than  for  partisanship,  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  apprecia- 
tive of  his  worth  and  ability,  several  times  elected  him  to  represent  the  second 
ward  as  alderman.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  appraisers.  He 
belongs  to  the  Catholic  church  and  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Galesburg  Club.  His  wife  died 
in  November,  1904.  In  the  family  were  si.x  children :  Martin,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Galesburg,  Illinois;  Mary,  deceased:  James  D.,  of  this  review:  Lillian,  the 
wife  of  C.  H.  Nold,  of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri:  Alice,  the  wife  of  W.  C.  Johnson, 
of  Galesburg:  and  Fred,  who  has  passed  away.  ] 

In  St.  Joseph's  Academy  James  D.  O'Connor  pursued  his  early  education', 
and  afterward  attended  Notre  Dame  University  of  South  Bend,  Indiana. 
Throughout  the  entire  period  of  his  connection  with  business  affairs  he  has 
engaged  in  general  contracting,  putting  in  a  large  portion  of  the  sewers  of  this 
city  and  doing  much  other  public  work  which  has  i)laced  him  in  a  substantial 
position  among  the  industrious,  enterprising  and  successful  business  men  of 
the  city.  He  has  ever  realized  that  energ}-  is  the  basis  of  business  advancement 
and  has  diligently  and  persistently  prosecuted  his  work  so  that  substantial  re- 
sults have  been  achieved. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  1897,  Mr.  O'Connor  was  married  in  this  city  to 
Miss  Louisa  Hurley,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Hurley,  of  Galesburg.  They 
now  have  two  children :  Ruth,  whose  natal  day  was  October  22,  1898 :  and  Fred, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  the  iQth  of  November,  1899.  Both  were  born  in 
Galesburg.  The  parents  are  communicants  of  the  Catholic  church  and  in  poli- 
tics Mr.  O'Connor  has  followed  in  his  father's  footsteps,  maintaining  an  inde- 
pendent position,  supporting  such  measures  as  he  deems  effective  forces  in 
good  government  and  such  candidates  as  he  believes  will  prove  loyal  to  the 
public  trust.  He  has  himself  served  as  alderman  from  the  first  ward  during  the 
past  four  years  and  exercises  his  official  prerogatives  in  support  of  many  pro- 
gressive movements  for  the  general  good. 


JAMFS  H.  ROUNDTREF. 

James  H.  Roundtree  is  a  retired  farmer  living  at  No.  860  North  Cedar  street, 
in  Galesburg.  He  has  made  his  home  in  the  city  since  1892,  previous  to  which 
time  he  was  clo.sely  associated  with  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  still  the 
owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  acres  from  which  he 
derives  a  substantial  annual  income.  He  was  l)orn  at  Old  Henderson,  in  this 
county,  December  lo,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  John  D.  and  Docia  (Fuqua)  Round- 
tree,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  \'irginia.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Dudley 
Roundtree,  who  was  bom  in  the  Old  Dominion  and  became  an  early  settler  of 
Hart  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  died  when  well  advanced  in  years.  He  was 


%. 


.  ? 


7  :';{;;  :V    :       ;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY:;  '   -      .  . 

blind  for  twenty  years  before  he  died.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  four 
sons  Turner,  John  D.,  Charles  and  Dudley.  The  maternal  jjrandfather  of 
[ames  Roundtree  was  James  Fuqua,  a  native  of  Virginia  and  a  farmer  by 
occupation.  He  died  in  Kentucky  but  the  mother  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
in  1830,  settling  near  Old  Henderson,  and  there  died  when  about  eighty  years 
of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  daughters  and  three  sons,  Daniel,:;. 
Obadiah,  John,  Docia,  Martha,  Mary,  Jane,  Narcissus  and  Jeremiah. 

Both  of  the  parents  of  James  H.  Roundtree  on  leaving  Virginia  became  resi-  ,-^ 
dents  of  Hart  county,  Kentucky,  and  in  1830  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
settling  near  Old  Henderson,  in  Henderson  township.    The  father  purchased  land 
warrants  of  the  soldiers,  who  had  served  in  the  war  of  1812.    The  Indians  were 
then  numerous  here,  for  the  Black  Hawk  war  had  not  yet  occurred  and  the  red 
men  had  not  learned  that  their  white- faced  orothers  were  the  stronger  in  an    / 
effort  to  claim  the  country  and  convert  it  to  the  uses  of  civilization.     When     : 
the  Indians  became  troublesome  and,  in  fact,  were  a  menace  to  life  in  this  state     : 
John  D.  Roundtree  joined  with  the  volunteer  soldiers  for  service  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war  and  after  his  death  his  wife  drew  a  pension  of  about  six  or  eight 
dollars  a  month.    He  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  and  later 
another  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  all  of  which  he  improved  and  thereon  ;r,'i 
reared  his  family.    He  was  born  in  i8cx3  and  died  about  1851.    His  wife  after- 
ward removed  to  Marshall  county,  Kansas,  settling  near  Frankfort,  and  died 
about  1896  at  a  very  advanced  age,  lacking  but  three  weeks  of  being  ninety- four  {.- 
years.     In  their  family  were  twelve  children,  of  whom   five  are  now  living:  v  ; 
Betsy,  the  widow  of  Robert  Osborn,  living  at  Frankfort,  Kansas;  Dudley,  of  ••'•'- 
Oldsburg,  Pottawatomie  county,  Kansas ;  James  H.,  of  this  review ;  Narcissus,  -. 
the  wife  of  Lathan  Howe,  of  Old  Henderson;  and  William,  of  Paradise,  Kansas.  ;; 

James  H.  Roundtree  spent  his  youthful  days  in  this  county  and  is  the  oldest  '-i'-' 
continuous  resident  here  with  the  exception  of  Harvey  Montgomery,   having 
spent  seventy-five  years  in  this  county.     He  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm  --^ 
and  attended  one  of  the  old-time  subscription  schools.     He  was  only  thirteen  . 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his   father's  death  and  upon  him   devolved  the  ; 
responsibility  of  managing  and  operating  the   farm.     As  time  passed  on,   he  J 
purchased  parts  of  the  old  homestead  until  he  eventually  became  the  owner 
of  the  greater  part  which,  however,  he  afterward  sold.     He  next  purchased 
a  farm  of  sixty-six  acres  near  Wataga,  and  traded  with  his  father-in-law  for    :\ 
another  farm.     This  he  in  time  sold  and  removed  to  Wataga,  where  he  resided 
until   1892,  when  he  went  to  Galesburg  and  in  the  following  year  erected  his  .- 
present  residence,  where  he  and  his  wife  have  since  resided,  enjoying  a  well     , 
earned  rest  there.    He  now  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  acres  in  '-  . 
Sparta  township  and  this  returns  to  him  a  good  income.     This  farm  once  sold    •• 
for  fifteen  dollars  an  acre  but  is  now  worth  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars. 
While  devoting  his  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits,  his  time  and  endeavors  were 
so  well  employed  that  he  derived  therefrom  the  merited  reward  of  earnest,  per-  '•• 
sistent  labor  and  thus  accumulated  a  handsome  competence  that  now  supplies 
him  with  all  of  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  :;  .     ^.••'    ."    ; 

On  the  iQth  of  December,  i86i,  Mr.  Roundtree  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  _ 
Ann  Duval,  who  was  born  in  Henderson  township,  this  county.  May  ig,  1844,   • 
a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Shumate)  Duval,  who  came  from  Kentucky 

^o«-    n-8  ^i       .-.      -...-»...:.;••    .    -.      :i_    ..••.••<;•,.;..       •.    .        -•.;  -     .:.^.:-•.•••    -' 


,'V 

Jr  , 


48  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '; 

to  Illinois  about  1831,  settling  first  near  Monmouth  and  later  removing  to  Hen-" 
derson  township,  where  Mrs.  Roundtree  grew  to  womanhood.     Her  father  died 
September  29,  1891,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years  and  her  mother  passed  away  ; 

in  1888,  when  eighty  years  of  age.     They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  of 
whom  four  are  living,  Mary,  Helen,  Martha  and  Nancy  Ann.     Mr.  and  Mrs.        -fU 
Roundtree  were  married  in  the  old  courthouse  in  Knoxville.    They  have  no  chil-  ;•.-;. 
dren  of  their  own  but  adopted  a  daughter,  Lillian  May,  whom  they  reared  from-;    .  - - 
the  age  of  three  weeks.    She  is  now  the  wife  of  Frank  S.  Card,  and  they  resided 
for  a  while  in  I>enver,  Colorado,  whence  they  lately  removed  to  Riverside  county,  ''J      .  - 
California.  •  '    :,: 

It  was  on  the  i9th  of  December,  1911,  that  James  and  Nancy.  Ann  Roundtree  ':-  J: 
could  look  back  upon  fifty  years  of  life  companionship  and  celebrated  their  golden  ";/'•". 
wedding  at  their  home.  No.  860  North  Cedar  street,  Galesburg,  at  which  time  v 
they  received  many  beautiful  gifts  and  the  good  wishes  of  a  host  of  devoted  :'' 

friends.  -, 

.:       Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roundtree  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  his  politi-  ,•;-••. 
cal  support  is  given  to  the  democratic  party.     It  is  most  interesting  to  converse    ' 
with  this  worthy  couple  and  hear  their  reminiscences  concerning  Knox  county 
in  its  pioneer  period.     He  is  acquainted  with  all  the  events  of  importance  which  :  ;/: ' 
have  left  their  impress  upon  the  history  of  the  county  and  has  been  a  witness  ''...',. 
of  many  of  these.     He  has  participated  in  the  agricultural  development  of  the:       "; 
county  and  has  seen  its  transformation  from  a  wild  and  sparsely  settled  district     ;  • 
into  one  of  the  most  populous  and  prosperous  portions  of  the  state.     He  can  re-        i;  ' 
member  the  time  when  many  of  the  homes  were  log  cabins  with  their  great  fire-  '      . 
places  and  their  tallow  candles;  when  much  of  the  farm  work  was  done  by  hand    •• 
according  to  methods  that  had  been  in  vogue  for  centuries.     He  has  lived  to  see     \ 
marked  changes  in  the  methods  of  farming  as  the  cultivator,  the  reaper,  the  rid-   .'    • ' 
ing  plow,  the  harvester  and  the  thresher  have  been  introduced,  relieving  man  :,    f  • 
of  the  most  trying  and  arduous  work  of  the  fields.    In  his  own  farming  methods  :::';. 
he  kept  pace  with  the  general  progress  and  his  success  came  as  the  merited 
reward  of  his  labor.    No  history  of  Knox  county  would  be  complete  without  the 
sketch  of  James  H.  Roundtree  who,  as  previously  stated,  is  with  two  exceptions 
the  oldest  continuous  resident  of  this  locality.  ;;     ,..  -'      ;      ;     ..  ;.i  >  ;  • 


;•  FRANK  E.  WILSON.          ; 

The  record  of  Frank  E.  Wilson  is  that  of  an  enterprising,  reliable  business 
man  who  has  ever  recognized  the  fact  that  industry  and  close  application  are  in- 
dispensable forces  of  success  and  has,  therefore,  used  them  in  attaining  his  pres- 
ent position  in  financial  circles.  He  is  president  of  the  Knox  County  State  Bank 
of  Knoxville,  in  which  connection  he  is  conducting  a  business  Si  considerable 
extent  and  importance,  the  bank  being  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  rich  agricultural 
region.  Mr.  Wilson  is  widely  known  because  of  his  long  residence  here,  his 
birth  having  occurred  in  Truro  township,  Knox  county,  January  12,  1868.  He 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  four  children,  whose  parents,  John 
and  Mary  (King)  Wilson,  were  natives  of  Westmoreland  county,  Virginia, 


^  '^\.'    .'.:;. ^   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;    -  :V 

and  of  Ohio  respectively.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Jane  (Calhoun) 
Wilson,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  the  latter  having  been  a  cousin  of  John  C.  Cal- 
houn, the  distinguished  statesman.  They  had  five  children,  John,  Solomon,  Wil- 
liam, Jacob  and  Jane.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Frank  E.  Wilson  was  an 
Ohio  farmer,  who  with  his  family  removed  westward  to  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
making  the  journey  overland  with  an  ox  team.  They  settled  in  the  eastern  part 
of  Knox  county  among  its  pioneer  citizens  and  took  active  and  helpful  part  in 
the  work  of  later  development  and  improvement,  both  dying  there  when  welJ 
advanced  in  years.  They  had  a  large  family,  including  James ;  William ;  Mrs. 
Jane  Ellsworth ;  Mrs.  Catharine  Nicholson,  who  still  lives  in  Knox  county ;  Mary, 
who  became  Mrs.  Wilson ;  Mrs.  Matilda  Ellsworth,  now  deceased ;  and  Mrs. 
Peggy  Nelson. 

John  Wilson  was  but  a  young  lad  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  from  Virginia  to  Greene  county,  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He 
then  sought  the  opportunities  of  a  less  thickly  settled  district  and  became  one 
of  the  early  residents  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  Truro  township.  For  a  number  of  years  he  continued  its  develop- 
ment but  sold  out  in  1875  and  removed  to  Knox  township,  where  he  purchased 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  making  it  his  home  for  a  long  period.  His 
labors  converted  the  place  into  a  very  productive  tract,  from  which  he  annually 
gathered  rich  harvests.  There  he  lived  until  September,  1893.  when  he  died  at 
the  age  of  seventy-seven  years,  and  his  wife's  death  occurred  in  1907,  when  she 
had  reached  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  Both  were  consistent  Christian  people, 
holding  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  Mr.  Wilson  also  capably 
filled  a  number  of  township  offices.  Ere  his  marriage  to  Mary  King  he  had 
wedded  Miss  Isabella  Hogue,  and  unto  them  were  bom  six  children,  namely: 
James  P.,  now  living  in  Topeka,  Kansas ;  Gracetta,  the  wife  of  ]ohn  Lucas,  also 
of  Topeka ;  John  H.,  of  Knoxville ;  Jacob,  of  Unionville,  Iowa ;  William,  of 
Oskaloosa,  Kansas ;  and  one  deceased.  The  four  children  of  the  second  mar- 
riage are :  Dal,  who  died  when  a  year  old ;  Effie  J.,  the  wife  of  Charles  Wyman, 
of  Knoxville,  Illinois;  Frank  E. ;  and  Lee  Chalmer  Wilson.  :.  v  .  i-.v, 

No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  vary  the  routine  of  farm  life 
for  Frank  E.  Wilson  in  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth.  He  worked  in  the 
fields  under  his  father's  direction  and  also  gave  a  portion  of  his  time  to  the 
acquirement  of  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  in  the  public  schools  of 
Knoxville.  His  more  specifically  commercial  training  was  obtained  in  the  Gem 
City  Business  College  of  Quincy,  Illinois,  of  which  he  is  a  graduate.  •  The  first 
year  thereafter  he  remained  upon  his  father's  farm  and  in  the  following  winter 
engaged  in  teaching  school.  He  then  went  to  Pueblo,  Colorado,  where  he  engaged 
in  keeping  books  for  a  printing  and  publishing  house  but  later  returned  to  Knox 
county  and  became  cashier  of  what  was  then  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Yates  City, 
filling  that  position  for  twelve  years.  He  next  located  in  Knoxville  and  asso- 
ciated with  C.  M.  Corbin  and  Mrs.  Nettie  J.  Corbin,  conducting  a  private  bank 
for  three  or  four  years.  In  1906  this  was  reorganized  into  the  Knox  County 
State  Bank,  of  which  Mr.  Wilson  has  since  been  the  president,  while  Marcus 
Burnsides  is  now  vice  president  and  R.  R.  Collins  cashier.  The  bank  was  or- 
ganized with  a  capital  stock  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  and  the  surplus  amounts 
to  fourteen  thousand  dollars.  ^;'  •>  ^^:  "V  :'  :'^'-':;:  ••••  ^- '•• 


50  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  Wilson  was  married  October  31,  1894,  to  Miss  Kate  M.  Collins,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  Persifer  township,  this  county,  her  parents  being  Edward  and 
Hannah  (Young)  Collins,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Illinois  respectively.  Their  fam- 
ily numbered  seven  children :  Kate  M. ;  Robert  R. ;  Ella  G. ;  Rolland  E. ;  Jessie 
M. ;  Bertha,  the  wife  of  Raymond  Sapp ;  and  Nellie  F.  The  paternal  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  Wilson  was  Michael  Collins,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  unto  him  and  his 
wife  were  born  a  number  of  children,  including  Michael,  Peter,  Thomas,  John, 
Margaret  and  Kate.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  Robert  and  Mary  Young, 
natives  of  Ohio,  and  the  former  devoted  his  life  to  farming,  thus  supporting  his 
family,  which  numbered  Edward  J.,  John  R.,  Hannah  E.,  Robert  L.,  Ella  and 
three  who  died  in  childhood.  .  ^  •  '  '; -' ;r  :'  :^\  ;'  I,  •-'."•.' 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  has  been  blessed  with  two  daughters, 
Miriam  E.  and  Hortense  E.  The  parents  are  well  known  in  Knoxville  and  this 
part  of  the  state  and  have  an  extensive  circle  of  warm  friends,  while  their  own 
home  is  justly  celebrated  for  its  cordial  hospitality.  Mr.  Wilson  belongs  to  Yates 
City  Lodge,  No.  448,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Raboni  Chapter,  No.  95,  R.  A.  M..  of  which 
he  has  been  high  priest  for  a  number  of  years;  and  Illinois  Council,  No.  i,  R.  & 
S.  M.  His  study  of  the  political  issues  and  questions  of  the  day  has  led  him 
to  give  his  support  to  the  democratic  party  and  he  has  filled  some  local  offices, 
serving  as  town  clerk  and  also  as  president  of  the  village  board  of  Yates  City.\-.  • 
It  is  characteristic  of  him  that  he  has  ever  been  loyal  to  a  trust  reposed  in  him, 
discharging  his  duties  to  the  best  of  his  ability — and  that  ability  is  of  no  inferior 
order.  He  is  equally  faithful  to  the  trusts  reposed  in  him  as  a  business  man  and 
has  established  his  bank  upon  a  broad  and  safe  foundation,  built  of  progressive 
methods,  which  are  evenly  balanced  by  a  safe  conservatism,  close  application, 
unfaltering  determination  and  strictly  honorable  methods. 


GEORGE  D.  CROCKER.  :  :• 

.11.  .••'•',•. 

George  D.  Crocker,  for  many  years  a  leading  merchant  of  Galesburg,  asso- 
ciated for  almost  a  half  century  with  the  grocery  trade  of  the  city  and  now  ex- 
tensively and  successfully  operating  in  the  field  of  real  estate,  was  bom  in  Hen- 
derson county,  Illinois,  July  12,  1845.  His  parents  were  F.  O.  and  Mary  (Brim- 
hall)  Crocker,  the  former  a  native  of  Maine  and  the  latter  of  New  York.  They 
were  married  in  Indiana  and  came  to  Illinois  about  1843,  settling  in  Henderson 
county,  near  Oquawka.  Upon  a  farm  there  they  resided  for  thirteen  years  and 
in  March,  1856,  came  to  Knox  county,  establishing  their  home  in  Galesburg. 
Here  the  father  opened  a  grocery  store,  which  he  conducted  during  the  remainder 
of  his  active  business  life,  retiring,  however,  several  years  prior  to  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1888.  His  wife  survived  him  for  some  time,  passing  away 
about  1901.  Their'  family  numbered  three  children  but  the  two  daughters,  Oricy 
and  Emma,  both  died  after  reaching  womanhood.  |  .-  -  ;..>:. 

George  D.  Crocker,  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  family,  was  a  pupil 
in  the  schools  of  Galesburg  and  completed  his  education  in  Lombard  College. 
He  made  his  initial  step  in  the  business  world  as  assistant  to  his  father  in  the 
grocery  trade  and,  when  well  trained  by  this  preliminary  experience,  he  opened 


;-;•;-::-.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    '•  •        -x;^;  '-vj^vj 

a  grocery  store  of  his  own,  where  the  Arlington  Hotel  now  stands,  this  hotel 
having  been  built  by  Mr.  Crocker  and  his  partner,  W.  A.  Robbins.  The  grocery 
store  was  established  in  1866  and  was  conducted  successfully  for  thirty-three 
years.  They  enjoyed  a  constantly  growing  trade  and  their  establishment  was 
ranked  with  the  foremost  enterprises  of  the  kind  in  Galesburg  throughout  that 
entire  period.  When  about  a  quarter  of  a  century  had  passed  Mr.  Crocker  turned 
his  attention  to  the  real-estate  business,  buying  and  selling  property.  He  is  now 
a  large  owner  of  farm  lands  in  North  Dakota,  near  Fargo,  situated  in  the  midst 
of  the  fertile  Red  River  valley.  He  was  also  at  one  time  greatly  interested  in 
Illinois  farm  lands.  His  real-estate  investments  have  been  most  carefully  and 
judiciously  made  and  have  brought  to  him  the  success  which  is  the  merited  reward 
of  indefatigable  labor  and  sound  judgment. 

On  the  22d  of  February,  1867,  Mr.  Crocker  was  married  to  Miss  Gertrude 
Comstock,  a  daughter  of  Abner  and  Agnes  Comstock  and  a  native  of  Warren 
county,  Illinois,  bom  March  i6,  1849.  They  have  become  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren: Frank  W.,  who  was  bom  in  1868  and  is  now  in  the  office  of  the  Automatic 
Telephone  Company  at  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Mabel,  who  is  the  wife  of  E.  J. 
Dickson,  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts ;  and  George  Leslie,  who  is  associated 
with  his  father  in  business  and  resides  in  North  Dakota,  having  charge  of  their 
interests  in  that  state,  which  include  a  ranch  covering  three  sections  devoted  to 
the  raising  of  grain. 

Mr.  Crocker  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and,  although  not  an 
office  seeker,  he  has  served  as  alderman  of  the  fifth  ward  and  always  keeps  well 
informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Gales- 
burg  Club,  and  he  and  his  family  are  widely  and  favorably  known  in  this  city, 
theirs  being  one  of  the  attractive  and  hospitable  homes,  which  is  always  a  favorite 
resort  with  those  who  are  most  prominent  socially  in  Galesburg.  _  .  ,  . 


:   -       :  GEORGE  WILLIAMS.  ;'H  \C 

George  Williams,  who  at  different  times  was  connected  with  commercial  and 
industrial  interests  in  Galesburg,  had  a  most  excellent  record  both  as  a  man  and 
citizen.  As  a  soldier,  too,  his  course  was  most  commendable,  for  on  southern 
battle  fields  he  proved  his  loyalty  to  the  Union  cause.  His  birth  occurred  in 
Mount  Vernon,  Ohio,  April  3,  1831,  his  parents  being  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert 
Williams,  who  were  residents  of  Mount  Vemon,  where  they  remained  for  a 
long  period.  The  son  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  was 
indebted  to  the  public-school  system  of  that  district  for  the  educational 
advantages  he  enjoyed.  On  the  I2th  of  March,  1856,  being  then  about  twenty- 
five  years  of  age,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Marble,  a  daughter  of  J.  H. 
Marble,  a  resident  of  Mount  Vernon.  Three  days  later  they  left  Ohio  for  Knox 
county,  making  their  way  at  once  to  Galesburg  where  Mr.  Williams  thereafter 
resided,  save  for  a  period  of  two  years  spent  as  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war.  He 
enlisted  as  a  member  of  the  One  hundred  and  eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
became  drum  major  and  was  on  active  duty  at  Arkansas  Post,  at  Haines  Bluff 


.-^-v^ 


^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  in  other  engagements.  At  length  he  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned 
to  Galesburg. 

On  first  becoming  a  resident  of  this  city  Mr.  Williams  established  a  shoe 
store  which  he  conducted  for  many  years,  enjoying  a  good  trade  in  that  direc- 
tion. In  later  years  he  conducted  a  dairy  business  and  found  it  also  a  source 
of  gratifying  income  and  profit.  In  all  of  his  business  dealings  he  was  thor- 
oughly reliable  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  regard  of  his  fellow  townsmen 
in  an  unusual  degree. 

As  the  years  passed  by  three  children  were  bom  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wil- 
liams: Walter  W.,  who  lives  in  Galesburg;  Flora  B.,  deceased;  and  G.  W.,  who 
makes  his  home  in  Bridgeport,  Connecticut.  Mr.  Williams  took  an  active  interest 
in  Masonry  and  was  an  exemplary  representative  of  the  craft.  He  was  also 
much  interested  in  politics  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  a  stanch  supporter 
of  the  peoples'  party  or,  as  it  is  now  known,  the  populist  party.  He  adhered 
closely  to  its  principles  and  doctrines  and  always  kept  thoroughly  informed  on 
the  vital  questions  of  the  day.  Few  men  outside  of  politics  had  a  broader  or 
more  correct  knowledge  of  the  many  questions  which  he  studied  from  every 
possible  standpoint.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  power  of  the  government 
to  issue  money  and  was  one  of  the  earliest  to  advocate  that  idea.  At  different 
times  he  served  his  party  on  various  committees  and  was  a  leader  in  all  of  its 
movements.  At  local  elections  he  voted  with  the  prohibition  party  and  was 
ever  a  stalwart  champion  of  the  cause  of  temperance  and  of  all  those  activities 
which  tend  to  uplift  the  individual  and  the  community  at  large.  Death  called 
him  on  the  I5th  of  January,  1905,  and  thus  when  almost  seventy-four  years  of 
age  he  passed  away.  He  had  ever  been  loyal  to  his  honest  convictions  and  his 
word  no  man  had  ever  questioned.  His  life  was  in  many  respects  worthy  of 
emulation  and  wherever  known  he  enjoyed  the  regard  and  good-will  of  those 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 


HOX.  LEON  A.  TOWNSEND.  : 

.  •  Hon.  Leon  A.  Townsend  has  been  closely  associated  with  financial  affairs 
in  Galesburg  since  1891.  not  only  through  his  connection  with  banking  interests 
but  also  as  county  treasurer.  In  both  connections  he  has  made  a  most  creditable 
record  and  his  business  advancement  has  its  root  in  his  ability  to  coordinate  and 
utilize  all  the  forces  at  hand,  combined  with  the  most  thorough  and  reliable 
business  methods.  He  was  born  at  Avon,  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  October  13, 
1854,  a  son  of  Robert  W.  and  Rachel  Virginia  (Terry)  Townsend.  The  father 
was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York,  November  ii,  1820,  and  after 
pursuing  his  education  there  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  lines,  continuing 
in  business  in  the  Empire  state  until  about  1842,  when  he  removed  westward 
to  Troy,  Illinois.  There  he  worked  in  a  store  for  a  time  but  in  1853  he  estab- 
lished business  on  his  own  account  in  Avon,  where  he  remained  for  fourteen 
years.  In  1869  he  opened  a  bank  in  that  town  and  was  active  and  successful 
in  its  management  and  control  until  1875,  when  he  retired  from  business  life 
with  a  handsome  competence  that  had  been  won  through  his  earnest  and  care- 


O;      V  ^ :;  -^^        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;    •    55 

fully  directed  efforts.  In  every  relation  his  life  was  one  of  usefulness  and  of 
worth.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  served  as  deputy  revenue  collector 
at  Avon.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Universalist  church.  The 
latter  was  born  in  Chestnut  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  November  9,  1837, 
and  is  still  living  at  Avon  but  the  death  of  Mr.  Townsend  occurred  there  August 
17,  1904.  Their  son,  Leon  A.  Townsend,  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  seven 
children,  the  others  being:  Hettie,  now  the  Wife  of  W.  B.  Tompkins,  of  Quincy; 
Harry  F.  living  in  Avon ;  Fannie  V.,  the  wife  of  George  A.  Tompkins,  of 
Avon ;  Grace,  the  widow  of  Walter  M.  Jay,  of  the  same  place ;  Grant,  a  resident 
of  Galesburg;  and  Lillian,  the  wife  of  George  Schneider,  also  of  Avon. 

After  attending  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town  Leon  A.  Townsend 
further  pursued  his  education  in  Lombard  College  of  Galesburg,  and  then  made 
his  initial  step  in  the  business  world  in  connection  with  banking,  entering  the 
Avon  Exchange  Bank  as  cashier.  There  he  remained  until  1875,  when  he 
went  to  Herman,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising  until  1893.  I" 
that  year  he  removed  to  Galesburg,  having  two  years  before  been  elected  to  the 
office  of  county  treasurer  for  a  four-years'  term.  He  was  a  capable  and  faith- 
ful custodian  of  the  public  funds  and  retired  from  office  as  he  had  entered  it, 
with  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  all  concerned.  This  was  in  1895  and  the 
same  year  he  entered  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank  of  Galesburg  as  cashier, 
retaining  that  connection  with  the  institution  for  thirteen  years.  In  1908  he 
was  elected  to  the  presidency  of  the  bank  and  in  this  position  of  control  he 
is  bending  his  efforts  to  administrative  direction.  The  progressive  methods 
of  the  bank  are  tempered  by  a  safe  conservatism  and  the  management  realizes 
the  fact  that  the  bank  is  most  apt  to  win  success  that  most  carefully  safeguards 
the  interests  of  its  depositors.  This  course  has  ever  been  followed  by  the 
Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank  and  thus  the  institution  has  been  enabled  to  stand 
unweakened  through  periods  of  great  financial  stress.  Mr.  Townsend  is  also 
interested  to  some  extent  in  farming,  owning  some  good  property. 

In  May,  1877,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Leon  A.  Townsend  and  Miss  Chris- 
tina Woods,  a  daughter  of  DeWitt  C.  and  Katherine  (McGowan)  Woods,  of 
Avon,  Illinois.  Her  father  was  born  in  Clinton  county.  New  Y<ork,  while  her 
mother  was  a  native  of  Scotland.  He  made  farming  his  life  work  and  in  his 
boyhood  he  became  a  resident  of  Avon  where  he  lived  for  many  years,  passing 
away  there  in  1893.  His  widow  still  survives  and  yet  makes  her  home  in  that 
village.  His  political  faith  was  that  of  the  republican  party  and  his  religious 
belief  was  that  of  the  Universalist  church.  He  was  always  loyal  to  every  cause 
which  he  believed  to  be  right  and  nothing  could  swerve  him  from  the  path  of 
duty  that  he  was  conscientiously  following.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  bom 
a  son  and  two  daughters :  Mrs.  Townsend,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Avon,  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1854;  Lou,  the  wife  of  W.  S.  Bliss,  of  Avon;  and  Ernest  C.,  who  is 
living  in  Pontiac,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Townsend  now  have  three  children: 
Lora,  the  wife  of  Frederick  Dickinson,  of  Winnetka,  Illinois,  and  the  mother 
of  a  daughter,  Dorothy ;  Nellie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Everett  Hinchliff,  a  lumber- 
man of  Galesburg,  and  the  mother  of  one  child,  Virginia ;  and  Fern,  at  home. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Townsend  hold  membership  in  the  Universalist  church  and 
he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Never  faltering  in  his 


56      '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ': 

allegiance  to  the  republican  party  he  has  done  much  to  promote  its  success  and 
has  been  called  to  various  public  offices,  serving  as  supervisor  for  eleven  years, 
as  township  clerk  for  two  years,  as  county  treasurer  for  four  years,  as  state 
senator  for  eight  years  and  as  United  States  marshal  for  five  years.  Thus  duties 
of  an  important  character  have  devolved  upon  him  in  which  connection  he  has 
ever  proved  himself  loyal  to  the  general  good,  placing  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
monwealth before  self-aggrandizement  and  at  no  time  regarding  public  office 
as  a  personal  asset.  Regarded  as  a  citizen  and  in  his  social  relations  he  be- 
longs to  that  public-spirited,  useful  and  helpful  type  of  men  whose  motives  and 
desires  are  centered  and  directed  in  those  channels  through  which  flows  the 
greatest  and  most  permanent  good  to  the  greatest  number. 


;•  WEBB  A.  HERLOCKER. 

>     Webb  A.  Herlocker  is  one  of  the  younger  representatives  of  the  Galesburg    • 
bar  and  yet  his  comparative  youth  does  not  seem  to  interpose  a  limit  upon  his 
progress  and  success  for  he  is  now  accorded  a  clientage  that  many  an  older    •'. 
practitioner  might  well  envy.     At  the  outset  of  his  career,  however,  he  recog- 
nized the  fact  that  he  was  entering  upon  a  profession  wherein  advancement 
can  only  be  secured  through  individual  merit  and  ability. 

Mr.   Herlocker  was  born  in  Milford,  Missouri,   May  27,   i88i,  his  parents    .' 
being  Daniel  A.  and  Florence  Emma  (Earp)  Herlocker.     The  father  was  born    ' 
in  the  southeast  part  of  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  April  27,   1851,  and  the 
mother's  birth  occurred   in  Blandensville  in  the  same  county.  May  21.   1858.      '. 
Daniel  A.  Herlocker  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
county  and  afterward  attended  the  Christian  College  at  Abingdon.     He  after-    . 
ward  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  a  few  years  in  McDonough  county  and  then     . 
entered  the  drug  business  at  Sciota,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  1884.     In    5 
that  year  he  was  appointed  deputy  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  and  removed  to 
Macomb,   Illinois,   filling  the   position   for   four  years.     On  the  expiration   of     . 
that  period  he  became  a  resident  of  Table  Grove,  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  again  engaged  in  the  drug  business  until  about  1905,  when  he  retired.     He 
still  makes  his  home  in  that  town  but  is  not  connected  with  commercial  or  other    '  : 
business  interests  at  the  present  time.    He  votes  with  the  democratic  party  which    ' 
he  has  always  supported  by  his  ballot  and  influence  and,  aside  from  serving  as    •' 
deputy  court  clerk,  he  has  been  village  clerk,  a  member  of  the  village  board    , 
of  trustees  and  school  director.     He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Univer- 
salist  church  and  their  well  spent  lives  commend  them  to  the  confidence  and    ^ 
high  regard  of  all.    It  was  on  the  2ist  of  May,  1876,  in  Blandensville  that  they     : 
were  married  and  unto  them  have  been  born  three  children,  Webb  A.,  Ward      > 
G.  and  Emma  Wynette.    The  last  two  are  twins  and  were  born  at  Sciota,  June    : 

3,  1884. 

Webb  A.  Herlocker  largely  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Table  Grove  and  later  entered  the  Lombard  University,   from  which  he  was     . 


:    •  •        mSTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i     >  ?;'- 

graduated  with  the  class  of  1903.     He  next  entered  the  Valparaiso  University     \ 
Law  School  at  Valparaiso,  Indiana,  and  completed  his  course  with  the  class     '  .    •  x. 
of  1907.     He  then  came  to  Galesburg  and  entered  into  partnership  with  Charles     .  ^ 
S.  Harris,  this  relation  continuing  until   1908,   when  the  partnership  was   dis-    ;  ,.     , 
solved  and  Mr.  Herlocker  has  since  remained  alone  in  general  practice  of  his 
profession.     He  carefully  and  systematically  prepares  his   cases  and  presents     ;;      • 
his  cause   in   clear  and   forceful   manner,   his  deductions   following  in   logical    :, 
sequence.  :    •.^" 

Mr.  Herlocker  is  pleasantly  situated  in  his  home  life,  having  been  married 
on  the  28th  of  April,  1910,  to  Miss  Fannie  Porter,  a  daughter  of  Horace  G.      J 
and  Eldora  (Carter)  Porter,  of  DeLand,  Illinois.     The  only  child  of  this  mar-    ... 
riage  is  Robert  D.,  who  was  born  in  Galesburg,  April   lo,  1911.  ,    .^ 

Mr.  Herlocker  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  but  his  public  service  ,. 

has  always  been  done  in  other  connections  rather  than  as  an  office-holder.     He    ' 
belongs  to  the  Universalist  church,  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks 
and  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  camp.     He  likewise  belongs  to  the  Sigma  Nu.  a 
college  fraternity,  and  to  the  Galesburg  Club.     He  was  manager  of  the  Lom- 
bard University  Review  and  also  president  of  the  Erosophian  Literary  Society 
during  his  college  days,  and  was  on  the  Varsity  baseball  team,  of  which  he   v 
was  captain  for  a  year.    He  was  likewise  a  delegate  to  the  Delta  Theta  chapter 
for  the  Sigma  Nu  fraternity  at  the  grand  chapter  at  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,     ;     v 
in  1904.     He  was  president  of  the  junior  class  at  Valparaiso  University  and    ' 
played  baseball  there  for  two  years,  being  captain  of  the  team  during  the  senior 
year.     He  has  ever  been  interested  in  athletics  and  manly  outdoor  sports  and       .,. 
thus  preserves  an  even  balance  in  his  physical  and  mental  development.     His 
interests  are  wide  and  varied  and  bring  him  into  close  connection  with  many      ; 
activities,  all  of  which  are  commendable  forces  in  a  well  rounded  character.    .  ':      • 


:.':  ;;..••;./:;'        -;  •"•;/ JAMES  SHERMAN  ALLEN.       :         ' 'v';: '•- '. --..'i'/ 

No  history  of  Knox  county  would  be  complete  without  extended  reference 
to  James  Sherman  Allen,  who  is  now  seventy-five  years  of  age  and  has  spent 
the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  this  locality,  his  memory  forming  a  connecting  link 
between  the  primitive  past  with  all  of  its  hardships  and  privations  and  the  pro- 
gressive present  with  its  opportunities  and  advantages.  He  was  born  in  Oneida 
county.  New  York,  October  22,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  Sheldon  William  and  Fi- 
delia (Leach)  Allen,  who  are  mentioned  at  length  on  another  page  of  this  vol- 
lume,  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  their  son,  Albert  H.  Allen.  James  S. 
Allen  can  remember  nothing  concerning  the  trip  to  the  west  for  he  was  only 
a  year  and  a  half  old  when  the  father  brought  his  wife  and  children  to  Illinois, 
driving  across  the  country  by  team.  It  was  a  long  and  arduous  journey  and 
after  arriving  here  there  were  many  privations  to  be  met  which  are  always  in- 
cident to  pioneer  life. 

James  S.  Allen  shared  with  the  family  in  the  usual  experiences  incident  to 
settlement  upon  the  frontier  and  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education  he  attended 


58  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;-'V;. 

the  common  schools  of  Galesburg  and  also  Knox  College.  He  early  became 
familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist  for  he 
worked  with  his  father  in  the  fields  from  an  early  age  and  also  assisted  him  in 
the  butchering  business,  cutting  the  first  round  stead  in  Galesburg.  He  continued 
with  his  father  until  he  had  attained  his  majority  and  then  came  into  possession 
of  one-half  of  the  butchering  business,  his  partner  in  the  enterprise  being  Gideon 
Prentice.  They  were  associated  in  the  conduct  of  a  meat  market  until  1875, 
when  they  sold  out  to  Mr.  Allen's  brothers.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to 
general  farming  and  to  the  buying  and  shipping  of  stock,  being  associated  in  the 
latter  undertaking  with  A.  W.  Ferris  and  H.  P.  Berglin.  In  1886  Mr.  Allen 
removed  to  Russell  county,  Kansas,  where  he  again  followed  farming  for  a 
period  of  fourteen  years,  or  until  1900.  In  1901  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and 
has  since  lived  retired,  the  success  which  he  had  attained  in  his  former  labors 
providing  amply  all  of  the  necessities  and  comforts  of  life. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  1858,  Mr.  Allen  had  married  Miss  Amy  S.  Mitchell, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Bethany  (Lee)  Mitchell  who  were  then  residents  of 
Galesburg,  but  were  natives  of  Dutchess  county.  New  York.  They  came  to 
this  city  at  an  early  day  and  the  father  made  farming  his  life  work.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  are  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Allen,  who  was  born  in  Galesburg,  was 
called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  9th  of  January,  1890,  while  living  in  Russell  county, 
Kansas,  and  her  loss  was  an  almost  irreparable  blow  to  her  husband,  for  they 
had  traveled  life's  journey  together  for  almost  a  third  of  a  century.  Mrs. 
Allen  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Allen 
votes  with  the  prohibition  party,  which  indicates  his  position  concerning  the  tem- 
perance question.  He  regards  the  use  of  intoxicants  as  one  of  the  grave  evils 
of  the  country  and  does  all  in  his  power  to  prevent  their  further  use.  In  fact, 
his  influence  has  ever  been  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement,  of  reform 
and  advancement.  As  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  county  he  has  witnessed 
a  wonderful  transformation  here.  Much  of  the  land  was  still  unimproved  and 
uncultivated  at  the  time  of  his  arrival  and  he  can  remember  when  the  prairies 
presented  one  dazzling  unbroken  sheet  of  snow  during  the  winter  months,  while 
in  June  they  were  starred  with  millions  of  wild  flowers.  In  all  the  work  that  has 
brought  about  modern  progress  and  improvement  he  has  been  much  interested 
and  has  aided  to  the  extent  of  his  ability  in  the  development  and  growth  of  the 
county.  He  can  relate  many  interesting  incidents  of  the  early  days  and  is  an 
authority  on  various  matters  of  history. 


JUDGE  J.  D.  WELSH. 


Judge  J.  D.  Welsh,  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Knox  county  bar,  well 
merits  the  success  and  honor  that  has  come  to  him  in  this  connection,  for  he 
has  ever  been  careful  to  conform  his  practice  to  a  high  standard  of  profes- 
sional ethics  and,  while  he  has  given  to  his  client  the  service  of  well  developed 
talent,  unwearied  industry  and  broad  learning,  he  never  forgets  that  there 
are  certain  things  due  to  the  court,  to  his  own  self-respect  and  above  all  to  justice 
and  a  righteous  administration  of  the  law  which  neither  the  zeal  of  an  advocate 


58  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COL'XTY 

the  coiiinion  scliools  of  Galesburg  and  also  Knox  College.  Me  early  became 
familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist  for  he 
worked  with  his  father  in  the  fields  from  an  early  age  and  also  assisted  him  in 
the  butchering  business,  cutting  the  first  round  stead  in  Galesburg.  He  continued 
with  his  father  until  he  had  attained  his  majority  and  then  came  into  possession 
of  one-half  of  the  butchering  business,  his  partner  in  the  enterprise  being  Gideon 
Prentice.  They  were  associated  in  the  conduct  of  a  meat  market  until  1875, 
when  they  sold  out  to  Mr.  Allen's  brothers.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to 
general  farming  and  to  the  buying  and  shipping  of  stock,  being  associated  in  the 
latter  undertaking  with  A.  \\'.  Ferris  and  H.  1'.  Berglin.  In  1886  Mr.  Allen 
removed  to  Russell  county.  Kansas,  where  he  again  followed  farming  for  a 
period  of  fourteen  years,  or  until  1900.  In  1901  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and 
has  since  lived  retired,  the  success  which  he  had  attained  in  his  former  labors 
providing  amply  all  of  the  necessities  and  comforts  of  life. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  1858,  Mr.  Allen  had  married  Miss  .\my  S.  Mitchell, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Bethany  (Lee)  Mitchell  who  were  then  residents  of 
Galesburg.  but  were  natives  of  Dutchess  county.  Xew  York.  They  came  to 
this  city  at  an  early  day  and  the  father  made  farming  his  life  work.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  are  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Allen,  who  was  torn  in  Galesburg.  was 
called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  9th  of  January.  1890.  while  living  in  Russell  county, 
Kansas,  and  her  loss  was  an  almost  irreparable  blow  to  her  husband,  for  they 
had  traveled  life's  journey  together  for  almost  a  third  of  a  century.  Mrs. 
Allen  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Allen 
votes  with  the  prohibition  party,  which  indicates  his  position  concerning  the  tem- 
perance question.  He  regards  the  use  of  intoxicants  as  one  of  the  grave  evils 
of  the  country  and  does  all  in  his  power  to  prevent  their  further  use.  In  fact. 
his  influence  has  ever  been  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement,  of  reform 
and  advancement.  As  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  county  he  has  witnessed 
a  wonderful  transformation  here.  Much  of  the  land  was  still  unimproved  and 
uncultivated  at  the  time  of  his  arrival  and  he  can  remember  when  the  prairies 
presented  one  dazzling  unbroken  sheet  of  snow  during  the  winter  months,  while 
in  June  they  were  starred  with  millions  of  wild  Howers.  In  all  the  work  that  has 
brought  about  modern  j^rogress  and  improvement  he  has  been  much  interested 
and  has  aided  to  the  extent  of  his  ability  in  the  development  and  growth  of  the 
county.  He  can  relate  many  interesting  incidents  of  the  early  days  and  is  an 
authority  on  various  matters  of  history. 


'    '•  JUDGE  J.  D.  WELSH. 

Judge  J.  D.  Welsh,  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Knox  county  bar.  well 
merits  the  success  and  honor  that  has  come  to  him  in  this  connection,  for  he 
has  ever  been  careful  to  conform  his  practice  to  a  high  standard  of  profes- 
sional ethics  and.  while  he  has  given  to  his  client  the  service  of  well  developed 
talent,  unwearied  industry  and  broad  learning,  he  never  forgets  that  there 
are  certain  things  due  to  the  court,  to  his  own  self-respect  and  above  all  to  justice 
and  a  righteous  administration  of  the  law  which  neither  the  zeal  of  an  advocate 


:  :   .'    V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ";-:  ^-^ 

:  :•     •;.-..••  -.I,       -  .  ;-  '     V  7.  ••'.'•;"-;   '  -  VV 

nor  the  pleasure  of  success  permits  him  to  disregard.  He  is  now  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Williams,  Lawrence,  Welsh,  Green  &  McFarland,  having  entered 
upon  this  connection  since  his  retirement  from  the  county  bench. 

Judge  Welsh  was  bom  in  a  log  cabin  in  Truro  township,  this  county,  Sep- 
tember lO,  1858,  a  son  of  Michael  Welsh  and  a  grandson  of  William  Welsh. 
The  latter  was  a  farmer  of  Ireland,  where  he  died  when  more  than  seventy- 
five  years  of  age.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary  Hoben, 
passed  away  in  middle  life.  Their  family  numbered  three  sons,  Edward,  Rich- 
ard and  Michael.  The  last  named  was  born  and  reared  in  Ireland  and  pur- 
sued his  education  there.  He  came  to  the  new  world  when  a  young  man  of  twenty 
years,  arriving  in  1850,  and,  making  his  way  into  the  interior  of  the  country,  he 
settled  at  Maquon,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  In 
1853,  however,  he  removed  to  Truro  township,  Knox  county,  where  he  purchased 
and  improved  a  farm,  making  it  his  home  for  more  than  a  half  century.  He 
won  a  creditable  position  among  the  industrious  and  progressive  agriculturists 
of  the  community  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  appreciative  of  his  worth  and 
ability,  called  him  to  a  number  of  local  offices.  He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
for  twenty  years  and  made  the  notable  record  of  never  having  an  appeal  from 
his  decisions — such  was  the  fairness  and  impartiality  of  his  opinions.  He  was 
also  collector  and  assessor  for  a  number  of  terms  and  served  as  school  trustee. 
He  married  Catharine  Grace,  who,  like  her  husband,  was  born  in  County  Kil- 
kenny, Ireland.  Her  parents  were  John  and  Catharine  Grace,  farming  people 
of  Ireland,  where  both  passed  away.  They  had  a  large  family,  which  included 
John,  Catharine,  Stacia  and  others  whose  names  are  not  remembered.  Unto 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Michael  Welsh  there  were  born  seven  children : 
William  M.,  now  residing  in  Williamsfield,  Illinois ;  Alice,  the  wife  of  David 
Cloonen,  of  Zearing,  Iowa ;  Benonia  P.,  also  a  resident  of  Williamsfield ;  J.  D. : 
Jay.  who  makes  his  home  in  Williamsfield ;  M.  M.,  a  practicing  physician  of 
Odell,  Illinois ;  and  Mary,  the  wife  of  Richard  Judge,  of  Pontiac,  Illinois.  The 
parents  were  both  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  passed  away  in  that  faith, 
the  mother's  death  occurring  six  months  prior  to  the  demise  of  her  husband  on 
the  28th  of  July,  1908.  He  was  then  seventy-seven  years  of  age  and  in  his  pass- 
ing the  county  lost  one  of  its  worthy  and  respected  pioneer  farmers. 

Judge  Welsh  was  reared  on  the  old  homestead  in  Truro  township  and  early 
became  familiar  with  the  work  of  tilling  the  fields.  After  attending  the  district 
schools  he  was  sent  to  Lombard  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1885.  Subsequently  he  attended  the  law  school  of  the  Illinois  Wesleyan 
University  at  Bloomington  and  in  June,  1887,  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He 
located  for  practice  in  Springfield,  Missouri,  where  he  remained  for  two  years, 
and  then  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  has  since  followed  his  profession  as  an 
active  practitioner  save  that  for  four  years  he  was  county  judge,  filling  the  office 
from  December,  1902,  until  December,  1906.  In  his  practice  from  1890  until 
1895  he  was  associated  with  George  W.  Prince  and  in  August  of  the  latter  year 
entered  into  partnership  with  E.  P.  Williams  and  George  A.  Lawrence  under 
the  firm  name  of  Williams,  Lawrence  &  Welsh.  At  the  same  time  there  were 
associated  with  them  E.  N.  and  Guy  P.  Williams  and  the  present  style  of  the 
firm  is  Williams,  Lawrence,  Welsh,  Green  &  McFarland,  F.  O.  McFarland  hav- 
ing been  admitted  to  the  firm  relationship.  During  his  practice  Judge  Welsh 


62        •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    v. 

has  conducted  important  litigation  in  the  federal  and  state  courts  with  gratifying  , 
success,  winning  well  earned  fame  and  distinction.  He  has  much  natural  ability  •• 
but  is  withal  a  hard  student  and  is  never  contented  until  he  has  mastered  every  •.;. 
detail  of  his  cases.  He  believes  in  the  maxim  "there  is  no  excellence  without  <; 
labor"  and  follows  it  closely.  He  is  never  surprised  by  some  unexpected  dis-  . 
covery  by  an  opposing  lawyer,  for  in  his  mind  he  weighs  every  point  and  forti-  - 
fies  himself  as  well  for  defense  as  for  attack.  There  are  few  lawyers  who  win  :• 
a  larger^- percentage  of  their  cases  before  either  judge  or  jury  than  does  J.  D.  y 
Welsh.  He  convinces  by  his  concise  statements  of  law  and  facts  rather  than  : 
by  word  paintings  and  so  high  is  the  respect  for  his  legal  ability  and  integrity  '••• 
that  his  assertions  in  court  are  seldom  questioned  seriously.  In  addition  to  his  •:; 
law  practice  he  is  a  director  of  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank. 

Judge  Welsh  was  married  June  27,  1888,  to  Miss  Ella  C.  McCullough,  who    •'- 
was  born  in  Galesburg,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  K.  and  Emily  Rosina,  (Reed)  •  . 
McCullough,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  New  York.  .'• 
They  became  early  residents  of   Galesburg,  where   Mr.    McCullough   was   em-  ; 
ployed  as  foreman  by  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company,  re-  r 
maining  in  the  service  of  that  company  from  1856  until  his  death  save  for  the  ,.. 
period  of  three  years  spent  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union 'army  during  the  Civil  war. 
He  died  in  igoi,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years,  and  is  survived  by  his  wife.    They  ; 
had  but  two  daughters,  Ella  and  Estella,  the  latter  the  wife  of  Charles  E.  Dud-  . 
ley.    Unto  Judge  and  Mrs.  Welsh  has  been  born  a  son,  Vernon  M.,  who  is  a    - 
junior  at    Knox    College.     The   parents  are   associated   with   the   Universalist .:. 
church  and  Judge  Welsh  is  a  trustee  of  Lombard  College,  conducted  under  the 
auspices  of  that  denomination.     He  belongs  to  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  and  to  Galesburg  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.     His  political  views  accord  with  . 
the  pirnciples  of  the   republican  party.     He  is  worthily   regarded   as   an  able,  > 
faithful  and  conscientious  minister  in  the  temple  of  justice  and  in  his  private  v 
life  the  simple  worth  of  his  character  has  gained  him  the  high  regard  of  his   ,. 
f  ellowmen. 


HENRY  W.  GILES,  M.  D. 


Dr.  Henry  W.  Giles,  who  for  the  past  ten  years  has  been  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  Knoxville,  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  on  the 
28th   of   March,    i86l.     His   parents   were   Thomas   and   Margaret    (Poplett)  ^ 
Giles,  the  father,  a  son  of  Thomas  Giles,  one  of  the  guards  of  Napoleon  Bona-  .  v 
parte,  was  born  on  the  island  of  St.  Helena,  February  28,  1814.    Thomas  Giles,  -  . 
Jr.,  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  father  first  locating  in  the  state  of  New  '  ; 
York,  where  he  remained  until  1836,  when  he  came  to  Illinois  locating  in  Peoria. 
There  he  continued  to  reside  during  the  remainder  of  his  life  devoting  his     _. 
energies  during  the  entire  period  of  his  active  career  to  farming.     The  mother     . 
was  a  daughter  of  Thompson  Poplett,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  r . 
county,  where  she  was  reared  to  womanhood.     She  passed  away  on  August  7,    -' 
1875,  while  the  father  survived  for  eighteen  years  thereafter,  his  demise  occurring  ;, 
September  7,  1893.    ^^^-  ^"fl  Mrs.  Thomas  Giles  were  married  March  7,  1850,  and  ^ 


yL,i  -      •   :    :     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      '    ^  .  :  V\ es 

to  them  were  born  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living ;  Joseph  W.,  the  eldest 
born  January  13,  1853,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Peoria  county;  William 
Nelson,  born  March  9,  1858,  who  is  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  Wataga,  Illinois; 
George,  born  March  26,  1863,  also  a  farmer  of  Peoria  county ;  Mary  Helena, 
born  December  24,  1865,  the  wife  of  George  Yates,  a  farmer  of  Peoria  county ; 
and  Henry  W.,  our  subject.  .  ..  ;  - 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Henry  W.  Giles  were  spent  beneath  the  paternal 
roof,  his  education  being  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Peoria  county.  After 
leaving  school,  for  a  time  he  engaged  in  farm  work,  but  later  was  employed  in 
a  medical  laboratory  in  Peoria,  where  he  remained  for  four  years.  Ehiring  that 
period  he  decided  to  adopt  the  medical  profession  for  his  life  vocation  and  sub- 
sequently entered  the  Keokuk  Medical  College,  from  which  institution  he  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  M.  D.,  the  knowledge  therein  gleaned  being  supplemented 
by  a  post-graduate  course  in  Chicago.  He  began  his  career  as  a  practitioner  in 
the  state  of  Iowa,  removing  from  there  to  Wataga,  where  he  remained  until 
1902,  when  he  established  an  office  in  Knoxville,  that  he  has  ever  since  suc- 
cessfully maintained.  During  his  residence  here  he  has  built  up  a  substantial 
medical  practice  in  the  town  and  surrounding  country,  while  his  services  as  a 
surgeon  are  in  much  demand.  Thorough  in  his  methods,  sympathetic  and  help- 
ful in  his  manner  and  conscientious  in  his  devotion  to  those  who  enlist  his  ser- 
vices. Dr.  Giles  has  become  very  popular  both  professionally  and  socially ;  those, 
who  are  suffering  from  ills  of  any  nature  whatsoever,  knowing  that  in  him  they 
will  always  find  one  graciously  willing  to  alleviate  their  sufferings,  if  possible. 

Peoria,  Illinois,  was  the  scene  of  Dr.  Giles'  marriage,  on  the  26th  of  No- 
vember, 1891,  to  Miss  Christiana  Schildwachter.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Giles  were 
natives  of  Germany,  whence  they  came  to  America,  first  locating  in  Missouri. 
After  the  war  they  removed  to  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  where  Mrs.  Giles  was 
born  and  reared.  The  father  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother  is  living  and 
continues  to  make  her  home  in  Tazewell  county.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Giles  there 
have  been  born  four  children:  Clark  W.,  born  August  29,  1892,  who  is  a  student;. 
Willard  T.,  born  March  25,  1896;  Ruth  H.,  born  February  27,  1898,  and 
Howard  H.,  born  March  17,  1903. 

The  family  affiliate  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of 
which  they  take  an  earnest  and  helpful  interest,  while  Dr.  Giles  keeps  in  touch 
with  the  members  of  his  profession  through  the  medium  of  his  membership 
in  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Association  and  Knox  County  Medical  Society. 
Dr.  Giles  has  always  exerted  an  immeasureable  infiuence  for  good  in  the  com- 
munity, where  he  has  done  effective  service  in  behalf  of  general  progress  and 
improvement. 


'    ^  r';     LAFAYETTE  WEIN  BERG.  :    -   .  -    ^  ^  v  ; 

The  prosperity  and  growth  of  every  community  depends  not  so  much  upon 
its  machinery  of  government  or  even  upon  the  men  who  fill  its  public  offices  as 
upon  the  enterprise  and  the  character  of  the  men  who  are  controlling  its  commer- 
cial and  industrial  interests.  Prominent  in  this  connection  is  Lafayette  Wein- 
berg,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Weinberg  Brothers,  wholesale  dealers  in  fruits 


64  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  •  .  '. 

and  produce,  conducting  also  a  freezer  and  cold-storage  business.     Along  the  • 
legitimate  lines  of  trade  they  have  secured  an  extensive  patronage  and  the  busi-   '  ; 
ness  in  its  volume  and  importance  is  a  satisfactory  one,  bringing  annually  very 
substantial  returns.  •-     :;  :  :'  '       .      :  ;    |       \      /•    ' 

Mr.  Weinberg  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  Illinois,  his  birth  having  occurred 
in  Augusta,  January  3,   1868.     The  surname  indicates  the  ancestral  connection  ;  ' 
of  the   family.     The  grandfather,   Isaac  Weinberg,  was  a  native  of  Rehburg,  ;.. 
Germany,  and  served  for  thirteen  years  as  a  soldier  in  the  German  army,  during    .• 
which  period  he  participated   in  the  battle  of  Waterloo.     He  was   connected    - 
with  the  cavalry  branch  of  the  service.     To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  four   .,- 
children,  Jacob,  Simon,  Fredericka  and  Regina.     Of  this  number  Simon  Wein- 
berg was  the  father  of  Lafayette  Weinberg.     He,  too,  was  bom  in  Germany, 
near  Rehburg,  and  was  reared  in  that  land,  there  learning  the  butcher's  trade.     .; 
The  favorable  reports  which  he  heard  concerning  America  and  its  business  con-   ^ 
ditions  and  opportunities  determined  him  to  try  his  fortune  in  this  country,  and    , 
on  the  day  on  which  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  landed  in  the  United   '. 
States.    He  first  located  in  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained,  for  several  years,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  Augusta.   Illinois,  where  he  established  a  butchering 
business  and  general  mercantile  store,  continuing  in  this  line  of  trade  throughout  :•  • 
the  remainder  of  his  life.     He  married  Louisa  Jurgins,  who  was  born  in  the 
same  locality  as  was  her  husband.     Her  father,  too,  was  a  native  of  Germany 
and  on  coming  to  America  settled  near  Cincinnati,  where  his  remaining  days   •  : 
were  passed.     Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  bom   four  children,  Louisa,  Mary, 
William  and  Henry.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simon  Weinberg  became  the  parents  of     - 
nine  sons  and  nine  daughters:  Regina,  the  wife  of  John  Tarr,  now  living  in    .' 
Moravia,  Iowa ;  Jacob,  deceased ;  Joseph,  a  resident  of  Augusta ;  Elizabeth,  the    • . 
wife  of  B.  E.  Bacon,  of  Pleasanton,  California ;  Fredericka,  the  wife  of  F.  M.    v 
King,  of  Augusta,  Illinois;  Deena,  the  deceased  wife  of  G.  S.  Stark;  Mina    the 
wife  of  C.  M.  Allens^i^orth,  of  Galesburg;  Moses,  living  in  Rushville,  Illinois;      ; 
Marv,  the  wife  of  George  Worman,  of  Grubgulch,  California;  Pearlie,  the  wife  -^ 
of  F.  A.  Reiche,  of  Moravia,  Iowa;  Abraham  L.,  who  is  in  partnership  with     : 
his  brother  Lafayette;   Aaron,   living  in   Augusta;   Lafayette,  of  this    review;     • 
Zeline,  ofGalesburg ;  Adolph,  of  Augusta ;  and  Simon,  who  died  when  twenty-    .; 
five  yearsot  age.     Two  of  the  children  died  in  infancy. 

The  father's  death  occurred  in  Augusta  in  1901,  when  he  had  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-three  years,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in   1895.  when   : 
sixty-three  years  of  age.     She  held  membership  with  the  Presbyterian  church, 
while  Mr.  Weinberg  was  reared  in  the  Israelite  faith.  ? 

Spending  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  town,  Lafayette  Weinberg  attended    .  j- 
the  public  schools  there  until  1888,  when  he  entered  Knox  College  in  Galesburg,     : 
being  graduated  on  the  completion  of  the  commercial  course.     He  made  his    . 
initial  step  in  the  commercial  world  in  connection  with  the  wholesale  fruit  and     : 
produce  business  of  Byram  Brothers,  entering  into  partnership  under  the  name   '• : 
of  Byram  Brothers  &  Weinberg,  which  connection  continued  for  a  little  more  y 
than  a  year.     Since  then  his  brother  Abraham  L.  has  been  associated  with  him     ' 
under  the  firm  style  of  Weinberg  Brothers.     Gradually  they  hsve  built  up  an 
extensive  business,  handling  everything  that  the  market  affords  in  fruit  and  pro- 
duce and  conducting  as  well  a  cold-storage  and  freezer  business.    Both  branches  \,' 


';•;:;:?    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,       : ' 

are  proving  profitable  owing  to  their  capable  management,  unfaltering  energy, 
and  thoroughly  reliable  business  methods. 

On  the  23d  of  November.  1893,  Lafayette  Weinberg  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Mabel  L.  Babcock,  a  daughter  of  Charles  M.  and  Margaret  (McChes- 
ney)  Babcock.  Mrs.  Weinberg  was  born  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  her  father 
was  a  native  of  New  York,  while  her  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Illinois.  Mr. 
Babcock  came  as  an  early  settler  to  Knox  county,  this  state,  establishing  his 
home  in  Galesburg,  where  his  last  days  were  passed,  his  death  occurring  in  1906, 
when  he  was  sixty-three  years  of  age.  His  widow  still  survives  and  now  makes 
her  home  in  Los  Angeleg,  California.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  George  M.,  Mabel  L.,  Clara  and  Frank  O.  The  marriage  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weinberg  has  been  blessed  with  five  children,  of  whom  three  are 
now  living,  Helen  Louise,  Dorothy  and  Fayette.  The  last  two  are  attending 
school  and  the  older  daughter  was  graduated  from  the  Galesburg  high  school  in 
the  spring  of  1911. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Weinberg  has  always  been  a  democrat  since  age 
conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  he  keeps  well  informed  on  the 
questions  and  issues  of  the  day,  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office. 
That  he  is  a  man  of  social,  genial  nature  is  attested  by  his  membership  in  the 
Soangetaka  Country  Club.  He  belongs  also  to  the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  Club 
and  is  interested  in  all  of  its  projects  for  the  welfare  and  improvement  of  the  city 
along  the  various  lines  that  contribute  to  the  city's  growth  and  development. 
His  life  record  has  no  spectacular  phases  but  it  stands  as  incontrovertible  proof 
of  what  may  be  accomplished  through  determination,  energy  and  ambition. 
Mr.  Weinberg  is  today  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  merchants  and  busi- 
ness men  of  Galesburg,  honored  and  respected  by  all,  not  only  for  what  he  has 
accomplished,  but  also  for  the  straightforward  methods  which  have  ever  char- 
acterized his  business  career. 


•      :.       •  \;;-      ERNEST  T.  S.  MASON.     •.  ;•-'.;.•  ''/-v',: 

Ernest  T.  S.  Mason,  who  since  May,  1900,  has  been  general  agent  at  Gales- 
burg for  the  Penn  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  his  district  covering  ten 
counties  in  western  Illinois,  was  born  in  Farmington,  Fulton  county,  this  state, 
on  the  2ist  of  August.  1865.     His  father.  Rev.  William  C.  Mason,  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1820,  and  was  educated  in  the  Washing-     - 
ton  and  Jefferson  College  of  that  state,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1847.     He  then  began  preaching  in  Ohio  and  later  removed  to  Illinois, 
where  he  arrived  in  1849.    For  ^  time  he  was  pastor  of  the  church  at  Le  Claire,    ; 
Iowa,  and  also  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Port  Bryan,  Illinois.     His  last 
charge  was  at  Farmington,  this  state.     During  the  period  of  the  Civil  war  he 
enlisted  as  chaplain  of  the  Seventy-first  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  and  went  with 
Thomas  to  Atlanta.    He  also  worked  in  the  hospital  at  different  times  and  re-    •: 
turned  from  the  army  with  broken  health,  the  hardships  of  war  resulting  in  his 
death,  on  the  2Oth  of  December,  1870.     In  early  manhood  he  had  wedded  Mary 
Osborne,  who  was  born  in  Cadiz,  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  February  8,  1821.  She    ' 


^IW^-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;     .;:  V 

survived  her  husband  for  a  number  of  years,  passing  away  in  November,  1904. 
She,  too,  held  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was  his  able  assist- 
ant in  the  discharge  of  his  pastoral  work.    His  political  views  were  in  accord  with 
the  principles  of  the  republican  party.     The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason 
.     was  celebrated  in  1848  and  unto  them  were  born  seven  children:  Alexander 
.     O.,  who  is  living  in  Chicago;  William  S.,  who  died  February  23,  1911 ;  John  M., 
of  Chicago ;  Clarence  H.,  of  Chetopa,  Kansas ;  Ernest  T.  S. ;  Mrs.  Sarah  Amanda 
Taten,  who  died  December  i6,  1904;  and  Mary  Blanche,  who  died  in  1866. 

Ernest  T.  S.  Mason  completed  his  education  in  the  Galesburg  high  school 
and  throughout  the  intervening  period  has  been  identified  with  the  insurance 
business.  For  seventeen  years  he  was  connected  with  the  Covenant  Mutual 
Life  Insurance  Company  and  then  became  general  agent  of  the  Penn  Mutual  Life 
Insurance  Company  in  May,  1900.  In  this  connection  he  has  jurisdiction  over 
ten  counties  in  Western  Illinois  and  has  under  his  control  a  corps  of  able  rep- 
.  resentatives  who  are  building  up  for  the  company  a  large  and  substantial  busi- 
ness in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Mason  is  thoroughly  in  touch  with  the  work 
in  his  territory  and  his  own  capability  and  zeal  enthuse  those  who  are  working 
under  his  direction.  .  '  .. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1891,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Mason  and 
Miss  Maude  Alberta  Templeton,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  F.  and  Mary  (Arnold) 
Templeton.  The  children  born  unto  them  are:  Donald,  whose  birth  occurred 
September  9,  1893;  Marjorie  Maude,  born  September  23,  1895;  and  Nancy 
Brooke,  born  February  2,  1897.  The  wife  and  mother  died  December  6,  1904, 
and  on  the  3Oth  of  October,  1907,  Mr.  Mason  was  married  to  Miss  Etta  Inger- 
soll,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Lois  (Van  Orman)  Ingersoll,  of  Galesburg. 

In  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Mason  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  lodge 
and  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Galesburg 
Club  and  attends  the  Presbyterian  church,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  political  views  accord  with  the  principles  of 
^  the  republican  party,  but  he  has  never  sought  or  desired  office,  believing  it  pref- 
erable to  concentrate  all  his  energies  upon  his  business  affairs,  and  that  he  was 
wise  in  so  doing  is  indicated  in  the  advancement  which  has  come  to  him,  giv- 
ing him  a  prominent  position  in  the  insurance  circles  of  the  city. 


:;  JOHN  GILPIN  VIVION.       ;:  ^ . 

John  Gilpin  Vivion  was  at  different  times  connected  with  commercial  and 
financial  interests  in  Galesburg  and  always  maintained  a  prominent  position  as 
a  citizen  whose  activity  contributed  to  public  progress  while  his  personal  worth 
gained  for  him  the  high  regard  and  confidence  of  his  fellowmen.  He  was  born 
in  Fayette  county,  Missouri,  July  i8,  1853,  a  son  of  Dr.  John  B.  Vivion.  The 
first  twelve  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  the  county  of  his  nativity  and  in  1865 
he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Illinois,  residing  in  Adams  county 
until  1868,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  completed  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  this  city.  He  started  in  the  business  world  as  an  employe  in  the  Murdock 
dry-goods  store  and  from  there  changed  to  J.  B.  Colton,  where  he  gradually 


9&  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTV 

survived  her  husband  for  a  number  of  years,  passing  away  in  November,  1904. 
She.  too,  held  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was  his  able  assist- 
ant in  the  discharge  of  his  pastoral  work.  His  political  views  were  in  accord  with 
the  principles  of  the  republican  party.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason 
was  celebrated  in  1848  and  unto  them  were  born  seven  children;  Alexander 
()..  who  is  living  in  Chicago:  William  S.,  who  died  February  23,  1911  ;  John  M., 
of  Chicago;  Clarence  11.,  of  Chetopa,  Kansas;  Ernest  T.  S. ;  Mrs.  Sarah  Amanda 
Taten,  who  died  December  i6,  1904;  and  Mary  Blanche,  who  died  in  1866. 
.  Ernest  T.  S.  Mason  completed  his  education  in  the  Galesburg  high  school 
and  throughout  the  intervening  period  has  been  identified  with  the  insurance 
business.  For  seventeen  years  he  was  connected  with  the  Covenant  Mutual 
Life  Insurance  Company  and  then  became  general  agent  of  the  Penn  ]\Iutual  Life 
Insurance  Com])any  in  May,  1900.  In  this  connection  he  has  jurisdiction  over 
ten  counties  in  Western  Illinois  and  has  under  his  control  a  corps  of  able  rep- 
resentatives who  are  building  uj)  for  the  company  a  large  and  substantial  busi- 
ness in  this  part  of  the  state.  Mr.  Mason  is  thoroughly  in  touch  with  the  work 
in  his  territory  and  his  own  cajjability  and  zeal  enthuse  those  who  are  working 
under  his  direction. 

On  the  5th  of  N'ovember,  1891,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Mason  and 
Miss  Maude  Alberta  Templeton,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  F.  and  Mary  (Arnold) 
Templeton.  The  children  torn  unto  them  are;  Donald,  whose  birth  occurred 
September  9,  1893;  Marjorie  Maude,  Ixjrn  September  23,  1895;  and  Xancy 
Brooke,  born  February  2,  1897.  The  wife  and  mother  died  December  6,  1904, 
and  on  the  3Oth  of  October,  1907.  Mr.  Mason  was  married  to  Miss  Etta  Inger- 
soll,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Lois  (Van  Orman)  Ingersoll,  of  Galesburg. 

In  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Mason  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  lodge 
and  the  Benevolent  I'rotective  Order  of  Elks.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Galesburg 
Club  and  attends  the  Presbyterian  church,  while  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  political  views  accord  with  the  principles  of 
the  republican  party,  but  he  has  never  sought  or  desired  office,  believing  it  pref- 
erable to  concentrate  all  his  energies  upon  his  business  affairs,  and  that  he  was 
wise  in  so  doing  is  indicated  in  the  advancement  which  has  come  to  him,  giv- 
ing him  a  prominent  position  in  the  insurance  circles  of  the  city. 


JOHX  GILPIX  \  IX'IOX. 

John  Gilpin  X'ivion  was  at  different  times  connected  with  commercial  ami 
financial  interests  in  Galesburg  and  always  maintained  a  prominent  position  as 
a  citizen  whose  activity  contributed  to  jniblic  progress  while  his  personal  worth 
gained  for  him  the  high  regard  and  confidence  of  his  fellowmen.  He  was  born 
in  Fayette  county.  Missouri,  July  i8.  1853.  a  son  of  Dr.  John  P..  Vivion.  The 
first  twelve  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  the  county  of  his  nativity  and  in  1865 
he  accompanied  his  jiarcnts  on  their  removal  to  Illinois,  residing  in  Adams  county 
until  1868,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  completed  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  this  city.  He  started  in  the  business  world  as  an  emjiloye  in  the  Nfurdock 
dry-goods  store  and  from  there  changed  to  J.  P>.  Colton,  where  he  gradually 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


worked  hts  way  upward,  successive  promotions  at  length  bringing  him  to  the     . 
position  of  credit  man  in  that  establishment.     He  enjoyed  in  the  fullest  measure  -  : 
the  confidence  and  regard  of  his  employer  and  at  the  same  time  well  established  ;  - 
himself  in  public  opinion  as  a  man  of  capability,  resourcefulness  and  unassailable 
business  integrity.    At  length  he  turned  his  attention  to  financial  interests,  enter-    ; 
ing  the  Second  National  Bank  of  this  city,  and  after  a  few  years  he  was  made    •'- 
cashier  of  the  bank,  which  position  he  continued  to  occupy  until  1904,  when  the  '-- 
bank  passed  into  liquidation.     He  had  been  acting  as  credit  man  in  that  institu-     i 
tion  for  a  number  of  years  and  when  it  passed  out  of  existence  he  founded  the 
Peoples  Trust  &  Savings  Bank,  which  he  assisted  in  organizing  and  of  which 
he  was  elected  vice  president.     He  also  acted  as  their  loan  and  credit  man  and 
it  is  said  that  none  of  the  institutions  with  which  he  was  connected  ever  lost  a 
dollar  on  loans  made  on  his  recommendations.     In  1909  he  severed  his  connec-     . 
tion  with  the  bank  and  opened  an  office  in  the  Carr  building  for  the  conduct  of 
a  general  loan  business.     In  this  connection  he  secured  a  good  clientage  and  had    ' 
built  up  a  substantial  business  when  on  the  I5th  day  of  April,  1911,  he  was  called 
.to  his  final  rest.  ;.-...;/ -V'-v.:;.       ' 

In   1878  Mr.  Vivion  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Fannie  Lawrence,  a 
daughter  of  Richard  Austin  Lawrence,  of  whom  mention  is  made  elsewhere  in 
this  volume.    Both  were  well  known  socially,  having  an  extensive  circle  of  warm 
friends  in  Galesburg  and  in  other  parts  of  the  county.    Mr.  Vivion  was  affiliated 
with  the  Baptist  church  and  was  ever  loyal  to  its  teachings  and  helpful  in  its 
work,  and  his  widow  is  now  attending  this  church.     He  belongs  to  the  Gales-      • 
burg  Club,  the  Business  Men's  Club  and  to  other  commercial  and  social  organiza-    ; 
tions.     His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  democracy  but  he  never  sought      : 
nor  desired  office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  business  affairs 
which  were  capably  managed,  his  well  spent  life  gaining  for  him  the  regard  and    ' 
honor  of  all  with  whom  he  was  associated.     He  was  never  neglectful  of  any 
duty,  whether  of  a  public  or  private  nature,  and  ever  held  to  high  ideals  of  man- 
hood and  citizenship.  ;     .       .  :    .  .   •::-     .  ';    -^'       .  ,     :       ..    .,:", 


;:  .  '  DANIEL  C.  MILLER.  .    ;  V 

Among  the  members  of  the  Knoxville  legal  fraternity  Daniel  C.  Miller  oc- 
cupies  a  somewhat  unique  position,  having  first  entered  a  court  room  in  a  pro- 
fessional capacity  after  attaining  the  age  when  it  is  generally  considered  that  a 
man  has  reached  his  zenith  and  should  be  well  established  in  his  life  vocation. 
His  life  record  began  on  a  little  farm  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  his  par- 
ents  being  John  and  Leah  (Grigsby)  Miller,  the  father  also  a  native  of  Rock- 
ingham  county,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Page  county,  Virginia.  The  father 
had  three  brothers  and  two  sisters:  Henry.  Joseph,  Jacob.  Jane  and  Catherine. 
All  have  now  passed  away  with  the  exception  of  Jacob,  who  resides  in  Kansas, 
where  he  owns  about  twenty-five  hundred  acres  of  land,  his  wealth  being  esti- 
mated  at  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  Mrs.  Leah  Miller  had  one 
brcther  and  two  sisters  :  Strauther,  Jane  and  Sarah.  The  first  named  came  from 
county,  Virginia,  to  Pike  county,  Illinois,  about  fifty-six  years  ago  and 


Vol.  n—  4 


70  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .        : 

was  principal  of  the  high  school  there  until  elected  circuit  clerk,  while  later  he 
was  chosen  county  judge.  He  had  three  children,  two  sons  and  a  daughter,  the 
latter  becoming  the  wife  of  Judge  Higby,  who  is  now  judge  of  the  circuit  court 
of  Pike  county. 

In  1853,  with  his  wife  and  family,  John  Miller  removed  to  Illinois,  locating 
on  a  farm  north  of  Abingdon  in  Cedar  township.  After  residing  there  for  a 
brief  period  he  went  to  McDonough  county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  that 
he  operated  for  a  short  time,  when  he  again  settled  in  Knox  county.  This  time 
they  located  on  a  place  six  miles  east  of  Abingdon,  continuing  to  make  that  their 
home  for  many  years.  There  the  mother  passed  away,  but  the  father  was  living 
in  Ohio  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  numbered 
eight,  six  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  with  the  exception 
of  the  son  Daniel.  The  five  brothers  and  two  sisters  were  Benjamin,  John,  Jacob, 
Joseph,  Peter,  Elizabeth  and  Rebecca.  Of  these,  Jacob  Miller  lived  in  Texas  and 
at  his  death  left  to  his  wife  and  one  child  an  estate  valued  at  about  eighty 
thousand  dollars.  The  sister  Elizabeth  became  the  wife  of  Henry  Eggers,  while 
Rebecca  died  in  her  fourteenth  year. 

The  childhood  and  youth  of  Daniel  C.  Miller  contained  little  of  the  bright- 
ness and  joy  that  are  always  associated  with  young  life.  A  large  family  and 
limited  means  precluded  the  possibility  of  schooling  and  the  preparation  for  a 
full  and  well  rounded  mature  life,  such  as  every  ambitious  youth  aspires  to  at- 
tain. He  left  home  when  still  quite  young  and  went  to  work  as  a  farm  hand, 
following  this  occupation  continuously  for  many  years.  Despite  an  environ- 
ment that  was  not  conducive  to  intellectual  pursuits  and  the  exhausting  physi- 
cal toil  that  occupied  his  days,  such  spare  moments  as  he  had  were  spent  in 
reading  the  best  thoughts  of  the  greatest  minds.  These  he  dwelt  upon  during 
the  long  hours  of  his  daily  toil,  never  permitting  his  mind  to  wander  and  hover 
over  vag^e  and  indefinite  things  but  concentrating  it  upon  a  specific  line  of 
thought.  Naturally  this  training  made  of  him  not  only  a  scholar  but  a  thinker, 
and  when  at  the  age  of  forty-four  years  it  was  found  possible  for  him  to  realize 
the  ambition  of  his  life  and  begin  studying  for  the  profession  he  was  so  well 
adapted  to  follow,  he  was  fully  qualified  for  the  undertaking.  He  entered 
Wesleyan  University  at  Bloomington,  where  he  pursued  his  legal  studies,  being 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1889.  Immediately  following  his  admission  to  the 
bar,  he  established  an  office  in  Knoxville  and  has  ever  since  been  successfully 
engaged  in  practice.  A  man  of  practical  ideas,  sound  judgment  and  fine  reason- 
ing powers,  Mr.  Miller  was  readily  recognized  as  an  able  representative  of  his 
profession  and  as  a  result  has  been  entrusted  with  some  of  the  important  liti- 
gation in  his  immediate  district.  Liberal  in  his  ideas  and  broad  in  his  views, 
he  reads  widely  and  thinks  deeply  on  all  the  vital  subjects  of  the  day,  his 
opinions  always  being  regarded  as  worthy  of  consideration  because  they  are 
the  result  of  long  and  deep  deliberation.  He  possesses  a  rare  memory,  retain- 
ing every  detail  of  what  he  reads,  and  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  best  posted 
men  in  this  section  of  the  state.  ;  .  -  /' -'•^,>^'^^  -^  '  '  I  .  '  v' 

Mr.  Miller  was  married  in  1864  to  Miss  Mary  Humphrey,  a  native  of  Knox 
county,  and  to  them  was  born  one  son,  Cyrus  A.  Miller,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Alliance,  Nebraska.  From  his  first  wife  he  secured  a  legal  separation  and  after- 
ward wedded  Mary  Jane  Myrick,  a  widow  and  the  sister  of  John  Buffington. 


/;  ;.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;  )  -IRj^v 

They  lived  together* for  nineteen  years  but  at  length  decided  to  separate  and  in 
1890  Mr.  Miller  was  again  married,  his  third  union  being  with  Mrs.  Nancy 
(Adkins)  Tucker,  the  widow  of  Josiah  Tucker,  and  also  a  native  of  this  coun- 
ty, her  parents  having  been  among  the  pioneer  settlers  here.  Daniel  C.  and 
Nancy  (Adkins)  Miller  became  the  parents  of  two  children.  Nellie  C,  the  elder, 
married  Hal  Bachus,  who  is  a  decorator  in  Galesburg.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren, Louis  C.  and  Helen  I.,  the  former  born  April  i,  1909,  and  the  latter  Febru- 
ary 13,  1911.  Daniel  C.  Miller,  Jr.,  is  living  at  home  with  his  parents.  He  pos- 
sesses much  musical  talent  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Knoxville  band  for 
three  years,  playing  the  cornet  horn. 

Mr.  Miller  has  had  many  vicissitudes  in  life.  He  has  met  with  hardships, 
trials  and  privations  and  has  felt  the  sting  of  base  ingratitude  from  those  from 
whom  he  should  have  received  love  and  assistance.  However,  his  lines  have  at 
many  times  fallen  in  pleasant  places  and  he  is  now  well  established  in  business, 
is  surrounded  by  a  happy  and  contented  family  and  has  in  this  county  many 
friends. 


WILLIAM  O'R.  BRADLEY. 


The  medical  profession  of  Galesburg  has  a  prominent  and  worthy  repre- 
sentative in  Dr.  William  O'R.  Bradley,  who  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
surgery  has  demonstrated  his  wide  knowledge  of  the  scientific  principles  that 
underlie  his  work  and  his  ability  to  apply  his  knowledge  in  the  arduous  and  diffi- 
cult task  of  checking  the  ravages  of  disease.  He  opened  an  office  in  this  city 
in  1891  and  in  the  intervening  period  of  twenty  years  has  firmly  established 
himself  in  the  public  regard  not  only  as  a  capable  physician  but  also  as  a  man 
and  citizen.  He  was  born  in  Rochester,  New  York,  October  14.  i86i,  his  parents 
being  Dr.  Thomas  and  Anna  G.  (Maloney)  Bradley,  the  fprmer  a  native  of  Bel- 
fast, Ireland,  and  the  latter  of  Rochester,  New  York.  The  paternal  grand- 
father. Dr.  Hugh  Bradley,  was  a  successful  physician  of  Belfast  for  many  years, 
but  eventually  sought  the  opportunities  of  the  new  world  and  on  coming  to 
America  established  his  home  in  Rochester,  New  York,  where  he  practiced  for  a 
considerable  period.  His  death  there  occurred  in  1882,  when  he  had  reached  the 
venerable  age  of  eighty-nine  years.  His  family  numbered  two  sons,  Patrick  and 
Thomas,  and  a  daughter  who  died  in  early  girlhood. 

Dr.  Thomas  Bradley,  coming  to  America  during  his  boyhood  days,  was 
graduated  from  the  Geneva  Medical  College,  of  Geneva,  New  York.  He  after- 
ward located  for  practice  in  Rochester  and  was  well  established  in  business 
when,  in  1866,  he  passed  away  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  In  early  man- 
hood he  had  wedded  Anna  G.  Maloney,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Maloney,  and  she 
passed  away  September  15,  1879,  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years.  Both  were 
members  of  the  Catholic  church.  In  addition  to  his  private  practice  Dr.  Brad- 
ley had  served  as  surgeon  of  the  New  York  state  militia  with  the  rank  of  ma- 
jor. In  the  family  were  two  children  who  lived  to  maturity,  the  daughter  being 
Marie,  who  was  a  Sister  of  the  Catholic  church  in  the  order  of  the  Sacred 
Heart.  She  was  known  as  Madam  Bradley  and  died  in  the  old  City  of  Mexico 
in  1901. 


72        v;.\  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ! 

Dr.  William  O'R.  Bradley  was  reared  in  Rochester  and  attended  its  public 
schools.  Subsequently  he  became  a  pupil  in  the  Canisius  College  of  Buffalo  and 
later  attended  St.  Michael's  College  in  Toronto,  Canada.  He  then  returned  to 
Buffalo  and  was  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Buffalo  with  the  class  of  1883,  having  determined  to  make  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine his  life  work.  Following  his  graduation  he  opened  an  office  in  Rochester, 
New  York,  where  he  remained  for  a  year  and  a  half,  and  then  went  to  Wash- 
ington, Kansas,  where  he  resided  until  1891.  That  year  witnessed  his  arrival  in 
Galesburg,  where  he  has  since  practiced,  and  his  pronounced  ability  has  been 
the  means  of  bringing  him  a  large  practice,  in  the  conduct  of  which  he  has 
been  very  successful,  reading  and  study  keeping  him  in  close  touch  with  the 
advancement  in  medical  science.  .  '  ;  i '-•  ^;-^  ."  C  j  • 

On  the  22(1  of  July,  1884,  Dr.  Bradley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Rivers,  who  was  born  in  Rochester,  New  York.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bradley 
now  have  three  children,  William  Rivers,  Marie  and  Anna.  Dr.  Bradley  gives 
his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  and  is  a  prominent  worker  in  its 
ranks,  because  of  his  belief  that  its  principles  are  most  conducive  to  good  gov- 
ernment. He  served  as  mayor  of  Galesburg  for  one  term  and  gave  to  the  city 
a  business-like  and  progressive  administration.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with 
Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Galesburg  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Gales- 
burg Commandery,  K.  T.  He  has  also  crossed  the  sands  of  the  desert  with  the 
Nobles  of  Mohammed  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  and  in  his  life  he  exemplifies 
the  beneficent  and  benevolent  spirit  of  the  craft.  In  strictly  professional  lines 
his  association  is  with  the  city,  county  and  state  medical  societies  and  the 
American  Medical  Association.  He  holds  to  high  ideals  in  his  chosen  life  work 
and  conforms  strictly  to  a  high  standard  of  professional  ethics.  , 


;V  '  ;,  WILLIAM  H.  SPINNER.         :     -  .      - 

William  H.  Spinner  hardly  needs  an  introduction  to  the  readers  of  this 
volume  for  he  is  widely  and  favorably  known,  both  because  of  the  extent  and 
activity  of  his  business  interests  and  by  reason  of  his  entertaining  powers  as  a 
chalk  talker.  He  was  born  in  Deal,  County  Kent,  England,  March  15,  1859, 
and  his  parents,  Henry  C.  and  Elizabeth  A.  (Lass)  Spinner,  were  also  natives 
of  that  country,  where  the  father  was  born  in  1830,  while  his  wife's  birth  oc- 
curred in  November  of  the  same  year.  He  was  a  farmer  and  dairyman  and  a 
dealer  in  live  stock.  He  remained  a  resident  of  England  until  called  to  his  final 
rest,  as  did  his  wife.  His  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Church  of  England, 
while  Mrs.  Spinner  was  a  member  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church.  Fra- 
ternally he  was  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
was  at  one  time  noble  grand  in  the  local  lodge.  His  family  numbered  two  sons 
and  four  daughters:  Annie,  now  deceased;  William  H. ;  Ellen  S.,  who  is  living 
in  Kent,  England;  Elizabeth  L.,  the  wife  of  Charles  Miller,  of  Galesburg;  Fanny 
M.,  of  England;  and  Frank,  deceased.  •  •  : 

William  H.  Spinner  was  only  seven  and  one-half  years  of  age  when  brought 
by  his  uncles  Eb  and  John  Lass,  to  the  new  world  and  then  on  to  Galesburg, 


:       ;:     :  :    :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  ;/;.  :^v:;^'||/. 

to  the  home  of  William  S.  Lass,  his  foster  father.     He  attended  the  public  ' 
schools  here  and  began  earning  his  own  living  by  working  for  the  Burlington 
Railroad  Company  in  the  telegraph  office  as  messenger.     Gradually  he  worked 
his  way  upward,  his  capability  and  fidelity  winning  him  promotion,  until  he 
became  chief  clerk.     He  then  had  charge  of  the  Western  Union  wires  and  was  • 
wire  chief.    He  afterward  became  chief  clerk  for  the  division  superintendent  and 
later  in  the  general  superintendent's  office  and  in  September  1888,  was  appointed  , :. 
to  the  responsible  position  of  ticket  agent  at  Galesburg,  which  position  he  filled  • 
until  the  i6th  of  February,  1904.     Mr.  Spinner  for  many  years  held  the  sole 
agency  of  all  Atlantic  steamship  lines  and  many  European  tourists  and  emi-  ': 
grants  bear  tribute  to  his  efficiency  and  his  painstaking  work  in  carefully  planning  -I 
their  trips  over  the  ocean.    In  1904  he  became  general  agent  for  the  New  York  ; . 
Life  Insurance  Company,  having  full  control  of  all  of  its  business  and  interests   : 
in  this  part  of  the  state.     This  is  still  his  connection  and  he  has  made  for  him- 
self an  honored  name  and  position  in  the  field  in  which  he  is  now  operating.   :  • 
Mr.  Spinner  is  also  known  as  a  chalk  talker  and  cartoonist,  in  which  connec-  -•  '- 
tion  he  has  given  many  entertainments  in  which  amusement  and  instruction  are  ;, 
well  balanced  features.     He  draws  rapidly  with  charcoal  and  colored  chalks,     - 
illustrating  his  speech,  and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  can  change  a  gay  face  to  . 
one  of  great  seriousness  or  supplement  an  expression  of  sorrow  with  one  of  joy.  : 
He  has  received  many  favorable  press  notices  and  his  work  on  the  platform  has    v- 
been  highly  commended. 

Mr.  Spinner  is  pleasantly  situated  in  his  home  life,  having  been  married  on  '.' 
the  4th  of  December,  1883,  to  Miss  Florence  B.  Rice,  a  daughter  of  Augustus 
and  Susan  (Grant)  Rice,  of  Lewistown,  Illinois.    Her  father,  a  druggist  of  Ful- 
ton county,  Illinois,  and  a  son  of  Dr.  E.  D.  Rice,  was  of  New  England  ancestry.  .  . 
Her  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Professor  Innes  Grant,  of  Scotch  descent,  who  at 
one  time  was  professor  of  languages  of  the  faculty  of  Knox  College.     Unto    -  - 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spinner  have  been  born  three  children :  Harold  R.,  born  December 
3,  1885;  Delia  Grant,  February  7,  1889;  and  Mary,  May  22,  1895. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Spinner  is  a  republican  but  the  honors  and  emolu- 
ments of  office  have  had  no  attractions  for  him.  He  can  find  ample  opportunity 
to  use  his  time  in  different  directions  and  is  especially  well  known  as  an  active 
member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  having  for  twenty  years  served 
as  superintendent  of  its  Sunday  school.  He  belongs  also  to  the  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  of  Galesburg,  of  which  he  was  a  director  until  a  few  years 
ago.  He  likewise  belongs  to  the  Masonic  Lodge  and  the  Galesburg  Club. 
Throughout  his  life  he  has  always  been  the  same  genial,  courteous  gentleman, 
whose  ways  are  those  of  refinement  and  whose  worth  no  man  can  question. 


•  JACOB  H.  SCHRYVER.  ::-•;• 

Jacob  H.  Schryver,  who  maintains  a  shoemaking  establishment  in  Knoxville, 
has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  for  forty-four  years,  during  which  time  he 
has  noted  its  wonderful  development  along  the  various  lines  of  human  activity. 
He  was  born  in  Sag  Harbor,  New  York,  on  the  5th  of  June,  1833,  and  is  a  son 


74  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;\;X 

of  George  and  Nancy  (Conant)  Schryver,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father, 
who  was  a  farmer  in  his  early  manhood,  removed  with  his  wife  and  family 
from  Pennsylvania  to  the  Mohawk  valley.  New  York,  subsequently  locating  in 
Sag  Harbor,  where  he  remained  for  many  years.  From  there  he  went  to  Ontario, 
Canada,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  continuing  to  make  his  residence  in 
that  country  until  his  death.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schryver  consisted 
of  five  sons  and  six  daughters,  all  of  whom  with  the  exception  of  our  subject, 
are  now  deceased. 

The  youthful  years  of  Jacob  H.  Schryver  were  spent  in  Sag  Harbor,  where 
he  received  his  schooling.  When  old  enough  to  become  self-supporting  he  fol- 
lowed various  occupations  until  1865,  when  he  engaged  in  the  shoemaker's  trade. 
From  New  York  he  went  to  Maine,  but  later  went  to  Massachusetts,  and  in 
1867  he  came  to  what  at  that  period  was  termed  the  west,  locating  in  Galesburg. 
There  he  established  a  shop  that  he  successfully  conducted  for  many  years.  He 
has  always  been  a  skilful  and  painstaking  workman  and  as  he  employed  only 
the  best  of  materials  in  executing  his  orders  enjoyed  a  very  good  patronage. 
After  the  death  of  his  wife,  Mr.  Schryver  located  in  Abingdon  for  a  few  years, 
but  has  for  some  time  now  been  making  his  home  in  Knoxville.  During  the 
period  of  his  residence  here  he  has  at  all  times  been  found  dependable  and 
thoroughly  trustworthy  in  his  business  obligations  and  as  a  result  enjoys  the 
respect  of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  transactions. 

In  1855,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  Mr.  Schryver  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Ellen  Myers,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Canada,  but  passed  away 
in  Galesburg  in  1891.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Germany,  but  in  their  early 
life  they  emigrated  to  Canada,  where  the  father  followed  farming  during  the 
entire  period  of  his  active  career.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schryver 
there  were  born  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Mary  Ellen,  the  wife 
of  O.  T.  Martin,  of  Iowa,  and  James  S.,  who  makes  his  home  in  Greeley, 
Colorado. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  Schryver  is  an  Episcopalian.  Although  being  in  his 
eightieth  year  Mr.  Schryver  still  leads  an  active  life,  and  takes  an  interest  in 
all  that  is  going  on  about  him.  .  '•  •;.  ,  ^^  ':"' 


;   •::  CAPTAIN  GEORGE  W.  REYNOLDS. 

Captain  George  W.  Reynolds,  a  retired  farmer  owning  one  hundred  acres 
of  land  in  the  corporation  of  Victoria,  belongs  to  a  family  that  was  prominent 
in  the  early  development  of  Victoria  township.  He  was  born  July  15.  1826,  in 
Milton.  Massachusetts,  which  is  now  within  the  city  limits  of  Boston.  His 
grandfather,  Wincept  Reynolds,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  of  English  par- 
entage, and  was  a  private  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  In  early  life  Wincept  • 
Reynolds  married  a  Miss  Locke,  a  daughter  of  John  Locke,  a  miller  of  Barring- 
ton,  New  Hampshire.  His  keen  sense  of  justice  and  upright  life  had  won  for 
him  the  title  o'f  "Honest  John  Locke."  The  children  of  Wincept  Reynolds 
were  five  in  number,  of  whom  George  F.,  the  father  of  Captain  George  W. 
Reynolds,  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being:  Wincept,  who 


•.  ;:  '    ;     ^-      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  1 

died  in  Boston ;  Jacob ;  Job,  who  died  in  New  Hampshire ;  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth , 
Weeks,  who  died  in  Farmington,  New  Hampshire.  Wincept  Reynolds  was 
killed  by  a  falling  tree  in  1832  and  buried  on  his  farm  in  New  Hampshire,  where 
he  had  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  His  wife  died  in  1846.  They  were 
members  of  the  old-time  Presbyterian  church.  An  interesting  heirloom  that 
has  come  to  Captain  Reynolds  is  the  cane  that  was  used  by  his  grandfather,- 
Wincept  Reynolds. 

George  F.  Reynolds,  the  father  of  Captain  Reynolds,  was  bom  in  Barring-  -   \^ 
ton.   New   Hampshire,   in   1799.     He  married  Abigail   Locke,  a  dau^ter  of 
"Honest  John  Locke,  Jr.,"  and  to  this  union  were  born  four  children,  of  whom 
George  W.  Reynolds  was  the  eldest.     The  others  were :     Charles  C.,  who  died  ,     ; 
in  Andalusia,  Illinois;  John  W.,  who  died  in  Victoria,  Illinois;  and  Mrs.  Julia 
A.  Hammond,  who  passed  away  in  Victoria  township.     Soon  after  his  marriage 
George  F.  Reynolds  went  to  Milton,  Massachusetts,  where  he  worked  for  four  • 
years  for  Judge  Robbins,  and  then,  in  June,  1835,  removed  to  Peru,  Illinois,  at  ;  ' 
which  time  there  was  only  one  house  on  the  site  of  the  present  city.     Owing  to  A 
sickness  in  his  party  Mr.  Reynolds  left  Peru  and  went  to  Pleasant  Grove,  Taze-     V 
well  county,  where  he  remained  one  and  one-half  years,  coming  in  the  summer  . 
of  1836  to  the  farm,  on  which  Victoria  now  stands.     His  farm  originally  cov- 
ered one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  but  owing  to  the  growth  of  the  town  he       - 
gradually  sold  off  lots  until  at  the  time  of  his  death  only  eighty  acres  were  left,  '•':'. 
most  of  which  was  cut  up  into  town  lots.    In  1837  he  built  the  first  house  that  >. 
was  erected  on  the  road  in  that  section,  and  in  the  same  year  the  postoffice  at  -.' 
Victoria  was  established,  the  only  one  in  that  part  of  the  country,  and  he  was  ;    , 
made  postmaster.     Mr.  Reynolds  was  a  lifelong  republican.     He  took  a  very  •     • 
active  part  in  the  early  development  of  the  county,  helped  to  organize  the  town- 
ship, was  trustee  of  the  school  fund  and  was  justice  of  the  peace.     He  was  an      •  ; 
earnest  worker  in  the  Congregational  church  and  was  known  for  years  as  Deacon 
Reynolds.     He  died  in  1892,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  and  one-half  years.     His  ;>  ' 
wife  had  died  in  1876  and  they  are  both  buried  in  Victoria  cemetery. 

Captain  George  W.  Reynolds  was  reared  in  Victoria  and  educated  in  the  '-. 
public  schools  there.     Later  he  attended  school  in  Galesburg  for  three  winters. 
He  served  all  during  the  Civil  war  as  captain  of  Company  K,  Eighty-third  Regi-    ; 
ment  of  Illinois  Infantry,  under  Colonel  Smith.     After  the  war  he  returned  to 
his  farm  at  Victoria.     He  was  twice  married.     In  1846  he  wedded  Mary  Hotch-    ' 
kiss,  a  native  of  New  York,  and  after  her  death  he  married,  in  1859,  Elizabeth 
Swickard,  a  native  of  Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Swickard.     Captain 
Reynolds  has  one  son  by  his  first  marriage,  Lewis  M.,  who  resides  in  Colorado, 
and  one  daughter  by  his  second  marriage,  Jennie  R.,  the  wife  of  James  Mc- 
Master,  of  Victoria  township.     Mrs.  Reynolds  and  Mrs.   Noah   Swickard,  her  •';  . 
sister-in-law,  were  the  only  two  ladies  from  these  parts  who  accompanied  their  . 
husbands  into  the  Civil  war,  and  both  were  present  on  the  field  of  the  battle  of    ''- 
Fort   Donelson.     It   is  very   interesting  to  hear  her   recount   reminiscences  of  -  : 
this  memorable  occasion.     She  is  a  venerable  old  lady,  who  is  greatly  beloved       ! 
by  all  who  come  in  contact  with  her  and  appreciated  as  a  bright  and  entertaining  ' 
companion.    Captain  Reynolds,  who  has  resided  on  his  present  farm  since  1836, 
is  widely  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  county,  and  the  worthy  couple 
is  esteemed  highly  by  all.     Both  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  of 


?8  :%v  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^^     :   . 

which  he  serves  in  the  capacity  of  trustee.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with 
P.  G.  Tait  Post,  No.  869,  G.  A.  R.  He  has  been  active  in  local  politics  all  his 
life,  always  working  for  the  republican  party.  He  has  served  as  school  treasurer 
and  trustee,  and  was  for  nineteen  years  village  treasurer.  His  life  might  be 
termed  one  of  long  service  to  the  country  at  large  and,  especially,  to  his  com- 
munity and  county.  •'  ,  ^fj.  .  ,  ' 


v;  .'  JOHN  HOWARD  BRYANT,  M.  D. 

Prominent  among  the  representatives  of  the  medical  profession  in  Galesburg 
is  Dr.  John  Howard  Bryant,  who  has  wisely  and  conscientiously  used  the  talents 
that  have  been  given  him  in  his  preparation  for  the  onerous  duties  that  devolve 
upon  him  in  connection  with  his  chosen  life  work.  His  extensive  practice  is  the 
best  evidence  of  his  ability,  and  his  success  has  its  root  in  a  comprehensive  under- 
standing of  the  scientific  principles  that  underlie  his  work  together  with  careful 
diagnosis.  Dr.  Bryant  was  born  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  May  27,  1876,  a  son  of 
Elijah  and  Laura  (Smith)  Bryant,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Bureau  county, 
Illinois  The  Bryant  ancestry  in  this  country  can  be  traced  back  to  Sir  Guy 
Bryant,  who  came  from  England  in  1632,  his  ancestry  also  runs  back  eight  gen- 
erations to  John  Alden  and  Priscilla  Mullens  of  the  Mayflower.  Elijah  Bryant 
was  a  son  of  John  Howard  Bryant,  who  was  born  in  Cummington,  Massachusetts, 
and  was  a  brother  of  William  Cullen  Bryant,  the  distinguished  American  poet. 
In  the  year  1831  John  Howard  Bryant  came  to  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  with  one 
of  his  brothers  by  way  of  the  Erie  canal  and  Ohio  river,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1832  he  rode  horseback  to  Bureau  county,  settling  on  the  present  site  of  Prince- 
ton, where  he  took  up  a  section  of  land  which  he  improved,  bringing  the  farm 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  was  followed  in  a  few  years  by  two  other 
brothers,  all  four  of  whom  made  Princeton  their  permanent  home,  William  Cul- 
len being  the  only  brother  remaining  in  the  east.  He  acquired  other  property 
in  that  district,  becoming  one  of  the  large  landowners.  There  he  spent  his  re- 
maining days  and  not  only  took  active  part  in  the  promotion  of  agricultural  in- 
terests but  likewise  became  an  active  factor  in  the  public  life  of  the  community. 
He  was  closely  associated  with  those  who  were  instrumental  in  the  creation  of 
Bureau  county  out  of  Putnam  county  and  throughout  all  the  active  period  of 
his  life  did  much  toward  shaping  its  formative  policy  and  guiding  its  destiny. 
Under  appointment  of  President  Lincoln  he  filled  the  office  of  internal  revenue 
collector  and  for  three  or  four  different  terms  he  represented  his  district  in  the 
general  assembly,  his  active  support  of  various  measures  proving  a  potent  ele- 
ment in  guiding  legislative  enactment  during  that  period.  He  took  the  greatest 
pride  in  his  work  in  financing  and  establishing  the  Princeton  township  high 
school,  which  was  the  first  school  of  that  character  in  the  state.  His  influence 
was  always  on  the  side  of  progress  and  advancement  and  he  was  justly  accounted 
one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  Bureau  county.  He  regarded  it  the  duty 
as  well  as  the  privilege  of  every  man  to  exercise  his  right  of  franchise  and  sup- 
port the  political  principles  which  he  believed  most  conducive  to  good  govern- 
ment. During  the  greater  part  of  his  life  he  was  a  stanch  advocate  of  the 


.:/;-/;:^- HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >    :  •  'V:-       .7<^ 

republican  party  and  at  no  time  was  his  position  regarding  any  vital  question 
an  equivocal  one.  He  married  a  Miss  Wiswall  in  1834  and  to  them  were  bom 
two  sons,  Henry  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen  and  Elijah.  J.  H.  Bryant  reached 
the  venerable  age  of  ninety-five  years,  while  his  wife  passed  away  at  the  age  of 
eighty-one.  -''.'.•'•  ••:-:v-y'vv  >='.'•••/•''  '-  :'-...-V;  ;  vvS  •  S"''v•;^.'•'!^;.l^ 

Elijah  Bryant,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois, 
during  the  pioneer  epoch  in  the  history  of  that  district  and  was  there  reared  and 
educated.  As  he  grew  to  manhood  he  became  his  father's  assistant  and  gradually 
more  and  more  assumed  the  management  of  the  estate,  to  which  he  devoted  his 
entire  life.  He  married  Laura  Smith,  who  was  also  born  in  Bureau  county  and 
was  a  daughter  of  Sidney  P.  Smith,  who  removed  from  New  Hampshirte  to  this 
state.  He  established  his  home  just  outside  of  Princeton,  upon  a  farm  which 
he  carefully  developed  and  improved.  He  married  a  Miss  Doolittle,  of  Prince- 
ton, and  both  died  in  Bureau  county  when  well  advanced  in  years.  The  Smiths, 
like  the  Bryants,  were  of  English  descent.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sid- 
ney P.  Smith  were  five  children  who  reached  mature  years:  Lucy,  now  the  wife 
of  A.  C.  Cutler;  Emily,  the  wife  of  James  Smart,  of  Chicago;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  H.  H.  Curtis,  of  Chicago ;  Sidney  P.,  living  in  Athol,  Massachusetts ; 
and  Laura,  who  became  Mrs.  Bryant.  The  death  of  Elijah  Bryant  occurred 
in  1892,  when  he  was  fifty-six  years  of  age.  He  had  held  a  number  of  local 
offices  and  in  a  more  quiet  but  none  the  less  effective  way  had  carried  on  the 
work  which  his  father  instituted  for  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  the 
county.  His  widow  still  survives  him  and  is  numbered  among  the  faithful  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  church,  with  which  she  has  long  been  identified.  Of 
their  family  of  six  children  five  are  yet  living:  Frances,  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Ban- 
nister, of  Kewanee,  Illinois ;  Kate,  the  wife  of  W.  E.  McVay,  of  Los  Angeles, 
California;  William  C.,  living  in  Princeton;  Sue,  the  wife  of  A.  H.  Ferris,  also 
of  Princeton,  Illinois ;  and  John  H.,  of  this  review. 

Dr.  Bryant  spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  city  and  the  public  and  high 
schools  afforded  him  his  early  educational  privileges,  his  course  being  continued 
there  until  his  graduation  from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1897,  and  spent 
the  following  summer  traveling  in  Europe.  During  the  two  succeeding  years 
he  lived  in  Los  Angeles,  California,  where  he  was  employed  as  a  bookkeeper  in 
a  bank.  In  the  summer  of  1899  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  took  up  the  study 
of  medicine  in  the  Northwestern  University  Medical  School  of  Chicago,  therein 
completing  a  four-years'  course  by  graduation  in  1903.  To  his  theoretical  train- 
ing he  added  the  broad  practical  experience  of  hospital  practice  as  an  interne, 
being  thus  engaged  until  July,  1904.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  was  married 
and  on  the  ist  of  January,  1905,  established  his  home  in  Galesburg,  where  he 
has  since  remained,  gradually  building  up  a  practice  which  has  now  assumed 
extensive  proportions.  He  keeps  in  touch  with  the  progress  of  the  medical  fra- 
ternity through  his  perusal  of  the  latest  and  most  valued  contributions  to  medi- 
cal literature  and  his  sound  judgement  enables  him  to  select  that  which  is  best 
and  most  valuable  and  use  such  for  the  benefit  of  his  patients.  He  is  now  serv- 
ing on  the  Galesburg  Hospital  staff  and  is  a  member  of  the  city,  county  and 
state  medical  societies  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

On  the  26th  of  October,  1904,  Dr.  Bryant  was  married  to  Miss  Lillian 
R.  \V^arfield,  a  native  of  Princeton  and  a  daughter  of  Jacob  H.  and  Mary  (Qark) 


80  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Warfield.  Her  father  was  born  in  Uniontown,  Ohio,  and  her  mother's  birth  oc- 
curred near  Princeton.  Mr.  Warfield  passed  away  in  1890  but  his  wife  is  still 
living.  They  were  parents  of  six  children :  George  C. ;  Andrew  A. ;  Lydia,  the 
wife  of  W.  C.  Bryant ;  Charles  W. ;  Lillian,  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Bryant ;  and 
John  J.  To  Dr.  Bryant  and  his  wife  has  been  born  two  daughters,  Frances 
Warfield  and  Grace  Adele.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Central  Congrega- 
tional church  and  Dr.  Bryant  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican 
party.  He  manifests  unfaltering  devotion  to  his  chosen  life  work  and  his 
success  is  based  not  alone  upon  broad  scientific  attainments  but  also  upon  human- 
itarianism,  which  is  one  of  the  salient  elements  in  his  character. 


•':;  SHELDON  C.  AYRES.  /:'     ' 

Among  the  few  soldier  boys  of  '6i  still  regularly  engaged  in  the  discharge  .. 
of  active  duties  must  be  mentioned  Sheldon  C.  Ayres,  who  for  forty-two  years 
has  been  running  out  of  Galesburg  as  a  passenger  conductor  on  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad.     His  birth  occurred  at  Andover,  Henry  county,  Illi- 
nois, on  the  5th  of  July,  1843,  his  parents  being  John  A.  and  Mary  B.  (Wash-  • 
burn)  Ayres.    The  father  was  a  native  of  Connecticut  and  the  mother  of  Maine, 
but  they  were  married  in  Andover.    John  A.  Ayres  was  reared  and  educated  in 
his  native  state  and  there  he  also  received  his  agricultural  training.     In  1835  he 
came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Henry  county  that  he  industriously  culti-  ' 
vated  for  twenty-two  years.     In  1857  he  withdrew  from  the  work  of  the  fields    - 
and  went  to  Galva  where  he  engaged  in  business  for  four  years.    He  disposed  of 
this  in  i86i,  removing  to  a  farm  three  miles  west  of  Kewanee  and  there  resided 
for  twelve  years.     At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  sold  his  property  and  to-  . 
gether  with  his  wife  removed  to  David  City,  Nebraska.     He  invested  his  money  '.. 
in  lands  in  that  vicinity  but  lived  in  the  town,  continuing  to  make  that  his  home,  .; 
as  did  also  the  mother,  until  death.     He  was  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church,  in 
which  they  both  held  membership,  and  in  politics  he  was  a  republican,  but  never  . 
held  any  office  save  that  of  school  director.     Nine  children  were  born  unto  Mr.   / 
and  Mrs.  Ayres,  as  follows :  Charlotte  B.,  who  is  deceased ;  Sheldon  C.,  our   4 
subject ;  William,  who  is  also  deceased ;  John,  who  is  living  in  Nebraska ;  James, 
of  Greenleaf,  Kansas ;  Elizabeth,  who  is  deceased ;  Edwin,  a  resident  of  Fair- 
bury,  Nebraska ;  Frank,  who  lives  at  David  City,  Nebraska ;  and  Clifford,  who 
is  deceased. 

The  early  years  in  the  life  of  Sheldon  C.  Ayres  were  in  no  way  unusual, 
but  very  similar  in  every  respect  to  those  of  other  lads  of  that  period  who  were 
reared  in  the  more  sparsely  settled  communities.     When  old  enough  to  begin    . 
his  education  he  entered  the  public  schools  of  Andover,  completing  his  course 
in  those  of  Galva.    Thrilled  with  the  patriotism  that  dominated  so  many  of  the 
youths  at  that  time,  when  the  call  came  for  soldiers  in  the  early  days  of  the  war  ;; 
he  responded  by  enlisting  as  a  private  in  Company  D,  Seventeenth  Illinois  Vol-    : 
unteer  Infantry.     He  remained  at  the  front   for  three  years  and  one  month,   : 
participating  during  that  time  in  many  of  the  most  notable  conflicts  of  the  Re- 
bellion.    Among  the  battles  in  which  he  was  engaged  mention  should  be  made    '. 


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A'BA\  ou  ui  9a3A\  s9aA'\-  '3  I'l'ppqs  J"^  ''Jll  ^Hl  ^^'l  ^J^^-'^  A'[aB3 

•[)3SB90ai)   SI 

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XON^I  dO  AHOISIH  08 


,  ;       ;  :     .  :       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -     >     '       jB9 

'.'    •:  '  ••        '    '^':''-:'     "•'  '•        :    '--'^  '•'.•;;'•'•'•-,;'''*>'. 

of  Frederickstown,  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  both  sieges  of  Corinth,  luka,  Holly 
Springs,  .Old  River  near  Lake  Providence,  Clinton,  Mississippi,  Jackson,  Meri- 
dian, Canton,  Yazoo  City,  and  the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg.  He  was 
discharged  at  Springfield,  and  immediately  resumed  the  duties  of  civil  life  as  a 
farmer,  following  this  occupation  until  he  attained  his  majority.  Subsequently 
he  joined  an  engineer  corps  that  was  surveying  for  the  American  Central  from 
Galva  to  New  Boston,  and  in  1866  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  in  the  capacity  of  a  freight  brakeman. 
He  was  later  promoted  to  the  position  of  conductor  and  on  the  2ist  of  April, 
1869,  ^^  was  assigned  a  passenger  train.  For  many  years  he  has  been  pas- 
senger conductor  on  the  Galesburg  and  Quincy  division,  and  is  well  and  favor- 
ably known  to  all  of  the  company's  employes  on  this  section. 

Atkinson,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  was  the  scene  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Ayres 
to  Miss  Ellen  E.  Nichols,  a  daughter  of  Ziba  and  Mathilda  (Smith)  Nichols, 
the  event  being  celebrated  on  the  2d  of  September,  1869.  Three  daughters 
were  born  to  them:  Nellie,  Elizabeth  and  Mary,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Ayres  is  a  Mason,  having  joined  the  order  at  Kewanee  in 
1865,  where  he  took  the  degrees  of  the  blue  lodge,  and  in  1867  he  affiliated  with 
the  commandery  at  Galesburg.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Railway  Con- 
ductors, and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Ayres  belong  to  the  Presbyterian  church.  His 
allegiance  in  political  matters  is  accorded  to  the  republican  party,  but  he  has 
never  sought  public  honors,  although  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  municipal 
questions  and  always  goes  to  the  poles  on  election  day.  On  November  9,  1900, 
Mr.  Ayres  was  appointed  by  Governor  John  R.  Tanner  of  Illinois,  one  of  the 
commissioners  to  ascertain  and  mark  the  position  of  the  Illinois  troops  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh.  Mr.  Ayres  is  one  of  those  who  can  be  depended  upon  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  citizenship  by  giving  his  services  and  cooperation  when- 
ever needed,  his  efforts  being  characterized  by  the  same  fortitude  and  endurance 
as  well  as  determination  of  purpose  that  distinguished  him  on  the  battlefields  of 
the  south.  '  •  •' -''^.- .•''••/^•^'"- '"''^  '  •  '  V/"^  ;••:•',;•.• -^'^ <•.:.--':.-  -:'^-  'v^'-•''^.-• 


:      .   xT  FRANK  LAUREN  CONGER.        .;-  V  :  '  v 

Frank  Lauren  Conger,  a  Lombard  man,  whose  educational  training  has  been 
used  to  good  purpose  in  a  successful  and  progressive  business  career,  is  now 
cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Galesburg,  his  native  city.  He  was  bom 
December  9,  1873.  the  elder  of  two  children  of  Seth  B.  and  Ella  (Ohnsted) 
Conger.  The  younger  son  is  Dr.  G.  P.  Conger,  now  practicing  in  Oak  Park, 
Illinois.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  Lauren  C.  Conger,  a  native  of  the  state 
of  New  York,  who  married  Amanda  Hasbrook  and  came  to  Knox  county  at 
an  early  day,  settling  at  Cherry  Grove.  Both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  old  age 
and  here  reared  their  family  of  two  sons,  Seth  B.  and  Fred  H.  The  former,  born 
in  Illinois,  was  reared  in  this  county  and  became  one  of  the  early  students  in 
Lombard  College  when  that  institution  was  known  as  Liberal  Institute.  His 
education  completed,  he  afterward  devoted  some  time  to  the  cultivation  of  his 
father's  farm  lying  west  of  the  city.  Later  he  took  up  the  grocery  business  in 


84        •     >  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '     :  -^ 

'••-*-.-•'.'•'',-• 

which  he  continued  for  several  years  and  subsequently  removed  to  Missouri, 
living  in  Carroll  county,  that  state,  for  about  fifteen  years.  Returning  to  Gales- 
burg  he  entered  business  circles  here  as  a  lumber  dealer  under  the  firm  name 
of  Conger  &  Hinchcliflf  and  subsequently  was  engaged  in  the  hardware  and 
implement  business  in  Knoxville  for  four  or  five  years.  During  the  last  year  and 
a  half  of  his  life  he  lived  retired  in  Bradentown,  Florida,  where  he  passed 
away  in  1910.  In  early  manhood  he  wedded  Ella  Olmsted,  also  a  native  of  this 
state  and  a  daughter  of  Silas  and  Emily  (Ward)  Olmsted,  who  were  natives  of 
New  York.  They  became  early  residents  at  Olmsted's  Mills,  north  of  Mon- 
mouth,  Illinois,  where  the  matern'al  grandfather  of  our  subject  operated  a  fiour 
mill  and  also  carried  on  farming.  At  length  he  removed  to  Galesburg  where 
he  engaged  in  merchandising  until  his  death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  past 
middle  age.  His  wife  long  survived,  reaching  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine 
years.  In  their  family  were  four  children :  Ophelia,  the  wife  of  Lyman  West ; 
Flora  E.,  the  wife  of  John  T.  Avery ;  Ella  A. ;  and  Professor  Everett  Ward 
Olmsted,  now  of  Cornell  University  at  Ithaca,  New  York.  It  was  the  daughter 
Ella  who  became  the  wife  of  Seth  Conger  and  the  mother  of  F.  L.  Conger  of 
this  review.  She  still  survives  her  husband  and  is  now  living  in  Galesburg,  where 
she  has  a  wide  acquaintance.  She  holds  membership  in  the  Universalist  church 
of  which  Mr.  Conger  also  was  a  member. 

Frank  L.  Conger  was  only  a  year  old  when  his  parents  removed  from  this 
city  to  Missouri  where  he  spent  the  succeeding  fifteen  years  of  his  life  upon  his' 
father's  farm.  He  then  returned  to  his  native  city  and  entered  Lombard  Uni- 
versity from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1895.  He  afterward 
worked  for  a  year  in  the  lumberyard  owned  by  his  father  and  then  pursued  a 
year's  course  of  study  in  pharmacy  in  the  University  of  Illinois,  School  of 
Pharmacy.  Later  he  opened  a  drug  store  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Seminary 
streets  in  Galesburg,  continuing  in  active  connection  with  mercantile  interests 
until  he  sold  out  to  enter  the  field  of  banking.  In  1898  he  became  collector  of 
the  First  National  Bank  and  has  been  gradually  promoted  through  intermediate 
positions  until  he  has  now  filled  the  position  of  cashier  for  more  than  six  years. 
He  has  thoroughly  acquainted  himself  with  the  banking  business  in  every  par- 
ticular and  is  therefore  well  qualified  for  the  onerous  and  responsible  duties  that 
devolve  upon  him  in  this  connection.  He  is  regarded  as  a  most  courteous  and 
obliging  bank  official  and  his  policy  as  well  as  his  business  ability  contribute  to 
the  success  of  the  bank. 

On  the  1 3th  of  February,  1900,  Mr.  Conger  was  married  to  Miss  Mabel 
Dow,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  G.  and  Flora  (Prindle)  Dow,  the  former  a  native 
of  Illinois  and  the  latter  of  Michigan.  They  became  early  residents  of  Gales- 
burg where  Mrs.  Conger  was  born.  Her  father  died  in  1905  when  more  than 
sixty  years  of  age  and  her  mother  is  still  living.  They  have  two  children,  the 
younger  daughter  being  Edna,  now  the  wife  of  James  Moir,  of  Burlington, 
Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conger  have  one  daughter,  Barbara  Lois.  They  hold  mem- 
bership in  the  Universalist  church  and  Mr.  Conger  also  belongs  to  the  Benevo- 
lent Protective  Order  of  Elks,  serving  for  one  year  as  exalted  ruler  of  the  local 
lodge.  He  likewise  holds  membership  in  the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  Club 
and  is  not  only  interested  in  its  social  features  but  is  also  a  cooperant  factor  in 
its  work  for  the  improvement  and  upbuilding  of  the  city  and  the  extension  of  its 


^^.       •;.:-•    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^>f::A^ 

.',..'        .   ••      .  .        '   '        -          ''.''•--  -  .       -  ,     .  •        -.,•*'..•''- 

•-.,'••    ^  _..,     .-.'••  *-^  '.'..''•-'-•'     ,  '•-_,'     ••'-',  >'      •  '        •  '   '      '-'''.'  "j  ,' 

commercial  relations.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  filled  out  an  unexpired 
term  as  city  treasurer  but  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  office,  preferring  to  con- 
centrate his  energies  upon  his  business  interests  which  have  been  of  constantly 
developing  importance.  He  is  a  worthy  representative  of  one  of  the  oldest 
families  of  Knox  county,  his  great-grandfather  having  settled  here  as  a  pioneer 
when  the  seeds  of  civilization  were  just  being  planted  in  this  district.  Like  his 
forefathers  before  him  he  takes  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  all  projects  for 
the  progress  of  city  and  county  along  material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral 

lines.        .'.:;••;•'•        •'-•'.•:•'-    .   -  ;.    -  ;--;'-V-V-;v.. •;..;;-•  •.,^:-V.  -V-    .•    •       -     -    ":-':•''-•'-.:•''•:•     ••'•. 


: !' :  •':  '.•/ •••• ;,  •':  '-:;;:..^; ;    ALBERT  j.  CLINE.  :%;; " j-    .    v:'-y,,v> ;••• ':--'^^; 

Albert  J.  Cline,  of  the  dine  &  Shaw  Fuel  Company,  of  Galesburg,  was  born 
in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  October  i6,  1871.  He  is  a  son  of  Peter  S.  and  Mi- 
randa E.  (Matteson)  Cline,  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  the  father  having 
been  born  in  Oswego  county,  in  1831,  while  the  mother's  birthplace  was  Troy. 
Peter  S.  Cline  came  west  locating  on  a  farm  in  Radner  township,  Peoria  county. 
There  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  in  October,  1882.  He 
was  a  democrat  in  his  politics  and  served  for  eight  years  as  a  supervisor  in  his 
township.  Five  children  were  born  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cline,  of 
whom  our  subject  is  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are  as  follow : 
Alice  C.,  the  wife  of  E.  E.  Kendall,  of  Victoria,  Illinois;  Fred  C.,  who  is  de- 
ceased; Arthur  R.,  who  is  residing  in  Galesburg;  and  Jessie  C.,  the  wife  of 
Edwin  Thommasson  of  Lefbridge,  Alberta  county.  The  family  always  attended 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  which  the  mother  held  membership. 

Reared  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born  Albert  J.  Oine  first  attended  the 
common  schools  of  Akron  township,  Peoria  county.  His  education  was  later 
supplemented  by  study  in  the  Chillicothe  high  school,  and  a  course  in  Brown's 
Business  College  at  Galesburg.  Although  he  had  early  been  trained  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  when  ready  to  select  his  life  vocation  he  decided  that  he  preferred 
a  business  career.  His  first  position  was  in  the  offide  of  I.  R.  Green,  a  well 
known  coal  dealer  of  Galesburg,  by  whom  he  was  employed  for  a  year.  Later 
he  became  associated  with  R.  N.  Shaw  in  purchasing  this  business,  which  at  that 
time  only  supplied  the  retail  trade.  Under  their  capable  direction  this  enterprise 
flourished  in  a  most  gratifying  manner  and  they  later  extended  the  scope  of  their 
activities  by  the  addition  of  a  wholesale  department.  Their  offices  are  located 
in  the  Holmes  building,  suite  201  to  205,  this  city.  They  do  a  wholesale  coal 
business  and  also  handle  sand,  gravel  and  crushed  rock.  The  business  has  in- 
creased in  a  most  satisfactory  manner  and  they  now  have  a  well  established  and 
constantly  increasing  patronage.  They  are  incorporated  for  fifteen  thousand 
dollars  with  Mr.  Cline  as  president;  A.  R.  Cline,  vice  president;  and  R.  N. 
Shaw,  secretary  and  treasurer. 

On  the  3 1st  of  October,  1900,  Mr.  Cline  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Caroline  Brown,  a  daughter  of  James  A.  and  Ellen  (Spence)  Brown,  of  Good 
Hope,  Illinois.  They  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  father  having 
been  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  and  the  mother  at  Sunbury.  In  the 


86          -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '-X 

early  years  of  their  domestic  life  they  came  to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm  at 
Good  Hope,  to  the  further  improvement  of  which  the  father  devoted  his  ener-       •; 
gies  until  his  death.     The  mother  is  still  living  and  now  makes  her  home  at 
Macomb,  Illinois.     In  religious  faith  Mr.  Brown  was  a  Presbyterian,  and  his 
widow  still  holds  membership  in  that  church.    The  birth  of  Mrs.  Cline  occurred        ^. 
on  the  old  family  homestead  at  Good  Hope,  on  the  3d  of  September,  1877,  and 
there  she  was  reared  to  womanhood.     One  child  has  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cline,  Margaret  A.,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Galesburg,  on  September  25,  1905.        :: 

Fraternally  Mr,  Cline  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Qine  belong 
to  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  politically  he  is  a  republican.     He  has  never 
sought  political  honors,  however,  always  preferring  to  give  his  undivided  atten-       .'; 
tion  to  the  further  development  of  his  business.  ...          > 


y  LOUIS  BECKER,  M.  D.  .- 

Dr.  Louis  Becker  is  not  only  rendering  service  of  value  to  his  fellow  towns- 
men in  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  but  is  also  filling  the  office  of  mayor 
of  Knoxville.  He  was  born  in  Clarksville,  Tennessee,  October  15,  1864,  a  son 
of  Lothar  and  Mary  (Smith)  Becker.  The  father  was  born  in  the  kingdom 
of  Bavaria,  Germany,  and  was  a  son  of  Franz  Becker,  who  followed  the  milling 
business  in  the  city  of  Hahnhofen,  where  he  died  when  past  middle  life.  Lothar 
Becker  was  one  of  a  large  family  and  was  reared  in  his  native  country,  until  he 
participated  in  the  war  which  sought  to  obtain  greater  liberties  for  the  people 
of  the  fatherland.  The  revolutionists,  as  they  were  called,  were  not  success- 
ful and,  like  Carl  Schurz  and  many  other  eminent  men  of  the  country,  he  was 
obliged  to  leave  Germany  and  accordingly  sought  the  liberty  of  the  new  world. 
On  coming  to  America  he  settled  in  the  old  town  of  Henderson,  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  conducted  a  flouring  mill  in  connection  with  Henry  White 
under  the  firm  name  of  White  &  Becker.  There  Mr.  Becker  continued  until 
after  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  when  he  offered  his  services  to  the  govern- 
ment and  commanded  a  company  of  Illinois  artillery  until  the  cessation  of 
hostilities.  He  then  returned  to  Knox  county  and  for  some  years  operated  a 
flouring  mill  at  Galesburg  belonging  to  Judge  Knowles.  Subsequently  he  was 
owner  and  superintendent  of  the  coal  mines  at  Soperville  and  in  1876  he  went 
to  Galveston,  Texas,  where  he  conducted  a  flouring  mill  until  his  death.  In 
early  manhood  he  had  wedded  Mary  Smith,  a  native  of  Vermont  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Loren  and  Eliza  (Bemis)  Smith.  Her  father  was  also  born  in  the  Green 
Mountain  state,  of  English  descent  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  At  an  early 
day  he  came  with  his  family  to  Galesburg,  Illinois,  where  he  died  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-five  years,  while  his  wife  reached  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years.  They  had  four  daughters  who  g^ew  to  womanhood:  Betsey,  the  wife 
of  M.  D.  Cook ;  Laura,  the  wife  of  Henry  White ;  Ursula,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Norton;  and  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of  Lothar  Becker.  She  has  also 
departed  this  life.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  while  her 
husband  held  membership  in  the  Catholic  church.  In  politics  he  was  a  republi- 
can and  at  one  time  served  as  alderman  of  Galesburg  from  the  second  ward. 


;      ":  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  :       -   ^       87 

Their  children   were  four  in  number:   Fred,  ^deceased;   Frank,  now  living  in 
Galveston,  Texas ;  Louis ;  and  Pauline,  the  widow  of  Louis  Weber,  of  Knoxville. 

Dr.  Becker,  although  born  in  Tennessee,  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox 
county  since  1865,  save  for  the  period  of  three  years  spent  in  Galveston,  Texas. 
He  was  only  a  year  old  when  the  family  came  to  Knox  county  and  was  reared 
in  Galesburg,  pursuing  his  education  in  the  public  schools  there  and  in  Knox 
Academy  and  Knox  College.  A  review  of  the  various  avenues  of  business  to 
.which  an  individual  might  direct  his  energies,  led  him  to  the  determination  to 
make  the  practice  of  medicine  his  life  work  and  he  at  once  began  studying, 
spending  a  year  in  the  medical  department  of  the  Michigan  University  at  Ann 
Arbor  and  two  years  in  the  medical  department  of  the  Northwestern  University 
at  Chicago.  He  then  began  practicing  in  Knoxville  in  1888  and  has  remained 
here  continuously  since.  He  is  now  doing  private  practice  and  is  also  physician 
at  the  County  House  and  at  St.  Mary's  and  St.  Martha's  schools. 

Dr.  Becker  was  married  October  ii,  1888,  to  Miss  Addie  Rearick,  a  native 
of  Beardstown,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Frank  H.  and  Helen  (Shaw)  Rear- 
ick. Her  father  was  born  in  Germany  and  her  mother  in  Massachusetts  and 
they  were  married  in  Beardstown,  Illinois.  Mr.  Rearick  is  now  engaged  in 
the  hardware  business  in  Galesburg  but  his  wife  is  deceased.  They  had  a  family 
of  six  children :  Harry  F. ;  Walter  S. ;  Fannie,  the  wife  of  W.  B.  Barnes,  of 
Fort  Madison,  Iowa;  Mrs.  Becker;  Allen  C.,  of  New  York  city,  who  is  an  at- 
torney; and  Herbert  C.,  deceased. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Becker  are  the  parents  of  four  children,  Harry  F.,  Frances 
Marjorie,  Louis  Dunster  and  Edwin  Shaw.  The  parents  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  in  which  Dr.  Becker  is  serving  as  an  elder.  He  holds  mem-  ' 
bership  in  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  66,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Raboni  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ; 
and  Illinois  Council,  No.  i,  R.  &  S.  M.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  in  the 
spring  of  1911  was  elected  to  the  office  of  mayor,  so  that  he  is  now  officially 
directing  the  affairs  of  the  city.  He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the 
school  board.  In  strictly  professional  lines  he  is  connected  with  the  county 
and  state  medical  societies  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  The  greater 
part  of  his  time  and  attention  have  been  given  to  his  professional  duties,  and 
yet  he  has  found  some  opportunity  for  cooperation  in  public  work. 


:     :  :v    ELMIRA  F.  HERTIG,  M.  D.  ^-    .v:;     ^.;;: 

Upon  the  basis  of  a  broad  classical  course  in  college  Dr.  Elmira  F.  Hertig 
built  the  superstructure  of  her  professional  knowledge  and  is  today  recognized 
as  one  of  the  well  informed  and  capable  members  of  the  medical  fraternity  of 
Galesburg,  her  success  being  evidenced  in  the  extensive  practice  now  accorded 
her.  She  is  a  native  of  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Schowalter)  Hertig.  The  father  was  a  native  of  France 
and  after  coming  to  America  engaged  in  teaching  in  Pennsylvania  for  a  number 
of  years.  It  was  in  that  state  that  he  was  married,  his  wife  being  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania.  There  the  family  home  was  established  and  Dr.  Hertig  pursued 
her  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Fayette  county  and  later  continued 


88  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     vv--;      . 

her  studies  in  Waynesburg  College  of  Pennsylvania.  Her  professional  training 
was  received  in  Chicago  where  she  entered  the  Woman's  Hospital  and  Medical 
College,  being  graduated  therefrom  with  the  class  of  1885.  She  received  the 
A.  M.  degree  from  Waynesburg  and  her  M.  D.  degree  upon  her  graduation  in 
Chicago.  For  two  years  she  continued  in  practice  in  that  city  and  in  1887  came 
to  Galesburg,  where  she  has  since  remained,  successfully  following  her  chosen 
life  work  here.  She  is  familiar  with  the  science  of  medicine  in  all  of  its  branches 
and  has  remained  a  close  student  thereof,  keeping  in  touch  with  the  advanced 
thought  of  the  profession  and  with  all  of  the  discoveries  which  are  continuously 
promoting  knowledge  and  adding  to  the  efficiency  of  the  practitioner.  She  be- 
longs to  the  Knox  County  Medical  Society  and  also  the  American  Medical 
Association.  Aside  from  any  professional  connection  she  is  widely  known  and 
is  a  lady  of  innate  culture  and  refinement,  whose  broad  reading  has  made  her 
familiar  with  the  current  topics  and  interests  of  the  day. 


•  V  PHILIP  N.  GRANVILLE.     :;•/:: 

The  history  of  Galesburg  in  its  financial  connections  would  be  incomplete 
and  unsatisfactory,  were  there  failure  to  make  prominent  reference  to  Philip 
N.  Granville,  who  for  more  than  twenty  years  has  served  as  cashier  of  the  Bank 
of  Galesburg,  which  he  aided  in  organizing  in  1889.  Throughout  all  the  inter- 
vening period  he  has  made  a  close  study  of  the  problems  of  finance  and  the 
questions  which  arise  in  connection  with  the  conduct  of  banking  institutions  and 
his  efficiency  and  ability  have  continually  increased,  while  his  labors  have  con- 
tributed in  full  measure  to  the  success  of  the  institution,  with  which  he  has  so 
long  been  connected.  He  is  numbered  among  the  worthy  native  sons  of  Knox 
county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Abingdon  on  the  I7th  of  July,  1855.  His 
parents,  John  and  Bothilda  Granville,  were  born  in  County  Kristianstad, 
Sweden.  The  paternal  grandparents  passed  away  in  that  country,  but  John 
Granville,  the  father,  who  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  crossed  the  Atlantic  to 
the  United  States  about  1851  and  came  direct  to  Victoria,  Knox  county,  Illinois. 
He  subsequently  located  in  Abingdon,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade,  and  in 
1865  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Galesburg.  where  he  established  a  shoe  business 
in  partnership  with  Olaf  Johnson.  He  was  afterward  in  partnership  with  Victor 
Velander  until  1869,  after  which  he  conducted  the  business  practically  alone 
until  about  1889,  when  he  retired  on  account  of  failing  health.  He  had  won 
success  during  his  many  years  of  connection  with  the  shoe  trade  and  the  last 
years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  honorable  retirement,  his  demise  occurring  Novem- 
ber 17,  1893,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  During  the 
period  of  his  residence  in  this  county,  covering  more  than  four  decades,  he  had 
won  an  extensive  circle  of  friends  and  his  death  was  therefore  the  occasion  of 
deep  and  widespread  regret.  His  wife  survived  him  for  only  one  month,  being 
seventy-seven  years  old  when  called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  I2th  of  December, 
1893.  Both  passed  away  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  church.  They  were  the 
parents  of  five  children,  two  of  whom  are  yet  living,  namely:  Philip  N.,  of 
this  review;  and  Emily  C.,  the  wife  of  C.  T.  Holmes,  of  Galesburg.  .  .  ,  -: 


88  .  -  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

her  studies  in  \Vaynesbiirg  College  of  Pennsylvania.  Her  professional  training 
was  receivetl  in  Chicago  where  she  entered  the  Woman's  Hospital  and  Medical 
College,  heing  graduated  therefrom  with  the  class  of  1885.  She  received  the 
A.  M.  degree  from  \\'ayneshurg  and  her  ]\I.  D.  degree  upon  her  graduation  in 
Chicago.  I-'or  two  years  she  continued  in  practice  in  that  city  and  in  1887  came 
to  Galesburg,  where  she  has  since  remained,  successfully  following  her  chosen 
life  work  here.  She  is  familiar  with  the  science  of  medicine  in  all  of  its  branches 
and  has  remained  a  close  student  thereof.  kee])ing  in  touch  with  the  advanced 
thought  of  the  profession  and  with  all  of  the  discoveries  which  are  continuously 
promoting  knowledge  and  adding  to  the  efficiency  of  the  practitioner.  She  be- 
longs to  the  Knox  County  Medical  Society  and  also  the  American  Medical 
Association.  Aside  from  any  professional  connection  she  is  widely  known  and 
is  a  lady  of  innate  culture  and  refinement,  whose  broad  reading  has  made  her 
familiar  with  the  current  tojjics  and  interests  of  the  day. 


:  PHILIP  X.  GRAX\'ILLE. 

The  history  of  Galesburg  in  its  financial  connections  would  be  incomplete 
and  unsatisfactory,  were  there  failure  to  make  ])roininent  reference  to  Philij) 
X.  Granville,  who  for  more  than  twenty  years  has  served  as  cashier  of  ths  P.aiik 
of  Galesburg,  which  he  aided  in  organizing  in  1889.  Throughout  all  the  inter- 
vening period  he  has  made  a  clo-^e  study  of  the  problems  of  finance  and  the 
cjuestions  which  arise  in  connection  with  the  conduct  of  banking  institutions  and 
his  efficiency  and  ability  have  continually  increased,  while  his  labors  have  con- 
tributed in  full  measure  to  the  success  of  the  institution,  with  which  he  has  so 
long  been  connected.  lie  is  numbered  among  the  worthy  native  sons  of  Kno.x 
county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Abingdon  on  tlie  ijth  of  July,  1855.  His 
parents,  John  and  P.othilda  Granville,  were  born  in  County  Kristianstad, 
Sweden.  The  paternal  grandj)arents  ])assed  away  in  that  country,  but  John 
Granville,  the  father,  who  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  crossed  the  Atlantic  to 
the  United  States  about  1851  and  came  direct  to  X'ictoria,  Knox  county,  Illinois. 
He  subsequently  located  in  Abingdon,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade,  and  in 
1865  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Galesburg,  where  he  established  a  shoe  business 
in  partnership  with  Olaf  Johnson.  He  was  afterward  in  ])artnershi])  with  \  ictor 
X'elander  until  i8rx),  after  which  he  conducted  the  business  practically  alone 
until  about  1881;,  wben  he  retired  on  account  of  failing  health.  He  had  won 
success  during  liis  many  years  of  connection  with  the  shoe  trade  and  the  last 
years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  honorable  retirement,  his  demise  occurring  Xovem- 
ber  17,  i8<>3,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  si.xty-eight  years.  During  the 
period  of  his  residence  in  this  county,  covering  more  than  four  decades,  he  had 
won  an  extensive  circle  of  friends  and  his  death  was  therefore  the  occasion  of 
deep  and  widespread  regret.  His  wife  survived  him  for  only  one  month,  l>eing 
seventy-seven  years  old  wheii  called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  I2th  of  December. 
1893.  P>oth  passed  away  in  the  faith  of  the  Methodist  church.  They  were  the 
parents  of  five  children,  two  of  whom  are  yet  living,  namely :  Philip  X.,  of 
this  review;  and  Emily  C.,  the  wife  of  C.  T.  Holmes,  of  Galesburg.  ;  . 


;•;      :•    :  ; ;  ' ; :    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;;AV:V;-..     -«r 

Philip  N.  Granville  has  resided  in  Galesburg  continuously  since  1865  with 
the  exception  of  about  a  year  spent  in  Evanston.  In  the  acquirement  of  an 
education  he  attended  the  public  schools  and  Knox  Academy  and  at  intervals 
was  employed  in  different  dry-goods  stores.  At  various  periods  he  was  in  the 
service  of  O.  T.  Johnson  and  other  dry-goods  merchants  as  bookkeeper  for  a 
couple  of  years.  After  permanently  putting  aside  his  text-books  he  went  to 
Evanston,  where  he  entered  the  hardware  establishment  of  Lindgren  &  Wigren, 
remaining  there  for  nearly  a  year.  He  then  returned  to  Galesburg  and  entered 
the  service  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company,  first  as 
clerk  in  the  roundhouse  and  afterward  in  the  roadmaster's  office.  Subsequently 
he  was  in  the  office  of  the  master  mechanic  and  still  later,  leaving  the  railroad 
company,  became  connected  with  the  Covenant  Mutual  Benefit  Association  as 
cashier.  He  severed  his  connection  with  that  company  when  elected  city  treas- 
urer in  1887  for  a  term  of  two  years.  When  about  to  retire  from  the  office  he 
was  asked  by  J.  R.  Lindgren,  by  whom  he  had  been  employed  while  in  Evanston 
and  who  had  embarked  in  the  banking  business  in  Chicago  in  connection  with 
Mr.  Haugan,  to  establish  a  branch  bank  in  Galesburg  under  the  name  of  the 
Bank  of  Galesburg,  Haugan  &  Lindgren,  proprietors.  Mr.  Granville  selected 
Axel  Gabrielson,  a  bank  officer  of  experience  at  that  time  connected  with  The 
Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank  of  Galesburg,  to  become  cashier,  while  he  assumed 
the  duties  of  the  assistant  cashiership.  He  also  selected  H.  E.  Olson,  an  insur- 
ance man,  to  become  bookkeeper  and  also  take  charge  of  the  insurance  depart- 
ment of  the  bank.  The  new  institution  opened  its  doors  for  business  and  entered 
upon  a  successful  career.  On  the  3d  of  October,  1891,  this  bank  was  incor- 
porated as  'a  state  bank  with  a  capital  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  the 
following  officers  were  then  elected :  A.  M.  Craig,  president ;  Peter  Nelson, 
vice  president;  Axel  Gabrielson,  cashier;  P.  N.  Granville,  assistant  cashier  and 
director ;  with  H.  E.  Olson  as  bookkeeper  and  P.  N.  Granville  as  secretary  of 
the  board  of  directors.  In  September,  1892,  Mr.  Gabrielson  resigned  and  Mr. 
Granville  then  became  cashier  of  the  bank,  which  position  he  has  since  continued 
to  occupy.  The  bank  has  grown  continuously,  its  capital  has  been  increased  to 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  and  its  cash  surplus  has  reached 
three  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  dollars.  It  owns  its  bank  building, 
which  at  present  is  being  remodeled,  being  converted  from  a  three-story  to  a 
five-story  building,  with  more  commodious  rooms  for  its  banking  business.  For 
two  decades  Mr.  Granville  has  been  cashier  of  the  institution  and  has  proved  a 
most  capable  and  f>opular  official,  whose  labors  in  conjunction  with  those  of 
the  president,  A.  M.  Craig,  a  far-sighted,  conservative  business  man  of  sub- 
stantial means,  have  been  a  potent  factor  in  promoting  and  strengthening  the 
bank  and  increasing  its  surplus  and  capital. 

On  the  1st  of  November,  1903,  Mr.  Granville  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Bessie  Olson,  a  native  of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Michael 
and  Cecelia  Olson,  who  were  bom  in  Bergen,  Norway,  and  took  up  their  abode 
among  the  early  settlers  of  Galesburg.  Mr.  Olson  is  still  living  here  but  lost  his 
wife  on  the  6th  of  May,  1911,  when  she  had  attained  the  age  of  eighty-four 
years.  Three  of  their  children  still  survive,  as  follows:  Mrs.  Granville;  Anna 
C.,  the  wife  of  George  F.  Eckstrand ;  and  Dr.  J.  C  Olsen,  a  doctor  of  chemistry 
and  an  expert  on  foods,  who  is  at  present  connected  with  the  Polytechnic  In- 


voi.  n— B 


-    :-o      '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -j^     ,•;: 

stitute  of  Brooklyn,  New  York.     He  gave  many  lectures  on  the  results  of  his  :'.. 

researches  and  is  the  author  of  a  book  on  "Pure  Foods"  and  a  volume  entitled  - .  ,- 

"Text-book  of  Quantitative  Chemical  Analysis."     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Granville  have  ^•''•^(= 

two  children,  John  Philip  and  Elizabeth.  ':  . 

In  politics  Mr.  Granville  is  a  stanch  republican,  loyally  supporting  the  men  '  - '  : 

and  measures  of  that  party.     For  two  years  he  acted  as  alderman  of  the  second  .  ,,.• 

ward.     In  Masonry  he  has  attained  high  rank,  being  a  member  of  the  following  ; 

organizations:     Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  treasurer;  >' 

Galesburg  Chapter,  No.  46,  R.  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.  T.,  :,'  ,<.  - 

in  which  he  is  eminent  commander;  Illinois  Council,  No.  i,  R.  &  S.  M.,  being-  -^ 

presiding  officer  of  the  council  at  Knoxville;  Mohammed  Temple  of  the  Mystic  '    v 

Shrine;  and  Peoria  Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S.     He  likewise  belongs  to  the  First  .     .' 

Scandinavian  Lodge,  No.  46,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  identified  with  the  encamp-  •;!.'.,• 
ment  and  the  canton.     His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the 

Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.    His  genu-  .     - 

ine  worth  and  his  devotion  to  all  that  is  right,  just  and  elevating,  make  him  a  '• 
man  whom  to  know  is  to  respect  and  honor.                   ,                    , 


:v:;\  GEORGE  J.  EASTES.          "'',.: 

Knox  county  has  been  signally  favored  in  the  class  of  men  who  have  usually 
occupied  her  public  offices.  On  the  whole  they  have  been  called  from  among 
the  best  citizenship  and  with  loyal  and  patriotic  spirit  have  discharged  the  duties 
that  have  devolved  upon  them.  In  this  connection  George  J.  Eastes  deserves 
mention,  for  at  the  present  writing  he  is  capably  filling  the  position  of  county 
treasurer.  He  was  born  in  Galesburg,  on  Christmas  day  of  1868,  a  son  of 
Jabez  and  Maria  S.  (Porter)  Eastes.  The  family  is  of  English  lineage  and  the 
paternal  grandfather,  John  Watson  Eastes,  a  native  of  England,  was  an  old 
seaman  and  for  many  years  a  pilot  on  the  English  channel.  He  died  in  his 
native  land  at  a  venerable  age  and  his  wife  also  traveled  far  on  life's  journey 
before  called  to  her  final  rest.  They  had  a  large  family,  including  John,  Samuel, 
Henry,  Jabez,  Richard.  Alfred,  Mary  Ann  and  Cynthia.  The  maternal  grand- 
father of  George  J.  Eastes  was  Benjamin  Porter,  a  native  of  Massachusetts, 
who  devoted  his  life  to  farming.  His  wife  died  in  early  womanhood  but  he 
lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  In  their  family  were  three  children,  George,  Maria  S. 
and  Mary. 

Jabez  Eastes,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Kent  county,  England, 
while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  He  spent  his  youthful  days  to 
the  age  of  ninteen  years  in  his  native  country  and  pursued  his  education  there. 
Desirous  of  having  better  advantages  than  could  be  secured  in  the  old  world, 
he  sailed  for  America  and  in  1849  became  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  where  he 
has  since  lived,  being  today  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  the  city,  having  made 
his  home  within  its  borders  for  sixty-two  years.  He  has,  therefore,  been  a 
witness  of  its  growth  from  early  villagehood  and  is  also  cognizant  with  many 
events  which  have  left  deep  impress  upon  the  history  of  central  Illinois.  For 
many  years  he  engaged  in  bookkeeping  but  some  years  ago  retired  from  busi- 


.   -V  V-' •  '  '-:   V    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    >  : .   ':   :    ' 

ness  life.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church,  as  did  his  wife, 
who  died  in  1873,  when  about  thirty-eight  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents 
of  six  children  who  lived  to  maturity,  John  W.,  Edward  P.,  Fannie  M.,  Eliza 
B.,  George  J.  and  Carrie  A. 

';  :  In  taking  up  the  personal  history  of  George  J.  Eastes  we  present  to  our 
readers  the  life  record  of  one  who  is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  Gales- 
burg,  where  he  has  spent  his  entire  life.  His  history  stands  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  the  old  adage  that  a  prophet  is  not  without  honor  save  in  his  own 
country,  for  in  the  city  of  his  nativity  he  has  been  called  to  positions  of  promi- 
nence, indicative  of  the  confidence  and  trust  reposed  in  him  by  his  fellow  towns- 
men, among  whom  he  has  always  made  his  home.  Entering  the  public  schools 
at  the  usual  age,  he  passed  through  consecutive  grades  until  graduated  from 
the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1887.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  rail- 
roading, being  first  connected  with  the  service  as  a  clerk,  while  later  he  was  fire- 
man for  sixteen  years  and  engineer  for  two  years.  He  left  the  road  in  1906, 
when  called  to  the  office  of  city  treasurer,  which  he  filled  for  two  years.  In 
the  fall  of  1910  he  was  elected  county  treasurer  and  is  now  serving  in  that  ca- 
pacity, promptly  and  systematically  discharging  the  duties  of  the  office  that 
devolve  upon  him. 

On  the  2 1st  of  r>ecember,  1899,  Mr.  Eastes  was  married  to  Miss  Ada  Vinecke, 
a  daughter  of  Christian  J.  and  Catharine  (Case)  Vinecke.  Mrs.  Eastes  was  born 
in  New  York,  near  Buffalo,  and  her  parents  were  also  natives  of  that  state. 
They  became  residents  of  Galesburg  in  1888  and  here  Mrs.  Vinecke  is  still  liv- 
ing, but  the  father  passed  away  in  1907,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  Unto 
them  were  born  five  children,  Elmer,  Carrie  J.,  Hattie,  Ada,  and  Ruth.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Eastes  have  one  son,  George  Vinecke.  The  parents  hold  membership  in  the 
Episcopal  church  and  Mr.  Eastes  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles,  being  esF>e- 
cially  prominent  in  Masonry.  His  membership  is  in  Des  Moines  Lodge,  No. 
I,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Iowa  Chapter,  No.  i,  R.  A.  M. ;  St.  Omar  Commandery,  No. 
15,  K.  T.,  of  Burlington,  Iowa;  Zarephath  Consistory,  A.  A.  &  S.  R.,  of  Daven- 
port, Iowa;  and  Kaaba  Temple  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is 
also  connected  with  Galesburg  Lodge,  No.  142,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  with  the  Gales- 
burg  lodge  of  Elks.  His  political  allegiance  has  always  been  given  the  republi- 
can party  and  he  has  been  an  earnest  worker  in  its  ranks.  In  office  he  is  making 
a  most  creditable  record,  his  work  receiving  the  commendation  of  all  who 
know  aught  of  the  actual  labor  that  is  connected  with  the  position.  " 


-r        :     ;     -  HON.  HENRY  McCALL  SISSON.  ;;••':•?:: 

•  During  the  years  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county  Hon.  Henry  McCall  Sis- 
son  was  well  known  as  an  educator,  farmer,  breeder  of  fine  stock  and  later  as 
a  retired  citizen  whose  activity  in  former  years  well  merited  rest  and  prosperity 
which  crowned  the  evening  of  his  life.  He  was  also  prominent  in  public  affairs 
and  although  many  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  were  accorded  him,  he 
never  betrayed  this  trust  in  the  slightest  degree.  He  was  born  in  Clinton,  New 
York,  September  29,  1829,  and  his  parents.  Pardon  and  Abba  (McCall)  Sis- 


94  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    'a-'       : 

son,  were  both  natives  of  New  England.  They  were  married  September  30, 
1827,  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  and  afterward  removed  to  Oneida  county.  New 
York,  where  they  resided  for  fifteen  years  prior  to  their  arrival  in  Galesburg  in 
1842.  The  ancestral  line  on  the  maternal  side  has  been  traced  back  through 
thirty-seven  generations  to  Egbert,  who  became  king  in  the  year  802  A.  D., 
and  was  styled  Rex  Anglorum,  or  the  King  of  the  English.  One  of  the  great- 
grandfathers of  Henry  McCall  Sisson  was  Captain  Veach  Williams,  a  man  of 
considerable  prominence  in  his  day,  who  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut, 
April  23,  1727.  He  came  of  the  same  family  as  Ephraim  WiUiams,  the  founder 
of  Williams  College,  and  of  William  Williams,  who  was  one  of  the  signers  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  speaker  of  the  colonial  congress.  ,  - 

Henry  M.  Sisson  enjoyed  the  educational  advantages  offered  by  his  native 
town  and  made  wise  use  of  his  time  and  talents.  He  was  a  lad  of  thirteen 
years  when  the  family  came  to  Galesburg  and  after  continuing  his  studies  for  a 
time  in  the  district  schools  here  he  entered  Knox  Academy  in  the  fall  of  1843. 
He  became  very  proficient  in  Latin  and  in  mathematics  was  a  particularly  apt 
pupil.  When  only  sixteen  years  of  age  he  had  made  such  advancement  that  he 
was  chosen  as  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  his  broad  intelligence  well  qualify- 
ing him  for  the  position.  For  thirteen  years  he  remained  a  resident  of  Gales- 
burg but  in  1855  removed  to  his  farm  in  Henderson  township  and  during  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  was  connected  with  general  agricultural  pursuits. 

In  addition  to  tilling  the  fields  Mr.  Sisson  engaged  quite  extensively  in  the 
raising  of  fine  stock  in  which  he  was  very  successful.  He  was  also  an  excel- 
lent judge  of  stock,  his  opinions  being  accepted  as  authority  upon  their  value. 
His  business  affairs  were  most  capably  managed  and  the  energy  and  industry, 
sound  judgment  and  sagacity  which  he  displayed  constituted  effective  forces  in 
winning  for  him  the  success  which  crowned  his  labors. 

Mr.  Sisson  not  only  won  for  himself  a  creditable  position  in  business  circles 
but  also  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his  fellowmen  in  a  large  degree  and  by  them 
was  called  to  fill  many  positions  of  public  trust.  He  was  elected  supervisor  of 
Henderson  township  in  1869  and  was  again  called  to  that  office  in  1876,  at 
which  time  he  remained  in  the  position  for  three  years.  Again  in  1885  he  was 
chosen  supervisor  and  served  altogether  for  eleven  years.  After  establishing 
his  home  in  Galesburg  he  was  elected  to  the  office  and  continued  therein  for 
several  terms.  He  was  likewise  school  trustee,  road  commissioner  and  in  other 
connections  proved  his  loyalty  to  the  best  interests  of  the  community.  More- 
over he  was  identified  with  many  organizations  for  the  advancement  of  progress 
along  agricultural  and  other  lines.  He  was  a  member  of  the  farmers  congress 
at  the  World's  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago  and  was  a  delegate  to  the  farmers 
national  convention  held  in  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  in  1898.  He  was  president  of  the 
National  Poland  China  Swine  Association  and  for  ten  years  was  president  of  the 
American  Poland  China  Record  Company.  He  was  president  of  the  Knox 
County  Farmers  Institute  and  his  labors  constituted  a  potent  force  in  advancing 
agricultural  interests  in  this  part  of  the  state  and  in  stimulating  progress  through- 
out the  country.  He  held  to  the  highest  possible  standards  and  believed  that 
everything  should  be  done  for  the  improvement  of  conditions  and  methods. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1860,  Mr.  Sisson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eliza  Jane  Miller,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  A.  (Crane)  Miller,  who  were 


;     ;-         \  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         .yv     -         95 

residents  of  Chicago.  In  fact  her  father  was  one  of  the  honored  pioneers  of 
that  city,  having  served  as  one  of  the  first  trustees  when  Chicago  was  a  village. 
The  family  have  a  facsimile  of  the  resolutions  adopted  at  that  meeting.  Mr. 
Miller  had  previously  been  engaged  in  business  in  La  Porte,  Indiana,  and  re- 
moved thence  to  Chicago  where  he  acted  as  overseer  in  the  building  of  houses. 
He  made  his  home  there  from  1845  until  three  years  before  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1858,  in  Galesburg,  Illinois.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sisson 
are  six  children,  as  follows:  Mrs.  W.  H.  Cooper,  of  Denver,  Colorado;  Mrs. 
William  J.  Pringle,  of  Chicago ;  Mrs.  A.  H.  Stephens,  residing  in  New  York  city ; 
Mrs.  E.  P.  Robson,  of  Wataga,  Illinois;  and  Mrs.  E.  R.  Everett  and  Miss 
Anna  Sisson,  of  Galesburg. 

Mr.  Sisson  was  ever  a  great  reader  and  kept  well  informed  on  the  ques- 
tions and  issues  of  the  day  and  on  all  the  topics  of  general  interest.  He  was 
familiar  with  the  history  of  his  country  and  its  politics  and  also  thoroughly 
informed  concerning  the  history  of  Illinois.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
the  president  of  the  Old  Settlers  Association  of  Knox  county  and  not  only  was 
a  witness  of  the  important  events  which  have  here  occurred  but  was  an  active 
participant  in  many.  He  long  attended  the  Presbyterian  church  and  possessed 
a  nature  free  from  dishonesty  and  equally  free  from  ostentation  and  display. 
He  was  a  lover  of  home  and  friends  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  one  who 
had  more  warm  friends  in  Knox  county  than  Henry  M.  Sisson.  His  death 
occurred  on  the  29th  of  May,  1905.  His  life  had  been  a  useful  one,  well  spent  and 
fruitful  of  good  results.  He  not  only  made  continuous  advancement  himself 
but  stimulated  and  inspired  the  progress  of  others  and  was  particularly  well 
known  throughout  the  country  in  connection  with  stock-raising  interests.  No 
history  of  Knox  county  would  be  complete  without  a  record  of  his  life  which 
constitutes  a  creditable  chapter  in  the  annals  of  this  section.  .  :  v  ;../.. 


'•     •   ''  ;•    /•   ^.C'V;        JOHN  Z.  CARNS.  ::-;:^'--   /•      --/::"-':•  •'-^•- -I':'.'' •-• 

"^•A^..^:-'v-.::-  ::^V:V->^":..  .  ;v:;v'>v;^-;>v.:'/ 
John  Z.  Cams,  who  for  the  past  eleven  years  has  been  president  of  the 
Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Knoxville,  has  spent  the  entire  period  of  his  busi- 
ness career  in  this  institution,  where  he  was  first  employed  in  the  capacity  of 
assistant  cashier.  His  birth  occurred  in  Knoxville  on  September  8,  1858,  and 
he  is  the  only  child  born  of  the  marriage  of  John  W.  and  Sarah  (Zook)  Cams. 
The  father  was  born  in  Staunton,  Augusta  county,  Virginia,  on  the  22d  of  May, 
1808,  and  there  he  lived  until  he  wa's  eight  years  of  age.  Jacksonville,  Illinois, 
became  his  home  in  i8i6,  and  there  he  completed  his  schooling  and  learned  the 
tailor's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  some  years.  In  1836  he  left  Jacksonville 
and  came  to  Knoxville  where  he  became  associated  with  John  Eads  in  establish- 
ing a  grocery  and  dry-goods  store.  This  undertaking  proved  to  be  very  success- 
ful and  they  later  extended  the  scope  of  their  activities  by  opening  a  clothing 
store.  Their  eflforts  met  with  increasing  prosperity  and  Mr.  Cams  became  one 
of  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  town.  He  was  a  man  of  unusual  energy  and 
ambition  and  continued  to  be  identified  with  the  commercial  activities  of  Knox- 
ville until  1879,  when  he  retired.  Mr.  Cams  was  twice  married,  his  first  union 


96  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ".i  .;    V 

having  been  with  Miss  Eleanor  York,  to  whom  he  was  united  on  October  8, 
1834.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky  on  the  28th  of  July,  1817,  and  passed  away  in 
Knoxville,  on  August  8,  1851.  Unto  them  were  born  three  children,  two  of 
whom  are  still  living :  Mary,  the  wife  of  John  Brewer,  of  Monmouth ;  and  Sarah 
Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  O.  N.  Barnhart,  also  of  Monmouth.  On  the  7th  of 
September,  1857,  Mr.  Cams  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Zook,  who  was  born  in 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  6th  of  March,  1819. 

After  the  completion  of  his  preliminary  education  John  Z.  Cams  entered 
Knox  College,  at  Galesburg.  At  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years,  in  1885,  he 
began  his  business  career,  and  entered  the  bank,  with  which  he  has  ever  since 
been  identified,  in  the  capacity  of  assistant  cashier.  He  attentively  applied  him- 
self to  the  thorough  mastery  of  his  various  duties,  at  the  same  time  acquiring 
a  broader  knowledge  of  finance,  thus  qualifying  himself  for  the  responsibilities 
of  a  higher  position.  In  1887  he  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  cashier  in  which 
he  continued  until  1899  when  he  was  elected  president.  During  the  long  period 
of  his  connection  with  the  banking  interests  of  Knox  county,  Mr.  Cams  has 
proven  himself  to  be  unusually  well  qualified  for  the  position  he  now  holds. 
His  clear  judgment,  foresight  and  conservative  policy  well  adapt  him  for  the 
head  of  a  financial  institution,  and  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Knoxville  is 
one  of  the  strongest  and  best  established  banks  of  the  county. 

In  Knoxville  on  September  lo,  1890,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
Cams  and  Miss  Nellie  Pierce.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Charles  A.  and  Ellen  P, 
Pierce.  The  father,  who  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  is  now  de- 
ceased, but  the  mother  is  still  living.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cams  there  has  been 
born  one  daughter,  Marie,  whose  birth  occurred  on  October  26,  1892. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Cams  gives  to  the  republican  party  and  the  past 
twenty-five  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  local  school  board,  and  he  has 
also  served  in  the  capacity  of  city  treasurer.  He  is  one  of  the  more  progressive 
citizens  of  the  town,  and  is  always  ready  to  give  his  cooperation  or  indorsement 
to  any  movement  that  is  inaugurated  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  com-, 
munity  welfare,  along  all  lines  of  general  interest.  ;  ..  .••.:; 


•   V  JOHN  COOKE.  M:.;  ::  ; 

At  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years  John  Cooke  is  still  full  of  active  interest  C 

in  his  work,  being  absorbed  in  the  varied  duties  and  responsibilities  which  devolve  ; 

upon  him  in  his  capacity  as  superintendent  of  the  Knox  County  Almshouse,  at  v 
Knoxville.     Bom  in   Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania.  December   ii,    1834,  he  is 

a  son  of  Thomas  and  Eliza  A.  (Frazier)  Cooke,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  '' 

Pennsylvania.     The  father  was  a  miller  by  occupation  and  operated  a  mill  in  :.- 

Fayette  county  for  many  years,  continuing  in  this  employment  until  his  death.  > 

The  family  consisted  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter,  of  whom  John  Cooke  is  the  •'; 

only  one  now  surviving.     His  sister  died  when  she  was  thirteen  months  old  and  , 

his  brother,  Frazier  L.  Cooke,  passed  away  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years.  v 

John  Cooke  obtained  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Fayette  county,  '. 

Pennsylvania,  and  when  a  young  man  learned  the  miller's  trade,  which  he  fol-  :'•: 


96  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

having  been  with  ^liss  Eleanor  York,  to  \vhom  he  was  united  on  October  8, 
1834.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky  on  the  28th  of  July,  1817,  and  passed  away  in 
Knoxville,  on  August  8,  1851.  Unto  them  were  born  three  children,  two  of 
whom  are  still  living:  !Mary,  the  wife  of  John  Brewer,  of  Monmouth;  and  Sarah 
Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  O.  N.  Barnhart,  also  of  Monmouth.  On  the  7th  of 
September,  1857,  Mr.  Cams  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Zook,  who  was  born  in 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  6th  of  March,  1819. 

After  the  completion  of  his  preliminary  education  John  Z.  Cams  entered 
Knox  College,  at  Galesburg.  At  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years,  in  1885,  he 
began  his  business  career,  and  entered  the  bank,  with  which  he  has  ever  since 
been  identified,  in  the  capacity  of  assistant  cashier.  He  attentively  applied  him- 
self to  the  thorough  mastery  of  his  various  duties,  at  the  same  time  acquiring 
a  broader  knowledge  of  finance,  thus  qualifying  himself  for  the  responsibilities 
of  a  higher  position.  In  1887  he  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  cashier  in  which 
he  continued  until  1899  when  he  was  elected  president.  During  the  long  period 
of  his  connection  with  the  banking  interests  of  Knox  county,  Mr.  Cams  has 
proven  himself  to  be  unusually  well  qualified  for  the  position  he  now  holds. 
His  clear  judgment,  foresight  and  conservative  policy  well  adapt  him  for  the 
head  of  a  financial  institution,  and  the  Farmers'  National  Bank  of  Knoxville  is 
one  of  the  strongest  and  best  established  banks  of  the  county. 

In  Knoxville  on  September  lO,  1890,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
Cams  and  Miss  Nellie  Pierce.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Charles  A.  and  Ellen  P. 
Pierce.  The  father,  who  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  is  now  de- 
ceased, but  the  mother  is  still  living.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cams  there  has  been 
born  one  daughter,  !Marie,  whose  birth  occurred  on  October  26,  1892. 

His  political  allegiance  ^Ir.  Cams  gives  to  the  republican  party  and  the  past 
twentv-tive  vears  he  has  lx;en  a  member  of  the  local  school  board,  and  he  has 

«  •>  ' 

also  served  in  the  capacity  of  city  treasurer.  He  is  one  of  the  more  progressive 
citizens  of  tlie  touii.  and  is  always  ready  In  give  his  ccjoporation  or  indorsement 
to  any  movement  that  is  inaugurated  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  com- 
munity welfare,  along  all  lines  of  general  interest. 


JOHN  COOKE.        '  : 

At  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years  John  Cooke  is  still  full  of  active  intercut 
in  his  work,  being  absorbed  in  the  varied  duties  and  responsibilities  which  devolve 
upon  him  in  his  capacity  as  superintendent  of  the  Knox  Countv  . \lmshouse,  at 
Knoxville.  r.orn  in  Fayettc  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  ii,  1834,  he  is 
a  son  of  Thomas  and  Eliza  A.  (Fraxicr)  Cooko,  both  of  whom  we're  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  1  he  father  was  a  miller  by  occupation  and  operated  a  mill  in 
Fayette  county  for  many  years,  continuing  in  this  employment  until  his  death. 
The  family  consisted  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter,  of  whom  John  Cooke  is  the 
only  one  now  surviving.  His  sister  died  when  she  was  thirteen  months  old  and 
his  brother,  Frazier  L.  Cooke,  passed  away  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years. 

John  Cooke  obtained  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Fayette  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  when  a  young  man  learned  the  miller's  trade,  which  he  fol- 


/^         :v;       0       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '    .ty       .  .       99 

lowed  in  Pennsylvania  until  1866.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois," 
and  engaged  in  farming,  continuing  in  this  pursuit  until  1892,  never  residing 
more  than  two  miles  from  Knoxville.  He  then  retired,  having  received  the 
appointment  to  the  position  of  superintendent  of  the  Knox  County  Almshouse 
on  December  i,  1891,  and  has  served  in  this  capacity  since  that  time.  He  is  well 
fitted  for  this  place,  being  ever  merciful  and  possessing  the  utmost  sympathy 
for  those  who  have  been  less  kindly  dealt  with  by  fortune,  and  is  regarded  with 
sincere  loyalty  by  those  who  have  come  to  find  a  home  within  his  gates. 

On  October  2,  1856,  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Cooke  and  Miss  Martha  M.  Forrey 
was  solemnized.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  January  17,  1836,  a  daughter 
of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Lenhart)  Forrey,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Cooke  and  two  others  are 
now  living. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooke  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church,  of  which  the 
former  has  been  an  elder  for  the  past  thirty-five  years.  In  his  fraternal  relations 
he  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  brotherhood,  being  a  member  of  Pacific  Lodge 
No.  66,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  which  he  has  occupied  all  but  one  of  the  chairs. 
Politically  he  is  in  sympathy  with  the  principles  of  the  republican  party.  Con- 
scientious in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  he  believes  and  practices  the  Christian 
ideal  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Man  and  has  won  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him. . 


•     '  :    ^.        FRANKLIN  H.  HOOKER.  •' -^  :.':--^--:',-.:'' ./:• 

'.  Franklin  H.  Hooker  is  filling  the  office  of  deputy  sheriff  of  Knox  county 
and  was  formerly  its  sheriff.  He  makes  his  home  in  Galesburg  at  No.  337  South 
Cherry  street  and  is  a  native  of  the  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  near 
Abingdon,  May  i,  1865.  His  parents  were  William  Chauncey  and  Rowena 
C.  (Robinson)  Hooker,  both  natives  of  Nicholas  county.  West  Virginia.  The 
former  was  a  son  of  John  L.  Hooker  who  was  likewise  born  in  West  Virginia 
and  made  the  occupation  of  farming  his  life  work.  He  came  to  Illinois  some 
time  in  the  '6os  but  afterward  removed  to  Kansas  and  passed  away  at  Smith 
Center  that  state,  at  an  old  age.  His  wife  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Nancy' 
Bruffey  and  they  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  William 
C..  John  H.,  Edward,  Catharine  and  Elizabeth.  The  maternal  grandfather  of 
F.  H.  Hooker  was  also  a  native  of  West  Virginia  and  devoted  his  life  to  farming 
and  merchandising.  He  died  in  Summersville,  that  state,  when  about  sixty-  ' 
five  years  of  age.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  eight  children,  Benjamin 
H.,  Rowena  C.,  Betsey,  Julia,  Hammond,  Joseph,  Samuel  H.  and  Lola. 

After  spending  his  youthful  days  in  West  Virginia  William  Hooker  came  to 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  about  1862,  settling  about  two  miles  northwest  of  Abing-  ' 
don.  He  was  a  civil  engineer  and  in  this  county  devoted  much  time  to  inven- 
tions, bringing  out  a  number  of  useful  devices  while  at  the  same  time  he 
carried  on  his  farm  work.  He  died  in  Abingdon,  in  February.  1909.  at  the  age 
of  sixty-seven  years,  and  his  wife  still  survives  him.  Mrs.  Hooker  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church  and  is  well  known  in  her  home  locality.  By  her 
marriage  to  Mr.  Hooker  she  became  the  mother  of  four  children,  all  now  liv- 


100  :i  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;,•;    '  ;:  t 

ing:  Franklin  H.,  of  this  review;  Marguerite,  of  Abingdon ;  Nannie,  the  wife 
of  Charles  A.  Reynolds,  of  Galesburg;  and  John  L.,  of  Abingdon. 

Franklin  H.  Hooker  was  reared  in  this  county  and  has  spent  practically 
his  entire  life  in  Abingdon  up  to  the  last  eight  years.  He  was  a  pupil  in  the 
public  schools  there  and  after  putting  aside  his  text-books  began  work  at  the 
carpenter's  trade  which  he  followed  in  the  employ  of  others  or  as  a  contractor 
for  ten  or  twelve  years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  merchandising-,  con- 
ducting a  grocery  store  in  Abingdon  for  four  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  came  to  Galesburg,  being  appointed  deputy  sheriff  under  C.  F.  Hur- 
burgh,  in  which  office  he  continued  for  four  years.  Later  he  became  deputy 
under  R.  G.  Matthews  and  filled  the  office  until  the  death  of  the  latter,  when 
Mr.  Hooker  was  elected  sheriff  in  1908,  remaining  as  the  incumbent  of  that 
position  until  the  fall  of  1910.  He  then  became  deputy  sheriff  under  the  newly 
elected  sheriff,  F.  F.  Seaman,  and  is  thus  numbered  among  Knox  county's 
office-holders  of  the  present  day. 

In  February.  1895,  Mr.  Hooker  was  married  to  Miss  Nellie  Foreman, 
who  was  born  south  of  Berwick  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Frank 
and  Mary  (Levvis)  Foreman.  Her  father  was  of  Canadian  birth  and  her  mother 
was  born  near  Berwick  but  both  are  now  deceased.  They  had  two  children, 
the  younger  being  a  son,  Frank  L.  Foreman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hooker  hold  mem- 
bership in  the  Methodist  church  and  are  loyal  to  its  teachings.  Fraternally  he 
is  connected  with  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  with  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  republican  and  years 
ago  served  as  city  marshal  of  Abingdon  while  for  two  years  he  was  collector 
of  Cedar  township.  He  has  made  a  creditable  record  in  business  and  in  office 
and  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  present  position  has  ever  been  faithful, 
fearless  and  loyal,  a  fact  which  is  indicated  by  his  long  connection  with  the 
sheriff's  office. 


T  JAMES   WILKS.  •-.;:::..: 

One  of  the  enterprising  men  of  Knox  county  and  well  known  for  the  excellent, 
character  of  his  work  is  James  Wilks,  who  is  a  painter,  paper  hanger  and  dec- 
orator and  is  also  proficient  in  the  brick  and  stone-mason's  trade.  He  was  born 
in  Gloucestershire,  England,  April  17,  1845,  his  parents  being  George  and  Susan 
(Aston)  Wilks,  natives  of  the  same  locality.  His  father  was  for  many  years 
a  gardener  but  later  learned  the  stone-mason's  trade.  The  mother,  who  was 
skilled  in  the  use  of  roots  and  herbs,  practiced  her  art  of  medicinal  cures  with 
much  success  throughout  her  life.  In  1849  the  family,  which  consisted  of  nine 
children,  left  their  home  in  England  and  crossed  the  Atlantic,  landing  in  Potts- 
ville,  Pennsylvania,  after  a  tediously  drawn-out  journey  of  sixteen  weeks.  They 
remained  in  Pottsville  for  a  brief  period,  removing  thereupon  to  Mount  Savage, 
Maryland,  where  they  resided  for  four  years.  In  1853  the  father  came  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  and  made  a  close  survey  of  this  locality  with  a  view  to  settling 
and  the  following  year  brought  his  family  from  Maryland  to  their  new  home 


;'     :     ?          V    ".,    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '  "-.-V^jiV 

in  Wataga.     During  their  residence  in  that  town  Mr.  Wilks  and  his  two  sons 
James  and  Thomas  went  to  Iowa  for  a  time  and  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  Jas- 
per county,  where  they  began  the  development  of  a  coal  bank.    Later  he  traded      ; 
this  tract  for  land  near  Wataga  and  opened  up  the  first  coal  bank  that  was  ever     : 
operated  in  Knox  county.    The  parents  both  passed  away  in  Wataga,  the  father 
in  1887  and  the  mother  in  1879.     Only  four  children  of  the  family  survive,  of 
whom  Thomas  is  the  eldest  and  possesses  an  interesting  record  of  service  during 
the  Civil  war.     He  enlisted  from  Wataga  in  Company  K,  of  the  Forty-fifth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  one  of  the  leading  regiments,  and  served  all  through     ; , 
the  war,  p>articipating  in  about  forty  engagements.    Among  these  was  the  siege  .  . 
of  Vicksburg,  in  which  he  was  one  of  the  three  that  performed  the  daring  deed 
of  carrying  the  torches  that  ignited  the  fuse  which  blew  up  the  city.     He  was 
severely  wounded  in  this  battle  but  continued  his  military'  service  as  soon  as  he 
recovered.     James  Wilks  also  has  two  sisters :  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Mallin,  of  Gales- 
burg;  and  Hattie,  of  Canton,  Illinois.    His  twin  brothers.  Job  and  John,  are  both    ! 
deceased. 

During  the  residence  of  the  Wilks  family  in  Maryland  James  Wilks  began 
his  education  in  the  schools  of  Mount  Savage  and  after  their  removal  to  Wataga,      ' 
Illinois,   completed  his   education.     During  the  progress   of  the  Civil   war   he     • 
enlisted  for  one  hundred  days  from  Wataga  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and 
thirty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  mustered  in  at  Quincy,  but 
not  found  old  enough  to  go  to  the   front.     He  reenlisted,  however,   and   was      /^ 
mustered  out  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  serving  six  months.     At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Wataga  and  learned  the  stone  and  brick-mason's    \ 
trade,  which  he  has  followed  ever  since,  making  a  specialty  of  building  cisterns,     y 
He  worked  at  his  trade  for  a  time  in  Abingdon  and  in  Galesburg,  coming  to    . 
Knoxville  twenty-six  years  ago.     In  addition  to  the  trade  which  he  originally     : 
learned,   he   mastered   the  methods   employed   in   painting,   paper-hanging   and        • 
decorating,  evincing  great  skill  in  these  allied  departments  of  the  building  trade. 
He  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  in  Galesburg  to  decorate  a  room,  having 
f>erformed  the  contract  for  Henry  Gart.  . 

On  October  20,  1868,  Mr.  Wilks  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Isabel 
Laird,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1846.     Her  parents,  Matthew  and  Isabel  Laird, 
came  to  Illinois  in  1855,  their  family  being  the  first  to  settle  in  Woodhull,  where     ' 
her  father  followed  the  shoemaker's  trade.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laird  are  now  de- 
ceased.   To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilks  five  children  were  born,  four  daughters  and  a 
son.     Charlotte  is  the  wife  of  Wilson  Hitchens,  an  engineer  in  the  employ  of 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  and  resides  in  Manitou,  Colorado.     .  , 
They  are  the  parents  of  two  daughters  and  a  son,  Maude,  Earl  and  Ellen.    Valetta, 
the  second  in  order  of  birth  in  the  family  of  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Wilks  and  now  de- 
ceased, was  the  wife  of  Charles  Rogers.     They  were  the  parents  of  three  chil- 
dren, Geneva,  Charlotte  and  Forrest.     Nellie,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  Homer 
Jones.     Martha,  the  wife  of  John  Schwensen,  an  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the     '- 
Santa  Fe  Railroad,  lives  in   Kansas.     Fred,  living  in  Galesburg.  where   he  is 
employed  by  the  Metropolitan  Life  Insurance  Company,  is  married  to  Catherine     -' 
Sikes  and  has  one  child,  Richard. 

:      Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilks  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  they 
give  their  loyal  and  helpful  support.    Mr.  Wilks  is  a  member  of  Knoxville  Post,     ', , 


102  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


No.  239,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Knoxville,  in  which  he  has  been  past  lieutenant  commander. 
All  those  who  know  James  Wilks — and  his  acquaintance  is  a  wide  one — hold 
him  in  high  esteem  for  his  honest,  upright  character  and  his  industrious  mode 
of  life.  He  is  still  actively  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  his  calling  and  finds  his 
greatest  joy  in  doing  well  the  tasks  of  each  passing  day. 


^  ^-  v:^::;  DEAN  C  HURLBUTT.     ; Ay  Ov 

A  native  of  New  England,  Dean  C.  Hurlbutt  inherited  from  his  New  Eng- 
land ancestors  those  stern  qualities  of  self-denial  and  unremitting  industry  which 
seldom  fail  to  produce  success  and  win  the  rewards  that  belong  to  honest  toil. 
He  is  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  land  comprising  one  thousand  acres  in  Knox 
county  and  lives  retired  at  his  home  in  West  Main  street,  Yates  City,  Illinois, 
where  he  devotes  himself  to  the  numerous  business  and  financial  interests  which 
claim  his  attention.  He  was  born  in  Coos  county.  New  Hampshire,  February 
13,  1834,  a  son  of  Asa  and  Mary  (Jones)  Hurlbutt.  The  father  was  born,  in 
1800,  in  Waterford,  Vermont,  where  he  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  was  married  in  New  Hampshire,  where  Mary  Jones  was  born  in 
1805,  and  lived  in  the  east  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1853  he  brought  his  fam- 
ily to  Illinois,  first  settling  in  Truro  township  and  later  in  Elba  township,  where 
he  entered  eighty  acres  from  the  government.  He  resided  there  until  his  death 
at  the  age  of  sixty  years,  being  buried  in  Jones  cemetery  in  Elba  township,  be- 
side his  wife,  who  preceded  him  in  death  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  They 
were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  all  have  died  except  Dean  C. 
Hurlbutt  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Griffin,  who  resides  in  Linn  county, 
Missouri.  Mr.  Asa  Hurlbutt  was  a  republican  in  politics  but  never  sought  for 
the  honors  of  office.  He  and  his  family  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

Dean  C.  Hurlbutt  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  New  Hampshire  and 
early  in  life  was  trained  in  agricultural  duties.  He  accompanied  the  family 
when  his  father  came  to  Knox  county,  in  1853,  and  two  years  after  engaged  in 
farming  for  himself.  He  began  by  renting  a  piece  of  land  for  a  year  and  then 
bought  eighty  acres  on  section  6  in  Elba  township,  where  he  pursued  general 
farming  and  the  breeding  of  blooded  stock.  He  improved  the  place  greatly  and 
erected  two  separate  sets  of  buildings,  but  after  some  time  removed  to  a  farm 
which  he  bought  on  section  17  in  Elba  township,  continuing  his  labors  in  the 
fields  until  1907,  when  he  retired  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Yates  City.  He 
is  by  no  means  idle,  however,  since  he  is  a  director  of  the  Farmer's  Telephone 
Exchange  of  Yates  City,  the  president  of  the  company  being  O.  B.  West,  the 
secretary  and  treasurer,  William  Faulds,  and  the  manager,  Fred  Conover.  It 
is  a  thriving  company  having  installed  thus  far  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
telephones  in  local  homes  and  business  places,  and  offers  connected  service  with 
the  Galesburg  Union  Telephone  Company.  .  <. 

In  1855  Mr.  Hurlbutt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ann  (Lam- 
bert) Butts,  a  native  of  Indiana.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Lambert  and 
the  widow  of  Stuart  Butts,  by  whom  she  had  two  children,  Alvertis  and  Stuart 


102       •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Xo.  239,  C;.  A.  R..  of  Knoxvillc,  in  \vhich  lie  has  been  past  lieutenant  commander. 
All  those  \vho  know  James  \\'ilks — and  his  aajuaintance  is  a  wide  one — hold 
him  in  high  esteem  for  his  honest.  u]5right  character  and  his  intlustrious  mode 
of  life.  He  is  still  actively  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  his  calling  and  finds  his 
greatest  j<\v  in  doing  well  the  tasks  of  each  passing  day. 


DEAX  C.  HURLBUTT. 

A  native  of  Xew  England,  Dean  C.  Hurlbutt  inherited  from  his  X'ew  Eng- 
land ancestors  those  stem  qualities  of  self-denial  and  unremitting  industry  which 
seldom  fail  to  produce  success  and  win  the  rewards  that  belong  to  honest  toil. 
He  is  the  owner  of  a  tract  of  land  comprising  one  thousand  acres  in  Knox 
county  and  lives  retired  at  liis  home  in  West  Main  street,  Yates  City,  Illinois, 
where  he  devotes  himself  to  the  numerous  business  and  financial  interests  which 
claim  his  attention.  Tie  was  born  in  Coos  county.  Xew  Hampshire.  February 
13.  1834.  a  son  of  Asa  and  Mary  (Jones)  Hurlbutt.  The  father  was  born,  in 
1800.  in  Waterford.  \'ermont.  where  he  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schocjls.  lie  was  married  in  X'ew  Hampshire,  where  Mary  Jones  was  bom  in 
1805.  and  lived  in  the  east  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1853  he  brought  his  fam- 
ily to  Illinois,  first  settling  in  Truro  townshi])  and  later  in  Elba  township,  where 
he  entered  eighty  acres  from  the  government.  He  resided  there  until  his  death 
at  the  age  of  sixty  years,  being  buried  in  Jones  cemetery  in  Elba  township,  lie- 
side  his  wife,  who  preceded  him  in  death  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  They 
were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  of  whom  all  have  died  except  Dean  C. 
I  lurlbutt  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Griffin,  who  resides  in  Linn  county, 
Missouri.  .Mr.  .\sa  Hurlbutt  was  a  rejiublican  in  politics  but  never  sought  for 
the  honors  of  office.  He  and  his  family  belonged  to  the  ^Methodist  Episcopal 
church. 

Dean  C.  Hurlbutt  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Xew  Hampshire  and 
early  in  life  was  trained  in  agricultural  duties.  He  accomjjanied  the  family 
when  his  father  came  to  Knox  county,  in  1853,  and  two  years  after  engaged  in 
farming  for  himself.  He  began  by  renting  a  ])iece  of  land  for  a  year  and  then 
bought  eighty  acres  on  section  6  in  Elba  township,  where  he  pursued  general 
farming  and  the  breeding  of  blooded  stock.  1  le  improved  the  place  greatly  and 
erected  two  separate  sets  of  l)uildings.  but  after  some  time  removed  to  a  farm 
which  he  bought  on  section  17  in  Elba  township,  continuing  his  labors  in  the 
fields  until  1907.  when  he  retired  and  took  u])  his  residence  in  Yates  City.  He 
is  by  no  means  idle,  however,  since  he  is  a  director  of  the  Farmer's  Telephone 
Exchange  of  Yates  City,  the  president  of  the  company  being  O.  15.  West,  the 
secretary  and  treasurer.  \\'illiam  I'aulds.  and  the  manager.  Fred  Conover.  It 
is  a  thriving  comi)any  having  installed  thus  far  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
telephones  in  local  homes  and  business  places,  and  offers  connected  sen'ice  with 
the  Galesburg  L'nion  Telepbone  Company. 

In  1855  ]\rr.  Hurlbutt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  .A.nn  (Lam- 
bert) Butts,  a  native  of  Indiana.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Lambert  and 
the  widow  of  Stuart  Butts,  by  whom  she  had  two  children,  Alvertis  and  Stuart 


V^       :          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^'.i;^- -7;?;:;?  i: 

M.  Butts.  Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurlbutt,  but  both  are 
deceased.  Mary,  the  older,  became  the  wife  of  Guy  Davis  and  had  one  son, 
Roy,  and  the  younger,  Julia  A.,  was  not  married.  Roy  Davis,  the  grandson  of 
Mr.  Hurlbutt,  and  his  namesake.  Dean  C.  Hurlbutt,  a  nephew,  were  brought 
up  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurlbutt  and  are  now  engaged  in  operating  the  home  place, 
Roy  Davis  married  Miss  Eva  Green  and  they  have  one  child,  Guy.  Dean  C. 
Hurlbutt,  Jr.,  married  Miss  Percie  Caldwell  and  they  have  two  children.  Dean 
C.  and  George  S.  His  first  wife  having  passed  away.  Dean  C.  Hurlbutt,  our 
subject,  was  married,  in  1907,  to  Mrs.  Janet  Pulver,  a  daughter  of  George  Doty. 
Mrs.  Hurlbutt  was  the  mother  of  six  children  by  her  first  marriage,  namely, 
Chester  H.,  Dora,  Amy,  Martha,  Nettie  and  Bert  Pulver. 

Mr.  Hurlbutt  uses  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  republican  party.  He  is  an 
energetic  business  man  and  in  his  dealings  with  others  has  gained  an  enviable 
reputation  for  being  sincere  and  loyal  to  his  friends.  .  •  :  :  ,'  :  . 


:  ;    -  r      .      FORREST  F.  COOKE.  :,:   ;   ^V     >     • , ; V 

Forrest  F.  Cooke,  for  thirty-nine  years  identified  with  the  legal  fraternity  o{ 
Galesburg,  was  born  in  Plainfield,  New  Jersey,  on  the  4th  of  February,  1848. 
He  is  a  son  of  the  late  Milo  D.  and  Betsey  B.  (Smith)  Cooke,  natives  of  \'er- 
mont,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  The  father's  birth  occurred  in 
Cornwall,  Addison  county,  on  the  2ist  of  June,  1819,  and  the  mother's  in  the 
village  of  Monkton,  that  county,  in  1824.  They  were  married  in  1846  and  sub- 
sequently located  in  Plainfield,  where  the  father,  who  was  a  lawyer,  engaged  in 
teaching  until  1853.  In  the  latter  year  together  with  his  wife  and  family  he 
came  to  Knox  county,  locating  in  Henderson.  There  he  continued  to  teach  for 
three  years,  then  came  to  Galesburg.  The  following  year,  in  1857,  he  was  made 
police  magistrate  at  the  first  election  held  after  the  adoption  of  the  city  charter. 
He  discharged  the  duties  of  this  office  with  rare  efficiency  as  is  manifested  by 
the  length  of  his  term,  which  was  terminated  by  his  death,  on  the  I2th  of  May, 
1889.  Local  politics  always  engaged  much  of  his  attention,  and  he  was  called 
to  fill  various  public  offices.  His  support  was  always  given  to  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party,  and  for  many  years  he  served  on  the  school 
board  and  also  as  a  supervisor.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  continues  to  make 
her  home  in  Galesburg.  She  has  always  been  an  earnest  Christian  and  holds 
membership  in  the  Congregational  church.  ;;;';;;•••.!•  .  :^.  :;,:.;' '^vv^  ;. 

Forrest  F.  Cooke,  who  is  the  only  child  of  his  parents,  was  a  lad  of  eight 
years  when  the  family  took  up  their  residence  in  Galesburg.  His  early  educa- 
tion was  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  this  city,  and  in  1863  he  entered  Lom- 
bard University,  where  he  remained  until  April  of  the  following  year.  He  then 
laid  aside  his  text-books  and  responded  to  his  country's  call  by  enlisting  as  a 
private  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry. He  remained  at  the  front  for  a  year,  being  mustered  out  at  Peoria.  this 
state.  Upon  his  return  he  resumed  his  studies,  and  in  1866  enrolled  in  Knox 
College,  being  graduated  with  the  class  of  1870.  He  then  entered  the  office  of 
Judge  Lamphere  and  O.  F.  Price  of  this  city,  and  for  two  years  g^ve  his  im- 


106  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUl^TY   ^;f  /  < 

divided  attention  to  the  study  of  law.  In  1872  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
immediately  thereafter  established  an  office  here,  that  he  has  ever  since  main- 
tained. He  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  capable  attorneys  of  Knox  county, 
and  during  the  long  period  of  his  connection  with  the  profession  has  succeeded 
in  building  up  a  lucrative  practice.  Among  his  clients  are  represented  many  of 
the  foremost  business  men  and  heads  of  some  of  the  leading  industries  in  the 
city.  His  conscientious  devotion  to  the  best  interests  of  his  clients,  has  won 
for  him  a  reputation  for  trustworthiness  and  reliability,  that  has  in  all  prob- 
ability been  his  greatest  asset.  He  has  always  been  a  close  student  and  being 
the  fortunate  possessor  of  a  wonderful  memory  is  considered  to  be  one  of  the 
best  informed  general  practitioners  in  the  local  courts.  >  '  -  .  •  |.,.  :  -  : 

On  the  I7th  of  March,  1875,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Forrest  F. 
Cooke  and  Miss  Sarah  Louise  Collins,  a  daughter  of  Bryan  and  Elizabeth  Col- 
lins, of  Ogdensburg,  New  York.  Three  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cooke :  Florence  A.,  the  widow  of  Charles  Morenhaut.  of  Chicago ;  Chauncey 
L.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Seattle;  and  Bessie,  the  wife  of  Frank  Wentworth,  of 
Chicago.  Mrs.  Cooke  passed  away  on  the  I3th  of  October,  1908,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-seven  years,  her  birth  having  occurred  in  Lewis  county.  New  York,  in 
1851.  On  November  28,  1911,  Mr.  Cooke  was  married  to  Ella  Tully,  of  Iowa 
Falls,  Iowa. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Cooke  is  an  honored  member  of  Post  No.  45,  G.  A.  R. ;  and 
he  is  also  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  his  political 
views  he  has  ever  been  a  stanch  republican,  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  all 
municipal  questions.  He  was  president  of  the  board  of  education  for  six  years 
and  has  served  three  terms  as  mayor  of  Galesburg,  and  for  the  past  sixteen 
years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  education.  Mr.  Cooke  is  a 
man  of  high  ideals  and  worthy  motives,  who  always  strives  to  fulfill  his  duties 
of  citizenship  by  advancing  the  best  interests  of  the  community. 


S'    ;  REV.  NORMAN  TAYLOR  ALLEN. 

No  history  of  Knox  county  would  be  complete  without  reference  to  Rev. 
Norman  Taylor  Allen,  who  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  this  section  of  the   . 
state  and  is  numbered  among  the  native  sons  of  Galesburg.    Early  consecrating   v 
his  life  to  church  work,  he  has  been  an  active  force  in  the  moral  development  •. 
of  central  Illinois  and  his  example  no  less  than  his  precepts  has  been  a  factor 
in  the  moral  growth  of  the  community.     He  is  a  man  of  scholarly  attainment,     , 
because  of  wide  reading  and  study,  and  he  has  ever  kept  in  close  touch  with  the 
discussion  of  the  themes,  that  have  ever  been  regarded  as  of  vital  interest  in      t 
greater  development  and  in  the  progress  of  civilization.  " 

He  was  born  in  Galesburg,  August  15,  1844,  and  is  a  representative  of  one  - 
of  the  old  New  England  families.     His  paternal  grandfather,  Chester  E.  Allen,     v 
was  born  in  Hartford  or  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  was  a  tailor  by  trade. 
He  removed  westward  in  1855,  settling  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  but  was  not 
long  permitted  to  enjoy  his  new  home  for  his  death  occurred  March  4,  1859,  ;-;. 
when  he  was  seventy-six  years  of  age.     His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  : 


V'        •    '•  '   -     '    ,       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ':     -^  ^^i^]     107 

of  Eunice  Curtis,  survived  him  for  a  short  period.  They  reared  quite  a  large 
family,  the  order  of  their  births  being  as  follows:  Juliette,  who  died  when 
eighteen  years  of  age ;  Sheldon  W. ;  Algenia ;  Adaline ;  Amanda ;  Homer  J. ; 
Sophia,  who  died  when  four  or  five  years  of  age ;  Mary ;  and  Asahel. 

Of  this  family  Sheldon  W.  Allen  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  and 
was  indebted  to  its  public  school  system  for  the  educational  opportunities  he 
received.  He  was  married  there  on  the  2Oth  of  January,  1835,  to  Miss  Fidelia 
Leach,  who  was  born  in  New  York  as  was  her  father.  Daniel  Leach.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sheldon  Allen  began  their  domestic  life  in  the  Empire  state  but  came  to 
Galesburg  with  "the  colony"  in  1837,  arriving  here  on  the  2Oth  of  June.  They 
went  to  Log  City  where  Mr.  Allen  built  a  log  cabin,  a  part  of  the  colony  having 
located  there  the  previous  year.  He  erected  a  double  cabin  and  occupied  it  for 
exactly  three  years,  when  he  removed  to  a  new  home  on  Mulberry  street  in 
Galesburg,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  He  lived  to  see  notable 
changes  in  the  county,  owing  to  the  transformation  brought  about  through  the 
earnest  efforts  and  business  activity  of  its  progressive  citizens.  In  the  early 
days  he^ hauled  grain  to  Chicago  by  wagon  and  brought  back  provisions,  sleeping 
under  the  wagon  as  he  could  not  afford  to  pay  hotel  bills.  There  were  no  rail- 
roads at  that  day  and  to  a  large  extent  the  prairies  were  wild  land,  especially  in 
the  more  northerly  parts  of  the  state.  All  the  conditions  of  pioneer  life  were  to 
be  met  with  and  Mr.  Allen,  as  did  other  early  settlers,  shared  in  the  hardships 
and  trials  of  establishing  a  home  on  the  frontier.  He  passed  away  January  i8, 
1893,  ^t  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  being  not  only  one  of  the  most  venerable 
citizens  but  also  one  of  the  oldest  in  years  of  continuous  connection  with  Knox 
county.  He  was  a  strong  abolitionist  in  the  early  days  and  made  his  home  a 
station  of  the  underground  railroad,  assisting  many  poor  slaves  on  their  way  to 
freedom  in  the  north.  His  wife  had  died  of  typhoid  fever  in  1855,  when  forty- 
three  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  sons  and  a  daughter :  James 
S.,  who  is  living  on  East  South  street  in  Galesburg;  Sheldon  O.,  who  died  in 
1902;  Albert  H.,  whose  home  is  at  No.  109  Aliens  avenue,  Galesburg;  Henry 
Alonzo,  also  of  this  city;  Norman  T.,  who  makes  his  home  at  216  Aliens  avenue; 
Chester  E.,  of  704  Mulberry  street,  Galesburg;  Mary  Fidelia,  deceased,  who 
was  the  wife  of  John  H.  WyckofF,  of  Canton,  Illinois;  and  Dr.  John  S.  AUen, 
of  Keithsburg,  Illinois.  •v.-Vv  -  •  :\v;t:^.'  :'  ;^-;  .  :X 

Spending  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  city.  Rev.  Norman  T.  Allen  attended 
the  public  schools  and  also  Knox  College.  Having  determined  to  devote  his 
life  to  the  ministry,  he  then  entered  the  Garrett  Biblical  Institute  at  Evanston 
and  afterward  joined  the  Central  Illinois  conference  in  1869.  His  first  appoint- 
ment was  as  pastor  of  the  Methodist  church  at  Summit,  now  Douglas,  Illinois, 
and  therefrom  he  went  to  Biggsville.  He  also  spent  two  years  in  pastoral  work 
at  Wataga  and  for  three  years  was  the  Methodist  minister  at  Roseville.  For 
the  past  thirty  years  he  has  been  the  publisher  of  the  Conference  Minutes,  a 
work  of  which  he  is  justly  proud ;  the  publication  appears  once  a  year  and  is 
considered  unexcelled  as  a  work  of  that  character.  He  has  ever  been  most 
zealous  in  his  advocacy  of  his  church  and  in  his  support  of  all  of  the  branches 
of  its  work,  and  his  labors  have  been  far  reaching  and  beneficial  as  factors  in 
its  upbuilding.  -.'/:'•: -'/'^^ "-.;•''  ^'vi-^^' ':v'4;'-vV^.:  .^'.•- ••:;'•''  "^ '?•-''  •'''^'•''-':-'-'""v- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .      :::^  -•; 

-  .  On  the  26th  of  May,  1867,  Rev.  Allen  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Kent, 
who  was  born  in  Java,  New  York,  the  adopted  daughter  of  Rev.  L.  B.  Kent, 
who  was  a  worthy  and  honored  Methodist  minister.  After  a  life  of  great  use- 
fulness he  passed  away.  May  24.  1911.  Five  children  have  been  born  unto  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Allen,  of  whom  the  eldest,  Willie  Robinson,  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
months,  while  a  daughter,  Adah  Elizabeth,  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
years.  The  others  are  Eva  Amelia,  Norman  Gumming  and  Grace  Fidelia.  Eva 
A.  is  now  the  wife  of  Dr.  A.  N.  Hughes,  a  veterinary  surgeon  of  Peoria,  and 
they  have  one  daughter,  Ruth  Alberta.  Norman  G.  Allen  is  train  master  of  the 
Galesburg-Ottumwa  division  of  the  Ghicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  with  head- 
quarters at  Burlington,  Iowa.  He  married  Miss  Anna  Ersfeldt  and  they  have 
two  children,  Norman  Anthony  and  Adah  Louise.  Grace  Fidelia  is  the  wife  of 
Harry  Dale  Weaver  and  they  reside  in  Galesburg,  and  have  one  child,  Allen  Dale. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  as  are  also  all  of 
their  children,  and  his  parents  were  members  of  the  old  First  church  of  this 
city.  They  were  a  very  religious  people,  unfaltering  in  their  devotion  to  the 
principles  in  which  they  believed  and  their  teachings  still  remain  as  an  ever 
growing  influence  for  good  in  the  world.  Rev.  Allen  of  this  review  is  also 
prominent  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  at  one  time  was  grand 
chaplain  of  the  grand  lodge  of  Illinois.  For  many  years  he  was  also  active  in 
the  Good  Templars  and  for  two  years  served  as  its  grand  counselor.  He  votes 
with  the  republican  party  but  is  a  strong  prohibitionist  in  sentiment  and  has 
always  done  everything  in  his  power,  to  advance  the  cause  of  temperance  and 
to  bring  people  to  a  knowledge  of  the  baneful  influence  brought  about  through 
the  use  of  intoxicants.  For  sixteen  years  he  has  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace,  rendering  decisions  that  are  strictly  fair  and  impartial  and  thus  "winning 
golden  honors  from  all  sorts  of  people."  For  one  term  he  was  poormaster  of 
Galesburg.  In  1910  he  was  elected  to  the  presidency  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Asso- 
ciation, which  has  been  organized  for  about  fifty  years,  and  was  reelected  in 
1911.  For  more  than  two- thirds  of  a  century  he  has  lived  in  Knox  county  and 
has  been  an  interested  witness  of  its  growth  and  progress,  his  labors  contributing 
in  substantial  measure  to  its  moral  development.  All  who  know  him,  and  his 
friends  are  many,  speak  of  him  as  a  man  of  kindly  spirit,  of  charitable  disposi- 
tion and  of  high  ideals.  He  is  ever  ready  to  extend  a  helping  hand  to  a  fellow 
traveler  on  life's  journey  and  the  worth  of  his  work  in  the  world  is  widely 
acknowledged.  '  :  v  ;s  -  .;  .  :v  ^  ; 


•  •/•::.;::-;:•.;;•;.,•...    .      CHESTER  E.  ALLEN.     ;;>.-:;^.;-;K ;.•;,;;• 

Among  the  men  whose  capably  managed  business  interests  have  brought 
to  them  a  substantial  measure  of  success,  enabling  them  now  to  live  retired, 
is  numbered  Chester  E.  Allen,  of  Galesburg,  who  is  a  representative  of  one 
of  the  oldest  pioneer  families  of  Knox  county.  He  was  born  in  this  city, 
February  8,  1846,  his  parents  being  Sheldon  W.  and  Fidelia  (Leach)  Allen, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  New  York.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Chester 
E.  Allen,  was  bom  in  Hartford  or  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  was  a  tailor 


;-^.;-.V.  ;    -V  :v  -  ,i.:       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •^•:^<^:l'>:.         109 

by  trade.  He  removed  westward  in  1855,  settling  in  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
but  was  not  long  permitted  to  enjoy  his  new  home  for  his  death  occurred 
March  4,  1859,  when  he  was  seventy-six  years  of  age.  His  wife,  who  bore 
the  maiden  name  of  Eunice  Curtis,  survived  him  for  a  short  period.  They 
reared  quite  a  large  family,  the  order  of  their  births  being  as  follows :  Juliette, 
who  died  when  eighteen  years  of  age ;  Sheldon  W. ;  Algenia ;  Adaline ;  Amanda ; 
Homer  J. ;  Sophia,  who  died  when  four  or  five  years  of  age ;  Mary ;  and  Asahel. 
Of  this  family  Sheldon  W.  Allen  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  was  in- 
debted to  its  public-school  system  for  the  educational  opportunities  he  received. 
He  was  married  there  on  the  2Oth  of  January,  1835,  to  Miss  Fidelia  Leach,  who 
was  born  in  New  York  as  was  her  father,  Daniel  Leach.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheldon 
Allen  began  their  domestic  life  in  the  Empire  state,  but  came  to  Galesburg  with 
"the  colony"  in  1837,  arriving  here  on  the  2Oth  of  June.  They  went  to  Log  City 
where  Mr.  Allen  built  a  log  cabin,  a  part  of  the  colony  having  located  there 
the  previous  year.  He  erected  a  double  cabin  and  occupied  it  for  exactly 
three  years,  when  he  removed  to  a  new  home  on  Mulberry  street  in  Gales- 
burg,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  He  lived  to  see  notable 
changes  in  the  county  owing  to  the  transformation  brought  about  through 
the  earnest  efforts  and  business  activity  of  its  progressive  citizens.  In  the  early 
days  he  hauled  grain  to  Chicago  by  wagon  and  brought  back  provisions,  sleep- 
ing under  the  wagon  as  he  could  not  afford  to  pay  hotel  bills.  There  were  no 
railroads  at  that  day  and  to  a  large  extent  the  prairies  were  uncultivated, 
especially  in  the  more  northerly  parts  of  the  state.  All  the  conditions  of 
pioneer  life  were  to  be  met  with  and  Mr.  Allen,  as  did  other  early  settlers, 
shared  in  the  hardships  and  trials  of  establishing  a  home  on  the  frontier.  He 
passed  away  January  i8,  1893,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  being  not  only 
one  of  the  most  venerable  citizens,  but  also  one  of  the  oldest  in  years  of  con- 
tinuous connection  with  Knox  county.  His  wife  had  died  of  typhoid  fever  in 
1855,  when  forty-three  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  sons 
and  a  daughter:  James  S.,  who  is  living  on  East  South  street  in  Galesburg; 
Sheldon  O.,  who  died  in  1902 ;  Albert  H.,  whose  home  is  at  No.  109  Aliens 
avenue,  Galesburg;  Henry  Alonzo,  also  of  this  city;  Norrtia  T.,  a  Methodist 
minister  residing  at  704  Mulberry  street,  Galesburg;  Chester  E.,  of  this  review; 
Mary  Fidelia,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  John  H.  Wyckoff,  of  Canton, 
Illinois;  and  Dr.  John  S.  Allen,  of  Keithsburg,  Illinois. 

The  youthful  days  of  Chester  E.  Allen  were  passed  in  Galesburg  where 
the  work  of  the  public  schools  and  the  pleasures  of  the  playground  occupied 
his  attention  and  when  he  had  put  aside  his  text-books  to  master  the  more 
difficult  lessons  of  the  school  of  experience,  he  began  learning  the  harness- 
maker's  trade,  which,  however,  he  later  abandoned  to  engage  in  the  butcher- 
ing business  in  connection  with  his  brothers,  James,  Albert  and  Henry,  con- 
ducting a  market  for  a  number  of  years.  It- is  a  brief  period  and  without  any 
spectacular  phases,  but  those  who  read  between  the  lines  must  know  that  the 
business  was  carefully,  systematically  and  wisely  conducted  and  that  honor- 
able dealing  as  well  as  unfaltering  enterprise  secured  for  them  the  large  trade 
that  in  time  made  them  well-to-do  citizens  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Since 
withdrawing  from  active  connection  with  the  butchering  business  Chester  E. 
Allen  has  lived  retired,  enjoying  in  well  earned  rest  the  fruits  of  his  former. 

toil.         ,....,.          ...        .         ......        .........         ..      ..      .,„. ,  .    .-        ....      .     ..    .    /: 


110         s  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .1 

On  the  27th  of  February,  1868,  Mr.  Allen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  Fleming,  who  was  born  on  Staten  Island,  New  York.  Unto  this  mar- 
fiage  has  been  born  a  daughter,  Blanche,  who  became  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Hutch- 
inson  and  died  six  weeks  after  the  birth  of  their  only  child,  Chester  B.  Hutch- 
inson.  Mrs.  Allen  passed  away  on  May  lo,  1900,  at  the  age  of  forty-nine 
years,  and  her  loss  was  as  deeply  regretted  by  many  friends  as  by  her  imme- 
diate family.  She  held  membership  in  the  Universalist  church  and  displayed 
many  admirable  traits  of  character  that  endeared  her  to  all  with  whom  she 
came  in  contact.  Mr.  Allen  affiliates  with  the  Universalist  church  and  his 
political  faith  is  that  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  a  right  to  wear  the 
Grand  Army  button,  for  during  the  last  year  of  the  war,  then  a  lad  of  eighteen 
years,  he  ran  away  from  home  and  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  as 
a  member  of  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  was  a  private  and  served  for  five  and  a  half  months,  being  mustered  out 
at  Peoria  after  the  close  of  hostilities.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the 
Masonic  Order,  his  membership  being  in  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.;  Galesburg  Chapter,  No.  46,  R.  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Commandery,  No.  8, 
K.  T. ;  Illinois  Council,  No!  i,  R.  &  .S.  M. ;  Peoria  Consistory,  A.  A.  S.  R. ; 
and  Mohammed  Temple,  A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.  Upon  him  has  also  been  con- 
ferred the  honorary  thirty-third  degree  and  he  is  one  of  the  best  known 
Masons  in  this  state  and  the  only  man  from  Knox  county  who  ever  received 
the  thirty-third  degree  in  Masonry,  having  long  taken  an  active  and  helpful 
part  in  the  work  of  the  order,  while  in  his  life  he  has  exemplified  the  benefi- 
cent principles  upon  which  the  fraternity  rests.  His  long  residence  in  Knox 
county  has  made  him  widely  known  and  he  has  a  circle  of  friends  almost  co- 
extensive with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintance. 


JOHN  HENRY  LEWIS. 


John  Henry  Lewis  is  an  excellent  example  of  the  successful  man  of  well 

:   balanced  mind,  who  has  pursued  the  path  that  leads  to  fortune  and  to  fame. 

He  has  been  a  prominent  citizen  of  Knox  county  for  many  years,  residing  in 

the  city  of  Knoxville.     A  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  he  was  born  in 

Tompkins  county,  July  21,  1830.    His  ancestry  reaches  back  to  the  period  when 

the  times  and  events  "tried  men's  souls."    The  name  Lewis  will  ever  be  illustrious 

in   the  annals   of   American   history.     That   charter  of   American   liberty,   the 

Declaration  of  Independence,  was  signed  by -Francis  Lewis,  from  whom  John 

Henry  Lewis  is  descended.     Francis  Lewis  was  a  native  of  Landaff,  in  the  shire 

•     of  Glamorgan,  South  Wales,  and  was  born  in  March,  1713.     The  father  was  a 

clerg>-man  and  his  mother  the  daughter  of  a  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pettingal, 

-      who  had  charge  of  a  parish  in  North  Wales.    Francis  Lewis  was  an  only  child 

and  was  left  an  orphan  when  but  five  years  old.    He  was  left  to  the  care  of  a 

• '  .   maternal  aunt  and  was  sent  to  the  Westminster  School  in  London,  where  he  soon 

'    became  a  thorough  classical  scholar.     In  the  spring  of  1735,  when  only  twenty- 

one  years  of  age,  he  came  to  New  York  with  merchandise  which  he  had  pur- 

:V    chased  with  his  small   fortune.     His  partner  was  Edward  Annesly.     Francis 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  .V  "v          113 

Lewis  took  a  portion  of  the  goods  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  two  years. : 
He  then  returned  to  New  York  and  married  Elizabeth  Annesly,  his  partner's 
sister.  When  the  Continental  Congress  met  in  Philadelphia  he  was  unanimously 
elected  a  member  on  April  22,  1775,  and  continued  to  hold  the  office  until  1779. 
He  was  an  uncompromising  advocate  of  liberty  and  was  one  of  the  first  to 
declare  that  the  colonies  could  not  live  under  the  domination  of  Great  Britain. 
For  the  cause  of  freedom  and  the  inalienable  rights  of  the  colonies  he  spent  his 
fortune  and  died  poor  in  1803,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety. 

Henry  Lewis,  the  father  of  John  Henry  Lewis,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey, 
bom  in  Sussex  county,  October  6,  1796.  His  kinsman.  General  Morgan  Lewis, 
whose  wife  was  of  the  noted  Livingston  family,  was  once  its  governor.  The 
wife  of  Henry  Lewis  was  Permelia  M.  Shaver,  a  native  of  New  York  state. 
They  were  married  July  8,  1826,  and  removed  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1836 
with  their  two  sons,  George  W.  and  John  H.  The  day  of  railroads  and  steam 
had  not  yet  dawned  and  they  were  compelled  to  make  the  trip  in  a  two-horse 
wagon,  loaded  with  implements  that  would  be  of  service  in  their  new  settle- 
ment. At  length  after  fifty-one  days  of  extreme  weariness  and  toil  they  reached 
their  journey's  end,  October  15,  1836.  They  settled  in  Ellisville,  Fulton  county, 
where  there  were  only  a  few  deserted  wigwams.  Mr.  Lewis  erected  the  first 
frame  house  in  that  town  and  it  was  here  that  the  hopes  and  plans  of  the  little 
family  were  blasted  by  his  death,  September  25,  1837,  within  a  year  of  his 
arrival.  The  mother  bore  up  as  bravely  as  she  could  under  her  sorrow  and  in 
the  wilderness,  without  friends  or  home,  battled  nobly  to  sustain  herself  and 
her  children  until  they  could  become  self-supporting.  George,  the  eldest  son, 
left  home  while  yet  young  and  traveled  in  the  eastern  states  and  in  Mexico,  at 
last  settling  in  southern  California,  where  he  died. 

John  H.  Lewis  remained  with  his  mother  until  he  was  eleven  years  of  age, 
attending  school  a  few  months  each  year  and  earning  his  living  mostly  by  farm 
work.  Then  a  contract  for  his  services  for  a  period  of  six  years  was  made 
with  a  South  Carolinan  family  under  the  following  stipulations :  good  clothing ; 
three  months'  schooling  each  year;  a  horse,  saddle  and  bridle  at  the  close  of 
his  apprenticeship.  These  conditions  were  almost  wholly  neglected.  For  the 
first  five  years  he  had  but  forty-one  days'  schooling,  was  poorly  clad,  was  treated 
as  a  menial  and  at  meals  was  not  allowed  to  sit  at  the  table  with  the  family. 
His  mother,  learning  of  the  situation,  succeeded  in  removing  him  at  once.  He 
was  placed  for  the  winter  in  the  family  of  William  Kent,  who  lived  near  the 
present  site  of  Yates  City.  In  the  spring  he  was  employed  on  the  farm  of 
James  Kent  at  seven  dollars  a  month.  In  the  fall  of  1847  he  went  to  Knox- 
ville,  doing  chores  for  his  board  in  the  family  of  Judge  R.  L.  Hannaman.  There 
he  remained  for  two  years,  enjoying  at  the  proper  season  the  advantages  of  a 
common  school.  In  1849  he  was  employed  in  the  store  of  G.  M.  Ewing,  of 
Knoxville,  at  a  salary  of  fifty  dollars  a  year  and  board.  The  second  year  his 
salary  was  raised  to  seventy-five  dollars  and  the  third  year  he  was  offered  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  but  declined  the  offer,  that  he  might  obtain  a  more 
liberal  education  and  thus  fit  himself  for  the  higher  duties  of  citizenship.  He 
was  next  employed  in  the  store  of  Alexander  Ewing,  of  Knoxville,  and  by  his 
trustworthiness  and  fidelity  gained  the  confidence  of  his  employer.  Mr.  Ewing 

entrusted  him  with  a  small  bill  of  goods  to  sell  on  the  road  on  a  commission. 
Vol.  n— 6 


114  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       v^vvV; 

Mr.  Lewis  had  neither  horse  nor  wagon  nor  money  to  purchase  an  outfit,  his 
cash  capital  being  only  twenty-two  dollars,  and  of  this  twenty  dollars  was  pai^ 
toward  a  horse  and  harness,  purchased  for  forty  dollars,  and  a  sixty-day  note 
for  sixty  dollars  was  given  for  a  wagon.  Thus  equipped  he  started  out  on  his 
new  venture  and  so  successful  was  he  that  the  amount  of  his  profits  was  suffi- 
cient to  pay  oflf  his  note  before  maturity.  In  1852  he  took  a  clerkship  in  the 
store  of  a  Mr.  Chesney  at  Abingdon,  with  whom  he  remained  until  his  employer 
sold  out  in  1857. 

Previously  Mr.  Lewis  had  been  employed  in  the  law  office  of  Hannaman 
&  Hale,  making  out  abstracts  of  county  records.  It  was  there  that  he  acquired 
a  liking  and  taste  for  the  law  and  having  access  to  the  library  of  A.  J.  King,  a 
prominent  lawyer  at  Abingdon,  he  availed  himself  of  the  privilege  and  studied 
at  night  while  clerking  in  a  dry-goods  store.  He  was  soon  qualified  for  prac- 
tice and  was  licensed  by  the  supreme  court,  January  lo,  1870,  to  practice  in  all 
the  courts  of  the  state,  xV  .  '"^'/  ••••••? 

In  pxjlitics  Mr.  Lewis  is  a  stalwart  republican  and  as  a  member  of  that  party 
has  held  many  public  offices,  which  he  has  always  filled  with  marked  ability.  In 
his  early  years  he  was  an  abolitionist,  sympathizing  greatly  with  the  colored  race 
in  their  enslaved  condition.  He  became  a  member  of  the  republican  party  at 
its  organization  and  voted  for  John  C.  Fremont,  its  first  presidential  nominee. 
In  the  exciting  campaign  of  1860  Mr.  Lewis  was  elected  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court  of  Knox  county,  holding  the  office  for  four  years.  He  then  took  a  vaca- 
tion for  several  months,  visiting  friends  in  the  Union  army.  All  this  time  his 
interest  in  politics  was  unabated  and  he  kept  thoroughly  abreast  of  all  national 
affairs.  In  1868  he  again  entered  the  clerk's  office  as  deputy,  holding  that  posi- 
tion for  six  years.  In  1874  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Institu- 
tion for  the  Education  of  the  Blind,  which  office  he  resigned  when  elected  to 
the  state  legislature.  His  legislative  record  is  highly  commendable  and  for  his 
judicious  acts  and  votes  there  he  has  received  the  encomiums  of  his  fellow  citi- 
zens generally.  One  of  his  acts  while  a  member  of  the  legislature  is  especially 
deserving  of  notice.  Having  examined  carefully  into  the  penal  institutions  of 
the  state  and  believing  that  their  management  was  not  for  the  good  of  the 
criminal  and  the  best  interests  of  the  state,  he  framed  and  introduced  a  preamble 
and  resolution  that  was  read  for  information  but,  being  objected  to  by  a  single 
member,  was  not  allowed  to  be  considered.  It  was  published  in  the  papers 
throughout  the  state  and  highly  commended.  Mr.  Lewis  urged  that  prisons, 
in  a  measure,  should  be  reformatory  and  that  criminals  as  such  have  rights 
which  the  state  is  bound  to  respect ;  that  those  bound  by  the  ties  of  consanguinity 
and  love  should  have  a  portion  of  the  fruits  of  their  labor.  The  resolution  ex- 
cited a  great  deal  of  comment  and  interest  far  and  near  and  was  probably  the 
first  introduced  in  this  state  on  that  subject.  In  1880  Mr.  Lewis  was  elected  to 
congress  by  the  republicans  of  the  ninth  congressional  district  of  Illinois  over 
his  opponent,  John  S.  Lee.  In  1882  he  was  renominated  but  was  defeated  on 
account  of  his  vote  on  the  river  and  harbor  bill. 

The  life  of  Mr.  Lewis  is  proof  of  the  fact  that  a  man  is  the  architect  of  his 
own  fortune.  Poverty  in  his  youth  had  no  power  to  control  his  ambition  or 
smother  his  aspirations.  In  the  distance  he  saw  the  fertile  fields  of  promise 
and  through  the  open  gateway  he  was  determined  to  enter.  By  his  determined 


'/V  ;;H..^    •^:^:^^      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ••'-  -•'^-•^J^-'::-:        116 ^^.  ^^:.\.,': 

resolutions  he  hewed  his  way  through  the  wilderness  of  doubt  and  uncertainty        •     . 

and  won  for  himself  riches  and  honor.    As  a  citizen  he  is  noted  for  his  affability  ' 

and  urbanity  of  manner,  for  his  kindness  and  sympathy  to  the  unfortunate  and 

his  charity  toward  all.     He  is  bound  by  no  creed,  is  a  member  of  no  church,  - 

but  believes  in  the  gospel  of  good  deeds.     However,  when  a  young  man  he 

joined  the  Masonic  fraternity,  to  which  he  still  belongs.     He  is  also  a  member 

of  the  Commercial  Club  of  Knoxville.     While  serving  as  circuit  clerk  of  this  ': 

county  in  the  early  '6os  he  commenced  buying  and  selling  land  and  has  since 

devoted  more  or  less  attention  to  the  real-estate  business.     He  is  now  serving 

as  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Farmers  National  Bank  of  Knoxville.  -   •  •' 

In  December,  1857,  Mr.  Lewis  was  married,  in  Abingdon,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  .       ./ 
S.  Russell,  a  daughter  of  R.  H.  and  Elizabeth  Russell,  of  that  city,  who  came 
to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1837.     They  were  Virginians  by  birth  and  left  their 
native  state  on  account  of  their  hatred  of  slavery.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis';   ;-;: 
were  born  six  children,   four  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  only  two  are          ;     • 
now  living,  namely:     Ira  J.,  who  was  born  August  14,  1865,  and  is  now  mar- 
ried and  living  in  Knoxville;  and  John  H.,  who  was  born  August  30,  1874,  and 
is  also  married  and  makes  his  home  in  Knoxville.    The  latter  is  practicing  law ,.-  '.    . 
in  Galesburg  and  is  master  in  chancery.  :.•>;-.    •  •     t     ,-.".''..:.- 


•;.•'-;  :'.: -'"^ "':.'..::''' ;y-:-i    JOHN  s. 

Becoming  a  resident  of  Knox  county  in  1853,  John  S.  Turner  has  been  inti-v     ';'  '. 
mately  associated  with  the  development  of  this  locality  and  has  also  been  a  •;- 
witness  of  the  interesting  historical  events  which  have  occurred  in  Illinois  since 
the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century.     He  was  only  a  boy  of  twelve  years  when 
he  heard  the  Lincoln-Douglas  debate,  but  he  still  carries  a  vivid  impression        I 
of  that  memorable  incident  and  the  exciting  scenes  of  those  stirring  anti-bellum : 
days.     He   was   born   in   Chester  county,   Pennsylvania,   August   29,    1846,   his          ' 
parents   being  William   B.   and  Eliza   Turner,   natives   of    Pennsylvania.     The  : 

family  is  of  German  ancestry  on  the  father's  side  and  of  Scotch-Irish  on  the 
mother's.     William   B.  Turner  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade  in  Pennsylvania  ^^^^ 
and  conducted  a  shoemaking  establishment  there  until  he  came  to  Illinois,  in  : 

1853,  when  his  son,  John  S.  Turner,  was  a  lad  of  seven  years.     He  purchased 
a  farm  in  Orange  township,  Knox  county,  and  operated  this  for  many  years 
until  he  retired  to  Knoxville  in  order  to  pass  the  last  year's  of  his  life  in  a 
peaceful  manner  in  the  enjoyment  of  leisure.     The  family  consisted  of   ten         -;' 
children,  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  five  sons  and  three  daughters          \ 
are  now   living,   namely :     Mrs.   Katherine   Keller,   of   Orange   township   this          ' 
county;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Isaac  Eiker,  of  Orange  township;  Henry,  who          -. 
resides  in  Missouri ;  John  S. ;  William,  of  Macon,  Missouri ;  Libby  and  Israel 
both  of  whom  are  deceased;  Stephen,  of  Knox  township,  this  county;  Stella,  .; 

the  wife  of  Michael  Brown,  of  Knoxville;  and  Albert,  who  resides  on  the  home 
place  in  Orange  township. 

John  S.  Turner  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  rural  schools  of  Orange 
township ;  he  applied  himself  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  first  in  Red  Oak,  Iowa,          * 


116 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


where  he  remained  until  1883,  when  he  returned  to  Knoxville,  where  he  has 
followed  his  trade  ever  since.  He  has  met  with  much  success  in  his  work  as 
a  carpenter,  builder  and  contractor  and  is  well  known  throughout  the  county. 

In  1887  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Turner  and  Mrs.  Clara  Moray,  a 
native  of  Knox  county.  In  politics  Mr.  Turner  holds  to  the  principles  and 
ideals  of  the  democratic  party.  In  1864  he  was  elected  collector  of  Orange 
township,  serving  in  this  capacity  for  nine  years.  In  the  exercise  of  his  calling 
Mr.  Turner  has  few  rivals  in  the  county,  being  recognized  as  a  very  thorough 
and  reliable  builder  and  contractor  by  those  who  are  best  able  to  judge  of 
the  excellent  quality  of  his  workmanship. 


EVERETT  E.  HINCHLIFF. 


Everett  E.  Hinchliflf,  president  and  manager  of  the  Hinchliff  Lumber  Com- 
pany and  thus  actively  associated  with  the  commercial  interests  of  Galesburg, 
was  born  in  Rio,  this  county,  December  23,  i88i,  a  son  of  James  Edward  and 
Ida  M.  (Woodman)  Hinchliff.  The  father  was  also  a  native  of  Rio,  born  on 
the  I7th  of  July,  1853,  and  the  mother's  birth  there  occurred  on  the  27th  of 
April,  1858.  James  E.  Hinchliff  devoted  his  time  and  energies  to  the  occupa- 
tion of  farming  until  he  came  to  Galesburg  in  1890,  after  which  he  engaged  in 
the  retail  lumber  business,  opening  a  yard  at  No.  491  West  Main  street.  He 
was  thus  identified  with  the  lumber  trade  of  this  city  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  March  28,  1909,  and  the  record  which  he  made  in  business  circles  was 
an  enviable  and  creditable  one.  His  widow  still  survives  him  and  is  now  living 
on  North  Broad  street  in  this  city.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hinchliff  was  a 
republican,  always  giving  stalwart  support  to  the  party,  and  he  held  membership 
in  the  Central  Congregational  church,  of  which  he  was  a  trustee.  He  took  an 
active  interest  in  the  church  work  and  at  all  times  was  loyal  in  his  support  of 
measures  promoting  material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral  progress  in  his 
community.  It  was  in  Rio,  on  the  ist  of  January,  1880,  that  he  wedded  Ida  M. 
Woodman  and  they  became  the  parents  of  four  children,  as  follows :  Everett 
E.,  of  this  review ;  Lulu  May,  at  home ;  Ray,  associated  with  his  brother  in  the 
lumber  business ;  and  Grace  F.,  also  at  home.  .  ]  : 

In  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg  Everett  E.  Hinchliff  pursued  his  educa- 
tion, being  a  lad  of  nine  years  when  the  family  removed  from  Rio  to  this  city. 
When  his  public-school  course  was  completed,  he  entered  Knox  College  and 
was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1903.  Immediately  afterward  he  began  assisting 
his  father  in  the  office  and  in  1906  was  admitted  to  a  partnership.  The  business 
was  originally  conducted  as  a  partnership  concern,  under  the  name  of  Conger  & 
Hinchliff,  and  later  when  James  E.  Hinchliff  was  sole  proprietor  his  name  stood 
at  the  head  of  the  business.  When  Everett  E.  Hinchliff  entered  the  firm  the 
style  of  the  Hinchliff  Lumber  Company  was  assumed  and  under  that  name  papers 
of  incorporation  were  taken  out  in  January,  1910,  with  E.  E.  H-inchliff  as  presi- 
dent and  manager  and  Ray  Hinchliff  as  secretary  and  treasurer.  They  not  only 
carry  a  large  stock  of  lumber  but  also  lime,  sand,  coal  and  general  building  ma- 


;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         /^/-^ :.']-,         117 

terials.     Their  patronage  is  now  extensive  and  their  business  methods  are  such 
as  will  bear  the  closest  investigation  and  scrutiny. 

On  the  1 5th  of  October,  1907,  Mr.  Hinchliff  was  married  to  Miss  Nell  Town- 
send,  a  daughter  of  Leon  A.  Townsend.  She  was  born  at  Hermon,  Illinois, 
November  21,  i88i,  and  they  now  have  one  child,  Christina  Virginia,  born  in 
Galesburg,  October  28,  1910.  The  parents  are  members  oi  the  Central  Congre- 
gational church,  being  both  soloists  in  the  quartette  and  are  prominent  socially 
in  this  city,  the  hospitality  of  the  best  homes  being  freely  accorded  them.  Mr. 
Hinchliff  votes  with  the  republican  party,  finding  its  principles  coinciding  most 
closely  with  his  ideas  of  governmental  policy.  In  his  college  days  he  became 
a  member  of  the  Phi  Delta  Theta  and  he  now  belongs  to  the  Galesburg  and  the 
Soangetaha  Clubs.  .  He  is  yet  a  young  man  and,  possessing  a  spirit  of  enter- 
prise and  determination,  is  steadily  working  his  way  upward  in  business  circles 
and  sustains  the  honorable  record  which  has  always  been  associated  with  the 
name  of  Hinchliff  since  his  father  became  a  factor  in  the  business  life  of 
Galesburg. 


•  :-^- -•'-••  ^"'    •-.-•^v.fv^c    RAY  W.  HINCHLIFF.   ••••'•••    -    . ':^;V:  ;-'.  :''^  V':^  ;--' 

Ray  W.  HinchliflF,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Hinchliff  Lumber  Com- 
pahy,  was  born  in  Rio,  January  5,  1887,  and  is  a  brother  of  Everett  E.  Hinchliff, 
whose  sketch  is  given  above.  To  the  public-school  system  of  this  city  he  is 
indebted  for  the  early  educational  opportunities  which  he  enjoyed  and  in  Knox 
College  he  pursued  a  more  advanced  course,  being  graduated  therefrom  with 
the  class  of  1909.  He  became  connected  with  the  Hinchliff  Lumber  Company 
in  1910  and  the  two  brothers  are  now  at  the  head  of  a  substantial  and  growing 
business,  having  one  of  the  large  lumberyards  of  this  city,  while  their  correct 
business  methods  and  enterprise  are  factors  in  its  continuous  growth. 

Ray  W.  Hinchliff  makes  his  home  with  his  mother.  He  belongs  to  the  Phi 
Delta  Theta  fraternity  and  also  the  Galesburg  and  Soangetaha  Qubs.  He  votes 
with  the  republican  party  and  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership 
in  the  Central  Congregational  church.  His  social  qualities  render  him  popular 
and  he  has  many  friends  in  this  city,  where  almost  his  entire  life  has  been  passed. 


;:C    LOUIS  PALMQUIST.      '  ^    'v.  .^i  ^  ":-v.  ;> 

,• '••    '  *^  •;•.'.'•      '"'.''        ^  _•"''.'-* 

Louis  Palmquist,  who  was  for  many  years  a  prominent  furniture  dealer  and 
undertaker  in  Knoxville,  now  lives  retired,  passing  his  declining  years  in  the 
peaceful  leisure  which  his  long  continued  faithful  labors  enable  him  to  enjoy. 
A  native  of  Sweden,  he  was  bom  October  2,  1834.  Of  his  parents,  who  died 
when  he  was  very  young,  he  has  scarcely  any  recollection  save  that  his  father's 
name  was  Charles  Palmquist  and  that  he  was  a  cabinetmaker  by  occupation. 
Passing  his  childhood  and  youth  in  Sweden,  he  obtained  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  locality,  leaving  his  home  at  the  age  of  twenty-- 


118         :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /^     P      ^ 

three  years,  in  order  to  seek  the  opportunities  of  the  new  world.  He  landed  in 
New  York  harbor  in  1857,  after  having  passed  through  the  most  terrifying  hard- 
ships and  privations  as  the  result  of  a  shipwreck  disaster,  which  occurred  to 
their  vessel  on  approaching  the  coast  of  Newfoundland  in  a  heavy  fog.  Of 
those  on  board  ship  only  the  crew  and  five  passengers  of  a  total  of  sixty  were 
saved.  They  were  picked  up  by  a  fisherman  and  taken  to  .St.  Peter  island,  where 
the  little  band  of  survivors  was  taken  on  board  an  ocean  liner  and  carried  to 
New  York.  Even  at  this  distant  day  it  is  difficult  for  Mr.  Palmquist  to  con- 
template without  emotion  the  hair-raising  incidents  of  that  experience  which 
befell  him  like  an  evil  omen  foreshadowing  misfortune  at  the  outset  of  his 
career.  Undaunted,  however,  he  renewed  his  courage  and  his  high  hopes,  on 
finding  himself  safe  in  the  country  of  which  he  had  dreamed,  since  the  early  days 
of  his  boyhood  adventures.  It  was  as  if  the  pages  of  a  book  were  unfolded  be- 
fore him  and  he  himself  was  writing  upon  them  the  record  of  his  own  life. 
With  a  buoyancy  of  spirit  which  is  the  inalienable  possession  of  youth,  he  found 
his  way  from  New  York  across  the  Alleghanies  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  settling 
in  Galesburg.  He  resided  here  four  years,  during  which  time  he  learned  and 
followed  the  cabinetmaker's  trade,  and  in  i86i  came  to  Knoxville.  Here  he 
engaged  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business,  conducting  a  prosperous 
establishment  for  forty-five  years.  He  retired  in  1906  and  has  since  lived  a 
quiet  life,  free  from  responsibility. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Palmquist  and  Miss  Carrie  Nelson,  a  native  of  Sweden, 
was  solemnized  on  September  29,  1860.  Mrs.  Palmquist's  parents  came  to 
America  and  settled  near  Knoxville,  where  her  father  operated  a  farm  through- 
out his  life.  They  are  now  both  deceased.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Palmquist  there  were  eight  children,  of  whom  six  are  now  living:  Charles, 
operating  his  father's  farm  in  Cedar  township,  east  of  Abingdon ;  Ada,  the  wife 
of  J.  M.  Short,  of  Galesburg;  William;  Amanda,  the  wife  of  J.  T.  Parmenter, 
of  Oskaloosa,  Iowa;  Hulda,  the  wife  of  C.  C.  Arms,  of  Knoxville;  and  Anna, 
the  wife  of  Ralph  Scott,  of  Galesburg.  Mr.  Palmquist  and  his  wife  hold  mem- 
bership in  the  English  Lutheran  church.  In  his  political  faith  he  is  a  republican 
and  has  served  as  alderman  of  Knoxville  for  two  terms  and  also  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board.  He  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  66,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  of  Raboni  Chapter,  No.  95,  R. 
A.  M. ;  and  Illinois  Council,  No.  i,  R.  &  S.  M.,  being  tyler  in  these  three  lodges. 
Practically  penniless  at  the  beginning  of  his  career,  Mr,  Palmquist  has  worked 
himself  up  by  steadfast  application  to  the  duties  which  lay  within  the  scope  of 
his  activities  and  has  met  with  a  deserved  reward  and  an  ample  competence. 


-:':'•,-.'•'    ^  '•    .      ,-     :^'.;    A.C.BURNETT.      ,,.:.;;.';.;;.,.'.  ^.;': 

A.  C.  Burnett,  the  owner  and  manager  of  the  Aqua  Vitae  Mineral  Springs 
of  Maquon.  Illinois,  has  been  a  resident  of  Haw  Creek  township,  Knox  county, 
since  the  date  of  his  birth,  February  i8,  1839.  His  parents  were  Josiah  and 
Elizabeth  (Housh)  Burnett,  the  former  a  native  of  the  east,  the  latter  of  In- 
diana. Josiah  Burnett  became  a  resident  of  Haw  Creek  township  in  1835,  set- 


HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTY 

three  years,  in  order  to  seek  the  opportunities  of  the  new  world.  He  landed  in 
Xew  York  harlxir  in  1857.  after  having  passed  through  the  most  terrifying  liard- 
ships  and  privations  as  tlie  result  of  a  shipwreck  disaster,  which  occurred  to 
their  vessel  on  approaching  the  coast  of  Xe\vfoundlan(l  in  a  heavy  fog.  Of 
those  on  board  ship  only  the  crew  and  five  passengers  of  a  total  of  sixty  were 
saved.  'I'liey  were  picked  u])  hy  a  fisherman  and  taken  to  St.  I'eter  island,  where 
the  little  hand  of  survivors  was  taken  on  hoard  an  ocean  liner  and  carried  to 
Xew  ^'ork.  Even  at  this  distant  day  it  is  difficult  for  Mr.  Palm(|uist  to  con- 
template without  emotion  the  hair-raising  incidents  of  that  ex])erience  which 
hefell  him  like  an  evil  omen  foreshadowing  misfortune  at  the  outset  of  his 
career.  I'ndaunted.  however,  he  renewed  his  courage  and  his  high  hopes,  on 
finding  himself  safe  in  the  country  of  which  he  had  dreamed  since  the  early  days 
of  his  hoyhood  adventures.  It  was  as  if  the  pages  of  a  hook  were  unfolded  he- 
fore  him  and  he  himself  was  writing  upon  them  the  record  of  his  own  life. 
\\'ith  a  huoyancy  of  spirit  which  is  the  inalienahle  possession  of  youth,  he  found 
his  way  from  X'ew  York  across  the  Alleghanies  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  settling 
in  Galeshurg.  He  resided  here  four  years,  during  which  time  he  learned  and 
followed  the  cabinetmaker's  trade,  and  in  i86i  came  to  Knoxville,  Here  he 
engaged  in  the  furniture  and  undertaking  business,  conducting  a  prosperous 
establishment  for  forty-five  years.  He  retired  in  1906  and  has  since  lived  a 
quiet  life,  free  from  responsibility. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Palmquist  and  Miss  Carrie  Xelson.  a  native  of  Sweden, 
was  solemnized  on  September  29.  1860.  Mrs.  PalnKjuist's  parents  came  to 
America  and  settled  near  Knoxville,  where  her  father  operated  a  farm  through- 
out his  life.  They  are  now  both  deceased.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
raluKjuist  there  were  eight  children,  of  whom  six  are  now  living:  Charles, 
operating  his  father's  farm  in  Cedar  township,  east  of  Abingdon ;  Ada,  the  wife 
of  J.  M.  Short,  of  Galesburg;  William;  Amanda,  the  wife  of  J.  T.  Parmenter, 
of  Oskaloosa,  Iowa ;  Hulda.  the  wife  of  C.  C.  Arms,  of  Knoxville ;  and  Anna, 
the  wife  of  Ralph  Scott,  of  Galesburg.  Mr.  Palmquist  and  his  wife  hold  mem- 
bership in  the  English  Lutheran  church.  In  his  political  faith  he  is  a  republican 
and  has  served  as  alderman  of  Knoxville  for  two  terms  and  also  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board.  He  is  connected  with  the  ^Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  Pacific  Lodge.  Xo.  66.  A.  F.  &  A.  M. :  of  Raboni  Chapter.  Xo.  95.  R. 
A.  M. ;  and  Illinois  Council,  Xo.  I,  R.  &  S.  M..  being  tyler  in  these  three  lodges. 
I'raetically  penniless  at  the  beginning  of  his  career.  Mr.  Palmquist  has  worked 
himself  up  by  steadfast  application  to  the  duties  which  lay  within  the  scope  of 
his  activities  and  has  met  with  a  deserved  reward  and  an  ample  competence. 


A.  C  BURXETT.  ; 

A.  C.  Burnett,  the  owner  and  manager  of  the  Aqua  \'itae  Mineral  Springs 
of  "Maquon.  Illinois,  has  been  a  resident  of  Haw  Creek  township.  Knox  county. 
since  the  date  of  his  hirth.  February  i8.  1839.  His  ]iarcnts  were  Josiah  and 
Elizabeth  (Housh)  Bumett.  the  former  a  native  of  the  east,  the  latter  of  In- 
diana. Tosiah  Burnett  hecame  a  resident  of  Haw  Creek  township  in  1835.  set- 


;>v,,,  :      :^:        V.  ;::,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •  j    - ;  ?     121 

tling  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  sections  29  and  30.    He  cleared 
and  improved  the  land,  of  which  a  large  part  was  timber,  and  devoted  himself 
to  the  various  departments  of  general  farming  and  cattle  raising.     He  lived  there 
until  1848  when  he  bought  the  farm  at  present  held  in  the  family  name  and 
:  •:    situated  at  no  great  distance  from  the  former  place.     Adjacent  to  his  farm  was 
a  mill  in  which  he  acquired  one  third  interest  by  building  a  dam  for  the  water 
power.     Not  long  after  that  he  bought  out  the  other  two  thirds  interest  in  the 
V  mill  and  became  sole  proprietor  of  it,  running  it  in  his  own  name  for  a  brief 
; .'  period.     He  then  gave  his  title  to  it  to  two  of  his  sons  who  managed  the  mill 
.,  for  a  while  until  they  disposed  of  it  for  other  interests.    The  father  was  a  dem- 
ocrat in  his  political  faith  and  held  several  township  offices,  and  in  his  religious 
'      life  followed  the  tenets  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  to  which  he  and  his 
wife  belonged.     Living  on  the  old  homestead  till  the  last,  Josiah  Burnett  passed 
.'  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  and  his  wife  at  the  age  of  sixty-four,  both  being 
.    buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Maquon. 

In  spite  of  the  limited  education  received  in  the  schools  of  Haw  Creek  town- 
ship and  Maquon,  A.  C.  Burnett  possesses  a  large  fund  of  general  knowledge 
being  a  well  informed  man.    After  his  school  days  were  over  he  assisted  on  the 
farm  and  later  assumed  charge  of  a  share  of  the  management  of  the  mill  which 
his  father  entrusted  to  the  responsibility  of  his  brother  John  in  partnership  with 
him.    The  occupation  of  milling  he  followed  for  some  years  during  which  time 
John  Burnett  disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  management  of  the  mill  to  his 
brother  Josiah,  who  thereupon  became  his  partner.     At  length  the  two  young 
•  men  traded  the  mill  and  the  right  to  the  dam  for  western  land.     On  the  site, 
.  where  these  were  once  familiar  landmarks  the  dam  has  disappeared,  the  mill 
,    race  is  dried  up  and  only  the  frame  of  the  old  gristmill,  vacant  and  fallen  into 
,;     neglect,  stands  like  a  grim  monitor  of  time  defying  the  ravages  of  the  elements. 
.  .:        As  the  next  step  in  his  life's  career  A.  C.  Burnett  turned  his  attention  to 
farming,  buying  for  this  purpose  the  land  which  he  now  owns,  one  hundred  acres 
on  section  34  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  35  in  Haw  Creek 
township.    Here  he  tilled  the  fields  for  many  years  until  one  day  he  came,  wholly 
V    by  accident,  upon  a  spring  located  in  a  hitherto  unnoticed  portion  of  a  field  in 
which  he  was  digging.    Upon  chemical  examination  it  was  found  that  the  spring 
.   contained  minerals  and  was  very  valuable  for  medicinal  purposes.    Mr.  Burnett, 
by  no  means  slow  to  realize  the  immense  financial  possibilities  growing  out  of 
:     the  ownership  and  control  of  a  natural  resource  so  valuable  as  this,  organized 
a  company  for  bottling  the  water  and  shipping  it  for  market  use.     The  name 
.:      under  which  the  plant  is  oi>erated  is  the  Aqua  Vitae  Mineral  Springs  Company 
of  Maquon,  Illinois,  and  since  the  water  was  awarded  second  prize,  a  silver 
'     medal,  at  the  St.  Louis  exposition,  it  has  become  widely  known  as  one  of  the 
best  brands  of  medicinal  water  on  the  market,  good  for  stomach  and  intestinal 
/-  troubles,  for  rheumatism,  in  short  for  cleansing  the  system  of  any  poisonou.* 
,  :'    accretions  with  which  it  may  be  clogged.    The  company  ships  extensively  of  its 
water  from  Maine  to  the  coast  of  California  and  as  far  as  the  remote  parts  of 
.    Canada.    On  the  land  adjacent  to  the  spring  there  is  a  sanitarium  accommodating 
'.     about  twenty  patients,  who  may  come  there  and  have  a  complete  rest   while 
availing  themselves  of  the  privilege  of  the  unlimited  use  of  the  spring  water. 
In  season  this  is  a  favorite  resort  for  week-end  parties  and  for  parties  of  dinner 


122  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ^     V 

.    >  .  --.   '     -t 

guests  who  come  from  the  towns  and  country  about.  It  is  the  owner's  present 
plan  to  reorganize  and  form  a  corporation  for  developing  the  site  on  which  the 
springs  are  located  and  ninety  acres  of  the  adjoining  land.  Such  a  company 
properly  financed  and  under  the  efficient  management  of  a  man  like  A.  C.  Bur- 
nett will  be  of  necessity  a  profitable  undertaking.  The  farm  is  now  being  culti- 
vated by  a  tenant.  -  j  ... 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Burnett  and  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Barlow  occurred 
October  ii,  1866.  Born  in  1848,  a  native  of  Warren  county,  Illinois,  she  was 
a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Ken ton)  Barlow,  residents  of  Abingdon, 
where  Mr.  Barlow  died.  In  the  family  of  A.  C.  Burnett  there  were  four  chil- 
dren, of  whom  all  are  living  but  an  infant  son,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four 
months.  The  names  of  the  others  are :  Fred  J.,  reared  and  educated  in  Knox 
county  and  Dixon,  who  is  a  telegraph  operator  and  resides  with  his  parents  on 
the  home  farm ;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  G.  M.  Richey,  who  resides  in  Gales- 
burg,  Illinois,  and  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Bernice  and  Madeline;  and 
Samuel  C.,  who  is  married  to  Miss  Myrtle  Garrett  and  has  two  children,  Pau- 
line and  Elizabeth,  residing  on  a  farm  adjacent  to  the  father's  property. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnett  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in 
the  work  of  which  they  take  an  active  and  helpful  interest.  At  elections  Mr. 
Burnett  votes  with  the  democrats  although  he  is  no  active  politician.  His  absorb- 
ing passion  is  the  development  of  the  land  surrounding  the  spring,  to  make  of 
this  a  health  resort  of  modern  comfort  and  equipment  that  may  rival  any  place 
of  its  kind  in  the  state.  He  has  laid  out  an  orchard  which  is  already  bearing 
abundant  fruit  for  the  refreshment  and  edification  of  the  many  guests  who  come 
from  far  and  near  to  seek  the  bounty  of  his  board. 


,v  JOHN  C.  GEER.     :  ^  /   - 

John  C.  Geer,  who  from  the  age  of  fourteen  years  has  made  his  home  in 
Knox  county,  where  through  a  considerable  period  he  has  been  identified  with 
merchandising  as  proprietor  of  a  grocery  store,  deserves  much  credit  for  what 
he  has  accomplished  in  life,  his  success  being  attributable  to  his  energy,  deter- 
mination and  successful  management. 

He  was  born  in  Connecticut,  near  Hartford,  on  the  I7th  of  October,  1846, 
and  was  the  second  of  the  three  sons  of  Luther  and  Abby  (Hempstead)  Geer. 
On  the  paternal  side  he  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  George  Geer,  who  was  one 
of  three  brothers  to  emigrate  from  England  to  the  United  States  at  an  early 
day.  He  married  Sarah  Allen,  a  daughter  of  Captain  Allen,  and  among  their 
children  was  Isaac  Geer,  who  was  the  father  of  Jacob  Geer.  Solomon  Geer, 
the  son  of  Jacob,  married  Anna  Tiers,  and  to  them  was  born  a  son,  Luther 
Geer,  Sr.,  February  14,  1773,  in  Connecticut.  The  last  named  was  the  grand-  -  . 
father  of  our  subject.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he 
followed  for  many  years.  With  his  family  he  came  to  Illinois,  casting  in  his 
lot  with  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Stark  county,  where  his  wife  died  in  early  life, 
but  he  lived  to  be  quite  advanced  in  years.  She  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Esther  Whipple  and  to  them  were  born  six  children,  namely,  Esther,  Lucinda, 


•^,^'^:;•^:A^'-.;^v';;;v•;^/^  •;>=:'•-;'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   .;-.-::'';^,^^£--;;:'' 


123 


Ophelia,  Luther,  Solomon  and  Hiram.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  our  sub- 
ject were  Avery  and  Lucy  (Leeds)  Hempstead,  who  were  residents  of  Mystic, 
Connecticut,  where  they  died  at  a  ripe  old  age.  Their  children  were  Abby, 
Lucy,  Nancy,  Frederick  and  Courtland.  Avery  Hempstead  was  a  son  of  Robert 
and  Ann  (Avery)  Hempstead.  The  birth  of  his  father  occurred  February  7, 
1746,  and  his  mother  was  born  May  8,  1745.  Robert  Hempstead  served  as 
sergeant  in  William  Stanton's  Company,  Eighth  Regiment,  Connecticut  Militia, 
August  6,  1780. 

Spending  his  youthful  days  in  the  Charter  Oak  state,  Luther  Geer,  Jr.,  there 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  Prior  to  the  Civil  war  he  removed  westward  to 
Illinois,  settling  at  Toulon,  where  he  engaged  in  contracting  and  building.  He 
also  bought  a  farm  and  devoted  considerable  time  to  cultivating  the  fields  which 
he  improved  with  all  modem  equipment.  He  died  there  about  1880  when  sixty- 
four  years  of  age  and  was  long  survived  by  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  1906, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine  years  and  eleven  months.  Both  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  church  and  were  earnest  Christian  people  at  all  times  loyal 
to  their  professions.  Of  their  children  Avery,  the  eldest  son,  died  at  the  age 
of  fifty-five  years  and  Courtland,  the  youngest,  is  now  living  in  Stark  county, 
Illinois. 

John  C.  Geer,  whose  name  introduces  this  record,  was  a  small  boy  when  he 
came  to  this  state,  and  was  a  youth  of  fourteen  years  when  he  arrived  in  Knox 
county.  He  had  obtained  his  education  in  Stark  county  and  had  scarcely  started 
upon  his  teens  when  he  took  upon  himself  the  task  of  providing  for  his  own 
support.  His  life  has  been  one  of  earnest  and  persistent  toil,  at  length  crowned 
with  a  substantial  measure  of  success  owing  to  his  unfaltering  industry  and 
intelligently  directed  energy.  He  was  first  employed  as  a  clerk  in  a  grocery 
store  in  Galesburg  and  while  working  in  that  capacity  saved  his  earnings  until 
his  industry  and  careful  expenditure  had  brought  him  sufficient  capital  to  enable 
him  to  engage  in  business  on  his  own  account.  In  1887,  therefore,  he  opened  a 
grocery  store  and  has  since  continued  in  this  line  of  business,  having  for  a  long 
period  conducted  a  store  at  No.  121  East  Main  street.  He  still  continues  in 
the  grocery  line,  having  a  store  at  Knoxville. 

Mr.  Geer  was  married  on  the  ist  of  December,  1869,  to  Miss  Delia  Murphy, 
who  was  born  in  this  county,  February  12,  1848.  Her  parents  came  from  Ire- 
land and  were  early  settlers  here  and  afterward  removed  to  Topeka  county, 
where  they  died  in  old  age.  They  had  three  sons  and  five  daughters,  Robert, 
John,  Margaret,  Josephine,  Helen,  Delia,  Catharine  and  Mary.  In  1883  Mr. 
Geer  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  passed  away  when 
thirty-five  years  of  age.  She  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Baptist  church  and 
a  woman  of  many  remarkable  traits  of  character.  She  left  three  children :  Cora, 
who  is  acting  as  her  father's  housekeeper;  Abbie,  at  home;  and  George.  The 
son  is  a  blacksmith  residing  at  Keokuk,  Iowa.  He  married  Blanche  Ferguson 
and  they  have  two  children,  Charles  and  Daisy. 

./i  Mr.  Geer  holds  membership  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks 
and  also  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  connection  with  the  latter 
comes  through  the  fact  that  in  1863  he  enlisted  for  three  months'  service  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  as  a  member  of 
Company  D.  His  political  support  is  given  to  the  democracy  and  he  is  some- 


124  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ''c^v'-^i    - 

what  prominent  and  active  in  the  party  ranks,  serving  for  twelve  or  fourteen 
years  as  county  supervisor  from  Galesburg.  He  is  also  loyal  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  community  and  has  long  been  regarded  as  a  worthy  citizen  as  well  as 
progressive  merchant.  What  he  undertakes  he  accomplishes  and  the  years  of 
a  well  spent  life  have  won  him  the  kindly  and  merited  regard  of  all  with  whom 
he  has  come  in  contact  •  :  •  ;  '^  :'  -  v^'  ::  . 


;•%::.  .       WILLIAM  E.  DOYLE.    !  .  v  •  ^ 

•    ',     ''',''  ^Vr^  '  •    '  'H-'r.'    '  • 

William  E.  Doyle,  one  of  Galesburg's  enterprising  young  business  men, 
was  born  in  Woodhull,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  Qth  of  September,  1869. 
He  is  a  son  of  James  and  Harriet  (Mitchell)  Doyle,  the  father  a  native  of 
Toronto,  Canada,  his  birth  occurring  December  20,  1836,  and  the  mother  of 
Farmington,  Illinois,  her  natal  day  being  the  23d  of  December,  1848.  James 
Doyle  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  in  Canada,  where  he  passed  the  first 
fourteen  years  of  his  life.  In  1850  he  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in 
Vienna,  Oneida  county.  New  York,  and  he  also  resided  in  the  vicinity  of  Roch- 
ester for  a  time.  When  he  attained  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  went  to  California 
in  search  of  his  fortune,  but  after  spending  four  years  in  the  gold  fields  returned 
to  New  York.  He  located  in  the  neighborhood  of  Buffalo,  where  he  remained 
until  1860,  when  he  again  started  westward,  Illinois  being  his  destination  on 
this  occasion.  During  the  succeeding  twenty  years  he  devoted  his  entire  time 
and  attention  to  the  operation  of  a  farm  near  Woodhull.  His  farming  ex- 
ploits proved  to  be  very  lucrative,  but  deciding  that  commercial  pursuits  offered 
greater  possibilities,  in  1880  he  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business  in 
Woodhull.  He  conducted  his  store  with  increasing  success  until  1887,  when 
he  disposed  of  his  interests  and  removed  to  Knox  county.  Here  he  again 
turned  his  attention  to  agriculture  and  for  two  years  cultivated  a  farm  near 
Abingdon.  In  1889  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  purchased  the  second-hand 
store  of  J.  C.  Hollis,  that  he  carried  on  for  two  years.  During  that  period  he 
enlarged  the  business  and  extended  the  scope  of  his  activities  until  he  had 
developed  it  into  a  general  house- furnishing  establishment.  It  was  incorpor- 
ated for  thirty  thousand  dollars  in  1907,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Doyle 
Furniture  Company,  with  James  Doyle,  president ;  and  W.  E.  Doyle,  secretary 
and  treasurer  and  also  manager.  This  is  one  of  the  largest  retail  concerns 
in  the  city,  and  gives  regular  employment  to  twenty-five  people.  They  have 
forty-five  thousand  square  feet  of  floor  space  and  carry  a  large  and  well 
assorted  stock  of  furniture,  carpets,  rugs,  stoves,  china,  cut  glass,  curtains, 
draperies,  bedding,  and  all  other  articles  that  are  usually  found  in  an  exclusive 
house-furnishing  establishment.  It  is  one  of  the  flourishing  retail  stores  of  the 
city.  Their  goods  are  selected  with  a  view  to  meeting  the  varied  tastes  and 
circumstances  of  their  patrons;  their  prices  are  reasonable;  and  the  personnel 
of  their  staff  of  employes  is  high.  It  is  the  policy  of  the  firm  to  treat  each 
visitor  with  courtesy,  and  every  effort  is  made  to  accommodate  all,  thus  they 
have  built  up  a  large  permanent  trade  among  a  most  desirable  class  of  people. 


:^:'-    ••':'••-(  ^'\'.;:^j-::-r'^^   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :>i-e^.v.       125 

;  The  education  of  William  E.  Doyle  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools 

of  Henry  and  Knox  counties,  and  after  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  began 

,      his  business  training  under  the  capable  direction  of  his  father.     He  has  ever 

:     since  been  identified  with  him  and  in  this  capacity  has  been  connected  with 
the  commercial  activities  of  Galesburg  for  twenty-two  years. 

On  the   1 5th  of  June,    1893,   ^^-  Doyle  was  united  in  marriage  to   Miss 

Ethelyn  Scott,  a  daughter  of  Charles  E.  and  Estella  (Scudder)  Scott  of  Gales- 

.     burg.     The   father,   who   passed  away  on  the  28th   of   February,    1911,   was 

employed  for  several  years  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  as 

a  brakeman   and  conductor.     He  subsequently  withdrew   from   this   vocation 

and  went  into  the  transfer  business,  which  he  succcessfully  followed  for  many 

:    years.     When  the  call  came  for  volunteers  during  the  Civil  war  he  responded 

by  enlisting  as  a  private  in  the  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.     His  political  alle- 

••    giance  was  accorded  to  the  democratic  party,  and  fraternally  he  was  affiliated 

/,     with  the  local  post  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  he  was  also  a  member  of  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.     In  matters  of  faith  he  was  a  Christian  Scientist, 

'  as  is  also  his  widow,  who  continues  to  make  her  home  in  Galesburg.  Of  the 
marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scott  there  were  born  four  children:  Ray  E.,  who 
.  is  living  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  Mrs.  Doyle,  who  was  born  in  Galesburg, 
November  8,  1873;  Edith  M.,  the  wife  of  Fred  Secord,  of  Galesburg;  and 
Ernest,  who  is  also  living  in  Galesburg.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doyle  have  one  son, 
Forrest  A.,  whose  natal  day  was  February  23,  1895. 

:  Mr.  Doyle  has   never  allied  himself   with  any  political  party,  but  always 

gives  his  support  to  such  men  and  measures  as  he  deems  best  qualified  to  sub- 
serve the  interests  of  the  majority.  He  is  a  trustee  of  the  East  Main  Street 
Congregational  church,  in  which  Mrs.  Doyle  also  holds  membership,  and  he 

.      is  affiliated  with  the  Galesburg  Club.     He  has  always  led  a  rather  unobtru- 
sive life,  never  having  sought  publicity  in  any  form,  but  his  influence  is  potent 

;'     and  is  exercised  in  support  of  every  worthy  cause,  noble  impulse  or  high  ideal. 


^::-<:"--^,    .'^  /v:'^. '---•'•     HENRY  N.  MURPHY.       •  •":'.'-::;:- Vv ';;-'/: 7:- 

t-^enry  N.  Murphy  is  well  known  in  the  business  circles  of  Galesburg  as  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  Murphy  Brothers  &  Anderson,  dealers  in  fiouse  furnish- 
ings and  hardware,  and  conducting  as  well  a  plumbing  and  heating  establish- 
ment. Their  business  is  located  at  No.  310  "East  Main  street  and  Mr.  Murphy 
resides  at  No.  794  North  Kellogg  street.  He  was  born  in  Erie,  Pennsylvania. 
September  i6,  1850,  and  is  a  grandson  of  Edward  and  Matilda  Murphy.  The 
former,  a  native  of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  devoted  his  life  to  shoemaking  and 
farming  save  for  the  period  when  he  served  his  country  as  a  soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812.  Nathaniel  Murphy,  the  father  of  Henry  N.  Murphy,  was  born  in  the 
Keystone  state  and  was  reared  in  Lancaster  where  he  learned  the  tinner's  trade. 
He  afterward  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Erie.  Pennsylvania,  continu- 
ing for  many  years  a  valued  and  worthy  citizen  there.  He  married  Elvira 
Hubbard,  who  was  also  bom  in  Pennsylvania  and  was  a  daughter  of  John 
Hubbard.  They  became  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Henry  N.,  of 


126       '•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;. 

this  review ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  A.  H.  Zoller,  of  Oak  Park,  Chicago ;  Charles  H., 
of  Galesburg,  a  partner  of  his  brother  Henry;  Harley,  of  Erie,  Pennsylvania; 
Etta,  who  married  A.  L.  Piper,  of  Erie,  Pennsylvania ;  William,  also  of  Erie ; 
Fred,  associated  with  Harley  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania;  and  Frank,  who  died  in 
childhood.  The  father  passed  away  in  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  when  sixty-one  years 
of  age  but  the  mother  still  survives  and  makes  her  home  there.  She  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church  to  which  Mr.  Murphy  also  belonged,  and  he  was 
prominent  in  the  local  life  of  the  community,  holding  various  city  offices  includ- 
ing that  of  councilman. 

Henry  N.  Murphy  was  reared  in  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  and  attended  the  public 
schools,  passing  through  consecutive  grades  to  his  graduation  from  the  high 
school.  He  then  entered  his  father's  store  in  which  he  remained  for  a  number 
of  years,  receiving  thorough  business  training  in  that  connection.  He  has  been 
a  resident  of  Galesburg  since  1871,  in  which  year  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
Covenant  Mutual  Insurance  Company.  Later  he  spent  six  years  in  the  hard- 
ware house  of  Babcock  &  Pierpont,  but  carefully  saving  his  earnings  he  was  at 
length  enabled  to  engage  in  business  on  his  own  account,  establishing  his  present 
enterprise  in  connection  with  his  brother  Charles  and  J.  A.  Anderson  under  the 
firm  name  of  Murphy  Brothers  &  Anderson.  They  opened  with  a  full  line  of 
house  furnishings  and  hardware,  and  their  plumbing  and  heating  department 
»s  also  a  profitable  feature  of  their  business. 

In  1871  Mr.  Murphy  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ada  S.  Sawyer,  who 
was  born  in  Sycamore,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armory  W.  Sawyer, 
who  are  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  now  reside  in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Murphy  is 
their  only  child  and  has  but  one  son,  Harry  Sawyer  Murphy,  who  married 
Mildred  Oldburg  and  is  now  a  practicing  dentist  of  Fremont,  Nebraska.  Mr. 
Murphy  is  a  member  of  Veritas  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  Galesburg  Lodge, 
No.  894,  B.  P.  O.  E.  Of  the  latter  he  is  now  exalted  ruler.  He  is  sixty-one 
years  of  age  yet  looks  to  be  no  more  than  forty  and  possesses  an  alert,  enter- 
prising manner  that  shows  him  to  be  alive  to  the  business  conditions  and  situa- 
tions of  the  present  day.  He  has  never  feared  to  venture  where  favoring 
opportunity  has  led  the  way  and  his  even-paced  energy  has  carried  him  forward 
until  a  comfortable  competence  is  now  his. 


:^\;;      -  -.      CHAUNCY  J.  McMASTER.       ;;•;;•  7. 

Chauncy  J.  McMaster  is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  and  stock  dealers  of 
Walnut  Grove  township,  carrying  on  his  business  interests  on  an  extensive  scale. 
He  does  not  hesitate  to  branch  out  along  new  lines,  for  his  progressiveness  is 
always  guided  by  sound  judgment  and  tempered  by  a  safe  conservatism.  He 
is  today  the  owner  of  the  finest  herd  of  thoroughbred  Shorthorns  in  western 
Illinois  and  his  farm  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  improved  in  the  northern 
part  of  Knox  county. 

He  was  born  on  the  old  McMaster  homestead.  May  19,  1862,  and  is  a  son 
of  John  McMaster,  now  a  retired  farmer  living  at  Altona.  He  was  born  in 
Scotland,  May  15,  1827,  a  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Struthers)  McMaster,  who 


.     ;  :''      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;     -    ^y^/ :"^:;::; 

died  at  the  ages  of  ninety-two  and  eighty-four  years  respectively.  It  was  in 
1850  that  the  father  came  with  his  wife  and  children  to  America,  traveling  by 
way  of  the  canal  from  Chicago,  thence  by  team  to  Peoria  and  across  the  country 
to  Copley  township,  Knox  county,  where  he  built  the  first  log  house  of  that 
district.  There  he  secured  eighty  acres  of  land  and  began  the  development  of 
a  farm.  His  last  days  were  spent  in  the  home  of  his  son,  John  McMaster,  in 
Walnut  Grove  township.  John  McMaster,  the  father  of  our  subject,  early  started 
out  in  life  on  his  own  account.  He  saved  his  money  until  he  had  accumulated 
a  sufficient  sum  to  purchase  a  team  of  horses  and  after  having  assisted  in  mak- 
ing a  home  for  his  parents  he  began  to  provide  for  himself.  He  first  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Walnut  Grove  township  but  after  two  years  he  sold  out 
and  later  became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  the  same  town- 
ship, constituting  the  farm  upon  which  he  reared  his  family,  although  he  added 
to  his  landed  possessions  from  time  to  time.  Since  1898  he  has  lived  retired 
in  Altona.  His  life  history  is  given  at  length  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

After  attending  the  common  schools  Chauncy  J.  McMaster  became  a  pupil 
in  the  commercial  college  at  Galesburg  and  then  returned  to  the  old  home  farm, 
whereon  he  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  for  five  years.  He  next 
turned  his  attention  to  merchandising  and  was  connected  with  the  conduct  of  a 
grocery  and  hardware  business  at  Altona  for  eleven  years.  During  that  time 
he  served  as  postmaster  of  the  town  under  appointment  of  Presidents  McKinley 
and  Roosevelt,  filling  the  office  altogether  for  eight  years.  He  then  resigned 
and  built  his  present  home.  He  is  today  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  progressive 
and  prosperous  agriculturists  of  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  He  owns  one 
of  the  largest  stock  farms  and  the  largest  herd  of  Shorthorn  cattle  in  the  county. 
In  fact  he  has  upon  his  place  some  of  the  finest  stock  to  be  found  in  western 
Illinois.  His  business  is  carried  on  very  extensively  and  he  has  become  widely 
known  not  only  in  this  state  but  elsewhere  among  prominent  stock-raisers.  His 
farm  is  equipped  with  all  modern  improvements  and  accessories.  His  home  is 
built  in  an  attractive  style  of  architecture,  is  very  commodious  and  is  fitted  up 
in  excellent  taste.  His  barns  and  sheds,  too,  afford  ample  shelter  for  grain  and 
stock,  and  everything  is  done  to  care  for  his  stock  in  the  most  scientific  man- 
ner. His  labors  are  doing  much  to  improve  the  grade  of  cattle  raised  in  this 
part  of  the  state  and  his  example  serves  to  stimulate  and  encourage  others.  In 
addition  to  his  Knox  county  property  he  is  also  interested  in  a  large  farm  in  the 
Red  River  valley  of  Minnesota  which  is  operated  by  the  most  modern  machinery. 
There  the  plowing  is  done  by  steam  plows  and  the  other  equipments  are  equally, 
modern,  showing  him  to  be  in  keeping  with  the  most  advanced  spirit  of  prog- 
ress and  enterprise. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1889,  Mr.  McMaster  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ida  M.  Stuckey,  a  daughter  of  S.  S.  and  Carrie  (Borden)  Stuckey.  On  the 
I3th  of  August,  1890,  Mrs.  McMaster  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  years, 
and  on  the  ist  of  September,  1892,  Mr.  McMaster  was  again  married,  his  second 
union  being  with  Ida  E.  Sawyer,  who  died  July  12,  1897.  On  the  28th  of  March, 
1901,  he  wedded  Miss  Frances  A.  Reed,  who  was  born  December  31,  1858,  in 
the  old  Reed  home  near  Wataga.  She  is  a  daughter  of  James  D.  Reed,  who 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  June  27,  1825,  and  as  a  boy  came  to  Knox  county,  settling 
in  Henderson  township  with  his  parents,  Jonathan  and  Polly  (Newell)  Reed, 


f:'  Md  :  ::fv:>  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -:  ;:,  ^;'  v.v 

who  spent  the  remainder  of  their  clays  in  that  township.     In  early  manhood 
James  D.  Reed  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming  and  after  his  marriage,  which 
took  place  on  the  27th  of  August,  1847,  removed  to  Sparta  township,  settling 
on  what  became  known  as  the  old  Reed  farm  near  Wataga.     He  was  of  Scotch 
descent  and  was  a  worthy  and  highly  respected  resident  of  his  community.    He 
held  membership  in  the  Baptist  church  and  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
democratic  party.     His  death  occurred  December  8,  1882.     His  wife,  who  bore 
^the  maiden  name  of  Martha  A.  Duval,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  April  27,  1831, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  C.  Duval,  who  was  born  February  28,  1802,  and 
.  •        was  of  French  descent.     His  parents  were  James  and  Judith  (Jennings)  Duval, 
.      ,   the  forrr-er  a  native  of  Virginia  and  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.     Thomas  C. 
:     Duval  was  married  April  2.  1822,  to  Miss  Nancy  Shumate,  who  was  born  in 
.     Virginia,  August  19,  1802.    She  died  March  2,  1888,  while  Thomas  Duval  passed 
away  September  25,  1890.    He  was  one  of  the  earliest  residents  of  Knox  county, 
having  settled  in  Henderson  township  in  1835.     He  at  that  time  had  one  hun- 
•      dred  dollars  in  cash,  which  he  invested  in  land,  and  in  1869  he  owned  two  thou- 
sand acres  of  land  in  Sparta  and  Henderson  townships.     His  investments  were 
most  judiciously  made  and  as  he  prospered,  he  added  to  his  holdings  until  he 
was  one  of  the  most  extensive  landowners  in  this  part  of  the  county.     In  politics 
he  was  a  republican  and  his  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Christian  church. 

Mrs.   McMaster  is  therefore  descended   from  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 

prominent  pioneer  families  of  Knox  county.     She  was  one  of  ten  children,  of 

whom  the  following  are  living:     Ellen,  the  wife  of  Henry  Redfield,  of  Gales- 

..      burg;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Robert  Langloff,  of  Topeka,  Kansas;  Mrs.  McMaster; 

.   Polly,  the  wife  of  Henry  Slabaugh,  of  Warren,  Ohio;  Dora,  the  wife  of  Fred 

-         Corey,  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa;  and  Albert  Reed,  of  Rockford,  Illinois. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMaster  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and 

he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.    In  politics  he  is  a  republican,  active  in  his 

.    support  of  the  party,  and  he  has  served  in  various  local  offices.     As  a  business 

man,  however,  he  is  perhaps  best  known  and  he  is  one  who  contributes  to  Knox 

,        county's  reputation  as  a  leading  stock-raising  center.     His  business  affairs  have 

been  so  capably  managed  that  he  has  won  substantial  success  and  the  years 

have  placed  him  in  a  prominent  position  among  the  farmers  and  stock-raisers  of 

western  Illinois. 


^^  ^/.  JOHNF.  HAMILTON,       r:.-,;- 

John  F.  Hamilton,  attorney  at  law  practicing  at  the  Galesburg  bar  and  also 
serving  as  justice  of  the  peace  of  this  city,  was  born  near  Wenona,  Illinois, 
February  3,  1867.  He  represents  one  of  the  old  families  of  Ohio.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather,  Samuel  Hamilton,  a  descendant  of  Eli  Hamilton,  was  a  native 
of  that  state  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  fanning  as  a  life  work. 
He  there  married  Nancy  McMorris  who  was  a  niece  of  Chief  Justice  John 
Marshall.  Removing  to  Illinois  they  became  early  settlers  of  Marshall  county 
where  they  died  when  well  advanced  in  years.  They  had  a  large  family,  includ- 
ing: Celia,  deceased  who  was  the  wife  of  Hiram  Meyer,  of  Galesburg;  Wil- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^.f  ?.:;        131 


Ham  T. ;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Josiah  Miller,  of  Richwood,  Ohio;  John  M.,    > 
at  one  time  governor  of   Illinois;  Oscar,   deceased;   Frank  Y.,   a  resident  of   ,-- 
Bloomington ;  and  Roa,  the  wife  of  Oliver  Allen,  of  Wenona,  Illinois.   Through   •' 
the  period  of  their  residence  in  Illinois  the  family  has  been  prominent  in  pro-    :' 
moting  the  general  work  of  upbuilding  and  improvement.  ./ 

William   T.   Hamilton,   father   of  John   F.   Hamilton,  of  this  review,   was    :' 
born  in  Ohio  and  spent  his  youthful  days  in  Union  county,  that  state,  near  Rich-  \  •- 
wood,  there  remaining  until  his  parents  brought  their   family  to  Illinois.     In  ' 
Marshall   county,  this  state,  he  engaged  in  farming  and  later  established  his  ..,"•• 
home  in  Wenona,  where  he  lived  until  1891  when  he  came  to  Galesburg  and 
during  the  period  of  his  residence  in  this  city  he   was  prominent  in  public 
affairs  and  served  for  two  or  three  terms  as  alderman  from  the  third  ward.     In  • 
1904  he  removed  to   Pomona,  California,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1911, 
when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.     His  wife  died  on  the  27th 
of  June  of  the  same  year  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.    They  were  both  faith- 
ful and   devoted  members  of   the   Presbyterian  church   and  earnest  Christian      = 
people  throughout  all  their  lives.     The  father  served  as  an  elder  in  the  church  V 
in  Galesburg  and  also  after  his  removal  to  Pomona.     He  was  at  all  times  a  • 
public-spirited  and  patriotic  citizen  and  was  a  stalwart  champion  of  the  Union  •. 
cause  during  the  Civil  war,  for  which  he  organized  two  companies,  but  was  •'. 
himself  rejected  on  account  of  physical  disability,  although  he  had  been  elected    :. 
captain  of  the  company.     As  he  could  not  aid  the  army  at  the  front  he  raised 
a  third  company  and  thus  rendered  excellent  service  to  the  cause  at  home.     He  •'  • 
married  Susan  Clifford,  who  was  likewise  a  native  of  Ohio  and  was  a  daugh-  '    • 
ter  of  Edward   and    Rebecca    (Dunlap)    Clifford,  who  were  also  born   in  the    ./' 
Hawkeye  state.    They,  too,  became  residents  of  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  mak-     ; 
ing  the  journey  overland  across  the  country  in  wagons  when  Mrs.  Susan  Hamil-  .> 
ton  was  quite  young.     Both  lived  to  old  age,  Mrs.  Clifford  being  ninety-six  ; 
years  old  at  the  time  of  her  death.     They  had  a  large  family,  namely:     Sarah,    '  :' 
now  the  wife  of  James  Phillips,  of  Table  Rock,  Nebraska ;  Nancy,  deceased ;   ' 
Jane,  the  wife  of  William  Dunlap;  Samuel  and  Margaret,  both  of  whom  have    . 
passed  away;  and  Susan,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  T.  Hamilton.     By  ;..  > 
her  marriage  she  had  four  children  who  reached  adult  age:     Luetta,  now  the 
wife  of  J.  F.  Evans,  of  Pomona,  California ;  John  F. ;  James  E.,  who  follows     ' 
farming  near   Magnolia,   Illinois ;   and    Samuel   O.,  living  in   Lordsburg,   Cali- 
fornia. 

John  F.  Hamilton  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm  near  Wenona,  Illinois,    • 
and  after  mastering  the  common  branches  of  learning  in  the   district  schools     • 
attended  the   high   school   of   Wenona.      Subsequently   he   entered   the   Illinois  '•'' 
Wesleyan  University  at   Bloomington.      With  broad  literary  learning  to   serve 
as  the   foundation    for  professional   knowledge  he  took  up  the   study  of   law  • 
and  passed  the   examination  before  the   Supreme  court  of   Illinois,   being  ad-  :  ' 
mitted  to  the  bar  on  the  ist  of  March,  1893.     He  then  began  practice  in  Gales-  •.• 
burg  where  he  still  remains  and  in  following  his  profession  has  won  a  good  './• 
clientage.  :  '-. 

On  the  5th  of  June,  1895,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Hamilton  and  Miss     ; 
Anna  Wright,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  (Bellows)  Wright,  the  former  ' 
a  native  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of   Hartford,   Connecticut.     Removing   . 


132  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  '   ;  -7 

westward  they  settled  in  Indiana  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed. 
They  were  parents  of  four  children,  including  Anna,  who  became  Mrs.  Hamil- 
ton. She  was  born  in  the  city  of  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  and  by  her  marriage 
has  become  the  mother  of  three  children,  William  Wright,  John  Philip  and 
Dorothy  Luetta.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton  hold  membership  in  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  in  social  circles  occupy  an  enviable  position  by  reason 
of  that  genuine  worth  which  is  always  the  passport  to  good  society.  Mr, 
Hamilton  belongs  to  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  to  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Tribe  of  Ben  Hur,  the  Yeomen  of 
America  and  the  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Honor.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of 
the  Sigma  Chi,  a  college  fraternity,  and  of  the  Country  Club.  His  political 
allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  is  now  capably  serving  for 
the  fourth  term  as  justice  of  the  peace.  His  military  experience  covers  ser- 
vice as  captain  of  Battery  B,  Illinois  National  Guard,  and  he  was  inspector  of 
rifle  practice  on  Mayor  Yeager's  staff.  He  was  also  military  instructor  in  St. 
Albans  Academy  at  Knoxville  for  two  years.  His  interests  are  broad  and 
varied  and  he  has  led  a  busy  and  useful  life,  his  activities  touching  the  general 
interests  of  society  whereby  the  welfare  and  the  legal  status  of  the  com- 
munity are  upheld. 


.       --;  SAMUEL  TUCKER.;   ;         :  /      •       > 

The  late  Samuel  Tucker,  for  more  than  fifty  years  actively  engaged  in  agri-    '    .;   • 
cultural  pursuits  in  Knox  county,  was  the  most  extensive  landowner  in  Truro    .;'/•. 
township  at  the  time  of  his  death,  eighteen  years  ago.     He  was  born  on  his      :;':.-; 
father's  farm  in  Ohio,  on  October  12,  1822,  and  there  he  spent  the  first  twelve     ;;'';;. 
years  of  his  life.    In  1834  the  family  residence  was  changed  to  Peoria  county,  '..'';.;. 
Illinois,  where  the   father  continued  to   follow  farming  during  the  remainder      ..-.- 
of  his  active  life.  .    ,  i^  ( 

The  education  of  Samuel  Tucker  was  begun  in  the  common  schools  of  his  :;';:' 
native  state  and  completed  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  reared  to   ,  '•'•  ' ; 
manhood.     His  youthful  years  were  very  similar,  save  in  details,  to  those  of     v:.  <; 
other  lads  of  the  period  and  circumstances.     At  such  times  as  he  was  not  en-         •.  _ 
gaged  with  his  studies  in  school  he  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  farm,  and    '   '"  ;/ 
when  little  more  than  a  child  assumed  the  duties  of  a  man  in  the  operation  of    ;•';.--/ 
the  fields.    He  remained  with  his  people  until  his  marriage  at  the  age  of  twenty-  •':••'. ./;  - 
seven  years,  when  he  began  his  independent  agricultural  career.    Together  with     •  ;-.,' 
his  bride  he  came  to  Knox  county,  settling  on  a  small  farm  he  had  acquired  in      /•     ;  • 
Elba  township.     He  was  a  man  of  tireless  energy,  and  industriously  applied  '.  "/;..:''' 
himself  to  the  operation  of  his  land.    At  the  expiration  of  seven  or  eight  years  ;'':,-..-' 
he  removed  to  Truro  township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.     Not  the  least    ',/;.• 
of  Mr.  Tucker's  many  admirable  traits  was  his  patriotism,  and  when  the  nation's  •.;  .- 
chief  called  for  volunteers  he  responded,  enlisting  in  Company  H,  One  Hun-       '.    '•, 
dred  and  Second  Regiment.     He  entered  the  service  in  1862  and  remained  at  /; '' i   '- 
the   front  until  July,   1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out.     Returning  home  he      ,  r  v 
resumed  his  farming,  in  which  he  met  with  such  lucrative  returns  that  he  was    \    >  • 


V/ 


t    • 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ."  ^^  137 


able  to  extend  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  owned  five  hundred 
of  most  productive  land.  He  assiduously  applied  himself  to  the  further  culti- 
vation and  improvement  of  this  property  until  his  death  on  May  8,  1893,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  The  prosperity  that  attended  the  efforts  of  Mr.  • 
Tucker  must  be  attributed  to  his  own  personal  endeavors,  helpfully  supple- 
mented by  Mrs.  Tucker's  capable  management  of  the  household  affairs.  He 
belonged  to  the  type  of  men  who  set  themselves  a  task,  and  disregarding  all 
obstacles  that  may  arise  to  thwart  their  plans,  tenaciously  adhere  to  their  plan 
of  action  until  they  attain  their  ambition.  Success  would  have  attended  his 
endeavors  in  any  vocation  he  might  have  elected  to  follow,  because  he  would 
never  have  accepted  defeat,  failure  but  serving  to  renew  the  energy  by  means 
of  which  he  conquered.  He  located  in  Knox  county  a't  a  period  when  pioneer 
conditions  still  existed,  and  farming  was  largely  little  more  than  drudgery,  as 
it  was  prior  to  the  advent  of  the  modem  agricultural  implements.  Hardships 
and  privations,  disappointments  and  misfortunes  fell  to  his  lot  as  to  that  of  all 
pioneers,  but  he  steadily  persisted  in  his  course  and  in  the  end  won  such  feasible 
success  that  he  owned  at  one  time  three  thousand  and  forty  acres  of  land.  J  , 

On  February  29,  1849,  Mr.  Tucker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Mundy,  who  was  born  October  i,  1831,  and  was  a  daughter  of  James  Mundy  of 
Elba  township,  Knox  county.  Mr.  .Mundy  was  one  of  the  pioneers,  while  Mrs. 
Mundy's  father  also  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  section  of  the  county. 
James  Mundy  engaged  in  fanning  in  Elba  township  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  He  was  one  of  the  estimable  citizens  of 
his  community  and  held  membership  in  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Of  the  mar- 
riage of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tucker  there  were  born  eleven  children,  of  whom  four 
sons  and  three  daughters  are  living.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows: 
James  ;  L.  V.  ;  Noah  ;  Eugene  ;  Catherine  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  A.  D.  Moon  ; 
Sarah  Amanda,  who  married  Charles  H.  Eastman;  and  Mary  Evelyn,  the  wife 
of  Dr.  Ben  D.  Baird.  ;:  .;  ;  .  vv 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Tucker  always  accorded  to  the  republican  party, 
and  he  served  as  supervisor  of  his  township  for  several  terms,  while  he  also 
acted  as  school  director.  His  public  duties  were  always  discharged  with  the 
same  competence  and  efficiency  that  marked  his  private  undertakings,  as  he 
always  considered  that  anything  that  was  of  sufficient  importance  to  engage  his 
attention  was  worthy  of  his  best  efforts.  After  the  death  of  her  husband,  Mrs. 
Tucker  left  the  farm,  which  she  is  now  renting  and  removed  to  Williamsfield, 
where  she  continues  to  reside.  She  is  a  woman  of  many  most  estimable  quali- 
ties and  is  held  in  high  regard  by  her  large  circle  of  acquaintances.  •.  v  ;; 


>.  -•   ;    •   C;:   GEORGE  M.  CLARK.   ;  '    !:  VvV^ 

George  M.  Clark,  chief  clerk  of  the  election  commissioners  for  the  city  of 
Galesburg  and  at  one  time  treasurer  of  Knox  county,  was  born  in  Orange  town- 
ship, this  county,  on  the  24th  of  April,  1872.  The  ancestral  history  declares  the 
family  to  be  of  German  origin  although  representatives  of  the  name  have  long 

been  residents  of  America.     Abraham  Clark,  the  grandfather  of   George  M. 

voL    n— T        ;•;•    :•;:•.•,.;••'  "    ,.•---•/ 


138  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .0  ; 

.  "••'.'.."•'., 

Clark,  came  from  the  state  of  New  York  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He 
married  Anna  Wise  and  at  length  removed  westward,  becoming  one  of  the  early 
farmers  of  this  county.  The  land  which  he  purchased  he  converted  into  rich 
and  productive  fields  and  he  continued  his  residence  upon  the  old  homestead 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Orange  township  when  he  had  passed  the 
Psalmist's  allotted  span  of  three  score  years  and  ten.  His  wife  reached  the  very 
remarkable  old  age  of  ninety-four  years.  Their  family  numbered  three  chil- 
dren. Nelson,  Luther  and  Elizabeth,  the  last  named  becoming  the  wife  of 
Cornelius  King.  '\  •  >' :  ;  x  '' ^  j  --'.fT; 

Luther  Clark,  the  father  of  George  M.  Clark,  was  born  in  Tiog^  county, 
New  York,  July  i,  1829,  and  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  the  family  came 
to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  in  1843,  so  that  he  attained  his  majority  while  living 
upon  the  old  homestead  in  Orange  township.  He  shared  with  the  family  in  the 
hardships  and  experiences  of  pioneer  life,  early  becoming  familiar  with  the  work 
of  the  fields  from  the  time  of  early  spring  planting  until  after  the  crops  were 
harvested  in  the  late  autumn.  When  he  had  attained  man's  estate  he  began 
farming  on  his  own  account,  purchasing  eighty  acres  of  land.  Not  a  furrow  had 
been  turned  nor  an  improvement  made  upon  the  property  when  it  came  into 
his  possession  but  with  characteristic  energy  he  began  to  break  the  sod  and  till 
the  fields  and  in  due  time  his  land  returned  to  him  abundant  crops.  As  he  pros- 
pered in  his  undertaking  he  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  property  until  at 
one  time  he  owned  two  hundred  acres.  On  the  3d  of  February,  1859,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Yeager,  who  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  April  5,  1839,  and 
traced  her  ancestry  back  to  Germany.  To  them  were  born  six  children :  Anna 
E.,  the  wife  of  Arthur  S.  Randall,  of  Orange  township;  Curtis  A.  and  Frank 
N.,  both  residents  of  Orange  township;  John  A.,  of  Galesburg;  George  M.,  of 
this  review ;  and  Mary,  who  married  J.  W.  Wise,  of  Knoxville.  The  death  of 
the  father  occurred  February  3,  1900,  and  the  mother  passed  away  May  25, 
1903.  She  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  her  kindly 
spirit  and  many  good  traits  of  character  won  her  the  love  of  all  who  knew  her. 
In  politics  Mr.  Clark  was  a  republican  and  served  in  several  local  offices,  acting 
as  township  assessor  and  also  as  supervisor  for  a  number  of  years. 

George  M.  Clark  spent  his  youthful  days  on  his  father's  farm  in  Orange 
township,  dividing  his  time  between  the  work  of  the  fields  and  the  acquirement 
of  an  education  in  the  district  schools  up  to  the  time  when  he  entered  the  Gales- 
burg  Business  College.  After  completing  his  course  in  that  institution  he  then 
returned  to  the  farm  and  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  1907. 
He  inherited  a  part  of  the  old  homestead  and  bought  out  the  interests  of  the 
other  heirs  in  that  property,  still  owning  the  farm  which  comprises  one  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land.  A  noted  educator  who  has  given 
much,  study  to  the  sources  of  the  country's  wealth  says  that  there  is  no  better 
investment  in  all  America  than  Illinois  farm  land  and  in  his  property  Mr.  Clark 
has  a  source  of  gratifying  income.  He  left  the  farm  and  removed  to  Galesburg 
to  assume  the  duties  of  county  treasurer,  having  been  appointed  to  the  office 
in  January,  1909,  after  which  he  was  chosen  for  the  position  at  a  special  election 
in  June  of  that  year.  He  served  for  about  two  years,  filling  out  an  unexpired 
term  of  O.  N.  Custer.  He  had  formerly  filled  the  office  of  supervisor  for  seven 
years  and  was  township  collector  for  three  years.  He  has  ever  discharged  his 


;  , -r>    1  :;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'v'^/iV       139 

official  duties  with  promptness  and  fidelity  and  the  record  he  has  made  in  this 
connection  is  a  most  creditable  one.  In  his  political  views  he  has  ever  been  a 
republican  and  for  one  term  served  as  chairman  of  the  republican  county  central 
committee.  He  was  likewise  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  for  two  terms 
and  resigned  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  office  of  county  treasurer. 

The  marriage  of  George  M.  Clark  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Krise  was  celebrated 
October  22,  1894.  She  was  a  daughter  of  George  A.  and  Mary  A.  (Sheets) 
Krise,  and  by  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  three  children,  Clare, 
Frances  and  Dorothy.  Death  called  her  March  i8,  1900,  and  the  family  lost  a 
devoted  mother  and  the  Congregational  church  a  faithful  member.  Mr.  Clark 
was  married  again,  December  21,  1905,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Susie 
D.  Hartnell,  who  was  born  in  England,  of  which  country  her  parents,  George 
and  Mary  (Dean)  Hartnell,  were  also  natives.  They  came  to  this  country  dur- 
ing the  early  girlhood  of  their  daughter  Susie.  They  now  reside  in  Orange 
township,  where  Mr.  Hartnell  is  yet  following  the  occupation  of  farming.  The 
children  of  the  family  are:  Mary;  Albert;  Ethel  and  Edith,  twins;  John; 
Joseph;  Susie;  and  a  half-brother,  William  Aplin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  became 
parents  of  two  children,  Helen  and  Ruth  Margaret,  but  the  first  born,  Helen,  • 
died  in  infancy.  : 

Mr.  Clark  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  Camp  of  De  Long,  also  the 
local  lodge  of  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  He  is  supreme  treasurer  of  the  Fraternal  Reserve  Life  Association  of 
Peoria.  Wherever  known  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  and  most  of  all  where  he 
is  best  known.  His  life  has  been  quietly  i>assed  and  yet  he  has  at  all  times  been 
a  faithful  citizen  and  a  reliable  business  man  who  is  trustworthy  in  his  friend- 
ships and  true  to  every  trust  reposed  in  him.  v';:  /X  ;  /  -  v  '  v^  ^;:.::'  .  \ 


.  •     ;  :  i;  EDWARD  R.  DRAKE.   :  -1    r'^ 

Edward  R.  Drake,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Kellogg,  Drake  &  Company, 
dealers  in  dry  goods,  cloaks  and  carpets,  their  large  establishment  extending 
from  No.  227  to  235  East  Main  street,  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  Galesburg, 
his  birth  having  here  occurred  November  lo,  1856.  His  great-grandfather  in 
the  paternal  line  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  His  grandfather, 
David  Drake,  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  devoted  his  life  to  farming. 
When  called  to  his  final  rest  his  remains  were  interred  at  Crown  Point,  that 
state.  His  family  numbered  several  children,  including:  Lyman  C.,  the  father 
of  Edward  R.  Drake;  Amos,  who  remained  a  resident  of  the  state  of  New 
York;  Nathan  B.,  who  came  to  the  middle  west  at  an  early  day  and  took  up 
his  abode  just  across  the  street  from  his  brother  Lyman;  Olive,  the  wife  of 
Charles  Needham,  who  removed  from  Galesburg  to  California  in  1865,  settling 
at  Merced :  and  Mary,  the  wife  of  James  Squire,  of  Galesburg. 

Lyman  C.  Drake,  a  native  of  New  York,  was  reared  in  Essex  county  of  that 
state  and,  having  arrived  at  years  of  maturity  wedded  Lucy  Ann  Hyde,  a 
native  of  Vermont,  who  spent  her  girlhood  days  in  Middlebury  of  the  "Green 
Mountain"  state.  She  was  a  granddaughter  of  Russell  B.  Hyde,  who  served 


140          ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Vv- 


throughout  the  Revolutionary  war,  retiring  with  the  rank  of  major.   He  received        .     ' 
from  the  government  in  recognition  of  his  services  a  land  grant  of  a  township         .;   ' 
in  Northern  Vermont,  which  was  named  Hyde  Park  in  his  honor.     Lucy  Ann         : .; 
Hyde  was  a  daughter  of  Jabez  Perkins  and  Martha  (Edgerton)   Hyde,  who 
removed  to  the  Mississippi  valley  with  their  children  and  spent  their  last  days 
in  Galesburg,  where  they  passed  away  at  an  advanced  age.    They  had  a  large        ••. 
family,  namely:     George  J.,  a  resident  of  Davenport,  Iowa;  Andrew  J.,  who  ' 

in  1828  went  with  his  brother  George  to  Davenport,  the  remainder  of  their  . 

lives  being  passed  in  Scott  county,  Iowa;  Martha,  who  married  George  W.  G.         . 
Ferris,  the  youngest  son  of  Sylvanus  Ferris,  who  with  George  W.  Gale  and          ; 
others  founded  the  city  of  Galesburg;  Lydia  E.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Albert  .> 

dine  and   removed   to    Peoria   county;   Elizabeth,   who   became  the   wife  of         .^   ;. 
Edward  Ray,  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  and  both  are  now  deceased;  Diadama,     • 
the  wife  of  Horace  B.  Weeks,  who  died  in  early  manhood  in  Galesburg  and        .. 
was  laid  to  rest  in  Hope  cemetery ;  and  others.    His  family  included  Lucy  Ann        ,-  ; 
Hyde,  who  became  the  wife  of  Lyman  C.  Drake,  and  in  the  year  1843  they  re-         ^ ; 
moved   westward,   settling   just   within   the   edge  of   Warren   county,   Illinois.        :?; 
where  Mr.  Drake  engaged  in  farming  for  a  number  of  years.     In   1854  he  > 

brought  his  family  to  Galesburg  where  he  lived  retired.     Here  he  died   in 
1887,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  while  his  wife  passed  away  in  1888,  when 
seventy-four  years  of  age.     Both   were  members  of   the  Baptist  church   and         V. 
Mr.  Drake  was  at  one  time  a  member  of  the  New  York  State  Militia  and  held        ; 
a  captain's  commission.     Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  nine  children,  but         •  ••; 
only  two  are  now  living,  the  younger  being  Frederick  S.,  a  resident  of  Detroit, 
Michigan.  / 

Edward  R.  Drake,  born  and  reared  in  Galesburg,  pursued  his  education         ; 
in  the  public  schools  here  and  made  his  initial  step  in  the  business  world  as  a  ; 

clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store.    Ambitious  to  enter  business  life  on  his  own  account, 
he  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  which  in  1888  came  to  him,  of  becoming  / 

a  member  of  the  firm  of  Kellogg,  Drake  &  Company.     This  organization  has 
since  maintained  a   continuous  existence  and   is   regarded  as  one  of   the  old         '   '; 
reliable  houses  of  the  city,  carrying  a  large  and  well  selected  line  of  dry  goods,.;--  ; 
cloaks  and   carpets.     The   honorable   business  methods  of   the  house  and  the          ^^  ' 
unfaltering  enterprise  of  the  partners  have  enabled  them  to  meet  competition         :..\ 
and  win  a  fair  share  of  the  public  patronage,  so  that  the  undertaking  has  been  : 

crowned  with  prosperity  from  the  outset.        ;,        :  .  :     -       •  -, 

On  the  29th  of  June,   1894,  Mr.  Drake  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  E.      -     ; 
Stone,  the  youngest  daughter  of  Lester  T.  and  Sallie  (Ferris)  Stone,  who  died  ,    >  ;.  . 
in  1895;  the  former  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  the  latter  of  Galesburg.          .:;;. 
L.  T.  Stone  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  serving  for  nearly  four  years  as    ;V       ' 
an  officer  and  died  November  12,  1911.     He  was  the  son  of  C.  D.  Stone,  at         :  > 
one  time  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  his  remains  now  resting  in  Hope  cemetery.    ;,';. 
The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Drake  was  S.  W.  Ferris,  a  son  of  Sylvanus     '     : : . 
Ferris,    native  of   New   York.     He   married   Currance  Ann   Winniger.     The         •' 
death  of  Mrs.  Drake  occurred  November  15,   1896,  and  was  the  occasion  of     ;  •  \ 
deep  and  widespread  regret  to  her  many  friends.  '• 

The  public  interests  of  the  community  outside  of  business  circles  have  bene-    ^     ' .-» 
fited  by  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Drake  who,  never  neglectful  of  the  duties  of  citizen-       -V\;:: 


V"   •    V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;''   •  --^^   ^ 

ship  and  realizing  the  responsibility  of  the  individual  in  community  affairs,  has 
done  public  work  of  a  helpful  nature.  '  He  has  always  given  his  political  sup- 
port to  the  republican  party,  but  the  offices  he  has  filled  have  not  been  of  a 
political  character.  For  twenty-eight  years,  however,  he  has  served  on  the 
library  board  and  at  this  writing,  in  1911,  is  its  president.  He  was  a  charter 
member  of  the  Galesburg  Club  and  twice  served  as  its  president,  and  he  holds 
membership  in  the  Baptist  church.  Where  the  interests  and  welfare  of  the 
city  are  involved  his  influence  and  aid  are  always  given  on  the  side  of  progress 
and  improvement.  ;.•''•;;/.:;/•..:'  •'•' ..:C.'-'--. ','\.-.-:-'::_~L'^^:-'-\  ./  ''.^-''.if ''•••'•'.•••<.;';• 


;.:•;...;;•:;..;•••,;-':  ,,-:':,•;:,;•-       PETER  EPLEY.    '•'<:.':•    ' '  ;•  -  .:;v:-;:^-%: v;: '^H'-'T '-'' 

The  late  Peter  Epley,  who  for  many  years  was  a  street  commissioner  in  .. 
Knoxville,  located  here  with  his  family  in  the  '8os.     His  birth  occurred  on  a     . 
farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  23d  of  April,  1833,       i 
his  parents  being  George  and  Harriet  (Vance)  Epley,  also  natives  of  the  Key-   •    • 
stone  state.     George  Epley  came  to  Knox  county  with  his  family  during  the    ;  :, 
pioneer  days,  and  here  both  he  and  the  mother  passed  away.    Their  family  con-  ;  ;   . 
sisted  of  four  sons  and  seven  daughters  of  whom  the  following  are  living:  John;    ' 
William;  Mrs.   Sarah  Lightner,  of  Knoxville:  Mrs.   Mary   Pfeffer,  of  Gettys-    " 
burg,   Pennsylvania;   Mrs.   Mattie   Hoke,   of   Elk   Creek,   Nebraska;   and   Mrs. 
Amanda  Korman,  of  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania. 

In  the  acquirement   of   his   education   Peter   Epley   attended   the  common     •     : 
schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birthplace,  at  the  same  time  assisting  his  father  ; 
with  the  work  of  the  farm.     When  the  war  broke  out  he  was  drafted  from      :. 
Gettysburg  and  went  to  the  front  where  he  remained  for  three  months,  to 
assume  on  his  return  the  responsibilities  of  manhood  and  directed  his  ener-      ;; 
gies  thereafter  along  different  lines  of  activity.  i 

When  twenty-one  years  of  age,  Mr.  Epley  married  Miss  Agnes  Evelyn  Cur-      ; 
rens,  their  marriage  being   celebrated   in   Gettysburg,   on   February   27,    1854.    ;, 
She  is  a  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Mary  Ann   (Dix)   Currens,  natives  of  Mary-  . 
lahd,  in  which  state  Mrs.  Epley's  birth  occurred  on  the  23d  of  July,  1835.    Her  ;     , 
father  was  a  shoemaker,  and  after  following  his  trade  for  many  years  in  his     '' 
native  state,   he  removed   with  his   family  to   Pennsylvania,  where  he  passed     '. 
away  at  the  age  of  ninety-six  years.     He  was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolutionary  ,     . 
war.     Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Currens  there  were  born  five  sons  and 
five  daughters,  Mrs.  Epley  being  the  only  one  now  living.     In  order  of  birth     -  ' 
they  were  as   follows:     John;   Mary  Jane;  Ann  Eliza;   Isabella;   Sarah   M.;   ;  -. 
Agnes;  Jessie;   Stephen;  and  two  who  died  in  infancy.     The  family  of   Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Epley  numbered  twelve,  nine  sons  and  three  daughters.    Calvin,  who    ' . 
was  the  eldest,  died  in  infancy.     William,  who  conducts  a  restaurant  at  Elm- 
wood,  is  married  and  has  one  son.  Max.     John,  who  is  the  next  in  order  of    -     • 
birth,  is  deceased.     Sarah  R.  married  William  Johns,  at  Gettysburg  and  has 
six  children  and  one  grandchild,  as  follows:     Laura,  who  is  married  and  has 
one  child;  and  Mary,  Ada,  Walter,  Howard  and  one  child  who  died  in  infancy.  V;. 
Mary  Ann,  the  wife  of  William  Gross,  is  living  in  Boston,  where  both  she       .: 


142  '         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


and  her  husband  are  Christian  science  practitioners,  Laura  married  Reuben 
H.  Culp,  an  undertaker  of  Gettysburg,  and  has  two  children,  Charles  and  Ethel. 
Frederick  is  deceased.  Charles  is  conducting  a  restaurant  in  Knoxville.  George, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Elmwood,  is  married  and  has  three  children;  Leo,  Everett 
and  a  baby.  Isaac  is  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  farm  near  Maquon.  Robert, 
a  painter  and  decorator,  is  a  resident  of  Knoxville.  Curtis,  the  youngest  mem- 
ber of  the  family,  is  conducting  a  flour  and  feed  store  at  Norwick,  Kansas. 
He  is  married  and  has  one  child,  Harold. 

Mr.  Epley  affiliated  with  the  Lutheran  faith,  while  his  widow  belongs  to 
the  Presbyterian  church.  He  voted  the  democratic  ticket,  and  was  an  honored 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  The  residence  now  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Epley  was  erected  by  them  more  than  twenty-seven  years  ago.  In  No- 
vember, 1905,  Mr.  Epley  passed  away  while  on  a  visit  in  Gettysburg,  Penn- 
sylvania. '  '"'•  '^''-  .•••''' ^''.--  -'^—' '*/7;C::;  -•'.'"'/  ? 


;   :  ;  V  H  O.  JOHN  OBERHOLTZER.  ;  ;::^:  ?   ^     ': ;  i 

By  the  intelligent  and  capable  direction  of  his  activities  along  agricultural 
lines  O.  John  Oberholtzer  met  with  such  success  that  he  became  one  of  the 
extensive  property  owners  of  Elba  township,  spending  the  last  years  of  a  well 
rounded  life  in  retirement  in  Williamsfield,  his  death  occurring  on  November 
II,  1911.  He  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Ashland,  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  on 
the  I2th  of  May,  1846,  a  son  of  James  and  Ann  (Tedrow)  Oberholtzer,  both 
of  German  extraction.  The  father  was  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  but 
in  his  early  manhood  he  located  in  Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  blacksmith's 
trade  until  1848,  when  with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to  Knox  county.  Of 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Oberholtzer  there  were  born  five  chil- 
dren :  Louisa  J. ;  O.  John ;  Elizabeth  J.,  who  is  deceased ;  Homer  W. ;  and  Mary 
E.,  who  has  passed  away. 

The  son  of  a  pioneer  farmer,  O.  John  Oberholtzer  was  afforded  but  limited 
educational  advantages,  during  which  time  he  also  assisted  his  father  with  the 
cultivation  of  the  fields.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  enlisted  in  Company 
E,  Eleventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  going  to  the  front  on  the  2Oth  of  Janu- 
ary, 1865,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  Upon  receiving  his 
discharge  he  returned  home  and  again  applied  his  energies  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  farm,  remaining  with  his  people  until  he  was  twenty-two.  He  then  began 
to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world  and  the  following  year  was  married,  imme- 
diately after  which  he  and  his  bride  settled  on  a  quarter  section  of  land  he  had 
purchased  in  Truro  township.  He  assiduously  applied  himself  to  the  further 
improvement  of  his  property,  during  the  succeeding  five  years,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  which  time  he  disposed  of  it.  The  proceeds  he  invested  in  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  located  in  the  same  township,  and  there  he  lived  until 
his  retirement.  Mr.  Oberholtzer  perseveringly  devoted  his  energies  to  general 
farming  and  stock-raising  and  met  with  such  excellent  returns  that  he  was 
able  to  increase  his  holdings  until  he  had  acquired  five  hundred  and  ninety 
acres.  He  erected  good  barns  and  substantial  outbuildings  as  well  as  a  com- 


O.J . 


142       ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  her  husband  are  Christian  science  practitioners.  Laura  married  Reuben 
H.  Culp,  an  undertaker  of  Gettysburg,  and  has  two  children.  Charles  and  Ethel. 
Frederick  is  deceased.  Charles  is  conducting  a  restaurant  in  Knoxville.  George, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Elmwood.  is  married  and  has  three  children ;  Leo,  Everett 
and  a  baby.  Isaac  is  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  farm  near  Maquon.  Robert, 
a  painter  and  decorator,  is  a  resident  of  Knoxville.  Curtis,  the  youngest  mem- 
ber .of  the  family,  is  conducting  a  flour  and  feed  store  at  Xorwick,  Kansas. 
He  is  married  and  has  one  child,  Harold. 

Mr.  Epley  affiliated  with  the  Lutheran  faith,  while  his  widow  belongs  to 
the  Presbyterian  church.  He  voted  the  democratic  ticket,  and  was  an  honored 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  The  residence  now  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Epley  was  erected  by  them  more  than  twenty-seven  years  ago.  In  No- 
vember, 1905,  Mr.  Epley  passed  away  while  on  a  visit  in  Gettysburg,  Penn- 
sylvania. 


.  O.  JOHN  OBERHOLTZER.          : 

By  the  intelligent  and  capable  direction  of  his  activities  along  agricultural 
lines  O.  John  Oberholtzer  met  with  such  success  that  he  became  one  of  the 
extensive  property  owners  of  Elba  township,  spending  the  last  years  of  a  well 
rounded  life  in  retirement  in  \\'illiamsfield,  his  death  occurring  on  November 
II,  1911.  He  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Ashland.  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  on 
the  I2th  of  May,  1846.  a  son  of  James  and  Ann  (Tedrow)  Oberholtzer,  both 
of  German  extraction.  The  father  was  born  and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  but 
in  his  early  manhood  he  located  in  Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  blacksmith's 
trade  until  1848,  when  with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to  Knox  county.  Of 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Oberholtzer  there  were  born  five  chil- 
dren :  Louisa  J. :  O.  John  ;  Elizabeth  J.,  who  is  deceased ;  Homer  W. :  and  Mary 
E..  who  has  passed  away.  .  .'  ,.  i 

The  son  of  a  pioneer  farmer,  O.  John  Oberholtzer  was  afforded  but  limited 
educational  advantages,  during  which  time  he  also  assisted  his  father  with  the 
cultivation  of  the  fields.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  enlisted  in  Company 
E,  Eleventh  Illinois  X'olunteer  Cavalry,  going  to  the  front  on  the  2Oth  of  Janu- 
ary, 1865.  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  Upon  receiving  his 
discharge  he  returned  IKMIIC  and  again  ajjplied  his  energies  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  farm,  remaining  with  his  ])eople  until  he  was  twenty-two.  He  then  began 
to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world  and  the  following  year  was  married,  imme- 
diately after  which  he  and  his  bride  settled  on  a  (|uarter  section  of  land  he  had 
purchased  in  Truro  townslii]x  He  assiduously  applied  himself  to  the  further 
improvement  of  his  property,  during  the  succeeding  five  years,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  which  time  he  disposed  of  it.  The  jjroceeds  he  invested  in  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  located  in  the  same  township,  and  there  he  lived  until 
his  retirement.  Mr.  Oberholtzer  i)erseveringly  devoted  his  energies  to  general 
farming  and  stock-raising  and  met  with  such  excellent  returns  that  he  was 
able  to  increase  his  holdings  luitil  he  had  acquired  five  hundred  and  ninety 
acres.  He  erected  good  barns  and  substantial  outbuildings  as  well  as  a  com- 


y     o:,      r   •    ::;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ,';';••'        145 

fortable  residence  on  his  homestead,  which  he  further  improved  by  the  addi- 
tion of  many  modern  conveniences  and  comforts.  The  operation  of  his  fields 
and  the  harvesting  of  his  abundant  crops  was  always  conducted  under  the  per- 
sonal supervision  of  Mr.  Oberholtzer,  who  is  a  man  of  practical  ideas  and 
progressive  methods.  To  his  capable  supervision  of  every  detail  about  his 
farm  as  well  as  his  energy  and  the  concentration  of  his  powers  must  be  attributed 
much  of  his  success. 

At  Knoxville  on  the  2ist  of  February,  1869,  Mr.  Oberholtzer  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Amelia  A.  Smith,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Mary  (Almey) 
Smith,  natives  of  New  York.  Six  children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Oberholtzer,  as  follows:  Clara  E. ;  Emma  A.;  Nellie  J. ;  Ida  E. ;  Edward  J., 
who  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  at  Williamsfield ;  and  Joseph  W., 
who  is  deceased.  ••  "'I'^k  ^^ 5- x.'.. ;'-•?;;•:  ^,v'.;^c  .•;:• 

Mr.  Oberholtzer  was  an  honored  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic, being  commander  of  the  local  post,  and  his  political  support  was  g^ven  the 
republican  party.  In  1880  he  served  as  assessor  and  four  years  later  he  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace,  while  he  also  served  as  township  supervisor  for 
nine  years.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  local  political  affairs  and 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death  discharged  the  duties  of  justice  of  the  peace.  He 
received  and  fully  warranted  the  high  esteem  of  the  community,  in  which  he 
was  widely  known  and  left  his  family  a  comfortable  competence  and  large 
property  interests,  a  monument  of  diligence  and  persistent  effort.  His  demise 
on  November  ii,  1911,  caused  deep  sorrow  to  his  family,  to  whom  he  had  been 
a  devoted  husband  and  father,  and  wide  regret  among  his  many  friends  and 
acquaintances  who  reverently  cherish  his  memory.  He  was  laid  to  rest  in  the 
cemetery  at  Williamsfield.  ••;,.  .,v ;;-.., ;-, -,:-,.  ..  ::.  .,  ^-  ^^  :^  . 


.,       ;         ^          '    '    •         GENERAL  F.  C.  SMITH.  ::;•'.;/ 

General  F.  C.  Smith,  whose  title  came  in  recognition  of  the  valiant  services 
which  he  rendered  to  his  country  in  the  Civil  war,  made  an  equally  creditable , 
record  in  private  life  and,  although  all  days  were  not  equally  bright  when 
viewed  from  the  financial  standpoint,  he  ever  maintained  a  high  position  in 
the  honor  and  regard  of  his  fellowmen,  and  in  fostering  railroad  building  and 
other  business  enterprises  contributed  much  to  the  substantial  development  of 
the  districts  in  which  he  lived.  He  was  born  in  Portageville,  New  York,  July 
14,  1824.  His  father,  Cyrus  Smith,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812  and  his 
example  of  military  service  and  valor  inspired  the  son,  who  later  gave  equal 
proof  of  his  patriotism  and  loyalty  to  his  country.  General  Smith  spent  his 
youthful  days  in  Portageville  and  pursued  his  early  education  there.  He  also 
studied  for  a  year  in  Hamilton  University  and  afterward  engaged  in  teaching 
school  for  a  number  of  terms  in  his  native  town.  He  also  added  to  his  own 
knowledge  by  reading  and  study  and  therein  laid  the  foundation  of  that  broad 
general  fund  of  information  which  always  characterized  him  and  which  was 
ever  ready  at  his  command.  He  was  only  fourteen  years  of  age  when  he  lost 
his  father  so  that  from  that  time  he  was  largely  dependent  upon  his  own  re- 


'•    :  ^       -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ./Os:>'  ;V 

sources.  From  the  work  of  the  schoolroom  he  turned  his  attention  to  con- 
tracting and  gained  prominence  in  that  line  in  the  state  of  New  York.  He  was 
interested  in  the  construction  of  the  Geneseo  canal  and  did  extensive  work  on 
the  Erie  canal  besides  executing  other  large  contracts.  For  this  work  he  was 
splendidly  qualified,  possessing  much  natural  mechanical  ingenuity  and  talent 
in  the  line  of  civil  engineering.  He  also  studied  law  while  a  resident  of  New 
York  and  although  he  did  not  at  that  time  enter  upon  active  practice,  he  later 
depended  upon  his  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  jurisprudence  and  the  suc- 
cess which  he  obtained  in  practice  showed  that  he  was  well  grounded  in  the 
fundamentals  of  the  law. 

In  February,  1856,  General  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah 
Gilbert,  of  Batavia,  New  York,  and  after  residing  for  three  years  in  the  Empire 
state  they  came  to  the  middle  west  in  1859,  settling  in  Oneida,  Knox  county, 
Illinois.  Some  of  the  members  of  his  family  had  preceded  him  and  by  reason 
of  this  he  was  induced  to  establish  his  home  in  the  Mississippi  valley.  He  was 
residing  in  Oneida  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  and  his  patriotic  spirit  was 
fired  by  the  attempt  of  the  south  to  overthrow  the  Union.  He  was  among 
the  first  of  this  district  to  respond  to  the  call  to  arms  and  he  was  connected 
with  some  of  the  most  brilliant  achievements  of  the  war.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  organizing  Companies  A,  B,  D,  F,  H  and  I,  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Second  Illinois  Regiment,  all  of  which  were  raised  in  this  county  while  the 
other  companies  of  the  regiment  were  raised  in  Mercer,  Warren  and  Rock 
Island  counties.  The  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  was  mustered  into 
service,  September  2,  1862,  with  F.  C.  Smith  as  lieutenant  colonel,  and  it  is 
said  that  this  command  was  never  known  to  retreat.  He  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  colonel,  October  24,  1862,  following  the  resignation  of  Colonel 
William  McMurtry,  and  remained  in  command  of  his  regiment  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  It  was  successively  connected  with  Gordon's  Reserve  Corps,  the 
Eleventh  Army  Corps  and  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  and  during  the  Atlanta 
campaign  was  a  part  of  General  Sherman's  army.  On  the  i6th  of  March, 
1864,  an  order  came  attaching  the  regiment  to  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Third 
Division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  and  in  consequence  thereof  General  Smith 
participated  in  the  campaign  against  Atlanta,  followed  by  the  celebrated  march 
under  Sheridan  to  the  sea.  In  this  campaign  he  and  his  regiment  made  a  record 
of  which  his  country  may  well  be  proud.  They  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Resaca,  May  15,  1864,  and  took  part  in  the  daring  charge  made  across  a  ravine 
against  a  rebel  fort  which  they  captured.  Colonel  Smith  being  one  of  the  first 
to  enter  the  fort.  Subsequently  the  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  was 
in  the  engagement  of  New  Hope  Church  and  at  Golgotha  Church,  and,  on  the 
i6th  of  June,  1864,  at  Pine  Mountain,  Georgia,  their  commander  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  left  leg  above  the  knee.  As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  walk  he 
returned  to  the  command  of  his  regiment,  which  was  on  the  loth  of  August, 
1864.  When  General  Benjamin  Harrison  was  granted  a  furlough  and  returned 
home  the  command  of  the  brigade  fell  upon  General  Smith  and  he  led  it  on  the 
great  march  through  the  wilderness  to  Savannah.  After  that  he  was  granted 
a  furlough  and  visited  his  family  and  home,  but  rejoined  his  regiment  on  the 
I3th  of  April,  1865,  near  Raleigh,  and  with  the  brigade  under  General  Harri- 
son marched  on  to  Washington,  participating  in  the  grand  review  on  the  24th 


,:;;;;::;      .    •         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /;  vi^'^ 

:•''••'       ..       ''  . '  -       '  •'.^'  ••' 

of  May,  1865,  his  regiment  leading  the  brigade.     They  were  mustered  out  in. 
June  and  Colonel  Smith  was  breveted  brigadier  general  on  account  of  his  long 
and  efficient  service.     The  president  treated  him  with  great  respect  and  paid 
him  a  high  compliment  because  of  the  valorous  aid  which  he  had  rendered 
his  country.       ,...,'.  -•    ":V  ^^ 

When  the  war  was  over  General  Smith  returned  to  his     home  in  Oneida    - 
and  became  prominently  connected  with  the  building  of  the  Fort  Scott  &  West-    ; 
ern  Railway.     The   failure  of  this   road  embarrassed  him  financially,   for  he  r 
had  spent  much  of  his  private  means  to  pay  the  men.    About  1874  he  removed 
to  Galesburg.    While  living  in  New  York  he  had  studied  law  and  was  admitted 
to  practice  in  the  courts  of  Illinois  about  1883.     For  ten  or  twelve  years  he ': 
occupied  the  same  office  as  the  Hon.  J.  C.  Stewart  and  during  1877  and  1878, 
when  Mr.  Stewart  was  mayor  of  the  city.  General  Smith  served  as  city  attor-   ; 
ney.    He  followed  his  profession  continuously  for  a  number  of  years  and  his  , 
opinions  upon  law   matters   were   regarded  as   models  of   clearness  and  per-  '  ' 
spicuity.    General  Smith  also  became  one  of  the  builders  of  the  Central  Illinois    ' 
Railroad.     During  President  Cleveland's  administration  he  was  connected  with 
the  revenue  office  at  Peoria  and  from  1883  until  1885  served  as  superintendent   . 
of  streets  in  Galesburg.     He  was  ever  loyal  to  the  public  trusts  reposed  in  him  . 
and  was  equally  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  every  private  duty. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  there  were  born  two  children,  but  the  younger,  a  :•, 
daughter,  Anna,   is  now  deceased.     The   son,  William,  still  resides  in  Gales- 
burg as  does  his  widowed  mother,  Mrs.  Sarah  Smith.     The  death  of  General  'V 
Smith  occurred  in   1891.     He  belonged  to  Vester  Lodge,   No.   584,  A.   F.  &  .; ; 
A.  M.,  and  to  the  Royal  Arch  chapter,  and  his  religious  faith  was  indicated    ". 
by  his  membership  in  the  First  Baptist  church.    His  was  an  upright  and  honor-  . 
able  life,  in  consistent  harmony  with  his  professions,  and  at  all  times  he  was  r. 
actuated  by  the  spirit  of  progress  that  prompted  his  hearty  cooperation  in  many 
movements  for  the  material,  intellectual,  political  and  moral  progress  of  his 
community,  "i     ;  f-.  "•  1^  : 


^-/,;^,^-:; ';;•-;'    ''  •::;"•.:/";::;;.  WILFRED  ARNOLD.     V?  •  .;  '       '.•\\.-^--.'^'-'..^.-  ^^'^  •'•' 

Wilfred  Arnold,  lawyer  and  legislator,  who  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of     •. 
Arnold  &  Arnold,  is  practicing  in  the  courts  of.  Illinois,  makes  his  home  in 
Galesburg,  his  native  city,  where  he  was  born  June  24,  1871.    His  parents  were    .  .; 
Benjamin  F.  and  Ella  (Ferris)  Arnold,  natives  of  New  York,  of  whom  men-      . 
tion  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

-       Wilfred  Arnold  spent  his  youthful  days  in  this  city  and  in  the  acquirement    .     .. 
of  his  education  attended  the  public   schools  until   graduated   from  the  high       • 
school  with  the  class  of   1889.     He  afterward  entered  Knox  College,  therein    :  : 
completing  his  course  in  1894.     His  law  studies  were  pursued  at  Harvard  and  •;•. .; 
after  two  years'  preparation  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  on  the  ipth  of  Novem-   .'0 
ber,  1896,  and  opened  an  office  in  Galesburg,  where  he  has  since  followed  his         ; 
profession,  practicing  now  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Arnold  &  Arnold.        .         : 


^;-:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     \%     v:^: 

On  the  i8th  of  October,  1899,  Mr.  Arnold  was  married  to  Miss  Nina  May 
Lahann,  who  was  born  in  Monmouth,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Riehier  and  Kath- 
arine (Fongart)  Lahann,  who  were  natives  of  Germany,  but  now  reside  in 
Galesburg.  Of  their  three  children  but  two  are  living:  Ida,  now  the  wife  of 
Fred  Hayden,  of  Warren  county,  Illinois;  and  Nina  May,  who  became  Mrs. 
Arnold  and  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Katherine.  Mr.  Arnold  is  a  member 
of  the  Central  Congregational  church  and  his  wife  holds  membership  in  the 
Episcopal  church.  He  belongs  also  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks 
and  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  been  somewhat 
prominent  in  political  circles  and  has  twice  been  called  to  represent  his  district  in 
the  state  legislature,  serving  in  the  forty-third  and  forty-fourth  general  assem- 
blies. While  undoubtedly  not  without  that  honorable  ambition  which  is  so  power- 
ful and  useful  as  an  incentive  to  activity  in  public  affairs,  he  regards  the  pursuits 
of  private  life  as  being  in  themselves  abundantly  worthy  of  his  best  efforts.  He 
has  never  regarded  a  public  office  as  a  personal  asset  and  in  discharging  his 
duties  has  ever  subordinated  personal  ambition  to  public  good.  His  energies, 
however,  have  been  chiefly  concentrated  upon  his  professional  duties. 


V.-.      .     WILLIAM  HENRY  MALEY,  M.  S.,  M.  D, .         - 

Thorough  training  and  recognition  of  the  responsibilities  which  devolve 
upon  him  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  have  won  for  Dr.  William  H.  Maley  an 
enviable  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  medical  fraternity  of  Galesburg.  His  record 
is  in  contradistinction  to  the  old  adage  that  a  prophet  is  not  without  honor 
save  in  his  own  country,  for  he  has  won  signal  success  in  this  district,  in  which 
his  entire  life  has  been  passed. 

He  was  born  in  Galesburg  township  on  the  27th  of  March,  1867,  his  parents 
being  Michael  and  Ann  (Ryan)  Maley.  The  former  was  a  son  of  John 
Maley,  who  died  on  the  Emerald  isle  when  a  comparatively  young  man.  He 
and  his  wife  reared  a  large  family,  which  included  Owen,  who  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Troy,  New  York,  while  a  brother  went  to  Australia.  Michael  Maley 
was  born  in  County  Croom,  Ireland,  and  spent  his  youth  in  his  native  land.  In 
1855  he  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  America  and,  empty-handed,  sailed  for 
the  new  world.  He  first  settled  in  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  as  his  financial  condition 
made  it  imperative  that  he  obtain  immediate  employment,  he  began  work  as  a 
farm  hand  and  devoted  the  succeeding  two  years  to  that  task.  He  thfcn  came  to 
Galesburg  and  engaged  as  a  farm  hand  with  Len  Conger  but,  desiring  that  his  la- 
bors should  more  directly  benefit  himself,  he  afterward  began  farming  on  his  own 
account  by  renting  a  tract  of  land  southwest  of  the  city.  Later  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Ann  Ryan,  who  was  born  near  Brimfield,  Illinois,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Dennis  and  Johanna  (Hennessey)  Ryan.  Her  father  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation  and  followed  that  pursuit  until  his  death.  His  wife  long  survived 
him,  reaching  the  very  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  They  had  two  daugh- 
ters, Ann  and  Mary,  the  former  becoming  the  wife  of  Michael  Maley.  It  was  not 
long  afterward  that  Mr.  Maley  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Galesburg  town- 
ship, bending  every  energy  to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  his 


148  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       . 

On  the  i8th  of  October,  1899,  Mr.  Arnold  was  married  to  Miss  Nina  May 
Lahann,  who  was  born  in  Monmouth,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Riemer  and  Kath- 
erine  (Fongart)  Lahann,  who  were  natives  of  Germany,  but  now  reside  in 
Galesburg.  Of  their  three  children  but  two  are  living:  Ida,  now  the  wife  of 
Fred  Hayden,  of  Warren  county.  Illinois;  and  Xina  May.  who  became  Mrs. 
Arnold  and  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Katherine.  Mr.  Arnold  is  a  member 
of  the  Central  Congregational  church  and  his  wife  holds  membership  in  the 
Episcopal  church.  He  belongs  also  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks 
and  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  been  somewhat 
prominent  in  political  circles  and  has  twice  been  called  to  represent  his  district  in 
the  state  legislature,  serving  in  the  forty-third  and  forty-fourth  general  assem- 
blies. While  undoubtedly  not  without  that  honorable  ambition  which  is  so  power- 
ful and  useful  as  an  incentive  to  activity  in  public  affairs,  he  regards  the  pursuits 
of  private  life  as  being  in  themselves  abundantly  worthy  of  his  best  efforts.  He 
has  never  regarded  a  public  office  as  a  personal  asset  and  in  discharging  his 
duties  has  ever  subordinated  personal  ambition  to  public  good.  His  energies, 
however,  have  been  chiefly  concentrated  upon  his  professional  duties. 


WILLIAM  HEXRY  MALEY,  M.  S.,  M.  D. 

,-     '     •  -^    ..    \         ' 

Thorough  training  and  recognition  of  the  responsibilities  which  devolve 
upon  him  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  have  won  for  Dr.  William  H.  Maley  an 
enviable  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  medical  fraternity  of  Galesburg.  His  record 
is  in  contradistinction  to  the  old  adage  that  a  prophet  is  not  without  honor 
save  in  his  own  country,  for  he  has  won  signal  success  in  this  flistrict,  in  which 
his  entire  life  has  been  passed. 

He  was  born  in  Galesburg  township  on  the  27th  of  March.  1867,  his  parents 
being  Michael  and  Ann  (Ryan)  Maley.  The  former  was  a  son  of  John 
Maley,  who  died  on  the  Emerald  isle  when  a  comparatively  young  man.  He 
and  his  wife  reared  a  large  family,  which  included  Owen,  who  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Troy,  New  York,  while  a  brother  went  to  Australia.  Michael  Maley 
was  born  in  County  Croom.  Ireland,  and  spent  his  youth  in  his  native  land.  In 
I8.T5  he  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  America  and,  empty-handed,  sailed  for 
the  new  world.  He  first  settled  in  Lel^anon,  Ohio,  and  as  his  financial  condition 
made  it  imperative  that  he  obtain  immediate  employment,  he  began  work  as  a 
farm  hand  and  devoted  the  succeeding  two  years  to  that  task.  He  then  came  to 
Galesburg  and  engaged  as  a  farm  hand  with  Len  Conger  but,  desiring  that  his  la- 
bors should  more  directly  benefit  himself,  he  afterward  began  farming  on  his  own 
account  by  renting  a  tract  of  land  southwest  of  the  city.  Later  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Ann  Ryan,  who  was  born  near  Drimfield,  Illinois,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Dennis  and  Johanna  (Hennessey)  Ryan.  Her  father  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation  and  followed  that  pursuit  until  his  death.  His  wife  long  survived 
him.  reaching  the  very  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  They  had  two  daugh- 
ters, Ann  and  Mary,  the  former  becoming  the  wife  of  Michael  Maley.  It  was  not 
long  afterward  that  Mr.  Maley  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Galesburg  town- 
ship, bending  every  energy  to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  his 


•  •  •   ,       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  "7V  ;     :^ 

:.''.':'.•••'•''-:'  -••'••'  ~  '"'..••  ^.y'-^^'' 

farm,  to  which  he  added  from  time  to  time  until  he  became  the  owner  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres.  Year  by  year  he  carefully  tilled  the  soil  until  he 
had  brought  the  entire  place  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  the  rich  and 
arable  fields  returning  to  him  golden  harvests.  In  1899  he  determined  to  put 
aside  business  cares  and,  leaving  the  farm,  removed  to  Galesburg,  where  he 
purchased  a  residence  that  he  continued  to  occupy  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred July  9,  1901,  when  he  was  seventy-three  years  of  age.  His  wife  still 
survives  him  and,  like  her  husband,  holds  membership  in  the  Catholic  church. 
He  held  many  offices  and  positions  of  trust  and  at  all  times  sought  the  progress 
and  improvement  of  the  community  in  which  he  made  his  home.  He  and  his  wife 
were  among  the  stanch,  unflinching  pioneers  of  Knox  county — public-spirited  and 
progressive,  firmly  believing  that  knowledge  is  power.  Accordingly  they  equipped 
their  nine  children  with  diplomas  from  the  best  schools  and  colleges  of  the  city. 
In  fact,  Mrs.  Maley  will  not  have  to  wait  long  before  seeing  her  grandsons, 
Charles  Maley  and  George  L.  Burns,  and  her  granddaughter,  E^tella  M.  Burns, 
all  graduates  of  Knox  College  and  St.  Joseph's  Academy.  She  is  not  only  affec- 
tionately called  grandmother  of  St.  Joseph's  Academy  but  the  happy  grand- 
mother of  all  the  children  who  know  her.  She  is  genial,  jovial,  young  and  spry 
as  a  girl,  though  an  indefatigable  worker,  and  is  a  great  lover  of  children,  flowers 
and  gardens.  She  has  just  completed  a  handsome  and  spacious  brick  residence 
and  her  home  is  always  filled  with  guests  and  friends  who  earnestly  hope  that  she 
will  continue  to  spread  the  rays  of  sunshine  for  many  years  to  come. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Michael  Maley  there  were  born  nine  children :  Madge,  now 
the  wife  of  Charles  H.  Burns,  of  Galesburg ;  William  H. ;  John  E.,  a  lawyer  of 
this  city ;  Mary  E.,  who  is  teaching  in  the  Galesburg  city  schools ;  Frank  T.,  an 
electrician  of  New  York  city;  Anna  E.,  a  teacher  in  Galesburg;  Adele  M.,  of 
Galesburg;  George  E.,  a  practicing  physician  of  this  city;  and  Fred  L.,  who  is 
engaged  in  mercantile  and  journalistic  work. 

Dr.  William  H.  Maley  spent  his  youthful  days  on  his  father's  farm  and 
early  became  familiar  with  the  labors  incident  to  the  development  and  cultiva- 
tion of  the  fields.  After  attending  the  district  schools  he  further  pursued  his 
studies  in  St.  Joseph's  Academy  and  was  graduated  from  Brown's  Business  ' 
College  in  1888.  His  more  specifically  literary  education  was  acquired  in  Knox 
College,  in  which  he  completed  his  course  with  the  class  of  1894,  and  while  in 
college  he  won  many  honors  in  oratory  and  was  a  winner  of  the  Colton  debate. 
His  broad,  general  learning  served  as  an  excellent  foundation  upon  which  to 
build  professional  success  and  in  preparation  therefor  he  entered  Rush  Medical  , 
College  of  Chicago,  from  which  he  was  graduated  as  valedictorian  of  the  class 
of  1897.  Returning  at  once  to  Galesburg,  he  here  opened  an  office  and  in  the 
intervening  period  of  fifteen  years,  by  faithful  application  to  professional  busi- 
ness and  keeping  abreast  with  the  marvelous  strides  in  medicine  and  surgery, 
he  has  succeeded  in  building  up  until  he  now  enjoys  a  most  successful  and  ex- 
tensive practice,  second  to  none  in  central  Illinois.  The  assistance  of  a  younger 
brother,  Dr.  George  E.  Maley,  a  promising  young  physician,  is  now  necessary 
to  enable  him  to  handle  his  practice.  He  is  very  careful  in  the  diagnosis  of 
his  cases  and  his  judgment  is  seldom  if  ever  at  fault  in  foretelling  the  outcome 
of  disease.  He  has  pursued  post-graduate  work  in  the  New  York  Post  Graduate 
Medical  School  and  Hospital,  which  he  attended  in  1899.  His  reading  and  • 


152         ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    .-v;  •;;•;;;> 

research  have  been  broad  and  have  brought  to  him  comprehensive  knowledge   ,  ': 
of  the  great  scientific  principles  which  underly  his  chosen  profession.     In  1902     . 
he  went  to  Europe  and  pursued  a  course  at  Berlin  and  Heidelberg,  Germany. 

On  the  3Oth  of  June,  1902,  Dr.  Maley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Clara   .  •' 
Augusta  Forrester,  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Mary  Desire  (Brown)  Forrester. 
Her  father  was  a  native  of  County  Roscommon,  Ireland,  and  a  son  of  James    ;. . 
and  Katherine   (Moore)    Forrester,  whose   family  numbered  nine  children,  all    . 
of  whom  are  now  deceased  with  the  exception  of  Thomas  Forrester,  who  resides    -, 
in  Laporte,  Indiana.    The  birth  of  Mrs.  Edward  Forrester  occurred  at  Stoning-    r, 
ton,  Illinois,  and  she  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Desire)  Brown,    :  • 
the  former  a  prominent  man  and  a  teacher  of  North  Stonington,  Connecticut. 
TTie  death  of  Edward  Forrester  occurred  in  1909,  when  he  had  reached  the     :^ 
age  of  seventy- four  years.    His  wife  is  still  living,  a  respected  citizen  of  Taylor- 
ville,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.     Following  the  discovery  of  gold  in  Cali- 
fornia, he  made  a  trip  by  wagon  across  the  plains  in  1849  and  out  of  a  party      : 
of  thirty-five  he  was  one  of  only  three  who  survived  the  perilous  journey.     To 
him  and  his  wife  were  born  six  children,  of  whom  three  reached  adult  age:    '. 
Katherine,  who  became  the  wife  of  Jacob  Corzine  but  is  now  deceased;  James,    .; 
an  attorney  of  Taylorville ;  and  Clara  Augusta.     Mrs.  Augusta  Forrester  Maley,      ; 
wife  of  the  Doctor,  was  born  in  Taylorville,  Illinois,  September  24,  1877,  and      ; 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Taylorville  high  school.     For  some  time  she  also  attended       - 
the  State  Normal  at  Normal,  Illinois,  developing  a  musical  temperament,  and   • 
later  entered  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music  at  Galesburg,  for  further  develop- 
ment, from  which  institution  she  was  graduated  in  1901.     For  three  years  she   . 
was  organist  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Taylorville,  at  the  same  time  conducting    • 
a  studio  at  that  place,  and  was  subsequently  called  to  fill  the  chair  of  musical     .. 
director  in  the  Montana  Wesleyan  College  at  Helena,  Montana.     She  resigned 
that  position  in  1902  to  become  the  bride  of  Dr.  Maley  and  after  their  marriage    .  - 
they  took  an  extended  trip  through  Europe,  visiting  all  the  interesting  points 
and  places.     Especially  were  they  fortunate  in  having  an  audience  with  Pope     -"' 
Leo  XIII.     Mrs.  Maley  often  sings  for  the  benefit  of  church  and  charitable     ; 
organizations  and  is  a  devoted  mother  and  home  maker.     The  marriage  of  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Maley  has  been  blessed  with  two  sons,  William  Forrester  and  Robert     ; 
Frederick. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  Dr.  .Maley  also  belongs 
to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and   ,  ; 
to  the  Galesburg  Club  and  the  Soangetaha  Country  Club.     His  political  alle-   f.- 
giance  is  given  to  the  democratic  party  and  for  eight  years  he  served  as  a  mem-   • 
ber  of  the  city  council,  exercising  his  official  prerogative  in  support  of  many     - 
movements  and  measures  for  the  general  good.     In  strictly  professional  lines  T 
his  membership  is  with  the  County  and  State  Medical  Societies,  the  American  ' 
Medical  Association  and  the  Association  of  Military   Surgeons  of  the  United      .; 
States.     For  ten  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  National  Guard,  serving  with    '  . 
the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  and  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  Medical  Reserve    \' 
Corps  of  the  United  States  army  with  the  same  rank.    He  is  generous  with  his    v 
time,  skill  and  money  in  behalf  of  charity  and  suffering  humanity.    His  friends,     -. 
and  they  are  many,  find  him  a  genial,  social  gentleman  and  he  is  never  remiss  in 
the  duties  of  citizenship,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  his  professional  duties      ' 


:    .•,•'-  ;     .;;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  ^;: 

are  making  a  constantly  greater  and  greater  demand  upon  his  time  and  energies. 
He  is  keenly  interested  in  all  that  tends  to  bring  to  light  the  key  to  the  complex 
mystery  which  we  call  life,  and  his  studies  have  ever  kept  him  thoroughly  in 
touch  with  the  onward  march  of  the  profession. 


'•:••.:•:,;,;..•.-;-:-::;;;';;.;  MADISON  c.  BATES.    -:.    '      -•J'^'-":'-''^'" •.'•-::..:•! 

Madison  C.  Bates,  now  living  retired  in  Galesburg,  well  merits  the  rest  whidl 
is  his,  because  his  life  has  been  an  active  and  useful  one,  characterized  by  earnest 
labor  and  by  successful  accomplishment  along  several  lines.  He  was  born  in 
Morgan  county,  Illinois,  in  1836,  and  is  therefore  today  one  of  the  oldest  native 
residents  of  the  state.  His  birth  occurred  near  where  the  city  of  Jacksonville 
now  stands.  Six  years  before  his  father,  Joseph  H.  Bates,  had  removed  to 
that  county  from  Tennessee  and  after  residing  in  Morgan  county  for  about 
sixteen  years, 'he  took  his  family  to  Adams  county,  settling  near  Camp  Point,  :;;• 
where  he  lived  for  a  number  of  years,  devoting  his  time  and  energies  during 
that  period  to  farming. 

Madison  C.  Bates  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Adams  county  and 
in  Cherry  Grove  Commons.  He  received  excellent  home  training  which  de- 
veloped in  him  habits  of  industry,  perseverance  and  determination.  Following 
his  marriage  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Cedar  township  and  took  up  agricultural 
pursuits  on  his  own  account.  He  has  resided  continuously  in  Knox  county 
since  i86i  save  for  the  period  of  eight  years  spent  in  Oberlin,  Ohio,  and  several 
years  in  Toulon,  Illinois.  He  has  not  confined  his  attention  entirely  to  agri-  , 
cultural  pursuits,  for  he  was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Abingdon  and  became  its  first  president,  serving  for  five  years.  When  he 
went  to  Ohio  to  live  he  disposed  of  his  farm  and  since  his  return  has  lived 
retired  in  Galesburg.  ;  7-S:'r^^x.Vi^'-';>.''^-:L^^-;.^^ ''•.-';;;;';•''-''•-.  -  \.'  '-ix;;. 

It  was  on  the  i6th  of  May,  i86i,  that  Mr.  Bates  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Emma  Lattimer,  a  daughter  of  Greorge  G.  Lattimer,  of  Cedar  township, 
Knox  county,  who  came  to  this  state  from  Tennessee.  He  was  a  son  of  Joseph 
Lattimer  who  brought  the  family  from  Tennessee  in  the  fall  of  1832,  making 
the  journey  by  wagon.  That  was  the  year  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  in  which  he 
served  as  a  soldier,  and  in  this  section  of  the  state  there  were  many  evidences  of 
pioneer  life  at  that  early  period,  the  family  experiencing  all  of  the  hardships 
incident  to  residence  on  the  frontier.  In  his  family  were  eight  children  of  whom 
five  reached  years  of  maturity.  One  of  these,  William  D.  Lattimer,  attended 
Knox  College  and  after  his  graduation  there  entered  the  Albany  (New  York) 
Law  School,  from  which  he  was  in  due  time  graduated.  He  then  enlisted  in 
the  Civil  war,  serving  in  the  quartermaster's  department,  but  while  at  the  front 
was  stricken  with  yellow  fever  and  was  buried  at  sea,  off  Fortress  Monroe. 
The  three  surviving  members  of  the  family  of  George  Lattimer  are:  Mrs.,:;/ 
Emma  Bates;  Mrs.  Mire  E.  Patten,  of  Enid,  Oklahoma;  and  Mrs.  D.  B.  Miller,.  , 
of  Abingdon. 

George  G.  Lattimer,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Bates,  was  a  young  man  when  he 
accompanied  the  family  to  Illinois.     While  en  route,  in  Sangamon  county,  he 


154  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :;:  ^   ;;    :.^^  ;[   -r^: 

met  Miss  Rebecca  Drennan,  his  future  wife,  subsequently  returning  to  that 
county  where  he  married  her.  They  made  the  journey  to  Knox  county  on  horse- 
back and  here  spent  their  remaining  days,  Mr.  Lattimer  following  the  occupa- 
tion of  farming.  They  provided  their  children  with  good  educational  privileges, 
making  it  possible  for  them  to  attend  the  seminary  located  near  what  is  now 
Abingdon  or,  as  it  was  known  in  an  early  day.  Cherry  Grove.  Mr.  Lattimer 
assisted  in  establishing  that  school  and  was  very  liberal  in  its  support. 

Unto  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bates  there  were  born  five  children: 
George  L.,  who  is  now  in  Africa ;  Mrs.  Ula  G.  Lee,  who  was  a  missionary  in 
Turkey  for  twenty  years ;  Mary  D.,  the  wife  of  Dr.  A.  I.  Sargent ;  Harriet  B., 
the  wife  of  W.  E.  Gould,  of  Kewanee,  Illinois ;  and  Madison  C.,  professor  of 
English  in  the  State  College  at  Brookings,  South  Dakota. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bates  hold  membership  in  the  Central  Congregational 
church  of  Galesburg  and  in  former  years  he  was  identified  with  the  Masonic 
fraternity  but  has  been  demitted.  His  political  allegiance  has  been  given  to  the 
republican  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  while 
he  has  never  been  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office^seeking  he  has  always  kept 
well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  and  for  seven  years  filled 
the  office  of  supervisor  from  Cedar  township.  In  1911,  he  and  his  wife  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding,  on  which  occasion  all  of  the  family  were  united  at 
a  reunion. 


:  HENRY  F.  ARNOLD.  v      J 

Henry  F.  Arnold,  engaged  in  the  general  insurance  business,  with  offices  in 
the  Commercial  block,  has  always  been  a  resident  of  Galesburg  and  is,  therefore, 
well  known  to  its  citizens.  His  parents  were  Benjamin  F.  and  Ella  (Ferris) 
Arnold,  who  are  mentioned  at  length  elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  son  spent 
his  youthful  days  in  his  native  city  and  at  the  usual  age  entered  the  public 
schools,  mastering  the  different  branches  of  learning  that  constitute  the  curric- 
ulum until  graduated  from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1885.  He  then 
entered  the  classic  walls  of  old  Knox — a  college  that  has  never  lowered  its 
standards  through  all  the  years  of  its  existence — and  was  graduated  therefrom 
in  1890.  The  initial  year  of  his  business  experience  was  spent  in  the  general 
offices  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  at  Galesburg  and  for  five 
years  thereafter  he  was  connected  with  the  Galesburg  Electric  Motor  &  Power 
Company  as  secretary  and  treasurer.  Since  1897  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
insurance  business  and  fourteen  years'  identification  with  this  line  stands  as 
incontrovertible  proof  of  the  fact  that  success  must  have  attended  his  efforts  in 
this  field,  while  careful  analyzation  of  his  career  indicates  that  close  application 
and  indefatigable  energy  have  been  the  salient  features  in  his  progress. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  1893,  Mr.  Arnold  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Ward, 
of  Springfield,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Pauline  (Roth)  Ward.  Her  father 
came  from  Ohio,  while  her  mother  was  at  one  time  a  resident  of  Camp  Point, 
Illinois.  The  latter  died  in  Galesburg,  April  6,  1908,  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine 
years,  while  Mr.  Ward  had  departed  this  life  in  Ohio  many  years  before.  Fol- 


.          ,      -v          :.      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  r^:'  155 

lowing  his  demise  his  widow  became  the  wife  of  C.  J.  Owen,  of  Camp  Point, 
and  he,  too,  is  now  deceased.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Pauline  (Schell) 
Roth,  who  were  early  settlers  of  Camp  Point,  where  they  reared  their  family  of 
four  children,  Theodore,  John,  Pauline  and  Anna,  the  last  named  the  wife  of 
E.  A.  Rhea.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  have  become  the  parents  of  a  daughter  and 
son,  Esther  Pauline  and  Henry  Ferris,  Jr.  The  parents  hold  membership  in 
the  Central  Congregational  church  and  are  allied  with  many  movements  that 
contribute  to  the  material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity. His  political  views  accord  with  the  principles  of  the  republican  party 
and  as  city  assessor  for  three  years  he  proved  himself  a  capable  official,  individual 
interests  being  at  all  times  made  subservient  to  the  general  good. 


::;•;.••  V.       •...::;  :;:  •:,;.•  DAVID  McWILLIAMS.      ..  '  .        I '^'<^--''--].i •••'•'•(•..:• 

The  late  David  McWilliams  was  one  of  the  well  known  fanners  of  Knox 
county  and  he  also  served  in  a  number  of  public  offices,  having  acted  as  constable 
of  Knoxville  and  Orange  township  for  twenty-five  years.  He  was  bom  in 
Maquon  township,  this  county,  on  the  7th  of  April,  1846,  and  was  a  son  of 
Robert  and  Margaret  (Thurman)  McWilliams.  The  parents  were  natives  of 
Ohio,  whence  they  came  in  the  pioneer  days  to  Knox  county,  settling  on  a  farm 
the  father  purchased  in  Maquon  township.  The  cultivation  of  his, land  engaged 
his  attention  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life  and  there  they  both  passed 
away.  Their  family  consisted  of  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  there 
are  now  living  three  sons  and  two  daughters :  John ;  Manson,  who  lives  in 
Maquon  township ;  Anson,  also  of  Maquon  township ;  Mandana,  the  wife  of 
Frank  Burtnett,  of  Galesburg;  and  Rosella,  who  married  Edward  Buck,  now 
residing  in  the  vicinity  of  Galesburg.  -i 

Reared  under  the  paternal  roof,  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education  David 
McWilliams  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  had  mastered  the  common 
branches.  He  was  early  trained  in  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock, 
devoting  his  entire  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  from  the  time  he  left  school 
until  the  opening  of  the  war.  Although  he  was  only  sixteen  at  the  opening  of 
hostilities  he  enlisted  at  Maquon  in  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry, 
starting  to  the  front  from  Peoria.  He  continued  in  the  service  until  after  Lee's 
surrender,  participating  in  many  of  the  notable  battles  of  the  war.  After  receiv-  • 
ing  his  discharge  he  returned  to  Knox  county  and  again  took  up  farming.  ' 

On  the  nth  of  January,  1866,  Mr.  McWilliams  and  Miss  Mary  E.  Rambo 
were  united  in  marriage.  She  was  born  in  Gallia  county,  Ohio,  on  the  26th  of 
June,  1846,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Harvey  and  Deborah  (Faulkner)  Rambo,  also 
natives  of  Ohio,  the  father's  birth  having  occurred  in  March,  1825.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rambo  came  to  Knox  county  in  the  early  days,  settling  on  a  farm  he 
bought  in  Orange  township.  Here  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the 
mother's  death  occurring  on  the  25th  of  April,  1904.  Unto  them  were  bom 
two  sons  and  four  daughters,  four  of  whom  are  now  living,  Mrs.  McWilliams,  ••''•._ 
being  the  eldest  of  these.  The  others  in  order  of  birth  are  as  follows :  Emery, 
who  lives  near  Maquon ;  Lodema,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Painter,  who  also  lives 


156  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :   /•  , 

in  the  vicinity  of  Maquon ;  and  Andrew.  Levi  Rambo,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Me  Williams,  was  a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812.  The  family  originally  settled 
in  Virginia,  when  they  came  to  America,  removing  from  there  to  Ohio,  thence 
to  Illinois,  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McWilliams  there  were  born  five  children,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  eldest  of  the  family  is  Flora,  the  wife  of  Leonard 
Stegall,  who  has  one  son,  Floyd.  Frank,  who  is  a  resident  of  Seattle,  Washing-. 
ton,  married  Miss  Ollie  West,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  they  have  two 
children.  Alma  and  Lucy.  Elmer  married  Miss  Mertie-  Gearhart,  of  New  Mexico, 
and  they  are  now  living  in  Canyon  City,  Colorado.  Lodema,  the  next  in  order 
of  birth,  is  deceased.  Hattie  married  Andrew  Peterson  and  they  have  four 
children :  Forest,  Isil  L.,  Dorothy  O.  and  Clara  May. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  McWilliams  was  a  Universalist,  and  his  widow  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  always  one  of  the  honored 
members  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  Mrs.  Me- 
Williams  is  identified  with  the  Women's  Relief  Corps.  All  matters  of  public 
interest  engaged  the  attention  of  Mr.  McWilliams,  who  served  with  efficiency 
as  deputy  sheriff  and  city  marshal  of  Knoxville,  while  he  also  acted  as  school 
director.  That  he  discharged  the  duties  of  the  different  offices  he  filled  with  a 
conscientious  sense  of  his  public  responsibilities  is  manifested  by  the  long  period 
of  his  service.  . 


:      :K->  MARK  E.  TUCKER.  V    . 

The  late  Mark  E.  Tucker,  who  passed  away  on  the  I2th  of  November,  1907,         ^ 
was  one  of  the  highly  successful  agfriculturists  and  stockmen  of  Truro  town- 
ship.   He  was  born  in  Knox  county  in  1869,  and  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary       ;= 
Tucker,  who  are  mentioned  at  greater  length  elsewhere  in  this  work.  '      ': 

:      Having  been  reared  on  a  farm,  Mark  E.  Tucker  obtained  his  education  in 
the  district  schools,  during  which  time  he  was  laying  the  foundation  for  a  sue-        : 
cessful  agricultural  career  by  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  of  the  fields  and 
care   of   the  stock.     After  leaving  school   he   devoted   his   entire   attention   to 
farming,  first  at  home  under  the  capable  supervision  of  his  father,  and  later  -   ."; 
for  himself.     He  was  an   indefatigable  worker  with  practical  and   intelligent 
ideas,  and  so  capably  directed  his  endeavors  that  he  met  with  a  most  gratifying 
degree  of  success.    At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  four  hundred  acres  of 
land,  under  high  cultivation  and  well  improved,  that  his  widow  is  now  -operating,      v 
His  fields  were  carefully  tilled  and  devoted  to  such  cereals  as  were  best  adapted 
to  the  soil,  the  greater  portion  of  which  he  used  in  feeding.    In  connection  with 
his  general   farming  he  also  raised  stock,  and   for  several  years  prior  to  his 
death  he  extensively  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  cattle  and  hogs.  '  .• 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Tucker  chose  Miss  Nellie  J.  Oberholtzer,  and  to  them  were     -;  '' 
bom  three  children :     Mary  Alina,  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  month ;  Edna         { 
Ida,  who  was  born  November  i,   1899;  and  Otto  John,  whose  birth  occurred 
on  the  3Oth  of  December,  1905.    The  two  latter  are  both  in  school.  ;  •   .- 

Fraternally  Mr.  Tucker  was  a  Mason  and  his  political  support  he  gave  to  :.-'"; 
the  republican  party.    A  capable  agriculturist  and  a  business  man  of  more  than  >  -'  i 


156       :'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

in  the  vicinity  of  Maquon ;  and  Andrew.  Levi  Rambo,  the  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
McWilliams,  was  a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812.  The  family  originally  settled 
in  Virginia,  when  they  came  to  America,  removing  from  there  to  Ohio,  thence 
to  Illinois.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  ]\IcWilliams  there  were  born  five  children,  one 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  eldest  of  the  family  is  Flora,  the  wife  of  Leonard 
Stegall,  who  has  one  son,  Floyd.  Frank,  who  is  a  resident  of  Seattle,  Washing- 
ton, married  Miss  Ollie  West,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  they  have  two 
children.  Alma  and  Lucy.  Elmer  married  Miss  Mertie  Gearhart,  of  New  Mexico, 
and  they  are  now  living  in  Canyon  City.  Colorado.  Lodema,  the  next  in  order 
of  birth,  is  deceased.  Hattie  married  Andrew  Peterson  and  they  have  four 
children :  Forest,  Isil  L.,  Dorothy  O.  and  Clara  May. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  McWilliams  was  a  Universalist,  and  his  widow  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Fpiscopal  church.  He  was  always  one  of  the  honored 
members  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  Mrs.  Mc- 
Williams is  identified  with  the  Women's  Relief  Corps.  All  matters  of  public 
interest  engaged  the  attention  of  Mr.  McWilliams,  who  served  with  efficiency 
as  deputy  sheriff  and  city  marshal  of  Knoxville,  while  he  also  acted  as  school 
director.  That  he  discharged  the  duties  of  the  different  offices  he  filled  with  a 
conscientious  sense  of  his  public  responsibilities  is  manifested  by  the  long  period 
of  his  service. 


.  ;.•  MARK  E.  TUCKER.         : 

The  late  Mark  E.  Tucker,  who  passed  away  on  the  I2th  of  November,  1907, 
was  one  of  the  highly  successful  agriculturists  and  stockmen  of  Truro  town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Knox  county  in  1869.  and  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
Tucker,  who  are  mentioned  at  greater  length  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Having  been  reared  on  a  farm.  Mark  E.  Tucker  obtained  his  education  in 
the  district  schools,  during  which  time  he  was  laying  the  foundation  for  a  suc- 
cessful agricultural  career  by  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  of  the  fields  and 
care  of  the  stock.  After  leaving  school  he  devoted  his  entire  attention  to 
farming,  first  at  home  under  the  capable  supervision  of  his  father,  and  later 
for  himself.  He  was  an  indefatigable  worker  with  practical  and  intelligent 
ideas,  and  so  capably  directed  his  endeavors  that  he  met  with  a  most  gratifying 
degree  of  success.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  four  hundred  acres  of 
land,  under  high  cultivation  and  well  improved,  that  his  widow  is  now  operating. 
His  fields  were  carefully  tilled  and  devoted  to  such  cereals  as  were  best  adapted 
to  the  soil,  the  greater  portion  of  which  he  used  in  feeding.  In  connection  with 
his  general  farming  he  also  raised  stock,  and  for  several  years  prior  to  his 
death  he  extensively  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  cattle  and  hogs. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Tucker  chose  Miss  Nellie  J.  Oberholtzer,  and  to  them  were 
born  three  children :  ^Vlary  Alina.  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  month ;  Edna 
Ida,  who  was  born  November  i.  1899;  and  Otto  John,  whose  birth  occurred 
on  the  3Oth  of  December,  1905.  The  two  latter  are  both  in  school. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Tucker  was  a  Mason  and  his  political  support  he  gave  to 
the  republican  party.  A  capable  agriculturist  and  a  business  man  of  more  than 


('      ,    'ti  cA'f  /  .      : 


,  I 


I 
1 


•    ;       -    -  •;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .f.    ^^    .      159 

average  foresight  and  sagacity,  he  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  successful 
citizens  of  the  township.  He  was  public-spirited  and  progressive  in  his  ideas, 
and  took  a  deep  interest  in  promoting  the  development  of  the  community,  and 
gave  his  unqualified  indorsement  to  every  movement  that  he  felt  was  at  all 
likely  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  township.  A  member  of  one  of  the  well 
known  pioneer  families,  he  was  widely  known  and  highly  respected,  possessing 
many  substantial  qualities  that  won  him  the  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  had 
transactions.  •'•;  ''\^':--\  :7;,  >••';•'••'•:'•-;:/ •';;!^^^V/':•^•^;:^'"•-v^''^•'  •-.  ' •  •  '•'•••'"-:'.-•''•' 


w.  GRUBB.  i:^^^/  ••\--  r.;;>'^>;vv,-; 

James  W.  Grubb,  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager  of  the  West  Drug  Com- 
pany of  Galesburg,  was  bom  in  Atlanta,  Georgia,  July  15,  1868,  his  parents 
being  Samuel  W.  and  Jane  A.  (Wright)  Grubb.  The  father  was  a  native  of 
Washington,  D.  C.,  born  August  19,  1832,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in 
Selma,  Alabama,  July  20,  1840.  Samuel  W.  Grubb  learned  the  printer's  trade 
and  when  a  young  man  went  to  Atlanta,  Georgia,  where  he  secured  a  position 
on  the  Atlantic  Telegram,  becoming  superintendent  of  that  paper.  In  1872  he 
removed  to  Galesburg,  purchasing  the  Republican  and  consolidating  it  with  the 
Register.  For  thirty  years  he  remained  at  the  head  of  the  Register  and  made 
it  one  of  the  leading  papers  of  the  state  outside  of  the  large  Chicago  dailies. 
He  became  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  journalists  of  Illinois.  When 
his  son,  James  W.  Grubb,  took  over  the  stock  the  father  retired  and  spent  his 
remaining  days  in  the  enjoyment  of  well  earned  rest.  He  commanded  the 
respect  and  honor  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact  and  was  recognized  as 
an  influential  factor  in  the  community,  his  paper  being  at  all  times  recognized 
as  a  force  and  power  for  good  along  the  lines  of  general  advancement,  reform 
and  improvement.  His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  republican  party 
and  while  residing  in  Atlanta  he  filled  the  office  of  alderman.  He  was  also 
prominent  in  the  Odd  Fellows  society  and  served  as  grand  scribe  of  the  grand 
lodge  of  the  state  of  Georgia.  In  the  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  long  held 
membership,  he  filled  the  office  of  vestryman  and  at  all  times  was  a  willing 
cooperant  in  its  well  defined  lines  of  work  for  the  moral  progress  and  uplift  of 
the  community.  He  died  on  the  6th  of  September,  1909,  and  is  still  survived  by 
his  widow  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Atlanta,  Georgia.  They  were  married 
November  28,  1867 — Thanksgiving  Day — at  Atlanta.  Georgia,  and  became  the 
parents  of  three  sons,  but  Lucien  and  William  A.  both  died  in  infancy. 

James  W.  Grubb,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  pursued  his  education  in  the 
Galesburg  schools,  having  been  brought  to  this  city  by  his  parents  when  a  lad 
of  four  years.  After  completing  his  public-school  course  he  attended  Knox 
Academy  and  then  worked  in  his  father's  newspaper  office,  of  which  he  became 
foreman.  Gradually  as  his  experience  increased  and  his  business  ability  de- 
veloped, he  more  and  more  largely  assumed  the  management  and  control  of  the 
paper  and  following  his  father's  retirement  became  secretary,  treasurer  and 
business  manager.  He  was  thus  active  in  shaping  the  policy  and  molding  the 
destiny  of  the  paper  until  the  I7th  of  April,  1909,  when  he  disposed  of  his  stock 


Vol.  n— 8 


160       '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  ; 

in  the  Republican-Register.  He  afterward  engaged  in  dealing  in  real  estate  to  a 
limited  extent  and  on  the  5th  of  June,  1911,  again  entered  into  active  relations 
with  the  business  interests  of  Galesburg  as  the  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager 
of  the  West  Drug  Company.  They  conduct  a  retail  drug  business  and  enjoy  an 
extensive  trade,  the  business  policy  of  the  house  being  such  as  to  commend  it 
to  the  confidence  and  support  of  the  general  public. 

On  the  I4th  of  July,  1892,  Mr.  Grubb  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jose-v 
phine  Parry,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  J.  and  Martha  (Scofield)  Parry,  of  this  city. 
Her  father  was  born  in  Athens,  Pennsylvania,  January  i,  1825,  and  the  mother's 
birth  occurred  in  the  state  of  New  York,  July  4,  1831.  Samuel  Parry  was  a 
contractor  and  on  coming  to  the  middle  west  settled  in  Canton,  Illinois.  He 
afterward  lived  in  Viola,  Mercer  county,  this  state,  before  coming  to  Galesburg, 
where  he  continued  in  business  as  a  contractor,  becoming  senior  partner  of  the 
firm  of  Parry  &  Stevens.  He  was  thus  long  associated  with  industrial  interests 
in  this  city  but  is  now  living  retired,  his  former  enterprise  and  perseverance 
having  brought  to  him  the  substantial  competence  that  now  enables  him  to 
enjoy  rest  from  further  labor.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican 
party  and  he  has  served  as  school  director  but  has  never  sought  nor  held  political 
office.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  to  the  Central 
Congregational  church,  and  during  the  years  of  his  residence  in  Galesburg  his 
well  spent  life  has  ever  commanded  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  those  who 
know  him.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  four  children  but  the  first  two, 
Jeanette  and  Mary,  are  deceased.  The  others  are  Dr.  H.  E.  Parry  and  Mrs. 
Grubb,  who  was  born  in  Galesburg.  July  7,  1873,  and  by  her  marriage  has  be- 
come the  mother  of  two  children :  Samuel  Parry,  born  in  Galesburg,  September 
i8,  1893;  and  Jeanette  Parry,  born  in  this  city,  July  ii,  1901. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Grubb  has  voted 
with  the  republican  party  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues 
of  the  day.  He  is  a  member  of  Central  Congregational  church,  is  serving  as  one 
of  its  trustees  and  is  interested  in  its  various  lines  of  work.  He  also  belongs  to 
the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  and  to  the  Country  Club,  and  those  who  know  him — and 
his  friends  are  many — find  him  a  social,  genial  gentleman,  always  courteous  and 
approachable.  He  has  long  since  learned  not  to  select  the  second  best  but  to 
choose  those  things  which  count  for  greatest  worth  in  business,  in  municipal 
affairs  and  in  character  development.  .  .  ,  .  :. 


.       :,:  •  BENJAMIN  F.  ARNOLD.         :       i     ; 

During  more  than  a  half  century  Benjamin  F.  Arnold  has  figured  conspicu-. 
ously  in  the  public  life  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county,  as  a  lawyer,  a  real-estate 
dealer  and  an  agriculturist,  and  as  a  citizen  whose  interest  in  public  aflFairs  has 
prompted  active  and  helpful  cooperation  in  many  measures  for  the  general  good. 
If  a  pen  picture  could  accurately  delineate  his  life  such  might  be  given  in  these 
words:  A  progressive  spirit  ruled  by  more  than  ordinary  intelligence  and  good 
judgment ;  a  deep  earnestness  impelled  and  fostered  by  indomitable  perseverance ; 
and  a  native  justice  expressing  itself  in  correct  principle  and  practice.  He  was 


VV^;;     VV;  ;,      .\    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  •    ,       . 

born  in  Otsego  county,  New  York,  July  26,  1833.    His  father,  Horace  Arnold,  - 
was  a  native  of  Greene  county.  New  York,  and  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Horace  Arnold, 
Sr.,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war.    He  became  a  minister  of  the 
Baptist  church  and,  removing  with  his  wife  to  Cairo,  Dutchess  county.   New   > 
York,  they  there  spent  their  remaining  days,  passing  away  at  an  advanced  age.  .; 
Their  family  numbered  four  or  five  sons,  including  Horace  Arnold,  who  was  ' 
reared  in  the  Empire  state  and  served  his  country  as  a  soldier  of  the  war  of 
1812.     In  early  life  he  learned  and  followed  the  mason's  trade.     From  Greene  :^ 
county  he  removed  to  Otsego  county.  New  York,  about  1817,  and  later  became 
a  resident  of  Delaware  county,  that  state,  where  he  resided  for  some  time  and  , : 
there  died  in   1850,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two  years.     In  early  manhood  he  had  ^ 
wedded  Harriet  Hine,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county.  New  York,  and  after  his   v 
death  came  to  Galesburg,  to  live  with  her  son  Benjamin  F.,  with  whom  she  ; . 
remained  for  thirty  years,  passing  away  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  years.     She  • 
was  of  the  Methodist  faith,  while  her  husband  held  to  the  Universalist  faith.     • 
In  their  family  were  fifteen  children,  fourteen  of  whom  reached  years  of. ma- 
turity:   Mortimer;  Noble;  Mrs.  Hannah  Wilbur;  Martha,  who  became  the  wife  .-. 
of  Ichabod  Wilbur;  Seymour;  Elijah;  Edward;  George;  Benjamin  F. ;  Elida;  I; 
Harriet,  who  married  Hiram  C.  Smith;  William;  Julia,  who  also  married;  and  : 
Mary.    The  other  member  of  the  family  died  in  early  life.  ^• 

Benjamin  F.  Arnold  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  youthful  days  upon  a  farm 
in  Delaware  county.  New  York,  pursuing  his  education  in  one  of  the  old-time  • 
log  schoolhouses.  where  the  curriculum  was  limited,  yet  thorough  instruction  ;;. 
was  given  in  the   fundamental  studies.     Later  he  became  a  clerk  in  a  hotel, 
following  that  pursuit  in  the  winter  months,  while  the  summer  seasons  were  • ' 
devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits.     At  length  he  came  west  to  Galesburg  in  1856 
and  has  since  made  his  home  here,  covering  a  period  of  fifty-five  years.     The 
first  salary  which  he  ever  earned  here  was  fifty  cents  per  day.    In  the  winter  he  .. 
took  up  the  profession  of  teaching  but  later  turned  his  attention  to  the  real- 
estate  business  and  while  thus  engaged  began  studying  law  in  Galesburg  under 
the  direction  of  Judge  Smith  and  E.  P.  Williams.    In  May,  1862.  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  and  for  about  fifteen  years  continued  in  the  practice  of  law,  being  ; 
associated  for  half  of  the  time  with  Judge  Douglass  and  during  the  remainder    : 
with  Judge  Kitchell.    His  business  often  took  him  to  Springfield,  where  he  made   • 
the  office  of  Abraham  Lincoln  his  headquarters.     This  was  in   1857  and  1858.  • 
In  1860  he  attended  the  democratic  national  convention  at  Baltimore.     It  was  ';; 
in  that  convention  that  he  heard  Ben  Butler's  famous  speech.     Mr.  Arnold  had 
been  reared  in  the  democratic  faith  but  after  spending  some  time  in  Missouri    ?; 
and  Kansas  and  being  a  witness  of  the  conditions  that  there  existed  he  joined  '. 
the  ranks  of  the  new  republican  party  and  has  never  faltered  in  his  allegiance  ' 
thereto  since  that  time.     Moreover,  he  has  ever  kept  well  informed  on  the  ques- 
tions and  issues  of  the  day,  supporting  his  position  by  intelligent  and  compre-  -•' 
hensive  argument.     For  over  a  half  century  he  has  also  been  engaged  in  the 
real-estate  business  and  his  operations  in  that  field  have  been  unusually  profit-  v 
able,  contributing  at  the  same  time  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  com- 
munity.     He  has  laid  out  twelve  additions  to  the  city  of  Galesburg  and  has 
erected  over  two  hundred  houses,  selling  them  on  monthly  payments.     He  has  "{ 
also  carried  on  farming  on  an  extensive  scale,  cultivating  not  less  than  a  section 


162  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .•'>•:; 

of  land  for  over  forty  years.  In  the  summer  of  1857  he  purchased  a  quarter 
section  of  land  and  throughout  that  summer  engaged  in  breaking  prairie.  This 
was  the  beginning  of  his  connection  with  farming  interests,  with  which  he  has 
since  been  identified,  and  the  rich  soil  of  the  Prairie  state  has  amply  rewarded 
his  efforts  in  this  direction. 

On  the  26th  of  May,  1864,  Mr,  Arnold  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  Ferris,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Hudson)  Ferris.  Mrs.  Arnold  was  born  in 
Galesburg,  while  her  parents  were  natives  of  New  York,  the  birth  of  her  father 
having  occurred  north  of  Utica,  where  her  grandfather  had  settled  at  an  early 
day.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferris  were  early  settlers  of  Galesburg,  the  former 
spending  his  first  year  in  Knox  county  in  a  dugout.  He  was,  indeed,  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  here  and  his  labors  constituted  an  element  in  the  growth  and 
progress  of  the  community.  His  father,  Sylvanus  H.  Ferris,  was  one  of  the 
first  residents  of  Galesburg,  sent  out  here  to  locate  Knox  College.  Unto  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Henry  Ferris  there  were  born  five  children  who  reached  adult  age: 
Alfred,  who  was  supposed  to  have  been  murdered  by  the  Mormons  when  on  his 
way  to  California ;  Harriet ;  Ella,  who  became  Mrs.  Arnold ;  Timothy ;  and 
Lilly  C.,  the  wife  of  Congressman  Prince,  of  Galesburg.  Of  the  marriage  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  there  were  born  nine  children,  Ella  May,  the  eldest,  be- 
came the  wife  of  Edwin  M.  Williams  but  both  are  now  deceased.  They  had 
two  children,  Dorothy  and  Edwin.  Laura,  the  second  daughter,  is  the 
wife  of  George  A.  Felt,  of  Galesburg,  and  they  have  two  children, 
Eleanor  and  Rebecca.  Henry,  who  is  engaged  in  the  insurance  business 
in  Galesburg,  married  Anna  Ward,  of  Spring^eld,  and  has  two  children, 
Esther  Pauline  and  Henry  Ferris.  Wilfred,  a  lawyer  of  Galesburg,  wedded 
Nina  Lahann,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  and  has  one  daughter,  Katherine.  Frances 
is  the  wife  of  Frederick  C.  Wood,  of  Galesburg.  Louis  E.,  a  dentist  of  Salt 
Lake  City,  Utah,  wedded  Marie  Raymond,  and  they  have  one  son,  Raymond. 
Ray  M.  is  a  lawyer  and  also  owns  large  tracts  of  land  in  this  vicinity.  Elizabeth 
H.  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Charles  H.  Lowman,  of  Los  Angeles,  California,  and 
Harriet  is  at  home.  The  mother  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and 
Mr.  Arnold  is  prominent  in  Masonry,  holding  membership  in  Vesper  Lodge, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Galesburg  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Galesburg  Commandery,  K. 
T.  Mr.  Arnold  has  lived  in  the  same  house  for  forty-seven  years,  his  home  be- 
ing at  No.  759  East  Main  street.  From  time  to  time,  however,  he  has  added  im- 
provements to  his  place,  ever  keeping  it  one  of  the  attractive  and  modern  resi- 
dences of  the  city.  In  public  affairs  he  has  ever  been  deeply  and  helpfully 
interested  and  his  name  has  become  inseparably  interwoven  with  the  history  of 
this  city.  For  fifteen  successive  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  city  council, 
ever  exercising  his  official  prerogatives  in  support  of  measures  for  the  general 
good.  For  one  term  he  served  as  mayor  of  Galesburg  and  he  has  assisted  in  the 
execution  of  many  public  commissions.  He  was  on  the  building  committee  for 
the  erection  of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  also  for  the  public  library, 
the  Brown  Hotel,  the  Union  Hotel,  the  Commercial  block  and  the  gymnasium  of 
Knox  College.  For  many  years  he  has  been  one  of  the  trustees  of  Knox  College 
and  at  all  times  has  been  a  friend  and  champion  of  education.  Such  in  brief  is 
the  life  history  of  Benjamin  F.  Arnold,  who  though  he  has  now  passed  the  age 
of  seventy-eight  years  is  still  in  a  considerable  measure  an  active  factor  in  the 


V    .     V-    :        :   ^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '     ^ /•  '  .^ ' 

business  life  and  interests  of  his  adopted  county.  His  intellect  early  grasped 
the  eternal  truth  that  industry  wins  and  industry  became  the  beacon  light  of 
his  life.  He  realized,  too,  the  fact  that  opportunities  slip  away  from  the  sluggard 
and  tauntingly  play  before  the  dreamer  but  that  they  surrender  to  the  individual 
with  high  purpose,  undaunted  courage  and  indefatigable  determination.  He 
has,  therefore,  employed  those  qualities  in  every  relation  of  life  and  has  today 
"the  blessed  accompaniments  of  age — honor,  riches,  troops  of  friends."  -:  . 


.;:'   -   ^"^  ROBERT  GORDON  SINCLAIR.  ;       •;';/"•'> 

.  Realizing  at  the  outset  of  his  business  career  that  success  has  its  root  in 
unfaltering  diligence  and  determination,  Robert  Gordon  Sinclair  has  employed 
those  qualities  in  the  attainment  of  the  present  enviable  position  which  he  occu- 
pies in  business  circles.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  ice  cream, 
ices  and  soft  drinks,  employing  about  eighteen  people.  He  was  bom  in  Cam- 
bria county,  Pennsylvania,  October  9,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  Alexander  and 
Margaret  (Griffith)  Sinclair.  The  father's  birth  occurred  in  that  county,  August 
24,  1839,  but  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Wales,  her  birth  occurring  in  that 
little  rock-ribbed  country  on  the  loth  of  March,  1834.  She  was  only  four 
years  of  age  when  she  was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  her  parents,  who 
established  their  home  near  Ebensburg  in  Cambria  county,  Pennsylvania.  Alex- 
ander Sinclair  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Pennsylvania  and 
in  early  manhood  engaged  for  a  time  in  teaching  school,  but  eventually  took 
up  the  occupation  of  farming  and,  on  removing  westward,  in  1870,  established 
his  home  near  South  Haven,  in  Van  Buren  county,  Michigan.  There  he 
worked  in  a  sawmill  until  the  fall  of  1876,  when  he  removed  to  Livingston 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  farming  until  1910.  His  well  directed  labors 
during  all  these  years  had  brought  him  a  substantial  measure  of  success  and 
thus  with  a  handsome  competence  to  meet  his  needs  through  his  remaining 
days  he  retired  to  private  life.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  republican,  always 
loyal  to  the  party,  yet  never  seeking  nor  desiring  office.  He  has  served  as 
school  director  and  the  cause  of  education  finds  in  him  a  warm  friend.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  lives 
have  ever  been  in  consistent  harmony  with  their  professions.  They  are  the 
parents  of  five  children,  namely :  Barbara  E.,  at  home ;  Robert  Gordon,  of  this 
review;  Evan  Barker,  of  Galesburg;  and  Mary  F.  and  Irwin  A.,  both  at  home. 
.  In  the  public  schools  of  Michigan  and  of  Livingston  county,  Illinois,  Rob- 
ert G.  Sinclair  pursued  his  education  and  in  his  youth  worked  upon  his  father's 
farm,  early  becoming  familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors  incident  to  the  de- 
velopment and  cultivation  of  the  fields.  He  was  twenty-two  years  of  age  when 
he  abandoned  the  plow  in  order  to  become  connected  with  commercial  inter- 
ests, which  he  believed  would  prove  more  congenial  and  hoped  would  prove 
more  profitable.  For  three  years  he  was  employed  in  a  grocery  store  in  Pon- 
tiac,  Illinois,  and  then  embarked  in  business  on  his  own  account,  forming  a 
partnership  with  S.  W.  Strong  for  the  conduct  of  a  grocery  store  in  Pontiac. 
After  two  years  he  purchased  his  partner's  interest  and  carried  on  the  business 


164  :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      K< ,  • 

alone  until  October,  1899,  when  he  sold  out  and  went  upon  the  road  as  a 
traveling  salesman.  In  the  spring  of  1901  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  estab- 
lished an  ice-cream  business  which  he  carried  on  independently  for  two  years. 
He  then  sold  a  half  interest  to  his  brother,  E.  B.  Sinclair,  and  in  1909  they 
removed  from  their  old  location  at  No.  471  East  South  street  to  the  adjoining 
building,  thus  obtaining  more  commodious  quarters.  On  selling  his  interest 
in  the  business  to  his  brother,  R.  G.  Sinclair  removed  to  Pontiac  where  he 
engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  for  two  years.  He  was  also  circuit  clerk 
of  Livingston  county  for  four  years  and  then  returned  to  Galesburg  where  he 
again  became  interested  in  business,  now  employing  from  fifteen  to  eighteen 
people  in  the  manufacture  of  ice  cream,  ices  and  soft  drinks.  His  enterprise 
has  assumed  extensive  proportions,  its  sales  reaching  a  large  annual  figure, 
owing  to  the  excellence  of  their  output  and  their  reliability  and  enterprising 
business  methods. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  1895,  Mr.  Sinclair  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Maude  Thompson,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Frances  (Ketcham)  Thompson, 
of  Pontiac.  Their  children  are  five  in  number,  namely:  Robert  Elwood,  born 
in  Pontiac,  Illinois,  August  17,  1897;  Clyde  Evan,  born  in  Pontiac,  January  25, 
1899;  Maude  Louise,  whose  birth  occurred  in  that  city  on  the  23d  of  February, 
1903 ;  William  Gordon,  born  on  the  25th  of  December,  1905,  in  Pontiac ;  and 
Margaret  Frances,  born  there  March  5,  1908.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sinclair 
have  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Galesburg  and  enjoy  the  high  regard  of  their  many 
friends.  His  political  support  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
always  kept  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  His  relig- 
ious faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he  is  now  acting  as  a  trustee 
of  the  church  to  which  he  belongs.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Woodmen  camp  and 
the  Galesburg  Club.  Those  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance, 
find  him  a  social,  genial  gentleman,  and  his  business  associates  speak  in  high 
terms  of  his  enterprise,  progressiveness  and  thorough  reliability.  ; 


?:  •.  H.  R.  GRIFFITH.   C:    ^..v^ 

H.  R.  Griffith,  whose  well  cultivated  farm  forms  one  of  the  attractive  features 
of  Cedar  township,  was  born  on  his  father's  homestead  south  of  Galesburg, 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  on  the  8th  of  January,  i86l.  His  father,  Morris  Griffith, 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  his  birth  having  there  occurred  on  the  I7th  of 
February,  1836.  When  a  lad  of  four  years  he  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Ohio,  where  they  resided  until  1852,  when  they  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  the 
vicinity  of  Galesburg.  There  Mr.  Griffith  continued  to  live  until  the  year  prior 
to  his  death,  when  he  went  to  reside  with  a  son  living  north  of  Galesburg,  where 
he  passed  away  on  December  9,  1906,  being  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Knox- 
ville.  His  parents,  Abel  and  Hannah  (Gore)  Griffith,  also  spent  their  latter 
days  in  Knox  county.  For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Morris  Griffith  chose  Miss 
Elizabeth  Harmony,  their  marriage  being  celebrated  on  the  27th  of  December, 
1859.  Mrs.  Griffith,  who  was  born  near  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania,  died  in 


< 
'^ 

Q 


164       .'.  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

alone  until  Octol)er,  1899,  when  he  sold  out  and  went  upon  the  road  as  a 
traveling  salesman.  In  the  spring  of  1901  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  estab- 
lished an  ice-cream  business  which  he  carried  on  independently  for  two  years. 
He  then  sold  a  half  interest  to  his  brother.  E.  B.  Sinclair,  and  in  1909  they 
removed  from  their  old  location  at  Xo.  471  East  South  street  to  the  adjoining 
building,  thus  ol)taining  more  commodious  quarters.  On  selling  his  interest 
in  the  business  to  his  brother,  R.  G.  Sinclair  removed  to  Pontiac  where  he 
engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  for  two  years.  He  was  also  circuit  clerk 
of  Livingston  county  for  four  years  and  then  returned  to  Galesburg  where  he 
again  became  interested  in  business,  now  employing  from  fifteen  to  eighteen 
people  in  the  manufacture  of  ice  cream,  ices  and  soft  drinks.  His  enterprise 
has  assumed  extensive  proportions,  its  sales  reaching  a  large  annual  figure, 
owing  to  the  excellence  of  their  output  and  their  reliability  and  enterprising 
business  methods. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  11895,  ^^^-  Sinclair  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Maude  Thompson,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and  !•' ranees  (Ketcham)  Thompson, 
of  Pontiac.  Their  children  are  five  in  number,  namely :  Robert  Elwood,  born 
in  Pontiac,  Illinois,  August  17,  i<S97;  Clyde  Evan,  born  in  Pontiac,  January  25, 
iiSf)^;  Maude  Louise,  whose  birth  occurred  in  that  city  on  the  23(1  of  February, 
1903;  VVilliam  Gordon,  born  on  the  25th  of  December,  1905,  in  Pontiac;  and 
Margaret  Frances,  Ix»rn  there  March  5,  1908.  Doth  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sinclair 
have  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Galesburg  and  enjoy  the  high  regard  of  their  many 
friends.  His  political  sui)port  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
always  kept  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  His  relig- 
ious faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he  is  now  acting  as  a  trustee 
of  the  church  to  which  he  belongs.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  the  Benevolent  I'rotective  Order  of  Elks,  the  \\'oodmen  camp  and 
the  Galesburg  Club.  Those  who  know  him,  and  he  has  a  wide  acc|uaintance. 
find  him  a  social,  genial  gentleman,  and  his  Inisiness  associates  speak  in  high 
terms  of  his  enterprise,  progressiveness  and  thorough  reliability. 


11.   R.  GRIFFITH. 

H.  R.  Griffith,  whose  well  cultivated  farm  forms  one  of  the  attractive  features 
of  Cedar  town>hi]).  was  born  on  his  father's  homestead  south  of  Galesburg, 
Knox  county.  Illinois,  on  the  8th  of  January.  1861.  His  father.  Morris  (iriffith. 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  his  birth  having  there  occurred  on  the  I7th  of 
February.  1836.  \\'heu  a  lad  of  four  years  he  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Ohio,  where  they  resided  until  1832.  when  they  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  the 
vicinity  of  Galesburg.  Tliere  Mr.  Griffith  continued  to  live  until  the  year  prior 
to  his  death,  when  he  went  to  reside  with  a  son  living  north  of  Galesburg.  where 
he  passed  away  on  December  9.  KX^^),  being  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Knox- 
ville.  His  parents.  Abel  and  Hannah  (Gore)  Griffith,  also  spent  their  latter 
days  in  Knox  county.  For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Morris  Griffith  chose  Miss 
Elizabeth  Harmony,  their  marriage  being  celebrated  on  the  27th  of  December, 
1859.  Mrs.  Griffith,  who  was  born  near  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania,  died  in 


X. 


r    ;,     >:  "         V;l    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ^       A:?;/^  • 

Knox  county  on  February  12,  1901,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  Of  the 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffith  there  were  born  seven  children,  of  whom  our 
subject  was  the  eldest.  Etta,  the  second  in  order  of  birth  who  was  born  on 
the  22d  of  May,  1862,  was  married  on  March  28,  1895,  to  G.  C.  Hutson,  and  is 
now  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Arkansas  City,  Kansas.  William  E.,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  iSth  of  January,  1864,  married  Mattie  Brooks  on  January  27, 
1892,  and  resides  near  Galesburg.  Arthur,  who  was  born  on  January  22,  1866, 
chose  for  his  wife  Ella  Hutson,  to  whom  he  was  married  on  March  17,  1898, 
now  living  near  Galesburg.  Frank  M.,  born  on  the  24th  of  August,  1868.  was 
married  on  the  2Oth  of  October,  1898,  to  Lennie  Hutson  and  is  living  near 
Knoxville.  Mary  E.,  the  next  in  order  of  birth,  was  born  on  the  21  st  of  April, 
1871,  and  died  on  the  21  st  of  September,  1872,  being  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  Knoxville.  Jessie  A.  was  born  on  the  2ist  of  June,  1877,  and  on  December 
27,  igoo,  married  Marvin  McGahey.  The  parents  were  earnest  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  while  his  political  support  Mr.  Griffith  accorded  to  the 
republican  party.  He  took  an  active  interest  in  all  public  affairs  and  held  some 
of  the  township  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  efficiency. 

Born  and  reared  on  a  farm,  Mr.  Griffith  has  always  been  more  or  less  actively 
identified  with  agricultural  pursuits.  His  preliminary  education  was  obtained 
in  the  public  schools,  after  the  completion  of  which  he  entered  Knox  College 
at  Galesburg.  He  remained  at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  thirty-two 
years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  his  present  place  on  section  20,  Cedar  township. 
He  owns  eighty-seven  and  a  half  acres  of  land  here  upon  which  he  has  made 
most  extensive  improvements,  having  erected  some  fine  buildings,  planted  an 
orchard  and  grove,  in  addition  to  effecting  various  minor  changes.  He  has 
applied  himself  diligently  and  intelligently  to  the  cultivation  of  this  property, 
his  efforts  in  this  direction  having  been  rewarded  in  a  most  substantial  and 
gratifying  manner.  In  addition  to  his  fine  home  farm  he  owns  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Dundy  county,  Nebraska,  while  his  wife  has  forty 
acres  in  Orange  township,  this  county. 

On  the  24th  of  August,  1893,  Mr.  Griffith  was  married  to  Miss  Flora  A. 
Parmenter,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Orange  township,  Knox  county,  on  the  ist 
of  November,  1868.  Her  paternal  grandparents  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  the  county  and  here  her  father,  John  Parmenter.  whose  birth  occurred  Janu- 
ary 1 8,  1842.  was  united  in  marriage  on  December  31,  1867,  to  Miss  Anna 
Haynes,  who  was  born  December  lO,  1842.  Both  parents  passed  away  in  the 
same  year,  the  father  on  December  29,  1880,  and  the  mother  on  August  29  of 
that  year.  Mrs.  Griffith  was  the  eldest  of  the  four  children  born  of  this  union. 
In  order  of  birth  the  other  three  are  as  follows:  Asa  H.,  a  resident  of  Gales- 
burg, whose  birth  occurred  on  the  i6th  of  June,  1870;  Charles  E.,  who  was  born 
on  May  21,  1875,  now  living  in  Watertown,  Illinois;  and  Lenna,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred on  the  i8th  of  November,  1877,  the  wife  of  Henry  Godfrey,  of  Kansas. 
Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffith  five  children  have  been  born:  Jessie 
May,  who  was  bom  on  the  6th  of  November,  1894;  Claude  Russell,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  October  25,  1895 ;  Harold  O.,  born  on  the  I9th  of  December. 
1897;  Mary  L.,  born  February  17,  1903:  and  John  Herbert,  who  was  born  on 
the  i8th  of  December,  1908. 


168  .      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  Y;  :      /  '^ 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griffith  after  coming  to  their  present  location  united  with  the 
Congregational  church  of  Abingdon  and  are  devoted  members  thereof.  Mr. 
Griffith  has  now  held  for  over  six  years  the  office  of  deacon,  while  his  wife  has 
for  five  years  been  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  His  political 
prerogatives  Mr.  Griffith  exercises  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party  and  he  has  served  in  the  capacity  of  school  director  and  tax 
collector.  ,  .  ; 


:;:  V^  .  SIMEON  B.  DAVIS.         v;     '  ;'  > 

Death  gives  the  perspective  which  enables  one  to  judge  of  the  real  worth  of 
an  individual,  placing  him  in  proper  relation  with  his  contemporaries  and  those 
things  which  went  to  make  up  his  life's  contacts  and  experiences.  Judged  from 
the  standpoint  of  success  and  of  personal  character,  Simeon  B.  Davis  measured 
up  to  the  highest  standard  of  manhood  and  of  citizenship  and  was  honored  and 
respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  life  record  covered  the  intervening  period 
between  the  7th  of  December,  1836,  on  which  day  his  birth  occurred  in  Ashland 
county,  Ohio,  and  the  first  of  March,  1909,  when  he  passed  away  in  Galesburg. 
His  parents  were  Amos  and  Nancy  (Crawford)  Davis,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Ohio,  and  the  former  was  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Samuel  Crawford, 
an  officer  of  the  war  of  1812. 

At  the  usual  age  Simeon  B.  Davis  became  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  near 
his  father's  home  and  throughout  his  life  he  continued  his  reading  and  study, 
thus  adding  greatly  to  his  knowledge  and  promoting  his  efficiency  as  a  factor  in 
the  world's  work.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  became  a  resident  of  ATc- 
Donough  county,  Illinois,  where  for  eight  years  he  followed  the  profession  of 
teaching,  being  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  capable  and  successful  educators  in 
that  part  of  the  state.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  stock-rais- 
ing and  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  engaged  in  shipping  stock  to 
the  Chicago  market  for  a  number  of  years.  His  farm  constituted  a  fine  tract  of 
land  in  Hire  township,  McDonough  county,  and  he  brought  his  fields  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation  and  added  many  substantial  improvements  to  the  place 
in  the  way  of  good  buildings,  well  kept  fences  and  the  latest  improved  machinery. 
At  length  he  retired  from  the  farm  and  removed  to  Macomb,  the  county  seat 
of  McDonough  county,  where  he  established  a  marble  and  granite  business,  de- 
veloping  one  of  the  leading  monument  enterprises  in  this  part  of  the  state. 
There  he  carried  on  business  until  1887,  when  he  removed  to  Galesburg  and 
opened  a  similar  establishment,  which  he  conducted  with  profit  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death.  In  all  of  his  business  life  he  was  strictly  honorable  and  upright, 
never  taking  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  his  fellowmen  in  any  business  trans- 
action,  and  by  reason  of  the  excellent  work  which  he  did  he  won  a  very  gratify- 
ing  patronage. 

In  September,  1860,  Mr.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Artimesa 
Stambaugh,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Adam  and  Margaret  (Shields)  Stambaugh. 
Her  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  her  mother  was  born  in  Indiana 
but  was  reared  in  Canton,  Illinois.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  were  bom  nine 


;'  •  :  . ' :  \    :\/    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •:  •  \ v 

children,  Emma,  Eva,  Margaret,  Elsie  A.,  Stewart  A.,  Alice  J.,  Louie  May, 
James  E.  and  Stella,  but  the  last  named  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  Davis  was  ever 
devoted  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  his  family  and  found  his  greatest  joy/ 
in  ministering  to  their  pleasure.  Following  his  demise  Mrs.  Davis  carried  on 
the  business  until  July  i,  1910,  when  she  was  obliged  to  give  it  up  in  order  to  - 
look  after  the  realty  interests  of  the  estate.  The  business,  however,  is  still 
continued  by  her  son  under  the  style  of  the  S.  B.  Davis  Granite  Company. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Davis  was  a  stalwart  republican,  recognized  as 
one  of  the  leaders  of  the  party  in  the  central  section  of  Illinois.    He  was  a  pleas-  • 
ing  public  speaker  and  took  prominent  part  in  many  of  the  presidential  campaigns,  -/ 
speaking  throughout  the  state  and  doing  good  service  for  the  organization.     In 
1880  public  honors  were  conferred  upon  him  in  his  election  to  the  office  of 
state   representative    from    the    district    comprising    Warren    and    McDonough  ; 
counties.    During  the  regular  session  of  i88i  and  the  special  session  of  1882  he  > 
was  a  member  of  several  important  committees  and  rendered  valuable  and  effi-    ; 
cient  service  in  those  connections  to  the  commonwealth.     He  was  always  much 
interested  in  local  progress  and  improvement  and  while  residing  in  Galesburg  . 
served  for  several  terms  as  a  member  of  the  city  council,  in  which  connection  he    ' 
exercised  his  official  prerogatives  in  support  of  various  progressive  and  beneficial  '• 
measures.     Fraternally  he  was  connected  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd   ,-, 
Fellows  and  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  was  ever  a  most  ; 
loyal  and  helpful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.     Following  his  : 
demise  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  Illinois  legislature  passed  the  follow-    • 
ing  resolutions: 

"Whereas,  by  reason  of  the  promulgation  of  an  unappealable  infinite  decree, 
the  Hon.  Simeon  B.  Davis  rests  to-day  in  his  last  sleep  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,    : 
and  •:,;  ••    .'  ••.'.r'^'.  ..;;/-'::/'.;''• ''  '.,  'I"  '- 

"Whereas,  the  said  Simeon  B.  Davis  was  an  honored  and  respected  mem-  . 
bet  of  this  house,  having  served  his  people  with  distinction  in  the  thirty-second  v 
and  thirty-third  general  assemblies,  and  : 

"Whereas,  in  the  departing  of  Mr.  Davis  to  obey  such  divine  decree,  his  ••'•. 
city  and  state  have  sacrificed  an  upright  and  patriotic  citizen,  his  family  a  kind 
and  affectionate  father  and  husband  and  his  associates  a  friend. 

"Therefore,  be  it  resolved  by  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  state  of 
Illinois,  in  regular  session  assembled  that  we  deeply  deplore  the  death  of  Mr.   • 
Davis  and  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  his  memory,  this  house  do  now  adjourn, 
and  be  it  further 

"Resolved,  that  a  copy  of  this  resolution  be  spread  upon  the  journal  of  this 
house  and  an  engrossed  copy  be  forwarded  to  the  family  of  the  deceased." 

Mr.  Davis  was  one  of  the  most  widely  and  favorably  known  of  the  resi- 
dents of  Galesburg  and  his  influence  was  always  found  on  the  side  of  those    • 
activities  which  uplift  mankind  and  promote  general  progress.    He  was  a  most 
earnest  arid  helpful  member  of  the  church  and  the  Methodist  denomination  in  ; : 
Galesburg  owed  much  to  his  cooperation.     In  the  funeral  services,  conducted 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.   Blodgett,  of  Cincinnati,  who  had  formerly  been  his  pastor,    . 
the  minister  said:     "The  deathlessness  of  the  friendship  existing  between  the 
man  -whose  body  lies  before  us  and  myself  is  evidence  to  me  of  the  immor-    ; 
tality  of  man."    Later  he  said:    "Mr.  Davis  was  a  man  of  virile  blood.    He  v 


170  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    /y;^      ;X 

came  of  good  ancestry  of  a  class  of  men  that  make  nations.  He  was  drilled 
in  the  school  of  poverty  and  by  an  inherent  force  made  himself  felt  in  the  state 
and  in  the  city.  He  was  not  a  trimmer,  but  had  a  broad  charity  in  his  judg- 
ments of  others,  although  very  positive  in  his  own  convictions  of  the  right. 
As  a  churchman  he  believed  thoroughly  in  the  book,  basing  his  beliefs  more 
on  a  personal  experience  of  God  than  on  any  critical  analysis.  He  believed 
that  the  church  is  a  means  to  an  end  and,  therefore,  utilized  all  of  its  forces  not 
only  as  an  unlift  for  society  but  for  his  own  personal  benefit.  As  a  citizen  he 
believed  in  the  highest  integrity  of  the  state.  His  home  life  was  like  a  mid- 
summer dream,  to  him  his  wife  was  the  pearly  gate  always  through  which  he 
entered  into  all  of  his  joys.  I  tested  his  friendship  at  a  time  which  was  critical 
in  the  history  of  this  church  and  he  was  one  of  the  few  men  who  through  his 
belief  in  the  right  made  it  possible  for  the  church  to  be  rebuilt.  It  was  well 
worth  to  know  such  a  man  and  enter  with  him  into  the  inner  circle  of  his 
friendship."  There  was  in  all  the  life  record  of  Simeon  B.  Davis  only  such 
qualities  as  won  him  honor  and  respect.  While  he  gained  success,  it  was  not 
this  which  secured  for  him  the  regard  of  his  fellowmen,  but  the  sterling  traits 
of  character  which  he  ever  displayed,  the  honor,  integrity,  kindly  spirit  and 
the  words  of  helpfulness  and  cheer  which  he  spoke,  and  thus  it  is  that  those 
things  which  men  learn  to  value  more  than  gold  and  gems  are  the  treasures  of 
friendship  and  memory.  .  .  .  .,  . .  .  .  , 


••  ;         /         :  ADDISON  JOSIAH  BOUTELLE.    ;-;. 

.  Addison  Josiah  Boutelle,  states  attorney  for  Galesburg  since  1900,  his  twelve 
years'  connection  with  the  office  standing  as  incontrovertible  evidence  of  his 
ability  in  the  field  of  his  chosen  profession,  was  born  November  9,  1869,  on  a 
farm  near  Rutland,  La  Salle  county,  Illinois.  His  father,  Josiah  Boutelle,  died 
in  1872  but  the  mother,  Mrs.  Ellen  (Hastie)  Boutelle,  is  still  living.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  James  H.  Hastie,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Sparta  township,  Knox 
county.  In  her  girlhood  she  heard  the  Lincoln  and  Douglas  debate  held  in 
Galesburg  and  has  written  an  interesting  account  of  that  historic  event  and  the 
incidents  that  occurred  on  that  memorable  day. 

;  During  the  boyhood  of  Addison  Josiah  Boutelle  the  family  removed  to  Knox 
county  and  he  pursued  his  education  in  the  Galesburg  schools,  being  gradu- 
ated from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1887.  He  afterward  entered  Knox 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in 
the  class  of  1891.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Gnothautii  Literary  Society  in  Knox 
and  was  honored  with  its  presidency.  In  debate  he  won  the  Colton  prize  for 
oratory.  Nature  endowed  him  with  gifts  that  constituted  an  excellent  founda- 
tion upon  which  to  build  his  success  at  the  bar  for  which  he  early  made  prepar- 
ation by  reading  law  in  the  office  of  the  late  J.  J.  Tunnicliflf,  former  states 
attorney  of  Knox  county.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1893  and  has  since 
been  continuously  engaged  in  the  work  of  his  profession  in  this  city.  His  con- 
stantly developing  ability  brought  to  him  a  growing  clientage,  his  work  increas- 
ing in  volume  and  in  importance  as  the  years  passed  by.  In  1897  he  was  elected 


;:;  :V         •  "^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  .  .  r    N; 

city  attorney  of  Galesburg  and  was  reelected  in  1899,  serving  continuously  for 
four  years.  In  1900  he  was  chosen  states  attorney,  which  office  he  has  held  to 
the  present  time,  carefully  safeguarding  the  interests  of  the  district  in  the  faith- 
ful and  prompt  discharge  of  his  duties  in  that  position. 

Mr.  Boutelle  has  always  given  his  support  to  the  republican  party  since  age 
conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise,  and  has  done  considerable  campaign 
work  under  the  direction  of  the  state  central  committee  in  various  cities  of  the 
state.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Knight  Templar  and  in  his  life  exemplifies  many  of 
the  high  principles  of  Masonry.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  Club. 

On  the  I7th  of  October,  1899,  in  Galesburg,  Mr.  Boutelle  was  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Lee  Switzer,  a  daughter  of  Charles  E.  and  Mary  B.  Switzer. 
They  have  one  child,  Mary  Elizabeth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boutelle  are  well  known 
socially  in  this  city  where  they  have  long  resided  and  where  he  has  so  directed 
his  efforts  that  he  is  today  classed  with  the  leading  lawyers,  representative  men 
and  progressive  and  respected  citizens. 


•-'::',:•[  'V;--'-.-'  .  '^';':-'''^"'  HARLEY  F.  DRURY.    ;.;  ,.         v' ' .^\y;;:o; ;.,':-; 

In  the  establishment  and  conduct  of  the  florist's  business  Harley  F.  Drury 
has  displayed  an  aptitude  for  successful  management,  combined  with  unfalter- 
ing determination  and  industry,  that  have  brought  him  to  a  prominent  position 
among  the  prosperous  business  men  of  Galesburg.  This  city  has  drawn  a  con- 
siderable quota  of  its  citizens  from  New  England  and  Mr.  Drury  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  this  class,  having  been  born  in  Essex,  Vermont,  June  13,  1855. 
His  parents  were  Jacob  and  Caroline  (Bascom)  Drury,  also  natives  of  the 
Green  Mountain  state.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Sallie  (Herrick) 
Drury.  They  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  Betsey.  Annie.  Daniel, 
Hannah,  Jacob,  Harriet  and  Mary  Ann.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Harley 
F.  Drury  was  a  Vermont  farmer  and  both  he  and  his  wife  died  at  an  old  age 
after  rearing  a  large  family. 

Jacob  Drury,  father  of  our  subject,  spent  his  youthful  days  in  Vermont  and 
was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  farming,  which  he  chose  as  his  life  work,  but 
after  tilling  the  soil  for  a  number  of  years  he  took  up  the  business  of  manu- 
facturing brick.  He  not  only  figured  actively  and  prominently  in  business  cir- 
cles but  also  in  connection  with  public  affairs,  holding  a  number  of  local  offices 
and  also  representing  his  district  in  the  state  legislature.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  were  earnest,  consistent  Christian 
people.  He  died  in  Essex,  Vermont,  in  1889,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years, 
having  for  three  years  survived  his  wife,  whose  death  occurred  in  1886,  when 
she  was  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
Hannah  M.,  widow  of  the  late  Byron  A.  Stevens,  of  Galesburg;  George  B., 
now  a  resident  of  Essex,  Vermont ;  Jannette,  widow  of  the  late  C.  C.  Field,  of 
Essex ;  Charles  K.,  also  living  in  Essex ;  Edwin  I.,  deceased ;  Harley  F. ;  and 
Homer  D.,  likewise  living  in  Essex,  Vermont.  '..;.;-;  •  .:  -^3:';^ 


.;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :!\-  '    /: 

•  '•  .   1^    •    -  ,  .'•     I        .    •  :  :*-•-•• 

In  the  place  of  his  nativity  Harley  F.  Drury  si>ent  his  youthful  days  and 
attended  the  public  schools,  afterward  pursuing  his  studies  in  the  Vermont 
Methodist  Seminary  at  Montpelier,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1875. 
Later  he  remained  at  home  for  two  years,  during  which  period  he  assisted  his 
father  in  the  office  of  the  brickyard.  His  residence  in  Galesburg  dates  from 
1878,  at  which  time  he  entered  the  employ  of  Lake  W.  Sanbom  as  a  clerk  in 
his  insurance  office,  there  remaining  for  about  two  years.  He  next  became 
connected  with  the  grocery  trade,  spending  two  and  one-half  years  in  the  em- 
ploy of  C.  E.  Landstrum.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  established  a 
grocery  store  on  his  own  account,  conducting  it  successfully  for  eighteen  years, 
during  which  period  he  ever  maintained  an  honorable  position  in  commercial 
circles.  He  then  sold  out  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  flowers, 
establishing  greenhouses  which  are  situated  on  Broad,  Sanbom  and  Cherry 
streets  and  which  contain  forty-five  thousand  square  feet.  Here  he  raises  almost 
every  variety  of  flowers  and  the  business  has  grown  rapidly  until  now  his  sales 
reach  a  large  annual  figure.  He  is  likewise  a  director  of  the  Farmers  & 
Mechanics'  Bank. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1883,  Mr.  Drury  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Nellie  Trask.  a  native  of  Ohio,  as  were  her  parents.  Homer  and  Belinda  (Lane) 
Trask,  who  emigrated  to  Galesburg  about  forty-five  or  fifty  years  ago,  both  hav- 
ing now  passed  away.  They  were  survived  by  three  daughters,  Nellie,  Kitty  and 
May,  while  a  son  had  died  in  early  childhood.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Drury  have  but 
one  child,  Louise,  who  is  now  attending  the  high  school.  The  parents  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Science  church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Drury  is  a  republican 
who  has  been  somewhat  active  in  local  politics,  serving  for  one  term  as  alderman 
from  the  fifth  ward.  His  position  upon  any  vital  question  is  never  an  equivocal 
one  and  he  seeks  always  to  aid  the  measures  and  movements  for  the  general 
good.  He  is  well  known  socially,  holding  membership  in  the  Elks  Club  and  in 
the  Soangetaha  Country  Qub  and  the  Galesburg  Club,  being  now  president  of 
the  latter.  For  a  third  of  a  century  he  has  been  a  resident  of  this  city  and  the 
sterling  traits  of  character  which  he  has  manifested  throughout  the  entire  period 
have  gained  for  him  the  unqualified  regard  and  good-will  of  his  fellow  men. 


•^  SETH  CRUMP.  ;/;      / 

'         '  '•"•,  '     •  '  '  -          •      '     '      -  ,--J  ••:-.''  -   .,          •• 

Seth  Crump  was  a  lifelong  resident  of  Knox  county  and  had  a  wide  acquaint- 
ance, while  his  many  sterling  traits  of  character  gained  for  him  a  position  in 
public  regard  that  made  his  death  the  occasion  of  deep  and  widespread  regret. 
He  was  born  near  Hermon,  in  this  county,  November  24,  1842,  a  son  of  Madi- 
son and  Rebecca  (Massey)  Crump,  who  were  early  settlers  of  this  county.  The 
father  was  both  a  farmer  and  carpenter.  He  followed  these  occupations  for 
some  time  and  also  conducted  a  hotel  in  Knoxville  during  the  early  days,  his 
hostelry  being  known  as  the  Virginia  Hotel.  Both  he  and  his  wife  remained 
worthy  and  respected  residents  of  Knoxville  until  called  to  their  final  rest. 
-'':.  Seth  Crump  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  in  his  boy- 
hood acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools,  which  he  attended  through  the 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;;        ;    :.r 

winter  seasons,  while  the  summer  months  were  devoted  to  farm  labor.  After 
putting  aside  his  text-books  he  gave  all  of  his  attention  to  farm  work  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  when  his  patriotic  spirit  was  aroused  and  he  offered 
his  services  to  the  government,  enlisting  from  Knox  county  as  a  member  of 
Company  E,  Eighty-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he  served 
throughout  the  Civil  war,  participating  in  many  important  engagements.  After 
the  close  of  hostilities,  in  all  of  which  he  bore  himself  with  signal  credit  and  honor, 
he  returned  to  Knoxville  and  here  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
the  lOth  of  December,  1908,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  sixty-six  years. 

Mr.  Crump  had  been  married  on  the  I5th  of  August,  1870,  to  Miss  Henrietta 
Woolsey,  of  Knoxville,  who  was  born  here  on  the  23d  of  December,  1853,  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Margaret  Woolsey,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  at 
an  early  period  in  the  development  of  this  part  of  the  state  came  to  Knox  county, 
where  they  resided  until  called  to  their  final  home.  In  their  family  were  eleven 
children,  namely :  Frederick,  now  deceased ;  James,  who  served  as  a  soldier  of 
Company  E,  Eighty-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
Iowa;  Henry,  who  also  served  in  the  Civil  war  and  is  now  living  in  Atlantic, 
Iowa ;  John,  who  valiantly  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Union  on  southern  battle- 
fields and  also  makes  his  home  in  Atlantic ;  Byram,  now  deceased  ;  Wright,  who 
has  also  passed  away ;  Henrietta,  now  Mrs.  Crump ;  Kate,  the  wife  of  William 
Meecham,  of  Knoxville;  Clayton,  a  resident  of  Atlantic,  Iowa;  William,  of 
Atlantic,  Iowa,  and  Fayette,  deceased.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Crump  was  also 
a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  and  died  from  wounds  while  in  the  service — and 
thus  the  family  made  a  splendid  record  for  loyalty  and  bravery. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crump  were  born  three  children,  the  elder  being  Mina  L., 
wife  of  Claude  Vangilder,  now  deceased ;  Catherine,  the  wife  of  William  Venell, 
of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri ;  and  Valda,  a  son,  living  at  home  with  his  mother.  Mr. 
Crump  always  maintained  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  arniy  comrades  through 
his  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  was  also  interested 
in  local  affairs  and  at  one  time  served  as  city  marshal  of  Knoxville.  His  aid 
and  cooperation  could  ever  be  counted  upon  to  further  progressive  public  move- 
ments and  he  was  accounted  a  valued  citizen,  upright  and  honorable,  his  sterling 
worth  winning  for  him  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  all  who  knew  him.  He 
had  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Knox  county,  where  his  entire  life  was  passed,  and 
many  of  the  comrades  of  his  youth  remained  the  friends  of  his  manhood,  indi- 
cating that  his  life  record  was  ever  a  creditable  one. 


'...:>';..;  /...  .;":-^-'^     JAMES  c.  SIMPSON.  ;;^'^V:.;.-    :  Y^' ;.,V;^.---:^:- 

There  have  been  many  theories  advanced  concerning  success,  but  careful  analy- 
sis of  the  lives  of  many  men,  who  have  risen  from  comparative  obscurity  in  busi- 
ness to  a  position  of  prominence,  indicates  the  fact  that  all  honorable  success  has 
had  its  root  in  straightforward  dealing,  indefatigable  industry  and  persistent  pur- 
pose. Such  has  been  the  record  of  the  senior  partner  and  manager  of  the  firm  of 
James  C.  Simpson  &  Company,  operating  country  lumberyards,  and  president  of 
the  Simpson,  McClure  Lumber  Company  of  Galesburg.  ..  .  ., 


176  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          '        ; 

' '  'w    .»    .    • 

James  C.  Simpson  was  born  in  Punxsutawney,  Pennsylvania,  April  13,  1864, 
and  his  parents,  William  E.  and  Sarah  Ann  (Means)  Simpson,  were  also  natives 
of  that  state.  The  former  was  a  son  of  John  H.  and  Eliza  (Lewis)  Simpson. 
John  H.  Simpson,  born  in  Virginia,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  His  family  in- 
cluded William,  Jane,  Ann,  David,  Thomas,  Irwin,  Caroline,  Theodosia  and 
Harry.  Of  these  David  and  Thomas  were  killed  while  serving  as  soldiers  in  the 
Union  army.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  James  C.  Simpson  was  Edward 
Means,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  who  engaged  in  both  merchandising  and  farm- 
ing. He  married  a  Miss  Hopkins,  who  died  at  a  comparatively  early  age,  while 
Mr.  Means  lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  Their  children  were  Sarah 
Ann,  Jane,  Dr.  William  A.  Means,  the  Rev.  Theodore  Means,  Mary,  Charlotte, 
Thompson,  Milton  and  Thomas.  The  last  two  died  while  serving  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war.  .  •,  :.•:::''••' .>v;"v.;  \| 

William  E.  Simpson,  father  of  James  C.  Simpson,  was  reared  in  Jefferson 
county,  Pennsylvania,  pursued  his  education  there  and  became  a  public-school 
teacher  and  farmer.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war  for  one  year,  acting 
as  assistant  to  the  surgeon  and  doing  duty  on  a  federal  hospital  boat  on  the  James 
river.  He  passed  away  at  Punxsutawney  in  1906,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 
His  first  wife,  Sarah  Ann  Means,  had  died  in  1873,  ^^  the  age  of  thirty  years. 
Both  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  were  consistent  Christian 
people.  For  his  second  wife  William  E.  Simpson  married  Miss  Anna  North. 
There  were  six  children  born  of  the  first  marriage,  of  whom  three  are  now  living : 
James  C. ;  Mrs.  Etta  Farrand,  of  Chicago;  and  Wade  M.,  of  Galesburg.  Frank, 
Clayton,  and  Ida  died  at  an  early  age.  The  children  of  the  second  marriage  were 
also  six  in  number:  Blanche,  the  wife  of  Lex  N.  Mitchell,  of  Punxsutawney, 
Pennsylvania ;  Burt,  living  in  Kewanee,  Missouri ;  Blaine,  a  resident  of  Oregon ; 
Mrs.  Catharine  Lindsay,  of  Portland,  Oregon ;  Vere,  living  in  Punxsutawney ; 
and  Raymond,  whose  home  is  in  Lawrenceville,  Illinois. 

The  youthful  days  of  James  C.  Simpson  were  spent  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity 
of  Punxsutawney.  He  attended  the  district  school,  while  later  he  became  a 
student  of  the  Covode  (Pa.)  Academy  and  in  J.  C.  Duncan's  Business  College  of 
Davenport,  Iowa.  He  came  to  the  middle  west  in  1884,  making  his  headquarters 
first  at  Albany,  Illinois.  He  had  previously  engaged  in  teaching  through  three 
winter  terms  in  the  country  schools  of  his  native  state,  and  also  followed  that 
profession  for  three  terms  in  Whiteside  county,  Illinois.  During  the  first  five 
years  of  his  residence  in  this  state  he  was  also  employed  during  the  summer 
months  as  a  clerk  on  a  Mississippi  river  steamboat,  and  later  as  a  traveling  sales- 
man for  a  wholesale  lumber  house,  which  he  represented  for  six  years.  In  the 
winter  of  1894  he  became  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home.  Unfaltering  industry  and  careful  expenditure  enabled  him  here  to  em- 
bark in  business  on  his  own  account.  He  purchased  the  lumberyard  owned  by 
O.  Hawkinson  &  Company  and  conducted  the  business  under  the  name  of  J.  C. 
Simpson  &  Company.  This  yard  was  afterward  incorporated  under  the  name 
of  the  Simpson,  McClure  Lumber  Company.  During  the  seventeen  years  of  his 
residence  in  Galesburg  he  has  made  for  himself  a  creditable  position  in  its  business 
circles.  Promptness,  reliability  and  persistency  of  purpose  have  been  the  factors 
employed  in  the  attainment  of  success  and  have  gained  for  him  an  enviable  posi- 
tion among  Galesburg's  leading  citizens.  .-;  .  .'  . 


;    V:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  ;::::;; 

On  the  1 7th  of  February,  1897,  Mr.  Simpson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Harriette  H.  Post,  a  daughter  of  General  Philip  Sidney  and  Cornelia  A.  (Post) 
Post,  natives  of  New  York.  Mrs.  Simpson's  father  served  in  the  Civil  war  and 
was  afterward  made  consul  at  Vienna.  Subsequently  he  served  as  congressman, 
from  1887  until  his  death  in  January,  1895.  His  wife  passed  away  in  1908. 
They  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  Harriette  H.,  Philip  S.,  and  William 
S.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  have  five  children,  Sidney,  Cornelia,  William,  Harriet 
and  Mary.  The  family  reside  at  No.  516  North  Prairie  street  and  theirs  is  one 
of  the  hospitable  homes  of  the  city.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Simpson  is  a 
republican  and,  while  never  seeking  nor  desiring  office,  has  always  kept  well  in- 
formed on  the  general  issues  and  questions  of  the  day.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  Galesburg  and  Elk  Clubs  and  of  the  former  is  a  director.  He  is  also  one  of 
the  trustees  of  Galesburg  Hospital  and  the  present  chairman  of  its  board.  In  all 
his  life,  duty  and  honor  have  been  his  watchwords  and  justice  has  been  one  of 
his  strong  characteristics.  In  his  business  career  he  is  prominent  as  a  man  whose 
constantly  expanding  powers  have  taken  him  from  humble  surroundings  to  the 
field  of  large  enterprise  and  continually  broadening  opportunities.  •  •  ,  "  ,.•:  - .  \-/ 


•  :  •;.• .',;  -'^  •,-,•'  :::-i-,  (::   THOMAS  KEEFE.  --jy.  -^  .    '  :;• ' -''••:'-'^ -••''.<.•-. 

The  United  States  has  become  peopled  by  the  native  sons  of  every  country 
and  among  the  worthy  residents  that  the  green  isle  of  Erin  has  furnished  to 
Galesburg  is  numbered  Thomas  Keefe,  now  one  of  the  prosperous  lumber 
merchants  of  this  city.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  starting  out  in  life  empty-handed 
and  depending  upon  industry,  perseverance  and  diligence  for  his  success.  He 
still  continues  active  in  trade  circles  although  he  is  now  seventy-two  years  of 
age.  He  was  born  in  County  Roscommon,  Ireland,  April  22,  1839,  a  son  of 
Thomas  and  Catherine  (Farrell)  Keefe,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  same  place. 
There  they  were  reared  and  married  and  in  the  early  '503  they  came  to  the  United 
States,  settling  in  Delaware  county.  New  York,  where  the  father  secured  employ- 
ment in  a  tannery.  He  worked  in  that  way  for  six  or  seven  years  and  then  began 
farming,  which  he  followed  in  Delaware  county  until  his  death.  His  wife  passed 
away  in  the  same  locality.  They  were  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church 
and  Mr.  Keefe  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party.  In  their 
family  were  the  following  children :  Patrick,  John  and  Maria,  all  now  deceased ; 
Thomas,  of  this  review ;  Luke  and  Margaret,  who  have  also  passed  away ;  Cath- 
erine, the  wife  of  James  W.  Tucker,  of  Cooperstown,  New  York ;  and  Michael, 
deceased. 

;  Thomas  Keefe  was  a  lad  in  his  teens  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on 
the  long  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States.  His  education,  which 
had  been  begun  in  the  schools  of  his  native  country,  was  continued  in  the  public 
schools  of  New  York,  and  for  a  time  he  gave  his  attention  to  farm  work  in  the 
Empire  state,  but  in  i86i  he  came  to  the  middle  west,  settling  in  Henderson 
township,  this  county,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  Henry  and  Will  Sisson, 
working  on  a  farm  for  three  years.  He  was  afterward  employed  for  a  year  by 
Captain  Grant  and  spent  a  similar  period  on  the  Potter  farm.  Twenty  years 


178  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


were  passed  in  the  employ  of  G.  W.  Bamett  in  the  grain  business  and  during 
the  last  seven  years  of  that  period  he  was  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Bamett  in 
the  grain  trade  at  St.  Augustine,  Illinois.  At  the  time  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad 
was  being  built  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  established  a  lumber  business  at  his 
present  location.  During  the  years  of  his  connection  with  the  business  interests 
of  this  city  he  has  made  steady  progress,  has  a  well  equipped  lumberyard  and 
enjoys  a  good  patronage. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1864,  Mr.  Keefe  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Winifred  O'Hare,  a  daughter  of  Simon  O'Hare,  of  Tuam,  Galway  County,  Ire- 
land. The  children  of  this  marriage  are :  John,  now  living  in  Sioux  City,  Iowa ; 
Winifred,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Scanlon,  of  Chicago,  and  has  four  children; 
Marie,  Genevieve,  John  and  George ;  Frank,  living  in  San  Francisco,  California ; 
Ursula  and  Teresa,  both  at  home ;  Ita,  who  is  the  wife  of  T.  H.  Kevlin,  of  Chi- 
cago, and  has  one  child,  Marion ;  Anastasia,  living  in  Chicago ;  and  Regina,  at 
home.  The  wife  jind  mother  died  July  i8,  1907,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years, 
her  death  having  occurred  at  her  home  in  Galesburg. 

In  politics  Mr.  Keefe  is  independent,  voting  as  his  judgment  dictates  rather     , 
than  by  the  promptings  of  party  rule.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Corpus  Christi     :.•'. 
Catholic  church   and   also  holds  membership  with   the   Knights   of  Columbus. 
He  may  truly  be  called  a  self-made  man  and  as  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune    •.,': 
has  builded  wisely  and  well.     He  has  never  allowed  obstacles  or  difficulties  to      , 
discourage  him  and  his  persistency  of  purpose  and  energy  have  opened  for  him     -: 
the  way  to  success.  :  '    .'  ;•  '  ' :   '•      "!   i  :      •.^'. 


:•%:  ISAAC  FRANK  COLE.     :';.•••• 

For  the  past  thirty-one  years  Isaac  Frank  Cole  has  been  successfully  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  a  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  located  two  miles  south  of  Williamsfield.  His  birth  occurred  two  miles 
east  of  here  in  Brimfield  township,  Peoria  county,  on  the  2ist  of  December, 
1851.  He  is  of  English  extraction  in  the  paternal  line,  his  grandparents  hav- 
ing come  from  Yorkshire,  while  his  father,  William  F.  Cole,  was  bom  in  Pitts- 
burg,  Pennsylvania  on  the  i8th  of  July,  i8i8.  Upon  their  arrival  in  this  country 
the  family  located  in  Pennsylvania  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg.  In  his  early 
manhood  William  F.  Cole  came  west,  settling  in  Brimfield  township,  Peoria 
county,  in  the  spring  of  1844.  There  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1854,  when 
he  removed  with  his  family  to  Millbrook  township,  where  he  acquired  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  that  he  cultivated  until  his  death  on  December 
23,  1883.  For  his  wife  Mr.  Cole  chose  Miss  Mary  Ann  Cutter,  who  was  born 
in  the  vicinity  of  Ashland,  Richland  county,  Ohio,  on  the  29th  of  July,  1829. 
As  a  child  of  four  years  she  accompanied  her  people  on  their  removal  to  Peoria 
county  in  1833,  and  there  she  was  reared  to  womanhood  and  married  on  the 
i6th  of  April,  1846.  She  survived  her  husband  for  a  number  of  years,  her 
death  occurring  on  March  15,  1894.  Thirteen  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cole,  as  follows:  John,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who  is  a  physician  in 
Williamsfield ;  one,  who  died  in  infancy ;  William  H.,  who  is  farming  in  the 


o 

X 


178  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

were  passed  in  the  employ  of  G.  W.  Barnett  in  the  grain  business  and  during 
the  last  seven  years  of  that  period  he  was  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Barnett  in 
the  grain  trade  at  St.  Augustine,  Illinois.  At  the  time  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad 
was  being  built  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  established  a  lumber  business  at  his 
present  location.  During  the  years  of  his  connection  with  the  business  interests 
of  this  city  he  has  made  steady  progress,  has  a  well  equipped  lumberyard  and 
enjoys  a  good  patronage. 

On  the  22d  of  December.  1864.  Mr.  Keefe  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Winifred  O'Hare,  a  daughter  of  Simon  O'Hare,  of  Tuam,  Galway  County,  Ire- 
land. The  children  of  this  marriage  are :  John,  now  living  in  Sioux  City,  Iowa  ; 
Winifred,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Scanlon,  of  Chicago,  and  has  four  children; 
Marie,  Genevieve,  John  and  George:  Frank,  living  in  San  Francisco,  California; 
Ursula  and  Teresa,  both  at  home:  Ita,  who  is  the  wife  of  T.  H.  Kevlin,  of  Chi- 
cago, and  has  one  child,  Marion :  Anastasia,  living  in  Chicago :  and  Regina,  at 
home.  The  wife  snd  mother  died  July  i8,  1907,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years, 
her  death  having  occurred  at  her  home  in  Galesburg. 

In  politics  Mr.  Keefe  is  independent,  voting  as  his  judgment  dictates  rather 
than  by  the  promptings  of  party  rule.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Corpus  Christi 
Catholic  church  and  also  holds  membership  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus. 
He  may  truly  be  called  a  self-made  man  and  as  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune 
has  builded  wisely  and  well.  He  has  never  allowed  obstacles  or  difficulties  to 
discourage  him  and  his  persistency  of  purpose  and  energj'  have  opened  for  him 
the  way  to  success. 


ISAAC  FRANK  COLE. 

-  For  the  past  thirty-one  years  Isaac  Frank  Cole  has  been  successfully  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  a  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  located  two  miles  south  of  Williamsfield.  His  birth  occurred  two  miles 
east  of  here  in  Brimfield  township,  Peoria  county,  on  the  2 1st  of  December, 
1851.  He  is  of  English  extraction  in  the  paternal  line,  his  grandparents  hav- 
ing come  from  Yorkshire,  while  his  father.  \\'illiani  F.  Cole,  was  born  in  Pitts- 
burg,  Pennsylvania  on  the  iSth  of  July.  iSiS.  Upon  their  arrival  in  this  country 
the  family  located  in  Pennsylvania  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg.  In  his  early 
manliood  William  F.  Cole  came  west,  settling  in  P>rimfield  townshij),  Peoria 
county,  in  the  spring  of  1844.  There  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1854,  when 
he  removed  with  his  family  to  Millbrook  township,  where  he  acquired  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  that  he  cultivated  until  his  death  on  December 
23.  1883.  For  his  wife  Mr.  Cole  chose  Miss  Mary  Ann  Cutter,  who  was  born 
in  the  vicinity  of  Ashland,  Richland  county.  Ohio,  on  the  29th  of  July,  1829. 
As  a  child  of  four  years  she  accompanied  her  people  on  their  removal  to  Peoria 
county  in  1833,  and  there  she  was  rearefl  to  womanhood  and  married  on  the 
i6th  of  April,  1846.  She  survived  her  husband  for  a  number  of  years,  her 
death  occurring  on  March  15,  1894.  Thirteen  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cole,  as  follows:  John,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who  is  a  physician  in 
\\'illiamsfield :  one.  who  died  in  infancy:  William  II..  who  is  farming  in  the 


X. 


<-:.::'-'^,-:-"r'r:----''-:^^   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ':     '        isi    ::-;  v 

vicinity  of  Joplin,  Missouri;  Isaac  Frank,  our  subject;  Charles,  a  fanner  near     :'  .      . 
Iota,  Allen  county,  Kansas;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  G.  L.  Doubet;  Lucy,  who  mar-     ;        - 
ried  George  Nelson,  of  Elmwood;  Minnie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen;   ' ;,      . 
Lemuel,  who  is  a  farmer  of  Canada;  Marge,  who  died  on  the  nth  of  May,    .    :  .; 
1903,  the  wife  of  Samuel  M.  Parker;  Fred  G.,  who  lives  in  Truro  township;    '  '    -   • 
Job,  who  resides  in  Williamsfield ;  and  Newton  J.,  residing  a  half  mile  south  of  .  .  r    ' 
Williamsfield,  who  is  a  rural  mail  carrier. 

>     There  were  no  particular  events  in  the  early  life  of  Isaac  Frank  Cole  to      >;    . 
differentiate  it  from  those  of  other  lads  reared  in  the  rural  communities  at  that     •      . 
period.     He  attended  the  district  schools  until  he  had  mastered  the  common     v.       • 
branches  of  English  learning,  and  during  that  time  he  was  also  laying  the  .  .     / 
foundation  of  a  future  agricultural  career  by  assisting  his  father  with  the  work         .   . 
of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock.    Laying  aside  his  school  books,  he  gave  his   •. . 
entire  time  and  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  in  Peoria  county  until  he  had   ,     :  • 
attained  the  age  of  twenty-five  years.     On  the  i6th  of  April,  1877,  he  came  to  -> 
Knox  county,  settling  on  a  rented  farm  for  three  years,  whence,  in  1880,  he  /;      . 
removed  onto  the  place  where  he  has  ever  since  lived.     He  has  one  hundred      / 

*•  • -•  • '   .  j- 

and  twenty  acres  of  land  here  that  he  has  brought  under  high  cultivation  dur-    :    •     • 
ing  the  long  period  of  his  ownership.     Mr.   Cole  has  prospered   in  both  his  ' ..  . 
general  fanning  and  stock-raising,  and  from  year  to  year  has  made  such  im-    .    :' 
provements  in  his  property  as  his  circumstances  would  warrant.     All  of  the     '.      - 
buildings  now  standing  on  the  place  have  been  erected  since  he  bought  it.     His    . 
bams  are  large  and  commodious,  affording  ample   shelter   for   his   stock  and      ,    . 
grain,  and  he  also  has  substantial  outbuildings   for  the  protection  of  fanning         .. 
implements   and  a  very  comfortable   farm  house.     He  has   always   given   his    i ,. 
undivided  attention  to  the  plowing,  sowing  and  harvesting  of  his' fields,  and  to    .    -  • 
his  painstaking  application  is  probably  attributable  much  of  his  success.     His 
land  is  very  productive  and  he  annually  realizes  a  goodly  dividend  on  his  sunv  :        ;. 
mer's  labor.     :. :  •  '  - 

On  the  nth  of  January,  1877,  Mr.  Cole  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  • 
Martha  Ann  Nelson,  whose  natal  day  was  the  I4th  of  September,  1854.     Mrs.  ' 
Cole  is  a  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Margaret  (King)  Nelson,  the  father  a  native  . 
of  Pennsylvania,  his  birth  occurring  in  the  vicinity  of  Altoona  in  i8i6.     Mr.     '        - 
and  Mrs.  Cole  have  been  the  parents  of  eight  children:  John,  who  was  born    ;• 
November  27,  1877,  and  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  months;  Mary  Ann,  whose  ,         , 
birth  occurred  on  the  5th  of  March,  1879:  Maude,  born  on  November  i8,  1880;  : 
Lemuel  J.,  whose  natal  day  was  the  nth  of  February,  1884;  Marge  who  was    :, 
born  on  May  6,  1886;  Sarah,  who  was  born  May  13,  1888,  and  died  on  the  ;      <  • 
25th  of  February,  1889;  Martha,  who  was  born  September  i6,  1889;  and  F.  H.,  -I ;  ' 
who  was  bom  on  the  23rd  of  August,  1891.     Maude,  who  is  the  third  in  order  V      ; 
of  birth,  married  Harry  F.  Blank  and  they  have  four  children:  Wilbur;  Grace,  5 
who  died  at  the  age  of  six  weeks:  Dwayne;  and  Edna.     Lemuel  J.,  the  eldest 
living  son,  married  Mary  A.  Lagergren,  and  they  have  two  daughters,  Marie  :  . 
and  Ann.     Marge,  the  next  in  order  of  birth,  became  the  wife  of  Alfred  H. 
Lamboley,  and  they  had  two  children:  Jeannette;  and  Charles  who  died  No-   .;      - 
vember,  20,  1911.  •;    •• 

'  " 


182  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;J:t' 

The  fraternal  relations  of  Mr.  Cole  are  confined  to  his  membership  in  the  >   .; 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.     In  his  political    ;•,•;.''. 
views  he  has  always  been  a  stanch  republican,  but  has  never  had  either  the 
time  or  inclination  to  enter  public  life,  all  his  energies  finding  ample  scope  in   ;  !  ..V 
the  development  of  his  personal  interests,  in  which  he  has  met  with  success.         ;/    :; 


;.^/  FRANK  E.  WOOLSEY.  :     =     .    • 

The  late  Frank  E.  Woolsey,  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  harness  and  sad- 
dlery business  in  Knoxville,  was  born  here,  on  the  3Oth  of  August,  1851,  and  was  .|; 
a  son  of  Edwin  and  Mary  (Tingle)  Woolsey.     The  father  was  a  native  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1848  when  he  came  to  '; 
Knoxville.     Soon  after  his  arrival  here  he  engaged  in  business,  continuing  to  ';• 
be  identified  with  the  commercial  activities  of  the  town  until  his  retirement.    He  ; 
had  resided  here  but  a  short  time  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Tingle,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  sons  and  two  daughters,  as  fol- 
lows :  Frank  E.,  our  subject,  who  was  the  eldest ;  James  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  •; 
wholesale  grocery  business  in  Chicago ;  Charles,  who  is  living  near  La  Junta,  • 
Colorado;  Hattie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years;  Ida;  George,  who  is 
also  deceased ;  Arthur,  a  brick  mason  of  Knoxville ;  and  Leroy,  who  is  deceased. 
The  mother  passed  away  in  1907,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine,  while  the  father 
was  eighty-four  years  of  age  when  he  died  in  1910.     He  was  a  veteran  of  the   • 
Civil  war,  having  enlisted  and  gone  to  the  front  from  Knoxville,  when  hostilities  .• 
first  broke  out,  continuing  in  the  service  for  three  years.  ;    ; 

Frank  E.  Woolsey  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Knoxville,  and 
when  old  enough  to  commence  preparations  for  his  life  work,  learned  the  harness-  ! 
maker's  trade.    He  followed  this  for  a  time  in  his  native  town,  when  he  went  to  ; 
Moline  and  subsequently   took  a  position  on  the  road.     Withdrawing  he  re- 
turned to  Knoxville  and  established  a  harness  and  saddlery  business  that  he  con-  •^ 
ducted  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  May  30,  1895.    The  business  was  con- 
tinued for  about  a  year  thereafter  under  the  supervision  of  his  widow,  who  then  . 
disposed  of  it.  .  ':•:'  ,:  ,     ':  J     ^  ••     ; -v  '    ';i- ./' -    I  '-   ' ,      : 

Rock  Island,  Illinois,  was  the  scene  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Woolsey,  on  the   : 
I9th  of  March,   1882,  to  Miss  Hannah  Arabella   Simpson.     She  was  born  ii>  : 
Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Swan  and  Eliza 
(Gunnell)  Simpson.    Her  father  was  also  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county,  his 
birth  occurring  in  Hempfield  township,  on  the  iSth  of  November,  1815,  his  parents 
being  James  and  Hannah  (Steinmetz)  Simpson.    James  Simpson  was  born  and  ; 
reared  in  Scotland,  whence  he  emigrated  to  America  in  the  very  early  days,  lo-  . 
eating  in  Pennsylvania  before  the  war  of  1812,  in  which  he  participated.    His  wife 
was  a  native  of  Germany  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Steinmetz,  who  were 
also  among  the  early  settlers  of  Westmoreland  county.    Mrs.  Woolsey  was  born  I 
on  the  old  homestead  in  Pennsylvania,  where  her  grandfather  Simpson  lived  and 
died.     In  the  maternal  line  Mrs.  Woolsey  is  of  French  extraction,  her  great-    . 
grandfather  having  emigrated  to  America  from  France  in  the  early  days  of  the    : 
last  century  and  settled  in  Westmoreland  county,   Pennsylvania.     The  grand- 


:         '  ;    ;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  >';: 

father,  Corbin  Gunnell  resided  there  until  1862,  when  he  removed  to  Molina, 
Illinois,  where  he  for  many  years  was  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  business,  but 
he  was  living  retired  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Moline.  His 
parents  were  Jonathan  and  Parmelia  Gunnell,  the  father  a  veteran  of  the  Revo- 
lution having  served  under  General  Washington.  Jesse  Swan  Simpson,  Mrs. 
Woolsey's  father,  came  to  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  in  1869,  locating  in  Coe  town- 
ship, where  he  bought  a  farm  that  he  operated  until  his  death  on  the  3Oth  of 
June,  1903,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year.  Her  mother,  who  died  very  suddenly 
from  heart  failure  on  October  4,  1908,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six,  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania,  on  the  nth  of  May,  1823.  Of  their  marriage  there  were  bom  six  sons 
and  five  daughters,  as  follows:  Benjamin  F.,  who  is  now  deceased,  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  from  Pennsylvania;  Maria  C.,  the  wife  of  Joseph 
Askew,  of  Cordova  township.  Rock  Island  county;  Mary  Jane,  who  died  when 
she  was  twenty- four;  Silas  M.,  who  resides  near  Hillsdale,  Rock  Island  county; 
Jesse  L.  and  Almira,  twins,  the  latter  the  wife  of  William  Aldridge  of  Port  Byron, 
and  the  former  also  a  resident  of  Rock  Island  county;  Mrs.  Woolsey ;  Emma  C., 
the  wife  of  John  Groom,  editor  of  the  Aurora  Daily  Beacon,  of  Aurora  Illinois; 
Curtis,  who  is  living  in  St.  Louis;  Elmer  E.,  a  farmer  of  North  Dakota;  and 
Ulysses  Grant,  who  is  a  resident  of  Rock  Island,  so  named  from  General  Grant, 
a  cousin  of  Mr.  Simpson.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woolsey  there  was  born  one  son, 
Jesse  Francis,  a  manufacturing  chemist  connected  with  the  firm  of  Strong,  Cobb 
&  Company  of  Cleveland.  He  married  Miss  Maude  Belle  Johnston,  a  native  of 
Indiana,  and  they  have  one  son,  Robert  J.  Woolsey.  -'  ,- 

Mr.  Woolsey  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  is  also  his  widow 
and  son,  and  fraternally  he  was  connected  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen.  He  belonged  to  the  Sons  of  Veterans  and  his  political  support  he 
gfave  to  the  republican  party.  Mrs.  Woolsey  has  continued  to  live  in  Knoxville 
ever  since  the  death  of  her  husband,  where  she  owns  a  very  pleasant  residence 
and  has  many  friends,  by  whom  she  is  held  in  high  esteem. 


;  ;  '  •-.:.  LUCIAN  P.  STEEPLETON.  ;  ^  n^  •  '; .  1^^'- 

;,     •'".-'.'    -  "...       - .'    .-..':."> '-^'- ,••:'••"•.•  i^r..  '1-'^ ::••'.'.•>'•-     ;.    ,  •-,'>'{"--.'•;- .-;'^••::';• 

Lucian  P.  Steepleton,  who  is  conducting  a  grocery  and  meat  market  on  North 
Cherry  street,  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  progressive  merchants  i>f  Gales- 
burg.  He  was  born  •  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Gilson,  Knox  county,  on  the 
1 7th  of  September,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Harrison  and  Ellen  (Parkins)  Steeple- 
ton.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  his  birth  occurring  in  the  vicinity  of 
Harrisburg,  on  August  i6,  1831,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Illinois,  in  Novem- 
ber,  1841.  Harrison  Steepleton,  who  was  an  agriculturist,  came  to  Illinois  in  his 
early  manhood,  locating  at  North  Henderson,  this  county.  There  he  engaged  in 
farming  for  a  while  but  subsequently  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  Gilson,  where 
he  was  later  married.  Agricultural  pursuits  engaged  his  energies  during  the  en- 
tire  period  of  his  active  life,  but  he  has  now  withdrawn  from  the  work  of  the 
fields  and  is  living  retired  in  Gilson.  He  has  always  taken  much  interest  in  pub- 
lic aflFairs,  although  he  was  never  an  office  seeker,  and  gives  his  political  support 
to  the  republican  party.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steepleton  numbered  nine. 


184  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


as  follows :  Lorena,  who  is  deceased ;  Winfield  Scott,  who  is  a  resident  of  Gilson ; 
and  Melissa,  Ella  and  Dorrance,  all  of  whom  are  deceased;  Lucian  P.,  our  sub- ..  > 
ject;  Vesta,  the  wife  of  Charles  I.  Butt,  who  resides  five  miles  east  of  Knoxville; 
Jennie,  the  wife  of  Edward  Hiler  of  Knoxsville;  and  Ed,  who  is  also  a  resident 
of  Gilson.  V-'^  '          •  ,• ".. 

The  public  schools  of  Gilson  provided  Lucian  P.  Steepleton  with  an  education, 
and  after  he  was  graduated  from  the  high  school,  he  taught  for  two  years  in 
one  of  the  near-by  districts.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  applied  himself 
to  learning  telegraphy  and  when  he  had  mastered  the  key,  he  was  appointed  as- 
sistant agent  for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  at  Oneida.  He  re- ;  / 
mained  in  the  service  of  this  company  for  ten  years,  withdrawing  from  their 
employ  at  the  end  of  that  time  to  become  superintendent  of  the  Galesburg  & 
Great  Eastern.  When  their  coal  fields  were  exhausted  he  gave  up  railroading 
in  order  to  engage  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  first  embarked  in  the  grocery  busi-  .  ' 
ness  at  Wataga,  where  he  conducted  a  store  for  eighteen  months.  At  the  end 
of  that  time  he  went  to  Oneida,  where  he  operated  a  similar  enterprise  for  three 
years.  Disposing  of  his  store,  he  withdrew  from  commercial  activities  and  for 
ten  years  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the  fraternal  insurance  business 
in  Galesburg.  During  that  period  he  was  also  secretary  for  the  Knox  County 
Farmers'  Mutual  Fire  &  Lightning  Insurance  Company  for  four  years.  He  sub- 
sequently returned  to  mercantile  pursuits  and  is  now  conducting  a  grocery  and 
meat  market  on  North  Cherry  street.  Enterprising  and  progressive  in  whatever 
he  undertakes,  Mr.  Steepleton  is  meeting  with  success  in  his  undertaking.  He 
carrier  a  comprehensive  assortment  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries  that  are  attract- 
ively displayed,  and  in  his  market  can  be  found  a  choice  line  of  fresh  and  cured 
meats,  fish,  vegetables,  fruits  and  dairy  products.  Care  and  discretion  is  always 
displayed  in  the  selection  of  all  brands  he  offers  to  his  customers,  it  being  his 
desire  to  provide  the  best  the  market  affords  for  the  price.  Courtesy  and  consid- 
eration are  shown  to  all  who  accord  him  their  patronage  and  he  exerts  every 
effort  to  be  accommodating.  He  is  thoroughly  modern  in  all  of  his  ideas  and 
believes  that  the  best  interests  of  both  patrons  and  merchants  are  protected 
through  the  organization  of  the  latter,  whose  effort  it  is  to  promote  all  of  the 
public  utilities.  At  the  present  time  he  is  secretary  of  the  Retail  Merchants 
Association,  having  entered  upon  his  duties  in  May,  1911,  and  enthusiastically 
champions  its  endeavors  to  advance  the  development  of  the  community.  v-v-  •.•-• 

On  the  11th  of  May,  1892,  Mr.  Steepleton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Susan  Wiles,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  Wiles  of  Wataga,  and  they  have 
become  the  parents  of  one  child,  Wyllys,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  3Oth  of 
October,  1907.     John  Wiles  was  a  native  of  England  and  there  he  passed  the  ';. 
first  eighteen  years  of  his  life.     Believing  that  better  advantages  were  afforded; 
energetic  and  thrifty  young  men  in  America,  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  took 
passage  for  the  United  States,  coming  directly  to  Illinois.     He  first  located  in 
Peoria,  where  for  many  years  he  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines.     He  subse-  • 
quently  retired  to  Wataga,  where  he  passed  away  as  did  also  the  mother,  and  '.  - . 
there  Mrs.  Steepleton  was  born  on  the  nth  of  April,  1870.     Mr.  Wiles  was  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  his  political  support  he 
gpive  to  the  democratic  party.  ;\ 


';;^f^<    ;J::,-  -Q    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v^-  185 

The  religious  views  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steepleton  are  manifested  through  their 
membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  take  an  active  and  helpful 
interest  in  the  work  of  its  various  societies  and  departments,  and  for  many  years 
he  has  been  teaching  a  Bible  class,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  official  board 
of  stewards.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
and  he  votes  the  prohibition  ticket,  thus  voicing  his  views  on  the  liquor  traffic. 
Mr.  Steepleton  represents  the  class  of  citizens  who  can  successfully  conduct  their 
personal  interests  and  yet  find  time  to  fulfill  their  duties  to  society  by  giving 
assistance  in  advancing  the  welfare  of  the  community  along  those  lines  tha* 
redound  to  the  benefit  of  humanity  at  large.  ::  ..  .-  .  ; :  .. 


V  ;;.  vv  JOHN  C.  TOLER,  M.  D.     y  ;;:.-';;/ 

While  Dr.  John  C.  Toler's  degree  indicates  that  he  is  qualified  for  the  practice 
of  medicine  and  in  fact  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  profession  for  a  number 
of  years,  he  is  now  connected  with  commercial  interests,  having  for  some  time 
been  traveling  representative  for  the  Peru  (Indiana)  Refrigerator  Company  in 
eight  of  the  central  states.  He  was  born  in  Astoria,  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in 
1860,  a  son  of  William  T.  Toler,  a  native  of  Virginia,  whose  father  at  one  time 
was  professor  of  Greek  and  Latin  in  a  university  at  Winchester,  Kentucky. 
William  T.  read  medicine  at  an  early  age  and  when  a  young  man  went  to  Astoria, 
Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  successfully  for  more  than 
forty  years.  He  was  also  interested  in  a  general  store  and  in  a  drug  store  there 
and  was  an  active,  public-spirited  man  whose  influence  was  always  found  on  the 
side  of  progress  and  improvement.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent, valued  and  honored  citizens  of  his  adopted  town.  He  married  Sarah  A. 
Morrow,  a  representative  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  Bath,  Mason  county, 
Illinois.  Her  death  occurred  December  13,  1911,  in  Astoria,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty  years.  In  their  family  were  four  children  of  whom  three  are  living : 
Temple  E.,  who  is  a  business  man  of  Astoria;  Allie  E.,  a  widow,  living  in  that 
place ;  and  Dr.  Toler,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named,  stimulated  by  the  example  and  success  of  his  father,  took  up 
the  study  of  medicine  following  the  acquirement  of  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools,  and  was  graduated  from  the  Missouri  Medical  College  of  St. 
Louis  with  the  class  of  i88i.  For  five  years  he  practiced  in  his  native  town, 
where  he  still  has  business  interests,  and  in  1889  became  a  resident  of  Galesburg, 
where  he  became  associated  with  Dr.  Cowan  in  the  drug  business.  After  two 
years  he  purchased  his  partner's  interests  and  conducted  the  store  alone  for  a 
year.  He  then  sold  out  and  purchased  the  stock  of  Van  Shack  &  Bellows  Hard- 
ware Company,  after  which  he  conducted  that  business  successfully  for  seven 
years,  or  until  his  health  failed  him  and  he  was  obliged  to  sell  out.  He  then  went 
to  California  where  he  spent  two  years  and  upon  his  recovery  he  returned  to 
Galesburg,  since  which  time  he  has  represented  the  Peru  Refrigerator  Company 
as  traveling  salesman  in  eight  of  the  central  states.  In  this  connection  he  became 
widely  known  and  is  regarded  as  a  business  man  of  marked  ability  and  enter- 
prise, building  up  an  excellent  trade  for  the  company  which  he  represents,  and 


186  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ,.,]:,.. 

because  of  the  faithfulness  and  efficiency  of  his  service  gaining  an  excellent  remu- 
neration for  his  labors. 

Dr.  Toler  was  married  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in  1882,  to  Miss  Eva  Kost, 
and  unto  them  have  been  born  two  children :  Mrs.  Henry  W.  Lass,  of  Galesburg, 
and  Ethelyn,  at  home.  In  his  political  views  Dr.  Toler  is  a  democrat  but  with- 
out desire  for  office.  He  belongs  to  the  Galesburg  Club  and  to  the  Methodist 
church  and  his  interests  are  always  along  those  lines  which  represent  the  best 
things  of  life  and  which  promote  the  material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral  prog- 
ress of  his  city. 


•-;  ROBERT  WEIR  COLVILLE.     . ;.:    ^  y  "y 

Robert  Weir  Colville,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  well  known  as  a  repre- 
sentative of  industrial  interests  in  Galesburg,  becoming  master  mechanic  for  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  in  this  city  in  1878.  In  that  position  he 
continued  unt'il  his  death  and  the  record  which  he  made  was  at  all  times  a  credit- 
able one — a  record  of  industry,  diligence  and  faithfulness. 

He  was  born  March  31,  1839,  in  Glasgow,  Scotland.  His  father  was  Robert 
Colville,  who  is  remembered  by  his  many  friends  as  a  genial,  generous  and  hon- 
orable man  whom  all  admired  because  of  his  many  sterling  qualities.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  he  had  almost  completed  his  second  term's  service  in  the  office 
of  city  treasurer  of  this  city,  having  performed  the  duties  of  that  responsible  po- 
sition to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  He  was  a  native  of  Scotland  who  had 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  early  manhood.  For  many  years  he  carried  on 
the  business  of  bookbinding  in  Galesburg,  but  in  the  spring  of  1869  was  elected 
to  the  office  of  city  treasurer  and  continued  therein  until  his  life's  labors  were 
ended  in  death.  He  was  ever  a  courteous,  polished  gentleman  whom  it  was  a 
pleasure  to  meet,  and  his  conversation  was  enriched  by  allusions  to  literary  sub- 
jects with  which  he  was  thoroughly  familiar.  At  his  death  he  left  a  wife  and 
four  sons  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  loving  husband  and  devoted  father,  and  his 
demise  was  also  the  occasion  of  deep  regret  to  many  friends.  His  first  wife, 
who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Anna  Maxwell,  died  in  i86i,  and  he  subsequently 
married  Sarah  Crocker,  by  whom  he  had  one  son. 

His  son,  Robert  Weir  Colville,  was  a  youth  of  twelve  years  when,  in  1851,  the 
family  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world.  In  early  life  he  learned  the  book- 
binder's trade  and  was  connected  therewith  in  Chicago  from  1851  until  1856, 
when  the  family  came  to  Galesburg.  Here  Robert  W.  Colville  made  his  home 
until  his  death,  on  December  28,  1909,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  spent  in 
Aurora,  Illinois,  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad 
Company.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war,  however,  he  put  aside  all  business  and 
personal  considerations  that  he  might  aid  in  the  struggle  to  preserve  the  Union, 
enlisting  in  Company  E  of  the  Seventeenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He 
continued  at  the  front  until  1863,  when  he  mustered  out  on  account  of  .failing 
health  that  rendered  him  unfit  for  field  duty.  He  was  present  at  the  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson  and  also  took  part  in  the  hotly  contested  battles  of  Shiloh. 


•  ^;>;;     ^^      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   V  ^  '  189 

:  After  being  honorably  discharged,  Mr.  Colville  returned  to  Galesburg  and, 
having  but  little  liking  for  the  trade  of  bookbinding  in  which  he  had  been  assist- 
ing his  father,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road Company  in  the  capacity  of  fireman.  His  faithfulness  and  ability  later  won 
him  promotion  to  the  position  of  engineer  and  from  1863  until  his  death  he  was 
in  the  employ  of  the  railroad  company,  being  advanced  through  various  positions, 
including  that  of  foreman  of  the  local  roundhouse  and  foreman  of  the  round- 
house at  Aurora  until  1878,  when  he  was  made  master  mechanic  at  Galesburg, 
continuing  in  that  position  until  he  met  an  accidental  death  under  an  engine. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1866,  Mr.  Colville  had  been  married  in  Galesburg  to 
Miss  Edith  Wilbur  Cole,  the  daughter  of  George  W.  Cole,  who  came  to  this  city 
from  Sheldon,  Vermont,  in  1856,  and  was  engaged  in  the  harness  and  saddlery 
business.  Mrs.  Colville  is  justly  proud  of  a  most  distinguished  ancestry,  in- 
cluding patriots  of  the  Revolutionary  period,  governors  and  men  of  note  during 
the  colonial  epoch  and  several  who  were  passengers  on  the  Mayflower,  includ- 
ing Governor  Bradford.  George  W.  Cole,  her  father,  was  one  of  the  prominent 
early  merchants  of  this  city  but  retired  fifteen  years  prior  to  his  death  in  1902. 
He  married  Almira  Holcomb,  of  the  state  of  New  York,  and  their  daughter, 
Edith,  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Colville.  Three  children  were  born  of  this  mar- 
riage, namely:  Alma  B.,  the  wife  of  Victor  E.  Bender,  owner  of  the  Springfield 
News ;  Nita  M.,  the  wife  of  Nevin  C.  Lescher,  a  brick  dealer  of  Galesburg ;  and 
Robert  Rex,  who  married  Jessie  Ayre  of  Galesburg,  and  is  in  the  employ  of  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad. 

In  his  fraternal  relations,  Mr.  Colville  was  a  Mason  and  exemplified  in  his 
life  the  beneficent  spirit  of  the  craft.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Elks  lodge 
of  Galesburg  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club,  and  had  many  friends 
in  those  organizations  as  well  as  among  his  business  associates  and  those  whom  . 
he  met  in  social  circles.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  was  passed  in  this  city  and 
those  who  knew  him  recognized  in  him  the  sterling  traits  of  character  which  in 
every  land  and  clime  win  confidence  and  regard.  He  was  for  several  years  a 
member  of  the  board  of  education  of  Galesburg,  was  a  democrat  in  politics  btit 
in  the  latter  years  of  his  life  voted  for  the  man  instead  of  the  party.  ...  .  . .,  .  . 


V  V  -;-:;'     GEORGE  BOARDMAN  CHURCHILL.      ;  ';  V  V  !  K 

The  steps  in  the  orderly  progression  of  George  Boardman  Churchill  are  easily 
discernible.  He  has  gradually  worked  his  way  upward  until  he  is  now  at  the 
head  of  the  Churchill  Hardware  Company,  one  of  the  largest  commercial  en- 
terprises of  Galesburg,  He  is  also  recognized  as  a  man  of  marked  public  spirit, 
whose  interest  in  the  general  welfare  has  never  been  a  perfunctory  one.  His 
active  and  helpful  cooperation  in  public  movements  has  been  the  manifestation 
of  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  progress,  upbuilding  and  prosperity 
of  the  community  and  his  work  of  a  public  nature  has  always  been  fruitful  of 
substantial  results.  Galesburg  numbers  him  among  her  native  sons,  his  birth 
having  here  occurred  August  i6,  1865.  He  represents  one  of  the  oldest  families 
of  the  city.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  Norman  Churchill,  a  native  of  New 


190  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

York,  who  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  while  his  father  was  one  of 
the  heroes  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Norman  Churchill  became  a  pioneer  of 
Galesburg  and  is  said  to  have  made  the  first  trade  consummated  here.  He  took 
a  very  active  and  helpful  part  in  the  development  and  progress  of  this  section  of 
the  state  and  was  also  connected  with  many  interests  and  projects  of  a  public 
nature  outside  of  the  field  of  business.  He  became  one  of  the  conductors  on  the 
famous  underground  railroad,  for  his  anti-slavery  views  prompted  him  to  assist 
many  a  negro  on  his  way  to  freedom  in  the  north.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
remained  residents  of  Galesburg  until  called  to  their  final  rest.  Their  children 
were :  Wilberforce,  who  was  killed  while  serving  in  the  Civil  war ;  Emily ;  Belle ;  i 
Elvira;  Norman;  Julia;  and  George.  •  ' 

The  last  named  was  the  father  of  George  Boardman  Churchill,  and  was  a  -.; 
native  of  New  York.  He  was  brought  to  Galesburg  in  1839,  when  but  ten  years  ' 
of  age,  was  here  reared  to  manhood  and  devoted  his  entire  life  to  the  profession 
of  teaching.  For  forty-seven  years  he  was  one  of  the  professors  in  Knox  Col-  ;-,• 
lege  and  his  labors  did  much  to  place  that  institution  in  the  high  and  honored 
position  which  it  has  always  held  as  one  of  the  educational  centers  of  the  state. 
He  was  also  the  founder  of  the  public-school  system  of  Galesburg  and  for  many 
years  served  on  the  board  of  education,  his  labors  constituting  a  practical  and 
forceful  element  in  the  establishment  of  the  schools  and  their  conduct  along 
lines,  rendering  them  of  practical  worth  to  the  young  as  a  preparation  for  life's 
work.  Professor  Churchill  also  served  for  many  years  on  the  library  board,  was  '-^•.• 
city  engineer  for  thirty  years  and  was  one  of  the  first  surveyors  of  the  Military  v  • 
Tract  Railroad,  which  became  a  part  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  sys-  ' 
tem.  He  long  filled  the  position  of  alderman  and  exercised  his  official  preroga- 
tives in  support  of  every  plan  and  project  for  the  general  good.  His  entire  life 
was  actuated  by  the  high  and  honorable  principles  which  have  their  root  in  Chris- 
tian faith  and  he  was  long  a  devoted  member  of  the  Central  Congregational 
church,  serving  as  superintendent  of  its  Sunday  school  for  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Qara  Hurd,  a  relative  of  the  Gale 
family,  who  were  the  founders  of  Galesburg.  They  had  one  son,  Milton  E. 
Churchill.  After  losing  his  first  wife  Professor  Churchill  wedded  Ada  Hayes,  a 
native  of  Vermont.  She  was  a  second  cousin  of  ex-President  Hayes,  while 
Professor  Churchill  was  a  second  cousin  of  Samuel  J.  Tilden,  the  two  men  who 
were  rival  candidates  for  the  presidency  in  1876.  Mrs.  Churchill  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  Gordon  Hayes,  whose  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  Gordon  Hayes  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  a  minister  of  the  Congre- 
gational church.  He  married  a  Miss  Fassett  and  on  removing  westward  settled 
in  Muscatine,  Iowa,  where  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away,  his  death  occur- 
ring when  he  was  more  than  ninety  years  of  age,  while  his  wife  died  at  the  age 
of  eighty-nine.  They  had  a  large  family :  Mary,  a  missionary  to  China,  who  was 
the  wife  of  William  Jones,  an  editor  of  the  Old  Curiosity  Shop,  a  department  of 
the  Chicago  Inter-Ocean;  Lilly,  the  wife  of  Walter  Waugh;  Ed.;  Charles; 
Daniel ;  John ;  and  Ada.  It  was  the  last  named  who  became  the  wife  of  Professor 
Churchill,  and  unto  them  were  born  three  children:  Charles  Edward,  now  liv- 
ing in  Montclair,  New  Jersey ;  George  Boardman ;  and  Mary,  who  was  accident- 
ally shot  when  three  years  old.  The  mother  also  met  her  death  by  accident  in 
April,  1869,  after  which  Professor  Churchill  married  Ellen  Sanborn  Watkins. 


,;,>^;;.-Vv'      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  191       7^' 

..•'•'.."••  *''"''*''.,•  •I*.   ' 

He  died  in  Galesburg  in  1899,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  the  city  thereby  los-          =  ; 
ing  one  of  its  most  honored  and  representative  residents — a  man  whose  worth  to       '  ^:     ' 
the  communty  as  a  factor  in  its  intellectual  progress  and  its  stability  and  pros-        ;   '  ^  ^~ 
perity  cannot  be  overestimated. 

,   George  B.  Churchill  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Knox  county,  spending  the        •     ' 
entire  period  in  Galesburg  save  for  three  years,  during  which  he  resided  in  Abing-  . 

don.    He  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  and  in  Knox  College  and  following        .     • 
the  completion  of  his  education  engaged  in  clerking  for  five  months  in  the  hard-       •••'.  • 
ware  store  of  Main,  Foltz  &  Givens.    This  sufficed  to  convince  him  that  it  was         ' ; .  ': 
a  congenial  occupation  and  he  then  entered  into  partnership  with  W.  B.  Main,        ;   '  :  ' 
spending  two  and  a  half  years  in  that  relation  in  Abingdon.     This  terminated         .    '  .- 
the  three  years'  period  of  his  absence  from  Galesburg,  after  which  he  returned  to  >  '  •• 

his  native  city  and  purchased  the  hardware  store  of  O.  T.  Duvon,  admitting  his       ^     •    : 
brother-in-law  H.  F.  Wetherbee  to  a  partnership  under  the  firm  style  of  Churchill 
&  Wetherbee.    This  connection  was  continued  until  1894,  when  he  purchased  his  .    ' 

partner's  interest  and  conducted  the  business  under  the  name  of  the  G.   B. 
Churchill  Company.    For  the  past  eleven  years  it  has  been  carried  on  under  the          .  : 
style  of  the  Churchill  Hardware  Company  and  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  met-        •:;. 
cantile  enterprises  of  the  city,  a  large  stock  of  goods  finding  ready  sale  because        .,^'  .; 
of  the  excellent  line  which  he  carries  and  his  thorough  reliability  in  all  business          V 
transactions.     In  addition  to  his  hardware  enterprise  Mr.  Churchill  has  been        .'\-  ':"• 
closely  associated  with  many  business  interests  and  activities  of  a  semi-public  ..';•:   '.^ 
character,  which  have  proved  potent  forces  in  the  city's  growth  and  development.          ;     .; 
He  was  instrumental  in  securing  the  building  of  the  switch  between  the  Chicago,          :    ; 
Burlington  &  Quincy  and  the  Santa  Fe  Railroads.     He  was  also  chairman  for        V       , 
many  years  of  the  new  enterprise  committee  of  the  Commercial  Qub,  which          -':   •' 
instituted  organized  efforts  for  the  public  good.    He  is  likewise  president  of  the  ..      . :  ;  • 
Galesburg  Union  Telephone  Company,  which  is  the  largest  independent  telephone         •  -  " 
plant  outside  of  Chicago  in  the  state,  and  for  many  years  he  was  a  director  of         •;  ;  V 
the  Coulter-Disc  Manufacturing  Company,  his  labors  being  largely  responsible         :  ;.;  f 
for  the  location  of  this  plant  in  Galesburg.    He  was  likewise  one  of  the  original        v.y  ; 
ten  men  who  built  the  street  car  line  from  Galesburg  to  Abingdon  and  thus  his         .: . .  :: 
work  at  all  times  has  been  a  feature  in  the  business  development  and  public  im-        •       ••- 
provement  of  the  city.     Mr.  Churchill  was  a  member  of  the  committee  on  city        :  ''.  ;r 
buildings  and  as  such  instrumental  in  erecting  the  fire  department  building,  the-'S:'       •: 
city  hall,  the  jail  and  patrol  station,  and  also  served  on  the  committee  that  bought  • 

the  city  park.  .  '':  ,  - 

Mr.  Churchill  was  married,  January  17,  1894,  to  Miss  Made  O'Connor,  a  •-•.-; 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Ryan)  O'Connor,  but  she  died  in  the  fall  of  the'  .-•'•''.  v 
same  year.  On  the  I2th  of  February,  1896,  he  wedded  Qara  Scott  Babcock,  .>'; 
who  was  born  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  a  daughter  of  Charles  M.  and  Maggie  (Me-  '  . . 
Chesney)  Babcock.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  New  York,  while  her  mother  was  .;.. 

one  of  the  first  children  born  in  Galesburg.    She  is  now  living  in  Los  Angeles,         ;.    v 
California,  but  Mr.  Babcock  passed  away  in  this  city  when  about  sixty-five  years         .    ;'  ; 
of  age.     In  their  family  were  four  children,  O.  Frank,  George  M.,  Mabel  E.,       ,      ;' 
and  Clara.     Mr.  Babcock's  father  was  a  native  of  Oneida  county.  New  York,         :  .     • 
and  his  mother  belonged  to  the  Sherman  family.     The  maternal  grandfather  of  :    ' 

Mrs.  Churchill  was  an  early  settler  of  Galesburg  and  married  a  Miss  Scott.    Unto  '  '  ' 


192  .         ;          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Churchill  have  been  born  three  children.  Lake  George,  Marjorie, 
and  William.  The  family  residence  is  at  No.  1042  North  Cedar  street  and  the 
members  of  the  household  are  prominent  in  the  social  circles  of  the  city.  Mr. 
Churchill  belongs  to  Veritas  Lodge,  No..  478,  L  O.  O.  F.,  and  to  the  Galesburg 
Club,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  founders.  Any  project  or  movement  which 
has  its  root  in  a  desire  to  prove  of  public  benefit  receives  his  indorsement  and  co- 
operation, for  he  is  widely  known  as  a  public-spirited  citizen,  whose  work  has 
been  a  resultant  factor  for  good.  His  business  interests  and  connections  have 
largely  been  of  a  character  that  has  contributed  to  general  progress  and  pros- 
perity and  his  labors  have  been  a  most  potent  factor  in  stimulating  trade  relations. 


:',:' '.ff'3t.'       '    '     ••;;;:•  JOHN 

John   Mosser   is   a   self-made  man   of   prominence,   attaining  to   his   present 

position  as  president  of  the  First  State  &  Savings  Bank  of  Abingdon  by  reason 

'    .  ,  of  a  well  defined  purpose  and  unfaltering  effort  and  determination  in  its  achieve- 

•   •  *  ment.     He  was  born  January  i,  1832,  in  Preston  county.  West  Virginia,  his 

;.  ;    :  parents  being  John  and  Susan  (Frankhauser)  Mosser,  natives  of  Maryland  and 

•'  Virginia  respectively.     The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  removed 

:          from  Maryland  to  West  Virginia,  where  he  passed  away  when  almost  eighty- 

'  eight  years  of  age.    He  had  purchased  a  farm  in  that  state,  cleared  and  developed 

/         it  and  it  is  still  in  possession  of  the  family,  being  now  the  property  of  Daniel 

Mosser,  the  brother  of  John  Mosser.    The  father  was  a  soldier  of  the  War  of 

1812  and  his  political  support  was  given  the  democratic  party.     He  came  of 

one  of  the  old  families  of  Maryland. 

John  Mosser,  spending  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  county,  pursued  his 

education  in  select  schools,  where  he  spent  only  a  few  weeks  each  winter.     The 

little  temple  of  learning  was  a  log  building  supplied  with  slab  benches  and  other 

.  primitive  furnishings.     The  remainder  of  the  year  was  devoted  to  work  upon 

:  his  father's  farm  in  West  Virginia  and  experience  early  impressed  upon  his 

.        mind   the  lessons   of   industry  and   perseverance.     Like  many   another  young 

man,  he  felt  that  better  opportunities  might  be  afforded  him  elsewhere  than  in 

'          his  home  district  and  on  attaining  his  majority  he  started  out  to  make  his  way 

in  the  world.    His  choice  of  a  destination  was  a  wise  one,  for  in  1855  he  arrived 

in  Illinois.    For  a  time  he  worked  on  a  farm  near  Industry,  this  state,  and  then 

went  to  the  west,  starting  on  the  overland  trip  for  Pike's  Peak  in'  1859  to  dig 

gold.    After  getting  well  into  Kansas  he  turned  around  and  came  back  to  Illinois, 

resolved  that  he  would  dig  his  gold  from  the  fertile  fields  of  the  Prairie  state. 

;.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother,  Jacob  F.,  for  the  conduct  of  a 

blacksmith  shop  in  Industry,  where  he  remained  until  1864.     He  then  removed 

to  Abingdon,  bringing  with  him  the  little  capital  which  had  accrued  from  his 

earnest  labor  and  his  careful  expenditure.     Here  he  purchased  the  general  store 

of  Swarts  &  Quinby  and  has  since  been  allied  with  the  business  activities  of 

^.         this  place.     He  built  a  two-story  brick  building  and  occupied  both  floors  in  the 

conduct  of  a  mercantile  enterprise  which  prospered  year  by  year.     In   1895, 

however,  he  withdrew  from  commercial  pursuits  and  established  a  private  bank 


0/^nr/ A^  ,     J  . 


•^•J'i^^^-^^;:  :;i:    -.f       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^   ;^  197 

under  the  name  of  John  Mosser  &  Company.  Again  success  attended  him  and 
on  March  il,  1902,  he  organized  the  First  State  &  Savings  Bank  of  Abingdon, 
of  which  he  became  the  president.  He  has  continuously  filled  that  position  and 
has  made  his  bank  one  of  the  strong  financial  institutions  of  this  part  of  the 
state.  In  business  matters  his  advice  has  always  been  sound  and  is  frequently 
sought.  He  has  ever  been  conservative  and  this  quality  has  given  strength  to 
his  banking  career. 

In  1860  Mr.  Mosser  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Carroll,  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Sarah  (Conaway)  Carroll,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Mary-.- . 
land  respectively.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  they  were  mar- 
ried in  the  Keystone  state,  after  which  they  removed  westward  in  1858,  settling 
in  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed.  Their 
daughter  Mary,  who  became  Mrs.  Mosser,  died  October  21,  1866,  and  in  Novem- 
ber, 1867,  Mr.  Mosser  married  her  sister,  Sarah  J.  Carroll.  She  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1849  and  was  therefore  a  little  maiden  of  nine  summers  when 
.  the  family  came  to  this  state.  By  the  first  marriage  there  were  two  children : 
Samuel  T.,  who  wedded  Kate  Newell ;  and  Ida  L.,  the  wife  of  John  Reed.  The 
three  children  of  the  second  marriage  are:  Corliss  G.,  who  married  Elizabeth 
Snedaker ;  Stacy  C. ;  and  Doyd  L. 

Mr.  Mosser  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  of 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the 
prohibition  party,  for  he  has  ever  been  a  strong  temperance  man  and  believes 
this  to  be  one  of  the  dominant  issues  before  the  country.  For  eighteen  years 
he  served  as  school  director  of  the  Abingdon  school  district  and  the  cause  of 
education  has  ever  found  in  him  a  stalwart  champion.  He  filled  the  office  of 
city  treasurer  of  Abingdon  in  1871-2,  has  been  supervisor  of  Cedar  township 
and  was  mayor  of  the  city  from  1879  until  i88i  and  again  from  1888  until 
1891.  His  long  service  as  chief  executive  indicates  his  high  standing  as  a  citizen 
and  the  confidence  reposed  in  him  by  his  fellow  townsmen.  He  has  ever  reared 
his  family  in  the  belief  that  honesty  is  the  best  policy  and  trained  his  children 
to  live  within  their  means,  saying  that  if  an  individual  spends  less  than  he 
makes  he  will  never  see  hard  times.  In  a  word,  Mr.  Mosser  stands  for  every- 
thing that  is  safe,  sound,  conservative  and  upright  in  the  commercial  world 
and  for  all  that  is  trustworthy  and  progressive  in  the  individual.  •'./'y-';;;-.' T:' 


EDWIN  F.  HOLMES. 


;.  :.  :  Edwin  F.  Holmes,  who  resides  on  his  farm  in  Ontario  township,  is  a  member 
of  a  family  which  has  been  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  town- 
ship for  nearly  forty  years.  His  birth  occurred  October  3,  1884.  his  parents  be- 

-;  ing  John  and  Aledo  (Olson)  Holm,  the  former  a  native  of  Sweden,  having  been 
born  in  West  Morland,  July  i8,  1850.  The  father  was  the  son  of  Nels  and  Anna 

;>•;,;,-/:.- >^?  V'v.v;^:;^/•/^  •.    : 


198  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        nv        / 

•• .  •   -  •'  i, 

Holm,  both  lifelong  residents  of  Sweden,  where  the  former  lived  to  be  ninety-        ' 
two  years  of  age.     John  Holm  received  a  common-school  education  in  Sweden 
and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1869,  coming  direct  to  Galesburg,  where  he  en-. 
tered  the  employ  of  the  Charles  Johnson  Brick  Company  for  a  short  time  and 
then  accepted  a  position  on  a  railroad  at  North  Henderson  before  returning  to 
Galesburg  in  1870.    Since  that  time  he  has  resided  in  Knox  county  continuously. 
Coming  to  Ontario  township  in  1872  he  purchased  the  land  which  was  the  nucleus 
of  his  present  three  hundred  and  twenty  acre  farm,  upon  which  he  has  lived  re- 
tired for  the  last  fifteen  years,  his  two  sons,  Fred  L.  and  Edwin  F.,  working  the 
farm  on  shares  and  devoting  it  to  raising  cattle  and  hogs.    Mr.  Holm  has  been 
twice  married.     His  first  union  was  with  Miss  Olson,  of  Henry  county,  whose 
death  occurred  in  1892  and  his  second  marriage  was  to  Helen  Erickson,  the  daugh- ; 
ter  of  Eric  Erickson,  of  Knox  county.    In  politics  Mr.  Holm  gives  his  support  to 
the  republican  party,  and  in  religious  faith  he  is  a  Congregationalist,  holding  mem-       ; 
bership  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Oneida.    He  is  also  a  school  director. 

Edwin  F.  Holmes  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Ontario 
township  and  since  laying  aside  his  text-books  has  devoted  his  entire  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits  on  the  home  place.  Until  1905  he  assisted  his  father  with  the 
general  farm  duties  but  during  the  last  six  years  has  been  farming  on  his  own  ac- 
count, engaging  in  general  farming  and  also  in  raising  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  west-'?  • 
ern  markets.  .  ..  ;  --v  vT/  -1  • -'.  :  ' 

On  May  2,  1906,  Mr.  Holmes  was  married  to  Ruth  Sturgeon,  the  daughter  of 
Sheldon  and  Rosa  (Lowry)  Sturgeon,  of  Henry  county.  The  father  was  actively 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death,  in  1908, 
and  the  mother  is  residing  at  Woodhull,  Illinois.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holmes  two 
children,  Willard  V.  and  Harriet  Ruth,  have  been  bom. 

In  politics  Mr.  Holmes  gives  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Oneida, 
and  of  Camp,  No.  555,  M.  W.  A.  Although  still  a  young  man  he  has  already 
won  a  creditable  measure  of  success  in  the  pursuit  to  which  he  has  faithfully 
devoted  his  entire  energy  thus  far,  and  because  of  his  intelligent  and  industrious 
labor  he  is  regarded  as  a  man  of  sterling  worth  to  the  industrial  development  of 
the  township.  0  •,'  v  :• 


r;-V  LOWRY  J.  EDGAR.         .'  " 

Dating  his  residence  in  Knox  county  from  1854,  Lowry  J.  Edgar  has  been 
for  more  than  four  decades  one  of  the  important  factors  in  aiding  the  agri- 
cultural advancement  for  which  this  section  of  the  country  is  noted.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Hart  county,  Kentucky,  November  19,  1827,  and  he  was  a  son  of 
James  and  Sarah  (Trowbridge)  Edgar,  whose  childhood  days  belong  to  that 
period  in  history  when  our  country  was  in  its  tenderest  infancy,  the  former 
being  born  in  Iredell  county.  North  Carolina,  June  5,  1781,  the  latter  in  Essex 
county.  New  Jersey,  April  lo,  1787.  They  were  married  in  Kentucky  in  1807 
and  had  eleven  children,  of  whom  Lowry  J.  Edgar  was  next  to  the  youngest.  • 


:^:.;;;-  ;;;;.;  .;:;vi^   -HISTORY  OE  KNOX  COUNTY  r^':;^:  199 

Equipped  with  tihe  meager  educational  advantages  which   were  offered  by 

the  district  schools  of  Kentucky  as  of  other  states  in  that  day,  Lowry  J.  Edgar 

lent  his  assistance  to  the  maintenance  of  the  family  by  working  on  the  farm 

as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough.     In  1849,  during  the  exciting  days  of  the  gold 

boom  in  California,  he  followed  the  multitude  drawn  thither,  making  his  way 

by  New  Orleans  and  the  isthmus  of  Panama  to  San  Erancisco.     After  four 

and  a  half  years  spent  in  the  far  west,  during  which  time  he  became  richer  in 

r  experience  than  in  the  acquisition  of  gold,  he  returned  to  the  region  east  of  the 

V  Mississippi,  settling  in  Knox  county,  Illinois.     He  began  to  farm  on  his  present 

:^-. place  which  he  has  named  "The  Old  Homestead,"  the  tract  of  land  which  he 

;    cultivated   for  a   continuous   period  of    forty-two  years,   pursuing   the    various 

<   departments  of  general  farming  and  stock-raising.     Eifteen  years  ago  he  retired 

from  active  interest  in  the  place,  which  comprises  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres 

•'  of  rich  and  productive  land,  now  being  operated  by  his  sons. 

;.'         The  marriage  of  Lowry  J.   Edgar  and  Miss   Martha   A.   Brown   of   Hart 

county,   Kentucky,  occurred   March  6,   1859,   her  parents  being  Armsted   and 

Sarah  (Eerguson)  Brown,  natives  of  Kentucky.     Mr.  Brown  waa  born  Decem- 

;  ber   i8,   1808,  and  his  wife  November  23,   1808,  their  marriage  occurring  in 

:   Kentucky  March   3,    1830.     Eive  years  later  they   left   their   native   state  and 

..  settled   in  Knox   county,   Illinois,   where  their   six   children   were   reared.      Mr. 

'.    Brown  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  with  his  family  worshiped  in  the  Baptist 

church.     He  died  December  17,  1851,  twenty-three  years  before  his  wife,  who 

.  passed  away  Eebruary  25,  1874. 

;  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edgar  were  four  children,  of  whom  two  are 

•deceased:     Willett  S.,  born  December  27,  1859,  who  died  in   1890;  Lillian  J., 

.    bom  December  23,   i86i,  who  died  in  1880.     Two  sons  are  living,  Erank  L., 

born  August  30,  1865,  and  Charles,  both  of  whom  are  living  on  the  home  farm 

.     which  they  manage.     Mrs.  Edgar  passed  away  on  May  8,  1911,  at  an  advanced 

I    age. 

Politically  Mr.  Edgar  has  always  been  a  loyal  supporter  of  the  democratic 

party  and  has  voted  for  the  men  and  measures  which  he  felt  would  contribute 

-  to  the  welfare  of  his  community,  his  state  and  his  nation.     He  is  a  member  of 

'    the  Baptist  church  and  throughout  his  life  has  been  faithful  in  the  observance 

of  its  lofty  principles  of  moral  rectitude.     Although  in  his  eighty-fifth  year  he 

is  still  in  the  possession  of  good  health  and  hearty  spirits  enjoying  that  peace 

.    of  mind  which  is  the  crowning  glory  of  a  long  life,  well  spent.  .  ,.       .  ,  -.,  . 


-.:./;;;:,,-./:;.,'.•   v'^--;'-'        ERANK  L.  EDGAR.    . .';    '    •       /:.',V:,v. -:  :';r' :. 

Frank  L.  Edgar,  bom  August  30,  1865,  is  the  son  of  Lowry  J.  and  Martha 
A.  (Brown)  Edgar.  After  a  common  school  education  in  this  locality,  where 
he  has  lived  from  the  time  of  his  birth,  he  engaged  in  agriculture  on  his  father's 
farm,  assisting  in  the  management  until  his  father  retired  fifteen  years  ago 
when  he,  in  company  with  his  brother,  assumed  full  charge. 

Mr.  Edgar  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Adeline  Paul  of  Galesburg, 
Illinois,  June  27,  1894.  Her  parents,  Andrew  and  Lavina  (Taylor)  Paul,  were 


200  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          j:-'- ^     |.    ;  •;  : 

both  natives  of  Canada  and  never  came  to  the  United  States.  They  are  now 
deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank  L.  Edgar  are  the  parents  of  four  children,  of 
whom  three  are  living  at  home  and  one  is  deceased.  The  living  are:  Lillian 
Merle,  Lavina  Pauline  and  Martha  Elise. 

Mr.  Edgar  is  a  democrat  in  politics  but  has  never  sought  for  the  honor  of 
public  office.  He  is  a  successful  farmer  and  a  good  citizen  who  subordinates 
petty  self-interest  for  the  good  of  the  community  at  large.  .  '."^ 


;,;..•;•:;•  '•  FRED  L.  HOLMES.        vV-rv-A; 

Fred  L.  Holmes,  who  resides  on  his  father's  farm  in  Ontario  township,  has  ^ 

been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  since  he  completed  his  high  school  educa-        .!;, 
tion.     He  was  born  May  23,  1886,  in  Ontario  township,  his  parents  being  John  •     '  •   ' 
and  Aledo  (Olson)  Holm,  both  natives  of  Sweden,  and  he  is  the  grandson  of  ";!.-"     ;. 
Nels  and  Anna  Holm.     The  grandmother  died  in  Sweden  when  her  son  was          ^  ;; 
very  young,  but  the  grandfather  came  to  America  after  he  gave  up  his  farm  in        . .  -V 
Sweden  and  lived  retired  with  his  son  until  he  passed  away  at  the  advanced  '... 
age  of  ninety-two  years.  '    ;       .       .^        /.  :;.;•^^  '-.-'^   /.^     ^^  •]       v'    /   ;-.•  vl  " 

John   Holm   acquired   his   education    in   the  common    schools   of  his   native  •/:'•. 
country  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1869,  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  .       :;    ' 
He  located  at  once  in  Galesburg,  where  he  remained  for  a  short  time,  being  in  ;'  . 
the  employ  of  the  Charles  Johnson  Brick  Company,  but  later  he  worked  on  a  ;.:•:-•' 
railroad  for  a  few  months  and  then  returned  to  Galesburg  in  1870.     Since  that    '  :..• .   ' 
time  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  and  since  1872  he  has  resided  upon  :,       / 
his  farm  in  Ontario  township,  which  he  cultivated  until  fifteen  years  ago.     This          .  ;. 
farm  consists  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  has  been  devoted  to  gen-  -  -    •  . 
eral  farming  and  stock-raising.     Mr.  Holm  was  twice  married.     His  first  mar-  -r'.;     ' 
riage  occurred  September  12,  1873,  to  Miss  Olson,  of  Henry  county,  who  died        •       . 
in  1892,  and  his  second  marriage  February  7,  1893,  to  Helen  Erickson,  a  resi-  •''  .  ;  1 
dent  of  Knox  county,  who  is  the  daughter  of  Eric  Erickson,  a  lifelong  resident      '•.;'• 
of  Sweden.     Mr.  Holm  is  a  republican  and  for  several  years  served  as  school  ;  . '!  \  • 
director.     He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church.  !:>::' 

Fred  L.  Holmes  began  his  independent  career  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,        , 
when  he  rented  the  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  which  he  now  culti-   ;  :••     .:' 
vates.     Although  he  is  one  of  the  youngest  agriculturists  in  Ontario  township,  .;-V- 
he  has  already  met  with  success  in  his  work  and  his  large  crops  attest  to  his   '  ,  V;  • : 
ability.     His  chief  attention  thus  far  has  been  given  to  general  farming  but  he   •."   . '     ^ 
has  specialized  somewhat  in  hog-raising. 

On  December  9,  1909,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Holmes  to  Esther  Olson,  •:..';''• 
of  Rio  township.    To  this  union  one  child,  Karl  Frederick,  has  been  born.    Mrs.    ',•,.>! 
Holmes  is  the  daughter  of  Charles  W.  and  Emma  (Selberg)  Olson,  who  have  :,'•'•.,.;.• 
resided   in   Rio  township   for  many  years.     Mr.  Olson   was  born  in   Sweden,     '•'' 
December   23,    1846,   and   is  the   son  of  Ole   and   Betty    (Anderson)    Person.    .V  ^' 
They   spent  their  entire   lives   in    Sweden,    Mr.    Person   being  a   carpenter  by     \  .>'.: 
trade.     The  son,  Charles  W.  Olson,  received  a  common-school  education  and   ;  •/"', 
then  engaged  as  carpenter  until  he  came  to  America  in  1871.     After  a  three   ::^  ';•;. 


';;.v'    :>-•:>     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •    v:v:'V;y||p 

months'  stay  in  Chicago  he  went  to  Wisconsin  for  a  short  time  before  coming 
to  Knox  county,  where  he  accepted  employment  on  farms  in  Ontario  and  Rio 
townships  during  the  winter.  He  then  removed  to  Clover  township,  Henry 
county,  and  for  about  twenty  years  rented  a  farm  there  before  purchasing  his 
present  farm.  This  farm  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  but  at  the 
present  time  Mr.  Olson  is  cultivating  four  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Knox 
county,  engaging  in  general  farming  and  cattle  and  hog-raising.  In  politics  he 
is  a  republican  and  during  his  nine  years'  service  as  road  commissioner  did 
much  to  further  the  development  of  his  township.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Oneida  Elevator  Company  and  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of 
Woodhull.  On  March  i8,  1883,  Mr.  Olson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Emma  Selberg,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Selberg,  who  was  a  lifelong 
resident  of  Kansas,  where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Olson  seven  children  were  born,  namely :  Emil ;  Herman  ;  Minnie  ;  Esther, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Fred  L.  Holmes;  Hilmer;  Hartwig;  and  Walter. 

In  politics  Mr.  Holmes  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  in  the  firm 
belief  that  republican  principles  are  most  effective  for  good  government.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Banker's  Life  Association.  In  all  his  relations 
he  is  conscientious  and  honorable  and  because  of  his  unusual  amount  of  energy 
and  foresight  he  is  meeting  with  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits. 


V;     v;-^'-;-   ;:.:;;;•.: '^•.;-^:^;v     LOUIS  L.  STEELE.  ••  :V-; '  '  .,      -     ' v'V  O'.' •:••:/ ^  ::  ^,- ''''.'/ •^'-•' 

Louis  L.  Steele,  a  factor  in  the  business  circles  of  Knox  county,  is  now    ^^ 
serving  as  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Churchill  Hardware  Company  at  Gales- 
burg.    His  birth  occurred  in  Dover,  Illinois,  on  the  i8th  of  May,  1863,  his  parents  •    :    .     ^ 
being  Andrew  and  Susan   (Zearing)   Steele,  who  were  natives  of  New  York  -   -       ; 
and  Pennsylvania  respectively.    The  paternal  grandfather,  a  gentleman  of  Scotch-  ;/ 
Irish  descent,  was  born  in  Vermont  and  died  in  the  east  in  middle  life.     His    ',;;.. 
widow,  Mrs.  Lydia  (Abel)  Steele,  came  west  with  her  son  Andrew  and  passed 
away  at  Dover,  Illinois,  when  sixty-five  years  of  age.    Their  children  were  three     \ 
in  number,  namely:  Henry  P.,  Andrew  L.  and  Leonora.     Martin  Zearing,  the  ',    :\ 
maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  came  of 
German  descent.     In  1835  he  removed  to  Dover,  Illinois,  there  following  gen-  • 
eral  agricultural  pursuits  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.     To  him  and  his  • 

wife,  Mrs.  Sarah  Zearing,  were  born  the  following  children:  Martin;   Louis;        . 
David;  John;  Henry,  who  was  killed  in  the  Civil  war;  Carolina;  Elizabeth; 
Sarah;  Mary;  and  Susan.  . 

Andrew  Steele,  the  father  of  Louis  L.  Steele,  was  reared  near  Buffalo,  New   •• 
York,  and  became  a  very  early  settler  of  Bureau  county,  Illinois.     For  about 
thirty-five  years  he  was  successfully  engaged  in  general  merchandising  at  Dover, 
while  his  demise  occurred  at  Princeton,  Illinois,  in  January,  1910,  when  he  had  .:, 
attained  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.     He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
republican  party  and  held  various  town  offices.     Fraternally  he  was  identified  A.        / 
with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.    His  widow  still  resides  at  Prince-     ;       . 
ton  and  is  now  eighty-three  years  of  age.    She  is  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  ^  ''' 


202  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

throughout  the  town,  having  made  her  home  near  there  for  seventy-five  years. 
In  religious  faith  she  is  a  Baptist.  By  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of 
six  sons  and  one  daughter,  as  follows:  Charles  D,,  who  is  a  resident  of  Chicago; 
George,  living  in  Dover,  Illinois;  John,  of  Gunnison,  Colorado;  Dick,  who 
makes  his  home  at  Springfield,  Illinois;  Louis  L.,  of  this  review;  Harry,  of 
Princeton,  Illinois ;  and  Lottie,  the  deceased  wife  of  W.  J.  Bailey,  formerly  of 
Princeton,  Illinois. 

Louis  L.  Steele  was  reared  in  Dover  and  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  an  academy  of  that  town.  Subsequently  he  followed  the  profession 
of  teaching  for  two  terms.  He  was  next  eng^aged  in  general  merchandising  at 
Alden,  Iowa,  for  five  years  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  removed  to 
Buda,  Illinois,  where  for  eleven  years  he  was  identified  with  business  interests 
as  a  hardware  merchant.  Coming  to  Galesburg,  he  became  associated  with  the 
Churchill  Hardware  Company  as  secretary  and  treasurer  and  in  those  capacities 
has  largely  contributed  to  the  continued  growth  and  success  of  the  concern.  He 
is  a  man  of  excellent  executive  ability  and  sound  judgment,  carrying  forward 
to  successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes. 

On  the  I4th  of  February,  1889,  Mr.  Steele  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Alice  R.  Carter,  a  native  of  Dover  and  a  daughter  of  George  F.  and  Emily  (Par-  - 
sons)  Carter,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Maine  and  became  early  settlers  of 
Dover,  Illinois.  The  father,  whose  natal  year  was  1833,  passed  away  at  Dover 
in  March,  1911,  when  seventy-eight  years  of  age.  The  mother  still  survives. 
Mrs.  Steele  is  one  of  a  family  of  three  children,  the  others  being  Charles  E. 
and  Edwin  P.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Steele  was  born  in  Maine, 
in  which  state  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away.  They  had  three  children, 
namely ;  George  F.,  Mrs.  Ruth  Plummer  and  Lyman.  The  maternal  grandfather 
of  Mrs.  Steele  was  likewise  a  native  of  Maine. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steele  have  two  daughters,  Lottie  and  Mildred.    They  are  de-  ; 
voted  and  consistent  members  of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  taking  an 
active  and  helpful  part  in  its  work.     Mr.  Steele  is  a  man  of  many  sterling  traits 
of  character,  enterprising  in  business,  progressive  in  citizenship  and  at  all  times 
trustworthy  and  reliable.  •       -.,;.•'.-...;-;:.: 


^:-\  JOHN  MILLER  McKIE.    ^V/ >      • 

John  Miller  McKie  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  and  active  busi- 
ness men  of  the  northern  part  of  Knox  county.  Honored  and  respected  by  all, 
he  occupies  an  enviable  position  in  financial  circles  not  alone  by  reason  of  the 
success  he  has  achieved  but  also  owing  to  the  straightforward  and  progressive 
business  methods  that  he  has  ever  followed.  He  has  been  a  lifelong  resident 
of  the  county  and  therefore  has  a  wide  acquaintance. 

His  birth  occurred  in  Copley  township,  June  4,  1844,  his  parents  being  Wilr 
Ham  and  Margaret  (Miller)  McKie.  The  father  was  born  in  Scotland  and 
in  his  boyhood  days  became  familiar  with  farm  work.  In  1840  he  accompanied 
his  parents  on  their  removal  to  America,  at  which  time  the  family  home  was 
established  in  Copley  township,  this  county.  There  he  continued  his  residence 


"'L 


'^::^..^^'^-'.-       ''          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^^^'    :         207 

throughout  his  remaining  days.  He  married  ]\Iargaret  Miller  and  they  became 
the  parents  of  two  children,  the  sister  of  John  M.  McKie  being  Jeanette.  now 
the  widow  of  William  H.  Leighton,  a  farmer  of  Copley  township.  After  losing 
her  first  husband  Mrs.  McKie  became  the  wife  of  Peter  McClymont. 

In  his  boyhood  days  John  M.  McKie  remained  at  home  with  his  parents, 
continuing  with  them  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  when  he  took  up  the 
occupation  of  farming  on  his  own  account.  He  largely  followed  that  pursuit 
until  1876,  when  he  came  to  Altona,  where  he  turned  his  attention  to  commercial 
pursuits,  becoming  proprietor  of  a  dry-goods  house.  He  was  quite  successful 
in  the  management  of  his  store  and  enjoyed  a  gratifying  trade  for  a  number  of 
years.  At  length,  however,  he  became  a  factor  in  financial  circles.  In  1890 
he  was  associated  with  Judge  Craig  in  the  establishment  of  a  private  bank  in 
Altona,  and  such  was  the  success  of  the  institution  that  on  the  3d  of  October, 
1891,  the  bank  was  reorganized  under  a  state  charter  as  the  Bank  of  Altona. 
Mr.  McKie  then  became  assistant  cashier  and  so  continued  until  1895,  when  he 
•succeeded  George  H.  Craig  as  cashier  of  the  bank,  which  office  he  continued  to 
fill  until  the  29th  of  September,  1911,  when,  following  the  death  of  Mr.  Craig, 
he  was  elected  to  the  presidency  of  the  institution  and  is  now  its  chief  executive 
officer,  bending  his  energies  to  administrative  control.  He  has  furthermore  be- 
come known  as  a  factor  in  banking  circles  in  other  connections,  for  he  is  also 
the  president  of  the  State  Bank  of  Victoria.  He  has  important  business  interests, 
being  connected  with  a  number  of  leading  enterprises  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  county,  and  he  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
His  judgment  is  sound,  his  discrimination  keen  and  whatever  he  undertakes  he 
accomplishes  because  of  his  ready  adaptability  and  his  enterprising  spirit.  A 
confidence  reposed  in  him  has  never  been  misplaced  and  he  has  been  called  upon 
to  settle  many  estates,  about  thirty  in  the  last  twenty  years.  One  of  these 
amounted  to  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  the  heirs  living  in  Edinburgh,  Scot- 
land, and  Liverpool,  England.  In  settling  up  another  Mr.  McKie  had  to  give 
bonds  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  which  shows  the  vastness 
of  the  property  involved. 

On  the  22(1  of  February,  1872,  Mr.  McKie  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Janet  G.  McDowell,  a  native  of  Copley  township,  and  they  are  well  known  in 
this  part  of  the  state,  where  they  have  an  extensive  circle  of  warm  friends. 
They  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona  and  labor  con- 
sistently and  effectively  for  its  upbuilding  and  for  the  advancement  of  all  those 
causes  which  lift  man  to  a  higher  plane. 

Politically  Mr.  McKie  is  a  republican  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  appreciative 
of  his  worth  and  ability,  have  several  times  called  him  to  local  offices,  the  duties 
of  which  he  has  discharged  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  con- 
stituents. For  many  years  he  served  as  an  officer  on  the  school  board  of  Wal- 
nut Grove  township  and  in  1894  he  was  elected  to  the  position  of  county  treas- 
urer, which  he  filled  for  four  years  or  until  1898.  He  made  an  excellent  record 
as  the  custodian  of  public  funds  and  is  equally  loyal  in  guarding  the  private  in- 
terests entrusted  to  his  care  as  a  banker.  He  has  ever  recognized  the  fact  that 
the  bank  which  most  carefully  safeguards  the  interests  of  depositors  is  most 
worthy  of  credit,  and  in  his  bank  management  his  progressiveness  is  tempered 
by  a  conservatism  that  has  made  the  Bank  of  Altona  a  synonym  for  reliability 

Vol    01—10 


208  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   :';-';••;'; 

to  those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  policy  pursued.  Mr.  McKie  is  deserving 
of  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  for  he  has  never  allowed  diffi- 
culties nor  obstacles  to  deter  him.  On  the  contrary  when  such  have  arisen  they 
have  seemed  to  call  forth  renewed  effort  and  his  persistency  of  purpose  and 
capable  management  have  constituted  the  foundation  of  an  honorable  success. 


:^;;^  DANIEL  WAINRIGHT.        ,;,:•:::: 

A  long  life  of  activity  and  enterprise  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  gained 
for  Daniel  Wainright  the  financial  independence  that  now  enables  him  to  live 
retired.  For  more  than  forty  years  he  was  successfully  identified  with  the  farm- 
ing interests  of  Chestnut  township,  and  was  a  prominent  factor  in  promoting 
its  development  along  the  various  lines  of  public  utility.  He  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
his  birth  occurring  in  Claremont,  on  the  4th  of  May,  1829,  and  a  son  of  Vin- 
cent and  Nancy  (Hall)  Wainright.  His  father  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  in 
1793,  while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  Ohio.  The  paternal  grand- 
father, Daniel  Wainright.  was  likewise  born  and  reared  in  New  Jersey,  from 
which  state  he  joined  the  Continental  ranks  during  the  Revolution.  In  the  mater- 
nal line,  Daniel  Wainright  is  of  English  extraction,  his  grandfather,  Jeremiah 
Hall  having  emigrated  from  the  mother  country  to  the  United  States  in  the  early 
years  of  the  last  century.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  millwright  by  trade,  but 
subsequently  withdrew  from  this  vocation  and  took  up  farming,  locating  on  a 
tract  of  land  in  Claremont  county,  Ohio,  that  he  cultivated  until  his  death  in 
1844.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vincent  Wainright  there  were  born 
nine  children,  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  as  follows :  Jonathan  and  Jeremiah, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Daniel,  our  subject ;  Catherine  and  Delia  Ann,  who 
subsequently  became  Mrs.  Tuttle,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Rachel  M.,  the 
wife  of  a  Mr.  Barr,  William  Henry  and  Hannah  Lucinda,  who  are  also  deceased; 
and  Wesley,  who  is  living  near  Springfield.  ..:  •  /  •.  '-'.  I'  .  : 

The  early  years  of  Daniel  Wainright's  life  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm,  in 
the  work  of  which  he  assisted  while  pursuing  his  education  in  the  district  schools. 
In  common  with  most  country  youths  at  that  period  his  text-books  were  early 
laid  aside  and  his  attention  devoted  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock. 
He  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  and  for  some  time  following  con- 
tinued to  engage  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  his  native  state.  Later  deciding  that 
better  opportunities  awaited  him  in  what  at  that  time  was  termed  the  west,  he  and 
his  wife  with  their  two  children  crossed  the  prairies  to  Illinois.  Knox  county 
was  his  destination  and  upon  his  arrival  he  purchased  some  land  on  section  3, 
Chestnut  township,  and  there  he  continued  to  reside  until  1901.  Upon  this 
worthy  young  couple  devolved  all  of  the  hardships  and  discouragements  that  are 
incident  to  frontier  life,  but  they  were  enterprising  and  hopeful  and  their  deter- 
mination never  faltered.  He  applied  himself  intelligently  and  persistently  to  the 
cultivation  of  his  fields,  improving  his  place  as  his  means  warranted  from  time 
to  time,  and  ultimately  became  one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  the  county. 
With  prosperity  came  the  respect  and  esteem  as  well  as  friendship  of  his  many 
acquaintances,  who  recognized  and  appreciated  the  many  fine  qualities  that  made 


?;V:v;    ':..;•/  -HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         . .     y'     ;;      209 

.  '•          ''.'.'•;..•-    •'-''     '..^,         -'    -  •  •  -  -.    -    ^ 

him  a  successful  man  and  estimable  citizen.  Ten  years  ago,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
two  years,  Mr.  Wainright  decided  to  withdraw  from  active  work  and  he  and 
his  wife  left  the  farm  and  took  up  their  residence  in  Knoxville,  where  they 
continue  to  live. 

Twelve  years  ago  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wainright  celebrated  their  golden  wedding, 
their  marriage  having  occurred  on  the  I3th  of  December,  1849.  The  maiden 
name  of  Mrs.  Wainright  was  Eliza  Jane  Cramer,  and  she,  too,  is  a  native  of 
Claremont  county,  Ohio,  her  birth  occurring  on  the  loth  of  November,  1830. 
She  is  a  daughter. of  William  and  Sarah  Ann  (Shoats)  Cramer,  the  father  a 
native  of  Germany  and  the  mother  of  English  extraction.  She  was  an  only  child 
and  was  left  an  orphan  at  an  early  age,  but  she  had  a  half-brother,  Joseph  Herit- 
age. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wainwright  were  bom  six  children,  two  of  whom  are 
deceased,  Benedict,  who  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  and  Loretta,  the  next 
younger,  who  died  in  infancy.  Vincent,  the  eldest,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Ohio, 
married  Miss  Frances  Hauk,  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  they  have  two  children 
Ernest  and  Ena.  McGuire,  also  a  native  of  Ohio,  married  Miss  Arenia  Coe, 
of  Missouri,  and  they  have  two  children,  Clara,  who  is  married;  and  Jennie, 
Joseph  married  Arenia  Mallory,  who  was  born  in  Kansas,  and  they  have  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Arthur,  Edith,  Bertha,  Mildred  and  Lloyd.  Sarah  Eliza, 
is  the  wife  of  Bert  Eikey,  a  farmer  of  Orange  township,  and  their  children  are: 
Louis,  Bert,  Ross  and  Henrietta. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wainright  have  always  been  active  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  for  forty  years  he  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason,  being  affiliated  with  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  66, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  always  recognized  the  obligation  of  citizenship  by  assuming 
his  share  of  the  governmental  responsibilities  in  his  township.  For  three  terms 
he  discharged  the  duties  of  supervisor  and  for  three  years  he  acted  as  road 
commissioner,  while  for  one  term  he  served  as  school  trustee  and  as  school 
director  for  twenty-eight  years.  A  man  of  high  principles  and  keen  judgment, 
Mr.  Wainright's  views  were  always  valued  in  the  community  where  he  resided, 
his  foresight  and  powers  of  discernment  giving  weight  to  any  opinion  he  might 
advance  relative  to  the  public  welfare.  During  a  residence  in  the  county  that 
has  covered  a  period  of  more  than  half  a  century  he  has  not  only  won  many 
friends,  but  has  established  for  himself  a  reputation  that  will  be  to  his  children 
a  valued  heritage.  ,  •..^•. -\/-- •. v;  •,.,;;•.-  .-..;•:-/.•-.•••••  ^... ';.:••-.•;/•,.,:•.-  .  •  :.•  -..-  ,'/••' ..-.-•/v-. 


';;,;/;;  .^,;- ,  ::x._,>-;  ;.:^    FRANK  G.  MATTESON.     .     "       .^'  •^:  ••'•;-~--'i_^'\ 

In  the  history  of  Galesburg's  commercial  and  industrial  development  it  is 
imperative  that  mention  be  made  of  Frank  G.  Matteson  because  of  his  close 
connection  with  one  of  the  most  important  productive  enterprises  of  the  city, 
he  being  now  president  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Company,  the  plant  being 
located  in  East  Galesburg.  He  was  born  in  Macomb,  Illinois,  August  24,  1867, 
his  parents  being  Asa  A.  and  Helen  M.  (Gardner)  Matteson.  The  father  was 
born  in  Berwick,  Illinois,  in  1837,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Knox- 
ville, this  state.  In  his  boyhood  days  Asa  A.  Matteson  came  to  Galesburg,  pur- 


210  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY;     ,<-V:^; 

sued  his  education  here  and  engaged  in  farming  for  a  time.  He  afterward  prac- 
ticed law  in  Macomb,  Illinois,  for  a  period  and  in  1874  again  came  to  this  city 
where  he  entered  financial  circles  as  the  vice  president  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  with  which  he  was  connected  until  his  death.  He  also  became  prominent 
in  the  establishment  and  development  of  the  business  now  conducted  under  the 
name  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Company  and  was  associated  with  that 
important  undertaking  to  the  time  of  his  demise,  which  occurred  January  2, 
1895.  His  widow  still  survives  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Webster  Groves, 
Missouri.  Mr.  Matteson  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party, 
held  membership  in  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  and  in  the  Galesburg  Club.  They 
were  married  in  this  city  and  unto  them  were  born  four  children:  Frank  G.,  of 
this  review;  Fred  C.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Aurora,  Illinois;  Grace  M.,  the  wife  of 
R.  W.  Willis,  of  Webster  Groves,  Missouri ;  and  Ralph,  living  in  Rockford, 
Illinois. 

Frank  G.  Matteson  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  and  after  leaving  the 
high  school  secured  a  position  in  the  First  National  Bank,  spending  two  or  three 
years  as  collector.  He  afterward  devoted  four  years  to  service  as  order  clerk 
in  the  postoffice  and  next  entered  the  office  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Com- 
pany as  general  office  boy.  His  advancement  since  that  day  has  been  continuous. 
The  business  was  established  in  East  Galesburg  in  1890  by  D.  V.  Purington  and 
Asa  A.  Matteson  and  was  incorporated  at  that  time  with  D.  V.  Purington  as 
president,  W.  S.  Purington  as  vice  president  and  Asa  A.  Matteson  as  secretary 
and  treasurer.  The  business  was  incorporated  with  a  capital  stock  of  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  and  was  thus  continued  until  1892.  The  St.  Louis  Paving 
Brick  Company  was  organized  in  that  year  with  a  capital  stock  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars  and  No.  2  plant  was  built  at  East  Galesburg.  In  1893 
the  companies  were  merged  under  the  name  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Com- 
pany and  the  capital  stock  was  increased  to  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.  At 
that  time  D.  V.  Purington  became  president ;  W.  S.  Purington,  vice  president 
and  general  manager ;  Asa  A.  Matteson,  treasurer ;  and  Charles  H.  Chamberlain, 
secretary.  These  gentlemen  constituted  the  board  of  directors  together  with 
George  C.  Prussing,  S.  S.  Kimball,  A.  W.  Vanderveer  and  William  E.  Phillips, 
The  business  has  increased  from  year  to  year,  enjoying  a  steady  and  continuous 
growth,  the  output  for  the  first  year  being  fifteen  million  bricks,  while  the  pres- 
ent output  has  reached  more  than  one  hundred  million.  Their  plant  at  first 
contained  but  one  kiln  and  from  that  small  beginning  they  have  increased  their 
capacity  until  they  now  have  sixty-four  kilns,  theirs  being  the  largest  plant  of  the 
kind  in  the  United  States.  Their  business  extends  to  all  parts  of  the  country, 
their  brick  being  used  in  paving  in  Panama ;  in  Memphis,  Tennessee ;  Dead- 
wood,  South  Dakota ;  and  Duluth  and  Superior,  Wisconsin.  The  present  officers 
are :  F.  G.  Matteson,  president ;  George  C.  Prussing,  first  vice  president ;  C.  D. 
B.  Howell,  second  vice  president ;  C.  H.  Chamberlain,  treasurer ;  William  H. 
Terwilliger,  secretary ;  W.  W.  Porter,  assistant  secretary ;  W.  G.  D.  Orr,  gen- 
eral manager;  and  E.  L.  Swett,  general  superintendent;  with  D.  V.  Purington 
as  chairman  of  the  board  of  directors,  which  board  includes  also  Messrs.  Prus- 
sing, Howell,  Matteson,  Charles  H.  Chamberlain,  William  E.  Phillips  and  P.  T. 
Walsh.  They  handle  fifteen  thousand  car  loads  of  freight  in  a  year,  use  eighteen 
car  loads  of  coal  per  day,  employ  six  hundred  men  and  have  two  hundred  acres 


• ;  -  ;^^';'' ;: ;  •      :^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :^V;:     211    •• 

in  their  plant.  The  United  States  government  has  standardized  the  shale  used  : 
by  this  company  and  the  business  has  grown  in  volume  and  importance  until  it  •; 
exceeds  all  other  paving  brick  enterprises  of  the  United  States. 

On  the  igth  of  October,  1892,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Matteson  and      . 
Miss  Daisy  L.  Lamoreaux,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  M.  Lamoreaux,  of  Galesburg,      • 
and  their  children  are:  Amy,  whose  birth  occurred  at  Galesburg  on  the  22d  of     -> 
December,   1897;  Helen,  whose  natal  day  was  December  27,    1901;  and   Asa 
Gardner,  who  was  born  May  26,  1911.  .; 

/      Mr.  Matteson  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views,  but  the  demands  of  his     . 
business  have  left  him  no  time  for  office  seeking  or  office  holding.     He  belongs       - 
to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Elks  Club,  the  Loyal  Legion, 
the  Galesburg  Club  and  the  Country  Club.    His  life  is  proof  of  the  fact  that  there     ';: 
is  an  impossibility  of  placing  fictitious  values  upon  industry,  determination  and    . 
perseverance,  but  when  these  qualities  are  arrayed  against  competition  and  the     •. 
usual  obstacles  of  business  life  they  eventually  win  success.     The  experience  of       . 
Mr.  Matteson  has  been  of  wide  range,  as  he  has  progressed  from  the  position  of 
office  boy  to  the  presidency  of  the  largest  paving-brick  manufacturing  enter-     : 
prise  of  the  country.     .^,  ^  ^^v  .  ^-V   '  •'    .'•"'o  *.•.-'•:;.•:"-:•.  's  ""'  •  ?  :r  :  V   ' 


JOHN  HOLAHAN. 


John  Holahan,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  in  Gales- 
burg for  the  past  six  years,  was  born  in  Waukon,  Iowa,  on  the  i8th  of  September, 

:      1871.    He  is  a  son  of  James  and  Catherine  (Fenelon)  Holahan,  both  natives  of 

Ireland,  whence  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  during  childhood.     The 

father  was  reared  in  Connecticut,  where  he  later  learned  sign  and  carriage  paint- 

•    ing.    In  1859  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Waukon,  where  he  met  the  lady  who 

.     subsequently  became  his  wife.    Here  he  engaged  in  the  implement  business  with 

"  which  he  continued  to  be  identified  until  his  death  on  the  6th  of  March,  1902, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  He  was  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  as  is  also  the  mother  who  still  resides  in  Waukon,  and  he  voted  the  repub- 

.  lican  ticket.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Holahan  numbered  nine,  our  subject 
being  the  third  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are  as  follows:  William  J.,  who 

.    was  born  on  June  12,  1868,  residing  at  Mason  City,  Iowa ;  Nellie  M.,  the  wife  of 

.  William  S.  Hart,  of  Waukon;  Maurice  F.,  who  was  born  on  the  3d  of  July, 
:  1873,  "ow  residing  at  Atlanta,  Georgia;  Thomas  J.,  born  March  28,  1875,  who 

•  is  living  at  Dixon,  Illinois;  James,  bom  October  ii,  1880,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Victoria;  Anna,  who  was  born  June  i6,  1884,  still  at  home;  Mayme,  a  Sister  in 

^  St.  Xavier's  Convent,  Chicago,  born  July  27,  1886,  and  Gretta,  born  March  20, 
1894,  who  is  also  at  home. 

-  .  .  '  Reared  at  home  John  Holahan  attended  the  public  and  Presentation  Convent 
Catholic  schools  at  Waukon  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  His  school 

;  days  were  terminated  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  when  he  laid  aside  his  text- 
books and  entered  his  father's  office,  where  during  the  succeeding  five  years  he 

;    applied  himself  intelligently  and  industriously  to  acquiring  a  thorough  business 

•:    training  under  the  capable  supervision  of  his  father.    Upon  attaining  his  majority 


212  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        -  />-- 

it  was  considered  that  he  was  fully  qualified  to  beg^n  working  for  himself,  so  he 
went  to  Guttenberg,  Iowa,  and  embarked  in  the  implement  business.  He  con- 
tinued in  this  at  that  point  for  nine  years,  when  he  withdrew  from  commercial 
activities  and  went  to  Cuba,  where  he  remained  four  years,  traveling  and  dealing 
In  lands.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  the  United  States  and  in  April 
1906,  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business.  He  was  asso- 
ciated with  his  brother,  Thomas  J.,  until  1909,  when  the  latter  withdrew  from  the 
firm  and  Mr.  Holahan  has  ever  since  been  alone.  In  addition  to  local  properties. 
Both  city  and  country,  he  has  large  tracts  of  land  for  sale  in  Cuba  and  also  the 
northwest.  Since  locating  here  he  has  met  with  good  success  and  now  is  well 
established  and  doing  a  gratifying  amount  of  business. 

Bayfield,  Wisconsin,  was  the  scene  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Holahan  and 
Miss  Lucille  Boutin,  on  the  4th  of  October,  1905.  She  was  born  in  Bayfield,  on 
the  25th  of  July,  1884,  ^^^  is  a  daughter  of  Frank  and  Louise  (Kintz)  Boutin, 
who  still  reside  there.  Mrs.  Holahan  has  four  sisters  and  four  brothers,  and 
their  names  and  birthdays  are  as  follows :  Allan,  March  24,  1888 ;  Francis,  March 
13,  1890;  Meta,  July  22,  1892;  Anna,  March  13,  1895;  Hiller,  November  15, 
1898;  Dorothy,  November  20,  1899;  Ruth,  February  26,  1902;  and  Herbert, 
November  25,  1904.  In  the  paternal  line  Mrs.  Holahan  is  of  French  extraction. 
Her  father,  however,  was  born  and  reared  in  Montreal,  Canada,  while  the  mother 
was  born  in  Antwerp,  Belgium.  He  came  to  Bayfield  during  his  early  manhood 
and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and  he  also  owned  and  operated  a  number 
of  tugs  on  Lake  Superior.  He  is  a  man  of  considerable  prominence  in  his  com- 
munity, giving  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  and  has  served  for 
two  terms  as  treasurer  of  the  county.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  communicants 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus 
and  the  Lumbermen's  Association.  Mrs.  Holahan  was  reared  in  Bayfield,  but 
completed  her  education  at  St.  Mary's  school  in  Prairie  du  Chien. 

The  political  views  of  Mr.  Holahan  coincide  with  the  principles  of  the  repub- 
lican party,  and  in  matters  of  faith  both  he  and  Mrs.  Holahan  are  Roman  Catho- 
lics and  belong  to  Corpus  Christi  parish.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the 
Knights  of  Columbus  of  SS.  Vincent  and  Paul,  the  Galesburg  Club  and  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Mr.  Holahan  has  won  favorable  recogni- 
tion in  both  a  business  and  social  way  during  his  residence  in  Galesburg,  and  now 
numbers  among  its  citizens  many  stanch  friends. 


;U  r  ;  J  AMES  EDWARD  HINCHLIFF.;;  :^7":-.' 

For  seventeen  years  James  Edward  Hinchliff  was  well  known  as  a  prominent, 
enterprising  and  reliable  representative  of  commercial  interests  in  Galesburg, 
where  he  conducted  a  retail  lumber  business.  Moreover,  he  had  a  wide  acquaint- 
ance throughout  the  county  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  native  sons,  his  birth  hav- 
ing occurred  in  Rio,  July  17,  1853.  He  came  of  English  ancestry,  for  both  of  his 
parents,  James  and  Betsey  Hinchliff,  were  natives  of  England,  whence  they  emi- 
grated to  America  in  early  life.  They  were  married  in  the  state  of  New  York 
and  in  1852  removed  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Knox  county. 


,;/'V;:        :          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;:          •   .     215 

The  public  schools  of  this  county  afforded  James  E.  Hinchliff  his  early  oppor- 
tunities for  acquiring  an  education  and  later  he  continued  his  studies  in  Lombard 
College.  He  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  farming  and  continued  to  follow  it 
during  the  early  years  of  his  manhood  or  until  1891,  when,  believing  that  he  would 
find  a  commercial  career  more  congenial  and  hoping  also  to  find  it  more  profitable, 
he  removed  to  Galesburg,  where  the  following  year  he  opened  a  retail  lumberyard, 
continuing  that  business  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  March  28,  1909. 
In  that  period  he  had  built  up  a  satisfactory  business,  his  reliable  methods,  his 
enterprise  and  his  unfaltering  energy  being  the  qualities  which  served  as  the 
foundation  for  his  success.  ..i;, 

On  the  1st  of  January,  iSSo,  in  Rio,  this  county,  Mr.  Hinchliff  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Ida  M.  Woodman,  a  daughter  of  David  B.  and  Lourena  Wood- 
man. The  children  born  of  this  marriage  are :  Everett  E.,  who  married  Nell  Town- 
send  on  the  I5th  of  October,  1907;  Lulu  M.,  who  on  the  2oth  of  September,  1911, 
became  the  wife  of  Roy  C.  Ingersoll ;  and  Ray  W.  and  Grace  F.,  both  yet  at  home 
with  their  mother. 

Mr.  Hinchliff  was  devoted  to  his  family,  his  interests  centering  in  his  own 
home,  where  he  was  a  devoted  husband  and  father  and  a  genial  and  hospitable 
host.  His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  republican  party  and  his  study  of 
the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  confirmed  him  in  the  belief  that  its  principles 
contained  the  best  elements  of  good  government,  but  he  neither  sought  nor  de- 
sired public  office  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty.  His  religious  faith  was  evidenced 
by  the  fact  that  he  was  a  member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  to  the 
teachings  of  which  he  was  ever  loyal  and  devoted,  making  his  a  manhood  that 
measured  up  to  the  highest  standards  and  won  for  him  the  admiration,  high  re- 
gard and  trust  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  '  .  '  .•';;'; 


'•.••••.•:•;.-•,...>••;;;;,     RANSOM  C  HUNT.      .;\v:--    '.     •.;:-•"'''    :i.>' 

Ransom  C.  Hunt  is  actively  connected  with  a  profession  which  has  important 
bearing  upon  the  progress  and  stable  prosperity  of  the  community  and  in  the 
practice  of  law,  where  advancement  depends  entirely  upon  individual  merit  and 
ability,  he  has  made  continuous  progress,  his  careful  preparation  of  his  cases 
and  his  thorough  knowledge  of  the  law  giving  him  a  power  in  the  courts  that 
enables  him  to  win  many  favorable  verdicts. 

Mr.  Hunt  was  born  on  a  farm  two  and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  Burlington, 
Iowa,  January  24,  1844,  his  parents  being  John  B.  and  Mary  (Love)  Hunt, 
natives  of  Illinois  and  Virginia  respectively.  The  former  was  a  son  of  John 
Beal  Hunt,  who  was  born  in  Maryland  and  made  farming  his  life  occupation. 
He  married  a  Miss  Bartlett  and  they  removed  from  Tennessee  to  Illinois,  estab- 
lishing their  home  within  the  borders  of  this  state  ere  it  was  admitted  to  the 
Union.  For  a  time  they  were  residents  of  Bond  county  and  afterward  removed 
to  McDonough  county.  In  1833  they  went  to  the  territory  of  Iowa,  where  Mr. 
Hunt  secured  a  tract  of  wild  land  in  the  central  part  of  the  state  and  his  five  sons, 
Charles  W.,  Jesse,  Samuel,  Clayborn  and  John  B.,  all  had  land  around  him  so 
that  the  family  took  active  and  prominent  part  in  the  agricultural  development  of 


216  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :>>':    jV;^:;- 

that  section.  There  were  six  daughters  in  the  family,  Martha,  Lydia,  Mary  Ann, 
Esther,  Louisa  and  Sarah.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Ransom  C.  Hunt  was 
David  Love,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who  also  made  farming  his  life  work.  Remov- 
ing westward  with  his  family,  they  became  pioneer  residents  of  a  district,  south- 
west of  Burlington,  Iowa,  where  they  spent  their  remaining  days,  Mr.  Love  pass- 
ing away  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  and  his  wife  when  eighty-eight  years  of  age. 
Their  children  were  Wesley,  Rodney,  Joshua,  James,  Mary  and  Elizabeth. 

John  B.  Hunt,  father  of  Ransom  C.  Hunt,  was  a  young  lad  when  he  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  Iowa.  He  was  reared  to  the  occupation  of  farming  and  con- 
tinued to  engage  in  tilling  the  soil  until  1849,  when,  attracted  by  the  discovery  of 
gold  in  California,  he  crossed  the  plains  to  the  Pacific  coast.  Not  winning  the 
fortune  which  he  had  hoped  to  gain,  he  returned  in  1851  and  again  took  up  his 
abode  on  the  farm  in  Des  Moines  county,  Iowa,  which  he  had  left  when  he  started 
for  the  west.  There  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1856,  when  he 
removed  to  Bushnell,  Illinois,  where  he  conducted  a  lumber  business  until  1863 
and  likewise  filled  the  position  of  postmaster.  He  next  removed  to  Macomb, 
Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  grain  business  until  June,  1865.  At  that  time 
the  family  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  died  November  14,  1904,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four  years  and  six  months,  while  his  wife's  death  occurred  in  1887,  when 
she  was  sixty-five  years  of  age.  She  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist 
church.  Their -family  numbered  a  son  and  two  daughters:  Ransom  C. ;  Clara,  the 
deceased  wife  of  W.  T.  JelliflF;  and  Lois  V.,  the  deceased  wife  of  Jesse  Pickerell. 

Ransom  C.  Hunt  is  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  family.  He  was  reared 
on  his  father's  farm  in  Iowa  and  during  that  period  attended  the  district  schools 
and  also  the  public  schools  of  Burlington  and  the  old  Denmark  (la.)  Academy. 
He  went  with  his  father  to  Bushnell  in  1856  and  there  worked  in  the  lumberyard 
and  also  attended  school.  Subsequently  he  became  a  student  in  the  Lombard 
University  of  Galesburg.  He  continued  with  his  father  in  the  lumber  trade  in 
Bushnell  until  the  father  removed  to  Macomb,  when  he  became  a  student  in  the 
law  office  of  Hon.  J.  C.  Thompson.  In  the  fall  of  1863  the  family  removed  to 
Galesburg  but  Ransom  C.  Hunt  and  his  father  remained  in  Macomb  until  1865, 
when  they  joined  the  others  in  Galesburg,  and  the  subject  of  this  review  entered 
the  law  office  of  the  Hon.  A.  C.  Mason,  who  directed  his  reading  until  his  admis- 
sion to  the  bar  in  June,  1866.  In  1869  he  formed  a  partnership  with  the  latter 
preceptor  but  for  the  past  twenty  years  has  engaged  in  practice  alone.  He  has 
ever  been  devotedly  attached  to  his  profession,  systematic  and  methodical  in  habit, 
sober  and  discreet  in  judgment,  diligent  in  research  and  conscientious  in  the  dis- 
charge of  every  duty— qualities  which  have  enabled  him  to  take  high  rank  among 
the  representatives  of  the  Galesburg  bar. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1879,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Hunt  and  Miss  Irene 
Johnson,  a  native  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  and  a  daughter  of  S.  F.  and  Hannah 
(Neeley)  Johnson,  who  were  originally  from  New  York  and  became  early  resi- 
dents of  Galesburg.  Later  they  removed  to  St.  Paul,  where  the  father  con- 
ducted a  shoe  business,  and  for  two  years  he  was  also  a  resident  of  Grinnell,  Iowa. 
They  then  returned  to  Galesburg,  where  they  still  reside.  In  their  family  were 
seven  children,  Irene,  Mary,  Harry  M.,  Guy  B.,  Charles  N.,  Mabel  F.  and 
Blanche.  The  daughter  Mabel  is  now  the  widow  of  E.  A.  Davis.  The  maternal 
grandparents  of  Mrs.  Hunt  were  James  and  Sabrina  Neeley,  who  were  among 


.,.;';•-;•'  -;^^^"      HISTORY  OF  KNOx  COUNTY      •  -•  !^^:^^       21? 

V        "the  colony"  that  settled  Galesburg.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hunt  have  become  the  par- 

;.'•.,:    ents  of  two  daughters  and  two  sons:  Beulah  M.,  the  wife  of  Harold  M.  Holland, 

. ;        of  Galesburg;  Albert  V.,  who  was  educated  in  Lombard  College ;  Harry  C.,  who  is 

;         in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company ;  and 

,        ;    Florence  I.,  who  is  attending  school.    The  parents  are  members  of  the  Central 

i;     ',    Congregational  church  and  in  its  work  take  deep  and  helpful  interest.    Mr.  Hunt 

V      gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  but  the  only  office  that  he 

has  ever  held  was  that  of  police  magistrate,  in  which  position  he  served  from  1889 

':.    ;;  until  1896.     He  has  always  preferred  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  pro- 

-'  f ession  and  few  lawyers  have  made  a  more  lasting  impression  upon  the  bar  of 

.  V  '  .-  the  county  both  for  legal  ability  of  a  high  order  and  for  the  individuality  of  a 

personal  character  which  impresses  itself  upon  a  community. 


:•^^;^/^:.V/••;.:^^'/;^'v)^^v  ,:;•;;;::     IRA  S.  CALLENDER.  -':.••'- ^.  -     AV •:.::';  ^//vV;;.;.:;;.--: 

;  '  Ira  S.  Callender,  president  of  the  Glenwood  Ice  &  Coal  Company  and  thus 

,    -.  prominent  in  the  business  circles  of  the  city  as  head  of  one  of  the  important 

'     .  industrial  projects  here,  was  born  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  July  31.   1857,  a  son  of 

•  .  Isaac  and  Sarah  A.  (Smith)  Callender.     His  father  was  born  in  Henry  county, 
.:••;  Kentucky,  September  lo,  1833,  and  for  many  years  followed  farming  in  Illi- 
:      .  -  nois  but  at  length  retired  from  active  life  and  removed  to  Galesburg,  where  he 

.;  '  .'  passed  away  September  lo,  1907.     He  always  voted  with  the  republican  party 

•  ;  and  filled  the  office  of  county  supervisor,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with 
,  .-  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.     He  held  membership  in 
.  the  Central  Congregational  church,  to  which  his  widow  still  belongs.     She  was 

born  April  13,  1833,  and  yet  makes  her  home  in  Galesburg.  In  their  family  were 
•  eight  children:  Ira  S.,  of  this  review;  James  J.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Tulsa, 
,  .  V  Oklahoma;  Albert  B.,  living  at  Matehuala,  Mexico;  William  H.,  of  Galesburg: 

Adella,  the  wife  of  Dr.  T.  F.  Clark,  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  Lilly  Belle  and 

Frank  Edwin,  both  residing  in  Galesburg,  Illinois;  and  Mary  Catherine,  who  is 

the  wife  of  A.  E.  Wells,  of  Galesburg. 

Ira  S.  Callender,  whose  name  introduces  this  record,  pursued  his  education 

in  the  public  schools  of  Geneseo,  Illinois,  and  remained  upon  his  father's  farm 
.  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  made  good  progress  in  his  studies  and  when 
-' a  young  man  began  teaching  school,  which  profession  he  successfully  followed 
.  -  for  a  time,  displaying  ability  in  imparting  readily  and  clearly  to  others  the 

knowledge  which  he  had  acquired.  In  1880  he  went  to  Nebraska,  where  he 
-•''  -  divided  his  time  between  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  teaching  school  for 

•  :  three  years.     On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  returned  to  Galesburg  in  De- 
7  cember,  1883,  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  ice  business  with  which  he  has 

since  been  connected.  The  business  was  established  in  1885  under  the  name 
.. .  .  of  the  Glenwood  Ice  Company  handling  ice  only,  when  in  1891  the  scope  of  the 

business  was  extended  to  include  the  sale  of  coal  as  well.  In  1907  the  present 
.  ^^  ;:  firm  style  of  the  Glenwood  Ice  &  Coal  Company  was  assumed  and  the  business 
•  ;  r  was  reincorporated.  The  officers  in  1892  were:  John  Robson,  president;  A.  D. 
,',.:'  Shults,  treasurer ;  and  Ira  S.  Callender,  secretary.  At  the  present  writing  Mr. 


218  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  C; 

Callender  is  president,  A.  E.  Wells,  secretary  and  C.  S.  Burnside,  treasurer. 
The  business  is  incorporated  with  a  capital  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars 
and  the  company  owns  well  equipped  ice  houses  on  the  lakes  east  of  Galesburg 
and  at  New  Boston  and  Moline,  Illinois.  The  coal  trade  is  also  an  important 
branch  of  the  business,  coal  being  sold  at  retail.  The  enterprise  has  had  a 
continuous,  steady  and  gratifying  growth,  as  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  in 
the  first  year  of  its  existence  its  sales  amounted  to  twenty-five  hundred  tons  of 
ice,  while  at  the  present  writing  the  sales  have  reached  fifty  thousand  tons  of 
ice  annually.  In  the  first  year  but  two  wagons  were  used  in  delivery,  while  in 
the  present  year  eleven  wagons  were  used  and  forty  men  are  employed  outside 
of  the  office  in  Knox  county,  ten  of  the  number  being  at  New  Boston.  A  large 
part  of  the  ice  harvested  is  furnished  to  dealers  in  other  towns  surrounding 
Galesburg,  and  to  the  Chicago  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company.  The 
company  also  handles  wood,  kindling  and  oil,  and  the  business  is  a  most  gratify- 
ing and  profitable  one.  Its  success  is  undoubtedly  due  in  large  measure  to  the 
honorable,  straightforward  business  policy  that  is  ever  followed  as  well  as  to 
the  progressive  methods  instituted  by  the  president  and  his  associate  officers. 

On  the  2d  of  February,  1882,  Mr.  Callender  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Alice  Bassford,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Antoinette  (Lane)  Bassford, 
of  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Their  children  are :  Ira  I.,  now  deceased ;  Wallace 
V.,  who  is  living  in  Pasadena,  California ;  Alice  B.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Archer 
Laurence,  of  Plainfield,  New  Jersey;  Ida  E.,  the  wife  of  Hans  John  Von  Hangen, 
of  Matehuala,  Mexico;  Gladys  M.  and  Ruth  S.,  both  at  home.  •  .  |\-.  .  ,. 

While  Mr.  Callender  has  never  been  an  active  party  worker,  he  does  not  fail 
to  make  his  way  to  the  polls  and  cast  a  ballot  in  support  of  the  principles  of  the 
republican  party,  for  he  regards  this  as  the  duty  as  well  as  the  privilege  of  every 
American  citizen.  He  is  prominent  in  the  Elks  lodge  of  Galesburg  and  is  serv- 
ing as  one  of  its  trustees  but  his  position  is  preeminently  that  of  an  active,  enter- 
prising business  man  who  is  ever  alert  and  determined  and  who  brooks  no 
'obstacles  in  the  path  to  success  that  can  be  overcome  by  persistent  effort  and 
indefatigable  energy.  •  V  ;  '  :  .'  '  j:  J  "  \  ' 


.  >/.  :       .       LAURENCE  R.  RYAN,  M.  D. 

Laurence  R.  Ryan  was  bom  in  Pontiac,  Michigan,  February  27,  1858.  He 
is  descended  from  old  Irish  stock.  His  father  was  Bernard  Ryan  and  his  mother 
Maria  C.  Kelly.  Both  parents  were  born  near  Boyle,  in  County  Roscommon, 
Ireland.  They  came  to  this  country  in  the  same  ship  and  were  married  in 
1848,  in  Detroit,  Michigan.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  them  and  Dr.  Ryan 
was  the  seventh.  Bernard  Ryan  was  a  boiler  maker  by  trade  and  held  the  re- 
sponsible position  of  foreman  at  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad 
shops  in  Galesburg  for  many  years.  He  died  in  Galesburg,  April  20,  1883.  at 
the  age  of  sixty-one.  The  mother  was  a  devout  Catholic  and  a  home-loving 
woman.  She  lived  for  the  church  and  her  family.  She  died  twenty-five  years 
after  her  husband  in  the  consciousness  of  having  spent  an  absolutely  pure  Chris- 
tian life,  and  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  her  age.  ^•''••^''ii,.--'-'^:^: 


;vr--;;r^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /A^''          221 

Dr.  Ryan  attended  the  public  schcxjis  in  Aurora  and  Galesburg  until  he  was 
thirteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  boiler-maker  trade    :-' 
under  his  father  in  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  shops.    He  worked  at  the   ' 
trade  almost  continuously  and  for  ten  years,  rising  from  the  position  of  rivet 
heater  to  that  of  foreman  before  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age. 

During  the  time  he  was  working  in  the  shops  he  realized  the  necessity  oF  ... 
securing  an  education,  so  he  attended  the  business  college  and  night  school,  which 
was  then  held  in  the  Churchill  school  building.     Having  the  ambition  to  rise    ,  . 
higher  than  the  position  of  boiler-maker  foreman,  but  seeing  no  possibility  of    . 
advancement  along  the  lines  he  had  started,  he  finally  gave  up  the  shop  work   >: 
and  entered   Knox   College,   determined  to  graduate   and   finally  to   enter   his    -'• 
chosen  profession,  the  practice  of  medicine.     Because  of  the  large  family,  the    ; 
father  had  to  support,  he  was  forced  to  rely  on  his  own  resources  and  finance    ', 
himself.     This  he  did  by  working  during  the  summer  at  his  trade  and  had  the   C 
pleasure  of  going  through  Knox  College  and  Jefferson  College  without  receiv-  ... 
ing  a  gratuity  from  anyone.     While  in  college  he  entered  into  all  the  activities   :' 
and  besides  having  a  high  grade  in  scholarship,  was  active  in  athletics  and  on  - : 
two  occasions  received  prizes   for  excellence  in  gymnastic   work.     He  gradu-    .:.'„ 
ated  in  1886  and  had  the  honor  of  being  one  of  the  commencement  speakers. 

Two  years  before  his  graduation  in  Knox   College,  he  registered   for  the    " 
study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Drs.  Aldrich  and  Wilson,  so  that  by  the  time  he 
graduated,  he  was  well  equipped  for  entering  the  medical  school.     He  entered  '.; 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  1886  and  after  a  severe  course  had 
the  honor  of  securing  the  first  prize  of  one  hundred  dollars  for  excellence  of  .  . 
scholarship  and  best  theses,  graduating  April  5,  1888.  ; 

Immediately  after  graduation  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and  entered  into  the    . 
practice  of  medicine  with  Drs.  Aldrich  and  Wilson,  securing  a  lucrative  prac- 
tice from  the  start.    After  a  year  in  general  practice  he  was  tendered  the  posi-  ;. 
tion  of  medical  examiner  for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  with  V. 
control  of  the  whole  Galesburg  division,  which  then  comprised  five  hundred  . 
miles.    This  position  he  accepted  and  held  for  three  years.     With  the  ambition   ': 
to  do  better  still  spurring  him  on,  he  left  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  • 
after  a  service  of  three  years  and  went  to  Europe  to  study  his  chosen  specialty,    • 
the  eye,  ear,  nose  and  throat.    He  was  a  student  in  the  Berlin  University,  besides    . ; 
having  private  instruction,  and  also  took  a  course  in  England,  graduating  from    ;. 
the  London  Post  Graduate  School  in  1892.     Since  his  return  from  Europe  in    . 
1892,  Dr.  Ryan  has  devoted  himself  exclusively  to  the  practice  of  his  specialty    :' 
in  Galesburg.  •    i-  =•.• 

For  the  last  twenty  years  Dr.  Ryan  has  enjoyed  a  most  excellent  practice,  -  . 
drawing  patronage  from  a  radius  of  fifty  miles,  and  has  done  much  to  further  )• 
the  interests  of  medicine.     He  is  a  great  believer  in  medical  organization  and 
cooperation  for  the  good  of  the  profession  and,  therefor,  belongs  to  numerous 
medical  societies  and  attends  many  conventions.    He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of     . 
the  first  Galesburg  Medical  Society  and  was  its  first  secretary.     He  was  also 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Knox  County  Medical  Society  and  became  its  presi-  , 
dent  in  1903.     He  filled  at  different  times  every  official  position  in  the  Military  _ 
Tract  Medical  Society  and  was  also  the  president  of  that  society.     He  has  pre-  .. 
pared  and  read  many  scientific  papers  in  the  various  societies  from  the  city  to  I ' 


222  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ':':;;) 

the  American  Medical  Association.  He  was  regular  and  special  pension  exam- 
ining surgeon  for  many  years  and  is  now  the  official  oculist  for  the  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington &  Quincy  Railroad.  He  served  on  the  staff  of  the  Galesburg  Cottage 
Hospital  for  several  years. 

Dr.  Ryan  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Medical  Society,  Knox 
County  Medical  Society,  Military  Tract  Medical  Society,  Tri  State  Society,  Chi- 
cago Ophthalmological  Society,  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  American  Academy 
of  Ophthalmology  and  Oto-Laryngology,  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Ryan  has  never  courted  political  honors,  but  was  a  candidate  for  elector 
on  the  gold  democratic  ticket  in  1896.  He  has  never  devoted  much  time  to  so- 
ciety or  social  affairs,  secret  societies  or  clubs.  His  interest  has  all  been  along 
the  line  of  scientific  study  and  travel.  He  has,  however,  for  many  years  been 
a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  Club,  and  was  a  director  for  six 
years,  from  1900  to  1906.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Elk's  organization  since 
1904.  He  has  travelled  extensively.  Besides  visiting  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  Mexico,  in  1898  he  took  a  trip  around  the  world,  going  an  unusual 
way.  On  this  journey  he  visited  Australia,  New  Zealand,  Samoa  and  the  Sand- 
wich Islands.  Recently  he  has  taken  another  extended  trip  from  Galesburg  to 
New  York  city,  thence  by  steamer  to  Colon,  across  the  isthmus  to  the  city  of 
Panama  by  rail,  and  finally  up  the  coast  of  Central  America  and  Mexico  to  San 
Francisco  by  steamer.  On  this  trip  he  took  occasion  to  examine  carefuHy  the 
excavations  and  locks  of  the  Panama  Canal  which  is  reaching  completion. 

Dr.  Ryan  was  married  in  1889  to  Margaret  S.  McChesney,  also  a  graduate 
of  Knox  College.  Seven  children  were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom  still 
survive,  namely :  Helen  Margaret  Ryan,  Marion  Cecilia  Ryan,  Robert  Laurence 
Ryan,  Harriet  Ewing  Ryan  and  Dorrance  Bernard  Ryan.  The  first  three  are 
students  in  Knox  College,  while  the  other  two  are  in  the  public  schools  of  Gales- 
burg, and  all  are  unusually  capable.  . .  .  -.  ' '.- '  •  ; 


c:--  ;  DE  FORREST  SEACORD.   V^>.  "'':>.=.; 

De  Forrest  Seacord  needs  no  introduction  to  the  readers  of  this  volume  for  he  .:'.;. 

has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Knox  county  and  his  important  business  interests  :'      '; 

have  made  him  widely  known.     He  was  born  in  Oneida  in  1862  and  after  at-  '    i;  ;. 

tending  the  public  schools  became  a  student  in  Knox  College  and  afterward  -.v 

attended  college  at  Racine,  Wisconsin.     Regarding  his  education  complete,  he  ,;:';' 

then  turned  his  attention  to  the  business  of  importing  Norman  horses  and  owned  v  -.  •- 

and  conducted  extensive  stables  in  Galesburg  for  a  number  of  years.     Later  he  •;.  "    • 

turned  his  attention  to  street-railway  interests  of  which  he  was  superintendent  ; 

for  nine  years  or  until  the  company  sold  out  to  the  McKinley  interests.    At  that  :; .  •':'-^: 

time  Mr.  Seacord  went  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  was  superintendent  of  con-  .    •;; 

struction  for  the  McKinley  lines  in  the  building  of  the  electric  road  from  Spring-  ..y '; .-': 

field  to  St.  Louis,  a  mammoth  and  important  undertaking  which  he  successfully  ,  '.I'^V 

executed.    He  then  returned  to  Galesburg  and  later  engaged  in  the  sale  of  motor  f...' 

cars.    He  has  secured  an  extensive  business  in  this  connection,  selling  a  large  '•>.- 

number  of  cars  annually.  '•••;  t  • 


/;-':;•>-:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  223 

On  the  1 5th  ^f  October,  1884,  De  Forrest  Seacord  was  married  to  Miss 
Alice  Updyke,  and  unto  them  were  born  two  children,  Marie  and  Wilkins,  the 
latter  being  now  associated  with  his  father  in  business.  The  family  is  prominent 
socially  and  their  own  home  is  justly  celebrated  for  its  attractive  hospitality. 
Mr.  Seacord  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  is  a  char- 
ter member  of  the  Country  Club.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  repub- 
lican party  and  as  a  public-spirited  citizen  he  is  widely  known,  his  aid  and  coope- 
ration being  a  tangible  factor  for  success  in  the  conduct  of  many  important 
public  enterprises.  In  his  business  he  has  so  promoted  his  interests  as  to  gain 
for  him  a  prominent  position  among  the  substantial  residents  of  Galesburg. 


-;.,  ,         PROFESSOR  LOREN  R.  WITHERELL.          ,         ^^  '^'^••f. 

Unquestionably  one  of  the  most  versatile  and  highly  cultured  residents  of 
Knoxville  is  Professor  Loren  R.  Witherell,  who  is  not  only  a  scholar  and  writer 
of  more  than  local  reputation,  but  an  able  attorney  and  a  successful  lecturer, 
in  addition  to  which  he  has  taken  out  patents  on  twenty-five  different  articles, 
all  of  which  are  in  common  use.  He  was  born  in  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  loth  of  May,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of.  Ephraim  H.  and  Rebecca  (Donald- 
son) Witherell.  The  father  was  bom  in  Vermont,  on  May  i,  i8i6,  his  parents 
being  Asaph  and  Johanna  (White)  Witherell,  natives  of  Massachusetts.  Asaph 
Witherell  was  the  first  manufacturer  in  America  of  the  cut  nail,  in  the  making 
of  which  he  engaged  in  his  native  state  for  many  years.  Together  with  his  wife 
and  family  in  i8i8  he  started  westward  to  Pennsylvania.  They  made  the  jour- 
ney in  the  winter,  and  as  Lake  Erie  was  frozen  they  started  to  go  from  New 
York  to  Pennsylvania  on  the  ice,  but  as  it  was  thin  in  places  they  deemed  the 
crossing  unsafe,  and  returned  to  the  shore.  When  they  reached  the  northwest 
corner  of  Pennsylvania,  they  went  south  for  about  fifteen  miles  to  the  vicinity 
of  Wattsburg,  spending  the  night  at  the  home  of  James  Donaldson.  Ephraim 
Witherell  at  that  time  was  a  lad  of  two  years,  while  his  future  wife  was  a  babe 
of  one  day.  As  his  parents  located  in  the  vicinity,  Ephraim  Witherell  there 
grew  to  manhood  and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six 
years  with  his  family  he  removed  to  Washington  county,  Indiana,  where  he 
engaged  in  contracting  and  building  for  five  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they 
crossed  the  prairies  in  a  wagon  to  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  residing  there  until 
the  spring  of  1851,  when  they  came  to  Knoxville.  The  mother  of  our  subject 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  5th  of  March,  i8i8,  her  parents  being  James 
and  Mary  (Moore)  Donaldson,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  Keystone  state. 
In  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  Professor  Witherell  is  descended  from 
old  colonial  families,  both  of  his  grandfathers  being  veterans  of  the  war  of  1812, 
while  some  of  his  mother's  ancestors  located  in  this  country  more  than  two 
hundred  and  fifty  years  ago.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ephraim  Witherell 
numbered  seven,  the  four  eldest  having  been  born  before  they  located  in  Knox 
county.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows:  Ursula,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years ;  Loren  R.,  our  subject ;  George,  who  is  a  fanner,  residing  a  mile 
south  of  Knoxville ;  and  Eri  A.,  who  is  in  the  lecture  field  on  a  western  circuit 


224  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •:;;">;; 

and  is  also  engaged  in  teaching ;  Willard  W.,  who  engages  in  the  real-estate  busi- 
ness and  also  in  building  and  contracting  in  Visalia,  California ;  Silas,  who  is 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  a  manufacturing  company  in  Spring^eld,  Missouri ; 
and  Oscar  C.,  who  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  Knoxville,  but  has  now 
passed  away,  his  demise  occurring  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years. 

Professor  Witherell  received  his  introduction  to  the  elements  of  English 
learning  in  the  common  schools  of  Peoria  county,  which  he  attended  for  one 
year.  His  education  was  continued  in  the  public  schools  of  Knoxville  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  was  sent  to  a  private  school  in  Erie  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  studied  for  two  winters.  He  was  a  brilliant  student,  pos- 
sessing the  retentive  mind,  strong  powers  of  concentration  and  rapid  reasoning 
faculties  that  mark  the  natural  scholar.  Study  was  to  him  not  a  hardship,  but 
a  joy  and  he  applied  himself  so  attentively  to  his  work  that  he  made. the  best 
record  of  any  pupil  in  the  school,  standing  at  the  head  of  his  classes  in  every 
subject.  Upon  the  completion  of  his  course  he  returned  to  his  Illinois  home 
and  subsequently  entered  Lombard  College.  He  matriculated  in  the  latter  institu- 
tion in  1864,  and  there  pursued  special  studies  for  three  years,  making  a  most 
creditable  record.  Having  decided  to  take  up  the  study  of  law,  at  the  expiration 
of  that  time  he  entered  the  office  of  Willoughby  and  Grant  in  Galesburg,  where 
for  three  years  he  diligently  applied  himself  to  the  mastery  of  the  principles  of 
jurisprudence.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1871,  and  immediately  thereafter 
opened  an  office  in  Rock  Island  county,  where  he  engaged  in  practice  for  several 
years.  He  was  meeting  with  most  excellent  success  and  was  building  up  a  very 
good  clientage  when  trouble  with  his  eyes  compelled  him  to  abandon  his  profes- 
sion. In  order  to  restore  his  sight  and  improve  his  health  generally  he  turned 
his  attention  to  fruit-raising  and  for  thirty  years  devoted  his  summers  to  this 
occupation.  In  the  winters  he  lectured  on  astronomy,  geology  and  natural  his- 
tory in  different  schools,  colleges  and  societies  of  the  northwest,  addressing 
more  than  a  thousand  different  audiences.  Although  he  still  occasionally  delivers 
a  lecture,  he  has  not  followed  the  work  regularly  for  about  ten  years,  having 
withdrawn  from  it  in  1901.  Much  of  his  time  now  is  devoted  to  writing  for  the 
current  magazines,  while  he  also  contributes  editorials  to  various  newspapers  in 
both  Iowa  and  Illinois.  He  has  had  more  than  one  hundred  of  his  poems  pub- 
lished in  papers  throughout  the  country  and  in  1877  he  published  a  history  of 
John  Brown  in  the  Davenport  Gazette.  Not  only  does  Professor  Witherell 
possess  unusual  literary  ability,  but  rare  mechanical  skill  and  he  has  always 
devoted  much  of  his  time  to  perfecting  various  contrivances  upon  which  he 
holds  patents.  His  first  invention  was  a  sugar-cane  stripper,  which  he  patented 
in  1865,  when  he  was  only  twenty-two  years  of  age.  Later  he  patented  a  spiral 
gate  and  door  spring,  that  is  now  used  all  over  the  world,  while  to  him  must 
be  given  the  credit  for  the  rubber  stamp  and  printing  wheels,  which  were  placed 
on  the  market  in  1866.  He  also  invented  the  first  computing  postal  scale,  and 
he  likewise  holds  the  patent  on  a  dusting  brush  and  window  fastener,  as  well 
as  a  clothes  wringer  and  corn  popper,  and  a  number  of  other  useful  articles. 
On  the  5th  of  March,  1868,  Professor  Witherell  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Lottie  A.  Anderson,  the  ceremony  being  performed  in  Knoxville.  Mrs. 
Witherell  was  born  in  Sweden,  in  1852,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Swan  and  Mary 
Anderson,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Knoxville  during 


,  :^C::  V       ;V^-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;   :  ^^     225 

;    the  early  days.     The  parents  are  now  both  deceased  and  Mrs.  Witherell  passed 

.'•'  away,  on  March  13,  1909.    None  of  the  children  born  of  this  marriage  lived  and 

•V     Professor  and  Mrs.  Witherell  adopted  two  children,  Arthur  L.  and  Augusta. 

The  former  is  now  married  and  residing  in  Seattle,  Washington,  where  he  is 

:j.    superintendent  of  a  large  printing  and  publishing  company.     Augusta  is  the 

.;   wife  of  Robert  McCall  of  Davenport,  Iowa.     Professor  Witherell  has  resided 

;    in  the  house  he  now  occupies   for   fourteen  years,  the  place  being  known  as 

;^    "Shady  Hill,"  because  it  contains  the  largest  and  oldest  tree  in  Knox  county, 

'.;     which  stands  in  the  front  yard.    The  kitchen  of  this  house  was  built  by  Profes- 

•    sor  Witherell  and  it  is  a  most  interesting  room.     It  is  constructed  from  wood 

taken  from  a  number  of  historical  houses  in  Knoxville,  the  old  Hebbard  House 

;      providing  th6  door.    This  was  taken  from  the  room  that  was  occupied  by  Abra- 

^      ham  Lincoln,  on  the  night  of  October  6,  1858,  the  time  he  and  Douglas  held 

•.   their  memorable  debate. 

In  addition  to  all  of  his  other  talents.  Professor  Witherell  is  endowed  with 
'     considerable  musical  ability  and  he  has  devised  a  number  of  clever  musical  instru- 
C-    ments  of  real  artistic  value  from  squashes,  gourds  and  other  vegetables.     Pro- 
fessor Witherell  has  been  an  ardent  curio  collector   for  over  fifty  years,  and 
:     has  an  immense  and  beautiful  collection,  handsomely  arranged  in  cases,  which 
\.    he  has  named  "The  Old  Curiosity  Shop"  and  which  he  will  locate  permanently 
in  some  public  park,  where  it  will  be  a  permanent  attraction  and  of  great  value 
;.'      to  the  public  for  years  to  come.     He  has  always  been  too  deeply  engrossed  in 
the  pursuit  of  his  various  personal  interests  to  devote  much  attention  to  outside 
affairs,  so  has  very  few  public  connections.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  belonging  to  the  Knoxville  camp,  one  of  the  oldest  in  the 
'      county,   which   is    his   only    fraternal    connection.      Professor   Witherell   has    a 
wide  and  favorable  acquaintance  among  the  citizens  of  Knox  county,  where  he 
.   .  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life  and  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  rare  worth 
and  ability. 


V  r    ^  •  WILLIAM  D.  FLEHARTY.    >  .  V     /  ^•-    - 

.o,''  • />'.^''">^-'  /.  ••-  '^  -:••..•_••[-' •''':'i  ' '•^••/-^•^\':'^V^;::'-.'-'V\.:"' 'i:'.'\-v- ,  •  .  ..'^'-••'..•'./'' .'V' •:^./ 
Among  the  worthy  citizens  of  Galesburg  death  has  claimed,  yet  whose  memory 
is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  them,  is  numbered  William  D. 
Fleharty.  His  was  a  noble  character  and  his  high  ideals  and  lofty  principles 
were  manifest  in  the  active  part  which  he  bore  in  church  work  and  his  unselfish 
devotion  thereto.  He  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  North  Henderson  town- 
ship. Mercer  county,  Illinois,  his  natal  day  being  October  4,  1834.  His  parents. 
Covert  S.  and  Margaret  H.  Fleharty,  were  pioneer  settlers  of  the  state,  casting 
in  their  lot  with  the  early  residents  of  Mercer  county,  when  its  settlements  were 
few  and  when  the  work  of  development  and  progress  seemed  scarcely  begim. 
The  family  lived  upon  a  farm  and  it  was  on  the  old  homestead  that  William 
D.  Fleharty  spent  his  youthful  days,  experiencing  many  of  the  hardships  and 
privations  of  pioneer  life,  yet  finding  in  these  conditions  the  things  which  tested 
the  mettle  of  his  own  character  and  constituted  the  foundation  of  his  later  suc- 
cessful career  and  nobility.  Throughout  the  period  of  his  minority  he  assisted 


226  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^; 

in  developing  the  home  farm  and  in  1860  he  started  out  in  life  independently 
at  the  time  of  his  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Petrie,  a  daughter  of  William 
Petrie,  of  New  Windsor,  Illinois.  They  began  their  domestic  life  upon  a  farm 
in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  near  Alpha,  and  there  lived  for  about  nine  years,  when, 
in  1869,  they  removed  to  New  Windsor,  where  Mr.  Fleharty  turned  his  attention 
to  the  grain  trade,  meeting  with  success  in  that  business  during  the  twenty  years 
which  he  devoted  to  the  work.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  he  removed  to 
Galesburg  and  in  1890  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Emma  A. 
Gordon,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Martha  Gordon,  pioneers  of  Mercer  '•'•.  ,:- 
county,  Pennsylvania,  who  had  also  become  a  resident  of  Galesburg  in  1890. 
There  was  one  daughter  by  his  first  marriage,  Anne. 

Mr.    Fleharty's   influence  was   always    found  on   the   side    of  progress  and 
improvement,  especially  along  intellectual  and  moral  lines.     He  was  an  active 
supporter  of  the  schools  of  New  Windsor  and  served  in  official  connection  - -^  ;'\; , 
therewith.    In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  republican  and  filled  the  office  of  supervisor 
in  Mercer  county.    He  became  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  New  Windsor 
Congregational  church,  was  superintendent  of  its  Sunday  school  for  a  number 
of  years  and  for  a  long  time  carried  almost  the  entire  work  of  the  church  on  ;  'l^  •;. 
his  shoulders.     After  removing  to  Galesburg  he  placed  his  membership  in  the  i.^-  '.' 
Old  First  church,  which  later  became  the  Central  church,  and  continued  equally  ,/  i'?^:'  - 
faithful  to  its  interests  and  active  in  its  support  and  work.     Men  came  to  know  *:'-:".•'' 
that  what  William  D.   Fleharty  promised  he  would  do,  that  his  word  was  as       >  -V  .: 
good  as  any  bond  solemnized  by  signature  or  seal  and  that  in  every  relation  of  ,  ;'' 
life  he  sought  to  follow  the  Golden  Rule.    "Not  the  good  that  comes  to  us  but  the 
good  that  comes  to  the  world  through  us"  is  the  measure  of  our  success,  and 
judged  by  this  standard  the  life  of  William  D.  Fleharty  was  a  most  successful  ''.'•:;.• 
one.      .  •      •    :      •  .  -  :  •  • ,  •-••  .-  •^- . .  /.•  -••    ---i-     .•.•.•.. 


;  .'     .  BOANNERGES  ELY.       ..          . 

Boannerges  Ely,  a  resident  of  Knox  county  since  1846,  was  for  many  years 
successfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  now  living  retired  at  his 
home  in  Wataga.  He  was  born  December  21,  1821,  in  Cumberland  Gap,  Clai-  , 
borne  county,  Tennessee.  His  father,  Solomon  Ely,  came  in  1834,  at  the  close 
of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  to  DeWitt  county,  Illinois,  where  he  fanned  until  his 
death  in  1865,  when  sixty-nine  years  old.  He  was  an  elder  in  the  Christian  , 
church  and  in  his  politics  was  a  stanch  democrat  until  the  time  of  Lincoln, 
when  he  joined  the  ranks  of  the  republican  party  and  remained  a  loyal  mem- 
ber till  the  last.  He  was  married  to  Rachel  Turner,  whose  death  occurred  in 
1848  at  the  age  of  forty-five.  There  were  ten  children  in  the  family.  The 
living  are:  Susanna,  the  wife  of  James  Stewart,  residing  in  Kansas;  and 
Boannerges,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  the  youngest  of  the  family. 
The  grandparents  on  the  father's  side  were  Isaac  and  Katherine  Ely,  the  former 
a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Germany.  The  grandparents  on  the 
mother's  side  were  William  and  Susan  Turner,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 


.;  :.  t  V'v    -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;>       231 

,         When  a  boy,  Boannerges  Ely  attended  the  district  school  and  after  school 

:     helped  his  father  about  the  farm,  beginning  his  apprenticeship  at  farming  at 

•;    the  tender  age  of  seven.     When  old  enough  to  do  a  man's  share  of  work  he 

';    farmed  in  the  employ  of  others,  working  for  eight  dollars  a  month.     At  the 

age  of  twenty-one  he  began  to  farm  on  his  own  account  and  in  1846  came  to 

Knox  county  and  1x>ught  land  in  Sparta  township.     Beginning  with  one  hun- 

; .  dred  and  twenty  acres,  he  increased  his  holdings  by  additional  purchases  until 

'  he  now  owns  three  hundred  and  ninety  acres.     He  was  very  successful  both 

.     in  general  farming  and  in  stock-raising  through  progressive  methods,  and  the 

',.    handsome  farm  which  he  improved  and  operated  for  many  years  proves  his 

efficiency  of  management.     He  retired  some  years  ago,  renting  his  land  from 

,   which  he  enjoys  a  comfortable  income.          •.'';.-'' 

;'...  The  marriage  of  Mr.  Ely  and  Miss  Mary  Duvall,  who  was  born  in  Ken- 

tucky,  July  7,  1834,  occurred  November  3,  1850.     Her  father,  Thomas  Duvall, 

:'  was  a  native  of  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  born   February  28,   1802,  a  son  of 

James  and  Judith  (Jennings)  Duvall.     His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of 

1812.    Thomas  Duvall  became  a  resident  of  Illinois  in  1835,  settling  in  Warren 

;    county.    The  following  year  he  removed  to  Henderson  township,  Knox  county, 

where  he  engaged  in  farming  on  a  large  scale,  owning  at  one  time  two  thousand 

.    acres  of  land.     On  the  22d  of  April,  1822,  he  was  married  to   Miss  Nancy 

'.  Shumate,  a  native  of  Virginia,  born  August  19,  1804.     Mr.  Duvall  died  in  the 

fall  of    1890,  on   September   25,   and   his   wife   passed   away    March   2,    1888. 

Mrs.  Ely  was  one  of  ten  children,  of  whom  five  are  still  living.     There  were 

•.  three  children  in  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boannerges  Ely:     Nancy,  the 

widow  of  John  Deming,  who  lives  at  Wataga,  Illinois;  William,  who  married 

"    Belle  McGinnis,  and  is  a  farmer  in  North  Dakota;  and  Ella,  deceased,  who 

was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Temple  and  the  mother  of  two  children. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ely  are  devout  members  of  the  Christian  church  at  Wataga, 

of  which  Mr.  Ely  was  one  of  the  charter  members.     He  is  a  republican  and 

has  held  office  on  the  town  board  for  eight  years.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ely  have  led  a 

happy,  peaceful  life.     Being  among  the  oldest  residents  of  this  section  of  the 

.  >  country,  they  are  well  known  to  many  people  and  have  a  host  of  friends.     Mrs. 

:     Ely  still  passes  an  occasional  hour  at  her  old  spinning  wheel  that  she  used 

when  a  girl  and  in  the  still  silence  broken  only  by  her  rythmic  tread  she  lives 

•   over  again  events  that  happened  in  the  days  of  long  ago  when  Knox  county 

•     was  a  region  of  prairie  land  and  neighbors  lived  many  miles  apart.       .       . 


:•:.;:;-;:•/,,';.,  •"'^;,:--:     GUSTAVE  WENZELMANN.    '      :  '•.    • : '"JV;  ^^^^^^f'.-; 

The  name  of  Gustave  Wenzelmann  figures  prominently  in  connection  with 
the  industrial  and  manufacturing  interests  of  Galesburg,  in  which  city  he  took 
up  his  abode  in  1904.     He  now  has  an  extensive  manufacturing  plant,  which 
stands  in  the  midst  of  sixteen  acres  of  ground,  affording  him  excellent  shipping 
facilities  over  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  and  Santa  Fe  Railroads.     In 
business  management  he  displays  all  those  requirements  which  are  essential  to 
success  and  has  gradually  worked  his  way  upward  to  a  creditable  and  gratify- 
ing position.  .       ..      ..     .  ^  .    ...  .:.-..  ...  .. 

voL  n— 11     .'•',•:'•'}-''•••••': :'^.-:  '^:^  •'•••-'''••' 


232  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '/    ;>r:^.|  ^:;: 

Mr.  Wenzelmann  was  born  in  Neunkhausen,  Germany,  on  the  8th  of  March, 
1867,  a  son  of  Ludwig  and  Rosina  (Schneider)  Wenzelniann,  who  were  also 
natives  of  Neunkhausen,  the  father  having  been  born  on  the  7th  of  January, 
1838,  and  the  mother  on  the  loth  of  October  of  the  same  year.  Ludwig  Wenzel- 
mann was  a  cabinetmaker  and  sawmill  owner  and  continued  in  business  in  his 
native  country  until  1882,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Kan-, 
kakee,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  his  trade.  He  lived  a  life  of  usefulness  and . 
activity,  his  labors  being  terminated  only  in  death,  on  the  I7th  of  May,  1910. 
Fora  considerable  period  he  had  survived  his  wife,  who  died  in  1886.  Both  were 
members  of  the  German  Evangelical  church  and  his  political  allegiance  was 
given  the  democratic  party.  In  their  family  were  three  children :  Alwina  and 
Bertha,  both  now  deceased ;  and  Gustave. 

The  last  named  pursued  his  education  in  Germany,  becoming  a  gymnasium 
student,  and  in  the  high  school  of  Kankakee  he  continued  his  studies  following 
the  arrival  of  the  family  in  America.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he 
secured  employment  in  a  lumberyard  and  store  at  Kankakee  in  the  capacity  of 
bookkeeper  and  later  he  utilized  his  earnings  in  establishing  a  general  merchan- 
dise store  at  Missal,  Illinois,  embarking  in  business  there  on  his  own  account 
in  1884.  From  the  beginning  he  enjoyed  a  good  trade  and  continued  in  active 
connection  with  this  commercial  interest  for  a  considerable  period,  also  serving 
as  postmaster.  In  1895,  however,  he  disposed  of  his  store  and  removed  to 
Streator,  Illinois,  where  he  turned  his  attention  to  manufacturing,  being  thus 
active  in  the  business  affairs  of  that  place  until  1904,  when  he  came  to  Gales- 
burg  and  built  the  plant  which  he  is  now  operating.  He  manufactures  portable 
elevators,  hardware  specialties,  power  wash  machines,  vacuum  cleaning  plants, 
electric  light  outfits  for  farm  houses  and  general  labor-saving  devices  as  well 
as  gas  engines  and  he  also  has  a  small  piano  factory.  There  is  also  a  well 
'equipped  chemical  laboratory  connected  with  the  establishment.  The  business 
is  conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Wenzelmann  Manufacturing  Company  and 
was  incorporated  in  1899,  with  Gustave  Wenzelmann  as  the  president,  Mrs. 
Wenzelmann  as  vice  president  and  E.  H.  Overholt  as  secretary  and  treasurer. 
Employment  is  furnished  for  many  people  and  the  company  owns  sixteen  acres 
of  ground  adjoining  the  tracks  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  and  Santa 
Fe  Railroads.  The  building  covers  eighty-three  thousand  square  feet  of  floor 
space  and  is  splendidly  equipped  for  the  different  lines  of  manufacture  there ; 
conducted.  All  departments  of  the  business  are  well  organized  and,  keeping  in 
close  touch  with  the  trade,  Mr.  Wenzelmann  understands  the  demands  of  the 
public  and  the  needs  of  the  times  and  so  conducts  his  business  as  to  meet  these. 

Mr.  Wenzelmann  has  been  married  twice.  In  the  spring  of  1892  he  wedded 
Miss  Florence  Esther  Powell,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  A.  B.  and  Mary  (Haffner) 
Powell,  of  Missal,  Illinois.  They  became  the  parents  of  four  children,  Rosa, 
Naomi,  Jessie  and  Maxwell,  all  at  home.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away 
June  22,  1907,  and  on  the  I2th  of  August,  1908,  Mr.  Wenzelmann  wedded  Miss 
Marion  Rees,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Mary  Ann  Rees,  of  Galesburg.  There 
is  one  child  of  this  marriage,  Ann.  Both  wives  of  Mr.  Wenzelmann  were  suc- 
cessful schoolteachers  prior  to  their  marriage.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican 
and  has  served  as  school  director  of  the  first  ward  but  has  never  sought  nor 
desired  office  in  recognition  of  his  party  fealty.  He  belongs  to  the  Galesburg 


•'r:s:-.A;--;     t;K;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        /.••/  :>:^      233 

Club  and  to  Grace  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  is  a  vestryman.  While  he  is 
winning  success  in  his  business  undertakings,  his  interests  are  not  confined  by  his 
manufacturing  activities  but  extend  beyond  to  the  broader  and  more  general  in- 
terests of  life,  he  being  ever  recognized  as  a  progressive  citizen  whose  coopera- 
tion in  public  affairs  marks  him  as  a  valued  resident  of  Galesburg.  ,':•  :T'  ': 


•;:5^-      ';.:          ;:   >W;  CHARLES  MILLER.:/^  :'-:V;'  •    r;;.X^-v 

Charles  Miller,  a  prominent  contractor  and  builder  residing  at  No.  1007  North 
Cedar  street  in  Galesburg,  has  made  his  home  in  this  city  since  coming  to  the 
United  States  in  1887.  He  has  been  continuously  identified  with  building  inter- 
ests for  the  past  third  of  a  century  and  many  of  the  most  important  structures 
of  Galesburg  stand  as  monuments  to  his  skill  and  ability.  His  birth  occurred 
in  Kent  county,  England,  on  the  3d  of  November,  1862,  his'  parents  being  Wil- 
liam John  George  and  Emma  Sarah  (King)  Miller,  who  were  likewise  natives 
of  that  country.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  also  born  in  England.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  attained  a  ripe  old  age  and  reared  a  large  family  of  children,  includ- 
ing the  following  named :  William  John  George,  Edward  and  Susie.  George 
King,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  likewise  a  native  of  the 
Merrie  Isle.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Emma  Allen, 
were  well  advanced  in  years  when  called  to  their  final  rest.  Their  children 
were  as  follows :  Emma  Sarah,  Anna,  M.  H.,  Susanna,  George  and  Charles. 

William  J.  G.  Miller,  the  father  of  Charles  Miller,  was  a  job  master  and 
liveryman  in  Walmer,  England.  His  demise  occurred  in  1903,  when  he  had 
attained  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  while  his  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest 
in  1907  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight.  They  were  faithful  members  of  the  Church 
of  England.  Unto  them  were  born  seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  as  follows : 
Emma  Mary  Ann,  who  is  a  resident  of  Walmer,  Kent,  England ;  John  William 
George,  also  living  at  that  place ;  Charles,  of  this  review ;  James,  who  makes  his 
home  in  St.  Louis ;  George  Allen,  who  is  deceased ;  Herbert  Edward,  of  London, 
England;  Percy,  residing  in  Australia;  Frederick,  of  Kent;  Susanna  Frances, 
the  wife  of  James  Grew,  of  Croydon,  England;  and  two  daughters,  who  died 
in  infancy.  ..-v.:"  •^;V--  •..  ';V'  "':  •.;^  ^v  ,^'-.:<-'-l\.:J .-  ''.-^'V'.  "  •'  -''':•  '•.  •  .Vr;  : '-' 

Charles  Miller  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county.  When  a  youth 
of  fourteen  he  put  aside  his  text-books  and  was  bound  out  to  a  lawyer  that  he 
might  learn  the  trade  of  a  builder,  which  he  has  followed  continuously  since 
1877.  In  1887  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  took  up  his  abode  in 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  where  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time.  Many  of  the 
prominent  structures  of  the  city  were  erected  by  him,  among  them  being  the 
public  library ;  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  the  building  of  which 
he  superintended ;  the  First  National  Bank ;  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank ; 
the  Holmes  building ;  the  quarters  of  the  Lass  &  Larson  Company  and  the  O.  T. 
Johnson  Company ;  and  the  power  house  of  the  People's  Traction  Company. 
He  has  likewise  erected  hundreds  of  residences  and  is  frequently  called  in  con- 
sultation by  other  builders.  In  addition  to  his  extensive  and  important  interests 
as  a  contractor  and  builder  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Lass  &  Larson  Wall  Paper 


234  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ..    ./ 

Company.     Mr.  Miller  carries  forward  to  completion  whatever  he  undertakes,   '. 
having  a  resolute  spirit  and  strong  determination  that  enables  him  to  overcome        '  . 
all  difficulties   and   obstacles   and   make   steady   progress   toward   the  goal   of    ,  ./ 
prosperity. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  1884,  Mr.  Miller  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Lass  Spinner,  a  native  of  Deal,  Kent  county,  England,  and  a  daughter         :': 
of  Henry  Clement  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Lass)    Spinner,  who  were  also  born  in        y 
that  country.     The   father  passed   away  at  the  early  age  of  thirty-two  years, 
while  the  mother  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-six.     Henry  C.  Spinner  was  a  dairy          ; 
merchant.     Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  six  children,  namely:     William        . 
H.,  Ellen,   Elizabeth,   Eannie   M.,   and  two   who   died   in   early   life.      Richard 
Spinner,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Miller,  was  a  gentleman  farmer.    To 
him  and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sarah  Stokes,  were  born  the 
following  children :     Henry,   Susan,  Fannie,  Mary  Ann  and  Jennie.     William         !-  • 
and  Sarah  (Eastes)  Lass,  the  maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Miller,  had  thir-..,  >,- 
teen  children,  of  whom   the   following  are   known :     Frank,   Elizabeth,   Nora,          ; 
Grove,  Ebenezer,  William,  Loremia,  John,  Thomas,  Mary  and  Sarah.     Charles  .       ! 
Miller,  our  subject,  and  Mrs.  Miller  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  as  fol-        .:- 
lows:    Harry  William,  a  builder  and  farmer  of  Canada;  Clarence  and  George,   ;'... 
who  died  in  infancy;  Herbert  L.,  a  student;  Ethel,  at  home;  Clement,  who  is         ; 
deceased;  Ruth  and  Elizabeth,  who  are  under  the  parental  roof;  and  Emory  G.,  . 

who  has  passed  away.  ' 

In  politics  Mr.  Miller  is  independent,  supporting  men  and  measures  rather 
than  party.     At  the  present  time  he  is  serving  as  alderman  of  the  first  precinct         ; 
in  the  third  ward.     Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masons,  belonging  to 
Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ;  Gales-        ': 
burg  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.  T. ;  Knoxville  Council,  R.  &  S.  M. ;  and  Mohammed          - 
Temple  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.    He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Gales-  .    •  '. 
burg  lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.    He  belongs  to  the  Gales- 
burg  Club  and  made  the  second  subscription  for  the  erection  of  a  club  building.          -. 
His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Central  Congregational 
church,  to  which  his  wife  likewise  belongs.    The  circle  of  their  friends  is  almost        ; 
coextensive  with  the  circle  of  their  acquaintances  and  all  who  know  them  enter-        '  . 
tain  for  them  the  warmest  esteem  and  regard.  v  - 


';;;      .:•  EDGAR  J.  LOCKWOOD.        ^-.fv; 

Edgar  J.  Lockwood,  who  is  living  in  Knoxville  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight 
years,  has  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his  life  to  spreading  the  gospel  as  a 
minister  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  was  born  in  Plattsburg,  New  York,  on  June 
30,  1823,  and  is  a  son  of  Sheldon  and  Parthenia  (Clark)  Lockwood.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  New  Milford,  Connecticut,  his  birth  occurring  on  the 
2Oth  of  November,  1789,  while  his  mother  was  born  in  Hartford,  New  York, 
on  the  1st  of  September,  1795.  Left  an  orphan  in  his  early  childhood  at  the 
age  of  seven  years  Sheldon  Lockwood  was  bound  out  to  a  hatter  in  Connecticut. 
He  also  learned  the  furrier's  trade,  continuing  to  follow  both  occupations  in  his 


':}    ':  V  ; -•  -      /v''^    HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  :;:     :'         235 

native  state  until  1812,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  army  for  seven  years'  service 
and  participated  in  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain.  After  the  close  of  hos- 
tilities he  located  in  Plattsburg,  New  York,  where  he  established  a  furrier  shop 
and  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  hats  until  1825.  EHsposing  of  his  busi- 
ness he  then  came  west  with  his  family,  stopping  for  a  time  in  Chicago,  but 
later  went  to  Ottawa,  whence  he  subsequently  removed  to  Lewiston.  He  resided 
there  for  several  years  then  went  to  Warren  county,  purchasing  some  land  in 
the  vicinity  of  Berwick,  that  he  cultivated  for  many  years.  There  he  passed 
away  on  the  2ist  of  May,  1851,  but  the  mother  survived  until  January  21,  1889, 
her  death  occurring  in  Galesburg,  and  was  laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband  in 
the  cemetery  at  Berwick.  Warren  county.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lock- 
woofl  numbered  the  following  children,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  with  the 
exception  of  our  subject.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows :  Melissa,  who 
married  Erskine  Wilbur ;  Edgar  J.,  our  subject ;  Rachel,  the  wife  of  Daniel 
Belden ;  Catherine ;  Emily  E.,  who  for  nineteen  years  was  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools  of  Galesburg;  Alva  C. ;  Ira  W.  and  Mason  M.,  who  were  twins;  Henri- 
etta; Jane  E.,  the  wife  of  S.  P.  Phelps,  of  Monmouth ;  and  Mary  Louisa.  ' 
.  The  greater  part  of  the  education  of  Edgar  J.  Lockwood  was  acquired 
through  reading  and  study  after  attaining  maturity,  his  early  advantages  being 
confined  to  the  brief  and  irregular  sessions  of  the  district  school.  Being  the 
eldest  son  of  a  large  family  he  was  early  compelled  to  assume  the  duties  of 
manhood  and  at  the  age  of  nine  years  was  entrusted  to  plow  the  fields.  He  was 
an  ambitious  youth,  however,  and  longed  to  devote  his  life  to  a  noble  purpose, 
feeling  deeply  drawn  to  the  ministry  where  he  recognized  great  opportunities 
for  usefulness.  While  little  more  than  a  lad  he  determined  to  devote  his  life  to 
the  spreading  of  the  Gospel  and  with  this  purpose  in  view  devoted  every  moment 
he  was  nbt  occupied  in  the  fields  in  reading  and  study.  Ultimately  he  attained 
his  ambition  and  was  admitted  to  the  ministry  of  the  Baptist  church.  His  first 
pastorate  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Prairie  City,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  for 
four  years,  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  being  transferred  to  the  church  in 
Prairie  City.  Some  of  his  charges  were  very  small,  and  his  duties  being  light, 
he  also  engaged  in  farming.  Erom  Illinois  he  went  to  Iowa,  his  first  church  in 
the  latter  state  being  at  Bedford,  whence  he  removed  to  Emerson.  After  leav- 
ing there  he  located  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Bedford  and  in  connection  with 
the  cultivation  of  this  he  also  held  the  ministry  of  a  country  church.  He  next 
went  to  Kansas,  locating  in  the  vicinity  of  Emporia,  where  he  preached  for  a 
time,  going  from  there  to  West  Plains,  Missouri,  where  he  resided  for  twenty 
years  and  had  charge  of  a  church.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  withdrew 
from  the  ministry  and  coming  to  Galesburg  lived  with  a  daughter  until  the  ist 
of  September,  1908,  when  he  came  to  Knoxville.  Although  he  has  not  held  a 
charge  for  more  than  fifteen  years,  and  seldom  occupies  a  pulpit  any  more,  Mr. 
Lockwood  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  church  work,  and  never  misses  a  religious 
service  unless  the  condition  of  his  health  prevents  his  attendance.  He  has  always 
been  a  zealous  and  conscientious  worker,  and  despite  the  many  trials  and  hard- 
ships that  confront  every  man  who  devotes  his  life  to  public  service  he  has 
ever  been  sustained  by  the  faith  that  is  the  comfort  and  solace  of  his  age.  He 
has  never  faltered  but  has  faithfully  discharged  every  duty  in  accordance  with 
what  to  him  seemed  best. ;  •  >  :  .  ^  ^  ;^^  .  •  :";;  •  /  •.=:  •  V '. ;  ^ 


236  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;:•':: ";.:::;. 

•.•  •        •  .          '.S    --•••••_.    •: 

In  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  2ist  of  June,  1849,  Mr.  Lockwood  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mandana  A.  Jones,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Canada, 
on  the  2d  of  January,  1831.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Atlanta  (Bartlett)  » 
Jones,  the  father  also  a  native  of  Canada,  his  birth  occurring  on  February  22, 
1808,  while  the  mother  was  bom  in  Vermont,  on  the  2d  of  January,  i8io.  They 
were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Illinois,  first  locating  in  Mercer  county, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  farming,  but  later  took  up  his  residence  in  Gales- 
burg,  and  there  both  he  and  the  mother  passed  away.  They  were  the  parents 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Lockwood  was  the  eldest.  The  others  were  as 
follows :  Louisa,  the  widow  of  Leonidas  Anderson,  of  Oklahoma ;  Orson,  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  now  deceased ;  Harriet,  also  deceased,  who  is  buried 
in  the  cemetery  at  Knoxville ;  Granville,  who  is  a  resident  of  Galesburg ;  Norvel, 
also  of  Galesburg ;  and  Corwin,  who  lives  in  Shenandoah,  Iowa.  Unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lockwood  there  were  born  two  daughters :  Alice  Irene,  the  deceased  wife  • 
of  Elisha  White,  by  whom  she  had  one  son,  Walter,  now  living  in  Chicago ;  and 
Effie  Louise,  who  married  Marshall  Goodsill  of  Galesburg,  and  is  the  mother 
of  four  children :  Ruth,  Claire,  Inez  and  Max. 

Despite  his  advanced  years,  Mr.  Lockwood  is  still  in  full  possession  of  his 
faculties  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  public 
welfare,  particularly  of  a  religious  nature.-  ,;  ,  .  .,.,,;.•.:  •  , 


/-;^V        ,  EDWARD  PAYSON  WILLIAMS.        y^^xri 

It  is  a  difficult  matter  during  the  life  of  any  one,  to  render  a  satisfactory 
tribute  to  his  character,  especially  when  the  man  concerned  is  of  a'  disposi- 
tion so  retiring  and  unobtrusive  as  E.  P.  Williams.  He  was  born  at  Russia, 
New  York,  in  the  year  1833,  and  moved  to  Galesburg  with  his  parents  in  the 
year  1836. 

It  seems  most  fitting  and  appropriate  that  he  should  be.  mentioned  in  this 
volume  in  the  History  of  Knox  County,  of  which  he  has  been  so  important 
a  factor  for  many  years.  In  the  absence  of  a  personal  biography,  we  copy  by 
permission  from  the  "Bench  and  Bar  of  Illinois,"  edited  by  the  late  John  M. 
Palmer  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  former  governor  and  former  senator  from 
Illinois,  the  following  historical  sketch  of  Mr.  Williams:  ./  V.  j  •-  ,  •. 

"Edward  Payson  Williams  has  resided  in  Galesburg  for  more  than  fifty  years, 
and  for  the  past  twenty-five  years  has  been  the  recognized  leader  of  the  Knox 
county  bar.  His  modest  and  unassuming  nature  has  kept  him  from  the  public 
gaze,  but  the  strength,  clearness  and  accuracy  of  his  judgment,  coupled  with  an 
unHecked  purity  and  integrity  of  life,  have  made  him  known  and  respected  and 
loved  by  all  who  have  been  either  his  clients  or  his  friends. 

"His  father,  Sherman  Williams,  was  one  of  the  early  abolitionists,  and  first 
settled  in  Missouri ;  but  his  views  on  the  slavery  question  were  not  accepted  there 
and  he  was  driven  from  the  state  by  the  pro-slavery  element,  fleeing  by  night 
with  his  wife  and  young  children.  His  mother.  Sally  (Bradley)  Williams,  was 
a  woman  of  very  remarkable  intellectual  power,  an  omnivorous  reader,  with  a 
genius  and  love  for  guiding  and  instructing  youthful  minds. 


236  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTY 

In  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  2ist  of  June.  1849,  Mr.  Lock\voo(l  uas 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Manclana  A.  Jones,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Canada, 
on  the  2(1  of  January,  1831,  She  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Atlanta  (I'artlett ) 
Jones,  the  father  also  a  native  of  Canada,  his  birth  occurring  on  I-'ebruary  22, 
1808,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  \'ermont,  on  the  2d  of  January,  1810.  They 
were  among  the  jiioneer  settlers  of  Illinois,  first  locating  in  Mercer  county, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  farming,  but  later  took  up  his  residence  in  Gales- 
burg,  and  there  both  he  and  the  mother  passed  away.  They  were  the  i)arents 
of  seven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Lockwood  was  the  eldest.  The  others  were  as 
follows :  Louisa,  the  widow  of  Leonidas  Anderson,  of  Oklahoma ;  Orson,  a 
veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  now  deceased  :  Harriet,  also  deceased,  who  is  buried 
in  the  cemetery  at  Knoxville :  Granville,  who  is  a  resident  of  Galesburg;  Xorvel, 
also  of  Galesburg;  and  Corwin,  who  lives  in  Shenandoah,  Iowa.  Unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lockwood  there  were  born  two  daughters:  Alice  Irene,  the  deceased  wife 
of  Elisha  \\'hite,  by  whom  she  had  one  son,  \\'alter,  now  living  in  Chicago;  and 
Eflfie  Louise,  wlio  married  Marshall  Goodsill  of  Galesburg,  and  is  the  mother 
of  four  children ;  Ruth,  Claire,  Inez  and  Max. 

Des])ite  bis  advanced  years,  Mr.  Lockwood  is  still  in  full  pos.session  of  his 
faculties  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  public 
welfare,  particularly  of  a  religious  nature. 


EDWARD  PAYSOX  WILLIAMS.         ' 

It  is  a  difficult  matter  during  the  life  of  any  one,  to  render  a  satisfactory 
tribute  to  his  character,  especially  when  the  man  concerned  is  of  a  disiKjsi- 
tion  so  retiring  and  unobtrusive  as  E.  P.  \\'illiams.  1  le  was  Ixjrn  at  Rus.sia, 
Xew  York,  in  the  year  1833,  and  moved  to  Galesburg  with  his  j)arents  in  the 
year  1836. 

It  seems  most  fitting  and  appropriate  that  he  should  be  mentioned  in  this 
volume  in  the  History  of  Kno.x  County,  of  which  he  has  been  so  important 
a  factor  for  many  years.  In  the  absence  of  a  personal  bi()grai)hy,  we  copy  by 
I)ermissiun  from  the  "I'.ench  and  15ar  of  Illincjis,"  edited  by  the  late  John  M. 
J 'aimer  of  S])ringtiel(l,  Illinois,  former  governor  an<l  former  senator  from 
Illinoi>^,  the  following  historical  sketch  of  Mr.  \\'illiams: 

"l-'dward  Payson  \\'illiams  has  resided  in  Galesburg  f(tr  more  than  fifty  years, 
and  for  the  past  twenty-five  years  has  I)een  the  recognized  leader  of  the  Knox 
county  bar.  His  modest  and  unassuming  nature  has  kei)t  him  from  the  public 
gaze,  but  the  strength,  clearness  and  accuracy  of  his  judgment,  coupled  witli  an 
unHecked  jmrity  and  integrity  of  life,  have  made  him  known  and  respected  and 
loved  by  all  who  have  been  either  bis  clients  or  bis  friends. 

"His  father,  Sherman  \\'illiams,  was  one  of  the  early  abolitionists,  and  first 
settled  in  Missouri;  but  his  views  on  the  .slavery  cjue.stion  were  not  accepted  there 
and  he  was  driven  from  the  state  by  the  pro-slavery  element,  fleeing  by  night 
uitb  bis  wife  and  young  children.  His  mother.  Sally  M'.radley)  \\'illiams,  was 
a  woman  of  very  remarkable  intellectual  ])ower,  an  omnivorous  reader,  with  a 
genius  and  love  for  guiding  and  instructing  youthful  minds. 


:    ;vC    y-    ^v-       :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^ivrv/r        239 

"Mr.  Williams'  early  life  was  spent  on  a  farm,  and,  excepting  portions  of  a 
v';  few  years  which  were  spent  in  the  district  school  and  in  Knox  College,  he  did 
;    the  hard  and  exacting  work  of  the  farm  until  he  had  passed  his  twenty-fifth 
-.year.    An  injury  which  he  then  received  disabled  him  from  continuing  in  that 
i  calling,  and  he  took  up  with  indomitable  purpose  his  preparation  for  the  prac- 
'    tice  of  the  law.    After  two  years  of  study,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Illi- 
•  nois  on  an  examination  conducted  in  person  by  the  late  Judge  Corydon  Beck- 
with.     From  the  very  beginning  of  his  practice,  he  took  rank  as  a  lawyer  who 
:;  knew  the  law  and  could  present  it  clearly,  who  prepared  his  cases  with  thor- 
oughness  and  who  tried  them  both  skillfully  and  honorably;  who  gave  the  same 
•'   high  service  to  the  small  cause  and  to  the  poor  client  that  the  largest  interests 
'     could  command;  and  it  was  soon  known  to  all  that  he  would  neither  take  a  re- 
tainer  because  the  professional  rewards  were  to  be  large  if  the  cause  did  not  com- 
''    mend  itself  to  his  judgment  and  conscience,  nor  refuse  a  cause  that  seemed  to 
'.    him  meritorious  though  no  reward  were  promised  and  its  advocacy  was  un- 
popular. 

'          "His  name  will  be  found  as  counsel  in  nearly  every  volume  of  the  reports  of 
the  supreme  court  of  Illinois  from  the  forty-eighth  to  the  present  time.     Upon 

•  •  important  or  intricate  questions  of  law,  no  better  briefs  than  his  have  been  filed 
.   in  that  court.     They  have  furnished  the  basis  for  the  opinions  of  the  supreme 

court  in  many  leading  cases;  notably,  in  the  celebrated  county  seat  fight  between 

Knoxville  and  Galesburg,  settling  the  right  of  citizens  by  a  bill  in  equity  to  purge 

'     poll  books  and  election  returns  of  the  illegal  votes  cast,  and  to  have  the  court 

,'  determine  the  result  of  the  legal  votes  at  such  election.     Knox  County  versus 

'  Davis,  Illinois  Reports,  volume  63,  page  405.     In  Stowell  versus  Bair.  Illinois 

;/'  Appellate  Reports,  volume  5,  page  104,  he  filed  a  masterly  brief  on  the  question 

,v  of  the  priority  of  lien  upon  growing  crops  between  the  landlord  and  the  mort- 

'  •  gagee.     In  Patterson  versus  McKinney,  Illinois  Reports,  volume  97,  page  41, 

his  brief  upon  the  proposition  that  conveyances  to  one's  family  made  while  heavily 

indebted  and  engaged  in  speculations  can  be  set  aside  in  equity  as  fraudulent, 

.;   is  preserved  in  the  report.     In  Kiernan  versus  C.,  S.  F.  &  C.  Railway  Company, 

Illinois  Reports,  volume  123,  page  i88.  the  court  sustained  his  splendid  set  of 

:     instructions  as  to  weight  of  evidence  in  condemnation  cases. 

'  "During  his  long  career  at  the  bar  he  has  met  in  professional  contests  nearly 
every  prominent  lawyer  of  the  Military  Tract,  and  has  won  his  full  share  of 
;•  victories.  In  the  early  days  his  practice  was  not  confined  to  Knox  county,  but 
;:  extended  to  all  the  counties  of  the  circuit.  In  Fulton  county  he  practiced  with 
'  '  Hon.  William  C.  Goudy,  who  afterward  became  a  well  known  lawyer  in  Chi- 
'.  cago,  and  Hon.  S.  P.  Shope,  afterward  justice  of  the  supreme  court  and  now  in 

•  active  practice  in  Chicago.    He  was  often  retained  with  or  against  Hon.  Thomas 

.' .  G.  Frost,  afterward  of  Frost  &  Miller,  of  Chicago ;  Hon.  A.  M.  Craig,  now  one 

.;    of  the  justices  of  the  supreme  court;   Hon.   Charles   B.   Lawrence,  afterward 

>.   justice  of  the  supreme  court,  and  then  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Chicago  bar, 

,    and  many  others.     He  was  an  early  friend  of  John  P.  Wilson,  Esq.,  and  of 

'Judge  Blodgett,  of  Chicago.     All  who  have  met  him  in  the  courts  or  have  in 

•  other  ways  come  to  know  him,  esteem  him  for  his  fidelity  as  a  friend  and  his 
.'  integrity  as  a  citizen,  and  warmly  admire  the  ability  and  conscience  which  have 

;;  characterized  every  act  of  his  professional  life.     But  his  best  work  and  high- 


240  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


est  title  to  distinction  does  not  lie  in  his  purely  professional  work.  His  greatest 
influence  has  been  wielded  as  a  man  of  honor  and  moral  bravery,  and  through 
the  many  men  who  have  gained  their  professional  ideals  and  inspiration  while 
students  in  his  office. 

"From  the  day  he  entered  a  law  office  until  now,  he  has  placed  the  obliga- 
tions of  a  lawyer  before  his  rewards  and  has  always  cared  more  to  settle  strife 
and  protect  rights  by  fair  compromise  than  to  encourage  litigation  or  imperil 
his  clients'  interests  in  the  hope  of  professional  reward  or  distinction. 

"He  has  not  drawn  the  line  merely  against  dishonest  claims  or  methods,  but 
against  causes  and  courses  that  while  entirely  honest  might  prove  hardships  to 
the  party,  though  beneficial  to  the  attorney.  For  example,  a  mortgage  for  over 
twenty  thousand  dollars  was  sent  him  with  instructions  to  begin  foreclosure  pro- 
ceedings. The  mortgagor  was  in  default  and  a  foreclosure  proceeding  would 
have  brought  an  attorney's  fee  of  an  unusual  size  and  of  which,  on  account  of 
the  large  number  of  persons  dependent  upon  him,  he  was  in  real  need.  Yet 
because  the  mortgagee  was  honest  and  would,  in  his  judgment,  be  able  to  pay 
the  larger  portion  of  the  defaulted  interest  within  the  next  six  months,  he  made 
the  unasked  recommendation  of  a  postponement  of  the  foreclosure  proceedings. 
The  result  was  that  the  mortgagor  saved  his  land  and  the  mortgagee  secured  his 
debt,  and  Mr.  Williams  received  but  a  nominal  fee.  And  examples  of  this  sort 
might  be  multiplied.  The  golden  rule  controls  him  both  as  a  lawyer  and  as  a 
man. 

"Students  from  his  office  are  found  in  the  upper  ranks  of  the  profession  from 
New  York  to  Seattle,  Washington,  and  all  hold  him  both  as  a  lawyer  and  citizen 
in  the  highest  regard  and  affection. 

"He  is  a  republican  in  politics,  as  was  natural  from  his  early  experiences, 
but  he  has  never  sought  public*  office.  In  the  early  days  of  his  practice  he  was 
city  attorney  of  Galesburg  for  one  term,  and  master  in  chancery  of  the  circuit 
court  for  a  short  time.  His  friends  have  long  desired  to  place  him  upon  the 
circuit  bench,  where  his  profound  knowledge  of  the  law,  tempered  by  his  fine 
sense  of  justice,  would  have  been  so  valuable  to  litigants ;  but  he  has  been  un- 
willing to  make  any  canvass  for  the  place  or  to  undergo  the  strife  of  a  polit- 
ical campaign.  He  has  neither  the  temperament  nor  the  natural  gifts  of  an 
advocate,  though  in  cases  appealing  strongly  to  his  feelings  he  has  made  some 
very  notable  and  effective  arguments  to  juries.  His  conspicuous  preeminence, 
however,  is  as  a  wise  counselor  who  always  sought  and  rarely  missed  'the  right 
of  the  matter.'  Though  past  three-score  years,  he  is  still  in  active  practice  m 
the  full  possession  of  his  ripened  powers,  and  has  associated  with  him  in  the 
practice  two  sons — Messrs.  Edwin  N.  and  G.  P.  Williams — who  are  rendering  him 
strong  and  efficient  aid  in  conducting  the  litigation  in  which  the  firm  is  retained." 
The  Bench  and  Bar  of  Illinois,  pages  452  to  454. 

Since  this  biography  was  published,  Mr.  Williams  has  continued  in  the  suc- 
cessful practice  of  his  profession  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  with  a  constantly  in- 
creasing reputation.  His  life  has  been  filled  with  deepest  sorrows.  His  wife, 
for  fifty  years  his  constant  and  loving  companion,  assistant  and  adviser,  has 
passed  away,  and  two  of  his  sons  who  were  associated  with  him  in  the  practice 
of  law  have  also  passed  to  the  beyond.  Perhaps  no  bjetter  idea  can  be  given  of 
the  estimate  in  which  Mr.  Williams  is  held  by  the  bar  of  Knox  county,  than  to 


,>:  Y  ;;•::,;::  .>f^'     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .        /  '   i^^^::        241 

quote  a  resolution  unanimously  passed  at  a  meeting  of  the  bar  association  of  '  •' 
Knox  county,  held  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  resolutions  upon  the  life  and       . 
services  of  the  late  Justice  Alfred  M.  Craig,  in  January,  1912.  V 

"The  Bar  Association  of  Knox  county  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  paying  ;; 
its  respects  and  tribute  to  the  memory  of  a  distinguished  member,   who  has      ." 
passed  away,  are  reminded  of  the  fact  that  we  have  still  with  us,  in  active  :  • 
practice,  the  Nestor  of  this  bar,  whose  seventy-ninth  birthday  will  soon  be  here. 
While  paying  our  tribute  to  the  deceased,  it  is  fitting  that  we  remember  the  liv-  ,. 
ing  who  is  still  with  us  to  guide  and  to  inspire,  and  to  extend  to  him  our  felicita- 
tions upon  his  approaching  anniversary.     Edward  Payson  Williams,  by  a  long      : 
and  distinguished  career  at  the  bar,  has  brought  distinction,  not  only  to  himself, 
but  the  bar  of  which  he  is  the  acknowledged  leader.    By  his  unselfish  public  serv-     ' : 
ice,  he  has  well  served  his  day  and  generation.     His  unfailing  kindness  has  en- 
deared him  to  us  all. and  his  integrity  and  moral  worth  is  an  example  to  us.    May  .- 
his  sorrows  be  tempered  to  him  and  his  remaining  years  be  filled  with  joy."  ;- ; 

We  cannot  close  this  brief  sketch  without  mentioning  one  of  the  greatest  hon-    - 
ors  that  ever  came  to  Mr.  Williams,  or  in  fact,  to  any  other  attorney  of  this   • 
state,  and  it  must  always  stand  as  a  most  beautiful  and  substantial  tribute  to    •  • 
his  memory  and  legal  attainments. 

In  the  year  1899  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  Illinois  passed  a  resolution 
creating   a    "Practice    Commission"    for    the    purpose    of    making   a    thorough 
examination   of  the   Practice   Act   and   to   suggest   needed   reforms   and   com-  -'•':•.- 
mission    seem   to   be   necessary   and   conducive   to   the   improvement   in   court  ; 
procedure.     Two  members  were  to  be  appointed   from   Cook  county,  one  by    \ 
the  Cook  County  Bar  Association,  one  by  the  appellate  court  of  the  First  district,     . 
and  of  the  remaining  three,  one  by  the  State  Bar  Association,  one  by  the  governor  -V 
o^  the  state  and  one  by  the  supreme  court  of  the  state  of  Illinois.    Mr.  Williams,   ' 
of  all  the  attorneys  of  this  state,  was  selected  by  the  supreme  court  to  act  upon 
that  commission,  thus  signifying  the  full  confidence  of  that  august  body  in  him  . 
as  being  qualified  in  every  way  to  represent  it  in  all  the  questions  that  might    .  . 
come  before  the  commission.    His  appointment  bears  date  September  15,  1899. 


....-:;^-;;r:;-/r>  .;>;--. :v •:;:;.;:••''  MAX  j.  MACK.    '::y-        •  -;A -•':-.v"--^^> •-•• 

Max  J.  Mack,  who  for  more  than  a  third  of  a  century  has  been  actively 
identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Galesburg  as  a  clothing  merchant,  has 
since  1895  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Jacobi  Brothers  &  Mack.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  on  the  6th  of  August,  1854,  his  parents  being 
Jacob  L.  and  Amelia  (Thurnauer)  Mack,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Bavaria,' 
Germany.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  also  born  there.  Jacob  L.  Mack,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  emigrated  to  America  half  a  century  ago  and  settled  in 
Cincinnati,  where  he  embarked  in  business  as  a  wholesale  clothier.  His  demise 
there  occurred  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  seventy  years.  His  wife,  sur- 
viving him,  was  seventy-two  years  old  when  called  to  her  final  rest.  Their 
children  were  six  in  number,  namely:  Edward  J.,  who  is  deceased;  Leopold  J., 


242  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

a  resident  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio ;  Herman,   who  has  also  passed  away ;  Carrie, 
r  living  in  Cincinnati ;  Max  J.,  of  this  review ;  and  Samuel  J.,  who  makes  his 
*  '.     home  in  Anderson,   Indiana. 

'.  Max  J.  Mack  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  native  city  and  attended  the 

"  public  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education,  being  graduated  from  the 

high  school  in  1872.     Subsequently  he  attended  a  night  law  school  for  a  time. 

Later  he  secured  employment  as  bookkeeper  in  a  wholesale  house,  holding  that 

,.       position  until  he  left  Cincinnati  and  came  to  Galesburg  in  1875.     Here  he  em- 

?'.    barked  in  the  clothing  business  on  his  own  account  and  at  the  end  of  a  year 

became  a  partner  of  his  father-in-law,  Abraham  Jacobi,  the  business  being  con- 

.  .   ducted  under  the  firm  style  of  Jacobi  &  Mack  until  1895.     For  the  past  sixteen 

years  the  establishment  has  borne  the  name  of  Jacobi  Brothers  &  Mack.    The 

';    partners  now  enjoy  an  extensive  business  and  are  very  successful  in  its  conduct. 

[         On  the  3d  of  May,  1876,  Mr.  Mack  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Fanny 

' ; '  Jacobi,  a'  native  of  Knoxville,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Qara 

..'•  •   (Schriesheimer)  Jacobi,  both  of  whom  were  born  at  Mannheim,  Germany.  They 

emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1848,  first  settling  in  Knoxville,  Illinois,  and 

later  coming  to  Galesburg.     Here  Abraham  Jacobi  passed  away  in  1909,  when 

;,   eighty-five  years  of  age.     His  widow,  who  still  survives  him,  has  now  attained 

the  age  of  eighty-two  years.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mack  were  born  two  children, 

Hattie  C.  and  Julian  J.,  both  at  home.    The  wife  and  mother  was  called  to  her 

N,  final  rest  in  1904,  when  forty-nine  years  of  age,  her  death  being  the  occasion  of 

>.  sincere  regret  in  the  county  in  which  she  had  spent  her  entire  life. 

;  Mr.   Mack,  a  stanch  republican  in  politics,  acted  as  alderman  of  the  first 

:':.   ward  for  eighteen  years.    He  is  now  a  member  of  the  library  board  and  served 

.:   as  its  president  for  two  years.     Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masons, 

.  being  a  valued  member  of  Vesper  Lodge.    His  life  has  been  one  of  well  directed 

'••.  effort  and  enterprise,  resulting  in  the  attainment  of  a  creditable  and  gratifying 

.,  measure  of  success.     In  all  his  relations  he  has  enjoyed  the  respect  and  confi- 

•    dence  of  his  fellowmen  because  he  is  honest,  upright,  persistent  and  determined. 


HERBFRT  W.  WOOD.  •     '. 


Herbert  W.  Wood  is  now  living  retired  in  Galesburg  but  in  former  years 
was  identified  with  general  merchandising,  with  the  grain  trade  and  financial 
enterprises.  The  success  which  he  achieved  while  still  an  active  factor  in  busi- 
ness circles  brought  him  a  handsome  competence  that  now  relieves  him  from  the 
necessity  of  further  labor,  save  for  the  supervision  which  he  gives  to  his  invested 
interests.  He  was  born  in  Westford,  Vermont,  April  24,  1844,  a  son  of  William 
S.  and  Phylena  (Smith)  Wood.  The  father  was  also  a  native  of  Westford  and 
the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Braintree,  Orange  county,  Vermont.  William 
S.  Wood  followed  merchandising  in  his  native  town  and  also  conducted  a  tan- 
nery, after  which  he  removed  to  Burlington,  Vermont,  where  he  filled  the  office 
of  deputy  sheriff.  In  the  spring  of  1859,  he  came  to  the  middle  west  settling 
in  Watag^,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  carried  on  general  merchandising 
and  also  engaged  in  the  grain  trade  for  a  number  of  years.  He  likewise  con- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


247 


ducted  a  banking  and  loan  business  at  a  later  date  and  carried  forward  to  suc- 
cessful completion  whatever  he  undertook.  He  was  ever  watchful  of  any  oppor- 
tunity and  in  its  improvement  steadily  advanced  toward  success.  In  1884  he 
went  to  Elgin,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  for  three  or  four  years  living  retired 
during  that  period.  In  1888,  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  also  lived  retired 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  February  3,  1897.  For  more  than 
three  years  he  had  survived  his  wife  who  died  in  this  city,  September  21,  1893. 
In  his  political  views  William  S.  Wood  was  a  republican  and  served  in  some 
local  offices,  acting  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  as  treasurer  of  his  town.  His 
life  was  upright  and  honorable  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Congregational  church  in  which  he  served  as  a  trustee.  They  were  married  in 
Braintree,  Vermont,  and  unto  them  were  born  four  children,  of  whom  Herbert 
W.,  is  the  eldest,  the  others  are:  Ella  J.,  the  widow  of  George  F.  Niles  of 
Hartford,  Connecticut;  Qarence  E.,  who  was  born  July  i,  1850,  and  died  April 
29,  1852,  and  Carrie  M.,  the  widow  of  Albert  T.  Lewis  of  Elgin,  Illinois. 

Herbert  W.  Wood  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  West  ford  and  in  the 
Burlington  high  school,  after  which  he  attended  Knox  College  in  Galesburg 
during  the  year  1863-4.  His  education  completed,  he  entered  his  father's  store 
as  a  clerk  and  received  thorough  training  in  commercial  methods  as  applied 
especially  to  general  mercantile  interests.  In  1868  he  became  his  father's  suc- 
cessor in  business  and  formed  a  partnership  with  his  uncle,  H.  P.  Wood,  which 
connection  continued  until  1880.  They  carried  on  the  same  line  of  business  and 
also  engaged  in  general  banking.  Throughout  that  period  they  conducted  a  pros- 
perous business  carrying  a  large  and  well  selected  line  of  goods  for  which  they 
found  a  ready  sale.  The  growth  of  their  trade  brought  them  an  excellent  annual 
income  which  in  time  afforded  Mr.  Wood  a  competence  sufficient  to  enable  him 
to  retire  from  active  life.  He  came  to  Galesburg  in  1888,  and  has  since  retired 
from  further  labor  save  for  the  supervision  which  he  gives  to  his  invested  in- 
terests. He  is  now  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank  and  has  important 
realty  holdings.  He  served  as  town  clerk  and  in  many  other  local  pffices,  being 
corporation  clerk  at  Wataga  for  a  time.  :.  'i 

On  the  2ist  of  January,  1904,  Mr.  Wood  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs. 
Emma  Walton,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Orlena  A.  (Kirk)  Woods  of  Plymouth, 
Illinois.  Her  father  was  born  near  Mt.  Sterling,  this  state,  May  lo,  1829,  of 
German  parentage  and  died  June  30,  1905.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Mexican 
war,  serving  for  a  year  and  one-half  after  which  he  was  honorably  discharged. 
He  followed  the  occupation  of  farming,  owning  and  cultivating  a  tract  of  land 
until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  also  an  ordained  minister  of  the  Baptist 
church  and  his  life  was  ever  a  helpful  one,  his  time  being  largely  spent  in 
efforts  to  uplift  and  benefit  humanity.  In  his  political  faith  he  was  a  democrat 
and  he  served  as  school  director,  but  never  sought  political  office.  His  wife 
died  July  19,  1909,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Wood,  in  Galesburg, 
There  were  seventeen  children  in  their  family,  of  whom  Mrs.  Wood  was  the 
seventh  in  order  of  birth.  Her  early  education  was  acquired  in  the  schools  of 
Providence,  Illinois,  and  later  she  spent  three  years  in  Eureka  College.  She  was 
also  an  art  and  music  pupil  in  Chicago,  studying  under  Seabeck  and  Liebling 
for  three  years.  She  afterward  engaged  in  teaching  music  in  Macomb.  Camp 
Point  and  Augusta — ^three  towns  of  central  Illinois.  ;•  .  •  •-....;  . 


248  ',  :     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ::    '-;.S 

She  is  a  member  of  the  First  Christian  Church,  Galesburg,  111.,  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  Woman's  Relief  Corps  and  the  Round  Table  Club, 
A  lady  of  broad  intelligence  and  wide  reading,  she  is  prominent  in  the  social 
circles  of  the  city  and  shares  with  her  husband  a  popularity  that  has  brought  him 
many  friends. 

'.„.  :'A%.. ,.  ^  .  '  '  REV.  JOSEPH  COSTA.  - ''''' V;  v-'" •;-•: ;i- '^>--X:f {/^ 

.  Rev.  Joseph  Costa,  O.  C.,  R.  D.  C.,  who  for  more  than  a  third  of  a  century 
has  labored  with  untiring  and  consecrated  zeal  for  the  development  of  Catholic- 
ity in  Galesburg.  is  the  pastor  of  Corpus  Christi  church  and  also  a  dean  of  the 
Peoria  diocese.  He  was  born  October  i8,  1823,  in  Pettinengo.  province  of  Biella, 
Italy,  about  thirty  miles  northeast  of  Turin,  his  parents  being  Antonio  and  Angela 
Maria  (Facio)  Costa.  The  father  was  occupied  in  land  industries  and  also  con- 
ducted a  tailoring  establishment.  Joseph  was  the  youngest  of  four  brothers  and 
the  only  one  who  entered  the  ministry.  The  records  of  the  family,  dating  back 
for  more  than  six  hundred  years,  show  members  of  it  belonging  to  the  priesthood. 

Father  Costa  received  his  early  instruction  in  letters  and  music  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  town.  Subsequently  he  entered  the  college  named  Banchette  and 
began  the  study  of  Latin  under  Rev.  Professor  W.  Scaglia.  Later  he  pursued 
his  studies  in  classics  in  the  city  of  Biella,  and  after  an  interval  of  two  years 
of  rest  began  his  philosophical  course  in  the  College  Melerio  Rosmini  in  the 
city  of  Domodossola,  remaining  a  student  under  Professor  Parma  for  two  years. 
Having  passed  his  examination  in  philosophy  and  being  a  member  of  the  Order 
of  Charity,  he  applied  himself,  under  able  professors,  to  the  study  of  divinity 
in  the  Rosminan  Institute  at  Stresa  on  the  borders  of  Lago  Maggiore.  In  1851, 
as  a  member  of  the  order,  he  was  sent  by  the  General,  the  Rev.  Antonio  Rosmini, 
to  the  English  missions  belonging  to  the  same  order.  In  that  country  he  re- 
viewed his  theology  under  Professor  Caccia  and  prepared  for  the  reception  of 
holy  orders.  On  February  i8,  1853,  he  was  examined  and  ordained  priest  in 
the  church  of  Oscott  College  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bernard  Ullathorne,  bishop  of 
Birmingham.  As  a  priest  he  labored  in  Great  Britain  for  eleven  years,  doing 
parish  work,  preaching  at  missions  or  teaching  in  college. 

In  1864,  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Yunker,  bishop  at  Alton,  Illinois,  Father  Costa 
was  sent  by  the  general  of  his  order  to  work  in  that  bishop's  diocese.  In  the 
United  States  the  field  of  his  labors  was  chiefly  Illinois — Springfield,  Jacksonville, 
El  Paso  and  Lincoln.  Finally,  in  1877,  he  was  sent  to  Galesburg  by  Dr.  John 
L.  Spalding,  first  bishop  of  Peoria,  for  the  special  purpose  of  establishing 
parochial  schools.  From  that  time  to  the  present  he  has  worked  earnestly  and 
faithfully  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  Catholic  church.  In  the  spring  of  1878  was 
begim  the  erection  of  St.  Joseph's  Academy,  which  was  opened  for  use  in  the 
autumn  of  1879,  with  ten  teachers  and  four  hundred  pupils.  Stevens  &  Parry 
of  Galesburg  built  the  structure,  which,  including  heating  apparatus  and  exclud- 
ing furniture,  cost  sixteen  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  fifty-eight  dollars  and 
thirteen  cents.  The  convent  adjoining  the  academy  was  partly  erected  by  Jacob 
Westfall  of  Peoria,  who  failed  to  complete  the  contract  and  the  building  was 
finished  under  the  direction  of  Father  Costa.  The  work,  which  was  commenced 


:>    5  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


251 


in  1880  and  finished  in  iSSi,  engendered  an  expenditure  of  eleven  thousand, 
three  hundred  and  eighty-eight  dollars  and  fifty-two  cents.  The  ground  upon 
which  Corpus  Christi  church  stands  cost  four  thousand,  eight  hundred  and 
eighty-five  dollars.  The  contract  for  the  building  was  given  to  Matthias 
Schnell,  of  Rock  Island,  and  its  cost,  including  heater,  seats,  bell,  etc.,  was 
thirty-eight  thousand,  six  hundred  and  eleven  dollars  and  forty-three  cents. 
Corpus  Christi  rectory,  including  heating  apparatus,  cost  five  thousand,  five  hun- 
dred  dollars.  The  lot  of  St.  Mary's  primary,  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Semi- 
nary  streets,  cost  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  and  the  new  building  six- 
teen  thousand  dollars.  The  lot  on  which  Corpus  Christi  lyceum  stands  was 
purchased  for  five  thousand  dollars,  while  the  building  and  furniture  cost  about 
forty-two  thousand  dollars.  Its  erection  was  begun  in  1891  and  completed  in 
1894.  This  edifice  is  private  property  of  the  Order  of  Charity  in  the  United 
States.  Father  Costa  has  done  much  in  the  erection  of  buildings  in  Galesburg, 
expending  more  than  one  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars  for  that  purpose 
and  the  benefit  of  his  church.  He  has  now  passed  the  eighty-ninth  milestone 
on  life's  journey,  and  his  long  years  of  unselfish  ministrations  and  activities  have 
been  a  potent  factor  for  good  and  his  personal  characteristics  are  such  as  have 
endeared  him  to  his  parishioners  and  fellowmen. 


JOHN  BECKETT. 


The  late  John  Beckett,  a  well  known  civil  engineer,  of  Knoxville,  was  bom 

,     in  the  vicinity  of  Oxford.  Ohio,  on  the  ist  of  February,  1845,  his  parents  being 

\:    William   and    Sarah    Beckett.      His    father   was   born   and   reared   in   Virginia, 

.  .    but  in  his  early  manhood  he  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he  resided  for  some 

>:     years,  subsequently  becoming  a  citizen  of  Ohio.     There  he  engaged  in  farming, 

continuing  to   follow  that  occupation  until   his   death,   which  occurred  on   his 

•  homestead  near  Oxford.    The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Beckett  consisted 
..     •  of  five  sons:     Prestley,  who  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years;  John,  our  subject; 
!'      Arthur,  who  is  living  in  Ohio;  Zacharias.  who  is  deceased;  and  Edward. 

;     '  "    The  education  of  John  Beckett  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools,  during 
•       that  period  much  of  his  time  being  devoted  to  assisting  with  the  work  of  the  farm, 

•  Although  he  was  only  sixteen  years  of  age  when  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted 
•,/:     in  the  Eighty-sixth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  and  went  to  the  front  for  three 

months.     At  the  close  of  his  term  he  reenlisted,  remaining  in  the  service  until 

;•;,     the  close  of  hostilities.     He  participated  in  many  battles  during  that  period  but 

..    the  greater  part  of  the  time  he  was  stationed  at  Cumberland  Gap.    Upon  receiving 

.V     his  discharge   he  returned  to  his  home  and   entered  a  tailor   shop,   where  he 

'  ;    learned  the  trade.    This  vocation  did  not  prove  entirely  to  his  liking,  however, 

.      and  he  did  not  follow  it  after  leaving  Ohio  in  1871.     In  the  latter  year  he  came 

;      to  Illinois,   settling   in   Monmouth,   where  he   took   up   civil   engineering.      He 

.      enjoyed  the  work  very  much  and  continued  to  follow.it  the  remainder  of  his 

life,  meeting  with  good  success.    His  development  was  marked  by  rapid  progress 

•/;•     and  he  became  connected  with  some  of  the  important  surveys  of  the  state,  hav- 

• .      ing  had  the  distinction  of  driving  the  first  stake  for  the   Iowa  Central  Rail- 


252          ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          -.     • 

road  from  Peoria  to  Keithsburg,  Illinois.  Mr.  Beckett  was  a  capable  engineer 
and  a  good  business  man,  but  had  hardly  reached  the  zenith  of  his  powers  when 
death  terminated  his  career  on  the  2ist  of  August,  1889.  ..':;.'• 

On  the  6th  of  March,  1882,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Downard,  who  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  on  the  I4th  of  May,  1846,  and 
is  a  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Sallie  (Showalter)  Downard.  The  birth  of  the 
father  occurred  near  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  while  the  mother  was  a  native 
of  Westmoreland  county,  that  state.  In  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life 
they  came  to  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The  father 
was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  having  been  given  the  advantages  of  a  good 
education  he  also  taught  school  for  a  time,  but  his  latter  years  were  devoted 
to  farming.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  !Mrs.  Downard  numbered  thirteen,  seven ' 
sons  and  six  daughters :  William  Wallace,  who  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
having  enlisted  from  Indiana,  now  deceased ;  Edwin,  also  a  veteran  of  the 
war,  now  a  resident  of  Oklahoma ;  Mary,  the  deceased  wife  of  Robert  Harland ; 
Benjamin,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  now  living  at  London  Mills ;  and  Lafay- 
ette and  William,  who  were  also  in  the  Union  service,  now  deceased ;  Stephen, 
who  was  killed  during  the  war ;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  Scott  Snedeker  of  Dayton, 
Ohio;  Mrs.  Beckett;  Emma,  the  wife  of  William  Tyner,  of  Elk  City,  Kansas; 
Amanda,  who  is  the  deceased  wife  of  Nelson  Kennedy;  Alice,  also  deceased; 
and  Phineas,  who  lives  in  Iowa.  Mr.  Downard  was  one  of  the  prominent  citi- 
zens of  Log^n  county,  Ohio,  where  for  several  years  he  held  the  office  of 
county  surveyor.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beckett  there  were  born 
three  children :  Jesse,  who  is  deceased ;  Frank,  who  is  living  in  Knoxville ;  and 
Lysle,  the  wife  of  Stephen  Smith,  formerly  of  Knoxville  but  now  Palm  Beach, 
Florida,  by  whom  she  has  had  three  children,  Thomas,  Matthew  and  Stephena. 

Mr.  Beckett  gave  his  political  support  to  the  Republican  party.  He  was  not 
identified  with  any  religious  denomination  but  always  attended  the  Presbyterian 
church,  of  which  Mrs.  Beckett  was  a  member.  The  early  years  of  their  domestic 
life  they  spent  in  Abingdon,  but  they  subsequently  removed  to  London  Mills, 
where  they  resided  until  1886  when  they  came  to  Knoxville,  purchasing  the  resi- 
dence, which  has  ever  since  been  the  family  home.  Mrs.  Beckett  is  well  known 
here  and  has  many  friends,  whose  esteem  has  been  won  through  her  many 
estimable  qualities  of  both  heart  and  mind.  .  ..  ,  ^.  .  , 


;    ;  V:^.  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  SEATON.  '      ; 

Benjamin  Franklin  Seaton  came  to  Galesburg  in  the  evening  of  life,  but 
while  he  was  never  connected  with  business  affairs  here  he  brought  with  him 
the  record  of  active  and  honorable  service  in  business  in  his  earlier  years,  and 
during  the  period  of  his  connection  with  Galesburg,  he  won  the  respect  and 
good-will  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  was  born  in  Port  Hope, 
Ontario,  Canada,  on  the  nth  of  November,  1820,  his  parents  being  William 
and  Mary  (Adams)  Seaton,  the  latter  a  cousin  of  John  Quincy  Adams,  at  one 
time  president  of  the  United  States.  The  family  is  of  Scotch  descent,  and  in 
his  life  Benjamin  F.  Seaton  displayed  many  of  the  sterling  characteristics  of  his 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -^    ,        253 


Scotch  ancestry.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town 
and  in  the  state  of  New  York,  whither  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  to  the  vicinity  of  Winchester.  Later  he  went  to  Massillon,  Ohio,  and 
became  closely  associated  with  the  commercial  interests  of  that  place  as  a  whole- 
sale dealer  in  furniture.  His  next  change  of  residence  took  him  to  Marion, 
Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business  for  ten  years,  and  on  the 
expiration  of  that  period  established  an  agricultural  implement  business.  He 
was  not  only  prominent  in  the  commercial  circles  of  the  city,  but  also  as  a  factor 
in  public  life  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  appreciative  of  his  worth  and  ability, 
called  him  to  a  number  of  offices.  For  five  years  he  served  as  sheriff  of  Linn 
county  and  was  also  mayor  of  Marion  for  several  terms,  giving  to  the  city  a 
business-like  and  progressive  administration  that  resulted  in  bringing  about 
many  needed  reforms  and  improvements.  At  one  time  he  was  superintendent 
of  the  waterworks  there  and  his  influence  was  always  a  potent  element  for  the 
benefit  of  the  town.  In  1903  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  here  made  his  home  with 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Norman  E.  Ives.  He  spent  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life 
in  retirement  and  passed  away  April  27,  1911,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety 
years.  For  ten  years  he  had  survived  his  wife,  who  passed  away  at  Marion, 
Iowa,  March  2,  1901. 

It  was  on  the  I4th  of  December,  1852,  that  Benjamin  F.  Seaton  was  united 
in  marriage,  in  Ashtabula,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Ruth  M.  Hurlburt,  who  was  born  in 
Winchester,  Connecticut,  July  i,  1833.  They  were  both  loyal  and  devoted  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  well  spent  lives  won  for  them 
the  high  regard  and  confidence  of  all  who  knew  them.  Mr.  Seaton  served  as  a 
trustee  of  the  church  for  many  years  and  did  all  in  his  power  to  promote  its 
growth  and  extend  its  influence.  He  voted  with  the  republican  party  and  always 
kept  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  While  he  came  to 
Galesburg  in  his  later  years,  he  won  many  friends  during  the  period  of  his 
residence  here  and  received  the  respect  and  veneration  which  should  always  be 
given  one  who  has  traveled  far  on  life's  journey  and  whose  record  has  ever 
been  honorable  and  upright. 

In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seaton  there  were  seven  children:  Carrie  E., 
now  deceased ;  May  G.,  who  became  the  wife  of  L.  M.  Lillis  and  has  also  passed 
away;  Anna  and  Grace,  both  deceased;  Fannie,  the  wife  of  Norman  E.  Ives, 
of  Galesburg ;  Frank  Hurlburt,  deceased ;  and  Grace  Lillian,  the  wife  of  Leslie 
C.  Bolton.  of  Missoula,  Montana. 

Of  this  family  Mrs.  Ives,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  history  of  her 
father,  was  born  at  Marion,  Iowa,  and  supplemented  her  public-school  educa- 
tion by  a  course  in  Cornell  College  at  Mt.  Vernon,  that  state.  On  the  9th  of 
September,  1885,  she  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  Norman  E.  Ives,  of  Marion, 
who  was  born  there  on  the  ad  of  April,  1853,  and  is  a  son  of  Norman  and 
Hannah  (Gray)  Ives.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  July  30, 
1819,  and  his  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Kentucky,  October  i,  1823.  They  were 
married  October  12,  1843,  in  Marion,  Iowa,  the  father,  who  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  having  come  to  the  west  from  Connecticut  in  1841,  at  which  time 
he  settled  in  Linn  county,  Iowa,  where  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pur-,  : 
suits  until  his  death  on  the  ist  of  March,  1890.  His  wife  survived  him  for 
about  twelve  years,  her  death  occurring  March  23,  1902.  Both  were  members 


254         :      '         .     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      . 

of  the  Baptist  church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  were  actively  and  helpfully 
interested,  Mr.  Ives  serving  as  a  deacon  for  several  years.  He  voted  with  the 
democratic  party  and  kept  well  informed  on  the  questions  of  the  day.  Unto 
him  and  his  wife  were  bom  seven  children:  Lucy  A.,  now  the  wife  of  Morgan 
Bunting,  of  Marion,  Iowa ;  Rachel  B.,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Booth,  of  Marion ; 
Mary  L.,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Lake,  of  Marion;  Norman  E. ;  John  J.,  also  of 
Marion;  and  Isadore  and  Isabel,  twins,  both  deceased. 

Of  this  family,  Norman  E.  Ives  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Marion  and  after  leaving  the  high  school,  entered  Cornell  College  at  Mt.  Ver- 
non.  He  studied  law  and  after  careful  preparation  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
For  several  years  while  living  in  Linn  county,  he  served  as  deputy  sheriff  and 
was  also  postmaster  of  Marion  under  President  Cleveland  during  his  first  ad- 
ministration. After  filling  the  office  for  two  years,  however,  he  resigned,  and 
passing  a  civil  service  examination,  was  appointed  special  pension  examiner, 
filling  that  office  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for  a  time,  and  later  at  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana ; 
St.  Joseph,  Missouri ;  Springfield,  Missouri ;  and  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he 
continued  for  eight  years.  He  also  spent  three  years  in  the  pension  department 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  in  September,  1902,  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he 
has  since  been  located. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ives  have  been  born  two  children :  Haroldine  C.,  who 
is  a  graduate  of  Knox  College  of  the  class  of  1911,  married  December  14,  1911, 
to  Lewis  C.  Hazen,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois ;  and  Norman  Seaton,  who  is  now 
attending  high  school.  Mr.  Ives  has  always  been  an  advocate  of  democratic 
principles  and  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  which  he  has  served  as 
deacon.  Mrs.  Ives  and  her  children  are  members  of  the  First  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ives  have  been  cordially  received  into  the  best  social 
circles  of  the  city  and  wherever  known  are  highly  esteemed.  Mr.  Ives  has  made 
a  most  creditable  record  as  an  official  of  the  pension  office,  his  capability  being 
evenly  balanced  by  his  loyalty  and  trustworthiness. 


••^;;^  :    .  JUDGE  ALFRED  M.  CRAIG.      ;  -''- 

The  life  history  of  Judge  Alfred  M.  Craig  forms  a  connecting  link  between 
the  primitive  past  and  the  progressive  present  and  with  the  advancing  years  he 
ever  remained  a  potent  force  in  the  progress  that  has  brought  the  state  to  its 
present  position  in  the  galaxy  of  the  nation.  Fame  came  to  him  and  honors  were 
multiplied  unto  him  yet  he  bore  all  with  becoming  modesty.  However,  he  left 
the  impress  of  his  individuality  in  large  measure  upon  the  judicial  history  of  Illi- 
nois and  his  activity  in  business  fields  as  well  constituted  a  factor  in  the  progress 
and  prosperity  of  Knox  county  and  surrounding  districts.  His  last  illness  was  of 
short  duration  and  therefore  he  remained  an  active  factor  in  the  world's  work 
almost  to  the  end,  preserving  the  precious  prize  of  keen  mentality  to  the  last.  No 
history  of  Knox  county  would  be  complete  without  extended  reference  to  Judge 
Craig  who  entered  actively  upon  the  work  of  development  here  when  this  was 
still  a  pioneer  region  and  ever  thereafter  gave  impetus  to  the  labors  that  made 
this  in  time  one  of  the  richest  sections  of  the  Mississippi  valley. 


^' 


254  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

of  the  Baptist  church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  were  actively  and  helpfully 
interested,  Mr.  Ives  serving  as  a  deacon  for  several  years.  He  voted  with  the 
democratic  party  and  kept  well  informed  on  the  questions  of  the  day.  Unto 
him  and  his  wife  were  born  seven  children:  Lucy  A.,  now  the  wife  of  Morgan 
Bunting,  of  Clarion,  Iowa;  Rachel  B.,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Booth,  of  Marion; 
Mary  L.,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Lake,  of  Marion;  Norman  E. ;  John  J.,  also  ul 
Marion ;  and  Isadore  and  Isabel,  twins,  both  deceased. 

Of  this  family,  Norman  E.  Ives  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Marion  and  after  leaving  the  high  school,  entered  Cornell  College  at  iNIt.  V'er- 
non.  He  studied  law  and  after  careful  preparation  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
For  several  years  while  living  in  Linn  county,  he  served  as  deputy  sheriff  and 
was  also  postmaster  of  Marion  under  President  Cleveland  during  his  first  ad- 
ministration. After  filling  the  office  for  two  years,  however,  he  resigned,  and 
passing  a  civil  service  examination,  was  appointed  special  pension  examiner, 
filling  that  office  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  for  a  time,  and  later  at  F'ort  \\'ayne,  Indiana ; 
St.  Joseph.  Missouri;  Springfield,  ^lissouri ;  and  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he 
continued  for  eight  years.  He  also  spent  three  years  in  the  pension  department 
at  \\'ashington,  D.  C.,  and  in  September,  1902,  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he 
has  since  been  located. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ives  have  been  born  two  children:  Ilaroldine  C.,  who 
is  a  graduate  of  Kno.x  College  of  the  class  of  1911,  married  December  14,  191 1, 
to  Lewis  C.  Hazen,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois;  and  Norman  Seaton,  who  is  now 
attending  high  school.  Mr.  Ives  has  always  been  an  advocate  of  democratic 
princii)les  and  is  a  member  of  the  liajnist  church,  in  which  he  has  served  as 
deacon.  Mrs.  Ives  and  her  children  are  members  of  the  First  Methodist  Ei)isco- 
pal  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ives  have  been  cordially  received  into  the  best  social 
circles  of  the  city  and  wherever  known  are  highly  esteemed.  ^Ir.  Ives  has  made 
a  most  creditable  record  as  an  official  of  the  pension  office,  his  capability  being 
evenly  balanced  by  his  loyalty  and  trustworthiness. 


JUDGE  ALFRED  M.  CRAIG. 

The  life  history  of  Judge  Alfred  M.  Craig  forms  a  connecting  link  between  .          ' 
the  i)rimitive  past  and  the  ])rogressive  present  and  xvith  the  advancing  years  he     '    ., 
ever  remained  a  potent  force  in  the  progress  that  has  brought  the  state  to  its       ,  .    '. 
present  position  in  the  galaxy  of  the  nation.    Fame  came  to  him  and  honors  were  ; 
multi])lied  unto  him  yet  he  bore  all  with  becoming  modesty.     However,  he  left 
the  impress  of  his  individuality  in  large  measure  upon  the  judicial  history  of  Illi-     .    .     :: 
nois  and  his  activity  in  business  fields  as  well  constituted  a  factor  in  the  progress 
and  prosperity  of  Knox  county  and  surrounding  districts.    His  last  illness  was  of 
short  duration  and  therefore  he  remained  an  active  factor  in  the  world's  work     "  i 
almost  to  the  end,  preserving  the  precious  prize  of  keen  mentality  to  the  last.    No 
history  of  Knox  county  would  be  complete  without  extended  reference  to  Judge  .• 

Craig  who  entered  actively  upon  the  work  of  development  here  when  this  was  '  '.  .  ; 
still  a  pioneer  region  and  ever  thereafter  gave  impetus  to  the  labors  that  made  .'  .  , 
this  in  time  one  of  the  richest  sections  of  the  Mississippi  valley. 


'V^^-^<A\;  X^^^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :.       '.fv^'        257 

Mr.  Craig  was  bom  in  Paris,  Edgar  county,  Illinois,  January  15,  1831.    The 

;  ;/  family  comes  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry  and  the  grandfather  of  the  Judge  was 

:   Thomas   Craig,   who   came    from   the   north   of    Ireland   to   America,    settling 

•  ;•   in  Pennsylvania  where  David  Craig,  the  father  of  the  Judge,  was  bom.     Having 
:   arrived  at  years  of  maturity  he  married  Minta  Ramey,  who  was  a  native  of  Ken- 

.'  ;  tucky  and  a  daughter  of  Sinnet  Ramey,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  and  became 

one  of  the  pioneer  residents  of  Kentucky,  associated  to  some  extent  with  Daniel 

••  Boone  in  the  work  of  exploration  in  what  became  known  as  the  dark  and  bloody 

ground.     Sinnet  Ramey  devoted  his  energies  to  farming  in  the  Blue  Grass  state 

for  a  period  and  afterward  became  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Illinois,  taking 

./   up  his  abode  in  Fulton  county  where  he  again  carried  on  general  agricultural 

pursuits  until  he  passed  away  when  well  advanced  in  years.     His  daughter  Minta 

was  his  only  child.    David  Craig,  however,  was  one  of  several  children  including 

^  two  brothers,  James  and  Joseph  Craig.     When  a  young  man  David  Craig  re- 

'   moved  to  Kentucky  and  it  was  in  that  state  that  he  was  married.    He  was  a  mill- 

'.:  .  wright  and  that  trade  in  connection  with  farming  fully  occupied  his  attention 

throughout  his  life.    Like  hundreds  of  other  Kentucky  citizens  who  did  not  de- 

'    pend  upon  the  institution  of  slavery  as  a  source  of  revenue  he  removed  from 

V    Kentucky  to  Illinois  and  for  a  brief  period  was  a  resident  of  Edgar  county,  dur- 

-  .   ing  which  time  his  son.  Judge  Craig,  was  born.    From  that  district  they  removed 
•:    to  the  Military  tract,  settling  in  Fulton  county,  near  Canton,  and  David  Craig  be- 

'.--  came  a  prosperous  fanner  as  prosperity  was  rated  at  that  day.    As  a  millwright 

^  he  erected  many  of  the  old  mills  along  the  Spoon  river  to  provide  the  flour  and 
feed  for  the  early  settlers.  It  was  in  1832,  the  year  of  their  arrival  in  Fulton 
county,  that  the  Black  Hawk  war  broke  out  and  the  women  and  children  sought 

'.  refuge  and  protection  in  a  blockhouse  pending  the  settlement  of  the  war  while 
the  men  of  the  neighborhood  aided  in  fighting  the  Indians.  The  history  of  David 

..;.  Craig's  family  was  like  that  of  many  other  pioneer  families  living  on  the  Illinois 
frontier.  He  there  died  when  about  sixty-five  years  of  age,  having  for  a  few 

.:     years  survived  his  wife,  who  was  also  sixty-five  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her 
demise.    She  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  Mr.  Craig  at- 
tended its  services  with  her.    His  political  allegiance  in  an  early  day  was  given 
to  the  whig  party  and  he  was  a  warm  admirer  of  Henry  Qay.    In  his  family  were 
ten  children  but  only  one  is  now  living. ;  Mrs.  Harriet  Barnwell,  of  Los  Angeles, 
California.    The  others  were:  Nancy,  who  became  the  wife  of  Perry  Crosthwait; 
.    Madison ;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Enoch  Crosthwait ;  Sinnet ;  Thomas,  who  died 
'v  when  twelve  or  fourteen  years  of  age;  Alfred  M. ;  Mrs.  J.  L.  Miller;  Mrs.  Sarah 

Ash ;  and  Mrs.  Marilda  Randolph. 

,     .   Judge  Craig  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm  in  Fulton  county,  meeting 
.    every  experience  and  hardship  which  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  early  settler.      His 
educational  privileges  were  very  limited  in  early  youth  but  later  he  had  the  op- 
portunity of  pursuing  a  course  in  Knox  College,  becoming  a  member  of  the  pre- 
:   paratory  class  in  the  fall  of  1848,  while  in  June.  1849,  he  was  admitted  to  the 
freshman  class  and  in  June,  1853,  won  his  degree.    Thinking  to  find  the  practice 
of  law  a  congenial  profession  he  began  studying  with  that  end  in  view,  his  pre- 
ceptor being  William  C.  Groudy,  of  Lewiston.     A  year  later  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  the  courts  of  Illinois  and  opened  a  law  office  in  Knoxville  which  was 
then  the  county  seat.  "';•.  V' '.:  ;/;    '•         ; -' "  «''u^v  "  .; 


ToL    n— 11 


258  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •.;.. 

>  By  close  application  and  determination  he  built  up  a  large  practice  in  a  few 
years'  time,  riding  the  circuit  as  was  customary  in  those  days  in  company  with 
the  judge,  who  held  court  in  various  places  in  the  circuit.  Lincoln,  Douglas  and 
scores  of  other  pioneer  lawyers  of  Illinois  visited  Knox  county  in  this  manner 
and  were  acquaintances  and  colleagues  of  Judge  Craig,  who  frequently  related 
most  interesting  experiences  of  those  early  days.  It  was  not  unusual  for  him  to 
make  the  trip  on  horseback  and  on  reaching  Spoon  river  he  would  have  to  swim 
that  stream  astride  his  mount.  In  1856  he  was  appointed  state's  attorney  by 
Governor  Mattison,  the  circuit  then  comprising  the  counties  of  Mercer,  Hender- 
son, Warren,  Knox  and  Fulton.  This  appointment  was  for  the  unexpired  term 
caused  by  the  resignation  of  W.  C.  Goudy  and  in  November,  i86i,  he  was  elected 
to  the  office  of  county  judge,  serving  on  the  bench  for  four  years.  In  1869  he 
was  elected  to  represent  Knox  county  in  the  constitutional  convention  of  1870 
which  formulated  the  present  organic  law  of  the  state.  It  was  he  who  devised 
the  present  township  organization  plan  whereby  counties  are  governed  by  a  com- 
bination of  the  old  Virginia  system  and  the  New  England  town-meeting  system, 
providing  for  a  board  of  supervisors  as  the  legislative  body.  Throughout  the 
years  of  his  private  practice  his  clientage  was  large  and  of  a  very  important  char- 
acter. He  was  employed  to  assist  the  late  J.  J.  Tunnicliff,  then  state's  attorney, 
in  the  prosecution  of  Osborn  who  was  tried  for  the  murder  of  Mrs.  Mathews 
near  Yates  City,  the  trial  resulting  in  conviction  leading  to  the  only  reported  legal 
execution  in  Knox  county.  He  was  also  one  of  the  lawyers  for  the  defendant  in 
the  case  of  DeHague  in  a  political  murder  case  which  was  brought  to  Knox 
county  on  a  change  of  venue  and  secured  the  acquittal  of  his  client.  He  was  like- 
wise counsel  in  the  county  seat  trials  and  such  was  his  recognized  ability  that  his 
practice  not  only  covered  Knox  but  also  many  adjoining  counties.  Many  judicial 
honors  were  also  conferred  upon  him — in  fact  he  filled  every  judicial  office  in  the 
state  with  the  exception  of  circuit  judge,  nor  was  his  fame  confined  to  Illinois 
for  he  was  favorably  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  position  of  chief  justice 
of  the  United  States  in  1888,  President  Cleveland  considering  him  as  a  candidate 
for  the  honor  which  was  finally  conferred  upon  Melville  W.  Fuller.  At  different 
times  he  was  also  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  democratic  nomination  for 
the  vice  presidency.  However,  he  continued  in  the  strict  path  of  his  profession 
and  the  record  which  he  made  as  one  of  the  supreme  court  judges  of  Illinois  made 
him  the  peer  of  the  ablest  members  who  have  sat  upon  the  bench  of  this  court  of 
last  resort.  .  .  ;  -.i:: ;,-.-:  v ,;;-.'...-  I'"'.;-  /,„;• 

Judge  Craig  was  first  elected  to  the  office  in  1873  and  was  again  elected  in 
1882  and  1891,  his  reelections  coming  to  him  as  the  expression  of  popular  ap- 
proval of  his  previous  course  as  supreme  court  judge.  From  the  time  that  he  took 
his  seat  on  the  bench  until  he  left  it  he  was  known  for  his  fidelity  to  the  interests 
of  the  people.  In  several  of  his  decisions  he  rendered  not  only  the  people  of  Illi- 
nois but  the  nation  as  well  a  conspicuous  service.  His  decision  in  the  case  of  the 
people  of  the  state  of  Illinois  against  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railroad 
Company  was  particularly  notable.  At  that  time  the  Granger  element  was  a 
strong  one  in  the  state  and  the  fanners  were  complaining  of  the  discrimination  in 
railroad  rates.  The  case  in  question  came  in  1882  from  Ford  county,  resulting 
from  a  railroad  charge  of  sixty-five  dollars  for  the  shipment  of  a  carload  of  grain 
from  Gilman  to  New  York,  whereas  the  charge  on  a  carload  froni  Peoria  to  New 


:  '^-'>|'v:--::::r;^;':^ \KrHISTORY  OF  KN  :-^\^v'"\       259 

-'•'':•'•<.'•*''-•'-'.••"'"'   --'•:••"'  ••'"      ;"^>.'";'r 

'  York,  a  longer  distance,  was  but  thirty-nine  dollars.    In  the  trial  the  railroad  com- 

:  pany  demurred  on  the  ground  that  the  law  did  not  apply  to  it  as  it  was  incor- 

;;  porated  in  another  state  and  Illinois  had  no  jurisdiction  over  the  rates.      The 

•  •  question  came  before  the  supreme  court  on  a  writ  of  error  and  it  fell  to  Justice 

Craig  to  write  the  clear  and  forceful  opinion  that  gave  him  national  fame.  In 
":  this  opinion,  in  which  all  but  one  of  the  judges  concurred,  it  was  set  forth  that  the 

law  did  apply  to  rate  fixed  by  companies  incorporated  outside  the  state  but  doing 

business  over  their  lines  in  that  state.     The  law  was  held  not  to  be  limited  to 

home  companies  but  to  all  with  whom  the  people  had  relations  inside  Illinois. 
;  Judge  Craig  laid  down  the  principle  that  a  state  has  the  right  to  regulate  that  part 

of  interstate  commerce  directly  affecting  its  citizens.  The  case  was  taken  by  the 
,  railroad  company  to  the  United  States  supreme  court  where  Judge  Craig's  deci- 

sion  was  upheld  and  the  rule  was  firmly  established  that  a  state  has  power  over  the 

':"':    traffic  inside  of  its  borders  even  though  carried  on  by  an  outside  corporation. 

..    This  important  principle  has  since  then  been  expanded  to  cover  other  than  rail- 

;    road  companies.    In  the  discussions  in  congress  over  the  amendments  to  the  in- 

terstate  commerce  bill  much  was  said  of  this  decision  and  its  bearing  on  commerce 
;  inside  states  and  on  the  decision  of  the  United  States  supreme  court  the  right  of 

congress  in  the  premises  found  substantial  footing.    Another  noted  case  was  that 

.^'^    of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company  in  1898  against  the  city  of  Chicago.    At 

;  .    that  time  Chicago  was  trying  to  prevent  the  railroad  company  from  using  the 

•   submerged  land  of  the  lake  for  railroad  purposes.    The  company  sought  to  en- 

join  the  city  from  interfering,  claiming  its  right  to  the  submerged  land  under  the 

.     provisions  of  its  charter.    The  lower  court  overruled  the  application  for  an  in- 

.    junction  and  the  company  appealed  to  the  supreme  court.     Justice  Craig  wrote 

-.;     the  opinion,  holding  that  the  submerged  land  belonged  to  the  state  and  that  the 

\'   state  could  not  part  with  it  for  the  purpose  named  but  must  conserve  the  inter- 

ests  of  the  public.    Justice  Craig  maintained  that  the  sole  purpose  of  the  company 

was  to  take  the  land  for  railroad  purposes  and  that  it  had  no  right  even  as  a 
;:  riparian  owner  to  fill  up  the  lake.  This  great  decision  saved  the  lake  for  Chicago 

and  kept  it  from  being  filled  with  roundhouses  and  other  railroad  structures  and 

its  announcement  was  hailed  in  Chicago  with  great  pleasure.  On  this  decision 
'•  also  rests  the  investigation  now  in  progress  with  the  view  of  restoring  to  the  state 

filled-in  lands  taken  by  private  persons  without  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  the 

V     state.    Judge  Craig  made  a  special  study  of  land  titles  about  which  in  those  days 

•    there  was  much  ambiguity,  and  his  decisions  along  this  line  rerhoved  these  doubts 

'  ;   and  established  ownership,  much  to  the  relief  of  thousands  of  property  owners 

:     in  this  state.    Moreover,  in  one  of  his  decisions  he  upset  the  contention  of  com- 

'.      panies  that  employes  were  responsible  for  defects  in  equipment  and  machinery 

4    and  that  it  was  their  business  to  ascertain  whether  these  defects  existed.    Judge 

Craig  held  that  it  was  the  business  of  the  companies  to  know  about  the  condition 

';    of  their  equipment  and  keep  the  same  in  good  repair.    This  decision  has  been  the 

. .  means  of  protecting  multitudes  of  lives  and  has  made  companies  responsible  for 

'.;    damages  in  such  cases.    Judge  Craig  held  railroad  companies  responsible  for  ob- 

-  struction  along  the  right-of-way  that  were  a  menace  to  the  public ;  forced  them  to 
;     give  viaducts  a  proper  height  and  to  provide  necessary  precautions  to  protect  life; 

and  in  other  ways  while  not  hostile  to  the  companies  made  them  shoulder  their 
..  responsibility  in  these  matters.  Another  thing  that  is  remembered  here  kindly  is 


260  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '  ^'/ k: 

his  attitude  toward  the  case  in  which  was  involved  the  rights  of  colored  pupils 
to  attend  the  public  schools.    In  this  case  he  upheld  this  right.  j  •     -. 

The  last  public  work  in  which  Judge  Craig  engaged  was  in  connection  with 
the  state  tax  commission  appointed  by  the  governor.  His  business  career  was  as 
notable  in  this  way  as  its  connection  with  the  supreme  court  of  the  state  which 
covered  twenty-seven  years.  At  the  outset  of  his  carer  he  was  a  poor  man  but 
as  opp)ortunity  offered  he  made  investments  in  farm  land,  predicting  that  the 
prairies  of  this  section  would  one  day  be  worth  two  hundred  dollars  per  acre — ^a 
prediction  which  he  lived  to  see  realized.  He  was  also  the  owner  of  large  realty  " 
in  Galesburg  and  erected  a  number  of  its  leading  business  blocks.  The  present 
Bank  of  Galesburg  building  was  purchased  by  him  for  the  bank  and  for  a  con- 
siderable period  he  figured  prominently  in  financial  circles  in  this  state,  being  at 
the  time  of  his  death  president  of  the  Bank  of  Galesburg,  the  Bank  of  Altona, 
the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Alpha,  the  Bank  of  North  Henderson  and  the  Bank 
of  Prairie  City,  the  two  last  named  being  private  banking  institutions.  He  has 
also  been  a  director  and  heavily  interested  in  the  Farmers  National  Bank  of 
Knoxville  and  the  State  Bank  of  Victoria.  Those  who  have  been  associated  with 
him  in  the  local  banks  speak  highly  of  his  sound  judgment  in  matters  of  a  finan- 
cial nature.  ...  >':-::'  v^^;/•  ;;•?.' 

Judge  Craig  was  twice  married.  He  first  wedded  Elizabeth  P.  Harvey,  a 
daughter  of  Curtis  K.  and  Hannah  K.  (King)  Harvey.  They  became 
parents  of  four  children:  Carrie,  who  married  William  Bradford  but 
both  are  now  deceased ;  Harvey  A.,  now  a  physician  of  Galesburg,  who  was  en- 
gaged in  the  drug  business  here  for  a  number  of  years ;  Charles  C.,  a  well  known 
attorney  of  this  city ;  and  George  H.,  deceased.  He  was  a  graduate  of  Notre 
Dame  University  of  South  Bend,  Indiana,  and  then  entered  the  banking  business 
and  became  teller  in  the  Bank  of  Galesburg.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Craig  occurred  in 
1901  and  therein  the  Presbyterian  church  lost  a  faithful  member,  her  family  a  de- 
voted wife  and  mother,  and  her  acquaintances  a  loyal  friend.  She  was  born  in 
Knoxville,  while  her  parents  were  natives  of  Vermont  who  became  pioneer  resi- 
dents of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed,  her  father 
there  practicing  law.  Their  children  were :  Curtis  K. ;  Mrs.  Sanborn ;  and  Eliza- 
beth, who  became  Mrs.  Craig.  Judge  Craig  was  again  married  in  1908  when  he 
wedded  Miss  Mary  Davis,  a  native  of  Galesburg  where  her  parents,  who  were 
natives  of  Ireland,  settled  at  an  early  period  in  the  development  of  this  city.  Her 
father  passed  away  but  her  mother  is  still  living.  Their  children  were  Mary,  Kate 
and  Ellen.  Mrs.  Craig  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  is  widely  known  , 
in  Galesburg,  where  her  entire  life  has  been  passed. 

Judge  Craig  was  a  charter  member  of  Pacific  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  of  Knox- 
ville, but  cared  little  for  attractions  other  than  his  home  offered.  For  ten  or 
twelve  years  he  served  as  a  trustee  of  Knox  College  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  also  serving  on  the  executive  committee  of  the  board.  From  that  college  he  .; 
had  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws.  It  was  after  a  brief  illness  with 
pneumonia  that  Judge  Craig  passed  away  at  his  home  in  Galesburg,  September  6, 
1911.  Throughout  the  period  of  his  long  service  on  the  supreme  bench  he  had  > 
continued  to  make  this  city  his  place  of  residence  and  there  was  none  perhaps  in 
all  Galesburg  who  was  better  known  or  more  highly  respected.  The  public  ser- 
vice of  few  men  has  continued  over  a  more  extended  period  and  none  has  been 
more  faultless  in  manner,  fearless  in  conduct  or  stainless  in  reputation.  Colonel 


^^    :^:;v;  :      ;:     ;      '   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '-l'-^-      261 

Clark  E.  Carr,  himself  a  veteran  member  of  the  Galesburg  bar  and  long  a  col- 
league of  Judge  Craig  said :  "I  knew  him  when  he  was  a  boy  in  Knox  College. 
He  was  an  earnest  student  and  it  was  understood  then  that  he  intended  to  be- 
come a  lawyer.  He  was,  as  every  good  lawyer  is,  rooted  and  grounded  in  the 
statutes.  He  was  not  what  would  be  called  a  brilliant  lawyer  but  was  thorough 
and  safe  and  no  other  Galesburg  attorney  was  so  successful  in  practice.  As  a 
member  of  the  constitutional  convention  he  proposed  and  carried  into  effect  some 
of  its  best  provisions.  While  there  were  other  more  scholarly  men  on  the  su- 
preme bench  scarcely  any  other  jurist  has  left  a  greater  impress  upon  their  juris- 
prudence, and  the  opinions  of  scarcely  any  other  judge  are  more  often  quoted 
and  followed.  Three  times,  although  a  democrat,  he  was  elected  in  a  republican 
district.  When  an  enterprise  commended  itself  to  his  judgment  few  men  were 
more  public-spirited,  a  fact  indicated  by  his  liberal  donation  of  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars to  Knox  College  when  that  institution  needed  money  more  than  ever  before 
in  all  her  history." 

Judge  J.  D.  Welsh  said:  "Judge  Craig  was  noted  for  applying  common  sense 
to  the  legal  problems  that  came  before  the  court  and  was  a  great  judge."  Said 
Congressman  Prince :  "Judge  Craig  as  a  lawyer  of  the  bar  in  Knox  county  was 
one  of  the  most  successful  men  that  ever  practiced  here.  As  a  judge  on  the  su- 
preme bench  he  took  rank  among  the  ablest  judges  in  the  United  States.  His 
decisions  on  real  estate  ranked  unusually  high  and  were  commented  on  in  the  law 
schools  like  Harvard  and  Columbia.  When  there  was  a  vacancy  on  the  supreme 
bench  of  the  United  States  his  name  was  given  careful  and  long  consideration  by 
President  Cleveland  before  Chief  Justice  Fuller  was  appointed.  The  mere  fact 
that  the  name  of  a  judge  or  lawyer  is  considered  by  the  executive  of  the  nation  for 
the  exalted  position  of  chief  justice  puts  for  all  time  such  a  judge  or  lawyer  in 
the  front  rank  of  jurists."  Others  bore  testimony  of  his  fairness  in  business 
transaction,  naming  him  as  the  soul  of  honor,  and  still  others  attested  to  his  kind- 
ness to  the  younger  members  of  the  bar.  In  fact  in  all  the  relations  of  life  Judge 
Craig  measured  up  to  the  highest  standards  of  manhood  and  citizenship  in  the 
wise  and  able  use  which  he  made  of  his  time  and  talents,  in  his  recognition  of  his 
obligations  to  his  fellowmen  and  of  his  duties  as  a  citizen  in  his  relations  to  the 
state  and  nation.  .  ,  .  .  _ 


•  ,  REV.  GEORGE  PRESTOX  DOUBLEDAY.     :•;:>";;  ^^^;^ 

Rev.  George  Preston  Doubleday,  whose  labors  have  been  a  potent  factor  in 
the  moral  and  educational   development  of  Knox   county,   is   now   serving  as 
president  of  Corpus  Christi  College  at  Galesburg.    His  birth  occurred  in  Pieter- 
.   maritzburg.  Natal,  South  Africa,  on  the  23d  of  June,  1869,  his  parents  being 
George  and  Mary  (Curry)   Doubleday,  who  were  natives  of  England  and  Ire- 
land respectively.     The  father .  passed  away  in  London,  in  1902,  when  sixty-two 
.    years  of  age.    His  wife  also  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  sixty-two,  being  called  to 
.    her  final  rest  in  1897.    Both  were  faithful  communicants  of  the  Catholic  church. 
'    Their  children  were  five  in  number,  as  follows:  Rev.  Arthur  Doubleday,  repJgr 
•    of  the  seminary  in  Guildford,  England;  Rev.  George  Preston,  of  this  review; 


262  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^  7      ;  ; 

Charles  Edward,  living  in  London,  England;  Mary,  a  nun  in  Streatham,  Lon-  /'';.:•' 
don;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.      -•..•••         ;     .;  ;  ;;  •   •^:;i^:,J'   •:•;'.    ;;,^>:>^/y 

Rev.  George  P.  Doubleday  was  two  years  of  age  when 'taken  to  England  by 
his  parents,  who  settled  in  Canterbury,  where  he  received  his  common  and 
classical  education.  In  1889  he  entered  the  Order  of  Charity  at  Wadhurst, 
England,  where  he  studied  for  three  years,  later  spending  five  and  a  half  years  .  ••' 
at  Domodossola,  Italy,  in  preparation  for  the  priesthood.  In  November,  1898, 
he  was  ordained  at  Novara,  Italy,  and  on  the  24th  of  December  of  the  same 
year  arrived  in  America,  making  his  way  direct  to  Galesburg,  Illinois.  Here  • 
he  acted  as  assistant  to  Rev.  Father  Costa  for  two  years  and  then  became  pastor 
of  St.  Patrick's  church,  thus  officiating  for  seven  years.  On  the  expiration  of 
that  period  he  became  president  of  Corpus  Christi  College  and  has  remained  in 
that  capacity  to  the  present  time.  The  institution  has  an  attendance  of  one 
hundred  and  three  boys,  who  are  under  the  instruction  of  four  professors, 
namely:  Rev.  Doubleday,  Rev.  John  Phelan,  Rev.  James  Lyons  and  Rev.  Francis  ' 

Baines.  ,  .-.->.;  . 


-.V  n;7  CHARLES  F.  HURBURGH.      ^         ' 

Charles  F.  Hurburgh,  state  senator  from  Knox  county  and  recognized  as  one   / 
of  those  who  is  close  to  the  present  administration,  in  an  effort  to  secure  the   •• 
passage  of  meritorious  measures  and  prevent  the  corruption  and  graft  which   ^ 
have  been  entirely  too  prominent  in  the  political  history  of  the  state,  was  born  . 
January  lo,  1872,  in  Smaland,  Sweden,  a  son  of  Gustav  and  Susanna  (Johnson)    "' 
Hurburgh,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  Yngakarin  Johnson.      The  father  died  in 
Sweden  in  1885,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years,  and  the  mother  passed  away  in 
1909,  when  nearly  seventy  years  of  age.    There  were  two  children  in  the  family 
but  the  elder,  a  sister,  died  in  infancy.     Charles  F.  Hurburgh  was  a  little  lad  of 
four  years  when,  owing  to  the  illness  of  his  mother,  he  went  to  live  with  his 
uncle,  A.  J.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  November  i8,  1842,  and  came  . 
to  America  in  1868.    He  first  located  in  Plymouth,  Indiana,  and  in  1873  he  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Louisa  Christina  Anderson,  the  widow  of  Swan  Anderson.     She  also 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  Anderson  and  was  born  in  Sweden,  May  18,  1830,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Analine   (Hansen)   Anderson.     She  came  to  the  new 
world  when  twenty-four  years  of  age,  making  her  way  to  Laporte,  Indiana,     . 
where  she  lived  until  her  marriage.       Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  established  their    . 
home  in  Knox  county  and  his  energies  were  devoted  to  farming  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  about   1907.      His  widow  still  resides  upon  the 
home  farm.     Her  only  child  was  David  Anderson,  who  was  born  February  8, 
1875,  and  is  now  a  farmer  of  Walnut  Grove  township.     He  married  Hannah 
Linderholm.  a  daughter  of  John  and  Hedda  Linderholm,  her  father  a  merchant 
of  Galesburg.  ;.:   o  -^    .•  ^  /•/ '''-.^'^••"•V•'^.'^  •'.../':.• '..I ^••' •.'^-'^•r'v-;'-'i-' 

Spending  his  youthful  days  in  the  home  of  his  uncle,  Mr.  Johnson,  Charles 
F.  Hurburgh,  whose  Swedish  name  was  Frederick  Carl  Hurburgh  but  who 
adopted  the  simpler  American  name  of  Charles  F.  pursued  his  education  in  the 
district  schools  and  afterward  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  school.  He  also  at-  ; 


262  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

Charles  luhvard,  living  in  London.  England;  Mary,  a  nun  in  Streatham,  Lon- 
don ;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Rev.  (ieorge  I'.  Doubleday  was  two  years  of  age  when  "taken  to  England  by 
his  parents,  who  settled  in  Canterbury,  where  he  received  his  common  and 
classical  education.  In  iXS'9  he  entered  the  Order  of  Charity  at  Wadhurst, 
England,  where  he  studied  for  three  years,  later  spending  five  and  a  half  years 
at  Domodossola,  Italy,  in  i)reparation  for  the  priesthood.  In  November,  1898, 
he  was  ordained  at  Xovara,  Italy,  and  on  the  24th  of  December  of  the  same 
year  arrived  in  America,  making  his  way  direct  to  (lalesburg,  Illinois.  Here 
he  acted  as  assistant  to  Rev.  l-'ather  Costa  for  two  years  and  then  became  pastor 
of  St.  I'atrick's  church,  thus  officiating  for  .seven  years.  On  the  exi)iration  of 
that  i)eriod  he  became  i)resident  of  Corjius  Christi  College  and  has  remained  in 
that  cai)acity  to  the  ])resent  time.  The  institution  has  an  attendance  of  one 
hundred  and  three  boys,  who  are  under  the  instruction  of  four  professors, 
namely:  Rev.  Doubleday.  Rev.  juhii  I'helan,  Rev.  James  Lyons  and  Rev.  Francis 
TJaines. 


':  Cll. \KLKS   \'.   IIL'klU'UCill.        ;  ., 

Charles  !•'.  llurburgh.  state  senator  from  Knox  county  and  recognized  as  one 
of  those  who  is  close  to  the  present  administration,  in  an  effort  to  secure  the 
passage  of  mcritcjrious  measures  and  prevent  the  corruption  and  graft  which 
have  been  entirely  too  prominent  in  the  i)olitical  history  of  the  state,  was  born 
[anuary  lO,  1872,  in  Smaland,  S\veden,  a  son  of  (justav  and  Susanna  (Johnson) 
llurburgh.  the  latter  a  daughter  of  ^  ngakarin  Johnson.  The  father  died  in 
Sweden  in  iXS5,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years,  and  the  mother  passed  away  in 
i(jO9,  when  nearly  seventy  years  of  age.  'I'here  \vere  tuo  children  in  the  family 
but  the  elder,  a  sister,  died  in  infancy.  C'harles  !•'.  llurburgh  was  a  little  lad  of 
four  years  \vlien,  owing  to  tlie  illness  of  his  mother,  he  went  to  live  with  his 
uncle,  A.  J.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  .November  iX.  1842,  and  came 
to  America  in  iXOS.  lie  first  located  in  I'lymouth,  Indiana,  and  in  1873  he  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Louisa  Christina  Anderson,  the  widow  of  .S\van  Anderson.  She  also 
bore  the  maiden  name  of  .\nderson  and  was  born  in  Sweden,  May  ;8,  1830,  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Analine  (llaiiseii)  Anderson.  She  came  to  the  new 
world  when  twenty-four  years  of  age,  making  her  way  to  Laporte,  Indiana, 
where  she  lived  uiilil  her  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  established  their 
home  in  Knox  county  and  his  energies  were  devoted  to  farming  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  alxjut  iix)7.  Mis  widow  still  resides  upon  the 
home  farm,  ller  only  child  was  David  Anderson,  who  was  born  I'ebruary  8, 
1875,  and  is  now  a  farmer  of  \\'alinu  drove  townshi]).  lie  married  Hannah 
Linderholm.  a  daughter  of  John  and  I  ledda  Linderholm,  her  father  a  merchant 
of  (lalesburg.  ,  .  :  '  1.  . 

S])en(ling  his  youthful  days  in  the  home  of  his  uncle,  Mr.  Johnson,  Charles 
V.  llurburgh.  whose  Swedish  name  was  I'rederick  Carl  llurburgh  but  who 
ado])ted  the  simi)ler  American  name  of  Charles  !•'.  pursued  his  education  in  tlic 
district  schools  and  afterward  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  school.  He  also  at- 


I      ;    -:;^  .:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ••      .   :k:^'.-      265 

tended  the  high  school  of  Altona,  from  which  he  was  graduated,  and  for  a  time 
was  a  student  in  the  Abingdon  normal  school,  in  which  he  completed  a  course 
in  1892.  He  afterward  entered  Knox  College  and  is  numbered  among  its  alumni 
of  1895.  Taking  up  the  profession  of  teaching,  he  was  principal  of  the  Maquon 
school  from  1895  until  igoo.  During  that  period  he  took  up  the  study  of  law 
in  Galesburg,  devoting  his  leisure  hours  to  the  mastery  of  the  principles  of 
jurisprudence.  All  through  his  boyhood  days  he  had  worked  when  opportunity 
offered  and  had  thus  largely  supplied  the  means  for  meeting  the  expenses  of 
his  education.  At  different  times  he  worked  at  farm  labor  in  the  home  neigh- 
borhood and  assisted  in  threshing  until  an  accident  finally  prevented  his  further 
work  in  that  direction.  His  entire  life  has  been  one  of  unfaltering  activity  and 
his  intelligently  directed  labors  have  constituted  forceful  factors  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  what  he  has  undertaken.  In  1900  he  withdrew  from  educational 
work  to  accept  the  position  of  deputy  sheriff  under  R.  G.  Mathews  and  after 
two  years'  service  in  that  capacity  was  elected  sheriff  of  Knox  county,  which 
position  he  filled  until  1906,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate. 

Charles  F.  Hurburgh  has  made  an  excellent  record  as  one  of  the  Illinois  legis- 
lators. He  found  the  senate  in  the  grip  of  a  powerful  combine  and  united  with 
other  men  of  high  principles  holding  to  high  ideals  of  government  to  break  the 
force  of  this  combine  and  wrest  the  state  from  machine  rule.  History  records 
the  success  of  their  efforts  and  indorsement  of  his  course  was  given  him  in  his 
reelection.  When  he  entered  upon  his  second  term  he  was  recognized  as  one 
of  the  senate  leaders  and  all  through  the  regular  and  special  session  was  in  close 
association  with  the'  governor  in  urging  the  passage  of  meritorious  measures. 
His  efforts  were  an  effective  force  in  promoting  the  passage  of  the  two-cent- 
passenger-fare  bill  and  he  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee  on  appropria- 
tions, one  of  the  most  important  of  the  senate,  doing  much  to  keep  the  demands 
made  upon  the  state  treasury  within  the  limit.  His  work  on  that  committee  dis- 
closed his  large  grasp  of  details  and  his  broad  understanding  of  a  multitude  of 
situations  which  came  up  for  discussion.  When  the  facts  developed  regarding 
the  scandal  attached  to  the  election  of  a  United  States  senator  Mr.  Hurburgh, 
who  had  respected  the  vote  of  his  district  on  the  senatorship,  was  one  of  the 
foremost  in  the  senate  to  urge  an  investigation  and  as  the  result  of  his  position 
and  that  of  a  number  of  his  colleagues  a  committee  was  named  that  brought 
out  many  facts  relating  to  the  case  and  helped  purge  the  legislature.  In  all  this 
he  disclosed  himself  a  foe  to  graft. 

In  his  home  town  of  Galesburg  and  throughout  the  county,  where  he  is  very 
widely  known,  Mr.  Hurburgh  is  popular.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Trinity  Luth- 
eran church  and  his  influence  is  always  on  the  side  of  progress,  reform  and  im- 
provement. As  a  republican  leader  in  Illinois  he  is  today  prominently  before 
the  state  and  his  fellow  citizens  are  strongly  urging  his  candidacy  for  governor. 
In  a  recent  meeting  held  in  Galesburg  the  following  resolutions  were  unani- 
mously passed :  .  . 

We,  citizens  and  residents  of  Galesburg  and  of  Knox  county,  friends  and 
neighbors  of  Charles  F.  Hurburgh,  one  of  our  leading  citizens,  distinguished 
member  of  the  state  senate  of  Illinois,  having  noted  with  a  great  deal  of  pride 
the  favorable  comment  upon  the  announcement  of  his  candidacy  for  the  repub- 
lican nomination  for  the  governorship  at  the  April  primaries.  Resolve  that. 


266       ;•  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    .VV-^::-:: 

;'  Whereas,  Charles  F.  Hurburgh  has  grown  up  among  us  and  in  all  his  life 
has  walked  on  the  high  plane  of  good  citizenship,  never  swerving  from  right 
conduct,  actuated  by  lofty  motives,  and  has  been  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  pro- 
mote the  material  and  moral  welfare  of  this  city  and  county  in  all  its  enterprises, 
and  has  been  a  public-spirited  citizen  whose  aid  has  always  been  freely  given 
to  worthy  undertakings  ;  and,  ;;..'.;:;  '  I  ,  •.•'.''" 

Whereas,  both  as  county  officer  and  state  senator  he  has  by  his  wisdom  and 
courageous  course  reflected  honor  upon  himself  and  credit  upon  the  city  and 
county  and  district ;  and, 

..:  Whereas,  while  a  member  of  the  senate,  Charles  F.  Hurburgh  has  been  one 
of  the  chief  supporters  and  advocates  on  the  people's  side  of  legislative  ques- 
tions, always  a  foe  to  the  spoils  and  to  corrupt  practices  of  all  kinds,  and  in 
general  always  identified  with  all  that  is  best  in  legislation ;  and. 

Whereas,  he  has  shown  himself  in  all  his  official  acts  a  true  believer  in  pro- 
gressivism  in  the  sense  that  progressivism  means  the  doing  away  with  special 
privilege,  the  defeat  and  extinction  of  spoils  politics,  the  conservation  and  de- 
velopment of  natural  resources  and  the  restoration  to  the  people  of  the  essential 
powers  of  governm'^nt ;  — 

..  Therefore,  Be  It  Resolved,  that  as  citizens  vitally  interested  in  the  future 
welfare  of  this  city  and  community  and  of  this  state,  we  hereby  express  the 
utmost  confidence  in  Charles  F.  Hurburgh  as  a  candidate  for  governor  of  Illi- 
nois and  recommend  his  candidacy  to  the  people  of  the  state;  that  we  aid  his 
candidacy  in  every  possible  way  and  tender  him  our  heartiest  support  in  his 
efforts  to  secure  the  nomination  at  the  primaries  and  to  this  end  we  pledge  our 
loyal  and  active  support  and  resolve  that  we  will  individually  exhaust  every  hon- 
orable means  to  bring  about  the  nomination  and  election  of  Charles  F.  Hurburgh 
as  governor  of  Illinois.  iv  '••:<,-  •  •.:  ••>  : t'^/^  '  ;  'v 

Whether  elected  to  office  or  not,  there  is  no  question  in  the  minds  of  his 
friends  that  Charles  F.  Hurburgh  will  ever  stand,  as  he  does  today,  for  clean 
government  and  for  the  exercise  of  party  strength  in  behalf  of  the  entire  people 
and  not  for  the  benefit  of  a  coterie  of  politicians.  •:  V:  ' 


•    >';';^-.    :  JOSHUA  R.  CROUCH.       o^-.:      :    ': 

The  late  Joshua  R.  Crouch,  who  for  sixteen  years  prior  to  his  death  had 
followed  the  brick-mason's  trade  in  Knox  county,  was  born  in  Rising  Sun, 
Indiana,  on  the  7th  of  April,  1828.  His  parents  were  Nehemiah  and  Mary 
(Clark)  Crouch,  the  father  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  mother  of  Rising 
Sun.  The  former  passed  away  when  our  subject  was  a  child  of  two  years,  but 
the  mother  lived  to  attain  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-three  years,  spending  her 
entire  life  in  her  native  town.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crouch  there 
were  born  two  sons,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  The  younger  was  Nathaniel 
C.,  who  fought  in  the  Indian  wars  with  General  Custer. 

Joshua  R.  Crouch  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town  until  he 
had  mastered  the  common  branches  and  then  began  working  at  the  mason's 
trade,  first  in  Rising  Sun  and  later  in  Covington,  Kentucky.  He  continued  to 


::.  :.'r-y^;-:    ;  ;  :V  '    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -  -  '  267 

follow  this  occupation  until  the  Civil  war  broke  out,  when  he  offered  his  services 
to  his  country.  He  enlisted  at  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  in  Company  C,  Eighty- 
third  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  spent  the  three  succeeding  years  on  the 
battlefields  of  the  south.  He  took  part  in  many  of  the  notable  battles  and  was 
present  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  was  with  Sherman  when  he  made  his 
famous  march.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  returning  to 
Rising  Sun  he  joined  a  party  of  gold  seekers,  who  were  going  to  California.  In 
1892  Mr.  Crouch  with  his  wife  and  family  came  to  Rio,  this  county,  where  for 
nine  years  he  followed  his  trade  and  also  did  general  contracting.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  that  time  they  became  residents  of  Knoxville,  purchasing  the  prop- 
erty still  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Crouch.  Here  he  continued  to  engage  in 
brick  masonry  until  the  week  before  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  i6th  of 
August,  1908.  ''.'•:\"'- .\^:: •./.''•-•':':': '^  "•'\.:-.7-  " 

Mr.  Crouch  was  married  in  Switzerland  county,  Indiana,  on  the  27th  of 
August,  1873,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Wilson,  a  native  of  that  county,  her  birth  having 
occurred  on  the  8th  of  July,  1843.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Jane 
(Monroe)  Wilson,  the  father  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  mother  of  Indiana. 
Mr.  Wilson  was  an  agriculturist  and  for  many  years  engaged  in  farming  in 
Switzerland  county,  and  he  also  ran  a  flatboat  from  Lawrenceburg  to  New 
Orleans,  conveying  produce  to  the  various  markets  along  the  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi rivers.  Later  he  and  his  family,  consisting  of  his  wife  and  two  daughters, 
removed  to  Kansas,  where  the  parents  both  died,  their  last  days  being  spent  in 
Hutchinson,  that  state.  They  had  each  reached  the  age  of  seventy-four  years 
at  the  time  of  their  demise.  Their  other  daughter,  Mrs.  Maggie  Geary,  has  for 
many  years  been  a  resident  of  Hutchinson,  Kansas.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crouch 
there  were  born  three  daughters  and  one  son.  Maggie,  who  is  the  eldest,  mar- 
ried James  S.  Hemphill,  of  Rising  Sun,  and  they  have  two  children,  Joseph  and 
Mills.  Clara  is  the  wife  of  La  Verne  Bloomfield,  of  Galesburg,  and  they  have 
two  children,  Verna  and  Leona.  Bessie  married  Clifton  Weedin,  a  blacksmith 
of  Burns,  Missouri,  and  they  have  five  children,  Lyman,  Nina,  Flora,  Joshua 
and  Marion.  Nathaniel  W.,  who  is  the  youngest  of  the  family,  resides  in  Knox- 
ville and  makes  his  home  with  his  mother. 

Mr.  Crouch  was  an  honored  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
having  joined  the  post  at  Rising  Sun  after  leaving  the  army,  while  at  the  time 
of  his  death  he  belonged  to  the  one  at  Knoxville.  His  political  allegiance  he 
accorded  to  the  republican  party  and  in  matters  of  faith  he  was  a  Methodist, 
holding  membership  in  the  church  at  Knoxville,  with  which  his  widow  is  still 
identified. 


3,;:  /-.  •:  •      "'•'••''•>'•'':      LUCIEN  F.  SENNETT.      '       ^       •/  •;..•'•:;;; :^' •'•   •••'• 

Lucien  F.  Sennett,  superintendent  and  headmaster  of  St.  Alban's  School 
at  Knoxville,  was  born  in  Syracuse,  New  York,  August  6,  1868,  a  son  of  Lucien 
and  Elizabeth  (Frank)  Sennett.  The  father's  birth  occurred  near  Syracuse, 
while  the  mother  was  born  in  Schenectady,  New  York.  The  Sennett  family  comes 
of  Irish  lineage,  the  first  American  ancestors  leaving  Dublin  preparatory  to 


268  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

emigrating  to  the  new  world,  and  at  a  very  early  period  the  family  was  founded 
at  Syracuse,  New  York,  where  the  death  of  Lucien  Sennett  occurred  in  1869. 
His  widow  still  survives  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Knoxville  with  her 
son  Lucien. 

Professor  Sennett  of  this  review  was  only  about  a  year  old  at  the  time  of 
his  father's  demise.  He  spent  his  youthful  days  with  his  mother,  who  care- 
fully reared  him  and  stimulated  in  him  that  love  of  learning  which  has  been 
the  foundation  for  the  successful  work  he  has  done  as  an  educator.  His  youth- 
ful days  were  spent  in  Auburn,  New  York,  where  he  pursued  his  education  until 
graduated  from  the  high  school  of  that  city.  He  afterward  attended  Trinity 
College  of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  and  was  graduated  therefrom  with  the  class 
of  1889,  winning  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  while  three  years  later  the  Master 
of  Arts  degree  was  conferred  upon  him  by  his  alma  mater.  Determining  to  devote 
his  life  to  educational  work,  he  became  master  of  St.  Mark's  School  near  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  did  excellent  work  for  nine  years.  He  then  accepted  a 
position  at  the  head  of  the  Pomfret  School  in  Pomfret,  Connecticut,  where  the 
succeeding  four  years  were  passed,  after  which  he  went  to  Lake  Forest,  Illinois, 
and  was  connected  with  the  academy  at  that  place  for  two  years.  On  coming  to 
Knoxville  he  accepted  the  position  of  superintendent  and  headmaster  of  St. 
Alban's  School  and  under  his  guidance  the  institution  has  made  continuous  and 
substantial  progress,  promoting  its  standards  of  teaching  and  of  scholarship. 
Professor  Sennett  holds  to  high  ideals  in  his  work  and  is  never  content  until  he 
has  accomplished  the  task  to  which  he  has  set  himself.  He  belongs  to  two  college 
fraternities,  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  and  the  Alpha  Delta  Phi,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church. 


v': '/'v--'    ;         .  JOHN  B. 

When  the  history  of  Galesburg  and  her  prominent  men  shall  have  been  written 
its  pages  will  bear  no  name  better  known  than  that  of  Colton,  which  has  long 
been  a  potent  factor  in  the  activities  and  resultant  prosperity  of  the  city.  It  is 
not  only  compatible,  but  absolutely  imperative,  that  mention  be  made  of  the  Colton 
family  if  a  true  history  to  commemorate  and  perpetuate  the  lives  of  those  men 
whose  records  have  been  intimately  connected  with  the  growth  of  Galesburg  is  to 
be  made.  He  whose  name  introduces  this  review  is  today  the  eldest  descendant 
of  the  family  which  has  left  its  impress  upon  the  progress  and  civilization  of 
two  states.  I-  -' V  :-. 

He  was  born  August  ii,  1831,  in  the  state  of  Maine.  Quarter  Master  George 
Colton,  who  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  in  America,  emigrated  from  Sut- 
ton,  Coldfield,  Fngland,  about  1640,  settling  at  Long  Meadow,  Massachusetts. 
The  family  was  especially  prominent  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  Captain 
Thomas  Colton,  a  son  of  George  Colton,  had  previously  been  very  active  in  the 
Indian  wars.  Since  1714  the  name  of  Colton  has  frequently  occurred  in  the  civil 
list  of  representatives  in  the  town  of  Long  Meadow  and  in  the  Massachusetts 
legislature.  The  family  traces  its  lineage  from  Quarter  Master  George  Colton 
through  the  eldest  sons  down  to  the  present  time  as  follows :  Quarter  -Master 


268  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

emigrating  to  the  new  world,  and  at  a  very  early  period  the  family  was  founded 
at  Syracuse.  Xew  York,  wlicre  the  death  of  Lucien  Sennett  occurred  in  1869. 
His  widow  still  survives  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Knoxville  with  her 
son  Lucien. 

Professor  Sennett  of  this  review  was  only  about  a  year  old  at  the  time  of 
his  father's  demise.  He  spent  his  youthful  days  with  his  mother,  who  care- 
fully reared  him  and  stimulated  in  him  that  love  of  learning  which  has  been 
the  foundation  for  the  successful  work  he  has  done  as  an  educator.  His  j'outli- 
ful  days  were  spent  in  Auburn.  Xew  York,  where  he  ])ursued  his  education  until 
graduated  from  the  high  school  of  that  city.  He  afterward  attended  Trinity 
College  of  llartfor<I.  Connecticut,  and  was  graduated  therefrom  with  the  class 
of  i8{^9.  winning  the  degree  of  llachelor  of  Arts,  while  three  years  later  the  Master 
of  Arts  degree  was  conferred  upon  him  by  his  alma  mater.  Determining  to  devote 
his  life  to  educational  work,  he  became  master  of  St.  Mark's  School  near  Uoston, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  did  excellent  work  for  nine  years.  I  le  then  accepted  a 
position  at  the  head  of  the  I'omfret  School  in  I'omfret.  Connecticut,  where  the 
succeeding  four  years  were  passed,  after  which  he  went  to  Lake  Forest.  Illinois, 
and  was  connected  with  the  academy  at  that  ])lace  for  two  years.  On  coming  to 
Knoxville  he  accepted  the  position  of  superintendent  and  headmaster  of  St. 
Alban's  School  and  under  his  guidance  the  institution  has  made  continuous  and 
substantial  ])rogress.  i)romoting  its  standards  of  teaching  and  of  scholarship. 
Professor  Sennett  holds  to  high  ideals  in  his  work  and  is  never  content  until  he 
has  accomi)lished  the  task  to  which  he  has  set  himself.  I  le  belongs  to  two  college 
fraternities,  the  I 'hi  Ucta  Kajipa  and  the  Alpha  Delta  I 'hi.  and  is  a  member  of  the 
K])iscoi)al  church. 


.;    ;  ;•;  JOIIX   15.  COLTOX.        '•  .         ' 

When  the  history  of  Galesburg  and  her  prominent  men  shall  have  been  written 
its  pages  will  bear  no  name  better  known  than  that  of  Colton,  which  has  long 
been  a  potent  factor  in  the  activities  and  resultant  prosperity  of  the  city.  It  is 
not  only  compatible,  but  absolutely  imperative,  that  mention  be  made  of  the  Colton 
family  if  a  true  history  to  commemorate  and  perpetuate  the  lives  of  those  men 
whose  records  have  been  intimately  connected  with  the  growth  of  Galesburg  is  to 
be  made.  He  whose  name  introduces  this  review  is  today  the  eldest  descendant 
of  the  family  which  has  left  its  impress  upon  the  progress  and  civilization  of 
two  states. 

He  was  born  August  ii.  1^31,  in  the  state  of  Maine.  Quarter  Master  George 
Colton,  who  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  in  America,  emigrated  from  Sut- 
ton.  Coldtield.  England,  about  1640.  settling  at  Long  Meadow,  Massachusetts. 
The  family  was  especially  i)rominent  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  and  Captain 
Thomas  Colton,  a  son  of  George  Colton.  had  previously  been  very  active  in  the 
Indian  wars.  Since  1714  the  name  of  Colton  has  fre(|uently  occurred  in  the  civil 
list  of  rei)resentatives  in  the  town  of  Long  Meadow  and  in  the  Massachusetts 
legislature.  The  family  traces  its  lineage  from  Quarter  Master  George  Colton 
through  the  eldest  sons  <lown  to  the  present  time  as  follows:  Quarter  Master 


'    '     '  -     ^        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -'  271 

George,  Captain  Simon,  Captain  Gad,  Justin,  Chauncey  Sill,  and  John  Burt,  who 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

On  the  prairies  of  Knox  county,  John  B.  Colton  was  reared  to  manhood  un- 
der the  parental  roof.  He  acquired  such  education  as  the  common  schools  and 
academy  afforded,  but  his  interest  was  always  in  the  pioneer  life,  which  was  ever 
present  before  him.  When  a  mere  boy,  he  would  lie  in  the  high  grass  along  the 
little  creek  which  then  ran  through  what  is  now  the  public  square  and  always  held 
his  bow  and  arrow  ready  to  shoot  the  deer  or  wolf  that  came  across  the  prairie 
at  sunset.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  after  he  had  completed  his  education  and 
while  the  spirit  of  adventure  was  still  strong  within  him,  he  joined  a  train  of 
'49ers,  setting  out  for  California.  He  spent  five  years  in  the  camps  in  that  state 
and  on  the  trails  in  search  for  adventure  and  gold.  His  reminiscences  of  those 
days  if  they  could  be  reproduced  minutely  would  of  themselves  give  a  valuable 
account  of  the  interesting  experiences  that  the  pioneers  encountered  in  those 
early  days  on  the  frontier.  He  became  personally  acquainted  with  many 
of  the  most  prominent  western  characters,  such  as  Kit  Carson,  Jim  Baker,  and 
Jim  Bridger,  the  latter  of  whom  he  was  a  personal  friend.  He  assisted  in  build- 
ing a  monument  to  him  at  Kansas  City  and  was  one  of  his  friends  to  exhume  his 
body  on  December  4,  1904,  when  they  removed  the  remains  from  the  grave  near 
Dallas,  Missouri.  At  the  present  time,  Mr.  Colton  has  in  hif  possession  several 
small  pieces  of  the  old  casket  in  which  his  friend  was  buried.  Mr.  J.  B.  Colton 
is  one  of  the  four  surviving  members  of  a  party  of  thirty-six  who  undertook  to 
shorten  their  journey  to  the  mines  by  crossing  the  desert  country  between  Little 
Salt  Lake  to  the  head  of  the  San  Joaquin  valley.  They  were  lost  for  three 
months,  fifty-two  days  of  which  they  were  without  provisions  except  their 
starved  cattle  and  going  at  times  five  days  without  water,  undergoing  great  suf- 
fering, four  of  the  party  died  in  the  desert ;  they  discovered  Death  Valley  and 
arrived  at  a  ranch  on  the  Pacific  coast,  February  4,  1850.  He  returned  to  Gales- 
burg  in  1854  and  was  still  residing  here  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out.  He 
assisted  General  Harding  in  raising  the  Eighty-third  Regiment  of  Illinois  In- 
fantry and  was  an  officer  in  this  regiment.  Later  he  was  on  the  staff  of  General 
Grant.  Although  later  in  life  he  resided  in  Kansas  City  for  several  years,  he  has 
always  maintained  his  interest  in  Illinios  politically  and  otherwise.  He  is  an  ex- 
tensive property  owner  of  the  state  of  Nebraska  and  his  ranch  is  one  of  the  most 
highly  cultivated  in  the  state.  He  is  at  present  residing  on  North  Broad  street, 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  where  he  is  surrounded  by  the  comforts  and  luxuries  which 
are  the  fitting  rewards  of  the  useful  and  industrious  life  which  he  has  led. 

Mr.  Colton  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  union  occurred  in  Chicago, 
where  he  was  married  on  the  3Oth  of  March,  1857,  to  ^liss  Flizabeth  McClure, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  Philadelphia  on  the  i6th  of  September,  1835.  To  this 
union  two  children  were  born,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased,  Chauncey  Mc- 
Clure and  Flizabeth.  The  mother's  death  occurred  in  Galesburg  on  the  iQth  of 
January,  i86i.  "Col."  Colton  was  again  married  on  the  ist  of  December,  1868. 
at  Galesburg,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Mary  A.  Thomas,  who  was  bom 
May  8,  1849,  ^t  Homer,  New  York.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born, 
John  B.,  Jr.,  Chauncey  S.  and  Fdward  T. 

A  resident  of  Galesburg  through  much  of  the  time  during  a  period  of  over 


272       -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :;:'!> 

seventy-five  years,  his  fellow  townsmen  have  come  to  know  him  as  a  man  of 
honor  and  worth  and  give  him  that  tribute  of  respect  and  admiration  which  the 
world  instinctively  pays  to  him  who  uses  his  talents  for  the  benefit  of  the  com- 
munity as  well  as  for  individual  gain. 


:;:;•:•;'::  FRED   L.   REFD.        ,;":     ;    :/x- 

Fred  L.  Reed,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  E.  S.  Willard  &  Company,  with 
which  he  has  been  connected  since  1910,  was  born  in  Knoxville,  this  county,  on 
1876.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  William  and  Mary  A.  (Heagy)  Reed,  the  father 
a  native  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  and  the  mother  of  this  county.  In  his  early 
manhood,  William  Reed  came  to  Knoxville  and  opened  a  meat  market,  which  he 
successfully  conducted  for  some  years.  He  was  living  at  Monmouth  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  however,  which  occurred  when  he  was  forty-two  years  of 
age.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  there  were  born  three  children, 
two  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  latter,  Eva  V.,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years, 
and  the  other  son,  William,  is  a  resident  of  Boise  City,  Idaho. 

Knox  county  has  always  been  the  home  of  Fred  L.  Reed,  who  received  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Knoxville,  terminating  his  student  days  upon 
his  graduation  from  the  high  school.  He  subsequently  turned  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  taking  a  position  on  a  farm  in  Copley  township.  When  he 
had  become  familiar  with  the  practical  methods  of  plowing,  sowing  and  caring 
for  the  crops,  as  well  as  the  other  tasks  connected  with  general  farming,  he 
purchased  some  land,  which  he  operated  on  his  own  behalf.  He  continued  to 
follow  this  occupation  until  1910,  and  being  a  man  of  practical  ideas  and  pro- 
gressive methods  he  prospered  in  his  undertakings.  In  the  latter  year  he  dis- 
posed of  his  farm,  deciding  that  he  preferred  commercial  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits and,  coming  to  Williamsfield,  he  bought  the  interest  of  the  late  E.  T. 
Merry  in  the  firm  of  E.  S.  Willard  &  Company.  Financially  this  has  proven 
to  be  a  very  successful  undertaking,  as  the  business  has  increased  in  a  most 
gratifying  manner  during  the  two  years  he  has  been  connected  with  it,  and  is 
steadily  developing.  This  is  the  only  company  of  furniture  dealers  in  the  town, 
and  they  also  have  a  very  good  assortment  of  crockery,  hardware,  wall  paper, 
musical  instruments  and  carpets.  Besides  their  varied  stock,  of  house  furnish- 
ings, they  have  an  undertaking  department,  which  is  unquestionably  equal  or 
superior  to  any  maintained  by  a  town  of  similar  size  in  the  state.  They  are  lo- 
cated on  Main  street  and  have  a  very  attractive  store,  every  department  of  which 
is  fiourishing.  They  have  an  unusually  good  assortment  of  merchandise  for  a 
town  of  this  size,  which  they  offer  at  reasonable  prices,  the  quality  of  their 
wares  in  every  instance  being  fully  commensurate  with  the  amount  charged. 
,  For  his  wife  Mr.  Reed  chose  Miss  Doris  A.  Harmison  and  unto  them  has 
been  born  one  child,  Harold  S. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  both  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


273 


the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  while  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the 
republican  party.  As  he  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Knox  county  Mr.  Reed  is 
widely  known  in  the  vicinity  of  Williamsfield,  where  he  has  a  large  circle  of 
friends  who  accord  him  the  esteem  and  respect  his  honorable  business  methods 
well  merit.;.  ,./'-^\  •:••'...••>•:•'•  ^':  :••-,"'•  '•'.v';'-^'  'X.;. 'v..^.?  '^-.  '•'•••':'-'"." 


.-, ?-;^^'i:  •  .;.'• ' :. •  ^ •'•:•::•[!,,;' V-^^-'     N.  E.  OLSON,  -...-•^.vv- ?;•,,• ;  •,  . '.•  •::-.^,;:;-^ :•::;.';':-• 

N.  E.  Olson  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  22, 
Galesburg  township,  the  rich  prairie  land  of  central  Illinois  returning  to  him 
a  substantial  income  for  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  the  fields. 
He  has  resided  in  this  county  continuously  for  more  than  a  third  of  a  century 
and  during  that  period  has  become  widely  known  as  a  representative  of  agri- 
cultural interests  here.  He  was  born  in  Broby,  in  the  southern  part  of  Sweden, 
November  7,  1857,  his  parents  being  Ola  and  Kama  (Benson)  Nelson,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Sweden.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  brewer  and  built 
the  first  brewery  in  Sweden  outside  of  the  large  cities.  He  devoted  some  time 
to  general  agricultural  pursuits  but  brewing  was  his  principal  occupation  and  . 
he  continued  in  business  at  Broby  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  well 
educated  in  music  and  was  a  man  of  liberal  culture  as  well  of  good  business 
ability.  His  widow  still  lives  in  Sweden  and  has  now  reached  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-two  years. 

N.  E.  Olson  was  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  three  children  and  in  the  acquire- 
ment of  his  education  attended  the  common  and  high  schools  of  his  native 
town,  after  which  he  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching  but  was  also  employed 
by  an  uncle  in  business  there.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  however,  he  bade 
adieu  to  friends  and  native  country  and  sailed  for  the  new  world,  making  his 
way  at  once  to  Knox  county.  He  arrived  in  Galesburg  in  1877  and  afterward 
went  to  Alexis,  Illinois,  but  soon  returned  to  Knox  county  where  he  has  since 
lived.  For  five  years  he  was  connected  with  a  second-hand  store  in  Galesburg 
and  then  embarked  in  business  on  his  own  account,  conducting  a  house-furnish- 
ing-goods  establishment  in  which  he  continued  until  1897.  At  length  he  with- 
drew from  commercial  pursuits  to  turn  his  attention  to  general  agricultural 
pursuits  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  is  situated  on 
section  22,  Galesburg  township.  The  land  is  unusually  rich  and  productive, 
and  the  progressive  methods  which  he  follows  in  its  cultivation  enables  him  to 
annually  gather  substantial  harvests.  In  addition  to  general  fanning  he  is  en- 
gaged in  feeding  hogs  and  thus  adds  in  considerable  measure  to  his  income. 

In  February,  1889,  Mr.  Olson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Helen  Behrin- 
ger,  a  daughter  of  Michael  Behringer,  and  they  have  two  children,  Edna  and 
Florence,  the  former  a  pupil  of  Knox  College.  Mr.  Olson  is  a  republican  in 
his  political  views  and  keeps  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the 
day  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office.  He  has  served,  however, 
as  school  clerk  of  his  district  and  is  a  stalwart  champion  of  a  high  standard  of 
education.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  Galesburg  and  finds  pleas- 


274       ':..'.,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          .   AV 

ant  relations  with  his  brethren  of  the  craft.  He  has  always  lived  a  busy,  active 
and  useful  life  and  his  energy,  determination  and  honorable  dealing  have  been 
the  basic  elements  of  success  which  has  crowned  his  efforts. 


.         /;;;^;;:\  ,  CHARLES  A.  WHITE.  :';;-t.; 

'..•'-..:•';.  -•;  V;  VV',  :  '    -.        •      '  '""'•••••"[.'• 

,    :-      Charles  A.  White,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance 
business  at  Galesburg  since  1890,  has  built  up  an  extensive  clientage  in  these 
:  connections.    His  birth  occurred  in  Greenville,  Illinois,  on  the  26th  of  February, 

"          1860,  his  parents  being  Richard  and  Nancy  (McAdow)  White,  both  of  whom 
I     were  natives  of  Bond  county,  Illinois.    The  paternal  grandfather,  Wesley  White, 
:  was  bom  in  North  Carolina  and  became  an  early  settler  of  Bond  county,  Illinois; 

He  was  an  agriculturist  by  occupation  and  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  about  eighty- 
seven  years.    He  was  three  times  married  and  reared  a  large  family  of  children. 
Judge  Samuel   McAdow,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  served  at 
.     .      one  time  as  county  judge  of  Bond  county.    He  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina, 
.     -     followed  farming  as  a  life  work  and  lived  to  attain  a  ripe  old  age.     His  wife, 
•I  :       who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Paisley,  died  when  still  a  comparatively  young 
woman.     To  them   were  born   four  daughters  and  two  sons,  namely:     John, 
William,  Emily,  Elizabeth,  Lucy  and  Nancy. 

;  Richard  White,  the  father  of  Charles  A.  White,  was  a  contractor  and  builder 

•     on  an  extensive  scale.     He  erected  the  courthouse  at  Greenville,  where  his  de- 
mise occurred  in  1886,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  fifty  years  and  five 
months.     His  first  wife  died  when  our  subject  was  but  two  years  of  age,  and 
,'      for  his  second  wife  he  chose  Miss  America  Moss,  by  whom  he  had  four  chil- 
dren, as  follows:    Anna,  who  married  a  Mr.  Kelly;  Frank;  Sarah;  and  Elsie. 

Charles  A.  White  was  reared  on  a  farm  at  Elm  Point,  Bond  county,  Illinois, 

and  obtained  his  early  education  in,  the  country  schools.     Subsequently  he  at- 

:'       tended  the  public  schools  at  Newton,  Kansas,  and  later  pursued  a  course  of 

-v  •       study  in  a  business  college  at  Keokuk,  Iowa.    After  putting  aside  his  text-books 

,         he  started  out  as  an  agriculturist  on  his  own  account,  following  farming  near 

Greenville,  Bond  county,  until  1882,  when  he  removed  to  Newton,  Kansas.    In 

;  .        1890  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  embarked  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  busi- 

:•      ness,  in  which  he  has  been  successfully  engaged  to  the  present  time,  enjoying  a 

large  clientage.     He  has  thoroughly  informed  himself  concerning  realty  values 

and  its  appreciation  or  diminution  in  price  and  is  thus  enabled  to  assist  his 

clients  in  making  judicious  investments  and  profitable  sales.  .  He  owns   farm 

lands  in  Morgan  county,  Missouri. 

';   •  On  the  2Oth  of  October,  1886,  Mr.  White  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 

Keziah  McCulla,  a  native  of  Cincinnati  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary 

(Abemathy)    McCulla.     The    father   passed   away   at   Birmingham,   Missouri, 

when  about  seventy-five  years  of  age,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  at  the  age  of 

\  ••/•      eighty-six  and  makes  her  home  in  Greenville,  Illinois.     They  were  the  parents 

,          of  four  daughters  and  one  son,  as  follows:    Lillian,  Harriet,  Addie,  Keziah  and 

.  J       Thomas  A.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  had  four  children,  namely:    Edna  B.,  Ruby 


4-VJ     vr  :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         :  275 

M.,  Frances  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.     The  family  residence  is  at  No.  752 
North  Cherry  street. 

In  politics  Mr.  White  is  a  republican,  while  his  religious  faith  is  indicated 
by  his  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  his  wife  and  daughters 
all  belong.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masons,  belonging  to  Vesper 
Lodge,  No.  584,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  also  Council  No.  i,  at  Knoxville;  and  Gales- 
burg  Chapter,  No.  46,  R.  A.  M.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  Court  of  Honor 
and  the  Illinois  Commercial  Men's  Association.  He  is  alert  and  enterprising, 
possessing  the  progressive  spirit  of  the  times  and  accomplishing  in  business  cir- 
cles what  he  undertakes,  while  his  geniality  and  deference  for  the  opinions  of 
others  have  made  his  circle  of  friends  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his 
acquaintances. 


:  ^    •;  :    ;   DANIEL  JUDSON  GRISWOLD,  D.  D.  s.       ;;;  j  ;:<:>;• 

Dentistry  may  be  said  to  be  almost  unique  among  occupations,  as  it  is  at 
once  a  profession,  a  trade  and  a  business.  Such  being  the  case,  it  follows  that 
in  order  to  attain  the  highest  success  in  it  one  must  be  thoroughly  conversant 
with  the  theory  of  the  art,  must  be  expert  with  the  many  tools  and  appliances 
incidental  to  the  practice  of  modern  dentistry  and  must  possess  business  quali- 
fications adequate  to  dealing  with  the  financial  side  of  the  profession.  In  all 
of  these  particulars  Dr.  Griswold  is  well  qualified  and  therefore  has  attained 
prestige  among  the  able  representatives  of  dentistry  in  Galesburg,  where  he  has 
practiced  for  the  past  seventeen  years.  His  birth  occurred  in  Jasper  county, 
Indiana,  on  the  agth  of  September,  1865,  his  parents  being  Ames  A.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Adams)  Griswold,  who  are  natives  of  Vermont  and  Indiana  resi>ectively. 
The  paternal  grandfather  was  also  born  in  the  Green  Mountain  state  and  was  a 
gentleman  of  English  descent.  He  died  when  past  middle  life,  while  his  wife 
lived  to  attain  the  age  of  about  seventy  years.  Their  children  were  four  in 
number,  namely :  Ames  A. ;  Abner ;  Mrs.  Letitia  Hall ;  and  Abbie,  the  wife  of 
Charles  Long.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  an  agriculturist 
by  occupation  and  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  Jasper  county,  Indiana, 
at  an  old  age.  Their  children  were  as  follows :  William,  Joseph,  Marion,  Henry, 
Mrs.  Ann  Hoover,  Mrs.  Milton  Beal  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Griswold. 

Ames  A.  Griswold,  the  father  of  Daniel  J.  Griswold,  was  successfully  identi- 
fied with  farming  interests  throughout  practically  his  entire  business  career.  He 
became  an  early  settler  of  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  and  there  resided  for  many 
years  or  until  the  time  of  his  retirement,  when  he  removed  to  Washburn,  Illinois, 
where  he  now  makes  his  home.  In  1852  he  made  an  overland  trip  to  California 
and  engaged  in  mining  for  a  short  time.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  Baptists  in 
religious  faith.  Unto  them  were  born  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  still 
survive,  namely:  Ida,  who  is  the  widow  of  Thomas  Lee  Goodell  and  resides 
in  Washburn,  Illinois;  Marcia,  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Rains,  of  Minnesota;  Lillie, 
the  wife  of  A.  L.  Kuhn,  of  Chicago;  Daniel  Judson,  of  this  review;  Florence, 
who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  L.  L.  Hester  and  now  lives  near  Minonk, 
Illinois ;  Delia,  who  is  the  wife  of  Basil  Tustin  and  lives  near  Washburn,  Illinois ; 


276  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ::' 

Nora  Bell,  who  is  the  wife  of  Byron  Stitt,  of  El  Paso,  Illinois ;  and  Cora  Bell, 
twin  sister  of  Nora  Bell,  who  is  the  wife  of  George  Stauter  and  lives  near 
Washbum,  Illinois. 

Dr.  Daniel  J.  Griswold  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Marshall  county, 
Illinois,  and  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Washburn  high  school  in  1885  and  subsequently  spent  almost 
four  years  in  Knox  College,  while  later  he  prepared  for  the  practice  of  his 
chosen  profession  by  a  three-years'  course  in  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College, 
being  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1894.  On  the  igth  of  March  of  that 
year  he  opened  an  office  at  Galesburg,  which  city  has  since  remained  the  scene 
of  his  professional  labors  and  where  he  has  been  accorded  an  extensive  and 
remunerative  practice.  Dr.  Griswold  has  extensive  property  holdings,  owning 
one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  the  province  of  Alberta,  Canada ;  farm  lands  in 
Finney  county,  Kansas ;  and  also  property  in  Lee  and  Van  Buren  counties, 
Iowa ;  Meade  county.  South  Dakota ;  Otsego  county,  Michigan ;  and  lola,  Kan- 
sas, as  well  as  a  house  and  lot  in  Galesburg.  He  likewise  owns  fruit  land  in 
Colorado  and  has  mining  interests  in  Gilpin  county,  that  state. 

On  the  I2th  of  September,  1899,  ^^-  Griswold  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Grace  Agnes  Ballard,  a  native  of  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  and  a  daughter 
of  Dr.  J.  A.  and  Henrietta  (Sutor)  Ballard,  who  were  born  in  Maine  and 
Canada  respectively.  They  became  early  settlers  of  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  and 
are  now  residents  of  Galesburg.  Dr.  J.  A.  Ballard  served  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Civil  war.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Griswold  had  three  children :  John  Ballard,  who  died 
in  infancy ;  Frederick  Anthony,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  two  years ;  and 
William  Ballard. 

In  his  political  views  Dr.  Griswold  is  a  republican,  while  fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  belonging  to  Veritas 
Lodge,  No.  478 ;  he  also  holds  membership  in  the  Galesburg  Club  and  the  Young 
n  Men's  Christian  Association.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  devoted  and  consistent 
members  of  the  Central  Congregational  church.  His  personal  characteristics 
render  him  popular  with  many  friends  and  he  is  much  esteemed  in  social  and 
professional  circles  of  Galesburg.  ,  '  .:; 


•;   ;     •    AUGUST  WERNER  BERGGREN.    . ; 

The  name  of  August  Werner  Berggren  is  closely  interwoven  with  the  history 
;  •  ;•  of  the  industrial,  commercial  and  financial  enterprise  in  Galesburg  and  also  with 
the  political  history  of  county  and  state,  for  he  has  been  called  to  various  posi- 
tions of  public  honor  and  trust.     At  the  present  time,  however,   (1912)  he  is 
N  living  retired,  having  with  the  incoming  of  the  twentieth  century  given  up  all 
;    active  business  associations  save  for  the  supervision  of  his  interests  in  property 
>    and  investments.    He  was  born  August  17,  1840,  in  Amots  Bruk,  Ockelbo  Socken, 
•       Sweden,  his  parents  being  Johan  and  Karin  (Hanson)   Berggren.     The  father 
.V    was  the  third  in  a  family  of  six  children  whose  parents  were  Jan  and  Stina  (Per- 
son) Larson,  who  were  married  in  1787.    The  latter  was  a  daughter  of  Anders 
•  and  Maria  (Hanson)  Person  and  they  were  married  in  1759.    Johan  Berggren 


276  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  . 

Nora  Bell,  who  is  the  wife  of  Byron  Stitt.  of  El  Paso,  Illinois;  and  Cora  Bell, 
twin  sister  of  Nora  Bell,  who  is  the  wife  of  George  Stauter  and  lives  near 
Washburn,  Illinois.  .  . 

Dr.  Daniel  J.  Griswold  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  IMarshall  county, 
Illinois,  and  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Washburn  high  school  in  1885  and  subsequently  spent  almost 
four  years  in  Knox  College,  while  later  he  prepared  for  the  practice  of  his 
chosen  profession  by  a  three-years'  course  in  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College, 
being  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1894.  On  the  iQth  of  March  of  that 
year  he  opened  an  office  at  Galesburg,  which  city  has  since  remained  the  scene 
of  his  professional  labors  and  where  he  has  been  accorded  an  extensive  and 
remunerative  practice.  Dr.  Griswold  has  extensive  property  holdings,  owning 
one  thousand  acres  of  land  in  the  province  of  Alberta,  Canada ;  farm  lands  in 
Finney  county,  Kansas ;  and  also  property  in  Lee  and  \'an  Buren  counties, 
Iowa ;  Meade  county.  South  Dakota ;  Otsego  county,  Michigan ;  and  lola,  Kan- 
sas, as  well  as  a  house  and  lot  in  Galesburg.  He  likewise  owns  fruit  land  in 
Colorado  and  has  mining  interests  in  Gilpin  county,  that  state. 

On  the  1 2th  of  September,  1899,  ^^-  Griswold  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Grace  Agnes  Ballard,  a  native  of  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  and  a  daughter 
of  Dr.  J.  A.  and  Henrietta  (Sutor)  Ballard,  who  were  born  in  Maine  and 
Canada  respectively.  They  became  early  settlers  of  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  and 
are  now  residents  of  Galesburg.  Dr.  J.  A.  Ballard  served  as  a  soldier  of  the 
Civil  war.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Griswold  had  three  children :  John  Ballard,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Frederick  Anthony,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  two  years;  and 
William  r.allanl. 

In  his  political  views  Dr.  Griswold  is  a  republican,  while  fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  belonging  to  \'eritas 
Lodge,  No.  478 ;  he  also  holds  membership  in  the  Galesburg  Club  and  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  devoted  and  consistent 
members  of  the  Central  Congregational  church.  His  personal  characteristics 
render  him  popular  with  many  friends  and  he  is  much  esteemed  in  social  and 
professional  circles  of  Galesburg.  '  .  '  •  . 


.  V  AUGUST  WERNER  BERGGRFN.   .    • 

The  name  of  August  Werner  Berggren  is  closely  interwoven  with  the  history 
of  the  industrial,  commercial  and  financial  enterprise  in  Galesburg  and  also  with 
the  political  history  of  county  and  state,  for  he  has  been  called  to  various  posi- 
tions of  public  honor  and  trust.  At  the  pre.sent  time,  however,  (1912)  he  is 
living  retired,  having  with  the  incoming  of  the  twentieth  century  given  up  all 
active  business  associations  save  for  the  supervision  of  his  interests  in  property 
and  investments.  He  was  bom  .\ugust  17,  1840,  in  .\mots  Bruk,  Ockelbo  Socken, 
Sweden,  his  parents  being  Johan  and  Karin  (Hanson)  Berggren.  The  father 
was  the  third  in  a  family  of  six  children  whose  parents  were  Jan  and  Stina  (Per- 
son) Larson,  who  were  married  in  1787.  The  latter  was  a  daughter  of  Anders 
and  Maria  (Hanson)  Person  and  they  were  married  in  1759.  Johan  Berggren 


;--^-xy:'--    •        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :    V:  279 

was  bom  in  1793  and  he  and  two  of  his  brothers  adopted  the  surname  of  Berg- 
gren,  which  he  afterward  bore.  It  was  in  1828  that  he  wedded  Karin  Hanson, 
who  was  bom  in  1800.  He  was  a  self-educated  man  and  won  his  way  to  success 
by  his  shrewdness  and  native  ability.  He  read  broadly  but  learned  his  most  valu- 
able lessons  in  the  school  of  experience.  At  different  times  he  held  minor  offices 
and  looked  after  cases  in  court,  also  administered  estates  and  did  other  public 
service  of  similar  character.  For  thirteen  years  he  operated  a  flouring  mill  and 
afterward  purchased  a  farm,  on  which  he  resided  until  he  emigrated  to  America 
in  1856.  His  death  occurred  February  i,  1863,  while  his  wife  passed  away  in 
Sweden,  February  24,  1845. 

August  W.  Berggren  was  a  pupil  in  the  village  schools  of  Sweden  until  four- 
teen years  of  age,  during  which  time  he  lived  on  the  home  farm.  He  also  later 
attended  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg  for  a  short  time,  when  not  employed  at 
his  trade.  In  his  fourteenth  year,  he  was  apprenticed  in  his  native  land  to  learn 
the  tailor's  trade,  the  contract,  drawn  by  his  father,  providing  that  for  the  first 
three  years  he  should  work  for  his  master  without  remuneration  and  for  the 
fourth  year  he  was  to  receive  thirty-five  riksdaler  and  for  the  fifth  forty  riks- 
daler,  each  coin  of  that  denomination  being  equal  to  about  twenty-seven  cents  in 
American  money.  His  father  was  also  to  fumish  the  cloth  for  the  tailor  to  make 
the  apprentice's  clothing.  In  case  of  the  death  of  the  boy  during  the  first  year  of 
his  apprenticeship,  the  father  should  pay  the  tailor  fifteen  riksdaler,  and  when 
Johan  Berggren  decided  to  emigrate  to  this  country  he  was  obliged  to  pay  the 
master  tailor  fifty  riksdaler  for  the  release  of  his  son. 

The  family  home  was  established  in  Knox  county,  and  at  Victoria  August  W. 
Berggren  first  found  employment  in  the  tailoring  establishment  of  Jonas  Hall-'^ 
Strom  at  eight  dollars  per  month,  in  addition  to  which  he  was  to  receive  his  board 
and  laundry  for  a  year.  In  1857  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  followed  his 
trade  as  opportunity  offered  and  in  1860  he  went  to  Monmouth,  Warren  county, 
where  he  was  employed  by  Captain  Denman,  a  merchant  tailor  of  that  place.  Be- 
fore the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and  became  a  solicitor  of  life 
insurance.  During  that  period  he  devoted  considerable  attention  to  music,  play--, 
ing  the  violin  and  acting  as  leader  of  string  bands  in  both  Galesburg  and  Mon- 
mouth and  arranging  the  music  for  these  bands.  For  many  years  after  the  war 
his  time  and  energies  were  largely  devoted  to  public  service  and  eventually  he 
became  closely  associated  with  the  important  business  interests  of  Knox  county 
as  an  investor  in  the  Galesburg  Stoneware  Company,  the  National  Perefoyd 
Company,  the  Galesburg  Paving  Brick  Company,  the  Galesburg  National  Bank, 
the  Bank  of  Galesburg  and  the  firm  of  Berggren  &  Lundeen,  which  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  J.  A.  Lundeen  Company  and  still  later  by  the  Berggren  Clothing 
Company.  In  1884  he  was  one  of  the  petitioners  for  the  charter  of  the  Gales- 
burg National  Bank  and  has  since  been  a  member  of  its  directory,  while  for  sev- 
eral years  he  has  served  as  its  vice  president,  in  which  connection  he  still  con- 
tinues. r'ViV-  /  •  '  .t 

Mr.  Berggren's  military  experience  had  its  beginning  at  the  first  call  for  vol- 
unteers to  put  down  the  Rebellion,  at  which  time  he  went  to  Knoxville  and  joined 
the  Swedish  company  commanded  by  Captain  Holmberg.  Two  companies  were 
there — one  composed  of  Americans,  the  other  Swedes — and  the  former  was  mus- 
tered into  the  service,  while  the  latter  was  disbanded.  He  then  went  back  to 
Tci  n— 1» 


280  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        V.'; > 

Monmouth,  where  he  remained  until  returning  to  Galesburg  in  1864.  It  was  five 
years  later  that  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  while  serving  in  that  office 
he  was  appointed  one  of  the  supervisors  for  the  city.  His  efficiency  and  fidelity  in 
each  position  which  he  filled  recommended  him  for  other  official  service.  In  1872 
he  received  the  republican  nomination  and  was  elected  sheriff  of  the  county,  to 
which  office  he  was  reelected  in  1874,  1876  and  1878.  In  1880,  while  still  the  in- 
cumbent in  that  position,  he  was  nominated  and  elected  senator  from  the  twenty-  • 
second  district,  composed  of  Knox  and  Mercer  counties.  Four  years  later  he 
was  reelected  from  the  new  district  composed  of  Knox  and  Fulton  counties,  and 
when  the  senate  was  organized  in  1887  he  was  chosen  president  p'ro  tempore  of 
that  body.  On  the  ist  of  May,  1889,  there  came  to  him  the  appointment  of  war- 
den of  the  Illinois  state  penitentiary  at  Joliet,  which  position  he  resigned  in 
March,  1891,  to  take  active  supervision  of  the  Covenant  Mutual  Life  Association 
of  Illinois,  with  principal  offices  in  Galesburg.  He  had  been  president  of  the 
company  from  its  organization  and  during  the  last  three  years  prior  to  its  con- 
solidation with  the  Northwestern  Masonic  Association  of  Chicago,  W.  H.  Smol- 
linger  served  as  its  president,  with  Mr.  Berggren  as  treasurer  of  the  association. 
On  the  8th  of  March,  1866,  at  Knoxville,  Illinois,  Mr.  Berggren  was 'married 
to  Miss  Christina  Anderson,  a'  daughter  of  Olof  and  Brita  Anderson,  who  with 
six  of  their  seven  children  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1854,  joining  the  Bishop 
Hill  colony.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berggren  became  the  parents  of  six  children:  Capi- 
tola  Maud,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Franklin  E.  Jeffery ;  Guy  Werner,  who  married  • 
Minnie  Flanders  of  New  York;  Ralph  Augustus,  who  was  run  over  by  a  train 
of  cars  and  killed  in  1887;  and  Qaus  Eugene,  a  bachelor.  Jay  Valentine,  who 
married  Bessie  Sears,  and  Earl  Hugo,  who  married  Margaret  Newton,  all  of 
Chicago.  .  '-  -'  ;  :  •  I  .  ^  •-  ~  > J  •' 

:      In  politics  Mr.  Berggren  has  always  been  a  republican  and  was  for  a  long  -v  .  ': 
period  a  recognized  leader  in  the  ranks  of  his  party  in  this  county.     He  is  an 
Odd  Fellow  and  a  Mason,  having  joined  the  former  order  in  1868  and  the  latter 
in  1869.     He  is  now  affiliated  with  the  several  Masonic  bodies  in  Galesburg  and  . 
in  the  Odd  Fellows  society  has  taken  a  very  active  interest,  filling  every  office  in  ;  •'  - 
the  subordinate  bodies  and  the  principal  offices  of  the  grand  lodge.     He  was 
grand  master  and  presided  over  the  deliberations  of  the  grand  lodge  at  Danville, 
Illinois,  in  1880,  and  represented  the  grand  lodge  in  the  sovereign  grand  lodge  at        '': 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  in  1885.     Through  his  influence  the  First  Scandinavian 
Lodge,  No.  446,  of  Galesburg,  was  organized  in  1871.    It  was  the  first  Odd  Fel- 
lows lodge  in  the  world  composed  exclusively  of  Scandinavians,  as  its  name  indi- 
cates.    Mr.  Berggren  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club  from  an         '• 
early  period  in  its  existence.     He  was  confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  church  in 
Sweden  the  year  in  which  he  emigrated  to  America  and  since  coming  to  this        :. 
country  has  affiliated  with  the  Swedish  Methodist  church,  in  the  work  of  which 
he  has  taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest.    He  served  as  a  lay  delegate  to  the 
general  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in       :," 

1880.         ;.-^..;                                                  -••-.;•:•;.:•.:,  v:-:.:.:.x:...,v:::v,;4^' '•••"'  ' 

Mr.  Berggren  has  also  been  interested  in  educational  matters  and  has  on  dif-  /  - 

ferent  occasions  contributed  liberally  to  Knox  College  when  calls  for  aid  have  f .   - 

been  urgent.  , 
;      Thus  his  interests  and  activities  have  been  broad  and  varied,  his  influence 

being  always  found  on  the  side  of  progress,  reform,  improvement  and  advance-  ' 


C     \;:'  ;    r:      V;  V   :   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^:^   V  - 

ment.  In  business  his  well  formulated  plans  have  brought  him  success,  and  his 
energy  and  determination  have  carried  him  into  important  relations,  enabling  him 
at  length  to  put  aside  all  business  cares  and  enter  upon  a  well  earned  rest.  His 
official  record,  too,  is  most  commendable,  for  over  the  record  there  falls  no 
shadow  of  wrong  or  suspicion  of  evil.  All  through  his  life  he  has  been  actuated 
by  high  and  honorable  purposes  and  his  labors,  whether  for  the  benefit  of  himself 
or  for  the  community,  have  been  fruitful  of  good  results. 


:'>.,^  :';.--:;v:'.;:\,.:,;.y:'..A'^;;      MARCUS  T.  PERRIN.^  ;A:;  „.,.      •  .':•:'/':;-;"/-•;:> 

. ;  '  -'  Marcus  T.  Perrin  is  a  self-made  man  who  as  the  architect  of  his  own  for- 
tunes has  builded  wisely  and  well.  His  record  is  another  proof  of  the  fact  that 
it  is  only  under  the  stimulus  of  necessity  and  of  opposition  that  the  best  and 

•:    strongest  in  men  is  brought  out  and  developed.    From  the  age  of  sixteen  years 

-  he  has  been  dependent  upon  his  own  resources  and  his  advancement  marks  the 
wise  use  of  his  time,  talents  and  opportunities.     He  was  born  in  Southbridge, 

,      Massachusetts,   June  29,    1832,   a   son   of   Horace   and   Theresa    (Richardson) 

.     Perrin,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Massachusetts,  the  father  engaging  in 

business  in  Lee,  that  state,  as  a  woolen  manufacturer.     He  continued  in  that 

connection  with  the  business  circles  of  Lee  until  his  death  and  his  wife  passed 

-  away  in  the  same  city,  in  August,  1890.     Horace  Perrin  had  given  his  early 
political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  but  when  Lincoln  and  Douglas  be- 

-  came  candidates    for  the  presidency   he   supported   the    former   and   was   ever 
>'     afterward   a   stanch   republican.     He   held   membership   with   the   Independent 

.    Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Congre- 
;  gational  church.     They  had  but  two  children,  the  younger  being  a  daughter, 
••/  Lucinda  Josephine,  who  is  now  the  widow  of  Manson  P.  Shaler  and  resides  in 
Lee,  Massachusetts.  ^^  ;>^  '^^     •' 

Marcus  T.  Perrin  pursued  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  in  the 
Lee  Academy,  which  he  attended  for  one  term.    At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he 
was  apprenticed  to  a  woolen  manufacturer  for  a  term  of  three  years  and  followed 
;  that  business  until  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  came  west  to  Illinois,  travel- 
ing by  rail  to  Rock  Island,  which  was  the  terminus  of  the  line  and  thence  walk-- 
ing to  Mercer  county.     He  made  his  way  to  the  home  of  an  aunt  about  twelve 
miles  east  of  Keithsburg,  Illinois,  but  after  a  brief  time  left  there  and  entered 
the  employ  of  George  W.  Brown  as  a  traveling  salesman,  spending  five  years 
''  upon  the  road.     He  next  began  farming  in  Warren  county,  where  he  carried 
on  agricultural  pursuits  for  six  years,  after  which  he  sold  his  land  and  in  the 
,  -  winter  of  1871  engaged  in  dealing  in  corn.    He  was  for  a  time  connected  with 
a  corn-planter  works  and  for  a  period  of  six  years  was  identified  with  a  bank 
..   in  Creston,  Iowa.     On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  returned  to  Galesburg, 
/;  where  he  was  superintendent  of  the  corn-planter  works  for  several  years,  after 
.:  which  he  was  elected  to  the  presidency  of  the  company  and  continued  as  its 
• .  chief  executive  head  until  his  retirement  from  active  business  in  1904. 

On  the  27th  of  June,  1858,  Mr.  Perrin  wedded  Miss  Elizabeth  A.  Brown,  a 
.daughter  of  George  W.  and  Maria    (Terpening)    Brown,   of   Galesburg,   who 


282         ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     :^(  V  •;( 

were  natives  of  Saratoga  county,  New  York,  where  they  were  reared  and 
married.  The  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  in  1833  made  his  way  west- 
ward, settling  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  about  seven  miles  from  Galesburg, 
when  the  entire  district  was  largely  a  wild  and  undeveloped  region.  He  at  once 
began  the  occupation  of  farming  and  later  followed  carpentering.  Realizing 
the  necessity  of  improved  farm  machinery,  he  called  his  inventive  genius  into 
play  with  the  result  that  his  skill  and  ingenuity  brought  forth  a  corn  planter 
which  he  began  to  manufacture  in  Galesburg.  The  new  machine  filled  a  much 
felt  want  and  he  continued  in  its  manufacture  until  five  or  six  years  prior  to 
his  death,  when  he  retired.  His  life  -work  was  of  value  to  the  community  as 
well  as  a  source  of  profit  to  himself.  It  greatly  facilitated  the  work  of  the 
farmer  and  his  manufactory  in  Galesburg  furnished  employment  to  many  work- 
men. He  also  figured  prominently  in  many  public  connections,  serving  for  one 
term  as  mayor  of  Galesburg.  His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  republican 
party  and  he  was  ever  loyal  and  unfaltering  in  his  devotion  to  its  principles. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  lifelong  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  he  served  on  the  official  board  of  stewards  for  about  half  a  century.  He 
died  on  the  5th  of  June,  1895,  a  man  honored  and  respected  wherever  known 
and  most  of  all  where  he  was  best  known.  His  life  was  indeed  of  worth  to  the 
community  in  which  he  lived,  as  a  factor  in  its  material,  political,  social  and 
moral  progress.  He  made  wise  use  of  his  time  and  opportunities  and  of  his 
native  talents  and  his  well  directed  energies  brought  to  him  the  material  reward 
of  his  labor  and  the  respect  of  his  fellowmen  as  well.  His  daughter,  Mrs. 
Perrin,  was  born  March  21,  1839,  in  Warren  county,  and  by  her  marriage  be- 
came the  mother  of  four  children:  George,  who  died  April  i,  1901,  at  the  age 
of  forty  years ;  Arthur  E.,  of  Chicago ;  Myra  Theresa,  the  wife  of  Clarence  A. 
Hurlburt,  of  Galesburg;  and  Genevieve  Josephine,  the  wife  of  Herbert  A.  Smith, 
of  this  city.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perrin  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of  which  he  has  taken  an  active  and  helpful  part, 
serving  for  many  years  on  the  board  of  stewards  and  cooperating  in  all  of  the 
projects  to  promote  the  growth  and  extend  the  influence  of  the  church.  His 
political  indorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  A  well  spent  life  has 
brought  him  the  merited  reward  of  labor  and  the  respect  and  good-will  of  his 
fellowmen. 


;;-^;-'';;  HERBERT  ARNOLD  SMITH.          ;      ;,v 

Herbert  Arnold  Smith,  who  has  remained  a  resident  of  Galesburg  from  his 
birth  to  the  present  time,  is  well  known  as  an  extensive  dealer  in  lands  and  also 
devotes  considerable  attention  to  the  insurance  business.  His  natal  day  was 
August  12,  1871,  his  parents  being  Hiram  C.  and  Harriet  (Arnold)  Smith,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York.  The  paternal  grandfather 
was  likewise  born  in  the  Empire  state  and  both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  a  ripe 
old  age.  They  reared  a  large  family  of  children,  including  John,  William  and 
Hiram  C.  .  .  .  . 


'^^v  :,;:::-•:;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;::  ^        283 

'   :  ^   -•  The  last  named,  who  became  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  in  New 
;     York  and  took  up  his  abode  among  the  early  settlers  of  Galesburg,  Illinois. 

•  Here  he  was  successfully  engaged  in  the  nursery  business  for  a  number  of  years 
or  until  his  health  failed.    Subsequently  he  served  as  constable  for  about  twenty 

"•:-•'    years.    His  demise  occurred  at  Galesburg  in  1905,  when  he  had  reached  the  age 

of  seventy-nine  years.     His  widow  still  survives  and  is  now  seventy-five  years 

.     old.    In  religious  faith  she  is  a  Methodist.    Her  children  were  three  in  number, 

!       namely :    Minnie  L.,  a  Latin  teacher  in  the  Galesburg  high  school ;  Herbert  A., 

.  ;     of  this  review;  and  Lillian,  who  died  in  infancy. 

;  ';     .      Herbert  Arnold  Smith  was  reared  in  the  city  of  his  nativity  and  completed 

V,'     the  high-school  course  by  graduation  in  1889.     He  then  worked  in  the  offices  of 

..:        the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  and  subsequently  secured 

a  position  as  stenogfrapher  in  the  law  offices  of  Williams,  Lawrence  &  Bancroft. 

In  1893  he  embarked  in  the  real-estate  business  in  partnership  with  his  uncle, 

Seymour  Arnold,   the   relationship  being  maintained   for  two  years.      For   the 

•  past  sixteen  years,  however,  he  has  been  in  business  alone,  handling  large  land 
deals  in  the  Saskatchewan  country  of  Canada,  where  he  also  owns  several  farms. 

.      He  is  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  Hope  Abbey  Mausoleum  and  likewise 
,     a  director  in  the  Fidelity  Savings  &  Loan  Association.     In  all  of  his  business 
affairs  his  judgment  is  sound,  his  sagacity  keen  and  his  enterprise  unfaltering. 
On  the  8th  of  December,  1903,  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Genevieve  Perrin,  a  native  of  Galesburg  and  a  daughter  of  Marcus  T.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Brown)  Perrin,  who  were  born  in  Connecticut  and  Illinois  respectively. 
'.       They  have  remained  residents  of  Galesburg  since  their  marriage,  which  was 
here  celebrated  fifty-three  years  ago.     Mr.  Perrin  was  connected  with  the  corn- 

•  planter  works  conducted  by  G.  W.  Brown  until  the  business  was  closed  out. 
:       To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  six  children,   four  of  whom  reached  mature 

years,  namely :    George,  who  passed  away  in  1902 ;  Arthur ;  Myra ;  and  Genevieve. 
The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Smith  were  George  W.  and  Maria  (Tur- 

-  pening)   Brown.     Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  one  daughter,  Harriet  Eliza- 
'  .     beth.    The  family  residence  is  at  No.  474  North  Academy  street. 

Mr.  Smith  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  believing  that 

:        its  principles  are  most  conducive  to  good  government.     Both  he  and  his  wife 

:.      are  devoted  and  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.     He 

.     likewise  belongs  to-  the  Country  Club  and  is  a  director  in  the  Galesburg  Club. 

•  In  the  city  where  they  have  spent  their  entire  lives  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith 
are  well  and  favorably  known,  the  circle  of  their  friends  being  coextensive  with 

;       the  circle  of  their  acquaintances. 


•::-•'>::  •.;;;:.;..";    JOSEPH  GROSS.     .'C       ;         -    ^''^'I'^H'-' 

During  the  thirteen  years  of  his  residence  in  Galesburg,  Joseph  Gross  has 
won  recognition  as  a  resourceful  and  enterprising  business  man  and  his  manu- 
facturing interests  have  constituted  an  important  element  in  the  commercial 
activity  of  the  city.  As  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Gross  Brothers  he  is  now 
conducting  a  successful  overall  manufactory  which  was  established  in  1901. 


284         •         .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

He  has  wisely  used  his  time  and  opportunities  and  the  splendid  business  con- 
cern which  he  has  built  up  is  a  monument  to  his  labors,  his  enterprise  and  his 
ability.  He  was  bom  in  Russia,  March  i6,  1866,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Rachel 
Gross.  As  a  boy  he  came  to  the  United  States,  first  settling  in  Omaha,  Nebraska. 
He  started  in  business  by  making  a  house  to  house  canvass  as  a  peddler  in  the 
sale  of  merchandise  at  Creston,  Iowa,  and  in  1892  he  opened  a  second-hand 
store  in  Creston.  Four  years  later,  in  1896,  he  established  a  branch  business 
at  Burlington  and  in  1898  sold  out  in  Creston.  In  that  year  he  removed  from 
Burlington  to  Galesburg,  disposing  of  his  business  in  the  former  city  to  his 
brother,  and  in  this  city  he  established  a  retail  general  merchandise  store,  which 
he  conducted  successfully  for  about  three  years.  In  February,  1901,  he  began 
the  manufacture  of  overalls  on  the  second  floor  of  the  building  on  East  Main 
street,  where  he  continued  for  a  year.  Then  in  order  to  secure  more  com- 
modious quarters  he  removed  to  the  third  floor  of  a  building,  where 
he  continued  for  five  years  or  until  the  1st  of  June,  1906,  when  he  came  to  his 
present  location  at  the  corner  of  Mulberry  and  Seminary  streets.  He  erected 
the  building  here — a  four-story  structure,  sixty-six  by  one  hundred  and  twenty 
feet,  having  thirty-one  thousand,  six  hundred  and  eighty  square  feet  of  floor 
space.  Something  of  the  rapid  and  gratifying  growth  of  the  business  is  indi- 
cated in  the  fact  that  while  he  at  first  employed  only  ten  people,  he  now  has 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  names  on  the  pay  roll.  The  plant  is  thoroughly 
equipped  with  modern  machinery  and  independent  motors  and  the  business 
is  represented  on  the  road  by  seven  traveling  salesmen  who  cover  the  territory 
of  Illinois,  Indiana,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  North  and  South  Dakota, 
Iowa,  Oklahoma  and  Kansas.  The  output  is  now  very  extensive,  being  shipped 
to  nearly  all  of  the  middle  west  states,  and  the  business  has  assumed  propor- 
tions which  make  it  one  of  the  most  important  productive  industries  of  the  city. 
On  the  20th  of  October,  1901,  Mr.  Gross  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Libby  Oppenheim,  a  daughter  of  Max  and  Yetta  Oppenheim,  of  Peoria,  Illi- 
nois. Mr.  Gross  holds  to  the  religious  faith  of  the  Jewish  church  and  in  politics 
is  an  independent  voter.  He  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of 
Elks  and  to  the  Galesburg  Club  and  is  well  known  in  the  city  socially  as  well  as 
in  business  circles,  where  he  is  regarded  as  a  most  enterprising,  progressive  man, 
who  with  resolute  spirit  carries  forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he 
undertakes.  ''-•'"•'.••'':•!.-• ''•<~:^"-. '' -I:-''" 


'•; /-v-:-;!':-- . .:      .'^          '       ••  s.  w.  MAY.     '•;•  •^.-•^^'•,:' '•'•'-"' 

S.  w.  May,  who  is  living  retired  on  his  farm  of  five  hundred  and  thirty  acres 
in  Rio  township,  has  been  actively  connected  with  this  district  for  many  years 
both  as  an  agriculturist  and  as  a  manufacturer.  He  was  born  March  20,  i836j 
in  Genesee  county,  New  York,  his  parents  being  Harvey  H.  and  Delia  Duwayne 
(Ray)  May.  The  family  comes  of  English  and  Dutch  ancestry  on  the  paternal 
side  and  is  of  German  and  French  lineage  on  the  maternal  side.  Harvey  H.  May 
was  born  in  Washington  county.  New  York,  and  his  wife's  birth  occurred  in  the 
Empire  state  in  1806.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Nathaniel  May,  a  very  prominent 


MltS.  S.  \\.   MAY 


S.    \\.    MAV 


,;,>;--    /    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;  289 

church  worker  of  New  York  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  owned  four  hun- 
dred acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land  and  always  continued  his  residence  in  New 
York. 

In  that  state  Harvey  H.  May  was  reared  and  educated  and  in  1837  came  to 
Illinois,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Gorham,  to  look  over  the  country.  They  made  horse- 
back trips  throughout  this  district,  viewing  the  land  with  the  idea  of  locating  here 
in  the  near  future.  A  year  later  H.  H.  May  brought  his  family  and  household 
goods  to  Knox  county,  traveling  by  raft  from  the  state  of  New  York  by  way  of 
Lake  Erie  and  the  Ohio  river  and  bringing  with  him  the  lumber  from  which  he 
built  the  first  pine  building  in  Log  City.  This  he  placed  on  skids  and  hauled  it  to 
Galesburg  with  ten  yoke  of  cattle.  He  possessed  marked  mechanical  skill  and 
ingenuity  and  was  proprietor  of  the  first  factory  in  Galesburg.  For  some  time  he 
prospered  in  business  but  during  the  financial  crash  in  the  '5O's  he  lost  nearly  all 
that  he  had  made.  He  is  most  entitled  to  honor  and  remembrance  by  reason  of 
the  fact  that  he  was  the  inventor  of  the  first  steel  plow  which  he  made  from  two 
old  mill  saws,  molding  them  to  the  shape  desired.  He  applied  for  a  patent  for 
the  use  of  steel  in  manufacturing  plows  so  they  would  scour,  in  1842  but  it  was 
not  granted  at  that  time.  He  had  considerable  difficulty  in  getting  a  plow  that 
would  scour  bright  but  after  much  discouragement  and  many  trials  he  finally 
succeeded  in  securing  material  that  could  be  highly  polished  and  would  remain 
that  way.  Through  political  reasons  he  was  never  able  to  obtain  a  good  patent 
but  between  the  years  1867  and  1871  the  case  was  decided  by  Judge  Sidney  N. 
Breese  in  the  United  States  supreme  court.  In  his  decision  Judge  Breese  said: 
"The  history  of  the  plow  goes  back  to  1841."  Later  he  said  that  "May  of  Gales- 
burg  manufactured  a  plow  in  shape  nearly  the  form  of  that  manufactured  now." 
This  is  S.  W.  May's  earliest  recollection  of  seeing  a  steel  mold  board  as  referred 
to  by  Robert  N.  Tate  in  the  testimony.  The  share  and  mold  board  were  com- 
bined at  that  time  and  May  was  the  first  man  that  laid  any  claim  to  the  improved 
steel  plow.  Later  the  judge  referred  to  seven  working  models  of  plows  "  copied 
strictly  after  the  May  plow."  and  added :  "I  essentially  consider  May  the  sole 
constructor  in  the  form  of  the  western  steel  plow."  By  this  decision  Harvey  H. 
May  had  the  honor  and  credit  of  giving  to  the  world  this  most  useful  implement. 
By  this  invention  he  demonstrated  that  a  man  could  do  two  days'  work  in  one 
day.  In  1842  H.  H.  May  began  the  manufacture  of  his  plow  and  continued  until 
about  1859.  During  the  early  '4Os  he  had  begun  the  purchase  of  land  in  this 
country  and  at  one  time  had  several  thousand  acres  but  through  speculation  and 
widespread  financial  panic  in  which  the  country  became  involved  he  lost  nearly 
everything  that  he  had.  The  little  that  remained  was  turned  over  to  his  son, 
Samuel  W.  May,  who  although  a  young  man  took  up  the  work  laid  down  by  his 
father  and  assumed  the  task  of  regaining  the  fortune  his  father  had  lost.  H.  H. 
May  continued  to  reside  in  Galesburg  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1886,  when  he  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  In  politics 
he  was  independent,  voting  as  his  judgment  dictated.  In  early  life  he  attended 
the  Presbyterian  church  but  was  afterward  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  for  many  years. 

In  his  youthful  days  Samuel  W.  May  attended  the  public  schools  and  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  assisted  his  father,  going  upon  the  road  as  a  traveling  salesman 
and  selling  the  plows  which  the  father  manufactured.  He  continued  successfully 


290  ,          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  ( 

in  this  work  for  some  time  but  afterward  engaged  in  teaming  between  Galesburg 
and  Peoria.  Realizing  his  need  and  also  the  value  of  education,  Mr.  May  when 
twenty-two  years  of  age  entered  Knox  Academy  and  diligently  applied  himself 
to  the  mastery  of  a  course  of  study  which  prepared  him  to  enter  Knox  College, 
where  he  remained  as  a  student  for  two  years.  He  next  rented  a  farm  in  Hender- 
son township  which  he  cultivated  for  two  years  prior  to  his  removal  to  Rio  town- 
ship in  1 86 1.  There  he  purchased  farm  land  which  was  the  nucleus  of  his  pres- 
ent extensive  possessions,  now  comprising  five  hundred  and  thirty  acres.  He 
has  brought  his  farm  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  as  the  reward  of  his 
fifty  years  of  labor  now  has  one  of  the  finest  properties  in  Rio  township.  He  has 
always  followed  progressive  and  scientific  methods,  carrying  out  his  plans  with 
persistency  and  energy,  his  labors  proving  effective  in  developing  the  farm  for 
general  agricultural  purposes.  In  former  years  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  soil  he  also  engaged  in  raising  cattle  and  hogs  which  proved  a  profitable 
branch  of  his  business,  nor  were  his  efforts  confined  to  agriculture  alone  for  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  the  May  windmill  which  he  invented.  This  has 
been  very  successful  and  has  been  commonly  used  in  this  county  for  more  than 
thirty  years.  The  first  two  hundred  mills  were  manufactured  on  his  farm  in  Rio 
township  but  afterward,  in  order  to  meet  the  increasing  demands,  he  made  ar- 
rangements for  their  construction  with  Candee  &  Company,  at  Oneida,  with  Nel- 
son Latueratt  &  Company,  at  Bushnell,  and  with  H.  L.  May,  at  Galesburg,  there 
operating  under  the  firm  name  of  May  Brothers,  the  business  proving  very  profit- 
able. Although  Mr.  May  now  rents  his  land,  he  still  resides  at  the  old  home  and 
is  one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  the  county. 

On  the  27th  of  November,  1870,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  May  and  Miss 
Elizabeth  Hanan,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Eleanor  (Handlen)  Hanan.  On 
the  paternal  side  the  family  is  of  Scotch  origin  and  was  founded  in  America  in 
colonial  days,  her  great-grandfather  serving  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  George  Hanan,  died  in  the  war  of  1812.  In 
politics  Mr.  May  has  always  maintained  an  independent  attitude,  voting  for  men 
and  measures  rather  than  for  party  principles.  His  fellow  townsmen  frequently 
called  him  to  office  and  for  ten  years,  beginning  in  i88o,  he  served  as  township 
supervisor.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  residents  of  Rio  town- 
ship. His  life  has  been  spent  in  persistent  and  diligent  labor  for  the  improve- 
ment of  his  own  interests  and  for  the  development  of  the  community.  In  all  his 
business  and  social  relations  he  has  never  been  neglectful  of  any  duty  whether 
of  a  public  or  private  nature,  and  his  conduct  has  always  been  in  accordance  with 
his  high  sense  of  citizenship. 


:-e"^V:  SMILEY  S.  RICKORDS.  •;':;. 

Smiley  S.  Rickords,  who  for  the  past  fourteen  years  has  been  en  one  of  the 
rural  mail  routes  of  Knoxville,  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Ohio,  on  the  8th  of 
February,  1842,  his  parents  being  Benjamin  and  Sabrina  (Kilpatrick)  Rickords. 
His  father  was  born  and  reared  in  Maryland,  of  which  state  the  family  had 
been  residents  for  several  generations.  He  received  a  common-school  education 


H.  H.  MAY 


290  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

in  this  work  for  some  time  but  afterward  engaged  in  teaming  between  Galesburg 
and  Peoria.  Realizing  his  need  and  also  the  value  of  education,  Mr.  May  when 
twenty-two  years  of  age  entered  Knox  Academy  and  diligently  applied  himself 
to  the  mastery  of  a  course  of  study  which  prepared  him  to  enter  Knox  College, 
where  he  remained  as  a  student  for  two  years.  He  next  rented  a  farm  in  Hender- 
son township  which  he  cultivated  for  two  years  prior  to  his  removal  to  Rio  town- 
ship in  i86i.  There  he  purchased  farm  land  which  was  the  nucleus  of  his  pres- 
ent extensive  possessions,  now  comprising  five  hundred  and  thirty  acres.  He 
has  brought  his  farm  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  as  the  reward  of  his 
fifty  years  of  labor  now  has  one  of  the  finest  properties  in  Rio  township.  He  has 
always  followed  progressive  and  scientific  methods,  carrying  out  his  plans  with 
persistency  and  energy,  his  labors  proving  effective  in  developing  the  farm  for 
general  agricultural  purposes.  In  former  years  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  soil  he  also  engaged  in  raising  cattle  and  hogs  which  proved  a  profitable 
branch  of  his  business,  nor  were  his  efforts  confined  to  agriculture  alone  for  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  the  May  windmill  which  he  invented.  This  has 
been  very  successful  and  has  been  commonly  used  in  this  county  for  more  than 
thirty  years.  The  first  two  hundred  mills  were  manufactured  on  his  farm  in  Rio 
township  but  afterward,  in  order  to  meet  the  increasing  demands,  he  made  ar- 
rangements for  their  construction  with  Candee  &  Company,  at  Oneida,  with  Xel- 
son  Latueratt  &  Company,  at  Bushnell,  and  with  H.  L.  May,  at  Galesburg,  there 
operating  under  the  firm  name  of  May  Brothers,  the  business  proving  very  profit- 
able. Although  Mr.  May  now  rents  his  land,  he  still  resides  at  the  old  home  and 
is  one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  the  county. 

On  the  27th  of  November,  1870,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  May  and  Miss 
Elizabeth  Hanan,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Eleanor  (Handlen)  Hanan.  On 
the  paternal  side  the  family  is  of  Scotch  origin  and  was  founded  in  America  in 
colonial  days,  her  great-grandfather  serving  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  George  Hanan,  died  in  the  war  of  1812.  In 
politics  Mr.  May  has  always  maintained  an  independent  attitude,  voting  for  men 
and  measures  rather  than  for  party  principles.  His  fellow  townsmen  frequently 
called  him  to  office  and  for  ten  years,  beginning  in  1880,  he  served  as  township 
supervisor.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  residents  of  Rio  town- 
ship. His  life  has  been  spent  in  persistent  and  diligent  labor  for  the  improve- 
ment of  his  own  interests  and  for  the  development  of  the  community.  In  all  his 
business  and  social  relations  he  has  never  been  neglectful  of  any  duty  whether 
of  a  public  or  private  nature,  and  his  conduct  has  always  been  in  accordance  with 
his  high  sense  of  citizenship. 


V  SMILEY  S.  RICKORDS.      : 

Smiley  S.  Rickords.  \vho  for  the  past  fourteen  years  has  been  en  one  of  the 
rural  mail  routes  of  Knoxville,  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Ohio,  on  the  8th  of 
February,  1842,  his  parents  being  Benjamin  and  Sabrina  (  Kilpatrick)  Rickords. 
His  father  was  born  and  reared  in  Maryland,  of  which  state  the  family  had 
been  residents  for  several  generations.  He  received  a  common-school  education 


II.   MAY 


;-:    :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  subsequently  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  but  in  common  with  many 
young  men  he  decided  to  pursue  his  business  career  amid  new  environments. 
With  this  purpose  in  mind  he  came  to  Ohio,  at  that  time  termed  the  west, 
locating  in  Pike  county,  and  there  he  met  the  lady  who  was  destined  to  become 
his  wife.  She  was  a  native  of  that  county,  of  Irish  extraction,  her  father,  Brice 
Kilpatrick,  havirtg  been  born  and  reared  in  Dublin,  Ireland.  Benjamin  Rickords 
established  a  shop  and  engaged  in  blacksmithing  and  horseshoeing  and  also 
manufactured  wagons  in  Pike  county  until  May,  1857.  The  lure  of  the  west 
once  more  proving  irresistible,  he  disposed  of  his  interests  and  with  his  wife 
and  family  of  eleven  children  started  for  Illinois,  with  Lx>gan  county  as  his 
destination.  He  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Lincoln  and  there  resumed  his  trade, 
which  he  followed  until  1874,  when  he  and  the  mother  made  their  home  with 
their  son  John  in  Arkansas.  There  she  passed  away  on  the  27th  of  September, 
that  year,  and  was  survived  only  a  few  weeks  by  the  father,  his  death  occurring 
on  the  I4th  of  October.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rickords  consisted  of  six 
sons  and  five 'daughters,  as  follows:  Richard  E.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Belle 
Plaine,  Kansas ;  William,  who  is  living  in  Lincoln,  Illinois ;  Sarah  E.,  who  is 
deceased  and  was  the  wife  of  Samuel  Watts ;  Mary  J.,  also  deceased,  who  mar- 
ried Andrew  Lawson ;  Eliza  Ann,  the  deceased  wife  of  John  Lawson ;  Smiley 
S.,  our  subject;  John  W.,  who  was  a  member  of  Company  H,  Sixty-eighth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  during  the  Civil  war,  being  discharged  with  the  rank 
of  corporal,  now  living  in  King^sher,  Oklahoma ;  Joseph  A.,  who  is  deceased ; 
Samuel  B.,  a  resident  of  Seymour,  Iowa ;  Druzilla,  the  deceased  wife  of  Andrew 
Laswell ;  and  Rebecca,  the  wife  of  Mahlon  Lawson,  of  Williamsville,  Illinois. 

Smiley  S.  Rickords  was  a  lad  of  fifteen  years  when  he  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Logan  county,  in  which  public  schools  he  completed  his  education. 
After  leaving  school  he  entered  his  father's  shop  and  learned  the  blacksmith 
trade,  following  this  occupation  for  many  years  in  Logan  county.  From  there 
he  went  to  Hancock  county,  settling  at  Carthage  where  he  spent  several  months 
before  coming  to  Knoxville.  In  the  late  'QOS  Mr.  Rickords  withdrew  from  his 
trade  in  order  to  assume  the  duties  of  his  present  position.  He  is  one  of  the 
soldier  boys  whom  Illinois  sent  to  the  battlefields  of  the  south  during  the  Civil 
war,  and  first  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Company  H,  Sixty-eighth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  reenlisted  in  Company 
F,  Fifty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  remaining  at  the  front  until  the 
close  of  hostilities,  receiving  his  discharge  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 
-:;•  On  the  7th  of  June,  1864,  Mr.  Rickords  married  Miss  Eliza  J.  Porter,  who 
was  born  in  East  Liverpool,  Ohio,  on  the  3d  of  August,  1849.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  John  Thomas  and  Mary  (Hickey)  Porter,  natives  of  Maryland,  whence  they 
removed  in  early  life  to  Ohio.  Farming  always  engaged  the  energies  of  the 
father,  who  with  his  wife  and  family  again  started  westward.  He  crossed  the 
prairies  of  Ohio  and  Indiana  to  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Logan  county  and 
there  both  he  and  the  mother  passed  away.  Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Porter  and  beside  Mrs.  Rickords  they  are  as  follows :  James  H.,  who 
enlisted  from  Bloomington  in  Company  H,  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 


294  ;  '  :      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^^vC  •v. 

fantry  and  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Richmond,  when  last  heard  from  resid- 
ing at  Edinburg,  Illinois ;  John,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Hilton  Head, 
South  Carolina,  during  the  Civil  war ;  Rebecca  Jane  and  Josephine,  who  are  de- 
ceased ;  and  George,  who  is  living  at  Galesburg.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
S.  S.  Rickords  are  named  below :  Mary,  married  Louis  Faass,  a  farmer  at 
Billings,  Oklahoma,  and  they  have  five  children:  Clarence,  Raymond,  Mabel, 
Donald  and  Walter.  George  T.,  who  is  living  at  Knoxville,  married  Zona  B. 
Miller  and  they  are  also  the  parents  of  five  children :  Elma,  Spencer,  Wesley, 
Edith  and  Mabel.  Fred,  who  is  a  resident  of  Knoxville,  chose  for  his  wife 
Nora  B.  Way,  and  to  them  have  been  born  three  sons :  Stanley,  Charles  and 
Harry.  Gertrude  is  the  wife  of  Jesse  Ward  of  Oregon  and  the  mother  of 
seven  sons :  James,  William,  Roy,  Harvey,  Charles  W.,  Owen,  and  Howard. 
Garfield  B.  married  Lottie  Foster,  of  Knoxville,  where  they  continue  to  reside, 
and  has  two  sons,  Cecil  B.  and  William  Dean.  The  two  next  in  order  of  birth 
are  William  B.  and  Lincoln  Grant,  both  of  whom  are  still  at  home.  Bessie,  who 
is  the  youngest  member  of  the  family,  married  Clyde  Brown,  a  brakeman  on 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  and  they  live  at  G&lesburg. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Rickords  has  always  given  to  the  republican 
party,  considering  its  policy  best  qualified  to  serve  the  highest  interests  of  the 
nation.  In  matters  of  faith  the  family  affiliate  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  which  the  mother  is  a  member.  Mr.  Rickords  is  identified  with  the 
local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  through  the  medium  of  which 
he  maintains  relations  with  his  comrades  of  the  war.  The  life  of  Mr.  Rickords 
has  been  similar  to  that  of  hundreds  of  American  citizens,  who  do  their  duty 
steadfastly  to  the  best  of  their  ability,  discharging  their  obligations  to  their 
families  and  society,  while  at  the  same  time  they  establish  the  nation's  standard 
of  citizenship.  :  '  '  ;  •'  .  '  ; C'X '.  >^'  •  ''•  r 


'  -  ^  -  HENRY  ALONZO  ALLEN.        :      .  i''  y-'- 

Henry  Alonzo  Allen  is  a  native  son  of  Galesburg  and  has  spent  much  of  his 
life  in  this  city,  although  at  intervals  he  has  resided  elsewhere.  In  1908  he  erected 
a  comfortable  residence  here  and  now  divides  his  time  between  Galesburg  and 
Tennessee,  where  he  has  important  lumber  manufacturing  interests.  His  birth 
occurred  December  lo,  1842,  his  parents  being  Sheldon  William  and  Fidelia 
(Leach)  Allen. 

Sheldon  W.  Allen  was  born  September  28,  1808,  in  Oneida  county.  New  York, 
and  was  a  son  of  Chester  Ephraim  Allen,  who  was  born  at  or  near  New  Haven, 
Connecticut.  The  latter  married  Eunice  Baldwin,  of  Bethlehem,  Connecticut, 
and  removed  to  Augusta,  Oneida  county.  New  York,  where  they  reared  their 
family  of  nine  children,  namely,  Sophia.  Juliette,  Sheldon,  Algenia,  Amanda, 
Adaline,  Mary,  Homer  and  Asahel.  In  the  county  of  his  nativity,  Sheldon  W. 
Allen  was  reared  and  after  arriving  at  years  of  maturity  he  was  married  in  Janu- 
ary 1834,  to  Miss  Fidelia  Leach,  who  was  born  in  the  Empire  state  in  1812. 
Three  years  after  their  marriage  they  removed  westward,  settling  in  Galesburg, 
Illinois,  in  1837.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  James  Sherman,  Shel- 


294        .;.  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

fantr\-  and  \vas  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Richmond,  when  last  heard  from  resid- 
ing at  Edinl)urg,  Illinois;  John,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Hilton  Head, 
South  Carolina,  during  the  Civil  war ;  Rebecca  Jane  and  Josephine,  who  are  de- 
ceased:  and  George,  who  is  living  at  Galesburg.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
S.  S.  Rickords  are  named  below :  Mary,  married  Louis  Faass,  a  farmer  at 
r>illings.  Oklahoma,  and  they  have  five  children:  Clarence.  Raymond.  ^label, 
Donald  and  \\'alter.  George  T..  who  is  living  at  Kjioxville.  married  Zona  B. 
Miller  and  they  are  also  the  parents  of  five  children:  Elma.  Spencer,  Wesley. 
Edith  and  Mabel.  Fred,  who  is  a  resident  of  Knoxville.  chose  for  his  wife 
Xora  I>.  Way.  and  to  them  have  been  born  three  sons :  Stanley.  Charles  and 
Harry.  Gertrude  is  the  wife  of  Jesse  Ward  of  Oregon  and  the  mother  of 
seven  sons :  James.  William.  Roy.  Harvey,  Charles  \\'..  Owen,  and  Howard. 
Garfield  B.  married  Lottie  Foster,  of  Knoxville.  where  they  continue  to  reside, 
and  has  two  sons.  Cecil  B.  and  William  Dean.  The  two  next  in  order  of  birth 
are  \\'illiam  15.  and  Lincoln  Grant,  both  of  whom  are  still  at  home.  Bessie,  who 
is  the  youngest  member  of  the  family,  married  Clyde  Brown,  a  brakeman  on 
the  Chicago.  Burlington  i!<:  Ouincy  Railroad,  and  they  live  at  (I.Mesburg. 

His  ]K)litical  allegiance  Mr.  Rickords  has  always  given  to  the  republican 
party,  considering  its  ])olicy  best  cjualified  to  serve  the  highest  interests  of  the 
nation.  In  matters  of  faith  the  family  affiliate  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  which  the  mother  is  a  member.  Mr.  Rickords  is  identified  with  the 
local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  through  the  medium  of  which 
he  maintains  relations  with  his  comrades  of  the  war.  The  life  of  Mr.  Rickords 
has  been  similar  to  that  of  hundreds  of  American  citizens,  who  do  their  duty 
steadfastly  to  the  best  of  their  ability,  discharging  their  obligations  to  their 
families  and  society,  while  at  the  same  time  they  establish  the  nation's  standard 
of  citizenship. 


IIEXRV  ALOXZO  ALLEX. 

Henry  Alonzo  Allen  is  a  native  son  of  (ialesburg  and  has  spent  much  of  his 
life  in  this  city,  although  at  intervals  he  has  resided  elsewhere.  In  1908  he  erected 
a  comfortable  residence  here  and  now  divides  his  time  between  (ialesl)urg  and 
Tennessee,  where  he  has  important  lumber  manufacturing  interests.  His  birth 
occurred  December  lo.  1842.  his  i)arents  being  Sheldon  \\iniam  and  Fidelia 
(  Leach)  .Mien. 

Sheldon  \\'.  .\llen  was  born  September  28.  1808.  in  Oneida  county.  Xew  York, 
and  uas  a  son  of  Chester  ICphraim  .\llen.  who  was  born  at  or  near  Xew  Haven, 
Connecticut.  The  latter  married  Eunice  I  Baldwin,  of  I'>etblehem.  Connecticut, 
and  removed  to  Augusta.  ( )neida  county.  Xew  ^'ork.  where  they  reared  their 
family  of  nine  children,  namely.  Sophia.  Juliette,  Sheldon,  .\lgenia.  Amanda, 
Adaline.  Mary.  Homer  and  Asahel.  In  the  county  of  his  nativity,  Sheldon  W. 
Allen  was  reared  and  after  arriving  at  years  of  maturity  he  was  married  in  Janu- 
arv  1834.  to  Miss  I-'idelia  Leach,  who  was  born  in  the  EmjMre  state  in  1812. 
Three  years  after  their  marriage  they  removed  westward,  settling  in  Galesburg, 
Illinois,  in  1837.  They  were  the  i)arents  of  eight  children,  James  Sherman,  Shel- 


-       •'•      '    ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;:     /    •;  /        297 

don  Oberlin,  Albert  Herman,  Henry  Alonzo,  Norman  Taylor,  Chester  Ephraim, 
Mary  Fidelia  and  John  Stebbins.  The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  November 
23,  1855,  and  Sheldon  W.  Allen  afterward  married  Nancy  Shaver,  by  whom  he 
had  Seven  children,  George,  Frank,  Alida,  Fred,  Ida,  Minnie  and  Willie.  Of 
these  Frank,  Alida  and  Fred  are  still  living.  Of  the  children  of  the  first  mar- 
riage all  are  yet  living  with  the  exception  of  Sheldon  and  Mary. 

Galesburg  was  but  a  tiny  western  town  when  the  Allen  family  was  established 
there  and  had  not  advanced  far  toward  its  present  prosperous  and  progressive 
condition  when  Henry  A.  Allen  was  pursuing  his  education  in  its  public  schools. 
He  afterward  entered  Knox  College,  wherein  he  continued  his  studies  until  the 
I5th  of  October,  i86i,  when  he  left  the  junior  class  to  enlist  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Civil  war.  Later  he  continued  his  education  in  Eastman's  Business  College  at 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  from  which  he  was  graduated  on  the  226.  of  March, 
1866.  In  the  meantime  he  had  seen  four  years  military  service,  having  on  the 
I5th  of  October,  i86i,  joined  Company  C,  of  the  Eleventh  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Cavalry.  He  was  injured  in  action  near  Boliver,  Tennessee,  August  30,  1862, 
sustaining  a  gunshot  wound  through  the  left  hand  and  left  leg.  On  the  ist  of 
June,  1863,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  commissary  sergeant  and  was  mus- 
tered out  with  his  regiment  October  i8,  1865.  He  had  participated  in  a  number 
of  important  engagements  and  for  four  years  had  given  tangible  proof  of  his 
valor,  his  loyalty  and  his  patriotism. 

After  completing  his  education  in  Eastman's  Business  College  of  New  York 
Mr.  Allen  became  connected  with  the  butchering  business  at  Galesburg,  where  he 
remained  until  the  spring  of  1869.  He  then  removed  to  Viola,  Illinois,  where  he 
conducted  a  lumberyard  until  the  spring  of  1871.  At  that  date  he  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Pettis  county,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  fanning,  but  in  December, 
1873,  returned  to  Galesburg,  where  he  followed  farming  and  butchering  until  the 
spring  of  1877.  He  was  then  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  served  for  four 
years,  his  decisions  being  strict  and  impartial  so  that  his  course  won  the  approval 
of  the  public.  On  the  ist  of  August,  i88i,  he  was  appointed  United  States 
storekeeper  and  while  discharging  the  duties  of  that  position  resided  in  Peoria 
until  the  ist  of  February,  1886,  when  he  removed  to  Russell  county,  Kansas, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  September,  1896,  he  returned  with  his  family 
to  Galesburg  but  in  the  spring  of  1899  removed  to  Fayette  county,  Tennessee, 
where  he  again  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming.  In  1904  he  purchased  a 
sawmill,  which  he  operated  in  connection  with  his  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1908 
he  returned  with  his  family  to  Galesburg,  erecting  an  attractive  home  here,  and 
has  since  divided  his  time  between  this  city  and  Tennessee,  giving  supervision 
to  his  agricultural  and  industrial  interests  in  that  state.  In  addition  to  his  other 
interests  Mr.  Allen  was  a  director  and  president  of  the  Farmers  Alliance  Ex- 
change Company  of  Russell,  Kansas,  for  several  years  and  was  also  a  director 
and  secretary  of  the  Fanners  Union  Warehouse  Company,  of  Somerville,  Ten- 
nessee. ' '.'  '••'•''.•;  •  •'•''••••  •  ':'^-  ':;:'.•:-••'  ''^••': :•  ^  "'•  /  •:- 

On  the  i6th  of  September,  1867,  at  Denison,  Iowa,  Mr.  Allen  was  united  in 
rrtarriage  to  Miss  Sue  McIIhenny  Cobean,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Nancy  (Mc- 
Tlhenny)  Cobean.  Her  father  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Cunningham) 
Cobean.  The  latter  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Martha  (Watt)  Cunningham, 
whose  parents  were  John  and  Elizabeth  Cunningham  and  David  and  Mary  Watt 


298  ;  ;/     .          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ':-'  ;  j;/    '^ 

respectively.  John  Cunningham,  the  great-great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Allen,  came 
to  this  country  from  the  aorth  of  Ireland  about  the  year  1748.  His  son  Robert 
settled  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  abou^  I77O,  and  served  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  being  commissioned  a  lieutenant.  David  and  Mary  Watt,  great- 
great-grandparents  of  Mrs.  Allen,  came  to  the  new  world  from  the  vicinity  of 
Glasgow,  Scotland,  in  the  decade  between  1740  and  1750,  settling  near  Oxford, 
Chester  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  tall  monument  to  John  Watt  in  the  burial 
ground  of  Trinity  church  on  Broadway,  opposite  Wall  street.  New  York,  and  . 
the  Watt  monument  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  both  indicate  where  ancestors  of  Mrs. 
Allen  lie  buried.  Mrs.  Nancy  Cobean,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Allen,  was  a  daughter 
of  Victor  and  Agnes  E.  W.  (Orr)  Mcllhenny,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  George 
Orrand  the  former  a  son  of  Robert  and  Martha  (King)  Mcllhenny.  This  Robert  : 
Mcllhenny  was  a  son  of  Robert  Mcllhenny,  Sr.,  and  his  wife,  Martha  King,  was 
a  daughter  of  Victor  King.  Both  of  these  were  great-great-grandfathers  of  Mrs. 
Allen  and  both  came  from  the  north  of  Ireland,  settling  in  Adams  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1767.  Hier  great-great-grandfather  Victor  King  and  her  great-grand- 
father Robert  Mcllhenny  both  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  both  were 
commissioned  lieutenants. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  were  born  seven  children.  Sue  Fidelia,  the  eldest, 
born  August  25,  1869,  was  married  February  14,  1889,  to  George  W.  Chew,  and 
they  had  three  children :  Anna  Grace ;  Mary  Allen ;  and  William  Henry,  who 
died  in  childhood.  Harry  Myrtle  Allen,  born  October  4,  1874,  wedded  on  April 
15,  1896,  Anna  Melissa  Bunner,  and  they  have  three  children,  Thomas  Henry, 
Donald  Ray  and  Harry  Bunner.  Nettie  Cobean  Allen  was  born  April  15,  1877, 
and  is  at  home  with  her  parents.  Bessie  Leach,  born  December  7,  1879,  is  a 
missionary  at  Teheran,  Persia.  Ralph  Chester,  born  April  15,  1882,  was  married 
January  3,  1904,  to  Pearl  Lavinia  Kolla,  and  they  have  three  children,  Chester  • 
Robinson,  James  Everett  and  Robert  Cobean.  Sheldon  Robert,  born  April  i8, 
1884,  was  married  July  12,  1906,  to  Edna  Josephine  Parnell.  Willis  Ray,  bom 
July  23,  1889,  died  February  17,  1893. 

Mr.  Allen  has  always  been  regarded  as  a  man  of  prominence  and  influence 
in  the  different  localities  in  which  he  has  lived  and  has  done  not  a  little  toward 
molding  public  opinion.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican,  always  stanch  in  support 
of  the  party.  While  living  at  Viola,  Illinois,  he  was  elected  village  trustee  in  the 
spring  of  1869.  In  April,  1877,  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  Galesburg 
and  filled  the  position  for  four  years.  This  was  followed  by  his  appointment 
to  the  position  of  United  States  storekeeper  at  Peoria,  in  which  capacity  he 
served  from  August  i,  i88i,  until  February  i,  1886.  In  November,  1888,  he  was 
elected  county  commissioner  of  Russell  county,  Kansas,  for  a  term  of  three  years, 
and  was  reelected  in  November,  1891.  During  five  of  the  six  years  of  his  service 
he  was  chairman  of  the  board  and  he  also  served  for  several  years  as  school  di- 
rector in  the  same  county.  As  president  of  the  Russell  County  Farmers  Alliance 
he  attended  the  meeting  of  county  presidents  at  Topeka,  Kansas,  and  voted 
against  the  formation  of  the  populist  party.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  sixth 
district  republican  congressional  convention  at  Colby,  Kansas,  in  1892.  There 
several  ballots  were  taken  yet  no  candidate  received  a  sufficient  number  of  votes 
to  become  the  party  nominee.  Then  his  name  was  presented  and  he  received  so 
many  votes  on  the  first  ballot  as  to  alarm  the  regular  candidates,  who  secured 


j;   ;y;       <,      ;•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     :        •;;:-,      299 

an  adjournment  and  fixed  up  their  differences,  which  resulted  in  the  nomination 
of  Webb  McNall.  He  was  urged  by  his  friends  in  Russell  county  to  allow  his 
name  to  be  presented  as  a  candidate  before  the  populist  convention  but  declined. 

He  has  been  elected  to  various  offices  outside  the  pale  of  politics,  serving  as 
president  of  the  Fanners  Alliance  at  Russell,  Kansas,  and  also  as  president  of 
the  County  Alliance  of  Russell  county,  Kansas.  He  has  likewise  been  secretary 
of  the  Fayette  County  Farmers  Union  at  Somerville,  Tennessee,  and  was  pres- 
ident of  the  Farmers  Institute  at  Russell,  Kansas.  In  fact,  he  has  been  a  very 
prominent  worker  in  behalf  of  organized  effort  for  the  benefit  of  the  agricul- 
tural class  and  his  labors  have  been  productive  of  much  good.  He  is  well  known, 
too,  in  fraternal  relations  and  has  the  highest  regard  of  many  of  his  brethren 
in  the  different  lodges  to  which  he  belongs.  In  1879  he  joined  the  Masonic  order 
and  has  since  taken  the  degrees  of  the  chapter  and  commandery.  He  has  served 
as  high  priest  of  Russell  Chapter  in  Russell,  Kansas,  and  also  as  high  priest  of 
the  chapter  at  Somerville,  Tennessee.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  post  at  Galesburg,  served  as  its  first  officer  of  the  day  and  its  third  com- 
mander, and  he  was  also  commander  of  the  post  at  Russell,  Kansas. 

His  has  been  an  extremely  active,  busy  and  useful  life.  His  labors  have  been 
attended  by  substantial  and  gratifying  results  for  the  benefit  of  the  different  or- 
ganizations with  which  he  is  identified,  while  in  business  affairs  his  well  directed 
efforts  have  brought  him  a  substantial  and  gratifying  measure  of  success. 


EDWIN  NASH,  M.  D.      .;.•/:'         ^  ;;V:--.v.>.,^.v::' -.  ^ 
'o  -'•..'.!.':. 'i'.-.  •'••"!  •?••;••':;.•;'•;::.:;•'.  v"-".;".-:'!-'.-  V-     ;  .-      •  ••;•'';;-'. 

Dr.  Edwin  Nash,  a  physician  and  surgeon  of  Galesburg,  has  there  practiced 
his  profession  since  1904  and  has  won  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  skilled  repre- 
sentative of  the  medical  fraternity.  His  birth  occurred  in  Chicago,  on  the  2ist 
of  November,  1876,  his  parents  being  Orrin  and  Martha  (Heald)  Nash,  who 
are  natives  of  Massachusetts  and  Illinois  respectively.  The  paternal  grand- 
father, Hervey  Nash,  was  bom  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  became  a  railroad 
contractor.  He  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Anna  (Swift)  Nash,  settled  in  Chicago  about 
1856  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  Illinois,  passing  away  in  Gibson 
City  at  an  old  age.  They  had  quite  a  number  of  children,  including :  Nicholas ; 
Milton;  James;  Hervey;  Orrin;  Loraine,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to 
John  Carver;  Marilla;  and  Marietta.  Alexander  Heald,  the  maternal  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  a  contractor  by  trade. 
He  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Naomi  (Pope)  Heald,  took  up  their  abode  among  the 
early  settlers  of  Lake  county,  Illinois,  and  passed  away  in  Chicago  when  well 
advanced  in  years.  Their  children  were  four  in  number,  namely:  Martha, 
Mary,  James  and  Nelson. 

,'  Orrin  Nash,  the  father  of  Dr.  Nash,  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  re- 
moval to  Illinois  when  a  youth  of  thirteen,  the  family  home  being  established 
in  Chicago,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  completed  his  education.  In  April, 
1862,  he  joined  the  Union  army  as  a  private,  serving  until  the  cessation  of 
hostilities  with  the  Chicago  Mercantile  Battery,  Artillery.  After  the  close  of 
the  war  he  went  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  followed  bridge  building  in  part- 


300  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :'•:.' A,': ':'•.. 

nership  with  his  brother  for  a  number  of  years.  After  returning  to  Chicago 
he  was  elected  to  various  county  offices  and  acted  as  committee  clerk  of  the 
board  of  commissioners  for  about  thirty  years.  At  the  present  time  he  makes 
his  home  in  Boston.  He  is  a  worthy  exemplar  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  are  Universalists  in  religious  faith.  They  have  two  sons: 
Wilmar,  living  in  Boston;  and  Edwin,  of  this  review.  .  ';.  •  1' 

The  latter  was  reared  in  the  city  of  his  nativity  and  is  a  graduate  of  the 
Oak  Park  high  school.  After  leaving  that  institution  he  entered  the  Chicago 
Homeopathic  Medical  College  and  was  graduated  therefrom  in  1900.  Subse- 
quently he  spent  eighteen  months  as  interne  in  the  Cook  County  Hospital  and 
then  devoted  another  year  to  study  in  Rush  Medical  College,  of  which  institu-  :5 
tion  he  is  likewise  a  graduate.  He  first  located  for  practice  in  Chicago  but  in 
1904  came  to  Galesburg  and  has  here  since  remained,  his  patronage  steadily 
increasing  as  he  has  demonstrated  his  skill  and  ability  in  coping  with  the  intricate  '• 
problems  which  continually  confront  the  physician  in  his  efforts  to  restore  health 
and  prolong  life.  Through  his  membership  in  the  Knox  County  Medical  Society 
and  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  he  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  progress 
which  is  constantly  being  made  by  the  profession.  '• 

;      On  the  2d  of  October,  1902,  Dr.  Nash  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jessie  ^ 
Scofield,  a  native  of  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  and  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Sarah  (Hurd)  Scofield,  who  were  also  born  in  that  state.     The  father  passed 
away  in   Janesville,   Wisconsin,  but  the  mother   still  survives  and   makes  her 
home  at  that  place.     They  had  seven  children,  namely:     Mitta,  Clara,  Willis,  :; 
Elma,  Jessie,  Bertha  and  Floy.     Silas  Hurd,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  . 
Nash,  was  a  native  of  New  York,  became  a  farmer  and  miller  by  occupation    .;- 
and  took  up  his  abode  among  the  early  settlers  of  Rock  county,  Wisconsin.     Dr.   ; 
and  Mrs.  Nash  have  two  children,  Edwin  and  Lois. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Dr.  Nash  has  supported 
the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  believing  that  its  principles  are 
most  conducive  to  good  government.  In  religious  faith  both  he  and  his  wife 
are  Universalists.  Though  yet  a  young  man,  he  has  already  attained  a  creditable 
position  in  professional  circles,  while  the  salient  characteristics  of  his  manhood 
are  such  as  have  brought  him  the  warm  regard  of  those  with  whom  he  has  been 
otherwise  associated.  '. 


;:v;,.;;  EDISON  P.  METCALF.      ,>    ;    ; 

•     Edison  P.  Metcalf,  deceased,  who  during  his  active  business  life  was  asso- 
ciated with  farming  interests  in  Knox  county,  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  - 
York  on  the  8th  of  July,    1838,  his  parents  being  Jonathan   G.   and   Phoebe  ' 
(Fountain)  Metcalf,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  New  York.    There  the  father  V" 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming  until  he  removed  westward  with  his  family,  , 
settling  in  Knox  county  at  an  early  period  in  its  development  and  improvement.  .; 
He  took  up  his  abode  upon  a  tract  of  land  east  of  Knoxville  and  continued  to 
engage  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  until  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death.  - 
His  diligence  and  reliability  in  business  made  him  a  valued  citizen  and  one  ; 


:v:v  ^     >:      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  301 

worthy  the  regard  uniformly  g^ven  him.  In  the  family  were  the  following  chil- 
dren, but  the  only  one  now  living  is  Mrs.  Mary  Ferry,  of  Knoxville.  Sarah, 
Edison  P.,  Rufus  and  Mrs.  Harriet  Vermillion  are  deceased, 
u  Edison  P.  Metcalf  was  a  young  lad  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  westward  to  Knox  county.  He  pursued  his  early  education  in  the 
district  schools  and  afterward  continued  his  studies  in  the  schools  of  Knox- 
ville. He  was  trained  to  the  work  of  the  farm  and  took  up  farming  on  his  own 
account  when  a  young  man.  He  continued  to  engage  in  agricultural  pursuits 
throughout  his  entire  life  and  became  the  owner  of  a  well  developed  property, 
the  fields  being  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  while  substantial  im- 
provements were  made  upon  the  farm  in  the  shape  of  substantial  buildings  and 
well  kept  fences. 

On  the  1 8th  of  December,  1862,  Mr.  Metcalf  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Marion  Gould,  who  was  bom  in  Adams  county,  Illinois,  February  i6, 
1840,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Sallie  Ann  (Mapes)  Gould,  natives  of  New 
Hampshire  and  Vermont  respectively.  This  section  of  Illinois  was  still  largely 
undeveloped  when  they  came  to  the  state,  taking  up  their  abode  in  Adams  county, 
where  the  father  devoted  his  attention  to  farming.  He  was  also  a  carpenter 
by  trade  and  his  skill  with  tools  enabled  him  to  keep  everything  about  his  farm 
in  excellent  condition.  He  remained  in  Adams  county  for  some  time  and  then 
removed  to  Knox  county  when  Mrs.  Metcalf  was  a  small  child  but  during  the 
fall  before  she  was  thirteen  the  family  went  to  Morgan  county,  Missouri,  where 
the  mother  died  and  was  buried.  The  family  afterward  returned  to  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  and  here  the  father  lived  until  called  to  his  final  rest.  They  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  five  died  in  infancy,  while  four  reached  years 
of  maturity,  namely :  John,  now  deceased ;  Mrs.  Metcalf ;  William,  who  is 
living  in  this  county;  and  Mrs.  Samantha  Metcalf,  who  resides  northeast  of 
Knoxville. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Metcalf  there  were  born  seven  children.  Marietta,  the 
eldest,  became  the  wife  of  Stephen  M.  Turner  but  is  now  deceased.  In  their 
family  were  eight  children :  Geneva ;  Oran ;  Eva  ;  Gertrude ;  Lee  ;  Maude ;  and 
Merle  and  Pearl,  twins.  Melissa  Ann,  the  second  of  the  daughters  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Edison  Metcalf,  is  the  deceased  wife  of  Charles  A.  Ramp,  of  this  county, 
and  of  their  five  children  two  died  in  infancy,  the  others  being  Alice  G.,  Inez 
L.  and  Lavon.  Emma  Metcalf  is  the  wife  of  Charles  M.  Hawley,  a  resident 
farmer  of  this  county,  and  they  had  seven  children,  of  whom  Robert  C.  and 
Lessie  are  deceased,  the  others  being  Sylva  S.,  Selma  M.,  Ray,  Roy  and  Allie. 
Ellen  Mae  became  the  wife  of  William  Armstrong  but  both  have  passed  away. 
They  are  survived  by  three  living  children :  Bessie  R.,  Minnie  J.  and  Aileen 
M.  Charles  W.  Metcalf  makes  his  home  near  London  Mills,  FuUon  county. 
Alma  A.,  the  next  of  the  family,  died  in  infancy.  Alice  G.  is  the  wife  of  Frank- 
lin Sargent  and  they  reside  in  Knoxville,  Illinois.  They  have  four  living  chil- 
dren :  Charles  E. ;  Celia  Mae  and  Cecil  Merle,  twins ;  and  Vivian.  They  have 
lost  their  first  daughter,  Catherine  M.  Geneva  Turner  married  Frank  Howalter, 
of  Knox  county;  and  Eva  Turner  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Davidson. 
;  The  death  of  Mr.  Metcalf  occurred  in  1906  when  he  had  reached  the  age 
of  sixty-eight  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  and  his 
wife  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  political  allegi- 


302  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >        ., 

ance  was  given  the  republican  party  and  he  was  always  loyal  to  his  honest 
belief.  Those  who  knew  him,  and  he  had  a  wide  acquaintance,  entertained  for 
him  warm  regard.  He  was  devoted  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  his  family, 
was  progressive  and  public-spirited  in  citizenship  and  loyal  in  friendship,  and 
because  of  his  many  sterling  traits  of  character  he  left  to  his  family  the  priceless 
heritage  of  an  untarnished  name.  ,  ,  ..  •  -  '.' 


;V  •;  .;  EDWARD  RICHMOND  ADAMS.  ^      :    ^ 

Almost  three  decades  have  passed  since  Edward  Richmond  Adams  was  called 
to  his  final  rest,  and  yet  his  memory  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  many  who  knew 
him  and  who  entertain  for  him  the  warmest  regard  because  of  his  individual 
traits  of  character  and  the  important  part  which  he  played  in  the  public  life  of 
Galesburg.  He  figured  prominently  here  for  many  years  as  a  merchant  and  in 
matters  of  citizenship  his  influence  was  always  given  on  the  side  of  progress,  re- 
form and  improvement.  He  was  born  in  Stoughton,  Massachusetts,  February  5, 
1809,  and  traced  his  ancestry  back  to  Henry  Adams  who,  on  coming  from  Eng- 
land in  1632,  settled  in  Braintree,  Massachusetts,  where  the  family  home  was 
maintained  until  the  Rev.  Jedediah  Adams  was  called  to  a  pastorate  in  Stoughton 
after  1733.  Dr.  Peter  Adams,  the  father  of  Edward  R.  Adams,  was  born  in 
Stoughton,  June  3,  1756,  and  was  graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1778.  He 
studied  medicine  and  was  the  first  regularly  settled  physician  in  Stoughton.  In 
1805  he  wedded  Sarah  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mary  (May)  Johnson 
of  that  place.  The  father  died  in  1832  and  the  mother  passed  away  the  following 


Edward  R.  Adams  pursued  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  but  remained 
throughout  life  a  broad  reader  of  the  best  literature  and  kept  well  informed  upon 
all  topics  of  general  and  vital  interest.  After  leaving  his  native  town  he  engaged 
in  business  in  Boston  until  1836  when  he  removed  westward  to  Illinois,  settling 
first  in  Henderson  county  where  he  engaged  in  buying  all  kinds  of  produce  which 
he  shipped  to  New  Orleans.  In  1854  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  about  1855  he 
established  a  business  that  constituted  the  nucleus  of  the  present  saddlery  and 
hardware  establishment  of  Adams  &  Johnson  Company.  About  1855  he  built  the 
stores  at  Nos.  i  and  3  Main  street,  and  throughout  the  period  of  his  residence  in 
Galesburg,  covering  almost  three  decades,  was  prominently,  closely  and  honorably 
associated  with  its  business  activities  and  its  upbuilding.  He  always  followed  con- 
structive methods,  never  taking  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  another,  and  his 
enterprise,  diligence  and  honorable  dealing  brought  him  well  merited  success.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  Farmers'  &  Merchanics'  Bank,  and 
served  as  a  member  of  its  board  of  directors  until  he  resigned  in  September,  1882. 

Mr.  Adams  was  married  twice.  He  first  wedded  Miss  Mahala  Choate,  of 
Lowell,  Massachusetts,  in  1842.  Her  death  occurred  the  following  year  and  on 
the  I2th  of  August,  1846,  he  wedded  Miss  Nancy  Gilbert  Thomas  of  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mary  (Gilbert)  Thomas.  There  were 
seven  children  of  this  marriage,  of  whom  four  died  in  infancy  or  in  childhood. 
while  three  survived  their  parents.  They  are:  Edward  Quincy,  who  was  mar- 


302      ;.  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTY       :      / 

ance  was  given  the  republican  party  and  he  was  always  loyal  to  his  honest 
belief.  Those  who  knew  him.  and  he  had  a  wide  acquaintance,  entertained  for 
him  warm  regard.  He  was  devoted  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  his  family, 
was  progressive  and  public-spirited  in  citizenship  and  loyal  in  friendship,  and 
because  of  his  many  sterling  traits  of  character  he  left  to  his  family  the  priceless 
heritage  of  an  untarnished  name.  •  . 


EDWARD  RICHMOXD  ADAMS. 

Almost  three  decades  have  passed  since  Edward  Richmond  Adams  was  called 
to  his  final  rest,  and  yet  his  memory  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  many  who  knew 
him  and  who  entertain  for  him  the  warmest  regard  because  of  his  individual 
traits  of  character  and  the  important  part  which  he  played  in  the  public  life  of 
Galesburg.  He  figured  prominently  here  for  many  years  as  a  merchant  and  in 
matters  of  citizenship  his  infiuence  was  always  given  on  the  side  of  progress,  re- 
form and  improvement.  He  was  born  in  Stoughton,  Massachusetts,  February  5, 
1809,  and  traced  his  ancestry  back  to  Henry  Adams  who,  on  coming  from  Eng- 
land in  1632,  settled  in  Braintree,  Massachusetts,  where  the  family  home  was 
maintained  until  the  Rev.  Jedediah  Adams  was  called  to  a  pastorate  in  Stoughton 
after  1733.  Dr.  Peter  Adams,  the  father  of  Edward  R.  Adams,  was  born  in 
Stoughton,  June  3,  1756.  and  was  graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1778.  He 
studied  medicine  and  was  the  first  regularly  settled  physician  in  Stoughton.  In 
1805  he  wedded  Sarah  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mary  (May)  Johnson 
of  that  place.  The  father  died  in  1832  and  the  mother  passed  away  the  following 
year.  .  ,  ,"  .  :  ,  | . 

Edward  R.  Adams  pursued  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  but  remained 
throughout  life  a  broad  reader  of  the  best  literature  and  kept  well  informed  upon 
all  topics  of  general  and  vital  interest.  After  leaving  his  native  town  he  engaged 
in  business  in  IJoston  until  1836  when  he  removed  westward  to  Illinois,  settling 
first  in  Henderson  county  where  he  engaged  in  buying  all  kinds  of  produce  which 
he  shipped  to  Xew  Orleans.  In  1854  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  about  1855  he 
established  a  business  that  constituted  the  nucleus  of  the  present  saddlery  and 
hardware  establishment  of  Adams  &  Johnson  Company.  About  1855  he  built  the 
stores  at  Xos.  i  and  3  Main  street,  and  throughout  the  ])eriod  of  his  residence  in 
Galesburg,  covering  almost  three  decades,  was  ])roininently,  closely  and  honorably 
associated  with  its  business  activities  and  its  upbuilding.  He  always  followed  con- 
structive methods,  never  taking  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  another,  and  his 
enterprise,  diligence  and  honorable  dealing  brought  him  well  merited  success.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  Farmers'  &  .Merchanics'  Dank,  and 
served  as  a  member  of  its  board  of  directors  until  he  resigned  in  September,  1882. 

Mr.  Adams  was  married  twice.  He  first  wedded  Miss  Mahala  Choate,  of 
Lowell,  Massachusetts,  in  1842.  Her  death  occurred  the  following  year  and  on 
the  I2th  of  August,  1846,  he  wedded  Miss  Xancy  Gilbert  Thomas  of  Xew  Haven, 
Connecticut,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Mary  (Gilbert)  Thomas.  There  were 
seven  children  of  this  marriage,  of  whom  four  died  in  infancy  or  in  childhood, 
while  three  survived  their  parents.  They  are:  Edward  Quincy,  who  was  mar- 


•\ 


-.;>    •      H- ,   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  --  -y        305 

ried  in  1885  to  Miss  Helen  L.  Gay,  of  Easton,  Massachusetts,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren; Katherine  Amelia,  the  wife  of  Wallace  S.  Johnson,  whom  she  married  in 
1884  and  by  whom  she  has  two  children  ;  and  Harriett  Marsh,  living  at  Galesburg. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Adams  took  place  on  October  2,  1883. 

Mr.  Adams  was  the  possessor  of  an  unusually  fine  tenor  voice  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  two  oldest  musical  societies  in  the  country,  the  Stoughton  Musical 
Society,  which  was  formed  in  1756  and  of  which  his  father.  Eh*.  Peter  Adams 
was  a  charter  member,  and  the  Handel  &  Hayden  Society  of  Boston  which  was 
founded  in  1815.  While  not  a  menriber,  Mr.  Adams  was  a  generous  contributor  to 
and  constant  attendant  of  the  services  of  the  Congregational  (brick)  church  and 
the  Universalist  church  in  which  he  had  been  reared,  his  grandfather,  the  Rev. 
Jedediah  Adams  having  been  the  first  regularly  settled  minister  of  that  faith  in 
Stoughton.  Mr.  Adams  was  recognized  as  a  man  of  high  moral  character  whose 
devotion  to  his  duty  was  unquestioned,  and  who  ever  sought  those  infiuences  and 
aids  which  are  of  the  most  value  in  promoting  individual  and  community  prog- 
ress. He  was  devoted  to  his  home  and  family,  was  always  a  generous  friend  and 
gave  freely  of  his  means  to  those  who  needed  assistance.  Many  testify  as  to  his 
generosity  and  his  kindly  spirit,  and  the  name  of  Edward  Richmond  Adams  is  yet 
an  honored  one  in  Galesburg  where  he  so  directed  his  labors  as  to  make  his  work 
of  lasting  benefit  to  the  city. 


,:  •:    .       ;  GEORGE  FREEMAN  CONLEY. 

George  Freeman  Conley,  who  for  the  past  fourteen  years  has  been  repre- 
senting the  fourth  ward  in  the  city  council,  is  one  of  the  well  known  residents 
of  Galesburg.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Wataga,  Knox  county, 
on  the  22d  of  July,  1853,  the  only  child  of  Linzley  and  Catherine  (Anderson) 
Conley.  The  father  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Barren  county,  Kentucky,  on  June 
i6,  1827,  while  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Hancock  county,  Indiana,  May 
6,  1830.  When  he  was  a  lad  of  three  years  Linzley  Conley  came  to  Illinois 
with  his  father,  Levey  P.  Conley,  who  had  been  given  a  grant  for  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Knox  county,  eighty  for  services  rendered  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war  and  eighty  on  account  of  the  war  of  1812.  For  many  years 
Levey  P.  Conley  devoted  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the  further  develop- 
ment and  improvement  of  his  farm,  and  there  he  passed  away  on  January  4, 
1870,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  while  his  wife  died  November  lo,  1864. 
His  son,  Linzley  Conley,  was  reared  and  educated  on  the  old  homestead,  where 
he  also  received  his  agricultural  training.  When  he  had  attained  his  majority 
he  left  the  parental  home  and  began  working  for  himself,  continuing  to  follow 
farming.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war,  in  i86i,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
K,  Forty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  as  a  private  and  went  to  the  front 
where  he  remained  for  nearly  three  years.  The  hardships  and  privations  inci- 
dent to  army  life  completely  undermined  his  health,  and  he  returned  to  the  old 
farm  practically  an  invalid.  He  again  turned  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  fields,  devoting  his  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  1868.  In  the  latter 
year  he  gave  up  farming  and  came  to  Galesburg,  and  from  that  period  until  his 


Vol.    JI— 14 


306  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  ;  death  on  the  I3th  of  February,  1899,  engaged  in  sinking  artesian  wells.     The 

mother  had  passed  away  many  years  before  on  the  farm,  her  demise  occurring 
on  April  27,  1854.  They  were  married,  June  22,  1851.  They  were  members 
of  the  Baptist  church,  and  the  father  also  belonged  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  In  his  political  views  he  was  a  republican  and  while  residing  at 
Galesburg  served  as  constable.  .:]:•;•."••, 

The  early  years  in  the  life  of  George  Freeman  Conley  were  spent  on  the  old 
farm,  in  the  work  of  which  he  assisted  while  pursuing  his  studies  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Wataga.  On  the  loth  of  June,  1870,  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
years,  he  began  work  as  a  section  hand  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad.  He  had  higher  aspirations,  however,  and  on  October  13,  1872,  began 
braking  on  a  freight  train.  In  the  discharge  of  his  services  he  was  both  efficient 
and  satisfactory  and  on  the  2Oth  of  June,  1876,  he  was  promoted  to  the  position 
of  conductor.  He  continued  in  this  capacity  for  twenty  years,  at  the  expiration 
of  which  period  he  was  given  a  passenger  train.  He  is  now  and  has  been  for 
some  time  on  the  Peoria  and  Galesburg  division  of  the  road.  In  years  of  con- 
tinuous service  he  is  one  of  the  oldest  men  in  the  employ  of  the  company, 
having  been  with  them  for  over  forty-one  years.  •.  -  v''^/-:'V •;;'/:•:.)..'•'•. 

On  the  2Oth  of  March,  1875,  Mr.  Conley  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Mat- 
thews, a  native  of  Scott  county,  Iowa,  who  passed  away  on  February  25,  1885. 
One  daughter  was  born  unto  them,  Grace  W.,  who  is  at  home  with  her  father. 
On  October  19,  1889,  .Mr.  Conley  married  Mrs.  H.  H.  McSkinnens,  whose 
death  occurred  on  June  12,  1908.  'I 

Mr.  Conley  has  ever  been  loyal  to  the  principles  of  the  republican  party  and 

•  for  fourteen  years  has  been  alderman  from  the  fourth  ward.    That  he  has  dis- 

•  charged  his  duties  in  a  highly  satisfactory  manner  is  evidenced  by  the  length 
of  his  period  of  service.    Fraternally  he  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  the  Blue  Lodge, 
council  and  commandery,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Fraternal  Reserve, 
Court  of  Honor,  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Elks  Club.     He 
is  a  member  of  the  legislative  committee  for  the  state  of  Illinois,  of  the  Order 
of  Railway  Conductors  and  has  held  all  of  the  chairs.     Mr.  Conley  possesses  a 
high  sense  of  honor,  and  always  discharges  any  duty  assigned  him  with  a  con- 
scientious appreciation  of  his  responsibility. 


•  -i^';;;-;-- ;  S.  A.  WAGONER.    '.•''•..: ':'x.'":^;v ' 

Persistence  of  purpose  and  unfaltering  energy  have  been  strong  forces  in 
winning  success  for  S.  A.  Wagoner  and  thorough  training  in  his  especial  line 
has  also  constituted  a  feature  in  the  establishment  of  his  present  prosperous 
business  which  is  conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Wagoner  Printing  Company 
at  Galesburg.  The  business  was  established  in  1897,  and  since  that  time  Mr. 
Wagoner  has  been  active  in  its  control  and  management.  He  is  one  of  Wis- 
consin's native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  near  Viroqua,  March  25,  1863, 
his  parents  being  Alexander  and  Hannah  (Bahr)  Wagoner.  The  father  was 
born  near  Watertown,  Jefferson  county.  New  York,  and  when  a  young  man 
came  to  Wisconsin.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  at  one  time  engaged 


^^;  ;':'::•     >      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    v       •:  •  ^ ^     307 

-.'••'--  '^ •••',•  ^  •'• 

in  the  conduct  of  a  meat  market  in  Laporte  City,  Iowa.  He  afterwards  spent 
six  years  as  a  minister  in  connection  with  the  Evangelical  Association  and  then 
returning  to  commercial  life  became  manager  for  a  lumber  company  in  Duluth, 
Minnesota,  and  now  resides  at  Tower,  Minnesota. 

It  was  in  i86i  that  he  married  Hannah  Bahr,  who  was  born  near  Harrisburg, 
Pennsylvania,  and  they  became  parents  of  two  children,  Simon  Alvey  and  Wil- 
Ham  E.,  both  residents  of  Galesburg.  The  father  is  a  republican  in  his  political 
views  and  in  his  fraternal  relations  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order 
.  of  Odd  Fellows.  Simon  A.  Wagoner  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  in  his 
native  state  and  also  in  the  high  school  at  Red  Oak,  Iowa.  He  was  only  four- 
teen  years  of  age  when  he  began  learning  the  printing  business  at  Anita,  Iowa, 
where  he  remained  for  two  years.  He  then  returned  to  Laporte  City,  Iowa, 
where  he  followed  his  trade  for  nine  years,  and  during  his  residence  in  that 
place  established  the  Laporte  City  Review  in  connection  with  a  partner  with 
whom  he  remained  for  nine  years.  While  there  he  made  the  acquaintance  of 
A.  D.  Thurston,  night  telegraph  operator,  and  they  formed  a  partnership  for 
the  publication  of  the  monthly  paper  called  the  Railroad  Telegrapher.  These 
two  men  called  a  meeting  of  the  telegraph  operators  of  the  United  States  at 
Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  in  July,  1886,  and  one  hundred  delegates  from  a  number 
of  different  states  assembled  in  convention  there  and  established  the  Order  of 
Railroad  Telegraphers,  Mr.  Thurston  becoming  the  first  grand  chief  telegrapher 
of  the  order.  Mr.  Wagoner  remained  the  editor  and  manager  of  the  paper  which 
was  printed  at  Laporte  City,  Iowa,  until  1888,  when  he  removed  to  Vinton, 
Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  three  years  and  in  November,  1891,  he  came  to 
Galesburg  as  superintendent  of  the  printing  plant  of  the  Brotherhood  of  Rail- 
road Trainmen,  of  which  he  was  in  charge  until  it  was  removed  from  Galesburg 
five  years  later.  At  the  same  time  he  conducted  a  small  fruit  farm  near  the  city, 
and  in  1897  he  established  his  present  business  in  which  he  was  joined  by  W.  E. 
Wagoner  and  G.  H.  Mehler.  They  began  business  in  a  small  way  on  the  third 
floor  of  the  Bank  of  Galesburg  building  on  Main  street  where  they  continued 
until  1901  when  they  consolidated  their  interests  with  the  job-printing  depart- 
ment  of  the  Evening  Mail,  called  the  Mail  Printing  Company.  The  business 
was  incorporated  for  thirteen  thousand  dollars  with  S.  A.  Wagoner,  as  president, 
F.  H.  Sisson,  vice  president,  E.  S.  Tobey,  secretary  and  C.  H.  May,  treasurer. 
They  removed  to  the  Mail  building  on  Cherry  street,  and  there  continued  until 
1909  when  the  business  was  reincorporated  under  the  style  of  the  Wagoner 
Printing  Company  and  capitalized  for  twenty  thousand  dollars,  with  S.  A.  Wag- 
oner  as  president  and  manager,  H.  W.  Lass,  vice  president  and  E.  S.  Tobey  sec- 
retary  and  treasurer.  They  employ  thirty-five  people  and  conduct  a  general 
printing  business,  a  complete  system  of  direct-connected  individual  motors  to  all 
machines  forming  a  part  of  the  equipment  of  the  plant.  The  business  has 
steadily  grown  until  it  amounts  to  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  annually,  two 
thirds  of  which  comes  from  outside  the  city.  They  make  a  specialty  of  college 
and  fraternity  printing  and  keep  in  touch  with  the  most  modern  and  advanced 
styles  of  the  printing  art. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  1885,  Mr.  Wagoner  was  married  to  Miss  Emma 
R.  Fischer,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Erhardt  and  Catherine  (Freiberger)  Fischer, 
of  Laporte  City,  Iowa.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Darmstadt,  Germany, 


808 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


and  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  '505,  settling  in  Ondaga  county,   New 
•-  York,  where  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  also  as  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  ministry  of  the  Evangelical  Association  engaged  in  preaching 
in  Utica  and  in  Troy,  New  York.     He  died  in  Manlius,  New  York,  in   1868, 
after  which  his  widow  came  to  the  west,  settling  in  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa,  while 
later  she  became  a  resident  of  Laporte  City,  Iowa,  where  she  married  the  Rev. 
George  Fckhard.    He  died  November  28,  1910.    Mrs.  Eckhard  still  survives  and 
'    :  now  makes  her  home  in  Cedar  Falls.     Her  daughter,  Mrs.  Wagoner,  was  bom 
'       in  Utica,  Ondaga  county.  New  York,  March  28,  1865,  and  by  her  marriage  has 
:    become  the  mother  of  two  daughters  but  the  younger,  Helen  R.,  who  was  born 
in  Galesburg,  died  when  but  eighteen  months  old.     The  elder  daughter,  Nora 
M.,  was  born  in  Laporte  City,  Iowa. 

Both   Mr.   and  •  Mrs.   Wagoner  are   members   of   the   Methodist   Episcopal 

•„•:    church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  take  active  and  helpful  part.     Mr.  Wagoner 

:     is  now  serving  on  the  board  of  stewards,  is  secretary  of  the  building  committee, 

;       is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  church  and  is  teacher  of  the  men's  bible  class  in  the 

Sunday  school.     He  is  greatly  interested  in  Sunday-school  work  and  is  serving 

•     on  the  executive  committee  and  finance  committee  of  the  Knox  County  Sunday 

School  Association.     He  is  also  an  exemplary  member  of  Vesper  Lodge,  No. 

'   584,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Camp  No.  667,  M.  W.  A.    He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Gales- 

"  •    burg  Club  and  is  president  of  the  Retail  Merchants'  Association.    He  has  made 

.      an  excellent  record  in  business,  wisely  used  his  time  and  opfxartunities,  and  as 

the  years  go  by,  has  steadily  progressed,  winning  success  along  the  legitimate 

.  •   business  lines.     He  has  ever  recognized  the  fact  that  satisfied  customers  are  the 

.  best  advertisement,  and  the  excellent  work  which  he  has  done  has  been  the  chief 

factor  in  his  enviable  and  well  merited  success. 


FRANK  SEARS  BARTLETT.  /     . 


Frank  Sears  Bartlett,  a  representative  of  an  old  and  prominent  family  of 
Knox  county,  is  successfully  engaged  in  business  as  a  member  of  the  real-estate 
and  insurance  firm  of  Bartlett  '&  Robbins  and  is  likewise  the  secretary  of  the 
Mutual  Loan  &  Building  Association  of  Galesburg.  His  birth  occurred  in  this 
county,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1855,  his  parents  being  Erasmus  Almon  and 
Helen  J.  (Sears)  Bartlett,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  John  D.  Bartlett,  was  bom  in  Vermont  and  when 
four  years  of  age  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Genesee  county.  New  York,  where 
he  g^ew  to  manhood  and  conducted  a  hotel  in  Alexander.  In  1842  he  visited 
Illinois  on  horseback  and  two  years  later  brought  his  family  here,  purchasing 
land  in  Rio  township.  He  passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  while 
his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sarah  Pryor,  was  about  eighty-two  years 
when  called  to  her  final  rest.  Their  children  were  five  in  number,  namely :  Livona, 
who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  E.  C.  Field;  Loamma  M.;  Erasmus  A.;  Sarah, 
who  became  the  wife  of  E.  R.  Rhoades;  and  John  D.,  Jr.  William  Sears,  the 
maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  Cortland  county.  New 
York.  He  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Caroline  (Vaile)  Sears,  became  pioneer  settlers 


Vnv-;  Jr  i  V^^..';  ;        V-^    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /^'v:::';       309 

•  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  locating  at  Henderson,  where  Mr.  Sears  conducted  a 
hotel,  a  flouring  mill  and  a  sawmill  and  also  engaged  in  farming.     In  1869  he 

;':  removed  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Harrison  county,  where  his  demise  occurred  when 

'  :  he  was  past  eighty  years  of  age.    His  wife  was  also  past  that  age  when  called 

..  •  to  her  final  rest.     They  had  thirteen  children,  including  the  following  named : 

:,  Helen  J. ;  Frank  W. ;  Crandall ;  Lottie,  who  married  a  Mr.  Baird ;  Charles ;  and 

:/  LeGrand. 

Erasmus  A.  Bartlett,  the  father  of  Frank  S.  Bartlett,  followed  general  agri- 

;  cultural  pursuits  throughout  his  active  business  career.    In  1844  he  was  brought 

'v^,  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  by  his  parents,  the  family  home  being  established  in 

..  Rio  township,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  began  farming.     At  the  time  of 

,  his  demrse  he  owned  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  in 

-  Rio  township.     He  died  in  1908,  when  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  passing  away 
.  in  the  faith  of  the  Universalist  church.    The  period  of  his  residence  in  this  county 

covered  more  than  six  decades  and  he  was  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  within 
••     its  borders.     He  served  as  a  school  director  and  held  various  township  offices. 
-     His  first  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  passed  away  in  1869  at  the  compara- 
,:     tively  early  age  of  thirty-six.     She  was  the  mother  of  eight  children,  of  whom 
.:     Frank  Sears  is  the  only  one  now  living.    For  his  second  wife  Erasmus  A.  Bart- 
lett chose  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  Edwards,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Charles 
E.,  of  Rio  township;  and  Sarah  A.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years. 

.;    Frank  S.  Bartlett  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  eighteen  years  of  age, 

first  attending  the  district  schools  and  later  continuing  his  education  in  Knox 

College.    After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he  began  clerking  in  the  storehouse 

:     of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company.     He  remained  in  the 

service  of  that  corporation  for  eighteen  years  and  three  months  and  was  steadily 

:  .   promoted  as  he  demonstrated  his  capability  and  trustworthiness,  holding  the 

.      position  of  division  storekeeper  when  he  resigned.     Subsequently  he  embarked 

'    in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business,  \vhich  has  claimed  his  time  and  energies 

continuously  since.     In  1906  he  admitted  William  A.  Robbins  to  a  partnership 

;     in  the  business,  which  has  since  been  conducted  under  the  firm  style  of  Bart- 

, ;,  lett  &  Robbins.    Their  efforts  have  been  attended  with  gratifying  success  and 

their  clientage  is  of  a  most  extensive  and  important  character. 

On  the  loth  of  January,  1877,  Mr.  Bartlett  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 

: .    Sarah  A.  Fleharty,  a  native  of  Rio  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daugh- 

:     ter  of  William  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Terrell)  Fleharty,  who  became  pioneer  settlers 

'   of  this  county,  taking  up  their  abode  in  Rio  township.     The  father  served  as  a 

,  •    soldier  of  the  Civil  war.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fleharty  passed  away  at  Galesburg  in 

.;    middle  life.     They  had  six  children,  namely:   Stephen  T.,  Sarah  A.,  William 

:      H.,  Elizabeth,  Belle  M.  and  Vinnie  May. 

.  William  and  Amelia   (Kirkpatrick)   Fleharty,  the  paternal  grandparents  of 

.  Mrs.  Bartlett,  were  early  settlers  of  Knox  county  and  passed  away  here,  the  for- 
;  mer  when  about  eighty-four  years  of  age  and  the  latter  when  about  fifty  years 
•^'  old.  Unto  them  were  born  five  children:  Jesse  J. ;  William  L. ;  John  and  Henry, 
;'  twins ;  and  Stephen  F.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bartlett  were  also  born  five  children, 
..-  as  follows:  Alice  Helen,  living  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  who  is  the  wife  of  M.  T. 
:  •  Bruner,  by  whom  she  has  two  daughters,  Lois  and  Helen ;  John  D.,  a  physician 
;;,  and  surgeon  by  profession,  who  wedded  Miss  Ethel  Booker  and  has  one  son. 


310  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^-'Vvr^ 

John  D. ;  William  A.,  who  married  Miss  Maude  Shussler  and  is  engaged  in  the 
real-estate  business  at  Galesburg;  Walter  L.,  who  died  when  a  youth  of  thirteen 
years ;  and  Winfield  Franklin,  who  is  attending  school. 

In  politics  Mr.  Bartlett  is  a  republican  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  recognizing 
his  worth  and  ability,  have  called  him  to  several  positions  of  public  trust.  He 
served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  for  twelve  years,  was  alderman 
of  the  fourth  ward  for  one  term  and  acted  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors for  two  terms.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masons,  belonging 
to  Vesper  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Chapter,  No.  46,  R.  A.  M. ;  and  Gales- 
burg  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.  T.  He  serves  as  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the 
Universalist  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  They  have  spent  their 
entire  lives  in  Knox  county  and  enjoy  an  extensive  and  favorable  acquaintance 
within  its  borders.  .  ..  .  ,,  .  -  -  -  - 


-V  V^v-          :  GEORGE  CHURCHILL.      v.:;;,V.:^:;:'; 

An  enumeration  of  the  residents  of  Galesburg  who  have  won  honor  and  dis- 
tinction and  at  the  same  time  whose  records  have  been  an  honor  to  the  city, 
would  be  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory  were  there  failure  to  make  prominent 
reference  to  George  Churchill.  His  work  in  behalf  of  public  education  would 
alone  entitle  him  to  distinction  and  yet  in  other  relations  of  life  his  labors  were 
equally  commendable  and  were  crowned  with  far-reaching  and  beneficial  effects. 
Progress  and  patriotism  might  well  be  termed  the  keynote  of  his  character, 
prompting  his  active  cooperation  in  every  movement  for  the  public  good  and 
his  loyal  support  of  the  salient  features  of  good  citizenship. 

Dr.  Churchill  was  born  in  Herkimer  county.  New  York,  April  2,  1829,  a 
son  of  Norman  and  Ann  (Eggleston)  Churchill.  The  father  first  visited  Illi- 
nois early  in  the  fall  of  1836,  at  which  time  he  purchased  ten  acres  of  land  on 
West  Main  street  in  Galesburg  which  is  still  known  as  the  Churchill  home. 
To  this  he  removed  in  1839  and  remained  thereafter  an  active  and  honored 
resident  of  this  city  where  he  passed  away  on  the  2Oth  of  September,  1886,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  He  was  born  in  Hubbardton,  Vermont,  Novem- 
b^r  5,  1799,  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Jesse  Churchill.  • 

George  Churchill  was  a  lad-  of  only  ten  years  when  the  family  home  was 
established  in  Galesburg  and  from  that  time  until  his  death  he  was  an  interested 
witness  of  the  changes  which  here  occurred  and  the  growth  that  wrought  the 
present  prosperity  of  the  city.  He  entered  Knox  College  as  a  student  in  the 
preparatory  department  in  the  first  year  of  its  history  and  when  other  prepara- 
tions had  qualified  him  for  advanced  study,  he  entered  the  college  class  and 
was  graduated  in  1851.  He  then  crossed  the  threshold  of  the  business  world, 
spending  a  year  as  civil  engineer  in  connection  with  the  construction  of  the 
Central  Military  Tract  Railroad,  which  later  became  a  part  of  the  main  line  of 
the  Burlington.  However,  his  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  had  been 
aroused  and  he  was  giving  much  time  and  thought  to  the  study  of  the  public- 
school  system.  He  recognized  the  fact  that  the  schools  in  Galesburg  and  vicinity 
were  inadequate  to  the  needs  of  a  community  that  was  g^rowing  rapidly  and  he 


810     '  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

John  D. ;  \\'illiaiii  A.,  who  married  Miss  Maude  Shussler  and  is  engaged  in  the 
real-estate  business  at  Galesburg;  Walter  L.,  who  died  when  a  youth  of  thirteen 
years:  and  Winfield  Franklin,  who  is  attending  school.  '• 

In  politics  Mr.  llartlett  is  a  republican  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  recognizing 
his  worth  and  ability,  have  called  him  to  several  positions  of  public  trust.  He 
served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  for  twelve  years,  was  alderman 
of  the  fourth  ward  for  one  term  and  acted  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors for  two  terms.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masons,  belonging 
to  Vesper  Lodge.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Chapter,  Xo.  46,  R.  A.  M. :  and  Gales- 
burg  Commandery.  Xo.  8.  K.  T.  He  serves  as  trustee  and  treasurer  of  the 
Universalist  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  They  have  spent  their 
entire  lives  in  Knox  county  and  enjoy  an  extensive  and  favorable  acquaintance 
within  its  borders.  .  . , 


:   v'  GEORGE  CHURCHILL.         ,        ; 

An  enumeration  of  the  residents  of  Galesburg  who  have  won  honor  and  dis- 
tinction and  at  the  same  time  whose  records  have  been  an  honor  to  the  city, 
would  be  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory  were  there  failure  to  make  j^rominent 
reference  to  George  Churchill.  His  work  in  behalf  of  public  education  would 
alone  entitle  him  to  distinction  and  yet  in  other  relations  of  life  his  labors  were 
equally  commendable  and  were  crowned  with  far-reaching  and  beneficial  effects. 
Progress  and  ])atriotism  might  well  be  termed  the  keynote  of  his  character, 
prompting  his  active  coojieration  in  every  movement  for  the  public  good  and 
his  loyal  sup])ort  of  the  salient  features  of  good  citizenship. 

Dr.  Churchill  was  born  in  Herkimer  county.  Xew  York,  April  2,  1829,  a 
son  of  Xorman  and  Ann  (Eggleston)  Churchill.  The  father  first  visited  Illi- 
nois early  in  the  fall  of  1836,  at  which  time  he  purchased  ten  acres  of  land  on 
West  Main  street  in  Galesburg  which  is  still  known  as  the  Churchill  home. 
To  this  he  removed  in  1839  and  remained  thereafter  an  active  and  honored 
resident  of  this  city  where  he  passed  away  on  the  2oth  of  Se])tember,  1886,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  He  was  born  in  Hubbardton,  \'ermont,  Xovem- 
ber  5,  1799,  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Jesse  Churchill. 

George  Churchill  was  a  lad  of  only  ten  years  when  the  family  home  was 
established  in  Cjalesburg  and  from  that  time  until  his  death  he  was  an  intere.sted 
witness  of  the  changes  which  here  occurred  and  the  grtiwth  that  wrought  the 
present  prosperity  of  the  city.  He  entered  Knox  College  as  a  student  in  the 
preparatory  department  in  the  first  year  of  its  history  and  when  other  prepara- 
tions had  (|ualified  him  for  advanced  study,  he  entered  the  college  class  and 
was  graduated  in  1851.  He  then  crossed  the  threshold  of  the  business  world, 
spending  a  year  as  civil  engineer  in  connection  with  the  construction  of  the 
Central  Military  Tract  Railroad,  which  later  became  a  part  oi  the  main  line  of 
the  Burlington.  However,  his  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  had  been 
aroused  and  he  was  giving  much  time  and  thought  to  the  study  of  the  public- 
school  system.  He  recognized  the  fact  that  the  schools  in  Galesburg  and  vicinity 
were  inadecjuate  to  the  needs  of  a  community  that  was  growing  rapidly  and  he 


a    -•'.:  ::v:  ;   ;    ,; :     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^.  ^^vV^ 

desired  to  supplant  that  system  by  an  improved  one.  This  desire  took  him  to 
Europe  in  order  that  he  might  make  a  most  thorough  inspection  of  the  schools 
of  Prussia.  He  carried  with  him  letters  from  the  United  States  secretary  of 
state  which  enabled  him  to  gain  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the  system  of  instruc- 
tion of  the  country  which  he  visited.  He  gained  many  valuable  ideas  which 
his  practical  ability  enabled  him  to  adapt  to  the  needs  of  the  Galesburg  schools 
and  upon  returning  to  this  city  he  at  once  undertook  the  task  of  arousing  public 
sentiment  in  favor  of  an  improved  school  system.  He  not  only  gave  generously 
of  his  time  and  energies  but  his  work  also  made  large  inroads  upon  the  small 
salary  that  he  received  as  a  teacher.  He  did  not  hesitate,  however,  in  the 
accomplishment  of  his  purpose  and  called  to  his  assistance  the  Hon.  Henry 
Barnard,  of  Connecticut,  who  afterward  received  the  first  appointment  as  com- 
missioner of  education  for  the  United  States.  His  determined  perseverance 
finally  resulted  in  procuring  a  special  charter  by  which  the  former  district 
schools  were  consolidated  and  the  foundation  of  the  present  system  was  laid. 
The  board  of  education  has  shown  a  just  appreciation  of  Dr.  Churchill's  ser- 
vices by  naming  one  of  the  grammar  schools  in  his  honor  and  by  adopting,  on 
the  1 4th  of  January,  1896,  special  resolutions  commending  him  for  his  work. 
He  may  well  be  termed  the  father  of  the  public-school  system  of  Galesburg, 
for  it  received  its  impetus  toward  improvement  from  his  untiring  labors  and 
practical,  far-reaching  methods.  For  thirteen  years  he  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  education  and  labored  untiringly  to  arouse  the  standard  of  the  schools. 

This  by  no  means  comprised  the  extent  of  Dr.  Churchill's  public  service  or 
indicates  the  limit  of  his  usefulness.  For  twenty-two  years  he  served  as  city 
engineer  and  in  other  public  oflSces  labored  for  the  welfare  and  upbuilding  of 
the  city.  For  two  terms  he  was  alderman,  for  eight  years  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  park  commissioners  and  for  twenty-three  years  or  until  the  time  of 
his  death  held  a  position  on  the  library  board.  For  forty-four  years  he  was 
one  of  the  professors  of  Knox  College,  and  that  institution,  ever  regarded  as 
one  of  the  strong  and  stable  educational  forces  of  the  state,  owes  to  him  a  debt 
of  gratitude  which  can  never  be  paid.  Far  beyond  any  pecuniary  recompense 
that  could  be  made  him  were  his  labors  in  behalf  of  the  college.  He  never  low- 
ered the  high  standard  which  he  set  up  but  sought  ever  to  work  toward  it  and  his 
own  enthusiasm  and  zeal  constituted  an  inspiration  to  fellow  teachers  and  pupils. 
Of  him  it  was  written:  "He  was  born  to  be  useful;  he  was  born  to  be  good; 
he  was  born  especially  as  an  educator  of  the  youth."  While  he  always  strove 
to  attain  high  ideals  his  methods  were  ever  practical  and  he  proved  his  worth 
and  force  in  business  circles  as  well  as  along  professional  lines.  He  became 
one  of  the  directors  and  the  just  president  of  the  Mechanics  Homestead  & 
Loan  Association,  occupying  this  position  from  its  organization  in  1882.  Its 
assets  and  disbursements  in  1899  amounted  to  two  and  a  half  million  dollars. 

Dr.  Churchill  was  married  three  times.  He  first  wedded  Clara  A.  Hurd  and 
to  them  was  born  a  son,  Milton  F..  who  is  now  professor  of  Pomona  College  at 
Qaremont,  California.  His  second  wife  was  Ada  H.  Hayes  and  they  had  one 
daughter  and  two  sons:  Mary  H.,  now  deceased;  Charles  F.,  an  attorney  of 
Montclair,  New  Jersey;  and  George  B.,  of  Galesburg.  For  his  third  wife  Dr. 
Churchill  chose  Ellen  Sanborn  Watkins,  who  died  five  years  ago,  and  they 
had  one  son,  William  David.  By  a  former  marriage  Mrs.  Churchill  also  had 


314  >  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         >;:;:•; 

a  daughter,  Mrs.  Nellie  Sanborn  (Watkins)  Wetherbee.  It  was  in  1851  that 
Mrs.  Churchill  came  with  her  parents  from  Bronfield,  Illinois,  to  Knox  county. 
Previously  they  had  been  residents  of  Vermont.  Her  father,  David  Sanborn, 
after  coming  to  Galesburg,  was  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  business  and  later 
became  president  of  the  Second  National  Bank.  He  was  also  prominently 
connected  with  public  affairs,  at  one  time  serving  as  postmaster  of  Galesburg, 
and  was  active  in  the  establishment  of  the  Burlington  railroad.  He  married 
Sophie  A.  Ramsey  and  continued  his  residence  in  Galesburg  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  April  9,  1883.  Their  daughter,  Mrs.  Churchill,  was  first 
married  to  Albert  T.  Watkins,  who  removed  from  New  York  to  Illinois  when 
twenty  years  of  age  and  died  at  the  age  of  thirty  years.  He  was  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  in  Galesburg  and  also  owned  and  operated  one  of  the  first 
presses  for  baling  hay,  selling  his  product  to  the  army  during  the  Civil  war.  He 
afterward  aided  in  organizing  the  Second  National  Bank  and  was  a  very  promi- 
nent and  influential  business  man  and  citizen  here,  but  death  terminated  his 
career  at  an  early  age. 

The  death  of  Dr.  Churchill  occurred  in  September,  1899.  As  a  man  and  citi- 
zen he  was  very  popular,  readily  winning  the  friendship  of  those  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact  while  his  sterling  traits  of  manhood  enabled  him  to  retain  their 
high  regard.  Added  to  his  keen  intelligence  and  strong  manhood  was  a  most 
amiable  and  cordial  disposition.  He  was  reported  as  a  man  of  strong  character 
and  marked  individuality  and  it  was  known  that  his  position  was  never  an 
equivocal  one.  He  was  always  a  friend  to  the  poor  and  gave  generously  of  his 
means  where  assistance  was  needed.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  became  a 
member  of  the  First  Congregational  church  and  later  placed  his  membership 
with  its  successor,  the  Central  Congregational  church.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
building  committee  of  the  new  church.  From  the  time  that  he  identified  himself 
with  a  religious  organization  he  took  an  active  part  in  church  work,  serving  for 
fourteen  years  as  deacon,  for  twenty-five  years  as  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school  and  for  more  than  a  half  century  as  leader  of  the  choir.  One  of  the 
local  papers  said :  "There  is  scarcely  a  department  inaugurated  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  city  or  for  the  betterment  of  the  conditions  of  its  people  with- 
out a  trace  of  his  handiwork.  He  has  been  part  and  parcel  of  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg and  of  Knox  College  almost  from  their  inception  and  his  life  record  is 
inseparably  interwoven  with  their  history."  A  review  of  his  life  indicates  that 
he  was  ever  faultless  in  honor,  'fearless  in  conduct  and  stainless  in  reputation. 


'>;';:  WILLIAM  ALLEN 

William  Allen  Robbins,  who  has  maintained  his  residence  in  Knox  county 
for  forty-five  consecutive  years,  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  esteemed  citizens 
of  Galesburg  and  since  1906  has  been  engaged  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance 
business  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bartlett  &  Robbins.  His  birth  occurred  in 
the  old  town  of  Oxford,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  loth  of  April,  1851,  his 
parents  being  Edward  S.  and  Temperance  (Allen)  Robbins,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Levi  Rob- 


.  ^  y   Vv    •:      •     '•   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  *-;^^"       315 

bins,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Dinah  (Good- 
enough)  Robbins,  passed  away  in  Copenhagen,  Lewis  county.  New  York.  He 
was  an  agriculturist  by  .occupation  and  enjoyed  an  enviable  reputation  as  a 
prominent,  popular  and  highly  esteemed  citizen  of  his  community.  At  the  time 
of  his  demise  he  was  one  hundred  years  and  five  months  old.  His  first  wife, 
the  grandmother  of  our  subject,  was  more  than  seventy  years  of  age  when 
called  to  her  final  rest.  Their  children  were  as  follows:  Austin.  Edward,  Levi, 
Orrin  and  Chloe.  The  maternal  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Ebenezer 
A.  Denison,  son  of  Daniel,  and  was  born  on  the  26th  of  January,  1760.  In  1784 
he  wedded  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Spencer)  Jones,  with  whom  he  resided  in  Berne, 
Albany  county.  New  York.  The  founder  of  the  Denison  family  in  the  United 
States  was  William  Denison,  who  came  to  America  in  1631,  settling  at  Rox- 
bury,  Massachusetts.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  William  A.  Robbins  were 
William  and  Catharine  (Denison)  Allen,  the  former  born  at  Groton.  Connecti- 
cut,  on  the  3ist  of  October,  1782,  and  the  latter  in  1786.  Both  died  in  Lewis 
county.  New  York,  William  Allen  passing  away  in  the  '7os  and  his  wife  at 
the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  Unto  them  were  born  eleven  children  who  lived 
to  maturity  and  had  families;  Avery,  Eliza,  Temperance,  Ebenezer,  Ephraim. 
Elizabeth,  Ira,  Hannah,  Orpha,  Paulina  and  Lydia. 

Edward  S.  Robbins,  the  father  of  Mr.  Robbins  of  this  review,  was  reared 
on  a  farm  in  Lewis  county.  New  York,  and  in  1836  located  among  the  earliest 
settlers  of  Knox  county,  taking  up  government  land  near  Log  City,  where  he 
began  farming.  Subsequently  he  spent  a  number  of  years  in  Sparta  township 
and  later  removed  to  a  farm  in  Henry  county.  Disposing  of  the  property,  he 
took  up  his  abode  in  Galesburg,  on  the  8th  of  March,  1866,  and  here  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  The  death  of  his  wife  occurred  when 
she  was  eighty-two  years  old.  They  were  originally  Baptists  in  religious  faith 
but  at  the  time  of  their  demise  and  for  many  years  prior  were  identified  with  the 
Second  Adventists.  Edward  S.  Robbins  successfully  practiced  medicine  for  a 
number  of  years.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  five  children,  as  follows: 
Edward  C.  D.,  who  died  while  serving  as  a  captain  in  the  Civil  war  and  was 
buried  in  the  Vicksburg  National  Cemetery ;  Mildred  E.,  who  first  wedded 
Albert  T.  Boyd  and  is  now  the  wife  of  George  H.  Hotaling,  of  Grant  City, 
Missouri;  Orpha  C.,  who  is  the  widow  of  Joseph  Pine  and  resides  in  Gales- 
burg;  William  A.,  of  this  review;  and  Levi,  who  died  in  infancy. 

William  Allen  Robbins,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  remained  on 
his  father's  farm  in  Henry  county  until  fifteen  years  of  age  and  then  came 
to  Knox  county,  within  the  borders  of  which  he  has  since  resided.  He  began 
his  education  in  the  country  schools  and  later  spent  two  years  in  the  public 
schools  of  Galesburg.  When  a  youth  of  seventeen  years  he  put  aside  his  text- 
books  and  entered  the  grocery  store  of  Dunn  &  Kingsbury,  serving  as  a  clerk 
for  three  years.  He  then  spent  about  a  year,  in  1871,  with  the  Frost  Manu- 
facturing  Company  and  next  became  an  employe  of  George  D.  Crocker,  whom 
he  served  in  the  capacity  of  clerk  for  about  seven  years.  On  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  became  a  partner  of  his  employer  and  the  relation  was  main- 
tained  with  mutual  pleasure  and  profit  for  twenty-six  years.  In  1893-4  Messrs. 
Crocker  and  Robbins  erected  the  Arlington  Hotel.  Mr.  Robbins  was  the  pioneer 
in  the  pure- food  movement  in  this  section.  In  1906,  one  year  after  severing  his 


316          /  '         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

business  connection  with  Mr.  Crocker,  he  became  a  partner  of  Mr.  Bartlett 
in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business  and  has  since  enjoyed  a  gratifying 
clientage  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bartlett  &  Robbins.  He  owns  farm  lands 
in  Cass  and  Steele  counties,  North  Dakota,  and  has  followed  general  agricultural 
pursuits  there  for  six  years,  maintaining  his  residence,  however,  in  Galesburg. 

On  the  I3th  of  October,  1874,  Mr.  Robbins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Nettie  E.  Carr,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  M.  S.  and  Susan  M.  (Espy)  Carr.  They 
had  two  children,  namely:  Elizabeth,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  E.  L. 
Tilden  and  resides  in  Buffalo,  New  York;  and  Elmer  A.,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  ten  years.  •'kvv-  •! 

In  politics  Mr.  Robbins  is  a  stanch  republican,  loyally  supporting  the  men 
and  measures  of  that  party.  He  was  a  deacon  of  the  First  Baptist  church  for 
twenty-seven  years  and  acted  as  chairman  of  the  board  for  seventeen  years. 
His  wife  is  likewise  a  devoted  and  faithful  member  of  that  church.  His  career 
has  been  one  of  continuous  activity,  in  which  has  been  accorded  due  recognition 
of  labor  and  today  he  is  numbered  among  the  substantial  and  representative 
citizens  of  his  county. 


/^:.vV^  CHARLES  A.  MALCOLM.     ;    :r      . 

•   *   '  *,  ;   ">'•'.' '        :  ."'.•*•_•"-.• 

Charles  A.  Malcolm,  an  agriculturist  now  residing  in  Ontario  township,  was 
born  on  the  22d  of  April,  1866,  in  Safsjo,  in  the  central  part  of  Sweden,  his 
parents  being  John  and  Johanna  (Charlotta)  Malcolm,  both  of  whom  are  na- 
tives of  Sweden,  the  former  having  been  born  there  on  the  2gth  of  January, 
1837.  In  his  native  land  John  Malcolm  was  engaged  in  farming  until  he  set  out 
for  America,  in  1868,  with  his  family,  locating  first  near  Andover,  Henry  county, 
Illinois.  The  trip  across  the  country  from  Genoa  to  Andover  was  made  with 
teams  in  a  heavy  hail  and  rain  storm,  this  being  but  one  of  the  many  hardships 
which  the  travelers  in  those  early  days  encountered.  Because  of  his  lack  of  ex- 
perience Mr.  Malcolm  was  forced  at  first  to  accept  inferior  employment,  his  first 
work  being  plowing  corn  at  fifty  cents  per  day.  But  earnest  and  persistent  labor 
always  leads  to  better  fortunes  and  Mr.  Malcolm  was  soon  ready  to  undertake 
the  cultivation  of  a  small  tract  of  land  and  later  purchased  a  small  piece  of 
property  for  himself.  After '  fourteen  years  he  added  twenty  acres  and  subse- 
quently purchased  forty  acres  of  timber  land,  which  he  cleared  and  started  to 
farm.  Disposing  of  the  various  holdings,  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  valuable  land,  upon  which  he  resided  for  twenty-seven  years  before  removing 
to  his  present  farm.  At  one  time  he  held  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land 
in  the  county  and  eighty  acres  in  Henry  county,  but  he  is  now  living  retired,  hav- 
ing sold  all  of  his  property  to  his  children.  His  home  is  now  called  Malcolm- 
ville  and  the  other  farm  which  he  at  one  time  owned  was  called  Malcolm  Dandy. 
Mrs.  Malcolm  passed  away  on  the  23d  of  February,  1909,  in  Knox  county,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-two  years. 

Charles  A.  Malcolm  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  spent 
much  of  his  youth  in  assisting  his  father  on  the  home  farm,  here  having  his  first 
experience  in  the  occupation  he  was  to  make  his  life  work.  Desiring  to  start  out 


Q 

» 


316      ,  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY        ' 

business  connection  with  Mr.  Crocker,  he  became  a  partner  of  Mr.  Bartlett 
in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business  and  has  since  enjoyed  a  gratifying 
clientage  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bartlett  &  Robbins.  He  owns  farm  lands 
in  Cass  and  Steele  counties,  North  Dakota,  and  has  followed  general  agricultural 
pursuits  there  for  six  years,  maintaining  his  residence,  however,  in  Galesburg. 

On  the  I3th  of  October,  1874,  Mr.  Robbins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Nettie  E.  Carr.  a  daughter  of  Dr.  M.  S.  and  Susan  M,  (Espy)  Carr.  They 
had  two  children,  namely :  Elizabeth,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  E.  L. 
Tilden  and  resides  in  Buffalo,  New  York;  and  Elmer  A.,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  ten  years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Robbins  is  a  stanch  republican,  loyally  supporting  the  men 
and  measures  of  that  party.  He  was  a  deacon  of  the  First  Baptist  church  for 
twenty-seven  years  and  acted  as  chairman  of  the  board  for  seventeen  years. 
His  wife  is  likewise  a  devoted  and  faithful  member  of  that  church.  His  career 
has  been  one  of  continuous  activity,  in  which  has  been  accorded  due  recognition 
of  labor  and  today  he  is  numbered  among  the  substantial  and  representative 
citizens  of  his  countv. 


.  CHARLES   A.   MALCOLM. 

Charles  A.  Malcolm,  an  agriculturist  now  residing  in  Ontario  township,  was 
born  on  the  22d  of  April,  1866,  in  Safsjo,  in  the  central  part  of  Sweden,  his 
parents  being  John  and  Johanna  (Charlotta)  Malcolm,  both  of  whom  are  na- 
tives of  Sweden,  the  former  having  been  born  there  on  the  29th  of  January, 
1837.  In  his  native  land  John  Malcolm  was  engaged  in  farming  until  he  set  out, 
for  America,  in  1868,  with  his  family,  locating  first  near  Andover,  Henry  county, 
Illinois.  The  trip  across  the  country  from  Genoa  to  Andover  was  made  with 
teams  in  a  heavy  hail  and  rain  storm,  this  Ijeing  but  one  of  the  many  hardships 
which  the  travelers  in  those  early  days  encountered.  Because  of  his  lack  of  ex- 
perience Mr.  Malcolm  was  forced  at  first  to  accept  inferior  employment,  his  first 
work  being  plowing  corn  at  fifty  cents  per  day.  But  earnest  and  persistent  labor 
always  leads  to  better  fortunes  and  Mr.  .^lalcolm  was  soon  ready  to  undertake 
tbe  cultivation  of  a  small  tract  of  land  and  later  purchased  a  small  piece  of 
property  for  himself.  After  fourteen  years  he  added  twenty  acres  and  subse- 
quently jnirchased  forty  acres  of  timber  land,  which  he  cleared  and  started  to^ 
farm.  Disposing  of  the  various  holdings,  he  Ixiught  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  valuable  land,  upon  which  he  resided  for  twenty-seven  years  before  removing 
to  his  present  farm.  At  one  time  he  held  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land 
in  the  county  and  eighty  acres  in  Henry  county,  but  he  is  now  living  retired,  hav- 
ing sold  all  of  his  property  to  his  children.  His  home  is  now  called  Malcolm- 
ville  and  the  other  farm  which  he  at  one  time  owned  was  called  Malcolm  Dandy. 
Mrs.  Malcolm  passed  away  on  the  23d  of  February,  1909,  in  Knox  county,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  .  '  |  •  . 

Charles  A.  Malcolm  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  spent 
much  of  his  youth  in  assisting  his  father  on  the  home  farm,  here  having  his  first 
experience  in  the  occupation  he  was  to  make  his  life  work.  Desiring  to  start  out 


^;:>          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;;  819 

independently,  he  farmed  for  six  years  in  Henry  county  and  then  for  seven  years 
just  south  of  his  present  location.  In  January,  1909,  he  removed  to  his  present 
farm  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and  raising  hogs.  His  prop- 
erty is  known  as  "Fairview  farm." 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1895,  Mr.  Malcolm  was  married  to  Miss  Delphia 
C.  Walgreen,  a  daughter  of  John  P.  and  Anna  (Fredericks)  Walgreen,  who  have 
been  connected  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Knox  county  for  many  years. 
At  present  Mr.  Walgreen  is  residing  in  Altona,  where  he  is  living  retired.  He 
is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  the  county,  having  come  here  over  fifty  years  ago. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Malcolm  seven  children  have  been  born.  Violet  E.  J.,  Ger- 
maine  I.  W.,  Weslye  W.,  Ludella  V.  G.,  Curtis  C.,  Myrna  A.  C.,  and  Pauline  1.  M. 

In  politics  Mr.  Malcolm  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  taking  an 
active  interest  in  all  the  measures  proposed  for  political  welfare.  He  also  holds 
membership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  and  is  interested  in  the  incorporated 
bank  of  Galva  and  in  the  elevators  at  Oneida  and  Nekoma.  In  connection  with 
the  development  of  his  property  he  has  exercised  good  judgment  and  under  his 
management  it  is  yielding  profitable  crops  in  return  for  the  labor  expended  upon 
it,  and  as  a  citizen  he  is  highly  estemed  in  the  community  where  he  has  always 
resided.  .  ,  .  -  ..  -  ..  ..  v..  .,,...,  ,. 


:;;..-•-•.,,    WILLIAM  LORENZO  BELDEN.      -'I;:  v'-V^'^j-^;; 

William  Lorenzo  Belden  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Galesburg,  who  for  many 
years  was  associated  with  general  agricultural  pursuits  in  Orange  township  and 
also  engaged  in  the  practice  of  veterinary  surgery.  The  success  which  crowned 
his  labors  enables  him  at  the  present  time  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  life  without 
further  recourse  to  business  activity.  He  was  born  at  Cayuga  Lake,  New  York, 
in  1836,  a  son  of  Alonzo  and  Hannah  (Swartz)  Relden,  who  were  also  natives 
of  the  Empire  state.  They  removed  to  Ohio  when  their  son  William  was  a 
lad  of  seven  years  and  in  1850  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois.  The  father  was  a 
plasterer  by  trade  and  spent  his  last  years  in  this  county,  while  his  wife  died  in 
Nebraska,  where  she  had  gone  after  the  death  of  her  husband.  In  their  family 
were  seven  children,  of  whom  William  L.  and  a  brother,  George  C.,  are  the 
only  ones  now  living.  Two  of  the  brothers  served  as  soldiers  in  the  Union 
army  during  the  Civil  war,  George  C.  and  Charles,  who  was  killed  by  the 
notorious  Rand  at  Gilson. 

After  spending  the  first  seven  years  of  his  life  in  the  state  of  New  York, 
William  L.  Belden  accompanied  his  parents  to  Ohio  and  for  about  seven  years 
was  a  resident  of  Marion  county,  that  state.  He  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
when  a  lad  of  fourteen  years  and  for  more  than  six  decades  has  resided  within 
its  borders,  witnessing  the  many  changes  which  have  occurred  as  the  work  of 
development  and  improvement  has  been  carried  forward.  Settling  in  Orange 
township,  near  Knoxville,  he  began  farming  and  from  a  timber  tract  developed 
a  richly  improved  farm  of  eighty-eight  and  three-fourths  acres.  He  made  all 
of  the  improvements  upon  the  place,  set  out  an  orchard,  erected  substantial 
buildings  and  built  good  fences.  Year  after  year  the  work  was  carried  steadily 


320       '    -r       .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       T ;-   >  •  •: 

forward  and,  as  the  result  of  early  spring  plowing  and  planting,  good  crops 
were  gathered  in  the  autumn.  The  methods  which  he  pursued  in  the  develop- 
ment of  his  land  were  both  practical  and  progressive  and  his  crops  found  a 
ready  sale  on  the  market.  He  continued  to  make  his  home  upon  his  farm  until 
1911,  when  he  left  the  care  of  the  property  to  others  and  took  up  his  abode  in 
Galesburg,  where  he  is  now  living.  He  still  owns  the  old  home  place  and  while 
residing  thereon  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  veterinary  surgery. 

In  1865  Mr.  Belden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emily  Hawley,  who 
was  born  in  Orange  township,  this  county,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Sarah  (Westerfield)  Hawley.  Her  father  came  to  Illinois  from  New  York  and 
established  his  home  in  Orange  township,  where  he  carried  on  farming  through- 
out his  remaining  days.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom 
two  sons  and  two  daughters  yet  survive,  all  being  residents  of  Knox  county. 
The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Belden  are :  Henry  A.,  who  follows  farming  in 
Kansas;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Charles  Miller,  of  Iowa;  Loretta,  the  wife  of  Milo 
Brown,  also  of  Kansas ;  Mrs.  Mattie  Bowhay,  who  likewise  makes  her  home 
m  the  Sunflower  state;  and  Zenana,  yet  at  home. 

On  attaining  his  majority  William  L.  Belden  proudly  cast  his  first  vote  for 
republican  candidates  and  has  since  stanchly  supported  the  party.  He  has 
served  as  road  commissioner  and  in  other  local  offices  but  has  not  sought  or 
desired  political  preferment.  From  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  has  guided  his  life  by  its  teach- 
ings, ever  endeavoring  to  follow  the  Golden  Rule.  Undoubtedly  he  has  made 
mistakes — as  who  has  not — but  they  have  been  of  judgment  rather  than  of 
intention,  for  at  all  times  he  has  sought  to  do  to  others  as  he  would  have  them 
do  unto  him.  He  has  now  reached  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years  and 
during  sixty-one  years  of  this  time  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  so  that 
he  has  witnessed  much  of  its  progress  and  improvement,  aiding  at  different 
times  in  work  that  has  contributed  to  its  growth  and  development.  He  has 
personal  knowledge  of  many  things  which  are  to  others  matters  of  history  and 
his  memory  recalls  many  interesting  events  of  the  early  days.  ••  ;  -• 


-        '.;-i--;  LOREN  STEVENS.        -W         •-\:.::: 

Loren  Stevens  had  for  seven  years  occupied  the  responsible  position  of 
cashier  in  the  First  National  Bank  when  he  retired  to  private  life  to  enjoy  the 
fruits  of  his  labor.  He  now  gives  his  supervision  only  to  his  investments  which 
include  loans  and  real-estate  interests.  He  was  born  in  Chittenden  county,  Ver- 
mont, May  25,  1845,  the  younger  of  the  two  sons  of  Cassius  P.  and  Clamentia 
(Smith)  Stevens,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Vermont.  He  comes  of  ances- 
try represented  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  his  great-grandfather  having  been 
Abram  Stevens,  who  was  born  in  Killingsworth,  Connecticut,  and  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years  joined  the  Continental  army  under  the  valorous  leader  of  the  Ver- 
mont troops.  General  Seth  Warner.  He  afterward  became  colonel  under  Mont- 
gomery and  for  many  years  lived  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  liberty,  his  death  occur-' 
ring  in  1830.  He  was  a  native  of  England  and  had  come  to  the  new  world  with 


;l:  '<v^  r-'--;  ::^  ^^  .HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   ;       •' :  ^'  '      321 

two  brothers.  His  son,  Alonzo  Stevens,  was  born  in  Vermont  and  served  his 
country  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  while  later  he  became  colonel  in  the  state 
militia.  He  devoted  his  life  tQ  farming  and  died  at  the  age  of  seventy  years, 
having  long  survived  his  wife.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  sons  and  six 
daughters,  Cassius  P.,  Alonzo  J.,  Lucia,  Mary,  Almira,  Louisa,  Cornelia  and 
Rosamond.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Loren  Stevens  was  Thomas  Smith, 
who  was  born  on  November  lo,  1765.  He  spent  his  entire  life  in  the  Green 
Mountain  state,  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  farming.  His  death  occurred 
May  17,  1837,  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Mollie  Smith,  who  was  born  July  24,  1768,  died 
on  the  1 3th  of  January,  1834.  Their  family  numbered  ten  sons  and  a  daughter, 
Repline,  Hiram,  Philemon,  Loren,  Orrin,  Roswell,  Sidney,  Ceylon,  Loyal,  Lou- 
don  and  Clamentia. 

:  :  Like  others  of  the  family  Cassius  P.  Stevens  devoted  his  life  to  farm  work, 
owning  and  cultivating  a  tract  of  land  in  Chittenden  county,  Vermont,  where 
his  worth  as  a  business  man  and  citizen  was  widely  acknowledged.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  were  consistent  and  faithful  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  closely 
following  its  teachings.  His  death  occurred  in  1892,  when  he  was  seventy- 
seven  years  of  age  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1876  when  sixty-one  years  of  age. 
Their  eldest  son,  Byron  A.,  died  in  1895,  leaving  Loren  Stevens  the  only  surviv- 
ing member  of  the  family. 

^  During  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life  Loren  Stevens  remained  a  resident 
of  Vermont,  residing  on  his  father's  farm  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  During 
that  period  he  attended  the  district  school  and  for  a  short  time  pursued  an  academ- 
ical course.  After  leaving  home  he  engaged  in  driving  a  team  for  one  sum- 
mer and  during  the  following  fall  entered  the  employ  of  the  Central  Vermont 
Railroad  Company  but  gave  up  that  position  to  attend  business  college  when 
eighteen  years  of  age,  recognizing  how  necessary  is  educational  training  for 
success  in  life.  After  completing  his  course  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the 
position  of  teacher  in  the  same  institution,  there  remaining  for  a  year  and  a 
half,  but  thinking  that  the  west  offered  better  and  broader  opf>ortunities  he  made 
his  way  to  Ohio,  where  he  spent  the  fall  and  winter  of  1865.  In  the  spring  of 
1866  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  has  now  lived  for  more  than  forty-five 
years.  Here  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Brown  Cornplanter  Works  with  which 
he  was  connected  for  a  year  and  later  spent  two  years  in  the  office  of  Benjamin 
Lombard,  Jr.,  as  bookkeeper.  The  head  man  of  the  Brown  Works  died  in  the 
meantime  and  Mr.  Stevens  was  then  offered  the  vacant  position,  remaining 
there  as  secretary  of  the  company  for  seventeen  years,  or  until  1886.  He  then 
turned  his  attention  to  buying  and  selling  real  estate  and  making  loans  and 
that  business  together  with  traveling  occupied  his  time  for  ten  years.  He  next 
entered  the  First  National  Bank  as  cashier,  continuing  in  the  position  for  seven 
years,  when  he  retired  from  active  business  save  that  he  still  makes  loans,  his 
keen  discrimination  and  sound  judgment  largely  preventing  the  possibility  of 
loss  in  that  direction.  He  also  owns  a  large  orange  orchard  at  Riverside,  Cali- 
fornia. 

Mr.  Stevens  was  married.  May  25.  1870,  on  his  twenty-fifth  birthday  and 
exactly  four  years  after  his  arrival  in  Galesburg,  to  Miss  Lizzie  C.  Simmons, 
who  died  on  the  26th  of  March,  1911,  when  nearly  sixty-three  years  of  age. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church.  Mr.  Stevens  has  traveled  quite 


322  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ...;.. 

extensively,  visiting  every  state  in  the  Union,  as  well  as  the  West  Indies,  old 
Mexico  and  the  Hawaiian  islands,  besides  various  parts  of  Canada  from  Van- 
couver to  Quebec.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club  and  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Country  Club.  His  political  allegiance  has  ever  been 
given  to  the  republican  party  and  for  two  years  he  served  as  mayor  of  the  city, 
having  been  elected  in  the  spring  of  1889.  He  has  ever  been  recognized  as  a 
public-spirited  citizen  whose  aid  and  cooperation  can  be  counted  upon  to  further 
progressive  public  measures.  A  review  of  his  life  indicates  that  he  has  made 
wise  use  of  his  time  and  opportunities,  has  utilized  the  chances  for  careful  and 
remunerative  investment  and  now  as  a  result  of  his  labors,  intelligently  directed, 
he  stands  among  the  prosperous  residents  of  his  adopted  city.  -..  -  • 


i'\  '''-SA  C'i  •         '  ••        OLEY  C.  NELSON.  ^  ;•  v -;;-  i/.;:;. ';  ^.}- ;',•'•  ' 

Oley  C.  Nelson,  who  owns  a  farm  adjacent  to  Knoxville  that  he  is  now 
operating,  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  for  fifty-nine  years.    He  was  born  .' 
in  Sweden,  on  the  i4th  of  November,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  Carl  and  Hannah 
(Ingamonson)  Nelson,  for  some  years  numbered  among  the  farming  people  of  ' 
this  county.    Carl  Nelson,  who  was  born  in  1813,  engaged  in  agricultural  pur-  ,' 
suits  in  his  native  land  until  1852,  when  he  disposed  of  his  interests  there  and 
together  with  his  wife  and  family  took  passage  for  the  United  States.     They 
landed  in  New  York  city  seven  weeks  later  and  came  from  there  directly  to 
Knox  county,  which  was  their  destination.    Here  the  father  subsequently  bought 
some  land,  to  the   further  cultivation  and   improvement  of  which  he  devoted 
his  attention  until  his  death  in  September,  1854,  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years. 
The  mother   survived   until    1885.     Their   family  consisted   of  three  sons  and 
one  daughter,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  eldest,  the  others  being  as  follows : 
Swan,  who  is  deceased ;  John,  who  is  living  in  Knoxville ;  and  Sarah,  the  widow   ; 
of  Ola  Peterson,  who  was  living  in  Essex,  Iowa.     Oley  C.  Nelson  was  a  youth 
of  sixteen  years  when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  and 
acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  land,  the  course  there  pur- 
sued being  later  supplemented  by  one  term's  study  in  the  district  schools  of   ' 
Knox  county  in  the  winter  of  1855,  for  the  benefit  of  his  English.     Long  be- 
fore leaving  Sweden  he  had  begun  to  assist  his  father  in  the  fields,  his  energies   . 
ever  since  having  been  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  with  the  exception  of 
ten  years,  when  he  prospected  in  Colorado.     At  the  expiration  of  that  period 
he  returned  to  Knox  county  and  again  engaged  in  farming,  locating  on   the 
place  where  he  now  resides.     Mr.  Nelson  has  met  with  a  fair  degree  of  success 
in  his   undertakings,  being  an   industrious   and   enterprising  man   of   practical' 
ideas  and  thrifty  habits. 

Knoxville  was  the  scene  of  Mr.  Nelson's  marriage,  on  the  6th  of  October, 
1867,  to  Miss  Hannah  Erickson,  who  was  born  in  the  southern  part  of  Sweden, 
on  February  3,  1851.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Ola  and  Ellen  (Johnson)  Erickson, 
who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  locating  on  a  farm  a  mile  and  a 
half  from  Knoxville,  where  they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  the  father 
passing  away  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years  and  the  mother  in  1908. 


;>\-;:;v  ::  <     :•      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -^    323 

eighty-three  years  of  age.  By  a  former  marriage  Mrs,  Erickson  had  one  son, 
John  Nelson,  who  now  lives  in  Knox  county,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erickson  had 
in  their  family  beside  Mrs.  Nelson,  their  eldest  daughter,  the  following  in  order 
of  birth :  Emma,  the  deceased  wife  of  Michael  E.  Schuck,  of  Pennsylvania ; 
Erick,  who  is  living  in  Kansas ;  Joseph,  who  passed  away  in  that  state ;  Jacob, 
who  is  also  a  resident  of  Kansas ;  Olaf ,  who  lives  in  Knoxville ;  Emanuel,  living 
in  Kansas  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  ^rs.  Nelson  have  become 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  August,  who 
is  living  in  Knoxville,  married  Mary  Anderson  and  they  have  four  children: 
Naomi,  Howard,  Sterling  and  Lorenz.  Rosie,  who  is  the  only  living  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson,  is  the  wife  of  William  Carlson  of  Knoxville  and  the 
mother  of  two  sons,  Laverne  and  Francis.  Albert,  who  is  a  resident  of  Wataga, 
chose  for  his  wife  Mattie  E.  Foster  and  they  have  two  children.  Alberta  and 
Oliver,  and  eight  grandchildren.  Oscar  and  Joseph,  the  two  youngest  members 
of  the  family,  are  living  at  home  with  their  parents. 

The  family  are  all  members  of  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church, 
and  number  among  its  congregation  many  friends.  Mr.  Nelson,  who  is  now 
seventy-five  years  of  age,  is  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  citizens  that  Sweden 
has  contributed  to  Knox  county,  where  his  energy  and  application  has  num- 
bered him  among  the  successful  agriculturists. 


'.:':.:  -;  '":::/'^-  /' .-,. :,',• .'; •^:'.  .•; '^'•^:  HENRY  EMRICH.     V^;:^:  ^'^..  ''.  \   •  '-:;:-v,;^> ;>.^'.;^ 

Henry  Emrich,  president  of  the  Plaindealer  Printing  Company,  was  born 
January  26,  1844,  in  a  little  village  in  Hesse-Darmstadt,  five  miles  from  Bingen- 
on-the-Rhine,  Germany.  His  mother  died  in  1850  and  two  years  later  Mr. 
Emrich,  with  his  father  and  brother,  came  to  the  United  States,  living  in  New 
York  city  until  1856,  when  with  his  father  he  came  to  Galesburg.  In  December, 
1858,  he  entered  the  Free  Democrat  printing  office  as  an  apprentice  and  in 
1862,  when  just  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H  of  the  Thir- 
teenth Illinois  Cavalry,  participating  with  his  regiment,  or  on  special  duty,  in 
nearly  every  campaign  in  southeastern  Missouri,  northeastern  Arkansas,  the 
capture  of  Little  Rock  and  the  operations  in  and  around  central  and  south- 
eastern Arkansas.  After  the  capture  of  Little  Rock  in  September,  1863,  and 
some  special  duty  as  orderly  at  the  headquarters  of  Major  General  Eugene  A. 
Carr,  Mr.  Emrich  was  permanently  attached  as  orderly  at  the  headquarters  of 
the  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Seventh  Army  Corps,  General  Samuel  A. 
Rice  commanding,  and  in  that  capacity  took  part  in  what  is  known  as  "the 
Camden  trip,"  during  which  General  Rice  was  twice  wounded,  the  second 
wound  proving  fatal,  while  Captain  Townsend,  one  of  General  Rice's  aids,  was 
killed  and  another  aid's  horse  and  Adjutant  John  F.  Lacey's  horse  were  wounded. 
Mr.  Emrich's  horse  was  struck  twice  in  the  same  moment  by  canister  shot  on 
April  2d  and  his  eyes  injured  by  an  exploding  shell  on  the  loth  of  April,  1864. 
The  death  of  General  Rice  dissolved  the  "headquarters  family,"  Major  Lacey 
being  attached  to  the  headquarters  of  Major  General  Fred  Steele,  commanding 


324  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


the  Seventh  Army  Corps,  and  a  few  days  later  Mr.  Emrich  was  attached  to 
the  same  headquarters  for  special  duty,  thus  serving  to  the  end  of  his  enlistment. 

Being  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  1865,  Mr.  Emrich  returned  home  and 
resumed  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Quincy  Herald,  but  a  few 
months  later  returned  to  Galesburg  and  took  a  position  in  the  office  of  the  Free 
Democrat,  in  which  he  had  learned  his  trade  some  years  before.  , 

In  1867  Mr.  Emrich,  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Rulf  and  to  them  five 
children  were  born.  In  1870,  in  connection  with  Joe  Prior,  Mr.  Emrich  began 
the  publication  of  the  Galesburg  Republican  and  in  1872  he  went  to  Quincy,  • ., 

where   he   again   entered  the   Herald  office,    remaining  there  until   December,    v-    ;^.;  - 
1879,  when  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Plain-         ';' 
dealer,  which  paper  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  '    : 

:      In  politics  Mr.  Emrich  has  always  been  a  republican,  taking  an  active  part          -  '.- 
personally  and  editorially  in  every  campaign  during  the  past  thirty -three  years. 
He  and  the  Plaindealer  presented  General  P.  S.  Post  to  the  republicans  of  the       ;>/ 
then  tenth  congressional  district  as  a  candidate  for  congress  in  1886,  the  General   .   ,   -    ,' 
being  elected  and  remaining  in  congress  until  his  death  in  1893,   when  Mr.      r.;    .:. 
Emrich  and  the  Plaindealer  presented  the  Hon.  George  W.  Prince  as  his  sue-    vV'-;    : 
cessor  and  he  has  represented  the  district  ever  since.     In  city  affairs  Mr.  Em-     ,   \  .,- 
rich  has  also  taken  an  active  part,  always  striving -for  good  municipal  govern-   .      ;..:^ 
ment  and  the  advancement  of  the  material  prosperity  of  the  city.     He  is  a    :'v  ^V 
member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  taking  an  active  interest  in  the   V  X-     • 
conduct  and  work  of  that  institution.     As  a  citizen  and  business  man  he  stands    .^  :•.";; 
well  in  the  community  and  his  personal  friends  are  many.     He  is  a  member  of     ',,      ; 
the  Galesburg  Club  and  of  Post  No.  45,  G.  A.  R.,  having  been  commander  of   •  .  ,v    , 
that  post  and  junior  vice  commander  of  the  Department  of  Illinois  and  a  fre-    :••.':.. 
quent  delegate  to  the  national  encampments.         ;        ;  ,      ...  . 


:".,^:';-  JOHN  C.  FAHNESTOCK.    ^V/j/v- Vv 

John  C.  Fahnestock  is  well  known  in  the  business  circles  of  Galesburg,  having 
handled  land  and  immigration  interests  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe 
Railroad  and  at  present  conducting  a  general  insurance  and  real-estate  business. 
He  is  now  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age  but  is  yet  very  active,  and  such 
a  record  should  put  to  shame  many  a  man  of  much  younger  years  who  has 
grown  weary  of  the  struggles  of  life  and  wishes  to  relegate  to  others  the  burdens 
that  he  should  bear.  Mr.  Fahnestock  was  born  October  20,  1838,  in  Warren,  Qies- 
ter  county,  Pennsylvania,  his  parents  being  William  and  Ann  Elizabeth  (Ernst) 
Fahnestock.  He  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  Diedrich  and  Margarette  Fahne- 
stock, who  emigrated  from  Prussia  in  1726  and  settled  near  Ephrata,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  representatives  of  the  name  have  since  been  found.  J  .  rv  ; ;', 

John  C.  Fahnestock  was  educated  at  Blair  Hall  in  his  native  county  and,  en- 
tering business  life,  became  connected  with  the  sale  of  books  and  stationery.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  Galesburg  since  1865,  conducting  a  book  and  stationery 
business  for  several  years,  after  which  he  acted  as  land  and  immigration  agent 
for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad  for  ten  years.  His  time  is  now 


324  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

the  Seventh  Army  Corps,  aiul  a   fe\v  tlays  later  Mr.   Emrich  was  attached  to 
the  same  headquarters  for  special  duty,  thus  serving  to  the  end  of  his  enlistment.     . 

Being  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  1865,  Mr.  Emrich  returned  home  and 
resumed  the  printer's  trade  in  the  office  of  the  Quincy  Herald,  but  a  few 
months  later  returned  to  Galesburg  and  took  a  position  in  the  office  of  the  Free 
Democrat,  in  which  he  had  learned  his  trade  some  years  before.  j 

In  1867  Mr.  Emrich  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Rulf  and  to  them  five 
children  were  bom.  In  1870,  in  connection  with  Joe  Prior,  Mr.  Emrich  began 
the  publication  of  the  Galesburg  Republican  and  in  1872  he  went  to  Quincy, 
where  he  again  entered  the  Herald  office,  remaining  there  until  December, 
1879,  when  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Plain-  ; 
dealer,  which  paper  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

In  politics  Mr.  Enu'ich  has  always  been  a  republican,  taking  an  active  part 
personally  and  editorially  in  every  campaign  during  the  past  thirty-three  years. 
He  and  the  Plaindealer  presented  General  P.  S.  Post  to  the  rei)ublicans  of  the 
then  tenth  congressional  district  as  a  candidate  for  congress  in  1886,  the  General 
being  elected  and  remaining  in  congress  until  his  death  in  1893,  when  Mr. 
Emrich  and  the  Plaindealer  presented  the  Hon.  George  W.  Prince  as  his  suc- 
cessor and  he  has  rei)resented  the  district  ever  since.  In  city  affairs  Mr.  Em- 
rich  has  also  taken  an  active  ])art.  always  striving  -for  good  municipal  govern- 
ment and  the  advancement  of  the  material  prosperity  of  the  city.  He  is  a  ' 
member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  taking  an  active  interest  in  the 
conduct  and  work  of  that  institution.  As  a  citizen  and  business  man  he  stands 
well  in  the  community  and  his  personal  friends  are  many.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Galesburg  Club  and  of  Post  Xo.  45,  G.  A.  R.,  having  been  commander  of 
that  post  and  junior  vice  commander  of  the  Department  of  Illinois  and  a  fre-  . 
quent  delegate  to  the  national  encampments.  , 


JOHX  C.  FAHXESTOCK.       ;, 

John  C.  Falinestock  is  well  known  in  the  business  circles  of  Cialesburg,  having 
handled  land  and  immigration  interests  for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe 
Railroad  and  at  present  conducting  a  general  insurance  and  real-estate  business. 
He  is  now  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age  but  is  yet  very  active,  and  such 
a  record  should  ])Ut  to  shame  many  a  man  of  much  younger  years  who  has 
grown  weary  of  the  struggles  of  life  and  wishes  to  relegate  to  others  the  burdens 
that  he  should  bear.  .Mr.  Fahnestock  was  born  October  20,  1838,  in  Warren,  Ches- 
ter county,  Pennsylvania,  his  parents  being  \\illiam  and  Ann  Elizabeth  (Ernst) 
Fahnestock.  He  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  Diedrich  and  Margarette  I'ahne- 
stock,  who  emigrated  from  Prussia  in  1726  and  settled  near  Ejjhrata,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  rei)resentatives  of  the  name  have  since  been  found, 

John  C,  Fahnestock  was  educated  at  IMair  Hall  in  his  native  county  and,  en- 
tering business  life,  became  connected  with  the  sale  of  books  and  stationery.  He 
has  been  a  resident  of  Galesburg  since  i8r»5,  conducting  a  book  and  stationery 
business  for  several  years,  after  which  he  acted  as  land  and  immigration  agent 
for  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  I'e  Railroad  for  ten  years.  His  time  is  now 


i^^iJXr  J  :  •    '      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /  "    '•^;-  ^  •       327 

f, •••'..'.  V.' ••."'•*.•,-.  '     ••' 

fully  occupied  by  his  real-estate  and  insurance  business,  and  these  different  lines 
are  well  managed  by  reason  of  his  sound  judgment,  his  earnest  purpose  and  his 
wise  use  of  opportunities. 

:  On  the  7th  of  November,  1878,  in  Galesburg,  Mr.  Fahnestock  was  married  to 
Miss  Grace  D.  Carr,  a  daughter  of  Clark  M.  and  Fanny  L.  Carr,  of  this  city.  She 
is  the  only  sister  of  General  Eugene  A.  Carr,  now  deceased.  Colonel  B.  O.  Carr, 
Rev.  Horace  M.  Carr,  Hon.  Clark  E.  Carr  and  Captain  George  P.  Carr,  whose 
early  death  by  accident,  occurred  in  1871.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fahnestock  were 
born  two  children:  Fanny  E.,  who  married  Alfred  Williams  and  died  May  12, 
1906;  and  Grace,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Thomas  F.  Birmingham,  of  Galesburg. 

Mr.  Fahnestock  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and, 
while  never  an  aspirant  for  office,  has  always  been  loyal  to  its  principles  and  a  sup- 
porter of  its  activities.  His  social  connections  are  with  the  Galesburg  Club  and 
his  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  well  known  in  this 
city,  where  sterling  traits  of  character  have  placed  him  in  a  high  position  in  pub- 
lic regard.  V  •  ' 


?  •:  -  ;'-        HENRY  P.  BURGLAND.      •  ^  •/ 

In  a  h'story  of  the  successful  men  of  Galesburg  mention  should  be  made 
of  Henry  P.  Burgland,  who  is  now  living  retired.  Industry,  unfaltering  and 
persistent,  has  been  the  basis  of  hi.' ,  success,  enabling  him  to  work  his  way 
gradually  upward.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  April  20,  1834,  and  was  reared 
and  educated  there,  after  which  he  entered  business  circles  as  a  dealer  in  live 
stock  and  sold  meat  from  a  market  place,  as  was  the  custom  at  that  time.  He 
came  to  America  in  1854,  then  a  young  man  of  twenty  years,  hoping  that  he 
would  here  find  better  business  opportunities  than  could  be  secured  in  the  old 
world.  He  did  not  tarry  on  the  Atlantic  coast  but  made  his  way  at  once  into 
the  interior  of  the  country  with  Galesburg  as  his  destination.  Afterward  he 
resided  for  a  time  in  Bishop  Hill,  Avon  and  Monmouth  but  returned  to  this 
city  where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  living  here  for  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury, during  which  period  he  has  witnessed  much  of  its  growth  and  develop- 
ment and  to  a  considerable  extent,  in  a  quiet  way,  has  aided  in  its  progress. 
Embarking  in  business  here,  he  opened  a  meat  market  which  he  conducted  for 
many  years,  carrying  always  a  good  line,  which  in  combination  with  his  straight- 
forward and  honorable  dealing,  brought  to  him  constantly  growing  success. 
He  likewise  bought  and  shipped  live  stock  and  both  branches  of  his  business 
proved  profitable.  He  early  recognized  the  fact  that  energy  and  determination 
are  the  basis  of  advancement,  and  by  reason  of  these  qualities  he  has  worked 
his  way  steadily  upward.  On  account  of  illness  years  ago  he  retired  from  busi- 
ness for  a  time  and  made  two  trips  to  Sweden  for  the  benefit  of  his  health, 
there  visiting  the  friends  of  his  youth  and  the  scenes  among  which  his  bo)'hood 
days  had  been  passed.  For  a  quarter  of  a  century  he  has  lived  retired,  enjoying 
the  fruit  of  his  former  toil.  After  ceasing  to  carry  on  the  meat  market,  he 
continued  to  buy  stock  for  some  time  but  ultimately  withdrew  from  all  trade 
connections. 

'•••.•.',"V:Tot  11—16        .    -;:".'•/';;:•••,:••'••.  - ,:   .-  -V/^''/^'-. •;;.;•.''•'; '-'vV:*'." -;''..'  \  -^ ',    •  .     ;.•:.-   ;••;'? -i'"'/ '•>' 


;.       328  ::  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          -,    :  ;: '  v : 

;;•.  December  23,   1856,  Henry  P.  Burgland   was  united   in  marriage  to  Miss 

Matilda  Nelson  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom  three 
;    are  now  living:    Jennie  B.,  who  is  the  widow  of  Charles  A.  Peterson,  who  for 
!     many  years  conducted  a  shoe  store ;  Amanda,  at  home ;  and  Edward  O,     The 
parents  are  both  members  of  the  First  Swedish  Fvangelical  Lutheran  church 
and  for  a  long  period  Mr.  Burgland  was  regarded  as  one  of  its  leading  repre- 
:      sentatives,  serving  for  many  years  as  a  trustee  and  taking  an  active  and  helpful 
interest  in  all  of  the  church  work.    His  religious  belief  has  fostered  those  prin- 
ciples which   constitute  the  basis  of  honorable  manhood   and   citizenship,   and 
while  he  has  never  sought  to  figure  prominently  in  public  affairs,  his  life,  ever 
';       straightforward  in   all   its   relations,  has   commended   him  to  the  respect  and 
:       good- will  of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact.    In  looking  back  over  his 
past  he  can  experience  no  great  feeling  of  regret  that  he  left  his  native  land. 
He  found  a  welcome  on  the  free  soil  of  America  and  in  her  avenues  of  com- 
merce he  found  a  field  for  his  abilities  that  the  old  country  might  not  have 
afforded.  j 

He  was  succeeded  by  the  firm  of  Burgland  &  Johnson,  Edward  O.  Burgland, 

•  who  has  been  associated  in  the  conduct  of  the  business  with  his  cousin,  Erick 
M.  Burgland,  since  1893,  conducting  the  market.     They  have  one  of  the  oldest 

;  ;  markets  in  the  city  and  do  a  large  business.  ;  •  :  r  /,.v,v  ;?;  .  >;  v.  ;  v  )  •  ;  '. 
.;  Edward  O.  Burgland  was  married  September  14,  1899,  to  Miss  Minnie 
Esther  Fredericks,  a  native  of  Galesburg  township,  Knox  county,  and  a  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  F.  Fredericks,  who  were  natives  of  Sweden  but  became 
early  residents  of  this  county  and  are  now  living  in  Galesburg.  For  some 
years  her  father  was  identified  with  agricultural  interests  in  this  part  of  the 
state.  In  the  Fredericks  family  were  but  two  daughters,  the  younger,  Julia, 
being  the  wife  of  Forrest  L.  Hallin,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Kewanee,  Illinois. 

-  ;   Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  O.  Burgland  has  been  born  a  son,  Frederick  Henry. 

Like  his  father,  Edward  O.  Burgland  has  always  given  his  political  allegiance 
:      to  the  republican  party,  supporting  its  principles  continuously  since  age  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.     He  possesses  much  natural  musical 
i  .  ';    talent  and  his  ability  in  that  direction  has  brought  him  many  pleasant  hours. 
:  •     For  some  years  he  was  connected  with  the  Galesburg  Military  Band  and   for 
-   :   the  past  two  years  has  had  charge  of  and  directed  the  orchestra  of  the  First 
%•      Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran   church  of  this  city.     He  has    followed   closely 
in  the  footsteps  of  his  father  in  relation  to  church  work  as  well  as  in  other 
'•  lines  and  is  serving  as  one  of  its  trustees.     The  name  of  Burgland  has  ever 
:   been  an  honored  one  in  Galesburg  since  Henry  P.  Burgland  came  from  Sweden 
to  try  his  fortune  in  the  new  world. 


;:':;'.•.::.•;'•:>'''•;';      •      ^     '-    GEORGE  CRAIG.      "-;':'••. •^v'/^-V:--;.^. 

George  Craig,  of  the  firm  of  Craig  &  Harris,  monument  manufacturers, 
located  at  132  East  Simmons  street,  Galesburg,  was  born  in  Quincy,  Massachu- 
setts, on  the  ist  of  February,  1865.  He  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Janet  (Smith) 
Craig,  natives  of  Scotland,  the  father  having  been  born  in  Edinburgh,  on  March 


;•^,:•;../ ./^v:;:;-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^      ^^;--;      329 

22,  1823,  and  the  mother  in  Glasgow,  on  Christmas  day,  1834.  Robert  Craig 
remained  in  the  country  of  his  birth  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age. 
After  completing  his  education  he  learned  the  granite  cutter's  trade  and  also 
served  for  a  time  in  the  English  army.  In  1847,  he  took  passage  for  the 
United  States,  and  upon  his  arrival  located  at  Quincy,  Massachusetts,  where 
about  three  years  later  he  was  married  to  Miss  Smith.  He  followed  his  trade 
there  for  many  years,  but  subsequently  removed  to  Richmond,  Virginia,  where 
he  resided  for  a  year  or  two,  when  he  returned  to  Quincy,  where  he  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  continues  to 
make  her  home  in  Quincy.  In  matters  of  faith  they  were  both  conformists  in 
the  old  country,  and  always  affiliated  with  the  Episcopal  church  after  coming 
here.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craig  numbered  twelve,  as  follows :  John 
E.  and  William  Wallace,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Isabella,  the  widow  of 
William  Jones,  of  Quincy,  Massachusetts;  Robert  Alexander,  who  is  deceased; 
James,  who  is  living  in  Quincy ;  Janet,  who  married  Henry  Wilson,  also  of 
Quincy;  George,  our  subject;  Angus  Grant,  living  in  Buffalo,  New  York; 
Charles  Henry,  of  Newark,  New  Jersey ;  Walter,  who  is  living  in  Batavia,  New 
York;  Arthur,  who  is  deceased;  and  Frank  D.,  who  is  a  resident  of  New  York 
city. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  George  Craig  attended  the  public  schools 
of  his  native  city  until  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches.  He  then  laid 
aside  his  text-books  and  entered  his  father's  shop  for  the  purpose  of  learning 
the  stone-mason's  trade.  When  he  attained  his  majority  he  left  the  parental 
home  and  began  working  for  himself.  His  first  position  was  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  a  time  and  then  went  on  the 
road,  selling  monuments.  He  made  Philadelphia  his  headquarters  for  five  years 
thereafter,  when  he  removed  to  St.  Louis,  continuing  to  sell  monuments  until 
the  spring  of  1891.  In  June  of  the  latter  year  he  located  in  Kewanee,  Illinois, 
and  went  into  business.  In  April  of  1893  they  first  came  to  Galesburg  to  do 
the  stone  work  on  the  Baptist  church,  for  which  they  had  been  awarded  the 
contract.  Although  they  employed  twelve  men  in  the  work,  the  building  was 
some  time  in  the  course  of  construction,  and  during  that  period  they  became 
quite  familiar  with  conditions  here  and  felt  convinced  that  there  was  a  good 
opening  for  a  business  such  as  they  are  now  conducting.  They  continued  their 
establishment  at  their  present  stand,  still  continuing  to  take  building  contracts. 
During  the  eighteen  years  that  have  elapsed  since  then,  they  have  practically 
withdrawn  from  contracts  of  this  nature  and  now  give  their  entire  attention  to 
the  manufacture  of  monuments  and  ornamental  stone  work.  They  have  a 
spacious  building,  which  they  erected  for  the  purpose,  fully  equipped  with 
pneumatic  tools  and  all  modern  inventions  and  conveniences  required  in  the 
business.  At  the  present  time  they  have  five  men  in  their  employ,  all  first- 
class,  skilled  mechanics,  and  are  being  favored  with  a  very  good  patronage. 
Each  piece  of  work  that  leaves  their  factory  is  passed  upon  by  both  Mr.  Craig 
and  Mr.  Harris,  his  partner,  who  give  their  personal  supervision  to  every  detail 
of  the  business.  They  have  a  high  standard  to  which  they  rigidly  adhere,  and 
no  order  is  ever  permitted  to  leave  their  shop  unless  they  feel  that  it  reflects 
credit  upon  the  industry.  Thus  they  have  established  a  reputation  for  high- 
class  work  as  well  as  trustworthiness  and  reliability,  and  both  as  a  firm  and 


330          >  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ::?/::^^:; 

individually  are  accorded  the  respect  of  all  with  whom  they  have  had  transactions. 
Their  enterprise  has  prospered  from  the  first  and  they  are  now  firmly  estab- 
lished with  a  constantly  increasing  patronage,  and  every  assurance  of  success. 
On  the  27th  of  September,  1894,  Mr.  Craig  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Alice  Broadbent,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Martha  (Prince)  Broadbent,  of 
Kewanee,  Illinois.  Six  children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craig,  as 
follows:  Robert  Sidney  and  Leonard  George,  both  of  whom  are  deceased; 
Wilbur  and  Kenneth,  both  of  whom  are  at  home;  Martha,  who  is  deceased; 
and  Alice  Janet.  '^^:?  :•;:..;••••  v^ -¥.'-, v  '  'j^  .^t^''  ' 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craig  hold  membership  in  the  Episcopal  church,  and 
fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  also 
I  belongs  to  the  Galesburg  and  Country  Clubs,  and  politically  he  is  a  republican. 
In  local  elections,  however,  he  casts  an  independent  ballot,  giving  his  support 
to  such  men  and  measures  as  he  deems  best  qualified  to  protect  the  interests  of 
the  majority.  Mr.  Craig  is  a  business  man  of  sagacity  and  foresight,  as  he  has 
demonstrated  during  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Galesburg,  and  in  matters 
of  citizenship  he  is  progressive  and  enterprising,  taking  an  active  interest  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  community.  ;-.;.  .  : 


^        ;.v.;^  :-  JOHN  L.  BRADBURG.  :V::     ;;:^:^.; 

'•'-'     '  John  L.  Bradburg,  connected  with  the  W.  O.  Houghton  Lumber  Company, 

was  born  in  Sweden,  October  20,  1855,  and  is  a  son  of  Lewis  H.  Bradburg, 

also  a  native  of  that  country.     The  father  was  engaged  in  construction  work 

.     on  the  railroads  and  remained  a  resident  of  Sweden  until  1869,  when  he  bade 

adieu  to  friends  and  native  land  and  sailed  for  the  United  States.     He  at  once 

came  to  Galesburg  and  began  working  for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 

-•Railroad   Company,   after  which   he   entered  the  employ   of  Ben   Huflf.     His 

capability  won  him  advancement  to  the  position  of  foreman,  in  which  capacity 

-_   he  continued  until  his  death.     His  wife  had  died  when  her  son  John  was  ten 

r    years  old.     The  father  later  married  a  Mrs.   Heddendahl,  also  deceased,  and 

one  daughter,  now  Mrs.  Nels  Samuelson  was  bom  by  this  marriage.    The  father 

died  at  Galesburg,  a  victim  of  a  railroad  accident,  in  1889.     After  coming  to 

America   and   taking  out   naturalization   papers   Lewis   H.    Bradburg   gave   his 

political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  his  religious   faith  was  that  of 

the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  to  which  his  wife  also  belonged.    They  were  the 

,  parents  of  but  two  children,  the  younger  being  August  Bradburg,  now  a  resi- 

•  dent  of  Soperville,  Illinois. 

John  L.  Bradburg  spent  the  first  fourteen  years  of  his  life  in  his  native 
country  and  during  that  period  pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Sweden 
while  later  he  continued  his  studies  in  Galesburg.  He  afterward  worked  in 
the  nursery  of  Hunt  &  Mason  for  a  time  and  later  was  employed  by  L.  L. 
Gibson  for  five  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  beg^n  working  in 
,  .  the  lumberyard  of  Sargent  &  Lewis,  with  whom  he  continued  for  two  and  a 

•  half  years,  when  they  sold  out  and  he  spent  the  succeeding  year  with  C.  H: 
.      Bogue.     He  was  afterward  connected  with  Anthony  &  Myers  for  seven  years 


;      i^-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :-       -        331 

,' :  and  continued  with  Mr.  Anthony  for  four  years  after  the  dissolution  of  the 

'  •'.  firm.    Later  he  entered  the  employ  of  Mr.  Myers  with  whom  he  continued  for 

•  several  years  and  is  now  with  the  W.  O.  Houghton  Lumber  Company.    He  has 
/  thus  long  been  connected  with  the  lumber  trade  in  this  city  and  is  widely  known 

•  in  business  circles. 

•  On  the  5th  of  April,  1894,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Bradburg  and  Miss 

.     Lottie  Peterson,  a  daughter  of  A.  P.  and  Mathilda  Peterson,  of  Galesburg,  who 
were  natives  of  Sweden  and  on  coming  to  the  new  world,  in  1857,  first  settled 
./,  i    in  the  east  but  several  years  ago  they  came  to  this  city.     Here  the  father  was 
employed  in  the  freight  house  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad 
until  his  death.    His  wife  still  survives  and  is  now  making  her  home  with  Mr. 
'       and  Mrs.  Bradburg.     Mr.  Peterson  was  a  republican  in  his  political  affiliations 
•,  \    and  he  belonged  to  the  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church.     Mrs.  Bradburg 
,      was  born  in  Sweden  and  was  brought  to  the  United  States  with  her  parents 
':       when  but  a  year  and  a  half  old,  so  that  she  was  reared  and  educated  in  this 
;.      country.     Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bradburg  are  loyal  in  their  relations  to  the  Eng- 
lish  Lutheran   church,   in   which  they  hold   membership,   and   politically   he  is 
.    well  known  as  a  republican  although  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office. 
Fraternally  he  belongs  to  both  the  subordinate  lodge  and  encampment  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  has  passed  through  all  of  the  chairs.      •,':.-.  ''     '  ,?-  •  ^::  c 


';--V  ••'•;;,-.:/'•••:  ,.-.--'V  •-';•,:;••'-    JOHN  BRANDT,     .r/^;-/  •/'  /••    •;:..:;' '';^'->^':'--- 

John  Brandt  was  born  in  Sweden,  December  8,  1817,  and  departed  this  life 
in  Knoxville  on  the  2Oth  of  October,  1899,  when  almost  eighty-two  years  of 
age.  During  his  active  connection  with  business  affairs  he  had  devoted  many 
years  to  the  painting  and  decorating  business  and  in  trade  circles  as  in  other 
relations  of  life  had  commanded  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  his  fellowmen. 
His  parents  were  Swan  and  Bengta  (Swanson)  Brandt,  who  were  likewise 
natives  of  Sweden,  in  which  country  the  father  passed  away.  John  Brandt  was 
connected  with  the  Royal  Swedish  army  in  his  native  land,  serving  for  thirteen 
years  as  an  officer  in  the  same.  His  education  had  been  acquired  in  the  mili- 
tary schools  and  his  wise  home  training  qualified  him  for  the  practical  and 
responsible  duties  which  later  devolved  upon  him.  In  1853,  accompanied  by 
his  mother,  he  carne  to  America,  attracted  by  the  broader  business  opportunities 
of  the  new  world.  They  made  their  way  direct  to  Knoxville,  where  Mrs.  Brandt 
continued  to  reside  until  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1872,  when  she  had  reached 
the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  The  family  numbered  five  sons  and  two  daughters, 
namely :  Mrs.  Inga  Larson,  who  died  in  Sweden ;  Swan,  who  has  also  passed 
away ;  John,  of  this  review ;  Hakon  and  Andres,  both  now  deceased ;  Nilla  A., 
the  wife  of  John  Holcomb,  of  Altona,  this  county;  and  Peter,  who  came  to 
America  and  died  in  Minnesota. 

In  his  native  land  John  Brandt  learned  the  trade  of  painting  and  decorating 
and  after  coming  to  Knoxville  followed  that  pursuit,  remaining  for  a  time  in 
the  employ  of  others  and  later  engaging  in  contracting  along  that  line  on  his 
own  account.  His  excellent  workmanship  and  honorable  dealing  won  for  him 


882  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  j 

a  substantial  return  for  his  labors,  a  liberal  patronage  being  accorded  him  so 
that  he  was  enabled  to  provide  his  family  with  all  of  the  comforts  of  life. 

Ere  leaving  his  native  land  Mr.  Brandt  was  united  in  marriage  in  1853  to 
Miss  Bengta  Swanson.  Her  parents  never  came  to  America,  spending  their 
entire  lives  in  Sweden.  In  their  family  were  seven  children,  five  sons  and  two 
daughters,  namely:  Swan,  deceased;  Mrs.  Hannah  Basser,  of  Knoxville,  now 
deceased ;  Nels  and  Jens,  both  of  whom  have  passed  away ;  Mrs.  Brandt ;  Ola, 
deceased ;  and  John,  who  is  the  twin  brother  of  Ola  and  is  living  in  Elsmore, 
Kansas.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brandt  were  born  three  children  but  the  eldest, 
Franz  G.,  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  The  daughter,  Carrie,  is  the  wife  of 
Alexander  Peterson,  of  Knoxville,  and  the  second  son,  Frank  August,  died  at 
the  age  of  seven  years. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Brandt  was  a  republican,  always  voting  for  the 
men  and  measures  of  the  party  yet  never  seeking  nor  desiring  office  for  him- 
self. He  lived  a  busy  and  useful  life,  being  ever  an  industrious,  painstaking 
and  thoroughly  reliable  man  who  merited  success  by  reason  of  the  good  work 
which  he  did  and  his  straightforward  dealings.  These  qualities,  too,  won  him 
the  regard  of  those  with  whom  he  was  associated  and  he  had  a  wide  acquaintance 
in  Knoxville  and  this  part  of  the  state.  ::'  •  ^•;^^  ;; . :'  •  '. 


.:  ;-'^>^';'; .  .:     *  ROBERT  E.  ERVIN.    ,     ;^'-0     • '-    ••• 

Robert  E.  Ervin  is  now  living  retired  in  Galesburg,  his  activity  and  enter- 
prise in  former  years  bringing  him  a  comfortable  competence  that  enables  him 
at  this  time  to  rest  from  further  labors  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his 
previous  toil.  He  lived  for  a  long  period  in  Wenona,  Illinois,  before  his  re- 
moval to  the  city  which  is  now  his  home.  He  was  bom,  however,  near  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  in  1841,  a  son  of  Newton  S.  and  Jane  (Jones)  Ervin,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Virginia.  They  lived  for  a  time  in  Ohio  and  when  their  son  Robert 
was  seven  years  of  age  removed  to  Illinois,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farm- 
ing until  1868,  in  which  year  he  became  a  resident  of  Missouri. 

Robert  E.  Ervin  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  this  state  and  in 
its  public  schools  acquired  his  education,  while  his  vacation  periods  were  devoted 
to  work  in  the  fields.  He  had  but  recently  attained  his  majority  when,  on  the 
9th  of  August,  1862,  he  offered  his  services  to  the  government,  enlisting  as  a 
member  of  Battery  A,  of  the  Third  Illinois  Light  Artillery.  He  was  enrolled 
at  Wenona  and  went  into  camp  at  Camp  Butler,  from  which  point  the  regiment 
proceeded  to  the  front.  The  first  battle  in  which  he  engaged  was  at  Little  Rock, 
Arkansas,  and  later  he  participated  in  the  battles  of  Prairie  I>am  and  Oklahoma, 
after  which  he  returned  to  Jenkins  Ferry.  In  the  spring  of  1865  he  was  again 
at  Little  Rock  and  on  the  3Oth  of  June  of  that  year  was  mustered  out  at  Spring- 
field. He  had  held  the  rank  of  sergeant  all  through  the  war  and  had  proved 
himself  a  loyal  soldier,  never  faltering  in  the  performance  of  any  duty  whether 
it  called  him  to  the  firing  line  or  stationed  him  at  the  lonely  picket  line. 

After  the  war  was  over  Mr.  Ervin  engaged  in  farming  near  Wenona  and 
also  made  stock  raising  an  important  branch  of  his  business.  Year  by  year  he 


Mi;s. 


K.  Ki:\i\ 


.\>.:/^v;xv       ,^>         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '     -    ,;  337 

••  carefully  tilled  the  fields,  which  responded  readily  to  the  care  and  labor  which 
he  bestowed  upon  them,  yielding  to  him  rich  crops.  In  1882,  however,  he  left 
his  farm  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Wenona,  where  at  different  times  he  was 

-  connected  with  various  business  enterprises,  conducting  an  implement  business, 
:  later  a  livery  stable  and  afterward  engaging  in  the  manufacture  of  cultivators. 
.  Whatever  he  undertook  he  carried  forward  to  successful  completion  and  as  the 

-  years  passed  by,  he  added  annually  to  his  capital  until  he  felt  that  the  sum  was 
'  sufficient  to  provide  him  through  his  later  years  with  the  necessities  and  com- 

forts  of  life.     Accordingly,  he  put  aside  business  cares,  removed  to  Galesburg 
and  has  since  lived  retired.    He  traces  his  genealogical  record  back  to  343  and  a 

-  work  is  now  being  published  which  will  contain  his  branch  of  the  family  and 
.  will  be  in  print  in  about  a  year. 

In  Wenona  in  the  fall  of  1865  Mr.  Ervin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Marietta  A.  Howe,  a  native  of  Missouri,  who  removed  to  Illinois  when  six 
':  years  of  age,  accompanying  her  parents.  Peter  and  Arvilla  (Park)  Howe,  who 
were  natives  of  Vermont  and  who  settled  at  Wenona.  Her  father  followed 
farming  in  that  district  for  a  considerable  period  and  later  turned  his  attention 
to  financial  interests,  becoming  owner  of  the  Bank  of  Wenona,  which  is  now 
being  conducted  by  his  son.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ervin  have  been  born  two 
children  but  the  daughter,  Ella  Irene,  died  when  only  six  years  old.  The  son, 
Newton  Howe,  is  now  engaged  in  the  stock  and  dairy  business  at  Galesburg. 
Mr.  Ervin  has  ever  been  devoted  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  his  family. 
He  is  preeminently  a  home  man  and  yet  he  has  never  neglected  his  duties  in 
other  relations  of  life.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  Shields  Post,  No.  45,  G.  A.  R., 
and  has  served  as  its  commander.  Politically  he  is  a  stalwart  republican  and 
was  mayor  of  the  city  of  Wenona  in  1888  and  1889,  his  administration  being 
businesslike  and  progressive.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  to  which  Mrs.  Ervin  also  belongs.  She  is  descended  from  the  same 
ancestry  as  Martha  Washington  and  the  Rebecca  Park  Chapter  of  the  Daughters 
of  the  American  Revolution  was  named  in  honor  of  one  of  her  maternal  ancestors. 
Mrs.  Ervin  is  a  prominent  member  of  this  chapter  and  has  served  on  a  number 
of  its  important  committees.  She  was  also  junior  vice  in  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  Circle  of  Abingdon  and  she  is  a  prominent  worker  in  the  Women's 
Relief  Corps.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ervin  occupy  a  prominent  position  in  the 
regard  of  many  friends  and  are  widely  known  in  Galesburg  and  throughout 
this  part  of  the  state. 

Their  son,  N.  H.  Ervin,  was  born  in  Wenona,  August  9,  1875,  and  there 
pursued  his  education  until  1891.  In  the  following  year  he  came  to  Galesburg 
and  entered  Knox  College,  where  he  remained  as  a  student  for  four  years, 
pursuing  the  scientific  course.  After  leaving  college  he  went  abroad  and  traveled 
for  three  years,  gaining  that  comprehensive  knowledge  and  culture  which  only 
find  their  source  in  travel.  After  living  in  various  places  for  a  time  he  returned 
to  Galesburg  and  established  a  suburban  home  at  No.  1264  West  Main,  known 
as  Ervindale.  He  has  here  thirteen  acres,  upon  which  are  found  substantial 
and  commodious  buildings,  erected  in  attractive  modern  styles  of  architecture, 
while  the  equipments  and  the  improvements  of  the  place  in  every  particular  are 
most  pleasing.  He  now  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  Jersey  cows,  having  some 
fine  specimens  of  that  breed,  and  in  this  branch  of  his  business  is  very  successful. 
He  also  conducts  a  dairy,  which  is  likewise  a  source  of  gratifying  profit. 


338  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^v -V  ;< 

On  the  I4th  of  September,  1902,  N.  H.  Ervin  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Lula  H.  Hicks,  of  Bushnell,  Illinois,  who  was  born  and  educated  there, 
Mr.  Ervin  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  to  the  Dramatic  Order  of  the 
Knights  of  Khorassan.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  he  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  keeping  at  all  times 
well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day,  yet  never  seeking  nor 
desiring  public  office.  ..  ,  .  ........ 


r.^^i  .-  JOHN  WILLIAM  SMITH.      •  -    -v^  :.  , 

John  William  Smith  resides  at  No.  1688  North  Broad  street,  where  he  has 
a  well  developed  and  highly  cultivated  tract  of  land  of  six  acres.  He  was  born 
in  Wythe  township,  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  November  19,  1863,  his  parents 
being  John  W.  and  Eliza  (Yenawine)  Smith,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Kentucky,  as  were  the  paternal  grandparents,  Denton  and  Rebecca  (Landers) 
Smith,  bom  in  iSoo  and  iSoi  respectively.  Mr.  Smith  died  in  1884,  while  his 
wife  had  preceded  him  in  death  in  1882.  The  maternal  grandparents,  also 
natives  of  Kentucky,  were  Jacob  and  Ann  Maria  (Bence)  Yenawine.  Mr. 
Yenawine's  birth  occurred  in  1795  and  his  demise  took  place  in  1863,  while  his 
wife  had  been  born  in  1803  and  died  in  1859.  John  W.  Smith,  Sr.,  made  farm- 
ing his  life  work  and  at  an  early  day  became  a  resident  of  Hancock  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  lived  for  many  years,  his  time  and  energies  being  devoted  to 
general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  in  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  July,  1906,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-one  years,  and  is  still  survived  by  his  wife,  who  is  making  her 
home  in  Keokuk,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four.  For  many  years  they  were  de- 
voted and  loyal  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  Mr.  Smith  held  various 
township  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  credit  to  himself  and 
satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  twelve  chil- 
dren, of  whom  nine  are  now  living:  George  W.  and  Benjamin  F.,  both  of 
whom  are  residents  of  Keokuk ;  Sadie,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Andover, 
Kansas ;  Charles  H.,  of  Galesburg ;  John  W. ;  James  E.,  also  of  this  city ;  Lou, 
the  wife  of  Will  Dooley,  of  Keokuk,  Iowa;  Homer  D.,  also  of  Keokuk;  and 
Maude,  the  wife  of  Burt  Clark,  of  that  city.  :  :  t  . 

John  W.  Smith  spent  his  boyhood  in  the  usual  manner  of  farm  lads,  re- 
maining through  the  period  of  his  youth  upon  his  father's  farm  in  Hancock 
county,  during  which  time  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  winter  months 
and  in  the  summer  seasons  aided  in  the  work  of  the  fields.  He  lived  at  home 
until  he  had  attained  his  majority  and  then  rented  land,  after  which  he  engaged 
in  cultivating  the  soil  in  this  manner  for  several  years  in  Hancock  county.  In 
1900  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for 
a  little  more  than  seven  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  sold  out 
and  returned  to  farming.  He  now  has  six  acres  of  land  in  his  home  place, 
rents  other  land  and  likewise  owns  some  town  property. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  November  i,  1887,  to  Miss  Ella  McCracken,  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Jane  (Hendricks)  McCracken.  Mrs.  Smith  died 
eight  years  later  and  on  the  7th  of  December,  1898,  Mr.  Smith  wedded  Miss 


:;;.,  '>/  -^    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  A-;        339 

Cora  Ethel  Dodge,  who  was  born  in  Hamilton,  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Caroline  (Atwater)  Dodge,  who  were  natives  of 
Fulton  county,  Illinois.  The  father  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Lorana  (Jolly) 
Dodge  and  her  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Jane  (Dawson)  Atwater. 
The  death  of  Thomas  Dodge  occurred  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  in  1891,  when  he 
was  fifty-one  years  of  age,  but  his  widow,  who  still  survives,  makes  her  home 
in  Hamilton.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  eleven  are 
now  living:  Laura,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  Kirkpatrick;  Sherman  Dodge; 
Charles ;  Howard ;  Ola,  the  wife  of  John  Miller ;  Jefferson ;  Bert :  Cora  E. ; 
Daisy,  the  wife  of  John  Curtis  Taylor;  Julian;  and  Gertrude.  The  two  who 
died  in  early  childhood- were  Edward  and  Winona.  .. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children,  Lucile  and 
Edwin.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  Mr.  Smith 
gives  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party.  He  has  worked  hard  and 
his  life  of  industry  and  perseverance  has  brought  him  a  substantial  measure 
of  success.  At  all  times  he  has  commanded  the  respect  and  good-will  of  his 
fellowmen  because  in  every  relation  he  has  been  honorable  and  straightforward. 


:   ,::  .r       /:      /  :?  JOHN  MICHAEL  BOHAN,  M.  D.        /  \::}       :^K '^1*^ 

John  Michael  Bohan  is  one  of  the  younger  representatives  of  the  medical 
profession  in  Galesburg  but  has  become  established  in  practice  in  a  way  that 
rriany  an  older  member  of  the  profession  might  well  envy.  The  college  train- 
ing is  so  far  in  advance  of  what  it  was  even  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago  that  the 
young  man  of  today  enters  upon  his  professional  duties  with  an  equipment  that 
the  older  generation  had  to  gain  through  years  of  experience.  Moreover,  Dr. 
Bohan  brings  to  bear  sound  judgment  in  all  of  his  professional  service,  com- 
bined with  a  ready  sympathy  that  enables  him  to  quickly  understand  both  the 
physical  and  mental  condition  of  his  patients.  He  was  born  in  Henderson 
county,  on  the  boundary  line  of  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  March  13,  i88i,  his 
parents  being  John  and  Bridget  (Haney)  Bohan.  The  family  name  indicates 
the  ancestral  line  to  have  had  its  root  in  Ireland.  The  father  was  born  in 
County  Mayo,  that  country,  in  1830,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  the 
same  county,  on  the  I2th  of  January,  1839.  In  1851  John  Bohan,  then  a 
young  man  of  twenty -one  years,  bade  adieu  to  friends  and  native  land  and  sailed 
for  the  United  States,  settling  in  the  state  of  New  York,  where  for  a  time  he 
was  employed  at  various  occupations.  In  1854  "he  went  to  Keithsburg,  Illinois, 
where  for  ten  years  he  engaged  in  teaming.  He  next  turned  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  settling  upon  a  farm  about  eight  miles  east  of  Keiths- 
burg,  his  remaining  days  being  devoted  to  the  development  and  cultivation  of 
the  soil  in  the  production  of  the  crops  best  adapted  to  climatic  conditions.  His 
political  indorsement  was  given  to  the  democratic  party  and  he  held  member- 
ship in  the  Catholic  church.  He  died  February  13,  1903,  and  his  wife,  who  is 
now  living  in  Keithsburg,  still  survives  him.  They  were  married  in  that  place 
on  the  2ist  of  October,  1863,  and  became  the  parents  of  ten  children,  as  fol- 
lows :  John,  who  is  deceased ;  John,  tfie  second  of  the  name,  who  has  also 


340       ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

passed  away;  Anna,  the  wife  of  William  Callahan,  of  Mercer  county,  Illinois; 
William  P.,  living  in  Alexis,  this  state;  Margaret,  deceased;  Mary,  twin  sister 
of  Margaret,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Mark  Humphrey,  of  Keithsburg,  Illinois; 
Peter  T.,  a  practicing  physician  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  Bertha,  at  home; 
James  A.,  residing  on  the  old  homestead  place ;  and  John  Michael,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  until  he  had 
completed  a  high-school  course  at  Seaton,  Illinois.  He  afterward  entered  Knox 
College  and  eventually  matriculated  in  the  medical  department  of  the  North- 
western University  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1907.  In  December  of  the  same  year  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he 
has  since  continued  in  general  practice,  and  the  work  that  he  has  done  indicates 
his  thorough  understanding  of  the  profession  and  the  scientific  principles  which 
underlie  his  labors. 

Dr.  Bohan  proudly  cast  his  first  vote  for  the  candidates  of  the  democratic 
party  and  has  always  adhered  to  that  political  faith.  He  is  a  Catholic  in  re- 
ligious belief,  holding  membership  in  Corpus  Christi  church,  and  his  fraternal 
relations  are  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Mystic  Workers. 


WILLIAM  LARSON. 


William  Larson  is  the  owner  of  five  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  fine  land  in 
Knox  county,  his  home  farm,  comprising  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  being 
situated  in  Copley  township,  near  the  Persifer  township  line.  He  was  born  in 
Gefle,  Sweden,  April  25,  1830,  the  oldest  of  three  children  in  the  family  of  Lar- 
son and  Eliza  (Anderson)  Oleson.  His  father  spent  all  his  life  in  Sweden, 
where  he  died  at  the  age  of  forty-seven.  His  mother,  after  the  death  of  her 
husband,  came  to  America  and  lived  for  a  number  of  years  with  her  son  Wil- 
liam in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  later  making  her  home  with  her  daughters  in 
Minnesota,  where  she  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five.  William  had  one  brother, 
Andrew  Bourgelon,  who  died  in  Sweden,  and  one  sister,  Eliza,  who  was  the 
wife  of  John  Beckus  and  lived  in  Minnesota,  where  she  and  her  husband  both 
died.  .v-vv.-.  •  ••/.•:•.•;•••  -....  •/  \  ••  '';-'-^-': 

.  William  Larson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Sweden  and  was  there  married 
in  1855  to  Miss  Annie  Shustrom,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Annie  Shustrom,  both 
of  whom  died  in  Sweden.  Mrs.  Larson  was  born  June  29,  1829,  in  that  country 
and  was  also  reared  and  educated  there.  For  one  and  one-half  years  after  their 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  resided  in  their  native  land,  where  their  first 
child  was  bom,  then  coming  to  America,  settling  in  Knox  county,  Illinois.  Look- 
ing around  for  a  location  they  moved  at  first  to  various  places,  but  after  four 
or  five  years  located  on  their  present  farm,  on  section  36,  Copley  township, 
Knox  county,  where  they  built  a  one-room  log  house  and  Mr.  Larson  began  on 
a  small  scale  to  raise  cattle.  Mr.  Larson  paid  an  enormous  price  for  the  first 
team  he  ever  owned,  having  earned  the  purchase  money  by  digging  coal  and 
mixing  lime.  From  these  meager  conditions  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  by  thrift, 
honesty  and  prudent  management  have  come  to  their  present  good  financial  cir- 


a 
"7. 


340  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

passed  away;  Anna,  the  wife  of  William  Callahan,  of  Mercer  county,  Illinois; 
William  P.,  living  in  Alexis,  this  state ;  Margaret,  deceased ;  Mary,  twin  sister 
of  Margaret,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Mark  Humphrey,  of  Keithsburg,  Illinois; 
Peter  T..  a  practicing  physician  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri;  Bertha,  at  home; 
James  A.,  residing  on  the  old  homestead  place ;  and  John  Michael,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  until  he  had 
completed  a  high-school  course  at  Seaton,  Illinois.  lie  afterward  entered  Knox 
College  and  eventually  matriculated  in  the  medical  department  of  the  North- 
western University  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  from  which  he  was  graduated  w'ith  the 
class  of  1907.  In  December  of  the  same  year  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he 
has  since  continued  in  general  practice,  and  the  work  that  he  has  done  indicates 
his  thorough  understanding  of  the  profession  and  the  scientific  principles  which 
underlie  his  labors. 

Dr.  Bohan  proudly  cast  his  first  vote  for  the  candidates  of  the  democratic 
party  and  has  always  adhered  to  that  political  faith.  He  is  a  Catholic  in  re- 
ligious belief,  holding  membership  in  Corpus  Christi  church,  and  his  fraternal 
relations  are  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  the  Modern  Woodmen  and  the  Mystic  Workers. 


WILLIAM  LARSON, 

William  Larson  is  the  owner  of  five  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  fine  land  in 
Knox  county,  his  home  farm,  comprising  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  being 
situated  in  Copley  township,  near  the  Persifer  township  line.  He  was  born  in 
Gefie,  Sweden,  April  25,  1^30,  the  oldest  of  three  children  in  the  family  of  Lar- 
son and  Eliza  (Anderson)  Oleson.  His  father  spent  all  his  life  in  Sweden, 
where  he  died  at  the  age  of  forty-seven.  His  mother,  after  the  death  of  her 
husband,  came  to  America  and  lived  for  a  number  of  years  with  her  son  Wil- 
liam in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  later  making  her  home  with  her  daughters  in 
Minnesota,  where  she  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-five.  William  had  one  brother, 
Andrew  P>ourgelon,  who  died  in  Sweden,  and  one  sister,  Eliza,  who  was  the 
wife  of  John  Beckus  and  lived  in  .Minnesota,  where  she  and  her  husband  both 
died.  •  •  ..  .  :  •  .  •:•  I 

William  Larson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Sweden  and  was  there  married 
in  1855  to  Miss  Annie  Shustrom,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Annie  Shustrom,  both 
of  whom  died  in  Sweden.  Mrs.  Larson  was  bom  June  29,  1829,  in  that  country 
and  was  also  reared  and  educated  there.  Eor  one  and  one-half  years  after  their 
marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  resided  in  their  native  land,  where  their  first 
child  was  born,  then  coming  to  America,  settling  in  Knox  county,  Illinois.  Look- 
ing around  for  a  location  they  moved  at  first  to  various  places,  but  after  four 
or  five  years  located  on  their  present  farm,  on  section  36,  Cojiley  township, 
Ivnox  county,  where  they  built  a  one-room  log  house  and  Mr.  Larson  began  on 
a  small  scale  to  raise  cattle.  Mr.  Larson  paid  an  enormous  price  for  the  first 
team  he  ever  owned,  having  earned  the  jiurchase  money  by  cligging  coal  and 
mixing  lime.  From  these  meager  conditions  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Larson  by  thrift, 
honesty  and  prudent  management  have  come  to  their  present  good  financial  cir- 


.;..>;;.  :^^:-          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :•          343 

cumstances.  Gradually  Mr.  Larson  has  increased  his  cattle-raising  business  until 
it  has  become  very  extensive.  He  has  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  now  owns 
five  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  some  of  the  most  valuable  land  in  the  county  and 
he  has  on  his  home  farm  a  very  fine  residence. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  have  become  the  parents  of  five  children.  The  eldest, 
Lewis,  who  resides  in  Copley  township,  married  Miss  Emma  Samuerson  and 
they  have  five  children :  Mrs.  Mabel  Scandland ;  Elmer,  who  lives  in  Chicago ; 
and  Effie,  Charles  and  Hattie,  at  home.  John  and  William,  the  second  and 
third  sons,  are  unmarried  and  live  at  home  with  their  parents.  Annie,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  one  year  and  seven  months,  is  buried  in  the  Victoria  ceme- 
tery. Emma,  who  is  the  wife  of  Emil  Carson,  resides  on  the  old  home  farm. 
She  has  two  sons,  Eloyd  and  Charles,  both  of  whom  are  in  school. 

In  politics  Mr.  Larson  is  independent  and  in  religion  he  strictly  adheres  to 
the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of  which  church  his  entire  family  are  earnest 
and  devoted  members.  He  was  at  one  time  pathmaster  of  Copley  township. 
Mr.  Larson  has  attained  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-one  years  and  in  every 
relation,  whether  as  a  business  man,  friend  or  citizen,  has  commanded  the  con- 
fidence and  regard  of  those  with  whom  he  has  been  brought  in  contact.  He 
has  never  regretted  his  determination  to  seek  a  home  in  America,  for  he  here 
found  the  opportunity  he  sought,  and  by  his  well  managed  business  affairs  has 
gained  a  handsome  competence,  which  supplies  him  in  his  advanced  age  with  the 
necessities,  comforts  and  some  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 


.         \  :•  ;  :     LLOYD  H.  DENNISON.  :;•;;'/>•-' 

Lloyd  H.  Dennison,  whose  successful  operations  in  the  field  of  real  estate 
indicate  his  thorough  knowledge  of  the  business  and  his  sound  judgment  in 
investment,  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  May  22,  1876,  a  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Buck)  Dennison,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  and  the 
latter  of  Ohio.  The  grandfather  likewise  bore  the  name  of  John  Dennison  and 
was  a  native  of  the  Empire  state.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Daniel,  George,  Mary,  Samantha  and  John.  The  last  named 
was  reared  to  farm  life  in  the  Empire  state  and  always  devoted  his  energies 
to  the  work  of  tilling  the  soil.  On  coming  to  Illinois  he  settled  in  Warren 
county  among  its  earliest  residents  and  worked  out  by  the  month  as  a  farm 
hand 'until  he  was  able  to  save  from  his  earnings  a  sum  sufficient  to  enable  him 
to  engage  in  business  on  his  own  account.  Later  he  bought  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  eighty  acres,  which  he  cleared  and  improved  and  to  it  added  until 
he  had  eight  hundred  acres  near  Gerlaw,  although  the  town  was  not  established 
when  he  first  located  there.  His  industry  and  determination  were  the  basis  of 
his  success  and  he  became  in  time  one  of  the  foremost  agriculturists  of  his 
community,  his  prosperity  being  visible  evidence  of  his  life  of  well  directed 
energy  and  thrift.  He  died  upon  the  old  homestead  farm  in  1889,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-two  years,  while  his  wife  passed  away  in  1899,  at  the  age  of  sixty 
years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Norman  Buck,  a  native  of  Vermont  and  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  a  Miss  Murray  and  they  removed  west- 


344         "':•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -:v 

ward  to  Illinois,  becoming  pioneer  settlers  of  Rushville,  in  Schuyler  county. 
Subsequently  they  removed  to  Warren  county,  where  their  remaining  days  were 
passed.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  all  daughters,  namely:  Ade- 
line, Ann,  Lou,  Elizabeth,  Emily  and  Ellen.  Of  these  Elizabeth  became  the 
wife  of  John  Dennison  and  the  mother  of  Lloyd  H.  Dennison.  Her  family 
numbered  two  sons  and  three  daughters :  Harriet,  the  wife  of  Henry  Clayton, 
now  of  Monmouth ;  Lulu,  the  wife  of  N.  I.  Waters,  of  Millington,  Illinois; 
Ray  W.,  who  is  living  on  the  old  home  place  in  Warren  county ;  Florence,  the 
wife  of  I.  Q.  Robison,  of  Monmouth ;  and  Lloyd  H.,  of  this  review. 
:  The  last  named  was  reared  in  Warren  county  upon  his  father's  farm  and 
attended  the  district  schools,  remaining  at  home  until  he  had  attained  his 
majority.  The  father  left  each  of  his  children  a  farm  and  Lloyd  H.  Dennison 
came  into  possession  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Monmouth  township. 
Warren  county,  which  he  still  owns  and  which  he  cultivated  with  success  until 
1902.  He  then  rented  the  property  and  removed  to  Galesburg,  purchasing  a 
fine  home  on  North  Broad  street,  which  he  still  occupies. 

On  the  25th  of  September,  1901,  Mr.  Dennison  was  married  to  Miss  Frances 
E.  Kiernan,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ann  (McGraw)  Kiernan.  Her  mother 
died  in  1903,  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years,  but  her  father  is  now  living,  spend- 
ing much  of  his  time  in  Galesburg.  In  their  family  were  three  children,  Mary, 
Frances  and  John.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Dennison  was  Francis 
Kiernan,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  became  a  pioneer  settler  of  Warren  county. 
Her  maternal  grandfather  was  also  born  on  the  Emerald  isle  and  became  an 
early  settler  of  Knox  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dennison  have  but  one  child,  a 
son,  John  R.  The  mother  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church.  Mr.  Dennison 
belongs  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks ;  politically  he  has  always 
been  a  republican  and  while  living  in  Warren  county  he  filled  the  office  of 
supervisor.  Since  rehioving  to  Galesburg  he  has  engaged  in  real  estate  deals, 
having  an  office  at  No.  ii8  East  Main  street.  His  work  here  has  been  crowned 
with  substantial  success  and  he  is  now  thoroughly  conversant  with  realty  values 
and  knows  the  property  that  is  upon  the  market  and  what  it  can  be  bought  for. 
As  a  valuator  of  real  estate  it  is  seen  that  his  judgment  is  sound  and  at  all 
times  he  is  watchful  of  opportunities,  which  enables  him  to  promote  his  in- 
dividual interests  and  to  safeguard  the  interests  of  his  clients. 


•••  •'-  :.;;-"-    '  •  •  SWAN.  H.  PETERSON.    .  ,; ",: -^i'^  .';:;;:;:; V 

Swan  H.  Peterson  has  reached  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-five  years.  Nature  - . 

seems  to  have  intended  that  man  should  enjoy  a  period  of  rest  in  the  evening  '/:  .:Vt- ; 

of  life  for  in  youth  he  possesses  vigor,  energy  and  hopefulness  which  in  time  ,  '  A 

develops  into  habits  of  industry  and  perseverance.     If  his  labor  is  directed  by  ._„".. 

sound  judgment  he  may  at  length  reach  success,  enabling  him  to  spend  his  last  'r    ••;  •: 

days    in    retirement    from   business.      Such    has   been  the    record   of    Swan    H.  ^  _- 

Peterson  who  for  a  long  period  was  connected  with  agricultural  pursuits  in  '   '-' 
Knox  county  but  now  makes  his  home  in  the  village  of  Knoxville.     He  was 
bom  in  Sweden,  December  3,  1826,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Nellie  (Benson)  Peter- 


^  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ',•:      '         345 

son.  His  parents  never  came  to  America,  passing  away  in  Sweden  after  attain- 
ing an  advanced  age.  In  their  family  were  four  sons  and  two  daughters  of 
whom  Swan  H.  is  the  eldest,  the  others  being  Peter,  Nels,  Mons,  Elsie  and 
Hannah.  '  ,!";•• 

In  the  schools  of  his  native  country  Swan  H.  Peterson  pursued  his  educa- 
tion and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  became  connected  with  the  military 
service,  remaining  in  the  army  for  five  years.  In  his  youthful  days  he  worked 
at  farm  labor  under  the  direction  of  his  father  and  in  1854  when  about  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age  he  sought  a  home  in  the  new  world,  thinking  that  better 
business  opportunities  might  be  secured  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  Accord- 
ingly he  landed  in  Quebec,  after  a  voyage  of  six  weeks  upon  the  ocean,  and 
from  that  point  made  his  way  direct  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Knoxville.  Here 
he  engaged  in  farming,  working  out,  first  by  the  day,  but  as  soon  as  his  labors 
had  brought  him  sufficient  capital,  he  purchased  land  and  continued  to  engage 
extensively  in  farming  until  advanced  years  compelled  his  retirement.  He 
brought  his  fields  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  in  raising  the  cereals  best 
adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  and  at  all  times  his  farm  work  was  characterized 
by  practical  and  progressive  methods. 

In  August,  1854,  Mr.  Peterson  was  united  in  marriage  in  Knoxville  to  Miss 
Truen  Olson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  August  29,  1828.  Her  parents  never 
came  to  America,  spending  their  entire  lives  in  Sweden.  In  their  family  were 
four  sons  and  three  daughters.  Peter,  Swan,  Hannah,  Andrew,  Bengta,  Truen 
and  Nels.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  were  born  three  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters, Mons,  Ellen,  Anna,  John  and  Otto.  Of  these  John  married  Miss  Betty 
Nelson  and  they  have  two  children,  Hattie  and  John.  In  1910  Mt.  Peterson 
was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  died  on  the  lath  of  June, 
of  that  year.  They  had  traveled  life's  journey  together  for  more  than  fifty- 
five  years,  their  love  and  confidence  increasing  as  time  passed  on.  Mrs.  Peter- 
son belonged  to  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  in  which  Mr.  Peterson  still 
holds  membership.  His  entire  life  has  been  in  harmony  with  his  religious  pro- 
fessions and  has  been  characterized  by  faithfulness  to  duty,  by  strict  integrity, 
by  charity  and  kindliness. 


.:'  ::.:-U-;' "'...••'';•  --/v-:::    JOHN  NEIL  cox,  M.  D.  -.    ,,.       ''-;••'•'.••''•:'•;':•:••;.; 

Dr.  John  Neil  Cox,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in 
Galesburg  for  the  past  four  years,  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  on  the 
2Oth  of  January,  1851.  He  is  a  son  of  Richard  R.  and  Sarah  L.  (Epperson) 
Cox,  the  father  having  been  the  first  male  white  child  born  in  Crawford  county, 
Indiana,  while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  Richard  R.  Cox  was  reared 
and  educated  in  his  native  state,  where  he  later  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-six  years.  He  then  came  to  Illinois, 
acquiring  some  land  in  Mercer  county,  near  Oxford,  that  he  developed  during 
the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  His  efforts  in  this  direction  proved  so  lucrative 
that  he  was  able  to  withdraw  from  active  farm  work  and  spent  his  latter  days 
in  retirement  in  Oxford,  where  he  passed  away  on  the  nth  of  September,  1877. 


346  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

He  had  long  survived  his  wife,  who  died  on  the  old  homestead  on  February 
14,  1863.  Mr.  Cox,  who  was  a  veteran  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  at  the  time  of 
the  Rebellion  was  a  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  Illinois  National  Guards  and  was 
offered  the  rank  of  colonel  if  he  would  go  to  the  front  with  the  Ninth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  but  was  compelled  to  decline  because  of  physical  infirmities. 
His  political  support  he  always  gave  to  the  republican  party  and  was  chairman 
of  the  first  board  of  supervisors  in  Mercer  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  were 
married  in  Crawford  county,  Indiana,  and  there  spent  the  early  years  of  their 
domestic  life.  Seven  children  were  born  to  them,  as  follows:  Charles  E.,  who 
is  living  in  Pittsfield,  Illinois;  Joseph  R.,  who  passed  away  in  1869;  Mary,  the 
wife  of  William  L.  Thomas,  of  Clarinda,  Iowa ;  Augustus  B.,  who  died  at 
Andersonville  prison;  Hiram  S.,  who  is  living  in  Plainview,  Texas;  John  Neil, 
our  subject;  and  Julia  Etta,  the  deceased  wife  of  Thomas  Pike,  of  Sioux  City, 
Iowa.  The  religious  views  of  the  parents  accorded  with  the  tenets  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  which  they  held  membership. 

The  youthful  years  of  Dr.  Cox  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm  in  the  work 
of  which  he  assisted  while  pursuing  his  studies  in  the  public  schools  of  Oxford. 
He  was  a  very  ambitious  young  man  and  desired  a  better  education,  aspiring 
to  a  professional  career.  It  was  necessary  that  he  earn  the  money  for  further 
study  and  with  this  aim  in  view  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began  teaching.  Thus 
he  acquired  the  means  to  pay  for  his  tuition  in  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal, 
at  Valparaiso,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1878,  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  subsequently  attended  the  University  of  Wooster, 
Ohio,  graduating  from  that  institution  in  1889,  while  his  professional  course 
was  pursued  in  the  Chicago  Medical  College.  Teaching  engaged  his  attention 
for  practically  twenty-one  years,  or  until  he  was  thirty-seven,  except  when  he 
was  in  college.  He  completed  his  medical  course  in  1889,  and  immediately 
thereafter  established  an  office  at  Lakefield,  Minnesota,  and  engaged  in  prac- 
tice. At  the  end  of  a  year  he  removed  to  North  Henderson,  Illinois,  where  he 
remained  until  1907,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  still  engages  in 
general  practice,  but  makes  a  specialty  of  diseases  of  the  chest.  Although  he 
has  resided  here  but  four  years.  Dr.  Cox  has  met  with  good  success,  and  num- 
bers among  his  patients  some  of  the  leading  people  of  the  town.  Intelligent 
and  practical  in  his  ideas,  those  who  seel?  his  advice  are  always  favorably  im- 
pressed and  inspired  with  confidence  in  his  abilities. 

On  the  26th  of  September,  1889,  Dr.  Cox  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Bettie  Dalhouse,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Bettie  (Bruington)  Dalhouse,  of 
Trenton,  Missouri,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  three  daughters :  Cella 
and  Gladys,  who  are  at  home ;  and  Mabel,  who  is  deceased. 

Dr.  Cox  is  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church,  with  which  his  family  are  also 
affiliated,  and  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Masonic  order,  having  attained  the  rank  of  Knight  Templar 
in  the  latter.  He  keeps  in  touch  with  the  other  members  of  his  profession 
through  his  connection  with  the  City  and  Knox  County  Medical  Societies,  and 
the  Illinois  State  and  National  Medical  Associations.  His  membership  in  or- 
ganizations of  a  more  purely  social  nature  is  confined  to  the  Galesburg  Club, 
iwhile  in  politics  he  is  independent.  He  is  interested  in  all  questions  that  vitally 
affect  the  municipality,  but  his  ballot  is  always  cast  for  the  man  or  measures  he 


•^:    ; :  x'.;?^  -  ^ :         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        f'-"^:  347 

considers  best  adapted  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  situation,  irrespective  of 
party  affiliation.     He  has  never  aspired  to  public  honors  or  the  emoluments  of 
office  but  served  as  county  superintendent  for  one  year,  while  living  in  Henry  -r 
county,  Illinois.     Dr.  Cox  is  a  man  whose  influence  is  freely  exercised  in  ad- 
vancing the  welfare  of  the  community  through  the  highest  standards  of  citizenship. 


':':;v';:--t'v:--''\  ,  V-ift^  V^' V-'"- SWAN  A.  ANDERSON.  ;/:-,;  ^:  : ';^.:  ';^:'''  '' •^""''":-,--  .;••/ 

In  the  years  of  his  connection  with  the  active  business  interests  of  Gales- .•..!•;. 
burg  Swan  A.  Anderson  conducted  a  tailoring  establishment  and  a  furnishing-         .   ;  , 
goods  store  and  by  reason  of  his  excellent  workmanship  and  honorable  dealing         •' 
made   for  hirriself  a  most  creditable  name  in  commercial  circles.      Success  at  ; 

length  crowned  his  labors,  enabling  him  to  retire  from  active  business  some 
time  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  7th  of  July,  1900.     He  was  then          ., 
in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his  life,  his  birth  having  occurred  in   Sweden  on     ... 
September  26,  1831.     His  father,  Andrew  Anderson,  was  also  a  native  of  that  ~        ..  '- 
country  and  there  followed  farming  and  merchandising,  continuing  a  resident         ••     ;; 
of  Sweden  until  his  life's  labors  were  ended.     In  his  family  were  seven  chil-          ' '  _• 
dren  of  whom  Andrew,  Nels,  Swan  and  Oliver  are  all  now  deceased.     Caroline          . 
is  still  living  in  Sweden,  but  the  other  daughters  of  the  family,  Celia  and  Annie.  ' 

have  also  passed  awav.  : 

Swan  A.  Anderson  was  educated  in  Sweden  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years  came  to  the  United  States.    He  desired  to  make  the  best  possible  use  of  \, 

his  time  and  opportunities  and  believed  that  better  returns  could  be  secured 
for  labor  in  the  new  world  than  in  the  old.     Accordingly  in  1854  he  crossed        .  ; ' . 
the  Atlantic  and  made  his  way  at  once  from  the  coast  to  the  interior  of  the         ^  . 
country,  settling  at  Galesburg.     That  was  before  the  railroad  had  reached  this 
city  and  he  walked  here  from  Geneseo.    He  first  worked  as  a  painter  and  fol-  •': .' 

lowed  this  trade  for  several  years.     Later  he  engaged  in  the  tailoring  business          ,    ' 
in  company  with  John  Peterson  and  had  in  the  course  of  years  several  partners,  - 

the  last  of  whom  was  Frank  Brown.  He  then  established  an  independent  busi- 
ness under  his  own  name,  carried  on  in  connection  with  a  furnishing-goods 
store,  which  he  conducted  until  eight  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  retired. 
He  was  an  excellent  workman  and  had  built  up  a  good  business  owing  to  the 
fact  that  he  always  carried  a  well  selected  line  of  dependable  goods,  kept  up  , 
with  all  the  changes  in  style  and  turned  out  most  attractive  garments. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  most  pleasantly  situated  in  his  home  life.     On  the  5th 
of  January,  i86i,  he  married  Miss  Betsy  Erickson,  a  daughter  of  Eric  and  Anna       . 
(Peterson)    Erickson,   of   this   city.     Her   parents,   however,   were   natives   of         . 
Sweden  and  on  coming  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  first  located  in  Chicago  and          •^.> 
Michigan,  making  their  way  to  Galesburg  in    1856.     Mr.    Erickson  had  been  ;.  ,•  .  • 
reared  to  the  occupation  of  farming  and  continued  to  make  it  his  life  work,    .       ;; 
owning  and  cultivating  a  tract  of  land  which  he  transformed  into  productive  ;..':,,. 
fields  and  upon  which  he  made  various  substantial  improvements.     Year  after  .  .  -  . 
year  his  labors  were  crowned  with  good  harvests  and  the  sale  of  his  crops     .  .  •- 
brought  him  a  substantial  financial  return,  that  enabled  him  at  length  to  put       .  . 


348  .v:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

aside  business  cares  and  live  retired  for  several  years  prior  to  his  death.  In 
his  political  views  he  was  a  republican,  interested  in  the  success  of  the  party 
yet  never  seeking  office.  He  held  membership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church 
and  at  all  times  lived  an  upright,  honorable  life  that  gained  him  the  favorable 
regard  and  good-will  of  his  fellowmen.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born 
seven  children,  of  whom  Oliver,  Peter,  John  and  William  are  now  deceased. 
Mrs.  Anderson  was  bom  in  Sweden  July  i8,  1842,  and  was  the  next  in  the 
family.  Elsie  is  the  widow  of  Andrew  Hedburg,  of  this  city,  and  Mathilda  is 
the  wife  of  Matt  Gibson,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson 
there  were  born  three  children  but  they  lost  their  first  two,  Emma  and  Andrew 
Edward.  The  only  surviving  child,  Frederick,  is  at  home  with  his  mother. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Anderson  occurred  July  7,  1900.  He  was  a  republican  in 
politics,  loyal  to  the  party  because  he  believed  that  its  principles  would  best 
conserve  good  government.  He  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  to  the  First  Lutheran  church,  from  its  organization,  and  his  life 
was  in  strict  conformity  with  his  professions.  He  was  a  quiet  man,  of  good 
judgment  and  kindly  ways,  thoughtful  and  of  well  balanced  nature,  of  good 
habits  and  an  upright  life.  He  never  had  occasion  to. regret  his  determination 
to  come  to  America.  His  hope  of  finding  improved  business  conditions  was 
realized  and  he  found  that  better  returns  were  secured  for  his  endeavor. 


HON.  JAMES  PADEN.      '   •-^^r^.vV  :'• 

A  well  spent  life  established  the  Hon.  James  Paden  in  a  most  enviable  posi- 
tion in  public  regard  and  throughout  the  years  of  his  connection  with  Knox 
county  he  was  prominently  connected  with  its  development  and  progress  and 
at  the  same  time  carefully  conducted  his  business  affairs  so  that  success  finally 
rewarded  his  labors,  making  him  one  of  the  men  of  affluence  of  this  part  of  the 
state.  He  was  born  June  17,  1827,  in  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
the  second  son  of  Isaac  Paden  and  Celia  (Fish)  Paden.  The  family  is  of 
Scotch  origin  but  has  been  represented  in  Arfterica  throughout  several  genera- 
tions. Isaac  Paden  was  born  in  the  Keystone  state,  while  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  New  York.  In  1843  they  removed  westward,  establishing  their  home  in  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  on  a  farm  southeast  of  the  city  of  Galesburg.  There  Isaac  Paden 
resided  for  many  years  and  was  well  advanced  in  life  when  called  to  his  final 
rest.  He  remained  a  continuous  resident  of  Illinois  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
save  for  a  brief  period  which  he  spent  in  Minnesota.  He  returned  then  to  Henry 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  tilled  the  soil  for  a  considerable  period,  but  his  last 
days  were  spent  in  Knox  county,  where  he  passed  away  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-five  years. 

James  Paden  was  a  lifelong  farmer  and  always  kept  in  touch  with  the  most 
progressive  methods  of  agriculture.  His  labors,  too,  were  of  a  very  practical 
character,  as  shown  in  the  excellent  results  which  attended  his  work.  Year  by 
year  he  plowed  and  tilled  his  fields,  and  in  the  autumn  gathered  rich  harvests. 
As  time  passed  on  he  became  one  of  the  substantial  residents  of  the  county, 
acquiring  a  very  gratifying  reward  for  his  labors,  and  he  also  became  well  known 


JAMES  PADEX 


348  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

aside  business  cares  and  live  retired  for  several  years  prior  to  his  death.  In 
his  political  views  he  was  a  republican,  interested  in  the  success  of  the  party 
yet  never  seeking  office.  He  held  membership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church 
and  at  all  times  lived  an  upright,  honorable  life  that  gained  him  the  favorable 
regard  and  good-will  of  his  fellowmen.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born 
seven  children,  of  whom  Oliver,  Peter,  John  and  William  are  now  deceased. 
Mrs.  Anderson  was  born  in  Sweden  July  i8,  1842,  and  was  the  next  in  the 
family.  Elsie  is  the  widow  of  Andrew  Hedburg,  of  this  city,  and  Mathilda  is 
the  wife  of  Matt  Gibson,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson 
there  were  born  three  children  but  they  lost  their  first  two,  Emma  and  Andrew 
Edward.  The  only  surviving  child,  Frederick,  is  at  home  with  his  mother. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Anderson  occurred  July  7.  1900.  He  was  a  republican  in 
politics,  loyal  to  the  ])arty  because  he  believed  that  its  principles  would  best 
conserve  good  government.  lie  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  to  the  First  Lutheran  church,  from  its  organization,  and  his  life 
was  in  strict  conformity  with  his  professions.  He  was  a  quiet  man,  of  good 
judgment  and  kindly  ways,  thoughtful  and  of  well  balanced  nature,  of  good 
habits  and  an  upright  life.  He  never  had  occasion  to  regret  his  determination 
to  come  to  America.  His  hoj)e  of  finding  improved  business  conditions  was 
realized  and  he  found  that  better  returns  were  secured  for  his  endeavor. 


^     '  HOX.  JAMES  PADEX.  ;  ' 

A  well  spent  life  establisbed  the  Hon.  James  Paden  in  a  most  enviable  posi- 
tion in  public  regard  and  tbroughout  the  years  of  his  connection  with  Knox 
county  he  was  prominently  connected  with  its  development  and  progress  and 
at  the  same  time  carefully  conducted  his  business  affairs  so  that  success  finally 
rewarded  his  labors,  making  him  one  of  the  men  of  aflluencc  of  this  i)art  of  the 
state.  He  was  born  June  17,  i<^27,  in  Crawford  county.  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
the  second  son  of  Isaac  Paden  and  Celia  (Fish)  Paden.  The  family  is  of 
Scotch  origin  but  bas  been  represented  in  America  throughout  several  genera- 
tions. Isaac  Paden  was  born  in  the  Keystone  state,  while  his  wife  was  a  native 
of  Xew  York.  In  1843  they  removed  westward,  establishing  their  home  in  Knox 
county.  Illinois,  on  a  farm  southeast  of  the  city  of  Galesburg.  There  Isaac  Paden 
resided  for  man\'  years  and  was  well  advanced  in  life  when  called  to  his  final 
rest.  Pie  remained  a  continuous  resident  of  Illinois  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
save  fora  brief  period  which  he  spent  in  Minnesota.  He  returned  then  to  Henry 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  tilled  the  soil  for  a  considerable  i)eriod.  but  his  last 
days  were  spent  in  Knox  county,  where  he  passed  away  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-five  years. 

James  Paden  was  a  lifelong  farmer  and  always  kept  in  touch  with  the  most 
progressive  methods  of  agriculture.  His  labors,  too,  were  of  a  very  practical 
character,  as  sbown  in  the  excellent  results  which  attended  his  work.  Year  by 
year  he  plowed  and  tilled  his  fields,  and  in  the  autumn  gathered  rich  harvests. 
As  time  passed  on  he  became  one  of  the  substantial  residents  of  the  county, 
acquiring  a  very  gratifying  reward  for  his  laljors,  and  he  also  became  well  known 


.lAMKS  I'ADKX    :; 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  851 

in  financial  circles  as  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Galesburg,  and  in 
every  relation  of  life  he  maintained  a  high  standard  of  integrity.  From  the  time 
of  his  arrival  in  Knox  county,  in  1843,  until  his  death  he  continued  a  permanent 
resident  here  save  for  a  single  year  passed  in  Minnesota  prior  to  his  marriage. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1851,  he  wedded  Mrs.  Martha  (Edgar)  Fuqua,  who 
was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  for  a  few  years  was  a  widow  prior  to  her  marriage 
to  Mr.  Paden.  They  traveled  life's  journey  together  most  happily  for  more 
than  a  half-century  and  were  then  separated  by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Paden  on  the 
26th  of  July,  1904.  Their  only  child,  Alonzo  F.  Paden,  owns  the  old  homestead 
farm  and  with  him  the  father  resided  after  the  death  of  his  wife. 

Mr.  Paden  was  a  most  public-spirited  man,  always  deeply  and  helpfully  in- 
terested in  the  welfare  of  the  city  and  county.  He  served  for  several  terms  on 
the  board  of  supervisors,  representing  Galesburg  in  that  body,  and  was  filling 
that  position  when  the  present  courthouse  was  erected.  He  acted  on  various  im- 
portant committees  and  his  labors  were  a  most  effective  and  beneficial  element  in 
the  progress  and  upbuilding  of  the  county  during  his  long  connection  with 'the 
office.  He  also  labored  earnestly  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  agricultur- 
ists and  cooperated  in  every  project  which  tended  to  work  for  the  permanent 
benefit  of  the  farming  class.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  Republican  and  was  a 
warm  admirer  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  whose  debate  with  Douglas  he  heard  in  ante- 
bellum days.  In  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1908,  Knox  county  lost  one  of  its 
most  honored  pioneers  and  valued  citizens.  For  more  than  six  decades  he  had 
resided  in  the  county,  thus  witnessing  almost  its  entire  development.  He  had 
seen  its  wild  lands  converted  into  productive  farms,  its  tiny  villages  grow  into 
thriving  towns  and  cities,  had  seen  churches  and  schoolhouses  built  and  in  every 
possible  way  had  aided  in  advancing  the  work  of  civilization.  He  was  thoroughly 
reliable  in  business,  bearing  an  untarnished  reputation  in  all  of  his  transactions, 
and  thus  he  left  to  his  family  the  priceless  heritage  of  a  spotless  name  as  well  as  a 
substantial  fortune,  which  was  the  reward  of  his  years  of  earnest  and  unremit- 
ting toil.  •'''•_•':'•/;'  .••-'•. '^••'•-  -  /'  -^^.v  .-'/^' 


j-  />  ALADINE  CUMMINGS  LONGDEN,  A.  M.,  PH.  D.      '^^.v-:-: 

Aladine  Cummings  Longden,  professor  of  physics  and  astronomy  in  Knox 
College  since  1901  and  recognized  as  one  of  the  able  educators  of  the  state, 
was  bom  in  Leesville,  Ohio,  February  19,  1857.  His  parents  were  Samuel  and 
Adaline  (Cummings)  Longden,  the  former  born  near  Manchester,  England, 
while  Leesville,  Ohio,  was  the  birthplace  of  the  latter.  The  paternal  grand- 
father of  Professor  Longden  was  an  architect  in  England  and  died  in  that 
country  when  well  advanced  in  years.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  several 
children,  the  family  including  John,  Thomas,  George,  James  and  Samuel,  of 
which  number  George  was  a  captain  in  the  Crimean  war.  The  maternal  grand- 
father of  Professor  Longden  was  Dr.  James  Cummings,  who  for  many  years 
successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Leesville,  Ohio.  He  wedded 
Mary  Margaret  Moore  and  both  lived  to  be  past  middle  life,  the  latter  dying 

ToL  n— !• 


'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i      , 

:''>  '•'•.^^:.      .  .  '-,  .    '•,:•, ';':f'.'-    >^ 

when  seventy-five  years  of  age.  Their  children  were  Thomas,  James,  Edwin, 
Adaline,  Edy,  Mary  and  Annie  M. 

Samuel  Longden  was  reared  in  England  and  became  a  preacher  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  born  July  24,  1815,  and  on  attaining 
his  majority  came  to  America  in  1836,  settling  in  eastern  Ohio,  where  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Erie  Conference.  He  was  an  itinerant  preacher  and 
rode  horseback  through  the  newly  developed  country  of  eastern  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania,  preaching  the  gospel  to  the  pioneer  residents  of  that  section.  He 
also  had  various  charges  in  that  country  and  his  labors  proved  a  potent  force 
for  good.  He  was  married  in  Ohio  to  Miss  Adaline  Cummings  and  they  were 
residents  of  Leesville  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of  Professor  Longden.  The 
mother  there  died  April  2,  1857,  when  her  son  was  but  six  weeks  old.  He  was 
the  youngest  of  six  children,  four  of  whom  reached  years  of  maturity :  Thomas 
E.,  now  a  resident  of  Philadelphia;  Mary  S.,  deceased;  Rev.  Wilbur  C.,  a 
Methodist  Episcopal  missionary,  now  at  Chinkiang,  China;  and  Professor  Long- 
den of  this  review.  The  other  two  died  in  infancy.  Having  lost  his  first  wife 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Longden  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Boyer  and  unto  them  were 
born  three  children:  Henry  B.,  now  professor  of  German  in  De  Pauw  Uni- 
versity, Greencastle,  Indiana ;  Martha,  who  was  librarian  of  De  Pauw  Univer- 
sity for  a  number  of  years ;  and  James  Albert,  who  died  of  typhoid  fever  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one.  Rev.  Longden  closed  a  most  active  and  useful  life  in 
his  eightynfourth  year,  passing  away  at  Greencastle,  Indiana,  in  1898.  I  ;;-:. 

Professor  Longden,  owing  to  his  mother's  early  death,  spent  the  first  ten 
and  one-half  years  of  his  life  with  his  aunt,  Annie  M.  Cummings,  in  Poland, 
Ohio.  He  then  resided  for  a  part  of  a  year  with  an  uncle,  Edwin  B.  Cum- 
mings, in  Cattaraugus,  New  York,  and  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  joined  his 
father  in  Indiana,  where  his  later  boyhood  and  early  manhood  were  spent.  His 
preliminary  educational  advantages  were  supplemented  by  a  course  in  De  Pauw 
University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  A.  B.,  in  i88i,  while  in  1884  his 
alma  mater  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  He  won  his 
Ph.  D.  degree  in  Columbia  University  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  1900  but  in 
the  meantime  had  entered  the  educational  field  and  had  done  excellent  work 
therein.  He  presents  clearly  and  cogently  the  knowledge  he  has  acquired.  He 
occupied  the  professorship  of  physics  and  chemistry  in  the  State  Normal  school 
of  Westfield,  Massachusetts,  from  1888  until  1897,  and  in  the  latter  year  he 
became  a  graduate  student  in  physics  and  chemistry  in  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago, spending  a  scholastic  year  there,  and  in  1898  he  was  appointed  assistant 
in  physics  at  the  University  of  Chicago,  there  remaining  for  a  year.  He  be- 
came a  graduate  student  of  Columbia  University  in  1899,  pursuing  his  studies 
there  through  the  ensuing  year,  while  in  190x3-1  he  was  an  instructor  in  physics 
in  the  University  of  Wisconsin.  In  the  latter  year  he  was  called  to  Knox  Col- 
lege as  professor  of  physics  and  astronomy  and  has  occupied  that  position  to 
the  present  day,  his  ability  as  an  educator  making  his  classes  most  attractive 
and  constituting  him  one  of  the  forceful  factors  in  the  success  of  the  school. 

Professor  Longden  was  married  December  24,  1884,  to  Miss  Jeanie  Humble, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Campbell)  Humble,  of  Buffalo,  New  York. 
In  that  city  Mrs.  Longden  was  born,  her  parents  having  removed  there  imme- 
diately after  their  marriage.'  Her  father  was  a  ship  architect,  builder,  and 


•-•'  :       '     '      ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  353 

owner  and  for  a  number  of  years  superintendent  of  one  of  the  largest  dry  docks 
in  Buflfalo.  He  designed  and  built  the  Erastus  Corning,  at  that  time  the  largest 
freighter  on  the  Great  Lakes.  He  and  his  wife  still  reside  in  Buffalo  and  there 
they  reared  their  family  of  three  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Longden  is  the  eldest. 
Her  sister  Mary  Ella,  who  is  now  deceased,  became  the  wife  of  Charles  W. 
Wells,  president  of  the  Republic  Metalware  Company,  and  her  brother,  Fred 
W.  Humble,  is  a  well  known  architect  of  Buffalo. 

Both  the  Professor  and  Mrs.  Longden  were  reared  in  the  Methodist  faith 
but  are  now  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  church.  They  have  been  residents 
of  Galesburg  for  ten  years  and  their  home,  at  No.  643  West  North  street,  is 
attractive  by  reason  of  its  warm-hearted  hospitality.  Professor  Longden  votes 
with  the  republican  party  but  while  he  has  never  sought  office,  has  always  been 
a  great  student  of  the  sociological,  political  and  economic  questions  which  en- 
gage the  attention  of  the  thinking  men  of  the  age.  Something  more  of  the 
nature  of  his  interests  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he  is  a  Fellow  of  the  Ameri- 
can Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science;  a  member  of  the  American 
Physical  Society  and  of  the  Belgian  Astronomical  Society.  His  reading  has 
been  broad,  his  research  extensive,  and  his  intellectual  progress  has  placed  him 
in  a  position  where  association  with  him  means  inspiration  and  elevation. 


;>;..,    ;-•:      -   v^f.  JOHN  FRANCIS  CORBIN,  M.  D.        :       i';: '.^    '"''   " 

Dr.  John  Francis  Corbin,  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery  in  Galesburg,  with  offices  in  the  Holmes  building,  was  born  near 
Dahinda,  Illinois,  on  the  banks  of  Spoon  river,  on  Christmas  Day  of  1869.  He 
represents  one  of  the  old  pioneer  families  of  this  state.  His  grandfather  was 
Henry  J.  Corbin,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  became  an  early  settler  of  Truro 
township,  Knox  county,  there  taking  up  his  abode  when  the  district  was  largely 
wild  and  undeveloped.  He  secured  land,  began  the  development  of  property 
and  in  course  of  time  became  an  extensive  and  prosperous  farmer.  He  died 
of  typhoid  fever  upon  his  homestead  when  about  fifty-eight  or  fifty-nine  years 
of  age.  Among  the  children  born  to  him  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Olive  Corbin,  was 
Edwin  A.  Corbin,  the  Doctor's  father,  his  birth  occurring  on  the  old  homestead 
farm  in  Truro  township.  At  an  early  day  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account. 
Subsequently,  however,  he  removed  to  Knoxville,  where  he  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  having  previously  prepared  for  the  bar 
as  a  student  in  the  office  of  Z>  Cooley,  a  well  known  attorney  of  an  early  day. 
Edwin  Corbin  has  served  as  city  attorney  of  Knoxville  for  a  number  of  years 
and  still  makes  his  home  there.  He  married  Miss  Lucinda  Beatty,  also  a 
native  of  Illinois,  her  parents  being  farming  people  of  this  state.  Of  that 
marriage  there  were  born  five  children,  four  sons  and  a  daughter,  namely: 
Henry  Butler,  of  Galesburg;  Dr.  John  F.,  of  this  review;  George  Clement,  of 
Toledo,  Ohio;  Mary  Etta,  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Johnson,  of  Galesburg;  and 
Al  E.,  of  Peoria.  For  his  second  wife  Edwin  Corbin  chose  Elizabeth  Utter  and 
unto  them  were  bom  four  children,  as  follows :  Lucinda,  the  wife  of  Charles 


354  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >.. ; -Jv/  -A; 

Ferguson,  of  Chicago;  Lee  and  Harold,  also  of  Chicago;  and  Hortense,  who 
married  Kenneth  Hawkins,  of  Galesburg. 

Dr.  Corbin,  whose  name  introduces  this  record,  was  reared  in  Knox  county 
and  completed  his  public-school  education  by  graduation  from  the  high  school 
with  the  class  of  1888.  He  then  entered  Knox  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  1895.  During  his  college  course  he  devoted  one  year  to  teaching 
school  and  later  took  up  the  study  of  medicine,  matriculating  in  the  University 
of  Illinois  where  he  completed  the  full  course  in  the  medical  department  and 
was  awarded  his  M.  D.  degree.  He  then  began  practice  in  Galesburg  in  1898 
and  has  since  been  a  representative  of  the  profession  in  this  city,  building  up 
a  business  that  has  increased  annually,  both  in  extent  and  importance.  Many 
who  came  to  him  as  casual  patients  have  continued  as  patrons  when  the  need 
for  professional  service  has  been  felt. 

On  the  nth  of  November,  1903,  Dr.  Corbin  married  Miss  Marian  Say- 
wright,  who  was  born  near  Toronto,  Canada,  as  w6re  her  parents,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  William  Saywright,  who  still  reside  in  that  locality.  She  was  the  eldest 
of  their  four  children,  the  others  being  James,  Norman  and  Cora.  Dr.  and 
'Mrs.  Corbin  have  an  interesting  little  daughter,  Maxine  Frances,  who  was 
bom  on  the  I7th  of  July,  1905.  Mrs.  Corbin  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  church. 
Df-  Corbin  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  is  a  member  of  the  pension 
board  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office  outside  the  strict  path  of  his  pro- 
fession,  for  he  prefers  to  concentrate  his  time  and  energies  upon  his  chosen 
life  work  and  his  broad  reading  and  continued  study  have  given  him  compre- 
hensive  knowledge  of  the  science  of  medicine  and  added  to  experience  have 
continuously  promoted  his  efficiency. 


;^^;;:^•^:  SAMUEL  MICHAEL  HUGHES.    V  :.;>.;; 

'•'""'=':•••'.';'  ^''C;'-''"-,         .'^     ,  •.    '        •    ,'".'.    :V.-'ii'^-  •.••'••'•-{•;'••'••  .-^''V..- 

Samuel  Michael  Hughes,  who  since  August,  1906,  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  at  Galesburg,  was  born  in  Fall  Creek  town- 
ship, near  Quincy,  Adams  county,  Illinois,  on  the  2Oth  of  December,  1868,  his 
parents  being  Michael  William  and  Cynthia  Anna  (Thompson)  Hughes.  The 
father's  birth  occurred  in  New  Ross,  County  Wexford,  Ireland,  on  the  7th  of 
January,  1837,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Fall  Creek  township.  Adams 
county,  Illinois,  on  the  3Oth  of  May,  1845.  The  paternal  grandparents,  Henry 
and  Catherine  (MacDonald)  Hughes,  were  likewise  natives  of  the  Emerald 
isle,  the  former  having  been  born  in  County  Cavan  and  the  latter  in  County 
Carlow.  Henry  Hughes  was  an  agriculturist  by  occupation.  Unto  him  and 
his  wife  were  bom  four  children,  as  follows :  Katherine,  the  wife  of  a  Mr. 
Ormsby,  of  Dublin,  Ireland ;  Harriet,  who  is  deceased ;  Michael  William,  the 
father  of  our  subject;  and  Mary  Anna,  the  widow  of  a  Mr.  Dickinson,  who 
made  his  home  in  Evanston,  Illinois. 

Michael  W.  Hughes  acquired  his  education  in  a  Catholic  college  near  Dublin, 
Ireland,  and  emigrated  to  Canada  when  a  youth  of  seventeen,  thence  making  his 
way,  via  the  St.  Lawrence  river  and  the  Great  Lakes,  to  Washington  county. 


:y:;,^>x;.;,  ;v^:r:^':          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;  355 

Ohio,  where  he  began  the  manufacture  of  pumps.  In  the  latter  part  of  1860 
he  began  the  overland  journey  to  California  and  had  reached  St.  Joseph,  Mis- 
souri, when  the  Civil  war  broke  out.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Thir- 
teenth Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry  and  was  captured  at  Lexington,  Mis- 
souri, in  i86i.  On  the  expiration  of  his  term  he  reenlisted  as  a  private  of 
Troop  I,  Third  Missouri  Cavalry,  winning  promotion  to  the  rank  of  captain. 
In  the  fall  of  1864  he  was  discharged  because  of  physical  disability  due  to 
wounds  and  went  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  having  charge  of  a  sawmill  south  of  the 
city  for  a  few  years.  Subsequently  he  turned  his  attention  to  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  being  busily  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  fields  until  the  time 
of  his  retirement  in  1905.  He  is  still  numbered  among  the  honored  and  respected 
residents  of  Quincy,  Illinois.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican 
party  and  he  still  maintains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  war  comrades 
through  his  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  It  was  on  the 
8th  of  January,  1865,  in  Fall  Creek  township,  Adams  county,  that  he  wedded 
Miss  Cynthia  Anna  Thompson,  who  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of 
Adams  county  and  in  a  seminary  at  Quincy.  Unto  them  were  bom  five  chil- 
dren, as  follows :  Harriet  Evelyn,  the  wife  of  Almond  D.  Stratton,  of  Plain- 
ville,  Illinois ;  Samuel  Michael,  of  this  review ;  Josiah  Henry,  living  in  Quincy, 
Illinois,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  in  association  with  his  brother 
Samuel;  Katherine  Priscilla,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Blauser,  of  Payson,  Illinois; 
and  William  Terrence,  an  advertising  agent  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 
'  ;  Samuel  Michael  Hughes  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Adams  county  and  later  entered  Knox  College,  in  which  institution  he  fin- 
ished the  sophomore  year  with  the  class  of  1891.  Subsequently  he  followed 
farming  and  also  taught  school  in  Adams  county  for  six  years  and  during  the 
next  two  years  served  as  deputy  county  recorder  of  this  county.  He  was  then 
employed  by  T.  C.  Poling,  a  mortgage  banker  of  Quincy,  Illinois,  for  four 
years  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  embarked  in  the  real-estate  business 
on  his  own  account  at  that  place.  In  August,  1906,  he  came  to  Galesburg,, 
Illinois,  and  has  here  conducted  his  real-estate  interests  to  the  present  time, 
dealing  in  Illinois  and  Iowa  corn-belt  lands. 

On  the  I7th  of  May,  1894,  Mr.  Hughes  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Camp- 
bell Robbins,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Payson,  Illinois,  on  the  8th  of  October, 
1869,  her  parents  being  Daniel  and  Anna  C.  (Thompson)  Robbins,  likewise 
natives  of  that  place.  Jonathan  Robbins,  the  great-great-grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Hughes,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  with  the  rank  of  captain,  enlisting 
from  Massachusetts.  Daniel  and  Mary  (Prince)  Robbins,  the  paternal  grand- 
parents, were  natives  of  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts  respectively.  Daniel 
Robbins  followed  the  profession  of  teaching  after  coming  to  Payson,  Illinois, 
in  the  early  '3Os  but  later  devoted  his  attention  to  the  work  of  the  fields.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  passed  away  at  Payson.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs. 
Hughes  were  Philo  and  Ellen  (Wallace)  Thompson,  both  natives  of  Connecti- 
cut. They  also  came  to  Payson,  Illinois,  in  the  early  '3os  and  were  there  mar- 
ried. Philo  Thompson  followed  farming  as  a  life  work  and  was  a  devoted 
member  of  the  Congregational  church.  Daniel  Robbins,  Jr.,  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Hughes,  joined  the  Union  army  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war  as  a  private 
of  Company  D,  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  remaining  with  that  com- 


356  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i 

mand  for  four  years  and  being  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain.  He  is  an  agri- 
culturist by  occupation  and  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party, 
having  served  as  school  trustee  for  a  number  of  years.  His  religious  faith  is 
that  of  the  Congregational  church,  in  which  he  acts  as  deacon.  He  also  belongs 
to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Anna  C.  Thompson  and  whom  he  wedded  at  Payson,  Illinois,  was  called  to 
her  final  rest  on  the  8th  of  June,  1904.  They  had  five  children,  as  follows: 
Ellen  R.,  who  married  a  Mr.  Arnett,  of  Fresno,  California ;  Mrs.  Hughes ; 
Grace  Prince,  the  widow  of  Albert  T.  McCrory,  of  Okmulgee,  Oklahoma; 
Ernest  T.,  of  Chicago,  who  is  assistant  editor  of  the  Breeders  Gazette ;  and 
Edith  Anna,  at  home. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Hughes  has  sup- 
ported the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  is  a  worthy  exemplar 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  also  belongs  to  the  Congregational  church  of 
Quincy,  to  Phi  Delta  Theta,  a  college  fraternity.  Delta  Chapter  of  Knox  College 
and  the  Galesburg  Club.  His  life  has  been  one  of  well  directed  effort  and 
enterprise,  resulting  in  the  attainment  of  a  creditable  and  gratifying  measure 
of  success.  In  all  its  relations  he  has  enjoyed  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
his  fellowmen  because  he  is  honest,  upright,  persistent  and  determined. 


/-.•.•;:•;•/;; ,' ;:  .;/  • ;    "    JOHN  E.  ERICSON.  .  ^/^pv. .  •'-;-^':v.,;',-.::\', 

John  E.  Ericson,  who  with  his  father  is  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  on  sections  9  and  lO,  of  Victoria  township  that  he  is  devot- 
ing to  general  farming,  was  born  on  the  place,  where  he  now  resides,  on  the  27th 
of  May,  1866.  Eric  Ericson,  his  father,  was  born  in  Sweden  and  there  he  passed 
the  first  fourteen  years  of  his  life.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Wisconsin.  There  he  met  and  subse- 
quently married  Miss  Christina  Bloom,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  likewise  a 
native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  the  United  States  the  same  year  as  her  husband. 
During  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  they  removed  to  Illinois,  settling 
in  Knox  county,  which  was  thereafter  their  home.  Mr.  Ericson  subsequently 
purchased  the  farm  that  his  son  John  E.  is  now  operating  and  settled  there  with 
his  family.  This  was  an  improved  place  and  was  under  cultivation,  but  he 
•energetically  applied  himself  to  bringing  it  into  a  higher  state  of  productivity 
and  during  the  period  of  his  operation  wrought  many  changes  that  added  greatly 
to  the  value  of  the  property.  Here  the  mother  passed  away,  in  1897,  at  the 
age  of  fifty-nine  years  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria.  The 
father  is  still  living,  however,  and  continues  to  make  his  home  on  the  farm  with 
his  son.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which 
the  mother  also  belonged  and  in  the  faith  of  which  they  reared  their  family. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ericson  were  parents  of  one  son,  John  E.,  our  subject. 

The  entire  life  of  John  E.  Ericson  has  been  passed  amid  his  present  environ- 
ments. When  old  enough  to  begin  his  education  he  attended  the  district  schools, 
later  supplementing  his  elementary  knowledge  by  a  commercial  course  in  a  col- 
lege at  Galesburg,  thus  qualifying  himself  for  the  practical  duties  of  business 


X 

^ 

X. 

•jr 


X. 


;•  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY      '  ; 

mand  for  four  years  and  being  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain.  He  is  an  agri- 
culturist by  occupation  and  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party, 
having  served  as  school  trustee  for  a  number  of  years.  His  religious  faith  is 
that  of  the  Congregational  church,  in  which  he  acts  as  ileacon.  He  also  belongs 
to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Anna  C.  Thompson  and  whom  he  wedded  at  Payson,  Illinois,  was  called  to 
her  final  rest  on  the  8th  of  June,  1904.  They  had  five  children,  as  follows: 
Ellen  R.,  who  married  a  Mr.  Arnett,  of  Fresno,  California;  Mrs.  Hughes; 
Grace  Prince,  the  widow  of  Albert  T.  McCrory,  of  Okmulgee,  Oklahoma; 
Ernest  T.,  of  Chicago,  who  is  assistant  editor  of  the  Breeders  Gazette ;  and 
Edith  Anna,  at  home. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  ^Ir.  Hughes  has  sup- 
ported the  men  an<l  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  is  a  worthy  exemplar 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  also  belongs  to  the  Congregational  church  of 
Quincy,  to  Phi  Delta  Theta,  a  college  fraternity.  Delta  Chapter  of  Knox  College 
and  the  Galesburg  Club.  His  life  has  been  one  of  well  directed  eflfort  and 
enterprise,  resulting  in  the  attainment  of  a  creditable  and  gratifying  measiire 
of  success.  In  all  its  relations  he  has  enjoyed  the  respect  and  confidence  of 
his  felloxvmen  because  he  is  honest,  upright,  persistent  and  determined. 


;     '  JOHN  E.  ERICSOX.  ' 

John  E.  Ericson,  who  with  his  father  is  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  on  sections  9  and  lo,  of  \'ictoria  township  that  he  is  devot- 
ing to  general  farming,  was  born  on  the  place,  where  he  now  resides,  on  the  27th 
of  May,  1866.  Eric  Ericson,  his  father,  was  born  in  Sweden  and  there  he  passed 
the  first  fourteen  years  of  his  life.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  emi- 
grated to  the  I'nited  States,  locating  in  Wisconsin.  There  he  met  and  subse- 
(juently  married  Miss  Christina  Bloom,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  likewise  a 
native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  the  United  States  the  same  year  as  her  husband. 
During  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  they  removed  to  Illinois,  settling 
in  Knox  county,  which  was  thereafter  their  home.  Mr.  Ericson  subsec|uently 
purchased  the  farm  that  his  son  John  E.  is  now  operating  and  settled  there  with 
his  family.  This  was  an  im])roved  place  and  was  under  cultivation,  but  he 
energetically  ap])lied  himself  to  bringing  it  into  a  higher  state  of  productivity 
and  during  the  period  of  his  operation  wrought  many  changes  that  added  greatly 
to  the  value  of  the  property.  Here  the  mother  passed  away,  in  1897,  at  the 
age  of  fifty-nine  years  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria.  The 
father  is  still  living,  however,  and  continues  to  make  his  home  on  the  farm  with 
his  son.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  E])isco])al  church,  to  which 
the  mother  also  belonged  and  in  the  faith  of  which  they  reared  their  family, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  I-'ricson  were  parents  of  one  son,  John  E.,  our  subject. 

The  entire  life  of  John  E.  Ericson  has  l)een  ])assed  amid  his  present  environ- 
ments. When  old  enough  to  begin  his  education  he  attended  the  district  schools, 
later  supi)lemcnting  his  elementary  knowledge  by  a  commercial  course  in  a  col- 
lege at  Galesburg,  thus  qualifying  himself  for  the  practical  duties  of  business 


X 

7. 


^^  ;    ;::  V  ;    ':-      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;   :    f^'>:'    359     (,./^; 

life.    While  still  a  small  lad  he  was  assigned  light  duties  about  the  home,  thus        .'     ,.  '•. 
early  instilling  in  him  lessons  in  the  value  of  industry  and  patience  as  well  as          '^>' 
thrift.     As  his  strength  and  sense  of  responsibility  increased  with  the  passing        '! 
years  his  duties  became  heavier,  and  after  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  gave        ".'..;. 
his  undivided  attention  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock.     By  the        v. " 
time  he  had  attained  his  maturity  he  was  thoroughly  proficient  in  the  practical         • 
methods  of  agriculture  and  fully  qualified  to  assume  the  management  of  the         ,     ' 
farm.    This  he  ultimately  did,  so  advantageously  directing  his  activities,  that  he          ;       : 
later  came  in  possession  of  a  half  interest  in  the  property.    Mr.  Ericson  operates  ' 

his  farm  along  general  lines,  but  as  he  is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas  quite  closely        ,:  ; 
adheres  to  modern  ideas  in  his  methods.     During  recent  years  he  has  installed         .     . 
various  appliances  and   conveniences   deemed  essential   to  the  agriculturist   of  ' 

today  but  unknown  a  generation  ago,  and  now  has  one  of  the  most  completely          .  V 
equipped  farms  in  the  community.  ' 

Mr.  Ericson  established  a  home  of  his  own  when  he  married  Miss  Amanda        ,;    : 
Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  but  was  brought  to  America  by  her  parents       .'"'.; 
at  the  age  of  three  years.     She  is  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  A.  John-         •    / 
son,  well  known  residents  of  Victoria  township.     The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.         •  X 
Ericson  numbers  six,  as  follows:     Edna,  the  wife  of  Henry  Linderholm,  of  !''  ; 

Victoria  township;  Alice,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  L.  Jarnigan,  of  Gales-  v  : 
burg;  and  Earl,  Carl,  Willard  and  Wendell.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Ericson  •  .  . 
brought  his  bride  to  the  old  home  farm,  and  here  his  children  have  been  born,  .  ,'; 

reared  and  educated.  '•: 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ericson  hold  membership  in  the  Swedish  Methodist  Epis-  ;  '. 

copal  church.    He  votes  with  the  republican  party  and,  despite  the  fact  that  his         ./ 
personal  interests  require  nearly  all  of  his  time,  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest         .-, 
in  local  politics  and  has  assumed  his  share  of  the  governmental  duties  of  the 
township.     He  is  a  public-spirited  man  and  has  high  standards  of  the  respon-        ;    -. 
sibilities  of  citizenship  and  strives  to  live  up  to  them.     Eor  the  past  eight  years         .'  . 
he  has  been  road  commissioner,  the  length  of  his  term  attesting  his  efficiency  in  ; . 

this  capacity.    He  was  school  trustee  for  twelve  years  and  for  one  he  was  asses-  V 

sor,  discharging  the  duties  of  both  offices  in  a  highly  capable  and  satisfactory        -  :.  "  • 
manner.     Mr.  Ericson  has  become  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Victoria  -'•       . 
township;  he  is  one  of  the  popular  and  highly  esteemed  men  of  the  community,  . 

where  his  ideas  have  much  weight  in  influencing  public  opinion,  owing  to  his         . 
recognized  capabilities  as  a  business  man  and  his  common  sense  as  a  politician.  ,   ' 


:!•;•.        :  ALVAH  ISOME  SARGENT,  D.  D.  S.  .'/:    -•;:!:;;• 

Dr.  Alvah  Isome  Sargent,  a  successful  practitioner  of  dentistry,  has  fol- 
lowed his  profession  in  Galesburg  for  the  past  fourteen  years  and  has  built 
up  an  extensive  and  profitable  patronage  in  this  connection.  His  birth  occurred 
in  South  Wayne,  Wisconsin,  on  the  26th  of  April,  1870,  his  parents  being 
Charles  Edward  and  Nancy  (Riggs)  Sargent.  The  father  was  bom  near 
Springfield,  Illinois,  on  the  25th  of  December,  1834,  while  the  mother's  birth 
occurred  at  Wiota,  Wisconsin,  in  1840.  Charles  E.  Sargent  removed  to  Wis- 


360  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        •>;•; 

consin  when  a  lad  of  twelve  years  and  was  successfully  identified  with  general 
agricultural  pursuits  throughout  his  active  business  career.  For  the  past  few 
years  he  has  lived  in  honorable  retirement,  now  making  his  home  at  Warren, 
Illinois.  He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  a  de- 
voted and  consistent  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church.  His  wife  was 
called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  loth  of  March,  1882.  Their  cliildren  were  five  in 
number,  namely :  Lewis,  who  is  a  resident  of  Huron,  South  Dakota ;  John, 
living  in  Warren,  Illinois ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  H.  J.  Smith,  of  Warren,  Illinois ; 
Frank,  who  makes  his  home  at  South  Wayne,  Wisconsin ;  and  Alvah  I.,  of  this 
review. 

The  last  named  is  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  at  Warren,  Illinois,  and  also 
spent  one  year  in  college  at  Beloit,  Wisconsin.  Subsequently  he  entered  the 
Chicago  Dental  College  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  class 
of  1896.  Opening  an  office  at  Huntington,  West  Virginia,  he  there  remained 
for  a  year  and  a  half  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  came  to  Galesburg, 
Illinois.  As  a  practitioner  of  dentistry  he  enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  among 
the  members  of  the  profession  as  well  as  with  the  general  public,  having  built 
up  a  gratifying  patronage  and  also  acting  as  secretary  of  the  Knox  County 
Dental  Society  at  the  present  time. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  1896,  Dr.  Sargent  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary 
Bates,  a  daughter  of  Madison  C.  and  Emma  (Latimer)  Bates,  of  Oberlin,  Ohio. 
They  have  two  children :  Constance  L.,  who  was  born  at  Huntington,  West 
Virginia,  on  the  29th  of  September,  1897;  ^"d  Hubert  Drennan,  whose  birth 
occurred  in  Galesburg,  on  the  I3th  of  March,  1904. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Dr.  Sargent  has  sup- 
ported the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  being  convinced  that  its 
principles  are  most  conducive  to  good  government.  His  religious  faith  is  indi- 
cated by  his  membership  in  the  Central  Congregational  church,  of  which  he 
acts  as  deacon  and  has  acted  as  trustee.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  is  a  director  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  His  salient  char- 
acteristics are  such  as  are  worthy  of  emulation  and  have  gained  for  him  the 
respect  and  good-will  of  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends. 


;':;:,:       PROFESSOR  WILLIAM  FREDERICK  BENTLEY.    : 

William  Frederick  Bentley,  director  of  the  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music 
and  professor  of  singing  in  Knox  College,  has  been  a  potent  factor  in 
the  development  of  the  musical  taste  of  this  section  for  many  years.  His 
native  talent  in  this  direction  was  soon  manifest  and  after  laying  the  founda- 
tion of  a  general  education  in  a  mastery  of  the  fundamental  principles  of 
knowledge,  he  concentrated  his  efforts  more  and  more  largely  upon  the  study  of 
music,  and  thorough  training  in  this  land  and  abroad  has  qualified  him  for  the 
position  of  responsibility  that  he  has  filled  in  connection  with  Knox  College  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  • 

Professor  Bentley  was  born  at  Lenox,  Ohio,  September  12,  1859,  and  is  a 
representative  of  an  old  New  England  family.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Arnold 


;T     ;-,;;.;:;•     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -'>•:          361 

Bentley,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  but  for  some 
years  conducted  a  general  store  in  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts.  He  married  Lx)is 
Beach  and  both  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  rearing  several  sons  and  daughters, 
including  Anna,  Mary,  Lucy,  Cyrus  and  Emily.  The  only  son,  Cyrus  Bentley, 
the  father  of  Professor  Bentley,  was  born  January  4,  1822,  at  Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts.  The  family  soon  after  moved  to  E^st  Otto,  Cattaraugus 
county.  New  York,  where  the  boy  grew  to  manhood.  He  became  a  singing 
teacher  and  conductor  of  musical  conventions,  and  when  a  young  man  removed 
to  Ohio,  settling  in  Ashtabula  county,  where  he  spent  the  greater  part  of  his 
life.  For  three  years  he  engaged  in  teaching  music  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  and  for 
about  ten  years  was  a  professor  of  music  in  Oberlin  Conservatory  of  Music. 
Among  his  pupils  were:  the  late  Charley  Williams,  the  famous  Evangelist 
singer ;  George  W.  Andrews,  the  distinguished  organist,  and  many  other  people 
of  renown  in  musical  circles,  including  Professor  Rice,  now  deceased,  who  was 
the  former  director  of  the  Oberlin  Conservatory  of  Music.  Professor  Cyrus 
Bentley  was  married  in  Harpersfield,  Ohio,  October  i6,  1851,  to  Miss  Harriet 
Prentice,  a  native  of  that  state  and  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Prentice,  who  was 
born  in  Stonington,  Connecticut,  August  25,  1773,  and  as  a  young  man  came 
to  Ohio  and  carried  on  business  as  a  farmer  and  cattle  buyer.  He  married 
Mary  Atwater  Hotchkiss,  who  was  born  June  21,  1779,  at  Cheshire,  Connec- 
ticut, and  they  had  several  children,  including  John,  Noyce,  Henry,  Eunice, 
Salina,  Lucinda  and  Harriet.  The  marriage  of  Cyrus  and  Harriet  (Prentice) 
Bentley  was  blessed  by  three  children:  Alice,  now  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 
of  Corydon  Sexton;  Ralph  Prentice,  of  Dorset,  Ohio;  and  Professor  Bentley 
of  this  review. 

'  The  last  named  spent  his  youthful  days  upon  his  father's  farm  in  Ashtabula 
county,  Ohio,  where  he  mastered  the  branches  of  learning  taught  in  the  district 
schools  and  later  attended  the  public  schools  of  Marietta,  Ohio,  the  Normal 
school  at  Geneva,  Ohio,  and  the  high  school  of  Oberlin.  His  father's  recogni- 
tion of  his  musical  talent  led  to  his  education  along  that  line  and  he  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Conservatory  of  Music  of  Oberlin  College.  He  then  went 
abroad  for  further  study,  spending  three  and  one-half  years  in  the  musical 
centers  of  the  old  world,  including  Leipsic,  Berlin,  Paris  and  London,  where 
he  had  the  benefit  of  instruction  from  some  of  the  ablest  masters.  In  the 
meantime  he  had  engaged  in  teaching  music  for  two  years  and  after  his  return 
from  Europe  he  came  to  Galesburg,  to  accept  the  position  of  director  of  the 
Knox  Conservatory  of  Music,  in  which  capacity  he  has  continued  since  1885, 
making  this  one  of  the  popular  and  well  patronized  departments  of  the  college. 
Professor  Bentley  was  married,  November  28,  1883,  to  Julia  Asenath  Web- 
ster, a  native  of  Geneva,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Dennis  and  Mary  A.  (Samp- 
son) Webster,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  New  Hampshire,  respectively. 
Her  father  is  now  .deceased,  but  her  mother  still  resides  at  Geneva,  Ohio.  In 
their  family  were  four  children,  George,  Julia,  Mary  and  Harriet.  Professor 
and  Mrs.  Bentley  have  a  daughter,  Florence  May,  who  is  now  attending  Knox 
College.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Central  Congregational  church  and 
are  well  known  in  the  city  where  their  residence  covers  a  period  of  twenty- 
six  years.  Their  home  has  ever  been  a  hospitable  one  and  the  center  of  a 
cultured  circle  of  society.  Professor  Bentley  has  held  to  high  ideals  in  his 


362  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :^. 

profession  and  his  ability,  based  upon  technical  training  and  natural  talent,  and 
has  well  qualified  himself  to  uphold  the  standard  of  his  department  and  to 
stimulate  his  pupils  with  much  of  his  own  zeal  and  interest  in  and  devotion  to 
the  work.  .  .  -..-.,,.  >.....  


::o^y-,    ;  WILLIAM  A.  BARTLETT.:;V^ ;:;;:;      V   • 

William  A.  Bartlett,  a  well  known  and  prosperous  young  citizen  of  Ga_les- 
burg,  has  here  been  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  since  1907.  He  was  born 
in  Galesburg  on  the  25th  of  October,  1882,  his  father  being  Frank  Sears  Bart-  - 
lett,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  After  acquir- 
ing his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  city  he  went  to  Winnipeg,  Canada, 
there  spending  one  year  in  the  employ  of  the  Deering  Harvester  Company.  He 
next  acted  as  a  clerk  in  the  stock  house  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  • 
Railroad  for  one  year  and  then  became  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  at 
Monmouth,  Illinois,  in  association  with  his  father-in-law,  George  A.  Schussler,  : 
this  relation  being  maintained  for  three  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period 
he  went  to  Racine,  Wisconsin,  as  purchasing  agent  for  the  J.  I.  Case  Plow 
Works,  but  resigned  at  the  end  of  a  year  and  removed  to  Colorado  for  the 
benefit  of  his  health,  remaining  in  that  state  for  two  years  and  having  charge 
of  a  lumber  concern.  In  1907  he  came  to  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  has  since 
devoted  his  attention  to  real-estate  interests  here  with  excellent  results,  selling 
Red  River  lands  in  North  Dakota. 

On  the  3Oth  of  June,   1903,  Mr.  Bartlett  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Maude  Frank   Schussler,   a   daughter  of   George  A.   and   Mary  J.    (Barnes)       , 
Schussler,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois.     In  politics  Mr.  Bartlett  is  independent,  sup-      ; 
porting  men  and  measures  rather  than  party  for  party  principles.    He  is  a  de-      ; 
voted  and  consistent  member  of  the  Universalist  church  and  also  belongs  to  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Elks  Club,  the  Galesburg  Club  and 
the  Country  Club.     His  nature  is  social  and  his  disposition  cordial,  and  while 
he  has  at  all  times  commanded  the  respect  and  admiration  of  his  business  asso- 
ciates, he  has  also  enjoyed  the  warm  friendship  of  those  who  have  come  within 
the  closer  circle  of  his  acquaintance.  .  '. 


;   ,        "'.^'•: '•  ANGUS  MOOR.    :'-'v:;:.;  ;;;:  ^ -.; ; 

Moor,  who  is  now  living  retired  on  his  farm  on  section  36,  Rio  town-       ; 
ship,  was  for  many  years  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  in  this  county.     His  birth  occurred  at  Anson,  Somerset  county,  Maine, 
on  the  8th  of  Februar>',  1835,  his  parents  being  Eber  S.  and  Lydia  T.  (Daggett) 
Moor.     The  parents  were  also  natives  of  Maine,  the  father's  birth  occurring  on  .:. 
the  I5th  of  October,  1807,  and  that  of  the  mother  on  January  8,  1805.    The  pater-      •• 
nal  ancestors  came  from  Massachusetts,  the  great-grandfather,  John  Moor,  was 
a  veteran  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  having  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bunker       ' 


••^   -f- 


MI!S.  AM  MS 


A\(;rs 


}-v3:-y  V;-^;-;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         -  367 

''  .          - 

Hill,  but  the  mother  was  of  English  extraction.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moor  were  mar- 
tied  in  Maine,  in  November,  1830,  and  there  they  passed  the  early  years  of  their 
domestic  life.  In  1844  they  came  west,  Illinois  at  that  time  being  considered  the 
frontier,  and  in  April  of  the  following  year  they  located  on  the  farm,  where  our 
subject  is  now  living.  Mr.  Moor  devoted  his  energies  to  the  further  improve- 
ment  and  cultivation  of  this  property  and  also  raised  and  fed  stock  for  the 
market  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  He  passed  away  on  the  home- 
stead  on  the  4th  of  March,  1879,  having  attained  the  age  of  seventy-one  years. 
Although  he  was  not  a  professed  Christian,  nor  affiliated  with  any  church,  he 
lived  in  the  Christian  spirit  and  exemplified  many  most  estimable  qualities  of 
character.  Of  a  kindly,  generous  nature,  he  was  always  ready  to  assist  the  un- 
fortunate, being  charitable  in  his  criticism  and  lenient  in  his  judgment.  In  poli- 
tics  he  was  a  whig,  but  was  never  an  office  seeker,  although  he  served  very  effi- 
ciently  as  road  commissioner.  He  was  survived  for  some  years  by  his  widow, 
who  died  on  the  27th  of  December,  1889,  at  the  venerable  age  of  nearly  eighty- 
five  years.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moor  numbered  six. 

A  lad  of  nine  years  when  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  Angus  Moor 
had  begun  his  education,  which  he  completed  in  Knox  county.  He  shared  with 
his  people  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life,  and  although 
he  was  only  a  boy  assisted  much  in  the  operation  of  the  farm  and  the  care  of  the 
stock.  After  leaving  school  he  g^ve  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the  tilling 
of  the  fields  and  the  performance  of  other  duties  about  the  homestead  until  he 
had  attained  has  majority.  Confidence  in  himself  and  his  acquirements  induced 
him  to  launch  upon  a  career  as  an  independent  agriculturist,  and  leaving  home 
he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself.  He  forsook  his  labors  two  years  later,  in 
1859,  and  joined  a  party  of  gold  seekers  going  to  California.  They  made  the 
trip  in  a  prairie  schooner  and  it  was  a  long,  hard  journey,  occupying  several 
months.  He  remained  on  the  coast  prospecting  for  about  eight  years,  meeting 
with  but  indifferent  success,  and  then  returned  to  Knox  county,  by  the  way  of 
the  Missouri  river  in  a  row  boat.  Upon  his  return  in  September,  1866,  he  again 
turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  ultimately  acquiring  the  old  home 
place,  containing  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres,  where  he  now  lives.  He 
has  ever  since  made  this  place  his  home,  but  is  now  living  retired,  leaving  to 
his  son  the  operation  of  the  farm.  Mr.  Moor  always  directed  his  undertakings 
along  practically  the  same  lines  as  his  father,  engaging  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising,  and  met  with  gratifying  success  in  both. 

On  the  23d  of  December,  1882,  Angus  Moor  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs. 
Lydia  F.  Stevens,  who  was  born  at  Atkinson,  Maine,  on  the  I7th  of  June,  1844. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  George  Daggett,  a  farmer  of  Maine,  where  he  passed 
his  entire  life  and  Mrs.  Moor  was  reared.  In  her  early  womanhood  she  was 
married  to  a  Mr.  Stevens  and  they  removed  to  Winnebago  county,  Illinois,  and 
there  he  died  in  1878.  Six  children  were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom  are  living. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moor  became  the  parents  of  one  son,  Don  Angus.  He  married 
Ethel  Knox  of  this  county,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Knox,  formerly  of  Wataga. 
but  now  of  Iowa,  and  is  living  on  his  father's  farm.  In  1911,  they  made  a  visit 
to  Maine  and  there  Mrs.  Moor  passed  away  very  suddenly  of  apoplexy,  on 
August  31.  ^^r'^-' •''^:-''"^'- '•^;'X'-'>-^''-'-'^':' '':-••' ;'^ix'-'y  ,  /  :;•-•,''•":/';•' :;-.^;''.^ 


368  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        •';;;;: 

-''.''  '     ^  '  •  .'••'.    ' ''  ,'' 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Moor  has  always  stanchly  adhered  to  the  prin-  '\ 
ciples  of  the  republican  party,  but  he  has  never  aspired  to  public  honors  or  the 
emoluments  of  office,  although  he  meets  the  requirements  of  good  citizenship 
by  going  to  the  polls  on  election  day.     The  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  ..'•' 
passed  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  home,  where  he  is  widely  known  v 
and  has  many  loyal  friends.  ,    .., 


::'     -^.  ;  GEORGE  D.  AMENT.      v-'r^'v';-\; 

'    -•  V      '•    •   '    ^*  .      ,      :    -    -  '  .  '  >   ';'•. '    ••'       ';•''••''' 

George  D.  Ament,  proprietor  of  the  Galesburg  Steam  Laundry,  was  born  .:  ^.:-v 

in  Pontiac,  Illinois,  July  23,  1871,  a  son  of  William  T.  and  Harriet  B.  (Baker)  .;    -'I.C 

Ament,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York.     The  paternal  ,'.}.;. 

grandfather  was  there  also  born  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  but  removed  :./'•;.. 

to  Illinois  with  his  family  and  both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  La  Salle  county  at  '•/'•;; 

an  advanced  age.    They  were  the  parents  of  four  sons  and  a  daughter,  Oscar,  ;    .. 

Cyrus,  Jutt,  William   T.   and  Catherine.     William  T.   Ament  was  but  a  boy  ..;  ;• 

when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  from  the  Empire  state  to  .    ':;'; 
Ottawa,  Illinois,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood  and  obtained  his  education       .    .-, 

as  a  public-school  student.     He  afterward  removed  to  Pontiac,  Illinois,  where  ;  'v- 

he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  for  many  years.     In  this  state  he  married  ;  - "  \ 

Harriet  B.  Baker,  whose  parents  were  early  settlers  of  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  •      •  v 

where  they  lived  until  called  to  their  final  rest.     Her  father  was  killed  in  a  i,  >;-  • 

runaway  accident  when  driving  a  young  team.     Her  mother  lived  to  be  more  ;^:. 

than  ninety  years  of  age.     Their  children  were  James  E.,  Joseph  E.,  Cyrus,  .      •', 

Charles  and   Harriet  B.     Unto  Mr.  and   Mrs.  William  T.  Ament  there  were  '.•.._ 

born  seven  children,  as   follows:     William  L.,   deceased;   Mabel,  the  wife  of  ;••,• 

Sidney  Herzberg,  of  Chicago;  Charles,  who  has  also  passed  away;  Lou,   the  ^;  v' 

wife  of  Dr.  W.  L.  Tallman,  of  Chicago;  Joseph  B.,  residing  in  Las  Vegas,  New  ^   .  » 

Mexico;  George  D.,  of  this  review;  and  Harriet,  the  deceased  wife  of  Glenn  .. 

Martin.    The  father  passed  away  when  sixty- four  years  of  age  and  the  mother  .;.-.; 

died  two  years  later.    He  was  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith  while  she  held  ;; 

membership  in  the  Episcopal  church.     He  ranked  high  as  a  member  of  the  bar  •  .  • 

and,  in  addition  to  the  large  private  practice  accorded  him,  he  served  as  prose-  '}-;; 

outing  attorney  and  was  also  at  one  time  county  judge  of  Livingston  county.  > 

George  D.  Ament  spent  his  youthful  days  in  Pontiac,  Illinois,  in  the  manner  ;     / 

of  most  boys  who  receive  the  stimulus  and  encouragement  of  good  home  train-  /- 

ing.    He  attended  the  public  schools  there  and  made  his  initial  step  in  industrial  ',  ,    . 

circles  as  an  employe  of  Henry  Foster  in  the  electrical  business   in   Pontiac.  :  •- 

Subsequently  he  became  connected  with  the  General  Electric  Company  of  Chi-  ••:'.  -r'/ 

cago,  but  afterward  turned  his  attention  to  the  laundry  business  in  Pontiac  and  •;.-'! 

subsequently  continued  in  the  same  line  at  Joliet,  Illinois.     He  also  spent  one  j    V 

year  in  the  laundry  business  in  Los  Angeles,  California,  and  for  four  years  was  .•      :  • 

identified  with  real-estate  interests  and  mining  in  that  section  of  the  country.  ;'      :.:'• 

He  then  returned  to  Joliet,  where  he  again  conducted  a  laundry  until   1907,  i  ^^   . 

when  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  purchased  the  laundry  business  of  E.  J.  Cowan  ,    7<; 


;;';:;:vv  :;:.;.  :^^^^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   ;-:;;:;;. 

of  which  he  has  since  been  proprietor,  conducting  an  establishment  under  the    •"•;•.. 
name  of  the  Galesburg  Steam  Laundry  at  Nos.   151-153  North  Cedar  street.    .    ,  v  ,. 

Mr.  Ament  was  married  to  Miss  Analla  Booth,  a  native  of  Logan  county,     ...'.'': 
Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Young)  Booth,  natives  of         '.t     ' 
New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  respectively.     Leaving  the  east  they  removed  to     ; .         . 
Ohio  and  the  mother  died  in  Marion  county,  that  state,  but  the  father  is  still    •  • ;'  '  • .' 
living.     They  were  parents  of  the  following  children:  Lorenzo  W.,  Keokuk  B..    ;.<:'     • 
Harrison  O.,  Osceola  and  Analla.     The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Ament     i?'   . 
was  a  native  of  England,  who  lived  for  a  time  in  America  but  returned  with        .         ' 
his  wife  to  their  native  land,  where  they  spent  their  last  days.    They  had  three     .;-',. 
children,  John,  Thomas  and  Hester.  :v         ' 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ament  are  identified  with  the  Christian  Science  church  and      .  .      .: 
his  political  views  connect  him  with  the  republican  party.     He  belongs  to  the     ,  . 

Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  to  the  Galesburg  Qub  and  to  the  Soan-     '..:.v'      ' 
getaha  Country  Club.     He  is  thus  well  known  in  the  social  circles  of  the  city 
where  attractive  personal  qualities  and  a  genial  manner  have  gained  him  many    •   ' :-  .    .^ 
friends.     He  also  occupies  a  creditable  position  in  business  circles  as  a  reliable,       .  -  •     ; 
enterprising  man  and  whatever  success  he  has  achieved  is  attributable  to  his        ='     •  ' 
own  efforts,  for  he  started  out  empty-handed  and  has  worked  his  way  upward     .        V 
through  energy,  determination  and  the  improvement  of  the  opportunities  that      •        -^ 
have  come  to  him.  \' 


-•:;••'•;;': -^^ •';•...: \;X;''      WILLIAM  BURNSIDE.      '.-.'     .'      ';:;:;'.."-;;•"-:';• 

William  Burnside,  formerly  prominently  associated  with  the  agricultural 
interests  of  Knox  county  but  now  living  retired,  still  derives  much  of  his  in- 
come from  his  interests  in  farm  property.  He  has  passed  the  seventy-eighth 
milestone  on  life's  journey  and  the  rest  which  he  is  enjoying  is  well  merited  for 
it  has  been  won  through  the  close  application,  unfaltering  energy  and  unassail- 
able integrity  which  he  manifested  when  conducting  his  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  was  born  in  Ohio,  August  13,  1833,  ^"d  was  one  of  the  eight  children  of 
William  and  Margaret  (Callison)  Burnside,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  the 
latter  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Callison,  who  was  a  farmer  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
William  Burnside,  Sr.,  was  reared  in  Virginia  and,  following  his  removal  to 
Ohio,  there  engaged  for  a  ntomber  of  years  in  farming.  Subsequently,  however, 
he  went  to  Indiana,  but  in  the  fall  of  1850  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Chestnut 
township,  Knox  county,  where  he  purchased  ninety  acres  of  land,  to  which  he 
added  as  opportunity  offered  and  his  financial  resources  permitted,  until  his 
farm  embraced  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  rich  land.  He  died  on  the 
old  homestead,  at  the  age  of  eighty- four  years,  and  his  wife -passed  away  at  the 
age  of  seventy.  She  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  most 
carefully  and  conscientiously  reared  her  family.  The  children  were  as  follows : 
John,  Anthony  and  Isaac,  all  now  deceased ;  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  John  Hed- 
ley,  of  Kansas ;  William ;  Mary,  the  widow  of  Samuel  Coffman,  of  Chicago ; 
and  George,  who  is  living  in  Abingdon,  Illinois.  .,  •-,.,.  .•:'".•': 


370  mSTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  "   .;^V^'    •    ^' - 

William  Burnside  was  three  years  old  when  his  parents  went  to  Indiana 
and  was  a  youth  of  seventeen  when  the  family  came  to  Illinois.  Here  he  was 
reared  to  manhood  upon  his  father's  farm  in  Knox  county,  attending  the  dis- 
trict  schools  in  the  winter  seasons,  and  in  the  summer  months  aided  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  home  farm.  The  occupation  to  which  he  was  reared  he 
determined  to  make  his  life  work  and  started  out  on  his  own  account  by  renting 
a  farm  in  Chestnut  township.  He  carefully  saved  his  earnings  during  that 
period  and  was  at  length  enabled  to  purchase  ninety  acres,  to  which  he  added 

r  from  time  to  time  until  he  became  the  owner  of  fifteen  hundred  acres  or  more, 
thus  winning  a  place  among  the  most  extensive  landowners  of  central  Illinois. 

.  The  rapid  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  state  and  the  improvements  which  he 
placed  upon  his  land  greatly  enhanced  its  value  and  won  for  him  a  position 

'  among  the  most  prosperous  agriculturists  of  Knox  county.  He  engaged  in 
farming  and  in  raising  and  shipping  stock  until  the  fall  of  1892,  when  he 
removed  to  Galesburg  and  purchased  a  fine  home  at  the  corner  of  Seminary 
and  Grove  streets.  This  he  occupied  until  1907,  when  he  removed  to  his  present 
residence,  at  No.  1078  North  Broad  street.  ,  ,  * v  •  .i.  '  : 

In  i86i  Mr.  Burnside  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  Terry,  a  daughter 
of  John  Terry.  Mrs.  Burnside  was  born  in  Knox  county  while  her  parents 
were  natives  of  Virginia.  The  children  of  this  marriage  were  six  in  number. 
Marcus  T.,  who  is  now  a  farmer  of  Chestnut  township,  married  Maude  Cranston 
and  has  three  children,  Roy,  Pearl  and  Orpha.  Nellie  is  the  wife  of  D.  E. 
Meeks,  of  Galesburg,  and  they  have  two  children,  William  and  Fay.  Charles 
S.,  a  farmer  living  at  Maquon,  Illinois,  married  Jennie  Clark.  Fannie  died  in 
early  childhood.  Albert  Guy,  who  is  proprietor  of  a  hotel  at  Spirit  Lake,  Iowa, 
married  Mabel  Ackerman  and  has  one  son.  Carl.  The  youngest  of  the  family 
is  Carl  S.,  who  is  operating  one  of.  his  father's  farms  in  Chestnut  township. 
The  mother  died  in  1895,  at  the  age  of  fifty-three  years,  and  on  the  24th  of 
February,  1897,  Mr.  Burnside  wedded  Mrs.  Lydia  Fdgerton,  widow  of  Dr. 
R.  C.  Edgerton,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Cordelia  (Clark)  Tiflfany.  She 
was  born  in  Harpersfield,  Delaware  county.  New  York,  June  8,  1842,  and  her 
parents  were  also  natives  of  the  Empire  state  although  their  ancestors  came 
from  Connecticut.  Her  grandfather,  Horace  Tiflfany,  was  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut  and  of  English  descent.  He  married  Martha  Osborn  and  they  had 
eight  children,  Hiram,  John,  Peter,  Nathan,  Eliza,  Olive,  Sallie  and  Charles. 

.The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Burnside  was  John  Clark  and  unto  him 
and  his  wife,  who  died  when  a  comparatively  'young  woman,  there  was  born  a 
son  and  four  daughters.  John  Tiflfany,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Burnside.  was  a 
soldier  in  a  New  York  regiment  in  the  Civil  war  and  died  from  illness  while  in 
the  service.  His  wife  lived  to  be  sixty-three  years  of  age  and  reared  their 
family  of  five  children,  Louise,  Hiram,  Lydia,  Mary  and  Peter.  By  her  former 
marriage  Mrs.  Burnside  had  one  son,  Hubert  C.  Edgerton,  who  is  married  and 
lives  in  Burley,  Idaho.  Mrs.  Burnside  belongs  to  the  Universalist  church.  Mr. 

•  Burnside  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  has  filled  the  office  of  road  com- 
missioner but  has  not  taken  an  active  part  in  politics  because  of  the  demands 
made  upon  him  by  his  extensive  business  interests.  His  real-estate  holdings 
are  the  visible  evidence  of  a  life  of  well  directed  energy  and  thrift.  Starting 
out  empty-handed,  he  made  the  best  possible  use  of  his  time  and  opportunities. 


^^•r^^^^iv:     V  V       A  •:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >•         371 

and  by  honorable  and  straightforward  methods,  coupled  with  unflagging  industry, 
gained  a  position  among  the  prosperous  and  honored  residents  of  this  section 
of  the  state.  His  life  may  well  serve  as  an  inspiration  and  an  example  to 
others  who  desire  to  attain  success  and  an  untarnished  name.  -  .,.->,  -.>. 


;         =        ;.      JOHN  DONNINGTON  BARTLETT,  M.  D.         ^i  .     ';-/^' 

Dr.  John  Donnington  Bartlett,  an  able  physician  and  surgeon  of  Galesburg, 
is  numbered  among  the  worthy  native  sons  of  that  city,  his  birth  having  there 
occurred  on  the  3Oth  of  July,  1880.  A  sketch  of  his  father,  Frank  Sears 
Bartlett,  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work.  He  pursued  his  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  in 
1897.  Subsequently  he  entered  Lombard  College  and  was  graduated  from  that 
institution  with  the  class  of  1901,  winning  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Hav- 
ing determined  upon  the  practice  of  medicine  as  a  life  work,  he  matriculated 
in  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  completed  the  prescribed 
course  in  1905.  Following  his  graduation  he  spent  six  months  at  the  Lying-in 
Hospital  as  interne  and  during  the  next  year  and  a  half  was  associated  with 
Dr.  Nicholas  Senn  as  interne  at  St.  Joseph's  Hospital.  He  acted  as  surgeon  of 
the  Chicago  police  department  for  three  years  and  was  also  examining  physician 
of  the  Police  Benevolent  Association,  while  for  two  years  he  served  as  physi- 
cian at  the  Riverview  Emergency  Hospital.  Dr.  Bartlett  was  appointed  by 
examination  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps  of  the 
United  States  army  and  was  commissioned  by  President  Taft  on  the  nth  of 
September,  1911.  He  maintained  his  office  at  No.  823  Sheridan  road,  Chicago, 
for  three  years,  and  on  the  ist  of  January,  1911,  came  to  Galesburg,  having 
here  been  engaged  in  general  practice  to  the  present  time.  As  a  representative 
of  the  medical  profession  he  has  won  a  gratifying  measure  of  success,  enjoy- 
ing an  extensive  practice  that  has  come  to  him  in  recognition  of  his  skill  and 
ability  in  the  application  of  remedial  agencies.  He  acted  as  university  marshal 
of  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Chicago  in  1902  and  in  the  line 
of  his  profession  is  connected  with  the  Chicago  Medical  Society,  the  Physicians 
Club  of  Galesburg,  the  Physicians  Club  of  Chicago,  the  Knox  County  Medical 
Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association.  •  -  .: 'x- 

On  the  4th  of  September,  1904,  Dr.  Bartlett  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ethel  Letitia  Booker,  who  was  born  in  Helena,  Montana,  on  the  3d  of  October, 
1880,  her  parents  being  George  C.  and  Martha  Elizabeth  Booker.  The  father's 
birth  occurred  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  on  the  7th  of  February,  1838,  while  the 
mother  was  born  in  Jefferson  City,  Missouri,  on  the  23d  of  January,  1855. 
George  C.  Booker  journeyed  westward  in  1865,  finally  locating  in  Helena. 
Montana,  where  he  became  identified  with  mining  interests.  At  the  present 
time  he  is  living  retired  at  Helena,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil  in 
well  earned  ^ease.  In  Masonry  he  has  attained  high  rank,  now  acting  as  secre- 
tary of  the  Helena  and  state  Masonic  bodies.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were 
born  three  children,  as  follows :  Mrs.  Bartlett ;  Clinton  Talbott ;  and  Lester 
Harry.  Mrs.  Bartlett  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  of  Helena  with  the 

.'v- ',-.••.••:'•  :••••"'  '   '•:•  ."';•';'''':  ^   -  '''V  i^:--   ^  .  :-'''v    >' :  '   ''•....•''^•'- ''•'•'•    ''  .  '.  ::'•    '•":•' '-'.v-' 


372  "  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

class  of  1898  and  subsequently  pursued  a  special  course  of  study  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago.  She  had  charge  of  the  kindergarten  department  of  the 
Helena  public  schools  for  four  years  and  is  still  a  member  of  the  kindergarten 
board  at  that  place.  She  now  belongs  to  the  Mosaic  and  Tourist  Clubs  of 
Galesburg  and  has  already  won  many  friends  in  this  city.  By  her  marriage 
she  has  become  the  mother  of  one  son,  John  Donnington,  Jr.,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred in  Chicago,  Illinois,  on  the  loth  of  March,  1909. 

In  politics  Dr.  Bartlett  is  a  republican,  while  his  religious  faith  is  indicated 
by  his  membership  in  the  Universalist  church.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  - 
Episcopal   church.     His    fraternal   relations   are   with   Chicago   Lodge,   No.   4, ';; 
B.  P.  O.  E.,  and  Vesper  Lodge,  No.  584,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.    He  is  likewise  a  valued 
member  of  the  Galesburg  Club,  the  Sigma  Nu  fraternity  and  Phi  Rho  Sigma, 
a  medical    fraternity.     Dr.   Bartlett   is   a  popular  young  man,  making  steady 
progress  in  his  profession  and  gaining  steadily  in  the  friendship  of  those  with 
whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


;;;:;/  •     MRS.  FREDERICKA  GOLDQUIST.          :•; 

,  ',•  :''^'"v  -•  • : :  ••  >••-" 

One  of  modem  philosophical  trend  of  thought  has  written  "in  the  good  that 
comes  to  us,  by  the  good  that  comes  to  the  world  through  us,  is  the  measure  of 
our  success,"  and  judged  in  this  way  the  life  of  Mrs.  Fredericka  Goldquist  was 
a  most  successful  one.  Her  labors  were  a  continuous  element  for  good  in  the 
community  in  which  she  lived  and  her  life  was,  indeed,  a  serviceable  one  for  she 
was  continually  holding  out  a  helping  hand,  or  speaking  a  word  of  encourage- 
ment, or  kindly  advice.  She  held  closely  to  the  high  standards  of  Christian  living 
and  it  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of  but  few  women  in  Galesburg  to  fill  so  large  a  sphere 
of  genuine  usefulness  as  did  Mrs.  Goldquist,  who  passed  away  on  the  27th  of 
March,  1889. 

Fredericka  Peterson  was  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  in  the  parish  of  Hag- 
gersda,  November  20,  1824,  and  was,  therefore,  twenty-three  years  of  age  when 
in  1848  she  accompanied  her  father's  family  to  the  new  world,  their  destination 
being  Knox  county,  Illinois.  This  was  the  year  of  the  terrible  cholera  scourge. 
The  little  band  of  emigrants  first  contracted  the  disease  while  passing  through  the 
Erie  canal.  As  they  proceeded  on  their  journey  by  way  of  the  Great  Lakes  and 
across  the  prairies  of  Illinois  in  lumber  wagons,  victim  after  victim  was  buried 
by  the  way.  The  mother  and  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Goldquist  were  of  the  number. 
Strange  as  it  may  seem,  Mrs.  Goldquist,  although  a  constant  caretaker  of  the 
dying  and  the  dead,  experienced  no  touch  of  the  disease.  The  travelers  proceeded 
to  Andover,  Henry  county,  where  a  heroic  physician.  Dr.  Calhoun,  came  and  min- 
istered to  them,  but  he  too  fell  ill  and  passed  away.  After  the  scourge  had  spent 
its  force  the  family  moved  to  Knoxville,  where  they  lived  for  two  years.  They 
then  moved  to  Galesburg.  Mrs.  Goldquist  was  thus  one  of  the  first  Swedish 
residents  of  the  county. 

Soon  after  taking  up  their  abode  in  Galesburg  she  was  married  to  Qatis  Olof- 
son  Goldquist,  who  died  June  5,  1864,  leaving  her  with  five  children.  One  of  the 
local  papers  in  writing  of  her  and  her  .experiences  at  this  period  in  her  life  said. 


MRS.    FREDERICKA    GOLDQUIST 


372  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

class  of  1898  and  sul)se(iuently  pursued  a  special  course  of  study  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago.  She  had  cliarge  of  the  kindergarten  department  of  the 
Helena  public  schools  for  four  years  and  is  still  a  member  of  the  kindergarten 
board  at  that  i)lace.  She  now  belongs  to  the  Mosaic  and  Tourist  Clubs  of 
Gales1)urg  and  has  already  won  many  friends  in  this  city.  By  her  marriage 
she  has  become  the  mother  of  one  son,  John  Donnington.  Jr.,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred in  Chicago,  Illinois,  on  the  loth  of  March,  1909. 

In  politics  Dr,  Bartlett  is  a  republican,  while  his  religious  faith  is  indicated 
by  his  membership  in  the  Universalist  church.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  Chicago  Lodge,  No.  4, 
B.  r.  O.  E.,  and  \'esper  Lodge,  Xo.  584,  A.  F,  &  A,  ]\I.  He  is  likewise  a  valued 
member  of  the  Galesburg  Club,  the  Sigma  Xu  fraternity  and  Phi  Rho  Sigina, 
a  medical  fraternity.  Dr.  Bartlett  is  a  popular  young  man,  making  steady 
progress  in  his  profession  and  gaining  steadily  in  the  friendship  of  those  with 
whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


MRS,  FREDERICKA  GOLDQUIST.  . 

'  One  of  modern  philosophical  trend  of  thought  has  written  "in  the  good  that 
conies  to  us,  by  the  good  that  comes  to  the  world  through  us,  is  the  measure  of 
our  success,"  and  judged  in  this  way  the  life  of  Mrs.  Fredericka  Gold(|uist  was 
a  most  successful  one.  Her  labors  were  a  continuous  element  for  good  in  the 
community  in  which  she  lived  and  her  life  was,  indeed,  a  serviceable  one  for  she 
was  continually  holding  out  a  helping  hand,  or  speaking  a  word  of  encourage- 
ment, or  kindly  advice.  She  held  closely  to  the  high  standards  of  Christian  living 
and  it  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of  but  few  women  in  Galesburg  to  fill  so  large  a  sphere 
of  genuine  usefulness  as  did  Mrs.  Goldquist,  who  passed  away  on  the  27th  of 


Fredericka  Peterson  was  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  in  the  parish  of  Hag- 
gersda,  November  20,  1824,  and  was,  tlierefore,  twenty-three  years  of  age  when 
in  1848  she  accompanied  her  father's  family  to  the  new  world,  their  destination 
being  Knox  county,  Illinois.  This  was  the  year  of  the  terrible  cholera  scourge. 
The  little  band  of  emigrants  first  contracted  the  disease  while  passing  through  the 
Erie  canal.  As  they  ])roceetled  on  their  journey  by  way  of  the  Great  Lakes  and 
across  the  prairies  of  Illinois  in  lumber  wagons,  victim  after  victim  was  buried 
by  the  way.  The  mother  and  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Gold(|uist  were  of  the  number. 
Strange  as  it  may  seem,  Mrs.  Goldcjuist,  although  a  constant  caretaker  of  the 
dying  and  the  dead,  experienced  no  touch  of  the  disease.  The  travelers  proceeded 
to  Andover,  Henry  county,  where  a  heroic  ])hysician.  Dr.  Calhoun,  came  and  min- 
istered to  them,  but  he  too  fell  ill  and  i)assed  away.  After  the  scourge  had  spent 
its  force  the  family  moved  to  Knoxville,  where  they  lived  for  two  years.  They 
then  moved  to  Galesburg,  Mrs.  Goldcjuist  was  thus  one  of  the  first  Swedish 
residents  of  the  county. 

Soon  after  taking  up  their  abode  in  Galesburg  she  was  married  to  Claus  Olof- 
son  Goldquist,  who  died  June  5,  1864,  leaving  her  Avith  five  children.  One  of  the 
local  i)apers  in  writing  of  her  and  her  experiences  at  this  period  in  her  life  said, 


MI!S. 


KA 


,  ,:::;;V:n;.;^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :     .  ,;  375 

"the  quality  of  her  nature  and  her  strength  of  character  are  seen  in  the  spirit  with 
which  she  assiuned  the  burden  thus  imposed  by  death  upon  her,  and  the  complete 
manner  in  which  she  met  this  responsibility."  All  the  children  were  given  a 
public  school  education  and  had  the  joy  of  living  in  a  cheerful  and  inspiring 
home  atmosphere. 

In  spite  of  the  responsibilities  and  cares  of  home,  Mrs.  Goldquist  found  time 
to  take  an  active  part  in  good  work  for  the  benefit  of  others.  Her  life  was  an 
illustration  of  interested  unselfishness.  During  the  war  she  was  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  and  met  often  with  -Mrs.  T.  L.  Clark,  Mrs. 
Clement  Leech,  Mrs.  D.  C.  Raymond  and  others  of  the  good  women  of  the  city, 
in  the  basement  of  the  First  Congregational  church,  where  boxes  were  filled  with 
articles  for  the  soldiers.  When,  after  the  war,  this  organization  became  the 
Dorcas  society,  Mrs.  Goldquist  remained  a  member  and  was  for  over  ten  years 
a  ward  visitor  for  the  Seventh  ward.  There  are  scores  of  people  in  that  ward 
who  can  recall  her  kindnesses.  When  the  Dorcas  society  was  merged  in  the  Free 
Kindergarten  Association,  Mrs.  Goldquist  retained  her  connection,  and  took  a 
deep  interest  in  this  institution.  It  is  said  that,  being  unable  to  attend  the  last 
meeting  of  the  association,  she  sent  an  order  for  some  shoes  for  the  little  folks 
in  need  of  them.  She  was  seventh  ward  visitor  also  for  the  association. 

In  addition  Mrs.  Groldquist  was  at  the  head  of  an  industrial  school  at  the 
First  Baptist  church  and  one  afternoon  every  week  met  twenty-five  or  thirty 
girls  in  one  of  the  rooms  at  that  edifice.  In  this  work  she  had  the  help  of  sev- 
eral of  the  church  women.  She  made  her  old  age  bright  with  helpful  and  beau- 
tiful deeds. 

When  one  attempts  to  analyze  the  secret  of  Mrs.  Goldquist's  usefulness,  he 
finds  it  in  her  sincere  faith  in  Christ  and  in  her  desire  to  serve  Him  by  minis- 
tering through  every  possible,  accessible  channel,  to  mankind.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  First  Baptist  church  for  nearly  forty  years,  and  all  through  was  active  and 
interested.  For  a  long  time  she  was  a  busy  member  of  the  various  women's  so- 
cieties. For  thirty-five  years  she  was  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school.  Her  class 
was  composed  for  over  twenty  years  of  young  ladies,  who  as  the  years  went  by 
gave  place  to  others  many  of  these  being  pupils  of  the  high  school.  She  was  a 
successful  and  inspiring  teacher,  so  much  so  that  at  times  her  class  room  was 
crowded.  .While  she  was  obliged  on  account  of  her  failing  health  to  relinquish 
some  of  her  church  work,  she  continued  her  labor  of  love  in  the  Sunday  school. 
The  last  time  that  she  met  her  class  was  on  Sunday  previous  to  her  illness,  and 
that  she  could  not  be  present  the  following  Sabbath  was  to  her  a  cause  of  sincere 
regret.  Her  heart  was  in  the  work.  Owing  to  her  kind,  loving  and  helpful  in- 
fluence many  of  the  lives  of  those  belonging  to  her  class  have  been  moulded 
along  Christian  lines.  She  was  regarded  with  affection  by  these  pupils  and  they 
will  never  forget  her. 

Mrs.  Goldquist,  until  her  illness,  was  a  constant  attendant  at  the  church  serv- 
ices. She  appeared  in  close  touch  with  divine  things.  She  was  always  ready  to 
serve.  But  she  also  took  a  keen  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  city  and  was  a 
faithful  reader  of  current  events.  It  is  said  of  her  that  her  nature  was  kind  and 
deeply  sympathetic  and  that  any  case  of  distress  or  suffering  appealed  strongly  to 
her.  At  the  time  of  the  Chicago  fire  and  of  the  Kansas  famine  she  was  a  zealous 
solicitor  for  contributions  for  relief.  It  is  said  of  her  that  as  a  ward  visitor  when 

ToL 


376  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ^; '  Y-  - 

she  heard  of  a  case  of  need  she  would  go  to  the  house,  not  send  some  one  else. 
With  her  sympathy  was  combined  a  bright  and  cheerful  disposition  that  made  her 
presence  welcome.  All  through  she  has  also  felt  concern  in  all  efforts  to  better 
the  community.  In  the  early  days  of  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  she  was  a  member  of  that 
organization. 

If  lives  are  to  be  measured  by  kind  acts,  by  sympathetic  words  and  by  good 
influences,  then  Mrs.  Goldquist's  life  deserves  the  warmest  praise  and  the  loving 
tribute.  Her  career  can  be  said  to  be  worked  like  golden  threads  into  the  better 
natures  of  hundreds  of  men  and  women  here.  When  death  called  Mrs.  Gold- 
quist  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Geistweite,  of  Chicago,  delivered  a  most  earnest  and  im- 
pressive address  upon  the  text,  "She  hath  done  what  she  could."  Hers  was  the 
history  of  a  life  of  responsibility,  of  toil  and  of  sacrifice;  a  life  that  was  one 
long  labor  of  love  in  which  she  wrought  not  for  herself  but  for  others.  She 
left  her  impress  for  good  upon  the  city  in  which  she  long  made  her  home  and  the 
memory  of  such  a  one  can  never  die  while  living  monuments  remain,  upon  which 
were  imprinted  the  touch  of  her  noble  soul.  .  .  •  •  •: 


FRANK  E.  ROGERS. 


Frank  E.  Rogers,  who  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Quincy  Railroad  Company  continuously  for  the  past  thirty-six  years,  was 
born  in  Warren,  Trimble  county,  Ohio,  on  the  3Oth  of  March,  1848.  His 
father,  Pitt  D.  Rogers,  was  born  and  reared  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Nor- 
wich, Connecticut,  whence  he  removed  in  the  early  '4os  to  Trimble  county, 
Ohio.  There  he  met  and  subsequently  married  Miss  Effie  Ewalt,  a  native  of 
that  state,  who  passed  away  when  our  subject  was  in  his  first  year.  Pitt  D. 
Rogers  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  stock  in  Ohio,  where  he  resided  until 
about  1845  or  1846,  when  he  came  to  Knoxville.  He  there  conducted  the  old 
Hibbard  House,  of  which  he  subsequently  became  the  proprietor,  until  his 
death  in  1896.  For  his  second  wife  he  chose  Miss  Lavina  P.  Hibbard,  whose 
father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Knoxville,  where  he  built  the  hotel 
that  bore  his  name.  Mr.  Rogers  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and 
while  residing  in  Connecticut  he  belonged  to  the  state  militia. 

The  only  child  born  unto  his  parents,  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  Frank 
E.  Rogers  was  taken  to  the  home  of  his  paternal  grandparents  in  Connecticut. 
There  he  passed  his  boyhood  and  early  youth,  pursuing  his  studies  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  subsequently  joined  his  father  in  Knoxville,  completing  his 
education  in  the  old  college  at  Abingdon,  this  state.  After  leaving  school  he 
returned  to  the  hotel,  where  he  assisted  his  father  until  January,  1875,  when  he 
became  a  freight  brakeman  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad. 
He  was  later  promoted  to  the  position  of  conductor,  but  is  now  and  has  been 
for  some  time  in  the  block  office  of  this  company  at  Galesburg.  |  '-.•.: 

On  the  loth  of  November,  1878,  Mr.  Rogers  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Ella  C.  Sipherd,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Webb)  Sipherd,  farming 
people  residing  three  miles  north  of  Knoxville.  Four  children  have  been  born 
of  this  marriage,  as  follows :  Harry  E.,  who  is  in  the  railway  passenger  service 


^;V.;^  :.-•.:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '  -f     :v-          377 

in  Chicago ;  George  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  in  New  York 
city;  Clara,  the  wife  of  H.  W.  Caldwell,  of  Galesburg,  by  whom  she  has  had 
one  daughter,  Winifred;  and  Ralph  Van,  in  the  government  irrigation  service 
in  the  state  of  Washington.  • 

, :  In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rogers  are  Presbyterians,  and  his  political 
support  he  gives  to  such  men  and  measures  as  he  deems  best  qualified  to  protect 
the  interests  of  the  majority.  Fratertially  he  is  identified  with  no  organization 
save  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors,  his  local  connection  being  with  Division 
No.  83  of  Galesburg.  Mr.  Rogers  is  one  of  the  oldest  men  in  the  company's 
employ,  in  years  of  continuous  service,  and  is  well  known  to  all  of  the  local 
trainmen  among  whom  he  numbers  many  stanch  friends  of  long  standing. 


STEPHEN  A.  INGERSOLL. 


-     .  , 

Stephen  A.  Ingersoll,  president  of  the  Galesburg  Coulter-Disc  Company,  is 
at  trte  head  of  one  of  the  important  industrial  and  manufacturing  enterprises 
of  the  city,  contributing  substantially  to  its  business  development.  In  the 
management  of  this  undertaking  he  displays  characteristic  energj',  determination 
and  foresight,  qualities  which  have  enabled  him  to  overcome  obstacles,  meet 
competition  and  so  control  his  activities  that  success  in  substantial  measure  has 
resulted.  He  was  born  in  Sullivan  county.  New  York,  near  Barryville,  April 
27,  1858,  a  son  of  At-aham  and  Sarah  (Swartout)  Ingersoll,  who  were  likewise 
natives  of  the  Empire  state.  The  paternal  grandfather,  however,  was  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  and  was  of  English  lineage.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born 
a  son  and  five  daughters,  including  Mrs.  Sarah  Kent  and  Abraham  Ingersoll. 
The  latter  was  reared  in  Sullivan  county.  New  York,  and  for  many  years  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  but  afterward  turned  his  attention  to  farming. 
Coming  to  Illinois  in  January,  1867,  he  settled  near  Wenona,  Illinois,  where  he 
purchased  land,  devoting  his  attention  to  its  development  and  improvement  until 
the  death  of  his  wife,  after  which  he  made  his  home  with  his  children.  He 
had  mar-ied  Sarah  Swartout  whose  father,  a  native  of  New  York,  followed 
farming  near  Port  Jervis,  Orange  county.  New  York.  To  Mr.  Swartout  and 
'  his  wife  were  bom  a  son  and  five  daughters,  including  Peter,  Sarah,  Eliza, 
Jane  and  Mrs.  Abraham  Ingersoll.  As  stated,  the  last  named  passed  away  on 
the  old  homestead,  near  Wenona,  Illinois.  Mr.  Ingersoll  died  at  Sandoval, 
Illinois,  in  1895,  at  the  age  of  ninety-five  years.  He  was  remarkable  in  that  his 
eyesight  remained  good  through  his  entire  life,  never  requiring  the  use  of 
glasses.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  while  living  in  the  east  filled  several 
minor  offices.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Congregfational 
church  and  were  ever  loyal  to  their  professions.  Their  family  numbered  the 
following  children:  Matilda,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Frederick  Nodine; 
Susan,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Knight  and  is  now  deceased  ;  Eliza,  the 
wife  of  Thomas  B.  Kent,  of  Kalispell,  Montana  ;  Emma,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Allen,  of  Forrest,  Illinois  ;  Naomi,  the  wife  of  Peter  Marker,  of  Rutland, 
Illinois;  Sarah,  who  died  unmarried;  and  Stephen  A.,  of  this  review, 


378  •;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        -';::;.;;> 

The  last  named  was  eight  years  of  age  when  the  family  came  to  Illinois, 
so  that  he  was  reared  upon  the  old  homestead  farm  in  La  Salle  county.  The 
summer  months  were  devoted  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  the  winter  seasons 
to  the  acquirement  of  an  education  in  the  district  schools  until  he  entered  the 
high  school  of  Wenona.  Later  he  spent  the  greater  part  of  four  years  as  a 
pupil  in  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  College  of  Valparaiso,  after  which  he 
took  up  the  profession  of  teaching,  which  he  followed  for  a  time,  as  he  did  also 
the  occupation  of  farming.  He  then  removed  to  Marion  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  from  i88i  until  1905,  living  at  Sandoval. 
In  the  latter  year  he  came  to  Galesburg.  In  the  meantime  he  had  turned  his 
attention  to  manufacturing  interests  and  on  coming  to  this  city  removed  the 
plant  to  this  place.  They  now  manufacture  agricultural  specialties,  disc  blades, 
plow  discs,  and  kindred  articles.  They  employ  from  fifty  to  one  hundred 
people,  according  to  the  season.  Their  building  is  located  at  the  western  edge 
of  the  city  and  is  one  hundred  and  forty-four  by  two  hundred  and  sixteen  feet. 
It  is  thoroughly  equipped  with  modern  machinery  and  everything  necessary  to 
facilitate  the  business  and  produce  an  output  that  will  find  a  ready  and  profit- 
able sale  on  the  market.  The  officers  of  the  Galesburg  Coulter-Disc  Company 
at  present  are :  Stephen  A.  Ingersoll,  president ;  R.  C.  Ingersoll,  vice  president ; 
H.  A.  Nelson,  secretary;  and  L.  P.  Wertman,  treasurer. 

In  November,  1884,  Mr.  Ingersoll  was  married  to  Miss  Cordelia  L.  Gaylord, 
a  native  of  Illinois  and  a  daughter  of  Perry  B.  and  Cordelia  (Cowles)  Gay- 
lord,  who  were  natives  of  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ingersoll  had  a  family  of 
five  children.  Roy  C.,  the  eldest,  married  Lulu  Hinchliff.  Winifred  has  spent 
seven  years  in  Knox  College,  pursuing  the  musical,  scientific  and  classical 
courses  and  is  now  in  the  senior  year  of  the  regular  course.  Harold  G.  was 
graduated  from  Knox  College  in  June,  1911,  and  now  has  charge  of  his  father's 
ranch  in  Judith  Basin,  Montana.  Jennie  was  drowned  in  August,  1909,  when 
seventeen  years  of  age.  Stephen,  who  completes  the  family,  is  a  pupil  in  the 
high  school.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Central  Congregational  church 
and  Mr.  Ingersoll's  views  upon  the  temperance  question  are  indicated  in  the 
fact  that  he  votes  with  the  prohibition  party.  His  influence  is  always  found  on 
the  side  of  right,  progress,  truth,  reform  and  improvement,  and  his  cooperation 
may  always  be  counted  upon  to  further  any  movement  or  measure  calculated 
to  advance  the  general  good.  His  long  life  has  ever  been  honorable  and  upright 
in  all  of  its  phases  and  he  sustains  an  unassailable  reputation  for  business 
integrity  as  well  as  for  enterprise  and  careful  management. 


;     'X  •  '     PROFESSOR  WILLIAM  BLAKE  CARLTON.       ; 

William  Blake  Carlton,  teacher  of  voice  and  head  of  the  musical  history 
and  sight-singing  department  of  the  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music  at  Gales- 
burg,  was  born  at  Versailles,  Tennessee,  November  15,  1873.  He  was  a  son 
of  William  and  Nancy  Virginia  (Williams)  Carlton  and  a  grandson  of  Blake 
and  Mary  (Walker)  Carlton.  The  family  comes  of  English  ancestry  and  the 
name  was  originally  spelled  Carleton.  Blake  Carlton,  a  native  of  North  Caro- 


;-  '    .  ^   ;  ^^   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :.^;.:v->        379 

-••.'"'•'.          j-  •--  -'.'•--  •-.    •..    •    L  .     - 

lina,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  met  an  accidental  death  when  about  forty 
Thomas  and  Minos.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  William  Blake  Carlton 
were  James  G.  and  Phoebe  (Spence)  Williams,  the  former  born  in  Brunswick 
county,  Virginia,  May  2,  1812.  He  was  of  German  descent  and  during  his 
active  life  followed  farming  and  blacksmithing.  He  reached  the  venerable  age 
of  eighty-six  years  while  his  wife  was  seventy-eight  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  her  death.  They  had  five  children,  who  lived  to  maturity,  as  follows: 
Nelson,  Elizabeth,  Nancy  Virginia,  Adna  and  Enoch. 

Both  William  and  Nancy  Virginia  Carlton  were  natives  of  Tennessee  and 
the  former,  who  was  reared  in  Rutherford  county  of  that  state,  still  makes  his 
home  there,  having  devoted  his  entire  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  At 
the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Confederacy  and  went 
to  the  front  as  a  private  of  Company  A,  Twenty-fourth  Tennessee  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Following  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he  took  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  United  States  government.  In  community  aflfairs  he  has  been  somewhat 
active,  serving  for  one  term  as  tax  assessor  and  for  many  years  as  a  member 
of  the  school-board,  the  cause  of  education  finding  in  him  a  stalwart  friend. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  church  while  his  wife  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Presbyterian  church.  Of  their  family  of  seven  children  three  were 
sons  and  four  were  daughters,  as  follows:  Mary,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Jackson, 
of  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee ;  Adna,  the  widow  of  Charles  H.  Hale,  residing 
near  Versailles,  Tennessee;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Jasper  W.  Jackson,  of 
Nashville,  Tennessee ;  William  Blake,  of  this  review ;  Nelson  Clay,  of  Spring- 
field, Tennessee;  Ella,  the  wife  of  W.  Freeland  Jackson,  of  Eagleville,  Tennessee; 
and  Dr.  John  D.,  of  Union  City,  Tennessee.  William  Carlton  was  twice  mar- 
ried, his  first  wife  having  been  Sarah  Spence,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  of 
whom  one  reached  adult  age,  James  F.,  now  of  Brownwood,  Texas,  while  the 
other  died  in  infancy. 

William  Blake  Carlton  was  reared  in  Rutherford  county,  Tennessee,  spend- 
ing his  youthful  days  upon  his  father's  farm,  in  the  vicinity  of  which  was 
received  his  English  education  in  the  district  schools  of  that  county  and  at  Haley, 
Tennessee.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  started  out  in  the  world  on  his 
own  account  by  clerking  in  a  general  store  and  later  was  connected  with  a 
grocery  house  in  Springfield,  Tennessee,  for  seven  years  in  the  capacity  of 
salesman.  He  then  became  one  of  the  proprietors  of  that  establishment  in 
partnership  with  his  brother  Nelson  Clay,  under  the  firm  style  of  Carlton 
Brothers,  which  business  association  was  maintained  for  five  years.  On  the 
expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  pursued  a  course  in  Brown's 
Business  College.  He  recognized  the  fact  that  nature  had  endowed  him  with  a 
good  singing  voice  and  he  was  ambitious  to  develop  his  talents  in  that  direction, 
so  that  he  entered  the  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music,  pursuing  the  full  course 
and  graduating  with  the  class  of  1908.  He  taught  for  a  year  and  a  half,  in- 
structing such  pupils  as  could  not  be  accommodated  in  the  college,  beginning 
this  work  in  1907.  In  September,  1908,  he  became  a  regular  teacher  of  voice 
in  Knox  College  and  the  following  year  was  made  head  of  the  department  of 
musical  history  and  sight  reading.  In  this  connection  he  is  proving  not  only 
that  he  has  musical  talent  himself,  but  that  he  also  has  ability  as  an  instructor, 
his  pupils  making  rapid  and  substantial  progress  under  his  direction  in  propor- 
tion to  their  talent. 


380  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

On  the  1 8th  of  June,  1902,  Mr.  Carlton  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Kendall 
A  very,  who  was  born  in  Galesburg,  March  9,  i88i.  Her  parents,  Robert  H. 
and  Sarah  (Ayers)  A  very,  were  also  natives  of  Illinois  and  in  this  state  her 
father  died  in  1892  and  her  mother  in  1898.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  Minnie,  Fred,  Sarah,  Cornelia,  Ellen  and  Elizabeth.  The  paternal 
grandfather  of  Mrs.  Carlton  was  George  Avery,  one  of  the  pioneer  residents  of 
Knox  county  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Galesburg. 
Her  maternal  grandparents  were  Thomas  N.  and  Sarah  Ayers,  whose  family 
numbered  the  following,  named :  Cornelia,  Sarah,  Jessie,  Abbie,  Fannie,  George, 
Henry,  James  and  Nelson.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlton  have  been  born  three 
daughters,  Margaret  E.,  Esther  A.  and  Sarah  Jean.  The^  parents  are  both 
members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  in  Galesburg  they  are  widely  and 
favorably  known,  Mrs.  Carlton  having  spent  her  entire  life  here,  while  Pro- 
fessor  Carlton  has  gained  an  extensive  acquaintance  during  the  period  of  his 
residence  in  this  city.  His  work  is  recognized  as  a  valuable  factor  in  upholding 
the  standard  of  the  departments  with  which  he  is  connected,  and  his  own  love 
for  and  enthusiastic  interest  in  music  does  much  to  inspire  his  pupils  and  to 
promote  musical  culture  and  taste  in  this  city.  ;  ,  .  •  •  •:  '  • 


:  C;;A         WILLIAM  LUCAS  STEELE.    ;.:,.;•;;.•:- 

William  Lucas  Steele,  superintendent  of  the  city  schools  of  Galesburg  and  ,     .  u 
prominently  known  in  educational  circles  throughout  the  state,  was  born  in  Adams    ;    "i-V  ' 
county,  Ohio,  July  22,  1854,  a  son  of  William  Lucas  and  Anna  (Johnston)  Steele.    '  ;v ,'  vv 
The  father  was  born  near  Londonderry,  Ireland,  in  which  city  he  acquired  his    •;    .  ;. 
education.     He  came  to  America  when  about  twenty  years  of  age  and  devoted    .  ^^^ :':.  '^ . 
his  life  to  farming.     His  wife  was  born  near  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  but  her  parents       ;<^V 
were  natives  of  Scotland  and  resided  for  a  time  in  Nova  Scotia  before  coming    '.':.'-• 
to  the  United  States.  ; ,    ;.•. 

During  his  early  boyhood  William  L.  Steele  accompanied  his  mother  on  her    ••••>..• 
removal  to  Randolph  county,  Illinois,  where  he  attended  a  country  school  dur-     ;%:.  y : 
ing  the  winter  months   until   fourteen  years  of   age.     He   afterward   spent  a      >::';, 
year  as  a  public-school  student  in  Monmouth,  Illinois,  and  obtained  his  advanced   - .:' '  v  • . 
training  in  Monmouth  College,  from  which  he  received  the  degree  of  Master         ;  /• 
of  Arts,  while  Knox  College  has  since  conferred  upon  him  the  Ph.  D.  degree. 
Difficulties  and  obstacles  have  at  times  beset  his  path.     His  father  died  when 
he  was  but  a  year  old  and  his  mother  was  left  with  three  small  children,  her         ;-  ;• 
property  inheritance  consisting  of  a  farm,  which  she  continued  to  manage  after 
her  husband's  death.     It  was  in  1859,  when  her  son,  William  L.  Steele,  was  five 
years  of  age,  that  she  removed  with  her  family  from  southern  Ohio  to  a  small 
farm  in  southern  Illinois,  where  the  succeeding  ten  years  were  passed,  at  which 
time  the  mother  removed  to  Monmouth  in  order  to  educate  her  children,  and 
Mr.  Steele  was  given  the  opportunities  hitherto  indicated.    He  early  knew  what 
it  was  to  labor  and  to  meet  the  heavy  responsibilities  of  life.     At  eight  years 
of  age  he  worked  in  the  fields  with  a  team  and  when  twelve  years  of  age  was  do- 
ing a  man's  regular  work.     He  was  ambitious  to  learn  and  made  good  use  of 


W.  L.  STEELE 


380  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY       . 

On  the  i8th  of  June.  1902,  Mr.  Carlton  \va.s  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Kendall 
Avery,  who  \vas  l)orn  in  Galeshurg,  March  <),  i88i.  Her  parents.  Robert  H. 
and  Sarah  (Avers)  Avery,  were  also  natives  of  Illinois  and  in  this  state  her 
father  died  in  1892  and  her  mother  in  1898.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,  Minnie,  Fred.  Sarah,  Cornelia,  Fllen  and  Elizabeth.  The  paternal 
grandfather  of  Mrs.  Carlton  was  George  Avery.  one  of  the  ])ioneer  residents  of 
Kno.x  county  and  a  charter  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Galeshurg. 
Her  maternal  grandparents  were  Thomas  X.  and  Sarah  .Avers,  whose  family 
numbered  the  following,  named :  Cornelia,  Sarah,  Jessie,  Abbie,  Fannie.  George, 
Henry,  James  and  Xelson.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlton  have  been  born  three 
daughters,  Margaret  E..  Esther  A.  and  Sarah  Jean.  The  parents  are  both 
members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  in  Galesburg  they  are  widely  and 
favorably  known.  Mrs.  Carlton  having  si)ent  her  entire  life  here,  while  Pro- 
fessor Carlton  has  gained  an  extensive  ac(|uaintance  during  the  ])erio(l  of  his 
residence  in  this  city.  His  work  is  recognixec]  as  a  valuable  factor  in  uj^holding 
the  standard  of  the  departnu'uts  with  wliich  lie  is  connected,  and  his  own  love 
for  and  enthusiastic  interest  in  music  does  much  to  inspire  his  pu])ils  and  to 
promote  musical  culture  and  taste  in  this  city. 


;•  WILLIAM   LUCAS  STEELE. 

\\'illiam  Lucas  Sleele,  superintendent  of  the  city  schools  of  (ialesburg  and      . 
prominently  known  in  educational  circles  throughout  the  state,  was  born  in  Adams 
county,  Ohio,  July  22,  1^54,  a  son  of  \\'illiam  Lucas  and  Anna  (Johnston  )  Steele. 
The  father  was  born  near  Londonderry.   Ireland,  in  which  city  he  accjuired  his 
education.     He  came  to  America  when  aljout  twenty  years  of  age  and  devoted 
his  life  to  farming.     His  wife  was  born  near  (,'hillicothe.  ( )hio,  but  her  parents         : 
were  natives  of  Scotland  and  resided  for  a  time  in   .\ova  Scotia  before  coming 
to  the  United  States. 

During  his  early  boyhood  \\'illiam  L.  Steele  accom])anied  his  mother  on  her     ' 
removal  to  Randolph  county.   Illinois,  where  he  attended  a  country  school  dur-     , 
ing  the    winter   months    until    fourteen   years   of    age.      He    afterward    spent   a     ' 
year  as  a  ])ublic-school  student  in  Monmouth.  Illinois,  and  obtained  his  advanced       ' 
training  in   Monmouth  College,  from  which  he  receive<l  the  degree  of  ^faster 
of  Arts,  while   Knox  College  has  since  conferred  upon  him  the   I'h.   1).  degree. 
Difficulties  and  obstacles  have  at  times  beset  his  ])ath.     His  father  died  when 
he  was  but  a  year  old  and  his  mother  was  left  with  three  small  children,  her 
property  inheritance  consisting  of  a  farm,  which  she  continued  to  manage  after  ,/ 
her  husband's  death.     It  was  in   1859.  when  her  son.  \\'illiam  L.  Steele,  was  Hve 
years  of  age.  that  she  removed  with  her  family  from  southern  Ohio  to  a  small 
farm  in  southern  Illincjis.  where  the  succeeding  ten  years  were  passed,  at  which 
time  the  mother  removed  to  Monmouth  in  order  to  educate  her  children,  and   ,    , 
Mr.  Steele  was  given  the  opj)ortunities  hitherto  indicated.     He  early  knew  what 
it  was  to  labor  and  to  meet  tbe  heavy  resjOTnsibilities  of  life.     At  eight  years 
of  age  he  worked  in  the  fields  with  a  team  and  when  twelve  years  of  age  was  do- 
ing a  man's  regular  work.     He  was  ambitious  to  learn  and  made  good  use  of   ;  ' 


';<;:'^-       .;'-       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .;>.'  J:  .     383 

.V  V.        i      \  .  -•  •;  .  .  :_•  ,-'.,>  .  .  *  .        ••'• 

his  opportunities  in  that  direction  and  while  pursuing  his  college  course  engaged 
in  teaching  in  the  rural  schools  for  three  winters.  Following  the  completion  of 
his  collegiate  work  in  1876  he  was  elected  principal  of  the  schools  at  Yates  City, 
Illinois,  which  position  he  held  until  January,  1883,  when  he  resigned  to  .take 
up  the  duties  of  county  superintendent  of  Knox  county,  to  which  position  he 
had  been  elected  in  November,  1882.  He  thus  served  until  September,  1885, 
when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  superintendency  of  the  city  schools  of  Galesburg. 
He  has  since  been  at  the  head  of  public  instruction  in  this  city,  covering  a  period 
of  twenty-seven  years,  and  the  present  efficient  school  system  is  largely  the  monu- 
ment to  his  indefatigable  energy  and  ability  in  the  field  of  his  chosen  profession. 
He  has  cooperated  in  many  movements  which  have  stimulated  intellectual  pro- 
gress, always  doing  everything  in  his  power  to  disseminate  that  knowledge  which 
constitutes  the  basis  of  a  higher  civilization.  When  principal  of  the  schools  at 
Yates  City  he  founded  the  Yates  City  School  and  Public  Library,  which  con- 
tained over  two  thousand  volumes  when  he  removed  to  Galesburg.  While  serv- 
ing as  county  superintendent  of  schools  he  prepared  the  first  course  of  study  or 
outline  of  school  work  for  the  country  schools  of  the  county.  This  was  pub- 
lished by  the  board  of  supervisors  and  ten  copies  placed  in  each  district.  Dur- 
ing his  incumbency  as  superintendent  of  schools  in  Galesburg  the  high  school 
has  made  remarkable  development.  It  was  the  first  public  high  school  in  the 
state  to  introduce  manual  training  and  the  first  high  school  in  the  country  lo 
adopt  the  elective  system  in  studies.  He  is  continually  seeking  out  new  methods 
to  promote  the  work  of  the  schools,  rendering  it  of  practical  value  as  a  prepara- 

.  tion  for  life's  responsible  duties. 

In  addition  to  filling  the  office  of  county  superintendent  of  schools  of  Knox 

county  from  December,  1882,  until  September,  1885,  Professor  Steele  has  filled 

V  other  positions  of  trust  and  prominence.     He  has  been  honored  with  the  presi- 

-  dency  of  the  Central  Illinois  Teachers'  Association,  the  Schoolmasters'  Club  of 
Illinois  and  also  the  Illinois  State  Teachers'  Association.  He  is  at  present  a  mem- 
ber of  the  state  commission  of  education,  to  which  position  he  was  appointed 
by  the  governor.  His  efforts  have  done  much  to  stimulate  coworkers  with  much 
of  his  own  zeal  and  enthusiasm  and  while  working  toward  high  ideals  his  meth- 
ods have  always  been  of  a  most  practical  and  resultant  character.  In  addition 
to  his  labors  in  the  field  of  education  he  has  since  1909  been  president  of  the 
Fidelity  Savings  &  Loan  Society,  an  institution  whose  assets  are  over  eight  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  He  has  also  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  First  National  Bank  since  1905  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of 
Hope  cemetery  association  since  1894.  He  has  been  the  secretary  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  over  twenty  years,  of  which  church 
he  is  a  member.  >:•>..- 

-    - .  >     . 

On  the  2Oth  of  October,  1887,  in  Chicago,  William  L.  Steele  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Helen  Carter  Benedict,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Thomas  N. 
Benedict.  For  several  years  prior  to  her  marriage  Mrs.  Steele  was  a  successful 
teacher  in  the  Galesburg  schools.  She  died  May  3,  1893,  survived  by  her  two 
daughters,  Gertrude  H.  and  Helen  B.  Her  death  was  the  occasion  of  deep  regret 
to  many  friends  as  well  as  to  her  immediate  family,  for  her  many  excellent  traits 
of  character  had  endeared  her  to  all  who  knew  her. 


384  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ':'•.: 

Mr.  Steele's  political  allegiance  has  always  been  given  to  the  republican 
party,  though  he  has  not  taken  an  active  part  in  politics  since  leaving  the  county 
superintendency  in  1885.  In  manner  he  is  quiet  and  unassuming,  yet  is  con- 
stantly working  with  a  definite  purpose  in  view  and  seldoni  fails  in  its  accom- 
plishment. '  .  .,  :./:•;.•.•::.•..•:' 


;  f :         .  AUGUST  RINELLA.        .;•  V  ^^  ^' ;..  v 

August  Rinella,  who  for  the  past  thirteen  years  has  been  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  and  retail  fruit  and  confectionery  business  in  Galesburg.  was  born 
in  Termini,  Italy,  on  October  19,  1869.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Josephine 
(Cardarone)  Rinella,  natives  of  the  same  place,  the  father's  birth  occurring  on 
the  3d  of  June,  1846,  and  that  of  the  mother  on  the  25th  of  September,  1856. 
Samuel  Rinella  resided  in  his  native  land,  engagihg  in  farming,  .until  1890, 
when  with  his  wife  and  family,  all  except  our  subject,  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  having  located  in  Chicago,  where  he  successfully  conducted  a 
fruit  market  for  fifteen  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  retired  and 
removed  to  Kewanee,  this  state,  and  there  he  and  the  mother  and  five  younger 
members  of  their  family  continue  to  live.  Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rinella,  as  follows:  August,  our  subject;  Joseph;  Anthony;  James;  John; 
and  Angelo.  The  parents  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
and  his  political  support  the  father  gives  to  the  democratic  party. 

The  first  twenty-four  years  in  the  life  of  August  Rinella  were  spent  in 
Italy,  to  whose  schools  he  is  indebted  for  his  education.  After  laying  aside  his 
text-books  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  had  attained 
his  majority.  He  then  entered  the  Italian  army,  as  is  customary  in  that  country, 
serving  for  three  years  as  a  musician.  At  the  expiration  of  his  period  of  enlist- 
ment, in  1893,  he  took  passage  for  the  United  States  to  join  his  people,  who 
came  to  this  country  about  the  time  he  joined  the  army.  EHiring  the  first  two 
years  of  his  residence  in  America  he  worked  for  his  father,  but  at  the  end  of 
that  time  he  started  a  business  of  his  own  that  he  conducted  for  three  years. 
As  competition  was  very  keen  in  Chicago,  he  looked  about  for  a  location  else- 
where, deciding  in  favor  of  Galesburg,  where  he  located  in  1898.  Here  he 
established  a  wholesale  and  retail  fruit  and  confectionery  business,  that  has 
prospered  from  the  very  first.  Mr.  Rinella  is  a  business  man  of  unusual 
capabilities,  and  although  he  had  only  lived  in  the  United  States  for  five  years 
when  he  removed  to  Galesburg,  he  early  manifested  his  ability  to  successfully 
compete  with  merchants,  who  had  been  born  and  reared  in  this  country  and 
were  thoroughly  familiar  with  its  commercial  conditions  and  methods.  He 
has  built  up  an  extensive  local  patronage  and  also  enjoys  an  excellent  country 
trade,  increasing  so  rapidly  that  it  now  requires  the  services  of  four  salesmen 
to  call  upon  his  customers. 

In  Chicago  on  the  2d  of  November,  1894,  Mr.  Rinella  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Josephine  Caruso,  a  daughter  of  Philip  and  Josephine  (Purpera) 
Caruso.  Mrs.  Rinella  was  born  in  Termini,  on  November  i,  1873,  and  there 
she  was  reared  and  educated.  Her  parents,  who  were  farming  people,  were 


;  ;      -       V     '1  '•';      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  j .  rV"          385 

natives  of  the  same  place,  the  father  being  born  in  1829  and  the  mother  ten 
years  later.  There  the  father  passed  away  in  1891.  The  mother  and  family 
remained  in  Italy  until  1893,  when  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating 
in  Chicago,  but  Mrs.  Caruso  now  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Rinella,  at  Galesburg.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Caruso  numbered  ten  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Antonema,  the  wife  of  Anthony  Guiffre,  of  Chicago;  Frank, 
who  is  living  in  Galesburg;  Gidia,  who  died  in  Italy;  Philip,  whose  death  oc- 
curred in  Chicago;  Marie  and  Gustie,  who  both  died  before  leaving  their  native 
land ;  Carmila,  who  passed  away  in  Chicago ;  Josephine,  now  Mrs.  August 
Rinella;  August,  living  in  Chicago;  and  Joseph,  who  died  in  that  city.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rinella  have  had  the  following  children,  namely :  Josephine,  born  October 
7,  1895;  Samuel,  born  March  9,  1897;  Gustie,  born  January  17,  1900;  Philip, 
born  July  4,  1902;  Joseph,  born  March  13,  1906;  Mary,  born  October  8,  1908, 
and  who  has  passed  away;  and  August.  Jr.,  born  May  19,  1910. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rinella  are  Roman  Catholics  and  belong  to  Corpus  Christi 
parish,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  As  one  of  the  enter- 
prising and  progressive  business  men  of  the  city  Mr.  Rinella  belongs  to  the 
Retail  Merchants  Association.  In  matters  politic  he  is  a  democrat,  having  given 
his  unqualified  support  to  that  party  ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise 
through  naturalization.  During  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Galesburg  he 
has  shown  himself  to  be  in  every  way  a  most  desirable  citizen,  possessing  many 
substantial  personal  qualities.  His  integrity  in  all  business  transactions  has 
always  been  found  to  be  above  questioning  and  he  is  thoroughly  loyal  to  the 
country  of  his  adoption. 


.  ;  ;  \,:'  ;  ;,.-;•-:...;--.     AARON  BOWERS.  ;-^:•  .V  •:•';.;. -;:..r-'- •"• '^•_-: 

Aaron  Bowers  is  a  retired  farmer  living  with  his  sister.  Miss  Elizabeth 
Bowers,  at  No.  371  West  North  street  in  Galesburg.  He  was  born  in  High- 
land  county,  Ohio,  March  21,  1829,  and  is  a  son  of  Silas  and  Phoebe  (Lewis) 
Bowers,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia  or  Pennsylvania.  The  maternal  grand- 
parents  were  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Feasel)  Lewis,  both  of  whom  lived  to 
old  age  and  reared  a  family  of  several  children,  namely:  Isaac,  Phoebe,  Aaron, 
John,  Christina,  Nancy  and  Barney.  Silas  Bowers,  the  father  of  our  subject, 
became  a  farmer  of  Highland  county,  Ohio,  and  afterward,  removing  west- 
ward,  was  an  early  settler  of  Parke  county,  Indiana.  He  passed  away  in  Ver- 
milion county,  Indiana,  when  about  sixty  years  of  age.  His  wife  survived  him 
and  passed  away  in  1876  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years  and  eight 
months.  She  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  In  their 
family  were  ten  children,  namely:  Mary  Ann,  who  is  the  widow  of  John  Wil- 
son  and  resides  in  Sigourney,  Iowa;  Aaron,  of  this  review;  Elizabeth,  living  in 
Galesburg;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Griggs,  of  Wheaton,  Illinois;  Christina, 
the  deceased  wife  of  William  Redford ;  Lucinda,  the  deceased  wife  of  J.  A. 
McCoy;  and  four  who  passed  away  in  early  life. 

Aaron  Bowers  spent  a  part  of  his  youthful  days  in  Ohio  and  also  remained 
for  a  time  in  Indiana.  He  pursued  his  education  in  one  of  the  old-time,  log- 


386  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

cabin  subscription  schools.  He  was  a  particularly  fine  speller  and  knew  the 
old  elementary  spelling  book  by  heart.  In  1855  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in 
Warren  county,  where  he  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Coldbrook, 
for  which  he  paid  twenty-five  dollars  per  acre.  Later  he  bought  a  farm  in 
Floyd  township,  where  he  now  owns  four  hundred  and  one  and  a  half  acres, 
in  addition  to  his  one  hundred  and  sixty-acre  tract  in  Coldbrook  township  and 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Iowa.  He  lived  in  Coldbrook  and 
Floyd  townships  for  forty-five  years  but  has  made  his  home  in  Galesburg  for 
the  past  eleven  years  and  in  this  city  owns  a  fine  home  where  he  lives  retired, 
he  and  his  sister  Elizabeth  living  together.  While  his  life  was  devoted  mainly 
to  general  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  line  of  business  he  won  substantial 
success,  he  has  also  done  some  public  service,  acting  as  road  commissioner  for 
twelve  years  and  also  as  school  director  for  one  term. 

Elizabeth  Bowers  was  born  in  Parke  county,  Indiana,  October  31,  1833, 
and  has  always  remained  with  her  brother,  acting  as  his  housekeeper.  She  is 
a  very  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  takes  a  most  helpful  part 
in  its  work.  Mr.  Bowers  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  still  holds  his  Masonic  papers.  He  is  yet  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
lodge  at  Cameron.  He  is  now  more  than  eighty-two  years  of  age  and  his  life 
has  been  that  of  a  successful  farmer  and  stockman.  He  began  as  a  poor  boy 
without  money  and  has  made  all  of  his  property  himself,  placing  his  dependence 
upon  energy,  industry  and  determination.  He  certainly  well  deserves  the  pros- 
perity that  came  to  him.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  this  part  of  the  state  for 
fifty-six  years  and  its  history  is  therefore  largely  familiar  to  him,  while  in  the 
work  of  its  agricultural  development  he  has  borne  an  important  part. 


V     .-.       :  CHARLES  S.  CLARK.       /    V/-:     ;^.\/- 

One    of    the    most    extensive    landowners    and    successful    agriculturists    of  ;' 
Victoria  township  is  Charles  S.  Clark,  who  in  addition  to  the  duties  connected 
with  the  operation  of  his  extensive  acreage  is  officially  connected  with  a  num- 
ber of  the  leading  banking  institutions  of  Knox  county.     He  is  a  native  of  New 
York,  his  birth  occurring  in  Roxbury,  Delaware  county,  on  the  4th  of  June, 
1835,  and  the  eldest  son  of  Job  W.  and  Hepsey   (Woods)    Clark,  while  his  . 
paternal  grandfather  was  Hazard  Clark.     The  father  was  born  in  Berkshire, 
Massachusetts,  on  the  7th  of  July,  1812,  while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Rox-  ; 
bury,  her  birth  occurring  in  1815.    In  his  early  manhood  Job  W.  Clark  came  to 
New  York,  locating  in  Roxbury,  where  on  the  I3th  of  July,  1834,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Woods.    There  they  spent  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  ' 
life,  but  in  1855  they  came  west,  and  in  December  of  that  year  settled  in  the  .. 
village   of  Victoria.     Mr.   Clark  subsequently  purchased   a  quarter   section   of 
land  west  of  there,  known  as  the  Mound  farm.    Later  he  and  his  wife  removed  ; 
to  an  eighty-acre  tract  in  Victoria  township,  and  there  he  passed  away  on  the 
24th  of  January,  1884,  his  wife  surviving  until  the  I3th  of  October,  1886,  when  . 
her  death  occurred  on  the  home  farm.     Both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  Victoria.     Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  there  were  born  six  chil-  ' 


CHARLES  S.  CLARK 


386       .  •  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

cabin  subscrijition  schools.  lie  was  a  particularly  fine  speller  and  knew  the 
old  elementary  spelling  book  by  heart.  In  1855  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in 
\\'arren  county,  where  he  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Coldbrook, 
for  which  he  paid  twenty-five  dollars  jier  acre.  Later  he  bought  a  farm  in 
Floyd  township,  where  he  now  owns  four  hundred  and  one  and  a  half  acres, 
in  addition  to  his  one  hundred  and  sixty-acre  tract  in  Coldbrook  township  and 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Iowa.  lie  lived  in  Coldbrook  and 
Floyd  townships  for  forty-five  years  but  has  made  his  home  in  Galesburg  for 
the  past  eleven  years  and  in  this  city  owns  a  fine  home  where  he  lives  retired, 
he  and  his  sister  Elizabeth  living  together.  While  his  life  was  devoted  mainly 
to  general  agricultural  pursuit>.  in  which  line  of  business  he  won  substantial 
success,  he  has  also  done  some  public  service,  acting  as  road  commissioner  for 
twelve  years  and  also  as  school  director  for  one  term. 

Flizabeth  Dowers  was  born  in  Parke  county.  Indiana.  October  31.  i<^33, 
and  has  always  remained  with  her  l)n)ther.  acting  as  his  housekeeper.  She  is 
a  very  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  takes  a  most  helpful  i)art 
in  its  work.  Mr.  Bowers  was  formerly  a  member  of  tbe  Masonic  fraternity 
and  still  bolds  bis  Masonic  |ia])ers.  lie  is  yet  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
lodge  at  Cameron,  lie  is  now  more  than  eighty-two  years  of  age  and  his  life 
has  been  that  of  a  succe-sful  farmer  and  stockman.  He  began  as  a  poor  boy 
without  money  and  lias  made  all  of  his  pro])erty  himself,  placing  his  dependence 
upon  energy,  industry  and  determination.  He  certainly  well  deserves  tlie  pros- 
perity that  came  to  him.  I  le  has  been  a  resident  of  this  ]xnrt  of  the  state  for 
fifty-six  years  and  its  history  is  therefore  largely  familiar  to  him.  while  in  the 
work  of  it.-i  agricultural  development  he  has  borne  an  important  part. 


:    •;:  CHARLES  S.  CLARK.        : 

One  of  the  most  exten--ive  landowners  and  successful  agriculturists  of 
Victoria  township  is  Charles  S.  Clark,  who  in  addition  to  the  duties  connected 
with  the  operation  of  his  extensive  acreage  is  ofificially  connected  with  a  num- 
ber of  the  leading  banking  institutions  of  Knox  county.  He  is  a  native  of  Xew 
York,  his  birth  occin-ring  in  Roxbury,  Delaware  county,  on  the  4th  of  June, 
1833,  and  the  eldest  son  of  Job  \V.  and  Hepsey  (Woods)  Clark,  while  his 
paternal  grandfather  was  Hazard  Clark.  The  father  was  born  in  Berkshire, 
Massachusetts,  on  the  /th  of  July,  1812.  while  the  nunher  was  a  native  of  Rox- 
bury, her  birtb  occurring  in  1815.  In  his  early  manhood  Job  W.  Clark  came  to 
Xew  York,  locating  in  Roxbury,  where  on  the  I3th  of  July,  1834.  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  \\'oods.  There  they  spent  the  early  years  of  their  domestic 
life,  but  in  1855  tbey  came  west,  and  in  December  of  that  year  settled  in  the 
village  of  \'ictoria.  ]\Ir.  Clark  subse(|uently  purchased  a  quarter  section  of 
land  west  of  there,  known  as  the  Mound  farm.  Later  he  and  his  wife  removed 
to  an  eighty-acre  tract  in  \'ictoria  township,  and  there  he  passed  away  on  the 
24th  of  January,  i8<84,  his  wife  surviving  until  the  I3th  of  October,  1886,  when 
her  death  occurred  on  the  home  farm.  Both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  \'ictoria.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  there  were  born  six  chil- 


"    CIIAKLKS  S.  CLARK 


;',;::^",^  vv;v  v^^. ;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  . 

dren,  the  eldest  of  whom  is  Charles  S.,  of  this  sketch.  William  Perry,  who  was 
born  on  June  ii,  1839,  now  residing  in  Talmage,  Nebraska,  married  Adaline 
Hines,  a  native  of  Victoria,  from  whom  he  was  subsequently  divorced.  Of 
this  marriage  there  were  born  three  children :  Carrie  Augusta,  who  is  deceased ; 
Charles  Perry;  and  William  Bird,  who  is  also  deceased.  On  the  I2th  of  March, 
1887,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Peterson,  also  of  Victoria,  and  they  have  three 
children:  Marion  Caroline;  Ella  May;  and  Mary  Louise.  Marian  A.,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  February  14,  1846,  married  Charles  D.  Sornborger,  who  was 
born  in  Victoria  on  the  26th  of  October,  1843.  Their  marriage  occurred  on  the 
1 2th  of  April,  1870,  and  on  the  5th  of  March,  seven  years  later,  she  passed 
away  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria.  Unto  them  there  were  born 
three  sons:  Clifford  Ford,  whose  natal  day  was  the  I2th  of  June,  1871;  Clyde 
Wilson,  born  on  July  24,  1874;  and  Earl  Charles,  who  was  born  on  August  13, 
1877,  and  died  on  the  8th  of  April,  1878.  Judson  E.,  the  fourth  in  order  of 
birth  of  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Job  W.  Clark,  was  born  in  February, 
1848,  and  died  in  1850.  Sarah  Ella  was  born  on  Christmas  day,  1850,  and  on 
the  29th  of  March,  1871,  she  was  married  to  Elmer  C.  Powell,  of  Springfield, 
Ohio,  whose  natal  day  was  November  i,  1849.  Unto  them  were  bom  the 
following  children :  Osborne  Wayne,  Augusta.  Maurice  Clark,  Mabel  Clarion, 
Mildred  Bell,  Reed  McKinley  and  Sybil  Marie.  Luman  Reed  was  united  in 
marriage  on  the  23d  of  May,  1884,  to  Matilda  R.  Cummings,  who  was  born  on 
the  I4th  of  June,  1859,  and  she  died  in  Kansas  on  the  2Oth  of  March,  1894.  Of 
this  marriage  there  were  born  five  children,  Arthur  Wilcox,  Nellie  Belle,  Charles, 
John  Gilmore  and  Luman  Reed,  Jr. 

Charles  S.  Clark  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state, 
where  he  spent  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life.  After  the  family  removed  to 
Victoria  he  began  his  independent  business  career,  and  for  two  years  thereafter 
clerked  in  Whitting  &  Copley's  mercantile  establishment.  Much  of  his  life  hav- 
ing been  spent  on  a  farm,  he  was  thoroughly  familiar  with  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  as  this  vocation  seemed  to  afford  better  opportunities  of  advancement  than 
commercial  lines  he  left  the  store  and  the  succeeding  two  years  devoted  to 
farming.  In  1860  he  made  a  trip  to  the  mining  sections  of  Colorado,  making 
the  journey  with  a  team  and  wagon.  There  he  secured  a  gold  claim  and  spent 
eight  months  in  prospecting.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  returned  to 
Victoria  and  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  a  mile  east  of  town. 
He  subsequently  disposed  of  this  property  and  bought  the  place  where  he  is 
now  living,  located  on  the  east  side  of  the  north  and  south  road  in  section  7, 
Victoria  township,  containing  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  fertile  land,  that 
is  well  improved  and  carefully  kept  up.  In  the  operation  of  his  fields  Mr.  Clark 
has  always  manifested  the  intelligence  and  capability  that  characterizes  the  suc- 
cessful business  man  in  any  line  of  activity,  and  as  a  result  he  has  been  unusually 
prosperous.  Well  tilled  and  carefully  cultivated  land,  where  all  other  conditions 
are  favorable,  invariably  responds  to  the  attention  bestowed  upon  it  by  yielding 
abundant  harvests,  and  such  has  been  the  experience  of  Mr.  Clark,  who  annually 
realizes  a  handsome  dividend  from  his  fields.  In  connection  with  diversified 
farming  he  raises  stock,  and  this  branch  of  his  business  has  also  proven  to  be 
very  remunerative.  As  his  means  have  warranted  he  has  added  to  his  holdings 
until  he  now  owns  eleven  hundred  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under  cultiva- 


390  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  t  . 

tion.  With  the  exception  of  two  eighty-acre  tracts  that  are  located  in  Copley 
township,  all  of  his  land  is  in  Victoria  township.  All  of  the  buildings  now 
standing  on  his  homestead  have  been  erected  during  the  ownership  of  Mr. 
Clark,  with  the  exception  of  the  residence.  He  has  large,  substantially  con- 
structed barns  and  outbuildings  for  his  stock,  which  is  of  a  good  grade,  and 
ample  provision  is  also  made  for  the  protection  of  his  grains  and  farming 
implements. 

On  the  2ist  of  March,  i86i,  Mr.  Clark  was  married  to  Miss  Almina  C. 
Hedstrom,  who  was  born  at  Farmington,  Illinois,  on  the  I2th  of  October,  1840, 
and  passed  away  on  the  farm,  where  Mr.  Clark  now  resides  on  November  5, 
1887,  of  typhoid  fever.  She  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria.  Her  father 
was  a  Swedish  minister  and  her  mother  a  sister  of  Anson  Sornborger,  formerly 
of  Worcester,  Oswego  county.  New  York.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark  there 
were  born  five  children.  Irwin  J.,  who  is  the  eldest,  was  born  on  the  23d  of 
September,  1862,  and  died  on  October  5,  1888.  Mary  Lois,  who  was  born  on 
the  I9th  of  May,  1864,  married  Xevvton  C.  Robbins,  of  Copley  township,  and 
they  have  nine  children,  Glenn,  Maurine,  Edith,  Eva,  Reuben,  Stewart,  Howard, 
Jean  and  Lucille.  Charles  Delbert,  who  was  bom  on  November  14,  1866,  and 
died  in  April,  1898,  married  Nettie  Doak,  this  event  occurring  on  the  5th  of 
November,  1895.  Unto  them  were  bom  two  sons,  John  Stewart  and  Charles 
Doak.  On  the  24th  of  April,  1900,  Mrs.  Charles  Delbert  Clark  passed  away 
and  was  laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Janet  Doak,  of  Oneida,  Illinois.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Charles  D.  Clark  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  always 
took  an  active  interest  in  all  political  affairs,  his  allegiance  being  given  to  the 
republican  party,  and  he  held  a  number  of  township  offices.  Jennie  Becker  was 
born  on  the  29th  of  September,  1869,  and  makes  her  home  with  her  father.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  John  Perry,  whose  natal  day  was 
the  I7th  of  September,  1871,  married  Eva  Gordon,  a  daughter  of  Harry  and 
Mary  Gordon,  and  is  a  resident  of  Victoria.  Of  this  marriage  there  have  been 
born  five  children,  Gordon  Wilder,  Ralph  Perry,  Fred  Richard,  Helen  Janet 
and  Jean  Almina.  The  Victoria  cemetery,  where  so  many  members  of  the  Clark 
family  are  buried,  originally  belonged  to  the  farm  now  owned  by  our  subject, 
but  was  deeded  away,  for  the  purpose  it  is  now  used,  before  he  bought  the  place. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  Clark  is  a  Methodist,  as  was  also  his  wife,  while  his 
political  views  accord  with  the  principles  of  the  republican  party.  Although  he 
has  for  many  years  had  extensive  business  interests,  that  claimed  the  greater 
part  of  his  attention,  Mr.  Clark  never  neglects  his  civic  duties.  He  takes  an 
active  and  helpful  interest  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  township,  and  served 
for  twelve  years  as  school  trustee  and  director  and  for  three  terms  as  township 
supervisor.  In  the  administration  of  his  official  duties  he  manifested  the  same 
sagacity  and  discretion  as  characterizes  his  transactions  in  business  life,  his 
service  being  marked  by  rare  efficiency.  Mr.  Clark  possesses  not  only  unusual 
business  acumen  but  great  versatility,  as  anything  that  he  has  undertaken  has 
been  so  capably  directed,  that  it  has  proven  a  success  from  every  point  of  view, 
and  the  methods  used  in  its  achievement  have  at  all  times  been  above  question. 
He  has  the  rare  faculty  of  recognizing  opportunities  ignored  by  the  man  of 
less  foresight,  that  he  ably  directs  to  his  own  advantage,  and  to  this  can  be  at- 


;  ^v::;x  V  ;/ J      -^^  ::-  '      39i 

tributed  his  unusual  success.     In  addition  to  his  valuable  realty  holdings  he  is 

-  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  State  Bank  of  Victoria,  and  a  stockholder  of 
,   the  Oneida  State  Bank  of  Oneida,  and  of  the  State  Bank  of  Altona,  while  he 

;-  is  also  a  director  and  vice  president  of  the  latter  institution.    Through  the  entire 

•  period  of  his  business  career,  Mr.  Clark  has  at  all  times  given  evidence  of  pos- 

•  sessing  the  qualities  that  would  have  won  him  recognition  as  a  man  of  unusual 
;  mental  powers  and  judicious  discernment  in  any  vocation  he  might  have  elected 

to  follow.     All  of  his  transactions  evidence  the  clear  judgment,  careful  regard 
for  details,  keen  discrimination  and  above  all  else  the  determination  of  purpose 
that  characterize  the  successful  man  and  give  him  the  power  wherewith  he  domi- 
.•     nates  conditions. 


;          .  :     ;    ;     ;    V    JOHN  C.  OBERG.      "     :  -,  ; . 

•"'•"••;  •:•^:;^i^•  ^;';^-'-'\  \.;^-'--:;':;  •-^:^•,^  -I;;';;' ;'-v:.^;,v.^^  ;      •-     S' ':".'-; 

John  C.  Oberg,  a  well  known  railroad  man  of  Galesburg,  where  he  has  re- 
sided  for  over  forty  years,  was  born  in  Sweden,  on  October  19,  1849.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Christine  (Hanson)  Oberg,  who  were  born,  reared  and 
married  in  Sweden.  The  father,  as  is  customary  in  that  country,  served  in 
the  army  during  his  early  manhood  and  subsequently  worked  as  a  laborer, 
never  having  learned  a  trade.  In  1855  with  his  wife  and  family  he  emigrated 
to  the  United  States,  first  locating  at  Altona.  There  he  worked  as  a  laborer  for 
a  few  months,  but  in  1856  he  removed  his  family  to  Wataga,  where  he  and  the 
mother  passed  away.  They  were  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church, 
and  his  political  allegiance  was  accorded  to  the  republican  party.  Eight  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oberg,  of  wEom  our  subject  is  the  eldest,  the 
others  in  order  of  birth  are  as  follows :  Christine,  who  is  deceased ;  Annie 
and  Andrew,  twins,  the  former  a  resident  of  Lake  Forest,  Illinois,  and  the 
latter  deceased;  Mary,  who  is  also  living  in  Lake  Forest;  and  Oliver,  Louise 
and  Carrie,  residents  of  Wataga. 

As  he  was  only  a  child  of  four  years,  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on 
their  emigration  to  the  United  States,  John  C.  Oberg  acquired  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  Wataga,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  On  the 
I4th  of  February,  1871,  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  obtained  employment  as  a 
brakeman  on  a  freight  train.  He  was  an  efficient  and  reliable  employe,  and  two 
and  a  half  years  later  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  conductor.  Ten  years 
later,  in  1893,  he  was  again  promoted,  this  time  being  assigned  a  passenger 
train.  He  is  now  on  the  Galesburg  &  Quincy  division  of  the  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton &  Quincy  Railroad,  on  which  he  has  been  detailed  for  some  time.  He  has 
two  million,  five  hundred  thousand  miles  to  his  credit,  and  during  the  forty 
years  of  his  service  with  this  company  has  never  had  an  accident  of  more  than 
a  minor  nature. 

On  September  24,  1879,  Mr.  Oberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mathilda 
Jacobson,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  Jacobson,  of  Galesburg.  Mrs.  Oberg 
was  also  a  native  of  Sweden,  her  birth  having  occurred  on  May  6,  1849,  while 
she  passed  away  in  Galesburg  in  1905.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oberg 


892  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ,  .;;  /"I 

numbered  five  children,  of  whom  three  died  in  infancy ;  the  others  are  Lilly  L, 
and  Sophia  A.,  both  of  whom  are  at  home.        .  ..[  •  ' 

Mr.  Oberg  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  with  which  his 
wife  was  also  affiliated,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Order  of  Railway 
Conductors,  being  identified  with  Galesburg  Division,  No.  83,  in  which  he  has 
held  the  various  offices.  He  is  independent  in  his  political  views,  giving  his 
support  to  such  men  and  measures,  he  deems  most  Ikely  to  subserve  the  best 
interests  of  all  of  the  people.  Mr.  Oberg's  life  has  not  been  distinguished  by 
any  unusual  events,  but  has  been  passed  in  the  unobtrusive  manner  that  char- 
acterizes the  thrifty  and  industrious  citizen,  who  discharges  his  duties  to  his 
family  and  society  at  large  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  •  ,  '  . 


'      ':•/  JOHN  HJERPE.         ;;;.;;'/  ;        / 

'  John  Hjerpe,  identified  with  the  building  interests  of  Galesburg  for  twenty- 
eight  years,  during  the  greater  portion  of  which  period  he  has  been  engaged  in 
contracting,  is  one  of  the  leading  representatives  of  his  line  of  business  in  the 
city.  One  of  Sweden's  enterprising  sons,  his  birth  occurred  in  Wermland, 
on  December  5,  1862,  and  there  his  parents.  Carl  and  Martha  (Haney)  Hjerpe, 
were  also  born  and  reared.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hjerpe, 
as  follows :  Carl,  who  is  a  resident  of  New  Britain,  Connecticut ;  Tilda,  the 
widow  of  John  Anderson,  of  Upsala,  Sweden ;  Ullrika,  the  wife  of  John  Ander- 
son, of  Kewanee,  Illinois ;  Eric  G.,  who  is  a  minister,  now  a  resident  of  Chi- 
cago; John,  our  subject;  and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  Carl  Hjerpe  during  the 
entire  period  of  his  active  life  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  his  native 
town  and  there  he  died  in  1892,  at  the  age  of  about  ninety  years.  The  mother 
survived  for  three  years  thereafter,  her  death  occurring  after  she  had  passed 
the  seventy-third  anniversary  of  her  birth.  In  matters  of  religious  faith  both 
were  Lutherans.  :  ;.V  '''•:'•'  I';'-" 

Reared  in  the  land  of  his  birth,  after  completing  his  schooling,  John  Hjerpe 
was  apprenticed  to  the  mason's  trade.  He  was  a  thoughtful  and  ambitious 
youth  and  it  was  early  brought  to  his  realization  that  conditions  prevalent  in 
his  own  country,  practically  precluded  any  possibility  of  a  rapid  rise  and  the 
prosperity  to  which  he  aspired,  which  decided  him  to  try  his  fortune  in  the 
new  world.  In  1883  he  took  passage  for  the  United  States,  proceeding  directly 
to  Galesburg  and  here  he  has  ever  since  lived.  During  the  early  years  of  his 
residence  he  worked  under  the  direction  and  supervision  of  others,  thoroughly 
mastering  his  trade  and  being  a  mechanic  of  more  than  average  ability,  who 
creditably  performed  every  duty  assigned  him,  he  soon  established  a  reputation 
that  made  it  possible  for  him  to  work  independently.  After  about  seven  years 
in  the  service  of  other  contractors,  he  decided  to  found  a  business  of  his  own, 
having  established  a  reputation  for  excellent  workmanship  and  trustworthiness; 
that  he  felt  assured  of  his  success.  Thoroughness  and  reliability  have  been  the 
principal  factors  in-  the  upbuilding  of  Mr.  Hjerpe's  business  and  he  is  now 
numbered  among  the  foremost  contractors  in  the  city.  He  is  conscientious  in 
the  execution  of  his  work,  feeling  that  whatever  is  worthy  of  his  attention  is 


''      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  a/;V   '' >       393 

deserving  of  his  best  efforts  and  this  guiding  principle  has  attained  for  him 
enviable  prosperity.  Ehiring  the  long  period  of  his  connection  with  the  building 
interests  of  Galesburg  he  has  been  awarded  the  contracts  for  some  of  the  prin- 
cipal business  buildings  and  private  dwellings,  and  in  every  instance  his  work 
has  been  performed  in  a  manner  to  bring  him  recognition  as  an  efficient  crafts- 
man and  capable  business  man. 

On  the  3d  of  July,  1886,  Mr.  Hjerpe  was  married  to  Miss  Hanna  Peterson, 
who  was  born  in  this  city,  on  July  13,  1867.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Gustavus 
and  Johanna  (Johnson)  Peterson,  both  natives  of  Sweden,  whence  they  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  in  1852.  Upon  their  arrival  in  this  country  they 
came  directly  to  Illinois,  first  locating  in  Princeton,  where  they  resided  for  a 
year.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  removed  to  Galesburg,  which  was  there- 
after their  home.  Gustavus  Peterson  was  identified  with  various  activities 
until  age  compelled  his  retirement,  having  been  janitor  of  Knox  College  for 
fourteen  years  and  sexton  of  the  cemetery  for  fifteen,  while  for  ten  years  he 
worked  as  a  gardener.  He  passed  away  in  1907,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years 
and  the  mother  was  eighty-three  at  the  time  of  her  death,  in  1906.  They  were 
members  of  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Mission,  regularly  attending  its  various 
services.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  numbered  eight,  five  of  whom 
lived  to  attain  maturity,  as  follows :  Caroline,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  George 
Wiberg ;  Josephine,  who  married  E.  G.  Hjerpe ;  Joseph ;  Joshua,  who  died  in 
1905 ;  and  Hannah,  now  Mrs.  John  Hjerpe,  whose  paterna^  grandparents  were 
Peter  and  Charlotte  (Stonewall)  Sangren,  and  to  them  were  born  three  chil- 
dren :  Gustavus,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Hjerpe ;  Aaron ;  and  Sander.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Peter  Johnson,  Mrs.  Hjerpe's  maternal  grandparents,  had  but  one  child, 
Johanna,  who  became  the  wife  of  Gustavus  Peterson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John 
Hjerpe  have  had  nine  children :  Harold,  who  is  now  attending  high  school ; 
L  jslie,  Eric  and  Stanley,  who  are  at  home ;  Carl,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen ; 
Edna,  whose  death  occurred  when  she  was  thirteen;  and  three  who  died  in 
infancy.  •''^.  ••'.;;''.-' -C  ,.''  ••'";'>'':^.  :••'?.-  ''•'  '  -'  ^  /  '':',- 

The  family  attend  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Mission,  in  which  the  parents 
hold  membership,  Mr.  Hjerpe  having  been  one  of  the  trustees  of  this  organiza- 
tion for  twenty-one  years.  His  political  indorsement  he  has  always  accorded 
the  republican  party  since  granted  the  full  rights  of  citizenship,  but  he  does 
not  approve  of  their  attitude  toward  the  liquor  traffic,  his  views  in  that  regard 
conforming  strictly  to  those  of  the  prohibition  party.  Mr.  Hjerpe  has  many 
friends  in  Galesburg,  as  has  his  wife,  who  is  a  woman  of  culture  and  refinement 
and  graciously  presides  over  their  pleasant  home,  the  hospitality  of  which  is 
freely  extended  to  their  large  circle  of  friends.  -7;  ;':..:.:--:'..•..- 


-.,/;•;•;     CHARLES  H.  CHAMBERLAIN. 

Charles  H.  Chamberlain  is  a  prominent  factor  in  industrial  circles  as  treas- 
urer of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Company,  one  of  the  most  important  pro- 
ductive enterprises  of  Galesburg  and  the  most  extensive  establishment  of  its 
kind  in  the  United  States.  His  birth  occurred  in  Pratts  Hollow,  Madison  county. 


394       •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        • 

New  York,  on  the  i2th  of  September,  1851,  his  parents  being  Orason  and 
Lucinda  C.  (Lewis)  Chamberlain.  The  father  was  born  at  that  place  on  the 
2ist  of  February,  1819,  while  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Morrisville,  Madi- 
son county.  New  York,  on  the  I5th  of  May,  1823.  Orason  Chamberlain,  who 
was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  a  woolen  mill  at  Pratts  Hollow,  New  York,  re- 
moved to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  in  1858  and  was  there  engaged  in  the  commission 
business  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  demise  occurring  on  the  5th 
of  August,  1865.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and 
was  a  valued  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  acting  as  one  of  its  trustees. 
It  was  at  Morrisville,  New  York,  that  he  wedded  Miss  Lucinda  C.  Lewis,  who 
still  survives  him  and  makes  her  home  with  our  subject.  They  became  the 
parents  of  three  children,  as  follows:  Annette  and  Dwight  L.,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased ;  and  Charles  H.,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Ehibuque, 
Iowa,  and  later  continued  his  studies  in  the  high  school  at  Englewood,  Illinois. 
After  putting   aside   his     text-books    he   entered    the    First    National    Bank   of 
Chicago  as  a  messenger  boy,  winning  gradual  promotion  as  he  demonstrated 
his  worth  and  ability  until  he  was  given  charge  of  the  country  books.     In  1886 
he  left  that  institution  and  went  to  Kansas  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  riding 
the  range  for  six  years.     On  the  expiration  of  that  period,  in  1892,  he  came  to 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  as  secretary  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Company,  which         .'    ' 
position  he  held  for  some  time.     He  is  now  serving  as  treasurer  of  this  im-    .  :  .. 
portant  concern  and  his  efforts  have  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  its  con-  •.'•;' 
Jtinued  growth  and  success.     He  is  likewise  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  &     .• 
Mechanics  Bank  and  has  long  held  a  leading  place  among  the  representative  ,-;.;/ 
business  men  and  citizens  of  Galesburg.  :-:  'i  , 

On  the  nth  of  May,  1876,  Mr.  Chamberlain  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss    ..;;:   :i 
Helena  Gorton,  a  daughter  of  Truman  and  Elizabeth  (Searle)  Gorton,  of  Rock  •:•/•' 
Island,  Illinois.    Unto  them  were  born  three  children,  as  follows:     Lewis  Gor-  ..  ;•: 
ton,  who  is  deceased;  Ethel,  the  wife  of  Gail  Porter,  of  East  Orange,  New    .;.       • 
Jersey;  and  Ruth  Helen,  at  home.    •      ...,'.'::  ir^r-''   :^^  ;•/'••  I'!  :.>'•••? ''':i^;V 

Mr.  Chamberlain  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and 
has  served  as  alderman  of  the  third  ward  for  four  years.     His  religious  faith  is          . 
that  of  the  Universalist  church  and  his  official  position  therein  is  that  of  chair-  -      • 
man  of  the  board  of  trustees.     He  also  belongs  to  Englewood  Council  of  the 
National  Union  and  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club.     Mr.  Chamber- 
lain is  a  thoroughgoing  business  man.  improving  his  opportunities  for  the  attain- 
ment of  financial  success,  and  his  diligence  has  been  the  source  of  his  prosperity. 


:    V-.;:,  ,       JOHN  C  M.  REDMON.  ;  •  ••  >       ; ; ' 

For  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  John  C.  M.  Redmon  has  continued  his  resi- 
dence upon  the  farm  which  is  yet  his  home,  and  during  that  period  his  close 
application  and  well  directed  efforts  along  agricultural  lines  have  brought  to 
him  a  competence  which  now  ranks  him  among  the  successful  residents  of 
Cedar  township.  He  has  long  since  passed  the  Psalmist's  allotted  span  of  three 


JOHN  C.  M.  REDMON 


394  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  - 

Xe\v  York,  on  the  i2th  of  September,  1851,  his  parents  being  Orason  and 
Lucinda  C.  (Lewis)  Chamberlain.  The  father  was  born  at  that  place  on  the 
2ist  of  February,  1819,  while  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Morrisville,  Madi- 
son county.  New  York,  on  the  I5th  of  May,  1823.  Orason  Chamberlain,  who 
was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  a  woolen  mill  at  Pratts  Hollow,  Xew  York,  re- 
moved to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  in  1858  and  was  there  engaged  in  the  commission 
business  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  demise  occurring  on  the  5th 
of  August,  1865.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and 
was  a  valued  member  of  the  Universalist  church,  acting  as  one  of  its  trustees. 
It  was  at  Morrisville,  Xew  York,  that  he  wedded  Miss  Lucinda  C.  Lewis,  who 
still  survives  him  and  makes  her  home  with  our  subject.  They  became  the 
parents  of  three  children,  as  follows:  Annette  and  Dwight  L.,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased ;  and  Charles  H.,  of  this  review. 

'  The  last  named  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Dubuque, 
Iowa,  and  later  continued  his  studies  in  the  high  scliool  at  Fnglewood,  Illinois. 
After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he  entered  the  First  Xational  P.ank  of 
Chicago  as  a  messenger  boy,  winning  gradual  jiromotion  as  he  demonstratetl 
his  worth  and  ability  until  he  was  given  charge  of  the  country  books.  In  1886 
he  left  that  institution  and  went  to  Kansas  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  riding 
the  range  for  six  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period,  in  1892,  he  came  to 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  as  secretary  of  the  Purington  Paving  IJrick  Company,  which 
position  he  held  for  some  time.  He  is  now  serving  as  treasurer  of  this  im- 
portant concern  and  his  efforts  have  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  its  con- 
tinued growth  and  success.  He  is  likewise  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  & 
Mechanics  P.ank  and  has  long  held  a  leading  place  among  the  representative 
business  men  and  citizens  of  Galesburg. 

On  the  nth  of  May,  1876,  Mr.  Chamberlain  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Helena  Gorton,  a  daughter  of  Truman  and  Elizabeth  fSearle)  Gorton,  of  Rock 
Island,  Illinois.  Unto  them  were  bom  three  children,  as  follows :  Lewis  Gor- 
ton, who  is  deceased;  Fthel,  the  wife  of  Gail  Porter,  of  East  Orange,  Xew 
Jersey;  and  Ruth  Helen,  at  home.  .,  j 

Mr.  Chamberlain  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and 
has  served  as  alderman  of  the  third  ward  for  four  years.  His  religious  faith  is 
that  of  the  Universalist  church  and  his  official  position  therein  is  that  of  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  trustees.  He  also  belongs  to  Englewood  Council  of  the 
Xational  I'nion  and  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club.  Mr.  Chamber- 
lain is  a  thoroughgoing  business  man.  improving  his  opportunities  for  the  attain- 
ment of  financial  success,  and  his  diligence  has  been  the  source  of  his  prosperity. 


JOHX  C.  M.  REDMOX.  •_ 

For  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  John  C.  M.  Redmon  has  continued  his  resi- 
dence upon  the  farm  which  is  yet  his  home,  and  during  that  period  his  close 
application  and  well  directed  efforts  along  agricultural  lines  have  brought  to 
him  a  competence  which  now  ranks  him  among  the  successful  residents  of 
Cedar  township.  He  has  long  since  passed  the  Psalmist's  allotted  span  of  three 


JOHX  C.  M.  HKDMOX  - 


I 


,:;•.-;/:'•:..:       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          v      :^^;  397 

score  years  and  ten,  for  his  birth  occurred  on  the  9th  of  April,  1832,  the  place 
of  his  nativity  being  Adair  county,  Kentucky.  His  parents,  Thomas  Jefferson 
and  Harriett  M.  (Booher)  Redmon,  were  also  natives  of  that  county  and  there 
the  father  followed  farming  for  a  number  of  "years.  His  death  occurred  in 
the  Blue  Grass  state,  while  the  mother's  death  occurred  suddenly  at  Belle  Plaine, 
Kansas.  In  their  family  were  eleven  sons  and  three  daughters  but  only  three 
:  .  of  this  number  survive. 

;.•.         In  the  schools  of  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  John  C.  M.  Redmon  acquired  his 

;  education,  while  his  practical  training  came  to  him  through  the  assistance  which 

he  gave  to  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm.    He  remained  with  his 

'    parents  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  when,  putting  aside  all  personal 

•\  interests,  he  enlisted  from  Mount  Vernon,  Kentucky,  on  the  3ist  of  July,  i86i, 

•••:,  becoming  a  soldier  an  Company  I,  Third  Kentucky  Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three 

•••    years'  service.     At  the  expiration  of  this  term  he  reenlisted  at  Loudon,  Ten- 

:  '  nessee,  on  the  ist  of  January,  1864,  and  his  second  term  continued  until  a  severe 

'.'•••  wound  caused  his  retirement   from  the  army.     He  participated  in  many   im- 

.'  -  portant  battles  and  was  four  times  wounded;  in  the  head  at  the  battle  of  Chick- 

^.    amauga,  Georgia,  in  October,  1863;  ^"d  in  the  leg  during  the  battle  fought  near 

:      Big  Shanty,  Georgia,  on  the  i8th  of  June,  1864,  when  he  also  received  a  breast 

';!;  wound.    The  fourth  wound,  which  was  received  in  battle  in  June,  1864,  caused 

his  withdrawal  from  the  ranks  and  he  was  mustered  out  at  Jeffersonville,  Indiana, 

;,,;  on  the  8th  of  September,  1865. 

After  the   close   of   a  most  honorable  and   creditable  military   service   Mr. 

.    Redmon  went  to  Gosport,  Indiana,  to  which  place  his  parents  had  removed  in 

1865,  and  later  he  accompanied  them  to  Kansas.     For  twenty-two  years  he  con- 

'.•'  tinued  to  make  his  home  in  the  Sunflower  state  and  then,  in  1887,  he  came  to 

'  .'  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  has  since  remained,  his  residence  here  covering 

r  .  a  period  of  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century.     Throughout  this  entire  period  the 

:    farm  upon   which  he  now   lives,   located  on   section  33,   Cedar  township,   has 

•  ;    remained  the  scene  of  his  activities,  and  under  his  capable  management  has 

'  become  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  the  region.    His  attention  has  ever  been 

;    given  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  his  close  application  thereto  and  his  compre- 

.  hensive  knowledge  concerning  the  best  methods  of  plowing,  planting  and  har- 

,:   vesting,  have  been  salient  qualities  in  the  acquirement  of  a  success   which  is 

today  both  substantial  and  creditable. 

Mr.  Redmon  was  married,  on  the  I4th  of  February,  1886,  to  Miss  Minerva 

'    Ellison,  who  was  born  in  Knox  county,  October  3,  1842,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 

..:   and  Nancy  Ellison.     Hei*sparents,  the  father  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the 

,;    mother  of  Indiana,  came  to  Knox  county  at  a  very  early  day,  at  which  time 

•  they  settled  upon  the  place  which  is  now  the  home  of  their  daughter,  Mrs. 
;     Redmon,  and  which  has  long  been  known  as  the  old  Ellison  family  homestead. 
A   Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ellison  both  passed  away  in  Abingdon,  where  the  former  was 

familiarly  known  as  Captain  Ellison.     Their  family  consisted  of  ten  children. 

:      A  brother  of  Mrs.  Redmon,  James  Milton  Ellison,  now  resides  in   Colorado, 

:  ;    while  a  sister,  Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Andrews,  makes  her  home  in  Helena,  Montana. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Redmon  is  a  Seventh  Day  Adventist,  while  his  wife 

.    belongs  to  the  Methodist  church  and  is  also  identified  with  the  Ladies  Circle  of 

-.•     the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.    He  maintains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old 

" 


TOl 


398  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    --        -        , 

•.:..-.'  '•  •-  '  '  .  .'.' 

army  comrades  through  his  membership  with  Post  No.  58,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Abing- 
don,  while  in  politics  he  is  a  republican.  Although  numbered  among  the  older 
residents  of  Cedar  township  he  is  still  active  in  the  world's  work  and  takes  a 
deep  and  public-spirited  interest  in  all  matters  relative  to  the  upbuilding  and 
progress  of  the  locality.  His  life  has  been  one  of  continuous  activity  in  which 
his  industry  and  perseverance  have  won  their  just  reward  in  material  success, 
while  upright  principles  and  worthy  purposes  have  won  the  regard  and  esteem 
that  crown  honorable  old  age.  v  > .  ' '!  !'.'';'  '•  'V 


V  :.Vv ..  FREDERICK  R.  HAZLETT.  -      /      • 

Frederick  Russell  Hazlett,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  The  Lake  W.  Sanborn 
Agency  of  Galesburg,  makes  his  home  at  No.  827  North  Cedar  street.  He 
was  born  in  Freeport,  Illinois,  May  17,  1878,  and  is  a  representative  of  old 
pioneer  families  of  this  state.  ^•;:,;.  ,  ,  ^:^':.  V:;'^^'- .  -,  I  ^  ^^  : 

His  grandfather.  Dr.  Thomas  Jefferson  Hazlett,  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  became  a  physician,  devoting  his  life  to  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
surgery,  when  he  was  called  to  his  final  rest  in  Freeport  when  he  had  but 
passed  middle  life.  He  married  Cornelia  Russell,  who  at  the  time  was  pre- 
ceptress of  Mt.  Morris  Seminary,  this  state.  She  long  survived  him,  her  final 
resting  place  being  Freeport,  Illinois.  They  had  a  family  of  four  children  of 
whom  the  following  are  still  living:  Russell  Jefferson,  Frederick  Buckley  and 
Fannie.  •,,  '•'-•-  .  ''''•  ^  .•^"••.'•'  '  ::/'^'--':'-.-:'-''^'- i. '','_•  .'-';;' 1  ,'.''••  .•''•''^; 

Of  these,  Frederick  B.  Hazlett,  father  of  Frederick  R.  Hazlett,  was  bom  in 
Iowa,  moving  to  Freeport  later,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated,  becoming 
an  electrician  immediately  after  leaving  school.  About  i88i  he  moved  to  Gales- 
burg  as  manager  for  the  Bell  Telephone  Company.  Shortly  after  this  he  be- 
came interested  in  the  electrical  business  and  secured  the  first  franchise  rights 
granted  in  the  city  to  operate  an  electric  light  and  power  plant.  In  1876  he 
married  Clara  L.  Pollard,  a  native  of  Coventry,  England,  and  a  daughter  of 
George  and  Sarah  (Taylor)  Pollard,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  Coventry, 
where  the  father  learned  and  followed  the  watch-maker's  trade.  They  came 
to  America  just  prior  to  the  Civil  war,  settling  in  Brooklyn.  After  the  out- 
break of  hostilities  Mr.  Pollard  enlisted  for  active  duty  at  the  front,  serving 
between  two  and  three  years  during  which  time  he  participated  in  the  hotly 
contested  battle  of  Bull  Run.  After  the  war  he  located  at  Grand  Crossing, 
Illinois,  and  subsequently  went  to  Elgin,  where  he  died  when  well  advanced  in 
years.  His  wife  lived  to  be  eighty-nine  years  of  age  and  passed  away  in  Gales- 
burg.  Their  only  child  was  the  mother  of  our  subject.  As  before  mentioned 
she  became  the  wife  of  Frederick  B.  Hazlett,  two  sons  being  born  to  them, 
Frederick  R.  and  George  T.  Both  parents  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  are  well  known  socially,  their  many  good  qualities  of  heart  and  mind  en- 
dearing them  to  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

Frederick  R.  Hazlett  has  lived  in  Galesburg  from  the  time  he  was  four 
years  of  age  and  passing  through  the  consecutive  grades  of  the  public  schools 
was  at  length  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  the  spring  of  1897.  He  then 


;     ..  ,    ..-K;;    ;    •;    'r;4;':  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^v:^;^^  399 

:   ~  became  fireman  and  later  engineer  for  the  Galesburg  Electric  Light  and  Power 

;        .  Company,  having  become  familiar  with  this  work  during  vacation  months  of 

•:      ;,'  previous  years.     In  this  capacity  he  continued  until  the  ist  of  October,   1898, 

.  :  when  he  began  working  in  the  office  of  Lake  W.  Sanborn,  thus  entering  into 

active  connection  with  the  insurance  business.     He  thoroughly  acquainted  him- 

••  self  with  every  phase  of  the  business  during  the  time  that  he  remained  in  the 

^-  office  as  an  employe.    On  the  first  day  of  January,  1906,  he  was  admitted  to  a 

.  •    . "  partnership  in  the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  The  Lake  W.   Sanborn 

V.  Agency.     They  conduct  the  largest  general  insurance  business  in  this  part  of 

.    ;  the  state  and  their  success  has  its  root  in  close  application,   fairness  to  both 

;     :  their  clients  and  the  companies  they  represent,  and  a  thorough  understanding 

of  the  work  which  claims  their  attention. 

/•  Mr.  Hazlett  is  pleasantly  situated  in  his  home  life.    He  was  married,  October 

•  22,  1902,  to  Miss  Zora  Aldrich,  a  daughter  of  Percy  and  Emma  (Pierce)  Ald- 

.  .    '  rich,  who  were  natives  of  Illinois.     Her  father,  however,  after  spending  five 

'     :  years  in  California,  moved  to  Chariton,  Iowa,  where  he  died  in  early  age,  and 

•;  her  mother's  death  occurred  in  Galesburg  in  1900,  when  she  was  thirty-eight 

.     •  years  of  age.     They  had  six  children,  Zora,  Ralph  R.,  Elmer  W.,  Lloyd  L.,  and 

;.  two  who  died  in  infancy.    The  only  daughter  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  Hazlett 

^  and  is  now  the  mother  of  two  interesting  children,  Janet  P.  and  Doris  A. 

•  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hazlett  hold  membership  in  the  First  Baptist  church, 

•    .    '  in  which  he  served  for  a  number  of  years  as  church  treasurer  and  later  trustee. 

.  He  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  men  and  measures  as  he  thinks 

:  best  although  he  has  always  been  identified  with  the  republican  party,  and  fra- 
ternally he  is  an  Elk.     He  is  likewise  prominent  socially  and  for  several  years 

.  -  '  :/  has  been  secretary  of  the  Galesburg  Club  and  vice  president  of  the  Soangtaha 

.     '  Country  Club,  which  at  once  gives  evidence  of  his  standing  among  his  fellow- 

:  '  men.     Conspicuous  to  the  eye  of  the  writer  as  he  sat  down  by  Mr.  Hazlett's 

,    ?'  desk  for  a  little  talk,  was  two  group  pictures  of  his  wife  and  children  and  a 

;      •  motto  by  Elbert  Hubbard: 

,  ,     V      '  .     .         "Live  Every  Day  So  That  You  Can 

Look  Any  Damn  Man  In  The  Eye 
And  Tell  Him  To  Go  To  Hell."          .     . 

His  record  needs  little  comment  for  he  has  practically  spent  his  entire  life 
in  Galesburg  and  the  high  mark  he  has  made  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  many 
of  the  comrades  of  his  youth  remain  as  the  friends  of  his  youth. 


v-V;;'\v'v^--;;:^; ;;.;'.;;•••'•,.     MICHAEL  MOUNT.  ..    ':      .".^^^Crv^i^; -:.v.<;:;-; 

Michael  Mount,  who  is  the  oldest  conductor  in  point  of  years  of  continuous 
service  now  running  out  of  Galesburg,  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad,  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  in  the  vicinity  of  Knoxville, 
on  January  22,  1841.  He  is  a  son  of  William  T.  and  Alzaria  (Cates)  Mount, 
the  father  a  native  of  Virginia,  his  birth  occurring  in  1799,  and  the  mother  bom 


:   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    0 •.:•;'< 

and  reared  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  where  they  were  married.     In  his 

'    early  youth  William  T.  Mount  left  his  native  state  and  went  to  Tennessee, 

settling  in  Jefferson  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death  in 

1857.     The  mother  survived  him  for  many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  the 

county  where  she  had  passed  her  entire  life  in  1896.    They  were  both  members 

of  the  Baptist  church,  and  his  political  support  the  father  accorded  to  the  whig 

\:    party.     He  was  a  public-spirited  man  and  took  much  interest  in  local  politics, 

always  assuming  his  share  of  the  governmental  responsibilities  and   for  some 

'    years  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.    The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mount,  all 

of  whom  are  now  deceased  with  the  exception  of  three,  numbered  nine,  as  fol- 

:    lows :     Margaret,  the  widow  of  Joseph  Bailey,  of  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee ; 

-  John,   who  is   deceased ;   Humphrey,   a   soldier   in   the   Confederate   army   who 
died  at  Vicksburg  in  1863;  Martha  and  Nancy,  both  of  whom  are  deceased; 

•  Michael,  our  subject ;  Mattie,  the  widow  of  Joseph  Miles,  of  Knoxville,  Ten- 
-;   nessee;  and  William  and  James,  who  are  deceased,       ,  ,1  '  |    '    ' 

Having  been  reared  on  his  father's  farm,  in  the  acquirement  of  his  educa- 

,  tion  Michael  Mount  first  attended  the  district  schools  of  the  vicinity  and  later 
the  college  at  New  Market.  Tennessee.  He  remained  at  home  assisting  his  father 
and  brothers  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  until  i86i.  In  the  latter  year  he 
enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Confederate  army,  going  to  the  front  as  a  member 
of  Company  A,  First  Tennessee  Light  Artillery,  He  participated  in  some  of 

:  the  most  sharply  contested  battles  of  the  war.  being  present  at  Shiloh,  Corinth. 
Columbus  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  was  mustered  out  in  1863  with  the 

'-  rank  of  corporal.  After  the  close  of  his  period  of  enlistment  he  returned  home, 
remaining  there  until  December,  1863,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  at 

.  Quincy.  Soon  thereafter  he  obtained  employment  on  a  farm  in  that  vicinity, 
where  he  worked  until  the  ist  of  August,  1864,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg, 

;  and  entered  the  service  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company 
as  brakeman  on  a  freight  train.  In  1869  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of 
conductor,  and  on  the  ist  of  March.  1884,  was  assigned  passenger  duty.  Dur^ 
ing  the  first  four  years  of  his  connection  in  this  capacity,  he  was  on  the  Gales- 
burg  and  Peoria  division,  and  the  succeeding  two  years  he  ran  from  here  to 
Chicago.  He  was  next  transferred  to  the  Galesburg  and  Quincy  division, 
where  he  was  retained  for  ten  years  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  was  detailed 
on  the  Peoria  line,  his  present  run.  I  . 

~  Fowler,  Illinois,  was  the  scene  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Mount  and  Miss 

Annie  Virginia  Mitchell,  the  event  being  celebrated  on  the  28th  of  April.  1868. 
Mrs.  Mount  was  born  at  Fowler,  on  the  2 ist  of  December.  1851,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Wylie  J.  and  Nancy  (Ballard)  Mitchell.  The  father  was  born  at 
Wheeling.  West  Virginia,  on  the  I3th  of  January,  1805,  and  the  mother  at 
Lynchburg,  Virginia,  on  January  28.  1814.  Wylie  J.  Mitchell  came  to  Iowa 
during  the  pioneer  days,  locating  at  Burlington  when  it  contained  but  fourteen 

,     houses.    There  for  many  years  he  conducted  a  hotel  and  among  his  guests  were 

.  the  first  governor  and  the  Indian  chief.  Black  Hawk.  Later  he  removed  to 
Missouri,  but  subsequently  located  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Fowler,  and 
there  he  passed  away  on  October  3.  1870.  He  was  survived  for  more  than 

'/  thirty  years  by  his  widow,  whose  death  occurred  on  May  i,  1902.  In  politics 
he  was  a  republican,  but  he  never  held  any  office  save  that  of  school  director. 


.    V  i  ^  "^;^>  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ' '.  'J.x. ;       401 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mitchell  had  seven  children,  the  youngest  of  whom  is  Mrs. 
Mount.  The  others  are  as  follows :  Thomas  B.,  who  is  deceased ;  Mary  Mar- 
garet and  Sarah  Jane,  twins,  who  are  also  deceased ;  James  W.,  who  died  on 
the  28th  of  March,  1904;  Susan  E.,  who  is  deceased;  and  Nancy,  the  wife  of 
John  Watson,  of 'Aberdeen,  Washington.  The  parents  were  both  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  for  many  years  the  father  was  one  of  the 
official  stewards.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mount.  Charles 
H.,  who  is  an  engineer  on  the  "Q"  running  out  of  Galesburg,  is  married  and 
has  one  daughter,  Annie  Adelia.  Alzaria  Virginia  married  E.  J.  Ross  of  Chi- 
cago, and  they  have  one  daughter,  Virginia  Helen.  Rolla,  who  is  also  a  resident 
of  Chicago,  is  niarried  and  has  three  daughters:  Alzaria  Catherine,  Ruth 
Roberta  and  Mary  Ann.  James,  who  is  the  youngest,  has  passed  away. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Mount  is  a  worthy  exemplar  of  the  Masonic  order,  being 
a  member  of  the  blue  lodge  and  the  commandery  of  Galesburg.  In  his  political 
views  he  is  independent  giving  his  support  to  such  men  and  measures  as  he 
deems  best  adapted  to  serve  the  highest  interests  of  the  municipality.  Having 
been  a  resident  of  Galesburg  for  over  forty-seven  years,  Mr.  Mount  is  widely 
known  in  the  community,  where  he  has  many  friends,  who  accord  him  the 
respect  his  many  fine  qualities  justly  merit.  ,•  ..  -  '.*.•...•.. 


.;:•.;•'•   '  .,;•.;  '    ;;;•;.;;/;;  vrr  GEORGE  SMITH  GATES.      :     '.    •,  ;';v :•'•.-:;;:•.•;;•';>"  '^^ 

^  Dr.  George  Smith  Gates,  who  for  the  past  five  years  has  been  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  veterinary  surgery  in  Galesburg,  was  born  in  Morristown,  Lamoille 
county,  Vermont,  on  the  I5th  of  July,  1839,  a  son  of  George  W.  and  Betsey 
(Smith)  Gates.  The  father  was  also  a  native  of  Morristown,  where  his  birth 
occurred  on  the  nth  of  October,  i8io,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  Elmore, 
Vermont,  on  September  22,  1814,  and  there  passed  her  girlhood.  They  were 
married  at  Elmore  in  October,  1837,  and  began  their  domestic  life  in  the  vicinity 
of  Morristown,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  on  the 
26th  of  January,  1890.  The  mother  passed  away  on  May  26,  1901.  The  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gates  consisted  of  four  children  of  whom  our  subject  is  th'e 
eldest,  while  the  others,  in  order  of  birth,  were  as  follows :  Elizabeth  M.,  who 
is  deceased;  one  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Emma  Mary,  the  wife  of  E.  W. 
Smith  of  Wellsriver,  Vermont.  The  parents  were  Methodists,  although  the 
father  was  superintendent  of  the  Congregational  Sunday  school  for  twenty-five 
years.  He  was  a  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  took  an  active  interest 
in  all  matters  of  a  political  nature  and  for  a  number  of  years  discharged  the 
duties  of  justice  of  the  peace. 

•  In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Dr.  Gates  first  attended  the  district 
schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home,  subsequently  becoming  a  student  of  the 
People's  Academy  of  Morrisville,  Vermont.  After  laying  aside  his  school 
books  he  engaged  in  teaching  for  nine  terms,  the  last  three  years  in  Ontario 
township,  Knox  county,  where  he  located  in  1866.  Having  grown  up  on  a 
farm,  he  received  a  thorough  training  in  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture. 
When  he  came  to  this  county  he  settled  upon  a  farm,  devoting  his  energies  to 


402  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

its  operation  until  1894.     During  that  period  he  was  also  studying  veterinary 
surgery  with  a  view  of  adopting  it  for  a  vocation,  and  in  1894  was  awarded  his  > 
degree  from  the  Ontario  Veterinary  College  at  Toronto,  Canada.     Immediately 
thereafter  he  removed  to  Blandinsville,  McEtonough  county,  this  state,  where 
he  established  and  maintained  an  office  until  1906,  when  he  ckme  to  Galesburg.  , 
Dr.  Gates  has  met  with  success  in  his  profession,  his  long  experience  in  raising  i; 
stock  proving  of  invaluable  assistance  to  him  in  his  practice.  ,; 

On  the  gth  of  March,  1864,  Dr.  Gates  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Helen   . 
Louise  West,  who  was  born  in  Waterbury,  Vermont,  on  April  13,  1835.     She  ' 
was  a  daughter  of  J.  P.  and  Lx)uise  West,  both  natives  of  Orange  county,  Ver-   : 
mont,  where  the   father  passed  away.     The  mother  subsequently  came  to  La  . 
Crosse,  Wisconsin,  and  there  spent  her  latter  days.     They  were  both  members 
of  the  Universalist  church.     In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  at  one  time 
occupied  the  position  as  justice  of  the  peace.     Four  children  were  born  to  Dr. 
and   Mrs.   Gates.     Ernest  William,   who   is   married   and   lives   at   Morrisville,  • 
Vermont,  has  four  children :    Harold  Cortez,  Madeline  Hattie,  Raymond  Smith  ;. 
and  Catherine.     Carroll  Levi,  who  lives  at  Costello,  New  Mexico,  is  also  mar-  -.' 
ried  and  has  two  children,  Erroll  and  Helen.     Lulu  Anna,  the  only  daughter  ;^ 
of   Dr.   and   Mrs.    Gates,   passed   away.     Harry   Washington,   who   resides   in  ; 
Galesburg,  is  married  and  has  one  daughter,  Florence.    On  the  2d  of  October,    ^ 
1883,  the  family  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  the  wife  and  mother.  ; 
Dr.   Gates   married,   on   the   28th   of   September,    1884,   Mrs.   Allie   Walter,   a  . 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Jerusha  (Stire)   Everitt,  of  Prairie  City,  Illinois.     Mrs. 
Gates  is  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  her  birth  having  occurred  on  September  28, 
1843,  ^"d  two  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  ,and  Mrs.  Gates :  Marion  Ethel,  • 
who  is  living  at  La  Junta,  Colorado;  and  Vernon  Fitch,  who  will  graduate  trom 
Knox  College  with  the  class  of  1914. 

Dr.  Gates  is  a  deacon  in  the  Elast  Main  Street  Congregational  church,  in  . 
which  Mrs.   Gates  also  holds  membership,  and  in  his  political  views  he  is  a  : 
republican.     When  residing  in  Vermont  in  1862,  Dr.  Gates  was  a  member  of 
the  state  militia,  being  sergeant  in  Company  I,  Second  Regiment,  which  was  .'. 
organized  to  protect  the  northern  border  of  the  United  States  from  Canadian    , 
raiders.     Forty-five  years  have  elapsed  since  he  first  became  a  resident  of  Knox 
county,  and  during  that  time  he  has  been  an  interested  observer  of  its  marvelous    . 
development  as  pioneer  conditions  have  passed  with  the  advent  of  a  newer  and  •.. 
higher  civilization.  .    ..:         .;:,..-••,- 


;:^'^':  \  .        JOHN  R.  YOUNG.    •     '    :'    -  ^r  ^  .:v;' 

•''.'.••.-.  '       .  •',-'.'*--••'-••'.  -  •     . 

One  of  the  representative  agriculturists  of  Knox  county  is  John  R.  Young, 
whose  enterprise  and  progress  is  manifested  through  the  attractive  appearance 
of  his  highly  cultivated  and  improved  farm,  located  on  section  32  of  Persifer 
township.  Foresight  and  sagacity  have  always  characterized  Mr.  Young,  who 
has  so  intelligently  directed  his  activities  as  to  become  one  of  the  extensive 
landowners  of  the  county,  his  holdings  now  aggregating  six  hundred  acres.  -^ 


JOHN  R.  YOUNG 


402       .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

its  operation  until  1894.  During  that  period  he  was  also  studying  veterinary 
surgery  with  a  view  of  adopting  it  for  a  vocation,  and  in  1894  was  awarded  his 
degree  from  the  Ontario  X'etcrinary  College  at  Toronto,  Canada.  Immediately 
thereafter  he  removed  to  Dlandinsville,  McDonough  county,  this  state,  where 
he  estahlished  and  maintained  an  office  until  1906,  when  he  came  to  Galeshurg, 
Dr.  Gates  has  met  with  success  in  his  profession,  his  long  experience  in  raising 
stock  proving  of  invaluable  assistance  to  him  in  his  practice. 

On  the  9th  of  March,  1864,  Dr.  Gates  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Helen 
Louise  West,  who  was  lx)rn  in  \\'aterbury,  X'ermont,  on  April  13,  1835.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  J.  I*,  and  Louise  West,  both  natives  of  Orange  cotmty,  \"er- 
mont,  where  the  father  passed  away.  The  mother  subsequently  came  to  La 
Crosse,  Wisconsin,  and  there  spent  her  latter  days.  They  were  both  members 
of  the  Universalist  church.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  at  one  time 
occupied  the  position  as  justice  of  the  peace.  I'our  children  were  born  to  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Gates,  lamest  William,  who  is  married  and  lives  at  Morrisville, 
\'ermont,  has  four  children:  Harold  Cortez,  Madeline  Ilattie,  Raymond  Smith 
and  Catherine.  Carroll  Levi,  who  lives  at  Costello.  Xew  Me.xico,  is  also  mar- 
rieil  and  has  two  children,  Erroll  and  Helen.  Lulu  Anna,  the  only  daughter 
of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Gates,  passed  away.  Harry  \\'ashington,  who  resides  in 
Galesburg,  is  married  and  has  one  daughter.  Florence.  On  the  2(1  of  October, 
1883.  the  family  was  calle<l  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  the  wife  and  mother. 
Dr.  Gates  married,  on  the  28th  of  SejHember,  1884,  Mrs.  Allie  Walter,  a 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Jerusha  (.Stire)  Fveritt.  of  Prairie  City,  Illinois.  Mrs. 
Gates  is  a  native  of  Xew  Jersey,  her  birth  having  occurred  on  September  28, 
1843,  and  two  children  have  been  born  to  Dr.  and  ^^rs.  Gates:  Marion  Fthel, 
who  is  living  at  La  Junta,  Colorado;  and  \'ernon  Fitch,  who  will  graduate  trom 
Knox  College  with  the  class  of  1914. 

Dr.  Gates  is  a  deacon  in  the  East  Main  Street  Congregational  church,  in 
which  Mrs.  Gates  also  holds  membershii),  and  in  his  political  views  he  is  a 
republican.  WJien  residing  iu  \^ermont  in  1862,  Dr.  Gates  was  a  member  of 
the  state  militia,  l)eing  sergeant  in  Company  I,  Second  Regiment,  which  was 
organized  to  protect  the  northern  border  of  the  United  States  from  Canadian 
raiders.  I'orty-five  years  have  elapsed  since  he  first  became  a  resident  of  Knox 
county,  and  during  that  time  he  has  been  an  interested  observer  of  its  marvelous 
development  as  jiioneer  conditions  have  passeil  with  the  advent  of  a  newer  and 
higher  civilization. 


;  '  JOHX  R. 

One  of  the  repre>eutative  agriculturists  of  Knox  county  is  Jolin  R.  ^^)nng, 
whose  enterprise  and  progress  is  manifested  through  the  attractive  appearance 
of  his  higlilv  cultivated  and  im])roved  farm,  located  on  section  32  of  I'ersifer 
township.  l'\)re>ii;;ht  and  sagacity  have  always  characterized  Mr.  \'()nng,  who 
has  s.)  intelligently  directed  his  activities  as  to  become  one  of  the  extensive 
landowners  of  the  county,  his  holdings  now  aggregating  six  hundred  acres. 


.101  IN  i;.  voi 


v^ :  ;^; -;• :  . -;^i     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         : ^   .  ;^  .406 

His  birth  occurred  on  the  old  family  homestead  on  section  31,  Persifer  town- 
ship, on  the  23d  of  May,  1852,  his  parents  being  Robert  and  Mary  F.  (Johns- 
ton) Young.  Robert  Young  was  a  native  of  Warren  county,  Ohio,  and  there 
he  was  also  reared  and  educated,  receiving  his  agricultural  training  on  his 
father's  farm.  In  his  early  manhood  he  left  his  native  state  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois, engaging  in  farming  in  this  county  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life. 
He  subsequently  settled  in  Persifer  township,  acquiring  the  title  to  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  31,  that  upon  his  death  was  equally 
divided  among  his  children.  He  was  an  extensive  stockman  and  met  with 
lucrative  returns  from  both  this  and  his  agricultural  pursuits,  becoming  one 
of  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  community.  He  was  one  of  the  prominent  set- 
tlers of  the  pioneer  period,  his  efforts  having  contributed  much  toward 
promoting  the  development  of  this  section  of  the  county.  Although  he 
withdrew  from  the  active  work  of  the  fields  during  his  later  days,  he  con- 
tinued to  make  his  home  on  the  farm  and  there  passed  away  at  the  venerable 
age  of  eighty-one  years.  He  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Knoxville,  as  was 
also  the  mother,  who  was  seventy-five  when  she  died.  She  was  a  native  of 
New  Jersey  and  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Elizabeth  Johnston,  who  came  to 
Illinois  during  the  pioneer  period  settling  in  Knoxville,  where  they  both  passed 
away.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young,  four  of  whom  are 
residents  of  this  county,  as  follows:  Edward  J.,  who  lives  in  Galesburg;  Han- 
nah E.,  the  wife  of  E.  M.  Collins,  of  Knoxville;  John  R.,  our  subject;  and 
Robert  L.,  wKo  is  a  resident  of  Knox  township.  In  matters  of  faith  the  parents 
were  Methodists  and  politically  the  father  was  a  republican,  but  never  held  any 
office  save  that  of  school  director,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  efficiently 
for  several  years.  ':"'  -•'  ''Ar-i' ••  v^:-  . 

Persifer  township  has  always  been  the  home  of  John  R.  Young,  who  com- 
pleted his  education  at  Hedding  College.  He  subsequently  returned  to  the  farm 
and  has  ever  since  diligently  applied  himself  to  agricultural  pursuits.  In  the 
direction  of  his  activities  he  has  used  as  much  discretion  and  has  as  carefully 
adhered  to  a  definite  system  of  operations  as  he  would  have  followed  in  any 
industrial  pursuit,  and  to  this  fact  unquestionably  can  be  attributed  much  of  his 
success.  Mr.  Young  is  a  practical  man,  at  the  same  time  he  is  progressive  in 
his  ideas,  and  is  always  ready  and  willing  to  adopt  a  new  method  if  it  appeals 
to  him  as  being  practicable.  In  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  he  has  closely  fol- 
lowed the  most  highly  approved  methods  of  the  modem  agriculturists,  and  his 
efforts  have  been  well  rewarded  by  abundant  harvests.  He  has  six  hundred  acres 
of  land,  four  hundred  and  ninety-one  of  which  is  embraced  in  his  homestead 
and  is  tilled  under  his  personal  supervision.  His  farm  is  fully  equipped  with  all 
modern  appliances  and  conveniences  that  will  reduce  the  labor  or  expedite  the 
work,  while  his  large  commodious  barns  and  outbuildings  provide  ample  shelter 
for  all  the  stock  and  farming  machinery  and  implements.  He  has  thoroughly 
tiled  his  land  wherever  necessary,  having  eight  miles  of  tiling  on  one  quarter 
section,  and  the  soil  is  carefully  watched  and  studied  being  supplied  with  such 
fertilizer  as  is  deemed  essential  to  promote  its  productivity.  One  hundred  and 
ten  acres  of  his  land,  located  on  section  13,  of  Knox  township,  is  used  exclu- 
sively for  pasturage.  Here  he  also  has  a  sawmill  that  was  called  into  requisi- 
tion when  he  was  clearing  the  timber  away  preparatory  to  placing  the  land  under 


406       'C  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v,;lv;:^:-;^ 

cultivation.  During  the  long  period  of  his  ownership  Mr.  Young  has  erected 
some  very  fine  buildings  on  his  farm,  which  are  kept  in  good  repair.  From  time 
to  time  he  has  also  installed  various  modern  conveniences  and  improvements, 
consistent  with  the  spirit  of  progress  he  has  at  all  times  manifested  in  his  under- 
takings. His  fields  are  well  fenced  and  under  high  cultivation,  the  grounds 
about  his  residence  are  neat  and  attractive  in  appearance  and  everything  about 
the  place  evidences  the  close  supervision  and  careful  regard  for  details  that  are 
indicative  of  capable  and  efficient  management. 

Mr.  Young  has  been  married  twice.  His  first  union  was  with  .Miss  Samantha 
Lotts,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milton  Lotts,  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  four  children :  Earl  L.,  who  married  Pearl  Adams,  and  is  now  living  at  home ; 
John  R.,  Jr.,  who  married  Marie  Wolf,  a  daughter  of  John  Wolf,  of  Haw  Creek, 
residing  on  one  of  his  father's  farms ;  Merrill,  who  married  Marie  McClure ; 
and  Trella,  the  wife  of  Robert  J.  Tarpy,  who  is  living  on  section  32,  Persifer 
township.  The  mother  of  these  children  passed  away  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven 
years  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Knoxville.  In  1891,  Mr.  Young 
married  Miss  Mary  England,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Susan  England,  and 
they  have  two  children,  Leon  D.  and  Margie,  both  of  whom  are  still  at  home. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  Young  has  no  strongly  pronounced  views  and  has 
never  identified  himself  with  any  organization.  He  is  in  hearty  sympathy  with 
all  church  and  Christian  work,  however,  and  liberally  contributes  toward  the 
maintenance  of  the  various  denominations  and  has  generously  assisted  in  erect- 
ing a  number  of  edifices  for  religious  purposes  in  this  vicinity.  His  fraternal 
relations  are  confined  to  his  membership  in  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
his  affiliation  being  with  the  camp  at  Gilson.  Politically  he  is  a  stanch  advocate 
of  the  principles  of  the  republican  party  and  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  their 
candidates.  He  has  assumed  his  share  of  the  governmental  responsibilities  in 
the  township  and  has  efficiently  served  in  various  capacities.  For  twenty  years 
in  succession  he  discharged  the  duties  of  supervisor,  while  for  three  he  served 
as  road  commissioner  and  as  assessor  for  one,  and  he  was  likewise  school  direc- 
tor for  a  time.  He  is  interested  in  various  local  enterprises,  and  is  now  president 
of  the  Knox  County  Farmers'  Mutual  Fire  &  Lightning  Insurance  Company, 
having  been  identified  with  this  office  for  six  years,  while  for  twelve  he  was 
a  director.  He  also  owns  stock  in  the  Gilson  Farmers'  Telephone  Company  and 
is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Farmers'  &  Mechanics'  Bank  at  Galesburg.  Mr. 
Young  is  one  of  the  estimable  citizens  of  his  community,  where  he  has  passed 
his  entire  life  and  numbers  among  his  many  friends  the  comrades  of  his  boy- 
hood, whose  regard  is  a  high  tribute  to  his  character,  as  it  covers  a  period  of 
more  than  fifty  years  of  close  acquaintanceship.  •  -:,;:'•;. 


.    ;      %;  .       WILLIAM  HENRY  WILLCOX.    ]  ;  •:   i  :.:  ' 

William  Henry  Willcox  is  a  retired  farmer  now  living  at  No.  940  North 
Prairie  street  in  Galesburg.  He  was  born  in  Moriah,  Essex  county.  New  York, 
January  9,  1836,  his  parents  being  Henry  and  Mary  K.  (Meacham)  Willcox, 
the  former  a  native  of  Bridport,  Vermont,  and  the  latter  of  Poultney,  Ver- 


.:--/v  :''-;:-'     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       "  ;  • ':^  •  '        407  /' 

mont.     The  Willcox  family  comes  of  Saxon  origin  and  was  seated  at  Bury  St. 
Edmunds,  in  the  county  of   Suffolk,   England,  before   the   Norman   conquest.       .,; 
James  Willcox,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  at  Bridport,  Vermont,    .  -,  ' 
and  was  a  son  of  Giles  Willcox,  of  Killingsworth,  Connecticut.     He  joined  a    -V 
band  of  immigrants  from  Connecticut  towns  for  the  "New  Hampshire  grants"      ; 
and  bought  a  tract  of  land  on  the  Vermont  shore  of  Lake  Champlain,  in  Brid-    '.  ;; 
port  township.     On  the  memorable  morning  of  May  lo,  1775,  he  acted  as  one    '- • 
of  the  guides  to  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  who  was  bent  upon  the  capture  of  Fort 
Ticonderoga.     He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  participating 
in  the  movements  of  the  Green  Mountain  boys  in  that  district.    The  maternal    ^ 
grandfather  of  William  H.  Willcox  was  William  Meacham,  who  was  born  at   '   ' 
North  Adams,  Massachusetts,  September  20,  1771.     He  married  Keziah  Howe,    .  v, 
whose  birth  occurred  at  Poultney,  Vermont,  May  25,  1775.    They  were  married      . 
August  14,  1796,  and  both  passed  away  in  the  state  of  New  York  when  well  :  :,; ' 
advanced  in  years.     Their  children  were  William   H.,   Laura   M.,   Martha  J.,     i. 
Jemimah  C.,  Mary  K.  and  Lorain  E.  ;•  ;:. 

Henry  Willcox,  father  of  W.  H.  Willcox,  was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  in     •:  ' 
Moriah,  New  York,  wedded  Mary  K.  Meacham.     He  afterward  worked  in  a    \v': 
woolen  mill  on  Lake  Champlain  until  he  decided  to  come  to  the  west  and  with   •  r 
his  wife  and  family  made  his  way  to  Knox  county  in  October,  1836.     He  then    •    ; 
located  on  the  present  site  of  Galesburg,  just  north  of  what  is  now  Henderson    •    . 
street,  owning  a  ten-acre  lot  there  and  purchasing  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  just     -   . 
west  of  the  town.     He  afterward  removed  to  his  farm  and  improved  it,  also  ^• 
extending  its  boundaries  until  it  comprised  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres.    \  : 
Upon  that  place  he  reared  his  family,  but  in  1866  again  took  up  his  abode  in  ' 
Galesburg,  where  he  died  in  1872  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.     His  wife,    .'•* 
who  was  bom  in  1803,  lacked  but  ten  days  of  being  eighty-five  years  of  age  when    '  / 
she  passed  away  in  1888.     They  were  both  charter  members  of  the  Congrega-    .;  '  • 
tional  church,  in  which  Mr.  Willcox  served  as  an  elder.     In  their  family  were 
two  sons  and  two  daughters:     Erastus,  who  acts  as  librarian  in  Peoria;  Mary       \. 
Helen,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  William  T.  Bartle  and  passed  away     V 
when  about  twenty  years  of  age;  William  H.,  of  this  review;  and  Clarissa    ' 
Adeline,  the  deceased  wife  of  Edwin  R.  Willcox,  a  cousin.  :. 

William  Henry  Willcox  was  reared  upon  a  farm  adjoining  Galesburg  and   •;•  • 
is  one  of  three  of  the  original  colony  who  are  still  living  in  this  city,  the  others 
being  Mrs.  Charles  Hinckley  and  Mrs.  Henry  Sanderson,  whose  husband  was       - 
the  first  mayor  of  Galesburg.    Mr.  Willcox  spent  his  youth  in  the  usual  manner   ;     ' 
of  farm  lads  and  attended  the  first  school  in  Galesburg.  its  site  being  on  what   ;  ; 
is  now  the  public  square.     He  was  afterward  a  student  in  Knox  Academy  and  '      ; 
when  he  had  completed  his  education  he  purchased  his  father's  farm  of  one  •  '/ 
hundred  and  twenty  acres,  to  which  he  added  seven  acres.     There  he  continued    i,  ' 
to  engage  in  general  farming  until  the  spring  of  1879,  when  he  removed  to 
Trego  county,  Kansas,  where  he  operated  a  ranch  for  eleven  and  a  half  years. 
At  that  time  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  engaged  in  farming  in  the  northwestern  ;     t{ 
part  of  Peoria  county  for  another  eleven  years.    He  next  removed  to  Wyoming,    '  j 
Stark  county,  where  he  lived  for  six  years  and  in  1907  he  returned  to  Gales- 
burg, where  he  has  since  made  his  home,  now  enjoying  a  well  earned  rest,     '. 
made  possible  through  the  success  which  he  won  while  he  followed  farming. 


408  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1866,  Mr.  Willcox  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  P. 
Kellogg,  who  was  born  August  3,  1838,  and  died  March  6,  1905.  She  was 
originally  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  but  afterward  joined  the  Con- 
gregational church  of  Galesburg  with  her  husband.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willcox 
were  born  five  children.  Elizabeth,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Alvin  F, 
Sherrill,  of  Atlanta,  Georgia,  who  is  dean  of  the  theological  seminary  there. 
Edward  K.,  who  is  a  farmer  of  Wyoming,  Stark  county,  Illinois,  married  Ella 
Jane  Austin  and  they  have  four  children:  Dorothy  A.,  Lawrence  A.,  Marion 
E.  and  Charles  F.  John  H.,  who  follows  farming  near  Billings,  Montana,  mar- 
ried Hattie  Jaques  and  has  three  children :  Marjorie  I.,  William  J.  and  Lois  E. 
Caroline  is  the  fourth  member  of  the  family.  Maurice  M.,  who  is  the  youngest, 
is  a  graduate  of  the  state  university  and  now  follows  the  profession  of  civil 
engineering  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  He  married  Eve  I.  Dills  and  they 
have  three  sons :  Henry  K.,  Philip  M.  and  John  T. 

In  his  political  views  William   H.   Willcox  has  always  been  a  republican, 
having  attained  his  majority  soon  after  the  party  was  organized.     He  is  en- 
titled to  wear  the  Grand  Army  button,  for  on  the  5th  of  August,   1862,  he 
enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  A,   Seventy-seventh   Illinois   Volunteer  In- 
fantry.    He  was  mustered  in  as  duty  sergeant  and  was  mustered  out  July  lO, 
1865,  as  second  lieutenant.     Among  the  battles  in  which  he  participated  were 
those  that  occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  Vicksburg  leading  to  the  capture  of  that 
city.     Mr.  Willcox  was  made  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Sabine  Crossroads,  April 
1 8,  1864,  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Ford  near  Tyler,  Texas,  where  he  was  held 
until  the  close  of  hostilities.     After  the  war  he  followed  farming  successfully  • 
for  a  number  of  years  but  eventually  retired  to  enjoy  a  rest  which  he  has  truly 
earned  and  richly  deserves.     He  has  ever  commanded  the  respect  and  confi-.^ 
dence  of  his  fellow  citizens  and  has  a  very  wide  and  favorable  acquaintance  in  :;, 
Knox  county.  .  •^/ 


-:-.e^:-  •    .    •  N.  H.  GOODSPEED.      :  :^^:  :: '.  :-:v 

•  -  -.  v    ,-:/..  .      ^  •  ..'-'•,.•.'.•.••'...'.'• 

N.  H.  Goodspeed,  a  well  known  agriculturist  and  stockman  of  Victoria  town- 
ship, owns  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land  on  section  15,  that  he  devotes 
to  general  farming.  He  was  born  in  Athens  county,  Ohio,  on  the  I4th  of  May, 
1849,  but  the  Goodspeed  family  originally  came  from  Massachusetts.  His  grand- 
father, Nathan  Goodspeed,  came  to  the  Buckeye  state  in  his  early  manhood  and 
engaged  in  farming.  There  he  was  subsequently  married  and  passed  the  remain- 
der of  his  life.  The  father  of  our  subject,  Daniel  H.  Goodspeed,  was  born  and 
reared  in  Ohio  and  there  he  later  married  Miss  Martha  Wingett  who  was  a 
native  of  the  same  state.  They  spent  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  in 
the  vicinity  where  they  had  always  resided,  but  they  later  disposed  of  their  inter- 
ests there  and,  in  1855,  came  to  Illinois.  Upon  their  arrival  in  the  state  they 
located  on  the  farm  where  their  son,  N.  H.,  now  lives  and  there  the  mother  passed 
away  in  1856  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria.  The  father  sur- 
vived her  for  many  years,  his  death  occurring  in  Victoria,  in  1891,  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years.  They  always  attended  the  Congregational  church  and  his  political 


DANIEL  H.  GOODSPEED 


408  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

On  the  3(1  of  October,  1866,  Mr.  Willcox  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  P. 
Kellogg,  who  was  born  August  3.  1838,  and  died  March  6.  1905.  She  was 
originally  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  but  afterward  joined  the  Con- 
gregational church  of  Galesburg  with  her  husband.  Unto  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Willcox 
were  born  five  children.  Elizabeth,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Alvin  E. 
Sherrill,  of  Atlanta.  (iecM-gia.  who  is  dean  of  the  theological  seminary  there. 
Edward  K..  who  is  a  farmer  of  Wyoming,  Stark  county.  Illinois,  married  Ella 
Jane  Austin  and  they  have  four  children :  Dorothy  A.,  Lawrence  A.,  Marion 
E.  and  Charles  E.  John  II..  who  follows  fanning  near  r)illings,  ^lontana,  mar- 
ried Ilattie  Ja(|ues  and  has  three  children:  Marjorie  I.,  William  J.  and  Lois  E. 
Caroline  is  the  fourth  member  of  the  family.  Maurice  M.,  who  is  the  youngest, 
is  a  graduate  of  the  state  university  and  now  follows  the  profession  of  civil 
engineering  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  He  married  Eve  I.  Dills  and  they 
have  three  sons:  Ilenry  K..  Philip  M.  and  John  T. 

In  his  political  views  \\'illiam  II.  \\'illco.\  has  always  been  a  republican, 
having  attained  his  majority  soon  after  the  ])arty  was  organized.  He  is  en- 
titled to  wear  tlie  ("irand  Army  button,  for  on  the  5th  of  August,  1862.  he 
enlisted  as  a  member  of  Com])any  A,  Seventy-seventh  Illinois  \olunteer  In- 
fantry, lie  was  mustered  in  as  duty  sergeant  and  was  musterc<l  out  July  lo, 
1865.  as  second  lieutenant.  Among  the  battles  in  whicli  he  participated  were 
those  that  occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  X'icksburg  leading  to  the  capture  of  that 
city.  ]\rr.  Willco.x  was  made  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Sabine  Crossroads,  A])ril 
i8.  18^14.  and  was  sent  to  Camp  Eord  near  Tyler.  Texas,  where  he  was  held 
tmtil  the  close  of  hostilities.  After  the  war  he  followed  farming  successfully 
for  a  number  of  years  but  eventually  retired  to  enjoy  a  rest  which  he  has  truly 
earned  and  richly  deserves.  lie  has  ever  commanded  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  his  fellow  citizens  and  has  a  very  wide  and  favorable  ac(|uaintance  in 
Knox  countv. 


...  X.  II.  GOODSPEED.  :        . 

X.  11.  Goodspeed,  a  well  known  agriculturist  and  >tockman  of  \'ictoria  town- 
ship, owns  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land  on  section  15.  that  he  devotes 
to  general  farming.  lie  was  born  in  Athens  coimty,  Ohio,  on  the  I4th  of  May, 
i84f;,  but  the  Goods])eed  family  originally  came  from  Massachusetts.  Ilis  grand- 
father, Xathan  Goodspeed,  came  to  the  lUickeye  state  in  his  early  manhood  and 
engaged  in  farming.  There  he  was  subsecjuently  married  and  passed  the  remain- 
der of  his  life.  The  father  of  oiu'  subject,  Daniel  II.  Goodsi)ee(l.  was  born  and 
reared  iu  Ohio  and  there  he  later  married  .Miss  Martha  \\'ingett  who  was  a 
native  of  the  same  state.  They  spent  the  early  years  of  their  domotic  life  in 
the  vicinilv  where  they  had  always  resided,  but  they  later  dis])osed  of  their  inter- 
ests there  and,  in  1855.  came  to  Illinois.  Upon  their  arrival  in  the  state  they 
located  on  the  farm  where  their  son,  X.  II..  ni>\v  lives  and  there  the  mother  passed 
away  in  1836  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  X'ictoria.  The  father  sur- 
vived her  for  many  years,  his  death  occurring  in  X'ictoria.  in  i8<;i.  at  the  age  of 
seventy  years.  They  always  attended  the  Congregational  church  and  his  political 


DANIEL   H.  GCIODSPKKU 


-^;;V;;    V  ;:;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  411 

support  Mr.  Goodspeed  gave  to  the  republican  party.  He  was  a  public-spirited 
man  and  always  took  much  interest  in  township  affairs,  serving  for  several  years 
as  road  commissioner.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goodspeed  numbered  six, 
all  of  whom  were  born  in  Ohio.  They  are  as  'follows :  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of 
J.  B.  Cochran,  of  Lynn  township;  Georgiana,  who  married  G.  W.  Short,  resid- 
ing in  Lynn  township ;  John  Oliver,  who  makes  his  home  with  his  brother,  N. 
H. ;  he,  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch ;  Eunice,  the  widow  of 
Orlando  Short,  of  Galva,  Illinois ;  and  Eleanor,  who  is  deceased. 
.  :  N.  H.  Goodspeed  was  only  a  lad  of  six  years  when  he  came  to  Victoria  town- 
ship with  his  parents  and  he  has  since  passed  practically  his  entire  life  on  the 
farm  where  he  is  now  residing.  His  early  years  were  not  unlike  those  of  other 
lads  reared  in  the  country  during  the  pioneer  period.  He  attended  the  district 
school  until  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches,  during  which  time, he  also 
assisted  with  the  work  about  the  farm.  He  subsequently  gave  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  agricultural  pursuits  and  after  attaining  his  manhood  took  over  the  man- 
agement of  the  homestead,  to  the  further  cultivation  and  improvement  of  which 
he  has  ever  since  devoted  his  energies.  He  engages  in  general  farming  but  makes 
a  specialty  of  raising  horses,  cattle  and  hogs,  and  has  met  with  success  in  his 
undertakings.  His  farm  is  well  improved  and  under  high  cultivation  and  is 
fully  equipped  with  all  modern  conveniences  and  appliances,  deemed  essential 
to  the  successful  pursuits  of  agriculture.  <  J 

Mr.  Goodspeed  married  Miss  Ruth  Young,  a  native  of  Knox  county  and  a 
daughter  of  John  Young,  and  to  them  was  born  one  son,  Fred  N.,  who  is  now 
living  in  California.  He  married  Emma  Strom,  who  is  deceased,  and  they  had 
three  children :  Gladys,  Wayne  Stodard  and  Vance,  who  are  living  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Goodspeed. 

The  political  allegiance  of  Mr.  Goodspeed  is  given  to  the  republican  party, 
but  he  has  never  held  any  township  office.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  has  held  all  of  the  chairs  in  the  Victoria  lodge;  he 
also  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  being  affiliated  with  the  lodge  at  Victoria. 
In  addition  to  his  fane  farm  and  other  interests,  Mr.  Goodspeed  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Victoria  Mutual  Telephone  Company.  He  has  applied  himself 
intelligently  and  industriously  to  the  development  of  his  undertakings  and  his 
efforts  have  been  rewarded  correspondingly,  his  prosperity  being  recognized  by 
his  friends  as  the  well  merited  dividend  from  his  long  years  of  toil  and  self- 
denial. 


-•;:;,:  r   PROFESSOR  ISAAC  AUGUSTUS  PARKER.      .> 

'.'    '.'     • '.   .  .'•'   '    -  *      '.->".>'..-•''•',''    '.    >•. 

:'  ;  Professor  Isaac  Augustus  Parker,  •  emeritus  professor  of  Greek  of  Lom- 
bard College,  ranked  throughout  the  period  of  his  active  connection  with  edu- 
cational interests  as  one  of  the  foremost,  educators  of  Illinois.  He  is  now  enjoy- 
ing a  well  merited  rest  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  His  has  largely  been  the 
ideal  age  that  grows  stronger  and  better  mentally  and  physically  as  the  years 
go  by  and  gives  out  of  the  rich  stores  of  its  wisdom  and  experience  for  the 
benefit  of  others.  He  was  born  in  South  Woodstock,  Vermont,  December  31, 


412  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;'{•:    .^; 

1825,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Lucia  (Wood)  Parker,  who  were  also  natives  of 
Woodstock.  Their  family  numbered  but  two  children,  the  elder  being  a  daugh- 
ter, Elvira,  who  became  the  wife  of  Loyal  M.  Wood  and  died  in  South  Wood- 
;  stock  at  an  advanced  age.  Professor  Parker  is  a  descendant  of  James  Parker, 
who  came  from  England  and  finally  settled  at  Groton,  Massachusetts.  The 
paternal  grandfather  was  Eleazer  Parker,  who  lived  in  Mansfield,  Connecticut, 
whence  he  removed  to  Vermont,  settling  in  South  Woodstock.  He  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation  and  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  responding  to  the  Lexing- 
ton alarm,  at  which  time  he  left  the  plow  and  gave  valued  aid  to  the  country  in 
her  struggle  for  independence.  He  wedded  Mary  Royce  and  they  reared  a 
large  family,  including:  Eleazer;  Isaac;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Charles  Mc- 
Kenzie ;  Ruth,  who  became  the  wife  of  William  Prior ;  Mary,  who  gave  her 
hand  in  marriage  to  Humphrey  Rood ;  Lydia,  who  married  David  Aiken  and 
lived  in  Chautauqua  county.  New  York;  Lavina,  who  first  became  the  wife  of 
William  Benton  and  subsequently  married  Platt  Benedict,  who  was  the  founder 
of  Norwalk,  Ohio ;  Sarah,  who  married  Elias  Smith ;  and  Lucy,  who  gave  her 
hand  in  marriage  to  Oliver  Kendall.  Eleazer  and  Mary  (Royce)  Parker,  the 
parents  of  this  family,  lived  to  the  ages -of  seventy-three  and  eighty-one  years 
respectively.  In  tracing  the  ancestry  of  Professor  Parker  in  the  maternal  line 
it  is  found  that  he  had  four  ancestors  who  were  passengers  on  the  Mayfiower, 
namely :  John  Tilley  and  his  daughter,  Elizabeth  Tilley ;  John  Howland ;  and 
George  Soule.  The  Wood  family  originated  in  England  but  Henry  Wood,  the 
first  of  the  ancestors  in  that  line,  came  from  Holland,  as  did  his  wife,  who  bore 
the  maiden  name  of  Abigail  Jenney.  '  ••.•.;.;;  |  ••''-,.. 

The  maternal  grandfather  of  Professor  Parker  was  Joseph  Wood,  a  native 
of  Middleboro.  Massachusetts,  who  made  farming  his  life  work.  He  lived  for 
some  time  at  South  Woodstock  and  his  death  occurred  at  that  place.  He  served 
in  several  campaigns  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  married  Mrs.  William 
Gray,  a  widow,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Bethiah  Palmer.  His  death 
occurred  when  he  was  sixty-five  years  of  age,  while  his  wife  lived  to  be  more 
than  eighty  years  of  age.  Their  children  were  Joseph,  Jr.,  Benjamin  Palmer, 
Samuel,  Ira,  Ora,  Erastus  and  Lucia.  The  last  named  became  the  wife  of 
Isaac  Parker  and  the  mother  of  Professor  Parker  of  this  review.  Isaac  Parker 
was  reared  to  farm  life  and  also  learned  the  trades  of  a  shoemaker  and  tanner, 
in  early  life  but  afterward  withdrew  from  those  trades  and  devoted  the  greater 
part  of  his  days  to  general  farming.  He  held  the  office  of  selectman  and  was 
also  justice  of  the  peace.  He  likewise  served  as  captain  of  a  company  of  the 
state  militia  and  was  in  command  of  the  company  that  escorted  General  Lafay- 
ette into  Woodstock  when  he  made  his  visit  to  America  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century  after  the  Revolutionary  war.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members 
of  the  Universalist  church.  He  died  in  South  Woodstock  when  about  eighty- 
six  years  of  age  and  his  wife  survived  him  for  a  time,  passing  away  at  the  age 
of  eighty-seven. 

Professor  Parker  was  reared  in  South  Woodstock,  Vermont,  and  attended 
Dartmouth  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1853.  He  received  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from  Dartmouth  College  in  1855  and  the  honorary 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy  from  Buchtel  College  in  1892.  He  took  up 
the  profession  of  teaching  and  for  five  years  was  principal  of  the  Orleans 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v'-'^.       418 


Institute  at  Glover,  Vermont.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to 
Galesburg  as  professor  of  ancient  languages  in  Lombard  University  and  such 
was  his  ability  as  an  instructor  that  his  services  were  retained  by  the  college 
until  1908,  when  he  resigned  because  of  the  weight  of  years.  He  contributed 
much  to  the  success  of  Lombard,  his  instruction  being  an  important  element  in 
the  upbuilding  of  the  school. 

On  the  i8th  of  February,  1856,  Professor  Parker  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  A.  Labaree,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Parthena  (Whitmore)  Labaree. 
Mrs.  Parker  was  a  great-great-granddaughter  of  Peter  Labaree,  who  was  taken 
captive  by  the  Indians  at  Charlestown,  New  Hampshire,  and  sent  to  Canada, 
where  he  was  afterward  released.  The  Rev.  Benjamin  Labaree,  for  many  years 
president  of  Middlebury  College,  was  a  cousin  of  her  father,  William  Labaree. 
The  latter  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  and  devoted  his  life  to  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  He  married  Parthena  Whitmore  and  their  children  were- 
John  Wesley:  Ralph;  William  H. ;  Charles  K. ;  Benjamin  Franklin;  Sarah  Ann; 
Harriet;  Adeline;  and  Louisa,  who  became  the  wife  of  Ira  Thompson  and  died 
many  years  ago.  Of  these,  Sarah  Ann  became  the  wife  of  Professor  Parker. 
She  was  born  in  Weathersfield,  Vermont,  in  1827,  and  died  in  Galesburg,  in 
1889,  when  sixty-two  years  of  age.  She  held  membership  in  the  L'^niversalist 
church  and  was  a  lady  of  many  admirable  characteristics  and  qualities.  By  her 
marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  two  children  but  the  daughter,  Izah  Tenney, 
died  in  Banning,  California,  in  1891.  She  had  been  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools  of  Galesburg  and  also  in  Lombard  College.  The  son,  William  Augustus, 
a  civil  engineer  by  profession,  is  now  chief  engineer  of  the  St.  Joseph  &  Grand 
Island  Railway  and  has  his  office  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri. 

Professor  Parker's  lite  record  is  largely  a  familiar  one  to  the  residents  of 
Galesburg,  for  he  has  so  long  made  his  home  in  their  midst.  Well  descended 
and  well  bred,  his  tastes  are  innately  those  of  refinement  and  culture  and  his 
influence  has  always  been  given  on  the  side  of  progress  and  advancement.  He 
has  stood  for  the  highest  ideals  in  educational  work  and  while  instructing  pupils 
in  the  "dead"  languages  he  has  also  kept  before  them  the  living  issues  of  the 
day  in  his  efforts  to  prepare  those  under  his  instruction  for  the  practical  and 
responsible  .duties  of  life.  His  influence,  exerted  consciously  or  unconsciously, 
has  ever  been  a  force  for  good  in  the  lives  of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in 
contact.  •..  ..  ,• ..  ,.-•-,-., ^  .;,  ,.  ,^. .,;..-:...  ..,,  :•„•...-..,  .  .  „.;-  -  ,.-.-.;,•;; 


:    •?  WILLIAM  S.  WILLIAMSON,  M.  D.  ;^-;K;;/p;y 

•   V. 

;  •  Dr.  William  S,  Williamson,  a  well  known  and  successful  representative  of 
the  medical  profession  in  Knox  county,  has  continuously  practiced  at  Galesburg 
for  more  than  two  decades.  His  birth  occurred  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  2 1st  of  August,  1848,  his  parents  being  Hiram  and  Lydia  (Pierce)  Wil- 
liamson. The  father  was  born  in  \'irginia,  on  the  I2th  of  May,  1800,  while  the 
mother's  birth  occurred  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  4th  of  May, 
i8io.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject,  Hiram  and  Martha  (Mc- 
Clellan)  Williamson,  were  planters  of  Virginia  and  were  representatives  of 


414  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       "';•:';; 

old  families  of  that  state.    Hiram  Williamson,  Jr.,  the  father  of  Dr.  William- 

,.    son,  was  engaged  in  business  as  a  lumber  contractor  and  also  owned  large  timber 

.'  tracts  in  western  Pennsylvania.     In  1856  he  came  west  and  took  up  his  abode 

in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  there  devoting  his  attention  to  general  agricultural 

pursuits  with  excellent  success.     The  last  few  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in 

honorable  retirement  at  Orion,   Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  his   demise  oc- 

,•  curred  on  the  i8th  of  July,  1884.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  re- 
publican party  and  while  living  in  the  east  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and 
also  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  In  early  manhood  he  was  a  member  of 

.;;:  the  Society  of  Friends  but  after  locating  in  the  west  affiliated  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  acting  therein  as  class  leader  and  also  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  stewards.  It  was  on  the  4th  of  May,  1828,  in  Indiana  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, that  he  had  wedded  Miss  Lydia  Pierce,  who  passed  away  in  May, 
1900.  Unto  them  were  born  ten  children,  as  follows :  Jacob,  who  was  killed 

•  '   in  the  battle  of  Vicksburg  while  a  member  of  the  Union  army,  serving  in  Com- 
pany D,  Thirteenth  Illinois  Infantry;  Eliza  Jane,  who  is  also  deceased;  Hiram 
F.,  living  at  Central  City,  Nebraska;  Sarah  and  Joseph,  both  of  whom  have 
passed  away ;  Lydia,  the  wife  of  Smith  F.  Purdy,  of  Abingdon,  Illinois ;  James, 
'   deceased ;  William  S.,  of  this  review ;  F.  Nettie,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage 
-    to  Samuel  McGee  and  resides  in  Aurora,  Nebraska ;  and  Sevena  C.,  the  wife  of, 

>'•   Aaron  Elder,  residing  in  Indiana  county,  Pennsylvania.  -     ..  1        ":    / 

William   S.  Williamson  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Henry  county,  Illinois,  later  attended  Prairie  Home  Academy  and  subse- 

: ,  quently  continued  his  studies  in  Grinnell  College  of  Iowa.  He  next  read 
medicine  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  John  N.  McKelvey,  of  Orion,  Illinois,  and 

.  afterward  entered  the  University  of  Michigan,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1875.  Lx)cating  for  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Rio,  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  he  there  remained  for  eight  years  and  then  removed  to  Aurora, 
Nebraska,  where  he  followed  his  profession  for  six  years.  On  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  entered  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia,  com- 
pleting the  full  course  in  1889.  In  that  year  he  opened  an  office  at  Galesburg, 
Illinois,  and  this  city  has  since  remained  the  scene  of  his  professional  labors, 
his  success  in  the  administration  of  remedial  agencies  and  the  restoration  of 
health  insuring  him  a  constantly  growing  and  highly  remunerative  patronage. 
There  is  also  a  military  chapter  in  the  life  history  of  Dr.  Williamson,  for 
at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  Sixty-fifth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  remaining  with  that  command  as  a  private  for  three 
years.  ••--'•  ;;';--•  ••'•.  '•'"''•  :'••'' 'i  'X.  •-.' /•":' ^  '•  ' •  1  ^^ ''  \ • .'. . " 

On  the  29th  of  April,  1875,  Dr.  Williamson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Burns  Cook,  who  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  on  the  4th  of  August, 
1860,  her  parents  being  Alexander  and  Mary  (Burns)  Cook,  of  Mercer  county, 
Illinois.  The  father  was  a  native  of  the  Isle  of  Arran,  off  the  coast  of  Scotland, 
while  the  mother  was  born  in  the  Scotch  highlands.  They  were  married  in  Glas- 
'  gow,  Scotland,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1862,  locating  in  Lynn, 
Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  Alexander  Cook  followed  farming.  His  last  days 

_>•  were  spent  in  honorable  retirement  at  Swedona,  Illinois,  where  both  he  and  his 
wife  passed  away.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican,  while  his  religious  faith 

'     was  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  served  as  a  deacon,  elder  and 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      v  ;;.':.  415 


trustee.  Unto  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson  were  born  four  children,  namely:  Win- 
field  Howard,  who  is  a  resident  of  Desmet,  Idaho;  Jean  Burns,  the  wife  of  Dr. 
John  C.  Murchison ;  Nellie,  deceased ;  and  Bessie,  who  is  at  home. 

At  the  polls  Dr.  Williamson  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republi- 
can party,  believing  firmly  in  its  principles.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the 
Masons,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Woodmen  and  the  Red  Men.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Central  Congregational  church  and  take  an  active 
and  helpful  part  in  its  work.  Genial  in  disposition,  unobtrusive  and  unassuming, 
he  is  patient  under  adverse  criticism  and  in  his  expressions  concerning  brother 
practitioners  is  friendly  and  indulgent.  .  .  :•:...  .  :  .•  >  :  x.- 


:-  Vv ;.•-/' V'^. :'.:;-••;•,;',> ^  DAVID  B.  EDWARDS. ••  '•;-./.  v/''^'^v^'':''y::''-^."'-v'^'--': 

;  '..  David  B.  Fdwards,  who  for  fifteen  years  has  been  a  conductor  on  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  his  run  being  from  Galesburg  to  Quincy,  has 
throughout  his  entire  life  been  connected  with  railway  service  and  his  efficiency 
and  faithfulness  are  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he  has  always  remained  with  the 
one  road.  He  was  born  in  Henderson  county,  Illinois,  three  miles  south  of 
Kirkwood,  on  the  ist  of  May,  1862,  a  grandson  of  John  Edwards,  who  was  of 
Welsh  birth  and  lineage  and  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  time  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  with  the  British  army  but  deserted  from  its  ranks  and  joined  the 
colonial  forces,  his  sympathy  being  with  the  troops  who  were  struggling  for 
independence.  He  located  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  where  his  remaining  days 
were  passed. 

The  parents  of  David  B.  Edwards  were  Thomas  R.  and  Susan  (Cook) 
Edwards,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  the  father  having 
been  born  on  the  29th  of  November,  1820,  and  the  mother  on  the  2ist  of  August, 
1827.  Both  were  educated  there  and  their  marriage  was  celebrated  in  their  native 
county  on  the  25th  of  February,  1854.  The  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade 
and  in  the  fall  of  1860  came  to  Illinois,  driving  across  the  country  to  Henderson 
county,  where  he  secured  a  tract  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  Year  after 
year  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  until  his  death  which 
occurred  June  5,  1895.  His  widow  survived  him  for  eleven  years  and  passed 
away  October  27,  1906.  They  were  both  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  were  actively  and  helpfully  inter- 
ested, Mr.  Edwards  serving  as  one  of  the  church  trustees.  In  politics  he  was  a 
republican  and  served  as  township  trustee,  as  road  commissioner  and  as  school 
director,  faithfully  discharging  his  duties  and  also  giving  active  and  helpful  sup- 
port to  every  measure  and  movement  intended  for  the  public  good.  Unto  him 
and  his  wife  were  born  six  children :  John  Walter,  a  railway  conductor  on  the 
Rock  Island  Railroad,  now  living  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa ;  OrlofF  D.,  a  farmer  of 
Sumner  county,  Kansas ;  Stephen  C.,  who  also  follows  farming  in  Sumner  county ; 
David  B. ;  Charles  H.,  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Henderson  county ;  and 
Emma  F.,  a  twin  sister  of  Charles,  and  now  the  wife  of  John  W.  Gordon,  of 
Hooker,  Oklahoma.:  _^ ,.  ,  ,  ..:.;.,;-  ..;..-  .  .....  ,-- 


416  ;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

V  David  B.  Edwards  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Illinois  and  is  indebted  to  its 
public-school  system  for  the  educational  privileges  he  enjoyed.  In  starting  out 
in  life  on  his  own  account  he  secured  a  position  as  brakeman  on  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  promoted  to  the 
position  of  conductor  on  the  2d  of  February,  1896.  He  has  since  served  in  that 
capacity,  his  run  being  from  Galesburg  to  Quincy,  and  his  loyalty,  capability  and 
faithfulness  are  indicated  in  his  long  retention  in  the  position. 

On  the  I5th  of  July,  1885,  Mr.  Edwards  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Augfusta  Ervin,  who  was  born  August  23,  1866,  at  Statesville,  North  Carolina, 
a  daughter  of  Claude  P.  and  Jane  (Morrison)  Ervin,  of  Biggsville,  Illinois. 
Her  father  was  born  June  i6,  1843,  in  Iredell  county.  North  Carolina,  and 
enlisted  for  service  in  the  Confederate  army  under  Colonel  Vance,  serving  as 
a  private  in  the  cavalry  for  three  years  and  six  months.  He  removed  with  his 
family  to  Biggsville  during  the  early  girlhood  of  Mrs.  Edwards,  who  was  there 
educated.  By  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  two  children :  Walter 
Earl,  who  was  born  in  Biggsville,  October  4,  1886,  and  died  August  27,  1887; 
and  Gertrude  May,  who  was  born  in  Biggsville,  February  17,  1888,  and  is  living 
with  her  parents.  It  was  in  1885  that  Mr.  Edwards  removed  to  Galesburg  and 
in  1907  he  erected  the  residence  which  he  and  his  family  now  occupy.  He  still 
holds  membership  in  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  at  Biggsville  and  belongs  to  the 
Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen,  Lodge  No.  24.  at  .Galesburg.  His  political 
indorsement  is  given  to  the  republican  party  but  he  has  no  desire  or  aspiration 
for  public  office  and  its  rewards.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  during  the  twenty-six  years  of  their  residence  in  the  city  they  have  made 
many  friends. 


ALBERT  W.  TAPPER.         > 


Albert  W.  Tapper,  a  successful  and  representative  agriculturist  of  Ontario 
township,  was  born  in  Osco,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  5th  of  December, 
1871,  his  parents  being  Erick  G.  and  Christina  (Carlson)  Tapper,  who  were 
natives  of  Tjarstad,  Estergetlan  and  Hoena,  Sweden,  respectively.  The  father 
was  born  on  November  13,  1831,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years  came  to 
the  United  States  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  agricultural  district  of  the  Middle 
West,  heretofore  having  spent  his  time  in  military  training  and  agricultural  pur- 
suits. He  settled  first  at  New  Sweden,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  until  1863, 
v.'hen  he  removed  to  Andover,  Illinois,  and  located  upon  a  farm  near  Osco. 
At  this  place  he  became  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land, 
which  he  successfully  cultivated  until  1889^  when  he  removed  to  Ontario  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  settling  upon  the  farm,  on  which  his  son,  A.  W.  Tapper,  now 
resides.  This  farm,  which  consisted  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-one  and  a  half 
acres,  was  his  home  until  his  death,  on  the  23d  of  July,  1902,  at  the  age  of  seventy 
years.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  and  enthusiastic  republican  and  he  held  mem- 


Ki;i(  K  TAIM'KK 


AM)   KA 


'V:>^^;;     :;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  421 

..;•  ":'•"•.    -.'    ''    .  •  i'  -'  \ 

bership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  at  Andover,  Illinois.  In  1867  he  was 
married  to  Christina  Carlson,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  ist  of  January,  1840. 
She  left  her  native  land  for  the  United  States  in  1854  and  resided  with  an  aunt 
near  Orion,  Illinois,  until  her  marriage.  She  is  now  residing  at  Woodhull,  Illinois. 

Albert  W.  Tapper  spent  his  early  years  at  home,  assisting  his  father  and  at- 
tending the  common  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  At  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  began  attending  Brown's  Business  College  at  Galesburg  during 
the  winter  months,  although  he  still  spent  much  time  working  on  the  farm.  He 
began  his  independent  career  in  the  spring  of  1897,  when  he  went  to  Monmouth 
and  engaged  in  the  laundry  business,  which  he  conducted  during  the  following  four 
or  five  years.  After  this,  for  a  similar  length  of  time,  he  was  in  the  employ  of 
the  Kingman  Plow  Company  at  Peoria,  before  again  engaging  in  ag^cultural  pur- 
suits, at  first  for  three  years,  on  an  eighty  acre  tract  owned  by  Joe  Cox,  Sr.,  and 
later,  in  the  spring  of  1908,  on  the  homestead  where  his  mother  needed  his  as- 
sistance. He  has  the  entire  farm  under  cultivation  and  is  carrying  on  general 
fanning  most  profitably  in  addition  to  feeding  cattle  and  hogs.  In  the  few  years 
in  which  he  has  been  thus  engaged,  he  has  given  his  attention  almost  exclusively 
to  his  farm  and  has  shown  his  ability  to  equip  it  and  operate  it  scientifically  and 
profitably.  Among  the  later  improvements  which  he  has  added  is  the  silo,  which 
has  a  capacity  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  tons. 

In  September,  1898,  Mr.  Tapper  was  married  to  Miss  Millie  Samuelson,  a 
daughter  of  Olaf  and  Christina  Samuelson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Sweden 
and  are  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Tapper  was  born  March  15,  1871,  in  Woodhull 
and  spent  the  greater  part  of  her  childhood  in  that  town,  where  she  was  prom- 
inent socially  and  in  the  Lutheran  church.  Her  death  occurred  on  October  21, 
1907,  when  she  was  thirty-six  years  and  seven  months  of  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tapper  two  children  were  bom,  namely :  Elsie  Marie,  who  is  thirteen  years  of 
age  and  who  is  residing  with  her  father  and  attending  school ;  and  Ruby  Emelia, 
whose  death  occurred  on  the  nth  of  March,  1909. 

•  In  politics  Mr.  Tapper  is  a  republican  and  takes  an  active  interest  in  public 
aflPairs,  having  served  for  the  last  few  years  as  district  clerk  of  Ontario  Town- 
ship Centennial  School  District  No.  22.  He  holds  stock  in  the  Woodhull  and 
Oneida  grain  elevators  and  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Woodhull  State  Bank.  His 
fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Wood- 
hull  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  that  place,  associations  which  in-  ~ 
dicate  rnuch  of  the  nature  of  his  interests  and  the  rules  which  govern  his  life.  '; 


WILLIAM  ALBERT  GEBHART. 


William  Albert  Gebhart  has  been  engaged  in  teaming  in  Galesburg  for  forty 
years  and  during  half  of  that  time  has  conducted  a  wholesale  and  retail  hay  and 
straw  business.  He  is  a  native  of  Knox  county,  where  he  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Henderson  township,  on  the  27th  of  August,  1855.  The  father,  Allen  Geb- 
hart, a  son  of  Kentucky,  where  he  was  reared,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
after  concluding  his  schooling.  At  Pleasant  Hill  church,  Taylor  county,  that 

state,  on  the  I2th  of  February,  1849,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza 
— 


n—  1» 


422         -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     •• 

Feather,  also  a  native  of  the  Blue  Grass  state,  in  which  they  continued  to  reside 
until  1850,  when  they  came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Henderson  town- 
ship, this  county.  Mr.  Gebhart  devoted  his  energies  to  the  improvement  and 
cultivation  of  this  place  until  1869,  when  with  his  wife  and  family  he  removed  to 
Galesburg.  Here  he  followed  the  occupations  of  lathing  and  plastering  during 
the  remainder  of  his  active  life,  passing  away  in  1889,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three 
years.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  is  now  in  her  eightieth  year,  having  been 
born  in  Taylor  county,  Kentucky,  on  February  20,  1832.  Mr.  Gebhart  was  a 
veteran  of  the  Mexican  war,  in  which  he  fought  as  a  member  of  one  of  the  first 
regiments  that  left  Louisville.  In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  republican.  The 
family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gebhart  numbered  eight  children,  as  follows :  Mary 
and  John,  both  of  whom  are  deceased;  Henry,  who  was  killed  in  a  railroad 
accident ;  William  Albert,  of  this  review ;  David,  who  is  a  resident  of  McDer- 
mott,  Idaho;  Edward,  deceased;  Lulu,  the  wife  of  Henry  Hunt,  of  Kearney, 
Nebraska ;  and  Richard,  who  is  a  resident  of  Ogden,  Iowa.  The  paternal 
grandparents  were  Thomas  and  Nellie  (Robbins)  Gebhart,  natives  of  Virginia 
and  of  Campbellsville,  Taylor  county,  Kentucky,  respectively.  They  were  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Knox  county,  passing  away  in  Henderson  township  at  a 
ripe  old  age.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  continued  to  follow  this  occupa- 
tion until  age  compelled  his  retirement  from  regular  work.  They  had  three 
daughters  and  four  sons :  Rachel ;  Jane ;  Sarah ;  John ;  Allen,  the  father  of  Wil- 
liam Albert  Gebhart;  Thomas  and  William.  The  family  is  of  German  extrac- 
tion, the  great-grandfather  of  William  Albert  Gebhart  having  emigrated  to  the 
colonies  when  he  was  a  lad  of  fourteen  years,  prior  to  the  Revolution.  He  grew 
to  manhood  in  this  country  and  gave  his  services  to  the  land  of  his  adoption  in 
its  struggle  for  independence.  In  the  maternal  line,  William  Albert  Gebhart 
is  descended  from  old  colonial  southern  families.  His  grandparents,  John  and 
Polly  (Harp)  Feather,  removed  from  Niles,  North  Carolina,  to  Kentucky,  locat- 
ing in  Taylor  county,  where  they  died  at  the  ages  of  ninety-four  and  eighty- 
three  years  respectively.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  the  eldest  of 
whom,  Eliza,  was  the  mother  of  our  subject,  the  others  being:  Catherine,  who 
died  when  young;  Elvira;  Albert;  John;  Reuben;  William;  Mary;  Louisa;  and 
Rial.  .  V  i  • 

The  education  of  William  Albert  Gebhart  began  in  the  district  school,  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  father's  farm,  until  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  and  was  completed 
in  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg.  In  his  sixteenth  year  he  laid  aside  his  text- 
books and  began  earning  his  own  living.  The  first  work  that  offered  happened 
to  be  teaming,  and  now  for  forty  years  he  has  continued  to  be  identified  with 
this  business.  About  twenty  years  ago  he  began  dealing  in  hay  and  straw,  and 
as  this  venture  proved  to  be  remunerative  he  has  ever  since  followed  it  in  con- 
nection with  his  teaming  business.  Mr.  Gebhart  is  a  practical  man,  enterpris- 
ing and  industrious,  and  has  met  with  good  success  in  his  undertakings,  owing  to 
his  close  application,  unceasing  effort  and  good  judgment. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1883,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Feather,  a  daughter  of  Albert  and  Diema  (Wilson)  Feather,  and  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  her  birth  having  occurred  in  Taylor  county,  on  the  25th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1862.  Her  parents  were  also  natives  of  the  Blue  Grass  state,  whence 
they  moved  to  Illinois  in  1883,  locating  in  Knox  county.  They  are  now  residents 


i^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          V  •      '  423 


of  Galesburg.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Feather: 
Mary,  now  Mrs.  Gebhart;  Ermine;  Emmett,  who  is  deceased;  Olive;  John; 
and  Timothy.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Gebhart  were  John  and  Polly 
(Harp)  Feather,  and  in  the  maternal  line  she  is  descended  from  Robert  and 
Nellie  (Colvin)  Wilson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gebhart  are  the  parents  of  five  children: 
Leroy,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Charles,  who  was  eleven  years  of  age  at  the  time 
of  his  death ;  Harry,  who  graduated  from  the  high  school  and  Knox  College 
and  is  now  studying  medicine  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor ; 
Erminie,  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  and  Brown's  Business  College,  who  is 
now  employed  as  stenographer  in  the  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Bank  in  this 
city;  and  Bessie,  who  died  when  she  was  eleven  years  of  age. 

His  political  franchise  Mr.  Gebhart  exercises  in  support  of  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  democratic  party.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Modem 
Woodmen  of  America  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Gebhart  hold  membership  in  the 
Baptist  church,  and  number  among  its  congregation  many  close  friends.  Mr. 
Gebhart  has  always  led  a  rather  unobtrusive  life,  but  he  is  a  man  of  tireless 
energy,  clear  judgment  and  foresight  and  has  quietly  advanced  his  interests 
during  the  long  period  of  his  business  career,  until  he  is  now  numbered  among 
the  substantial  citizens  of  the  community.  ..  .  , 


•. ;  •;.::;• ;',.;;-  >•  - ;; : .  :'/-z ;:•;'•;  JOHN  B 

John  B.  McAuley,  a  well  known  civil  engineer  and  contractor  of  Galesburg, 
who  has  twice  been  city  engineer,  was  bom  here,  on  the  i8th  of  November, 
1863.  His  parents  are  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Mulqueney)  McAuley,  natives 
of  Ireland,  the  father's  birth  having  occurred  in  County  Antrim,  on  the  2d  of 
February,  1832,  and  that  of  the  mother  in  County  Clare.  When  a  young  man 
Thomas  McAuley  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Galesburg  in 
1854.  Here  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road in  the  capacity  of  foreman  of  track  construction.  He  subsequently  went  to 
Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Lee  county,  to  the  further  development  of  which 
he  devoted  his  energies  until  1884.  In  the  latter  year  he  disposed  of  his  prop- 
erty and  returned  to  Galesburg,  again  entering  the  service  of  the  "Q."  He  con- 
tinued in  that  employ  as  assistant  foreman  of  the  yards  until  1904,  when  he 
withdrew  from  active  work  and  is  now  living  retired  at  No.  649  South  Academy 
street.  The  mother  is  also  living.  They  are  both  communicants  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  church  and  belong  to  the  parish  of  St.  Patrick.  Ever  since  granted 
the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  McAuley  has  given  his  support  to  the  democratic 
party  and  although  he  never  aspired  to  public  office,  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest  in  all  political  affairs.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McAuley  there  have  been  born 
six  children,  the  eldest  of  whom  is  our  subject.  The  others  are  as  follows : 
Thomas  Francis,  who  is  living  in  Chicago :  Mary,  the  wife  of  W.  G.  Mathews ; 
Margaret,  who  is  at  home;  Charles  H.,  of  Galesburg;  and  Grace,  who  is  also 
at  home.  The  parents  were  married  in  Galesburg. 

The  education  of  John  B.  McAuley  was  obtained  in  the  public  school  and 
also  a  private  school  conducted  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hennessey.  Upon  attaining 


424  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '•        "-1;";: 

his  majority  in  1884  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroad  Company.  He  was  first  assigned  duty  on  the  tracks  and  in  the 
switch  yard,  his  first  promotion  being  to  the  civil  engineer  department,  and  in 
October,  1884,  he  was  appointed  assistant  to  F.  J.  Allen,  division  engineer,  in 
the  capacity  of  chain  and  rodman  in  the  engineer  department.  Subsequently  he 
was  placed  in  charge  of  the  division  engineer's  office,  remaining  in  this  position 
until  March,  1891,  when  he  resigned  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  city 
engineer.  He  was  appointed  to  this  office  by  Mayor  Forrest  F.  Cooke,  his  term 
expiring  in  1893,  and  in  May  of  that  year  he  went  to  Canton,  this  state,  where 
he  was  engaged  until  the  following  May  as  city  engineer  for  that  city.  Upon 
his  return  to  Galesburg  he  established  an  office  and  took  contracts  for  construc- 
tion  work  of  various  kinds,  principally  brick  pavements,  sewers,  waterworks 
and  also  in  both  concrete  and  brick  masonry.  In  1901  he  was  again  appointed 
city  engineer  by  Mayor  William  O.  R.  Bradley,  but  upon  the  expiration  of 
his  term  of  office  he  once  more  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  his  private  inter- 
ests. Mr.  McAuley  has  laid,  or  has  had  direct  charge  of  construction,  as  en- 
gineer, of  the  greater  portion  of  the  pavement  in  Galesburg  and  has  contracted 
for  and  laid  all  of  the  better  class  of  pavement  such  as  that  to  be  found  on 
•  Mary  street.  Chamber  street,  E.  Losey  street,  Seminary  street  and  Prairie  street. 
He  has  also  built  the  brick  and  steel  bridges  and  the  reinforced  concrete  bridge 
over  Cedar  Fork  creek.  His  building  operations  and  concrete  work  have  been 
of  a  most  important  character  and  indicate  his  position  as  a  prominent  repre- 
sentative of  industrial  activity  in  Galesburg.  In  1895  he  completed  and  pub- 
lished a  new  map  of  the  city  and  he  also  has  received  at  difiPerent  times  contracts 
on  the  city  waterworks  plant.  Mr.  McAuley  has  become  quite  well  known 
in  this  portion  of  the  state  through  his  contracts  on  pavements,  sewers,  water- 
works, railroads  and  bridges,  and  in  addition  to  the  work  already  mentioned  he 
:  paved  a  number  of  streets  and  alleys  in  Kewanee,  Illinois.  He  is  a  practical 
man  and  does  his  work  thoroughly  and  efficiently,  giving  his  close  personal 
supervision  to  every  contract  assigned  him.  ;.;. 

On  the  i/th  of  November,  1897,  Mr.  McAuley  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Frances  Connolly,  a  daughter  of  Terence  and  Ellen  Connolly  of  this  city. 
Mrs.  McAuley  was  born  May  28,  1867,  and  departed  this  life  at  her  home  at 
No.  649  South  Academy  street,  on  the  2d  of  September,  1901.  She  was  a  con- 
sistent member  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic  church  to  which  Mr.  McAuley  also 
belongs.  To  them  were  born  twin  sons,  John  Thomas  and  Robert  Francis, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  the  3d  of  July,  1900.  Mr.  McAuley  belongs  to  the 
Galesburg  Club  and  the  Elks  Club  and  has  most  cordial  relations  with  many  of 
the  members  of  those  organizations.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  republican 
and  while  he  has  firm  faith  in  the  party,  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office 
save  the  one  which  he  held  and  which  was  in  the  strict  path  of  his  profession. 
His  support  of  progressive  municipal  affairs,  however  has  been  a  factor  in  gen- 
eral progress  and  improvement.  The  steps  in  his  orderly  progression  are  easily 
discemable.  Since  starting  out  in  life  in  a  humble  capacity  he  has  made  con- 
tinuous advancement,  wisely  utilizing  his  time,  talents  and  opportunities  and 
correctly  judging  of  life's  contacts  and  experiences.  Early  in  his  business  career 
he  recognized  the  fact  that  there  is  no  royal  road  to  wealth,  but  that  advance- 
ment and  success  must  depend  upon  the  worth  of  an  individual's  work  to  his 


;/,;:;:;:-;:::>      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       };:;/••         425 

-  -  fellowmen.  He  has  always  held  to  high  standards  and  whether  in  the  execution 
.'V  :  ;  of  public  or  private  contracts  has  ever  given  adequate  return  for  value  received. 
';  ;•  ;5  Moreover  he  has  cultivated  skill  and  efficiency  which  have  won  for  him  a  lead- 
-•':'".  ing  place  among  the  prominent  representatives  of  his  profession  in  this  part  of 
<  .  Illinois. 


'.  ''.-^v'V'/  ';-,.;;-•'';;..;-,;•''•' •;.^. WALTER  D.  BELONG.  !;  '-^  ';      '.f]^:^-  •^.v^ie/'^i:  -; 

Walter  D.  DeLong,  who  has  been  conducting  a  transfer  and  storage  business 
in  Galesburg  for  the  past  nine  years,  was  born  on  a  farm  at  Center  Point,  three 
and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  this  city,  on  the  29th  of  July,  1865.  His  parents 
were  Marshall  and  Mary  (Harding)  DeLong,  the  father  a  native  of  Vermont 
and  the  mother  of  the  state  of  New  York.  Three  children  were  born  to  them 
as  follows :  Walter  D.,  our  subject ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  C.  R.  Neeley  of  Sparta 
township ;  and  Harriet,  who  married  Addison  Hasty,  of  Seattle,  Washington. 
At  the  age  of  ten  years,  Marshall  DeLong  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  from  Vermont  to  Illinois,  their  destination  being  Knox  county.  The 
family  arrived  late  in  the  fall  of  1836  and  spent  their  first  winter  in  old  Hender- 
son, but  in  the  spring  they  located  on  a  farm  in  Sparta  township.  There  Mar- 
shall DeLong  completed  his  education  and  was  reared  to  manhood.  Always 
having  had  his  energies  directed  along  agricultural  lines,  when  old  enough  to 
choose  a  vocation,  naturally  he  adopted  the  one  in  which  he  felt  he  was  most 
likely  to  succeed.  He  subsequently  purchased  a  farm  at  Center  Point  that  he 
operated  until  1886,  when  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  county  poor 
farm.  He  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  office  until  his  death  on  the 
29th  of  January,  1892,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  The  mother  survived  for 
five  years  thereafter,  passing  away  at  the  same  age.  Mr.  DeLong  always  took 
an  active  interest  in  all  public  affairs,  and  was  for  many  years  postmaster  at 
Center  Point,  and  he  also  efficiently  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  was  at 
one  time  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors.  All  matters  of  an  agricultural 
nature  interested  him  and  he  was  one  of  the  enthusiastic  members  of  the  county 
agricultural  board  for  several  years,  of  which  he  was  president.  The  f>aternal 
grandparents  were  Julius  and  Juliana  (Sanford)  DeLong,  also  natives  of  Ver- 
mont, who  died  on  the  old  homestead  in  Sparta  township,  at  an  advanced  age. 
They  had  one  son  and  two  daughters :  Marshall,  Mary  and  Harriet.  The  mater- 
nal grandparents  were  also  pioneers  of  Knox  county,  having  located  on  a  farm 
in  the  vicinity  of  Cherry  Grove,  near  Abingdon,  in  the  early  days.  She  passed 
away  in  middle  life,  but  the  grandfather,  James  Harding,  was  ninety-nine  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  Six  children  were  born  to  them :  the  mother  of  our  subject ; 
Ann ;  Roderick,  who  was  a  captain  in  the  Civil  war ;  Lucinda  and  Nett. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Walter  D.  DeLong  were  passed  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Sparta  township,  where  the  family  had  then  resided  for  nearly  forty 
years.  In  the  acquirement  of  his  early  education  he  attended  the  district  school, 
but  he  later  supplemented  this  by  a  business  course  in  one  of  the  commercial  col- 
leges. He  subsequently  returned  to  the  home  place  in  the  operation  of  which 
he  assisted  until  his  father  became  superintendent  of  the  poor  farm  in  1886,  when 


426  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

he  took  over  the  management  of  the  homestead.  He  continued  to  operate  the 
entire  farm  until  after  the  death  of  his  father  in  1892,  when  he  inherited  one 
hundred  and  one  and  a  half  acres,  that  he  cultivated  together  with  some  land 
he  rented  from  the  other  heirs.  In  1902,  Mr.  DeLong  disposed  of  his  property 
and  came  to  Galesburg  and  emharked  in  the  business  he  is  still  conducting. 
He  was  first  associated  with  Ralph  Belden,  but  for  the  past  six  years  he  has 
been  in  partnership  with  E.  B.  Ogden. 

On  the  5th  of  June,  1889.  Mr.  DeLong  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Genevieve  Ferris,  who  passed  away  on  January  12,  1902.  She  was  a  daughter 
,  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lorenzo  D.  (Carpenter)  Ferris,  the  former  of  whom  was  a 
native  of  the  state  of  Ohio.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  DeLong, 
as  follows:  Earl,  Harold,  Clarice  and  Lorenzo.  The  mother  was  a  most  esti- 
mable Christian  woman  and  held  membership  in  the  Congregational  church. 
On  the  27th  of  April,  1904,  Mr.  DeLong  married  Mrs.  Margaret  Wilson,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Riley,  the  widow  of  Elliott  Wilson,  by  whom  she  had  four 
children:  William;  James,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years;  Elliott;  and 
Kenneth.  .  ;, 

Mr.  DeLong  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  he  is  also  affi- 
liated with  the  Galesburg  Club.  He  was  a  member  of  the  executive  board  of 
Knox  county  agricultural  association  for  thirteen  years,  and  its  treasurer  for 
one  year.  His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican  party,  but  he  has  never 
held  any  office  save  that  of  school  director  while  he  was  residing  in  Sparta  town- 
ship. He  is  one  of  the  capable  business  men  of  Galesburg,  where  he  has  con- 
ducted his  transactions  in  a  highly  creditable  manner  and  is  in  every  way  regarded 
as  a  worthy  representative  of  one  of  Knox  county's  estimable  pioneer  families. 


;  :--'':-^*'--'    ••  •  "'    C.  W.  ROE.     >-;.•'••;•••;•.';.•'.'*:>;,'-':••' 

C.  W.  Roe  successfully  operates  a  finely  equipped  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  forty-two  acres  on  sections  i6  and  17  in  Indian  Point  township,  Knox  county, 
nor  far  distant  from  his  birthplace,  section  20  of  this  township.  The  date  of 
his  birth  was  March  i,  1867.  He  is  the  son  of  T.  H.  and  Lucinda  (Stephenson) 
Roe.  His  early  education  C.  W.  Roe  received  in  the  Hunt  district  schools  after 
which  he  attended  Hedding  College  and  the  Dixon  Normal  school  at  Dixon, 
Illinois.  When  twenty-four  years  old  he  left  home  and  began  farming  for  him- 
self on  section  i6,  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land. 
This  remained  his  home  until  January  of  the  present  year,  when  he  removed 
to  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  residing.  The  home  is  handsome  and  well  con- 
structed and  thoroughly  modern  in  all  its  appointments  and  the  farm  buildings 
also  are  substantial  and  equipped  with  every  needed  device  for  efficient  farming 
and  stock-raising,  since  Mr.  Roe  is  extensively  engaged  in  both  of  these  occu- 
pations. 

Mrs.  C.  W.  Roe,  who  was  formerly  Miss  Eva  May  Shaw,  was  married  to 
Mr.  Roe,  February  22,  1900.  She  was  born  in  Cedar  township,  Knox  county, 
a  daughter  of  Philip  and  Selecta  (Morse)  Shaw.  Her  parents,  who  are  both 
dead,  were  among  the  New  England  settlers  of  Knox  county,  her  father  having 


MR.  AND  MRS.  C.  W.  ROE 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          •          . 

he  took  over  the  management  of  the  homestead.  He  continued  to  operate  the 
entire  farm  until  after  the  death  of  his  father  in  1892,  when  he  inherited  one 
hundred  and  one  and  a  half  acres,  that  he  cultivated  together  with  some  land 
he  rented  from  the  other  heirs.  In  1902,  Mr.  DeLong  disposed  of  his  property 
and  came  to  Galesburg  and  embarked  in  the  business  he  is  still  conducting. 
He  was  first  associated  with  Ralph  P.elden.  but  for  the  past  six  years  he  has 
been  in  partnership  with  E.  \\.  Ogden. 

,  On  the  5th  of  June.  1889.  Mr.  DeLong  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Genevieve  Ferris,  who  passed  away  on  January  12,  1902.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lorenzo  D.  (Carpenter)  Ferris,  the  former  of  whom  was  a 
native  of  the  state  of  Ohio.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  DeLong. 
as  follows:  Earl.  Harold.  Clarice  and  Lorenzo.  The  mother  was  a  most  esti- 
mable Christian  woman  and  held  membership  in  the  Congregational  church. 
On  the  27th  of  Ajiril.  u;o4.  Mr.  DeLong  married  Mrs.  Margaret  Wilson,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Riley.  the  widow  of  Elliott  Wilson,  by  whom  she  had  four 
children:  \\'illiam ;  James,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years:  Elliott:  and 
Kenneth.  | 

Mr.  DeLong  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  he  is  also  affi- 
liated with  the  Galesburg  Club.  He  was  a  member  of  the  executive  board  of 
Knox  county  agricultural  association  for  thirteen  years,  and  its  treasurer  for 
one  year.  His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican  party,  but  he  has  never 
held  any  office  save  that  of  school  director  while  he  was  residing  in  Sparta  town- 
shij).  He  is  one  of  the  capable  business  men  of  Galesburg.  where  he  has  con- 
ducted his  transactions  in  a  highly  creditable  manner  and  is  in  every  way  regarded 
as  a  worthy  representative  of  one  of  Knox  county's  estimable  pioneer  families. 


^'-  C.  W.  ROE. 

C.  W.  Roe  successfully  operates  a  finely  ecjuipped  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  forty-two  acres  on  sections  if)  and  17  in  Indian  Point  township.  Knox  county, 
nor  far  distant  from  his  birthplace,  section  20  of  this  township.  The  date  of 
his  birth  was  March  i.  1867.  He  is  the  son  of  T.  H.  and  Lucinda  (Stephenson) 
Roe.  His  early  education  C.  W.  Roe  received  in  the  Hunt  district  schools  after 
which  he  attended  Hedding  College  and  the  Dixon  Normal  school  at  Dixon. 
Illinois,  \\lien  twenty-four  years  old  he  left  home  and  began  farming  for  him- 
.self  on  section  i6.  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  land. 
This  remained  his  home  until  January  of  the  present  year,  when  he  removed 
to  tlie  farm  on  which  he  is  now  residing.  The  home  is  handsome  and  well  con- 
structed and  thoroughly  modern  in  all  its  appointments  and  the  farm  buildings 
also  are  substantial  and  e(|ui])ped  with  every  needed  device  for  efficient  farming 
and  stock-raising,  since  Mr.  Roe  is  e.xtensively  engaged  in  both  of  these  occu- 
|)ations. 

Mrs.  C.  W.  Roe.  who  was  formerly  Miss  Eva  May  Shaw,  was  married  to 
Mr.  Roe,  February  22.  1900.  She  was  born  in  Cedar  township.  Knox  county, 
a  daughter  of  IMiili])  and  Selecta  (Morse)  Shaw.  Her  parents,  who  are  both 
dead,  were  among  the  \'e\v  England  settlers  of  Knox  county,  her  father  having 


ilR.  AXI)   MItS.  ('.  \V.   |!(»K 


.^:;  V  V   c^V       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'    ''    '*-'••'>        •-      "'  •'  '          •     .  •    . 

been  a  native  of  Maine  and  her  mother  a  native  of  Massachusetts.  They  were 
married  in  the  east  and  later  settled  in  Indian  Point  township,  where  Mr.  Shaw 
followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  on  March  20,  1905.  His  wife's 
death  occurred  seventeen  years  earlier,  on  February  27,  1888. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roe  were  born  four  children,  as  follows :  Lucile  V.,  born 
December  ii,  1901;  Mildred  S.,  bom  May  ii,  1902;  Marjorie,  born  February 
26,  1905;  and  Delwyn  Truman,  bom  July  13,  1911.  Mr.  Roe  votes  the  republi- 
can ticket  but  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  office.  He  belongs  to  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Abingdon.  >  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roe  ar§  loyal 
supporters  of  the  Congregational  church  and  possess  a  large  circle  of  friends 
in  Abingdon  and  the  neighboring  communities.  ,  ..  ..  •••-,<.-....  -. 


.•^:,--,.;';;',f;---;:.;:. •;;./;;  ANDREW  F.  MCCORNACK.   -{••':•••  •-•-  '•;-:'••.'•• /'-K- 

While  living  retired  in  Galesburg,  Andrew  F.  McComack  is  still  interested 
in  agricultural  pursuits  as  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  of 
valuable  land  in  Knox  county,  from  which  he  derives  a  substantial  annual  income. 
While  an  active  factor  in  the  world's  work  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
his  diligence  and  intelligently  directed  industry  were  manifest  in  the  excellent 
results  that  attended  his  labors,  bringing  him  the  handsome  competence  that  now 
enables  him  to  live  retired.  He  was  born  in  Knox  county,  August  14,  1839,  and 
is,  therefore,  one  of  its  oldest  residents  in  years  of  continuous  connection  with 
this  part  of  the  state.  His  parents  were  Samuel  and  Jeannette  (Tait)  McCor- 
nack,  who  were  natives  of  Scotland  and  were  three  months  in  making  the  trip 
from  that  country  to  Illinois,  spending  two  months  on  the  sea  and  the  remainder 
of  the  time  in  crossing  the  country,  journeying  by  canal  and  by  wagon.  The 
father  was  from  Kirkcudbrightshire  and  it  was  in  the  year  1839  that  he  brought 
his  family  to  the  new  world.  He  was  a  son  of  John  McComack,  who  also  came 
to  Knox  county  with  his  son  and  passed  away  here  a  short  time  afterward.  He 
made  his  home  with  his  son  Andrew  and  died  at  a  very  advanced  age.  His  wife, 
Mrs.  McComack,  has  long  since  passed  away.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  a  lifelong  resident  of  Scotland  and  following  his  death,  his  widow 
came  to  the  new  world,  spending  her  last  days  in  Knox  county,  her  remains 
being  interred  in  the  John  Knox  cemetery.  She  had  a  small  family,  including 
Mrs.  McQuie,  Jeannette  and  William.  In  the  family  of  John  McComack,  the 
paternal  grandfather,  were  the  following  children:  Samuel,  Robert,  Andrew, 
John,  William,  James,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Margaret,  and  Helen. 

After  crossing  the  Atlantic  and  making  the  long  journey  overland  to  Illi- 
nois, at  a  period  when  there  were  no  railroads  in  this  state,  Samuel  McComack 
settled  in  Persifer  township,  where  he  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming,  pur- 
chasing thirty  acres  of  land.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Copley  township, 
establishing  his  home  near  Oneida,  in  1852,  and  there  he  died  when  seventy-two 
years  of  age.  His  wife  survived  him  for  two  or  three  years  and  was  eighty-four 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  demise.  Both  were  Presbyterians  in  religious 
faith  and  he  became  a  charter  member  of  the  John  Knox  church,  in  which  he 
long  served  as  elder,  taking  an  active  and  helpful  part  in  promoting  the  church 
work.  He  also  held  various  township  offices  and  for  many  years  filled  the  posi- 


430  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ':-;•" 

tion  of  supervisor.     In  his  family  were  four  children,  William,  Margaret,  James 
L.  and  Andrew  F. 

The  last  named  was  reared  in  Persifer  township,  amid  the  wild  scenes  and 
environments  of  pioneer  life,  for  Knox  county  was  then  a  frontier  district,  in 
which  comparatively  little  settlement  had  been  made.  He,  therefore,  became  a 
factor  in  the  early  progress  and  improvement  here  and  until  his  fifteenth  year 
spent  his  time  upon  his  father's  farm,  attending  the  district  schools  and  also  pur- 
suing his  education  for  a  short  period  in  Monmouth  College.  He  then  resumed 
the  occupation  of  farming,  which  he  has  followed  throughout  his  entire  life  and 
in  which  he  is  still  engaged  although  now  seventy-two  years  of  age.  He  con- 
tinued to  assist  in  the  cultivation  of  the  old  place  until  his  marriage,  when  he 
established  his  home  on  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Copley  township. . 
This  he  improved  and  cultivated  year  after  year,  making  his  home  upon  that  farm 
until  1895,  when  he  removed  to  Galesburg,  to  occupy  the  present  fine  residence 
which  he  had  erected  the  previous  year.  From  here  he  has  since  supervised  his 
agricultural  interests  and  is  now  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-five 
acres  of  rich  and  valuable  land,  which  returns  to  him  a  gratifying  annual  income.:. 

On  the  24th  of  May,  1876,  Andrew  F.  McCornack  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Ella  B.  Brown,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  November  26, 
1845,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jean  (Carruthers)  Brown.  Her  paternal  grand- 
father was  David  Brown,  who  was  married  in  Scotland,  November  20,  1812,  to 
Euphemia  Fletcher.  He  was  then  twenty  years  of  age,  having  been  born  in  Ber- 
wickshire, Scotland,  October  6,  1792,  while  his  wife  was  born  in  Selkirkshire, 
June  I,  1788.  Their  children  were  Agnes,  Robert,  Walter  and  Magdalene.  The 
maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  McCornack  was  John  Carruthers,  who  wedded 
Mary  Bell.  They  lived  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  coming  there  from  Scotland  with 
their  children,  and  later  were  residents  of  Greene  county,  Ohio.  They  died  when 
well  advanced  in  years.  Their  family  included  Thomas,  Sarah,  Jean,  William, 
James,  Mary  and  Robert.  '•-•^;  ;:-.X>'  •  >:;  '  L  >':>^; 

The  parents  of  Mrs.  McCornack  were  natives  of  Scotland  and  the  father 
was  only  four  years  of  age  when  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States, 
while  the  mother  came  in  her  teens.  They  were  reared  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  and 
were  married  there,  and  their  last  days  were  passed  in  Greene  county,  the  father .; 
dying  in  1885,  when  seventy-four  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  passing  away  in 
1849.  They  had  six  children,  of  whom  three  reached  maturity:  John  C.,  who  is' 
now  living  in  Jamestown,  Ohio ;  Thomas,  of  Coshocton,  Ohio ;  and  Ella,  now 
Mrs.  McCornack.  Following  the  death  of  the  mother  the  father  afterward  mar- 
ried again,  his  second  wife  being  Margaret  McCornack.  They  had  a  family  of 
six  children,  of  whom  two  reached  adult  age ;  Euphemia  A.,  the  wife  of  War- 
ren Garrett,  of  Santa  Cruz,  California;  and  Andrew  M.  Brown,  of  Los  y\ngeles. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  F.  McCornack  have  been  born  two  sons:  Walter 
Roy,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  school  of  Technology  in  Boston,  where  he  now 
follows  the  architect's  profession ;  and  Clyde,  who  is  a  civil  engineer  for  the 
Phoenix  Bridge  Company  of  Phoenixville,  Pennsylvania.  The  elder  son  mar- 
ried Lillian  Amsden,  and  they  have  one  son,  Donald  Amsden  McCornack.  The 
younger  son  wedded  Mabel  Robinson.  ,'  .-  -  .  '> 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCornack  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in 
which  he  is  serving  as  an  elder.  His  entire  life  has  been  passed  in  harmony  with 


'  ^         •  -••  '        '"..•.         •    '•         '  :  • ..  - 

:   A   -  -i  V       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  431 

his  professions,  and  principles  of  integrity  and  honor  have  shaped  his  career  and 
made  him  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  this  county.  It  would  be  difficult 
to  find  one  who  has  more  intimate  knowledge  of  its  history,  for  he  has  lived  to 
witness  the  many  changes  which  have  been  wrought  and  which  have  brought  the 
county  from  a  wild  condition  to  its  present  state  of  development  and  prosperity.-: 
Those  who  know  him — and  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance  throughout  this  section 
of  the  state — entertain  for  him  the  highest  regard  because  his  life  has  been  well 
spent  in  devotion  to  duty  of  both  a  public  and  private  character. 


:':;;>,:;;  x:7\';'y'.y^''';>-:-:'^-  GEORGE  H.  GRAHAM.  :;  •  •  '•  ;^ -^-v,.- ^/"v''^; ;-'"/.•'  - 

George  H.  Graham,  a  railway  conductor  living  in  Galesburg,  was  bom  at 
Savannah,  Georgia,  July  i,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Elisha  J.  and  Marietta  (Enochs) 
Graham.  The  father  was  born  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  the  mother's  birth 
also  occurred  in  the  Blue  Grass  state,  the  natal  year  being  1837.  Elisha  Graham 
learned  the  trades  of  coopering  and  carpentering  in  early  life  and  about  1866 
removed  to  Savannah,  Georgia,  becoming  owner  of  a  plantation  in  that  locality, 
which  he  conducted  for  three  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  removed 
to  Henderson,  Kentucky,  where  he  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  for  a  number 
of  years.  In  1899  he  became  a  resident  of  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  he  again  engaged 
in  carpentering,  being  thus  identified  with  building  operations  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  March,  1894.  His  widow  still  survives  him  and  is 
now  a  resident  of  Chicago.  She  holds  membership  in  the  Southern  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  of  which  Mr.  Graham  is  also  a  member.  His  political  views 
accord  with  the  principles  of  the  democratic  party.  This  couple  was  married 
in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  unto  them  were  born  six  children  of  whom  George 
H,  is  the  eldest.  The  others  are :  Carrie,  Lucretia  and  Minnie,  all  now  deceased ; 
Jennie,  who  is  living  with  her  mother;  and  Thomas,  who  has  also  passed  away/. ' 

George  H.  Graham  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Evansville,  Indiana,  and 
began  learning  dentistry  with  Dr.  Morris  of  that  place,  with  whom  he  continued 
for  a  year.  Finding  the  practice  of  the  profession  not  congenial,  he  accepted  the 
position  on  the  Peoria,  Lincoln  &  Decatur  Railway  as  a  brakeman,  serving  in 
that  capacity  for  a  year.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  as  brakeman  and  after  two  years  was  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  conductor,  in  which  capacity  he  has  since  served,  now 
making  the  run  between  Galesburg  and  Quincy. 

On  the  23d  of  March,  1892,  Mr.  Graham  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Delia  Briggs,  a  daughter  of  Joshua  and  Mallay  (Flowerree)  Briggs,  of  Hanni- 
bal, Missouri.  Mrs.  Graham  was  bom  in  Center,  Missouri,  September  27,  1872, 
was  educated  in  the  Louisiana  (Mo.)  Seminary  and  died  on  the  24th  of  March, 
1911,  leaving  a  son,  Le  Roy,  who  was  born  at  Hannibal,  Missouri,  August  I,  :• 
1894,  and  survived  his  mother  for  only  seven  days,  passing  away  on  the  3ist 
of  March,  1911.  Mr.  Graham  belongs  to  the  Brotherhood  of  Railway  Trainmen 
and  to  the  Order  of  Railway  Conductors.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to 
the  democratic  party  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Southern  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  Practically  all  of  his  business  experience  has  been  in  the  line  of  rail- 


432  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

reading  and  that  he  is  capable  and  trustworthy  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he 
has  long  been  retained  in  the  service  of  the  company  which  he  now  represents. 
Perhaps  no  corporate  interest  demands  greater  faithfulness  and  loyalty  on  the 
part  of  its  employes  than  do  the  railroads,  knowing  that  they  must  safeguard 
the  interests  and  lives  of  their  patrons  and  long  continuation  in  railway  service 
is  therefore  incontrovertible  proof  of  efficiency  and  loyalty  on  the  part  of  an 
employe. 


./••.-'•••'^'--  "•  ;    •  FRANK  B.  MOTT.       ••  v;''..->^^>.;^-;v^;  V. . 

Frank  B.  Mott,  one  of  the  well  known  members  of  the  state  labor  commis- 
sion, who  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road Company  for  twenty-eight  years,  was  born  in  Galva,  Henry  county,  this 
state,  on  the  24th  of  September,  i86i.  His  parents  were  William  Henry  and 
Jane  Elizabeth  (Hill)  Mott,  both  natives  of  Dutchess  county.  New  York,  the 
father's  birth  having  occurred  at  Poughkeepsie,  on  the  I5th  of  March,  1836, 
and  that  of  the  mother  at  Lafayette,  September  i8,  1836.  William  H.  Mott,  who 
was  a  blacksmath.  came  west  in  1853,  locating  at  Wethersfield,  Illinois.  He  re- 
mained there  for  a  few  months  then  returned  to  Dutchess  county,  where  he 
and  Miss  Hill  were  married  on  the  2Oth  of  January,  1854.  Very  soon  there- 
after he  and  his  bride  came  to  Illinois  settling  at  Galva.  There  he  established 
a  shop  and  followed  his  trade  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  When 
the  call  came  for  troops  during  the  early  days  of  the  war  he  enlisted  as  a  member 
of  the  band  of  the  Forty-seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  remaining  at  the 
front  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  After  receiving  his  discharge,  he  returned 
to  Galva  and  there  resided  until  his  death  on  April  lo,  1904.  The  mother  is 
still  living  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where  her  three 
youngest  sons  reside.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mott  numbered  five,  as  fol- 
lows :  William  Irving,  who  was  born  on  March  24,  1860,  and  died  on  the  gth  of 
May,  1890;  Frank  B.,  our  subject ;  Oscar  H.,  who  was  born  on  the  3d  of  Decem- 
ber, 1863;  Walter  H.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  June  6,  1867;  and  Valentine  E., 
whose  natal  day  was  the  I7th  of  June,  1871.  In  matters  of  religious  faith  the 
father  was  a  Baptist  and  the  mother  a  Congregationalist,  while  fraternally  he 
was  affiliated  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  the  Masonic  order. 
He  was  a  stanch  republican  in  his  political  views,  and  one  time  served  as  deputy 
sheriff  of  Henry  county.  In  the  paternal  line  the  Motts  trace  their  family 
back  to  the  early  colonial  days.  William  Henry  Mott  was  a  son  of  Henry,  who 
was  born  in  Dutchess  county.  New  York,  on  February  8,  1812,  and  married  Mar- 
garet Denton.  His  father  was  William  Mott,  whose  natal  day  was  the  4th  of 
December,  1787,  and  he  in  turn  was  descended  from  William  Mott,  who  was 
born  July  4,  1753,  and  married  Letitia  Lasee.  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  25th 
of  May,  1755. 

It  was  in  the  public  schools  of  Galva,  this  state,  that  Frank  B.  Mott  re- 
ceived his  education,  his  student  days  being  terminated  at  the  age  of  thirteen 
years.  He  began  to  work  out  as  a  farm  hand,  but  later  gave  up  this  vocation  and 
went  to  work  in  a  drug  store,  in  Galva,  where  he  learned  the  trade.  On  the  I7th 


FRANK  B.  MOTT 


432  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ' 

roading  and  that  he  is  capable  and  trustworthy  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he 
has  long  been  retained  in  the  service  of  the  company  which  he  now  represents. 
Perhaps  no  corporate  interest  demands  greater  faithfulness  and  loyalty  on  the 
part  of  its  employes  than  do  the  railroads,  knowing  that  they  must  safeguard 
the  interests  and  lives  of  their  patrons  and  long  continuation  in  railway  service 
is  therefore  incontrovertible  proof  of  efficiency  and  loyalty  on  the  part  of  an 
employe. 


FRANK  B.  MOTT.  : 

Frank  B.  Mott,  one  of  the  well  known  members  of  the  state  labor  commis- 
sion, who  has  been  in  the  emjiloy  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road Company  for  twenty-eight  years,  was  born  in  Galva,  Henry  county,  this 
state,  on  the  24th  of  September.  i86i.  His  parents  were  William  Henry  and 
Jane  Elizabeth  (Hill)  Mott,  both  natives  of  Dutchess  county.  New  York,  the 
father's  birth  having  occurred  at  Poughkeepsie,  on  the  I5th  of  March,  1836, 
and  that  of  the  mother  at  Lafayette,  September  i8,  1836.  William  H.  Mott,  who 
was  a  blacksniith.  came  west  in  1853.  locating  at  Wethersfield.  Illinois.  He  re- 
mained there  for  a  few  montlis  then  returned  to  Dutchess  county,  where  he 
and  Miss  Hill  were  married  on  the  2Oth  of  January.  1854.  Very  soon  there- 
after he  and  his  bride  came  to  Illinois  settling  at  Galva.  There  he  established 
a  shop  and  followed  his  trade  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  When 
the  call  came  for  troops  during  the  early  days  of  the  war  he  enlisted  as  a  member 
of  the  band  of  the  Forty-seventh  Illinois  \'olunteer  Infantry,  remaining  at  the 
front  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  After  receiving  his  discharge,  he  returned 
to  Galva  and  there  resided  until  his  death  on  April  lo,  1904.  The  mother  is 
still  living  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where  her  three 
youngest  sons  reside.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mott  numbered  five,  as  fol- 
lows:  William  Irving,  who  was  born  on  March  24,  1860.  and  died  on  the  Qth  of 
May.  1890;  Frank  B.,  our  subject:  Oscar  H.,  who  was  born  on  the  3d  of  Decem- 
ber. 1863;  Walter  H.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  June  6.  1867;  and  \^alentine  E., 
whose  natal  day  was  the  lyth  of  June.  1871.  In  matters  of  religious  faith  the 
father  was  a  P.aptist  and  the  mother  a  Congregationalist.  while  fraternally  he 
was  affiliated  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  the  Masonic  order, 
lie  was  a  stanch  republican  in  his  political  views,  and  one  time  served  as  deputy 
sheriff  of  Henry  county.  In  the  paternal  line  the  Motts  trace  their  family 
back  to  the  early  colonial  days.  William  Henry  Mott  was  a  son  of  Henry,  who 
was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  Xew  York,  on  February  8,  1812.  and  married  Mar- 
garet Denton.  His  father  was  William  Mott,  whose  natal  day  was  the  4th  of 
December,  1787,  and  he  in  turn  was  descended  from  William  Mott,  who  was 
bom  July  4,  1753.  and  married  Letitia  Lasee,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  25th 
of  May,  1755. 

It  was  in  the  public  schools  of  Galva.  this  state,  that  l-'rank  15.  Mott  re- 
ceived his  education,  his  student  days  being  terminated  at  the  age  of  thirteen 
vears.  He  began  to  work  out  as  a  farm  hand,  but  later  gave  up  this  vocation  and 
went  to  work  in  a  drug  store,  in  Galva,  where  he  learned  the  trade.  On  the  I7th 


I!.    MdTT       .• 


;•<;.:. v;;'-.        ^  ;;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  yy^  485 

of  January,  1883,  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  obtained  employment  as  a  freight 
brakeman  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  He  discharged  the 
duties  of  this  position  until  1887  when  he  was  promoted  to  that  of  conductor, 
and  he  is  now,  and  has  been  for  some  time,  running  to  Mendota. 

On  the  28th  of  November,  1888,  Mr.  Mott  was  married  to  Miss  Dora  Mor- 
gan, a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Harriet  (Dunn)  Morgan,  of  Gladstone,  Illinois. 
The  parents  are  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  the  father's  birth  having  occurred  in 
Bracken  county,  that  state,  in  the  vicinity  of  Louisville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mott 
have  one  daughter,  Vera  M.,  who  was  bom  at  Gladstone,  Illinois,  October  8, 
1889.  .; 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Mott  is  affiliated  with  the  Brotherhood  of  Rail  Trainmen, 
being  a  charter  member  of  Galesburg  E)ivision,  No.  24,  in  which  he  has  held  all 
of  the  offices.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks, 
Galesburg  Lodge,  No.  894,  and  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America,  Galesburg 
Camp  No.  667 ;  and  Mrs.  Mott  is  a  member  of  the  Advent  church.  His  political 
support  is  given  to  the  republicans,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors. All  matters  affecting  the  welfare  of  the  working  classes  eng^e  the  in- 
terest of  Mr.  Mott,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Labor  Commission, 
and  as  such  devotes  much  time  and  attention  to  those  vital  questions  pertaining 
to  the  conditions  that  surround  the  laborer  and  involve  society  generally. 


;          /     .-  AARON  GORDON  HUMPHREY,  M.  D.          -  :A;:,.  ^ 

In  the  long  years  of  his  residence  in  Galesburg  Dr.  Aaron  G.  Humphrey  has  '.- 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and  has  also  become  well  known  in  connec- 
tion with  his  activities  along  horticultural  lines.  He  resides  at  No.  325  Division 
street,  in  the  midst  of  a  twenty-acre  fruit  farm,  on  which  he  has  made  his  home 
since  1890.  He  was  bom  in  Lancaster  county,  Ohio,  about  fourteen  miles  north 
of  Columbus,  July  19,  1832.  His  parents,  Aaron  Gordon  and  Betsey  (Starr) 
Humphrey,  were  natives  of  Connecticut  and  the  former  when  a  lad  of  about 
six  years  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  from  the  Charter  Oak  state 
to  Ohio  and  grew  to  manhood  in  the  vicinity  of  Columbus.  There  he  was  mar- 
ried and  engaged  in  farming.  He  also  became  a  local  minister  of  the  Methodist 
church  and  during  the  greater  part  of  his  life  divided  his  time  between  agricul- 
tural pursuits  and  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  In  1840  he  removed  westward 
to  Iowa,  settling  in  Cedar  county  upon  a  farm  two  miles  south  of  Tipton.  That 
district  was  then  comparatively  new  and  unsettled  and,  while  taking  an  active 
part  in  its  agricultural  development,  he  also  contributed  to  its  moral  progress 
through  his  teachings  as  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  church.  Later,  however, 
careful  study  led  him  to  embrace  the  doctrines  of  the  Universalist  church  and 
he  was  ordained  as  a  minister  of  that  faith  in  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  preaching  his 
own  ordination  sermon.  He  became  well  known  as  a  representative  of  that 
denomination  in  eastern  Iowa,  preaching  the  gospel  as  he  interpreted  it  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  His 
wife  passed  away  when  about  sixty-five  years  of  age.  Politically  he  was  a 
radical  whig  and  several  times  served  as  chairman  of  the  conventions  of  his 


:-J--:f-^:\\    '•  "  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    /;-,;;.  ;:^^;;'' 

party.  He  also  delivered  many  public  addresses  in  support  of  the  principles 
which  he  advocated  and  was  a  recognized  party  leader  in  his  adopted  state.  Unto 
him  and  his  wife  were  born  ten  children,  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  Lurinda, 
Philo  D.,  Chester  C.,  Aaron  G.,  Lucinda,  John  W.,  Sophronia,  Laura,  Emily 
.  and  Eliza. 

:'.. '    Of  this  family  Dr.  Humphrey,  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  was  a  young 
lad   when   he   accompanied  his  parents   on   their  removal  to  ,Iowa,   where  he 
continued  his  education  as  a  pupil  in  the  Congregationalist  school  at  Davenport 
and  afterward   in   the  Baptist  Seminary  of   Mount   Carroll,   Illinois.     He  also 
engaged  in  teaching  for  about  three  terms  in   Iowa.     With  his  first  wife  he 
went  to  New  York  city,  where  both  studied  medicine  and  surgery  in  the  Hygio- 
therapeutic  College,  from  which  both  were  graduated.     They  afterward  opened 
a  health  institution  at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  where  they  practiced  for  several  years, 
and  then  came  to  Galesburg,  opening  a  similar  institution  in  this  city  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  town.     About  fifty  years  ago  Dr.  Humphrey  removed  to  the 
Lombard  fruit  farm  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Galesburg  and  in  connection 
with  the  conduct  of  his  health  institute  also  engaged  extensively  in  horticultural 
pursuits,  conducting  his  fruit  farm  until  1890,  when  he  removed  to  his  present 
residence — a  comfortable,  two-story  frame  dwelling,  standing  in  the  midst  of  a 
twenty-acre  tract  of  land  devoted  to  the  raising  of  vegetables  and  fruits.     Here 
he  conducted  his  health  institute  for  about  ten  years  but  since  that  time  has  prac- 
tically lived  retired,  giving  his  attention  only  to  the  raising  of  fine   fruits  and 
fine  poultry,  which  work  he  carries  on  through  the  aid  of  an  assistant.     He  has. 
ever  been  a  close  student  of  the  scientific  methods  of  fruit-raising  and  is  a  life 
member  of  the  State  Horticultural  Society.     His  broad  reading  and  study  and 
his  practical  experience  have  made  his  opinions  largely  an  authority  upon  the 
production  of  various  kinds  of  fruit  in  this  section.     In  the  course  of  years  he 
accumulated  an  extensive  library  on  horticulture,  which  he  has  now  given  to  two 
colleges. 

More  than  a  half  century  ago  Dr.  Humphrey  lost  his  first  wife,  who  bore 
the  maiden  name  of  Sarah  R.  Randall  and  was  a  daughter  of  Richard  Randall. 
On  the  i6th  of  February,  1868,  he  married  Lovina  Swartzendruver,  a  daughter 
of  Christian  and   Catharine    (Berges)    Swartzendruver.     Mrs.    Humphrey   was 
bom  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  October  ii,   1844.     Her  maiden  name  indicates 
her    German    ancestry.     Her   paternal   grandparents    were   Vincent   and    Mary 
(Brennemann)  Swartzendruver,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Germany.     Her 
maternal  grandparents  were  Christian  and  Christina   (Gingerich)   Berges.     The 
parents  of  Mrs.  Humphrey  were  natives  of  Waldeck,  Germany,  and  in  early 
life  came  to  the  new  world.    In  i86i  they  removed  to  Davis  county,  Iowa,  where 
her  father  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years,  while  her  mother  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-eight.     They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  all  of 
whom  lived  to  adult  age,  namely,  Susan,  John,  Elizabeth,  Fanny,  Mary,  Daniel, 
Solomon,  Rebecca,  Christian  and  Lovina.     As  previously  stated,  the  last  named 
became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Humphrey  in  1868  and  they  have  one  son,  Albert  S., 
who  is  teaching  the  art  of  expression  and  public  speaking  in  the  Westport  high 
school  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri.     He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Columbia  School  of 
Oratory,  now  the  Columbia  College  of  Expression  of  Chicago,  and  for  seven 
years  was  at  the  head  of  the  department  of  expression  in  Knox  College  at  Gales- 


>;v:;>V^';;  /     /^^      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    •,  -         437 

:'':•.'''  ,  ,'•",':'  --i^^  ••'•'  •"  '    .  '  '.  .  ''  .          -      •    ; 

burg.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Humphrey  attend  the  Universalist  church  and  for  many 
years  he  has  been  affiliated  with  the  Odd  Fellows  society  and  is  a  past  grand  of 
Galesburg  lodge.  His  political  allegiance  has  been  given  the  republican  party 
since  its  organization  and  in  former  years  he  was  somewhat  active  politically, 
serving  as  alderman  of  the  city,  also  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  health  for  a 
number  of  years  and  as  city  physician  for  some  time.  In  past  years  he  has  been 
a  frequent  contributor  to  the  press,  writing  numerous  articles  for  medical  jour- 
nals, free-thought  magazines  and  agricultural  papers,  as  well  as  for  the  local 
press.  His  articles  have  always  shown  originality,  careful  investigation  of  the 
subject  discussed,  and  a  breadth  of  vision  that  has  awakened  the  interest  and 
attention  of  many  readers. 


•',;.";•:;',:/;--;, ^.•^^\••^      CHARLES  M.  HAWKINSON.     \. '^  •: . '^-^  r ---t:':;^'-.'^'?'-^ 

Charles  M.  Hawkinson,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Galesburg  for  twenty- 
one  years  during  which  time  he  has  been  identified  with  the  building  interests, 
first  in  the  capacity  of  a  carpenter,  later  as  a  contractor  and  now  as  the  owner 
and  operator  of  a  planing  mill,  was  born  in  Kronoberg  (laen),  Sweden,  on  the 
24th  of  April,  1872.  He  is  a  son  of  Hoken  and  Bertha  (Anderson)  Nelson, 
also  natives  of  Sweden,  whence  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1887. 
Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  Hoken  Nelson,  who  is  also  a  carpenter,  came 
directly  to  Galesburg,  and  very  soon'  thereafter  obtained  work  in  the  lumber 
yard  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company.  He  continued 
in  their  employ  for  twenty  years,  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Galesburg.  The 
mother  passed  away  in  March,  1911,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years.  She  was 
an  earnest  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  with  which  the  father 
is  also  affiliated.  Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson,  three  of  whom 
are  still  living  as  follows :  Charles  M.,  John  A.  and  Jennie.  The  paternal 
grandparents  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nels  Tjell,  both  of  whom  passed  their  entire 
lives  in  Sweden,  his  death  occurring  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years  and  hers 
at  eighty-two.  Five  children  were  bom  to  them,  among  them :  Hoken,  the  father 
of  our  subject ;  Carl  and  Jans. 

Having  remained  a  resident  of  his  native  land  until  he  had  attained  the  age 
of  eighteen  years,  Charles  M.  Hawkinson  obtained  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  which  he  attended  until  he  was  fifteen.  He  then  laid  aside  his 
text-books  and  began  his  apprenticeship  as  a  carpenter,  continuing  to  serve  at 
this  trade  until  he  took  passage  for  America  in  1890.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this 
country  he  came  directly  to  Galesburg  to  join  his  parents  and  here  he  has  ever 
since  resided.  When  he  first  came  here  he  obtained  employment  at  his  trade 
and  for  some  years  thereafter  worked  under  the  supervision  and  direction  of 
others.  He  is  a  skilled  mechanic,  however,  efficient  and  capable  and  as  he 
applied  himself  painstakingly  and  conscientiously  to  any  task  assigned  him,  soon 
established  a  reputation  for  trustworthiness  and  reliability  as  well  as  good  work- 
manship, that  is  a  most  valuable  asset  to  any  craftsman.  Thus  he  was  subse- 
quently able  to  begin  working  independently  and  for  six  years  successfully 
engaged  in  contracting.  In  1910  he  decided  to  extend  his  activities  along  another 


438  •'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;•  i  '  n'^" 

.'•    •,  ,  •'  -    •••' :''    •    ' 

line  and  established  a  planing  mill  that  he  has  now  been  operating  for  more  than 
a  year.  Although  he  has  been  identified  with  this  industry  for  but  a  brief  period, 
it  has  been  of  sufficient  length  for  him  to  make  some  estimate  of  the  probable 
development  of  the  undertaking,  and  judging  by  present  indications  he  has  every 
reason  for  feeling  most  encouraged  and  Hopeful  regarding  the  future  of  his 
business.  Mr.  Hawkinson  has  the  advantage  of  knowing  the  local  conditions 
from  first  hand,  and  he  also  enjoys  a  wide  and  favorable  acquaintance  among 
workmen,  which  has  been  of  inestimable  assistance  to  him  in  the  upbuilding 
of  his  factory.  At  the  present  time  it  requires  the  services  of  from  two  to  five 
employes  to  fill  the  orders  and  his  trade  is  constantly  increasing  in  a  most  gratify- 
ing manner. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1902,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Hawk- 
inson and  Miss  Ellen  M.  Nelson,  who  was  also  born  in  Sweden,  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nels  Erickson.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years  Mrs.  Hawkinson  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Galesburg,  where  she  was  joined  four 
years  later  by  her  parents  and  the  other  members  of  the  family.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Erickson,  who  are  still  residents  of  this  city,  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  as  fol- 
lows :  Amanda,  who  is  deceased ;  Sophie ;  Carl  Oscar ;  Hannah ;  Swan ;  and 
Ellen  M.,  now  Mrs.  Hawkinson.  Two  daughters  and  one  son  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkinson:  Alice  Sophie,  Carl  Wilfred  and  Marion  Irene.  •'- 

In  matters  of  faith  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkinson  are  Lutherans  and  hold 
membership  in  the  Swedish  church  of  this  city,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 
He  has  never  sought  official  honors,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon 
the  development  of  his  own  undertakings,  in  which  he  is  meeting  with  a  goodly 
measure  of  success.  Mr.  Hawkinson  possesses  the  perseverance  and  determina- 
tion and  also  the  capability  to  attain  prosperity  and  is  so  intelligently  directing 
his  present  industry  that  it  gives  every  assurance  of  becoming  one  of  the  well 
established  and  flourishing  enterprises  of  the  city. 


DAVID  WILLARD  BRADSHAW. 


On  the  long  list  of  Galesburg's  honored  dead  appear  the  names  of  a  number 
who  rendered  valiant  service  to  their  country  in  the  darkest  hour  of  its  history, — 
men  who  faced  the  enemy's  fire  under  conditions  which  tried  the  stoutest  hearts. 
Among  this  number  was  David  Willard  Bradshaw,  and  through  his  valor  and 
loyalty  he  rose  from  the  ranks  to  become  captain  of  his  company.  He  after- 
ward lived  for  many  years  in  Galesburg,  where  he  was  known  as  a  worthy  and 
respected  citizen.  He  was  bom  in  Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  December 
26,  1836.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  schools  of  his  native  state  and 
when  seventeen  years  of  age  he  became  a  resident  of  Earmington,  Illinois,  where 
he  learned  the  carriage-maker's  trade.  In  1855  he  removed  to  Abingdon,  Knox 
county,  settling  upon  a  farm,  and  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  he  devoted  his 
energies  until  after  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  when  his  patriotic  spirit  was 
aroused  and  on  the  loth  of  August,  i86i,  he  enlisted,  joining  the  boys  in  blue 
of  Company  D,  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry.  He  left  Knoxville  on  the  2d  of  Sep- 
tember for  Camp  Butler  and  was  soon  promoted  to  the  rank  of  first  sergeant 


•y  :  V^-Jx  ^"-,  '  ;  ;   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  439 

and  in  the  spring  of  1862  became  a  lieutenant  of  his  company.  Further  promo- 
tion followed  and  in  the  spring  of  1863  he  was  chosen  captain,  with  which  rank 
he  served  until  honorably  discharged  on  the  I7th  of  November,  1865.  His  own 
bravery  and  loyalty  inspired  and  encouraged  men  who  served  under  him  and 
made  his  military  record  a  most  creditable  and  worthy  one. 

When  the  war  was  over,  Mr.  Bradshaw  returned  to  Knox  county  and  his 
fellow  townsmen,  appreciative  of  his  worth  and  ability,  and  feeling  that  a  loyal 
soldier  would  also  make  a  loyal  officer  in  private  life,  elected  him  sheriff  in  1866. 
He  removed  to  Knoxville,  where  he  resided  until  his  term  of  office  expired  and 
then  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business.  In  this  con- 
nection he  secured  a  liberal  patronage,  because  of  his  earnest  effort  to  please 
his  customers  and  his  straightforward  dealing.  The  years  brought  him  suc- 
cess as  the  reward  of  his  industry  and  close  application  to  business  and  with  a 
comfortable  competence  he  retired,  spending  his  remaining  days  in  the  enjoyment 
of  well  earned  rest. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  1868,  Mr.  Bradshaw  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ella  Cooley,  a  daughter  of  Zelotes  and  Julia  Ann  (Hanks)  Cooley  of  Knox- 
ville, Illinois.  Her  father  was  born  in  East  Windsor,  Connecticut,  November 
lo,  1808,  and  was  a  son  of  Aaron  and  Chloe  (Bidwell)  Cooley,  of  whose  four 
children  he  was  the  eldest.  In  i8i6  the  family  removed  to  Glastonbury,  Con- 
necticut, and  Zelotes  afterward  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Hartford  that 
state.  Later  he  engaged  in  carpentering  in  Westfield,  Massachusetts,  but  event- 
ually abandoned  industrial  pursuits  to  enter  commercial  circles  and  established 
a  grocery  store  in  Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  There  he  resided  until  September, 
1837,  when  he  left  the  east  and  came  to  the  middle  west,  settling  in  Carthage, 
Illinois,  where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Alva  Wheeler  and  again  took  up 
carpentering  and  contracting.  They  built  the  courthouse  at  Carthage,  Illinois, 
and  in  1839  came  to  Knoxville,  erecting  the  courthouse  of  Knox  county.  Mr. 
Cooley  continued  in  the  contracting  business  until  1846,  when,  by  the  board  of 
county  commissioners,  he  was  appointed  treasurer  of  the  county,  which  office 
he  filled  until  the  following  year,  when  he  was  elected  county  clerk  thus  serving 
until  December,  1852,  He  retired  from  office  as  he  had  entered  it,  with  the  con- 
fidence and  good-will  of  all  concerned.  In  the  meantime  he  had  taken  up  the 
study  of  law,  which  profession  he  practiced  until  his  death.  He  became  a  resident 
of  Galesburg  in  1890  and  needed  no  introduction  to  the  people  of  this  city 
because  of  his  long  previous  residence  in  the  adjoining  village  of  Knoxville.  In 
his  political  views  he  was  a  democrat,  somewhat  active  in  the  work  of  the  party, 
and  in  its  councils  his  opinions  carried  weight.  After  seven  years  of  residence 
in  Galesburg,  he  passed  away  in  1897,  having  for  a  long  period  survived  his 
wife,  who  died  in  1868.  They  had  been  married,  in  December,  1833,  and  their 
family  included  Mrs.  Bradshaw,  who  was  born  in  Knoxville,  March  14,  1844. 
Her  education  was  acquired  in  St.  Mary's  Academy  of  that  place  and  in  1868 
she  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  David  W.  Bradshaw.  To  them  were  born 
four  children:  Nellie,  who  was  born  in  Galesburg  and  is  now  deceased;  Cooley 
R.,  living  in  this  city ;  Vera  Margaret,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Presson  Waverly 
Thomson,  of  Los  Angeles,  California;  and  Fred,  deceased. 

Mr.  Bradshaw  always  maintained  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  com- 
rades through  his  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  post.  He  belonged  also  to 


440          ••  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         v'-   -f    ;v 

the  Masonic  fraternity,  which  found  in  him  an  exemplary  representative,  loyal 
to  its  teachings,  concerning  mutual  helpfulness  and  brotherly  kindness.  In  his 
political  views  he  was  a  republican  but  cared  nothing  for  the  honors  or  emolu- 
ments of  office.  He  was  always  loyal  in  matters  of  citizenship,  manifesting  the 
same  faithfulness  to  his  country  that  he  displayed  when  he  followed  the  old 
flag  on  southern  battlefields.  He  died  February  12,  1893,  when  in  the  fifty- 
seventh  year  of  his  life,  and  the  community  lost  a  worthy  and  representative 
citizen,  who  throughout  the  long  period  of  his  residence  here  had  enjoyed  the 
friendship  and  high  regard  of  those  with  whom  he  had  been  associated. 


;  W.  H.  MONTGOMERY.      V^:^ ':-•.:. 

..  W.  H.  Montgomery,  who  is  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty 
acres  on  section  13,  Persifer  township,  has  the  distinction  of  having  served 
for  thirty  years  as  a  school  director  in  his  district.  He  was  born  in  Knox 
township,  this  county,  on  the  I3th  of  December,  1849,  ^^^  is  a  son  of  Zadok 
and  Sarah  (Church)  Montgomery.  His  father,  who  was  left  an  orphan  in  his 
early  boyhood,  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  whence  he  came  in  1837,  at  the  age  of 
twelve  years,  to  Knox  county  with  his  brother.  Here  he  completed  his  educa- 
tion in  one  of  the  subscription  schools,  subsequently  turning  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  Immediately  after  his  marriage  he  located  on  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Knox  township,  that  he  had  previously  purchased,  and  'there  he  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  met  with  excellent  success 
in  both  undertakings  and  ultimately  became  the  owner  of  four  fine  farms  in 
Iowa.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Montgomery  was  originally  a  republican, 
but  in  his  later  years  he  preferred  the  jxjlicy  of  the  populist  party.  He  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Van  Gilder  ceme- 
tery in  Knox  township.  The  mother  was  a  native  of  West  Virginia  and  a 
daughter  of  Cyrus  and  Margaret  Church,  who  were  also  bom  in  West  Vir- 
ginia. They  came  to  Knox  county  during  the  pioneer  days  and  located  on  a 
farm  in  Knox  township,  where  they  spent  their  last  days.  Mrs.  Montgomery 
was  sixty-six  at  the  time  of  her  death  and  she  is  buried  in  the  family  lot  in 
Van  Gilder  cemetery.  She  was  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  with  which  she  had  long  been  affiliated.  Her  grandfather  in  the  mater- 
nal line,  John  Williams,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution,  while  her  grandfather. 
Church,  participated  in  the  war  of  1812.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Zadock  Montgomery  there  were  born  three  sons  and  seven  daughters,  nine 
of  whom  are  now  living.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows:  Margaret, 
the  wife  of  James  Coburn  of  Iowa ;  W.  H.,  our  subject ;  David  and  John,  twins, 
the  former  a  resident  of  East  Galesburg,  and  the  latter  formerly  of  Gales- 
burg,  now  deceased;  Martha,  now  Mrs.  Moser,  of  Dahinda;  Sabina,  the  wife 
of  Henry  Wyman,  of  Oneida,  Illinois ;  Mary,  who  married  Walter  Beaver, 
^of  Kansas;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  George  Gilbert,  of  Oklahoma;  Clara,  who  mar- 
ried Allen  Ramble,  of  the  state  of  Washington;  and  Letta,  now  Mrs.  Daniel 
Doan,  of  Iowa. 


MR.  AND  MRS.  W.  H.  MOXTCDMEKY 


440  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

the  Masonic  fraternity,  which  found  in  him  an  exemplary  representative,  loyal 
to  its  teachings,  concerning  mutual  helpfulness  and  brotherly  kindness.  In  his 
political  views  he  was  a  republican  but  cared  nothing  for  the  honors  or  emolu- 
ments of  office.  He  was  always  loyal  in  matters  of  citizenship,  manifesting  the 
same  faithfulness  to  his  country  that  he  displayed  when  he  followed  the  old 
flag  on  southern  battlefields.  He  died  February  12,  1893,  when  in  the  fifty- 
seventh  year  of  his  life,  and  the  community  lost  a  worthy  and  re])resentative 
citizen,  who  throughout  the  long  period  of  his  residence  here  had  enjoyed  the 
friendship  and  high  regard  of  those  with  whom  he  had  been  associated. 


\    .  \V.  H.  MOXTGOMFRY.          -;.      . 

\V.  H.  Montgomer}'.  who  is  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  fine  farm  of  eighty 
acres  on  section  13,  Persifer  township,  has  the  distinction  of  having  served 
for  thirty  years  as  a  school  director  in  his  district.  He  was  born  in  Knox 
township,  tliis  county,  on  the  I3th  of  December,  18^9,  and  is  a  son  of  Zadok 
and  Sarah  (Church)  Montgomery.  His  father,  who  was  left  an  orphan  in  his 
early  boyhood,  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  whence  he  came  in  1837.  at  the  age  of 
twelve  years,  to  Knox  county  with  his  brother.  Here  he  completed  his  educa- 
tion in  one  of  the  subscription  schools.  subse(|uently  turning  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits.  Immediately  after  his  marriage  he  located  on  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Kmxx  townsbi]).  that  he  had  previously  purchased,  and  there  he  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  met  with  e.xcellent  success 
in  both  undertakings  and  ultimately  became  the  owner  of  four  fine  farms  in 
Iowa.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  ^^ontgomery  was  originally  a  republican. 
but  in  his  later  years  be  preferred  the  policy  of  the  populist  party.  He  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  seventy-live  years  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  \'an  Cilder  ceme- 
tery in  Knox  township.  'I'he  mother  was  a  native  of  \\'est  X'irginia  and  a 
daughter  of  Cyrus  and  Margaret  Church,  who  were  also  born  in  West  \  ir- 
ginia.  They  came  to  Knox  county  during  the  pioneer  days  and  located  on  a 
farm  in  Knox  tDwnship.  where  they  spent  their  last  days.  .Mrs.  Montgomery 
was  sixty-six  at  the  time  <if  her  death  and  she  is  buried  in  the  family  lot  in 
\'an  Gilder  cemetery.  She  was  an  active  member  of  the  Metbodist  I-ljjiscopal 
church,  with  which  she  had  long  been  affiliated.  Her  grandfather  in  the  mater- 
nal line,  John  \\'illiams,  was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution,  while  her  grandfather, 
Church,  particii)ated  in  the  war  of  1812.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Zadock  Montgomery  there  were  born  three  sons  and  seven  daugliters,  nine 
of  whom  are  now  living.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows:  Margaret, 
the  wife  of  James  Coburn  of  Iowa;  \V.  H.,  our  subject:  David  and  Jdlin,  twins, 
the  former  a  resident  of  East  Galesbiirg,  and  the  latter  formerly  of  Gales- 
burg,  now  deceased:  Martha,  now  Mrs.  Moser,  of  Dahinda :  Sabina,  the  wife 
of  Henry  \\'vman,  of  Oneida,  Illinois:  Mary,  who  married  \\'alter  Beaver, 
of  Kansas:  Jennie,  the  wife  of  George  Gilbert,  of  Oklahoma:  Clara,  who  mar- 
ried Allen  Ramble,  of  the  state  of  \\'ashington :  and  Letta,  now  Mrs.  Daniel 
Doan,  of  Iowa. 


Ml!.  AM)  Ml!^.  \\. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


44t 


As  he  was  the  eldest  boy  in  a  large  family,  where  the  income  was  limited. 

\  W.  H.  Montgomery's  schooling  was  confined  to  a  few  terms  in  the  districts  of 
Knox  and  Persifer  townships,  his  text-books  early  being  laid  aside  in  order  that 
he  might  assist  in  the  support  of  the  other  children.  Agricultural  pursuits 

.  have  always  engaged  his  attention,  and  soon  after  his  marriage  he  settled  in 
Bureau  county,  Illinois,  but  later  removed  to  Persifer  township,  where  he  has 
now  resided  for  many  years.  He  purchased  the  farm  he  now  owns  from  his 
brother,  David  L.  Montgomery.  He  has  made  extensive  improvements  in  the 
place  during  the  period  of  his  ownership,  having  erected  all  of  the  buildings 
now  standing,  in  addition  to  which  he  has  effected  many  minor  changes.  His 

*  fields  have  always  been  devoted   to  the   raising  of  such  cereals  as   were  best 
adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate  in  connection  with  which  he  also  raises  stock. 

•  vy    For  his  wife  Mr.  Montgomery  chose  Miss  Dora  E.  Dawson,  who  was  born 

X     in  this  township  and  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  Dawson,  both  of 

:•      whom  are  now  deceased.    Of  this  marriage  there  have  been  born  two  children: 

Stella  May,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  months ;  and  James  Isaac,  who  was 

•  nine  years  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

In  all  national  elections  Mr.  Montgomery  votes  the  straight  democratic  ticket 
but  locally  he  gives  his  support  to  the  man  he  deems  best  qualified  to  meet 
the  reqi'irements  of  the  office,  regardless  of  party  affiliation.  He  has  always 
taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest,  in  governmental  affairs  in  his  township, 
and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  supervisor,  having  been  elected  on  the 
v  people's  ticket.  He  has  also  served  for  four  years  as  justice  of  the  peace,  was 
the  township  assessor  for  two  terms,  road  commissioner  for  one  and  served 
on  the  school-board,  the  cause  of  education  ever  having  found  in  him  an  ardent 
supporter.-:  -•_  ':''...•:••-;:•'..'/•::••  :^'.'',  :'^.'-^^--. -. >-•':' ;:;l-;--..'.r  •/  '•'  -V'.'.--'.-:. 


:,        ;     :       \      •    WILLIAM  BURDETTE , MOORE.  >•    ''^^^v^  ^  ;i: 

William  Burdette  Moore  is  classed  with  the  enterprising  business  men  of 
Altona  where  he  is  engaged  in  dealing  in  harness  and  saddlery.  He  was  bom  • 
in  the  town,  December  lo,  1867,  and  comes  of  English  ancestry.  His  father, 
William  Moore,  was  born  in  England,  July  4,  1833,  and  was  only  a  child  when 
he  came  with  his  parents  to  America,  the  family  locating  in  VVilkes-Barre,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  the  grandfather  and  his  wife  spent  their  entire  lives.  Their  son, 
William  Moore,  took  up  the  trade  of  harness  making  and  when  a  young  man 
came  to  Altona,  arriving  in  this  county  in  1857.  He  then  abandoned  his  trade 
and  engaged  in  farming  for  several  years  but  afterward  returned  to  the  harness- 
making  business.  On  the  25th  of  May,  i86i,  only  a  few  weeks  after  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war,  he  enlisted  for  service  as  a  private,  joining  Company  D, 
Seventeenth  Illinois  Infantry,  at  Altona  for  a  period  of  three  years.  Later  he 
reenlisted  as  principal  musician  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Regiment, 
on  the  28th  of  January,  1865.  He  had  been  ruptured  during  the  period  of  his 
first  enlistment  so  that  at  his  second  enrollment  in  the  service  he  was  assigned  to 
less  arduous  duty  as  drum  major.  Following  the  war  he  returned  home  and  en- 
gaged  in  the  harness  business  in  Altona  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  oc-  > 

ToL   n— 20  V 


444          ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         --"       ' 

curred  May  13,  1907.  He  was  a  prominent  Mason  and  was  a  citizen  whose 
military  service  was  indicative  of  the  loyalty  which  he  always  displayed  to  his 
adopted  country  and  her  welfare.  He  married  Mrs.  John  Bemis,  who  is  now 
living  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  She  was  married  twice,  her  first  hus-  . 
band  having  been  John  Bemis,  who  died,  leaving  one  son,  J.  L.  Bemis,  who  is 
now  in  the  mail  service  and  resides  in  Galesburg.  Unto  Mrs.  Moore's  second 
marriage  there  were  born  three  children :  William  Burdette ;  Abbie,  the  wife  of 
C.  E.  Linney;  and  Daisy,  the  wife  of  W.  Alexander,  master  mechanic  with  the 
Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad  Company,  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

After  acquiring  a  public-school  education   William   B.   Moore  assisted  his  .: 
father  in  the  harness  business  until  1888,  when  he  left  Illinois  for  Concordia,  ' 
Kansas,  where  he  engaged  in  clerking  in  a  dry-goods  store  for  two  years.    He 
afterward  spent  four  years  in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  devoting  two  years  of  that 
time  to  service  as  bill  clerk  for  the  North  Western  Railway  Company.     He  af- 
terward became  fireman  on  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railroad  and 
later  returned  to  Altona  and  joined  his  father  as  a  partner  in  the  harness-making 
business.     This  association  was  maintained  until  1900,  when  Mr.  Moore  pur- 
chased his  father's  interest,  the  latter  retiring  at  that  time.    William  B.  Moore 
still  continues  his  harness  and  saddlery  establishment  and  enjoys  a  good  trade. 
He  has  worked  up  a  satisfactory  business  as  the  owner  of  an  extensive  apiary  ^ 
and  is  one  of  the  prominent  representatives  of  bee  culture  in  this  part  of  the    , 
state.    That  he  is  regarded  as  authority  upon  the  subject  and  is  prominent  in  this 
field  of  activity  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  he  is  now  first  vice  president  of  the 
Illinois  State  Bee  Keepers  Association. 

Mr.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  O.  Bigger,  who  was  born 
August  17,  1870,  in  southern  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Angeline  (Cut-  •-; 
right)   Bigger.     Her  father  is  a  Civil  war  veteran  and  is  now  at  the  Soldiers'  • 
Home,  in  Quincy,  Illinois.    Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  have  been  born  five  chil-   .. 
dren,  Donald  Chase,  Faith  Angeline,  Harriet  Inez,  Hazel  Mary  and  Abbie  Bell. 

Mr.  Moore  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  the  work  of  which  he 
is  actively  interested,  serving  at  the  present  time  as  one  of  the  church  trustees. 
He  also  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge  and  the  Maccabees  at  Altona  and  is  a 
prominent  and  influential  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  republican  party.  Since 
1904  he  has  served  as  village  clerk  and  his  worth,  fidelity  and  capability  in  office  , 
was  indicated  by  the  fact  that  he  has  served  in  this  position  for  seven  years. 
He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  this  part  of  the  county  and  is  accounted  one  of 
the  leading  and  representative  citizens  because  of  his  business  activity  and  prog- 
ress and  his  devotion  to  the  political  and  religious  principles  in  which  he  believes. 


j-  .;,  ;  HEBER  GILLIS.     .'!-:;-: 

Heber  Gillis,  who  for  more  than  half  a  century  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox 
county,  is  now  living  retired  on  his  farm,  which  is  situated  in  Rio  township.    He 
was  born  in  Argyle,  Washington  county.  New  York,  September  8,  1837,  his  par-  •• 
ents  being  Dr.  George  and  Mary  (Shepard)  Gillis,  the  father  a  native  of  Argyle,-  . 
born  November  6,  1798,  and  the  mother  of  Clinton  county,  born  in  September,    , 


'       :  '•       V;  ::    V      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -•    ;;;.  446 

1809.  The  family  originally  came  irom  Scotland,  the  grandfather,  Alexander 
Gillis,  being  a  native  of  that  country,  who  was  allotted  by  the  British  govern- 
ment a  tract  of  land  in  New  York,  where  he  settled  in  a  community  of  people 
of  his  own  religious  faith.  Dr.  Gillis  was  reared  in  his  native  state  and  received 
his  professional  education  in  the  New  York  City  Medical  College,  after  which 
he  practiced  in  his  native  state  until  1858.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  Illinois, 
settling  near  the  village  of  Rio,  in  Rio  township,  where  he  intended  to  live  re- 
tired.but  his  calls  were  so  numerous  that  he  continued  in  practice  until  his  deach, 
which  occurred  March  i,  1871.  He  had  thus  been  in  active  practice  over  forty- 
five  years.  The  mother,  Mary  (Shepard)  Gillis,  belonged  to  a  family  that  orig- 
mally  came  from  Connecticut.  Her  father,  who  was  a  merchant,  was  killed  in 
the  war  of  1812.  After  his  death  she  and  her  mother  resided  with  an  uncle, 
who  was  a  prominent  lawyer  in  his  time.  He  was  also  an  extensive  slave  owner 
but  later  became  an'  abolitionist.  His  son  was  the  founder  of  Oberlin  Collie 
at  Oberlin,  Ohio. 

Heber  Gillis,  who  was  reared  in  his  native  state,  began  his  education  in  an 
academy  there,  later  attended  Union  College  and  subsequently  began  fanning. 
In  1856  he  came  to  Knox  county,  where  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  has  resided  on  the  same  ever  since.  He  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  also  raised  quite  extensively  thoroughbred  Shorthorn  cattle 
and  Poland  China  hogs.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  farming  interests 
and  is  now  living  retired. 

In  October,  1872,  Mr.  Gillis  was  married  to  Miss  Medora  Milton,  who  was 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  A.  Milton,  of  Ontario  township.  The  father 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  came  from  Indiana  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  in 
the  early  '308,  settling  in  Ontario  township.  His  daughter,  a  sister  of  Mrs. 
Gillis,  was  the  first  white  child  bom  in  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gillis  have 
become  the  parents  of  three  children:  Nellie;  James;  and  Myra,  who  is  now 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Arthur  £.  Gammage,  of  Chicago. 

Mr.  Gillis  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  local 
party  work.  He  has  now  resided  in  Rio  township  on  his  present  farm  for  over 
fifty-five  years  and  has  been  an  interested  witness  to  the  growth  and  development 
of  this  section  of  the  country.  He  has  here,  both  in  the  business  and  social  world, 
a  host  of  friends  to  whom  his  life  record  is  well  known  and  who  regard  him  as  a 
man  of  genuine  worth  and  sterling  integrity.  ';!  "o-.'  -  ':  ; 


;     X        -      •    ^  ANDREW  BORLAND  ANDERSON.  r::^;::^     V^- 

•  .    '.:'    '    .   '     ':  --•.^'   .•      •  :  i  — •    .     •'''••'•',. 

Closely  associated  with  the  financial  interests  of  Knox  county  is  the  name  of 
Andrew  Borland  Anderson,  senior  member  of  the  firm  A.  B.  Anderson  &  Son, 
of  Oneida.  Of  Scotch  ancestry  he  was  born  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  September  lo, 
1832.  His  father,  James  Anderson,  a  son  of  John  Anderson,  was  a  blacksmith 
by  trade,  following  this  occupation  all  his  life  in  his  native  country.  In  1860  he 
came  to  America  and  made  his  home  with  his  son  in  Knox  county.  He  died  here 
in  1865.  Mr.  Anderson  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Borland  and  they  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children.  ;::-  .'  ;  :  ;-  •  .  .:  •:  ::  •'  :;v  -  •  •'•.'."  ; 


446  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '.- 

Andrew  Borland  Anderson  was  educated  in  Scotland  in  the  common  schools  ,'.••/ 
and  in  a  private  institution.     He  was  trained  at  the  forge  and  became  a  black-  •  .': 
smith  but  did  not  work  at  this  occupation  long  before  he  resolved  to  go  to  Amer-  -; 
ica  and  seek  larger  opportunities  for  making  his  fortune  and  wider  fields  for  his       ' 
activities.     In  1850  he  landed  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  and  settled  in  Paris,  .     : 
Ontario,  Canada.     In  the  spring  of  1853  he  crossed  the  border  and  found  his  J'   ; 
way  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Victoria,  Knox  county,  where  he  followed  his  trade  :;,;;:• 
for  a  few  years.     In  1857  he  purchased  a  building  in  Oneida  and  twenty  years  ''•'.^• 
later  engaged  in  the  banking  business  here  in  partnership  with  Frank  Murdoch.    /•. , 
Good  judgment  in  financial  matters  and  in  investments  as  well  as  a  liberal  busi-        • 
ness  policy  soon  proved  Mr.  Anderson  and  his  partner  efficient  business  managers,    ^;- 
who  were  successful  in  building  up  a  banking  institution  that  is  a  great  credit  to  > :' . 
Oneida.     In  1908  Mr.  Murdoch  died  and  thereupon  Mr.  Anderson's  son  John,    .  y 
who  had  been  a  bookkeeper  up  to  this  time,  was  taken  into  the  company  and  the  . 
firm  style  became  A.  B.  Anderson  &  Son.     Besides  this  chief  business  interest  .^  ;• 
Mr.  Anderson  owns  six  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Knox  county  and  other  holdings 
in  various  counties,  and  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Galesburg  National  Bank.    He     :  ; 
is  an  enterprising  man  and  despite  his  advanced  years  is  energetic  and  keen  in       - 
business  transactions.  ,/; 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Anderson  and  Miss  Mary  McQuie  occurred  in  Decem-     iV 
ber,  1860.  Three  children  were  born  of  this  union:  William  H.,  who  lives  on    ;: 
his  father's  farm,  is  married  and  has  six  children ;  John  H.,  who  is  married  :,-  • 
and  is  in  partnership  with  his  father  in  the  bank;  and  Mary  Ella,  the  wife  of  .  T 
Dr.  Stewart  of  Oneida,  who  lives  with  her  father  and  has  one  boy. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Anderson  is  a  democrat,  believing  in  the  principles     -  , 
of  that  party  and  voting  for  its  men  and  supporting  its  measures.    He  served  in 
the  office  of  treasurer  of  the  township  for  twenty  years.    Fraternally  he  is  con- 
nected with  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Oneida  and  with  the  local  lodge  of  the  Masonic  .  v, 
order,  in  which  he  has  held  all  the  offices.    Those  who  know  Mr.  Anderson — ^and    ?  - 
his  acquaintance  is  a  wide  one,  extending  beyond  the  confines  of  Knox  county —  V   . 
esteem  him  for  his  lofty  sense  of  honor  and  his  unfailing  integrity. 


/••••v  JOHN  R.  PARKINSON.     > p  .;-x4"-   : :: 

John  R.  Parkinson,  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Wataga,  is  one  of  the  enterprising 
young  men  of  Sparta  township,  of  which  he  is  a  native,  his  birth  having  here    '  . 
occurred  on  June  19,  1893.    He  is  the  only  child  born  of  the  union  of  Samuel  R.  '. 
and  Elizabeth  (Campbell)  Parkinson,  prominent  in  Knox  county  and  a  sketch  of    "  . 
whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  • 

Reared  amid  the  environments  of  a  good  home,  in  the  acquirement  of  an     • 
education  John  R.  Parkinson  was  sent  to  the  public  school  at  the  usual  age,  re-    •. 
maining  a  student  there  until  he  completed  his  course  at  sixteen.     From  his     > 
earliest  boyhood  principles  of  thrift  and  industry  were  inculated  in  his  youthful  , . 
mind,  and  while  yet  a  young  lad  he  began  preparations  for  a  useful  business  .;, 
career  by  assisting  his  father,  who  in  addition  to  his  various  other  interests  was   • 
engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business.     After  completing  his  education  he    •, 


:•  :  '  '/^\:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -?:  i"         447 

entered  the  bank  as  clerk  and  general  bookkeeper,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
with  such  efficiency  that  he  is  now  cashier.  He  is  an  industrious,  enterprising 
young  man,  whose  abilities  and  opportunities  should  enable  him  to  become  one 
of  the  foremost  business  men  of  this  section  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Parkinson  lives  at  home.  He  is  not  yet  old  enough  to  cast  a  ballot,  while 
his  church  connection  is  that  of  the  Roman  Catholic.  He  represents  the  third 
generation  of  his  family  in  this  township,  in  the  upbuilding  of  which  they  have 
been  important  factors.  ,;,-.  •  -  •  .v.v..  .  >  -;-...:. ..  .  •  •  =: . .  .-..,.•./ 


CARL  WARNER  MERRILL. 


Carl  Warner  Merrill,  manager  of  the  Terry  Lumber  Company  was  born  in 
La  Porte,  Indiana,  on  the  Qth  of  October,  1865,  the  youngest  child  of  Joseph 
H.  and  Nancy  J.  (Wadsworth)  Merrill.  They  were  both  natives  of  the  state  of 
New  York,  the  father's  birth  having  occurred  at  Lebanon  Springs,  Columbia 
county,  February  17,  1828,  and  that  of  the  mother  in  Randolph,  Cattaraugus 
county,  on  the  24th  of  August,  1832.  Joseph  H.  Merrill,  who  was  a  son  of  John 
Merrill,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  the  fourth  child  in  a  family  of  ten,  was 
reared  in  the  town  of  his  birth,  where  he  received  a  meager  education,  after 
which  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  carpenter's  trade  under  an  uncle  for  three 
years  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars.  He  completed  his  period  of  service 
in  1844  and  immediately  thereafter  went  to  La  Porte,  Indiana,  entering  the  employ- 
ment of  the  Lake  Shore  &  Michigan  Southern  Railway  Company,  with  whom  he 
remained  for  six  years.  Later  he  engaged  in  contracting  in  connection  with  which 
he  also  conducted  a  meat  market  for  a  time,  continuing  to  reside  in  La  Porte  until 
1868.  On  the  26th  of  March  of  that  year  he  located  in  Wataga,  where  he  re- 
sumed his  contracting,  this  business  engaging  his  attention  until  1900.  During 
that  time  he  became  associated  with  W.  H.  Wood  in  the  lumber  business,  of 
which  enterprise  he  subsequently  became  the  sole  owner.  In  1880  he  purchased 
and  removed  to  the  present  location  of  C.  L.  Tomkins,  where  he  continued  to 
be  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  until  1905,  when  he  sold  his  interests  to 
Terry  &  Lewis,  now  W.  E.  Terry  &  Ccwnpany,  living  retired  until  his  death 
on  the  24th  of  March,  1910.  Joseph  Merrill  was  twice  married,  his  first  union 
having  been  with  Miss  Rena  J.  Wadsworth,  who  died  in  1851.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Samuel  Fenn  Wadsworth,  while  her  mother  prior  to  her  marriage 
was  a  Miss  Wheeler.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Merrill  chose  his  sister-in-law, 
Miss  Nancy  J.  Wadsworth,  who  passed  away  on  the  1 2th  of  October,  1906. 
Three  children  were  born  of  this  union:  Leroy,  who  is  deceased;  Cora,  of 
Watag^ ;  and  Carl  Warner,  our  subject.  Fraternally  Mr.  Merrill  was  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and 
the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  was  also  affiliated  with  the  Odd  Fellows, 
holding  membership  in  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  598,  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  Rebekah 
Lodge.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  united  with  the  Baptist  church,  and  polit- 
ically he  was  a  republican.  He  always  took  an  active  interest  in  all  municipal 
affairs  and  served  for  eight  years  as  president  of  the  village  board. 


.^:::  448  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

• .  Wataga  has  been  the  home  of  Carl  Warner  .Merrill  since  he  was  a  child  of 
three  years.  At  the  usual  age  he  entered  the  public  schools,  where  he  mastered 
the  common  branches,  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  For  three  years  thereafter 
he  worked  as  a  laborer,  during  which  time  he  also  assisted  his  father  about  the 
lumberyard.  In  1892  he  engaged  in  painting  and  paper  hanging,  following 
this  vocation  continuously  for  eleven  years.  Mr.  Merrill  assumed  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Terry  Lumber  Company  in  October,  1906,  and  has  ever  since 
been  identified  with  this  position.  '  i 

•  On  the  I5th  of  June,  1892,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Merrill  and 

•  Miss  Alice  E.  Milroy,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  loth  of  January,  1868.    Mrs. 
.  Merrill  is  a  daughter  of  John  E.  and  Rachel   (Waffle)   Milroy,  the  former  a 

native  of  Scotland  and  the  latter  of  the  United  States  and  of  English  descent. 
:  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merrill  has  been  born  one  child  who  died  in  infancy. 

His  allegiance  in  matters  politic  Mr.   Merrill  gives  to  the  republican  party 
•  and  has  always  been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  government  of  the  municipality, 

•  .  having  long  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  aldermen,  while  for  thirteen  years  he 
'V  was  village  clerk.     Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order,  holding 

membership  in  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  and  Oneida  Chapter, 
No.  173,  R.  A.  M.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Woodmen  of  America,  being  affil- 
iated with  Wataga  Camp,  No.  3229,  and  the  Odd  Fellows,  his  local  connection 
being  with  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  598.  Mr.  Merrill  is  widely  known  in  and  about 

•  '    Wataga,  where  he  has  many  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  were  the  comrades 

of  his  boyhood,  their  loyalty  being  a  tribute  to  his  character. 


'  ;^:;'.          ALBERT  HERMAN  ALLEN.  ::/-\  .^:/ 

Albert  Herman  Allen  is  now  living  retired,  save  that  he  is  financially  inter- 
ested in  some  business  projects,  a  life  of  well  directed  energy  and  thrift  having 
brought  him  to  his  present  substantial  position,  which  renders  further  active 
'labor  unnecessary  as  a  means  of  support  and  comfort.  He  is  one  of  Galesburg's 
native  sons,  his  birth  having  here  occurred,  June  9,  1841.  His  parents,  Sheldon 
William  and  Fidelia  (Leach)  Allen,  were  both  natives  of  Oneida  county.  New 
York,  and  the  former  was  a  young  man  when  he  removed  westward  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  making  the  journey  across  the  country  with  a  team  and  wagon, 
accompanied  by  his  wife  and  their  one  child,  James  S.  Allen,  who  was  then  a 
year  and  a  half  old.  At  length  they  arrived  in  Log  City,  Knox  county,  in  June, 
1837,  and  there  resided  until  1838,  when  they  came  to  Galesburg,  the  father 
erecting  a  house  at  the  corner  of  Mulberry  street  and  Allen  avenue,  which  resi- 
dence is  still  the  property  of  his  son  Albert.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion and  also  followed  the  butchering  business  but  retired  several  years  prior 
to  his  death.  In  all  of  his  business  affairs  he  was  very  successful,  never  allow- 
ing difficulties  or  obstacles  to  bar  his  path  if  they  could  be  overcome  by  honor- 
able and  persistent  effort.  He  donated  to  the  city  the  land  which  is  now  called 
Allen  avenue.  He  was  the  owner  of  twenty  acres  between  Main  and  South 
streets  and  also  of  forty  acres  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Farnum  streets.  He 
platted  this  land  into  city  lots,  calling  it  the  S.  W.  Allen  addition,  and  through 


ALBERT  H.  ALLKX 


448       ;     .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  ," 

Wataga  has  been  the  home  of  Carl  Warner  .Merrill  since  he  was  a  child  of 
tliree  years.  At  the  usual  age  he  entered  the  public  schools,  where  he  mastered 
the  common  branches,  until  seventeen  years  of  age.  For  three  years  thereafter 
lie  \vorked  as  a  laborer,  during  which  time  he  also  assisted  his  father  about  the 
lumberyard.  In  1892  he  engaged  in  painting  and  paper  hanging,  following 
this  vocation  continuously  for  eleven  years.  Mr.  Merrill  assumed  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Terry  Lumber  Company  in  October,  1906,  and  has  ever  since 
been  identified  with  this  ix>sition. 

On  the  15th  of  June.  1892.  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Merrill  and 
Miss  Alice  E.  ^lilroy,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  loth  of  January,  1868.  Mrs. 
Merrill  is  a  daughter  of  John  E.  and  Rachel  (Waffle)  Milroy,  the  former  a 
native  of  Scotland  and  the  latter  of  the  United  States  and  of  English  descent. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  [Merrill  has  been  lx>rn  one  child  who  died  in  infancy. 

His  allegiance  in  matters  ix)litic  Mr.  Merrill  gives  to  the  republican  party 
and  has  always  been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  government  of  the  municipality, 
having  long  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  aldermen,  while  for  thirteen  years  he 
was  village  clerk.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order,  holding 
membership  in  Wataga  Lodge,  Xo.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  -M.;  and  Oneida  Chapter, 
No.  173,  R.  A.  M.  He  also  belongs  to  the  \\'oodmen  of  America,  being  affil- 
iated with  Wataga  Camp,  No.  3229,  and  the  Odd  Fellows,  his  local  connection 
being  with  Wataga  Lodge,  Xo.  598.  Mr.  Merrill  is  widely  known  in  and  about 
\\'ataga,  where  he  has  many  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  were  the  comrades 
of  his  lx)vhood,  their  lovaltv  being  a  tribute  to  his  character. 

*  .  *  o 


;'  ALBERT  HERMAN  ALLEX.      . 

Albert  Herman  Allen  is  now  living  retired,  save  that  he  is  financially  inter- 
ested in  some  business  projects,  a  life  of  well  directed  energy  and  thrift  having 
brought  him  to  his  present  substantial  position,  which  renders  further  active 
labor  unnecessary  as  a  means  of  support  and  comfort.  He  is  one  of  Galesburg's 
native  sons,  his  birtli  having  here  occurred,  June  9,  1841.  His  parents,  Sheldon 
William  and  Fidelia  (Leach)  Allen,  were  both  natives  of  Oneida  county.  New 
York,  and  the  former  was  a  young  man  when  he  removed  westward  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  making  the  journey  across  the  country  with  a  team  and  wagon, 
accompanied  by  his  wife  and  their  one  child,  James  S.  Allen,  who  was  then  a 
year  and  a  half  old.  At  length  they  arrived  in  Log  City,  Knox  county,  in  June, 
1837,  and  there  resided  until  1838.  when  they  came  to  Galesburg,  the  father 
erecting  a  house  at  the  corner  of  Mulberry  street  and  Allen  avenue,  which  resi- 
dence is  still  the  property  of  his  son  Albert.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion and  also  followed  the  butchering  business  but  retired  several  years  prior 
to  his  death.  In  all  of  his  business  affairs  he  was  very  successful,  never  allow- 
ing difficulties  or  obstacles  to  bar  his  ])ath  if  they  could  be  overcome  by  honor- 
able and  persistent  effort.  He  donated  to  the  city  the  land  which  is  now  called 
Allen  avenue.  He  was  the  owner  of  twenty  acres  between  Main  and  South 
streets  and  also  of  forty  acres  at  the  corner  of  Main  and  Farnum  streets.  He 
platted  this  land  into  city  lots,  calling  it  the  S.  W.  Allen  addition,  and  through 


II.   .M.I.KN    . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;:;          451 

the  sale  of  real  estate  added  materially  to  his  income.    He  was  always  a  stanch 
republican  in  politics  but  never  aspired  to  office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his         •.  V 

energies  upon  his  business  affairs,  which  ultimately  brought  him  a_  gratifying        ".,.      ..  ^ 
return.    Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  old  First  church  and  their        ;  ,-V: 
influence  was  a  substantial  factor  in  the  moral  development  and  progress  of        :\...;    :. 
the  community.    They  were  married  in  Oneida  county.  New  York,  in  1834,  and        y         :     . 
became  the  parents  of  eleven  children:  James  Sherman,  now  living  in  Gales-       .v.       :   '  .' 
burg;  Sheldon  Oberlin,  who  died  in  1901,  leaving  a  widow,  who  resides  at  No.  .-'         .  . 

1416  North  Broad  street;  Albert  Herman;  Henry  Alonzo,  who  is  living  in  Sum- V  -      '=      t 
merville,  Tennessee;  Norman  T.,  of  Galesburg;  Chester  Ephraim,  who  makes        ...-.-.-• 
his  home  at  the  corner  of  Mulberry  and  Pearl  streets;  Mary  Fidelia,  the  deceased       V.,',..    ,.  . 
wife  of  John  H.  Wyckoff,  of  Canton,  Illinois;  John  Stebbins,  a  practicing  physi-       .:;.' 
cian  of  Keithsburg,  Illinois;  Frank  S.,  a  resident  of  Los  Angeles,  California;     v.:;.          '  v 
Lida,  the  wife  of  Adam  Kiefner,  of  Aspen,  Colorado;  and  Fred  S.,  who  is  liv-        ;.'';;   .'       .- 
ing  in  St.  Augustine,  Florida.  .  V 

When  he  had  mastered  the  branches  of  learning  taught  in  the  public  schools         ^; .     • 
of  Galesburg,  Albert  H.  Allen  continued  his  education  in  Madison  University,       ''.}.•.•'' 
at  Hamilton,  New  York.     He  worked  upon  his  father's  farm  until   1867  and  . 

then  engaged  in  the  butchering  and  live-stock  business  for  twenty  years,  meet-  ;.         . 

ing  with  success  in  that  undertaking  whereby  he  was  enabled  at  length  to  live        ... 
retired.     He  was  diligent  and  determined  and  carried   forward  to  completion        ;      .     .- 
whatever  he  undertook.     In  his  trade  transactions  he  was  always  thoroughly        '    . 
reliable  yet  watchful  of  the  details  of  his  business,  while  sound  judgment  was       /"^.  , 

brought  to  bear  in  the  management  of  his  affairs  and  ultimately  won  for  him  :  . 

a  handsome  competence.     He  is  still  a  stockholder  in  the  Galesburg  Telephone  '         . 

Company,  the  First  National  Bank  and  also  in  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy       'f^r       • 
railroad.  '•::;:- 

Mr.  Allen  has  been  married  twice.     On  the  ist  of  April,  i86i,  he  wedded  .     .      . 

Miss  Mary  Agnes  Leach,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Agnes   (Baird)  Leach,  of         \;        , 
Marine  City,  Michigan.     The  children  of  that  marriage  are:  Rose  Agnes,  who  ^  ~. 

first  became  the  wife  of  Felix  M.  Katar,  her  second  marriage  being  with  Captain          -'       :  - 
J.  R.  Basiger,  of   Auburndale,   Florida;  Jennie  Leach,   at   home;   and   Daniel          .'     '.•vv. 
Ephraim,  of  Galesburg.     The  wife  and  mother  passed  away,  January  19,  1876,        ;    .   '      Vj 
and  on  the  26th  of  December,   1899,  Mr.  Allen  was  married  to  Miss  Lillian         v-  .  •  v 
Goddard,  a  daughter  of  George  C.  and  Agnes  (Friend)   Goddard,  of  Lamed,/.       :»  .  •  .-- 
Kansas.     Her  father  was  bom  in  New  York  city,  February  7,   1824,  and  his          ;        :  ^-v 
wife's  birth   occurred    in   Washington   county,    Maryland.   July   27,    1829.      He  '     ; 

came  to  Illinois  in  the  early  '4Os,  settling  in  Fulton  county,  where  he  followed 
farming,  but  in  1863  he  removed  to  Canton,  Illinois,  in  order  to  better  educate  •  '     :, 

his  children.     In  1884  he  removed  to  Lamed,  Kansas,  where  he  carried  on  gen-  :          i:^^ 

eral  agricultural  pursuits  for  ten  years  and  then  retired,  still  making  his  home  -  ' 

in  Larned.     He  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  republican  principles  and  is  a  member  '        > 

of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  his  religious  belief  having  been  the  guiding        "  > 

factor  in  his  life.     His  wife,  who  died  February  12,  1906.  was  also  a  member        '     •.',.-. 
of  that  church.     Their  daughter,  Mrs.  Allen,  was  born  January  25,  i86i,  near  ....„ 

Canton.    Mr.  Allen  also  has  several  grandchildren,  namely:  Lillian  Leah  Katar.    -    ,    .    .    ' 
born  January  15,  1894;  Violet  Josephine  Allen,  born  April  25,  1896;  Glenn  Hubert  ,  '-  .  -v 

Allen,  born  May  lo,  1898;  and  Herman  Meeks  Allen,  bom  March  20,  1903.       •  •  ;  :      '     ^ 


452  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Throughout  the  entire  period  of  his  residence  in  Galesburg  and  this  part  of 
the  state  Mr.  Allen  has  been  deeply  interested  in  public  projects  and  those  move- 
ments which  have  direct  bearing  upon  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  com- 
munity. He  has  always  voted  with  the  republican  party  yet  has  never  been  an 
aspirant  for  public  office.  For  three  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Galesburg 
Fire  Department  and  served  as  its  chief.  He  attends  the  First  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  at  all  times  has  been  interested  in  those  projects  which  have 
contributed  to  the  material,  intellectual,  social  and  moral  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity. His  life  record  proves  that  success  is  not  a  matter  of  genius,  as  held 
by  some,  but  is  rather  the  outcome  of  clear  judgment,  experience  and  inde- 
fatigable energy,  for  those  qualities  have  been  salient  factors  in  the  success 
which  has  crowned  his  labors,  enabling  him  now  to  live  retired  in  the  enjoyment 
of  comforts  won  by  his  former  toil.  •  .  V  "  '  - 


;.•;.;  ANDREW  OUVER  LINDSTRUM.  >^:' '  «' :  -         .; 

Andrew  Oliver  Lindstrum  needs  no  introduction  to  the  citizens  of  Gales- 
burg, for  he  is  well  known  in  its  business  circles  as  a  prominent  representative 
cf  insurance  and  commercial  interests,  being  at  the  head  of  the  Lindstrum  In- 
surance Agency,  secretary  of  the  Provident  Savings  Association  and  president 
of  the  Lindstrum-West  Drug  Company.  His  record  as  an  enterprising,  pro- 
gressive and  reliable  business  man  is  a  credit  to  Illinois,  his  native  state.  He 
was  born,  twenty-six  miles  northeast  of  Galesburg,  at  Bishop  Hill,  May  29, 
1873,  and  is  a  son  of  Erick  and  Breta  (Oleson)  Lindstrum.  The  father  was 
born  in  Westmanland,  Sweden,  December  24,  1822,  and  the  mother's  birth  oc- 
curred in  Helsingland,  Sweden,  August  5,  1827.  Both  were  members  of  the 
Bishop  Hill  Colony.  The  former  came  to  the  United  States  in  1850,  and  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation.  After  the  dissolution  of  the  colony  he  engaged  in  tilling 
the  soil  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Bishop  Hill,  March  8,  1889.  His  wife 
had  passed  away  on  the  27th  of  December,  1887.  They  were  both  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  took  active  and  helpful  part  in  its  work. 
Mr.  Lindstrum  serving  on  the  board  of  trustees  and  as  treasurer  of  the  board. 
His  political  views  were  in  harmony  with  the  principles  of  the  republican 
party  and  he  capably  filled  a  number  of  township  offices.  His  wife  had  come 
to  the  United  States  in  1845,  ^"d  at  Bishop  Hill  the  parents  of  our  subject 
were  married.  Unto  them  were  born  five  children:  Caroline,  Eric,  Charlotte, 
Albert  and  Andrew,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  pursued  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
town  and  afterward  entered  Knox  College,  completing  the  scientific  course 
with  the  class  of  1895.  He  then  went  to  Geneseo,  Illinois,  and  in  company 
with  James  H.  Andrews  established  a  daily  paper,  which  they  conducted  for 
about  a  year.  Mr.  Lindstrum  then  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner  and  aided  in 
organizing  the  Kewanee  Daily  Courier,  which  he  published  for  a  year.  He 
next  went  to  Chicago  and  worked  on  the  Chicago  Post  for  a  few  months.  On 
the  1 7th  of  October,  1897,  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  began  working  on  the 
Evening  Mail  in  the  business  department,  with  which  he  was  connected  foi 


^^:.:  \;.  ^.    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :    £,  458 

three  years.  He  filled  the  office  of  deputy  county  clerk  under  Frank  Adams 
for  two  years  and  then  became  publisher  of  the  Evening  Mail,  continuing  at 
the  head  of  that  paper  from  1903  until  the  ist  of  November,  1907,  when  he  pur- 
chased the  Holmes  &  Chase  Insurance  Agency,  which  he  still  carries  on  in  the 
Holmes  building.  In  this  connection  he  represents  the  Continental,  Fidelity- 
Phenix,  Fire  Association,  Franklin,  Hamburg-Bremen,  Liverpool  &  London 
Globe,  North  British  &  Mercantile,  Philadelphia  Underwriters,  Royal,  Spring- 
field, Svea,  The  Ocean  Accident  &  Guaranty  Corporation,  Fidelity  &  Deposit 
Company,  Standard  Live-Stock  Insurance  Company,  and  Bankers  Like  of  Lin- 
coln, Nebraska.  On  the  ist  of  January,  1910,  Mr.  Lindstrum  organized  the 
Provident  Savings  Association  and  was  elected  its  secretary,  in  which  position 
he  still  continues.  His  agency  is  one  of  the  largest  in  this  part  of  the  state  and 
he  also  has  voice  in  the  management  of  other  business  projects.  Today  he  is 
a  stockholder  of  the  Lindstrum- West  Drug  Company,  and  other  Galesburg  in- 
stitutions. 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1898,  Mr.  Lindstrum  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Sybil  Winifred  Chaiser,  a  daughter  of  John  P.  and  Betsy  (Linbbeck) 
Chaiser,  of  Bishop  Hill,  who  received  her  schooling  in  Knox  College,  graduating 
in  1898.  Her  father  was  born  in  Balinge  Parish,  in  Upland,  Sweden,  January 
I,  1844,  and  on  coming  to  America  in  1850  joined  the  Bishop  Hill  Colony.  In 
early  life  he  followed  the  cooper's  trade  for  some  time  but  afterward  engaged 
in  the  grain  and  lumber  business  and  also  acted  as  agent  for  the  Rock  Island 
&  Peoria  Railroad  Company  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1888,  with  a  handsome 
competence  acquired  from  his  labors,  he  retired  from  active  life.  His  political 
allegiance  is  given  to  the  prohibition  party.  .Mrs.  Chaiser  was  bom  in  Gefleborg, 
Sweden,  May  24,  1848,  and  came  to  America  in  1849.  They  were  married 
February  5,  1870,  and  became  parents  of  three  daughters:  Alice  E.,  S.  Winifred 
and  Juna  C. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lindstrum  has  been  born  a  son,  Herbert  James,  whose 
birth  occurred  at  Galesburg,  June  3,  1906.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Lindstrum 
has  always  been  a  republican  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise 
and  while  he  has  not  sought  nor  held  political  office  he  has  been  especially  in- 
terested in  the  welfare  and  progress  of  the  city  and  has  coop>erated  in  many 
movements  for  the  general  good.  From  1907  until  1910  he  was  a  member  and 
secretary  of  the  library  board.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lindstrum  are  both  members  of 
the  Central  Congregational  church.  His  business  record  has  been  characterized 
as  honorable  and  upright  and  he  deserves  classification  with  the  leading  business 
men  of  the  city.  '-V;'-^.\/--- '  / ''^:-"^'''^  -C'-'-^;''  ^r' •' -^^'.- 1.'-  '  •''  •^•••'' 


'•^•-  ••'-'- ^' •:•.-.::' ---^  •-:.•:•-     THOMAS  JUNK.    ;'::':.,      '     ..  X'v. ;-,,;:;•;  •^:^:. 

Thomas  Junk,  a  retired  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  at  one  time  an  artisan  in 
the  carpenter  trade,  resides  in  Henderson  village,  Knox  county,  Illinois.  He  is 
a  native  of  Union  Town,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  date  of  his  birth 
is  March  27,  1833.  As  noted  in  his  brother's  sketch,  he  is  of  Gennan  origin 
on  his  father's  side,  his  grandfather  having  been  born  in  Germany.  His  mother, 


454  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  - 

whose  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Lincoln,  was  a  second  cousin  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  His  father  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  to  which  state  his  people  had 
come  after  a  short  residence  in  New  Jersey  where  they  had  settled  on  coming 
to  this  country.  He  followed  the  pursuit  of  farming  in  Pennsylvania  all  his 
life,  passing  away  in  1877,  when  he  was  seventy-six  years  of  age.  He  was  a 
stanch  democrat  in  politics  and  in  his  religious  predilections  was  a  Presbyterian. 

Thomas  Junk  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  locality. 
When  old  enough  to  handle  a  plow  he  began  to  farm,  first  as  hired  help  and 
then  for  himself.  In  1856  when  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  came  west,  locat- 
ing in  Knox  county  where  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  following  this  calling 
for  some  years.  Then,  wishing  to  engage  in  farming,  he  gave  up  the  trade  in 
which  he  had  been  trained  and  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Knox  county. 
This  he  operated  with  much  success,  raising  abundant  crops,  hogs  and  cattle. 
Some  years  ago  he  retired  and  removed  to  a  residence  in  Henderson  village. 

Thomas  Junk's  marriage  to  Miss  Maria  Kilgore  took  place  November  lo,  1859. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  David  Kilgore,  for  years  an  agriculturist  in  Franklin 
county,  spending  his  winter  months  teaching  school,  but  who  left  Pennsylvania 
and  became  one  of  the  famous  "forty-niners"  in  the  days  of  the  California 
gold  boom.  There  were  seven  children  born  of  this  union.  Jessie  Louise,  the 
wife  of  John  Nisley,  a  farmer  in  Nebraska,  is  the  mother  of  five  children.  Some 
of  these  are  married  and  have  children  of  their  own,  thus  giving  Thomas  Junk 
the  distinction  of  being  a  great-grandfather.  Frances  is  living  at  home.  James 
E.  is  married  and  operates  a  farm  in  Stuart,  Iowa.  W.  S.  is  living  in  Knox 
county  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born.  He  is  married  and  the  father  of  four 
children.  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  Jasper  Strode,  a  farmer  in  Ktiox  county.  She 
is  the  mother  of  five  children.  Edith  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Sears,  connected 
with  mercantile  interests  in  Loveland,  Colorado.  She  is  the  mother  of  two 
children.  David  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three.  \  .  •- 

Although  keenly  interested  in  the  political  welfare  of  his  community  and  of 
the  state  and  nation,  Mr.  Junk  has  never  been  bound  by  party  ties.  He  votes  for 
the  man  who  in  his  judgment  is  best  fitted  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office 
for  which  he  is  a  candidate.  He  has  served  as  trustee  of  his  township  and  as 
school  director.  In  religious  allegiance  he  and  his  wife  subscribe  to  the  faith 
of  the  Reorganized  church  of  Latter  Day  Saints.  Mr.  Junk  is  living  a  com- 
fortable, care-free  life  in  the  village  of  Henderson,  is  in  good  health,  and  from 
all  indications  seems  to  possess  the  grace  of  providence  granting  him  the  enjoy- 
ment of  many  added  years.  ;•  •  '  v  •'•-'' ^;;"''--;f'' '•''':•: 


:  ;   -i  •'  JOHN  BOWEN  VIVION,  M.  D.  vk 

Dr.  John  Bowen  Vivion  was  a  distinguished  physician,  honored  by  the  pro- 
fession throughout  the  state.  Study  and  close  application  constantly  promoted 
his  ability  and  gave  him  prominent  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  medical  fraternity 
in  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  October  23,  i8io,  a  son 
of  Henry  and  Mildred  (Ryan)  Vivion,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia, 
being  reared  upon  farms  in  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria,  that  state.  They  re- 


DR.  JOHN  B.  VIVION    . 


454  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

whose  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Lincoln,  was  a  second  cousin  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  His  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  to  which  state  his  people  had 
come  after  a  short  residence  in  New  Jersey  where  they  had  settled  on  coming 
to  this  country.  He  followed  the  pursuit  of  farming  in  Pennsylvania  all  his 
life,  passing  away  in  1877.  when  he  was  seventy-six  years  of  age.  He  was  a 
stanch  democrat  in  politics  and  in  his  religious  predilections  was  a  Presbyterian. 
Thomas  Junk  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  locality. 
When  old  enough  to  handle  a  plow  he  began  to  farm,  first  as  hired  help  and 
then  for  himself.  In  1856  when  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  came  west,  locat- 
ing in  Knox  county  where  he  learned  the  cari>enter  trade,  following  this  calling 
for  some  years.  Then,  wishing  to  engage  in  farming,  he  gave  up  the  trade  in 
which  he  had  been  trained  and  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Knox  county. 
This  he  operated  with  much  success,  raising  abundant  crops,  hogs  and  cattle. 
Some  years  ago  he  retired  and  removed  to  a  residence  in  Henderson  village. 

Thomas  Junk's  marriage  to  Miss  Maria  Kilgore  took  place  November  lo,  1859. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  David  Kilgore,  for  years  an  agriculturist  in  Franklin 
county,  spending  his  winter  months  teaching  school,  but  who  left  Pennsylvania 
and  became  one  of  the  famous  "forty-niners"  in  the  days  of  the  California 
gold  boom.  There  were  seven  children  born  of  this  union.  Jessie  Louise,  the 
wife  of  John  Nisley,  a  farmer  in  Nebraska,  is  the  mother  of  five  children.  Some 
of  these  are  married  and  have  children  of  their  own,  thus  giving  Thomas  Junk 
the  <listinction  of  being  a  great-grandfather.  Frances  is  living  at  home.  James 
E.  is  married  and  operates  a  farm  in  Stuart,  Iowa.  W.  S.  is  living  in  Knox 
county  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born.  He  is  married  and  the  father  of  four 
children.  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  Jasper  Strode,  a  farmer  in  Knox  county.  She 
is  the  mother  of  five  children.  Edith  is  tlie  wife  of  Charles  Sears,  connected 
with  mercantile  interests  in  Loveland,  Colorado.  She  is  the  mother  of  two 
children.  David  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three. 

Although  keenly  interested  in  the  political  welfare  of  his  community  and  of 
the  state  and  nation,  Mr.  Junk  has  never  been  bound  by  party  ties.  He  votes  for 
the  man  who  in  his  judgment  is  best  fitted  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office 
for  which  he  is  a  candidate.  He  has  served  as  trustee  of  his  township  and  as 
school  director.  In  religious  allegiance  he  and  his  wife  subscribe  to  the  faith 
of  the  Reorganized  church  of  Latter  Day  Saints.  Mr.  Junk  is  living  u  com- 
fortable, care-free  life  in  the  village  of  Henderson,  is  in  good  health,  and  from 
all  indications  seems  to  possess  the  grace  of  providence  granting  him  the  enjoy- 
ment of  many  added  years. 


JOHN'  I'.OWl'.X  X'lVIOX,  .\I.  I). 

Dr.  John  Mowen  \  ivion  was  a  distinguished  physician,  honored  by  the  pro- 
fession throughout  the  state.  Study  and  close  application  constantly  promoted 
his  ability  and  gave  him  jjrominent  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  medical  fraternity 
in  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  Clark  county.  Kentucky.  October  .23,  i8io,  a  son 
of  Henry  and  Mildred  (Ryan)  \'ivion.  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia, 
being  reared  upon  farms  in  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria,  that  state.  They  re- 


DK.  JOHN   15.  VIVIUX 


U:^V;^^:J   V\;;  :          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :- .,.        457 

••/''  moved  westward  to  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  when  it  was  almost  an  unbroken 

wilderness  and  took  helpful  part  in  its  reclamation  and  development.     Botb 

'      were  firm  believers  in  the  Christian  religion  and  held  membership  in  the  Baptist 

V.  church  until  that  denomination  divided  upon  the  question  of  missions,  after 

•  which  they  joined  the  Christian  church.    Henry  Vivion  devoted  his  life  to  general 

:  ••  agricultural  pursuits  and  was  recognized  both  as  a  good  farmer  and  good  citizen. 

.;'  He  at  one  time  owned  about  fifteen  slaves,  their  labor  being  used  in  the  devel- 

'•    opment  and  cultivation  of  his  fields.    He  was  ever  a  most  charitable  and  benevo- 

;,     lent  man,  giving  freely  of  his  means  to  aid  the  poor,  and  in  1822,  when  a  scarcity 

'  '  of  corn  caused  great  suffering  among  them,  he  refused  to  sell  at  the  advanced 

•  price  which  was  being  asked,  saying  that  what  he  could  spare  he  would  give  to 

\    those  who  needed.     About  i8io  the  family  removed  from  Clark  to  Warren 

.:'•',  county,  Kentucky,  there  remaining  for  six  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they 

:'-  went  to  Howard  county,  Missouri,  where  they  resided  until  the  father's  death 

.  when  he  was  seventy-nine  years  of  age.     The  mother  then  made  her  home  in 

•'      Clinton  county,  Missouri,  with  her  son  James,  and  reached  the  advanced  age  of 

;  ninety-five  years. 

Dr.  Vivion  received  limited  educational  opportunities,  yet  when  the  chance 

:  •  oflfered  attended  the  district  schools  near  his  father's  homestead  until  eighteen 

years  of  age  and  afterward  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  two  or  three  years-. 

.     However,  he  had  decided  to  make  the  practice  of  medicine  his  life  work  and 

V    during  his  leisure  hours  he  studied  medicine,  reading  alone.     When  twenty-two 

•    years  of  age,  at  Huntsville,  Missouri,  he  began  reading  under  the  direction  of 

.  Drs.  Head  and  Rutherford,  with  whom  he  studied  for  one  and  a  half  years.   He 

^!'  then  went  to  Winchester,  Kentucky,  where  he  spent  a  year  and  a  half  under  the 

•  K  preceptorship  of  Drs.  Frasier  and  Vivion.     He  next  attended  lectures  in  the 
'  medical  department  of  Transylvania  University  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  on 

the  ist  of  May,  1836,  began  practice  in  Dover,  Missouri,  thereafter  following 
.     his  profession  for  more  than  sixty-five  years.     For  thirty-five  years  he  practiced 
.     in  accordance  with  the  tenets  and  principles  of  the  allopathic  school,  but  in  1866 
.  •  became  an  advocate  and  practitioner  of  homeopathy,  winning  a  diploma  in  Hahne- 
; ,  mann  College.     In  1851  he  removed  from  Dover  to  Waverly,  Missouri,  and  two 
'  years  later  purchased  a  farm  about  two  miles  from  Dover,  on  which  he  resided 
. .  for  seven  years,  practicing  all  that  time.     In  1860  he  sold  this  property  and  went 
:      to  College  Mound,  Missouri,  while  in  1865  he  became  a  resident  of  Ursa,  Illi- 
nois.   Three  years  later,  or  in  1868,  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  continued 
to  reside  until  his  death,  which  .occurred  on  July  i,   1902.     His  work  in  his 
;,    profession  was  most  serviceable  and  throughout  the  period  of  his  practice  his 
;  skill  and  ability  increased  because  of  his  wide  reading  and  study,  and  his  broad 
;.     experience.     His  standing  among  his  professional  brethren  is  indicated  by  the 
fact  that  he  was  honored  with  the  presidency  of  the  State  Medical  Association, 
.  "  but  resigned  in  favor  of  a  younger  man. 

On  the  26th  of  September,  1836,  Dr.  Vivion  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 

;    Maria  Jane  Atkinson,  and  for  a  half  century  they  traveled  life's  journey  to- 

gether  but  were  separated  through  the  death  of  the  wife,  on  the  25th  of  August, 

.•1887.     In  their  family  were  eight  child'-en  of  whom  four  reached  adult  age, 

;,  namely:  Sarah  Ann,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Gorham;  Robert,  who  was  a  Union 

•;•;  soldier  in  the  Civil  war  and  died  from  hardships  undergone  in  the  field ;  John 


458  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    -''^V'Vv^ 

G.,  deceased;  and  Edward  L.  On  the  i6th  of  May,  1888,  Dr.  Vivion  was  again 
married,  his  second  union  being  with  Lucy  Xeely,  a  daughter  of  James  Xeely, 
who  came  to  Galesburg  after  the  arrival  of  "the  colony''  from  the  state  of  New 
York.  For  ten  years  he  resided  at  Log  City  and  then  removed  to  Center  Point, 
where  he  followed  farming  until  his  death.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name 
of  Sabrina  Arnold,  was  also  from  the  Empire  state.  His  brother,  Abram  Xeely, 
came  to  Knox  county  at  a  very  early  day  and  owned  a  mill  upon  the  present 
site  of  the  Santa  Fe  depot  and  also  a  great  deal  of  land  on  what  is  now  Broad 
street. 

Dr.  Vivion  gave  his  early  political  allegiance  to  the  whig  party  and  following 
its  dissolution  he  joined  the  democratic  party  in  1856  and  remained  thereafter 
one  of  its  strong  supporters.  He  filled  a  number  of  local  positions,  serving  as 
health  commissioner  of  Galesburg  for  several  years,  as  city  health  officer  for 
two  years  and  as  city  physician  for  five  years.  He  was  also  prominent  in  church 
work  and  in  1843  was  elected  an  elder  of  the  Qiristian  church,  which  position 
he  filled  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  days.  Church  services  were  held  in 
his  office  in  Galesburg  and  the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered  there  until  1871, 
when  his  denomination  built  a  church  in  this  city.  He  afterward  filled  the  pul- 
pit much  of  the  time  until  1890.  when  a  regular  minister  was  secured.  His  life 
was  ever  characterized  by  high  and  honorable  principles,  his  course  conforming 
to  his  religious  professions.  He  was  always  kind  and  generous  to  the  poor  and 
was  a  loyal,  devoted  friend.  His  entire  life  was  characterized  by  progress, 
whether  in  the  field  of  his  profession,  in  public  service  or  in  church  relationships, 
and  certainly  the  world  is  better  for  his  having  lived. 


:•  GEORGE  LOUIS  NEWBERG.      :  y  :;    :-  . 

George  Louis  Newberg,  the  present  mayor  of  Wataga,  has  always  devoted 
his  energies  to  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  in  both  of  which  occupations 
he  has  met  with  a  goodly  degree  of  success.  He  is  one  of  Knox  county's  native 
sons,  his  birth  having  ocurred  in  Copley  township,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1862, 
the  pioneer  period,  being  members  of  the  Bishop  Hill  Colony.  By  trade  Mr.  New- 
berg  was  a  charcoal  and  lime  burner,  which  occupation  he  followed  in  connection 
with  his  farming  in  Copley  township.  He  was  very  successful,  being  a  thrifty, 
hard-working  man  and  at  the  time  of  his  demise  was  one  of  the  leading  men 
of  the  community.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newberg  there  were 
born  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  our  subject  being  the  second  in 
order  of  birth,  while  the  others  are  as  follows:  Mathilda,  the  wife  of  William 
Hedstrum,  of  Copley  township;  Johanna,  the  wife  of  Harvey  Larson,  of  Cali- 
fornia; and  Christiana,  who  married  Samuel  Sambo,  also  of  California.  The 
father  passed  away  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four  years,  on  the  5th  of  May, 
1899,  but  the  mother  had  only  reached  an  age  of  forty  at  the  time  of  her  demise 
on  the  25th  of  January,  1875. 

:  The  district  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home  provided  George  Louis  New- 
berg such  educational  advantages  as  he  enjoyed,  his  student  days  being  terminated 
at  the  age  of  sixteen.  During  the  succeeding  five  years  he  gave  his  undivided  at- 


'     /;;•         I    0        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  xv^.r          459 

tention  to  the  operation  of  the  home  farm  under  the  supervision  of  his  father. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  left  the  parental  roof  to  make  his  own  way  in 
the  world,  first  engaging  in  farming  in  Copley  township,  but  later  he  removed 
to  Oneida,  where  he  remained  until  1905,  when  he  became  a  citizen  of  Wataga. 
In  connection  with  general  farming,  Mr.  Newberg  made  a  specialty  of  raising 
and  shipping  stock,  activities  proving  to  be  very  remunerative  under  his  capable 
management.  He  has  always  been  an  energetic  man,  who  considers  that  any- 
thing worthy  of  engaging  his  efforts,  is  deserving  of  the  best  of  them  and  has 
so  directed  his  endeavors. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Newberg  chose  Miss  Anna  C.  England,  who 
was  born  in  Persifer  township,  this  county,  in  May,  1864.  Mrs.  Newberg  is  a 
daughter  of  George  England,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1826,  a  son 
of  William  England.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and  there  , 
he  later  married  Miss  Susie  Webb,  who  was  also  born  in  the  Keystone  state. 
Their  domestic  life  was  begun  in  Pennsylvania,  but  they  removed  to  Illinois 
it!  1856,  locating  in  Knox  county.  Mr.  England  was  one  of  those  who  responded 
to  his  nation's  call  during  the  Civil  war  and  enlisting  in  Company  A,  Thirty-sixth 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  1864  went  to  the  front,  being  mustered  out  on 
the  15th  of  March,  1865.  He  passed  away  in  1911,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five 
years,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  in  her  seventy-second  year.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Newberg  have  been  born  five  children:  Ivan,  a  farmer  of  Wataga,  aged 
twenty-two  years,  who  married  Ethel  Edwards;  Mary,  a  young  woman  of 
twenty ;  John,  who  is  eighteen ;  Nathan,  now  fourteen ;  and  James,  who  is 
eight.  Martha,  a  niece,  is  a  little  maid  of  four  years  and  makes  her  home  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newberg. 

The  family  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Wataga,  in  whidi 
the  parents  hold  membership,  and  Mr.  Newberg  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a 
Mason,  being  identified  with  the  lodges  of  Wataga;  he  is  a  member  of  Oneida 
Camp  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  Lxxige  No.  671,  of  the  Mystic 
Workers  of  the  World.  His  political  support  is  given  to  the  men  and  measures 
of  the  republican  party  and  he  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  municipal  affairs.  He 
served  as  school  director  for  several  terms  and  in  1910  was  elected  mayor  of 
Wataga,  the  responsibilities  of  which  office  he  is  discharging  in  a  manner  highly 
pleasing  to  the  community  and  most  creditably  to  himself. 


^         '  .        .         .   CHARLES  BROWN. -/:  ^          :    v      r 

Charles  Brown  is  manager  and  superintendent  of  the  Farmers'  Elevator  Com- 
pany, of  Wataga,  where  he  has  resided  for  the  past  fourteen  years.  He  is  a 
native  of  Sweden,  having  been  bom  in  Halland,  on  April  7,  1856,  a  son  of  Xels 
Johnson  and  Johanna  (Johnson)  Brown.  Both  parents  spent  their  entire  lives 
in  the  old  country,  the  father,  who  was  born  in  i8io,  devoting  his  energies  to 
farming  until  his  demise,  which  occurred  in  1892.  Three  children,  born  of  the 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown,  are  living,  as  follows:  Charles,  our  subject; 
Hetta,  who  is  living  at  home;  and  August,  who  is  operating  the  home  farm. 


460  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^^     ^  -  -I  :  v  V 

Charles  Brown  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land  to  the  age  of 
fourteen  years  when  he  went  to  Denmark,  where  he  worked  for  two  years  at 
the  jewelry  trade.  In  1877  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating  in 
Chicago,  where  for  twelve  years  he  followed  the  barber's  trade.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  period  he  came  to  Wataga  and  bought  out  a  barber  shop  that  he 
operated  until  1903,  then  withdrew  to  become  manager  and  sup>erintendent  of 
the  Farmers'  Elevator  Company.  During  the  succeeding  six  years  he  has  been 
successfully  identified  with  this  enterprise,  the  business  of  which  has  develoi>ed 
in  a  most  gratifying  manner  during  the  period  of  his  connection  with  it. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Brown  chose  Miss  Maggie  S.  Campbell,  who 
was  born  in  1873,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Mary  Ann  Campbell,  now  resi- 
dents of  Wataga,  but  natives  of  Ireland,  whence  they  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1867. 

Mr.  Brown  votes  the  republican  ticket  but  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen,  and  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World,  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  671.  Although 
he  has  always  led  a  somewhat  unobtrusive  life,  never  having  actively  par- 
ticipated in  the  public  affairs  of  the  municipality,  Mr.  Brown  can  always  be 
depended  upon  to  indorse  every  movement  that  is  at  all  likely  to  promote  the 
interests  of  the  community. 


:V  FRANK  O.  RYLANDER.  :  ;: 

Many  of  Sweden's  native  sons  have  sought  the  broader  opportunities  of  the    ,  '     ,:, 
new  world,  bringing  with  them  the  unremitting  energy  and  perseverance  char-      •-'     •• 
acteristic  of  that  nation,  and  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  they  have  attained    '• ; .     . 
success  in  the  management  of  varied  business  affairs.     Such  is  the  record  of  ;.    ,    'y 
Frank  O.  Rylander,  who  was  bom  in  Smaland,  Sweden,  on  the  23d  of  October,         ,. 
1864,  a  son  of  Johanas  and  Clara  (Johnson)  Johnson.     The  parents  were  both    '       ;\ 
born  in  Sweden  and  there  spent  their  entire  lives,  the  father  engaging  in  farm-         :' 
ing  as  a  life  occupation.     Both  are  now  deceased,  the  father's  death  occurring   ;  ;•  . ; 
in  1899,  while  the  mother  died  in  1903.     They  were  consistent  members  of  the  ':". 
Swedish  Lutheran  church.  :   : 

In  the  common  schools  of  his  native  land  Frank  O.  Rylander  acquired  a  v   :  ;~ 
good  education  and  after  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  assisted  in  the  work         .V ,: 
of  the  farm  for  a  while.     Later  he  spent  two  years  in  Stockholm,  working  at     •    ' , ' 
the   cooper's   trade,   and    then,   on   the    I5th   of   May,    1887,    he   came   to   the         /; 
United   States,   attracted  by  the  business   opportunities   which   he   heard   were         '  ' 
here  offered.     He  made  his  way  direct  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Oneida,  Knox        .!; 
county.     From  there  he  went  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  as   T  -  v 
a  carpenter  until  September,  1887,  when  he  began  working  out  by  the  month.  *..  .'?'C' 
He  was  thus  engaged  for  several  years  and  in  1893  took  up  agricultural  pur-      ;-    ' 
suits  in  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois.    Meeting  with  success  in  this   •     .  , 
venture  he  was  able  in  1907  to  purchase  a  farm  upon  which  he  might  engage  in 
farming  independently  and  he  now  owns  a  fine  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty   '  ,    ^  . 
acres  on  section  21,  Ontario  township.    Here  his  time  is  fully  occupied  with  the      .  •    ' 


."  •          .;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ¥  \        461 

•'     ••'••-''"(••:'     •'•••'''.''•:  '  . .; -S-.- •  v' ;  *•. 

various  phases  of  agriculture  and  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields 
he  makes  a  sf>ecialty  of  feeding  hogs,  in  both  of  which  lines  he  is  meeting  with 
well  merited  success. 

It  was  on  the  29th  of  March,  1893,  that  Mr.  Rylander  was  married  to  Miss 
Anna  C.  Halstead,  a  daughter  of  John  P.  and  Christiana  (Carlson)  Halstead, 
both  of  whom  were  of  Swedish  descent.  The  father,  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
was  killed  by  a  train  at  Oneida,  his  death  occurring  on  the  29th  of  April,  1899. 
His  widow  still  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Woodhull,  Henry  county,  Illinois. 
In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rylander  are  seven  children,  namely,  George  E., 
Clara  A.,  Ottis  R.,  Mildred  L.,  Frances  M.,  Robert  L.  and  Everett  Lester,  all 
of  whom  are  yet  at  home.  In  the  various  relations  which  go  to  make  up  the 
public  life  of  the  community  Mr.  Rylander  is  deeply  interested  and  he  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  Ontario  township.  He  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Ontario  Congregational  church  and  fraternally  belongs  to  Oneida 
Camp,  No.  555,  M.  W.  A.,  at  Oneida,  and  to  the  Mystic  Workers.  A  review 
of  the  political  question  of  the  country  led  him  to  give  his  support  to  the  re- 
publican party  and  since  becoming  an  American  citizen  he  has  never  faltered  in 
his  allegiance  to  the  principles  of  that  organization.  He  has  never  sought  nor 
desired  public  office,  however,  the  only  position  which  he  has  ever  filled  being 
that  of  school  director,  as  which  he  has  served  for  nine  years.  He  has  never 
regretted  the  step  which  he  took  when  he  sought  a  home  in  the  United  States, 
for  here  he  has  found  good  opportunities  for  business  advancement  and  in  their 
utilization  has  won  a  substantial  degree  of  prosperty.  Illinois,  also,  has  found 
in  him  a  valued  citizen  for  he  has  ever  manifested  admirable  traits  of  character 
and  exhibited  a  public-spirited  devotion  to  the  best  interests  of  his  adopted  land. 


:  ;.'. -^':'^'-  ..         "•'•••-••':-"•    DAVID  P.  NILES.    .. /v  .-/..•-:•  i.. •'';'; -'vv'U'^ 

A  well  known  retired  farmer  of  Sparta  township  is  David  P.  Niles,  who  is 
the  oldest  pioneer  in  point  of  years  of  continuous  residence  now  living  in  this 
district.  He  was  born  in  Hillsdale,  Columbia  county.  New  York,  on  October 
20,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Sill  and  Louisa  (Olmstead)  Niles.  The  mother  passed 
away  in  1852,  but  the  father  survived  until  1871,  his  demise  occurring  at  the  age 
of  seventy-six  years.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Thomas  Niles,  who  was  a  vet- 
eran of  the  Revolution,  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  in  connection  with  which 
he  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  native  of  Connecticut  as  was  Steven 
Olmstead,  the  maternal  grandfather.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sill  Niles  num- 
bered eight,  those  beside  our  subject  being  as  follows :  Eliza,  the  wife  of  Charles 
D.  Loomis,  of  Columbia  county.  New  York ;  George  F.,  who  is  deceased ;  Charles 
H.,  deceased,  who  also  was  a  resident  of  Columbia  county ;  Helen  C.,  now  Mrs. 
Kane,  of  Columbia  county;  Martha,  the  widow  of  H.  Ten  Broeck,  of  Columbia 
county ;  and  two  who  died  early  in  life.  ,.;  .; 

In  his  early  boyhood  David  P.  Niles  attended  the  district  schools  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  father's  farm  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education,  subsequently 
giving  his  undivided  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  1856.  He  then 
decided  to  remove  to  the  west  and  three  years  later  became  a  resident  of  Wataga, 


462  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -' .  I     '  , 

making  his  home  with  a  family  by  the  name  of  Smith.  He  purchased  the  old 
Wataga  mill  that  he  successfully  operated  for  seven  years,  when  he  bought  three 
hundred  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  Agriculture  at  that  period  in- 
volved much  more  drudgery  than  at  the  present,  many  tasks,  that  then  required 
days  to  do  by  hand,  now  being  performed  by  the  aid  of  modern  machinery  in 
a  few  hours.  Despite  the  hard  work  and  discouragements  he  encountered, 
Mr.  Niles  p)ersisted  in  his  undertakings  and  eventually  became  one  of  the  largest 
landowners  in  the  county.  In  connection  with  the  operation  of  his  fields  he  made 
a  specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  stock,  both  proving  to  be  most  lucrative  under 
his  capable  direction.  During  the  long  years  of  his  efficient  management  of  his 
affairs,  he  so  intelligently  concentrated  and  directed  his  efforts  that  he  acquired 
a  competence  that  enabled  him  to  retire,  and  he  is  now  renting  his  property 
and  enjoying  the  ease  and  comfort  awarded  the  well  spent  years  of  his  early 
life. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Niles  chose  Miss  Helen  C.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in 
Sweden  in  1849.  Of  this  union  there  was  born  one  child,  who  is  now  deceased. 

During  his  early  years  Mr.  Niles  was  a  whig  but  when  this  party  merged 
into  the  republican  he  gave  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  latter 
body.  Although  he  never  prominently  participated  in  the  political  activities 
of  his  township  he  served  as  road  commissioner,  the  duties  of  which  office  he 
discharged  in  a  highly  creditable  manner.  Mr.  Niles  has  now  p>assed  the  eighty- 
seventh  milestone  on  life's  journey,  but  despite  his  many  years  his  eyesight  is 
remarkably  good  and  his  faculties  as  acute  as  those  of  a  man  years  his  junior. 
He  is  still  able  to  look  after  his  own  business  affairs  and  takes  a  lively  interest 
in  all  public  questions.  During  his  long  period  of  residence  here  he  has  been 
the  interested  observer  of  the  development  of  the  country  as  it  kept  pace  with 
the  progress  of  civilization,  and  many  are  the  interesting  reminiscences  he  relates 
of  the  pioneer  days. 


•  '  JAMES  CHAMPION  McMURTRY,  M.  D. 

Dr.  James  Champion  McMurtry,  a  former  citizen  of  Knox  county  and.  until 
his  death,  devoting  himself  unselfishly  to  the  service  of  others  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  was  bom  in  Crawford  county,  Indiana.  February  3,  1829.  His 
parents  were  William  and  Ruth  (Champion)  McMurtry,  both  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky. He  was  a  descendant  of  ancestors  distinguished  in  the  service  of  their 
country  for  generations.  The  great  grandfather  of  Dr.  McMurtry,  whose  name 
was  John  McMurtry.  was  a  Revolutionary  war  hero,  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Cowpens.  The  father,  William  McMurtry,  was  a  ranger  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war. 

On  November  i.  1829.  the  year  in  which  Dr.  McMurtry  was  born,  his  father 
removed  his  family  to  Knox  county,  Illinois.  Before  this  they  had  resided  in 
Indiana,  where  William  McMurtry  was  active  in  politics  besides  carrying  on 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  served  as  lieutenant  governor  under  Governor  French, 
of  Illinois.  He  was  state  senator  of  Illinois  for  many  years.  Mr.  McMurtry, 
descended  of  French  Huguenot  origin,  was  a  man  of  superior  mental  qualities 


:  /" 


;,;v;    .;-,;:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i  I  V  >•        467 

possessing  an  excellent  education,  and  made  many  friends  through  his  genial 
manner  and  magnetic  personality.  He  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Stephen  A. 
Douglas  and  occupied  a  prominent  position  in  the  democratic  party  in  Illinois 
when  the  political  battle  was  growing  in  intensity  before  the  final  triumph  of 
President  Lincoln  and  the  newborn  republican  party.  Dr.  McMurtry's  father 
was  a  captain  in  the  Sixty-seventh  Regular  Militia  of  Illinois  and  a  colonel  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Second  Volunteer  Infantry  of  Illinois.  In  1846,  he  was 
made  a  member  of  the  Henderson  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Unlike  most  youths  of  his  time  Dr.  McMurtry  had  every  educational  advan- 
tage that  could  prepare  him  adequately  for  the  profession  of  his  choice.  He 
began  with  a  common-school  education,  supplementing  this  by  a  course  at  Knox 
College  and  at  Union  College  in  Schenectady,  New  York.  After  this  liberal  edu- 
cation he  narrowed  down  the  field  of  his  studies  and  devoted  himself  to  medi- 
cine as  his  specialty.  For  this  purpose  he  entered  Rush  Medical  College  of 
Chicago,  from  which  he  received  his  degree.  He  then  returned  to  his  home 
county,  where  he  established  a  practice  for  himself  in  which  he  continued  till 
death  terminated  his  activities.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  practitioners  in  this 
section  of  the  country,  noted  for  his  kindness  in  the  treatment  of  his  patients 
and  for  his  generous  acts  of  charity  towards  those  who  were  less  able  to  meet 
the  heavy  financial  tax  which  illness  entails.  He  was  a  splendid  athlete  devoted 
to  indoor  exercises  and  outdoor  sports,  and  was  modern  in  his  mode  of  living 
and  his  views  of  life.  ;^  ^  ^  ;^  'V  :-  ••  ^-'''.r'^'.'' 

The  marriage  of  Dr.  James  McMurtry  and  Miss  Caroline  Nelson,  of  War- 
ren county,  Illinois,  occurred  June  9,  1855.  Her  parents  were  Andrew  and  Susan 
(Hawley)  Nelson.  Mr.  Nelson  was  a  merchant,  coming  originally  from  Am- 
herst,  Massachusetts.  On  July  3,  1843,  he  settled  in  Henderson,  Knox  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  business. 

Five  children  were  born  to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  McMurtr}'.  James  W.  is  an  attor- 
ney at  law  in  Elk  City,  Oklahoma.  He  is  the  father  of  seven  children.  Franklin 
H.  died  in  infancy.  Susan  H.  lives  on  the  home  farm  in  Henderson  township. 
She  is  a  graduate  of  Knox  College,  of  the  class  of  1886.  Caroline  is  the  wife  of 
H.  B.  Conyers,  a  jeweler  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  and  is  the  mother  of  one  child.  She 
is  also  a  graduate  of  Knox  College,  of  the  class  of  1886.  Mary  is  at  home 
supervising  the  place  and  managing  the  estate.  She,  too,  was  graduated  from 
Knox  College,  in  1886. 

Dr.  McMurtry  died  March  29,  1903.  He  was  well-to-do,  owning  at  the  time 
of  his  death  a  very  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land,  devoted 
to  general  farming.  Fraternally  he  was  connected  with  a  number  of  organiza- 
tions in  which  he  took  an  active 4)art.  He  was  a  member  of  Hiram  Lodge,  No. 
26,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Henderson,  and  was  worshipful  master  for  twenty-two  years. 
In  1855,  he  became  a  member  of  Horeb  Chapter,  No.  4,  R.  A.  M.,  at  Knoxville, 
Illinois.  He  held  the  office  of  grand  pursuivant  in  the  grand  lodge  of  Illinois, 
in  1855,  3^nd  grand  marshal  of  the  grand  lodge  of  Illinois,  from  1880  till  1884. 
He  was  elected  to  all  the  offices  in  the  Grand  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Illinois.  He 
was  chosen  high  priest  in  1877  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  grand  representa- 
tive of  Georgia  in  the  Grand  Chapter  of  Illinois.  Since  1862  he  was  a  member 

of  the  Galesburg  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.  T.        .'.:'•:::•:      '; „.      ..-    -^ 

vdL    n— 21  .,•''•''>   .-;      ,  -'./ ."i:' '':•'.  j.''- •'  •:• 


468  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        V'.:-'.     . 

In  politics  Dr.  McMurtry  was  a  republican.  He  voted  for  Lincoln  for  his 
second  term,  although  he  was  up  to  that  time  a  loyal  democrat.  He  was  a  man 
of  political  influence  and  a  strong  party  leader.  He  was  the  founder  of  the 
Union  League  of  Henderson  township  and  served  as  the  first  president  of  that 
organization.  Large-minded  in  his  convictions  and  of  a  powerful  personality, 
he  possessed  in  a  marked  degree  many  of  the  characteristics  which  distinguished 
his  father  before  him,  clear-sighted  vision,  the  faculty  of  foreseeing  the  con- 
sequences of  a  situation  or  of  an  action  long  before  those  consequences  occurred. 
Among  the  many  residents  of  Knox  county  who  knew  Dr.  McMurtry  intimately 
he  possessed  the  friendship  of  a  large  number  of  people  and  the  warm  regard 
of  all. 


:V:: ;  WILLIAM  S.  CAMERON.   :     .W ;        ;      ; 

William  S.  Cameron,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Galesburg  for  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century,  is  a  prominent  factor  in  industrial  circles  as  the  president 
of  the  Frost  Manufacturing  Company,  to  which  office  he  was  elected  in  1900. 
His  birth  occurred  near  Elgin,  Scotland,  on  the  I7th  of  January,  1864,  his  par- 
ents being  Robert  and  Elspit  (McBeth)  Cameron,  who  were  likewise  natives 
of  that  country.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Alexander  Cameron,  was  also  born 
in  Scotland  and  became  a  mason  contractor.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born 
the  following  children :  William,  John,  Peter,  Robert,  Jane  and  Annie.  William 
McBeth,  the  maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  likewise  a  mason  con- 
tractor and  passed  away  near  Elgin,  Scotland,  when  seventy-eight  years  of 
age.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Ann  (Proctor)  McBeth,  was  seventy-six  years  old  when 
called  to  her  final  rest.  Their  children  were  as  follows :  James,  William,  Robert, 
Jane,  Annie,  Elspit  and  Helen.  -' '  ':^  - '"^'  .••^::  • '•:  ;r  .;! 

Robert  Cameron,  the  father  of  William  S.  Cameron,  grew  to  manhood  in 
the  vicinity  of  Elgin,  Scotland,  and  largely  devoted  his  life  to  general  agricul- 
tural pursuits  throughout  his  active  business  career.  He  lived  retired  for  a 
number  of  years  prior  to  his  demise,  which  occurred  at  Rothes,  on  the  lOth  of 
July,  1911,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  His  wife 
passed  away  in  1871,  when  only  twenty-seven  years  of  age.  Both  were  faith' 
ful  members  of  the  Established  church.  Unto  them  were  born  five  children, 
namely :  William  S.,  of  this  review ;  James,  who  is  a  resident  of  Elgin,  Scotland ; 
Ann,  who  died  in  infancy;  Alexander,  who  died  when  a  young  man  of  twenty- 
one  years ;  and  Nellie,  living  at  Elgin,  Scotland. 

William  S.  Cameron  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  St.  Andrews, 
Lhanbryd  and  Elg^n  and  remained  in  his  native  land  until  nineteen  years  of 
age.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he  served  an  apprenticeship  in  the 
general  contracting  business.  In  1884,  wishing  to  test  the  truth  of  the  many 
favorable  reports  which  he  had  heard  concerning  the  opportunities  and  advan- 
tages of  the  new  world,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States  and  settled 
in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  where  he  has  remained  almost  continuously  since.  He 
was  first  employed  by  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  for 
two  years  and  then  entered  the  service  of  the  Frost  Manufacturing  Company, 


'.HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .'  /-yv  • '      469 


taking  charge  of  the  pattern  department.  In  1900  he  was  chosen  president  of 
the  concern  and  has  remained  its  chief  executive  officer  to  the  present  time. 
The  Frost  Manufacturing  Company  was  established  in  1851  and  has  manu- 
factured principally  engines,  boilers  and  dry  pans.  Its  products  are  sold  in  all 
parts  of  the  United  States  and  a  number  of  foreign  countries.  Three  hundred 
people  are  employed  in  the  plant,  which  consists  of  the  following  departments : 
machine  shop,  boiler  shop,  forge  shop,  foundry,  pattern  shop  and  flange  shop. 
As  the  head  of  this  extensive  and  important  industry  Mr.  Cameron  has  dis- 
played splendid  executive  ability  and  keen  discernment.  Intricate  business  prob- 
lems he  comprehends  with  rare  quickness  and  the  solution  which  he  proposes 
almost  invariably  proves  to  be  the  correct  one. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  1888,  Mr.  Cameron  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret 
S.  Davidson,  a  native  of  Alves,  Scotland,  and  a  daughter  of  Peter  McL.  and 
Margaret  (Bremner)  Davidson,  who  were  likewise  born  in  that  country.  Em- 
igrating to  the  United  States,  they  settled  in  Galesburg,  where  Mrs.  Davidson 
passed  away  in  1909  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years.  Peter  Davidson,  a  con- 
tractor and  builder,  still  survives.  He  was  the  father  of  six  daughters,  namely: 
Margaret,  Isabel,  Elsie,  Grace,  Delia  and  Genevieve.  Samuel  and  EUsie  (Mc- 
Conachie)  Davidson,  the  paternal  grandi>arents  of  Mrs.  Cameron,  had  eig^t 
children:  James,  Samuel,  William,  John,  Peter,  George,  Elsie  and  Jessie.  The 
maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Cameron  had  the  following  children:  Alexander, 
James,  David,  Margaret  and  Annie.  Unto  our  subject  and  his  wife  were  born 
three  children:  Robert  LeRoy,  bom  on  April  13,  1890,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
six  years ;  Margaret  Mae,  born  on  March  27,  1892,  a  graduate  of  the  Galesburg 
high  school,  who  is  now  attending  St.  Mary's  school  at  Knoxville,  Illinois ;  and 
William  Ray,  born  on  December  22,  1897,  a  public  school  student. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Cameron  is  identified  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order 
of  Elks  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  and  Soangetaha  Clubs.  His 
wife  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  They  are  prominent  in 
the  social  circles  of  Galesburg  and  their  own  home  is  a  favorite  resort  with 
many  friends.  Coming  to  the  new  world  in  early  manhood,  Mr.  Cameron  util- 
ized his  opportunities  to  the  best  advantage  and  now  enjoys  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion as  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  esteemed  citizens  of  his  community.  ., 


V.;  '  /;     ;/  .     GEORGE L.  STEPHENSON.  /•  ;  v.^'^;:    '- 

George  L.  Stephenson,  a  representative  of  the  mercantile  interests  of  Knox 

county,  has  a  flourishing  store  at  Oneida  and  has  been  a  prominent  factor  in 

the  political  and  social  life  of  this  community  with  which  he  has  been  identified 

; ,    since   1865.    Born  in  Kirkbright,  Scotland,  October  20,   1838,  he  is  a  son  of 

George  and  Isabella  (McMillan)  Stephenson,  who  left  their  home  in  Scotland, 

in  1850,  for  a  new  one  in  America.    Mr.  Stephenson  was  a  farmer  and  came  to 

;    Illinois  on  account  of  the  excellent  agricultural  opportunities,  settling  in  Copley 

township  where  he  bought  at  the  outset  forty  acres  of  land.    Later  he  increased 

;     his  holdings  by  buying  eighty  acres  more  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 

• ,  •   in  the  cultivation  of  this  land,  death  terminating  his  labors  in  1884.     He  was 


470  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;V 

twice  married,  George  L.  Stephenson  being  a  son  of  his  first  wife,  who  died  in 
1862.     His  second  wife  is  also  deceased. 

George  L.  Stephenson  was  the  sixth  of  a  family  of  eight  children  of  whom 
one  died  in  infancy.  He  received  the  usual  education  available  in  a  country 
school  and  when  able  to  support  himself  took  up  agriculture  until  1863.  He 
then  came  to  Oneida  village,  engaging  in  the  grocery  business  for  two  years, 
which  position  he  gave  up  for  clerking,  remaining,  however,  only  for  a  short 
time  in  this  vocation,  when  he  went  into  another  department  of  the  mercantile 
business  with  C.  F.  Matteson,  who  was  conducting  a  clothing  and  men's  fur- 
nishings establishment.  Three  or  four  years  later  he  saw  his  chance  of  open- 
ing a  profitable  business  on  his  own  account  and  became  the  owner  of  a  general 
store  carrying  dry  goods,  clothing,  men's  furnishings  and  the  usual  stock  in 
trade,  and  he  has  been  properously  engaged  in  this  enterprise  ever  since.  He 
has  also  ably  acted  in  the  capacity  of  auctioneer  for  over  forty  years. 

On  October  26,  1866,  Mr.  Stephenson  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Copley  town- 
ship, to  Miss  Grace  L.  Stewart,  a  native  of  Scotland,  her  father  being  engaged 
in  the  furniture  business  in  Glasgow.  Five  children  were  born  of  this  union:. 
Frank  S.,  a  farmer  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  who  is  married  and  has  five 
children,  three  boys  and  two  girls ;  Milton  J.,  who  is  married  and  employed  as  a 
railroad  man  in  Chicago  and  has  had  a  high-school  education;  Grace,  the  wife 
of  David  N.  Olson,  an  undertaker  and  embalmer,  who  lives  in  Evanston,  Illi- 
nois ;  Jessie,  who  lives  at  home  and  takes  care  of  her  mother ;  and  Harry  H., 
a  graduate  of  Knox  College,  who  died  August  15,  1907. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  L.  Stephenson  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Oneida.  In  his  political  sympathies  Mr.  Stephenson  votes  with  the  republi- 
cans and,  his  townspeople  recognizing  in  him  a  citizen  well  qualified  to  hold  public 
office,  have  called  him  to  serve  again  and  again.  He  was  mayor  of  the  village 
for  ten  years,  and  acted  on  the  council  for  a  number  of  years,  while  he  filled 
the  position  of  town  supervisor  for  seventeen  years,  during  ten  of  which  he 
presided  as  chairman.  He  is  active  in  the  Masonic  order,  being  a  member  of 
the  Oneida  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Chapter, 
but  withdrew  from  there  and  helped  organize  the  Oneida  chapter.  He  is  an 
ardent  worker  in  the  Galesburg  Commandery,  and  is  associated  with  the  Medinah 
Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  at  Chicago.  Mr.  Stephenson  is  a  man  of  strong 
personality  and  has  a  gift  for  making  friends,  in  whose  aflfections  he  holds  a  high 
place  and  by  whom  he  is  regarded  as  a  man  of  absolute  integrity. 


j  ALBFRT  L.  SQUIRES.          .;:;    - 

For  more  than  forty  years  Albert  L.  Squires  has  been  associated  with  agri- 
cultural interests  in  Knox  county.  He  was  born  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1845,  his  parents  being  Ira  and  Caroline  (Stewart)  Squires.  Passing 
his  boyhood  in  his  native  land,  he  was  scarcely  out  of  school,  when  he  was 
fired  with  enthusiasm  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  and  enlisted  in  Ashtabula 
county,  Ohio,  with  Company  I,  Twenty-ninth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth  Corps,  Second  Division,  sen'ing  under  General 


//;;'•;;,;::  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^     •  :•  ;;r^ ' 

Hooker,  for  three  years.  His  company,  of  which  James  J.  Smith  was  the  cap- 
tain, fought  with  General  Meade  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  in  1865,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio, 
assisting  with  the  work  of  the  fields  for  several  years.  In  1868  he  came  to 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  to  visit  his  sister,  Mrs.  Alexander  Gehring.  Being  pleased 
with  the  agricultural  prospects  in  Knox  county,  he  remained  here  and  engaged 
in  farming,  which  he  has  pursued  ever  since. 

In  1865  Mr.  Squires  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jane  Howland,  a 
daughter  of  Fred  Howland,  originally  from  Connecticut,  but  later  a  resident  of 
Ohio.  Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Squires.  Mary  Luella,  residing 
in  Cherry  Valley,  Ohio,  is  the  wife  of  David  Robinson,  a  farmer,  and  has  eight 
children.  Kate,  a  resident  of  Niles,  Ohio,  is  the  wife  of  George  Champlain, 
a  carpenter,  and  has  seven  children.  The  wife  of  Mr.  Squires  i>assed  away  in 
1908,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  .Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  of  Wataga,  Illinois.  Fraternally  he  is  associated  with  Lodge  No. 
589,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Wataga,  and  J.  D.  Shields  Post,  No.  45,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Gales- 
burg.  Ever  faithful  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  he  has  found  much  enjoy- 
ment in  his  work  and  in  the  pleasant  home  of  his  sister,  .Mrs.  Gehring,  he  passes 
his  life  quietly  and  with  contentment  of  spirit.  ;  ,  s  ,..-;, 


V  •  ;-:  JOHN  MAGNUS  APPLEGREN.  ••.          '-;;.. : 

John  Magnus  Applegren,  who  has  long  been  successfully  identified  with  the 
commercial  activities  of  Wataga.  was  born  in  Alfta,  Gefieborg  Laen,  Sweden, 
on  October  lo,  1848.  His  father,  Johann  Frederick  Applegren,  was  born  on 
the  loth  of  August,  1826,  was  one  of  the  prominent  and  well  known  men  in  his 
province.  All  his  life  he  was  connected  with  the  op>eration  of  a  tannery  on 
his  ancestral  estate,  where  he  was  living  when  he  passed  away  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five  years.  He  organized  in  his  native  town  an  insurance  company  of 
which  he  was  secretary  for  forty-five  years,  and  upon  his  retirement  was  pre- 
sented by  the  members  of  the  company  and  the  policyholders  with  a  loving 
cup  valued  at  one  thousand  dollars.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church 
and  a  representative  of  the  government  for  his  province.  He  was  married 
three  times,  his  first  union  being  with  Miss  Elizabeth  Lunn,  a  daughter  of  J. 
Lunn,  an  officer  in  the  Swedish  army.  She  passed  away  in  1851,  leaving  two 
children :  John  Magnus,  our  subject ;  and  Peter  Fred  Applegren.  For  his  sec- 
ond wife  Mr.  Applegren  chose  Miss  Karen  Johnson,  who  died  in  1858.  Of 
this  union  there  was  born  one  son,  Andrew  Gustave,  a  wholesale  merchant  in 
Sweden.  Mr.  Applegren's  next  marriage  was  with  Miss  Anna  Elizabeth  Sorl- 
ing,  and  unto  them  were  born  four  children :  Anna,  Johanna,  Breta  and  Maria, 
all  of  whom  are  residents  of  Sweden.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  sub- 
ject were  Johann  Magnus  and  Margaret  Applegren.  The  former,  who  was  a 
native  of  Falun.  Sweden,  passed  away  in  1854  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years,  but 
his  wife,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1797,  lived  until  1887.  He  was  the  founder 
of  the  large  tannery  on  his  estate,  which  is  still  owned  and  operated  by  the 
family.  .•.::'.  :•.•.•..•:.•.  --.  .•.:.-.'.•.'.-•.  ,\.  :.;;::-,•  v  .•  v-- --v.  ••-/--  .  .:,'•  ••:.-•,--• 


472  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v  •  : 

The  school  days  of  John  Magnus  Ap^legren,  who  was  reared  at  home,  were 
terminated  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  when  he  was  sent  out  by  his  father  to 
buy  and  trade  leather  and  hides.  Later  he  assisted  in  the  general  store  main- 
tained and  conducted  for  the  benefit  of  the  employes  of  their  factory,  serving 
in  this  capacity  until  he  was  nineteen  when  he  took  passage  for  America.  Upon 
his  arrival  in  this  country  he  made  his  way  inland  to  Wataga,  and  here  engaged 
in  farming  until  1874,  when  he  entered  the  store  of  H.  P.  Woods.  He  remained 
there  for  ten  years  and  then  went  to  work  in  the  railway  carshops,  but  after 
following  this  for  two  years  returned  to  his  former  employment.  After  being 
identified  with  this  business  for  another  decade  he  made  a  trip  to  Sweden  and 
upon  his  return  together  with  a  Mr.  Sundberg  bought  a  mercantile  establish- 
ment in  Wataga.  This  connection  continued  until  1902,  when  Mr.  Applegren 
bought  his  partner's  interest  and  took  his  son  into  the  business. 

In  1874  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  -Mr.  Applegren  to  Miss  Mary  Peter- 
son, who  was  born  on  the  I5th  of  April,  1853,  a  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Christina 
(Hedman)  Peterson,  the  father  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county, 
where  for  many  years  he  engaged  in  farming.  Both  parents  are  now  deceased, 
the  mother  having  passed  away  in  1904.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Applegren  there  has  been  born  one  son,  Fred,  whose  birth  occurred  on  May 
2,  1875.  He  is  unmarried  and  has  been  associated  in  business  with  his  father 
for  nine  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order,  being  a  member  of  Wataga 
Lodge,  No.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  was  secretary  in  1910,  and  he  is 
also  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  Camp,  No.  3229,  Wataga, 
and  served  several  years  as  clerk  of  the  local  order. 

Mr.  Applegren  gives  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
democratic  party,  the  policy  of  which  he  fully  endorses,  but  he  has  never  been 
an  office  seeker,  always  having  preferred  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  the 
development  of  his  personal  interests,  in  which  he  has  met  with  a  goodly  degree 
of  success.  .  .  •/ -  •  ...  ;•;•:-;;-.  :;.-•-. 


-•'  :..v;:v;-.-'  AMES  A.   BARLOW,     v' •^;^V^.'V\ ..;-•;;;':-:'".:; 

Ames  A.  Barlow  has  become  well  known  in  real-estate  circles  in  Galesburg, 
handling  both  city  and  farm  property.  His  intellect  early  grasped  the  eternal 
truth  that  industry  wins,  and  industry  became  the  beacon  light  of  his  life.  It 
has  prompted  him  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted  with  every  phase  of  the 
business  in  which  he  engages  and  to  have  a  knowledge  of  all  the  property  that 
is  upon  the  market  and  the  valuation  thereof.  Because  he  has  done  this  he  has 
been  enabled  to  negotiate  many  important  realty  transfers  and  now  has  a  large 
and  gratifying  clientage. 

Mr.  Barlow  is  a  native  of  Lafayette,  Stark  county,  Illinois,  bom  February 
25,  1857,  although  he  has  lived  in  Knox  county  ever  since  he  was  three  years 
old.  His  parents  were  Gideon  A.  and  Martha  B.  (Peterson)  Barlow.  The 
father  was  born  in  Sullivan  county.  New  York,  July  i8,  1833,  while  the  mother's 
birth  occurred  in  Sweden,  October  8,  1837.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Nathan 
Barlow,  who  was  likewise  born  in  the  Empire  state  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 


AMES  A.   BARLOW 


472  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

The  school  days  of  John  Magnus  Applegren,  who  was  reared  at  home,  were 
terminated  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  when  he  was  sent  out  by  his  father  to 
buy  and  trade  leather  and  hides.  Later  he  assisted  in  the  general  store  main- 
tained and  conducted  for  the  benefit  of  the  employes  of  their  factory,  serving 
in  this  capacity  until  he  was  nineteen  when  he  took  passage  for  America.  Upon 
his  arrival  in  this  country  he  made  his  way  inland  to  VVataga,  and  here  engaged 
in  farming  until  1874,  when  he  entered  the  store  of  H.  P.  Woods.  He  remained 
there  for  ten  years  and  then  went  to  work  in  the  railway  carshops,  but  after 
following  this  for  two  years  returned  to  his  former  employment.  After  being 
identified  with  this  business  for  another  decade  he  made  a  trip  to  Sweden  and 
upon  his  return  together  with  a  Mr.  Sundberg  bought  a  mercantile  establish- 
ment in  Wataga.  This  connection  continued  until  1902,  when  Mr.  Applegren 
bought  his  partner's  interest  and  took  his  son  into  the  business. 

In  1874  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Applegren  to  Miss  Mary  Peter- 
son, who  was  born  on  the  i5th  of  April,  1853,  ^  daughter  of  Jonas  and  Christina 
(Hedman)  Peterson,  the  father  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county, 
where  for  many  years  he  engaged  in  farming.  Both  parents  are  now  deceased, 
the  mother  having  passed  away  in  1904.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Applegren  there  has  been  born  one  son,  Fred,  whose  birth  occurred  on  May 
2,  1875.  He  is  unmarried  and  has  been  associated  in  business  with  his  father 
for  nine  years.  He  belongs  to  the  ^Masonic  order,  being  a  member  of  Wataga 
Lodge,  Xo.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  'M.,  of  which  he  was  secretary  in  1910.  and  he  is 
also  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  Camp,  Xo.  3229,  Wataga, 
and  served  several  years  as  clerk  of  the  local  order. 

Mr.  Applegren  gives  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
democratic  party,  the  policy  of  which  he  fully  endorses,  but  he  has  never  been 
an  office  seeker,  always  having  preferred  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  the 
development  of  his  personal  interests,  in  which  he  has  met  with  a  goodly  degree 
of  success. 


V  AMES   A.   BARLOW.  • 

Ames  A.  I'.arlou-  has  become  well  known  in  real-estate  circles  in  Galesburg, 
handling  both  city  and  farm  property.  His  intellect  early  grasped  the  eternal 
truth  that  industry  wins,  and  industry  became  the  beacon  light  of  his  life.  It 
has  i)romptecl  him  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted  with  every  phase  of  the 
business  in  which  lie  engages  and  to  have  a  knowledge  of  all  the  ])roperty  that 
is  upon  the  market  and  the  valuation  thereof.  P.ecause  he  has  done  this  he  has 
been  enabled  to  negotiate  many  important  realty  transfers  and  now  has  a  large 
and  gratifying  clientage. 

Mr.  P.arlow  is  a  native  of  Lafayette,  Stark  county.  Illinois,  bom  February 
25,  1857.  although  he  has  lived  in  Knox  county  ever  since  he  was  three  years 
old.  His  parents  were  Gideon  A.  and  Martha  B.  (Peterson)  Barlow.  The 
fatlier  was  born  in  Sullivan  county,  Xew  York,  July  i8,  1833,  while  the  mother's 
birth  occurred  in  Sweden,  October  8.  1837.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Xathan 
Barlow,  who  was  likewise  born  in  the  Empire  state  and  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 


AMKS  A.    BAIILOXV 


:     . :  ^  'n-;. .     ;, ;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -:  -  476 

tion.  In  the  year  1844  he  removed  westward  with  his  family,  establishing^  his 
home  in  Illinois  when  his  son  Gideon  was  but  eleven  years  of  age.  The  latter 
worked  on  his  father's  farm  through  the  period  of  his  minority  and  afterward 
took  up  the  same  line  of  business  on  his  own  account,  following  that  occupation 
until  he  retired,  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death.  He  worked  diligently  and  per- 
sistently to  cultivate  his  fields  and  make  them  productive  and  in  time  they  returned 
to  him  a  substantial  competence.  He  passed  away,  December  lo,  1898,  in  Galva, 
Illinois,  where  his  widow  is  still  living.  There  he  was  recognized  as  a  valued 
and  representative  citizen  and  enjoyed  the  respect  and  good-will  of  all  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact.  In  politics  he  was  always  a  republican  for  he  came  to  his 
majority  about  the  time  that  the  republican  party  sprang  into  existence.  He  filled 
a  number  of  township  offices  and  in  all  connections  of  vital  interest  to  the  com- 
munity manifested  a  public-spirited  devotion  to  the  general  good.  He  was  a 
member  and  trustee  of  the  Baptist  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  They 
were  married  on  the  2Oth  of  May,  1856,  and  became  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren :  Ames  A.,  Frederick  W.  and  Gideon  B.,  who  are  residents  of  Galva ;  Ada 
L.,  the  wife  of  John  W.  Swickard,  of  Galesburg;  Edgar  Sherman,  who  is  living 
in  Kewanee,  Illinois ;  John  F.,  a  resident  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri ;  Forest  S. 
and  Lewis  W.,  both  of  Galva. 

Ames  A.  Barlow  pursued  his  education  jn  the  Galva  schools  and  after  he 
had  finished  the  high-school  course  there,  pursued  a  commercial  course  in  Daven- 
port, Iowa.  He  then  became  an  active  factor  in  the  further  development  and 
improvement  of  his  father's  farm  and  so  continued  until  the  2d  of  December, 
1902,  when  he  entered  the  county  treasurer's  office  to  serve  for  a  period  of  four 
years.  He  proved  a  faithful  custodian  of  the  public  funds,  carefully  and  syste- 
matically discharging  the  duties  of  his  position,  and  upon  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  office  he  received  the  commendation  of  all  concerned.  He  then  began 
operating  in  the  field  of  real  estate,  in  which  he  still  continues,  handling  both 
city  property  and  farm  lands,  together  with  realty  in  Florida.  He  brings  to 
bear  a  most  enterprising  and  progressive  spirit  and  is  largely  regarded  as  an 
authority  upon  anything  pertaining  to  real  estate  in  Knox  county. 

On  the  I7th  of  August,  1879,  Mr.  Barlow  was  married  to  Miss  Celinda  S. 
Hathaway,  a  daughter  of  Arthur  F.  and  Jane  (Mowatt)  Hathaway,  of  Galva. 
Her  father  was  a  native  of  Salem,  Massachusetts,  born  October  21,  1821,  and  her 
mother's  birth  occurred  in  Montreal,  Canada,  Mr.  Hathaway  became  a  lumber 
dealer  of  Galva,  where  he  took  up  his  abode  in  185^,  remaining  actively  in  busi- 
ness there  until  he  retired,  about  twenty  years  prior  to  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred on  the  8th  of  August,  1894.  He  had  for  two  years  survived  his  wife,  who 
died  in  1892.  He  voted  with  the  republican  party  and  served  as  supervisor  and 
in  other  township  offices ;  but  whether  in  office  or  out  of  it  he  was  always  loyal 
to  the  best  interests  of  the  community  and  gave  his  active  cooperation  to  many 
projects  for  the  general  gtx)d.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  four  children : 
Mrs.  Barlow,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Galva,  July  lo,  1856;  Abbie,  who  was 
born  November  i6,  1860,  in  Galva,  where  she  is  still  living;  Jeptha  B.,  born  in  ' 
Galva,  March  23,  1863 ;  and  Jennie,  born  in  Galva,  October  5,  1865.  The  two 
younger  daughters  are  still  residents  of  their  native  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bar- 
low are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Lawrence  W.,  who  was  born  in  Galva, 
I>ecember  14,  1880,  resides  in  Galesburg  and  is  married  and  has  one  daughter, 


476  V::  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^':J:;/•:  ^' -I    ;;;;: 

Grace.  Mabel  M.,  born  in  Galva,  April  i,  1883,  is  the  wife  of  S.  R.  Scott,  of 
Galesburg,  and  has  two  children,  Maxine  and  Genevieve ;  Abbie  A.,  born  in 
Galva,  July  24,  1894,  is  yet  at  home  with  her  parents.  .  ;.'  •  j  '.  > 

Politically  Mr.  Barlow  is  a  republican,  having  continuously  supported  the 
party  since  attaining  his  majority.  The  only  office  he  has  held  for  many  years 
was  that  of  county  supervisor  and  he  is  never  remiss  in  the  duties  of  citizenship 
and  when  his  aid  and  cooperation  are  sought  for  the  benefit  of  the  community 
they  are  freely  given.  He  has  attained  high  rank  in  Masonry,  being  a  member 
of  the  Knight  Templar  Commandery,  the  Woodmen  and  the  Elks  Lodges.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Elks  Qub  and  of  the  Galesburg  Club,  and  is  ever  appre- 
ciative of  the  social  amenities  of  life.  In  manner  he  is  genial  and  cordial  and 
his  many  attractive  qualities  have  won  for  him  an  extensive  circle  of  warm 
friends. 


-        -'^  ••:\  \  ALBERT  CHESTER  KEENER,  M.  D.'      :  /:.     -V 

Dr.  Albert  Chester  Keener  has  become  well  known  because  of  his  con- 
nection with  educational  interests  in  central  Illinois  and  his  present  connection 
with  the  medical  profession  as  a  practitioner  at  Altona.  He  was  born  July  23, 
1873,  in  Biggsville,  Henderson  county,  this  state,  and  represents  one  of  the 
old  families  of  this  section.  His  grandfather  was  Marton  Keener,  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Meyers  and  came  with  his  family  to  Illinois  in  1868,  settling  near 
Biggsville,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  His  son,  James  T. 
Keener,  the  father  of  the  Doctor,  was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
in  his  boyhood  days  devoted  his  time  to  the  acquirement  of  an  education  in  the 
country  schools  in  his  native  state  and  also  to  the  work  of  the  fields  on  the 
home  farm.  During  the  period  of  the  Civil  war  he  drove  a  team  on  the  canal 
near  the  Susquehanna  river,  being  thus  employed  until  the  removal  of  the 
family  to  Illinois.  His  wages  were  four  dollars  per  month  and  he  frequently 
tells  interesting  tales  of  how  he  rode  the  mules  many  a  night  upon  the  tow 
path.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  this  state  in  1868  and  in  early  manhood 
learned  the  plasterer's  trade  which  he  followed  for  a  time,  but  afterward  re- 
turned to  the  occupation  of  farming  which  he  followed  until  his  labors  had 
brought  to  him  a  substantial  competence  that  he  regarded  as  sufficient  to  supply 
him  with  the  necessities  and  comforts  of  life  throughout  his  remaining  days. 
He  then  retired  and  is  now  living  in  Biggsville  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  He 
married  Eliza  Jane  Edwards,  who  is  now  fifty-six  years  of  age.  In  their  family 
were  five  children :  Charles  Lester,  a  resident  of  South  Dakota ;  Mary  Blanch. 
the  wife  of  P.  Stevenson,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois ;  John  Creston,  living  on  the 
home  farm ;  and  Maud,  who  is  with  her  parents. 

The  other  member  of  the  family  is  Dr.  Keener,  of  this  review,  who  in  his 
boyhood  days  attended  school  in  Biggsville,  Illinois,  and  afterward  took  up  the 
profession  of  teaching,  which  he  followed  for  eight  years  and  three  months 
following  his  graduation  at  Biggsville.  He  proved  a  capable  educator  and 
made  steady  progress  in  this  profession  until  his  ability  was  recognized  and 
he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools.  His  election  furthermore  was 


^  ^^;C,  :^  C^ ,  ;•  .;  5  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          -yc    .;     477 

a  notable  compliment  as  he  is  the  only  democrat  that  has  been  elected  to  this 
office  in  Henderson  county,  a  fact  which  indicates  his  personal  popularity  and 
the  confidence  reposed  in  him.  He  filled  the  office  for  four  years  but  two 
months  before  the  close  of  his  term  he  entered  the  Northwestern  University 
Medical  School  at  Chicago,  having  determined  to  engage  in  practice  as  a  life 
work.  There  he  pursued  a  four  years'  course  and  was  graduated  in  June, 
1910,  being  president  of  his  class  in  the  senior  "year.  In  September  of  the  same 
year  he  removed  to  Tower  Hill  where  he  entered  upon  the  active  practice  of 
his  profession  but  in  the  following  March  bought  out  the  practice  of  Dr.  J.  H. 
Conwell,  of  Altona,  where  he  is  now  located  and  is  well  established  in  his 
chosen  life  work. 

On  the  loth  of  June,  1896,  Dr.  Keener  was  married  to  Miss  Nannie  Magee, 
who  was  born  in  Henderson  county,  Illinois,  February  12,  1873.  They  have  be- 
come parents  of  two  children.  Alberta  Faye  and  Darcy  Dale,  aged  respectively 
fourteen  and  eleven  years.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Altona  and  are  well  known  socially  in  the  town,  having  gained  many  warm 
friends  during  the  brief  period  of  their  residence  here.  Dr.  Keener  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  lodge  at  Carman,  Illinois,  and  formerly  to  the  Woodman  camp  at 
Biggsville  but  has  transfered  his  membership  to  Altona.  He  was  also  iden- 
tified  with  the  Mystic  Workers  at  Biggsville  and  his  political  support  is  given 
to  the  democratic  party.  He  holds  membership  with  the  Phi  Qii  fraternity  and 
belongs  also  to  the  County  Medical  and  State  Medical  Societies.  Through  the 
proceedings  of  those  bodies  as  well  as  by  private  reading  and  study  he  keeps 
in  touch  with  the  advanced  work  being  done  by  the  medical  profession  and  in 
his  private  practice  he  holds  to  high  ideals,  performing  his  work  with  a  sense 
of  conscientious  obligation. 


/"•;•  .••;  '  -  ;;./.o:  •;;•.,:•;.:.  ANDREW  RYLANDER.   :'    v.' '  --/:-^  ^^-^^' •---;• 

Andrew  Rylander,  who  is  an  enterprising  farmer  of  Ontario  township,  was 
bom  in  Sweden,  September  19,  1862.  His  parents  were  Johanas  and  Clara 
(Johnson)  Johnson,  who  spent  all  their  lives  in  their  native  country,  where  the 
father  was  engaged  in  farming.  They  were  zealous  members  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church.  The  father  died  in  1899  and  the  mother  in  1903. 

Andrew  Rylander  was  reared  and  received  a  common-school  education  in 
his  native  country  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  began  working  on  a  farm  there, 
where  he  remained  until  1882.  At  that  date  he  came  to  America  and  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  located  in  Knox  county,  where  he  was  employed  on  a  farm 
for  eight  years.  In  1890  he  rented  a  place  in  Ontario  township  and  engaged 
in  farming  it  for  eighteen  years.  In  1905  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty-seven  acres  and  moved  on  it  in  1908.  He  engages  in  general 
farming  and  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  hogs  and  cattle. 

On  the  1 5th  of  January,  1897,  Mr.  Rylander  wedded  Miss  Jennie  Holcomb, 
who  was  brought  from  Sweden  to  America  in  1869  by  her  parents,  Haukin 
and  Elsie  (Martin)  Holcomb,  both  natives  of  Blekinge,  Sweden,  when  she  was 
SIX  years  of  age.  The  parents  located  in  Knox  county,  where  they  later  pur- 


478  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

chased  a  farm  and  where  the  father  died  in  1884.  The  mother  is  now  living 
with  a  daughter  in  Kansas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rylander  have  become  the  parents 
of  three  children,  all  of  whom  are  residing  at  home.  They  are:  Clell  V.,  who 
was  graduated  from  a  business  college ;  Floyd  E. ;  and  Carl  Milo. 

In  politics  Mr.  Rylander  is  a  republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  member  of 
Oneida  Lodge,  No.  555,  M.  W.  A.  He  is  greatly  interested  in  the  cause  of 
education  and  has  served  as  school  trustee  for  six  years.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Altona.  He  possesses  keen  discernment 
and  in  the  years  of  his  residence  in  EJIOX  county  has  gained  a  handsome  meas- 
ure of  success,  placing  him  with  the  prosperous  farmers  in  this  portion  of  the 
state. 


,.   ri^-V'-  GEORGE  GARDNER  STEARNS.      :^' '•/..' •^^^••, 

George  G.  Stearns,  deceased,  was  for  some  time  connected  with  the  agricul- 
tural interests  of  Knox  county,  but  prior  to  his  death  retired  from  business, 
spending  the  evening  of  his  life  in  well  earned  rest.  He  was  bom  in  Conway, 
Massachusetts,  February  9,  1836,  a  son  of  George  and  Fannie  (Arms)  Steams,- 
who  were  also  natives  of  Conway  and  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  east  where 
the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  thus  provided  a  good  living 
for  his  family.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  consistent  and  faithful  members  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  his  political  indorsement  was  given  to  the  republican 
party.  In  their  family  were  seven  children:  Isabelle,  George  G.  and  Henry,  all 
now  deceased ;  Clara,  the  wife  of  Tyler  Harding,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa ;  Harriet, 
who  has  also  passed  away ;  Fannie,  who  married  John  Holcomb,  of  Conway, 
Massachusetts ;  and  Jennie,  deceased. 

In  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town  George  G.  Stearns  pursued  his  educa- 
tion and  was  reared  to  the  work  of  the  farm,  early  becoming  familiar  with  all 
the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist.  On  leaving  New 
England  he  removed  westward  to  Indiana,  where  he  lived  for  a  year,  and  in  1858 
came  to  Knox  county,  turning  his  attention  to  farming  in  the  vicinity  of  Knox- 
ville.  There  he  resided  until  i86i,  when  his  patriotic  spirit  was  aroused  by  the 
attempt  of  the  south  to  overthrow  the  Union  and  he  joined  the  army,  enlisting 
as  a  private  in  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry,  with  which  he  served  for  four  years. 
He  was  then  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  captain  of  Company  A,  of  the 
Seventy-seventh  Illinois  Infantry.  He  had  served  for  one  year  as  orderly  ser- 
geant and  was  captured  and  for  nine  months  was  held  as  a  prisoner  of  war. 
His  valor  and  courage  won  him  promotion  until  he  was  given  command  of  the 
company  and  as  its  head  his  personal  bravery  inspired  and  encouraged  the  men 
who  served  under  him.  When  the  war  was  over  he  resumed  the  pursuits  of 
private  life  and  once  more  engaged  in  farming,  continuously  following  that  pur- 
suit until  about  twelve  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  retired  to  private  life 
and  made  his  home  in  Knoxville.  He  always  gave  stalwart  support  to  the  re- 
publican party  which  was  the  defense  of  the  Union  during  the  dark  days  of  the 
Civil  war  and  which  he  ever  believed  to  be  the  party  of  reform  and  progress. 
He  held  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  thus  maintained 


GEORGE  G.  STEARXS 


478  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

chased  a  farm  and  where  the  father  died  in  1884.  The  mother  is  now  living 
with  a  daughter  in  Kansas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rylander  have  become  the  parents 
of  three  children,  all  of  whom  are  residing  at  home.  They  are:  Clell  V.,  who 
was  graduated  from  a  business  college ;  Floyd  E. ;  and  Carl  Milo.  [  . 

In  politics  Mr.  Rylander  is  a  republican,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  member  of 
Oneida  Lodge.  Xo.  555,  M.  W.  A.  He  is  greatly  interested  in  the  cause  of 
education  and  has  served  as  school  trustee  for  six  years.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Altona.  He  possesses  keen  discernment 
and  in  the  years  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county  has  gained  a  handsome  meas- 
ure of  success,  placing  him  with  the  prosperous  farmers  in  this  portion  of  the 
state. 


GEORGE  GARDXER  STEARXS.        '          .'     . 

George  G.  Stearns,  decease<l,  was  for  some  time  connected  with  the  agricul- 
tural interests  of  Knox  county,  but  prior  to  his  death  retired  from  business, 
spending  the  evening  of  his  life  in  well  earned  rest.  He  was  born  in  Conway, 
^Massachusetts,  February  9,  1836,  a  son  of  George  and  Fannie  (Arms)  Stearns,- 
who  were  also  natives  of  Conway  and  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  east  where 
the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  thus  provided  a  good  living 
for  his  family.  Pioth  he  and  his  wife  were  consistent  and  faithful  members  of 
the  liaptist  church  and  his  political  indorsement  was  given  to  the  republican 
party.  In  their  family  were  seven  children :  Isabelle,  George  G.  and  Henry,  all 
now  deceased :  Clara,  the  wife  of  Tyler  Harding,  of  Des  Moines.  Iowa :  Harriet, 
who  has  also  passed  away ;  Fannie,  who  married  John  Holcomb.  of  Conway, 
Massachusetts ;  and  Jennie,  deceased. 

In  the  public  schools  of  his  native  town  George  G.  Steams  pursued  his  educa- 
tion and  was  reared  to  the  work  of  the  farm,  early  becoming  familiar  with  all 
the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist.  On  leaving  Xew 
England  he  removed  westward  to  Indiana,  where  he  lived  for  a  year,  and  in  1858 
came  to  Knox  county,  turning  his  attention  to  farming  in  the  vicinity  of  Knox- 
ville.  There  he  resided  until  i86i,  when  his  patriotic  spirit  was  aroused  by  the 
attempt  of  the  south  to  overthrow  the  Union  and  he  joined  the  army,  enlisting 
as  a  private  in  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry,  with  which  he  served  for  four  years. 
He  was  then  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  captain  of  Company  A.  of  the 
Seventy-seventh  Illinois  Infantry.  He  had  served  for  one  year  as  orderly  ser- 
geant and  was  captured  and  for  nine  months  was  held  as  a  prisoner  of  war. 
His  valor  and  courage  won  him  promotion  until  he  was  given  command  of  the 
company  and  as  its  head  his  personal  bravery  inspired  and  encouraged  the  men 
who  served  under  him.  When  the  war  was  over  he  resumed  the  pursuits  of 
private  life  and  once  more  engaged  in  farming,  continuously  following  that  f)ur- 
suit  until  about  twelve  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  retired  to  private  life 
and  made  his  home  in  Knoxville.  He  always  gave  stalwart  support  to  the  re- 
publican party  which  was  the  defense  of  the  L'nion  during  the  dark  days  of  the 
Civil  war  and  which  he  ever  believed  to  be  the  party  of  reform  and  progress. 
He  held  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  thus  maintained 


(;i-:oi!(;K  c;.  STKAKNS 


^i:\-^:-':y^-,^^^^^^^  HISTORY.  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :    .  /  :'''f:.:,-^-'"       481 

pleasant  relations  with  the  boys  in  blue.  He  was  also  an  exemplary  representa- 
tive of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  his  religious  faith  was  evidenced  in  his  mem- 
bership in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  died  August  8,  1898,  and  in  1906  his 
widow  removed  to  Galesburg,  where  she  still  lives. 

It  was  on  the  2d  of  October,  1865,  soon  after  his  return  from  the  war,  that 
Mr.  Stearns  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  Runkle,  a  daughter  of  Eldirt 
and  Nancy  (Bowen)  Runkle,  of  Knoxville,  who  were  natives  of  New  York  and 
were  married  in  the  Empire  state.  Her  father  was  a  mill  man  by  occupation  and 
came  to  the  west  when  this  region  was  still  a  pioneer  district,  settling  at  Knox- 
ville in  1835.  There  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  June,  1865,  and  during  the  intervening  period  of  thirty 
years  his  labors  constituted  an  element  in  the  substantial  development  and  prog- 
ress of  the  locality  in  which  he  lived.  He  was  a  republican  in  his  political  views 
and  in  his  religious  faith  was  a  Presbyterian.  His  wife  long  survived  him  and 
died  in  October,  1890,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-one  years.  In  their  family 
were  six  children  but  only  Mrs.  Stearns,  who  was  born  in  Knoxville,  is  now 
living.  She  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  were  Elizabeth,  James, 
Mary  H.,  George  and  Frank. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stearns  there  were  born  five  children,  namely:  George  E., 
of  Olympia,  Washington;  Arthur  D.,  residing  in  Galesburg;  Fred  R.,  of  Omaha. 
Nebraska;  Fannie,  the  wife  of  Henry  Carl,  of  Hatfield,  Massachusetts;  and 
Mary,  who  married  Fred  Holloway,  their  residence  being  at  997  North  Broad 
street,  Galesburg.  '  Mr.  Stearns  was  nearly  sixty-two  years  of  age  when  called 
to  his  final  rest.  He  had  lived  an  active,  -busy  and  useful  life  and  his  death  was 
the  occasion  of  deep  regret  to  many  who  knew  him  as  well  as  to  his  immediate 
family.  He  was  always  reliable  in  business  affairs  and  straightforward  in  his 
dealings  and  in  matters  of  citizenship  he  was  as  true  and  loyal  to  his  country 
as  when  he  followed  the  old  flag  upon  the  battle  fields  of  the  south. 


:;:^   ,;.•;:     FRANK  c.  HOPKINS.    ::    :        '-.'  V:  -^L  . 

Frank  C.  Hopkins  is  well  known  as  a  representative  of  the  grain  trade  in 
Knox  county,  being  manager  of  the  Altona  Grain  Company.  He  was  bom 
January  12,  1885,  in  the  town  which  is  still  his  home,  and  is  a  representative 
of  one  of  the  old  families  of  the  county,  his  grandmother,  Mrs.  Samuel  Hopkins, 
having  been  one  of  the  first  hotel  proprietors  of  Altona.  His  father,  Samuel 
Hopkins,  resided  in  Altona  for  many  years  and  in  early  life  engaged  in  team- 
ing but  afterward  became  connected  with  grain  buying.  At  one  time  he  was  em- 
ployed in  connection  with  the  elevator  at  this  place  and  for  fifteen  years  was 
very  prominent  as  a  grain  merchant,  conducting  a  large  and  profitable  business. 
He  figured  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  town  by  reason  of  the  extent 
and  importance  of  his  business  activities  and  connections.  He  married  Harriet 
Pierce,  a  daughter  of  D.  A.  and  Sylva  Pierce.  She  had  been  previously  mar- 
ried, however,  and  by  her  first  union  had  one  child.  Lulu,  now  the  wife  of 
Harry  Gehring,  a  resident  fanner  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  and  the  mother 
of  one  child,  Mary  Frances  Gehring.  By  her  second  marriage  Mrs.  Hopkins 


^^''  :•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX-COUNTY  x       ' 

became  the  mother  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  yet  living,  namely:  Frank, 
Mabel,  Ermma  and  Blanch,  at  home ;  Arthur,  who  is  following  the  painter's 
trade  in  Altona;  and  Earl,  who  is  engaged  in  clerking  in  Altona.  The  father 
died  in  1905  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years  ancl  the  community  lost  a  valued 
and  representative  citizen  and  business  man  and  the  family  a  devoted  husband 
and  father.  Mrs.  Hopkins  now  makes  her  home  with  her  son  Frank  C.  and  is 
forty-six  years  of  age. 

Frank  C.  Hopkins  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  of  Altona  through  much 
of  the  period  of  his  youth,  and  started  out  in  the  business  world  as  a  clerk  in 
his  native  town,  being  employed  in  connection  with  hardware  and  grocery  stores 
for  ten  years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  grain  trade,  becoming  a 
buyer  for  G.  S.  Dole,  whom  he  thus  represented  for  three  years.  He  after- 
ward spent  a  similar  period  as  buyer  for  the  Jackson  Grain  Company  and,  in 
igio,  became  associated  with  the  Altona  Grain  Company  at  Altona  as  manager. 
The  officers  of  this  company  are  D.  N.  McMaster,  president ;  C.  C.  Sawyer, 
secretary;  and  C.  S.  Nelson,  treasurer.  Mr.  Hopkins,  with  varied  previous 
experience,  is  well  qualified  to  handle  the  business  at  this  place  as  general  man- 
ager and  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  grain  market.  The  company  finds  him 
an  efficient  and  trustworthy  representative  and  in  this  connection  he  has  become 
well  known  in  business  circles  although  one  of  the  younger  business  men  of 
the  county.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 
He  is  also  well  known  socially  in  his  native  town  and  the  surrounding  country 
and  many  admirable  traits  of  character  have  made  him  popular. 


;  -  •  v'      •  HENRY  FRANK  WILLIS.      ,.:••;;   . 

Henry  Frank  Willis,  president  of  the  Willis  Manufacturing  Company,  man- 
.     -    ufacturers  of  architectural  sheet-metal  goods,  was  bom  in  P'reeport,  Ohio,  Au- 
-    gust  24,  1854.     He  is  descended  in  the  paternal  line  from  English  ancestry  al- 
;  though  the  family  was  founded  in  America  at  an  early  day.     His  grandfather 
was  Isaac  Willis,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  married  Martha  Humpers  and 
removed  to  Ohio,  settling  in   Harrison  county  where  he  died  when  well  ad- 
'       vanced  in  years.     Among  his  children  were  George,  John,  Elizabeth,  Alexander, 
Amos  F.,  Isaac,  Charlotte  E.,  William  and  Joseph.     His  wife  was  a  daughter 
of  Alexander  Humpers,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  who  served  as  lieutenant  in 
,  :      the  Revolutionary  war,  enlisting  in  the  Fifth  New  Jersey  Regiment  and  after- 
ward reenlisting  in  the   Fifth  New  York  Regiment. 

Isaac  Willis,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  May  i6,  1822,  ere  the  removal 

of  the  family  to  Ohio,  but  much  of  his  youth  was  spent  in  the  latter  state 

.   =    where  he  learned  and  followed  the  shoemaker's  trade.     He  came  to  Illinois  in 

1856,  settling  first  at  Ipava,  Fulton  county,  where  he  conducted  a  shoe  business. 

Subsequently  he  removed  to  Havana,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  for  eight  years, 

'       ' ,    and  then  returned  to  Ipava  where  he  died  in  1875,  ^^  the  age  of  fifty-three  years, 

\  While  a  resident  of  Ohio  he  had  wedded  Mary  Jane  Murphy,  a  native  of  that 

state  who  died  May   17,   1857.     He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends 

or  Quakers  while  his  wife  held  membership  in   the  Methodist  church.     They 


-v?;V;;S ;:;--:      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;       >^?  •*88    ,  /v 

had  a  family  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  two  died  in  early  child- 
hood.    The  others  were:  John  Montgomery,  who  died  in  1869;  Anna  Ruhamy,  -      . -; 
the  deceased  wife  of  William  E.  Ladd;  and  Henry  Frank,  of  this  review.  ;. 

Henry  Frank  Willis  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Ipava  and  Havana,  Illinois,   .     .  ; 
having  been  but  two  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to  Ipava.     He  is  in-   :  ;-. 
debted  to  the  public-school  system  for  the  educational  privileges  he  enjoyed  and         •  , 
after  putting  aside  his  text-books,  in  1872,  learned  the  harness-maker's  traxle  at 
Canton,  Illinois,  following  that  pursuit  until  1891,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg 
and  joined  his  cousin,  I.  H.  Willis,  in  establishing  his  present  business  under  the        ••, 
name  of  the  Willis  Manufacturing  Company.     In  1900  he  took  over  his  cousin's     :•  . 
interest  and  is  now  president  and  chief  stockholder  in  the  concern.     He  has     {"     • 
since  established  with  him  in  the  business  his  sons,   I.  R.,  J.   D.,  and  R.   B.  ; 

Willis.     The  company  manufactures  all  kinds  of  architectural  sheet-iron  goods 
and  they  employ  about  twenty-five  or  thirty  people,  shipping  their  output  to  all  -. 
parts  of  the  United  States  and  also  to  Mexico  and  Canada.     The  business  is 
constantly  developing  in  its  ramifying  trade  interests  for  the  modern  methods 
of  manufacture   employed    and    the    reliable    dealings   of    the   house   constitute  ;     ' 
features  in  business  growth  and  success.  ;  •. .  .  ;  ' 

Mr.  Willis  has  been  married  twice.    On  the  I3th  of  August.  1879,  he  wedded  s^-    ,  ' 
Miss  Mary  Fmma  Gamble,  who  was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania.    ;:. 
and  was  the  daughter  of  John  Gamble.    Her  father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent    '  { 
and  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  whence  he  came  to  America  in  his  boyhood  .   v/ 
days.     Both  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  Crawford     ' '"' 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  reared  a  family  of  twelve  children  all  of  whom  reached  f     .  . 
years  of  maturity.     This  number  included  Mary  Emma,  who  became  the  wife  '    : 
of  Mr.  Willis,  by  whom  she  had  five  children.     The  eldest.  Isaac  Ralph,  now    .    . 
vice  president  of  the  Willis  Manufacturing  Company,  married   Beatrice   Irene  r      " 
Hagarty  and  they  have  two  children,  Henry  Frank  and  Beatrice  Jean.     John 
D..  treasurer  of  the  Willis  Manufacturing  Company  married  Irene  Park  Camp-  .       ! 
bell.     Robert   Bruce,  secretary  of  the  company,  married  Genevieve  Davidson.  -'  ; 
Jessie  Ann  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  Emma  Frank,  the  youngest,  is  :,   ... 
the  wife  of  Park  N.  Williams,  a  resident  of  Wilcox,  Canada.     The  mother  of   /, 
these  children  died  January  30.  1902,  at  the  age  of  fifty-one  years,  in  the  faith   :?;. 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  which  she  had  been  a  devoted  member.     On  the  >  ^ 
7th  of  March,  1907,  Mr.  Willis  married  Miss  Mary  Eva  Wood,  who  was  born  . 

at  Ipava,  Illinois,  August   19,   1872.  and  was  the  daughter  of   Mr.   and   Mrs.   .  ;•. 
Oliver  Wood,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  became  early  settlers  of  Ipava. 
Her  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war.  going  to  the  front  as  musician  but    .;     .- 
returning  as  hospital  steward.     He  is  still  living  at  Ipava  but  Mrs.  Wood,  who  ;.  -  ; 
in  her  maidenhood  was   Miss  Sarah   Elizabeth   Farquhar,  died  there  in    i88i.     > 
Their  children  were  Joseph  Russell,  Ann  Elizabeth,  Mary  Eva,  Katharine  and  :'       ' 
Susanna.     The  death  of  Mrs.  Mary  Eva  Willis  occurred  December  i6th,  1910,     •   ; 
when  she  was  but  thirty-eight  years  of  age.     She  left  one  child,  a  daughter,    y 
Sarah  Louise,  born  October  21,  1908. 

Mr.  Willis  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  were  both  of  his 
his  wives,  and  in  the  work  of  the  church  he  is  much  interested,  contributing 
generously  to  its  support.     He  belongs  to  Veritas  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  also  to    ^ 
the  Modern  Woodmen  Camp.     His  position  concerning  political  questions  has 


-:-:::.:    •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        -       -' 

never  been  an  equivocal  one.  He  is  a  republican  and  while  residing  in  Fulton 
county  he  served  as  village  clerk  of  Ipava  and  was  city  treasurer  of  Astoria 
and  also  supervisor  from  Astoria  township.  There  have  been  no  spectacular 
phases  in  his  life.  He  has  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  his  way,  quietly  and  cap- 
ably conducting  his  business  interests,  his  energy,  careful  management  and 
determination  constituting  salient  forces  which  have  brought  him  substantial  suc- 
cess. At  the  same  time  he  belongs  to  that  class  of  citizens  who  promote  the  public 
prosperity  in  advancing  individual  interests.  .  :.;•  •  '>.'•:;!  1'  ;';•''. 


,  ;^::  :\:.<.:V:v;;.   /       .    '      •       G.  W.  DUNBAR,       ^•,..  :•'';'  ./^^^ '''•'.:'.••'': 

G.  W.  Dunbar  is  one  of  the  successful  and  progressive  farmers  of  Hender- 
,  son  township.  He  was  born  in  La  Fayette,  Stark  county,  Illinois,  March  8, 
1846,  his  parents  being  George  and  Millie  (Collins)  Dunbar,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  1826  and  settled  in  Stark  county  on  a  farm 
which  they  had  previously  purchased.  Twenty-two  years  later  they  removed 
to  Knox  county  and  again  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  continuing  here  up 
to  the  time  Mr.  Dunbar  retired  from  active  life.  His  death  occurred  in  Gales- 
burg  in  1903..  In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  looked  upon  the  policies  of 
that  party  as  being  most  conducive  to  efficient  government.  In  religious  faith 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Free  Methodist  church. 

G.  W.  Dunbar  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  March, 
.  1864,  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Eighty-third  Regular  Illinois  Volunteers,  serving 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  discharged  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  July, 
1865,  and  immediately  engaged  in  farming.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he 
started  upon  his  indef>endent  career  by  purchasing  the  farm  upon  which  he 
still  resides  and  which  comprises  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres.  He  carries  on 
general  farming  and  also  raises  cattle  and  hogs.  In  addition  to  his  agricultural 
pursuits,  for  thirty  years  he  has  engaged  in  the  machine  and  threshing  business. 
The  well  developed  condition  of  his  farm  and  the  profitable  crops  which  he 
harvests  annually  attest  to  his  ability  as  an  agriculturist.  ,>l  . ' 

Mr.  Dunbar  has  been  twice  married.  In  September,  1867,  occurred  his 
marriage  to  Nancy  Hogan,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Martha  Hogan,  natives 
of  Knox  county,  where  Mr.  Hogan  owned  a  sawmill.  They  are  both  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dunbar  were  the  parents  of  three  children,  only  one  of  whom 
survives,  Mrs.  Eva  Henderson,  who  is  engaged  in  the  dressmaking  business. 
Mrs.  Dunbar  died  in  1871.  In  1873  occurred  Mr.  Dunbar's  marriage  to  Eva 
McElhaney,  the  daughter  of  James  and  Rose  (Dubbs)  McElhaney,  both  de- 
.  ceased.  Mr.  McElhaney  was  a  harness  maker  by  trade  and  resided  in  Knox 
county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dunbar  three  children  were  born,  namely:  Vema, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Barr,  a  coal  miner,  and  resides  in  Mathersville,  Illi- 
nois; Lola,  who  is  the  wife  of  R.  E.  Davidson,  a  merchant  of  Henderson,  by 
whom  she  has  one  child,  Doris;  and  Archie,  an  agriculturist,  who  is  married 
and  resides  in  Henderson.  .<.,'•' 

Mr.  Dunbar  is  a  republican,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church.  His 
activities  have  always  been  along  the  lines  of  progress,  and  the  well  developed 


•••.'•.  \'^;'-    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  4"   ^    .        485 

condition  of  his  farm  is  indicative  of  his  successful  agricultural  methods.  Hav- 
ing been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  during  practically  his  whole  life,  he  has 
been  identified  with  many  of  the  plans  for  improvement  in  the  county  and  in 
every  undertaking  has  proven  his  worth  and  ability. 


-:••  .    ^*;'y;       WILLIAM  E.  - 

E.  Dunn,  who  is  living  retired  on  his  farm  located  on  section  24, 
Rio  township,  was  born  in  Lewis  county.  New  York,  on  the  24th  of  May,  1852. 
He  is  a  son  of  Frederick  J.  and  Susan  P.  (Wetmore)  Dunn,  who  were  born 
and  reared  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  the  father's  natal  day  being  May  22, 
1819.  They  were  married  1847  or  1848,  continuing  to  make  their  home  in  the 
Empire  state  until  1853,  when  they  came  to  Knox  county,  locating  on  a  farm  in 
Ontario  township.  When  they  first  settled  here  the  father  worked  in  a  saw- 
mill in  Rio  township,  but  he  subsequently  purchased  a  farm  to  the  further  de- 
velopment of  which  he  devoted  his  energies  for  many  years.  He  was  given  the 
advantages  of  a  good  education  and  taught  school  during  his  younger  days 
both  in  his  native  state  and  Knox  county.  During  the  war  he  was  collector 
in  the  country  and  after  the  close  of  hostilities  he  entered  the  ministry  of  the 
United  Brethren  church,  but  continued  to  operate  his  farm.  In  the  early  '6os 
he  was  ordained  and  thereafter  gave  his  entire  attention  to  his  ministerial 
duties.  Mr.  Dunn,  who  has  attained  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-three  years, 
now  makes  his  home  in  Knoxville,  where  he  has  been  residing  since  1907.  The 
mother,  however,  died  on  March  24,  1864  and  in  1865,  the  father  married  Maria 
Rine,  of  Henderson  township,  this  county.  She  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania 
and  of  German  parentage.  She  passed  away  in  February,  1894,  and  in  1896, 
Mr.  Dunn  was  united  in  marriage  to  his  present  wife,  formerly  Miss  Maggie 
Wolloch.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  Dunn  and  his  first  wife,  our  subject 
being  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  and  two  of  his  second  marriage.  The  paternal 
grandfather  was  David  Dunn,  who  was  born  in  the  Empire  state  on  Noveniber 
14,  1791.  He  came  to  Knox  county  in  1853  and  passed  the  rest  of  his  life  in 
this  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  :-.--;'.-' 

As  he  was  only  a  child  one  year  of  age  when  his  parents  brought  him  to 
Knox  county,  the  memories  of  William  E.  EKinn's  entire  life  are  associated  with 
the  scenes  familiar  to  his  manhood.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools, 
and  immediately  after  laying  aside  his  text-books  gave  his  entire  attention  to 
farming.  Agricultural  pursuits  have  ever  engaged  his  attention  with  the  excep>- 
tion  of  three  years,  when  he  worked  on  the  railroad  and  also  followed  the  car- 
penter's trade.  He  is  now  living  on  the  old  home  farm,  containing  eighty  acres, 
which  is  being  operated  by  his  son.  Here  for  many  years,  Mr.  Dunn  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  feeding 
and  marketing  of  hogs. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  1885,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Addie  C. 
Haskins,  a  daughter  of  Cyrus  and  Harriet  (Case)  Haskins.  The  maternal 
grandparents  were  Erastus  and  Parmelia  (Graf ton)  Case,  who  came  west  and 
passed  their  latter  days  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haskins.  The  families  originally 


486      •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '    ' 

came  from  Vermont,  whence  they  removed  to  Illinois,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raskins 
locating  on  a  farm  in  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  in  1853.  Two  sons  have 
been  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dunn.  Roswell  E.,  who  received  a  high-school 
education,  married  Hattie  Carr  of  Ontario  township,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
James  S.  Carr,  minister  of  the  Ontario  Congregational  church,  and  they  have 
two  children :  Maurice  and  Ralph.  Oark  A.,  who  is  the  younger,  is  living  at 
home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dunn  hold  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Ontario 
township,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  Oneida  Lodge,  No.  337,  F.  &  A. 
M.  and  also  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  re- 
publican party  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  affairs  of  the  town- 
ship. He  was  school  director  for  fifteen  years  and  trustee  for  three,  while  for 
five  he  discharged  the  duties  of  assessor.  Mr.  Dunn  continues  to  live  on  the 
farm  but  has  retired  from  the  active  work  of  the  fields,  which  are  now  being 
cultivated  by  his  eldest  son.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  passed  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  home,  where  he  enjoys  a  large  and  favor- 
able acquaintance.  :  ..^:  ;  •':...  "i.:.  :.;- 


^' ;:;i^:  ISRAEL  JOHN  HARRIS.    x^;\;: 

A  prominent  citizen  of  Abingdon  and  one  whose  family  name  has  been  con-   ;    , 
nected  with  the  history  of  this  locality  for  four  decades  past,  is  Israel  John  Harris,    ^    ; 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  Craig  &  Harris ;  stone  cutters  and  dealers  in  monuments.   ^^  >' 
He  traces  his  lineage  back  five  generations  to  colonial  days  in  the  early  part  of  .--,';, 
the  eighteenth  century  and  to  the  days  of  the  American  Revolution,  when  one    .? 
of  his  ancestors  brought  luster  to  the  family  name  by  his  unfaltering  devotion  to    '  ' 
the  American  cause  and  his  prowess  throughout  the  struggle.     Israel  John  Har- 
ris was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Matilda  C.  (Hart)   Harris.     His  father,  Joseph        : 
Harris,  was  a  son  of  James  and  Rebecca  C.  (Jennings)  Harris,  a  grandson  of 
Israel  and  Betsy  (Mead)  Harris,  a  great-grandson  of  Israel  and  Sarah  (Morse) 
Harris,  and  a  great-great-grandson  of  John  and  Rachel   (Moss)   Harris.     Of    /  • 
these  antecedents  Israel  Harris,  the  great-great-grandfather  of  the  present  mem- 
ber of  the  family  bearing  this  name,  was  born  at  Cornwall,  Connecticut,  on  Feb- 
ruary i6,  1746.     Concerning  his  participation  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  the 
Old  Northwest,  a  genealogical  quarterly,  of  April,   1898,  has  the   following  to        : 
say:     "In  May,  1775,  he  joined  the  famous  body  of  young  patriots  afterwards 
known  as  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  and,  as  orderly  sergeant,  assisted  in  the  dar- 
ing rush  to  and  the  capture  of  Fort  Ticonderoga,  serving  with  Seth  Warner  and 
probably  sharing  later  in  the  outlawry  of  the  leaders  of  the  regiment  which  by 
its  success  opened  the  way  for  the  ill-fated  expedition  of  Montgomery  and  fur- 
nished supplies  for  the  siege  of  Boston.    He  was  still  with  Warner's  forces  when 
that  commander  joined  General  Stark  near  Bennington,  Vermont,  in  the  late  sum- 
mer of  1777  and  defeated  the  efforts  of  Colonel  Baum  to  seize  the  supplies  laid 
up  at  that  place  for  the  patriot  forces,  a  defeat  which  caused  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne  at  Saratoga  two  months  later.    Early  in  1778  he  was  made  lieutenant 
and  for  bravery  on  the  battlefield  given  his  commission  as  captain  in  the  Old 


MUS.    I.  .1.    IIAIMds 


I.   .1.    IIAKItIS 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       >  491 

Continentals  in  1779.  In  October,  1780,  owing  to  complete  disability,  the  result 
of  wounds  and  exposure,  he  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned  to  his  for- 
mer home  where  he  remained  until  1782,  when  he  removed  to  Rutland,  Ver- 
mont. His  record  as  a  brave  soldier  and,  above  all,  his  connection  with  the  most 
famous  band  of  partisan  troops  the  north  could  boast  of,  made  him  an  instant 
leader  in  that  village  and  one  of  its  most  influential  citizens." 

Israel  J.  Harris,  the  subject  of  this  bic^raphy,  who  is  justly  proud  of  the 
honorable  record  of  his  illustrious  forefathers,  was  born  in  Elba  township,  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  October  24,  1857.  His  father  was  born  in  Montgomery  county, 
Ohio,  April  17,  1827,  and  his  mother  was  bom  in  Preble  county,  Ohio,  August 
6,  1829.  They  were  married  in  Rochester,  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  where  his 
mother  was  living  at  the  time,  having  accompanied  her  parents  thither  when  she 
was  a  child.  His  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1853,  when  a  young  man,  and  located 
on  the  west  half  of  section  21,  in  Elba  township,  Knox  county,  where  he  bought 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  which  he  cultivated.  From  time  to  time 
he  increased  his  holdings  by  additional  purchases  until  he  owned  at  one  time  five 
quarter  sections.  Here  he  resided  until  the  fall  of  1868  when  he  removed  to  a 
farm  west  of  Abingdon,  living  there  one  year.  Then  he  came  to  Abingdon  to 
reside,  remaining  there  until  his  death  April  20,  1883.  His  wife  died  October 
13,  1901.  His  father  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  served  one  term  as  justice 
of  the  peace  in  1856.  He  voted  for  Lincoln  when  elected  for  the  first  term. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  and,  while  the  war  was  in  progress, 
on  account  of  his  rigid  religious  scruples,  came  to  the  stern  conviction  that  war 
was  wrong.  Having  taken  this  stand,  he  went  one  step  further  and,  feeling  his 
opposition  to  the  national  policy  of  union  even  at  the  cost  of  war,  he  volun- 
tarily denied  himself  the  right  of  the  ballot.  For  this  reason  he  did  not  vote 
again  for  a  federal  officer  until  Garfield's  campaign  when,  influenced  by  the  noble 
Christian  life  of  Garfield,  he  felt  justified  in  voting  for  him. 

Israel  J.  Harris  was  reared  at  home  and  began  his  schooling  in  the  Elba  Center 
district  school.  For  certain  reasons  it  seemed  best  to  his  parents,  however,  to 
keep  him  at  home.  Consequently  he  was  withdrawn  after  three  days  at  school 
and  his  mother  undertook  his  training  and  education  at  home.  At  the  end  of 
the  school  term  it  was  found  that  he  had  advanced  in  his  studies  far  beyond  his 
sister  who  had  been  attending  the  district  school.  His  mother  therefore  taught 
both  children  after  that  until  their  removal  to  Abingdon,  when  Israel,  then  in 
his  twelfth  year,  was  fitted  to  enter  old  Abingdon  College.  During  his  career  in 
this  institution  his  studies  were  frequently  interrupted  on  account  of  ill  health, 
so  that  he  was  not  quite  able  to  complete  the  course.  As  a  variation  from  study- 
ing he  beg^n  to  teach  in  1876,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  continued  teaching  at 
intervals  and  attending  school  until  his  father's  death  in  1883.  He  then  took 
charge  of  the  operation  of  the  farm  and  pursued  agricultural  occupations  till 
1889  when  he  returned  to  the  schoolroom,  teaching  until  the  spring  of  1896 
when  he  was  stricken  with  a  complete  nervous  breakdown  making  him  an  invalid 
for  four  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  his  health  being  once  more  restored, 
he  engaged  in  his  present  business  of  monument  dealing  and  became  identified 
with  the  firm  of  Craig  &  Harris.  •  ' 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Harris  and  Miss  Emma  Nelson  was  solemnized  Septem- 
ber I,  1887.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Swan  Nelson,  a  resident  of  Knoxville  but 

VoL    n— M 


492  vl  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .";•:- 

later  a  farmer  of  Cedar  township  near  Abingdon,  and  now  deceased.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  and  they  are  in  order  of  their  births: 
Joseph  Victor,  graduated  from  the  Abingdon  high  school  with  the  class  of  1906, 
who  is  a  reporter  on  the  Galesburg  Mail;  Vema  Pernella,  graduated  from  the 
Abingdon  high  school  with  the  class  of  1911,  who  will  enter  the  teaching  profes- 
sion this  fall;  Olive  Caroline,  a  member  of  her  sister's  class,  graduated  in  1911, 
who  will  either  teach  or  enter  college  this  fall ;  Yerda  Thresa,  who  is  a  student  - 
in  high  school ;  and  Israel  J.,  Jr.,  the  youngest  in  the  family. 

Mr.  Harris  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republicans  but  has  strong 
prohibition  and  anti-saloon  proclivities.     He  served  for  two  terms  as  alderman 
from  the  second  ward.    In  his  earlier  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church,  the  faith  in  which  he  was  brought  up,  but  a  schism  in  the  church  in 
1883  caused  him  to  leave  it.     Later  he  and  his  family  became  members  of  the 
Congregational  church,  in  which  he  is  a  deacon  at  the  present  time.    For  a  num-  . 
ber  of  years  he  was  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and  on  his  retire-  . 
ment  in  1909  was  presented  by  the  school  with  a  handsome  silver  loving  cup 
which  he  prizes  very  highly.     He  was  president  of  the  Knox  County  Sunday 
School  Association  for  two  years  and  is  now  the  vice-president  of  this  association. 

The  house  in  which  Mr.  Harris  and  his  family  are  now  residing  and  which  ; 
he  remodeled  in   1902  is  the  original  Harris  homestead  bought  by  his  father,  j 
Joseph  Harris,  in  1869.     The  old  Harris  farm  west  of  Abingdon  has  for  the 
most  part  been  laid  out  in  town  lots  and  is  now  known  as  the  Harris  addition  of 
Abingdon.    Throughout  his  career  Mr.  Harris  has  been  an  exponent  of  a  high  ' 
code  of  business  as  well  as  social  ethics,  living  an  exemplary  life  that  makes 
him  conspicuously  deserving  of  the  public  trust  placed  in  him  as  one  of  Abing- 
don's  leading  citizens. 


CHARLES  C.  REYNOLDS. 


Charles  C.  Reynolds  was  born  in  Ontario  township,  on  the  I4th  of  June,  .  ;:>  ;^ ..' 
1870,  his  parents  being  Alvah  and  Susan  (Hayden)  Reynolds.    The  father,  who      -'      : 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  was  born  on  the  22d  of  May,  1830,  at  Bedford,  West-  V  '  .<!' 
Chester  county.  New  York,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Indiana  in  18^39.  '••••;.'. 
Alvah  Reynolds,  who  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  followed  the    '-;;., 
carpenter's  trade  for  thirteen  years  after  starting  to  earn  his  own  livelihood        ;;  .. 
at  the  age  of  sixteen.     His  marriage  occurred  in  Illinois,  on  the  loth  of  May,        .;/. 
1859,  to  Susan  Hayden,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Hulda  (Reeves)  Hayden,  .;'.:. 
of  Henry  county,  where  they  settled  in  1853.     He  began  his  independent  agri-    .    V:  |  v 
cultural  career  by  purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Ontario     .!•  •.  ' , 
township  and  was  the  owner  of  seven  hundred  and  twenty  acres  upon  his  re-  ^    ; .;' . 
tirement.    In  1893  he  gave  eighty  acres  of  land  to  each  of  his  children  and  dis-         :C 
continued  active  farming.     He  had  been  most  successful  in  stock-raising  and          ,'• 
had  brought  his   farm  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.     In  politics  he  is  a         •  ,' 
republican  and  has  served  as  school  director  of  his  district  for  thirty-six  years.   --.,;;•-; 

Charles  C.  Reynolds  received  his  education  in  the  common  and  high  schools  i  v'':V 
of  Oneida,  the  Abingdon  Normal  school  and  Hedding  College.    After  discern-  ;^ 


:•--,;-;•'    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '    ••  .  -^--J':       498 

tinuing  his  studies  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  has  followed  this 
occupation  ever  since,  at  first  being  employed  by  his  father  and  later  working 
independently. 

Mr.  Reynolds  was  married  on  the  25th  of  December,  1901,  to  Miss  Edith 
Ward,  a  daughter  of  Frank  and  Nellie  (Abernathy)  Ward.  Mrs.  Ward,  who 
was  of  Scotch  descent,  belonged  to  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  the  county, 
the  father  having  come  while  the  Indians  were  still  here.  Mrs.  Reynolds'  brother 
Frank  is  a  resident  of  the  township  and  Amos  Ward,  who  came  to  the  county 
in  1838,  served  as  county  commissioner  and  as  justice  of  the  peace.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Reynolds  four  children  were  bom,  Nellie  B.,  M.  Ward,  Birdice  L.  and 
Helen  E.  Mrs.  Reynolds'  death  occurred  in  May,  1896,  on  the  home  place. 

In  politics  Mr.  Reynolds  is  a  stanch  republican,  believing  that  the  policies 
of  that  party  are  most  conducive  to  good  government.  He  also  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Christian  church  of  Ontario  township  and  has  served  as  school 
director  in  his  district.  He  is  one  of  Ontario  township's  enterprising  men  and 
has  contributed  much  toward  the  general  welfare  of  the  community,  where  he 
is  held  in  high  esteem  and  is  numbered  among  its  substantial  agriculturists 
and  representative  citizens.  Vr; ;:.  v';^ 


;v,  •;<'  '  • ;''  ^  •  •  •  •.  •   •  .  •'';.',     HARMAN  J.  KUNKEL.     ;  ./-^  '•    •    ;W :    'j-  ''?'^"  ''^'^•'• 

Harman  J.  Kurrkel,  who  owns  and  operates  the  largest  gristmill  not  only 
in  Knox  county  but  in  this  section  of  the  state,  is  one  of  Wataga's  self-made 
men,  having  begun  here  in  his  early  youth  with  no  capital  save  his  untiring 
energy  and  determination.  He  was  born  in  Cashtown,  Adair  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania,  on  the  27th  of  October,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Smith) 
Kunkel,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased,  the  father  having  passed  away  in 
1877  and  the  mother  in  1879.  Joseph  Kunkel,  who  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  but  he  had  been  educated  for  a  music  teacher, 
which  vocation  he  sometimes  followed  while  he  also  engaged  in  farming.  Five 
of  the  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kunkel  are  still  living,  those  beside  our  sub- 
ject being  as  follows :  Sarah,  the  wife  of  George  Kadel.  now  deceased,  of 
Waynesboro,  Pennsylvania;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Harry  E.  Smith,  of  Knoxville; 
John,  who  is  a  resident  of  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania;  and  Irwin,  who  is  living 
in  Wellsville,  Pennsylvania. 

Left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  Harman  J.  Kunkel  was  reared 
in  the  county  of  his  birth,  whose  common  schools  he  attended  until  he  was 
thirteen,  during  which  time  he  also  worked  on  a  farm.  After  laying  aside  his 
text-books  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  serving  for  three 
years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  period  he  came  west.  He  was  only  a  youth 
of  sixteen  when  he  came  to  Knox  county  and  first  located  at  Wykofif,  near 
Wataga,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  for  fifty  cents  per  day.  He  subsequently 
went  to  Galesburg,  where  he  engaged  as  carpenter  for  two  years,  returning  to 
Wataga,  where  he  farmed  until  his  marriage  in  1893.  During  the  succeeding 
five  years  he  operated  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Wataga,  but  later  he  bought  a 
place  which  he  has  sold,  on  moving  to  Wataga,  where  he  is  now  residing.  In 

'',;v^'-/''-::-^ .-.-'  ./../:/V'.''V'  •'"'•-  .•^^:••^•^^;/!.;/-';•-''''.^:•^/•.'^'  '--''(l^  :•-.  •  ••  '  •^''-••:'  '':.'':•'•'•• '•'':^ 


494  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         -^ 

1907  he  purchased  a  flour  and  feed  mill  here  and  soon  thereafter  withdrew  from 
his  agricultural  pursuits,  giving  his  undivided  attention  to  the  operation  of  his 
mill.    This  proved  to  be  a  very  lucrative  undertaking  and  on  the  3Oth  of  March,  ' 
1911,  he  extended  the  scope  of  his  activities  by  becoming  the  owner  of  the  mill 
belonging  to  the  estate  of  Warden  &  Son.    He  has  one  of  the  finest  plants  in  this 
part  of  the  state,  the  capacity  being  far  greater  than  that  of  any  other  mill  in 
his  vicinity,  while  it  is  fully  equipped  with  all  modern  machinery.     Mr.  Kunkel 
has  been  very  successful  in  all  of  his  undertakings  and  in  addition  to  his  mill  •'. 
is  the  owner  of  the  electric  light  plant  in  Wataga,  which  he  installed  in  May,  1909.  > 
Such  success  as  has  come  to  him  has  been  the  result  of  his  own  intelligently 
directed  effort  and  unceasing  application,  as  he  began  his  career  in  Knox  county  ; 
without  either  capital  or  influence,  but  he  possessed  those  qualities  that  invar- 
iably win :  industry  and  determination  of  purpose. 

Mr.  Kunkel's  plans   for  a  home  of  his  own  had  their  culmination  in  his  - 
marriage,  in   October.   1893.  to  Miss  Minnie  A.   Morgan,  of  Wataga.    Illinois. 
Mrs.  Kunkel  is  a  daughter  of  Abram  and  Elizabeth  Morgan,  both  of  whom  are 
now  deceased.     The  father  was  a  coal  miner.     Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kunkel  there  have  been  born  the  following  children:  Sarah  Elizabeth,  who  is 
sixteen ;  Mary  Frances,  now  fourteen ;  John  Morgan,  who  is  thirteen ;  Beulah 
Fern,  nine  years  of  age ;  Harry,  who  is  six ;  and  George  Harman,  who  has  passed  . 
the  fourth  anniversary  of  his  birth.  .  '  :-  •  .J    ,    ^"V 

The  family  attend  the  services  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which 
the  mother  is  a  member,  and  Mr.  Kunkel  is  an  active  member  of  a  large  num-  , 
ber  of  fraternal  organizations.     He  is  afliliated  with  the  Masonic  order  through 
his  membership  in  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  and  he  is  an  Odd 
Fellow,   his   local   connection    with   this   society   being  through   Wataga   Lodge, 
No.  598,  L  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows  encampment  at  . 
Galesburg.      The    Mystic    Workers ;    Brotherhood   of    American    Yeomen ;    and 
United  Commercial  Travelers,  Galesburg  Lodge,  No.  269,  claim  his  affiliation  : 
also.     Political  activities  have  never  occupied  much  of  Mr.  Kunkel's  attention 
his  entire  time  and  thought  having  been  concentrated  upon  the  development  of 
his  personal   interests,  in   which  he  has  met   with  notable   success.     However, 
he  is  always  ready  to  g^ve  his  cooperation  or  indorsement  to  any  movement  he 
deems  qualified  to  advance  the  community  or  to  promote  municipal  enterprises.  ; 


;       ;  ;  v'  -  ALEXANDER  GEHRING.     :;':;;.':•'.;: 

Alexander  Gehring,  a  well  known  and  successful  farmer  and  stock- raiser  of  , 
Sparta  township,  Knox  county.  Illinois,  is  still  engaged  in  cultivating  the  farm  '". 
on  which  he  has  lived  for  nearly  forty-six  years.     His  birth  occurred  in  Baden, 
Germany,  on  the  ist  of  EXecember,   1844.     His  father,  Anthony  G.,  was  born    ., 
March  12,  1821,  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Mosier,  was  ' 
born  June  24,  1823.     They  came  to  America  and  settled  in  Sparta  township  in  • 
1857.    His  paternal  grandparents  were  Bennett  and  Elizabeth  (Closman)  Gehr-  ;. 
ing  and  his  great-grandparents  were  Mathias  and  Susan  Gehring.    His  maternal   C 
grandparents  were  Jacob  and  Mary  Mosier.    Alexander  Gehring  was  the  oldest  ./ 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  _.--.'':::,'(•       495 


of  three  children,  a  sistei  who  is  dead,  and  a  brother  named  Martin,  a  fanner 
in  Sparta  township,  with  whom  his  mother  makes  her  home. 

Alexander  Gehring  began  his  education  in  Germany,  continuing  his  studies  for 
a  little  time  after  coming  to  this  country.  When  a  mere  boy,  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen, he  commenced  to  work  on  the  farm,  first  for  his  father  and  later  hiring  out 
to  a  neighbor.  At  twenty-one  he  began  to  work  for  himself  and  in  1867,  after 
his  marriage,  took  possession  of  the  farm  which  he  is  now  operating.  In  addi- 
tion  to  general  fanning  he  devotes  much  time  to  stock-raising  in  which  pursuit 
he  has  been  very  successful.  Bom  to  his  calling  he  loves  his  work  and  the  in- 
terests  which  fill  a  farmer's  life  and  has  no  wish  to  retire  while  his  farm  yields 
him  the  comfortable  income  \yhich  he  now  enjoys. 

The  marriage  of  Alexander  Gehring  to  Miss  Jerusha  Squires,  of  Trumbull 
county,  Ohio,  occurred  May  30,  1867.  Her  father,  Ira  Squires,  was  bom  in 
Ireland  in  iSiS  and  came  to  America  when  six  years  old.  Her  mother,  Caroline 
Stewart  was  born  in  1820  of  Scotch  parentage.  When  Mrs.  Alexander  Gehring 
was  three  years  old  her  parents  died  whereupon  she  was  reared  by  Isaac  and 
Sarah  (Hillergast)  Baker.  She  was  the  granddaughter  of  Jason  and  Dorothea 
(Tew)  Squires.  Mrs.  Gehring  has  one  brother,  Albert  Squires,  who  lives  at 
her  home. 

In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alexander  Gehring  were  four  children. 
Carrie,  who  remained  single  and  was  living  at  home,  died  in  August,  1911,  at  the 
age  of  thirty-four,  at  Greenville,  Pennsylvania,  while  on  a  visit.  She  was  a  very 
devout  woman  and  an  untiring  worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  She 
was  an  offi-cer  in  the  missionary  society  of  her  church  and  a  member  of  the 
Epworth  League.  Alice,  the  wife  of  James  Parkinson,  a  farmer  in  Kansas,  is 
the  mother  of  five  children.  Sarah  Luella,  the  wife  of  Benjamin  Morgan  of 
Wataga,  Illinois,  has  four  children.  Ira  Anthony,  married  to  Effie  Richmond, 
lives  in  Galesburg  and  is  the  father  of  two  children. 

The  Gehring  family  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
of  Wataga,  Illinois,  in  which  Mr.  Gehring  is  a  steward  and  a  trustee.  In  hjs 
political  views  he  is  a  republican  and  has  always  been  an  ardent  worker  for  his 
party.  He  served  as  roadmaster  for  several  terms  and  was  on  the  school  board 
three  terms.  Coming  to  this  locality  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  Alexahder 
Gehring  has  not  only  witnessed  the  agricultural  growth  and  development  of 
Knox  county  but  has  been  a  large  contributor  to  the  prosperity  for  which  this 
community  is  noted.  ,  ,y  ;-  ^  .  v  :-:,  •:--.,  ......  .••..-.-:  ',•  .-.  ;.:.  •.- 


•-;"•'/  V  '••., •'  l    •  •"-.'    'OLIVER  swANsoN. •;•;:.;(•;..:,-' . .  ,;-'::;.--.,.. .  ,., 

''  Oliver  Swanson  was  bom  on  the  i6th  of  February,  1853,  at  Solvesborg,  a 
town  in  the  southern  part  of  Sweden,  his  parents  being  Swan  and  Kama  (Person) 
Olson.  The  father,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1825,  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  Sweden  until  his  death,  which  occurred  when  his  son  Oliver  was  a  child 
of  but  two  years.  Both  mother  and  father  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Sweden. 
Oliver  Swanson  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  land 
and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  after  having  assisted  on  the  home  farm,  came 


^•;    496  "    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

to  America  settling  at  Woodhull.    For  a  time  he  worked  out  by  the  month  and 

'       then  came  to  Ontario  township  where  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  i88i.    In  1893  he 

came  to  his  present  home.    This  property  consists  of  eighty  acres  and  has  been 

•     his  residence  ever  since.     Although  he  devotes  his  time  and  energy  principally 

-       to  general  farming,  he  also  raises  shorthorn  cattle  and  feeds  hogs  and  cattle  for 

.     .the  market.     In  these  various  branches  he  is  meeting  with  the  success,  which  is 

the  reward  of  persistent  and  diligent  labor.     On  the  I2th  of  April,  1879,  Mr, 

Swanson  was  married  to  Marie  Anderson,  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  and 

i      a  daughter  of  Anders  and  Anna  (Johnson)  Anderson,  both  of  whom  were  na- 

,  -     tives  of  Sweden,  where  they  were  engaged  in  farming.    The  father  died  in  Sweden 

and  the  mother  came  to  Henry  county,  in  1875.    They  were  the  parents  of  five 

/     children.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swanson  three  children  have  been  bom :  Hattie  S., 

who  is  the  wife  of  William  Sebastian,  a  resident  farmer  of  Henry  county;  Hart- 

:     wick,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1884  and  who  died  in  January  1905;  and  Florence, 

who  is  attending  high  school  in  Altona,  Illinois. 

'  .  '  In  politics  Mr.  Swanson  gives  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party  and  has  served  as  road  commissioner  and  is  assessor  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  In  religious  faith  he  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  of 
Altona.  By  his  earnest  work  and  diligent  application  to  his  agricultural  pursuits 
and  by  his  interest  and  furthering  of  all  measures  pertaining  to  the  higher  social 
and  moral  development  of  the  community,  Mr.  Swanson  has  become  recognized 
as  a  citizen  of  substantial  and  honorable  worth. 


^    ^          •  FRANKLIN  PIERCE  TYLER,  M.  D.       :  •;; 

'  "  ^  •   _;•    ^-     ,*.     • 

Dr.  Franklin  Pierce  Tyler,  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine  in 
Galesburg,  was  born  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  June  21,  1854,  his  parents 
being  Dr.  Truman  Murray  and  Mary  Ann  (Cutler)  Tyler.  The  family  home 
was  first  established  in  Galesburg  in  1862.  The  father  was  bom  in  the  state 
of  New  York  in  1804  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Massachusetts  in  i8io. 
In  early  manhood  he  prepared  for  the  practice  of  medicine  and  for  a  time  fol- 
lowed his  profession  in  Ohio,  after  which  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Illinois 
City.  His  next  place  of  residence  was  in  Edgington,  this  state,  and  afterward 
he  lived  for  a  time  at  Rock  Island,  coming  to  Galesburg  in  1862.  Here  he 
opened  an  office  and  continued  in  active  practice  until  his  life's  labors  were 
ended  in  death  twenty-one  years  later.  He  was  widely  known  as  a  capable 
physician  whose  scientific  knowledge  was  supplemented  by  broad  humanitarian 
principles,  thus  making  his  work  of  great  worth  in  the  world.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  son.  Dr.  Tyler,  in  Clifton,  Kansas.  Dr. 
Truman  Tyler,  Sr.,  was  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  fraternally  was 
connected  with  the  Masons,  which  order  found  him  an  exemplary  representa- 
tive. Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Universalist  church  and  were 
people  of  kindly  purpose  and  of  high  principles.  In  their  family  were  three 
children,  Stella  Louise,  the  elder,  who  died  in  1908;  and  Christopher  C.,  who 
like  our  subject  is  also  a  resident  of  Galesburg. 


'  i.  -  .:  • 
'  ,  •'  ,  'rr'.  • 


DR.  F.  P.  TYLER 


496          .;  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

to  America  settling  at  Woodhull.  For  a  time  he  worked  out  by  the  month  and 
then  came  to  Ontario  township  where  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  i88i.  In  1893  he 
came  to  his  present  home.  This  property  consists  of  eighty  acres  and  has  been 
his  residence  ever  since.  Although  he  devotes  his  time  and  energy  principally 
to  general  farming,  he  also  raises  shorthorn  cattle  and  feeds  hogs  and  cattle  for 
the  market.  In  these  various  branches  he  is  meeting  with  the  success,  which  is 
the  reward  of  persistent  and  diligent  labor.  On  the  i2th  of  April,  1879,  Mr. 
Swanson  was  married  to  Marie  Anderson,  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  and 
a  daughter  of  Anders  and  Anna  (Johnson)  Anderson,  both  of  whom  were  na- 
tives of  Sweden,  where  they  were  engaged  in  farming.  The  father  died  in  Sweden 
and  the  mother  came  to  Henry  county,  in  1875.  They  were  the  parents  of  five 
children.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swanson  three  children  have  been  born:  Hattie  S., 
who  is  the  wife  of  William  Sebastian,  a  resident  farmer  of  Henry  county;  Hart- 
wick,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1884  and  who  died  in  January  1905;  and  Florence, 
who  is  attending  high  school  in  Altona,  Illinois. 

In  politics  Mr.  Swanson  gives  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party  and  has  served  as  road  commissioner  and  is  assessor  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  In  religious  faith  he  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  of 
Altona.  By  his  earnest  work  and  diligent  application  to  his  agricultural  pursuits 
and  by  his  interest  and  furthering  of  all  measures  pertaining  to  the  higher  social 
and  moral  development  of  the  community,  Mr.  Swanson  has  become  recognized 
as  a  citizen  of  substantial  and  honorable  worth.  . 


X  FRANKLIN  PIERCE  TYLER,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Franklin  Pierce  Tyler,  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine  in 
Galesburg,  was  born  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  June  21,  1854,  his  parents 
being  Dr.  Truman  Murray  and  Mary  Ann  (Cutler)  Tyler.  The  family  home 
was  first  established  in  Galesburg  in  1862.  The  father  was  born  in  the  state 
of  New  York  in  1804  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Massachusetts  in  i8io. 
In  early  manhood  he  prepared  for  the  i)ractice  of  medicine  and  for  a  time  fol- 
lowed his  profession  in  Ohio,  after  which  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Illinois 
City.  His  next  place  of  residence  was  in  Edgington,  this  state,  and  afterward 
he  lived  for  a  time  at  Rock  Island,  coming  to  Galesburg  in  1862.  Here  he 
opened  an  office  and  continued  in  active  practice  until  his  life's  labors  were 
ended  in  death  twenty-one  years  later.  He  was  widely  known  as  a  capable 
physician  whose  scientific  knowledge  was  supplemented  by  broad  humanitarian 
princi])les,  thus  making  his  work  of  great  worth  in  the  world.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him  and  died  at  the  home  of  her  son.  Dr.  Tyler,  in  Clifton.  Kansas.  Dr. 
Truman  Tyler,  Sr.,  was  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  fraternally  was 
connected  with  the  Masons,  which  order  found  him  an  exemjilary  representa- 
tive. P>oth  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  L^niversalist  church  and  were 
people  of  kindly  purpose  and  of  high  jirinciples.  In  their  family  were  three 
children,  Stella  Louise,  the  elder,  who  died  in  1908;  and  Christopher  C.,  who 
like  our  subject  is  also  a  resident  of  Galesburg. 


I)K.    !••.   I'.  TVI.Ki; 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^^i  ;          490 

Dr.  Tyler,  Jr.,  whose  name  intrcxluces  this  record,  was  a  lad  of  but  eight 
years  when  the  family  removed  to  this  city,  so  that  his  education  was  largely 
acquired  here.  After  attending  the  public  schools,  he  entered  Lombard  Uni- 
versity, where  he  pursued  his  more  specifically  literary  course.  His  professional 
training  was  received  in  Rush  Medical  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1885.  He  then  went  to  Clifton,  Kansas,  where  he  opened  an 
office  and  continued  in  active  practice  for  twelve  years.  On  the  expiration  of 
that  period  he  returned  to  Galesburg,  where  he  still  follows  his  profession  as  a 
general  practitioner,  having  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  medi- 
cine and  surgery,  while  his  broad  and  extended  exf>erience  has  added  greatly 
to  his  efficiency. 

On  the  I2th  of  October,  1886,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Dr.  Tyler  and  Miss 
Emilia  Brewer  Laux,  a  daughter  of  Professor  Carl  Rupert  Laux,  of  Galesburg. 
The  children  of  this  marriage  are :  Carl  Rupert,  who  was  bom  in  Clifton,  Kan- 
sas, in  September,  1887;  and  Cecil  May,  also  a  native  of  Clifton.  Both  are 
still  at  home.  Mrs.  Tyler  is  a  member  of  the  First  Congregational  church  and 
Dr.  Tyler  holds  membership  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America  and  the 
Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  demo- 
cratic party  but  without  desire  for  office,  his  ballot  merely  expressing  his  ap- 
proval of  the  policies  and  principles  of  the  party.  He  belongs  to  the  city  and 
county  medical  societies  and  is  ever  deeply  interested  in  anything  that  tends  to 
bring  to  man  the  key  to  the  mystery  of  life.  He  is  extremely  careful  and  con- 
scientious in  all  of  his  professional  work  and  his  ability  has  gained  for  him  a 
liberal  patronage. 


f  ^    ;:    :•  ^          BENJAMIN  THOMAS  HART,    ^'i^  r ^?;- ;  - 

The  commercial  activity  of  Altona  finds  a  worthy  representative  in  Benjamin 
Thomas  Hart,  who  is  now  proprietor  of  a  drug  store.  He  has  conducted  this 
for  three  years  and  is  accorded  a  good  patronage.  He  was  born  at  Camp  Point, 
Illinois,  December  3,  1877.  The  early  ancestral  history  of  the  family  has  been 
lost.  It  is  supposed,  however,  that  the  great-grandfather  was  stolen  by  the 
Indians  and  was  carried  to  Kentucky.  The  grandfather,  Thomas  W.  Hart, 
was  a  native  of  that  state.  He  married  Miss  Wheeler  and  they  became  parents 
of  a  son,  George  M.  Hart,  who  was  born  in  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  January  29, 
1837.  When  a  boy  of  six  years  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to 
Quincy,  Illinois,  where  his  boyhood  days  were  i)assed.  He  leamed  and  fol- 
lowed the  cooper's  trade  and  from  Quincy  removed  to  Camp  Point,  Illinois, 
being  at  that  time  twenty  years  of  age.  This  was  some  time  prior  to  1859.  ^^ 
the  early  '6os  he  walked  from  Quincy  to  Denver,  Colorado,  starting  with  an 
emigrant  train  that  traveled  by  way  of  Leavenworth.  At  length  he  returned 
to  Camp  Point,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  cooperage  business  for  many 
years  but  is  now  living  retired.  He  married  Rhoda  Bryant,  who  also  survives 
and  is  now  sixty-eight  years  of  age,  her  birth  occurring  on  the  2Oth  of  July, 
1843,  in  Kentucky.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Moses  Bryant.  Unto  him  and  his 
wife  were  born  six  children  of  whom  Benjamin  T.  Hart  and  two  sisters  are 


500  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  --       " 

now  living.  The  sisters  are:  Elitha  May,  the  wife  of  Charles  H.  Montgomery, 
of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa ;  and  Hazel  Gertrude,  who  is  teaching  in  the  Loraine 
high  school.  Three  of  the  children  died  in  infancy. 

:  Benjamin  Thomas  Hart  spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  parents'  home  and 
after  his  education  was  over,  began  clerking  in  a  drug  store  at  Camp  Point  on 
the  ist  of  March,  1892.  For  two  years  he  attended  the  Chicago  College  of 
Pharmacy  and,  in  May,  1899,  came  to  Altona  where  he  conducted  a  drug  bus- 
iness for  two  years.  He  then  returned  to  Chicago  where  he  finished  his  course 
of  study  with  the  class  of  1902.  On  locating  in  Altona  he  engaged  in  clerking 
where  he  now  carries  on  business  for  himself.  He  also  spent  a  year  in  Burt's 
drug  store  in  Galesburg  and  in  August,  1904,  purchased  his  present  drug  store 
at  Altona.  '  He  has  also  been  engaged  in  the  restaurant  business  at  Altona 
since  1908  and  both  branches  have  proven  profitable.  He  has  a  well  appointed 
and  well  conducted  establishment  and  his  business  methods  are  such  as  will  bear 
the  closest  investigation  and  scrutiny. 

On  the  2Oth  of  April,  1902,  Mr.  Hart  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Updike,  who  was  born  in  Altona,  February  12,  1879,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Josiah  W.  and  Edith  (Van  Scyok)  Updike,  the  father  a  pioneer  resident 
of  this  county.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hart  have  been  born  two  children :  Harry 
Worth,  who  was  born  February  8,  1903 ;  and  Marjory  Lois,  born  December 
20,  1905.  Mr.  Hart  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Al- 
tona and  at  the  present  time  he  is  financial  secretary  of  the  church.  Fraternally 
he  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Altona  Lodge,  No.  330,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  also  holds 
membership  with  Altona  Camp.  No.  3737,  -M.  W.  A.,  of  which  he  is  past  con- 
sul, and  he  likewise  belongs  to  the  Illinois  Pharmaceutical  Association.  He  is  a 
young  man  and  yet,  in  business  and  in  social  life,  he  has  made  a  record  which 
is  creditable  and  enviable,  gaining  for  him  the  respect  and  admiration  of  his 
fellowmen. 


^     ^-^  FRANK  C.  KRANS.  ' 

Trained  in  the  printing  trade  and  in  editorial  work,  Frank  C.  Krans  is  well 
qualified  to  fill  the  position  which  he  now  occupies  as  editor  and  manager  of 
the  Oneida  News,  a  weekly  paf>er  published  in  Oneida,  Knox  county,  Illinois. 
During  a  period  covering  more  than  twenty  years  he  has  gained  his  experience 
in  Illinois,  in  Nebraska,  Oregon  and  V/ashington,  coming  in  contact  with  news- 
papermen and  printers  from  every  section  of  the  country,  since  the  members  of 
this  fraternity  are  of  a  roving  disposition  fond  of  seeking  new  scenes  for  their 
field  of  labor.  Frank  C.  Krans  was  born  July  6,  1870,  in  Galva,  Illinois,  a  son 
of  O.  and  Christiana  (Aspequist)  Krans,  natives  of  Sweden.  The  father  came 
to  America  with  his  parents  when  he  was  a  young  man  and  made  his  way  to  a 
Swedish  settlement  at  Bishop's  Hill,  walking  all  the  way  from  Chicago.  When 
a  boy  he  assisted  in  hauling  the  lumber  from  Bishop's  Hill  to  Galva  when  the 
first  building  was  erected  in  the  latter  town.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he 
enlisted  in  Company  D,  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Volunteer  Infantry  of  Illinois,  from 
Princeton.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Galva,  Illinois,  where  he 


;      ;;.         '      :-        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :      v -    .^ -        SOlT 

followed  his  trade  as  painter  and  decorator  until  ten  years  ago  when  he  re- 
moved to  Altona,  Illinois,  and  has  resided  there  ever  since,  still  actively  interested 
in  his  work.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  of  Galva. 

Reared  at  home  Frank  C.  Krans  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
in  the  high  school  of  Galva.  He  prepared  himself  for  his  career  by  acting 
as  assistant  on  the  Galva  News  learning  the  many  varied  features  of  the  work. 
He  then  went  to  Altona  where  he  took  charge  of  a  paper  started  by  C.  F.  Mc- 
Donough  and  continued  in  the  management  of  the  same  for  two  years,  when  he 
decided  to  gratify  his  desire  to  move  farther  west  and  secured  employment 
in  Ogalalla,  Nebraska.  A  year  later  he  went  to  the  Pacific  coast  and  remained 
there,  working  at  the  printer  trade  for  five  years.  In  the  fall  of  1893  he  re- 
turned to  Illinois  and  purchased  the  Altona  Record  which  he  conducted  until 
1906  when  he  sold  it  to  Mills  &  Company.  Thereupon  he  went  to  Kewanee, 
Illinois,  where  he  held  a  responsible  position  on  the  Star  Courier  and  labored 
there  until  1911,  serving  one  term  of  this  time  as  president  of  the  Typographical 
Union  of  Kewanee.  During  the  current  year  he  bought  an  interest  in  a  stock 
company  in  Oneida,  organized  in  1900,  which  publishes  a  weekly,  the  Oneida 
News,  and  of  this  he  became  editor  and  manager.  He  is  spirited  and  en- 
thusiastic in  his  work  and  in  the  brief  period  since  coming  to  this  position  has 
already  demonstrated  his  eflfkiency. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Krans  and  Miss  Anna  Olson,  of  Altona,  was  celebrated 
October  2,  1898.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Peter  Olson  and  obtained  her  education 
in  the  grammar  and  high  schools  of  Altona  and  the  Normal  school  of  Bushnell, 
after  which  she  followed  the  vocation  of  teaching  for  a  number  of  years.  She 
gave  that  up,  however,  and  entered  the  Hospital  Training  School  at  Galesburg 
where  she  was  fitted  for  the  profession  of  nursing  and  after  her  graduation 
was  given  a  position  on  their  staff.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krans  are  the  parents  of 
three  children :  Kenneth,  who  is  attending  school,  and  two  younger  ones,  John 
and  Walton. 

Mr.  Krans  is  a  republican  in  his  political  affiliation^  and  served  as  town  clerk 
for  five  years  during  his  residence  in  Altona  and  also  as  village  clerk  for  an 
equal  period  of  time,  while  as  a  member  of  the  council  he  gave  his  efforts  to  the 
advancement  of  the  welfare  of  the  community.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  being  connected  with  Lodge  No.  320,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Altona  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias,  of  Oneida,  whose  beneficent  principles  he  tries  to  follow  in 
all  the  relations  of  his  daily  life.  ----M  .;  •  .v,  .  -  .-  ...  -  ,  ..  . 

J  -..••••   ^-      .,•...•'      .' •    f          '    .      .    -'  -      .--.•.••      .''••••-:.''. 


v-;-..^  ^  ;  :.-•;.-;.••':;:•:  -:  ":•/•:       HENRY  WELCH.  .\,\,;-^:/     ;  :  -i;^^-:,-.^.  s>'t  ;'„•. 

Henry  Welch,  who  is  a  resident  of  Ontario  township,  has  been  connected  with 
agricultural  interests  in  Knox  county  throughout  his  life.  He  was  born  in  Rio 
township,  March  6,  1871,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Ann  Welch,  the  former, 
whose  birth  occurred  May  28,  1836,  a  native  of  Kings  county,  Ireland,  and  the 
latter  a  native  of  New  York.  John  Welch,  whose  parents,  John  and  Sarah 
rClarke)  Welch,  were  agriculturists  in  Ireland  and  there  resided  all  their  life, 
worked  on  the  farm  and  received  a  common-school  education  while  at  home,  and 


502          •  ;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

after  emigrating  to  this  country,  in  1850,  continued  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Go- 
ing to  Galesburg  in  1857,  he  worked  out  by  the  day  until  he  removed  to  Rio 
township  in  1862,  at  which  time  he  rented  a  farm.  After  cultivating  this  for 
some  time,  he  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  land  near  by  and  has  ever  since 
made  that  farm  his  home  although  he  now  rents  it  and  lives  retired.  This  farm 
is  a  high  tribute  to  his  ability  and  labor  and  stands  as  evidence  of  his  rise  from 
a  day  laborer,  husking  corn  at  fifty  cents  per  day  to  a  successful  agriculturist,  who 
has  acquired  a  competence  sufficient  to  provide  for  a  comfortable  retired  life.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Welch  have  been  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely :  Mrs.  Mary  Staf- 
ford, a  widow,  who  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Clare  and  William ;  Henry,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch ;  Charles,  who  is  married  to  Winiferd  Barry,  the  daughter 
of  James  Barry,  and  who  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Anna  May,  of  Sparta  town- 
ship; Margaret,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Rittenhouse,  a  traveling  salesman  of 
Galesburg  and  to  whom  two  children,  Neal  and  Ruth,  have  been  born;  Nellie, 
the  wife  of  Ira  Rice,  who  conducts  a  general  store  at  Wataga;  and  Edward, 
deceased. 

Henry  Welch  received  a  common-school  education  and  then  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  started  in  life  for  himself,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years. 
He  began  his  independent  career  on  a  farm  in  Rio  township,  which  he  cultivated 
for  ten  years,  and,  in  1900,  he  came  to  Ontario  township  and  purchased  the  one 
hundred  and  fifty-three  acres  of  land  comprising  his  present  farm,  which  is  all 
under  high  cultivation  and  returning  profitable  yields  to  the  labor  expended  upon 
it.  Mr.  Welch  is  raising  grain  and  general  farm  products  and  is  also  engaged  in 
cattle  and  hog-raising  for  the  western  markets. 

On  February  2,  1898,  occurred  Mr.  Welch's  marriage  to  Lucy  Barry, 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Frances  (Edwards)  Barry,  who  have  long  been  resi- 
dents of  Knox  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  three  children  have  been  born, 
Maurice  E.,  Francis  M.  and  Florence  L. 

-  Mr.  Welch  is  a  democrat  and  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  of 
Woodhull.  In  these,  as  in  other  relations  he  is  consistently  loyal,  living  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  highest  ideals  of  citizenship.  ..  ,  .  .  ;^ 


-  K;-;;:^    •  •      ORANGE  LOWELL  CAMPBELL.    ;:::.:-^ -  '  ( 

The  consensus  of  public  opinion  places  the  name  of  Orange  Lowell  Camp- 
bell high  on  the  roll  of  representative  and  honored  residents  of  Knoxville,  where 
he  is  now  filling  the  position  of  postmaster.  This  is  his  native  town,  his  birth 
having  here  occurred,  March  7,  1852.  His  parents  were  Elisha  and  Mary  A. 
(Lowell)  Campbell.  The  father  was  born  in  Gallipolis,  Ohio,  in  1825,  and 
was  a  son  of  Dr.  John  and  Mary  (Webb)  Campbell,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Virginia,  where  the  grandfather  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  becom- 
ing recognized  as  a  prominent  member  of  the  profession  and  a  prolific  writer 
who  made  valuablue  contributions  to  medical  literature.  His  father  had  been  a 
native  of  Scotland  and  Dr.  John  Campbell  displayed  in  his  life  many  of  the 
sterling  characteristics  of  his  Scotch  ancestry.  At  an  early  day  he  removed 
from  Virginia  to  Ohio,  settling  in  Gallipolis,  and  subsequently  he  came  to  Illinois, 


O.  L.  CAMPBELL 


502  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

after  emigrating  to  this  country,  in  1850,  continued  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Go- 
ing to  Galesburg  in  1857.  he  worked  out  by  the  day  until  he  removed  to  Rio 
township  in  1862,  at  which  time  he  rented  a  farm.  After  cultivating  this  for 
some  time,  he  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  land  near  by  and  has  ever  since 
made  that  farm  his  home  although  he  now  rents  it  and  lives  retired.  This  farm 
is  a  high  tribute  to  his  ability  and  labor  and  stands  as  evidence  of  his  rise  from 
a  day  laborer,  husking  corn  at  fifty  cents  per  day  to  a  successful  agriculturist,  who 
has  acquired  a  competence  sufficient  to  provide  for  a  comfortable  retired  life.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Welch  have  been  the  parents  of  six  children,  namelj  :  .Mrs.  'Mary  Staf- 
ford, a  widow,  who  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Clare  and  William;  Henry,  the  . 
subject  of  this  sketch;  Charles,  who  is  married  to  Winiferd  Barry,  the  daughter  • 
of  James  Barry,  and  who  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Anna  May,  of  Sparta  town- 
ship; Margaret,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  H.  Rittenhouse,  a  traveling  salesman  of 
Galesburg  and  to  whom  two  children,  Xeal  and  Ruth,  have  been  born ;  Nellie, 
the  wife  of  Ira  Rice,  who  conducts  a  general  store  at  Wataga;  and  Edward, 
deceased. 

Henry  Welch  received  a  common-school  education  and  then  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  started  in  life  for  himself,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years. 
He  began  his  independent  career  on  a  farm  in  Rio  township,  which  he  cultivated 
for  ten  years,  and,  in  1900,  he  came  to  Ontario  township  and  purchased  the  one 
hundred  and  fifty-three  acres  of  land  comprising  his  present  farm,  which  is  all 
under  high  cultivation  and  returning  profitable  yields  to  the  labor  expended  upon 
it.  Mr.  Welch  is  raising  grain  and  general  farm  products  and  is  also  engaged  in 
cattle  and  hog-raising  for  the  western  markets. 

On    February    2,    1898,    occurred    Mr.    Welch's    marriage    to    Lucy    Barry,   ; 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Frances  (Edwards)  Barry,  who  b.ave  long  been  resi- 
dents of  Knox  county.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welch  three  children  have  been  bom, 
Maurice  E.,  Francis  M.  and  Florence  L. 

Mr.  Welch  is  a  democrat  and  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  of 
\\'oodhull.  In  these,  as  in  other  relations  he  is  consistently  loyal,  living  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  highest  ideals  of  citizenship.  .  . 


ORANGE  LOWELL  CAMPBELL.      . 

The  consensus  of  public  opinion  places  the  name  of  Orange  Lowell  Camp- 
bell high  on  the  roll  of  representative  and  honored  residents  of  Knoxville,  where 
he  is  now  filling  the  position  of  postmaster.  This  is  his  native  town,  his  birth 
having  here  occurred,  March  7,  1852.  His  parents  were  Elisha  and  Mary  A. 
(Lowell)  Campbell.  The  father  was  born  in  Gallipolis,  Ohio,  in  1825,  and 
was  a  son  of  Dr.  John  and  Mary  (Webb)  Campbell,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Virginia,  where  the  grandfather  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  becom- 
ing recognized  as  a  prominent  menil)er  of  the  ])rofession  and  a  prolific  writer 
who  made  valuablue  contributions  to  medical  literature.  His  father  had  been  a 
native  of  Scotland  and  Dr.  John  Campbell  displayed  in  his  life  many  of  the 
sterling  characteristics  of  his  Scotch  ancestry.  At  an  early  day  he  removed 
from  X'irginia  to  Ohio,  settling  in  Gallipolis,  and  subsequently  he  came  to  Illinois, 


<i.   r,.  (  AMI'liKr.L 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      r  505 

establishing  his  home  in  Quincy,  where  he  lived  to  the  time  of  his  death.  When 
a  young  man  he  not  only  practiced  medicine  but  also  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
law  and,  at  the  time  of  the  war  of  1812,  manifested  his  patriotic  loyalty  to  his 
country  by  active  service  in  the  field.  His  wide  reading  made  him  a  well  in- 
formed man  and  as  a  ready  writer  he  discussed  through  the  press  many  questions 
of  widespread  interest. 

The  maternal  grandparents  of  O.  L.  Campbell  were  natives  of  England,  while 
the  paternal  grandmother,  Mrs.  Mary  (Webb)  Campbell,  was  of  German  lineage. 
Elisha  Campbell,  the  father  of  O,  L.  Campbell,  spent  his  youthful  days  under 
the  parental  roof  and  in  early  manhood  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching, 
which  he  followed  successfully  in  Ohio  until  his  removal  to  Illinois.  He  also 
learned  the  plasterer's  and  mason's  trades  and  thus  became  well  qualified  for 
the  attainment  of  success  along  different  lines  of  activity.  It  was  in  1848  that 
he  became  a  resident  of  this  state  and  in  May,  1850,  he  was  married  in  Knox- 
ville  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Lxjwell.  On  coming  to  the  Mississippi  valley  he  had 
spent  a  short  time  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  thence  made  his  way  to  Peoria, 
Illinois,  where  he  also  remained  for  but  a  brief  period.  On  the  expiration  of 
that  time  he  came  to  Knoxville,  where  he  followed  his  trade  and  also  engaged 
in  teaching  school.  His  life  was  thus  busily  passed  until  August,  1862,  when 
he  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  troops,  enlisting  here  as  a  member  of 
Company  E,  Eighty-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he  served  for 
three  years.  He  was  appointed  corporal  of  his  company  and  later  was  advanced 
to  the  rank  of  sergeant.  On  account  of  the  wounds  which  he  had  sustained, 
he  was  assigned  to  a  position  in  the  recruiting  service,  as  he  was  unfit  for  active 
field  duty,  and  as  such,  enlisted  a  company  of  negro  soldiers  at  Fort  Donelson. 
Following  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Knoxville,  but  afterward  became 
a  resident  of  Council  Bluflfs,  Iowa,  where  he  died  in  1880,  the  interment  being 
made,  however,  in  Red  Oak,  Iowa.  His  wife  survived  him  until  June  2,  1900, 
passing  away  at  Omaha,  Nebraska,  and  her  grave,  too,  was  made  at  Red  Oak. 
In  their  family  were  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  as  follows: 
Orange  L.,  who  is  the  eldest  in  the  family ;  Almira,  the  second  of  the  family, 
who  was  for  twenty-one  years  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Omaha ;  Qara ; 
Charles,  engaged  in  business  in  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Lloyd,  mechanic  of 
Detroit,  Michigan,  acting  as  foreman  of  the  paint  department  of  the  Chalmers 
Automobile  Company  of  that  city ;  John  and  George,  both  of  whom  died  in 
infancy ;  Emma  and  Louise,  twins,  deceased ;  and  Ella,  also  deceased.  The  first 
two  were  teachers  in  the  public  schools  of  Iowa. 

Orange  L.  Campbell  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
town  and,  passing  through  consecutive  grades,  was  eventually  graduated  from 
the  high  school.  When  a  young  man  he  learned  the  printing  trade,  which  he 
followed  during  the  summer  seasons  while  continuing  his  education  in  the 
winter  months.  His  first  work  was  in  the  office  of  the  Knox  County  Republican, 
with  which  paper  he  continued  during  the  period  of  the  Civil  war  and  until 
he  had  completed  eight  years'  service  in  that  connection.  He  then  went  to 
Watseka,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  for  a  year,  after  which  he  secured  a  posi- 
tion on  one  of  the  leading  papers  at  Quincy,  Illinois.  Returning  to  Knoxville, 
he  purchased  in  1876  the  Knox  County  Republican,  which  he  edited  until  1910, 
making  it  one  of  the  progressive  country  papers  of  this  part  of  the  state,  with 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

a  good  circulation  and  large  advertising  patronage.     He  put  aside  private  busi- 
:       ness  affairs,  however,  to  enter  upon  public  office,  being  first  appointed  post- 
•'.:  master  under  President  Harrison  and  later  by  Presidents  McKinley  and  Roose- 
'     velt.  while  at  the  present  time  he 'is  filling  the  position  by  appointment  of  Pr<!;si- 
:   ,   dent  Taft.     His  administration  of  the  office  has  always  been  business  like  and 
systematic,  his  course  winning  the  approval  of  the  many  patrons  of  this  office. 
In  1887  he  was  elected  to  the  position  of  town  clerk  and  served  for  eight  years. 
He  was  also  the  first  secretary  and  clerk  of  the  public  library  and  for  eight  years 
was  secretary  of  the  board  of  education.     During  seventeen  years  he  served  as 
secretary  of  the  Knox  County  Agricultural  Association  and  was  the  first  secre- 
tary of  the  Knox  County  Farmers'  Institute,  which  position  he  filled  for  eight 
years.     He  is  an  honored  member  of  the  Knox  County  Old  Settlers'  Associa- 
,    tion  and   has  been   its   secretary    for   twenty-seven   years.     His  activities   have 
.  ,   touched  the  general  interests  of  society  along  many  lines  and  in  every  connec- 
.  V  tion  he  has  been  found  faithful  to  the  trust  reposed  in  him. 
_;.     '.  .,  Fraternally  Mr.  Campbell  is  connected  with  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  66,  A.  F. 
&  A.   M.,  of  which  he  has  been  the  secretary.     He  belongs   also  to  Raboni 
.    Chapter,  No.  95,  R.  A.  M.,  and  to  Illinois  Council,  No.  i,  which  was  the  first 
lodge  of  this  kind  in  the  state.    He  became  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Fraternal 
Reserves  and  was  its  first  state  vice  president.     He  likewise  has  membership 
:  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America,  with  the  Sons  of  Veterans  of  Gales- 
burg  and  for  two  terms  was  captain  of  the  Knoxville  Sons  of  Veterans,  having 
also  been  one  of  the  organizers  of  this  society.     He  is  the  vice  president  of  the 
Fifteenth   Congressional   District   Postmasters'  Association   and  is  president  of 
the  Military  Tract  Association.     All  of  his  varied  interests  have  brought  him 
a  wide  acquaintance  and  everywhere  he  is  held  in  high  regard. 

On  the  igth  of  June,  1873,  in  Knoxville,  Mr.  Campbell  was  united  in  mar- 
riage  to   Miss   Aug^ista    Stowe   Bull,   who   was   born   in   Milford,    Connecticut. 
•'.,  July  2,  1851,  a  daughter  of  Captain  William  and  Phoebe  (Stowe)   Bull.     Her 
father  came  to  Knox  county  at  an  early  day,  purchased  a   farm  and  resided 
thereon  until  his  death  in  1862.    Her  mother  died  in  1909,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
;    nine  years,  having  spent  her  last  days  in  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell. 
The  Stowe  family  of  which  Mrs.  Campbell  is  a  representative  in  the  maternal 
line  came  from  Milford,  Connecticut,  and  from  the  same  ancestry  descended 
'  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe.    The  great-grandfather  of  Mrs.  Campbell  was  a  soldier 
_  of  the  Revolutionary  war  under  General  Washington.     Unto  Captain  and  Mrs. 
But  there  were  bom  seven  children,  of  whom  the  Rev.  Cornelius  Bull  was  the 
eldest.    He  is  a  minister  of  the  Free  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  resides  in 
•  Fullerton,  Kansas.    The  other  members  of  the  family  were:     Mrs.  R.  J.  Over- 
street,  of  Galesburg ;  I.  T.  Bull,  living  in  Shenandoah,  Iowa ;  John  S.,  of  Fort 
Wayne,  Indiana;  Philip  H.,  of  Galesburg;  and  one,  who  died  in  infancy.     Mrs. 
S  Campbell,  also  a  member  of  this  family,  has  become  the  mother  of  three  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  eldest.  Sterling  H.,  now  resides  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  being 
;  sales  agent  for  the  American  Railway  Equipment  Company,  in  which  connec- 
'     tion  he  travels  all  over  the  United  States.     He  is  a  graduate  of  St.  Alban's 
, ;';  School  of  Knoxville.     Charlotte  W.  is  vice  principal  and  teacher  of  language 
and  literature  in  St.  Mary's  school.     Mary,  the  youngest,  is  now  a  student  in 
that  school.    Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian 


^^:  ;•;.?' \'^^^^        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   '    /       v  '  507 

church  and  he  is  a  member  of  its  choir.  Their  daughters,  Charlotte  and  Mary, 
are  members  of  the  Episcopal  church.  In  the  religious  organization  to  which 
he  belongs  Mr.  Campbell  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  and  has  served  as 
secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Presbyterian  Sunday  school.  His  political  alle- 
giance is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has  ever  been  a  stalwart  champion 
of  its  principles.  He  is  also  much  interested  in  music,  possessing  considerable 
natural  talent  and  ability,  and  for  six  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Gales- 
burg  Musical  Union.  Mr.  Campbell  has  a  very  wide  acquaintance  not  only  in 
Knox  county  but  in  other  parts  of  the  state  and  his  sterling  worth  has  won  him 
high  regard,  while  his  geniality  and  cordiality  have  gained  for  him  enduring 
friendships.  He  is  popular  wherever  known  and  everywhere  is  spoken  of  in 
terms  of  good-will,  confidence  and  respect. 


•;  •;:  ^:•  ::v^:  •;;';.  ' '  •-'•  ;•';;...•;:>•    JOHN  SCHWARZ.  -7::;/:,:; "'    •_::  :y.:"-:\-:':.'^:y-::-':'. 

'  John  Schwarz,  one  of  the  successful  farmers  and  dairymen  of  Sparta  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  on  the  4th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1866.  He  is  a  son  of  John  George  Schwarz,  who  spent  the  first  forty-five 
years  of  his  life  in  the  fatherland,  his  birth  there  occurring  on  November  14, 
1827.  His  parents  were  John  and  Margaret  Schwarz,  who  sp/ent  their  entire 
lives  in  their  native  land,  where  they  were  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits. 
Left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  seven  John  George  Schwarz  was  reared  by  an 
elder  brother  until  old  enough  to  become  self-supporting.  For  his  wife  he  chose 
Rosina  Moessner,  a  daughter  of  Matthew  Moessner,  a  school  teacher  in  Ger- 
many. She  was  also  a  native  of  Wurtemberg,  her  birth  occurring  on  January 
3,  1827.  Five  of  the  children  born  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schwarz 
are  living,  those  beside  our  subject  being  as  follows :  Leonard,  who  is  a  cooper, 
Mathias  and  Michael,  all  residents  of  St.  Clair  county;  and  Anna  Margaret, 
the  wife  of  Conrad  A.  Fritz,  of  Belleville,  Illinois.  Together  with  his  wife  and 
family  John  George  Schwarz  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1872,  locating 
in  St.  Clair  county.  There  for  a  time  he  worked  as  a  laborer,  but  later  by 
means  of  his  thrift  and  unceasing  energy  he  was  able  to  buy  a  small  farm  that 
he  cultivated  until  his  death  on  June  i6,  1882.  The  parents  were  both  members 
of  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  church 
in  the  vicinity  of  their  home,  Mr.  Schwarz  being  one  of  the  trustees  until  his 
death.  Although  he  became  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  he  never  actively  par- 
ticipated in  political  affairs,  devoting  his  entire  attention  to  the  development 
of  his  personal  interests. 

Having  been  only  a  lad  of  six  years  when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
with  his  parents  John  Schwarz  obtained  practically  his  entire  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  St.  Clair  county,  which  he  attended  until  he  was  thirteen 
years  of  age.  His  energies  were  then  directed  toward  assisting  his  father  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm,  where  he  continued  to  live  until  twenty-three 
years  of  age.  He  then  came  to  Knox  county,  and  during  the  first  two  years  of 
his  residence  here  he  worked  as  a  laborer  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad.  After  his  marriage  he  rented  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living,  so  in- 


508  ''•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^-^^--^.     v 

telligently  directing  his  efforts  in  its  cultivation  that  he  acquired  the  means  to 
purchase  it  in  1890.  Mr.  Schwarz  takes  great  pride  in  his  homestead  and  its 
appearance,  giving  his  personal  supervision  to  everything  about  his  place.  His 
fields  are  carefully  tilled  and  annually  yield  abundant  harvests  in  return  for  his 
labor,  while  his  dairy  business  is  also  proving  most  lucrative. 

Mr.  Schwarz  has  been  ably  assisted  in  his  efforts  by  his  wife,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Wilhelmina  Schultz.  She  is  a  native  of  Galesburg,  her  birth  there 
occurring  on  the  22d  of  October,  1871.  Her  parents  are  William  and  Margaret 
(Sauter)  Schultz,  both  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  father,  who  is  a  black- 
smith, was  for  many  years  actively  engaged  in  his  trade,  but  having  attained 
the  age  of  sixty-seven  is  now  living  retired.  The  mother  is  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Dorothea  (Zeller)  Sauter,  the  former  still  living  at  the  venerable 
age  of  eighty-seven,  but  the  wife  passed  away  in  1873,  when  she  was  fifty- 
eight.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Christoph  and  Katherine  Zeller,  the  father  a 
laborer  of  Lauterberg,  Germany,  while  the  parents  of  Jacob  Sauter  were  Johann 
and  Anna  Margaretha  (Maier)  Sauter.  Johann  Sauter  passed  away  in  1850  at  the 
age  of  seventy-eight.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schwarz  there  have  been 
born  seven  children :  George  William,  who  is  nineteen  and  living  at  home ; 
Dorothea  Paulina,  who  is  seventeen ;  Rosa,  fourteen ;  Carolina,  who  is  twelve ; 
Wilhelmina,  aged  nine;  Anna  Margaretha,  who  is  seven;  and  Ruth  Irene,  aged 
three  weeks. 

The  family  manifest  their  religious  views  through  their  membership  in  the 
Lutheran  church,  while  his  political  support  Mr.  Schwarz  gives  to  the  repub- 
lican party.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  township 
and  served  for  thirteen  years  as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  while  at  the 
present  time  he  is  serving  in  the  capacity  of  road  commissioner.  He  is  held 
in  high  esteem  in  his  community  where  he  is  known  as  a  straightforward  up- 
right man,  whose  business  transactions  are  always  conducted  in  a  fair  and  hon- 
orable manner.  .  '  .  ;  •,•'•':-•  :  •  ;:f 


Vvt^K.  JOHN  McMASTER.  ^ 

John  McMaster,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Altona,  Illinois,  is  one  of  the 
men  whom  his  fellow  citizens  regard  with  honor  and  respect  because  his  life  ex- 
emplifies all  that  is  commendable  and  in  accordance  with  high  principles.  He  was 
an  earnest  and  diligent  laborer  and  his  integrity  in  any  business  dealing  has  never 
been  questioned.  He  was  born  on  the  I5th  of  May,  1827,  at  Daldillan,  parish  of 
Sorn,  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  in  1852  came  to  America  with  his  parents,  John  and 
Ann  (Struthers)  McMaster,  the  latter  being  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  (Wat- 
son) Struthers.  The  father  was  the  only  son  of  John  McMaster,  who  was  an 
agriculturist  of  Scotland,  his  death  having  occurred  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years, 
in  1868,  Mrs.  McMaster  having  passed  away  ten  years  previous,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-five  years.  They  were  the  parents  of :  David,  who  is  living  retired  in  Cop- 
ley township;  George,  a  resident  of  Henry  county;  Thomas,  who  is  living  in 
Walnut  Grove  township ;  and  John,  the  subject  of  this  sketcli.  The  McMasters 
made  the  trip  from  their  native  land  in  company  with  the  Struthers  family  and 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         >      '^-  -          509 


went  direct  to  Chicago  and  thence  overland  with  teams  to  Peoria,  from  which 
place  they  set  out  for  Copley  township,  Knox  county.  There  they  built  the  first 
log  house  which  was  erected  in  that  district  on  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  Mr. 
McMaster  and  his  children  brought  under  such  a  state  of  cultivation  that  it  was 
suitable  for  a  home. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  John  McMaster  began  his  active  career  on  the 
home  farm.  Subsequently  he  purchased  a  team  of  horses  and  by  hard  labor  and 
constant  saving  was  soon  able  to  make  a  home  for  his  parents.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  bought  eighty  acres  in  Walnut  Grove  township  but  disposed  of  it  two 
years  later,  when  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  formed  the 
nucleus  of  the  more  extensive  farm  he  owned  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  in 

1898. 

Mr.  McMaster  was  married  on  the  22d  of  August,  i86i,  to  Miss  Lorinda 
Helen  Multer,  who  is  a  daughter  of  Captain  Joseph  and  Susan  (Becker)  Multer 
and  whose  birth  occurred  at  South  Worcester,  Ostego  county.  New  York,  on  the 
loth  of  May,  1838.  Captain  Multer  was  a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812.  Mrs. 
Multer  was  a  daughter  of  Louis  Becker,  of  Germany,  and  Joseph  Multer  was  of 
Dutch  descent,  his  father  having  been  the  royal  family's  physician.  Mrs.  Mc- 
Master came  to  Knox  county  to  visit  her  brother  in  1860  and  was  one  of  thirteen 
children,  her  two  surviving  sisters  being :  Catherine,  the  wife  of  E.  Daily,  of  New 
York ;  and  Susan,  who  is  the  widow  of  George  Payne,  of  New  York.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McMaster  became  the  parents  of  five  children :  Chauncey  J.,  who  is  mar- 
ried to  Frances  Reed  and  is  living  in  Walnut  Grove  township ;  David  N.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Walnut  Grove  township,  who  married  Miss  May  Thompson ;  Anna,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Frank  Brown,  of  Galesburg,  and  has  one  child,  Margaret;  John 
E.,  also  residing  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  who  married  Minnie  Lock  and  has 
two  children,  Lola  M.  and  Bequeeth ;  and  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  William  Thom- 
son, of  Walnut  Grove  township,  and  the  mother  of  two  children,  Helen  A.,  and 
Mary  M.  :'V- "';\'^;  '-,.;-' 

On  the  22d  of  August,  1911,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMaster  celebrated  their  golden 
wedding  anniversary,  an  occasion  which  gave  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  of 
their  friends,  who  had  assembled  from  various  parts  of  the  United  States  and 
even  as  far  as  India,  an  opportunity  to  show  the  regard  and  esteem  in  which  this 
worthy  couple  is  held.  They  were  the  recipients  of  the  hearty  congratulations 
of  their  neighbors  and  of  many  substantial  and  valuable  gifts.  The  following 
poem,  which  was  written  and  read  by  J.  W.  McQueen,  gives  an  idea  of  the  affec- 
tion felt  for  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMaster: 

;•  ;•      '        "Fifty  years  you  have  walked  together         ..       .-      •>. 

Along  the  pathway  of  life, 

'^-  Amid  the  storm  and  shiny  weather  .       •'•    ,: 

':         •        ^;  -You've  not  faltered  in  the  strife.  .  :.       ' 

/•    '-           "Yes  those  years  have  drawn  you  nearer,  ' -:.. 

;      -  /               Dearer  far  than  tongue  can  tell  •:: 

.  V;-;:,             Have  your  lives  together  blended  .       \'  J  • 

:    -              V          In  the  race  you  have  run  so  well.  .        •     ;.  , 


510 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


..-  •7;:'\'.      •-  .  .: 

•    .  ,^.   *"*,.  f-    • ' 


"Golden  weddings  are  not  common, 

Few  can  reach  that  auspicious  day, 
Yours  has  been  a  happy  concourse 

Friends  you've  made  along  the  way. 

"Life  without  friends  would  be  dreary, 

If  we  lived  for  ourselves  alone  • . 

The  days  would  go  so  long  and  weary ::':''  vi 
Life  a  void  and  empty  tomb.          :;•;;: 

"Here  today  we  meet  and  greet  you 

Children,  neighbors,  friends  have  come 
To  extend  the  hand  of  friendship  .'•. 

On  this  your  gala  nuptial  day.  , .  ' 

"May  the  golden  sunshine  brighten  ' 

Many  happy  days  ere  yet  to  come 
As  adown  life's  road  you  travel  •;    •. 

Towards  the  setting  of  the  sun."  .;'  ;> 


;'  In  politics  Mr.  .McMaster  has  always  given  his  support  to  the  republican  party 
and  has  frequently  held  township  offices,  thus  having  opportunity  to  serve  his 
community.  Mrs.  MoMaster  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  church,  in  the 
work  of  which  she  takes  an  active  and  helpful  interest.  They  have  passed  their 
entire  married  life  in  this  vicinity  and  by  their  kindly  spirit,  charitable  disposition 
and  generous  acts  have  won  the  affection  and  regard  of  all  who  know  them. 


ALAN  McQUARRIE. 


This  country  is  in  a  large  measure  indebted  for  its  civilization  and  institu- 
tions to  the  sturdy  natives  of  Scotland  who  have  been  prominent  in  stimulating 
the  march  of  progress  and  in  directing  affairs  along  safe  and  conservative  lines. 
Alan  McQuarrie,  who  passed  away  December  29,  1903,  and  was  well  known 
in  Copley  township,  Knox  county,  is  a  native  of  that  country,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  Ayrshire,  near  Glasgow,  December  31,  1814.  He  was  the  descendant 
of  a  family  which  can  trace  its  ancestry  far  back  in  the  annals  of  the  Highland 
Scotch  race  and  at  the  present  time  the  family  has  in  its  possession  a  tartan  worn 
by  one  of  the  earliest  generations. 

Mr.  McQuarrie  began  his  active  career  in  his  native  land,  first  engaging  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  but  later  he  became  the  owner  of  coal  lands  which  gave 
promise  of  valuable  mineral  beds  and  also  contracted  with  his  government  to 
drain  a  section  of  the  adjacent  lowlands.  These  undertakings  were  all  of  the 
kind  calling  for  hard  labor  and  yet  would  not  yield  immediate  profits  and  America 
seemed  to  him  to  offer  greater  opportunities  to  the  man  who  was  willing  to  sac- 
rifice and  labor.  Accordingly,  he  set  out  for  the  United  States  with  his  wife 


. \I..\N      M.i.»l  AliUlK 


ilHS.   ALAN    M<(,»rAIJl!ll-; 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        /^  515 

and  two  children,  in  1851,  and  came  directly  to  Knox  county,  where  he  located 
upon  the  Copley  township  property  which  is  the  present  McQuarrie  homestead. 
That  he  was  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  to  enter  the  district  is  seen  in  the  fact 
that  his  was  the  first  log  house  built.  Throughout  his  life  the  greater  part  of 
his  time  and  attention  was  given  to  dealing  in  land  and  farming,  although  he 
was  engaged  in  contracting  and  railroad  grading  near  Altona,  Illinois.  At 
various  times  he  bought  and  sold  tracts  of  land  in  Iowa. 

Mr.  McQuarrie  was  married  June  15,  1849,  to  Miss  Mary  Watson  McMas- 
ter,  who  was  born  in  Scotland,  on  the  2Oth  of  August,  1824,  and  died  on  the 
29th  of  January,  1895,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John 
McMaster,  also  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  the  United  States  in  1850, 
locating  in  Copley  township,  Knox  county,  where  his  death  occurred  at  the  age 
of  ninety-two  years.  He  was  married  to  Ann  Struthers,  who  was  a  daughter 
of  James  Struthers,  whose  death  occurred  in  1868,  at  the  age  of  ninety-five 
years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McQuarrie  became  the  parents  of  five  children.  Margaret, 
who  is  the  wife  of  J.  Gordon,  was  born  in  1852.  She  is  residing  in  Altona. 
Mary  Watson  was  born  on  the  ijth  of  January,  1855,  on  the  home  farm  and  has 
devoted  her  entire  life  to  her  parents.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  is  at  present  residing  on  the  home  farm.  Alan  John,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  3Oth  of  April,  1859,  in  the  old  log  cabin,  has  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits  throughout  his  entire  life.  He  casts  his  vote  with  the  demo- 
cratic party  but  has  never  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics.  Agnes  Florence 
is  married  to  Albert  Erickson,  of  Walnut  Grove  township.  Ann  Struthers 
became  the  wife  of  Alexander  .Morgan  and  both  are  now  deceased. 

In  politics  Mr.  McQuarrie  was  a  democrat  and,  although  he  was  not  an 
active  politician,  he  was  always  interested  in  public  affairs  and  contributed  his 
influence  and  support  toward  securing  the  election  of  those  candidates  whom 
he  thought  would  be  most  efficient  in  promoting  measures  which  would  be  to  the 
interest  of  public  welfare.  He  was  a  man  of  high  moral  character,  industrious 
and  enterprising,  and  his  honesty  and  uprightness  always  merited  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  his  neighbors.  -•,......-:•,  - .  :<,  ,-...'...-•,. 


:-^x'.i^'''v^;':'£-;^'-^'^- •':';:' ''"'-.''v'      STEWART  j.  cox.    •;:o-6-'':  ,/....:    '.:i,;v-;:i-:3- 

;'  Stewart  J.  Cox,  an  agriculturist  residing  on  section  i6,  Ontario  township,  was 
bom  on  the  3d  of  October,  1876,  upon  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living.  He  is  a 
son  of  L.  J.  and  Elizabeth  (West)  Cox,  of  whom  mention  is  made  elsewhere  in 
this  volume. 

Stewart  Cox  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  has  since  as- 
sisted in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm.  In  1895  he  began  farming  independently 
and  now  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  which  he  devotes 
to  general  farming  and  to  feeding  hogs  for  market  purposes.  In  his  agricultural 
'pursuits  he  has  gained  the  success  which  is  the  reward  of  hard  labor  and  per- 
sistent effort  conscientiously  carried  on,  even  though  the  start  is  made  without 
capital. 


516          ^  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY      :^  V.  .:^ '/•- 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1900,  Mr.  Cox  was  married  to  Miss  Mildred  White,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Barrer)  White,  the  father  being  engaged  in  farm- 
ing.   Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  have  become  the  parents  af  three  children:  Stewart 
•        Garrett,  Minnie  E.  and  James  Richard.     In  his  political  allegiance  Mr.  Cox  re- 
tains an  independent  attitude,  casting  his  vote  for  the  man  or  measure  which  he 
.-     thinks  will  be  most  effective  for  good  government  rather  than  according  to  the 
dictates  of  any  party.    He  holds  membership  in  the  subordinate  lodge  of  the  Odd 
,     Fellows  and  the  encampment  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  Wood- 
hull.    In  all  life's  relations,  whether  as  a  business  man,  citizen  or  in  fraternal  af- 
•    .!  fairs,  he  is  progressive  and  believes  that  the  individual  should  continually  ad- 
vance through  the  recognition  and  improvement  of  opportunities  which  present 
:;•:  ^    themselves.  •  :.::•'••-'.  •::•''  •',•••'.  • 


/;.x::     •  GEORGE  BEHRINGER.         ;    :A:.;  ; 

George  Behringer,  who  has  long  been  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests 
of  Knox  county,  being  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  in  Sparta 
township,  was  born  in  Galesburg,  on  the  4th  of  November,  1856.  His  father, 
Michael  Behringer,  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  on  March  5,  1824,  and 
there  he  passed  the  first  twenty-five  years  of  his  life.  He  was  in  the  government 
service,  being  employed  in  the  capacity  of  mail  driver  and  express  courier,  but 
early  recognizing  that  there  was  little  possibility  of  his  ever  attaining  such  a  posi- 
tion as  he  aspired  to,  he  determined  to  leave  his  native  land  and  come  to  America. 
In  1849  he  took  passage  for  the  United  States,  coming  directly  to  Chicago,  where 
he  remained  for  three  years.  Almost  immediately  upon  his  arrival  he  obtained  a 
position  with  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  continuing  in  their  ser- 
vice during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Being  entirely  unfamiliar  with  the  language 
and  customs  of  the  country,  as  well  as  with  railroading  his  early  duties  were  of 
a  minor  nature.  He  proved  to  be  an  efficient  and  trustworthy  employe,  however, 
and  was  promoted  from  time  to  time  to  jMJsitions  of  greater  responsibility  and 
for  many  years  was  overseer  of  the  freight  yards,  and  during  the  cholera  year 
was  placed  in  charge  of  the  coaches  in  transit  wherein  were  placed  those  stricken 
with  this  fatal  disease.  For  his  wife  Mr.  Behringer  chose  Miss  Helen  Schmidt, 
also  a  native  of  Wurtemberg,  her  birth  there  occurring  on  March  24,  1824,  and 
a  daughter  of  Daniel  Schmidt,  a  fruit-grower  and  a  manufacturer  of  wine.  The 
paternal  grandfather,  Michael  Behringer,  was  a  weaver  by  trade.  Both  of  the 
parents  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  for  many  years  the  father 
discharged  the  duties  of  trustee.  Four  of  the  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Behringer  are  still  living,  our  subject  being  the  eldest  of  the  family.  The  others 
are  as  follows:  Daniel  .M.,  who  is  a  merchant  in  Nebraska;  William,  who  lives 
in  Sparta  township;  and  Helen  C.,  the  vnic  of  N.  E.  Olson,  a  farmer  in  the 
vicinity  of  Galesburg. 

George  Behringer  was  reared  in  Galesburg  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools.  When  old  enough  to  qualify  himself  for  a  life  vocation,  he  entered  the* 
machine  shops  of  the  "Q"  at  Galesburg,  but  after  being  there  employed  for  three 
years,  he  decided  he  preferred  agricultural  pursuits,  so  turned  his  attention  to 


; -A;:  •.:,;.:      •^:^      HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY       ." f^^ :-•''•••          517 

farming.  He  subsequently  located  on  the  place  where  he  is  now  living,  meeting 
with  such  excellent  success  in  his  undertakings  that  he  ultimately  became  owner 
of  the  property.  The  place  was  well  improved  when  he  purchased  it,  but  during 
the  period  of  his  occupancy  he  has  effected  various  changes  and  installed  some 
modern  conveniences,  that  have  greatly  added  to  its  appearance.  As  he  is  ener- 
getic and  capable,  Mr.  Behringer  has  met  with  good  success  in  both  his  farming 
and  stock-raising  and  is  known  as  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  Sparta  town- 
ship. He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Wataga  State  Bank,  of  which  he  is 
now  vice  president,  and  he  is  interested  in  various  other  local  enterprises. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1887,  Mr.  Behringer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Hannah  Benson,  who  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  on  the  25th  of  October, 
1866,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Tufve  and  Catherine  (Allison)  Benson,  the 
father  a  native  of  Sweden.  The  mother  passed  away  on  the  iSth  of  November, 
1909,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Benson,  as  follows:  Samuel,  a  retired  real-estate  dealer  of  Galesburg;  Carrie, 
the  wife  of  H.  Gehring,  now  retired,  also  of  Galesburg;  Mrs.  Behringer;  Ira,  a 
plumber  of  Maplewood,  Missouri ;  Harvey,  a  farmer  of  Salem,  Illinois ;  Jeannette, 
who  married  Charles  Harpman,  a  teacher  at  Pittsburg,  Kansas ;  Hazel,  who  is  at 
home;  and  Edith,  who  is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Behringer  have  three  children:: 
Dessa,  who  is  twenty-two  years  of  age,  now  attending  Lombard  College ;  Frank 
Lloyd,  who  will  soon  attain  his  majority,  and  Herald,  a  youth  of  twelve  years, 
are  both  at  home. 

Mr.  Behringer  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mrs.  Behringer  of 
the  Congregational,  being  affiliated  with  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  for  three 
years  president  of  this  organization.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Wataga 
camp  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Mystic 
Workers  of  the  World.  His  political  allegiance  he  has  never  accorded  any  one 
body,  but  gives  his  support  to  such  men  and  mezisures  as  he  considers  best  adapted 
to  protect  the  highest  interests  of  the  majority.  Although  he  takes  a  deep  interest 
in  all  public  affairs,  Mr.  Behringer  has  had  neither  time  nor  inclination  to  seek 
political  honors,  preferring  to  give  his  undivided  attention  to  the  development  of 
his  business  affairs.  •.•v"V-;.:;-----;-\'- :v.'/:  'S'-v': '.,••..'••;:'-:•:;'-'  ..  ,  :•".-•'..  "-.v. ••.••>•• 


/   V    ;     .  GEORGE  HILL  SMITH,  D.  D.  S.  '       '     ,>  •  - 

Dr.  George  Hill  Smith,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  dentistry  in  Galesburg,  was 
born  in  Brownsville,  Pennsylvania,  October  19,  1874,  a  son  of  Robert  Starrett 
and  Sarah  (Hill)  Smith.  The  ancestry  is  traced  back  through  several  genera- 
tions to  Robert  and  Mary  (Starrett)  Smith,  who  were  the  great-grandparents  in 
the  paternal  line.  There  is  a  strain  of  Scotch  on  the  paternal  side  of  the  family 
and  of  Scotch-Irish  on  the  maternal.  Robert  Smith,  the  grandfather  of  Dr. 
Smith,  was  a  native  of  Franklin  township,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  bom 
November  19,  1799.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  devoted  his  entire  life 
to  that  pursuit.  He  married  Rosetta  Shotwell,  also  a  native  of  Franklin  town- 
ship, and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  (Skanklin)  Shotwell.  The  ancestors  of 
John  Shotwell  came  from  Scotland  and  settled  in  New  Jersey,  in  1680.  The 


518  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V-^   ^ 

name  was  originally  Shadwell,  but  upon  witnessing  the  skill  in  markmanship  of 
one  of  them  the  king  exclaimed:  "Well  done,  Shotwell,"  since  which  time  this 
family  has  been  known  as  Shotwell.  Robert  Starrett  Smith,  son  of  Robert  and 
Rosetta  (Shotwell)  Smith,  was  born  in  Franklin  township,  January  20,  1837, 
pursued  his  education  there  and  afterward  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  a  time. 
Later  he  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming,  which  he  followed  at  Brownsville, 
Pennsylvania,  until  his  removal  to  the  middle  west  in  1879,  when  he  settled  near 
Galva,  Illinois,  where  he  carried  on  farming  until  1894.  In  that  year  he  retired 
and  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  is  still  living.  In  early  manhood  he  wedded 
Sarah  Hill,  who  was  born  in  East  Liberty,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  Novem- 
ber I,  1841,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Alexander  McClelland  and  ^lary 
(Johnston)  Hill.  Her  father  was  born  in  1802  and  died  March  17,  1863,  while 
her  mother,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1805,  passed  away  on  the  nth  of  January, 
1863.  Alexander  McClelland  Hill  was  colonel  of  a  Pennsylvania  regiment  and 
was  twice  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  representing  the  district  of  Fayette 
and  Westmoreland  counties  (1851-52)  and  was  prominent  in  the  public  life  of  his 
locality.  He  was  among  the  pioneers  of  the  coke  manufacture  in  this  country 
and  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  extension  of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad 
through  Fayette  county,  and  labored  hard  to  effect  it.  He  was  a  son  of  Rev. 
George  and  Elizabeth  (McClelland)  Hill,  the  latter  being  a  daughter  of  Alexander 
McClelland,  of  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania.  Rev.  George  Hill  was  born  in 
York  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1764,  and  was  ordained  as  the  Presby- 
terian pastor  of  Wheatfield  on  the  I3th  of  November,  1792,  later  accepting  the 
charge  of  Legonier,  Westmoreland  county,  where  he  continued  to  serve  until  the 
time  of  his  death,  June  9,  1822.  Mrs.  Sarah  (Hill)  Smith  was  educated  in  the 
east,  attending  Blairsville  Seminary,  which  school  was  founded  by  her  cousin, 
George  Hill,  D.  D.,  who  was  a  grandson  of  Rev.  George  Hill  of  Legonier,  Penn- 
sylvania. It  was  on  the  27th  of  December,  1860,  that  Robert  S.  Smith  and  Sarah 
Hill  were  married,  and  unto  them  were  born  six  children :  Alexander,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Mary  Rosetta,  the  wife  of  Charles  E.  Eldridge,  of  Sioux  City,  Iowa; 
Annetta  P.;  Alice  J.  at  home;  David  Wilson,  deceased;  and  George  Hill. 

Dr.  George  Hill  Smith  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and 
was  educated  in  the  Galva  high  school  and  in  Knox  College.  He  then  entered 
the  Northwestern  University  Dental  School,  of  Chicago,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  the  class  of  1902.  He  first  located  for  practice  in  Ottawa,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  remained  for  three  years  and  then  came  to  Galesburg  in  July, 
1905.  He  has  since  continued  in  this  city  and  his  ability  is  attested  by  the  liberal 
patronage  now  given  him.  He  has  a  well  appointed  office,  splendidly  equipped 
with  all  modern  dental  appliances,  and  his  work  is  highly  satisfactory,  for,  added 
to  his  scientific  knowledge,  is  superior  mechanical  skill,  which  is  one  of  the  re- 
quisites of  successful  dentistry.  He  belongs  to  the  Knox  County  Dental  Associa- 
tion, in  which  he  has  held  all  of  the  offices,  having  been  honored  with  election 
to  the  presidency  two  years  ago. 

On  the  29th  of  June,  1903,  Dr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mabel 
Lou  Foster,  a  daughter  of  Julian  Albert  and  Huldah  Elizabeth  (Parker)  Foster, 
cf  Salem,  Wisconsin.  Mrs.  Mabel  (Foster)  Smith  was  graduated  from  the  Cum- 
nock  School  of  Oratory,  Northwestern  University,  with  the  class  of  1902.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  through  the  service  of 


j:^^  ;  X  :' '  ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ^  '  ::V'^^     519 

Asa  Parker,  whose  grandfather  was  one  of  the  five  Parker  brothers  who  came 
to  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  from  Macclesfield,  England,  about  1640  and  later 
settled  in  Andover,  Connecticut.  Her  grandparents  on  the  paternal  side,  Andrew 
William  and  Prudence  (Cornwall)  Foster,  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Ke- 
nosha  county,  Wisconsin,  making  the  trip  in  wagons  from  Oswego,  New  York, 
in  1841.  Both  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  many  friends  in  Galesburg,  occupying 
an  enviable  position  in  social  circles.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Supreme  Chapter 
of  Delta  Sigma  Delta,  a  dental  fraternity,  and  to  a  number  of  societies  and  clubs. 
He  is  an.  exemplary  representative  of  Vesper  Lodge,  No.  584,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  also  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  camp,  and  he  likewise  holds  membership  in 
the  Galesburg  Club.  He  is  true  to  his  home  teaching  in  religious  matters  for  his 
parents  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  the  Doctor  and  Mrs. 
Smith  also  belong,  and  in  politics  he  has  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his  father, 
being  a  stanch  republican,  his  mature  judgment  sanctioning  the  policy  and  prin- 
ciples of  that  party.  The  skill  and  ability  which  he  has  displayed  in  his  profes- 
sion have  placed  him  in  a  prominent  position  in  the  ranks  of  the  dental  fraternity 
in  Galesburg  and  his  personal  qualities  and  sterling  worth  have  assured  him  high 
position  socially. 


: .  -:    ;  .  ;         THOMAS  PETER  MAIN.  ;':/;:;:; 

Thomas  Peter  Main,  who  is  residing  on  his  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  township, 
Knox  county,  was  born  in  the  old  Main  homestead,  on  the  2Oth  of  March,  1873, 
his  parents  being  Elias  and  Mary  Ann  (Huntington)  Main.  The  father  was 
a  native  of  Otsego  county.  New  York,  but  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  active 
career  in  Knox  county,  where  he  engaged  principally  in  the  wagon-making  trade. 

Thomas  Main's  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  Knox  county,  and  he  has  done 
much  to  further  agricultural  interests  of  the  county  during  the  last  twenty  years. 
His  methods  have  always  been  practical  and  scientific,  and  his  application  has  been 
so  constant  that  he  has  met  with  the  success  which  is  due  to  the  energetic  and 
persistent  worker. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1908,  Mr.  Main  was  married  to  Patience  Jannan,  the 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Jannan  of  Salem  township,  Knox  county.  The  father  was 
a  native  of  Brown  county,  Ohio,  where  he  assisted  his  father  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits previous  to  his  removal  to  Knox  county  when  he  was  very  young,  his  parents 
being  George  and  Rebecca  (Bevens)  Jannan.  Jonathan  Jannan  married  Clara 
May  Phelps,  who  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Emeline  Lucy  (Frisbie)  Phelps. 
She  is  living  in  Knox  county  at  present  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years,  and  Mr. 
Jannan  reached  his  seventy-second  birthday  on  the  5th  of  September.  Their  son, 
Henry  Phelps  Jannan,  is  a  prominent  agriculturist  of  Salem  township,  and  is 
married  to  Lorine  Bowers.  Mrs.  Main  was  born  on  the  loth  of  February,  1882, 
and  received  her  education  in  the  Elmwood  high  school,  and  three  years  later 
was  graduated  from  the  University  of  Illinois  at  Urbana.  Subsequently  she 
taught  music  until  her  marriage.  To  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  Qara 
Ruth,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  2nd  of  April,  1910.  :  '  •;  ^^^/tvJ 


520  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Both  'Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main  are  active  and  prominent  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  of  Altona  and  Mr.  Main  also  holds  membership  in  the  Masonic 
Lodge  of  his  home  city.  In  church  and  fraternal  circles  he  is  held  in  high  re- 
gard, and  has  ever  stood  to  maintain  the  same  honorable  relations  with  which 
he  is  accredited  in  industrial  circles.  In  farming  and  stock-raising  he  has  shown 
his  readiness  to  keep  abreast  with  the  spirit  and  development  of  the  times,  and  has 
won  for  himself  a  name  which  stands  for  efficiency,  aggression  and  stability. 


.:  V^  IRA  L.  PILLSBURY.          ••..:/:;;- 

A  highly  successful  florist  of  Galesburg  is  Ira  L.  Pillsbury,  who  came  here 
seventeen  years  ago.  He  commenced  in  rather  a  small  way  but  has  so  intelli- 
gently directed  his  business,  that  it  has  developed  until  he  now  maintains  one 
retail  store  and  has  several  times  multiplied  the  size  of  his  original  greenhouse. 
He  was  born  in  Macomb,  Illinois,  on  the  3d  of  February,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of 
Ithamar  and  Caroline  E.  (Miller)  Pillsbury.  The  father  was  born  in  Dracut, 
Massachusetts,  on  the  22d  of  August,  1794,  and  the  mother  in  Smithtown,  Long 
Island,  on  the  I4th  of  October,  i8i8.  Ithamar  Pillsbury  was  educated  at  Yale 
Divinity  College  for  the  Presbyterian  ministry  and  was  graduated  in  1822.  Sub- 
sequently he  became  a  missionary  to  seamen  and  sailors  in  New  York  city. 
Later  he  preached  at  various  points  in  the  east  until  1836,  when  he  came  to 
Illinois,  bringing  the  first  colony  to  Henry  county,  having  acquired  the  land  for 
his  settlement  from  the  government.  He  continued  to  follow  the  ministry  and 
organized  a  church  at  Andover,  where  he  preached  for  several  years.  In  Macomb 
he  filled  subsequently  the  pulpit  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was  also  presi- 
dent of  McDonough  College.  During  his  active  connection  with  the  ministry 
he  assisted  in  organizing  fourteen  churches  in  Illinois.  The  first  church  that  he 
formed  was  at  Burlington,  August  27,  1836,  and  the  last  at  Dixon,  Illinois, 
January  29,  1852.  Andover,  Illinois,  was  the  scene  of  the  marriage  of  the  Rev. 
Ithamar  Pillsbury  and  Miss  Miller  on  December  i8,  1837,  and  there  they  spent 
the  latter  years  of  their  life.  Reverend  Pillsbury  passed  away  on  the  2Oth  of 
April,  1862,  and  his  wife  survived  until  June  8.  1896,  her  death  occurring  at 
Macomb.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  served  as  a  private  and  his  political  sup- 
port he  gave  to  the  republican  party.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pillsbury 
numbered  ten,  our  subject  being  the  ninth  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are  as 
follows:  Elizabeth,  who  was  born  on  the  I2th  of  October,  1838,  and  died 
August  i6,  1886;  James  Lebbius,  born  October  26,  1840,  who  died  in  1841; 
Edward  Payson,  who  was  born  on  April  27,  1842,  and  died  on  the  loth  of  May, 
1898;  Asiel  Nettleton,  who  was  born  on  November  29,  1844,  and  is  now  living 
at  Palma  Sola,  Florida;  Mary  Louisa,  who  was  born  May  2,  1847,  and  died  on 
the  1st  of  June,  1909;  Sarah  Adelia,  who  was  born  on  the  3d  of  April,  1849. 
the  wife  of  Charles  F.  Fairfield,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota ;  Francis  Ithamar, 
who  was  born  June  14,  1851,  and  died  January  8.  1893:  Alfred  Sawyer,  bom 
on  November  2,  1854.  now  residing  at  West  Plains,  Missouri ;  and  Ithamar, 
whose  natal  day  was  the  I9th  of  August,  i86i,  a  resident  of  Macomb. 


I.  L.  PILLSBURY 


520  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTV        ;  ^ 

'  •       '",'-'' 

Doth  'Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main  are  active  and  prominent  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  of  Altona  and  Mr.  Main  also  holds  membership  in  the  ^Masonic 
Lodge  of  his  home  city.  In  church  and  fraternal  circles  he  is  held  in  high  re- 
gard, and  has  ever  stood  to  maintain  the  same  honorable  relations  with  which 
he  is  accredited  in  industrial  circles.  In  farming  and  stock-raising  he  has  shown 
his  readiness  to  keep  abreast  with  the  spirit  and  development  of  the  times,  and  has 
won  for  himself  a  name  which  stands  for  efficiency,  aggression  and  stability. 


IRA  L.  PILLSBURY. 

A  highly  successful  florist  of  Galesburg  is  Ira  L.  Pillsbury.  who  came  here 
seventeen  years  ago.  He  commenced  in  rather  a  small  way  but  has  so  intelli- 
gently directed  his  business,  that  it  has  develo])e(l  until  he  now  maintains  one- 
retail  store  and  has  several  times  multiplied  the  size  of  his  original  greenhouse. 
He  was  born  in  Macomb.  Illinois,  on  the  3d  of  February.  1859.  and  is  a  son  of 
Itliamar  and  Caroline  F.  (  Miller)  Pillsbury.  The  father  was  born  in  Dracut. 
^fassachusetts.  on  the  22<1  of  .\ugust.  1/94.  and  the  mother  in  Smithtown.  Long 
Island,  on  the  I4tli  of  October.  1818.  Ithamar  Pillsbury  was  educated  at  Yale 
Divinity  College  for  the  Presbyterian  ministry  and  was  graduated  in  1822.  Sub- 
sequently he  became  a  missionary  to  seamen  and  sailors  in  Xew  York  city. 
Later  he  preachcfl  at  various  i)()ints  in  the  east  until  1836.  when  he  came  to 
Illinois,  bringing  the  first  colony  to  Henry  county,  having  acquired  the  land  for 
his  settlement  from  the  government.  He  continued  to  follow  the  ministry  and 
organized  a  church  at  Andovcr.  where  he  ])reached  for  several  years.  In  Macomb 
he  filled  subsc(|Ufiitly  the  ])ulpit  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was  also  presi- 
dent of  McDonough  College.  During  his  active  connection  with  the  ministry 
he  assisted  in  organizing  fourteen  churches  in  Illinois.  The  first  church  that  he 
formed  was  at  lUuMington.  August  27.  1836.  and  the  last  at  Dixon.  Illinois, 
January  29.  1852.  Andover.  Illinois,  was  the  scene  of  tlie  marriage  of  the  Rev. 
Ithamar  Pillsbury  and  Miss  .Miller  on  December  18.  1837.  and  there  they  s])ent 
the  latter  years  of  their  life.  Reverend  Pillsbury  pas>ed  away  on  the  2Oth  of 
April.  1862.  and  his  wife  survived  until  June  8.  18*^6.  her  death  occurring  at 
Macomb.  During  the  war  of  1812  he  served  as  a  ])rivate  and  his  political  su])- 
jjort  he  gave  to  the  re])ublican  party.  The  family  of  ]\lr.  and  Mrs.  I'illsbury 
numbered  ten.  our  subject  being  tlic  ninth  in  order  of  birth.  Tbe  otiicrs  are  as 
follows:  l-llizabeth.  who  was  born  on  tlie  I2th  of  October.  1838.  and  died 
August  \Ci,  i8SC>:  James  Lebbius.  born  October  26.  1840.  who  died  in  1841: 
Fdward  Payson.  who  was  born  on  .\pril  27.  1842.  and  died  on  the  loth  of  May. 
l8<j8;  Asiel  Xettleton.  who  was  born  on  Xovember  29.  1844.  and  is  now  living 
at  Palma  Sola.  I'lorida :  Marv  Louisa,  wlio  was  born  Mav  2.  1847.  and  died  on 
the  1st  of  June.  1909;  Sarah  Adclia.  who  was  born  ou  the  3d  of  Ajjril.  1849. 
the  wife  of  Charles  F.  I'^airficld.  of  Minneapolis.  Minnesota:  I-Vancis  Ithamar. 
who  was  born  June  14.  1851.  and  die<l  January  8.  18(^3:  .\lfred  Sawyer,  born 
on  Xovember  2.  1854.  now  residing  at  \\'est  Plains.  Missouri:  and  Ithamar. 
whose  natal  ilay  was  the  T9th  of  .\ugust.  1861.  a  resident  of  Macomb. 


I.. 


;  '•;:,•:('<•"/.  ^  :A  r:^        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    '  v :  ^v;     523 

Ira  L.  Pillsbury  attended  the  common  schools  of  Macomb  in  the  acquire- 
ment of  an  education.  He  graduated  from  the  public  school  in  1876  and  very 
soon  thereafter  he  engaged  in  market  gardening,  meeting  with  such  success  in 
this  undertaking  that  he  later  extended  the  scope  of  his  activities  by  raising 
flowers  and  ornamental  plants.  He  continued  in  his  horticultural  activity  until 
1894,  when  he  disposed  of  his  gardens  and  came  to  Galesburg,  engaging  in 
business  as  a  florist.  At  the  beginning  he  had  but  one  hothouse,  twenty  by 
sixty  feet,  but  during  the  past  seventeen  years  he  has  developed  his  enterprise 

: A  until  he  now  needs  eight  greenhouses  and  has  a  retail  salesroom.  A  store  com- 
bined with  his  greenhouses  is  located  on  East  Main  and  Locust  streets  and  the 
floral  establishment  at  65  South  Seminary  street.  He  makes  a  specialty  of 
carnations,  roses,  violets,  chrysanthemums  and  ornamental  potted  plants,  of  the 
flowering  and  plain  variety.  From  six  to  ten  people  are  constantly  employed  in 
his  greenhouses  and  stores,  and  during  the  busy  seasons  he  requires  the  assistance 
of  several  more.  Mr.  Pillsbury  is  resourceful  and  of  an  inventive  turn  of  mind, 
so  to  obviate  the  heavy  loss  sustained  by  every  florist  in  the  handling  of  carna- 
tions, caused  by  the  splitting  of  the  calyx  of  this  flower,  he  has  originated  a 

.-  clever  little  device  known  as  "Pillsbury's  carnation  staple."  It  is  made  of  very 
fine  green  wire  and,  being  practically  invisible,  can  be  used  without  detracting 
from  the  flower's  appearance.  The  artiflce  has  been  found  practical  and  has 
proven  economical  in  his  own  business  and  since  placing  it  upon  the  market,  he 
has  been  favored  with  orders  from  florists  throughout  the  country.  .; ':  .r'  v 
At  Macomb,  Illinois,  on  the  igth  of  March,  1885.  Mr.  Pillsbury  and  Miss 
Dollie  B.  Harris  were  married.  She  is  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Ralph  and  Mary 
(Wilson)  Harris,  and  was  born  at  Cameron,  .Missouri,  on  the  nth  of  April, 

-%  1859.  Mr.  Harris  filled  the  pulpit  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Macomb  for 
some  years  and  was  also  president  of  McDonough  College.  He  was  born  April 
6,  1812,  in  Charlotte  county,  Virginia,  and  united  with  the  church  at  Charlotte 
Courthouse  in  1828.  He  acquired  his  education  at  Center  College  in  Danville, 
Kentucky,  which  institution  conferred  upon  him  the  degrees  of  A.  M.  and  D.  D. 
In  1840  he  was  licensed  to  preach  and  in  1843  was  ordained  as  an  evangelist 
and  sent  as  a  missionary  to  the  mountains  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  In 
1849  he  accepted  the  presidency  of  McDonough  College,  after  having  had  charge 
of  several  different  churches,  and  in  1852  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  at  Macomb,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  1855.  when 
he  removed  to  Cameron,  Missouri.  When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  went  to 
the  front  with  the  Fighty-fourth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers  as  their  chap- 
lain but  on  account  of  ill  health  was  forced  to  return  before  the  close  of  the  war.'- 
He  afterward  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  and  in  1864  was  graduated  from 
the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Chicago  and  entered  upon  active  practice, 
in  which  he  continued  until  1882.  when  he  retired.  He  died  March  19.  1895, 
having  for  only  eight  weeks  survived  his  wife.  They  traveled  life's  journey 
happily  together  as  man  and  wife  for  nearly  flfty-eight  years  and  were  among  the 
most  highly  esteemed  residents  of  Macomb.  Dr.  Harris  was  twice  married,  his 
first  union  being  with  Martha  P.  Hughes  on  the  2d  of  October,  1834.  They  had 
one  daughter,  Fllen  Amanda,  who  was  born  in  1835.  and  became  the  wife  of 
Fdward  Maguire.  The  wife  and  mother  died  in  1836  and  on  the  3ist  of  May, 

..  1837,  Dr.  Harris  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  P.  Wilson,  who  was  born  near 


524  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >' 

Crab  Orchard,  Kentucky,  February  27,  i8i8,  and  passed  away  January  24, 
1895.  Dr.  and  IVIrs.  Harris  were  the  parents  of  ten  children.  James  Harvie, 
who  was  born  May  7,  1838,  died  January  4,  1893.  Robert  Campbell,  who  was 
born  January  19,  1840,  was  killed  by  guerrillas,  October  17,  i86i,  while  serving 
as  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war.  William  Thomas,  born  September  18,  1841,  was 
a  soldier  of  the  Union  army  and  is  living  in  Keosauqua,  Iowa.  Miss  Martha 
Perry  Hughes,  born  November  25,  1842,  is  living  in  Macomb.  Ralph  Erskins, 
born  July  4,  1846,  is  living  in  Pocatello,  Idaho.  John  Green,  born  August  24, 
1848,  died  August  i6,  1849.  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  January  29,  1850,  died 
February  28,  1892.  Charles  Stewart,  born  March  24,  1852,  is  living  in  Gales- 
burg.  Sarah  Cornelia,  who  was  born  March  24,  1854,  died  November  15,  1905. 
Dollie  Bailey,  born  April  ii,  1859,  is  now  the  wife  of  Ira  L.  Pillsbury.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Pillsbury  have  three  children.  George  M.,  who  was  born  in  Macomb, 
on  May  i6,  1886,  is  now  engaged  in  farming  near  Englewood,  Kansas.  He  is 
married  and  has  two  children,  Gertrude  Agnes,  who  was  born  May  7,  1910  and 
Dollie  Irene,  born  October  8,  1911.  Ira  Harris,  whose  birth  occurred  at  Macomb, 
on  July  25,  1887,  graduated  from  Knox  College  and  is  now  a  student  in  the 
McCormick  Theological  Seminary  at  Chicago.  He  has  had  the  unusual  distinc- 
tion of  delivering  a  sermon  in  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Macomb,  where  both 
of  his  grandfathers  formerly  preached.  Walter  E.,  who  was  born  on  the  3d  of 
September,  1890,  is  still  at  home  and  is  assisting  his  father  in  the  business.  -.  - 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pillsbury  are  active  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  take  a  deep  interest  in  all  Christian  work.  He  is  deacon  of  the  church  and 
assistant  Sunday  school  superintendent,  and  he  was  formerly  president  of  the 
McDonough  County  Sunday  School  Association.  He  is  also  affiliated  with  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  the  Court  of  Honor,  No.  171.  Being 
a  progressive  and  enterprising  business  man  he  is  a  member  of  the  Retail  Mer- 
chants Association  of  Galesburg  and  the  National  and  Illinois  State  Florists' 
Associations.  Mr.  Pillsbury  is  a  stanch  republican  in  politics  but,  never  having 
had  either  the  time  or  inclination  for  public  office,  does  not  prominently  parti- 
cipate in  municipal  campaigns  of  political  nature.  By  reason  of  his  foresight 
and  sagacity  he  is  meeting  with  excellent  success  in  his  business,  which  is  now 
firmly  established  and  flourishing  in  its  various  departments. 


l-^;.;  OSCAR  H.  LITTLE.  ;•:,;.>.  ^ 

Since  the  establishment  of  The  Continental,  a  men's  clothing  establishment  in 
Galesburg,  Oscar  H.  Little  has  been  at  the  head  of  the  business,  and  as  manager 
has  contributed  in  a  substantial  measure  to  its  growth  and  success.  Throughout 
his  life  he  has  been  connected  with  the  clothing  trade  and  his  long  experience,  his 
enterprise  and  earnest  purpose  have  been  the  elements  of  making  his  establish- 
ment one  of  the  leading  commercial  concerns  of  Galesburg.  He  was  born  in  New- 
ton, Iowa,  September  21,  1863,  and  is  the  son  of  William  T.  and  Emily  J.  (Grey) 
Little.  The  father,  who  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  December  8, 
1836,  was  a  clothing  merchant  of  Newton,  Iowa,  having  come  to  the  west  as  a 
young  man.  Later  he  went  to  Chicago  where  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  cloth- 


^^;;-  /- '  v':;     .;^v       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  7*  525 

ing  business,  and  after  some  years  opened  a  real-estate  office  in  that  city.  At 
length  he  retired  from  business  life,  and  in  1906  removed  to  Galesburg  where  he 
passed  away  November  i8,  1908.  His  widow  still  survives  and  is  now  living  in 
Rogers  Park,  one  of  the  Chicago  suburbs.  She  was  born  in  \^irginia,  January  23, 
'  1843.  Mr.  Little  was  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  both  he  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  They  were  married  in  Lynnville,  Iowa, 
January,  1859,  and  they  became  parents  of  three  children:  Ida  L.,  Oscar  H.  and 
William  G.  •• 

Oscar  H.  Little  was  educated  in  Newton,  Iowa,  and  his  initial  experience  in 
business  came  to  him  as  an  employe  in  his  father's  store,  whom  he  first  repre- 
sented in  Carroll,  Iowa,  as  manager  of  one  of  his  stores.  Two  years  later  he  went 
to  Newton,  Iowa,  and  continued  in  the  business  with  his  father  for  six  years, 
after  which  he  moved  to  Chicago  and  engaged  in  the  wholesale  clothing  business 
for  two  years.  He  remained  with  his  father  until  1892  when  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  Samuel  Stern  of  Chicago.  At  Hampton,  Iowa,  he  represented  Mr.  Stem 
for  one  year  and  then,  after  a  brief  period  spent  in  Chicago,  came  to  Galesburg, 
on  the  loth  of  December,  1895.  It  was  on  that  day  that  The  Continental  opened 
its  doors  for  business  at  No.  7  Main  street,  Mr.  Stern  having  established  the 
business  of  which  he  made  Mr.  Little  the  manager.  The  trade  grew  so  rapidly 
that  within  a  year  and  a  half  The  Continental  was  forced  to  seek  larger  quarters, 
and  in  September  1897  removed  to  their  present  location  at  Nos.  152  and  154 
East  Main  street.  In  May,  1906,  the  business  was  incorporated  with  Mr.  Stem 
as  president,  N.  J.  Ullman,  vice  president  and  treasurer,  S.  Schiff,  secretary  and 
Oscar  H.  Little,  manager.  On  the  I5th  of  December,  1908,  a  fire  broke  out  and 
that  part  of  the  store  which  was  not  destroyed  by  the  fiames  was  damaged  by 
water,  and  the  entire  remaining  stock  was  then  sold  to  the  Underwriters'  Salvage 
Company.  For  three  months  Mr.  Little  was  out  of  business,  during  which  time 
the  room  was  being  refitted  and  an  entire,  new  stock  assembled.  The  firm  is  now 
again  successfully  conducting  a  large  enterprise  in  Galesburg,  each  year  having 
witnessed  steady  growth  in  their  trade.  They  carry  a  large  and  well  selected  line 
of  goods,  and  the  business  policy  of  the  house  is  based  upon  progressive  methods 
and  irreproachable  commercial  integrity. 

On  the  i8th  of  February,  1889,  Mr.  Little  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  Long,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Long,  of  Newton,  Iowa.  Unto  this 
marriage  was  born  a  son,  Harlan  William,  whose  birth  occurred  at  Newton,  Iowa, 
February  28,  1890,  and  who  is  now  connected  with  The  Continental.  After  los- 
ing his  first  wife,  who  died  in  1892,  Mr.  Little  was  again  married  September  9, 
1902,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Mae  Starnes,  a  daughter  of  P.  M.  and 
Mahala  J.  (Van  Horn)  Starnes,  of  Ipava,  Illinois.  Hei-  father  was  born  near 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  November  lO,  1837,  and  her  mother's  birth  occurred  in 
Harrisville,  Ohio,  October  8,  1845.  For  some  time  the  father  was  engaged  in 
merchandising  at  Ipava,  Illinois.  He  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  loyal  to  its 
teachings  and  active  in  its  work. 

Mr.  Little  is  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club,  the  Retail  Merchants'  Associa- 
tion and  the  Elks  Lodge.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  connected  with  the  Elks 
Lodge  at  Monmouth  and  was  one  of  the  petitioners  for  the  establishment  of  the 
Elks  Lodge  at  Galesburg.  His  friends,  and  they  are  many,  find  in  him  a  social,  , 


526  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

genial  gentleman,  courteous  and  obliging.  His  business  associates  know  him  as 
a  reliable,  enterprising  merchant,  and  one  whose  success  has  been  honorably 
achieved,  and  is  therefore  well  deserved.  Galesburg  numbers  him  among  her  lead- 
ing citizens,  and  the  position  is  one  to  which  he  has  attained  by  his  own  earnest 
efforts.  '  ••  -,;.;•;.:•.  ..\' ^ ••;,•.;•  -^rs-v /''.•.:•;•' ;-:i:';:^' ;•'--••:; 


':•.'.;:  :;,.;' /-^ :,:,;.    •      ,      BYRON  A.  STEVENS.,';-"-^- '.•.;:  ;>v'-:.', 

In  the  record  of  Byron  A.  Stevens  are  found  many  qualities  such  as  com- 
mand confidence  and  respect.  His  influence  was  always  on  the  side  of  material, 
political,  intellectual  and  moral  progress.  He  was  always  loyal  to  duty,  mani- 
festing the  same  splendid  qualities  which  he  displayed  when  a  soldier  on  the 
field  of  battle,  defending  the  stars  and  stripes. 

/      .          Mr.  Stevens  was  born  in  Westford,  Vermont,  September  9,  1841,  a  son  of 

;          Cassius  P.  and  Clamentia   (Smith)   Stevens.     The  father  was  born  in  Essex, 

.•'•  •    Vermont,  January  ii,  1815,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Monkton,  Ver- 

.    mont,  on  the  4th  of  June,  1814.     Cassius  Stevens  was  a  farmer  by  occupation 

and  always  remained  a  resident  of  the  Green  Mountain  state.     His  pplitical  alle- 

.    glance  was  given  to  the  republican  party.     Mrs.  Stevens  was  a  member  of  the 

;     Methodist  Episcopal  church.    To  them  were  born  two  sons,  the  younger,  Loren, 

being  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  Illinois.    Both  Cassius  Stevens  and  his  wife  passed 

-:       away  in  Essex,  Vermont;  the  former  on  the  5th  of  February,   1892,  and  the 

latter  on  July  27,  1876.  ••'-;''.     •:;;'^   :v  ''^      r-.'  . 

Byron  A.  Stevens  pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Vermont,  com- 

- :    pleting  his  course  in  the  Classical  Institute  at  Essex.     He  afterward  took  up 

•      the  profession  of  teaching,  which  he  followed  for  three  or  four  years  prior  to 

the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.     With  the  beginning  of  hostilities  his  patriotic 

'•  ;     spirit  was  aroused  and  later  he  enlisted  as  a  private.     However,  he  was  at  once 

made  first  lieutenant  of  Company  H  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Ninth  Colored 

Infantry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  making  an  honorable  record  by 

reason  of  his  loyalty  and  his  fearlessness. 

When  the  country  no  longer  needed  his  military  aid,  Mr.  Stevens  returned 
to  Essex,  Vermont,  and  again  engaged  in  teaching  school.    He  was  also  superin- 
tendent of  schools  of  Essex  for  several  years.     For  a  short  time  he  conducted 
.;      a  store.     Later  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  insurance  business,  in  which  he 
was  engaged  for  a  number  of  years.     In  the  fall  of  1877  he  came  to  Galesburg, 
,  ;     Illinois,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  George  W.  Brown  in  the  capacity  of 
>         traveling  salesman.     For  several  years  he  remained  upon  the  road  and  was  then 
V       called  to  the  office,  where  he  proved  a  valuable  man,  his  previous  broad  ex- 
'      perience  and  knowledge  of  the  business  giving  him  understanding  of  what  was 
': :        necessary  in  his  office  work  as  manager  of  the  sales  department.     At  all  times 
•.  •       he  was  thoroughly  reliable  and  progressive,  and  he  bore  an  excellent  reputation 

;:     in  business  circles. 

.       '.'        On  the  7th  of  December,  1862,  Mr.  Stevens  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 

:       Hannah  M.  Drury,  who  was  born  in  Westford,  Vermont,  December  21,   1840, 

:   .'     a  daughter  of  Jacob  K.  and  Caroline  (Bascom)  Drury.     Her  father  was  born 


586/':V  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

genial  gentleman,  courteous  and  obliging.  His  business  associates  know  him  as 
a  reliable,  enterprising  merchant,  and  one  whose  success  has  been  honorably 
achieved,  and  is  therefore  well  deserved.  Galesburg  numbers  him  among  her  lead- 
ing citizens,  and  the  position  is  one  to  which  he  has  attained  by  his  own  earnest 
efforts,  . 


,:•-;:  BYROX  A.  STEVEXS. 

In  the  record  of  Ilyron  A.  Stevens  are  found  many  (|ualities  such  as  com- 
mand confidence  and  res])ect.  His  influence  was  always  on  the  side  of  material, 
jwlitical,  intellectual  and  moral  jirogress.  He  was  always  loyal  to  duty,  mani- 
festing the  same  splendid  (|ualities  which  he  displayed  when  a  soldier  on  the 
field  of  battle,  defcMiding  tlie  stars  and  stripes. 

Mr.  Stevens  was  born  in  \Vestford,  \'ermont,  September  9,  1841,  a  son  of 
Cassius  \\  and  Clamentia  (Smith)  Stevens,  The  father  was  born  in  Essex, 
\'erinont,  January  ii,  1815,  and  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Monkton,  \'er- 
mont,  on  the  4tli  of  June,  1814,  Cassius  Stevens  was  a  farmer  by  occupation 
and  always  remained  a  resident  of  the  dreen  Mountain  state.  His  political  alle- 
giance was  given  to  the  republican  party.  Mrs.  Stevens  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Iq)iscopal  church.  To  them  were  born  two  sons,  the  younger,  Loren, 
being  a  resident  of  (lalesljurg,  Illinois.  I'.oth  Cassius  Stevens  and  his  wife  passed 
away  in  I'>sex,  X'ermont ;  the  former  on  the  5th  of  February,  1892,  and  the 
latter  on  July  27,  1876.  . 

ISyron  A.  Stevens  jjursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  X'ermont,  com- 
pleting his  course  in  the  Classical  Institute  at  Essex.  He  afterward  took  up 
the  profession  of  teaching,  which  lie  followed  for  three  or  four  years  prior  to 
the  outbreak  (tf  the  Civil  war.  \\'ith  the  heginning  of  hostilities  his  patriotic 
spirit  was  aroused  and  later  he  enlisted  as  a  private.  However,  he  was  at  once 
made  first  lieutenant  of  C'ompany  11  of  the  One  Hundred  and  X'inth  Colored 
Infantry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  making  an  honorable  record  by 
reasfin  of  his  loyalty  and  his  fearlessness. 

When  the  country  no  longer  needed  his  military  aid,  Mr.  Stevens  returned 
to  Essex,  \'ermont,  and  again  engaged  in  teaching  school.  He  was  also  superin- 
tendent of  schools  of  Essex  for  several  years.  I'or  a  short  time  he  conducted 
a  store.  Later  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  insurance  business,  in  which  he 
was  engaged  for  a  number  of  years.  In  the  fall  of  1877  he  came  to  Galesburg, 
Illinois,  where  he  entered  the  employ  of  (icorge  \\'.  I'.rown  in  the  ca|)acity  of 
traveling  -alesman.  I'or  several  years  he  remained  upon  the  road  and  was  then 
called  to  the  office,  where  he  proved  a  valuable  man,  his  jjrevious  broad  ex- 
])erience  and  knowledge  of  the  I)usiness  giving  him  understanding  of  what  was 
necessary  in  his  office  work  as  manager  of  the  sales  department.  At  all  times 
he  was  thoroughly  reliable  and  |)rogrcs<ivc,  and  he  bore  an  excellent  re|)Utation 
in  business  circle-^. 

On  the  7th  of  December,  1862,  Mr.  Stevens  was  united  in  marriage  to  ^liss 
Hannah  ^I,  Drury,  who  was  horn  in  \\'estfonl,  \'ennont,  December  21,  1840, 
a  daughter  of  Jacob  K.  and  Caroline  diascom")  Drury.  Her  father  was  born 


:V;j:-'-   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >^          529 

at  Milton,  Vermont,  March  30,  1808.  His  wife's  birth  occurred  in  Fairfax, 
Vermont,  August  i,  iSiS.  Mr.  Drury  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  devoting 
his  early  life  to  the  tilling  of  the  soil,  but  later  he  established  a  brick  manu- 
factory at  Essex,  which  he  conducted  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  on  the  agth 
of  September,  1889.  For  about  three  years  he  had  survived  his  wife,  who 
passed  away  November  9,  1886.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Drury  was  a  republi- 
can, and  for  a  time  he  represented  his  district  in  the  state  legislature.  He  was 
also  prominent  in  local  political  circles.  For  many  years  he  served  on  the  official 
board  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens:  Arthur  L.,  who  was 
born  in  Essex,  Vermont,  April  25,  1867,  and  who  is  now  a  traveling  salesman, 
making  his  home  in  Minneapolis ;  Charlie  S.,  who  was  born  October  6,  1869, 
and  died  February  19,  1874 ;  and  Mabel,  who  was  born  at  Essex,  June  28,  1872, 
and  makes  her  home  with  her  mother  in  Galesburg,  Illinois.  She  was  graduated 
from  Knox  College  in  1895  and  later  became  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
Galesburg.  ';  >  ' -•  • 

Mr,  Stevens  was  a  loyal  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  exemplified 
in  his  life  the  beneficent  spirit  of  the  craft.  He  also  belonged  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  to  the  Grand  Army  post  at  Galesburg,  and  he  was 
for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club.  Although  he  had  never  united 
with  the  church,  in  his  religious  belief  he  was  in  sympathy  with  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  of  which  his  wife  and  daughter  are' members.  In  his  political 
views  he  was  a  republican,  believing  that  the  principles  of  the  party  contained 
the  best  elements  of  good  governnlent,  yet  he  never  sought  or  desired  office. 
.;<;  Mr.  Stevens'  genial  manner,  his  kindly  disp>osition,  and  his  unfailing  courtesy 
made  him  popular  wherever  he  was  known.  He  passed  away  November  19, 
1895,  leaving  behind  him  a  circle  of  warm  friends,  to  whom  he  was  endeared 
by  reason  of  his  sterling  traits  of  character. 


HARRY  E.  MAIN.      ':•,(•/-/,-':    '',•••  ^\'--'\ !.::•••:., 

Only  twenty-six  years  of  age  Harry  E.  Main  has  already  made  a  place  for 
himself  among  the  enterprising  and  progressive  business  men  of  Knox  county, 
and  as  the  manager  of  the  Terry  Lumber  Company  for  the  past  five  years,  in 
charge  of  the  yards  at  Wataga  when  the  company  was  first  organized  and  for 
the  past  three  years  filling  a  similar  position  at  Oneida,  has  demonstrated  his 
executive  ability  and  efficiency.  He  was  born  in  Galesburg  township,  August  15, 
1885,  a  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Harriet  (Mosher)  Main,  natives  of  New  York, 
where  the  grandfather,  Thomas  Main,  was  engaged  in  agriculture  until  well  on 
in  years,  when  he  came  west  and  settled  in  Boone,  Iowa.  The  father  was  for 
twenty-four  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad 
until  he  gave  up  this  connection  and  took  charge  of  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which 
he  had  purchased  some  years  previously  and  on  which  he  had  done  occasional 
labor  by  way  of  variation  from  the  confining  nature  of  the  duties  which  devolved 
upon  him  in  his  capacity  as  passenger  conductor.  He  found  great  pleasure  in  the 


530  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY' 


open-air  work,  tilling  the  fields,  and  sowing  and  gathering  the  crops,  continuing 
in  this  occupation  from  about  1880  until  some  years  ago,  when  he  met  with  a  _ 
runaway  in  which  he  was  fatally  injured.  His  widow  resides  in  Marshall,  Michi- 
gan, with  her  daughter.  There  were  three  children  in  the  family:  Frances  M,, 
who  is  the  wife  of  J.  G.  France,  the  manager  of  a  fruit  farm ;  Earl  T.,  who  was 
killed  in  a  railroad  wreck  at  Marshalltown,  Iowa,  in  the  spring  of  1910,  just  five 
months  after  his  marriage;  and  Harry  E. 

Living  in  Knox  county  all  his  life  Harry  E.  Main  obtained  his  education  here 
first  in  the  elementary  schools,  and  later  in  the  high  school  at  Galesburg.  He 
secured  employment  with  the  Terry  and  Lewis  Lumber  Company  at  Galesburg 
and  remained  with  them  fourteen  months  working  in  the  yards.  He  then  went 
to  Wataga,  Illinois,  and  took  charge  of  the  management  of  the  yards  of  the  Terry 
Lumber  Company  just  organized  in  that  town,  filling  this  position  for  a  year  and 
a  half  when  he  was  transferred,  in  1908,  to  their  lumber  yards  at  Oneida  and  has 
been  here  ever  since.  He  is  dependable  in  the  execution  of  his  duties  and  has  a 
promising  future  before  him.  He  is  also  interested  in  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  near  Delavan,  Faribault  county,  Minnesota.  ;•  :v\  U  -'  •  :•  :.'•  v  1  ;  ' 

Mr.  -Main  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sadie  Graves,  on  November  22, 
1906.  Her  parents  were  George  and  Minnie  (Sherman)  Graves,  and  came  from 
New  Hampshire,  her  father,  who  was  a  grain  dealer  at  Wataga,  being  now  de- 
ceased. The  mother  is  residing  in  Wataga.  I.  • 

In  his  political  persuasion  Mr.  Main  is  republican  and  has  been  called  upon 
to  serve  as  city  treasurer.  He  is  an  enthusiastic  worker  in  fraternal  circles,  be- 
longing to  Lodge  No.  894,  B.  P.  O.  E.  of  Galesburg,  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  and  to  the  Mystic  Workers.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main  are  social  favorites 
among  the  younger  set  in  Oneida  and  have  many  warm  friends  among  the  older 
people  as  well,  being  considerate  and  courteous  towards  all.  .  .  . 


;:-;:V:-;-':  •        JOSEPH  FISHER.         :     'r' 

Joseph  Fisher,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  for  over  sixty  years, 
is  residing  on  section  28,  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  farming.  He  was  born  on  the  27th  of  May,  1831,  in  Lancaster,  England,  his 
parents  being  David  and  Jane  (Morris)  Fisher,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
England.  The  father,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Lancaster,  engaged  in  mining. 
When  the  family  came  to  America  in  1833  they  settled  first  in  Canada  but  five 
years  later  crossed  over  into  the  United  States,  where  they  located  in  Ohio,  for 
a  short  time  previous  to  going  to  Henry  county,  Illinois.  Mr.  Fisher  passed  away 
in  that  county,  in  January,  1844,  and  Mrs.  Fisher's  death  occurred  in  1876,  at  the 
home  of  her  son  Joseph  in  Knox  county. 

Joseph  Fisher  received  his  education  in  the  little  log  cabin  district  school- 
house,  but  the  duties  which  naturally  fell  to  him,  the  eldest  son,  after  his  father's 
death  made  any  advanced  studying  impossible,  and  in  April  of  that  year  he  re- 
moved to  Sparta  township  with  his  mother.  The  same  year,  at  the  early  age  of 
fourteen  years,  he  started  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world  by  accepting  em- 
ployment on  a  farm  until  he  was  able  to  purchase  land  for  himself.  His  first 


v;  i-Vi;-r  ^:;;^  ;  :  V         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^         ;,::';      531 

purchase  was  an  eighty  acre  plot  which  cost  him  one  dollar  per  acre  at  the  time 
but  subsequently  he  had  to  pay  six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  in  order  to  obtain 
a  clear  title  to  the  property.  He  and  his  wife  own  two  hundred  and  forty  acres, 
all  of  which  has  been  brought  under  a  profitable  state  of  cultivation.  His  entire 
active  career  has  been  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits,  general  farming  and  dairy- 
ing having  received  the  greater  part  of  his  attention. 

On  October  20,  1852,  Mr.  Fisher  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  Fisher.  Her 
death  occurred  in  1888  and  besides  her  husband  she  was  survived  by  an  adopted 
daughter,  Nellie.  Mrs.  Fisher  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1834,  and  was  one  of 
three  children  born  to  Woodford  Fisher,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Her 
parents  removed  to  Marshall  county,  Illinois,  when  she  was  very  young  and  later 
came  to  Knox  county.  Joseph  Fisher  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being 
with  Elizabeth  Pittard,  whom  he  married  on  the  3Oth  of  October,  1890.  She  was 

.  a  daughter  of  Viel  and  Jane  (Kember)  Pittard,  who  came  to  America  in  1854 
and  located  in  Knox  county  in  the  following  year.  They  were  both  natives  of 
Somersetshire,  England.  The  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  in  his  native  land 
and  also  for  a  short  time  in  the  United  States  before  engaging  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits. His  death  occurred  in  Ontario  township  on  the  5th  of  July,  i88i,  when  he 
was  sixty-eight  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Pittard  was  tx)m  May  5,  i8ii,  and  was  mar- 
ried on  the  24th  of  December,  1838.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  and  her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  July  7,  1889. 
Five  children  were  bom  to  this  union,  the  eldest  having  died  in  infancy. 

;  Mr.  Fisher  is  an  active  member  of  the  republican  party  and  has  been  elected 
to  office  many  times.  For  three  terms  he  served  as  road  commissioner,  for  two 
years  as  highway  commissioner  and  for  three  terms  in  the  county  court.  For 
over  sixty-five  years  he  has  been  connected  with  the  agricultural  interests  of 
Knox  county  and  during  that  time  has  done  his  share  in  developing  the  resources 
of  the  soil  of  the  county,  a  work  which  has  called  for  self  denial,  the  encounter- 
ing of  hardships,  persistent,  hard  labor  and  the  ability  to  give  constant  applica- 
tion to  an  undertaking  not  always  showing  immediate  profits.  •-:..:-; 


-:;'•;'•  .^-'''.  "    ^v  V- •'.'•.":  BEN  J.  HUFF,  JR.      -.::;•.'•-         .      '.V,.'^- ••'-;;.:•; 

Ben  J.  Huflf,  Jr.,  who  for  the  past  four  years  has  been  city  clerk  of  Gales- 
burg,  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  youngest  man  ever  elected  to  that  office  in 
the  city.  He  is  a  native  son,  his  birth  having  occurred  here,  on  the  6th  of  January, 
1883,  ^nd  he  is  the  younger  of  two  children  born  of  the  marriage  of  Ben  J.  and 
Mary  (Phillips)  Huff.  Their  elder  child  is  a  daughter,  Helen,  the  wife  of  Harry 
N.  Thurman,  of  Galesburg.  Ben  J.  Huff  was  born  in  Kentucky,  the  son  of 
George  N.  and  Elizabeth  Huff,  also  natives  of  that  state.  In  his  early  boyhood 
the  parents  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood,  later  becom- 
ing a  resident  of  Illinois.  In  1870  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  entered  the  repair 
yards  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  and  there  he  has  ever  since 
been  employed.  He  proved  to  be  a  trustworthy  and  efficient  workman  and  was 
promoted  from  time  to  time  until  he  is  now  general  foreman  of  the  car  depart- 
ment. The  grandfather,  who  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  was  also  an  employe 


532  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY f^:V^ ;--.,; 

of  the  "Q,"  but  had  withdrawn  from  active  life  prior  to  his  death,  which  oc-  ; 
curred  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.     The  grandmother  was  sixty  when  she 
passed  away.     They  also  had  two  children:  Ben  J.,  the  father  of  our  subject; 
and  Helen,  who  married  T.  C.  Salvetor,  a  master  car  builder.     The  maternal 
grandparents  were  Edward  and  Adelia  Phillips,  who  were  among  the  pioneer  ^ 
settlers  of  Galesburg.     They  both  lived  to  attain  a  ripe  old  age,  Mrs.  Phillips 
having  been  killed  by  a  train  at  Clinton,  Illinois,  at  the  age  of  ninety-six  years. 
They  had  three  children :  Charles,  Mina,  and  Mary,  the  mother  of  our  subject. 
In  religious  faith  Ben  J.  Huff  was  reared  a  Methodist  and  his  wife  a  Roman  : 
Catholic.    Mrs.  Huff  was  born  in  Galesburg  and  here  she  has  passed  her  entire 
life. 

The  life  of  Ben  J.  Huff,  Jr.,  up  to  the  age  of  eight  years  was  very  similar  to  ; 
that  of  other  lads  otthe  same  circumstances.    At  that  time,  however,  he  had  the  - 
misfortune  to  be  kicked  by  one  of  his  schoolmates,  and  the  injuries  sustained 
made  of  him  a  permanent  cripple.    He  attended  the  public  schools  in  the  acquire- 
ment of  his  education,  and  after  he  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  he  en-  • 
tered  Brown's  Business  College,  where  he  pursued  a  commercial  course.     When 
qualified  to  begin  earning  his  own  living  he  entered  the  offices  of  the  "Q"  in  the 
capacity  of  stenographer.     He  continued  in  this  capacity  until  1903,  when  he  ; 
resigned  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  assistant  city  clerk.     He  was  retained  in 
this  position  for  four  years,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  period,  in  1907,  was  the 
successful  candidate  for  the  office  of  city  clerk,  of  which  he  is  still  the  incum- 
bent.   That  Mr.  Huff  has  proven  to  be  well  qualified  for  the  responsibilities  of 
this  position  and  that  he  has  discharged  his  duties  with  efficiency  is  manifested 
by  the  length  of  his  term. 

On  the  9th  of  July,  1905,  Mr.  Huff  was  married  to  Miss  .May  Winifred  Ful- 
ler, who  was  born  in  Bedford,  Taylor  county,  Iowa,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Marshall  ; 
and  Mary  Fuller.      One  child  has  been  born  to  them,  Charles  Raymond. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Huff  manifest  their  religious  views  through  their  membership 
in  the  Baptist  church,  and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.     He  is  also  a  v 
member  of  the  Galesburg  and  Crescent  Oubs.     In  his  political  views  he  is  a 
republican,  considering  that  the  policy  of  this  party  is  best  adapted  to  subserve 
the  high.est  interests  of  the  majority.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Huff  have  a  very  pleasant 
home  at  No.  215  North  Chambers  street,  the  hospitality  of  which  is  freely  ex-  • 
tended  to  their  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 


::;-;>>;       :  CHARLES  E.  HOLMES.      :--:•',;  :-:;V  ^^./V.' 

A  capably  tilled  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  located  on  section 
15,  Ontario  township,  does  full  credit  to  the  agricultural  skill  of  Charles 
E.  Holmes,  one  of  the  estimable  citizens  Sweden  has  furnished  Knox  county. 
His  birth  occurred  in  Sweden,  on  the  nth  of  December,  1864,  his  parents  being 
N.  P.  and  Anna  (Larson)  Holmes.  The  father,  who  was  also  a  farmer,  en- 
gaged in  the  cultivation  of  land  in  his  native  country  until  1875,  when  he  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States.  He  arrived  in  Oneida,  this  county,  on  the  5th  of 


:,V^  ^^'  /.      •      V  ^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ';:;.-- V;        533        ^•. 

August,  1875,  and  took  up  his  residence  with  a  son,  who  had  preceded  him  to  : 

America,  continuing  to  make  his  home  with  him  until  his  death  in  February,  . 

1910,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two  years. 

Charles  E.  Holmes  had  his  attention  turned  to  agricultural  pursuits  when  still 
a  small  lad,  his  early  energies  being  devoted  to  assisting  with  the  lighter  duties         .. 
about  the   farm.     These  increased  with  the  development  of  his   strength   and 
sense  of  responsibility  during  the  passing  years,  and  by  the  time  he  had  attained 
his  maturity  he  was  familiar  with  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture.     For 
twenty-two  years  he  has  now  lived  on  his  present  farm,  leasing  the  land  from  Mr, 
A.  B.  Anderson.     Mr.  Holmes  is  a  practical  man  and  devotes  his  fields  to  such  =  v  ;  . 
cereals  as  he  feels  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil,  the  plowing,  planting  and  har- 
vesting being  given  his  personal  attention.     In  connection  with  general  farming 
he  raises  stock,  making  a  specialty  of  feeding  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market.  --•    /    - 
His  farm  is  fully  equipped  with  all  modern  appliances,  essential  to  the  pursuit 
of  agriculture  and   everything  about  the  place   is   suggestive  of   the   business          . 
sagacity  and  spirit  of  progress  that,  invariably  characterize  Mr.  Holmes'  under-  .  ; 
takings.  ••  ''  -v  '•'•  •   ''-'.^    •  "'^Jj-;.-:'-  .. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1890,  Mr.  Holmes  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss    •  ; 
Minnie  Rosene,  adopted  daughter  of  John  Rosene,  and  they  have  become  the  par-  '  .' 
ents  of  eleven  children:   Walter,   Everett,  William,   Forrest,   Laveme,   Harold,  .-    , 
Robert,  Frankie,  Ebbie,  Wendell  and  Richard.  .!    -  •   ' 

Ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise  through  naturalization,  Mr.  Holmes  '^    ^    ^ 
has  given  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  and  at  ,:  . 
the  present  time  is  acting  as  school  director.     Fraternally  he  is  a  member  of       ,. 
Oneida  Camp,  No.  555,  M.  W.  A.    Mr.  Holmes  is  another  energetic  foreigner,     .  . 
who  has  clearly  demonstrated  that  it  is  possible  to  attain  prosperity  in  America  v 
by  close  application  and  unceasing  industry,  as  he  began  without  any  capital  ' 

save  his  ambition  and  determination  of  purpose.  . '•    .     . 


;    :     ;  V        /;   '      WILLIAM  STEPHEN  SON.  r  .-;'.; ::  ''     iv 

It  is  a  notable  fact  that  the  native  sons  of  Scotland  who  have  come  to  our 
shores  to  delve  with  their  hands  and  work  with  their  brains  have  added  a  leaven 
in  our  melting-f>ot  of  nations  that  has  left  its  stamp  upon  the  character  of  our 
people  infusing  a  firmer  virility  and  a  note  of  greater  seriousness.  Of  this  type 
is  William  Stephenson,  born  January  20,  1833,  the  son  of  George  and  Isabella 
(McMillan)  Stephenson.  The  father  was  a  stone  mason  by  trade  and  in  the 
fall  of  1850  came  to  America  and  took  up  his  residence  in  New  Orleans.  Soon 
after,  however,  he  moved  northward  and  settled  in  Knox  county,  buying  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres  in  Copley  township,  where  he  lived  until  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1883.  The  death  of  the  mother  occurred  at  an  earlier  date.  There  were  nine 
children  in  the  Stephenson  family,  of  whom  one  died  before  they  left  Scotland, 
while  only  three  are  living  now,  namely :  William  Stephenson ;  his  brother,  George 
Stephenson  of  Oneida,  whose  biography  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  and 
a  sister,  Mrs.  David  Hamilton.  The  father  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  with 
his  family  worshipped  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  ,.  -  ...--;.-...., 


534  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

William  Stephenson  received  a  common-school  education  and  became  self- 
supporting  at  an  early  age,  securing  employment  with  Robert  McCormick  for 
his  first  year  at  a  wage  of  eight  dollars  a  month.  He  worked  seven  years  more 
under  several  other  employers  until,  in  1857,  he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own 
account  and  continued  in  this  calling,  operating  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  On- 
tario township,  until  1906  when  he  retired,  and  removed  to  Oneida.  He  owns 
no  land  now  but  has  disposed  of  his  holdings  and  is  freed  from  all  the  respon- 
sibilities which  the  possession  of  property  entails. 

On  November  25,  1858,  the  marriage  of  William  Stephenson  and  Miss  Susan 
Cornish,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Susan  Cornish  of  Knox  county,  occurred. 
Mrs.  Stephenson  passed  away  in  November,  1882,  leaving  two  children:  Eliza- 
beth, the  wife  of  John  McCullough,  who  lives  on  a  farm  at  Princeton,  Illinois, 
and  has  two  children,  both  high-school  graduates;  and  Fred,  a  graduate  of  the 
high  school  of  Oneida,  who  is  in  business  at  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  is  married  and 
has  one  child.  Mr.  Stephenson  married  again  on  May  6,  1886,  his  second  union 
being  with  Rachel  Wood,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Phillips)  Wood, 
and  a  native  of  Scotland.  Her  father  died  when  she  was  a  little  girl  and  her 
mother  later  became  the  wife  of  Lockhart  Leighton,  coming  to  this  country  in 
1853  and  settling  in  Copley  township,  Knox  county. 

In  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Stephenson  is  affiliated  with  the  Oneida  Lodge, 
F.  &  A.  M.  In  politics  he  is  a  strong  worker  in  the  republican  party,  sup- 
porting this  party's  measures  and  voting  for  its  candidates.  He  served  twelve 
years  as  alderman  of  Oneida.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephenson  are  members  of  the 
Congregational  church  and  give  their  active  and  sincere  aid  in  spreading  the 
spirit  of  Christianity  by  their  devotion  to  truth  and  righteousness  and  their 
good-will  towards  men.  .,  -  "  -•  .J-  ,  -  :  .  • 


V  ;;;•:,  LAKE  W.  SANBORN.      r-VJ:.;/:;.' 

Lake  W.  Sanborn,  well  known  in  Galesburg  as  a  representative  of  insurance 
interests  and  also  as  secretary  of  the  Mechanics'  Homestead  &  Loan  Associa- 
tion, was  bom  in  Brimfield,  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  January  lo,  1845,  his 
parents  being  David  and  Sophia  A.  (Ramsay)  Sanborn,  who  were  natives  of 
Vermont  and  of  Walpole,  New  Hampshire,  respectively.  The  former  was  left 
an  orphan  at  an  early  age  and  in  his  childhood  became  a  member  of  the  house- 
hold of  the  Lake  family  of  Vermont.  His  first  employment  was  in  connection 
with  the  sale  of  the  old  Mitchell  school  map  and  atlas  but,  feeling  that  his  busi- 
ness opportunities  in  New  England  were  more  limited  than  he  desired  and  that 
better  advantages  could  be  obtained  in  the  middle  west,  he  made  his  way  to  the 
Mississippi  valley  in  1846  and  settled  at  Winchester,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  for 
a  year.  He  next  removed  to  Peoria  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until 
1851,  when  he  came  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Galesburg.  He  was  a  man  of 
high  character,  resolute  and  purposeful,  and  at  all  times  held  to  advanced  stand- 
ards of  manhood  and  citizenship.  While  in  Peoria  county  he  was  chosen  to 
represent  his  district  in  the  state  legislature.  After  coming  to  Galesburg  he 
occupied  a  prominent  and  honored  position  in  financial  circles  in  connection 


HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTY 

\\'illiani  Stephenson  received  a  common-school  education  and  became  self- 
supporting  at  an  early  age,  securing  employment  with  Robert  AlcCormick  for 
his  first  year  at  a  wage  of  eight  dollars  a  month.  He  worked  seven  years  more 
under  several  other  employers  until,  in  1857,  he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own 
account  and  continued  in  this  calling,  operating  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  On- 
tario township,  until  1906  when  he  retired,  and  removeil  to  Oneida.  He  owns 
no  land  now  but  has  disposed  of  his  holdings  and  is  freed  from  all  the  respon- 
sibilities which  the  i)ossession  of  property  entails. 

On  November  25,  1858,  the  marriage  of  William  Stephenson  and  Miss  Susan 
Cornish,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Susan  Cornish  of  Knox  county,  occurred. 
Mrs.  Stephenson  passed  away  in  November,  1882,  leaving  two  children :  Eliza- 
beth, the  wife  of  John  McCuIlough,  who  lives  on  a  farm  at  Princeton,  Illinois, 
and  has  two  children,  both  high-school  graduates;  and  Fred,  a  graduate  of  the 
high  school  of  Oneida.  who  is  in  business  at  St.  Joseph,  ^Missouri,  is  married  and 
has  one  child.  Mr.  Stephenson  married  again  on  ]\Iay  6,  1886,  his  second  union 
being  with  Rachel  Wood,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Phillips)  Wood, 
and  a  native  of  Scotland.  Her  father  died  when  she  was  a  little  girl  and  her 
mother  later  became  the  wife  of  Lockhart  Leighton,  coming  to  this  country  in 
1853  and  settling  in  Copley  township.  Knox  county. 

In  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Stephenson  is  affiliated  with  the  Oneida  Lxjdge, 
F.  &  A.  M.  In  politics  he  is  a  strong  worker  in  the  republican  party,  sup- 
porting this  party's  measures  and  voting  for  its  candidates.  He  served  twelve 
years  as  alderman  of  Oneida.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ste])henson  are  members  of  the 
Congregational  church  and  give  their  active  and  sincere  aid  in  spreading  the 
spirit  of  Christianity  by  their  devotion  to  truth  and  righteousness  and  their 
good-will  towards  men.  .  ... 


:  LAKK  W.  SANBORX.  /    - 

Lake  \\  .  Sanl)i)rn,  ucll  kiioxvii  in  (.ialesburg  as  a  representative  of  insurance 
interests  and  also  as  secretary  of  the  .Niechanics'  Homestead  &  Loan  Associa- 
tion, was  born  in  IJrimfield,  I'eoria  county,  Illinois,  January  lo,  1845,  his 
parents  being  David  and  So])hia  A.  (Ramsay)  Sanborn,  who  were  natives  of 
\ermont  and  of  \\  alpf)le.  New  Ham|)shire,  respectively.  The  former  was  left 
an  orphan  at  an  early  age  and  in  liis  childhood  became  a  member  of  the  house- 
hold of  tlie  Lake  family  of  X'crniont.  His  first  eiiii)l()ynient  was  in  connection 
with  the  sale  of  the  old  ^litchell  school  map  and  atlas  1)Ut,  feeling  that  Iiis  busi- 
ness opportunities  in  Xew  England  were  more  limited  than  he  desired  and  that 
better  advantages  could  be  obtained  in  the  middle  west,  he  made  his  way  to  the 
Mississippi  valley  in  1846  and  settled  at  \\'inchester.  Illinois,  where  he  lived  for 
a  year.  He  next  removed  to  Peoria  comity,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until 
1851,  when  he  came  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Galesburg.  He  was  a  man  of 
high  character,  resolute  and  purposeful,  and  at  all  times  held  to  advanced  stand- 
ards of  manhood  and  citizenship.  While  in  Peoria  county  he  was  chosen  to 
represent  his  district  in  the  state  legislature,  .\fter  coming  to  Galesburg  he 
occupied  a  prominent  and  honored  position  in  financial  circles  in  connection 


_         ;    /V>;;A          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^:     ;:  537 

with  the  old  Second  National  Bank,  which  he  organized  and  of  which  he  re- 
mained the  president  for  forty  years.  At  length  that  institution  was  merged 
into  the  People's  Trust  &  Savings  Bank.  Nor  was  this  his  only  contribution 
to  the  business  stability  and  progress  of  the  county  and  district.  He  was  the  first 
treasurer  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company ;  for  years 
was  treasurer  of  Lombard  College ;  and  was  long  actively  interested  in  the 
development  of  Galesburg,  his  labors  proving  of  practical  benefit  in  its  upbuilding 
and  progress.  During  the  period  of  the  Civil  war  he  served  as  United  States 
assessor  and  for  three  years  was  city  assessor  of  Galesburg.  In  every  relation 
of  life  his  record  would  bear  the  closest  investigation  and  scrutiny  and  stands 
as  an  example  that  others  may  well  follow.  He  died  in  1883,  when  more  than 
sixty-nine  years  of  age,  and  his  wife,  surviving  him,  passed  away  in  January,  '' 
1910,  in  her  ninetieth  year.  Both  were  members  of  the  Universalist  church  and 
their  recognition  of  the  obligations  of  life  was  manifest  in  a  helpful  spirit  to- 
ward all  mankind.  They  became  the  parents  of  a  family  of  six  children,  of 
whom  four  are  now  living,  namely:  William  D.,  a  resident  of  San  Francisco, 
California;  Ellen  S.,  the  wife  of  Professor  George  Churchill;  Mary  S.,  the 
wife  of  James  K.  Mitchell;  and  Lake  W.  The  last  three  are  all  residents  of 
Galesburg.  Two  daughters,  Lelia  R.  and  Hattie,  have  both  passed  away,  the 
former  in  early  womanhood  and  the  latter  when  six  years  of  age.  !: 

Lake  W.  Sanborn,  so  called  because  of  his  father's  appreciation  of  the  kind-     • 
ness  of  those  who  had  given  to  him  parental  care  and  protection  when  he  was 
left  an  orphan,  was  but  six  years  of  age  when  the  family  came  to  Galesburg 
and  here  he  has  since  made  his  home.     After  attending  the  public  schools  he 
continued  his  education  in  Lombard  College  and  later  served  an  apprenticeship 
at  the  machinist's  trade  but  put  aside  all  business  cares  and  other  personal  con-    ' 
siderations  when  the  country  became  involved  in  Civil  war,  enlisting  as  a  mem-     ; 
ber  of  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
in  1864.     He  was  then  but  nineteen  years  of  age  and  he  served  until  the  close 
of  hostilities,  holding  the  rank  of  sergeant.     After  the  war  he  followed  his 
trade  for  a  time  and  then  spent  two  years  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  H.  A. 
Watkins  &  Brother.     He  entered  the  insurance  field  in  1867  and  therein  still 
continues,  his  usefulness  and,  therefore,  his  success  increasing  in  that  field.     In 
1882  he   organized   the   Mechanics'   Homestead    &   Loan   Association,   nor   did 
this  comprise  the  limit  of  his  activities,  and  his  serviceable  work  is  a  factor  in 
the  upbuilding  of  Galesburg.     In  1905  he  was  called  to  the  office  of  mayor  and 
during  a  two  years'  term  gave  to  the  city  a  businesslike  administration  charac- 
terized by  needed  reform  and  by  substantial  progress.     In  1907-8  he  was  presi-    ' 
dent  of  the  United  States  League  of  Building  and  Loan  Associations  and  during     . 
the  past  ten  years  has  been  treasurer  of  the  State  League  of  Building  and  Loan 
Associations  of  Illinois.    For  years  he  was  a  director  of  the  old  Second  National 
Bank  and  he  also  promoted  the  People's  Traction  Company,  building  an  inter-      ; 
urban  line  from  Galesburg  to  Abingdon.     His  brother,  William  D.   Sanborn,    ;' 
now  living  in  San  Francisco,  California,  has  been  general  western  agent  for  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  for  twenty-six  years. 

Mr.  Sanbom  has  ever  given  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party     ' 
nor  has  he  seen  cause  to  change  his  views,  believing  that  the  party  has  ever 

endeavored  to  promote  progress  and  to  uphold  the  national  honor  in  all  the 
Vol.  n— 14 


538  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       —  ^      '         I   ^  ^^ ;.  : 

multitudinous  phases  of  our  national  and  international  relations.  Mr.  Sanborn 
is  widely  known  in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  holding  membership  in  Vesper  Lodge, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Chapter,  No.  46,  R.  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Commandery, 
K.  T. ;  and  Mohammed  Temple  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also 
identified  with  Galesburg  Lodge,  No.  142,  L  O.  O.  F. ;  Galesburg  Lodge,  No. 
894,  B.  P.  O.  E. ;  and  sustains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  comrades  as 
a  member  of  General  Shields  Post,  No.  45,  G.  A.  R.  His  activities  have  touched 
many  lines  and  many  interests  and  have  never  been  selfishly  centered  upon  his 
own  advancement  but  have  also  constituted  a  valuable  factor  in  the  city's  prog- 
ress and  improvement.  His  long  residence  in  Galesburg  and  his  sterling  char- 
acteristics have  made  his  acquaintance  a  very  wide  one  and  the  circle  of  his 
friends  is  almost  coextensive  therewith.  '  -:'-:•,': 


-=.;  ;  LEWIS  W.  PETERSON.       -v;    ;: 

Lewis  W.  Peterson,  who  is  residing  on  his  farm  in  Sparta  township,  Knox 
county,  was  born  in  Gestrikland,  Sweden,  on  the  22d  of  February,  1858.  He  is 
a  son  of  Olaf  Peterson  and  a  grandson  of  Peter  Peterson,  who  was  the  owner  of 
a  very  large  estate  in  Sweden,  which  had  been  in  the  Peterson  family  for  many 
•generations.  His  death  occurred  in  1863,  when  he  was  seventy  years  of  age. 
Olaf  Peterson  was  born  in  i8i8  and  died  the  second  day  after  arriving  in  Amer- 
ica in  1868.  In  his  native  land  he  had  been  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  nine  hundred 
acres,  thus  being  one  of  the  prominent  and  extensive  agriculturists  of  his  dis- 
trict. He  was  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church.  He  was  married  to 
Carrie  Peterson,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1825  and  who  was  a  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Carrie  Hanson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  were  the  parents  of  six  children 
who  came  to  America,  four  of  whom  were:  Lewis  W.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Betsy,  the  wife  of  William  N.  Olson,  of  Galesburg;  Christine,  who  became  the 
wife  of  A.  J.  Hubbard,  a  resident  of  South  Dakota;  and  Cora,  deceased,  who  was 
married  to  Joe  Gehring.  Mrs.  Peterson  went  to  Oneida  with  her  family  after 
her  husband's  death  and  resided  there  for  three  years  before  removing  to  Sparta 
township,  where  they  were  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years.  The  mother  died 
on  a  farm  east  of  Wataga  in  1893. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  Lewis  W.  Peterson  began  managing  his  mother's 
farm,  and  continued  till  about  the  age  of  twenty-six,  when  he  married  and  began 
farming  for  himself.  He  continued  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  in  1888  pur- 
chased his  present  home,  where  he  is  now  successfully  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing, stock-raising  and  threshing,  always  operating  his  own  machinery.  By 
persistent  effort  and  hard  labor  he  has  brought  his  property  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation  and  is  accounted  one  of  the  most  able  and  successful  agriculturists 
in  the  township. 

In  1883  Mr.  Peterson  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  Faulkner,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred January  12,  1865,  and  who  died  on  the  i6th  of  August,  1910,  at  the  age 
of  forty-five  years.    She  was  a  daughter  of  George  and  Bertha  (Emerson)  Faulk- 
ner,  who  were  also  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  stock-raising.     Mrs.  r 
Faulkner's  birth  occurred  in  1838  and  her  family  first  located  in  Racine,  Wiscon- 


-y'v;v:  :'  -      .>;.:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .    ;%-;:  y 

sin,  before  settling  in  Knox  county.    The  grandfather,  William  J.  Faulkner,  who 
was  a  native  of  New  York  state,  was  the  first  of  the  Faulkner  family  to  locate  in 
Knox  county.    He  was  one  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.     His  death  occurred  on  the  old  homstead  in  April,  1875,  when  he  was 
ninety-one  years  of  age.    George  Faulkner  was  born  on  the  I3th  of  November, 
1827,  in  Orange  county.  New  York,  and  removed  with  his  parents  in  1839  to 
Sparta  township.    Throughout  his  life  Mr.  Faulkner  was  a  stanch  republican  and 
did  much  to  further  the  success  of  his  party  in  Sparta  township.    His  death  oc-  '• 
cured  in  February,  1904.     In  her  early  life  Mrs.  Peterson  was  a  member  of  the    - 
Methodist  church  but  one  year  before  her  death  affiliated  with  the  Congregational 
church.    She  was  a  member  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  was  eligible  to  mem-    . 
bership  in  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution,  the  Faulkner  family,  who  . 
were  residents  of  New  York  city,  having  been  represented  in  the  Revolutionary  :; 
war.    To  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Peterson  three  children  have  been  born.    Harry  was  bom   C 
February  6,  1888,  and  married  Miss  Eleanor  Douglas  Gilmer,  a  daughter  of  John   . 
Gilmer,  of  Quincy,  who  is  state's  attorney,  and  whose  mother-in-law,  Nancy  N.  :\ 
Crippen,  is  the  oldest  living  person  in  Adams  county.    Harry  Peterson  is  at  pres-  .f 
ent  aiding  in  the  management  and  cultivation  of  his  father's  farm.     Edith,  who  • 
is  eighteen  years  of  age,  is  employed  in  a  clerical  capacity.     One  child  died  in 
infancy. 

Mr.  Peterson  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  is  active  in  its 
various  departments,  being  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  and  one  of  the   > 
deacons  of  the  church.     In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  has  frequently  held    ;: 
office,  having  been  road  commissioner  and  at  present  is  serving  as  school  trustee. 
Though  born  across  the  water,  Mr.  Peterson  is  thoroughly  American  in  thought    . 
and  feeling  and  is  patriotic  and  sincere  in  his  love  for  the  land  of  his  adoption.    : 
His  career  is  identified  with  the  agricultural  development  of  Knox  county,  where    •.' 
he  has  met  with  unqualified  success  and  where  he  is  an  honored  and  respected   v 
citizen. 


;•/•/:;•"•;'•;•-    --•'      •     'C    JAMES  TANNEY.    -0;''':''-::-   -•,    :'   .•:  'r;- :•,;-:  ^X'-'-' 

[  James  Tanney,  the  owner  and  manager  of  the  largest  general  mercantile  store 
in  St.  Augustine,  Knox  county,  was  born  in  County  Roscommon,  Ireland, 
August  31,  1857.  He  is  the  third  child  born  of  the  marriage  of  Patrick  and 
Catharine  (Tiernan)  Tanney,  also  natives  of  County  Roscommon.  The  father, 
who  was  a  gardener  and  farmer  in  the  old  country,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  with  his  wife  and  family  in  1857,  first  locating  in  Upper  Sandusky,  Ohio. 
After  living  there  for  five  or  six  years  they  removed  to  Macomb,  McDonough 
county,  Illinois,  residing  there  until  1878,  when  they  came  to  Knox  county. 
Upon  their  arrival  here  they  located  on  a  farm  adjacent  to  St.  Augustine,  and 
there  Mr.  Tanney  passed  away  in  1910,  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years  and  was 
laid  to  rest  in  the  Catholic  cemetery  of  St.  Augustine.  He  always  took  an  in- 
terest  in  local  political  affairs,  giving  his  support  to  the  candidates  of  the  demo- 
cratic party.  The  mother  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years  and 
continues  to  reside  upon  the  family  homestead.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


540  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Tanney  numbered  eight:  P.  H.,  who  is  a  farmer  of  Warren  county;  Winifred, 
the  wife  of  S.  S.  Strickland  of  Galesburg;  James,  our  subject;  John,  chairman 
of  the  grievance  committee  of  the  Burlington  Railroad,  Lincoln,  Nebraska; 
Anna,  the  wife  of  E.  P.  Burk,  a  farmer  of  St.  Augustine,  Illinois ;  Kate,  the 
widow  of  John  O'Mara,  now  residing  with  her  mother ;  Thomas  L.,  a  farmer 
of  Fulton  county,  Illinois ;  and  Frank,  who  is  a  train  dispatcher  of  Galesburg. 

As  he  was  only  an  infant  when  his  parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
practically  the  entire  life  of  James  Tanney  has  been  spent  in  this  country.  He 
attended  the  common  schools  of  Sciota,  Illinois,  in  the  acquirement  of  an  edu- 
cation, after  which  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  remained  at  home 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age  when  he  went  to  Peoria, 
following  his  trade  in  that  city  for  three  years.  In  1883  he  removed  to  Kansas 
City,  where  for  seven  years  he  engaged  in  carpentry  work.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  time  he  returned  to  Knox  county,  and  here  continued  to  pursue  his 
vocation  as  a  carpenter  for  six  years,  and  then  came  to  St.  Augustine  and  estab- 
lished the  business  he  has  ever  since  conducted.  This  has  proven  to  be  very 
lucrative,  and  in  addition  to  his  fine  mercantile  establishment  Mr.  Tanney  has 
acquired  quite  extensive  real-estate  interests  in  St.  Augustine. 

In  1887  Mr.  Tanney  established  a  home  for  himself  by  his  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Comer,  a  native  of  Ohio.  Four  children  have  been  born  of  this  union : 
Catherine  Frances,  the  wife  of  Fred  Barnfield,  of  Indian  Point  township ;  and 
Anna  Gertrude,  Mary  Lillian,  and  Edward  Joseph,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 

The  family  are  all  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  Mr. 
Tanney  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  of  Galesburg,  and  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  of  St.  Augustine.  In  matters  politic  he  accords  his 
support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party  and  served  for  one 
term  as  justice  of  the  peace,  but  his  extensive  personal  interests  have  prevented 
his  taking  a  prominent  part  in  municipal  affairs  of  political  nature. 


-•\  ;•''••  S^}^-.'\  ^  ;•  '  JOHN  LAFFERTY. "    '.; •-,;''/:•;-;;':•-' :-:v.  ^ 

John  Lafferty,  who  is  a  prosperous  fanner  of  eighty  acres,  residing  ori  sec- 
tion 13,  Victoria  township,  was  born  in  Lynn  township,  February  12,  1849.  His 
father,  John  Lafferty,  was  a  native  of  Ashland,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
1839,  settling  in  Lynn  township,  where  he  purchased  one  and  one-half  sections 
of  land  and  resided  until  his  death,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  sixty-seven 
years.  His  wife,  Sarah  (Slocum)  Lafferty,  whom  he  wedded  in  Ohio  and  who 
was  also  a  native  of  that  state,  survived  him  by  several  years,  dying  at  the  age 
of  eighty-two.  They  are  both  buried  in  McClennaghan  cemetery.  In  connection 
with  farming  the  father  was  an  auctioneer.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and 
very  active  in  public  work,  serving  as  supervisor  of  the  county,  as  justice  of 
the  peace  and  as  constable.  In  their  family  were  seven  children :  Eleezer,  Elias 
and  Euphemia,  all  of  whom  were  bom  in  Ohio;  and  Edward,  Royal,  John  and 
Ophelia,  who  were  born  in  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois.  .  I -'  : 

John  Lafferty,  of  this  review,  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Lynn  township  and  after  his  school  days  worked  on  his  father's  home  place 


'•"';^:  •  ;.:  :     '-^    HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY         ,.    /  ,      541 

until  1870,  when  he  settled  on  his  present  farm,  which  then  belonged  to  his 
father.  He  took  the  land  in  hand  in  raw  condition,  undertook  its  cultivation, 
erected  all  the  buildings  and  made  all  of  the  general  improvements.  He  now 
has  a  well  developed  place,  where  he  engages  in  general  farming  and  sells  yearly 
his  products  at  a  good  margin  of  profit.  •  =  ; 

:  On  the  15th  of  November,  1870,  Mr.  Lafferty  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Vienna  Stettler,  who  was  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  born  December  17, 
1852.  Her  parents  were  Robert  and  Margaret  (Smith)  Stettler,  both  of  whom 
were  born  and  reared  in  West  Virginia.  The  father,  who  was  a  democrat  in 
his  political  views,  served  in  the  Confederate  army  during  the  Civil  war  and 
died  of  fever  while  in  service,  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine,  in  West  \'irginia.  The 
mother  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  and  is  buried  in  West  Jersey,  Stark 
county,  Illinois.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children  :  Alice ;  Vienna,  now  Mrs. 
John  Laflerty ;  Mary ;  Christopher ;  and  Lemon.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lafferty  have 
been  born  ten  children:  Loverna,  who  is  the  wife  of  Ed  McNeal,  of  Peoria,  Illi- 
nois, and  the  mother  of  one  child.  Garland ;  Laura,  now  Mrs.  Harry  Miller,  of 
Victoria  township;  Pless,  of  Maquon,  Illinois,  who  married  Rosa  Sandal  and 
is  the  father  of  five  children,  Charles,  Edwin,  Mary,  Agnes  and  Alice ;  Walter, 
who  married  Emma  Parmelee  and  is  principal  of  the  Peoria  high  school ;  Alfred, 
who  is  a  practicing  physician  and  surgeon  of  La  Rose,  Marshall  county,  Illinois, 
and  is  married  to  Eleanor  Scott ;  William,  at  home ;  Florence,  who  is  engaged  in 
teaching  school;  Fairy,  who  is  a  music  teacher  and  the  wife  of  Walter  Heer; 
Venus,  who  attends  the  common  schools ;  and  Wylie,  who  is  a  pupil  in  the  high 
school  at  Maquon,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Lafferty  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  but  has 
neither  sought  nor  desired  office.  A  man  of  strict  integrity  and  of  exemplary 
habits,  he  is  one  of  the  best  and  most  favorably  known  citizens  of  this  vicinity. 


\ ;;.;:••'. ;-\v--;  .Vf.^x';- •;.:-•' CARL  s.  BURNSIDE.     'i'  \\.  ;'  ,;;/;'i^^'^— ,;'vV:r 

Carl  S.  Burnside,  who  is  engaged  in  the  operation  of  six  hundred  acres  of 
land  in  Chestnut  township,  four  hundred  and  forty  of  which  he  owns,  is  num- 
bered among  the  highly  successful  and  prosperous  agriculturists  of  Knox  county. 
He  was  born  on  the  farm,  where  he  now  resides  on  the  ist  of  April,  1873,  ^"<1 
is  a  son  of  William  and  Julian  (Terry)  Burnside.  The  father  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  whence  he  was  brought  when  a  little  child,  to  Illinois  by  his  parents,  who 
located  in  Knox  county  and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  His  father, 
who  was  an  agriculturist,  acquired  a  tract  of  government  land,  in  Chestnut  town- 
ship, to  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  which  he  devoted  his  attention  during 
the  remainder  of  his  active  career.  It  was  there  William  Burnside  was  reared  to 
nianhood,  and  educated  and  trained  for  an  agriculturist,  this  vocation  engaging 
his  energies  until  his  retirement  in  1893,  since  which  time  he  has  made  his  home 
in  Galesburg.  The  mother,  who  was  a  native  of  Chestnut  township,  passed  away 
m  1895.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnside  there  were  born  six  chil- 
dren: Mark,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Chestnut  township;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  D.  E. 
Meeks,  a  resident  of  Galesburg;  Charles,  who  is  living  in  Maquon,  Illinois ;  Albert 


542  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;--:l-:-: 

G.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Spirit  Lake,  Iowa ;  Carl  S.,  our  subject ;  and  Fanny, 
who  is  deceased. 

The  entire  life  of  Carl  S.  Bumside  has  been  spent  in  the  community,  where 
he  is  now  living.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  very  similar  in  every  respect  to 
those  of  other  lads  of  the  neighborhood.  He  attended  the  district  schools  in 
the  acquirement  of  his  early  education,  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  fields  and 
indulged  in  such  sports  as  usually  afforded  amusement  to  country  youths.  After 
completing  the  course  of  the  country  schools  he  went  to  Quincy,  where  he  pur- 
sued a  business  course,  thus  acquiring  a  more  comprehensive  knowledge  of 
modern  commercial  methods.  Returning  home  he  once  more  resumed  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  having  decided  to  adopt  farming  for  his  life  work.  He  has  been 
very  successful  in  his  undertakings,  having  applied  himself  to  the  intelligent 
direction  of  his  affairs  in  accordance  with  the  best  accepted  modern  methods  of 
scientific  farming.  Clear  judgment,  practical  ideas  and  unremitting  energy  are 
the  secrets  of  his  prosperity.  In  addition  to  his  own  fine  farm  Mr.  Burnside  is 
operating  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  which  he  rents,  thus  making  the 
aggregate  of  the  acreage  he  has  under  cultivation  six  hundred.  He  is  also  the 
owner  of  a  tract  of  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Hereford,  Texas. 

Mr.  Burnside  has  not  married.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  of  Galesburg  and  of  the  Galesburg  Club.  His  political 
support  he  accords  to  the  republican  party,  but  his  extensive  interests  have 
always  demanded  so  much  of  his  time  as  not  to  permit  of  an  active  part  in  town- 
ship affairs.  Mr.  Burnside  is  constantly  forging  ahead,  his  business  sagacity 
and  progressive  ideas  making  of  him  a  practical  agriculturist,  who  realizes  that 
success  in  farming  as  in  any  other  vocation  depends  upon  system  and  method  in 
the  execution  of  the  work.  -  .  .  .. 


THOMAS  JEFFERSON  HUBBELL.    /  ,>:  Js 

Thomas  Jefferson  Hubbell  is  now  practically  living  retired  in  Altona,  al- 
though he  is  filling  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  being  one  of  the  oldest  in 
that  position  in  Knox  county,  having  first  been  elected  in  1888.  His  long  reten- 
tion in  this  office  is  incontrovertible  proof  of  the  fairness  and  impartiality  of  his 
decisions  and  of  his  devotion  to  duty.  He  was  bom  in  Victoria  township,  this 
county,  April  14,  1842,  and  is  therefore  numbered  among  the  older  of  its  native 
sons.  His  father,  M.  C.  Hubbell,  was  born  in  Seneca  county.  New  York,  April 
4,  1806,  and  reached  a  ripe  old  age,  passing  away  December  28,  1884,  his  re- 
mains being  interred  at  Victoria.  His  educational  privileges  in  youth  were  quite 
limited  for  circumstances  forced  him  to  begin  the  battle  of  life  early.  Thus  when 
a  young  lad  he  worked  on  a  small  farm  belonging  to  his  j>arents.  He  was  only 
seven  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  in  1813,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  years  he 
accompanied  his  mother  on  her  removal  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  remaining 
at  home  with  the  family,  consisting  of  two  brothers  and  four  sisters,  in  order 
to  aid  in  the  support  of  his  mother.  The  burdens  and  responsibilities  of  life 
rested  heavily  on  young  shoulders  and  yet  he  bravely  took  up  the  duties  that 
awaited  him.  After  reaching  manhood  he  married  Philena  Buck,  who  was  born 


THOMAS  J,  HUBBELL 


542      -  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

G.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Spirit  Lake,  Iowa;  Carl  S.,  our  siil)ject;  and  Fanny, 
who  is  deceased. 

The  entire  life  of  Carl  S.  lUirnside  has  been  spent  in  the  community,  where 
he  is  now  living.  His  Ijoyhood  and  youth  were  very  similar  in  every  respect  to 
those  of  other  lads  of  the  neighborhood.  He  attended  the  district  schools  in 
the  ac(|uirement  of  his  early  education,  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  fields  and 
indulged  in  such  sports  as  usually  afforded  amusement  to  ccnintry  youths.  After 
completing  the  course  of  the  country  schools  he  went  to  Ouincy.  where  he  pur- 
sued a  business  course,  thus  acquiring  a  more  com])rehensive  knowledge  of 
modern  commercial  methods.  Returning  home  he  once  more  resumed  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  having  decided  to  adopt  farming  for  his  life  work.  He  has  been 
very  successful  in  his  undertakings,  having  applied  himself  to  the  intelligent 
direction  of  his  affairs  in  accordance  with  the  best  accepted  modern  methods  of 
scientific  farming.  Clear  judgment,  practical  ideas  and  unremitting  energy  are 
the  secrets  of  his  prosperity.  In  addition  to  his  (nvn  fine  farm  Mr.  lUirnside  is 
operating  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of  land  which  he  rents,  thus  making  the 
aggregate  of  the  acreage  he  has  under  cultivation  six  hundred.  He  is  also  the 
owner  of  a  tract  of  land  in  tlie  vicinity  of  Hereford,  Texas. 

Mr,  Ilurnside  has  not  married.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Benevolent  Pro- 
tective Order  of  Elks,  of  Galesburg  and  of  the  Galesburg  Club.  His  jxilitical 
support  he  accords  to  the  republican  party,  but  his  extensive  interests  have 
always  demanded  so  much  of  his  time  as  not  to  ])ermit  of  an  active  part  in  town- 
ship affairs.  Mr.  I'.urnside  is  constantly  forging  aliead,  his  business  sagacity 
and  progressive  ideas  making  of  him  a  practical  agriculturist,  who  realizes  that 
success  in  farming  as  in  any  other  vocation  depends  upon  system  and  method  in 
the  execution  of  the  work. 


;•  THOMAS  JEFFERSON  HL'IHSELL. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Ilubbell  is  now  practically  living  retired  in  Altona,  al- 
though he  is  filling  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  being  one  of  the  oldest  in 
that  ])osition  in  Knox  county,  having  first  been  elected  in  1888,  His  long  reten- 
tion in  this  office  is  incontrovertiljle  proof  of  the  fairness  and  impartiality  (jf  his 
decisions  and  of  his  devotion  to  duty.  He  was  lx)rn  in  Victoria  township,  this 
county,  April  14,  1842,  and  is  therefore  numbered  among  the  older  of  its  native 
sons.  His  father,  M.  C.  Hubbell,  was  bom  in  Seneca  county.  New  York,  April 
4,  1806,  and  reached  a  ripe  old  age,  passing  away  December  28,  1884,  his  re- 
mains being  interred  at  \'ictoria.  His  educational  privileges  in  youth  were  cjuitc 
limited  for  circumstances  forced  him  to  begin  the  battle  of  life  early.  Thus  when 
a  young  lad  he  worked  on  a  small  farm  belonging  to  his  parents.  He  was  only 
seven  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  in  1813,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  years  he 
accompanied  his  mother  on  her  removal  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  remaining 
at  home  with  the  family,  consisting  of  two  brothers  and  four  sisters,  in  order 
to  aid  in  the  sui)i)ort  of  his  mother.  The  burdens  and  responsibilities  of  life 
rested  heavily  on  young  shoulders  and  yet  he  bravely  took  up  the  duties  that 
awaited  him.  After  reaching  manhood  he  married  Philena  I'.uck,  who  was  born 


THOMAS. I.  Ill  I5I5KLL 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


545 


in  October,  1808,  in  Christian  county.  She  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  war  of  1812  she  was  taken  to  Ohio  by  her  uncle,  living 
with  his  family  until  her  marriage.  Her  uncle  continued  a  resident  fanner  of 
Ohio  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  During  the  pioneer  epoch  in  the  history  of 
Knox  county  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  C.  Hubbell  came  to  this  state  and  the  father  se- 
cured land  and  devoted  his  attention  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  Following 
his  demise  in  1884  his  widow  ever  remained  true  to  his  memory  and  passed 
away  in  Victoria,  January  21,  1897.  In  the  family  were  ten  children  of  whom 
four  are  yet  living :  Phoebe  Philena,  now  the  wife  of  N.  J.  Johnson,  of  McCook, 
Nebraska ;  Joseph  L.,  who  is  living  retired  in  Nebraska ;  Ruth,  the  wife  of  David 
Swickard,  a  resident  of  Victoria;  and  Thomas  J.,  of  this  review,  who  is  the 
youngest  living  member  of  the  family. 

The  boyhood  days  of  Thomas  J.  Hubbell  were  spent  upon  the  home  farm 
and  almost  as  soon  as  old  enough  to  handle  the  plow,  he  began  work  in  the  fields, 
to  which  he  devoted  his  time  from  early  spring  planting  until  crops  were  har- 
vested in  the  late  autumn.  In  the  winter  seasons  he  attended  school  until  twenty 
years  of  age,  when  he  put  aside  all  personal  considerations  that  he  might  offer 
his  services  to  his  country,  then  engaged  in  Civil  war.  He  enlisted  on  the  nth 
of  August,  1862,  for  three  years  as  a  member  of  Company  K,  Eighty-third  Il- 
linois Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  George  W.  Reynolds,  his  regiment  be- 
ing assigned  to  duty  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  He  could  not  serve  out 
the  entire  term  of  his  enlistment  because  of  disability  and  was  discharged  on 
the  nth  of  January,  1865,  at  Clarksville,  Tennessee. 

;-;  When  no  longer  able  to  remain  at  the  front  Mr.  Hubbell  returned  to  his  home 
in  Victoria  township  and  made  farming  his  life  work,  continuing  actively  in  the 
labor  of  the  fields  until  1886,  when  he  retired  from'  business  life  and  removed 
to  Altona,  where  he  has  since  enjoyed  a  well  earned  and  well  merited  rest.  While 
upon  the  farm  he  carefully  and  systematically  cultivated  his  fields  and  his  well 
directed  business  interests  and  unfaltering  diligence  brought  him  the  competence 
that  now  enables  him  to  rest  from  further  labor. 

On  the  i6th  of  March,  1867,  Mr.  Hubbell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Matilda  Bell,  who  was  born  near  Belleville,  Canada,  on  the  I7th  of  February, 
1846,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Emeline  (Yaeger)  Bell  and  a  granddaughter  of 
Fred  Bell,  of  Canada.  Her  father.  Peter  Bell,  followed  farming  in  the  Domin- 
ion until  about  1863,  when  he  crossed  the  border  into  the  United  States  and  made 
his  way  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Victoria  township  where  he  followed  that 
occupation  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1895.  His  wife,  who  was  of  Ger- 
man descent,  still  survives  him  and  is  now  living  with  a  daughter  in  Missouri 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-seven  years.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hubbell  have 
been  born  the  following  children:  George  W.,  a  resident  farmer  of  Walnut 
Grove  township,  who  married  Mrs.  Bell  Lawrence,  the  widow  of  Thomas  Law- 
rence ;  William  H.,  of  Campbell,  Minnesota,  who  married  Minnie  Whitcomb  and 
has  two  children,  Ruth  and  Firn ;  and  Charles  A. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hubbell  has  always  been  a  republican,  supporting 
the  party  which  was  the  defense  of  the  Union  during  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil 
war,  and  has  always  been  a  member  of  reform  and  progress.  He  has  made  a 
most  creditable  record  in  office,  having  been  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  his 
township  in  1888.  He  has  since  filled  the  position  and  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the 


546  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^\  -^::  '    ^;: 

oldest  justices  in  years  of  continuous  service  in  Knox  county.  He  has  made  an 
excellent  record  in  presiding  over  this  court,  his  decisions  being  ever  based  upon 
the  law  and  the  equity  of  the  case.  He  maintains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old 
army  comrades  through  his  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  post  at  Galesburg, 
and  his  religious  belief  is  evidenced  in  his  membership  in  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church.  His  has  been  an  active,  useful  and  well  spent  life,  devoted  to 
duty  and  to  the  high  principles  in  which  he  believes,  and  there  is  in  his  entire 
life  history  no  esoteric  chapter.  .  .  ,-  •  -.;>..  .  / 


:;     ;:>;;;/  REV.  STUART  M.  CAMPBELL,  D.  D.      :  ;  v      ' 

One  of  the  strongest  forces  in  the  moral  development  and  progress  of  Gales- 
burg  is  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  Dr.  Stuart  M.  Campbell  is  the 
pastor.  Thoroughly  versed  in  the  church  doctrines  and  in  the  principles  of  the- 
ology, he  has,  too,  that  broad  human  sympathy  which  enables  him  to  reach  out  in 
helpful  spirit  toward  all  whom  he  seeks  to  influence  in  their  choice  of  the  things 
of  life  that  are  most  worth  while.  He  first  became  connected  with  Galesburg 
during  his  college  days,  for  he  was  a  student  at  Knox.  Later  his  work  called 
him  to  various  other  fields  and  in  June,  1907,  he  returned  to  this  city  to  accept 
his  present  pastorate. 

Dr.  Campbell  is  of  Canadian  birth,  a  native  of  the  province  of  Ontario.  He 
was  born  July  13,  1859,  being  one  of  the  twelve  children  of  Thomas  and  Margaret 
(McAlpine)  Campbell,  natives  of  Edinburgh,  Scotland.  The  former  was  a  son 
of  Thomas  Campbell,  who  lived  at  Thurso,  Scotland,  where  his  son  Thomas  was 
born.  He  was  a  stonecutter,  thus  providing  for  his  family,  which  numbered  three 
sons  and  a  daughter.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Dr.  Campbell  was  Thomas 
McAlpine,  a  native  of  Prestonpans,  Scotland.  Both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  a 
ripe  old  age  and  reared  a  large  family. 

Thomas  Campbell,  the  father  of  Dr.  Campbell,  spent  his  youthful  days  in 
Edinburgh,  Scotland,  where  he  became  a  merchant  tailor.  He  crossed  the  Atlantic 
to  Canada  when  forty  years  of  age  and  lived  for  some  time  at  Picton  and  at  Gait, 
Ontario,  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Toronto,  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety  years. 
He  is  a  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith,  as  was  his  wife,  who  died  in  1896,  at  the 
age  of  about  sixty-five  years.  In  their  family  were  seven  sons  and  five  daughters, 
of  whom  nine  reached  adult  age :  John ;  Thomas ;  Jessie,  the  wife  of  George  W. 
Scott,  of  Toronto ;  James ;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  William  MoMaster,  of  Toronto ; 
Walter;  Charles,  deceased;  Agnes,  the  wife  of  J.  H.  G.  Russell,  of  Winnipeg, 
Canada ;  and  Stuart  M.  Three  daughters  of  the  family  died  in  infancy. 
.  Dr.  Campbell  spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  country,  leaving  Picton 
at  the  age  of  ten  years  to  become  a  resident  of  Gait,  where  he  was  reared  to  man- 
hood and  acquired  his  preliminary  education.  He  afterward  devoted  several 
years  to  the  newspaper  and  printing  business  in  Gait  and  then  crossed  the  border 
to  seek  the  opportunities  of  this  country,  where  competition  is  greater  but  where 
advancement  is  more  quickly  secured.  He  made  his  way  to  Chicago  where  he 
worked  as  a  printer  until  1884.  Realizing  the  fact  that  intellectual  progress  must 
constitute  the  basis  of  success  in  professional  lines,  he  then  entered  Knox  College 


'-  ^  V:      "     -^  y    .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  547 

in  the  fall  of  that  year  and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1888.    In  the  mean-   - 
time  he  had  determined  to  enter  upon  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  and  with 
that  end  in  view  became  a  student  in  the  McCormick  Theological  Seminary  of 
Chicago,  in  which  he  remained  for  a  year.    He  afterward  spent  two  years  in  the 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  of  New  Jersey  and  was  graduated  in  May,  1891. 
Ordained  to  the  ministry,  he  became  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Lyons     ., 
Farms,  near  Newark,  New  Jersey,  where  he  continued  until  the  fall  of  1894,  when 
he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Emerald  Avenue  Presbyterian  church  in  Chi- 
cago.   In  1903  he  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church    f' 
of  Evanston,  Illinois,  and  in  June,  1907,  came  to  Galesburg  as  minister  of  the    •• 
First  Presbyterian  church  of  this  city,  with  which  he  has  since  been  identified. 
:      On  the  lOth  of  September,  1889,  Dr.  Campbell  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds     < 
of  matrimony  to  Miss  Martha  Eunice  Kent,  who  was  bom  in  Akron,  Ohio,  a    r;, 
daughter  of  Oscar  and  Charity  Kent,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  the  Buckeye    . 
state  and  resided  upon  a  farm  near  Akron.    There  her  father  died  a  number  of     , 
years  ago  and  her  mother  passed  away  in  Chicago  in  1909,  at  the  age  of  seventy-    . 
eight  years.    They  were  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  they  had  a  family    , 
of  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  George,  William,  Cordelia,  Alice,  Martha  and   ;:;. 
Mary.     Four  children  have  been  born  unto  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell,  Gladys  M.,    • 
Helen,  Stuart  M.  and  Marion  K.    During  the  four  years  of  Dr.  Campbell's  pas-    ' 
torate  here  he  has  carefully  systematized  the  work  and  the  different  societies  and    ;; 
organizations  of  the  church  are  now  in  a  flourishing  condition.    He  is  an  earnest,    ;: 
logical  and  effective  speaker,  a  deep  student  not  only  of  the  Bible  but  of  humanity    - 
as  well,  and  is  thus  able  to  make  of  his  teachings  a  practical  force  for  good  in 
the  lives  of  those  who  come  under  his  ministry.      ;,    .t.  V  ''-,.';;;,..::••" 


'"•'•••:*-''  --'.-  .-.:"'  -:'-'-  ^-    G.  W.  VAN'  BUREN.:  .^^'•.  -  '•  '       .   -'J--.^^-^.-  ;•-' 

.7     .V  --••<•  .  -  -  •    -  .  •  -  ............ 

G.  W.  Van  Buren,  formerly  a  wagonmaker  and  blacksmith  of  Victoria,  now 
retired,  was  born  February  15,  1831.  A  native  of  Delaware  county.  New  York, 
he  is  the  son  of  Peter  Van  Buren,  a  well  known  farmer  of  Victoria  township. 
Peter  Van  Buren  was  born  in  Delaware  county.  New  York,  in  1800,  and  was 
reared  and  educated  there.  He  married  in  early  youth  Charity  Sornberger, 
also  of  Delaware  county.  New  York.  She  was  the  daughter  of  George  Sorn- 
berger, who  later  was  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  died.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Van  Buren  came  to  Illinois  in  1838  and  settled  on  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  five  acres,  one  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Victoria,  where  they  lived 
during  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  he  dying  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  and  she^  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  They  are  both  buried  in  the  Victoria  cemetery. 
Mr.  Van  Buren  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  his  community  and  for  ten  and 
one-half  years  was  justice  of  the  peace  of  Victoria  township.  He  was  a  demo- 
crat in  politics  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Van  Buren  were  devoted  workers  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  they  were  members.  They  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  G.  W.  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth.  The 
others  were:  Ambrose;  Benjamin,  who  lived  and  died  in  Oregon;  Elizabeth, 
who  became  the  wife  of  Moses  R.  Aldridge  and  is  now  deceased ;  Katherine, 


548  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

who  married  Franklin  Force  and  is  also  deceased;  Martha,  now  Mrs.  John  W. 
Harold,  of  Missouri;  Mary  M.,  who  married  Abraham  Files,  of  Kewanee, 
Illinois;  Helen,  who  is  the  wife  of  Novates  Tiffany,  of  Nebraska;  and  John, 
who  was  murdered  in  Idaho. 

G.  W.  Van  Buren  was  six  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Victoria. 
He  was  educated  in  an  old-time,  rudely  constructed  log  schoolhouse  with  its 
desks  made  of  slabs  supported  by  pegs  that  were  fastened  in  holes  bored  into 
the  wall,  and  with  its  seats  that  were  long  wooden  benches.  After  his  school 
days  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade,  working  for  six  years  all  over  this  part  of 
the  county.  He  then  took  up  farming,  managing  and  operating  the  old  home- 
stead until  i86i,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Victoria  and  began  the  work  of 
wagonmaking  and  blacksmithing,  a  business  which  for  forty-seven  years  he 
successfully  pursued,  retiring  in  1908. 

He  was  married  in  1857  to  Emma  J.  Force,  who  came  as  a  young  girl  with 
her  parents,  Thomas  and  Phoebe  (Wiley)  Force,  from  New  York  to  Knox 
county.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Buren  but  the  eldest, 
an  infant  girl,  died  at  the  age  of  six  months.  The  second  child,  John,  who  is  a 
resident  of  Victoria,  is  a  carpenter  and  contractor,  and  in  the  strawberry  busi- 
ness. He  married  Lulu  Tripp  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  children,  Edna 
and  Bessie.  Arthur,  deceased,  married  Grace  Cummings,  who  is  and  has  been 
for  five  years  postmistress  at  Victoria.  They  have  one  child,  Marie.  Cora, 
the  wife  of  William  Hosford,  of  Michigan,  has  no  children.  Mary  Emma,  the 
wife  of  John  Cooke,  lives  in  Truro  township,  Knox  county,  and  has  nine  chil- 
dren, Bernice,  Mabel,  Sydney,  Van,  Calvert,  Phyllis,  Kenneth,  Margaret  and 
Harlan.  Alice,  the  wife  of  John  Doak,  resides  in  Copley  township  and  has  one 
son.  Dale.  Charles  E.  married  Ella  Rice,  a  daughter  of  Amos  Rice.  Mrs.  Van 
Buren,  the  mother  of  these  children,  a  lifelong  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  died  in  July,  1904.  .  •,:,...(  ''  , 

Mr.  Van  Buren  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  since  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  and  has  given  it  faithful  service, 
having  held  almost  all  of  the  church  offices.  He  is  a  republican  in  politics,  has 
given  much  time  to  public  service,  and  has  at  different  times  in  his  life  held 
most  of  the  town  offices.  Few  men  have  had  the  opportunity  to  render  to  their 
community  such  long  and  efficient  service  as  has  Mr.  Van  Buren.  Eighty-one 
years  of  age,  having  lived  in  the  county  more  than  seventy-four  years,  he  has 
seen  its  development  from  the  formative  to  the  present  state  and  has  rendered 
at  all  times  whatever  help  he  could  to  bring  about  better  conditions  in  his 
community. 


''vVi'. •      •        .    '    .;    :.  A.  L.  HURD.  ...';•.; 7 V --,;-.:  .-:^;:X'. 

Many  years  of  industry  and  enterprise  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  en- 
abled A.  L.  Hurd  to  acquire  a  competence  that  now  permits  him  to  live  retired  in 
full  enjoyment  of  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Portage  county,  Ohio,  May  2,  1837,  his  father  being  Nehemiah  Hurd, 
a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  but  a  resident  of  Ohio  during  the  greater  part 


A.   I..  Ill  III) 


MKS.   A.    I..    lUltl) 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ;       ;:'  553 

of  his  life.  In  1851  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm 
in  Knox  county,  to  the  further  cultivation  and  development  of  which  he  devoted 
his  energies  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  years. 

A.  L.  Hurd  was  a  lad  of  thirteen  years  when  he  left  his  native  state,  in  the 
common  schools  of  which  he  began  the  education  that  was  completed  in  those  of 
Illinois.     After  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches  he  laid  aside  his  school 
books  and  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  work  of  the  home  farm,  in  the  opera- 
tion of  which  he  had  been  assisting  his  father  when  not  engaged  with  his  studies. 
In  1863  he  responded  to  his  country's  call  for  volunteers  and  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany C,  Eighty-first  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  until  peace  was  restored. 
When  mustered  out  he  returned  to  farming,  continuing  to  devote  his  efforts  to 
'  this  occupation  until  1891,  when  he  withdrew  from  the  active  work  of  the  fields 
:•  and  came  to  Williamsfield,  where  he  has  ever  since  lived  retired.    Mr.  Hurd  owns 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  seven  and  a  half  acres  of  farming  land  in  Truro 
'''"  township,  that  he  successfully  operated  for  many  years.     In  connection  with  the 
cultivation  of  his  fields  he  also  engaged  in  stock-raising,  both  branches  of  the  busi- 
:  ness  proving  to  be  very  remunerative.  / 

^  On  February  12,  1868,  Mr.  Hurd's  plans  for  a  home  had  their  culmination  in 

:  '  his  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza  Jane  Balch,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  born  June  15, 
•• ;    1847.    In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hurd  is  loyal  to  the  principles  of  the  republican 
•'•••'  party,  the  policy  of  which  he  has  always  indorsed,  and  he  is  an  honored  member 
/;   of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.    Mr.  Hurd  feels  that  he  has  most  miracu- 
lously escaped  physical  injuries  on  many  occasions,  as  he  went  through  the  war 
;  without  sustaining  any  wounds  and  a  few  years  after  returning,  in  1870,  he  was 
;;  cleaning  a  well  on  the  farm  when  a  rock  slipped  and  the  sides  caved  in,  burying 

•  •  him  beneath  about  sixteen  feet  of  stone  and  dirt,  but  when  rescued  he  was  found 
:.;    to  be  without  injury.    He  has  always  led  a  very  unobtrusive  life,  his  attention  be- 
;;  .:  ing  entirely  concentrated  upon  his  own  interests,  unless  he  felt  there  was  need 

•  .   of  his  personal  services  as  when  he  fought  on  the  battlefields  of  the  south.    The 
.;    courage  and  the  quiet  and  efficient  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  duties 
,.   there  has  characterized  him  in  all  of  his  relations  of  life,  and  he  has  established 

,  .     a  reputation  for  trustworthiness  and  reliability  in  the  community  where  he  resided 
for  so  many  years,  that  would  be  a  valuable  asset  to  any  man. 


^^: : ,  \-;y;  •-•  v;  .; ;     CLYDE  T.  LIKEN,  D.  D.  s.  -:        '    .:;  {/v-  •--  ;• 

Dr.  Clyde  T.  Liken,  who  enjoys  a  constantly  increasing  and  lucrative  dental 
practice  in  Knoxville,  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  7th  of  May,  1878. 
His  father,  Thomas  P.  Liken,  is  a  native  of  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania, 
born  on  the  2Oth  of  November,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Sands) 
Liken.  Thomas  Liken,  Sr.,  was  a  native  of  Ireland  but  was  brought  to  America 
when  only  four  years  of  age.  His  parents  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  he  was 
there  reared  to  manhood.  When  Thomas  Liken  had  reached  adult  age  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Sands,  who  was  a  native  of  the  Keystone  state,  where  the  family  re- 
mained until  1865,  when  they  came  to  Illinois.  Thomas  Liken  engaged  in 
farming  in  Munson  township,  where  he  purchased  land  for  ten  dollars  per  acre. 


554  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^  ;;:>::•. 

His  labors  converted  this  raw  land  into  a  valuable  tract  and  he  continued  a  resi- 
dent of  the  state  until  his  death,  which  occurred  about  thirteen  years  ago.  He 
had  a  brother,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war  and  died  in  Andersonville 
prison.  One  of  his  sons,  William  Liken,  an  uncle  of  Dr.  Liken,  served  in  the 
war  between  the  north  and  south,  enlisting  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and 
Fifty-fifth  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  was  killed  at  Peters- 
burg, June  8,  1864.  '  ,  7  "'.  •..-'-•";  v'/,'-?::^-'.^:  s: '.'-  I  : 

The  first  nineteen  years  in  the  life  of  Thomas  P.  Liken  were  spent  in  his 
native  state,  but  in  1865  he  removed  to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in 
Henry  county.  There  his  father  bought  land  and  successfully  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, becoming  one  of  the  extensive  property  owners  and  prosperous  agriculturijts 
of  the  county.  Thomas  P.  Liken  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm 
in  Henry  county,  where  he  became  proficient  in  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  for 
the  crops,  thus  qualifying  himself  for  the  vocation  that  he  followed  during  the 
entire  period  of  his  active  life.  On  December  27,  1871,  Thomas  P.  Liken  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rachel  Victoria  Hill,  who  was  born  in  West  Vir- 
ginia, on  the  27th  of  April,  1851,  and  was  a  representative  of  one  of  the  old  and 
honored  pioneer  families  of  Virginia.  Her  grandfather,  John  K.  Hill,  was  bom 
in  that  state  and  served  as  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  Her  parents  were. 
William  T.  and  Elizabeth  (Lockhart)  Hill,  the  latter  a  daughter  of  a  Virginia 
planter.  After  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Hill,  they  lived  for  a  time  in  the  Old 
Dominion  and  in  1855  they  removed  westward  to  Henry  county,  Illinois,  becom- 
ing early  settlers  of  that  part  of  the  state,  where  they  ever  after  made  their  home. 
Mr.  Liken  actively  engaged  in  farming  until  eight  years  ago  when  he  retired  to 
Geneseo,  where  he  and  Mrs.  Liken  continue  to  make  their  home.  They  are  the 
parents  of  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  living:  William  E., 
who  is  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Henry  county ;  Clyde  T.,  our  subject ; 
Maude,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Coombs,  of  Henry  county ;  Myrtle,  who  married  D.  C. 
Shaw,  a  banker  of  Pittsburg;  and  Grace,  who  is  living  at  home  with  her  parents. 

The  boyhood  of  Dr.  Liken  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm  in  the  work  of 
which  he  assisted  while  attending  the  district  schools,  where  he  obtained  his  ele- 
mentary education.  Later  he  became  a  student  of  the  Geneseo  Collegiate  Insti- 
tute, being  graduated  from  there  in  1897,  when  he  entered  Knox  College.  Upon 
the  completion  of  the  work  of  his  junior  year  he  left  college  and  began  to  make 
his  own  way,  his  first  position  being  that  of  associate  editor  of  the  Geneseo  Daily 
and  Weekly  Arena,  with  which  publication  he  was  identified  for  two  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  decided  to  enter  the  dental  profession  and  to 
realize  his  ambitions  matriculated  in  the  Chicago  College  of  Dental  Surgery, 
being  awarded  his  degree  with  the  class  of  1904.  Educationally  Dr.  Liken  is 
well  equipped  for  his  life  work  as  in  addition  to  his  collegiate  studies  he  took  a 
commercial  course,  being  a  graduate  of  the  Cedar  Rapids  Business  College,  and 
since  entering  upon  his  practice  he  has  taken  some  post-graduate  work  in 
dentistry.  He  first  engaged  in  practice  in  West  Chicago,  where  he  maintained 
an  office  for  two  years  and  then  came  to  Knoxville,  locating  here  in  1907. 
Although  he  has  been  identified  with  his  profession  in  this  city  little  more  than 
four  years,  the  period  has  been  of  sufficient  length  for  him  to  demonstrate  the 
quality  of  his  work  and  its  thoroughness  in  every  detail.  His  ability,  business- 
like methods  of  conducting  his  practice  and  pleasing  personality  have  all  been 


/.-i'r:^'    ,;  ;V    V      :        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ,  :-.•      555 

•     •        '      >  ••..  ••__'/,•.•-!  ..'-..-•  ^'  • 

very  important  factors  in  enabling  him  to  build  up  the  excellent  practice  he  now 
has. 

In  Knoxville,  on  the  2Oth  of  October,  1908,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of 
Dr.  Liken  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Alvira  Charles,  whose  birth  occurred  in  this  county 
on  the  2ist  of  July,  1884.  Mrs.  Liken  is  a  daughter  of  A.  G.  and  Charlotte 
(Rogers)  Charles,  both  natives  of  Knox  county,  where  the  mother  resides;  the 
father  has  passed  away.  Mr.  Charles'  birth  occurred  in  1846  and  his  wife  was 
born  on  the  3ist  of  January,  1848.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Connecticut  and 
her  mother  a  native  of  England.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Liken  has  been  born  one  child, 
Mary  Alice,  on  July  12,  1911. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Liken  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he  is  affiliated 
with  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  66,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  past  master;  Knoxville 
Camp,  No.  411,  M.  W.  A.;  and  Horatio  Lodge,  No.  362,  K.  P.  While  in  col- 
lege he  joined  the  Delta  Sigma  Delta  fraternity  and  his  political  support  he 
accords  the  republican  party.  Dr.  Liken's  outlook  toward  the  future  is  most 
promising  in  every  way  as  he  is  popular  socially  and  highly  regarded  as  a  repre- 
sentative of  his  profession.  ^'  ii-^  -^ .-•>..-"' -V  ,  .'';^''^':;  •  •'  .  7V  .^v^  •> 


.:--•'-:'.•       -,    -:-^-:-       CARL  V.  NELSON.       -;;y ' ; .         :.^  : '^-'.X-.-'-^  :  •/ 

Carl  V.  Nelson,  the  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  Victoria,  Illinois,  is  a  pro- 
gressive and  reliable  young  man  with  remarkable  business  abilities.  A  native  of 
Victoria,  born  February  2,  1887,  he  is  keenly  alive  to  the  interests  and  advance- 
ment of  his  town.  •  •::-^:::  .  '  v:;  'vi>'''v; 

George  M.,  father  of  Carl  V.  Nelson,  was  born  in  Sweden,  October  12,  1846, 
the  second  son  of  a  family  of  four  children  of  Nels  and  Mary  (Erickson)  John- 
son, of  Sweden.  All  of  this  family  came  to  America  except  the  father  and 
mother,  both  dying  in  Sweden  at  the  ages  of  fifty-six  and  thirty-five  years,  re- 
spectively. George  M.  Nelson  was  educated  in  Sweden  and  came  to  America  in 
1869,  where  he  settled  at  Oneida,  in  Knox  county,  Illinois.  He  was  married  in 
1876  to  Sophie  Peterson,  the  daughter  of  Peter  Peterson,  who  also  was  born  and 
educated  in  Sweden.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  later  located  in  Victoria,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  trade  of  wagon  making  and  repair  work,  a  line  which  he  is  still 
successfully  pursuing.  To  them  were  born  seven  children,  of  whom  Carl  V.  Nel- 
son is  the  sixth,  the  others  being:  Mrs.  Alma  Welin,  of  \'ictoria.  who  is  the 
mother  of  two  children,  Vincent  and  Harris ;  Gertrude,  formerly  a  school  teacher ; 
Frank,  of  El  Paso,  Illinois;  William,  also  a  resident  of  El  Paso,  who  married 
Edna  (Van  Buren)  Nelson,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  Dorothy  and  Millicent; 
John,  who  makes  his  home  in  South  Dakota ;  and  Grace,  who  resides  at  home. 
The  Nelsons  are  active  members  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  church  of  \'ictoria. 
Mr.  Nelson  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  is  an  independ-;. 
ent  in  politics. 

Carl  V.  Nelson,  reared  under  the  parental  roof  where  he  still  resides,  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Victoria  and  after  completing  a  high-school 
course  began  work  in  the  State  Bank  of  Victoria  as  a  bookkeeper.  Ever  faithful 
and  efficient,  he  was  soon  promoted  to  the  position  of  assistant  cashier.  In  this 


•V  '^:i  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^-  ^-^^  ^    ' 

place  his  splendid  business  qualities  were  shown  more  strongly,  and  on  July  i, 
1911,  he  was  again  promoted,  this  time  to  the  position  of  cashier,  in  which 
capacity  he  is  now  serving.  He  takes  an  active  part  in  all  local  politics  and  is 
known  in  his  township  as  a  conscientious  and  efficient  public  servant  of  the  city 
party.  He  has  been  for  three  years  town  clerk  of  Victoria  township  and  is  now 
serving  a  first  term  as  village  treasurer.  With  whatever  organization  he  is  allied, 
he  usually  is  entrusted  with  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility.  Fraternally,  he 
belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  is  clerk  of  the  local  lodge.  He 
is  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Swedish  Methodist  church  of  Victoria,  of  which  he 
is  a  member,  and  is  treasurer  of  the  Epworth  League  and  also  of  the  Galesburg 
District  League.  Mr.  Nelson's  rapid  progress  so  far  in  life  gives  promise  of  his 
being  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful  business  men  of  the  county,  as 
well  as  one  of  its  most  honest  and  useful  citizens.  ;  ,  -  -  -  - ;  .  , . 


;       :::Vv--.  PETER  STROM.        :  :-  :•  -^...V  •  ;.x 

Prominent  among  the  business  men  of  his  part  of  the  county  is  Peter  Strom, 
cashier  and  general  manager  of  the  Victoria  Exchange  Bank.  He  was  born  in 
Victoria  township,  on  the  28th  of  February,  1876,  and  is  a  son  of  Eric  Strom, 
who  is  now  living  retired  one-half  mile  south  of  Victoria,  on  section  i8,  Vic- 
toria township.  The  father  was  born  in  Bollnas,  Helsingland,  Sweden,  August 
4,  1839,  his  parents  being  Eric  and  Martha  (Peterson)  Strom.  The  grandfather 
of  our  subject  spent  his  entire  life  in  Sweden,  dying  in  that  country  when  his 
son  Eric  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  His  widow  come  to  this  country  in  1846 
with  her  son  Peter  and  made  her  home  in  Bishop  Hill  until  her  death  in  Decem- 
ber, 1907.  Here  she  married  Suralla  Helborne,  of  Bishop  Hill.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Adventist  church. 

Eric  Strom,  father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
land  and  was  there  married  in  1862  to  Miss  Carrie  Nelson,  who  was  also  born 
in  Bollnas,  August  20,  1841,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Nels  and  Carrie  Nelson,  who 
were  lifelong  residents  of  Sweden.  By  this  marriage  the  following  children 
were  born.  Eric,  Jr.,  who  controls  and  manages  a  coal  bank  for  C.  S.  Clarke 
and  resides  in  Victoria  township,  married  Ida  Grimm  and  they  have  eight  chil- 
dren, Harry,  Merle,  Earl,  Grace,  George,  Archie,  Ross  and  Gehrl.  Carrie,  the 
second  child  of  Eric  Strom,  Sr.,  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years  and  was  buried 
in  Bishop  Hill.  Delia  is  the  wife  of  Oliver  Peterson,  a  barber  of  Victoria,  and 
they  have  three  children,  Roy,  Floyd  and  Alice.  Annie  died  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen months  and  was  buried  in  Victoria  cemetery.  Emma,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  thirty-one  years  and  was  buried  in  Victoria  cemetery,  married  Fred  Good- 
speed,  of  California,  and  to  them  were  born  three  children,  Gladys,  Wayne  and 
Vans.  Henry  is  unmarried.  Carrie  is  the  wife  of  Ned  Cadwell  and  has  two 
children,  Lavone  and  Winthrop.  Peter,  of  this  review,  completes  the  family. 
It  was  in  1867  that  his  parents  came  to  America,  arriving  at  Bishop  Hill,  Illi- 
nois, on  the  6th  of  August  of  that  year,  but  the  following  year  removed  to  Vic- 
toria, where  the  father  worked  as  a  farmer  and  coal  miner  until  1874,  when  he 


^      W-%;     V  •         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /  ^' 

purchased  his  present  home.    He  is  a  republican  in  politics  but  has  never  cared 
for  official  honors. 

Peter  Strom  was  reared  in  Victoria  township,  where  as  a  youth  he  attended 
the  public  schools.  After  finishing  a  business  course  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  he  was 
employed  for  a  while  in  the  Victoria  Bank,  leaving  there  to  become  a  book- 
keeper in  the  State  Bank  of  Galva,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  November, 
1903,  when  he  entered  upon  his  present  position. 

He  was  married  December  25,  1910,  to  Etta  Conner,  a  daughter  of  William 
D.  and  Sarah  A.  (McMullen)  Conner,  of  Victoria  township.  Her  father  was 
born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  August,  1832.  He  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and 
Anna  (Griffith)  Conner,  who  came  from  old  Virginia  families  that  migrated  to 
Ohio  at  the  time  when  Anna  Griffith  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  William  D.  Con- 
ner was  married  in  Licking  county  in  1856  to  Sarah  A.  McMullen,  who  was  the 
daughter  of  M.  M.  and  Harriet  (Pyle)  McMullen,  also  descendants  of  old  Vir- 
ginia families,  but  both  born  in  Ohio.  M.  M.  McMullen  was  reared  in  Bowling 
Green,  Ohio,  and  spent  all  his  life  in  Licking  county.  He  died  at  the  age  of 
forty-four  years  and  his  wife  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight,  both  being  buried  at 
Brownsville,  Ohio.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  Mc- 
Mullen was  a  democrat  in  politics,  served  as  a  school  director  and  held  many 
township  offices,  always  performing  his  duties  faithfully.  The  children  of  M.  M. 
and  Harriet  (Pyle)  McMullen  were:  George;  Joseph,  who  went  to  California 
in  1849;  Drusilla,  the  deceased  wife  of  Stephen  Smith,  of  Missouri;  Sarah  A., 
the  mother  of  Etta  (Conner)  Strom;  Lemuel,  who  died  in  Knox  county,  Illi- 
nois, at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years ;  Robert,  who  died  in  Knox  county ;  Mary, 
who  is  the  present  wife  of  Stephen  Smith,  of  Missouri,  the  former  husband  of 
her  sister;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Chaplear,  of  Mount  Vernon  county, 
Ohio ;  and  Lewis,  who  resides  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Licking  county,  Ohio, 
and  is  the  father  of  five  living  children.  After  the  marriage  of  William  Conner 
he  spent  eighteen  months  in  Iowa,  and  then  moved  to  Stark  county,  Illinois, 
living  there  six  years.  He  came  in  1895  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  re- 
sided until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  September  6,  1909,  on  his  farm 
of  seventy-four  acres,  which  is  within  the  corporation  limits  of  Victoria  and  is 
now  the  home  in  which  his  wife,  Sarah  (McMullen)  Conner,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Peter  Strom  live.  To  William  and  Sarah  Conner  were  born  eight  children, 
of  whom  Etta  Strom  is  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  The  other  children  are  as 
follows.  Edgar,  of  Victoria,  wedded  Mary  Sornborger  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  Clarence,  Albert,  Sadie,  deceased,  William,  Florence,  Earl,  Eva 
and  Mary.  Belle  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Johnson,  of  Beardstown,  and  is  the  mother 
of  three  children :  May  and  Maud,  twins,  and  Sadie.  Carrie,  the  wife  of  William 
R.  Church,  of  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  is  the  mother  of  three  children,  Russell, 
Niles  and  Nettie.  William,  Elmer,  Mamie  and  Alice  May  are  deceased,  William 
dying  at  the  age  of  five  years  and  the  other  three  in  infancy.  William  Conner, 
always  a  leading  man  in  his  community,  was  a  democrat  in  politics,  a  trustee  of 
the  town  board  and  school  director  when  in  Iowa.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

.-.  Peter  Strom  is  very  active  in  all  local  politics  and  is  a  stanch  prohibitionist, 
believing  the  principles  of  this  party  to  be  most  conducive  to  good  government. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  faithful  workers  in  the  Methodist  church,  he  being  a 


558  '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ' 

member  of  the  board  of  trustees.  Mrs.  Strom  is  also  a  great  worker  in  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society.  Mr.  Strom  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  has  filled  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  lodge.  Ever  conscientious  and 
efficient,  his  faithfulness  to  his  tasks  and  his  duties  make  him  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  his  town.  .  .  


;       ;:y^;    !  ;  .          KARL  R.  HAGGENJOS.          A;V^-/^;? 

Karl  R.  Haggenjos,  well  known  as  a  representative  of  journalism  in  central 
Illinois,  now  owning  and  publishing  the  Illinois  Democrat  at  Galesburg,^  together 
with  a  number  of  other  papers  in  different  towns  in  this  section  of  the  state,  was 
born  in  Chicago,  February  19,  1859.  His  parents,  John  and  Fortunata  (Siedle) 
Haggenjos,  were  both  natives  of  Villingen,  Germany,  the  former  born  on  the 
25th  of  December,  1833,  ^"d  the  latter  on  the  2d  of  September  of  the  same  year. 
It  was  in  1856  that  John  Haggenjos  sailed  across  the  broad  Atlantic  to  the  United 
Slates  and  made  his  way  into  the  interior  of  the  country  to  Chicago,  where  he 
followed  carpentering  and  contracting.  For  a  long  p>eriod  he  was  associated  with 
the  building  interests  of  that  city  but  retired  about  five  years  prior  to  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  30,  1890.  He  was  survived  for  seventeen  years  by  his  wife, 
who  passed  away  May  6,  1907.  His  political  support  was  given  to  the  democracy 
and  his  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Catholic  church,  St.  Michael's  numbering 
him  as  one  of  its  communicants.  It  was  in  Chicago,  in  April,  1858,  that  he 
wedded  Fortunata  Siedle,  who  came  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1847,  with  her 
brothers  and  sisters  and  settled  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  she,  however,  com- 
ing to  Chicago  in  1858.  Unto  them  were  born  nine  children :  Karl  R.,  of  this 
review ;  Emily,  Michael,  Albert,  Stephanie  and  Josephine,  all  of  whom  are  resi- 
dents of  Chicago,  Illinois;  Wilhelmine  and  Mary,  both  deceased;  and  Wilhel- 
mine, the  second  of  the  name,  who  makes  her  home  in  Chicago. 

In  his  youthful  days  Karl  R.  Haggenjos  was  a  pupil  in  St.  Michael's  paro- 
chial school  of  Chicago  and  when  his  school  days  were  over  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  he  sought  and  obtained  a  position  on  the  Freie  Presse,  a  German  news- 
paper, serving  as  compositor  for  five  years,  during  which  period  he  gained  inti- 
mate knowledge  of  various  branches  of  newspaper  publication.  In  1877  he  came 
to  Galesburg  and  entered  the  employ  of  his  uncle,  Charles  Haggenjos,  in  the 
rendering  business.  Another  five  years  was  thus  passed,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  went  to  Denver,  Colorado,  and  worked  on  the  Rocky  Mountain  News. 
He  afterward  had  charge  of  the  Colorado  Journal  at  Denver  and  subsequently 
began  the  publication  of  the  Denver  Freie  Presse.  He  also  established  the  Den- 
ver Volksblatt,  a  morning  paper.  After  his  removal  to  Pueblo,  that  state,  he 
started  the  Colorado  Freie  Presse  of  that  city  and  when  he  sold  out  returned  to 
Galesburg  in  1891.  He  began  the  publication  of  the  Tribune  in  East  Galesburg, 
in  1892,  but  has  since  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  the  Illinois  Democrat, 
removing  the  plant  to  Galesburg.  In  addition  to  its  conduct  he  also  publishes 
the  Rio  Reporter,  at  Rio ;  the  St.  Augustine  Eagle,  at  St.  Augustine ;  the  North 
Henderson  Review,  at  North  Henderson ;  The  Maquon  Tomahawk,  at  Maquon, 
Illinois ;  and  the  Cameron  Gazette,  at  Cameron,  Illinois. 


KARL  R.  HAGGEXJOS 


558      V  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

member  of  the  board  of  trustees.  Mrs.  Strom  is  also  a  great  worker  in  the 
Laches'  Aid  Society.  Mr.  Strom  belongs  to  the  In(lei)endent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  has  tilled  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  lodge.  Ever  conscientious  and 
efficient,  his  faithfulness  to  his  tasks  and  his  duties  make  him  one  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  his  town. 


-  KARL  R.  HAGGEXJOS. 

Karl  R.  Haggenjos,  well  known  as  a  representative  of  journalism  in  central 
Illinois,  now  owning  and  publishing  the  Illinois  Democrat  at  Galesburg,  together 
with  a  nuniljer  of  other  papers  in  different  towns  in  this  section  of  the  state,  was 
born  in  Chicago,  February  ig,  1859.  His  parents,  John  and  Fortunata  (Siedle) 
Haggenjos,  were  both  natives  of  \'illingen,  Germany,  the  fomier  torn  on  the 
25th  of  December,  1833,  and  the  latter  on  the  2d  of  September  of  the  same  year. 
It  was  in  1856  that  John  Haggenjos  sailed  across  the  broad  Atlantic  to  the  United 
Slates  and  made  his  way  into  the  interior  of  the  country  to  Chicago,  where  he 
followed  carj^entering  and  contracting.  For  a  long  period  he  was  associated  with 
the  building  interests  of  that  city  but  retired  about  five  years  prior  to  his  death, 
which  occurred  July  30,  1890.  He  was  survived  for  seventeen  years  by  his  wife, 
who  passed  away  May  6,  1907,  His  |>olitical  support  was  given  to  the  democracy 
and  his  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Catholic  church,  St.  Michael's  numbering 
him  as  one  of  its  communicants.  It  was  in  Chicago,  in  April,  1858,  that  he 
wedded  Fortunata  Siedle,  who  came  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1847,  with  her 
brothers  and  sisters  and  settled  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  she,  however,  com- 
ing to  Chicago  in  1858.  Unto  them  were  born  nine  children:  Karl  R.,  of  this 
review ;  Emily,  Michael,  .\lbert,  Stei)hanie  and  Josephine,  all  of  whom  are  resi- 
dents of  Chicago,  Illinois;  \\'illielniine  and  Mary,  both  deceased;  and  Wilhel- 
mine,  the  second  of  the  name,  who  makes  her  home  in  Chicago. 

In  his  youthful  days  Karl  R.  Haggenjos  was  a  pupil  in  St.  Michael's  paro- 
chial school  of  Chicago  and  when  his  school  days  were  over  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years,  he  sought  and  obtained  a  position  on  the  Freie  Presse,  a  German  news- 
paper, serving  as  comjjositor  for  five  years,  during  which  period  he  gained  inti- 
mate knowledge  of  various  branches  of  newspaper  publication.  In  1877  ^^^  came 
to  Galesburg  and  entered  the  employ  of  his  uncle,  Charles  Haggenjos,  in  the 
rendering  business.  Another  five  years  was  thus  passed,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  he  went  to  Denver,  Colorado,  and  worked  on  the  Rocky  Mountain  Xews. 
He  afterward  had  charge  of  the  Colorado  Journal  at  Denver  and  subsequently 
began  the  publication  of  the  Denver  Freie  Presse.  He  also  established  the  Den- 
ver \'olksblatt,  a  morning  ])ai)cr.  After  his  removal  to  Pueblo,  that  state,  he 
started  the  Colorado  Freie  Presse  oi  that  city  and  when  he  sold  out  returned  to 
Galesburg  in  1891.  He  began  the  publication  of  the  Tribune  in  East  Galesburg, 
in  1892,  but  has  since  changed  the  name  of  the  jiaper  to  the  Illinois  Democrat, 
removing  the  ])lant  to  Galesljurg.  In  addition  to  its  conduct  he  also  publishes 
the  Rio  RejKirter,  at  Rit);  the  St.  Augustine  Eagle,  at  St.  Augustine;  the  North 
Henderson  Review,  at  North  Henderson:  The  Maquon  Tomahawk,  at  Maijuon, 
Illinois;  and  the  Cameron  tiazetto.  at  C'amcrun,  Illinois. 


KARL  U.  HA(i«;KNMOS 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          >•  561 

On  the  lOth  of  August,  1884,  Mr.  Haggenjos  was  married  at  Denver,  Colo- 
rado, to  Miss  Minnie  Haessel,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Catherine  (Brill)  Haessel, 
of  Peoria,  Illinois,  who  were  natives  of  Bavaria,  Germany.  The  father,  who 
was  a  soap  manufacturer,  was  born  September  7,  1813,  and  his  wife's  birth  oc- 
curred on  the  29th  of  January,  1819.  On  coming  to  the  United  States  they 
settled  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  they  remained  for  a  year,  and  then 
removed  to  Peoria,  Illinois.  In  1867  the  family  removed  to  Galesburg,  where 
Mr.  Haessel  died  July  3,  1872.  He  was  survived  for  almost  a  third  of  a  century 
by  his  wife,  whose  death  occurred  March  28,  1904.  In  politics  he  was  a  re- 
publican and  both  were  consistent  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  Unto  them 
were  bom  four  children:  Philippine,  the  wife  of  Charles  Haggenjos,  of  Gales- 
burg,  Illinois,  who  is  deceased;  Catherine,  living  in  Galesburg;  Adam,  who  has 
passed  away;  and  Mrs.  Karl  R.  Haggenjos,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Peoria, 
Illinois,  on  the  6th  of  August,  1859.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haggenjos  have  become  the 
parents  of  seven  children:  Albert,  who  was  bom  in  July,  1885,  and  who  is  still 
at  home ;  Mabel,  the  wife  of  Bertrand  Weingartner,  of  Galesburg ;  Maude,  twin 
sister  of  Mabel,  who  is  at  home ;  Carolyn ;  Virginia,  the  wife  of  J.  Glenn  Bragg, 
of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania;  and  John  and  Philippine,  who  are  also  yet  under 
the  parental  roof.  The  first  four  were  born  in  Denver,  Colorado,  while  Virginia 
and  John  were  bom  in  Pueblo,  Colorado,  and  Philippine  in  East  Galesburg, 
Illinois. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Haggenjos  has  sup- 
ported the  democratic  party  and  publishes  his  papers  in  its  interest  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Typographical  Union  and  is  very  widely  known  in  newspaper 
circles.  Gradually  he  has  worked  his  way  upward  to  success  and  the  prominent 
position  which  he  now  occupies,  and  in  the  publication  of  his  papers  he  has  held 
to  the  high  standards  of  modern  journalism,  giving  to  his  readers  a  compre- 
hensive review  of  the  chief  points  of  interest  as  the  days  go  by.  ,  ,  ..... 


•  ••%'-•  •^Sv':-->."  FRED  G.  SMITH.-'.. 

Fred  G.  Smith,  who  for^en  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  his 
home  farm  in  Henderson  township,  was  born  on  the  2Sth  of  August,  1882,  in 
Henderson.  He  is  the  son  of  Anthony  L.  and  Margaret  A.  (Davidson)  Smith, 
more  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made  under  the  caption  of  a  sketch  of  George 
A.  Smith. 

Fred  G.  Smith  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  since  then 
has  been  connected  with  the  agricultural  pursuits  of  the  county,  at  first  as  an 
assistant  to  his  father  and  for  the  last  few  years  as  an  independent  agriculturist 
on  the  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  which  he  has  recently  purchased. 
This  is  a  valuable  piece  of  land  and  by  capable  management  and  progressive 
methods  it  can  be  developed  into  a  highly  productive  farm. 

On  October  25,  1905,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Smith  to  Helen  M. 
Rhodes.  To  this  union  two  children,  Charles  Anthony  and  Robert  R.,  have  been 
born.  Mrs.  Smith  is  the  daughter  of  Charles  H.  and  Frances  Rhodes,  prominent 
agriculturists  of  Henderson  township.  .  .: 

VoL    n— 2B  .      .  ^-- --•/";  :':--.  . 


662  "'•'  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  I 

In  politics  Mr.  Smith  accords  his  support  to  the  candidates  of  the  democratic 
party  and  his  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  schools  of  his  district  has  led  him  to 
act  as  school  director  but  otherwise  does  not  seek  office  as  a  reward  for  party 
fealty.  In  political  and  social  questions,  as  well  as  in  his  agricultural  pursuits, 
his  ideas  are  practical  and  intelligent  and  throughout  his  community  he  has  made 
himself  felt  as  a  man  standing  for  the  best  development  of  his  county. 


•'•',-.'-:^.:'f'4.'':-'        .  BENJAMIN  DAYTON.        :;V^\-:''- .:;-"-'y  ;'' 

Benjamin  Dayton,  deceased,  was  numbered  among  the  successful  and  promi- 
nent agriculturists  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  the  energy  which  he  displayed  in 
this  pursuit  bringing  to  him  the  success  that  enabled  him  to  rest  from  labor  during 
his  last  days.  He  was  bom  in  Delaware  county.  New  York,  March  13,  1834, 
his  parents  being  Bryant  C.  and  Lydia  (Copley)  Dayton.  The  father  was  bom 
in  1800  in  New  York,  in  which  state  he  always  resided,  giving  his  attention  to 
general  farming.  His  death  occurred  in  1845.  The  mother,  also  a  native  of 
Delaware  county,  was  bom  in  i8io  and  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Lydia 
(Birdsall)  Copley,  who  moved  to  Copley  township  after  their  children  were 
grown  and  after  whom  the  township  was  named.  Mrs.  Dayton's  death  occurred 
April  14,  1885,  at  the  home  of  her  son  Benjamin  Dayton,  with  whom  she  had 
resided  for  some  time.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Plyment  Dayton,  who  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  married  a  Miss  Bryant  and  died  in  1834.  The  great-g^and- 
father,  Charles  Dayton,  and  four  of  his  family  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  one  of  them  having  been  killed  in  battle.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bryant  C.  Day- 
ton seven  children  were  born,  five  of  whom  died  in  infancy  and  one  son,  William 
O.,  died  in  Oneida,  Illinois,  in  1909.  •,'  'I 

At  the  early  age  of  twelve  years,  after  having  laid  aside  his  text-books,  Ben- 
jamin Dayton  started  to  earn  his  own  livelihood  by  working  on  a  farm  for  three 
years  at  five  dollars  per  month.  Subsequently,  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  he 
went  to  work  on  his  mother's  farm  doing  a  man's  work,  and  five  years  later  came 
to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  employed  in  Victoria  at  ten  dollars  per 
month.  During  the  same  time  in  which  he  was  engaged  at  the  carpenter's  trade 
he  taught  school  for  several  terms  in  this  county,  receiving  fifteen  dollars  per 
month,  and  in  1859  he  removed  to  Walnut  Grove  township  and  in  1864,  after  his 
mother  arrived  here,  he  purchased  the  farm  where  he  continued  to  reside  through- 
out the  remainder  of  his  life.  About  the  same  time  his  brother  William  O.  Day- 
ton enlisted  in  the  Civil  war  in  the  Eighty-ninth  Illinois  Infantry  and  was  made 
corporal  in  Company  G,  the  company  in  which  Ira  B.  Copley  was  first  lieutenant, 
Mr.  Copley  being  a  prominent  merchant  of  Victoria  and  the  father  of  Ira  C. 
Copley,  who  was  elected  to  congress  from  the  Aurora  and  Joliet  district  in  1909. 
In  his  younger  days  Benjamin  Dayton  was  also  employed  in  a  clerical  position  in 
Victoria  and  neighboring  towns.  Among  the  many  trying  experiences  he  had  to 
encounter  was  when  he  first  arrived  in  Peoria  and  had  but  fifteen  cents  in  his 
possession.  His  first  night  was  spent  in  a  lumberyard  and  because  the  team  he 
had  intended  to  drive  had  departed  he  was  forced  to  walk  to  his  uncle's  home  in 
Victoria.  Throughout  the  greater  part  of  his  life  Mr.  Dayton  continued  to 


^^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :^       ^         568 

engage  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  placed  his  farm  under  high  cultivation. 
His  was  the  first  brick  house  erected  in  Walnut  Grove  township.  Many  of  the 
difficulties  he  encountered  would  have  discouraged  a  less  ambitious  and  deter- 
mined man,  but  Benjamin  Dayton  worked  steadily  and  faithfully  and  his  record 
is  evidence  of  what  industry  and  perseverance  will  do  if  reinforced  by  intelli- 
gence, for  he  began  with  neither  means  nor  influence  and  became  a  prominent 
man  in  his  community  and  the  owner  of  a  highly  profitable  farm. 

In  politics  Mr.  Dayton  gave  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party  and  he  served  as  delegate  to  many  conventions,  being  an  active 
worker  in  his  party.  He  also  served  as  highway  commissioner  and  school  trus- 
tee and  for  six  of  his  fifteen  years'  service  as  director  of  the  Altona  Library 
served  as  its  president.  In  all  of  his  social,  business  and  political  relations  he 
was  thoroughly  reliable,  helpful  and  progressive,  giving  his  aid  and  influence  to 
many  measures  for  the  public  good.  He  died  on  the  3d  of  November,  1911,  and 
was  laid  to  rest  by  the  side  of  his  mother  and  brother  in  Oneida  cemetery. 


V;:    v::;-,.;'  '     WILLIAM  O.  DAYTON.     :;  •  v  J  : 

•  William  O.  Dayton,  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war  and  a  highly  esteemed  citizen 
of  Knox  county,  was  born  on  the  nth  of  July,  1841,  in  Harpfersfield,  New  York, 
a  son  of  Bryant  C.  and  Lydia  (Copley)  Dayton.  He  spent  the  first  seventeen 
years  of  his  life  in  his  native  state,  attending  the  schools  of  Harpersfield  and 
assisting  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm.  It  was  in  1858  that  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  took  up  his  residence  in  Knox  county,  where  he  was  living  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  Civil  war.  Feeling  that  his  country  needed  his  services,  he  enlisted  in  1864 
as  a  corporal  in  Company  G,  Eighty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  after 
one  year's  service  was  discharged  for  disability. 

•.C  On  the  6th  of  March,  1870.  Mr.  Dayton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  Churchill,  a  daughter  of  Levi  and  Mary  Churchill,  of  Imlay  City,  Lapeer 
county,  Michigan,  where  her  father  was  engaged  in  farming.  By  this  union  one 
son  was  born,  Edmund  O.,  who  is  now  a  resident  of  Oneida,  Illinois.  Mr.  Day- 
ton died  on  the  Qth  of  May,  1909,  and  is  still  survived  by  his  widow,  who  also 
makes  her  home  in  Oneida.  He  was  one  of  the  prominent  and  influential  men  of 
his  community  and  stood  high  both  in  business  and  social  circles. 


.,;•;-•..;. ••:.,\;:.V^.;--- ;,-::'•;•':.;; -^/'^;  GEORGE  w.  REED.  ;.:'';'-:''>;:  '•:.••'•  ••..v-.:4 .•.;::;.:.;; 

Among  the  residents  of  Victoria  township  who  are  closely  associated  with 
agricultural  interests  in  this  part  of  the  state  is  George  W.  Reed,  the  owner  of 
an  excellent  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  i  of  Victoria  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  and  the  adjoining  eighty  acres  of  section  6,  West  Jersey  town- 
ship. Stark  county.  He  was  born  November  2,  1858,  in  Galva  township,  Henry 
county,  and  was  reared  in  Victoria  township,  where  he  received  his  education 
at  the  Union  schoolhouse.  After  his  school  days  he  began  farming  on  his  home 


664  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'^  place,  where  he  remained  until  1882,  when  he  came  to  his  present  farm,  part  of 
:  which  was  inherited  by  his  wife.  He  has  worked  diligently  and  persistently  to 
develop  and  improve  his  farm,  has  erected  all  the  buildings  on  the  same,  and  he 
now  owns  one  of  the  most  valuable  tracts  of  land  in  the  community.  At  the 
present  time  all  of  his  land  is  rented  but  he  owns  a  half-interest  in  all  the  hogs, 
sheep  and  cattle  on  the  farm. 

On  the  27th  of  December,  1882,  Mr.  Reed  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lenora 
:   C.  Gibbs,  who  was  a  native  of  Lynn  township  and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  D.  and 
.       Elizabeth  (Gitzenger)  Gibbs,  both  of  whom  have  passed  away.     Mrs.  Reed  re- 
ceived her  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  her  home  community  and  later 
attended  Knox  College  at  Galesburg,  Illinois.    She  passed  away  in  January,  1905, 
and  is  buried  in  Galva  cemetery.     Her  death  was  deeply  regretted  by  a  host  of 
•  friends  and  acquaintances  throughout  Knox  county.    She  was  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church,  and  socially  was  connected  with  the  Royal  Neighbors.     After 
,      her  death  Mr.  Reed  gave  up  housekeeping  but  he  remains  on  his  farm.    He  has 
been  a  lifelong  republican  and  has  filled  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  for  twelve  years.     In  all  his  business  dealings  he  is 
straightforward  and  reliable  and  enjoys  to  the  fullest  extent  the  confidence  and 
good-will  of  those  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact.  .      . 


•  :,;;:-,;•  ::>-';-; ;vr\.';       '      '     •       j.  B.  MERRIS.  •    '•^^•••;:\y/:::-A''-  /V-; 

J.  B.  Merris,  who  for  twenty-seven  years  has  been  engaged  in  general  farming 
.in  Knox  county,  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Illinois,  October  22,  1849,  being  a  son 
of  Bethol  and  Mary  (Crawford)  Merris.    The  father  was  also  a  native  of  Scott 
county,  and  there  he  married  Miss  Crawford,  whose  birth  occurred  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Columbus,   Ohio.     In   1851   they   removed  to   Warren  county,   Illinois, 
.   locating  on  a  farm  near  Greenbush,  where  the  father  passed  away  in  1891.    The 
":       mother  survived  for  seven  years  thereafter,  her  demise  occurring  on  the  24th 
of  December,  and  was  laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband  in  Olive  cemetery  in  War- 
ren county.     In  the  paternal  line  the  family  was  originally  of  Irish  extraction, 
but  for  several  generations  have  been  American  citizens,  while  the  Crawfords 
^  came  from  New  England.  Six  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Merris: 

.       Meribah,  who  passed  away  on  the  23d  of  October,  1910;  J.  B.,  our  subject;  and 
,       •  Liza  and  Flora,  both  of  whom  are  deceased;  Almira,  who  is  the  widow  of  G. 
Ray,  of  Warren  county ;  and  Malissa,  who  is  unmarried  and  living  in  Avon, 
'      -        Illinois.     The  family  always  affiliated  with  the  Christian  church  of  which  the 
.  '     ;    mother  was  a  member. 

•       .         Illinois  has  always  been  the  home  of  J.  B.  Merris,  who  obtained  his  education 
,v-  •     in  the  common  schools  of  Warren  county.     Having  been  trained  in  agricultural 
.'  pursuits  from  his  earliest  boyhood  upon  attaining  his  majority  he  decided  to 
'       ..  '  ;      make  farming  his  life  vocation  and  continued  to  remain  at  home  assisting  his 
;•   .  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  was  thirty-one.     He  then  decided  on 

.  an  independent  career  and  coming  to  Knox  county  located  in  Indian  Point  town- 

ship, where  he  now  owns  seventy-one  acres  of  land.    This  is  devoted  to  general 
farming  and  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  well  improved.    He  has  met  with 


t^^i  ;f;<-v'>        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ;          -^ife 

success  in  his  endeavors  and  in  addition  to  the  place  where  he  resides  owns 
eleven  acres  of  timber  land  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Merris  has  never  married.     He  attends  the  Christian  church,  while  his 
political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  democratic  party.     He  is  one  of  the  energetic  x,-;; 
and  capable  farmers  of  the  community  in  which  he  resides  and  has  met  with --7 
substantial  rewards  through  the  intelligent  direction  of  his  energies.        ,--..-.: 


':'::^::'-:::-^.[  .-•"^••.^••-^•::- ••.'/: '••^f.--.  w.  H.  SELBY.  ','•;.•;-:;- 'IV: •--::-;•'   :••;.>,•.... 

W.  H.  Selby,  who  is  now  living  retired,  was  for  many  years  successfully         ;.  ,     ; 
engaged  in  the  operation  of  his  homestead  of  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  u.'    .•'•..,;: 
acres,  located  a  half  mile  east  of  Maquon,  that  is  now  being  cultivated  by  his 
son.    His  birth  occurred  on  this  place  in  1850  and  here  he  has  spent  practically  .       ;        -, 
his  entire  life,  and  is  watching  his  grandchildren  grow  to  manhood  and  woman-  :,;-;/''' 
hood  surrounded  by  the  scenes  familiar  to  his  own  youth.    His  father,  Philemon  ,;.;  ^^:       : 
B.  Selby,  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Ohio,  in  1807,  and  there  he  grew  to  manhood  :'-;•'.      .' 
and  studied  to  be  a  physician,  but  later  engaged  in  the  cattle  business.     In  1834  ': .    v ;     ,; 
he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  on  some  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Aqua  Vitae  Springs,          >•  ;     : 
but  later  he  disposed  of  this  and  bought  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  lives.         V-  /; 
Here  he  devoted  his  energies  to  general  farming  and  stock-raising  until  his  demise         •  ,     . . 
in  1868  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.     He  was  one  of  the  very  early  settlers  in        .•     .^ 
the  county,  and  one  of  the  first  to  build  a  dam  across  the  Spoon  river  and  erected  'fl    ."-'.' 
a  sawmill,  which  was  the  first  one  in  Knox  county  and  which  he  afterward  -.....'' 
remodeled  into  a  gristmill.     There  were  no  bridges  in  this  section  of  the  state        ';         ' 
at  that  time  and  soon  after  locating  here,  Mr.  Selby  drove  a  herd  of  five  hundred        '^V    . 
cattle  to  Ohio,  being  the  first  man  in  this  vicinity  to  assume  such  an  undertaking     '  .j-;    /  . 
as  they  had  to  be  driven  across  the  Illinois  river.     He  was  one  of  those  men        -=;         ' 
who  possess  the  essential  characteristics  for  pioneering,  having  the  determination          f-        :. 
and  indomitable  purpose  that  enabled  him  to  carry  to  a  successful  issue,  in  the  ...%.. 7::.;. 
face  of  every  discouragement,  whatsoever  he  undertook.     He  was  married  on 
November  12,  1837,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Gullett,  a  native  of  Indiana  and  a  daugh-  ;  ./ 

ter  of  Joshua  Gullett.     Mrs.  Selby 's  mother,  .prior  to  her  marriage  was  a  Miss  '     . 

Housh,  an  aunt  of  the  family  of  that  name  now  residing  in  Maquon.     Of  the      *  ^^ '  '•. 
marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Philemon  B.  Selby  were  born  the  following  children:  !-;  . 

Nelson  and  Mary,  both  of  whom  are  deceased;  Elisha,  who  owns  a  farm  in          / 
Maquon  township,  but  is  now  a  resident  of   Kansas;  Amanda,   who  married         >        •; 
Arthur  Summers,  of  this  county;  Salina,  the  wife  of  Thomas  A.  Clark;  W.  H.,        ,  'X    • 
our  subject;  and  Ruth,  who  became  the  wife  of  George  Bigelow,  of  Haw  Creek^-  >  ^    .     . 
township.  ;"-'-;  V  . 

The  youthful  years  of  W.  H.  Selby  were  very  similar  in  every  respect  to'/  ::.''.:' 
those  of  other  lads  of  that  period  and  circumstances.     He  attended  the  public -.'    j.^.^r 
schools  of  Maquon  in  the  acquirement  of  his  preliminary  education,  later  sup- >:;.;-;. 
plementing  the  knowledge  therein  gained  by  a  course  in  a  business  college  at  =«••-: 
Galesburg.     While  attending  school  he  always  assisted  in  the  work  of  the  farm,  •  :  '    ':     '. 
his  duties  being  increased  from  year  to  year  as  his  strength  and  ability  developed.         V-   '. 
After  laying  aside  his  text-books,  he  returned  home  and  resumed  agricultural         .'  , .    . 


566  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

pursuits,  giving  his  undivided  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  and  care 
of  the  stock.  When  he  came  into  possession  of  the  property,  Mr.  Selby  erected 
all  of  the  buildings  now  standing  and  made  other  extensive  improvements,  thus 
making  his  one  of  the  most  attractive  and  valuable  farms  in  this  section  of  the 
county.  It  has  many  natural  beauties  and  advantages  not  common  to  the  majority 
of  farms  in  this  vicinity,  being  plentifully  supplied  with  springs,  which  furnish 
water  for  both  household  purposes  and  the  stock.  Across  one  portion  of  the 
land  runs  an  old  Indian  trail.  In  connection  with  his  general  farming  Mr.  Selby 
made  a  specialty  of  raising  stock,  meeting  with  most  substantial  returns  from 
both  undertakings. 

Mr.  Selby  married  Miss  Florence  Isabel  Allen,  a  daughter  of  William  Allen, 
of  Orange  township,  a  well  known  agriculturist  at  that  time.  Of  this  union  there 
was  born  one  son,  William  Floyd,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1880.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Maquon,  following  which  he  attended  Lombard 
College.  After  the  completion  of  his  education  he  returned  to  the  farm,  the 
entire  control  and  management  of  which  is  now  vested  in  him.  He  married  Miss 
Myrtle  Harler,  a  daughter  of  W.  W.  Harler,  and  they  have  became  the  parents 
of  three  children :  Walter  Ferree,  Helen  Isabel  and  Grace  Maurine.  Mrs.  W. 
H.  Selby  is  now  deceased,  her  demise  occurring  on  the  24th  of  January,  1904. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Selby  is  a  Mason,  to  which  organization  as  well  as  to  the  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World,  his  son 
also  belongs.  The  political  views  of  Mr.  Selby  coincide  with  the  principles  of 
the  democratic  party,  but  he  has  never  been  an  aspirant  to  official  honors,  pre- 
ferring to  give  his  entire  attention  to  the  direction  of  his  own  affairs,  in  the 
conduct  of  which  he  met  with  a  most  gratifying  measure  of  success.  He  is  a 
well  known  and  highly  respected  representative  of  Knox  county's  esteemed 
pioneer  citizens,  to  whom  must  be  given  much  credit  for  the  development  of 
Maquon  township,  where  the  family  has  now  resided  for  more  than  seventy 
years.  '  .'  '  •':-"•  '  ;  ';-•..••..  '-';;:  ;",:'''f^V'Vy^';^'-;^;v'-^, 


'  ::-^^:  PHILIP  H.  FRENCH.     ^;  r^^/r 'S^V^  ,;     ' 

Philip  H.  French  is  well  known  in  Sparta  township,  being  connected  with 
the  railway  mail  service.  He  was  born  in  North  Henderson,  Illinois,  Septem- 
ber II,  1885,  and  is  a  son  of  Hugh  French,  a  native  of  Cum^berland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  who  was  born  in  1838.  The  latter  was  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
(Young)  French,  who  with  their  family  removed  westward  during  the  boyhood 
of  their  son  Hugh,  the  family  settling  first  in  the  vicinity  of  Knoxville  but  after- 
ward removing  to  Mercer  county.  Following  the  death  of  his  parents  Hugh 
French  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  aid,  enlisting  in  Company  A,  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  Regiment,  at  Knoxville.  He  served  with  that 
command  until  the  close  of  the  war,  the  regiment  being  attached  to  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland.  As  a  companion  and  helpmate  for  life's  journey  Hugh 
French  chose  Miss  Louisa  Schroeder,  who  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York, 
July  31,  1848,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  F.  and  Mary  (Stahl)  Schroeder. 
The  Schroeder  family  removed  from  the  east  to  Henderson,  Illinois,  where  the 


HUGH  FRENCH 


566       '•''••  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

pursuits,  giving  his  undivided  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  and  care 
of  the  stock.  When  he  came  into  possession  of  the  property,  Mr.  Selby  erected 
all  of  the  buildings  now  standing  and  made  other  extensive  improvements,  thus 
making  his  one  of  the  most  attractive  and  valuable  farms  in  this  section  of  the 
county.  It  has  many  natural  beauties  and  advantages  not  common  to  the  majority 
of  farms  in  this  vicinity,  being  plentifully  supplied  with  springs,  which  furnish 
water  for  both  household  purposes  and  the  stock.  Across  one  portion  of  the 
land  runs  an  old  Indian  trail.  In  connection  with  his  general  farming  Mr.  Selby 
made  a  specialty  of  raising  stock,  meeting  with  most  substantial  returns  from 
both  undertakings. 

Mr.  Selby  married  Miss  Florence  Isabel  Allen,  a  daughter  of  William  Allen, 
of  Orange  township,  a  well  known  agriculturist  at  that  time.  Of  this  union  there 
was  born  one  son,  William  Floyd,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1880.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  jniblic  schools  of  Matjuon,  following  which  he  attended  Lombard 
College.  After  the  comjiletion  of  his  ethication  he  returned  to  the  farm,  the 
entire  control  and  management  of  which  is  now  vested  in  him.  He  married  Miss 
Myrtle  Harler,  a  daughter  of  \V.  W.  Harler,  and  they  have  became  the  parents 
of  three  children:  Walter  Ferree,  Helen  Isabel  and  Grace  Maurine.  Mrs.  W. 
H.  Selby  is  now  deceased,  her  demise  occurring  on  the  24th  of  January,  1904. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Selby  is  a  Mason,  to  which  organization  as  well  as  to  the  Odd 
Fellows,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World,  his  son 
also  belongs.  The  political  views  of  Mr.  Selby  coincide  with  the  principles  of 
the  democratic  party,  but  he  has  never  been  an  aspirant  to  official  honors,  pre- 
ferring to  give  his  entire  attention  to  the  direction  of  his  own  affairs,  in  the 
conduct  of  which  he  met  with  a  most  gratifying  measure  of  success.  He  is  a 
well  known  and  highly  respected  representative  of  Knox  county's  esteemed 
pioneer  citizens,  to  whom  must  be  given  much  credit  for  the  development  of 
Maquon  township,  where  the  family  has  now  resided  for  more  than  seventy 
years.  :  . 


PHILIP  H.  FRENCH. 

Philip  H.  French  is  well  known  in  Sparta  township,  being  connected  with 
the  railway  mail  service.  He  was  bom  in  North  Henderson,  Illinois.  Septem- 
ber II.  1885,  and  is  a  son  of  Hugh  French,  a  native  of  Cumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  who  was  born  in  1838.  The  latter  was  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
CN'oung)  French,  who  with  their  family  removed  westward  during  the  boyhood 
of  their  son  Hugh,  the  family  settling  first  in  the  vicinity  of  Knoxville  but  after- 
ward removing  to  Mercer  county.  Following  the  death  of  his  parents  Hugh 
French  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  aid,  enlisting  in  Company  A,  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  Regiment,  at  Knoxville.  He  served  with  that 
command  until  the  close  of  the  war.  the  regiment  lx:ing  attached  to  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland.  As  a  companion  and  helpmate  for  life's  journey  Hugh 
French  chose  Miss  Louisa  Schroeder.  who  was  born  in  the  state  of  New  York, 
July  31,  1848.  and  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  F.  and  Mary  (Stahl)  Schroeder. 
The  Schroeder  faniilv  removed  from  the  east  to  Henderson,  Illinois,  where  the 


KKKNC  II 


.,v.^     ..=;;;.,;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  569 

father  of  Mrs.  Hugh  French  followed  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  which  he  had 
previously  learned.  Later  he  opened  a  mercantile  establishment  at  Henderson 
and  also  filled  the  office  of  postmaster  there.  After  conducting  his  business 
successfully  for  a  number  of  years  he  sold  out  and  retired,  enjoying  well  earned 
rest  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1885,  when  he  was  seventy- 
five  years  of  age.  His  wife  survived  him  until  1893  and  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six  years.  It  was  their  daughter  Louise  who  became  tiie  wife  of 
Hugh  French,  and  unto  them  were  bom  three  children :  Minnie,  who  is  now  the 
wife  of  E.  W.  Goldsmith ;  Charles,  a  resident  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  who  mar- 
ried Ethel  Daniels  and  has  two  children,  Edward  and  Harvey;  and  Philip  H,, 
of  this  review.  The  father,  long  a  valued  and  respected  resident  of  Knox 
county,  as  loyal  to  his  country  in  days  of  peace  as  when  he  followed  the  old 
flag  on  southern  battlefields,  died  on  the  I2th  of  December,  1907. 

Philip  H.  French,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  spent  his  youthful 
days  in  his  parents'  home  and  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools.    He 
now  gives  his  attention  to  official  duties  as  a  clerk  in  the  railway  mail  service,  his  , 
run  being  over  the  Burlington  road. 

Mr.  French  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Minnie  Williamson,  who  was  bom 
April  3,  1889,  in  Sparta  township,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  E.  and  Christina 
(Hanson)  Williamson,  who  are  residents  of  that  township,  her  father  being  now 
forty-nine  and  her  mother  forty-seven  years  of  age.  The  former  was  a  son  of 
Jonas  Williamson,  a  native  of  Sweden,  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  French  have 
become  the  parents  of  two  children:  Constance,  who  was  bom  January  i,  1910; 
and  Delwin,  born  July  29,  1911.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  French  have  spent  their  en- 
tire lives  in  this  county  and  are  well  known  among  a  circle  of  friends  who  enter- 
tain for  them  warm  regard  and  who  extend  to  them  the  cordial  hospitality  of 
their  home. 


'  -;•  \.v:V-;^-  '••  :.•:-.  --.'^'^•-     C.  E.  SHUMAKER.V  .^''.^v'..,  .   ;     .' .  ;/  ;.  vv-iVi;-: 

C.  E.  Shumaker,  a  former  agriculturist  of  Knox  county  and  now  living  in  a 
comfortable  home  at  No.  402  Carlisle  avenue,  Abingdon,  is  a  native  of  Knox 
county,  born  in  Indian  Point  township,  February  3,  1864.  Gallipolis,  Ohio,  was 
the  birthplace  of  his  father,  James  Shumaker,  who  came  to  Indian  Point  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  when  a  boy  and  became  one  of  the  pioneer  agriculturists, 
joining  in  the  widespread  movement  that  converted  the  raw  prairie  lands  of 
Illinois  into  richly  producing  farmlands.  He  pursued  farming  until  his  death 
terminated  his  labors.  His  widow,  who  is  still  living  and  is  now  in  her  seventy- 
second  year,  is  a  native  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  this  community.  She  resides  in  Abingdon  where  her  declining  years 
are  often  gladdened  by  the  happy  occasions  when  her  children  gather  about  her. 
The  latter  are  seven  in  number,  all  but  one  inhabitants  of  Illinois  and  living 
within  easy  distance  from  her.  C.  E.  Shumaker  is  the  eldest  child.  The  others 
are :  Ella,  the  widow  of  L.  Blisa,  of  Abingdon ;  W.  F.,  living  near  Hermon,  Illi- 
nois; J.  L.,  farming  in  Swaledale,  Iowa;  Myrtle,  the  wife  of  J.  R.  Stephens, 


570  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

New  Boston,  Illinois ;  Mamie,  the  wife  of  Daniel  Rodenbaugh,  a  farmer  of  St. 
Augustine ;  and  Alta  May,  the  wife  of  Bert  Dawdy,  of  Abingdon. 

C.  E.  Shumaker  had  a  common-school  education  supplemented  by  training 
in  commercial  branches  at  the  General  City  Commercial  College,  of  Quincy, 
Illinois.  He  remained  at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-four  years 
old,  when  he  bought  a  farm  on  section  ii,  Indian  Point  township,  and  engaged 
independently  in  farming.  After  some  years  he  removed  to  a  farm  on  section 
13  and  gave  his  efforts  to  the  improvement  of  the  land  which  soon  yielded  abund- 
ant crops.  Four  years  ago,  in  1907,  he  retired  from  farming,  purchasing  a  hand- 
some new  house  in  Abingdon  where  the  family  now  resides.  He  still  has  valu- 
able farm  holdings,  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Knox  county  which  he  rents, 
and  a  half  section  in  the  Saskatchewan  valley  in  Canada.  From  these  and  from 
investments  in  various  industrial  plants  in  Abingdon  he  enjoys  a  liberal  income 
enabling  him  to  live  not  only  in  ease  but  in  affluence. 

Twenty-five  years  ago,  in  1886,  C.  E.  Shumaker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ella  Davis,  a  native  of  Knox  county.  They  are  the  parents  of  two  children, 
Verda  Maud,  aged  twenty,  a  graduate  of  the  Abingdon  high  school  and  now  at- 
tending college  at  Lynchburg,  Virginia ;  and  James  Harry,  aged  seventeen,  a 
student  in  high  school.  Mr.  Shumaker  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian church.  Like  his  father  before  him,  he  is  republican  in  his  political  predilec- 
tions and,  although  loyal  to  his  party,  he  has  never  cared  for  the  honors  of  public 
office.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Abingdon  lodge  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  in  which  organization  he  has  passed  through  all  the  chairs.  He  is  a  man 
of  determination  and  excellent  judgment,  qualities  which  have  been  no  small 
factor  in  winning  for  him  the  success  that  is  justly  his.  ,.. 


;      ;   V     ;X^  GEORGE  A.  SMITH.        ;:;::-••.; '^ 

For  the  last  year  George  A.  Smith  has  been  engaged  in  cultivating  the  two 
hundred  acre  farm  in  Henderson  township  upon  which  he  resides.  He  was  born 
in  Henderson  township,  April  28,  1876,  and  is  the  son  of  Anthony  L.  and  Mar- 
garet A.  (Davidson)  Smith,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Knox  county. 
The  father,  whose  birth  occurred  June  24,  1839,  in  Ulster  county.  New  York, 
was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Clarissa  (Gosso)  Smith,  both  natives  of  Brooklyn, 
New  York,  having  been  born  there  in  1792  and  1795,  respectively.  Samuel  Smith 
served  for  two  years  in  the  war  of  1812,  under  General  Jackson,  and  was  colonel 
of  his  regiment.  He  engaged  in  various  pursuits  during  his  active  career,  such  as 
agriculture,  the  tanning  business  and  the  lumber  business.  At  the  same  time 
that  he  owned  and  managed  his  five  hundred  acre  farm  in  Ulster  county  he  also 
built  and  ran  a  tannery  for  twenty-five  years  and  engaged  to  a  considerable  extent 
in  the  lumber  business,  which  he  continued  even  after  he  had  sold  the  tannery. 
After  having  disposed  of  this,  his  last  business  interest,  he  retired  from  an  active 
life  and  lived  with  his  son.  In  politics  he  was  a  member  of  the  whig  party,  and 
in  religious  faith,  a  Methodist.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  died  at  the  age  of 
eighty-three  years,  the  former  passing  away  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Anthony 
Smith. 


..    .  ;•;/;•  >  I  --V       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .  V;  571 

Anthony  L.  Smith  was  the  eleventh  of  the  twelve  children  bom  to  his  parents. 
After  receiving  what  education  the  common  schools  could  give  him,  he  began 
to  earn  his  own  livelihood  by  working  in  a  sawmill  and  hauling  logs  and  sub- 
sequently accepting  employment  on  a  farm,  at  which  work  he  continued  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  west.  He  left  New  York,  September  27, 
1857,  and  after  arriving  in  Illinois  settled  in  Henderson  Grove,  where  he  worked 
in  a  sawmill  for  more  than  thirty  years.  At  that  time  he  purchased  a  farm  of  two 
hundred  acres,  the  cultivation  of  which  occupied  his  time  until  his  retirement,  in 
February,  1906.  He  is  now  living  comfortably  in  Henderson  and  his  sons  are 
managing  the  farm.  On  February  7,  1867,  he  was  married  to  Maggie  A.  David- 
son, a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Julia  A.  (Flishier)  Davidson,  who  were  among 
the  early  settlers  in  Knox  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  three  children  were 
born,  namely :  George  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  Fred  G.,  who  married  Helen 
Rhodes  and  to  whom  two  sons,  Charles  A.  and  Robert,  have  been  born ;  and 
Harvey.  The  two  oldeF  sons  are  residng  on  the  father's  farm  and  Harvey  makes 
his  home  with  his  parents.  In  religious  faith  Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  church,  and  in  politics  gives  his  support  to  the  democratic  party, 
by  whom  he  has  frequently  been  elected  to  office.  Among  the  offices  he  has  held 
are  those  of  supervisor,  collector,  assessor  and  school  trustee. 

George  A.  Smith  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  the  Hender- 
son high  school  and  Brown's  Business  College.  His  first  employment  after  finish- 
ing these  courses  was  on  a  farm,  but  in  1903  he  accepted  a  clerical  position  in 
Galesburg  and  for  four  years  was  stockman  for  the  W.  A.  Jordan  Company, 
wholesale  grocers.  During  the  next  two  years  he  was  employed  by  the  Gales- 
burg  office  of  the  Prudential  Life  Insurance  Company,  remaining  with  them  until 
he  removed  to  the  two  hundred  acre  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides. 

On  September  lo,  1895,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Rebecca  Windom  and 
to  this  union  one  child  has  been  born,  Irene,  who  is  a  student  in  the  Galesburg 
high  school  and  the  Knox  Conservatory  of  Music.  Mrs.  Smith  was  the  daughter 
of  William  and  Mary  Windom.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  where  his 
death  also  occurred,  and  the  mother  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  since 
she  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age. 

In  politics  Mr.  Smith  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  is  a  loyal 
supporter  of  its  principles  and  an  advocate  of  its  policies  as  being  the  most  effi- 
cient for  good  government.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Elks  Lodge  of  Galesburg, 
No.  894.  In  the  various  business  positions  he  has  held  and  in  his  social  relations 
Mr.  Smith  has  always  shown  himself  to  be  a  man  of  integrity  and  ability,  one, 
who  is  an  advocate  of  any  measure  standing  for  improved  social  conditions  or 
business  progression.'  ',.'^;  ;'•-'•  "'•;'^.  'v^ 


•      •• ;  ;    ;>-••:•'.        ARTHUR  JOSFPH  GEHRING.    ^     '  •':-'••:'..-•'•: 

Our  modern  improved  methods  of  education  and  the  more  comfortable  mode 
of  life  amid  which  our  young  people  are  being  brought  up,  these,  it  has  frequently 
been  demonstrated,  are  not  a  hindrance  but  a  help  in  the  better  administration 
of  affairs  whether  in  business  life,  on  the  farm  or  in  the  home.  A  good  illustra- 


572  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

tion  of  this  fact  may  be  noted  in  Arthur  Joseph  Gehring,  one  of  the  rising  gen- 
eration of  young  farmers  rapidly  coming  to  the  front  and  .commanding  the  recog- 
nition of  their  elders  for  their  alertness  and  efficiency.  He  has  been  operating 
the  home  farm  since  the  retirement  of  his  father,  Joseph  Gehring,  in  1903  and 
is  now  only  twenty-six  years  old. 

His  birth  occurred  August  21,  1885,  in  Sparta  township,  Knox  county,  on  the 
homestead  where  he  is  living.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Cora  (Peterson) 
Gehring.  His  father  is  a  resident  of  Wataga  and  was  bom  east  of  that  town,  in 
Sparta  township,  March  i6,  1856.  He  lost  his  mother  when  a  boy  ten  years  of 
age,  her  death  occurring  in  1895  when  she  was  thirty-five  years  old.  The  family 
took  possession  of  the  farm  in  1869  and  for  twenty-four  years  the  father  carried 
on  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  devoting  himself  to  improving  the  land  and 
enriching  the  soil  until  he  had  greatly  enhanced  the  value  of  the  property. 

In  the  district  schools  of  Sparta  township  Arthur  J.  Gehring  obtained  his 
early  education,  following  this  by  a  course  at  the  Wataga -high  school  and  there- 
after attending  the  Brown  Business  College  at  Galesburg.  In  1903  he  under- 
took the  management  of  the  farm  for  his  father,  continuing  the  former  policy  of 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  in  accordance  with  improved  methods  and 
progressive  ideas. 

Mr.  Gehring  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nina  McDonald  December  27, 
1911.  She  was  born  May  lo,  1889,  in  Burlington,  Iowa,  and,  being  left  an  orphan 
in  her  infancy,  was  reared  by  Mrs.  Ella  (Woods)  Bird,  of  Girard,  Kansas,  a 
sister  of  her  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Laura  Woods.  Mrs.  Gehring  has 
two  brothers :  Vernon,  a  farmer  in  Knox  county ;  and  Frank,  living  in  Denver, 
Colorado.  '.:  -'  '  •  •  -  •'^•^.  '.  '.  ^. - 

Mr.  Gehring  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  Mr.  Gehring  is  a  member  of  its  official  board.  In  the  social  life  of  the  com- 
munity they  are  popular  with  young  and  old  alike. 


>  ^'^    ,,:••:: -•-"^••-         .'•;      •_      CORNELIUS  WAYM AN/ ;;;•::: --.r -:•'•:•:;-;•;;::-;: 

.  Cornelius  Wayman  is  now  living  retired  in  Altona.  He  has  passed  the  sev- 
enty-fifth milestone  on  life's  journey,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Otsego  county, 
New  York,  June  3,  1836.  His  father,  Thomas  Wayman,  died  in  1860,  when  sixty 
years  of  age.  He  had  followed  farming  throughout  his  entire  life  and  was  long 
known  as  an  industrious,  energetic  agriculturist  of  Otsego  county.  His  wife  died 
when  their  son  Cornelius  was  a  boy,  and  of  the  three  children  of  the  family  he 
is  now  the  only  one  living.  His  educational  advantages  were  limited,  for  his  ser- 
vices were  needed  upon  the  home  farm  and  he  worked  diligently  and  with  de- 
termination through  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  thus  laid  the  foundation  for 
whatever  success  he  has  enjoyed.  He  first  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1857,  when 
twenty  years  of  age,  making  his  way  from  there  to  Victoria,  Illinois.  Soon  he 
secured  a  situation  as  a  farm  hand  and  was  thus  employed  until  after  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war.  The  country  was  but  entering  upon  the  long,  four-year 
period  of  hostilities  when  he  offered  his  services,  enlisting  on  the  25th  of  May, 
i86i,  as  a  member  of  Company  D,  Seventeenth  Illinois  Infantry,  under  Captain 


CORNELIUS  WAYMAX 


572        :  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY        ,          V 

tion  of  this  fact  may  be  noted  in  Arthur  Joseph  Gehring,  one  of  the  rising  gen- 
eration of  young  farmers  rapidly  coming  to  the  front  and  commanding  the  recog- 
nition of  their  elders  for  their  alertness  and  efficiency.  He  has  been  operating 
the  home  farm  since  the  retirement  of  his  father,  Joseph  Gehring,  in  1903  and 
is  now  only  twenty-six  years  old. 

His  birth  occurred  August  21,  1885,  in  Sparta  township,  Knox  county,  on  the 
homestead  where  he  is  living.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Cora  (Peterson) 
Gehring.  His  father  is  a  resident  of  Wataga  and  was  born  east  of  that  town,  in 
Sparta  township,  March  i6,  1856.  He  lost  his  mother  when  a  boy  ten  years  of 
age,  her  death  occurring  in  1895  when  she  was  thirty-five  years  old.  The  family 
took  possession  of  the  farm  in  1869  and  for  twenty-four  years  the  father  carried 
on  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  devoting  liimself  to  improving  the  land  and 
enriching  the  soil  until  he  had  greatly  enhanced  the  value  of  the  property. 

In  the  district  schools  of  Sparta  township  Arthur  J.  Gehring  obtained  his 
early  education,  following  this  by  a  course  at  the  Wataga  high  school  and  there- 
after attending  the  Brown  Business  College  at  Galesburg.  In  1903  he  under- 
took the  management  of  the  farm  for  his  father,  continuing  the  fonner  policy  of 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  in  accordance  with  improved  methods  and 
progressive  ideas. 

Mr.  Gehring  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Xina  McDonald  December  27, 
191 1.  She  was  born  May  lO,  1889,  in  Burlington,  Iowa,  and,  being  left  an  orphan 
in  her  infancy,  was  reared  by  Mrs.  Ella  (  Woods)  Bird,  of  Girard,  Kansas,  a 
sister  of  her  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Laura  Woods.  Mrs.  Gehring  has 
two  brothers :  \  ernon,  a  farmer  in  Kno.x  county :  and  I'rank,  living  in  Denver, 
Colorado.  '  .  '  ,  '  t 

Mr.  Gehring  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  Mr.  Gehring  is  a  member  of  its  official  board.  In  the  social  life  of  the  com- 
munity they  are  popular  with  young  and  old  alike. 


CORXELIUS  WAYMAN. 

Cornelius  Wayman  is  now  living  retired  in  Altona.  He  has  passed  the  sev- 
enty-fifth milestone  on  life's  journey,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Otsego  county, 
Xew  York,  June  3,  1836.  His  father,  Thomas  Wayman,  died  in  1860,  when  sixty 
years  of  age.  He  had  followed  farming  throughout  his  entire  life  and  was  long 
known  as  an  industrious,  energetic  agriculturist  of  Otsego  county.  His  wife  died 
when  their  son  Cornelius  was  a  boy,  and  of  the  three  children  of  the  family  he 
is  now  the  only  one  living.  His  educational  advantages  were  limited,  for  his  ser- 
vices were  needed  upon  the  home  farm  and  he  worked  diligently  and  with  de- 
termination through  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  thus  laid  the  foundation  for 
whatever  success  he  has  enjoyed.  He  first  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1857,  when 
twenty  years  of  age.  making  his  way  from  there  to  X'ictoria,  Illinois.  Soon  he 
secured  a  situation  as  a  farm  hand  and  was  thus  employed  until  after  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war.  The  country  was  but  entering  uix>n  the  long,  four-year 
period  of  hostilities  when  he  offered  his  services,  enlisting  on  the  25th  of  May, 
i86i,  as  a  member  of  Company  D.  Seventeenth  Illinois  Infantry,  under  Captain 


((HtXKI.HS  \\.\N.MAN' 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNT^        •        '  ?  575 

Henry  Bush,  of  Galva.  The  regiment  was  with  the  Western  Army  under  Gen- 
eral Grant.  Mr.  Wayman  served  for  his  three  years'  term  of  enlistment  and  then 
veteranized,  at  which  time  he  was  transferred  to  the  Eighth  Illinois  under  Captain 
Caldwell  and  was  with  the  Army  of  the  Gulf  until  the  close  of  the  war.  His  last 
commander  was  General  Canby,  who  commanded  the  Department  of  the  Gulf. 
With  his  regiment  he  went  to  Mobile  and  later  through  Texas  and  afterward  was 
sent  up  the  Red  River  gathering  up  arms  following  the  cessation  of  hostilities. 
He  was  mustered  out  at  Baton  Rouge  in  1866  and  left  that  place  for  Springfield, 
Illinois,  where  he  was  honorably  discharged,  having  made  a  most  creditable  mili- 
tary record  during  the  five  years  in  which  he  wore  the  country's  blue  uniform. 
Mr.  Wayman  returned  to  Victoria  and  was  again  engaged  in  farming  for  nine 

•  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Wataga,  where  he  followed  teaming  for  two 
years.     He  then  came  to  Altona  and  is  now  living  retired.     For  a  long  period, 
however,  he  was  janitor  of  the  high-school  building,  occupying  that  position  for 
thirty  years  beginning  in  i88i.     During  that  period  his  daughter  and  his  grand- 

•  daughter  were  graduated  from  that  school. 

Mr.  Wayman  married  Letitia  Blackwood,  who  was  bom  in  Ohio  and  died 
October  14,  1911,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Beverly 
D.  Blackwood,  a  carpenter  by  trade.  Mrs.  Wayman  was  a  devout  member  of 
the  Methodist  church  and  an  active  worker  in  its  various  departments,  partic- 

•  ulariy  in  the  Ladies'  Aid  and  Missionary  Societies.    When  she  was  quite  young 
her  mother  died  and  her  father  married  again.     She  remained  at  home  with  her 
stepmother  up  to  the  time  of  her  marriage,  which  was  celebrated  in  Knoxville, 

;   Illinois,  on  the  nth  of  September.  1866.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wayman  began  their 
.  domestic  life  near  Victoria  in  the  plain,  old-fashioned  way.    As  the  years  passed, 
four  children  came  to  brighten  their  home  but  death  entered  the  household  and 
.  only  one  is  now  living,  Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Peacock,  who  was  bom  February  i6, 
1868.    She  is  the  wife  of  James  J.  Peacock,  who  was  born  near  New  Brenton, 
Illinois,  July  i,  1864,  ^  son  of  Joseph  Peacock,  who  was  bom  in  1820  and  was 
f  a  brickmaker.    He  wedded  Mary  D.  Kindred,  who  was  born  in  1825.    Mr.  Pea- 
cock was  a  native  of  England  but  was  only  seven  years  of  age  when  brought  by 
':.  his  parents,  Thomas  and  Ann  (Payne)  Peacock,  to  the  new  world.    Joseph  Pea- 
;  cock,  after  reaching  manhood,  engaged  in  brickmaking  in  the  state  of  New  York 
r  but  in  early  manhood  removed  westward  to  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  he  married. 
He  operated  the  first  brickyard  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  its  location  being  near  the  old 
fair  grounds  on  Knoxville  avenue.     In  early  manhood  he  served  as  a  soldier  in 

•  the  Indian  war  which  occurred  in  Florida.     It  was  his  son,  James  J.  Peacock, 
who  wedded  Harriet  E.  Wayman  and  unto  them  were  bom  three  children :  Claude 
J.,  nineteen  years  of  age ;  Eldna  B.,  seventeen  years  of  age ;  and  Ralph  E.,  a  youth 
of  fifteen.     In  early  manhood  James  J.  Peacock  leamed  and  followed  the  brick- 
maker's  trade,  continuing  in  that  line  of  business  in  Iowa  county,  Iowa,  until 
thirty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Altona,  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home,  being  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  representative  residents  of  that  place. 

Mr.  Wayman  is  classed  with  the  most  widely  known  and  highly  esteemed  citi- 
zens of  Altona,  his  upright  life  having  gained  for  him  the  warm  regard  of  all 
who  know  him.  He  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  has  served 
as  one  of  its  trustees  for  many  years.  Fratemally  he  is  connected'  with  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  has  passed  all  of  the  chairs  in  the  local 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


lodge  to  which  he  belongs.  His  life  has  been  well  spent  and  his  devotion  to  duty 
and  his  irreproachable  integrity  have  been  the  salient  qualities  which  have  gained 
for  him  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  all  who  know  him.  His  life  has  been  in 
many  respects  an  exemplary  one  and  furnishes  many  an  example  that  might  well 
be  followed  by  others.  .  .  .  .  ;  -•.;,;•:.  .  • 


':••:'•'.''' •-^^'-^•'-^•:  •       '          JOHN  HEFFERNAN.  ..../;. -.-.'"  vv-;-'^-' ''''V-^'' • 

John  Heffernan,  a  retired  farmer  and  now  proprietor  of  a  boarding  house 
on  Main  street  in  Victoria,  Illinois,  was  bom  June  15,  1841,  in  Medina  county, 
Ohio.  He  is  the  grandson  of  John  HefFeman,  who  resided  all  his  life  in  Charles- 
ton, South  Carolina.  The  father,  Francis  Heffernan,  was  born,  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Charleston.  After  leaving  school  he  chose  to  take  up  as  his  trade  the 
work  of  shoemaking,  a  business  which  he  followed  with  much  success  all  his 
life.  In  youth  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Hodgeman,  a  daughter  of  William 
Hodgeman  and  a  native  of  Vermont.  A  few  years  after  his  marriage  he  settled 
in  Medina  comity,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  for  fourteen  years,  and  then  moved  to 
Victoria,  where  he  began  his  trade  in  the  old  shop  that  is  still  standing.  He  was 
a  republican  in  politics  and  although  he  was  not  an  office  seeker,  he  took  a  great 
interest  in  a  private  way  in  helping  t'o  better  the  conditions  of  his  town.  He 
followed  his  trade  loyally  all  his  life  and  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  when  he  had 
reached  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  Untiring  and  faithful  labor 
netted  him  an  income  ample  for  his  wants  and  comforts.  His  wife  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years  and  they  are  both  buried  in  the  Victoria  ceme- 
tery. Their  family  consisted  of  two  children :  Isabelle,  who  died  in  Ohio,  at  the 
age  of  fifteen;  and  John,  of  Victoria.  v  >  -  '•  .:  •  I 

John  Heffernan  after  finishing  his  course  in  the  public  schools  of  Victoria 
began  farming,  working  by  the  month  for  seven  years  for  David  Swickard,  now 
of  Victoria.  After  leaving  that  employ  he  was  married,  in  1866,  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Smith,  who  was  born  in  Victoria  township,  December  5,  1840,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  (Gingrich)  Smith,  both  of  whom  were  bom  in  Little  York, 
York  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren, eight  of  whom  lived  to  maturity.  The  parents,  leaving  Pennsylvania  with 
their  two  children,  went  to  Ohio  where  they  remained  one  year,  moving  to  Illi- 
nois in  1835  and  settling  on  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  upon 
section  24,  Victoria  township.  Having  made  the  trip  from  Ohio  in  wagons,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Smith  lived  in  this  fashion  of  camping  until  they  had  constructed  a 
log  house  which  contained  one  room  on  the  first  floor  and  one  above.  Later  this 
log  house  was  moved  to  another  part  of  the  farm  and  used  as  a  tenant  house. 
Mr.  Smith  was  a  stock-raiser  and  farmer  whose  labors  won  much  success. 
Although  willing  to  do  all  he  could  for  his  community,  he  never  sought  office. 
He  was  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  a  Lutheran  in  religion,  of  which 
church  both  he  and  his  family  were  faithful  members.  He  died  in  1889,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-three,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1892,  at  the  age  of  eighty, 
both  being  laid  to  rest  in  the  Victoria  cemetery.  ^  .  .  . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


577 


After  his  marriage  John  Heffernan  settled  in  Victoria  township,  where  he 
lived  for  about  five  years,  or  until  1870,  at  which  time  he  moved  to  PCansas,  where 
he  resided  for  four  years.  Returning  to  Knox  county  in  1874,  he  lived  in  Cop- 
ley township  until  1887,  when  he  moved  to  Victoria  township,  residing  at  the 
old  Smith  homestead  for  six  years,  at  the  close  of  which  time  he  took  charge 
of  the  boarding-house  which  he  now  has  at  Victoria.  He  is  the  father  bf  two 
children.  The  elder,  Frank  W.,  of  Victoria  township,  married  Miss  Susan 
Mosher,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Mosher,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, Mabel  A.,  Edna  Lucy,  Bessie  Courtney  and  Jessie  May.  Their  other  child 
is  Mary  C.,  the  wife  of  Charles  F.  Nelson,  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  and 
mother  of  seven  children,  Clio  L.,  Vera  B.,  Vaun  O.,  Clem  A.,  Vivian  I.,  Clare 
D.  and  Willard  Ivan. 

.' ;  Fraternally  Mr.  Heffernan  is  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  while  politically  he  adhers  to  the  republican  party.  He  attends  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  with  his  wife,  who  is  a  member  thereof,  and  alsc 
an  active  worker  in  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  a  member  of  the  Royal  Neigh- 
bors. Mr.  Heffernan  while  in  Kansas  was  a  trustee  of  the  school  board  and 
although  he  has  never  cared  for  positions  of  public  trust,  whenever  such  occasion 
did  arise,  he  rendered  services  which  have  been  most  beneficial  to  the  community 
and  township  of  his  residence. 


.:;;-  ;x.:;;    .:;'  .'''i-'-'^:  JONAS  JOHNSON.  .>;^;--.--:'.  . '   .-xXiv./H'-'n^' 

-  ,  Jonas  Johnson  owns  a  farm  of  eighty- four  acres  located  on  section  5,  of  Vic- 
toria township,  where  his  well  tilled  fields  manifest  his  agricultural  skill.  He  is 
one  of  the  worthy  citizens  that  Sweden  has  contributed  to  Knox  county,  his  natal 
day  being  the  5th  of  February,  1872,  and  his  parents  Jonas  and  Annie  Johnson 
passed  their  entire  lives  in  the  old  country. 

In  the  common  schools  of  his  native  land,  Jonas  Johnson  obtained  a  good, 
practical  education  and  there  he  also  received  his  early  agricultural  training.  By 
the  time  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  felt  oppressed  by  the  limita- 
tions of  expansion  and  opportunities  in  his  native  land.  Carrj^ing  the  convic- 
tion that  conditions  more  admissible  of  ambition  and  more  conducive  to  prog- 
ress were  prevailing  in  the  western  hemisphere,  he  determined  to  put  to  the  test 
the  wonderful  stories  he  had  heard  regarding  the  advantages  awaiting  the 
ambitious  and  enterprising  young  man  in  America  and.  in  1892,  took  passage  for 
the  United  States.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  came  directly  to  Knox 
county,  first  locating  in  Galva.  Later  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  at  that 
time  the  property  of  a  Mrs.  Brott,  and  here  he  has  ever  since  lived.  Although 
the  place  was  improved  and  under  cultivation  when  he  bought  it,  during  the 
period  of  his  ownership  Mr.  Johnson  has  wrought  many  and  extensive  changes. 
The  greater  part  of  the  buildings  now  standing  have  been  erected  since  he  located 
here,  and  he  has  also  added  various  other  improvements,  thus  thoroughly 
modernizng  it  and  at  the  same  time  greatly  enhancing  its  value.  He  is  industrious 
and  practical  in  his  methods  and  has  always  given  his  personal  attention  to  the 
tilling  of  his  fields  and  gathering  of  his  crops.  His  labors  are  annually  rewarded 


/•.  •  .•  •.•.;v9^-i,-::;:;.:.  •         : ;     /'  '•-,::'^^'-"  v,-  •;.'/  •''•/-:•''•''•/•'-•  ";•'• 

^      •Vv;v^v.          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ''     '^    -  -    :     .: 

by  abundant  barvests,  tbe  quality  of  wbicb  is  in  every  way  fully  equal  to  tbe 
quantity.  Stock-raising  as  well  as  general  farming  bas  engaged  tbe  attention 
of  Mr.  Jobnson,  wbo  bas  met  witb  lucrative  returns  from  botb  brancbes  of  bis 
business.  Clear  judgment,  persistence  and  tbe  determination  of  purpose  tbat 
refuses  to  accept  defeat  bave  been  tbe  most  striking  cbaracteristics  manifested 
by  bim  in  tbe  direction  of  bis  activities.  Owing  to  bis  painstaking  efforts  and 
the  intelligent  direction  of  his  endeavors  he  has  prospered  from  the  first  and  is 
now  numbered  among  tbe  substantial  citizens  of  tbe  community.  In  addition 
to  bis  fine  bomestead  Mr.  Jobnson  owns  stock  in  tbe  Victoria  Telepbone  Company. 
In  tbe  attainment  of  prosperity  Mr.  Jobns.on  bas  been  capably  assisted  by 
tbe  efficient  management  of  tbe  bousebold  affairs  by  bis  wife,  wbose  maiden  name 
was  Anna  Jobnson.  Sbe,  too,  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  wbence  sbe  emigrated  to 
tbe  United  States  by  berself  as  a  cbild  of  ten  years.  Six  cbildren  bave  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jobnson,  as  follows :  Vema,  Elmer,  Herman,  Clinton, 
Helen  and  Hilda. 

• .  Tbe  parents  botb  bold  membersbip  in  tbe  Metbodist  Episcopal  cburcb  at 
Victoria,  and  Mr.  Jobnson  is  affiliated  witb  tbe  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
bolding  membersbip  in  tbe  camp  at  Victoria.  Ever  since  attaining  rigbts  of 
citizensbip  be  bas  given  bis  political  support  to  tbe  candidates  of  tbe  republican 
party  but  bas  never  been  an  office  seeker.  His  private  interests  always  required 
bis  undivided  attention  and  be  bas  concentrated  bis  energies  upon  the  develop- 
ment of  the  farm.  He  now  has  bis  land  tiled  and  under  bigb  cultivation,  and  is 
making  sucb  furtber  improvements  as  bis  returns  warrant,  from  year  to  year, 
and  takes  great  pride  in  bis  bomestead,  wbicb  be  desires  to  make  one  of  tbe 
most  attractive  properties  in  tbe  townsbip.  .  .  •  'r  "•  •  '  /. 


AMBROSE  L.  KING. 


One  of  Knox  county's  patriotic  citizens  wbo  donned  tbe  blue  and  went  to  tbe 
front  during  tbose  troublesome  days  in  tbe  '6os  is  Ambrose  L.  King.  He  is  now 
and  has  been  for  a  long  period  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  in 
Victoria  townsbip,  wbere  be  bas  resided  for  fifty-eigbt  years.  His  birtb  occurred 
in  Wyandotte  county,  Obio,  on  tbe  27tb  of  December,  1843,  bis  parents  being 
Ambrose  and  Harriet  (Porter)  King.  Tbe  fatber  was  born  in  tbe  state  of  New 
York,  in  1798,  and  tbere  be  was  reared  and  educated.  In  bis  early  manbood  be 
went  to  Pennsylvania,  locating  in  tbe  vicinity  of  Erie,  wbere  be  met  tbe  lady 
wbo  later  became  bis  wife.  During  tbe  early  years  of  tbeir  domestic  life  tbey 
removed  to  Obio,  residing  tbere  until  1853.  In  tbe  latter  year  tbey  crossed  the 
prairies  of  Indiana  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Victoria  townsbip,  a  mile  east  of  our 
subject's  farm,  wbere  tbe  fatber  acquired  six  bundred  and  forty  acres  of  land. 
Here  closed  bis  active  and  useful  life  in  its  eightieth  year,  while  the  mother  was 
only  sixty-six  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  death.  They  were  botb  members 
of  tbe  Seventb  Day  Adventist  cburcb  and  be  was  a  stancb  advocate  of  tbe 
political  principles  of  tbe  republican  party,  but  never  beld  an  office.  Tbe  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  numbered  six,  as  follows :  Nelson ;  Herman ;  Homer ; 
Ambrose,  our  subject ;  Sarab  ;  and  Corwin. 


;J  '.  -^.A          ^     •       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY/:  .   '^^  ;     579         ;  '    •• 

Ambrose  L.  King  was  only  a  lad  of  ten  years  when  he  removed  with  his  '  .  •' ^. , 
parents  to  Knox  county,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood,  completing  his  educa-  '  '  .  • 
tion  in  the  common  schools  of  Victoria  township.  He  had  early  been  impressed  ;  .  :  j, 
with  a  fine  appreciation  of  patriotic  duties  and  responsibilities  toward  one's  ..  :. 

country,  so  when  the  nation's  chief  sent  out  a  call  for  volunteers  in  the  early  days         '    ;    .- 
of  the  war,  it  aroused  his  fervor  and  he  responded  by  enlisting  in  Company  B,          ' 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.    During  the  period          .-  ;• 
of  his  service  he  participated  in  several  of  the  notable  conflicts  of  the  war  but  '  , 

was  never  wounded  or  captured  by  the  enemy.    When  mustered  out  he  returned 
to  Knox  county  and  resumed  the  duties  of  civil  life  as  an  agriculturist  and  has  •   ,,; 

always  continued  to  be  identified  with  this  vocation.     He  now  owns  eighty  acres 
of  land  located  on  section  5,  Victoria  township,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.        -         •• 
his  marriage.    Here  he  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  has  met        . '    •" 
with  lucrative  returns  from  both.     He  is  a  man  of  practical  ideas  and  progres-         '  , 
sive  methods,  who  uses  intelligence  and  discretion  in  the  direction  of  his  under-  ...  ^ 

takings  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  capable  agriculturists  of  the  community.         /    . 

The  lady  who  now  bears  the  name  of  Mrs.  Ambrose  L.  King  was  known        T          - 
during  her  girlhood  as  Miss  Sarah  Collinson.    She  was  bom  and  reared  in  Wilkes-        :. .  ;  ;    ! 
Barre,  Pennsylvania,  whence  she  removed  with  her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles       •      !     -• 
Collinson,  to  Lynn  township,  Knox  county.     Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and         '  .      ' 
Mrs.  King,  as  follows:  Ivy,  the  wife  of  Charles  Spencer,  of  Williamsfield ;  Ida,  ^.      . 

who  married  Fred  Grant,  of  Victoria  township;  Kate,  who  became  the  wife  of  • .  .  .  ':V      ' 
Homer  Patty,  of  Riverside,  California;  Sarah;  Ora,  who  married  Bert  Thomas;  '      A    '  , 
and  Avery,  who  is  at  home.  -,       .    s 

Mr.  King  votes  with  the  republican  party,  considering  its  policy  best  adapted  .-  ; 

to  subserve  the  highest  interests  of  the  country.     He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the         :'    . 
development  of  the  community  and  its  political  activities,  but  he  has  never  aspired 
to  public  office.     During  the  long  period  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county  he  has          .;  '  - 
been  an  interested  observer  of  its  development  and  increasing  prosperity,  having  ' 

witnessed  the  introduction  of  modern  methods  and  inventions  that  in  rapid  evolu-  . 

tion  and  on-march  have  completely  revolutionized  commercial,   industrial  and        _•  ••        \ 
agricultural  life.    His  early  manhood  covered  that  formative  period  in  the  state's  •      - 

progress  when  pioneer  methods  were  being  superseded  by  modern  conditions,  f ol-         -^  ^ 
lowing  the  advent  of  a  newer  and  higher  form  of  civilization  that  developed  after 
the  war,    •:'••-'••'•    '•••:.'•:.•.: '•'•:.--:'-7r-'--^'^''r{-'''-.'--:-"'-' •••:"'•'''••     .''•;;/:-:•••-.;   '•,"  '^••.' ••.-•<- 


;          ,      ';     .-       ABRAHAM  L.  HOOFNAGLE.        .       :       M      •.«>    JC-'. 

A  resident  of  Knox  county  for  the  past  twenty-seven  years  Abraham  L.  •          ;-. 
Hoofnagel  has  not  only  witnessed  the  agricultural  development  of  this  section  of       V  ; 
the  country  but  he  has  been  an  active  participant  of  the  movement,  being  sue-          • . 
cessfully  engaged  in  the  pursuits  of  general  farming.     He  owns  and  operates  :••:•:' 
a  fine  farm  on  section  15,  in  Orange  township.    He  claims  Adams  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, as  the  place  of  his  birth,  which  there  occurred  April  25,  i86i.     His         . 
parents  were  Henry  and  Nancy   (Caldwell)   Hoofnagle,  both  natives  of  Penn-   .;>,;- 
sylvania.    The  father,  who  was  a  farmer  and  carpenter  by  occupation,  and  lived    '  -s   : 


580  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

until  his  death  in  Adams  county,  enlisted  in  the  army  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war 
and  saw  active  service  in  a  number  of  important  battles.  There  were  seven  chil- 
dren in  the  family,  two  daughters  who  are  deceased,  and  five  sons,  all  living. 
They  are :  Samuel,  at  Fairfield,  Pennsylvania ;  Robert  and  John,  also  of  that  state ; 
Grant,  who  lives  in  the  state  of  Washington ;  and  Abraham,  of  this  review. 

During  his  boyhood  days  spent  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  Abraham 
Hoofnagle  obtained  an  elementary  education  in  the  rural  schools  of  his  locality, 
and  when  not  engaged  with  his  text-books  was  employed  in  various  occupations 
about  the  farm  thus  learning  at  an  early  age  the  many  details  necessary  to  know 
in  connection  with  the  tilling  of  the  soil  and  the  raising  of  cattle.  In  1874  he 
came  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Knox  township  where  he  first  worked  on  a  farm 
in  the  employment  of  another.  Later  he  engaged  in  agriculture  on  his  own 
account.  Seven  years  ago,  in  1904,  he  purchased  the  tract  of  land  on  which  he 
now  lives,  eighty  acres  of  the  soil  of  which  is  particularly  rich  and  productive. 
He  is  progressive  in  his  methods  and  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  make  his  place  one 
of  the  attractive  spots  in  the  county,  conspicuous  for  its  good  equipment  and  its 
thorough  cultivation.  .  -.•',;'.  .',..•' 

Mr.  Hoofnagle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Amy  Brown,  the  marriage 
occurring  in  Knox  county  in  1895.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Amos  Brown,  an 
early  pioneer  settler  in  the  county.  Both  parents  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hoofnagle  are  ihe  parents  of  six  children :  Mabel,  Alva,  Bernice.  Russell, 
Eva  and  Cecil,  all  living  at  home.  Surrounded  by  an  interesting  family  for 
whom  he  wishes  to  provide  a  comfortable  living  and  make  larger  opportunities 
possible,  Mr.  Hoofnagle  finds  that  impelling  inspiration  in  his  work  that  urges 
him  on  to  constantly  renewed  effort  and  cannot  fail  of  winning  success.  ;  ..  . 


V     ^A  J.  ORTON  FINLEY.     -.  -V^.k"    • 

J.  Orton  Finley,  who  resides  on  section  24,  Ontario  township,  was  bom  on 
the  iSth  of  December,  1874,  and  is  a  son  of  J.  Alexander  and  Mary  E.  (Cox) 
Finley,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Mr.  Finley  of  this  review  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  later  was  a  student  at  the  University  of  Illinois.  As  soon  as  he  had  com- 
pleted his  education  he  took  up  farming  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  worked 
according  to  the  modern  and  scientific  principles,  which  he  acquired  in  his  univer- 
sity course.  In  the  spring  of  1905  he  started  in  for  himself  and  is  now  operating 
four  hundred  acres  of  land,  all  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  which  he 
devotes  to  live-stock  raising.  He  feeds  over  a  thousand  head  of  sheep,  many 
of  which  are  used  for  exhibition  purposes,  as,  for  instance,  Mr.  Finley  is  the 
largest  and  most  successful  exhibitor  of  sheep,  at  the  International  Fat  Stock 
Show  in  Chicago.  He  also  exhibits  cattle.  In  addition  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  also  feeds  cattle  and  hogs. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1904,  Mr.  Finley  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  S. 
Fox,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  J.  W.  and  Charlotte  (Stanley)  Fox,  the  former  a 
Congregational  minister.  Mrs.  Finley  received  her  education  at  Wheaton,  grad- 
uating with  the  class  of  1900,  and  at  Oberlin  College,  of  Oberlin,  Ohio.  To  Mr. 


J.  ORTOX  FIXLEY 


580  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

until  his  death  in  Adams  county,  enlisted  in  the  army  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war 
and  saw  active  service  in  a  numher  of  important  hattles.  There  were  seven  chil- 
dren in  the  family,  two  daughters  who  are  deceased,  and  five  sons,  all  living. 
They  are :  Samuel,  at  Fairfield,  Pennsylvania ;  Robert  and  John,  also  of  that  state ; 
Grant,  who  lives  in  the  state  of  Washington :  and  Abraham,  of  this  review. 

During  his  boyh<io(l  days  si>ent  in  Adams  county.  Pennsylvania,  Abraham 
Hoofnagle  obtained  an  elementary  education  in  the  rural  schools  of  his  locality, 
and  when  not  engaged  with  his  text-books  was  employed  in  various  occupations 
about  the  farm  thus  leaming  at  an  early  age  the  many  details  necessary  to  know 
in  connection  with  the  tilling  of  the  soil  and  the  raising  of  cattle.  In  1874  he 
came  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Knox  township  where  he  first  worked  on  a  farm 
in  the  employment  of  another.  Later  he  engaged  in  agriculture  on  his  own 
account.  Seven  years  ago.  in  1904.  he  purchased  the  tract  of  land  on  which  he 
now  lives,  eighty  acres  of  the  soil  of  which  is  particularly  rich  and  productive. 
He  is  i)rogressive  in  his  methods  and  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  make  his  |)lace  one 
of  the  attractive  sjmts  in  the  county,  conspicuous  for  its  good  ecjuipment  and  its 
thorough  cultivation.  :.  ) 

Mr.  Hoofnagle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Amy  P.rown,  the  marriage 
occurring  in  Knox  county  in  1895.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Amos  Hrown,  an 
early  pioneer  settler  in  the  county.  IJoth  parents  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  lloofnagle  are  the  parents  of  six  children:  Mabel,  .\lva,  P.ernice,  Russell, 
Eva  and  Cecil,  all  living  at  home.  Surrounded  by  an  interesting  family  for 
whom  he  wishes  to  provide  a  comfortable  living  and  make  larger  oi)])ortunities 
possil)le.  Mr.  lloofnagle  finds  that  inijjelling  inspiration  in  his  work  that  urges 
him  on  to  constantly  renewed  effort  and  cannot  fail  of  winning  success. 


J.  ORTOX  FIXLEY. 

J.  Orton  Finley,  who  resides  on  section  24,  Ontario  township,  was  born  on 
the  iSth  of  December.  1874,  and  is  a  son  of  J,  Alexander  and  Mary  E.  (Cox) 
Finley,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  voltime, 

Mr,  Finley  of  this  review  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  later  was  a  student  at  the  University  of  Illinois.  As  soon  as  he  had  com- 
pleted his  education  he  took  up  farming  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  worked 
according  to  the  modern  and  scientific  principles,  which  he  acquired  in  his  univer- 
sity course.  In  the  spring  of  nx^S  he  started  in  for  himself  and  is  now  operating 
four  hundre<l  acres  of  land,  all  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  which  he 
devotes  to  live-stock  raising.  He  feeds  over  a  thousand  head  of  sheep,  many 
of  which  are  used  for  exhibition  purposes,  as,  for  instance,  Mr.  Finley  is  the 
largest  and  most  successful  exhibitor  of  sheej).  at  the  International  Fat  Stock 
Show  in  Chicago.  He  also  exhibits  cattle.  In  addition  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  also  feeds  cattle  and  hogs. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1004,  Mr.  Finley  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  S. 
Fox,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev,  J.  W.  and  Charlotte  (Stanley)  Fox.  the  former  a 
Congregational  minister.  Mrs.  Finley  received  her  education  at  Wheaton,  grad- 
uating with  the  class  of  1900,  and  at  Oberlin  College,  of  Oberlin,  Ohio.  To  Mr. 


.1.  OUTON   I-'INI.KV 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  583 

and  Mrs.  Finley  three  children  have  been  born,  Mary  C.,  Sarah  E.  and  Anne 
Josephine.  In  political  views  Mr.  Finley  is  a  republican  and  keeps  well  informed 
on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day.  He  has  served  as  school  director  for  a 
number  of  years  and  the  cause  of  education  finds  in  him  an  ardent  champion 
whose  labors  in  its  behalf  are  practical,  beneficial  and  far  reaching.  His  religious 
faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Oneida. 
He  occupies  a  prominent  position  in  agricultural  and  social  circles  and  has  aided 
materially  in  the  upbuilding  and  advancement  of  the  county,  being  widely  rec- 
ognized as  a  public-spirited  citizen.  ^  : 


:/-;:-:/       :/    :,;  -  ,    v:^  FRED  O.  McFARLAND.          .          •':^^^:' 

Fred  O.  McFarland,  a  practitioner  of  the  Galesburg  bar,  a  member  of  what 

•  is  one  of  the  leading  law  firms  of  the  city  under  the  name  of  Williams,  Lawrence, 
';  Welsh  &  Green,  was  bom  in  Mendon,  Adams  county,  Illinois,  June  6,   1875, 

His  father,  Adam  McFarland,  was  also  a  native  of  this  state  and  was  a  son  of 

•  John  McFarland,  who  was  born  near  Clearland,  Ohio,  but  became  one  of  the 
y;  early  residents  of  Adams  county,  Illinois.     He  died  when  seventy-five  years  of 
,   age.     The  children  of  his  first  marriage  were  David,  Thomas,  Elizabeth,  Jose- 
phine and  Mary  J.     After  losing  his  first  wife  he  married  Catharine  Taylor,  a 

';  native  of  Kentucky,  and  unto  this  union  there  were  born  five  children,  William, 
Adam,  Sarah,  Martha  and  Olive. 

Adam  McFarland  was  reared  in  Adams  county,  Illinois,  and  in  early  life 
'  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  his  death,  in  1882.  He 
'.  married  Deborah  Ely,  a  native  of  this  state  and  a  daughter  of  Ralph  and  Per- 

•  melia  Ely.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  became  one  of  the  pioneer  set- 
{  tiers  of  Adams  county,  Illinois,  where  both  he  and  his  wife  died  when  well 
':  advanced  in  years.  Their  family  numbered  five  children,  Jared,  Phoebe,  Emma, 

.'-  Deborah  and  Lewis.     Deborah  became  the  wife  of  Adam  McFarland  and  unto 

: .  them  were  born  five  children,  of  whom  four  reached  years  of  maturity :  Fred 
^  O. ;  Herman,  who  died  in  the  Spanish- American  war;  Ralph;  and  Floyd,  who  is 
living  in  Norman,  Oklahoma. 

Fred  O.  McFarland  spent  his  youthful  days  in  the  usual  manner  of  lads  of 

V  the  locality  and  period,  dividing  his  time  between  the  duties  of  the  schoolroom  and 

.  -.  the  pleasures  of  the  playground,  and  when  about  twelve  years  old  began  to  leam 

:'  the  printer's  trade  which  he  followed  during  school  and  college  vacations  for  a 

number  of  years.    He  completed  the  high-school  course  in  1892  and  following  his 

graduation  entered  Knox  College  in  the  fall  of  1893.     He  is  numbered  among 

its  alumni  of  the  class  of  1898  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  he  removed  to  Knox> 

ville,  Illinois,  where  he  became  editor  of  the  Knox  County  News,  continuing 

with  this  publication  until  the  ist  of  August,  1899.     He  regarded  his  newspaper 

career,  however,  merely  as  an  initial  step  and  help  toward  professional  life,  for 

in  the  fall  of  the  latter  year  he  matriculated  in  the  law  department  of  the  Iowa 

University,  in  which  he  spent  one  year.     He  then  came  to  Galesburg  and  was 

.    a  student  in  the  office  of  Williams,  Lawrence  &  Welsh,  prominent  attorneys. 

At  the  same  time  he  provided  for  his  own  support  by  working  on  the  Galesburg 

Evening  Mail  and  the  Republican   Register  and  later  he  entered   the  circuit 

VoL 


584  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

clerk's  office  in  the  position  of  deputy  in  September,  1902,  and  so  continued  for 
seven  years,  his  service  being  entirely  acceptable  in  this  connection.  It  was  during 
that  period  that,  in  1906,  he  took  the  bar  examination  and  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice in  the  month  of  June.  However,  he  continued  in  the  circuit  clerk's  office 
until  December,  1909,  when  he  entered  the  office  of  Williams,  Lawrence,  Welsh 
&  Green  as  a  member  of  the  firm. 

On  the  i6th  of  December,  1903,  Mr.  McFarland  was  married  to  Miss  Edith 
Simpson,  a  native  of  Knoxville  and  a  daughter  of  James  S.  and  Mary  (McGowan) 
Simpson.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  William  Simpson,  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  an  early  settler  of  Knoxville,  Illinois,  where  he  operated  a  mill  for 
many  years.  He  married  Susan  Gallagher  and  to  them  were  born  three  chil- 
dren, James  S.,  Jane  and  Nancy.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  William  Mc- 
Gowan and  he,  too,  was  an  early  resident  of  Knoxville  and  a  prominent  citizen 
there  in  pioneer  times.  Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  twelve  children,  of 
whom  eight  reached  maturity,  Henry,  Curtis,  Mary,  Harry,  Charles,  Frank,  Car- 
rie and  Belle.  James  S.  Simpson  was  a  native  of  Westmoreland  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  his  wife  was  bom  and  reared  in  Knoxville,  Illinois.  Mr.  Simpson 
died  August  ii,  1911.  They  became  parents  of  two  sons  and  a  daughter,  Irvin, 
Edith  and  Harry.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McFarland  has  been  born  but  one  child, 
Maxine.  Mr.  McFarland  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  and 
his  wife  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  has  voted  with  the  republican  party 
since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  is  somewhat  prominent 
in  its  local  ranks.  He  is  a  member  of  the  county  central  committee  and  is  serving 
now  as  a  member  of  the  city  council,  having  been  elected  from  the  sixth  ward  in 
1909  and  reelected  in  1911,  thus  receiving  indorsement  of  his  first  term.  He 
is  deeply  interested  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  city's  welfare  and  improve- 
ment and  in  the  questions  which  come  before  the  council  for  settlement  he  seeks 
ever  to  support  those  plans  and  projects  which  eliminate  useless  expenditure  and 
misrule  in  public  affairs  and  promote  the  general  good.  ':  -  . 


.>;V^   V  GEORGE  PATTY.       ;;:;•'•:•  t-\>;v 

George  Patty,  a  well  known  agriculturist  of  Victoria  township,  who  has  re- 
tired  from  the  active  work  of  the  fields  but  still  makes  his  home  on  his  farm, 
is  a  native  of  Knox  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the  township,  where 
he  now  lives,  on  the  lOth  of  July,  1849.  His  parents  were  Josiah  and  Rebecca 
(Brown)  Patty,  the  father  a  native  of  Tennessee,  where  he  was  also  reared, 
and  the  mother  of  North  Carolina.  They  were  married  in  Tennessee  and  there 
they  passed  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life,  coming  to  Knox  county  in 
1837.  Upon  their  arrival  they  located  in  Victoria  township,  where  the  father 
successfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  during  the  remainder  of  his  active 
life.  He  acquired  extensive  property  interests,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
owned  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  three  hundred  and  twenty  of 
which  was  under  cultivation  and  the  remainder  in  timber.  Both  parents  passed 
away  on  the  homestead  and  were  buried  in  Salem  cemetery.  The  family  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patty  numbered  eight,  the  two  eldest  of  whom  were  born  in 
Tennessee  and  the  others  in  this  county.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows: 
James ;  William ;  Sarah  J. ;  Nancy  A. ;  Obed ;  Robert ;  George ;  and  Josiah. 
The  parents  originally  joined  the  Baptist  church,  but  after  locating  in  Victoria 


-r  .;/:>;  ;;;;.^:v:;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .  T  f  vr  585 

township,  Mrs.  Patty  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.    The  father 
.••^:    voted  the  democratic  ticket,  but  never  sought  office. 

The  entire  life  of  George  Patty  has  been  passed  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
'    of  his  present  home,  his  education  having  been  obtained  in  the  Center  Prairie 

•  '•    district  school.     When  still  in  his  early  boyhood  he  was  assigned  duties  about 

the  farm,  and,  as  in  common  with  other  lads  of  the  pioneer  period,  he  had  to 

assume  his  share  of  the  duties  and  responsibilities  that  devolved  upon  both 

.       young  and  old  living  on  the  frontier.     By  the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity 

.,      he  was  a  practical  agriculturist,  continuing  to  devote  his  entire  attention  to  this 

•  vocation  until  1904,  when  he  turned  over  the  operation  of  his  farms  to  his  son 
:    V    and  son-in-law.     He  early  manifested  the  energy  and  perseverance  that  have 

•  been  the  salient  factors  in  his  success,  so  intelligently  directing  his  undertakings 
.  .    that  he  acquired  three  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable  land,  all  of  which 
.  \-     is  under  high  cultivation.     His  holdings  are  located  on  section  14,  of  Victoria 

township,  on  the  east  side  of  the  north  and  south  road.     During  the  period  of 

his  ownership  he  has  erected  all  of  the  buildings  now  standing,  including  the 

'''••'    house,  which  was  built  in  1876,  and  has  wrought  various  other  improvements 

-  consistent  with  the  spirit  of  progress  and  enterprise  he  has  at  all  times  evinced. 

•.    For  his  wife  Mr.  Patty  chose  Miss  Rosetta  Florence  Cain,  who  was  bom 

,_  '     in  Stark  county,  Illinois,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Barbara  Cain.     Four 

.       children  have  been  born  to  them,  as  follows:     Joseph  Delbert,  who  married 

V    Pearl  Tucker  and  is  now  residing  on  one  of  his  father's  farms;  Roy,  who  chose 

'  ,      for  his  wife  Blanch  Jarnagan,  and  lives  in  Galesburg;  Stella,  the  wife  of  Fred 

,       Orwig,  who  is  living  on  the  home  farm ;  and  Etta,  who  is  a  music  teacher. 

:          Ever  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise,  Mr.  Patty  has 
.:  •;    cast  his  ballot  for  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party.     He  has  always  taken 
'  .    an  active  interest  in  township  affairs,  and  during  his  early  manhood  assumed 
:        his  share  of  public  office,  serving  with  efficiency  both  as  justice  of  the  peace  and 
•'   ;    constable,  having  resigned   from  the  latter  office  before  the  expiration  of  his 
,       term.     His  energies  were  equally  divided  between  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  during  the  long  period  of  his  agricultural  career,  both  occupations  prov- 
ing to  be  remunerative  under  his  intelligent  and  capable  supervision.    He  is  now 
.      enjoying  the  ease  and  comfort  afforded  by  the  goodly  income  received  from  his 
;  >   property;  the  reward  of  the  well  ispent  years  of  his  early  life. 


•_.;;:."        CARL  G.  JOHNSON,  M.  D.         :        A: -U-  ; 

.  A  capable  representative  of  the  medical  fraternity  of  Galesburg  is  Dr.  Carl 

'  G.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Ascarshamn,  Sweden,  on  the  5th  of  January,  1865. 

•  .'  He  is  a  son  of  Carl  X.  and  Helena  S.  (Malstrom)  Johnson,  who  were  natives 

;  of  the  same  locality,  the  father's  birth  occurring  on  March  15,  1842,  and  that 

:::  of  the  mother  on  Christmas  day,  1841.  In  his  early  youth  the  father  followed 

;• ;.'  the  sea,  but  later  he  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  Chafing  under 

•;  the  limitations  of  his  native  land  and  its  meager  opportunities,  he,  in  1869,  to- 

,-:  gether  with  his  family,  emigrated  to  the  United  States.  He  came  directly  to 

.  '  Galesburg  and  for  a  short  time  was  employed  in  a  lumberyard  here,  subse- 

;  quently  taking  a  position  as  boiler  maker  with  the  Frost  Manufacturing  Com- 

.:  pany.    He  was  an  efficient  employe,  thoroughly  reliable  and  trustworthy  as  well 


«86  _        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

as  thrifty  and  enterprising,  and  about  1882  he  purchased  stock  in  the  company, 
and  later  was  made  foreman  of  his  department.  In  1894  he  withdrew  from 
active  work,  having  acquired  a  competence  that  provided  him  and  his  wife  with 
all  of  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life,  and  has  ever  since  lived 
retired.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  were  married  in  Ascarshamn,  Sweden,  in  the 
fall  of  1863,  and  to  them  were  born  three  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
eldest.  The  second  member  of  the  family,  Selma  S.,  the  wife  of  Nathan  Hoog- 
ner,  lives  in  Minneapolis,  and  Hulda  A.,  the  youngest,  is  deceased.  The  parents 
are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  they  reared 
their  family,  always  taking  an  active  interest  in  the  work  of  the  various  depart- 
ments of  this  organization,  Mr.  Johnson  having  for  many  years  been  one  of 
the  deacons.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party,  but  has  never  been  an  office  seeker. 

As  he  was  only  a  lad  of  four  and  a  half  years  when  he  came  to  Galesburg 
with  his  parents.  Dr.  Johnson  has  passed  practically  his  entire  life  in  this  city. 
He  acquired  his  preliminary  education  in  the  common  and  high  schools  of  the 
city  and  then  entered  Augustana  College  at -Rock  Island,  graduating  from  the 
scientific   department   with  the  class  of    1889.     Having  decided  to   adopt   the 
medical  profession  for  his  life  vocation,  the  following  autumn  he  matriculated 
in  the  Long  Island  College  Hospital,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  being  awarded 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  with  the  class  of  1892.     In  order  to  better  qualify  himself 
for  the  duties  of  a  general  practitioner,  immediately  following  his  graduation 
he  became  an  interne  in  the  Eastern  District  Hospital,  being  identified  with  this 
institution  from  June  to  September.    Resigning  his  position  in  the  latter  month, 
he  went  to  Minneapolis  and  entered  the  City  Hospital  in  the  same  capacity.    He 
remained  there  until  June,   1895,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg,  where  he  was 
associated  with  Dr.  Wilson  until  November,  1896.     His  various  experiences  had 
brought  him  to  a  full  recognition  of  his  deficiencies  and  needs  and  he  subse- 
quently went  abroad,  spending  four  months  in  post-graduate  work  in  the  hos- 
pitals of  London,  Berlin  and  Braunschweig.     Upon  his  return  to  Galesburg  he 
established  an  office  and  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  general  practice.     In 
addition  to  an  excellent  equipment  for  the  profession.  Dr.  Johnson  is  by  nature 
well  qualified  for  the  varied  and  exacting  duties  of  a  physician.     He  possesses 
a  kindly  sympathetic  nature,  an  abundance  of  vitality  and  the  ease  and  assurance 
as  well  as  the  perception  that  inspires  confidence  in  him  and  the  school  he  repre- 
sents.   During  the  period  of  his  connection  with  the  medical  profession  of  Knox 
county,  he  has  had  ample  opportunity  to  manifest  his  skill  both  as  a  physician 
and  surgeon.     In  his  diagnosis  he  is  seldom  if  ever  at  fault,  while  he  possesses 
the  acute  mental  faculties,  delicate  yet  firm  touch  and  deft  hand  so  essential  in 
the  operating  room.    His  abilities  have  received  their  full  recognition,  and  he  is 
enjoying  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.     He  was  a  member  of  the  Galesburg 
City  Hospital  board  for  fourteen  years,  during  four  of  which  he  was  chief  of 
the  staff  and  for  the  past  seven  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  staff  of 
Augustana  Hospital  in  Chicago. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  1896,  Dr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Hannah  Larson,  a  daughter  of  Paul  and  Hannah  Larson,  of  Moline,  Illinois, 
and  they  have  two  children:  Helena  Katharine,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Gales- 
burg, on  the  3d  of  October,  1900;  and  Fritiof  Paul,  bom  in  Chicago,  February 
8,  1909-  ,  ....  .  .  ... 


V.;v;A:      -  ;  :  5^    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  ^   V    '  587 

For  the  past  seven  years,  Dr.  Johnson  has  been  a  trustee  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church,  in  which  both  he  and  Mrs.  Johnson  hold  membership.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  he  also 
belongs  to  the  Galesburg  Club,  while  he  maintains  relations  with  the  members 
of  his  profession,  through  his  connection  with  the  City  and  Knox  County  Medi- 
cal Societies  and  the  Illinois  State  and  American  Medical  Associations.  His 
political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  takes  aft  active  interest 
in  all  municipal  questions,  and  during  the  years  of  1904-5  represented  the 
second  precinct  of  the  second  ward  as  alderman,  while  he  filled  the  office  of 
health  commissioner  of  the  city  during  1906  and  1907  to  the  general  satisfaction 
of  the  constituency.  Dr.  Johnson  is  a  man  who  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  community  and  its  welfare,  and  cooperates  in  every 
progressive  movement.  Educational  matters  in  particular  engage  his  attention 
and  for  twelve  years  he  was  a  member  of  Augustana  College  board  of  trustees. 
Efficiency  is  one  of  the  most  striking  of  Dr.  Johnson's  characteristics,  and  is 
especially  marked  in  his  conscientious  devotion  to  the  interests  of  his  patients 
and  his  loyalty  to  every  trust  reposed  in  him.  '  -  :  ;  , '  : 


^  :   •  • -^  ^    /;V     JOSEPH  G.  REED. 

Joseph  G.  Reed  owns  and  controls  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  rich  and 
valuable  land  on  section  i,  Victoria  township,  where  he  makes  a  specialty  of 
raising  thoroughbred  Hereford  cattle,  on  which  he  has  won  several  prizes.  He 
was  born  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  November  27,  1860,  the  son  of  George  and 
Jane  (Cockburn)  Reed,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  England  and  were 
married  in  that  country.  The  parents  on  coming  to  the  United  States,  located 
in  Henry  county  and  after  several  years  removed  to  Knox  county,  residing  first 
in  Victoria  township  and  later  in  Lynn  township,  where  the  father  still  resides, 
at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-one  years.  The  mother  passed  away  at  the  age 
of  eighty-one  and  is  buried  in  Lynn  township.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  and  her  husband  belongs  to  the  Christian  church,  although  in  their 
native  country  both  were  natives  of  the  Church  of  England.  The  father  even 
at  his  advanced  age  has  a  remarkable  memory.  He  is  a  stanch  republican  and 
has  been  a  very  active  politician  in  his  time.  Fraternally  he  is  associated  with 
the  Masonic  lodge.  In  their  family  were  ten  children,  namely:  Annie,  Mary 
and  John,  who  were  born  in  England;  Gabriel  and  Mary,  whose  birth  and 
demise  occurred  in  that  country ;  and  George,  Joseph,  Emma  and  two  who  are 
deceased,— William  and  an  infant  girl — all  of  whom  were  born  in  Henry  county, 
Illinois. 

Joseph  G.  Reed  was  three  years  old  when  his  parents  removed  to  Victoria 
township,  where  he  was  reared  and  received  his  education.  On  reaching  man's 
estate  he  was  employed  for  some  time  on  a  farm  in  Victoria  township,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years  in  Lynn  township.  Subsequently 
returning  to  Victoria  township,  he  rented  land  for  a  few  years  and,  in  1895, 
purchased  of  Lafe  Kennedy  his  present  farm,  on  which  he  has  made  all  of  the 
improvements  and  erected  all  of  the  buildings.  He  engages  to  some  extent  in 


588  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

general  farming  but  does  not  attempt  to  raise  more  g^ain  than  is  needed  to 
feed  his  Hereford  cattle,  of  which  he  has  yearly  about  thirty  head.  Besides  his 
fanning  interests  Mr.  Reed  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  is  vice  president  and  director  of  the  La  Fayette  Fair  Association. 

Mr.  Reed  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jessie  I.  Grant,  a  native  of  Lynn 
township  and  a  daughter  of  H.  P.  and  Lucy  (Norton)  Grant,  the  father  bom 
in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  and  the  mother  in  the  state  of  Connecticut.  The 
parents  were  married  in  Stark  county  and  lived  in  Lynn  township  until  the 
time  of  the  retirement  of. the  father  who  first  removed  to  Galva,  Illinois,  and 
later  to  La  Fayette,  where  he  now  resides,  making  his  home  with  his  daughter. 
The  mother  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years  and  is  buried  in  La  Fayette. 
The  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  in  connection  was  an  auctioneer 
and  also  served  as  assessor  and  later  as  supervisor  of  Lynn  township,  being 
elected  on  the  republican  ticket.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
Ellen,  the  wife  of  John  Reed,  of  Galesburg  township ;  Arthur,  who  resides  in 
Stark  county,  Illinois ;  Jessie  I.,  now  Mrs.  Joseph  G.  Reed ;  Fred,  who  re^des 
in  Victoria  township;  Maude,  of  Galesburg;  N.  B.,  of  Stark  county;  and  Harold, 
of  Victoria  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  have  become  the  parents  of  two 
sons :  Walter  A.,  who  was  born  in  Lynn  township  and  lives  at  home ;  and 
Roy  W.,  who  was  born  in  Victoria  township  and  died  there  at  the  age  of  eight 
years.  He  is  buried  in  the  Galva  cemetery.  Mr.  Reed  in  political  allegiance 
is  indei>endent  and  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order  and  is 
master  of  the  lodge.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church 
at  La  Fayette  and  all  their  acquaintances  entertain  for  them  the  highest  regard. 


^^",c-;  CHARLES  C.  CRAIG.       -;;;-<', 

Charles  C.  Craig,  lawyer,  was  bom  in  Knoxville,  this  county,  on  the  i6th  of 
June,  1865,  his  parents  being  Alfred  M.  and  Elizabeth  P.  (Harvey)  Craig. 

Mr.  Craig  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools  and  afterward  attended 
Knox  College,  Notre  Dame  University  and  the  United  States  Naval  Academy. 
He  was  a  student  in  the  law  office  of  Stevenson  &  Ewing,  of  Bloomington  and 
also  attended  the  Wesleyan  Law  School.  Following  his  admission  to  the  bar,  in 
1888,  he  began  practice  and  for  twenty-three  years  has  been  an  active  representa- 
tive of  the  legal  profession  in  Galesburg.  He  has  been  in  general  practice  and 
the  success  which  he  has  attained  is  due  to  his  own  efforts  and  merits.  He  has 
been  counsel  in  many  important  cases  tried  in  Knox  and  adjoining  counties  and 
has  enjoyed  a  large  practice  before  the  courts  of  this  state  and  in  other  states.  In- 
addition  to  his  law  practice  Mr.  Craig  is  interested  in  farming  and  is  identified 
with  various  business  interests  in  this  cty.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  Bank 
of  Galesburg  and  also  its  attorney  for  several  years  and  is  now  president  of  that 
bank.  Mr.  Craig  is  a  democrat  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics  until 
his  increasing  law  practice  and  business  interests  demanded  his  entire  time.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  forty-first  and  forty-second  general  assembly,  was 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  agriculture  of  the  Illinois  commission  at  the  Loui- 
siana Purchase  Exposition  at  St.  Louis ;  was  nominated  as  the  candidate  of  his 


C.  C.  CRAIG 


588  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  ;    : 

general  farming  but  does  not  attempt  to  raise  more  grain  than  is  needed  to 
feed  his  Hereford  cattle,  of  which  he  has  yearly  about  thirty  head.  Besides  his 
farming  interests  Mr.  Reed  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers'  Mutual  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  is  vice  president  and  director  of  the  La  Fayette  Fair  Association. 

Mr.  Reed  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jessie  I.  Grant,  a  native  of  Lynn 
township  and  a  daughter  of  H.  P.  and  Lucy  (Xorton)  Grant,  the  father  born 
in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  and  the  mother  in  the  state  of  Connecticut.  The 
parents  were  married  in  Stark  county  and  lived  in  Lynn  township  until  the 
time  of  the  retirement  of  the  father  who  first  removed  to  Galva.  Illinois,  and 
later  to  La  Fayette.  where  he  now  resides,  making  his  home  with  his  daughter. 
The  mother  died  at  the  age  of  seventy -one  years  and  is  buried  in  La  Fayette. 
The  father  followeil  the  occupation  of  farming  and  in  connection  was  an  auctioneer 
and  also  served  as  assessor  and  later  as  supervisor  of  Lynn  township,  being 
elected  on  the  republican  ticket.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children : 
Ellen,  the  wife  of  John  Reed,  of  Galesburg  township:  Arthur,  who  resides  in 
Stark  county.  Illinois :  Jessie  I.,  now  Mrs.  Joseph  G.  Reed :  Fred,  who  res'ides 
in  Victoria  township:  Claude,  of  Galesburg:  X.  B..  of  Stark  county:  and  Harold, 
of  Victoria  township.  ^Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  have  become  the  parents  of  two 
sons :  Walter  A.,  who  was  born  in  Lynn  township  and  lives  at  home :  and 
Roy  W..  who  was  born  in  Victoria  township  and  died  there  at  the  age  of  eight 
years.  He  is  buried  in  the  Galva  cemetery.  Mr.  Reed  in  political  allegiance 
is  independent  and  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order  and  is 
master  of  the  lodge.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church 
at  La  Fayette  and  all  their  acquaintances  entertain  for  them  the  highest  regard. 


CHARLES  C  CRAIG. 

Charles  C.  Craig,  lawyer,  was  lx>m  in  Knoxvillc.  this  county,  on  the  i6th  of 
June.  1865.  his  parent^  being  Alfred  M.  and  Elizabeth  P.  (Harvey)  Craig. 

Mr.  Craig  began  lii>  education  in  the  pul)lic  schools  and  afterward  attended 
Knox  College.  Xotre  Dame  L'niversity  and  the  L'nitetl  States  Xaval  Academy. 
He  was  a  student  in  the  law  oflfice  of  Stevenson  &  Ewing,  of  Bloomington  and 
also  attended  the  \\'esleyan  Law  School,  l-'ollowing  his  admission  to  the  bar.  in 
1888,  he  began  practice  and  for  twenty-three  years  has  been  an  active  representa- 
tive of  the  legal  jirofession  in  Galesburg.  He  has  been  in  general  practice  and 
the  success  which  he  has  attained  is  due  to  his  own  efforts  and  merits.  He  has 
been  counsel  in  many  im])ortant  cases  tried  in  Knox  and  adjoining  counties  and 
has  enjoyed  a  large  ])ractice  before  the  courts  of  this  state  and  in  other  states.  In- 
addition  to  his  law  practice  Mr.  Craig  is  interested  in  farming  and  is  identified 
with  various  business  interests  in  this  cty.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  Bank 
of  Galesburg  and  also  its  attorney  for  several  years  and  is  now  president  of  that 
bank.  Mr.  Craig  is  a  democrat  and  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  politics  until 
his  increasing  law  jjractice  and  business  interests  demanded  his  entire  time.  He 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  forty-first  and  forty-second  general  assembly,  was 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  agriculture  of  the  Illinois  commission  at  the  Loui- 
siana Purchase  Exposition  at  St.  Louis :  was  nominated  as  the  candidate  of  his 


r.  r.  CRAK; 


^  <;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  "x          :  691 

party  for  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  in  1909,  and  only  defeated  by  a  small  ma- 
jority. He  also  has  an  interesting  military  chapter  in  his  life  history,  having  for 
several  years  served  as  captain  of  Battery  B,  of  the  First  Artillery,  Illinois  Na- 
tional Guard,  while  at  the  present  writing  he  is  lieutenant  colonel  and  ordinance 
officer,  on  the  staff  of  General  Kittleson,  of  the  Third  Brigade  and  is  instructor 
and  supen'isor  of  rifle  practice  of  the  various  companies  in  the  Northwest  part 
of  the  state. 

On  the  1 5th  of  July,  1893,  Mr.  Craig  was  married  to  Miss  Louise  Dary,  a 
daughter  of  Eugene  and  Sidonia  (Benedict)  Dary,  of  New  Orleans.  Her  father 
was  a  merchant  of  that  city  and  Memphis.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  now  de- 
ceased. Their  daughter,  Mrs.  Craig,  has  been  continuously  a  resident  of  Gales- 
burg  since  her  marriage.  Both  he  and  Mrs.  Craig  are  well  known  socially  in 
this  city  and  throughout  the  state.  Colonial  Craig  is  a  member  of  the  Galesburg 
Club,  the  Elks  and  several  other  societies,  while  in  Masonry  he  has  attained 
high  rank,  holding  membership  in  Galesburg  Commandery,  Knights  Templar  and 
in  the  Mystic  Shrine.  His  interests  are  wide  and  varied  and  his  influence  is 
found  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement.  He  has  always  been  popular 
with  his  business  associates. 


:::-l':-/-.,y-;.-.^^-^^^^  BULSON.        --•    ^r '     .    're-'''-^ 

Ira  Bulson,  one  of  the  well  known  native  sons  of  Victoria  township  as  well 
as  one  of  the  highly  successful  and  capable  agriculturists,  was  born  on  the  farm, 
where  he  now  resides,  on  the  7th  of  October,  1863.  His  father,  Frederick  Bul- 
son, one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county,  was  bom  and  reared  in  Otsego 
county.  New  York.  At  an  age  between  twenty-one  and  twenty-two  years  he 
left  his  native  state  and  came  west,  locating  in  Knox  county.  Here  he  met  and 
married  Miss  Mary  Heinline,  who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  subsequently  locat- 
ing on  the  farm  now  owned  and  operated  by  their  son  Ira.  Mr.  Bulson  was  an 
ambitious,  enterprising  agriculturist  and  capable  business  man,  who  directed  his 
undertakings  with  intelligence  and  sagacity.  He  met  with  success  ultimately, 
although  the  early  years  were  well  filled  with  the  usual  obstacles  and  difficulties 
that  confront  the  pioneer.  He  erected  practically  all  of  the  buildings  now 
standing  on  the  place  and  brought  the  fields  into  a  high  state  of  productivity. 
The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bulson  numbered  eight,  our  subject  being  the 
seventh  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are  as  follows :  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Clin- 
ton Bradley,  of  Iowa ;  Hannah,  the  deceased  wife  of  David  Shearer ;  Lizzie, 
who  married  M.  A.  Shearer  of  Clay  county,  Nebraska ;  Georg^,  who  died  in 
childhood;  Alice,  the  wife,  of  Henry  Turner  of  Clay  county,  Nebraska;  Mary, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Santa  Anna,  California ;  and  Adam,  who  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  twenty-two  years.  The  children  were  born  and  reared  on  the  farm  and 
there  the  parents  passed  the  latter  years  of  their  life,  the  mother  being  sixty  at 
the  time  of  her  death,  while  the  father  had  attained  the  venerable  age  of  eighty- 
six  when  called  to  his  final  rest.  They  are  both  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Vic- 
toria. Mr.  Bulson  was  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  the  township  and  took  an 
active  and  helpful  interest  in  its  -political  affairs,  giving  his  support  to  the  can- 


592  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  didates  of  the  democratic  party.  He  discharged  with  efficiency  the  duties  of 
pathmaster  and  at  one  time  he  was  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  school 
directors. 

The  entire  life  of  Ira  Bulson  has  been  passed  on  the  farm  he  now  owns 
and  which  is  endeared  to  him  by  the  memories  of  childhood  as  well  as  the  asso- 
ciations of  his  mature  years.  He  attended  the  district  school  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  home,  and  while  mastering  the  elements  of  English  learning  assisted  with  the 
work  of  the  farm,  the  services  of  the  entire  family  being  required  to  perform 
the  multitudinous  duties  connected  with  its  operation.  When  he  had  acquired  a 
sufficient  public-school  training,  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, with  the  intention  of  qualifying  himself  to  adopt  this  life  vocation  upon 
attaining  his  maturity.  After  his  marriage  he  brought  his  bride  to  the  home  of 
his  parents,  later  acquiring  the  title  to  the  property.  Since  becoming  the  owner 
of  the  farm,  Mr.  Bulson  has  remodeled  and  improved  many  of  the  buildings  to 
which  he  has  also  made  additions.  As  his  circumstances  have  warranted  during 
the  passing  years  he  has  introduced  various  modern  conveniences  and  appliances 

,.  that  have  added  greatly  to  the  ccMnfort  and  value  of  the  place.  His  operations 
have  always  been  conducted  along  the  lines  of  general  farming,  but  in  connection 
therewith  he  has  also  raised  stock,  both  lines  of  departure  having  proven  remu- 
nerative under  his  capable  direction.  Success  has  attended  the  efforts  of  Mr. 
Bulson  and  in  addition  to  his  valuable  property  he  owns  stock  in  the  Farmers' 
Elevator  at  Victoria  and  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  State  Bank  at  Galva. 

Mr.  Bulson  has  twice  married,  his  first  union  being  with  Miss  Minnie  Dud- 
ley, and  they  became  the  parents  of  a  son  and  daughter,  Harry  and  Jessie.  On 
the  2d  of  June,  1911,  Mr.  Bulson  and  Miss  Laura  Boggs  were  united  in  marriage. 
The  present  Mrs.  Bulson  is  a  native  of  Galva  and  a  daughter  of  Light  and  Laura 
Boggs,  residents  of  that  place.  His  holdings  are  located  in  Lynn  and  Victor 
townships,  but  he  resides  on  section  6  of  Victoria  township,  his  house  facing 
the  road  that  divides  Copley  and  Victor  townships. 

Ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise  upon  attaining  his  majortiy,  Mr. 
Bulson  has  accorded  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party. 
Although  he  is  interested  in  local  political  activities  and  meets  the  requirements 
of  good  citizenship  by  the  casting  of  his  ballot  on  election  day,  he  has  never 
aspired  to  office,  always  having  preferred  to  give  his  undivided  attention  to  the 
development  of  his  private  affairs.  Both  Mr.  Bulson  and  his  family  are  held 
in  high  esteem  in  the  community,  where  the  name  has  been  held  in  favorable 
regard  for  three  generations,  and  the  hospitality  of  the  best  homes  is  freely 
accorded  them.  .  .''%••;';• 


.       ^  .-i.>:  WILLIAM   HENRY  GIBBS.  '     '    ;•  ;     M^ 

William  Henry  Gibbs,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  insurance  business 
in  Galva,  Illinois,  was  bom  February  8,  1849,  '"  Philadelphia,  his  parents  being 
Joseph  D.  and  Ann  Elizabeth  (Goetzinger)  Gibbs,  natives  of  Delaware  county, 
New  Jersey.  The  father  came  to  Knox  county  with  his  father,  Martin  Gibbs, 
who  located  at  Gibbs  settlement,  being  at  that  time  beside  a  Mr.  Lafferty  the  only 


^  ^  ;  :^,/  •:          :      ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ';;;::.          593 

settler  in  Lynn  township.  Subsequently  Joseph  D.  Gibbs  returned  home,  going 
by  boat  as  far  as  Pennsylvania  and  working  his  way  overland  through  that 
state.  The  grandmother,  Hannah  Beck,  died  in  Illinois,  in  1849.  Joseph  Daven- 
port Gibbs  passed  away  in  1891. 

After  spending  a  few  years  in  the  common  schools  and  attending  Galva  high 
school  for  two  years  and  Coles  Business  College  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  William 
H.  Gibbs  assisted  his  father  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-four  years 
of  age.  At  that  time  he  was  married  and  removed  to  the  property  which  is  now 
the  Goff  farm  and  where  he  remained  fifteen  years  previous  to  coming  to  Galva, 
in  1890.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  town  he  engaged  in  the  insurance  business, 
which  he  is  still  conducting  in  connection  with  the  real-estate  business. 

Mr.  Gibbs  was  married  to  Miss  Harriett  Westerdale,  who  is  a  native  of  Lon- 
don, England,  having  been  born  there  in  1855.  Her  parents,  William  and  Sophia 
(Bampton)  Westerdale,  formerly  of  London,  came  to  Copley  township  in  1849 
and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  which  they  followed  for  many  years.  In 
the  meantime  Mr.  Westerdale  returned  for  a  short  visit  to  England  and  upon  the 
conclusion  of  this  he  returned  to  Copley  township,  where  he  again  took  up  his 
residence.  His  death  occurred  there  in  1897,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 
Mrs.  Westerdale  was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Henrietta  Bampton,  also  natives 
of  England,  where  the  grandfather,  William  Westerdale,  Sr.,  enlisted  for  active 
service  in  the  Crimean  war.  He  was  a  florist  in  London,  and  came  to  America 
with  his  family  by  way  of  Canada  and  settled  near  Peoria.  Illinois. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  have  become  the  parents  of  three  children.  Eva  H.,  the 
eldest,  is  the  wife  of  James  S.  Richmond,  of  St.  Charles,  Illinois.  After  grad- 
uating from  Knox  College  she  served  as  principal  of  the  high  school  for  six 
years.  Jessie  Bruce  is  teaching  vocal  music  in  Clinton,  Illinois.  She  makes  her 
home  with  her  father.  James  Bampton  is  bookkeeper  and  auditor  with  Parlin 
&  Orendorff  at  Canton,  Illinois. 

In  politics  Mr.  Gibbs  casts  his  vote  independent  of  any  party,  voting  for  the 
man  or  measure  which  he  thinks  will  be  most  effective  in  carrying  out  the  policies 
which  will  promote  civic  welfare.  He  was  town  clerk  for  seven  years,  having  been 
elected  on  the  people's  ticket.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  church 
of  Galva  and  is  a  member  of  the  Mystic  Workers.  Mrs.  Gibbs  is  a  prominent 
worker  for  the  temperance  cause  in  her  district  and  has  served  as  president  of 
the  Galva  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union  for  four  years.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gibbs  have  won  for  themselves  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know 
them  and  the  circle  of  their  friends  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  their 
acquaintances.  :  ' 


y       .     -          ;         '  AUGUSTUS  LUDING  APPELL.  ;^-^    '    •.V;;:-. 

Augustus  L.  Appell,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Lynn  township  since  his 
birth  on  the  Appell  homestead,  on  the  23d  of  August,  1877,  is  a  son  of  Charles 
L.  and  Sophia  (Anderson)  Appell.  To  the  parents,  whose  births  occurred  on 
June  II,  1837.  and  in  April,  1849,  respectively,  eleven  children  were  born,  namely: 
Lydia,  who  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  G.  A.  Brandell  of  Denver,  Colorado;  the  Rev. 


594  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  1;'. 

Alfred  Appell,  who  is  residing  in  Pittsburg;  Hannah,  who  is  married  to  Gust 
Liljaroot,  of  Lynn  township,  Knox  county;  Carl  J.,  who  is  an  attorney  in  Chi- 
cago ;  Amanda,  who  is  the  wife  of  Otto  Johnson,  of  Henry  county,  Illinois ; 
Augustus  L.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Edward  J.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Lynn 
township;  Alfrida  and  Ferdinand  L.,  both  of  whom  are  residing  at  home;  Mar- 
tin, who  is  living  at  home ;  and  Edith,  who  is  also  residing  at  home. 

Augustus  L.  Appell  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  the  manner  common  to 
the  average  boy  living  on  the  farm.  He  attended  the  district  school  for  a  few 
years  and  at  the  same  time  assisted  his  father  with  the  duties  which  daily  came 
to  hand  on  the  farm.  Later  he  devoted  his  entire  time  and  efforts  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits  in  which  his  father  was  engaged,  there  learning  to  work  along 
lines  of  profitable  and  practical  methods.  Subsequently  he  worked  out  as  a 
farm  hand  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age,  when  he  began  farming  independently 
on  a  part  of  the  home  property,  where  he  is  now  successfully  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock-raising.  During  the  five  years  of  his  management  this 
property  has  been  brought  under  a  greater  productivity  than  it  ever  before  showed, 
and  the  energy,  hard  labor  and  attention  to  details  which  Mr.  Appell  is  display- 
ing will  in  future  years  bring  him  increasing  returns. 

On  September  25th,  1907,  Mr.  Appell  was  married  to  Miss  Esther  Alfrida 
Nelson,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  22d  of  June,  1886,  in  Henry  county,  and 
who  is  a  daughter  of  Bert  L.  and  Anna  (Westman)  Nelson.  The  parents  are 
fifty-five  and  forty-five  years  of  age  respectively  and  are  residing  in  Galva.  Illi- 
nois. They  became  the  parents  of  four  children,  namely,  Ambrose  L.,  who  is  a 
resident  of  Henry  county ;  Mrs.  Augustus  L.  Appell ;  and  Dora  Norena  and  Edna, 
both  of  whom  are  living  at  home.  .:  •.  .  .-  :;;.;•  |  . 

Although  Mr.  Appell  is  very  active  in  political  circles  and  gives  his  support 
to  the  republican  party,  he  neither  seeks  nor  desires  office  excepting,  where  he 
can  assist  in  promoting  local  welfare.  At  present  he  is  serving  his  second  term 
as  justice  of  the  peace.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran,  holding  member- 
ship in  the  Lutheran  church  of  Galva.  In  his  community  he  enjoys  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  accorded  him  because  of  the  fidelity  and 
integrity,  which  characterize  all  his  undertakings  and  relations. 


•       JOHN  LOCKLIN.  ;V  ::  ,^-    >^ 

John  Locklin,  a  native  and  lifelong  resident  of  Rio  township,  was  born  Jan- 
uary 1 6,  1865,  his  parents,  Henry  and  Bridget  (Welch)  Locklin,  both  being 
natives  of  Dublin,  Ireland.  The  father  left  his  native  country  in  the  '5Os  and 
after  arriving  in  America,  resided  in  New  York  state  for  one  year  before  coming 
to  Knox  county  and  settling  at  Galesburg,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  From 
that  time  until  his  death  in  Henry  county,  in  1902.  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years, 
he  was  an  agriculturist.  His  farm  comprises  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  and 
had  been  well  cultivated  for  successful  general  farming.  Mrs.  Locklin,  who  is 
seventy-three  years  of  age,  is  still  a  resident  of  Knox  county. 

John  Locklin  received  his  education  in, the  common  schools  and  the  remainder 
of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Until  he  was  twenty-nine  years 


JOHN  LOCKLIX 


594  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY          ; 

Alfrctl  Appcll.  \vho  is  residing  in  Pittsburg;  Hannah,  who  is  married  to  Gust 
Liljaroot,  of  Lynn  township.  Knox  comity;  Carl  |..  who  is  an  attorney  in  Chi- 
cago; Amanda,  who  is  the  wife  of  Otto  Johnson,  of  Henry  county,  Illinois; 
Auj,'ustns  1,.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Kdward  J.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Lynn 
townshi]);  Alfrida  and  l-'enhnand  I...  both  of  whom  are  residing  at  home;  Mar- 
tin, who  is  living  at  home;  and  I'.dith.  who  is  also  residing  at  home.]  •  ,  -' 

Augustus  L.  Api)ell  sjjcnt  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  the  manner  common  to 
tlic  average  boy  living  on  the  farm.  He  attended  the  district  scliool  for  a  few 
years  and  at  the  same  time  assisted  his  father  with  the  duties  which  daily  came 
to  hand  on  the  farm.  Later  he  devoted  his  entire  time  and  efforts  to  agricul- 
tural purstiits  in  which  his  father  was  engaged,  there  learning  to  work  along 
lines  of  i)rotital)le  and  practical  methods.  Sttbse(|uently  he  worked  out  as  a 
farm  hand  until  he  was  tliirty  years  of  age,  when  he  began  fanning  independently 
on  a  ])art  of  the  home  ])ro])erty.  where  he  is  now  successfully  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock-raising.  During  the  five  years  of  his  management  this 
property  has  been  brotight  under  a  greater  i)rodttctivity  than  it  ever  before  showed, 
and  the  energy,  hard  labor  and  attention  to  details  which  Mr.  Appell  is  display- 
ing will  in  future  years  bring  him  increasing  returns. 

On  .*>eptember  25th,  1907.  Mr.  .\i)pell  was  married  to  Miss  Ksther  .Mfrida 
Xelson,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  22d  of  Jtme.  1886,  in  Henry  county,  and 
who  is  a  daughter  of  Uert  L.  and  Anna  (\\'estman)  Xelson.  The  parents  are 
I'lfty-live  and  forty-live  years  of  age  respectively  and  are  residing  in  (Jalva,  Illi- 
nois. They  became  the  ])arents  of  fotir  children,  namely,  .\mbrose  L.,  who  is  a 
resident  of  Henry  county;  Mrs.  .Augustus  L.  Aiipell ;  and  Dora  Xorena  and  I'.dna. 
both  of  whom  are  living  at  home. 

.\ltliough  .Mr.  Appell  is  very  active  in  i)olitical  circles  and  gives  his  support 
to  the  re])ublican  party,  he  neither  seeks  nor  desires  office  exce])ting,  where  he 
can  assist  in  ])ronioting  local  welfare.  .\t  present  he  is  serving  his  second  term 
as  justice  of  the  iieace.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran,  holding  member- 
shi])  in  the  Lutheran  church  of  ( lalva.  In  his  community  he  enjoys  the  res])ect 
and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  accorded  him  because  of  the  fidelity  and 
integrity,  which  chararteri/t-  all  his  undertakings  and  relations. 


;  ;;  :  JOHX  LOCKLIX.  v-     •. 

John  l.ocklin,  a  native  and  lifelong  resident  of  Rio  townshij),  was  born  Jan- 
uary if),  iW>5,  his  jiarents,  Henry  and  I'.ridget  (Welch)  Locklin,  both  being 
natives  of  Dublin,  Ireland.  The  father  left  his  native  country  in  the  '5os  and 
after  arriving  in  America,  resided  in  Xew  \or\<  state  for  one  year  before  coming 
to  Knox  county  and  settling  at  ( ialesburg,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  From 
that  time  until  his  death  in  I  lenry  county,  in  1902.  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years, 
he  was  an  agriculturist.  His  farm  comprises  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  and 
had  been  well  cultivated  for  successful  general  farming.  Mrs.  Locklin,  who  is 
seventy-three  years  of  age,  is  still  a  resident  of  Knox  county. 

John  Locklin  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  the  remainder 
of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  agricultural  ptirsuits.  Until  he  was  twenty-nine  years 


101  IN    1,(H  KLIN" 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  687 

of  age  he  resided  on  his  father's  farm  and  assisted  in  its  cultivation,  here  learn- 
ing the  methods  which  have  brought  his  own  farm  to  its  high  state  of  product- 
ively. He  made  his  independent  start  on  the  property  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  which  is  still  his  home.  Besides  carrying  on  general  farming  he 
also  raises  cattle  and  hogs  for  market  purposes. 

,  On  January  25,  1894,  Mr.  Locklin  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  Torticill,  the 
daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Torticill,  who  reside  on  their  farm  in  Sparta  town- 
ship. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Locklin  was  bom  a  son,  Bernard.  On  the  death  of  his 
first  wife  Mr.  Locklin  married  Catherine  Butler,  and  to  them  have  been  bom 
three  children,  namely:  Eilene;  Lucile;  and  Alice. 

In  politics  Mr.  Locklin  gives  his  support  to  the  democratic  party,  of  whose 
principles  he  is  a  loyal  supporter,  and  in  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  church.  By  devoting  practically  his  whole  attenticm  to  his  chosen 
pursuit  not  only  has  he  proven  his  worth  and  ability  but  he  has  also  shown  that 
the  successful  agriculturist  is  the  one  who  possesses  energy  and  power  for  in- 
defatigable labor. 


A  highly  prosperous  agriculturist,  who  has  acquired  extensive  property  inter- ' 
ests  in  Rio  township  is  J.  H.  Junk,  whose  realty  holdings  in  Knox  county  aggre-  •' 
gate  twelve  hundred  acres.  He  is  the  second  in  order  of  birth  of  the  four  children 
in  the  family  of  Samuel  and  Anna  (Henderson)  Junk,  his  natal  day  being  the 
3Oth  of  January,  i86i.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  there 
they  were  also  reared  and  educated.  Samuel  Junk,  although  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
engaged  in  farming  during  practically  the  entire  period  of  his  active  life.  He 
came  to  Knox  county  with  his  brother  John,  now  a  resident  of  Henderson,  during 
the  pioneer  period.  In  1867,  he  removed  from  Henderson  to  Rio  township,  where 
he  bought  a  farm  for  ten  dollars  per  acre,  to  the  further  cultivation  of  which  he 
devoted  his  energies  for  many  years.  He  subsequently  retired  from  the  work  of 
the  fields  and  he  and  the  mother  removed  to  Rio,  where  they  lived  the  remainder 
of  their  lives.  He  passed  away  on  the  8th  of  August,  1908,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three,  and  the  mother,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Ehinlap) 
Henderson,  died  on  the  24th  of  February,  1903. 

After  he  had  completed  his  studies  in  the  district  schools,  J.  H-  Junk  attended 
Knox  College  for  a  time  and  he  also  pursued  a  commercial  course,  thus  better 
qualifying  himself  for  practical  business  duties.  In  common  with  other  lads 
who  are  reared  in  the  country,  he  was  early  assigned  duties  about  the  barn  and 
fields  and  by  the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity  he  had  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture.  After  completing  his  education  he  re- 
turned to  the  home  farm,  and  has  ever  since  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
with  the  exception  of  two  years  when  he  was  in  the  hardware  and  also  the  real- 
estate  business,  in  Galesburg.  He  is  a  practical  man  possessed  of  foresight  and 
sound  judgment,  and  has  so  intelligently  directed  his  undertakings  that  he  has 
prospered.  In  1903  he  purchased  the  place,  where  he  now  lives  containing  three 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  It  is  in  a  high  state  of  productivity  and  equipped 


598  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '   •.•?^  :A 

with  good  modern  improvements  and,  an  Mr.  Junk  takes  great  pride  in  his  home-  ' 
stead,  he  devotes  much  time  to  keeping  up  its  appearance.  Here  he  engages  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  under  his  capable  and  intelligent  direction 
both  are  proving  to  be  very  remunerative.  He  annually  reaps  abundant  harvests 
from  his  fields,  the  quality  of  which  is  fully  commensurate  with  the  quantity  and 
he  keeps  a  good  grade  of  stock.  Everything  about  his  place  manifests  a  careful 
regard  for  details  and  thrift,  as  well  as  the  spirit  of  progress  that  characterizes 
the  successful  modern  ag^culturist. 

At  Hennepin,  Illinois,  on  the  2ist  of  September,  1887,  Mr.  Junk  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Leota  N.  Corson,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Harriet  (Shinn) 
Corson.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
mother  was  bom  and  reared  in  Virginia.  William  Corson,  who  was  a  farmer, 
first  located  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  but  later  went  to  Putnam  county,  whence 
he  removed,  in  1891,  to  Knox,  and  he  and  his  wife  went  to  Rio,  where  he  lived 
retired  until  his  death  in  1910.  The  mother  passed  away  in  1907.  Three  chil-  •  • 
dren  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Junk,  as  follows :  Albertus  and  William, 
both  of  whom  are  attending  high  school ;  and  La  Vonne,  who  is  studying  in  the 
Knox  Conservatory  of  Music. 

Ever  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise,  Mr.  Junk  has 
given  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party  and 
he  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  public  questions  pertaining  to  the  progress  and 
welfare  of  the  community.  Mr.  Junk  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  successful 
residents  of  Rio  township,  where  he  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  reason  of  his  many 
fine  personal  qualities  asi  well  as  his  business  sagacity.  '  .'-'-:  .  '  -^r  '  • 


....I,,  :-;;^::'::-  '  _         NED  S.  STUCKEY.       v  :-Y'^'-v.  '1; :•'-•' 

Ned  S.  Stuckey,  a  resident  farmer  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  was  bom  July 
22,  1877,  on  his  present  home  place,  and  is  a  son  of  Richard  C.  and  Mary  (Tim-  -I 
mens)    Stuckey.     His  paterna!  ancestors  came  from  Germany  to  America  at 
an  early  period  in  the  development  of  this  country.     The  grandfather,  Charles 
Stuckey,  married  Rebecca  Silvers  and  devoted  his  life  to  farming  in  Pennsyl-   ,' 
vania.     He  died  in  1872  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.     His  son,  Richard  C.  ' :  i 
Stuckey,  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  12,  1833,  and  came  ' 
to  Knox  county  in  May,  1853,  locating  on  what  has  since  been  known  as  the   <. 
old  homestead  farm.    There  he  continued  to  reside  until  1897,  when  he  retired 
and  removed  to  Altona,  where  his  death  occurred  October  8,  1910.     He  wedded 
Mary  Timmens,  who  was  bom  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  February  29,  1836,  a     j 
daughter  of  Thomas  Timmens,  of  Carlton,  Pennsylvania,  who  was  born  in  1800  ' 
and  died  in  1863.    In  1833  he  removed  to  Ohio  and  became  one  of  the  active  and  •..  : 
progressive  farmers  of  his  locality  and  was  especially  prominent  in  the  Univer-     ' 
salist  church.    Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richard  C.  Stuckey  were  bom  nine  children,    ;)'; 
but  five  of  the  number  are  now  deceased.    More  extended  mention  of  the  family  ••••. 
is  made  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  Richard  C.  Stuckey  on  another  page  •' 
of  this  work. 


V  •;       -    a;^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       V    ;  :  599 

After  acquiring  his  education  Ned  S.  Stuckey  continued  to  engage  in  the  work  ; 
of  the  home  farm,  managing  the  place  and  carrying  on  its  cultivation  along 
progressive  lines.    His  early  training  had  been  thorough  and  he  has  kept  in  touch 
with  progressive  methods,  so  that  he  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  best  ways  ; 
of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.    Everything  about  his  place  presents 
a  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  and  indicates  his  careful  supervision.     He  is  not 
afraid  of  work,  and  earnest,  intelligently  directed  labor  has  been  the  basis  of  the  . 
success  which  has  come  to  him. 

Mr.  Stuckey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nellie  Chapman,  who  was  born  ;. 
December  25,  1887,  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Carrie  (Baer)  Chapman.    Her  father  is  now  living  at  La  Fayette,  Illinois,  where 
he  follows  farming,  but  her  mother  died  in  1910  at  the  age  of  forty  years.    Unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stuckey  have  been  born  two  children :  Mary  Irene,  who  was  born 
October  17,  1908;  and  Jessie  May,  born  September  3,  1910.     Mr.  Stuckey  is  a 
member  of  the  Owl  Lodge  of  Galva.     He  has  never  been  active  in  f>olitics,  pre-   . 
ferring  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  business  affairs.     The  occupation  r 
to  which  he  was  reared,  he  chose  to  make  his  life  work,  and  in  the  further 
development  of  his  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  township  he  is  proving  himself  a    • 
capable  and  progressive  business  man.     His  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  this  - 
locality,  where  he  now  has  a   wide  acquaintance,   while   his   sterling  traits  of 
character  have  gained  for  him  the  friendship  and  regard  of  many. 


.;;:.  .;   :  ^•  ;,'::•, /:;-^:;iV:::'. JOHN  w.  ASPLUND.        • .;; •  -':U}-'^''/' ;'':': ^ 

John  W.  Asplund,  who  is  an  agriculturist  residing  on  section  34,  Ontario 
township,  was  born  in  Sweden  on  May  4,  1850,  his  parents  being  John  P.  and 
Anna  (Lotta)  Asplund,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Sweden,  the  former  hav- 
ing been  born  there  in  1819  and  the  latter  in  1829.  The  father  was  engaged  in 
farming  in  his  native  country  until  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  family 
in  1867  and  settled  in  Henry  county,  Illinois.  They  located  hrst  in  Andover, 
where  Mr.  Asplund  accepted  employment  on  a  near-by  farm.  He  continued  in 
this  line  of  work  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1893.  Mrs.  Asplund  passed 
away  in  Henry  county  several  years  later.  Of  their  thirteen  children,  six  came 
to  the  United  States  and  three  were  born  in  this  country. 

John  W.  Asplund,  who  was  the  second  child  born  to  his  parents,  received 
a  common-school  education  both  in  Sweden  and  in  America  and  after  he  had 
laid  aside  his  text-books  was  employed  by  the  month  at  farm  work  until  he  made 
himself  independent  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years.  Since  that  time  he  has 
operated  a  farm.  In  1884  he  came  to  Knox  county  and  after  renting  for  twelve 
years  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  which  is  now  highly  developed 
and  well  equipped  for  modern  and  intensive  cultivation.  In  addition  to  general 
farming  he  feeds  cattle  and  hogs  for  market  purposes  and  at  one  time  was  also 
extensively  engaged  in  raising  sheep. 

Mr.  Asplund  has  been  married  three  times.  On  the  25th  of  April,  1873,  he 
was  married  to  Carrie  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  Johnson,  who  is  an  agri- 
culturist of  Henry  county,  where  he  located  in  1869.  To  this  union  five  children 


600  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :  \:      -     :. 

were  born,  namely :  Frank  A.,  who  is  employed  on  a  railroad  in  Nevada ;  Wil- 
liam W.,  an  agriculturist  of  Illinois ;  Peter  M.,  deceased ;  Josephine  W.,  who  is 
married  to  Oscar  Hagerstrom,  a  plumber  of  St.  Louis ;  and  Amanda  C.,  who  is 
residing  in  Galesburg  and  is  the  wife  of  G.  E.  Carlson,  a  railroad  fireman  and 
to  whom  one  child,  Frances  Josephine,  has  been  born.  Mrs.  Asplund's  death 
occurred  in  August,  1882.  Mr.  Asplund's  second  union  occurred  in  September, 
1884,  when  he  wedded  Emma  Christina,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Swan  Johnson 
and  whose  death  occurred  in  1895.  In  October  of  1897  ^^^-  Asplund  married  Clara 
Anderson,  a  daughter  of  John  August  and  Anna  Anderson,  of  Burlington,  Iowa. 
To  this  union  five  children  have  been  bom,  namely :  Robert,  deceased ;  and  Irene, 
Maria,  Alma  and  John  Wilbur. 

Mr.  Asplund  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  in  religi- 
ous faith  is  a  Lutheran,  holding  membership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of 
Wataga.  His  fraternal  affiliations  are  with  the  Masons  of  Oneida. 


-  WILLIAM  FRITZ.        ';-".: 

•    •  . .  '"'  '    •        -V  •-  '••  .-  '          •     ' 

William  Fritz,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Rio,  where  he  owns  a  very  com- 
fortable home,  was  for  many  years  actively  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Knox  county.  His  birth  occurred  in  Milford  township,  Somerset  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  the  8th  of  February,  1834,  his  parents  being  Adam  and  Elizabeth 
(Phillippi)  Fritz,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  Somerset  county.  In  the  pater- 
nal line  he  is  of  German  extraction,  the  great-grandfather  having  been  born  and 
reared  in  the  old  country,  whence  he  emigrated  to  America,  settling  in  Penn- 
sylvania. There  his  son,  William  Fritz,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  passed 
his  entire  life,  devoting  his  energies  to  the  operation  of  a  large  farm  which  he 
owned  in  Somerset  county. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  William  Fritz  were  passed  in  a  community,  where 
his  family  had  resided  continuously  for  three  generations.  He  was  given  a 
common-school  education,  such  time  as  he  was  not  occupied  with  his  studies 
being  passed  in  a  manner  very  similar  to  that  of  other  lads  of  the  same  period 
and  circumstances.  After  laying  aside  his  school  books,  he  gave  his  entire  at- 
tention to  the  work  of  his  father's  farm,  where  he  received  a  good  training  in 
the  practical  methods  of  agriculture.  Later  he  worked  for  an  uncle  and  a  cousin, 
both  of  whom  were  farmers,  continuing  to  reside  in  his  native  state  until  he  had 
attained  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  In  1852  together  with  John  B.  SenneflF,  a 
brother-in-law,  Mr.  Fritz  came  west,  making  the  entire  journey  from  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Illinois  in  a  wagon  he  had  built  for  the  purpose.  Upon  their  arrival  in 
this  state  they  first  located  in  Lee  county.  He  remained  there  for  a  year  and  then 
went  to  Warren  county,  where  he  spent  a  similar  period,  his  next  removal  being 
to  Mercer  county.  There  he  acquired  a  farm  that  he  successfully  operated  until 
1875,  when  he  disposed  of  it  and  came  to  Knox  county,  investing  his  capital 
in  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  and  a  half  acres  of  land,  located  on  the  dividing 
line  between  this  and  Mercer  counties.  The  further  development  of  this  place 
engaged  the  energies  of  Mr.  Fritz  until  the  21  st  of  August,  1895,  when  he  with- 
drew from  the  active  work  of  the  fields  and  removed  to  the  village  of  Rio.  Here 


V  ^^^^^^^^V^^^^^^;^^^          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       --0  601     • 

';       he  is  enjoying  the  ease  and  comfort  that  is  the  justly  merited  reward  of  his 

f       long  years  of  labor  and  self-denial,  but  his  life  is  far  from  being  an  idle  one.  as   ' 
he  owns  four  acres  of  land  that  he  devotes  to  gardening.    He  has  always  been   ^ 
too  active  and  enterprising  to  retire  from  all  work,  and  takes  great  delight  in    - 
keeping  up  his  property  and  takes  especial  pride  in  his  garden,  which  is  said  to 
be  one  of  the  finest  in  the  village. 

:  On  the  3d  of  August,  1858,  Mr.  Fritz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caro-   -> 

line  C.  Abell,  a  daughter  of  Simon  Kingsley  and  Lydia  (Proctor)  Abell.     The    > 
.•      father  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York  and  the  mother  of  Vermont,  but  in    : 
their  early  youth  they  removed  to  Ohio,  where  they  met  and  were  subsequently 
married.     The  father  engaged  in  farming  in  Lake  county,  that  state,  for  many    ,  '- 
years,  removing  from  there  to  Carroll  county,  Illinois,  in   1852.     The  parents 
thereafter  continued  to  reside  in  this  state,  passing  away  in  Mercer  county.    The    - 
paternal  grandfather,  Asa  Abell,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Ohio,  removing     i 
there  from  New  York,  where  he  had  always  followed  the  carpenter  and  cabinet 
maker's  trade.     Six  children  have  been  bom  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fritz.    Charles    - 
W.,  who  was  the  eldest,  died  in  infancy.    Asa  E.,  who  owns  a  fine  farm  in  Mer-      ' 
cer  county,  married  Clara  Breckenridge,  of  that  county,  and  they  have  eight 
children :  William  H. ;  Lillian  E. ;  Raymond  ;  Donald,  who  is  deceased  ;  John  ;  Ira ;      ; 
Rollo;  and  Charles  Wesley.     Ira  E.,  a  twin  brother  of  Asa  E.,  completed  his 
.     education  in  the  college  at  Shenandoah,  Iowa,  and  is  now  eng^aged  in  the  furni- 

;       ture  business  at  Galesburg.    Lillian  A.  lives  in  Galesburg,  where  she  keeps  house     - 
for  her  brother.    Fred  married  Eva  Buffin  and  has  two  children,  Blanche  and      • 
Charles.     Carrie  completed  her  education  at  Hedding  College,  after  which  she 
taught  for  a  time  in  Rio  township,  but  is  now  bookkeeper  for  the  Anderson 
Hardware  Company,  at  Rio.  ,  .:  .  .'3  > 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fritz  is  manifested  through  their  mem- 
bership in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  they  reared    . 
their  family.    He  is  a  republican  in  politics,  but  does  not  endorse  the  policy  of 
this  party  regarding  the  liquor  traffic,  favoring  the  stand  the  prohibitionists  take 
on  this  particular  question.     While  residing  in  the  country  he  served  as  school 
trustee  and  pathmaster,  always  taking  an  active  interest  in  all  township  affairs.     : 
:      Mr.  Fritz  has  led  an  unobtrusive  but  efficient  life,  having  discharged  his  duties    '••- 
from  day  to  day  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  his  every  act  guided  and  directed  by 
the  high   standards  and  upright  principles  that  characterize  the  best  type  of 
citizens.  .  . .....     •  .  . 


:v-^\-'\^  ^'--; ';:/'..  ^'•':o> '••-:•--   GUST  LOFGREN.     •   ;':'  •'.'•  '^.;''":-;;':',:,^--/-:^^^ 

Gust  Lofgren,  who  resides  on  his  farm  which  is  situated  on  section  12, 
Ontario  township,  was  born  in  Kalmar,  Sweden,  July  i,  1859.  He  was  the 
son  of  John  and  Anna  (Bowgren)  Lofgren,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Sweden.  The  father,  who  was  engaged  in  farming  there,  died  in  1859,  when 
his  son  Gust  was  only  eleven  weeks  old.  The  mother  resided  in  her  native 
country  until  1883,  when  she  came  to  America  and  spent  her  remaining  days 
with  a  son  in  Sparta  township.  She  died  in  1907,  at  the  age  of  eighty-three 
years. 


602  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Gust  Lx)fgren  was  reared  and  received  a  common-school  education  in  his 
native  country,  working  on  his  father's  farm  until  1880.  At  that  date  he  came 
to  America,  locating  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  five  years. 
Subsequently  he  came  to  Knox  county,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  now  resides.  He  engages  in  general  fanning 
and  also  raises  hogs  and  cattle  quite  extensively.  He  is  very  successful  in  the 
financial  world  and  owns  stock  in  the  Oneida  Farmers'  Elevator  and  also  in 
elevators  in  Nekoma,  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  bank  at  Galva. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  1886,  Mr.  Lofgren  wedded  Miss  Almeda  Peterson,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Etorothea  (Bloomberg)  Peterson,  of  Henry  county. 
The  father  was  an  old  settler  in  that  county,  having  come  there  in  1854,  at  the 
time  of  the  construction  of  the  railroad,  and  later  engaged  in  farming.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lofgren  have  become  the 
parents  of  three  children,  Ella,  Edward  and  Dora.  In  politics  Mr.  Lofgren 
is  a  republican,  and  he  has  served  as  road  supervisor.  He  gives  much  attention 
to  the  interests  of  education  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  at  Altona  and 
are  highly  esteemed  residents  of  the  community,  having  won  the  warm  regard 
of  all  with  whom  they  have  come  in  contact.  .  -../•. 


•-il^-^     ,     •  ' '    '^  ,..•         JAY  WELSH.  ,,v  ^:- ;  .;'-;;:•:•:..:•:"  ^f: 

Jay  Welsh,  who  owns  and  operates  one  of  the  largest  farms  in  Truro  town-  -  .  .  ' 
ship,  was  born  in  the  township  where  he  now  resides,  in  i86i,  and  is  a  son  of  •  >. 
Squire  Michael  Welsh.  ..  ^,.  .,  ,  .  r..- 

A  descendant  of  one  of  Knox  county's  early  pioneers.  Jay  Welsh  is  well 
known  in  this  vicinity,  where  he  has  passed  his  entire  life.  When  old  enough 
to  begin  his  education  he  entered  the  school  of  his  home  district,  and  was  there 
introduced  to  the  elements  of  English  learning,  afterward  attending  school  at 
Maquon.  His  early  schooling  was  subsequently  supplemented  by  a  course  at 
Lombard  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated.  Having  been 
reared  on  a  farm,  when  confronted  with  the  necessity  of  selecting  a  vocation 
after  leaving  college,  he  decided  in  favor  of  the  one  to  which  he  had  been 
trained  from  childhood.  That  his  decision  was  a  wise  one  is  manifested  by  the 
success  attending  his  efforts.  His  is  one  of  the  most  highly  cultivated  and  best 
improved  farms  in  the  township.  In  the  direction  of  his  undertakings,  Mr. 
Welsh  has  as  rigidly  adhered  to  system  and  method  as  he  would  have  followed 
in  directing  either  an  industrial  or  commercial  enterprise.  He  is  practical  in 
his  ideas  and  progressive  in  his  methods,  and  his  personal  attention  is  given  to 
everything  about  his  place.  His  fields  annually  yield  abundant  harvests,  the 
quality  of  which  is  fully  equal  to  the  quantity,  and  in  connection  with  his  gen- 
eral farming  he  also  raises  stock  of  a  good  grade. 

Mr.  Welsh  is  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  his  polit- 
ical support  he  gives  to  the  democratic  party.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in 
township  affairs  of  a  governmental  nature  and  has  discharged  the  duties  of  tax 
collector,  road  commissioner  and  school  director.  The  greater  part  of  his  life 


602  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

Gust  Lofgren  \vas  reared  and  received  a  common-school  education  in  his 
native  country,  working  on  his  father's  farm  until  1880.  At  that  date  he  came 
to  America,  locating  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  five  years. 
Subsequently  he  came  to  Knox  county,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  now  resides.  He  engages  in  general  farming 
and  also  raises  hogs  and  cattle  quite  extensively.  He  is  very  successful  in  the 
financial  world  and  owns  stock  in  the  Oneida  Farmers'  Elevator  and  also  in 
elevators  in  Xekoma.  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  bank  at  Galva. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  1886.  Mr.  Lofgren  wedded  Miss  Almeda  Peterson,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Dorothea  (Bloomberg)  Peterson,  of  Henry  county. 
The  father  was  an  old  settler  in  that  county,  having  come  there  in  1854,  at  the 
time  of  the  construction  of  the  railroad,  and  later  engaged  in  farming.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lofgren  have  become  the 
parents  of  three  children,  Ella,  Edward  and  Dora.  In  politics  Mr.  Lofgren 
is  a  republican,  and  he  has  served  as  road  supervisor.  He  gives  much  attention 
to  the  interests  of  education  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  at  Altona  and 
are  highly  esteemed  residents  of  the  community,  having  won  the  warm  regard 
of  all  with  whom  they  have  come  in  contact. 


JAY  WELSH.  - 

Jay  U'elsh.  wlio  owns  and  operates  one  of  the  largest  farms  in  Truro  town- 
ship, was  born  in  the  township  where  he  now  resides,  in  i86i,  and  is  a  son  of 
Squire  Michael  Welsh.  ,  •  \ 

A  descendant  of  one  of  Knox  county's  early  pioneers.  Jay  Welsh  is  well 
known  in  this  vicinity,  where  he  has  passed  his  entire  life,  \\hen  old  enough 
to  begin  his  education  he  entered  the  school  of  his  home  district,  and  was  there 
introduced  to  the  elements  of  English  learning,  afterward  attending  school  at 
Mac|uon.  His  early  schooling  was  subsequently  su])plemented  by  a  course  at 
Lombard  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated.  Having  been 
reared  on  a  farm,  when  confronted  with  the  necessity  of  selecting  a  vocation 
after  leaving  college,  he  decided  in  favor  of  the  one  to  which  he  had  been 
trained  from  childhood.  That  his  decision  was  a  wise  one  is  manifested  by  the 
success  attending  his  efforts.  His  is  one  of  the  most  highly  cultivated  and  best 
improved  farms  in  the  township.  In  the  direction  of  his  undertakings,  Mr. 
Welsh  has  as  rigidly  adhered  to  system  and  method  as  he  would  have  followed 
in  directing  either  an  industrial  or  commercial  enterprise.  He  is  practical  in 
his  ideas  and  progressive  in  his  methods,  and  his  personal  attention  is  given  to 
ever>'thing  about  his  place.  His  fields  annually  yield  abundant  harvests,  the 
quality  of  which  is  fully  equal  to  the  quantity,  and  in  connection  with  his  gen- 
eral farming  he  also  raises  stock  of  a  good  grade.  I 

Mr.  Welsh  is  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  his  polit- 
ical support  he  gives  to  the  democratic  party.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in 
township  affairs  of  a  governmental  nature  and  has  discharged  the  duties  of  tax 
collector,  road  commissioner  and  school  director.  The  greater  part  of  his  life 


^  ":v\  V  '-V ;>::•;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  605 

has  been  devoted  to  farming,  although  for  a  number  of  years  in  his  early  man- 
hood he  engaged  in  teaching.  He  is  widely  known  in  this  immediate  vicinity, 
where  he  has  many  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  have  known  him  from,  early 
boyhood  and  were  the  comrades  of  his  youth.  :'.';.;.:.•.';. 


ERICH  LARSON.    -       ':^«-.:>-Js-^:- •'':•':-. 

Among  the  residents  of  Altona  and  the  northern  part  of  Knox  county  are 
many  of  Swedish  birth  and  the  work  which  they  have  done  in  upbuilding  and 
developing  this  section  of  the  county  is  worthy  of  most  favorable  comment  and 
consideration.  Erich  Larson  is  numbered  among  those  whose  labors  have  con- 
stituted a  force  for  progress  here,  and  in  a  review  of  his  life  in  all  of  its  connec- 
tions one  is  reminded  of  the  statement  of  an  eminent  lecturer  who  said  that 
"Sweden  is  the  home  of  the  honest  man."  It  has  been  this  characteristic  national 
quality  of  integrity  that  has  constituted  an  important  feature  in  the  success  of 
Mr.  Larson,  who  for  many  years  was  identified  with  farming  interests  but  is 
now  living  retired.  He  was  born  at  Bollnas,  Sweden,  June  4,  1837.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  Lars  Larson  and  his  father  was  Erich  Larson,  who  died  in  1849. 
He  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  started  for  America  with  his  family  in  1849.  While 
en  route  his  death  occurred  on  Lake  Michigan,  being  occasioned  by  cholera,  and 
an  older  brother  of  our  subject  died  in  Chicago.  There  were  altogether  three 
of  the  family  who  died  while  en  route.  The  others  proceeded  on  their  way  to 
Andover  and  afterward  became  residents  of  Victoria,  Illinois,  Erich  Larson  ac- 
companying his  mother  on  that  trip.  They  secured  land  in  Knox  county  and 
engaged  in  farming.  Mrs.  Larson,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Anna  Carlson 
and  was  a  daughter  of  C.  Carlson,  long  survived  her  husband  and  died  in  1887 
at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years,  three  months  and  ten  days.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Erich  Larson,  Sr.,  were  born  seven  children,  of  whom  the  following  are  now  liv- 
ing :  Caroline,  who  is  the  widow  of  P.  Nelson  and  is  a  resident  of  Galva ;  Anna, 
who  is  unmarried  and  lives  in  southern  California ;  and  Erich. 

The  last  named  spent  the  first  twelve  years  of  his  life  in  the  land  of  his 
nativity  and  then  started  with  his  parents  for  the  new  world.  His  education  i 
completed  he  worked  on  a  farm,  breaking  the  land,  and  when  a  boy  of  thirteen 
years  did  as  much  work  as  any  man  in  the  fields.  He  remained  with  his  mother 
until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  and  then  started  out  independently, 
from  which  time  forward  he  was  indebted  entirely  to  his  own  resources  and 
his  labor  for  the  success  which  he  achieved.  After  his  marriage  he  removed  to 
Victoria,  where  he  resided  for  two  years,  when  he  purchased  another  farm,  now 
the  old  home  place.  He  afterward  spent  four  years  in  Ontario  township  and 
then  returned  to  his  mother's  farm,  on  which  he  lived  for  two  years.  In  1875 
he  located  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  where  he  purchased  a  large  farm,  con-: 
tinuing  thereon  until  1904,  when  he  came  to  Altona  and  retired.  While  actively 
engaged  in  business  he  converted  his  fields  into  productive  tracts  of  land  from 
which  he  annually  gathered  bountiful  harvests.  He  used  the  most  progressive 

methods  in  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  his  crops  and  annually  found  ready  sale 
ToL  n— 27  : 


606  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .;.-'  1 

for  his  produce  and  stock.     During  the  past  eight  years  he  has  lived  retired, 
enjoying  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned  and  richly  deserves. 

In  i86i  Mr.  Larson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Pitts, 
who  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Indiana,  January  i,  1837.    Her  great-grandfather 
was  a  native  of  Ireland.     Her  grandparents  were  John  and  Hannah   (Hall) 
Pitts  and  her  parents  were  William  H.  and  Cynthia  (Knight)  Pitts.    The  father 
was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  became  a  shoemaker  by  trade.     The  mother    ' 
was  also  a  native  of  that  state  and  was  a  daughter  of  Elias  and  Sarah  (Cary)    •- 
Knight,  who  were  of  English  descent.     It  was  in  the  year  1850  that  the  parents    : , 
of  Mrs.  Larson  came  to  Knox  county  from  Indiana  and  later,  in   1852,  they    .' 
removed  to  Iowa,  where  their  last  days  were  passed,  the  father  dying  in  1871   >j 
at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years,  while  his  wife  passed  away  in  1875  at  the  age  of  j  : 
sixty-four  years.     In  their  family  were  the  following  children:     John  W.,  who 
starved  to  death  in  Andersonville  prison  during  the  Civil  war ;  William  Harvey, 
now  living  in  Iowa,  who  was  also  a  volunteer  for  the  Union  cause  and  was  crip-    < 
pled  for  life ;  George  M.,  a  resident  of  Vinton,  Iowa ;  Elias  H.,  who  is  also  located 
in  that  state ;  Aril  Emery,  of  Kansas ;  Mary  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Larson ;  Rachel    - 
L.,  now  Mrs.  Brody;  and  Sarah,  who  is  living  in  Vinton,  Iowa,  and  is  married     .^ 
to  Joseph  Berry. 

Unto  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  were  born  the  following  named :    V 
Cynthia  Ann,  now  deceased;  George  William,  at  home;  John  Henry,  who  was    , 
bom  in  1866  and  is  living  in  Walnut  Grove  with  his  wife,  who  was  formerly     . 
Ellen  Swanson,   and  their   four  children ;  and  Emma  Jane,   who  was  born   in    ;  _ 
1869  and  is  the  wife  of  E.  E.  Thrasher,  who  is  living  on  the  home  farm.    There    - 
are  two  grandchildren  and   one  great-grandchild,   Helen   May   Walsh,  who   is 
the  daughter  of  C.  and  Fay  (Thrasher)  Walsh. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larson  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  his  politi-     . 
cal  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  but  while  he  has  always  kept  well     -, 
informed  on  the  questions  of  the  day,  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office,    •, 
preferring  in  his  earlier  years  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  business  affairs ; 
and  so  capably  and  successfully  did  he  manage  his  farming  interests  that  he    ^; 
gained  in  time  a  substantial  competence,  enabling  him  to  live  retired.     He  is' 
now  seventy-four  years  of  age  and  receives  the  respect  which  should  ever  be   • 
accorded  one  who  has  traveled  thus  far  the  journey  of  life  and  whose  record    : 
has  at  all  times  been  creditable  and  honorable.  .  . 


r>  CHARLES  AUSTIN.          :         ;. : 

Charles  Austin  is  profitably  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising 
in  Knox,  his  native  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  the  old  homestead  irt 
Walnut  Grove  township  on  the  2gtii  of  May,  1857.  He  represents  a  family 
which,  long  established  in  America,  came  originally  from  England.  His  grand- 
parents, James  and  Beulah  (Jennings)  Austin,  were  both  natives  of  Ohio,  the 
former  born  in  Preble  county,  September  5,  1798,  and  the  latter  on  the  3Oth  of 
April,  1798,  and  both  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  the  father's  death  occurring  on 
the  28th  of  October,  1886,  and  the  mother's  on  the  3Oth  of  September,  1888. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        --v    ;?'::1^ 

Their  son  Allen,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  also  born  in  Ohio,  on  the 

of  February,  1823,  and  in  early  life  learned  and  followed  the  carpenter's  trade. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  1854,  he  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  making  the  journey 

'  on  horseback.  Subsequently  he  returned  to  Preble  county,  Ohio,  and  later  again 
came  to  Knox  county,  the  second  trip  being  made  on  foot.  Taking  up  his 
abode  on  a  farm  near  Altona  he  there  established  what  is  now  known  as  the 

'•  old  Austin  homestead,  and  there  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  about 
nine  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  removed  to  Altona  and  lived  retired  until 

:    called  from  this  life  on  the  I4th  of  May,  1898,  when  seventy-five  years  of  age. 

,  He  was  a  faithful  and  consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was 
deeply  interested  in  the  public  life  of  the  community  in  which  he  resided,  giving 
stalwart  support  to  the  party  of  his  choice  although  not  a  politician  in  the  sense 

'  of  office  seeking.  He  was  twice  married.  On  the  i8th  of  May,  1856,  he  wedded 
Miss  Louisa  Gehringer,  who  was  bom  on  the  ist  of  May,  1839,  a  daughter  of 
Levi  Gehringer,  who  was  born  on  the  I4th  of  September,  1806.  He  married 
Catherine  Reynard,  who  was  born  March  2,  1805,  and  died  May  15,  1889.  Her 
father,  Henry  Reynard,  was  a  representative  of  a  family  that  came  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  in  1855,  from  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  family  of 

•  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  Austin  were  seven  children,  of  whom  five  still  survive,  as 
follows :  Charles,  of  this  review  ;  Emily,  at  home  ;  Albert,  a  resident  of  Douglas, 
Illinois;  John,  living  in  Burlington;  and  Harry,  of  California.  On  the  22i\  of 
April,  1878,  the  wife  and  mother  passed  away  and  for  his  second  wife  Mr. 
Austin  chose  Miss  Emily  Gehringer,  a  sister  of  his  former  wife.  Unto  the 
second  union  of  Allen  Austin  there  were  born  two  children:  Olive,  the  wife 
of  William  McClure,  of  Altona;  and  Ida,  yet  at  home.  The  Gehringer  family 
is  of  German  origin  and  its  representatives  were  numbered  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  whence  they  came  from  Pennsylvania  at  an 
early  day.  They  ever  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  work  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Charles  Austin,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  was  reared  amid  the 
busy  activities  of  rural  life,  spending  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  on 
his  father's  farm,  and  after  securing  a  good  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Walnut  Grove  township  he  assisted  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  until  after 
the  death  of  his  mother,  which  occurred  when  he  was  about  twenty-one  years 
of  age.  He  then  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  independently  on  the  old  home- 
stead for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  1898  took  up  his  abode  on  his  present  farm, 
since  which  time  he  has  concentrated  his  eflForts  upon  the  further  development 
and  improvement  of  this  place.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock-raising 
and  in  both  lines  is  meeting  with  excellent  success  for  his  methods  are  practical, 
his  ideas  progressive  and  his  well  directed  efforts  and  intelligently  applied  labor 
productive  of  good  results. 

On  February  14,  1884,  Mr.  Austin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Grace 
McGaan,  who  was  born  October  21,  1860,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Agnes 
(Andrews)  McGaan,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Scotland,  the  father's  birth 
there  occurring  on  the  ist  of  January,  1817,  and  the  mother's  in  the  year  1819 
Mrs.  Austin's  grandfather,  William  McGaan,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Scotland  and 
there  passed  his  entire  life.  He  married  a  Miss  Hunter.  Their  son  William 
came  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  in  1857  and  here  took  up  farming 
near  Altona,  Illinois,  following  that  line  of  activity  throughout  his  active  career. 


608  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      -  '  /;•  -'; 

He  is  living  at  the  old  home '  farm  at  the  remarkable  age  of  ninety-five  years. 

In  his  family  were  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  the  brothers  of  Mrs.  Austin  V- 

being:     William,  an  attorney  of  Clarke,  Dakota;   Hugh,  operating  the  home  .'[•. 

farm;  and  James,  living  retired  in  Altona.    With  the  passing  of  the  years  four  ••:;    ' 

children  were  added  to  the  household  of  Charles  Austin  and  his  wife,  as  follows:  :  /' 

Edgar  and  Perry,  aged  respectively  twenty-five  and  twenty-two  years,  at  home;  ... 

Grace  Ethel,  who  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  is  teaching  school;  and  Charles  .v-  _-.,; 
R.,  fourteen  years  of  age,  who  is  also  under  the  parental  roof.               I    \\- '•..:•.; 

Reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Mr.  Austin  has  long  been  •    :  / 

an  active  and  helpful  worker  in  the  church  of  that  denomination  in  Altona  and  )'  . 

for  the  past  twenty  years  has  served  as  elder.     At  the  polls  he  gives  loyal  sup-  ''•;  ''''•, 

port  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  although  he  has  never  ;{.  ' 

sought  nor  desired  public  office   for  himself,  and  feels  a  deep  interest  in  all  .':'.'.. 

matters  which  have  to  do  with  the  welfare  of  the  community  at  large.     His  .:,:.:.: 

life,  which  has  been  an  active  one,  has  been  lived  to  good  advantage,  a  fact  which  :.v: 

is  attested  not  only  by  the  material  gain  which  has  come  to  him  as  the  reward  ,^  ; 

of  well  directed  efforts  in  agricultural  lines  but  also  by  the  high  place  which  he  ,'..;' 
occupies  in  the  esteem,  good-will  and  confidence  of  his  fellowmen. 


;    ••:,-^^<  GUSTAF  E.  FREDRICKS.   ^v^'V;  :  X  -    '  • 

Prominent  among  the  farmers  of  this  vicinity  is  Gustaf  E.  Fredricks,  who 
accompanied  his  parents  from  their  old  home  in  Sweden  on  their  journey  to 
the  new  world  and  their  new  home  which  they  established  in  Knox  county,  in 
1857,  when  he  was  a  lad  five  years  of  age.  His  birth  occurred,  October  23, 
1852,  his  parents  being  Charles  J.  and  Inga  C.  (Larson)  Fredricks,  natives  of 
Sweden,  where  the  father  was  a  laborer.  On  their  advent  in  this  county  they 
settled  in  Galesburg  and  lived  there  for  two  years,  removing  to  Soperville,  in 
1859,  where  the  father  bought  ninety-six  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming 
and  teaming.  In  1867  he  sold  this  place  and  went  to  Log  City  and  farmed  there 
until  1870,  then  coming  to  Ontario  township,  where  he  bought  a  tract  of  land, 
comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  at  thirteen  thousand  dollars,  and  tilled 
the  soil  on  this  place  until  1878,  when  he  removed  his  family  to  Altona.  In 
addition  to  his  farming  he  ran  a  threshing  machine  for  a  great  many  years. 
His  wife  died  January  ii,  1892,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years,  and  his  death 
occurred  March  9,  1899,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years  and  twenty-five  days. 
He  was  a  man  of  means  owning  at  the  time  of  his  death  five  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  land.  In  politics  he  g^ave  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  with 
his  family  he  worshipped  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Altona. 

Gustaf  E.  Fredricks  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  early 
in  life  devoted  himself  to  agricultural  pursuits  working  in  the  fields  for  a  wage 
until  twenty-three  and  a  half  years  of  age,  when  he  rented  a  farm  and  started 
out  for  himself.  Later  he  purchased  the  old  homestead  and  has  developed  and 
improved  this  ever  since,  possessing  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  of  rich 
and  productive  land.  He  is  a  successful  farmer  and  finds  much  pleasure  in  his 
daily  round  of  labors  in  which  he  still  continues  since  he  has  his  son  Newton 


';-;•;••./.:-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     vy;::         909 

with  him  who  lightens  the  responsibilities  greatly   and  performs   the  heavier 
duties.     In  addition  to  his  farming  he  operated  a  threshing  machine  for  thirty- 
four  years,  which  he  ran  for  ten  years  by  horse-power  and  during  the  latter 
twenty-four  by  steam.     He  uses  a  Case  threshing  machine  and  was  one  of  the 
first  in  the  county  to  buy  a  self-binder  and  a  traction  engine.     He  has  provided 
a  substantial  income  for  his   family  and  is  accounted  a  man  of  wealth,  who 
enjoys  handsome  financial  returns,  not  only  because  he  worked  hard  and  lived 
simply,  but  also  because  he  had  good  judgment  and  knew  the  value  of  sacrificing 
immediate  enjoyment  to  permit  him  to  accumulate  means   for   future  invest- 
ments which  he  made  wisely  and  with  deliberation,   for  his  own  benefit  and 
contributing  to  the  commercial  upbuilding  of  his  community.     He  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Oneida  State  Bank,  in  the  Altona  Bank  and  in  the  Galesburg 
Street  Car  Company.    He  also  owns  real  estate  of  considerable  value  in  Nebraska. 
:;    On  February  26,  1876,  Mr.  Fredricks  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida 
Matilda  Walgreen,  a  daughter  of  Nelson  P.  and  Johanna  Walgreen,  long  since 
deceased,  who  lived  in  the  county  where  the  father  carried  on  agricultural  pur- 
suits.   Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fredricks :    Clara  A.,  the  wife 
of  C.  E.  Swanson,  a  tailor  at  Lewiston,  Illinois,  who  has  one  daughter ;  Mollie 
C.,  who  lives  at  home ;  Fannie  C.,  at  home ;  Jennie,  who  is  also  living  under  the 
parental  roof ;  Emma  R.,  at  home ;  Minnie  H.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Oneida 
high  school,  of  Oneida  and  of  Brown's  Business  College  at  Galesburg;  Hilda  C., 
a  graduate  of  the  Galesburg  high  school,  who  lives  at  Galesburg;  and  Qarence 
N.,  who  assists  his  father  on  the  farm.    Mrs.  Fredricks  died  on  August  5,  1905, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years,  her  birth  having  occurred  February  4,  1851. 

Mr.  Fredricks  and  his  family  belong  to  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of 
Altona.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  is  an  earnest 
worker  for  its  issues  and  candidates,  being  elected  on  the  ticket  to  the  office  of 
road  commissioner  and  town  supervisor,  serving  twelve  years  and  four  years 
respectively.  Mr.  Fredricks  is  a  man  of  genial  disposition  and  cordial  bearing 
and  has  won  many  warm  friends  during  the  long  years  of  his  residence  in 
Knox  county.  /';•••.'•>.•.:•..•;•;••..':•.  ^  .:••  .  •  :;-o':  --^• 


.-. -•    •-':    V  ',  .••>vr?.^-:-y       ALONZO  L.  ROBY.     ^         ^     r'-'^  ,::;;.:/V.:'^?':'' •-:;•:•; 

Alonzo  L.  Roby,  who  rents  a  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  where  he  is 
eng-aged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  was  bom  January  lo,  1874,  at  Bethesda, 
Ohio,  his  parents  being  Eriah  and  Martha  (Hinkle)  Roby.  The  father  was 
also  a  native  of  Bethesda,  who  is  living  retired  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years 
but  the  mother  passed  away  in  1905  at  the  age  of  fifty-five  years.  They  were 
the  pafents  of  eleven  children,  six  of  whom  survive,  who  beside  our  subject  are 
as  follows :  Lola,  who  is  the  wife  of  R.  Clay,  of  Belmont  county,  Ohio ;  Ella, 
who  is  married  to  Jefiferson  Medley,  a  resident  of  Morristown,  Ohio ;  Lily,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Jesse  Atkins,  a  resident  of  Bethesda,  Ohio ;  Ernest,  who  is  resid- 
ing in  Barnesville,  Ohio ;  and  Hugh,  who  is  living  in  Belmont,  Ohio. 

Alonzo  Roby  spent  his  early  days  attending  the  common  schools  and  accept- 
ing employment  on  the  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  re- 


610  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

moved  to  Knox  county  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  for  four  years.     Sub- 
'    sequently,  in  1901,  he  rented  the  farm  near  Altona  upon  which  he  is  now  re- 
siding.    He  has  met  with  unusual  success  in  both  general  farming  and  stock- 
.    raising,  and  to  these  pursuits  has  given  his  undivided  attention,  his  early  training 

•  fitting  him  for  close  application  and  scientific  methods. 

Mr.  Roby  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  union  was  to  Mabel  Shear,  who 
was  born  on  the  6th  of  September,  1876,  and  whose  death  occurred  on  the  4th 
of  May,  1903.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born:  Ralph,  whose  birth 
occurred  March  31,  1893;  Warren,  who  was  born  September  28,  1896;  and 
.  Lelah,  born  November  ii,  1899.  His  second  union  was  to  Mrs.  Belle  Gibson, 
the  widow  of  Jerry  Gibson,  a  native  of  Canada.  Mrs.  Belle  Roby  before  her 
first  marriage  was  a  Miss  Dixon,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  Ann  (Tedder) 
Dixon,  both  natives  of  Canada.  The  father  was  born  in  the  province  of  On- 
tario, where  he  attended  school  and  grew  up,  following  the  occupation  of  farm- 
ing. He  died  in  1890.  To  them  were  born  eleven  children,  in  the  following 
order  of  birth:  John  Nelson;  Hannah  Margaret,  deceased;  Isabelle,  the  wife 

•  of  Alonzo  L.  Roby,  our  subject ;  Mary  Tedder ;  George  Warner ;  Bertha  Florence 
Elizabeth;  Franklin  James  Alfred,  deceased;  Irene  Lillian  Gertrude;  and  three 
others  who  died  in  early  life.     Mrs.  Roby  removed  to  the  United  States  from 
Canada  in  1901  with  her  first  husband,  Mr.  Gibson. 

In  politics  Mr.  Roby  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  has  done 
much  active  service  in  promoting  its  progress  and  influence.    In  religious  faith 
;  both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Altona,  Mrs. 
Roby  holding  membership  also  in  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society.    Mr.  Roby  belongs  to 
Lodge  No.  330,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  at  present  worshipful  master  of  this 
,    organization.     He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
.   is  the  treasurer  of  this  order,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America,  of  Altona.     He  is  a  man  of  strong  character,  whose  natural  ability 
makes  him  a  worthy  representative  in  any  community  and  he  has  won  for  him- 
self a  creditable  place  among  Walnut  Grove  township's  leading  citizens.       •  /•. 


.'""• /^'••\:--          •     •       .       '.  FRANK  N.  GAY.       ':"•-..•    ":;•:.';••:-;    '••• 

Frank  N.  Gay,  who  since  1869  has  been  connected  with  the  Farmers  & 
Mechanics  Bank  of  Galesburg,  at  which  time  he  assumed  the  office  of  assistant 
cashier,  was  bom  in  Henderson,  this  county,  June  20,  1845,  his  parents  being 
Joseph  and  Maria  Antoinette  (Rhodes)  Gay,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Vermont.  The  father  came  west  in  1838  and  settled  in  Log  City,  Knox  county, 
where  he  was  employed  in  getting  out  timber  for  the  old  Galesburg  House. 
At  length  he  went  to  Henderson,  where  he  built  a  store,  and  in  addition  to  com- 
mercial pursuits  there  also  engaged  in  farming,  and  buying  live  stock  of  all  kinds, 
which  he  sold  at  St.  Louis.  He  followed  general  merchandising  until  1860,  when, 
with  a  well  earned  and  substantial  competence,  he  retired  from  business  life  and 
came  to  Galesburg,  where  his  remaining  days  were  passed.  His  political  allegiance 
was  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  filled  a  number  of  township  offices, 
discharging  his  duties  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents. 


FRANK  X.  (JAY 


'    :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •      . 

moved  to  Knox  county  and  engaged  in  farming  pursuits  for  four  years.  Sub- 
sequently, in  1901,  he  rented  the  farm  near  Altona  upon  which  he  is  now  re- 
siding. He  has  met  with  unusual  success  in  both  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  and  to  these  pursuits  has  given  his  undivided  attention,  his  early  training 
fitting  him  for  close  application  and  scientific  methods. 

Mr.  Roby  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  union  was  to  Mabel  Shear,  who 
was  born  on  the  6th  of  September,  1876,  and  whose  death  occurred  on  the  4th 
of  May,  1903.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born :  Ralph,  whose  birth 
occurred  March  31,  1893;  Warren,  who  was  born  September  28,  1896;  and 
Lelah,  born  November  ii,  1899.  His  second  union  was  to  Mrs.  Belle  Gibson, 
the  widow  of  Terry  Gibson,  a  native  of  Canada.  Mrs.  Belle  Roby  before  her 
first  marriage  was  a  Miss  Dixon,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  Ann  (Tedder) 
Dixon,  both  natives  of  Canada.  The  father  was  born  in  the  province  of  On- 
tario, where  he  attended  school  and  grew  up,  following  the  occupation  of  farm- 
ing. He  died  in  1890.  To  them  were  born  eleven  children,  in  the  following 
order  of  birth :  John  Nelson ;  Hannah  Margaret,  deceased ;  Isabelle,  the  wife 
of  Alonzo  L.  Roby,  our  subject ;  Mary  Tedder ;  George  Warner ;  Bertha  Florence 
Elizabeth:  Franklin  James  Alfred,  deceased;  Irene  Lillian  Gertrude;  and  three 
others  who  died  in  early  life.  Mrs.  Roby  removed  to  the  United  States  from 
Canada  in  1901  with  her  first  husband,  Mr.  Gibson. 

In  politics  Mr.  Roby  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  has  done 
much  active  service  in  promoting  its  progress  and  mfluence.  In  religious  faith 
both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Altona,  Mrs. 
Roby  holding  membership  also  in  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society.  Mr.  Roby  belongs  to 
Lodge  No.  330,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  at  present  worshipful  master  of  this 
organization.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
is  the  treasurer  of  this  order,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America,  of  Altona.  He  is  a  man  of  strong  character,  whose  natural  ability 
makes  him  a  worthy  representative  in  any  community  and  he  has  won  for  him- 
self a  creditable  place  among  Walnut  Grove  township's  leading  citizens. 


FRANK  N.   GAY. 

Frank  N.  Gay,  who  since  1869  has  been  connected  with  the  Farmers  & 
Mechanics  Bank  of  Galesburg,  at  which  time  he  assumed  the  office  of  assistant 
cashier,  was  born  in  Henderson,  this  county,  June  20,  1845,  his  parents  being 
Joseph  and  Maria  Antoinette  (Rhodes)  Gay,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Vermont.  The  father  came  west  in  1838  and  settled  in  Log  City,  Knox  county, 
where  he  was  employed  in  getting  out  timber  for  the  old  Galesburg  House. 
At  length  he  went  to  Henderson,  where  he  built  a  store,  and  in  addition  to  com- 
mercial pursuits  there  also  engaged  in  farming,  and  buying  live  stock  of  all  kinds, 
which  he  sold  at  St.  Louis.  He  followed  general  merchandising  until  1860,  when, 
with  a  well  earned  and  substantial  competence,  he  retired  from  business  life  and 
came  to  Galesburg,  where  his  remaining  days  were  passed.  His  political  allegiance 
was  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  filled  a  number  of  township  offices, 
discharging  his  duties  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents. 


I'liANK    N.  (l.\\ 


yv:-v;:^---v  ^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -    .-v  ^    6i3 

Both  he  and  his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Congregational  church.    Mr.  Gay 
.    survived  his  wife  for  a  considerable  period,  her  death  having  occurred  in  Hen- 
derson in  1854.    In  their  family  were  four  children:    David  and  Loraine,  both 
now  deceased ;  William  M.,  living  in  Madison,  Wisconsin,  who  was  born  in  Log 
;  City,  August  30,  1838,  and  said  to  be  the  first  white  male  child  bom  in  the  colony ; 
V  and  Frank  N.  •••••:•':. -^ r  ^  "•':'.:^-  ''•':-.•:''''•'•• 

The  last  named  pursued  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 

.  native  town  and  afterward  entered  the  academic  department  of  Knox  College. 

Subsequently  he  went  to  Ellington,  Connecticut,  where  he  was  a  pupil  in  the 

Hall  school,  and  following  his  return  to  Knox  county  began  clerking  in  a  store 

'  in  Henderson.     He  afterward  spent  three  or  four  years  as  a  salesman  in  Reid's 

V  dry  goods  store  in  Galesburg  and  for  a  year  was  connected  with  the  house  of 

•;  O.  T.  Johnson.    He  afterwards  was  salesman  in  the  clothing  store  of  Mr.  Arnold 

-  for  two  years  and  subsequently  spent  a  few  years  in  the  employ  of  E.  F.  Thomas, 
/   to  whom  he  returned  after  the  suspension  of  Mitchell  &  Rhykerd.     After  the 
:    death  of  Mr.  Thomas  he  was  with  J.  B.  Colton,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Thomas, 

-  and  for  six  years  was  upon  the  road  as  traveling  salesman  in  the  boot  and  shoe 
'    trade.    In  1889  he  entered  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank  as  assistant  cashier, 

which  position  he  still  holds,  and  he  is  furthermore  connected  with  the  financial 
interests  of  Galesburg  as  a  stockholder  in  the  First  National  Bank.  He  is  now 
well  known  as  a  representative  of  the  banking  interests  of  this  city  and  county, 
:  and  his  ability  in  this  field  is  attested  by  his  long  connection  with  the  Farmers 
&  Mechanics  Bank,  covering  a  period  of  more  than  twenty-two  years. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  1872,  Mr.  Gay  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 

-  Dellgratia  Clark,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  D.  and  Mary  Qark,  of  Quincy, 
'   Illinois.    Two  children  were  born  of  this  marriage  but  the  elder,  Frank  Nelson, 

is  now  deceased.    The  daughter,  Loraine,  is  the  wife  of  George  T.  McCandless, 

=   who  is  cashier  of  a  bank  in  Anson,  Kansas,  and  they  have  two  children,  Frank 

Gay  and  George  McCandless.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gay  are  members  of  the  Central 

Congfregational  church  society,  and  in  his  political  views  he  is  a  republican. 

:  They  have  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends  in  Galesburg  and  Mr.  Gay  has  for  niany 

.;  years  been  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  this  city,  whereby  he  has 

gained  a  wide  acquaintance,  while  his  business  ability  and  sterling  personal  worth 

have  won  for  him  the  warm  regard,  good-will  and  confidence  of  those  with  whom 

he  has  been  associated.     He  has  not  sought  to  figure  prominently  in  public  life, 

but  has  been  content  to  do  the  duty  nearest  at  hand  day  after  day,  and  it  is  such 

citizens  who  constitute  the  real  source  of  strength  and  stability  in  a  community. 


GLAUS  EMIL  QUICK. 


A  large  percent  of  the  citizens  of  Knox  county  claim  Sweden  as  the  land 
of  their  nativity  or  that  of  their  forefathers,  and  through  the  exercise  of  the 
sturdy  qualities  peculiar  to  their  race  combined  with  the  more  prog^ressive  spirit 
of  the  new  world,  are  meeting  with  substantial  success  in  the  various  avenues 
of  labor  in  which  they  eng^age.  In  this  class  is  numbered  Claus  Emil  Quick, 
who  was  born  in  Smalands,  Jonkoping  Ian,  Sweden,  on  the  24th  of  June,  1859, 


614  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       H-.-^ 

a  son  of  Carl  Johann  Quick,  also  a  native  of  that  country,  his  birth  occurring 
April  9,  1823.  The  father,  who  was  a  son  of  Johan  Johanson,  followed  the 
occupation  of  farming  as  a  life  work  and  also  served  for  a  time  in  the  Swedish 
army.  At  an  early  age  he  married  Fredericka  Anderson,  a  daughter  of  A.  Ander- 
son, and  in  igcxD  they  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  anniversary.  Of  their 
family  of  nine  children  one  daughter  is  now  deceased.  In  1875  four  of  their 
sons  came  to  this  country,  locating  in  Altona,  Illinois,  where  they  worked  as 
farm  hands  until  1886.  The  six  succeeding  years  were  passed  in  farm  labor 
in  Lynn  township  and  then  they  moved  to  Walnut  Grove  township  and 
rented  land,  where  Claus  Emil  Quick  has  since  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  In  1877  the  father  and  remaining  members  of  the  family  also 
came  to  the  United  States,  and  here  the  father  passed  away  on  the  igth  of  April, 
1910.  The  mother  who  still  survives  him  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  makes 
her  home  in  Knoxville.  .  -  ..  '  |-  -  v:v- 

Claus  Fmil  Quick  was  a  pupil  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town  until  twelve 
years  of  age,  when  he  put  aside  his  text-books  to  learn  the  tailor's  trade.  Two 
years  later,  however,  not  finding  that  field  of  labor  congenial,  he  took  up  farm- 
ing, to  which  occupation  he  has  devoted  his  attention  continuously  throughout 
the  intervening  years.  That  these  years  have  brought  substantial  success  is 
due  to  the  fact  that  Mr.  Quick  has  ever  made  wise  use  of  his  opportunities  and 
in  the  conduct  of  his  affairs  has  manifested  industry,  perseverance  and  thrift, 
characteristic  elements  of  the  Swedish  race.  He  has  never  been  afraid  of  hard 
work  but  has  labored  untiringly  in  the  prosecution  of  agricultural  pursuits  and 
as  a  result  is  today  numbered  among  the  enterprising  and  progressive  farmers 
of  his  locality. 

It  was  on  the  6th  of  March,  1886,  that  Mr.  Quick  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Helga  Mathilda  Amenoff,  who  was  bom  in  Aspey,  Linkoping  Ian,  Sweden, 
on  the  1 7th  of  March,  1865.  Her  father,  John  Amenoff,  was  born  in  Sweden 
on  the  29th  of  April,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  Theodore  Amenoff.  The  latter,  a 
representative  of  a  well  known  family  of  Sweden,  was  a  merchant  and  official 
of  that  country,  where  he  passed  away  on  the  6th  of  August,  1871.  He  had 
married  Sophia  Ohnstadt,  who  was  born  in  Sweden  in  i8io,  and  the  only  son 
born  unto  this  union  was  John  Amenoff,  who  in  1874  came  with  his  family  to 
the  United  States.  He  located  upon  a  farm  northeast  of  Altona,  in  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  and  for  twenty  years  was  successfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
upon  that  place.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  his  accumulations  made  it 
possible  for  him  to  withdraw  from  active  work  and  in  1906  he  took  up  his 
residence  in  Altona,  where  he  is  now  living  retired.  Ere  leaving  his  native 
country  he  had  been  married,  in  i86i,  to  Miss  Johanna  Luisa  Carlson,  who  was 
born  on  the  22d  of  October,  1835,  a  daughter  of  Carl  and  Adela  Carlson,  both 
now  deceased.  The  father,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  passed  away  in  1849  at 
the  age  of  fifty  years  and  the  mother's  death  occurred  in  1889  when  she  had 
reached  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty  years.  Of  their  family  of  six  children  five 
still  continue  their  residence  in  Sweden.  Mrs.  Quick  was  one  of  six  children 
born  unto  John  and  Johanna  Amenoff,  and  she  now  has  one  living  brother, 
Alex,  of  Galva,  Illinois.  On  December  15,  1911,  Mrs.  Johanna  Luisa  Amenoff, 
the  mother  of  Mrs.  Quick,  passed  away  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at 
A.ltona.  She  was  a  lady  of  rare  qualities  and  refinement  and  not  onlv  greatlv 


:;^  ;::•::".:-•;  ;^    HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY      ;::.;    ;    -^ 

beloved  by  her  immediate  family  but  venerated  by  a  host  of  devoted  friends. 
By  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Quick  Helga  Mathilda  Amenoff  has  become  the  mother 
of  three  children.  The  eldest,  Ida  Charlotte,  was  born  on  the  2gth  of  July, 
1887,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Ora  Krumstadt,  a  resident  of  Galva.  The  second 
daughter,  Minnie  Olivia,  born  July  5,  1889,  after  her  graduation  from  high 
school  pursued  a  course  of  study  at  Geneseo  school,  and  also  at  Valparaiso, 
Indiana,  and  is  now  successfully  engaged  in  teaching  school.  Edward  Theo, 
born  October  i,  1891,  is  still  at  home. 

The  religious  belief  of  Mr.  Quick  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Altona,  and  in  fraternal  relations  he  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Since  becoming  a  naturalized  American 
citizen  he  has  given  stalwart  support  to  the  republican  party  and  for  fifteen 
years  has  held  public  office,  in  the  capacity  of  school  director  and  also  as  road 
master.  He  has  ever  proved  a  most  popular  official  and  a  valued,  public-spirited 
citizen  for  his  interests  are  thoroughly  identified  with  those  of  his  adopted 
country,  for  whose  laws  and  institutions  he  has  the  highest  regard. 


•'  r::'-.:v.,y  :•;;:/, f^;:;   J.  ALEXANDER  FINLEY.  ;    .    .:•;.'-;  •'••'; ''^v;'-^v'" •;:;.;:;;; 

'  J.  Alexander  Finley,  a  resident  of  Knox  county  since  he  was  four  years  of 
age,  is  a  progressive  and  thoroughly  modern  man  believing  in  the  value  of 
higher  education  both  for  its  practical  value  as  the  shortest  means  of  preparing 
adequately  for  a  business  or  professional  career  and  also  for  its  purely  aesthetic 
value,  since  education  is  the  necessary  basis  for  all  broader  culture  and  fuller 
enjoyment  of  the  things  worth  while  in  life.  He  was  born  in  Delaware,  Ohio, 
March  26,  1839,  his  parents  being  Joseph  and  Jane  (Ferris)  Finley,  the  former 
a  native  of  Highland  county,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  West  Virginia.  The 
father,  who  followed  agricultural  pursuits  with  much  success  on  his  farm  in 
Ohio,  came  to  Illinois,  in  1838,  and  purchased  a  quarter  section  of  land.  In 
1843  he  removed  his  family  to  his  farm  situated  in  Ontario  township  and  be- 
came a  resident  of  the  county  remaining  here  until  his  death  in  1865.  He  was 
a  prosperous  farmer  and  at  his  death  left  a  tract  comprising  five  hundred  acres 
of  well  improved  farmland  to  be  divided  among  his  heirs.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried, his  first  wife  dying  when  J.  Alexander  Finley  was  aged  two  years,  and  his 
second  marriage  occurring  in  1843,  the  year  of  his  removal  to  Knox  county. 
There  were  four  children  in  the  family,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  review 
was  the  third  in  order  of  birth.  Mr.  Finley  was  a  supporter  of  republican 
policies  and  a  loyal  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

J.  Alexander  Finley  had  no  educational  advantages  beyond  the  district 
schools  of  Ontario  township,  but  what  he  was  denied  in  his  childhood  he  made 
up  in  later  years  and  through  his  wide  reading  and  careful  observation  gained 
a  fund  of  information  concerning  the  most  varied  topics,  on  which  he  discourses 
with  much  fluency  and  native  charm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  in- 
terrupted his  labors  in  the  fields,  where  he  had  worked  since  old  enough  to 
assist  his  father,  and  enlisted  in  the  army  with  Company  D,  First  Regular  Illinois 
Cavalry,  on  April  23,  i86i,  after  Fort  Sumter  was  fired  upon.  His  company 


616  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

was  mustered  in  July  15,  i86i,  and  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Lexington,  Missouri, 
and  paroled,  being  mustered  out  July  14,  1862.  He  operated  a  farm  for  forty- 
one  years,  meeting  with  unusual  success  in  raising  crops  and  in  his  more  spe- 
cialized undertaking,  the  breeding  of  Clydesdale  horses.  He  is  the  owner  of 
four  hundred  acres  of  very  valuable  land  which  he  cultivated  until  1904,  when 
he  retired  to  Oneida  and  has  lived  there  ever  since. 

On  November  6,  1868,  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Finley  and  Miss  Mary  E.  Cox 
occurred.  She  was  born  in  Somerton,  England,  and  her  parents,  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  Cox  were  natives  of  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1853  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  the  county.  They  are  both  deceased,  the  father's  death 
having  occurred  in  1904,  and  the  mother's  some  years  earlier.  Five  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finley:  Gertrude,  the  wife  of  W.  L.  Allen,  a 
retired  farmer,  who  resides  in  Oneida;  George,  who  attended  Knox  College  and 
lives  at  home;  J.  Orton,  who  attended  the  State  University  of  Illinois  and  now 
operates  a  farm,  and  is  married  and  has  two  daughters ;  Dr.  Clyde  A.  Finley, 
who  is  married  and  practices  as  a  physician  at  Galesburg,  having  received  his 
professional  training  at  Bellevue  College,  New  York;  and  Louise  B.,  who  is  a 
graduate  of  Knox  College,  and  now  teaching  school  in  Eureka,  Utah. 

Mr.  Finley  is  a  republican  in  his  political  affiliations  and  with  his  family 
holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Oneida.  Possessed  of  a 
keen  sense  of  duty,  he  has  devoted  himself  throughout  his  life  to  the  interests 
of  his  family  providing  his  children  with  every  opportunity  that  lay  within  his 
reach  in  order  to  make  of  them  exemplary  men  and  women,  such  as  we  need  in 
larger  numbers  in  every  state  in  the  land. 


:;:;;/  V ;  '      •      •. ;  v; ..  •  -  JAMES  COOK.      .:./.•,:•  :%•;• ;;.;,.; 

-;  James  Cook,  now  deceased,  was  one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  and 
extensive  landowners  of  Knox  county  and  his  business  record  may  well  serve 
as  a  source  of  encouragement  and  inspiration  to  others,  showing  what  may  be 
accomplished  when  energy  and  determination  lead  the  way.  He  was  born  in 
Roxburyshire,  Scotland,  October  22,  i8i6,  and  his  life  record  covered  the  inter- 
vening years  to  February  12,  1887,  when  he  passed  away.  His  parents  were 
Robert  and  Janet  (Lockie)  Cook,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  land  of 
hills  and  heather,  where  the  father  devoted  his  attention  to  farming.  In  their 
family  were  the  following  children :  Jane,  Agnes,  Margaret,  William,  Janet, 
Mary,  James,  Elizabeth  and  Robert. 

James  Cook  spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  land  and  assisted  his  father 
on  the  home  farm  until  1836,  when  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  bade  adieu  to 
home  and  friends  and  sailed  for  the  new  world.  He  possessed  a  young  man's 
ambition  to  make  the  most  of  life  and  believed  that  better  opportunities  would 
be  offered  him  in  the  United  States.  He  first  made  his  way  to  Buffalo,  New 
York,  and  thence  to  Canada,  where  he  continued  for  a  time.  He  afterward 
went  to  Ross  county,  Ohio,  settling  near  Chillicothe,  and  for  six  years  was 
engaged  as  a  drover,  driving  cattle  to  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  The  ist 
of  July,  1845,  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Knox  county,  where  he  soon  completed 


616  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

was  mustered  in  July  15.  i86i.  and  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Lexington,  Missouri, 
and  paroled,  being  mustered  out  July  14,  1862.  He  operated  a  farm  for  forty- 
one  years,  meeting  with  unusual  success  in  raising  crops  and  in  his  more  spe- 
cialized undertaking,  the  breeding  of  Clydesdale  horses.  He  is  the  owner  of 
four  hundred  acres  of  very  valuable  land  which  he  cultivated  until  1904,  when 
he  retired  to  Oneida  and  has  lived  there  ever  since. 

On  November  6.  1868.  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Finley  and  ^liss  Mary  E.  Cox 
occurred.  She  was  born  in  Somerton.  England,  and  her  parents.  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  Cox  were  natives  of  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1853  and 
settled  on  a  farm  in  the  county.  They  are  both  deceased,  the  father's  death 
having  occurred  in  i<)O4.  and  the  mother's  some  years  earlier.  Five  children 
were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finley:  Gertru<Ie,  the  wife  of  \V.  L.  Allen,  a 
retired  farmer,  who  resides  in  Oneida :  George,  who  attended  Knox  College  and 
lives  at  home :  J.  Orton.  who  attended  the  State  University  of  Illinois  and  now 
operates  a  farm,  and  is  married  and  has  two  daughters ;  Dr.  Clyde  .\.  Finley. 
who  is  married  and  practices  as  a  physician  at  Galesburg.  having  received  his 
professional  training  at  Bellevue  College.  New  York ;  and  Louise  B..  w^ho  is  a 
graduate  of  Knox  College,  and  now  teaching  school  in  Eureka,  Utah. 

Mr.  Finley  is  a  rei)ublican  in  his  political  affiliations  and  with  his  family 
holds  membersbi])  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Oneida.  Possessed  of  a 
keen  sense  of  duty,  he  has  devoted  himself  throughout  his  life  to  the  interests 
of  his  family  providing  his  children  with  every  opportunity  that  lay  within  his 
reach  in  order  to  make  of  them  exemplary  men  and  women,  such  as  we  need  in 
larger  numbers  in  every  state  in  the  land. 


,  JAMES  COOK. 

James  Cook,  now  deceased,  was  one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  and 
extensive  landowners  of  Knox  county  and  his  business  record  may  well  serve 
as  a  source  of  encouragement  and  inspiration  to  others,  showing  what  may  be 
accomplished  when  energy  and  determination  lead  the  way.  He  was  born  in 
Roxburyshire.  Scotland.  October  22.  i8i6,  and  his  life  record  covered  the  inter- 
vening years  to  February  12.  1887.  when  he  ]>assed  away.  His  parents  were 
Robert  and  Janet  (Lockie)  Cook,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  land  of 
hills  and  heather,  where  the  father  devoted  his  attention  to  farming.  In  their 
family  were  the  following  children :  Jane.  Agnes.  Margaret.  William.  Janet, 
Mary,  James.  Elizabeth  and  Robert. 

James  Cook  spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  land  and  assisted  his  father 
on  the  home  farm  until  1836.  when  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  bade  adieu  to 
home  and  friends  and  sailed  for  the  new  world.  He  possessed  a  young  man's 
ambition  to  make  the  most  of  life  and  believed  that  better  opportunities  would 
be  offered  him  in  the  United  States.  He  first  made  his  way  to  Buffalo.  New 
York,  and  thence  to  Canada,  where  he  continued  for  a  time.  He  afterw-ard 
went  to  Ross  county.  Ohio,  settling  near  Chillicothe.  and  for  six  years  was 
engaged  as  a  drover,  driving  cattle  to  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  The  1st 
of  July,  1845,  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Knox  county,  where  he  soon  completed 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;-  :  619 


arrangements  for  the  purchase  of  a  farm  near  Rochester,  becoming  the  owner        - 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.    After  two  years  he  sold  that  property  and         ; 
purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  i6,  Copley  township,  to  which  he  added  from 
time  to  time  as  his  financial  resources  permitted  until  he  became  the  owner  of         ^    ' 
eight  hundred  acres  of  valuable  Illinois   farm  land,  all  of  which  was  in  his 
possession  at  the  time  of  his  death.    His  last  ten  years  were  spent  in  honorable         '' 
retirement  from  labor  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  rest  which  he  truly  earned  and        '  ••:  • 
richly  deserved.  . 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1853,  ^^-  Cook  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ag^es         •  ; ' 
Stein,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Margaret  (Carr)  Stein,  of  Edinburgh,  Scot-        r;; 
land.    Her  father,  who  was  born  near  that  city,  devoted  his  life  to  farming  and          >  ^ 
died  in  1829.    His  wife  was  also  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Edinburgh  and  died  in          o 
May,  1867,  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.     They  were  the  parents  of  eight         ' 
children:   William,   Mary,    Isabelle,   Janet   and  Margaret,   all   now    deceased;  :^ 

Agnes,  now  Mrs,  Cook ;  and  John  and  Andrew,  deceased.    Of  this  family  Agnes, 
the  sixth  in  order  of  birth,  became  the  wife  of  James  Cook.     She  was  born  .• 

near  Edinburgh,  May  28,  1823,  and  was  educated  in  her  native  country.     She  . 

came  to  the  new  world  to  visit  her  sister  who  was  living  at  Knoxville,  and  dur-  ; 

ing  her  visit  became  acquainted  with  Mr.  Cook,  who  sought  her  hand  in  mar-         ^     ; 
riage.     She  is  now  living  with  her  daughter,  Janet  Cook,  at  No.  960  North  -; 

Cherry  street  in  Galesburg,     By  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  seven 
children.    Isabelle,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  Nathan  A.  Milroy,  of  Copley  town-          •' 
ship,  and  they  have  six  children:     Mary,  the  wife  of  Martin  Gibbs,  living  in         '   :. 
Victoria  township;  William;  Samuel,  living  at  home;  Edna,  the  wife  of  Glenn          : 
Gibbs,  of  Victoria  township;  Archie  and  James  Milroy,  both  at  home.    William, 
the  second  member  of  the  Cook  family,  is  living  on  North  Cherry  street  in  .  • 

Galesburg.     His  wife  died  in  October,  1888,  and  he  subsequently  married  Miss  •;  : 

Helen  Stephenson  and  they  had  one  child,  Marion,  deceased.    Janet,  the  third         • 
of  the  family,  is  living  with  her  mother.     Margaret  is  the  wife  of  Alexander 
Wylie,  of  Vinton,  Iowa,  and  their  children  are:  Mabel,  James  C.,  Jean,  Agnes,         'v' 
Margaret,  Effiie  and  Isabelle.     Mary  A.  became  the  wife  of  Houston  Tait  but 
both  are  now  deceased.     They  had  three  children:  Agnes,  the  wife  of  Louis        . 
Jamagin,  of  Victoria  township;  Dwight  Cook,  living  in  Cascade,  Montana;  and         : 
Jennie  Tait,  whose  home  is  in  Copley  township,  this  county.    Agnes,  the  sixth 
member  of  the  Cook  family,  is  the  wife  of  George  M.  Huston,  of  Miami,  '       ' 
Florida,  and  their  children  are:  Margaret,  now  deceased;  Agnes;   Georgine;  ';  :. 
and  George.     Elizabeth,  the  youngest  member  of  the  Cook  family,  died  in  in-      .:  ' 
fancy.     Mrs.  Cook  now  has  four  great  grandchildren:  Dale  and  Dean,  sons    /.,.' 
of  Martin  Gibbs;  and  Helen  and  May  Louise  Tait.  ;.,       ' 

The  death  of  James  Cook  occurred  February  12,  1887,  when  he  was  in  his  ;  ' 
seventy-first  year.     After  taking  out  naturalization   papers,  he  became  a   sup-          . 
porter  of  the  republican  party  and  remained  loyal  to  its  interests.     He  served 
as  school  trustee  and  as  road  commissoner,  yet  was  never  a  politician  in  the 
sense  of  the  office  seeker.    He  was  always  however,  mindful  of  his  public  duty      . 
and  was  faithful  to  every  trust  reposed  in  him.     His  widow  remains  a  con-   •        -^ 
sistent  and  loyal  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  to  which  Mr.  Cook  long         '; 
belonged  and  in  which  he  served  as  trustee.    His  was  a  well  spent,  useful  life 
and  at  all  times  and  in  all  relations  his  fellow  townsmen  found  him  an  honor-    i^     - 


620  /  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  <..,:-:;  Cv- 

able  man  who  held  to  high  ideals  and  therefore  commanded  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  those  who  knew  him.  While  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  has 
passed  since  he  was  called  from  this  life,  he  is  yet  remembered  by  many  of  the 
old  settlers  of  the  county  who  had  for  him  warm  esteem  and  the  admiration 
which  is  always  given  to  a  successful  man  whose  prosperity  is  well  won. 


';;;' .Vv;;::--;v       ••          JAMES  s.  PAYNE.      ••/'.:::' .'^--'v' ;''-'^'v 

James  S.  Payne,  who  is  at  present  engaged  as  carrier  in  the  rural  delivery 
department  of  the  United  States  postoffice,  is  residing  in  Altona,  Knox  county. 
His  birth  occurred  on  the  I7th  of  March,  1865,  in  Harrisonville,  Missouri.  He 
was  the  grandson  of  William  and  Susan  (Stephenson)  Payne,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky,  and  was  the  son  of  William  B.  Payne,  a  native  of  Lexington,  Ken- 
tucky, who  is  at  present  living  in  Virginia,  Illinois,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine 
years.  William  Payne  started  in  life  on  his  own  account  by  accepting  a  clerical 
position  and  subsequently  went  to  Harrisonville,  Missouri,  where  he  interested 
himself  as  partner  with  his  former  employer  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  for  three  years  before  removing  to  Virginia,  Illinois,  where  he  con- 
ducted a  store.  These  various  enterprises  were  both  agreeable  and  profitable, 
and  desiring  to  continue  in  the  same  line  of  business,  Mr.  Payne  opened  stores 
in  Chandlersville  and  Ashland,  Illinois.  He  was  conducting  these  establishments 
at  the  time  the  new  bankruptcy  law  became  effective.  This  law  affected  his 
resources  so  badly  that  he  lost  practically  all  he  had  accumulated,  and  in  1898 
was  forced  to  retire.  He  was  married  to  Hannah  E.  Allender,  whose  death 
occurred  in  1895,  and  who  was  the  daughter  of  Hiram  Allender.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Payne  eleven  children  were  born,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living:  John 
W.,  a  resident  of  Kansas  City;  Eva,  the  wife  of  J.  Chapman  of  Birmingham, 
Alabama;  Richard  and  Wm.  G.,  both  of  whom  are  residents  of  Kansas  pty, 
Missouri ;  Charles  F.,  who  is  living  in  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas ;  Henrietta,  who 
is  married  to  D.  Crum,  a  resident  of  Virginia,  Illinois ;  Miranda,  who  is  the 
wife  of  A.  M.  Thompson  of  Washington ;  and  James  S.,  the  subject  of  this 
review. 

After  finishing  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  James  Payne  attended 
Brown's  Business  College  at  Jacksonville,  and  Illinois  College  of  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  from  which  he  was  graduated  and  prepared  to  enter  upon  a  business 
career.  His  first  position  was  in  Oberlin,  Kansas,  where  he  was  a  clerk  in  the 
government  land  office  for  two  years.  Subsequently  he  left  for  Tecumseh, 
Nebraska,  and  engaged  in  the  abstract  business  in  Johnson  county.  Returning 
to  Illinois  he  was  employed  in  Virginia  as  a  department  commercial  clerk  for 
a  short  time  previous  to  leaving  for  Beatrice,  Nebraska,  where  he  was  engaged 
as  express  and  baggage  man  for  the  Burlington  &  Missouri  River  Railway,  now 
a  part  of  the  Burlington  system.  Again  returning  to  Virginia  he  served  in  the 
capacity  of  deputy  sheriflF  and  ex-officio  tax  collector  for  three  years  and  then 
left  for  Topeka,  Illinois,  where  he  purchased  a  drug  store  previous  to  going  to 
Altona  in  1896.  Later  he  moved  his  drug  store  and,  in  1901,  entered  the  United 
States  mail  service  as  rural  delivery  man.  At  the  present  time  he  is  serving  in 


;;-'     ;;/;;:.  g  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;  ;':  xCtf;;     621 

that  capacity  and  is  also  interested  in  western  real  estate  and  other  business 
enterprises.  In  all  these  positions  Mr.  Payne  has  shown  a  true  regard  for  the 
essentials  and  principles  of  business  and  has  been  an  accurate  and  reliable 
employe. 

Mr.  Payne  was  united  in  marriage  to  Anna  A.  Buckman,  who  is  the  daughter 
of  C.  F.  and  Mary  E.  (Mauck)  Buckman,  and  was  born  on  the  5th  of  August, 
1870.  The  parents  are  both  living  and  are  very  active  in  their  home  duties. 
Mr.  Buckman  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Payne  three 
children  have  been  born:  Marie,  who  is  twenty-two  years  of  age;  Cal  C.,  who 
is  twenty  years  of  age;  and  Doris,  who  is  fourteen  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Payne  gives  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party  and,  although 
he  has  never  sought  office,  he  has  been  very  active  in  promoting  the  policies  of 
the  party  he  thinks  will  be  the  most  effective  in  producing  good  government. 
Recently  he  was  elected  police  magistrate  but  could  not  accept  the  office  because 
of  his  official  position  in  the  United  States  postoffice.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  of  Osceola,  Iowa.  At  present  he  enjoys  the  confidence  and 
respect  of  the  members  of  his  community,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  held  in 
the  highest  regard  because  of  their  social  characteristics  and  their  sterling  worth. 


.••'..,•:.      CHARLES  H.  RHODES.  '^'-/.CVr^V 

For  more  than  half  a  century  Charles  H.  Rhodes  has  been  a  witness  of  the 
progress  in  the  material  and  intellectual  development  of  Knox  county,  having 
been  born  in  Henderson,  March  3,  1854.  His  father,  William  'M.  Rhodes,  a 
native  of  Vermont,  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Henderson  in  the  year  1851 
or  52,  plying  his  trade,  that  of  wagon-making,  which  he  had  learned  in  the  east. 
He  had  a  shop  of  his  own  for  a  time  and  found  much  demand  for  his  services 
in  those  days,  when  much  of  the  transportation  of  farm  products  was  done  by 
wagon  before  the  ramified  system  of  local  railroads  was  installed.  He  married 
Mary  J.  Brown,  a  native  of  Henderson  township  and  a  daughter  of  Wilson 
Brown  who  came  to  Knox  county  from  Kentucky  in  pioneer  days.  Four  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhodes,  of  whom  Charles  H.  Rhodes  was  the 
eldest.  They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  which  lost  a 
loyal  supporter  at  the  death  of  Mr.  Rhodes  in  1882.  In  his  political  allegiance 
he  was  a  republican.  '  ; . ; 

Charles  H.  Rhodes  was  educated  in  the  village  school  and  became  self- 
supporting  at  an  early  age  choosing  farming  for  his  calling,  not  only  for  the 
invigorating  and  varied  nature  of  the  labors  which  this  occupation  involves 
but  also  for  the  promising  future  which  he  foresaw.  His  judgment  proved  right 
as  his  later  prosperity  showed.  In  the  choice  of  his  home  he  always  confined 
himself  to  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Henderson,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  six  acres  after  some  time  and  for  twenty  years  devoted  himself 
to  its  cultivation  and  development.  He  retired  a  few  years  ago  and  now  rents 
the  land  from  which  he  makes  a  good  income.  During  the  period  of  his  activities 


622  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  ;  -  /- 

he  was  modem  in  the  methods  of  farming  which  he  employed,  and  progressive 
and  alert  in  his  administration  of  the  place. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Rhodes  and  Miss  Frances  Martin  was  solemnized  Feb- 
ruary 1 8,  1880.  She  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  was  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Drusilla  (Pope)  Martin,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  her  father  coming  to 
Knox  county  in  1857,  when  he  settled  on  a  farm  and  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Three  children  were  born  to  Mn 
and  Mrs.  Rhodes :  Harry,  who  is  married,  a  farmer  in  Ontario  township,  Knox 
county;  Helen  M.,  the  wife  of  Fred  Smith,  a  farmer,  who  has  two  children; 
and  Margaret  E.,  the  wife  of  Harry  L.  Pople,  employed  in  a  general  store  in 
Monmouth,  Illinois,  who  has  one  son,  Irwin  R.  Dale. 

Mr,  Rhodes  votes  with  the  republicans  and  has  been  entrusted  with  the  re- 
sponsibilities of  public  office  a  number  of  times,  serving  as  constable,  justice  of 
the  peace  and  as  school  trustee,  holding  the  latter  office  for  a  considerable  length 
of  time.  With  his  family  he  worships  in  the  Christian  church  of  Henderson, 
believing  in  the  doctrine  of  righteousness  and  truth  as  the  basis  upon  which 
every  religion  and  philosophy  must  be  built.  He  is  a  man  of  serious  mind  and 
sterling  traits  of  character  devoted  to  his  family  and  his  friends. 


:  ;  .  X     •  IRVING  W.  DAVISON.  '   /: 

Irving  W.  Davison,  who  resides  in  Henderson  township,  was  born  in  Hen- 
derson, March  31,  1877,  his  parents  being  Joseph  and  Isabella  (Kilgore)  Davi- 
son, both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father,  who  had  been  a 
resident  of  Knoxville,  came  to  Henderson  and  engaged  in  the  shoe  business 
prior  to  entering  upon  agricultural  pursuits  which  he  carried  on  extensively 
later  in  life,  owning  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  and  raising  cattle  for 
the  western  market  until  his  death,  October  27,  1910. 

Irving  W.  Davison  received  a  common-school  education  and  then  assisted 
his  father  on  the  latter's  farm  until  he  started  out  on  his  own  account,  in  1907, 
on  the  one  hundred  and  forty-acre  tract  of  land  he  now  owns  and  devotes  to 
general  farming.  Although  he  has  been  farming  independently  for  only  four 
years,  he  has  already  met  with  a  good  measure  of  success  and  has  shown  that 
long  years  of  experience  are  not  necessarily  indispensable  to  succes^  if  energy 
and  determination  take  their  place.  '  .  •-  .  .r  -^  ;•  I  .  ' 

On  October  17,  1902,  Mr.  Davison  was  married  to  Emma  J.  Nelson  and  to 
this  union  five  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Mary  L.,  Helen  C.,'  Evelyn 
M.,  Gertrude  B.,  and  Gladys  Margaret,  deceased.  Mrs.  Davison  is  the  daughter 
of  Nels  and  Hannah  Nelson,  who  have  been  residents  of  Knox  county  for  many 
years.  Nels  Nelson  was  bom  in  Christianstad,  Sweden,  October  6,  1855,  and 
received  a  common-school  education  in  his  native  land,  where  he  engaged  in 
fanning  until  1877,  when  he  came  to  America,  there  he  has  since  carried  on  the 
same  pursuit.  He  first  settled  in  Henry  county  and  was  employed  there  for 
several  years,  although  he  resided  in  Knox  county  during  the  latter  part  of  that- 
time.  After  five  or  six  years  he  began  farming  near  Henderson  and  Wataga 
and,  in  1898,  located  upon  the  forty-acre  farm  which  he  had  recently  acquired 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          •:}^r"'       623 


and  upon  which  he  now  resides.  In  politics  Mr.  Nelson  gives  his  support  to 
the  republican  party  and  has  served  as  road  commissioner.  He  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Wataga,  as  well  as  Galesburg  Camp, 
No.  667,  M.  W.  A.  On  January  4,  1882,  Nels  Nelson  was  married  to  Mrs.  Anna 
(Samuelson)  Peterson,  whose  parents  remained  in  Sweden,  their  native  country. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nelson  six  children  have  been  born,  of  whom  five  are  now 
living.  The  eldest,  Christina,  is  married  to  Gust  Malcolm,  an  agriculturist,  who 
resides  in  Ontario  township  and  has  three  children.  Emil,  who  is  an  agriculturist 
in  Henderson  township,  is  married  and  is  the  father  of  two  children.  Emma  is. 
the  wife  of  Irving  W.  Davison,  of  this  sketch.  George  is  married  and  is  an 
agriculturist  in  Henderson  township.  Minnie,  the  youngest,  is  residing  a*  home. 
Mr.  Davison  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  having  a  firm 
belief  that  its  policies  are  most  effective  in  securing  good  government.  In  this, 
as  in  his  other  relations,  he  is  loyal  and  consistent,  always  acting  according  to 
his  interpretation  of  the  highest  citizenship.  . 


'.    •.>:'.'   .,.^- '>:>-.;•-.  ''••:^-';  THOMAS  CRAVER.  ,v.    ,    ••;    :;::\:-v ;.•';'->;;•'{'. 

Thomas  Craver,  now  deceased,  who  resided  for  many  years  in  Walnut  Grove 
township,  was  born  May  26,  1824,  in  Hanover,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  and  Christina  (Stoekel)  Craver,  who  were  Pennsylvania  Germans. 

Thomas  Craver,  who  was  an  undertaker  by  trade,  spent  his  early  life  on  the 
home  farm,  but  after  his  marriage  in  1851  came  to  Lynn  township,  Knox  county, 
and  settled  in  a  little  log  house  upon  the  farm  which  he  cultivated  for  twenty- 
seven  years  previous  to  removing  to  Altona  in  1885,  where  he  lived  retired  until 
his  death. 

Mr.  Craver  was  married  September  17,  1851,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Cameron, 
who  was  a  daughter  of  Angus  Cameron  and  was  born  on  September  14,  1832, 
in  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Scotland, 
his  birth  having  occurred  there  in  1807,  and  he  came  to  America  with  his 
brothers  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  They  located  first  in  Canada  but  soon  re- 
moved to'  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania,  with  an  uncle,  where  they  remained  through- 
out their  lives.  In  Carbondale  he  followed  the  cabinet-maker's  trade  and  showed 
a  skill  and  ability  which  won  him  rapid  promotion.  He  was  married  to  Sabrina 
Snyder,  whose  birth  occurred  in  New  York  state.  May  31,  1812,  and  who  passed 
away  on  the  I7th  of  April,  1896.  Mrs.  Cameron  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Margaret  Snyder  and  a  granddaughter  of  John  and  Mary  Cameron,  the  former 
a  shepherd  boy  in  his  youth.  Mr.  Cameron  held  membership  in  the  Methodist 
church  and  his  death  occurred  on  September  29,  1896.  To  him  and  his  wife 
nine  children  were  born,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Craver,  the  eldest,  is 
the  widow  of  Thomas  Craver,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Duncan  was  bom 
in  Pennsylvania,  October  3,  1834,  and  is  at  present  residing  with  Mrs.  Craven 
At  the  age  of  twelve  years  he  began  assisting  his  father  as  a  cabinet-maker  and 
_  remained  with  him  until  1859.  In  1864  he  removed  to  Iowa  and  again  took  up 
his  trade,  remaining  in  Cedar  Falls  for  two  years  before  removing  to  South 
Dakota.  Subsequently  he  returned  to  Iowa  and  until  1905,  when  he  came  to 


624  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;^ 

live  retired  with  his  sister,  was  engaged  as  a  millwright.  He  was  twice  married, 
his  first  union  being  to  Harriet  Hoadley,  of  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Luther  and  Sophia  (Sampson)  Hoadley.  To  this  union  one  child, 
Luther,  was  bom,  his  death  occurring  when  he  was  but  one  year  old.  Mrs. 
Cameron  passed  away  in  1863,  at  the  age  of  thirty  years.  His  second  marriage 
was  to  Mary  M.  Cockerell,  a  native  of  Wisconsin  and  a  daughter  of  J.  Cockerell, 
a  native  of  England.  Her  death  occurred  in  1905,  at  the  age  of  sixty  years. 
Mr.  Cameron  has  never  given  active  support  to  any  political  party.  He  holds 
membership  in  the  Baptist  church  and  formerly  was  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  Angus,  the  next  in  order  of  birth  in  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Angus 
Cameron,  resides  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania.  Libby  is  the  wife  of  P.  Gray  and 
resides  in  Streator,  Illinois.  Anna  is  the  widow  of  J.  Scurry,  of  Carbondale. 
Emma  is  married  to  Charles  Gray  and  is  residing  in  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craver  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children.  Mary  E.,  the 
eldest,  is  the  wife  of  John  S.  Collinson  and  resides  in  Galva,  Illinois.  They  are 
the  parents  of  three  children :  Dennis,  who  is  married  and  has  three  children ; 
Wiley,  who  is  married  and  has  one  child ;  and  Cora.  William  V.  resides  in 
Lynn  township  and  married  Jessie  McClatchey,  by  whom  he  has  two  children, 
Glenn  and  Thomas.  John  A.  is  also  a  resident  of  Lynn  township  and  is  mar- 
ried to  Jessie  Cochren  and  has  one  child,  Ira  Ross.  Harriet  is  the  wife  of  E. 
Burkhart,  of  Nebraska,  and  has  two  children,  Jennie  and  Jessie.  Anna  is  mar- 
ried and  resides  in  California.  She  has  one  daughter,  Stella,  who  married  Dr. 
Mills.  .Minnie  is  the  wife  of  A.  A.  Scott,  of  Altona,  and  Judge  T.,  who  resides 
in  Walnut  Grove  township,  married  Emma  Kermode.  Four,  Flora,  Ira,  Florence 
and  Emma,  died  early  in  life. 

Mr.  Craver  was  a  member  of  Altona  Lodge,  No.  330,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Altona,  and  also  belonged  to  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  Mrs.  Craver  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona  and  is  active  in  its  Ladies  Social 
Union  Society.  Industry  and  persistency  were  the  salient  features  in  his  career 
and  were  potent  elements  in  the  acquirement  of  his  success,  which  not  only 
spoke  in  terms  of  material  gain  but  also  won  him  the  regard  and  high  esteem 
of  his  fellowmen.  . , 


-;""-.  •       '          •        N.  B.  IVES,  SR.      ::••/•'/. :-;--^^:' 

N.  B.  Ives,  Sr.,  who  is  now  living  retired,  owns  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty-eight  acres  on  section  7,  Victoria  township,  where  for  many  years  he 
successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.     He  is  one  of  the 
four  children  born  of  the  marriage  of  Joshua  and  Katherine   (Wilber)   Ives,     ' 
his  birth  occurring  in  Otsego  county.  New  York,  on  the  pth  of  November,  1833.    -, 
The  parents  passed  their  entire  lives  in  Otsego  county,  the  mother's  death  oc-      - 
curring  at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  when  our  subject  was  a  child  of  two  years,     .; 
but  the  father  lived  to  attain  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-nine.     They  were  .  v 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  while  his  political  support  Joshua  Ives  always     ..- 
accorded  the  republican  party.  ,  .    i      ..  . 


624  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

live  retired  with  his  sister,  was  engaged  as  a  millwright.  He  was  twice  married, 
his  first  union  being  to  Harriet  Hoadley,  of  Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  a 
daughter  of  Luther  and  Sophia  (Sampson)  Hoadley.  To  this  union  one  child, 
Luther,  was  born,  his  death  occurring  when  he  was  but  one  year  old.  Mrs. 
Cameron  passed  away  in  1863,  at  the  age  of  thirty  years.  His  second  marriage 
was  to  ^^ary  M.  Cockerell.  a  native  of  Wisconsin  and  a  daughter  of  J.  Cockerell, 
a  native  of  England.  Her  death  occurred  in  1905,  at  the  age  of  sixty  years. 
Mr.  Cameron  has  never  given  active  supjwrt  to  any  political  party.  He  holds 
membership  in  the  Baptist  church  and  formerly  was  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  Angus,  the  next  in  order  of  birth  in  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  .\ngus 
Cameron,  resides  in  Carbondale,  Pennsylvania.  Libby  is  the  wife  of  P.  Gray  and 
resides  in  Streator.  Illinois.  Anna  is  the  widow  of  J.  Scurry,  of  Carbondale. 
Emma  is  married  to  Charles  Gray  and  is  residing  in  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craver  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children.  Mary  E.,  the 
eldest,  is  the  wife  of  John  S.  Collinson  and  resides  in  Galva,  Illinois.  They  are 
the  parents  of  three  children :  Dennis,  who  is  married  and  has  three  children ; 
\\'iley,  who  is  married  and  has  one  child ;  and  Cora.  William  V.  resides  in 
Lynn  township  and  married  Jessie  McClatchey,  by  whom  he  has  two  children, 
Glenn  and  Thomas.  John  A.  is  also  a  resident  of  Lynn  township  and  is  mar- 
ried to  Jessie  Cochren  and  has  one  child,  Ira  Ross.  Harriet  is  the  wife  of  E. 
Burkhart,  of  Nebraska,  and  has  two  children,  Jennie  and  Jessie.  Anna  is  mar- 
ried and  resides  in  California.  She  has  one  daughter,  Stella,  who  married  Dr. 
Mills.  Minnie  is  the  wife  of  A.  A.  Scott,  of  Altona,  and  Judge  T.,  who  resides 
in  Walnut  Grove  township,  married  Emma  Kermode.  Eour,  Flora,  Ira,  Florence 
and  Emma,  died  early  in  life. 

.  Mr.  Craver  was  a  member  of  Altona  Lodge,  No.  330,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Altona,  and  also  belonged  to  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  Mrs.  Craver  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona  and  i;,  active  in  its  Ladies  Social 
L'nion  Society.  Industry  and  persistency  were  the  salient  features  in  his  career 
and  were  potent  elements  in  the  ac(|uirement  of  his  success,  which  not  only 
spoke  in  terms  of  material  gain  but  also  won  him  the  regard  and  high  esteem 
of  his  fellowmen. 


V  N.  B.  IVES,  SR.  -       '^ 

.  N.  B.  Ives,  Sr.,  who  is  now  living  retired,  owns  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  thirty-eight  acres  on  section  7,  \'ictoria  township,  where  for  many  years  he 
successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  is  one  of  the 
four  children  born  of  the  marriage  of  Joshua  and  Katherine  (Wilber)  Ives, 
his  birth  occurring  in  Otsego  county,  Xew  York,  on  the  9th  of  November,  1833. 
The  ])arents  ])assed  their  entire  lives  in  Otsego  county,  the  mother's  death  oc- 
curring at  the  age  of  twenty-three,  when  our  subject  was  a  child  of  two  years, 
but  the  father  lived  to  attain  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-nine.  They  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  while  his  political  support  Josluia  Ives  always 
accorded  the  republican  party. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


627 


The  agricultural  training  of  N.  B.  Ives  was  received  under  the  supervision 
of  his  father  on  the  old  homestead  in  Otsego  county,  while  pursuing  his  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools.  He  continued  to  follow  farming  in  his  native  state 
until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  when  he  decided  that  the  west  afforded 
better  opportunities  and  greater  advantages  to  the  young  man,  so  in  1856  he 
'  came  to  Illinois.  Upon  his  arrival  in  Knox  county  he  located  in  Victoria  town- 
ship and  for  two  years  thereafter  worked  as  a  farm  hand  by  the  month.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  he  bought  the  place  he  now  owns,  which  is  located  a  mile 
northeast  of  Victoria.  This  was  the  property  of  the  Force  boys  and  was  un- 
improved with  the  exception  of  forty  acres.  Mr.  Ives  was  an  enterprising, 
industrious  young  man,  however,  and  had  no  hesitancy  in  undertaking  the  arduous 
task  of  placing  the  entire  tract  under  cultivation.  He  was  young,  strong  and 
full  of  ambition,  and  the  thought  of  owning  a  farm  proved  an  incentive  to  yet 
greater  effort  and  the  last  forty  acres  of  his  land  he  broke  entirely  unassisted. 
Naturally  he  encountered  the  disappointment  and  discouragements  common  to 
pioneer  life,  but  he  never  lost  hope,  possessing  absolute  confidence  in  ultimately 
attaining  success.  The  operation  of  his  farm  was  always  given  his  personal 
supervision,  the  greater  part  of  the  work  being  done  by  him  alone  during  the 
early  years.  His  fields  were  devoted  to  the  raising  of  such  cereals  as  were  best 
adapted  to  the  soil,  and  under  his  capable  direction  annually  yielded  harvests 
that  fully  compensated  for  the  labor  expended  in  their  cultivation.  In  connec- 
tion with  general  farming  he  raised  cattle,  hogs  and,  on  a  smaller  scale,  horses 
all  of  a  high  grade,  and  attained  lucrative  results  from  these  undertakings.  Mr. 
Ives  was  actively  engaged  in  the  operation  of  his  farm  until  fifteen  years  ago, 
when  he  had  the  misfortune  to  suffer  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  and  he  has  ever  since 
been  an  invalid.  He  still  resides  on  his  homestead  but  the  land  is  being  culti- 
vated by  his  son.  It  is  a  very  attractive  place,  and  has  always  been  a  source  of 
great  pride  to  its  owner,  representing  as  it  does  the  self-denial,  toil  and  struggles 
of  his  early  manhood  and  middle  age.  All  of  the  buildings  now  standing  on  the 
place  have  been  erected  during  the  period  of  his  occupancy,  the  lumber  for  most 
of  them  having  been  hauled  from  Galva,  this  state,  at  that  time  the  nearest  trad- 
ing post.  His  only  prolonged  absence  from  the  farm  since  he  settled  upon  it 
was  during  the  war.  As  a  member  of  Company  K,  Eighty-third  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry  he  went  to  the  front,  proving  as  efficient  a  soldier  as  a  farmer. 
He  saw  much  active  service  but  was  never  wounded  or  taken  prisoner  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  with  the  rank  of  sergeant,  receiving  his 
discharge  at  Chicago. 

On  the  2d  of  January,  i86i,  Mr.  Ives  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Susan 
Oark,  who  was  born  in  Otsego  county.  New  York,  on  the  2Oth  of  May,  1842. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  William  P.  and  Dinah  (Soules)  Clark.  The  parents  were 
also  natives  of  Otsego  county,  but  they  later  removed  to  Knox  county,  and  here 
the  mother  passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  while  the  father  reached  the 
patriarchal  age  of  eighty-seven.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ives  numbers  five, 
as  follows:  W.  J.,  v^rho  is  a  resident  of  Chicago;  Ola  C.,  who  married  Frank 
M.  Robinson  and  is  living  in  Houston,  Texas ;  N.  B.,  Jr.,  who  married  Minnie 
Watson  and  is  also  a  resident  of  Houston ;  Ulysses  S.,  a  resident  of  this  town- 
ship, who  married  Mabel  Robinson ;  and  Sherman,  who  married  Miss  Florence 
Craver,  now  operating  his  father's  farm.  ,.:...  ..,-  ,  .  -,  ,. 

VoL      n— 28  V^'  '•'•.    ''.-'-•'"'     '      •         T'V    ••''•••  ''•vV\.-';/-V. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '••  >-^;i-     • 

Ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise  upon  attaining  his  majority,  Mr. 
Ives  has  given  his  unqualified  indorsement  to  the  principles  of  the  republican 
party.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and  on  each  succeeding  elec- 
tion has  given  his  support  to  the  candidates  of  the  party  of  his  early  choice. 
Being  a  public-spirited  man,  he  has  taken  an  active  interest  in  township  politics 
and  has  served  as  collector,  school  trustee,  director  and  pathmaster,  the  duties  ' 
of  which  offices  he  discharged  in  a  creditable  manner.  Mr.  Ives  is  one  of  the 
honored  members  of  the  local  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  for 
many  years  held  the  chaplain's  chair  in  this  organization.  He  is  highly  regarded 
as  a  citizen  of  his  township,  in  the  development  and  upbuilding  of  which  he  has 
taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest  during  the  fifty-five  years  of  his  residence, 
and  is  numbered  among  its  substantial  agriculturists.  :' >  •.  "  ., 


:' /^vvx:;   :  .         SAMUEL  RANKIN.    ••;.:, >/y;:-'^-.::'c 

One  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Knox  county  and  for  many  years  a  farmer 
of  progressive  ideals  who  occupied  a  place  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  representa- 
tives of  his  calling,  is  Samuel  Rankin,  now  living  on  his  farm  in  Henderson 
township.  His  birth  occurred  in  Uniontown,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  lo,  1844.  He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Eliza  (Junk)  Rankin,  both 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  former  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  born  in  1800.  His 
father,  who  was  an  active  whig  in  politics,  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Pennsylvania  until  his  death  in  1877.  His  mother  died  in  1894.  (  . 

During  his  boyhood  and  youth,  Samuel  Rankin  remained  with  his  parents 
in  his  native  state,  where  he  was  educated,  first  in  the  elementary  branches 
taught  in  the  common  schools,  and  then  at  DuflFs  College,  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania, from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  in  i86i.  This  education,  al- 
though much  above  the  average  advantages  of  the  youth  of  his  day,  did  not 
fully  satisfy  him  and  consequently  he  entered  Madison  Institute,  in  Uniontown, 
Pennsylvania,  in  order  to  have  specialized  training  for  a  profession.  At  the 
close  of  the  course  he  engaged  in  teaching  and  followed  this  calling  for  a  num- 
ber of  years.  In  1864  he  went  to  Colorado  and  there  spent  some  months  in 
military  service  against  the  Indians.  The  following  three  years  he  spent  at 
home  in  Pennsylvania  and,  in  1867,  severed  the  last  close  ties  that  bound  him 
to  the  scenes  of  his  childhood  and  came  to  the  middle  west,  settling  in  Henry 
county,  Illinois.  There  he  farmed  for  nine  years  on  rented  land  and  at  the  end 
of  this  period  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Henry  county. 
This  remained  in  his  possession  for  two  years,  when  he  sold  it  and  removed 
to  Knox  county,  buying  a  farm  in  Henderson  township.  He  carried  on  general 
farming  and  feeding  cattle  for  market  with  much  success.  A  few  years  ago 
he  temporarily  retired,  turning  over  the  management  of  the  farm  to  his  son, 
but  returned  to  the  same  and  is  now  carrying  on  general  farming  as  before. 
He  owns  two  hundred  and  seventy-four  acres  of  land  in  this  county  and  farms 
it  all.  .;•  --,;••  .^  .  •',-/;•;;•  :'  ..  i  '^'V- ^-'.^j^-iS 

Mr.  Rankin  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Mary  D.  Henderson,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Dunlap)  Henderson.  Her  father  settled  in 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


629 


this  county  in  1855  and  in  his  manhood  engaged  in  farming.  He  died  in  1873 
and  his  wife  died  in  1869.  Mrs.  Rankin  passed  to  her  future  reward  in  the 
year  1886.  She  was  the  mother  of  five  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
W.  F.,  who  is  married  and  living  in  Cleveland,  is  a  general  agent  for  the  Collier's 
Works.  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Marks,  resides  in  St.  Louis.  Samuel, 
Jr.,  married,  is  a  farmer  in  Orange  township,  Knox  county.  Horace  A.,  who 
is  living  .in  Oklahoma,  is  married  and  the  father  of  one  child. 

On  December  3,  1889,  Mr.  Rankin  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  A.  Pitman, 
his  present  wife,  at  Henderson.  Her  parents,  Gideon  and  Mary  J.  (Champion) 
Pitman,  were  old  settlers  in  this  county,  where  her  father  was  a  prosperous 
farmer.  By  his  second  marriage  Mr.  Rankin  is  the  father  of  one  child,  Ralph 
E.,  living  at  home  with  his  parents. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rankin  worship  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Hen- 
derson. In  his  political  views  Mr.  Rankin  is  a  republican.  He  has  given  much  : 
of  his  efforts  and  time  to  public  service  and  for  three  terms  was  supervisor, 
for  two  terms  assessor,  and  for  two  terms  highway  commissioner.  Mr.  Rankin 
is  a  public-spirited  man  actively  interested  in  the  advancement  of  the  intellectual 
and  social  growth  of  his  community.  ,:..:/'"'  ' 


:>  •    '        V     NEWTON  MCDOWELL  MILROY.     >^  ^^^^  ;::  -^  "^  •  ^ 

Newton  McDowell  Milroy,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  in  v;' 
Copley  township,  was  born  July  27,  1867,  on  his  present  homestead,  his  parents    V 
being  Alexander  and  Janette    (McDowell)    Milroy.     The   father   came  to  his  - 
present  home  in  1848,  when  a  young  man,  and  passed  his  entire  active  life  upon   •; 
that  place  until  his  retirement  a  few  years  before  his  death  which  occurred  in  ;/: 
Oneida  on  August  26,  1890,  when  he  was  sixty-nine  years  of  age.    In  addition  •'•.. 
to  general  farming  he  also  engaged  in  general  stock-raising.     Mrs.  Milroy  was 
the  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (McCornack)  McDowell  and  was  bom  on  • 
the  5th  of  January,  1830.     Her  death  occurred  in  March,  1908.    They  were  the  ' 
parents  of  eight  children,  of  whom  four  survive :    John  P.,  a  resident  of  Oneida ;  . ; 
Maggie,  who  is  the  wife  of  N.  Nish  of  Waukee,  Iowa ;  Jennie,  who  is  the  wife  '  , 
of  Charles  Lansberry,  of  Iowa ;  and  Newton  M.,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  "•: 
sketch.     Mr.  Milroy  was  a  member  of  the  John  Knox  church  in  which  he  took   ;• 
an  active  interest,  and  was  also  very  active  in  the  republican  party.  : 

Newton  M.  Milroy  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  attending  school  until  eigh-  ; 
teen  years  of  age,  and  then  assisted  his  father  on  the  home  farm  until  he  be-  •. 
came  of  age.    After  that  he  farmed  independently  one  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  land  which  had  been  left  to  him  by  his  father.    So  successful  was  this  under-    , 
taking  that  he  has  since  been  able  to  add  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,   ^• 
which  adjoin  the  original  farm.     Upon  this  he  is  spending  all  his  energy  and 
labor.     The  farm  is  highly  improved  and  well  equipped  with  all  the  necessary  -  • 
buildings  and  machinery  to  carry  on  modern  farming.     By  strict  attention  to     - 
business   and   employing  modem   methods  his    farming   and   stock-raising   has  }': 
become  one  of  the  most  profitable  undertakings  of  the  kind  in  the  township. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    - 


In  1891,  Mr.  Milroy  was  married  to  Sarah  Lavina  Olmsted,  whose  birth 
occurred  May  28,  1869,  near  Altona,  and  who  is  the  only  child  of  William  H. 
and  Lavina  (Youngs)  Olmsted.  Mr.  Olmsted  was  born  in  Delaware  county, 
New  York,  and  removed  to  Knox  county  with  his  parents  in  1856,  settling  in 
Victoria,  where  he  spent  his  active  career  in  farming.  However,  eighteen  years 
previous  to  his  death  which  occurred  in  1899,  he  removed  to  a  residence  near 
Victoria.  Mrs.  Olmsted,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Victoria  in  1841,  passed  away 
in  1908,  she  being  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Missmore)  Youngs, 
natives  of  Ohio,  the  former  born  August  23,  1796.  Her  paternal  grandfather, 
Stephen  S.  Olmsted  was  an  agriculturist  and  cabinet-maker,  and  was  married 
to  Clarissa  McMorris.  His  death  occurred  in  1897.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milroy 
six  children  have  been  born :  Newton  L.,  whose  birth  occurred  December  i8, 
1891 ;  Leslie  F.,  who  was  born  Aug^ist  i8,  1893 ;  Mary  Ethelyn,  born  November 
20,  1898;  Lavina  Jenette,  born  January  7,  1902;  and  Marietta  Agnes  and  Bethea 
Margaret,  who  were  born  February  21,  1908,  and  March  22,  1911,  respectively. 

Mr.  Milroy  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  and  although 
he  does  not  desire  the  reward  of  office  he  has  served  as  school  trustee  because 
of  his  interest  in  the  educational  development  of  his  community.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  church  members.  That  Mr.  Milroy  is  a  member  of  a  family  who 
have  long  been  landholders  in  the  L'nited  States  is  attested  by  the  fact  that 
he  has  in  his  possession  a  deed  of  land  title  signed  by  President  Van  Buren  in 
1840,  and  also  one  signed  by  President  Tyler.  Mr.  Milroy  is  a  man  of  high 
morals,  and  it  has  been  a  feature  of  his  life  to  devote  much  of  his  time  to 
further  the  moral  and  social  development  of  his  community,  and  his  high  aims 
and  industry  have  won  for  him  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


ROBERT  DAVISON. 


Among  the  younger  agriculturists  of  Henderson  township  Robert  Davison 
.stands  out  prominently  as  one  who  has  worked  for  success  along  the  most  pro- 
gressive lines.  He  was  born  in  Henderson  township,  November  26,  1872,  and 
is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Isabella  (Kilgore)  Davison,  the  former  a  native  of 
England  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1853 
and  almost  immediately  settled  in  Knox  county,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  engaging  in  the  shoemaking  trade  in  Knoxville  at  first  and  next  con- 
ducting a  shoe  store  in  Henderson,  in  which  he  had  some  eight  or  nine  employes 
at  one  time.  He  conducted  this  business  successfully  until  he  began  his  career 
as  an  agriculturist  on  a  farm  of  forty  acres  situated  west  of  Hendersonville. 
This  land  was  the  nucleus  of  the  extensive  farm  of  four  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  which  he  owned  at  the  time  of  his  death,  October  27,  1910.  His  marriage 
occurred,  in  1872,  in  Henderson  township  and  his  wife  is  still  living,  her  present 
home  being  in  Watertown.  In  politics  Mr.  Davison  g^ve  his  support  to  the 
republican  party  and  served  as  township  clerk  for  many  years.  He  was  identi- 
fied with  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Lodge  No.  264,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Henderson.  .  ... 


:•:;;:>       /;^:          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;;:';^          631       v 

Robert  Davison  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  the  Nor-  .'  -;. 
mal  school  at  Abingdon,  Illinois.    Returning  home  after  he  had  completed  these  •-•     .=^ 
courses,  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  began  his  independent  career 
in  1901,  on  the  land  which  is  his  present  home.    This  estate  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  acres    shows   how   successful   he   has   been   as   an   agriculturist — the    land 
yields  abundantly,  the  buildings  are  modern  and  the  machinery  adequate   for:, 
cultivation  according  to  advanced  and  scientific  methods.     In  addition  to  gen-  ... 
eral  farming  Mr.  Davison  raises  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  eastern  markets.          ; 

On  November  28,  1901,  Robert  Davison  was  united  in  marriage  to   Mary  ':  •-. 
E.  Windom,  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Folger)   Windom,  the  former  •  '-v  . 
a  native  and  lifelong  resident  of  Ohio,  where  for  twenty  years  he  was  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Monroe  county.     The  mother  was  also  born  in  Ohio 
and  was  a  resident  of  Monroe  county   for  twenty  years,  before  she  came  to 
Henderson,  where  she  passed  away  in  1904.     She  was  one  of  the  eight  children 
of  Robert  and   Nancy    (Haines)    Folger,  natives  of   New   Hampshire   county,    ;.. 
Virginia.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davison  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Joseph  E.,  who 
is  living  at  home.  }'] 

In  politics  Mr.  Davison  is  a  member  of  the  republican  party  and  has  served 
as  township  collector.     He  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  church  of  Hen-       ,: 
derson.     In  both  of  these  relations  he  is  loyal  and  honorable  and  his  example  '. 
is  one  which  has  done  much  to   further  the   integrity   of  his    fellow   citizens. 
He  has  earned  for  himself  the  name  of  a  thorough  and  progressive  agriculturist 
and  has  done  much  to  develop  his  district  and  to  raise  its  standard  of  cultiva- 
tion and  stock-raising.  .  -.,•.  •..:,.-,.  ,.  ...  -      ^ 


-v;;'';-  ;.;;;• '\.'.^  :/;,;>-•;;  WILLARD  B.  GOFF.        /:,  ••.•;-^-.,:;^>-->_.>r:^v^;  \;.:- 

Willard  B.  Goff,  who  resides  on  a  farm  of  his  mother's  in  Henderson  town-    ;     : 
ship,    is    the    descendant    of    a    family    which    has    long    been    connected    with;/ 
agricultural  pursuits.     His  parents,  James  F.  and  Mary  J.   (Baxter)   GoflF,  the  V.  V 
former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  Ohio,  carried  on  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  Henderson  township,  Knox  county.     They  had  three  children :     Charles 
A.,  deceased;  Willard  B.  Goff,  who  was  born  October  15,   1871;  and  Otis  J.,       ' 
living  in  Galesburg.     James  Goff  came  to  Knox  county  early  in  life  and  resided 
here  almost  continuously  until  his  death  in   1889.     I"   1851   he  joined  the  great 
number  of  people  going  west  to  the  California  gold  fields  and  the  family  still 
has  in  its  possession  the  saddle  he  used  when  returning. 

Willard  B.  Goff  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  the  Abingdon  '••• 
Normal  school  and  Brown's  Business  College  in  Galesburg.     For  the  first  three 
or  four  years  after  he  had  completed  his  education  he  was  employed  in  a  gen- 
eral store  in  Little  York,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  then  went  to  Chicago 
and  engaged  in  the  commission  business  for  six  years.     Returning  to  his  father's- 
farm  when  he  gave  up  his  Chicago  business,  he  immediately  took  an  active  part  , 
in  farming  the  home  place  and  has  continued  it  up  to  the  present  time.     The  ^^'  • 
farm  consists  of  two  hundred  acres  and  is  well  adapted  for  raising  cattle  and 
hogs  and  also  for  general  farming.       'y^  .,;;;;:;.-'         '  '•••  ..'  :.-.^ :'•'.-.•••;  •';. :  .1\    •      :' 


632  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

::|<..-;. 
In  February,  1903,  Mr.  Goff  was  married  to  Era  Reynolds,  the  daughter 

of  James  and  Mehitable  (Smith)  Reynolds.  The  father,  a  native  of  Sugar  Grove, 
Illinois,  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Warren  county  until  his  death  in  1889. 
In  politics  he  was  a  prohibitionist,  and  in  religious  faith  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  GoflF  have  one  child,  Willard  Percy,  bom 
December  24,  1906. 

Mr.  Goff  has  proved  his  ability  as  an  agriculturist  by  the  success  he  has 
had  in  developing  the  farm  he  manages  and  his  increasing  returns  show  that  a 
state  of  cultivation  has  been  reached  which  could  be  attained  only  by  careful        . 
application  of  scientific  and  progressive  methods.     He  has  been  engaged  in  this 
pursuit  for  a  comparatively  few  years  and  yet  has  had  time  to  establish  his  -.      ; 
reputation  as  one  of  the  successful  agriculturists  of  Henderson  township.          .      • 


MRS.  ELIZA  A.  COLEMAN.     .    v-         ,V 

Mrs.  Eliza  A.  Coleman,  who  resides  on  her  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  on  section  13  of  Victoria  township,  was  bom  in  Stark  county.  Illinois, 
February  i6,  1854.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Kane,  who  was  a  native  of 
Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  born  June  9,  1812,  and  moved  when  a  small  boy 
with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  The  family  later 
came  to  Illinois  and  settled  near  Canton.  In  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in  1833 
Mr.  Kane  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Barbara  Heckard,  who  was  bom  near 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  July  2,  i8i8,  and  was'  a  daughter  of  John  Heckard,  a  na- 
tive of  that  state.  The  parents  resided  in  Fulton  county  for  several  years  and 
then  removed  to  Knox  county,  where  they  remained  until  December,  1858,  when 
they  repaired  to  Victoria  township  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  George  Patty.  The  father  was  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
raised  yearly  a  large  number  of  hogs.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  much 
interested  in  education,  serving  many  years  as  school  director.  He  died  April  13. 
1895,  and  his  wife,  having  preceded  him  by  nearly  fourteen  years,  died  June  12, 
i88i,  and  they  are  both  buried  in  West  Jersey  cemetery.  In  their  family  were 
thirteen  children :  Mary  Ann,  Jane,  Charlotte,  Samuel,  John,  James,  Joseph, 
George  and  Miner,  all  of  whom  were  bom  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois ;  and  Eliza 
A.,  William  and  Rosetta,  who  were  born  in  Stark  county;  and  an  infant  child, 
who  was  born  and  died  in  Knox  county.  :;-  •:  •  l.f.  .:- 

Eliza  A.  Kane  was  five  years  of  age  when  her  parents  removed  to  Victoria 
township,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She  was  trained  to  the  duties  of 
the  household  and  remained  at  home  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  which 
occurred  March  14,  i88i.  At  that  date  she  became  the  wife  of  James  Cole- 
man, who  was  bom  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1830,  the 
son  of  Samuel  Coleman,  a  native  of  that  state.  James  Coleman  was  reared 
under  the  parental  roof  and  remained  at  home  until  1858,  when  he  came  to 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  arriving  May  30.  Shortly  afterward  he  wedded  Char- 
lotte Kane,  a  sister  of  Eliza  A.  (Kane)  Coleman.  Charlotte  (Kane)  Coleman, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  West  Jersey,  Illinois,  died  at 
the  age  of  thirty-nine  years  and  is  buried  in  West  Jersey  cemetery.  She  left 


MR.  AND  MRS.  J.UIES  COLEMAX 


632  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

In  February,  1903.  I\Ir.  Goff  was  married  to  Fra  Reynolds,  the  daughter 
of  James  and  Mehitable  (Smith)  Reynolds.  The  father,  a  native  of  Sugar  Grove, 
Illinois,  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Warren  county  until  his  death  in  1889. 
In  politics  he  was  a  prohibitionist,  and  in  religious  faith  a  member  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goff  have  one  child,  Willard  Percy,  born 
December  24,  1906. 

Mr.  Goff  has  i)rove(l  his  ability  as  an  agriculturist  by  the  success  he  has 
had  in  developing  the  farm  he  manages  and  his  increasing  returns  show  that  a 
state  of  cultivation  has  been  reached  which  could  be  attained  only  by  careful 
application  of  scientific  and  progressive  methods.  lie  has  been  engaged  in  this 
pursuit  for  a  comparatively  few  years  and  yet  has  had  time  to  establish  his 
reputation  as  one  of  the  successful  agriculturists  of  Henderson  township. 


MRS.  ELIZA  A.  COLEMAX. 

Mrs.  Eliza  A.  Coleman,  who  resides  on  her  farm  of  one  hunrlred  and  twenty 
acres,  on  section  13  of  Victoria  township,  was  born  in  Stark  county.  Illinois, 
February  i6,  1854.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Kane,  who  was  a  native  of 
Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  born  June  9,  1812,  and  moved  when  a  small  boy 
with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  The  family  later 
came  to  Illinois  and  settled  near  Canton.  In  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in  1833 
Mr.  Kane  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  P.arbara  ITeckard,  who  was  born  near 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  July  2,  i8i8,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  Ileckard,  a  na- 
tive of  that  state.  The  parents  resided  in  Fulton  county  for  several  years  and 
then  removed  to  Knox  county,  where  they  remained  until  December,  1858,  when 
they  repaired  to  Victoria  township  and  spent  the  rest  of  their  lives  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  George  Patty.  The  father  was  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
raised  yearly  a  large  number  of  hogs.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  much 
interested  in  education,  serving  many  years  as  school  director.  He  died  April  13, 
1895,  and  his  wife,  having  preceded  him  by  nearly  fourteen  years,  died  June  12, 
i88i,  and  they  are  both  buried  in  West  Jersey  cemetery.  In  their  family  were 
thirteen  children :  Mary  Ann,  Jane,  Charlotte,  Samuel,  John,  James,  Joseph, 
George  and  Miner,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois;  and  Eliza 
A.,  William  and  Kosetta,  who  were  born  in  Stark  county:  and  an  infant  child, 
who  was  born  and  dieil  in  Knox  county. 

Eliza  .\.  Kane  was  five  years  of  age  when  her  parents  removed  to  \'ictoria 
township,  where  she  \vas  reared  and  educated.  She  was  trained  to  the  duties  of 
the  household  and  remained  at  home  with  her  parents  until  her  marriage,  which 
occurred  March  14,  i88i.  At  that  date  she  became  the  wife  of  James  Cole- 
man, who  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  27,  1830,  the 
son  of  Samuel  Coleman,  a  native  of  that  state.  James  Coleman  was  reared 
under  the  parental  roof  and  remained  at  home  until  1858,  when  he  came  to 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  arriving  May  30.  Shortly  afterward  he  wedded  Char- 
lotte Kane,  a  sister  of  Eliza  A,  (Kane)  Coleman.  Charlotte  (Kane)  Coleman, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  at  West  Jersey,  Illinois,  died  at 
the  age  of  thirty-nine  years  and  is  buried  in  West  Jersey  cemetery.  She  left  '• 


MI;.  AM) MHS  .lA.MKS  (OI.KMAN 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :  635 


five  children,  the  oldest  of  whom,  a  daughter,  is  now  deceased.  After  their 
marriage  James  and  Eliza  A.  (Kane)  Coleman  lived  on  the  farm  on  which  Mrs. 
Coleman  now  resides  and  there  Mr.  Coleman  was  actively  engaged  in  general 
farming.  His  business  insight,  energy  and  perseverance  brought  to  him  a  goodly 
measure  of  success  and  Mrs.  Coleman  is  now  comfortably  situated  in  life.  They 
were  the  parents  of  four  children.  Qyde,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Toulon  Academy 
and  of  Williams  College  at  Williamstown,  Massachusetts,  is  now  a  graduate 
student  in  the  chemistry  department  of  the  University  of  Chicago.  In  1910  he 
was  a  teacher  in  the  Military  Academy  at  Culver,  Indiana.  Francis  J.  resides 
at  home  with  his  mother  and  operates  the  home  place.  Ada  and  Susie  L,  who 
complete  the  family,  are  both  living  at  home.  The  death  of  the  husband  and 
father  occurred  on  November  20,  1904,  and  he  is  buried  in  West  Jersey  ceme- 
tery. His  death  was  deeply  regretted  by  his  many  friends  and  was  an  irreparable 
loss  to  his  immediate  family.  He  was  a  republican  in  politics,  a  citizen  of 
progressive  spirit,  who  was  much  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  public  wel- 
fare. He  gave  much  attention  to  the  cause  of  education  and  served  as  school 
director  throughout  most  of  the  time  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county.  He  at- 
tended the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  West  Jersey,  services  of  which  or- 
ganization, Mrs.  Coleman,  who  is  a  lady  of  many  good  traits  of  heart  and  mind, 
and  whose  life  is  in  harmony  with  her  Christian  profession,  also  faithfully 
attends.  She  has  passed  much  of  her  life  in  Victoria  township  and  has  a  large 
circle  of  friends,  in  whose  regard  she  stands  very  high.  .  '•'''"' 


:-;.;':": '' ••  '.•:"- ••..': '-.''I. •.';,:"     WILLIAM  SNIDER.  " -^^-'..v ••:''/'  •  = '- •  ;•  •:''r •••^:-:^-(_ 

-. 

One  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Abingdon  and  of  prominent  standing  in 
his  community  is  William  Snider,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Clermont  county, 
Ohio,  November  4,  1835.  His  parents,  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Meyers)  Snider, 
both  died  of  the  cholera,  in  1849,  leaving  their  son  William  an  orphan  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years.  Thrown  wholly  upon  his  own  resources  in  the  tender 
years  of  his  youth,  he  cast  about  for  a  suitable  occupation.  Farming  lay  nearest 
at  hand,  and  this  he  pursued  for  some  little  time.  He  then  went  to  Goshen, 
where  he  found  employment,  dividing  his  time  between  farm  work  and,  for  a 
time,  work  in  a  cabinet-maker's  shop.  He  continued  as  a  farm  hand  in  the 
summer  and  a  teamster  in  the  winter  months.  In  1855  ^^<^  the  year  following 
he  operated  a  threshing  machine. 

•  William  Snider  was  married  to  Miss  Angelina  C.  Harvey  of  Clermont  county 
near  Goshen.  Two  weeks  after  their  marriage,  the  bridal  couple  set  out  in  a 
wagon  overland  for  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  they  began  housekeeping  and 
spent  the  winter.  In  the  spring  of  the  following  year  Mr.  Snider  bought  a 
farm  in  Chestnut  township,  seven  miles  southeast  of  Abingdon.  There  they 
lived  for  seven  years.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  returned  to  Abingdon  and 
bought  a  home  on  the  site  where  his  present  residence  stands,  living  there  for 
the  following  two  years.  He  then  bought  what  is  known  as  the  Mound  farm, 
a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  two  miles  east  of  Abingdon,  where  the 
family  lived  for  another  period  of  two  years.  In  1868  he  yearned  again  for 


:•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      --        > 

the  comforts  of  town  life,  so  he  repurchased  his  former  residence  and  property 
in  Abingdon,  living  there  for  a  brief  period.  The  year  1869  he  spent  in  the 
Rocky  mountains,  and  on  his  return  in  the  spring  of  1870  purchased  a  one 
hundred  and  sixty-acre  farm,  one  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Abingdon,  where 
he  built  a  home,  residing  there  until  the  spring  of  1875.  At  this  time  he  again 
repurchased  and  occupied  his  former  town  home.  The  spacious  colonial  house 
in  which  he  is  now  living  was  built  in  1884  and  was  the  first  handsome  residence 
erected  in  Abingdon.  v;;> '  , .  '  v-  ~\"_.  .  '-:•••-  i: :  >'l'  \^ ' .: '  ' 

In  business  enterprises  William  Snider  has  always  dealt  on  a  large  scale. 
For  more  than  forty  years  he  was  an  extensive  cattle  buyer  and  shipper,  doing 
the  greater  part  of  the  cattle  shipping  of  this  section.  He  was,  besides,  one  of 
the  most  extensive  stock  men  in  Knox  county,  feeding,  on  an  average,  a  thou- 
sand head  of  sheep,  one  hundred  and  fifty  head  of  cattle  and  between  three 
and  four  hundred  head  of  hogs  annually.  As  a  necessary  adjunct  to  his  cattle- 
breeding  industry  he  invested  heavily  in  farm  lands  at  various  times.  In  1878, 
he  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and,  in  1880,  another  farm 
of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  both  in  Indian  Point  township.  These  he 
operated  with  hired  help  for  a  number  of  years,  using  the  produce  of  the  same 
for  feeding  his  stock.  During  this  period  he  also  acquired  three  farms  in 
Iowa.  Two  of  these  were  in  Taylor  county,  one  consisting  of  two  hundred 
acres  and  the  other  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  The  third  was  a  tract  of 
two  hundred  acres  in  Van  Buren  county.  In  1909,  however,  he  disposed  of 
the  last  of  his  farm  holdings,  having  retained  his  two  farms  in  Indian  Point 
township  up  to  that  time. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Snider  no  children  were  born.  Mr.  Snider  has  always  been 
actively  interested  in  politics  and  served  on  the  republican  county  central  com- 
mittee for  a  period  of  about  sixteen  years.  Beyond  this  honor,  however,  he 
always  consistently  refused  to  consider  public  preferment  of  any  kind.  Since 
1864  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  184,  I.  O.  O.  F. 
Throughout  his  life  Mr.  Snider  has  met  with  more  than  the  average  degree  of 
success,  due  to  his  daring  enterprise  and  his  untiring  application  to  his  duties. 
He  thinks  and  acts  in  large  units,  but  never  to  the  neglect  of  the  important 
details  which  are  essential  in  the  conduct  of  every  business.  In  his  own  com- 
munity he  is  highly  esteemed  and  claims  many  friends,  and  few  men  of  this 
vicinity  enjoy  a  wider  acquaintance  in  the  adjoining  counties. 


CLARK  ANDREW  MAIN. 


Clark  Andrew  Main,  who  is  an  agriculturist  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  was 
born  December  i8,  1879,  upon  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  residing.  He  is 
the  grandson  of  Peter  and  Jane  (Ferguson)  Main,  the  former  having  come  to 
America  with  his  three  children  after  the  death  of  his  wife  in  Scotland.  After 
arriving  in  Chicago  they  proceeded  directly  to  Knox  county,  but  subsequently 
went  to  Minnesota  for  a  short  residence  before  returning  to  this  county,  where 
his  death  occurred  May  i,  1878,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine.  Clark  Main  is  the 
son  of  Andrew  and  Ellen  (Moore)  Main,  the  former  having  been  born  Decem- 


.;;:    -.     ^;  V  :v  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;'.:'';vv     637 

ber  6,  1846,  in  Mothler,  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  the  latter  in  Rio  township,  on 
the  I3th  of  March,  1848.  Mr.  Main  arrived  in  America  when  he  was  but  seven 
years  of  age,  and  was  in  Chicago  during  the  time  of  the  cholera  epidemic,  which 
caused  the  death  of  his  only  sister.  Mrs.  Main  was  the  daughter  of  Lyman  K. 
and  Mary  S.  (Woodman)  Moore,  the  former  a  native  of  New  York  state  and 
the  latter  of  Massachusetts.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Holland  Moore,  of  New 
York,  was  married  to  Sarah  Kendall.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lyman  Moore  came  west 
early  in  life  and  located  in  Rio  township,  where  they  were  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  their  death,  Mr.  Moore  passing  away  in  1885  at  the  age 
of  seventy-one  years  and  his  wife  dying  the  same  year.  -Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main 
were  the  parents  of  three  children :  J.  Edwin,  who  is  an  agriculturist  residing  at 
Altona;  Kate,  who  is  married  to  Walter  D.  McMasters,  a  resident  farmer  of 
Walnut  Grove  township;  and  Clark  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
-  Mr.  Main  never  took  an  active  part  in  politics  but  was  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Altona. 

Clark  Main's  boyhood  and  youth  were  spent  in  a  way  common  to  the  youth 
born  and  reared  on  the  farms  in  the  Mississippi  valley.  After  laying  aside  his 
text-books  at  an  early  age,  he  took  up  farming  upon  his  father's  farm,  and 
there  gained  his  first  experience  in  the  occupation  he  was  to  follow  throughout 
his  active  career.  After  his  father's  death  he  took  full  charge  of  the  home- 
stead, and  showed  his  early  training  had  given  him  the  ability  to  execute  the 
work  which  was  entrusted  to  him.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he  also  en- 
gaged in  stock-raising. 

Mr.  Main  was  married  on  the  i8th  of  January,  1905,  to  Kate  Rhodes,  whose 
birth  occurred  February  12,  1883,  and  who  is  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs 
E.  B.  Rhodes.  Her  grandparents  were  Edwin  R.  and  Sarah  (Bartlett)  Rhodes. 
E.  B.  Rhodes  is  a  resident  of  Mason  City,  Iowa,  and  was  married  to  Mary  L. 
Epperson,  whose  death  occurred  in  1884,  when  she  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  She  was  the  daughter  of  William  D.  and  Mary  Jane  (Westfall)  Epper- 
son, originally  of  Madison  county,  Kentucky,  but  who  were  residents  of  Knox 
county  after  1836.  :•.;;..:'•;.•  v  : /  .^•^''^- '  ' 

In  politics  'Mr.  Main  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  but  has  never 
sought  office  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona,  and  lives  in  accordance  with  its  teachings. 
By  his  devotion  to  his  farm  and  by  his  life,  which  has  been  spent  in  accordance 
with  the  hiehest  ideals  of  citizenship,  he  has  won  for  himself  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  all. 


^ . JUNK.  ,;:V  •-'.,.-      '>  H^'S  -v^:'^-;^ ';•-••,•••; 

John  Junk,  an  octogenarian  living  in  peaceful  retirement  in  Henderson  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  was  formerly  closely  associated  with  the  agricultural  in- 
terests of  this  locality.  Born  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  6,  1827,  he 
was  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Lincoln)  Junk.  On  his  paternal  side  he 
was  of  German  descent,  his  grandfather  having  been  born  in  Germany  and 


638  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

settled  in  New  Jersey  on  coming  to  this  country,  in  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  From  there  he  went  to  Pennsylvania,  in  1765,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  on  a  large  scale,  owning  over  two  hundred  acres  of  land.  There  his 
son  James,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born.  On  coming  of 
age  James  Junk  engaged  in  agriculture,  the  calling  which  he  followed  through- 
out his  life.  His  death  occurred  in  1877.  Mrs.  Junk,  the  mother  of  John,  was 
a  relative  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

In  the  days  when  John  Junk  was  a  boy,  the  advantages  of  schooling  were 
meager  indeed,  he  was,  however,  given  the  best  education  that  the  limited  oppor- 
tunities of  his  remote  rural  locality  afforded,  which  was  at  that  time  a  sub- 
scription or  private  school  presided  over  by  a  curiously  interesting  Irish  school- 
master. When  grown  to  manhood  John  Junk  learned  the  carpenter  and  mill- 
wright trades.  He  came  west  and  settled  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  in  1855.  There 
he  was  about  to  enter  upon  a  business  career  with  G.  W.  Brown,  who  had  a 
corn-planter  factory,  but  he  had  no  sooner  begun  his  new  work  than  he  was 
given  a  contract  from  ex-Governor  McMurtry  to  work  on  the  new  buildings 
which  he  was  erecting  on  his  farm.  Next  he  built  a  schoolhouse  and  thereafter 
other  contracts  followed,  so  that  he  never  lacked  employment  in  carpentering. 
He  worked  as  an  artisan  three  or  four  years  when  his  wife,  disliking  his  long 
absences  from  home  since  his  work  often  took  him  to  distant  parts  of  the 
county,  prevailed  upon  him  to  settle  on  a  farm  and  cultivate  the  soil.  Accord- 
ingly he  commenced  farming.  In  1865,  he  bought  the  farm  in  Henderson  town- 
ship which  he  still  owns  but  which  his  son  is  managing  for  him.  It  is  a  very 
fine  tract  of  land  comprising  four  hundred  and  thirty  acres.  His  son  is  con- 
tinuing the  work  in  which  he  was  so  successful,  that  is,  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  also  made  a  specialty  of  breeding  shorthorn  cattle,  for  which 
he  won  a  considerable  reputation. 

On  November  28,  1855,  John  Junk  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Robertson,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Narcissa  (Ferguson)  Robertson, 
pioneers  of  Knox  county,  who  settled  here  in  1828  when  her  father  purchased  a 
farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Junk  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Alexander,  who 
lives  at  home  and  operates  his  father's  farm.  Mr.  Junk  gives  his  political 
sympathies  to  the  democratic  party.  He  has  at  different  times  served  as  super- 
visor, assessor,  road  commissioner  and  as  town  clerk.  Now,  within  sight  of 
the  fields  that  have  grown  very  dear  to  him  through  the  passing  years,  Mr. 
Junk  is  living  in  comfort,  looking  back  upon  his  life  with  the  calm  serenity  of 
one  who  has  performed  his  duty  well. 


;;=i^y  ;    DAVID  WOOLSEY.  ^,:  .;      ?:;;  ' 

j-    ' .-   '  "  .-.  '   .     '•*,      •',    V"  •  *.-     '   •'  .  -   '• 

•'-.  •  '  ...  -,  ,_.,^      -,    .;  .  .       ^ 

Like  a  patriarch  of  old,  David  Woolsey,  who  is  in  his  eighty-fourth  year, 
presides  at  the  head  of  a  family  of  eight  children  and  thirty-three  grandchildren, 
but  unlike  his  forefathers  of  Biblical  days  he  governs  them  only  in  spirit  and  by 
the  noble  example  of  his  own  life.  David  Woolsey's  residence  in  Knox  county 
covers  a  period  of  sixty-three  years,  and  for  the  past  forty-six  years  he  has 
lived  on  his  present  farm  of  three  hundred  acres  on  section  13  in  Haw  Creek 


638  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

settled  in  New  Jersey  on  coming  to  this  country,  in  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  From  there  he  went  to  Pennsylvania,  in  1765,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  on  a  large  scale,  owning  over  two  hundred  acres  of  land.  There  his 
son  James,  the  father  of  the  suhject  of  this  sketch,  was  horn.  On  coming  of 
age  James  Junk  engaged  in  agriculture,  the  calling  which  he  followed  through- 
out his  life.  His  death  occurred  in  18/7.  Mrs.  Junk,  the  mother  of  John,  was 
a  relative  of  Ahraham  Lincoln. 

In  the  days  when  John  Junk  was  a  hoy.  the  advantages  of  schooling  were 
meager  indeed,  he  was.  however,  given  the  hest  education  that  the  limited  oppor- 
tunities of  his  remote  rural  locality  afforded,  which  was  at  that  time  a  suh- 
scription  or  private  school  presided  over  by  a  curiously  interesting  Irish  school- 
master. When  grown  to  manhood  John  Junk  learned  the  carpenter  and  mill- 
wright trades.  lie  came  west  and  settled  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  in  1855.  There 
he  was  about  to  enter  upon  a  business  career  with  G.  W.  Brown,  who  had  a 
corn-planter  factory,  but  he  had  no  sooner  begun  his  new  work  than  he  was 
given  a  contract  from  ex-Governor  McMurtry  to  work  on  the  new  buildings 
which  he  was  erecting  on  his  farm.  Next  he  built  a  schoolhouse  and  thereafter 
other  contracts  followed,  so  that  he  never  lacked  employment  in  carpentering. 
He  worked  as  an  artisan  three  or  four  years  when  his  wife,  disliking  his  long 
absences  from  home  since  his  work  often  took  him  to  distant  parts  of  the 
county.  i)revaile<l  upon  him  to  settle  on  a  farm  and  cultivate  the  soil.  .Accord- 
ingly he  commenced  fanning.  In  1865.  he  bought  the  farm  in  Henderson  town- 
ship which  he  still  owns  but  which  his  son  is  managing  for  him.  It  is  a  very 
fine  tract  of  land  comprising  four  hundred  and  thirty  acres.  His  son  is  con- 
tinuing the  work  in  which  he  was  so  successful,  that  is.  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  also  made  a  specialty  of  breeding  shorthorn  cattle,  for  which 
he  won  a  considerable  rejiutation. 

On  November  28.  1855,  John  Junk  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Robertson,  a  daughter  of  .Alexander  and  Narcissa  (Ferguson)  Robertson, 
pioneers  of  Knox  county,  who  settled  here  in  1828  w-hen  her  father  purchased  a 
farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Junk  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Alexander,  who 
lives  at  home  and  operates  his  father's  farm.  Mr.  Junk  gives  his  political 
sympathies  to  the  democratic  party.  He  has  at  different  times  served  as  super- 
visor, assessor,  road  commissioner  and  as  town  clerk.  Now,  within  sight  of 
the  fields  that  have  grown  very  dear  to  him  through  the  passing  years.  Mr. 
Junk  is  living  in  comfort,  looking  back  upon  his  life  with  the  calm  serenity  of 
one  who  has  performed  his  duty  well. 


::  •'  D.UID  \VOOLSEY. 

T.ike  a  patriarch  of  old.  David  \Voolsey.  who  is  in  his  eightv-fourth  year, 
presides  at  the  head  of  a  family  of  eight  children  and  thirty-three  grandchildren. 
but  unlike  his  forefathers  of  Biblical  days  he  governs  them  only  in  spirit  and  by 
the  noble  example  of  his  own  life.  David  Woolsey's  residence  in  Knox  county 
covers  a  period  of  sixty-three  years,  and  for  the  past  forty-six  years  he  has 
lived  on  his  present  farm  of  three  hundred  acres  on  section  13  in  Ha\v  Creek 


.    .,         JV;     '  V^  ^        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'v';  641 

-;';  township.    His  grandfather,  William  Woolsey,  remained  a  resident  of  his  native 
state,  New  York,  until  middle  life,  when  he  removed  his  family  to  Sandusky. 
Plains,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  about  eighty  years, 
his  wife  departing  this  life  at  an  earlier  date.     His  father,  Hezekiah  Woolsey, 
.    was  born  and  brought  up  in  Ulster  county.  New  York,  and  was  there  married 
to  Miss  Hannah  Cutler,  likewise  a  native  of  Ulster  county,  where  her  father, 
David  Cutler,  was  born.     During  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hezekiah  Woolsey's  residence 
in  Ulster  county.  New  York,  two  children  came  to  gladden  their  home,  a  son 
named  William,  who  died  in  Pennsylvania  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  and  David 
Woolsey,  born  January  3,  18^8.     The  family  then  removed  to  Pennsylvania, 
'•'  following  Mrs.  Woolsey's  father  thither,  and  lived  there  a  year  during  which 
.,    time  their  daughter  Elizabeth  was  born.     She  is  the  wife  of  Daniel  McHenry 
of  the  state  of  Washington  and  has  five  children.     At  the  end  of  their  year's 
residence  in  Pennsylvania  the  family  left  that  state  for  Sandusky  Plains,  Ohio, 
. .  where  the  parents  remained  until  their  death.     There  the   following  children 
I     were  born:     Sarah  Jane,  deceased,  the  wife  of  Stephen  Longnell;  Martha,  de- 
:  ceased,  the  wife  of  William  Talent;  Mary,  deceased;  Walter,  deceased,  a  former 
'    .'  resident  of  Knox  county,  married  to  a  Miss  Leighbarger ;  Isaac,  deceased,  also 
a  former  resident  of  Knox  county,  living  at  Gilson;  Silas  residing  in  the  state 
of  Washington ;  and  two  children,  a  girl  and  a  boy,  who  died  in  infancy.    Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hezekiah  Woolsey  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the 
.'  former  dying  in  Ohio  at  the  age  of  sixty  years  and  the  latter  in  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years.  .,..•-  '  ••  >' 

David  Woolsey  obtained  his  education  in  Ohio  and  when  twenty  years  of 
age  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  having  a  capital  of  ninety  dollars  on  which 
to  make  his  start  in  life.  After  living  here  five  years  he  returned  to  Ohio  with 
a  team,  in  order  to  bring  his  widowed  mother  to  live  with  him  in  Knox  county. 
Soon  after  this  he  was  married  and  settled  on  a  farm  which  he  rented  in 
Maquon  township,  continuing  in  the  cultivation  of  this  land  and  in  performing 
job  contracts  for  his  neighbors  for  ten  years,  removing  thereafter  to  a  farm 
which  he  rented  in  Haw  Creek  township.  In  the  spring  of  1865  he  bought  with 
the  money  he  had  laboriously  saved  up  to  this  time  the  farm  on  which  he  now 
lives  retired,  and  which  he  bought  of  Jacob  Wolf.  He  moved  onto  the  new 
place  on  April  5th,  at  which  time  the  house  was  not  yet  completed  nor  a  single 
fence  was  up.  Undaunted  in  his  determination  not  to  lose  the  opportunity  of 
the  first  year's  harvest  he  set  about  the  task  of  doing  his  spring  sowing  while 
attempting  to  finish  his  home,  to  build  the  necessary  farm  buildings  and  to  put 
up  the  fences.  He  was  successful  in  this  ambitious  undertaking  and  when  the 
summer  crops  were  gathered,  was  richly  rewarded  with  an  abundant  yield,  being 
obliged  to  hire  help  for  only  five  days  'during  that  time.  He  devoted  himself 
to  general  cultivation  of  the  soil  and  to  stock-raising  for  shipment  and  from 
time  to  time  added  to  his  holdings  by  further  purchases  until  he  became  the 
owner  of  more  than  a  section  of  land.  This  he  has  since  largely  divided  among 
his  children  keeping  the  title  to  three  hundred  acres  of  land  and  residing  there 
while  it  is  being  operated  by  several  of  his  sons.  He  was  likewise  a  stock- 
holder in  the  Maquon  National  Bank  but  has  transferred  his  bank  stock  to  his 
wife,  who  is  now  the  owner  of  it. 


642  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '^     "^    "    . 

Mr.  David  Woolsey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Frye,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  who  died  in  Maquon  township  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years.  To  this 
marriage  were  born  three  children,  Leta,  William  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Woolsey  was  ngain  married,  in  1856,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss 
Mildred  Logan,  a  native  of  Virginia  and  a  daughter  of  Alexander  Logan.  Of 
this  union  there  were  born  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  They  are: 
Alva,  residing  in  Haw  Creek  township,  who  is  married  to  Flora  Hall  and  has 
four  children.  Myrtle,  ^label,  and  twins,  Carter  and  Chester ;  Lenora,  the 
widow  of  William  Chase,  who  resides  in  Haw  Creek  township  and  has  four 
living  children,  Nina,  Doris,  Wayne  and  Paul ;  Julia,  the  wife  of  Milton  Sher- 
man, residing  in  Oklahoma,  who  has  six  children,  Harold,  Everett,  Clyde,  Mil- 
dred, Carl  and  Mabel ;  Charles,  operating  his  father's  farm,  who  is  married  to 
Bell  Phillips  and  has  three  children,  Lloyd,  Percy  and  Opal ;  and  Clyde,  sharing 
the  management  of  the  homestead  farm  with  his  brother  Charles,  who  is  married 
to  Lulu  Phillips  and  has  two  children,  Mabel  and  Ethel.  The  deceased  children 
are :  Alonza,  who  died  when  two  years  of  age ;  Arzella,  who  passed  away  in 
January,  1912,  and  was  the  wife  of  Frank  Nelson,  residing  in  Elba  township, 
leaving  five  children,  Floyd,  Blanche,  Warren,  Russell  and  Selma ;  Louisa,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  months ;  William,  who  was  married  to  Nora  Taylor, 
and  had  two  sons,  Harley  and  Taylor ;  and  Deborah,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years.  .  ••.'/";';..•:--••;••.'  .  .•••:^^  •-•-.;'•, ':'T.--'':- 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Woolsey  belong  to  the  United  Brethren  church.  Fra- 
ternally Mr.  Woolsey  is  connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows,  of  Maquon.  Since 
the  origin  of  the  republican  party  he  has  been  one  of  their  loyal  followers,  sup- 
porting their  men  and  measures  and  the  principles  for  which  they  stand,  but  he 
has  always  declined  the  honor  of  public  office,  knowing  that  his  time  belonged 
to  his  family  and  to  the  perplexing  problems  involved  in  the  management  of  a 
large  estate.  This  single-minded  devotion  to  his  duties  and  to  the  goal  which 
he  set  himself  at  the  outset  of  his  career  has  been  richly  rewarded,  so  that  he  is 
now  numbered  among  the  substantial  men  of  Knox  county  who  have  built  their 
fortune  by  arduous  labor,  keen  judgment  and  careful  management. 


^     :::'•'---:  CHARLES  E.  WEECH.     :    .•/;;:•.  ^'v 

:;;    :''  -^^ '''-•--'•  '          '    '•  '    '•    -•"'•    ••'^"-     r'   ••• 

Charles  E.  Weech,  who  is  a  farmer  residing  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  was 
born  in  Knox  county,  on  the  I3th  of  June,  1869.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  S. 
and  Nancy  E.  (Cox)  Weech,  the  former  a  native  of  Somersetshire,  England, 
and  the  latter  of  Knoxville,  Illinois.  The  father  was  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Martha  (White)  Weech,  the  former  of  whom  died  in  1871,  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
seven  years.  Joseph  Weech  left  England  with  his  wife  and  ten  children,  in 
1859,  and  at  once  settled  in  Oneida,  Illinois.  Later  he  purchased  the  present 
Weech  homestead  and  until  the  end  of  his  active  career  engaged  in  farming. 
Mrs.  Weech's  parents  were  also  natives  of  England ;  her  death  occurred  in 
1892,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Stephen  Weech,  was  also  an  agriculturist  and  his  death  occurred  in  1846,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-five  years,  his  wife  passing  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven. 


V  :..;<:;-:••;         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       :     ^    '- f;;r  .  ,       643         ;  V:; 

Joseph  S.  Weech,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  January  i6,  1842,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  the  new  world  in  1859.     Here  he  engaged  in  farming        . 
at  home  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age  but  after  his  marriage,  at  that       .-      . 
time,  he  purchased  a  small   farm  of   forty  acres  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  . 

^  which  he  cultivated  for  three  years  before  disposing  of  it  and  purchasing  the 
property  upon  which  the  homestead  now  stands.     At  this  time  the  place  com-       . , 
prised  eighty  acres  and  was  the  property  of  a  brother  before  Joseph  S.  Weech 
acquired  title  thereto.     Since  1901  he  has  been  living  retired.     He  was  married        '. 
to  Nancy  E.  Cox,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Knoxville  and  who  is  sixty-seven        ;  ; 
years  of  age.     Her  parents,  David  and  Hannah  (Wooley)  Cox,  are  among  the  ' 

oldest  settlers  of  the  county.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  S.  Weech  ten  children       - 
were  born:    Charles,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Rosa,  residing  at  home;  Alice,  . 

the  wife  of  E.  Fudge;  Ida  May,  who  is  married  to  Amos  Beard,  of  Jefferson 
county,   Illinois;  Joseph,   who  is   wedded   to   Emma   Fuchs   and   is   residing  in          -  .' 
Walnut  Grove  township;  Martha,  who  is  living  at  home;  Nora,  who  is  the  wife  .  • 

of   Arthur   Reece,   of   Walnut   Grove   township ;    Arthur,    who   married    Mabel         ;     • 
White  and  is  a  resident  of  Idaho;  Winnie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Enos  Devore,  and        -    ' 
is  residing  in  Cass  county,  Iowa;  and  Etta,  living  at  home.     Joseph  S.  Weech 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Oneida,  which  he  has  supported  by  his  - 

liberal  donations  both  at  the  time  of  the  erection  of  its  new  building  and  annu- 
ally toward  its  current  expenses  and  he  has  held  the  office  of  township  road         .  ':: 
commissioner   for  several  terms.      -'^.    ..  {:?  .          '      ...".''  . 

As  a  boy  Charles  E.  Weech  left  school  when  but  twelve  years  of  age  and  j 

began  working  on  his  father's  farm,  on  which  he  continued  until  he  was  twenty-         ' 
one  years  of  age,  after  which  he  farmed  on  the  Joseph  Weech  property  for  six  - 

years  and  then,  in  1895,  removed  to  his  present  home,  where  he  has  engaged  in  : 

general  farming  and  stock-raising  ever  since.     His  success  in  this  undertaking        '  . 
is  due  to  the  untiring  energy  and  persistent  labor  which  he  has  displayed  in 
cultivating  the  property.    His  farm  comprises  eighty  acres  in  Knox  county,  and          i  • 
he  also  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Canada.  V 

On  the  I2th  of  December,   1889,  Charles  E.  Weech  was  married  to  Miss  ^ 

Anna   May   Davey,   a   daughter   of   Edwin    Procter   and    Emily   H.    (Wagner)  - 

Davey,  the  former  a  native  of  Somerset,  Somersetshire,  England,  bom  March  . 

8,  1828,  and  the  latter  of  Norwich,  New  York  state.     Mrs.  Charles  E.  Weech        ; 
was  born  on  the  3Oth  of  September,   1870,  in  Walnut  Grove  township.     Her  ..::/, 
father  came  to  America  as  a  young  man  and  located  at  once  in  Knox  county, 
where  he  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural  pursuits,  dying  at  Oneida  when  seventy 
years  of  age.     Mrs.  Davey,  whose  birth  occurred  June  ii,  1844,  a  daughter  of          :  . 
J.  H.  and  Amanda  (Walworth)   Wagner,  the  family  being  of  German  descent,  .  { 

passed  away  August  22,  1899,  when  fifty-five  years  of  age.     Her  great-grand-         •   •. 
father,  Wagner,  served  in  the  Mexican  war  and  Thomas   Davey,  her  grand-         > '   . 
father  on  the  paternal  side,  was  a  native  of  England,  as  was  his  father,  Samuel         .f 
Davey.     Mrs.  Charles  E.  Weech  was  one  of  four  children,  the  others  being: 
Nellie,  the  wife  of  J.  Sheffield,  of  Campbell,  Nebraska;  Emma,  who  is  married       •;   . 
to  George  Sloan,  a  resident  of  North  Dakota;  and  George  Thomas,  of  Yates  ,     ;    .; 
City.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weech  seven  children  have  been  born:     Ethel,  who      ''       . 
died  at  the  age  of  five  years;  Eva  Adelia,  who  is  nineteen  years  of  age  and  is         \     -; 
teaching  school;  and  Florence,  Charles  Edward,  Hazel  Leonora,  Clarence  Davey  ;•     '       . 


644  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      — '"^    /T 

and  Fern  Martha,  who  are  seventeen,  fifteen,  twelve,  eight  and  six  years  of 
age,  respectively,  and  are  all  residing  at  home. 

Mr.  Weech  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  has  served 
as  school  director  for  twenty-two  years.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  of  Oneida.  He  is  a  lifelong  resident  of  Knox  county 
and  because  of  his  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  he  has  become  one  of  its 
well  known  and  much  respected  citizens. 


i    ••  /  '''•  '••••  —    :  WILLIAM  MAIN.-,..    ;:'  -^:;^,--'jV; :-,,-; 

;--      '  •  ''      .":•••     •'.'.     .••''•       .  ••:-••    •''^''\         ''•'•"':.    '''':'' 

William  Main,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Altona,  has  been  closely  identi- 
fied with  the  agricultural  development  of  Knox  county.  He  is  one  of  the  sturdy 
and  thrifty  natives  of  Scotland  whose  natural  characteristics  so  well  fitted  them 
to  achieve  successful  careers  in  the  west,  and  although  his  life  record  is  not 
marked  by  exciting  events,  there  is  in  his  history  much  that  is  worthy  of  con- 
templation and  of  emulation,  for  he  has  ever  been  loyal  to  duty,  discharging 
faithfully  the  tasks  that  come  daily  to  his  hand.  He  was  born  May  12,  1844, 
in  Blackhill  on  the  banks  of  the  Ayr  river  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  is  the  son 
of  Peter  and  Jane  (Ferguson)  Main  and  grandson  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth 
(McKuan)  Main,  agriculturists  who  originally  come  from  the  Scotch  High- 
lands. The  father,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Galloway,  Scotland,  in  1809,  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1855,  going  directly  to  Chicago,  where  occurred  the 
death  of  one  of  his  daughters  who  had  contracted  cholera.  After  a  brief  stay 
in  that  city  he  removed  to  Millers  Station  and  subsequently  settled  in  Oneida. 
where  he  worked  by  the  month  until  1857.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  Minne- 
sota, but  in  the  fall  of  1857  returned  to  Oneida,  and  for  the  next  eight  years 
was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Copley  township.  In  this  he  met  with 
a  good  measure  of  success  but  retired  to  the  home  of  his  son,  where  on  May  i, 
1878,  his  death  occurred.  His  wife  died  in  Scotland  in  1848  at  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  years.  Of  his  family  of  three  children  William  Main,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  is  the  only  surviving  member.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  and  lived  in  accordance  with  its  teachings.  •  ,  •  )••  -  .  : 

William  Main  spent  his  early  years  attending  the  common  schools  until  he 
reached  the  age  of  twelve  years.  At  that  time  he  began  active  labor  and  did  a 
man's  work  on  a  farm,  hiring  out  for  board  and  clothes.  Subsequently,  as  he 
became  more  proficient,  he  earned  ten  dollars  a  month,  and  after  working  for 
two  years,  he  enlisted  in  Ontario  township,  in  1862,  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  Infantry,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  F.  C.  Smith.  Mr.  Main  has  a  wonderful  war  record  and  served  in 
the  Western  army  under  Sherman  and  Gordon  Granger  for  three  years,  and 
later  under  Sherman  in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  He  participated  in  the  battles 
from  Chattanooga  to  Atlanta  but  was  never  wounded  and,  more  remarkable 
yet,  never  attended  sick  call.  He  accompanied  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the 
sea,  in  which  the  hardships  incident  to  fighting  were  even  more  bearable  than 
those  caused  by  the  swamps  to  be  passed.  On  the  6th  of  March,  1865,  he  was 
mustered  out,  marching  through  Washington  in  the  grand  review.  He  imme- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


645 


'  :,     :.  diately  returned  home  and  hired  out  on  a  farm  until,  in  partnership  with  his 

,:  :  :    brother,  he  rented  land  and  began  farming  independently  for  two  years,  at  the 

.    ;  1 ,   end  of  which  period  they  were  able  to  purchase  a  tract  of  their  own.     Since 

,       that  time  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  retirement 

-'/     ,  .  in  1909,  when  he  removed  to  Altona.    After  1873  he  purchased  the  farm  which 

.- :    •.'.    his  son  now  occupies,  and  devoted  over  thirty-five  years  to  its  cultivation.     In 

,  V.   ;'   this  undertaking  he  displayed  many  of  the  characteristics  of  the  Scotch, — thrift, 

.  ;     perseverance  and  energy.    He  has  always  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 

'-     business  men  of  his  community,  and  his  ability  as  such  has  been  clearly  seen 

.:  in  his  service  as  director  of  the  Altona  Bank. 

-  In   1873   Mr.  Main  was  married  to  Anna  Andrews,  whose  birth  occurred 
,-  .        March  15,  1849,  '"  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  who  was  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and 

;.     ;     Margaret  (Wilson)  Andrews.     The  former  passed  away  in  1878  at  the  age  of 

.     -   sixty-one  years,  and  the  latter,  who  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Anna  Wilson, 

;    died  in   1892  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.     Mr.  Andrews  came  to  Knox 

-.     '  .  county  in  1855  and  resided  on  a  farm  which  was  situated  in  Ontario  and  Walnut 

Grove  townships  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.     Mrs.  Main  was  one  of  five 

•  children  born  to  her  parents,  the  others  being:    John  Andrews,  a  stock  buyer 
,  :.    of   Altona;   Thomas   Andrews,   an   agriculturist;   Grace,   who   is   the   wife   of 

Thomas  Hobbs,  a  farmer;  and  Mary,  who  died  in  1880  at  the  age  of  twenty- 

:     :  .;  one  years.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main  three  children  have  been  born:    Thomas  P., 

;  :.    -who  is  residing  on  the  old  homestead  and  is  married  to  Patience  Jarman  and 

.         has  one  child,  Clara;  May,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Hubble  of  Philadelphia, 

.       -  and  has  two  children,  Mary  and  John;  and  Jennie  S.,  who  became  the  wife  of 

;  A.  Johnson  of  Galesburg  and  has  three  children,  Erwin,  Helen  and  Robert. 

.;'...        Mr.  Main  has  always  enjoyed  excellent  health  and  is  a  remarkably  young- 

'V  :    looking  man.     He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.     He  has 

^  ;       served  as  road  commissioner  for  many  years  and  has  also  been  an  active  member 

;•;;:,.  of  the  school  board.    Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main  hold  membership  in  the  Presby- 

•    terian  church  and  she  is  active  in  the  Ladies'  Social  Union  and  the  Missionary 

Society  of  that  church  and  also  holds  membership  in  the  county  kindergarten 

-;; ..      board.     Throughout  their  community   Mr.   and   Mrs.   Main  are  held   in   high 

esteem  and  regard  by  all  who  know  them  and  are  numbered  among  Altona's 

'':.-         most  representative  and  worthy  citizens. 


-  -         JOHN  EMERY  McMASTER.  ^\-^^    ;'/•-" 

John  Emery  McMaster,  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  was  born  in  that  township  on  the  6th  of  August,  1873,  his 
parents  being  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  McMaster  of  Altona,  of  whom  a  sketch  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  ^^  .''"•••' .:t 

John  E.  ]\IcMaster  spent  his  early  days  at  home  attending  school  and  assisting 
his  father  on  the  farm,  but  in  1898  he  started  upon  his  independent  career  and  on 
September  8  of  that  year  was  engaged  as  fireman  by  the  Chicago  &  North  Western 
Railway  and  subsequently  in  1903  passed  the  examinations  qualifying  him  to 
act  as  engineer  on  that  railroad,  he  being  one  of  the  five  that  passed  their  tests 


646  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

with  credits  of  one  hundred  per  cent,  chosen  out  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  appH- 
;  ,  cants.  During  the  next  three  years  he  was  thus  employed  but  at  the  end  of  that 
time  he  entered  upon  agricultural  pursuits  and  for  the  past  five  years  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  meeting  with  the  success  which  his  per- 
sistency, industry  and  progressiveness  merit. 

On  April  20,   1903,  ]Mr.   McMaster  was  married  to  Miss  Minerva  Locke, 

whose  birth  occurred  August  17,  1879,  in  Jewell  county,  Kansas,  and  who  is  a 

daughter  of  Clinton  and  Nettie  (Clark)   Locke,  the  former  a  native  of  Davis 

county,  Iowa,  where  he  was  born  in  1851.     He  was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary 

(Miller)  Locke,  the  former  coming  to  America  when  he  was  twelve  years  of  age 

and  settling  near  Nashville,  Tennessee.     Later  he  removed  to  North  Carolina 

and  his  death  occurred  when  he  was  ninety  years  of  age.     Mrs.  Locke  died  in 

1898,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.     Mrs.  Clinton  Locke  was  born  March  6, 

:     1855,  in  Sacramento,  California,  her  parents  being  Frank  and  Catherine  (Van- 

/       derford)    Gark.   the    former  having  been  engaged   in   the   mercantile   business. 

;   The  Clark  family  settled  in  California  in  1852  but  later  removed  to  Iowa,  where 

;    the  father  died  January  17,  1866,  at  the  age  of  forty-four  years,  the  mother  still 

:       residing  in   Swan,   Marion  county.     When  Mr.  Clark  crossed  the  plains   from 

.  .     Red  Rock,  Iowa,  he  was  one  of  a  family  of  fifteen,  who  were  making  the  journey. 

;   It  took  them  five  months  to  reach  the  coast  and  the  entire  trip  was  fraught  with 

-,    many  dangers,  the  Indians  met  en  route  being  particularly  hostile.     To  Mr.  and 

Mrs.   Clinton  Locke    four  children   were  born,  namely :     Floyd,  a   resident  of 

Clinton,  Iowa ;  John,  who  is  living  in  Reno,  Nevada ;  Mrs.  Minerva  McMaster ; 

:     and  Rea,  of  Rock  Island.     After  finishing  school  Mrs.  McMaster  was  employed 

in  a  clerical  position  until  her  marriage.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMaster  two  chil- 

dren  have  been  born :    Lola  Mae,  who  is  seven  years  of  age ;  and  Bequerth,  who 

is  five  years  of  age. 

•  In  politics  Mr.  McMaster  is  a  republican  although  he  has  never  sought  or 
. .    desired  the  honors  or  emoluments  of  office.     He  holds  membership  in  Lodge 

No.  330,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  of  Altona,  Illinois,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  belong  to 

.    the  Baptist  church  of  Boone,  Iowa.     Mr.  McMaster  has  always  been  a  resident 

V    of  the  county  and  has  given  practically  his  whole  attention  to  farming,  today 

;.    being  recognized   as   one   of   Walnut    Grove   township's   progressive   and   able 

•  agriculturists.  :.,         .  •.,       :       •.  ...^    -.,_-.<..•.  ••  "-^ 


.';;v,;V.^   ;         ••    •     •••.^.•-    ELIAS  C.  CALL.       v',-;r;;:^  :•,/':  •'.• 

Elias  C.  Call,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Altona,  Knox  county,  was  born  in 
Rutland  county,  Vermont,  on  the  22d  of  June,  1835,  his  parents  being  Osman 
and  Olive  (Clark)  Call.  His  grandfather,  Isaiah  Call,  was  the  first  member  of 
the  family  to  leave  his  native  state  and  locate  in  this  county.  He  came  here  at 
the  time  the  Mormons  had  extensive  settlements  in  this  locality.  After  settling 
in  Walnut  Grove  township  he  devoted  his  entire  life  to  agricultural  pursuits 
and  the  brickmaking  trade,  he  being  the  first  brickmaker  in  this  county.  Osman 
Call  was  born  at  Woodstock.  Vermont,  in  1808,  and  followed  the  brickmaker's 
trade  until  he  removed  to  Illinois  in  January,  1855,  and  settled  in  Knox  county. 


MR.  AND  MRS.  ELIAS  C.  CALL 


HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTY 

with  credits  of  one  huiKlred  ]>er  cent,  chosen  out  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  appli- 
cants. During  the  next  three  years  he  was  tlnis  em])loyecl  hut  at  the  end  of  that 
time  he  entered  U])on  agricultural  i)ursuits  and  for  the  past  five  years  has  heen 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  meeting  with  the  success  which  his  per- 
sistency, industry  and  ])n)gressivencss  merit. 

On  A])ril  20.  1<;O3.  Mr.  .McMaster  was  married  to  Miss  Minerva  Locke. 
whose  hirth  occurred  August  17.  1879.  in  Jewell  county,  Kansas,  and  who  is  a 
(laughter  of  Clintun  and  Xettie  (Clark)  Locke,  the  former  a  native  of  Davis 
county.  Iowa,  where  he  was  horn  in  1851.  He  was  a  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Miller)  Locke,  the  former  coming  to  America  when  he  was  twelve  years  of  age 
and  settling  near  Xashville.  Tennessee.  Later  he  removed  to  Xorth  Carolina 
and  his  death  occurred  when  he  was  ninety  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Locke  died  in 
i8<j8.  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  Mrs.  Clinton  Locke  was  Ixirn  March  6, 
1855.  in  Sacramento.  California,  her  ])arents  l)eing  Frank  and  Catherine  (A'an- 
derford )  C'lark.  tlic  former  having  heen  engaged  in  the  mercantile  husiness. 
The  Clark  familv  settle<l  in  C'alifornia  in  1832  hut  later  removed  to  Iowa,  where 
the  fatlier  <lie(l  January  17.  bSr/),  at  the  age  of  forty-four  years,  the  mother  still 
residing  in  Swan.  Marion  county.  \\'hen  Mr.  Clark  crossed  the  jilains  from 
Red  Rock.  Iowa,  he  was  one  of  a  family  of  fifteen,  who  were  making  the  journey. 
It  took  tliem  five  montlis  to  reach  the  coast  and  the  entire  trij)  was  frauglit  with 
many  dangers,  the  linlians  met  en  route  heing  particularly  hostile.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Clinton  Locke  four  children  were  horn,  namely:  I'loyd.  a  resident  of 
Clinton.  Iowa:  John,  who  is  living  in  Keno.  Xevada  :  Mrs.  Minerva  McMaster; 
and  Rea.  of  Rock  Island.  After  finishing  school  .Mrs.  McMaster  was  employed 
in  a  clerical  position  until  lier  marriage.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMaster  two  chil- 
dren have  heen  horn:  Lola  Mae.  who  is  seven  years  of  age;  and  liecjuerth.  who 
is  five  years  of  age. 

In  politics  Mr.  McMaster  is  a  rei)uhlican  although  he  has  never  sought  or 
<lesired  the  honor.-  or  emoluments  of  office,  lie  holds  memhership  in  Lodge 
^''>-  330-  -^^  I'-  "i^'  •\-  ^f"  "^  Altona.  Illinois,  and  hoth  he  and  his  wife  helong  to 
the  llaptist  cluirch  of  I'.oone.  Iowa.  Mr.  McMa-ter  has  always  heen  a  resident 
of  the  ccnuity  and  has  given  practically  his  whole  attention  to  farming,  today 
being  recognized  as  one  of  \\'alnut  Grove  township's  jjrogressive  and  al)le 
agriculturists.  . 


FLIAS  C.  C.XLL. 

Elias  C.  Call,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  .\ltona.  Knox  county,  was  horn  in 
Rutland  county.  X'ermont.  on  the  22(1  of  June.  i8_^5.  his  i)arents  heing  f^sman 
and  Olive  (Clark)  Call.  His  grandfather.  Isaiah  Call,  was  the  first  memher  of 
the  family  to  leave  his  native  state  and  locate  in  this  county.  He  came  here  at 
the  time  the  Mormons  had  e.xtensive  settlements  in  this  locality.  After  settling 
in  Walnut  Cirove  township  he  devoted  his  entire  life  to  agricultural  pursuits 
and  the  hrickmaking  trade,  he  heing  the  first  hrickmaker  in  this  county.  Osman 
Call  was  horn  at  Woodstock.  \'ennont.  in  1808.  and  followed  the  hrickmaker's 
trade  until  he  removed  to  Illinois  in  January.  1855,  and  settled  in  Knox  county. 


.MIJ.  AM)  .Mils.  KIJAS  f.  CALL 


,:?^':;ff;    •  ;^;  -^^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ^     -  ..  647 

f:  V.  Later  in  life  he  became  an  authority  on  arithmetic  and  was  the  author  of  a  well 
:     -.  known  text-book  on  that  subject.     Mrs.  Call  was  a  daughter  of  J.  Clark,  a 
'%;  native  of  England,  and  her  death  occurred  in  Altona  in  1895,  at  the  age  of 
:   .V  eighty-five  years  and  six  months.    Of  this  union  three  children  survive:     Elias, 
;•>     the  subject  of  this  review;  Roenna  Seymore,  who  is  residing  in  Indianapolis, 
,•;  Indiana;  and  Loyal,  who  is  living  in  California  and  who  served  in  the  Civil  war. 
,-.         Elias   C.   Call   received  his  early  education   in   the   common   schools,   after 
':'.'•'  which  he  accepted  employment  by  the  month  on  various  farms  and  subsequently 
•.worked  in  a  sawmill  in  New  York  state  previous  to  coming  to  Altona  in  1854. 
•    On  the  22d  of  April,   i86i,  he  enlisted   for  service  in  the  Civil  war,   joining 
;    Company  F  of  the  Twenty-second  New  York  Infantry  under  Colonel  Phelps, 
";'  -  serving  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  near  Washington.    Because  of  severe  illness 
V  •.   contracted  during  the  service  he  was  mustered  out  in  1863,  the  same  year  in 
';  ••  which  his  brother,  who  served  in  the  Chicago  Battery  of  Artillery,  was  made  a 
prisoner  at  Andersonville.     After  Elias  Call's  honorable  discharge  he  went  to 
New  York  state  and  was  again  employed  for  a  short  time  in  a  sawmill,  but  in 
1864  he  removed  to  Altona,  making  the  trip  by  way  of  Canada.     From  that 
time  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and,  although  he  is  now  living  retired, 
he  still  manifests  an  active  interest  in  the  farming  problems  of  the  county.     In 
the  cultivation  of  his  property  he  met  with  the  success  which  is  usually  gained 
in  this  rich  agricultural  district  by  the  farmer  who  shows  persistent  and  un- 
remitting energy  and  who  is  willing  to  engage  in  constant  labor. 

Mr.  Call  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  union  was  to  Miss  Olive  Haines, 
and  to  them  two  sons  were  born :  William  H.,  who  is  a  teacher  in  Utah ;  and 
Charles  W.,  who  is  residing  in  Hubert,  Crow  Wing  county,  Minnesota.  .  Mr. 
Call's  second  union  was  to  Mrs.  Mary  Huntly  White,  who  was  the  widow  of 
Peter  White  and  whose  birth  occurred  in  1836  in  McConnellsville,  Pennsylvania. 
Mrs.  Call  is  the  mother  of  two  children  by  her  first  husband,  Joseph  Stillwagon, 
namely,  Alice  Stillwagon  and  Elizabeth  Stillwagon.  Of  her  union  to  Peter 
White  there  were  born  eight  children,  Sadie,  George,  Levi,  Henry,  Ida,  Mary, 
Delia  and  David.  '  ;;•  •; '/'/;^-  '  '  -  - 

Without  desire  for  office  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty  Mr.  Call  gives  his 
unfaltering  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party.  He  was  a  representative  farmer 
and  by  his  application  and  sturdy  character  has  gained  many  friends,  and  he 
and  his  wife  are  held  in  high  regard  by  all  who  claim  the  honor  of  their 
acquaintance.  ,•.••,-  .-:.:;>•.•.  ;,  •  ^  •  n..--:  ..:;-\  .\  ..-^••,-  -.  ^•:-  •••  .--i  y,--.*..^  ;,--.••  • 


.::;;--'';:-;v,^;  •;:':•  ..;.-;.'     HON.  EDWARD  J.  KING.       ' . .    '  •    :'':-•'.:";:. 

In  legislative  service,  to  which  he  has  three  times  been  called  by  popular  s 
frage,  and  in  the  practice  of  law  Hon.  Edward  J.  King  has  given  evidence  of 
strong  mentality,  keen  insight,  a  public  spirit  and  devotion  to  duty  that  rank  him 
with  the  representative  and  valued  citizens  of  Galesburg.  He  was  born  in  Spring- . 
field,  Massachusetts,  July  i,  1867,  and  in  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  i? 
a  representative  of  old  New  England  families.  The  line  of  descent  in  the  King 
family  can  be  traced  back  in  this  country  to  about  1660,  when  the  American 

Td.  n— S» 


648  ^    '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;;;!7x^^; 

progenitor  settled  in  Suffield,  Connecticut.  Captain  Thaddeus  King,  the  great- 
great-grandfather,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  great-grand- 
father  was  John  King,  also  a  native  and  resident  of  Connecticut.  The  grand- 
parents of  our  subject,  Albert  and  Louise  (Leavitt)  King,  were  natives  of 
Connecticut,  where  the  former  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  to  the  age  of 
sixty-five  years,  when  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death.  His  wife  long  sur- 
vived him  and  reached  the  remarkable  old  age  of  ninety  years.  They  were  the 
parents  of  two  sons  and  a  daughter :  John  A. ;  Francis,  who  died  at  Suffield, 
Connecticut;  and  Mrs.  Julia  Randall.  ,S  .;  -  j  .  .i'V 

John  A.  King,  the  father  of  Edward  J.  King,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  spend- 
ing  his  youthful  days  in  Suffield,  whence  in  early  manhood  he  removed  to  Spring- 
field,  Massachusetts,  where  he  carried  on  business  as  a  contractor  and  builder. 
In  that  state  he  wedded  Alice  L.  Houghton,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  a 
daughter  of  Albert  and  Louise  (Rolph)  Houghton.  Her  father  was  born  in 
Connecticut  and  was  an  engineer  on  the  New  York,  New  Haven  &  Hartford 
Railroad.  His  wife  was  a  descendant  of  a  British  officer.  Mr. -and  Mrs.  Hough- 
ton  made  their  home  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  for  many  years  but  after- 
ward went  to  Windsor,  Connecticut.  Mrs.  Houghton  is  still  living  in  Suffield, 
Connecticut,  at  the  unusual  old  age  of  ninety  years.  They  were  the  parents  of 
the  following  children :  Edward,  who  died  at  Sacramento,  California,  about 
1906;  Alice  L.,  the  wife  of  John  A.  King;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Charles 
Mead,  of  Springfield ;  Mrs.  George  Duncan,  afterwards  intermarried  with  Frank 
Fisher,  a  widow ;  Annie,  the  wife  of  Walter  Fogg,  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts; 
Emma,  the  wife  of  Frank  Leonard;  and  ^Martha,  the  wife  of  George  Wallace, 
of  Suffield,  Connecticut. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  A.  King  began  their  domestic  life  in  Springfield,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  about  1870  removed  to  Hamburg,  Iowa,  whence  in  1877  after  re- 
.  siding  in  various  places,  the  father  came  to  Galesburg,  where  for  a  number  of 
years  he  engaged  in  the  livery  business.  During  the  past  ten  years,  however, 
he  has  conducted  a  grain  business  in  Chicago.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil 
war,  serving  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  of  the  Forty-sixth  Massachusetts  Vol- 
unteer Infantry.  His  political  allegiance  has  always  been  given  to  the  republi- 
can party  and  his  membership  relations  are  with  the  Odd  Fellows  society.  His 
wife,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  died  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts, 
in  the  opening  decade  of  the  twentieth  century  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years. 
They  had  but  two  children  and  the  daughter,  Louise,  died  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years.  Mrs.  Alice  L.  King,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  married  a  second 
time,  becoming  Mrs.  Lombard,  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  and  there  were 
children  of  that  union.  '•.-•:>.•  f. .  .  . 

Edward  J.  King  spent  his  early  boyhood  in  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  and 
in  Windsor  and  Suffield,  Connecticut,  on  New  England  farms  and  in  attending 
the  common  schools  there.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Illinois  since  1880,  at  which 
time  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Galesburg  and  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools 
until  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  1886.  Later  he  entered  Knox  College 
and  is  numbered  among  its  alumni  of  1891.  He  taught  for  one  year  before  enter- 
ing  college  and  after  the  completion  of  his  course  at  Knox  took  up  the  study  of 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1893,  since  which  time  he  has  followed  his 
profession  in  Galesburg,  having  here  an  extensive  practice  that  connects  him 


V     ;v-:V         :  :         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  Uv- ;':  649 

with  much  of  the  important  litigation  tried  in  the  courts  of  the  district.  He 
always  prepares  his  cases  with  great  thoroughness  and  care  and  his  careful 
analysis  enables  him  to  present  his  points  in  logical  form  and  to  draw  therefrom 
correct  conclusions. 

On  the  ist  of  January,  1895,  Mr.  King  was  married  to  Miss  May  B.  Roberts, 
a  daughter  of  Rev.  H.  P.  and  Anna  (Blanchard)  Roberts.  Mrs.  King  was  born 
in  Cairo,  Illinois,  where  her  father,  a  Congregational  minister,  was  preaching. 
He  served  throughout  the  Civil  war  as  a  lieutenant  and  chaplain  and  died  while 
on  a  visit  in  Colorado  in  1887.  He  was,  however,  a  resident  of  Galesburg  at 
the  time.  His  wife  survived  until  September,  1896,  and  passed  away  at  the  age 
of  sixty-four  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  but  two  children,  the  elder  daugh- 
ter being  Nellie  A.,  who  is  now  the  widow  of  Fred  S.  Rockwell  and  resides  in 
Denver  with  her  son,  Robert  B.  Rockwell.  The  younger  daughter.  May  B.,  be-: 
came  the  wife  of  Mr.  King  and  they  now  have  one  son,  Ivan  R.  King.  The 
mother  is  a  member  of  the  Central  Congregational  church.  Mr.  King  is  well 
known  in  fraternal  circles  of  this  city,  belonging  to  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F. 
&'  A.  M. :  to  the  Odd  Fellows  society,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the  Elks.  Since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  been  a  stalwart  advocate 
of  the  republican  party  and  is  a  recognized  leader  in  its  ranks,  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  the  vital  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  and  working  along  prac- 
tical lines  to  secure  the  adoption  of  its  principles.  In  1893  he  was  elected  city 
attorney  and  served  for  one  term.  In  1907  he  was  again  called  to  office  in  his 
election  to  the  house  of  representatives  of  the  Forty-fifth  Illinois  general  assembly 
and  indorsement  of  his  first  term  came  to  him  in  his  reelection  to  the  Forty- 
sixth  and  Forty-seventh  general  assemblies  as  a  member  of  the  house.  Mr.  King 
was  the  republican  caucus  nominee  for  speaker  of  the  house  of  the  Forty-sixth 
general  assembly  being  defeated  by  Edward  D.  Shurtleff  through  a  combination 
of  democrats  and  republicans,  who  afterward  elected  William  Lorimer  United 
States  senator.  As  a  member  of  the  state  legislature  he  has  carefully  considered 
questions  which  have  come  up  for  action  and  neither  fear  nor  favor  can  swerve 
him  in  his  support  of  a  cause  which  he  believes  to  be  just  and  right.  He  also 
holds  to  a  high  standard  of  professional  ethics,  ever  treats  the  court  with  that 
courtesy  which  is  its  due  and  never  indulges  in  malicious  criticism  because  it 
arrives  at  a  conclusion  in  the  decision  of  a  case  different  from  that  which  he 
hoped  to  hear.  He  gives  to  his  clients  the  service  of  well  developed  talent,  un-  •: 
wearied  industry  and  wide  learning,  but  he  never  forgets  that  there  are  certain 
things  due  to  the  court,  to  his  own  self-respect  and  above  all  to  justice  and  the 
righteous  administration  of  the  law  which  neither  the  zeal  of  an  advocate  nor 
the  pleasure  of  success  permits  him  to  disregard.  :;  .  'V  •  :  '  .  -  ^  •' ;  ;  • 


.  V   ':';-::..    ./ j:    JOHN  S.  MATHEWS.    ';'  •  .:••;;:.. /v-\.;:. 

John  S.  Mathews  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  which  he  devotes  his  at- 
tention in  connection  with  stock-raising,  and  is  meeting  with  excellent  success 
in  both.  He  was  born  on  his  present  homestead  located  on  section  22,  Salem 
township,  on  January  6,  1859,  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  Jane  (Montgomery) 


650  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          '          •:   • 

Mathews,  the  father  a  native  of  Ireland  and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania.  Wil- 
liam Mathews  emigrated  from  the  Emerald  isle  to  America  in  his  early  manhood, 
locating  in  Knox  county,  where  he  acquired  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land.  Being  both  ambitious  and  diligent  he  intelligently  applied  his  eniergies  to 
the  cultivation  of  his  land,  his  efforts  meeting  with  such  lucrative  returns  that 
he  was  later  able  to  extend  his  holdings  until  he  had  acquired  the  title  to  three 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  now  the  homestead  of  his  son  John  S..  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Mathews  there  were  born  seven  children,  one  of  whom 
died  at  the  age  of  four  months.  The  others  are  as  follows:  Sarah  N.,  the 
wife  of  Joseph  W.  Maxwell,  of  Yates  City;  John  S.,  our  subject;  William  C., 
who  is  living  north  of  Douglas ;  Minerva  Jane,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Andrews, 
also  residing  north  of  Douglas ;  Robert  T.  a  minister  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
located  at  Louisville,  Kentucky ;  and  Clara  B.,  now  Mrs.  Nixon  of  Yates  City. 
The  parents  are  now  both  deceased,  the  father  having  passed  away  at  the  age 
of  seventy-seven  and  the  mother  at  eighty-one,  and  are  buried  at  Yates  City. 
They  were  charter  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  that  city  and  always 
took  an  earnest  and  helpful  interest  in  all  religious  work,  having  given  much 
assistance  in  building  the  church  at  Farmington.  Mr.  Mathews  was  a  republican 
in  politics  and  for  many  years  held  the  office  of  school  director  in  Salem  town- 
ship. He  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  during  the  entire  period 
of  his  active  career  and  met  with  success,  being  numbered  among  the  prosperous 
agriculturists  of  the  county.  A  man  of  high  principles,  his  upright  conduct  and 
unquestionable  integrity  won  him  the  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  had 
transactions. 

Together  with  his  brothers  and  sisters  John  S.  Mathews  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Knox  county  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  They  all  ter- 
minated their  student  days  with  the  completion  of  the  high  school  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  brother  Robert  T.,  who  was  graduated  from  Knox  College  and 
afterwards  attended  the  McCormick  Theological  Seminary.  When  his  school 
days  were  ended  John  S.  Mathews  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  cultivation 
of  the  fields  and  care  for  the  stock  on  the  homestead,  and  many  improvements 
upon  the  place  were  instituted  by  him.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Mathews  brought 
his  bride  to  the  home  of  his  childhood  and  here  they  have  spent  the  entire  period 
of  their  domestic  life.  Until  the  last  two  years  he  has  operated  his  entire  hold- 
ings, but  he  is  now  renting  forty  acres.  Beside  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  he 
raises  high-grade  cattle,  hogs  and  horses,  making  a  specialty  of  Hereford  cattle 
which  are  nearly  all  on  the  Wisconsin  register,  and  Percheron  horses. 
:  In  i8go  Mr.  Mathews  was  married  to  Miss  Qara  Mabel  Emery,  born  October 
22,  1869,  who  is  a  native  of  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  and  a  daughter  of 
David  and  Amelia  (Brooks)  Emery.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mathews 
there  have  been  born  four  children :  David  W.,  Helen  B.,  Amber  G.  and  Bernard 
Emery. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  Mr.  Mathews 
has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  for  eighteen  years  and  is  also  an 
elder.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Farmers  Telephone  Company,  and  was  for- 
merly president,  and  is  a  member  and  secretary  of  the  Percheron  Horse  Com- 
pany. His  political  affiliations  are  with  the  republican  party  and  he  has  been 
called  upon  to  serve  for  four  years  as  township  assessor,  while  he  has  satis- 


;>'.''•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  .  651 

factorily  filled  the  position  of  school  director  for  twenty-one  years,  a  record  which 
bespeaks  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens.  His  entire  life  has  been  spent  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  homestead,  which  is  located  on  sections 
21  and  22  of  Salem  township,  and  among  his  closest  friends  he  numbers  the 
comrades  of  his  boyhood,  this  in  itself  being  a  tribute  to  his  character,..  .-:.:./ 


V  :          /          •       GEORGE  W.  DAVIDSON:  , ,        -  Iv^--  j 

George  W.  Davidson  formerly  associated  with  the  agricultural  interests  of 
Knox  county  is  now  living  retired  in  the  village  of  Henderson.  His  father, 
Robert  Davidson,  born  in  Ireland  in  1817,  was  the  son  of  Hans  and  Jane  David- 
son of  Ireland,  who  came  to  this  country  in  November,  1817,  bringing  with  them 
their  son  Robert  who  was  then  a  babe  six  months  old.  They  settled  in  Ohio, 
where  they  lived  for  many  years.  When  Robert  was  of  age  he  went  to  Maryland 
and  there  met  Julia  Ann  Elishier  whom  he  made  his  wife.  At  this  time  the 
great  influx  of  settlers  was  beginning  to  invade  Illinois,  chiefly  attracted  thither 
by  the  promising  agricultural  prospects.  Robert  Davidson,  too,  followed  the 
throng  and,  accompanied  by  his  bride,  settled  near  Springfield.  There  they  lived 
for  a  little  time  during  which  period  George  W.  Davidson,  their  first  child,  was 
born  December  28,  1846.  Their  next  home  was  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  they  re- 
mained until  1851,  when  they  took  up  their  residence  in  Galesburg.  Mr.  David- 
son opened  a  plow  shop  in  Henderson,  and  for  four  or  five  years  made  plows, 
which  he  sold  in  distant  as  well  as  neighboring  localities,  often  hauling  his  iron 
and  plows  across  the  whole  state  to  Iowa  and  other  states.  In  1856  he  com- 
menced farming  and  built  a  sawmill  and  in  1860  bought  a  farm,  to  which  he  re- 
moved his  family.  Here  he  devoted  himself  to  agriculture,  operating  three 
hundred  and  fifteen  acres  of  land.  He  was  a  man  of  marvelous  physique  and 
great  endurance,  only  once  in  his  life  being  so  ill,  as  to  necessitate  a  doctor's  call. 
He  continued  in  his  farm  work  up  to  the  time  he  was  eighty-three  years  old  and 
passed  away  three  years  later  in  1903.  His  wife  died  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
five  years.  She  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  were  the 
parents  of  two  other  children,  daughters,  one  of  whom  died  in  1855.  The  other 
daughter  is  Mrs.  Anthony  Smith,  of  Henderson.  Mr.  Robert  Davidson  was  a 
democrat  in  politics  and  for  many  years  served  his  county  in  the  capacity  of  road 
commissioner.  He  was  not  a  member  of  any  church  but  gave  liberally  to  the 
advancement  of  any  worthy  religious  cause.  ,.;  ,  - 

George  W.  Davidson  had  a  common-school  education  and  when  old  enough 
engaged  in  agriculture.  Ill  health,  however,  followed  him  for  many  years.  Dur- 
ing the  year  1873  he  resided  in  Galesburg  and  at  the  end  of  this  time  returned 
to  his  farm,  where  he  stayed  until  1880,  when  he  again  resided  in  Galesburg 
for  a  brief  period,  only  to  return  to  the  farm  and  once  more  pursue  his  agricultural 
labors.  He  was  engaged  in  general  farming,  raised  hogs  and  stock  and  had 
some  reputation  for  breeding  blooded  Norman  and  trotting  horses.  He  gave  up 
farming  permanently  October  20,  1907,  when  he  retired  to  Henderson,  where 
he  is  now  living.  ,;•  .  •  .  ;,•,^  •••••.  ..-  -.  -  .  :  ^.  - 


652  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       v^;    '  •'• 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Davidson  and  Miss  Serepta  J.  Baer  was  celebrated 
October  7,  1869.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Rev.  D.  E.  and  Susan  (Ryan)  Baer, 
who  came  originally  from  Germany  but  lived  most  of  their  lives  in  Spring  Run, 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  Mr.  Baer  was  a  minister  in  the  United 
Brethren  church.  Serepta  (Baer)  Davidson's  grandfather  and  two  of  her 
brothers  were  also  preachers  of  the  same  faith. 

Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davidson.     Minnie,  the  wife  of 
William  Ward,  a  real-estate  agent  in  Galesburg,  is  the  mother  of  two  children, 
Geneva  and  Lucile.    Robert,  is  a  merchant  in  Henderson.    David  Earl,  a  whole- 
sale coal  dealer  in  Galesburg,  by  his  first  wife,  Mamie  McDermott,  has  one  child,' 
Leonora.     His  second  wife  was  formerly  Miss  Lucile  McCune. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Davidson  are  ardent  workers  in  the  United  Breth- 
ren and  Methodist  churches  in  Henderson.  They  have  a  large  circle  of  friends, 
who  esteem  them  highly  for  their  progressive  interest  in  every  measure  contribut- 
ing to  the  moral  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  community. 


;-:    ^^  FRANK  STEWART  STEPHENSON.    ;   -> 

Frank  Stewart  Stephenson,  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm  in  Walnut  Grove 
township,  was  born  July  21,  1866,  in  Oneida,  Illinois,  his  parents  being  George 
L.  and  Grace  (Stewart)  Stephenson  of  Oneida,  where  the  former  is  a  prominent 
representative  of  mercantile  interests. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Oneida  Frank  S.  Stephenson  acquired  his  education. 
After  he  had  finished  his  school  course  he  accepted  a  clerical  position  in  his 
father's  store  at  Oneida,  and  remained  there  until  1903,  when  he  removed  to  the 
farm  upon  which  he  has  since  resided.  His  land  is  highly  developed  and  well 
equipped  with  buildings  and  machinery,  adequate  for  carrying  on  its  cultivation 
according  to  the  most  advanced  and  most  profitable  methods.  In  addition  to  gen- 
eral farming  he  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  stock-raising. 

It  was  while  he  was  residing  in  Oneida  that  Frank  Stephenson  was  married 
on  the  3Oth  of  September,  1891,  to  Miss  Cummings,  whose  birth  occurred 
October  21,  1869,  on  the  Cummings  homestead,  her  parents  being  Leonard  B.  and 
Celinda  (Bulkeley)  Cummings.  The  father  was  born  in  Union,  Maine,  near  the 
Atlantic  seacoast,  June  28,  1823,  his  parents  being  Suel  and  Sophia  (Barnard) 
Cummings,  the  former  also  a  native  of  Maine,  where  he  engaged  in  farming, 
having  passed  away  in  1866  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years,  the  latter  having  died 
in  1890  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years.  Leonard  Cummings,  their  son,  left  school 
at  an  early  age  so  as  to  give  his  time  and  attention  to  his  father's  farm.  Later 
he  was  employed  at  logging  in  a  lumber  camp  for  .two  winters,  and  subsequently, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  he  and  his  brother  were  employed  in  a  trunk 
factory  in  Boston,  but  this  work  was  discontinued  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
Mexican  war.  His  service  covered  a  period  of  eighteen  months,  and  after  being 
mustered  out  he  joined  the  great  army  of  gold  seekers  going  to  California  in 
1849.  He  made  the  trip  by  water,  sailing  in  a  sloop  around  Cape  Horn.  For 
three  years  he  remained  in  the  mining  district  and  then  returned  home,  coming  to 
Galesburg  in  1853.  Subsequently  he  purchased  the  farm  which  has  since  been 


'  ;i       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  —  653 

the  Cummings  homestead.  Mrs.  Cummings  was  bom  on  the  22d  of  August,  1838, 
.  in  Lyme,  Connecticut,  and  was  the  daughter  of  A.  W.  and  Margaret  Ann  (Coven- 
hoven)  Bulkeley,  the  former  having  been  born  October  i8,  1805,  in  Colchester, 
Connecticut,  and  the  latter,  September  28,  1805,  in  New  York  city.  Mr.  Bulk- 
eley followed  the  carpenter,  contractor  and  cabinet-maker's  trade  throughout  his 
life.  He  removed  to  Fulton  county  in  1839,  and  in  1851  came  to  Copley  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  where  his  death  occurred  in  1879,  his  wife  dying  in  1886. 
Mrs.  Bulkeley  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Demorist)  Covenhoven, 
who  were  of  Dutch  ancestry,  but  the  family  had  long  resided  in  this  country, 
James  Covenhoven  having  been  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  as  were  many 
other  members  of  the  family.  Mr.  L.  B.  Cummings  was  a  member  of  the  Masons 
belonging  to  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  lodge,  of  Altona,  Illinois,  and  although  he  was 
never  active  in  politics  he  was  wide  awake  to  the  issues  of  the  day,  and  used 
what  influence  he  could  to  promote  measures  which  would  tend  to  public  im- 
provement. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephenson  have  become  the  parents  of  five  children : 
Maude  Aurelia,  whose  birth  occurred  July  28,  1892,  and  who  is  at  present  a 
student  at  the  Illinois  Woman's  College  at  Jacksonville ;  Frank  Stuart,  Jr.,  whose 
birth  occurred.  May  25,  1895,  and  who  is  a  student  in  the  Oneida  high  school; 
George  Cummings,  born  June  4.  1898,  and  attending  school  at  present;  Ruth 
Celinda,  whose  birth  occurred  August  29,  1899;  and  Robert  Bulkeley,  whose 
birth  occurred  December  ii,  1901.  •  ; 

Mr.  Stephenson  is  not  interested  in  politics,  but  because  of  his  interest  in 
the  moral  condition  and  the  development  of  the  community  he  has  served  as  a 
member  of  the  school  board  of  Oneida  for  five  years.  Fraternally  he  is  con- 
nected with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  Oneida,  Illinois,  and  lodge 
No.  576  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Oneida,  an  organization  of  which  he  is  a 
charter  member,  and  of  which  he  is  now  chancellor  commander. 


:.'.'-\_:---^  ..  ^: :,':''-..•  -'-i^-^'-^l-'' A.  C.  . 

A.  C.  Williams  resides  on  section  4  of  Victoria  township,  where  he  and  his 
brother  Walter  engage  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty-four  and  three-fourths  acres,  that  was  formerly  the  property 
of  their  father.  He  was  born  in  England  on  the  I2th  of  May,  1850,  and  is  a 
son  of  Thomas  and  Emma  Williams,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with 
their  family  in  1852.  Upon  their  arrival  in  this  country  they  came  directly  to 
Knox  county,  where  the  father  acquired  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  sons.  This 
was  partially  improved  but  Mr.  Williams  made  many  changes  during  his  life 
time,  erecting  some  new  buildings  and  bringing  the  fields  under  higher  cultivation. 
Here  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  until  his  death,  which  oc-  - 
curred  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years.  He  was  survived  for  several  years  by  the 
mother,  who  had  passed  the  sixty-seventh  anniversary  of  her  birth  at  the  time 
of  her  demise.  They  were  both  buried  on  the  family  lot  in  the  cemetery  at 
Galva.  His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Williams  accorded  the  democratic  party  and 
in  matters  of  faith  he  and  his  wife  were  Episcopalians.  He  always  took  much 
interest  in  all  public  affairs,  particularly  those  of  a  governmental  nature,  but 


654  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  7    :    • 

•    never  held  any  office  save  that  of  postmaster,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged 

at  Milroy  for  twenty  years.     Six  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams, 

^  .    of  whom  our  subject  is  the  youngest.    In  order  of  birth  the  others  are  as  follows: 

'  •     George,  who  married  Miss  Azelia  Annis  and  resides  at  Galva ;  Mary  Ann,  the 

'   ;    wife  of  John  Freed,  of  California;  Thomas,  who  married  Mary  Starboard  and 

:     is  now  living  in  Missouri;  Walter,  who  was  born  on  the  27th  of  October,  1845; 

and  Emily,  the  wife  of  L.  D.  Blackwood,  of  Missouri.  v    ••  I 

As  he  was  only  a  child  of  two  years  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on 
"   .  their  emigration  to  the  United  States,  A.  C.  Williams  was  reared  and  educated 
in  Victoria  township.     He  received  his  agricultural  training  on  the  farm,  where 
he  now  resides,  under  the  capable  direction  of  his  father,  during  his  boyhood  and 
"youth.     After  the  latter's  death  the  three  sons,  George,  Walter  and  A.  C.,  con- 
tinued to  operate  the  farm  but  the  two  latter  subsequently  bought  the  interest  of 
•'   .  their  brother  and  have  ever  since  continued  alone.     They  have  directed  their 
operations  along  the  lines  generally  adopted  by  the  modem   agriculturist  and 
.  their  efforts  have  been  correspondingly   rewarded.     Their  fields  are  carefully 
'      •  tilled  and  devoted  to  those  cereals  that  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil,  and  they  an- 
nually reap  abundant  harvests.     During  the  period  of  their  ownership  they  have 
installed  many  modern  conveniences  and  improvements  and  now  have  one  of  the 
.      well  equipped  farms  of  the  township.     In  1905  they  tore  down  the  old  house  that 
had  done  service  for  many  years,  and  erected  a  comfortable  country-residence, 
that  has  greatly  added  to  the  general  appearance  of  the  place.     They  keep  the 
fences  and  buildings  in  good  repair,  ample  sheds  are  provided  for  their  imple- 
ments and  machinery  and  their  stock  is  well  housed,  in  short  everything  about 
their  farm  evidences  capable  management  and  thrift.  ,.     |      ,   •  • 

Mr.  Williams  married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Sornborger  and  they  have  become  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  as  follows :  E.  B. ;  Helen,  who  is  deceased ;  and 
Altha,  Alfred,  Bertha,  Ruth  and  Bryan.  He  accords  his  political  support  to  the 
.  :  democratic  party,  as  does  also  his  brother,  but  they  have  never  aspired  to  the 
emoluments  of  office  or  public  honors.  Mr.  Williams  has  passed  fifty-nine  of 
the  sixty-one  years  of  his  life  in  Victoria  township,  where  both  he  and  his  brother 
are  widely  known  and  held  in  high  esteem,  by  reason  of  their  upright  principles 
and  honorable  business  methods,  manifested  in  all  of  their  transactions.  '^  '  : 


-;;>:-  FRANK  H.  OLSON.  >7v.:-    '    n:  :-: 

Frank  H.  Olson,  who  is  proprietor  of  one  of  the  leading  mercantile  estab- 
lishments of  Altona  and  also  the  postmaster  of  the  town,  was  born  in  Ontario 
township,  Knox  county,  November  25,  1873.  His  father.  Peter  Olson,  who  died 
December  12,  1911,  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  reached  the  age  of  eighty-one 
years.  He  came  as  a  young  man  to  America  and  took  up  farming,  which  he 
followed  for  some  time  but  later  turned  his  attention  to  merchandising  at  Wood- 
hull,  Illinois.  For  a  number  of  years  he  carried  on  business  with  a  fair  measure 
of  success  and  eventually  sold  out.  He  lived  up  to  his  death  retired  near  Altona, 
making  his  home  upon  a  farm  which  he  owned.  His  only  surviving  brother  is  a 
resident  of  Seattle,  Washington.  Peter  Olson  married  Hannah  Matson,  who  is 


•^  ••    ^         -v:    ^    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         -^>^:  055 

also  deceased.  They  became  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Oscar,  who  is  now- 
living  in  North  Dakota;  Edith,  the  wife  of  Charles  Johnson,  of  Ontario  town- 
ship; Frank  H.,  of  this  review;  Emma,  the  wife  of  H.  L.  Peterson,  a  merchant 
of  Altona;  Hilda,  at  home;  Arthur,  who  is  following  farming  in  Canada;  and 
Harry,  who  has  charge  of  the  old  home  farm.  v  ' 

After  his  school  days  were  over,  Frank  H.  Olson  engaged  in  clerking  in 
Oneida,  Illinois,  for  J.  N.  Conger,  spending  two  years  in  that  way.  He  after- 
ward entered  the  Burlington  Business  College,  where  he  studied  for  a  term  and 
then  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  employed  by  Marshall  Field  &  Company. 
He  afterward  returned  to  Oneida,  where  he  embarked  in  business  on  his  own 
account,  becoming  a  partner  with  Metcalf  Brothers  in  the  ownership  and  con- 
duct of  a  grocery  store.  After  three  years  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Altona, 
where  he  joined  C.  J.  McMaster  in  the  conduct  of  a  grocery  and  hardware  busi- 
ness. Three  years  later  he  became  connected  with  C.  E.  Cowles  in  a  business 
that  was  carried  on  for  two  years  and  later  he  formed  a  partnership  with  G.  A. 
Johnson,  which  association  was  maintained  for  three  years.  Mr.  Olson  then 
purchased  his  partner's  interest  in  the  business  and  is  now  conducting  a  hard- 
ware and  grocery  store,  carrying  a  well  selected  line  of  goods  in  each  depart- 
ment and  meeting  with  success  in  their  sale.  His  business  is  well  managed  and 
his  familiarity  with  the  trade  enables  him  to  buy  judiciously  and  sell  at  a  fair 
profit,  thus  gaining  the  success  which  is  the  legitimate  reward  of  all  honorable 
endeavor.  /'  '^  '~: —V 

Mr.  Olson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bessie  Bristol,  a  daughter  of  Frank 
Bristol,  who  was  a  carriage  manufacturer  of  Oneida  but  is  now  deceased,  as  is 
his  wife,  Mrs.  Emma  Bristol.  They  were  early  residents  of  Oneida  and  were 
widely  and  favorably  known  there.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olson  has  been  bom  a 
son,  Frank  Bristol,  now  fourteen  years  of  age.  The  parents  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  are  actively  and  helpfully  inter- 
ested, Mr.  Olson  serving  as  one  of  the  church  trustees.  Fraternally  he  is  con- 
nected with  the  Woodmen  of  America  as  a  member  of  Camp  No.  3737.  His 
political  support  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  held  the  office  of  town 
clerk  until  appointed  postmaster  of  Altona  on  the  i6th  of  March,  1908.  He  is 
still  filling  that  position  and  in  office  has  made  as  creditable  a  record  as  he  has 
in  business.  He  is  justly  accounted  one  of  the  representative  and  public-spirited 
citizens  of  Altona,  accomplishing  what  he  undertakes  whether  for  his  own  benefit 
or  for  the  progress  and  welfare  of  the  community  at  large,  -..  ;  .  :...  . .  .  . 


•^\\:  S'o.^^'v.  /^l-:.--:'-:;v    JOHN  H.  SHEAR.    :;^''    •;.'•    'v'v'-^^''^^^';::::^'^ 

John  H.  Shear,  who  is  residing  on  his  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  Vas 
born  on  the  22d  of  April,  1847,  in  Otsego  county.  New  York,  and  is  a  son  of 
Henry  D.  Shear,  whose  father  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to  America 
from  Holland.  The  father  was  born  in  New  York  state,  April  lo.  1813,  and 
after  he  finished  his  early  schooling  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  Subsequently 
he  came  with  his  brother  to  Illinois,  locating  in  1857,  near  Galesburg,  Knox 
county,  Illinois.  After  farming  for  ten  years  near  Galesburg  he  purchased  the 


656  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

farm  upon  which  William  McMaster  is  now  residing.  His  death  occurred  upon 
this  place,  September  22,  1901.  On  the  3Oth  of  November,  1834,  he  was  married 
to  Eliza  A.  Multer,  of  Summit,  New  York.  She  was  born  April  6,  1813,  and 
her  death  occurred  on  the  loth  of  September,  1895.  They  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Joseph,  of  Buxton,  North 
Dakota ;  Moses  Aaron,  of  Clay  county,  Nebraska ;  Julia,  the  wife  of  George 
McMasters,  of  Walnut  Grove  township ;  and  John  H.,  who  is  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  Two  sons,  Cyrus  M.  and  George  A.,  died  during  the  Civil  war 
while  enlisted  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Infantry. 

John  H.  Shear  began  his  active  career  at  the  early  age  of  twelve  years,  when 
he  began  assisting  his  father  on  the  home  farm.  He  remained  there  until  his 
marriage,  when  he  removed  to  the  farm  upon  which  he  is  now  residing  and 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  For  a  few  years  following  1876, 
he  also  conducted  a  mercantile  business  in  Altona,  Illinois,  but  soon  gave  this 
up  to  devote  his  whole  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits. 

.;•;•  On  the  5th  of  August,  1891,  Mr.  Shear  was  married  to  Miss  Maud  White, 
whose  birth  occurred  June  i6,  1871,  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Philander  and  Hannah  Jane  (Roby)  White,  the  former  having 
passed  away  on  the  i6th  of  March,  1900,  and  the  latter  living  in  Altona.  The 
parents  came  to  Knox  county  in  1890  and  settled  near  Altona,  where  Mr.  White 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  retirement  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death. 
Mrs.  Shear's  grandfather,  Thomas  White,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Ohio. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  six  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  survive :  Edwin, 
of  Newton,  Kansas ;  Alice,  who  is  the  wife  of  O.  McGrew,  of  Altona ;  Sally, 
who  is  the  widow  of  F.  Lester  and  is  residing  with  her  mother ;  and  Mrs.  Shear. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shear  are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Walter  W.,  whose  birth 
occurred  July  31,  1892;  John  Wesley,  who  was  born  on  December  i,  1896;  and 
Bertha,  whose  birth  occurred  April  i.  igoo. 

In  politics  Mr.  Shear  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  has 
been  elected  to  office  by  that  party.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  of  Altona  and  is  at  present  serving  as  one  of  its  trustees. 
His  success  in  life  has  been  due  entirely  to  his  own  efforts  and  to  diligent  and 
persistent  labor.  He  ha^  displayed  many  of  the  praiseworthy  traits  which  he 
has  inherited  from  his  stalwart  Dutch  ancestry  and  stands  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial and  valued  citizens  of  his  community. 


'''"':  .        AUGUST  PETERSON.       ' "  -  ;o:  ;^C.  ;^  ; 

August  Peterson,  who  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Knox 
county  and  is  at  present  conducting  a  livery  stable,  was  born  in  Altona,  on  the 
2ist  of  July,  1887,  his  parents  being  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Victor  Dahlgreen.  The 
father's  death  occurred  in  1905  and  the  mother  passed  away  when  her  son  was 
but  four  years  of  age.  •  ' 

From  that  time  August  Peterson  was  reared  in  the  home  of  N.  A.  and  Chris- 
tina (Lundgren)  Peterson,  of  Galva.  August  Peterson  remained  there  until 


AUGUST  PETERSON 


656  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  •  '  ' 

farm  upon  which  \\'illiam  McMaster  is  now  residing.  His  death  occurred  upon 
this  place.  September  22,  I'joi.  On  the  3Oth  of  November,  1834.  he  was  married 
to  Ehza  A.  Muher,  of  Summit.  New  York.  She  was  born  April  6.  1813.  and 
her  death  occurred  on  the  loth  of  September,  1895.  They  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Joseph,  of  Buxton,  North 
Dakota:  Moses  Aaron,  of  Clay  county,  Nebraska:  Julia,  the  wife  of  George 
McMasters,  of  \\'alnut  drove  township:  and  John  H.,  who  is  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  Two  sons.  Cyrus  M.  and  George  A.,  died  during  the  Civil  war 
while  enlisted  in  Com])any  F.  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Infantry. 

John  II.  Shear  began  his  active  career  at  the  early  age  of  twelve  years,  when 
he  began  assisting  liis  father  on  the  home  farm.  He  remained  there  until  his 
marriage,  when  he  removed  to  the  farm  u])on  which  he  is  now  residing  and 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  For  a  few  years  following  1876, 
he  also  conducted  a  mercantile  business  in  Altona.  Illinois,  but  soon  gave  this 
up  to  devote  his  whole  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits. 

On  the  5th  of  August.  i8<ji.  Mr.  Shear  was  married  to  Miss  Maud  White, 
whose  birth  occurred  June  i6.  1871,  in  P.elmont  county.  Ohio.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Philander  and  Hannah  Jane  (Roby)  White,  the  former  having 
passed  away  on  the  \(ii\\  of  March,  igoo.  and  the  latter  living  in  Altona.  The 
parents  came  to  Knox  county  in  i8go  and  settled  near  Altona,  where  Mr.  \\'hite 
was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  retirement  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death. 
Mrs.  Shear's  grandfather.  Thomas  \\'hite.  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Ohio. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \\'hite  six  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  survive:  Edwin, 
of  Newton.  Kansas:  Alice,  who  is  the  wife  of  O.  Mc(jrew,  of  Altona:  Sally, 
who  is  the  widow  of  F.  Lester  and  is  residing  with  her  mother :  and  Mrs.  Shear. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shear  are  the  jjarents  of  three  children :  \\'alter  \\'..  whose  birth 
occurred  July  31.  1892:  John  \\'osley.  who  was  born  on  December  i.  1896;  and 
Bertha,  whose  birth  occurred  Ai)ril  i,  i<x>o. 

In  politics  Mr.  Shear  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  ])arty  and  has 
been  elected  to  office  by  that  party.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church  of  Altona  and  is  at  present  serving  as  one  of  its  trustees. 
His  success  in  life  has  been  ilue  entirely  to  his  own  efforts  and  to  diligent  and 
persistent  labor.  He  has  displayed  many  of  the  praiseworthy  traits  which  he 
has  inherited  from  his  stalwart  Dutch  ancpstry  and  stands  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial and  valued  citizens  of  his  communitv. 


';  .  AUGUST  PFTFRSON.       .    . 

August  Peterson,  who  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  jnirsuits  in  Knox 
county  and  is  at  present  conducting  a  livery  stable,  was  born  in  Altona,  on  the 
2ist  of  July,  1887.  his  ])arents  being  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \'ictor  Dahlgreen.  The 
father's  death  occurred  in  1905  and  the  mother  jjassed  away  when  her  son  was 
but  four  years  of  age. 

From  that  time  Atigiist  Peterson  was  reared  in  the  home  of  N.  A.  and  Chris- 
tina (Lundgren)  Peterson,  of  Galva.  August  Peterson  remained  there  until 


Alca'ST   I'KTKHSdN 


',^;.^;--^,:  ;-r:^-   ;.-"      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      -        v  659 

he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  In  his  youth  he  attended  the  common  schools  and 
also  assisted  his  foster  father  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Suhsequently  he  was 
employed  by  a  railroad  for  two  years  and  during  that  time,  on  the  i8th  of 
March,  1908,  he  met  with  an  accident  which  incapacitated  him  for  further  manual 
labor  of  that  sort.  Having  been  trained  to  habits  of  thrift,  he  had  by  this  time 
accumulated  sufficient  money  that  on  the  I2th  of  October,  1908,  he  was  able  to 
engage  in  the  livery  business  at  Altona.  He  conducts  a  modern  establishment 
and  his  treatment  of  his  patrons  and  his  reasonable  prices  have  secured  him  a 
good  patronage. 

In  the  family  of  August  Peterson  were  two  brothers,  George  and  David, 
George  was  brought  up  by  a  Mrs.  Smith,  of  Altona,  but  he  died  in  1905.  David, 
the  other  brother,  was  reared  by  a  Mrs.  Krohnland,  who  lived  in  Altona.  Later 
the  family  removed  to  Colorado  and  David  accompanied  them  to  that  state.  He 
has  now  established  his  permanent  residence  in  Denver  and  is  still  living  with  ^ 
the  Krohnland  family. 

Mr.  Peterson  is  not  particularly  interested  in  politics,  having  given  the 
greater  part  of  his  attention  to  his  business  undertakings.  His  religious  faith 
is  indicated  in  his  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  of  Altona.  He  is  well 
known  in  business  and  social  circles  and  has  many  warm  friends,  whose  high 
regard  has  been  gained  by  reason  of  his  sterling  worth. 


.:-  ;.       . '     :  :  •       ;  y/   CHARLES  WESLEY  MAIN.          -         ^/^v/VCj:::^/ 

. :  Charles  Wesley  Main,  who  is  a  resident  agriculturist  of  Altona,  Knox  county, 
was  bom  on  the  2ist  of  March,  1856,  his  parents  being  Elias  and  Mary  Ann 
(Huntington)  Main.  The  father,  who  was  born  in  Otsego  county.  New  York, 
was  a  son  of  Peter  Main,  and  came  to  Illinois  for  the  first  time  in  1847,  locating 
at  Belvidere,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years  before  returning  to  New 
York  state.  His  trip  westward,  which  was  made  in  company  with  a  brother,  was 
taken  over  the  Great  Lakes  route  to  Fort  Dearborn,  Chicago.  When  they  ar- 
rived in  Chicago  they  were  offered  fifteen  acres  of  land  where  Lake  street  now  is, 
for  fifteen  dollars  per  acre.  This  instance  shows  how  remarkable  the  growth 
of  Chicago  has  been,  and  how  little  investors  realized  its  future  greatness.  The 
return  trip  eastward  was  also  made  on  ship  board,  and  one  of  its  interesting 
incidents  was  the  race  which  took  place  between  two  vessels  during  a  heavy 
storm.  So  great  was  the  interest  in  the  contest  that  even  a  wagon  belonging  to 
Mr.  Main  was  used  for  firewood  in  order  to  keep  up  the  necessary  amount  of 
steam.  His  brother,  a  sailor,  attended  to  the  sounding  of  the  depths  of  the 
water.  After  a  short  visit  to  the  east  the  father  returned  west,  to  Altona,  and  at 
that  time  built  the  home  in  which  he  is  now  residing,  having  procured  the  lumber 
in  Rock  Island.  The  trip  from  Belvidere  to  Victoria  was  made  in  wagons  at  the 
time  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railway  was  being  graded.  In  his  early 
days  he  had  learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade,  and  throughout  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  various  kinds  of  wood  construction  work.  In 
addition  to  building  wagons  he  also  made  caskets.  As  he  was  the  only  manufac- 
turer of  these  in  his  district  he  received  a  large  patronage  and  usually  charged 


660  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

fifteen  dollars  apiece  for  them.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Huntington, 
whose  birth  occurred  July  7,  1817,  in  Otsego  county,  New  York.  Her  death 
occurred  on  the  nth  of  July,  1887,  in  the  old  homestead,  and  Mr.  Main  passed 
away  in  1901  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  He  held  membership  in  the  Meth- 
odist church,  being  one  of  the  original  members  and  founders  of  this  church  at 
Altona.  Throughout  its  existence  he  was  one  of  its  most  generous  and  enthusi- 
astic supporters.  So  great  was  his  interest  in  its  welfare  and  progress  that,  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  he  left  a  provision  in  his  will  which  stated  that  the 
Methodist  church  of  Altona  was  to  receive  an  annual  contribution  of  one  hun- 
dred dollars  to  be  used  toward  the  pastor's  salary,  this  provision  to  be  operative 
for  ten  years.  His  charitable  spirit  was  also  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  also  pro- 
vided for  a  three  hundred  dollar  annual  donation  to  Abingdon  College.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Main  the  following  children  were  born :  David  E.  and  Dewitt  C.,  both 
deceased ;  Delos  S.,  who  is  living  in  Lebanon,  Illinois ;  Mary  J.,  deceased ;  Ella,  a 
widow,  who  was  the  wife  of  William  Stockdale,  a  pharmacist  of  Altona,  Illinois; 
Emma  L.,  who  is  married  to  R.  Henderson,  a  resident  of  Houston,  Texas ; 
Joseph  T.,  who  is  living  in  Galesburg;  and  Charles  W.  Main,  who  is  residing  in 
Altona  and  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Charles  Wesley  Main  has  lived  an  active  and  useful  life,  and  has  done  his 
share  in  developing  the  agricultural  interest  of  Knox  county,  a  county  which 
depends  so  greatly  upon  its  soil  for  its  resources.  His  spirit  of  citizenship  has 
been  such  that  he  has  won  the  regard  and  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


•".;^    ^;^^:;v;^'•       ;  ^    •_ .          SAMUEL  V.  STUCKEY.    '  -v;:'^v:>, :••:-:;•    ^'' ' 

Samuel  V.  Stuckey,  cashier  of  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank,  to  which 
position  he  was  called  in  December,  1908,  was  born  in  Altona,  this  county,  Septem- 
ber 6,  1865.  His  father,  John  A.  Stuckey,  was  a  native  of  Cumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  born  in  April,  1832,  and  in  his  youthful  days  he  came  to  Illinois, 
settling  in  Knoxville,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  A  few  years  later  he  became 
connected  with  the  hardware  business  in  Altona  and  was  prominently  associated 
with  its  commercial  interests  for  an  extended  period,  occupying  an  enviable  posi- 
tion as  a  reliable  merchant  and  progressive  business  man.  He  is  also  prominent 
in  local  political  circles  and,  in  1880,  was  elected  sheriff  of  Knox  county,  to 
which  position  he  was  reelected,  serving  in  all  for  six  years.  He  afterward  went 
west  to  California  and  is  now  engaged  in  business  in  Rosemond,  Kern  county. 
His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  his 
political  views  he  is  a  republican  and  in  addition  to  the  office  of  sheriff  he  filled 
a  number  of  township  positions,  discharging  his  duties  with  credit  to  himself 
and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  In  early  manhood  he  wedded  Margaret 
Norris,  who  was  born  near  Baltimore,  Maryland,  about  1835.  She  died  in  1899 
in  the  faith  of  the  Congregational  church  of  which  she  had  long  been  a  faithful 
member.  In  their  family  were  four  children :  George  N.,  now  a  resident  of 
Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  Samuel  V.;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  William  T.  Walsh,  of 
Los  Angeles,  California ;  and  John  H.,  who  is  living  in  the  same  city. 


:;.     ;    ;V,:^'  V  ;':  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ':  -^  661 

''-    ,  '  -••     •:  ••    *.- '*     -       '  •      ''    '-'• 

Samuel  V.  Stuckey  pursued  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Altona  and  Gales-' 
burg,  supplementing  his  early  school  course  by  study  in  Brown's  Business  College. 
In  1883  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  under  his  father,  being  at  that  time  a 
youth  of  eighteen  years,  and  continued  in  the  office  until  the  Qth  of  February, 
1890.  On  that  day  he  became  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  which  position  he  filled 
until  December,  1908.  In  the  previous  February  he  had  entered  financial  circles, 
having  accepted  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  Fanners  &  Mechanics  Bank,  with 
which  he  is  still  connected.  He  had  previously  been  a  director  of  the  bank  for 
ten  years  and  was  then  called  to  the  office  of  cashier,  which  position  he  has  since 
capably  filled,  proving  a  popular  bank  official,  always  courteous  in  his  treatment 
of  the  bank's  patrons  and  at  the  same  time  careful  in  protecting  the  interests  of 
the  institution  which  he  represents. 

.V  On  the  22d  of  September,  1887,  Mr.  Stuckey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Martha  M.  Clay,  a  daughter  of  Alonzo  C.  and  Lovina  M.  (Derby)  Qay,  of 
Galesburg,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Andover,  Vermont,  and  in  1836  the 
father  came  to  Knox  county  with  his  father,  John  T.  Clay.  He  became  a  farmer 
and  in  1849,  during  the  gold  excitement,  was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  party 
that  left  Galesburg,  in  January,  1849,  overland  by  ox  wagon,  for  the  gold  fields 
of  California,  crossing  the  great  American  desert,  but  in  a  few  years  returned, 
devoting  many  years  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  His  wife  came  to  Knox 
county  in  January,  1850,  and  died  in  February,  1890.  Mr.  Clay  gave  his  political 
allegiance  to  the  democratic  party,  filled  a  number  of  township  offices  and  was 
also  county  supervisor,  serving  as  chairman  of  its  building  committee  at  the  time 
of  the  erection  of  the  county  jail.  He  was  a  Universalist  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  displayed  many  sterling  traits  of  character.  His  death  occurred  December 
27,  1898.  Their  daughter,  Mrs.  Stuckey,  was  born  in  Galesburg,  June  9,  1863. 
The  other  member  of  the  family  was  diaries  C.  Clay,  who  died  May  5,  1909. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stuckey  are  well  known  in  Galesburg  where  they  have  an  exten- 
sive acquaintance.  He  has  made  a  creditable  record  in  office  and  in  financial 
circles  and  his  ability  constitutes  one  of  the  factors  in  the  capable  management 
and  successful  control  of  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank.  -  . 


/  ::;;-,;.;    LEO  PRESTON  BAIRD. 

-  Leo  Preston  Baird,  general  manager  and  principal  stockholder  of  the  Abing- 
don  Light  &  Power .  Company,  who  is  also  successfully  conducting  a  thriving 
insurance  agency,  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  progressive  young  business 
men  of  the  town.  He  is  a  native  of  Knox  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in 
Elba  township  on  the  isth  of  July,  1885,  and  a  son  of  B.  P.  and  Josie  (Gray) 
Baird,  who  are  mentioned  at  greater  length  elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  father, 
who  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  influential  residents  of  Abingdon,  is  a  native  of 
Qinton  county,  Pennsylvania,  while  the  mother  was  born  and  reared  in  Knox 
county.  Five  children  were  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baird,  our  subject  being  the 
second  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are  as  follows:  William  Lemuel,  who  was 
educated  in  Hedding  College,  now  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  this  county ; 
Lois  Irena,  a  graduate  of  Hedding  College,  who  for  the  past  three  years  has 


662  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ' 

been  teaching  in  the  high  school  at  Winfield,  Iowa ;  Eva  Lena,  also  a  graduate 
of  Hedding  College,  now  principal  in  the  schools  at  Whitehall,  Michigan;  and 
Forest  Gray,  who  is  a  senior  at  Hedding.  Mr.  Baird  had  one  son  by  a  previous 
marriage,  Newton  Homer,  who  was  educated  at  Knox  College  and  is  now  con- 
ducting a  cattle  ranch  in  the  vicinity  of  Denver,  Colorado,  where  he  owns  twenty- 
four  hundred  acres  of  land. 

Reared  amid  the  refining  influences  of  a  cultured  home,  Leo  Preston  Baird 
was  given  the  social  and  educational  advantages  that  prove  most  helpful,  if  they 
are  not  essential,  in  the  successful  pursuit  of  any  vocation.  He  received  his 
introduction  to  the  elements  of  English  learning  in  the  district  school  in  the  vicinity 
of  his  boyhood  home,  continuing  to  pursue  his  studies  through  the  public  schools 
of  Abingdon  until  his  graduation  from  the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1902. 
In  the  following  autumn  he  matriculated  at  Hedding  College,  where  he  studied 
for  two  and  a  half  years,  then  entered  the  Illinois  State  University  at  Urbana, 
being  awarded  the  degree  of  B.  A.  with  the  class  of  1907.  After  the  comple- 
tion of  his  collegiate  course  he  turned  his  attention  to  teaching,  his  first  position 
being  that  of  assistant  principal  in  the  schools  of  Atwood,  Illinois.  He  remained 
there  only  one  year,  then  took  the  principalship  of  the  schools  at  Princeville,  which 
he  resigned  at  the  end  of  two  years.  In  the  Autumn  of  1910  he  announced  his 
candidacy  for  the  office  of  superintendent  of  schools  in  Peoria  county,  receiving 
the  nomination  on  the  republican  ticket.  Although  Mr.  Baird  was  only  twenty- 
five  years  of  age,  and  was  not  very  widely  known  in  the  county,  during  the  brief 
period  of  his  connection  with  the  profession  he  had  manifested  those  qualities 
that  made  him  recognized  as  one  well  qualified  for  the  office.  His  opponent  on 
the  democratic  ticket  was  a  man  much  his  senior,  who  was  not  only  widely  known 
in  the  county  but  had  the  additional  advantage  of  being  connected  with  several 
influential  families.  Nevertheless,  although  he  was  the  youngest  candidate  who 
ever  sought  the  office,  Mr.  Baird  carried  Peoria  by  five  hundred  majority,  and 
lost  the  election  by  only  ninety-one  votes,  which  were  cast  in  precincts  in  the 
outlying  country  where  he  was  not  known.  Despite  the  fact  that  he  lost  the 
office  it  was  such  a  close  contest  in  face  of  his  opposition  that  Mr.  Baird's  friends 
looked  upon  it  almost  as  a  victory,  having  felt  from  the  first  that  his  chances  of 
winning  were  very  small.  His  opponent  later  told  him  that  had  he  been  better 
known  he  would  have  carried  the  vote  by  a  large  majority.  Following  this  episode 
Mr.  Baird  returned  to  Abingdon  and  purchased  a  third  interest  in  the  Abing- 
don Light  &  Power  Company,  of  which  he  has  ever  since  been  general  manager. 
Feeling  that  he  wanted  to  further  extend  his  activities  he  later  bought  the  insur- 
ance business  of  Strawther  Givens  and  is  conducting  this  in  connection  with  his 
other  duties.  A  young  man  of  high  principles  and  engaging  personality,  Mr. 
Baird  has  the  happy  faculty  of  successfully  carrying  through  anything  he  under- 
takes, his  affability  and  enthusiasm  no  less  than  his  integrity  and  keen  sense  of 
honor  winning  him  recognition  among  all  classes.  He  has  not  only  succeeded  in 
retaining  the  many  patrons  of  Mr.  Givens,  but  has  increased  his  business  until 
his  clientage  is  second  to  that  of  no  other  agency  in  the  city.  He  is  one  of  the 
more  recent  acquisitions  to  the  business  circles  of  Abingdon,  where  he  is  making 
marked  progress,  and  although  his  father's  influence  has  unquestionably  been  of 
assistance  to  him  he  possesses  the  faculties  that  would  attain  success  despite 
obstacles  and  defeats.  .  . . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  (J68 


On  the  3ist  of  July,  1907,  Mr.  Baird  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Gertrude 
Perle  Edwards,  a  daughter  of  W.  F.  Edwards  of  Galesburg,  and  to  them  has  been 
born  one  child,  Richard  Bruce,  whose  natal  day  was  the  igth  of  June,  1908. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baird  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  toward  the 
support  of  which  organization  he  is  a  liberal  contributor,  and  fraternally  he  is 
affiliated  with  Princeville  Lodge,  No.  360,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  also  belongs  to 
the  Gamma  Zeta  Chapter  of  the  Alpha  Tau  Omega  fraternity,  which  he  joined 
while  at  the  university.  Mr.  Baird  has  a  large  circle  of  friends,  who  are  watching 
with  interest  the  progress  of  his  career,  feeling  assured  of  his  success. 


;'  ;.  ,  .  /'••     ^^•',.  ;-.;.:  .:\  '  .  •'.•::  :       GRANT  GIBBS^     ...>r-  • .    s      l'-^ v;.:;:^'.;; ^v •:->.;; -rV 

Grant  Gibbs,  whose  death  occurred  April  21,  1911.  in  the  Augustana  Hospital, 
Chicago,  was  for  many  years  a  resident  agriculturist  of  Sparta  township.  His 
birth  occurred  in  Knox  township,  on  the  27th  of  February,  1867,  his  parents 
being  Nelson  and  Sarah  (Henshaw)  Gibbs,  formerly  residents  of  Athens  county, 
Ohio.  Subsequently  they  removed  to  Adams  county  and  later  to  Knox  county, 
where  they  purchased  a  farm,  upon  which  they  resided  for  a  short  time.  After 
disposing  of  this  they  located  in  Knox  township  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  their  deaths,  which  occurred  in  Knoxville.  The  paternal  grandfather, 
Simeon  Gibbs.  also  settled  in  Knox  township,  where  he  spent  the  greater  part 
of  his  active  life  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

Grant  Gibbs  was  married  to  Nettie  Amanda  Lane,  who  is  a  daughter  of  In- 
man  Herbert  Lane  and  was  born  on  the  27th  of  November,  1867,  in  Linn  county, 
Kansas.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  Lorenzo  Lane,  of  Ohio,  was  married  to 
Julia  Ann  Wise,  of  New  York,  and  they  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Persi- 
fer  township.  The  father  was  born  in  Persifer  township  and  spent  his  early 
Iffe  on  the  farm  previous  to  enlisting  for  service  in  the  Civil  war.  After  four 
years'  service  he  returned  home  and  left  for  Linn  county,  Kansas,  immediately 
after  his  marriage,  where  he  farmed  for  five  years  previous  to  removing  to  Rice 
county  and  engaging  in  stock-raising  for  five  years.  Subsequently  he  went  to 
Linn  county  and  then  to  Edwards  county,  where  he  conducted  a  grocery  and  meat 
market.  After  a  short  residence  in  Hutchinson,  Kansas,  he  removed  to  Califor- 
nia and  entered  upon  agricultural  pursuits,  giving  the  greater  part  of  his  atten- 
tion to  stock-raising.  His  death  occurred  in  February,  1910,  and  was  due  to 
the  effects  of  injuries  received  in  a  train  wreck.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Lamonia 
Celissa  Eldridge,  a  daughter  of  Gardner  and  Parmelia  (Meecham)  Eldridge,  the 
latter  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The  Eldridge  family  were  among  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Copley  township,  Gardner  Eldridge  being  its  first  representative,  resid- 
ing there  until  his  death.  Mrs.  Eldridge  died  on  the  21  st  of  April,  1876,  at  the 
age  of  thirty-three  years.  Mr.  Lane  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  also  the  Grangers  lodge  in  Rice  county,  Kansas.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lane  five  children  were  born,  Mrs.  Gibbs  being  the  only  one  surviving.  At 
the  age  of  eight  years,  after  her  mother's  death,  she  removed  to  the  home  of  her 
grandfather,  Lorenzo  Lane,  until  she  went  to  live  with  her  father  in  Kansas, 
when  she  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  She  resided  there  for  four  years  previous 


664  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

to  returning  to  Illinois,  where  she  was  married  in  1888  to  Grant  Gibbs.  To  this 
union  five  children  were  born,  the  only  surviving  one  being  Charles  William, 
of  Wataga,  whose  birth  occurred  August  21,  1893.  Mr.  Gibbs  was  an  active  and 
enthusiastic  republican  and  held  many  offices  in  this  district,  being  constable  and 
village  police  of  Wataga  for  four  years  previous  to  his  death.  He  also  held  mem- 
bership in  the  Congregational  church  of  Wataga,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  of  Wataga,  the  Royal  Neighbors  of  Wataga  and  the  Yeomen  of  Gales- 
burg.  Mrs.  Gibbs  holds  membership  in  the  Royal  Neighbors  of  Wataga,  the 
Yeomen  of  Galesburg  and  the  Ladies  Aid  Society  of  the  Congregational  church 
of  Wataga.  Mr.  Gibbs'  career  was  a  commendable  one  and  was  one  of  the  many 
evidences  of  what  patience  and  perseverance  can  do  in  overcoming  difficulties, 
surmounting  discouragements  and  achieving  success.  He  was  an  upright  man, 
interested  not  only  in  the  agricultural  but  also  in  the  social  standing  of  his  com- 
munity, and  he  acquired  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  neighbors  both  'as  a 
substantial  farmer  and  a  useful  citizen. 


';         •  EDWARD  W.  GOLDSMITH.    ;,  .:-::; 

Edward  W.  Goldsmith,  a  well  known  agriculturist  of  Sparta  township,  was 
born  on  the  place,  where  he  now  resides,  on  the  2Oth  of  October,  1867.  He  is  a 
son  of  Edward  H.  and  Ann  Maria  (Whiteford)  Goldsmith,  both  natives  of  the 
state  of  New  York.  The  father  was  born  in  Orange  county  on  December  22, 
1834,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  father,  who 
located  in  Knox  county.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  Schuy- 
ler  H.  and  Katherine  (Howell)  Goldsmith;  the  former  passed  away  in  Knox 
county  and  the  latter  in  New  York,  where  she  was  also  buried.  In  later  years 
her  son  brought  the  body  to  Knox  county  and  placed  it  in  the  family  lot  in  the 
Robbins  cemetery.  Schuyler  H.  Goldsmith  subsequently  married  Mary  Carley, 
and  to  them  were  bom  two  children:  Helen,  the  wife  of  A.  McGill,  of  Kansas; 
and  Schuyler,  who  is  a  resident  of  Corning,  Kansas.  Schuyler  H.  Goldsmith,  Sr., 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  .family  in  1854,  locating  in  Sparta  township,  where  he 
followed  farming  until  his  death  in  i86i.  Having  been  given  the  advantages 
of  a  very  good  education,  after  leaving  school  Edward  H.  Goldsmith  taught 
during  the  winter  months  in  the  various  districts  in  this  vicinity  until  1877,  de- 
voting his  summers  to  agricultural  pursuits.  During  the  early  years  of  his 
domestic  life  he  settled  on  the  farm,  now  operated  and  owned  by  his  son,  and 
here  he  passed  away  on  July  7,  1900,  at  the  age  of  nearly  sixty-six  years.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  born  at  Lodi,  Seneca  county.  New  York,  on  the 
i2th  of  June,  1834,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Margaret  (Williams)  White- 
ford.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  passed  away  when  he  was  fifty  and  when 
his  daughter  Ann  Maria  was  a  child  of  but  four  years.  She  was  reared  by  B.  C. 
Osbom,  a  merchant  of  Burdett,  New  York,  and  his  wife,  Malinda  (Winter) 
Osborn,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  continuing  to  make  her  home  with  them  until 
her  marriage.  Of  the  six  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whiteford  two  are  now 
living:  Mary  E.,  the  widow  of  Lynn  E.  Harris,  of  Nevada;  and  James,  who  is 
a  resident  of  Elmira,  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  H.  Goldsmith  were 


EinVARl)  H.  (;C)LDSMITH 


664  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

to  returning  to  Illinois,  ulic're  she  was  married  in  1888  to  Grant  Gibbs.  To  this 
union  five  children  were  bom.  the  only  surviving  one  being  Charles  \\'illiam, 
of  \Vataga,  whose  Ijirth  occurred  August  21,  1893.  Mr.  Gibbs  was  an  active  and 
enthusiastic  republican  and  held  many  offices  in  this  district,  being  constable  and 
village  police  of  \\'ataga  for  four  years  previous  to  his  death.  He  also  held  niem- 
bershi])  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Wataga,  the  Modern  \\'oodmen  of 
America  of  \\'ataga.  the  Royal  Neighbors  of  \\'ataga  and  the  Yeomen  of  Gales- 
l)urg.  Mrs.  Gibbs  holds  membershij)  in  the  Royal  Neighbors  of  Wataga.  the 
Yeomen  of  Gidesburg  and  the  Ladies  Aid  Society  of  the  Congregational  church 
of  Wataga.  Mr.  Gibbs'  career  was  a  commendable  one  and  was  one  of  the  many 
evidences  of  what  i)atience  and  perseverance  can  do  in  overcoming  difficulties, 
surmounting  discouragements  and  achieving  success.  He  was  an  ujiright  man, 
interested  not  only  in  the  agricultural  but  also  in  the  social  standing  of  his  com- 
munity, and  he  ac(|uired  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  neighbors  both  as  a 
substantial  farmer  and  a  useful  citizen. 


;{;  .  RDW.XRD  W.  (lOLDSMITH.  .       . 

Edward  W.  Goldsmith,  a  well  known  agriculturist  of  Sparta  township,  was 
born  on  the  j)lace.  wliere  he  now  resides,  on  the  2Oth  of  October.  1867.  Me  is  a 
son  of  Edward  H.  and  Ann  Maria  (Whiteford)  Goldsmith,  both  natives  of  the 
state  of  New  York.  The  fatlier  was  born  in  Orange  county  on  Decemljer  22, 
1834,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  came  to  Illinois  with  his  father,  who 
located  in  Knox  county.  The  ])aternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  Schuy- 
ler  H.  and  Katherine  (Houell)  Goldsmith;  the  former  passed  away  in  Knox 
county  and  the  latter  in  New  York,  where  she  was  also  l)uried.  In  later  years 
her  son  brought  the  body  to  Knox  county  and  i)laced  it  in  the  family  lot  in  the 
Robbins  cemetery.  Schuyler  H.  Goldsmith  subse(|uently  married  Mary  Carley, 
and  to  them  were  born  two  children:  Helen,  the  wife  of  A.  McGill.  of  Kansas; 
and  Schuyler.  who  is  a  resident  of  Corning.  Kansas.  Schuyler  1 1.  ( ioldsmith,  Sr., 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  family  in  1854.  locating  in  Sparta  township,  where  he 
followed  farming  until  his  death  in  i8f)i.  Having  been  given  the  advantages 
of  a  very  good  education,  after  leaving  school  l-'dward  II.  Goldsmith  taught 
during  the  winter  months  in  the  various  districts  in  this  vicinity  until  1877.  de- 
voting his  summers  to  agricultural  i)ursuits.  During  the  early  years  of  his 
domestic  life  he  settleil  on  tlie  farm,  now  ojjerated  and  owned  by  his  son,  and 
here  he  passed  away  fm  July  7,  \f)OO,  at  the  age  of  nearly  sixty-six  years.  The 
mother  of  our  subject  was  born  at  Lodi,  Seneca  county.  New  ^'()rk,  on  the 
I2th  of  June.  1834,  a  daughter  of  \\'illiam  and  Margaret  (U'illiams)  \\'hite- 
ford.  The  father,  who  was  a  fanner,  passed  away  when  he  was  fifty  and  wlien 
his  daughter  .\nn  Maria  was  a  cliihl  of  but  four  years.  She  was  reared  by  15.  C. 
Osborn.  a  merchant  of  I'.urdett.  New  "S'ork.  and  his  wife,  Malinda  ( \\'inter) 
Osl)orn.  a  native  of  Now  Jersey,  continuing  to  make  her  home  with  them  until 
her  marriage.  Oi  the  six  children  born  to  'Mr.  and  Mrs.  \\'hiteford  two  are  now 
living:  Mary  E.,  the  widow  of  Lynn  E.  Harris,  of  Nevada:  and  James,  who  is 
a  resident  of  Elmira.  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  H.  Goldsmith  were 


KDUAIM)  II.  (iOI.DS.MITII 


r:;  -.  =  /.•;.;  Vv        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      •     >:•-  667 

married  in  New  York,  in  March,  1859,  but  later  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned 
and  operated  by  their  son,  Edward  W.  They  were  the  parents  of  two  daugh- 
ters and  one  son,  but  the  former  are  both  now  deceased.  In  matters  of  faith 
they  were  Congregationalists  and  for  twenty-four  years  Mr.  Goldsmith  was 
secretary  of  the  church  at  Watag^.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican,  but  he 
never  held  office.  The  later  years  of  his  life  were  entirely  devoted  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  in  which  he  met  with  a  goodly  degree  of  success. 

Reared  on  the  farm,  where  he  is  now  living  in  the  acquirement  of  his  early 
education,  Edward  W.  Goldsmith  attended  the  schools  of  the  vicinity.  After 
mastering  the  common  branches  he  enrolled  in  the  academy  of  Knox  College 
at  Galesburg,  where  he.  studied  for  three  years.  Upon  laying  aside  his  text- 
books he  returned  to  the  farm,  assisting  his  father  in  its  further  improvement 
and  cultivation  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  was  taken  into  partner- 
ship, receiving  a  share  of  the  yearly  dividends.  This  arrangement  continued 
until  the  death  of  Edward  H.  Goldsmith  when  the  son  came  into  the  property, 
being  his  father's  sole  heir.  Enterprising  and  progressive  in  whatever  he  under- 
takes, Mr.  Goldsmith  has  met  with  more  than  average  success  in  his  farming  and 
stock-raising,  and  now  owns  one  of  the  attractive  and  well  equipped  farms  of 
the  community.  '  •".•  :^  ".•  /^:.'':^^':  .  ^^: 

For  his  life  companion  Mr.  Goldsmith  chose  Miss  Minnie  L.  French,  who 
was  born  in  Sparta  township,  on  the  iith  of  January,  1868,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Hugh  and  Louisa  (Schroeder)  French.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goldsmith  have  three 
children;  Frank  F.,  who  is  now  seventeen  years  of  age,  attending  Galesburg 
high  school ;  Anna  I^.,  who  is  fifteen  and  a  student  of  the  Galesburg  high  school ; 
and  George  S.,  aged  twelve  years. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Goldsmith  accords  to  the  republican  party,  and  for 
twenty-two  years  he  has  served  as  school  director,  having  taken  an  active  interest 
in  all  matters  of  an'  educational  nature.  He  is  one  of  the  public-spirited  citizens 
and  capable  business  men  of  Sparta  township,  where  he  represents  the  third 
generation  of  his  family,  whose  various  members  have  always  been  held  in  high 
esteem. 


;;  :..v^  JESSE  WILMOT.  Vv;/ 

A  well  known  agriculturist  of  Sparta  township,  who  has  passed  practically 
his  entire  life  in  the  vicinity  of  his  present  farm  is  Jesse  Wilmot.  Brought  here 
as  an  infant  during  the  early  pioneer  days  he  has  watched  with  interest  the 
development  of  the  country,  as  the  vast  forests  and  prairies  have  been  converted 
into  productive  farms,  and  thriving  towns  and  villages  have  sprung  up  where 
the  Indian's  tepee  used  to  stand. 

He  is  a  native  of  New  York,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Steuben  county, 
on  the  I7th  of  February,  1836,  and  a  son  of  Amos  and  Betsey  (Crawford) 
Wilmot.  His  father  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1803,  and  there  he  was  reared 
and  educated.  In  his  early  manhood  Amos  Wilmot  went  to  New  York,  locating 
in  Brown  county,  where  he  followed  the  shoemaker's  trade  until  his  marriage. 
Soon  after  this  event  he  located  on  a  farm  in  Steuben  county,  and  assiduously 


Vol.  n— so 


668  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '; 

applied  himself  to  its  further  improvement  and  cultivation  for  seven  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  period,  in  1836,  together  with  his  wife  and  family  he 
came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Sparta  township,  which  at  that  time  contained 
scarcely  an  inhabitant.  Here  he  erected  a  log  cabin  and  he  and  his  family 
assumed  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneering.  About  them  were  vast 
forests  and  great  expanses  of  unbroken  prairie,  the  woods  abounded  with  game 
of  all  kind  and  now  and  then  an  Indian  was  seen  prowling  about.  Their  nearest 
neighbors  were  located  a  mile  away  and  Peoria  was  the  most  convenient  trading 
post,  while  theirs  was  the  first  log  house  erected  in  the  township  and  they  were 
likewise  its  first  citizens.  But  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilmot  were  young  and  full 
of  courage,  and  cheerfully  bore  the  many  privations  and  discomforts  that  de- 
volved upon  them,  passing  the  remainder  of  their  lives  on  the  farm,  where  they 
reared  their  family.  The  mother,  who  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
had  attained  the  age  of  seventy  years  at  the  time  of  her  death  in  1878.  Their 
family  was  as  follows :  Sidney  L.,  the  eldest,  who  is  mentioned  at  greater 
length  elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Manfield,  both  now 
deceased,  who  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  on  the  I7th  of  February,  1902; 
Hannah,  the  wife  of  Elmer  Bennett,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased;  Jesse, 
our  subject ;  Emma,  the  deceased  wife  of  Edward  Taylor ;  Bradley,  who  is  liv- 
ing in  Carroll  county,  Missouri ;  Rebecca,  who  married  J.  R.  Shull  of  Carroll 
county,  Missouri ;  and  Lydia,  the  wife  of  J.  Rogers,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  The 
father  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Ontario,  and  his  political 
allegiance  he  gave  to  the  whigs  until  that  party  was  merged  into  the  republican, 
after  which  he  gave  his  support  to  their  candidates.  He  was  a  public-spirited 
man  with  high  standards  of  the  duties  of  citizenship  and  always  took  an  active 
interest  in  all  township  affairs. 

Jesse  Wilmot  was  only  an  infant  when  brought  to  Sparta  township  by  his 
parents  on  their  removal  to  this  county,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been 
passed  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  home.  Educationally  he  was 
afforded  only  the  meager  advantages  of  the  district  schools  of  that  period,  and 
at  the  age  of  ten  years  assumed  his  share  of  the  duties  connected  with  the  opera- 
tion of  the  farm.  He  remained  at  home  with  his  people  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  when  he  began  working  for  himself.  Having  been  reared  in  the 
country,  remote  from  a  town  or  settlement  of  any  kind,  he  had  been  given  little 
choice  in  selecting  a  vocation,  so  naturally  he  continued  to  follow  agricultural 
pursuits,  which  was  the  only  career  with  which  he  had  a  chance  to  become 
acquainted.  He  first  settled  on  a  place  west  of  Wataga,  but  two  years  later  he 
came  to  his  present  place  and  here  he  has  ever  since  resided.  Farming  fifty 
years  ago  involved  much  more  drudgery  and  hard,  wearing  labor  than  today, 
when  machinery  at  a  comparatively  small  outlay  will  do  in  a  few  hours  the 
work  that  formerly  consumed  days  to  accomplish,  and  it  is  that  period  which 
Mr.  Wilmot  recollects  so  vividly.  In  1864,  with  his  wife  and  family  he  started 
across  the  country  in  an  emigrant  wagon  to  the  eastern  border  of  Kansas,  but 
as  the  Indians  were  giving  considerable  trouble  upon  their  arrival  in  Worth 
county,  Missouri,  they  changed  their  course,  going  to  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa. 
From  there  they  went  to  Webster  City,  that  state,  but  after  two  years  residence 
there  returned  to  Knox  county. 

Mr.  Wilmot  established  a  home  for  himself  when  he  married  Miss  Eliza 


•  ..;^  -     ;:    .    '        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^        k:-  -        669 

.  Firkins,  who  was  born  at  old  Henderson,  this  county,  on  the  6th  of  March, 

•  .  1842.    She  is  a  daughter  of  Russell  and  Margaret  Jane  (Teller)  Firkins,  natives 
:  of  the  state  of  New  York,  the  father's  birth  having  occurred  in  i8io.  and  that 
.-  of  the  mother  in  i8i6.     They  came  to  Illinois  in  1837  and  were  among  the  first 
/  settlers  of  Henderson.    From  there  they  later  removed  to  Sparta  township,  but 

subsequently   settled  in  Warren  county,   later  coming  again   to  Knox  county, 

,       where  the  father  passed  away  in  1857.     He  was  long  survived  by  the  mother, 

.  ,     whose  death  occurred  in  1890.     Thirteen  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

-  Firkins,  who  are,  with  the  exception  of  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  deceased. 
:'      In  the  paternal  line  Mrs.   Wilmot   is  of    English  extraction,  her  grandfather, 

George  Firkins,  a  tailor  by  trade,  having  come  to  this  country  during  the  early 

days  of  the  Revolution.     He  was  seized  as  a  British  subject  by  the  English 

soldiers,  who  found  him  concealed  in  a  barrel  on  the  vessel,  but  he  managed  to 
V  make  his  escape  and  came  to  America,  where  he  enlisted  in  the  army.  He  passed 
'  away  in  1858,  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-three  years,  and  his  wife,  whose 

maiden  name  was  Lydia  Titus,  died  in   1859.     The   family  of  Mr.  and   Mrs. 

Wilmot  numbers  nine,  as  follows :  Elizabeth,  who  first  married  George  Wil- 
' .  Hams,  by  whom  she  had  one  daughter,  Minnie,  and  after  his  death  became  the 

wife  of  John  Peterson,  of  Henry  county,  and  the  mother  of   four  children; 

'      Hattie,  the  wife  of  George  Howland,  of  Abingdon,  this  state;  Sidney,  of  Sparta 

,    township,  who  married  Ella  Dobson  and  has  seven  children ;  Almeda,  the  wife 

I:     of  James  Dobson,  a  street  car  conductor,  of  Galesburg,  who  has  four  children ; 

•-•     Milton  J.,  who  married  Delia  Salsbury  and  has  five  children,  now  a  resident  of 

North  Dakota ;  Winfield,  of  Sparta  township,  who  married  Fay  Bloomfield  and 
;  has  three  children;  Harry,  also  of  Sparta  township,  who  married  Delia  Swadley 
•  and  has  one  son,  George;  Laura,  the  wife  of  Edward  Fi-ampton,  of  Rio  town- 
,.  ship,  by  whom  she  has  had  two  children;  and  Olive  E.,  the  deceased  wife  of 

Wallace  Stanard,  who  left  one  child,  Francis,  who  is  living  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

Wilmot.  They  also  have  three  great-grandchildren,  Laura  and  Carl  Peterson, 
.,^^  the  daughter  and  son  of  Minnie  Williams,  who  married  Emil  Peterson,  and 

-  Virgil  Miller.    On  the  6th  of  September,  1909,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilmot  celebrated 
:.  their  golden  wedding,  at  which  occasion  there  were  present  ninety-two  members 

of  the  family. 
'':  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Wilmot  is  a  stanch  republican,  but  he  has  never 

held  an  office,  having  preferred  to  give  his  attention  to  the  development  of  his 
V.  personal  interests.  He  is  one  of  the  well  known  representatives  of  a  highly 

respected  pioneer  family  and  has  many  friends  in  Sparta  township,  who  accord 

him  the  regard  his  high  principles  and  substantial  qualities  well  merit. 


\-A'-. .;  .'-V.'..  ;-    .;  ^^:/:    THOMAS  MCCLURE.  ,•.•7;::'          '  -  l^'.':^-'^  -•:'•••• 

•:  Thomas  McClure,  who  is  a  well  known  agriculturist  of  Lynn  township,  Knox 
county,  was  born  on  the  25th  of  July,  1852,  at  Stranraer,  Scotland.  He  is  a 
son  of  Andrew  and  Jane  (Carnahan)  McClure.  the  former  of  whom  passed 
away  in  Scotland.  Subsequently  the  mother  came  to  America  in  1867  with  her 
three  children,  Thomas,  Robert  and  John,  and  settled  in  Walnut  Grove  town- 


670  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       '•'.;";''; 

ship,  this  county,  where  she  entered  upon  agricultural  pursuits.  Later  she  mar- 
ried Simeon  Collinson,  who  died  in  1895,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  To  their 
union  one  child  was  born,  Ernest  Collinson,  who  is  in  the  insurance  business  in 
Galva. 

Thomas  McClure  attended  the  district  schools  for  a  short  time  and  subse- 
quently was  bound  out  to  Henry  G.  Collinson,  until  he  became  of  age,  when  he 
started  out  for'himself  on  his  mother's  farm,  upon  which  he  now  resides.  He 
has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  throughout  his  active  career  and  has 
met  with  the  success  which  the  persevering,  energetic  farmer  wins  in  this  rich 
agricultural  district.  He  possesses  the  salient  characteristics  of  the  Scotch  race 
which  form  such  a  valuable  asset  to  the  enterprising  citizen  of  this  country.  In 
addition  to  general  farming  he  also  engages  in  stock-raising  to  a  considerable 
extent,  and  this  undertaking  has  become  as  profitable  as  farming. 

On  the  loth  of  March,  1880,  Mr.  McClure  was  married  to  Miss  Louise 
Collinson,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Collinson  of  this  county.  To 
their  union  eight  children  have  been  born :  Henry  Franklin,  born  October  3, 
1880;  Bell,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  25th  of  December,  i88i,  and  who  is 
the  wife  of  Albert  Oark,  of  Oklahoma;  John,  born  February  21,  1884,  who  is 
a  bank  cashier  at  Oklahoma ;  Andrew  Thomas,  born  May  27,  1886,  who  is  mar- 
ried to  Myrtle  Callahan,  and  is  residing  in  Walnut  Grove  township ;  Arthur 
Earl  and  Clara  May,  born  February  12,  1891,  and  August  19,  1893,  respectively; 
and  Ernest  and  Mary  Jane,  born  April  28,  1895,  and  March  31,  1898,  both  of 
whom  are  residing  at  home  and  attending  school.  .•-,'•'' •;)• 

Mr.  McClure  is  a  democrat,  giving  his  support  to  the  democracy  because 
of  his  firm  belief  that  its  platforms  are  best  suited  for  producing  a  practical 
and  able  government.  He  has  held  the  office  of  highway  commissioner  for 
three  years.  Both  he  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  church 
of  Victoria,  and  he  is  one  of  its  trustees.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  of  Victoria  and  of  the  Fraternal  Reserve  Life  Associa- 
tion of  Galesburg,  of  which  his  wife  is  also  a  member.  He  has  never  regretted 
the  fact  that  he  left  Scotland  to  make  his  career  in  a  country  which  offers  equal 
opportunities  to  all  its  citizens,  and  he  has  become  a  most  loyal  citizen  to  the 
country  of  his  adoption. 


•     i:  JOHN  C.  NELSON.          ,^':     ;      ;     ;^ 

John  C.  Nelson,  who  follows  farming  on  section  32,  Knox  township,  is  one 
of  the  substantial  citizens  that  Sweden  has  furnished  to  this  country  and  in  his 
life  he  exemplifies  many  of  the  sterling  traits  of  his  race.  He  was  born  in 
Sweden,  October  29,  1841,  and  his  parents.  Carl  and  Hannah  (Ingeman)  Nelson, 
were  natives  of  the  same  country.  With  their  family,  numbering  five  children, 
they  came  to  America  and  made  their  way  at  once  across  the  country  to  Knox- 
ville,  where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carl  Nelson  resided  until  called  to  the  home  beyond. 
The  father  was  one  of  the  cholera  victims  of  1854  and  the  mother,  long  sur- 
viving him,  passed  away  in  1891.  Their  children  were:  Olie  C. ;  Swan,  who 
died  in  Jefferson  City,  Indiana,  in  1862 ;  John  C. ;  Mrs.  Sarah  Peterson ;  and 


;;;•;/        :          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  V^  }<    671 

Carl,  who  died  in  infancy.  The  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  built  the 
first  Swedish  church  in  Knoxville  but  his  active  life  was  cut  short  not  long  after 
the  arrival  of  the  family  in  the  new  world. 

John  C.  Nelson  began  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  country  and  • 
afterward  continued  his  studies  in  the  public  schools  of  Knox  county.     He  has 
always  followed  farming  and  gardening  and  now  devotes  his  attention  largely 
to  horticultural  pursuits,  conducting  a  berry  and   fruit  farm  and  also  raising  . 
much  garden  produce.     He  plans  not  only  to  produce  fruit  of  excellent  size  but  ' 
also  of  superior  flavor  and  the  fine  varieties  which  he  raises  insures  for  him  a  •' 
ready  sale  on  the  market.       ...   S-^;;;:    v;.;.-    ';,<.?..,,; 

In  March,  1872,  Mr.  Nelson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Inga  Rumbeck,     • 
who  was  born  in  Sweden,  April  9,  1848,  a  daughter  of  Carl  and  Johanna  Rumbeck, 
who  came  to  America  in  1869,  while  Mrs.  Nelson  arrived  the  following  year. 
They  settled  in  Knoxville,  where  the  father  later  passed  away  but  the  mother  - 
now  lives  with  her  son  in  Kewanee,  Illinois.     Their  family  numbered  seven  -  ; 
children,  of  whom  four  are  living:     George,  who  makes  his  home  in  Elsmore,  • 
Kansas ;  Olaf ,  of  Kewanee ;  John,  who  is  living  in  Amherst,  Nebraska ;  and  y 
Mrs.  Nelson.     By  her  marriage  Mrs.  Nelson  became  the  mother  of  eight  chil-    '; 
dren,  of  whom  one  died  in  infancy.     The  others  are:     Amanda,  now  the  wife 
of  Oscar  Hoarven,  of  Galesburg,  by  whom  she  has  two  children,  Arnold  and   : 
Edna ;   Qara,  who  is   the  wife  of  Alden   Carlson,   of   Knoxville,  and  has   six  • 
children.   Hazel,   Ralph  and   Harold,  twins,   Raymond,   Sullivan  and   Dorothy; 
William  H.,  who  married  Julia  Carlson,  of  Knoxville,  and  has  two  children, 
Qifford  and  Roland;  Minnie;  Carl;  Eben ;  and  Nellie,  all  yet  at  home.     The 
parents  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  in  the  work  of  which 
they  take  an  active  and  helpful  part,  Mr.  Nelson  now  being  trustee  and  treasurer 
of  the  church.     He  has  occupied  his  present  farm  since  1854  and  his  residence   '- 
was  erected  by  his  father.     His  land  is  valuable  because  of  its  high  cultivation   '^ 
and  the  improvements  he  has  made  upon  it.     It  constitutes  one  of  the  fine  and  :  • 
well  developed  farms  of  Knox  township  and  the  passing  years  bring  him  good 
harvests  as  the  reward  for  the  care  and  labor  he  bestows  upon  his  fields.        '.v    .f 


• '•      •:      .  .'  :    V         ROBERT  E.  DAVIDSON.  V          /  :      ^'^    '-  ^''r-^' \/ 

Robert  E.  Davidson  is  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Henderson 
through  his  conduct  of  a  general  merchandising  establishment,  in  which  he  is 
meeting  with  merited  success.  He  is  a  native  of  Knox  county,  born  in  Hender- 
son  township,  March  i8,  1876,  a  son  of  G.  W.  and  Serepta  (Baer)  Davidson, 
the  former  of  Irish  descent,  born  near  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  the  mother  also 
bom  near  that  city.  The  father  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  farming  but 
he  is  now  living  retired  in  Henderson.  More  extended  mention  of  him  is  made 
on -another  page  of  this  volume.  ,.-...-.•;•-..-•,.-  •  .-r^..  ; 

Robert  E.  Davidson  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  when 
he  reached  years  of  manhood  engaged  in  farming,  the  occupation  to  which  he 
had  been  reared.  After  a  few  years,  however,  he  abandoned  agricultural  pur- 
suits  and  opened  a  general  merchandising  establishment,  which  has  claimed  his 


672  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  I. 

time  and  attention  to  the  present  time.  He  carries  a  stock  of  goods  of  the  best 
quality  and  this,  combined  with  his  moderate  prices  and  courteous  treatment  of 
his  patrons,  has  built  up  a  good  business  and  made  this  one  of  the  best  known 
enterprises  in  this  section  of  the  county.  : 

Mr.  Davidson  was  married,  September  29,  1898,  to  Miss  Lola  Dunbar,  a 
daughter  of  G.  W.  and  Eva  (McElheny)  Dunbar,  old  settlers  of  Knox  county, 
the  father  being  engaged  in  farming  and  he  also  operates  a  threshing  machine 
in  the  summer  seasons.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davidson  has  been  born  one  daughter, 
Doris. 

Politically  Mr.  Davidson  is  independent.  A  public-spirited  citizen,  he  has 
been  called  by  his  fellow  townsmen  to  fill  various  positions  of  trust  and  responsi- 
bility, having  served  two  terms  as  supervisor  of  the  township,  while  he  has  also 
acted  as  township  and  village  clerk  of  Henderson.  Although  yet  a  young  man 
he  has  already  achieved  success  in  his  chosen  field  of  labor  and  undoubtedly  the 
future  holds  in  store  for  him  still  greater  success. 


"•      ^  JEPTHA  REALS  HATHAWAY.         '     ,     .  :/ 

Jeptha  Beals  Hathaway,  who  is  one  of  the  most  progressive  agriculturists 
of  Lynn  township,  was  born  March  23,  1860,  in  Galva,  Illinois,  his  parents  being 
Arthur  Fields  and  Jane  (Mowatt)  Hathaway,  the  former  a  native  of  Berkshire 
county,  Massachusetts,  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Dundee,  Scotland.  The  father's 
birth  occurred  on  the  2ist  of  October,  1820,  and  he  came  west  at  the  early  age  of 
fifteen  years  with  the  intention  of  living  with  his  brother  in  Michigan.  Upon  his 
arrival  there  he  engaged  in  various  occupations  until  1850.  In  that  year  he  left 
St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  on  the  8th  of  May  with  several  friends  from  Pennsylvania 
for  the  west,  arriving  at  Weavertown,  California,  on  the  8th  of  August,  1850. 
In  1852,  however,  he  returned  east,  going  by  way  of  the  isthmus  of  Panama  to 
New  York  city.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Michigan,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  with  the  J.  Beidler  &  Brother  Lumber  Company,  with  head- 
quarters at  Muskegon.  It  was  while  he  was  thus  engaged  in  business  that  on 
the  loth  of  May,  1855,  he  married  Jane  Mowatt  and,  on  January  12,  of  the  fol- 
lowing year,  left  for  Galva,  Illinois.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business 
for  eighteen  years  previous  to  removing  with  his  family  to  Lynn  township, 
Knox  county,  in  1874,  where  he  farmed  until  1883,  when  he  returned  to  his  late 
residence  at  Galva,  where  he  si>ent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring 
August  13,  1894.  Mrs.  Hathaway  left  her  native  country  with  her  parents  when 
she  was  but  one  year  old  and  settled  in  Brockville,  Canada.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Mowatt  and  her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years, 
December  28,  1890.  Of  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hathaway  three  besides 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  survive :  Celinda,  who  is  the  wife  of  Amos  Barlow ; 
Abbie ;  and  Jane.  All  are  residents  of  Galva. 

After  laying  aside  his  text-books  Jeptha  B.  Hathaway  worked  for  his  father 
on  the  home  farm  until  the  latter's  death  and  subsequently,  with  Amos  Barlow, 
his  brother-in-law,  he  continued  the  cultivation  of  the  home  place.  After  his 
marriage  he  removed  to  the  old  loghouse  which  still  exists  on  the  father's  farm 


MR.  AND  MRS.  J.  B.  HATHAWAY 


672  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

time  and  attention  to  the  present  time.  He  carries  a  stock  of  goods  of  the  best 
(juality  and  this,  combined  with  his  moderate  prices  and  courteous  treatment  of 
his  patrons,  has  built  up  a  good  business  and  made  this  one  of  the  best  known 
enterjjrises  in  this  section  of  the  county.  I  .  . 

Mr.  Davidson  was  married,  September  29,  1898,  to  Miss  Lola  Dunbar,  a 
daughter  of  G.  \V.  aud  Eva  (McElheny)  Dunbar,  old  settlers  of  Knox  county, 
the  father  being  engaged  in  farming  and  he  also  operates  a  threshing  machine 
in  the  summer  seasons.  I'nto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davidson  has  been  born  one  daughter, 
Doris. 

Politically  Mr.  Davidson  is  independent.  A  public-spirited  citizen,  he  has 
been  called  by  his  fellow  townsmen  to  fill  various  positions  of  trust  and  responsi- 
bility, having  served  two  terms  as  supen'isor  of  the  township,  while  he  has  also 
acted  as  township  and  village  clerk  of  Henderson.  Although  yet  a  yoiuig  man 
he  has  already  achieved  success  in  his  chosen  field  of  labor  and  undoubtedly  the 
future  holds  in  store  for  him  still  greater  success. 


;  .          JEPTHA  DEALS  HATHAWAY.  V 

Jeptha  Pieals  Hathaway,  who  is  one  of  the  most  progressive  agriculturists 
of  Lynn  township,  was  born  March  23.  1860,  in  Galva.  Illinois,  his  parents  being 
Arthur  Fields  and  Jane  (Mowatt)  Hathaway,  the  former  a  native  of  Berkshire 
county,  Massachusetts,  and  the  latter  a  native  of  Dundee,  Scotland.  The  father's 
birth  occurred  on  the  2ist  of  October,  1820,  and  he  came  west  at  the  early  age  of 
fifteen  years  with  the  intention  of  living  with  his  brother  in  Michigan.  Upon  his 
arrival  there  he  engaged  in  various  occupations  until  1850.  In  that  year  he  left 
St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  on  the  8th  of  May  with  several  friends  from  Pennsylvania 
for  tlie  west,  arriving  at  Weavertown,  California,  on  the  8th  of  August,  1850. 
In  1852,  however,  he  returned  cast,  going  by  way  of  the  isthmus  of  Panama  to 
Xew  York  city.  Subse(|uently  he  went  to  Michigan,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  with  the  J.  I'eidler  &  Brother  Lumber  Company,  with  head- 
quarters at  Muskegon.  It  was  while  he  was  thus  engaged  in  business  that  on 
the  lOth  of  May,  1855,  he  married  Jane  Mowatt  and,  on  January  12,  of  the  fol- 
lowing year,  left  for  Galva,  Illinois.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  l)usiness 
for  eighteen  years  previous  to  removing  with  his  family  to  Lynn  township, 
Knox  county,  in  1874.  where  he  farmed  until  1883,  when  he  returned  to  his  late 
residence  at  Galva,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring 
.August  13,  1894.  Mrs.  Hathaway  left  her  native  country  with  her  parents  when 
she  was  but  one  year  oM  and  settled  in  Brockville,  Canada.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Mary  Mowatt  and  her  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years, 
December  28,  i8(/).  Of  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hathaway  three  besides 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  survive:  Celinda,  who  is  the  wife  of  Amos  Barlow; 
Abbie :  and  Jane.  All  are  residents  of  Galva. 

After  laying  aside  his  text-books  Jeptha  B.  Hathaway  worked  for  his  father 
on  the  home  farm  until  the  latter's  death  and  subsequently,  with  Amos  Barlow, 
his  brother-in-law,  he  continued  the  cultivation  of  the  home  place.  After  his 
marriage  he  removed  to  the  old  loghouse  which  still  exists  on  the  father's  farm 


MR.  A\D  MRS.  .T.   15.   IIATHAWAV 


^i    •      v^  ^::    :-   ":^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  675 

and  after  nine  years'  residence  there  spent  a  year  at  Galva  until  the  family  estate 
was  settled.  At  that  time  he  came  to  his  present  farm,  which  is  one  of  the  most 
completely  and  modernly  equipped  and  cultivated  farms  in  this  section.  Among 
the  many  unusual  improvements  which  he  has  added  is  his  own  electric  power 
plant. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  1886,  Mr.  Hathaway  was  married  to  Miss  Edith  Jones, 
whose  birth  occurred  June  15,  1862,  and  who  died  March  30,  1902.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Walter  N.  and  Adeline  (James)  Jones,  both  natives  of  England. 
The  father,  who  is  now  deceased,  after  arriving  in  this  country  spent  his  life  in 
Ohio.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  were  the  parents  of  seven  children :  Charles,  an  agri- 
culturist of  Galva ;  James,  who  is  residing  on  his  farm  in  Lynn  township ;  Lotta, 
the  wife  of  C.  Mason,  of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri;  George  N.,  an  auctioneer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Lynn  township ;  Hortense,  who  married  F.  Mason,  of  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri ;  William,  also  residing  in  St.  Joseph ;  and  Edith,  who  was  Mrs.  Hath- 
away. 

;.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hathaway  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Alta  Adeline, 
whose  birth  occurred  July  i,  1894;  Howard  Raymond,  who  was  born  August 
27,  1899;  ^"d  Walter  Field,  whose  death  occurred  in  infancy.  Mr.  Hathaway 
gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and,  although  he  is  thoroughly 
alive  to  the  issues  of  the  day  and  interested  in  all  the  measures  and  policies  of 
his  party,  he  has  never  desired  office.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Yeomen,  all  of  Galva.  He 
has  persevered  in  the  pursuit  of  a  persistent  purpose  and  has  gained  a  satisfactory 
reward.  His  life  is  exemplary  in  all  respects  and  he  has  ever  supported  those 
interests  which  are  calculated  to  uplift  and  benefit  humanity,  while  his  own  high 
moral  worth  is  deserving  of  highest  commendation. 


-•:/':,'.•',;•;''_•'  ^:'..^,:rC•'v     c  w.  ROBERTSON.  ;'•..    .   ••"^:'-•^^:;,:^VuV^ 

One  of  the  moving  spirits  in  the  commercial  and  industrial  life  of  Abingdon 

•     is  C.  W.  Robertson,  vice-president  of  the  American  Sanitary  Factory,  in  which 

:   •     he  is  a  heavy  stockholder.    He  is  also  director  of  the  Abingdon  State  Bank,  having 

been  one  of  the  original  organizers  of  this  institution.     His  investments  in  other 

'      local  concerns  testify  to  his  progressive  spirit  toward  the  upbuilding  of  his  home 

'  .  manufactories  and  his  loyalty  to  the  community  ideals  of  growth  and  prosperity. 

Like  many    a  successful  man  in  our  nation  he  began  his  career  as  a  farmer,  thus 

,    :   securing  sufficient  means  to  retire  and  live  in  ease  on  the  proceeds  of  his  toil. 

Mr.  C.  W.  Robertson  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  May  i8,  1858. 

.      His  ancestors  were  Scotch,  having  came  from  Scotland  to  the  Carolinas  and 

later  settled  in  Kentucky,  where  his  father,  Isom  Robertson,  was  born  in  Warren 

,    '    county.    August  29,  1825,  the  latter  came  to  Illinois  with  his  people,  who  located 

'     in  Warren  county  which  remained  his  home  until  his  removal  to  Abingdon  in 

1878.    After  that  he  rtsided  for  a  time  in  Galesburg,  but  returned  to  Abingdon, 

where  he  now  lives.    The  story  of  Mr.  Robertson's  rise  is  the  story  of  many 

'     a  pioneer  who  came  to  this  raw  prairie  with  determination  to  wrest  from  its  soil 

V     the  tribute  that  patient  industry  demands.    In  retrospect  it  seems  comparatively 


676  ^r  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -:-      •    Ovj-^ 

easy  to  consider  the  laying  out  of  a  farm,  where  the  soil  is  rich,  and  of  improving 
the  land  and  reaping  rich  harvests,  but  those  who  faced  the  problem  in  the  days, 
when  lack  of  good  roads  and  facilities  for  transportation  were  huge  obstacles  to 
contend  with,  will  appreciate  the  tremendous  efforts  attending  the  success  of  the 
early  fanner.  Mr.  Robertson,  however,  had  an  added  obstacle  to  handicap  him 
early  in  his  struggle,  one  that  might  have  disheartened  many  a  young  man.  Be- 
ginning with  nothing  he  worked  his  way  up  until  at  length  he  was  able  to  acquire 
possession  of  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  After  making  his 
last  payment  on  this,  he  had  to  forfeit  the  same  for  no  fault  of  his  own  except 
over-confidence  in  a  friend  who  betrayed  his  trust.  Several  other  experiences 
of  a  similar  nature  taxed  his  courage  and  patience,  but  in  the  end  success  came 
to  him  and  today  his  income  permits  him  to  live  not  only  comfortably  but  in 
affluence.  He  spends  his  winters  in  California  and  his  summers  in  Abingdon.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  republican.  Be- 
cause of  unforeseen  circumstances  that  made  it  difficult  for  him  to  leave  home, 
he  did  not  enlist  during  the  Civil  war  but  hired  a  substitute  who  served  for  him. 
His  wife,  formerly  Miss  Louisa  Richie,  of  German  and  French  parentage,  was 
born  in  New  York  city.  Coming  west  she  was  married  in  Warren  county,  where 
she  resided  up  to  her  death.  She  died  in  1879  and  was  buried  at  Meriden.  Eleven 
children  were  born  by  this  union :  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Clinton  Scoby,  of  St. 
Frances,  Kansas ;  Emma  F.,  the  wife  of  Donald  Lyman,  of  Abingdon ;  C.  W. 
Robertson ;  Bailey,  whose  tragic  death  occurred  in  the  Indian  Territory,  where 
his  boat  capsized  while  crossing  the  Spring  river  on  a  hunting  and  fishing  trip 
and  he  was  drowned ;  Glen  I.,  who  was  kicked  by  a  horse  and  killed,  when  only 
five  years  old ;  E.  B.,  a  ranchman  in  St.  Frances,  Kansas ;  L.  H.,  a  stockman  living 
in  Abingdon ;  Etta,  the  wife  of  G.  B.  Walker,  of  Warren  county,  Illinois ;  Lena, 
wife  of  Frank  Marks,  of  Abingdon,  Illinois;  Alta,  wife  of  Howard  Smith,  of 
Long  Beach,  California;  and  one  child  who  died  in  infancy. 

C.  W.  Robertson  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Warren 
county  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He  then 
engaged  in  farming  in  Warren  county,  first  on  Pretty  Prairie,  where  he  remained 
six  years ;  from  there  he  went  to  Floyd  township ;  and  lastly  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Berwick  township.  In  1900,  he  came  to  Abingdon  to  reside  and  now  lives  here 
during  the  winter,  spending  part  of  his  summers  on  the  Berwick  farm.  This  is  a 
large  tract  of  valuable  farm  land  consisting  of  four  hundred  and  ninety  acres 
utilized  for  purposes  of  raising  stock  and  grain.  In  the  summer  of  1910,  Mr. 
Robertson  was  cited  to  appear,  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  before  the  senatorial  com- 
mittee, headed  by  Senator  Lodge,  which  was  investigating  the  high  cost  of  living. 
His  testimony  was  desired  in  regard  to  the  comparative  cost  of  producing  beef 
and  pork  during  the  last  ten  years,  and,  beside  himself,  there  was  only  one  other 
cattle  feeder  from  Illinois  invited  before  the  committee.  The  senators  were 
greatly  appreciative  of  Mr.  Robertson's  clear  and  concise  answers  and  figures, 
pertaining  to  the  subject  under  investigation  and  heartily  complimented  him 
thereon.  •,  •  '  '  ^  •  ,  •  .•  'V- :-.' '  ••••.'••/•.  •  ''^~'  ^'^^•\- 

In  1883,  C.  W.  Robertson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Addie  Murphy, 
a  native  of  Warren  county.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  born  October  7, 
1894,  who  is  attending  high  school  in  Abingdon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robertson  are 
members  of  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Robertson  is  actively  interested  in  politics 


:1  .;'•-;:       '  ;•      V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -     V^' ^  677 

;    :';    being  a  zealous  republican.    He  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  republican 

:,        supervisor  ever  elected  in  Berwick  township,  Warren  county,  and  has  held  other 

'  .      offices.     He  was  elected  mayor  of  Abingdon  for  one  term,  was  for  nine  years 

a  member  of  the  school  board,  and  for  eight  years  has  served  on  the  Knox  county 

.   :    republican  central  committee.     In  fraternal  circles  he  is  very  popular  being  affili- 

.     ated  with  numerous  lodges.     He  has  passed  through  all  the  chairs  of  the  Odd 

;     Fellows  in  Abingdon;  he  was  a  trustee  of  the  Abingdon  Knights  of  Pythias; 

is  a  Mason,  a  member  of  the  local  lodge,  in  which  he  has  held  the  office  of  treas- 

'     :     urer;  a  worthy  patron  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  of  which  his  wife  is  an 

:          active  member;  and  belongs  to  the  Dramatic  Order  of  the  Knights  of  Khoras- 

'   san  and  to  the  Elks  lodge  of  Galesburg.    In  social  as  well  as  business  circles  his 

genial  personality  and  spirit  of  good  fellowship  have  won  for  him  many  warm 

;;...   •  friends.-'       -;    •    ;,••;>•;.';: -c-'y^;- ;..':;.  :.;"/.  '._'.!•':  ...         '':V'--'-^   •\'.'-;:/':;-' •/'' 


•  •  GEORGE  M.  COLLINSOX.  •          .:;:;:,-:,;:•>; 

'  .  George  M.  Collinson,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising 

in  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  was  born  on  the  I2th  of  April,  1846,  in  Luzeme 

.     county,  Pennsylvania.     His  grandparents  also  were  residents  of  that  state  for 

\    .   a  long  time  and  there  their  deaths  occurred.     The  grandfather  was  killed  by  a 

.          stranger  whom  he  was  entertaining  in  his  home,  when  he  was  ninety-nine  years 

of  age.    This  incident  occurred  near  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 

.    residing.    After  the  murder  the  citizens  took  the  matter  in  hand,  and  as  a  result 

of  a  careful  search  the  guilty  party  was  captured  and  made  to  pay  the  penalty 

for  his  crime.    The  parents  of  Mr.  Collinson  were  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Kirby) 

Collinson,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  England,  the  former's  birth  occurring 

in  Billington,  East  Redding,  Yorkshire,  on  the  2d  of  May,  1798.     He  came  to 

this  country  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  accompanied  by  his  brother,  on 

'•  the  4th  of  January,  1830,  locating  in  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 

farmed  until  1852,  when  he  came  to  Knox  county  and  settled  upon  a  farm  which 

/•[.       adjoins  that  which  his  son  now  owns.     He  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in 

this  county  and  died  on  the  28th  of  January,  i88i.     George  Collinson  was  one 

of  ten  children  born  to  his  parents,  three  of  whom  are  now  living,  the  others 

being  Benjamin  F.,  of  Page  county,  Iowa,  and  Louise,  who  is  the^  wife  of  Thomas 

McClure.     The  youth  and  boyhood  of  George  M.   Collinson   were  marked  by 

hard  labor  begun  at  an  early  age.    When  he  was  a  lad  of  but  nine  years  he  was 

engaged  by  his  father  to  drive  the  team  and  did  general  farming  work  which  he 

continued  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.     On  his  eighth  birthday  he 

assisted  his  father  in  building  the  hedge   fence  which  still  surrounds  the  old 

",:.        farm.     When  he  reached  his  majority  he  came  to  the  farm  upon  which  he  is 

now  living,  and  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  has  constantly  been  engaged.     In 

addition  to  farming  he  carries  on  general  stock-raising,  and  because  of  his  hard 

work,  scientific  management  and  enterprising  spirit,  he  has  become  one  of  the 

most  prominent   farmers    in   this   section.      The   well    equipped   buildings    with 

•       which  he  has  supplied  his  property  and  the  adequate  machinery  to  carry  on 


678  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

modern  agricultural  pursuits  attest  to  some  degree  the  prosperity  which  he  is 
now  enjoying. 

Mr.  Collinson  is  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Murray,  whose  birth  occurred  on 
the  I4th  of  March,  1852,  in  Abingdon,  Illinois.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George 
W.  and  Eliza  (Thompson)  Murray,  the  former  of  whom  was  killed  in  the  battle 
of  Stone  River  in  1862,  while  he  was  serving  as  a  member  of  Company  G,  in 
the  Eighty -ninth  Illinois  Regular  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  mother's  death  oc- 
curred in  1907  when  she  was  seventy-two  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents 
of  one  child,  Mrs.  Collinson.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collinson  five  children  have 
been  born :  Nettie  B.,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Keck,  of  Oklahoma,  and  who 
is  the  mother  of  three  children ;  Mrs.  Myrtle  Riner,  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
John  Goflf  of  Lynn  township,  and  who  has  three  children ;  Isabell,  who  is  mar- 
ried to  George  Goff,  of  Copley  township  and  who  has  two  children ;  Nellie,  who 
married  Phil  Weinrich,  of  Winfield,  Kansas ;  and  Pearl,  who  is  residing  at  home. 

Mr.  Collinson  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  and  he 
has  been  one  of  its  active  members  and  enthusiastic  supporters  since  the  rights 
of  franchise  were  bestowed  upon  him.  He  held  the  office  of  assessor  for  two 
terms,  being  first  elected  in  1878,  and  he  has  served  for  three  terms  as  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Lynn  township.  The  prosperity  which  he  now  enjoys  is  due  to 
his  own  untiring  efforts  and  to  his  substantial  industrious  habits.  He  is  known 
among  his  neighbors  as  a  man  who  is  ever  willing  to  do  not  only  that  which 
will  increase  his  own  prosperity,  but  also  that  which  will  aid  in  the  development 
and  general  welfare  of  the  community. 


:;-j;-v-..          •'     •'     •-•  .-     P.  E.  TENNERY.  ^^,.x>'-: '"'/;•''.  ^^' 

P.  E.  Tennery,  who  is  one  of  the  capable  agriculturists  of  Elba  township, 
Knox  county,  owns  and  operates  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
located  four  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  Yates  City.  His  birth  occurred  on 
this  place  in  1869,  his  parents  being  N.  H.  and  Samantha  (Williams)  Tennery. 
The  father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  having  located  in  Knox  county  in 
1852,  and  here  he  engaged  in  farming  during  the  entire  period  of  his  active  life. 
During  the  early  years  of  his  residence  he  operated  a  place  a  little  below  the 
homestead  of  our  subject.  Subsequently  he  located  here  and  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  on  this  place,  his  death  occurring  on  the  I5th  of  February,  1911,  at 
the  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  He  met  with  gratifying  success  in  his  under- 
takings and  made  many  and  extensive  improvements  on  his  property,  while  he 
brought  the  land  under  high  cultivation.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  N. 
H.  Tennery  there  were  born  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  ; 

The  education  of  P.  E.  Tennery  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of 
Yates  City,  and  while  pursuing  his  studies  he  was  also  assisting  with  the  work 
of  the  farm.  After  leaving  school  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  cultivation 
of  the  home  farm,  first  under  the  supervision  of  his  father,  but  later  he  as- 
sumed the  management  of  the  place,  which  he  subsequently  purchased.  He  now 
owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  productive  land  that  he  devotes  to  gen- 
eral farming,  and  as  he  is  practical  and  progressive  in  his  methods  he  is  meet- 


678  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

modern  agricultural  jjursuits  attest  to  some  degree  the  prosperity  which  he  is 
no\v  enjoying. 

Mr.  Collinson  is  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Murray,  whose  birth  occurred  on 
the  I4th  of  March.  1852.  in  .\bingilon.  Illinois.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George 
\V.  and  Eliza  (Thompson)  Murray,  the  former  of  whom  was  killed  in  the  battle 
of  Stone  River  in  i8r)2.  while  he  was  serving  as  a  member  of  Com])any  G.  in 
the  Eighty-ninth  Illinois  Regular  \'olunteer  Infantry.  The  mother's  death  oc- 
curred in  Kp/  when  she  was  seventy-two  years  of  age.  They  were  the  jiarents 
of  one  child.  Mrs.  Collinson.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collinson  live  children  have 
been  born:  Xettie  15. .  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Keck,  of  Oklahoma,  and  who 
is  the  mother  of  three  children;  Mrs.  Myrtle  Riner.  who  is  now  the  wife  of 
John  Ciotf  of  Lynn  township,  and  wlio  lias  tlirce  children;  Isabell.  wlio  is  mar- 
ried to  George  Goff.  of  C'ojjley  township  and  who  has  two  children;  Xellie.  who 
marriefl  Phil  \\'einrich.  of  \\'infield.  Kansas;  and  Pearl,  who  is  residing  at  home. 

^Ir.  C'ollinxm  gives  his  ])olitical  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  and  he 
has  been  one  of  its  active  members  and  enthusiastic  sujiporters  since  the  rights 
of  franchise  were  bestowed  upon  him.  I  le  held  tlie  office  of  assessor  for  two 
terms,  being  first  elected  in  1X78.  and  he  has  .-erved  for  three  terms  as  justice 
of  the  i)eace  of  Lynn  township.  The  jirosperity  which  he  now  enjoys  is  due  to 
his  own  untiring  eft'orts  and  to  his  substantial  industrious  habits.  He  is  known 
among  his  neighbors  as  a  man  \vh')  is  ever  willing  to  do  not  only  that  which 
will  increase  his  own  prns])erity.  but  also  that  which  will  aid  in  the  development 
and  general  welfare  of  the  community. 


..  '  P.  E.  TKXXERV. 

.-..'•  1' 

P.  E.  Tennery.  who  is  one  of  the  c;i])able  agriculturist-^  of  Elba  township, 
Knox  county,  owns  and  operates  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
located  four  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  "S'ate-;  City.  His  birth  occurred  on 
this  place  in  1869,  his  parents  being  X.  H.  and  Samantha  (U'illianis)  Tennery. 
The  father  was  one  of  the  jiioneer  settlers  having  located  in  Knox  county  in 
1852.  and  here  he  engaged  in  farming  during  the  entire  period  of  his  active  life. 
During  the  early  years  of  his  residence  he  operated  a  place  a  little  belo\v  the 
homestead  of  our  subject.  Subse(|uently  he  located  here  and  si)ent  the  remainder 
of  his  life  on  this  place,  his  death  occurring  on  the  I3th  of  Eebruary.  i<;ii.  at 
the  age  of  eighty-eight  yc;irs.  Me  met  with  gratifying  success  in  his  under- 
takings an<l  made  many  and  extensi\-e  ini])rovcments  on  his  j)ro|ierty.  while  he 
brought  the  land  luider  high  cultivation.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  X. 
H.  Tennery  there  were  born  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living. 

The  education  of  P.  E.  Tennery  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of 
Yates  City,  and  while  i)ursuing  his  studies  he  was  also  as<i>ting  with  the  work 
of  the  farm.  .After  leaving  school  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  cultivation 
of  the  home  farm,  first  under  the  supervision  of  his  father,  but  later  he  as- 
sumed the  management  of  the  place,  which  he  sul)sec|uently  purchased.  He  now 
owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  productive  land  that  he  devotes  to  gen- 
eral farming,  and  as  he  is  i)ractical  and  progressive  in  his  methods  he  is  meet- 


;^    ;>;;•;:-.-;;    ^'r;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^       .        -^'l        681 

ing  with  good  results.  In  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  he  is 
breeding  and  raising  stock,  which  undertakings  result  in  remunerative  returns. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Tennery  chose  Miss  Minnie  Phares  of  Brim- 
field  township,  Peoria  county,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  chil- 
dren, George  Edgar  and  Geneva  May. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Tennery  is  a  member  of  the  Woodmen  and  his  wife  attends 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  democrat,  and 
is  no.w  discharging  the  duties  of  clerk  of  the  school  board.  He  has  spent  his 
entire  life  in  the  community  where  he  is  now  residing  and  is  held  in  the  high- 
est respect  both  as  a  business  man  and  a  citizen,  as  the  principles  governing 
him  in  both  his  public  and  private  relations  have  ever  been  found  to  be  above 
question. 


.  ANDREW  MAHOLLAND.  ,:    .      ;      ;:..    i  'i'^':-.''^ 

Among  the  foreign-born  residents  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  who  during  the 
dark  days  of  the  Civil  war  came  loyally  to  the  support  of  their  adopted  country 
is  numbered  Andrew  Maholland,  who  throughout  the  period  of  his  residence 
in  the  United  States  has  ever  manifested  the  same  loyalty  to  her  welfare  in  his 
citizenship.  He  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  his  birth  occurring  in  Port  Stewart,  County 
Derry,  and  his  parents  were  Andrew  and  Jane  (Stewart)  Maholland.  At  an 
early  day  the  family  emigrated  to  Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  there  four  members 
of  the  family,  the  mother,  two  daughters  and  a  son,  passed  away  as  the  result 
of  cholera.  Shortly  afterward  the  father  with  his  three  remaining  sons  crossed 
the  Atlantic  to  America,  landing  at  Quebec,  Canada,  where  they  resided  for  a 
year.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  they  crossed  the  border  into  the  United 
States  and  came  direct  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  Andrew  Maholland,  Sr., 
carried  on  fanning  until  his  death.  V  ;  /' 

When  yet  a  lad  in  years  Andrew  Maholland,  of  this  review,  took  up  farm- 
ing on  his  own  account  and  he  was  thus  engaged  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil 
war,  when,  on  the  loth  of  August,  i86i,  he  enlisted  for  service  as  a  private  in 
Company  D,  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  with  which  he  served  until 
February  14,  1863,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged  and  returned  home.  Not 
content  to  remain  there,  however,  while  the  country  still  needed  his  services,  he 
reenlisted  in  the  same  company  in  January,  1865.  He  continued  with  his  com- 
mand until,  being  wounded,  he  was  taken  to  the  hospital,  and  was  finally  mus- 
tered out  at  Nashville,  Tennessee.  He  had  served  in  many  important  engage- 
ments, including  the  battle  of  Corinth,  and  his  was  a  most  honorable  and  credit- 
able military  record. 

After  the  close  of  his  military  service  Mr.  Maholland  returned  to  Knox 
county,  and  with  the  exception  of  five  years  spent  in  Missouri  has  since  con- 
tinued to  make  this  county  the  field  of  his  business  activity.  His  entire  atten- 
tion has  been  given  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  that  substantial  success  has  at- 
tended his  efforts  is  indicated  by  the  excellent  condition  of  his  home  place 
which,  under  his  wise  direction  and  capable  management,  has  been  brought 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  equipped  his  farm  with  modern  con- 


.  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;/;K";: 

veniences  and  accessories  and  the  up-to-date  and  progressive  methods  which  he 
employs  is  an  indication  of  the  fact  that  he  keeps  abreast  of  the  advancement 
which  is  being  made  in  this  line  of  activity  as  well  as  along  other  lines  of  busi- 
ness endeavor. 

,  On  the  7th  of  November,  i88i,  Mr.  Maholland  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Sarah  Ogden,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Rachel  (Freeze) 
Ogden.  The  parents,  who  are  both  deceased,  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day 
and  here  the  father  was  engaged  as  a  millwright  throughout  his  remaining  .days. 
The  religious  belief  of  Mr.  Maholland  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church,  while 
his  fraternal  relations  are  with  Abingdon  Post,  No.  58,  G.  A.  R.  In  politics  he 
has  ever  been  a  republican,  remaining  a  strong  advocate  of  the  party  which 
was  the  support  of  the  nation  during  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  war.  His  life 
has  been  actuated  by  a  public-spirited  interest  in  his  adopted  country  and  its 
welfare,  and  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  upbuilding  and  development  of 
the  immediate  community  in  which  he  resides,  his  influence  is  ever  upon  the 
side  of  progress  and  advancement.  With  him  industry,  diligence  and  persever- 
ance have  constituted  the  guiding  posts  of  life,  bringing  him  to  the  creditable 
position  which  he  now  occupies  among  the  prosperous  and  substantial  residents 
of  Cedar  township.  .  .  :  •  =  . 


:  :';•:;•{  MRS.  ANNA  O.  BRINK  KRANS.   ^  ;:•.;: 

Mrs.  Anna  O.  Brink  Krans  is  the  widow  of  George  E.  Krans,  who  was  a 
farmer  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  where  he  died  January  13,  1908.  The  fam- 
ily has  long  been  prominent  in  this  part  of  the  county  and  Mrs.  Krans  is  well 
known  here.  She  was  born  September  19,  1851,  in  Uggelbo,  Sweden,  and  came 
to  America  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  taking  up  her  abode  upon  the  farm  on 
which  she  now  resides.  She  was  employed  as  a  domestic  in  the  neighborhood 
until  her  marriage  and  in  1869  she  became  the  wife  of  George  E.  Krans,  who 
was  born  in  Uggelbo,  Sweden,  August  19,  1847,  a  son  of  Eric  and  Anna  (Olson) 
Krans.  It  was  in  the  year  1855  that  his  grandfather  came  with  his  wife  and 
family  to  Illinois,  settling  first  in  Wataga.  The  members  of  the  family  followed 
farming  all  their  lives,  first  at  the  little  town  then  called  Log  City.  They  later 
came  to  Walnut  Grove  township  in  1864,  settling  upon  a  tract  of  land  which 
was  then  improved  with  a  small  log  house.  A  short  time  later  he  replaced  this 
by  a  frame  residence,  to  which  he  afterward  added  and  further  improved.  In 
time  he  converted  his  land  into  rich  and  productive  fields  and  resided  upon  that 
place  almost  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  born  June  13,  1807,  and  died  in 
1897  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety  years.  On  the  4th  of  March,  of  the  same 
year,  his  wife  passed  away,  being  then  eighty-five  years  of  age.  Both  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  they  were  honored  and  respected  because 
of  their  sterling  worth  and  also  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  they  were  numbered 
among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  township,  who  contributed  much  to  its  de- 
velopment and  improvement. 

Their  son,  George  E.  Krans,  shared  with  the  family  in  the  usual  experiences, 
hardships  and  trials  of  pioneer  life  and  aided  in  the  arduous  task  of  developing 


•  :  :   ^      .   ;'    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  ;i;  V       683 

new  land.  He  had  had  broad  and  practical  experience  as  a  farmer,  when  he 
was  married  and  began  fanning  on  his  own  account.  He  and  his  wife  began 
housekeeping  upon  what  is  still  known  as  the  Krans  homestead  with  the  grand- 
parents, who  two  years  before  their  death  removed  to  Altona,  where  they  passed 
away,  being  laid  to  rest  in  Walnut  Grove  cemetery.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krans  worked 
earnestly,  diligently  and  indefatigably  to  gain  a  start,  and  success  eventually 
crowned  their  labors,  making  them  owners,  of  one  of  the  fine  farms  of  the 
northern  part  of  the  county.  As  the  years  passed  by,  several  children  were 
added  to  the  household.  The  first  son,  Victor,  born  March  ii,  1871,  is  now 
manager  of  a  creamery  at  Victoria,  Illinois.  He  married  Esther  Carlson  and 
they  have  two  sons.  Carl  and  Paul.  Theodore  Charles,  born  March  6,  1873,  'S 
a  carpenter  of  Victoria.  John  Alf,  born  February  25,  1875,  in  Lynn  township, 
married  Emily  Hallerstrum  and  they  have  three  children,  Harold,  Donald  and 
Franklin.  Oscar  Peter,  born  October  7,  1877,  manages  the  home  farm.  He  is 
well  known  in  the  community  as  an  enterprising  young  business  man,  also  as  a 
faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Victoria  and  as  a  stalwart  supporter 
of  the  republican  party.  David  and  Jonathan  were  twins,  born  April  23,  i88i ; 
the  former  a  resident  of  Wheaton,  Minnesota,  was  married  in  1911.  Julius, 
born  July  ii,  1888,  Lawrence  Otto,  born  March  25,  1890,  and  Laura  Ottilia,  the 
twin  sister  of  Lawrence,  are  all  at  home  and  the  last  named  is  managing  the 
household  for  her  mother.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Epworth  League.  One 
child,  Mandel  R.,  born  May  25,  1893,  died  on  the  8th  of  August  of  the  same  year. 
George  E.  Krans  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  held 
some  of  the  township  offices.  He  was  very  active  as  a  worker  for  his  party, 
for  he  believed  firmly  in  its  principles  and  earnestly  sought  its  success.  He 
served  for  three  terms  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  was  a  stalwart 
champion  of  the  cause  of  education.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  was  passed 
in  Illinois,  for  he  was  only  eight  years  of  age  when  brought  to  Knox  county. 
For  fifty-three  years  he  lived  to  witness  its  growth  and  development  and  was 
always  interested  in  what  was  accomplished  and  in  as  far  as  possible  aided  in 
the  work  of  progress  and  improvement.  He  was  always  straightforward  and 
honorable  in  his  business  dealings  and  his  fellow  townsmen  learned  to  know  that 
what  he  promised  he  would  do.  The  Krans  family  has  long  been  a  leading  one 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  and  their  friends  are  many. 


.;-.:''•--'.•":''."  :  \  •.-•:•• ---.^'C:^   SILAS  POTTS. '•;<;-':••;.  '''-•'  •'^^•'•.•^'^•r:-^''-\-'--' 

>  Silas  Potts,  one  of  the  very  successful  agriculturists  of  Indian  Point  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  on  May  lo,  1859.    He  is  a  son  of  Lewis 
and  Emily   (Bodwell)    Potts,  natives  of  Ohio,   who  were  married   in   Illinois. 
When  he  first  came  to  this  state  Mr.  Potts  located  in  the  vicinity  of  London 

>  Mills,  Fulton  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death  in  1895.    The 
"  mother  passed  away  in  1903.    The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potts  numbered  eight 

children :    Alexander  and  Caroline,  both  of  whom  are  deceased  ;  Silas  and  Cyrus, 
twins,  the  former  our  subject,  and  the  latter  a  resident  of  Abingdon,  Illinois; 


'"  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ''-    ^      '    :     ; 

'  :    '  ; .  .  '•••' 

•   Florence,  the  wife  of  Sidney  Smith,  of  Fulton  county,  Illinois;  Cora,  who  is 
unmarried  and  living  at  London  Mills ;  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  early  years  in  the  life  of  Silas  Potts  were  passed  in  the  unvaried  routine 
that  characterizes  the  rural  districts.  His  winters  were  largely  devoted  to  pur- 
suing his  education  in  the  common  schools  located  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home, 
while  the  summer  months  were  occupied  with  such  tasks  as  devolve  upon  the 
farmer  lad,  his  duties  and  responsibilities  increasing  with  the  passing  years. 

••    Having  mastered  the  common  branches  and  being  familiar  with  the  methods  of 

•  practical  farming  when  he  had  attained  his  majority,  he  left  the  parental  roof 
.;    and  began  to  make  his  own  fortune.     For  nine  years  thereafter  he  followed  the 

•  vocation  of  farming  in  his  native  county  and  then  removed  to  Knox  county. 
He  first  located  near  Abingdon,  where  for  eleven  years  he  farmed  as  a  renter. 

'    Under  his  capable  supervision  and  intelligent  application  financial  returns  mounted 

up  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  his  circumstances  were  such,  that  he 

...    could  purchase  a  place  of  his  own  and  he  bought  his  present  homestead.     This 

property  contains  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  28,  Indian 

Point  township.     The  value  of  the  farm,  which  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 

•  has  been  greatly  enhanced  by  the  substantially  constructed  and  well  kept  build- 
:     ings  erected  upon  it  and  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  farms  in  the  township. 

^:•    Progressive  in  his  methods,  yet  conservative  in  his  ideas,  Mr.  Potts'  efforts  have 
always  been  so  intelligently  directed  that  he  has  succeeded  in  realizing  substan- 

;     tial  returns  upon  the  expenditure  of  his  energies.     He  is  now  recognized  as 
one  of  the  prosperous  and  capable  agriculturists  of  the  community,  whose  suc- 
.    cess  is  the  well  merited  reward  of  personal  endeavor. 

Mr.  Potts'  plans  for  a  home  of  his  own  had  their  consummation  in  his  mar- 
riage in  1888  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Childs,  who  is  a  native  of  Fulton  county,  this 
state.  One  son,  Raymond,  now  twenty-two  years  of  age  has  been  bom  of  this 
union.  After  completing  the  common-school  course,  he  entered  Brown's  Busi- 
ness College  of  Galesburg,  from  which  institution  he  was  subsequently  gradu- 

-  ated.     His  attention  has  been  directed  to  commercial  pursuits  and  he  is  now  a 
resident  of  Abingdon. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potts  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church,  and 
fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  being  affiliated 
with  the  St.  Augustine  Lodge,  and  the  Royal  Americans.  His  political  rights 
Mr.  Potts  has  always  exercised  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
democratic  party,  but  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker.  During  the  twenty- 
two  years  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county  he  has  become  quite  well  known  and 
numbers  among  its  citizens  many  loyal  friends. 


-        J.--  EDWARD  DAVISON.     ;  /.;••;          ^   ' 

The  superiority  of  business  opportunities  and  advantages  in  America  is  fully 
realized  by  Edward  Davison,  who,  on  coming  to  the  new  world  when  a  young 
man,  worked  earnestly  and  persistently  and  eventually  gained  a  competency  that 
now  enables  him  to  live  in  honorable  retirement  in  a  comfortable  home  in  Hen- 
derson. Mr.  Davison  was  born  in  Northumberland  county,  England,  Septem- 


•  ;j  ;v;'    V  •      . :  ;.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;-:•>':•      685 

ber  9,  1839,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Charlton)  Davison,  who  were  likewise 

I;  .      natives  of  that  country,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in  the  shoe  business. 

'   V  .        Edward  Davison  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 

:      country  and  after  completing  his  studies  began  learning  the  shoemaker's  trade, 

which  he  followed  there  for  some  time.     When  a  young  man,  foreseeing  that 

there  was  no  future  for  him  in  England,  and  having  heard  and  read  a  great 

deal  about  the  freedom  and  the  opportunity  for  advancement  in  this  country, 

he  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  the  new  world.     Accordingly  he  set  sail   for 

America  and  soon  after  coming  to  this  country  he  located  in   Henderson   in 

.     •    1864,  where  he  resumed  his  work  at  the  shoemaker's  trade.     In   1871,  having 

,   •    saved  a  sum  of  money,  he  purchased  ninety  acres  of  land,  which  he  improved 

and  cultivated  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.     He  has  now  put  aside 

all  business  cares,  however,  and  is  living  retired  in  a  pleasant  home  in  Hender- 

'     son,  surrounded  by  the  comforts  of  life  and  a  host  of  warm  friends. 

-  :  Just  prior  to  his  emigration  to  the  new  world,  Mr.  Davison  was  married,  in 

June,  1864,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Jane  Davison,  a  daughter  of  John 

and  Alice   (Stobert)    Davison,   both  natives  of  England.     The   former  was  a 

blacksmith  by  trade,  following  that  pursuit  throughout  his  entire  life.     Both  he 

:         and  his  wife  are  now  deceased.     Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davison  of  this  review 

have  been  born  eight  children  but  only  five  now  survive.    Minnie,  the  eldest,  has 

passed  away.    John  is  the  next  in  order  of  birth.    Joseph  has  also  departed  this 

,     life.    Alice  is  the  wife  of  James  A.  Miller,  a  farmer  of  Seward  county,  Nebraska, 

by  whom  she  has  two  children.  Glen  and  Harvey.    Lizzie  remains  at  home  with 

her  parents.    Edward  is  deceased.    Nellie  is  the  wife  of  E.  G.  Pitman,  a  farmer 

of  Kansas  and  they  have  four  living  children,  Fannie,  Phillip,  Helen,  and  Alice, 

.  .    while  Gladys,  the  fourth  of  the  family,  is  deceased.     Ray,  the  youngest  of  the 

;     family,  and  now  following  railroading,  lives  in  Galesburg,  is  married  and  has 

•:     two  children,  Theodore  and  Wilmarth. 

;'  Mr.  Davison  has  always  given  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures 

•  of  the  republican  party.     He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  public  affairs,  having 
for  more  than  thirty  years  served  as  township  treasurer,  a  fact  which  is  indicative 
of  his  honesty  and  trustworthiness.     He  also  filled  the  office  of  supervisor  for 
more  than  five  years  and  served  as  highway  commissioner  for  a  decade,  while 
at  the  present  time  he  is  serving  as  assessor  for  the  town.     Through  his  public 
and  private  life  he  has  exerted  an  immeasurable  influence  in  the  community  in 
which  he  has  so  long  made  his  home  and  to  know  him  is  to  respect  and  honor 

.        him,  for  he  possesses  those  sterling  qualities  of  manhood  which  never  fail  to 
command  the  highest  regard. 


.        V  ''••:.•':-:      CHARLES  ABRAHAMSON.  ;:   '\       ''K^^ 

Charles  Abrahamson,  foreman  for  the  Chicago.  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road, residing  at  Altona.  was  born  November  20.  1851.  in  Jonkoping  Ian,  Sweden. 
His  grandfather.  Swan  Abrahamson,  was  a  miller  by  trade  and  also  served  as 
custodian  of  the  parish  church  and  leader  of  the  church  choir.  His  father. 
Swan  Abrahamson,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Sweden  in  1805  ^"d  there  learned  the 


686  .         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

miller's  trade,  but  during  the  greater  part  of  his  life  followed  farming  in  Sweden 
and  also  acted  as  custodian  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Tina 
Morganson,  who  was  born  in  i8io  and  was  a  daughter  of  Swan  Morganson. 
The  death  of  Swan  Abrahamson,  Jr.,  occurred  in  1874,  while  his  wife  survived 
him  until  1879.  In  their  family  were  eight  children,  of  whom  three  are  now 
living:  Charles;  John,  who  is  a  resident  of  Kewanee,  Illinois;  and  Stena,  the 
wife  of  John  Johnson,  of  Iowa. 

The  educational  opportunities  of  Charles  Abrahamson  were  quite  limited 
owing  to  the  necessity  of  providing  for  his  own  support  at  an  early  age.  He 
followed  the  miller's  trade  for  four  years,  working  in  the  employ  of  others,  and 
in  1872,  upon  attaining  his  majority,  came  alone  to  the  new  world,  making  his 
way  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years. 
He  then  took  up  railroading,  which  he  followed  for  seven  years,  and  in  1882  he 
came  to  Altona.  He  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroad  for  thirty-six  years  and  has  been  foreman  for  twenty-nine 
years.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  service  of  the  company  on  the  Illinois 
division  and  his  faithfulness  and  capability  are  indicated  in  his  long  retention 

by  the  company.  -/'•:'       '^ '•'^'  '' ^ ••:•'•:.  ':-;:>!- 

Mr.  Abrahamson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caroline  Swanson,  who  was 
bom  in  the  same  part  of  Sweden  as  her  husband,  her  natal  day  being  May  4, 
1847.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Swan  Peterson  and  came  to  America  a  year  after 
the  arrival  of  Mr.  Abrahamson,  settling  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  they 
were  married.  Unto  them  have  been  born  six  children.  August,  who  is  now  a 
train  dispatcher  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  married  Teckla  Thumrod,  of  Sterling,  Illinois, 
and  has  two  children,  Ruth  and  Malcolm.  Helma  is  the  wife  of  Alf  Norene 
and  has  three  children,  Edna,  Theodore  and  Harold.  Oscar,  an  operator  at 
Galesburg,  lost  his  first  wife,  Mrs.  Grace  Abrahamson,  who  died  leaving  a  son, 
Clarence,  who  has  been  reared  by  his  grandfather,  while  the  father  married 
again,  Frances  Winrod,  of  Galesburg,  becoming  his  wife.  Herbert,  who  is  an 
operator  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  at  Galesburg,  married  Delia 
Hanson  and  has  three  children,  Arthur,  Delos  and  Erma.  Albert,  the  youngest 
of  the  family,  is  now  nineteen  years  of  age.  Emma  died  when  but  nine  months 
of  age. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Altona  and 
are  prominent  representatives  of  the  people  of  their  nationality  who  have  done 
so  much  for  the  upbuilding  and  improvement  of  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 


;4'-:  EDWIN  P.  WILLIAMSON.     ;;;; 

Equally  capable  of  pursuing  business  enterprises  and  farming,  Edwin  P. 
Williamson  has  established  for  himself  a  reputation  that  is  known  throughout 
Knox  county.  Agriculturists  know  him  for  his  success  both  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  was  born  March  13,  1870,  on  the  old  homestead,  where 
he  now  resides  and  where  the  old  home  still  stands.  His  father,  William  Wil- 
liamson, was  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  October  lo,  1833.  When  seven'teen 
years  old  he  accompanied  his  parents,  Olof  and  Margaret  Olofson  to  America. 


•'''.<•-      .*'-•••     '  -    '-^     .  .   •'.     ., .       '  ;, 


X 

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X 


686  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

miller's  trade,  but  during  the  greater  part  of  his  life  followed  farming  in  Sweden 
and  also  acted  as  custodian  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church.  He  married  Tina 
Morganson.  who  was  born  in  i8io  and  was  a  daughter  of  Swan  Morganson. 
The  death  of  Swan  Abrahamson.  Jr.,  occurred  in  1874,  while  his  wife  survived 
him  until  1879.  In  their  family  were  eight  children,  of  whom  three  are  now 
living:  Charles;  John,  who  is  a  resident  of  Kewanee,  Illinois;  and  Stena,  the 
wife  of  John  Johnson,  of  Iowa. 

The  educational  opportunities  of  Charles  Abrahamson  were  quite  limited 
owing  to  the  necessity  of  providing  for  his  own  support  at  an  early  age.  He 
followed  the  miller's  trade  for  four  years,  working  in  the  employ  of  others,  and 
in  1872,  upon  attaining  his  majority,  came  alone  to  the  new  world,  making  his 
way  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years. 
He  then  took  up  railroading,  which  he  followed  for  seven  years,  and  in  1882  he 
came  to  Altona.  He  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroad  for  thirty-si.x  years  and  has  been  foreman  for  twenty-nine 
years.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  service  of  the  company  on  the  Illinois 
division  and  his  faithfulness  and  capability  are  indicated  in  his  long  retention 
by  the  company.  '  : 

Mr.  Abrahamson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caroline  Swanson,  who  was 
born  in  the  same  part  of  Sweden  as  her  husband,  her  natal  day  being  May  4, 
1847.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Swan  Peterson  and  came  to  America  a  year  after 
the  arrival  of  Mr.  Abrahamson,  settling  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  they 
were  married.  Unto  them  have  been  born  six  children.  August,  who  is  now  a 
train  dispatcher  at  .Aurora,  Illinois,  married  Teckla  Thumrod,  of  Sterling,  Illinois, 
and  has  two  children,  Ruth  and  ^Malcolm.  Helma  is  the  wife  of  Alf  Xorene 
and  has  three  children,  Edna,  Theodore  and  Harold.  Oscar,  an  operator  at 
Galesburg,  lost  his  first  wife,  Mrs.  Grace  Abrahamson,  who  died  leaving  a  son, 
Clarence,  who  has  been  reared  by  his  grandfather,  while  the  father  married 
again,  Frances  Winrod,  of  Galesburg,  becoming  his  wife.  Herbert,  who  is  an 
operator  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  at  Galesburg,  married  Delia 
Hanson  and  has  three  children,  Arthur,  Delos  and  Erma.  Albert,  the  youngest 
of  the  family,  is  now  nineteen  years  of  age.  Emma  died  when  but  nine  months 
of  age. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Altona  and 
are  prominent  representatives  of  the  people  of  their  nationality  who  have  done 
so  much  for  the  upbuilding  and  improvement  of  the  northern  part  of  the  county. 


•  V  EDWIN  P.  WILLIAMSON.  • 

Equally  capable  of  pursuing  business  enterprises  and  farming,  Edwin  P, 
Williamson  has  established  for  himself  a  reputation  that  is  known  throughout 
Knox  county.  Agriculturists  know  him  for  his  success  both  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  was  born  March  13,  1870,  on  the  old  homestead,  where 
he  now  resides  and  where  the  old  home  still  stands.  His  father,  William  Wil- 
liamson, was  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  October  lo,  1833.  When  seven'teen 
years  old  he  accompanied  his  parents,  Olof  and  Margaret  Olofson  to  America. 


X 

7. 


X 
X 


'  :5;'-  ^         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;;•:•;  689      l^'^^V- 

William  Williamson  was  one  of  six  children  that  grew  up,  namely:    Jonas,  who       -; .  ^. 
died  in  1893;  Peter,  who  lives  at  Chariton,  Iowa;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  W.  C.  •;  '  •' 

Olson;  Moses,  who  lives  in  Galesburg;  and  John,  who  died  in  the  Civil  war,  a       --rV- 
soldier  from  Knox  county.     They  located  in   Sparta  township,   Knox  county,       j. 
Illinois,  in  1850,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming.     In  1854  William  Wil-          . 
lianison  bought  a  part  of  the  farm  on  which  his  son  Edwin  now  lives  and  which       .  ;.    • 
has  remained  in  the  family  ever  since.    He  was  a  remarkable  man,  a  fact  patent       '   ;  '  ^  " 
enough,  when  one  considers  the  manifold  business  and  commercial  enterprises          :^  ;S 
in  which  he  was  the  prime  initiator  and  which  were  closely  connected  with  the          ; 
development  and  growth  of  the  economic  life  of  varied  and  widely  scattered       '/. 
'  communities  at  various  times.    He  conducted  a  general  mercantile  business  in 
Moline,  Illinois;  he  owned  a  flour  mill  at  Qay  Center,  Kansas;  in  partnership       -'v  •  ' 
with  his  brother  he  owned  the  Wataga  Flour  Mill,  one  of  the  oldest  flour  mills  .  ':,  . 

in  Knox  county;  he  was  a  stockholder  in  the  Galesburg  National  Bank  and  in        ':;.:; 
the  Bank  of  Galesburg ;  with  his  son,  L.  O.  Williamson,  he  managed  a  store  at 
Galesburg  and  gave  liberally  for  the  encouragement  of  other  business  enter-  .  :   " 

prises.     He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  at  Wataga.        :  >.- 
In  politics  he  was  a  loyal  worker  for  the  republican  party  and  served  as  school         I     ; 
trustee  and  as  commissioner  of  highways.     In  1903  he  removed  from  the  farm         ^; .    /    : 
in  Sparta  township  to  Wataga,  where  he  died  on  February  13,  1906.     His  wife,       •     •>    , 
the  mother  of  Edwin  P.  Williamson,  was  formerly  Katharine  Olson,  who  was       .;  •     ' 
bom  in  Sweden,  April  7,  1836,  and  died  December  ii,  1908.     Her  father,  Lars       '  :V    - 
Olson,  brought  his  family  to  America  in  1849  and  settled  in  Sparta  township.  .  ' 

Mrs.  Williamson  was  one  of  a  family  of  four,  namely:     Martha,  the  wife  of        ?:; 
Oliver  Stream,  of  Sparta  township;  Lars  W.  Olson,  who  died  in   1907;  and  '  ' 

William,  who  died  in  the  Civil  war,  a  soldier  from  Knox  county.  •  , 

On  September  28,  1855,  William  Williamson  married  Katharine  Olson,  a  «  .  ' 
daughter  of  Lars  and  Katharine  Olson,  and  to  them  were  born  ten  children,  of  '.,''  = 
whom  only  five  are  living  at  the  present  time.  Mary  J.  was  married  to  A.  B.  . 

Danielson  on  October  22,  1875.    She  died  on  the  5th  of  February,  1885,  leaving          •-; , 
three  children,  Arthur,  William  and  George.    J.  Henry  married  Natalie  Byloff  on          v.  .'  '  ' 
March  22,  1894,  and  in  their  family  are  five  children,  George,  Grace,  Raymond,          •-  ^ .    . 
Harold  and  Louise.    M.  Amelia  was  united  in  marriage  on  September  3,  1885,  to  '   '  • 

the  Rev.  A.  F.  Nelson.    Her  demise  took  place  on  the  26th  of  January,  1890,  and        ;     ' 
she  is  survived  by  two  children,  Blenda  and  Ernst.     Lars  O.  married  Mary  C.-  •   •: 
Swanson  on  September  17,  1885.     He  died  December  30,  1891,  and  his  widow        -.    '  : 
survived  him  until  June  i6,  1902.     Amanda  C.  is  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth.  ' 

Martha  E.  passed  away  January  5,  1882.    The  next  in  order  of  birth  is  Edwin        t::\^    x 
P.,  whose  name  appears  at  the  head  of  this  review.     George  E.  died  February  y     .;    !     L 
12,  1894.    Frederick  L.  was  married  on  April  ii,  1900,  to  Miss  Daisy  V.  Wick- /%/-.., 
Strom  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  Maurice,  Martha  and  Inga-'         •;  v 
borg.     Alvin  L.,  the  youngest  member  of  the  family,  married  on  December  i,  '    I, 
1909,  .Miss  Lena  McKee.     On  September  28,  1905,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson         ••    .  ^    ' 
celebrated  the  fiftieth  Anniversary  of  their  wedding.     The  immediate   family- 
and  a  number  of  distant  relatives  and  devoted  friends  gathered  at  the  old  farm  V  ^^ 

home  round  the  festive  board  and  later  on  a  group  picture  of  the  golden  wedding        ^    >:•  -' 
guests  was  taken,  which  appears  in  connection  with  this  sketch.     Later  in  the  • 


ToL 


690  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

afternoon  two  receptions  were  held  at  the  town  home  by  the  worthy  couple, 
which  were  largely  attended. 

After  the  usual  schooling  in  the  elementary  branches  taught  in  the  district 
schools,  Edwin  P.  Williamson  began  his  career  as  a  clerk  in  his  father's  store 
in  Moline.  He  remained  there  two  years  and  in  1889  went  home  and  farmed 
for  the  next  four  years.  At  the  death  of  his  brother  George  he  took  charge  of 
the  Wataga  Flour  Mill,  which  he  managed  successfully  for  two  years.  He  then 
engaged  again  in  farming  in  Henderson  township,  where  he  remained  four 
years,  until  in  1903  he  removed  to  the  old  homestead  in  Sparta  township.  Here 
he  has  lived  since  that  time,  taking  charge  of  the  management  of  the  farm  when 
his  father  retired  and  continuing  the  work  after  his  death.  His  agricultural 
labors  have  met  with  unusual  success,  a  fact  attested  by  the  flourishing  condition 
of  the  farm  and  the  generous  profits  which  accrue  therefrom.  He  is  also  a 
director  of  the  Wataga  State  Bank. 

On  March  22,  1899,  Miss  Lavinnie  E.  Olson  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to 
Edwin  P.  Williamson.  She  was  born  in  1871,  in  Sparta  township,  Knox  county. 
Her  father  was  Jonas  Olson,  a  native  of  Sweden,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1856 
and  made  his  home  in  Sparta  township,  east  of  Wataga.  His  death  occurred  in 
1909.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Williamson,  was  Anna  Catherine  Danielson 
before  her  marriage.  She  was  born  May  22,  1852,  and  died  in  i88i.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Betsy  (Brita)  Danielson,  of  whom  the  latter  is  still 
living,  being  in  her  eighty-sixth  year. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson  were  born  the  following  children :  Eva  Cath- 
erine and  Andrew  William,  twins,  deceased ;  Ruth  Amelia,  bom  January  27, 
1907 ;  and  Amanda  Pauline,  born  May  i6,  1909.  Mr.  Williamson  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Wataga,  in  which  he  holds  the 
office  of  trustee.  His  political  preference  is  for  the  republican  party.  He  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  two  terms  and  for  two  years  was  high- 
way commissioner.  Ever  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  community,  he  spares 
no  efforts  in  promoting  its  advancement  and  encouraging  its  progressive  spirit, 
which  is  one  of  its  marked  characteristics.  .  .  .  _. 


:-    ^  PETER  McKISSOCK.         '•  V  ^  : 

•  Peter  McKissock  is  a  farmer  and  mail  agent  of  Walnut  Grove  township. 
He  was  born  in  Wistonshire,  Scotland,  on  November  24,  1848,  and  traces  his 
ancestry  back  to  David  McKissock,  his  great-grandfather,  who  was  a  farmer 
of  that  county.  He  married  a  member  of  the  McGaw  family  and  they  became 
parents  of  Hendry  McKissock,  who  was  cavalryman  during  the  Napoleonic  wars. 
He,  too,  followed  farming  as  his  life  work  and  passed  away  in  1870  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-four  years.  His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Jeanette  McWilliam,  died  in  1856  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  Their  son,  James 
McKissock,  father  of  Peter  McKissock  of  this  review,  was  engaged  in  the  dairy 
business  and  in  farming.  He  married  Elizabeth  Hogg,  who  died  in  1850,  when 
but  twenty-two  years  of  age,  leaving  Peter  McKissock  an  only  child.  The 
father  afterward  married  again,  his  second  union  being  with  Sarah  Pringle, 


^/    'V  ^  ^  ;    'f      V;;.    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .   ;:  V  •    ;   ^       691 

who  is  still  living  in  Scotland.  By  the  second  marriage  there  were  two  sons 
and  one  daughter,  all  of  whom  yet  reside  in  the  land  of  the  heather.  The 
father,  James  McKissock,  passed  away  in  1880  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years. 

Following  his  mother's  death  Pet^er  McKissock  went  to  live  with  his  grand- 
mother and  after  her  demise  spent  his  days  with  a  cousin  until  he  came  to 
America  in  1871.  He  made  his  way  first  to  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
was  employed  at  general  work  in  a  lead  factory.  He  was  next  engaged  in  a 
glass  warehouse,  where  he  continued  until  he  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  in 
1876.  He  located  at  Altona  as  manager  of  the  Mclntosh  farm,  remaining  in 
charge  for  two  years.  He  afterward  rented  a  part  of  the  farm  and  cultivated 
it  for  five  years  and  later  he  came  to  his  present  home  farm,  where  he  now 
carries  on  general  agricultural  pursuits.  It  is  a  well  developed  property  of  one 
hundred  acres  and  he  has  brought  his  fields  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

In  1877  Mr.  McKissock  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Lawrence, 
who  was  born  in  Beaver,  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Milton  Lawrence, 
who  served  several  terms  as  associate  judge  of  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  McFerran. 

.  Mr.  McKissock  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Oneida  and  a 
very  active  worker  thereof.  For  years  he  has  served  as  one  of  the  elders  of 
the  church  and  was  formerly  clerk  of  the  sessions  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Altona.  For  nine  years  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  of 
Walnut  Grove  township  and  he  does  everything  in  his  power  to  promote  the 
growth  of  the  church  and  its  kindred  interests.  In  1910  he  made  a  visit  to  his 
old  home  in  Scotland,  where  he  remained  for  a  period  of  two  months.  While 
en  route  he  visited  the  world's  Sunday  school  convention  at  Washington,  to 
which  he  was  sent  as  a  delegate,  having  been  appointed  by  the  state  committee 
of  the  state  association.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  on  the  i6th  of 
November,  1902,  he  was  made  rural  mail  carrier  out  of  Altona  and  has  since 
served  in  that  connection.  He  was  also  elected  justice  of  the  peace  of  Walnut 
Grove  township,  which  position  he  filled  for  four  years,  and  he  has  also  served 
on  the  Altona  library  board,  having  been  one  of  its  first  directors  and  was  one 
of  the  book  committee  that  put  in  the  first  books  for  the  library.  His  coopera- 
tion can  always  be  counted  upon  to  further  any  progressive  public  movement 
and  his  labors  are  a  substantial  element  for  growth  and  improvement.  His  own 
life  is  actuated  by  high  ideals  and  those  who  know  him  entertain  for  him  the 
warm  regard  which  is  ever  given  in  recognition  of  honorable,  upright  manhood 


••    V-:,    :.'^  •;/'--';';    DR.  FRANK  CHAPMAN.   '     \  -.  '/'V^'-'v  •,••:..':.•-.;;;: 

Dr.  Frank  Chapman,  who  for  the  past  twelve  years  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  osteopathy  in  Galesburg,  was  born  in  Spring  Grove 
township.  Warren  county,  Illinois,  on  the  5th  of  May,  1871.  He  is  a  son  of 
A.  A.  and  Ann  M.  (Buck)  Chapman,  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York  and  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Norman  Ward,  who  is  living  in  Portland.  Oregon: 
Isa,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Charles  Owens  of  Chattanooga,  Tennessee;  and  Frank, 
our  subject.  A.  A.  Chapman  was  reared  in  Cayuga  county.  New  York,  and 


692  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    "^       V,    ."V^ 

there  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  after  leaving  school,  until  he  was   . 
twenty-two  years  of  age.    In  1856  he  left  the  Empire  state  and  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  Warren  county,  where  for  many  years  he  was  actively  engaged  in  - 
farming.    He  passed  away  in  Galesburg  in  1908,  at  the  age  of  seventy- four  years, 
but  the  mother  is  still  living  although  she  has  celebrated  the  seventy-fifth  anni- 
versary of   her  birth.     The   paternal  grandparents   were   Orson   and   Rebecca  . 
(Gifford)  Chapman,  whose  family  numbered  eight:     Orson  G.,  Olean,  Alexan- 
der A.,  Harriet,  Sophia,  Kate,  Abbie  and  Esther.    The  grandfather  was  a  native 
of  Connecticut,  but  he  subsequently  removed  to  the  state  of  New  York,  where   - 
he  engaged  in  farming  until  age  compelled  his  retirement.     He  passed  away 
when  he  was  seventy-six,  but  the  grandmother  was  eighty-eight  at  the  time  of   • 
her  death.     The  maternal  grandparents  were  Norman  and  Maria  Buck,  and  to  - 
them  were  born  six  daughters :    Adeline,  Allura,  Emily,  Ann  M.,  Elizabeth  and  . 
Ellen.     Mr.  Buck  was  in  middle  life  when  called  to  his  final  rest,  but  she  lived 
to  attain  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-five  years.  : 

The  youthful  years  of  Dr.  Frank  Chapman  were  passed  upon  the  farm, 
where  he  was  born  in  Warren  county.  At  the  usual  age  he  entered  the  district 
schools  but  later  went  to  Lombard  College,  where  he  was  prepared  for  the  State 
University.  After  leaving  the  latter  institution  he  returned  to  the  farm,  de- 
voting his  entire  time  and  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  1897.  In  the 
latter  year  together  with  his  wife  he  went  to  Kirksville,  Missouri,  where  they 
studied  osteopathy.  They  were  awarded  their  degrees  in  February,  1899,  and 
immediately  thereafter  returned  to  Illinois,  establishing  an  office  in  Galesburg 
that  they  have  ever  since  maintained.  Both  Dr.  Chapman  and  his  wife  are  very 
well  equipped  for  their  work  in  every  way,  their  preliminary  preparation  hav- 
ing been  most  thorough  as  well  as  their  professional  course.  They  are  practical 
and  also  progressive  in  their  ideas,  and  have  most  ably  and  satisfactorily  dem- 
onstrated their  skill  during  the  period  of  their  residence  in  Galesburg.  Their 
efforts  have  met  with  very  good  results  and  they  have  succeeded  in  building  up 
a  large  and  lucrative  practice,  many  of  their  patients  representing  the  best  ,. 
families  of  the  city. 

On  the  6th  of  November,  1895,  Dr.  Chapman  was  married  to  Miss  Ada  P.    . 
Hinckley,  a  native  of  Galesburg  and  a  daughter  of  Charles  A.  and  Clarissa  N.    • 
(Root)   Hinckley.  Dr.  Ada  Chapman  was  reared  in  this  city,  and  after  com- 
pleting the  public  schools  she  entered  Knox  College,  from  which  institution  she 
was  graduated  in  1891.      She  subsequently  taught  in  the  training  school  of  Gales- 
burg and  also  in  the  country  schools  until  her  marriage.     Her  parents  were    ' 
natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  her  father  having  come  from  Elmira  and  her 
mother  from  Camden.     Mrs.  Hinckley  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Galesburg, 
having  accompanied  her  father  on  his  removal  here  in  1836.     She  has  now  at- 
tained the  age  of  eighty  years,  and  has  passed  practically  her  entire  life  in  this 
city.     Mr.  Hinckley  came  west  in  1846,  locating  in  Knoxville.     He  was  a  well 
known  farmer  of  Knox  county,  but  was  living  retired  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  I5th  of  October,  1910,  in  Galesburg,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
five  years.     The  paternal  grandparents  of  Dr.  Ada  Chapman  were  Alfred  and     ' 
Eliza   (Stanley)   Hinckley,  who  migrated  here  in  the  pioneer  period  and  lived 
to  attain  a  ripe  old  age,  he  being  eighty-seven  at  the  time  of  his  death.     Six 
children  were  bom  to  them:     Charles  A.,  Mary  E.,  George  W.,  William  S., 


,-:          -;  •    ^       --.;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  , :  'C;  ' ;       693 

Harriet  and  Francis  E.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  Riley  and  Lavinia' 
(Butler)  Root.  They  were  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  and  resided  at 
Camden,  that  state,  until  her  death,  when  he  removed  to  Knox  county,  where  he 
passed  his  latter  years.  She  was  quite  young  at  the  time  of  her  death,  but  he 
lived  to  the  age  of  seventy-six.  Five  children  were  born  to  them,  but  only  two 
lived  to  attain  maturity :  Clarissa  Noble  and  Dency  E. 

Fraternally  Dr.  Frank  Chapman  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  and  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  while  his  political 
allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  Although  Dr.  Frank  Chapman  is 
one  of  the  public-spirited  and  progressive  citizens  of  Galesburg,  always  being 
ready  to  assist  in  forwarding  every  movement  that  he  deems  at  all  likely  to 
redound  to  the  benefit  of  the  community  at  large,  he  does  not  prominently  par- 
ticipate in  political  affairs.  He  feels  that  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  his 
profession  make  it  practically  obligatory  for  him  to  devote  his  entire  time  and 
attention  to  his  practice,  in  which  he  is  meeting  with  such  excellent  success. 


;        ;::./;.-   -:  ;:  ..;  ;-'!/  SUMMERFIELD  MOATS.  :{  ;  •-^;^-X':  :V.X 

Summerfield  Moats,  who  for  the  past  fifteen  years  has  been  living  retired  in 
Hermon,  has  since  his  early  youth  been  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests 
of  Knox  county.  His  birth  occurred  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  on  the  8th  of 
July,  1845,  his  parents  being  Joseph  and  Hannah  (James)  Moats,  natives  of 
Maryland,  the  father  having  been  born  in  1794  and  the  mother  in  i8oi.  Agri- 
cultural pursuits  always  engaged  the  attention  of  Mr.  Moats,  who  took  up  his 
residence  in  Ohio  with  his  family  during  the  pioneer  days.  After  living  there 
for  some  years  he  again  started  westward,  Illinois  being  his  destination.  Knox 
county  was  then  but  sparsely  settled,  and  contained  large  tracts  of  government 
.land,  covered  with  native  timber,  while  there  were  acres  of  prairie  still  un- 
broken. Mr.  Moats  bought  one  hundred  and  ninety-three  acres  of  land,  erecting 
thereon  the  necessary  buildings  and  together  with  his  wife  began  the  hardships 
and  privations  of  pioneer  life.  Their  courage  never  faltered  and  while  he  was 
busily  engaged  in  converting  his  place  into  a  productive  farm,  she  was  lending 
him  every  assistance  by  her  capable  direction  of  the  household  affairs  and  the 
rearing  of  her  children.  They  continued  to  live  on  their  homestead  until  their 
death,  having  wielded  an  influence  in  the  community  that  forwarded  its  per- 
manent development  toward  the  highest  standards  of  citizenship  and  social  life. 
In  their  family  were  thirteen  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living.  The 
youngest  member  of  the  family  is  the  son  Summerfield,  our  subject,  and  the 
eldest  now  living  the  daughter,  Cordelia,  who  makes  her  home  in  Hermon.  The 
others  in  order  of  birth  are  as  follows :  Bennett,  who  is  a  resident  of  Colorado 
City,  Colorado;  Josephus,  also  living  in  Hermon;  and  Martin,  who  makes  his 
home  in  Iowa.  One  son,  Luther,  now  deceased,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war. 

It  was  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  county  that  Summerfield  Moats 
received  his  introduction  to  the  elements  of  English  learning.  The  work  there 
begun  was  completed  after  the  family  located  in  Knox  county,  following  which 
he  turned  his  entire  attention  to  farming.  From  his  earliest  boyhood  he  was 


694       :  -^  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .v^-:-- 

trained  for  the  work  which  he  so  successfully  followed  during  the  entire  period  of 
his  active  career.  About  fifteen  years  ago  he  withdrew  from  the  work  of  the  fields, 
to  the  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting  of  which  he  had  for  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  devoted  his  energies.  A  man  of  determination  and  purpose  his 
sound  judgment  and  practical  methods  enabled  him  to  retire,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  now  living  in  Hermon,  enjoying  the  comfort  and  ease  to  which  their 
early  toil  so  justly  entitles  them. 

Knoxville  was  the  scene  in  1871  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Moats  and  Miss 
Emma  Pettingill,  who  was  born  in  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Horace  Pettingill,  a  farmer. 
He  is  now  deceased  as  is  also  the  mother,  Mrs.  Moats  being  the  only  surviving 
member  of  her  family  with  the  exception  of  a  half-brother.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Moats  were  born  six  children,  as  follows :  L.  C.,  of  Colorado  City,  Colorado ; 
S.  E.,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois ;  L.  Edna  Nelson,  of  Los  Angeles,  California ; 
Blanche  Kinney,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois ;  N.  S. ;  and  R.  L.,  who  is  connected  with 
the  Galesburg  Cornice  Works,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Moats  has  always  accorded  to  the  democratic 
party,  but  he  never  actively  participated  in  township  governmental  affairs.  Mrs. 
Moats  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church,  but  he  is  not  identified  with  any 
denomination.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity,  belonging  to 
Hermon  Lodge,  No.  — ,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the  principles  of  this  organization  always 
having  served  as  a  guide  in  the  direction  of  his  life.  -'-;"'.?:-.:. 


•     ';V;--;  ALECK  O.  DONASON.  .v^^:;- ; -' /;  ^  -v  . 

Aleck  O.  Donason  was  one  of  the  well  known  and  highly  successful  agri- 
culturists of  Maquon  township,  owning  at  the  time  of  his  death  four  hundred  . 
acres  of  fine  land.     He  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  on  the   loth  of 
October,  1834.     When  a  lad  of  six  years  he  accompanied  his  parents  who  re-   ; 
moved  from  Ohio  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Knox  county  in  1840.     Here  he  spent.  -: 
the  remainder  of  his  life  with  the  exception  of  one  year  when  he  was  in  Ohio. 

In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  Aleck  O.  Donason  attended  the  common 
schools,  after  the  completion  of  which  he  entered  Lombard  College  at  Gales- 
burg. Reared  on  a  farm,  naturally  he  chose  agriculture  for  his  vocation  when 
ready  to  begin  his  independent  career.  His  first  purchase  of  land  was  an  eighty- 
acre  tract,  upon  which  he  subsequently  erected  a  fine  brick  residence,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death.  A  man  of  tireless  energy  and  keen  judgment  he  so  intelli- 
gently directed  his  operations,  that  he  met  with  good  financial  returns  and  ex- 
tended his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  they  aggregated  four  hundred  acres. 

On  the  nth  of  March,  1853,  Mr.  Donason  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ann  M.  Barbero,  a  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Calista  (Loomis)  Barbero,  natives   • 
of  New  York.     Mrs.  Donason  was  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  state,  her  birth 
having  occurred  in  Onondaga  county,  on  the  Erie  canal,  on  June  9,  1833.     Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Barbero  came  to  Illinois  in  1839,  locating  in  Maquon  township,  where 
he  passed  away  in  January,   1885.     Of  the  union  of  Mr.   and  Mrs.  Barbero   : 
there  were  born  four  children :    Ann  M.,  who  became  Mrs.  Donason ;  Lodema ; 
Henry;  and  John  J.     The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Donason  numbered  seven:  • 
Nathan,  who  is  the  eldest  member  of  the   family,  is  a  resident  of  Maquon. 


-?    :y;^^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /  -^^         095 

Jack  married  Minnie  Sylvester  and  lives  in  Mills,  Nebraska.  Charles  married 
Ada  D.  Simpkins  and  is  living  in  Spokane,  Washington.  Calista  G.  became  the 
wife  of  Samuel  Love  and  is  now  residing  in  Idaho.  Fred,  who  is  living  on  the 
old  homestead,  married  Mattie  Simpkins  and  they  have  had  nine  children,  six 
of  whom  are  living  as  follows.  Carl,  Aleck,  Ada,  Kozel,  Mattie  and  Calista; 
those  deceased  are  Edith,  Emma  and  Florence.  Frank  married  Arra  Holloway 
and  lives  north  of  town.  Katie,  the  youngest  of  the  family,'  is  deceased.  Mrs. 
Donason  is  still  living  and  is  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  land,  one  and 
a  half  miles  south  of  Maquon.  ':<-,.•;'• 

Mr.  Donason  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  while  his  political 
support  he  gave  to  the  democratic  party.  He  was  a  public-spirited  man  and 
always  took  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  governmental  matters  and  at  one 
time  most  efficiently  filled  the  office  of  county  supervisor.  He  was  of  an  in- 
ventive turn  of  mind  and  quite  an  adept  in  machinery,  being  the  first  to  con- 
struct a  road  grader  in  this  county.  He  passed  away  at  Eureka  Springs,  October 
6,  1880,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Maquon  cemetery,  deeply  mourned  not  only 
in  his  immediate  family  but  by  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances,  who  held  him 
in  hi^  esteem,  -v. :;_..,  '  ;"^  ;'•;•;• 'V-"- V-",.v'v'  ,•;•.:••..•/  '  /  X  •';•;•-;••-. -'^  '  >;• 


^  ;.       .  I  -    :         V  •  7     ELIAS  J.  KJELLANDER.  .;:  . .  v\         i'}:';;  :;;  i"-'"i :; 

Representatives  of  foreign  countries  are  doing  much  toward  peopling  the  . 
great  middle  west  and  among  them  are  many  Germans  and  Swedes  who,  by 
their  energy  and  industry,  have  developed  productive  farms  and  have  thereby 
added  greatly  to  the  country's  wealth.  Among  this  number  is  Elias  J.  Kjellander, 
whose  name  indicates  his  foreign  origin.  He  was  born  in  Sweden,  on  the  7th 
of  February,  1844.  In  his  native  land  Mr.  Kjellander  was  reared  and  educated 
in  its  public  schools,  also  attending  college  for  a  time,  and  there  continued  to 
dwell  until  i88i,  in  which  year  he  came  to  the  United  States,  determined  to  . 
seek  here  the  opportunities  which  he  had  heard  were  open  to  those  possessing  V 
ambition,  industry  and  perseverance.  That  these  qualities  were  not  foreign 
to  his  nature  was  soon  manifest  in  the  determination  with  which  he  at  once  set 
himself  to  earning  his  livelihood  in  a  strange  land,  amid  strange  people  and 
customs.  He  labored  for  some  time  and  the  spirit  of  thrift,  which  is  the  birth- 
right of  the  Swedish  nation,  was  strong  within  him  and  eventually  he  succeeded 
to  establish  himself  independently  as  a  farmer.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  sections  14  and  15,  Cedar  township,  and  to  its 
development  and  improvement  he  has  since  devoted  his  energies.  As  the  years 
have  passed  prosperity  has  attended  his  efforts  and  he  now  has  well  cultivated 
fields  which  annually  return  abundant  harvests  as  a  reward  for  the  care  and 
labor  expended  upon  them. 

In  1884  Mr.  Kjellander  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Antoinette  Johnson,  . 
a  native  of  Sweden,  who  in  1864  came  to  America  in  company  with  her  parents, 
both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  They  located  in  Galesburg,  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  where  their  remaining  days  were  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kjellander  have  been  born  four  sons,  as  follows:  Everett 
and  Anton,  both  residing  in  Canada;  Justus,  who  lives  in  Warren  county, 


696         ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :    :•'<        ^    t       • 

Illinois ;  and  Frederick,  who  resides  at  home  and  assists  his  father  in  his  farm- 
ing interests.  The  family  are  all  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church, 
and  are  highly  respected  throughout  the  community  in  which  they  live,  for 
their  many  excellent  traits  of  character.  Since  naturalization  bestowed  upon 
Mr.  Kjellander  the  privileges  of  citizenship  he  has  given  his  political  allegiance 
to  the  republican  party  and  of  the  interests  and  institutions  of  his  adopted 
country  he  has  ever  been  a  stalwart  supporter.  He  has  had  no  occasion  to 
regret  his  determination  to  seek  his  fortune  in  this  country,  for  here  he  has 
found  the  opportunities  which  he  sought  and  in  their  wise  utilization  has  won 
creditable  success. 


y,.,;:;;-.,  THOMPSON  L.  ROUTH.       ;    :•  ,^ 

Included  in  the  number  of  Illinois'  prosperous  husbandmen  is  Thompson  L. 
Routh,  an  inhabitant  of  Knox  county  for  many  years.  His  grandparents,  John 
and  Nancy  (Moon)  Routh  lived  in  Ohio,  where  his  father,  Joseph  M.  Routh, 
was  born,  January  22,  1813,  and  where  Thompson  L.  was  bom,  April  21,  1850.  In 
the  general  emigrations  from  Ohio  westward  during  the  middle  decades  of  the 
nineteenth  century  the  Routh  family  joined  the  moving  current  of  population. 
The  grandfather  had  died  of  the  cholera  in  Ohio,  but  the  grandmother,  Nancy 
Morris,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Joseph  M.  Routh,  with  the  others,  traveling  in 
wagons,  came  to  Knox  county.  They  paused  for  awhile  in  Hermon  and  then 
settled  on  a  farm  which  the  father,  Joseph  M.  Routh,  purchased  on  section  19 
of  Chestnut  township  in  the  fall  of  1852.  There  he  lived  all  his  life  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  years  when  he  made  London  Mills,  Illinois,  his  home.  His 
wife,  the  mother  of  Thompson  L.  Routh,  in  her  maidenhood  bore  the  name 
Rutisha  Morris.  Her  people  lived  in  Virginia  at  the  time  of  her  birth.  Her 
marriage  to  Mr.  Routh  was  blessed  with  the  birth  of  four  children,  of  whom 
Thompson  L.  is  the  only  one  surviving.  The  others  were :  Cornelius,  who  died 
in  1868;  Thomas  James,  who  served  one  year  in  the  Seventh  Illinois  Cavalry 
and  died  in  1896;  and  an  infant  child  that  died  in  its  first  year.  The  mother 
lived  to  be  eighty-seven  years  old,  passing  away  at  the  home  of  her  son  in  1904. 
Her  husband  had  attained  nearly  the  same  age,  his  death  having  occurred  in 
1899  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  They  are  buried  side  by  side  in  the  Hermon 
cemetery. 

Thompson  L.  Routh  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm,  working  in  the  fields 
from  the  time  he  was  old  enough  to  handle  a  plow.  He  attended  the  district 
schools  of  the  vicinity.  When  he  was  twenty-one  years  old  he  located  on  section 
19,  where  he  devoted  himself  to  thorough  farming  according  to  the  efficient 
methods  in  which  his  father  had  trained  him.  He  chose  for  a  helpmate  Miss 
Mary  C.  Leigh,  to  whom  he  was  married  the  following  year,  in  1872.  She  was 
born  August  6,  1853,  ^^  the  place  where  she  now  resides.  Her  parents  were 
Clark  and  Sally  (Long)  Leigh,  the  father  a  native  of  Gallia  county,  Ohio,  where 
he  was  born  March  2,  1831.  In  1836  his  father  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
on  horseback  to  look  over  the  ground  with  the  view  of  locating  here.  Being  im- 
pressed with  the  promising  growth  of  the  agricultural  prospects  of  this  region, 
he  returned  to  Ohio  and  brought  his  family  by  wagon  to  Illinois.  They  settled 


;         :;•    :     :^        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .  j..':^^5;-:.       697 

near  Hermon.  They  were  accompanied  thither  by  the  Leigh  family  whose  an- 
cestors had  been  English.  Archibald  Long,  Mrs.  Thompson's  maternal  grand- 
father, was  an  exhorter  and  had  a  church  in  his  home  until  the  small  congrega- 
tion which  came  to  worship  there  had  raised  the  means  with  which  to  erect  a 
church,  when  he  contributed  the  lot  upon  which  it  was  built,— the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  Hermon,— and  where  it  still  stands.  He  also  laid  out  the 
town  of  Hermon.  Here-  her  father  grew  to  manhood  and  after  his  marriage  set 
up  his  household  in  a  cottage  on  the  site,  where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  L. 
Routh  now  live.  Later  they  built  a  large,  comfortable  home,  living  in  this  until 
their  deaths.  Mr.  Clark  Leigh's  death  occurred  in  1866  and  his  wife  passed  away 
on  April  2,  1911,  having  on  March  7,  1888,  married  D.  W.  Shaflfer.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dark  Leigh  are  buried  at  Hermon.  They  had  two  children,  Curtis  A.,  a 
merchant  tailor  in  Chicago  and  Mary  C.,  the  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
Mary  C.  Leigh  received  her  education  in  the  country  schools  near  her  home  and 
at  Hedding  College,  and  after  completing  her  schooling  she  remained  at  home 
until  her  marriage.  She  became  the  mother  of  two  children :  J.  Arthur,  whose 
sketch  is  included  in  this  volume;  and  Bessie  Leigh,  born  February  14,  1886, 
and  died  August  20,  1896.  .X  '  • 

For  the  past  two  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  L.  Routh  have  been  living 
in  the  home  once  occupied  by  the  latter's  father.  They  began  their  married 
life  on  section  19,  Chestnut  township,  where  they  lived  in  a  modest  cottage  for 
several  years.  The  farm  on  section  19,  consisting  of  eighty  acres  of  valuable 
land  is  still  owned  by  Mr.  Routh.  His  wife  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  as  well  as  forty  acres  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Routh  and  his  wife  are  both  faithful  church  workers,  the  latter  is  the 
treasurer  of  the  Methodist  church  and  for  years  was  steward ;  the  former  is 
elder  and  deacon  in  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Routh  is  a  republican.  For 
four  years  he  served  as  town  clerk  and  at  present  is  assessor  of  his  township. 
For  his  adherence  to  high  moral  principles  and  his  uprightness  in  his  business 
dealings  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  exemplary  men  of  his  community. 


',.  ,"''"''•:•"  ;.^':;'/:-">:,:;^\-V-:N.  JOHN  LARSON.  V;..'^';\  / \r-:;-rJ:w:^v^":- ^^- 

N.  John  Larson,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  on  section  32,  Knox  township, 
where  he  owns  and  cultivates  a  good  tract  of  land,  was  born  in  Sweden,  May  7, 
1843,  and  his  parents,  Lars  Frederick  and  Johanna  (Nelson)  Larson,  were  also 
natives  of  that  country.  The  hope  of  finding  better  conditions  of  life  and  broader 
opportunities  led  them  to  the  new  world  and  their  last  years  were  spent  in 
America.  Their  family  numbered  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  namely:  Mrs. 
Emily  Walters,  a  resident  of  Fort  Madison,  Iowa ;  Mrs.  Qara  R.  Johnson,  whose 
home  is  in  this  county;  N.  John,  of  this  review;  Franz  A.,  a  resident  of  Oregon, 
and  Mrs.  Augusta  M.  Benkson,  whose  home  is  in  Dorchester,  Nebraska. 

N.  John  Larson  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Sweden  and  in  the 
school  of  experience  has  also  learned  many  valuable  lessons.  He  worked  on  a 
farm  in  his  native  land  until  1869  and  then  came  to  America,  landing  at  New 
York,  whence  he  made  his  way  direct  to  Chicago.  There  he  continued  for  a 


698  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

V  •*  -3'    '    *      .   "I 

•  •.'.'•  V'..'.'.'--  ', 

short  time  but  afterward  went  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  later  removed  to  Missouri, 
where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  several  years  and  was  also  employed  on 
the  railroad.  Since  1875  he  has  resifl'^d  continuously  in  Knox  county,  and  his 
time  and  energies  have  been  largely  'o  general  agricultural  pursuits,  his 

labors  being  crowned  with  a  substanti?  ire  of  success. 

On  the  1st  of  June,  1876,  Mr.  Lar  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Knoxville, 
to  Miss  Emma  Gustine,  who  was  bo  -n  in  Sweden,  November  25,  1854,  and 
came  to  the  new  world  in  1859.  Mr.  nd  Mrs.  Larson  have  become  parents  of 
eleven  children,  of  whom  ten  are  yel  living,  their  second  daughter,  Clara  L., 
having  passed  away.  The  others  are  John  Albert,  Louise,  Olivia,  Esther,  Edith, 
Gertrude,  Frank,  Herman,  Carl  and  Marie.  Of  these,  John  Albert  is  married  and 
lives  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  with  his  wife  and  three  children,  Edna,  Louise  and 
Marion.  Olivia  is  the  wife  of  George  Peterson,  of  Galesburg.  Edith  became  the 
wife  of  Titus  Endburg,  of  Galesburg,  and  they  have  one  child,  Herman.  Esther 
is  the  wife  of  Clarence  Johnson,  also  of  Galesburg. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Larson  is  a  Lutheran,  holding  membership  in  the 
Swedish  Mission  church  of  Galesburg.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret 
his  determination  to  come  to  America,  for  while  earnest  labor  has  been  his  lot, 
he  here  found  the  opportunities  which  he  sought  and  through  their  improve- 
ment has  worked  his  way  steadily  upward  until  he  now  occupies  a  creditable 
position  in  agricultural  circles  and  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm,  which  in  its 
neat  and  thrifty  appearance  indicates  the  careful  supervision  and  practical  methods 
of  him  who  cultivates  it. 


WILLIAM  M.  STOCKDALE. 


\  William  M.   Stockdale  had  a  wide  acquaintance  in  Altona  and  throughout 

.;      the  part  of  the  county  in  which  he  had  lived  and  all  recognized  in  him  a  man  of 

substantial  character,  straightforward  in  his  acts  and  honorable  in  his  purposes. 

His  sterling  characteristics  won  him  high  and  sincere  regard  and  his  death  on 

July  22,  1904,  caused  deep  regret  throughout  the  community.     He  was  born  in 

::  Elkhart,  Indiana,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1844,  his  parents  being  Thomas  and 

Catherine   (Mannington)   Stockdale,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 

.      the  latter  of  Ohio.     The  paternal  grandfather,  Hugh  Stockdale,  was.  a  native 

of  Ireland. 

,  Very  early  in  life  William  Stockdale  removed  to  Goshen,  Indiana,  with  his 

parents  and  on  August  6,  i86i,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Twenty-ninth  Indiana  Infantry  but  was  later  transferred  to  the 
,. .   Military  Band  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  was  in  Company  D,  Second  Indiana 
Cavalry,  and  was  in  all  the  regular  battles  in  which  it  engaged.     In  1865  he 
was  mustered  out  of  service  and  came  direct  to  Altona,  his  parents  having  re- 
.  >  moved  to  that  town  in  the  meantime.    His  first  duties  as  a  boy  were  as  a  painter 
and  decorator.     In  Altona,  however,  he  took  up  the  study  of  pharmacy  while 
.   . '  he  was  employed  for  four  years  in  a  clerical  capacity  by  C.  Ward.    During  this 
time,  because  of  his  quick  and  active  mind,  Mr.  Stockdale  acquired  a  fair  knowl- 
edge not  only  of  the  science  of  drugs  but  also  of  the  art  of  salesmanship.    Sub- 


WILLIAM  M.  STOCKDALE 


698  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

.   •  ',<  '  '- 

short  time  but  afterward  went  to  Qiiincy,  Illinois,  and  later  removed  to  Missouri, 
where  lie  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  several  years  and  was  also  employed  on 

•the  railroad.  Since  1875  he  has  resiH-^d  continuously  in  Knox  county,  and  his 
time  and  energies  have  been  largely  '">  general  agricultural  pursuits,  his 

labors  being  crowned  with  a  substantij'  ire  of  success. 

On  the  1st  of  June,  1876,  Mr.  Lar  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Knoxville, 
to  Miss  Emma  Gustine,  who  was  bo  n  in  Sweden.  \(n-eml)er  ^5,  1854,  and 
came  to  the  new  world  in  1859.  Mr.  nd  Mrs.  Larson  have  become  parents  of 
eleven  children,  of  whom  ten  are  yet  living,  their  second  daughter,  Clara  L., 
having  passed  away.  The  others  are  John  Albert,  Louise,  Olivia,  Esther,  Edith, 
Gertrude,  Frank,  Herman,  Carl  and  Marie.  Of  these,  John  Albert  is  married  and 
lives  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  with  his  wife  and  three  children,  Edna,  Louise  and 
Marion.  Olivia  is  the  wife  of  George  Peterson,  of  Galesburg.  Edith  became  the 
wife  of  Titus  Endburg,  of  Galesburg,  and  they  have  one  child,  Herman.  Esther 
is  the  wife  of  Clarence  Johnson,  also  of  Galesburg. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Larson  is  a  Lutheran,  holding  membership  in  the 
Swedish  Mission  church  of  Galesburg.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to  regret 
his  determination  to  come  to  America,  for  while  earnest  labor  has  been  his  lot, 
he  here  foiuid  the  o]:)portunities  which  he  sought  and  through  their  improve- 

.  ment  has  worked  his  way  steadily  upward  until  he  now  occupies  a  creditable 
position  in  agricultural  circles  and  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm,  which  in  its 
neat  and  tlu'ifty  a])])earance  indicates  the  careful  supervision  and  practical  methods 
of  him  who  cultivates  it. 


:   .  "      .  WILLIAM  M.  STOCKDALE.  ;    .     . 

;  AN'illiam  M.  Stockdale  had  a  wide  ac(|uaintance  in  Altona  and  throughout 
the  part  of  the  county  in  whicli  he  had  lived  and  all  recognized  in  him  a  man  of 
substantial  character,  straightforward  in  his  acts  and  honorable  in  his  jnirposes. 
His  sterling  characteristics  won  liini  high  and  sincere  regard  and  his  death  on 
July  22,  1904,  caused  deep  regret  throughout  the  community.  He  was  born  in 
Elkhart,  Indiana,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1844,  his  parents  being  Thomas  and 
Catherine  (Mannington)  Stockdale,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
the  latter  of  Ohio.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Hugh  Stockdale,  was  a  native 
of  Ireland. 

;.  \'ery  early  in  life  William  Stockdale  removed  to  Goshen,  Indiana,  with  his 
parents  and  on  August  6,  i86i,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Twenty-ninth  Indiana  Infantry  but  was  later  transferred  to  the 
Military  Hand  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  was  in  Company  D,  Second  Indiana 
Cavalry,  and  was  in  all  the  regular  battles  in  which  it  engaged.  In  1865  he 
was  mustered  out  of  service  and  came  direct  to  Altona,  his  parents  having  re- 
moved to  that  town  in  the  meantime.  His  first  <luties  as  a  lx)y  were  as  a  painter 
and  decorator.  In  Altona,  however,  he  took  up  the  study  of  ]iharmacy  while 
he  was  emjiloyed  for  four  years  in  a  clerical  cai)acity  by  C.  Ward.  During  this 
time,  because  of  his  quick  and  active  mind,  Mr.  Stockdale  acquired  a  fair  knowl- 
edge not  only  of  the  science  of  drugs  but  also  of  the  art  of  salesmanship.  Sub- 


\VII.I.I.\M   M.  S'l'dl  KDAI.K 


v:  '  .  ..-    v^^.V:--          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^  701 

sequently,  after  clerking  for  six  years  in  Galva,  Illinois,  he  returned  to  Altona 
and  opened  up  a  drug  store  on  his  own  account,  an  undertaking  in  which  he 
met  with  immediate  success.  He  was  well  known  as  one  of  the  oldest  druggists 
in  northern  Knox  county  and  also  as  one  of  the  most  reliable  pharmacists  in 
his  section.  He  constantly  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  his  profession  and 
kept  up  with  its  progress  and  the  evolution  of  its  science.  In  addition  to  this 
side  of  the  business  he  carried  a  well  selected  line  of  goods  and  his  success  was 
largely  due  to  his  honorable  methods,  earnest  effort  to  please  his  customers  and 
the  attractive  display  of  the  drugs  and  druggist's  sundries  which  he  carried. 
Mr.  Stockdale  was  equally  prominent  in  musical  circles.  He  organized  the 
first  band  of  Altona  and  was  its  leader  at  the  time  of  his  death ;  he  was  a  mem- 
ber  of  the  orchestra  of  Altona  and  he  was  the  cornetist  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  in  which  he  held  membership. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1870,  Mr.  Stockdale  was  married  to  Miss  Ella 
M.  Main,  a  daughter  of  Elias  B.  and  Mary  Ann  (Huntington)  Main,  who  was 
born  on  the  i8th  of  November,  1847.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stockdale  one  child 
was  born,  Milo  E.,  whose  birth  occurred  September  29,  1879,  and  who  passed 
away  on  the  I2th  of  June,  1884.  Mrs.  Stockdale  remained  at  home  after  her 
mother's  death  until  her  marriage.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  years  she  graduated 
from  school  and  immediately  began  making  practical  use  of  her  education  by 
teaching  in  the  district.  She  has  always  shown  considerable  interest  in  the 
educational  and  moral  development  of  her  community  and  has  been  actively 
connected  with  various  organizations  devoted  to  the  furthering  of  these  causes. 
At  present  she  is  serving  as  the  treasurer  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Altona,  in  which  she  holds  membership  and  to 
which  her  husband  devoted  much  of  his  time,  being  trustee  and  financial  secre- 
tary  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  also  was  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  360, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Altona,  having  served- as  secretary  for  fifteen  years,  and  he 
belonged  to  the  Grand  Army  post  of  Altona.  His  was  a  well  spent  life  and  he 
became  prominent  and  well  known  in  his  district,  where  his  many  substantial 
qualities  were  both  recognized  and  appreciated  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  per- 
formed  his  duties  faithfully  and  efficiently,  was  thoughtful  of  the  rights  of 
others  and  never  neglected  his  obligations  to  his  fellow  citizens. 


.  ;        •'   :    •      ISAAC  CHEYNEY  PRESTON.  :     ::•    ;-V:'x:v 

.'-..'•'.'--''    "i,  '.  '-'••'.      -,:'.    '   -?;_  *-•  '.'" 

Isaac  Cheyney  Preston  is  a  retired  farmer  residing  at  No.  409  West  North 
street.  He  was  born  in  Harford  county,  Maryland,  November  9,  1841,  a  son 
of  Edniond  and  Phoebe  (Hoskins)  Preston,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Maryland.  The  former  was  a  son  of  David  and  Judith  ( Hollingsworth )  Pres- 
ton, who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Delaware  respectively.  He  sat  at 
the  head  of  his  meeting — the  Friends  Society — in  his  locality  for  many  years. 
He  passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  and  his  wife  died  when  well  advanced 
in  years.  They  had  five  children,  namely:  Isaac,  Sylvester,  Hannah,  Edmond 
and  Deborah.  Their  son,  Edmond  Preston,  was  born  in  Maryland,  devoted  his 
life  to  farming  and  spent  his  last  days  in  Harford  county  of  his  native  state,  his 


702  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          v  ^.  :    i' - 

remains  being  interred  in  the  old  Friends  cemetery  there,  he  and  his  wife  being 
consistent  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  He  married  Phoebe  Hoskins,  a 
daughter  of  Nathaniel  Hoskins,  whose  wife  in  her  maidenhood  bore  the  family 
name  of  Cheyney.  Both  lived  to  old  age  and  reared  a  large  family,  including 
Cheyney,  Jesse,  Eliza,  Hiram,  Edith,  Sarah,  William,  Phoebe  and  Joseph.  The 
youngest  daughter  became  the  wife  of  Edmond  Preston  and  unto  them  were 
born  eight  children :  Isaac  C. ;  David,  who  is  deceased ;  Louis  H.,  living  in 
Brush,  Colorado ;  Henry  C.,  who  resides  on  the  old  home  place  in  Harford 
county,  Maryland ;  William  S.,  who  has  passed  away ;  Judith,  the  deceased  wife 
of  Joseph  T.  Hoopes ;  Robert  S.,  of  Harford  county,  Maryland ;  and  Edmond, 
who  is  deceased. 

Isaac  C.  Preston  was  reared  in  Harford  county,  Maryland,  on  the  old  home 
farm  and  after  laying  the  foundation  for  his  education  in  the  Friends'  school, 
attended  the  public  schools  and  afterward  spent  a  year  in  the  Union  Chapel 
Academy  of  Harford  county,  at  which  time  his  instructor  was  a  Massachusetts 
man.  About  that  time  his  father  purchased  an  interest  in  a  business  and  drove 
meat  wagons  in  Harford  and  Baltimore  counties.  Isaac  C.  Preston  became 
driver  of  one  of  these  wagons  and  was  so  employed  for  four  years  and  at  the 
same  time  engaged  in  buying  stock.  He  then  came  to  the  middle  west  in  com- 
pany with  Elijah  Lancaster.  They  took  this  step  because  their  parents  did  not 
wish  them  to  go  to  war  and  after  reaching  the  Mississippi  valley  they  enlisted 
in  Company  G,  of  the  First  Wisconsin  Cavalry  under  Colonel  LaGrange,  serv- 
ing during  the  last  year  of  hostilities.  Mr.  Preston  participated  in  the  battle  at 
Hopkinsville,  Kentucky,  and  for  twenty-four  days  and  nights,  in  December, 
1864,  was  with  his  command  in  pursuit  of  General  Lyons.  The  regiment  then 
went  into  winter  quarters  at  Waterloo,  Tennessee,  where  they  remained  for 
four  weeks.  They  afterward  marched  through  Alabama  and  Mr.  Preston  was 
in  one  of  the  last  battles  of  the  war,  at  West  Point,  on  the  Chattahoochee  river. 
He  joined  the  army  as  a  private,  was  made  corporal  and  was  afterward  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  sergeant.  He  contracted  typhoid  fever  on  the  march  from 
Macon,  Georgia,  to  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  and  from  there  was  sent  to  Nash- 
ville and  on  to  Louisville,  where  he  was  placed  in  the  Brown  Hospital.  He 
remained  there  until  he  became  convalescent,  when  his  father  went  for  him  and 
took  him  home  to  Harford  county,  Maryland. 

Following  his  recovery  Mr.  Preston  purchased  a  new  threshing  machine  from 
his  father  and  operated  it  for  two  years.  He  then  sold  out  and  began  shipping 
fertilizer  from  the  west,  having  in  the  meantime  made  a  trip  westward  to 
Illinois  and  Iowa.  In  1870  he  settled  in  Page  county,  Iowa,  where  he  resided 
until  1895,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg  for  the  purpose  of  educating  his  daughter 
and  here  he  has  since  lived  retired.  He  purchased  a  good  lot  and  built  his 
present  home  at  No.  409  West  North  street,  where  he  is  now  pleasantly  located, 
having  in  the  meantime  secured  a  handsome  competence  that  now  supplies  him 
with  all  the  necessities  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  I  . '  • 

On  the  7th  of  December,  1871,  Mr.  Preston  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  C.  Logan,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Bowling)  Logan  and  a 
granddaughter  of  Michael  and  Margaret  Logan,  who  were  natives  of  Kentucky. 
Her  grandfather  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five  years.  In  his  family 
were  eight  children.  The  maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Preston  were  Purton 


/•-:;;-,:;         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^;.^  .  703 

James  and  Margaret  (Jones)  Bowling,  both  of  whom  lived  to  old  age.  The 
former  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  Their  family  numbered  seven  children :  Eliza- 
beth, John,  Alvira,  Armiza,  Jane,  Julia  and  Elvira.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Preston 
was  born  in  Kentucky  and  her  mother  in  Illinois.  They  were  early  settlers  of 
Springfield.  Mr.  Logan  died  in  1880,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  and  his 
wife  passed  away  in  1893  ^t  the  age  of  seventy-six.  They  were  very  active  and 
faithful  members  of  the  Christian  church.  They  had  five  children :  William ; 
Nannie;  James  C.  and  Jennie  C.,  twins;  and  Josephine.  The  daughter  Jennie 
became  the  wife  of.  Isaac  C.  Preston.  She  was  bom  in  Springfield,  June  2,  1848, 
and  by  her  marriage  had  one  daughter,  Nannine  Wren  Preston,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  Knox  College  under  Dr.  John  Finley  and  has  been  a  teacher  in  the 
schools  of  Galesburg  for  about  twelve  years. 

Mr.  Preston  still  holds  his  membership  with  the  Society  of  Friends  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  while  his  wife  and  daughter  are  members  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian church  of  Galesburg.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  republican  and  has 
filled  a  number  of  local  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  discharged  with  credit 
to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  He  was  a  member  of  the  board 
of  supervisors  of  Page  county,  Iowa,  for  six  years,  was  justice  of  the  peace  for 
several  terms  and  was  postmaster  of  Essex,  Iowa,  for  three  years.  Fraternally 
he  is  connected  with  James  T.  Shields  Post,  No.  45,  G.  A.  R.,  and  was  its  com- 
mander in  1890.  He  has  thus  kept  in  touch  with  the  boys  in  blue  of  the  Civil 
war  and  he  is  as  true  and  loyal  to  his  country  today  as  when  he  followed  the  old 
flag  on  southern  battlefields  and  thus  g^ve  proof  of  his  advocacy  of  the  Union 
cause.  He  has  ever  been  faithful  to  duty,  whether  in  days  of  war  or  days  of 
peace,  and  his  has  at  all  times  been  an  honorable  record,  his  upright  life  com- 
manding for  him  the  confidence,  good-will  and  friendship  of  the  great  majority 
of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact.  In  business,  too,  he  displayed  ex- 
cellent ability  as  a  manager  and  in  the  wise  promotion  of  his  interests  won  sub- 
stantial and  well  earned  success. 


ERNEST  THOMAS  COLLINSON. 

Ernest  T.  Collinson,  who  has  been  living  at  Galva  since  he  gave  up  his  farm 
in  1898,  was  born  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  Knox  county,  on  the  old  Collinson 
homestead,  on  the  lyth  of  October,  1875.  He  is  a  son  of  Simeon  L.  and  Jane 
(Carnahan)  Collinson.  The  father  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  on  the  7th 
of  July,  1806,  and  on  the  4th  of  November,  1831,  settled  in  Wilkes-Barre,  Luzerne 
county,  Pennsylvania.  The  trip  from  his  native  country  took  seven  weeks  and 
he  was  accompanied  by  his  first  wife,  who  passed  away  early  in  1874,  and  two 
children.  When  he  left  Pennsylvania  to  settle  in  Illinois  he  made  the  trip  with 
horse  and  wagon  and  was  forced  to  undergo  many  of  the  hardships  that  awaited 
the  traveler  of  that  early  day.  In  1838  however,  he  arrived  in  this  county  and 
at  once  settled  upon  the  property  forming  a  part  of  the  farm  which  he  owned  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  His  first  task  was  to  build  a  log  cabin  which  served  as 
their  home  until  his  farm  proved  sufficiently  remunerative  to  permit  him  to 
build  a  larger  and  more  substantial  one.  Subsequently  he  became  one  of  the 


704  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  - 

largest  land  owners  in  this  section,  and  at  one  time  held  clear  title  to  twenty-four 

hundred  acres  of  land.     He  gave  each  of  his  children  a  quarter  section  of  land 

as  soon  as  they  were  old  enough  to  handle  it.    His  wife's  death  occurred  on  the 

•       l8th  of  April,  1874,  when  she  was  seventy- four  years  of  age.     To  their  union 

!  nine  children  were  born :  Thomas  W.,  Lydia,  Henry  and  Simeon,  deceased ; 
Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Durham,  of  Mendota,  Illinois;  Martha,  who  is  the 
widow  of  James  McLaughlin  of  Altona,  Illinois;  John  Q,  a  resident  of  Altona; 
Susan,  who  is  married  to  J.  McGaan  of  Altona ;  and  one  child  who  passed  away 
in  infancy.  Mr.  Collinson  was  again  married  in  1874,  when  he  wedded  Mrs. 

-      ,  Jane   (Carnahan)   McClure,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Scotland,  on  the  I7th  of 
.    ;    September,  1837,  and  who  settled  in  Altona  immediately  after  her  arrival  in  the 

:  •  United  States  in  1867.  To  their  union  one  child  was  born,  Ernest  Thomas  Col- 
linson, whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this  review.  Simeon  L.  Collinson  gave 
his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party  and  was  the  first  assessor  of  Lynn 
township  after  its  organization. 

•         Ernest  T.  Collinson  acquired  his  education  in  the  nearby  district  schools  and 
•subsequently  resided  upon  the  homestead  with  his  mother.     In  the  spring  of 

.  ;  1898  he  removed  to  Galva  and  has  since  made  that  town  his  home.  After  arriv- 
ing there  he  engaged  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business  for  some  time. 
In  1898  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ada  M.  Craver,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Lynn 
township,  on  the  26th  of  April,  1875.  She  is  a  daughter  of  George  and  Nancy 
E.  (Heaton)  Craver,  the  former  of  whom  has  passed  away.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Collinson  two  children  have  been  born:  Harold  E.  and  Willard  C.,  aged  ten  and 
seven  years  respectively.  Mr.  Collinson  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational 
church  of  Galva  and  also  in  the  Woodman  of  America  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
of  which  he  has  been  trustee  and  is  now  vice  chancellor.  His  entire  life  has  been 
spent  in  this  county  and  he  enjoys  a  wide  acquaintance  which  has  been  formed 
because  of  his  genial  and  social  nature.  He  is  interested  in  all  that  tends  to 
promote  the  welfare  of  his  community,  and  any  measure  suggested  for  civic  im- 
provement or  social  development  is  sure  to  win  his  support  and  assistance. 


'••;:-;.:     ;  EDWARD  JOSEPH  APPELL.     \     .. 

Edward  Joseph  Appell,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-rais- 
ing in  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  was  born  on  the  23d  of  September,  1879, 
on  the  old  Appell  homestead  in  this  township.  He  is  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Charles  Appell,  of  whom  mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  To  the 
parents  eleven  children  were  born :  Lydia,  who  is  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  G.  A. 
Brandell,  of  Colorado;  Alfred,  a  minister  of  the  Lutheran  church  at  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania ;  Hanna,  who  is  married  to  Gus  Lilgiroot,  of  Henry  county ;  Carl, 
who  is  practicing  law  in  Chicago ;  Amanda,  who  is  married  to  Otto  Johnson,  of 
Henry  county;  Louis  A.,  who  is  justice  of  the  peace  of  this  township;  Edward 
Joseph,  of  this  review;  Alfrieda  and  Ferdinand,  both  of  whom  are  residing  at 
home ;  Martin,  who  is  an  agriculturist  of  Henry  county ;  and  Edith,  also  at  home. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Edward  J.  Appell  were  spent  attending  school  and 
assisting  with  the  daily  farm  duties  on  the  home  place.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 


r  '   -i;     T  V:  •;'     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         >         '  7W 

he  entered  Augustana  College,  at  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  and  in  that  institution  • 
pursued  the  commercial  course.     Subsequently  he  remained  at  home  and  farmed 
for  his  father  for  ten  years.     He  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  throughout 
his  active  career  and,  although  still  a  young  man,  has  met  with  a  good  degree 
of  success  and  has  won  an  enviable  reputation  among  his  fellow  agriculturists. 

In  1905  Mr.  Appell  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Caroline  Krantz,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  3d  of  July,  1883,  in  Jonjoping,  Sweden.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
P.  A.  and  Ida  (Magnuson)  Krantz,  both  of  whom  are  residing  in  Sweden  and 
who  are  the  parents  of  ten  children :  Anna,  who  is  the  wife  of  Harry  Cox,  of 
Rockford;  Herman,  who  is  a  resident  of  Victoria,  Illinois;  Ellen,  the  wife  of 
Elias  Rodine,  of  Sweden ;  Mrs.  Appell ;  Peter,  who  is  still  living  in  Sweden ; 
Oscar,  a  resident  of  Victoria,  Illinois ;  Abbie,  who  is  married  to  Martin  Appell, 
of  Lynn  township;  Gustav,  also  living  in  Victoria;  and  Fabian  and  Leona,  both 
of  whom  are  residing  in  Sweden.  Mrs.  Appell  came  to  America  with  E.  Magnu- 
son when  she  was  but  eighteen  years  of  age.  Upon  her  arrival  in  Illinois  she 
lived  with  the  Appell  family  until  her  marriage.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Appell  one 
child  has  been  born,  Virgil  Edward,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  3d  of  May, 
1911. 

Mr.  Appell  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and,  although 
he  is  interested  in  its  success  and  in  the  policies  of  its  platforms  and  earnestly 
desires  their  success  at  the  polls,  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office  as  a 
reward  for  party  fealty.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Appell  are  members  of  the  Swedish 
Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is  a  trustee.  The  improved  and  well  equipped 
condition  of  his  farm  indicates  his  thrift,  industry  and  scientific  management,  all 
of  which  are  tending  to  bring  him  a  good  degree  of  success. 


JOHN  JOHNSON."  .....:: 

John  Johnson,  who  is  conducting  a  meat  market  in  Altona,  Knox  county,  was 
born  in  that  town  on  the  5th  of  October,  1863,  his  parents  being  Louis  and  Car-   r 
rie  (Marsh)  Johnson,  both  natives 'of  Ockelbo,  Sweden.    The  father  was  the  son  > 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jonas  Johnson,  who  came  to  America  in  1857,  and  after  the  ;^. 
cholera  removed  to  Altona.     Mrs.  Jonas  Johnson  is  perhaps  the  oldest  resident    : 
of  Illinois,  her  birth  having  occurred  on  the  I5th  of  July,  1808,  and  she  and  her  .v 
husband  were  among  the  early  settlers  who  took  up  their  residence  in  Altona. 
Their  first  home  adjoined  the  present  site  of  the  high  school,  but  later  they  re-   * 
moved  to  a  farm  north  of  the  town,  and  a  short  time  afterward  they  entered  the  " 
Swedish  colony  settled  on  Bishop  Hill.    They  were  the  parents  of  three  children :   ' 
Andrew,  who  is  residing  in  Sioux  City,  Iowa;  Margaret,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Fred  Spiegel,  and  with  whom  the  mother  resides ;  and  Louis,  who  died  December  . 
25,  190,7.  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.    Louis  Johnson  came  to  Altona  with  • 
his  father  and  spent  nearly  his  entire  life  in  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burling-   • 
ton  &  Quincy  Railway.     Mrs.  Louis  Johnson,  who  is  eighty-two  years  of  age,  ', 
is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Christine  Marsh,  of  Sweden.     The  Johnsons  were    . 
the  first  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  here  and  were  most  active  in 
the  support  of  that  church  at  the  time  it  was  founded.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Louis 
Johnson  were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living :  Betsy, 


706  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

•  who  is  the  wife  of  C.  Carlson  of  Walnut  Grove;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Olof 
Peterson,  of  Altona ;  John,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Louis,  Frank, 
George  and  Nellie,  all  residing  in  Altona. 

Leaving  school  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen  years  John  Johnson  entered  the 
employ  of  his  father  on  the  home  farm,  and  for  the  next  ten  years  was  actively 
engaged  in  assisting  in  its  cultivation.  After  that  time,  however,  he  entered  the 
meat  market  of  Whiting- Van  Scoyk  at  Galesburg,  but  later  returned  to  Altona, 
and  since  1907  has  been  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Whiting,  of  the  firm  of  Whit- 
ing &  Johnson,  of  Altona.  His  market  is  ably  managed,  and,  realizing  that 
satisfied  customers  are  the  best  advertisement  for  future  business  Mr.  Johnson 
aims  at  treating  all  who  may  patronize  him  with  the  respect  and  courtesy  due 
them.  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Nellie  Neilson,  whose  birth  occurred  Novem- 
ber 4,  1865,  at  Kylinge  Point,  in  southern  Sweden.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Nels 
and  Anna  Swenson,  both  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  grandmother  died,  in 
1909,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years.  Mrs.  Johnson  came  to  America  in  1885 
with  friends  and  settled  at  once  in  Altona,  where  she  was  married.  She  was 
one  of  two  children,  her  sister  residing  in  Sweden  at  present.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  eight  children  were  born:  Emma,  whose  birth  occurred  February  24, 
1889,  and  who  is  the  wife  of  Roy  Rankin,  an  agriculturist  of  Media,  Illinois,  and 
has  one  child,  John  Robert;  Anna,  born  on  the  25th  of  November,  1890,  who  is 
engaged  in  teaching  school ;  Minnie,  Inez  and  Bessie,  whose  births  occurred 
November  12,  1893,  December  23,  1895,  and  October  5,  1897,  respectively;  and 
George,  Theora  and  Vivian,  whose  births  occurred  January  20,  1902,  October  lo, 
1903,  and  August  15,  1906,  respectively.  With  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Rankin 
they  are  all  residing  at  home. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  an  active  member  of  the  republican  party,  and  since  he  cast 
his  first  vote  has  always  voted  for  the  men  and  measures  of  the  party  whose 
policies  he  considers  the  most  conducive  in  promoting  good  government.  He 
has  served  as  alderman  of  Altona  for  four  years  and  is  now  serving  his  second 
term  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  of  Altona.  As  a  life-long  resident  he  has  been 
a  witness  to  much  of  its  development,  and  has  been  influential  in  promoting  its 
business  interests.  Because  of  his  strict  integrity  and  high  principles  he  holds 
the  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


;^  JOHN  W.  STEPHENS.     ,v ;-  ;  ; 

.  In  days  of  old,  before  the  chronicler  of  events  appeared  to  write  the  story 
of  his  nation's  greatness,  people  drew  their  inspiration  from  the  past  by  hearken- 
ing to  the  tales  the  old  men  told,  by  listening  to  the  song  of  the  bard,  by  scattered 
reminiscences  of  the  aged  nurse,  handed  down  from  generation  to  generation. 
Then  the  romance  of  history  was  not  entombed  within  the  covers  of  a  book,  it 
was  graven  on  the  minds  and  living  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  To-day  much 
of  that  old-time  poetry  has  gone  out  of  our  lives.  We  are  too  preoccupied  with 
the  demands  which  our  severely  competitive  mode  of  living  has  thrust  upon  us. 
Too  late,  perhaps,  when  the  last  pioneers  of  our  western  civilization  will  have 
passed  from  among  us,  we  will  come  to  realize  what  we  have  lost  in  their  pic- 


J.  W.  STEPHENS 


706  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

who  is  the  wife  of  C.  Carlson  of  Wahiut  Grove;  ^Margaret,  the  wife  of  Olof    . 
Peterson,  of  Altona ;  John,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Louis,  Frank, 
George  and  NelHe,  all  residing  in  Altona. 

Leaving  school  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen  years  John  Johnson  entered  the 
employ  of  his  father  on  the  home  farm,  and  for  the  next  ten  years  was  actively 
engaged  in  assisting  in  its  cultivation.  After  that  time,  however,  he  entered  the  ;. 
meat  market  of  Whiting- Van  Scoyk  at  Galesburg,  but  later  returned  to  Altona, 
and  since  1907  has  been  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Whiting,  of  the  firm  of  Whit- 
ing &  Johnson,  of  Altona.  His  market  is  ably  managed,  and,  realizing  that 
satisfied  customers  are  the  best  advertisement  for  future  business  Mr.  Johnson 
aims  at  treating  all  who  may  patronize  him  with  the  respect  and  courtesy  due 
them.  Mr.  Johnson  was  married  to  Nellie  Neilson,  whose  birth  occurred  Novem- 
ber 4,  1865,  at  Kylinge  Point,  in  southern  Sweden.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Nels 
and  Anna  Swenson,  lx)th  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  grandmother  died,  in 
1909,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years.  Mrs.  Johnson  came  to  America  in  1885 
with  friends  and  settled  at  once  in  Altona,  where  she  was  married.  She  was 
one  of  two  children,  her  sister  residing  in  Sweden  at  present.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  eight  children  were  born:  Emma,  whose  birth  occurred  February  24, 
1889,  and  who  is  the  wife  of  Roy  Rankin,  an  agriculturist  of  Media,  Illinois,  and 
has  one  child,  John  Robert:  Anna,  born  on  the  25th  of  Noveml)er,  1890,  who  is 
engaged  in  teaching  school ;  Minnie,  Inez  and  Bessie,  whose  births  occurred 
November  12,  1893,  December  23,  1895,  and  October  5,  1897,  respectively;  and 
George,  Theora  and  \'ivian,  whose  births  occurred  January  20,  1902,  October  lo, 
1903,  and  .\ugust  15,  1906,  respectively.  With  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Rankin 
they  are  all  residing  at  home. 

Mr.  Johnson  is  an  active  member  of  the  republican  party,  and  since  he  cast 
his  first  vote  has  always  voted  for  the  men  and  measures  of  the  party  whose 
policies  he  considers  the  most  conducive  in  promoting  good  government.  He 
has  served  as  alderman  of  Altona  for  four  years  and  is  now  serving  his  second 
term  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  holds  meml>ership  in  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  of  Altona.  As  a  life-long  resident  he  has  been 
a  witness  to  much  of  its  development,  and  has  been  influential  in  promoting  its 
business  interests.  P)ecause  of  his  strict  integrity  and  high  principles  he  holds  ' 
the  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens.  "  V 


JOHN  W.  STEPHENS. 

In  days  of  old,  before  the  chronicler  of  events  appeared  to  write  the  story 
of  his  nation's  greatness,  people  drew  their  inspiration  from  the  past  by  hearken- 
ing to  the  tales  the  old  men  told,  by  listening  to  the  song  of  the  bard,  by  scattered 
reminiscences  of  the  aged  nurse,  handed  down  from  generation  to  generation. 
Then  the  romance  of  history  was  not  entombed  within  the  covers  of  a  book,  it 
was  graven  on  the  minds  and  living  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  To-day  much 
of  that  old-time  poetry  has  gone  out  of  our  lives.  We  are  too  preoccupied  with 
the  demands  which  our  severely  competitive  mode  of  living  has  thrust  upon  us. 
Too  late,  perhaps,  when  the  last  pioneers  of  our  western  civilization  will  have 
passed  from  among  us,  we  will  come  to  realize  what  we  have  lost  in  their  pic- 


.1.  \\  .  STKIMIKNS 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ,  v"  709 


turesque  recital  of  the  events  of  the  early  days,  of  the  white  man's  strug 
for  supremacy  in  a  new  country. 

There  is  still  dwelling  in  Knox  county  a  man  whose  life  links  us  with  that 
past  of  mystery  and  charm.  His  name  is  John  W.  Stephens,  son  of  one  of  the 
early  settlers  and,  for  a  period  of  more  than  seventy-four  years,  intimately 
associated  with  the  rise  and  growth  of  Knox  county.  Those  who  have  had  the 
privilege  of  listening  to  his  reminiscences  will  remember  with  a  thrill  the  story 
of  his  father's  experiences  with  the  Indians,  and  of  the  winter  of  the  heavy 
snow  when  the  settlers  were  in  danger  of  perishing.  They  will  listen  with  de- 
light to  the  description  of  the  district  school,  where  Mr.  Stephens  found  his 
only  opportunities  for  an  education.  It  was  a  typical  old  log  schoolhouse  with 
split  log  benches  and  a  puncheon  floor.  A  fire  in  the  huge  fireplace  at  one  end 
supplied  the  heat.  Across  square  openings  cut  in  the  walls  paper  was  stretched 
to  serve  as  windows.  These  were  the  primitive  surroundings  amid  which  the 
boys  and  girls  of  those  days  were  given  that  stern  training  that  prepared  them 
for  a  life  of  hardship  and  toil. 

John  W.  Stephens  was  born  in  Warren  county.  New  Jersey,  on  the  6th  of 
June,  1825.  He  was  the  son  of  Richard  and  Eleanor  (Addis)  Stephens,  both 
natives  of  New  Jersey,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  In  1830  they  came 
to  Illinois  locating  in  Fulton  county,  but  the  difficulties  with  the  Indians  and 
other  unforseen  trials  compelled  them  to  give  up  their  residence  in  this  state. 
They  therefore  went  to  Ohio  and  lived  in  Warren  county  for  seven  years.  In 
1838,  however,  seeking  solace  after  the  crushing  blow  he  received  in  the  loss 
of  his  wife,  Mr.  Stephens  again  set  his  face  westward,  retracing  his  way  to 
Illinois.  This  time  he  chose  Cedar  township,  Knox  county,  for  the  family 
abode,  continuing  to  live  there  until  his  death  in  April,  1854. 

John  W.  Stephens  was  nurtured  at  home  and  availed  himself  of  the  meager 
educational  advantages  that  pioneer  life  afforded.  Among  his  companions  who 
helped  to  make  his  school  days  a  pleasant  memory,  was  Mary  H.  Stephens 
whom  he  later  chose  for  a  helpmate.  They  were  married  on  October  29,  1848, 
coming  directly  to  Cedar  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  they  established 
their  new  home  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  4.  Mr. 
Stephens  had  just  purchased  this  farm  a  short  time  before  at  five  dollars  an 
acre.  After  living  here  five  years  he  sold  this  piece  of  land  and  bought  the  farm 
on  which  his  father  had  first  settled  on  his  advent  in  Knox  county.  There  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Stephens  lived  until  1894  when  they  removed  to  Abingdon,  which  they 
have  made  their  home  ever  since.  The  old  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres 
about  which  all  the  family  traditions  center  since  1839,  that  his  father  had  owned 
before  him  and  that  he  had  tilled  for  thirty-nine  years,  he  now  gave  over  to  the 
management  of  his  son.  He  owns,  furthermore,  a  farm  of  eighty-three  acres 
on  section  i6  in  Cedar  township. 

In  1890  Mr.  Stephens'  wife  died  and  three  years  later,  on  October  ii,  1893, 
he  married  again.  It  is  a  curious  and  interesting  coincidence  that  the  second 
Mrs.  Stephens,  whose  given  name  is  Mary  C.,  and  the  first  Mrs.  Stephens  both 
bore  the  name  "Stephens"  before  their  marriage  and  there  was  no  relationship 
between  them.  Of  Mr.  Stephens'  first  marriage  there  were  four  children.  Only 
one  survives,  Charles  E.,  who  married  Miss  Harriet  Latimer,  of  Abingdon. 
Mr.  Stephens  is  a  republican  and  during  the  war  served  for  three  years  as 


ToL 


710  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      '  '•    - 

member  of  the  board  of  county  supervisors.  The  office  of  justice  of  the  peace 
which  he  held  at  one  time  he  resigned  at  the  end  of  a  year.  Unwearied  in  his 
efforts  for  the  improvement  of  his  locality  and  the  upbuilding  of  his  community, 
he  was  for  twenty  years  road  conimissioner  of  Cedar  township  and  for  a  long 
period  a  member  of  the  school  board.  Mrs.  Stephens  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  in  which  her  husband  also  worships.  Mr.  Stephens  is  still 
in  the  possession  of  excellent  health  and  cheerful  spirit  and,  looking  back  upon 
a  long  life  nobly  spent  in  usefulness  to  his  family  and  community,  he  finds 
peace  and  contentment  of  mind,  the  richest  rewards  that  can  crown  a  man's 
declining  years. 


. .;;     -^'v  EBENEZER  LASS.  '  V    '.   '       ' 

Ebenezer  Lass,  president  of  the  Lass  &  Larson  Company  of  Galesburg, 
conducting  a  wholesale  and  retail  business  in  wall  paper,  paints,  oils  and  glass, 
has  sought  his  success  along  the  well  defined  lines  of  labor  and  has  won  his 
advancement  through  close  conformity  to  a  high  standard  of  commercial  ethics. 
At  a  time  when  many  men  put  aside  the  more  active  and  arduous  pursuits  of 
business  life  he  is  still  busily  engaged  along  commercial  lines  and  his  energy  and 
persistency  of  purpose  are  those  of  a  man  of  much  younger  years.  He  was 
born  in  Kent,  England,  October  ii,  1839,  his  parents  being  William  and  Sarah 
(Eastes)  Lass.  The  father  was  a  confectionery  manufacturer  who  conducted 
business  for  many  years  but  ultimately  retired.  He  died  in  England  in  1883, 
when  about  seventy-nine  years  of  age,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  1804.  His 
wife,  who  was  born  in  Kent,  England,  in  1806,  passed  away  in  1888,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Wesleyan 
church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  took  active  and  helpful  interest,  Mr.  Lass 
serving  as  one  of  the  church  officers.  They  were  married  at  Deal,  Kent,  Eng- 
land, in  1827,  and  unto  them  were  born  twelve  children:  Elizabeth,  now  de- 
ceased; Francis,  who  is  living  at  Sandwich,  England;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Ekins,  of  Riverside,  California ;  Grove  P.,  deceased ;  William,  a  resident 
of  Galesburg ;  Laura,  who  has  passed  away ;  Ebenezer ;  Frederick  and  Benja- 
min, both  deceased ;  John,  living  in  this  city ;  Thomas,  still  a  resident  of  Deal, 
County  Kent ;  and  Mary,  the  wife  of  Theodore  Baldwin,  also  of  Deal,  '  c..  ' 

Ebenezer  Lass  pursued  his  education  in  a  private  school  of  Deal  and  when 
fourteen  years  of  age  was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  decorator's  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  in  that  town  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  then  went  to 
London,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  three  and  a  half  years,  but,  believing 
that  better  opportunities  were  waiting  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  he  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1866,  settling  in  Galesburg,  where  he  followed  his  trade 
until  1884.  He  was  ambitious,  however,  to  engage  in  business  on  his  own 
account  and  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  he  felt  that  his  capital  justified 
him  in  starting  in  business  on  his  own  account.  In  partnership  with  C.  T.  Larson 
and  J.  G.  Lafferty,  he  established  a  store  and  when  two  years  later  Mr.  Lafferty 
sold  his  interest  to  the  other  partners  the  firm  of  Lass  &  Larson  was  organized. 
Under  that  name  the  business  was  conducted  until  1905,  when  it  was  incorporated 


;    Iv.^^:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  O:.:::^;':^^         711-^    -^^^ 

under  the  name  of  the  Lass  &  Larson  Company,  its  officers  being  Ebenezer_;.\'      . 
Lass,  president,  and  C.  T.  Larson,  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager.     They  :•: 

now  handle  wall  paper,  paints,  oils  and  glass,  selling  to  the  wholesale  and  retail 
trade.    They  employ  twenty  people  in  their  establishment  in  Galesburg  and  also  :'. 
have  salesmen  on  the  road.    Their  business  has  grown  year  by  year  and,  carry-  •     ., 
ing  a  large  and  well  selected  line  of  goods,  they  have  every  reason  to  feel  that  , ' 
their  trade  will  still  further  increase.  \.     ,: 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1868,  Mr.  Lass  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  Pittock,  a    • 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Bailey)  Pittock,  of  this  city.     Unto  them  .   /. 
were  born  seven  children :    Grace,  now  the  wife  of  Francis  Sisson,  of  Yonkers,  ; 
New  York ;  Charles,  living  in  Galesburg ;  Effie,  Kate  and  Mamie,  all  deceased ;    "    . 
William,  of  Treadwell,  Alaska ;  and  Edith,  at  home.    The  wife  and  mother  passed     .; 
away  February  22,  1882,  and  on  the  26th  of  May,  1886,  Mr.  Lass  was  again      -  : 
married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Lucy  M.  Jerrauld,  a  daughter  of    '. 
Harvey  and  Maria  Jerrauld,  of  Galesburg.     There  was  one  child  of  this  union.  . 
George,  now  deceased.  ; 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lass  hold  membership  in  the  Central  Congregational  church  -  ' 
and  his  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  of  Galesburg.     His  :;   •  \ 
political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  is  interested  in  all 
that  pertains  to  general  progress  and  improvement,  finding  time  to  cooperate  in 
measures  for  the  general  good  while  carefully  managing  his  business  affairs.     T    . 
He  early  learned  the  fact  that  diligence  and  industry  must  determine  the  success  '-•-.' 
to  which  one  can  achieve.     He  has,  therefore,  persevered  and  his  capable  man-         • 
agement.  added  to  his  thorough  early  training,  has  been  a  salient   feature  in 
gaining  him  the  success  which  now  classes  him  with  Galesburg's  substantial  and  '    ' 
progressive  merchants.    .         .    •'  - 


:   :  •     MARY  ARNOLD  TEMPLETON.  ;    ^  ::     "vi  :- V 

Mary  Arnold  Templeton,  who  is  residing  in  Altona,  Illinois,  was  born  on  the 
7th  of  April,  1846,  in  Victoria  township,  Knox  county.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
John  arid  Nancy  (Herman)  Arnold,  whose  births  occurred  in  i8io  and  1812 
respectively,  the  former  being  a  native  of  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Ten- 
nessee. John  Arnold  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  from  early  youth  took  up 
this  occupation.  Later  he  worked  on  a  canal  as  boss  of  a  gang,  and  subsequently 
traveling  through  Alabama  he  followed  the  carpenter's  trade.  After  his  mar- 
riage, however,  in  1836  he  came  to  Victoria  township  by  way  of  Peoria  and 
Kickapoo  creek,  and  took  up  farming.  He  made  the  trip  by  team  and  when  he 
arrived  at  the  land  for  which  he  had  set  out  he  found  it  already  sufficiently  cleared 
and  immediately  built  a  log  cabin  upon  it.  He  resided  there  until  1853,  following 
his  trade  for  a  livelihood,  when  he  removed  to  Victoria.  In  that  town  he  en- 
gaged in  horse-shoeing  and  blacksmithing  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
8th  of  December,  1864.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steven  Her- 
man, agriculturists.  They  removed  to  Alabama  at  the  time  they  were  early  set- 
tlers. The  mother's  death  occurred  there  in  1887.  Mr.  Arnold  was  one  of  the 
most  prominent  democrats  in  his  region  and  held  many  local  offices.  His  parents 


712  .  :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

were  Ephraim  and  Elinor  Arnold.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Arnold  ten  children 
have  been  born,  four  of  whom  survive:  Robert  H.,  a  resident  of  Peoria,  who 
is  married  and  has  two  children;  Mrs.  Templeton,  who  is  the  subject  of  this 
review;  Jane,  of  Victoria,  who  is  the  wife  of  Irving  Norton,  a  shoemaker,  and 
who  has  two  children ;  and  Eliza,  who  is  residing  with  Mrs.  Templeton. 

In  April,  1869,  Mary  Arnold  was  married  to  Thomas  Foster  Templeton, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  1830,  and  who  was  a  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Foster) 
Templeton,  whose  deaths  occurred  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  and  in  Pennsylvania 
respectively.  Thomas  F.  Templeton  was  born  in  Armstrong  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, but  removed  to  Knox  county  when  a  child,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
until  he  entered  the  hardware  business  in  Altona  in  1862.  For  ten  years  he  was 
thus  engaged  with  his  brother-in-law.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  disposed  of 
this  business  and  took  up  agricultural  pursuits  in  Victoria  township.  On  account 
of  ill  health,  however,  he  soon  disposed  of  his  farm  and  lived  retired  until  his 
death  which  occurred  on  the  loth  of  January,  1907.  He  was  a  stanch  republican 
and  for  many  years  held  office  on  the  school  board;  In  religious  faith  he  was  a 
Presbyterian  and  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona  for  sev- 
eral years.  He  also  held  membership  in  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  330,  of  Altona. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Templeton  three  children  were  born.  Maude  Alberta,  the 
eldest  died  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  years.  She  is  survived  by  her  hus- 
band, E.  H.  Mason,  of  Galesburg,  and  three  children,  namely,  Donald,  who  is 
eighteen  years  of  age  and  teaching  school  in  Victoria  township ;  Marjory,  who 
is  sixteen  years  of  age  and  attending  high  school;  and  Nanny  B.,  who  is  fifteen 
years  of  age.  Nanny  B.,  the  second,  in  order  of  birth,  whose  death  occurred  in 
1893  when  she  was  twenty  years  of  age,  was  the  wife  of  William  Gehring,  of 
Galesburg.  The  youngest  child  died  when  very  young.  .-  |  ./-'  ! 

Eliza  Arnold,  who  is  residing  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Templeton,  was  bom  on 
the  8th  of  February,  1840.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  years  she  attended  Knox 
College  for  one  year,  having  taught  previously  for  six  years.  After  leaving  col- 
lege she  again  engaged  in  teaching,  and  for  twenty  years  was  connected  with 
the  schools  of  Victoria  township.  She  is  one  of  the  oldest  teachers  in  this  county, 
and  all  through  her  career  was  most  successful  in  her  pedagogical  pursuits.  She 
holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

,  . '  Mrs.  Templeton  is  one  of  the  active  workers  in  her  community  in  all  organiza- 
tions which  are  formed  to  promote  the  public  good.  Charitable  and  kindly,  her 
home  is  always  open  to  those  who  need  her  assistance  or  to  whom  she  can  prove 
a  faithful  friend.  Her  life  has  been  spent  in  the  interests  of  others,  and  she 
is  now  one  of  the  most  esteemed  residents  of  Altona.  v  V 


:     ^::^'^  BURRELL  N.  CHAPIN.  -J;   -      ^ 

Burrell  N.  Chapin,  seventy-seven  years  of  age,  has  spent  his  entire  life  in 
Illinois  and  the  record  he  has  made  is  a  most  creditable  one,  for  his  success  has 
never  been  gained  at  the  sacrifice  of  others'  interests  and  at  no  time  has  he 
refused  to  give  his  aid  and  support  to  those  movements  which  have  been  insti- 
tuted for  the  public  good.  In  business  affairs,  too,  he  has  shown  sound  judg- 


MUS.  lU  KRKM.  X.  CIIAIMN' 


t:         ;:"*:;:;-';•:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;;  v  ;   ,        717 

ment  and  capable  management  and  by  wise  investments  has  secured  a  com- 
petency and  has  become  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Knox  county.  He 
was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  August  4,  1834,  a  son  of  Moses  B.  and 
Irenia  (De  Maranville)  Chapin.  The  father  was  born  in  Massachusetts  and 
was  a  son  of  Consider  and  Esther  (Wallace)  Chapin.  The  grandfather  was 
likewise  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  was  a  descendant  of  Deacon  Samuel 
Chapin,  who  was  one  of  the  Puritan  fathers  who  came  to  America  about  1640. 
He  was  one  of  those  to  whom  a  monument  has  been  erected  in  front  of  the 
public  library  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  being  a  founder  of  that  city.  Esther 
(Wallace)  Chapin,  the  grandmother  of  Burrell  N.  Chapin,  was  a  native  of 
Scotland  and  is  a  descendant  of  Sir  William  Wallace.  The  Chapins  are  also 
related  to  a  number  of  distinguished  Americans.  Captain  Caleb  Chapin,  the 
great-grandfather,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  valiantly  aiding  the 
colonies  in  their  struggle  for  independence.  His  son.  Consider  Chapin,  was  a- 
gifted  poet  of  his  day.  Moses  Chapin,  born  and  reared  in  Massachusetts,  came 
to  Illinois  in  1832,  the  year  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  which  he  took  an  honor- 
able part.  He  made  the  journey  overland  from  Pennsylvania  on  horseback  and 
settled  in  Fulton  county.  He  was  a  cooper  by  trade  and  established  a  shop  in 
Lewiston,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  until  1840.  He  then  removed  to  Farming- 
ton,  where  he  also  built  a  shop,  there  residing  for  five  years,  or  until  1845,  when 
he  purchased  some  land  near  Farmington  and  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  continued  to  live  upon  that  place  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1872.  When  he  came  to  Illinois  his  family  numbered  three  children,  and 
eight  were  born  after  the  arrival  in  this  state.  The  eldest  of  the  family  was 
Sylvia,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  and  Minerva  and  Gorham  are  also 
deceased,  the  former  passing  away  at  the  age  of  two  years.  The  latter  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  serving  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Third 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  others  of  the  family  were:  Sophronia,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Lyman  Sanders,  both  now  deceased ;  Burrell  N. ;  Cornelia, 
the  wife  of  Captain  Francis  M.  Taylor,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Third  Illinois 
Infantry,  but  both  have  passed  away;  Ivory,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  during  the  Civil  war  but  is  now 
deceased;  Pausinia,  the  deceased  wife  of  Enos  Kelsey  who  went  to  the  front 
with  the  One  Hundred  and  Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry ;  Flora,  a  resi- 
dent of  Farmington,  who  is  the  widow  of  Joseph  Routson,  who  was  likewise  a 
soldier  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Third  Illinois ;  Ora  H.,  who  served  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Third  Illinois  Infantry  and  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  Arizona 
in  1871 ;  and  Marshall  D.,  a  resident  of  Monmouth,  being  the  youngest  of  the 
family.  Mr.  Chapin  has,  on  the  maternal  side,  a  number  of  illustrious  ancestors. 
His  grandfather,  Jabez  De  Maranville,  served  on  the  Lake  Erie  under  Perry 
in  the  war  of  1812,  whose  father,  Charles  De  Maranville,  marched  on  the 
"Lexington  Alarm"  of  April  19,  1775,  from  Freetown,  Massachusetts.  Robert 
and  Tamsine  (Bacon)  Buflfum,  who  were  among  the  first  to  espouse  the  Quaker 
religion  and  were  persecuted  for  their  faith,  were  ancestors,  as  were  also  Wil- 
liam White,  the  eleventh  signer  of  the  Mayflower  Compact,  and  who  was  the 
father  of  Peregrine  White,  the  first  child  born  of  English  parents  in  America; 
another  ancestor  was  John  Vassall,  alderman  of  London  in  1588,  who  fitted 
out,  at  his  own  expense,  two  ships  of  war,  with  which  he  joined  the  royal  ships 


718  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '    :^:;^^- 

to  oppose  the  "Spanish  Armada."  His  son  William  Vassall  came  to  America 
with  Winthrop  in  1630  and  was  a  founder  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  colony, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  "Council  of  War"  in  1642.  All  the  above  being 
lineal  ancestors  of  the  mother,  Mrs.  Irenia  Chapin.  The  mother  passed  away 
in  Farmington  in  1900  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two  years.  For  eighty 
years  representatives  of  the  name  have  not  only  taken  an  active  part  in  promot- 
ing the  development  and  progress  in  pioneer  days,  but  also  in  bringing  about 
the  present-day  growth  and  prosperity  of  Illinois. 

Burrell  N.  Chapin  spent  his  youthful  days  in  Fulton  county,  where  he  at- 
tended the  country  schools,  pursuing  his  studies  in  one  of  the  old-time  log 
schoolhouses  in  Farmington.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  spent  one  term 
in  an  academy.  Subsequently  he  engaged  in  teaching  school  in  the  winter  and 
worked  at  farm  labor  during  the  summer  months.  His  time  was  thus  passed 
until  his  marriage.  He  was  only  thirteen  years  of  age  when,  in  1847,  he  was 
appointed  to  deliver  the  mail  from  Farmington  to  Macomb,  Illinois.  This  was 
known  as  the  pony  mail  and  the  distance  covered  was  fifty  miles  each  way. 
As  the  years  passed  Mr.  Chapin  resolved  to  become  owner  of  a  farm  and  the 
year  1860  saw  the  realization  of  his  hope  in  his  purchase  of  a  tract  of  land  in 
Oneida,  Knox  county,  where  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
afterward  purchased  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  near  Farmington,  Fulton  county, 
Illinois,  which  he  continued  to  cultivate  until  1872,  and  then  disposed  of  that 
property  to  purchase  a  farm  near  Knoxville,  which  he  conducted  until  1878. 
He  then  bought  another  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Knoxville,  devoting  his  energies 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  until  1892,  when  he  took  up  his  abode  in  the 
town  of  Knoxville  and  has  since  lived  retired.  As  the  years  passed  he  kept 
adding  to  his  landed  possessions  until  he  owned  three  hundred  acres,  most  of 
which,  however,  he  has  since  disposed  of,  and  from  his  interests  he  derives  a 
substantial  annual  income  that  relieves  him  from  the  necessity  of  further  labor 
save  the  supervision  of  his  investments. 

It  was  on  the  22d  of  September,  1857,  that  Mr.  Chapin  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Cynthia  J.  Culver,  who  was  bom  near  BuflFalo,  Erie  county.  New 
York,  June  24,  1838,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Susan  W.  (Kirby)  Culver. 
The  father  was  born  near  Auburn,  New  York,  in  1802,  and  the  house  in  which 
he  first  saw  the  light  of  day  is  still  standing.  The  mother's  birth  occurred  near 
New  Bedford,  Massachusetts.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Chapin  was  a  son  of  Joseph 
Culver,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  as  was  his  father,  Samuel 
Culver,  and  the  family  was  of  English  descent.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  Chapirj 
was  a  daughter  of  Silas  Kirby,  a  native  of  Dartmouth,  Massachusetts,  whose 
father,  Silas  Kirby,  Sr.,  bravely  defended  the  cause  of  liberty  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Mrs.  Chapin,  therefore,  is  qualified  for  membership  in  the 
Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  in  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines. 
Her  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  in  the  Empire  state  and  on 
coming  to  Illinois  settled  in  Salem  township,  Knox  county,  where  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  land  upon  which  he  resided  until  the  spring  of  i86i.  He  next  pur- 
chased a  farm  near  Henderson,  Knox  county,  but  afterward  took  up  his  abode 
on  a  farm  near  Wataga,  where  he  resided  until  his  retirement,  after  which  he 
resided  in  Knoxville  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  5,  i88i.  His  widow 
long  survived  him,  and  died  at  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapin  on  the  7th 


';:•       •  X    V      ">/    V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  4;^^^:'  -      719 

:   of  December,  1895.     They  were  the  parents  of  five  children:     Caroline,  who 

!   became  the  wife  of  Joseph  Ross,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased;  Elizabeth, 

who  married  Burton  Miller  and  they  are  also  deceased;  Joseph  W.,  who  has 

passed  away;  Cynthia  J.,  who  became  Mrs.  Chapin;  and  William  E.,  a  resident 

farmer  of  Knox  county.  -     -    ;. 

. ,  •  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapin  were  born  four  children.  Edith  A.,  who  was 
born  July  9,  1858,  is  now  the  wife  of  John  D.  McClure,  of  Knoxville.  and  they 
have  one  daughter,  Edith  M.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Merrill  Young  and  resides 
upon  a  farm  east  of  Knoxville.  Ida  died  at  the  age  of  three  years.  Eva  J. 
married  Charles  Maple,  of  Maquon,  who  is  postmaster  of  that  place,  and  they 
.  have  two  children,  Newton  M.  and  Ora  S.  Maple.  Mr.  Chapin's  youngest 

;    child,  Ora  Eugene,  who  is  a  distinguished  lawyer  of  Chicago,  is  also  prominent 

}{  in  Masonic  circles.     He  was  born  May  30,   1870,  and  married  Miss  Camilla 
Capps,  of  Farmington,  by  whom  he  has  one  child.  Minor  J. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapin  are  consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  are  also  members  of  the  Knox  County  Mayflower  Society,  while 
Mrs.  Chapin  and  her  two  daughters  hold  membership  with  the  Lucretia  Leffing- 
well  Chapter  of  the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution.  On  the  22d  of 
September,  1907,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chapin  celebrated  their  golden  wedding,  on 
which  occasion  the  ladies  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Knoxville  served  an 

:  excellent  dinner  while  all  the  members  of  their  family,  their  sons,  daughters 
and  grandchildren,  were  present — one  hundred  and  forty  in  all.  They  have  now 
traveled  life's  journey  together  for  fifty-four  years,  their  mutual  love  and  con- 
fidence increasing  as  time  has  passed  on.  They  are  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
highly  esteemed  and  worthy  couples  of  the  county,  for  their  lives  have  ever 
been  well  spent  in  the  faithful  performance  of  duty  and  have  been  characterized 
by  many  good  deeds.  Mr.  Chapin  deserves  much  credit  for  the  success  which 
he  has  won,  bringing  him  at  last  to  a  prominent  position  among  the  substantial 

.     residents  of  his  adopted  county. 


•    ,     :  ^  v".      REV.  FREDERICK  J.  DUNN.         '       .••;>'';;   -X--; 

It  has  been  said  "Not  the  good  that  comes  to  us  but  the  good  that  comes  to 
the  world  through  us  is  the  measure  of  our  success,"  and  judged  in  this  way 
the  life  of  Rev.  Frederick  J.  Dunn  has  been  a  most  successful  one,  for  as  a  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel  he  has  carried  the  glad  tidings  to  many  who  have  sat  under 
his  preaching  and  has  influenced  many  lives  for  good.  At  the  age  of  ninety- 
three  years  he  is  now  living  retired,  an  honored  and  venerable  citizen  of  Knox- 
ville. He  was  born  in  Oneida  county.  New  York,  May  22,  1819,  a  son  of  David 
and  Philinda  (Cady)  Dunn,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Oneida  county,  the 
former  born  November  14,  1791,  and  the  latter  August  5,  1796.  In  his  early 
life  the  father  worked  as  a  farm  hand  but  afterward  learned  the  trades  of  a 
cooper  and  brick  mason  and  worked  along  those  lines  in  Oneida  county  and  also 
in  Herkimer  and  St.  Lawrence  counties.  Subsequently  he  returned  to  Oneida 
county  and  after  a  short  time  removed  to  Lewis  county,  New  York,  where  he 
made  his  home  with  his  son  Frederick  and  later  also  lived  with  his  son  Frederick 


720  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ^        •     !  -f'-, 

in  Illinois,  passing  away  in  Galva,  Henry  county,  on  the  28th  of  November, 
1884,  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-three  years.  He  had  long  survived  his  wife 
who  passed  away  at  the  home  of  her  son,  Frederick,  on  the  i8th  of  January,  1858, 
when  sixty-one  years  of  age.  The  Rev.  Dunn  was  at  that  time  a  resident  of  Rio, 
this  county.  The  family  included  five  daughters :  Rhoda,  now  the  deceased  wife 
of  Thomas  Watson,  of  Knox  county;  Olive,  who  became  the  wife  of  Caleb  H. 
Gates  Brayton  of  St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York,  who  is  now  deceased ;  Cor- 
nelia P.,  the  widow  of  Thomas  Homiston ;  Jane  Ann,  who  died  in  infancy ;  and 
Sarah  Jane,  who  married  John  Gibbs.  She  resided  in  Lewis  county.  New  York, 
for  a  time  and  afterward  removed  to  Cherokee  county,  Kansas,  where  both 
passed  away. 

The  Rev.  Frederick  J.  Dunn  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  in  the  family.  He 
acquired  his  preliminary  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Herkimer  county, 
New  York,  and  afterward  attended  the  Free  Will  Baptist  Seminary  at  Clinton, 
Oneida  county,  New  York.  The  founder  of  that  college  was  Mr.  Kellogg,  who 
afterward  became  the  first  president  of  Knox  College  at  Galesburg.  In  further 
pursuit  of  his  education  Mr.  Dunn  attended  Whitesboro  Academy  in  Oneida 
county.  New  York,  and  subsequently  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching,  which 
he  followed  through  the  winter  seasons  while  in  the  summer  months  he  worked 
at  farm  labor.  In  June,  1853,  he  arrived  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  first  settling 
in  Ontario,  where  he  remained  for  ten  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period 
he  removed  to  Rio  township  and  in  company  with  Michael  Metcalf  built  a  saw- 
mill in  Henderson  Grove  which  they  conducted  for  one  summer  and  then  sold. 
Mr.  Dunn  next  purchased  a  farm  and  continued  to  engage  in  the  cultivation  of 
the  fields  for  several  years.  In  1858  he  was  licensed  to  preach  as  a  minister  of 
the  United  Brethren  church  and  mach  of  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  this  holy 
calling.  He  was  never  absent  from  an  annual  conference  during  fifty-one  years 
and  is  widely  known  to  the  membership  of  his  denomination.  He  preached  for 
four  years  at  Mount  Chappel,  being  there  when  the  church  was  built.  He  has 
acted  as  minister  in  different  churches  in  the  county  and  other  parts  of  the  state 
and  is  now  the  oldest  living  minister  in  Knox  county.  For  the  past  five  years, 
however,  he  has  lived  retired  in  Knoxville  and  can  look  back  over  the  past  with- 
out regret  and  forward  to  the  future  without  fear  because  his  life  has  been  an 
element  for  good  in  the  communities,  where  he  has  resided.  His  zealous  support 
of  the  cause  of  Christianity  has  aroused  the  interest  and  cooperation  of  others 
and  his  work  has  been  of  no  restricted  order. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1846,  in  Oneida  county.  New  York,  the  Rev.  Dunn  was 
united  in  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  to  Miss  Susan  P.  Wetmore,  who  was  born 
in  that  county  July  13,  1823,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Ezra  and  Susan  Wetmore, 
natives  of  Rhode  Island,  who  removed  to  New  York  in  early  life.  In  the  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dunn  were  the  following  children.  Lucia  is  the  wife  of  Theo. 
Madison,  a  resident  of  the  state  of  Washington,  and  they  have  one  son,  Fred- 
erick. William  E.,  now  living  in  Rio  township,  married  Miss  Addie  Haskins 
and  has  two  children,  Roswell  E.  and  Clark.  Marian  is  the  wife  of  William  Wil- 
son, of  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  and  they  have  six  children.  May,  Eva,  George, 
Lucia,  Nina  and  William.  Roswell  died  June  3,  1882.  The  mother  of  these 
children  passed  away  March  24,  1864,  and  in  Henderson,  Illinois,  the  Rev. 
Dunn  was  again  married,  on  the  I5th  of  February,  1865,  his  second  union  being 


/':;•:,;'..:•:  ^     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ^''f^^::':'-^ 

with  Maria  Ryan,  a  native  of  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  had  two 
children:  Frank  A.,  deceased;  and  Frederick,  a  resident  of  Chicago  who  mar- 
ried Elsie  Naly  and  has  one  child,  Dorothy.  Again  Mr.  Dunn  was  called  upon 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  died  February  22,  1895,  and  on  the  23d  of 
September,  1897,  he  married  Margaret  E.  Wallich,  who  was  born  in  this  county, 
April  i6,  1854,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Martha  Wallich,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  former  of  German  and  the  latter  of  Irish  descent.  Such  in  brief 
is  the  life  history  of  Frederick  J.  Dunn,  a  man  widely  and  favorably  known  in 
Knox  county  and  honored  wherever  known.  By  precept  and  example  he  has 
taught  the  better  things  of  life  and  his  influence  and  teaching  have  led  many 
to  choose  those  things  which  are  worth  while  and  have  actual  value  as  factors  -in 
character  building. 


:,;     ALBERT  WILLIAM  HAMERSTRAND.  ^1^  .  :^'  •^';  ^  M 


The  agricultural  interests  of  Lynn  township  have  a  worthy  representative 
in  Albert  William  Hamerstrand,  who  was  born  in  that  township  on  the  5th  of 
February,  1878,  his  parents  being  John  and  Anna  (Collison)  Hamerstrand. 
The  father  was  born  in  Smaland,  Sweden,  May  29,  1840,  and  until  he  came  to 
America  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  years,  was  engaged  in  the  carpenter's  trade 
in  Stockholm.  Upon  arriving  in  America  he  went  directly  to  Altona,  where  he 
was  employed  by  a  railway  but  subsequently  took  up  farming  for  Robert  Wilber 
near  Victoria.  Later  he  was  with  C.  Appell,  but  after  seven  years'  employ  rented 
the  farm  upon  which  his  son  Albert  was  born.  He  erected  the  house  upon  this 
place,  and  its  substantiability  attests  his  ability  as  a  carpenter.  Having  in  the 
course  of  eight  years  rented  three  different  farms,  he  then  purchased  the  farm 
on  which  they  lived  for  twenty-three  years,  until  the  spring  of  1909,  when  they 
retired  and  purchased  a  residence  in  Galva,  Illinois,  where  they  now  reside, 
leaving  the  cultivation  of  the  farm  to  their  son,  Albert  William,  who  has  now 
made  it  his  home  for  over  twenty-six  years.  Mrs.  Hamerstrand  was  born  the 
3d  of  August,  1858,  at  Vester,  Gotland,  Sweden,  and  came  to  this  country  with 
her  parents  at  the  age  of  ten  she  being  the  oldest  of  eight  children,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  Magnus  Collison.  The  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamerstrand 
are:  Albert  William,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch:  Elma,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Nels  Henrikson,  an  agriculturist  of  Lynn  township  and  who  has  one  child ; 
and  Fern,  who  is  residing  with  her  parents. 

After  finishing  his  common-school  education  Albert  Hamerstrand  assisted 
his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm  but  subsequently  attended  the 
Galva  high  school  for  one  year,  and  later  the  Augustana  Business  College  of 
Rock  Island,  from  which  he  was  graduated.  After  finishing  these  various 
courses  he  took  up  active  farming  and  remained  at  home.  His  ability  and  pro- 
gressiveness  were  of  great  value  to  his  father,  and  together  they  cultivated  one 
of  the  most  profitable  and  highly  productive  farms  in  the  township.  On  the  nth 
of  January,  1905,  Mr.  Hamerstrand  was  married  to  Emily  Elizabeth  Johnson, 
the  daughter  of  Hans  and  Betsy  Johnson,  born  on  the  24th  of  March,  1882. 
Hans  and  Betsy  Johnson  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Arthur  and 


722  .,        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ! 

Emanuel,  who  are  residing  at  home,  and  Mrs.  Hamerstrand.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hamerstrand  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  Maurice  William,  born  October  25,  in 
1905. 

The  republican  party,  with  its  progressive  and  successful  measures  of  pros- 
perity, and  its  ardent  support  of  many  of  the  policies  which  have  brought  about 
our  national  welfare,  has  won  Mr.  Hamerstrand's  allegiance.  He  is  at  present 
serving  as  township  clerk,  an  office  which  he  has  held  for  eleven  years.  He 
also  holds  the  office  of  school  director  and  telephone  director.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Galva,  in  which  the  for- 
mer has  served  as  auditor  for  many  years  and  the  latter  has  been  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 

Sweden  has  frequently  sent  men  to  Knox  county  whose  thrift,  industry  and 
progressiveness  have  aided  materially  in  developing  the  natural  resources  of 
the  county.  Of  these  none  have  been  more  active  than  the  Hamerstrands, 
who  have  always  been  energetic,  diligent  and  untiring  in  their  efforts  to  fulfill 
the  duties  which  lay  before  them  in  their  agricultural  pursuits.  By  his  close 
application  to  work  and  living  in  accordance  with  the  strictest  principles  of 
integrity  and  honor,  Mr.  Hamerstrand  has  won  for  himself  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


;.^''/:  ALBERT  LENG.     C-     :,:..;; 

One  of  the  thoroughly  progressive  and  enterprising  agriculturists  of  Truro 
township  is  Albert  Leng,  who  owns  and  operates  two  hundred  and  ninety-five 
acres  of  land,  located  three  miles  north  of  Williamsfield.  He  was  born  in  Scar- 
borough, Yorkshire,  England,  on  July  2,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Ann 
(Woodall)  Leng,  who  always  made  their  home  in  the  mother  country,  the  father 
having  passed  away  when  our  subject  was  a  child  of  three  years. 

Albert  Leng  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  England,  where  he  re- 
sided until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years.  Being  an  enterprising 
and  ambitious  young  man,  America  had  always  appeared  very  attractive  to  him, 
as  he  felt  convinced  from  the  reports  he  had  received,  that  better  opportunities 
must  be  afforded  for  advancement  here  than  in  his  native  country,  so  in  1870 
he  took  passage  for  the  United  States.  When  he  arrived  in  this  country  he 
came  directly  to  Illinois,  first  settling  in  Scott  county,  where  he  remained  from 
June  to  October,  when  he  went  to  Peoria  county.  He  worked  out  as  a  farm 
hand  for  a  time,  thus  acquiring  sufficient  capital  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land 
that  he  operated  with  excellent  success  until  1885.  In  the  latter  year  he  again 
changed  his  location,  this  time  becoming  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  purchasing 
a  place  in  the  vicinity  of  Rochester.  He  owned  this  and  also  the  farm  in  Peoria 
county  until  1892,  when  he  disposed  of  both  places  and  bought  the  property  where 
he  now  lives.  During  the  period  of  his  ownership  he  has  placed  many  improve- 
ments on  his  farm,  including  a  commodious  country  residence,  suitable  barns  and 
substantial  outbuildings.  He  is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas  and  practical  methods 
and  as  his  circumstances  have  permitted  has  added  to  the  comfort  and  con- 
venience of  his  homestead  by  the  introduction  of  various  modern  appliances  and 


X 

u: 

^^ 

y. 


722  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUXTY 

Emanuel,  who  are  residing  at  home,  and   Mrs.   Hamerstrand.     !Mr.   and   Mrs. 
Hamerstrand  are  the  parents  of  one  son.  Maurice  William,  born  October  25,  in 

1905.  ; 

The  republican  jmrty,  with  its  progressive  and  successful  measures  of  pros- 
perity, and  its  ardent  support  of  many  of  the  policies  which  have  brought  about 
our  national  welfare,  has  won  Mr.  Hamerstrand's  allegiance.  He  is  at  present 
serving  as  township  clerk,  an  ofifice  which  he  has  held  for  eleven  years.  He 
also  holds  the  office  of  school  director  and  telephone  director.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Galva,  in  which  the  for- 
mer has  served  as  auditor  for  many  years  and  the  latter  has  been  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 

Sweden  has  fre(|uently  sent  men  to  Knox  county  whose  thrift,  industry  and 
progressiveness   have   aided   materially   in   developing  the   natural   resources   of       , 
the  county.     Of   these  none   have   been   more   active   than   tlie   Hamerstrands,      . 
who  have  al\va>'s  lieen  energetic,  diligent  and  untiring  in  their  efforts  to  fulfill 
the  duties  which  lay  before  them  in  their  agricultural  pursuits.     By  his  close 
application   to  work   and   living  in   accordance   with   the   strictest   principles  of 
integrity  and  honor,   Mr.   Hamerstrand   has   won    for   himself   the   respect   and    .; 
esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


ALBERT  LEXG. 

One  of  the  thoroughly  progressive  and  enterprising  agriculturists  of  Truro 
township  is  Albert  Leng,  who  owns  and  operates  two  hundre*!  and  ninety-five 
acres  of  land,  located  three  miles  north  of  WilliamsHeld.  He  was  born  in  Scar- 
borough, Yorkshire,  England,  on  July  2,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Ann 
(Woodall)  Leng,  who  always  made  their  home  in  the  mother  country,  the  father 
having  passed  away  when  our  subject  was  a  child  of  three  years.  :  : 

Albert  Leng  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  England,  where  he  re- 
sided until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years.  Being  an  enterprising 
and  ambitious  young  man,  America  had  always  appeared  very  attractive  to  him, 
as  he  felt  convinced  from  the  reports  he  had  received,  that  better  opportunities 
must  be  afforded  f<ir  advancement  here  than  in  his  native  country,  so  in  1870 
he  took  passage  for  the  United  States.  When  he  arrived  in  this  country  he 
came  directly  to  Illinois,  first  settling  in  Scott  county,  where  he  remained  from 
June  to  October,  when  he  went  to  Peoria  county.  He  worked  out  as  a  farm 
hand  for  a  time,  thus  ac(|uiring  sufficient  capital  to  purchase  eighty  acres  of  land, 
that  he  operated  with  excellent  success  until  1883.  In  the  latter  year  he  again 
changed  his  location,  this  time  becoming  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  purchasing 
a  place  in  the  vicinity  of  Rochester.  He  owned  this  and  also  the  farm  in  Peoria 
county  until  1802,  when  he  disposed  of  both  places  and  bought  the  jiroperty  where 
he  now  lives.  During  the  period  of  his  ownership  he  has  placed  many  imi)rove- 
ments  on  his  farm,  including  a  commodious  country  residence,  suitable  barns  and 
substantial  outbuildings.  He  is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas  and  ])ractical  methods 
and  as  his  circumstances  have  permitted  has  added  to  the  comfort  and  con- 
venience of  his  homestead  bv  the  introduction  of  various  modern  ajipHance-^  and 


f. 


:    ;V  ^  ^^ '        •  •       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^--       '•:  726 

inventions.  His  fields  are  devoted  to  the  raising  of  such  cereals  as  are  best 
adapted  to  the  soil,  all  of  the  work  on  the  fields  now  being  done  by  Mr.  Leng's 
sons.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he  has  made  a  specialty  of  stock-raising, 
both  branches  of  the  business  having  brought  him  very  satisfactory  returns. 
Furthermore,  Mr.  Leng  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  near  Mil- 
bank,  South  Dakota.  His  son,  Luther  E.,  recently  bought  two  hundred  and 
sixteen  acres  in  Truro  township,  having  sold  his  holdings  in  Peoria  county  to 
his  brother  E.  G.  Leng. 

In  Peoria  county,  on  the  5th  of  February,  1874,  Mr.  Leng  was  united  in  ' 
marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Frances  Aby,  who  was  born  on  the  2d  of  September, 
1851,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Elder  and  Mary  Ann  (Murphy)  Aby.  Nine  children 
have  been  born  of  this  marriage,  as  follows :  Luther  E.,  who  was  born  on  the 
25th  of  February,  1875;  James  E.,  born  November  23,  1876,  now  deceased; 
Mary  S.,  born  on  the  23d  of  December,  1877,  the  wife  of  H.  Spencer,  of  this 
county,  and  the  mother  of  five  children,  three  daughters  and  two  sons ;  Lyman 
W.,  born  on  December  23,  1880,  who  married  Jessie  Keneer  and  has  one  child, 
that  is  now  deceased;  Lulu  O.,  who  was  born  October  17,  1882,  and  died  Janu- 
ary 15,  1908,  the  wife  of  W.  F.  Porter  of  Victoria,  by  whom  she  had  two  sons 
and  one  daughter;  Robert  N.,  born  September  17,  1884;  Ewart  Gladstone, 
bom  on  the  28th  of  December,  1887,  who  married  Anna  Rich,  of  Peoria  county, 
and  has  two  children;  Edna  E.,  born  on  October  6,  1889,  the  wife  of  George 
Keneer  and  the  mother  of  one  child ;  and  Carl  E.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1892. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leng  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
among  the  congregation  of  which  they  number  many  friends,  and  his  political 
support  he  accords  to  the  populist  party.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  township  affairs  and  has  served  as  road  commissioner  and  school  director 
and  at  the  present  time  is  justice  of  the  peace.  Much  credit  is  due  Mr.  Leng 
for  the  prosperity  he  has  achieved,  as  he  came  to  this  country  with  no  capital 
save  the  strength  and  optimism  that  accompanies  youth  and  tireless  energy.  He 
has  directed  his  undertakings  in  an  intelligent  manner,  manifesting  rare  business 
sagacity  and  foresight  in  the  development  of  his  interests  and  as  a  result  has 
realized  good  dividends  on  the  investment  of  his  labor.. 


v^    ;;.;•;  JOHN  HAMILTON  PATTERSON.        .        ;.  '  \^;.  v>.  — 

Although  thirty-seven  years  have  elapsed  since  John  Hamilton  Patterson 
passed  away,  he  is  still  well  remembered  by  many  of  the  older  citizens  of  Knox- 
ville,  as  one  of  the  promising  agriculturists  of  his  township.  He  was  born  in 
Adams  county,  Ohio,  on  the  I4th  of  April,  1840,  the  only  child  of  Alexander 
and  Hannah  (Smith)  Patterson,  who  were  natives  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  The  father, 
who  was  an  agriculturist,  was  engaged  in  farming  in  his  native  state  for  many 
years,  but  he  and  his  wife  later  removed  to  Decatur,  Indiana,  where  they  both 
passed  away. 

John  Hamilton  Patterson  was  educated  in  the  district  schools,  and  while 
pursuing  his  studies  also  assisted  his  father  with  the  work  about  the  farm.  At 


;  726  -         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      '     :  .V'^;; 

,  the  age  of  sixteen,  self-confidence  asserted  itself  and  he  left  the  paternal  home 
and  came  to  Illinois,  at  that  time  considered  a  western  border  state.  He  located 
in  Knox  county  in  1856  and  engaged  in  farming,  ultimately  acquiring  property 
of  his  own.  Enterprising  and  ambitious,  he  applied  himself  energetically  to 
whatever  he  undertook,  directing  his  endeavors  with  foresight  and  intelligence. 
Just  when  his  efforts  began  reaping  financial  returns  and  the  future  gave  every 
assurance  of  promise  his  endeavors  were  terminated  by  death.  He  was  acci- 
dentally killed  by  the  falling  wall  of  a  burning  building  on  the  i8th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1874,  being  at  the  time  but  thirty- four  years  of  age.  I  -•  .• 
On  the  I5th  of  February,  i86i,  Mr.  Patterson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
.  Miss  Mary  M.  Brashear,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Ohio,  on  the  6th  of  August, 
1839.  Her  parents  were  Bazil  and  Eleanor  (Shaw)  Brashear,  natives  of  Fay- 

'•     ette  county,  Pennsylvania,   where  they  were  also  married.     During  the  early 
;  years  of  their  domestic  life  they  removed  to  Ohio  and  there  the  father  engaged 
in  farming  for  a  time  but  he  subsequently  came  to  Knoxville,  and  here  both 
\  parents  passed  away.     Their  family  consisted  of  the  following  children :  Eliza- 
beth, who  married  a  Mr.  Engle  and  has  passed  away;  John  and  Plaford,  both 

>  of  whom  are  also  deceased;  Bazil,  who  is  a  resident  of  Bond  county,  this  state; 
Ruth,  the  widow  of  Robert  Patterson,  who  served  for  four  years  in  the  Union 
army;  and  Mary  M.,  the  widow  of  John  H.  Patterson.  Four  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson.  Ira  E.,  the  eldest,  who  resides  in  Orange 
township,  this  county,  married  Miss  Flora  Thomas,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
they  have  two  daughters,  Edna  and  Frances.  Harvey  D.,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Missouri,  married  Mae  Thomas  of  Springfield,  this  state,  and  they  have  three 
sons,  Roy  A.,  Fred  L.  and  Harvey  E.  Frank  A.,  who  lives  in  Fulton  county, 
Illinois,  married  Bessie  Church  of  Cambridge  and  they  have  one  child,  Glendora, 
Emma  M.  has  passed  away. 

In  matters  of  citizenship  Mr.  Patterson  was  public-spirited  and  progressive, 
but  he  never  sought  political  preferment,  although  he  discharged  his  civic  duties 

X  by  appearing  at  the  polls  on  election  day,  casting  his  ballot  in  support  of  the 
candidates  of  the  republican  party.  During  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Knox 
county,  which  covered  eighteen  years,  he  won  and  retained  the  friendship  of 
many  of  its  citizens,  who  held  him  in  high  esteem  by  reason  of  his  many  fine 

. .   sterling  qualities. 


-  >  GEORGE  F.  HILTON,  M.  D.    •:/;•: 

Dr.  George  F.  Hilton,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  St.  Augustine, 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  his  recognized  ability  winning  him  a  liberal  patronage, 
was  born  in  Fulton  county,  this  state,  December  8,  1855,  his  parents  being  David 
and  Sarah  A.  (Bishop)  Hilton.  The  ancestry  can  be  traced  back  to  several 
generations  in  this  country  and  it  is  well  knovVn  that  the  first  of  the  name  came 
from  England.  The  great-great-grandfather  was  a  native  of  Maine  and  William 
Hilton,  the  great-grandfather,  was  born  in  Wiscasset,  Maine,  August  15,  1759, 
and  died  July  14,  1846.  His  wife,  Catherine  B.  Hilton,  was  born  May  24,  1764, 
and  died  July  8,  i8i6.  Their  children  were:  David,  who  was  born  September 


.  r'-v    ;^^  r        ;;  ;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;-  727 

10,  1782,  and  died  January  13,  1838;  Hannah,  who  was  born  January  27,  1784, 
and  died  September  i8,  1844;  Martha,  who  was  born  February  9,  1786,  and 
died  May  6,  1819;  Jessie,  who  was  born  May  i,  1788,  and  died  in  March, 
1862;  Joshua,  who  was  born  March  15,  1790,  and  died  December  27,  1876; 
Nancy,  who  was  born  September  30,  1792,  and  died  November  24,  i86i ;  Thomas, 
who  was  bom  February  28,  1795,  and  died  September  i6,  1862;  Oliver,  who  was 
born  March  24,  1797,  and  died  in  May,  1877;  Emma,  who  was  bom  October 
2,  1799,  and  died  in  February,  1875;  Helen,  who  was  bom  January  3,  1802, 
and  died  in  August,  1883;  Daniel,  who  was  bom  July  19,  1804,  and  died  in 
December,  1873;  and  Martha,  who  was  born  July  25,  1807,  and  died  March 
28,  1877. 

Of  this  family  Joshua  Hilton  was  the  grandfather  of  Dr.  Hilton.  He  was 
bom,  as  previously  stated,  March  15,  1790,  and  died  December  27,  1876.  His 
wife.  Sally  Hilton,  was  bom  June  i,  1794,  and  died  March  21,  i88i.  Their 
children  were:  McKenney,  who  was  born  September  22,  1814;  Catherine,  who 
was  born  August  27,  i8i6,  and  died  December  i6,  1878;  Asa,  who  was  bom 
December  22,  1819,  and  died  February  3,  1820;  Sarah,  who  was  born  March 
10,  1821 ;  Amos,  who  was  bom  April  26,  1823,  and  died  January  5,  1885 ;  David, 
the  father  of  our  subject ;  Caroline,  who  was  bom  August  27,  1832,  and  died 
May  5,  1836;  and  Joshua,  who  was  born  August  27,  1835. 

David  Hilton,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Maine,  June  24,  1827, 
and  in  early  life  removed  to  Ohio.  In  the  late  '505  he  became  a  resident  of 
Fulton  county,  Illinois,  and  spent  his  remaining  days  there  upon  a  farm,  his 
death  occurring  July  9,  1896,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years. 
In  early  life  he  engaged  in  the  butchering  business  in  California,  having  made 
the  trip  to  that  state  with  ox  teams,  spending  three  years  upon  the  Pacific  coast. 
He  married  Sarah  A.  Bishop,  who  was  bom  February  26,  1831,  and  died  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1903.  In  their  family  were  the  following  children.  Jasper,  who  was 
bom  October  14,  1851,  passed  away  on  the  5th  of  October,  1852.  Cyrus,  the 
next  of  the  family,  was  bom  on  the  24th  of  February,  1853.  George  F.,  of  this 
review,  is  the  next  younger.  Henry  W.,  born  September  15,  1857,  married 
Mary  A.  Maranville,  who  was  born  in  i86i,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
eleven  children:  Lola,  who  was  born  October  30,  1876,  and  died  November  19, 
1876;  Orpha  Bell,  who  was  bom  May  24,  1879,  and  died  March  20,  1910;  Fan- 
nie, bom  April  21,  i88i ;  David,  who  was  born  September  13,  1883,  and  died 
February  5,  1904;  Dayton,  bom  August  22,  1885;  Ethel  V.,  bom  December  29, 
1887;  Harley,  born  in  March,  1889;  Jesse,  bom  May  7,  1890;  Elra  Ray,  bom 
July  6,  1892;  Skeet,  bom  September  19,  1895;  and  Ina,  born  October  28,  1897. 
Mary,  the  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  A.  Hilton,  was  born  August  19,  1859, 
and  married  Lewis  K.  Hoar,  a  resident  of  Vandalia,  Illinois,  who  is  known 
throughout  the  state  as  a  very  successful  contractor  and  business  man.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  namely:  Effie  May,  who  was  born  November  4,  1879, 
and  died  February  26,  i88i ;  Bertha  Estella,  who  was  born  October  27,  i88i, 
and  died  August  9,  1889;  Sarah  Ellen,  who  was  bom  August  12,  1884;  Edna 
Fem,  who  was  bom  June  15,  1887,  and  died  July  12,  1910;  Martha  Lutta,  who 
was  bom  November  23,  1890,  and  died  January  29,  1891 ;  and  Jesse  Daniel,  who 
was  bom  November  21,  1891,  and  died  October  21,  1892.  John  W.,  born  March 
13,  1862,  passed  away  on  the  I3th  of  February,  1898.  Stephen  Leonard,  born 


728  '   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;;;:;/-:;/ 

December  21,  1863,  married  Serilda  Ann  Moon,  who  was  born  January  i8, 
1868,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely:  Ina  May,  born 
February  7,  1888;  Charles  David,  who  was  born  May  9,  1889,  and  died  Septem- 
ber 29,  1910;  William  Wesley,  who  was  born  November  2,  1890,  and  died  Novem- 
ber 8,  1895;  Sarah  Pearl,  bom  February  28,  1896;  Mabel  Frances,  born  Novem- 
ber 22,  1902 ;  and  Velva  Dora,  born  September  4,  1904.  Of  this  family  Charles 
David  was  married,  his  wife  being  Alice  Holman,  who  was  born  May  12,  1886, 
and  they  had  one  daughter,  Helen  J.,  born  March  24,  1910.  Jessie  was  born 
May  21,  1865.  Martin  L.  was  born  September  12,  1867.  Sarah  E.  was  born 
January  12,  1870,  and  died  on  the  9th  of  February,  1871. 

Dr.  Hilton  acquired  his  education  in  Cuba,  Illinois,  being  graduated  from 
the  high  school  with  the  class  of  1875.  During  his  high-school  days  he  also 
took  up  the  study  of  medicine  and  in  1875  entered  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  of  Keokuk.  Iowa,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1879.  Imme- 
diately afterward  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  St.  Augustine,  Illinois, 
where  he  has  since  continued.  He  has  practiced  with  phenomenal  success  here, 
his  labor.s  being  attended  with  results  that  indicate  his  comprehensive  knowledge 
of  the  science  of  medicine  and  his  correct  application  of  its  principles.  He  has 
vvritten  many  valuable  articles  on  medical  science  pertaining  to  pathology  and  the 
treatment  of  disease  and  he  always  maintains  that  there  are  two  important  prin- 
ciples in  medicine — first,  the  diagnosis  of  the  case  and  second,  the  application 
of  the  remedy.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  office  building  and  an  attractive 
residence  in  St.  Augustine  and  has  also  invested  in  railroad  stock. 

In  i88i  Dr.  Hilton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jennie  Louise  Supple, 
who  was  born  in  St.  Augustine,  June  15,  1858,  and  died  November  28,  1890. 
They  became  the  parents  of  three  children :  Leo,  who  was  born  May  22,  1882, 
and  died  April  20,  1884;  Irene  Frances,  who  was  born  May  .22,  1885;  and 
Charles  Demott,  who  was  born  April  i,  1887,  and  is  now  in  the  employ  of  a 
railroad  company,  living  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 

•  Dr.  Hilton  holds  membership  in  the  Catholic  church  and  also  belongs  to 
the  Modern  Woodmen  camp.  No.  4234,  and  to  the  Royal  Neighbors,  No.  395. 
In  politics  he  has  been  a  lifelong  democrat  and,  while  he  has  never  been  a  politi- 
cian in  the  sense  of  office  seeking,  he  has  labored  effectively  in  behalf  of  the 
cause  of  education  during  his  nine  years'  service  as  school  director.  His  profes- 
sional relations  are  with  the  Knox  County  and  Illinois  State  Medical  Societies 
and  at  all  times  he  keeps  in  touch  with  the  advanced  work,  thought  and  purposes 
of  the  profession. 


^  :,     ;:^v,  PROFESSOR  GEORGE  HOWARD  BRIDGE. 

.Professor  George  Howard  Bridge,  supervisor  of  manual  training,  in  the 
high  school  of  Galesburg,  was  born  in  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  May  27,  1857. 
He  is  descended  from  English  ancestry  but  comparatively  little  is  known  back 
of  the  last  generation.  His  father,  George  Bridge,  was  a  native  of  Dorchester, 
England,  and  was  reared  in  Dorchester,  where  he  afterward  learned  and  fol- 
lowed the  butcher's  trade,  continuing  in  that  pursuit  until  he  came  to  America 


;{;-;:::     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      7H':l    -          729 

about  1855.     After  establishing  his  home  in  DeKalb  county,  he  there  opened 
a  butchering  business  which  he  continued  until  1864,  when  he  came  to  Gales-         '. 
burg  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  proprietor  of  a  meat  market  here.     He 
married  Hannah  (Read)  Leggett,  also  a  native  of  Suffolk  and  a  daughter  of 
Stephen  and  Mary    (Howard)   Read,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  England.  ..      ' 
Her  father  who  was  a  farmer  died  in  middle  life  and  her  mother  reached  an  .      '_ 
advanced   age.     In  their   family   were  twelve  childrerT  including   Mrs.    Bridge. 
George  Bridge  spent  the  last  years  of  his  life  in  Nebraska  and  his  widow  is 
now  living  with  her  son  George  H.     She  was  twice  married,  her  first  husband 
being  Isaac  Leggett,  by  whom  she  had  one  child,  Walter,  who  is  now  deceased.^  . 
The  seven  children  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bridge  are :  George  H. ;  Everetta, 
the  wife  of  William  Putnam,  of  Kansas;  Clara  L.,  the  wife  of  S.  C.  Greaves,  of         .^ 
Harrison,  Arkansas;  Emma  J.,  the  wife  of  W.  C.  Whitmore,  of  Surprise,  Ne-  -y , 
braska;  John  R.,  of  Galesburg;  Mae,  the  wife  of  William  Warren,  of  Mon-    ... 
mouth,  Illinois;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  .  '  • 

Professor  Bridge  spent  the  first  seven  years  of  his  life  in  the  county  of  his     , 
nativity  but  has  been   a  resident  of   Galesburg   for   forty-seven  years,   largely         r 
acquiring  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  this  city  and  in  the  Western  •-:'     • 
Business  College  of  Galesburg,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1879.     For  a; 
time  he  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  a  commercial  college  at  Lawrence,  Kan-  :-    , 
sas.  in  partnership  with  M.  H.   Barringer  under  the  firm  name  of   Bridge  &•    ..'•'•-. 
Barringer,  the  connection  being  maintained  for  two  years.     He  then  returned 
to  the  Galesburg  public  schools  as  supervisor  of  penmanship  in  all  of  the  schools, 
continuing  to  occupy  that  position  for  ten  or  fifteen  years,  during  which  time  •  ;    • 
he  had  charge  of  the  commercial  work.     In  1887,  however,  he  organized  the      - 
manual  training  department  of  which  he  is  still  the  supervisor  and  under  his  r  ^; 
direction  there  are  now  about  four  hundred  and  thirty  boys  pursuing  the  course.  . .%  • 
The  Galesburg  schools  were  among  the  first  in  the  state  to  introduce  manual  .'^ 
training  as  well  as  to  establish  an  elective  course  and  were  also  among  the  first        ' 
to  introduce  the  practical  phase  of  manual  training.    The  boys  are  g^ven  instruc-  ;,    -^.! 
tion  in  all  kinds  of  wood  work  and  recently  iron  work  has  also  been  introduced.  •.  -  •- 
This  is  of  marked  assistance  to  the  public-school  pupils,  preparing  many  of  them  ; 
for  the  practical  and  responsible  duties  which  come  later  in  life.     Professor  •;  ^  •  - 
Bridge  holds  to  high  ideals  and  attempts  to  establish  a  standard  that  will  produce   '  : .. 
thoroughness,  efficiency  and  reliability.     More  than  one  man  now  successful  in  •  ' :; 
a  chosen  field  of  labor  received  the  impetus  for  his  progress  in  the  instruction   v    .-^ 
of  Professor  Bridge. 

The  5th  of  April,  i88i,  was  the  wedding  day  of  Professor  Bridge  and  Miss    '. 
Minerva  I.  Olin,  who  was  born  in  Aurora,  Kane  county,  Illinois,  April  4,  1857.  . .-. ; 
Her  parents,  Edwin  C.  and  Cyntha  Olin,  however,  were  natives  of  New  York,      • 
who  became  early  residents  of  Aurora,  coming  to  Illinois  in  1853.     In  1855  ^^-  '•••'""• 
Olin  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Com-   '.      . 
pany,  with  whom  he  continued  for  nearly  forty-five  years,  during  most  of  the     .   ''.;, 
time  in  the  capacity  of  bridge  superintendent.     The  family  removed  to  Gales-     '   - 
burg  in  1873.    In  1902  Mr.  Olin  went  to  Conway,  Iowa,  to  look  after  his  farm-       ;  :'.- 
ing  interests,  but  about  a  year  later  passed  away  there  on  May  3,  1903.     Mrs.   '  • 
Olin  died  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Bridge,  in  Galesburg  in  1908.     In     \ 
the  family  were  two  children,  Minerva  and  Ida,  the  latter  the  wife  of  C.  U.      i  . 


730  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,      ^ 

.       -         .  •    ''i  •  •••.-'';   •- 

Goldsmith,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  Unto  Professor  and  Mrs.  Bridge  have  been 
born  seven  children.  Glenn  F.,  who  was  a  graduate  of  the  Galesburg  high 
school  and  also  attended  the  State  University  at  Champaign,  Illinois,  for  two 
years,  died  of  mountain  fever  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  at  Salida,  Colorado. 
Earle  R.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  and  of  Knox  College,  has  taught 
for  six  years  in  the  Galesburg  high  school  and  is  now  assistant  supervisor  of 
manual  training.  Arthur  H.,  who,  following  his  graduation  from  high  school, 
spent  two  years  in  Knox  College,  is  now  managing  a  large  farm  in  Cass  county. 
North  Dakota.  Irene  O.  is  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  and  of  Knox  Col- 
lege, and  Gordon  H.,  Ruth  J.  and  Edna  are  all  pupils  of  the  high  school. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bridge  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  in  the  work  of 
which  they  are  actively  and  helpfully  interested,  contributing  in  many  ways  to 
various  branches  of  the  church  work.  For  several  years  Professor  Bridge  was 
chairman  of  the  board  of  deacons,  is  now  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees 
and  for  two  years  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  He  votes  with 
the  republican  party,  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office,  preferring  that 
his  public  service  should  be  of  another  character.  A  resident  of  Galesburg  for 
forty-seven  years,  he  has  been  connected  with  its  public  schools  for  thirty-one 
years  of  that  time  and  his  work  in  behalf  of  public  instruction  has  been  of  a 
practical  character  and  of  far-reaching  benefit.  He  is  now  the  president  of  the 
Sixth  Ward  Improvement  Society  and  vice  president  of  the  Galesburg  Improve- 
ment Association.  In  other  ways  he  has  taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in 
the  general  welfare  of  this  city  and  his  cooperation  can  be  counted  upon  to 
further  any  movement  for  the  public  good.  His  residence  is  at  No.  1590  West 
Main  street,  where  in  1900  he  erected  an  elegant  home,  one  of  the  finest  in  the 
city.  •,  .-.  '•  •-  .'-;-••:'-';  ••'^''•"'^'^-r"."::  •-•;--•;:-•-'' 


;^     -^\,;^^;  ,         MRS.  LYDIA  M.  HALL.        '•.:;:. 

r '    ',         '.-••.'.  '  •         .    ••  •  -..-••..-,••''       •*'•'.'•- 

Mrs.  Lydia  M.  Hall,  who  is  now  living  in  Yates  City,  has  been  a  resident  of 
Knox  county  since  she  was  a  child  of  nine  years.  She  was  born  in  Erie  county. 
New  York,  and  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  J.  (Candee)  Jobes,  natives  of 
Onondaga  county.  New  York,  where  they  were  also  reared  and  educated.  After 
their  marriage  they  located  in  Erie  county,  twenty  miles  south  of  Buffalo,  whence 
they  removed  to  Illinois.  They  first  located  in  Kendall  county  and  after  residing 
there  for  seven  years  came  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Salem  township,  in  1854, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  the  father  passing  away  at  the 
age  of  eighty-five  and  the  mother  at  ninety-one.  Both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
cemetery  at  Uniontown.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jobes  there  were 
bom  ten  children.  Wallace,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  now  residing  in  Tecum- 
seh,  Nebraska,  married.  Amanda  Buffin,  who  was  reared  in  Knox  county.  New- 
ton married  Margaret  Russell,  who  was  bom  and  reared  in  Salem  township,  this 
county,  a  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Sarah  Russell.  Irvin,  also  a  Civil  war  veteran, 
married  Lucinda  Lewis,  now  deceased,  and  is  living  in  Seattle,  Washington. 
Candee  is  married  and  resides  in  Abingdon,  Illinois.  Julia  became  the  wife  of 
Peter  Cassler  and  now  resides  in  New  Jersey.  Mary  married  Walter  Faxom. 


780  .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

Goldsmith,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  Unto  Professor  and  Mrs.  Bridge  have  been 
born  seven  children.  Glenn  F.,  who  was  a  graduate  of  the  Galesburg  high 
school  and  also  attended  the  State  University  at  Champaign,  Illinois,  for  two 
years,  died  of  mountain  fever  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  at  Salida,  Colorado. 
.  Earle  R.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  and  of  Knox  College,  has  taught 
for  six  years  in  the  Galesburg  high  school  and  is  now  assistant  supervisor  of 
manual  training.  Arthur  H.,  who,  following  his  graduation  from  high  school, 
spent  two  years  in  Knox  College,  is  now  managing  a  large  farm  in  Cass  county. 
North  Dakota.  Irene  O.  is  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  and  of  Kno.x  Col- 
lege, and  Gordon  H.,  Ruth  J.  and  Edna  are  all  pupils  of  the  Iiigh  sch(x>l. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bridge  are  members  of  the  P.ajJtist  church,  in  the  work  of 
which  they  are  actively  and  liel])fully  interested,  contriljuting  in  many  ways  to 
various  branches  of  the  church  work.  For  several  years  Professor  Bridge  wa.; 
chairman  of  the  board  of  deacons,  is  now  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees 
and  for  two  years  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  lie  votes  with 
the  republican  party,  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office,  preferring  that 
his  public  sen'ice  should  be  of  another  character.  A  resident  of  Galesburg  for 
forty-seven  years,  he  has  been  connected  with  its  public  schools  for  thirty-one 
years  of  that  time  and  his  work  in  behalf  of  public  instruction  has  been  of  a 
practical  character  and  of  far-reaching  benefit.  lie  i.s  now  the  president  of  tlie 
Sixth  \\'ard  lm|)nn-ement  Society  and  vice  president  of  tlie  Galesburg  Ini])r()ve- 
ment  Association.  In  other  ways  he  has  taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in 
the  general  welfare  of  this  city  and  his  cooperation  can  be  counted  upon  to 
further  any  movement  for  the  public  good.  His  residence  is  at  No.  I5<jo  \\'est 
Main  street,  where  in  1900  he  erected  an  elegant  home,  one  of  the  finest  in  the 

city- 


''  MRS.  LYDIA  M.  HALL.  :       . 

Mrs.  Lydia  ]M.  TIall,  who  is  now  living  in  Yates  City,  has  been  a  resident  of 
Kno.x  county  since  she  was  a  child  of  nine  years.  She  was  born  in  Erie  county, 
New  York,  and  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  J.  (Candee)  Jobes,  natives  of 
Onondaga  county.  New  York,  where  they  were  also  reared  and  educated.  After 
their  marriage  they  located  in  Erie  county,  twenty  miles  south  of  Buffalo,  whence 
they  removed  to  Illinois.  They  first  located  in  Kendall  county  and  after  residing 
there  for  seven  years  came  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Salem  townshi]),  in  1854, 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  the  father  passing  away  at  the 
age  of  eighty-five  and  the  mother  at  ninety-one.  Both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
cemetery  at  Uniontown.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jobes  there  were 
born  ten  children.  Wallace,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  now  residing  in  Tecum- 
seh,  Nebraska,  married.  Amanda  Buffin,  who  was  reared  in  Kno.x  county.  New- 
ton married  Margaret  Russell,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Salem  township,  this 
county,  a  daughter  of  Nicholas  and  Sarah  Russell.  Trvin,  also  a  Civil  war  veteran, 
married  Lucinda  Lewis,  now  deceased,  and  is  living  in  Seattle,  Washington. 
Candee  is  married  and  resides  in  Abingdon,  Illinois.  Julia  became  the  wife  of 
Peter  Cassler  and  now  resides  in  New  Jersey.  Mary  married  Walter  Faxom. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  733 

She  is  living  in  Salem  township  and  Mr.  Faxom,  who  died  in  1897,  was  both  a 
farmer  and  mason  by  profession.  The  next  in  order  of  birth  are  Casper,  who  is 
a  retired  farmer,  residing  at  Yates  City,  and  Mrs.  Hall.  Sarah  died  at  the  age 
of  six  years.  Emma,  the  youngest  in  this  family,  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Jobes 
was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Politically  Mr.  Jobes  was  a  republi- 
can, but  never  filled  or  sought  public  office.  They  were  most  estimable  people 
and  had  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances,  who  held  them  in  the  highest  regard. 

Mrs.  Lydia  M.  Hall,  the  youngest  now  living,  was  but  two  years  of  age, 
when  she  accompanied  her  parents  on  their  removal  from  New  York  to  Illinois. 
She  began  her  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Kendall  county,  supplementing 
the  knowledge  therein  gained  by  further  study  in  the  schools  of  Salem  township, 
where  she  was  reared  to  womanhood. 

In  1864,  while  yet  in  her  early  girlhood,  Mrs.  Hall,  who  has  been  married 
twice,  became  the  wife  of  Matthew  Buflfum,  who-  was  bom  and  reared  in  Ohio, 
a  son  of  Stephen  and  Esther  Buffum.  They  began  their  domestic  life  on  a  farm 

..  of  three  hundred  acres  in  Salem  township,  where  they  made  their  home  until 
Mr.  Buffum's  death.  After  his  demise  the  greater  part  of  the  property  was  sold, 

'  but  Mrs.  Hall  still  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  located  on  sections  19 
and  20  in  Salem  township.  Mr.  BuflFum  passed  away  in  1891  and  was  laid  to 
rest  in  the  Uniontown  cemetery.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  always  took 
an  active  interest  in  township  aflfairs,  having  served  both  as  road  commissioner 
and  school  director.  •  ;.• 

Following  the  death  of  her  first  husband,  Mrs.  Hall  removed  to  Yates  City, 
where  she  has  ever  since  resided,  her  farm  being  operated  by  tenants.  Her  second 
marriage  was  with  Cyrus  Hall,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  a  son  of  Chauncey 
Hall.  Mr.  Hall  died  in  1906,  and  was  at  that  time  a  retired  farmer. 

Mrs.  Hall  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of 
which  she  takes  an  active  and  earnest  interest.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  holds  the  office  of  treasurer  in  that  organization.  For 
a  period  of  eighteen  years  Mrs.  Hall  has  been  a  resident  of  Yates  City,  and  num- 
bers among  its  citizens  many  warm  friends,  to  whom  she  has  endeared  herself 
through  the  kindly,  helpful  spirit  and  gracious  manner  that  enable  her  to  win 
and  retain  the  high  regard  of  those  with  whom  she  comes  in  contact. 


, ;    :'v  ;;/^;;.        MRS.  CATHERINE  u.  CREEP.    ;  >  ;;!;:>•    -     :,;; 

Mrs.  Catherine  U.  Creep,  who  is  the  widow  of  Hans  Creep,  formerly  a  well 
known  agriculturist -of  Lynn  township,  is  still  residing  upon  the  homestead.  She 
was  born  February  14,  1851.  in  Calesburg,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Joel  and  Julia 
(Annis)  Starboard.  Joel  Starboard  was  the  son  of  John  Starboard,  an  efficient 
carpenter  and  cabinet  worker  who  passed  away  when  his  son  was  ten  years  of 
age,  the  mother  having  died  six  years  previous.  The  orphaned  son  'was  reared 
by  an  aunt  and  came  to  Calesburg  in  1842.  where  he  followed  the  plow-makers'  - 
and  shingle-makers'  trade.  Eleven  years  later,  in  March  1853,  he  removed  to 
the  present  homestead  in  Lynn  township,  where  he  lived  out  an  active  and  suc- 
cessful career.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Starboard  were  the  parents  of  four  children: 
ToL  n— n 


734  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Martha  A.,  who  is  the  wife  of  H.  Lyke,  of  Iowa;  Mary,  who  is  married  to 
Thomas  Williams  of  Missouri ;  Ella  N. ;  and  Mrs.  Catherine  U.  Creep,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  review.  ..  .  .  •.'••,'•'•' 

Until  her  marriage  Mrs.  Creep  remained  at  home  and  assisted  with  the  duties 
which  come  to  hand  on  every  farm.  In  1873  she  was  married  to  Hans  Creep, 
who  was  born  in  May,  1844,  and  who  was  a  native  of  Sweden.  When  three 
years  of  age  he  came  to  America  with  his  parents  and  settled  with  the  Bishop 
Hill  colony.  His  father,  John  Eric  Creep,  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  was  mar- 
ried to  Catherine  Johnson.  His  death  occurred  April  i8,  1899,  when  he  was 
eighty-two  years  of  age,  and  his  widow  passed  away  in  February,  1908,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-eight  years.  During  his  active  career  Mr.  Creep  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  first  assisting  his  father  and  later  farming  independently 
in  Lynn  township.  After  his  marriage  he  purchased  the  present  Creep  home- 
stead in  1882,  and  twelve  years  later  removed  to  Calva,  Illinois,  where  he  died 
in  1905.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Creep  returned  to  the  farm, 
where  she  is  now  residing.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children :  Orpha 
E.,  who  is  a  home  missionary  in  North  Dakota ;  Theodore  W.,  who  has  assumed 
the  management  of  the  home  farm ;  and  Olive  S.,  who  is  residing  with  her 
mother. 

Mrs.  Creep  traces  her  ancestry  on  the  maternal  line  back  to  Samuel  and 
Johanna  (Thorndyke)  Annis,  the  former  a  native  of  Maine  who  died  in  Vic- 
toria in  1854  at  the  age  of  ninety  years  and  the  latter,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent, 
passed  away  in  the  same  town.  Their  son,  Ellison  Annis,  was  born  in  1792  in 
Waldo  county,  Maine.  In  early  life  he  left  his  native  state  and  crossed  the 
country  to  the  Illinois  river  on  July  4,  1837,  settling  in  Victoria  on  the  28th  of 
July  of  that  year.  He  was  married  to  Catherine  Maro,  whose  birth  occurred,  in 
1796,  in  Boston  and  who  passed  away  in  1871,  while  her  husband  died  at  the 
age  of  about  eighty-nine  years  in  July,  1880.  He  began  life  as  a  sailor  and  was  in 
the  war  of  1812  drawing  a  land  warrant  for  his  service.  During  this  service  he 
first  became  acquainted  with  the  western  country. 

Mrs.  Creep's  life  has  been  devoted  to  her  home  duties  and  to  the  interests 
of  her  church.  She  holds  membership  in  the  Second  Adventist  church,  and 
aims  to  live  in  accordance  with  the  high  principles  of  its  teachings.  Both  she 
and  her  husband  have  been  useful  citizens  in  their  community,  because  of  their 
substantial  moral  worth  and  because  of  their  constant  devotion  to  duty. 


.      CEORCE  W.  WITHERELL.    .^  ^  ;,--'y;;  f   : 

Ceorge  W.  Witherell  is  the  owner  of  the  Spring  Brook  Stock  Farm,  in  the 
operation  of  which  he  is  meeting  with  a  gratifying  degree  of  success.  He  is  a 
native  of  Indiana,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Washington  county,  on  the  8th 
of  September,  1845,  ^"d  a  son  of  Ephraim  H.  and  Rebecca  (Donaldson)  With- 
erell. Mr.  Witherell  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  the  colonial  days,  his  great- 
grandfathers in  both  lines  having  participated  in  the  Revolution,  while  his  grand- 
father, Witherell,  was  a  captain  of  artillery  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  grand- 
father, Donaldson,  a  captain  of  infantry.  The  paternal  ancestors  came  from 


::;  vv  .  •    ;          .  ,-    .     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ,      0^:;^,  785 

Vermont,  where  his  father  was  born  in  i8i6,  but  when  a  child  of  two  years  he 

was  taken  to  Pennsylvania  by  his  parents  and  there  he  was  reared  and  educated. 

After  leaving  school  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  during 

the  greater  part  of  his  active  life.     The  mother  of  our  subject  was  bom  in 

.   Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  i8i8,  and  it  was  there  she  and  Mr.  Witherell  were 

married  and  spent  the  early  days  of  their  domestic  life.     In  1840  they  removed 

to  Washington  county,  Indiana,  where  for  five  years  he  followed  his  trade  and 

also  that  of  shoemaker.     At  the  expiration  of  that  period  they  again  started 

westward,  this  time  settling  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  continuing  to  make  their 

home  there  until  1851,  when  they  came  to  Knox  county.    There  they  settled  on 

a  farm  in  Kickapoo  township,  but  at  the  end  of  two  years  located  in  Knoxville, 

and  here  the  father  passed  away  in  1908,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years,  while 

the  mother  was  seventy-one  at  the  time  of  her  demise.    The  family  of  Mr.  and 

Mrs.  Witherell  consisted  of  one  daughter,  Ursula,  who  died  in  i86i,  and  six 

:  sons,  who  are  as  follows:  Loren  R.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Knoxville;  George  W., 

our  subject;  Willard,  who  is  living  in  California;  Erie,  whose  home  is  in  Mis- 

••  souri ;  Silas,  who  is  a  resident  of  Springfield,  Missouri ;  and  Oscar,  who  passed 

;  away  in  1905.     ••';'-'.. '^v.^  V.;:-/-  "^•  ^     \.   '- 

Practically  the  entire  life  of  George  W.  Witherell  has  been  spent  in  Knox 
county,  as  he  was  only  a  child  of  six  years  when  he  came  here  with  his  parents. 
He  obtained  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  when  old  enough  to  be- 
come  self-supporting  decided  to  take  up  agriculture  for  his  life  vocation.     He 
-  located  on  his  present  farm  just  after  his  marriage  in   1866,  and  has  devoted 
-.  his  entire  attention  to  its  cultivation  and  the  raising  of  stock  for  forty-five  years. 
It  contains  one  hundred  acres  of  fertile  land,  that  is  devoted  to  such  cereals  as 
are  best  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate,  and  pasturage  for  the  stock.     As  his 
.  means  have  permitted  Mr.  Witherell  has  improved  his  place  by  the  addition  of 
:  many  modern  conveniences,  characteristic  of  the  spirit  of  progress  he  has  ever 
manifested  in  his  undertakings.     He  has  a  fine  grade  of  cattle,  mostly  Short- 
horns and  Jerseys,  of  which  he  makes  a  specialty,  and  is  constantly  improving 
the  line  by  careful  breeding.     In  the  administration  of  his  affairs  he  evidences 
the  clear  judgment,  discretion  and  intelligence  that  ultimately  bring  prosperity, 
particularly  when  united  with  enterprise  and  diligence. 

Mr.  Witherell  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  I7th  of  May,  1866,  at  Knox- 
ville, to  Miss  Martha  A.  Stolloper,  who  was  bom  in  Washington  county,  Mary- 
land,  on  February  28,  1847.  The  parents  of  Mrs.  Witherell  were  Henry  and 
Harriet  Stolloper,  also  natives  of  Maryland,  whence  they  removed  to  Knox 
county  fifty  years  ago.  The  mother  is  still  living  but  the  father  passed  away 
.when  Mrs.  Witherell  was  a  child.  Eight  children  were  born  of  the  marriage 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Witherell,  as  follows:  Flora,  who  is  the  wife  of  George  Breed- 
laugh,  of  Knox  county ;  Minnie,  who  married  John  Dredge,  also  of  Knoxville ; 
Etta,  the  wife  of  Harry  Woolsey,  likewise  of  Knoxville ;  Daisy,  who  became  the 
wife  of  James  Ferrell,  of  Galesburg;  Clara,  who  married  Ray  Howser,  of  Gales- 
burg;  Harmon,  who  married  Lola  Myers,  now  residing  in  Kingston,  Kansas; 
Arthur,  whose  wife  was  Miss  Mamie  Peterson  of  Knoxville,  a  resident  of  this 
county;  and  Clyde,  who  married  Miss  Mae  Dawson,  of  Dahinda.  now  a  resi- 
dent  of  Knoxville.  :;-~:  ^;-y  ••• 


736  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Mr.  Witherell  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
Seventy-seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  gone  to  the  front  on  the  nth 
of  February,  1863,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  He  saw 
much  active  service,  having  participated  in  fourteen  battles,  the  most  important 
being  those  of  Vicksburg  and  Cross  Roads,  and  he  was  also  present  at  the  siege 
of  Mobile.  On  the  I5th  of  August,  1865,  he  was  mustered  out  at  New  Orleans, 
receiving  his  discharge  at  Springfield,  this  state,  on  the  2d  of  September,  1865. 
He  is  a  charter  member  of  Post  No.  239,  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
in  which  he  has  held  all  of  the  chairs.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  being  a  charter  member  of  the  Knoxville  camp, 
with  which  he  has  been  identified  for  twenty-four  years  and  has  held  all  of  the 
chairs,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Fraternal  Reserve  Association.  In  matter?  of 
faith  both  he  and  Mrs.  Witherell  are  Methodists,  and  take  an  active  interest  in 
the  work  of  their  church,  among  the  membership  of  which  they  number  many  • 
friends.  ,  .  ,  .  ,  .  . 


':••      '   '      :.  "      JAMES  w.  COX.     ..vv- ;;:-::,;;.', ;/:;;:• 

James  W.  Cox,  a  prominent  and  respected  resident  of  Abingdon,  has  for 
more  than  two  decades  served  as  president  of  the  Globe  Shirt  &  Overall  Com- 
pany, one  of  the  leading  manufacturing  enterprises  of  Knox  county.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Indian  Point  township,  this  county,  on  the  I2th  of  May,  1855,  his 
parents  being  John  and  Rebecca  (Bellwood)  Cox,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Ohio.  The  father  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  in  early  manhood,  about 
the  year  1850,  while  the  mother  was  brought  here  by  her  parents  when  a  little 
maid  of  about  six.  Following  his  marriage  John  Cox  located  on  a  farm  in  In- 
dian Point  township,  residing  thereon  until  called  to  his  final  rest  in  1893,  when 
about  sixty-five  years  of  age.  His  widow  still  survives  and  makes  her  home 
with  our  subject.  She  has  spent  practically  her  entire  life  in  Knox  county  and 
is  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  within  its  borders. 

James  W.  Cox  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  supplemented  his 
preliminary  education,  obtained  in  the  district  schools,  by  a  course  of  study  at 
Hedding  College.  Subsequently  he  followed  the  profession  of  teaching  for  five 
years,  imparting  clearly  and  readily  to  others  the  knowledge  that  he  had 
acquired.  In  1880  he  turned  his  attention  to  merchandising,  first  conducting 
an  establishment  at  Albert  Lea,  Minnesota.  A  short  time  afterward  he  came 
to  Abingdon,  Illinois,  and  opened  a  store  here,  being  one  of  the  leading  general 
merchants  of  the  town  for  about  five  years.  After  abandoning  mercantile  pur- 
suits he  was  not  connected  with  business  interests  for  about  a  year.  In  1889, 
however,  in  association  with  S.  T.  Mosser,  he  established  the  Globe  Shirt  & 
Overall  Company.  Business  was  begun  on  a  modest  scale  on  the  site  now  occu- . 
pied  by  the  Mercantile,  but  these  quarters  were  soon  found  inadequate  and  a 
removal  was  made  to  the  present  location.  The  rapid  growth  of  the  business 
required  frequent  enlargements  of  the  plant,  which  today  is  a  modern  structure 
of  two  stories  and  covers  a  quarter  of  a  block.  Employment  is  furnished  to 
from  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  to  two  hundred  operatives.  Mr.  Cox  is  a 


^  ^:;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •::v^  737 


man  of  excellent  executive  ability  and  sound  judgment,  carrying  forward  to 
successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes.  In  addition  to  his  manufacturing 
interests  he  is  also  a  factor  in  financial  circles  as  a  director  of  the  First  State 
&  Savings  Bank  of  Abingdon. 

In  politics  Mr.  Cox  is  independent,  supporting  men  and  measures  rather 
than  party.  A  stanch  friend  of  the  cause  of  education,  he  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  education  for  the  past  ten  or  twelve  years  and  is  now  acting 
as  its  president.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  belonging  to  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  184.  He  has  spent  almost  his 
entire  life  within  the  borders  of  Knox  county  and  is  widely  recognized  as  one 
of  its  representative  and  esteemed  citizens.  — .,  ,  ... 


^^v    -;.:;•;        ANDREW  JACKSON  ROSS.  ;  J    C; 

.-  Andrew  Jackson  Ross  is  one  of  the  well  known  retired  farmers  of  Lynn 
township  who  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  agricultural  development  of  this 
section  and  who  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  former  labor.  He  was  bom 
on  the  I4th  of  April,  1835,  in  Camden  county.  New  Jersey,  and  is  a  son  of  Ben- 
jamin and  Nancy  (Norcross)  Ross.  He  is  a  grandson  of  Andrew  Ross,  who 
was  a  native  of  Scotland  and  came  to  New  Jersey  when  but  a  young  man.  He 
was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1839. 
Benjamin  Ross  was  also  a  native  of  Camden  county.  New  Jersey,  and  was  an 
agriculturist  throughout  his  entire  active  career.  His  death  occurred  in  1856, 
when  he  was  fifty  years  of  age.  In  politics  he  gave  his  support  to  the  democratic 
party  and  held  various  township  offices.  The  mother's  birth  occurred  in  1806 
and  she  passed  away  in  her  native  state.  New  Jersey,  in  1895.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Joseph  and  Martha  (Sloan)  Norcross,  the  former  of  whom  was  an  agri- 
culturist and  of  English  descent.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  Ross  eleven  chil- 
dren were  born,  five  of  whom  survive  :  Joseph,  who  is  residing  in  Camden,  New 
Jersey  ;  Hannah,  the  wife  of  Thomas  McCann,  of  New  Jersey  ;  Andrew  J.,  of 
this  review  ;  Edward,  who  is  also  living  in  New  Jersey  ;  and  Patience,  who  is  the 
widow  of  J.  T.  Howard,  of  New  Jersey. 

After  finishing  his  education  in  the  district  schools  near  his  home,  Andrew 
J.  Ross  worked  out  by  the  month  until  1859,  when  he  removed  to  Knox  county 
and  located  upon  the  farm  which  is  now  known  as  the  Gibbs  farm.  Subsequently 
he  came  to  Victoria  township  and  from  1870  until  1894  resided  there.  After  he 
left  that  township  he  removed  to  the  property  upon  which  he  is  now  living 
retired.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he  also  engaged  in  stock-raising  and 
in  both  of  these  undertakings  his  labor  and  efforts  were  amply  rewarded  by  the 
increasing  returns  which  were  annually  yielded  to  him.  He  instituted  many 
reforms  as  fast  as  they  were  advanced  by  leading  agriculturists  in  the  country 
and  in  this  way  raised  the  standard  of  the  science  of  farming  in  this  township. 
Because  of  his  long  experience  in  agricultural  pursuits  his  advice  is  frequently 
asked  and  always  heeded,  his  judgment  being  based  upon  the  results  which  he 
received  by  careful  and  untiring  eflforts.  i  .  -  -  .? 


738  ;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1858,  Mr.  Ross  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Ann 
Downs,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1824  and  who  passed  away  in  1901.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Patience  (Chew)  Downs,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Ireland.  The  father  was  engaged  in  farming  and  in  the  sawmill  business. 
Their  deaths  occurred  in  1867  and  1871  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ross  were 
the  parents  of  two  children.  Ella,  the  eldest,  was  born  June  26,  1859,  and  i^ 
at  home.  Elizabeth,  born  May  3,  1867,  is  the  wife  of  John  R.  Gofi  and  the 
mother  of  two  children :  Ford,  who  is  married  to  Ora  Todd  and  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Lillian;  and  Grace  Mildred,  whose  birth  occurred  October  31,  1886,  and  who 
became  the  wife  of  David  Craig,  a  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Cowell)  Craig,  of 
Missouri.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Craig,  Jr.,  three  children  were  born,  Howard, 
Mildred  and  Lucille.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Ross  occurred  on  the  i7th  of  May, 
1901.  '  d/  ;'^' 

•  Politically  Mr.  Ross  is  affiliated  with  the  republican  party,  by  whom  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  roadmaster  of  the  township.  In  religious  faith  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Christian  church  of  La  Fayette.  For  more  than  fifty  years 
Mr.  Ross  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  and  during  this  period  he  has 
made  his  influence  felt  in  the  circles  with  which  he  has  been  connected  and  has 
performed  a  citizen's  duty  in  the  development  of  the  township.  He  is  a  man  of 
noble  qualities  of  character,  of  strong  and  resolute  purpose,  industrious  and, 
enterprising,  and,  well  known  throughout  the  community  for  his  uprightness 
and  honesty,  he  merits  and  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  neighbors 
and  many  friends.  ,  ^.  .•;-,  .  .v  >',;..;' -^v  .^^  ..-.• 


•  ;  CHARLES  D.  NORTH.    <:,::V\;  .;:  x 

Prominent  in  financial  as  well  as  agricultural  circles  in  Knox  county,  Charles 
D.  North,  president  of  the  Bank,  of  Yates  City  and  owner  of  one  of  the  finest 
farms  in  Elba  township,  resides  four  miles  north  of  Yates  City.  Born  in  Pendle- 
ton  county,  Virginia,  October  8,  1844,  he  was  a  son  of  Thomas  J.  North,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  i8oi,  in  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  whither  Caleb  North,  the 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  had  come  from  Ireland,  leaving  there  May  i, 
1729,  and  landing  here  July  20.  George  North,  the  grandfather,  was  bom  in 
1751  and  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Thomas  J.  North  was  a 
miller  by  trade  and  followed  this  occupation  in  Virginia  until  1875,  when  he 
removed  to  Yates  City,  Illinois,  and  lived  retired,  dying  here  several  years  later. 
He  married  Eliza  Hinkle,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Hinkle,  a  Methodist  Epis- 
copal preacher.  The  Hinkle  family  are  of  Dutch  origin  and  the  first  ancestor 
to  come  to  this  country  was  Anthony  Jacob  Hinkle,  who  settled  in  Virginia. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  J.  North  fourteen  children  were  born,  of  whom  three 
are  now  living,  Sarah  K.,  Thomas  G.  and  Charles  D. 

Charles  D.  North  obtained  his  education  in  Virginia  and  on  leaving  school 
enlisted  in  the  army  with  the  Sixty-second  Virginia  Cavalry,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Fitzhugh  Lee,  and  served  during  the  last  three  years  of  the  war.  He 
took  part  in  some  of  the  important  engagements  and  was  wounded  three  times. 
When  the  war  was  over,  he  settled  in  Knox  county  in  1866  and  engaged  in  the 


CHARLES  D.  NORTH 


738       -^.:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

On  the  5th  of  September.  1858.  Mr.  Ross  was  married  to  Mi«s  Mary  Ann 
Downs,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1824  and  who  passed  away  in  1901.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Patience  (Chew)  Downs,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Ireland.  The  father  was  engaged  in  farming  and  in  the  sawmill  business. 
Their  deaths  occurred  in  1867  and  1871  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ross  were 
the  parents  of  two  children.  Ella,  the  eldest,  was  born  June  26,  1859,  and  is 
at  home.  Elizabeth,  born  May  3,  1867,  is  the  wife  of  John  R.  Gofi  and  the 
mother  of  two  children :  Eord,  who  is  married  to  Ora  Todd  and  has  one  daugh- 
ter, Lillian;  and  Grace  Mildred,  whose  birth  occurred  October  31,  1886,  and  who 
became  the  wife  of  David  Craig,  a  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Cowell)  Craig,  of 
Missouri.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Craig,  Jr.,  three  children  were  bom,  Howard, 
Mildred  and  Lucille.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Ross  occurred  on  the  I7th  of  May, 
1901.  '  1 

Politically  Mr.  Ross  is  affiliated  with  the  rejjublican  part)',  by  whom  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  roadmaster  of  the  township.  In  religious  faith  he  is 
affiliated  with  the  Christian  church  of  La  Fayette.  For  more  than  fifty  years 
]\Ir.  Ross  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  and  during  this  period  he  has 
made  his  influence  felt  in  the  circles  with  which  he  has  been  connected  and  has 
performed  a  citizen's  duty  in  the  development  of  the  township.  He  is  a  man  of 
noble  (jualities  of  character,  of  strong  and  resolute  purpose,  industrious  and 
enterprising,  and,  well  known  throughout  the  community  for  his  uprightness 
and  honesty,  he  merits  and  enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  neighbors 
and  many  friends.  ••  .  • 


^;v     ,  CHARLES  D.  XORTH.  '•:         -^ 

Prominent  in  financial  as  well  as  agricultural  circles  in  Knox  county,  Charles 
D.  North,  president  of  the  Rank,  of  Yates  City  and  owner  of  one  of  the  finest 
farms  in  Elba  townshi]),  resides  four  miles  north  of  Yates  City.  Born  in  Pendle- 
ton  county,  Virginia,  October  8,  1844,  he  was  a  son  of  Thomas  J.  Xorth,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  i8oi,  in  Loudoun  county,  X'irginia,  whither  Caleb  Xorth,  the 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  had  come  from  Ireland,  leaving  there  May  i, 
1729,  and  landing  here  Jul>'  20.  George  Xorth,  the  grandfather,  was  bom  in 
1751  and  was  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Thomas  J.  Xorth  was  a 
miller  by  trade  and  followed  this  occupation  in  X'irginia  until  1875,  when  he 
removed  to  Yates  City,  Illinois,  and  lived  retired,  dying  here  several  years  later. 
He  married  Eliza  Hinkle,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Hinkle,  a  Methodist  Epis- 
copal preacher.  The  Hinkle  family  are  of  Dutch  origin  and  the  first  ancestor 
to  come  to  this  country  was  Anthony  Jacob  Hinkle,  who  settled  in  \'irginia. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  J.  Xorth  fourteen  children  were  born,  uf  whom  three 
are  now  living,  Sarah  K.,  Thomas  G.  and  Charles  D.  ;  '  •:  | 

Charles  D.  Xorth  obtained  his  education  in  \'irginia  and  on  leaving  school 
enlisted  in  the  army  with  the  Sixty-second  \'irginia  Cavalry,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Fitzhugh  Lee,  and  served  during  the  last  three  years  of  the  war.  He 
took  part  in  some  of  the  im]X)rtant  engagements  and  was  wounded  three  times. 
\\'hen  the  war  was  over,  he  settletl  in  fxnox  county  in  1866  and  engaged  in  the 


(  IIARLKS   1).  N 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  741 

cultivation  of  the  soil,  first  renting  land  and,  later  on,  purchasing  a  tract  of  his 
own.  He  made  a  number  of  purchases  at  various  times  and  now  he  and  his 
wife  own  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  upon  which  their  home  is  situated,  and 
another  tract  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  six  miles  north  of  Yates  City, 
besides  thirty  acres  located  six  miles  north  of  Yates  City  and  thirty-six  acres 
three  miles  from  the  home  place.  Mr.  North  is  the  president  of  the  Bank  of 
Yates  City,  of  which  L.  A.  Lawrence  is  the  vice  president  and  Jack  Mason  the 
cashier,  and  he  is  likewise  the  owner  of  a  one-fourth  interest  in  the  National 
Coal  Company  of  Middle  Grove,  which  is  capitalized  for  fifty  thousand  dollars. 
Charles  D.  North  came  to  Yates  City  on  the  2Oth  of  March,  1866,  and  there 
was  married,  on  the  22d  of  December,  1875,  to  Mary  Sophia  Nicholson,  the 
only  child  of  James  H.  and  Catharine  (King)  Nicholson.  They  have  resided 
on  their  present  farm  near  Yates  City  since  1877.  In  their  family  were  the 
following  children:  Adah  Katharine,  bom  September  15,  1877;  Ralph  Nicholson, 
born  August  20,  1879 ;  Earl  James  Hasbrouck,  bom  January  25,  i88i  ;  Carl  Qin- 
ton,  born  May  25,  1882,  who  was  married  to  Edith  Victoria  Slayton,  January 
26,  1910;  Harold  Edward,  born  July  25,  1884;  and  Elsie  Louise,  born  June  9, 
1889.  All  of  the  sons  are  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  with  the  exception 
of  Harold,  who  is  bookkeeper  in  the  Bank  of  Yates  City.  • 

Since  exercising  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  North  has  been  affiliated  with  the 
democratic  party  and  has  served  as  road  commissioner  and  for  twenty-five  years 
as  school  director.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church  and  in  the  con- 
duct of  his  life  exemplifies  its  principles  of  open-mindedness  and  truth  as  well 
as  the  lofty  ideals  of  the  Masonic  order  to  which  he  belongs,  being  a  member  of 
the  blue  lodge  and  the  chapter  of  Yates  City  and  of  the  commandery  at  Gales- 
burg.  Mr.  North  possesses  singular  force  of  will  and  the  power  to  execute 
whatever  enterprises  he  chooses  to  undertake,  and  it  is  his  determination  and 
his  fearlessness  in  meeting  obstacles  that  have  won  for  him  his  remarkable  suc- 
cess in  life.  ,  :-  ^^  n  ,-..,.-.  . 


••••  -:^.:, '^':\ -':••::, -.y''':''^.: •''•:(    HEMAN  p.  SMITH. 

Heman  P.  Smith,  who  is  living  retired  upon  his  farm  in  Lynn  township,  Knox 
county,  has  devoted  almost  his  entire  life  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  bom 
in  Cortland  county.  New  York,  on  the  I4th  of  November,  1833.  His  paternal 
grandfather,  Robert  Smith,  was  a  native  of  England,  having  come  to  America 
in  1775,  when  George  Washington  was  organizing  his  army  at  White  Plains. 
Robert  Smith  immediately  enlisted  and  served  through  the  entire  war,  being  a 
subordinate  officer  under  Washington.  After  the  war  he  was  given  a  patent  to 
land  in  Cortland,  New  York.  During  the  political  organization  of  New  York 
state  he  was  the  first  town  clerk  elected  in  Schenectady,  and  during  his  services 
the  township  offices  were  at  his  home  and  all  the  meetings  were  held  there. 
Thereafter  he  moved  onto  the  land  granted  him  which  he  farmed  for  some 
time.  Shortly  after  his  election  to  the  office  of  clerk  his  son,  the  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  review,  was  sent  to  a  neighbor's  for  a.  supply  of  dishes.  Being 
delayed  on  his  errand,  he  was  severely  punished  by  his  father  upon  his  retum. 


742  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

The  reprimand  seemed  uncalled  for  to  the  boy  and  he  replied  to  his  father,  that 
just  because  he  had  been  elected  town  clerk  he  need  not  feel  so  big.  This 
anecdote  was  subsequently  repeated  to  Washington,  who  enjoyed  it  greatly. 
The  grandmother  was  in  her  maidenhood  Miss  Grace  Braithwait.  Both  the 
grandparents  passed  away  before  Heman  P.  was  born.  The  parents,  William 
and  Lorinda  (Badger)  Smith,  were  natives  of  New  York  state  and  Ohio,  re- 
spectively. William  Smith  came  to  Knox  county  in  1844  and  located  upon  the 
property  which  is  now  known  as  the  Smith  farm.  In  New  York  state  he  en- 
gaged in  milling  but  took  up  agricultural  pursuits  after  his  removal  to  Knox 
county.  His  death  occurred  in  1880,  when  he  was  ninety-two  years  of  age. 
Mrs.  Smith  was  a  daughter  of  Edmond  and  Margaret  Badger,  who  came  to 
reside  with  their  daughter  after  they  left  Ohio.  Mrs.  Smith  passed  away  in 
1890,  when  she  was  one  hundred  years  of  age.  She  had  become  the  mother  of 
eight  children,  three  of  whom  survive :  Heman  P.,  who  is  the  subject  of  this 
review ;  Austin,  who  is  living  in  La  Fayette ;  and  Erastus,  of  Lynn  township. 
The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Heman  P.  Smith  were  spent  at  home,  his  time 
and  attention  being  divided  between  the  duties  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures 
of  the  playground  and  the  work  on  the  home  farm.  When  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  taught  school  for  a  short  time  in  Altona  and  attended  Beloit 
College,  of  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  for  some  time,  before  locating  permanently  upon 
the  family  homestead.  Agricultural  pursuits  formed  his  chief  occupation  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life  excepting  while  he  was  in  service  in  the  Civil  war. 
He  enlisted  on  the  Qth  of  August,  1862,  at  Altona,  with  Company  G,  Eighty- 
ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Thomas  Whiting.  For  three  years 
he  served  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  which  was  commanded  by  General 
Sherman,  and  during  this  time  he  saw  active  service,  at  Nashville,  Louisville, 
Chattanooga  and  Atlanta.  He  .  was  taken  ill  and  was  in  a  hospital  for  nine 
months  before  being  mustered  out  because  of  disability  for  further  service.  He 
immediately  returned  home  and  took  up  the  cultivation  of  his  farm,  which  he 
had  left  in  charge  of  his  brother.  His  hard  labor,  persistency  and  untiring 
energy  won  him  a  sufficient  competence  that  now  permits  him  to  live  retired  and 
enjoy  the  comforts  of  life.  His  farm  presents  a  neat  and  thrifty  appearance 
and  is  one  of  the  most  highly  productive  in  Lynn  township.  Because  of  his 
long  identification  with  agricultural  interests  his  advice  is  frequently  sought 
and  is  always  heeded  in  matters  pertaining  to  farm  development. 

V  In  1865  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  E.  Thompson,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  4th  of  August,  1838.  in  Goshen,  Connecticut,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  John  F.  and  Harriet  E.  (Reed)  Thompson.  Mrs.  Thompson  was  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Amy  (Crandall)  Reed,  who  came  to  Knox  county  before  the 
Smith  family  located  here.  Throughout  his  active  career  Mr.  Thompson  fol- 
lowed the  blacksmith's  trade.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  seven  children  have 
been  born :  Lemont,  who  is  married  to  Minnie  Short,  by  whom  he  has  four 
children ;  Lethay,  who  is  engaged  as  a  hospital  nurse ;  Fred,  an  engineer  of  Gales- 
burg,  who  is  married  to  Emma  Blene  and  has  seven  children ;  Abbie  and  Addie, 
twins,  the  former  being  engaged  in  teaching  school  and  the  latter  at  home ;  Urban, 
of  Lynn  township,  who  is  married  to  Myrtle  Jones,  and  has  two  children ;  and 
Bertha,  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri. 


;;>  ;;^';v  vj    HISTORY  OF.KNOX  COUNTY     ;;      ;;1;;  743 

^  In  politics  Mr.  Smith  has  always  given  his  support  to  the  democratic  party 
and  has  served  as  assessor  of  the  township  and  for  many  years  as  member  of 
the  school  board.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  post  of  Victoria 
and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Galva.  Be- 
cause of  his  long  residence  in  this  county  he  has  been  a  witness  of  much  of  its 
development,  in  which  he  has  taken  more  than  a  citizen's  interest  and  share, 
and  is  a  well  known  figure  in  social  and  agricultural  circles.  ._  .......  ....  , 


ABRAM  MYERS  EIKER. 


^   ;''          Abram  Myers  Eiker  for  many  years  closely  identified  with  the  agricultural  c 

.       interests  of  Knox  county  and  now  living  retired  on  his  farm  of  one  hundred     V 
.         and  seventy  acres  in  Orange  township,  was  born  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  '  n 
June  i8,  1840.    His  father,  Abram  Eiker,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  was  a  farmer    , 

-  :      and  blacksmith  by  occupation  and  also  for  many  years  operated  a  gristmill.     He   •  . 
'"       was  married  to  Josephine  Myers,  who  was  born  in  Maryland,  and  in  i86i   re-    ; 

'  moved  his  family — consisting  of  his  wife,  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  of  whom   .'v 

.       Abram  M.  Eiker,  his  brother  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Anderson  survive — to  Knox    ': 
county,   Illinois,   settling  on   a    farm  that   he   purchased   in   Orange   township.     >' 
There  he  lived  until  the  death  of  his  wife  when  he  made  his  home  with  his  two     '.' 
.  ;       children,  living  a  peaceful  existence  which  was  terminated  eight  years  ago.  > 

;,  Passing  his  boyhood  days  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania,  Abram  M.  Eiker   -'' , 

was  reared  and  educated  in  that  locality.     On  coming  to  Illinois  at  the  age  of 

-  twenty-one  he  entered  the  employment  of  his  uncle  on  his  farm  in  Knox  county.   V,; 
Before  long  he  was  prepared  to  engage  in  farming  for  hinsself  and  forty-six    • ;  • 
years  ago,  in  1865,  he  bought  the  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  on    ;. 

;  •        which  he  now  lives.     At  that  time  the  country  was  only  wild  prairie  land  and 

•  tangled  underbrush,  but  this  he  cleared  and  developed,  improving  it  until  it  is   v; 
now  one  of  the  flourishing  farms  in  this  section.    He  built  the  present  substantial  ••  ' 

.  _      house  and  the  bams,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  various  departments  of  general    • 
;       farming,  making  a  specialty  of  raising  cattle  and  horses.     Some  years  ago  he     ; 
withdrew  from  active  work  on  the  place  and  now  his  son  operates  it  continuing  '^:- 
;         his  father's  wise  administration  and  thorough-going  methods  of  cultivation.          '.•'.. 
'  •'  .    -     In  i86i  Mr.  Eiker  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Adams  county,  Pennsylvania, 
'      to  Miss  Martha  Krise,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and   a  daughter  of  George   ^• 

•  ;       Krise,  a  farmer  in  Adams  county.    Mrs.  Eiker  passed  away  in  1905,  leaving  her   \.: 
\       husband  and  five  children  to  mourn  her  loss.     Their  names  are:  George  L.,  a   !  ' 

farmer  in  Orange  township;  Elora  B.,  the  wife  of  Curt  Qark  of  Orange  town-   .. 
ship;  Bert  K.,  living  on  a  farm  in  Chestnut  township;  Ross,  who  operates  his 
;         father's  farm ;  and  Henrietta,  the  wife  of  Oren  Smith,  living  in  Kansas.  ;  L 

On  January  15,  1906,  Mr.  Eiker  was  again  married,  the  second  union  being 
;,      with  Miss  Letitia   Prushafer,  bom   near  Monmouth,   Illinois,   March  9,    1867.       ; 
'       She  was  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Hannah  Prushafer,  natives  of  Germany  who      !. 
:       became  pioneer  settlers  of  Illinois,  locating  near  Monmouth,  where  they  lived 
for  twenty-eight  years  when  they  removed  to  the  county  line  and  resided  there  ".''] 
until  their  death.     The  children  of  this  marriage  are:     Mary,  the  wife  of  Wil-     ?. 


744  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Ham  B.  Briggs,  living  near  Victoria;  Lucy,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Myrick,  living 
in  Knox  county  northeast  of  Knoxville;  Grant  and  Charles,  living  in  Butte, 
Montana;  and  John,  a  farmer  in  the  state  of  Washington. 

Mr.  Eiker  votes  with  the  republicans  and  has  been  county  commissioner  for  a 
period  of  nine  years  and  school  director  in  Orange  township  for  sixteen  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  while  Mrs.  Eiker  belongs  to 
the  Christian  church.  Their  home  is  pleasant  and  hospitable,  being  always 
open  to  the  many  friends  who  often  come  to  seek  their  generous  arid  cordial 
welcome,  and  who  pronounce  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eiker  a  charming  host  and  hostess. 


..          '  JACOB  M.  OBERHOLTZER.    ^^:;-:-^     S^K 

;  Jacob  M.  Oberholtzer  is  a  retired  farmer,  living  in  Knoxville.  He  was  for 
many  years  identified  with  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  still  owner  of 
four  hundred  and  sixty-eight  acres  in  Elba  and  Truro  townships.  His  birth 
occurred  in  the  former  township,  March  14,  1845,  his  parents  being  Henry  and 
Martha  (Tucker)  Oberholtzer,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio,  whence 
they  removed  to  Knox  county  between  the  years  of  1838  and  1840.  The  family, 
as  the  name  indicates,  comes  of  German  ancestry  and  was  founded  in  America 
by  Samuel  Oberholtzer,  the  grandfather  of  J.  M.  Oberholtzer,  who,  upon  cross- 
ing the  Atlantic,  settled  in  Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming. 
He  was  married  three  times  and  had  a  family  of  twenty-one  children.  His  death 
occurred  near  Findlay,  Hancock  county,  Ohio.  His  son,  Henry  Oberholtzer,  was 
born  in  the  Buckeye  state  and  came  to  Knox  county  with  Samuel  Tucker,  set- 
tling in  Elba  township.  The  Tuckers  were  also  early  settlers  in  this  part  of 
the  state,  and  on  their  removal  from  Ohio  settled  near  Williamsfield.  They  were 
farming  people,  and  Henry  Oberholtzer  was  employed  by  Mr.  Tucker,  who  after- 
ward became  his  father-in-law.  He  wedded  Martha  Tucker  in  the  early  '40$, 
and  their  son,  Jacob  M.  Oberholtzer,  was  the  eldest  of  four  children.  Follow- 
ing his  marriage  Henry  Oberholtzer  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Elba 
township,  where  he  resided  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  his  life's  labors  were 
ended  in  death. 

J.  M.  Oberholtzer,  spending  his  youth  on  the  home  farm  in  Elba  township, 
attended  the  common  school  throughout  the  winter  months  and  worked  in  the 
fields  during  the  summer  seasons.  The  occupation  to  which  he  was  reared  he 
determined  to  make  his  life  work,  and  continuously  carried  on  farming  until 
1904,  when  he  retired  to  private  life,  establishing  his  home  in  the  village  of 
Knoxville,  where  he  is  now  resting  from  further  labor.  Throughout  his  well 
conducted  business  interests  he  acquired  a  substantial  competence  that  now  sup- 
plies him  with  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  He  is  the 
owner  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-eight  acres  of  land  in  Elba  and  Truro  town- 
ships, and  the  rental  therefrom  is  the  source  of  a  gratifying  income. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  1869,  Mr.  Oberholtzer  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Laura  A.  Wheeler,  a  daughter  of  Moses  and  Cynthia  (Walker)  Wheeler.- 
The  Wheeler  family  is  of  Swiss  origin,  and  the  great  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Ober- 
holtzer. a  native  of  Switzerland,  was  the  first  of  the  name  to  come  to  America. 


N3 

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o 

s 

i-s 
02 


744        ;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Ham  B.  Briggs,  living  near  \'ictoria ;  Lucy,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Myrick,  living 
in  Knox  county  northeast  of  Knoxville :  Grant  and  Charles,  living  in  Butte, 
Montana ;  and  John,  a  farmer  in  the  state  of  Washington. 

Mr.  Eiker  votes  with  the  republicans  and  has  been  county  commissioner  for  a 
period  of  nine  years  and  school  director  in  Orange  township  for  sixteen  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  while  Mrs.  Eiker  belongs  to 
the  Christian  church.  Their  home  is  pleasant  and  hospitable,  being  always 
open  to  the  many  friends  who  often  come  to  seek  their  generous  and  cordial 
welcome,  and  who  pronounce  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eiker  a  charming  host  and  hostess. 


.   v,^  .  JACOI5  M.  OBERHOLTZER. 

Jacob  M.  Obcrholtzer  is  a  retired  farmer,  living  in  Knoxville.  He  was  for 
many  years  identified  with  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  is  still  owner  of 
four  hundred  and  sixty-eight  acres  in  Elba  and  Truro  townships.  His  birth 
occurred  in  the  former  township.  March  14.  1845.  his  parents  being  Henry  and 
Martha  (Tucker)  Oberholtztr.  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio,  whence 
they  removed  to  Knox  county  between  the  years  of  1838  and  1840.  The  family, 
as  the  name  indicates,  comes  of  German  ancestry  and  was  founded  in  America 
by  Samuel  Oberholtzer.  the  grandfather  of  J.  M.  Oberholtzer.  who,  upon  cross- 
ing the  Atlantic,  settled  in  Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming. 
He  was  married  three  times  and  had  a  family  of  twenty-one  children.  His  death 
occurred  near  Findlay.  Hancock  county,  Ohio.  His  son.  Henry  Oberholtzer,  was 
born  in  the  Buckeye  state  and  came  to  Knox  county  witli  Samuel  Tucker,  set- 
tling in  Elba  township.  The  Tuckers  were  also  early  settlers  in  this  part  of 
the  state,  and  on  their  removal  from  Ohio  settled  near  Williamsfield.  They  were 
farming  people,  and  Henry  Oberholtzer  was  employed  I)y  Mr.  Tucker,  who  after- 
ward became  his  father-in-law.  He  wedded  Martha  Tucker  in  the  early  '40$, 
and  their  son,  Jacob  M.  Oberlioltzer.  was  the  eldest  of  four  children.  Follow- 
ing his  marriage  Henry  Oberholtzer  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Elba 
township,  where  he  resided  until  the  spring  of  1865.  when  his  life's  labors  were 
ended  in  death. 

J.  M.  Oberholtzer.  spending  his  youth  on  the  home  farm  in  Elba  township, 
attended  the  common  sch(jol  throughout  the  winter  months  and  worked  in  the 
fields  during  the  summer  seasons.  The  occupation  to  which  he  was  reared  he 
determined  to  make  his  life  work,  and  continuously  carried  on  farming  until 
1904,  when  he  retired  to  private  life,  establishing  his  home  in  the  village  of 
Knoxville.  where  he  is  now  resting  from  further  labor.  Throughout  his  well 
conducted  business  interests  he  ac(|uired  a  substantial  competence  that  now  sup- 
plies him  with  all  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  He  is  the 
owner  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-eight  acres  of  land  in  Elba  and  Truro  town- 
ships, and  the  rental  therefrom  is  the  source  of  a  gratifying  income. 

On  the  28th  of  October.  1869.  Mr.  Oberholtzer  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  I^ura  .\.  Wheeler,  a  daughter  of  Moses  and  Cynthia  (Walker)  Wheeler. 
The  Wheeler  family  is  of  Swiss  origin,  and  the  great  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Ober- 
holtzer. a  native  of  Switzerland,  was  the  first  of  the  name  to  come  to  America. 


X, 


•'•:-:::\':'-^:-:y-{::':::-:--^^-:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .7;r.:          747 

Moses  Wheeler,   was  born   in  Bradford  county,   Pennsylvania,   September  27, 
i8io,  and  was  a  resident  of  that  district  until  1820,  when  he  removed  to  Tioga    ^ 
county,  Pennsylvania.    There  he  made  his  home  until  1845  when  he  removed  to  ; 
Bradford  county,  where  he  lived  for  eleven  years.    In  1856  he  became  a  resident 
of  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  in  1857  removed  to  Knox  county,  where  he  took  up  the 
occupation  of  farming,  owning  and  cultivating  a  tract  of  land  of  two  hundred    ' 
and  sixty-seven  acres  in  Elba  township.     He  was  a  man  of  considerable  local    .  '•' 
prominence  and  held  a  number  of  offices  in  the  county.     He  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church  and  he  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.   - 
While  living  in  Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania,  he  was  married  May  i,  1834,  to  _•' 
Cynthia  O.  Walker,  whose  parents  had  removed  from  New  Hampshire  to  Tioga     v 
county,  following  the  birth  of  their  daughter,  who  first  opened  her  eyes  to  the  •  '  ; 
light  of  day  in  the  Old  Granite  state  May  22,  1812,  her  life  record  covering  the     : 
intervening  years  to  the  4th  of  May,  1880,  when  she  passed  away  in  this  county.    ' .- 

Mrs.  Oberholtzer  was  the  youngest  of  the  children  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.    '• 
Wheeler,  and  by  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  six  children.    Elza, 
the  eldest,  is  now  living  near  Beardsley,  Minnesota.    Lloyd  H.,  also  residing  near    v : 
Beardsley,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming,  is  married  and  has  five  children : 
Wilma;  Vera;  Lynn;  Harley ;  and  Lela.    Oliver  T.,  who  carries  on  general  agri-    ; 
cultural  pursuits  nejir  Beardsley,  is  married  and  has  two  children,  Ora  and  Alto.    ^ 
Bertha  Blanche  is  the  wife  of  Frank  C.  Sherman  of  Beardsley,  Minnesota,  and 
unto  them  were  born  six  children,  Hubert,  Laverne,  Robert   (deceased),  Lyle,    '  : 
Chester  and  Carter.    Forrest  Earl,  bom  in  August,  i88i,  died  in  October,  1883. 
Hubert  W.  is  living  in  Knoxville,  but  is  employed  as  a  bookkeeper  by  the  Brere-    ^  : 
ton  Coal  Company  of  Galesburg.     He  is  married  and  has  a  daughter,  Evelyn. 

Mr.  Oberholtzer  has  always  exercised  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of 
the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party,  and  has  held  the  office  of  super- 
visor in  both  Elba  and  Knox  townships.    His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Meth-     >• 
odist  Episcopal  church  to  the  teachings  of  which  he  has  always  been  loyal.    He    :' 
is  interested  in  the  welfare  of  his  community  and  has  cooperated  in  many  meas-     -'! 
ures  for  the  public  good,  but  his  time  is  given  mostly  to  his  business  efforts  which, 
capably  conducted,  have  brought  to  him  substantial  success     Year  after  year  he       : 
carefully  tilled  the  fields  and  cultivated  his  crops  in  such  a  manner  that  sub- 
stantial harvests  were  gathered  and  his  annual  income  was  augmented.     His  life 
indicated  what  may  be  accomplished  when  energy  and  determination  lead  the 
way.     .^:./   ;  .•,,:::  _---^:'\.:::^::-::-r\  '•'.  A/o;    V          ';--'''-^^;'; 


V      :•,  r :  ;  ,-':;:;:     GEORGE  K.  SLOUGH.    '    ;    C  ;/ '-'  V-/-/v.-  , 

George  K.  Slough,  one  of  Abingdon's  foremost  citizens,  is  the  cashier  and 
secretary  of  the  First  State  &  Savings  Bank  of  that  town.  His  birth  occurred 
near  Peoria,  Illinois,  on  the  3Oth  of  October,  i86i,  his  parents  being  George  W. 
and  Anna  M.  (Kellar)  Slough,  who  were  also  bom  near  that  city  and  came  of 
Pennsylvania  Dutch  stock.  The  paternal  grandparents  were  Jacob  W.  and 
Anna  Slough,  natives  of  Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  who  crossed  the  Atlantic 
to  the  United  States  some  time  in  the  '2os,  locating  in  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania. 


748  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         y'  w---C  f    '  •' 

In  1834  they  came  west  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Peoria,  which  was  then  a  town  of 
only  sixteen  cabins.  They  conducted  the  first  tavern  at  that  place  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  remained  residents  of  Peoria  until  called  to  their  final  rest.  Fol- 
lowing his  marriage  George  W.  Slough,  the  father  of  our  subject,  located  on  a 
farm  near  Peoria,  where  his  demise  occurred  about  1883.  His  widow  subse- 
quently took  up  her  abode  in  Peoria,  where  she  died  about  1905,  passing  away 
in  the  faith  of  the  Congregational  church.  George  K.  Slough  now  owns  the  old 
homestead  which  has  been  in  possession  of  the  family  for  about  seventy  years. 

George  K.  Slough  was  reared  under  the  paternal  roof  and  obtained  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools,  later  pursuing  a  business  course  in  the  Northern 
Indiana  Normal  School  at  Valparaiso.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he 
was  employed  for  a  short  time  as  clerk  and  bookkeeper  in  Peoria.  Subsequently 
he  went  to  Burrton,  Kansas,  where  he  remained  for  six  years,  spending  three 
years  with  a  grain  firm  and  three  years  as  assistant  cashier  in  the  Bank  of  Burr- 
ton.  In  1890  he  returned  to  Peoria  and  entered  the  service  of  the  Wilson  Grocery 
Company,  a  wholesale  grocery  concern,  having  charge  of  their  books  for  twelve 
years.  In  1902  he  came  to  Abingdon  to  accept  the  proffered  position  of  cashier 
in  the  First  State  &  Savings  Bank,  in  which  capacity  he  has  since  served  in  a 
most  satisfactory  and  commendable  manner.  In  1908  he  was  one  of  the 
orgfanizers  of  the  Abingdon  Sanitary  Manufacturing  Company,  manufacturers 
of  vitreous  china  plumbers'  supplies,  and  was  chosen  treasurer  of  the  concern, 
in  which  connection  he  has  since  contributed  to  its  growth  and  success. 

On  the  2d  of  September,  1884,  Mr.  Slough  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jessie  Gordon,  of  Peoria  county,  by  whom  he  has  seven  children,  as  follows: 
Charles  G.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  automobile  business  at  Abingdon ;  Georgia  K., 
a  teacher  by  profession ;  Howard  Austin,  who  is  a  senior  in  Knox  College ;  and 
Ethel,  Andrew,  Theodore  and  Marjorie,  all  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Slough  is  a  stanch  republican  but  his  aspirations  are  not  in  the 
line  of  public  office.  He  is  a  worthy  exemplar  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  be- 
longing to  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  at  present 
worshipful  master.  He  is  likewise  identified  with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen  and  the  Mystic  Workers,  while  his  wife  is  a  devoted  and  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Fpiscopal  church.  Upright  character  and  sterling 
worth  have  gained  him  a  favorable  place  in  the  regard  of  many  friends,  and 
Knox  county  numbers  him  among  her  valued  citizens. 


.;;:{,;  RICHARD  F.  GIBBS.         -:';•'' 

Agricultural  interests  in  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  are  ably  represented 
by  Richard  F.  Gibbs,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  Gibbs  homestead  August  14, 
1850.  His  paternal  great-grandfather  was  born  in  Fngland  and  came  to  America 
about  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  grandparents,  Martin  and  Hannah 
(Beck)  Gibbs,  were  early  residents  of  this  county,  where  the  former,  whose 
death  occurred  in  1870  when  he  was  eighty  years  of  age,  erected  a  sawmill  on 
the  only  timber  land  in  the  northern  part  of  Knox  county.  The  parents  of  our 
subject  were  Jonathan  and  Tamer  (Norcross)  Gibbs,  both  of  whom  were  born 


V;;:ri  ::   /^;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ::V:v  749 

in  New  Jersey,  where  their  marriage  also  occurred.  In  his  native  state  the 
father  had  learned  the  glass-blowers'  trade  in  Waterford,  but  after  his  removal 
to  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  made 
that  his  life's  work.  Mrs.  Gibbs  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Norcross.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gibbs  six  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  survive,  namely:  Wil- 
liam H.,  a  resident  of  Galva,  Illinois ;  Phoebe,  who  is  married  to  D.  Bradley,  of 
La  Fayette,  Illinois;  Qayton  A.,  who  is  living  in  Galva;  and  Richard  F.,  the 
subject  of  this  review. 

Acquiring  his  education  in  a  near-by  district  school  and  attending  to  many 
of  the  lighter  duties  on  the  farm  occupied  the  youth  and  boyhood  of  Richard 
Gibbs.  He  remained  with  his  father  until  the  latter's  death,  and  since  that  time 
has  been  the  owner  and  manager  of  the  home  farm.  His  life  has  been  marked 
by  constant  labor  and  conscientious  attention  to  duty  and  the  results  of  these 
are  clearly  shown  in  the  improved  condition  of  his  property  and  the  abundance 
of  his  harvest.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he  is  also  engaged  in  stock-raising. 

On  the  3Oth  of  November,  1875,  Mr.  Gibbs  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J. 
Reed,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  24th  of  September,  1852,  near  Newcastle, 
Fngland,  and  who  came  to  Galva,  Illinois,,  with  her  parents,  George  and  Jane 
(Cockburn)  Reed,  when  she  was  but  five  years  of  age.  Mr.  Reed,  who  has 
now  passed  the  ninety-first  milestone  on  life's  journey,  his  birth  having  occurred 
in  Augpjst,  1820,  is  one  of  the  most  venerable  citizens  of  the  county.  His  wife, 
who  was  a  daughter  of  George  and  Ann  (Foster)  Cockbum,  passed  away  in 
1857.  George  Reed  is  a  son  of  Gabriel  and  Dorothy  (Scipry)  Reed,  agricul- 
turists, who  died  in  1857  ^"d  1859,  aged  seventy-four  and  seventy-six,  respec- 
tively. The  mother's  three  brothers  were  soldiers  in  the  English  army  and 
fought  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo.  When  but  fourteen  years  of  age  George  Reed 
began  earning  his  own  livelihood.  He  learned  the  mining  trade  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  began  work  at  sixteen  cents  a  day,  furnishing  his  own  clothes  and 
working  twelve  hours.  After  he  had  saved  thirty-five  dollars  he  was  married 
and  took  up  his  home  with  his  wife's  parents,  but  realizing,  that  if  he  were  to 
win  the  success  he  desired,  he  must  engage  in  a  more  lucrative  work  he  came 
west,  making  the  trip  on  a  fishing  vessel.  The  journey  took  seven  weeks.  He 
settled  in  Galva  and  again  followed  mining  until  1863,  his  wife  and  three  chil- 
dren following  two  years  later.  Subsequently  he  became  overseer  in  a  coal 
mine  at  Galva.  After  giving  up  mining  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  on  a 
farm  located  at  Centerville  near  Victoria. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Reed  six  children  were  bom:  Anna,  of  Copley 
township ;  Mary  Jane,  who  is  married  to  Richard  F.  Gibbs  of  this  review ;  John 
Reed,  who  is  living  in  Galesburg;  George  W.,  of  Victoria;  Joseph  G.,  an  agri- 
culturist of  this  county ;  and  Emma,  also  of  Victoria.  Mr.  Reed  is  at  present  a 
member  of  the  Christian  church  although  he  formerly  held  membership  in  the 
Methodist  church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richard  F.  Gibbs  four  children  have  been 
born:  Grace,  who  died  when  but  eight  years  of  age;  Aris,  who  is  married  to 
Joseph  Leslie  Haxton,  of  Lynn  township ;  Laura  E.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles 
H.  Baker,  of  La  Fayette,  and  who  has  three  children,  J.  Herbert,  Harold  F. 
and  Dorothy;  and  Harry  A.,  who  is  married  to  Myrtle  Haxton  and  is  residing 
at  home. 


750 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


.  In  politics  Mr.  Gibbs  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  but  he  has 
never  sought  nor  desired  office.  In  religious  faith  he  holds  membership  in  the 
Christian  church  of  La  Fayette.  The  greater  part  of  his  time  and  attention  has 
been  given  to  his  various  undertakings,  and  he  has  had  little  chance  to  affiliate 
with  lodge  or  fraternal  circles.  By  thus  devoting  himself  constantly  to  his  farm, 
he  has  proven  his  worth  as  a  substantial,  progressive  agriculturist. 


GEORGE  A.  SHIPPLETT. 


George  A.  Shipplett,  one  of  the  leading  and  most  progressive  citizens  of 
Abingdon,  is  a  prominent  factor  in  financial  circles  as  the  cashier  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Abingdon  and  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  and 
cashier  of  the  Bank  of  St.  Augustine  and  an  organizer  and  director  of  the 
Farmers  State  Bank  of  Ellisville.  Of  the  last  two  named  institutions  he  wa:> 
one  of  the  promoters,  being  one  of  four  men  who  established  the  Bank  of  St. 
Augustine.  His  birth  occurred  in  Mount  Crawford,  Virginia,  on  the  2d  •  of 
October,  1871,  his  parents  being  John  M.  and  Sarah  E.  (May)  Shipplett,  also 
natives  of  Mount  Crawford,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  The  mother 
there  passed  away  on  the  3d  of  August,  1911,  when  sixty-eight  years  of  age. 
The  father,  who  survives,  yet  makes  his  home  at  Mount  Crawford,  where  he 
is  now  living  retired.  Throughout  his  active  business  career  he  was  success- 
fully engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits,  the  old  homestead  being  near  the 
town  of  Mount  Crawford.  For  many  years  past  he  has  done  all  in  his  power 
to  advance  the  cause  of  prohibition,  being  a  leading  worker  in  the  local  ranks  of 
the  party.  He  has  lived  a  clean,  upright  and  honorable  life  and  has  always 
been  among  the  first  to  support  any  movement  or  measure  instituted  to  promote 
the  general  welfare.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shipplett  took  an  active  part  in  the 
work  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  gave  liberally  of  their  time  and 
means  in  the  interests  of  religion  and  charity.  In  December,  1911,  John  M. 
Shipplett  celebrated  his  seventieth  birthday. 

George  A.  Shipplett  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  supplemented 
his  preliminary  education  by  a  course  of  study  in  the  Mount  Crawford  high 
school  and  the  Mossy  Creek  Academy.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he 
was  associated  with  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  Buena  Vista  Mills  in 
Rockingham  county  for  two  years.  In  1891  he  made  his  way  to  Illinois,  locating 
in  St.  Augustine,  where  he  secured  employment  in  the  mercantile  establishment 
of  Mills  &  Shipplett.  At  the  end  of  a  year,  however,  he  came  to  Abingdon  to 
accept  the  proffered  position  of  bookkeeper  in  the  First  National  Bank.  After 
about  two  years,  having  demonstrated  his  faithfulness  and  ability  in  the  dis- 
charge of  the  duties  entrusted  to  him,  he  was  made  assistant  cashier  of  the 
institution  and  sometime  later  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  cashier,  in  which 
capacity  he  has  since  ably  served.  He  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors 
of  the  First  National  Bank  and  is  likewise  a  director  and  cashier  of  the  Bank 
of  St.  Augustine.  He  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank 
of  Ellisville  and  has  since  been  a  director  of  that  institution.  Mr.  Shipplett  has 
been  identified  with  the  promotion  and  organization  of  practically  all  of  Abing- 


r.  •.-•':':':      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  >^  751 

-    •__      ••'  -  _      •\  V    ••  -.'V   ,•        :.''•',-•.  •      .     -  • 

don's  industries.  He  is  vice  president  of  the  Abingdon  Sanitary  Manufacturing 
Company,  director  and  treasurer  of  the  Abingdon  Shirt  &  Overall  Company  and 
director  and  treasurer  of  the  Abingdon  Trap  Company.  In  these  various  con- 
nections he  has  displayed  excellent  business  ability  and  keen  discrimination,  carry- 
ing forward  to  successful  completion  whatever  he  undertakes. 

Mr.  Shipplett  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democracy  and  his  fellow 
townsmen,  recognizing  his  worth  and  ability,  have  called  him  to  several  posi- 
tions of  public  trust.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  town  council,  as  town- 
ship treasurer  and  also  as  mayor  of  Abingdon  and  at  present  is  treasurer  of 
both  the  town  and  township  school  board.  He  was  one  of  the  chief  factors  in 
.  establishing  the  public  library  in  Abingdon,  which  was  maintained  by  private 
subscription  during  the  first  two  years  of  its  existence  but  has  since  been  main- 
tained by  taxation.  At  the  time  of  its  organization  he  was  made  treasurer  and 
director,  in  which  capacity  he  has  served  continuously  since  or  for  a  period  of 
fifteen  years.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  following  organizations: 
Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Achilles  Lodge,  No.  373,  K.  P. ;  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Honor ;  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World ;  the  Order  of  the 
Eastern  Star ;  and  Galesburg  Lodge,  No.  894,  B.  P.  O.  E.  His  religious  faith 
is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Christian  church.  His  unbending  integrity 
of  character,  his  fearlessness  in  the  discharge  of  duty,  in  every  relation  in  which 
he  has  been  found,  and  his  appreciation  of  the  responsibilities  that  have  rested 
upon  him,  have  made  him  a  citizen  whose  worth  is  widely  acknowledged. 


•'.;';-:;.    '•;  /:\  V-  '.'•:    MANDIVILL  JOHN.    v.v    .       •;  •:::;:;C-sv;:':-u 

Mandivill  John,  now  living  retired  in  Hermon,  was  for  many  years  actively 
'  :  engaged  in  general  farming  in  Knox  county.  He  was  bom  in  Clinton  county, 
.;  Ohio,  his  natal  day  being  the  ad  of  January,  1854,  and  his  parents  Elisha  and 
Rachel  (Lewis)  John.  The  family  removed  to  Illinois  in  1856,  locating  in  Knox 
county,  where  Elisha  John  later  bought  some  land  that  he  cultivated  and  im- 
proved until  his  death.  When  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  Company 
D,  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry  and  went  to  the  front,  where  he  remained 
three  years.  He  was  wounded  during  the  period  of  his  service,  having  partici- 
pated in  twenty-seven  engagements  among  them  being  some  of  the  notable  battles 
of  the  war.  He  always  kept  in  touch  with  his  comrades  of  the  field,  through  the 
medium  of  his  membership  in  Abingdon  Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, to  the  interests  of  which  he  was  ever  loyal.  Mr.  John  passed  away  in 
1900,  but  the  mother  still  survives  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years,  and  now 

•  -  makes  her  home  in  Hermon.    Three  sons  were  born  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and 

Mrs.  John,  all  of  whom  are  living,  those  beside  our  subject  being,  Edwin  and 

•  Samuel,  both  of  whom  are  farmers  in  Indian  Point  township,  this  county. 

;        When  brought  to  Knox  county  by  his  parents,  our  subject  was  only  a  child 

of  two  years,  so  that  practically  his  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  the  vicinity 

'  where  he  is  now  residing.    Reared  in  a  home  where  much  stress  was  laid  upon 

•  the  necessity  of  thrift  and  industry  in  recognition  of  the  responsibilities  of  life, 
when  ytill  little  more  than  a  child  he  was  assigned  regular  duties  about  the  farm. 


752          V  •;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

These  increased  with  the  passing  years  and  when  not  engaged  with  his  studies 
in  the  district  school  the  greater  part  of  his  time  was  given  to  assisting  his  father 
in  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  for  the  stock.  After  leaving  school  he  worked 
with  his  father  until  old  enough  to  begin  for  himself.  He  then  left  the  parental 
roof  and  began  his  independent  career  as  an  agriculturist,  continuing  to  follow 
this  vocation  until  1908.  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Hermon.  Mr.  John 
was  successful  in  his  undertakings,  and  now  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  which 
furnish  him  a  competence  that  enables  him  to  live  in  retirement,  enjoying  in  the 
evening  of  life  the  ease  and  comfort  that  is  the  just  reward  of  a  well  ordered 
and  usefully  spent  period  of  activity. 

Mr.  John  has  been  married  twice.  His  first  union  was  with  Miss  Mary 
Berry,  their  marriage  occurring  on  the  24th  of  December,  1878.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Martha  Ann  Berry  and  a  native  of  Virginia,  her  birth 
there  occurring  on  the  2d  of  October,  1858.  In  1862  she  accompanied  her 
parents  on  their  removal  to  Knox  county,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming. 
Later  he  went  to  Hermon  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  continuing 
to  make  his  home  there  until  his  death.  Mrs.  John  passed  away  in  1901,  leaving 
one  son,  Everett  Le  Roy,  the  only  child  born  of  this  union.  On  the  Qth  of 
February,  1908,  Mr.  John  married  Miss  Hila  Martin,  who  was  born  in  Missouri 
on  the  nth  of  August,  i88i.  Her  mother  is  now  deceased,  but  her  father, 
William  Martin,  is  still  living  in  Missouri,  where  he  located  during  the  pioneer 
days,  and  engages  in  farming. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  he  votes 
the  republican  ticket,  but  has  never  taken  an  active  part  in  local  politics,  as  his 
own  interests  demanded  all  of  his  time  and  energies  for  their  development. '  - 


•;      .  ;^  •:  •;  -V;.  DEWITT  SMITH.      :-'•;:;;;;:; 

•,         ..        Dewitt  Smith,  is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Maquon  township,  having 
;  •;  spent  seventy-five  years  in   the  immediate  vicinity  of  his   present  homestead, 

'^  which  is  located  five  miles  from  the  town  of  Maquon.     He  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1833,  and  is  a  son  of  E.  R.  and  Angeline  (Catlin)  Smith.    The  father, 

-  :     .  who  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  removed  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Illinois  in 
,  1836,  locating  in  Knox  county.    He  purchased  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of 

land  in  Maquon  township  and  began  the  life  of  a  pioneer  farmer.    The  countrv 

was  largely  in  a  wild  state  at  that  period,  the  government  still  owning  vast 

:  .    .         stretches  of  uncultivated  prairie  and  acres  of  native  timber,  while  the  streams 

•  '    ';     ..  and  forests  abounded  in  fish  and  g^me.    The  life  of  the  settlers  was  very  primi- 
'         .  tive,  rude  log  cabins  serving  for  homes,  as  well  as  schoolhouses  and  churches, 

.   .      ;     while  little  time  was  left  from  the  work  of  the  fields  and  the  care  of  the  homes 
;  .:/v    for  social  life.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  five 
of  whom  are  still  living.     The  father  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age,  being  ninety-three 
;     .     years  at  the  time  of  his  demise. 

;  •'      .  As  he  was  only  a  little  lad  of  three  years  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 

;.-    -  ^^^  on  their  removal  from  Pennsylvania,  Dewitt  Smith  spent  the  greater  part  of 
'.     •:.' ''.,-'  his  boyhood  and  youth  amid  the  environment  of  frontier  life.    When  old  enough 


...I. 


MR.  AXD  MRS.  DEWITT  SMITH 


752:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

These  increased  \vitli  the  jiassing  years  and  when  not  engaged  with  his  studies 
in  the  (hstrict  school  tlie  greater  part  of  his  time  was  given  to  assisting  his  father 
in  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  for  the  stock.  After  leaving  school  he  worked 
with  his  father  until  old  enough  to  begin  for  himself.  He  then  left  the  parental 
roof  and  hegan  his  independent  career  as  an  agriculturist,  continuing  to  follow 
this  vocation  until  i</)S.  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  llermon.  Mr.  John 
was  successful  in  his  undertakings,  and  now  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  which 
furnish  him  a  competence  that  enahles  him  to  live  in  retirement,  enjoying  in  the 
evening  of  life  the  ease  and  comfort  that  is  the  just  reward  of  a  well  ordered 
and  usefully  si)ent  period  of  activity. 

Mr.  John  has  been  married  twice.  His  first  union  was  with  Miss  Mary 
I'.erry.  their  marriage  occurring  on  the  24th  of  December.  1878.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Martha  Ann  Berry  and  a  native  of  X'irginia,  her  birth 
there  occurring  on  the  2d  of  October.  1858.  In  1862  she  accompanied  her 
])arents  on  their  removal  to  Knox  county,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming. 
Later  he  went  to  llermon  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  continuing 
to  make  his  home  there  until  his  death.  Mrs.  John  passed  away  in  1901,  leaving 
one  son,  Everett  Le  Roy,  the  only  child  bom  of  this  union.  On  the  Qth  of 
February.  1908.  Mr.  John  married  Miss  Ilila  Martin,  who  was  born  in  Missouri 
on  the  nth  of  August,  i88i.  Her  mother  is  now  deceased,  but  her  father. 
\\'illiam  Martin,  is  still  living  in  Missouri,  where  he  located  during  the  pioneer 
days,  and  engages  in  farming.  • 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  are  members  of  tbe  Giristian  church  and  he  votes 
the  republican  ticket,  but  has  never  taken  an  active  part  in  local  politics,  as  his 
own  interests  demanded  all  of  his  time  and  energies  for  their  development. 


DEWITT  SMITH.  ; 

Dewitt  Smith,  is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Maquon  township,  having 
spent  seventy-five  years  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  homestead, 
which  is  located  five  miles  from  the  town  of  .Ma(|uon.  He  was  l)orn  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1833.  and  is  a  son  of  F.  R.  and  Angeline  (Catlin)  Smith.  The  father, 
who  w'as  a  native  of  X'ermont.  removed  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Illinois  in 
1836.  locating  in  Knox  county.  He  purchased  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of 
land  in  Macjuon  townshiji  and  began  the  life  of  a  pioneer  farmer.  The  countrv 
was  largely  in  a  wild  state  at  that  period,  the  government  still  owning  vast 
stretches  of  uncultivated  ])rairie  and  acres  of  native  timber,  while  the  streams 
and  forests  abounded  in  fisli  and  game.  The  life  of  the  settlers  was  very  primi- 
tive, rude  log  cabins  serving  for  hfnnes.  as  well  as  schoolhouses  and  churches, 
while  little  time  was  left  from  the  work  of  the  fields  and  the  care  of  the  homes 
for  social  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  five 
of  whom  are  still  living.  The  father  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  being  ninety-three 
years  at  the  time  of  his  demise. 

As  he  was  only  a  little  l.'id  of  three  years  when  he  accompanied  iiis  parents 
on  their  removal  from  Pennsylvania.  Dewitt  Smith  spent  the  greater  part  of 
his  boyhood  and  youth  amid  tbe  environment  of  frontier  life.  When  old  enough 


.    Ml;.  AM)  Mi!s.  i)i-:\\  rn  SMI  1 1 


;' •      ^  I  '  •     -     '       V   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  755 

;.,;;  to  begin  his  education  he  entered  the  district  schools  of  the  vicinity,  where  he 

^v;,   ,  -v  mastered  the  common  branches.    After  laying  aside  his  school  books,  he  gave 

;  ;     .  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  under  the  direction  of  his  father,  until 

!;-;;;     ;  he  was  familiar  with  the  practical  methods  of  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  for 

f   '  the  stock.    In  1859,  he  yielded  to  the  longing  of  every  ambitious  young  Ameri- 

^' -  can  and  went  west,  spending  three  years  amid  the  gold  fields  of  California. 

-'  V  .,  Upon  his  return  home  he  again  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  in   1877 

•'     ,  ^  bought  his  present  place.    Here  for  many  years  he  engaged  in  general  farming 

^:/f.'':'  and  stock-raising,  both  proving  to  be  very  lucrative,  but  the  active  operation 
of  the  fields  is  now  left  to  his  son,  although  Mr.  Smith  still  gives  the  work  his 

.  supervision.     The  buildings  now  standing  upon  the  place  were,  with  few  ex- 

-.       ;.  ceptions,  erected  before  Mr.  Smith  purchased  it.     They  were  substantially  con- 

J  structed  and  have  always  been  kept  in  a  good  state  of  repair.     In  addition  to 

i,  his  fine  homestead  he  owns  thirty-one  and  a  half  acres  of  land  southeast  of 

'..•:,  Maquon,  that  contains  a  vein  of  coal. 

'      .  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Phoebe  Day,  of  Clermont  county, 

c:  Ohio,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  three  children:    Robert  D.,  who  has  passed 

:.  away;  one  who  died  in  infancy;  and  one  son,  Victor,  who  is  unmarried.     He 

; ;    .  '.  attended  the  public  schools  and  after  the  completion  of  his  education  undertook 

the  operation  of  the  homestead,  to  which  activity  he  still  devotes  his  energies. 

';  In  1907  Mr.  Smith  mourned  the  loss  of  his  faithful  helpmate  and  wife,  having 

traveled  life's  path  together  for  many  years  in  joys  and  sorrows. 

.;.       .  The  political  views  of  Mr.  Smith  coincide  with  the  principles  of  the  republi- 

/  -.  can  party,  to  whose  candidates  he  g^ves  his  support.    He  served  for  six  years 

:;'.'•'  as  township  commissioner  and  he  also  acted  as  school  director.      During  the 

;,'     -  seventy-five  years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Maquon  township,  Mr.  Smith  has 

:  witnessed  many  changes,  the  progress  and  development  of  the  county  having 

.'    .  kept  pace  with  the  onward  spread  of  a  newer  and  higher  form  of  civilization. 


/'--'  LEWIS  EDWARD  GIBBS.  .       v  /     ' -v  V ,    ,: . 

•.  •  ,    ,  '.'          .         .-  -.      ^  ^     ^^    .    *•       ••.  '; 

:       .  •  •.  •-;•;•.-''/•• ''\-.':^  •;.'.,      ,:',.;'•:'•''.  \,..-/:. "^\;: >."-', 

Lewis  Edward  Gibbs,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  in  Lynn 
township,  Knox  county,  was  born  upon  the  farm  upon  which  he  is  now  residing 
on  the  29th  of  June,  1863,  his  parents  being  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Goet- 
zinger)  Gibbs,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  The  father 
came  to  Knox  county  with  his  parents  in  1837  and  they  located  at  once  on  the 
property,  where  the  Gibbs  family  still  reside.  They  made  the  trip  from  New 
Jersey  by  team,  there  being  eight  in  their  family.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  Gibbs, 
the  grandparents  of  our  subject,  were  among  the  oldest  settlers  and  were  one 
of  the  Quaker  families  who  settled  in  this  county.  They  remained  actively 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  Joseph  Gibbs  purchased  the  farm.  He 
arrived  in  this  county  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  but  returned  to 
Peoria  shortly  after,  going  down  the  Illinois  river  and  up  the  Ohio  river  to  the 
old  home,  where  he  was  married  and  was  engaged  as  a  glass  blower.  He  lived 
in  Philadelphia  for  ten  years  and  during  that  time  operated  a  woodyard.  In 
1858  he  came  to  the  present  homestead  and  resided  there  until  two  years  be- 


Tol.    n— S4 


766  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        > -V-: 

fore  his  death,  when  he  removed  to  Galva,  where  he  died  when  well  advanced 
in  years.  His  wife  passed  away  on  the  ist  of  March,  1911,  when  she  was  eighty- 
nine  years  of  age.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Jeannette  (Altman) 
Goetzinger.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  ten  children  were  bom,  of  whom  five  are 
now  living:  Lewis  E.,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  review;  William  H.,  who  is 
in  the  insurance  business  at  Galva ;  Joseph  E.,  who  is  residing  in  Victoria  town- 
ship ;  Hannah  V.,  a  widow  living  in  La  Fayette ;  and  Elizabeth  A.,  who  is  mar- 
ried to  Charles  Howell,  also  of  La  Fayette.  Mr.  Gibbs  was  one  of  the  leading 
republicans  in  his  district  and  held  many  offices,  among  them  being  that  of 
supervisor  when  the  county  seat  was  changed  from  Knoxville  to  Galesburg. 
He  held  membership  in  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Philadelphia. 

Lewis  E.  Gibbs  acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  assisted 
his  father  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  after  which 
he  farmed  on  shares  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to 
Galva  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  which  he  conducted  for  three 
years  before  returning  to  Lynn  township  and  operating  a  farm  for  five  years, 
which  his  father  gave  to  him.  He  then  rented  a  farm  from  his  mother  for  five 
years  and  it  is  still  his  home.  He  has  engaged  in  stock-raising  in  addition  to 
carrying  on  general  farming.  Almost  his  entire  active  career  has  been  spent  in 
agricultural  pursuits  and  because  of  the  thorough  training  which  his  father 
gave  him,  he  has  become  one  of  the  most  successful  agriculturists  in  Lynn  town- 
ship. The  Gibbs  family  have  contributed  much  to  the  development  of  the  land 
of  this  region  and  have  been  among  the  most  successful  farmers  who  have  ever 
resided  here.  .  -  I 

Mr.  Gibbs  was  married  on  the  lath  of  December,  1888,  to  Miss  Eva  May 
Dudley,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  ist  of  January,  1867,  and  who  is  a  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  C.  (Bevier)  Dudley,  who  are  living  in  La  Fayette  at 
the  ages  of  seventy-seven  and  sixty-six  years  respectively.  They  are  both  natives 
of  Knox  county  and  have  spent  their  entire  lives  in  this  region.  Mr.  Dudley 
was  born  in  Massachusetts  on  the  ist  of  October,  1834,  and  is  a  son  of  Stephen 
and  Salome  (Collins)  Dudley.  The  father  was  born  in  Wallingford,  Connecti- 
cut, in  1809,  and  passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  Throughout 
his  life  he  was  an  active  farmer  and  blacksmith  and  removed  to  Knox  county 
in  1854,  when  he  settled  in  Lynn  township  upon  the  farm  upon  which  he  re- 
sided until  he  removed  to  Galva,  where  his  death  occurred.  Charles  Dudley, 
retiring  from  the  farm,  removed  to  Altona,  where  he  remained  five  years,  and 
then  went  to  La  Fayette.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  in 
i86i  for  three  years'  seryice  with  Company  D.  Thirty-seventh  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry.  After  he  had  completed  his  term  of  enlistment  he  joined  Company  G, 
One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  La  Fayette,  under 
General  White  of  Chicago.  He  served  in  the  Western  army  and  at  one  time 
was  under  Grant.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Springfield  and  immediately  returned 
to  his  agricultural  pursuits.  Mrs.  Dudley,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  i6th  of 
December,  1842,  in  Ulster  county.  New  York,  is  a  daughter  of  Abram  and  Ade- 
line (Meisner)  Bevier,  whose  deaths  occurred  on  December  8,  1910,  and  in  1876, 
at  the  age  of  ninety  and  fifty-four,  respectively.  The  grandparents,  Moses  and 
Elizabeth  Bevier,  were  also  agriculturists  and  Adeline  Meisner,  who  became  the 
wife  of  Abram  Bevier,  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  Meisner.  Of  the 


'>?       ;  ;-••          O     -V'      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  ; >:    J       767 

.•.-,._'''  I      '''''  " '        '       .       ' 

'  ;     children  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dudley  four  survive:     Martha,  who  is  the  wife 

,.  V      of  J.  A.  Johnson,  of  La  Fayette ;  Mrs.  L.  E.  Gibbs ;  Minnie,  at  home ;  and  Flossie, 

'      who  became  the  wife  of  L.  Hulick,  of  Neponset,  Illinois.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs 

.    '.      four  children  have  been  born,  all  of  whom  are  residing  at  home.    Elizabeth  May, 

Lewis  Edward,  Jr.,  Charles  D.  and  Hazel  Bernice,  aged  twenty-two,  twenty- 

' :     one,  eighteen  and  sixteen  years,  respectively. 

Mr.  Gibbs  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  has  served 

;      as  commissioner  for  his  district.    He  has  also  held  the  office  of  assessor  and  is 

••     now  serving  his  second  term  as  justice  of  the  peace.     He  has  acted  as  clerk  of 

the  school  board  for  several  years  and  in  1909  was  elected  supervisor  of  Lynn 

.   '    township.     He  is  one  of  the  most  active  representatives  in  his  district  and  has 

:    ;     served  as  delegate  to  various  conventions  as  a  republican  representative.     Both 

he  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church  of  La  Fayette,  Illinois, 

'  V  y,    and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  La  Fayette, 

of  the  Mystic  Workers  of  Galva  and  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of 

.    •     La  Fayette,  of  which  lodge  he  has  served  as  clerk.    He  is  popular  with  a  large 

ciicle  of   friends  and  the  public  know  him  as  a   successful  and  enterprising 

.;;•'••     agriculturist.      -.-.:.    '•;X---'' •.>-'•.  ':•^  '.'•0^-"'-:y;/"'''-- '/-''v:;'   -  ,  •'•../-^'••>.-'--';^''''C-'^'V-." 


CARL  LUTHER  YOUNGDAHL.  ;  :  K'v^  v':  ^  'i/X^ 

Carl  Luther  Youngdahl,  prominently  identified,  with  the  agricultural  and 
stock-raising  interests  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  this  county,  where  for  a 
number  of  years  he  has  kept  an  extensive  farm  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
was  born  February  i8,  1869,  in  Wyanet,  Illinois,  a  son  of  Nels  S.  and  Bertha 
(Goerenson)  Youngdahl.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Nels  Swanson,  was  a 
soldier  in  Sweden,  his  native  country.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Crefanstad, 
Sweden,  having  been  born  September  17,  1832,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1856,  locating  in  Minnesota  until  1863,  when  he  removed  to  Princeton,  Illinois, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  i88i  he  removed  to  the  present  Youngdahl 
homestead  and  was  engaged  in  its  cultivation  until  his  retirement  in  1891,  when 
he  located  in  Altona,  where  his  death  occurred  April  14,  1909,  and  where  his 
widow  is  now  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church  of  Altona  and  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican 
party  although  he  never  sought  office  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty.  They  were 
the  parents  of  six  children:  Christina,  the  widow  of  P.  A.  Amenoff;  George 
E.  and  Nels  T.,  both  deceased;  Sophia,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Johnson,  of 
Altona ;  Anthony  C.  who  is  a  college  professor  in  Michigan ;  and  Carl  Luther, 
who  is  the  subject  of  this  review.  ...  . 

In  the  common  schools  of  Illinois  Carl  L.  Youngdahl  acquired  his  education 
and  remained  at  home  engaging  in  farm  duties  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  home.  He  has  cultivated  and  improved 
this  property  and  today  it  is  provided  with  all  the  conveniences  necessary  to  the 
farming  occupation  and  he  has  given  his  time  to  raising  crops  together  with 
stock  breeding.  As  a  farmer  he  has  been  quite  successful  and,  taking  pride  in 
the  appearance  of  his  property,  he  has  added  every  improvement  that  might 
contribute  to  its  neatness  and  utility.  -  ;,';  .  ..;/•.  .  :-•:':;,.  -:^-:-.: 


758  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;;     v:;: 

Mr.  Youngdahl  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  being  to  Miss  Cora  ;; 
Anderson,  a  daughter  of  C.  J.  and  Mary  (Riegel)  Anderson.  To  this  union 
one  child  was  born,  Ruth,  who  is  fifteen  years  of  age.  The  mother  died  in 
1901,  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years.  Mr.  Youngdahl  was  again  married  in 
1906,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Margaret  Johnson,  who  was  born  in 
1868  and  is  a  daughter  of  Mons  and  Amelia  (Ewalt)  Johnson,  the  latter  resid- 
ing in  Princeton,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  were  the  parents  of  seven 
children:  Mrs.  Margaret  Youngdahl;  Ellen,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  Linn, 
of  Princeton;  and  Rachel,  Matilda,  Minnie,  Hugh  and  Hattie,  all  residing  at 
home. 

Politically  Mr.  Youngdahl  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party.     He  is 
serving  as  highway  commissioner  of  the  township  for  a  second  term.     He  be-      ;  . 
longs  to  the  Lutheran  church  of  Altona  and  is  a  man  whose  high  moral  charac- 
ter, industry  and  straightforwardness,  together  with  his  interest  in  the  general 
welfare  of  the  community,  have  given  him  high  standing  in  the  township.     '^  '  . 


:'•:        -<::/  WILLIAM  NICHOLAS  BUCK.     ..;. 

William  Nicholas  Buck,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  stock-raising  in  Haw 
Creek  township,  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Greenfield,  Highland  county,  Ohio, 
on  May  28,  1854.  His  father,  Thomas  Buck,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, but  was  reared  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  and  there  he  married  Miss 
Mary  Lowman.  Mrs.  Buck  was  a  native  of  Pike  county,  Ohio,  and  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  Lowman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Buck  began  their  domestic  life  in 
the  Buckeye  state,  where  they  resided  until  1874  when  they  came  to  Illinois, 
first  locating  in  Maquon  township,  Knox  county,  but  later  removing  to  Haw 
Creek  township.  The  father,  who  had  always  engaged  in  farming,  continued 
to  devote  his  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at 
the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  The  mother  was  sixty-three  when  she  died  and  was 
laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband  in  the  Maquon  cemetery.  The  family  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Thomas  Buck  numbered  six :  William  Nicholas,  our  subject ;  Edgar, 
who  married  Arzella  McWilliams,  now  residing  in  Galesburg;  Austin,  who 
married  Flora  Smith,  residing  in  Haw  Creek  township ;  Elmer,  who  married 
Alta  Connor,  living  in  Gilson,  Illinois ;  Tillie,  the  wife  of  Charles  Smith,  of 
Maquon  township ;  and  Carrie,  the  wife  of  Amos  McWilliams,  of  Elba  town- 
ship. The  family  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which 
the  parents  held  membership,  while  his  political  allegiance  Mr.  Buck  gave  to 
the  republican  party  but  has  never  sought  public  office. 

As  he  was  a  youth  of  twenty  when  he  removed  to  Illinois  with  his  parents 
William  Nicholas  Buck  had  already  acquired  his  education,  in  pursuit  of  which 
he  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state.  Reared  on  a  farm,  he  was 
at  that  time  familiar  with  practical  agricultural  methods  as  well  as  the  care  of 
stock.  During  the  first  year  of  his  residence  in  Illinois  he  lived  in  Maquon 
township,  but  subsequently  removed  to  Haw  Creek  township.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  beg^n  farming  for  himself  as  a  renter  on  the  Daniel  Housh  place, 
where  he  remained  for  three  years.  From  there  he  went  to  the  Mary  Ann 


':      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /S  759 

•  '•  .     -  i  ' . .  '    -  -    -'    \    • '  .      "•- '  • '.' 

West  farm,  the  cultivation  of  which  engaged  his  energies  for  eight  years.  His 
efforts  had  proven  so  lucrative  that  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  had 
accumulated  sufficient  capital  to  buy  eighty  acres  in  this  township.  After  culti- 
vating this  tract  for  four  years,  however,  he  disposed  of  it  to  Frank  Nelson  and 
removed  to  the  T.  Humst^d  farm,  where  he  remained  for  a  year.  He  again 
invested  his  capital  in  the  purchase  of  his  present  farm,  which  contains  eighty- 
two  acres  of  fertile  land,  located  on  section  32,  Haw  Creek  township,  on  the 
east  and  west  road  between  that  and  Maquon  township.  Mr.  Buck  takes  great 
pride  in  his  homestead  as  well  as  its  appearance,  and  during  the  period  of  his 
occupancy  has  erected  a  number  of  good,  substantial  outbuildings,  at  the  same 
time  putting  those  already  on  the  place  in  repair.  Everything  about  his  farm 
suggests  thrift  and  prosperity,  the  fences  are  in  good  condition,  ample  provision 
is  made  for  housing  both  the  stock  and  machinery,  while  the  grounds  about  his 
residence  are  given  careful  attention.  Stock-raising  has  always  been  Mr.  Buck's 
specialty  and  he  breeds  and  raises  high-grade  horses,  cattle  and  hogs,  and  is 
meeting  with  success  in  his  undertaking. 

Mr.  Buck  married  Miss  Rozina  Guderkirk,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the 
farm  where  she  is  now  residing,  on  the  6th  of  September.  i86i.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  John  Guderkirk,  who  was  born  in  New  York  state,  whence  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  Maquon  township,  in  1835,  when  a  child  eight  years  of 
age.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  a  blacksmith,  but  upon  locating  here  bought 
a  quarter  section  of  land  that  has  ever  since  been  in  the  possession  of  some 
member  of  the  family.  He  paid  for  this  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  per 
acre,  and  met  with  great  difficulty  in  meeting  his  payments.  It  was  here  that 
John  Guderkirk  was  reared  and  educated,  and  upon  attaining  his  maturity  he 
married  Caroline  Jones,  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York.  Gf  this  union  there 
were  born  the  following  children :  Mary,  who  married  Milton  Housh  of  Maquon 
township ;  Ellen,  who  became  the  wife  of  Leslie  Howard,  of  the  same  township ; 
Charles,  who  is  deceased ;  Ada,  who  died  when  an  infant ;  Rozina,  now  Mrs. 
Buck;  Louisa,  a  resident  of  Maquon  township,  the  widow  of  Philip  Selby,  who 
succumbed  to  typhoid  fever;  and  Cassie,  the  wife  of  Silas  Dennison,  a  resident 
of  Maquon  township.  Grandfather  Guderkirk  died  in  Haw  Creek  township, 
in  1846,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Maquon. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Buck  has  always  accorded  to  the  republican  party 
and  has  served  as  school  director  and  trustee  in  his  township.  The  greater  part 
of  Mr.  Buck's  life  has  been  spent  in  the  vicinity  where  he  is  now  residing  and 
among  the  citizens  of  which  he  numbers  many  loyal  friends. 


FRANK  PGPLETT. 


In  the  early  development  and  improvement  of  Knox  county  the  Poplett 
family  has  borne  an  active  part  and  is  numbered  among  the  pioneer  settlers. 
Here  Frank  Poplett  was  born  on  the  28th  of  May,  1851.  His  parents,  John  and 
Sophia  (Davis)  Poplett,  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  the  father  settling  in  Knox 
county  with  his  people  in  1835,  after  having  lived  for  some  time  in  Indiana, 
the  mother  accompanying  her  people  to  Knox  county  when  they  settled  here  in 


760  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

1834.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Thompson  Poplett,  bought  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  in  Sparta  township  on  his  arrival.  This  land  he  farmed  for 
twelve  years  when  he  removed  to  Peoria  county  and  lived  there  until  his  death 
in  1868.  The  grandmother  died  before  Frank  Poplett  was  bom.  John  Poplett, 
fhe  father,  lived  with  his  people  in  Peoria  county  assisting  his  father  with  the 
work  on  the  homestead.  He  died  leaving  his  son  Frank,  who  was  one  year  of 
age,  and  his  widow  to  mourn  him.  Mrs. '  Poplett  subsequently  married  David 
Henderson,  of  Henderson  township,  Knox  county.  She  is  still  living  on  the 
farm,  a  widow,  her  husband  having  died  some  years  ago.  1  "-' 

At  the  usual  age  Frank  Poplett  entered  the  district  school  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  home  and  acquired  a  practical  education.  On  leaving  school  he  worked  on 
the  home  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  then  set  out  to  cultivate  the 
soil  for  his  own  benefit.  For  this  purpose  he  rented  eighty  acres  of  land  which 
he  operated  for  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile life,  conducting  a  store  in  Henry  county.  This  he  discontinued  after 
three  years  and  returned  to  farming.  In  1883  he  purchased  the  place  on  which 
he  lives  at  present,  eighty  acres  in  Henderson  township,  Knox  county.  He  was 
a  practical  fanner  and  during  the  twenty-eight  years  of  his  management  of  the 
homestead  improved  it  greatly  and  was  very  successful  in  all  departments  of 
general  farming.  He  was  progressive  in  his  methods  and  owns  a  farm  of  which 
he  can  be  justly  proud. 

Mr.  Poplett  was  married  in  July,  1872,  to  Miss  Laura  Rowe,  a  daughter  of 
Laurenza  and  Narcissa  (Goff)  Rowe,  who  were  natives  of  New  York  and 
Kentucky,  respectively,  but  became  residents  of  Knox  county  at  an  early  date, 
where  Mr.  Rowe  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Mrs.  Poplett  lived  to 
be  forty-one  years  of  age,  her  death  occurring  in  March,  1890.  Of  the  four 
children  bom  of  this  union  two  died  in  infancy.  Ella,  the  surviving  daughter,, 
is  the  wife  of  J.  M.  Findley,  of  Henderson  township,  where  they  rent  a  fine 
farm.  They  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely :  Giles,  Geneva,  Edith, 
Inez,  Frank  and  May.  Elmer  F.  Poplett,  the  surviving  son,  is  operating  the 
home  farm  which  he  rents  of  his  father.  He  is  married  and  has  two  children, 
William  and  Dale. 

Mr.  Frank  Poplett  accumulated  a  sufficient  income  to  enable  him  to  with- 
draw from  the  management  of  his  farm.  He  makes  his  home  with  his  son, 
living  retired  on  the  place  where  his  labors  have  borne  their  fruit  for  many  years. 


R.  J.  McKEIGHAN.       .  V     ' '    '  >' 

R.  J.  McKeighan,  one  of  the  successful  representatives  of  the  farming  and 
stock-raising  interests  of  Knox  county,  is  the  owner  of  a  finely  improved  prop- 
erty of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  located  on  sections  21  and  22,  Salem 
township,  known  as  Willow  Row  Grain  &  Stock  Farm.  He  was  born  in  Fulton 
county,  Illinois,  on  the  2ist  of  March,  1849,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late  James  Mc- 
Keighan, one  of  the  well  known  and  successful  agriculturists  of  Salem  town- 
ship. The  father  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  remain- 
ing a  resident  of  his  native  land  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  thirty-three 


760        V;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

1834.  The  paternal  grand fatlier,  Thompson  Poplett,  bought  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  in  Sparta  township  on  his  arrival.  This  land  he  farmed  for 
twelve  years  when  he  removed  to  Peoria  county  and  lived  there  until  his  death 
in  1868.  The  grandmother  died  before  Frank  Poplett  was  born.  John  Poplett, 
the  father,  lived  with  his  people  in  Peoria  county  assisting  his  father  with  the 
work  on  the  homestead.  He  died  leaving  his  son  Frank,  who  was  one  year  of 
age.  and  his  widow  to  mourn  him.  Mrs.  Poplett  subsequently  married  David 
Henderson,  of  Henderson  township,  Kno.x  county.  She  is  still  living  on  the 
farm,  a  widow,  her  husband  having  died  some  years  ago. 

At  the  usual  age  Frank  Poplett  entered  the  district  school  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  home  and  accjuired  a  practical  education.  On  leaving  school  he  worked  on 
the  home  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  then  set  out  to  cultivate  the 
soil  for  his  own  benefit.  For  this  purpose  he  rented  eighty  acres  of  land  which 
he  ojierated  for  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile life,  conducting  a  store  in  Heury  county.  This  he  discontinued  after 
three  years  and  returned  to  farming.  In  1883  he  purchased  the  place  on  which 
he  lives  at  present,  eighty  acres  in  Henderson  township,  Kno.x  county.  He  was 
a  practical  farmer  and  during  the  twenty-eight  years  of  his  management  of  the 
homestead  improved  it  greatly  and  was  very  successful  in  all  departments  of 
general  farming,  tie  was  progressive  in  his  niethods  and  owns  a  farm  of  which 
he  can  be  justly  proud. 

Mr.  Poplett  was  married  in  July,  1872,  to  Miss  Laura  Rowe,  a  daughter  of 
Laurenza  and  Xarcissa  (Goff)  Rowe,  who  were  natives  of  Xew  York  and 
Kentucky,  respectively,  but  became  residents  of  Knox  county  at  an  early  date, 
where  Mr.  Rowe  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Mrs.  Poplett  lived  to 
be  forty-one  years  of  age,  her  death  occurring  in  March,  1890.  Of  the  four 
children  born  of  this  union  two  died  in  infancy.  Ella,  the  surviving  daughter, 
is  the  wife  of  J.  M.  Findley.  of  Henderson  townshij),  where  they  rent  a  fine 
farm.  They  are  the  parents  of  si.x  children,  namely:  Giles,  Geneva,  Edith, 
Inez,  Frank  and  May.  Elmer  F.  Poplett,  the  surviving  son,  is  operating  the 
home  farm  which  he  rents  of  his  father.  He  is  married  and  has  two  children, 
\\'illiam  and  Dale. 

Mr.  Frank  Poplett  accumulated  a  sufficient  income  to  enable  him  to  with- 
draw from  the  management  of  his  farm.  He  makes  his  home  with  his  son, 
living  retired  on  the  place  where  his  labors  have  borne  their  fruit  for  many  years. 


:'  R.  J.  McKFIGH.XX.  .  :       • 

R.  J.  McKeighan,  one  of  the  successful  representatives  of  the  farming  and 
stock-raising  interests  of  Knox  county,  is  the  owner  of  a  finely  improved  i)rop- 
erty  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  located  on  sections  21  and  22,  Salem 
township,  known  as  \\'illow  Row  Grain  &  Stock  Farm.  He  was  born  in  Fulton 
county,  Illinois,  on  the  21  st  of  March,  1849,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late  James  Mc- 
Keighan, one  of  the  well  known  and  successful  agriculturists  of  Salem  town- 
ship. The  father  was  born,  reared  and  educated  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  remain- 
ing a  resident  of  his  native  land  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  thirty-three 


••r       '  -    .•- 


i>;V'V.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •  i^^        763 

years,  when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country 
Mr.  McKeighan  made  his  way  to  Illinois,  locating  at  Farmington,  where  he 
followed  various  occupations  until  he  had  acquired  sufficient  capital  to  begin 
business  for  himself.  Believing  that  farming  offered  a  safer  investment  and 
more  lucrative  returns  than  anything  else,  he  then  invested  his  small  savings 
in  some  land  three  miles  southwest  of  Farmington  and  industriously  applied 
himself  to  its  improvement  and  cultivation.  He  subsequently  returned  to  the 
Emerald  isle  for  a  visit  and  while  there  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Cunning- 
ham, also  a  native  of  northern  Ireland.  Returning  to  the  United  States  with 
his  bride  he  settled  on  his  farm  in  Fulton  county,  continuing  to  live  there  until 
1855,  when  he  removed  to  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prairie  land 
on  section  22,  Salem  township,  Knox  county,  which  he  and  his  brother,  Alex- 
ander McKeighan,  purchased  in  1853  for  one  thousand  dollars.  In  1854  James 
McKeighan  paid  his  brother  a  thousand  dollars  for  his  half  interest  in  the 
property.  Soon  afterward  he  succeeded  in  selling  his  Fulton  county  farm  and 
with  the  proceeds  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  21,  Salem  township. 
As  he  was  both  capable  and  energetic  he  met  with  excellent  success  in  his  efforts 
and  subsequently  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  by  the  addition  of  another 
eighty,  making  the  aggregate  of  his  holdings  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 
This  is  now  the  property  of  his  son  R.  J.,  having  been  in  the  family  for  over 
fifty-six  years.  Mr.  McKeighan  made  a  sp>ecialty  of  raising  corn,  and  today 
our  subject  and  his  .son  are  among  the  most  noted  raisers  of  seed  corn  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  McKeighan's  Golden  Dent  corn  has  many  points  of  ex- 
cellence, being  a  heavy  yielder,  of  very  deep  grain,  early  maturing,  shells  high 
per  cent  of  corn,  has  no  superior  for  feeding  purposes  and  is  adapted  to  differ- 
ent soils  and  climatic  conditions.  James  McKeighan  always  continued  to  -be 
more  or  less  actively  connected  with  the  operation  of  his  farm  until  he  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at 
Farmington,  as  was  also  his  wife,  who  was  seventy-seven  years  of  age  at  the 
time  of  her  demise.  Their  family  numbered  six,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
eldest.  The  others  in  order  of  birth  are  as  follows :  Rachel,  the  wife  of  Rev. 
W.  H.  Clatworthy,  of  Yates  City;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Robert  R.  Steck,  of 
Salem  township;  James  and  Margaret,  who  died  in  infancy;  and  Emma,  the 
deceased  wife  of  D.  F.  Lawrence,  of  Salem  township.  The  parents  were  both 
earnest  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the  father  gave  his  political 
support  to  the  republican  party  but  was  never  an  office  seeker.  He  was  one 
of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  the  county  and  for  a  short  time  during  the 
early  days  was  identified  with  the  Yates  City  Bank. 

As  he  was  only  a  child  of  six  years  when  he  removed  with  the  family  to 
Knox  county,  R.  J.  McKeighan  obtained  the  greater  portion  of  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  Salem  township,  the  course  therein  pursued  being 
later  supplemented  by  study  in  the  schools  of  Farmington  and  Monmouth. 
Having  been  accustomed  to  agricultural  pursuits  from  his  earliest  boyhood, 
upon  attaining  his  majority  he  began  operating  the  home  farm  on  the  shares, 
continuing  this  for  two  years.  Following  his  marriage  he  located  with  his  bride 
on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  17,  Salem  township,  which 
he  cultivated  for  three  years,  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  returning  to  the 
old  homestead,  where  he  is  now  residing.  During  the  period  of  his  occupancy 


764  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •. 


he  has  erected  all  of  the  buildings  now  standing  upon  his  farm  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  house  and  the  horse  barn,  both  of  which  were  built  by  his  father. 
Mr.  McKeighan  is  one  of  the  capable  agriculturists  of  the  county  and  annually 
reaps  abundant  harvests  from  his  fertile  fields,  which  are  cultivated  under  his 
personal  supervision.  In  connection  with  his  general  farming  he  has  always 
made  a  specialty  of  raising  Hampshire  sheep,  while  he  keeps  a  fine  herd  of 
thoroughbred  Jersey  cows  for  dairy  purposes.  His  interests  have  spread  be- 
yond the  boundaries  of  his  farm  and  stock-raising  and  he  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Ideal  Telephone  Company,  of  which  he  was  president  for  about 
six  years  and  likewise  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors. 

In  1877  Mr.  McKeighan  completed  his  plans  for  a  home  of  his  own  by  his 
marriage  to  Miss  Ximena  Corey,  a  native  of  Maryland  and  a  daughter  of  J.  M. 
and  Martha  Corey.  To  them  were  born  two  sons,  the  younger  of  whom,  John, 
died  in  infancy.  James  Leslie,  their  surviving  son,  is  residing  on  the  home 
farm  with  his  parents,  assisting  his  father  in  its  operation.  He  married  Sarah 
Rice,  a  daughter  of  Amos  Rice,  of  Mattoon,  Illinois,  and  they  have  three  chil- 
dren: Martha  Lorene,  James  Rice  and  Anna  Katherine.  f.  '  •  '  ;  I  '  r -' 

The  entire  family  affiliate  with  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Yates  City,  in 
the  work  of  which  they  take  an  active  and  helpful  interest.  For  over  forty 
years  Mr.  McKeighan  was  an  elder  of  the  church,  while  for  ten  years  his  wife 
has  been  treasurer  of  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  their  son  is  now  an 
elder  in  the  church  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school.  Both  father  and 
son  give  their  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  but  they  have  never 
aspired  to  official  honors  although  the  former  has  for  some  years  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  school  directors.  Mr.  McKeigban  is  not  only  one  of  the 
prosperous  but  one  of  the  highly  respected  men  of  his  community,  ever  having 
conducted  his  business  transactions  in  a  manner  to  preclude  all  possibility  of 
adverse  criticism,  his  honor  and  integrity  being  above  question. 


LEVI  J.  COX. 


Levi  J.  Cox,  deceased,  who  passed  his  life,  spanning  three  score  years  and 
one,  within  the  confines  of  Knox  county,  was  born,  here  January  i,  1849.  His 
parents,  James  and  Emma  (Pittard)  Cox,  were  both  natives  of  Somersetshire, 
England,  who  lived  there  until  after  their  marriage,  Mr.  Cox  being  engaged  in 
farming  as  a  tenant  on  an  English  estate.  They  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1848 
and  found  their  way  to  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  where  they  settled  on 
a  farm.  Later  he  removed  to  Oneida  and  since  1880  lived  retired.  In  1884 
the  mother  passed  away  and  eleven  years  later  the  father's  death  occurred,  on 
May  13,  1895.  .-  '"••••  I.  • 

Reared  at  home  Levi  J.  Cox  obtained  his  education  in  the  rural  schools  jn 
the  vicinity  and  in  the  Oneida  high  school.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he 
engaged  in  farming  for  himself  but  almost  at  the  outset  met  with  a  serious 
accident  that  retarded  his  progress  for  a  time  in  no  slight  degree.  He  was  out 
hunting  prairie  chickens  with  a  party  of  friends,  when  he  was  shot  by  the  acci- 
dental discharge  of  a  gun.  For  fourteen  years  he  cultivated  eighty  acres  of 


.  ;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^::'  ^t  765 

land  on  section  28,  after  which  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
Sparta  township,  operating  this  farm  for  a  number  of  years.  He  disposed  of 
this  property  and  went  east,  remaining  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  long  enough 
to  leam  the  butcher  trade,  which  he  followed  on  his  return  to  Knox  county. 
After  a  time  he  sold  out  his  interests  in  this  business  and  again  took  up  farming, 
confining  his  labors  first  to  a  tract  of  forty  acres  and  later  increasing  this  to 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  acted  as  poundmaster  for  a  period  of  twelve 
years.  On  March  4,  1902,  he  retired  to  live  a  quiet  life  in  Oneida  village.  He 
passed  away  just  eight  years  from  that  time,  dying  from  injuries  received  in 
an  automobile  accident  in  1910.  Mr.  Cox  was  a  man  of  industrious  habits  and 
by  his  thrift  and  good  management  was  able  to  multiply  his  income  and  at  his 
death  bequeathed  to  his  wife  and  children  four  hundred  and  ninety  acres  of 
land  in  the  county.  He  belonged  to  Oneida  Lodge,  No.  337,  F.  &  A.  M. 

Mr.  Cox  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  West,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Kathryn  (Anderson)  West,  the  father  a  native  of  England  and 
the  mother  of  Scotland.  The  story  of  the  emigration  of  the  West  family  from 
their  native  shores  is  a  narrative  filled  with  the  most  thrilling  incidents.  The 
grandfather,  John  West,  was  sold  in  Scotland  to  an  American  living  near  New  ... 
York  and  when  the  Revolutionary  war  broke  out  he  gave  his  services  to  the 
cause  of  freedom.  He  was  shipwrecked  on  his  voyage  to  America  and  passed 
sixteen  years  before  he  finally  reached  our  shores.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  were  the 
parents  of  three  children :  Arthur  B.,  who  operates  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
;  sixty  acres  in  Ontario  township,  given  him  by  his  father,  is  married  to  Maude 
Houghton  and  has  three  children  living,  Laverne,  Joseph  Elishier  and  Levi 
Charles,  while  one  child,  Maude,  is  deceased.  Stewart  lives  on  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  his  father  gave  him  and  is  married  to  Mildred 
White.  They  have  three  children,  Garrett,  Minnie  E.  and  James.  Asa,  the 
youngest  in  the  family,  has  passed  away. 

Mrs.  Cox  gives  her  helpful  support  to  the  Presbyterian  church  and  is  also 
an  enthusiastic  worker  in  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  of  Oneida.  She  is  at 
woman  of  much  charm  of  manner  and  has  many  close  friends  to  whom  she  has 
always  been  loyal.  ,  ...  .  ,^  ^  .  ,  .  ... 


'^:::,    ^'^-''-.^v:-:;.-. :;;;.;    SWAN  j.  THULINE.      .    ,  ;^':^v: -^ -,C •..!; ;-''-'•'-• 

Swan  J.  Thuline,  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  township, 
Knox  county,  was  born  in  Kristianstad,  Skona,  Sweden,  on  the  gth  of  Septem-  . 
ber,  1848,  his  parents  being  John  and  Lissa  (Swanson)  Olson.  He  was  the 
grandson  of  Olaf  Olson  and  Swan  Peterson.  In  his  early  life  he  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  and  continued  in  this  industry  for  the  greater  part  of  his 
active  career  and  was  also  employed  in  a  gristmill.  His  birth  occurred  in  1813, 
and  he  was  one  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  now  survive:  O.  J.,  of  Gales- 
burg;  Swan,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  review;  Ellen,  who  is  the  wife  of  Mr. 
Johnson  of  Chicago;  Magdalena,  who  is  living  in  Sweden;  and  Hannah,  who 
married  L.  N.  Lundgren  of  Chicago. 


766  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  , 

'  .      '^    .   . .  •  I  *.  -  •  • 

After  attending  the  public  schools  and  assisting  his  father  in  farm  work 
Swan  J.  Thuline,  desiring  to  start  out  upon  his  independent  career  in  a  country 
which  offered  great  opportunities  to  all,  set  out  for  America  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen years.  He  came  direct  to  Knox  county,  and  after  residing  in  Galesburg, 
removed  to  Walnut  Grove  township,  where  in  1905  he  purchased  the  property 
which  is  his  present  home.  During  these  years  he  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising  and  met  with  the  success  which  has  been  the  reward  of  so 
many  of  the  thrifty  sons  of  Sweden  who  have  come  to  this  rich  agricultural 
district.  .  •/  .V  ^-V,;.  •; 

In  1882  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Thuline  to  Thilda  Johnson,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  23d  of  May,  1862,  in  Sweden.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Johann 
and  Burgda  (Nelson)  Talkelson,  who  are  agriculturists.  Her  grandfather  was 
a  soldier  in  his  native  country  in  the  war  of  1812  and  died  in  1872  at  the  age  of 
ninety  years.  In  addition  to  Mrs.  Thuline  one  other  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  has  come  to  America  and  is  living  in  Galesburg.  Mrs.  Thuline  came 
to  America  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  and  went  direct  to  Galesburg,  where  she 
met  Mr.  Thuline,  who  had  sent  for  her.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thuline  the  following 
children  have  been  born :  Joel,  who  is  twenty-eight  years  of  age  and  married 
to  Jennie  Plem,  by  whom  he  has  had  one  child,  Irene ;  David,  agfed  twenty-seven, 
who  is  engaged  in  farming;  Winfred,  aged  twenty-five,  who  is  residing  in  Rock 
Island;  Carl,  who  is  twenty- four  years  of  age  and  is  farming;  Edwin.  Esther 
and  Ruth,  aged  twenty-two,  twenty  and  eighteen  respectively,  all  residing  at 
home;  Mabel,  aged  seventeen,  who  is  in  Galesburg;  Walther,  Robert,  Mary  and 
Alice,  aged  sixteen,  thirteen,  eleven  and  ten  respectively,  all  living  at  home ; 
Roy,  who  is  eight  years  old  and  residing  at  home ;  Lilly,  who  is  also  at  home 
and  seven  years  of  age ;  and  Gladys,  who  is  a  girl  of  but  five  years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thuline  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  and  al- 
though he  does  not  seek  office  for  political  reasons  he  is  at  present  highway 
commissioner  of  the  township  because  of  his  interest  in  the  development  of 
his  home  district.  His  parents  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  his 
family  are  being  brought  up  in  the  same  faith.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to 
regret  leaving  his  native  land,  for  in  America  he  has  found  the  opportunity  for 
which  he  sought — the  opportunity  to  win  success  by  honorable  and  industrious 
methods. 


Jrv  •  E.  H.  BROADFIELD.         :     ' /'      ; 

E.  H.  Broadfield,  deceased,  for  many  years  well  known  in  Peoria  and  Knox    'J-.; 
counties,  where  he  was  identified  with  agricultural  interests,  was  a  native  of 
England,  having  beei.  born  in   Stourport,  Worcestershire,  May  8,    1831.     His 
father,  Edward  H.  Broadfield,  was  born  in  Shropshire.  England,  February  21,    :  7 
i8io;  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Ann  Rowley,  was  a  native  of  Wor-    p'  ; 
cestershire,  England,  born  June  6,  1806,  and  died  September  22,  i88i. 

A  resident  of  England  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  E.  H.  Broad- 
field  acquired  his  education  in  the  night  schools  of  Manchester,  where  for  four 
years  he  was  employed  in  the  lithographic  and  printing  business.  In  1855  he 


766  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

After  attending  the  public  schools  and  assisting  his  father  in  farm  work 
Swan  J.  Thuline,  desiring  to  start  out  upon  his  independent  career  in  a  country 
which  offered  great  opportunities  to  all,  set  out  for  America  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen years.  He  came  direct  to  Knox  county,  and  after  residing  in  Galesburg, 
removed  to  Walnut  Grove  township,  where  in  1905  he  purchased  the  property 
which  is  his  present  home.  During  these  years  he  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising  and  met  with  the  success  which  has  been  the  reward  of  so 
many  of  the  thrifty  sons  of  Sweden  who  have  come  to  this  rich  agricultural 
district.  ,  I 

In  1882  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Thuline  to  Thilda  Johnson,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  23d  of  ^^ay,  1862,  in  Sweden.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Johann 
and  Burgda  (Nelson)  Talkelson,  who  are  agriculturists.  Her  grandfather  was 
a  soldier  in  his  native  country  in  the  war  of  1812  and  died  in  1872  at  the  age  of 
ninety  years.  In  addition  to  Mrs.  Thuline  one  other  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Johnson  has  come  to  America  and  is  living  in  Galesburg.  Mrs.  Thuline  came 
to  America  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  and  went  direct  to  Galesburg,  where  she 
met  Mr.  Thuline,  who  had  sent  for  her.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thuline  the  following 
children  have  been  born :  Joel,  who  is  twenty-eight  years  of  age  and  married 
to  Jennie  Plem,  by  whom  he  has  had  one  child,  Irene :  David,  aged  twenty-seven, 
who  is  engaged  in  farming;  Winfred,  aged  twenty-five,  who  is  residing  in  Rock 
Island;  Carl,  who  is  twenty- four  years  of  age  and  is  farming;  Edwin.  Esther 
and  Ruth,  aged  twenty-two,  twenty  and  eighteen  respectively,  all  residing  at 
home ;  Mabel,  aged  seventeen,  who  is  in  Galesburg ;  Walther,  Robert,  Mary  and 
Alice,  aged  sixteen,  thirteen,  eleven  and  ten  respectively,  all  living  at  home ; 
Roy,  who  is  eight  years  old  and  residing  at  home ;  Lilly,  who  is  also  at  home 
and  seven  years  of  age;  and  Gladys,  who  is  a  girl  of  but  five  years.  ; 

In  politics  Mr.  Thuline  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  and  al- 
though he  does  not  seek  office  for  jwlitical  reasons  he  is  at  present  highway 
commissioner  of  the  township  because  of  his  interest  in  the  development  of 
his  home  district.  His  parents  were  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  his 
family  are  being  brought  up  in  the  same  faith.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to 
regret  leaving  his  native  land,  for  in  America  he  has  found  the  opportunity  for 
which  he  sought — the  ojjportunity  to  win  success  by  honorable  and  industrious 
methods. 


.  ;  E.  H.  BROADFIELD.  , 

E.  H.  Broadfield,  deceased,  for  many  years  well  known  in  Peoria  and  Knox 
counties,  where  he  was  identified  with  agricultural  interests,  was  a  native  of 
England,  having  bee;,  born  in  Stourport,  Worcestershire,  May  8,  1831.  His 
father,  Edward  H.  Broadfield,  was  born  in  Shropshire.  England,  February  21, 
i8io;  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Ann  Rowley,  was  a  native  of  Wor- 
cestershire, Fngland.  born  June  6.  1806,  and  died  September  22,  i88i. 

A  resident  of  England  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  E.  H.  Broad- 
field  acquired  his  education  in  the  night  schools  of  Manchester,  where  for  four 
years  he  was  employed  in  the  lithogra])hic  and  printing  business.  In  1855  he 


;  ;/  ;  J:;  V    .     '    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          _  <v        760 

?.-  ;/  r   crossed  the  Atlantic,  hoping  to  find  larger  opportunities  for  obtaining  a  liveli- 
/;  \;,^  hood  in  America.     Settling  in  Peoria  county  he  lived  there  until  1864,  when  he 
.  ;'C     removed  to  Knox  county,  where  he  tilled  the  soil  until  his  death  December  19, 
•y  '':.       1903,  having  attained  the  age  of  seventy-two  years,  seven  months  and  eleven 
/:••;;•  days.     Ever  industrious  and  faithful  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  his  labor^ 
}; ,'    J  were  rewarded  by  an  ample  competence  derived  from  his  farm  of  a  hundred  and 
's.;'\i  sixty  acres,  so  that  he  was  enabled  tp  leave  his  family  well  provided  for. 
;,.-•'';.  Mr.  Broadfield  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Crandall,  a  daughter 

V-  ,\  of  Zane  and  Mary   (Johnson)  Crandall,  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  on  April   12.  1864. 
'         -  Ten  children  were  born  of  this  union,  Edward  H.,  Walter,  William  R.,  Arthur. 
'.     -X-  Frank,  John,  Lyman,  George  H.,  Ada,  and  Nellie.     Mr.  Broadfield  was  inde- 
;    '        pendent  in  his  political  convictions  and  served  for  a  number  of  years  as  com- 
missioner of  highways.     Mrs.  Broadfield,  who  is  in  her  sixty-eighth  year,  her 
^      r .;  birth  having  occurred  in  Peoria  county  on  March  22,  1844,  owns  the  farm  of 
;  •         one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  which  her  husband  cultivated  for  many  years.    Here 
she  lives  a  quiet  life  surrounded  by  her  family  and  friends,  ever  occupied  in 
;'         the  service  of  others  believing  that  this  is  the  only  way  to  the  attainment  of 
. '  ?'-        true  happiness.     :.':;  •'\'-  ;."S-'.  ;••;<:/'  v'.  :;' •>^-'V'- ••.'^V'-'^Vv;''; '^  •        v '•.'.';:''%  "'K:-;'.^  ;•" 


;  C         ELIAS  WILHELM  NORENE.  .    ,  :     ^;;; 

Elias  Wilhelm  Norene.  who  is  an  agriculturist  of  Walnut  Grove  township, 
Knox  county,  was  .born  May  29,  1868,  on  the  old  Norene  homestead  in  this 
county,  his  parents  being  Hans  and  Anna  (Erickson)  Norene.  The  father  was 
bom  in  Sweden  and  came  to  America  at  an  early  age,  settling  in  Knox  county  iff 
1856,  where  he  spent  practically  his  entire  active  career,  with  the  exception 
of  one  winter,  during  which  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  in  southern  terri- 
tory. He  was  a  son  of  Hans  and  Kate  (Olson)  Johnson.  He  returned  for  a 
visit  to  Sweden,  after  which  he  rented  a  farm  for  a  year  and  in  1866  purchased 
the  homestead,  where  he  resided  until  1878.  In  that  year  he  bought  a  farm, 
on  which  he  lived  until  his  retirement  in  1895.  He  died  February  3,  1907,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  but  Mrs.  Norene  is  still  living  in  Altona,  being 
seventy-one  years  of  age.  She  was  born  October  27,  1840,  and  came  to  America 
when  she  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  making  the  trip  on  the  same  steamer 
on  which  her  husband  was  traveling.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Eric  Pearson,  an 
agriculturist  of  Sweden,  who  died  in  1867,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  His 
widow,  Mrs.  Martha  Olson  Pearson,  came  to  America  and  lived  with  her  daughter 
until  she  returned  to  Sweden  shortly  before  her  death,  which  occurred  at  the 
age  of  eighty-six  years.  The  grandfather,  Peter  Larson,  was  also  an  agri- 
culturist. Mrs.  Norene  was  one  of  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Olaf 
Erickson,  of  Nebraska;  Pear  Erickson,  of  Sweden;  Carrie,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Peter  Norborg,  of  Nebraska;  and  Martha,  who  is  the  wife  of  N.  Nordestrom, 
also  of  Nebraska.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norene  were  married  in  Knoxville,  Illinois, 
on  March  15,  1865,  but  they  later  resided  in  Walnut  Grove  township  on  the 
farm,  where  the  youngest  son  now  lives.  Subsequently  he  purchased  the  pres- 
ent home  of  his  older  son.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norene  were  members  of  the 


.770  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;    -  ^-^' 

Swedish  Lutheran  church  and  were  among  the  prominent  citizens  of  Walnut 
Grove  township.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Alfred  T.,  an 
agjriculturist ;  Josephine  C.,  who  is  the  wife  of  Carl  A.  Nybladh,  of  Galesburg ; 
and  Elias  W.,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  review.  I  ';. 

After  attending  school  Elias  W.  Norene  remained  at  home  with  his  father 
assisting  in  the  farm  duties  until  he  entered  the  Galesburg  Business  College. 
After  completing  his  course  in  that  institution  he  again  returned  home  and  has 
since  been  the  manager  of  the  property  upon  which  he  is  now  residing.  He  is 
one  of  the  most  modern  and  scientific  farmers  in  Walnut  Grove  township  and 
is  winning  profitable  returns  for  the  careful  management  and  the  industrious 
labor  which  he  is  giving  to  his  undertakings. 

On  June  26,  1905,  Mr.  Norene  was  married  to  Miss  Bertha  S.  Lin- 
derholm,  a  daughter  of  H.  L.  and  Hedwig  (Johnson)  Linderholm,  who  are  both 
residing  in  Altona  and  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county.  Mrs. 
Norene's  birth  occurred  on  the  I5th  of  April,  1874,  in  Knox  county.  She  is 
one  of  eleven  children;  the  others  are  as  follows:  Latimer  B.,  of  Galesburg; 
Martin,  of  Farmington,  Iowa ;  Otto  Herman,  deceased ;  Hannah,  who  is  the 
wife  of  David  Anderson;  one,  who  died  in  infancy;  Theresa  Amelia,  who  is 
married  to  J.  A.  Boland ;  Harrison  B.  and  Hattie  P.,  twins,  the  former  residing 
in  Pomona,  California,  and  the  latter  deceased;  Ernest  Arthur,  of  Chicago;  and 
Lilly  Cornelia, -the  wife  of  Thomas  Chinn,  a  resident  of  Pasadena,  California. 
Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norene :  Lula  Florinda,  born  May 
4,  1896;  Mabel  Pemilla,  born  April  8,  1898;  Frances  Lilly  Wilhelmina,  bom 
November  12,  1901 ;  and  Maurice  Elias,  born  December  19,  1908. 

Mr.  Norene  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  is  at 
present  a  member  of  the  school  board,  having  served  for  twenty-two  years  in 
that  capacity.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran,  holding  membership  in  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Altona.  He  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  Knox 
county,  who  has  made  a  successful  career  for  himself  in  the  new  world  by  dis- 
playing the  persistency,  energy,  industry  and  thrift  which  are  so  characteristic 
of  the  Swedish  people.  :  .,  .  ...  ....  ,  . 


:;.;•,  NATHAN  MILROY.       :   ;  v-  :  ;;       ,  ;:' 

Nathan  Milroy,  who  has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Knox  county,  is  residing 
upon  his  farm  in  Copley  township.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  i6th  of  December, 
1851,  in  the  old  log  cabin  which  is  near  his  home  today.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel 
and  Margaret  (McNish)  Milroy  and  a  grandson  of  Samuel  and  Agnes  (For- 
syth)  Milroy.  The  father  was  born  in  Wigtonshire,  Scotland,  and  came  to 
America  with  his  family  in  1851.  Immediately  upon  their  arrival  in  this  coun- 
try they  settled  in  Copley  township  and  were  among  the  first  settlers  in  this 
part  of  Knox  county.  His  death  occurred  in  1887,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine 
years.  He  was  one  of  three  children  born  to  his  father's  first  marriage,  his 
two  sisters  both  having  also  passed  away.  Of  a  second  union  there  was  bom 
to  Samuel  Milroy,  Sr.,  one  daughter,  Isabel,  who  is  the  wife  of  Hugh  McCor- 
niick,  and  living  at  Creston,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Milroy,  who  was  bom  January  22, 


';';;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       /        :;;^^^'      771 

,    1815,  and  was  a  daughter  of   Nathaniel  and  Jane    (McGoch)    McNish,  died 
'-.'•   October  3,  1903,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years.     Her  brother  is  residing  in 

Australia. 

:         No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  vary  the  routine  of  farm  life 
for  Nathan  Milroy  in  his  boyhood  and  youth.     He  attended  school  and  assisted 

.   his  father  upon  the  farm  until  the  latter's  death,  after  which  he  continued  the 

management  of  the  home  property  and  is  still  engaged  in  raising  stock.     He  has 

'•(  given  his  whole  attention  to  this  work  and  has  met  with  the  success  which  is 

the  reward  of  persistency,  energy  and  diligent  labor. 

,   .    Mr.  Milroy  was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Cook,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the 

.  2d  of  April,  1854,  and  who  is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Agnes  (Stein)  Cook, 
the  former  having  been  born  on  October  24,  1815,  and  the  latter  now  residing 
in  Galesburg.  The  Cook  family  removed  to  Knox  county  in  1845,  coming  from 
Ross  county,  Ohio.  The  grandparents,  Robert  and  Jeannette  (Lochie)  Cook, 
came  originally  from  Roxburghshire,  Scotland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milroy  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  six  of  whom  survive :  Mary  Ellen,  who  became  the 
wife  of  M.  Gibbs,  of  Victoria  township,  and  is  the  mother  of  two  children. 
Dale  M.  and  Dean  M. ;  William  Morris  and  Samuel  Stein,  both  of  whom  are 
residing  at  home;  Edna  Grace,  who  is  the  wife  of  G.  Gibbs,  of  Victoria;  and 
Archie  Nathan  and  James  N.,  both  of  whom  are  at  home. 

:         Politically  Mr.  Milroy  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and.  has  been 

.  most  active  in  promoting  its  policies  and  working  for  its  best  interests.  He 
has  held  the  office  of  road  commissioner  for  fifteen  years  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  for  the  past  twenty-one  years,  being  one  of  the  oldest 

.  school  directors  in  the  county  and  having  succeeded  his  father  to  that  office. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  John  Knox  church,  as  his  father  had  also  been,  and  has 
held  the  office  of  trustee  for  many  years.  During  his  residence  here  he  has 
helped  to  improve  the  agricultural  districts  of  the  county  and  is  justly  accounted 
one  of  the  progressive  farmers  of  Copley  township.  His  labors  have  been  a 
cooperant  factor  in  many  movements  which  have  been  of  value  to  the  community, 
bringing  Copley  township  from  its  position  as  an  uncultivated  prairie  to  a  lead- 
ing place  among  the  developed  agricultural  regions  of  Illinois.  -  .  ..  :.;••  , 


'•:'••<. :-:---'^''':\':'^^\'-:-J'^:'---'     A.  J.  VICTOR  JOHNSON.    '   "  '      '/''••••''^-Jz-'^'-'^ 

A.  J.  Victor  Johnson  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on 
the  place,  where  he  was  born  on  the  2d  of  February,  1883.  His  father,  Jonas 
Johnson,  was  born  on  the  ist  of  March,  1839,  in  Norbo-Ockelba-Soken  Agevele- 
borg  Ian,  Sweden,  where  he  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth.  The  grandparents 
were  Jonas  and  Martha  Johnson,  the  former  dying  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  eighty 
years.  They  came  to  America  in  1864  and  lived  with  their  son,  Jonas  Johnson, 
in  Knox  county  until  their  death.  Jonas  Johnson  left  his  native  land  in  1857 
and  came  direct  to  Altona,  where  he  resided  until  after  his  marriage  to  Christina 
Olson,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  25th  of  December,  1843.  Subsequently  he 
removed  to  Sparta  township  and  later  purchased  the  property  which  is  the  present 
homestead.  Mrs.  Johnson  was  a  daughter  of  Olaf  Peterson,  who  came  to 


772  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         X  )   ;•  ^ 

America  with  his  family  in  1857  and  after  residing  in  Altona  removed  to  Moline, 
Illinois,  where  he  died  in  July,  1858,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  years,  and  the 
mother  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  Of  the  children  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jonas  Johnson  there  are  still  living  besides  our  subject,  three  daughters, 
as  follows :  Minnie,  who  married  P.  Stromberg,  a  farmer  of  Sparta  township ; 
Amanda,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Lindstrom,  of  Altona,  Illinois ;  and  Rosa,  who 
married  Herman  Smith,  of  Altona. 

The  business  career  of  A.  J.  Victor  Johnson  was  begun  in  a  grocery  store 
at  Altona,  where  he  accepted  a  clerkship  soon  after  leaving  school.  He  remained 
there  for  two  years,  then  pursued  a  commercial  course  in  Brown's  Business 
College  at  Galesburg,  after  which  he  went  to  Aberdeen,  Washington.  There 
he  successfully  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  two  years,  but  at  the  end 
of  that  time  he  returned  to  Galesburg,  where  for  a  year  he  was  associated  in 
business  with  J.  A.  Peterson.  In  1908  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead  and 
has  ever  since  devoted  his  attention  to  the  tilling  of  the  fields  and  the  raising 
of  stock.  Mr.  Johnson  is  directing  his  efforts  along  the  more  progressive  meth- 
ods and  is  meeting  with  success,  his  diligence  and  enterprise  being  prominent 
factors  in  promoting  his  prosperity. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  1904,  at  Altona,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
Johnson  and.  Miss  Goldie  Holmes.  She  was  born  in  Galesburg,  on  September 
l8,  1885,  the  only  child  of  H.  H.  and  Mattie  (Burkhard)  Holmes.  The  father, 
who  is  an  engineer  on  the  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  Railroad,  is  still  living  but  the 
mother  passed  away  in  1892,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six.  Mrs.  Holmes  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Rogers)  Burkhard,  who  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  Knox  county.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  After  their  daugh- 
ter died  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burkhard  brought  up  Mrs.  Johnson,  who  made  her  home 
with  them  until  her  marriage.  Her  grandfather  Holmes  was  killed  in  the  Civil 
war,  having  enlisted  and  gone  to  the  front  from  this  state.  Mrs.  Johnson  is 
connected  with  some  of  the  oldest  families  of  the  county,  her  great-grandfather 
Rogers  having  erected  the  first  frame  house  in  Galesburg,  which  was  located  on 
the  present  square.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  there  has  been 
born  one  son.  Freeman,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Aberdeen,  Washington,  on 
January  29,  1905. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of 
Altona,  and  she  also  belongs  to  the  Ladies  Aid  Society.  He  does  not  take  an 
active  interest  in  politics  and  has  never  affiliated  with  any  party,  giving  his  sup- 
port to  the  man  he  thinks  is  best  qualified  for  the  office. 


..:;;>.;;/:  FRANK  U.  DAUGHMFR.    '     :f;  !  V  ;  r    - 

Frank  U.  Daughmer,  who  has  been  one  of  the  road  commissioners  of  Salem  •.-"!' 

township  for  the  past  two  years,  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  four  hundred  !.•.":   .^ 

and  thirty-seven  acres  located  on  section  5,  where  he  engages  in  stock-raising  in  '     . 

connection  with  his  agricultural  pursuits.     He  was  born  in  Haw  Creek  town-  f   : . 

ship,  on  January  28,  1868,  a  son  of  N.  George  and  Harriet  (Lindzey)  Daugh-  .  :!v.  ; 

mer.    The  former  was  a  native  of  Pendleton  county,  Virginia,  his  birth  occurring  .\.  .~/\ 


/  ;  ;^!  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  773 

in  1830,  but  he  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ohio,  having  removed  there  when 
a  child  with  his  father,  James  Daughmer,  who  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life 
in  the  Buckeye  state.  When  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  N. 
George  Daughmer  left  the  parental  roof  and  started  westward,  making  the 
journey  across  the  prairies  to  Illinois  with  a  buggy  and  team  of  horses.  He 
was  accompanied  by  his  first  wife,  Lamenta  Huey,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They 
located  in  the  vicinity  of  Maquon,  Haw  Creek  township,  where  Mrs.  Daughmer 
subsequently  passed  away  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Maquon. 
Mr.  Daughmer,  who  was  married  three  times,  took  for  his  second  wife  Miss 
Harriet  Lindzey,  our  subject's  mother,  who  also  passed  away  in  Haw  Creek 
township,  while  his  third  union  was  with  Miss  Hattie  Lawrence.  He  disposed 
of  his  Haw  Creek  farm  about  1874  and  removed  to  Douglas,  locating  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  Frank  U.,  in  Salem  township.  He  industriously 
applied  himself  to  the  cultivation  of  this  property  which  he  improved  by  the 
erection  of  good,  substantial  buildings,  making  it  one  of  the  valuable  places  of 
this  section.  Much  of  his  time  and  attention  were  directed  to  the  raising  of 
thoroughbred  Polled  Angus  cattle,  that  he  exhibited  at  the  fairs  and  fat  stock 
show  in  Chicago  and  also  sold  at  public  auctions  in  this  vicinity.  In  connection 
with  this  he  also  raised  and  fed  Shorthorn  cattle  for  the  market,  but  gave  less 
attention  to  this  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life.  He  passed  away  on  his 
homestead  on  the  24th  of  May,  1908,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Maquon. 
In  politics  Mr.  Daughmer  was  a  republican,  but  he  had  never  held  any  office  in 
either  the  township  or  the  county.  He  was  one  of  the  very  prosperous  farmers 
of  Salem  township  and  numbered  among  its  residents  many  warm  friends  by 
whom  he  was  held  in  the  highest  esteem.  :  .^  .-'';•;-•-:,- 

Frank  U.  Daughmer  was  reared  from  the  age  of  six  years  on  the  farm, 
where  he  now  resides,  attending  the  public  schools  of  Douglas  in  the  acquirement 
of  his  early  education.  He  subsequently  spent  one  year  at  Knox  College  and 
also  attended  the  Agricultural  College  at  the  University  of  Illinois,  at  Urbana. 
for  a  similar  period.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Douglas 
and  turned  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  his  father's  homestead  and  to 
stock-raising.  Following  his  marriage  he  located  on  the  old  home  farm,  where 
he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  has  made  quite  extensive  improvements  during 
the  period  of  his  occupancy,  having  erected  a  number  of  new  buildings  and 
repaired  and  remodeled  the  old  ones.  The  land,  which  is  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation  was  thoroughly  drained  during  his  father's  lifetime  and  given  the 
careful  attention  that  has  made  it  possible  to  keep  it  in  its  present  state  of 
productivity  with  comparative  ease.  He  is  conducting  his  operations  very  much 
as  did  his  father,  making  a  specialty  of  the  breeding  and  raising  of  the  thorough- 
bred Polled  Angus  cattle,  always  keeping  a  herd  of  about  forty-five,  and  he 
also  raises  and  feeds  high-grade  cattle  for  the  market.  Mr.  Daughmer  is  meet- 
ing with  a  gratifying  degree  of  prosperity  in  his  undertakings  and  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  most  capable  and  successful  agriculturists  and  stockmen  in 
Salem  township.  He  is  a  progressive  business  man  to  whose  practical  ideas 
and  well  organized  system  of  directing  his  energies  must  be  attributed  the  suc- 
cess of  his  efforts.  ', 

On  the  2d  of  September.  1902,  Mr.  Daughmer  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Bertha  H.  Bronson,  who  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  Illihois,  on  the  6th 


774  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -ft^ 

of  January,  1878.  She  was  a  daughter  of  D.  L.  T.  and  Nina  (Gue)  Bronson. 
Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daughmer  there  has  been  born  one  daughter, 
Bernice  Violet,  who  is  attending  school  in  Douglas.  The  first  year  of  their 
domestic  life  they  spent  in  Douglas,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  they  located  on 
the  farm,  where  they  now  live. 

Mr.  Daughmer  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
a  trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Douglas,  in  which  his  wife  also 
holds  membership.  His  political  allegiance  he  gives  to  the  republican  party  and 
has  for  several  years  been  a  member  of  the  central  committee,  and  he  is  also 
now  serving  as  a  school  director.  Mr.  Daughmer  leads  a  very  busy  life  as  is 
evidenced  by  the  attractive  and  well  kept  appearance  of  his  farm  and  the  abundant 
harvests  annually  yielded  by  his  fertile  fields. 


:^^^v-  -    ;  B.  P.  BAIRD. 

B.  P.  Baird,  a  prominent  and  prosperous  resident  of  Abingdon,  has  made 
extensive  speculations  in  lands  and  now  has  large  property  holdings  not  only 
in  Knox  county  but  in  the  states  of  Iowa  and  Wisconsin.  His  birth  occurred 
in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  iQth  of  March,  1855,  his  parents  being  William  H.  and 
Elizabeth  J.  (Farwell)  Baird,  who  were  born,  reared  and  married  in  the  Key- 
stone state.  The  father,  who  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  the  timber  busi- 
ness, came  west  to  Illinois  in  1856,  locating  in  Elba  township,  Knox  county, 
where  he  turned  his  attention  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  In  the  conduct 
of  his  farming  interests  he  won  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity,  owning 
three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  at  the  time  of  his  demise  and  after  having 
given  property  to  each  of  his  sons.  Conservative,  reliable  and  honorable,  he 
enjoyed  the  high  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  Though  a  generous  contributor 
in  the  interests  of  religion  and  charity,  he  was  not  identified  with  any  denomina- 
tion. Prior  to  the  Civil  war  he  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democracy 
but  after  the  close  of  the  conflict  championed  the  prohibition  cause  and  was  the 
first  man  in  Elba  township  to  vote  that  ticket.  The  cause  of  education  also 
found  in  him  a  stanch  friend  and  for  possibly  thirty  years  he  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.  He  acquired  a  good  education  in  his  youth  and  for 
about  three  years  during  his  early  manhood  taught  school  in  his  home  district 
in  Pennsylvania.  Throughout  his  entire  life  he  read  broadly,  thus  constantly 
augmenting  his  knowledge.  He  passed  away  in  1890,  when  seventy  years  of 
age,  and  his  demise  was  the  occasion  of  deep  and  widespread  regret,  for  he 
was  everywhere  recognized  as  a  man  of  sterling  integrity  and  worth.  His  wife, 
whose  natal  year  was  1830,  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  May,  1906. 

B.  P.  Baird  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  supplemented  his  pre- 
liminary education,  obtained  in  the  district  schools,  by  a  course  of  study  at 
Hedding  College.  In  the  spring  of  1877,  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he 
began  farming  on  his  own  account  as  a  renter.  In  the  following  fall  he  was 
joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary  Ellen  Oberholtzer,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Ober- 
holtzer,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Knox  county.  In  the  spring  of  1878  Mr. 


774;;.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; 

of  January,  1878.  She  uas  a  daughter  of  D.  L.  T.  and  Nina  (Gue)  Bronson. 
Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daughmer  there  has  been  born  one  daughter, 
Bernice  Violet,  who  is  attending  school  in  Douglas.  The  first  year  of  their 
domestic  life  they  spent  in  Douglas,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  they  located  on 
the  farm,  where  they  now  live. 

Mr.  Daughmer  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and 
a  trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Douglas,  in  which  his  wife  also 
holds  membership.  His  political  allegiance  he  gives  to  the  republican  party  and 
has  for  several  years  been  a  member  of  the  central  committee,  and  he  is  also 
now  serving  as  a  school  director.  Mr.  Daughmer  leads  a  very  busy  life  as  is 
evidenced  by  the  attractive  antl  well  kept  appearance  of  his  farm  and  the  abundant 
harvests  annually  yielded  by  his  fertile  fields. 


B.  P.  BAIRD. 

r>.  p.  Baird,  a  prominent  and  prosperous  resident  of  Abingdon,  has  made 
extensive  speculations  in  lands  and  now  has  large  property  holdings  not  only 
in  Knox  coimty  but  in  the  states  of  Iowa  and  Wisconsin.  His  birth  occurred 
in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  iQth  of  March,  1855,  h'^  parents  being  William  H.  and 
Elizabeth  J.  (Farwell)  Baird,  who  were  born,  reared  and  married  in  the  Key- 
stone state.  The  father,  who  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  the  timber  busi- 
ness, came  west  to  Illinois  in  1856,  locating  in  Elba  township,  Knox  county, 
where  he  turned  his  attention  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  In  the  conduct 
of  his  farming  interests  he  won  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity,  owning 
three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  at  the  time  of  his  demise  and  after  having 
given  property  to  each  of  his  sons.  Conservative,  reliable  and  honorable,  he 
enjoyed  the  high  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  Though  a  generous  contributor 
in  the  interests  of  religion  an<l  charity,  he  was  not  identified  with  any  denomina- 
tion. Prior  to  the  Civil  war  he  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democracy 
but  after  the  close  of  the  conflict  championed  the  prohibition  cause  and  was  the 
first  man  in  Elba  township  to  vote  that  ticket.  The  cause  of  education  also 
found  in  him  a  stanch  friend  and  for  possibly  thirty  years  he  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.  He  acquired  a  good  education  in  his  youth  and  for 
about  three  years  during  his  early  manhood  taught  school  in  his  home  district 
in  Peniisylvania.  Throughout  his  entire  life  he  read  broadly,  thus  constantly 
augmenting  his  knowledge.  He  passed  away  in  1890.  when  seventy  years  of 
age,  and  his  demise  was  the  occasion  of  deep  and  widespread  regret,  for  he 
was  everywhere  recognized  as  a  man  of  sterling  integrity  and  worth.  His  wife, 
whose  natal  year  was  1830.  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  May.  1906. 

B.  P.  P>aird  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  supplemented  his  pre- 
liminary education,  obtained  in  the  district  schools,  by  a  course  of  study  at 
Hedding  College.  In  the  si)ring  of  1877,  when  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he 
began  farming  on  his  own  account  as  a  renter.  In  the  following  fall  he  was 
joined  in  wedlock  to  'Miss  Mary  Ellen  Oberholtzer,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Ober- 
holtzer,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Knox  county.  In  the  spring  of  1878  Mr. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  777 

Baird  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Peoria  county,  residing  thereon  for 

three  years.     The  demise  of  his  wife  occurred  on  the  I3th  of  June,  1880.     In 

i88i  he  sold  his  property  and  purchased  the  James  V.  Rynerson  farm  of  one 

hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Elba  township,  continuing  to  reside  thereon  for  ten 

years.    In  the  spring  of  1891  he  disposed  of  the  place  and  bought  the  Charles 

farm  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  near  Elba  Center.     In  1900  he  purchased 

;•.'-':.•.;  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  near  Abingdon  and  made  that  his  home  in  order  that  his 

[rV^  .  >  children  might  enjoy  the  advantages  of  the  Abingdon  schools.     Fully  appre- 

;'Jv'    V .:  ciating  the  value  of  education  as  a  preparation  for  the  practical  and  responsible 

;..-;•'        duties  of  life,  he  has  provided  his  children  with  every  advantage  in  this  direc- 

/-.:          tion.     In   1902  he  built   his  present  handsome   residence   in   Abingdon  and   in 

P:'-  .  V  December  of  that  year  took  up  his  abode  in  the  town  where  he  has  since  lived. 

'       ,; :  .  His  property  holdings  in  Knox  county  are  extensive  and  he  also  owns  large 

. .    ;.      tracts  in  Iowa  and  Wisconsin,  having  speculated  in  lands  on  quite  a  large  scale. 

;;;;.-.'  He  is  likewise  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  and  for 

'         .    several  years  past  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Hedding 

'•';\,;.  College.  •/!;.. 

'''.;'     '         In   1882  Mr.  Baird  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss 

^  /^  /•  Josie  Gray,  a  daughter  of  Lemuel  and  Mary  A.    (Sweegle)   Gray,  who  were 

:•    .     natives  of  Ohio  and  New  Jersey  respectively  and  took  up  their  abode  among 

.      ,'..  the  early  settlers  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  here  celebrating  their  marriage.     Mr. 

.  ':    f ;   Baird  is  the  father  of  six  children,  one  of  whom  was  born  of  his  first  marriage. 

\     ,   :'•  Newton  Homer,  who  was  educated  in  Knox  College  and  also  pursued  a  busi- 

.•....••  ness  course  in  Denver,  Colorado,  now  owns  a  cattle  ranch  of  twenty-four  hun- 

'  ;•,;     .  dred  acres  near  that  city.     William  Lemuel,  who  spent  several  years  in  Hed- 

-•;•:.:.  ding  preparatory  school  and  Hedding  College,  is  now  engaged  in  general  agri- 

>'•'.  cultural  pursuits  in  this  county.     Leo  Preston,  who  was  graduated   from  the 

•.  • ,    ;  University  of  Illinois  at  Champaign  with  the  class  of  1906,  winning  the  degree 

^   '      '  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  served  as  superintendent  of  high  schools  for  three  years. 

'  ;  In  1910  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  position  of  county  superintendent  of  schools 

:''       ''  of  Peoria  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  was  but  a  young  man  and  a 

/       .;"  Knox  county  citizen,  carried  the  city  of  Peoria  by  seven  hundred  votes  and  was 

'^-  V     defeated  by  only  eighty-two  ballots.     At  the  present  time  he  is  superintendent 

,     ;  .;  of  the  electric  light  plant  in   Abingdon  and  is  also  engaged  in  the  insurance 

r ,;         business.    Lois  Irena,  who  was  graduated  from  Hedding  College  in  1908,  win- 

.;  .         ning  the  degrees  of  B.  A.  and  B.  O.,  has  for  the  past  three  years  taught  in  the 

.; ;  '         high  school  at  Winfield,  Iowa.     Eva  Lena,  who  was  graduated  from  Hedding 

:;'.".    College  in  1911   with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  will  teach  as  assistant 

.•/superintendent  in  the  schools  at  Whitehall,  Michigan.     Forest  Gray  is  a  senior 

:^  ;  -.        in  Hedding  College.     Mr.  Baird  indeed  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  his  children, 

; '-'      -  all  of  whom  have  developed  into  splendid  young  men  and  women  under  the 

.;:         influence  and  training  of  a  loving  yet  wise  mother.     He  attributes  his  success 

-.     :  ;  r  in  no  small  degree  to  his  wife,  who  has  ever  proved  a  loyal  and  loving  helpmate 

.       '      and  companion  to  him.     She  is  a  woman  of  refinement  and  culture  and  presides 

'-.:.'    with  gracious  hospitality  over  a  charming  home. 

.'.;.;-.  Mr.  Baird  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  believing  that 
:.;,.,;•  its  principles  are  most  conducive  to  good  government.  He  is  a  worthy  exemplar 
.  :'.  .  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 


Vol.  n— 35 


7T8  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'i     ' 

He  is  a  steward  and  trustee  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  his 
wife  and  children  also  belong.  Mr.  Baird  is  a  man  of  undoubted  integrity  in 
business,  of  progressive  spirit  and  marked  enterprise,  a  man  whose  popularity 
and  prosperity  have  been  won  through  his  many  good  qualities  and  his  well 
directed  effort.  .  .  -  . 


V;  :;  SAMUEL  ROBERT  PARKINSON.    •,;:,:;;.'.  : 

Samuel  Robert  Parkinson,  a  resident  of  Wataga,  early  recognized  the  fact 
that  success  has  its  foundation  in  persistent,  honorable  and  intelligently  directed 
labor  and  has  worked  his  way  upwards  until  he  is  now  one  of  the  largest  land- 
owners in  Knox  county  and  is  also  well  known  as  a  prominent  representative 
of  its  agricultural,  stock-raising  and  banking  interests.  He  was  born  on  the 
3d  of  November,  1866,  in  Sparta  township,  Knox  county  and  is  the  son  of 
John  Parkinson.  The  father,  bom  in  1828,  is  a  native  of  England  and  in  1856 
came  to  America  locating  in  Knox  county,  where  he  has  since  resided,  giving  his 
time  and  attention  to  farming  and  mining.  He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to 
the  republican  party  and  is  conversant  with  the  leading  issues  of  the  day.  He 
has  served  as  road  commissioner  and  also  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  is 
a  man  of  strict  integrity  and  worth,  and  has  the  confidence  and  regard  of  the 
entire  community.  He  was  married  to  Ann  Taylor,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
England  and  the  daughter  of  James  Taylor.  Although  she  has  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-six  years  she  is  still  enjoying  life  and  is  a  comfort  to 
her  family.  They  became  the  parents  of  seven  children,  namely :  Elizabeth, 
the  wife  of  M.  Gehring,  of  Sparta  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois ;  Ellen,  who 
is  married  to  A.  Simmons  of  Adair  county,  Nebraska;  Mattie,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Arthur  Mayse,  a  resident  of  Greenfield,  Iowa ;  James,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Morris  county,  Kansas;  Sadie,  the  wife  of  Elder  Ecknam,  of  Morris  county, 
Kansas ;  Samuel  R.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  Erank  E.,  of  Sparta  township. 

After  spending  a  few  years  in  the  near-by  district  schools  he  remained  at 
home  till  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  began  farming  and  continued  in  this 
occupation  for  five  years,  when  he  engaged  in  the  meat-market  and  grocery 
business.  He  conducted  this  enterprise  for  seventeen  years,  at  the  same  time 
looking  after  the  farm,  which  he  had  previously  acquired.  Because  of  his 
close  application  and  his  persistent  effort  to  develop  his  business  along  lines  of 
modem  improvements  abreast  of  the  times,  Mr.  Parkinson  secured  an  extensive 
patronage  and  realized  a  success  which  was  as  remunerative  as  it  was  gratifying. 
In  1909  he  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  the  Bank  of  Wataga,  of  which  he  is 
now  ably  serving  as  vice  president.  In  this  as  in  his  previous  undertakings  the 
accrued  profits  have  increased  his  capital  and  thus  enabled  him  to  make  further 
investments.  At  the  present  he  <s  the  owner  of  one  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
Knox  county,  which  he  devotes  to  crops  and  stock.  His  buying-in  and  market 
transactions  show  rare  judgment  and  inevitably  financial  results  of  enviable 
proportions.  ; -.;  ,  \  -"I  .•^":;i  .  '  I',  ,  ;' 

Mr.  Parkinson  was  married  in  1802,  to  Elizabeth  Campbell,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred on  the  29th  of  November,  1871.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Robert  and 


J    ;;^^  ;•;•-;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^'v-^          779 

Catherine  Dolan  Campbell,  the  former  of  whom  died  December  lo,  1911,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-six,  while  Mrs.  Campbell  is  surviving  and  now  in  her  eightieth 
year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parkinson  are  the  parents  of  one  son. 

In  politics  Mr.  Parkinson  casts  his  vote  with  the  republican  party,  and  has 
been  honored  by  his  fellow  citizens  with  the  office  of  president  of  the  village 
board  which  he  has  competently  administered  for  thirteen  consecutive  years. 
He  holds  membership  in  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 

Mr.    Parkinson's  enterprise  and   industry  have  carried   him   into  important 
relations  with  business  affairs  and  he  has  won  for  himself  a  most  creditable  repu-  . 
tation  by  his  enterprise  and  reliability  in  every  one  and  all  matters,  with  which 
he  has  come  in  contact.        ,.,.-,          .     _.         .,  ,      ..      ,      -  .. 


.-.':'  >       .    '•  W'v  ';.;•:         ROBERT  GIBBS.        ••:•  J .  ^    ;     . /V^  -v     { 

Robert  Gibbs,  who  is  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  valuable 
land  in  Copley  township,  which  he  devotes  to  farming  and  stock-raising,  was 
born  in  Lynn  township,  December  30,  1874.  He  is  a  son  of  Joseph  E.  and 
Margaret  (Speck)  Gibbs.  The  mother  is  a  daughter  of  E.  Speck,  a  soldier  of 
the  Civil  war,  who  died  at  Andersonville  prison.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  are  now 
living  retired  in  La  Fayette,  Illinois.  The  father's  birth  occurred  in  Pittsburg. 
The  grandparents,  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Goetzinger)  Gibbs,  removed  to  Lynn 
township,  Knox  county,  with  their  three  children  and  settled  on  the  old  Gibbs 
farm,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  E.  Gibbs 
were  the  parents  of  four  children:  Helen,  who  is  the  wife  of  W.  Craig,  of  Vic- 
toria township ;  Florence,  who  was  married  to  Harrj'  Thomas,  also  of  Victoria 
township ;  Frank  L.,  who  is  living  in  Stark  county,  Illinois ;  and  Robert,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch. 

After  finishing  school  Robert  Gibbs  remained  at  home  and  assisted  his  father 
in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  After  this  he  began 
upon  his  independent  agricultural  career  in  Lynn  township  on  the  farm  of  his 
grandfather.  Subsequently  after  three  years'  residence  there,  he  removed  to 
La  Fayette  and  engaged  in  the  meat-market  business  for  the  following  two  years. 
.  After  disposing  of  this  he  purchased  his  present  home  and  is  now  farming  four 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  productive  land,  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cul- 
tivation and  equipped  with  modern  and  substantial  buildings.  In  all  of  his  work 
he  is  progressive,  employing  the  latest  improved  machinery  to  facilitate  the  work 
of  the  fields,  while  his  careful  study  of  cattle-raising  has  given  him  accurate 
knowledge  concerning  the  best  methods  of  raising  stock. 

Mr.  Gibbs  was  married  in  January,  1896.  to  Miss  Abbie  May  GofF,  whose 

birth  occurred  on  the  9th  of  June,  1873,  in  Copley  township  and  who  is  a  daugh- 

'  .    ter  of  Marvin  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Monasmith)  Goff,  the  former  one  of  the  old 

-V  settlers  of  Copley  township,  having  passed  away  in  1897,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six 
years,  and  the  latter  now  residing  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years  on  the  old 

•    homestead.    To  them  ten  children  were  bom:  Julia,  who  is  the  wife  of  S.  Col- 
:  ;     linson,  of  Victoria  township;  John,  of  Lynn  township;  Marvin,  a  resident  of 

\  Victoria  township;  Sarah,  who  is  the  wife  of  A.  McCormick,  of  Creston,  Iowa; 


""''  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;l  f  .' 

George,  a  resident  of  Copley  township ;  MBS.  Gibbs ;  Charles,  who  is  living  at 
home ;  Louis,  of  Victoria  township ;  Maggie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Fred  Mc- 
Ilvray,  of  Victoria  township ;  and  Leona,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  are  the 
parents  of  four  children :  Milo,  whose  birth  occurred  on  October  24,  1896 ;  Mary 
Margaret,  who  was  born  July  9,  1899;  George  Reed,  bom  January  5,  1900;  and 
Robert  Russell,  who  was  born  Aug^ist  3,  1906. 

Mr.  Gibbs'  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  in  1909 
he  was  elected  supervisor.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge  of  Victoria,  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Royal  Neighbors  and  the  Mystic  Workers  of 
the  World.  He  cooperates  in  many  movements  for  the  general  good  and  is  par- 
ticularly interested  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  agricultural  development  of 
the  county.  He  is  known  as  a  reliable  and  public-spirited  citizen  and  stands 
high  in  the  regard  of  all  who  know  him.  •  ; ,  ;,  :  • 


r  DAVID  MERRY  SIMPSON.    :  ^  .;,.;:; 

David  Merry  Simpson,  who  is  living  retired  on  his  farm  in  Walnut  Grove 
township,  was  bom  in  Sorn  Point,  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  on  the  I5th  of  October, 
1835,  his  parents  being  Hugh  and  Janette  (Murdock)  Simpson.  The  grand- 
father was  George  Simpson  and  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  of  whom 
David  and  Robert  K.,  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  are  the  only  surviving  members. 
George  Simpson  was  active  in  his  duties  as  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
church.  The  father  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and  was  engaged  in  this  business 
throughout  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1852  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years. 
The  mother  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Murdock,  the  former  a  weaver 
by  trade.  Mrs.  Simpson's  death  occurred  in  1872  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years. 

David  Simpson  attended  the  district  schools  in  his  native  country  until  twelve 
years  of  age  and  then  entered  into  agricultural  pursuits,  assisting  his  brother. 
For  the  following  two  yea^s  he  was  engaged  in  the  tile  and  brick  business  and 
subsequently  after  his  father's  death,  he  went  to  the  coal  regions  and  engaged 
in  mining,  but  in  1857,  desiring  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  new  world,  he  came  to 
America,  going  directly  to  Oneida,  Illinois,  arriving  there  on  the  i6th  of  April, 
1857.  For  the  next  three  years  he  fanned  out  by  the  month  and  then  began 
farming  for  himself.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  his  present  farm  which  was 
at  that  time  all  prairie  land,  and  Mr.  Simpson  now  has  the  distinction  of  being 
the  only  living  old  settler  in  this  township.  When  he  had  acquired  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  he  established  his  present  home,  and  has  constantly 
added  improvements  and  conveniences  until  he  now  has  one  of  the  well  equipped 
and  modern  farms  in  the  township. 

Mr.  Simpson  was  married  in  i86i,  to  Lavina  (Garland)  Hawk,  a  native  of 
Virginia,  her  parents  being  Thomas  and  Mildred  (Moon)  Garland.  The  father 
was  a  planter  and  slave  owner  until  he  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  spent  the  lat- 
ter part  of  his  life  and  where  his  death  occurred.  Mrs.  Simpson  had  been  pre- 
viously married  to  Jacob  Hawk,  and  was  the  mother  of  four  children,  all  of 
whom  are  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  have  become  the  parents  of  eight  chil- 
dren, of  whom  three  died  in  infancy.  Of  those  living,  Hugh  C.,  the  eldest,  was 


';:;•   ^       ^'      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;/-    >  ^         781 

*    -.•'"•''''•.•''•-'.•''-  -  ,'     \'  •  \ 

born  on  the  I4th  of  December,  i86i,  and  is  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He 
married  Ada  McLaughlin,  by  whom  he  had  five  children :  Leola,  Milo,  James  and 
David,  and  one,  the  eldest,  who  died  in  childhood.  Mildred  Lavina  was  bom 
June  5,  1864,  and  is  living  at  home,  where  she  is  keeping  house  for  her  father. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  is  very  active  in  its 
various  societies,  being  one  of  the  prominent  members  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 
Janette  M.,  who  was  born  November  19,  1866,  is  the  wife  of  Ed  N.  Suydam,  of 
Galesburg,  and  has  four  children :  Marie,  Fern,  Edna  and  David,  who  died,  when 
three  years  of  age.  Amanda  Ellen  was  born  October  19,  1868,  and  is  the  widow 
of  William  Mead,  of  Oneida.  David  J.  was  born  January  13,  1872,  and  is  a 
traveling  salesman  residing  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  and  is  a  widower. 

Mr.  Simpson  is  an  active  supporter  of  the  policies  of  the  republican  party, 
doing  all  in  his  power  to  promote  its  measures  and  to  influence  his  fellow  citizens 
in  their  support.  He  has  served  as  central  committeeman,  highway  commissioner 
and  as  member  of  the  school  board.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Altona  and  in  the  Methodist  church  of  Altona.  In 
his  social,  fraternal  and  political  relations  he  has  won  for  himself  the  same  esteem 
and  regard,  which  he  has  won  in  the  industrial  circles,  and  has  lived  in  accord- 
ance with  the  teachings  of  high  principles,  continually  extending  the  circle  of  his 
friends  who  almost  comprise  all  his  acquaintances. 


rV  ;.  :  V  ;:>  WILLIAM  N.  THOMAS.  -.     v- 

William  N.  Thomas,  who  is  operating  a  blacksmith  shop  in  Wataga,  has  been 
a  resident  of  Knox  county  for  over  fifty-two  years.  He  was  born  in  Wayne 
county,  Indiana,  on  the  I4th  of  May,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  Maria 
(Kit well)  Thomas.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Wabash  county,  Indiana,  and 
there  he  was  also  reared  and  educated,  after  which  he  entered  the  ministry  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  his  first  field  being  in  the  vicinity  of  his  early  home. 
His  labors  were  terminated  by  death  some  nine  years  later,  however,  his  demise 
occurring  in  1850.  The  mother,  who  passed  away  in  1876,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
two  years,  was  a  daughter  of  J.  H.  and  Maria  Kitwell,  natives  of  Kentucky. 
The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  J.  H.  Thomas,  was  prominent  in  pro- 
moting and  spreading  the  Universalist  belief  and  for  many  years  devoted  his 
entire  time  and  attention  to  advocating  his  views,  traveling  throughout  the  country 
and  lecturing  wherever  he  could  obtain  a  hearing.  He  also  owned  and  operated 
a  printing  establishment  and  emphasized  his  personal  work  by  scattering  broad- 
cast essays  and  lectures  of  himself  and  others  on  the  theme  of  universal  salva- 
tion. He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward 
Thomas  there  were  born  five  children :  William  N.,  our  subject ;  James  E.,  who 
is  living  in  Prairie  City,  Iowa;  W.  H.,  a  resident  of  Dodgeville,  Wisconsin; 
Maggie,  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Moon,  also  of  Prairie  City,  Iowa ;  and  Mrs.  J.  H. 
Gregg,  of  Missouri. 

The  eldest  child  of  his  widowed  mother,  William  N.  Thomas  left  school  at 
the  age  of  twelve  and  during  the  succeeding  eight  years  devoted  his  energies  to 
the  operation  of  their  farm.  In  1859  he  came  to  Galesburg,  continuing  to  fol- 


782  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

low  agricultural  pursuits  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  i86i,  when  he  en- 
listed as  a  musician  in  Company  A,  Fifty-Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
went  to  the  front  under  General  Post  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Atlanta  and 
Nashville,  having  been  wounded  in  the  latter  engagement.  He  had  enlisted  at 
Knoxville  for  three  years  but  upon  the  expiration  of  his  period  of  service  re- 
enlisted  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  the  close  of  hostilities  he  went  to  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  where  he  was  retained  for  nine  months,  being  mustered  out  on 
September  19,  1866.  Upon  his  return  to  Galesburg  he  gave  his  attention  to  the 
carriage  manufacturing  business,  for  about  three  decades,  when  he  came  to 
Wataga  and  opened  a  blacksmith  and  general  repair  shop  which  he  is  still 
operating. 

•'•'••  For  his  wife  Mr.  Thomas  chose  Miss  Frances  A.  Gibbs,  a  daughter  of  Nel- 
son and  Adelia  Gibbs,  the  father  a  farmer  of  Knox  county,  where  Mrs.  Thomas 
has  spent  the  greater  part  of  her  sixty-five  years.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thomas  there  were  born  two  sons:  W.  H.,  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  who 
married  Ada  Tulson  and  has  one  child ;  and  A.,  living  in  Oneida,  who  is  married 
and  has  two  children. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  being  affiliated 
with  Wataga  Lodge,  No.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Odd 
Fellows,  holding  membership  in  Galesburg  Lodge,  No.  142,  I.  O.  O.  F.  His  politi- 
cal support  he  gives  to  the  democratic  party  and  he  has  several  times  been  called 
to  public  office,  having  served  as  mayor  and  marshal  for  two  terms  each,  and 
as  constable  for  three.  In  all  of  his  relations  of  life  Mr.  Thomas  has  ever  ex- 
hibited the  loyalty  and  efficiency  that  characterized  him  on  the  battlefield,  the 
details  of  every  responsibility  he  assumes  being  discharged  with  conscientious 
exactitude. .  >  -.  . 


/-•'  '•'••-^•v      ,. ,    .      '   .      c.  P.  SMITH.  _v-";  ;V:^-.':;:-;:-^' •.'•';, 

C.  p.  Smith,  representing  agricultural  interests  in  Knox  county,  lives  half 
a  mile  east  of  Elba  Center  on  the  farm  and  in  the  same  house  where  he  first 
beheld  the  light  of  day,  fifty  years  ago,  his  birth  having  occurred  July  9,  i86i. 
His  father,  Ira  A.  Smith,  was  a  pioneer  settler  of  Illinois,  coming  here  from 
New  York  state  in  1850,  when  a  young  man,  and  carried  on  farming.  He  bought 
the  present  homestead  and  lived  here  for  many  years  until  his  death  in  Janu- 
ary, 1907,  when  he  was  eighty-four  years  old.  He  married  Sarah  A.  Rose, 
whose  grandfather.  Stephen  Rose,  was  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Knox 
county,  taking  up  his  residence  here  in  1830.  There  were  eleven  children  in 
the  Smith  family,  of  whom  seven  are  still  living:  Mrs.  Donnelly,  of  Kansas; 
Alfred  A.,  of  Iowa;  Salem,  of  Kansas;  C.  P.,  the  subject  of  this  biography; 
W.  T.,  of  Texas,  and  Mrs.  Barry  of  Nebraska,  the  last  two  being  twins ;  and 
Mrs.  Ramp,  of  Nebraska. 

Upon  the  old  homestead  C.  P.  Smith  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and 
youth,  and  in  the  local  district  schools  he  obtained  a  fair  education.  He  began 
work  on  the  home  place  and  has  remained  here  ever  since  with  the  exception 


MR.  AND  MRS.  C.  P.  SMITH 


.782  ..  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          . 

low  agricultural  pursuits  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  i86i.  when  he  en- 
listed as  a  musician  in  Company  A.  Fifty-Xinth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
went  to  the  front  under  General  Post  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge.  Stone  River,  Qiickamauga,  Atlanta  and 
Nashville,  having  been  wounded  in  the  latter  engagement.  He  had  enlisted  at 
Knoxville  for  tliree  years  but  upon  the  expiration  of  his  period  of  service  re- 
enlisted  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  the  close  of  hostilities  he  went  to  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  where  he  was  retained  for  nine  months,  being  mustered  out  on 
September  19,  1866.  Upon  his  return  to  Galesburg  he  gave  his  attention  to  the 
carriage  manufacturing  business,  for  about  three  decades,  when  he  came  to 
\\'ataga  and  opened  a  blacksmith  and  general  repair  shop  which  he  is  still 
operating. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Thomas  chose  Miss  Frances  A.  Gibbs,  a  daughter  of  Nel- 
son and  Adelia  Gibbs.  the  father  a  farmer  of  Knox  county,  where  Mrs.  Thomas 
has  spent  the  greater  part  of  her  sixty-five  years.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thomas  there  were  born  two  sons:  W.  H..  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  who 
married  Ada  Tulson  and  has  one  child :  and  A.,  living  in  Oneida,  who  is  married 
and  has  two  children. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  being  affiliated 
with  \Vataga  Lodge,  Xo.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Odd 
Fellows,  holding  membership  in  Galesburg  Lodge,  Xo.  142,  I.  O.  O.  F.  His  politi- 
cal support  he  gives  to  the  democratic  party  and  he  has  several  times  been  called 
to  public  office,  having  served  as  mayor  and  marshal  for  two  tenns  each,  and 
as  constable  for  three.  In  all  of  his  relations  of  life  Mr.  Thomas  has  ever  ex- 
hibited the  loyalty  and  efficiency  that  characterized  him  on  the  battlefield,  the 
details  of  every  responsibility  he  assumes  being  discharged  with  conscientious 
exactitude.  .  .  . 


C.  P.  SMITH.  • 

C.  P.  Smith,  rejjresenting  agricultural  interests  in  Knox  county,  lives  half 
a  mile  east  of  Flba  Center  on  the  farm  and  in  the  same  house  where  he  first 
beheld  the  light  of  day.  fifty  years  ago,  his  birth  having  occurred  July  9,  i86i. 
His  father,  Ira  A.  Smith,  was  a  ])ioneer  settler  of  Illinois,  coming  here  from 
New  York  state  in  1X50,  when  a  young  man,  and  carried  on  farming.  He  bought 
the  present  homestead  and  lived  here  for  many  years  until  his  death  in  Janu- 
ary, i</)7.  when  he  was  eighty-four  years  old.  He  married  .^arah  .\.  Rose, 
whose  grandfather.  Stephen  Rose,  was  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Knox 
county,  taking  up  his  residence  here  in  1830.  There  were  eleven  children  in 
the  Smith  family,  of  whom  seven  are  still  living:  Mrs.  Donnelly,  of  Kansas: 
Alfred  A.,  of  Iowa :  Salem,  of  Kansas ;  C.  P.,  the  subject  of  this  biography : 
W.  T.,  of  Texas,  and  Mrs.  Piarry  of  Nebraska,  the  last  two  being  twins:  and 
Mrs.  Ramp,  of  X'ebraska. 

L'pon  the  old  homestead  C.  P.  Smith  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and 
youth,  and  in  the  local  district  schools  he  obtained  a  fair  education.  He  began 
work  on  the  home  place  and  has  remained  here  ever  since  with  the  exception 


MK.  AM)  MUs.  c.   p    SMITH 


;    y :  .     ;  :,  \  •   .     ''•:•:       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  >^\vi  r 

'  ,     of  a  year  and  a  half  spent  in  Nebraska.    He  is   a  successful   farmer  and  a 
.*     ;^  breeder  of  high-grade  live-stock. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss  Harriett  Miller  and  they  became  the  par- 
ents of  a  son,  Elmer,  who  was  bom  in  1890  and  passed  away  in  1907.     In  1894 
.  ::    Mrs.  Harriett  Smith  was  called  to  her  final  rest  and  on  June  12,  1907,  Mr. 
Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  Rausch,  a  daughter  of  Gustavus 
'  .   and  Bertha  Rausch,  of  Galesburg,  where  her  father  occupied  the  position  of 
'.'•:''-.'  minister  in  the  Evangelical  church.    She  was  one  of  five  children  in  her  family. 
Mr.  Smith  belongs  to  the  Masonic  order  and  in  his  political  convictions  is 
. .  not  bound  by  party  ties,  preferring  to  vote  independently  for  the  man  rather 
\..'-'-  than  according  to  the  dictates  of  the  party.     He  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
constable  and  for  four  years  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.     Fraternally  he  is 
:  '    connected  with  the  Masonic  order.     Ever  faithful  in  adhering  to  his  ideals,  he 
,     has  unflinchingly  performed  the  duties  which  have  fallen  to  his  lot  and  in  the 
,     success  which  has  attended  his  efforts  has  found  his  reward.        .;:•.••.;'" 


..V  -:          FRED  C  BEARMORE.  V  :;V^f: 

'  Fred  C.  Bearmore,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Maquon,  has 
long  been  prominently  identified  with  the  commercial  and  financial  enterprises 
of  this  village,  of  which  he  has  been  a  resident  for  thirty  years.  He  was  born 
in  Monmouth  county.  New  Jersey  in  1853,  and  is  a  son  of  David  T.  and  Rebecca 
(Conover)  Bearmore,  natives  of  the  same  state.  The  father  was  a  wagon  and 
carriage  maker  but  also  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  farm  in  connection  with 
his  trade.  The  parents  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their  native  state,  both  passing 
away  at  the  age  of  about  seventy-five  years,  the  father's  demise  occurring  near 
the  town  of  Freehold,  and  that  of  the  mother  at  Lakewood.  The  family  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bearmore  numbered  three,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  eldest, 
the  others  being  as  follows :  David,  a  real-estate  man  of  Emporia,  Kansas,  who 
married  Harriet  Emma  Hall  and  has  one  daughter,  Edna;  and  Elnora,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Joseph  W.  Thorn,  of  Farmingdale,  New  Jersey. 

The  early  life  of  Fred  C.  Bearmore  was  spent  in  the  village  where  he  was 
bom,  and  to  whose  schools  he  is  indebted  for  his  education.  After  acquiring 
such  knowledge  as  was  deemed  essential  to  enable  him  to  assume  the  heavier 
responsibilities  of  life  he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  operated  his  father's 
farm.  He  had  from  his  earliest  youth  been  trained  in  those  qualities  of  integrity 
and  industry  that  tend  to  develop  men  of  enterprise  and  high  principle,  his 
ideals  ever  having  been  of  the  highest  type  of  manhood.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
eight  he  left  the  parental  roof  and  came  west  and  entered  into  the  mercantile 
and  banking  business  with  William  Swigart.  This  venture  proved  to  be  very 
lucrative  and  they  were  associated  together  in  this  business  in  Maquon  for  twenty- 
two  years.  In  1903  Fred  C.  Bearmore  established  a  private  bank  that  he  oper- 
ated for  three  years  and  then  reorganized  and  established  as  a  national  bank, 
the  institution  since  1906  having  been  known  as  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Maquon.  It  has  a  paid-up  capital  of  thirty-five  thousand  dollars  and  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  conservative  financial  organizations  of  this 


786  .         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :.X    .    ;-•  |  :. 

section  of  the  state.  Mr.  Bearmore  is  the  president;  John  Wolf,  vice  president; 
and  A.  S.  Potter,  cashier.  All  are  men  of  high  standing  and  well  known  integrity 
and  business  ability. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Bearmore  chose  Miss  Sarah  Swigart,  a 
daughter  of  William  Swigart,  their  marriage  being  celebrated  in  1885.  Six 
children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bearmore.  Freda,  who  married 
Glen  McGirr  and  has  two  children,  is  living  on  a  farm  south  of  Maquon.  Ella, 
the  second  daughter  became  the  wife  of  Ralph  White  and  resides  in  Atlantic 
City,  New  Jersey.  Fay,  who  is  unmarried,  is  teaching  in  the  schools  of  Hinsdale, 
Illinois.  William,  the  only  son,  is  living  at  Minot,  North  Dakota.  The  two 
youngest  members  of  the  family,  Genevieve  and  Marian,  the  latter  born  on  the 
twenty-fifth  wedding  anniversary  of  the  parents,  are  both  at  home. 

The  political  views  of  Mr.  Bearmore  coincide  with  the  principles  of  the 
democratic  party,  in  support  of  whose  candidates  he  casts  his  ballot.  Though 
he  has  never  been  prominently  identified  in  municipal  politics,  he  served  most 
capably  as  supervisor.  During  the  long  period  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county 
Mr.  Bearmore,  by  reason  of  his  honorable  transactions,  trustworthiness  and 
absolute  reliability  on  any  and  all  occasions,  as  well  as  his  regard  for  his  word, 
has  at  all  times  had  the  full  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  and  has  manifested 
those  characteristics  which  are  among  a  business  man's  greatest  assets.  His 
name  connected  with  any  business  enterprise  is  recognized  as  a  guaranty  of  its 
reliability  and  assurance  of  its  stability  •  .  \^.  -•  ;  ' 


•  :  V    PROFESSOR  ARTHUR  CLARK  BUTLER.     v 

Professor  Arthur  Clark  Butler,  who  has  served  as  superintendent  of  the  city 
schools  of  Abingdon  since  1904,  is  one  of  the  well  known  educators  of  northern 
Illinois  and  has  long  been  a  prominent  and  valuable  factor  in  educational  circles 
in  this  part  of  the  state.  His  birth  occurred  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  on  the 
nth  of  April,  1848,  his  parents  being  James  L.  and  Oletha  Parker  (Sargent) 
Butler,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia  and  Ohio  respectively.  In  early  manhood 
the  father  journeyed  westward  to  Ohio  and  thence  to  Indiana  and  in  1840  re- 
moved to  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  being  there  married  and  purchasing  a  farm 
near  Jacksonville.  In  1862  he  left  the  place  and  took  up  his  abode  on  a  farm 
which  he  purchased  in'Macon  county,  where  he  remained  until  1870,  when  he 
removed  to  Neosho  county,  Kansas.  There  he  continued  to  reside  until  called 
to  his  final  rest  on  the  29th  of  July,  1891.  James  L.  Butler  was  an  ardent  worker 
in  the  cause  of  temperance  and  also  labored  eflfectively  in  advancing  the  interests 
of  education  in  his  community.  While  living  in  Morgan  county  he  was  a  prime 
factor  in  the  erection  of  one  of  the  best  country  schoolhouses  to  be  found  in  the 
state.  He  was  always  an  advocate  of  good  public  schools  and  worked  earnestly 
for  their  establishment  and  keeping  up  their  standard.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  devoted  and  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mrs. 
Butler,  who  was  still  but  a  girl  when  she  accompanied  her  parents  on  their  re- 
moval to  Morgan  county,  passed  away  on  the  27th  of  May,  190x3.  Her  father, 
William  L.  Sargent,  there  became  a  well  known  figure  in  state  politics  at  an 


•          .  •        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      r          1  /^    ^ .  :. 

early  day.  He  was  a  whig  and  a  strong  anti-slavery  man,  his  home  being  one 
of  the  stations  on  the  underground  railway.  He  served  as  a  member  of  the 
state  legislature  from  his  district  and  was  one  of  the  influential  factors  in  the 
organization  of  the  republican  party.  All  of  his  sons,  six  in  number,  served 
throughout  the  Civil  war  and  returned  home  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities. 
The  only  one  still  living  is  Henry,  an  inmate  of  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Quincy,  , 
Illinois.  . 

Arthur  C.  But4er  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  obtained  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Morgan  county,  Illinois.  Subsequently  he 
pursued  the  full  course  and  also  did  an  additional  year's  work  in  the  State  Nor- 
mal  School  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  being  graduated  from  that  institution  with 
the  class  of  1878.  Later  Dr.  Richard  Edwards,  who  has  been  president  of  the 
State  Normal  School,  became  president  of  Blackburn  University  at  Carlinville 
and,  having  recognized  Mr.  Butler's  efficient  work  in  the  normal  school  as  an 
institute  instructor  and  writer,  recommended  him  to  the  university  for  the  degree 
of  Master  of  Arts,  which  was  accordingly  conferred  upon  him.  Subsequently 
Mr.  Butler  took  a  correspondence  post-graduate  course  from  the  University  of 
Chicago,  which  completed  his  schooling.  Five  years  prior  to  his  graduation' 
from  the  State  Normal  School  he  had  taken  up  teaching  as  a  vocation  and  during 
his  normal  course  continued  teaching  at  intervals.  Following  his  graduation 
he  was  made  principal  of  the  schools  at  Normal,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  for 
two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  accepted  the  principalship  of 
the  schools  at  Virginia,  Cass  county,  Illinois,  there  remaining  for  a  similar  length 
of  time.  He  was  next  offered  and  accepted  the  position  of  superintendent  of  the 
Beardstown  (111.)  schools,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  nine  years.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Taylorville  and  organized  the  Taylorville  township 
high  school,  formulated  the  course  of  study  and  presided  over  the  schools  for 
three  years.  In  1894  he  left  that  place  to  become  superintendent  of  the  schools 
at  Kewanee,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  for  ten  years.  In  1904 
he  came  to  Abingdon  as  superintendent  of  the  schools  here  and  has  held  that 
responsible  position  continuously  since.  He  is  a  broad-minded  man  and  an  able 
educator  and  for  several  years  past  has  been  a  regular  contributor  to  the  School 
News  and  has  also  written  extensively  for  other  educational  publications.  He 
has  recently  completed  a  series  of  articles  for  the  School  News  and  has  beg^n 
another.  "Persimmons"  and  "Gala  Day  Stories,"  two  books  of  which  he  is  the 
author,  have  won  him  merited  fame.  The  former  publication  is  very  popular 
and  has  enjoyed  an  extensive  sale.  Miss  Caroline  Grote,  formerly  county  super- 
intendent of  Pike  county,  Illinois,  said :  "I  am  frequently  asked  to  name  a  col- 
lection  of  books  for  a  school  library.  Whether  the  collection  is  to  be  a  large  or 
a  small  one  I  always  name  Persimmons  among  the  first."  This  is  only  one  of 
scores  of  testimonials  from  nearly  every  state  in  the  Union.  Professor  Butler 
was  a  charter  member  of  the  Schoolmasters'  Club,  which  has  done  much  toward 
shaping  the  educational  policy  pursued  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state.  He 
is  recognized  as  an  able  institute  instructor  and  in  1911  was  chosen  to  teach 
advanced-grade  reading  at  the  teachers'  institute  of  Knox  county. 

On  the  I5th  of  June,  1871,  Professor  Butler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eliza  H.  Eaton,  of  Stonington,  Christian  county,  Illinois,  by  whom  he  had  three 


788  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   -  ,  v 

children,  one  son  and  two  daughters.    The  son  and  one  of  the  daughters  are  now 
deceased.     Gazelle  is  the  widow  of  Frank  B.  Newell  and  resides  at  home. 

Professor  Butler  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  where 
national  questions  and  issues  are  involved,  but  at  local  elections  casts  an  inde- 
pendent ballot.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masons,  belonging  to 
Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  a  member  of  the  official  board 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  Association 
with  him  means  elevation  and  expansion,  for  his  interests  have  always  been  in 
touch  with  those  broadening  processes  which  bring  a  wider,  higher  knowledge 
of  life  and  enable  the  individual  to  place  a  correct  valuation  upon  the  things 
which  go  to  make  up  life's  activities  and  interests. 


.    :        V :  ;^  A.  S.  POTTER.  ;  ;.  . 

.  A.  S.  Potter,  who  is  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank,  is  a  native  son  and 
a  representative  of  one  of  Maquon's  pioneer  families.  His  birth  occurred  on 
May  31,  1862,  his  parents  being  Dr.  Alvin  H.  and  Eliza  (Moore)  Potter.  They 
were  the  parents  of  two  sons,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  elder,  the  other,  A.  G., 
now  being  a  resident  of  Oklahoma.  The  latter  married  Miss  Hattie  Simpkins, 
a  daughter  of  Dean  and  Harriet  Simpkins,  who  at  that  time  were  residents  of 
Knox  county,  but  now  make  their  home  in  Oklahoma.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  G.  Pot- 
ter  also  have  two  sons :  Alvin,  who  married  Miss  Iva  Simpkins,  a  daughter  of 
G.  L.  and  Jane  Simpkins,  and  has  two  children ;  and  Forrest..  Dr.  Potter  came 
to  Maquon  in  his  early  manhood  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  con- 
tinuing  to  be  actively  identified  with  this  profession  for  about  forty  years.  His 
demise  occurred  in  this  town,  where  he  had  resided  for  many  years,  when  he 
was  about  sixty-five.  :  •/  \  ^  .:  '-  •'.  I  •  .: 

Reared  at  home,  A.  S.  Potter  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Maquon,  obtain- 
ing his  education  in  the  public  schools.  In  his  sixteenth  year  he  left  the  parental 
roof  and  went  to  Osceola,  Nebraska,  where  he  began  his  business  career  as  a 
clerk  in  a  mercantile  house.  He  subsequently  became  the  owner  of  this  estab- 
lishment,  spending  nineteen  years  in  the  business,  as  employe  and  proprietor. 
Mr.  Potter  took  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  the  public  life  of  the  western 
town  where  he  resided  for  so  long,  later  spending  four  years  as  deputy  in  the 
office  of  the  county  clerk  and  two  in  that  of  the  county  treasurer  of  Buffalo 
county,  Nebraska,  while  for  three  years  he  was  city  assessor  of  Kearney,  Ne- 
braska. In  1895  he  returned  to  Maquon  and  during  the  succeeding  five  years; 
turned  his  energies  to  farming.  In  1900  he  again  became  identified  with  mer- 
cantile  pursuits,  when  he  took  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank, 
prior  to  which  he  had  been  one  of  the  directors  of  this  institution.  1.  ';".: 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Potter  chose  Miss  Mauda  E.  Housh,  a  daughter  of  James 
O.  and  Ann  Eliza  (Strong)  Housh,  residents  of  Knox  county.  Unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Potter  there  have  been  born  four  children :  Lydia  Garnett,  who  married 
DeWitt  DePue,  of  this  county;  Oliver  Sheldon,  who  is  living  in  southern 
Texas;  Florence  Ethyl;  and  Opal,  both  of  whom  are  living  at  home.  . 


;  •  :^  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '' y^V:       789 

Mr.  Potter  has  always  been  a  stanch  republican,  considering  that  the  policy 
:>  of  that  party  is  best  adapted  to  subserve  the  interests  of  the  majority.     Frater- 
,  nally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 
and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  while  both  he  and  his  wife  hold  member- 
ship in  the  Central  Congregational  church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  take  an 
'  earnest  interest.  :.•;:;•.•'  ."••.-''•'  ••'••V'^ -';'•'.;''  •     -        :-:":^--.'  •"-'.' 


-  '  ^^.•' •-•'•;::'  -^ :••••:•:...::.;-''  w.  G.  LEHMAN.  .•.•-^- • '•..•'—  .  •'/•••.-.•:•  ••^"' >;..•: • 

W.  G.  Lehman,  who  has  ably  filled  the  office  of  postmaster  of  Yates  City 
since  October  i;  1897,  is  one  of  the  spirited  and  ambitious  business  men  of  Knox 
county,  having  an  active  interest  in  a  number  of  flourishing  enterprises  which 
advance  the  well-being  and  the  commercial  standing  of  the  community.  He  is 
the  proprietor  of  a  general  store  carrying  staple  articles,  school  supplies  and 
feed.  In  addition  to  this  business  he  is  one  of  the  men  who  were  chiefly  instru- 
mental in  securing  the  installment  of  a  local  telephone  exchange,  operating  under 
the  name  Ideal  Telephone,  of  which  he  is  the  director  and  manager.  This  com- 
pany was  organized  September,  1901,  beginning  with  sixty-five  members.  From 
the  sixty-five  telephones  which  they  put  in  at  that  time  they  have  expanded  their 
territory  until  now  they  have  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  telephones  on  their 
system  and  are  connected  with  the  Bell  Telephone  and  the  local  exchange  cover- 
ing the  surrounding  country.  Mr.  Lehman  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
and  attended  business  college  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  but  his  real  training  he  re- 
ceived under  Mr. -Garrison  of  Yates  City,  whose  good  judgment  and  progressive 
methods  gave  him  his  keen  insight  into  the  practical  ways  of  conducting  business. 
He  has  an  up-to-date  store  that  bespeaks  prosperity  and  employs  three  clerks, 
his  wife  assisting  also  in  the  store  and  the  postoffice. 

Mr.  Lehman  was  married  to  Miss  Stella  M.  Boyes,  a  native  of  Yates  City 
and  a  daughter  of  Robert  Boyes.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  Lloyd  B., 
who  lives  at  home.  In  his  political  sympathies  Mr.  Lehman  is  a  republican  and 
has  been  elected  to  the  office  of  town  clerk  for  two  terms  and  has  served  as  mayor 
for  one  term.  He  is  a  man  of  energetic  temperament  not  afraid  to  take  a  hazard 
in  a  business  venture  and  through  the  exercise  of  good  judgment  has  made  a 
success  of  whatever  he  undertook.  ;v'  ••.'-•=•  •"'•'.'  •-':.'  ':.:••  '  '  ^.-  '  :^ 


^        "       V    :?    THOMAS  A.  CLARK,     v  ••y:X^^r:->' 

The  late  Thomas  A.  Clark,  who  for  many  years  was  successfully  identified 
with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Knox  county,  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Gil- 
son,  in  September,  1847,  and  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  W.  M.  Clark.  ' 

The  youngest  son  in  the  family,  Thomas  A.  Qark  was  reared  at  home, 
obtaining  his  preliminary  education  in  the  public  schools  of  this  county  after 
which  he  pursued  a  course  at  Hedding  College.  After  the  completion  of  his 
education  he  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  locating  on  the  farm 


790  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,,j 

that  his  widow  now  owns.  This  contained  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  well  improved  and  highly  cultivated.  Here  Mr.  Clark  successfully  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  until  his  demise  in  1900,  being  considered  , 
one  of  the  most  capable  and  efficient  agriculturists  in  the  community.  He  was 
widely  known  and  highly  esteemed,  possessing  those  personal  qualities  that 
enabled  him  not  only  to  win  but  retain  the  respect  and  regard  of  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate,  Mr.  Clark  chose  Mrs.  Salina  Thurman,  a  daugh- 
ter of  P.  Selby.  She  was  the  widow  of  Franklin  Thurman,  by  whom  she  had 
two  children :  Mary,  who  married  Elmer  Kromer  and  is  living  in  Maquon ;  and 
Florence,  who  is  living  in  Alabama.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark 
there  were  born  four  children :  Jean,  the  wife  of  Charles  Burnside,  of  Maquon ; 
William  E.  and  Kathryn,  both  of  whom  are  at  home ;  and  Fred  A.,  who  is  living 
in  Idaho.  ~  '  '.  >  ;  '-;'-.'•::••;•-  :"l-  v 

Mr.  Clark  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  always  took  an  active  interest  in 
all  township  affairs,  having  served  as  road  commissioner  and  in  some  of  the 
other  township  offices.  Fraternally  he  belonged  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
in  faith  he  was  a  Methodist,  his  widow  also  being  a  member  of  that  church. 
Mrs.  Clark  still  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  their  farm  which  she  now 
rents,  having  moved  to  Maquon  and  built  a  nice  residence  in  1904  and  has  ever 
since  made  this  her  home.  Mr.  Clark  was  one  of  those  who  so  strongly  impress 
their  personality  upon  the  community  in  which  they  reside  that  they  are  not  readily 
forgotten  and  although  more  than  a  decade  has  passed  since  his  death,  he  is  often 
thought  of  and  kindly  mentioned  by  those  who  knew  him  well  and  held  him  in 
high  regard  in  Maquon  township,  where  he  so  long  resided. 


-.v:..;*:;^'^""-      '        .  M.  S.  LEMON.    \:,'7': 

Among  those  who  contributed  to  the  agricultural  growth  and  development  of 
Knox  county,  M.  S.  Lemon  must  be  given  a  prominent  place  since  his  energy 
and  zeal  were  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  for  a  period  of  forty-two 
years.  He  was  born  August  i,  1847,  '"  Highland  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son 
of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Shields)  Lemon,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
father  was  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  died  in  Ohio  in  1848,  his  wife  departing 
this  life  a  year  later. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  M.  S.  Lemon  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  near  by  and  began  to  assist  his  father  when  barely  old  enough  to  handle 
a  plow,  remaining  in  Ohio  until  some  time  during  the  war  when  he  enlisted  in 
the  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-eighth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  not  quite 
a  full  year.  In  1865  he  arrived  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  the  county.  This  he  improved  and  operated,  increasing  his 
holdings  by  additional  purchases  until  he  now  owns  a  tract  of  four  hundred 
and  thirty  acres.  Through  industry  and  thrift  he  transformed  the  raw  prairie 
land  into  a  flourishing  farm  yielding  abundant  crops.  He  is  progressive  in  his 
methods  and  believes  in  utilizing  the  soil  to  its  fullest  extent,  conforming  to 
scientific  principles  of  intensive  farming  instead  of  the  old-fashioned  manner 


790     ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

that  his  \vi(lc)\v  no\v  owns.  This  contained  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  well  improved  and  highly  cultivated.  Here  Mr.  Clark  successfully  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  until  his  demise  in  ujoo,  being  considered 
one  of  the  most  capable  and  efficient  agriculturists  in  the  community.  He  was 
widely  known  and  highly  esteemed,  possessing  those  personal  qualities  that 
enabled  him  not  only  to  win  but  retain  the  respect  and  regard  of  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate,  Mr.  Clark  chose  Mrs.  Salina  Thurman,  a  daugh- 
ter of  P.  Selby.  She  was  the  widow  of  Franklin  Thurman,  by  whom  she  had 
two  children:  Mary,  who  married  Flmer  Kromer  and  is  living  in  !Maquon ;  and 
Florence,  who  is  living  in  Alabama.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clark 
there  were  born  four  children:  fean,  the  wife  of  Charles  lUirnside,  of  Maquon ; 
\\'i!liam  F.  and  Kathryn,  both  of  whom  are  at  home ;  and  Fred  A.,  who  is  living 
in  Idaho.  .  •  |  '  • 

Mr.  Clark  was  a  rej)ublican  in  politics  and  always  took  an  active  interest  in 
all  township  affairs,  having  served  as  road  commissioner  and  in  some  of  the 
other  townshij)  ofifices.  I-Vaternalh-  he  belonged  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
in  faith  he  was  a  Methodist,  his  widow  also  being  a  member  of  that  church. 
Mrs.  Clark  still  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  their  farm  which  she  now 
rents,  having  moved  to  Macjuon  and  built  a  nice  residence  in  1904  and  has  ever 
since  made  this  her  home.  Mr.  Clark  was  one  of  those  who  so  strongly  impress 
their  personality  upon  the  community  in  which  they  reside  that  they  are  not  readily 
forgotten  and  although  more  than  a  decade  has  passed  since  his  death,  he  is  often 
thought  of  and  kindly  mentioned  by  those  who  knew  him  well  and  held  him  in 
high  regard  in  Ma(|uon  township,  where  he  so  long  resided. 


'   :^  M.  S.  LFMOX.  .  :      : 

Among  those  who  contributed  to  the  agricultural  growth  and  development  of 
Knox  county,  M.  S.  Lemon  must  be  given  a  prominent  place  since  his  energy 
and  zeal  were  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  for  a  period  of  forty-two 
years.  He  was  born  August  T,  1847,  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son 
of  Samuel  and  Xancy  ( Shields)  Lemon,  botb  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
father  was  a  farmer  all  his  life  and  died  in  Ohio  in  1848,  his  wife  departing 
this  life  a  year  later. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  M.  S.  Lemon  obtained  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  near  by  and  began  to  assist  his  father  when  barely  old  enough  to  handle 
a  plow,  remaining  in  Ohio  luitil  some  time  during  the  war  when  he  enlisted  in 
the  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-eighth  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry,  serving  not  cjuite 
a  full  year.  In  1865  he  arrived  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  the  county.  This  he  improved  and  operated,  increasing  his 
holdings  by  additional  purchases  until  he  now  owns  a  tract  of  four  hundred 
and  thirty  acres.  Through  industry  and  thrift  he  transformed  the  raw  prairie 
land  into  a  flourishing  farm  yielding  abundant  crops.  He  is  ])rogressive  in  his 
methods  and  believes  in  utilizing  the  soil  to  its  fullest  extent,  conforming  to 
scientific  principles  of  intensive  farming  instead  of  the  old-fashioned  manner 


X. 


/•>:.::;•:;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  793 

.  .; ..r:.> •;;::>:.;  -,i   ..     .  -.^:;^      ^v- 

of  operating  land  with  much  wastefulness  and  without  regard  for  the  future 
possibility  of  exhausting  the  soil.  Four  years  ago  he  retired  from  active  work 
upon  his  place,  giving  the  management  of  it  to  his  son. 

On  March  i,  1871,  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  Mr.  Lemon  was  united  in  the 
bonds  of  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Whitfield,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Thurwell)  Whitfield,  both  natives  of  England.  They  came  to  America 
and  settled  in  Pennsylvania  where  the  father,  who  was  a  boiler  maker,  died 
before  he  reached  middle  life.  His  widow  left  alone  with  the  task  of  bringing 
tip  two  children  came  to  Knox  county  and  settled  on  a  farm. 

In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lemon  are  seven  children :  Nancy,  who  mar- 
ried Arthur  Coolidge,  a  farmer  in  Iowa  and  has  two  children,  Horace  and 
Phillip ;  Ruth ;  Fannie,  a  graduate  of  business  college,  who  lives  at  home ;  Louis ; 
Grace  and  Alice,  both  high-school  graduates ;  and  Stella.  Being  a  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war  Mr.  Lemon  is  an  enthusiastic  member  of  the  Galesburg  Post  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  He  is  a  mild-mannered  man  of  genial  temperament  making  friends 
easily  and  keeping  them  because  he  is  big-hearted  and  loyal,  always  ready  to 
lend  his  aid  to  those  who  may  need  it.  c;''  Jr^-:  'vy  .  V'.v;:^•>;-• 


-""''-•^^   •:/     •  •     •.•"'••/:•  •..:••••-        J.  W.  BRIGGS.  ^'f^'^V  .-.•..  '.    '.-•:;  ^v;';  i-^,,.-;;  •• 

The  late  J.  W.  Briggs,  who  was  one  of  Maquon's  successful  business  men 
as  well  as  extensive  land  owners,  his  holdings  aggregating  over  fifteen  hundred 
acres  at  the  time  of  his  demise,  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York. 

He  was  essentially  a  self-made  man,  having  arrived  in  Illinois  at  the  age  of 
thirty  years  with  a  capital  of  fifty  cents.  He  was  a  tinner  by  trade,  hard-work- 
ing and  enterprising  as  well  as  ambitious,  and  subsequently  had  the  means  to 
engage  in  the  livery  business,  being  one  of  the  pioneer  livery  men  of  the  town. 
Success  in  the  life  of  the  average  man  is  largely  a  question  of  being  able  to 
recognize  opportunities  and  to  dominate  conditions  as  the  advantages  afforded 
are  the  same  in  many  instances.  The  essential  factors  in  the  success  of  J.  W. 
Briggs  was  his  ability  to  anticipate  contingencies  and  so  apply  his  energies  as 
to  realize  the  greatest  possible  benefit  that  might  accrue  therefrom.  He  dealt 
extensively  in  live  stock,  this  proving  to  be  a  very  profitable  source  of  revenue, 
and  as  he  was  able,  from  time  to  time  invested  his  capital  in  farms,  until  he 
had  acquired  fifteen  hundred  acres  of  land.  Since  his  death  this  has  been 
divided  among  his  widow  and  children,  Mrs.  Briggs'  portion  being  three  hundred 
acres,  which  she  is  now  renting. 

Mr.  Briggs  married  Miss  Priscilla  Jones,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Sallie 
Jones,  who  came  to  Illinois  from  Pennsylvania  when  Mrs.  Briggs  was  a  girl  of 
thirteen  years.  Here  she  grew  to  womanhood,  becoming  the  wife  of  J.  W. 
Briggs  in  1860,  when  she  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  Mr.  Jones,  who  always 
engaged  in  farming  in  Pennsylvania,  was  injured  in  a  railroad  strike  soon  after 
locating  here  and  subsequently  died  from  the  effects.  Eight  children  were  born 
unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones,  four  of  whom  are  deceased.  The  family  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Briggs  numbered  three.  Ida,  who  is  living  in  Galesburg,  married  William 
Cauflfman,  a  farmer,  and  has  six  children,  Nina,  Harry,  Kate,  Maud,  Briggs  and 


794  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Samuel.  Charles,  who  is  conducting  the  livery  formerly  owned  by  his  father  in 
addition  to  which  he  has  a  fine  farm,  is  soon  going  west.  He  married  Lizzie 
Combs  and  has  one  son,  Judson.  Frank,  who  engages  in  farming  in  Maquon 
township  married  Clara  Ouderkirk  of  this  county,  and  has  two  children.  Faith 
and  Paul. 

Mr.  Briggs  was  an  out-and-out  republican  and  a  stanch  adherent  to  his  f>arty 
and  its  policies,  a  faithful  supporter  of  its  candidates,  devoting  such  of  his  time 
to  political  matters  as  the  development  of  his  personal  interests,  in  which  he  met 
with  such  notable  success,  permitted  of.  His  demise  occurred  in  Maquon  on  the 
22d  of  February,  1906. 


/'^     ::,C;V-:^^--::  •         •        WILLIAM  A.  SPIES.     :'?;^'-::^:v;-/.;3,.:-j,-..:. 

Some  men  achieve  success  by  a  chance  turn  of  fortune,  some  by  an  auspic- 
ious combination  of  circumstances  which  makes  their  rise  f)ossible,  and  some  win 
their  laurels  by  dint  of  hard  toil  and  intensive  application.  The  success  of  Wil- 
liam A.  Spies,  president  of  the  Abingdon  Wagon  Company,  may  be  said  to  be 
due  in  a  measure  to  all  of  these.  He  was  fortunate  in  his  parentage,  his  father, 
Adam  B.  Spies,  founder  of  the  wagon  works,  having  been  a  man  of  rare  organiz- 
ing genius  and  administrative  capacity  along  industrial  lines.  He  was  also  for- 
tunate in  having  his  father  blaze  the  trail  before  him.  But  William  A.  Spies* 
success  is  due  to  something  more  than  ancestral  heritage  and  the  fact  that  the 
wagon  industry  was  bound  to  flourish  in  a  rapidly  growing  agricultural  state 
like  Illinois.  In  the  wisdom  of  the  ages  he  found  the  solution  o.f  his  life's  prob- 
lem and  following  the  old  adage  to  learn  one  thing  and  learn  that  thoroughly, 
mastering  every  detail  of  the  work,  he  followed  in  his  father's  footsteps  and 
chose  for  this  purpose  the  science  of  making  wagons.  No  department  of  the 
trade  was  too  mean  or  too  unimportant  for  his  attention,  but  giving  himself 
wholly  and  enthusiastically  to  the  work,  he  mounted  in  his  calling  with  such  ex- 
ceptional celerity  that,  in  1895  when  the  present  factory  was  erected  and  the 
company  was  reorganized,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  won  his  well- 
merited  reward  in  being  chosen  for  the  presidency  of  the  company,  a  position 
which  he  has  occupied  ever  since. 

William  A.  Spies  was  born  in  Sterling,  Illinois,  on  April  14,  1873.  His  father 
Adam  B.  Spies,  Sr.,  a  native  of  Germany,  came  to  this  country  in  1852,  when 
a  boy  of  fourteen,  his  parents  locating  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  his 
father,  also  named  Adam,  followed  his  trade  as  a  stone  mason.  After  living 
there  four  or  five  years  the  family  came  westward  and  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Whiteside  county,  Illinois,  where  William  Spies'  grandfather  engaged  in  agri- 
culture. His  father,  then  a  young  man  in  his  twentieth  year,  had,  during  their 
residence  in  Philadelphia,  served  an  apprenticeship  at  the  wagon-maker's  trade 
and  now,  after  the  family's  removal  to  Illinois,  served  as  a  journeyman  wagon 
maker  in  Sterling  for  about  two  years.  He  then  opened  a  general  repair  shop 
in  Sterling  and  in  1865  he  began  making  farm  wagons  for  the  trade.  The  demand 
for  these  was  so  great  that  he  was  called  upon  to  enlarge  and  improve  his  facili- 
ties until  from  small  beginnings  there  g^ew  a  large  and  prosperous  manufacturing 


T/^;;:         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ;  ;V^^  795 

plant.  In  1891  the  factory  burned,  and  in  place  of  rebuilding  on  the  old  site 
which  had  become  insufficient  for  their  purposes,  the  works  were  transferred  to 
Abingdon,  where  a  new  and  modemly  equipped  plant  was  built  and  put  into 
operation  in  1895.  Upon  the  reorganization  of  the  company,  A.  B.  Spies,  wish- 
ing to  lay  aside  the  too  exacting  cares  and  responsibilities  as  the  chief  director, 
passed  the  reins  of  management  to  his  son  William.  How  creditably  the  new 
trust  was  assumed  by  the  young  man  may  be  seen  in  the  rapid  development  and 
expansion  of  the  firm's  output.  The  capacity  of  the  plant  is  about  fifteen  thou- 
sand vehicles  annually  and,  equipped  with  excellent  shipping  facilities  on  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  and  the  Iowa  Central  Railways,  it  constitutes  one 
of  the  most  important  factors  in  the  industrial  life  of  this  section  of  the  country. 
After  the  company's  incorporation  under  a  new  name,  A.  B.  Spies,  Sr.,  did  not 
sever  his  connections  with  the  establishment  of  which  he  was  the  founder,  but 
continued  to  take  an  active  part  in  its  affairs  until  his  death  in  1907.  His  wife 
had  departed  this  life  in  1895,  twelve  years  earlier. 

William  A.  Spies  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Sterling.  Even  when 
a  boy  he  evinced  great  love  for  the  work  carried  on  in  his  father's  shop,  where 
he  spent  most  of  his  spare  moments,  thus  absorbing  many  of  the  intricacies  of 
the  wag^n-maker's  trade  with  which  he  had  practically  grown  up.  For  this  rea- 
son, when  the  time  came  for  him  to  assume  responsibilities,  he  was  ready  to 
discharge  his  duties  with  the  forethought  and  assurance  that  results  from  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  details  of  his  business.  ; 

Mrs.  William  A.  Spies  was  formerly  Miss  Blanche  Johnston  of  Abingdon, 
the  daughter  of  Merrick  Johnston  now  residing  in  Chicago.  Her  marriage  to 
Mr.  Spies  occurred  in  1896.  One  son  was  born  of  this  union,  William  A.  Spies, 
Jr.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spies  are  active  workers  and  influential  members  of  the 
Universalist  church  and  had  no  small  share  in  bringing  about  the  fulfillment 
of  the  project  long  desired  by  the  congregation,  the  erection  of  a  new  church 
upon  which  work  is  to  be  commenced  this  fall.  In  his  political  allegiance  Mr. 
Spies  is  a  republican.  Fraternal  circles  know  him  as  an  active  worker  in  Abing- 
don Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  the  Galesburg  Lodge  of  the  Benevolent 
Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  the  industrial  and  commercial  affairs  of  his  com- 
munity he  occupies  a  leading  position  and  no  one  is  regarded  with  more  esteem 
for  his  straightforward,  unequivocal  method  of  conducting  his  business. 


.   '••'''•'^ '  :'  •'  •'  ,..'^::':-':-\^-y\:  L.  w.  BENSON.  ''.v;-..:'r".,- ';';  '•'  :'-^t^-:o'' ^."*:--:'^^ 

L.  W.  Benson,  who  passed  away  September  23,  1907,  was  for  many  years 
actively  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests  of  Maquon  township.  He  was 
a  native  of  Green  Briar  county,  Virginia,  one  of  the  eight  children  born  of  the 
marriage  of  Thomas  P.  and  Maria  (Sneidger)  Benson,  also  natives  of  Green 
Briar  county,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  In  1836  they  came  to  Illi- 
nois, locating  on  a  farm  in  Haw  Creek  township,  to  the  cultivation  of  which  Mr. 
Benson  devoted  his  energies  for  many  years,  but  he  was  living  in  Maquon  when 
he  passed  away,  his  demise  occurring  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four  years. 


796  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

The  greater  part  of  the  life  of  L.  W.  Benson  was  spent  in  Knox  county, 
in  whose  common  schools  he  was  educated.  While  pursuing  his  studies  he  also 
assisted  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm,  his  duties  and  responsibili- 
ties increasing  from  time  to  time  in  accordance  with  his  development.  With 
the  discovery  of  gold  in  California  and  the  marvelous  stories  of  the  wealth  to 
be  found  there,  the  youth  decided  to  abandon  farming  and  go  to  the  new  Eldo- 
rado. He  spent  eight  years  prospecting  in  the  mines  of  California,  with  but 
little  reward,  so  returned  home  and  resumed  agricultural  pursuits.  Upon  his 
return  he  purchased  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law,  Nelson  Selby,  but  after  six 
years  residence  there  removed  to  Maquon.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned 
fifty  acres  of  productive  land,  twelve  of  which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  his 
widow.  ^.  ...  ••]  ;;'-•.:;  ;,^  '• 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Benson  chose  Miss  Mahala  Selby,  a  daughter  of  Nelson 
Selby,  who  was  a  cloth  manufacturer  in  Ohio,  who  came  to  Knox  county  in  1834, 
engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  four  children. 
Thomas  P.,  the  eldest,  is  deceased.  Kathleen  M.,  the  deceased  wife  of  Charles 
Hoxworth  was  the  mother  of  two  children,  Raymond  and  Lura  E.  Leven  W.. 
who  is  a  roadmaster  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  at  Gales- 
burg,  married  Elevan  Stoke.  Wade  H.,  the  youngest  member  of  the  family,  is 
a  resident  of  the  state  of  Washington.  ^  ;•  ,  1-:':^ 

Mr.  Benson  affiliated  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  which  his  widow 
is  a  member,  and  fraternally  he  was  a  Mason.  His  political  support  he  gave 
to  the  democratic  party  and  for  eight  years  most  efficiently  served  his  township 
in  the  capacity  of  supervisor.  '  '•  -  • 


r;X-  '  DAVID  CATION.       :;:x:'    U;; 

David  Cation,  president  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Williamsfield  and  one  of 
the  most  prominent  and  influential  business  men  of  this  part  of  the  county,  is 
a  native  of  Illinois,  bom  in  Peoria  county  in  June,  1856,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Catherine  (Gray)  Cation,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Scotland. 

Having  been  reared  in  the  country,  David  Cation  obtained  his  preliminary 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  Peoria  county  and  Elba  township,  Knox 
county.  This  was  later  supplemented  by  study  at  Hedding  College  and  he  also 
pursued  a  commercial  course  in  Brown's  Business  College,  thus  better  qualify- 
ing himself  for  the  practical  duties  of  life.  While  attending  school  he  also 
assisted  his  father  with  the  operation  of  the  farm,  and  after  laying  aside  his  text- 
books he  devoted  his  summers  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  his  winters  to  teach- 
ing. In  i88i  he  went  to  Oregon,  where  he  remained  for  nine  years,  being  identi- 
fied with  wheat- raising  and  the  lumber  industry.  In  1890  he  returned  to  Knox 
county,  locating  in  Williamsfield,  where  he  at  once  became  associated  with  L.  J. 
Baird  in  the  operation  of  a  private  bank,  known  as  Bank  of  Williamsfield,  with 
L.  J.  Baird  as  president  and  himself  as  cashier.  This  institution  was  reorganized 
in  April,  1908,  as  a  state  bank  with  a  capital  stock  of  thirty  thousand  dollars. 
David  Cation  first  becoming  vice  president  and  later  president  of  the  new  institu- 
tion. Its  officials  have  always  been  conservative  business  men  of  recognized  stand- 


DAVID  CATIOX 


.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       . 

The  greater  part  of  the  hfe  of  L.  \V.  Benson  was  spent  in  Knox  county, 
in  whose  common  scliools  he  was  ethicated.  While  pursuing  his  studies  he  also 
as>isted  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm,  his  duties  and  responsibili- 
ties increasing  from  time  to  time  in  accordance  with  his  development.  \\'ith 
the  discovery  of  gold  in  California  and  the  marvelous  stories  of  the  wealth  to 
be  found  there,  the  youth  decided  to  abandon  farming  and  go  to  the  new  Eldo- 
rado. He  spent  eight  years  prospecting  in  the  mines  of  California,  with  but 
little  reward,  so  returned  home  and  resumed  agricultural  pursuits.  Upon  his 
return  he  purchased  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law,  Xelson  Selby.  but  after  six 
years  residence  there  removed  to  Maquon.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned 
fifty  acres  of  productive  land,  twelve  of  which  is  still  in  the  possession  of  his 
widow.  -  .  I 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Benson  chose  Miss  Mahala  Selby,  a  dattghter  of  Xelson 
Selby,  who  was  a  cloth  manufacturer  in  Ohio,  who  came  to  Knox  county  in  1834, 
engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  four  children. 
Thomas  P.,  the  eldest,  is  deceased.  Kathleen  M..  the  deceased  wife  of  Charles 
Hoxworth  was  the  mother  of  two  children,  Raymond  and  Lura  F.  Leven  \V.. 
who  is  a  roadmaster  on  the  Chicago.  Burlington  &  Ouincy  Railroad  at  Gales- 
burg,  married  I-^levan  Stoke.  \\'ade  11..  the  youngest  member  of  thy  family,  is 
a  resident  of  the  state  of  Washington.  •  .  '.'  ! 

Mr,  Benson  affiliated  with  the  Afethodist  Fpiscopal  church  of  which  his  widow 
is  a  member,  and  fraternally  he  was  a  Mason.  His  political  sujiport  he  gave 
to  the  democratic  party  and  for  eight  years  most  efficiently  served  his 
in  the  capacity  of  supervisor. 


DAVID  CATIOX. 

David  Cation,  president  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Williamsfield  and  one  of 
the  most  prominent  and  influential  business  men  of  this  part  of  the  county,  is 
a  native  of  Illinois,  born  in  Peoria  county  in  June,  1856,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Catherine  (Gray)  Cation,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Scotland. 
,  Having  been  reared  in  the  country,  David  Cation  obtained  his  preliminary 
education  in  the  district  sch(X>ls  of  Peoria  county  and  Flba  township,  Knox 
county.  This  was  later  su])plemented  by  study  at  Hedding  College  and  he  also 
pursued  a  commercial  course  in  Pirown's  Business  College,  thus  better  qualify- 
ing himself  for  the  practical  duties  of  life.  While  attending  school  he  als<i 
assisted  his  father  with  the  oy:)eration  of  the  farm,  and  after  laying  aside  his  text- 
l)ooks  he  devoted  his  summers  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  his  winters  to  teach- 
ing. In  i88i  he  went  to  Oregon,  where  he  remained  for  nine  years,  being  identi- 
fied with  wheat-raising  and  the  lumber  industry.  In  1890  he  returned  to  Knox 
county,  locating  in  Williamsfield.  where  he  at  once  became  associated  with  L.  J. 
Baird  in  the  operation  of  a  private  bank,  known  as  P.ank  of  Williamsfield,  with 
T.,  J.  Baird  as  president  and  himself  as  cashier.  This  institution  was  reorganized 
in  April,  1908,  as  a  state  bank  with  a  capital  stock  of  thirty  thousand  dollars. 
David  Cation  first  becoming  vice  president  and  later  president  of  the  new  institu- 
tion. Its  officials  have  always  been  conservative  business  men  of  recognized  stand- 


DAVID  fATlOX 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  801 

ing  and  naturally  the  bank  has  flourished,  being  now  one  of  the  well  established 
financial  institutions  of  the  county.  The  present  officers  are :  David  Cation,  pres- 
ident; A.  L.  Harris,  cashier;  and  J.  D.  Doubet,  vice  president,  all  widely  known 
and  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Cation  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  having  been  with  Miss 
Ella  Barber,  who  passed  away  in  1905.  Four  children  were  bom  to  them,  as  fol- 
lows: Russell  and  Mary,  now  deceased;  James  L.,  a  fanner,  who  married  Miss 
Myrtle  Tucker,  a  daughter  of  J.  A.  Tucker;  and  Catherine,  who  graduated  from 
:  the  Abingdon  high  school  and  is  now  attending' the  State  Normal. 

In  1908  Mr.  Cation  married  Miss  Emhia  Parker,  of  Williamsfield,  who  for 
nine  years  was  bookkeeper  and  assistant  cashier  in  the  bank  and  is  a  daughter 
of  George  and  Sallie  Parker.  Her  parents  take  especial  interest  in  advanced 
farming  and  were  the  first  in  Truro  township  to  make  use  of  phosphates  as 
recommended  by  the  State  Agricultural  College  at  Urbana.  They  also  built  the 
first  silo  in  the  township  and  conduct  their  fanning  on  the  cooperative  plan, 
furnishing  the  stock  and  tools,  and  sharing  the  profits  with  those  who  do  the 
actual  work. 

Mr.  Cation  manifests  his  religious  faith  through  his  membership  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican 
party.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  local  affairs  and  served  for  two  years  as 
supervisor  and  for  six  as  township  treasurer,  which  office  he  still  retains.  He 
is  one  of  the  progressive  and  public-spirited  business  men  of  his  town,  the  de- 
velopment of  which  he  forwards  on  every  possible  occasion  by  giving  his  support 
to  every  movement  that  he  feels  will  promote  the  welfare  of  the  community. 


-•••:^':--',-^' •':•".••:.  rv/-  :'•  j.  A.  HENSLEY..  a/ :••::.•;   :/.  -.•-;--^  :.•  '""••v>^0 

J.  A.  Hensley,  for  many  years  justice  of  the  peace  in  Yates  City  and  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  mercantile  interests,  was  born  near  Mount  Sterling,  Montgomery 
county,  Kentucky,  October  15,  1844.  His  parents  Evan  S.  and  Amis  (Ander-r 
son)  Hensley  were  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  grandfather,  Elijah  Hensley, - 
came  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  date  and  died  when  J.  A.  Hensley 
was  but  a  small  boy;  the  grandmother  survived  her  husband  for  many  years 
and  passed  away  during  our  subject's  early  manhood.  When  the  convulsions  of 
the  great  war  were  rending  the  usual  peace  and  quiet  of  Kentucky,  his  father, 
Evan  S.  Hensley,  removed  his  family  to  Illinois  settling  in  Elba  township,  Knox 
county,  in  1864.  There  he  lived,  engaged  in  the  pursuits  of  farming,  until  his 
death,  caused  by  typhoid  fever,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  His  mother,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  James  Anderson,  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  both 
parents  being  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Yates  City.  Ten  children  grew  to  years 
of  maturity,  of  whom  four  are  now  living.  They  are :  Julia  A.,  the  widow  of 
Nathan  Williams,  residing  in  Spokane,  Washington;  J.  A.  Hensley;  Isabelle,  the 
wife  of  R.  H.  Taber,  residing  in  Portland,  Oregon;  and  Charlotte,  the  widow  of 
L.  A.  Thomas,  residing  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  The  deceased  are:  Emily,;; 
who  was  the  wife  of  Elijah  Shubert,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa;  Dr.  J.  W.  Hen- 
sley,  who  died  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  he  was  practicing  medicine;  Dr.  Joseph 

Vol.    n— 36  . 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  801 

ing  and  naturally  the  bank  has  flourished,  being  now  one  of  the  well  established 
financial  institutions  of  the  county.  The  present  officers  are :  David  Cation,  pres- 
ident; A.  L.  Harris,  cashier;  and  J.  D.  Doubet,  vice  president,  all  widely  known 
and  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Cation  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  having  been  with  Miss 
Ella  Barber,  who  passed  away  in  1905.  Four  children  were  bom  to  them,  as  fol- 
lows :  Russell  and  Mary,  now  deceased ;  James  L.,  a  farmer,  who  married  Miss 
Myrtle  Tucker,  a  daughter  of  J.  A.  Tucker ;  and  Catherine,  who  graduated  from 
the  Abingdon  high  school  and  is  now  attending' the  State  Normal. 

In  1908  Mr.  Cation  married  Miss  Emhia  Parker,  of  Williamsfield,  who  for 
nine  years  was  bookkeeper  and  assistant  cashier  in  the  bank  and  is  a  daughter 
of  George  and  Sallie  Parker.  Her  parents  take  especial  interest  in  advanced 
farming  and  were  the  first  in  Truro  township  to  make  use  of  phosphates  as 
recommended  by  the  State  Agricultural  College  at  Urbana.  They  also  built  the 
first  silo  in  the  township  and  conduct  their  farming  on  the  cooperative  plan, 
furnishing  the  stock  and  tools,  and  stharing  the  profits  with  those  who  do  the 
actual  work. 

Mr.  Cation  manifests  his  religious  faith  through  his  membership  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican 
party.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  local  affairs  and  served  for  two  years  as 
supervisor  and  for  six  as  township  treasurer,  which  office  he  still  retains.  He 
is  one  of  the  progressive  and  public-spirited  business  men  of  his  town,  the  de- 
velopment of  which  he  forwards  on  every  possible  occasion  by  giving  his  support 
to  every  movement  that  he  feels  will  promote  the  welfare  of  the  community. 


t'-..0 '."•  •  •  '  ::•/  :••:,•  ^:-.-;vr    j.  A.  HENSLEY.  :S.:    • ..  .:.•": .'^v^ :.-.  %.;^r..- 

J.  A.  Hensley,  for  many  years  justice  of  the  peace  in  Yates  City  and  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  mercantile  interests,  was  born  near  Mount  Sterling,  Montgomery 
county,  Kentucky,  October  15,  1844.  His  parents  Evan  S.  and  Amis  (Ander- 
son) Hensley  were  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  grandfather,  Elijah  Hensley, 
came  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky  at  an  early  date  and  died  when  J.  A.  Hensley 
was  but  a  small  boy ;  the  grandmother  survived  her  husband  for  many  years 
and  passed  away  during  our  subject's  early  manhood.  When  the  convulsions  of 
the  great  war  were  rending  the  usual  peace  and  quiet  of  Kentucky,  his  father, 
Evan  S.  Hensley,  removed  his  family  to  Illinois  settling  in  Elba  township.  Knox 
county,  in  1864.  There  he  lived,  engaged  in  the  pursuits  of  farming,  until  his 
death,  caused  by  typhoid  fever,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  His  mother,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  James  Anderson,  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  both 
parents  being  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Yates  City.  Ten  children  grew  to  years 
of  maturity,  of  whom  four  are  now  living.  They  are :  Julia  A.,  the  widow  of 
Nathan  Williams,  residing  in  Spokane,  Washington ;  J.  A.  Hensley ;  Isabelle,  the 
wife  of  R.  H.  Taber,  residing  in  Portland,  Oregon ;  and  Charlotte,  the  widow  of 
L.  A.  Thomas,  residing  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  The  deceased  are:  Emily, 
who  was  the  wife  of  Elijah  Shubert,  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa ;  Dr.  J.  W.  Hen- 
sley, who  died  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  where  he  was  practicing  medicine ;  Dr.  Joseph 

Vi\l     Tl Qft  '"    .-•_    •-'-"•      ••':"•';-    /.'•     •••'''•, 


Vol.    n— 36 


802  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ' 

.•:    '•.'  'i'l-'    . 

Hensley,  who  died  in  Oklahoma  City,  where  he  was  a  physician ;  W.  D.  Hensley, 
a  member  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Kentucky  Regiment,  who  died  in  the  army  of 
measles ;  Sarah  C.,  who  remained  unmarried ;  and  Ella,  .who  was  the  wife  of 
J.  M.  Ewalt,  of  Yates  City.  \  v^  .  :  :'  ^  -•  :  I  "J^.  /. 

During  his  boyhood  J.  A.  Hensley  lived  in  Kentucky,  where  he  obtained 
most  of  his  education  completing  his  schooling  in  Elmwood,  Peoria  county,  Illi- 
nois. He  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Kentucky,  when  he  resolved  to  enter  the 
army  and  accordingly  enlisted  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-first  Regi- 
ment of  the  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  honor  for  one  year. 

Not  only  in  times  of  war  did  J.  'A.  Hensley  render  valuable  service  to  his 
country,  however,  but  in  times  of  peace  he  has  performed  his  duties  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  public  office,  since  in  his  long  continued  position  as  justice  of  the 
peace  in  Yates  City,  he  has  contributed  to  the  maintenance  of  order  and  propriety 
in  his  community.  He  has  served  in  this  capacity  ever  since  1884  with  the  ex- 
ception of  four  years,  from  1889  to  1893  under  Harrison's  administration,  when 
he  was  postmaster  of  Yates  City.  In  1897  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 
and  opened  a  store  of  his  own  which  he  managed  with  much  success  until  the 
year  1908,  when  he  sold  out  to  D.  M.  Enochs.  He  has,  furthermore,  repre- 
sented for  the  past  twenty-eight  years  the  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania, insuring  for  fire  and  lightning.  In  his  appointment  to  the  position  ot 
notary  public  he  is  empowered  to  use  the  official  seal  in  many  legal  transactions. 
A  man  of  force  and  executive  ability,  he  has  been  able  to  follow  many  interests 
and  perform  with  credit  the  duties  that  have  devolved  upon  him  in  his  public 
and  private  capacity. 

Mr.  Hensley  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony,  on  August  19,  1869, 
to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Enochs  a  native  of  Shellsburg,  Jo  Daviess  county,  Illinois,  who 
has  been  to  him  an  able  helpmate  and  a  true  wife,  all  of  these  years.  Her  father, 
Samuel  D.  Enochs,  was  born  in  Belleville  St.  Qaire  county,  Illinois,  and  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade,  pursuing  agricultural  interests  during  the  later  years  of  his 
life.  He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  which  he  distinguished  himself  for 
bravery,  and  throughout  his  life  gave  himself  loyally  to  the  principles  of 
democracy.  He  was  for  a  time  a  school  director  in  the  earlier  days  of  Yates 
City,  being  a  resident  of  that  place.  His  death  occurred  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years  and  nine  months,  and  he  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Yates  City.  His 
wife,  Mrs.  Sarah  (White)  Enochs  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Den- 
ton)  White  of  Virginia.  She  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Hensley,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  women  living  in  this  part  of  Knox  county, 
being  in  her  ninety-fifth  year.  Throughout  her  life  when  not  hampered  by  ill- 
health,  Mrs.  Enochs  was  an  active  worker  for  the  cause  of  temperance  and  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  she  is  a  member.  Since  1903,  how- 
ever, her  activities  have  been  interrupted  and  she  is  now  an  invalid,  her  infirmities 
resulting  from  a  fracture  of  the  hip  caused  by  a  fall.  She  is  the  mother  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Hensley  is  the  only  girl,  beside  one  sister,  who  died  in 
infancy.  Of  the  six  sons  none  is  residing  in  Knox  county.  Mrs.  Enochs  receives 
a  pension  from  the  government  for  her  husband's  service  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war  and  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  one  in  Yates  City  accorded  this 
privilege  of  all  those  surviving,  who  were  dependent  on  men  that  risked  their 
lives  in  that  war.  .  ...  .' 


'    -  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v-  803 

•'    '••    "..  -''••.'.••-,-••-'.•-'•  .    -     ..*•    .•  - 

-  '  In  national  affairs  Mr.  Hensley  is  a  democrat  while  in  local  politics  he  is 
independent,  voting  for  the  candidate  whom  he  considers  best  qualified  to  fill 
the  respective  office.  In  his  fraternal  relations  he  is  connected  with  the  Masons 
and  the  Odd  Fellows,  his  membership  in  the  former  being  with  Yates  City  Lodge, 
•  No.  444,  and  in  the  latter  with  Yates  City  Lodge,  No.  370,  in  which  he  holds  the 
office  of  treasurer.  He  is  a  Presbyterian  in  faith  and  is  a  trustee  of  the  Yates 
City  Presbyterian  church.  As  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  he  is  an  enthusiastic 
member  of  Morgan  L.  Smith  Post,  No.  666,  G.  A.  R.,  in  which  he  has  held  the 
office  of  adjutant  and  quartermaster  for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  likewise  one 
of  the  directprs  of  the  Harvest  Home  Association  of  Yates  City.  In  their  pleas- 
ant home  on  West  Main  and  Marietta  streets  Mr.  and  [Mrs.  Hensley  often  gather 
about  them  an  interesting  group  of  friends  and  relatives  who  are  sincerely 
devoted  to  them  for  their  hospitality  and  good-will  towards  all.  -..;-,./; 


-  •-•',•'•' •v\^;\.,,. ;;;;i:' -:-/;:.;, :  w. w.  HARLER.  .;>;'•;•:-:.:'    '•;   .;: V^f- •:•;:;'./ s-:- 

W.  w.  Harler  is  one  of  Knox  county's  agriculturists,  who,  by  reason  of  his 
energy  and  industry,  has  acquired  the  means  to  enable  him  to  spend  his  latter 
years  in  the  ease  and  comfort  that  justly  belong  to  every  well  spent  life.  He 
laid  aside  the  active  work  of  the  fields  more  than  a  year  ago  and  is  now  living 
retired  in  Maquon.  He  is  a  native  of  Huntington  county.  New  Jersey,  his  birth 
there  occurring  in  1844,  while  his  parents  were  J.  W.  and  Anna  M.  (Slack) 
Harler,  the  father  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  the  mother  of  New  Jersey. 
J.  W.  Harler,  who  was  a  molder,  removed  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Illinois 
in  1853,  locating  here  on  November  8.  He  was  for  many  years  employed  in  the 
Peterson  foundry,  but  was  forced  to  withdraw  from  this  employment  during  the 
latter  years  of  his  life.  He  removed  to  Chippewa  county,  Minnesota,  about 
seven  years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years. 
The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harler  numbered  eight,  six  of  whom  are  living.  : 

W.  W.  Harler  was  a  lad  of  nine  years  when  brought  to  Illinois  with  his 
parents  and  has  ever  since  been  a  resident  of  the  state.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  until  he  had  acquired  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  common  branches 
to  enable  him  to  begin  his  real  life  work,  when  he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and 
entered  Peterson's  foundry  with  his  father.  There  he  applied  himself  to  the 
mastery  of  the  molder's  trade  but  never  followed  it,  subsequently  turning  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until 
he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  at  which  time  his  father  went  to  Minnesota  to 
make  his  home.  Having  gained  a  good  practical  knowledge  of  the  principles  of 
general  farming,  he  took  a  position  as  a  farm  hand,  diligently  applying  himself 
to  this  work  for  the  succeeding  four  years.  During  that  period  by  reason  of 
his  unremitting  energy  and  thrift  he  acquired  enough  capital  to  establish  a 
home  of  his  own  and  after  his  marriage  began  farming  as  a  renter.  He  con- 
tinued in  this  way  until  1889.  when  he  invested  the  capital  he  had  acquired  in 
one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Maquon  township.  The  cultivation  and 
improvement  of  this  land  engaged  his  attention  imtil  1910,  when  he  turned  the 
operation  of  his  homestead  over  to  his  son  and  removed  to  Maquon,  where  he 


804  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   -vl^r;     I     .-S 

owns  a  comfortable  residence.  Mt.  Harler  diligently  applied  himself  to  the  tilling 
of  his  fields  and  the  raising  of  cattle  with  growing  success  for  many  years,  dur- 
ing that  time  bringing  his  land  into  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  making  his 
farm  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  the  district.  When  he  bought  his  place 
it  was  unimproved,  but  as  the  years  passed  he  made  such  annual  expenditures 
as  he  was  able  from  time  to  time  until  it  now  contains  good,  substantially  con- 
structed barns  and  outbuildings,  serviceable  fences  and  a  comfortable  residence. 
He  also  effected  many  minor  changes  during  the  period  of  his  occupancy  that 
added  greatly  both  to  the  appearance  and  value  of  the  property. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Harler  chose  Miss  Lizzie  White  of  Fairview.and  they  be- 
came the  parents  of  three  children :  Idella,  who  married  Arthur  Addis  of  this 
county  and  has  four  children.  Pearl,  Cecil,  Fred  and  Irene;  A.  C.,  living  on  his 
father's  homestead,  who  married  Minnie  Agers  and  has  three  children,  Mildred, 
Wilson  and  John ;  and  Myrtle,  who  married  Floyd  Selby  and  has  three  children, 
Fred,  Helen  and  Grace. 

Mr.  Harler  has  always  voted  with  the  republican  party,  and  has  held  the 
offices  of  commissioner,  justice  of  the  peace  and  constable,  serving  with  effi- 
ciency in  each  capacity.  In  matters  fraternal  he  has  never  been  identified  with 
any  organization  save  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the  principles  of 
which  body  have  been  very  influential  in  directing  his  life.  Mr.  Harler  is  one 
of  those  to  whom  success  came  as  the  result  of  unremitting  and  persistent 
endeavor,  and  such  ease  and  comfort  as  is  now  permitted  himself  and  wife  by 
reason  of  the  competence  they  have  acquired  is  the  well  merited  reward  of  years 
of  toil  and  self-denial.  -.''.•.. 


GEORGE  L.  HAGAN.  : 

George  L.  Hagan,  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  St.  Augxtstine,  began  his 
career  as  a  farmer,  following  the  pursuit  in  which  his  father  had  met  with  much 
success  before  him.  Born  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  on  the  2ist  of  May,  1858, 
he  was  one  of  a  large  family  of  children.  His  grandparents  lived  in  Maryland 
and  were  of  Irish  extraction.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  the  father 
George  Henderson  Hagan,  having  come  to  Indian  Point  township.  Knox  county. 
Illinois,  in  1841,  where  he  continued  to  live  until  his  death  April  i,  1898.  During 
this  time  he  saw  the  raw  prairie  of  the  surrounding  country  converted  into  fine 
farms  and  rich  pastures,  and  with  his  own  industry  and  thrift  contributed  in  no 
slight  degree  to  the  agricultural  prosperity.  He  married  Miss  Teresa  Onan, 
whose  parents  came  from  Kentucky  and  located  in  Indian  Point  township  in 
1841,  the  same  year  in  which  his  parents  had  come  to  this  place.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hagan  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children.  The  order  of  their  birth  was  as 
follows :  Frances,  Wallace,  Robert,  two  Carolines  and  William,  all  of  whom 
are  deceased ;  George  L.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  H.  Albert,  who  is  living  on 
his  homestead  northeast  of  St.  Augustine ;  Henson,  a  twin  brother  of  H.  Albert 
and  Charles,  both  deceased ;  and  Blanche,  who  has  also  passed  away.  Mrs.  Hagan 
died  in  1907,  nine  years  after  her  husband,  and  was  buried  by  his  side  in  the 


-}•;--/;:;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;•;:          805 

old  town  cemetery  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  with  the  rites  of  the  Catholic  church 
to  which  they  had  belonged. 

George  L.  Hagan,  the  seventh  child,  was  educated  at  the  district  school  of 
Pleasant  Valley  and  for  one  year  attended  Notre  Dame  University  of  Indiana. 
He  then  came  home  and  engaged  in  farming,  which  occupation  he  followed  until 
1905,  when  he  removed  to  St.  Augustine,  where  he  became  cashier  of  the  State 
Bank,  of  which  Oron  Latimer  is  the  president.  He  also  conducts  business  in  real 
estate  and  life  insurance,  and,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  owns  the  home 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres. 

In  1889  he  was  married  to  Miss  Linnie  Jennings.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch 
democrat,  thus  following  the  political  inclinations  of  his  father.  He  is  an  asses-  .- 
sor  of  Indian  Point  township,  a  position  which  he  has  held  for  ten  years.  Devo- 
tion to  work  and  adherence  to  the  principles  of  integrity,  the  characteristics  which 
won  for  Mr.  Hagan  success  in  his  agricultural  career  now  distinguish  him  as  an 
able  business  man  in  financial  circles  in  his  community.  *  •  •. 


:'•  ':..^:-.  ...•;.-••••-'•--•:.;•'/     H.  A.  HAGAN.      v.,  •^•:::-  '  .        /  • 

H.  A.  Hagan,  the  brother  of  George  L.  Hagan,  and  eighth  child  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  George  Henderson  Hagan,  lives  a  short  distance  northeast  of  St.  Augustine, 
where  he  is  successfully  engaged  in  agriculture.  He  was  born  in  Indian  Point 
township,  July  i8,  1859,  and  was  educated  in  the  local  district  school.  At  the 
age  of  thirty-two  he  left  home  and  began  farming  on  the  place  which  he  now 
owns,  two  hundred  acres  on  section  27,  a  valuable  tract  of  land  yielding  abundant 
annual  crops.  He  was  married  in  1893  to  Miss  Kate  O'Pray,  born  in  Fulton 
county,  a  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Mary  (Daugerty).  Their  union  was  blessed 
with  eleven  children  namely:  Mary,  Teresa,  Patrick,  Frances,  Katie,  Lorina, 
Maude,  Jennie,  Henderson,  and  the  last  two,  who  were  twins,  Ellen  and  Estelle, 
all  living  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hagan,  like  his  father  and  brother  gives  his  allegiance  to  the 
democratic  party,  and  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the 
Catholic  church.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hagan  are  numbered  among  the  substantial  citi-  . 
zens  of  their  community,  where  they  have  many  friends. 


",  :         .     :  WILLIAM  L.  McGIRR.    ,;:  ;/-/'•- 

William  L.  McGirr,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in 
Maquon  township,  where  he  owns  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
is  a  native  of  Knox  county.  He  is  one  of  the  six  children  born  of  the  marriage 
of  Mahlon  and  Sarah  L.  (Barbero)  McGirr,  his  natal  day  having  been  the  3ist 
of  July,  1863.  His  father  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Ohio,  in  1828,  and  there 
he  learned  and  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade  until  he  was  twenty-two.  Feeling 
a  desire  to  create  a  place  for  himself  in  one  of  the  newer  western  sections,  then 
being  opened  up,  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Maquon  township, 


806  V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ''  ;;y;' 

'' •'*!'''    '••'•-' 

one-fifth  interest  in  which  is  now  held  by  our  subject.  There  Mr.  McGirr  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  devoting  his  energies  to  the  cultivation  of  his  home- 
stead until  his  death  at  about  the  age  of  sixty-seven. 

:•  Reared  amid  the  environment  of  what  at  that  time  was  largely  a  pioneer  dis- 
trict in  the  acquirement  of  his  education  W.  L.  McGirr  attended  the  district 
schools.  After  mastering  the  common  branches,  he  laid  aside  his  text-books,  to 
assume  the  heavier  responsibilities  of  life.  He  began  his  career  as  carpenter 
and  after  following  this  occupation  for  four  years  went  to  work  for  the  railroad. 
He  gave  this  occupation  up  at  the  end  of  a  year  and  went  to  Florida,  where 
he  worked  on  a  plantation  for  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
returned  to  Illinois,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged  in  general  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  in  1903  he  purchased  his  present  farm  located  four  miles  south- 
east of  Maquon.  He  has  wrought  extensive  improvements  on  this  property 
during  the  period  of  his  occupancy,  having  erected  a  beautiful  new  residence, 
thoroughly  modern  in  all  of  its  appointments,  thus  adding  greatly  to  the  attract- 
iveness as  well  as  value  of  the  place. 

;  Mr.  McGirr's  arrangements  for  a  home  of  his  own  had  their  culmination 
in  his  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  Murphy,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  Mur- 
phy, of  Haw  Creek  township.  Two  children  have  been  born  of  this  union, 
John  Mahlon  and  Helen  Kathleen.  By  means  of  his  diligence  and  intelligence 
in  the  direction  of  his  affairs  Mr.  McGirr  is  meeting  with  constantly  growing 
success  in  the  pursuit  of  his  vocation,  and  now  owns  one  of  the  finest  farms 
in  his  township.  Although  he  meets  the  requirements  of  good  citizenship  at 
election  times,  his  time  is  nearly  all  taken  up  by  the  development  of  his  personal 
interests,  leaving  him  no  opportunity  to  actively  engage  in  politics.  He  casts 
an  independent  vote,  giving  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  he  deems  best 
adapted  to  subserve  the  interests  of  the  agriculturist,  irrespective  of  party 
affiliation. 


'-;  ;  :  •  SAMUEL  SHIVES.   .:•;         V        ..:..: 

''     ^    --  •  '    A  ;  •  •  '    ,  -  '  .     '  ...    ^     •••...•.'''•:        C' 

,  In  the  death  of  Samuel  Shives,  in  1900,  the  ranks  of  the  prosperous  farmers 
of  Knox  county  suffered  the  loss  of  one,  who  for  fifty  years  devoted  himself 
faithfully  to  the  growth  and  development  of  the  agricultural  interests  for  which 
this  section  of  the  country  is  known.  A  native  of  Fulton  county,  Pennsylvania, 
his  birth  occurred  January  i,  1825.  His  parents  were  John  and  Susan  (Miller) 
Shives,  both  born  in  Pennsylvania,  who  lived  in  that  state  their  entire  lives. 

Until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  Samuel  Shives  lived  in  the  state  in 
which  he  was  born,  where  he  was  educated  and  where  he  served  his  years  of 
apprenticeship  in  his  calling,  laying  the  foundation  for  that  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  agricultural  pursuits  which  later  enabled  him  to  win  for  himself  and 
his  family  a  generous  competence.  He  settled  in  Knox  county  m  1850,  making 
his  home  one  and  one-half  miles  northeast  of  Yates  City,  where  he  began  by 
working  in  the  employ  of  others  on  a  monthly  wage.  Being  interested  in  ma- 
chinery he  devoted  himself  for  a  time  to  the  work  of  operating  a  threshing 
machine  and  com  sheller.  After  his  marriage  in  1866  he  rented  a  farm  in  Elba 


:         \,  :    V  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      -iP^  v 

township  from  his  father-in-law.  Thirty-eight  years  ago  this  March,  that  is 
in  1874,  he  bought  the  farm  of  eighty  acres  which  is  still  owned  by  his  widow, 
and  in  addition  to  this  his  wife  came  into  the  possession  of  a  farm  comprising 
eighty  acres  given  to  her  by  her  father.  The  latter  place  Mrs.  Shives  sold  last 
winter.  During  the  twenty-six  years  of  his  management  of  the  farms  Mr, 
Shives  carried  on  general  fanning  and  stock-raising.  He  improved  the  land 
greatly,  built  large,  substantial  buildings,  and  equipped  the  farm  modernly 
throughout.  He  was  prosperous,  winning  his  success  by  his  untiring  labors  and 
by  strict  adherence  to  honest  business  principles. 

For  his  helpmate  Samuel  Shives  chose  Miss  Martha  Kightlinger,  who  was 
born  in  Elba  township.  May  i8,  1844,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Maria  (Bur- 
field)  Kightlinger,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  settled  in  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  at  an  early  date.  Land  being  held  at  low  prices  Mr.  Kightlinger  bought 
large  tracts  of  it,  becoming  an  extensive  landowner.  He  was  a  wealthy  farmer 
and  before  his  death  gave  a  farm  to  each  of  the  children  surviving  of  a  family 
of  eleven.  He  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  and  his  wife  has  also  passed  away. 

P'our  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shives.  Flora  Estella,  born 
August  19,  1871,  died  October  23,  1880.  Marion,  bom  January  23,  1873,  is 
married  to  Maud  Thurman  and  lives  north  of  Yates  City.  John,  bom  Novem- 
ber 6,  1879,  is  married  to  Minnie  German  and  lives  in  Elba  township.  He  has 
one  child,  Herman  H.  Mabel,  born  September  19,  i88i,  is  the  wife  of  Milo 
Taggart,  who  operates  the  home  farm.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  child, 
Lois  Leola.  ;,:  ;;  .-^. '  :  - 

In  his  political  persuasion  Mr.  Shives  was  a  democrat,  standing  "for  the  true 
democracy  that  means  equal  opportunities  for  everybody.  He  served  as  collector 
and  assessor  and  was  on  the  school  board  of  his  district  for  a  period  of  twenty- 
three  years,  working  unselfishly  for  the  advancement  of  the  educational  inter- 
ests of  his  community.  He  was  a  kind  man  and  generous,  beloved  by  all  who 
knew  him. 


:         .  ;    JESSE  ELDRIDGE  BARLOW.  .   ••   '-^^     "'H: 

•  Varied  interests  have  engaged  the  attention  of  Jesse  Eldridge  Barlow,  whose 
comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  world  of  finance,  sagacity  and  intelligent  direc- 
tion  of  his  energies  has  enabled  him  to  become  recognized  as  one  of  the  most 
capable  and  influential  business  men  of  Abingdon. 

Mr.  Barlow  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Warren  county,  this  state,  on  May  31, 
1862,  his  parents  being  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Kinton)  Barlow.  They  were 
born  and  reared  in  Kentucky  and  there  they  were  married  in  1844,  this  union 
being  blessed  by  ten  children.  The  father,  who  always  engaged  in  farming,  in 
the  early  'SGS  brought  his  family  to  Warren  county,  locating  in  the  vicinity  of 
Greenbush,  where  he  resided  until  about  1886.  He  then  withdrew  from  the 
active  work  of  the  fields  and  removed  to  Abingdon,  where  he  lived  retired  until 
his  death  in  1899.  The  mother  is  still  living  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty- 
six  and  now  makes  her  home  with  her  son  Jesse.  She  is  a  woman  possessed  of 
unusual  mental  and  physical  powers  and  accompanies  the  family  on  long  auto- 


808  <:.:_:•  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -v;': 

mobile  trips,  seemingly  having  the  endurance  of  one  twenty  years  her  junior. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  was  also  the  father. : 
Fraternally  Mr.  Barlow  was  a  Mason,  being  a  member  of  the  chapter,  while 
politically  he  was  a  democrat.  He  was  a  man  of  high  principles  and  un- 
questionable integrity,  whose  loyalty  and  reliability  won  him  the  esteem  of  all 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  • 

Jesse  Fldridge  Barlow  was  reared  on  the  farm,  where  he  was  born,  in  the 
operation  of  which  he  assisted  while  acquiring  his  preliminary  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  the  vicinity.  He  subsequently  attended  the  Prairie  City  high 
school  and  Hedding  College,  laying  aside  his  text-books  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years.  During  the  following  three  years  he  followed  the  profession  of  teaching, 
but  being  a  most  ambitious  youth,  this  vocation  did  not  afford  him  the  oppor- 
tunity to  develop  the  latent  business  powers  he  had  early  given  evidence  of 
possessing,  nor  did  he  deem  its  financial  returns  commensurate  with  his  ability. 
So  upon  attaining  his  majority  he  went  to  Fairfield,  Nebraska,  where  he  in- 
vested his  small  capital  and  for  three  years  thereafter  was  successfully  iden- 
tified with  the  mercantile  interests  of  that  town.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
became  associated  with  Charles  E.  Faith  in  the  hardware  business  in  Goodland, 
Kansas,  for  four  years,  at  the  same  time  being  interested  with  his  brothers, 
Samuel  Thomas  and  Charles  Henry  Barlow,  in  the  operation  of  the  Kansas 
Banking  Company,  of  that  town.  From  there  he  went  to  Burlington.  Colorado, 
and  having  met  with  most  excellent  returns  from  his  various  business  enter- 
prises, he  became  one  of  the  large  stockholders  of  the  State  Bank  of  Burling- 
ton. For  four  years  thereafter  he  was  the  cashier  and  business  manager  of  that 
flourishing  institution,  which  under  his  capable  supervision  soon  became  known 
as  one  of  the  substantial  and  reliable  banks  of  the  state.  In  1892  he  disposed  of 
his  stock  and  came  to  Abingdon,  where  he  organized  the  Abingdon  Safety 
Bank,  of  which  he  was  cashier  for  four  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period 
he  severed  his  connection  with  this  enterprise  and  devoted  his  entire  attention 
to  the  buying  and  selling  of  real  estate  and  agricultural  interests.  Mr.  Barlow  is 
the  possessor  of  the  most  essential  quality  of  success  in  any  field  of  action,  the 
ability  to  recognize  opportunities.  This  united  with  his  confidence  in  his  powers 
has  always  given  him  the  courage  to  act  upon  his  convictions  and  so  intelligently 
direct  his  interests  that  invariably  they  have  proven  the  wisdom  of  his  foresight. 
He  now  owns  practically  one  thousand  acres  of  as  fertile  and  productive  farming 
land  as  is  to  be  found  in  the  state,  his  holdings  being  located  in  Knox,  McDonough 
and  Fulton  counties.  ;  :'  ' 

Mr.  Barlow  was  married  in  1893  to  Miss  Winnie  Lucille  Jolidon,  of  Elvas- 
ton,  Illinois.  Two  children  were  born  of  this  union,  Jesse  Eldridge,  Jr.,  who 
died  in  infancy ;  and  Esther,  who  was  a  most  interesting  child  of  the  age  of  four 
and  a  half  years  when  death  overtook  her.  •.{..'-."  l':.v.- 

Despite  his  extensive  personal  and  business  interests,  Mr.  Barlow  has  always 
found  the  time  to  assist  in  the  direction  and  management  of  those  organizations 
maintained  for  the  public  and  general  welfare.  At  the  present  time  he  is  acting 
as  one  of  the  stewards  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  earnest  members,  and  he  is  a  trustee  and  treasurer  of  Hed- 
ding College,  as  well  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  public  library 
of  Abingdon.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order,  being  a  mem- 


^;      -   •  ;^        V    ;     HISTORr  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  ^  ^^^^        809 

her  of  a  lodge  in  Colorado,  and  he  belongs  to  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  184,  I.  O. 
O.  F. ;  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America,  Camp  No.  446 ;  and  Achilles  Lodge, 
No.  373,  K.  of  P.,  of  Abingdon.  In  matters  politic  he  is  a  democrat,  but  is 
not  strictly  partisan  and  often  times  in  local  elections  votes  for  other  candidates, 
believing  in  municipal  affairs  it  is  a  question  of  the  man  best  qualified  to  sub- 
serve the  interests  of  the  community.  Mr.  Barlow  is  one  of  those  whose  suc- 
cess can  be  attributed  to  inherent  ability  united  with  untiring  energy,  perseverance 
and  determination  of  purpose,  qualities  that  ultimately  win  recognition  when 
intelligently  and  capably  directed. 


'•'•;'  '^;".    '  ,.-.v-v:-''^''"    ORLANDO  PAYTON.  ^v.  ;''"  '  .  '  ^.^^f  •:'•::":;-;.•-':;;';';.:; 

Orlando  Payton  has  met  with  such  excellent  success  in  his  agricultural  pur-  -v 
suits  that  he  has  not  only  acquired  a  fine  property  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  in  Maquon  and  Salem  townships,  Knox  county,  but  has  extensive  hold- 
ings in  North  Dakota.  He  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in  March,  1853, 
and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Alsberry)  Payton,  the  father  a  native  of 
Arkansas  and  the  mother  of  Indiana.  James  Payton  was  brought  to  Illinois  , 
from  his  native  state  when  an  infant  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in 
Fulton  and  Peoria  counties.  He  became  a  successful  farmer  and  was  an  ex- 
tensive landowner  of  the  state  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  when 
he  was  seventy-two.  Of  the  five  children  born  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Payton  three  are  living:  Orlando,  the  second  in  order  of  birth  and  our 
subject;  Matilda;  and  Malvina.  Those  deceased  are  John,  the  eldest;  and 
Artemus,  the  fourth  in  the  order  of  birth.  '  ';•'.•-'. 

Pioneer  conditions  still  prevailed  in  this  section  of  the  state  at  the  time  of 
the  birth  of  Orlando  Payton,  whose  boyhood  and  youth  were  spent  on  his 
father's  farm.  He  pursued  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Fulton 
county,  while  mastering  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture  under  the  direc- 
tion of  his  father.  He  came  to  Knox  county  in  his  early  manhood  and  worked  , 
as  a  farm  hand,  having  been  engaged  in  that  capacity  on  his  present  homestead. 
Persistent  application  and  determination  enabled  him  to  acquire  the  means  to 
buy  the  place  ultimately,  and  here  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  has  owned 
the  property  for  twenty-eight  years,  during  which  period  he  has  wrought  many 
and  extensive  improvements,  having  erected  the  majority  of  the  buildings  now 
standing,  while  he  has  brought  the  land  into  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  Here 
he  engages  in  general  farming  in  connection  with  which  he  raises  stock,  meeting 
with  excellent  success  in  both  lines  of  the  business. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Payton  chose  Miss  Martha  J.  Young,  a  daughter  of  Wil-  ^.. 
Ham  and  Elizabeth  (Gilmore)  Young,  also  residents  of  Maquon  township.    Five    .: 
children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.   Payton :     Ada   E..  the   wife  of 
Lewis  Tasker,  who  is  living  on  the  old  Young  homestead ;  Jessie,  who  is  de- 
ceased ;  Mabel,  who  is  at  home ;  Herman,  who  is  assisting  his   father  in  the 
operation  of  the  farm ;  and  Mary,  who  is  also  living  at  home.     There  are  three 
grandchildren   in  the   familv:     Verne.   Glenn   and   Ray,   the   children   of    Mrs. 
Tasker,  who  lost  a  little  daughter.  Olive,  and  a  babv. 


810  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Payton  gives  to  the  democratic  party,  but  has 
never  been  an  aspirant  to  official  honors,  although  he  has  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  school  director.  The  success  with  which  he  has  met  in  the  conduct  of  his 
affairs  must  be  largely  attributed  to  his  inherent  ability  and  unremitting  energy. 
The  appearance  of  his  homestead,  located  five  miles  southeast  of  Maquon,  evi- 
dences his  skill  as  an  agriculturist,  as  well  as  his  business  sagacity,  which  has 
enabled  him  to  increase  his  realty  holdings  by  the  addition  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  North  Dakota.  ,.  v  '  ;;.  : 


;  •^-:  WILLIAM  E.  WARNER.      :    ';    .    ' 

William  E.  Warner,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  for  many  years  a  suc- 
cessful carpenter  in  Knox  county,  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  June 
8,  1841.  He  was  the  son  of  Asa  H.  and  Hanna  J.  (Greene)  Warner,  both 
natives  of  New  York.  His  father,  a  cooper  by  trade,  died  in  Indiana  in  1844 
when  William  E.  Warner  was  three  years  old.  His  mother  remarried  and 
.  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  in  1845,  settling  in  Rio  township,  where  shTs 
lived  for  four  or  five  years.  The  family  then  removed  to  Iowa  and  from  there 
to  Missouri  and,  in  1859,  came  back  to  Illinois,  making  their  home  in  Henderson 
township,  Knox  county.  This  remained  the  family  home  till  a  few  years  be- 
fore the  parents'  death.  His  mother  died  in  Nebraska  and  his  stepfather  in 
Oregon. 

In  the  district  schools  of  the  various  localities  where  the  family  resided, 
William  E.  Warner  was  given  an  education.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he 
went  to  Butler  county,  Iowa,  and  there  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Third  Iowa  In- 
fantry and,  in  April,  i86i,  was  mustered  into  the  service.  He  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  being  discharged  at  Louisville,  July  12,  1865.  The  story  of 
his  participation  in  the  war  and  his  accounts  of  important  engagements  in  which 
he  took  part,  forms  an  interesting  chapter  in  his  history.  In  i86i  his  company 
spent  most  of  the  time  in  Missouri  chasing  guerrilla  parties  and  bushwhackers. 
Erom  Missouri  they  went  to  Illinois,  to  Cairo,  and  then  up  to  Shiloh,  where  they 
took  part  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek.  His  company  was 
also  present  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  which  lasted  forty-one  days  and  took  part 
in  the  battle  at  Jackson  where  General  Grant  won  a  victory  over  the  rebels 
under  General  Johnston.  After  the  war  the  young  soldier  came  to  his  home  in 
Henderson  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois.  He  was  twenty-five  years  old  and 
wishing  to  establish  himself  in  a  career,  his  choice  fell  on  the  carpenter's  trade. 
This  he  mastered  and  followed,  working  steadily  until  a  few  years  ago  when 
he  retired,  making  his  home  on  the  outskirts  of  Henderson  village. 

On  June  13,  1866,  William  E.  Warner  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  matri- 
mony to  Mary  Shepherd,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Martha  (Eaton)  Shepherd, 
living  near  Brookville,  Canada.  Her  mother  came  from  England  to  America  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  years,  lived  for  a  time  in  Canada  and  there  married  David 
Shepherd.  They  did  not  remain  in  Canada  but  came  to  Hancock  county,  Illinois, 
where  their  daughter  Mary  was  born  June  l6,  1844.  The  following  year  in 
March,  1845,  her  family  removed  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  Mr.  Shepherd, 


WILLIAM  E.  WARNKR 


810  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Payton  gives  to  the  democratic  party,  but  has 
never  been  an  aspirant  to  official  honors,  although  he  has  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  scliool  director.  The  success  with  which  he  has  met  in  the  conduct  of  his 
affairs  must  be  largely  attributed  to  his  inherent  ability  and  unremitting  energy. 
The  appearance  of  his  homestead,  located  five  miles  southeast  of  Maquon,  evi- 
dences his  skill  as  an  agriculturist,  as  well  as  his  business  sagacity,  which  has 
enabled  him  to  increase  his  realty  holdings  by  the  addition  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  North  Dakota. 


V  WILLIAM  E.  WARNER. 

William  E.  Warner,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  for  many  years  a  suc- 
cessful carpenter  in  Knox  county,  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Indiana,  June 
8,  1841.  He  was  the  son  of  Asa  H.  and  Hanna  J.  (Greene)  Warner,  both 
natives  of  New  York.  His  fatlier.  a  coojier  by  trade,  died  in  Indiana  in  1844 
when  William  E.  Warner  was  three  years  old.  His  mother  remarried  and 
.came  to  Knox  county.  Illinois,  in  1845,  settling  in  Rio  township,  where  sh'e 
lived  for  four  or  five  years.  The  family  then  removed  to  Iowa  and  from  there 
to  Missouri  and,  in  1859,  came  back  to  Illinois,  making  their  home  in  Henderson 
township,  Knox  county.  This  remained  the  family  home  till  a  few  years  be- 
fore the  parents'  death.  His  mother  died  in  Nebraska  and  his  stepfather  in 
Oregon. 

In  the  district  schools  of  the  various  localities  where  the  family  resided, 
William  E.  Warner  was  given  an  education.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he 
went  to  Rutler  county.  Iowa,  and  there  enlisted  in  Company  I.  Third  Iowa  In- 
fantry and,  in  Ai)ril,  i86i,  was  mustered  into  the  service.  He  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  l>eing  discharged  at  Louisville,  July  12,  1865.  The  story  of 
his  participation  in  the  war  and  his  accounts  of  important  engagements  in  which 
he  took  part,  forms  an  interesting  chapter  in  his  history.  In  i86i  his  company 
spent  most  of  tlie  time  in  Missouri  chasing  guerrilla  parties  and  bushwhackers. 
From  Missouri  they  went  to  Illinois,  to  Cairo,  and  then  up  to  Shiloh,  where  they 
took  part  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek.  His  company  was 
also  present  at  the  siege  of  X'icksburg  wliich  lasted  forty-one  days  and  took  part 
in  the  battle  at  Jackson  where  (ieneral  (irant  won  a  victory  over  the  rebels 
under  General  Johnston.  After  the  war  the  young  soldier  came  to  his  home  in 
Henderson  township,  Kno.x  county,  Illinois,  lie  was  twenty-five  years  old  and 
wishing  to  establish  himself  in  a  career,  his  choice  fell  on  the  carpenter's  trade. 
This  he  mastered  and  followed,  working^  steadily  until  a  few  years  ago  when 
he  retired,  making  his  lioine  on  the  outskirts  of  Henderson  village. 

On  June  13,  i8<'>r),  \\'illiam  E.  Warner  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  matri- 
mony to  Mary  Shepherd,  a  daughter  of  David  ami  Martha  (Eaton)  Shepherd, 
living  near  r.nM^kville,  Canada.  Her  mother  came  from  England  to  .America  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  years,  lived  for  a  time  in  Canada  and  there  married  David 
Shejjherd.  They  did  not  remain  in  Canada  but  came  to  I  lancock  county,  Illinois, 
where  their  daughter  Mary  was  born  June  16,  1844.  Tlie  following  year  in 
March,  1845,  her  family  removed  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  Mr.  Shepherd, 


XVII.MAM    K.    \\AI!\Ki; 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  813 


who  was  an  agriculturist,  had  bought  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  which  he  cultivated 
during  the  remainder  of  his  years.  He  died  on  May  8,  1898,  at  the  age  of 
eighty.  Mrs.  Shepherd  passed  away  on  August  17,  1896,  in  her  seventy-ninth 
year. 

In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warner  were  the  following  children,  all 
daughters:  Alora  E.,  the  wife  of  Frank  Murray,  a  carpenter,  living  in  Albia, 
Iowa,  who  is  the  mother  of  two  daughters:  Mabel,  the  wife  of  Ora  Folger,  a 
painter,  living  in  Galesburg,  who  is  the  mother  of  three  children ;  and  Blanche, 
the  wife  of  E.  C.  Searcy,  a  grocer,  living  in  Albia,  Iowa.  Maude  is  the  wife  of 
Hilmer  Harpman,  who  conducts  a  hotel  in  Waterman,  Illinois,  and  the  mother 
of  five  children  named,  Helen,  Hazel,  John  Warner,  Richard  A.,  and  George 
Washington.  Mattie,  the  wife  of  John  Weedman,  a  hardware  dealer,  is  living 
in  Victoria,  Illinois.  She  has  two  children,  Mary  and  Maud. 
:  Mr.  Warner  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  allegiance  and  has  been  called  to 
public  office  a  number  of  times.  He  has  served  as  school  director,  as  constable 
and  as  police  magistrate.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Henderson  lodge,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  and  of  Post  No.  26,  G.  A.  R.,  of  North  Henderson.  Throughout  his 
life  Mr.  Warner  has  been  a  man  of  singular  devotion  to  his  aims  discharging 
his  duties  with  honor  both  during  the  Civil  war  and  in  the  pursuit  of  his  occu- 
pation. 

Since  the  above  was  written  Mr.  Warner  passed  away  on  September   15, 
1911,  after  a  short  illness.  -   ^J  .:/'"'•      T---i'""';-<?':^;:/::;        ::    .     y^:  ''.'['.  J- ; 


;Y    "•'      '•••  '  • "  •-  •  •'"' '  •^'  'j'-    JAMES  RICHEY.      ^:^.  •:./  "/\  .  -y:.-.-'.-  /;;V-;'.  •;,-:"' 

The  life  record  of  James  Richey  is  'the  story  of  efficient  public  service  extend- 
ing over  a  period  of  more  than  four  decades,  the  worth  of  which  is  attested 
by  all  who  know  aught  of  his  career.  A  native  of  Ireland,  he  was  bom  in  County 
Tyrone,  June  22,  1842,  a  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Scott)  Richey,  the  father's 
birth  also  occurring  on  the  Emerald  isle.  The  family  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1842  or  1843,  locating  first  in  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  where  they  remained 
until  1853.  In  that  year  the  home  was  established  in  Abingdon,  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  and  there  the  parents  spent  their  remaining  days,  the  father's  death  oc- 
curring in  1876  and  the  mother's  in  1893.  Both  were  laid  to  rest  in  Abingdon 
cemetery.  The  father  was  a  butcher  by  trade  and  also  engaged  to  some  extent 
in  fanning.  He  and  his  wife  were  faithful  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  the  teachings  of  which  formed  the  guiding  influences  in  their  lives.  In 
their  family  were  six  sons  and  three  daughters,  as  follows :  E.  A.,  the  widow  of 
W.  H.  McDonold,  of  Abingdon,  who  enlisted  in  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry  for 
service  in  the  Civil  war  and  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Lexington,  Missouri; 
Samuel,  deceased ;  James,  of  this  review ;  Maria,  the  widow  of  J.  W.  McGintis, 
who  also  fought  in  the  Civil  war;  Scott  and  Henderson,  twins,  the  former  a 
farmer  of  Milton,  Oregon,  and  the  latter  conducting  an  undertaking  establish- 
ment at  Denver,  Colorado,  one  who  died  in  infancy;  Robert,  carrying  on  agricul- 
tural pursuits  in  Stockdale,  Nebraska;  and  Archie,  who  has  also  passed  away. 
,  The  educational  advantages  of  James  Richey  were  those  afforded  by  the  public 


814  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '         'I'     ' 

schools  of  Abingdon  and  he  remained  at  home  until  thirty-five  years  of  age,  being 
engaged  at  various  occupations.  For  more  than  forty  years  he  has  been  con- 
tinuously identified  with  public  service,  his  association  therewith  being  in  con- 
nection with  the  police  department  of  Abingdon  and  elsewhere.  In  i86i  he  was 
appointed  to  the  office  of  marshal  at  Abingdon,  which  he  filled  for  thirteen  years, 
after  which  he  served  for  twenty-five  years  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Galesburg.  The 
succeeding  four  years  were  spent  as  marshal  of  Abingdon,  while  at  the  present 
time  he  is  serving  as  deputy  marshal  of  this  town,  and  his  long  continuation  in 
connection  with  the  department  of  public  safety  is  indicative  of  the  efficiency  and 
faithfulness  which  has  ever  marked  the  performance  of  his  duties.  Official 
service,  however,  has  not  absorbed  his  entire  attention,  for  he  has  devoted  a 
portion  of  his  time  to  agricultural  pursuits,  being  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  ninety  acres  located  in  Cedar  township.  He  has  also  assisted 
in  the  establishment  of  several  of  Abingdon's  industrial  institutions  and  has- 
thus  taken  a  prominent  and  active  part  in  the  material  development  of  the  com- 
munity. 

Mr.  Richey  was  married,  in  1871,  to  Miss  Serelda  Haney,  a  niece  of  the  Rev. 
Richard  Haney,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  two  children,  Kai  and  Haney. 
The  daughter  is  now  the  wife  of  George  S.  Butler  and  resides  near  Avon,  Illi- 
nois. They  have  two  children,  Marie  and  James  Dale.  The  son,  Haney  Richey, 
who  resides  on  his  father's  farm,  married  Mabel  Wiles  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  three  children,  James,  Teddy  and  Serelda.  Mrs.  Richey  was  called  to  her 
final  rest  August  5,  1884,  her  remains  being  interred  in  Abingdon  cemetery. 
She  was  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  is  also  her 
husband,  who  is  now  serving  as  chairman  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  that  institu- 
tion. Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Abing- 
don and  is  at  present  filling  the  office  of  chaplain  of  that  order.  He  has  ever 
been  a  stanch  supporter  of  republican  principles  since  age  conferred  upon  him 
the  right  of  franchise,  and  for  two  years  served  as  street  commissioner  of  Abing- 
don. Higher  honors  were  also  bestowed  upon  him,  for  his  fellow  citizens,  recog- 
nizing his  ability  and  worth,  elected  him  to  the  office  of  mayor  of  the  city,  in 
which  he  was  the  incumbent  for  three  years.  It  was  during  his  service  as  chief 
executive  that  the  waterworks  were  installed  and  many  other  improvements  were 
indorsed  and  introduced  by  him.  Few  residents  in  this  section  of  the  county 
have  been  longer  in  the  public  service  than  has  Mr.  Richey  and  the  honorable 
purposes  and  high  ideals,  which  have  ever  actuated  him  in  this  connection,  have 
won  the  confidence,  respect  and  good-will  of  all  law-abiding  citizens,  who  appre- 
ciate faithfulness  and  upright  methods  in  official  service.  '. '.  v^ 


-•"•/V'     .         •          .         FRANK  HOPKINS.         -"•-•-':x ;'.•-:: 

Frank  Hopkins  is  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  highly 
cultivated  land  in  Chestnut  township,  where  he  successfully  engages  in  stock- 
raising  and  general  farming.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides  on  the  4th  of  May,  1873,  his  parents  being  Thomas  and  Sarah  A. 
(Booton)  Hopkins.  His  father,  who  was  born  in  Wales,  on  January  4,  1831, 


';    ^v:;  ;^:-.;:;;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;;•:;:  8i5 

was  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents  when  a  babe  of  six  months. 
They  located  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives  and  where  the  son  was  reared  to  manhood.     When  he  was  twenty-seven, 
Thomas  Hopkins  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  1858  in  Peoria,  where  he  engaged 
in  coal  mining  until  after  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war.     During  the  early 
days  of  the  Rebellion  he  responded  to  the  nation's  call  and  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  Cavalry.     He  remained  at  the  front  for  three  year? 
and  three  months,  being  discharged  with  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant.     Al- 
though  he  saw   much  active  service,   participating  in   thirty-two  engagements, 
during  one  of  which  he  had  his  horse  shot  from  under  him,  Mr.  Hopkins  was 
never  wounded.     After  being  mustered  out  he  returned  to  Peoria,  where  he 
was  married   in   1866  to  Miss   Booton,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  her  birth 
having  occurred  at  Oakmound,  Jackson  county,  on  the  I7th  of  February,  1831. 
The  first  year  of  their  domestic  life  they  spent  in  Peoria,  and  then  removed  to 
Knox  county,  settling  on  a  farm  on  section  4,  Chestnut  township.     This  was 
new  land,  and  Mr.  Hopkins  immediately  erected  upon  it  such  buildings  as  were 
necessary  and  then  devoted  his  energies  to  clearing  and  placing  his  farm  under 
cultivation.     He  was  an  energetic  man  of  sound  judgment  and  practical  in  his 
ideas,  who  intelligently  applied   his  efforts  and   reaped  corresponding  returns. 
As  his  means  accumulated  he  from  time  to  time  increased  his  holdings,  at  the 
same   time   bringing  his  original   tract  into   a  higher   state  of   cultivation   and 
adding  to  its  value  by  the  erection  of  better  buildings  and  making  other  im- 
provements.    Agricultural  pursuits  continued  to  engage  his  energies  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  his  homestead  on  the  23d  of  August,  1895,  his  burial 
taking  place  at  Hermon,  Illinois.     He  was  survived  by  his  widow,  who  is  still 
living  and  now  makes  her  home  at  Knoxville.     Mr.  Hopkins  was  one  of  the 
public-spirited  men  of  the  community,  always  taking  an  active  and  helpful  in- 
terest in  all  political  affairs,  and  capably  discharging  the  responsibilities  of  the 
various  township  offices  he  held,  giving  his   support  on  all  occasions   to  the 
republican  party.     He  was  not  affiliated  with  any  church  but  was  an  earnest 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity.    The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hopkins 
numbered  three :    Rosa  D.,  the  wife  of  J.  E.  Davis,  of  Orange  township ;  Mary 
A.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Nathaniel  F.  Johnson,  also  a  resident  of  Orange 
township;  and   Frank,  who  is  our  subject. 

The  entire  life  of  Frank  Hopkins  has  been  spent  amid  the  scenes  of  his 
birth,  his  education  having  been  acquired  in  the  schools  now  attended  by  his 
children.  After  completing  the  course  therein  he  took  Brown's  Business  course, 
thus  obtaining  a  more  comprehensive  idea  of  practical  commercial  methods. 
Having  been  trained  from  his  earliest  boyhood  for  the  life  of  an  agriculturist 
after  laying  aside  his  text-books,  he  engaged  as  such  on  the  home  farm,  which 
he  has  operated  ever  since  the  death  of  his  father.  He  now  owns  three  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  land,  all  in  one  piece,  that  he  devotes  to  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  Progressive  in  his  methods  and  practical  in  his  ideas,  Mr.  Hop- 
kins has  so  intelligently  concentrated  his  energies,  that  now  his  is  one  of  the 
most  attractive  and  valuable  farms  in  the  township.  During  the  period  of 
his  occupancy  he  has  improved  it  by  the  erection  of  fine  barns  and  outbuildings 
and  a  modern  residence,  the  beauty  of  his  place  being  greatly  enhanced  by  the 
tasteful  arra'ngement  of  the  well  kept  grounds  that  surround  it.  He  is  meeting 


816  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  1  'V--  :i 

with  lucrative  returns  from  his  undertakings  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
prosperous  farmers  and  stockmen  of  the  county. 

On  the  nth  of  March,  1900,  Mr.  Hopkins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  Davis,  who  is  a  native  of  Chestnut  township,  and  they  have  become  the 
parents  of  two  children :  Ruth,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  gth  of  June,  1902 ; 
and  Rex,  who  was  born  on  September  ii,  1904. 

Mr.  Hopkins  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  being  affiliated  with 
the  lodge  at  London  Mills,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows,  his  connection 
being  with  the  organization  at  Hermon.  His  political  views  coincide  with  the 
principles  of  the  republican  party,  for  whose  candidates  he  always  casts  his 
ballot.  He  takes  an  earnest  interest  in  all  township  activities  and  has  served 
with  efficiency  in  several  of  the  township  offices.  Mr.  Hopkins  is  one  of  Knox 
county's  sons  who  in  every  way  is  a  credit  to  the  community  where  he  has  so 
long  resided,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem,  well  merited  by  reliability  and  trust- 
worthiness in  all  of  his  relations  of  life,  both  public  and  private. 


..-;•"•'-•;' •^"  .       ..      ..    u.  s. 

U.  s.  Garren,  postmaster  of  Douglas,  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois, 
December  3,  1842,  his  parents  being  Dempson  and  Rachel  (Ulmer)  Garren, 
natives  of  Indiana.  His  father,  who  was  an  ardent  democrat  in  his  political 
convictions,  died  of  a  fever  at  the  age  of  forty  and  was  buried  in  Ross  ceme- 
tery in  Fulton  county,  Illinois.  The  mother  survived  her  husband  by  more 
than  half  a  century,  dying  at  the  age  of  ninety  years.  She  is  laid  at  rest  in  a 
cemetery  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois.  There  were  five  children  in  the  family, 
of  whom  U.  S.  Garren  is  the  only  one  living.  The  others  are  George,  Sarah, 
Nancy  and  Dempson. 

Reared  in  his  native  locality  U.  S.  Garren  attended  the  common  schools  in 
the  vicinity  of  his  home.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  joined  the  army,  enlisting 
with  Company  H,  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  early  in  his 
military  experience  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  right  groin  refusing,  how- 
ever, any  hospital  service  or  the  opportunity  of  being  granted  a  discharge. 
Remaining  with  his  company  in  which  he  had  enlisted  as  a  private  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  second  sergeant  and  saw  much  active  service  until  the 
time  they  were  mustered  out  at  Richmond,  Virginia.  On  his  return  from  the 
war  he  settled  in  Peoria  county  and  there  was  married  on  June  28,  1866,  to 
Miss  Amelia  Krisher.  She  was  born  in  Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Katherine  CCliffman)  Krisher,  who  were  pioneer  set- 
tlers in  Illinois,  living  for  a  time  in  Stephenson  county  and  later  in  Peoria 
county,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  a 
republican  in  politics  and  with  his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church. 
Stalwart  of  physique  he  lived  to  attain  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy-eight  years, 
while  his  wife  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five  years.  They  are  both  buried  in 
Pennsylvania  Ridge,  Peoria  county. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Garren  lived  for  a  number  of  years  in  Peoria  county 
when  he  removed  to  Fulton  county  and  engaged  in  the  blacksmith  trade,  re- 


••'•'••''••   '       ;>  :f  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •>  --  817 

-  maining  there  one  year.     He  then  returned  to  Peoria  county  and  continued  to 
Iv..    work  at  his  trade  there  for  ten  years.    His  next  place  of  residence  was  Middle 
;  •  -V  Grove,  Fulton  county,  where  he  followed  blacksmithing  for  a  time  but  later 

sold  and  removed  to  Douglas,  Illinois,  and  here  operated  a  stationary  engine 
•    '?  and  sawmill  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Douglas  in  Elba  township  and  also 

•  •  V  engaged  in  draying  for  a  period  of  five  years.     He  then  retired  and  is  now 
.  V.'  serving  his  fourth  year  as  postmaster  of  Douglas  and  also  represents  the  Wil- 

•    ber  Mercantile  Agency.     In  his  political  views  he  is  independent,  voting  for 

:.   •  the  man  rather  than  the  party  and  in  consequence  has  been  called  to  office  by 

•'•"'"••  voters   of  both  the  democratic   and   republican   parties.      He   acted   as   school 

•'V^    director  for  several  years  and  has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for 

'-':-.  three  terms. 

.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Garren  were  the  following  children:     John 

•.     D.,  residing  in  Oklahoma,  is  married  to  Lillian  Mitchell,  a  native  of  Texas, 
and  they  have  three  children,  Damon,  Earl  G.  and  Glenn;  Alice,  residing  in 
'  Douglas,  Illinois,  is  the  wife  of  C.   B.   Painter  and  has  one  child,  Florence; 
.  Franklin,  residing  in  Salem  township  is  married  to  Estella  Diefdorf  and  they 
.     have  three  children,  Freda  May,  Leonard  Oaks,  and  Willis ;  Henry,  who  resides 
in  Peorfa  county ;  Grace,  deceased,  who  was  killed  when  twenty-four  years  of 
age,  by  a  train  at  the  railroad  station  in  Douglas ;  Edith,  living  at  home,  who  is 
.       assistant  postmaster  of  Douglas;  and  Nellie,  who  lives  at  home.    The  members 
.        of  the  Garren  family  are  loyal  supporters  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
to  which  they  belong.     Widely  and   favorably  known  throughout  the  county 
they  have  a  host  of  warm  friends,  who  are  always  sure  of  a  hospitable  wel- 
come at  the  Garren  home.  -'-L/- 


:          >•;        MRS.  HATTIE  PORTER.  ,  v;:!  V  ^    V ' -'^ 

For  more  than  a  half  century  Mrs.  Hattie  Porter  has  been  a  witness  of  the 
growth  and  development  of  Knox  county  and  has  beheld  this  section  of  the 
country  transformed  from  crude  prairie  land  to  well  cultivated  farms.  A 
native  of  Ohio,  she  was  bom  in  Ashtabula  county,  March  13,  1852,  her  parents 
being  Aaron  and  Mary  (Buckman)  Brockhurst.  Her  father  was  a  native  of 
England  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  he  was  a  young  man,  settling  in 
Ohio.  There  he  met  Miss  Mary  Buckman,  a  native  of  New  York  state,  who 
later  became  his  wife.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children,  all 
of  whom  were  born  in  Ohio:  Henry,  who  resides  in  Oil  City,  Pennsylvania; 
John,  also  a  resident  of  Pennsylvania;  Mrs.  Anna  Brazington,  of  Cleveland, 
Ohio;  George,  a  resident  of  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio;  Charles,  who  makes  his 
home  in  Clinton,  Illinois;  Mrs.  Mary  McNutt,  of  Ohio;  Frank  and  Edward, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased;  Hattie,  the  subject  of  this  biography;  and  two 
boys  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brockhurst  removed  with  their  family 
to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  when  their  daughter  Hattie  was  seven  years  of  age, 
and  settled  in  Salem  township  on  a  farm  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  of  land  now  owned  by  Levi  McGirr.  This  land  the  father  continued  to 
cultivate  until  his  death,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  His  wife  died  at  the 


818  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

age  of  fifty-three  years  and  both  are  buried  in  Yates  City  cemetery.  In  his 
political  convictions  Mr.  Brockhurst  was  a  republican  and  always  was  heartily 
in  sympathy  with  the  measures  and  movements  that  tended  toward  the  advance- 
ment of  the  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he  resided. 

Reared  under  the  parental  roof,  Hattie  Brockhurst  obtained  her  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Salem  township.  She  remained  at  home  until  her 
marriage,  January  i,  1870,  to  Stephen  P.  Porter,  a  native  of  Columbus,  Ohio. 
He  was  a  son  of  Lorenzo  and  Mahala  (Postal)  Porter,  both  natives  of  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  and  the  parents  of  two  children.  Stephen  Porter's  father  died  when 
he  was  a  boy  and  his  mother  married  a  Mr.  Phillips,  by  whom  she  had  three 
children.  They  left  Ohio  for  Illinois  and  made  their  home  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Mrs.  Hattie  Porter,  which  her  husband  had  received  from  his  mother 
at  the  time  of  his  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephen  P.  Porter  were  the  parents 
of  ten  children :  Cora ;  Nellie,  who  married  Frank  Tasker ;  Maude,  who  is 
the  wife  of  Fdward  Hollaway  and  resides  in  Haw  Creek  township,  being  the 
mother  of  one  child,  Marie ;  Sylvia,  now  Mrs.  Kay  Harper  of  Douglas,  Illinois ; 
Earl,  of  Salem  township,  who  married  Nora  Johnston,  by  whom  he  has  one 
child,  Rowland ;  Clyde ;  Alta ;  and  three,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Ever  since  her  marriage  Mrs.  Porter  has  lived  on  the  farm  where  she  now 
resides,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  during  which  she  was  a  resident  of 
Yates  City.  Mr.  Porter's  death  occurred  in  December,  1905,  and  he  is  buried 
in  the  Yates  City  cemetery.  Although  never  a  politician  he  was  an  ardent  be- 
liever in  the  principles  of  democracy  and  at  the  polls  gave  his  vote  to  the  can- 
didates of  that  party.  The  home  place,  to  the  cultivation  of  which  Mr.  Porter 
gave  his  best  efforts,  is  now  operated  by  the  sons  who  are  of  valuable  assistance 
to  their  mother.  Mrs.  Porter  oversees  all  the  details  of  the  management  and 
performs  those  duties  which  lie  within  the  range  of  her  activities,  manifesting 
both  good  judgment  and  executive  ability  in  the  administration  of  her  affairs. 
In  spite  of  the  many  demands  made  upon  her  she  never  fails  to  have  sufficient 
time  to  devote  to  her  friends  of  whom  she  has  a  large  number,  for  she  is 
affable  in  manner  and  always  kind. 


;:;:,;>:;  MRS.  SARAH  SLOAN.     ;:.;:    - 

Mrs.  Sarah  Sloan  owns  a  fine  farm  in  Salem  township,  which  her  son  James 
operates  with  great  efficiency.  She  was  born  near  Antrim,  in  County  Antrim, 
Ireland,  November  22,  1832.  Her  parents  were  both  natives  of  County  Antrim 
and  lived  there  during  their  entire  lives.  Her  father,  Hugh  Allen,  was  a  very 
fine  musician  and  was  a  leader  of  the  church  choir  for  thirty  years,  also  giving 
instruction  in  music  throughout  the  county,  where  he  was  well  known.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah  Caulfield,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children. 
All  grew  to  maturity,  Sarah  Ellen,  the  subject  of  this  review,  being  now  the 
only  member  of  the  family  who  survives.  The  others  were :  William,  who 
passed  away  in  Ireland  when  a  young  man ;  Martha,  who  was  married  and 
had  six  children,  the  family  residing  in  Ireland ;  Hugh,  who  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Civil  war  and  passed  away  in  Douglas,  Illinois ;  John,  who  met  his  death 


;;;^:\-rVv,r  •//;,:.,        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^-^r::^         819 

•-::.'  while  serving  in  the  Irish  army;  Margaret  Ann,  who  was  married  and  lived  in 

;•   .      Ireland;  Francis,  who  came  to  America  after  the  death  of  his  wife  and  passed 

:  ''-v'V  away  in  Chicago,  Illinois;  and  Robert,  whose  surviving  family  resides  in  Kan- 

•.,•..    sas.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen,  who  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and 

'      ,;    well  known  in  County  Antrim,  both  died  at  the  age  of  sixty  years,  their  re- 

.•"'.•'   mains  being  interred  in  the  churchyard  of  their  native  village. 

•;,'.:.        After  completing  her  education  in  Ireland,  Sarah  Allen  came  to  America 

V  ^     •  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years.     On  the  day  following  her  arrival  in  Daven- 

'\  ;:.    port,  Iowa,  in  1854,  she  was  married  to  John  Sloan,  who  was  born  in  County 

.      ,=v   Antrim,  Ireland,  in  1827,  and  whom  she  had  known  in  her  childhood,  having 

plighted  her  troth  to  him  before  his  departure  for  America,  three  years  and 

;;    -  •'   nine   months   earlier.     John   Sloan's   parents   were   James   and   Mary    (Beck) 

.'•   • -I  Sloan,  who  lived  in  County  Antrim,  Ireland.     On  coming  to  this  country  he 

.;c  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  in  time  acquired  eight  hundred  acres  of 

;   .,    land   which   he  operated  with   much   success.     His   death   occurred   in   April, 

:    1889,  and  he  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Yates  City.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sloan  were 

:.    :  ;  the  parents  of  seven  children,  three  of  whom  passed  away  in  1879.    Mrs.  Sloan 

•  .   is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  also  her  late  husband. 

'         Through  enterprise  and  industry  Mr.  Sloan,  whose  landed  holdings  amounted 

..:.:.  to  eight  hundred  acres,  was  enabled  to  leave  his  wife  well  provided  for  at  his 

i      death.    She  resides  on  the  homestead  farm,  situated  on  section  4  of  the  north 

;.        \  side  of  the  east  and  west  road,  in  Salem  township.     Her  son  James  lives  with 

.;  -  ';.  her  and  attends  to  the  cultivation  of  the  land,  thus  relieving  her  of  the  exacting 

:    .;       responsibilities  which  the  ownership  of  a  large  farm  entails.     Their  home  is  a 

;  :^.   hospitable  one  and  is  often  the  scene  of  merriment  when  the  children  and 

•  '\        grandchildren    assemble   at   the    hearthstone,    where   they    passed   their    happy 

childhood  days. 


'::•..'.;;..••.;/.:•;•;;.'"•-./:;.    WALTER  BAILEY.      :  v.     :    .       ^:.c^,••••  ;:.;4;^>;. 

;  Walter  Bailey,  deceased,  for  many  years  one  of  the  best-known  residents 
of  Knox  county,  was  a  native  of  New  York  state,  born  January  9,  1827,  in 
St.  Lawrence  county  and  a  son  of  James  and  Eve  (Kitts)  Bailey,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Westmoreland,  Cheshire  county.  New  Hampshire.  His 
father  followed  agricultural  pursuits  as  his  chief  occupation,  in  addition  to 
which  he  was  a  surveyor  and  mechanic.  He  was  married  in  New  York  and 
lived  there  until  his  son  Walter  was  ten  years  of  age  when  he  removed  the 
family  to  Delaware  county,  Ohio.  After  residing  there  for  a  number  of  years 
he  came  farther  west  and  settled  in  Galva,  Henry  county.  Illinois,  where  Mrs. 
Bailey  died  September  17,  1873.  The  father  then  returned  to  Delaware  county, 
Ohio,  living  there  until  his  death  in  June,  1875. 

Walter  Bailey  was  reared  and  educated  in  New  York  and  Ohio,  coming  to 
Knox  county  in  October,  1849,  when  twenty-two  years  of  age.  A  few  years 
later  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  the  site  where  the 
present  family  home  is  situated,  increasing  his  holdings  by  additional  purchases 

until  he  acquired  extensive  tracts  of  land,  owning  at  the  time  of  his  death  eight 
VOL  n— 37 


820  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  > 

hundred  and  sixty  acres.  In  1871  he  erected  all  the  buildings  and  the  family 
residence  standing  at  the  present  time.  .  I  .- 

-  The  marriage  of  Mr.  Bailey  and  Miss  Harriet  Parsell  occurred  February 
14,  1855.  She  was  born,  July  30,  1835,  in  Sycamore  township,  Hamilton 
county,  Ohio,  where  her  parents,  Joseph  and  Hetty  A.  (Ralston)  Parsell,  lived 
for  a  year,  moving  thereafter  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Fulton  county  for  a  short 
time.  In  1840  they  removed  to  Elmwood  township,  Peoria  county,  and  there 
the  mother  passed  away  April  17,  1850.  In  1875  the  father  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Elba  township,  Knox  county,  making  his  home  with  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Bailey,  until  his  death,  January  3,  1880. 

In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailey  were  five  children.  Edith  A.,  the 
eldest,  living  south  of  Yates  City,  was  married  to  William  D.  Ware,  who  died 
April  17,  1905,  and  in  their  family  were  six  children.  The  others  are:  Lura 
D.,  who  married  George  F.  Hughes,  who  operates  the  home  farm,  and  has  one 
child,  Walter;  Bertha  B.,  married  to  George  S.  Mathews,  living  two  and  a 
half  miles  west  of  Yates  City,  who  has  two  children;  Addie  G.,  who  lives  at 
home;  and  Nena  H.,  who  is  also  at  home. 

Mr.  Bailey  farmed  throughout  his  life,  finding  pleasure  and  profit  in  the 
exercise  of  his  multifold  duties.  He  died  December  14,  1895,  leaving  behind 
him  a  host  of  friends  who  sincerely  mourned  his  loss.  In  his  political  views 
he  was  a  republican  and  filled  the  position  of  justice  of  the  peace  with  great 
credit.  He  and  his  family  were  members  of  the  Universalist  church.  A  man 
of  big  ideas,  Mr.  Bailey  was  big  and  noble  in  his  dealings  with  his  fellowmen, 
being  always  straightforward  and  unafraid  to  express  his  honest  convictions 
and  most  charitable  in  his  judgment  of  others.  .;-.,:•-.. 


;;;.;iV  \       '  MENZO  MORSE.    -VrM.:       V/ 

Menzo  Morse  is  one  of  the  agriculturists  of  Knox  county,  who,  by  reason    ,  : 
of  his  intelligently  directed  energies  during  his  early  manhood,  is  permitted  to  -'^  ':'* 
spend  his  latter  days  in  the  ease  and  comfort  justly  merited  by  an  active  career.   '•'•.• 
He  is  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  his  birth  occurring  in  Oswego  county, 
and  a  son  of  Stephen  R.  and  Hannah   (Dikeman)   Morse,  also  natives  of  the 
Empire  state,  as  was  the  maternal  grandfather,  Cornelius   Dikeman.     Stephen 
R.  Morse  removed  from  his  native  state  to  Wisconsin  in  1854,  becoming  a  r    "; 
resident  of  Knox  county  the  following  year.     He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
but  always  engaged  in  farming.     He  spent  his  last  years  in  this  county  and          • 
passed  away  in  an  old  log  house  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  our  subject,  at          • 
the  age  of  seventy-five  years.     The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morse  numbered          v 
fifteen,  as  follows:     Gilson,  who  is  a  resident  of  Nebraska;  William,  who  is 
deceased ;  Ansel,  who  is  living  in  Elmwood ;  Wordie,  Helen  and  Henry,  all  of 
whom  are  deceased;  two,  who  died  in  infancy;  Melvin  and  Daniel,  both  of 
whom  are  deecased ;  Menzo,  our  subject ;  one,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Harvey,  : 

who  is  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Maquon ;  Alzina,  who  is  deceased ;  and  Orletta,    •;-; {^ 
who  is  living  in  Missouri.  .  ;- .        /. 


•'^-  '•:.-.'  .. 


,;\:t;  ;;>n  %     ;  ;   V  ;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ^:--;r         82i 

•;       •    '  ''-•'.' 

_;};,*:  Reared  on  a   farm,   Menzo   Morse  obtained   his  education  in  the  district 

;  ^/^'U  schools  of  the  vicinity,  at  the  same  time  lending  assistance  in  the  operation  of 

T  the  land  and  care  of  the  stock.    After  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches 

....    he  laid  aside  his  school  books  and  assisted  his  father  in  clearing  and  cultivating 

.  .  •    •   the  land,  and  he  also  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  part  of  the  time.     When  the 

'        war  broke  out,  he  was  at  home  and  enlisted  in  1863,  when  he  went  to  the  front 

;:       ..   with   Company  B,   Eleventh   Illinois   Cavalry,  under   Colonel   Robert   Ingersoll. 

.  He  remained  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  hostilities,  and  then  returned  to 

Vi  \.   Knox  county,  taking  up  his  residence  in  Maquon  township.     He  was  married 

.  .: ;.. :     very  soon  thereafter,  after  which  event  he  began  his  independent  career  as  an 

~  -     .   agriculturist,  farming  as  a  renter  until  1873,  when  he  bought  a  portion  of  his 

•   '.  ;  present  homestead.     In  the  operation  of  this  he  met  with  such  success  that  he 

_  :  •  was  later  able  to  add  to  his  holdings  at  different  times  until  he  had  acquired 

I     • ;    two  hundred  and  thirteen  acres.     The  development  and  improvements  of  this 

•  .    farm  successfully  engaged  his  attention  until  his  retirement,  since  which  time 

;-    .    .  his  sons  have  been  operating  it. 

.' .  .  >         Mr.   Morse  was  married  in    1865  to   Miss   Millie  Ann   Stidd,  a  native  of 

,   '.-       Indiana,  who  at  that  time  was  living  in  this  county.     To  them  eight  children 

'    ' ..     were  born:     John   Frank,   who  married  Katie  Allen  and   has   eight   children, 

'         -  living  across  the  road   from  his   father;  William,  who  married  Alice  Roberts 

'          and  has  two  children,  living  west  of  Maquon ;  Bose,  who  married  May  Stuffel- 

.  ;        beam  and  has  four  children ;  Nettie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Pete  McCord, 

V     by  whom  she  had  four  children;  Joshua,  who  has  been  married  twice,  his  first 

;  •  wife  being  Hattie  Knox,  who  left  one  child,  while  his  second  union  was  with 

;        ;   Cora  Gribsy,  who  has  had  three  children:  Timothy,  who  married  Katie  Miller 

:      and  has  two  children;  Edith,  who  became  the  wife  of  Guy  Anderson,  by  whom 

>'  she  has  had  one  child;  and  Vady,  the  wife  of  Charles  Stuffelbeam.  :C 

-.          Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morse  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and   fra- 

• .;  '     ternally  he  is  a  Mason.     He  maintains  relations  with  his  comrades  of  the  war 

•:.    through  the  medium  of  his  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 

while  his  political  support  is  given  to  the  republican  party.     He  has  the  distinc- 

n         tion  of  having  been  a  school  director  for  thirty-three  years  and  he  served  as 

road  commissioner  for  two  terms.     Mr.  Morse  is  held  in  high  regard  in  his 

,-  ...  community  ever  having  manifested   those   substantial  qualities   that  invariably 

;     ;  •  win  esteem  and  respect  in  every  walk  of  life.        .-v-;'    .         .     .••'-.•  V    '...•'-(>• 


;y.;:-''i;^ :'--:'.;;:;'':    MRS.  WILLIAM  AUSTIN  CHASE.  .'/ ^'^/^>:::^  ••';'':;••:•• 

:       Mrs.  William  Austin  Chase,  formerly  Miss  Leonora  May  Woolsey,  was  tlie 

•wife  of  the  late  William  Austin  Chase  and  is  a  daughter  of  David  Woolsey. 

She  is  the  owner  of  a  very  fine  farm  in  Haw  Creek  township,  where  she  was 

born  January  14,  1867,  and  where  she  has  resided  throughout  her  life.     Her 

marriage  to  William  Austin  Chase  occurred  February  lo,   1887. 

Mr.  Chase,  born  April  2,  1863,  was  a  son  of  John  H.  and  Mary  Ann  (Reed) 
Chase,  residents  of  Farmington  and  of  Galesburg,  the  mother  being  now  de- 
ceased. He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Elba  township,  and  after  his  marriage 


822  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        .;     • 

engaged  in  agriculture  in  Haw  Creek  township.  He  passed  away  November 
22,  1902,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Maquon.  On  political  issues 
he  voted  with  the  republicans  and  in  his  religious  faith  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  .',''-;;  1-''  ','  '  - 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chase  had  six  children  bom  to  them:    Florence  Geneva,  born  :.^   :  • 
October  22,  1887,  who  died  April  lo,   1888 ;  Edna  Merle,  born  December  14,        ••p 
1889,  who  died   February   12,   1890;   Nina  Bishop,  born  December  27,   1891;         '• 
Doris  Edith,  born  November   14,   1893;  Wayne  Harris,  born  April  22,   1897;     .\;:V 
and  Paul  David,  born  February   ii,   1900.     Mrs.  Chase  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  which  she  is  actively  and  helpfully  interested. 
She  is  the  owner  of  about  two  hundred  acres  of  valuable  farm  land  on  section''-.  .  ^ 
13,  Haw  Creek  township,  from  which  she  makes  a  comfortable  income  by 
renting  it  to  a  tenant.    Mrs.  Chase  possesses  many  of  her  father's  characteristics 
— a  progressive  spirit,  a  forceful  will  and  the  ability  to  manage  wisely  and 
with  an  eye  to  the  future.     She  is  a  very  kind  mother  in  the  home  and  is  de-        •  . 
voted  to  the  interests  of  her  children.  ,    0    '/'V ^-' -";"'.':' 


•;'^:'.-';.-.  •   .  '       MRS.  ANNA  VOLK.      ^-J.-'-'' /•':•''•.•'• 

Mrs.  Anna  Volk,  one  of  the  estimable  citizens  of  Oneida,  was  bom  and 

reared  in  Knox  county  and  is  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers.     Her  7. 
birth  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Sparta  township,  on  October  5,  1864,  her  parents -'.';'• 

being  Ole  and  Betsy  Anderson.     Her  father  was  born  in  Norway,  on  February  '.  -      1 

1 8,   1820,  and  passed  away  in  Knox  county  in    1899.     The  mother,  however,  ; 

a  native  of  Sweden,  born  May  26,  1839,  and  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Peterson,  v 
is  still  living  at  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-two  years  and  continues  to  make 

her  home  on  the  old  farm  in  Sparta  township.     Mr.  Anderson  had  been  pre-  vt 

viously  married,  his  first  wife  having  died  on  shipboard  on  the  way  from  the  •,;-' 
east  to  this  state,  between  Chicago  and  Ottawa,  and  the  remains  were  interred 

in   the   cemetery  at  Ottawa,   Illinois.     Of   this  marriage  there   was  born  one  •<•. 

daughter,  Mary,  who  was  two  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  mother's  death,  Tl  ' 

now  the  wife  of  H.  Mitchell,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois.     Unto  Mr.  Anderson  and  '.-\ 
his  second  wife  there  were  born  eleven  children,  six  sons  and  five  daughters, 
as  follows:     Harriet,  the  wife  of  George  Werteen,  of  Galesburg;  Andrew,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Sparta  township ;  Albert,  who  lives  in  Oklahoma ;  Anna,  now  ^"'  ^-V 

Mrs.   Volk ;  Jennie,  who  married   S.   McKibben,  of  Copley  township ;  Christ,  •':;- 

who  lives  in  Sparta  township;  Sophia,  the  wife  of  L.  Weber,  of  Sparta  town-  .  ': 

ship;  William,  likewise  a  resident  of  Sparta  township;  Henry,  who  is  living  ;  ' 

in  Appleton,  Illinois;  and  Emma  and  Arthur,  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  ;, 

Mrs.  Volk  was  reared  to  womanhood  in  the  parental  home,  attending  the  - '  7 

common  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education.     At  the  age  of  nineteen  :..'-•'. 

years  she  became  the  wife  of  Herman  Volk,  their  marriage  occurring  on  the  f    . 

2Oth  of  February,  1883.     He  was  born  on  the  27th  of  November,   1856,  inv  !  :;v, 

Baden,  Germany,  a  son  of  Frank  Joseph  and  Gresinzia  (Gehring)  Volk.     The  '^ 

father  followed  the  butcher's  trade  in  the   fatherland.    In  their   family  were  "'•_'. 

four  children,  Herman,  Mary,  Joseph  and  Tony.     The  three  boys  are  all  buried  ^ 


y;-;C-^^^^:|    •  r::;  ;    .      ;:;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •.;:-;/.';•      823 

:  ; .: :  •     in   the   cemetery   at   Oneida,  while   the   daughter,    Mary,   is    now    married    and 
;,     V  t  lives  in  Galesburg.     Mrs.  Frank  Joseph  Volk  was  a  sister  of  Seaford  and  An- 
thony Gehring  and  Mrs.  Cummer,  of  Galesburg.     Herman  Volk  spent  the  first 
seventeen  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  land,  and  after  completing  his  education 
:  •;•:     he  learned  the  miller's  trade.     Desirous  of  opportunities,  such  as  the   father- 
.;.'      land  at  those  times  did  not  afford,  ambition-fired  and  seeking  more  liberal  con- 
-  •      '  ditions  of  life,  he  decided  to  come  to  America,  believing  that  here  he  would 
>:    ;    -  find  a  more  advantageous  field  for  earnest  endeavors  and  a  shorter  route  to 
V-.'     -  independent  position.     He  arrived  in  the  United  States  June  I,  1874,  making 
his  way  inland  to  Wataga,  Illinois,  where  for  a  time  he  worked  as  a  laborer. 
r  .       Later  he  went  to  the  home  of  his  uncle,  Anthony  Gehring,  who  was  a  farmer 
;'•"  .     and  assisted  him  in  the  cultivation  of  his  land  and  the  care  of  the  stock.     He 
.  V  '   •    was  an  energetic,   thrifty  young  man,   and   ultimately   acquired   the  means   to 
V     ;  buy  a  farm,  continuing  to  devote  his  energies  to  its  further  development  until 
his  death.     In  matters  of  faith,  Mr.  Volk  was  a  Presbyterian  and  always  took 
an  active  interest  in  the  work  of  the  church,  having  for  many  years  taught  a 
:  class   in   the    Sunday   school.     Fraternally   he   was   identified    with    the    Mystic 

', .       •  Workers,  being  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  90,  of  Galesburg.     His  political  sup- 
port he  gave  to  the  republican  party  and  served  for  some  years  as  a  member 
of  the  school  board.     He  was  a  good  business  man  and  capable  agriculturist 
;  and  was  meeting  with  deserved  success  in  the  cultivation  of  his  farm  and  the 

:'.•!        raising  of  stock  until  death  claimed  him.     Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
.:          Volk  there  were  born  the  following  children:     Grace  Etta,  who  was  born  on 
the  29th  of  April,   1887;  Maud,  whose  birth  occurred  on  October  20,   1890; 
Anna  Betsy,  who  was  born  on  January  12,  1893,  now  deceased;  Ida  Viola,  born 
;;-        on  February  25,  1895,  a  graduate  of  the  Oneida  high  school ;  Pearl  Sybil,  born 
•  .;        on  the  3d  of  November,  1896,  now  attending  school;  and  Ella,  who  was  born 
.:          on  the  20th  of  January,  1902,  and  died  in  infancy.     The  eldest  daughter.  Miss 
..  ;         Grace,  graduated   from  the  Oneida  high   school  with  the  class  of    1906,  after 
•V          which  she  pursued  a  commercial  course  in  Brown's  Business  College  at  Gales- 
;.;        burg,  and  is  now  a  bookkeeper.     The  second  daughter.  Miss  Maud,  also  gradu- 
ated  from  the  Oneida  high   school,   subsequently  attending  the   Central   State 
Normal,  and  is  now  teaching  her  third  term  of  school. 

.  The  family  all  attend  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  Mrs.  Volk  and  all 

her  children  hold  membership.     Both  the  mother  and  daughters  are  held   in 

:          high  esteem  in  Oneida,  where  they  have  many  friends.  .       •      -       - 


-"'•  7 1:' ''•;;:'';'• '  ;  ' '^••' :'-''':••     ENOCH  DALTON.V-- V.--\-.'  -  \\\: ••''':';•  ^'^i--'.C<'^: 

Enoch  Dalton,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  prominently  associated  with 
the  agricultural  interests  of  Elba  township,  Knox  county,  where  he  owned  a 
valuable  farm.  The  youngest  of  six  children,  he  was  born  June  6,  1845,  two 
and  a  half  miles  east  of  Douglas.  His  father,  Reuben  Dalton,  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  this  county  and  an  extensive  landowner  in  his  day,  died  when  Enoch 
Dalton  was  a  babe  nine  days  old,  leaving  the  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Nancy  Maise,  to  rear  the  six  children.  ;:•^•..'\  V-  ;-.  ; 


824  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .'•.?.;;; 

Enoch  Dalton  obtained  his  education  in  the  rural  schools  near  his  boyhood 
home  arid  when  old  enough  to  support  himself  left  for  Iowa,  where  he  found 
employment  as  a  stage  driver.  Continuing  in  this  occupation  for  some  time  he 
gave  it  up  at  length  and  came  to  Knox  county  to  follow  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  for  four  years  tilled  the  fields  owned  by  the  church  and  later  land  belong- 
ing to  Ziba  Adams,  whose  daughter  Elizabeth  he  married.  Mr.  Adams  was 
one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Knox  county,  coming  west  when  a  young 
man  from  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  born  September  20,  1820.  He  carried 
on  farming  in  addition  to  the  carpenter  trade  in  which  he  was  proficient.  On 
the  8th  of  April,  1847,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Delilah  Gullett  who  was 
born  December  17,  1828,  and  departed  this  life  December  21,  1904.  There  were 
seven  children  in  the  Adams  family,  of  whom  all  but  one  are  living. 

Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Enoch  Dalton :  Theodora,  who 
lives  near  Yates  City:  Nancy,  the  wife  of  George  King,  who  lives  north  of  her 
mother's  homestead  and  has  two  children,  Maud  E.  and  Genevieve ;  Mollie, 
the  wife  of  Robert  Robison,  who  has  one  child,  Helen ;  Albert  who  lives  at  home ; 
Edith,  the  wife  of  Floyd  Heller,  who  lives  south  of  the  home  farm  and  has  one 
child,  Harold ;  Earl,  at  home ;  Fred,  at  home ;  Newton,  living  south  of  the  home 
farm,  who  married  Irene  Coleman  and  has  two  children.  Bertha  and  Frances ; 
and  Florence,  the  wife  of  Ernest  Metcalf,  who  has  one  child.  Opal. 

Mr.  Dalton  continued  to  follow  farming  throughout  his  life  and  met  with 
well  deserved  success  in  his  labors.  He  died  February  12,  1904,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-eight  years,  seven  months,  and  six  days.  In  his  political  views  he  was 
a  democrat  and  with  his  family  worshiped  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
Generous  and  kind  almost  to  a  fault  he  was  devoted  to  the  interests  of  his 
family  and  left  them  not  only  in  comfortable  circumstances  but  bequeathed 
them  likewise  an  honored  name.  ;  .  ;  .  •;.-  ..  .  •. 


_:;-:.:/  THOMAS  B.  SHAFFER.        '^V:     ; 

Thomas  B.  ShaflFer,  a  well  known  druggist  of  Oneida,  has  been  identified 
with  the  commercial  activities  of  Knox  county  for  the  past  nine  years.  His  birth 
occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  Williamsfield  on  the  3ist  of  December,  1876,  his 
parents  being  Benjamin  and  Sarah  L.  (Foster)  ShaflFer.  His  father  was  born 
and  reared  in  Pennsylvania,  whence  he  came  to  Illinois  during  the  pioneer  days, 
and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

After  completing  the  course  of  the  common  schools,  Thomas  B.  Shaffer 
entered  Knox  College,  where  he  studied  for  three  years.  Having  decided  to  go 
into  the  drug  business,  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  matriculated  in  the 
Chicago  College  of  Pharmacy,  and  he  also  studied  for  a  time  at  Drake  Uni- 
versity, Highland  Park,  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  After  receiving  his  degree  he  was 
employed  for  a  year  in  the  drug  store  of  Dr.  T.  E.  Alyea  at  Princeville,  Illi- 
nois, and  resigning  his  position  at  the  end  of  that  time  to  take  a  similar  place 
in  a  drug  store  at  that  place,  where  he  likewise  remained  a  year.  Feeling 
that  he  was  fully  qualified  both  theoretically  and  practically  to  undertake  the 
management  of  a  place  of  his  own,  in  1902  he  came  to  Oneida  and  purchased 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ::;?;.;     825 


the  store  of  E.  L.  Jimison.     Mr.  Shaffer  has  a  very  good  location,  and  carries         •      '•• 
a  full  and  complete  line  of  drugs,  patent  medicines  and  such  toilet  articles  and       ;  J  ;' 
sundries  as  are  usually  to  be  found  in  establishments  of  this  kind.     His  busi- 
ness is  conducted  in  a  thoroughly  up-to-date  manner,  and,  owing  to  the  gracious        .  -'  ;; 
treatment  accorded  all  patrons  as  well  as  the  quality  of  the  goods  offered  for          .    '. 
sale,  his  has  become  one  of  the  thriving  enterprises  of  the  town.  :    .      : 

At  Grande  Ridge,  Illinois,  by  Rev.  O.  P.  Graves,  on  the  23d  of  June,  1910,          v 
Mr.   Shaffer  was  united  in  marriage  to   Miss   Stella  A.   Peterson,  a  daughter          - 
of  Charles  A.  Peterson.     Mr.  Shaffer  is  affiliated  with  Oneida  Lodge,  No.  337,  V. 

F.  &  A.  M. ;  Oneida  Chapter,  No.  173.  R.  A.  M. ;  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star;         ;  - 
and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  at  Galesburg.     He  maintains        '-    . 
relations  with  the  other  members  of  his  profession  through  the  medium  of  his         -^  -    • 
connection   with  the  Association  of  Retail   Druggists;   Illinois   Pharmaceutical         ^^ 
Association ;  and  the  Knox  County  Druggists  Association,  of  which  he  is  the        ; 
vice  president.     He  is  registered  in  both  Illinois  and  Iowa  and  is,  there fore,:\Vi; 
entitled  to  follow  his  profession  in  either  state.    In  his  political  views  Mr.  Shaffer        ,     • 
has  always  been  independent,  and  he  gives  his  support  to  the  men  and  meas-          •  • .' 
ures  he  deems  best  qualified  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  situation,  regardless 
of  party  affiliation.     He  is  one  of  the  public-spirited  and  progressive  men  of          ;     ' 
the  town,  who  is  conducting  his  business  in  accordance  with  the  highest  prin-.    •  '       :- 
ciples  governing  commercial  activities  and  as  a  result  wins  and  retains  the  respect        - 
of  all  with  whom  he  has  transations.  .  :     ° 


^.;:.;' ;--:':^  • :  :  ]-  .,-;; -.':':    THOMAS  AUSTIN.     .;. ;   ._.;>';/:; 

One  of  the  best  known  citizens  of  Abingdon  is  Thomas  Austin,  who   for 
over  a  half  century  has  been  actively  identified  with  the  business  interests  of: 
the  town.     He  was  born  in  Norfolk  county,  England,  on  the  2ist  of  March, 
1834,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  A.  (Wells)  Austin,  natives  of  the  same          ; 
county,  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives.     Thomas  Austin,  Sr.,  was  a  black-         ; 
smith  by  trade,  as  was  his  father,  James  Austin,  and  two  of  his  brothers,  while  .^    - 
he  in  turn  also  reared  three  of  his  sons  to  the  same  vocation. 

Thomas  Austin,  after  finishing  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  entered 
his  father's  shop,  where  he  learned  his  trade.     He  had  long  been  strongly  at-          : 
tracted  toward  America,  with  its  many  advantages  and  innumerable  opportuni- 
ties, and  on  the  2ist  of  January,  1855,  he  took  passage  on  a  sailing  vessel  for  the         '' 
United  States.     He  landed  at  New  York  early  in  March,  having  spent  forty  .f^ 
days  on  the  Atlantic.     His  destination  was  Lockport,   Illinois,  where  he  had 
several  relatives  living,  among  them  a  brother  of  his  mother's,  who  was  a  distiller 
and  a  prominent  business  man  of  the  town.     He  took  up  his  residence  with  his         ' 
uncle  on  the  8th  of  March,  1855,  and  soon  thereafter  became  his  business  part- 
ner,  but  owing  to  a  disagreement  on  June  20,  1856,  he  severed  his  connection 
with  his  relative  and  went  to  Morgan  county.     After  remaining  there  for  a 
short  time  he  started  on  a  trip  through  Iowa  and  Nebraska  seeking  a  location         V 
for  a  shop.    Not  finding  anything  to  suit  him,  he  was  on  his  way  back  to  Lock-         ;^ 
port,  when  Jonathan  Latimer,  whom  he  met  on  the  train,  prevailed  upon  him 


826  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

to  come  to  Abingdon.  He  did  so,  finding  employment  as  a  blacksmith  with  Lati- 
mer  &  Shaffer,  who  were  wagonmakers.  On  the  2Oth  of  July,  1857,  Mr.  Aus- 
tin opened  a  blacksmith  shop  in  Abingdon,  which  he  has  ever  since  operated. 

On  the  3Oth  of  October,  1862,  Mr.  Austin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eliza  J.  McElrea,  who  at  that  time  was  residing  in  Indian  Point  township. 
Mrs.  Austin  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  but  is  of  Irish  extraction, 
her  father  having  been  a  native  of  the  Emerald  isle.  Three  children  were  born 
of  this  marriage,  but  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  Anna  M.,  the  wife  qf  Charles 
Harshberger,  of  Abingdon.  ;  ':--l 

:  In  December,  1853,  while  still  a  resident  of  the  mother  country,  Mr.  Austin 
joined  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge,  but  has  never  affiliated  with  the  organization  since 
coming  to  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Austin  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  but  his  religious  views  do  not  conform  to  those  of  any  creed,  although 
he  contributes  toward  the  support  of  the  churches  and  various  charitable  or- 
ganizations. In  politics  he  is  a  democrat  in  national  issues,  but  casts  an  inde- 
pendent ballot  at  local  elections.  He  served  for  two  years  as  mayor  of  Abing-, 
don  and  for  an  equal  period  as  county  supervisor,  while  for  three  years  he  was 
on  the  local  school  board,  refusing  to  serve  for  a  longer  period.  He  also  acted 
as  alderman  for  a  year.  Mr.  Austin  has  always  been  a  wide  reader  of  both 
philosophy  and  history  and  is  one  of  the  well  informed  men  of  his  community. 
He  has  ever  been  noted  for  his  remarkable  memory,  and  is  generally  regarded 
as  having  a  more  vivid  recollection  and  better  knowledge  of  Abingdon's  early 
history  than  any  other  living  citizen.  It  is  customary  for  those  in  doubt  about 
any  fact  of  early  local  history  to  refer  the  enquirer  to  "Tom"  Austin,  feeling 
confident  that  the  desired  information  can  be  obtained  there.  During  the  long 
period  of  his  residence  in  the  United  States,  Mr.  Austin  has  never  had  occa- 
sion to  regret  transferring  his  allegiance  to  the  younger  country,  having  here 
met  with  a  fair  degree  of  success.  .  ..  ;  -., 


./;':-:,/;; :./:^  •     ;••:     WILLIAM  B.  MAIN.     V::- ::/;•':->'-:•, 

William  B.  Main,  deceased,  a  resident  of  the  town  of  Abingdon  for  more 
than  three  decades,  who  for  a  number  of  years  was  prominently  identified  with 
its  business  interests  as  a  leading  hardware  merchant,  has  lived  retired  from.; 
1896  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  January,  1912.  His  birth  occurred  on 
Snowdon  Hill.  Otsego  county.  New  York,  on  the  7th  of  December,  1835.  ^'S 
parents  being  Thomas  P.  and  Laura  (Allen)  Main.  The  first  emigrant  ancestor 
of  the  Main  family  came  to  the  United  States  from  the  vicinity  of  Edinburgh, 
Scotland,  in  May,  1680,  landing  in  New  York  and  thence  going  to  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  where  he  took  up  his  abode.  William  B.  Main  represented  the 
sixth  generation  of  the  family  in  this  country.  Thomas  P.  Main,  the  father  of 
William  B.  Main,  was  born  in  Otsego  county.  New  York,  on  the  old  Main 
homestead  which  had  been  in  possession  of  the  family  for  several  generations, 
his  natal  day  being  May  31,  1798.  He  remained  in  his  native  county  until 
1838  and  then  removed  to  Bainbridge,  Chenango  county.  New  York.  The  tract 
on  which  he  settled  was  a  primeval  forest  and  his  first  task  was  the  clearing  of 


WILLIAM  B.  MAIX 


826  .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

to  come  to  Abingdon.  He  did  so,  finding  employment  as  a  blacksmith  with  Lati- 
mer  &  Shaffer,  \vho  were  wagonmakers.  On  the  2Otli  of  July,  1857,  Mr.  Aus- 
tin opened  a  blacksmith  shop  in  Abingdon.  which  he  has  ever  since  operated. 

On  the  3Oth  of  October.  1862.  Mr.  Austin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eliza  J.  McElrea,  who  at  that  time  was  residing  in  Indian  Point  township. 
Mrs.  Austin  was  born  in  Warren  county.  Illinois,  but  is  of  Irish  extraction, 
her  father  having  been  a  native  of  the  Emerald  isle.  Three  children  were  born 
of  this  marriage,  but  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  Anna  M.,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Harshberger,  of  Abingdon. 

In  December.  1853,  while  still  a  resident  of  the  mother  country,  Mr.  Austin 
joined  the  Odd  Eellows  lodge,  but  has  never  affiliated  with  the  organization  since 
coming  to  the  I'nited  States.  Mrs.  Austin  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  but  his  religious  views  do  not  conform  to  those  of  any  creed,  although 
he  contributes  toward  the  support  of  the  churches  and  various  charitable  or- 
ganizations. In  jwlitics  he  is  a  democrat  in  national  issues,  but  casts  an  inde- 
pendent ballot  at  local  elections.  He  server!  for  two  years  as  mayor  of  Abing- 
don and  for  an  e(|ual  period  as  county  supervisor,  while  for  three  years  he  was 
on  the  local  school  board,  refusing  to  serve  for  a  longer  period.  He  also  acted 
as  alderman  for  a  year.  Mr.  Austin  has  always  been  a  wide  reader  of  both 
philosophy  and  history  and  is  one  of  the  well  informed  men  of  his  community. 
He  has  ever  been  noted  for  his  remarkal)lc  memory,  and  is  generally  regarded 
as  having  a  more  vivid  recollection  and  better  knowledge  of  Abingdon's  early 
history  than  any  other  living  citizen.  It  is  customary  for  those  in  doubt  about 
any  fact  of  early  local  history  to  refer  the  encjuirer  to  "Tom"  Austin,  feeling 
confident  that  the  desired  information  can  be  obtained  there.  During  the  long 
period  of  his  residence  in  the  United  States,  Mr.  Austin  has  never  had  occa- 
sion to  regret  transferring  his  allegiance  to  the  younger  country,  having  here 
met  with  a  fair  degree  of  success. 


i.  WILLIAM  B.  MAIX. 

William  P..  Main,  deceased,  a  resident  of  the  town  of  Abingdon  for  more 
than  three  decades,  who  for  a  number  of  years  was  prominently  identified  with 
its  business  interests  as  a  leading  hardware  merchant,  has  lived  retired  from 
1896  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  in  January.  1912.  His  birth  occurred  on 
Snowdon  llill.  Otsego  county,  Xew  York,  on  the  Jth  of  December.  1835.  His 
parents  being  Thomas  P.  and  Laura  (Allen)  Main.  The  first  emigrant  ancestor 
of  the  ^^ain  family  came  to  the  I'nited  States  from  the  vicinity  of  Edinburgh, 
Scotland,  in  May.  iTiRo,  landing  in  Xew  York  and  thence  going  to  Stonington, 
Connecticut,  where  he  took  up  his  abode.  William  B.  Main  represented  the 
sixth  generation  of  the  family  in  this  country.  Thomas  P.  Main,  the  father  of 
William  15.  Main,  was  born  in  Otsego  county,  Xew  York,  on  the  old  Main 
homestead  which  had  been  in  ])ossession  of  the  family  for  several  generations, 
his  natal  day  being  May  31,  1798.  He  remained  in  his  native  county  until 
1838  and  then  removed  to  Bainbridge.  Chenango  county,  Xew  York.  The  tract 
on  which  he  settled  was  a  primeval  forest  and  his  first  task  was  the  clearing  of 


\\II.I.IAM    I!.    MAIN 


;;';•',;;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :     \-..,  829 

a  site  for  a  log  cabin,  which  he  erected.    Our  subject  was  then  about  four  years 

;,  •        of  age.     Thomas  Main  had  incurred  a  debt  of  about  two  hundred  dollars  and 

,  .;         was  unable  to  discharge  it  until  some  sixteen  years  later,  when  his  son  William 

'.  .     left  the  parental  roof  and  at  which  time  the  farm  was  cleared  of  trees  as  well 

>.;-'•  as  indebtedness.     Thomas  P.  Main  passed  away  on  the  27th  of  July,  1878,  at 

'^'    ;'.'  Boone,  Iowa,  where  he  had  removed  some  twelve  years  earlier  and  where  a 

;•'.;;•; 'son  and  daughter  had  preceded  him.     In  his  family  there  were  eight  children. 

' ,;  •'  V;  For  many  years  he  was  recognized  as  a  pillar  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 

'•  .;\''  acting  as  class  leader  and  Sunday  school  superintendent  and  long  serving  in  one 

';::.-;•  official  capacity  or  another.     His  wife,  whose  natal  year  was  1808,  was  also  a 

.         '  representative  of  an  old  New  England  family  of  English  descent.     Her  demise 

:  '          occurred  soon  after  she  and  her  husband  had  established  their  home  in  Chenango 

-.  •  ;  i    county.  New  York. 

'•:.      •         William  B.  Main  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  but  his 
advantages  in  this  direction  were  meager,  for  his  services  were  required  on  the 
home  farm  and  he  was  able  to  attend  school  for  only  about  two  months  each 
winter,  often  being  too  busy  to  begin  his  studies  until  after  the  ist  of  January. 
•V.:        On  attaining  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account, 
'  '          securing  employment  as  a  farm  hand  in  Chenango  county.     In  1857  he  came  to 
Altona,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  here  breaking  prairie  and  operating  a  threshing 
'.  :          machine  and  working  as  post  driver  until   i86i.     In  that  year  he  enlisted  for 
;.          three  year's  service  in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  member  of  Company   I, 
/'       ':  Seventeenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  on  the  25th  of  May.     At  the  siege  of 
Fort  Donelson,  however,  he  was  obliged  to  sleep  on  the  snow  and  share  one 
••''•        blanket  with  two  other  men,  contracting  a  severe  cold.     This  together  with  a 
chronic  enteric  sickness,  reduced  his  weight  from  one  hundred  and  sixty  to  one 
hundred  and  six  pounds  and  on  April  28,  1862,  he  was  discharged  on  account 
V          of  disability.     He  returned  to  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  was  an  invalid  through- 
;        out  the  summer.     In  the  fall  he  took  up  railroad  work  and  was  soon  afterward 
'  '-^        made  a  conductor  on  the  Burlington  road,  running  a  freight  train  from  Gales- 
;         burg  to  Aurora   for   seven   years   and   a  passenger   train   from   Galesburg  to 
-':'-'•        Peoria  for  ten  years.     In  1878,  in  company  with  A.  J.  Shaw  and  William  Win- 
cup,  he  went  to  northwestern  Texas  and  acquired  some  twenty  thousand  acres 
of  land  in  Floyd  and  Hale  counties.     Buying  railroad  land  warrants,  paying 
.; '.        sixty-five  dollars  for  warrants  covering  six  hundred  and  forty  acres,  and  also 
'  •:         incurring  additional  expense  for  surveys  and  entrance  fees,  the  land  cost  them 

about  one  hundred  and  five  dollars  per  section.  ii.     ^:  /.. 

',       .         After  returning  to  Galesburg,  Mr.  Main  resumed  his  railroad  work.     In  the 

•  r          fall  of  1878  he  traded  some  Texas  land  for  one  of  the  best  residences  in  Abing- 

don  as  well  as  a  farm  near  the  town.     In  the  spring  of  1879  he  came  to  Abing- 

•  .  don  and  has  here  resided  continuously  up  to  his  demise.     He  left  the  railroad 

;•  service  in  October,  1879,  and  on  the  ist  of  June,  i88i,  purchased  the  hardware 

";•  business  of  H.  L.  Chaffee,  of  Abingdon,  remaining  one  of  the  leading  merchants 

-  ,  of  the  town  for  about  fifteen  years.     In  1896,  having  accumulated  a  handsome 

v;  competence,  he  put  aside  active  business  cares,  turned  his  establishment  over 

'.  to  his  son-in-law,  C.  D.  Byram,  to  enjoy  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life  in 

•J  honorable  retirement.     He  was  likewise  a  prominent  factor  in  financial  circles, 

serving  as  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  for  some  years  and  as  a  director 


830  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    -'xv     ? 

'  "'  '  I  ,  ••*'^- •"*• ' 

of  the  institution   until  January    i,   1911,   when   he   withdrew   and   turned   his  .•'  .- 

banking  interests  over  to  his  son-in-law.     For  twenty  years  he  acted  as  trustee  -:=;    ' 
of  Hedding  College  and  for  several  years  was  chairman  of  the  finance  corn-      ;.'. 
mittee  and  treasurer  of  the  college.                                                 .     •         1      ;  '  .  -  :'    '"  : 

On  the  1 7th  of  January,  1865,  Mr.  Main  was  united  in  marriage  to  M!iss  Har-  .--.;'. 

riet  M.  Bills,  of  Bainbridge,  New  York,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Carrie  v;." 

E.,  the  wife  of  C.  D.  Byram ;  and  George  W.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Kansas  City,  .j  ^" 

Missouri.     Mr.  Main  was  formerly  identified  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  '1.: 

a  demitted  member  of  the  blue  lodge,  the  chapter,  commandery  and  Eastern  .V, 

Star.     He  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ••;.; 

church,  to  which  his  wife  now  belongs.    Mr.  Main  died  in  January,  1912,  in  the  i'.;,; 
seventy-eighth  year  of  his  life.     He  enjoyed  to  a  large  extent  the  respect  and      ;- 

veneration  of  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him  in  a  business  or  social  way  and  '  ; 
is  sincerely  mourned  by  a  host  of  friends  who  reverently  cherish  his  memory.  -  • 
His  loss  is  irreparable  to  his  immediate  family,  to  whom  he  was  the  most  devoted  ;  .. 

and  loving  husband  and  father.  .:y.'.: 


,:     ;;y  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  SHAFFER.      ^^      ^ 

•  Benjamin  Franklin  Shaffer,  who  has  resided  in  Knox  county  for  fifty-seven 
years,  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  highly  respected  citizens  within  its 
borders.  The  earlier  years  of  his  manhood  were  spent  as  a  farmer  and  stock- 
man, while  later  he  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  pursuits.  At  the  present 
time,  however,  he  is  living  on  his  farm  adjoining  the  town  of  Williamsfield. 
His  birth  occurred  near  Youngwomans  Town,  Cameron  county,  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  ist  of  January,  1848,  his  parents  being  Benjamin  B.  and  Elizabeth 
(Caldwell)  Shaffer.  The  father  was  born  near  Sinnamahoning,  Clinton  county, 
Pennsylvania,  while  the  mother's  birth  occurred  near  Youngwomans  Town, 
Cameron  county,  that  state.  Both  were  consistent  and  devoted  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Benjamin  B.  Shaffer  was  a  local  minister 
for  many  years  and  while  in  Pennsylvania  also  engaged  in  the  lumber  business. 
In  1855  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
in  Truro  township,  Knox  county.  ,.  r-:  =  •..•.';!  v  ;.  '^ 

Benjamin  Franklin  Shaffer,  who  was  a  little  lad  of  seven  when  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  this  county,  obtained  his  early  education  in  a  district  school 
and  later  continued  his  studies  in  the  Yates  City  high  school.  Together  with 
two  brothers,  he  also  assisted  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm,  thus  early 
becoming  familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agri- 
culturist. When  twenty-two  years  of  age,  his  father  having  taken  up  his  abode 
in  Yates  City,  our  subject  rented  the  homestead  place  and  turned  his  attention 
to  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  his  own  account,  devoting  considerable  time 
to  stock.  A  great  lover  of  animals  he  takes  keen  interest  in  stock  of  all  kinds 
and  was  one  of  the  first  to  introduce  imported  Norman  horses.  While  on  the 
farm  he  met  with  a  serious  accident,  which  crippled  him  for  life  and  made  him 
unable  to  walk  without  crutches  for  six  or  eight  years.  Finding  it  difficult  to 
carry  on  the  work  of  the  fields  thus  handicapped,  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'v    •  v    n     831 

business  at  Douglas,  Illinois,  in  1882,  remaining  there  until  1888,  when  he 
removed  to  Williamsfield,  where  he  conducted  the  first  store  and  also  the  post- 
•  office.  At  the  end  of  two  years  his  health  had  become  so  impaired  that  he 
abandoned  mercantile  pursuits  and  traded  his  store  for  some  Kansas  land  and 
Norman  horses.  Since  that  time  he  has  resided  on  his  farm  adjoining  the 
town  of  Williamsfield,  now  making  his  home  with  his  two  youngest  children. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1874,  Mr.  Shaffer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  Lydia  Foster,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah  H.  Foster.  The 
first  representative  of  the  family  in  this  country  was  the  grandfather  of  Mrs. 
Shaffer,  a  successful  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  who  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1834.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  had  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  yet 
living.  Thomas  B.,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  on  another  page  of  this  work, 
is  a  druggist  of  Oneida.  Bertha  Aves,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  I4th  of 
August,  1880,  attended  Knox  College  and  also  received  an  excellent  musical 
education,  teaching  that  art  for  a  time.  On  the  23d  of  June,  1909,  she  gave 
her  hand  in  marriage  to  James  A.  McHenry,  of  Cofleyville,  Kansas,  who  acts 
as  cashier  for  the  Missouri  Pacific  Railroad  Company  at  that  place.  Ada 
Elizabeth,  whose  natal  day  was  May  12,  1884,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Williams- 
field  high  school  and  followed  the  profession  of  teaching  for  a  number  of 
years.  William  Caldwell,  who  was  born  on  the  ist  of  February,  1886,  is  also 
a  graduate  of  the  Williamsfield  high  school. 

Mr.  Shaffer  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democracy  and  for  many 
years  has  served  as  school  director  and  commissioner  of  highways.  For  six 
years  he  acted  as  democratic  chairman  of  Truro  township  and  during  both  of 
President  Cleveland's  administrations  held  the  office  of  postmaster,  serving  dur- 
ing  his  first  term  at  Douglas,  Illinois,  and  during  his  second  term  at  Williams- 
field.  In  1869  he  joined  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  but  later  resigned  therefrom 
and  in  1888  became  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  of  which 
he  is  still  a  member.  Since  1898  he  has  also  belonged  to  the  Bankers  Life 
Association.  In  the  county  where  he  has  resided  from  early  boyhood.  Mr. 
Shaffer  has  a  circle  of  friends  that  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his 
acquaintances. 


MICHAEL  BAYMILLER. 


Michael  Baymiller,  who  for  the  past  twenty-one  years  has  lived  retired  in  ' 
Abingdon,  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  2Oth  of 
October,  1835.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Smith)  Baymiller.  natives  of 
York  county,  that  state,  where  they  were  also  married.  Later  they  located  in 
Cumberland  county,  whence  they  migrated  to  Ohio,  settling  in  Columbiana 
county,  subsequently  removing  to  Harrison  and  later  to  Montgomery  counties. 
In  1854  they  came  to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm  in  McDonough  county  that 
he  cultivated  until  his  retirement,  when  he  went  to  Industry,  where  he  was 
living  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  Baymiller,  who  was  a  veteran  of 
the  war  of  1812,  was  a  stanch  democrat  in  his  political  principles,  but  was 


832  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ''K-    .', 

never  an  office  seeker.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  ardent  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  they  reared  their  family. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Michael  Baymiller  were  spent  in  the  country, 
his  education  being  obtained  in  the  district  schools.  When  he  had  attained  the 
age  of  eighteen  years  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  but  upon 
the  completion  of  his  period  of  service  returned  to  the  farm.  He  devoted  his 
energies  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  until  1862  and  in  September  of  that  year 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  I,  Seventy-eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry and  went  to  the  front.  He  saw  much  hard  service,  participating  in  the 
battles  of  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Rocky  Face,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Bentonville  and  the  siege  of  Atlanta.  He  was  also  with 
Sherman  when  he  made  his  famous  march  to  the  sea.  On  the  7th  of  June, 
1865,  he  was  mustered  out  and  returning  home,  spent  the  ensuing  year  on  his 
father's  farm.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  opened  a  shop  and  for  five 
years  thereafter  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  cabinet-maker's  trade.  He 
withdrew  from  this  in  1871  and  engaged  in  carpentry  work  and  contracting 
during  the  remaining  period  of  his  active  career.  About  1890  he  removed  to 
Abingdon,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided  and  is  held  in  high  esteem. 

Mr.  Baymiller  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  having  been  with  ^fiss 
Mahala  Pennington  of  Industry  township,  McDonough  county,  in  1860.  One 
son  was  born  unto  them,  Joel  Franklin,  who  is  residing  in  Pullman,  Washing- 
ton. Mrs.  Baymiller  died  while  he  was  in  the  service  and  in  1866  he  was 
married  the  second  time,  his  choice  being  Miss  Martha  A.  Carroll,  also  of 
Industry.  Of  this  union  there  were  born  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Minnie  M.,  who  is  an  osteopath  physician;  and  Clarence  B.,  a  principal  of 
a  Peoria  school.  Both  are  graduates  of  Hedding  College.  The  mother  of 
these  children  passed  away  in  1905. 

Politically,  Mr.  Baymiller  is  a  prohibitionist,  thus  voicing  his  views  on  the 
liquor  question  and,  in  matters  of  faith,  he  is  a  Methodist.  He  is  well  known 
in  Abingdon  and  although  he  has  never  taken  any  part  in  the  public  life  of 
the  town  has,  by  reason  of  his  many  fine  personal  qualities,  won  the  high  regard 
and  friendship  of  many  of  the  best  citizens. 


'   V-    r  J.  A.  SWEBORG.         ,•:; 

One  of  the  thrifty  and  enterprising  citizens  of  Cedar  township,   who   for  .y  ;  -:  • 

thirty-one  years  has  been  successfully  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests  .' •  ', 

of  Knox  county,  is  J.  A.  Sweborg.     His  birth  occurred  in  Linkoping,  Sweden,  '.'•'•••;; 

on   February  23,   1840,  his   parents  being  Johanas  and   Catherine    (Peterson)  •    ••    :• 

Sweborg,  both  of  whom  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Sweden,  where  the  father  X;  .  ' 

engaged  in  carpentry  work  and  farming.    The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sweborg  ',   .    .; 

numbered  five,  as  follows:     Anna  and  Andrew  P.,  both  of  whom  continue  to  -.v.V    v 

live  in  the  old  country;  Caroline,  who  is  a  resident  of   Bloomington,  Illinois;  .  "    ' 

Dolinda,  who  is  also  in  Sweden;  and  J.  A.,  our  subject.  <:'•''-. 

The  common  schools  of  his  native  land  provided  J.  A.  Sweborg  with  such  .'       ;, 

educational  advantages  as  he  enjoyed  during  his  early  boyhood.    The  first  twenty-  „>-  .  . 


•'•.;_  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,  .; ;  ^••,     838 

eight  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  the  old  country,  but  being  ambitious  and 
energetic  he  early  determined  to  come  to  America,  feeling  assured  that  here  he 
would  find  greater  opp)ortunities.  In  1868  he  took  passage  for  the  United 
States,  arriving  here  with  a  capital  of  six  dollars.  He  first  located  in  Gales- 
burg  but  after  working  there  for  a  short  time  went  to  Knoxville,  where  for 
several  years  he  held  the  position  of  section  foreman  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Quincy  Railroad.  Possessing  the  thrift  that  usually  characterizes  the  people 
of. his  country  he  had  carefully  saved  a  portion  of  his  earnings  until  in  1880 
he  had  accumulated  sufficient  means  to  enable  him  to  engage  in  farming.  He 
first  located  in  Orange  township,  where  he  spent  nineteen  years,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  which  period  he  removed  to  his  present  homestead  in  Cedar  township. 
Here  he  owns  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  fertile  land,  upon  which  he 
has  wrought  extensive  improvements,  and  is  successfully  engaged  in  general 
farming.  ::•->-;  ^v'-':  .•  -:•  ;- 

In  1871  Mr.  Sweborg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caroline  Anderson, 
and  of  this  union  there  were  born  four  children :  Ernest,  who  follows  the 
carf>enter's  trade  in  Galesburg;  Albin  J.,  who  is  living  on  a  farm  adjoining  his 
father's  place ;  and  Amanda  and  A.  D.,  both  of  whom  are  at  home. 
-  In  religious  matters  the  family  have  always  affiliated  with  the  Swedish  Luth- 
eran church  of  which  the  parents  are  members.  Mr.  Sweborg  is  one  of  those 
energetic  and  industrious  Scandinavians  who  have  figured  so  prominently  in  the 
agricultural  development  of  the  great  middle  west,  of  which  they  have  become 
an  integral  part.  0 ;;''•••.••  '  .,"::••••'•-••:' •:^;:V;'^':-'-'' ;.^"-^';".' '  ^  '^'-vj: '.::.'•'•.,''•'. ,v''\'- 


:  ;  T  N.  HENRY  McGIRR.      -  v   "v 

Varied  interests  engage  the  attention  of  N.  Henry  McGirr,  who  is  one  of 
the  extensive  property  owners  of  Maquon  township  in  addition  to  which  he 
operates  a  farming  machinery  and  implement  store,  and  a  blacksmith  and 
machinery  repair  shop  at  Maquon.  His  present  homestead,  which  is  three  and 
a  half  miles  from  Maquon,  is  located  across  the  road  from  the  farm  where  his 
birth  occurred  on  April  9,  1860.  His  father,  Mahlon  McGirr,  was  bom  in  Stark 
county,  Ohio,  in  1827,  and  there  he  spent  the  first  eleven  years  of  his  life.  His 
.next  place  of  residence  was  Washington  county,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  for  about 
twelve  years,  and  then  came  to  Maquon.  He  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade 
in  Ohio,  but  after  coming  here,  he  did  carpentry  work,  but  subsequently  with- 
drew from  this  trade  and  took  up  farming,  which  he  followed  until  his  death 
at  the  age  of  sixty-seven.  Eor  his  wife  Mr.  McGirr  chose  Miss  Sarah  L.  Bar- 
bero,  and  together  they  at  one  time  owned  four  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres 
of  land  in  Knox  county,  a  portion  of  this  now  being  the  property  of  our  sub- 
ject. Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGirr  there  were  born  six  children: 
Leslie;  Levi;  N.  Henry,  our  subject;  Frederick,  who  is  deceased;  Rosie  L. ; 
and  Mary.  In  his  religious  faith  the  father  was  a  Quaker.  :.-.  -  .'- .  • 

Reared  in  the  township  where  he  was  born  N.  Henry  McGirr  attended  tlie 
district  schools  of  the  vicinity  until  he  was  old  enough  to  begin  preparations 
for  his  real  life  work.  After  laying  aside  his  school  books,  he  entered  a  black- 


;-;;/•  •' •  •  , .    •:       -     •  ':--  •.,:•'•  ••'•:. .;,..•  ^ ;      '''^-^-''-^'^-^^^^V^'-'^f^'-K  .-'-;''• 

834  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -  :^-     '  '  -  J  .     ^^ 

smith  shop  in  Maquon,  where  he  learned  the  trade.  As  soon  as  he  became  self- 
supporting,  like  the  majority  of  ambitious  young  men  he  was  desirous  of  see- 
ing the  world,  so  he  set  out  for  the  west,  where  he  spent  a  few  years.  Re- 
turning to  Maquon  he  established  a  shop  that  he  operated  for  a  time,  and  then 
went  to  the  Black  Hills,  where  he  remained  until  1888.  In  the  latter  year  he 
located  in  Galesburg,  taking  a  position  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad,  where  for  five  years  and  ten  months  he  was  fireman  on  an  engine.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  decided  to  take  up  farming,  and  after  his  father's 
death,  in  1894,  he  returned  to  Maquon  township.  Here  he  now  owns  three  hun- 
dred and  four  acres  of  fine  land,  the  greater  part  of  which  he  rents  to  his  son, 
devoting  his  entire  attention  to  conducting  his  business.  In  his  store  is  to  be 
found  practically  everything  in  the  way  of  farming  implements,  machinery, 
hardware,  fences,  seed  or  appliances  of  any  kind  needed  by  the  average  agri- 
culturist. He  also  has  a  shop  where  he  repairs  machinery  of  all  kinds  and 
also  does  horseshoeing,  and  such  other  work  as  is  usually  done  in  a  blacksmith 
establishment.  Rare  mechanical  skill  and  business  sagacity  have  enabled  Mr. 
McGirr  'to  make  a  success  of  anything  he  has  undertaken,  and  he  is  now  one  of 
the  substantial  and  highly  prosperous  citizens  of  Maquon  township. 

For  his  companion  and  helpmate  on  life's  journey  he  chose  Miss  Eva  May 
McCord,  of  this  county,  and  they  have  one  son,  Glenn,  who  was  born  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1884.  He  married  Miss  Freda  Bearmore  and  they  have  two  children, 
Nona  and  Eva.  Glenn  McGirr  is  one  of  the  successful  young  agriculturists  of 
Knox  county  and  now  operates  the  greater  part  of  his  father's  land. 

Fraternally  Mr.  McGirr  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Work- 
men, and  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican  party,  but  has  always 
been  too  deeply  engrossed  in  promoting  his  own  interests  to  devote  much  at- 
tention to  political  activities. 


GEORGE  P.  EDMUNDSON. 


Possessing  those  qualities — industry,  energy  and  perseverance — so  neces- 
sary for  success  in  any  line  of  activity,  George  P.  Edmundson  has,  by  close  appli-, 
cation  and  wise  management,  brought  himself  to  a  creditable  place  among  the 
substantial  agriculturists  of  Knox  county,  within  whose  borders  his  entire  life 
has  been  spent.  He  was  born  in  Indian  Point  township,  on  the  6th  of  July, 
1853,  a  son  of  William  and  Anna  Edmundson,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and 
Ohio  respectively.  The  parents  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  as  early  as  1840, 
and  here  located  upon  land  which  is  now  in  possession  of  our  subject.  At  that 
time  land  was  very  reasonable  in  this  locality  and  Mr.  Edmundson  became  the 
owner,  through  purchase,  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-two  acres  located  in  In- 
dian Point  township,  to  the  development  and  improvement  of  which  he  devoted 
his  time  and  attention  throughout  his  remaining  days.  He  and  his  wife  are  both 
now  deceased.  Of  their  family  of  nine  children  four  are  yet  surviving.  The 
sisters  of  our  subject  are  Elizabeth,  Josephine  and  Maria  Thursy,  the  latter  the 
wife  of  Luke  Fielder,  of  Knox  county.  .  .  .  _  .  .  ' 


;;;;;'        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :;  ^••' "         885 

Reared  amid  the  wholesome  scenes  and  environment  of  rural  life,  George 
P.  Edmundson  became  a  pupil  in  the  district  schools  of  Indian  Point  township, 
devoting  the  winter  months  to  the  acquirement  of  an  education  while  the  sum- 
mer seasons  were  spent  in  assisting  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm. 
As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  handle  the  plow  he  took  his  place  in  the  fields  and 
with  his  increasing  strength  and  years  new  tasks  were  assigned  to  him  until  he 
had  mastered  the  various  branches  of  agriculture.  His  entire  life  has  been  de- 
voted to  this  line  of  activity  and  since  his  father's  demise  he  has  remained  on  the 
home  place,  concentrating  his  energies  upon  its  further  improvement  and  cul- 
tivation. He  now  owns  and  operates  one  hundred  and  tvyenty  acres,  located  on 
section  29,  Indian  Point  township,  constituting  a  farm  as  well  kept  and  valuable 
as  any  in  this  locality.  Earnest,  industrious  and  persevering,  he  has  carefully 
and  systematically  performed  all  of  the  various  labors  that  comprise  the  life  of 
the  farmer,  and  the  excellent  condition  of  his  fields  today  indicates  the  success- 
ful accomplishment  of  his  undertaking. 

Mr.  Edmundson  was  married,  in  1882,  to  Miss  Laura  A.  Rowe,  who  was 
born  in  Indian  Point  township,  Knox  county,  a  daughter  of  Silas  an3  Mary 
Rowe,  early  settlers  of  this  county.  The  father  is  now  deceased  but  the  mother 
still  survives  at  the  remarkable  old  age  of  ninety-six  years.  The  marriage  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmundson  has  been  blessed  with  six  children  of  whom  two,  how- 
ever, have  passed  away.  Those  surviving  are:  Elorence,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Andrew  Hobbs,  a  farmer  of  Indian  Point  township,  and  the  mother  of  a  son, 
CliflFord ;  Mina,  who  married  Jesse  Baker,  of  Warren  county,  Illinois ;  and 
Eranklin  and  Daisy,  both  at  home,  the  elder  assisting  his  father  in  the  operation 
of  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmundson  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church,  the 
teachings  of  which  form  the  guiding  influences  of  their  life,  and  members  of  their 
family  are  also  affiliated  with  that  denomination.  Clean  principles,  high  purpose 
and  honorable  dealing  will  win  esteem  and  confidence  in  any  land  and  clime,  and 
that  these  qualities  have  been  manifest  in  the  life  of  George  P.  Edmundson  is 
indicated  by  the  high  place  which  he  has  won  in  the  regard  of  his  fellowmen. 


'•  •  'W,  ;.'•;:':':  ''-',.  ^- ;  >;':;"      JOHN  GALPIN.      --vV..-:  '  '    ;    ,  >;  ^\^  -.  •;v,-^--;;' 

John  Galpin,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  for  fifty- 
nine  years  closely  associated  with  the  life  and  history  of  this  locality,  was  born 
in  Morgan  county,  Indiana,  in  1827.  He  was  a  son  of  T.  L.  Galpin,  a  native 
of  New  York  state,  who  came  west  settling  in  Indiana  in  1820.  Later  he  re- 
moved to  Jo  Daviess  county,  Illinois,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Case,  died  in  1840  at  the  age  of  forty. 
There  were  nine  children  in  the  family.  ,  ,  * 

John  Galpin  obtained  his  education  in  Knox  county  in  the  old  log  school- 
house  near  his  home.  It  was  a  rude  little  structure  with  square  pieces  cut  out 
of  the  solid  log  to  serve  as  windows  and  hard  slab  benches  on  which  the  pupils 
sat.  There  were  deep  woods  all  about  and  the  way  to  and  from  school  was 
long  and  difficult  for  most  of  the  children.  When  eighteen  years  old  he  learned 


-.886  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

,  the  coop>er  trade  and  worked  at  this  occupation  for  five  years.    In  1850  he  joined 
\  the  multitudes  thronging  to  the  gold  fields  of  California  and  in  1852  returned  to 
•'  Illinois,  settling  in  Knox  county,  where  he  bought  a  farm  on  Spoon  river.    Later 
he  sold  this  place  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  elsewhere,  selling  it  after  a 
.  time  and  buying  the  farm  which  he  owns  at  present,  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  Elba  township,  Knox  county.    Here  he  improved  the  land,  put  up  sub- 
stantial buildings,  and  pursued  general  farming  as  well  as  stock-raising  for  many 
years.    He  is  now  living  retired,  making  his  home  with  his  son,  who  is  operating 
the  farm  and  continuing  its  cultivation  according  to  the  progressive  methods  of 
modern  farming. 

The  marriage  of  Miss  Augusta  Curtis  and  Mr.  Galpin  occurred  on  Novem- 
ber 8,  1852.  She  is  a  native  of  Washington  county,  Ohio,  and  was  a  daughter 
of  Paul  and  Sarah  Ann  (Dilly)  Curtis,  residents  of  Ohio  who  became  early 
settlers  of  Illinois,  living  in  Jersey  county,  then  in  Jo  Daviess  county  and  lastly 
in  Knox  county.  The  father  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  and  the  mother  at 
the  age  of  seventy-three.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children. 

In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Galpin  there  were  nine  children.  George 
Ogden  died  in  infancy.  T.  L.,  living  in  Galesburg,  married  Miss  Jennie  Calla- 
han  and  is  the  father  of  one  child.  Sadie,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Case,  lives  in  Chicago 
and  is  the  mother  of  two  children.  Mary,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Youngs,  is  living  in 
Missouri.  There  were  nine  children  in  her  family.  John  Wesley,  married  to 
Dora  .Mason,  resides  in  Kewanee,  Illinois.  Henry,  married  to  Jessie  Connell, 
lives  at  Williamsfield  and  is  the  father  of  two  children.  Frank,  married  to 
Miss  Lowman,  lives  one  mile  east  of  the  home  farm.  He  is  the  father  of  one 
child.  Rosa,  who  married  Mr.  Sherman  of  Galesburg,  has  one  child.  Fred  F., 
the  youngest  son,  operates  the  home  farm  in  Elba  township.  His  wife  was 
formerly  Miss  Martha  Dobbs.  They  are  the  parents  of  one  child. 

In  politics  Mr.  Galpin  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party.  He  held 
the  office  of  school  director  for  a  number  of  years.  He  and  his  wife  are  meni- 
bers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  their  earnest  Christian  lives  have 
won  for  them  the  respect  of  all  who  know  them,  and  among  the  inhabitants  of 
Knox  county  they  have  a  host  of  warm  friends.  ;  .  •  .'  ',  \:  . 


'^ -.v-          ,  JOSEPH  GEHRING.  .. ',  vV     •    ; 

Joseph  Gehring,  now  retired,  was  formerly  a  prosperous  representative  of 
the  farming  and  stock-raising  interests  in  Knox  county.  Illinois.  He  was  born 
March  i6,  1856,  in  Sparta  township,  east  of  Wataga.  He  was  a  son  of  Xavier 
and  Elizabeth  (Heminger)  Gehring,  both  natives  of  Germany,  the  former  born 
in  Baden,  February  9,  1825,  the  latter  in  Wurtemberg,  in  1826.  The  paternal 
grandparents  were  Bennett  and  Elizabeth  (Closman)  Gehring  and  the  great- 
grandparents  were  Mathias  and  Susan  Gehring.  On  coming  to  this  country, 
the  father  of  our  subject  remained  in  New  York  during  the  first  four  years, 
working  for  four  dollars  a  month.  In  1853  he  came  west  to  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  locating  in  Sparta  township.  He  bought  the  old  homestead  which  is 
still  in  the  family  and  there  lived  for  fifty-one  years,  carrying  on  agricultural 


MI!S.  .losKI'll 


JOSKI'II  c;Klll{IN(; 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     v  r  841 

pursuits  on  a  large  scale  and  feeding  sometimes  as  many  as  one  hundred  head 
of  cattle  for  the  market.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  in  his 
political  predilections  was  a  republican.  His  death  occurred  in  1906.  There 
were  three  children  in  his  family:  Henry,  who  is  living  in  Galesburg;  Amelia, 
the  wife  of  P.  A.  McDowell,  living  on  a  farm  in  Copley  township;  and  Joseph. 
After  attending  the  district  school  Joseph  Gehring  assisted  his  father  with 
the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old.  He  then  married 
and,  purchasing  a  farm  near  Wataga,  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account. 
For  twenty-four  years  he  cultivated  and  improved  this  land  and  raised  stock 
for  shipment.  During  this  time  he  acquired  much  additional  land,  owning  on 
his  retirement  in  1903  several  farms,  most  of  which  land  he  divided  among  his 
children. 

/•  In  1880  Mr.  Gehring  married  Miss  Cora  Peterson,  a  daughter  of  O.  P.  Peter- 
son, who  was  a  native  of  Sweden.  Her  death  occurred  in  1895  at  the  age  ot 
thirty-five.  By  this  marriage  Mr.  Gehring  became  the  father  of  four  children. 
Adella  Maud  is  the  wife  of  H.  L.  Freed,  a  depot  agent  at  Wataga  for  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company,  and  they  have  one  child,  Arthur 
Lee.  Edna  May,  formerly  a  bookkeeper  in  Galesburg,  has  for  the  past  two 
years  held  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Wataga.  Arthur  Joseph  mar- 
ried Nina  MacDonald  and  is  now  operating  the  home  farm  in  Sparta  town- 
ship. Myrtle  Irene  is  the  wife  of  Winn  Miller,  an  automobile  electrician  living 

in  Galesburg.     .;    :•  7    •  ^^  ;i..v.  V;  .  :  :-'''•'••  ,'^'.  ••,/'; 

Mr.  Gehring  was  again  married,  March  25,  1896,  at  the  home  of  the  bride's 
parents  in  Wataga,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Harriet  A.  Knight,  who 
was  born  at  that  place  February  26,  1867.  By  this  union  there  is  one  child, 
Frank  Earl,  living  at  home.  Mrs.  Gehring  is  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Sarah 
A.  '^Morgan)  Knight.  Her  father  was  born  in  Gloucestershire,  England,  Jan- 
uary 26,  1828,  his  parents  being  William  and  Sarah  Knight,  of  Gloucestershire. 
In  1854  he  came  to  America  and  here  worked  at  the  mason's  trade  during  the 
summer  months,  while  during  the  winter  he  engaged  in  coal  mining.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Sarah  A.  Morgan,  who  was  also  born  in  Gloucestershire,  Eng- 
land, June  21,  1849,- and  was  a  daughter  of  Abram  and  Mary  J.  (Philips) 
Morgan.  She  was  only  three  years  of  age  when  her  mother  died  and  her 
father  subsequently  married  Miss  Eliza  Morgan,  also  of  Gloucestershire.  In 
1856  the  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  the  children  being  at  that 
time  Sarah  and  an  infant  son,  Isaac.  In  religious  faith  they  were  Congregation- 
alists.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knight  were  born  two  children.  Harriet  A.  and  Wil- 
liam A.,  of  Wataga.  Mr.  Knight  died  on  the  24th  of  April,  1904.  /  '\  .' 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gehring  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
of  Wataga,  in  which  he  served  as  a  trustee  for  twenty-five  years,  having 
altogether  filled  that  office  for  the  past  thirty-one  years.  Fraternally  he  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Mystic  Workers  of  the  World.  He  is  a  strong  prohibition- 
ist in  his  political  views  and  has  held  the  office  of  school  director  for  sixteen 
years.  Mrs.  Gehring  is  also  a  member  of  the  Mystic  Workers  and  during  girl- 
hood joined  the  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars,  becoming  a  member  of 
the  lodge  at  Wataga  in  1884.  She  now  holds  membership  with  the  Women's 
Christian  Temperance  Union  and  was  president  of  that  organization  in  1896. 
For  the  past  four  years  she  has  been  president  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of 

VoL  n— 88  • 


842  •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^v-'    ":-|    '-; 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  has  taught  the  primary  class  in  the  Sunday 
school  for  twelve  years  and  for  several  years  before  that  time  taught  in  the 
intermediate  grades.  Both  «he  and  her  husband  have  taken  a  prominent  part 
in  the  moral  development  of  the  community  and  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
by  all  who  know  them. 


•:/;•;;•;;•;..•••  --      c.  R.  BLISS.  .'.'":  :-v-r^,  >;...., 

.  .  c.  R.  Bliss  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  section  20, 
Chestnut  township,  where  he  operates  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land, 
one  hundred  and  forty  of  which  he  owns.  He  was  born  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides  on  the  2d  of  October,  1883,  his  parents  being  C.  T.  and  Harriet 
(Coffman)  Bliss,  both  natives  of  Ohio.  The  father,  who  was  born  near  Lake 
Erie  came  to  Illinois  during  his  early  manhood,  locating  on  the  farm  where  our 
subject  now  lives.  He  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  the  cultivation  and 
improvement  of  this  property  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  The  mother, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  came  to  Illinois  with  her  brother 
and  here  she  met  the  man  who  subsequently  became  her  husband.  She  is  still 
living  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Abingdon.  the  father,  however,  passed  away 
in  1899  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Hermon.  Mr.  Bliss  belonged 
to  the  Christian  church,  of  which  his  widow  is  still  a  member,  and  fraternally 
he  was  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  had  a  brother  Azro,  who  went  to  the  front  during 
the  Civil  war  and  there  he  died.  In  politics  Mr.  Bliss  was  a  stanch  republican, 
and  always  took  an  earnest  interest  in  all  public  matters,  particularly  local  affairs 
of  a  governmental  nature.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bliss  numbered  five; 
L.  W.,  who  is  deceased ;  Charles,  who  passed  away  in  1896 ;  Laura,  who  is  un- 
married and  living  at  home;  Emma,  the  wife  of  W.  E.  May,  a  resident  of 
Nolan,  New  Mexico ;  and  C.  R.,  who  is  our  subject. 

From  his  infancy  C.  R.  Bliss  has  been  accustomed  to  life  in  the  country, 
always  having  lived  amid  the  scenes  now  associated  with  his  daily  life.  In  the 
acquirement  of  an  education  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  vicinity  of 
his  home,  after  the  completion  of  which  he  studied  for  a  time  at  Hedding  Col- 
lege, and  also  pursued  a  commercial  course  in  the  Gem  City  Business  College. 
Having  decided  that  he  preferred  life  on  the  farm  to  a  commercial  career,  he 
returned  home  and  directed  his  attention  along  agricultural  lines.  From  his 
earliest  boyhood  he  had  been  trained  in  the  care  of  the  fields  and  crops  and  by 
the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity  was  a  good  practical  farmer,  having  a 
comprehensive  knowledge  of  all  the  principles  of  general  agriculture  as  well  as 
stock-raising.  Mr.  Bliss  has  met  with  a  goodly  measure  of  success  in  the  direc- 
tion of  his  undertakings  because  of  his  capable  and  intelligent  manner  of  con- 
centrating his  energies  so  as  to  attain  the  highest  results  with  the  minimum 
expenditure  of  effort.  He  is  progressive  in  his  methods,  sparing  no  expense 
in  equipping  his  farm  with  all  modern  agricultural  implements,  but  he  is  prac- 
tical in  his  ideas  and  conservative,  not  too  quickly  abandoning  an  old,  well 
tried  method  for  a  fad  of  the  moment.  He  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  fertile,  highly  cultivated  land,  upon  which  he  maintains  good 


;.;     v;;,:  '      •  :-    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         \ ;;::-  ;,_.  343 

improvements,  his  being  one  of  the  attractive  places  of  the  township.  In  con- 
nection with  general  farming  he  engages  in  raising  and  feeding  stock,  under- 
takings which  have  proven  to  be  most  remunerative  under  his  capable  super- 
vision. 

Mr.  Bliss  completed  his  arrangements  for  a  home  by  his  marriage,  in  1904, 
to  Miss  Isabelle  Walker,  who  is  a  native  of  Hancock  county,  Illinois.  Of  this 
union  there  have  been  born  two  children :  Frances,  who  is  deceased ;  and  Rich- 
ard, who  is  an  interesting  child  of  three  years. 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bliss  is  made  manifest  through  their 
membership  in  the  Christian  church,  while  politically  he  is  a  republican  in 
principle,  but  in  local  elections  gives  his  support  to  the  man  he  deems  best 
qualified  to  subserve  the  interests  of  the  community,  irrespective  of  party  in- 
dorsement. Mr.  Bliss  is  one  of  the  self-reliant,  energetic  men  of  Chestnut 
township,  whose  unremitting  efforts  are  rapidly  bringing  him  to  the  fore,  and 
he  is  becoming  known  as  one  of  the  competent  and  prosperous  farmers  of  his  : 
community. 


•'.;  -    .  -. ••  :    •  • ;/;  -  ••-;•• .  EDWARD  STEGALL.    ':'": . ;     '  •  -•  '  ,y':.  ..;;;::;V:;^' • .-  • 

The  attractiveness  of  Illinois  as  a  place  of  residence  is  indicated  by  the  fact  ,- , 
that  many  of  her  native  sons  have  remained  within  her  borders,  believing  that     ' 
her  advantages  and  opportunities  are  equal  if  not  superior  to  those  to  be  secured  ;-  , 
in  other  parts  of  the  country.     This  number  includes  Edward  Stegall,  who  was  ..  :• 
born  in  Cedar  township,  Knox  county,  on  the  farm  which  is  yet  his  home,  on       ;; 
the  23d  of  April,  1862.     His  parents.  Nelson  and  Elizabeth  (Bowman)   Stegall,  ; 
were  both  natives  of  Ohio,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  for  a  time. 
His  father  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.    At  an  early  day  the  parents 
of  Edward    Stegall   came  to   Illinois,    settling  in   Knox   county,   and  here   the 
father  entered  a  tract  of  government  land,  located  on  section  22,  Cedar  town- 
ship.    It  was  unbroken  prairie  when  it  came  into  his  possession,  covered  with     ^ 
native  grasses,  and  upon  it  not  a  furrow  had  been  turned  nor  an  improvement 
made.     He  at  once  brought  the  land  under  cultivation,  however,  planting  the 
cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  and  it  was  not  long  before  his  farm  v  -' 
had  been  converted  into  attractive  fields,  annually  bearing  abundant  harvests.    :  V 
He  continued  to  devote  his  time  and  energies  to  its  further  development  through-     '. : 
out  his  remaining  years,  and  here  he  passed  away  in  1893,  having  survived  his 
wife,  who  also  died  on  the  old  homestead,  for  three  years.     Nelson  Stegall  had 
three  brothers,  Frederick,  Solomon  and  Ambrose,  who  likewise  came  to  Illinois,     ; 
locating  in  Knox  county,  but  they,  too,  are  now  deceased.  ;} 

No  event  of  special  importance  came  to  vafy  the  routine  of  life  for  Edward   0   : 
Stegall  during  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  which  was  devoted  to  the    ;. 
acquirement  of  an  education  in  the  country  schools  ef  Cedar  county  and  to  the   .;;  . 
performance  of  such  tasks  as  usually  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  country  lad.     He     v 
early  became  familiar  with  the  best  methods  of  plowing,  planting  and  harvest-    ^ 
ing,  and  continued  his  father's  assistant  in  the  work  of  the  farm  until  the  latter's   -    . 
death,  since  which  time  he  has  operated  the  old  homestead,  promoting  its  de-    . 


844  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^    ;•  -  • 

velopment  and  improvement  until  today  it  is  one  of  the  highly  cultivated  and 
valuable  properties  of  the  township.  It  is  the  visible  evidence  of  his  industry, 
thrift  ari3  enterprise,  qualities  which  have  ever  been  salient  elements  in  his 
nature,  and  in  its  well  kept  appearance  it  denotes  practical  methods  and  a 
progressive  course. 

Mr.  Stegall  was  married  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  on  the  Qth  of  March, 
1881,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Cedar  township,  this  county, 
on  the  1 6th  of  August,  1864,  a  daughter  of  Mack  and  Ellen  (Hickman)  Smith. 
Her  parents  were  both  born  in  Kentucky  and  at  an  early  day  came  to  Knox 
county,  where  they  made  their  home  for  some  time,  the  father  here  engaging 
in  farming.  Later  they  took  up  their  abode  in  Iowa  and  there  continued  to 
make  their  home  until  called  from  this  life.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stegall  were 
born  fifteen  children,  but  one  is  now  deceased.  Those  surviving  are  as  fol- 
lows :  Mack,  of  Abingdon,  Illinois,  who  married  Miss  Ethel  Wycoff,  of  that 
city,  and  now  has  two  children,  Russell  and  Clyde ;  Ellen,  who  married  Clark 
Shelton,  of  Abingdon,  and  is  the  mother  of  three  children.  Lee,  Frances  and 
Floyd ;  Elizabeth,  at  home ;  Nelson,  who  married  Lena  Scholz,  by  whom  he  has 
ope  daughter,  Dortha ;  and  Clyde,  Martin,  Alcie.  Ray,  Vema,  Harvey,  Martha, 
Ada  and  Vada.  twins,  and  Claude  all  yet  at  home. 

Mrs.  Stegall  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church,  while  the 
political  allegiance  of  Mr.  Stegall  is  given  to  the  democratic  party.  He  is 
serving  at  present  as  a  school  director  of  Cedar  township,  although  he  is  not 
a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office-seeking,  and  the  cause  of  education  finds  in 
him  a  warm  champion.  The  success  which  has  attended  his  efforts  in  connec- 
tion  with  his  agricultural  interests  entitles  him  to  recognition  among  the  pros- 
perous, enterprising  and  representative  citizens  of  the  community.  Having 
spent  his  entire  life  within  the  borders  of  Knox  county  he  is  widely  known 
throughout  this  locality,  and  the  fact  that  many  of  the  comrades  of  his  youth 
continue  to  remain  his  best  friends  indicates  that  his  life  has  ever  been  actuated 
by  high  and  manly  principles.  ,  <  :  '•'  'C  V^  .  '  '^  '  • 


J.  H.  CAIN. 

J.  H.  Cain  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  a  fine  eighty 
acre  tract  on  section  30,  Chestnut  township,  which  he  has  owned  and  operated 
for  the  past  thirteen  years.  He  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  on  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1851,  the  youngest  son  and  fifth  child  in  a  family  of  eight  bom  of  the 
union  of  Daniel  and  Nancy  Jane  (Jones)  Cain.  His  father  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  where  he 
spent  the  first  nine  years  of  his  life.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  accompanied 
his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Illinois,  where  they  lived  during  the  remainder 
of  their  days.  They  located  in  Fulton  county  and  there  Daniel  Cain  was 
reared  to  manhood,  completing  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  adopted 
state.  He  adopted  agriculture  for  his  life  vocation,  first  following  this  activity 
in  Illinois  but  subsequently  removed  to  Missouri,  where  he  resided  for  several 
years.  Later  he  returned  to  Illinois,  again  settling  in  Fulton  county,  whence 
he  came  to  Knox  county,  where  he  is  still  living.  The  mother,  who  was  a  na- 
tive of  the  state  of  New  York  came  to  Illinois  with  her  family  when  quite 


'•X 


'/;  -  '-     ;^^       .    •       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;;    ,    :;.f^;-          845 

young.  They  were  farming  people  in  Fulton  county  and  there  she  met  and 
subsequently  married  Mr.  Cain.  She  passed  away  thirty-five  years  ago.  Of  the 
marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cain  there  were  born  eight  children,  those  beside 
our  subject  being:  Angeline.  the  wife  of  William  Bowden,  of  Hermon ; 
Catherine  and  Caroline,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Delia,  the  wife  of  Marion 
Allen,  who  is  deceased,  of  Galesburg;  Mary,  also  deceased;  Fanny,  the  wife  of 
John  Dolan  of  Chicago;  and  Helen,  who  married  Douglas  Roberts  of 
Farmington. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm,  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education  J.  H.  Cain 
attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state.  While  iriastering  the  common 
branches  of  English  learning,  he  was  also  becoming  familiar  with  the  practi- 
cal methods  of  farming  under  the  supervision  and  direction  of  his  father.  He 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  set  out  on  an  in- 
dependent career.  During  the  succeeding  five  years  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand, 
but  by  means  of  his  industry  and  thrift  succeeded  in  accumulating  sufficient . 
capital  to  enable  him  to  become  a  property  owner  at  the  expiration  of  the  period. 
He  invested  his  earnings  in  a  tract  of  land  located  on  section  31,  and  there  for 
twenty-two  years  he  assiduously  applied  his  energies  to  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  Mr.  Cain  took  great  pride  in  his  farm  and  during  his  occupancy 
brought  the  land  into  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  added  many  improvements 
to  the  property,  thus  greatly  enhancing  its  attractiveness  as  well  as  value.  Dis- 
posing of  this  he  removed  to  his  present  homestead,  whose  fertile  fields  and  sub- 
stantially constructed  and  well  repaired  buildings  make  it  a  most  desirable  prop- 
erty. Mr.  Cain  has  always  made  a  specialty  of  stock-raising,  particularly  the 
breeding  and  raising  of  fine  horses,  being  the  owner  of  a  fine  Percheron  stal- 
lion, "Champion,"  by  name. 

In  1876  Mr.  Cain  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary  D.  Berry,  and  they 
have  become  the  parents  of  eight  children :  George,  who  is  a  resident  of  Chest- 
nut township;  Nora,  the  wife  of  Charles  Dikeman,  of  Delong,  Illinois;  Alice, 
who  is  unmarried,  a  typist  of  Chicago ;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  George  Eldridge,  liv- 
ing with  her  parents ;  Sarah,  who  is  unmarried,  a  typist  of  Denver,  Colorado : 
and  Ralph,  Bertha  and  Grace,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Cain  gives  to  the  republican  party,  and  at  the 
present  time  is  serving  as  school  director.  ,  In  matters  religious  he  affiliates  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  which  his  wife  is  an  earnest  member.  Mr. 
Cain  is  one  of  the  well  known  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  his  township, 
where  he  has  long  resided. 


^.;- ••;•;•;.:-.     >:••;;-    GEORGE  R.  BYRAM.       .v  /  :'.•:;.;:."  •:;::^;- 

Among  the  successful  enterprises  which  constitute  the  business  activity  of 
Abingdon  is  numbered  the  livery  establishment  of  George  R.  Byram,  a  repre- 
sentative of  a  family  which  has  long  been  established  in  this  district.  Mr.  By- 
ram was  born  on  a  farm  southwest  of  Abingdon,  in  Indian  Point  township, 
Knox  county,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  (Nance)  Byram,  natives  of 
Ohio  and  Knox  county  respectively.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  George  R. 


846  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^     -f  ,  V  ;  '    ' 

••     .v'i    -,.!-'    't         V    -.'.  . 

Byram  saw  military  service  in  one  of  the  early  wars,  while  the  paternal  grand- 
father was  numbered  among  the  early  settlers  of  this  section  of  the  state.  At 
an  early  day  he  brought  his  family  to  Knox  county,  establishing  his  home  on  a 
farm  which  he  purchased,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-three  acres  of 
land  located  southwest  of  Abingdon.  After  his  death  his  son,  Robert  Byram, 
purchased  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs  to  the  property  and  continued  in  its 
ownership  and  cultivation  for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  now  living  retired 
from  active  work  and  with  his  wife  makes  his  home  in  Abingdon.  Aside  from 
his  connection  with  agricultural  pursuits  he  has  also  taken  an  active  and  help- 
ful interest  in  public  affairs,  serving  for  a  time  as  county  supervisor  and  also 
as  tax  collector. 

Opportunity  for  good  mental  training  was  afforded  George  R.  Byram,  his 
preliminary  education  being  acquired  in  the  schools  of  Abingdon,  while  later 
he  had  the  benefit  of  study  at  Hedding  College.  His  father's  farm  was  the 
training  ground  upon  which  he  received  his  early  preparation  for  the  practical 
duties  of  life,  and  after  thoroughly  mastering  the  various  phases  of  agriculture 
he  took  up  farming  on  his  own  account,  being  thus  engaged  for  five  years  both 
in  Indian  Point  and  Cedar  townships.  In  1903  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Abing- 
don and  in  the  following  year  purchased  the  livery  business  owned  by  the  estate 
of  L.  S.  Austin,  to  the  conduct  of  which  he  has  since  devoted  his  time  and  at- 
tention. He  now  carries  on  a  general  livery  and  feed  business  that  is  up-to- 
date  and  modern  in  all  of  its  appointments,  and  in  its  management  has  been  very 
prosperous,  the  gratifying  degree  of  success  which  has  attended  his  efforts 
being  the  result  of  keen  business  sagacity,  close  application  and  sound  judgment. 

It  was  on  the  23d  of  February,  1897,  that  Mr.  Byram  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Ella  M.  Dingman,  who  was  born  in  Iowa  on  the  6th  of  February, 
1874.  Her  parents  came  to  Abingdon  at  an  early  day  and  here  the  father  engaged 
in  bridge  building,  being  accidentally  killed  while  thus  employed.  His  wife 
passed  away  during  the  early  childhood  of  her  daughter  who,  by  her  marriage 
to  Mr.  Byram,  has  become  the  mother  of  two  children,  Doren  and  Donald.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Byram  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  occupy  a  prominent 
position  in  the  social  circles  in  which  they  move.  Mr.  Byram  is  keenly  alive 
to  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  and  his  public  spirit  prompts  his  co- 
operation in  all  matters  for  the  development  and  improvement  of  his  home 
locality.  .  ^'  ..^'•.  •.  :'/.  , 


;         ^  ,VJ-'  •  ANDREW  O.  ANDERSON.    '::•;';;. 

Andrew  O.  Anderson,  whose  time  is  devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  in  Sparta  township,  his  place  adjoining  the  old  family  homestead,  was 
born  on  the  2Oth  of  November,  1860,  upon  the  farm  which  has  long  been  in 
the  possession  of  the  Anderson  family.  His  father  was  Ole  Anderson,  who  was 
born  in  Christiansund,  Norway,  February  i8,  1820.  His  father  Andrew  Olson 
was  born  in  Christiania,  Norway.  He  followed  farming  throughout  his  entire 
life  and  both  he  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Harriet  Olson,  remained  residents  of  Nor- 
way until  called  to  their  final  rest.  Ole  Anderson,  the  father,  spent  the  days 


\:ti  :;;;;•'•   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ,       •::;.,      847 

of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native  country  and  in  1849  started  for  America, 
accompanied  by  his  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  Anderson,  and  their  one  child.  While  on 
shipboard  on  the  way  from  the  east  to  Ottawa  the  mother  became  ill  and  died 
when  the  family  were  between  Chicago  and  Ottawa,  her  remains  being  interred 
at  the  latter  place.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Anderson  chose  Betsy  Anderson, 
who  was  born  in  Sweden,  May  26,  1839,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Peter- 
son, who  was  born  in  1814  and  came  to  America  in  early  life,  settling  in  Sparta 
township,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  became  a  prosperous  farmer.  He 
married  Anna  Hedlund,  who  was  born  Oct(3ber  i8,  1815,  and  was  a  daughter 
of  Jold  and  Elsie  Hedlund,  the  former  a  soldier  of  Sweden,  in  which  country 
he  spent  his  entire  life.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Olson  were  Peter 
and  Betsy  Larson.  Following  his  second  marriage  Ole  Anderson  made  his 
home  in  Sparta  township,  becoming  one  of  the  well  known  agriculturists  of 
that  community.  He  brought  his  land  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  re- 
mained for  many  years  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  at  length  passed  away. 
He  was  a  Lutheran  in  his  religious  belief  and  was  a  republican  in  his  political 
views.  The  party  numbered  him  among  its  active  and  earnest  workers  for  he 
did  all  that  he  could  to  advance  its  interests  and  secure  its  success.  He  was 
drafted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war  but  never  went  to  the  front.  His  widow 
still  survives  and  is  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  at  the  age  of  seventy-two 
years. 

Andrew  O.  Anderson  had  the  usual  experiences  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the 
farm  boy  who  is  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  divides  his  time  between 
the  duties  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the  playground  and  the  work  of 
the  home  farm.  When  he  had  put  aside  his  text-books  he  devoted  his  entire 
attention  to  farm  work,  remaining  with  his  parents  until  he  reached  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years.  Later  he  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Sparta 
township  for  five  years  and  in  1885  went  to  Texas,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
stock-raising  for  eleven  years.  He  was  convinced,  however,  that  Illinois  offered 
better  opportunities  to  him  and  in  1896  he  returned  to  Sparta  township,  where 
he  resided  until  1903.  In  that  year  he  purchased  his  present  farm  adjoining 
the  old  homestead  and  is  now  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits,  cultivat- 
ing the  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate.  By  reason  of  his  practical  and 
progressive  methods  he  secures  good  harvests  and  thus  wins  a  substantial  an- 
nual income.  He  also  makes  stock-raising  a  feature  of  his  business  and  this 
also  adds  to  his  success. 

Mr.  Anderson  has  been  married  twice.  He  first  wedded,  in  1890,  Emma 
Weedman,  who  was  born  in  Victoria,  this  county,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Ole  and 
Betsy  Weedman.  In  1896  Mr.  Anderson  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of 
his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  that  year,  leaving  two  children :  Esther,  who  was 
born  in  Texas,  in  1891,  and  is  now  a  student  in  Lombard  University  of  Gales- 
burg;  and  Rufus,  who  was  born  m  1895  and  is  now  attending  the  public  schools. 
For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Anderson  chose  Miss  Christine  Norlum,  who  was 
born  in  Sweden,  in  1883,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olaf  NorJum, 
both  of  whom  are  yet  living  in  Sweden.  The  children  of  the  second  marriage 
are  Helen  and  Lloyd,  aged  respectively  six  and  five  years.  ,  =.  ^. 

In  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Anderson  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Oneida 
Lodge,  No.  337,  F.  &  A.  M.,  which  finds  in  him  an  exemplary  representative. 


848  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  - 

true  to  its  teachings  concerning  mutual  helpfulness  and  brotherly  kindliness. 
His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  while  he  has  never 
held  political  office  he  has  served  for  two  terms  on  the  school  board  and  is  a 
warm  friends  of  the  cause  of  education. 


';/'';•'•:'.'•-'  •  C.  A.  ZENOR.     :.,••-•.,  ..V/Vv  ^--'V'- v; 

Among  the  gallant  sons  of  Illinois,  who  donned  the  blue  and  went  to  the 
front  in  the  '6os  is  C.  A.  Zenor,  a  pioneer  merchant  of  Williamsfield,  now  living 
retired.  He  was  bom  in  Putnam  county,  this  state  January  23,  1845,  ^^^  's 
a  son  of  Jacob  and  Elvira  (Skeel)  Zenor.  The  father  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
and  there  he  resided  until  1833,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm 
in  Putnam  county  that  he  cultivated  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven 
years.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zenor. 

The  early  years  of  C.  A.  Zenor  were  not  unlike  those  of  other  farmer  lads 
of  the  pioneer  period.  He  attended  the  public  schools  at  Hennepin,  this  state, 
until  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches  and  also  assisted  his  father  in 
the  work  of  the  farm.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  enlisted  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  starting  for  the  front 
on  the  1 3th  of  May,  1864.  He  later  served  in  the  Forty-seventh  Illinois  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps.  After  the  surrender  of  the  Spanish  Fort, 
they  started  for  Montgomery,  Alabama,  in  the  midst  of  a  driving  storm.  Before 
they  began  to  march.  General  McArthur  said,  "Boys,  you  will  be  out  of  the  rain 
soon,"  meaning  that  the  war  was  almost  over.  On  the  22d  of  April,  near 
Greenville,  Alabama,  a  staff  officer  mounted  on  a  fleet  horse  came  dashing 
along  the  line,  shouting  "Lee  has  surrendered !"  The  cheering  was  long  and 
loud.  The  rain  and  mud  that  made  marching  almost  impossible,  their  hunger 
and  limited  rations,  and  general  physical  discomfort  was  forgotten.  The  change 
in  their  appearance  and  movements  was  phenomenal,  they  were  like  new  men, 
their  vitality  was  restored  and  they  had  no  thought  save  that  the  war  was  almost 
ended.  The  elation  did  not  last  long,  however,  for  in  the  evening,  at  Mont- 
gomery, Alabama,  word  was  received  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln. 
Early  in  May  they  marched  to  Selma,  one  of  the  principal  arsenals  of  the 
south,  and  on  the  8th  of  August,  1865,  the  Sixteenth  Corps  was  disbanded  and 
the  mustering  out  of  the  troops  began.  As  there  was  no  civil  authority  then 
in  existence  in  the  south,  the  Forty-Seventh  Illinois  was  retained  to  assist  in 
the  readjustment  of  the  disorganized  country  and  to  protect  government  prop- 
erty, as  well  as  to  restrain  the  bands  of  marauders  then  prevalent.  On  the 
21  st  of  January,  this  regiment  was  also  mustered  out  and  took  the  train  for 
the  north.  Just  north  of  Corinth,  Mississippi,  in  the  night,  they  had  a  head- 
on  collision  with  a  construction  train  loaded  with  negroes.  Two  of  the  soldiers 
were  killed  and  a  number  were  injured,  while  the  other  train  was  practically 
demolished  and  the  majority  of  the  negroes  killed  outright  or  terribly  mangled. 
They  arrived  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  on  the  2d  of  February,  1866,  and  on  the 
following  day  were  paid  and  discharged.  Very  soon  after  his  r'eturn  home, 
Mr.  Zenor  resumed  the  duties  of  civil  life  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store.  He 


MR.  AXD  MRS.  C.  A.  ZEXOR 


848  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

true  to  its  teachings  concerning  mutual  helpfulness  and  brotherly  kindliness. 
His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  while  he  has  never 
held  political  office  he  has  served  for  two  terms  on  the  school  board  and  is  a 
warm  friends  of  the  cause  of  education. 


;  C  A.  ZEXOR.  .     : 

Among  the  gallant  sons  of  Illinois,  who  donned  the  blue  and  went  to  the 
front  in  the  '6os  is  C.  A.  Zenor,  a  pioneer  merchant  of  Williamsfield.  now  living 
retired.  He  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  this  state  January  23,  1845,  and  is 
a  son  of  Jacob  and  Elvira  (Skeel)  Zenor.  The  father  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
and  there  he  resided  until  1833,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  on  a  farm 
in  Putnam  county  that  he  cultivated  luitil  his  death  at  tlie  age  of  sixty-seven 
years.  Xine  children  were  born  to  ]Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zenor. 

The  early  years  of  C.  A.  Zenor  were  not  imlike  those  of  other  farmer  lads 
of  the  pioneer  period.  He  attended  the  public  schools  at  Hennepin.  this  state, 
until  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches  and  also  assisted  his  father  in 
the  work  of  the  farm.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  enlisted  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth  Illinois  A'oluntcer  Infantry,  starting  for  the  front 
on  the  1 3th  of  May,  1864.  He  later  served  in  the  Forty-seventh  Illinois  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps.  After  the  surrender  of  the  S])anisli  Fort, 
they  started  for  Montgomery.  Alabama,  in  the  midst  of  a  driving  storm.  liefore 
they  began  to  march.  General  McArthur  said.  "P.oys.  you  will  be  out  of  the  rain 
soon."  meaning  that  the  war  was  almost  over.  On  the  22(1  of  Ajiril.  near 
Greenville.  Alabama,  a  staff  officer  mounted  on  a  fleet  horse  came  dashing 
along  the  line,  sliouting  "Lee  has  surrendered !"  The  cheering  was  long  and 
loud.  The  rain  and  mud  that  made  marching  almost  impossible,  their  hunger 
and  limited  rations,  and  general  physical  discomfort  was  forgotten.  The  change 
in  their  appearance  and  movements  was  ])henomenal.  they  were  like  new  men. 
their  vitality  was  restored  and  they  had  no  thought  save  that  the  war  was  almost 
ended.  The  elation  did  not  last  long,  however,  for  in  the  evening,  at  Mont- 
gomery. Alabama,  word  was  received  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln. 
Early  in  May  they  marched  to  Selma.  one  of  the  principal  arsenals  of  the 
south,  and  on  the  8th  of  August.  1865.  the  Sixteenth  Corps  was  disbanded  and 
the  mustering  out  of  the  troops  began.  As  there  was  no  civil  authority  then 
in  existence  in  the  south,  the  Forty-Seventh  Illinois  was  retained  to  assist  in 
the  readjustment  of  the  disorganized  country  and  to  protect  government  prop- 
erty, as  well  as  to  restrain  the  bands  of  marauders  then  prevalent.  On  the 
2 1st  of  January,  this  regiment  was  also  mustered  out  and  took  the  train  for 
the  north.  Just  north  of  Corinth.  Mississippi,  in  the  night,  they  had  a  head- 
on  collision  with  a  construction  train  loaded  with  negroes.  Two  of  the  soldiers 
were  killed  and  a  number  were  injured,  while  the  other  train  was  practically 
demolished  and  the  majority  of  the  negroes  killed  outriglit  or  terribly  mangled. 
They  arrived  at  Si)ringfiel(l.  Illinois,  on  the  2d  of  February.  1866,  and  on  the 
following  day  were  i)aid  and  discharged.  \'ery  soon  after  his  return  home. 
Mr.  Zenor  resumed  the  duties  of  civil  life  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store.  He 


MR.  AXD  ill'vS.  C.  A.  /KXOK 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


851 


subsequently  engaged  in  business  for  himself  in  Williamsfield,  continuing  in 
this  line  until  1886,  when  his  health  failed  and  he  went  west  to  Nebraska.  There 
he  purchased  a  farm  that  he  cultivated  for  six  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which 
time  he  returned  to  Williamsfield,  and  again  went  into  business.  In  the 
early  years  of  his  mercantile  life  he  was  associated  in  business  with  a  Mr. 
Ryan,  under  the  firm  name  of  Zenor  &  Ryan.  They  had  purchased  the  estab- 
lishment of  Parker  &  Wilder,  and  later  Mr.  Zenor  bought  the  interest  of 
Mr.  Ryan  and  took  Mr.  Elliott  into  partnership  with  him,  but  during  the  lat- 
ter years  of  his  commercial  career  he  was  associated  with  Mr.  Nelson,  the 
store  being  operated  under  the  name  of  Zenor  &  Nelson.  Soon  after  return- 

•    ing  from  the  west  Mr.  Zenor  sold  his  Nebraska  farm  and  in   1908  he  with- 
drew from  business  life  and  is  now  living  retired.     He  still  has  property  inter- 

.     ests  here,  however,  and  also  owns  land  in  Canada. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate,  Mr.  Zenor  chose  Miss  Alice  Thomas,  who  was 
born  July  28,  1849,  a  daughter  of  H.  C.  Thomas,  a  farmer  of  Putnam  county. 
They  were  married  .March  25,  1869,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren. Mildred,  who  is  a  graduate  of  music  of  Shenandoah,  Iowa,  married  R.  V. 
Field,  of  Galesburg,  and  they  have  two  children,  Lavonne  and  Zenor  D.  Mabel, 
.  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  has  passed  away.  Maude,  the  third  daughter,  who 
is  a  graduate  of  Knox  College  of  Galesburg,  married  A.  W.  Gale,  a  farmer  of 
Truro  township,  and  they  have  one  child,  Alice.  Zelda,  the  youngest  in  the 

. :  family,  died  at  the  age  of  two  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Zenor  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the 

.'     Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.    His  political  allegiance  he  accords  to  the  republi- 
can party  and  has  served  as  township  assessor  and  as  a  member  of  the  local 
.  school  board  and  also  of  the  town  board.    Mr.  Zenor  has  met  with  success  in  his 

;_  •  various  undertakings  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous  and  highly  esteemed  citizens  of 
Williamsfield,  where  he  has  resided  since  the  spring  of  1892.  v  v 


:;•    ^.  -;'  •:  '  .-V.V.'"-   -  .:>"-\'.'    DAVID  SOUTH.  ^:.'^>;:;  I';;  v  •     _/   ;    } -.-i    •'\:^:f-:^ 

V  Through  the  improvement  of  opportunities  which  Illinois  offers  in  agri- 
cultural  lines  David  South  has  gained  prosperity  which  now  ranks  him  among 
the  representative  citizens  of  Knox  county.  He  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  his 

.  birth  there  occurring  on  the  23d  of  January,  1842.  His  parents,  William  and 
Deliah  South,  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  respectively,  but  for  a 
number  of  years  made  their  home  in  Indiana,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in 

'    farming  at  the  time  of  his  death.     Later  the  mother  came  to  Knox  county, 

.:   Illinois,  where  her  remaining  days  were  spent.     In  their  family  were  three  sons. 

.  Our  subject  and  a  half-brother  are  the  only  surviving  members  of  the  family. 
An  older  brother,  Elijah  South,  who  came  to  Knox  county  at  an  early  day, 

';  enlisted  from  Abingdon  for  service  in  the  Civil  war  and  was  killed  in  the  battle 

•:   of  Pittsburg,  on  the  5th  of  April,  1862. 

'          David    South    spent    the    early   part    of    his    life    in    his    native    state    and 

.,  then,  in  1851,  was  brought  by  his  mother  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  settlement 


852  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^:>:^,:;;;> 

being  made  upon  a  farm  near  St.  Augustine.  When  old  enough  to  enter  the 
business  world  on  his  own  account,  he  wisely  chose  as  his  life  work  the  occu- 
pation to  which  he  had  been  reared  and  he  has  since  devoted  his  energies  to 
the  occupation  of  farming,  in  which  direction  he  is  meeting  with  substantial 

success.  ,:     :•    ;.;,  j  /  ;':;  r. 

Mr.  South  has  never  married.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  demo- 
cratic party.  Although  his  life  has  had  no  exciting  chapters  it  has  ever  been 
characterized  by  all  that  is  honorable  and  upright  in  every  relation,  and  his 
genuine  personal  worth  has  gained  for  him  the  friendship  of  a  large  number 
of  those  with  whom  he  has  been  brought  in  contact. 


:       ;  HUGH  A.  SLOAN.          .       v  ;    :    '. 

Hugh  A.  Sloan  is  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  highly 
improved  and  well  cultivated  land  in  Elba  and  Salem  townships,  Knox  county, 
where  he  is  most  successfully  engaged   in  general   farming  and   stock-raising. 
He  resides  on  the  northwest  corner  of  section  3,  Salem  township,  where  he  has 
spent  practically  his  entire  life,  his  birth  having  occurred  there  on  the   iQth  of 
May,  1858.    He  is  a  son  of  John  Sloan,  who  was  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ire- 
land, in  1827,  and  who  was  also  reared  and  educated  there.     At  the  age  of 
twenty-three  years  he  decided  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  and  on  the  I3th 
of  November,  1850,  he  landed  in  St.  Louis.     He  remained  there  until  the  I3th 
of  the  following  month  when  he  and  his  brother  went  to  Oquaka,  where  he 
obtained  employment  as  a  member  of  a  surveying  crew  at  thirteen  dollars  per 
month.     He  drove  the  first  stake  in  the  survey  made  for  the  lines  of  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  east  of  the  Mississippi  river  that  year,  re- 
maining in  the  service  of  this  company  for  seven  years.     During  the  period  of 
his  connection  with  them  he  held  various  positions,  having  assisted  in  laying 
out  the  road  between  Galesburg  and  Peoria,  while  for  a  time  he  was  also  an 
engineer.     Ambitious  and  thrifty,  he  carefully  saved  as  much  of  his  salary  as 
was  not  required  to  supply  him  with  the  actual  necessities  of  life  and  in  1857 
he  had  sufficient  capital  to  buy  a  farm  on  section  4,  Salem  township.    His  owner- 
ship but  proved  an  incentive  to  greater  effort,  and  he  applied  himself  with  un- 
tiring energy  to  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  his  homestead.     He  met 
with  more  than  average  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits,  owing  to  his  concen-  : 
tration  and  intelligent  direction  of  his  activities,  and  so  was  able  to  extend  the 
boundaries  of  his  farm  from  time  to  time  until  he  had  acquired  eight  hundred 
acres  of  land.    In  connection  with  the  operation  of  his  fields  he  made  a  specialty 
of  breeding  and  raising  Shorthorn  cattle,  being  awarded  most  lucrative  returns 
from  both. 

On  the  I3th  of  June,  1854,  Mr.  Sloan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah 
Allen,  also  a  native  of  County  Antrim  and  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Sarah 
(Caulfield)  Allen,  natives  of  the  same  county.  The  mother  passed  away  on  the 
22d  of  November,  1832,  during  the  infancy  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Sloan.  The 
paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  James  and  Mary  (Back)  Sloan, 
who  spent  their  lives  in  the  Emerald  isle.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


V    ;;  ;;'V.::.        /.    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  Vv^':      853 

John  Sloan  there  were  born  seven  children :  Mary,  the  widow  of  J.  W.  Hensley 
of  Yates  City  and  Peoria,  Illinois,  now  living  in  Chicago ;  Hugh  A.,  our  sub- 
ject;  Sarah,  who  married  E.  H.  Ware,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  volume;  James,  who  is  living  at  home  with  his  mother  in  Salem  township; 
Susan,  who  was  born  on  October  7,  1865,  and  died  on  the  27th  of  July,  1879; 
John,  who  was  born  on  the  8th  of  October,  1872,  and  died  on  July  27,  1879; 
and  Jessie,  who  died  in  August,  1879,  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  six  months. 
The  last  three  were  victims  of  a  diphtheria  epidemic.  Mrs.  Sloan  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  denomination  the  family  were 
reared.  The  father  was  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Yates  City  Lodge,  No.  488,  R. 
A.  M. ;  and  his  political  views  coincided  with  the  principles  of  the  democratic 
party.  He  was  a  man  who  always  took  a  prominent  and  active  interest  in  the 
development  of  the  community  and  in  its  governmental  affairs.  From  1869 
to  1878  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  and  was  subsequently 
elected  to  the  state  legislature,  being  a  member  of  the  committee  on  township 
organizations  and  also  the  agricultural  and  horticultural  committee.  He  was 
reelected  in  1882  and  in  every  way  proved  to  be  a  most  efficient  and  conscien- 
tious representative,  reflecting  credit  upon  himself  and  his  constituency  through 
his  capable  discharge  of  his  responsibilities.  When  the  county  or  town  required 
the  services  of  a  man  possessed  of  more  than  average  powers  of  organization 
or  executive  ability,  Mr.  Sloan  was  called  into  requisition.  He  was  appointed 
to  a  number  of  important  committees  among  them  being  that  of  the  building 
committee  of  the  county  courthouse,  and  in  every  instance  his  duties  were  ful- 
filled with  a  conscientious  exactitude  rarely  to  be  found  in  public  life.  As  a 
friend  he  was  loyal  and  faithful,  in  matters  of  citizenship  upright  and  honor- 
able, while  as  a  husband  and  father  he  was  kind  and  indulgent,  and  when  called 
to  his  rest  on  the  27th  of  April,  1889,  there  was  deep  regret  and  mourning 
not  only  in  his  immediate  circle  of  family  and  friends  but  throughout  the  com- 
munity where  he  had  many  friends  by  whom  he  was  held  in  the  highest  esteem. 
Reared  on  the  home  farm,  Hugh  A.  Sloan  attended  the  schools  of  Salem 
township  in  the  acquirement  of  his  early  education,  supplemented  by  a  brief 
period  of  study  in  the  schools  of  Elmwood,  Illinois.  After  acquiring  such 
knowledge  as  was  deemed  essential  to  enable  him  to  assume  the  heavier  respon- 
sibilities  of  life,  he  laid  aside  his  school  books  and  gave  his  entire  time  and 
attention  to  assisting  in  the  work  of  the  farm.  Following  his  marriage  in  1883, 
Mr.  Sloan  located  on  his  present  homestead,  on  which  at  that  time  there  was 
neither  a  tree  nor  a  building,  but  many  changes  have  been  effected  during  the 
long  period  of  his  occupancy,  and  there  are  now  large  commodious  barns,  sub- 
stantially constructed  outbuildings  and  a  comfortable  residence,  the  beauty  and 
attractiveness  of  which  is  much  enhanced  by  the  large  trees  that  thickly  stud 
the  lawn.  During  the  early  years  of  his  agricultural  pursuits  he  operated  the 
farm  in  partnership  with  his  father,  but  after  the  latter's  death  he  took  over  his 
present  holdings,  these  comprising  a  trifle  more  than  half  of  his  father's  acreage. 
His  fields  are  almost  entirely  devoted  to  cereals,  such  as  can  be  used  for  the 
feeding  of  cattle,  stock-raising  being  Mr.  Sloan's  specialty.  He  has  always 
been  very  successful  in  both  and  is  numbered  among  the  highly  prosperous 
farmers  of  the  community,  being  recognized  as  a  man  whose  rewards  are  only 
commensurate  with  the  intelligent  expenditure  of  effort. 


854  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       .     :;y;^ 

On  the  22d  of  March,  1883,  Mr.  Sloan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida 
Eleanor  Baird,  who  was  born  in  Elba  township  on  June  i,  1862.  Mrs.  Sloan 
is  the  only  child  born  of  the  marriage  of  Demartis  and  Charlotte  (Wheeler) 
Baird,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  During  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life 
they  located  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  Elba  township,  where 
Mrs.  Sloan  was  born.  Mr.  Baird  responded  to  his  nation's  call  and  went  to 
the  front  in  defense  of  the  union,  being  killed  in  the  battle  of  Resaca.  When 
her  little  daughter  was  seven  years  old  Mrs.  Baird  was  married  to  L.  A.  Laurence 
of  Yates  City,  and  unto  them  were  born  five  children,  two  of  whom  are  living, 
as  are  also  the  parents,  who  make  their  home  in  Yates  City.  They  affiliate 
with  the  Presbyterian  church.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sloan  there  have 
been  bom  two  children,  Jessie  May  and  John,  both  of  whom  are  at  home. 

In  matters  of  faith  the  family  are  Presbyterians,  and  fraternally  Mr.  Sloan 
is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  belonging  to  the  Yates  City 
Camp.  His  political  support  has  always  been  accorded  to  the  democratic  party 
and  he  has  filled  a  number  of  public  offices.  He  first  served  as  school  director, 
subsequently  discharging  the  duties  of  road  commissioner  for  eleven  years  in 
Salem  township,  while  for  ten  years  he  was  township  supervisor.  In  the  spring 
of  1911  he  was  again  elected  road  commissioner,  and  he  is  also  a  member  of  the 
board  of  review  and  president  of  road  and  bridge  board  committee  of  Knox 
county.  In  the  administration  of  his  public  duties  Mr.  Sloan  has  been  as  judi- 
cious and  discreet  as  in  the  direction  of  his  personal  affairs,  discharging  his 
responsibilities  in  a  manner  to  meet  with  the  approval  not  only  of  his  constituency 
but  the  community  at  large. 


• :  '  '^'..i ;:/••:.:':;  •      •'      E.  H.  WARE.     .' .; ,, ;  /i^;:  '-•:..•'•  - .. 

E.  H.  Ware  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  six  hundred  acres  located  in  Salem 
and  Maquon  townships,  Knox  county,  that  he  devotes  to  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  was  born  on  section  6,  Salem  township,  the  farm  where  he 
now  resides,  on  the  6th  of  January,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  W.  K.  and  Priscilla 
(Stark)  Ware.  The  parents  are  now  both  deceased,  the  mother  having  been 
sixty-two  at  the  time  of  her  demise,  and  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Peoria, 
Illinois.  W.  K.  Ware  was  one  of  the  highly  successful  farmers  and  extensive 
landowners  of  the  pioneer  period,  having  acquired  before  his  retirement  five 
thousand  acres  of  land.  Both  he  and  his  wife  attended  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  in  politics  he  was  a  republican,  but  not  an  office  seeker.  Of 
the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ware  there  were  born  three  children,  of  whom  the 
eldest,  W.  D.,  is  now  deceased.  Their  only  daughter,  Ida  H.,  became  the  wife 
of  James  A.  Penick  of  Sheridan,  Iowa ;  and  the  youngest  member  of  the  family, 
E.  H.,  is  our  subject.  '/-.-.  1  .'"^^ -•• 

The  youthful  years  of  E.  H.  Ware  were  spent  amid  the  scenes  of  his  present 
home,  his  early  education  being  obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Douglas.  Later 
he  studied  for  a  term  or  two  at  Abingdon  and  also  at  Sheridan,  Iowa,  for  a 
time.  Having  been  reared  on  a  farm  he  early  became  familiar  with  the  work 
of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock  and  when  old  enough  to  lay  aside  his  school 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          .       :;y         855 

books  was  fully  qualified  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  an  agriculturist.     He 
was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  and  immediately  thereafter  located 
on  the  place,  where  he  now  resides.     Although  the  property  is  well  improved 
and  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  Mr.  Ware  has  only  made  such  minor  changes 
as  were  necessitated  by  the  passing  of  time,  the  buildings  all  being  those  erected 
during  his  father's  life  time.    He  has  kept  them  well  repaired  and  as  they  were 
substantially  constructed,  originally,  are  practically  as  good  at  the  present  time 
as  they  were  when  erected.     Stock-raising  has  always  engaged  much  of   Mr. 
Ware's  attention,  and  at  the  present  time  he  is  making  a  specialty  of  thorough- 
bred Jersey  cattle,  while  formerly  it  was  Poland  China  hogs,  of  which  he  raised 
about  two  hundred  annually.     All  work  upon  his  place  is  conducted  under  his 
personal  supervision  and  he  annually  reaps  abundant  harvests,  while  the  returns 
from  stock-raising  prove  to  be  equally  lucrative. 

'     In  June,  1882,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Ware  and  Miss  Sarah 
A.  Sloan  of  Salem  township,  where  she  had  been  born  and  reared,  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Sarah  Sloan.     Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ware  there  have 
been  born  three  children :  Jessie,  who  is  at  home ;  Priscilla,  training  for  a  pro- 
fessional nurse  in  a  hospital  in  Chicago ;  and  Florence,  the  wife  of  William 
Belden,  of  Maquon  township.   ,    ';-  ...... 

Fraternally  Mr.  Ware  is  a  member  of  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America, 
while  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican  party,  but  is  not  an  office 
seeker,  preferring  to  give  his  attention  to  his  personal  interests  in  which  he  has 
met  with  such  gratifying  success.  In  addition  to  his  fine  farm  Mr.  Ware  is  also 
one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Ideal  Telephone  Company.  /.,  -  v 


;\vv: ••.;•!  •'•-'  ' \-\-  •:•:'',;:':: :-''-^    s.  H.  HELLER,  -(-n^.^y-          ^<0^^v\:&-' 

•  Progressive  and  strictly  modern  in  the  agricultural  methods  which  he  em- 
ploys, S.  H.  Heller  is  numbered  among  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Elba  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  owning  a  very  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
five  miles  from  Yates  City.  He  was  born  in  1848  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  and 
was  brought  to  Illinois  when  one  year  old.  His  parents  were  George  and  Mar- 
garet (Gillricks)  Heller.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Franklin  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  removed  to  Ohio  in  middle  life.  In  1849  he  came  with  his  family  to 

.  Illinois  and  in  1858  moved  farther  west,  settling  in  Missouri.  He  came  back 
to  Illinois,  however,  and,  after  residing  for  a  year  and  a  half  in  Fulton  county, 
he  came  to  Knox  county  and  made  his  home  in  Elba  township  in  the  spring  of 

.     1860.     He  died  in  May,  i88i,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  having  devoted 

:    his  entire  life  to  agricultural  pursuits.    There  were  twelve  children  in  his  family. 
S.  H.  Heller  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Knox  county 

'-  and  since  entering  upon  a  career  has  farmed.  During  the  early  years  he  rented 
land  for  cultivation  until,  in  1905,  he  purchased  the  present  place  which  he  has 
improved  wonderfully  since  that  time.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  making  a  very  comfortable  income  for  himself  and  his  family. 

Mr.  Heller  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Clara  Shade  and  they  are  the 

.    parents  of  six  children:    Floyd,  who  married  Edith  Dalton,  and  has  one  child; 


'"•  '^'¥-:':.,  •  _:     "  '•  -  -'•'-"-'  •••'•-'-••••  •-•'^'  •  .:."':'v>1;  .•/,.-/; 

856          J  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       vv^fv:    x'l       -      . 

Earl,  who  married  Bessie  Reardon,  and  has  one  son ;  Elmer,  who  is  at  home ; 
Simon,  Jr.,  who  married  Nora  Howe;  Ralph,  who  married  Jennie  Blust,  and  is 
the  father  of  a  son ;  and  Clarence,  who  wedded  Elizabeth  King,  of  Knox  county. 
Mr.  Heller  is  an  ardent  republican  in  his  political  activities  and  in  his  capacity 
of  school  director  has  shown  himself  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties  of  public 
office.  For  sixty-two  years  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  he  has  not  only  been  a 
witness  of  the  agricultural  growth  of  this  locality  but  has  materially  contributed 
to  its  development.  . .  -.  . 


WILLIAM  S.  BELLWOOD. 


Dr.  William  S.  Bellwood,  a  successful  medical  practitioner  of  Abingdon,  is 
-  a  native  of  Knox  county,  born  March  21,  1866.  His  grandparents,  Seth  M. 
and  Polly  (Shumaker)  Bellwood,  both  natives  of  Ohio,  were  married  in  1831 
and  six  years  later  came  as  pioneers  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  their  son 
'Jefferson  was  born.  The  latter,  on  February  2,  i86i,  married  Miss  Mary  E. 
Harvey,  the  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Lemon)  Harvey,  both  born  in 
Ohio.  Their  son  William  S.  Bellwood,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in 
Knox  county,  March  21,  1866.  His  father  was  one  of  the  substantial  farmers 
of  this  section  of  the  country  and  widely  known  as  an  extensive  stock  man, 
attracting  especial  attention  by  his  breeding  of  Shorthorn  and  Poled  Angus 
cattle.  He  was  numbered  among  the  successful  men  of  Indian  Point  township 
and  his  splendid  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  acres  on  section  ii  was 
the  source  of  a  comfortable  living  for  himself  and  his  family.  In  1888,  or 
thereabout,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Abingdon.  He  was  an  active  and  en- 
thusiastic worker  in  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  184,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  to  which  he  be- 
longed. Mr.  Bellwood,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years,  eight  months  and  five 
days,  died  on  April  28,  1907,  just  five  days  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  who 
passed  away  on  April  23,  1907,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years,  five  months  and 
twenty-three  days.  .  ,  .•_;;•  -j  ;.-;;; 

William  S.  Bellwood  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm  and,  in  the  rural 
school  of  his  vicinity,  distinguished  himself  for  aptness  and  zeal  in  his  studies. 
•      When  he  was  twenty  years  old  he  became  the  teacher  of  the  school  which  he 
.    had  attended  as  a  pupil.     After  two  years  of  teaching  he  enrolled  in  Hedding 
:  ;    College,  taking  a  special  course.     Drawn  to  the  study  of  medicine,  however, 
,  from  a  natural  love   for  the  profession  as  well  as  the  humanitarian   ideal  of 
social  helpfulness,  he  left  college  and  in  the  spring  of  1892  began  to  prepare 
"•  himself  for  his  chosen  work,  reading  under  Dr.  .Madison  Reece,  in  his  day  one 
of  the  most  noted  practitioners  in  the  country  round  about.     Eager  to  pursue 
his  studies  in  a  professional  school,  the  young  student  selected  Rush  Medical 
College  of  Chicago  for  his  training,  entering  the  following  fall.    He  was  gradu- 
:   ated  from  that  institution  in  the  class  of  1895  and  began  his  practice  of  medicine 
at  once,  locating  in   Alliance,  Nebraska,  where  he  was  made  surgeon  of  the 
>  Burlington  &  Missouri  River  Railroad  and  met  with  unusual  success  in  the  pur- 
'  '   suit  of  his  profession.    In  1904  he  returned  to  Abingdon,  his  home  town.    Here 


:';.••>;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :  -c:-^^        857 

,':  '-:  ';:/';•:••-,••'•:'-•,'.•:  :';'.•  ','.'•.  '  V.' •' 

he  has  remained  ever  since,  and  through  unfaltering  devotion  to  his  profession 
has  built  up  a  flourishing  practice. 

On  June  30,  1897,  Dr.  Bellwood  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Edna  Kelly 
Shaffer  of  Fairfield,  Iowa.  To  this  union  was  born  one  child,  Irene.  Mr.  Bell- 
wood  is  a  member  of  the  Knox  county  Medical  Society,  of  the  Illinois  State 
Medical  Society  and  of  the  American  Medical  Association.  He  belongs  to  the 
Abingdon  Lodge  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Always  progressive  and  alive  to  the 
needs  promoting  the  best  interests  of  his  fellowmen,  he  has  remained  inde- 
pendent in  his  political  views,  voting  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  best  judg- 
ment. He  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopalian  church  in  which  his  wife  is  an 
active  worker.  For  his  faithful  performance  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  hin> 
in  his  professional  as  well  as  his  private  life,  Dr.  Bellwood  has  wod  for  himself 
the  high  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  As  a  physician  and  surgeon  he  enjoys  a 
wide  reputation  and  a  lucrative  practice.  ;,;•;<;.  •..'  :  ::;v-  ;•;:  : 


/ ;  :  v  ^;::..:;;'    •  .:  ;  '.'  ••;  ,'v;     JOHN 

In  the  upbuilding  and  development  of  Knox  county  John  Burch  has  been  a 
potent  factor,  not  only  in  the  improvement  of  good  farming  property  but  also 
as  a  builder,  in  which  connection  he  has  erected  many  substantial  dwellings 
throughout  the  county.  He  was  born  in  Albany,  New  York,  in  May,  1848,  a 
son  of  Moses  and  Maria  (Petry)  Burch,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the 
Empire  state.  The  father,  who  was  a  wagon  and  cabinet-maker,  was  engaged 
in  that  line  of  activity  near  Albany  for  many  years.  In  his  family  were  ten 
children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  eight  are  now  living,  including 
John,  the  subject  of  this  review.  The  others  are:  .Mrs.  Betsy  Stewart,  resid- 
ing in  New  York  state ;  Seth,  who  makes  his  home  near  Albany ;  Mrs.  Louisa 
Gold,  Rufus,  and  Mrs.  Rosanna  Decker,  all  of  whom  live  in  the  Empire  state; 
Mrs.  Harriet  Crawford,  whose  home  is  in  eastern  Illinois ;  and  William,  of 
New  York. 

John  Burch  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  state,  and 
at  the  same  time  his  training  at  farm  work  was  both  practical  and  comprehen- 
sive. Later  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  continued  to  follow  in 
connection  with  agricultural  pursuits  in  New  York  until  1868,  when  he  came 
west  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Abingdon,  Knox  county,  where  he  resided  for  a  short 
time.  He  then  removed  to  a  farm  in  Chestnut  township,  where  he  carried  on 
farming  and  carpentry  until  1907,  when  he  came  to  his  present  farm,  which 
comprises  eighty  acres.  In  the  meantime  he  took  a  very  active  and  substantial 
part  in  the  upbuilding  of  various  portions  of  the  county  in  the  capacity  of  a 
carpenter,  erecting  and  assisting  in  erecting  many  good  dwellings  and  helping  in 
the  building  of  the  town  of  Hermon  and  of  London  Mills.  His  ability  and 
skill  in  that  trade  was  pronounced  and  his  time  was  kept  fully  occupied  with 
the  business  that  came  to  him  in  that  line  and  with  his  farming  interests. 
He  now  owns  a  fine  tract  of  land  on  section  12,  Indian  Point  township,  which 
he  has  brought  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  today  he  ranks  among  the 
substantial  and  well-to-do  business  men  of  this  locality.  .  >•  •  >.'. 


858 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Mr.  Biirch  was  married  in  Knoxville,  in  1869,  to  Miss  Phoebe  Richmond,  a 
daughter  of  Walter  and  Susanna  Richmond,  who  were  very  early  settlers  in 
Knox  county.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  being  thus  engaged  for 
many  years  in  Indian  Point  township.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burch  have  become  the  parents  of  three  children,  of  whom  the 
second,  Alvie,  lives  at  home  and  assists  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  farm. 
Susie,  the  first  in  order  of  birth,  married  Emerson  D.  Yerion,  and  they  now 
make  their  home  in  Huntsville,  Alabama.  Hazel,  the  youngest,  resides  with 
her  parents. 

A  strong  advocate  of  the  principles  of  the  democratic  party,  Mr.  Burch  is 
an  earnest  worker  in  party  ranks  and  served  as  collector  of  Chestnut  township 
for  several  tferms.  He  has  also  filled  the  office  of  school  director  and  the  cause 
of  education  finds  in  him  a  warm  champion.  He  has  ever  been  a  busy  man  and 
his  active  life  has  gained  for  him  a  creditable  degree  of  success  and  at  the  same 
time  has  won  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  his  fellowmen  because  of  the 
honorable  policy  which  he  has  at  all  times  followed.  ;  •;' ,  -^  • 


JOHN  WEST. 


The  operation  of  a  highly  cultivated  and  well  improved  farm  of  nearly  five     : : '. 
hundred  acres  located  in  Truro  and  Persifer  townships  engages  the  entire  time     :-'•:' 
and  attention  of  John  West,  who  is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  in  this  section 
of  the  county.     His  birth  occurred  on  the  old  family  homestead  in  the  vicinity    • 
of  Maquon,  Knox  county,  February  25,  1843,  and  there  he  was  reared  to  man-    ;•;. 
hood.    Samuel  West,  his  father,  came  to  Illinois  during  the  pioneer  days,  acquir-      •' 
ing  land  near  Maquon  that  he  cultivated  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  fifty-two   y / 
years.     He  married  Mary  Ann  Gullett,  and  they  had  six  children.  -'•:';; 

Reared  on  what  was  then  termed  the  frontier,  in  the  acquirement  of  his      •. 
education  John  West  attended  the  district  schools,  during  brief  terms,  in  which     ' 
he  mastered  the  common  branches.     In  common  with  other  lads  of  that  period    --^T 
he  early  began  his  agricultural  training,  being  assigned  duties  about  the  fields 
and  barns  that  were  increased  with  the  development  of  his  strength  and  sense 
of  responsibility  during  the  passing  years.     In   1862,  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
years,  he  dropped  the  plow  for  the  musket,  enlisting  as  a  member  of  Company    -,  / 
F,  Eighty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  under  Captain  Burkhalter  of  Sher-    V 
man's  army.     He  was  in  the  service  for  three  years,  and  during  that  time  par-    >   . 
ticipated  in  many  of  the  most  notable  conflicts  but  was  never  wounded.     He      :; 
was  captured  by  the  enemy,  however,  and   served  ten  months  in  confederate   :.   - 
prisons.    When  mustered  out  he  returned  to  Knox  county  and  farmed  for  sev-  v. ';' 
eral  years  in  the  vicinity  of  Maquon.     In   1867  he  purchased  the  place  where    ,; 
he  now  lives,  having  made  this  his  home  for  forty-four  years.     Many  and  ex-  ;  • 
tensive  improvements  have  been  wrought  during  that  time  and  he  now  has  one  ,-  ;• 
of  the  most  highly  cultivated  and  valuable  homesteads  in  the  township.     Mr.    ':- 
West  is  a  man  of  practical  ideas  and  progressive  methods  and  as  he  is  both  enter- 
prising and  industrious  has  prospered  in  a  most  gratifying  manner  in  his  under- 
takings.   His  fields  are  devoted  to  such  cereals  as  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil. 


JOHN   WEST 


858  '  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 


^fr.  r>urch  was  married  in  Knoxvillc,  in  iSC^,  to  Miss  I'hoebe  Richmond,  a 
daughter  of  \\'alter  and  Susanna  Richmond,  who  were  very  early  settlers  in 
Knox  county.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  being  thus  engaged  for 
many  years  in  Indian  Point  townshijx  I'.oth  he  and  his  wife  are  now  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  I'.urch  have  become  the  parents  of  three  children,  of  whom  the 
second,  Alvie,  lives  at  home  and  assists  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  farm. 
Susie,  the  first  in  order  of  birth,  married  Emerson  D.  Yerion,  and  they  now 
make  their  home  in  lluntsville,  Alabama.  Hazel,  the  youngest,  resides  with 
her  i)arents. 

A  strong  advocate  of  the  jjrinciples  of  the  democratic  party,  Mr.  Burch  is 
an  earnest  worker  in  jiarty  ranks  and  served  as  collector  of  Chestnut  township 
for  several  terms.  He  has  also  filled  the  office  of  school  director  and  the  cause 
of  education  finds  in  him  a  warm  champion.  He  has  ever  been  a  busy  man  and 
his  active  life  has  gained  for  him  a  creditable  degree  of  success  and  at  the  same 
time  has  won  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  his  fellownien  because  of  the 
honorable  policy  which  he  has  at  all  times  followed.  ;  : 


:    V  •  JOHN  WEST.  ; 

The  operation  of  a  highly  cultivated  and  well  improved  farm  of  nearly  five 
hundred  acres  located  in  Truro  and  Persifer  townshi])s  engages  the  entire  time 
and  attention  of  John  West,  who  is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  in  this  section 
of  the  county.  His  birth  occurred  on  the  old  family  homestead  in  the  vicinity 
of  Maf|uon,  Knox  county,  February  25,  1^43,  and  there  he  was  reared  to  man- 
hood. Samuel  \\'est.  his  father,  came  to  Illinois  during  the  pioneer  days,  acquir- 
ing land  near  Maquon  that  he  cultivat-e<l  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  fifty-two 
years.  He  married  Mary  Ann  Ciullett,  and  they  had  six  children. 

Reared  on  what  was  then  termed  the  frontier,  in  the  acquirement  of  his 
education  John  \\'cst  attended  the  district  schools,  during  brief  terms,  in  which 
he  mastered  the  common  branches.  In  common  with  other  lads  of  that  period 
he  early  began  his  agricultural  training,  being  assigned  duties  about  the  fields 
and  barns  that  were  increased  with  the  development  of  his  strength  and  sense 
of  res])onsibilit\'  during  the  ])assing  years.  In  i8r)2,  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
years,  he  dropped  the  plow  for  the  musket,  enlisting  as  a  member  of  Company 
F,  Eighty-sixth  Illinois  \'olunteer  Infantry  under  Captain  Burkhalter  of  Sher- 
man's army.  He  was  in  the  service  for  three  years,  and  during  that  time  par- 
ticipated in  many  of  the  most  notable  conflicts  but  was  never  wounded.  He 
was  captured  by  the  enemy,  however,  and  served  ten  months  in  confederate 
prisons.  When  mustered  out  he  returned  to  Knox  county  and  farmed  for  sev- 
eral years  in  the  vicinity  of  Macjuon,  In  !<%-  he  purchased  the  place  where 
he  now  lives,  having  made  this  his  home  for  forty-four  years.  Many  ami  ex- 
tensive improvements  have  been  wrought  during  that  time  and  he  now  has  one 
of  the  most  highly  cultivated  and  valuable  homesteads  in  the  townshij).  Mr. 
West  is  a  man  of  practical  ideas  and  progressive  methods  and  as  he  is  both  enter- 
prising and  industrious  has  ])rosi)ered  in  a  most  gratifying  manner  in  bis  under- 
takings. His  fields  are  devoted  to  such  cereals  as  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil. 


.nil IN    \VKST 


/-,.  :.    HISTORY  OF  .KNOX  COUNTY  '       "  -      /,  ;      861 

and  in  connection  with  his  general  farming  he  also  engages  in  stock-raising, 
both  having  proven  lucrative  under  his  capable  direction.  All  of  the  buildings 
now  standing  on  the  place  have  been  erected  during  the  |>eriod  of  his  owner- 
ship, and  are  substantially  constructed  and  in  good  repair.  He  keeps  a  good 
grade  of  stock,  his  fields  are  carefully  tilled  and  everything  about  his  farm  sug- 
gests the  careful  supervision  and  thrift  that  are  the  accompaniments  of  success. 

Mr.  West  has  been  married  twice,  his  first  union  being  with  Rachel  Rebecca 
Kelly,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children.  Anna  is  the  wife  of  William  Bohan- 
nan  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  Bessie,  Philetta  and  Selma. 
Philemon  marries  Miss  Mabel  Dillon  and  to  them  were  bom  three  children, 
Geneva,  Robert  and  Blondell.  Elsie  became  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Johnson 
and  is  the  mother  of  two  children,  Edwin  and  Gertrude.  Arden  married  Geneva 
Murray,  and  to  them  were  bom  four  children,  Vivian,  Ronald,  Bertram  and 
Audrey.  Orren  married  Josie  Dawson  and  they  are  the  parents  of  four  chil- 
dren, Lavon,  Laverne,  Oral  and  Gyneth.  The  present  Mrs.  West  was  formerly 
Miss  Mary  B.  Blackburn,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  she  is  by  her  marriage 
to  Mr.  West  the  mother  of  six  children,  Lloyd,  Leota,  Jay,  Ray,  Elizabeth  and 
Earl. 

Mr.  West  is  an  honored  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  by 
which  medium  of  association  he  maintains  relations  with  his  comrades  of  the 
field.  He  has  always  voted  the  republican  ticket  but  has  never  placed  himself 
in  line  for  political  preferment,  although  he  is  now  a  road  commissioner.  Dur- 
ing the  long  period  of  his  residence  in  this  county  Mr.  West  has  contributed  his 
full  share  toward  promoting  its  agricultural  development  and  he  is  now  justly 
regarded  one  of  the  leading  and  representative  farmers  of  the  township. 


;-'--'-'''^'^:.  ::'••'•';  :-'i^':'-,.V5-.i     J.  F.  ABDILL.  '.y~^K:  -:       ,•;-':,, 

/  J.  F.  Abdill,  who  owns  and  occupies  a  beautiful  place  of  six  acres  just  out- 
side of  Abingdon,  was  bom  in  Henderson  county,  Illinois,  on  the  I2th  of  Janu- 
ary, i86i.  He  is  the  only  child  born  of  the  marriage  of  David  T.  and  Sarah 
(Fryrear)  Abdill.  In  his  early  manhood  David  T.  Abdill,  who  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  came  to  Henderson  county,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  until  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war.  Responding  to  the  call  of  the  nation's  chief,  he  weijt 
to  the  front  in  defense  of  his  country,  and  when  mustered  out  located  in  Fort 
Worth,  Texas,  where  he  was  later  married  and  has  ever  since  resided. 

J.  F.  Abdill  was  reared  by  his  grandparents  with  whom  he  remained  until 

;    their  death,  obtaining  his  education  in  the  common  schools.    Having  spent  his 

-    boyhood  and  youth  on  a  farm,  he,  when  ready  to  begin  his  independent  career, 

:     naturally  turned  to  the  vocation  for  which  he  was  best  adapted,  and  for  some 

';  time  devoted  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  in  his  native  county.     In 

;.    1889  he  became  imbued  with  the  western  fever  and  went  to  Nebraska,  purchas- 

. ,    ing  a  section  of  land,  that  he  cultivated  for  twelve  years.     At  the  expiration 

;  of  that  period  he  removed  to  Iowa,  buying  land  near  Washington,  that  state. 

i;    After  operating  this  for  seven  years  he  came  to  Knox  county,  purchasing  his 

:'.    present  place  near  Abingdon  in  addition  to  which  he  also  owns  forty  acres  in 


Vol.    n— 39 


862  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     C  vv^:; 

Cedar  township.  Mr.  Abdill's  homestead  is  one  of  the  show  places  of  that 
vicinity.  He  has  a  beautiful  residence  surrounded  by  tastefully  arranged  and 
well  kept  grounds,  presenting  a  most  charming  and  home-like  appearance. 

In  1885,  while  still  a  resident  of  Henderson  county,  Mr.  Abdill  was  married 
to  -Miss  Malissa  A.  Carr,  a  native  of  Warren  county,  this  state.  Six  children 
have  been  born  of  this  union,  as  follows :  Glen,  who  is  deceased ;  one  who  died 
in  infancy;  and  Flossie  May;  Bessie,  at  home;  Hiram  Lester,  deceased;  and 
Blanch  Freda,  also  at  home. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Abdill  is  a  member  of  the  United  Workmen  of  America,    > 
while  his  political  support  he  accords  to  the  republican  party.     He  is  one  of 
the  substantial  citizens  of  Abingdon,  whose  well  and  capably  directed  energies 
during  his  early  manhood  has  enabled  him  to  acquire  the  means  to  assure  him 
ease  and  comfort  during  his  latter  years,  while  yet  he  is  in  his  prime. 


^,  .":5>i;:  v;.  .  WILLIAM  BOND.    /  :^';/-' V''V '.'•>- 

'  In  the  death  of  William  Bond  the  agricultural  interests  of  Knox  county  lost 
an  important  representative.  He  was  thoroughgoing  and  progressive  in  the 
management  of  his  flourishing  farm  and  was  known  throughout  the  county  as 
one  of  the  prosperous  and  substantial  residents  who  won  a  comfortable  com- 
petence by  dint  of  his  unremitting  labors.  A  native  of  Ohio,  he  was  born  in 
Preble  county,  February  i8,  1819,  and  continued  to  reside  there  during  the  first 
thirty-three  years  of  his  life.  His  father,  Exumus  Bond,  was  a  native  of  South 
Carolina  and  removed  to  Ohio  when  a  young  man.  He  married  Juda  Bennett 
and  a  number  of  years  later  removed  to  Randolph  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Mrs.  Bond  died  in  Preble  county,  Ohio. 

In  1852  William  Bond  left  Ohio  and  settled  in  Brimfield  township,  Peoria 
county,  Illinois.  Two  years  later  he  purchased  the  farm  in  Elba  township  on 
which  his  widow  now  resides,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
rich  and  productive  land.  This  he  cultivated  with  much  success  during  the 
ensuing  years  of  his  life.  He  was  married  December  21,  1845,  to  Miss  Eliza 
J.  Peterson.  She  was  born  January  22,  1826,  in  Tennessee,  a  daughter  of  John 
and  Sarah  (McCorcle)  Peterson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Virginia.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bond  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  born  in  the  following  order: 
Sarah  A.,  deceased ;  Frances,  the  wife  of  William  Pitman,  by  whom  she  has 
eight  children;  Ella  C.,  the  wife  of  William  Barrett,  by  whom  she  has  four 
children ;  Alice  E.,  the  wife  of  Marion  Ellison,  by  whom  she  has  five  children : 
Augusta,  living  at  home;  and  Edward  C.,  of  Sparta  township,  who  married 
Mary  Stone  and  has  five  children.  ;  ,:  ;  ..  ...  j  .j.  '  ! 

Mr.  Bond  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  but  was  never 
eager  for  the  honors  and  emoluments  of  public  office.  Mrs.  Bond  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  therein  a  helpful  and  loyal  worker. 
The  death  of  William  Bond  occurred  on  the  loth  of  February,  1903,  when  he 
had  reached  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  One-half  of  the  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  which  he  bequeathed  to  his  wife,  she  rents  to  a  tenant. 
Honest  and  upright  in  all  his  relations  in  life,  Mr.  Bond  enjoyed  the  high  regard 


..  '\     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :   ;>         868 

of  all  who  knew  him,  and  in  his  death  the  community  suffered  the  loss  of  one. 
who  represented  the  best  type  of  American  citizenship.  He  never  shirked  the 
duties  which  fell  to  his  lot  but  performed  his  share  in  the  world's  work  with 
willingness  and  pleasure.,  —  •  .-  -•  •-.-.-;.-  •  >•  .  -  .- 


•:\:;..\:v  ;;,--;  ;'  •  '-'"^'/'C-:-      STRAWTHER  GIVENS.   ^  ;^  '  ;  •       v  '^v  :;:->;^'^-,;V 

To  recount  the  history  of  a  community  one  has  often  merely  to  consider  a 
small  group  of  men  whose  activities  and  energies  are  so  inseparably  woven  into 
the  warp  and  woof  of  the  social  fabric  about  them  that  in  relating  the  history 
of  their  rise  and  growth  we  are  recounting  the  history  of  the  development  of 
the  community.  To  this  generalization  Abingdon  is  no  exception  and  con- 
spicuous among  its  group  of  foremost  citizens  is  Strawther  Givens.  Identified 
with  the  organization  of  practically  every  industry  and  progressive  movement 
that  has  originated  in  this  town,  Mr.  Givens  has  had  an  incalculable  influence  in 
shaping  the  industrial,  commercial,  and  social  character  of  Abingdon.  He 
was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Indiana,  May  23,  1843.  He  was  the  son 
of  Thales  H.  Givens  and  the  grandson  of  James  Givens,  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812  who  won  distinction  under  General  Jackson  at  the  battle  of 
New  Orleans.  His  mother  was,  in  her  maidenhood,  Julia  Carter  who,  like  her 
husband  Thales  H.  Givens,  was  a  native  of  Madison  county,  Kentucky.  They 
were  married  in  Brown  county,  Indiana,  to  which  place  they  had  removed  with 
their  parents.  After  their  marriage  they  settled  on  a  farm  in  Monroe  county, 
Indiana,  residing  there  up  to  1854  when  they  came  to  Illinois  and  bought  a 
farm  on  the  county  line  between  McDonough  and  Hancock  counties.  In  1865 
they  withdrew  from  the  farm  and  removed  to  Abingdon,  where  Mr.  Givens 
became  a  prominent  factor  in  the  business  and  financial  enterprises  of  this 
town.  In  company  with  his  son  Strawther  and  J.  M.  Dawdy,  he  organized  the 
first  bank  in  Abingdon.  He  was  a  trustee  of  Hedding  College  for  a  number  of 
years  and  was  one  of  the  most  influential  men  of  his  day  in  this  section  of  the 
country.  He  died  on  April  23,  1882.  ;  J; 

Fortunate  in  his  parentage  Strawther  Givens  in  his  youth  enjoyed  advantages 
far  beyond  the  reach  of  many  of  the  boys  of  his  time.  His  primary  education 
he  received  in  the  district  school  in  the  vicinity  of  the  old  home  farm  on  the 
border  of  McDonough  county.  Later  he  attended  the  State  University  of  In- 
diana and  followed  this  with  a  commercial  course  at  Burlington,  Iowa.  On 
Christmas  day,  1862,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Huston,  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  Huston,  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  McDonough  county.  Subse- 
quent to  his  marriage  he  engaged  in  farming.  On  March  i,  1870,  he  removed 
to  Abingdon  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business.  Thus  he  was  identified  with 
mercantile  interests  until  1873  when  he,  together  with  his  father  and  Mr.  Dawdy, 
established  the  bank  above  mentioned.  The  Union  Bank  of  Abingdon,  conduct- 
ing the  business  under  the  firm  name  of  "Givens,  Dawdy  &  Company."  In 
1878  it  was  reorganized  with  Strawther  Givens  as  cashier,  and  was  known 
thereafter  merely  as  The  Union  Bank  of  Abingdon.  In  1879  he  engaged  in 
stock-raising  and  in  the  latter  capacity  won  a  wide  reputation  for  breeding  and 


864  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '     ' 

establishing  what  was  known  as  the  Maple  Grove  herd  of  Shorthorn  cattle. 
This  breed  of  cattle  attracted  much  attention  in  his  own  and  many  other  states, 
soon  making  him  nationally  famous  among  breeders  of  thoroughbred  stock. 
Since  his  removal  to  Abingdon  he  has  been  identified  with  the  organization  and 
development  of  such  interests  as  the  Iowa  Central  Railroad  Company,  The 
Abingdon  Sanitary  Manufacturing  Company,  The  Illinois  Theatre  Company 
and  The  Abingdon  Light  &  Power  Company.  Of  the  last  named  concern  Mr. 
Givens  was  for  some  years  the  president  and  general  manager,  during  which 
time  it  was  developed  to  its  present  high  level  of  efficiency.  In  1894  he  became 
identified  with  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business  and  into  this  he  threw 
all  his  energy  and  personality  as  he  did  in  every  undertaking.  The  results  of 
his  intensified  efforts  were  astonishing,  for,  during  the  years  of  his  connection 
with  this  enterprise,  he  built  up  one  of  the  largest  insurance  businesses  in  the 
county,  having  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  from  this  field  underwriters  for 
nearly  a  million  and  a  half  dollars.  It  is  not  an  overstatement  to  say  that 
there  is  possibly  not  a  man  in  Abingdon  who  has  done  more  to  promote  the 
business  welfare  of  the  city  than  he. 

Mrs.  Strawther  Givens  passed  away  in  December,  1907.  She  was  the 
mother  of  four  children:  Anna,  the  wife  of  W.  A.  Thomas  of  Wichita,  Kan- 
sas ;  Lucy,  the  wife  of  George  Foltz,  of  Abingdon ;  Laura,  deceased,  a  twin 
sister  of  Lucy,  married  to  Alfred  Ryden ;  and  Thales  H.,  a  ranchman  in  Teton 
county,  Montana.  In  his  political  faith  Mr.  Givens  has  always  been  an  ardent 
democrat  and  prominently  identified  with  the  party  for  many  years.  He  was 
a  delegate  of  the  national  convention  that  nominated  Cleveland  in  1884.  He 
has  served  five  terms  as  alderman  of  Abingdon  and  has  been  an  influential 
factor  in  his  party's  councils.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club. 

Widely  known  throughout  the  state  there  is  not  a  man  in  Illinois  whose 
business  pledge  is  more  trustworthy  than  is  that  of  Strawther  Givens.  Mount- 
ing on  the  foundation  of  unfaltering  integrity,  of  unremitting  energy  and  lofty 
idealism,  the  fact  of  his  success  needs  no  explanation.  -  . .  . 


•    '{^'.(v^V-vA    ..  '  •      J.  F.  SMITH.       ;^,:':''-^,:;' .'•:;':::,••=•.•'; 

In  one  of  the  handsome  homes  of  Hermon  lives  J.  F.  Smith,  for  some  years 
past  manager  of  the  Farmer's  Flevator  Company.  His  native  state  is  Ohio, 
where  he  was  born  in  Clinton  county  near  Wilmington  on  the  lOth  of  May, 
1851.  His  father,  Charles  W.  Smith,  was  born  in  Virginia,  where  this  branch 
of  the  family  had  located,  leaving  that  state,  however,  when  he  was  a  small  boy. 
On  their  westward  journey,  which  was  accomplished  by  train  and  wagon,  they 
made  their  destination  Knox  county,  Illinois,  settling  in  Indian  Point  township, 
in  the  year  1854.  There  he  grew  from  boyhood  to  manhood,  aiding  his  father 
in  his  task  of  transforming  the  raw  land  into  a  farm.  He  married  Miss  Lina 
C.  Moon  in  Ohio,  where  she  was  born.  Five  children  resulted  from  this  union:. 
Susan,  deceased ;  W.  H.,  postmaster  of  Colby,  Kansas ;  J.  F. ;  D.  H.,  of  Chicago; 
and  Sarah,  deceased.  Mrs.  Smith's  death  occurred  in  1907.  She  had  been  a 


-;  V       -  :       '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .:/\r    <  ^Vi-    865 

widow  for  many  years,  her  husband  having  passed  away  thirty-nine  years  be- 
fore in  the  year  1868.  They  are  both  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Hermon. 

J.  F.  Smith  was  given  the  usual  education  which  the  district  schools  of 
Indian  Point  township  afforded.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  commenced  his 
career  independently  as  a  farmer  in  his  home  township.  He  gave  this  up, 
however,  in  1884,  the  year  made  memorable  by  the  democratic  victory  in  the 
election  of  Cleveland  to  his  first  term  of  the  presidency.  Leaving  the  farm  he 
removed  to  Weldon,  where  he  lived  for  a  short  time,  until  a  desire  to  push 
farther  west  drew  him  to  Kansas,  where  he  located  in  Thomas  county.  For 
six  years  he  tilled  the  soil  of  his  farm  in  that  place,  when  he  concluded  to  come 
back  to  Indian  Point  township,  Knox  county,  the  locality  endeared  to  him  by 
many  associations  of  former  days.  He  gave  up  his  home  in  the  country  in 
1903,  removing  to  Hermon  upon  assuming  the  management  of  the  Farmer's 
Elevator  Company  and  has  resided  in  this  place  ever  since. 

Miss  Mary  Roberts  became  his  wife  in  1871.  Their  children  are:  Emma 
Lena,  wife  of  O.  M.  Barnes  of  Hermon,  Illinois ;  Albert  R. ;  Sina  Dora,  deceased ; 
Zella,  wife  of  C.  V.  Shumaker  of  Abingdon,  Illinois;  and  Orla  Glen,  of  Abing- 
don,  Illinois.  Mr.  Smith  and  his  wife  are  faithful  members  of  the  Christian 
church.  He  has  passed  through  all  the  chairs  of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  of 
Hermon  and  is  also  a  Modern  Woodman  of  America.  Politically  he  is  a  repub- 
lican in  his  sentiments.  Mt.  Smith  possesses  an  energetic  and  buoyant  tempera- 
ment which  cannot  be  easily  discouraged  and  to  those  who  seek  his  friendship 
he  is  ever  a  loyal  friend. 


••••'"'  -^ :•'-;.'  :':.;  .\- J :"•'.' v!:r';    J-  D.  ,  . 

J.  D.  Gray,  living  near  Elba  Center  on  a  farm  which  he  has  occupied  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  is  prominently  associated  with  the  agricultural 
interests  of  Knox  county,  being  successfully  engaged  in  the  pursuits  of  general 
farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  born  in  Maquon  township,  November  i8, 
1855,  his  parents  being  Lemuel  and  Mary  A.  (Swegle)  Gray.  The  father  was 
a  native  of  Highland  county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illinois  when  a  young  man, 
locating  in  Maquon  township,  Knox  county,  where  he  was  eng^aged  in  fanning 
all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  resided 
in  Elba  township.  He  died  in  Farmington  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray  were  the  par- 
ents of  five  children,  of  whom  J.  D.  is  the  oldest.  The  others  are:  Kate,. 
Josephine,  John  and  Charles. 

Passing  his  youth  under  the  parental  roof,  J.  D.  Gray  was  educated  in  the' 
common  schools  of  Knox  county  and  when  old  enough  to  work,  engfaged  in 
farming  on  the  home  place.  After  his  marriage  he  removed  to  his  present 
farm  located  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  near  Elba  Center.  It  is  a  valu- 
able tract  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  fertile  farm  land,  which 
he  operates  with  much  success  also  cultivating  a  tract  of  forty  acres  owned  by 
his  wife.  In  addition  to  this  he  has  an  interest  in  two  other  farms.  He  is 
progressive  in  his  methods  believing  that  the  most  competent  farmer  is  he  who 


866  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


is  best  equipped  for  his  work,  having  substantial  buildings,  first  class  machinery 
and  all  the  necessary  accessories  such  as  running  water,  a  lighting  plant  and 
other  modern  improvenients  that  contribute  in  such  a  large  measure  to  the  com- 
fort and  convenience  of  country  dwellers,  making  farm  life  not  only  desirable 
but  highly  attractive. 

Mr.  Gray  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  wedlock  to  Miss  Villa  Adams,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Ziba  Adams.  They  are  the  parents  of  four  children :  Earl,  who  is 
married  to  Miss  Ada  Farwell  and  has  one  child,  Mildred  Lorena ;  Amy,  who  is 
the  wife  of  William  Rambo  and  has  a  daughter,  lona ;  and  Ord  and  Floyd,  who 
are  both  at  home.  The  children  were  all  born  and  brought  up  on  the  farm 
where  the  parents  are  now  living.  Mr.  Gray  votes  with  the  democrats  and  has 
served  the  community  in  which  he  lives  in  various  official  capacities  as  school 
director,  as  tax  collector  and  as  commissioner.  He  is  a  man  who  possesses 
much  spirit  and  energy  and  throughout  his  life  has  advanced  by  virtue  of  his 
untiring  efforts  and  his  steadfast  devotion  to  the  ideals  which  he  has  never  lost 
sight  of,  content  to  provide  for  his  family  the  comforts  which  his  fair  compe- 
tence enables  him  to  secure  for  them  and  to  take  for  his  measure  of  reward  the 
joy  that  comes  with  the  knowledge  of  labor  well  performed.  ••  .-  ,- 


;  O;^-  GEORGE  W.  CLINE.     ::     r 

George  W.  Cline,  another  of  the  citizens  of  Indian  Point  township  who  has 
met  with  a  gratifying  degree  of  success  in  agricultural  pursuits,  was  born  in 
Berwick  township.  Warren  county,  Illinois.  His  natal  day  was  the  I2th  of 
October,  1863,  and  his  parents  Samuel  and  Olive  (Butler)  Cline,  the  father  a 
native  of  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  of  Greenbush  township,  Knox 
county.  Samuel  Cline  came  to  Illinois  during  his  boyhood  with  his  father,  who 
located  in  Sangamon  county  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  his 
early  manhood  he  went  to  Warren  county,  purchasing  a  farm  in  Berwick  town- 
ship upon  which  he  resided  until  he  retired  to  Abingdon, .  where  he  passed 
away  in  1898.  The  mother  survived  for  ten  years  thereafter,  her  death  occurring 
in  Abingdon  in  April,  1908.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cline  there  were 
born  three  sons  and  three  daughters.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows: 
Mary,  the  wife  of  John  Robinson,  of  Blackwell,  Oklahoma ;  George  W.,  our 
subject ;  Frederick,  who  is  living  on  the  old  homestead ;  Clara,  the  deceased 
wife  of  Oscar  Cashman,  a  resident  of  Knox  county;  Charles,  who  is  living  in 
Abingdon ;  and  Olive,  the  wife  of  Reuben  Davis,  a  farmer  of  Indian  Point 
township. 

Reared  at  home.  George  W.  Qine  received  his  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  Berwick  township.  While  engaged  in  mastering  the  common  branches 
of  English  learning  he  was  receiving  practical  training,  under  the  supervision 
of  his  father,  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  crops.  In  common 
with  the  majority  of  farmer  lads  from  his  early  boyhood  he  was  assigned 
regular  duties  about  the  homestead,  his  responsibilities  being  increased  with  the 
ptassing  years,  until  by  the  time  he  had  attained  his  majority  he  was  fully  quali- 
fied to  begin  his  independent  career  as  an  agriculturist.  In  1895  he  engaged  in 


,    :;       • ;    :    '•:    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .      *  ';^       867 

the  grain  and  lumber  business,  being  connected  with  this  in  both  Abingdon  and 
Hermon  for  eight  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  withdrew  from 
commercial  activities  and  returned  to  farming,  with  which  pursuit  he  has  ever 
since  been  identified.  Mr.  Cline  only  spends  the  summer  months  on  his  farm, 
returning  to  Abingdon  after  the  harvesting  is  over  in  the  fall  and  remaining 
there  until  spring.  He  is  progressive  in  his  methods,  yet  practical  in  his  ideas, 
so  judiciously  directing  and  supervising  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  and  care  of 
his  crops,  that  he  is  rewarded  abundant  harvests  of  a  quality  that  commands 
good  prices.  His  efforts  are  being  substantially  rewarded  and  he  is  recognized 
as  one  of  the  capable  agriculturists  of  the  township. 

: '  In  September,  1886,  Mr.  Cline  was  married  to  Miss  Effie  Baldwin,  who  was 
born  in  Abingdon  in  1865,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  A.  and  Nancy  (Williams) 
Baldwin,  the  father  a  native  of  Indiana  and  the  mother  of  Knox  county.  Mr. 
Baldwin,  who  was  a  painter  by  trade,  removed  with  his  wife  to  De  Witt, 
Nebraska.  Mrs.  Qine  passed  away  on  April  17,  1886,  and  on  the  7th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1890,  Mr.  Cline  was  married  at  Avon  to  Miss  Nellie  Rose.  She  is  a 
native  of  that  village,  her  birth  having  occurred  on  the  26th  of  April,  1872, 
and  is  a  daughter  of  W.  H.  and  Harriet  (Stevens)  Rose,  natives  of  the  state 
of  New  York.  They  are  now  residents  of  Avon.  The  father  was  for  many 
years  successfully  engaged  in  agriculture  and  is  the  owner  of  several  farms. 
Three  children  have  blessed  this  marriage:  Merle  F.,  Harold  D.  and  Bertha. 
Mr.  Cline  is  a  worthy  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  Abing- 
don Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  he  is  a  past  master,  and  he  also 
belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows,  being  past  noble  grand  of  the  Abingdon  Lodge, 
No.  184,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  affiliates  with  the  Universalist  church,  of  which  Mrs. 
Cline  is  a  member,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  republican.  He  is  one  of  the  highly 
regarded  citizens  of  Abingdon,  who  by  honorable  business  methods  and  upright 
principles  has  won  the  esteem  of  those  with  whom  he  has  had  transactions. 


:  :;.•-'..'.'•'•  ',\     ••  ••  -:::--A  ISAAC  BURNSIDE.  '^'^ ?,•';'.'•-  •  •  '      ' '.r' '^'^•^^••;-:/;-^ 

Isaac  Bumside,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  wealthy  citizens  of  Knox  county 
who,  after  following  for  many  years,  extensive  agricultural  and  stock-raising 
pursuits,  retired  to  Abingdon  where  he  lived  peacefully  till  death  claimed  him. 
He  was  born  in  Pocahontas  county,  Virginia,  August  26,  1826.  His  parents, 
William  and  Margaret  (Callison)  Burnside,  were  both  natives  of  Virginia  re- 
moving to  Indiana  when  Isaac  was  a  small  boy.  In  1852  they  came  to  Illinois 
locating  in  Chestnut  township,  Knox  county,  where  .Mr.  Burnside  followed  the 
pursuit  of  farming  until  his  death.  /i^  > '  .: 

Isaac  Burnside  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Indiana. 
When  ready  to  enter  upon  a  career  he  followed  the  calling  in  which  his  father 
had  trained  him.  In  April,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Price  of  Chestnut 
township,  and  established  his  home  on  a  farm  that  he  had  previously  purchased 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  father's  farm.  There  he  lived  until  1884  when  he  retired 
and  took  up  his  residence  in  Abingdon.  During  the  twenty-seven  years  in 
which  he  operated  and  improved  his  farm  he  was  extensively  engaged  in  stock- 


868  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  I     ' 

•. 

raising  and  in  buying  and  selling  stock.  His  tireless  devotion  to  duty  and  his 
business  acumen  brought  him  unusual  success  and  on  his  retirement  he  was 
accounted  one  of  the  rich  men  of  this  section  of  the  county,  owner  of  six  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  of  which  he  still  owned  five  hundred  and  eighty  acres  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  having  sold  twenty  thereof  some  years  earlier.  He  was 
heavily  interested  as  a  stockholder  in  the  First  State  Savings  Bank.  He  had 
also  become  by  purchase  the  owner  of  the  old  family  homestead. 

Mr.  Bumside  was  twice  married.  In  April,  1857,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Elizabeth  Price,  of  Chestnut  township,  with  whom  he  lived  thirty--  ^ 
one  years.  Her  death  occurred  May  20,  1888.  To  his  second  wife  he  was 
united  in  marriage  on  August  25,  1889.  She  was  Mrs.  John  Ruth,  her  maiden 
name  having  been  Miss  Susan  E.  Soliday.  Mrs.  Ruth's  parents  were  Samuel 
and  Catherine  A.  (Shafer)  Soliday,  both  natives  of  Fairfield  county,  Ohio, 
where  they  were  married,  coming  to  Illinois  in  1852.  They  located  first  in 
Tazewell  county,  and  in  1860  came  to  Knox  county,  making  their  home  in 
Salem  township.  In  1875  they  removed  to  Iowa,  where  they  bought  a  farm  in 
Adams  county.  There  they  remained  till  the  last,  Mr.  Soliday  passing  away 
in  1902  and  his  wife  in  1909.  Miss  Susan  Soliday's  marriage  to  Mr.  Ruth  oc- 
curred on  July  8,  1875.  His  death  on  March  30,  1888,  left  her  a  widow  until 
she  was  again  united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony  the  following  year.  There  was 
no  issue  to  either  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnside.  The  latter  is,  however, 
the  mother  of  an  adopted  daughter,  Dorothy  C.,  whom  she  is  tenderly  rearing, .,. 
giving  her  the  excellent  opportunities  of  education  and  travel  which  her  posi- 
tion and  means  permit.  She  is  a  woman  of  culture  and  refinement,  possessing 
a  charm  of  personality  that  wins  many  friends.  During  the  past  two  winters 
she  has  resided  in  California.  She  is  an  active  church  worker,  being  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Ladies' 
Aid  Society  of  the  Christian  church,  in  which  faith  Mr.  Burnside,  too,  was  an 
earnest  believer.  At  the  time  of  his  death  Mr.  Burnside  was  nearly  seventy-^  ^ 
nine  years,  passing  away  August  14,  1905.  Throughout  his  life  he  had  been 
a  man  of  high  moral  principles,  serious  in  his  purposes,  successful  in  his  under- 
takings, generous  and  kind  in  his  public  life  as  well  as  in  his  private  relations. 
In  the  memory  of  his  nobility  his  widow  finds  the  greatest  comfort  that  can 
soften  her  loss.  ''  '^  ;  ;  -  - ^~  . /hn.  >•;'''.'' '  v:.-. 


•    V-:v:    •  '       SAMUEL  MORSE  WHITING.         ••':• 

Samuel  Morse  Whiting,  who  is  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Altona, 
was  born  in  that  town  on  the  nth  of  August,  1857,  and  traces  his  ancestry 
back  to  William  and  Susanna  Whiting,  who  settled  in  Hartford.  Connecticut, 
in  1632,  having  come  from  Boxford,  Suffolk  county,  England.  William  Whit- 
ing was  a  very  wealthy  merchant  who  had  received  a  patent  for  land  at  Sevan- 
scot  with  Lord  Say  and  Lord  Brook.  He  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Connecti- 
cut colony  from  1642  to  1647  and  died  in  July  of  the  latter  year.  His  wife 
passed  away  July  8,  1673.  Their  son  Joseph  Whiting,  who  was  bom  October 
2,  1640,  and  died  October  8,  1717,  was  married  in  1676  to  Anna  Allyn,  who  was 


868  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  • 

raising  and  in  buying  and  selling  stock.  His  tireless  devotion  to  duty  and  his 
business  acumen  brought  him  unusual  success  and  on  his  retirement  he  was 
accounted  one  of  the  rich  men  of  this  section  of  the  county,  owner  of  six  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  of  which  he  still  owned  five  hundred  and  eighty  acres  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  having  sold  twenty  thereof  some  years  earlier.  He  was 
heavily  interested  as  a  stockholder  in  the  First  State  Savings  Bank.  He  had 
also  become  by  purchase  the  owner  of  the  old  family  homestead. 

Mr.  Burnside  was  twice  married.  In  April,  1857,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Elizabeth  Price,  of  Chestnut  township,  with  whom  he  lived  thirty- 
one  years.  Her  death  occurred  May  20,  1888.  To  his  second  wife  he  was 
united  in  marriage  on  August  25,  1889.  She  was  Mrs.  John  Ruth,  her  maiden 
nariie  having  been  Miss  Susan  E.  Soliday.  Mrs.  Ruth's  parents  were  Samuel 
and  Catherine  A.  (Shafer)  Soliday,  both  natives  of  Fairfield  county,  Ohio, 
where  they  were  married,  coming  to  Illinois  in  1852.  They  located  first  in 
Tazewell  county,  and  in  1860  came  to  Knox  county,  making  their  home  in 
Salem  township.  In  1875  they  removed  to  Iowa,  where  they  bought  a  farm  in 
Adams  county.  There  they  remained  till  the  last,  Mr.  Soliday  passing  away 
in  1902  and  his  wife  in  1909.  Miss  Susan  Soliday's  marriage  to  Mr.  Ruth  oc- 
curred on  July  8,  1875.  His  death  on  March  30,  1888,  left  her  a  widow  until 
she  was  again  united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony  the  following  year.  There  was 
no  issue  to  either  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnside.  The  latter  is,  however, 
the  mother  of  an  adopted  daughter,  Dorothy  C.,  whom  she  is  tenderly  rearing, 
giving  her  the  excellent  opportunities  of  education  and  travel  which  her  posi- 
tion and  means  permit.  She  is  a  woman  of  culture  and  refinement,  possessing 
a  charm  of  personality  that  wins  many  friends.  During  the  past  two  winters 
she  has  resided  in  California.  She  is  an  active  church  worker,  being  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions,  and  also  a  member  of  the  Ladies' 
Aid  Society  of  the  Christian  church,  in  which  faith  Mr.  Burnside,  too,  was  an 
earnest  believer.  At  the  time  of  his  death  Mr.  Burnside  was  nearly  seventy- 
nine  years,  passing  away  August  14,  1905.  Throughout  his  life  he  had  been 
a  man  of  high  moral  principles,  serious  in  his  purposes,  successful  in  his  under- 
takmgs,  generous  and  kind  in  his  public  life  as  well  as  in  his  private  relations. 
In  the  memory  of  his  nobility  his  widow  finds  the  greatest  comfort  that  can 
soften  her  loss. 


.      •'  SAMUEL  MORSE  WHITIXG. 

Samuel  Morse  Whiting,  who  is  engaged  in  mercantile  jnirsuits  in  Altona, 
was  born  in  that  town  on  the  nth  of  August,  1857,  and  traces  his  ancestry 
back  to  William  and  Susanna  Whiting,  who  settled  in  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
in  1632,  having  come  from  Boxford.  Suffolk  county,  England.  William  Whit- 
ing was  a  very  wealthy  merchant  who  had  received  a  patent  for  land  at  Sevan- 
scot  with  Lord  Say  and  Lord  Brook.  He  served  as  treasurer  of  the  Connecti- 
cut colony  from  iCt42  to  1647  and  died  in  July  of  the  latter  year.  His  wife 
passed  away  July  8,  1673.  Their  son  Joseph  Whiting,  who  was  born  October 
2,  1640,  and  died  October  8,  1717,  was  married  in  1676  to  Anna  Allyn,  who  was 


X. 


•;,•-••:•:::-     HISTORY  OF  KNOx  COUNTY  ;.    -vM^?      87i 

born  August  i8,  1652,  and  died  March  3,  1735.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Colonel 
John  and  Ann  (Smith)  Allyn.  Her  father,  who  was  secretary  of  the  Connecti- 
cut colony  for  twenty-eight  years,  was  born  February  24,  1630,  and  died  Novem- 
ber II,  1696.  John  Whiting,  son  of  Joseph  and  Anna  (Allyn)  Whiting,  was 
born  December  15,  1693,  and  died  February  12,  1766.  He  married  Jerusha 
Lord,  who  was  born  in  1699  and  died  in  1776.  Their  son  Allyn  Whiting  was 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  being  a  private  in  Major  Sheldon's  Regi- 
ment of  Light  Horse  and  Colonel  Enos'  Regiment  on  the  Hudson.  He  was 
bom  June  23,  1740,  and  died  February  9,  i8i8.  He  and  his  wife  Elizabeth 
joined  the  church  at  West  Hartford  in  1758.  Their  son  Joseph  Whiting  was 
bom  in  August,  1763,  and  died  February  i6,  1842.  He  was  married  in  1784 
to  Mary  Goodwin,  who  was  born  in  1766  and  died  in  1835.  Their  son  Allyn 
Whiting,  who  was  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  born  July  4,  1788,  and 
died  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  November  3,  1871.  He  married  Amanda  Alford,  who 
was  born  June  6,  1796,  and  died  May  3,  1849.  Their  son  Samuel  Phelps  Whit- 
ing, the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  September  19,  1821,  in  Hartford,  Con-  x 
necticut,  and  was  married,  in  Litchfield,  that  state.  May  28,  1845,  to  Miss  Lucre- 
tia  Morse  who  was  born  in  Litchfield,  August  22,  1823,  and  died  April  5,  1901. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Harriet  Morse,  who  were  married  March  14,  :' 
1821.  Her  mother  was  born  March  17,  1800,  and  died  February  28,  1882,  in 
Litchfield.  Her  father  was  born  in  that  city  March  6,  1792,  and  was  a  son  of 
Levi  and  Thalia  (Sanford)  Morse.  Levi  Morse  was  bom  in  Litchfield,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1775,  and  died  January  20,  1841.  His  wife  was  born  October  26, 
1776,  and  died  July  i6,  1854.  Mrs.  Lucretia  (Morse)  Whiting  belonged  to  a 
very  prominent  old  New  England  family  and  a  monument  has  been  erected 
which  bears  the  following  inscription :  "To  the  memory  of  seven  Puritans  who 
emigrated  from  England  to  America  in  1635-9.  John  Morse,  born  1604,  settled 
at  New  Haven  and  died  at  Wallingford,  Connecticut,  1707,  aged  one  hundred 
and  three  years.  Samuel  Morse,  bom  1585,  settled  at  Dedham,  1636,  died  at 
Medfield,  1654.  Joseph  Morse,  settled  at  Ipswich,  where  he  died  1646.  An- 
thony Morse,  born  at  Marlboro,  England,  1606,  died  at  Newbury,  1686.  Wil- 
liam Morse,  born  1608,  died  1685.  Robert  and  Peter,  their  brothers,  settled 
and  died  in  New  Jersey."  .  ^'' .'::::::•::;>-•:.>  :.  •  --rX  '•;- 

Samuel  Phelps  Whiting,  the  father  of  our  subject,  conducted  a  meat  market  .''•; 
in  his  native  city  until  coming  to  Victoria,  Illinois,  in   1851,  with  his  brother  '• 
Richard  and  family.     They  engaged  in  mercantile  business  for  two  years  and 
at  the  end  of  that  time  Samuel  P.  Whiting  removed  to  Altona,  where  he  opened 
a  meat  market.     In  addition  to  that  business  he  also  engaged  in  the  raising  and 
shipping  of  cattle,  horses  and  hogs,  becoming  one  of  the  leading  men  engaged 
in  that  enterprise  in  the  locality.     He  disposed  of  his  stock  in  Peoria,  which 
was  the  nearest  market.    His  was  one  of  the  first  frame  houses  built  in  Altona 
and  was  situated  on  Main  street,  opposite  the  present  place  of  business  of  Sam-  >  . 
uel  M.  Whiting.     In   1878  he  admitted  his  son  Samuel  as  a  business  partner  C?- 
and  subsequently  purchased  and  edited  for  five  years  Altona's  only  newspaper'  ' 
— the  Altona  Journal.     He  took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs  and  was  a  r  ; 
supporter  of  the  republican  party.    After  a  useful  and  well  spent  life  he  passed 
away  in  March,   1907.     In  his  family  were  four  children :  Samuel  M..  of  this 
review;  Delia,  the  wife  of  A.  H.  Miles,  a  druggist  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  Inez, 


872  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •-      ^ 

the  wife  of  A.  G.  Edwards,  a  druggist  and  ex  city  treasurer  of  Omaha,  Nebraska ; 
and  Angie,  the  wife  of  Ernest  R.  Smith,  of  Palo  Alto,  California. 

Samuel  M.  Whiting  has  been  engaged  in  the  meat  market  business  since  he 
finished  school  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  In  addition  to  conducting  his  market 
he  has  also  bought  and  shipped  cattle  to  the  near-by  markets.  For  one  year  he 
ran  a  restaurant  and  from  1892  to  1897  he  conducted  a  meat  market  in  Gales- 
burg  but  then  returned  to  Altona.  In  his  dealings  he  has  maintained  the  strictest 
business  integrity,  realizing  that  satisfied  customers  are  the  best  advertisement. 
He  keeps  in  touch  with  the  trade,  knows  what  the  market  offers  and  carries 
a  good  line  of  meats,  while  his  prices  are  reasonable  and  his  treatment  of  his 
patrons  always  courteous. 

Mr.  Whiting  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  M.  Pierce,  of  Walnut  Grove  township 
whose  birth  occurred  January  5,  1860.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Mathew  Pierce, 
who  came  to  Altona  from  New  York  state  when  very  young  and  is  now  living 
retired  at  Galesburg.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whiting  four  children  have  been  born: 
Claude  N.,  an  electrician,  who  married  Jennie  Nelson  and  is  residing  in  Cairo, 
Illinois;  Harry  S.,  the  assistant  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  at  Victoria,  Illinois, 
who  married  Lillian  Wenstrom,  of  Altona,  and  they  have  a  little  daughter, 
Lucile,  born  January  ii,  1912;  Inez,  who  is  engaged  in  teaching  music  and  is 
residing  at  home ;  and  Mathew  Pierce,  who  since  his  graduation  from  school  has 
assisted  his  father  in  the  meat  market.  :  :,  ^  .  .  V' •^l  •  V  .- 

Mr.  Whiting  is  an  active  and  enthusiastic  republican  and  has  frequently  been 
elected  to  office.  He  has  served  as  village  clerk  and  has  four  times  been  elected 
supervisor,  his  first  election  being  in  1889.  For  nine  years  he  served  as  county 
committeeman  and  during  that  time  did  much  active  work  in  furthering  the 
interests  of  the  republican  party.  Practically  his  whole  life  has  been  spent  in 
Altona,  where  he  has  the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the  two  oldest  business 
men.  He  occupies  a  place  of  prominence  as  one  of  the  energetic  business  men, 
succeeding  in  what  he  undertakes  by  reason  of  his  forceful  character  and  his 
strict  conformity  to  modern  business  methods.  •  .-r  '  ' 


,;=  •   .;  WILLIAM  PORTER  REED.     .        ;   .:       .    • 

William  Porter  Reed,  who  is  living  retired  on  his  farm  in  Lynn  township, 
Knox  county,  was  born  on  the  2Oth  of  January,  1843,  in  Memphis,  Missouri, 
his  parents  being  Daniel  Porter  and  Lena  (Carter)  Reed,  whose  births  occurred 
in  i8i8  and  1823  respectively.  Daniel  P.  Reed  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
his  mother's  death  occurring  when  he  was  a  mere  child,  and  he  was  reared  by 
her  sister.  He  is  living  at  present  and  makes  his  home  in  California.  When 
he  was  but  seventeen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Ohio,  but  subsequently  settled  in 
Stark  county.  After  his  marriage  he  left  for  Missouri  and  resided  there  eight 
years,  farming,  but  then  returned  to  Stark  county  where  his  aunt  was  residing. 
He  farmed  in  Illinois  for  five  years  before  removing  to  Galva  in  1854.  He 
remained  there  until  1890,  when  he  left  for  California,  in  which  state  he  is  at 
present  living  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety-four  years.  He  has  always  been 
an  active  traveler,  and  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  he  came  to  Illinois  to  visit  his 


H    /'.;;;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;^         873 

children.  After  remaining  with  them  for  a  short  time  he  returned  to  his  western 
home,  a  remarkable  feat  for  one  of  his  years,  showing  the  virile  health  and 
vitality  he  is  now  enjoying.  He  was  married  to  Lena  Carter,  who  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  Carter,  whose  birth  occurred  near  Mansfield,  Ohio.  She  passed 
away  in  ^895.  To  their  union  nine  children  were  born,  five  of  whom  survive : 
William  P.,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  review;  Isaac,  who  is  in  the  real-estate 
business  in  Chicago;  Mary,  who  is  married  to  W.  R.  Soper,  of  Galva;  Isabell, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Burbank  of  Santa  Cruz,  California;  and  Cora,  who 
married  Henry  Fropwell,  of  California. 

William  P.  Reed  received  a  few  years'  education  in  the  district  schools  near 
his  father's  farm  and  at  the  same  time  was  actively  engaged  assisting  his  father 
in  the  duties  on  the  home  property,  beginning  at  the  age  of  nine  to  handle  the 
plow.  He  did  other  heavy  labor  and  attended  school  for  a  short  time  during 
the  winter.  In  i86i,  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  at  Kewanee, 
for  service  in  the  Civil  war  with  Company  H  of  the  Ninth  Illinois  Cavalry 
under  Captain  Bishop.  He  served  for  three  years  in  the  western  army  under 
Sherman.  In  1862  he  also  served  under  Stephen  Curtis  through  Missouri  and 
Arkansas,  and  in  the  winter  of  1862-63  continued  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  to 
take  part  in  the  Grierson  raid  through  that  state  to  Louisiana.  He  was  cap- 
tured in  battle  at  Moscow,  Tennessee,  and  sent  to  the  Alabama  prison.  Six 
weeks. later  he  was  transferred  to  Andersonville,  where  he  remained  for  eight 
months  when  he  was  again  transferred,  this  time  being  sent  to  Charleston, 
South  Carolina.  During  his  detention  at  Andersonville  he  escaped  once  but 
was  captured  by  bloodhounds.  An  incident  worth  mentioning  which  took  place 
during  Mr.  Reed's  venturesome  exploits,  occurred  on  his  recapture,  when  within 
forty  miles  of  Pensacola,  Florida,  the  rebels,  to  make  doubly  sure  of  their 
captive,  had  a  blacksmith  weld  irons  on  his  arms  and  a  ball  and  chain  to  his 
ankle.  Subsequently  he  escaped  on  a  log  in  the  river  but  was  betrayed  by  a 
negro  and  was  again  captured,  but  finally  while  on  parole  at  Savannah,  Georgia, 
he  escaped  and  for  a  month  lived  by  begging.  Finally  he  became  acquainted 
with  a  Union  family,  who  supplied  him  with  clothing  and  twenty  dollars  in 
money,  but  he  was  again  captured,  and  while  being  transported  to  prison  he 
jumped  from  the  freight  car,  joined  his  army  and  was  sent  to  New  York  city. 
Later  he  was  sent  to  Annapolis,  where  he  was  mustered  out  and  left  for  home 
by  way  of  Peoria,  Illinois.  Later,  at  Springfield,  he  was  discharged,  and  almost 
immediately  afterward  left  for  Colorado,  where  for  eighteen  months  he  engaged 
in  cattle  herding.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Galva,  but  after  his 
marriage  returned  to  southern  Kansas,  where  for  five  years  he  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  until  he  purchased  his  present  home.  When  he  went  to 
Kansas  he  was  in  company  with  horse  and  sulky  and  took  up  a  land  claim 
near  Cherryville,  where  the  Osage  Indians  were  their  neighbors.  He  erected 
the  cabin  himself  and  built  their  log  house.  The  cabin  had  one  half  window 
for  light.  Two  months  later  his  wife  followed  by  way  of  Kansas  City,  and 
remained  with  her  husband  on  that  place  for  five  years.  They  resided  within 
three  miles  of  the  noted  Bender  family,  but  Mr.  Reed  had  never  heard  of  them 
until,  while  searching  for  his  cattle  which  had  been  lost,  he  met  them.  This 
was  during  the  Bender  family's  noted  criminal  and  murdering  career.  In  1873 
Mr.  Reed  came  to  Galva  and  purchased  his  father's  farm.  Two  years  later  he 


874         ••  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^C  ^v^  ' 

bought  the  place  upon  which  he  is  now  residing.  He  has  since  lived  near  Galva 
continuously  excepting  the  year  of  1887  when  he  removed  to  Galesburg,  so 
that  his  children  might  have  better  educational  advantages.  All  his  property 
has  been  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  under  his  capable  man- 
agement and,  because  of  his  untiring  efforts  and  perseverence,  his  js  one  of 
the  most  productive  properties  in  this  section. 

On  July  17,  1867,  Mr.  Reed  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Ellen  Soper,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  the  29th  of  September,  1848,  near  Kingston,  Illinois,  and 
who  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Eggleston)  Soper,  the  former  a 
native  of  New  Jersey  and  the  latter  of  Albany,  New  York.  The  mother  came 
from  Fulton  county  with  her  parents  when  she  was  quite  young.  Joseph  Soper 
was  an  agriculturist  throughout  the  greater  part  of  his  active  career,  but  after 
disposing  of  the  management  of  his  land,  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  and 
grocery  business  at  Galva,  disposing  also  of  that  before  his  retirement.  His 
death  occurred  in  1907  when  he  was  eighty  years  of  age  and  the  mother  is  still 
living  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  Of  their  five  children  only  two  survive, 
Emma  Treloar,  of  California,  and  Mrs.  Reed.  -j'  ,  • 

Of  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  the  following  are  living:  Josephine 
H.,  who  is  married  to  Daniel  S.  Kelly,  of  Victoria,  Illinois;  Jay  D.,  of  Iowa, 
who  is  married  to  Retha  Van  Riper  and  who  is  the  father  of  three  sons,  Wil- 
liam, Maurice  and  Claude ;  and  Daniel  Porter,  who  is  residing  on  the  home 
farm  and  who  is  married  to  Miss  Bessie  Van  Buren,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Luella  Van  Buren.  Mr.  Reed  is  a  Mason,  holding  membership  in  Lodge  No. 
330,  of  Altona,  Illinois.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Post,  No.  45,  of 
Galesburg.  In  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  subsequently  in  his  business  under- 
takings Mr.  Reed  displayed  the  same  marked  determination  to  succeed  and  ability 
to  concentrate  his  whole  efforts  upon  one  undertaking  that  he  displayed  while 
in  the  war.  His  one  aim  has  been  to  succeed  and  to  succeed  along  lines  which 
are  a  credit  to  himself  and  his  community,  and  to  a  large  degree  he  has  met 
with  that  success.  .  .  •  .  /  •  •• 


V  ;:  ;:       .  JAMES  E.  ROBERSON.       ;  ;•    /  ;' 

James  E.  Roberson,  who  owns  and  operates  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  i8,  Indian  Point  township,  was  bom  in  the  southwestern 

.  part  of  Knox  county,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1864.  His  parents,  James  and 
Mary  (Smith)  Roberson,  were  both  born  in  Kentucky.  The  paternal  grand- 
father, who  was  a  farmer,  died  in  the  Blue  Grass  state,  after  which  his  widow 
and  four  sons  came  to  Illinois.  They  located  in  Woodford  county,  this  state, 
in  1834  and  two  years  later  came  to  Knox  county,  purchasing  government  land 
in  Indian  Point  township,  that  lately  was  sold  for  one  hundred  and  twenty  dol- 
lars per  acre.  It  was  there  that  James  Roberson  spent  the  remainder  of  his 

;  life  and  where  his  children  were  born  and  reared.  Mrs.  Roberson  is  still  living 
at  the  age  of  seventy  and  makes  her  home  in  Abingdon.  Four  sons  and  two 
daughters  were  born  of  this  marriage :  William,  who  is  the  eldest  member  of 
the  family,  now  residing  in  Abingdon;  Luna,  the  wife  of  Jason  Day,  a  farmer 


;A/      .    V    ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  <;     ;\/V^    875 

of  Iowa;  Lida,  who  married  Charles  Kendall,  of  California;  James  E.,  our  sub- 
ject; Thomas,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  California;  and  Clarence,  who  is  the 
youngest  member  of  the  family,  a  carpenter  of  Abingdon. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  James  E.  Roberson  were  spent  amid  the  scenes 
with  which  his  manhood  has  been  familiar,  his  education  having  been  obtained 
in  the  district  schools  of  Indian  Point  township.  He  remained  on  the  home 
farm  with  his  parents  until  he  had  attained  his  maturity,  during  which  time  he 
became  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture,  under 
the  capable  supervision  and  direction  of  his  father.  For  the  past  twenty  years 
he  has  been  farming  for  himself,  during  which  period  he  has  met  with  a  fair 
measure  of  success.  In  1892,  he  settled  upon  the  place  he  now  owns,  and  here 
he  engages  in  general  farming  in  connection  with  which  he  raises  cattle,  hogs 
and  sheep,  making  a  specialty  of  breeding  and  raising  a  high  grade  of  Poled 
Angus  cattle.  His  efforts  in  both  lines  of  the  business  have  been  rewarded  with 
very  good  results  and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  the 
township. 

The  22d  of  February,  1893,  was  the  wedding  day  of  Mr.  Roberson  and  Miss 
Clara  Dawdy,  a  native  of  this  township  and  a  daughter  of  Warren  and  Anna 
(Brown)  Dawdy.  The  father  is  a  native  of  Knox  county,  being  a  son  of  one 
of  the  first  settlers,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Ohio.  They  are  both  living 
and  continue  to  make  their  home  on  the  farm  in  Indian  Point  township,  where 
they  have  resided  for  many  years.  Two  daughters  were  born  unto  them,  the 
one  Mrs.  Roberson,  and  the  other,  Minnie,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Schister 
and  is  living  on  the  old  Roberson  homestead. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roberson  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  fraternally 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  being  identified  with  Abingdon  Lodge, 
No.  184,  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  matters  politic  Mr.  Roberson  gives  his  support  to  the 
democratic  party,  but  does  not  actively  participate  in  township  affairs,  although 
he  meets  the  requirements  of  good  citizenship  by  casting  a  ballot  on  election 
day.  He  is  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  the  community,  whose  ex- 
cellent judgment  and  inherent  ability  has  enabled  him  to  be  numbered  among 
the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  the  township.  ,..,-.,;.  .  .:,  ,  •-.•,. 


:    ;  .V          ;     •       J.  ARTHUR  ROUTH.       -•;;>;  .^  5    ./  ;;  • 

J.  Arthur  Routh,  for  years  an  electrician  in  Chicago  and  other  Illinois 
towns,  is  now  operating  a  farm  near  Hermon,  on  section  19,  Chestnut  township, 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  bom  January  21,  1873.  His  father, 
Thompson  L.  Routh,  whose  biography  appears  in  this  volume,  is  a  native  of 
Clinton  county,  Ohio,  coming  to  Chestnut  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  in 
the  early  fifties  when  he  was  three  years  old.  He  followed  the  occupation  of 
his  father,  engaging  in  farming  which  he  still  pursues  in  this  vicinity  with  much 
success.  His  mother,  Mary  C.  (Leigh)  Routh,  is  a  native  of  Knox  county. 

J.  Arthur  Routh  received  a  thorough  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his 
community,  at  Hedding  College,  Abingdon,  and  in  the  Normal  School  there, 
and  in  the  Bushnell  Normal  College.  When  twenty-three  years  old  he  went 


876  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^=>:::^', 

to  Chicago  and  secured  employment  in  the  General  Electric  Company's  shops. 
After  two  years  he  left  Chicago,  continuing  electrical  work  at  Pontiac,  Peoria, 
Galesburg  and  Abingdon,  covering  in  all  a  period  of  eleven  years.  In  1907  he 
settled  on  the  farm  on  section  19  where  he  was  born.  Here  he  is  living  at 
present  and  operating  one  hundred  and  five  acres  of  land  which  furnish  him 
with  a  generous  income.  He  also  owns  four  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
in  Jackson  county,  Wisconsin,  and  a  residence  in  Abingdon.  Besides  general 
farming  he  devotes  himself  to  the  raising  of  thoroughbred  Jersey  cows,  an 
occupation  in  which  he  has  been  unusually  successful.  .{;•-••• 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Gertrude  Robertson  in  1900.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  William  B.  and  Jennie  (Neece)  Robertson  and  is  a  native  of  Colchester 
township,  McDonough  county,  Illinois.  Her  father  was  born  in  Kentucky  and 
her  mother  in  Missouri.  They  are  still  residing  in  Colchester,  where  Mr.  Rob- 
ertson is  engaged  in  farming  and  is  also  a  carpenter  and  contractor.  They  had 
four  children  born  to  them :  Herman  C.,  a  dairyman  in  Colchester ;  Ora,  de- 
ceased;  Gertrude,  the  wife  of  J.  Arthur  Routh;  and  a  child,  who  died  in  infancy. 
Gertrude  (Robertson)  Routh  was  educated  in  the  Colchester  schools  and  at 
Bushnell  Normal  College,  and  then  taught  school  in  her  home  community  for 
four  years,  when  she  resigned  in  order  to  marry  Mr.  Routh.  She  is  the  mother 
of  two  children,  Mildred  Doris,  seven  years  old,  and  Howard  Aubrey,  three 
years  old.  .  .  •  \  •  •'•••".'N- •'''.••.•••'••-: '-k  >....  ;1  .':'•'/;;; 

J.  Arthur  Routh  votes  with  the  republicans  and  has  been  road  overseer  for 
one  term.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in 
which  they  are  highly  esteemed  by  a  large  circle  of  friends. 


^      ^  ;-  THOMAS  R.  P.  GOUGH.      V  ;      '  :  ^  i' 

Thomas  R.  P.  Gough,  who  is  filling  the  position  of  postmaster  at  Williams- 
field,  has  been  a  resident  of  Knox  county  for  twenty-seven  years.  He  was  born 
in  Bristol,  Somersetshire,  England,  in  1864,  and  is  a  son  of  R.  C.  and  Frances 
(Jones)  Gough.  His  parents  spent  their  entire  lives  in  England,  of  which 
country  the  father  was  a  native,  but  the  mother  came  from  Wales. 

Reared  to  the  age  of  twenty  years  under  the  parental  roof,  Thomas  R.  P. 
Gough  attended  a  private  school  in.  the  pursuit  of  his  education.  When  he  had 
acquired  such  knowledge  as  to  enable  him  to  undertake  life's  heavier  responsi- 
bilities, he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  In  com- 
mon with  many  other  young  men  America  strongly  appealed  to  him  as  the 
promised  land  of  opportimities,  in  which  to  pursue  his  career  amid  conditions 
somewhat  different  from  those  to  which  he  had  been  born,  and  1884  saw  him 
on  his  way  to  the  United  States.  He  landed  in  New  York  city  and  immediately 
made  his  way  inland  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Truro  township,  Knox  county. 
There  he  engaged  in  farm  labor,  in  connection  with  which  he  also  followed  his 
trade  until  1893,  when  he  took  a  position  with  C.  C.  Davis  &  Company,  who 
are  in  the  grain  business.  He  remained  in  their  employ  for  eleven  years,  re- 
sig^ing  his  position  to  assume  the  duties  of  postmaster,  to  which  office  he  was 


^  -;;';•    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  p;  877 

appointed  on  the  ist  of  October,  1904.  He  is  now  serving  his  eighth  year  in 
this  capacity,  in  connection  with  which  he  has  also  done  fanning. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Gough  chose  Miss  Ethel  May  Tucker,  a  daughter  of  Noah 
N.  Tucker,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  three  children :  Ellen  Frances,  Glen 
Thomas  and  Mabel  Evelyn. 

: ,  The  religious  views  of  the  family  are  manifested  through  their  affiliation 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  fraternally  Mr.  Gough  is  a  Mason, 
holding  membership  in  the  blue  lodge  of  Princeville  and  the  chapter  of  Yates 
City.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Eastern  Star  of  Princeville,  and  the  Woodmen  of 
the  World,  being  identified  with  the  Williamsfield  camp.  In  his  political  views 
Mr.  Gough  is  a  republican,  having  given  his  unqualified  indorsement  to  the 
principles  of  this  party  ever  since  granted  the  full  rights  of  citizenship.  He 
has  displayed  rare  efficiency  in  discharging  the  responsible  duties  of  his  present 
office,  his  service  having  proven  highly  satisfactory  to  the  community  at  large. 
Ehiring  the  long  period  of  his  residence  in  Williamsfield,  Mr.  Gough  has  won 
and  retained  the  friendship  of  many  of  the  most  estimable  citizens  of  the  town, 
as  he  has  always  manifested  those  qualities  that  invariably  win  respect  in  both 
his  public  and  private  life. 


'--^'      •:•-:•:':..•"•,.-':'_    N.  N.  TUCKER.     ;;:V  .-       '      ;;;;; 

*  --•;..,       *.•'''••-•"..••.-'•'•'•  -•'"'•    ^  '  -  .    '        '          .  -. .     •  '•  .' 

'.•••..  •        ''•.•-.''-.        ,'•'.'''..*'  '-..:  'I- ^  '*'''>'*•'';  '•  '•''•,.'' 

N.  N.  Tucker  is  the  owner  of  a  very  attractive  homestead  of  twenty  acres 
located  a  half  mile  southeast  of  Williamsfield,  where  he  is  now  living  retired. 
For  many  years  he  was  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  in  Knox  county,  the  proceeds  realized  from  his  business  being  largely 
invested  in  real  estate  in  the  county  and  he  now  owns  three  hundred  and  twelve 
acres  of  farming  land  in  Truro  township. 

He  was  bom  on  a  farm  located  a  half  mile  from  his  present  residence,  Novem- 
ber i8,  1858,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Mundy)  Tucker.  The  father 
passed  away  in  May,  1893,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years,  but  the  mother  is 
still  living  and  now  resides  in  Williamsfield.  Samuel  Tucker  was  born  in  Ash- 
land, Ohio,  in  October,  1822,  the  first  twelve  years  of  his  life  being  spent  on 
his  father's  farm  in  his  native  state.  In  1834  the  family  removed  to  Illinois, 
settling  in  Brimfield  township,  Peoria  county,  where  he  resided  for  fourteen 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  came  to  Knox  county,  locating  in 
Elba  township,  but  at  the  end  of  six  years  removed  to  Truro  township,  takmg 
up  his  residence  on  a  farm  a  half  mile  south  of  Williamsfield.  There  he  passed 
away,  being  at  that  time  the  most  extensive  landowner  in  the  township.  The 
mother  is  a  daughter  of  one  of  Knox  county's  pioneer  settlers,  and  represents 
the  third  generation  of  her  family  in  the  county.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Tucker  there  were  born  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  as 
follows :  J.  J.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Courtland,  Kansas ;  L.  V.,  who  lives  in 
Galesburg;  Elizabeth,  who  married  A.  D.  Moon,  living  on  a  farm  south  of  N. 
N.  Tucker ;  N.  N.,  our  subject ;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  C.  H.  Eastman,  of  Gales- 
burg;  Mary  Evelyn,  who  married  Dr.  Ben  D.  Baird,  of  Galesburg;  and  Eugene, 
who  lives  at  Knoxville.  :'-^--".'  "  V'^j'?!^;'  i"'/:.'  ..^.;;  ^  v ' '  '  '  ""^  -V  /-'• '  •  -^^ 


878  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'As  he  was  reared  in  the  country  N.  N.  Tucker  attended  the  district  schools, 
and  while  mastering  the  common  branches,  he  was  acquiring  a  practical  knowl- 
edge of  agriculture  by  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm.  After 
leaving  school  he  remained  on  the  home  place  for  several  years,  devoting  his 
entire  time  and  attention  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock,  thus 
laying  the  foundation  for  a  successful  agricultural  career.  He  has  been  very 
fortunate  in  his  undertakings,  having  met  with  more  than  an  average  degree  of 
prosperity,  a'nd  now  owns,  in  addition  to  the  place  where  he  is  living,  a  farm 
containing  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  acres,  located  east  of  his  homestead, 
and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  36.  Determination  of  purjxjse  and 
unceasing  industry  have  been  prominent  factors  in  the  success  of  Mr.  Tucker,  who 
has  at  all  times  manifested  clear  judgment  and  good  business  sagacity  in  the 
direction  of  his  activities.  He  located  on  the  place  where  he  is  living  at  the 
present  eighteen  years  ago,  and  during  the  greater  portion  of  that  time  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  but  is  now  living  retired,  having  acquired 
a  competence  that,  together  with  the  income  from  his  different  properties,  pro- 
vides him  with  all  of  the  comforts  of  life.  ; 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Tucker  chose  Miss  Ellen  Jordan  of  Truro 
township,  and  unto  them  were  born  four  children :  Ethel,  the  wife  of  T.  R.  P. 
Gough ;  Rilla,  who  married  Fred  Hurlburt,  a  farmer  of  Truro  township ;  Leon- 
ard, who  married  Nora  Stodgel  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Williamsfield ;  and 
Lola,  who  is  still  at  home. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Tucker  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  order,  and  his  political 
support  he  gives  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  a  public-spirited,  progressive 
man  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  township  affairs,  and  for 
eighteen  years  served  as  road  commissioner,  while  for  thirteen  years  he  was 
justice  of  the  peace.  The  ability  with  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  both 
offices  is  attested  by  the  length  of  his  terms.  The  entire  life  of  Mr.  Tucker 
has  been  spent  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  home,  where  he  enjoys 
a  favorable  acquaintance  and  has  a  large  circle  of  friends,  many  of  whom  were 
the  comrades  of  his  youth  and  the  playmates  of  his  childhood. 


;  .-/.v";,  .     :    WALTER  N.  DIKEMAN.     "^:: -^  v./H.  .•• 

Walter  N.  Dikeman,  who  far  twenty-five  years  has  been  engaged  in  general 
fanning  six  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of  Maquon,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  His 
birth  occurred  in  Fulton  county,  July  14,  1853,  his  parents  being  Cornelius  and 
Lydia  (Douglass)  Dikeman,  both  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  where  they 
were  also  reared  and  married.  During  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  they 
came  west,  settling  in  Fulton  county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives  with  the  exception  of  one  year  when  they  resided  in  Minnesota.  Farming 
always  engaged  the  energies  of  Mr.  Dikeman,  who  with  his  wife  and  family 
endured  all  of  the  hardships  of  pioneering  during  the  early  days,  in  order  to 
bring  the. wild  land  upon  which  they  located  into  a  state  of  productivity.  Two 
of  the  children  born  of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dikeman  lived  to  attain 
maturity,  the  one  beside  our  subject  being  James,  a  retired  farmer  of  Fulton 
county,  who  married  Emerlis  Bodkins. 


WALTER  X.  DIKEMAN 


FOUR  GEXEHATIOXS  OF  THE  DIKEMAX  FAMILY 


878  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

As  he  was  reared  in  tlie  country  X.  X.  Tucker  attended  the  district  schools, 
and  while  mastering  the  common  hranches,  he  was  acquiring  a  practical  knowl- 
edge of  agriculture  by  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm.  After 
leaving  school  he  remained  on  the  home  place  for  several  years,  devoting  his 
entire  time  and  attention  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock,  thus 
laying  the  foundation  for  a  successful  agricultural  career.  He  has  been  very 
fortunate  in  his  undertakings,  having  met  with  more  than  an  average  degree  of 
prosperity,  a'nd  now  owns,  in  addition  to  the  place  where  he  is  living,  a  farm 
containing  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  acres,  located  east  of  his  homestead, 
and  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  36.  Determination  of  purpose  and 
unceasing  industry  have  been  prominent  factors  in  the  success  of  Mr.  Tucker,  who 
has  at  all  times  manifested  clear  judgment  and  good  business  sagacity  in  the 
direction  of  his  activities.  He  located  on  the  place  where  he  is  living  at  the 
present  eighteen  years  ago,  anfl  during  the  greater  portion  of  that  time  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  but  is  now  living  retired,  having  acquired 
a  competence  that,  together  with  the  income  from  his  different  properties,  pro- 
vides him  with  all  of  the  comforts  of  life. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Tucker  chose  Miss  Ellen  Jordan  of  Truro 
township,  and  unto  them  were  born  four  children:  Fthel,  the  wife  of  T.  R.  P. 
Gough ;  Rilla,  who  married  Fred  Hurlburt.  a  farmer  of  Truro  township ;  Leon- 
ard, who  married  Xora  Stodgel  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Williatnsfield ;  and 
Lola,  wlio  is  still  at  home. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Tucker  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  order,  and  his  political 
support  he  gives  to  the  republican  jjarty.  He  is  a  public-spirited,  progressive 
man  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  township  afifairs,  anfl  for 
eighteen  years  served  as  road  commissioner,  while  for  thirteen  years  he  was 
justice  of  the  peace.  Tlie  ability  with  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  both 
offices  is  attested  by  the  length  of  his  terms.  The  entire  life  of  ]\Ir.  Tucker 
has  been  spent  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  present  home,  where  he  enjoys 
a  favorable  ac(|uaintance  and  has  a  large  circle  of  friends,  many  of  whom  were 
the  comrades  of  his  youth  and  the  playmates  of  his  childhood. 


.  WALTER  X.  DIKEMAX.       : 

Walter  X.  Dikeman,  who  far  twenty-five  years  has  been  engaged  in  general 
farming  six  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of  Maquon,  is  a  native  of  Illinois.  His 
birth  occurred  in  Fulton  county,  July  14,  1853,  his  parents  being  Cornelius  and 
Lydia  (Douglass)  Dikeman,  both  natives  of  the  state  of  Xew  York,  where  they 
were  also  reared  and  married.  During  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  they 
came  west,  settling  in  Fulton  county,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives  with  the  exception  of  one  year  when  they  resided  in  Minnesota.  Farming 
always  engaged  the  energies  of  Mr.  Dikeman,  who  with  his  wife  and  family 
endured  all  of  the  hardships  of  pioneering  during  the  early  days,  in  order  to 
bring  the. wild  land  upon  which  they  located  into  a  state  of  productivity.  Two 
of  the  children  born  of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dikeman  lived  to  attain 
maturity,  the  one  beside  our  subject  being  James,  a  retired  farmer  of  Fulton 
county,  who  married  Emerlis  Bodkins. 


VVALTKi;    \.   1)1  K K.MAX 


It   (JKNKIJAI  IONS   (I1--   TIIK   DIKKMAX    KAMII.V 


.  :-j  or;- ';;  S>  ; ,  ;^,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      :      :'•  ;  ^    ssi 

,•;:;-:  '  Reared  on  the  farm,  where  he  was  born,  Walter  N.  Dikeman's  educational 
':,  advantages  were  confined  to  what  the  district  schools  in  the  vicinity  afforded. 

As  the  country  was  new  and  but  sparsely  settled,  the  schools  were  primitive 

;^^'     and  offered  but  little  opportunity  to  acquire  more  than  a  thorough  practical 

.  ;    knowledge  of   the  common  branches.     After   laying  aside   his   text-books,   his 

.'     entire  attention  was  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm,  during  a  period 

:     of  about  three  years.    He  then  left  the  parental  roof  and  began  his  independent 

'    career  as  a  farmer  and  for  two  years  thereafter  leased  land  at  different  places. 

;;     After  the  death  of  his  parents  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  which  he  operated 

:     for  five  years.     Disposing  of  his  interest  in  this  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 

he  came  to  Knox  county  and  in  1886  settled  upon  the  place  where  he  has  ever 
:  since  resided.  Mr.  Dikeman  has  effected  extensive  improvements  on  this  place 
:  ,  during  the  period  of  his  residence,  having  erected  substantial  buildings  and  made 

many  other  changes  of  a  minor  but  telling  nature.     He  owns  five  hundred  and 

fifty-two  acres  of  land,  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  which  he  is  renting  to  his  son. 

•  The  remainder  he  devotes  to  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  in  both  of  which 
.     pursuits  he  has  met  with  a  most  gratifying  degree  of  success.     He  is  a  man  of 

energy,  whose  foresight  and  clear  judgment  as  well  as  practical  ideas  have  been 

•  .    the  secret  means  of  his  attaining  his  present  state  of  prosperity.    He  has  always 

given  his  personal  supervision  to  the  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting  of  his 

crops  as  well  as  the  care  of  his  stock,  and  that  his  efforts  have  been   amply 

'•]'•   rewarded  is  attested  by  his  present  circumstances. 

Mr.  Dikeman  chose  for  his  wife  Miss  Roletta  B.  Stiarwalt,  a  daughter  of 
George  Montroville  Stiarwalt,  of  Ohio.     Of  this  marriage  there  have  been  bom 
five  children.    Rosa  Belle,  the  eldest,  married  W.  D.  McCoy  and  has  three  chil- 
dren. Merle  Marie,  William  Earle,  and  Walter  'Dennis.    Earle,  who  is  operating 
,•     part  of  his  father's  farm,  married  Maudt  Ryer  and  has  two  children,  Bemice 

•  Irene  and  Norma  Maude.    Jessie  Fay,  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  married  N.  J. 
Nelson.    The  two  youngest  children,  Walter  and  Loretta  Pearl,  are  both  living 

'     at  home. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Dikeman  is  a  republican,  but  he  has  never  taken  an 
V  -  active  part  in  township  matters  of  a  governmental  nature,  his  energies  being  bent 
'.  :  upon  the  development  of  his  varied  interests  in  which  he  has  met  with  well 

•  merited  success.  .  .       ,.   .  .,  ..  .,        ,  ,,  ,     .. 


'  ;;•'.'  •,'^-.      '//.'•     '^       JAMES  A.  SH  AFFER.  T  j- '•';;'•      .'        -'';.r"^'..> 

-  A  prominent  and  highly  successful  agriculturist  of  Truro  township  was  the 
late  James  A.  Shaffer,  who  passed  away  February  i,  1890.  He  was  bom  in 
Clinton  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  I5th  of  April,  1841,  a  son  of  Benjamin  B. 
Shaffer,  a  farmer,  who  removed  from  the  Keystone  state  to  Illinois  in  1856, 
locating  in  Knox  county,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

James  A.  Shaffer  was  reared  in  his  native  state  to  the  age  of  fifteen  years, 

attending  the  public  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education.     From  early 

boyhood  he  was  trained  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  naturally  when  he  was 

voL  n— 40     .^  ..<•'•''•'••'•••.••:•  f -'•••'. '::'':-,'•••:.  '••'-.     '.;./'•'•: -.r;^"--'r 


889  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -^'y^^    .::.: 

'•,•  .v:     •-;.:•,';  •  •       -•;    •    '  :  •;     --.     •    .-,  ....      ;  '  ..    •  '•:    .:  '..••'   "'•''! 

ready  to  begin  working  for  himself  chose  the  vocation  to  which  'he  was  best 
adapted.  In  whatever  he  undertook  he  would  have  succeeded,  being  a  man  of 
enterprise  and  industry  and  much  determination  of  purpose.  He  was  practical 
in  his  ideas,  progressive  in  his  methods  and  always  directed  his  undertakings 
with  foresight  and  intelligence.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  between 
four  hundred  and  fifty  and  five  hundred  acres  of  land  in  this  township,  all  of 
which  was  under  high  cultivation.  A  portion  of  this  had  been  the  old  family 
homestead,  and  during  the  long  period  of  his  occupancy  Mr.  Shaffer  effected 
many  improvements  in  the  property.  He  made  a  careful  study  of  the  soil, 
planting  his  fields  to  such  cereals  as  he  deemed  best  adapted  to  it.  In  connec- 
tion with  general  farming  he  also  engaged  in  stock-raising,  both  undertakings 
proving  lucrative  under  his  capable  supervision.  He  was  only  forty-seven 
years  of  age  when  he  passed  away,  and  was  actively  engaged  in  the  oi>eration 
of  his  farm,  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  which  is  now  being  cultivated 
by  his  son,  Benjamin. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Shaffer  chose  Miss  Louisa  J.  Oberholtzer, 
and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  children.  Vesper,  who  is  the  eldest  of  the 
family,  graduated  from  the  Women's  Medical  Collej^e  of  the  Northwestem 
University  in  Chicago,  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  her  profession  in 
that  city.  Joseph  O.,  who  is  a  farmer  living  in  Canada,  married  Ella  Grimm 
and  they  have  four  children :  Hortense ;  Lester,  who  is  deceased ;  Vesper ;  and 
Helen.  Benjamin  B.,  who  is  the  second  son,  is  engaged  in  the  operation  of 
the  old  homestead.  He  married  Mary  E.  Fitzgerald  of  Chicago.  Celesta  mar- 
ried Walter  Potts,  a  farmer  of  this  township,  by  whom  she  has  had  four  chil- 
dren :  Harold  H.,  who  is  deceased ;  Willis  J. ;  and  Lester  B.  and  Letta  Bell, 
who  are  twins.  Letta  became  the  wife  of  Fred  M.  Brown  and  they  are  living 
on  a  farm  in  South  Dakota.  James -A.,  who  is  the  youngest  member  of  the 
family,  is  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Shaffer  was  a  public-spirited  man  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  all  town- 
ship affairs,  giving  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic 
party.  He  had  high  standards  of  citizenship  and  always  discharged  his  share 
of  public  duties  faithfully,  having  filled  various  offices  of  the  township.  A  man 
of  upright  principles  and  unquestionable  integrity,  loyal  to  his  friends  and  true 
to  every  trust  reposed  in  him,  he  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew,  him, 
his  death  being  occasion  for  deep  and  widespread  regret  throughout  the  com- 
munity. 


,•       vc:  OSBORN  T.  ROBERTS.         •;        - 

••-.  Osborn  T.  Roberts,  who  is  engaging  in  general  farming  on  section  26,  Cedar 
township,  Knox  county,  has  by  means  of  his  businesslike  methods  and  intelli- 
gent direction  become  recognized  as  one  of  the  capable  and  highly  successful 
agriculturists  of  the  community. 

Mr.  Roberts  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  on  the  nth  of 
January,  1869,  his  parents  being  Obed  and  Mary  Ottilia  (Peterson)  Roberts. 
His  father  was  a  native  of  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  his  birth  having  there 


; .  ^  ;^      -  :        r:       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  O^  ^:  •'.  ' 

occurred  on  the  28th  of  February,  1845.  When  a  lad  of  eight  years  he  removed 
to  the  west  with  his  parents  who  located  in  Mercer  county,  where  Mr.  Roberts 
later  engaged  in  farming  for  some  time.  About  twenty  years  ago  he  went  to 
Henry  county,  this  state,  where  he  acquired  a  farm  in  the  cultivation  of  which 
he  engaged  until  his  death  on  the  27th  of  May,  1911.  The  mother,  who  was 
born  in  Ohio  sixty-three  years  ago,  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Henry 
county.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roberts  there  were  born  nine  children, 
of  whom  our  subject  is  the  eldest,  the  others  being  as  follows :  Nellie,  who  is 
deceased ;  Frank,  who  is  living  in  Henry  county,  Illinois ;  Bessie,  who  is  living- 
at  home;  Mabel  R.,  the  wife  of  F.  E.  Anderson,  Cedar  township,  Knox  county; 
George  W.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Mercer  county,  Illinois ;  Grace,  the  wife  of 
T.  S.  Briggs,  also  of  Mercer  county ;  Arthur  C.,  who  is  at  home ;  and  Benjaniin 
H.,  who  is  deceased. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Osborn  T.  Roberts  were  sp>ent  on  his  father's 
farms  in  Mercer  and  Henry  counties,  in  the  common  schools  of  which  he  ob- 
tained his  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  years  he  withdrew  from  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  to  which  he  had  devoted  his  energies  ever  since  his  early  boy-' 
hood,  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Alpha,  Illinois.  After  spending 
six  years  in  commercial  activities,  he  decided  that  the  life  of  a  farmer  was  more 
independent  and  afforded  greater  possibilities,  and  therefore  disposed  of  his 
business  and  came  to  Knox  county,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  owns 
one  hundred  and  nine  acres  of  land,  which  by  means  of  intensive  application  and 
capable  supervision  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  always 
taken  great  pride  in  his  homestead  and  during  the  period  of  his  residence  has 
wrought  many  and  extensive  improvements,  making  it  not  only  one  of  the  attrac- 
tive but  valuable  properties  of  that  district. 

In  1893  Mr.  Roberts  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emily  Anderson,  whose 
birth  occurred  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  7th  of  November,  1868.  Mrs. 
Roberts  is  a  daughter  of  the  late  Nels  P.  and  Louisa  Charlotte  (Anderson) 
Anderson,  both  natives  of  Sweden.  The  father,  who  was  a  cabinet-maker,  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  when  a  boy.  For  many  years  he  followed  his  trade 
in  Galesburg,  this  state,  but  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was  spent  in  Henry 
county,  where  he  passed  away  about  nine  years  ago.  The  mother  was  also 
reared  in  America,  having  come  to  this  country  when  a  little  girl  and  early 
locating  in  Illinois,  where  she  was  living  at  the  time  of  her  demise  in  1898. 
Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  there  were  born  seven  children: 
Ida,  who  is  deceased;  Emily,  now  Mrs.  Roberts;  Albert,  who  is  a  resident  of 
New  Windsor,  Illinois ;  one  who  died  in  infancy ;  Frank,  who  is  living  in  Knox 
county;  and  the  two  eldest,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Roberts,  who 
is  a  woman  of  rare  charm  and  culture,  obtained  her  early  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Knox  county,  after  the  completion  of  which  she  attended  Knox 
College  at  Galesburg.  Later  she  studied  music  and  German  at  Hedding  College, 
Abingdon,  while  she  took  a  course  in  painting  while  living  at  home.  Having 
decided  to  devote  her  attention  to  teaching,  she  subsequently  pursued  a  pro- 
fessional course  in  the  normal  school  at  Geneseo,  Illinois,  and  for  twelve  years 
taught  in  a  school  near  Windsor,  this  state.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roberts  numbers  six,  all  of  whom  are  still  at  home :  Earl  F.,  Dole  N.,  Keene 
O.,  June  L.,  Nellie  O.  and  Glenn  O.  V^  >  V  -  ;^  :;:v'  ;: 


884  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •    --. 

The  religious  belief  of  the  family  is  manifested  through  their  membership 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  while  Mr.  Roberts'  fraternal  connections 
are  with  the  Masonic  order  of  Abingdon  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
of  Alpha,  Illinois.  During  his  earlier  years  he  gave  his  political  support  to  the 
democratic  party,  but  he  now  votes  the  straight  republican  ticket.  He  belongs 
to  the  progressive  and  modern  class  of  agriculturists,  who  recognize  the  neces- 
sity  of  applying  to  their  work  the  same  principles  and  methods  as  pursued  by 
the  business  man  of  any  other  field,  and  as  a  result  he  is  meeting  with  substantial 

success.       ..     ,         .  ^,  ,    .    •.-  ,  :      -         .,.•..,.;-.    ..:....    •..::• 


•;-::^.'  SALVADOR  HUNTLEY  RYAN.  .     :     i;    '       : 

Although  one  of  the  more  recent  additions  to  the  business  circles  of  St. 
Augustine,  Salvador  Huntley  Ryan  has,  however,  for  many  years  been  actively 
identified  with  mercantile  interests  in  Knox  county  and  in  the  meantime  has 
gained  for  himself  recognition  as  an  enterprising,  progressive  and  successful 
business  man.  He  is  one  of  Illinois's  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in 
Pontoosuc  on  the  29th  of  April,  1857,  his  parents  being  Adam  H.  and  Nancy 
(Aldredge)  Ryan.  The  mother  was  born  in  Mount  Vernon,  Indiana,  and  the 
father  in  Kentucky,  and  in  the  latter  state  they  began  their  domestic  life,  Mr. 
Ryan  there  giving  his  attention  to  general  farming.  In  1848,  however,  he 
brought  his  little  family,  then  consisting  of  wife  and  two  children,  to  Illinois, 
and  here  he  continued  his  operations  in  the  field  of  agriculture,  engaging  in  that 
line  of  activity  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  war,  when  he  enlisted  and 
served  throughout  the  period  of  hostilities.  He  participated  in  many  engage- 
ments and  in  the  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo  suffered  the  loss  of  one  arm.  His  son, 
L.  T.  Ryan,  served  throughout  the  Civil  war.  Following  its  close,  in  1867,  Adam 
H.  Ryan  went  to  Missouri  to  live,  and  there  his  remaining  days  were  passed, 
his  death  occurring  on  the  ist  of  March,  1892.  His  wife  survived  until  the 
2d  of  March,  1904,  passing  away  at  the  home  of  her  son  Huntley.  After  the 
arrival  of  the  family  in  Illinois  five  children  were  added  to  the  household,  but 
of  the  family  of  seven  children  only  two  are  now  living,  a  brother  of  our  sub- 
ject, Andrew  W.  Ryan,  now  making  his  home  in  Oklahoma. 

In  the  schools  of  Victoria  township,  Knox  county,  Salvador  Huntley  Ryan 
acquired  a  good  education  and  after  its  completion  he  turned  his  attention  to 
farming  as  an  occupation,  being  therein  engaged  in  Victoria  township  until  thirty 
years  of  age.  Thinking,  however,  to  find  in  mercantile  pursuits  a  more  congenial 
field  of  labor  he  removed  to  the  town  of  Victoria  and  for  one  year  was  there 
engaged  in  general  merchandising.  He  then  took  up  his  abode  in  Williamsfield, 
Knox  county,  and  continued  in  that  line  of  business,  there  remaining  for  thirteen 
years.  In  1909  he  arrived  in  St.  Augustine  and  since  then  has  occupied  a  promi- 
nent place  in  the  business  circles  of  the  town  as  the  proprietor  of  a  general  store. 
Long  experience  in  that  avenue  of  activity  has  proven  to  him  that  satisfied 
customers  are  the  best  advertisement  and  accordingly  he  carries  a  stock  of  goods 
which  is  well  adapted  to  meet  the  demands  of  his  patrons.  The  nature  of  his 
business  policy,  too,  has  begotten  the  confidence  of  the  general  public,  and  the 


':/:;>;.  /HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •'•;-.      885 

business  transacted  over  the  counters  of  his  house  is  constantly  increasing  in 
importance  and  volume.  •;••:; 

•••  Mr.  Ryan  was  married,  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  on  the  3d  of  February,  1876, 
to  Miss  Margaret  Ericson,  who  was  born  in  Manitowoc,  Wisconsin,  in  April, 
1854.  Her  parents,  who  were  both  natives  of  Sweden,  came  to  the  United 
States  at  an  early  day,  locating  in  Wisconsin.  There  the  mother  died  and  later 
the  father  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farm- 
ing until  his  death.  By  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Ryan  their  daughter  became  the 
mother  of  three  children,  as  follows :  Elmer  M.,  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  who 
married  Miss  Myrtle  Breece,  of  Dahinda,  Illinois;  B.  Doris;  and  Edna  S.,  the 
wife  of  John  Rush,  of  Galesburg,  and  the  mother  of  one  son,  John.  Mrs.  Ryan 
passed  away  on  the  27th  of  December,  1898,  and  on  the  i8th  of  February,  1901, 
in  Galesburg,  Mr.  Ryan  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss 
Margaret  Brennan,  who  was  born  in  Abing^on  on  the  25th  of  November,  1862. 
Her  parents,  Thomas  and  Alice  Brennan,  were  natives  of  Ireland,  where  the 
father  engaged  in  railroading.  He  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  at  an  early  day, 
locating  at  Abingdon,  where  he  made  his  home  for  several  years,  after  which  he 
removed  to  Galesburg  and  there  resided  until  his  death.  The  mother  survives 
him.  Unto  the  second  marriage  of  Mr.  Ryan  there  has  been  born  one  child, 

Grace  G.     :;;•.'•    .-     ..;.--  ':'•;"•;;-'; '•-%,•  '':.:••  :'--''-^ •    '-'•,•'-.'-''." 

Mr.  Ryan's  religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church  while  fraternally 
he  is  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Williamsfield,  and  also  with  Wil- 
liamsfield  Lodge,  No.  779,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  having  passed  through  all  of  the  chairs  in 
both  bodies.  He  has  taken  an  active  part  in  republican  circles  in  Knox  county, 
serving  as  town  clerk  and  treasurer  of  Williamsfield,  and  is  now  serving  on 
the  village  board  of  St.  Augustine,  while  at  the  same  time  he  is  acting  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  of  St.  Augustine.  He  takes  a  keen  interest  in  the  various 
phases  of  public  life,  doing  all  in  his  power  to  further  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity along  material,  intellectual  and  moral  lines,  and  is  ranked  among  the 
influential  and  representative  citizens  of  the  locality.  ,  .  .  ,  . 


;;•;.•••;  ;-;,•';•  •:..-;•;,:;    WILLIAM  M.  WELSH.    --I-'  ^  •       ^--^-'-^l^Y'/f, 

William  M.  Welsh,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  in 
Truro  township,  is  a  worthy  representative  of  a  family  that  has  long  figured 
prominently  in  the  agricultural  annals  of  Knox  county.  His  birth  occurred  on 
the  old  homestead  in  the  vicinity  of  Maquon  on  the  24th  of  December,  1852, 
his  parents  being  Michael  and  Kathrin  Welsh,  who  are  mentioned  at  greater 
length  elsewhere  in  this  work.  .  .v':;-.  !;  .;  ;^;^/  -'v 

Reared  on  the  farm  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education,  William  M.  Welsh 
attended  the  district  schools.  He  passed  the  early  years  of  his  life  as  did  the 
other  lads  of  the  community  at  that  period.  When  not  engaged  with  his  lessons 
he  was  largely  occupied  in  discharging  the  tasks  assigned  by  parental  authority, 
while  his  leisure  hours  were  devoted  to  such  pastimes  and  sports  as  were 
appropriate  to  the  season.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  was 
twenty-eight  years  of  age,  assisting  in  the  operation  of  the  farm.  Being  in 


886  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^'-•^•:'''i: 

every  way  qualified  to  begin  his  independent  agricultural  career,  in  1880  he 
bought  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  21  of  this  township,  upon  which  he 
settled.  He  applied  himself  assiduously  to  its  cultivation,  directing  his  energies 
with  such  foresight  and  intelligence  that  he  met  with  good  financial  returns. 
As  his  circumstances  justified,  he  added  to  his  holdings  at  various  times  until 
he  now  owns  two  hundred  and  eighty-three  acres  on  section  21,  forty  acres  on 
section  15,  and  twenty  on  section  i6.  During  the  long  period  of  his  ownership 
he  has  made  many  improvements  on  his  place,  including  the  erection  of  large, 
substantial  bams  and  outbuildings  and  the  addition  of  many  modern  conveniences 
consistent  with  the  spirit  of  progress  that  has  ever  characterized  his  under- 
takings. Mr.  Welsh  gives  all  of  his  attention  to  the  plowing,  sowing  and  har- 
vesting of  his  fields,  and  annually  realizes  a  handsome  dividend  on  his  season's 
labor.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  devotes  much  attention  to  the 
raising  of  stock  of  a  good  grade,  and  this  also  has  proven  to  be  very  lucrative. 
System  and  method  always  distinguish  his  undertakings,  and  as  he  is  very  ener- 
getic and  possesses  an  abundance  of  determination  he  is  prospering  in  his  busi- 
ness enterprises.  His  property  is  given  careful  supervision ;  the  barns,  fences, 
out-buildings  and  residence  are  kept  in  good  repair,  the  fields  are  well  tilled 
and  the  grounds  are  neat  and  tastefully  arranged.  Everything  about  the  place 
indicates  the  capable  management  and  thrift  that  invariably  accompany  success. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Welsh  chose  Miss  Mary  Murphy,  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Bridget  Murphy,  farming  people  of  this  section,  who  emigrated  from  Ireland 
to  the  United  States  in  1876,  locating  in  Peoria  county.  Five  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Welsh,  as  follows:  Michael  Me.,  who  is  attending 
school  at  Normal,  Illinois ;  J.  E.,  who  is  employed  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Quincy  Railroad  at  Galesburg;  William  L.,  who  is  farming,  and  married 
Wilma  Kem,  of  Peoria;  James  Wendell,  who  is  assisting  with  the  home  farm; 
and  Catherine  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  six  months. 

The  family  are  all  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  fra- 
ternally Mr.  Welsh  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  His  political 
allegiance  he  gives  to  the  democratic  party,  considering  that  their  principles  are 
best  adapted  to  subserve  the  interests  of  the  nation  in  its  entirety.  He  has 
always  taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  all  township  affairs,  and  for 
twenty  years  has  been  a  school  director,  and  he  has  also  served  as  assessor. 
Mr.  Welsh  is  one  of  the  estimable  citizens  of  the  community  and  is  proud  of  the 
fact  that  he  was  born  and  raised  in  Knox  county,  where  he  has  ever  since  lived. 
His  prosperity  is  the  well  merited  reward  of  industry  and  constant  application 
in  the  direction  of  his  activities. 


-  DANIEL  BURNAUGH.  ;;^:C> 

Daniel  Burnaugh,  now  living  retired  in  St.  Augustine,  was  for  many  years 
closely  identified  with  the  material  upbuilding  and  development  of  this  town  as 
carpenter  and  contractor,  and  many  of  the  substantial  structures  not  only  of 
this  community  but  of  the  surrounding  district  are  monuments  to  the  skill  and 
handiwork  of  this  venerable  octogenarian.  One  of  Ohio's  native  sons,  he  was 


.  ^^V    .       :    /   "      V-     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  • ;,;:        887 

bom  in  Clermont  county,  on  the  i3th  of  August,  1830,  his  parents  being  John 
and  Sarah  (Oswald)  Burnaugh.  The  father,  who  was  of  French  descent,  was 
bom  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  while  the  mother,  of  German  lineage,  claimed 
Pennsylvania  as  the  state  of  her  nativity.  The  family  had  long  been  established 
in  Ohio,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Carey  Burnaugh,  having  removed  to 
that  state  from  Virginia  at  a  time  when  Indians  still  inhabited  that  region.  There 
John  Burnaugh  was  reared  and  married  and  there  followed  the  occupation  of 
a  builder  and  contractor  throughout  most  of  his  life  time.  His  wife  also  passed 
away  in  Ohio.  Of  their  family  ten  children  grew  to  maturity. 

The  educational  privileges  which  Daniel  Burnaugh  received  during  the  period 
of  his  youth  were  those  of  the  common  schools  of  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  and 
when  yet  a  lad  in  years,  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  under  the  direction  of 
his  father,  whom  he  assisted  prior  to  leaving  his  native  state.  In  early  manhood, 
however,  he  came  to  Illinois,  arriving  in  Knox  county  in  1856,  and  for  a  year 
thereafter  he  made  his  home  with  an  uncle,  Joseph  Burnaugh,  near  Abingdon. 
In  1857  he  came  to  St.  Augustine  and  here  he  has  since  resided  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one  year  spent  in  Kansas  and  a  similar  period  in  Michigan  City,  In- 
diana. Upon  his  arrival  in  St.  Augustine  he  purchased  his  present  home  and 
at  once  began  business  as  a  carpenter  and  contractor,  in  which  field  of  labor 
he  continued  throughout  his  active  career.  He  is  a  skilful  workman,  who  added 
to  his  mechanical  ability  modern  ideas  and  progressive  methods,  and  it  was  not 
long  before  he  had  gained  for  himself  a  reputation  which  won  for  him  a  large 
and  remunerative  patronage.  He  built  many  of  the  residences,  schools,  churches 
and  other  structures  not  only  of  his  home  town  but  also  of  Abingdon,  Gales- 
burg  and  the  surrounding  country,  and  for  many  years  has  been  one  of  the  well 
known  and  representative  business  men  of  St.  Augustine.  He  is  still  active  to- 
day, and  is  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  competency  which  is  the  merited  reward 
of  a  well  spent  and  busy  life. 

Mr.  Burnaugh  was  united  in  marriage  in  Knoxville,  Illinois,  on  the  I7th  of 
December,  1856,  to  Miss  Lucinda  Dorman,  who  was  bom  in  the  state  of  Indiana 
in  June,  1838,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Hendricks)  Dorman,  natives 
of  Maryland  and  North  Carolina  respectively.  The  father,  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, removed  to  Tennessee  in  early  life  and  later  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he 
carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  for  some  time.  He  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early 
period  in  its  development,  locating  in  Knox  county,  and  here  carried  on  gen- 
eral farming  until  his  demise,  his  wife  also  passing  away  in  this  county.  In 
their  family  were  nine  children,  five  daughters  and  four  sons,  but  only  three 
are  now  living.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burnaugh  were  born  four  children,  of 
whom  two  have  passed  away.  The  elder  surviving  child,  John,  is  married  and 
resides  in  Galesburg.  He  has  two  children,  Gertrude,  the  wife  of  Orlie  Alan, 
residing  near  Abingdon,  by  whom  she  has  three  children,  Russell,  Esteline  and 
Ormand;  and  Juanita,  living  at  home.  Lillie  Bumaugh  became  the  wife  of 
Henry  Mason  and  they  now  make  their  home  near  Greenbush,  Illinois. 

Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Bumaugh  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church,  the  teach- 
ings of  which  have  ever  formed  the  guiding  influences  in  their  lives.  His  iden- 
tification with  the  Masonic  order  covers  a  period  of  more  than  a  half  centurj', 
dating  from  the  year  1854,  and  he  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  members  of  that 
organization  in  the  state,  belonging  to  Avon  Lodge,  No.  253,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.. 


888  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Since  1857,  or  for  a  period  covering  more  than  fifty-four  years,  he  has  resided 
in  this  present  home,  and  in  the  meantime  has  been  an  interested  witness  of 
the  many  changes  which  have  been  instituted  for  the  advancement  of  this  sec- 
tion, and  in  this  work  of  progress  and  improvement  he  has  taken  an  active  part, 
his  well  directed  efforts  not  only  resulting  in  substantial  individual  success  but 
also  proving  potent  elements  in  the  upbuilding  of  this  district.  Few  have  taken 
a  more  active  interest  in  the  material  growth  of  the  community,  and  St.  Augus- 
tine numbers  him  among  its  loyal-spirited,  representative  and  valued  citizens. 


FRANK  LAPHAM.  V:  -  v':\    -•".::' 

Frank  Lapham  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  seventeen  acres  of  land  on 
sections  i8  and  21  of  Victoria  township,  where  he  engages  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  is  a  native  of  Truro  township,  Knox  county,  the  eldest  child 
born  of  the  marriage  of  Edward  W.  and  Nettie  (Mosher)  Lapham.  The  father 
was  born  and  reared  in  Ohio,  whence  he,  in  his  early  manhood,  came  to  Knox 
county  with  his  parents.  Here  he  met  and  subsequently  married  Miss  Mosher, 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mehitabel  (Hubble)  Mosher.  After  marriage  they 
located  in  Truro  township  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  Hart.  When  the  call  ; 
came  for  troops  in  the  early  days  of  the  Civil  war,  Edward  W.  Lapham  responded 
by  enlisting  as  a  private  in  the  Fifty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was 
killed  at  Nashville,  Tennessee.  He  left  a  widow  and  four  children,  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  those  beside  our  subject  being  as  follows :  Ellen,  the  wife  of  T. 
W.  Ray;  Allen  L.,  now  deceased,  who  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria;  and  :. 
Love,  the  wife  of  G.  W.  Parker,  who  lives  in  Wyoming.  The  mother  later  mar-  ;; 
ried  E.  M.  Sweeney,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Victoria  township.  They  re- 
sided for  a  number  of  years  in  Truro  township,  but  he  later  withdrew  from  farm- 
ing and  went  to  Galesburg  and  engaged  in  the  insurance  business.  They  had  two 
children :  Dow,  who  is  living  in  Wyoming ;  and  Susie,  who  is  a  resident  of  Gales- 
burg. 

Agricultural  pursuits  have  engaged  the  attention  of  Frank  Lapham  from  his 
earliest  boyhood.    Reared  on  the  farm  where  he  was  bom  his  early  energies  were 
directed  toward  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  that  had  been  tilled  by  both  his  father 
and  grandfather.     Here  he  received  his  training  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  and  after  his  marriage  located  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives.    When  he 
first  came  here  only  about  one-half  of  the  land  was  under  cultivation,  but  he  in>- 
mediately  set  about  clearing  the  remainder  and  now  has  it  all  under  cultivation.        -"^ 
During  the  period  of  his  ownership  he  has  erected  practically  all  of  the  buildings 
now  standing  and  has  wrought  various  other  improvements.    He  has  good  barns         • 
and  outbuildings  and  a  comfortable  residence  on  his  place,  and  it  is  well  pro-       .'-f 
vided  with  all  modern  implements  and  appliances  deemed  essential  to  the  success- 
ful pursuit  of  agriculture.    Mr.  Lapham  devotes  his  fields  to  such  cereals  as  are 
best  adapted  to  the  soil  and  is  annually  rewarded  with  abundant  harvests,  but  as    • 
he  makes  a  specialty  of  stock-raising  he  feeds  the  greater  part  of  the  g^ain  he 
raises.    He  is  a  capable  business  man  and  competent  agriculturist,  who  uses  intel- 


EDWARD  W.  LAPHAM 


888        -  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY       ,      . 

Since  1857.  or  for  a  jieriod  covering  more  than  fifty-four  years,  he  has  resided 
in  this  present  home,  and  in  the  meantime  has  been  an  interested  witness  of 
the  many  changes  which  liave  been  instituted  for  the  advancement  of  this  sec- 
tion, and  in  this  work  of  ])rogress  and  improvement  he  has  taken  an  active  part, 
his  well  directed  efforts  not  only  resulting  in  substantial  individual  success  but 
also  proving  ])otent  elements  in  the  upbuilding  of  this  district.  Few  have  taken 
a  more  active  interest  in  tlie  material  growth  of  the  community,  and  St.  Augus- 
tine numbers  liim  among  its  loyal-spirited,  representative  and  valued  citizens. 


FRANK  LAPHAM.  ;      • 

Frank  Lai)hani  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  seventeen  acres  of  land  on 
.sections  i8  and  21  of  \  ictoria  township,  where  he  engages  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  is  a  native  of  Truro  township,  Knox  county,  the  eldest  child 
born  of  the  marriage  of  Edward  \V.  and  Nettie  (Mosher)  Lapham.  The  father 
was  bom  and  reared  in  Ohio,  whence  he.  in  his  early  manhood,  came  to  Knox 
county  with  his  ]>arents.  Here  he  met  and  subsequently  married  Miss  Mosher. 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mehitabel  (Hubble)  Mosher.  After  marriage  they 
located  in  Truro  township  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  Hart.  \\'hen  the  call 
came  for  troo])s  in  the  early  days  of  the  Civil  war.  Fdward  \V.  Lapham  responded 
by  enlisting  as  a  private  in  the  I'ifty-tifth  Illinois  \  olunteer  Infantry,  and  was 
killed  at  Nashville,  Tennessee.  He  left  a  widow  and  four  children,  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  those  beside  our  subject  being  as  follows :  Ellen,  the  wife  of  T. 
\\.  Ray ;  Allen  L..  now  deceased,  who  is  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  X'ictoria ;  and 
Love,  the  wife  of  G.  \\'.  Parker,  who  lives  in  Wyoming.  The  mother  later  mar- 
ried E.  M.  Sweeney,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  \  ictoria  township.  They  re- 
sided for  a  number  of  years  in  Truro  township,  but  he  later  withdrew  from  farm- 
ing and  went  to  Galesburg  and  engaged  in  the  insurance  business.  They  had  two 
children:  Dow.  who  is  living  in  \\'yoniing;  and  Susie,  who  is  a  resident  of  Gales- 
burg. 

Agricultural  pursuits  have  engaged  the  attention  of  Frank  Lapham  from  his 
earliest  boyhood.  Reared  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born  his  early  energies  were 
<lirected  toward  the  cultivation  of  the  fields  that  had  been  tilled  by  both  his  father 
and  grandfather.  Here  he  received  his  training  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  and  after  his  marriage  located  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives.  \\  hen  he 
first  came  here  only  about  one-half  of  the  land  was  under  cultivation,  but  he  inv 
mediately  set  about  clearing  the  remainder  and  now  has  it  all  under  cultivation. 
During  the  period  of  his  ownershi])  he  has  erected  practically  all  of  the  buildings 
now  standing  and  has  wrought  various  other  improvements.  He  has  good  barns 
and  outbuildings  and  a  comfortable  residence  on  his  place,  and  it  is  well  pro- 
vided with  all  modern  implements  and  appliances  deemed  essential  to  the  success- 
ful pursuit  of  agriculture.  Mr.  La])ham  devotes  his  fields  to  such  cereals  as  are 
best  ada])ted  to  the  soil  and  is  annually  rewarded  with  abundant  harvests,  but  as 
he  makes  a  s])ecialty  of  stock-raising  he  feeds  the  greater  part  of  the  grain  he 
raises.  He  is  a  capable  business  man  and  competent  agriculturist,  who  uses  intel- 


KI)V\.\i;i)  \V.   I.AI'IIAM 


,     -  ;   ;  ^     :    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       V  891 

ligence  and  sagacity  in  the  direction  of  his  undertakings  and  is  meeting  with  more 
than  an  average  degree  of  success. 

Mr.  Lapham  has  been  greatly  assisted  in  his  endeavors  by  the  capable  manage- 
ment of  the  household  affairs  by  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Miss  Addie 
Ray.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Lorenzo  and  Mary  (Sweeney)  Ray,  and  was  born 
and  reared  in  Victoria  township,  where  she  has  passed  the  greater  part  of  her 
life.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Ohio,  whence  they  came  to  Knox  county  in  a 
wagon  with  an  ox  team  in  the  pioneer  days.  Her  maternal  grandfather.  Miles 
Sweeney,  here  acquired  forty  acres  of  land  that  he  diligently  cultivated  until  his 
death  from  cholera.  This  property  is  now  owned  by  his  grandson,  Mrs.  Lapham's 
youngest  brother,  Clarence  Ray.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lorenzo  Ray  were  married  in 
Victoria  township,  and  here  were  born  their  five  children,  in  the  following  order : 
William,  who  lives  in  Victoria  township;  T.  W.,  in  Truro  township;  a  daughter, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years ;  Addie,  now  Mrs.  Lapham ;  and  Clarence,  who 
lives  north  of  the  Lapham  farm  in  Victoria  township.  Mr.  Ray  was  for  many 
years  engaged  in  the  operation  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Victoria  township,  and 
there  he  passed  away  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years.  The  mother  had  passed  the 
seventy-second  milestone  on  life's  journey  at  the  time  of  her  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lapham  have  had  five  children,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  this  township.  In  order 
of  birth  they  are  as  follows:  Edward,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years 
and  is  buried  in  Victoria  township;  Cecil,  who  is  still  at  home;  Ella,  the  wife  of 
Fred  Naslund,  of  Victoria  township;  Leroy,  who  is  also  at  home;  and  Verne, 
who  died  when  only  eighteen  months  of  age  and  is  buried  in  the  family  lot  in 
Victoria  cemetery. 

Ever  since  he  began  voting  Mr.  Lapham  has  been  loyal  to  the  political  princi- 
pies  of  the  republican  party,  the  policy  of  which  he  deems  most  conducive  to  good 
government.  He  served  for  several  years  as  a  school  director  and  as  assessor  for 
one  term.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
and  he  is  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Mutual  Telephone  Company.  Mr.  Lap- 
ham  is  one  of  the  estimable  citizens  of  Victoria  township,  where  he  is  widely 
known  and  highly  regarded  both  by  reason  of  his  business  qualifications  and  his 
high  standards  of  life.  ;,,,...-;.,..-  ,--^..,-  ••  ,M  ..,;.;  .,_....  .-.,  : 


H.  J.  BENNETT.      :  ;••    /  ,     ••-  ,-.; 'S::' •-> 

H.  J.  Bennett,  who  for  twenty  years  was  identified  with  the  commercial 
activities  of  Williamsfield,  was  bom  in  Peoria  county,  this  state,  on  the  isth 
of  January,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  William  J.  and  Catherine  (Slygh)  Bennett. 
The  father,  who  was  a  physician,  was  born  in  England,  and  came  to  Illinois 
from  New  York  city,  while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  whence  she 
was  brought  in  early  childhood  to  this  state.  Dr.  Bennett  located  at  Elmore 
upon  his  arrival  in  Peoria  county,  and  there  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  years.  He  was  married  twice  but  his  first 
wife  only  lived  a  short  time.  One  son  was  born  of  this  union,  William  J.,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Bonanza,  Colorado,  where  he  has  extensive  mining  interests. 
To  Dr.  Bennett  and  his  second  wife  there  were  bom  four  children:  Emma, 


892  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^/.'    .   1-C:  r! 

who  is  the  deceased  wife  of  J.  P.  McCauley,  of  Elmore;  May,  who  married 
F.  P.  Bertschy,  who  is  auditor  of  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  of  Denver, 
Colorado;  J.  S.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Marinette,  Wisconsin,  where  he  engages 
in  the  music  and  jewelry  business ;  and  H.  J.,  our  subject. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  H.  J.  Bennett  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  county  until  he  had  obtained  sufficient  knowledge  to  en- 
able him  to  earn  his  own  living,  when  he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  turned 
his  attention  to  farming.  After  following  agricultural  pursuits  for  a  few  years 
he  went  to  Elmore,  where  he  established  a  meat  market  in  1886  that  he  operated 
for  three  years.  Disposing  of  this  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  came  to  Williams- 
field  and  engaged  in  the  same  business  until  1910.  In  the  latter  year  Mr.  Ben- 
nett withdrew  from  commercial  activities  and  has  ever  since  eng^ed  in  buying 
and  feeding  cattle  and  hogs. 

Mr.  Bennett  married  Miss  Emma  E.  Freed  of  Peoria  county,  a  daughter  of 
August  Freed,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are 
living:  Paul,  Elton,  Maud,  Harry,  Gladys,  and  Juanita.  Those  deceased  are 
as  follows :  Geneva,  Genevieve  and  Claire.  The  oldest  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bennett,  Maud,  was  married  October  23,  1909,  to  Earl  T.  Main,  the  son  of  Charles 
Main  and  a  member  of  one  of  the  most  prominent  families  of  Knox  county. 
Mr.  Main,  who  was  the  cashier  of  the  First  State  Bank  of  Williamsfield,  was 
killed  in  a  railroad  accident  on  the  Rock  Island  road  on  March  21,  1910.  One 
child  was  born  to  this  union.  Mrs.  Main  is  a  lady  of  refinement  and  very 
popular  in  social  circles  in  Williamsfield,  where  she  has  a  fine  home. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Bennett  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
and  in  his  political  views  he  is  a  democrat,  and  has  several  times  been  called 
to  public  office.  He  was  president  of  the  village  for  four  years  and  he  has 
also  discharged  the  duties  of  town  clerk.  He  met  with  success  in  the  conduct 
of  his  business  and  has  acquired  some  property  interests,  owning  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  the  west.  Mr.  Bennett  is  one  of  the  estimable  citi- 
zens of  Williamsfield,  where  he  has  resided  for  more  than  twenty  years,  and  has 
many  friends. 


'       /;':>;::         .'  JAMES  C.  STEPHENSON.      /:v,    :;      -  ..; 

James  C.  Stephenson  carries  on  general  farming  in  Copley  township  on  what 
is  now  the  old  Stephenson  homestead  and  here  he  was  born  on  the  23d  of  Janu- 
ary, 1870,  his  parents  being  James  and  Mary  Ann  (Leighton)  Stephenson.  His 
youthful  experiences  were  those  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  most  farm  lads  who 
divide  their  time  between  the  work  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the 
playground  and  the  development  of  the  fields.  When  not  busy  with  his  text- 
books his  time  was  given  to  the  work  of  the  farm  and  all  through  his  life  he 
has  remained  upon  the  place  which  is  still  his  home  and  has  carefully  tilled  his 
fields  and  developed  and  improved  his  property  imtil  it  is  today  one  of  the  val- 
uable tracts  of  land  in  his  district.  The  methods  which  he  follows  are  at  once 
practical  and  progressive  and  in  the  cultivation  of  the  cereals  best  adapted  to 
climatic  conditions  here  he  has  won  substantial  success. 


^. V    •:;:      0^^^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;^;'         893 

.  On  the  ist  of  May,  1901,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Stephenson  and  Miss 
Clara  Bell  Johnson,  who  was  bom  in  Concord,  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  Feb- 
ruary 9,  1871,  and  is  a  representative  of  one  of  the  pioneer  families  of  that 
county,  her  great-grandparents  being  Reuben  and  Sarah  Johnson,  who  were 
among  the  first  settlers  and  were  from  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  respectively. 
They  located  in  Morgan  county  before  there  were  any  churches,  and  religious 
services  were  often  held  in  Mr.  Johnson's  house  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright  and 
the  Rev.  Ben  Newman,  who  were  circuit  riders  of  that  day,  and  were  brothers- 
in-law  of  Mrs.  Stephenson's  grandparents.  Mrs.  Stephenson  is  a  daughter  of 
Elbert  H.  Johnson,  whose  birth  occurred  August  6,  1847,  o"  what  is  known  as 
the  old  Johnson  farm  in  Morgan  county.  There  her  father  lived  up  to  the  time 
of  his  removal  to  a  farm  two  miles  east,  which  he  continued  to  cultivate  for  five 
years.  He  afterward  spent  a  similar  period  in  Virginia,  Illinois,  and  then  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  the  vicinity  of  Jacksonville  but  eventually  lived  retired.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  his  many  excellent  traits  of  char- 
acter won  for  him  the  regard  and  good-will  of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact. In  1869  he  married  Deborah  Ann  Leeper,  who  was  born  December  i8, 
1842,  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Her  father,  John  Leeper,  was  a  native  of  the  north 
of  Ireland  and  came  with  his  family  in  childhood  to  America,  arriving  in  Cin- 
cinnati in  the  early  '3os.  He  afterward  lived  in  Brown  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  carried  on  farming  throughout  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring 
in  1889.  He  had  married  Margaret  Harrington,  who  was  a  daughter  of  John 
Harrington,  and  passed  away  in  1901  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  The  ma- 
ternal grandparents  of  Mrs.  Johnson  were  Andrew  and  Isabelle  Leeper,  the  for- 
mer of  Scotch-Irish  lineage.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elbert  H.  Johnson  were  born 
three  children,  the  brother  of  Mrs.  Stephenson  being  Joseph  Howard,  now  of 
Chicago,  while  her  sister  is  Martha  E.,  the  wife  of  E.  Hudson,  of  Beardstown, 
Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephenson  have  became  the  parents  of  two  children : 
James  Glen,  born  June  22,  1903 ;  and  Mary  EloisS,  born  April  9,  1905. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephenson  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Oneida  and  politically  he  is  a  republican  but  prefers  to  concentrate  his  time  and 
energies  upon  his  business  affairs  rather  than  to  hold  office.  He  has  served,  how- 
ever, on  the  school  board  for  two  and  a  half  terms  and  is  a  stalwart  friend  of 
the  cause  of  education.  In  fact  he  is  interested  in  all  the  projects  and  move- 
ments which  work  for  public  good  and  his  influence  is  always  on  the  side  of  ad- 
vancement and  improvement.  He  has  led  a  busy,  useful  and  active  life,  and  is 
justly  classed  among  the  representative  farmers  and  citizens  of  Copley  township. 


-'..."'''.'••.-    ^   .'•'•••;  .'^••;.'-    JOHN  MACKEY.^    ;';:.^'-"r' '' ,  :•        •"••• ';  •l•-'••^^'^•• 

John  Mackey,  who  owns  and  operates  a  valuable  farm  of  five  hundred  acres 
in  Truro  township,  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  Knox  county.  He  started  out 
in  life  without  either  capital  or  influence  and  with  but  limited  education,  and 
through  the  intelligent  direction  of  his  activites  has  become  numbered  among 
the  affluent  agriculturists  of  his  community.  v  ; ; j/V...^  ;.:';'  ;  •  •  ".>-;!?  '/r^ 


894  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        •-::/:.-  v    ;>••?. 

His  birth  occurred  in  Jackson  county,  Maryland,  on  the  24th  of  October, 
1860,  his  parents  being  John  and  Jeannette  (McFadyen)  Mackey,  both  natives 
of  Scotland.  The  father  was  bom  in  Ayrshire  in  1826,  and  when  old  enough 
to  begin  working  entered  the  mines  of  his  native  country,  being  employed  there 
until  he  was  twenty-three.  In  1849  he  took  passage  for  the  United  States,  first 
locating  in  Maryland,  continuing  to  follow  mining  there  and  at  various  other 
points  as  far  west  as  Wisconsin.  He  subsequently  came  to  Kewanee,  Illinois, 
and  soon  thereafter  settled  on  a  farm  three-fourths  of  a  mile  east  of  his  son 
John's  place,  which  was  thereafter  the  family  home.  John  Mackey  met  with  a 
moderate  degree  of  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  acquired  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  acres  of  land.  His  death  occurred  in  1899  while  he  was  visiting 
in  Iowa,  his  place  of  residence  still  being  in  this  county;  the  mother  passed 
away  on  the  homestead  in  1903,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  Thirteen  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mackey,  eight  of  whom  lived  to  attain  maturity, 
as  follows:  Matthew;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Albion  Curtis;  Jane,  who  married 
L.  Iverson;  Anna,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  E.  Willett;  and  John,  William, 
David  and  Ezekiel. 

The  early  education  of  John  Mackey  was  limited  to  the  advantages  afforded  by 
the  district  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home,  and  while  pursuing  his  studies 
he  also  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock.  Recognizing 
the  need  of  broader  knowledge,  he  later  supplemented  his  education  by  attend- 
ing Lombard  College  for  a  brief  period,  being  at  that  time  twenty-four  years  of 
age.  He  then  left  the  parental  home  and  began  farming  for  himself.  Originally 
he  owned  but  a  small  portion  of  his  present  place,  but  he  applied  himself  so  as- 
siduously and  intelligently  to  its  cultivation  that  he  was  able  to  extend  the  bound- 
aries of  his  farm  until  it  embraced  five  hundred  acres.  Here  he  has  resided  ever 
since  beginning  his  independent  career,  and  has  become  deeply  attached  to  the 
place  because  of  its  association  with  the  greatest  experiences  of  his  life.  A 
man  of  practical  ideas  and  unlimited  energy,  Mr.  Mackey  attributes  much  of  his 
success  to  the  fact  that  he  has  always  concentrated  his  energies  and  directed  his 
activities  toward  a  definite  purpose.  All  of  the  improvements  on  his  property 
have  been  made  during  the  period  of  his  ownership.  He  has  constructed  large, 
commodious  barns,  substantial  outbuildings  and  a  comfortable  residence,  and 
as  his  circumstances  have  permitted  has  added  many  modem  conveniences  and 
appliances,  consistent  with  the  progressive  spirit  that  has  characterized  his  under- 
takings. His  is  now  one  of  the  most  attractive  and  valuable  properties  in  the 
township,  and  he  is  contemplating  making  more  extensive  improvements  within 
the  near  future.  He  has  an  excellent  water  system  and  a  number  of  other 
conveniences  not  generally  found  on  the  farm  homestead.  Mr.  Mackey  oversees 
the  operation  of  his  fields  and  gives  his  personal  supervision  to  everything  on 
the  farm,  all  of  the  work  being  done  by  him  and  his  two  sons.  His  land  is 
devoted  to  diversified  farming  in  connection  with  which  he  also  raises  stock. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Mackey  chose  Miss  Eva  McDowell,  a  native 
of  Mercer,  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  their  marriage  being  celebrated  Sep- 
tember 27,  1887.  There  were  five  children  born  to  Mrs.  Mackey's  parents,  three 
sons  and  two  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  now  residents  of  Illinois.  The  mother 
passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years  and  the  father,  who  was  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business,  reached  the  remarkable  age  of  four  score  and  ten.  Three 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,::^ -r    895 


;  ;•  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mackey :  Eldred  W.  and  Earl  Edwin. 
.''/•  who  are  assisting  their  father  with  the  operation  of  the  farm;  and  Irma  J.,  who 

•  is  attending  school. 

';.         Ever  since  granted  the  right  of  suffrage  upon  attaining  his  majority,   Mr. 
':::.  Mackey  has  given  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  demo- 

;  cratic  party.    He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  township  affairs  and  has  served 

on  the  school  board  for  twenty  years.     He  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who 

.    know  him  throughout  the  county,  where  his  success  is  recognized  as  the  just 

:  reward  of  intelligent  and  judiciously  expended  effort. 


'•:.>''•;•  V'-'/.V  ' '  :    :::  ••     AUGUST  SWARTZ.    \:-::;'' '  - ,    ^  ' '  • ;  :-::;v;.v:;- 

A  Knox  county  agriculturist  of  enterprising  and  progressive  methods  is 
August  Swartz,  who  owns  two  hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  excellent  land  in 
Truro  township,  located  three  miles  northeast  of  Williamsfield,  where  he  has 
resided  for  the  past  nine  years.  He  is  a  native  of  this  state,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  Woodford  county  in  1864,  and  a  son  of  Henry  and  Caroline  (Sand- 
myer)  Swartz.  His  father  was  born  in  Germany  on  the  2ist  of  March,  1824,  and 
there  he  was  reared  and  educated,  continuing  to  make  his  home  in  his  native 
land  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  Having  heard  wonderful  stories  of 
the  opportunities  and  advantages  afforded  ambitious  young  men  in  the  United 
States,  he  in  1846  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world.  He  landed  in  New 
York  city,  where  he  remained  for  five  or  six  years  thereafter.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  time  he  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Peoria,  where  he  remained  for  six 
years,  removing  to  Woodford  county.  There  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
with  such  excellent  success  that  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  six  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  land,  well  improved  and  under  high  cultivation.  In  Peoria, 
this  state,  on  the  28th  of  October,  1848,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
Swartz  and  Miss  Sandmyer,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children  r-/- 
Henry,  who  was  born  on  July  13,  1849,  and  died  in  1850  or  1851 ;  William, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  the  26th  of  January,  1854;  George,  who  was  bom  on 
May  24,  1856,  and  died  in  1905 ;  Mary,  born  on  the  22d  of  July,  1857.  the  wife 
of  John  Kanive;  John,  who  was  born  on  the  i8th  of  March,  1860,  and  died  in 
August,  1907 ;  Henry,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  2Oth  of  May,  1862 ;  and  August, 
born  on  the  7th  of  October,  1864.  The  parents  both  passed  away  in  Woodford 
county,  the  father  dying  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  and  the  mother  at  seventy- 
three. 

The  education  of  August  Swartz  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  home,  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  being  very  similar  in 
every  way  to  those  of  other  lads  reared  in  the  country.  He  early  began  assist- 
ing with  the  work  of  the  fields  and  the  care  of  the  stock  and  after  laying  aside 
his  text-books,  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  When 
qualified  to  beg^n  farming  on  his  own  responsibility  he  operated  the  old  home 
place,  which  he  subsequently  purchased,  continuing  its  cultivation  until  1902. 
In  the  latter  year  he  disposed  of  it  and  came  to  Knox  county,  purchasing  his 
present  place  in  Truro  township,  containing  two  hundred  and  ninety  acres.  Dur-;" 


896  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         f-    '    < 

ing  the  nine  years  of  his  residence  here  Mr.  Swartz  had  made  many  improvements 
in  this  property.  He  has  erected  good  barns  and  outbuildings  and  a  comfortable 
house  in  addition  to  which  he  has  also  effected  various  minor  changes  that  have 
greatly  improved  the  general  appearance  of  the  place.  The  greater  part  of  his 
land  he  rents,  having  practically  retired  from  active  work,  but  he  and  his  wife 
still  continue  to  live  on  their  farm.  He  is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas  and  as  he 
takes  great  pride  in  his  homestead  his  succeeded  in  making  it  one  of  the  valuable 
properties  of  the  county.  .^ 

Mr.  Swartz  was  married  in  1894  to  .Miss  Minnie  Lutz,  who  was  also  a  resi- 
dent of  Wood  ford  county  where  she  had  been  teaching  for  four  years  previouslv 
She  is  a  daughter  of  John  P.  Lutz,  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war.    Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swartz  there  has  been  born  one  son, 
Cecil  A.,  whose  birth  occurred  September  19,  1897. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Swartz  gives  to  the  democratic  party,  and  is  now 
and  has  been  for  the  past  five  years  serving  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  county 
road  commissioners,  while  he  has  been  a  school  director  ever  since  locating  in  the 
county  with  the  exception  of  one  year.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swartz  are  members  of 
the  Reformed  church  and  the  Methodist  Episcof>al,  respectively  and  fraternally, 
he  belongs  to  the  Woodmen.  Mr.  Swartz  is  a  man  of  upright  conduct  and  sound 
principles  and  during  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county  has  won  and 
retained  the  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  transactions  because  of  his 
honorable  methods  in  conducting  his  dealings.  ,  -  ....;-.  .: 


:•.;•;:.  CARL  AUGUST  EKSTADT.  ;      V   ;• 

Carl  August  Ekstadt,  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  town- 
ship, Knox  county,  was  born  March  23,  1864.  He  is  one  of  the  worthy  repre- 
sentatives that  Sweden  has  sent  to  aid  in  the  development  of  this  rich  agricultural 
district.  His  parents,  Samuel  and  Johanna  Ekstadt,  are  now  living  in  Altona. 
The  father  was  bom  in  Smoland,  Sweden,  in  1834,  and  was  the  son  of  A.  Peter- 
son, who  followed  farming  throughout  his  entire  life  and  died  in  Sweden  in 
1844.  He  married  Hannah  Carlson  and  of  their  family  of  seven  children  only 
two  are  living,  the  brother  of  Samuel  Ekstadt  being  Charles  Peterson. 

Samuel  Ekstadt  was  only  ten  years  of  age  when  his  father  died,  after  which 
he  was  reared  by  his  maternal  grandfather  until  able  to  take  care  of  himself. 
His  name  was  changed  when  he  took  out  naturalization  papers.  He  married 
Johanna  Carlson,  who  was  born  in  1825  and  was  a  daughter  of  Carl  and  Martha 
Hickston.  It  was  in  the  year  1868  that  Samuel  Ekstadt  came  to  America,  mak- 
ing his  way  to  Berlin,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  for  several  years  and  then 
removed  to  Woodhull,  this  state,  where  he  carried  on  farming  for  ten  years. 
He  next  established  his  home  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  Knox  county,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm,  which  he  cultivated  until  1896.  He  then  removed  to 
Altona,  where  he  is  now  living  retired  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  During 
the  early  period  of  his  residence  in  this  state  he  was  also  employed  as  a  laborer 
by  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  He  has  long  been  a  faithful 
member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  has  served  for  many  years 


;   ;;;>     .   s;   •  -    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;;  :• :      897 

-.  as  a  deacon.  Of  the  children  born  to  him  and  his  wife  three  survive:  Edward, 
.=.  a  salesman  residing  in  Chicago;  Matilda,  the  wife  of  T.  K.  Brown,  of  Henry 
..  county,  Illinois;  and  Carl  August. 

V ;  There  was  no  event  of  special  importance  to  vary  the  routine  of  farm  life 

X     far  Carl  August  Ekstadt  in  his  boyhood  and  youth.     He  attended  the  district 

'  ',     schools  and  worked  on  the  home  farm,  early  becoming  familiar  with  all  the 

.  •     duties  and  labors  incident  to  farm  life.    After  he  was  eleven  years  of  age  he  was 

;•       engaged  as  teamster  on  his  father's  farm  for  the  following  fifteen  years  and  then 

:   .    engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  an  adjoining  tract,  where  he 

.i    has  since  resided. 

'>  On  the  I4th  of  February,  1889,  Mr.  Ekstadt  was  married  to  Miss  Hulda 

Louisa  Faline,  who  was  born  on  the  23d  of  January,  1869,  in  Gosafall-Tuna- 
Soken-Kalmar  Lane,  Sweden,  her  parents  being  John   M.  and  Bertha  Louisa 
;  ;':     (Swanson)  Faline.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ekstadt  five  children  have  been  born,  all 
;       of  whom  are  residing  at  home:  Ida  Elvira,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  2d  of 
:'      December,  1889,  and  who  is  now  engaged  in  school  teaching;  Hazel  Eleanora, 
:      who  was  born  August  i8,   1890;  Harry  Lawrence,  born   September  30,   1893; 
:  ;     Carl  Erwin  H.,  born  May  14,  1905 ;  and  Fem  Linnea  Irene,  whose  birth  occurred 
October  27,  1911.  ,:   >  :  ^ 

In  politics  Mr.  Ekstadt  is  a  republican  and,  although  he  is  not  an  active  poiiti- 
;   '•    cian  he  keeps  abreast  of  the  times  regarding  the  paramount  issues  before  the 
.'V     country  and  is  always  ready  with  his  vote  and  influence  to  do  what  he  can  to 
secure  the  election  of  the  candidates  of  his  party.     He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran 
:     church  and  Mrs.  Ekstadt  is  also  a  member  of  the  Ladies  Missionary  Society. 
.        He  is  well  known  throughout  the  township  as  a  good  and  industrious  man,  en- 
joying the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  neighbors  and  spending  his  life  in  honest 
'^,   and  successful  labor.       :.;  •;  ^     '-.>>•.";-:-  -/^/.'^v  "'•"••':  .'••;:•'' 


^•'".^\  ;::'-X:-  ':'••''  :••;./"-"'.;.':•- ^^      G.  L.  . 

G.  L.  Doubet,  who  is  now  living  retired  on  his  farm  two  and  a  half  miles 
southeast  of  Williamsfield,  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  representative  agri- 
cult'urists  of  Truro  township.  He  was  bom  in  Peoria  county  .in  November, 
1849,  and  is  a  son  of  Elenor  and  Harriet  (Slane)  Doubet,  the  father  a  native 
of  France  and  the  mother  of  the  state  of  Ohio.  When  a  lad  of  ten  years,  Elenor 
Doubet  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  parents,  who  located  in  the 
western  part  of  Peoria  county,  where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  He  completed 
the  education  already  begun  in  his  native  land  in  the  district  schools  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  home,  and  subsequently  gave  his  attention  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. When  old  enough  to  adopt  a  vocation,  naturally  he  chose  the  one  he 
was  best  qualified  for  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  thrifty  and  industrious 
as  well  as  practical  and  used  very  good  judgment  in  the  direction  of  his  under- 
takings. His  efforts  were  attended  with  success,  and  as  his  circumstances  war- 
ranted he  invested  in  farming  lands  in  the  vicinity,  becoming  one  of  the  exten- 
sive property  owners  of  the  county.  He  passed  away  on  his  homestead  at  the 
age  of  seventy-nine  years,  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  and  substantial  citizens 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  the  community.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doubet  there  were  bom  ten  children, 
four  of  whom  are  deceased.  Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  the  six  living,  the 
others  being  as  follows :  J.  D.,  a  farmer  of  Truro  township ;  Eliza,  the  wife 
of  a  Mr.  Shoemaker,  of  Iowa;  Isabel,  who  married  D.  Secreton,  and  is  living 
on  the  old  home  place  in  Peoria  county ;  John  F.,  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm 
across  the  road  from  our  subject  in  Peoria  county ;  and  Charles,  who  is  on  the 
home  place.  Those  deceased  are,  one  who  died  in  infancy,  Henry,  Rebecca 
and  Delia.  ..  ;, 

The  early  life  of  G.  L.  Doubet  was  passed  very  much  in  the  manner  of  other 
country  lads  of  that  period.  He  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  acquire- 
ment of  his  education,  and  while  mastering  the  common  branches  also  assisted 
his  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm.  By  the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity 
he  had  a  very  thorough  knowledge  of  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture  and 
continued  to  follow  this  vocation  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  When 
he  was  twenty-five  he  began  farming  for  himself,  locating  on  the  place  where 
he  has  ever  since  resided  in  Truro  township.  This  contains  two  hundred  and 
twenty-six  and  a  half  acres,  all  of  which  he  brought  under  high  cultivation 
During  the  long  period  of  his  ownership  he  has  wrought  extensive  improve- 
ments in  the  place,  including  the  erection  of  all  the  buildings  now  standing.  He 
is  a  man  of  practical  ideas  and  progressive,  and  as  his  circumstances  warranted 
he  installed  on  his  farm  such  modern  conveniences  and  improvements  as  he 
deemed  essential  for  the  best  interests  of  his  business.  General  farming  and 
stock-raising  were  his  chief  activities  and  both  proved  to  be  very  lucrative  under 
his  competent  direction.  Mr.  Doubet  has  for  some  years  past  been  living  prac- 
tically retired,  although  he  still  resides  on  his  homestead,  having  turned  over 
the  cultivation  of  his  fields  to  his  sons.  •  :  .•; 

Mr.  Doubet  married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Cole,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Charles,  who  married  Miss  Nellie  Bieder- 
beck;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  P.  A.  Murdock;  Albert,  who  married  Delia  White; 
Elarl ;  Blanche  ;  and  Una.  Three  are  deceased  ;  a  daughter,  Effie  ;  and  two  infants. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Doubet  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  while  he  gives  his  political  support  to  the 
republican  party.  He  has  always  assumed  his  share  of  the  township  govern- 
mental responsibilities  and  has  served  with  efficiency  as  assessor  and  collector. 
Mr.  Doubet  has  resided  on  his  farm  for  thirty-seven  years,  and  is  therefore 
widely  known  in  the  community,  among  whose  residents  he  is  held  in  favorable 
regard,  ever  having  conducted  himself  in  all  of  the  relations  of  life  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  win  the  esteem  of  those  with  whom  he  had  dealings. 


.  •  .   •  ALEX. 

A  well  cultivated  farm  of  ninety-four  acres  located  four  and  a  half  miles 
.southeast  of  Victoria,  does  justice  to  the  agricultural  skill  of  A.  Callahan,  who 
was  born  in  Elba  township,  this  county,  on  the  loth  of  May,  1858.  His  parents 
were  John  and  Nancy  (Walker)  Callahan,  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county, 
where  for  many  years  the  father  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  born  in  Ire- 


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898       .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

of  the  community.     Unto  ]\[r.  and  ^Irs.  Doubet  there  were  born  ten  children,    ,' 
four  of   whom  are  deceased.      Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  the   six   living,  the 
others  l)eing  as   follows:     J.  D.,  a  farmer  of  Truro  township;  Eliza,  the  wife    ,-  '. 
of  a  Mr.  Shoemaker,  of  Iowa;  Isabel,  who  married  D.  Secreton,  and  is  living 
on  the  old  home  place  in  Peoria  county;  John  F..  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm 
across  the  road  from  our  subject  in  Peoria  county;  and  Charles,  who  is  on  the  '   .., 
home  place.      Those   deceased   are,  one  who  died   in  infancy,   Henry,   Rebecca  ... 
and  Delia.  ' 

The  early  life  of  G.  L.  Doubet  was  passed  very  much  in  the  manner  of  other    :  : 
country  lads  of  that  period.     He  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  acquire- 
ment of  his  education,  and  while  mastering  the  common  branches  also  assisted      .  .  • 
his  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm.     By  the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity 
he  had  a  very  thorough  knowledge  of  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture  and 
continued  to  follow  this  vocation  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.     When 
he  was  twenty-five  he  began  farming  for  himself,  locating  on  the  place  where 
he  has  ever  since  resitled  in  Truro  township.     This  contains  two  hundred  and     .:  , 
twenty-six  and  a  half  acres,  all  of   which  he  brought  under  high  cultivation 
During  the  long  period  of  his  ownership  he  has  wrought  extensive  improve-       •' 
ments  in  the  place,  including  the  erection  of  all  the  buildings  now  standing.     He 
is  a  man  of  jiractical  ideas  and  progressive,  and  as  his  circumstances  warranted        .  ' 
he   installed   on   his   farm   such   modern   conveniences   and   improvements   as   he      '' 
deemed  essential   for  the  best   interests  of  his  business.     General   farming  and 
stock-raising  were  his  chief  activities  and  both  jiroved  to  lie  very  lucrative  under 
his  com])etent  direction.     Mr.  Doubet  has  for  some  years  ])ast  been  living  prac-  > 

tically   retired,  although  he  still   resides  on  his  homestead,  having  turned   over 
the  cultivation  of  his  fields  to  his  sons.  .  .  j  ''.• 

Mr.  Donbet  married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Cole,  and  they  became  the  parents  of 
nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Charles,  who  married  Miss  Xellie  Rieder- 
Ijeck ;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  P.  A.  Murdock ;  Albert,  who  married  Delia  White; 
Earl :  Rlanche  ;  and  L'na.  Three  are  deceased  ;  a  daughter,  Effie  ;  and  two  infants. 

I'raternally  'Mr.    Douljct   is   a   member   of   the    Knights   of    Pythias   and   the      •• 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  while  he  gives  his  jjolitical  su])]iort  to  the    -;    - 
republican  party.     He  has  always  assumed  his  share  of  the  township  govern-         '' 
mental  resjKjnsibilities  and  has  served  with  efficiency  as  assessor  and  collector.         .   - 
Mr.  Doubet  has  resided  on  his   farm    for  thirty-seven  years,  and   is  therefore     ;,     ' 
widely  known  in  the  community,  among  whose  residents  he  is  held  in  favorable 
regard,  ever  having  conducted  himself  in  all  of  the  relations  of  life  in  such  a      .' : 
manner  as  to  win  the  esteem  of  those  with  whom  he  had  dealings.  ']'•'•' 


."  ALEX.  CALLAHAX. 

A  well  cultivated  farm  of  ninety-four  acres  located  four  and  a  half  miles 
.southeast  of  \'ictoria,  does  justice  to  the  agricultural  skill  of  A.  Callahan,  who 
was  born  in  Elba  township,  this  county,  on  the  lOth  of  May,  1858.  His  parents 
were  John  and  Xancy  (Walker)  Callahan,  pioneer  settlers  of  Knox  county, 
where  for  many  years  the  father  was  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  born  in  Ire- 


r      ,       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ^  901 

land,  where  he  lived  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  when  he  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  locating  in  Philadelphia.  There  he  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits  until  1854  when  he  removed  to  Illinois,  subsequently  settling  on  a  farm 
in  Elba  township.  This  property  contained  eighty  acres  of  fertile  land,  to  the 
further  improvement  and  development  of  which  he  devoted  his  energies  until 
his  death  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Callahan 
consisted  of  four  sons  and  two  daughters:  Matthew;  John;  William  J. ;  Alex., 
our  subject;  Jane,  who  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Galpin ;  and  Anna  P. 

Alex.  Callahan  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Elba  township,  obtaining 
his  education  in  the  district  schools.  While  mastering  the  common  branches 
he  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  farm,  thus  qualifying  himself  for  an  agricultural 
career.  After  leaving  school  he  went  out  west  where  he  remained  for  three 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  returned  to  Knox  county  and  again 
turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  which  he  has  ever  since  followed. 
He  cultivated  leased  land  at  first,  thus  acquiring  sufficient  capital  to  buy  his 
present  property,  which  he  has  now  owned  for  fourteen  years.  During  that 
time  he  has  made  extensive  improvements  on  the  place,  including  the  erection 
of  a  very  fine  modern  farm  house  that  he  completed  in  1907.  Since  taking  up 
his  residence  here  Mr.  Callahan  has  equipped  his  homestead  with  such  modern 
conveniences  from  time  to  time  as  his  circumstances  permitted,  and  it  is  now 
one  of  the  attractive  as  well  as  valuable  farms,  of  Victoria  township. 

Mr.  Callahan's  plans  for  a  home  of  his  own  had  their  consummation  in  his 
marriage  to  Miss  Christina  Peterson,  who  was  bom  in  Sweden,  whence  she  was 
brought  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  two  years.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Callahan,  as  follows:  Ada  and  Blanche,  who  are 
stenographers  in  Galesburg ;  Myrtle,  who  married  Andrew  McC.lure ;  and  Stella. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Callahan  are  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  and  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Modem  Woodmen  of 
America.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Callahan  is  independent,  giving  his  sup- 
port to  the  men  and  measures  he  deems  best  qualified  to  subserve  the  interests 
of  the  majority.  He  leads  a  very  active  life  as  is  evidenced  by  the  appearance 
of  his  fields,  which  he  has  brought  under  high  cultivation,  his  crops  annually 
bringing  him  a  very  satisfactory  income. 


;;.  -7,.;  ;,:;/-.':  ol7':/;-^^-,';j-.V;;'.        JACOB  HUBER.  ••-:•'-•'/;;:•;;    '  ;;•.     •:-:^'--'^:^<^-:'-''. 

Jacob  Huber,  who  resides  on  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-eight 
acres  located  two  and  a  half  miles  northeast  of  Williamsfield,  has  been  identified 
with  the  agricultural  development  of  Knox  county  for  forty-seven  years.  He 
was  bom  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  May,  1845,  ^"d  is  a  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Rebecca  (Burkhardt)  Huber,  also  natives  of  Berks  county.  There  the 
father,  who  was  a  blacksmith,  followed  his  trade  until  the  fall  of  1849,  when 
with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Peoria  county,  where 
he  passed  away  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Huber 
were  the  parents  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  deceased.  Our  subject  is  the 

VoL   n— 41 


902  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

eldest  of  those  living,  the  others  being  as  follows:     Mary,  the  wife  of  Isaac 
Anderson ;  Elmira,  who  married  John  Hart ;  and  Delila,  now  Mrs.  Levi  Felby. 

Practically  the  entire  life  of  Jacob  Huber  has  been  passed  in  Illinois,  as 
he  was  only  a  child  of  four  years  when  he  accompanied  his  people  on  their 
removal  from  Pennsylvania  to  this  state.  He  obtained  a  common-school  educa- 
tion in  Peoria  county,  but  early  laid  aside  his  text-books  to  assist  in  the  opera- 
tion of  the  home  farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  left  home  and  came  to 
Knox  county,  very  soon  thereafter  locating  on  the  place  he  now  owns.  During 
the  period  of  his  residence  here  he  has  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  and 
has  made  many  improvements  on  it.  All  of  the  buildings  now  standing  on  the 
place  have  been  built  since  he  became  the  owner,  and  he  has  added  many 
modern  conveniences  and  improvements  that  have  greatly  increased  the  value 
of  the  property.  He  has  expended  much  care  and  labor  in  the  tilling  of  his 
fields  that  have  been  brought  under  high  cultivation,  and  annually  yield  abundant 
harvests  that  fully  compensate  him  for  his  painstaking  efforts. 

Mr.  Huber  has  been  married  three  times,  his  first  union  being  with  Miss 
Catherine  Armstrong,  and  unto  them  were  born  six  children,  four  sons  and  two 
daughters.     He  next  married  Carrie   Pulver,   and  his  present  wife  was  Mrs.     .:.     . 
Edith  Messmore.     One  son,  Harold,  who  is  operating  his  father's   farm,  has     .:r_. ;. 
been  born  unto  Mr.  Huber  and  his  third  wife.     Besides  his  own  children  he       .;;   . 
reared  Iva  Riggins  and  Julia  Kimbal.        '    ..    .;  ,;  ^•  !.  'i,' 

The  political  views  of  Mr.  Huber  are  not  coinciding  with  any  of  the  parties,     :='    . 
but  he  votes  independently  for  the  man  whom  he  considers  the  most  proficient  to      .';  v- 
fill  the  office.    Although  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  township  affairs  he  has     ^"   ; ;-. 
never  sought  political  preferment,  having  given  his  undivided  attention  to  the       /v^- 
development  of  his  personal  interests.     Mr.  Huber  came  here  as  a  young  man      'V/.v 
practically  penniless  and  has  through  his  own  energy  and  perseverance  become 
one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  Truro  township,  among  whose  citizens 
he  enjoys  a  wide  and  favorable  acquaintance.        .  ..  •' 


-•J'''--:'^'-'--  '•     .     ''  ]•  A.  TUCKER. ;  ':-^-:'  •^;;  .•:-;• -r/;.^' 

''-.*"  .*.'.•'  "•• 

J.  A.  Tucker,  who  is  conducting  an  implement  business  in  Williams- 
field  in  connection  with  which  he  is  also  operating  a  harness  shop,  is  a  native 
of  Knox  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Truro  town- 
ship in  1850.  His  parents  were  Vachel  L.  and  Jane  Tucker,  the  father  a  native 
of  Ashland,  Ohio,  whence  he  migrated  in  1833  to  Knox  county.  He  acquired  a 
tract  of  land  in  Truro  township  that  he  settled  upon,  devoting  the  remainder  of 
his  life  to  its  operation,  his  death  occurring  on  his  farm  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
seven  years.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vachel  L.  Tucker  there  were 
born  nine  children. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  J.  A.  Tucker  were  in  every  way  similar  to  those 
of  other  lads  of  the  period  who  were  reared  in  the  country.  He  attended  the 
schools  of  Truro  township  and  later  the  high  school  of  Elmwood,  in  the  acquire- 
ment of  an  education.  While  pursuing  his  studies  he  had  to  assist  in  the  work 
of  the  fields  and  the  care  of  the  stock  on  the  home  place,  thus  qualifying  him- 


.    ,       .;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i  ^-         903 

4  -  •.-•->.-•-  '.  -     .  •     .-•••  •  ; 

self  for  a  future  agricultural  career.  After  leaving  school  he  devoted  his  entire 
time  and  attention  to  farming  until  1893,  when  he  came  to  Williamsfield  and 
engaged  in  business.  Mr.  Tucker  met  with  very  good  success  in  his  agricultural 
pursuits  and  now  owns  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Truro  town- 
ship. It  is  equipped  with  modern  improvements  and  appliances,  while  the  fields 
have  been  brought  into  a  high  state  of  productivity,  being  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive and  valuable  properties  in  that  vicinity.  Mr.  Tucker's  store  is  well  sup- 
plied with  an  extensive  variety  of  farming  implements  in  connection  with  which 
he  also  operates  a  harness  shop,  both  affording  him  lucrative  returns.  He  is 
a  capable  business  man,  while  his  practical  knowledge  of  farming  implements  and 
the  needs  of  the  agriculturist  well  qualify  for  the  vocation  he  is  now  following. 
His  entire  attention  is  given  to  his  store,  his  farm  now  being  operated  by  a 
tenant.  His  son,  Seth,  is  in  business  with  his  father.  During  a  heavy  storm 
this  summer,  Mr.  Tucker  had  the  misfortune  to  have  his  barns  struck  by  light- 
ning, the  buildings  and  their  contents  being  entirely  destroyed.  -'..-:•. 

Mr.  Tucker,  who  is  very  happy  in  his  home  life,  chose  for  his  wife  Miss 
Lilly  C.  Love,  of  Knox  county,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  five  children, 
as  follows :  Seth,  who  is  in  business  with  his  father ;  Leto  Jane,  the  widow  of 
Dr.  Luther  Stowell,  who  is  now  engaged  in  nursing;  Myrtle  Alberta,  the  wife 
of  James  L.  Cation,  a  farmer  south  of  Williamsfield ;  Lilly  Mabel,  who  married 
John  Aldrich,  of  Bloomington;  and  Dora  May,  who  is  at  home. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tucker  affiliate  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  while 
he  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modem 
Woodmen.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  stanch  republican,  and  gives  his  un- 
qualified support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  that  party,  believing  that  its  policy 
is  best  adapted  to  subserve  the  interests  of  the  majority.  A  man  of  untiring 
industry,  by  the  intelligent  direction  of  his  activities  and  the  concentration  of 
his  forces  Mr.  Tucker  has  met  with  success  in  anything  he  has  undertaken,  and  is 
recognized  as  one  of  the  affluent  citizens  of  Truro  township.  .,  .  ...,  .  .,  ..  .. 


;;•...,; ''•'\^' ••:•:-;•••;:•:.>••-"":  .••;;/;V^''-^v'V'A.   H.   RICE.     M^V.-:--;:')'.:.-.-     •:'   •    ••^' :•::':•  •^^:'-:.:^'- 

A  highly  prosperous  and  enterprising  agriculturist  of  Knox  county  is  A.  H. 
Rice,  who  owns  three  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  of  most  productive  land  in 
Truro  township,  located  four  miles  northeast  of  Williamsfield.  To  the  further 
improvement  and  cultivation  of  this  property  he  has  devoted  his  entire  time  and 
energy  for  the  past  nineteen  years,  with  most  gratifying  results. 

Mr.  Rice  was  born  in  Victoria  township,  this  county,  on  the  2Oth  of  Septem- 
ber, i86i,  and  there  he  was  reared  in  a  manner,  similar  to  other  farmer  lads, 
receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  While  engaged  with  the  mastery 
of  the  common  branches,  he  was  laying  the  foundation  for  a  future  agricultural 
career  by  assisting  with  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock.  Naturally 
when  he  was  old  enough  to  decide  upon  a  life  vocation,  he  chose  the  one  to 
which  he  felt  he  was  best  adapted,  and  has  never  had  any  occasion  to  regret 
his  selection  as  he  has  prospered  in  his  undertakings,  and  is  now  numbered 
among  the  substantial  farmers  of  his  community.  He  was  an  ambitious  and 


904  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

energetic  as  well  as  thrifty  youth,  and  concentrated  his  entire  efforts  upon  ac- 
quiring sufficient  capital  to  purchase  a  place  of  his  own.  His  endeavors  proved 
successful,  and  immediately  following  his  marriage  in  1890  he  settled  on  a  place 
located  in  this  county,  that  he  operated  for  a  year.  In  1892,  he  disposed  of  this 
property  and  purchased  his  present  homestead.  Since  becoming  the  owner,  Mr. 
Rice  has  wrought  many  improvements  that  have  added  greatly  to  the  appear- 
ance and  value  of  the  place.  All  of  the  buildings  now  standing  have  been 
erected  since  he  came  here,  and  he  has  also  installed  many  modern  conveniences 
and  comforts,  indicative  of  the  spirit  of  progress  that  characterizes  all  of  his 
undertakings.  Everything  about  the  place  manifests  close  supervision  and  capable 
management,  and  the  careful  regard  for  details  that  invariably  accompanies  suc- 
cess in  any  enterprise.  Mr.  Rice  is  operating  his  farm  in  strict  accordance  to 
the  modern  methods  of  agriculture,  and  as  a  result  his  fields  annually  yield  him 
abundant  harvests  that  command  the  market's  highest  prices.  His  efforts  are  not 
entirely  confined  to  diversified  farming,  much  of  his  attention  being  g^ven  to  the 
raising  of  stock,  which  has  also  proven  to  be  very  remunerative.  He  is  not  only 
a  competent  agriculturist  but  a  business  man  of  practical  ideas  and  Sound  judg- 
ment, who  owes  his  success  to  his  tireless  industry  and  the  intelligent  direction 
of  his  activities. 

In  1890  Mr.  Rice  completed  his  arrangements  for  a  home  of  his  own  by  his 
marriage  to  Miss  Priscilla  Yelm,  a  daughter  of  Anderson  and  Priscilla  (Abey) 
Yelm,  the  father  a  native  of  Sweden  and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania.  Mrs. 
Rice  was  also  born  in  Knox  county  in  1868.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rice  number  six,  as  follows.  Vesper  M.,  Lester  A.,  William  F.,  George  E.,  Sadie 
A.  and  Arthur.  Of  the  seven  children  bom  to  them  one  died  in  infancy.  The 
sons  all  assist  their  father  in  the  operation  of  the  farm,  thus  making  it  possible 
to  almost  entirely  dispense  with  the  need  of  hired  help. 

His  political  prerogatives  Mr.  Rice  exercises  in  support  of  such  men  and 
measures  as  are  advanced  by  the  democratic  party,  to  the  principles  of  which 
he  has  been  absolutely  loyal  ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise.  He  takes 
an  active  interest  in  all  township  affairs,  but  is  not  an  aspirant  to  public  honors 
or  the  emoluments  of  office,  and,  therefore,  has  never  been  associated  with  local 
governmental  matters  in  any  capacity  save  that  of  school  director.  Fraternally 
he  is  a  Woodman.  Mr.  Rice  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  his  present  homestead,  where  he  is  well  known  and  highly  regarded,  as  he  has 
always  conducted  himself  in  all  of  his  relations  of  life,  both  public  and  private, 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  command  the  respect  of  his  community. 


'•"  GEORGE  E.  MORGAN.:  v:' ;.•-:;•;•:  :y 

George  E.  Morgan,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising  three  and  a  half  miles  northwest  of  Williamsfield,  was  born  in  Haw 
Creek  township,  Knox  county,  on  December  24,  1863.  His  father.  Peter  Mor- 
gan, was  a  native  of  Ireland,  his  birth  occurring  in  i8i8.  There  he  spent  the 
first  fifteen  years  of  his  life,  when  he  ran  away  from  home  and  went  to  sea, 
binding  himself  to  five  years'  service.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came 


•'..f:  . 
-  V  •  ,•    . 


jr  :.:-;:-:    ':,   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   -      0  H  ^ 

to  the  United  States  and  enlisted  in  the  navy  for  seven  years.  He  was  in  the 
service  during  the  period  of  the  Mexican  war,  at  which  time  he  was  assigned 
to  the  revenue  force,  and  was  on  the  boat  that  carried  the  American  minister 
back  to  Mexico  after  the  close  of  hostilities.  He  left  the  navy  at  the  expiration 
of  his  period  of  enlistment  and  about  1856  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Peoria 
county.  He  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  went  to  work 
for  Joe  Lyons,  who  owned  a  farm  in  Millbrook  township,  that  county.  Being 
industrious,  he  applied  himself  intelligently  to  whatever  duty  was  assigned  him, 
thus  soon  acquired  a  practical  understanding  of  the  methods  of  tilling  the  fields 
and  caring  for  the  crops.  It  was  his  ambition  to  own  a  farm,  and  this  proved  an 
incentive  to  the  exercise  of  thrift  and  self-denial  and  little  by  little  he  accumu- 
lated sufficient  capital  to  begin  for  himself.  After  his  marriage  in  1863  he  rented 
some  land  in  Haw  Creek  township  that  he  cultivated  with  such  excellent  suc- 
cess that  at  the  expiration  of  two  years  he  was  in  a  position  to  buy  a  farm  in  the 
same  township.  His  entire  time  and  attention  was  devoted  to  the  further  devel- 
opment of  this  place  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life,  and  there  he  passed 
away  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-one  years.  For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr, 
Morgan  chose  Miss  Mary  Batson,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  and  reared  in  Missouri. 
Being  Union  sympathizers,  her  people  left  Missouri  during  the  war  and  came 
to  Illinois,  but  after  the  close  of  hostilities  returned  to  the  south.  The  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morgan  numbered  six,  the  eldest  of  whom  is  our  subject,  the 
others  being  as  follows :  Stephen  and  Rosie,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  William 
and  Robert,  who  are  residents  of  this  township ;  and  Elizabeth,  who  is  also 
deceased. 

George  E.  Morgan  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  acquiring  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  father's  home.  After  he  had  mastered 
the  common  branches  he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  turned  his  entire  attention 
toward  the  operation  of  the  farm,  with  the  work  of  which  he  had  been  assisting 
from  early  boyhood.  Agricultural  pursuits  have  always  engaged  his  energies  and 
he  has  met  with  success  in  his  undertakings.  He  is  enterprising  and  practical 
in  his  methods  and  now  owns  one  of  the  valuable  farms  of  Truro  township. 
His  homestead  contains  two  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  good  land  that  he  has 
brought  under  high  cultivation,  and  here  engages  in  diversified  farming  and' 
stock-raising.  His  efforts  in  both  branches  of  the  business  are  meeting  with 
substantial  returns,  and  he  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  successful  agriculturists 
and  capable  business  men  of  the  township.  Since  locating  here  Mr.  Morgan 
has  wrought  extensive  improvements  in  his  place,  having  erected  all  of  the  build- 
ings now  standing  and  he  has  also  effected  many  minor  changes,  that  add  greatly 
to  the  appearance  and  financial  value  of  the  property,  s 

Mr.  Morgan's  efforts  have  been  ably  assisted  by  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Alice  R.  Stubbs,  a  native  of  Millbrook  township,  Peoria  county,  and  a 
daughter  of  John  Stubbs,  a  well  known  farmer  of  that  section.  They  are  the 
parents  of  two  children,  Melvin  and  Leona.  The  former  is  now  assisting  his 
father  with  the  operation  of  the  farm,  and  is  an  earnest  and  enterprising  young 
man,  who  gives  every  assurance  of  possessing  the  qualities  that  make  for  suc- 
cess in  any  vocation. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Morgan  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  his  political  allegiance  is 
given  to  the  democratic  party.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  local 


906  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


^•\\^ 


affairs  and  in  1895  was  elected  supervisor,  serving  in  this  capacity  until  1907, 
while  for  three  years  he  was  commissioner  and  he  has  also  been  a  member  of  the 
school  board.  Mr.  Morgan  is  a  man  who  discharges  his  official  duties  with  the 
same  sense  of  obligation  and  responsibility  that  he  manifests  in  the  execution 
of  any  task  or  business  enterprise,  and  is,  therefore,  justly  entitled  to  the  respect 
he  is  accorded  in  his  community. 


'•    :;•;•"'•""'••    :  :  .      '  ].  EDWIN 

J.  Edwin  Main,  who  engages  in  general  farming  and  stockraising  in  Walnut 
Grove  township,  Knox  county,  and  who  is  numbered  among  the  substantial  agri- 
culturists of  this  vicinity,  was  born  on  the  7th  of  November,  1875,  on  the  old 
Main  homestead,  his  parents  being  Andrew  and  Ellen  (Moore)  Main.  The 
father  was  born  December  6,  1846,  in  Mothler,  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  the 
mother  in  Rio  township,  on  the  I3th  of  March,  1848.  The  grandparents  were 
Peter  and  Jane  (Ferguson)  Main,  of  whom  the  former  came  to  America  with 
his  three  children  after  the  death  of  his  wife  in  Scotland.  Arriving  in  Chicago, 
they  proceeded  to  Knox  county  and  subsequently  went  to  Minnesota  for  a  short 
residence  before  returning  to  this  county,  where  the  death  of  Peter  Ferguson 
occurred  May  i,  1878,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  Andrew  Main,  the  father 
of  our  subject,  was  but  seven  years  of  age  on  his  arrival  in  this  country  and 
during  his  sojourn  in  Chicago  at  the  time  of  the  cholera  epidemic  the  death  of 
his  only  sister  occurred.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Main  were  the  parents  of  three 
children:  J.  Edwin,  our  subject;  Kate,  who  married  Walter  D.  McMasters,  a 
farmer  of  Walnut  Grove  township;  and  Clark  A.,  also  an  agriculturist  of  this 
township.  Mrs.  Andrew  Main  is  a  daughter  of  Lyman  King  and  Mary  S. 
(Woodman)  Moore,  natives  of  New  York  and  Massachusetts,  respectively.  -, 
They  came  west  early  in  life  and  settled  in  Rio  township,  engaging  in  farming 
pursuits  until  their  death. 

During  his  boyhood  days  J.  Edwin  Main  worked  on  his  father's  farm  and 
passed  through  the  usual  experiences  which  enter  the  life  of  a  country  boy,  en- 
gaging  in  the  general  routine  of  the  farm  during  the  summer  season  and  attend-  ; 
ing  the  district  school  during  the  winter.  He  assisted  his  father  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  when,  ambitious  to  enter  upon  an  independent  career, 
he  removed  to  the  farm  upon  which  he  is  now  residing.  When  he  settled  upon 
this  land  it  was  in  a  more  or  less  uncultivated  state,  but  he  gradually  succeeded 
in  making  improvements  so  that  now  it  is  provided  with  all  the  equipments  and 
conveniences  of  a  successful  farm.  He  engages  in  a  general  agricultural  busi- 
ness, producing  the  various  grain  crops,  and  also  devotes  attention  to  stock-rais- 
ing, breeding  excellent  standard-bred  hogs.  Intelligent  management  and  close 
application  to  these  undertakings  have  brought  him  unusual  success  and  he 
makes  his  home  today  in  one  of  the  most  comfortable  and  modernly  equipped 
farm  residences  in  Walnut  Grove  township. 

On  February  14,  1900,  Mr.  Main  wedded  IVIiss  Ida  McMaster,  who  was  born 
on  the  26th  of  August,  1879,  on  the  McMaster  homestead.  Her  parents,  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  (Hawk)  McMaster,  who  are  prominent  farmers  of  Walnut  Grove 


4/;^:'  ;;;';;'':;-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      V      ;         907 

township,  were  the  parents  of  four  children:  George  A.,  who  married  Clara 
Nash;  William  John,  who  wedded  Agnes  McGaan;  Mrs.  Main;  and  one  de- 
ceased. The  first  three  named  are  residing  in  Walnut  Grove  township.  Mrs. 
Main  received  her  education  in  St.  Mary's  school  of  Knoxville,  Illinois,  after 
vvhich  she  remained  at  home  until  her  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Main  are  the 
parents  of  two  children :  Harold  E.,  born  May  17,  1901 ;  and  Everett,  born  April 

15,  1905. 

Mr.  Main  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and,  although  he 
has  never  sought  office,  his  interest  in  the  educational  development  and  welfare 
of  his  community  is  so  great  that  he  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  school  board. 
Both  he  and  Mrs.  Main  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona, 
he  being  one  of  its  trustees  and  his  wife  being  a  prominent  member  of  the  Ladies 
Social  Union.  He  is  a  man  of  integrity  and  ambition  and  is  accounted  one  of 
Walnut  Grove  township's  representative  citizens.  .:.-;.';  ,  - 


•  ;.'•• /V''\'"  .^':-.  •"^""-'^•:}^--.^J;:       W.  B. 

•  W.  B.  Huber  is  the  owner  of  ninety  acres  of  land  in  Truro  township,  that 
he  has  been  successfully  operating  for  the  past  eleven  years.    It  is  well  improved 
and  the  general  appearance  of  both  the  fields  and  buildings  on  the  place  indicate 
the  spirit  of  enterprise  and  industry  that  characterize  Mr.  Huber.    He  was  born 
in  this  township  in  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob  Huber,  who  are 
mentioned  at  greater  length  elsewhere  in  this  work.  ..    ; 

W.  B.  Huber  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  similarly  to  other  farmer  lads, 
obtaining  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  early  began  assisting  his 
father  with  the  work  of  fields  and  the  care  of  the  stock,  and  after  laying  aside 
his  school  books  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  re- 
mained on  the  home  place  until  he  was  qualified  to  begin  farming  for  himself, 
when  he  of)erated  his  mother-in-law's  place  for  eleven  years.  As  he  is  an  ener- 
getic man  of  practical  ideas  he  met  with  success  in  his  undertakings  and  during 
that  time  acquired  sufficient  capital  to  purchase  the  place  where  he  is  now  living. 
This  has  undergone  extensive  improvements  during  the  period  of  his  owner- 
ship and  is  now  one  of  the  attractive  appearing  farms  of  this  section.  He  has 
erected  large,  substantial  barns  and  outbuildings  and  a  comfortable  residence,  and 
fenced  all  of  the  fields,  which  are  under  high  cultivation.  Ever  since  he  re- 
moved here,  in  1900,  Mr.  Huber  has  given  his  personal  supervision  to  everything 
about  the  place,  much  of  the  work  having  been  performed  by  him.  His  fields 
are  devoted  to  the  raising  of  such  cereals  as  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil,  and 
annually  yield  abundant  harvests.  In  connection  with  general  farming  Mr.  Huber 
also  raises  stock,  and  this  has  likewise  proven  to  be  very  lucrative. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Huber  chose  Miss  Olive  Cadwell,  a  daughter  of  James  Cad- 
well,  who  is  now  deceased,  and  Elizabeth  (Wolf)  Cadwell.  The  father  came  to 
Knox  county  in  his  boyhood  and  was  identified  with  the  agricultural  interests 
of  Truro  township  during  the  entire  period  of  his  active  life.  The  mother  is 
still  living  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Williamsfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Huber  have 


908  •         "          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

two  children :   Clyde,  who  is  a  youth  of  eighteen  years ;  and  Kathrine  Elizabeth, 
who  is  ten. 

The  religious  views  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Huber  coincide  with  the  creed  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  they  hold  membership,  and  his  political 
support  he  gives  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  township  affairs  and  has  served  as  school  trustee.  Having  spent  his  entire 
life  in  this  immediate  vicinity  Mr.  Huber  is  widely  known  in  the  community, 
among  whose  citizens  he  numbers  many  close  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  were 
comrades  of  his  boyhood.  .  .  :  .  .  -.  ; 


AMOS  O.  GIBBS. 


Amos  O.  Gibbs  for  more  than  twenty  years  has  been  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising  on  section  22,  Victoria  township,  where  he  owns  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  that  he  has  brought  under  high  cultivation. 
He  was  born  in  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1850,  and 
is  a  son  of  the  late  Martin  and  Mary  Ann  (.Moak)  Gibbs,  Jr.,  the  paternal  grand- 
father likewise  having  borne  the  name  of  Martin  Gibb$. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm,  the  youthful  years  of  Amos  O.  Gibbs  were  not 
marked  by  either  luxury  or  privation,  but  were  very  similar  to  those  of  other 
country  lads  of  that  period.  His  education  was  begun  in  his  home  district  and 
completed  in  the  public  schools  of  Galva,  which  he  attended  for  two  years.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, with  the  expectation  of  making  farming  his  life  vocation.  By  the  time  he 
had  attained  his  maturity  he  was  a  skilled  agriculturist  and  fully  capable  of 
taking  charge  of  a  place  of  his  own,  but  he  remained  at  home  until  he  was  mar- 
ried at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years.  Immediately  following  this  event  he 
located  on  the  place  where  he  is  now  living,  and  here  he  and  his  wife  have  passed 
the  entire  period  of  their  domestic  life.  This  was  then  the  property  of  his 
brother,  P.  H.  Gibbs,  but  the  greater  part  of  the  improvements  had  been  made 
by  the  preceding  owner,  a  Mr.  Dalgrin,  including  the  erection  of  the  dwelling. 
During  the  period  of  his  occupancy,  however,  Mr.  Gibbs  has  wrought  many 
changes  that  have  greatly  added  to  the  appearance  and  value  of  the  place.  Here 
in  connection  with  his  general  farming  he  has  been  raising  stock,  using  the 
greater  part  of  his  g^ain  for  feed.  He  is  an  industrious  man  of  persevering 
habits  and  gives  his  personal  supervision  to  all  of  the  work  about  his  place. 
His  fields  are  carefully  and  intelligently  cultivated,  all  the  fences  and  buildings 
are  kept  well  repaired,  and  everything  about  his  farm  su^ests  thrift  and 
prosperity.  ^  1'  -^  •  .'  >  '  ;v  =^ . 

Mr.  Gibbs  established  a  home  for  himself  in  1887,  when  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  H.  and  Chris- 
tina Johnson,  both  of  whom  .are  now  deceased.  She  emigrated  to  America  with 
her  parents  as  a  child  of  two  years,  and  was  reared  in  this  county,  receiving 
her  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Victoria  township.  Her  parents  spent 
their  latter  years  in  Knox  county  and  are  buried  in  Galva  cemetery,  Lynn  town- 


a 


o 
-r. 


908  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

two  cliildren :   Clyde,  who  is  a  youth  of  eighteen  years;  and  Katlrrine  Elizabeth, 
who  is  ten. 

The  religious  views  of  Mr.  and  !Mrs.  Huber  coincide  with  the  creed  of  the 
Methodist  Ejjiscopal  church,  in  which  they  hold  membership,  and  his  political 
supi)ort  he  gives  to  the  repul)lican  party.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  townshi])  affairs  and  has  served  as  school  trustee.  Having  spent  his  entire 
life  in  this  immediate  vicinity  Mr.  Huber  is  widely  known  in  the  community, 
among  whose  citizens  he  numbers  many  close  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  were 
comrades  of  his  bovhood. 


A.MOS  O.  GI1513S. 


Amos  O.  Gibbs  for  more  than  twenty  years  has  been  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising  on  section  22,  \'ictoria  township,  where  he  owns  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  that  he  has  brought  under  high  cultivation. 
He  was  born  in  Lynn  townshij),  Knox  county,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1850,  and 
is  a  son  of  the  late  Martin  and  Mary  Ann  (.Moak)  Gibbs,  Jr.,  the  paternal  grand- 
father likewise  having  borne  the  name  of  Martin  Gibbs.  1 

Reared  on  his  father's  fann.  the  youthful  years  of  Amos  O.  Gibbs  were  not 
marked  by  either  luxury  or  privation,  but  were  very  similar  to  those  of  other 
country  lads  of  that  period.  His  education  was  begun  in  his  home  district  and 
completed  in  the  public  schools  of  Galva,  which  he  attended  for  two  years.  At 
the  exjjiration  of  that  period  he  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, with  the  expectation  of  making  farming  his  life  vocation.  By  the  time  he 
had  attained  his  maturity  he  was  a  skilled  agriculturist  and  fully  capable  of 
taking  charge  of  a  place  of  his  own,  but  he  remained  at  home  until  he  was  mar- 
ried at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years.  Immediately  following  this  event  he 
located  on  the  place  where  he  is  now  living,  and  here  he  and  his  wife  have  passed 
the  entire  period  of  their  domestic  life.  This  was  then  the  proi)erty  of  his 
brother,  I'.  II.  Gibbs,  but  the  greater  part  of  the  improvements  had  been  made 
by  the  preceding  owner,  a  Mr.  Dalgrin,  including  the  erection  of  the  dwelling. 
During  the  i)eriod  of  his  occupanc}',  however,  Mr.  Gibbs  has  wrought  many 
changes  that  have  greatly  added  to  the  appearance  and  value  of  the  place.  Here 
in  connection  with  his  general  farming  he  has  been  raising  stock,  using  the 
greater  j)art  of  his  grain  for  feed.  He  is  an  industrious  man  of  persevering 
habits  and  gives  his  personal  supervision  to  all  of  the  work  about  his  place. 
His  fields  are  carefully  and  intelligently  cultivated,  all  the  fences  and  buildings 
are  kept  well  rc])aired,  and  everything  about  his  farm  suggests  thrift  and 
prosperity.  I 

Mr.  Gibbs  established  a  home  for  himself  in  1887,  when  he  married  Miss 
F.lizabeth  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Sweden,  a  daughter  of  Lewis  II.  and  Chris- 
tina Johnson,  both  of  whom. are  now  deceased.  She  emigrated  to  America  with 
her  parents  as  a  child  of  two  years,  and  was  reared  in  this  county,  receiving 
her  education  in  the  district  schools  of  X'ictoria  township.  Her  parents  spent 
their  latter  years  in  Knox  county  and  are  buried  in  Galva  cemetery,  Lynn  town- 


X 


'.X:;:-   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :  ;          • ;:  911 

ship.     Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs,  Martin  Harrison, 
Ada,  Roy,  Lewis,  Carl  and  Irene. 

The  political  views  of  Mr.  Gibbs  accord  with  the  principles  of  the  republi- 
can party,  for  whose  candidates  he  casts  his  ballot.  He  has  met  with  more 
than  an  average  measure  of  success  in  his  pursuits,  and  is  one  of  the  stock- 
holders in  the  Farmers'  Elevator  and  their  creamery  and  likewise  the  Mutual 
Telephone  Company;  he  is  also  interested  in  two  imported  breeding  horses. 
Mr.  Gibbs  is  a  capable  agriculturist  and  business  man,  whose  undertakings 
are  characterized  by  intelligent  direction  and  competent  management. 


••'"••-•:  ..'.•;  •••-  '••••••  •'•^' ^•':      ALOXZO  F.  PADEX.  v:7'-;:'  '  ^^:  /'       •?-;:;'— r-'^'v- 

'  -  • 

Blessed  with  the  heritage  of  a  sturdy  stock  of  ancestors  Alonzo  F.  Paden 
derives  from  them  not  only  his  excellent  constitution  and  the  physical  attributes 
giving  promise  of  the  longevity  for  which  the  family  is  noted,  but  also  the  intel- 
lectual and  temperamental  characteristics  that  insure  success,  the  ability  to  get  on 
in  the  world  and  the  power  of  winning  friends.  His  birth  occurred  in  Gales- 
burg  township,  Knox  county,  July  3,  1854.  The  Paden  family  was  originally 
Scotch  but  have  lived  in  this  country  for  several  generations,  the  grandfather, 
Isaac  Paden,  being  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  married  Celia  Fish,  a  native 
of  New  York  state,  and  in  1843  removed  his  family  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and 
settled  on  a  farm  southwest  of  Galesburg.  Illinois  remained  his  home  for  the 
rest  of  his  life,  excepting  a  number  of  years  during  which  he  lived  in  Minne- 
sota, returning  from  there  to  Henry  county,  where  he  tilled  the  soil  for  many 
years.  He  died  in  Knox  county  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-five  years,  having 
been  born  in  1800.  Alonzo  F.  Paden  is  a  son  of  James  and  Martha  (Edgar) 
(Fuqua)  Paden,  the  father  being  a  native  of  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania,  bom 
June  17;  1827,  the  mother  a  native  of  Kentucky.  They  were  married  over  fifty 
years  during  which  time  they  were  residents  of  Knox  county.  At  the  death  of  his 
wife  July  26,  1904,  Mr.  Paden  withdrew  from  active  work  on  his  land  and 
came  to  live  with  his  son  Alonzo,  dying  a  few  years  ago.  He  was  well  known 
throughout  the  county  for  his  splendid  public  spirit  and  his  keen  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  his  community,  giving  without  reserve  of 'his  time  and  efforts  in  the 
aid  of  any  cause  for  the  general  advancement  and  growth.  He  gave  his  political 
support  to  the  republicans  and  was  called  upon  to  serve  as  supervisor  of  the 
township  being  a  member  of  the  board  that  secured  the  erection  of  the  new  court- 
house. His  high  standard  of  integrity  won  him  the  confidence  of  his  business 
associates  among  whom  he  was  an  important  factor  in  his  capacity  as  director 
of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Galesburg,  while  his  pleasant  manner  and  courte- 
ous bearing  made  him  a  general  favorite  among  all  classes  in  the  town. 
.  ;  Alonzo  F.  Paden  obtained  his  education  in  this  county,  where  he  has  lived 
since  his  birth.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and  supplemented  this  by  two 
years  at  Knox  College,  in  Galesburg.  When  entering  upon  his  life's  work  he 
took  up  farming  in  which  he  continued  until  his  retirement  some  years  ago. 
Through  industry  and  thrift  and  by  pursuing  practical  methods,  he  made  good 
profits  which  he  invested  in  more  land  and  now  owns  not  only  the  farm  of  five 


912  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         --.,;-; 

hundred  and  twenty  acres  which  he  operated  with  success  for  many  years  but 
also  large  holdings  in  other  states.  Financially  he  is  interested  in  the  People's 
Trust  Bank  of  Galesburg  in  which  he  is  a  director. 

On  February  i6,  i88i,  he  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  wedlock  to  Miss  Sarah 
E.  Eckman,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (French)  Eckman,  both  natives     .:-^;.. 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  became  residents  of  Knox  county  in  the  early  '5os,  Mr.  '     ;;-• 
Eckman  being  a  farmer  by  occupation.     Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and      {•:' 
Mrs.  Paden  of  whom  four  are  deceased.     The  others,  all  living  at  home  are,  .',-=• 
Blanche,  Glen  Paul  and  Mildred  May.  H.'  ^ 

Mr.   Paden  has  always  been  a  consistent  republican  in  the  exercise  of  his-;.,  .  '• 
right  of  franchise  and  was  called  to  the  office  of  supervisor  of  the  township,       • 
serving  five  years  in  this  capacity.     In  his  fraternal  relations  he  is  connected  -.;-':' 
with  Lodge  No.  894,  B.  P.  O.  E.,  and  he  also  holds  membership  in  the  Gales-    .  .;  ' 
burg  Club.    Mr.*  Paden  is  a  man  of  singular  strength  of  character,  of  that  lofty  '!'."': 
sense  of  honor  which  admits  of  no  compromise,  and  by  his  gracious  manner  has  •':•  .-; 
made  many  warm  friends  who  hold  him  in  high  esteem.  :..'. 


-;  •' v:^v  HIRAM  RILEY  KING.         '  .  .; .        , 

Among  the  agriculturists  of  Lynn  township,  Knox  county,  who  have  been 
numbered  among  the  substantial   farmers  and  representative  citizens  and  who  : 
achieved  success  and  surrounded  themselves  with  prosperity  by  their  own  exer-    . 
tions  and  persevering  efforts  was  Hiram  Riley  King,  whose  birth  occurred  near 
Akron,  Ohio,  on  the  2ist  of  January,  1832,  and  who  died  on  the  I9th  of  Decem- 
ber,  1910.     His  industry  and  enterprise,  together  with  good  management,  had 
been  the  means  of  enabling  him  to  acquire  a  considerable  acreage  of  excellent 
land,  which  for  many  years  he  kept  under  cultivation  and  from  which  he  derived 
bountiful  harvests. 

His  parents  were  Ambrose  and  Sarah  (Root)   King.     The  father,  who  was   '• 
bom  in  New  York  state,  February  22,  1798,  removed  to  Knox  county  m  1853 
and  located  near  the  Union  schoolhouse,  where  he  resided  for  the  greater  part  of  : 
his  life.    The  mother's  death  occurred  on  the  2d  of  December,  1839.  at  Shalers-  • 
ville,  Ohio.     She  had  five  children,  one  of  whom  survives.  Homer  A.,  of  Col- 
ton,  California.    On  the  ist  of  September,  1840,  Mr.  King  was  married  to  Miss  ' 
Harriet  Porter^  of  Bath,  Ohio,  and  by  their  union  three  children  were  born: 
Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Patty,  of  Riverside,  California :  Ambrose  L.,  of  Victoria,   Illi- 
nois ;  and  Corwin  S.,  deceased.    The  father's  death  occurred  on  the  I9th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1876,  when  he  was  about  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  and  his  second  wife 
died  on  the  2Oth  of  December,  1885.  ,          .--'-^--^ ..; 'i^--:--~,::''^:^^'~^-f^-- ^  -  ••\  .'"•': 

Hiram  R.  King  acquired  his  education  in  his  native  state  and  in  the  mean- 
time assisted  his  father  in  the  duties  of  the  farm.  Upon  completing  his  studies 
he  remained  under  the  parental  roof  and  daily  engaged  in  farm  work  until 
1859.  In  that  year  he  crossed  the  plains  with  ox  teams  to  California,  although 
en  route  he  stopped  at  Pike's  Peak.  The  trip  required  six  months  and  he  re- 
mained in  the  west  one  year,  returning  home  by  way  of  the  isthmus  of  Panama. 


;^vV^  ;;:::.:,     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;'        9i3 

In  December,  i86i,  he  arrived  in  Knox  county,  and  on  the  I3th  of  February, 

1862,  was  married  to  Miss  Lydia  Ann  Collinson,  who  was  born  on  the  I2th  of 

.  August,  1837,  near  Wilkes-Barre,  Pennsylvania,  but  removed  to  Walnut  Grove 

township,  Knox  county,  when  she  was  but  one  year  old  with  her  parents,  Simeon 

;  L.  and  Mary  Collinson.    Of  the  children  of  her  parents  four  survive:    John  C., 

'    who  is  residing  in  Altona ;  Mrs.  Martha  McLaughlin ;  Mrs.  James  McGoon,  a 

;''  resident  of  Altona;  and  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Durham,  who  makes  her  home  in  Mendota, 

.Illinois.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  six  children  were  born:  Stephen  A.,  of  Lynn 

. '  township,  who  is  married  to  Isabel  Crose ;  Susan  L.,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife 

:-'•  of  Frank  Riner  and  had  one  son,  now  making  his  home  with  his  uncle ;  Har- 

"r  riet  M.,  at  home;  Simeon  H.,  deceased;  Roy  N.,  in  charge  of  home  farm;  and 

Eunice  J.,  deceased. 

After  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  settled  on  a  farm  near  West  Jersey, 
:  Illinois,  where  they  lived  one  year.  Later  they  removed  to  a  farm  in  Knox 
county  and  after  residing  there  for  a  year  went  to  California,  where  they  re- 
mained for  twelve  months,  Mr.  King  being  engaged  in  the  dairy  business.  After 
their  return  to  Illinois  they  settled  on  the  place  where  they  resided  until  their 
deaths.  In  addition  to  general  farming  Mr.  King  also  engaged  in  stock-raising 
to  some  extent.  His  farm  was  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
provided  with  all  the  modern  improvements. 

In  politics  Mr.  King  was  a  democrat  and  he  held  membership  in  the  Christian 
church,  which  held  its  meetings  in  the  Union  schoolhouse.  By  industry,  persever- 
ance and  patience,  together  with  an  ambition  to  succeed,  he  made  his  way  step 
by  step  until  he  rose  to  a  position  where  he  was  numbered  among  Knox  county's 
substantial  farmers  and  most  highly  respected  citizens. 


.-:^  '•    -':.;;•'.    ;••••;  v;;. ,  'I.-    JAMES  ARMSTRONG.  '^.^'-:'\.' .:-^: .  /  /;:'-;:;. 

General  farming  and  stock-raising  engage  the  attention  of  James  Armstrong,         ; 
who  is  associated  with  his  brother  in  the  operation  of  a  farm  located  six  and  a 
half  miles  north  of  Williamsfield.     His  birth  occurred  in  Scotland  in  1858,  and 
he  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Montgomery)   Armstrong,  who  resided  in  the        ;., 
land  of  hills  and  heather,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming,  until  1867.     In        ','•:, 
the  latter  year  with  his  wife  and  family  James  Armstrong  emigrated  to  the  United       ; 
States,  and  upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  made  his  way  directly  to   Knox 
county.     He  first  located  on  a  farm  on  section  36,  Victoria  township,  but  sub- 
sequently removed  to  Truro  township,  where  he  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-  /' ^ • 
three  years.     The  mother  is  still  living  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-three  and 
makes  her  home  with  her  sons  James  and  Thomas.     The  family  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Armstrong  numbered  nine,  all  of  whom  are  deceased  with  the  exception  of       '• 

'  four,  as  follows:     Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Angus,  of  Peoria  county;.  .:,J 
James,  our  subject;  Jeannette,  the  wife  of  W.  B.  Elliott,  an  agriculturist  of       v 
Truro  township;  and  Thomas,  who  is  associated  with  our  subject  in  agricultural        ; 
pursuits.  •• 

James  Armstrong  was  only  a  lad  of  eleven  years  when  he  emigrated  to  America        ; 

.  with  his  parents  and  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  the  immediate  vicinity        X 


914  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        -^^-'i    -v 

of  his  present  farm.  In  common  with  other  country  lads  while  mastering  the 
common  branches  of  English  learning  in  the  district  schools  of  the  vicinity,  he 
was  laying  the  foundation  of  a  future  agricultural  career  by  assisting  with  the 
plowing,  sowing  and  harvesting  of  the  crops  and  the  care  of  the  stock.  By  the 
time  he  had  attained  his  maturity  he  was  a  skilled,  practical  farmer,  well  qualified 
to  successfully  operate  a  place  of  his  own.  When  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty 
years  he  left  the  paternal  home  and  began  working  for  himself.  The  west  had 
attracted  him  from  earliest  boyhood  so  leaving  the  scenes  with  which  he  had 
long  been  familiar,  he  began  his  independent  career  amid  an  entirely  different 
environment  in  one  of  the  more  recently  settled  sections  of  the  country.  He  re- 
mained in  the  west  for  three  years,  returning  to  Knox  county  in  i88i,  and  has 
ever  since  been  residing  in  Victoria  township  with  the  exception  of  two  years 
spent  in  Truro  township.  In  1894  he  and  his  brother  Thomas  bought  the  place 
they  are  now  operating.  Here  they  engage  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising, 
undertakings  proving  remunerative  under  their  intelligent  direction.  Their  un- 
divided attention  is  given  to  the  cultivation  of  their  fields,  which  are  devoted  to 
the  raising  of  such  crops  as  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil.  They  are  practical 
agriculturists  of  progressive  ideas  and  are  meeting  with  more  than  average  suc- 
cess, through  the  intelligent  and  capable  direction  of  their  activities.  Both  are 
industrious  and  enterprising  in  their  methods,  and  in  the  cultivation  of  their  fields 
follow  the  more  progressive  ideas  of  the  modern  agriculturists.  [  ?  -  ;• 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Armstrong  is  a  republican.  He  is  a  public-spirited 
man  and  takes  a  vital  interest  in  all  local  affairs,  particularly  those  pertaining 
to  the  government  of  the  community.  Recognized  as  a  man  of  ability  he  has  at 
various  times  been  called  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  township  offices,  and  has 
served  with  efficiency  both  as  a  road  commissioner  and  school  director.  He  is 
well  known  in  Victoria  township,  having  been  actively  identified  with  the  agri- 
cultural interests  there  for  the  past  seventeen  years,  and  is  accorded  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  transactions,  being  a  man  of  upright 
principles  and  sound  integrity.  .  -.>;-;  .'.•.-' 


.-r-.:;;--;;;  -   ,.    j.  L.  HUBER.    /•":-:  .'-:-:r^::.  \:'\,'.- 

].  L.  Huber.  who  is  residing  six  miles  north  of  Williamsfield,  where  he  en- 
gages in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  was  born  in  this  county  July  8,  1872, 
being  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Armstrong)  Huber.  The  father  is  a  native 
of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  when  a  child  of  four  years  he  accompanied 
his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Illinois.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  spent  in 
Peoria  county,  this  state,  but  upon  attaining  his  maturity  he  came  to  Knox  county, 
and  here  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  is  one  of  the  well  known  and  prosperous 
agriculturists  of  the  county,  owning  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres  of 
land  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Williamsfield,  that  he  is  still  operating. 

After  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches  J.  L.  Huber  terminated  his 
student  days,  and  thereafter  gave  his  entire  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  remained  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  qualified  to  begin  working  for 
himself,  when  he  located  on  a  place  west  of  the  homestead.  From  there  he  re- 


.•      '   •       ;:;^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ,  ;V;V^  915 

moved  to  the  vicinity  in  which  he  is  now  living,  settling,  in  1904,  on  the  place 
he  is  operating  at  the  present  time.  This  farm  contains  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  land  which  he  leases.  He  is  a  practical  man,  enterprising  and  industrious 
in  his  methods  and  is  meeting  with  substantial  returns  through  the  intelligent 
direction  of  his  energies.  His  fields  are  cultivated  in  accordance  with  the  modern 
methods  followed  by  the  most  progressive  and  successful  agriculturists,  and  the 
harvests  they  annually  yield  fully  compensate  him  for  his  painstaking  efforts  and 
capable  supervision. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Huber  chose  Miss  Hattie  Young,  a  daughter  of  Robert 
Young,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children,  as  follows:  Floyd, 
Stella,  Loren,  Lavon,  Marie  and  Earl.  His  political  prerogatives  Mr.  Huber  has 
exercised  in  support  of  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  ever  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  suffrage.  He  has  never  aspired  to  public 
honors  or  the  emoluments  of  office,  however,  and  does  not  seek  political  renown, 
preferring  to  concentrate  his  entire  attention  upon  the  development  of  his  per- 
sonal interests. 


V-^V'..   •  •:•  ;.•  :;  /  ';.•    :-; -•     "AMBROSE  KING.  '  -  ''y:y;;;,,'  :  .;/ '  -.V,.  r/'- "-;"7  :^.v 

Though  more  than  a  third  of  a  century  has  passed  since  Ambrose  King  was 
called  from  this  life,  he  is  still  remembered  by  many  of  the  older  residents  of 
Knox  county  as  an  early  settler  and  enterprising  agriculturist  whose  labors 
were  an  important  element  in  the  work  of  upbuilding  and  development  here. 
He  was  bom  in  the  state  of  New  York,  his  natal  day  being  February  22,  1798. 
The  year  1853  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  during  prac- :^  / 
tically  the  remainder  of  his  life  he  made  his  home  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Union 
schoolhouse  in  Victoria  township.  Throughout  his  active  business  career  he 
devoted  his  time  and  energies  to  general  agricultural  pursuits,  winning  a  gratify- 
ing measure  of  success  in  his  undertakings.  His  demise,  which  occurred  on 
the  ipth  of  January,  1876,  when  he  was  about  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  was 
the  occasion  of  deep  and  widespread  regret,  for  he  had  gained  an  extensive 
circle  of  warm  fri^ds  during  the  long  period  of  his  residence  here. 

Ambrose  King  was  twice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Sarah  Root,  he  had  five  children.  Nelson  H.  King,  the  eldest,  was 
born  near  Akron,  Ohio,  on  the  26th  of  January,  1828,  and  passed  away  near 
Sacramento,  California,  in  1873.  In  1853  he  wedded  Miss  Elizabeth  Pool,  by 
whom  he  had  a  son  and  daughter,  the  former  being  now  a  resident  of  Texas 
and  the  latter  of  Ouray,  Colorado.  Mahala,  the  second  child  of  our  subject, 
died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  Hiram  Riley  King,  whose  natal  day  was  January 
21,  1832,  was  called  to  his  final  rest  in  1910.  Unto  him  and  his  wife,  who  bore 
the  maiden  name  of  Lydia  Ann  Collinson,  were  born  six  children,  as  follows: 
Stephen  A.,  who  is  married  to  Isabel  Crose  and  resides  with  his  family  near 
Galva,  Illinois ;  Susan  L.,  deceased,  who  was  the  wife  of  Frank  Riner  and  had 
one  son ;  Harriet  M.,  at  home ;  Simeon  H.,  deceased ;  Roy  N.,  who  has  charge 
of  the  home  farm  near  Galva,  Illinois;  and  Eunice  J.,  who  has  also  passed 
away.  Homer  A.  King,  the  fourth  child  of  Ambrose  King,  was  bom  near 


916  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Akron,  Ohio,  on  the  7th  of  December,  1833.  He  acquired  his  early  education 
at  Upper  Sandusky,  Ohio,  and  later  continued  his  studies  in  the  academy  at 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  also  in  Knox  College,  while  subsequently  he  went  to 
Oberlin,  Ohio,  and  prepared  for  the  ministry  under  President  Charles'  G.  Phin- 
ney.  It  was  in  this  state  that  he  was  ordained  by  the  Illinois  Advent  Christian 
Conference.  He  then  held  from  one  to  twenty  series  of  Evangelistic  meetings 
in  every  New  England  state  and  most  of  the  northern  states  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  forcefully  illustrating  his  texts  by  the  use  of  over  one  thousand  square 
feet  of  historical,  biblical  and  prophetical  paintings.  In  association  with  Nelson 
and  Albert  J.  King  he  published  and  sold  twenty-six  editions  of  The  Beekeeper's 
Text  Book.  As  each  edition  comprised  two  thousand  copies,  the  total  number 
of  copies  sold  was  fifty-two  thousand.  Two  editions  were  printed  in  German. 
Rev.  King  was  also  connected  with  four  monthly  periodicals  in  New  York  city. 
In  Boston,  Massachusetts,  he  published  his  second  book.  The  Bride  of  His 
Palace.  At  the  same  time  he  labored  effectively  and  earnestly  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  serving  as  pastor  of  the  Advent  Christian  and  Baptist  churches  in 
Springfield,  Massachusetts,  Mystic,  Connecticut,  Union  Hill,  New  Jersey,  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania,  and  Colton,  California.  His  home  is  now  at  the  last 
named  place.  As  a  companion  and  helpmate  on  the  journey  of  life  he  chose 
Miss  Mary  Lee,  whom  he  wedded  in  1882.  Albert  J.  King,  the  fifth  child  of 
Ambrose  King,  was  born  on  the  I4th  of  March,  1836,  and  died  at  San  Diego, 
California,  in  1910.  He  married  Miss  Martha  Southerland  and  became  the 
father  of  two  daughters  and  a  son. 

Ambrose  King  lost  his  first  wife  on  the  2d  of  December,  1839,  and  on  the 
1st  of  September,  1840,  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss 
Harriet  Porter,  of  Bath,  Ohio.  Unto  them  were  born  three  children,  namely : 
Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Patty,  of  Riverside,  California ;  Ambrose  L.,  who  resides  in 
Victoria  township,  Knox  county,  and  has  reared  quite  a  family;  and  Corwin  S., 
who  recently  passed  away  in  this  county,  leaving  a  widow  and  children. 


•    •  .  ,  JAMES  w.  HUNTER.  •/:--'..-; ••;,.' r :•:.•;•;'-• 

James  W.  Hunter,  one  of  the  leading  and  best  known  citizens  of  Abingdon, 
was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  on  the  23d  of  August,  1851,  his  parents  being 
Charles  N.  and  Mary  C.  (Bond)  Hunter,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  that 
county.  The  father,  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  was  one  of  the  well  known 
stockmen  of  that  section  of  the  state.  He  was  also  prominently  identified  with 
merchandising  in  his  later  years,  conducting  establishments  of  that  character  in 
Blanchester,  Martinsville  and  Cuba  at  different  times.  His  demise  occurred  at 
Martinsville  in  1876,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  forty-six  years. 

James  W.  Hunter  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof,  acquiring  his  educa- 
tion in  the  Martinsville  public  school  and  the  Lebanon  normal  school.  When 
about  twenty  years  of  age  he  began  teaching  and  followed  that  profession  in 
Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois  for  a  period  of  ten  years.  While  teaching  at  Frank- 
fort, Indiana,  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Sub- 
sequently he  removed  to  Olney,  Illinois,  and  continued  reading  law  imder  the 


;/ -.  v;v    ;:;:'f- >.;  \  ;;v.'        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        ;^        ^V:/;:'      917 

..  direction  of  ex-State  Treasurer  Wilson.  In  the  spring  of  1874  he  came  to  Knox 
'•  .:  county,  securing  a  school  near  Hermon,  where  he  taught  for  two  years.  On  the 

':  l6th  of  November,  1876,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Smith,  of 
^-•,  Hermon,  this  county,  her  birth  having  occurred  in  the  house  in  which  the  cere- 

:'.  mony  took  place.  Mr.  Hunter  now*  owns  the  residence  and  also  the  old  home- 
:.  '•  stead  farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  the  boundaries  of  which  he  has 

>  extended  by  additional  purchase  until  at  the  present  time  it  embraces  four  hun- 
'.•"  dred  and  forty  acres.  After  his  marriage  he  took  charge  of  his  father-in-law's 
farm  and  by  making  purchases  from  time  to  time,  as  his  financial  resources  per- 
'  •  mitted,  he  eventually  acquired  possession  of  the  entire  property.  Thereon  he 
:"  resided  until  1894,  with  the  exception  of  the  years  1889  and  1890,  which  he  spent 
'  •  as  a  merchant  in  Hermon. 

'..-'         In  1886  he  was  elected  to  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Knox  county  and  the 

_  :    following  year  was  reelected.     During  this  term  of  office  he  presided  over  the 

*  first  meeting  held  in  the  courthouse — on  the  event  of  the  dedication  of  the  build- 

,    :  wg.    While  serving  as  county  supervisor  he  was  elected  to  the  state  legislature 

•,  '  and  resigned  the  office  to  assume  his  duties  as  a  member  of  the  thirty-sixth  gen- 

''  eral  assembly.     By  reelection  he  also  became  a  member  of  the  thirty-seventh 

•',  general  assembly  and  during  his  second  term  was  prominently  mentioned  as  a 

/  candidate  for  the  speakership.     He  was  placed  on  all  of  the  most  important 

committees,  including  the  World's  Fair  committee,  the  appropriations  committee 

•      and   the   steering  committee.      While   a  member  of   the   thirty-seventh   general 

j  assembly  he  was  one  of  the  one  hundred  and  one  democrats  who  supported 
-'  General  Palmer  in  that  noted  deadlock.  After  having  ably  represented  his 

':.  district  for  two  terms  Mr.  Hunter  returned  to  his  home  farm  and  again  took 

up  general  agricultural  pursuits.    In  the  summer  of  1892  he  was  the  democratic 

'.;.  nominee  for  congress  from  the  tenth  district,  making  the  race  against  General 

.,  Philip  Sidney  Post.     Though  not  expecting  to  be  elected,  he  reduced  General 

;:  Post's  majority  by  several  thousand  votes.  Subsequently  he  made  application 
to  Grover  Cleveland  for  the  position  of  revenue  collector  of  the  fifth  district  of 
;  .'•  Illinois.  The  contestants,  who  were  numerous,  included  many  able  men  and 
.  ;  the  fight  was  a  most  heroic  one;  but  Mr.  Hunter  received  the  appointment  and 
served  during  a  full  term  of  four  years — three  years  under  Cleveland  and  one 
• .  year  under  McKinley.  During  this  period  he  made  his  home  in  Peoria. 
.  .  -f:  In  the  spring  of  1898,  on  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  Mr.  Hunter 
;,;•  came  to  Abingdon,  which  town  has  since  remained  his  place  of  residence.  He 
;  •  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  First  State  &  Savings  Bank  and  has  since 
;',:.  acted  as  vice  president  and  also  as  a  director  of  the  institution.  He  has  assisted 
.;,  in  the  organization  of  a  number  of  other  enterprises,  prominent  among  which 

•' '  are  the  American  Sanitary  Company,  of  which  he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of 
?r  directors;  the  Abingdon  Seat  &  Tank  Company  and  the  Ideal  Fence  Tool  Com- 
''.'  pany,  of  both  of  which  he  is  president;  and  the  Hermon  Farmers  Grain  Com- 
.-;  pany,  of  which  concern  he  is  also  the  chief  executive  officer. 

. '         Mr.  Hunter  lost  his  first  wife  in  1898  and  the  following  year  wedded  Mrs. 

Rosa  A.  Williams  of  Rome  City,  Indiana,  whose  demise  occurred  in  1907.     In 

:       1908  he  married  Miss  Georgia  Burner,  of  Abingdon.     Our  subject  has  but  one 

':     living  child,  Charles  .M.,  who  was  the  offspring  of  his  first  marriage.     This 

.  .;  young  man   is  now  a   senior  in   the   State  University  at   Champaign,   Illinois. 


918  ;     ;;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Fraternally  Mr.  Hunter  is  identified  with  the  following  organizations:  Abing- 
don  Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  184,  L  O.  O.  F. ;  and 
Achilles  Lodge,  K.  P.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  devoted  and  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church.  At  this  point  it  would  be  almost  tautological  to 
enter  into  any  series  of  statements  as  showing  Mr.  Hunter  to  be  a  man  of  broad 
intelligence  and  genuine  public  spirit,  for  these  have  been  shadowed  forth  be- 
tween the  lines  of  this  review.  Strong  in  his  individuality,  he  never  lacks  the 
courage  of  his  convictions  but  there  are  as  dominating  elements  in  this  individu- 
ality a  lively  human  sympathy  and  an  abiding  charity,  which,  as  taken  in  con- 
nection with  the  sterling  integrity  and  honor  of  his  character,  have  naturally 
gained  for  him  the  respect  and  confidence  of  men. 


•  "    •        ' ,.'.  .'HUGH  KING.       :    -• 

Hugh  King,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Victoria  township,  eighty  of  which,  located  on 
section  25,  he  owns,  was  born  in  Victoria  township,  Knox  county,  on  the  2Oth  of 
December,  1873.  His  parents  were  Corwin  and  Mary  King,  who  removed  from 
Victoria  township  to  Kansas  during  the  childhood  of  our  subject,  and  there  re- 
sided until  1886,  when  they  returned  to  Knox  county  and  engaged  in  farming. 

The  education  of  Hugh  King  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  Kansas 
where  he  resided  with  his  parents  from  early  childhood  until  he  was  a  youth  of 
thirteen  years.  After  acquiring  such  knowledge  as  was  deemed  essential  to  en- 
able him  to  pursue  an  agricultural  career,  he  laid  aside  his  studies  and  g^ve  his 
entire  attention  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock  on  the  home  place. 
Soon  after  his  marriage  he  located  on  his  present  farm,  which  was  known  as  the 
Andrew  Anderson  farm.  Mr.  King  is  industrious  and  practical  in  his  ideas  and 
gives  his  personal  supervision  to  all  the  work  about  his  place.  He  has  brought  his 
fields  into  a  high  state  of  productivity  and  in  connection  with  his  general  farming 
he  raises  horses  and  hogs,  and  is  meeting  with  lucrative  returns  from  both. 

Mr.  King  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  being  with  Miss  Mary  Ander- 
son, now  deceased,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Anderson.  The  lady  who  now  bears 
the  name  of  Mrs.  Hugh  King  was  formerly  Miss  Emily  Sandquist.  She  was 
born  and  reared  in  Knox  county,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Augusta  (Burg) 
Sandquist.  The  father  was  born  in  Sweden  on  the  2Oth  of  May,  1841,  and  there 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  When  he  attained  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  he 
determined  to  come  to  the  United  States,  believing  that  he  would  find  better 
opportunities  for  advancement  here  than  in  his  native  land.  Upon  his  arrival  in 
this  country  he  came  directly  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Henry  county,  where  he  was 
foreman  in  a  coal  mine  for  four  years.  There  he  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss 
Burg,  also  a  native  of  Sweden,  whence  she  immigrated  when  a  child  of  ten  years 
to  America  with  her  parents,  Andrew  and  Mary  Charlotte  Burg.  They  settled  on 
a  farm  in  Henry  county  and  there  they  both  passed  away  and  were  buried  in 
Dayton  cemetery.  Soon  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sandquist  settled  on 
twenty  acres  of  land  south  of  their  present  place.  The  father  industriously  ap- 
plied himself  to  the  cultivation  of  this  property,  extending  his  holdings  from  time 


MR.  AND  MRS.  HUGH  KING 


918  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  • 

Fraternally  Mr.  Hunter  is  identified  with  the  following  organizations :  Abing- 
don  Lodge,  Xo.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Abingdon  Lodge,  Xo.  184,  L  O.  O.  F. ;  and 
Achilles  Lodge,  K.  P.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  devoted  and  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  church.  At  this  point  it  would  be  almost  tautological  to 
enter  into  any  series  of  statements  as  showing  Mr.  Hunter  to  be  a  man  of  broad 
intelligence  and  genuine  public  spirit,  for  these  have  been  shadowed  forth  be- 
tween the  lines  of  this  review.  Strong  in  his  individuality,  he  never  lacks  the 
courage  of  his  convictions  but  there  are  as  dominating  elements  in  this  individu- 
ality a  lively  human  syinjjathy  and  an  abiding  charity,  which,  as  taken  in  con- 
nection with  the  sterling  integrity  and  honor  of  his  character,  have  naturally 
gained  for  him  the  respect  and  contitlence  of  men. 


.     •  HUGH  KIXG.  •         -  : 

Hugh  King,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  \'ictoria  township,  eighty  of  which,  located  on 
section  25,  he  owns,  was  born  in  \  ictoria  township.  Knox  county,  on  the  2Oth  of 
December,  1873.  His  parents  were  Corwin  and  Mary  King,  who  removed  from 
Victoria  township  to  Kansas  (hiring  the  childhood  of  our  subject,  and  there  re- 
sided until  1886,  when  they  returned  to  Knox  county  and  engaged  in  farming. 

The  education  of  Hugh  King  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  Kansas 
where  he  resided  with  his  parents  from  early  childhood  until  he  was  a  youth  of 
thirteen  years.  After  acquiring  such  knowledge  as  was  deemed  essential  to  en- 
able him  to  pursue  an  agricultural  career,  he  laid  aside  his  studies  and  gave  his 
entire  attention  to  the  work  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock  on  the  home  place. 
Soon  after  his  marriage  he  located  on  his  present  farm,  which  was  known  as  the 
Andrew  Anderson  farm.  Mr.  King  is  industrious  and  practical  in  his  ideas  and 
gives  his  personal  sui)ervision  to  all  the  work  about  his  place.  He  has  brought  his 
fields  into  a  high  state  of  productivity  and  in  connection  with  his  general  farming 
he  raises  horses  and  hogs,  and  is  meeting  witli  lucrative  returns  from  both. 

Mr.  King  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  being  with  Miss  Mary  Ander- 
son, now  deceased,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Anderson.  The  lady  who  now  bears 
the  name  of  Mrs.  Hugh  King  was  formerly  Miss  Emily  Sandquist.  She  was 
born  and  reared  in  Knox  county,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Augusta  (Burg) 
Sandquist.  The  father  was  born  in  Sweden  on  the  2Oth  of  May,  1841,  and  there 
he  was  reared  and  educated.  When  he  attained  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  he 
determined  to  come  to  the  United  States,  believing  that  he  would  find  better 
opportunities  for  advancement  here  than  in  his  native  land.  L'pon  his  arrival  in 
this  country  he  came  directly  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Henry  county,  where  he  was 
foreman  in  a  coal  mine  for  four  years.  There  he  was  married  in  1870  to  Miss 
Burg,  also  a  native  of  Sweden,  whence  she  immigrated  when  a  child  of  ten  years 
to  America  with  her  parents,  Andrew  and  Mary  Charlotte  Burg.  They  settled  on 
a  farm  in  Henry  county  and  there  they  both  passed  away  and  were  buried  in 
Dayton  cemetery.  Soon  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sandquist  settled  on 
twenty  acres  of  land  south  of  their  present  place.  The  father  industriously  ap- 
plied himself  to  the  cultivation  of  this  property,  extending  his  holdings  from  time 


MU.  AND  MKS.  Ill  (;|| 


V.:   ,>  ;         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     /      '      v 

to  time  as  he  was  able  until  he  had  eighty  acres,  that  is  now  owned  by  Oscar 
Anderson.  Later  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  21,  Victoria  town- 
ship, where  he  is  now  living,  but  owing  to  his  advanced  age,  he  found  the  cultiva- 
tion of  this  tract  to  be  too  arduous,  so  sold  forty  acres  to  Lewis  Ostrum.  He  still 
owns  the  remainder  and  there  he  and  his  wife  now  make  their  home.  The  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sandquist  is'  as  follows:  William,  who  is  a  stockdealer  in  Vic- 
toria;  Esther,  the  wife  of  Eldon  Hammond  of  Victoria  township;  Emily,  who 
married  Hugh  King  of  Victoria  township ;  Hazel,  who  is  keeping  house  for  her 
brother  at  Victoria ;  Frances,  who  is  clerk  for  a  coal  company  at  Galesburg ;  and 
Edna,  who  is  still  in  school.  In  connection  with  general  farming,  Mr.  Sandquist 
engages  in  stock-raising  feeding  all  of  the  grain  he  raises.  He  is  a  republican  in 
his  political  views  and  served  for  nine  years  as  school  director  and  road  com- 
missioner  for  three.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  have  two  children :  Francis  Willard 
and  Hiram  Andrew. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  in  the  work  of  which  they  take  an  active  interest,  Mr.  King  having  been 
treasurer  of  the  Sunday  school  for  the  past  year.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  in  politics  he  is  a  republican.  He  was  a 
school  director  for  three  years  and  now  he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
In  addition  to  his  property  interests,  Mr.  King  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Mutual 
Telephone  Company,  of  which  he  has  been  president  for  two  years,  and  is  con- 
nected  with  other  local  enterprises.  He  is  energetic  and  progressive  and  is  con- 
stantly  increasing  the  value  of  his  homestead  by  the  addition  of  various  modem 
conveniences  and  improvements,  and  now  has  one  of  the  best  equipped  farms  in 
the  community,  where  he  has  erected  a  very  comfortable  and  attractive  country 
residence. 


'   -   '         •  '•  J    •        '    '  '        '  '    '     '          '     -  •    '  •'•«--        T^T^  T^T^      /"^         ^"^/"^T    T^        •    '-    '  ''-T  '  •  -  '          '•*'-.'•''.        .'-'•'.•'-'- 

f/o   .'.'-,-:     :         \;--      :    ..,;;_••    FRED  G.  COLE.  •. ^\x-vV    .>    .       \     ^.' •••:.:•.::•• 

..         Fred  G.  Cole,  who  is  farming  on  an  eighty-acre  tract,  located  two  and  a 

half  miles  south  of  Williamsfield,  was  born  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  on  the 

8th  of  August,  1863,  and  is  a  son  of  William  F.  and  Mary  Ann  (Cutter)  Cole. 

;.;.His   father  was  bom  in   Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  on  the   iSth  of  July,   iSiS, 

•  :-•    while  his  parents  were  emigrants  to  the  United  States  from  Yorkshire,  England. 

V  ;  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  his 

'.early  manhood  came  to  Illinois,  settling  in  Peoria  county  in  1844.     There  he 

'I:  was  married  on  the  i6th  of  April,  1846,  to  Miss  Cutter,  who  was  bom  near 

'•:<  Ashland,  Richland  county,  Ohio,  on  July  29,  1829.     She  accompanied  her  par- 

•-;  ents  on  their  removal  to  Peoria  county  in  1833,  and  there  she  passed  the  re- 

-  mainder  of  her  life.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cole  began  their  domestic  life  in  Brimfield 

•     township,  Peoria  county,  but  in  1854  they  removed  to  Millbrook  township,  where 

;;  '   he  acquired  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  that  he  cultivated  until  his 

death  on  the  23d  of  December,  1883.    The  mother  passed  away  on  the  I5th  of 

March,  1894.     The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cole  numbered  thirteen:     John,  a 

veteran  of  the  Civil  war.  who  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Wil- 

liamsfield;  one,  who  died  in  infancy;  William  H.,  who  is  farming  in  the  vicinity 

—    ••."•          Vol.     n— 42  .;..-.••;      -'_:..,•::,:•    .:.^ 


922  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ':  ;-- •^'|      ^v 

'••    :^  ^  '.-^^^Vlr-r--: 

of  Joplin,  Missouri ;  Isaac  Frank,  who  is  a  resident  of  this  county ;  Charles, 
who  lives  near  lola,  Allen  county,  Kansas ;  Sarah,  who  married  G.  L.  Doubet ; 
Lucy,  the  wife  of  George  Nelson,  of  Elmwood;  Minnie,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  thirteen  years ;  Lemuel,  who  is  farming  in  Canada ;  Marge,  who  passed  away 
on  the  nth  of  May,  1903,  the  wife  of  Samuel  M.  Parker;  Fred  G.,  our  subject; 
Job,  who  is  a  resident  of  Williamsfield ;  and  Newton  J.,  a  rural  mail  carrier, 
who  is  living  a  half  mile  south  of  Williamsfield. 

Reared  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born,  Fred  G.  Cole  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  French  Grove,  Peoria  county,  and  while  mastering  the 
common  branches  he  also  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  farm.  After  leaving 
school  he  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  farming,  first  on  the  old  homestead 
and  later  elsewhere  in  Peoria  county  until  1885.  In  the  latter  year  he  went  to 
Kansas,  where  he  remained  for  five  years,  engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
but  in  1890  he  returned  to  Knox  county  and  settled  on  his  father-in-law's 
farm,  which  he  operated  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
removed  to  his  mother's  place,  the  old  homestead,  where  he  had  been  reared, 
and  cultivated  it  for  a  similar  period.  In  1895,  he  bought  from  Harry  Nelson 
the  property  where  he  now  resides,  and  has  ever  since  made  this  his  home. 
His  energies  are  devoted  to  general  farming  and  stock-raising  in  both  of  which 
he  is  meeting  with  good  returns. 

In  1885,  Mr.  Cole  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Etta  M.  Tucker,  a  daugh- 
ter of  L.  V.  Tucker,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Mabel,  who 
was  born  in  1890  and  died  on  the  I5th  of  November,  1904.  In  matters  politic 
Mr.  Cole  is  a  republican,  but  he  does  not  participate  in  local  affairs  in  pursuit 
of  public  office.  His  time  and  energies  are  engaged  to  good  advantage  as  is 
manifested  by  the  attractive  appearance  of  his  farm  and  the  well  tilled  fields 
that  annually  yield  good  harvests.  -  :  ...;.-, 


;  .^;-J//  PHILIP  H.  GIBBS.       :';.-•. '-^ 

Among  the  native  residents  of  Victoria  township  who  still  remain  within 
its  borders  is  Philip  H.  Gibbs,  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
excellent  land  on  section  27.  He  was  born  in  Victoria,  April  3,  1852,  the  son 
of  Martin  and  Mary  Ann  (Moak)  Gibbs,  the  father  a  native  of  New  Jersey 
and  the  mother  of  the  state  of  New  York.  The  grandfather,  Martin  Gibbs. 
who  was  born  in  England  and  married  there  to  a  Miss  Beck,  came  to  the  United 
States,  settling  in  New  Jersey,  where  he  owned  an  entire  section  of  land  which 
he  later  sold  at  twenty-five  cents  per  acre  and  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
locating  in  Lynn  township,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  land  for  which  he  paid  about  a  dollar  or  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre.  It 
is  the  old  homestead  in  Lynn  township  and  is  now  occupied  by  Richard  Gibbs. 
In  the  family  of  Martin  Gibbs,  Sr.,  were  five  children:  Joseph,  Martin  and 
Jonathan,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  New  Jersey;  and  two  daughters  who  were 
born  in  Lynn  township,  Knox  county.  The  father,  Martin  Gibbs,  received  his 
education  in  an  old  log  schoolhouse  of  Lynn  township  and  after  his  school 
days  remained  at  home,  working  on  the  farm  until  his  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 


i;      :    ;;'  ;^          ^^:;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .,4''         923 

Ann  Moak,  who  was  a  native  of  New  York  state.  Subsequently  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gibbs  removed  to  Victoria  township,  where  they  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  Owen  Conway  and  where  they  resided  the  rest  of  their  lives  except  for  two 
years  that  were  spent  in  Kansas.  He  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  a  very 
successful  business  man.  Mr.  Gibbs  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  held  many 
of  the  township  offices.  He  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years  and  his  wife 
passed  away  at  the  age  of  fifty-six,  and  they  are  both  buried  in  Victoria  town- 
ship. In  their  family  were  seven  sons :  Amos,  who  now  resides  in  Victoria ; 
Philip  H.,  of  this  review ;  Jonathan  and  Joseph,  both  of  Victoria  township ; 
Christopher,  of  Oklahoma  City,  Oklahoma ;  George,  of  Victoria  township ;  and 
Nicholas,  of  Tolono,  Illinois. 

Philip  H.  Gibbs  received  his  education  in  Victoria  township  and  after  his' 
school  days  began  farming  there  but  later  removed  to  Lynn  township,  where 
he  resided  for  two  years.  Subsequently  he  returned  to  Victoria  township  and 
purchased  of  James  Patty  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides.  He  engages  in 
general  farming  and  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  a  high  grade  of  blooded  cattle, 
hogs  and  horses.  He  is  a  very  successful  business  man,  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Farmers  Elevator  of  Victoria  and  owns  an  interest  in  the  Victoria  Creamery. 

Mr.  Gibbs  wedded  .Miss  Ida  Wade,  a  native  of  Lynn  township  and  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Wade,  of  Virginia,  who  later  repaired  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  have  become  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren :  Hattie,  the  deceased  wife  of  Jesse  Mcllravey ;  Dollie,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Roy  Sopher,  of  Victoria ;  Lottie,  who  is  now  Mrs.  August  Anderson,  of 
Farwell,  Texas;  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Scott,  of  Victoria  township; 
Clifford,  who  married  Mabel  Norburg  and  resides  in  Victoria  township ;  Lan- 
sing, who  is  at  home;  and  Fern,  the  wife  of  Charles  Sopher,  of  Victoria. 
•.:  Mr.  Gibbs  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  is  very  much  interested  in  local 
party  issues,  having  served  for  eight  years  as  constable  of  Victoria  township. 
He  has  given  much  time  to  the  cause  of  .education  and  has  been  school  director 
for  twelve  years.  He  is  a  man  of  high  business  principles  and  his  devotion  to 
the  public  welfare  has  made  him  a  valued  citizen  and  given  him  a  creditable 
place  in  the  regard  of  his  fellowmen.  .  ..-,  ....  •  .  .  .- :  --r 


?:•'::   •:'':'"••;':•'.'  •'   J '''''>••;.-'    A.  p.  CARLSON.  '  --^-:^'-,.   _'     •••\^:-A-^-r.-'-:. 

'^         A.  P.  Carlson,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Williamsfield,  was  for  thirty- 
V    three  years  prominently  identified   with  the  agricultural   interests   of   Victoria 
township.     He  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  his  birth  having  occurred  June  20,  1829, 
and  a  son  of  Jonas  Anderson,  who  passed  his  entire  life  in  Sweden. 

Agricultural  pursuits  have  always  engaged  the  attention  of  A.   P.  Carlson, 

>    who  spent  the  first  twenty-seven  years  of  his  life  in  the  land  of  his  birth.     He 

;      received  a  common-school  education  and  then  turned  his  attention  to  farming, 

following  this  vocation  in  Sweden  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-seven 

..    years.     In   1856,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating  in   Knox  county 

:    on  the  farm  his  son  is  now  operating  in  Victoria  township.     He  devoted  his 

entire  time  and  attention  to  the   further  improvement  and  cultivation   of  this 


'         ;.  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  •  : 

place  for  thirty-three  years.  His  unceasing  effort  and  the  intelligent  direction 
of  his  activities  brought  him  the  usual  reward,  and  he  ultimately  became  known 
as  one  of  the  capable  and  prosperous  agriculturists  of  the  community.  He 
was  a  man  of  practical  ideas,  and  the  plowing,  sowing  and  harvesting  of  his 
fields  was  conducted  under  his  personal  supervision.  In  1889  he  withdrew  from 
active  life  and  went  to  Galva,  where  he  resided  for  twenty  years,  coming  from 
there  to  Williamsfield  in  1909,  and  here  he  has  ever  since  made  his  home.  He 
has  disposed  of  all  of  his  farming  interests  now,  and  is  living  retired,  having 
attained  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years.  :  ':  .  '  'M  •^:.  :': 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Carlson  chose  Miss  Malinda  Larson,  who  was  born  in 
Norway,  whence  she  emigrated  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  ten  years, 
coming  directly  to  Knox  county.  Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Carlson,  as  follows:  W.  C.,  who  is  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Victoria 
township ;  Annie,  who  is  deceased ;  Emma,  who  married  George  Brown  of 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  and  Gordon  S..  who  is  a  resident  of  Ohio. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carlson  are  Methodists,  and  his  political 
views  accord  with  those  of  the  republican  party,  for  whose  candidates  he  has 
cast  his  ballot  ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise  through  naturalization. 
Through  the  long  period  of  his  residence  in  this  country,  Mr.  Carlson  has  met 
with  the  misfortunes  and  disappointments  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  average 
person,  but  on  the  whole  his  efforts  have  been  well  rewarded  and  he  has  never 
had  occasion  to  regret  the  transference  of  his  allegiance,  as  he  has  a  compe- 
tence that  enables  him  to  spend  the  latter  years  of  his  life  in  the  ease  and  com- 
fort that  are  the  just  heritage  of  age. 


•;:   •• -.-••5^>^^'-.-  •       '  J.  H.  NELSON.       -•  •••^:':^;'--:". :/;::- 

•  J.  H.  Nelson,  who  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  road  commissioner  of 
Victoria  township,  was  born  in  northern  Sweden,  April  12,  1865,  the  son  of 
Hanson  and  Christiana  Nelson.  The  father  died  in  his  home  country  but  the 

,  mother  came  with  her  family  to  America  and  settled  in  Illinois,  southwest  of 
Victoria,  in  Copley  township,  where  she  reared  and  educated  her  children.  In 
her  family  were  four  children:  J.  H.,  of  this  review;  C.  F.,  who  was  born 
March  14,  1867;  Matilda,  who  was  born  March  ii,  1869,  and  is  now  .Mrs.  Wiley; 
and  Sophia,  who  was  born  January  25,  1873,  and  is  now  Mrs.  Flynn,  of  Grand 
Junction,  Colorado. 

'-^  J.  H.  Nelson  received  his  early  education  in  Sweden  and  came  with  his 
mother  to  America,  where,  being  the  eldest  child,  he  helped  to  support  the  rest 
of  the  family.  He  resided  in  Copley  township  until  1884,  when  he  went  west, 
seeing  the  country  and  farming  in  different  sections.  He  was  convinced,  how- 
ever, that  Illinois  offered  him  better  inducements  as  a  home,  so  he  returned, 
residing  one  year  in  Copley  township  and  then,  in  1898,  settling  on  the  farm 
where  he  now  resides.  It  consists  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-five  acres  and  is 
owned  by  C.  S.  Clark.  Mr.  Nelson  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  makes 
a  specialty  of  raising  hogs,  cattle  and  horses. 


:-•;;;:'    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -p  V        925 

•  •  '.'    •  ^  -;'x '-.''•-'•  •'      '  -  ; 

In  1903  Mr.  Nelson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Matilda  Johnson,  a 
native  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  a  daughter  of  Lewis  Johnson.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.'  Nelson  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children,  Roland  J.  and  Earl  W. 
Mr.  Nelson  has  been  a  lifelong  republican  and  his  convictions  are  strong  in  the 
principles  of  this  party.  He  served  for  two  consecutive  terms  as  road  com- 
missioner of  Victoria  township,  during  which  time  he  was  also  treasurer  of 
the  board  of  road  supervisors.  For  three  years  he  was  out  of  office  and  now 
is  serving  a  third  term.  Mr.  Nelson  is  not  only  industrious  and  enterprising 
but  is  also  a  man  of  high  moral  character  and  is  highly  esteemed  both  as  a 
farmer  and  business  man  throughout  the  township.  ,..  .  ,  . 


.     •:;:^  :     FRANCIS  HURLBUT.;:  ;;•;;.        r ,  ^0 ;;'.;:.: 

'•  Francis  Hurlbut,  who  is  living  retired  on  his  farm  six  miles  northwest  of 
Williamsfield,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  on  June  22,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of 
Albia  and  Laura  (Osgood)  Hurlbut.  The  father,  who  was  a  physician,  was 
also  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  his  birth  there  occurring  in  1796.  He  con- 
tinued to  make  that  state  his  home  until  1840  when  with  his  wife  and  family  he 
came  to  Illinois,  locating  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  resides.  Here  he 
passetl  the  remainder  of  his  days,  his  death  occurring  at  the  age  of  sixty-four 
years.  Fight  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurlbut,  of  whom  the 
four  eldest,  Hubbard,  Fdmund,  Nathaniel  and  Laura,  and  the  youngest,  Charles, 
are  all  deceased.  Those  living  are:  Fred,  who  is  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth; 
Susan;  and  Francis.  .  .,  .;:,.; 

Francis  Hurlbut  was  only  a  child  of  three  years  when  he  accompanied  his 
parents  on  their  removal  from  New  Hampshire  to  Illinois  and  was  reared  on 
the  farm  where  he  is  now  living,  obtaining  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  the  vicinity.  In  common  with  the  majority  of  pioneer  farmer  lads  he  early 
began  to  assist  with  the  plowing,  seeding  and  harvesting,  as  well  as  with  the 
care  of  the  stock,  being  thoroughly  trained  in  the  practical  methods  of  agri- 
culture under  the  capable  supervision  of  his  father.  His  duties  were  increased 
with  the  passing  years  in  accordance  with  the  development  of  his  strength  and 
sense  of  responsibility  and  by  the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity  he  was  a 
skilled  agriculturist.  On  August  i,  1862,  he  put  beyond  him  all  other  con- 
siderations to  follow  his  country's  call  for  men  in  the  great  strife  between  the 
north  and  south  and  enlisted  as  private  in  Company  K,  Eighty-third  Regiment, 
Illinois  Volunteers.  The  rendezvous  was  at  Monmouth,  Illinois,  hence  they 
were  ordered  south,  landing  first  at  Fort  Henry,  then  at  Fort  Donelson,  where 
he  took  part  in  the  second  battle  at  that  place.  May  6,  1863,  he  was  discharged 
and  ordered  home  on  account  of  disability,  his  lungs  being  affected  by  the  try- 
ing climate.  He  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  where  he  has  resided  seventy- 
one  years  with  the  exception  of  the  term  of  enlistment.  It  is  the  only  home  he 
has  ever  known  and  is  endeared  to  him  by  the  associations  from  his  childhood 
to  the  present.  The  entire  period  of  his  active  life  was  devoted  to  the  further 
improvement  of  this  place,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  his  two  sons  are  now 
engaged.  The  fields  have  been  brought  under  high  cultivation,  the  improve- 


926  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         r-  .-  >    . 

ments  are  all  up-to-date  and  substantial  and  it  is  numbered  among  the  attractive 
and  valuable  properties  of  the  community. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  on  the  journey  of  life,  Mr.  Hurlbut  chose  Miss 
Martha  Wallack,  who  passed  away  April  lo,  1911,  aged  sixty-six,  being  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  September  13,  1844. 

Seven  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hurlbut,  four  of  whom  are 
deceased,  namely :  Frank,  Nettie  and  Mary,  who  are  the  three  eldest ;  and  John, 
who  is  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth.  A  daughter  and  two  sons  are  living:  Blanche 
S.,  who  married  Lester  Sherman ;  Bert,  unmarried ;  and  Fred,  who  wedded 
Rilla  Tucker.  Both  are  engaged  in  the  operation  of  their  father's  farm. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hurlbut  has  always  been  a  stanch  republican,  and  during  his 
early  years  served  as  road  commissioner  in  this  township.  He  was  also  elected 
constable,  but  refused  to  qualify  for  the  office.  He  is  one  of  those  who  have 
lived  through  the  great  formative  period  of  the  state's  development,  witnessing 
the  primitive  conditions  of  pioneer  life  give  way  to  those  of  a  newer  civiliza- 
tion, as  the  railroad  has  superseded  the  stage  coach  and  the  telephone  and 
telegraph  the  mounted  messenger.  .  -..  :  ,.,... 


:      r  ;:'^^ .  JAMES  M.  MCMASTER.         ;>/•:>• 

James  M.  McMaster,  who  since  March,  1906,  has  resided  on  his  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  on  section  14  of  Victoria  township,  was  born  in 
Walnut  Grove  township,  Knox  county,  August  8,  1867,  the  son  of  David  S. 
and  Susan  E.  (Multer)  McMaster.  The  father  now  resides  on  his  farm  in 
Copley  township,  where  the  family  has  lived  for  several  years.  The  mother, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Oneida  Presbyterian  church,  died  at  the  age  of 
sixty-five  years  and  is  buried  in  Oneida  cemetery.  In  their  family  were  six 
sons  and  one  daughter,  of  whom  one  son  and  the  daughter  are  now  deceased. 

James  M.  McMaster  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  in 
Copley  township  and  later  attended  the  Oneida  high  school,  after  which  he 
remained  with  his  father,  helping  to  operate  the  home  place  until  he  was 
twenty-seven  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account, 
spending  one  year  in  Copley  township  on  a  farm  near  Oneida,  subsequent  to 
which  he  moved  to  Victoria,  where  he  resided  until  he  came  to  his  present  home. 
He  purchased  what  was  known  as  the  Vaughn  farm,  which  contained  all  the 
present  buildings,  in  September,  1905,  and  moved  on  it  in  March  of  the  follow- 
ing year.  He  engages  in  general  farming,  selling  yearly  a  great  deal  of  grain, 
and  also  raises  quite  a  large  number  of  hogs  and  horses.  ,.  •  '  ' -.  :i  -::' 

On  the  2d  of  July,  1894,  .Mr.  McMaster  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  Reynolds,  who  was  born  in  Victoria,  November  i,  1868.  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Captain  G.  W.  Reynolds.  She  received  her  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Victoria  and  in  Knox  College  at  Galesburg.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mc- 
Master have  become  the  parents  of  two  children:  Eselwyn,  who  was  born 
October  15,  1896.  and  is  attending  high  school  in  Galesburg,  belonging  to  the 
class  of  1913;  and  Susan,  born  April  15,  1901,  who  is  a  student  in  the  common 
schools  in  Victoria  township.  In  politics  Mr.  McMaster  votes  with  the  repub- 


/,:;:>;•;:;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  /  927 

iican  party,  and  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  Oneida  Lodge,  No.  337,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  He  gives  his  support  to  all  measures  which  tend  to  advance  the  wel- 
fare of  the  community  and  is  especially  interested  in  the  cause  of  education, 
having  rendered  excellent  service  in  the  capacity  of  school  director  in  Victoria 

township.  .        -^^  .:_-,.  -.,  ..:  .   .   .     ,      .,  :/:•:•,:...>•;.;--•:  .''•  J  •   v;- 


^          '.          :     :      :'        WILLIAM  D.  CRAIG.     5/  ^.     -'^^; 

William  D.  Craig,  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
on  section  15,  Victoria  township,  is  one  of  the  representative  stockmen  of  the 
state.  A  native  of  Knox  county,  his  birth  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Copley  town- 
ship on  the  28th  of  February,  1862,  his  parents  being  William  and  Isabelle 
(Martin)  Craig.  They  were  born,  reared  and  married  in  Scotland,  whence 
they  emigrated  during  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  to  the  United 
States.  William  Craig  engaged  in  coal  mining  in  his  native  land  and  during 
the  first  period  of  his  residence  in  this  country,  but  he  subsequently  turned  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he  met  with  a  gratifying  degree  of 
success.  He  farmed  in  Copley  township  for  a  time,  but  later  came  to  Victoria, 
where  he  acquired  extensive  and  valuable  holdings.  Thrifty  and  energetic, 
he  applied  himself  tirelessly  to  whatever  he  undertook,  directing  his  activities 
with  clear  judgment  and  intelligence.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  the 
farm  now  belonging  to  G.  L.  Hedstrom  and  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land  on  section  15,  where  he  was  living.  One-half  of  the  latter  is  now  the 
property  of  his  son  William  D.  Mr.  Craig  passed  away  on  his  homestead  at 
the  age  of  sixty-three  years,  but  the  mother  was  seventy-three  at  the  time  of 
her  death,  which  occurred  at  the  home  of  her  sister,  Mrs.  Margfaret  Webster, 
of  Stark  county,  Illinois.  Both  parents  are  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria. 
They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  the  father  was 
affiliated  with  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Altona.  He  was  a  stanch  republican  in  his 
political  views  and  was  several  times  called  to  public  office,  having  served  as 
supervisor  and  school  director  in  his  township.  Twelve  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craig,  nine  of  whom  lived  to  attain  maturity,  as  follows :  Agnes ; 
Belle;  Margaret;  Mary,  who  is  deceased;  James;  William  D.,  our  subject; 
Mattie;  Joseph,  who  is  deceased;  and  Jennie. 

William  D.  Craig  was  reared  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  in  Victoria 
township,  obtaining  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  In  common  with 
the  majority  of  country  lads  he  early  began  to  assist  with  the  work  of  the  fields 
and  care  of  the  stock,  and  after  laying  aside  his  text-books  his  entire  attention 
was  given  to  agricultural  pursuits.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he  purchased 
the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  one-half  of  the  old  homestead,  and  here  he 
has  ever  since  resided.  During  the  period  of  his  ownership  he  has  wrought 
many  improvements  in  the  place,  including  the  erection  of  all  of  the  buildings 
now  standing.  He  has  always  taken  great  pride  in  his  property  and  has  con- 
structed large,  commodious  barns,  substantial  outbuildings  and  a  comfortable 
farm  house.  As  his  circumstances  have  warranted,  from  time  to  time  he  has 
installed  various  modern  comforts  and  appliances  and  now  owns  one  of  the 


928  •:;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,| 

best  equipped  and  most  highly  improved  farms  in  the  community.  His  fields 
are  devoted  to  such  cereals  as  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil,  and  annually  yield 
him  abundant  harvests,  the  greater  portion  of  which  he  sells.  Of  recent  years, 
however,  Mr.  Craig  has  practically  given  up  the  cultivation  of  his  land,  the 
greater  portion  of  which  he  is  renting  for  one-half  of  the  crops,  and  gives  his 
entire  attention  to  the  breeding  and  raising  of  stock.  He  raises  horses  and 
cattle  to  some  extent  but  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  thoroughbred  Chester 
White  hogs.  They  are  a  very  pure  breed  and  he  has  twice  been  awarded  the 
first  prize  on  his  exhibit  at  the  state  fair  at  Springfield,  and  has  won  both  the 
first  and  second  prizes  at  the  local  county  fair.  This  year,  1911,  he  raised  ninety 
of  these  hogs,  all  of  which  will  command  a  high  price  for  breeding  purposes. 
Mr.  Craig  has  been  very  successful  in  both  farming  and  stock-raising  and  in 
addition  to  his  fine  country  property  is  the  owner  of  a  nice  residence  in  Victoria, 
that  commands  the  highest  rental  of  any  dwelling  house  in  the  town. 
V  In  January,  1892,  Mr.  Craig  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Larson, 
who  was  born  and  reared  in  Victoria  township,  a  daughter  of  Peter  S.  and 
Katherine  Larson.  The  father  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother  is  still  living 
and  continues  to  make  her  home  in  Victoria  township.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craig,  as  follows :  Jennie,  Dewey  and  Eva. 

Mr.  Craig  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  toward  the  support  of 
which  he  liberally  contributes,  and  Mrs.  Craig  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Victoria.  His  fraternal  relations  are  confined 
to  his  membership  in  the  Modem  Woodmen  of  America,  and  in  politics  he  is 
a  republican.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  local  affairs  and  at  the  present 
time  is  discharging  the  duties  of  school  director  and  trustee.  Mr.  Craig  is  one 
of  the  progressive  and  enterprising  agriculturists  of  Victoria  township,  where 
he  is  held  in  high  esteem  both  by  reason,  of  his  excellent  business  qualities  and 
his  many  fine  personal  attributes.  ;..'  ,  ':•,:.;  l.^^  .;V^^  vS:.  "% 


•n?^J  .  JACOB  E.  MORGAN.       :  ^V;  >?-•';; 

Jacob  E.  Morgan  is  a  well  known  farmer  of  Lynn  township,  having  spent  his 
entire  life  in  this  locality,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  the  old  Morgan  home- 
stead August  2,  1867.  He  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  Edward  Morgan,  who 
married  Margaret  Rittenhouse,  and  their  son  Morgan  Morgan  married  Ann 
Roberts,  a  daughter  of  John  Roberts,  who  fought  for  American  independence 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Benjamin  Morgan,  a  son  of  the  latter  couple  and  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  married  Tacy  Stroud  in  iSoo.  Among  their  chil- 
dren was  John  Rittenhouse  Morgan,  the  father  of  our  subject,  who  was  bom 
in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  5,  1809.  He  passed  through  the 
experiences  of  pioneer  life  in  Ohio  and  later  in  Indiana,  from  which  state  he 
came  to  Illinois.  He  first  married  Rachel  Bicknell  and  after  her  death  wedded 
her  sister  Susan  Bicknell,  who  was  born  at  Chestnut  Hill,  Pennsylvania,  in  1826. 
Her  father,  George  Bicknell,  who  was  a  mechanic  by  trade,  settled  in  Indiana 
at  an  early  day  and  in  1851  brought  his  family  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  enter- 
ing land  in  Lynn  township.  After  his  wife's  death  he  took  up  his  abode  in 


928       .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY         -. 

best  equipped  and  most  highly  improved  farms  in  the  community.  His  fields 
are  devoted  to  such  cereals  as  are  best  adapted  to  the  soil,  and  annually  yield 
him  abundant  harvest?,  the  greater  portion  of  which  he  sells.  Of  recent  years, 
however,  Mr.  Craig  has  practically  given  up  the  cultivation  of  his  land,  the 
greater  portion  of  which  he  is  renting  for  one-half  of  the  crops,  and  gives  his 
entire  attention  to  the  breeding  and  raising  of  stock.  He  raises  horses  and 
cattle  to  some  extent  but  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  thoroughbred  Chester 
\Vhite  hogs.  They  are  a  very  pure  breed  and  he  has  twice  been  awarfled  the 
first  prize  on  his  exhibit  at  the  state  fair  at  Springfield,  and  has  won  both  the 
first  and  second  prizes  at  the  local  county  fair.  This  year,  1911,  he  raised  ninety 
of  these  hogs,  all  of  which  will  command  a  high  price  for  breeding  purposes. 
Mr.  Craig  has  been  very  successful  in  both  farming  and  stock-raising  and  in 
addition  to  his  fine  country  property  is  the  owner  of  a  nice  residence  in  Victoria, 
that  commands  the  highest  rental  of  any  dwelling  house  in  the  town. 

In  January,  1892,  Mr.  Craig  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Larson, 
who  was  born  and  reared  in  X'ictoria  township,  a  daughter  of  Peter  S.  and 
Katherine  Larson.  The  father  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother  is  still  living 
and  continues  to  make  her  home  in  Victoria  township.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craig,  as  follows:  Jennie,  Dewey  and  Eva. 

Mr.  Craig  attends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  toward  the  support  of 
which  he  liberally  contributes,  and  Mrs.  Craig  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Victoria.  His  fraternal  relations  are  confined 
to  his  membership  in  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  and  in  politics  he  is 
a  republican.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  local  affairs  and  at  the  present 
time  is  discharging  the  duties  of  school  director  and  trustee.  Mr.  Craig  is  one 
of  the  progressive  and  enterprising  agriculturists  of  \'ictoria  township,  where 
he  is  held  in  high  esteem  both  by  reason  of  his  excellent  business  qualities  and 
his  many  tine  i)ersonal  attributes. 


JACOB  E.  MORGAN. 

Jacob  E.  Morgan  is  a  well  known  farmer  of  Lynn  township,  having  spent  his 
entire  life  in  this  locality,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  the  old  Morgan  home- 
stead August  2,  1867.  He  traces  his  ancestry  back  to  Edward  Morgan,  who 
married  Margaret  Rittenhouse,  and  their  son  Morgan  Morgan  married  Ann 
Roberts,  a  daughter  of  John  Roberts,  who  fought  for  American  independence 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Benjamin  Morgan,  a  son  of  the  latter  couple  and  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  married  Tacy  Stroud  in  1800.  Among  their  chil- 
dren was  John  Rittenhouse  Morgan,  the  father  of  our  subject,  who  was  born 
in  Montgomery  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  5,  1809.  He  passed  through  the 
experiences  of  pioneer  life  in  Ohio  and  later  in  Indiana,  from  which  state  he 
came  to  Illinois.  He  first  married  Rachel  Bicknell  and  after  her  death  wedded 
her  sister  Susan  Bicknell,  who  was  born  at  Chestnut  Hill,  Pennsylvania,  in  1826. 
Her  father,  George  Bicknell,  who  was  a  mechanic  by  trade,  settled  in  Indiana 
at  an  early  day  and  in  1851  brought  his  family  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  enter- 
ing land  in  Lynn  township.  After  his  wife's  death  he  took  up  his  abode  in 


'  ''  '''^  •   •      :         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       r;:    :  931 

La  Fayette,  this  state,  where  he  passed  away  in  1866,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four 
;;,  years.     His  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Susan  Moore,  died  in  1851,  at 
:  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years.     In  their  family  were  six  children:  Rachel  and 
Sarah,  both  deceased ;  Mary,  who  is  living  with  a  daughter  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
eight  years ;  George  and  Jacob,  both  deceased ;   and   Robert   P.,   a   resident  of 
Alliance,  Nebraska.     After  losing  his  first  wife  Mr.  Bicknell  married  Catherine 
.  Hagar,  who  was  the  widow  of  Peter  Hagar.     The  Bicknell  family,  of  which 
.  Mrs.  John  R.  Morgan  was  a  representative,  was  an  old  one  of  Pennsylvania, 
';:  representatives  of  the  name  coming  from  England  and  settling  in  Philadelphia 
prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.     Her  grandfather,  Charles  Bicknell,  ran  a  stage 

•  from  Philadelphia  to  Baltimore  and  on  his  way  home  contracted  yellow  fever, 
,'  which  caused  his  death  when  he  was  thirty-two  years  of  age.   His  son,  the  father 
''  of  Mrs.  Morgan,  became  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812  at  the  age  of  seventeen 

years.  He  was  reared  by  his  foster  father,  who  had  been  drafted  and  he  took 
:  his  place  in  the  army,  serving  until  honorably  discharged.  For  his  services  he 
received  a  land  patent,  which  he  located  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  Knox 
county.  His  daughter  Mrs.  John  R.  Morgan  had  but  little  opportunity  to  secure 
an  education.  She  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  her  parents  removed  from 
Pennsylvania  to  Indiana  and  in  1847  she  became  the  wife  of  John  R.  Morgan. 

•  They  became  pioneer  residents  of  Brunertown,  Indiana,  where  the  grandfather 
.   took  up  land  and  built  a  cabin,  living  there  two  years  before  he  made  the  journey 
,  by  team  and  wagon  to  Illinois,  traveling  by  way  of  Peoria  to  Centerville.     Sub- 
.    sequently  they  lived  in  Knox  county,  settling  on  what  has  since  been  known  as 

the  Morgan  homestead.     They  first  lived  in  a  deserted  cabin  until  the  present 

•  residence  was  built  in  1852.     There  they  made  their  home  until  the  father  was 

•  called  to  his  final  rest.     The  mother  is  now  living  with  her  daughter  and  is  one 
.;  of  the  honored  pioneer  women  of  this  part  of  the  state.    When  she  became  a 

resident  of  Knox  county  her  neighbors  were  the  Swedish  colony  at  Bishop  Hill 
V.  and  there  was  also  a  family  by  the  name  of  Fraker  at  Fraker's  Grove.  Joseph 

Simeon  and  Jonathan  Gibbs  and  the  Collinson  family  likewise  lived  in  the  north- 
;  ern  part  of  the  county.  Peoria  was  the  nearest  market.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
:',  John  R.  Morgan  were  born  eight  children,  of  whom  six  are  now  living.  George 
.'  B.,  a  resident  of  Fort  Scott,  Kansas,  married  Alice  Robinson  and  has  eight  chil- 

•  dren.     Lydia  Jane  is  the  wife  of  George  Spidle,  of  Schuyler,  Nebraska,  and 
they  have  three  children.     Mary  Ellen  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  C.  Heaton,  living 

:'.  on  the  old  homestead,  and  they  have  four  children.     Charles  E.,  of  Columbus, 

.  Nebraska,  married  Lida  Munsie  and  has  six  children.     Morris  J..  living  at 

Ainsworth,  Nebraska,  wedded  Mary  Wagner  and  has  ten  children.     Jacob  E.  is 

7  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

•.         The  last  named  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  to  the  age  of 

•  fourteen  years  and  during  the  remaining  seven  years  of  his  minority  worked  with 
his  father  on  the  old  home  farm.     He  afterward  engaged  in  cultivating  the  home 

•,   place  on  his  own  account  for  four  years  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period 

came  to  his  present  farm  in  Lynn  townshio.  where  he  has  since  carried  on  general 

agricultural  pursuits  and  stock-raising.     He  has  a  well  developed  property,  the 

'•  fields  responding  readily  to  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  uoon  them,  and 

^  in  his  barns  and  pastures  are  found  good  grades  of  stock.     He  is  likewise  in- 


932  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ::''::':•> 

terested  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  of  Galva  and  in  the  Cooperative  Bank  of  that 
place,  and  is  an  enterprising,  progressive  business  man  whose  judgment  is  sound 
and  whose  labors  are  resultant.  .  ,  - 

Jacob  E.  Morgan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Collinson,  who 
was  born  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  January  i6,  1872,  and  is  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  W.  and  Sarah  F.  (Brooks)  Collinson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morgan  became 
parents  of  two  children:  Eugene,  born  September  i,  1890;  and  Ethel,  born  April 

13,1892.  •      ••:       ;-.V    ,.-••:•/:'••       :       '  '^  ;    '  v  '   -r\: ;',  | -•.•.:: 

The  family  are  well  known  and  have  an  extensive  circle  of  friends  in  this 
part  of  the  county.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Galva 
and  Mr.  Morgan  belongs  also  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  Camp  of  that  place.  In 
politics  he  is  a  republican,  active  in  support  of  the  party.  He  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Lynn  township  and  served  for  three  terms, 
and  his  connection  with  the  school  board  covers  altogether  nine  years.  He  stands 
for  progress  and  advancement  at  all  times,  whether  in  business  or  in  public 
affairs,  and  he  has  a  wide  and  favorable  acquaintance  in  this  county  where  his 
entire  life  has  been  passed.  '.  -.  '  ^  • 


':•     :  ..  I;  CHARLES  SPENCER,  SR.        .    /,    .  ^      ;  • 

On  October  21,  1911,  it  was  seventy-one  years  since  Charles  Spencer,  Sr., 
the  oldest  settler  in  Truro  township,  in  point  of  years  of  continuous  residence, 
first  located  here.  During  the  greater  part  of  that  period  he  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  but  he  is  now  living  retired  in  Williamsfield,  enjoying  the 
ease  and  comfort  that  is  the  just  heritage  of  his  long  years  of  industry  and 
thrift.  He  was  born  in  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  4th  of  May,  1836, 
and  is  a  son  of  J.  N.  and  Maria  (Steaver)  Spencer.  The  father  was  a  native 
of  Maine,  his  birth  having  there  occurred  on  the  22d  of  December,  i8io,  while 
the  mother  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  December  i6,  i8io.  They  were  mar-' 
ried  in  Pennsylvania  and  there  they  spent  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life, 
but  in  1840  they  came  to  Illinois.  On  the  2ist  of  October  of  that  year  they 
located  in  Truro  township  and  in  1843  settled  on  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  land  on  section  lo,  that  township,  that  the  father  secured  from  the  govern- 
ment, his  deeds  bearing  the  signature  of  James  K.  Polk.  The  first  house  erected 
for  the  family  was  a  log  house  and  was  one  of  the  oldest  residences  in  the  . 
township  and  probably  in  the  county.  This  farm,  which  has  been  in  possession 
of  the  Spencer  family  for  over  seventy  years,  is  now  being  operated  by  our 
subject's  son-in-law,  Edward  F.  Mosher.  It  was  here  on  the  28th  of  June, 
1856,  that  the  father  passed  away,  but  the  mother  survived  until  March  8,  1888, 

Charles  Spencer  was  a  child  of  four  years  when  he  accompanied  his  people 
on  their  removal  to  Knox  county,  and  here  he  has  ever  since  made  his  home. 
When  old  enough  to  begin  his  education  he  was  sent  to  the  little  log  schoolhoiise  , 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  home,  and  there  he  pursued  the  common  branches.     The  ' 
country  was  very  sparsely  settled  at  that  period  and  the  primitive  conditions  . 
that  exist  in  all  frontier  settlements  prevailed  here.     The  methods  of  instruc- 
tion were  as  crude  as  the  building,  and  the  pupils  acquired  little  more  than  a 


.    •          •     ^'       C        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY                  ';    '         933  H    >- 

_••.''-'•''          .'.':••'"••;--''.        •     .,:•                                                                                                                                     .;        -       .''•'•:            ''         •  •               '•'':'-'.- 

'  practical  understanding  of  the  "three  R's."    While  attending  school  he  assisted  -.':'.. 

\  his  father  with  the  farm  work,  thus  qualifying  himself  to  become  self-dependent  : 
:^.   at  a  very  early  age.     When  he  was  twenty  his  father  passed  away,  and  the 

management  of  the  farm  very  largely  devolved  upon  him  from  that  time.     He  ;••    '_:'• 

.:•:  diligently  applied  himself  to  the  operation  of  the  fields  and  the  raising  of  stock,  ,R     /     v 

.  and  ultimately  purchased  the  property,  which  he  still  owns.     He  continuously  ,-^:V-        ••;• 

'.devoted  himself  to  the  further  improvement  and  cultivation  of  his  farm  until  ;^       '      : 

'  1907,  when  he  withdrew  from  active  work  and  retired  to  Williamsfield,  where  *; ';     • 

•  he  continues  to  reside.     His  land  is  well  improved  and  under  high  cultivation  '  •     , '• 
and  is  numbered  among  the  valuable  properties  of  the  township.     The  appear-  ;         .  :  ' 
ance  of  his  fields  and  the  abundant  harvests  annually  gathered  therefrom  mani-  ..-' 

.,  fested  the  practical  ideas  followed  in  the  direction  of  their  cultivation,  as  well  '  '        - 

';,:  as  his  careful  supervision.                                                   •                     .;:../:  -..:,.- 

;        On  the  28th  of  October,  1858,  was  solemnized  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Spencer  ;  .-   : 

and  Miss  Rosina  Doty,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  where  she  continued  to  make  .  .•:         v;: 

her  home  until  1853,  when  she  accompanied  her  people  on  their  removal  to  .',:-:; 

.    Illinois.    Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spencer  there  have  been  born  seven  '• .;     .   ; 

children.     Mary,  who  is  the  eldest  of  the  family,  married  Oliver  Cadwell,  who  ;•;:        '^  • 

'•..•  died  on  December  27,  1910,  and  by  him  she  had  five  sons,  four  of  whom  are 

•  living;  and  three  daughters.     Nathaniel,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  on  section  T..,  -:.   . 
lo,  Truro  township,  married  Carrie   Edley.     Frank  Edward   died  aged   seven  -.:•.:';'  = 
years.     Deborah  married  Lincoln  Huber,  a  farmer  of  this  township,  and  they  '.    • ; 

•have  eleven  children.     Emma  J.  married  Edward  F.  Mosher,  who  is  operating  •            • 

.,  the  old  Spencer  homestead,  and  they  have  had  seven  children,  two  of  whom  .  >•          ; 

.-.  are  deceased.    Rose  married  Otto  Gross,  who  is  a  resident  of  Stark  county,  and  "i     : 

they  have  three  children.     Charles,   who  is  living  in  Peoria  county,  married  ;;-/;• 

Iva  King  and  they  have  seven  children.  r.      •; 

His  political  support  Mr.  Spencer  has  always  given  to  the  democratic  party,  ;.'i','        .' 

and  while  residing  on  the  farm  he  served  as  school  director  and  road  com-  •"..;: 

missioner.    Through  the  long  period  of  his  residence  in  the  county,  Mr.  Spencer  :-;  •  ~  •   ;  i 

has   witnessed   many   most   interesting   changes   with   the    development   of    the  ';.•    ;.-    J 

natural   resources  and  the   introduction  of  modern  commercial   and   industrial  o'       -.  .  • 

'    methods.     The  prairies  of  half  a  century  ago  have  been  converted  into  highly  ''••;-' 

improved  and  most  productive  farms,  while  the  villages  and  settlements  have  ':*!:, 

grown  into  bustling  cities  and  thriving  towns.        :  ..         .                    .,     .        >..--,  t         .^:  ^ 


.      :.        _          ;       .      .       OLIVER  O.  CADWELL.    r  ;.,  .!    V  >  ; 

.  .        With  the  passing  away  of  Oliver  O.   Cadwell  on  the   loth  of  December, 

'.1910,  Truro  township  lost  one  of  her  native  sons  and  highly  estimable  citizens. 

'  He  had  been  successfully  identified  with  the  commercial  activities  of  the  county 

for  over  thirty  years,  and  was  known  as  one  of  the  capable  business  men  of 

;  the  township.     His  birth  occurred  in  Truro  township  in  1847,  and  he  was  a 

.  '-  son  of  George  Cadwell,  who  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.     The  father  came 

;' ;  from  the  Keystone  state  to  Illinois  in  1842,  locating  in  Knox  county,  where  for 

many  years  he  was  engaged  in  farming.   ,        ,... .     ,   .      .,        .  . 


934  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       •    •  'r  • 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Oliver  O.  Cadwell  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  later  those  of  Kewanee.  When  old  enough  to  begin  his  busi- 
ness career  he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  took  a  position  in  a  store.  He 
continued  to  clerk  until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  thirty-one  years,  when  he 
engaged  in  business  for  himself  in  Truro  township.  Possessing  an  unusual 
aptitude  for  successful  management  and  keen  foresight  he  made  a  success  of 
this  undertaking,  and  from  then  until  his  death  was  identified  with  the  com- 
mercial life  of  the  county.  He  carried  a  good  assortment  of  general  merchan-l 
dise,  that  he  offered  at  reasonable  prices,  and  this  together  with  his  gracious 
and  accommodating  manner  enabled  him  to  build  up  a  large  patronage.  As 
the  years  passed  he  enlarged  his  business  and  acquired  property  interests,  own- 
ing a  fine  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Truro  township,  with  good  improvements. 

Mr.  Cadwell  marrieiJ  Miss  Mary  M.  Spencer  and  they  became  the  parents 
of  eight  children.  Thomas,  who  is  operating  a  blacksmith  shop  on  the  Cad- 
well farm,  married  Bessie  Loman  and  they  have  one  child,  Harley.  Amos,  who 
was  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  died.  Sally  married  Clarence  Robinson  of 
Williamsfield  and  they  have  three  children,  Bernice,  Walter  and  Irene.  Del-; 
bert  is  living  at  home  with  his  mother  and  operating  the  store.  Climena  mar- 
ried Oscar  Smith  of  Williamsfield  and  they  have  one  child,  Glenn.  Charles, 
Ruth  and  Clyde,  the  three  youngest  members  of  the  family,  are  all  living  at 
home.  ;;  "r . ,,  :  ; '  .|  :  /  c-; 

In  the  public  life  of  the  township  Mr.  Cadwell  always  exerted  considerable 
influence,  owing  to  his  comprehensive  grasp  of  local  conditions  and  keen  insight 
into  all  political  matters.  His  political  support  was  given  to  the  republican 
party  and  for  many  years  he  was  treasurer  of  the  township  and  he  also  served 
as  school  director.  There  was  general  regret  and  deep  mourning  when  he 
passed  away,  not  only  in  his  immediate  family  and  friends,  but  among  all  who 
had  known  -him  in  either  a  social  or  business  way,  as  he  was  a  man  of  many 
fine  qualities  and  rare  traits  of  character  that  won  him  the  regard  of  all  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact.  .  -:  ;••  ..  • 


'     ;V;v;;v-'  '    :     •  C  J.  CARLSON.  ^    '.:-:/'(]-.'':,::-•--•.}, 

C.  ].  Carlson,  a  prosperous  stockman  and  agriculturist  of  Victoria  township, 
owns  four  hundred  acres  of  land  located  on  section  15.    He  was  born  in  Smaland, 
Sweden,  on  the  5th  of  December,   1853.     The  parents  always  resided  in  the 
land  of  their  birth,  and  there  the  mother  passed  away  in  1894  and  the  father, 
in  1897.     They  were  both  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Agricultural  pursuits  have  always  engaged  the  attention  of  C.  J.  Carlson, 
who  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land,  where  he  passed  the  first 
twenty-two  years  of  his  life.  Having  decided  that  it  was  impossible  for  him 
to  realize  his  ambitions  in  his  own  country  in  1875  ^^  took  passage  for  the 
L^nited  States,  coming  directly  to  Knox  county.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he  first 
located  in  the  vicinity  of  Galesburg,  where  he  worked  out  by  the  month  as  a 
farm  hand  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Victoria 
township,  continuing  in  the  same  occupation  for  three  years.  He  was  subse-  _ 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


935 


quently  married  and  located  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives.  During  the  long 
period  of  his  ownership,  Mr.  Carlson  has  wrought  many  changes  in  the  farm 
that  have  added  greatly  to  its  appearance  as  well  as  value.  He  has  erected  a 
number  of  new  buildings  and  remodeled  the  old  and  has  also  installed  various 
modern  appliances  and  conveniences,  making  his  one  of  the  best  equipped  farms 
in  the  community.  His  fields  have  been  brought  to  a  high  state  of  productivity 
and  now  annually  yield  abundant  harvests  that  amply  reward  him  for  the  labor 
expended  in  their  tilling.  In  connection  with  general  farming  he  raises  stock 
of  a  good  grade,  and  is  now  and  has  been  for  the  past  two  years  sole  owner  of 
a  thoroughbred  Norman  stallion,  Vanity  Fair.  As  he  has  always  been  a  hard 
working,  enterprising  man,  who  has  used  good  judgment  and  intelligence  in 
the  direction  of  his  undertakings,  Mr.  Carlson  has  prospered  and  is  known  as 
one  of  the  substantial  and  highly  capable  farmers  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Carlson  completed  his  arrangements  for  a  home  upon  his  marriage  to 
Miss  Anna  Louisa  Tunberg,  who  is  also  a  native  of  Sweden  and  a  daughter 
of  Andrew  Anderson.  Eight  children  have  been  born  to  them  as  follows : 
Esther  Cordelia,  the  wife  of  Victor  Crantz,  of  Victoria,  by  whom  she  has  had 
two  children,  Carl  and  Paul ;  Clarence  A.,  who  is  unmarried  and  living  in  Chi- 
cago ;  Anna  Marie,  at  home ;  Carl  August,  now  living  on  his  father's  farm, 
who  married  Grace  Sornberger  and  has  two  children,  Doris  and  Charles ;  and 
Roy,  Beda,  Charles  and  Forrest,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 
. '  The  family  attend  the  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Victoria,  in 
which  the  parents  hold  membership,  and  Mr.  Carlson  and  four  of  his  sons 
belong  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  When  first  granted  the  right  of 
franchise  he  gave  his  support  to  the  men.  and  measures  of  the  greenback  party, 
but  later  became  a  democrat.  He  has  always  assumed  his  share  of  the  town- 
ship governmental  duties  and  has  been  assessor  of  his  township.  Although  he 
has  met  with  the  various  disappointments  and  hardships  that  usually  fall  to 
the  lot  of  everyone  in  a  strange  country,  Mr.  Carlson  has  never  had  reason  to 
regret  the  transference  of  his  allegiance  to  the  United  States.  He  has  applied 
himself  closely  and  for  many  years  worked  unceasingly  and  practiced  the  most 
rigid  economy,  but  he  has  prospered  and  now  owns  one  of  the  valuable  prop- 
erties of  Victoria  township. 


^^;  ./'••;  ;•':';  /,••-••.•;;:.:;:  r-   S.  W.  MOSHER.  1:;;:^: . :/-.,/;     ^'.{.-.'r--' :-i 

S.  W.  Mosher,  a  well  known  agriculturist  of  Victoria  township,  was  born 
on  the  place  where  he  is  now  residing  on  the  isth  of  March,  1853.  His  father, 
Allen  Mosher,  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  whence  he  removed  in 
his  early  manhood  to  Ohio.  From  there  he  came  to  Illinois  with  the  family  of 
Eli  Johnson,  whose  daughter  Mary  Ann  he  married  after  the  family  settled  in 
Knox  county.  They  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  this  section  and  the  old 
house  they  occupied  when  they  first  came  is  still  standing.  Agricultural  pur- 
suits always  engaged  the  attention  of  Allen  Mosher,  who  devoted  the  remainder 
of  his  life  to  the  further  improvement  of  his  farm,  and  there  passed  away  at 
the  age  of  forty-seven  years.  Nine  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


930  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       X'  ''r-  ^^ 


Mosher,  all  of  whom  are  now  deceased  with  the  exception  of  our  subject  and 
one  other  son,  Charles. 

The  educational  advantages  of  S.  W.  Mosher  were  confined  to  the  district 
schools  in  the  vicinity  of  his  home,  and  while  there  engaged  in  mastering  the 
common  branches  he  assisted  in  the  work  of  the  farm.  When  he  laid  aside  his 
text-books  he  had  a  good  understanding  of  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture, 
and  thereafter  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  work  of  the  fields.  His 
entire  life  has  been  spent  on  his  present  farm,  which  is  endeared  to  him  by  the 
associations  of  childhood  and  youth,  as  well  as  those  of  his  manhood.  He  has 
one  hundred  and  thirty-four  acres  of  land,  all  under  high  cultivation.  His 
fields  are  annually  planted  in  the  cereals  to  which  the  soil  is  best  adapted,  and 
under  his  capable  care  and  supervision  yield  abundant  harvests,  the  quality  of 
which  is  fully  equal  to  the  quantity.  In  connection  with  general  farming  Mr. 
Mosher  breeds  and  raises  cattle  of  a  good  grade,  and  thus  also  realizes  good 
returns.  He  has  effected  extensive  improvements  in  the  place  during  the  period 
of  his  ownership,  having  erected  all  of  the  buildings  now  standing,  in  addition 
to  which  he  has  from  time  to  time  added  various  other  conveniences,  consistent 
with  the  progressive  spirit  that  characterizes  his  undertakings.  The  place  is 
well  kept  up  and  cared  for,  everything  about  it  manifesting  the  capable  manage- 
ment and  the  thrift  that  invariably  accompany  prosperity. 

In  1889  Mr.  Mosher  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Peterson,  a 
daughter  of  Daniel  Peterson,'  and  a  native  of  Sweden,  whence  she  was  brought 
to  the  United  States  as  a  child  of  seven  years. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Mosher  accords  to  such  men  and  measures  as 
he  deems  best  qualified  to  subserve  the  highest  interests  of  the  community, 
irrespective  of  party  affiliation.  As  he  has  always  lived  on  his  farm,  which  is 
located  six  and  a  half  miles  northwest  of  Williamsfield,  he  is  well  known  to 
the  citizens  of  that  entire  community,  who  accord  him  the  esteem  and  respect 
merited  by  his  many  substantial  qualities,  that  have  well  withstood  the  crucial 
test  of  the  passing  years.  .  '  :-'  •  ;  •  I:  '.  V  "  ^  - 


,.      '/^^          •  G.  W.  ELLIOTT.    :  r 

One  of  Knox  county's  patriotic  sons,  who  gave  his  services  in  defense  of  the 
Union  on  the  battlefields  of  the  south,  was  G.  W.  Elliott,  for  many  years  suc- 
cessfully identified  with  the  farming  interests  of  the  county,  but  now  living 
retired  in  Williamsfield.  His  birth  occurred  on  his  father's  farm  on  the  i8th  of 
October,  1842,  his  parents  being  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Reese)  Elliott,  the  for- 
mer a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Virginia.  They  were  married  in  Ohio, 
but  soon  thereafter  crossed  the  prairies  to  Illinois,  being  among  the  early 
pioneers  of  Knox  county.  In  1836  they  located  on  a  farm  in  Persifer  township, 
that  he  operated  for  twenty  years,  when  disposing  of  it  he  removed  to  \'^ictoria 
township.  There  he  acquired  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  and  indus- 
triously applied  himself  to  its  further  cultivation  until  1868.  Selling  his  home- 
stead he  removed  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Missouri,  where  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land,  that  he  continued  to  operate  until  his  death.  The  family  of  Mr. 


;;;  :  :    :-  ;;^;V;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  •?  :     937 

;    and  Mrs.  Elliott  numbered  fourteen,  six  of  whom  are  living:  George  W.,  our 
\:  subject;  and  Samantha,  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Hannah  and  Thomas. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  G.  W.  Elliott  were  spent  on  the  farm  where  he 

•  was  born  and  in  Persifer  township,  his  education  being  pursued  in  the  district 

?'  schools.     Pioneer  conditions  prevailed  throughout  the  country  at  that  period, 

,    and  there  were  but  limited  opportunities  for  social  enjoyment  outside  of  the 

^    family,  as  the  settlers  were  all  busily  engaged  in  striving  to  establish  homes,  and 

->  place  their  land  under  cultivation.     In  the  work  of  the  farm  he  early  began  to 

:    assist  his  father,  assuming  many  of  the  tasks  that  were  really  a  man's  work 

.;    when  little  more  than  a  boy.     When  he  attained  his  majority  he  enlisted  in 

Company  D,  Sixty-Ninth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  and  went  to  the  battlefields 

of  the  south.     Upon  receiving  his  discharge  he  returned  to  Knox  county  and 

:    purchased  forty  acres  of  land  in  Victoria  township.     He  was  an  energetic,  enter- 

,    prising  young  man  and  his  well  directed  efforts  met  with  a  gratifying  degree  of 

prosperity,  so  that  as  time  passed  he  was  able  to  increase  his  possessions  until 

he  owned  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  fine  land.    As  his  circumstances 

warranted  with  the  passing  years  he  improved  his  farm  by  the  addition  of  many 

modern  conveniences  and  appliances;  indicative  of  the  progressive  methods  he 

pursued  in  all  of  his  undertakings.     Good  barns  and  outbuildings  as  well  as  a 

.-.  comfortable  residence  were  erected  on  his  farm,  where  he  has  spent  the  greater 

part  of  his  life. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Elliott  chose  Miss  Albina  Mosher,  who  passed  away  on  July 

.  24,  1906.     Mrs.  Elliott  was  a  daughter  of  Seneca  and  Nancy  (Buck)  Mosher, 

.'    well  known  among  the  early  residents  of  Knox  county.     Of  the  marriage  of 

.'  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott  there  were  born  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  as 

V    follows:  James  F.,  Emma,  Susan  A.,  Hannah  and  John.    George,  the  fifth  in 

order  of  birth,  is  deceased.  '      . 

A  stalwart  republican,  Mr.  Elliott  has  ever  given  his  political  support  to  the 
\  men  and  measures  of  that  party,  considering  that  their  policy  is  best  adapted  to 
protect  the  interests  of  the  majority.    In  his  early  years  he  took  an  active  inter- 
.    est  in  all  township  affairs  and  served  as  constable,  school  director  and  path- 
master.    In  both  his  public  and  private  life,  Mr.  Elliott  has  ever  manifested  the 
.    steadfast  purpose,  upright  conduct  and  incorruptible  integrity,  consistent  with 
;•  the  high  principles  he  advocates  in  all  transactions  between  man  and  man. 


Ole  Anderson,  an  old  settler  of  Sparta  township,  passed  away  December  i, 
1900.  He  was  a  native  of  Christiansand,  Norway,  born  February  18,  1820.  In 
1849  he  emigrated  to  America  and  came  to  the  Swedish  settlement  at  Bishop 
Hill,  Henry  county,  Illinois.  He  was  a  poor  man  and  for  three  years  worked 
by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand.  In  1852  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  raw  prairie  land  in  Sparta  township  and  that  remained  his  home  until 
his  death.  His  widow  still  resides  on  the  place.  She  was  Miss  Betsey  Anderson, 
a  native  of  Sweden,  born  May  6,  1839.  By  her  marriage  to  Ole  Anderson, 
which  was  celebrated  on  the  7th  of  July,  1856,  she  had  eleven  children,  as  fol- 


988        .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

lows:  Harriett,  the  wife  of  E.  A.  Werteen,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois;  A.  O.,  an 
agriculturist  of  Sparta  township ;  Albert,  who  is  a  resident  of  Oklahoma ;  Annie, 
now  Mrs.  Volk,  of  Sparta  township;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  Scott  McKibbin,  of 
Copley  township;  Christ,  living  in  Sparta  township;  Sophia,  the  wife  of  Leon- 
ard Webber,  of  Wataga,  Illinois ;  William,  who  makes  his  home  in  Sparta  town- 
ship; Henry,  of  Appleton,  Illinois;  and  Emma  and  Arthur,  both  at  home  with 
their  mother. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  a  very  successful  man  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  owned 
twelve  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Knox  county  and  sixteen  sections  of  land  in 
Texas.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  gave  his  political  allegi- 
ance to  the  republican  party. 


•  ..^-^vX.-    .          •        josiAH  HAMILTON.  v-:;y:.y:  :.;-;;;;/ 

Josiah  Hamilton,  who  died  in  Galesburg,  November  23,  1911,  resided  within 
the  borders  of  Knox  county  for  more  than  half  a  century  and  for  years  was 
actively  successfully  identified  with  its  agricultural  and  mercantile  interests.  He 
was  long  numbered  among  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  community.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Venango  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  23rd  of  January,  1829,  his 
parents  being  Richard  and  Sarah  (Reynolds)  Hamilton,  the  former  a  native  of 
the  Keystone  state  and  the  latter  of  Birmingham,  England.  They  were  married 
in  Pennsylvania  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  passing  away  in  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Richard  Hamilton,  whose  demise  occurred  in 
1844,  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  ably  served  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the 
peace.  Their  children  were  thirteen  in  number,  namely,  James,  William,  Hugh, 
Edward,  John,  Josiah,  Celina,  Louisa,  Mary,  Lavina,  Lida,  Cynthia  and  Emeline, 
all  now  deceased. 

Josiah  Hamilton  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  state. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  sought  to  impart  his  knowledge  to  others  by  teaching 
in  the  country  schools,  which  he  continued  to  do  for  a  number  of  years,  during 
the  winter  months,  following  agriculture  in  the  summer  time.  In  the  spring  of 
1854,  he  with  a  cousin.  Walker  Hamilton,  made  an  extensive  trip  through  Illinois 
and  Iowa,  spending  the  season  in  these  two  states,  his  cousin  returning  in  the 
fall,  while  he  remained  in  Knox  county  and  taught  the  winter  school  in  a  log 
school  house  which  stood  about  six  miles  east  of  Galesburg,  on  what  has  since 
been  known  as  the  William  Reynolds  farm,  returning  to  his  native  state  in  the 
spring  to  cultivate  a  small  farm  of  his  own  near  Cherry  Tree,  Pennsylvania, 
which  he  had  been  able  to  purchase  through  industry  and  economy.  In  1857,  he 
returned  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  making  his  home  with  Jacob  Sipherd,  east  of 
Galesburg.  farming  rented  land  during  the  summer  and  teaching  school  in  the 
winter.  On  March  25,  1858,  he  was  wedded  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  by  Rev.  Robert 
Johnson,  to  Miss  Isabella  N.  Davidson,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Davidson, 
of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  A  son.  William  Davidson,  was  born  unto 
them  and  is  still  living  in  Galesburgr.  ....  :  --  -. 


•lOSlAH  HAMILTON 


v-T^    ,  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;      ; 

lows:  Harriett,  the  wife  of  E.  A.  Werteen,  of  Galesburg.  Illinois;  A.  O.,  an 
agriculturist  of  Sparta  township ;  Albert,  who  is  a  resident  of  Oklahoma ;  Annie, 
now  Mrs.  Volk,  of  Sparta  township;  Jennie,  the  wife  of  Scott  McKibbin,  of 
Copley  township;  Christ,  living  in  Sparta  township;  Sophia,  the  wife  of  Leon- 
ard Webber,  of  Wataga.  Illinois ;  William,  who  makes  his  home  in  Sparta  town- 
ship; Henry,  of  Appleton,  Illinois;  and  Emma  and  Arthur,  both  at  home  with 
their  mother. 

Mr.  Anderson  was  a  very  successful  man  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  owned 
twelve  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Knox  county  and  sixteen  sections  of  land  in 
Texas.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  gave  his  political  allegi- 
ance to  the  republican  party. 


:  JOSIAH  HAMILTON. 

Josiah  Hamilton,  who  died  in  Galesburg,  November  23,  1911,  resided  within 
the  borders  of  Knox  county  for  more  than  half  a  century  and  for  years  was 
actively  successfully  identified  with  its  agricultural  and  mercantile  interests.  He 
was  long  numbered  among  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  community.  His  birth 
occurred  in  \'enango  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  23rd  of  January,  1829,  his 
parents  being  Richard  and  Sarah  (Reynolds)  Hamilton,  the  former  a  native  of 
the  Keystone  state  and  the  latter  of  IJirmitigham,  England.  They  were  married 
in  Pennsylvania  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives,  passing  away  in  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Richard  Hamilton,  whose  demise  occurred  in 
1844,  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  ably  served  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the 
peace.  Their  children  were  thirteen  in  number,  namely,  James,  William,  Hugh, 
Edward,  John,  Josiah,  Celina,  Louisa,  Mary,  Lavina,  Lida,  Cynthia  and  Emeline. 
all  now  deceased. 

Josiah  Hamilton  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  state. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  sought  to  impart  his  knowledge  to  others  by  teaching 
in  the  country  schools,  which  he  continued  to  do  for  a  number  of  years,  during 
the  winter  months,  following  aijriculture  in  the  summer  time.  In  the  spring  of 
1854,  he  with  a  cousin,  \\'alker  Hamilton,  made  an  extensive  trip  through  Illinois 
and  Iowa,  spending  the  season  in  these  two  states,  his  cousin  returning  in  the 
fall,  while  he  remained  in  Knox  county  and  taught  the  winter  school  in  a  log 
school  house  which  stood  about  six  miles  east  of  Galesburg,  on  what  has  since 
been  known  as  the  \\'illiam  Reynolds  farm,  returning  to  his  native  state  in  the 
spring  to  cultivate  a  small  farm  of  his  o\vn  near  Cherry  Tree,  Pennsylvania, 
which  he  had  been  able  to  purchase  through  industry  and  economy.  In  1857,  he 
returned  to  Knox  county.  Illinois,  making  his  home  with  Jacob  Sipherd,  east  of 
Galesburg.  farming  rented  land  during  the  summer  and  teaching  school  in  the 
winter.  On  March  25.  1858,  he  was  wedded  at  Peoria,  Illinois,  by  Rev.  Robert 
Johnson,  to  Miss  Isabella  N.  Davidson,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Davidson, 
of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania.  A  son.  William  David.son,  was  born  unto 
them  and  is  still  living  in  Galesbure. 


f . 


.IdSIAII 


^    ^'fUA  /;  /  ^:^^^^         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i         Ml  :- 

f      The  first  year  of  his  married  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  south  of  Knoxville  ;      :    . 

and  in  the  city  of  Knoxville.    The  spring  of  1859  ^^  moved  on  the  Ralph  ^^     ^  . 

Spooner  farm  northeast  of  Galesburg.    During  the  same  year  he  sold  his  farm  :    -  V 

in  Pennsylvania  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Knox  county,  three  and  one-half  miles  : .-     •"      i 

northeast  of  Knoxville,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  the  spring  of  1883,  Cj      ^^ ;  . 

when  he  disposed  of  the  farm  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Galesburg.     In  January,  '  ^    : 

1875,  he  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  The  Galesburg  Knox  County  •        /   . 

Farmers  Mutual  Fire  and  Lightning  Insurance  Company,  being  one  of  the  in-  .^'    ./     I 

corporators  and  holding  the  office  of  secretary  thirty-one  years.     In  January,  •  '    . '    ^- 

1897,  he  assisted  in  organizing  The  Galesburg  District  Mutual  Wind  Storm  In-  :         ;  • 

surance  Company,  comprising  nine  counties,  and  served  as  secretary  for  thirteen  ^.  '  .\   'J 

years.  .;';•:/•'•/ 

In  March,  1883,  he  purchased  the  Taylor  residence  on  East  Main  street,  in  .    ..^     \  " 

Galesburg,  which  was  his  home  the  remainder  of  his  life.     He  embariced  in  the  ;,  • 

mercantile  business  in  the  spring  of  1883,  buying  out  the  firm  of  Dore  &  Ryan  .     .      .  V; 

on  East  Main  street,  near  the  comer  of  Cherry,  where  for  six  years  he  conducted  -•.:;-. 

a  grocery  store.     After  disposing  of  the  store  in  1889,  he  gave  all  his  time  and  '      '     . 

energy  as  secretary  of  the  farmers  insurance  companies  until  his  mature  years  ',      -J  ,      . 

compelled  him  to  retire  from  active  life.  i    .  . 

The  wife  and  mother  passed  away  February  28,  1893,  and  on  the  26th  of  ;  .  • 

September,  1899,  M*"-  Hamilton  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  .,  /      '.  ' 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Nation,  the  widow  of  Vickery  Nation,  and  a  daughter  of  Fleming  ;  ;    v     ! 

F.  and  Rebecca  (Bridgeman)  Denton,  of  Wataga,  Illinois.  c 

In  politics  Mr.  Hamilton  was  a  republican,  loyally  supporting  the  men  and  ,:     •  iV    '•'.':• 

measures  of  that  party.     He  served  as  a  deacon  in  the  Presb)rterian  church,  '••.'- 

of  which  his  wife  is  also  a  devoted  and  consistent  member.     He  had  passed  the  '  : 

eighty-second  milestone  on  this  earthly  pilgrimage  when  called  away  and  his  well  ;: :-     ' 
ordered  life  brought  him  not  only  a  substantial  competence  but  also  the 
and  esteem  of  an  extensive  circle  of  friends.      .  .,,  .  .^      :  .,                   . 


_  :.,\^y:^  •••;;;•,;  -    V  .  „  ^''':V;.-:    JONATHAN  GIBBS.       ^'V'^.^'"'      .•     ..   .;.;;A:-l-,\:.;;  •':';•>• 

General    farming  and   stock-raising  have   always   engaged   the   energies   of         , 
Jonathan  Gibbs,  who  owns  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  acres  of  highly  culti-          ; 
vated  and  well  improved  land  on  section  i6,  Victoria  township.     He  was  born 
in  the  township  where  he  is  now  living  on  the  4th  of  October,  1854,  his  parents 
being  Martin  and  Mary  Ann  (Moak)  Gibbs.    The  father  was  born  and  reared          ;- 
in  New  Jersey,  whence  he  removed  to  Illinois  in  his  early  manhood,  locating 
on  land  on  Walnut  Creek  in  Lynn  township,  that  he  cultivated  until  his  mar-     .    :, 
riage.     Subsequent  to  this  event  he  removed  to  Victoria  township,  where  he  •'•••.  ; 
acquired  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  that  was  also  located  on  the    .^v  . 
creek.    He  energetically  applied  himself  to  the  further  improvements  and  culti-  I!;. ', 
vation  of  this  place  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine  years.     The  mother          ;  ' 
was  fifty-eight  when  she  passed  away  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Victoria  ceme-          ;- 
tery  as  was  also  the  father.     The  old  homestead  is  now  the  property  of  Owen 
Couley.    .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs  became  the  parents  of  seven  sons  and  one  daugh-  / 

ter,  and  five  of  the  sons  are  still  living.     The  father  was  one  of  the  public-      -    ; 

ToL   0—48  .?'>:^' 


942  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '"'  Vf' v  ' 

spirited,  enterprising  men  of  the  community  at  that  period  and  gave  his  political 
support  to  the  republican  party. 

Jonathan  Gibbs  was  reared  in  Victoria  township  and  pursued  his  education 
in  its  district  schools.  After  he  had  mastered  the  common  branches  he  laid 
aside  his  text-books  and  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  assisting  with  the 
work  of  the  home  farm.  He  was  an  ambitious  young  man  of  practical  ideas 
and  diligent  habits,  who  applied  himself  intelligently  to  anything  he  undertook. 
After  his  marriage  he  located  on  a  farm  a  mile  and  a  half  southeast  of  his 
present  place,  residing  there  until  he  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  lives, 
at  that  time  the  property  of  Jonathan  Huble.  It  was  well  improved  when  Mr. 
Gibbs  took  possession  but  during  the  period  of  his  ownership  he  has  made 
innumerable  changes,  all  of  which  have  tended  to  improve  and  add  to  the  value 
of  the  property.  He  has  large  commodious  barns,  good  outbuildings  and  a 
comfortable  residence,  which  are  kept  well  in  repair  and  present  an  appearance 
of  thrift  and  prosperity.  Here  Mr.  Gibbs  is  successfully  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising,  evidencing  in  both  pursuits  the  enterprise  and  sagacity 
that  have  characterized  him  from  boyhood.  He  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the 
substantial  and  competent  agriculturists  of  the  county,  whose  success  is  due  to 
his  persistent  and  intelligently  directed  efforts. 

For  his  wife  and  helpmate  Mr.  Gibbs  chose  Miss  Elizabeth  Graver,  who 
was  born  and  reared  in  Lynn  township  and  is  a  daughter  of  David  and  Eliza- 
beth Graver,  both  of  whom  passed  their  latter  years  on  their  farm  in  Lynn 
township.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs.  Stella,  the 
eldest,  became  the  wife  of  L.  Stewart,  of  Gopley  township,  by  whom  she  has 
had  one  child,  Lucille.  Martin,  who  is  operating  a  farm  in  Victoria  township, 
a  mile  north  of  his  father's  place,  married  Mary  Milroy,  a  daughter  of  Nat 
Milroy,  and  they  have  two  sons.  Dale  and  Dean.  Glarence,  who  is  the  next  in 
order  of  birth,  is  living  at  home.  Glenn,  who  is  also  living  on  the  home  farm, 
married  Edna  Milroy. 

:  Fraternally  Mr.  Gibbs  is  affiliated  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
and  his  political  allegiance  he  gives  to  the  republican  party,  but  he  has  never 
been  an  office  seeker.  He  is  one  of  the  highly  regarded  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity, where  he  is  widely  known,  having  passed  the  entire  period  of  his  life 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  present  home.  Mr.  Gibbs  jwssesses  many  most  estimable 
qualities  that  have  been  thoroughly  tested  during  the  long  period  of  his  resi- 
dence in  Victoria  township,  and  never  found  wanting.  He  has  high  standards 
of  citizenship,  is  loyal  to  his  friends  and  true  to  every  trust  reposed  in  him, 
while  his  integrity  is  known  to  be  incorruptible.  •',•'; 


>  -     ''  JOHN  M.  YOUNG.  A      - 

John  M.  Young,  for  the  past  three  years  assessor  of  Victoria  township, 
resides  on  section  26,  where  he  rents  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  that 
he  has  been  cultivating  for  the  past  seven  years.  He  was  born  in  Victoria  town- 
ship on  the  2d  of  May,  1869,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Martha  (Dennis)  Young, 
both  natives  of  Ohio.  The  father  left  the  Buckeye  state  at  the  age  of  four 
years,  coming  to  Illinois,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  Upon  attaining  his 
manhood  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  acquiring  one  hundred  and  sixty 


•{.;::,    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'v ^'        943 

....  .  ^  .     •.  .  ^ 

acres  of  land  in  Victoria  township,  that  is  now  in  a  high  state  of  productivity. 
Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young,  six  of  whom  are  residents  of 
Knox  county,  and  all  are  living  with  the  exception  of  one. 

The  entire  life  of  John  M.  Young  has  been  spent  in  Knox  county  with  the 
exception  of  six  years  when  he  lived  in  Kansas.  He  attended  school  in  district 
No.  71  of  this  township,  and  after  completing  the  common  branches  he  engaged 
in  farming,  and  has  ever  since  been  identified  with  this  vocation.  For  the  past 
seven  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  the 
place  where  he  now  lives  and  has  met  with  a  good  degree  of  success.  =.  ••'•"• 

,/  For  his  wife  Mr.  Young  chose  Miss  May  Suydam,  a  native  of  Victoria  town- 
ship  and  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Lucinda  Suydam,  and  they  have  become  the 
parents  of  five  children:  Edna,  Lynn,  Edward,  Clyde  and  Ila. 

Ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise  upon  attaining  his  majority,  Mr. 
Young  has  given  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic 
party,  considering  their  policy  best  adapted  to  subserve  the  interests  of  the  ma- 
jority.  He  takes  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  township  affairs  and  has  effi- 
ciently  discharged  the  duties  of  assessor  for  three  years,  while  for  six  he  has  been 
a  director  of  the  school  he  attended  during  his  boyhood.  Mr.  Young  is  one  of 
the  well  known  residents  of  Victoria  township,  where  his  family  have  resided  for 
more  than  a  half  century,  during  which  time  they  have  contributed  their  quota 
toward  promoting  its  agricultural  development.  . 


:-./':    :;.•;.•,;     .;.-...      WILLIAM  McGAAN.  .vC-'^        •'_  ' .  '^'"X..-; '  v-'!^ 

'  No  history  of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county  would  be  complete  without  refer- 
ence to  William  McGaan,  now  the  oldest  resident  of  this  county,  having  passed 
the  ninety-fifth  milestone  on  life's  journey.  He  was  born  in  Croftfoot  parish,  in 
Ayrshire,  Scotland,  in  1817,  and  for  some  years  has  lived  retired.  His  father, 
James  McGaan,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two 
years,  while  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Jant  Hunter,  passed  away  at 
the  age  of  sixty-six  years.  She  was  a  daughter  of  James  Hunter.  The  great- 
grandfather of  William  McGaan  in  the  paternal  line  was  a  miller — the  oldest 
miller  in  the  family. 

William  McGaan  when  a  boy  of  eleven  years,  being  the  oldest  of  the  family, 
became  the  main  support  of  his  father  during  the  harvest  seasons.  In  Scotland 
farm  lands  were  divided  into  mounts  of  fourteen  feet  in  order  to  form  a  drain. 
Harvesting  was  done  by  cutting  the  grain  with  a  scythe  and  William  McGaan 
acted  as  forecutter,  going  ahead  of  the  others  and  doing  what  was  called  shear- 
ing the  grain.  At  that  day  two  pounds  were  paid  for  harvest  work  to  the  men, 
while  the  women  received  a  pound  and  a  half,  or  the  equivalent  of  about  seven 
and  a  half  dollars.  When  fifteen  years  of  age  William  McGaan  entered  the 
service  of  a  large  farmer,  contracting  to  remain  nine  years,  his  wages  being  six 
pounds  or  about  thirty  dollars  per  year  and  board.  He  received  but  one  pair  of 
shoes,  which  were  supposed  to  last  him  an  entire  year.  When  his  term  of  ser- 
vice had  expired  he  entered  the  employ  of  a  cousin  as  a  trader,  buying  and  selling 


944  .         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        '^  tfV  ;.;   : 

grain  for  six  years     He  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  and  afterward 
engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  potatoes,  which  were  sent  to  Glasgow. 

Mr.  McGaan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Agnes  Andrews,  a  daughter  of  James 
and  Grace  (Drennan)  Andrews.    She  was  a  widow  at  the  time  of  her  marriage 
to  Mr.  McGaan  and  had  one  child,  a  son,  who  afterward  served  as  steward  on  a 
merchant  vessel  during  the  Civil  war  and  was  lost  at  sea.    Mrs.  McGaan  inherited 
a  small  mercantile  establishment  from  her  first  husband  but  she  sold,  this  a  year    ; 
later.  William  McGaan  was  forty  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  family  to  the    ^ 
new  world,  the  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  consuming  sixteen  days.     He  left  his 
family  in  Scotland  and  made  his  way  to  Altona,  Illinois,  and  soon  afterward  the  "! 
family  arrived,  but  through  a  mistake  were  sent  to  Alton,  instead  of  Altona.  For  a     . 
year  Mr.  McGaan  worked  with  relatives  in  Copley  township,  thus  supporting  his 
family,  which  then  consisted  of  wife  and  two  sons,  James  and  William.    He  also 
has  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Grace  Austin.     The  father  is  now  the  only  survivor  of  a 
family  of  six  children,  of  whom  one  died  in  infancy.    His  two  sisters  have  also 
passed  away  and  one  of  his  brothers  left  for  Australia  at  the  time  when  he  came 
to  America  and  died  in  that  country. 

At  the  age  of  twenty  years  William  McGaan  had  managed  to  save  from  his   . 
meager  earnings  the  sum  of  fifteen  pounds.    He  arrived  in  America  with  only   , 
twenty  sovereigns,  but  he  was   industrious  and  energetic  and  improved  every    . 
opportunity  of  providing  a  comfortable  living  for  his  family.    He  also  made  for 
himself  a  creditable  name  in  Knox  county  by  reason  of  his  honorable  business 
dealing  and   straightforward   methods.     He  is  now  living  with  his  son  Hugh    . 
McGaan  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-five  years  and  is  the  oldest  resident  of 
Knox  county.     He  has  long  been  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and 
through  his  entire  life  has  been  faithful  to  its  teachings. 


-;'.•;,,./;-••'-        ^  HUGH  McGAAN.  ;-.;•-.•;:•;/;•  •'r.v.-.V  ••; 

Hugh  McGaan,  who  is  a  resident  farmer  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  was  born 
m  Copley  township,  this  county,  January  13,  1858.  After  attending  the  public 
schools  he  engaged  in  farming  on  the  old  homestead  until  his  marriage  and  he 
now  lives  on  the  old  McGaan  farm,  devoting  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of 
the  fields  and  to  stock-raising,  both  branches  of  his  business  proving  profitable. 

On  the  I2th  of  November,  1885,  Mr.  McGaan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lettie  Arnold,  who  was  born  July  2,  1859,  and  is  a  daughter  of  E.  H.  Arnold,  now 
a  retired  carpenter  of  Galesburg  who  has  reached  the  age  of  eighty-four  years. 
He  was  bom  in  the  state  of  New  York  and  in  1864  came  to  Knox  county,  settling 
in  Galesburg,  where  he  always  followed  carpentering.  He  married  Sarah  Davis, 
who  died  in  1870.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Hull  and  Emeline  (Merriam)  Davis, 
the  former  a  native  of  Delaware  county.  New  York,  and  the  latter  of  Harpers- 
field,  that  state.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold  were  four  children,  but 
only  two  are  now  living:  Mrs.  McGaan  and  her  siste.  F.mma,  who  is  the  widow 
of  Ehidley  Overstreet,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  After  graduating  from  the  high 
school  of  this  city  Mrs.  McGaan  engaged  in  teaching  in  Galesburg  for  six  years. 
By  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  seven  children :  Agnes,  who  is  now 


;  v;   V      V       -:-r     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  -'       O:  i ;        M6 

the  wife  of  William  McMaster,  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  and  has  two  chil- 
dren, Thomas  and  Evelyn ;  Sarah,  a  graduate  of  the  Altona  high  school ;  Grace, 
the  wife  of  Ellsworth  Heck,  of  Bardolph,  Illinois ;  William,  at  home ;  Susan  who 
is  attending  the  Altona  high  school ;  and  Roy  and  Emory,  both  at  home. 

The  parents  are  faithful  and  active  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Altona  and  Mr.  McGaan  is  a  republican  in  politics.  He  has  been  particularly 
active  in  support  of  educational  interests,  serving  for  twenty-six  years,  or  since 
1886,  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  believes  in  progress  and  improve- 
ment along  all  lines  which  are  of  vital  significance  to  the  community  and  his  in- 
fluence has  been  a  potent  element  for  good.  •;•;;.  .  -  '  " 


:/     .;     V  :  CLAUDE  E.  FRANKENBURGER.  :^^- -     • 

Claude  E.  Frankenburger,  who  is  the  conscientious  and  efficient  cashier  of 
the  Bank  of  Rio,  was  born  near  Alpha,  Henry  county,  September  4,  1885.  He  is 
the  son  of  Ira  K.  and  Mary  E.  (Calkins)  Frankenburger,  the  father  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  of  German  descent,  and  the  mother  of  Illinois.  In  1878  the 
father  came  to  Henry  county,  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  seventy-three 
acres  of  land,  and  he  and  his  wife  now  reside  on  the  same.  In  their  family  were 
four  children,  of  whom  Claude  E.,  of  this  review,  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

Claude  E.  Frankenburger  was  reared  and  attended  the  common  schools  in 
Henry  county  and  later  completed  a  high-school  course  at  Alpha.  He  was  then 
employed  for  four  months  by  John  M.  Taze,  in  the  Alpha  Exchange  Bank.  In 
February,  1903,  the  Bank  of  Rio  was  established  by  John  M.  Taze  and  his  son, 
William  I.  Taze,  and  in  March  of  the  same  year  Claude  E.  Frankenburger  was 
appointed  assistant  cashier  of  the  bank.  In  1905  he  was  promoted  to  the  position 
of  cashier.  In  August,  1909,  he  and  his  brother  Benjamin  E.  and  Milton  Death- 
erage  purchased  the  bank  stock  and  now  are  efficiently  controlling  the  same 

Mr.  Frankenburger  is  fraternally  identified  with  Rio  Lodge,  No.  685,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M. ;  with  Chapter  No.  4,  R.  A.  M. ;  and  Commandery  No.  42,  K.  T.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  at  Rio.  He  is  energetic,  pro- 
gressive  and  capable  and  although  a  young  man  still,  is  rapidly  gaining  for  him- 
self  a  leading  position  in  the  business  world  in  his  community.  ;^:  '•? 


,  ;       -      r  •    BENJAMIN  E.  FRANKENBURGER.  :-;:-;:':-•:;•• 

Benjamin  E.  Frankenburger,  assistant  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Rio  and  also  en- 
gaged in  the  insurance  business,  was  born  in  Orion.  Illinois.  December  13,  i88o, 
and  was  reared  in  Henry  county.  He  attended  the  common  schools  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Alpha  high  school.  Subsequently  he  was  employed  as  a  railroad 
billing  clerk  at  Aurora,  Illinois,  and  later  was  for  one  year  in  Chicago  as  inspec- 
tor of  local  freight  accounts  for  the  Chicago  Car  Service  Company.  Subsequently 
he  was  rate  clerk  at  Joliet  for  the  Elgin,  Joliet  &  Eastern  Belt  Line  for  two  years 
and  was  then  chief  rate  clerk  for  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Railroad  at 


946  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '       .- 

that  place  for  about  a  year.  In  1907  he  returned  to  Alpha  and  became  manager 
of  the  Tri-County  Light  &  Power  Company,  which  position  he  held  for  one  year, 
and  afterward  became  connected  with  the  Bank  of  Rio.  He  is  now  acting  as 
assistant  cashier  of  that  institution  and  is  extensively  engaged  in  the  insurance 
business,  selling  all  kinds  of  insurance.  Like  his  brother  Claude  E.,  he  is  a 
Knight  Templar  Mason,  belonging  to  Rio  Lodge,  No.  685,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Chapter 
No.  4,  R.  A.  M.,  and  Commandery  No.  42,  K.  T.  He,  too,  is  a  member  of  the 
Order  of  the  Eastern  Star  at  Rio  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  young 
business  men  of  the  place.  •  'v  '  V  v-  '^  '  '••>  ^^ 


;..'Vv;-K-, --...^  .  •.          .     •  REUBEN  cox.    /;-, ':•;•';:'/•'••.•'/.'.;; 

Reuben  Cox,  an  agriculturist  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  Knox  county,  was 
born  January  20,  1844,  in  Somersetshire,  England,  his  parents  being  James  and 
Emma  (Pittard)  Cox.    He  is  a  grandson  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Davis)  Cox,  who   "^ 
came  to  America  with  their  son  James  and  settled  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where   i; 
Joseph    Cox   died    in    1878   at   the   age   of    one   hundred   years    and    his    wife  ; . 
in  1857  at  the  age  of  seventy-two.     James  Cox,  whose  birth  occurred  Janu-  •. 
ary  8,    i8i6,   arrived   in   America   in    1846,   and   located   in    Sparta   township,  ^ : 
this    county.      He    later    purchased    forty    acres    of    land    in    Ontario    town- 
ship,  on    which    place    he    resided    for    six    years.      Subsequently    he    acquired    > 
eighty  acres  of  valuable  farming  land  near  Oneida,  which  he  cultivated  for  some    - 
time  before  purchasing  a  quarter  of  a  section  in  Sparta  township,  which  is  the  old    ' 
Cox  homestead.     Later  he  removed  to  Oneida,  where  he  lived  retired  until  his  • 
death,  which  occurred  in  1897  when  he  was  about  eighty-two  years  of  age.    His    . 
wife  was  born  October  7,  1817,  in  Somersetshire,  England,  and  was  the  daugh-  v 
ter  of  James  and  Martha  Pittard,  also  natives  of  England.    Her  death  occurred 
September  24,  1884.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Cox  were  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  survive :  Mary  M.,  a  teacher  residing  in  San  Francisco,  Cali- 
fornia; and  Reuben,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Until  he  was  nine  years  of  age  Reuben  Cox  attended  the  district  school,  but    . 
at  that  early  age  made  his  start  in  farming  which  he  has  followed  throughout  his  ' 
active  career.    At  first  he  plowed  corn  on  the  home  farm  and  later  assisted  in  all 
the  general  work  upon  his  father's  farm.     He  has  never  regretted  his  choice  of  ' 
work  because  he  has  met  with  unusual  success,  and  since  his  marriage  has  been 
residing  upon  his  present  place,  which  is  one  of  the  most  highly  cultivated  tracts  : 
in  the  township.     In  addition  to  general  farming  he  also  carries  on  stock-raising 
to  a  large  extent. 

In  1865  Mr.  Cox  married  Emma  Pitney,  a  native  of  Somersetshire,  England,    • 
and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Anna  Pitney.    Her  parents  who  were  born  August  *  'J 
29,  i8io,  and  April  29,  i8io,  respectively,  came  to  America  in  1845  and  went  !: 
directly  to  Albany,  New  York,  where  Mr.  Pitney  accepted  employment  as  a 
mason,  a  trade  he  had  learned  in  his  native  land.    Subsequently  they  removed  tc 
Chicago,  where  the  family  remained  for  seven  years  and  then  went  to  Rockford, 
Illinois,  where  the  father  died  December  i8,  1880,  and  the  mother  ten  years  later.  '  - 
Mrs.  Cox's  paternal  grandfather,  John  Pitney,  was  prominently  known  as  a  most    ' 


'         •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  o        947 

; ;;   successful  gardener.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  have  become  the  parents  of  two  children : 

,     Wallace  W.,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1867,  and  who  is  a  carpenter  living  in  Gales- 

V  burg;  and  Asel  A.,  who  was  born  in  1874  and  is  residing  at  home. 

;,         Mr.  Cox  gives  his  political  support  to  the  prohibition  party  and  is  an  ardent 

'      advocate  of  the  tem|>erance  cause.    He  has  never  sought  office  but  has  done  all  in 

•  .•  his  power  to  interest  others  in  the  cause  to  which  he  devotes  •so  much  time.    Both 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  church  of  Altona,  and  she  is 

an  active  worker  in  the  Ladies  Aid  Society.     Being  one  of  the  pioneers  of  his 

••'•':  township  Mr.  Cox  has  been  a  witness  to  the  greater  part  of  its  development  and 

has  done  his  share  in  improving  the  soil  which  is  the  county's  greatest  resource. 

During  his  long  residence  there  he  has  always  interested  himself  in  all  measures 

./  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  the  community  and  has  won  for  himself  a  circle  of 

friends  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintances. 


:  :  /:  GEORGE  WHITED.      V-;;  Jv          ' 

Prominent  among  the  successful  farmers  and  substantial  citizens  of  Knox 
county  is  George  Whited,  who  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
valuable  and  productive  land  at  Rapatee  and  one  hundred  and  seven  and  a  half 
acres  located  on  the  west  township  line,  his  home  being  on  section  34,  Maquon 
township.  He  was  born  on  section  28  of  this  same  locality,  on  October  30,  1862, 
his  parents  being  John  Striker  and  Charlotte  (Adams)  Whited.  The  birth  of 
John  S.  Whited  occurred  in  Somerset  county.  New  Jersey,  MarcTi  i6,  1832,  and 
the  Whited  family  came  in  1853  from  New  Jersey  to  Fulton  county,  Illinois, 
when  John  Whited  was  a  young  man  of  twenty-one.  Here  he  located  on  the 
present  farm,  which  was  owned  by  Uncle  Stephen  Ramsay.  He  tilled  the  soil 
and  improved  his  land  and  buildings  during  the  remaining  years  of  his  life, 
passing  away  in  Hancock,  Pottawattamie  county,  Iowa,  May  i,  1906,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-four  years.  Mrs.  John  Whited  was  a  daughter  of  Andrew  Adams, 
an  old  settler  emigrating  in  his  youth  from  County  Down,  Ireland,  settling  in 
the  east,  whence  the  family  removed  in  1853,  coming  from  Rome,  New  York,  to 
Knox  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  S.  Whited  were  the  parents  of  one  son, 
George  Whited,  and  one  daughter,  Lotta,  who  is  living  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois, 
and  is  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Nooval,  a  son  of  Oliver  Nooval.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  C. 
Nocval  are  the  parents  of  four  children,  Harry,  Vera,  Wanda  and  Lois. 

Reared  on  the  home  farm  George  Whited  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Rapatee  and  early  became  familiar  with  all  the  duties  which  fall  to  the  lot  of 
the  agriculturist.  Thus  well  trained  he  was  ready  to  become  self-supporting  at 
an  early  age,  farming  first  on  the  homestead  and  later  for  himself,  buying  land 
near  by.  It  was  his  earnest  wish  not  to  settle  far  from  his  old  home  and  the 
childhood  scenes  amid  which  he  was  brought  up,  and  in  this  desire  he  was 
gratified  since  he  has  never  in  his  life  lived  over  one  and  one-half  miles  from 
his  present  farm  on  section  34.  By  his  close  application  throughout  the  period 
in  which  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  he  was  enabled  to  accumu- 
late a  substantial  competency  out  of  his  profits  and  now  divides  the  manage- 
ment of  the  place  with  his  son.  He  lives  in  the  old  residence  which  is  the  only  one 


948  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  the  buildings  not  erected  by  his  own  efforts,  having  been  built  by  his  grand- 
father. The  farm  is  well  equipped  and  improved  and  is  supplied  with  two  sets 
of  buildings. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Whited  and  Miss  lambia  Foster  was  celebrated  on 
September  29,  1887.  She  was  a  daughter  of  James  M.  Foster,  one  of  the  sur- 
vivors of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  having  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  settler 
in  the  county  and  the  first  supervisor  elected  in  the  township.  Mr.  Foster,  who 
owned  a  large  tract  of  land  in  this  vicinity  married  Miss  Louisa  Ward  of  this 
county,  both  being  natives  of  Ohio,  settling  in  Illinois  in  the  days  of  its  early 
growth.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
Whited  eight  children  were  born :  Blanche,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years ; 
Tracy,  who  operates  the  homestead;  Chloe,  Harold,  Wayne,  Audrey,  Halo  and 
Kenneth.  ;••  ','  ',  '  -.  -  ^'•.  ^-.'..-.'v;' '.•;'".."">'•;••;'••' 

Since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Whited  has  been  affiliated  with  the  demo- 
cratic party  and  has  been  called  upon  to  serve  as  justice  of  the  peace.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  connected  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Odd 
Fellows  of  Rapatee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whited  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  in  which  their  loyal  and  helpful  support  has  won  them  many 
warm  friends.  ;  ...  ,  •  . 


^';  •':/.;  :  '.      S.  L.  VANCE.      ,-;;..:;{.;  ^>uV>  ''• 

S.  L.  Vance,  one  of  the  well  known  residents  of  Knox  county,  lives  two  miles 
northeast  of  Yates  City.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1861,  his  parents  being  Andrew 
and  Harriet  (Kibbler)  Vance.  His  father  was  engaged  in  agriculture  and  when 
S.  L.  Vance  was  a  lad  of  seven  years,  came  to  -Illinois,  settling  in  Knox  county,  .  : 
on  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  which  still  is  the  property  of  S.  L.  ' 
Vance.  Here  he  cultivated  the  soil  for  many  years,  retiring  from  active  participa- 
tion  in  the  labors  of  his  farm  nineteen  years  ago.  He  now  resides  in  Elmwood 
and  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years  is  still  in  good  health  and  cheerful  spirits. 
Mrs.  Vance  died  some  years  ago.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom 
four  are  living:  John;  Mrs.  V.  Rogers;  S.  L. ;  Henry,  deceased;  Mrs.  Ola  Mace, 
deceased ;  and  Neal. 

Brought  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Yates  City,  S.  L.  Vance  acquired  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  this  locality  and  when  old  enough  to  handle  a  plow  engaged  in 
farming  on  the  home  place.  After  he  had  thoroughly  mastered  the  great  variety 
of  knowledge  with  which  an  agriculturist  must  be  conversant  he  engaged  in  till- 
ing  the  fields  on  his  own  account.  For  this  purpose  he  bought  a  farm  from  his 
father.  The  house  and  barn  had  been  erected  before  the  place  came  into  his 
possession  but  all  the  other  improvements  were  made  by  him.  He  is  exceptionally 
successful  in  all  the  departments  of  general  farming  and  pays  much  attention  to 
the  raising  of  high-grade  stock  for  shipment  to  the  Chicago  market.  |  .  . 

On  March  9,  1892,  Mr.  Vance  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lettie  E. 
Riner,  a  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Margaret  (Wingader)  Riner,  residents  of 
this  county.  Mrs.  Riner  is  a  daughter  of  John  Wingader  and  a  native  of  Ger-;;-';. 


AXD  MRS.  S.  L.  VANCE  AND  SOX 


948  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

of  the  buildings  not  erected  by  his  own  efforts,  having  been  built  by  his  grand- 
father. The  farm  is  well  equipped  and  improved  and  is  supplied  with  two  sets 
of  buildings. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Whited  and  Miss  lambia  Foster  was  celebrated  on 
September  29,  1887.  She  was  a  daughter  of  James  M.  Foster,  one  of  the  sur- 
vivors of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  having  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  settler 
in  the  county  and  the  first  supervisor  elected  in  the  township.  Mr.  Foster,  who 
owned  a  large  tract  of  land  in  this  vicinity  married  Miss  Louisa  Ward  of  this 
county,  both  being  natives  of  Ohio,  settling  in  Illinois  in  the  days  of  its  early 
growth.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
Whited  eight  children  were  born:  Blanche,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years; 
Tracy,  who  operates  the  homestead ;  Chloe,  Harold,  Wayne,  Audrey,  Halo  and 
Kenneth. 

Since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Whited  has  been  affiliated  with  the  demo- 
cratic party  and  has  been  called  upon  to  serve  as  justice  of  the  peace.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  connected  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Odd 
Fellows  of  Rapatee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whited  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  in  which  their  loyal  and  helpful  support  has  won  them  many 
warm  friends.  ,  .  , 


S.  L.  VANCE. 

S.  L.  X'ance,  one  of  the  well  known  residents  of  Knox  county,  lives  two  miles 
northeast  of  Yates  City.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1861.  his  parents  being  Andrew 
and  Harriet  (Kibbler)  \'ance.  His  father  was  engaged  in  agriculture  and  when 
S.  L.  Vance  was  a  lad  of  seven  years,  came  to  -Illinois,  settling  in  Knox  county, 
on  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  fort)'  acres  which  still  is  the  property  of  S.  L. 
Vance.  Here  he  cultivated  the  soil  for  many  years,  retiring  from  active  participa- 
tion in  the  labors  of  his  farm  nineteen  years  ago.  He  now  resides  in  Elmwood 
and  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years  is  still  in  good  liealth  and  cheerful  spirits. 
Mrs.  \'ance  died  some  years  ago.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children,  of  whom 
four  are  living:  John;  Mrs.  V.  Rogers;  S.  L. ;  Henry,  deceased;  Mrs.  Ola  Mace, 
deceased:  and  Xeal.  -•  i 

Brought  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Yates  City,  S.  L.  \'ance  accjuired  his  education 
in  the  schools  of  this  locality  and  when  old  enough  to  handle  a  plow  engaged  in 
farming  on  the  home  |)lace.  After  lie  had  thoroughly  mastered  the  great  variety 
of  knowledge  with  which  an  agriculturist  must  be  conversant  he  engaged  in  till- 
ing the  fields  on  his  own  account.  For  this  purpose  he  bought  a  farm  from  his 
father.  The  house  and  barn  had  been  erected  before  the  place  came  into  his 
possession  but  all  the  other  improvements  were  made  1)y  him.  He  is  exceptionally 
successful  in  all  the  (Ic])artmcnts  of  general  farming  and  pays  much  attention  to 
the  raising  of  high-grade  stock  for  shipment  to  the  Chicago  market. 

On  March  9,  1892.  Mr.  X'ance  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lettie  E. 
Riner.  a  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Margaret  (Wingader)  Riner.  residents  of 
this  county.  Mrs.  Riner  is  a  daughter  of  John  Wingader  and  a  native  of  Ger- 


MIS.  AM)  MUS.  S.  I..  \  AM  K  AM)  SOX 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


961 


many.    Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vance  two  children  have  been  born:  Carmon,  who  is 
attending  school  in  Yates  City ;  and  Andrew,  who  is  deceased. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Vance  is  in  sympathy  with  the  principles  of 
the  democratic  party.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  Happy  in  disposition 
and  kind  towards  all,  Mr.  Vance  has  many  friends  in  the  community  in  which 
he  lives,  having  always  been  devoted  to  the  interests  promoting  the  general 
welfare. 


'AC 

A.  o. 


A  worthy  representative  of  the  agricultural  interests  of  Victoria  township  is 
to  be  found  in  the  person  of  A.  S.  Rice,  who  owns  two  hundred  acres  of  well 
improved  land,  six  miles  north  of  Williamsfield.  His  birth  occurred  in  Knox 
county  on  the  gth  of  December,  1858,  his  parents  being  S.  F.  and  Harriett  M. 
(Aldridge)  Rice,  who  are  mentioned  at  greater  length  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

A.  S.  Rice  passed  the  early  years  of  his  life  similarly  to  other  farmer  lads 
of  the  same  period  and  circumstances.  In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  he 
attended  the  schools  in  his  district,  and  such  times  as  he  was  not  thus  occupied, 
assisted  with  the  lighter  tasks  about  the  home  farm.  His  duties  increased  with 
the  development  of  his  strength,  and  by  the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity  he 
was  a  capable  agriculturist.  Soon  thereafter  he  located  on  the  old  farm  of  D. 
Anderson,  who  broke  the  first  prairie  in  Victoria  township,  coming  to  his  present 
place  in  1892.  This  contains  eighty  acres  of  rich,  fertile  land,  that  has  been 
brought  under  high  cultivation,  while  he  also  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
two  miles  south.  During  the  nineteen  years  of  his  residence,  Mr.  Rice  has  made 
such  improvements  in  the  property  from  time  to  time  as  his  circumstances  war- 
ranted. He  has  erected  large  barns,  that  provide  ample  shelter  for  his  stock; 
substantial  outbuildings  within  which  can  be  found  all  the  usual  modern  imple- 
ments that  are  required  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields;  and  a  comfortable  farm 
house.  His  fields  are  carefully  cultivated  and  devoted  to  such  cereals  as  are  best 
adapted  to  the  soil,  the  greater  portion  of  his  products  being  used  for  the  feeding 
of  stock,  of  which  he  has  made  a  specialty  for  the  last  twenty-five  years.  Practi- 
cal in  his  ideas  and  progressive  in  his  methods,  Mr.  Rice  is  meeting  with  success 
in  his  undertakings  and  is  now  numbered  among  the  prosperous  farmers  of  the 
township.  His  success  must  be  very  largely  attributed  to  his  close  application 
and  the  intelligent  direction  of  his  activities,  as  he  began  his  business  career  with- 
out capital,  other  than  his  tireless  energy  and  determination  of  purpose.  His  de- 
velopment has  not  been  at  all  phenomenal  but  the  permanent,  steady  progress  of 
the  man  who  wins  his  own  way. 

Mr.  Rice's  plans  for  a  home  of  his  own  had  their  culmination  in  his  marriage 
to  Miss  Fffie  Brown,  of  Flmwood,  a  daughter  of  Hiram  Brown,  a  well  known 
pioneer  of  Elmwood.    The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rice  numbers  five,  as  follows  : 
Harriett  M.,  who  married  Frank  Peterson,  of  Victoria  township  ;  Mary,  the  wife  . 
of  Edward  Lapham  ;  Laura,  who  married  Will  Spangler  of  Oakland,  California  ; 


S:g  \  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Hiram,  who  married  Anna  Welsh,  and  lives  on  his  father's  farm ;  and  Annie,  at 
home. 

The  fraternal  relations  of  Mr.  Rice  are  confined  to  his  membership  in  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  assumes  his 
responsibilities  as  a  citizen  by  assisting  with  the  government  of  the  township. 
He  has  several  times  been  called  to  public  office,  having  discharged  the  duties  of 
school  director,  while  two  years  ago  he  was  collector  and  he  has  been  road  com- 
missioner. In  the  administration  of  his  public  duties  he  has  manifested  the  same 
executive  ability  and  powers  of  organization,  as  well  as  method  and  system  that 
characterize  him  as  a  business  man.  Mr.  Rice  is  held  in  high  esteem  and  respect 
in  the  community  where  he  has  resided  for  so  many  years,  ever  having  evinced 
during  that  period  the  substantial  qualities  that  distinguish  the  best  type  of 
citizens.  ''V^'  .  '  ,  '•''.,•..,-.:'--.'''•••'•  ----v 


:  SAMUEL  HARRY  JOHNSON.       -;•-:': 

Samuel  Harry  Johnson  is  one  of  the  enterprising  young  men  of  Altona  whose 
success  is  due  to  his  enterprise,  diligence  and  determination.     He  is  associated 
with  his  brother,  John  A.  Johnson,  as  clerk  in  the  conduct  of  a  grocery  store  and 
has  become  widely  and  favorably  known  in  this  part  of  the  county.     He  was     ''/• 
born  in  Altona,  June  6,  1885,  a  son  of  Peter  E.  Johnson.    His  grandparents  were     ^. 
John  and  Christina  (Magnes)  Johnson,  farming  people  of  Sweden,  and  in  their 
family  were  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are  yet  living.    Peter  E.  Johnson,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  is  now  living  in  Altona.     He  was  bom  in  Sweden,  October 
7,  1844,  and  came  to  America  in  i88i,  at  which  time  he  settled  in  Bureau  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.    He  also  soon  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company,  with  which  he       . 
has  since  been  associated.     He  resided  for  a  time  at  Maiden,  Illinois,  and  after- 
ward came  to  Altona,  where  he  did  section  work  for  the  railroad  until  1909,  when 
he  was  given  the  position  of  tower  watchman  near  Altona.    He  was  also  at  one 
time  employed  in  the  coal  mines.    He  married  Mathilda  Swanson,  who  was  born   .  . 
March  30,  1845,  '"  the  same  part  of  Sweden  in  which  her  husband's  birth  oc- 
curred.    She  was  a  daughter  of  Swan  Swanson  and  was  only  nine  years  of  age     ' 
at  the  time  of  her  mother's  death.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Johnson  crossed  the  At- 
lantic on  the  same  vessel  and  were  married  several  months  after  their  arrival. 

Samuel  Harry  Johnson  spent  his  youthful  days  in  the  place  of  his  nativity 
and  the  public  schools  afforded  him  his  educational  opportunities,  after  which  he      ; 
entered  the  grocery  business  at  Altona  and  is  now  assisting  his  brother  as  clerk 
in  the  conduct  of  an  establishment  of  this  character.     He  looks  after  the  well     V 
appointed  store,  in  which  they  carry  a  large  and  carefully  selected  line  of  staple 
and  fancy  groceries,  and  their  trade  is  constantly  increasing  as  the  result  of     '\ 
honorable  dealing  and  earnest  effort  to  please  their  customers.  \-' 

Mr.  Johnson  attends  the  Methodist  church  and  is  prominent  in  the  Macca- 
bees  lodge  at  Altona,  serving  at  the  present  time  as  its  record  keeper.  He  also 
belongs  to  Woodmen  Camp,  No.  3737.  at  Altona,  in  which  he  has  likewise  filled 
a  number  of  offices.  His  name  is  also  on  the  membership  roll  of  the  Odd  Fel- 


:  ;        >  •      X         :   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;       ^:;       953 

lows  lodge  and  he  is  vice  president  of  the  Altona  Volunteer  Fire  Company.  His 
interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  public  progress  and  improvement  is  deep  and  sin- 
cere and  is  evidenced  in  the  hearty  cooperation  which  he  gives  to  many  move- 
ments for  the  general  good. 


;        .  ;  CARL  OSCAR  JOHNSON.    '  -    .  :;      .  •  v  -'^^:: 

••••/:.  The  name  of  Johnson  is  closely  associated  with  mercantile  interests  in  Altona, 
where  Carl  Oscar  Johnson  is  now  engaged  in  clerking.  He  was  born  in  Maiden, 
Illinois,  May  lo,  1882,  and  is  a  son  of  P.  E.  Johnson  and  a  brother  of  John 
August  and  Samuel  Harry  Johnson,  both  of  whom  are  mentioned  elsewhere  in 
this  volume.  In  his  school  days  he  engaged  in  clerking  for  his  brother,  with 
whom  he  remained  altogether  for  eleven  years,  after  which  he  became  connected 
with  H.  L.  Peterson,  an  Altona  merchant,  with  whom  he  has  since  been  asso- 
ciated. 

In  community  life  Mr.  Johnson  figures  quite  prominently,  being  now  well 
known  as  second  lieutenant  of  the  Altona  Fire  Company,  No.  i.  He  is  also 
connected  with  Altona  Tent,  No.  ii6,  K.  O.  T.  M.,  and  is  at  present  sergeant, 
chaplain  and  finance  keeper,  in  which  offices  he  has  served  for  two  years.  His 
religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  in  which  he  was  /eared 
The  family  have  long  been  known  in  Altona  and  its  representatives  have  taken 
an  active  and  helpful  part  in  all  the  projects  for  public  progress  and  are  equally 
well  known  in  the  social  life  of  the  town.  . 


'.-.•- -^  ;;•/;';;  \,,,,     :.;-., ..^,       DAVID  THOMPSON. /:^:;o: .;:  .,:.. '   .;.::;. -.V;',. ;\^'' 

•  General  farming  engaged  the  attention  of  David  Thompson,  who  was  a  sub- 
stantial farmer  and  representative  citizen  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  this  county. 
He  was  born  in  Elkhart,  Indiana,  on  the  6th  of  December,  1835,  a  son  of  John 
and  Catherine  (Livingston)  Thompson,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  They 
removed  to  Indiana,  where  they  resided  for  a  short  time  before  coming  to  Knox 
county,  near  Altona,  where  they  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

David  Thompson  devoted  practically  his  entire  life  to  farming.  During  his 
early  days,  while  attending  the  district  schools,  he  assisted  his  father  and  after- 
ward gave  his  whole  time  and  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  home  property 
before  starting  out  independently.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Eighty- 
ninth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Infantry,  from  Altona  and  was  in  the  service  for  three 
years,  the  greater  part  of  which  was  devoted  to  duty  on  the  forage  wagon  because 
his  health  would  not  permit  him  to  engage  in  actual  fighting.  Of  his  four 
brothers  who  enlisted  one  was  killed  and  one  was  wounded. 
.'  Mr.  Thompson  was  married  in  1868  to  Catherine  Richmond,  who  was  born 
near  Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  September  22,  1845,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Susan  Richmond,  the  former  also  a  native  of  West  Virginia.  She  remained 
at  home  after  finishing  her  schooling  until  the  time  of  her  marriage.  The  father 


954  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •^••':;^:-; 

devoted  the  early  part  of  his  active  career  to  farming  and  also  to  buying  stock, 
but  later  studied  for  the  ministry  and  became  a  minister  in  the  Methodist  church. 
The  remainder  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  preaching  in  his  home  district,  where 
he  served  as  circuit  rider  over  a  district  covering  a  radius  of  twenty-five  miles. 
He  was  married  to  Susan  Chess,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Chess  and  whose 
death  occurred  at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years,  near  Columbus,  Ohio.  To  this  union 
eight  children  were  born,  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Mary,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Samuel  McHard,  of  Aledo,  Illinois;  Mrs.  Catherine  Thompson,  of  Altona; 
Clarinda,  who  was  married  to  James  Piatt,  of  Fort  Collins,  Colorado ;  and  George, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Oregon.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Joseph  E.,  now  a  resident  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa ;  Harry  J.,  of 
Valparaiso,  Indiana ;  Roy  D.,  whose  home  is  in  Greeley,  Colorado ;  William,  a 
farmer  living  at  Altona;  Susan,  the  deceased  wife  of  Charles  Sawyer;  John, 
deceased;  and  May  Bell,  the  wife  of  David  N.  McMaster,  of  Walnut  Grove 
township. 

Mr.  Thompson  took  an  active  interest  in  the  Democratic  party  to  which  he 
gave  his  allegiance  and  did  all  he  could  to  promote  its  measures  and  policies.  His 
interest  in  the  development  of  the  educational  and  industrial  projects  instituted  in 
his  district  and  his  executive  ability  in  furthering  these  movements  were  recog- 
nized and  given  opportunity  for  expression  while  he  was  a  member  of  the  school 
board  and  while  he  served  as  president  of  the  Grange,  his  term  of  office  following 
immediately  after  its  organization.  He  was  a  substantial  citizen  who  merited  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  the  entire  community  and  his  later  prosperity  and  the 
comfortable  life  which  Mrs.  Thompson  is  now  living  were  both  due  to  his  own 
exertions,  his  indefatigable  labor  and  his  careful  management.  He  was  not  only 
industrious  and  enterprising  but  was  also  a  man  of  high  moral  character  and  was 
highly  esteemed  both  as  a  farmer  and  a  citizen  throughout  his  township.  His 
death  occurred  September  ii,  1894.  .  ,  •  :  . 


'  :,'-;\7.  •  RICHARD  C.  STUCKE Y.    :;;;; ;.;>::     ^ 

Richard  C.  Stuckey,  now  deceased,  was  a  resident  of  Altona  after  his  retire- 
ment from  his  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  township.  He  was  born  March  12,  1833, 
in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  son  of  Charles  Stuckey,  who  was  a 
native  of  Germany  and  came  to  America  in  his  youth.  The  latter  married 
Rebecca  Silver  and  remained  on  his  farm  in  Pennsylvania  until  his  death  in  1872, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  He  was  one  of  eight  children,  of  whom  six  sur- 
vive, three  sons  and  three  daughters,  namely :  Mrs.  Annie  S.  Guthrie,  of  Denver, 
Colorado;  Mrs.  Emma  M.  Scott,  of  Iowa;  Mrs.  Amanda  Toles,  of  Denver, 
Colorado;  Simon  H.  Stuckey,  of  California;  William  A.  Stuckey,  of  Fairmont, 
Nebraska;  and  Charles  Scott  Stuckey.  of  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania. 

After  completing  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  Richard  Stuckey 
assisted  his  father  for  a  few  years  and  in  May,  1853,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  came  to  Knox  county  with  a  colony  of  settlers.  He  located  on  the  farm 
upon  which  he  remained  until  his  retirement  in  1897.  During  these  years  he  was 
actively  -engaged  in  cultivating  and  developing  the  land  which  brought  him  suf- 


^;      V    •,   V  ;-:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;   ;V*>      955 

ficient  remuneration  to  give  him  the  opportunity  of  enjoying  leisure  and  com- 
fort in  his, later  years.  When  he  left  the  farm  he  moved  to  Altona,  where  his 
death  occurred  on  the  8th  of  October,  1910. 

In  February,  1859,  Richard  Stuckey  was  married  to  Mary  Timmons,  whose 
birth  occurred  on  the  29th  of  February,  1836,  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  and  who 
is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Timmons  of  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was 
born  in  1800  and  his  death  occurred  in  1863.  He  was  the  son  of  Peter  and 
Margaret  (Beth)  Timmons,  the  former  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  Thomas 
Timmons  spent  his  active  life  in  agricultural  pursuits,  his  early  days  being  spent 
in  farming  and  teaming  in  his  native  state.  In  1833  he  removed  to  Ohio,  where 
he  devoted  his  entire  time  to  the  cultivation  of  the  farm  upon  which  he  located. 
He  was  especially  interested  in  providing  for  the  comforts  and  pleasures  of  his 
family.  He  married  Hanna  Peoples  who  died  in  1854  at  the  age  of  forty-eight 
years.  She  was  also  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  was  a  daughter  of  Richard 
and  Ann  (Longstretcht)  Peoples,  the  former  being  an  agriculturist.  To  them 
ten  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  survive:  Rebecca,  who  is  the  wife  of  H. 
Alder,  of  West  Jefferson,  Ohio;  Laura,  who  married  F.  A.  Kelly  and  is  also  a 
resident  of  West  Jefferson ;  and  Mrs.  Mary  Stuckey. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stuckey  the  following  children  were  bom:  Laura,  the 
eldest,  is  the  wife  of  O.  Preston  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  and  they  are  the  parents 
of  two  children,  namely:  Edith,  the  wife  of  A.  Miller,  of  Monmouth,  and  the 
mother  of  two  children ;  and  Earl  Preston,  who  is  residing  at  home.  Eugene  H. 
Stuckey,  who  is  residing  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  and  is  married  to  Ruth 
Timmons.  Richard  C.  Jr.,  who  married  Elsa  Monfort,  has  two  children  and  is 
residing  in  Columbus,  Ohio.  Ned  S.  is  cultivating  the  old  homestead  upon 
which  he  resides.  He  married  Nellie  Chapman  and  to  them  two  children  have 
been  bom,  Nellie  I.  and  Jessie  M.,  Frank  Charles,  William  A.,  Silvia  and  May 
are  deceased. 

Mr.  Stuckey  gave  his  politcal  support  to  the  republican  party  and  was  most 
active  in  promoting  its  policies  and  in  working  for  the  support  of  its  men  and 
measures.  Mrs.  Stuckey  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Altona,  and 
for  twenty  years  has  been  an  active  worker  in  the  Ladies  Social  Union  of  that 
church,  having  been  one  of  its  original  members.  Mr.  Stuckey's  life  exemplified 
what  can  be  done  when  unremitting  energy,  persistency  of  purpose  and  conscien- 
tious labor  are  displayed  in  the  development  of  a  new  territory.  His  integrity 
and  fairness  in  all  business  operations  as  well  as  his  active  interest  in  any  move- 
ments pertaining  to  the  moral  and  social  development  of  his  community  won  for 
him  the  respect  and  regard  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


:.;.>'''•,  •••,,':::'•'•, .•'•/•.-, 'j^-/'-:^;'::      C.  H.  PUIJVER,:^  '•:::•:  •'   '<- ^^ ;•'.'.{• /--^^AV 

••-.•  _  C.  H.  Pulver  has  devoted  his  energies  during  the  greater  part  of  the  twenty- 
four  years  he  has  resided  in  Williamsfield  to  contracting  and  building,  although 
for  a  time  he  conducted  a  general  mercantile  establishment.  He  was  born  in 
Minnesota  in  1862,  his  parents  being  S.  W.  and  Jeannette  (Doty)  Pulver.  The 
father  was  bom  in  the  state  of  New  York  in  1825,  and  there  he  was  reared  and 


956  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  "^  ^^      :!       - 

educated  and  also  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.    In  his  early  manhood  he  came 
to  the  middle  west,  following  his  trade  at  various  points  in  Minnesota  and  Illi- 
nois, finally  settling  at  Williamsfield.    Here  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  -^ 
his  death  occurring  at  the  residence  of  his  son.  C.  H.  Pulver,  in  1904.  / 

C.  H.  Pulver  was  only  a  babe  of  three  days  when  his  people  removed  from 
Minnesota.    He  attended  the  common  schools  until  it  was  deemed  he  had  suffi- 
cient education  to  fit  himself  for  a  vocation,  when  he  laid  aside  his  books  and 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade  under  the  direction  of  his  father.     When  he  was 
twenty-seven,  he  came  to  Williamsfield,  erecting  the  first  building  in  the  town.  _: 
Carpentering  and  contracting  thereafter  engaged  his  attention  for  many  years,     . 
yielding  him  satisfactory  returns.     He  at  one  time  withdrew  from  this  vocation,  •  , 
however,   and   went   into  the   general  merchandise   business,   but   subsequently  ;! 
returned  to  the  contracting  business.     Mr.  Pulver  is  a  good  mechanic  and  a  ca-  ^ 
pable  business  man  with  thoroughly  practical  ideas  that  he  intelligently  carries 
out  in  the  construction  of  his  buildings.     He  has  succeeded  in  his  undertakings 
here  largely  because  he  has  always  been  found  reliable  and  trustworthy  in  all  of 
his  transactions.     It  has  been  one  of  his  principles  during  his  entire  business  .•.•• 
career  not  to  make  a  promise  he  could  not  fulfill,  at  the  same  time  he  will  noi  : 
compromise  on  the  quality  of  his  work  in  order  to  do  this. 

On  June  26,  1890,  Mr.  Pulver  married  Miss  Kate  Cole,  and  they  are  tht  V 
parents  of  two  children:  Mary  J.,  born  June  19,  1891;  and  Doris,  born  October,  • 
1897.  Three  children,  a  son  and  two  daughters,  have  passed  away. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Pulver  is  affiliated  with  the  Masons,  Knights  of  Pythias  and 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  while  he  votes  the  republican  ticket.  He  has 
always  taken  active  interest  in  local  political  affairs  and  is  now  discharging  the 
duties  of  supervisor.  He  was  elected  to  this  office  in  April,  1909,  and  was  the 
on'y  successful  republican  candidate,  the  remainder  of  the  ticket  all  having  gone 
democratic,  this  fact  attesting  his  popularity  in  the  community  generally,  and 
the  efficiency  with  which  he  has  filled  other  offices.  During  the  greater  part  of 
his  residence  in  Williamsfield,  Mr.  Pulver  has  been  connected  with  the  govern-  . 
ment  of  the  town,  having  filled  among  others  the  offices  of  town  clerk  and  tax 
collector.  He  is  held  in  high  respect  in  the  community,  having  shown  himself  to 
be  conscientious  and  honorable  in  the  discharge  of  public  duties,  and  reliable  and 
trustworthy  in  business  transactions.  .  .  :  .  ,  ~;:  .'.  '••'•••  "  , '  . 


^ '••  •.]••;:'.-•.;  -  •       T.  w.  RAY.     -'  '•  '  ••,/;.;/:;;;:':.•.;•;.• 

T.  W.  Ray,  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  fertile  land  in  Truro 
township  that  he  devotes  to  general  farming,  was  bom  on  a  farm  in  Victoria 
township,  Knox  county,  in  1853.  His  father,  L.  D.  Ray,  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, whence  he  removed  in  his  early  manhood  to  Illinois,  locating  in  this 
county.  Here  he  met  and  subsequently  married  Mary  A.  Sweeney,  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  and  a  native  of  Vermont.  L.  D.  Ray  was  an  agriculturist  and 
for  many  years  resided  on  a  farm  in  Victoria  township,  to  the  cultivation  and 
improvement  of  which  he  devoted  his  entire  time  and  attention  until  his  demise 
at  the  age  of  fifty-four  years.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  numbered  five. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        V     ,;  967 

our  subject  being  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are  as  follows :  Wil- 
liam H.,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Victoria  township ;  one  who  died  in  infancy ;  Addie, 
the  wife  of  Frank  Lapham,  and  Clarence,  who  is  operating  the  old  home  place 
in  Victoria  township.  '  : 

The  schooling  of  T.  W.  Ray  was  obtained  in  his  home  district,  and  when  he 
had  mastered  the  common  branches  the  duties  of  the  schoolroom  gave  way  to 
those  of  the  field.  He  thereafter  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  plowing, 
planting  and  harvesting  of  the  fields  and  care  of  the  stock,  his  responsibilities 
increasing  as  his  strength  and  ability  developed  with  the  passing  of  time.  At  the 
age  of  nine  he  plowed  his  first  field  of  corn,  and  has  performed  a  like  task  each 
recurring  season  since  then.  He  remained  on  the  old  homestead,  with  the  opera- 
tion of  which  he  assisted  his  father,  until  he  was  twenty-five.  Feeling  at  the  end 
of  that  time  that  his  own  best  interests  demanded  that  he  begin  working  for 
himself,  he  removed  to  this  township,  his  entire  life  having  been  passed  here  and 
in  Victoria  townships  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  when  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  Nebraska.  In  1902,  Mr.  Ray  bought  his  present  place,  containing  one 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  located  three  miles  northwest  of  Williamsfield. 
Since  becoming  the  owner  of  this  property  he  has  fenced  the  land  and  made  all 
of  the  improvements,  including  the  erection  of  good,  substantial  bams  and  out- 
buildings. He  is  an  industrious  man  of  practical  ideas  and  progressive  methods 
and  has  assiduously  applied  himself  to  bringing  the  soil  under  high  cultivation. 
His  fields  are  devoted  to  diversified  farming  in  connection  with  which  he  raises 
cattle.  He  is  meeting  with  success  in  both  lines  of  his  business  and  annually 
harvests  abundant  crops  that  net  him  a  good  dividend  on  his  labor. 

Mr.  Ray  completed  his  arrangements  for  a  home  of  his  own  when  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Ellen  Lapham,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Knox  county,  being  a 
native  of  this  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  have  but  one  child  living,  Meta,  who 
married  Carl  Rice,  a  son  of  John  Rice. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Ray  is  a  Mason,  and  his  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the 
republican  party.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  local  affairs  and  has  held 
various  township  offices.  His  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  the  community,  where 
he  now  lives  and  among  whose  citizens  he  nvunbers  many  stanch  friends,  whom 
he  has  known  since  boyhood. 


-.  :      ANDREW  HAWKINSON.;:          v 

Andrew  Hawkinson,  devoting  his  time  and  attention  to  general  farming  on 
section  35,  Henderson  township,  where  he  is  also  making  a  specialty  of  the  rais- 
ing of  Poland  China  hogs,  was  born  in  Skone,  in  the  southern  part  of  Sweden, 
July  20,  1864.    His  parents,  Hawkin  and  Anna  (Anderson)  Johnson,  were  also 
natives  of  Sweden,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  throughout  his  entire, 
life.     He  never  came  to  America,  remaining  always  a  resident  of  Sweden  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1890.     His  religious  faith  was  evi- 
denced in  his  membership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church. 
:       Andrew  Hawkinson,  who  was  the  seventh  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of 
eight  children,  acquired  a  common-school  education  in  his  native  land  and  when 


958  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

still  a  young  lad  began  working  on  the  farm  for  his  father,  but  from  time  to 
time  he  heard  interesting  reports  concerning  America  and  its  advantages,  and 
in  March,  1884,  when  in  his  twentieth  year,  he  sailed  for  the  new  world.  After 
spending  three  years  in  Bureau  county,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand,  he 
came  to  Galesburg  and  has  since  lived  in  Knox  county.  Since  1887  he  has  made 
his  home  upon  the  farm  which  is  now  his  place  of  residence.  It  was  then  the 
property  of  Henry  Sisson,  for  whom  he  worked  until  1895,  when  he  began 
farming  on  his  own  account.  He  has  always  carried  on  general  agricultural 
pursuits,  cultivating  the  crops  best  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  property  on  section  35,  Henderson  township,  where  he  is  cultivating 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  he  owns  a  farm  in  the  same  township 
of  one  hundred  and  five  acres  which  he  rents.  Stock-raising  has  always  been 
made  a  feature  of  his  place,  special  attention  being  given  to  the  raising  of 
thoroughbred  Poland  China  hogs.  To  this  he  has  given  particular  attention  since 
the  retirement  of  Mr.  Sisson  and  has  made  it  a  profitable  branch  of  his  business. 

On  the  4th  of  April,  1895,  Mr.  Hawkinson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Betsy  Nelson,  a  daughter  of  Nels  and  Nellie  (Bengtson)  Nelson  and  a  grand-" 
daughter  of  Peter  Nelson,  who  was  a  native  of  Sweden  and  in  that  country  spent 
his  entire  life,  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  the  occupation  of  farming 
The  parents  of  Mrs.  Hawkinson  were  also  life-long  residents  of  Sweden  but 
she  came  from  her  native  land  to  America  in  1887,  living  with  relatives  up  to 
the  time  of  her  marriage.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkinson  have  been  born  three 
children :  Anna  Matilda,  now  deceased ;  Harold,  who  is  attending  high  school  in 
Galesburg;  and  Helen  Elizabeth. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkinson  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church 
and  his  study  of  the  political  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  has  led  him  to  g^ve 
his  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  served  as  school  director  and  is 
interested  in  the  cause  of  education,  recognizing  the  fact  that  thorough  school 
training  constitutes  the  bulwark  of  the  nation.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to 
regret  his  determination  to  come  to  the  new  world,  for  he  here  found  the  oppor- 
tunities which  he  sought  and  in  their  utilization  has  worked  his  way  steadily 
upward,  overcoming  all  difficulties  and  obstacles  in  his  path  until  he  is  now 
ranked  with  the  substantial  farmers  of  Henderson  township. 


;;•;;..:'••<•;•}"'/'•..••  '"  •'   J.  w.  MILES.     '^''•- -''•;:"•'-•*•;- ^r^V' ::.;.:.-• 

J.  w.  Miles,  who  resides  on  an  attractive  farm  of  eighty  acres  located  on  sec- 
tion 34,  Persifer  township,  was  born  on  the  place  where  he  now  resides  on  March 
6,  1864,  his  parents  being  R.  W.  and  Mary  Jane  (Bruce)  Miles.  His  father  was 
born  in  Athens,  Ohio,  and  when  old  enough  to  begin  his  education  entered  the 
schools  of  Newark,  that  state,  which  he  attended  until  he  was  fourteen.  He  then 
accompanied  his  parents,  S.  S.  and  Eliza  Ann  (Gilmore)  Miles,  on  their  removal 
to  Knox  county.  They  first  located  a  mile  west  of  Gilson,  where  they  remained 
for  two  years,  when  in  1838  they  went  to  Haw  Creek  township.  At  the  expiration 
of  a  year  they  removed  to  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  resides,  the  family 
home  being  a  log  cabin.  This  property  has  ever  since  been  in  the  possession  of 


Rl-FL'8  MILES 


958  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ' 

still  a  young  lad  began  working  on  the  farm  for  his  father,  but  from  time  to 
time  he  heard  interesting  reports  concerning  America  and  its  advantages,  and 
in  March,  1884,  vvlien  in  his  twentieth  year,  he  sailed  for  the  new  world.  After 
spending  three  years  in  Bureau  county,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand,  he 
came  to  Galesburg  and  has  since  lived  in  Knox  county.  Since  1887  he  has  made 
his  home  upon  the  fanii  which  is  now  his  place  of  residence.  It  was  then  the 
property  of  Henry  Sisson,  for  wliom  lie  worked  until  1895,  when  he  began 
farming  on  his  own  account.  He  has  always  carried  on  general  agricultural 
pursuits,  cultivating  the  crops  best  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  property  on  section  35,  Henderson  township,  where  he  is  cultivating 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  he  owns  a  farm  in  the  same  township 
of  one  himdred  and  five  acres  which  he  rents.  Stock-raising  has  always  been 
made  a  feature  of  his  place,  special  attention  being  given  to  the  raising  of 
thoroughbred  Poland  China  hogs.  To  this  he  has  given  particular  attention  since 
the  retirement  of  Mr.  Sisson  and  has  made  it  a  profitable  branch  of  his  business. 

On  the  4th  of  April.  1895,  Mr.  Hawkinson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Betsy  Xelson.  a  daugliter  of  Xels  and  Xellie  (Bengtson)  Xelson  and  a  grand- 
daughter of  Peter  Xelson,  who  was  a  native  of  Sweden  and  in  that  country  spent 
his  entire  life,  devoting  his  time  and  energies  to  the  occupation  of  farming 
Tlie  parents  of  Mrs.  Hawkinson  were  also  life-long  residents  of  Sweden  but 
she  came  from  her  native  land  to  America  in  1887,  living  with  relatives  up  to 
the  time  of  her  marriage.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkinson  have  been  born  three 
children :  Anna  Matilda,  now  deceased ;  Harold,  who  is  attending  high  school  in 
Galesburg;  and  Helen  Elizabeth. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hawkinson  hold  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church 
and  his  study  of  the  political  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  has  led  him  to  give 
his  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  served  as  school  director  and  is 
interested  in  the  cause  of  education,  recognizing  the  fact  that  thorough  school 
training  constitutes  the  bulwark  of  the  nation.  He  has  never  had  occasion  to 
regret  his  determination  to  come  to  the  new  world,  for  he  here  found  the  oppor- 
tunities which  he  sought  and  in  their  utilization  has  worked  his  way  steadily 
upward,  overcoming  all  difficulties  and  obstacles  in  his  path  until  he  is  now 
ranked  with  the  substantial  farmers  of  Henderson  townshi]). 


^  :  .     .  J.  W.  MILES. 

J.  W.  Miles,  who  resides  on  an  attractive  farm  of  eighty  acres  located  on  sec- 
tion 34,  Persifer  township,  was  born  on  the  place  where  he  now  resides  on  March 
6.  1864,  his  parents  being  R.  \V.  and  Mary  Jane  (Bruce)  Miles.  His  father  was 
born  in  Athens,  Ohio,  and  when  old  enough  to  begin  his  education  entered  the 
schools  of  Newark,  that  state,  which  he  attended  until  he  was  fourteen.  He  then 
accompanied  his  parents,  S.  S.  and  Eliza  Ann  (Gilmore)  Miles,  on  their  removal 
to  Knox  county.  They  first  located  a  mile  west  of  Gilson,  where  they  remained 
for  two  years,  when  in  1838  they  went  to  Haw  Creek  township.  At  the  expiration 
of  a  year  they  removed  to  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  resides,  the  family 
home  being  a  log  cabin.  Tliis  property  has  ever  since  been  in  the  possession  of 


S   MILKS 


:    :     ;;^;  y.         ;  ;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;  ^^  961 

the  family  and  there  the  grandfather  passed  away  in  1876  at  the  age  of  eighty-two 
years.  The  grandmother  survived  for  four  years  thereafter,  her  death  occurring 
when  she  was  eighty.  They  were  both  laid  to  rest  in  the  Russell  cemetery,  Haw 
Creek  township.  R.  W.  Miles  completed  his  education  at  Knox  College,  subse- 
quently returning  to  the  old  farm,  where  he  devoted  his  attention  to  agricultural 
pursuits  during  the  entire  period  of  his  active  life,  with  the  exception  of  a  little 
over  a  year  spent  in  the  gold  mines  of  California.  He  was  captain  of  a  company 
of  twenty- four  from  near  his  home  who  started  April  ii,  1850,  on  the  western 
trip  by  the  overland  route  and  returned  in  June,  1851,  by  way  of  Panama..  He 
was  very  successful  in  his  agricultural  undertakings  and  made  extensive  improve- 
ments on  the  place,  making  it  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  the  township. 
Progressive  and  public-spirited,  he  took  an  actiye  and  helpful  interest  in  all  com- 
munity matters,  particularly  those  of  a  political  nature.  He  twice  represented 
his  district  in  the  state  legislature,  serving  one  term  in  1858  and  another  in  1878, 
while  for  twenty  years  he  was  a  supervisor  in  Persifer  township.  Educational 
matters  particularly  were  given  much  of  his  attention,  and  for  many  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  board  of  education,  and  during  the  early  days  he  was  township 
teachers'  examiner.  He  also  served  as  clerk  of  the  township  and  justice  of  the 
peace  and  for  two  years  he  served  as  appointee  on  the  board  of  equalization,  and 
twice  was  elected  for  a  term  of  four  years  each  to  this  board.  The  mother  was 
a  native  of  Vermont  and  a  daughter  of  Silas  and  Hannah  Dunham  (Scott)  Bruce, 
who  about  1844  located  on  a  farm  on  section  35,  Knox  township.  In  matters 
of  faith  the  parents  were  Presbyterians,  Grandfather  Miles  having  been  a  minister 
of  that  denomination  before  coming  to  Illinois,  while  politically  Mr.  Miles  was  a 
stanch  republican.  He  passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  and  the  mother  at 
sixty-four,  both  being  laid  to  rest  in  Russell  cemetery.  Haw  Creek  township.  Of 
their  marriage  there  were  born  seven  children,  our  subject  being  the  sixth  in  order 
of  birth.  The  others  are  as  follows :  Lucy,  who  married  Charles  L.  Mastin,  of 
York  county,  Nebraska ;  Hannah  Eliza,  the  wife  of  R.  R.  Buckley,  of  Knoxville ; 
Emma  M.,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  Knoxville;  James  H.,  who  was  drowned  at 
the  old  Whitton  mill  site  at  the  Fort  Wallace  ford  before  he  was  twenty-one; 
Rufus,  who  lived  on  the  old  farm  until  his  marriage,  when  he  went  to  York 
county,  Nebraska,  where  two  years  later,  in  1904,  he  passed  away  and  is  buried 
at  York,  Nebraska;  and  M.  Jennie,  the  youngest  member  of  the  family,  who  is 
living  at  Knoxville.  All  were  born  on  the  old  homestead  in  Persifer  township  and 
were  given  the  advantages  of  a  good  education. 

The  youthful  years  of  J.  VV.  Miles  were  not  particularly  different  from  those 
of  other  lads  of  the  same  period  and  circumstances.  At  the  usual  age  he  entered 
the  common  schools,  where  he  procured  his  preliminary  education  and  subse- 
quently graduated  from  Knox  College  in  1889.  Having  decided  on  an  agricultu- 
ral career  in  preference  to  either  professional  or  commercial  pursuits  he  returned 
to  his  father's  farm.  He  attentively  applied  himself  to  assisting  with  the  work  of 
the  fields  and  the  care  of  the  stock,  thus  obtaining  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
practical  methods  of  agriculture  and  stock-raising,  until  his  marriage.  Subse- 
quent to  this  event  he  located  on  section  33,  Persifer  township,  where  he  resided 
for  five  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  period  he  returned  to  the  old  farm. 
Here  he  has  ever  since  resided,  devoting  his  entire  attention  to  its  further  improve- 
ment. He  is  one  of  the  extensive  farmers  of  the  township,  owning  four  hundred 

Vol.    n— 44 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      •    •' 

/;     and  sixty  acres  of  land.    His  fields  are  operated  in  strict  accordance  to  tiie  more 

'progressive  methods  of  modern  agriculture,  every  detail  connected  with  the  till- 

;  ing  of  the  soil  or  the  gathering  of  the  crops  being  given  his  personal  supervision. 

'  For  his  wife  Mr.  Miles  chose  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Derham,  who  was  bom  in 

Bristol,  England,  on  the  2d  of  November,  1863,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and 

Elizabeth  (Pitt)  Derham,  who  are  residing  in  Bristol.    Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and 

Mrs.  Miles  there  have  been  born  two  children,  James  Rufus  and  Phyllis  M. 

:  A.-  The  family  attend  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Knoxville,  in  which  the  parents 

hold  membership,  and  Mr.  Miles  is  superintendent  of  the  home  Sunday  school. 

'      His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican  party  and  he  is  now  serving  in  the 

.    ,  capacity  of  both  township  clerk  and  treasurer.     Mr.  Miles  is  numbered  among 

the  substantial  citizens  of  his  community,  where  he  is  held  in  high  regard  and  has 

a  large  circle  of  friends.  .      :  •  .   ':  ^  ;    '    '  ; 


;::;••/  DAVID  NELSON  MCMASTER.        v 

David  Nelson  McMaster,  who  is  residing  on  his  farm  in"  Walnut  Grove  Town- 
ship, was  born  in  Knox  county  on  January  i8,  1865,  ^"^  Js  the  son  of  John 
McMaster,  a  prominent  farmer  who  is  living  in  Altona,  and  of  whose  life  a 
sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

In  his  youth  David  McMaster  attended  the  schools  in  his  district  and  assisted 
his  father  on  the  home  farm  which  was  one  of  the  best  developed  and  most  highly 
productive  properties  in  the  tovvnship.  In  the  discharge  of  these  duties  he 
showed  a  ready  and  willing  spirit  and  a  keen  appreciation  of  the  principles  of 
agriculture  which  were  at  that  time  proving  so  successful.  After  he  farmed 
independently  he  put  much  of  his  past  experience  into  practice  and  at  the  same 
time  advanced  with  the  age,  becoming  one  of  the  progressive  fanners  of  the 
township.  ;:  •  J  ^; 

On  the  gth  of  December,  1896,  Mr.  McMaster  was  married  to  May  Bell 
Thompson.  She  was  born  on  the  22nd  of  April,  1869,  on  the  old  Thompson 
homestead  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
David  Thompson.  The  father  was  born  December  6,  1835,  and  died  September 
II,  1894,  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years  and  nine  months.  Her  uncle,  John 
Thompson,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  Knox  county.  He  came  to  Knox 
county  with  his  wife,  Catherine  Livingston,  and  located  at  Altona,  Illinois,  where 
they  were  among  the  first  settlers.  David  Thompson  removed  to  Altona,  Knox 
county,  from  Ohio,  when  a  mere  boy.  His  whole  life  has  been  spent  in  farming 
in  this  region.  He  was  married  to  Catherine  Richmond,  whose  birth  occurred  in 
West  Virginia,  on  the  22nd  of  September,  1845.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Susan  Richmond,  the  former  having  been  in  the  service  in  the  Civil  war  for 
three  years  after  his  enlistment  in  1862  in  Company  G  of  the  Eighty-ninth  Regi- 
'  ment  under  Captain  Whiting.  Although  he  contracted  a  serious  illness  during 
the  war  he  still  -remained  with  his  regiment,  serving  as  teamster  until  his  time 
expired.  After  he  was  mustered  out  of  service  he  returned  to  his  farm  and 
entered  actively  into  the  work  of  its  cultivation  and  development.  He  gave  his 
political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party,  but  never  held  office. 


;    -'j     .-     ^X      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -       \:;':;        968 

;•  .  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  were  the  following  children: 
Joseph  E.,  who  is  living  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  Harry  J.,  a  resident  of  Val- 
paraiso, Indiana ;  Roy  D.,  whose  home  is  in  Greeley,  Colorado ;  William,  a  fanner 
living  at  Altona;  Susan,  the  deceased  wife  of  Charles  Sawyer;  John,  deceased; 
and  May  Bell,  who  is  now  the  wife  of  Mr.  McMaster  and  remained  at  home 
until  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  is  an  active  and  helpful  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  at  Altona  and  belongs  to  its  Ladies  Aid  Society. 

Mr.  McMaster  also  holds  membership  in  the  church  and  is  an  exemplary  rep-      ; 
resentative  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  his  membership  being  in  Altona  Lodge, 
No.  330,  F.  &  A.  M.    His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party,  but 
he  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  public  office.    The  cause  of  education  finds  in 
him  a  warm  friend,  and  he  is  now  serving  as  president  of  the  township  school 
board.    In  many  ways,  however,  he  has  displayed  his  loyalty  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  community,  and  that  he  is  a  citizen  of  enterprise  is  indicated  in  the  fact 
that  he  has  not  confined  his  attention  alone  to  the  work  of  the  farm  but  has    . 
extended  his  efforts  to  other  lines  in  which  the  public  has  been  a  direct  bene-    '     ; 
ficiary.    Realizing  how  valuable  telephone  service  would  be  to  the  farming  com-    V 
munity  he  joined  with  others  in  organizing  the  Farmers'  Telephone  Company      ; 
of  which  he  is  the  president,  and  he  is  also  the  president  of  the  Farmers'  Grain 
Association.    His  ability  as  a  business  man  is  thus  attested,  and  at  the  same  time 
his  labors  have  proven  an  element  of  public  convenience  and  prosperi^  as  well    :-; 
as  a  source  of  individual  success.    ;  .        •  -;.    i    -.:-•-•  .\. 


;     '  :V  :'•  JAMES  REBSTOCK.  ;;:^: 

Among  Illinois'  fast  diminishing  ranks  of  Civil  war  veterans  James  Rebstock,  a     :• 
retired  farmer  of  Knox  county,  is  well  known  as  a  man  whose  unwavering  courage 
and  loyal  service  when  a  private  won  for  him  not  only  the  admiration  of  his  fellow 
soldiers,  but  the  recognition  of  President  Lincoln,  who  bestowed  upon  him  the  rank 
of  first  lieutenant  of  the  Eighth  United  States  Artillery.    James  Rebstock  was  only 
twenty-one  years  old  when  the  war  broke  out,  his  birth  having  occurred  March  14,    v 
1839,  in  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio.  ' 

Left  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  seven  James  Rebstock  experienced  some  lonely    - 
years  in  which  he  was  buffeted  about  by  fate,  living  with  various  people  at  differ-    ' 
ent  times  and  in  various  kinds  of  homes.    He  did  succeed,  however,  in  obtaining 
something  of  an  education,  desultory  though  it  was,  attending  school  in  Ohio,  in 
Indiana  and  lastly  in  Illinois,  in  which  places  he  made  his  home  successively.    At    ' 
the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Eighty-third  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  and  served  two  years  and  five  days  as  a  private,  being  then  com-   y 
missioned  by   President  Lincoln  first  lieutenant  in  the  Eighth  United  States  Artil-    v 
lery.    He  was  mustered  out  March  13,  1866,  when  he  was  discharged  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  and  then  returned  to  Gilson,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  farming.     In 
1867  he  acquired  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living  retired  and  now  owns  alto-   /• 
gether  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  on  section  8,  in  Haw  Creek  township,  Knox    ;= 
county.    This  he  cultivated  with  much  care  and  by  the  use  of  progressive  methods   •' 
of  tilling  the  soil  and  of  practicing  scientific  economy  he  was  enabled  to  make  a    ^- 


964  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

comfortable  living  and  also  to  save  enough  to  permit  him  to  retire  and  enjoy  the 
fruits  of  his  long-continued  and  faithful  labors.  He  has  his  farming  done  by  a 
tenant  and  devotes  himself  to  the  many  interests  which  claim  his  attention  in  mili- 
tary and  educational  circles  and  as  stockholder  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Maquon,  Illinois.  :  •:  ''L'.';.  :-;-;•  v  ;  ' :: 

In  July,  1866,  one  year  before  he  became  the  owner  of  his  present  farm,  Mr. 
Rebstock  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony  to  Mrs.  Salinda  (Lotts)  Pick- 
rel. She  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac  Lotts  of  Haw  Creek  township,  and  the  widow 
of  Solomon  Pickrel  and  was  born  June  24,  1830.  By  her  union  with  Mr.  Pickrel 
there  were  five  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  They  are  Minerva,  Amarillis, 
Marshall,  Stephen  S.,  and  Solomon  Pickrel.  There  were  no  children  born  of  her 
union  with  Mr.  Rebstock.  Mrs.  Rebstock  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  in  which  she  was  an  earnest  worker.  After  a  life  well  spent  in  service 
to  others  and  in  the  administration  of  her  home  she  passed  away  January  20, 
1911,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years,  six  months  and  twenty-six  days,  and  was  laid  to 
rest  in  the  Gilson  cemetery. 

In  his  political  views  James  Rebstock  is  a  republican  and  has  been  chosen 
by  his  party  to  the  office  of  supervisor  which  he  held  for  twenty-four  years,  being 
for  five  years  of  this  time  the  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  Haw 
Creek  township.  He  was  also  elected  to  other  offices  which  he  filled  with  honor, 
and  is  the  president  of  the  Haw  Creek  township  high  school  board.  In  his 
religious  faith  he  is  a  loyal  worshiper  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  to  which 
he  belongs.  He  is  well  known  in  military  organizations  of  the  state  and  is  a 
member  of  the  George  N.  Trafton  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Knoxville,  Illinois. 

An  interesting  document  that  throws  light  on  James  Rebstock's  military 
career  and  also  settles  a  long  disputed  point  of  controversy  is  an  affidavit  drawn 
up  by  J.  N.  Hogue  in  which  he  answers  the  question :  "Who  fired  .the  first  siege 
gun  at  Fort  Donelson  on  the  I3th  of  February,  1862."  "I,  J.  N.  Hogue  of  Bur- 
chard,  Nebraska,  late  member  of  Company  B,  Eighty-third  Illinois  Infantry,  do 
hereby  certify  that  James  Rebstock.  of  Company  G.  of  the  Eighty-third  Illinois 
Infantry,  filled  the  position  of  No.  3  on  siege  gun  No.  32,  on  February  13,  1862, 
at  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  in  Tennessee  and  fired  that  day  and  he  also  fired  it 
when  two  rebels  were  killed  at  the  muzzle  of  the  gun  on  said  day.  I,  J.  N. 
Hog^e,  was  gimner  at  the  time  and  know  all  the  circumstances  of  the  above 
statement.  .'.-•.-  ''•'''''.••;--:  •••:. /••.•  "':f.-^ ''-^•'.''•••'^-  ]•  -^  .  • 

J.  N.  HOGUE."  ^i' 

Subscribed  and  sworn  before  me  this  3d  day  of  January,  1899. 
:  HENRY  N.  FALLERS,  Notary  Public. 


.;>:         GEORGE  M.  SORNBORGER.   -    ^ 

'-'     '         • . •"'•C't  ''-'".  *,••*''.,.-.• 

To  win  recognition  as  a  valiant  soldier,  as  a  prosperous  farmer  and  as  a 
capable  merchant  shows  not  only  versatility,  but  also  indicates  the  adaptability 
and  concentrated  effort  which  compel  success.  For  this  reason  George  M. 
Sornborger  who  has  distinguished  himself  in  such  a  varied  record  commands 
our  unqualified  admiration.  A  native  of  Victoria  township,  Knox  county,  he 


'  >      'v^    :          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -;;;v  965 

has  remained  a  resident  of  this  county  all  his  life,  and  for  the  last  fifteen  years 
has  lived  in  Victoria,  Copley  township,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business.  He  was  born  April  i,  1841,  a  son  of  Anson  Sornborger,  who  moved 
from  his  native  place,  Dutchess  county.  New  York,  in  the  year  1838,  coming 
with  his  parents  to  Victoria  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois.  Like  his  father 
he  followed  farming  as  a  pursuit,  buying  sixty  acres  of  land  in  1842.  He  sold 
this  after  a  time  and  in  1849  bought  another  farm  near  Copley,  where  he  lived 
till  the  end.  He  married  Miss  Catherine  VVilber,  also  a  native  of  Dutchess 
county.  New  York,  and  who  accompanied  Martin  Van  Buren's  family  to  Illinois, 
where  they  settled  in  Victoria  township  when  she  was  a  young  girl.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  John  Wilber  and  Dorothy  (Freimeyer)  Wilber.  Of  the  family  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anson  Sornborger,  George  M.,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  and 
two  brothers  survive:  F.  W.  Sornborger,  who  lives  in  Geddes,  South  Da- 
kota; and  Charles,  residing  in  Victoria  township.  The  grandfather,  George 
Sornborger,  was  born  in  Holland  and  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  dur-  . 
ing  colonial  times.  His  wife  was  Miss  Catherine  Wolcott,  of  English  lineage. 
By  occupation  he  was  a  farmer  and  mechanic  and  during  the  Revolution  took 
up  arms  in  the  cause  of  freedom.  He  is  buried  in  Victoria  cemetery,  Knox 
county,  the  only  Revolutionary  war  hero  in  any  cemetery  in  this  part  of  the 
county.  His  death  occurred  in  1840. 

George  M.  Sornborger  had  a  common-school  education.     At  twenty-one  he 
enlisted  in  the  Eighty-third  Illinois  Infantry  from  Knox  county,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Harding  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  a  company  which  remained 
with  General  Grant  for  three  years.     Mr.  Sornborger  remained  until  their  fa- 
mous engagement  at  Fort  Donelson,  afterward  becoming  ill   with   pneumonia 
and  on  that  account  he  had  to  be  discharged  after  serving  eleven  months  and 
seventeen  days.    He  returned  home  and  when  sufficiently  recovered  to  work,  he 
took  up  farming  and  followed  this  for  more  than  thirty  years.     He  owned  his 
farm  and  made  a  comfortable  income  in  general   farming  and  cattle   raising.  - 
During  this  time  he  saw  the  wild  prairies  of  Illinois  transformed  into  beautiful 
tracts  of  cultivated  land  and  the  old  difficult  methods  of  transportation  replaced 
by  the  railroads  built  through  aknost  every  county  of  the  state.     His  father  used 
to  tell  of  the  early  hardships  and  difficulties  with  which  the  farmers  had  to 
contend,  how,  for  example,  he  took  his  grain  clear  in  to  the  Chicago  markets 
by  team  and  there  sold  it  for  fifty  cents  a  bushel.     In  1896  George  M.  Sorn-  .'  ,; 
borger  sold  of  his  land,  one  hundred  and  sixty  of  his  two  hundred  acres.     His 
sons  Claude  and  Floyd  are  now  operating  the  old  farm.    Upon  his  withdrawal', 
'from  agricultural  labors  he  removed  to  Victoria  and  opened  a  general  merchan-,,-  ; 
dise  store  which  he  has  conducted  since  1896.  "^  "'  J  *'      ^  '.  •     ; 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  George  M.  Sornborger  and  Miss  Frances  E.  Suydam 
occurred  October  12,  1865.     Born  in  New  York  state,  she  was  a  daughter  of    . 
John  G.  and  Henrietta  (Cholette)   Suydam.  who  removed  from  New  York  to 
Victoria  township,  this  county,  in  1849.     Mr.  Suydam  enlisted  in  the  Eighty-  • 
third  Illinois  Infantry,  the  same  company  to  which  Mr.  Sornborger  belonged, 
and  died  for  the  Union  June  6,   1863.     Miss  Frances   E.   Suydam's  paternal      . 
grandparents  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abraham   (Smith)   Suydam,  natives  of  New 
York,  while  those  on  the  mother's  side  were  D.  C.  and  Sarah  (Mire)  Cholette. 


966  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        "        - 

Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  M.  Sornborger,  all  of 
whom  are  living.  They  are:  Clarence  T.,  aged  forty-four,  who  is  married  to  . 
Anna  Doak  and  operates  a  farm  in  Copley  township ;  George  A.,  who  is  married 
to  Nellie  Hanson  and  lives  in  Copley  township;  Lolette  Kate,  residing  at  Ne- 
koma,  Illinois,  the  wife  of  W.  Woodcock,  and  mother  of  two  children,  Ross  : 
and  Bertha;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Sanquist,  who  resides  in  Victoria  town- 
ship; Claude  and  Floyd,  who  live  on  their  father's  old  place,  the  latter  being 
married  to  Edith  Johnson,  of  which  union  there  is  one  child;  Grace,  the  wife 
of  C.  A.  Carlson,  a  farmer  of  Victoria  township,  and  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren, Doris  M.  and  Charles  William ;  Fern,  who  is  the  wife  of  Emery  Anderson, 
a  farmer,  of  Dakota  and  has  three  children,  \'era  C.,  Clarence  G.  and  Maurice  G. 

George  M.  Sornborger  is  well  known  in  military  organizations  of  the  state, 
being  a  member  of  P.  G.  Tate  Post  No.  678,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Victoria,  Illinois,  and 
is  now  serving  as  commander  of  that  post  for  his  second  term.  From  the  time 
of  casting  his  first  vote,  which  was  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  he  has  been  a  con- 
sistent republican  in  his  political  faith  and  has  been  elected  to  office  several 
times,  once  as  assessor  and  for  two  terms  as  collector.  Mr.  Sornborger  is  a 
man  of  genial  temperament  and  in  his  public  and  private  relations  has  never 
failed  to  adhere  to  the  principles  of  honor  and  truth  which  have  constituted  his 
guiding  rule  of  life. 


'  ;V>  WILLIAM  HENRY  GIBBS/; /;-;- 

••,'  •     '  1 '  .  .       .         -  ''--   ''•     '• 

William  Henry  Gibbs,  a  well  known  citizen  of  Galva,  Illinois,  is  a  native  of 
Knox  county,  his  birth  occurring  in  Lynn  township,  January  27,  1843.  He 
comes  of  a  family  of  Quaker  origin,  which  was  founded  in  America  at  the  time 
William  Penn  and  his  colony  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  Our  subject's  paternal 
grandfather,  Martin  Gibbs,  was  a  native  of  Camden  county.  New  Jersey,  in 
which  state  he  engaged  in  the  sawmill  business  prior  to  coming  to  Illinois  with 
'the  father  of  our  subject  in  September,  1838.  They  located  upon  what  became 
known  as  the  old  Gibbs  homestead  in  Lynn  township,  Knox  county.  Here  the 
grandfather  erected  a  sawmill  in  1849  and  engaged  in  its  operation.  He  and 
his  son  occupied  a  double  log  house  during  those  pioneer  days.  He  married 
Hannah  Beck  and  they  were  prominently  identified  with  the  early  development 
of  this  section  of  the  state. 

Jonathan  Gibbs,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Camden  county, 
New  Jersey,  December  22,  1808,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  had 
attained  his  majority,  when  he  commenced  learning  the  glass-blower's  trade, 
following  that  occupation  for  nine  years.  As  previously  stated,  he  came  to 
Knox  county  in  September,  1838,  and  upon  the  home  farm  in  Lynn  township 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  connection  with  farming  he  assisted  in  the 
operation  of  the  sawmill,  which  was  the  first  erected  in  his  part  of  the  county. 
On  coming  to  this  state  he  was  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  one  child,  for  he 
had  previously  married  Tamar  Norcross  on  the  I4th  of  August,  1832.  She 
was  bom  May  ii,  1812,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Martha  (Duball) 
Norcross,  being  one  of  their  seven  children.  Her  death  occurred  July  15,  1900. 


:•:  ,         -?  V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v  V 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jonathan  Gibbs  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom  four  are 
still  living,  namely:  Phoebe,  the  wife  of  A.  O.  Bradley,  of  La  Fayette,  Illinois; 
Qayton  A.,  who  is  connected  with  the  Hayes  Works  at  Galva;  Richard  F.,  of 
Lynn  township;  and  William  Henry,  of  this  review.  Jonathan  Gibbs  died 
September  i6,  1889. 

William  H.  Gibbs  was  reared  and  educated  in  much  the  usual  manner  of 
farmer  boys  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
assisting  in  the  work  of  the  farm.  He  then  went  to  La  Fayette,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  business  as  a  contractor  in  mason  work  until  1888.  He  was  next  em- 
ployed as  fireman  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  and  later  was 
promoted  to  engineer,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  1901.  For  one  year 
he  had  charge  of  the  City  Water  Works  of  Galva  and  in  1909  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Hayes  Manufacturing  Ccwnpany  of  that  place,  with  which  he  is 
still  connected.  \  v  •;  -'.I:-'.''  ::  '; 

On  the  I2th  of  May,  1864,  Mr.  Gibbs  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia 
A.  Grant,  who  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Illinois,  August  30,  1844.  Her  father, 
Nelson  Grant,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  a  native  of  New  York  state, 
was  born  on  the  i6th  of  February,  i8io,  and  died  February  27,  1892,  in  Stark 
county,  Illinois.  Her  mother,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Mary  Chatfield, 
was  born  November  lo,  1814,  and  died  May  12,  1906.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibbs 
have  become  the  parents  of  three  children :  Cora  May,  who  is  the  wife  of  Her- 
man R.  Pelz,  a  traveling  salesman  living  in  Peoria;  Clara  Alice,  the  wife  of 
Thomas  E.  Chilton,  who  is  a  native  of  England  and  a  salesman  for  the  Challenge 
Company  of  Batavia,  living  in  Galva,  Illinois ;  and  Claude  Irvin,  a  molder  by 
trade,  who  married  Alice  Peterson,  a  daughter  of  John  S.  Peterson,  of  Galva, 
in  which  city  they  make  their  home.  Mr.  Gibbs  has  one  grandchild,  Dorothy 
May  Chilton,  who  was  bom  April  4,  1903,  and  is  now  attending  school.  By  his 
ballot  Mr.  Gibbs  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  and  he 
has  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  affairs.  He  served  on  the  school  board  in 
Lynn  township  and  his  support  is  never  withheld  from  any  enterprise  which  he 
believes  will  prove  of  public  benefit. 


•:;  -;  :•_  •(••'•  •:;•;•.:  :  -rx^P.  A.  SUNWALL.;\;.::.  ;;:.....:•  -,-  •  • ;    '•:;•;-;;';:. -.v,:; 

p.  A.  Sunwall,  a  successful  agriculturist  who  makes  a  specialty  of  buying, 
selling  and  raising  stock,  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty 
acres,  located  two  miles  north  of  Williamsfield.  He  is  a  native  of  Knox  county, 
his  birth  having  occurred  in  Truro  township,  in  1871,  and  a  son  of  Jonas  and 
Anna  (Peterson)  Sunwall,  natives  of  Sweden.  The  father  was  bom  in  Helsing- 
land  in  1826,  and  there  he  passed  the  first  forty-three  years  of  his  life.  Having 
heard  many  favorable  reports  regarding  the  opportunities  and  advantages 
afforded  to  enterprising  men  in  the  United  States,  in  1869,  together  with  his 
wife  and  family,  Jonas  Sunwall  took  passage  for  the  new  world.  Upon  his 
arrival  in  this  country  he  came  directly  to  Knox  county,  settling  on  a  farm  in 
Truro  township  to  the  further  development  of  which  he  devoted  his  energies 
until  age  compelled  his  retirement  from  active  life.  He  passed  away  in  1907 


968  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  !" 

at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sun- 
wall  numbered  four:  Nelson  J.,  a  resident  of  Texas;  P.  A.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Jennie  M.,  of  Colorado;  and  a  son  who  died  in  infancy. 
'  The  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  P.  A.  Sunwall  spent  on  his  father's 
farm,  obtaining  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  Like  other  farmer  lads 
he  was  early  assigned  chores  about  the  barn  and  fields,  his  duties  increasing  as 
his  strength  developed  with  the  passing  years.  By  the  time  he  Jiad  attained 
his  maturity  he  was  a  good  practical  agriculturist,  having  long  been  accustomed 
to  plowing,  sowing  and  harvesting  the  fields  under  the  competent  direction  of 
his  father.  When  qualified  to  begin  farming  for  himself  he  undertook  the  oper- 
ation of  the  home  place,  where  he  is  now  living  and  has  met  with  increasing 
prosperity  in  its  cultivation.  His  fields  are  rich  and  fertile  and  annually  yield 
abundant  harvests  that  well  repay  him  for  the  labor  expended  in  their  cultiva- 
tion. In  addition  to  his  general  fanning,  Mr.  Sunwall  also  raises  and  buys 
stock,  that  he  ships  to  the  Chicago  and  St.  Louis  markets.  He  has  met  with 
more  than  an  average  degree  of  success.  In  taking  care  of  the  soil  and  in  the 
conservation  of  its  fertility  he  follows  the  plans  of  the  State  University  and  is 
a  faithful  adherent  of  Professor  Hopkins,  whom  he  considers  the  foremost 
exponent  of  scientific  soil  renovation  in  the  world.  In  his  experiments  with 
various  crops  Mr.  Sunwall  was  the  first  in  this  section  of  the  country  to  obtain 
satisfactory  results  in  planting  his  land  to  alfalfa.  He  considers  this  legume  the 
most  valuable  the  farmer  can  raise  and  is  proud  to  be  set  down  as  the  pioneer 
alfalfa  grower  in  these  parts.  During  the  period  of  his  ownership  of  his  pres- 
ent place  he  has  put  thereon  many  improvements  indicative  of  the  spirit  of 
enterprise  and  progress  that  has  characterized  his  undertakings. 
,V  Ever  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given  his 
political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  been 
called  upon  to  discharge  the  duties  of  a  number  of  township  offices  and  for 
many  years  has  been  a  school  trustee.  Keenly  regretting  the  limited  opportu- 
nities offered  him  in  acquiring  his  own  education  he  has  become  the  earnest 
advocate  of  betterment  in  our  school  system  and  especially  interests  himself  in 
bringing  about  the  consolidation  and  grading  of  the  country  schools.  Mr.  Sun- 
wall  is  unmarried.  He  is  a  man  of  enterprise  and  industry,  whose  success  is 
attributable  to  intelligently  directed  effort. 


-;-r^^-'-"  •••••'  ^     ;-      W.  B.  ELLIOTT.      •^('••;\/-^:/:. '•:'•:'•. 

W.  B.  Elliott  lives  on  the  old  homestead  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  four 
and  one-half  mile  north  of  Williamsfield,  in  Victoria  township.  He  was  born 
within  a  mile  and  one-half  of  where  he  now  resides.  May  lo,  1866.  His  parents 
were  Burgess  and  Achsah  Ann  (Rue)  Elliott,  the  father  a  native  of  this  county 
and  the  mother  of  Indiana.  The  father  was  born  in  1837  and  the  mother  in  1846. 
Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
Our  subject  is  the  elder  of  the  two  surviving,  the  other  being  C.  W..  who  resides 
at  89  Arnold  street,  Galesburg.  Burgess  Elliott  spent  his  entire  life  in  this 
county,  where  for  many  years  he  was  actively  engaged  in  farming.  His  efforts 


X 


968  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sun-  . 
wall  numbered  four:  Nelson  J.,  a  resident  of  Texas;  P.  A.,  the  subject  of  this  - 
sketch;  Jennie  M.,  of  Colorado;  and  a  son  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  P.  A.  Sunwall  spent  on  his  father's 
farm,  obtaining  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  Like  other  farmer  lads 
he  was  early  assigned  chores  about  the  barn  and  fields,  his  duties  increasing  as 
his  strength  developed  with  the  passing  years.  By  tlie  time  he  had  attained  - 
his  maturity  he  was  a  good  practical  agriculturist,  having  long  been  accustomed 
to  plowing,  sowing  and  harvesting  the  fields  under  the  competent  direction  of 
his  father.  When  qualified  to  begin  farming  for  himself  he  undertook  the  oper- 
ation of  the  home  place,  where  he  is  now  living  and  has  met  with  increasing 
prosperity  in  its  cultivation.  His  fields  are  rich  and  fertile  and  annually  yield 
abundant  harvests  that  well  repay  him  for  the  labor  expended  in  their  cultiva- 
tion. In  addition  to  his  general  farming.  Mr.  Sunwall  also  raises  and  buys  - 
stock,  that  he  ships  to  the  Cliicago  and  St.  Louis  markets.  He  has  met  with  ' 
more  than  an  average  degree  of  success.  In  taking  care  of  the  soil  and  in  the 
conservation  of  its  fertility  he  follows  the  plans  of  the  State  University  and  is 
a  faithful  adherent  of  Professor  Hopkins,  whom  he  considers  the  foremost 
exponent  of  scientific  soil  renovation  in  the  world.  In  his  experiments  ,vith 
various  crops  Mr.  Sunwall  was  the  first  in  this  section  of  the  country  to  obtain 
satisfactory  results  in  planting  his  land  to  alfalfa.  He  considers  this  legume  the 
most  valuable  the  farmer  can  raise  and  is  proud  to  be  set  down  as  the  pioneer 
alfalfa  grower  in  these  parts.  During  the  period  of  hi?  ownership  of  his  pres- 
ent place  he  has  put  thereon  many  improvements  indicative  of  the  spirit  of 
enterprise  and  progress  that  has  characterized  his  undertakings. 

Ever  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given  his 
political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  jjarty.  He  has  been 
called  upon  to  discharge  the  duties  of  a  numlier  of  township  offices  and  for 
many  years  has  been  a  school  trustee.  Keenly  regretting  the  limited  opportu- 
nities offered  him  in  acquiring  his  own  education  he  has  become  the  earnest 
advocate  of  betterment  in  our  school  system  and  especially  interests  himself  in 
bringing  about  the  consolidation  and  grading  of  the  country  schools.  Mr.  .Sun- 
wall  is  unmarried.  He  is  a  man  of  enterprise  and  industry,  whose  success  is 
attributable  to  intelligently  directed  effort. 


,:•  W.  B.  ELLIOTT. 

W.  R.  Elliott  lives  on  the  old  homestead  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  four 
and  one-half  mile  north  of  Williamsfield.  in  Victoria  township.  He  was  born 
within  a  mile  and  one-half  of  where  he  now  resides.  May  lo.  1866.  His  parents 
were  Burgess  and  Achsah  Ann  (Rue)  Elliott,  the  father  a  native  of  this  county 
and  the  mother  of  Indiana.  The  father  was  born  in  1837  and  the  mother  in  1846. 
Four  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
Our  subject  is  the  elder  of  the  two  surviving,  the  other  being  C.  W..  who  resides 
at  89  Arnold  street.  Galesburg.  Burgess  Elliott  spent  his  entire  life  in  this 
county,  where  for  many  years  he  was  actively  engaged  in  farming.  His  efforts 


,y^V  :  '':?^^    v^;  7      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY;;^          ;  971 

were  crowned  with  success  and  he  subsequently  retired  to  Williamsfield,  where 
he  was  living  when  he  passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm,  W.  B.  Elliott  obtained  his  preliminary  education 
at  his  mother's  knee,  between  the  corn  rows  and  in  the  district  school.     He 
attended  Lombard  College  about  a  year  and  one-half  and  then  spent  three  years 
at  the  State  Normal  University,  completing  the  course  in  1893.    He  spent  seven 
years  as  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  this  state,  being  principal  of  schools  at 
Saybrook,  McLean  county,  Wyoming,  Stark  county,  and  Altona,  Knox  county. 
In  1895,  while  principal  of  the  Altona  school,  Mr.  Elliott  turned  his  attention  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  locating  upon  his  father's  farm,  where  he  now  lives.    Here  - 
he  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  is  meeting  with  very  good 
returns  from  both.     Having  been  reared  on  a  farm,  he  possessed  the  practical 
knowledge  that  well  qualified  him  for  his  present  undertaking.    A  man  of  good  ., 
business  judgment,  he  has  applied  himself  intelligently  to  the  direction  of  his    •. 
activities  along  the  more  progressive  lines  of  modern  agriculture.    He  has  erected 
several  new  buildings  on  the  place  and  remodeled  many  of  those  that  were  there, 
installing  various  modern  conveniences  and  improvements  that  have  added  greatly  • 
to  the  comfort  and  attractiveness  as  well  as  the  value  of  the  property.    In  every 
respect  it  is  a  thoroughly  up-to-date  and  model  farm,  manifesting  in  all  its  details   . 
the  careful  supervision  and  capable  direction  that  indicate  system  in  its  opera-  . 
tion.    Mr.  Elliott  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  about  a  mile  from  where 
he  resides,  having  purchased  this  tract  several  years  ago. 

For  his  wife  Mr.  Elliott  chose  Miss  Jeannette  Armstrong.  She  was  the  ^ 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Montgomery)  Armstrong,  natives  of  Scotland,  and 
was  born  at  Darhead,  Lanarkshire,  Scotland,  July  lO,  1863.  Her  father  was 
born  in  1802  and  died  in  1885,  while  the  mother  was  bom  in  1828  and  still 
resides  in  this  county.  They  were  married  in  1852  and  emigrated  to  America 
in  1867,  locating  in  Victoria  township,  where  the  mother  now  lives.  Mrs.  Elliott 
was  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  of  whom  but  three  others  survive,  namely:  x 
Mrs.  Agnes  Wycoff,  of  Peoria  county;  and  James  and  Thomas,  who  live  with 
their  mother.  W.  B.  Elliott  and  wife  have  become  the  parents  of  six  children  : 
Jennie  Achsah,  William  Burgess,  Edward  Rue,  Robert  Montgomery,  Charles 
Roland  (deceased),  and  John  Kenneth. 

Mr.  Elliott's  fraternal  relations  are  confined  to  his  membership  in  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Royal  Neighbors,  his  wife  also  being  a  member  of 
the  latter.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club  and  maintains  relations  with . - 
his  fellow  agriculturists  of  Knox  county  through  the  medium  of  his  membership    ' 
in  the  Farmers'  Institute,  of  which  organization  he  has  been  president  for  the  •> 
past  two  years.    His  political  allegiance  he  gives  to  the  republican  party  and  now  • 
represents  Victoria  township  on  the  county  central  committee.    All  local  political  :; 
affairs  engage  his  attention,  and  for  two  years  he  served  as  supervisor  of  Vic- 
toria township  and  he  is  now  discharging  the  duties  of  justice  of  the  peace,  while 
for  fifteen  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors.    He  has 
been  a  delegate  to  county  and  state  conventions  of  his  party.     Mr.  Elliott  is  a; 
representative  modern  agriculturist  of  progressive  ideas,   who  believes  that  it 
requires  as  high  a  standard  of  intelligence,  clear  judgment  and  business  sagacity 
to  successfully  direct  the  operation  of  a  farm  as  any  industrial  enterprise.    Agri- 
culture is  becoming  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  lucrative  as  well  as  independ- 


972 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


ent  vocations  and  is  annually  attracting  a  more  intelligent  and  capable  class  of 
men,  who  realize  that  it  is  a  business  in  which  success  is  as  dependent  upon  fore- 
sight, sagacity  and  specific  information  as  any  in  the  whole  field  of  commercial 
or  industrial  activities. 


STEPHEN  WYMAN. 


A  well  known  agriculturist  of  Knox  county,  who  is  now  living  retired  on  his 
beautiful  homestead  located  on  section  20,  Persifer  township,  is  Stephen 
Wyman,  whose  holdings  in  this  county  aggregate  four  hundred  and  sixty-five  J 
acres.  He  was  born  in  Vinton  county,  Ohio,  on  the  2ist  of  June,  1834,  and  is  a 
son  of  Arthur  and  Annie  (Soltz)  Wyman.  The  father  was  born  in  the  state 
of  New  York,  but  when  a  lad  of  eight  years  he  came  to  Ohio  with  his  people, 
who  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in  the  Buckeye  state.  Arthur  Wyman  ' 
was  reared  and  educated  in  Vinton  county,  and  there  he  met  and  subsequently 
married  Miss  Soltz,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  began  their  domestic 
life  on  a  farm  in  that  state,  where  Mr.  Wyman  continued  to  engage  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits  until  1852.  In  the  latter  year  with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to 
Illinois,  settling  in  Knox  county.  He  subsequently  acquired  the  title  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Persifer  township,  northeast  of  the  farm  of 
their  son  Stephen,  and  now  the  property  of  Harvey  England.  A  man  of  much 
energy  and  determination  of  purpose,  he  industriously  applied  himself  to  the 
further  improvement  and  cultivation  of  his  property,  erecting  thereon  a  com- 
fortable dwelling  and  good  substantial  barns  and  outbuildings.  His  farming 
was  conducted  along  general  lines,  the  greater  part  of  his  time  and  attention 
being  devoted  to  stock-raising,  which  proved  to  be  very  lucrative.  He  passed 
away  on  his  homestead  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  and  was  buried  at  Westfall 
cemetery,  as  was  also  the  mother,  who  was  seventy-five  at  the  time  of  her  death.  • 
They  were  members  of  the  United  Brethren  church,  and  in  his  political  views  the 
father  was  a  republican.  He  was  always  interested  in  all  township  affairs  and 
served  with  efficiency  in  some  of  the  minor  offices.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wyman  numbered  eleven,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Ohio.  John,  who  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  and  was  buried  in  Westfall  cemetery  in  Persifer 
township,  became  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  this  county,  owning  at  the 
time  of  his  death  eight  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Persifer  township.  He  married 
twice,  his  first  union  being  with  Hannah  Taylor,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Taylor, 
while  for  his  second  wife  he  chose  Miss  Katherine  Mundwilder,  who  now  resides 
in  Knoxville.  Minerva,  the  eldest  daughter,  married  Noah  Dawson,  of  Persifer 
township,  and  they  are  now  both  deceased.  Edward  J.,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  sixty-nine  years  and  was  buried  in  Westfall  cemetery,  married  Elizabeth 
Bradford.  The  next  in  order  of  birth  died  in  infancy,  and  the  fifth  is  Stephen, 
our  subject.  Levi  died  in  Missouri,  while  in  the  Union  army.  Mary  married 
Charley  Taylor  of  Persifer  township  and  they  are  now  both  deceased,  as  also 
are  Eliza  and  Andrew,  who  were  twins.  Arthur,  who  was  a  volunteer  in  the 
Union  service,  died  from  yellow  fever  just  after  the  battle  of  Vicksburg,  and 


:   .  ;         r  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  vv  973 

George,  the  youngest  member  of  the  family,  when  last  heard  from  was  living 
in  Idaho. 

The  first  eighteen  years  of  his  life,  Stephen  Wyman  passed  in  his  native 
state  in  whose  common  schools  he  obtained  his  education.  He  accompanied  his 
parents  on  their  removal  to  Knox  county  in  1852,  and  remained  at  home  until  he 
had  attained  his  majority,  assisting  with  the  operation  of  the  farm.  When  he 
was  twenty-one  he  began  working  for  himself,  so  capably  and  intelligently  direct- 
ing his  activities  that  he  met  with  excellent  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  kept  adding  to  his  holdings  as  he  was  able  until  he  now  owns  ninety-two 
acres  of  land  in  Knox  township,  and  three  hundred  and  twenty  on  section  20 
of  Persifer,  where  he  has  resided  for  many  years  and  fifty-three  in  section  i8, 
making  in  all  four  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres.  The  dominant  factors  in  the 
success  of  Mr.  Wyman  have  unquestionably  been  his  perseverance  and  energy, 
which  have  been  utilized  to  most  excellent  advantage.  He  is  most  ambitious 
and  applies  himself  conscientiously  and  painstakingly  to  whatever  he  undertakes, 
striving  to  excel  in  everything.  No  effort  has  been  spared  in  the  development 
of  his  farm,  all  of  which  is  now  under  high  cultivation  and  well  improved.  He 
has  erected  good  substantial  buildings  on  his  place,  to  the  value  of  which  he  has 
added  at  various  times  by  installing  many  modern  conveniences  and  improve- 
ments. Both  hi",  residence  and  grounds  afford  a  most  attractive  and  pleasing 
appearance  from  the  public  highway  and  he  has  built  a  fine  private  road  on  his 
grounds  with  cement  bridges  across  the  culverts.  In  connection  with  general 
farming  Mr.  Wyman  raised  stock,  making  a  specialty  of  hogs  annually,  making 
large  shipments  to  the  near-by  markets. 

Mr.  Wyman  has  been  married  twice.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Katherine 
Miner,  a  native  of  Indiana  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Miner,  who  resided  in 
Knox  county  only  one  year,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children.  In 
order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows :  Richard,  a  resident  of  Knoxville,  who  mar- 
ried Annie  Swanson ;  Marion,  who  was  drowned  in  the  state  of  Washington ; 
Electra,  the  wife  of  Cornelius  Ward;  Thomas,  who  married  Bessie  Brandt  and 
is  residing  in  Abingdon,  this  state;  George,  who  lives  in  the  state  of  Washing- 
ton; Sanford,  who  died  in  Oregon  and  is  buried  in  Westfall  cemetery;  and 
Viola,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  months.  The  mother  died  on  the  farm  where 
she  had  passed  the  period  of  her  married  life  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  family 
lot  at  Westfall.  She  was  a  fine  Christian  character  and  held  membership  in 
the  United  Brethren  church.  Mr.  Wyman  subsequently  married  Miss  Erma  F. 
Rambo,  who  was  born  in  Peoria,  and  is  a  daughter  of  George  Rambo.  They 
have  five  children:  Jasper  Newton,  who  is  living  in  the  northwestern  part  of 
Colorado;  Walter  Stephen,  who  is  operating  the  home  farm;  Iva,  the  wife  of 
Norman  Arbogast,  of  Galesburg;  Hattie,  who  married  Martin  O'Connor  and 
is  living  in  Galesburg,  Illinois ;  and  Lewis,  who  married  Mary  Arthur  and  is 
living  in  Douglas,  Illinois. 

Ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise  upon  attaining  his  majority,  Mr. 
Wyman  has  g^ven  his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican 
party.  He  has  never  prominently  figured  in  township  aflFairs  but  he  has  given 
efficient  service  as  a  school  director.  Progressive  and  enterprising  in  matters  of 
citizenship  he  takes  a  deep  interest  in  all  movements  that  he  feels  will  benefit 


"^  '     >;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^'t 

the  community  and  assists  in  promoting  their  adoption.  He  is  now  rated  as  one 
of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  his  township,  but  the  struggle  to  attain  this 
position  was  fraught  with  much  self-denial  and  years  of  unceasing  labor. 
Upon  him  developed  the  hardships  and  discouragements  that  fall  to  the  lot  of 
the  majority  of  people,  and  the  money  to  provide  some  of  the  necessary  improve- 
ments on  his  place  was  borrowed  at  an  exorbitant  rate  of  interest.  However, 
he  possessed  those  qualities  that  refuse  to  recognize  defeat  and  kept  persistently 
ahead  until  he  had  attained  the  goal.  Now  in  addition  to  his  valuable  property 
he  has  a  comfortable  competence  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Appleton  &  Victoria 
Telephone  Company.  Mr.  Wyman  is  a  man  of  many  fine  sterling  qualities,  the 
worth  of  which  have  been  thoroughly  tested  during  the  long  period  of  his  resi- 
dence  in  Knox  county  and  never  found  wanting. 


..•S-v-/:  JENNIE  H.  REYNOLDS.       :;:;,       •;  ;^- 

Jennie  H.  Reynolds,  wife  of  the  late  Peter  G.  Reynolds,  who  during  his  life- 
time was  associated  with  agricultural  interests  in  Knox  county,  resides  on  the 
farm  which  her  husband  operated  for  many  years,  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  Sparta  township.  She  was  born  in  Knoxville,  Illinois,  January 
29,  1864.  Her  father,  Robert  Higgins.  who  lives  at  Knoxville  and  is  in  his 
seventy-third  year,  is  a  native  of  Belfast,  Ireland,  arriving  in  America  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  years.  His  parents  located  at  Knoxville,  Illinois,  and  there  he 
was  brought  up  to  follow  farming  and  also  learned  the  butcher's  trade,  follow- 
ing this  dual  occupation  until  his  retirement  a  number  of  years  ago.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Wallace,  also  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  they  had  ten  children,  five 
boys  and  five  girls,  of  whom  two  are  deceased.  The  living  are :  Jennie,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  review;  Robert,  residing  in  Minnesota;  Samuel,  living  at  home; 
Mayme,  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Grounds  of  Denver,  Colorado;  Martha,  the  wife  of 
Ray  Van  Tassel,  of  Flint,  Michigan;  James  and  Charles,  living  in  La  Junta, 
Colorado;  and  Belle,  the  wife  of  A.  Humphrey  of  Minnesota. 

After  the  usual  education  in  the  public  schools  of  her  native  locality  Jennie 
H.  Higgins  remained  at  home  for  a  time  and  in  April,  1893,  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Peter  G.  Reynolds.  He  was  bom  on  the  old  homestead  in  Sparta  town- 
ship in  1860  and  was  a  son  of  E.  B.  Reynolds,  at  present  a  resident  of  Gales- 
burg.  Reared  in  the  locality  in  which  he  passed  his  entire  life  he  obtained  his 
education  here  attending  first  the  district  schools  of  Sparta  township  and  later 
Lombard  College  at  Galesburg.  He  engaged  in  agriculture  operating  his  father's 
farm  for  a  number  of  years.  He  then  farmed  on  his  own  account  and  after 
his  marriage  purchased  the  farm  where  Mrs.  Reynolds  is  now  living.  Here  he 
followed  the  pursuits  of  general  farming  and  feeding  cattle  for  market,  meeting 
with  substantial  rewards  for  his  untiring  toil.  In  politics  he  was  an  ardent  dem- 
ocrat and  served  for  many  terms  as  a  director  on  the  school  board  and  as  road 
commissioner.  On  August  3,  1898,  Mr.  Reynolds  passed  away  after  a  lingering 
illness  of  two  years,  and  although  he  had  suffered  long  his  untimely  death  came 
as  a  great  shock  to  his  family,  for  he  had  been  a  good  husband  and  a  devoted 


J  ;       :    .;    V-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '     -;:.:.       975 

'"••'••          ''•'•''''''.''''•..-'     -^  ,•''"-'•  ••'',' 

•••'    *  '''"'•  •  ••  •    •  -     ' ' ,  '  '    '        '' . '  -•'*  -,   '•  .''      •  f    •  ''-.•'.'" 

father.     Two  children  were  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reynolds :  Ralph  J.,  born 
August  13,  1894;  and  John  E.,  born  February  24,  1897. 

Mrs.  Reynolds  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  of  Knoxville,  the  faith 
to  which  her  husband  also  belonged.  He  maintained  fraternal  relations  with  the 
Masonic  order  having  been  a  member  of  the  Knoxville  lodge.  Occupied  with 
the  responsibilities  of  motherhood,  educating  her  children,  seeing  that  they  may 
be  provided  with  the  opportunities  which  will  enable  them  to  make  their  way 
in  the  world,  the  years  of  widowhood  have  passed  rapidly  for  Mrs.  Reynolds  and 
have  softened  her  grief  and  the  loneliness  that  follows  the  bereavement  of  dear 

ones.          •     -     •,,     ^•-•-       :••_•,•      •,     .-V-.    .r--  -  •    -  .-    V:.Vv%.--     •   .     /     •    •          •..•••:•  \^-::,^     V 


\--;  ,  OWEN  BETTERTON  WEST.-  'A'^  -  r;/ ^'  V 

Born  in  Yates  City,  Illinois,  Owen  Betterton  West  has  been  a  resident  of 
Knox  county  his  entire  life,- the  date  of  his  birth  being  August  I,  1869.  His 
father,  Isaac  N.  West,  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  in  1835,  and  came 
to  Yates  City  with  his  parents,  John  and  Elizabeth  (George)  West,  who  settled 
two  miles  north  of  Yates  City  on  a  farm  which  he  owned,  comprising  one  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  and  grew  to  manhood  in  Elba  township.  John  West  was 
also  a  native  of  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  being  born  May  3,  1809.  His  first  Ameri- 
can ancestor  was  Owen  West,  a  brother  to  the  father  of  Benjamin  West,  the 
celebrated  artist,  and  was  born  in  London,  England,  in  1729  and  came  to  Amer- 
ica in  1761,  settling  in  Georgia.  He  was  widely  known  for  the  strong  views 
he  held  in  opposition  to  slavery.  Isaac  N.  West  was  twice  married,  his  first 
wife  being  Charlotte  Hull ;  he  was  married  the  second  time  to  Eliza  Ann  Mason, 
a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Eliza  (Sayler)  Mason,  who  lived  in  Knox  county, 
where  Mrs.  West  was  reared,  although  she  claimed  Ohio  as  her  native  state. 
There  were  nine  children  in  the  West  family,  of  whom  the  following  are  still 
living:  Charles,  married  to  Susan  Nixon,  resides  in  Miami,  Oklahoma,  where 
he  is  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business;  Owen  B. ;  Nora,  the  wife  of  Fred- 
erick Soldwell,  who  resides  in  Yates  City;  and  William  Edwin,  who  operates 
a  grain  elevator  in  Yates  City.  The  deceased  are :  Marion,  Edith,  Josephine 
and  two  who  died  in  infancy.  By  his  fornver  union  to  Miss  Charlotte  Hull, 
Mr.  West  had  a  daughter.  Charlotte,  the  wife  of  Frank  Chamberlain,  a  mer- 
chant in  Yates  City.  I.  N.  West  resided  north  of  Yates  City  where  he  owned 
a  very  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Salem  township,  oper- 
ating this  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  forty-eight  years.  He  was  not  a  poli- 
tician but  was  loyal  in  his  support  of  the  republican  policies.  Mrs.  West  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  seventy  years  and  three  months. 

Owen  B.  West  obtained  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Salem  town- 
ship and  attended  Lombard  College,  after  which  he  took  a  course  at  Brown's 
Business  College,  at  Peoria,  Illinois.  His  first  work  was  in  the  fields  but  he 
remained  at  this  only  a  short  time  when  he  engaged  in  the  grain  business  in 
Yates  City  meeting  with  much  success  in  the  enterprise.  His  desire  to  return 
to  agricultural  labors,  however,  and  a  good  offer  made  him  by  M.  W.  Thomp- 
son induced  him  to  sell  his  grain  interests — which  Mr.  Thompson  later  sold  to 


976  ;  ::        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

William  Edwin  West,  Owen  West's  brother — and  again  resume  the  carefree 
and  independent  life  on  a  farm.  Being  progressive  and  modern  in  his  methods 
of  cultivating  the  soil  and  breeding  cattle  he  found  much  profit  in  this  work 
and  continued  it  until  the  spring  of  191 1  when  he  located  in  Yates  City  where 
he  now  lives.  He  is  interested  in  several  local  business  enterprises  and  is  the 
president  of  the  Farmer's  Telephone  Company. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  West  and  Miss  Alpha  Van  Tassell  occurred  on  March 
14,  1895.  She  was  a  native  of  Peoria,  Illinois,  her  parents  being  William  W. 
Van  Tassell,  born  in  New  York  city,  and  Jane  (Boardman)  Van  Tassell,  born 
in  England.  Mr.  Van  Tassell  brought  his  wife  as  a  bride  to  Stark  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  later  removed  to  Peoria,  where  he  lived  for  forty  years,  being  em- 
ployed on  the  railroad  during  much  of  that  time  and  for  a  number  of  years 
was  employed  as  government  store  keep>er  for  the  internal  revenue  department 
of  the  United  States.  He  was  an  old  soldier,  having  enlisted  for  the  first 
time  from  New  York  and  for  the  second  time  from  Stark  county,  Illinois.  At 
the  time  of  his  discharge  he  was  a  sergeant.  He  was  a  republican  in  politics 
and  with  his  family  belonged  to  the  Methodist  chilrch.  His  death  occurred  at 
the  age  of  seventy-two  and  his  wife's  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  They  had 
eight  children  of  whom  six  are  still  living,  Mrs.  West  being  the  only  one  of 
the  number  residing  in  Knox  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  West  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Lloyd  Alvin,  born  March  14,  1896;  and  Harriet  Florine,  bom 
November  21,  1903.  .  .  '• 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  West  is  a  republican  and  was  elected  on  the  party 
ticket  in  the  spring  of  1910  to  the  office  of  supervisor,  his  term  continuing 
until  1912.  At  previous  times  he  has  held  the  offices  of  assessor  of  Salem 
township,  member  of  the  board  of  auditors  of  Salem  township,  alderman,  and 
mayor  of  Yates  City.  He  is  a  Mason  being  a  member  of  the  Yates  City  lodge 
in  which  he  has  passed  through  all  the  chairs.  .  ,  ,  .  ..... 


•^•:T::r-'  '    •      •_-  .,  •       JAMES  CATION.   .;V ;..'--:•,-.;••;:-;:-.•:•; 

James  Cation  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  in  1821,  and  died  in  Williams- 
field,  Illinois,  in  1904,  his  parents  being  William  and  Margaret  (Paul)  Cation. 
The  family  were  well  known  silk  weavers  of  that  country  and  were  engaged  in 
hand  weaving  fine  Paisley  shawls.  In  the  land  of  his  nativity  James  Cation 
was  reared  and  educated  and  in  1843  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  emigra- 
tion to  the  United  States,  the  voyage  being  made  in  a  sailing  vessel  which  en- 
countered a  severe  storm  while  passing  through  the  West  Indies.  The  rigging 
of  the  vessel  was  torn  away  and  lost,  and  for  nine  weeks  they  drifted  but  finally 
landed  in  New  Orleans,  whence  they  made  their  way  to  Peoria,  Illinois. 

The  father  of  our  subject  settled  on  a  farm  on  section  26,  Millbrook  town- 
ship, Peoria  county,  and  James  Cation  subsequently  purchased  the  land  which 
his  father  had  obtained  from  the  government.  It  was  in  1870  that  James  Cation 
came  to  Knox  county  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Elba  township,  where  he  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1892.  He  then  retired  from  active  labor  and  re- 
moved to  Williamsfield,  where  he  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years. 


^ 

72 


H 

o 


«76    :     •  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

William  Edwin  West,  Owen  West's  brother — and  again  resume  the  carefree 
and  independent  life  on  a  farm.  Being  progressive  and  modern  in  his  methods 
of  cultivating  the  soil  and  breeding  cattle  he  found  much  profit  in  this  work 
and  continued  it  until  the  spring  of  1911  when  he  located  in  Yates  City  where 
he  now  lives.  He  is  interested  in  several  local  business  enterprises  and  is  the 
president  of  the  Farmer's  Telephone  Company. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  West  and  Miss  Alpha  \'an  Tassell  occurred  on  March 
14.  1895.  She  was  a  native  of  Peoria,  Illinois,  her  parents  being  William  W. 
Van  Tassell,  born  in  Xew  ^'ork  city,  and  Jane  (Boardman)  \'an  Tassell,  born 
in  England.  Mr.  \'an  Tassell  brought  his  wife  as  a  bride  to  Stark  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  later  removed  to  Peoria,  where  he  lived  for  forty  years,  being  em- 
ployed on  the  railroad  during  much  of  that  time  and  for  a  number  of  years 
was  employed  as  government  store  keeper  for  the  internal  revenue  department 
of  the  United  States.  He  was  an  old  soldier,  having  enlisted  for  the  first 
time  from  Xew  York  and  for  the  second  time  from  Stark  county,  Illinois.  At 
the  time  of  his  discharge  he  was  a  sergeant.  He  was  a  republican  in  politics 
and  with  his  family  belonged  to  the  Methodist  church.  His  death  occurred  at 
the  age  of  seventy-two  and  his  wife's  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  They  had 
eight  children  of  whom  six  are  still  living,  Mrs.  West  being  the  only  one  of 
the  number  residing  in  Knox  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  West  are  the  parents  of 
two  children:  Lloyd  Alvin,  born  March  14,  1896;  and  Harriet  Florine,  born 
November  21,  1903.  .  .  _  t 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  \\'est  is  a  repubh'can  and  was  elected  on  the  party 
ticket  in  the  spring  of  1910  to  the  office  of  supervisor,  his  term  continuing 
until  1912.  At  previous  times  he  has  held  the  offices  of  assessor  of  Salem 
township,  member  of  the  board  of  auditors  of  Salem  township,  alderman,  and 
mayor  of  Yates  City.  He  is  a  Mason  being  a  member  of  the  Yates  City  lodge 
in  which  he  has  passed  through  all  the  chairs. 


\  :  .  JAMES  CATION.  ;    - 

James  Cation  was  born  in  (ilasgow.  Scotland,  in  1821,  and  died  in  Williams- 
field.  Illinois,  in  1904.  his  parents  being  William  and  Margaret  (Paul)  Cation. 
The  family  were  well  known  silk  weavers  of  that  country  anrl  were  engaged  in 
hand  weaving  tine  Paisley  shawls.  In  the  land  of  his  nativity  James  Cation 
was  reared  and  educated  and  in  1843  acc()ni])anied  his  parents  on  their  emigra- 
tion to  the  United  .States,  the  voyage  being  made  in  a  sailing  vessel  which  en- 
countered a  severe  storm  while  passing  through  the  \\'cst  Indies.  The  rigging 
of  the  vessel  was  torn  away  and  lost,  and  for  nine-  \vctk-i  tliey  drifted  but  finally 
landed  in  New  Orleans,  whence  they  made  their  way  to  Peoria,  Illinois. 

The  father  of  our  subject  settled  on  a  farm  cm  section  26.  Millbrook  town- 
shi]),  Peoria  county,  and  James  Cation  subsefjuently  purchased  the  land  which 
his  father  had  obtained  from  the  government.  It  was  in  1870  that  James  Cation 
came  to  Knox  countv  and  located  on  a  farm  in  l-^lba  township,  where  he  engaged 
in  agricultural  jjursuits  until  1892.  He  then  retired  from  active  labor  and  re- 
moved to  Williamsfield,  where  he  passe<l  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years. 


'•'•:-'---^-'-.    -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  «77 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  was  formerly  a  republican  in 
politics  but  later  came  a  free-trade  democrat.  He  took,  a  very  prominent  and 
active  part  in  township  affairs  and  held  a  number  of  minor  offices.  He  was  suc- 
cessful in  business  and  was  a  man  honored  and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him. 
In  1855  he  married  Catherine  Gray,  who  was  also  born  in  Glasgow,  Scot- 
land, in  1838,  and  came  to  America  in  1852  with  a  brothes  and  two  sisters,  her 
parents  having  died  in  Scotland.  She  still  resides  in  Williamsfield  and  is  an 
earnest  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cation 
were  born  eight  children,  namely:  David,  of  Williamsfield,  Illinois;  William,  a 
resident  of  Knoxville,  Illinois;  Alex,  who  lives  in  Walla  Walla,  Washington; 
John,  of  Elba  township,  Knox  county;  one  who  died  in  childhood;  James  L., 
a  banker  who  died  in  Arizona  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years ;  Charles,  who  died 
in  Oregon ;  and  Mary,  who  died  at  the  home  of  her  parents  when  a  young  woman. 


.^:;..;;';.-:-^--':-.";  •^-     CLYDE  H. 

Oyde  H.  Machen,  senior  partner  of  the  firm  of  Machen  Brothers,  whole- 
sale and  retail  dealers  in  fuel,  feed,  flour  and  hay,  at  133  East  Waters  street, 
Galesbur^,  was  bom  in  Columbus,  Texas,  on  January  24,  1882.  His  parents 
are  Henry  S.  and  Mary  J.  (Brower)  Machen,  the  father  a  native  of  Illinois 
and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania.  Henry  S.  Machen  was  born  in  Peotone, 
Will  county,  and  there  he  was  also  reared.  He  was  given  the  benefit  of  very 
good  educational  advantages  and  when  old  enough  to  become  self-supporting 
engaged  in  teaching.  This  profession  engaged  his  attention  for  several  years, 
but  having  decided  upon  a  commercial  career  he  subsequently  went  to  Sturgeon 
Bay,  Wisconsin,  where  he  became  identified  with  the  lumber  business.  Later 
he  was  appointed  manager  of  a  large  plantation  and  lumber  mill  in  Texas,  that 
he  operated  for  a  time  and  then  went  into  the  oyster  business  at  Mississippi 
City,  Mississippi.  In  1887  he  removed  to  Missouri  and  engaged  in  contracting 
and  building  at  Marceline,  that  state.  While  engaged  in  this  business  he  erected 
or  supervised  the  construction  of  many  of  the  leading  buildings  in  the  town. 
At  the  end  of  three  years,  in  1890,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Atchison, 
Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company,  and  has  ever  since  continued  in  their 
service.  In  February,  1903,  he  was  transferred  to  Galesburg  in  the  capacity 
of  passenger  and  freight  agent,  which  position  he  still  holds.  The  paternal 
grandparents  of  our  subject  were  A.  B.  and  Louise  (Sultzbaugh)  Machen,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania.  In  their  early  years  they  came  to  Illinois,  locating  in 
Will  county,  where  they  resided  for  many  years  and  from  there  removed  to 
Marceline,  Missouri.  There  the  grandfather  passed  away  about  1885,  having 
attained  a  ripe  old  age,  but  he  is  still  survived  by  the  grandmother,  who  con- 
tinues to  make  her  home  in  Marceline.  Mrs.  Henry  S.  Machen  was  the  only 
child  of  her  parents,  her  mother  being  Mrs.  Ella  L.  (Evans)  Brower.  Three 
sons  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Machen,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  eldest, 
the  other  two  being  Harvey  L.  and  Cecil  E. 

The  earliest  memories  of  Clyde  H.  Machen  are  associated  with  Marceline 
and  Lexington  Junction,  Missouri,  as  he  was  only  a  child  of  three  years  when 


978  •     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

• 

his  parents  located  in  the  former  place.  When  old  enough  to  begin  his  educa- 
tion  he  entered  the  public  schools  of  Marceline,  but  subsequently  attended 
Woodson  Institute.  As  soon  as  he  was  qualified  to  become  self-supporting 
he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Atchison,  Topeka 
&  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company,  at  Lexington  Junction,  where  he  remained 
until  1901.  In  the 'latter  year  he  was  stationed  at  Laplata,  Missouri,  going 
from  there  to  various  other  points  on  the  company's  lines  until  1903,  when  he 
accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Galesburg.  Very  soon  thereafter 
he  was  assigned  duty  elsewhere,  and  during  the  succeeding  six  years  was 
employed  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Colorado  and  New  Mexico.  In 
1909  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and  established  the  business  he  is  now  conduct- 
ing.  During  the  first  three  months  he  was  sole  owner,  but  the  enterprise  de- 
veloped  so  rapidly  that  his  brother  Cecil  E.  became  associated  with  him  at  the 
expiration  of  that  period  under  the  firm  name  of  Machen  Brothers.  Their 
store  is  located  at  No.  133  East  Waters  street,  and  as  they  are  both  enter- 
prising young  men,  who  conduct  their  business  in  a  straightforward,  legitimate 
manner,  they  are  accorded  an  excellent  patronage  that  is  constantly  increasing. 

On  the  2ist  of  December,  1908,  Mr.  Machen  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mrs.  Nellie  H.  Wright,  a  daughter  of  Benson  and  Gertrude  V.  Hume,  of  Illi- 
nois,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  one  son,  Clyde  Richard. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Machen  hold  membership  in  the  Central  Congregational  church. 
His  political  support  Mr.  Machen  gives  to  the  republican  party.  During  the  brief 
period  of  his  connection  with  the  commercial  activities  of  Galesburg,  he  has 
manifested  the  qualities  that  invariably  characterize  the  successful  business  man, 
and  the  future  of  the  enterprise  with  which  he  is  connected  seems  assured. 


•:  •  MICHAEL  WELSH.    ;;,:-^:=::::v^     V 

.  In  the  death  of  Michael  Welsh  on  the  28th  of  July,  1907,  Knox  county  lost 
a  citizen  who  had  long  been  honored  as  a  representative  and  worthy  resident 
of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  had  occupied  his  home  in  Williamsfield  for 
many  years,  becoming  a  resident  of  Truro  township  in  the  spring  of  1856. 
From  that  time  until  his  death  he  had  maintained  a  creditable  position  as  a 
business  man  and  as  a  public  official,  and  throughout  his  entire  life  he  had 
wisely  used  the  advantages  and  opportunities  that  came  to  him.  While  he 
never  had  any  great  ambition  to  obtain  wealth,  yet  he  made  for  his  family  a 
comfortable  living  and  he  continually  added  to  his  store  of  mental  riches 
through  his  wide  and  diversified  reading. 

Mr.  Welsh  was  born  September  8,  1830,  in  Kilkenny  county,  Ireland,  his 
parents  being  William  and  Mary  (Hoi den)  Welsh.  His  educational  opportuni- 
ties were  equivalent  to  those  of  a  common-school  course  in  this  land,  and  on 
the  I4th  of  October,  1850,  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Catherine  Grace,  and  with  his  bride  started  for  America,  arriving  in 
New  Orleans  on  the  ist  of  January,  1851.  This  was  the  wedding  journey  of 
the  young  couple  who,  after  a  voyage  of  eight  weeks  upon  a  sailing  vessel, 
reached  the  American  port,  and  from  the  present  city  of  New  Orleans  made 


VJB       :  :         '  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

his  parents  located  in  the  former  place.  When  old  enough  to  begin  his  educa- 
tion he  entered  the  public  schools  of  Marceline,  but  subsequently  attended 
Woodson  Institute.  As  soon  as  he  was  qualified  to  become  self-supporting 
he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Atchison,  Topeka 
&  Santa  Fe  Railroad  Company,  at  Lexington  Junction,  where  he  remained 
until  igoi.  In  the -latter  year  he  was  stationed  at  Laplata,  Missouri,  going 
from  there  to  various  other  points  on  the  company's  lines  until  1903,  when  he 
accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Galesburg.  \  ery  soon  thereafter 
he  was  assigned  duty  elsewhere,  and  during  the  succeeding  six  years  was 
employed  in  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Colorado  and  Xevv  Mexico.  In 
1909  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and  established  the  business  he  is  now  conduct- 
ing. During  the  first  three  months  he  \vas  sole  owner,  but  the  enterprise  de- 
veloped so  rapidly  that  his  brother  Cecil  E.  became  associated  with  him  at  the 
expiration  of  that  period  under  the  firm  name  of  Machen  Brothers.  Their 
store  is  located  at  Xo.  133  East  Waters  street,  and  as  they  are  both  enter- 
prising young  men,  who  conduct  their  business  in  a  straightforward,  legitimate 
manner,  they  are  accorded  an  excellent  patronage  that  is  constantly  increasing. 

On  the  2ist  of  December.  1908,  Mr.  Machen  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mrs.  Xellie  H.  \\'riglit,  a  daughter  of  Benson  and  Gertrude  \  .  Hume,  of  Illi- 
nois, and  they  liave  become  tlie  parents  of  one  son,  Clyde  Richard. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Machen  hold  membership  in  the  Central  Congregational  church. 
His  political  support  Mr.  Macheu  gives  to  the  republican  party.  During  the  brief 
period  of  his  connection  with  tlie  commercial  activities  of  Galesburg,  he  has 
manifested  the  qualities  that  invariably  characterize  the  successful  business  man, 
and  the  future  of  the  enterprise  with  which  he  is  connected  seems  assured. 


.  MICHAEL  WELSH. 

In  the  death  of  Michael  Welsh  on  the  28th  of  July,  1907,  Knox  county  lost 
a  citizen  who  had  long  been  honored  as  a  representative  and  worthy  resident 
of  this  part  of  the  state.  He  ha<l  occupied  his  home  in  Williamsfield  for 
many  years,  becoming  a  resident  of  Truro  township  in  the  spring  of  1856. 
From  that  time  until  his  death  he  had  maintained  a  creditable  position  as  a 
business  man  and  as  a  public  official,  and  throughout  his  entire  life  he  had 
wisely  used  the  advantages  and  opportunities  that  came  to  him.  While  he 
never  had  any  great  ambition  to  obtain  wealth,  yet  he  made  for  his  family  a 
comfortable  living  and  he  continually  added  to  his  store  of  mental  riches 
through  his  wide  and  diversified  reading. 

Mr.  Welsh  was  born  September  8,  1830,  in  Kilkenny  county,  Ireland,  his 
parents  being  William  and  Mary  ( Ilolden )  \\'elsh.  His  educational  opportuni- 
ties were  equivalent  to  those  of  a  common-school  course  in  this  land,  and  on 
the  1 4th  of  October,  1850,  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Catherine  (jrace,  and  with  his  bride  started  for  America,  arriving  in 
New  Orleans  on  the  ist  of  January,  1851.  This  was  the  wedding  journey  of 
the  young  couple  who,  after  a  voyage  of  eight  weeks  upon  a  sailing  vessel, 
reached  the  American  port,  and  from  the  i)resent  city  of  Xew  Orleans  made 


Xr'     :•:;'•-:;:  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,         :;  .      osi 

their  way  up  the  Mississippi  river  to  St.  Louis.  After  a  brief  period  passed 
there  they  journeyed  up  the  Illinois  river  to  Peoria  and  thence  by  wagon 
traveled  with  Benoni  Simpkins,  one  of  Mr.  Welsh's  earliest  friends,  to  Maquon, 
arriving  there  on  the  I9th  of  April,  1851.  The  following  year  Mr.  Welsh  aided 
in  building  a  bridge  across  Spoon  river,  now  known  as  the  Long  Bridge,  receiv- 
ing for  his  services  the  munificent  sum  of  fifty  cents  per  day !  He  turned  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  when,  in  1856,  he  removed  with  his  young 
family  to  Truro  township,  where  he  continuously  made  his  home  until  the  time 
of  his  death.  While  residing  there  he  formed  the  acquaintance  and  gained  the 
friendship  of  Henry  J.  Corbin,  whose  willingptiess  to  assist  young  men  in  their 
struggles  to  get  a  start  in  those  pioneer  times  endeared  his  memory  to  many. 
Mr.  Welsh  was  always  extremely  grateful  to  Mr.  Corbin,  and  one  of  the  last 
things  he  planned  before  his  death  was  a  visit  to  the  grave  of  this  friend  of 
his  early  manhood  to  remove  some  brush  that  had  grown  upon  and  around  the 
last  resting  place  of  Mr.  Corbin. 

While  Mr.  Welsh  carefully  managed  his  business  affairs  with  the  laudable 
ambition  to  provide  a  good  living  for  his  family  it  was  well  known  that  he 
never  took  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  another  in  a  business  transaction, 
nor  was  he  ever  so  busy  that  he  neglected  the  duties  and  obligations  of  good 
citizenship.  It  is  said  that  his  home  was  known  from  Galesburg  to  Chillicothe 
in  the  early  days  as  the  abode  of  hospitality  and  good  cheer  and  that  no  worthy 
person  was  ever  denied  shelter  and  entertainment  there.  From  time  to  time 
he  was  called  to  public  offices  and  filled  a  number  of  local  p>ositions  in  a  most 
creditable  manner.  He  served  as  assessor  for  several  terms,  and  for  twenty 
years  filled  the  position  of  justice  of  the  peace  at  a  time  when  country  justices 
heard  many  cases.  Much  litigation  occurred  in  the  country  between  the  years 
1860  and  1880,  and  all  through  the  fall  and  winter  months,  after  crops  had  been 
harvested,  Mr.  Welsh  was  busy  hearing  the  contested  interests  of  litigating 
parties.  He  made  a  fine  judicial  officer,  and  at  different  times  nearly  every 
leading  attorney  of  Knox  county  bar  of  that  period  practiced  before  him,  in- 
cluding H.  N.  Keightley,  Judge  Leander  Douglas,  Judge  Craig  and  C.  K.  Har- 
vey. That  his  decisions  were  strictly  fair  and  impartial  is  indicated  in  the  fact 
that  in  the  twenty  years  in  which  he  presided  over  the  justice  court  no  litigant 
ever  took  an  appeal  from  his  decision.  For  a  half  century  he  had  a  personal 
acquaintance  with  all  the  members  of  the  Knox  county  bar  and  he  was  a  great 
admirer  of  Julius  Manning  and  a  lifelong  friend  and  supporter  of  Judge  Craig. 

Mr.  Welsh  took  a  very  deep  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  general 
progress  and  improvement  of  his  home  community,  his  county,  state  and  nation. 
He  was  a  stalwart  democrat,  giving  unfaltering  support  to  the  principles  of 
his  party,  yet  he  approved  and  commended  the  stand  which  President  Roose- 
velt took  concerning  the  anthracite  coal  strike,  and  he  sympathized  with  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  in  his  determination  to  put  down  the  war.  He  did  not  approve 
of  the  peace  measures  advocated  at  the  time  of  the  McClelland  campaign.  He 
had  previously  supported  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  was  present  at  the  famous 
Lincoln-Douglas  debate  in  Galesburg  in  1858.  All  through  his  life  he  added 
to  his  knowledge  through  wide  reading  and  was  especially  interested  in  works 
of  a  legal  nature  and  in  history.  The  rural  daily  mail  brought  many  periodicals 
and  papers  to  his  home  and  he  always  kept  in  touch  with  current  events.  In 

;•    •    ToL  .11—40      ,        .  ;..      V  •    •'     .      •../••-;•..-...-  ....    '-     -.  ..^.    -.     ; 


982  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  , 

the  early  days  when  it  was  difficult  to  obtain  books  he  eagerly  availed  himself 
of  every  opportunity  to  secure  reading  matter  and  pored  over  the  volumes  of 
biography  that  contained  the  lives  of  Clay,  Webster,  Calhoun,  Washington, 
Lincoln  and  the  heroes  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Thus  from  the  well  supplied 
storehouse  of  his  mind  he  could  continually  draw  for  anecdote,  information,  or 
fact  to  enrich  his  conversation  or  prove  an  argument.  •; 

Six  months  before  his  demise  Mr.  Welsh  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the 
loss  of  his  wife.  A  half  year  passed  and  he  was  laid  to  rest  by  her  side  in  St. 
Joseph's  cemetery  in  Galesburg.  Their  family  included  the  following  sons  and 
daughters:  William  M.,  F.  F.  and  Jay  of  Williamsfield,  Illinois;  Mrs.  Alice 
Cloonen,  of  Zearing,  Iowa;  J.  D.,  of  Galesburg;  Dr.  M.  M.,  of  Odell,  Illinois; 
and  Mrs.  Mary  Judge  of  Pontiac,  Illinois.  Mr.  Welsh  enjoyed  good  health 
and  was  a  man  of  splendid  physique.  By  the  members  of  his  family  he  was 
never  regarded  as  old  or  decrepit  for  he  continued  young  in  thought  and  spirit.  ••' 
He  planned  to  attend  the  4th  of  July  celebration  at  Galesburg,  in  1907,  but  the 
excessive  heat  of  the  summer  proved  detrimental  to  him,  and  on  the  8th  of 
July,  while  sitting  on  the  porch  of  his  home,  he  was  overcome  by  the  heat.  All 
through  his  life  he  had  chosen  those  things  which  are  most  worth  while.  He 
entered  largely  into  the  realm  of  thought,  and  yet  he  remained  an  active  factor 
in  the  world's  work. 


;;:;:-  LYMAN  P.  WILSON.    ;    ;'       r    v ; 

Lyman  P.  Wilson,  now  serving  for  the  second  term  as  city  attorney  of 
Galesburg,  to  which  office  he  was  reelected  in  1911,  is  one  of  the  younger 
representatives  of  the  bar  of  the  city,  yet  since  entering  upon  active  practice 
has  made  substantial  and  continuous  progress.  He  was  born  in  Qarke  county, 
Iowa,  January  21,  1883.  His  father,  John  Wilson,  was  a  native  of  Hermon, 
Knox  county,  Illinois,  born  August  ii,  1856,  and  in  the  public  schools  of  this 
county  he  pursued  his  early  education,  which  was  supplemented  by  a  course 
in  Hedding  College.  He  then  took  up  rail  construction  work  and  contract'ng, 
and  after  continuing  in  that  line  of  business  for  a  time,  devoted  several  years 
to  fanning  in  Iowa,  near  the  town  of  Leslie.  He  then  returned  to  Knox  county 
and  filled  the  position  of  postmaster  at  Hermon  for  twelve  years.  In  1897  he 
removed  to  Galesburg  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  city  water  department, 
while  subsequently  he  became  connected  with  the  engineering  department,  where 
he  is  now  to  be  found.  He  has  always  voted  with  the  democracy  and  made  for 
himself  a  creditable  record  during  his  three  terms'  service  as  postmaster  of 
Hermon.  On  the  2ist  of  July,  i88i,  near  London  Mills,  he  was  united  in  mar-  . 
riage  to  Miss  Amanda  P.  Phillippi,  who  was  born  in  that  locality,  November 
25,  1858.  They  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  well 
spent  lives  have  won  for  them  the  kindly  regard  and  confidence  of  all  with  • 
whom  they  have  been  brought  in  contact.  .'  . .'  /. 

Lyman  P.  Wilson,  their  only  child,  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  and 
high  schools  of  Galesburg  and  in  Knox  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1904.  He  then  entered  upon  preparation  for  a  professional 


.;''':  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;     .>;          983 

career  as  a  student  in  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  form 
which  he  was  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1907.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year 
he  opened  an  office  in  Galesburg,  where  he  continues  in  general  practice,  and 
in  the  trial  of  cases  he  has  proved  his  ability  to  successfully  cope  with  the  many 
intricate  problems  of  the  law.  In  the  spring  of  1909  he  was  elected  city  at- 
torney and  commendation  of  his  first  term's  service  was  given  him  in  his  re- 
election, in  the  spring  of  1911.  He  was  chosen  as  the  candidate  of  the  repub- 
lican party  and  has  always  been  one  of  the  stanch  supporters  of  that  political 
organization. 

..{  On  the  2ist  of  January,  1909,  Mr.  Wjlson  was  married  to  Miss  Edith  Marks, 
a  daughter  of  J.  Warren  and  Mary  Lillian  (Houder)  Marks,  of  Pontiac,  Illi- 
nois. Her  father,  who  was  born  August  2,  1857,  followed  farming  for  a  long 
period  at  Pontiac  and  is  now  living  at  Lake  Park,  Iowa.  It  was  on  the  loth 
of  January,  1883,  that  he  wedded  Mary  L.  Houder,  who  was  bom  December 
14,  1862.  They  became  the  parents  of  three  children:  Welford  H.,  bom  July 
24,  1884;  Mrs.  Edith  Wilson,  born  December  31,  1886;  and  Florence  L.,  bom 
September  i8,  1889. 

During  his  college  days  Mr.  Wilson  was  prominent  in  fraternal  circles, 
becoming  a  member  of  the  Phi  Alpha  Delta  of  the  University  of  Chicago  and 
the  Delta  Sigma  Rho  fraternity  of  Knox  College.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
earnest  and  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work 
of  which  he  has  taken  a  helpful  part,  serving  for  a  time  as  a  teacher  in  the 
Sunday  school.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Woodmen's  lodge.  Because  nature 
endowed  him  with  strong  intellectual  qualities  and,  furthermore,  because  he  is 
ambitious  and  determined,  one  feels  no  hesitancy  in  predicting  for  him  a  suc- 
cessful future,  for  he  has  already  well  established  himself  in  the  practice  of 
his  chosen  profession.  ;;'•-;;:  -  ''^~ ';"'-.'-'':- 


••-     v:   :•":       '    ''    ^"'   "•:/:       JOHN  HALL.    , -l^wv--:;/':  / '^^  •':;•'  r,/;.v-''-'''-C-"i\ 

John  Hall,  one  of  the  venerable  residents  of  this  county,  who  is  passing  a 
peaceful  old  age  in  his  home  in  Douglas,  retired  from  active  participation 
in  farming  interests  several  years  ago,  and  although  nearly  eighty-two  years 
of  age  he  is  as  cheerful  in  spirit  and  keen  in  mind  as  many  a  man  twenty 
years  his  junior.  He  was  born  in  County  Mayo,  Ireland,  June  13,  1830,  his 
parents  being  James  and  Mary  (Nash)  Hall,  natives  of  Ireland.  There  were 
nine  children  in  the  family,  seven  of  whom  came  to  America,  John  Hall  being 
the  only  one  who  survived.  On  his  arrival  in  the  United  States  he  settled  in 
New  York  state  and  found  employment'  in  a  machine  shop,  continuing  in  this 
connection  for  a  number  of  years,  until  he  came  to  Peoria  county,  Illinois.  He 
remained  there  three  years  and  then  removed  to  Gallia  county,  Ohio,  where 
he  resided  for  twelve  years.  There  he  married  Mary  Jane  Stewart,  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Salem  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
buying  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  situated  on  section  7  of  Salem  township,  in 
1867.  Mr.  Hall  set  about  cultivating  this  land,  which  was  partly  improved, 
and  constructed  buildings  and  fences  thereon.  He  was  enterprising  in  his  taeth- 


984  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -v -•.,;' 

ods  and  met  with  excellent  results  in  his  work.  In  1907  he  discontinued  his 
labors  on  the  farm  and  retired  to  Douglas,  Illinois,  to  pass  the  remainder  of 
his  life  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  well  earned  rest. 

The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall:  Fred,  deceased; 
John  William ;  Robert  S.,  who  resides  in  Douglas  and  is  married  to  Blanch 
Buffington,  a  daughter  of  Frank  Buflfington,  of  Farmington,  Illinois,  and  has 
three  children,  Priscilla  Bella,  Floyd  Vincent  and  Mary  Flizabeth;  Francis, 
who  married  Anna  Kennedy,  a  daughter  of  James  Kennedy,  of  McComb,  Illi- 
nois, and  has  one  child,  Glenn,  and  two  daughters  deceased,  one  dying  at  the 
age  of  two  years  and  the  other  at  the  age  of  six.  Mrs.  Hall  passed  away  on 
the  old  home  farm  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years  and  is  interred  in  the  Union- 
town  cemetery. 

Mr.  Hall  votes  with  the  republican  party  but  is  not  actively  interested  in 
politics  although  he  is  well  informed  on  affairs  of  national  and  local  interest. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  his  wife  also 
belonged. 


.   ;-v  HENRY  SULTZBAUGH  MACHEN.  .        :;  ,     • 

i"^' ••  •  "'  •' ..''  •      V    •    •   ' 

Henry  Sultzbaugh  Machen,  who  has  been  freight  and  passenger  agent  for 
the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad  at  Galesburg  since  February  i,  1903, 
was  born  in  McLean  county,  Illinois,  on  the  25th  of  February,  i86i.  He  is  a 
son  of  Amos  and  Louise  (Sultzbaugh)  Machen,  both  natives  of  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Amos  Machen  remained  a  resident  of  his  native  state 
until  1860,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm  in  McLean  county. 
He  assiduously  applied  himself  to  the  further  cultivation  and  improvement  of 
his  land  for  some  years  thereafter,  meeting  with  a  reasonable  degree  of  suc- 
cess. Later,  however,  he  withdrew  from  agricultural  pursuits  and  engaged  in 
contracting  and  building.  After  identifying  himself  with  this  business  he  re- 
moved to  Missouri,  subsequently  becoming  a  resident  of  Marceline,  that  state. 
He  located  there  about  the  time  the  town  was  founded  and  engaged  in  the 
same  business.  As  he  was  a  good  mechanic  and  capable  business  man,  his 
undertaking  thrived  and  he  erected  many  of  the  leading  public  buildings  and 
private  residences  in  the  town.  He  was  numbered  among  the  enterprising  and 
successful  citizens  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1899,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-two  years.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  continues  to  make  her 
home  in  Marceline  and  there  recently  celebrated  the  sixty-eighth  anniversary  of 
her  birth.  Mr.  Machen  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  been  in  the 
service  for  three  years  and  three  months.  He  was  clerk  of  his  company  and 
was  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  corporal.  He  was  not  a  member  of  any 
denomination  but  was  friendly  to  all,  while  his  wife  holds  membership  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  our 
subject  being  the  eldest  of  the  six  who  attained  maturity.  In  order  of  birth  the 
others  are  as  follows :  Levi  B.,  who  is  deceased ;  Emma,  the  wife  of  William 
Houle,  of  Chicago;  George  F.,  who  is  deceased;  May,  deceased;  and  Guy,  who 
lives  'in  San  Marcial,  New  Mexico.  The  paternal  grandparents  were  Henry 


•;•'•;    -•;:;;•:      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V  r        985 

and  Caroline  (Brennemann)  Machen,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  but  of  German 
extraction.  To  them  were  born  four  children,  Amos,  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject; Ann;  Peter;  and  Henry.  Agricultural  pursuits  always  engaged  the  at- 
tention of  Henry  Machen,  who  passed  away  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  He  was  long  survived  by  his  widow, 
wlio  was  eighty-two  at  the  time  of  her  death.  The  maternal  grandparents,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Henry  Sultzbaugh,  were  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  but  they  came 
in  an  early  day  to  Peotone,  Will  county,  Illinois,  making  their  home  with  their 
son.  Later  they  returned  to  the  Keystone  state  and  there  they  both  passed 
away  at  a  rif>e  old  age.  Their  family  was  as  follows :  Philip ;  Henry ;  Louise, 
the  mother  of  our  subject;  Mary  Ann;  Peter;  and  Rebecca. 

The  first  year  of  his  life  Henry  S.  Machen  passed  in  his  native  state,  but 
at  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  was  taken  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  resided 
until  he  was  seven.  In  1868  he  was  brought  back  to  Illinois,  spending  the  suc- 
ceeding two  years  in  Will  county.  He  then  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  re- 
moval to  Linn  county,  Missouri,  remaining  there  until  he  was  a  youth  of  thir- 
teen, when  he  went  to  Sturgeon  Bay,  Wisconsin.  At  the  usual  age  he  began 
his  education,  which  was  pursued  in  the  public  schools  at  his  various  points 
of  residence,  until  he  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  at  Sturgeon  Bay. 
For  two  years  thereafter  he  engaged  in  teaching,  but  having  decided  that  he 
preferred  commercial  activities  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  withdrew  from  this 
profession  and  began  his  business  career.  He  was  identified  with  the  lumber 
interests  of  Wisconsin  for  some  years  thereafter,  and  then  went  to  Texas.  Dur- 
ing the  first  eighteen  months  of  his  residence  in  the  latter  state  he  was  over- 
seer of  a  large  cotton  plantation,  but  later  he  was  made  manager  of  some  shingle 
mills  in  Beaumont,  Texas,  continuing  in  this  capacity  for  two  years.  From  there 
he  went  to  Mississippi  City,  Mississippi,  where  he  engaged  in  contracting  and 
building  for  a  year,  then  established  a  wholesale  and  retail  oyster  business  that 
he  conducted  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that  period  he  withdrew  from 
commercial  activities  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa 
Fe  Railroad  Company.  He  began  his  services  with  this  company  in  1888  in 
the  capacity  of  night  ticket  clerk  at  Marceline,  Missouri,  remaining  there  for 
five  years.  In  1903  he  was  transferred  to  Galesburg  as  freight  and  passenger 
agent  and  has  ever  since  been  identified  with  this  position.  A  man  of  pleasing 
personality  and  gracious  and  accommodating  manner,  Mr.  Machen  has  dis- 
charged his  services  in  a  manner  highly  acceptable  to  the  company  and  the 
public. -and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  have  occasion  to  have  dealings 
with  him. 

At  Sturgeon  Bay,  Wisconsin,  on  the  I3th  of  April,  i88i,  was  celebrated 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  Machen  and  Miss  Mary  J.  Brower,  and  they  have  be- 
come the  parents  of  three  children.  Clyde  H.,  who  is  mentioned  at  greater 
length  elsewhere  in  this  work,  is  engaged  in  the  fuel,  feed  and  fiour  business 
with  his  brother,  Cecil  E.,  who  is  the  youngest  member  of  the  family.  Harvey, 
the  second  in  order  of  birth,  who  is  now  residing  in  Oklahoma,  and  married., 
having  two  children.  ;'.;-:;;:  v-\  '>.;  'r  "l^^  •  •  v^  •• 

Mr.  Machen  is  a  trustee  of  the  Central  Congregational  church,  in  which 
both  he  and  his  wife  hold  membership,  and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the 


986  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ' 

Masonic  order,  being  identified  with  Vesper  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  republican,  giving  his  indorsement  to  the  progressive  faction  of 
that  party,  and  for  one  year  he  served  as  city  clerk  of  Galesburg.  Mr.  Macheit 
is  a  highly  estimable  citizen,  progressive  and  enterprising  in  his  ideas,  who 
takes  an  active  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  public  welfare. 


•'•••.:•:  ;\ry  ••'''";     //•       ERASTUS  FULLER.    ,•.••.';.„;  X  •:•„•-'•• 

Erastus  Fuller,  now  living  retired  at  No.  630  Maple  avenue,  is  one  of  the 
well  known  citizens  of  Galesburg,  having  resided  here  for  forty-nine  years, 
during  the  greater  portion  of  which  period  he  actively  engaged  in  carpenter 
work,  while  for  a  time  he  also  operated  a  planing  mill.  His  birth  occurred  at 
Gardiner,  Maine,  a  town  located  on  the  banks  of  the  picturesque  Kennebec 
river,  on  the  3d  of  May,  1830.  The  Fuller  family  originally  came  from  Eng- 
land, the  founder  of  the  American  branch  having  located  in  New  England  in 
1634.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  William  and  Lucy  (Hodg- 
kins)  Fuller.  The  former  was  born  in  Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  March  lo,  1761, 
and  died  in  West  Gardiner,  Maine,  in  September,  1842.  The  grandmother  was 
born  June  lo,  1764,  and  died  May  3,  1846.  In  their  family  were  eleven  children: 
Hannah,  born  September  17,  1787;  Lucy,  born  December  14,  1788;  Catherine, 
February  3,  1791;  William,  February  i,  1793;  David,  January  19,  1795;  James, 
January  12,  1797;  Abigail,  December  12,  1798;  Daniel,  February  i,  i8oi ;  Joseph, 
February  17,  1803;  George,  July  13,  1807;  and  Mary  Ann,  August  20,  i8io. 
All  were  born  in  Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  with  the  exception  of  the  last  named, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  Gardiner,  Maine.  The  father  of  these  children  was  a 
cabinet-maker  and  carpenter  by  trade  and  was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolutionary 
war,  having  enlisted  in  the  service  three  times  during  the  war  for  independence. 
The  maternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  Elisha  and  Sarah  (True)  Drew, 
to  whom  were  born  five  daughters:  Mary,  Charlotte,  Sarah  Ann,  Adaline  and 
Hannah.  They  were  likewise  residents  of  Massachusetts,  where  the  grand- 
father followed  the  carpenter's  trade  during  his  active  years. 

The  parents  of  our  subject,  David  and  Mary  (Drew)  Fuller,  were  both 
natives  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  and  there  they  were  likewise  reared  and 
married  and  passed  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life.  Subsequently  they 
removed  to  Gardiner,  Maine,  formerly  a  part  of  Massachusetts,  where  the  father 
followed  his  trade  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life.  He  was  a  cafpenter  and 
cabinet-maker  of  rare  skill  and  workmanship,  having  learned  to  do  exquisite 
work  with  the  broadax.  He  was  one  of  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  his  town, 
owning  his  own  home,  and  there  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away  at  the  vener- 
able age  of  seventy-four  years,  his  death  occurring  in  1869  and  hers  in  1877. 
In  matters  of  faith  they  were  strictly  orthodox  and  his  political  support  he  gave 
to  the  whig  party.  When  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain  opened,  David 
Fuller  was  old  enough  to  enlist  and  went  to  the  front  as  the  musician  of  his 
regiment  but  did  not  long  remain  in  the  service.  He  was  a  public-spirited  man 
and  always  took  much  interest  in  all  local  political  issues  and  for  some  years 
discharged  the  duties  of  justice  of  the  peace.  Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr. 


y'  V        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  V          987 

and  Mrs.  Fuller,  our  subject  being  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are 
as  follows:  Elizabeth  E.,  Elisha  D.,  DaviH  H.,  Mary  C.,  Sarah  H.,  Rebecca  A. 
and  Ursula  Anna,  who  died  December  4,  1829. 

Reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  Maine,  Erastus  Fuller  obtained  his  education 
in  the  subscription  schools  of  the  vicinity.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  laid 
aside  his  school  books  and  turned  his  attention  to  the  carpenter's  trade,  which 
he  learned  under  the  capable  direction  of  his  father.  This  had  been  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  men  in  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  of  his  family  for  several 
generations  and  to  this  fact  in  all  probability  can  be  attributed  much  of  the 
mechanical  skill  Mr.  Fuller  has  always  manifested.  By  the  time  he  had  attained 
his  majority  he  was  a  capable  and  most  creditable  representative  of  his  craft, 
which  he  successfully  followed  during  the  entire  period  of  his  active  life.  He 
followed  his  trade  in  his  native  state  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  but, . 
believing  that  the  newer  towns  of  the  west  offered  greater  possibilities,  in  1857  • 
with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to  Illinois.  Upon  his  arrival  in  the  state  he 
first  located  at  Oquawka,  Henderson  county,  where  he  resided  until  1863.  In 
May  of  the  latter  year  he  removed  to  Galesburg,  where  he  has  even  since  lived,/, 
having  resided  in  his  present  home  for  forty-four  years.  During  the  long  period 
of  his  residence  here  Mr.  Fuller  has  erected  and  superintended  the  construction 
of  many  of  the  best  dwellings  in  the  town  and  has  also  done  the  carpenter  work 
in  some  of  the  leading  public  buildings.  He  was  always  regarded  as  one  of  the 
best  carpenters  in  the  town  and  one  of  the  most  reliable.  A  man  of  high  honor 
and  integrity,  he  made  it  one  of  the  guiding  principles  of  his  life  to  keep  his 
word  and  to  discharge  each  task  to  the  best  of  his  ability.  Consequently  he  had 
little  difficulty  in  commanding  a  high  price  for  his  work,  as  it  was  always  found 
to  be  worth  the  amount  charged.  When  he  first  located  here  he  only  did  car- 
penter work  but  after  his  sons  became  old  enough  to  go  to  work  he  leased  the  old 
Coulton  planing  mill,  which  he  operated  for  fifteen  years  very  successfully.  A ' 
goodly  degree  of  prosperity  has  attended  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Fuller,  who  in  addi- 
tion to  his  comfortable  residence  and  other  property  interests  has  a  competence 
that  provides  him  and  his  wife  with  all  of  the  necessities  and  many  of  the  com-  ; 
forts  of  life.  • 

Mr.  Fuller  has  been  married  twice.  His  first  union  was  with  Miss  Elizabeth 
Merry,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Frances  (Barter)  Merry,  their  marriage  being 
celebrated  in  Maine,  on  December  9,  1851.  Four  children  were  bom  to  them,  as  • 
follows :  "Lizzie  Flora,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years ;  Elmer,  who  was  a 
babe  of  eighteen  months  when  he  died;  Hervey,  whose  death  occurred  at  the 
age  of  one  year;  and  Blanche,  who  died  in  infancy.  The  mother  passed  away 
on  the  5th  of  April,  1867.  On  the  23d  of  April,  1868,  Mr.  Fuller  married  Miss 
Amelia  D.  Stancliff,  who  is  a  daughter  of  William  and  Esther  (Belden)  Stan- 
cliff.  Mrs.  Fuller  was  born  in  Knox  county,  on  September  26,  1843,  and  here 
she  has  passed  her  entire  life.  Her  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
her  mother  of  New  York,  but  they  were  married  in  the  former  state,  coming 
from  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  to  Knox  county  in  1843.  They  located  at  Center 
Point  in  June  of  that  year  and  there  they  continued  to  reside  until  1848,  when 
they  came  to  Galesburg.  Here  William  Stancliff  passed  away  on  the  I5th  of 
August,  1851,  at  the  age  of  forty-three  years.  The  mother,  however,  survived 
until  February,  1894,  her  death  occurring  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty- four. 


988  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .^'   '!.'•' 

Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Slancliff,  as  follows :  William  Henry 
Harrison,  Mary  Anna,  Amelia  Desire,  Emma  Arabel,  James  Russell,  David 
Russell  and  Daniel  Belden.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Fuller  were 
Russell  and  Desire  (Goodard)  Stancliff,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  had 
two  sons,  William  and  James.  Her  maternal  grandparents  were  David  and 
Anna  (Ensign)  Belden,  natives  of  New  York,  whence  they  removed  to  Penn- 
sylvania, coming  from  there  to  Knox  county  in  1839.  Here  they  both  passed 
away  and  were  laid  to  rest  in  Hope  cemetery.  They  had  seven  children :  Par- 
melia,  Esther,  Nathaniel,  William,  Sallie  Ann,  Daniel  Dixon  and  Susanna  Meriel. 
The  family  of  Mr.  Fuller  and  his  second  wife  numbers  six,  three  daughters  and 
three  sons.  David,  who  is  a  traveling  salesman,  married  Cora  Elizabeth  Barrer 
and  they  reside  at  Galesburg.  Emma,  the  deceased  wife  of  Dr.  Ralph  T.  Ed- 
wards, passed  away  in  Siam  near  Bangkok,  in  January,  1910,  leaving  three  chil- 
dren, Ralph  Stanclifif,  Emma  Hammell  and  Mary  Elizabeth.  William  StanclifF, 
a  postal  clerk  on  the  fast  mail  running  from  Chicago  to  Omaha,  married  Mary 
Ellen  Brooks  and  resides  at  La  Grange,  Illinois.  They  have  one  child  living, 
Erastus  Brooks.  Walter  Erastus,  the  youngest  son,  died  just  before  graduating 
from  high  school  in  March  of  1895.  Bessie  Mabel  is  a  nurse  in  Mayo  Brothers 
Hospital  at  Rochester,  Minnesota.  Mary  Edith,  who  is  the  youngest  member 
of  the  family,  is  at  home  with  her  parents. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fuller  are  Congregationalists,  holding  mem- 
bership in  Central  church  of  this  city,  and  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the 
republicans.  He  was  formerly  a  whig  but  when  that  party  was  merged  into  the 
republican  he  transferred  his  allegiance  and  has  ever  since  cast  his  ballot  for 
their  candidates.  Mr.  Fuller  has  witnessed  the  marvelous  development  of 
Galesburg  that  has  accompanied  the  introduction  of  modern  commercial  and  in- 
dustrial methods  in  keeping  with  the  rapid  progress  of  the  times,  the  inventions 
that  are  now  common  household  and  business  necessities  being  undreamed  of 
luxuries  when  he  first  came  here.  .  .'  '  '  -''v  !-'  • 


'VT  EDSON  REIFSNIDER,  D.  D.         .jj;  -;: 

Edson  Reif snider,  who  is  dean  of  Ryder  Divinity  School,  Lombard  College, 
was  born  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  on  the  28th  of  April,  1868,  a  son  of  Vincent  and 
Frances  Salina  (Gurley)  Reifsnider.  He  acquired  his  early  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  Chicago  and  subsequently  entered  the  divinity  department  of 
Tuft's  College,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated 
in  1898  with  the  degree  of  B.  D.  Before  entering  college  Dr.  Reifsnider  spent 
ten  years  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Chicago.  During  his  senior  year  at  Tuft's 
College  he  acted  as  pastor  of  the  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  Universalist 
church.  Immediately  after  his  graduation  he  accepted  a  pastorate  in  Danvers, 
Massachusetts.  He  remained  there  until  1892  and  the  following  year  removed 
to  Galesburg,  where  he  held  a  pastorate  for  six  years.  In  1903  he  also  accepted 
a  position  as  instructor  in  Ryder  Divinity  School,  Lombard  College,  and  was 
thus  engaged  until  1909  when  he  was  chosen  dean  of  the  school.  He  has  since 
occupied  that  office.  In  1911  Buchtel  College,  Akron,  Ohio,  conferred  upon  him 
the  degree  of  D.  D. 


REV.  EDSOX  REIFSNIDER 


988      -  IIISTOKV  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

Seven  children  were  horn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stancliff.  as  follows:  William  Henry 
Harrist)n.  .Mary  Anna,  .Amelia  Desire,  Emma  .Vrahel,  James  Russell,  David 
Kussell  and  Daniel  I'.elden.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Fuller  were 
Russell  and  Desire  ((ioodard)  Stancliff,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  had 
two  sons,  \\illiam  and  James.  Her  maternal  grandparents  were  David  and 
Anna  ( I^nsign  i  Hclden,  natives  of  Xew  York,  whence  they  removed  to  Penn- 
sylvania, coming  from  there  to  Knox  county  in  1839.  Here  they  both  passed 
away  and  were  laid  to  rest  in  I  lope  cemetery.  They  had  seven  children :  Par- 
melia,  Esther,  Xathaniel,  \\'illiam,  Sallie  Ann,  Daniel  Dixon  and  Susanna  Meriel. 
The  family  of  Mr.  I-'uller  and  his  second  wife  numbers  six,  three  daughters  and 
three  sons.  David,  who  is  a  traveling  salesman,  married  Cora  FJix.abeth  Uarrer 
and  they  reside  at  ( ialesburg.  lunma,  the  deceased  wife  of  Dr.  Ralph  T.  Ed- 
wards, passed  away  in  Siam  near  llangkok,  in  January,  1910,  leaving  three  chil- 
dren, Ral]ih  Stancliff,  Emma  Hammell  and  Mary  l-Llizaijeth.  \\'illiam  Stancliff, 
a  ])ostal  clerk  on  the  fast  mail  running  from  Chicago  to  Omalia,  married  Mary 
Ellen  Brooks  and  resides  at  La  (Irange,  Illinois.  They  have  one  child  living, 
Erastus  Brooks.  \\'alter  ICrastus,  the  youngest  son.  died  just  before  graduating 
from  high  school  in  .March  f)f  1X95.  l'«essie  Mabel  is  a  nurse  in  Mayo  Brothers 
Hosi)ital  at  Rochester,  Minnesota.  Mary  Ivlith,  who  is  the  youngest  member 
of  the  family,  is  at  home  with  her  parents. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  and  Mrs.  I'uller  arc  Congregationalists,  holding  mem- 
I)ership  in  Central  church  of  this  city,  and  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the 
rei)ul)Iicans.  He  was  formerly  a  whig  but  when  that  ])arty  was  merged  into  the 
republican  he  transferred  his  allegiance  and  iias  ever  since  cast  his  ballot  for 
their  candidates.  .Mr.  Iniller  has  witnessed  the  marvelous  development  of 
(ialesburg  that  has  accompanied  the  introduction  of  modern  commercial  and  in- 
dustrial methods  in  keeping  with  the  rai)id  progress  of  the  times,  the  inventions 
that  are  now  common  household  and  business  necessities  being  undreamed  of 
lu.xuries  when  he  lirst  came  here. 


EDSOX   REIFSXIDER,  D.  D.          - 

l-'dson  Reif snider,  who  is  dean  of  Ryder  Divinity  School,  Lombard  College, 
was  born  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  on  the  aSth  of  Ajiril,  iShS,  a  son  of  X'incent  and 
l-'rances  Salina  ( ( iurley )  Reifsnider.  He  ac(|uired  his  early  education  in  the 
])ublic  schools  of  Chicago  and  subse(|uently  entered  the  divinity  de])artment  of 
Tuft's  College,  Boston,  Massachusetts,  from  which  institntitm  he  was  gratluated 
in  ifN(>S  with  the  degree  of  B.  D.  Before  entering  college  Dr.  Reifsnider  spent 
ten  years  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Chicago.  During  his  senior  year  at  Tuft's 
C'ollege  he  acted  as  i)astor  of  the  Xew  I'edford,  Massachu.setts,  L'niversalist 
church.  Immediately  after  his  graduation  he  accepted  a  i)astorate  in  Danvers, 
Massachusetts.  He  remained  there  until  1892  and  the  following  year  removed 
to  (Ialesburg,  where  he  held  a  ])astorate  for  six  years.  In  1903  he  also  accepted 
a  position  as  instructor  in  Ryder  Divinity  School,  Lombard  College,  and  was 
thus  engaged  until  1909  when  he  was  chosen  dean  of  the  school.  He  has  since 
occujjied  that  office.  In  TOII  lUichtel  College,  Akron,  (Ohio,  conferred  u\K>n  him 
the  degree  of  D.  D. 


ItKV.  KDSOX   ItKIFSMDKlt 


:  :;        ^:;  .;  i    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  -;  991 

On  the  ist  of  October,  1906,  Dr.  Reifsnider  was  married  in  Galesburg  to 
Miss  Anna  Louise  Cutter.  He  gives  his  attention  exclusively  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  Ryder  Divinity  School  and  is  one  of  the  valued  members  of  the  faculty 
of  Lombard  College. 


••'."'.•:•  •  ^. •  -  ;'•'  '•  -;  ,j     JOHN  puRDY,    /vV: rv  ••;;..  .•:-;.->    ''•---'^• 

John  Purdy  was  known  in  business,  circles  of  Galesburg  as  a  pattern-maker 
and  through  his  well  conducted  activities  reached  a  point  of  success  that  en- 
abled him  to  spend  his  later  years  in  honorable  retirement  from  labor.  In  early 
life  he  learned  the  pattern-maker's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  number  of 
years,  entering  the  employ  of  George  Brown.  In  this  connection  he  displayed 
marked  skill  and  ability,  so  that  he  was  able  to  fill  a  responsible  position  and 
command  good  wages  for  his  services.  His  industry  and  careful  expenditure 
at  length  brought  him  a  substantial  competence  and  with  this  he  retired  to 
private  life  about  1886.  >'-  -  '^v''";:'^  -  :' 

Mr.  Purdy  was  twice  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Anna  Foote, 
whom  he  wedded  on  the  ist  of  June,  1887.  She  is  a  daughter  of  James  and 
Sarah  (Halley)  McFarland,  of  Warren  county,  Illinois,  their  home  being  on 
the  Monmouth  road  about  six  miles  from  Galesburg.  Their  daughter  Anna 
was  twice  married,  her  first  husband  being  Henry  Foote,  who  was  born  in 
Illinois,  February  5,  1834,  and  was  a  son  of  Francis  and  Hannah  B.  (Miles) 
Foote,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  east  and  died  in  that  part  of  the 
country  when  their  son  Henry  was  a  small  child.  He  afterward  came  to  Illinois 
with  an  uncle,  Bradley  Miles,  who  settled  at  Lewistown,  this  state.  Mr.  .Foote 
completed  his  education  as  a  student  in  Knox  College  and  for  a  few  years  en- 
gaged in  farming  but,  believing  that  he  was  called  to  the  ministry,  he  engaged 
in  preaching  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  was  called  to  his  last  charge 
in  Oneida,  Knox  county,  in  the  fall  of  1873  and  there  engaged  in  preaching  until 
the  following  year,  when  he  went  to  Tennessee,  where  he  died  on  the  5th  of 
January,  1874.  His  life  was  ever  a  consistent  and  honorable  one  and  was  a 
factor  for  good  in  the  world's  work.  His  widow  afterward  returned  to  her 
mother's  home,  where  she  lived  for  a  year,  and  then  came  to  Galesburg,  placing 
her  children  in  the  high  school  here.  .: 

It  was  on  the  26th  of  October,  1859,  in  Warren  county,  about  six  miles 
southwest  of  Galesburg,  that  Mr.  Foote  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna 
McFarland,  and  the  children  of  this  marriage  are :  Harry  Willis,  who  was  born 
August  12,  1864,  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  live-stock 
commission  business  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri ;  and  Winifred  Louise,  who  was 
born  July  31,  1870,  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  is  the  wife  of  George 
Rakstraw,  a  banker  of  Wyoming,  Illinois,  by  whom  she  has  four  children,  Harry 
Eugene,  Roy  Delbert,  Florence  Margaret  and  Helen  Louise.  The  mother  of 
these  children,  Mrs.  Rakstraw,  was  educated  in  Brown's  Business  College. 

Some  years  subsequent  to  the  death  of  her  first  husband  Mrs.  Foote,  who 
was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  October  12,  1842,  became  the  wife  of  John 
Purdy.  In  his  political  views  he  was  a  republican  but  never  sought  nor  desired 


992  .       '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ->/    >  • 

office  in  recognition  of  his  party  fealty.  His  religious  faith  was  that  of  the 
Baptist  church,  while  Mrs.  Purdy  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
She  is  widely  known  in  this  part  of  the  state,  where  her  entire  life  has  been 
passed,  and  those  who  know  her,  esteem  her  highly  because  her  life  has  been  a 
force  for  good  and  because  her  Christian  principles  have  found  manifestation 
in  her  kindly  spirit  and  charity  toward  others. 


C:  •' ;      ;  GEORGE  A.  GIBSON.  V  '  -    /      •.  ; 

George  A.  Gibson  is  one  of  the  representative  agriculturists  of  Persifer  town-- 
ship,  where  he  engages  in  the  cultivation  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  two  hundred  and  forty  of  which  on  section  17,  Persifer  township,  he  owns. 
He  was  born  in  Vermilion  county,  Illinois,  on  May  22,  1875,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  H.  and  Mary  (Leadbetter)  Gibson.  In  i88i,  the  father,  who  is  now  de- 
ceased, removed  with  his  family  to  Knox  county,  locating  in  Persifer  township, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming. 

George  A.  Gibson  was  a  child  of  six  years  when  he  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Knox  county,  and  here  he  has  ever  since  made  his  home.  His  youth  was 
IJassed  in  the  township  where  he  now  resides,  his  education  being  obtained  in 
the  common  schools.  While  he  was  still  in  his  early  boyhood  he  began  assisting 
his  father  about  the  home  place,  thus  acquiring  the  knowledge  that  has  enabled 
him  to  become  the  successful  agriculturist  and  stockman  he  is  today.  When  old 
enough  to  begin  for  himself,  naturally  he  adopted  the  vocation  to  which  he  had 
been  trained  from  childhood,  and  that  his  decision  was  a  wise  one  is  evidenced 
by  his  present  prosperity.  He  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
most  fertile  land  on  section  17,  Persifer  township,  that  is  well  improved  and 
under  high  cultivation.  His  place  is  fully  and  thoroughly  equipped  with  all  the 
machinery  and  appliances  deemed  essential  by  the  modern  farmer  for  the  opera-, 
tion  of  the  fields,  and  he  has  introduced  various  other  conveniences  and  im- 
provements in  keeping  with  the  spirit  of  progress  that  characterizes  all  of  his 
undertakings.  In  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  Mr.  Gibson  is 
engaged  in  stock-raising  and  is  meeting  with  satisfactory  success  in  both  branches 
of  the  business.  He  takes  great  pride  in  his  farm  and  his  stock,  the  latter  being 
of  high  grade,  and  everything  about  the  place  bespeaks  the  intelligent  direction 
and  capable  supervision  that  accompany  success.  He  is  a  man  of  progressive 
ideas,  yet  is  not  a  theorist,  being  thoroughly  practical  in  his  methods,  and  directs 
all  of  his  operations  with  as  careful  regard  for  system  as  is  evidenced  by  the 
successful  man  in  any  other  line  of  business.  He  makes  a  scientific  study  of  his 
soil,  its  needs  and  requirements  and  the  cereal  to  which  it  is  best  adapted,  and  by 
the  careful  and  systematic  rotation  of  his  crops  realizes  abundant  harvests  each 
year.  Mr.  Gibson  bought  his  farm  of  Charles  Wyman,  and  located  here  imme- 
diately after  his  marriage.  Although  the  previous  owner  had  erected  all  of  the 
buildings  he  has  wrought  many  changes  in  the  place  during  the  period  of  his 
occupancy,  and  it  is  now  one  of  the  most  attractive  as  well  as  valuable  properties 
in  the  community.  '.  .  '  ^  '  !.-  '  ;  •  ^ :. -^ '  .  '  i. 


V    JJ:   ;;     :;•      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -v;v/      993 

':.'-"    ••        ~  '.''•-    '    .'•  •-.'•'•       ''V  ''••'••''>:- 

For  his  companion  and  helpmate  Mr.  Gibson  chose  Miss  Emma  Kellar,  and 
they  have  become  the  parents  of  one  son,  Roy  H.,  who  is  attending  the  local 
school.  Mrs.  Gibson  is  well  known  in  the  vicinity  being  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Katharine  Kellar. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Gibson  always  accords  to  the  republican  party,  and 
for  the  past  three  years  he  has  been  serving  as  road  commissioner  in  Persifer 
township,  and  he  is  also  a  school  director  in  district  89.  He  is  meeting  with 
financial  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits,  and  in  addition  to  his  well  stocked 
farm  he  is  a  member  and  director  of  the  Persifer  Telephone  Company.  Mr. 
Gibson  has  at  all  times  fortunately  directed  his  activities  so  intelligently  that  he 
has  achieved  his  purpose.  This  can  be  largely  attributed  to  the  fact  that  he  is 
never  in  doubt  about  the  course  he  shall  pursue,  but  carefully  concentrates  his 
energies  upon  a  definite  end  with  the  determination  of  attaining  it.  ^^.  -:: 


DOUGLAS  WILLIAMSON. 


Douglas  Williamson,  living  on  section  13,  Indian  Point  toviTiship,  is  one  of 
the  representative  farmers  of  Knox  county.  His  methods  are  at  all  times 
practical,  as  well  as  progressive,  and  the  results  achieved  have  placed  him  with 
the  substantial  and  successful  residents  of  his  community.  He  was  bom  in 
Cedar  township,  January  29,  1856,  a  son  of  James  and  Sophronia  (Bland) 
Williamson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Indiana.  The  grandfather,  Thomas 
Williamson,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  with  his  family  removed  to  Illinois, 
settling  first  in  Sangamon  county,  where  he  remained  for  a  short  time.  In  1832 
he  came  to  Knox  county  and  entered  land  from  the  government.  Not  a  furrow 
had  been  turned,  nor  an  improvement  made  upon  the  place  and  the  family  ex- 
perienced all  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life,  while  converting  the 
raw  prairie  land  into  productive  fields.  Thomas  Williamson  had  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Knox  county  for  only  a  brief  period  when  he  was  drafted  for  service  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war  and  aided  in  quelling  the  Indian  uprising  in  this  state,  j/ 
The  farm  upon  which  he  settled  in  Cedar  township  remained  his  place  of  resi-  ' 
dence  until  his  death  and  his  wife  also  died  on  the  old  homestead. 

James  Williamson,  father  of  Douglas  Williamson,  accompanied  his  parents    '  ~; 
on  their  removal  from  Indiana  to  Illinois  and  was  reared  in  this  state.    In  boy-   ' 
hood  he  assisted  in  the  arduous  task  of  developing  the  home  farm  and  later  he 
purchased  land  and  began  farming  on  his  own  account.    For  many  years  he  was 
thus  connected  with  agricultural  interests  in  Knox  county,  but  eventually  sold 
his  farm  and  removed  to  Abingdon,  where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death  in 
1902.     He  was  then  seventy-eight  years  of  age.     He  married  Sophronia  Bland, 
whose  father,  Joshua  Bland,  was  also  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Knox  county, 
arriving  here  in  1832.     She  is  still  living  in  Abingdon  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-four  years.     In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Williamson  were  nine 
sons  and  five  daughters  and  twelve  of  these  are  still  living.     The  eldest,  Mrs.    - 
Mary   Bateman  is  deceased.     The  oldest   surviving  member  of   the   family   is    •  . 
Stewart  Williamson,  now  of  Galesburg.    He  was  born  in  an  old  log  schoolhouse 
of  Cedar  township,  March  lo,  1847,  was  educated  in  the  Brush  creek  school  in 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY   .:-;:;-;;V*     I 

that  township,  and  then  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming.  For  fifteen  years 
he  resided  in  Abingdon,  after  which  he  settled  on  a  farm  near  that  town. 
Eventually,  however,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Galesburg,  where  he  now  lives. 
He  was  married  in  Abingdon  October  ii,  1874,  to  Elizabeth  Jones,  a  native  of 
Monmouth  and  a  daughter  of  John  A.  and  Nancy  (Hart)  Jones,  who  came  to 
Illinois  from  Virginia  and  were  resident  farmers  of  Knox  county  until  their 
deaths.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart  Williamson  were  born  eight  children: 
Minnie,  the  wife  of  Harry  Bloomfield  of  California ;  Guy,  of  this  county ;  Clyde, 
of  Cedar  township;  Myrtle,  the  wife  of  John  Smith  of  Chicago;  L>ou,  the  wife 
of  Allen  Sweborg,  living  on  a  farm  in  Cedar  township;  Cora,  Ethel  and  James, 
all  at  home.  Frank  M.  Williamson,  the  third  member  of  the  family  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  James  Williamson,  is  living  in  Cedar  township  where  he  follows  farming. 
Annie,  the  next  of  the  family,  is  the  wife  of  R.  McGahey.  Rachel  is  the  widow 
of  George  Swartz  and  lives  in  Abingdon.  James  M.,  is  a  resident  of  Colorado. 
Douglas  is  the  next  of  the  family.  William  is  a  resident  of  Colorado.  Ellen 
is  married  and  lives  in  Cedar  township.  John  is  a  practitioner  of  osteopathy  in 
Parsons,  Kansas.  Mary  is  the  wife  of  Dwight  Hunter  of  Cedar  township. 
Daniel  who  was  killed  in  a  runaway  accident  in  April,  1911,  was  among  the 
first  to  go  to  the  Klondyke  country,  traveling  with  a  company  of  men  who 
walked  over  the  Chilkoot  paths.  He  remained  there  one  season  when  his 
provisions  gave  out  and  he  was  compelled  to  leave  the  north.  He  then  went  to 
California  where  he  remained  one  year  and  then  made  his  way  to  Seattle,  Wash- 
ington. While  there  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Spanish-American  war  and 
went  to  the  Philippines,  taking  part  in  the  first  battle.  He  participated  alto- 
gether in  thirty-seven  engagements,  remaining  in  the  islands  for  three  years.  On 
his  return  to  the  United  States  he  was  mustered  out  at  Seattle  and  was  dis- 
charged at  Washington.  D.  C.  Later  he  drew  a  piece  of  land  in  Oklahoma, 
remaining  there  for  some  time,  but  subsequently  sold  his  claim.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  breaking  horses  and  was  killed  while  following  that  business.  Charles, 
the  next  of  the  family,  is  a  farmer  living  in  Cedar  township.  Edward  is  an 
electrician  and  sketch  artist,  residing  in  Denver,  Colorado,  and  the  youngest  of 
the  family. 

In  taking  up  the  personal  history  of  Douglas  Williamson,  we  present  to  our 
readers  the  life  record  of  one  of  the  well  known  and  representative  agriculturists 
of  Knox  county.  He  pursued  his  education  in  the  Warren  school  and  then  took 
up  the  occupation  to  which  he  had  been  reared.  For  fourteen  years  he  engaged 
in  breaking  horses  and  did  a  larger  business  of  that  kind  than  any  other  man  in 
the  county,  breaking  as  many  as  one  hundred  and  fifty  horses  in  a  year.  Since 
then  he  has  confined  his  attention  entirely  to  general  farming,  including  the 
cultivation  of  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  and  also  to  the  raising 
of  stock,  making  a  specialty  of  thoroughbred  Jersey  cattle.  For  the  past  six 
years  he  has  lived  on  his  present  farm  on  section  13,  Indian  Point  township, 
and  the  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  his  place  indicates  his  careful  maniage- 
ment  and  progressive  methods.  '  .:  '  .  •'  .  -' ^  '  r.  T' '-'.- '• :!' 

On  the  2Oth  of  March,  1894,  in  Galesburg,  Mr.  Williamson  was  married  to 
Miss  Cora  Young,  who  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  February  24,  1872, 
a  daughter  of  Asher  and  Susan  (Parks)  Young,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
New  Jersey  and  on  removing  to  Illinois  settled  near  Fairview,  Fulton  county. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ':         995 


when  that  was  a  pioneer  district.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  are  now  living  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson.  The  three  children  of  the  latter  are :  Gladys,  Marie 
and  Otis,  all  at  home.  The  parents  are  valued  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  are  loyal  to  its  teachings.  Mr.  Williamson  belongs  to 
Abingdon  Lodge  No.  185,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  also  to  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  of 
Hermon  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  Camp  at  Abingdon.  His  many  sterling 
traits  of  character  and  his  business  enterprise  and  ability  have  gained  him  a 
place  among  the  valued  citizens  of  his  township  and  his  good  qualities  have  won 
him  many  friends.  :'';>•';>;,;:  ^';-li:.  -.XiC^'v^r' '  -  ,  ^- -X 'X^; ';'^^'^'''- 


LORENTUS  CONGER  FERRIS. 


Lorentus  Conger  Ferris,  who  is  conducting  a  feed  store  and  transfer  line  at 
number  109  South  Prairie  street,  Galesburg,  is  a  native  of  Knox  county,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  this  township  on  the  I4th  of  January,  1869.  He  is  a  son  of 
Fred  and  Elizabeth  (Sherman)  Ferris,  who  were  also  born  and  reared  in  this 
county,  where  their  parents  located  during  the  pioneer  days.  The  paternal  grand- 
father, George  Ferris,  came  here  about  the  same  time  as  the  Gale  family  and 
was  numbered  among  the  founders  of  Galesburg.  The  maternal  grandparents 
passed  the  greater  part  of  their  lives  in  this  vicinity,  where  they  attained  a  ripe 
old  age.  Their  family  numbered  fourteen.  Reared  on  a  farm,  during  his  early 
manhood  Fred  Ferris  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  but  of  recent  years  he  has 
been  engaged  in  gardening  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Galesburg.  When  the 
call  came  for  troops  in  the  early  days  of  the  war,  Mr.  Ferris  responded  by  en- 
listing as  a  private  and  going  to  the  front,  where  he  remained  for  three  and  a 
half  years.  There  he  early  displayed  the  courage  and  ability  that  qualified  for  a 
more  responsible  position  and  he  was  mustered  out  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant. 
Upon  his  return  home  he  resumed  the  responsibilities  of  civil  life  as  a  farmer, 
continuing  to  follow  that  occupation  for  some  years  thereafter.  The  children 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferris  numbered  thirteen,  nine  of  whom  lived  to  attain  maturity, 
as  follows :  George,  who  is  living  at  Bull  Frog  Fields,  Nevada ;  Margaret,  the 
widow  of  Mr.  Beckwell,  of  Los  Angeles,  California;  Lorentus  Conger,  our  sub- 
ject; Olmstead,  who  resides  at  Rock  Island;  James,  of  Kenosha,  Wisconsin; 
Harry,  who  lives  in  Peoria ;  Albert,  now  a  resident  of  Galesburg ;  Edward,  who 
is  living  in  Fairview;  and  Grant,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Warren  township.  The 
mother,  who  has  now  passed  away  was  a  Methodist  in  religious  faith,  and  his 
political  support  the  father  accords  to  the  republican  party. 

The  first  six  years  in  the  childhood  of  Lorentus  Conger  Ferris  were  passed 
on  the  farm  where  he  was  born,  but  he  has  ever  since  lived  in  Galesburg.  He 
attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  old  enough  to  make  his  own  way  in  the 
world  and  engaged  in  lathing  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
gave  up  this  trade  and  for  three  years  thereafter  drove  a  dray,  continuing  at 
home  until  he  had  attained  his  maturity.  Four  years  ago,  Mr.  Ferris  estab- 
lished the  business  he  is  now  conducting  and  is  meeting  with  a  goodly  measure 
of  success  in  his  undertaking.  He  is  one  of  those  who  energetically  apply  them- 
selves to  whatever  they  engage  in,  and  is  using  intelligence  in  the  direction  of  his 


.       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^^-          '::f.^" 

;  ,:    .  '••  .-;'••- •-'';! .'^  '.• 

enterprise.  During  the  four  years  he  has  been  identified  with  this  activity  he  has 
made  marked  progress  in  its  development,  and  is  now  firmly  established  and 
thriving. 

Mr.  Ferris  was  married  on  the  ist  of  July,  1890,  to  Miss  Ida  Morg^an,  who 
was  born  in  Indiana  and  is  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Catharine  (Harris)  Morgan. 
The  parents  came  from  Indiana  to  Knox  county  many  years  ago  settling  on  the 
Gale  farm.  Agricultural  pursuits  always  engaged  the  energies  of  the  father, 
who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  The  mother,  however,  is  still  living. 
They  had  seven  daughters,  as  follows:  Ida,  now  Mrs.  Ferris;  Alice;  Anna; 
Rhoda ;  Frances,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years ;  Lillian ;  and  one,  who 
was  seven  at  the  time  of  her  death.  The  father.  Peter  Morgan,  was  one  of  those 
who  gave  his  services  in  defense  of  the  Union  during  the  Civil  war.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ferris  have  two  daughters,  Ethel  and  Bessie.  The  family  home  is  located 
at  198  Cedar  avenue,  where  they  own  a  comfortable  and  pleasant  residence.  . 

Mr.  Ferris  champions  the  political  principles  of  the  republican  party,  and 
although  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  municipal  affairs,  has  never  sought 
public  office.  Mrs.  Ferris  and  their  two  daughters  hold  membership  in  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  and  take  a  helpful  interest  in  the  work  of  its  various 
organizations.  He  is  a  most  worthy  representative  of  one  of  the  highly  respected 
pioneer  families,  and  is  held  in  favorable  regard  by  his  many  friends,  the  ma- 
jority of  whom  have  known  him  from  early  boyhood. 


HEXRY  C.  BLOOM.  ;•.•;: 

.Among  the  farmers  of  Persifer  township  who  have  prospered  as  the  result 
of  untiring  and  faithful  labor  is  Henry  C.  Bloom,  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of 
land  on  section  13.  A  native  of  Sweden,  he  was  born  September  21,  1865.  His 
grandfather  was  Constan  Sunderman  Bloom,  a  wealthy  sea  captain,  who  on  one 
of  his  voyages  was  wrecked  at  sea  for  three  weeks  and  after  five  days  of  float- 
ing on  the  water  was  picked  up  by  a  passing  ship.  John  Jaskrith  Bloom,  father 
of  Henry  C.  Bloom,  was  also  a  native  of  Sweden,  born  in  1818.  His  occupation 
was  that  of  agriculturist  and  he  performed  his  duties  with  an  additional  degree 
of  success  because  of  the  liberal  education  which  he  had  received.  He  married 
Carolina  Johnston,  a  countrywoman  of  his,  born  in  1828,  who  had  also  received 
a  good  education  m  the  land  of  her  birth.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Jonas  John- 
ston. Mr.  Bloom  was  ten  years  his  wife's  senior  and  after  her  death,  in 
1908,  he  survived  her  by  only  two  years,  both  being  buried  in  Saby  cemetery,  in 
Jankopinglan,  Sweden.  They  were  both  zealous  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
Their  family  consisted  of  four  children,  three  girls  and  one  boy,  two  of  the  girls 
being  deceased.  Only  Henry  C.  and  one  sister  now  survive. 

Henry  C.  Bloom  after  finishing  his  education,  in  1887,  when  only  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  with  the  initiative  and  courage  characteristic  of  those  who  make  a 
success  of  life,  set  out  unaccompanied  for  America,  reaching  Knox  county,  where 
he  labored  for  three  months  as  a  section  hand.  Then  going  to  Dahinda,  Illinois, 
he  worked  for  two  years  on  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad,  after  which  he  began  his 
career  as  a  farmer.  On  January  ii,  1893,  he  married  Christiana  Matteson,  a 


OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '-;.       997 


native  of  Sweden,  born  December  5,  1845,  ^"^  the  youngest  child  of  John  and 
Anna  Catherine  (Pearson)  Svidbeurg.  John  Svidbeurg  was  born  in  1805,  and 
his  wife,  in  1809,  both  being  natives  of  Sweden,  where  they  spent  their  entire 
lives,  he  dying  in  1876,  and  she  in  1882.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children, 
three  girls  and  two  boys.  One  brother  and  one  sister  of  Mrs.  Bloom  also  came 
to  America,  the  sister  residing  in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and  the  brother  in 
Orange  township,  Knox  county.  After  receiving  her  education  Christiana  Svid- 
beurg came  to  America  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  living  iri  Galesburg  for  two 
years  and  at  Knoxville  for  six  months  prior  to  her  marriage  to  her  first  husband, 
a  Mr.  Matteson,  deceased.  Two  children  were  born  of  her  first  marriage:  Ella 
Amanda,  who  is  the  wife  of  W.  H.  Webb,  of  Persifer  township,  and  mother  of 
Marion  Eleanor,  Margaret  Christiana,  and  Maurice  Matteson  and  Madeline, 
twins;  and  Minnie  Esther,  who  is  the  wife  of  Henry  Westergreen,  residing  in 
Copley  township,  and  mother  of  Vivian  lone,  Harold  Love  and  Nellie  Christiana. 
After  his  marriage  Mr.  Bloom  purchased  a  farm  of  Judge  Craig,  in  Persifer 
township,  which  tract  being  unimproved  he  has  cultivated,  erecting  on  it  good 
buildings  and  converting  it  into  an  attractive  place.  His  farming  has  been  along 
general  lines  and  he  also  raises  cattle,  hogs  and  horses.  Mr.  Bloom  has  been  very 
active  in  furthering  the  interests  of  his  community.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Dahinda-  Victoria  Mutual  Telephone  Company,  has  given  much  attention  to  the 
schools  of  his  district  and  has  served  one  term  as  school  director.  He  is  loyal 
to  the  republican  party  and  is  socially  connected  with  the  Fraternal  Reserve  Life 
Association,  Dahinda  Lodge,  No.  2,  being  chaplain  of  the  local  lodge.  Mr. 
Bloom  is  a  true  representative  of  the  land  of  his  birth,  sturdy,  persevering,  re- 
liable, and  these  qualities  have  made  him  a  highly  honored  citizen. 


•;;.;,•  ;:..i:"^^    ^  ,  /.;/.;'    E.  s.  WILLARD.  '  -.;?::.:>  •  .-•.      -J-'..::. 

E.  S.  Willard  is  one  of  the  highly  successful  and  capable  business  men  of 
Williamsfield,  where  he  located  three  years  ago,  founding  the  enterprise  that  he 
and  R.  L.  Reed  are  now  conducting  under  the  firm  name  of  E.  S.  Willard  & 
Company.  His  birth  occurred  in  Marshall  county,  this  state  in  1878,  and  he  is 
the  only  child  born  of  the  marriage  of  J.  E.  and  Martha  (Schanck)  Willard. 
His  father,  who  is  also  a  native  of  Marshall  county,  was  for  many  years  en- 
gaged in  the  restaurant  business,  but  he  now  has  charge  of  the  cemetery  at  Prince- 
ville,  and  both  he  and  the  mother  reside  in  that  city. 

When  old  enough  to  begin  his  education  E.  S.  Willard  entered  the  public 
schools  of  Lawn  Ridge,  which  he  attended  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  six- 
teen years.  Feeling  that  he  had  sufficient  knowledge  to  enable  him  to  begin 
preparations  for  his  business  career,  he  then  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  entered 
Ziegler's  furniture  and  undertaking  establishment  of  Peoria,  of  which  there  was 
a  branch  at  Lawn  Ridge.  From  there  he  went  to  Wyoming,  where  he  continued 
to  follow  the  same  business  for  eight  years,  thus  ably  qualifying  himself  to  con- 
duct a  similar  place  of  his  own.  In  1908  he  came  to  Williamsfield  and  opened 
the  establishment  of  E.  S.  Willard  &  Company,  which  has  developed  in  a  most 
gratifying  manner  during  the  three  years  of  its  existence.  Mr.  Willard  was  at 


998  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  4v 

first  alone  in  the  business,  but  soon  took  in  E.  T.  Merry  as  a  partner.  Upon 
the  latter's  death  in  1910,  Mr.  Reed  purchased  his  interest  and  has  ever  since 
been  connected  with  the  enterprise.  It  is  the  only  furniture  store  in  the  town 
and  they  also  carry  a  varied  assortment  of  carpets,  hardware,  crockery,  wall 
paper  and  musical  instruments.  In  connection  with  their  household  furnishings 
they  maintain  an  undertaking  department,  which  is  among  the  most  complete  to 
be  found  in  a  town  of  this  size  in  the  state.  Mr.  Willard  gives  his  personal  at- 
tention to  this  department  of  their  business  and  discharges  his  duties  in  a  man- 
ner becoming  its  dignity  and  solemnity.  In  their  store,  due  to  its  excellent  loca- 
tion and  attractiveness,  they  have  enjoyed  a  good  and  growing  patronage  from 
the  first,  and  being  pleasant  and  agreeable  as  well  as  accommodating  they  have 
succeeded  in  retaining  satisfied  customers  and  in  adding  to  them  continually.  '..  . 
Every  department  of  the  store  is  flourishing,  and  they  are  having  particularly  - 
large  sales  in  musical  instruments,  especially  pianos.  ..  r  ' 

Mr.  Willard  was  married  while  residing  in  Wyoming  to  Miss  Ida  Osborn,    '^^,  ,.\ 
a  resident  of  that  place,  the  event  being  celebrated  in  April,  1901.  ..  I-        '^^    ?>'•.;',; 

Fraternally  Mr.  Willard  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, having  taken  all  degrees  to  the  Encampment.    He  is  one  of  the  wide-awake, 
alert  and  progressive  business  men  of  Williamsfield,  who  is  not  alone  interested 
in  the  development  of  his  own  enterprise  but  in  that  of  the  community  at  large,  1 -^  .  • 
and  he  can  always  be  depended  upon  to  give  his  support  and  cooperation  to  every    '.V". 
movement  that  he  feels  will  be  of  general  benefit  to  the  citizens  of  the  town  and   ;'.  V 
surrounding  districts.  ,  -/    '- 


,;%  PROFESSOR  WILLIAM  EDWARD  SIMONDS. 

Professor  William  Edward  Simonds,  professor  of  English  in  Knox  College 
since  1889  and  a  well  known  contributor  to  the  text-books  of  the  schools,  was 
born  in  September  lo,  1860,  in  Peabody,  Massachusetts,  a  son  of  Edward  and 
Mary  A.  (Chase)  Simonds.  The  father  was  also  a  native  of  the  old  Bay  state, 
having  been  born  at  Ipswich,  Massachusetts,  December  30,  i8ii.  He  was  the  sec- 
ond of  the  ten  children  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Stacy)  Simonds,  who  were  married 
in  1808.  The  former  was  born  in  1786  and  passed  away  in  1851,  while  his  wife, 
who  was  born  in  1788,  died  in  1874.  Their  children  continued  to  live  in  Pea- 
body  or  that  vicinity  until  called  from  this  life,  the  death  of  Edward  Simonds 
there  occurring  July  4,  1873.  In  early  manhood  he  had  wedded  Mary  A.  Chase, 
who  was  bom  in  Bushwick,  a  borough  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  August  ii,  1828. 
Shortly  after  her  birth  her  parents  rehioved  to  Massachusetts,  occupying  for 
two  years  the  old  Whittier  homestead  in  East  Haverhill,  following  the  removal 
of  the  poet  to  Amesbury.  Thereafter  the  family  settled  permanently  in  Hudson, 
New  Hampshire.  Her  ancestry  is  traced  back  to  Humphrey  and  Rebekah  (Nich- 
ols) Chase.  The  former,  who  was  born  in  1779,  died  in  1860,  and  the  latter, 
born  in  1780,  died  in  1848.  They  were  the  parents  of  John  Chase,  who  was  born 
in  Plaistow,  New  Hampshire,  in  1802,  and  was  married  in  1827  to  Martha  L. 
Rhodes,  of  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ruth  (Marston) 
Rhodes.  John  Chase  died  in  Nashua,  New  Hampshire,  in  1888.  He  was  the 


PROF.  WILLIAM  E.  SIMOXDS 


998  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

first  alone  in  the  business,  l)Ut  soon  took  in  E.  T.  Merry  as  a  partner.  Upon 
the  latter's  death  in  1910,  Mr.  Reed  purchased  his  interest  and  has  ever  since 
been  connected  with  the  enterprise.  It  is  the  only  furniture  store  in  the  town 
and  they  also  carry  a  varied  assortment  of  carpets,  hardware,  crockery,  wall 
paper  and  musical  instruments.  In  connection  \vitli  their  household  furnishings 
they  maintain  an  undertaking  department,  which  is  among  the  most  complete  to 
be  found  in  a  town  of  this  size  in  the  state.  Mr.  \\  illard  gives  his  personal  at- 
tention to  this  department  of  their  business  and  discharges  his  duties  in  a  man- 
ner becoming  its  dignity  and  solemnity.  In  their  store,  due  to  its  excellent  loca- 
tion and  attractiveness,  they  have  enjoyed  a  good  and  growing  patronage  from 
the  first,  and  being  ])leasant  and  agreeable  as  well  as  accommodating  they  have 
succeeded  in  retaining  satisfied  customers  and  in  adding  to  them  continually. 
Every  department  of  the  store  is  flourishing,  and  they  are  having  i)articularly 
large  sales  in  musical  instruments,  especially  i)ianos. 

Mr.  \\'illard  was  married  while  residing  in  Wyoming  to  Miss  Ida  Osborn, 
a  resident  of  that  place,  the  event  being  celebrated  in  April,  1901.  I 

Fraternally  Mr.  \\  illard  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, having  taken  all  degrees  to  the  Encamjmient.  He  is  one  of  the  wide-awake, 
alert  and  ])n>gressive  l)usiness  men  of  \\  illiamslield,  who  is  not  alone  interested 
in  the  develoi)ment  of  his  own  enteri)rise  but  in  that  of  the  community  at  large, 
and  he  can  always  be  de])ended  upon  to  give  his  supi)ort  and  cooperation  to  every 
movement  that  he  feels  will  be  of  general  benefit  to  the  citizens  of  the  town  and 
surrotmding  districts. 


PROFFS.^OR   \VILLIA.M   EDWARD  SIMOXDS. 

Professor  \\'illiam  Edward  Simonds,  professor  of  English  in  Kno.x  College 
since  1889  and  a  well  known  contributor  to  the  text-lK;oks  of  the  schools,  was 
born  in  September  lo,  iSCo,  in  Peabody,  Massachusetts,  a  son  of  Edward  and 
Mary  A.  (Chase)  Simonds.  The  father  was  also  a  native  of  the  old  Bay  state, 
having  been  Ixirn  at  Ij^swich,  Massachusetts,  December  30,  iSii.  He  was  the  sec- 
ond of  the  ten  children  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Stacy)  Simonds,  who  were  married 
in  1808.  The  former  was  born  in  1786  and  passed  away  in  1851,  while  his  wife, 
who  was  born  in  1788,  died  in  1874.  Their  children  continued  to  live  in  Pea- 
lx)dy  or  that  vicinity  until  called  from  this  life,  the  death  of  Edward  Simonds 
there  occurring  July  4,  1873.  In  early  manhood  he  had  wedded  Mary  A.  Chase, 
who  was  l)orn  in  Bushwick,  a  borough  of  Brooklyn,  Xew  York,  August  ii,  1828. 
Shortly  after  her  l)irth  her  parents  removed  to  Massachusetts,  occupying  for 
two  years  the  old  \\hittier  homestead  in  East  Haverhill,  following  the  removal 
of  the  i>oet  to  Amesbury.  Thereafter  the  family  settled  jiermanently  in  Hudson, 
Xew  Hampshire.  Her  ancestry  is  traced  back  to  Hum])hrey  and  Rebekah  (Xich- 
ols)  Chase.  The  former,  who  was  born  in  1779,  died  in  18(0,  and  the  latter, 
born  in  1780,  died  in  1848.  They  were  the  i^arents  of  John  Chase,  who  was  born 
in  Plaistow,  Xew  Hamjj.shire,  in  1802,  and  was  married  in  1827  to  Martha  L. 
Rhodes,  of  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ruth  (Marston) 
Rhodes.  John  Chase  died  in  Xashua,  Xew  Hampshire,  in  1888.  He  was  the 


IM{OF.  WIMJA.M    i;.  SIMON  I  )S 


.';;  ,.:;,:^::..  :   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;•^  ..-,    looi 

father  of  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Simonds,  who  was  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren and  is  now  living  in  the  home  of  her  son,  Professor  Simonds,  in  Galesburg, 
The  childhood  and  youth  of  Professor  Simonds  were  passed  in  Peabody, 
Massachusetts,  formerly  known  as  South  Danvers,  a  parish  of  the  ancient  town 
of  Danvers,  adjoining  the  city  of  Salem,  noted  in  colonial  history  as  the  scene 
of  the  witchcraft  delusion.  South  Danvers  was  the  birthplace  of  George  Pea- 
body,  who  became  prominent  as  a  banker  in  London  and  famous  as  a  philan- 
thropist, and  at  his  death  the  town  took  the  name  of  Peabody  in  his  honor.  Pro- 
fessor Simonds  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  that  place  and 
afterward  spent  the  year  of  1878-9  in  the  Phillips  Andover  Academy.  In  1879 
he  entered  Brown  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1883  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  He  was  thirteen  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
father's  death.  The  family  inherited  little  or  no  property  and  his  education  was 
obtained  at  considerable  sacrifice  and  with  much  hard  work.  He  has  always 
accredited  much  of  his  success  to  his  mother ;  she  had  been  a  school  teacher  prior 
to  her  marriage  and  was  ambitious  for  her  son  and  anxious  that  he  should  have 
a  college  education.  While  they  both  worked  to  accomplish  the  object  before 
them.  Professor  Simonds  has  always  said  that  he  felt  sure  that  his  moth?r  car- 
ried the  larger  burden.  During  his  college  days  she  boarded  some  of  the  stu- 
dents in  her  home  and  thus  provided  for  the  support  of  her  family,  while  Pro- 
fessor Simonds  at  different  periods  worked  in  the  Providence  public  library, 
taught  in  the  evening  schools  and  during  the  summer  vacations  engaged  in  such 
employment  as  usually  claims  the  attention  of  college  students.  For  two  sum- 
mers he  was  storekeeper  at  Rocky  Point,  a  great  shore  resort  on  Narragansett 
Bay.  He  afterward  acted  as  station  agent  for  the  Stonington  line  at  Oakland 
Beach,  another  resort,  through  one  summer,  and  undoubtedly  these  experiences, 
due  to  necessity,  were  not  the  least  valuable  part  of  his  education. 
•;  Following  the  completion  of  his  college  course  Professor  Simonds  engaged 
in  teaching  for  two  years  in  the  high  school  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  to 
which  place  he  and  his  mother  had  removed  in  1879,  making  that  city  their  home 
until  the  summer  of  1885,  when  they  went  to  Germany.  During  the  fall  and 
succeeding  winter  he  was  a  student  in  the  University  of  Berlin,  after  which  he 
and  his  mother  went  to  Strassburg,  where  he  continued  his  studies  until  the 
spring  of  1888,  at  which  time  he  passed  his  examinations  and  received  his  Ph.  D. 
degree  from  the  university.  His  work  had  been  in  the  field  of  English  litera- 
ture and  Teutonic  philology.  On  returning  to  the  United  States  he  spent  one 
year  at  Cornell  University  at  Ithaca,  New  York,  as  instructor  in  German,  and 
in  1889  received  a  call  to  the  chair  of  English  in  Knox  College,  where  he  has 
since  remained,  making  this  one  of  the  most  attractive  departments  of  the  in- 
stitution. The  work  done  is  thorough  and  comprehensive,  bringing  to  the  pupils 
a  wide  knowledge  of  the  best  literature  of  our  race.  Professor  Simonds  has 
written  and  edited  several  text-books  for  the  use  of  students  of  English  litera- 
ture, the  first  of  these  being  the  thesis  which  he  prepared  at  Strassburg — Sir 
Thomas  Wyat  and  his  Poems  (1889).  He  published  an  Introduction  to  the 
Study  of  English  Fiction  in  1894,  a  Student's  History  of  English  Literature  in 
1902,  a  Student's  History  of  American  Literature  in  1909  and  has  edited  school 
editions  of  Scott's  Ivanhoe,  De  Quincey's  Revolt  of  the  Tartars.  Mrs.  Gaskell's 
Cranford,  Scott's  Quentin  Durward,  Washington's  Farewell  Address  and  Web- 

Vol.  n— 46 


1002  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      Uj^O 

ster's  First  Bunker  Hill  Oration.  Professor  Simonds  is  also  a  contributor  to 
The  Dial.  During  1904  he  gave  courses  of  lectures  in  the  summer  session  of 
the  University  of  Illinois  and  in  1907  and  again  in  1908  he  taught  through  the 
summer  sessions  at  the  Ohio  State  University,  while  in  1911  he  again  taught  at 
the  University  of  Illinois.  At  its  commencement  exercises  in  June,  1911,  Brown 
University  honored  him  by  conferring  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Let- 
ters. He  has  lectured  frequently  on  subjects  connected  with  literature  and  dur- 
ing the  period  when  university  extension  was  most  i>opular,  from  1890  until 
1900,  he  gave  many  courses  in  cities  and  towns  in  Illinois,  particularly  in  Peoria 
and  Quincy  and  also  in  Burlington,  Iowa.  He  has  delivered  many  addresses 
before  teachers'  institutes  in  central  Illinois  and  has  taken  an  advanced  position 
upon  many  points  which  have  proven  important  elements  in  upholding  the  stand- 
ard of  education  in  the  state. 

Professor  Simonds  has  cooperated  in  many  projects  which  are  allied  inter- 
ests of  school  work.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Language  Association  and 
the  National  Council  of  Teachers  of  English.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a 
director  of  the  Galesburg  public  library.  In  connection  with  his  duties  as  pro- 
fessor of  the  college  he  is  also  discharging  those  of  secretary  of  the  faculty. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Delta  Upsilon,  a  college  fraternity,  and  since  1876  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  serving  at  the  present  time  on  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Galesburg.  He  is  president  of  the 
Associated  Charities  of  Knox  county  and  no  good  work  done  in  the  name  of 
charity  or  religion  seeks  his  aid  in  vain.  His  political  allegiance  has  always  been 
given  to  the  republican  party  and  it  is  a  well  known  fact  that  Professor  Simonds' 
position  upon  any  vital  question  is  never  an  equivocal  one. 

In  1898,  at  Chicago,  Professor  Simonds  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kath- 
erine  L.  Courtright,  daughter  of  Rev.  Calvin  W.  Courtright,  a  Presbyterian 
clergyman.  For  some  years  prior  to  her  marriage  Mrs.  Simonds  followed  the 
profession  of  teaching,  conducting  for  a  short  time  a  private  school  for  children 
and  young  women  in  Chicago.  In  1896-7  she  acted  as  dean  of  women  in  Knox 
College.  By  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  three  claughters,  Mar- 
jorie,  Katherine  and  Eleanor.  .'  ^^  :.:::>•/•;"  .  I  ''  . 

Such  in  brief  is  the  history  of  Professor  Simonds,  who  throughout  his  entire 
career  has  never  chosen  the  second  best  but  has  sought  always  those  things  which 
are  of  greatest  value  to  the  individual  and  to  the  community  and  at  all  times  has 
made  his  life  a  serviceable  factor  for  good  in  the  world's  work.  •',  -, 


:  :;v,  .  JOHN  A.  JOHNSTON.    ^  .  •  -  '  ;: 

John  A.  Johnston,  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm  in  Walnut  Grove  township, 
Knox  county,  was  born  on  the  i8th  of  August,  1866,  in  this  township.  He  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Jeannette  (Anderson)  Johnston,  the  former  a  native  of  Sorn, 
Ayrshire,  Scotland,  who  came  to  America  early  in  life  and  located  in  Altona. 
At  first  he  was  employed  by  the  month  on  a  farm  but  subsequently  purchased  a 
tract  for  himself.  During  this  time  he  was  also  engaged  in  hauling  merchandise 
by  team  from  Galesburg  to  Pikes  Peak,  Colorado.  He  made  two  round  trips, 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .r;        1003 

usually  making  thirty  miles  a  day.  After  this  he  returned  to  engage  in  farming 
in  Walnut  Grove  township  but  while  thus  occupied  he  secured  a  claim  in  a  gold 
mine,  which  brought  him  some  profits.  During  the  war  he  deposited  this  money 
in  the  Galesburg  Bank  and  later  purchased  the  first  eighty  acres  of  the  farm 
upon  which  he  resided  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  brought  this  farm 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  stock-dealing. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and,  though  he  never  held  political 
office,  was  greatly  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  community.  Mrs.  Jeannette 
(Anderson)  Johnston  is  of  Scotch  ancestry,  her  father  being  James  Anderson, 
a  son  of  John  Anderson,  and  the  mother  Miss  Mary  Borland.  The  father  was 
bom  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  and  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  following  his  occu- 
pation all  his  life  in  his  native  country.  In  1860  he  came  to  America  and  made 
his  home  with  his  son  A.  B.  Anderson  in  Knox  county,  where  he  died  in  1865. 
A.  B.  Anderson,  the  brother  of  Mrs.  Johnston,  is  a  prominent  banker  and  the 
senior  member  of  the  firm  of  A.  B.  Anderson  &  Son,  of  Oneida.  There  were 
nine  children  in  the  Anderson  family.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  five 'children 
were  born :  Mary,  who  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Wade,  of  Galva,  Illinois ;  John 
A.,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  review ;  and  Isaac,  Henry  and  Maggie,  all  residing 
in  Galva.  Mr.  Johnston's  second  marriage  was  to  Miss  Maggie  Meikle,  who 
is  now  residing  in  Galva,  and  to  this  union  two  children  were  born:  Jeannette, 
who  is  the  wife  of  John  Anderson ;  and  William,  who  is  living  in  Galva. 

John  A.  Johnston  spent  his  youth  and  boyhood  attending  the  district  school 
and  on  the  home  farm,  where  he  was  early  trained  to  the  best  methods  of  tilling 
the  soil  and  caring  for  the  crops.  He  started  upon  his  independent  career  on  a 
part  of  the  home  farm,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising, 
in  which  he  has  met  with  the  success  which  is  the  reward  of  persistent  effort, 
diligent  labor  and  constant  application. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  married  to  Miss  Abbie  Lytton,  whose  birth  occurred  in 
1867  and  who  is  a  daughter  of  Ezra  and  Rhoda  Lytton.  To  this  union  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  Ray,  who  is  eight,  and  LxDren,  who  is  five  years  of  age.  Mr. 
Johnston  devotes  his  whole  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  has  never  been 
an  active  member  of  any  political  party,  church  or  lodge.  He  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  county  throughout  his  life  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  substantial 
and  progressive  farmers,  displaying  in  all  of  his  undertakings  an  energy  which 
has  enabled  him  to  overcome  any  difficulties  and  obstacles  that  have  arisen.  ;.  •• 


\:     .  V   •  THOMAS  W.  THOMSON,  M.  D.  -:-:/-v':"?v 

Dr.  Thomas  W.  Thomson,  numbered  among  the  alumni  of  Rush  Medical 
College  and  successfully  engaged  in  practice  in  Knoxville,  was  born  in  Truro 
township,  Knox  county,  January  27,  1873,  a  son  of  P.  W.  and  Mary  S.  (Lap- 
ham)  Thomson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio.  The  father  was  a  me- 
chanic and  wood  worker  who  in  early  life  came  to  Illinois,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried. He  settled  first  in  Macon  county  but  after  a  year  came  to  Knox  county 
and  was  identified  with  industrial  interests  here  for  a  considerable  period.  For 
the  past  thirty-five  years  he  and  his  wife  have  made  their  home  in  Yates  City 


1004  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .^;;v'^ 

and  their  sterling  worth  has  won  for  them  the  high  regard  and  friendship  of 
many  with  whom  they  have  been  brought  in  contact.  In  their  family  were  the 
following  children:  Morton  W.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Calgary,  Canada;  LeRoy 
A.,  a  retired  farmer  living  at  Galesburg;  Frank  D.,  the  principal  of  a  high  school 
at  Springfield,  Illinois;  Preston  W.,  an  attorney  of  Los  Angeles,  California; 
and  Thomas  W.,  of  this  review.  '•  -  ...  T  ."^v- 

Dr.  Thomson,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  spent  his  boyhood  days 
in  Yates  City,  where  he  attended  the  public  schools  and  after  completing  his 
course  there  received  a  certificate  that  entitled  him  to  teach.  He  followed  that 
profession  for  four  years  or  from  1891  until  1895,  when,  desiring  to  make  fur- 
ther advancement  along  educational  lines,  he  matriculated  in  Knox  College, 
where  he  spent  the  succeeding  four  years  as  a  student.  Even  then  he  was  not 
satisfied  with  his  educational  training  and  from  1899  until  1903  attended  the 
University  of  Chicago,  from  which  he  was  graduated  on  the  i5th  of  January  of 
the  latter  year,  winning  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  His  broad  literary  ., 
education  served  as  an  excellent  foundation  for  his  professional  knowledge, 
which  was  gained  in  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago.  In  1898  he  had  been 
awarded  a  state  teacher's  certificate.  The  success  which  he  gained  in  that  field 
foreshadowed  the  results  which  were  to  crown  his  efforts  since  he  has  entered 
upon  active  practice.  In  the  meantime,  however,  the  military  chapter  in  his 
life  history  was  written,  covering  his  service  in  the  Spanish-American  war.  He 
enlisted  on  the  i6th  of  April,  1898,  as  a  member  of  Company  C,  Sixth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  service  at  Porto  Rico,  returning  to  New 
York  on  the  I3th  of  September,  1898.  On  the  25th  of  November  he  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  having  done  active  duty  in  the  West  Indies  and 
made  for  himself  a  creditable  record. 

Following  his  graduation  from  Rush,  Dr.  Thomson  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  medicine  and  surgery  in  Elmwood,  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  where  he  re- 
mained for  three  years  and  then  returned  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Knox- 
ville.  He  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  busiest  physicians  and  surgeons  in  the  county, 
constantly  overburdened  by  the  demands  which  are  made  upon  his  professional 
service.  He  is  very  painstaking  and  conscientious  in  the  performance  of  his 
professional  duties,  is  most  careful  in  the  diagnosis  of  his  cases  and  is  seldom, 
if  ever,  at  fault  in  predicting  the  outcome  of  disease,  while  as  operator  he  has 
obtained  wide  recognition. 

While  Dr.  Thomson's  life  work  is  that  of  the  practice  of  medicine  and  sur- 
gery, he  has  become  equally  widely  known  in  musical  circles,  having  developed 
the  marked  talent  with  which  nature  endowed  him  until  his  ability  has  gained 
him  wide  recognition.  For  three  years  he  was  a  director  of  the  band  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago  and  received  there  a  baton,  which  was  the  highest  honor  for 
professorship.  He  was  also  solo  cornetist  of  the  Sixth  Regiment  Band  and  is 
now  first  violinist  in  the  Conservatory  of  Music  Band  of  Knox  College.  More- 
over, he  has  done  much  to  foster  and  stimulate  musical  taste  and  talent  in  this 
and  other  sections  of  the  state. 

It  was  on  the  24th  of  June,  1903,  in  Galesburg,  that  Dr.  Thomson  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Agnes  Bollenbach.  who  was  born  in  that  city  October  22, 
1879,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Christina  Bollenbach,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Germany.  The  father  is  now  deceased  but  the  mother  yet  resides  in  Gales- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


1005 


burg.  Unto  E>r.  and  Mrs.  Thomson  have  been  born  four  children:  William  H., 
Berwin,  Florence  H.  and  Frank.  The  family  is  well  known  socially  and  the  hos- 
pitality of  the  best  Jiomes  in  Galesburg  and  the  county  is  cordially  extended 
them.  Dr.  Thomson  holds  membership  in  Pacific  Lodge,  No.  66,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.; 
Ravinia  Chapter,  No.  95,  R.  A.  M. ;  and  Illinois  Council,  No.  91,  R.  &  S.  M.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  cordially  and  actively  support- 
ing the  different  departments  of  the  church  work.  His  professional  relation- 
ships are  with  the  Knox  County  and  Illinois  State  Medical  Societies  and  he  is 
the  official  medical  examiner  for  the  United  States  Marine  Corps  at  Knoxville. 
In  every  relation  of  life  his  labors  have  been  actuated  by  a  high  sense  of  duty 
and  a  laudable  ambition  that  has  prompted  him  to  reach  out  for  the  best,  whether 
for  his  own  benefit  or  for  the  community  at  large.  Early  in  life  he  set  his  mark 
high  and  has  used  every  available  opportunity  to  reach  that  level.  -  ":'  >  -  ' : 


DORRANCE  W.  ALDRICH,  M.  D. 


A  record  of  the  medical  profession  in  Galesburg  would  be  very  incomplete 
and  unsatisfactory  were  not  prominent  reference  made  to  Dr.  Dorrance  W, 
Aldrich,  who  for  thirty  years  was  a  practitioner  here,  capable,  energetic  and  con- 
scientious. He  was  born  in  Boone  county,  Illinois,  near  Belvidere,  April  i,  1846, 
his  parents  being  William  and  Sarah  Ann  (Bassett)  Aldrich,  the  former  of  whom 
was  born  at  Binghamton,  New  York,  September  25,  1809,  and  the  latter  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  born  at  East  Smithfield,  July  26,  1812.  They  were  married  at 
Smithfield,  Pennsylvania,  March  30,  1834.  Making  the  trip  overland,  they 
located  in  Boone  county,  where  the  father  devoted  his  time  to  farming.  Just 
before  the  Civil  war  he  came  to  Knox  county,  settling  about  four  miles  north 
of  Galesburg,  in  Henderson  township,  where  he  owned  and  cultivated  a  farm, 
making  his  home  there  until  his  demise.  He  was  a  republican  in  his  political 
views  and  a  Presbyterian  in  his  religious  faith.  His  wife  also  belonged  to  the 
same  church.  Following  the  death  of  her  husband  she  removed  to  Abilene, 
Kansas,  where  she  made  her  home  with  a  daughter  until  she,  too,  passed  away 
January  i6,  1902.  In  their  family  were  twelve  children:  Chauncey  S..  now 
deceased ;  Owen  J.,  living  at  Grand  Junction,  Colorado ;  Francis,  deceased ;  Jul- 
ian B.,  whose  home  is  in  Omaha,  Nebraska ;  Dorrance  W. ;  Clara,  the  wife  of 
James  Dickson,  of  Quincy,  Illinois;  Laurin  W.,  living  in  Council  Bluffs.  Iowa; 
Nora,  the  wife  of  Frank  Morse,  of  Abilene,  Kansas ;  Norman  K.,  of  Galesburg ; 
Percy,  Prentice  and  Jesta,  all  now  deceased.  .  . 

Dr.  Aldrich  pursued  his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  Henderson 
township  and  afterward  had  the  benefit  of  a  course  in  Knox  College,  thus  through 
broad  literary  training  laying  the  foundation  for  his  professional  knowledge. 
He  prepared  for  the  practice  of  medicine  as  a  student  in  Rush  Medical  College 
and  entered  upon  the  active  work  of  the  profession  at  Gilson,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  for  two  and  a  half  years.  He  then  entered  the  Bellevue  Hospital 
College  of  New  York,  and  completed  a  course  with  the  class  of  1874.  Thus 
still  better  equipped  for  the  onerous  and  responsible  duties  which  devolved 
upon  him,  he  returned  to  Gilson,  where  he  continued  in  practice  until  1879. 


1006  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ,.        :. 

That  year  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Galesburg,  where  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  8th  of  May,  1909.    He  held  to  a  high  standard  of  pro- 
fessional  ethics  and  gave  to  his  patients  the  benefit  of  unwearied  service  and  of  • 
superior  talent  and  wide  knowledge.    He  was  always  most  careful  in  the  diag- ,-,; 
nosis  of  his  cases  and  the  excellent  results  which  followed  his  labors  secured  him  , 
an  extensive  practice.     Moreover,  he  was  active  in  the  establishment  of  the 
Galesburg  Hospital  and  served  on  its  staff  for  several  years. 

Dr.  Aldrich  was  married  twice.     On  the   ist  of  August,   1873,  he  wedded 
Miss  Marguerite  McBride,  a  daughter  of  A.  D.  and  Sarah   (McCandlass)   Me-  , 
Bride,  of  Knoxville.     Unto  them  were  born  four  children:  Blanche,  now  the 
wife  of  Charles  May,  of  Peoria,  Illinois;  Mabel,  who  was  born  November  29,  . 
1875,  and  died  May   i6,   1898;  Sarah  Gertrude,  now  the  wife  of  Anthony  J.  ' 
Caldwell,  of  Stoutsville,  Missouri;  and  Julian  Karl,  also  of  Stoutsville.     For  his  : 
second  wife  Dr.  Aldrich  chose  Miss  Martha  Graham,  whom  he  wedded  on  the 
3d  of  February,  1903.     Her  parents  were  William  F.  and  Margaret  ( Hutchin- ' . 
son)  Graham,  who  resided  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  near  Alexis.     Her  father 
was  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1833,  and  her  mother's  ; 
birth  occurred  in  the  same  state,  August  14,  1836.    They  were  married  in  Mercer 
county,  Illinois,  August  19,  1858,  and  Mr.  Graham  devoted  his  time  to  general 
farming.     He  had  come  to  the  middle  west  with  his  mother  in  1839  and  was 
educated  near  Oquawka,  Henderson  county,  after  which  he  concentrated  his  ener- 
gies  upon  the  work  of  tilling  the  soil  and  in  his  well  directed  efforts  provided  a 
comfortable  living  for  his  family.    In  1894  he  retired  to  private  life  with  a  com-    : 
fortable  competence  and  removed  to  Galesburg,  where  he  died  on  the  26th  of  - 
January,  1910.    His  wife  had  passed  away  at  Denver,  Colorado,  August  9,  1892,  .- 
when  they  were  on  a  pleasure  trip.     Mr.  Graham  had  given  his  political  support 
to  the  democratic  party  and  had  served  as  township  assessor.     He  attended  the 
Presbyterian  church  at  Norwood,  Illinois,  and  was  a  man  of  many  admirable  •' 
traits  of  character.     Mrs.  Aldrich  traces  her  ancestry  back  in  the  maternal  line 
through  several  generations.     Her  great-grandfather,  John   Hutchinson,   was  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  rendering  valuable  aid  in  the  establishment  of 
American  independence.    His  son,  who  bore  the  name  of  Henry  Hutchinson,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania  and  devoted  his  life  to  farming.     He  and  his  wife,  Mary  ; 
Brown  Hutchinson,  were  the  parents  of  Margaret  Hutchinson,  who  became  the  ' 
wife  of  William  Graham.     Unto  this  marriage  six  children  were  born,  namely: 
Mildred,  now  the  wife  of  Arthur  Olin,  of  Alexis,  Illinois;  Mary,  the  wife  of  ' 
Charles  E.  Anderson,  also  of  Alexis;  Arthur  H.,  who  is  living  in  the  same  place; 
Daniel  H.,  a  resident  of  Ursa,  Illinois;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Sidney  C.  West, 
of  Denver,  Colorado ;  and  Mrs.  Aldrich.    The  last  named  was  born  in  Alexis, 
in  Mercer  county,  April  20,  1877,  and  supplemented  her  common-school  educa- 
tion  by  study  in  the  schools  of  Galesburg.     By  her  marriage  she  became  the  v 
mother  of  an  interesting  little  son.  Max  William,  who  was  born  in  Galesburg,' 
December  3,  1903.  •' 

The  family  circle  was  broken  by  the  hand  of  death,  when  on  the  8th  of  May, 
1909,  Dr.  Aldrich  was  called  to  his  final  rest.     In  his  passing  Galesburg  lost  a  .» 
valued  and  representative  citizen,  who  had  done  much  for  the  public  welfare.  ; 
From  the  time  that  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  .supported 
the  republican  party  and  in  1887  was  called  to  the  office  of  mayor,  which  he 


fr.:!     V     ;     •  .     J        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY;       '       :cv          1007 

filled  for  a  two  years'  term,  making  a  good  record  as  the  chief  executive  of  the 
city.  He  was  also  at  one  time  county  coroner.  His  religious  faith  was  that  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  but  he  was  never  narrowly  sectarian,  and  in  his  charity 
and  in  his  kindly  thought  he  reached  out  in  sympathy  to  all  who  needed  aid  or 
encouragement.  He  was  entitled  to  wear  the  Grand  Army  button  for  in  1864 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  of  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry.  Later  he  was  detailed  for  duty  on  the  staff  of  General 
Dudley.  He  afterward  joined  the  Galesburg  post  and  thus  maintained  pleasant 
relations  with  his  old  army  comrades  throughout  his  remaining  days.  He  also 
held  membership  with  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  In  strictly  pro- 
fessional lines  he  was  connected  with  the  Knox  County  and  the  Illinois  State  ; 
Medical  Societies  and  through  their  proceedings  kept  in  close  touch  with  the ' 
advanced  work  being  done  by  the  medical  profession.  He  always  remained  a 
close  student  of  the  science  of  medicine  and  his  ready  understanding  of  its  rela- 
tion to  practical  needs  made  him  very  successful  in  his  chosen  life  work.  Many 
a  household  of  Galesburg  regarded  him  most  kindly,  not  only  because  of  aid  he 
had  rendered  professionally,  but  also  because  of  his  sterling  worth  as  a  man 
whom  to  know  was  to  respect  and  honor.  January  i,  1886,  he  was  appointed 
local  surgeon  for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  with  headquarters 
at  Galesburg,  and  served  in  that  capacity  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 


JOHN  H.  RICE. 


John  H.  Rice  is  one  of  the  well  known  business  men  of  Williamsfield,  where 
for  many  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  stock.  He  was 
born  in  Victoria  township,  Knox  county,  in  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Foster  and 
Harriet  (Aldridge)  Rice,  the  father  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York  and 
the  mother  of  Indiana.  When  he  was  a  very  young  lad  Foster  Rice  came  to 
Illinois  with  his  parents,  and  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent  in  Peoria 
and  Knox  counties,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  living  in  Victoria 
township,  where  for  many  years  he  had  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  Of 
the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster  Rice  there  were  born  six  children :  Henry ; 
Mrs.  Eliza  Aden;  John  H.,  our  subject;  George;  Arthur;  and  Alvin. 

As  he  was  reared  in  the  country  John  H.  Rice  acquired  his  education  in 
the  common  schools,  during  which  time  he  gave  his  father  such  assistance  as 
he  was  able  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm.  When  he  had  obtained  such 
knowledge  as  was  deemed  essential  to  enable  him  to  assume  the  heavier  respon- 
sibilities, he  left  school  and  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  work  of  the 
fields,  remaining  under  the  parental  roof  for  five  years  thereafter.  At  the  ex- 
piration  of  that  time  he  began  his  independent  agricultural  career  and  farmed 
as  a  renter  for  several  years.  He  next  removed  to  Missouri,  but  at  the  ex- 
piration  of  two  years  he  returned  to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Williamsfield, 
where  he  subsequently  became  associated  with  Peter  A.  Sunwall  in  buying  and 
shipping  stock.  He  has  ever  since  engaged  in  this  business  in  which  he  has 
met  very  good  success.  .^  .  .,  ' ,  . 


1008   '    :-^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,,,  .    j,,       ; 

Mr.  Rice  has  been  married  three  times.  His  first  union  was  with  Miss 
Ella  Goodspeed,  and  unto  them  were  born  two  children;  Carl  and  Mrs.  Maud 
Davis.  He  subsequently  married  Miss  Hannah  Hammond,  while  his  present 
wife  was  formerly  Miss  Tillie  Anderson,  a  daughter  of  the  late  Adolphus 
Anderson,  who  was  a  farmer  jn  Victoria  township.  Unto  Mr.  Rice  and  his 
third  wife  there  have  been  bom  two  children,  Vera  and  John. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rice  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  politically  he  is  a  republican.  He  always  takes  an  active  interest  in  all 
municipal  and  township  affairs  and  has  served  with  efficiency  in  a  number  of 
the  township  offices. 


X,  .^, 


•    :  >  •;  G.  L.  HEDSTROM.  c. '  ;  V    ; ':: ..  v 

•.. -'^'^^V.':-.':    -  '       .•-  "         O--^'-,.     -  •  • '    •''';':'•  •-••^'' .' 'v•^"^^•.'.cv^;  f' 

A  well  improved  and  highly  cultivated  farm  of  four  hundred  acres  located 
on  sections  i8  and  19,  Victoria  township,  is  a  tribute  to  the  agricultural  skill  of 
G.  L.  Hedstrom.     His  birth  occurred  at  Victoria,  on  the  23d  of  August,  1853, 
his  parents  being  Jonas   J.   and   Deantha    (Somborger)    Hedstrom.     Jonas   J.  ' 
Hedstrom  is  supposed  to  have  been  born  on  the  island  of  Aland,  Sweden,  where 
he  was  educated  and  reared  to  the  age  of  nineteen  years.    His  father  was  a  cor- 
poral in  the  Swedish  army  and  passed  his  entire  life  in  his  native  land,  as  did  ' 
also  the  mother,  who  died  during  the  early  childhood  of  her  son.     After  com- 
pleting his  schooling,  Jonas  J.  Hedstrom  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  which 
he  followed  in  Sweden  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.     He  then  joined  his 
brother,  the  Rev.  O.  G.  Hedstrom,  a  minister  living  in  the  state  of  New  York. 
Soon  after  his  arrival  in  this  country,  Jonas  J.  Hedstrom  located  in  the  vicinity 
of  Victoria,  where  he  followed  his  trade  and  also  preached  the  gospel.    He  was 
the  first  Swedish  minister  in  this  vicinity  and  was  the  founder  of  the  Swedish 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Victoria.     The  first  services  were  held  in  a  log 
house  in  Copley  township,  but  he  subsequently  solicited  funds  in  New  York  and 
thus  obtained  the  means  to  form  a  permanent  organization.     In  addition  to  the 
services  he  held  in  his  native  tongue,  Mr.  Hedstrom  also  preached  to  English 
audiences.     During  the  early  years  of  his  residence  in  Victoria  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Somborger,  who  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  George  Somborger.     During  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  they 
removed  to  Farmington,  Illinois,  where  he  continued  to  work  at  his  trade,  and 
also  discharged  the  duties  of  a  local  preacher.     Later  he  returned  to  Victoria, 
helping  to  organize  the  village  in  1839,  he  and  his  family  thereafter  making  that 
place  their  home.    Soon  after  his  return  he  withdrew  from  his  trade  and  began 
traveling  through  Minnesota  and  Iowa  for  the  Swedish  missions.     In  1850  he 
organized  the  first  Swedish  Methodist  church  in  Iowa  at  New  Sweden.    He  was  an 
efficient  and  capable  worker,  being  tireless  in  his  efforts  to  advance  the  cause 
of  Christianity,  and  ultimately  became  presiding  elder  of  the  Swedish  missions, 
discharging  the  duties  of  this  office  until  his  death.    He  passed  away  on  the  nth 
of  May,  1859,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at 
Victoria.    The  mother,  who  was  also  a  forceful  Christian  worker,  survived  until 
the  6th  of  July,  1874,  and  was  laid  to  rest  beside  her  husband.     In  his  political 


:  V     ,  •  ::i^  >  /v  '  •      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  :\;  -  ;        1013 

views  Mr.  Hedstrom  was  a  republican,  considering  that  policy  conducive  to  the 
interests  of  the  majority.  He  was  at  all  times  too  deeply  engrossed  with  his 
Christian  work  to  become  prominently  identified  with  public  affairs,  but  he  was 
a  loyal  citizen  and  always  gave  his  cooperation  and  support  to  every  movement 
that  he  deemed  likely  to  promote  the  general  welfare  of  the  community  at  large. 
Five  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hedstrom,  the  two  eldest  while  they 
were  residing  in  Farmington  and  the  other  three  upon  their  return  to  Victoria. 
In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows :  Almina,  the  deceased  wife  of  Charles  S. 
Clark ;  Margaret  Ann,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  and  is  buried  in 
Victoria  cemetery ;  Jane,  who  married  Frederick  Becker,  son  of  Frederick 
Becker,  now  residing  in  Victoria,  on  the  Copley  township  site;  Charlotte,  who 
died  when  eighteen  months  of  age ;  and  G.  L.,  our  subject.  Mrs.  Becker  had 
two  children:  George,  who  married  Lane  Swickard,  a  daughter  of  Noah  Swick- 
ard ;  and  Ava,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years. 

Reared  in  a  good  home  amid  Christian  environments,  G.  L.  Hedstrom  had 
inculcated  in  his  mind  from  earliest  childhood  the  substantial  qualities  essential 
to  the  development  of  character.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of  Victoria 
in  the  acquirement  of  his  education,  and  spent  such  time  as  was  not  there  • 
engaged  in  a  manner  similar  to  other  lads  of  the  period  and  surroundings.  After 
laying  aside  his  text-books  he  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  believ- 
ing that  these  offered  better  opportunities  to  the  young  man  without  capital  than 
any  other  occupation,  and  moreover,  he  liked  the  idea  of  living  in  the  open. 
That  his  decision  was  a  wise  one  is  manifested  beyond  question  by  the  success 
that  has  attended  his  efforts.  When  he  was  twenty-one  he  established  a  home 
of  his  own  by  his  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  L.  Tripp,  and  soon  thereafter  they 
located  on  a  farm  directly  south  of  their  present  homestead.  There  they  re- 
sided for  three  years  and  then  removed  to  the  place,  where  they  now  live.  Mr. 
Hedstrom  was  an  enterprising  and  industrious  young  man,  applying  himself  :' : 
assiduously  to  the  further  improvement  and  cultivation  of  his  land.  He  directed 
his  activities  along  practical  lines,  using  intelligence  and  discretion  in  the  methods 
employed  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  as  a  result  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
annually  realizing  abundant  and  lucrative  returns  from  his  labor.  In  connection 
with  general  farming  he  raised  stock,  using  the  greater  part  of  his  grain  for  feed- 
ing. His  various  undertakings  have  prospered  and  he  is  now  known  as  one  of 
the  substantial  and  highly  successful  agriculturists  of  the  community. 

In  1874,  Mr.  Hedstrom  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  L.  Tripp,  who 
was  born  in  Victoria,  December  4,  1854,  and  was  a  daughter  of  David  and 
Elizabeth  (Suydam)  Tripp.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  whence  they  came  in  the  early  years  of  their  domestic  life  to  Knox  county. 
They  subsequently  returned  to  the  east,  locating  in  Venango  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  for  four  years  Mr.  Tripp  worked  in  the  oil  fields.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  and  his  family  again  took  up  their  residence  in  this  county 
and  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death  at  the  age  of  sixty-two 
years.  The  mother  was  seventy-two  when  she  passed  away  and  is  buried  beside 
her  husband  in  the  cemetery  at  Victoria.  During  her  lifetime  Mrs.  Tripp  was  a 
faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  political  support  Mr. 
Tripp  gave  to  the  democratic  party,  but  he  held  no  other  office  save  that  of  school 
director  in  Victoria  township.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mrs.  Tripp  num- 


1014  .      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  j  . 

bered  five,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Victoria :  Emma  L.,  now  Mrs.  Hedstrom ; 
Charlotte,  who  is  deceased ;  Luella,  the  wife  of  John  Van  Buren,  of  Victoria ; 
and  Alice  and  Edward,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hedstrom 
had  four  children.  Florence  J.,  the  eldest,  who  was  born  on  October  24,  1875, 
died  on  the  3d  of  August,  1903,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  lot  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Victoria.  She  was  a  very  capable  young  woman  and  for  some  years  prior 
to  her  death  had  been  engaged  in  teaching.  Ava  Grace  and  Ethel  May,  the  next 
two  in  order  of  birth,  are  both  teaching  music.  The  youngest  member  of  the 
family  was  a  son,  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which 
Mr.  Hedstrom  has  been  a  trustee  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  stewards  for 
many  years.  He  votes  the  republican  ticket,  but  has  never  sought  political  pre- 
ferment, although  he  at  one  time  discharged  the  duties  of  school  treasurer.  As 
the  years  have  passed  he  has  accumulated  a  comfortable  competence  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  valuable  property  is  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  State  Bank  of 
Victoria.  Mr.  Hedstrom  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  Knox  county,  his  suc- 
cess being  entirely  attributable  to  his  own  efforts.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
a  lad  of  barely  six  years,  and  the  financial  circumstances  early  compelled  him 
to  leave  school  and  become  self-supporting.  He  has  applied  himself  tirelessly 
to  whatever  he  has  undertaken,  possessing  the  indomitable  will  and  determina- 
tion of  purpose  that  ultimately  lead  to  success  in  any  undertaking. 


:  ':•":•-.>;:•;.  • .  "       .        '  SIG  B.  NELSON.     ''  ;• . •^.'.. ^V ;  '  - .'•  ';-/;-'' 

Sig  B.  Nelson,  cashier  of  the  Wataga  State  Bank,  is  a  native  of  Sweden, 
his  birth  having  occurred  at  Christianstad,  July  23,  1885.  His  father,  Olof 
Nilsson,  was  bom  in  Sweden  on  the  I7th  of  January,  1850,  continuing  to  be  a 
resident  of  that  country  until  1886,  when  he  emigrated  with  his  wife  and 
family  to  the  United  States.  While  living  in  his  native  land  he  had  operated 
a  mill  and  dye  works,  but  upon  coming  to  this  country  he  turned  his  attention 
to  agricultural  pursuits.  Immediately  following  his  arrival  he  came  to  Knox 
county,  locating  in  Ontario  township  on  a  farm.  He  passed  away  in  Ontario 
township  on  October  4,  1897.  He  was  a  man  possessed  of  excellent  capabilities, 
and  despite  the  fact  that  he  was  not  a  trained  agriculturist,  made  an  unusual 
success  of  that  vocation.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  prior  to  her 
marriage  Miss  Sigrid  Bennett,  a  daughter  of  B.  P.  and  Ingra  (Bahrstedt) 
Bennett,  her  birth  having  occurred  in  Sweden,  February  27,  1857.  The  mother 
is  still  living,  as  are  also  four  of  the  sons  and  two  daughters  born  unto  this 
worthy  couple.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows:  Anna  E.,  the  wife  of 
Professor  Grafstrom,  of  Augustana  College,  Rock  Island,  IlKnois;  Fred  O., 
who  is  a  farmer  of  Galva,  Illinois ;  Sig  B.,  our  subject ;  Lincoln  A.,  who  is  in 
the  engineering  department  of  Northway  Motor  Co.,  Detroit,  Michigan;  Harold 
T.,  who  is  living  on  the  farm  with  his  mother ;  and  Hortense  E.,  a  student  in  Knox 
College.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  and  it  was 
in  the  faith  of  this  denomination  they  reared  their  family. 

Although  a  native  of  Sweden  Sig  B.  Nelson  was  reared  in  Illinois,  having 


J.  .1.   HEDSTROM 


1014  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

bered  five,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Victoria:  Emma  L.,  now  Mrs.  Hedstrom; 
Charlotte,  who  is  deceased;  Liiella,  the  wife  of  John  Van  Buren,  of  Victoria; 
and  Alice  and  Edward,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hedstrom 
had  four  children.  Florence  J.,  the  eldest,  who  was  born  on  October  24,  1875, 
died  on  the  3d  of  August,  1903,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  lot  in  the  ceme- 
tery at  Victoria.  She  was  a  very  capable  young  woman  and  for  some  years  prior 
to  her  death  had  been  engaged  in  teaching.  Ava  Grace  and  Ethel  May,  the  next 
two  in  order  of  birth,  are  both  teaching  music.  The  youngest  member  of  the 
family  was  a  son,  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which 
Mr.  Hedstrom  has  been  a  trustee  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  stewards  for 
many  years.  lie  votes  the  republican  ticket,  but  has  never  sought  political  pre- 
ferment, although  he  at  one  time  discharged  the  duties  of  school  treasurer.  As 
the  years  have  passed  he  has  accumulated  a  comfortable  competence  and  in  addi- 
tion to  his  valuable  property  is  a  stockholder  and  director  of  the  State  Bank  of 
Victoria.  Mr.  lledstrom  is  one  of  the  self-made  men  of  Knox  county,  his  suc- 
cess being  entirely  attributable  to  his  own  efforts.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
a  lad  of  barely  six  years,  and  the  financial  circumstances  early  compelled  him 
to  leave  school  and  become  self-supporting.  He  has  applied  himself  tirelessly 
to  whatever  he  has  undertaken,  possessing  the  indomitable  will  and  determina- 
tion of  purpose  that  ultimately  lead  to  success  in  any  undertaking. 


SIG  B.  NELSON. 

Sig  B.  Nelson,  cashier  of  the  Wataga  State  Bank,  is  a  native  of  Sweden, 
his  birth  having  occurred  at  Christianstad,  July  23,  1885.  His  father,  Olof 
Nilsson,  was  born  in  Sweden  on  the  I7th  of  January,  1850,  continuing  to  be  a 
resident  of  that  country  until  1886,  when  he  emigrated  with  his  wife  and 
family  to  the  United  States.  While  living  in  his  native  land  he  had  operated 
a  mill  and  dye  works,  but  upon  coming  to  this  country  he  turned  his  attention 
to  agricultural  pursuits.  Immediately  following  his  arrival  he  came  to  Knox 
county,  locating  in  Ontario  township  on  a  farm.  He  passed  away  in  Ontario 
township  on  October  4,  1897.  He  was  a  man  possessed  of  excellent  capabilities, 
and  despite  the  fact  that  he  was  not  a  trained  agriculturist,  made  an  unusual 
success  of  that  vocation.  His  wife,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  prior  to  her 
marriage  Miss  Sigrid  I'cnnett,  a  daughter  of  B.  P.  and  Ingra  (Bahrstedt) 
Bennett,  her  birth  having  occurred  in  Sweden,  February  27,  1857.  The  mother 
is  still  living,  as  are  also  four  of  the  sons  and  two  daughters  born  unto  this 
worthy  couple.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  follows:  Anna  E.,  the  wife  of 
Professor  Grafstn'im,  of  Augustana  College,  Rock  Island,  Illinois:  Fred  O., 
who  is  a  farmer  of  Galva,  Illinois:  Sig  B.,  our  subject;  Lincoln  A.,  who  is  in 
the  engineering  department  of  Northway  Motor  Co..  Detroit.  Michigan;  Harold 
T.,  who  is  living  on  the  fami  with  his  mother;  and  Hortense  E.,  a  student  in  Knox 
College.  The  ])arents  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  and  it  was 
in  the  faith  of  this  denomination  they  reared  their  family. 

Although  a  native  of  Sweden  Sig  B.  Nelson  was  reared  in  Illinois,  having 


-I.  .1.    IlKDSTItnM 


c.     >    V-     SC  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .^;          •  1017 

been  only  a  babe  of  one  year  when  his  parents  located  in  Knox  county.  His 
elementary  education  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
home  farm  where  he  spent  his  childhood  and  youth.  Upon  the  completion  of 
the  course  there  he  went  to  Galesburg,  where  during  the  winter  of  1903-4  he 
attended  Brown's  Business  College,  graduating  in  the  latter  year.  Subse- 
quently he  entered  Knox  College,  taking  work  in  both  the  academic  and  collegiate 
departments,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  class  of  1910. 
He  paid  his  own  way  through  college  and  became  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Literary  Society,  winning  prizes  in  debates  there. 

After  leaving  school  Mr.  Nelson  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Wataga 
State  Bank,  of  which  he  is  a  stockholder  as  well  as  cashier  and  manager.  He 
is  also  financially  interested  in  the  Peoples  Trust  &  Savings  Bank  of  Galesburg, 
the  president  of  this  institution  being  connected  with  the  Wataga  State  Bank  in 
the  capacity  of  director.  Mr.  Nelson  is  also  connected  with  the  Woodhull 
State  Bank  of  Woodhull,  Illinois,  being  one  of  the  four  organizers  of  that  bank, 
which  was  organized  December  ii,  1911,  with  a  capital  of  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars.  A  man  of  genial  nature,  gracious  and  accommodating,  Mr.  Nelson 
has  been  instrumental  in  building  up  Wataga  State  Bank  and  his  business  sagacity, 
clear  judgment  and  incorruptible  integrity  serve  to  inspire  trust  and  confidence 
in  it.  He  is  recognized  as  one  well  qualified  to  fill  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  treasurer  of  the  Svea  Mutual 
Protective  Fire  &  Lightning  Insurance  Company  of  Knox,  Henry  and  Mercer 
counties,  which  is  one  of  the  largest  assessment  insurance  organizations  of  the 
state,  insurance  in  force  at  eight  million  dollars,  and  of  which  he  is  the  youngest 
acting  official. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Nelson  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
in  which  he  is  serving  as  banker,  and  is  also  financial  secretary  of  the  Mystic 
Workers  at  Wataga.  Religiously  he  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran 
church.  Although  he  is  still  quite  young,  he  gives  every  indication  of  having 
a  promising  future  as  a  financier  judging  by  the  ability  he  has  developed  dur- 
ing the  brief  period  of  his  business  career. 


-;;•...;   MRS.  ALPHA  B.  MCCALLISTER.          ;;;>:^'' ;•-:  o 

Mrs.  Alpha  B.  McCallister,  who  with  her  son  owns  one  hundred  and  forty- 
one  acres  of  land  on  section  6,  Haw  Creek  township,  Knox  county,  was  born  in 
Salina,  Kansas,  on  January  28,  1870.  She  is  a  daughter  of  A.  G.  and  Mary 
(Anderson)  Couse,  the  father  a  native  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  where  he  was 
reared,  and  the  mother  of  Knox  county,  her  birth  having  occurred  on  the  farm, 
where  Mrs.  McCallister  now  resides.  This  originally  belonged  to  the  maternal 
grandparents  of  our  subject,  Samuel  and  Irene  Anderson,  who  were  among  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  the  county,  having  removed  here  from  Dayton,  Ohio.  After 
their  marraige  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Couse  removed  to  Kansas,  where  the  latter  died  in 
February,  1871,  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  McCallister  cemetery.  Orange  township, 
this  county.  The  father  lived  until  1877  and  is  buried  at  Dwight,  Illinois. 

Having  been  but  a  child  when  her  parents  died,  Mrs.  McCallister  was  reared 
by  her  mother's  sister  and  her  husband,  Elizabeth  (Anderson)  and  C.  H.  Huggins, 


1018  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .^.A    ;\; 

obtaining  her  education  in  the  schools  of  Knox  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hugg^ns 
never  had  any  children  of  their  own  but  they  reared  seven.  He  was  one  of  the 
prominent  farmers  and  stockmen  of  Haw  Creek  township,  where  he  was  well 
known.  In  1863  he  went  west  and  spent  the  following  five  years  in  California, 
Idaho,  and  Oregon,  having  been  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  in  Idaho  for  a 
short  time.  Upon  his  return  he  settled  down  in  Knox  county,  spending  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  in  Haw  Creek  township.  He  passed  away  on  October  26, 
1004,  3t  the  age  of  seventy-seven.  His  widow  survived  for  three  years  there- 
after, her  death  occurring  on  the  loth  of  April.  They  were  both  laid  to  rest  in 
McCallister  cemetery.  He  was  one  of  the  highly  esteemed  men  of  his  com- 
munity and  he  and  his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Knoxville  Presbyterian 
church.  Politically  he  was  a  republican,  but  not  seeking  public  office  or  emolu- 
ments, although  for  many  years  he  served  as  a  school  director  in  Haw  Creek 
township. 

Mrs.  McCallister,  who  has  been  married  three  times,  was  first  united  to 
Harry  Bowson,  a  native  of  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  their  marriage  occurring 
in  1892.  One  child  was  born  unto  them,  Charles  Huggins,  who  is  now  living 
with  his  mother  on  the  farm,  one-half  of  which  belongs  to  him.  On  the  22d  of 
February,  1901,  she  was  married  to  S.  H.  McCallister,  her  third  husband.  Mr. 
McCallister  was  born  and  reared  in  Orange  township,  this  county,  and  there  he 
was  also  educated.  He  is  the  younger  of  the  two  children,  bom  of  the  mar- 
riage of  the  late  Wesley  and  Harriet  McCallister.  Together  with  his  mother 
he  owns  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-seven  acres,  and,  as  she  has 
now  attained  the  age  of  seventy  years,  he  spends  a  large  portion  of  his  time 
there  with  her.  Mrs.  McCallister,  with  the  assistance  of  her  son,  engages  in 
general  farming  and  is  meeting  with  satisfactory  returns  in  her  undertaking. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCallister  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  political 
support  he  accords  to  the  republican  party,  and  is  now  serving  his  third  term 
as  clerk  of  Orange  township.  Mrs.  McCallister  is  an  intelligent  and  capable 
business  womaq  and  is  highly  esteemed  in  Haw  Creek  township,  of  which  her 
family  have  been  residents  for  four  generations.  :.•''?•,•. 


•    .  :  '^^  JOSHUA  BETTERTON.      •    v;:  . 

Joshua  Betterton  has  for  twenty-one  years  been  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising  on  a  well  cultivated  tract  of  land  containing  sixty  acres  located 
on  section  24,  Chestnut  township.  He  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Vienna,  on  the  28th  of  November,  1846,  his  parents  being  Owen  and 
Anna  (Moon)  Betterton,  also  natives  of  Clinton  county.  In  1850  together  with 
his  wife  and  family  Mr.  Betterton  came  to  Illinois,  making  the  long,  hard  jour- 
ney across  the  prairies  with  a  wagon.  Upon  their  arrival  in  Knox  county  he  ac- 
quired a  tract  of  government  land  in  Chestnut  township,  upon  which  he  erected 
such  buildings  as  were  needed  for  their  comfort  and  then  engaged  in  the  culti- 
vation of  his  soil.  Through  his  unremitting  energy,  capable  management  and 
thrift  he  was  later  able  to  add  to  his  holdings  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ..:        1019 

;.    late  '8os  owned  over  a  half  section  of  highly  cultivated  and  fertile  land.     Mr. 
Betterton  became  one  of  the  leading  men  in  his  township  and  for  over  a  quarter 
.:    of  a  century  served  as  justice  of  the  peace.    He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  of  the  Christian  church,  as  was  also  the  mother,  who  passed  away 
'.    in  1872.    They  were  both  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery  at  Hermon.    Of  the  mar- 
;'    riage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Betterton  there  were  born  ten  children:  Elizabeth,  the 
widow  of  Henry  Davis,  of  Abingdon;  Mary  Jane,  who  passed  away  in  1905: 
r   John,  living  in  Norton  county,  Kansas,  who  was  a  member  of  Company  D,  Sev- 
:     enth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  all  of 
;     the  engagements  of  the  Mississippi  campaign;  Cyrus,  who  is  deceased;  George 
".    R.,  of  Littleton,  Colorado,  who  was  also  a  member  of  Company  D,  Seventh  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Cavalry  and  took  part  in  all  of  the  battles  along  the  river,  re- 
':•••   maining  at  the  front  for  four  years  and  seven  months,  during  which  time  he 
:•     participated  in  forty-two  engagements;  Joshua,  our  subject;  Susan,  who  is  der 

•  ceased ;  Ellen,  the  wife  of  Pleasant  Grice,  of  Winfield,  Iowa ;  Laura,  the  wife  of 
\   Henry  C.  Jones,  of  London  Mills,  Illinois;  and  Emma,  the  wife  of  Edwin  White, 

'    of  London  Mills.     .;;;..;.:;;:    .:\    ;;.;>^  .;->,;-: 

Joshua  Betterton  was  only  a  child  of  four  years  when  he  accompanied  his 

•  parents  on  their  removal  from  his  native  state  to  Illinois.     His  youthful  years 
were  not  unlike  those  of  other  lads  of  the  pioneer  days,  his  winters  being  largely 
devoted  to  the  acquirement  of  an  education  in  the  district  schools,  while  during 

•'    the  summer  months  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  fields  and  the  care 

"\    of  the  stock.    He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  was  seventeen  years 

of  age  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and 

.      went  to  the  front.     He  served  from  February  i,  1863.  until  November  on  de- 

•  tached  duty  in  the  hospital.    When  mustered  out  he  returned  to  Chestnut  town- 
ship where  he  remained  until  1873,  when  he  removed  to  Seward  county,  Ne- 
braska.    He  spent  three  years  in  the  latter  state  and  then  returned  to  Knox 
county,  once  more  settling  in  Chestnut  township,  where  he  has  ever  since  re- 
sided.    Twenty-one  years  ago  he  removed  to  his  present  place  on  section  24, 

;    where  he  owns  sixty  acres  of  well  tilled  and  highly  improved  land.     Mr.  Better- 
V    ton  is  a  man  of  progressive  methods  and  practical  ideas  and  his  farm  is  pro- 

•  vided  with  every  modern  facility  that  will  expedite  the  work  or  give  greater  as- 
surance of  efficiency.     His  fields  are  successfully  operated  under  his  capable 
supervision  and  every  year  yield  abundant  harvests  that  bring  the  highest  prices 

.•    the  market  offers.    In  connection  with  his  general  farming  he  raises  a  good  grade 

:    of  stock,  thus  greatly  increasing  his  annual  dividends. 

;v  In  1876,  Mr.  Betterton  was  married  to  Miss  Liza  Pickerel,  who  is  a  native 
of  Haw  Creek  township,  Knox  county,  and  a  daughter  of  George  and  Maria 
(Richmond)  Pickerel,  natives  of  Ohio.  They  came  to  this  county  in  1836,  locat- 
ing in  Haw  Creek  township,  where  they  resided  until  1873  when  they  removed 
to  Seward  county,  Nebraska,  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  Their 

•     family  numbered  fourteen  children :  Charles,  who  is  living  in  Seward,  Nebraska ; 

;':    Harvey,  who  was  a  member  of  Company  A,  Fourteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cav- 

.  airy,  now  a  resident  of  York,  Nebraska;  Mary  M.,  the  deceased  widow  of  Henry 

.    Naris,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Cavalry;  Mrs. 
Betterton;  Christ,  deceased,  also  a  member  of  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  Cavalry; 

.'    Anna,  the  wife  of  Perry  Cope,  of  Seward  county,  Nebraska;  Elizabeth,  who  is 


1020  .       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    ;':'.•,;;-';/•:; 

married  and  also  living  in  Seward  county,  Nebraska;  Booker  and  Caroline,  both 
of  whom  are  deceased;  Emma,  who  married  Fred  Carlson,  of  Seward  county; 
George,  who  is  a  resident  of  Omaha,  Nebraska ;  Frank,  who  is  living  in  Lincoln, 
Nebraska ;  William,  of  Seward,  that  state,  and  Ella,  who  is  deceased.  Of  the 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Betterton  there  were  born  four  children:  Arthur  and 
Elias,  both  of  whom  are  deceased;  Anne,  the  wife  of  J.  P.  Huybbanks,  of 
Maquon;  and  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Harry  Huybbanks,  of  Chestnut  township. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Betterton  has  always  given  to  the  republican  party, 
his  first  presidential  vote  having  been  cast  for  U.  S.  Grant.  He  takes  an  active 
interest  in  all  township  affairs  and  served  for  two  terms  as  assessor  while  for 
many  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors.  He  remem- 
bers Lincoln  well,  in  the  days  of  his  private  life,  and  was  present  at  the  Lincoln- 
Douglas  debate  at  Galesburg.  Mr.  Betterton  has  always  been  a  loyal  member  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  through  the  medium  of  which  organization  he 
maintains  relations  with  his  comrades  of  the  field.  During  the  fifty-eight  years 
he  has  been  a  resident  of  Chestnut  township,  Mr.  Betterton  has  watched  its  won- 
derful development  from  a  pioneer  district  to  one  of  the  richest  agricultural  sec- 
tions of  Knox  county,  during  which  time  the  log  cabin  of  the  first  settlers  has 
given  place  to  modern  residences  and  the  unbroken  prairie  has  been  converted 
into  productive  farms.  .  . 


.        ^  ^^;  ::/  HUGH  C.  SIMPSON.         ';"'-': 

Hugh  C.  Simpson  is  numbered  among  the  native  sons  of  Knox  county  and 
has  been  a  lifelong  resident  of  Walnut  Grove  township,  where  he  is  now  de- 
voting his  time  and  energies  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  represents 
one  o£  the  old  families  of  the  county  and  was  born  upon  the  Simpson  home- 
stead farm  on  the  I4th  of  December,  1862.  No  event  of  special  importance 
occurred  to  vary  the  routine  of  farm  life  for  him  in  his  boyhood  and  youth, 
his  experiences  being  those  which  usually  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  lad  who  divides 
his  time  between  the  duties  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the  playground 
and  the  work  of  the  home  farm.  His  early  training  was  of  a  practical  nature, 
acquainting  him  with  the  best  methods  of  tilling  the  soil  and  caring  for  the 
crops,  so  that  when  he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account  he  was  well 
prepared  to  meet  the  duties  that  devolved  upon  him.  He  has  never  sought  to 
change  his  occupation,  being  always  content  to  engage  in  the  tilling  of  the  soil, 
knowing  that  the  rich  prairie  land  of  Illinois  will  respond  bountifully  if  the 
work  of  cultivation  is  carried  on  along  modern  and  progressive  lines.  He  now 
has  a  well  improved  property,  the  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  his  fields  and 
the  good  improvements  found  upon  his  place  constituting  it  one  of  the  attractive 
features  of  the  landscape. 

Mr.  Simpson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ada  L.  McLaughlin,  who  was 
born  on  the  I3th  of  June,  1878,  a  daughter  of  James  W.  and  Martha  E.  (Collin- 
son)  McLaughlin.  Her  father,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  was  a  son  of 
John  and  Priscilla  (Anderson)  McLaughlin,  came  to  Knox  county  in  his  boy- 
hood days  with  his  parents,  and  when  he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account 


>-^\       i:  ;         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  y;      1021 

he  began  farming  in  Walnut  Grove  township  upon  the  tract  of  land  which  is 
now  being  cultivated  by  his  son-in-law,  Hugh  Simpson.  There  he  carried  on 
the  work  of  the  farm  year  by  year  until  ill  health  compelled  him  to  put  aside 
business  cares  and  he  went  to  Colorado,  hoping  that  the  change  of  climate 
would  prove  beneficial.  However,  he  did  not  improve  as  he  had  hoped  and 
there  passed  away  in  1893,  when  fifty-six  years  of  age.  In  early  manhood  he  had 
married  Martha  E.  Collinson,  a  daughter  of  Simeon  L.  and  Mary  M.  (Craver) 
Collinson,  who  came  from  England  in  1833,  .having  previously  resided  near 
Leeds.  On  crossing  the  Atlantic  they  settled  first  in  Pennsylvania  and  in  1838 
came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  casting  in  their  lot  among  the  earliest  settlers  of 
this  part  of  the  state.  They  arrived  here  only  six  years  after  the  Black  Hawk 
war  occurred  and  at  that  time  there  were  but  few  evidences  of  modern  civiliza- 
tion. In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  McLaughlin  there  were  four  chil- 
dren: Wilson  T.,  who  is  now  living  in  Kansas;  Ada  L.,  the  wife  of  Hugh  C. 
Simpson;  Harriet,  at  home;  and  Netta,  the  wife  of  E.  Van  Patten,  a  resident 
of  Chicago.  Mrs.  James  McLaughlin  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson,  having  spent  their  entire  lives  in  this  county,  are 
well  known  and  their  circle  of  friends  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of 
their  acquaintance.  Mr.  Simpson  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  camp  at 
Altona  and  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party.  While  the 
honors  and  emoluments  of  political  office  have  had  no  attraction  for  him,  he 
has  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  cause  of  education  during  the  twelve  years 
in  which  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  school  board.  The  greater  part  of  his 
time  and  attention,  however,  are  devoted  to  his  farming  interests  and  his 
capable  management  in  this  connection  constitutes  the  basis  of  growing  success. 


.  ;  ;<•:;      RANSOM  J.  BROOKS.    ^'::  -/V'^^    •'•• 

Ransom  J.  Brooks  was  for  many  years  actively  identified  with  the  agricul- 
tural development  of  Knox  county,  but  is  now  living  retired  in  Knoxville.  He 
is  a  native  of  Illinois,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  Canton  on 
the  8th  of  May,  1838,  and  he  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Eggers)  Brooks. 
The  father  was  born  and  reared  in  the  east.  The  mother  was  a  daughter  of 
Landrian  Eggers,  one  of  the  state's  earliest  pioneers,  in  the  time  when  many 
Indians  roved  in  the  country,  constantly  menacing  the  settlers  who  first  located 
here.  Samuel  BrooTcs  came  to  Illinois  in  his  early  manhood,  purchasing  land 
in  the  vicinity  of  Canton  that  he  operated  for  several  years.  Later  he  removed 
to  Knox  county,  settling  in  Chestnut  township  where  he  farmed  for  a  time. 
He  then  went  to  Iowa,  continuing  to  reside  there  until  his  death.  The  mother 
passed  away  in  Chestnut  township.  Of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel 
Brooks  there  were  born  two  daughters  and  ten  sons,  of  whom  the  following 
grew  to  maturity:  Ransom  J.,  our  subject,  who  is  the  eldest;  Landrian,  who 
lives  in  the  vicinity  of  Abingdon,  this  county;  Jane,  who  is  deceased;  Charles, 
who  makes  his  home  in  Kansas;  Daniel,  who  passed  away  in  Missouri;  Matthew 
and  Sarah  A.,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  James,  who  is  a  resident  of  Missouri ; 
and  Cyrus.  •  .  -•'.  -:;  • :  . ;  ;,  .::..-•:.;,.  •-..>:^v,  •'"••^^K-V.  '/  ^^''•^, 


1022  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; 

•;  The  education  of  Ransom  J.  Brooks  was  obtained  in  an  old  log  schoolhouse 
with  puncheon  floor  and  slab  benches  in  Chestnut  township.  The  method  of 
instruction  and  the  text-books  used  at  that  period  were  thoroughly  in  keeping 
with  the  unattractive  schoolroom,  and  did  not  inspire  in  the  average  pupil  a 
very  great  desire  for  study.  Being  the  eldest  of  the  family  he  early  began 
assisting  with  the  work  of  the  farm,  and  when  little  more  than  a  child  had 
assumed  many  of  the  duties  of  manhood.  The  life  of  the  average  farmer  lad 
of  that  period  left  little  time  for  play,  as  there  were  always  a  multitude  of  duties 
requiring  attention,  as  this  was  the  time  prior  to  the  advent  of  modern  agricul- 
tural implements.  From  his  early  youth  agricultural  pursuits  engaged  the 
energies  of  Mr.  Brooks  until  1896,  when  he  withdrew  from  the  active  work  of 
the  fields  and  removed  to  Knoxville,  where  he  has  ever  since  lived  retired.  He 
met  with  success  in  both  farming  and  stock-raising,  acquiring  a  competence 
through  his  long  years  of  industry  and  enterprise  that  enables  him -to  enjoy  in 
the  evening  of  life  comfort  and  ease. 

Chestnut  township  was  the  scene  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Brooks  on  the  5th 
of  August,  1858,  to  Miss  Lovina  Goodenough,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Michi- 
gan on  the  6th  of  April,  1843.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Erastus  and  Louise  (Phelps) 
Goodenough,  who  were  also  natives  of  Michigan,  in  which  state  the  father 
passed  away.  There  were  six  children  in  the  family.  In  her  early  childhood 
Mrs.  Brooks  was  brought  to  Illinois,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She 
first  lived  in  Fulton  county,  whence  she  later  removed  to  Knox,  and  here  she 
has  ever  since  made  her  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooks  have  become  the  parents 
of  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Albert,  who  is  living  in  Minnesota  and  mar- 
ried Viola  Wrenn.  They  have  six  children :  Cleveland ;  Ethel,  the  wife  of 
Charles  Rulin,  who  lives  near  Knoxville,  and  has  two  children ;  Archibald ; 
Blanche ;  Cecil  and  Dorothy.  Emory,  who  lives  in  Knoxville,  married  Bertha 
Jennings,  and  they  have  three  children:  Orpha,  Zora  and  Harry.  Emma,  who 
is  now  deceased,  married  Herod  Peters  of  Galesburg,  by  whom  she  had  two 
children,  Merrill  and  Grace.  Daniel,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  mar- 
ried Hulda  Freed,  and  they  have  two  children.  Carl  and  Gertrude. 

In  matters  of  faith  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooks  are  Baptists,  being  devoted 
members  of  the  church  and  active  in  its  affiliated  societies.  He  takes  a  lively 
interest  in  all  local  matters  and  has  filled  various  offices  in  Chestnut  township. 

' .  Having  resided  in  Knox  county  for  over  sixty  years,  Mr.  Brooks  has  witnessed 

_  '  its  marvelous  development  as  pioneer  conditions  have  given  way  to  the  con- 

'  veniences  and  comforts  of  a  modern  civilization.   .  .    -  ,       •,      ..:.•.; 


;.;:';;:  GEORGE  W.  THOMPSON.        .i;    :;,o 

Few  lawyers  are  making  a  more  forceful  impression  upon  the  bar  of  the 
state  both  for  legal  ability  of  a  high  order  and  for  the  individuality  of  a  personal 
character  which  impresses  itself  upon  the  community  than  George  W.  Thomp- 
son. He  is  actively  connected  with  the  profession,  of  which  he  has  been  a 
prominent  follower  from  early  manhood.  Of  a  family  conspicuous  for  indom- 
itable courage  and  energy,  he  entered  upon  his  career  as  a  lawyer  and  such  were 


JL'IXJE  G.  W.  THOMPSOX 


1022     ,  .  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

The  education  of  Ransom  J.  Brooks  was  obtained  in  an  old  log  schoolhouse 
with  puncheon  floor  and  slab  benches  in  Chestnut  township.  The  method  of 
instruction  and  the  text-books  used  at  that  period  were  thoroughly  in  keeping 
with  the  unattractive  schoolroom,  and  did  not  inspire  in  the  average  pupil  a 
very  great  desire  for  study.  Being  the  eldest  of  the  family  he  early  began 
assisting  with  the  work  of  the  farm,  and  when  little  more  than  a  child  had 
assumed  many  of  the  duties  of  manhood.  The  life  of  the  average  farmer  lad 
of  that  period  left  little  time  for  play,  as  there  were  always  a  multitude  of  duties 
recjuiring  attention,  as  this  was  the  time  prior  to  the  advent  of  modern  agricul- 
tural imi)lements.  I-'rom  his  early  youth  agricultural  pursuits  engaged  the 
energies  of  Mr.  Brooks  until  1896,  when  he  withdrew  from  the  active  work  of 
the  fields  and  removed  to  Knoxville,  where  he  has  ever  since  lived  retired.  He 
met  with  success  in  both  farming  and  stock-raising,  acquiring  a  competence 
through  his  long  years  of  industry  and  enterprise  that  enables  him  to  enjoy  in 
the  evening  of  life  comfort  and  ease. 

Chestnut  township  was  the  scene  of  the  marriage  of  Mr.  I'rooks  on  the  5th 
of  August,  1858,  to  Miss  Lovina  Goodenough,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Michi- 
gan on  the  6th  of  April,  1843.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Erastus  and  Louise  (Phelps) 
Goodenough,  who  were  also  natives  of  Michigan,  in  which  state  the  father 
passed  away.  There  were  six  children  in  the  family.  In  her  early  childhood 
Mrs.  Brooks  was  Ijrought  to  Illinois,  where  she  was  reared  and  educated.  She 
first  lived  in  Fulton  county,  whence  she  later  removed  to  Knox,  and  here  she 
has  ever  since  made  her  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooks  have  become  the  parents 
of  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Albert,  who  is  living  in  Minnesota  and  mar- 
ried \iola  \\'renn.  They  have  six  children:  Cleveland;  Ethel,  the  wife  of 
Charles  Rulin,  who  lives  near  Knoxville,  and  has  two  children ;  Archibald ; 
Blanche ;  Cecil  and  Dorothy.  Emory,  who  lives  in  Knoxville,  married  Bertha 
Jennings,  and  they  have  three  children :  Orpha,  Zora  and  Harry.  Emma,  who 
is  now  deceased,  married  Herod  Peters  of  Galesburg,  by  whom  she  had  two 
children,  Merrill  and  Grace.  Daniel,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  Galesburg,  mar- 
ried Hulda  I'^reed,  and  they  have  two  children.  Carl  and  Gertrude. 

In  matters  of  faith  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooks  are  Baptists,  being  devoted 
members  of  the  church  and  active  in  its  affiliated  societies.  He  takes  a  lively 
interest  in  all  local  matters  and  has  filled  various  offices  in  Chestnut  township. 
Having  resided  in  Knox  county  for  over  sixty  years,  Mr.  Brooks  has  witnessed 
its  marvelous  development  as  pioneer  conditions  have  given  way  to  the  con- 
veniences and  comforts  of  a  modern  civilization. 


^      ^     :  GEORGE  W.  THOMPSON. 

Few  lawyers  are  making  a  more  forceful  impression  upon  the  bar  of  the 
state  both  for  legal  ability  of  a  high  order  and  for  the  individuality  of  a  personal 
character  which  impresses  itself  upon  the  community  than  George  W.  Thomp- 
son. He  is  actively  connected  with  the  profession,  of  which  he  has  been  a 
prominent  follower  from  early  manhood.  Of  a  family  conspicuous  for  indom- 
itable courage  and  energ}'.  he  entered  upon  his  career  as  a  lawyer  and  such  were 


,11  IM;I-;  <;.  \\ .  TII(».\U'S(»X 


'  I 

' 


;1);%   -      :•;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  yv:;       1025 

his  force  of  character  and  natural  qualifications  that  he  has  overcome  all  ob- 
stacles and  risen  to  a  position  of  eminence  among  those  whose  abilities  place 
them  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  legal  fraternity  of  the  state.  A  native  of  Canada, 
he  was  born  near  St.  Marys,  August  9,  1850,  his  parents  being  Robert  and 
Theresa  (Lee)  Thompson.  They  were  natives  of  England  emigrating  to 
Canada,  where  they  resided  until  1872,  when  they  came  to  Knox  county,  Illi- 
nois, engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  a  farm  in  and  adjoining  the  city  of 
Galesburg. 

George  W.  Thompson  spent  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  amid  the 
conditions  and  environments  of  the  country  life  of  Canada.  His  early  educa- 
tional advantages  were  supplemented  by  study  in  the  grammar  schools  of  St. 
Marys  and  the  Upper  Canada  College  of  Toronto.  Later  he  entered  the  Uni- 
versity of  Toronto,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the  class  of  1874  with  the 
degree  of  B.  A.  While  a  student  in  that  institution  and  pursuing  a  full  literary 
course  in  the  classics  he  won  a  gold  medal  for  the  superior  quality  of  his  work. 
While  still  in  college  he  determined  upon  a  professional  career  and  began  read- 
ing law.  Subsequently  he  studied  in  the  office  of  William  Davis,  an  English 
barrister,  who  had  located  in  Galesburg,  and  he  was  admitted  to  practice  law  at 
Fort  Madison,  Iowa,  in  1875.  No  dreary  novitiate  awaited  him,  for  he  soon 
demonstrated  his  ability  to  successfully  handle  intricate  legal  problems  by  his 
oratorical  powers  and  logical  reasoning,  which  enabled  him  to  present  his  sub- 
ject with  great  clearness  and  force.  After  practicing  for  two  years  at  Sibley, 
Iowa,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  state  of  Illinois  in  June,  1877.  He 
immediately  located  at  Galesburg.  Professional  advancement  is  proverbially 
slow,  but  his  connection  with  the  bar  of  Illinois  has  been  marked  by  orderly 
progression.  Ever  thorough  and  painstaking  in  the  preparation  of  his  cases, 
unfaltering  in  his  loyalty  to  the  interests  of  his  clients,  and  recognizing  at  the 
same  time  that  he  owed  a  still  higher  allegiance  to  the  majesty  of  the  law,  he 
maintained  in  his  practice  the  highest  standard  of  professional  ethics.  His  suc- 
cess has  been  won  by  reason  of  the  fact  that  his  position  was  in  the  eyes  of  the 
law  a  correct  one  as  established  by  precedent  and  principle.  In  1897,  he  was 
elected  circuit  judge  for  the  ninth  judicial  circuit  of  Illinois,  which  office  he  has 
since  held  continuously.  He  was  appointed  to  the  appellate  bench  at  Ottawa, 
Illinois,  the  second  district  of  Illinois,  in  1906,  and  acted  as  one  of  the  appellate 
judges  in  that  court  until  October,  1911,  when  he  was  transferred  by  the  supreme 
court  to  Springfield  as  one  of  the  judges  of  the  appellate  court  of  the  third 
district. 

On  the  I2th  of  September,  1884,  Judge  Thompson  was  married  to  Miss 
Hettie  Linsley,  a  daughter  of  James  H.  Linsley,  a  roadmaster  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  To  their  union  three  children  have  been  bom. 
Alma  C.,  Ruth  L.,  and  Wallace  L.  Mrs.  Thompson  was  bom  in  Galva,  Illinois, 
and  acquired  her  education  in  Knox  College.  Subsequently  she  acted  as  city 
librarian  of  the  Galesburg  library  for  five  years  before  her  marriage.  In  1902 
she  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  education  of  the  city  of  Galesburg. 
She  has  performed  the  duties  of  that  office  so  conscientiously  and  satisfactorily 
to  the  people  that  no  person  has  ever  been  nominated  to  take  her  place  in  that 
situation.  She  is  also  a  club  woman,  being  a  member  of  the  Hawthorn  Club, 
and  the  first  president  of  the  Federated  Womans'  Qubs  of  the  city  of  Galesburg. 

vol.  n— 47 


1026  HI  STORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

./     ;'    •  '  '-'     -^  ,  ..'•'•    ',     '' 

In  politics  Judge  Thompson  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party.    He 
served  as  city  alderman  in  Galesburg  from  1882  to  1886.     He  attends  the  Bap- 
tist church.    It  is  not  necessary  to  enter  into  any  series  of  statements  showing 
Mr.  Thompson  to  be  a  man  of  broad  mind,  scholarly  attainments,  public  spirit 
and  lofty  patriotism,  for  this  has  been  evident  throughout  his  career.     In  his 
profession  he  has  always  been  conscientious  and  no  one  knows  better  the  neces- 
sity for  thorough  preparation  and  no  one  more  industriously  studies  his  cases. 
His  course  in  the  courtroom  as  a  lawyer  and  as  a  judge  on  the  bench  has  always 
been  characterized  by  a  calmness  and  dignity  that  indicate  reserve  strength,  and 
his  analysis  of  facts  is  clear  and  exhaustive.     He  is  able  to  see  without  effort 
their  relation  or  dependence  and  consequently  can  so  group  the  facts  as  to  enable 
him  to  throw  their  combined  force  on  the  point  they  tend  to  prove.     His  rul- 
ings in  the  circuit  court  and  his  published  opinions  in  the  appellate  court  reports 
show  that  he  has  a  clear  comprehension  of  legal  and  equitable  principles  and 
ability  to  logically  apply  them  to  questions  in  issue  before  him.     His  name  is 
one  of  note  in  the  legal  history  of  Illinois. 


^  CLARENCE  BINGHAM  RIPLEY,  M.  D.       -V- 

•         Dr.  Clarence  Bingham  Ripley,  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  medicine 
in  Galesburg,  has  made  continuous  advancement  in  his  profession  since  he  won 
his  M.  D.  degree  on  graduation  from  the  University  of  Michigan  in  1902.    His 
ability  has  increased  because  of  his  broad  reading  and  the  lessons  he  has  learned 
from  experience.     He  is  now  accorded  a  liberal  patronage  in  this  city  and  at 
the  same  time  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  prominent  representatives  of  the  re- 
publican party  in  Knox  county.    Galesburg  numbers  him  among  her  native  sons, 
his  birth  having  here  occurred  on  the  nth  of  December,  1876.    His  parents  were 
John  Adams  and  Letitia  (Shephard)  Ripley.    The  father  was  born  in  Berlin  Cen- 
ter, a  town  in  northeastern  Ohio,  June  26,  1844,  ^"d  the  mother's  birth  occurred 
in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  December  8,  1849.    John  A.  Ripley  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Ohio  and  following  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  his 
patriotic  spirit  prompted  his  enlistment  for  service  in  the  army.    While  on  active 
duty  he  became  ill  and  on  account  of  his  physical  disability  was  honorably  dis- 
charged.   As  soon  as  he  had  recovered,  however,  he  once  more  joined  the  army, 
reenlisting  in  the  one  hundred  days'  service.    While  the  war  was  in  progress  his 
father's  family  disposed  of  their  interests  in  Ohio  and  removed  to  Princeton. 
Illinois,  where  he  joined  them  after  the  close  of  hostilities  and  in  1865  ^^  ^^~ 
moved  to  Galesburg,  where  he  secured  a  position  as  brakeman  on  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.     He  afterward  served  as  freight  conductor  for 
a  time  and  later  was  advanced  to  the  position  of  passenger  conductor.    For  over 
forty  years  he  was  well  known  in  connection  with  the  railway  service  of  that 
line.    He  died  in  Galesburg,  December  20,  1911.    It  was  on  the  7th  of  October, 
1870,  that  he  wedded  Letitia  Shephard,  who  had  come  to  the  middle  west  with 
her  parents  and  located  in  Knox  county,  where  she  formed  the  acquaintance  of 
the  man  to  whom  she  gave  her  hand  in  marriage.    They  became  the  parents  of 
five  children:  Frederick,  deceased;  Edwin  Shephard,  a  practicing  attorney  of 


:'    ;i::^:^  ':;;{;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       ;.    • -;::      1027 

-•'••'"••••  '  V-  -'•'-  '  \  '•'--'  '  '  ' -    •  ' 

Lincoln,  Nebraska ;  Clarence  B.,  of  this  review ;  and  Caroline  and  Alice  E.,  who 
have  departed  this  life. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg,  Dr.  Ripley  pursued  his  early  education 
and  later  became  a  student  at  Hinsdale,  Illinois.  He  afterward  entered  the  high 
school  of  Lyons  township,  Cook  county,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1896.  His  college  course  was  pursued  in  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan, from  which  he  won  the  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  in  1900,  while  in  1902  he 
gained  his  professional  degree,  having  determined  to  make  the  practice  of  med- 
icine his  life  work. 

.,;•  Dr.  Ripley  then  located  in  Riley,  Michigan,  where  he  opened  an  office  and 
continued  in  practice  for  two  years.  He  then  came  to  Galesburg  in  April,  1904, 
and  took  a  position  in  the  relief  department  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroad.  In  June  of  the  same  year,  however,  he  was  sent  to  Alliance, 
Nebraska,  by  the  company  and  there  continued  until  December,  when  he  re- 
turned to  this  city.  He  continued  in  the  service  of  the  railroad  company  until 
the  1st  of  August,  1906,  when  he  resigned  and  entered  independently  upon  the 
general  practice  of  medicine.  He  has  since  sen/ed  as  city  and  county  physician, 
having  been  appointed  to  that  office  in  the  spring  of  1908.  His  professional 
ability  is  widely  recognized  and  the  public  confidence  in  his  power  is  attested 
by  the  liberal  patronage  accorded  him.  He  has  studied  continuously  along  pro- 
fessional lines,  keeping  in  touch  with  the  most  advanced  methods,  and  scientific 
principles  find  exemplification  in  the  daily  performance  of  his  duties.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Galesburg  Medical  Society,  the  Knox  County  Medical  Society  and 
the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society.  He  has  been  for  several  years  a  member  of 
the  medical  staff  of  the  Galesburg  Hospital  and  a  review  of  his  professional 
career  shows  that  he  has  done  excellent  work  in  the  departments  of  both  medi- 
cine and  surgery.  ^-  ''• 

On  the  8th  of  June,  1904,  Dr.  Ripley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bertha 
Raymer,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  they  now  have  one  son,  Clarence  Bingham,  Jr., 
born  in  Galesburg,  December  30,  1907.  Both  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Central  Congregational  church  and  in  various  lines  of  its  work  are 
actively  interested.  Dr.  Ripley  is  now  serving  as  president  of  the  Men's  League 
of  Central  Church  and  in  addition  is  connected  with  other  societies  and  organiza- 
tions of  the  city,  and  the  Country  and  Galesburg  Clubs,  serving  for  several  years 
as  a  director  of  the  last  named.  Politically  he  is  a  republican.  In  local  politics 
he  is  taking  an  active  part  and  served  as  chairman  of  central  committee  of  the 
peoples  party  at  the  time  of  its  greatest  successes.  '/.-,;  ,  ;•  :-.:,' 


/':,.;'.' : , :";.•:    \-  ';:-:,;'\. .    WILBUR  F.  WILLSIE.     .;•.>; '  ^  •.', :,/ •;' •i;:-:--s vv^ 

Wilbur  F.  Willsie,  who  has  been  running  out  of  Galesburg  as  a  mail  clerk 
for  the  past  thirty-eight  years,  was  bom  in  this  city  on  the  6th  of  April,  1856. 
He  is  a  son  of  the  late  Colonel  Horace  H.  and  Betsey  (Nichols)  Willsie,  the 
father  a  native  of  Canada  and  the  mother  of  the  state  of  New  York.  Horace 
H.  Willsie  was  reared  in  his  native  country  and  there  he  also  learned  the  tanner's 
trade.  He  located  in  Galesburg  about  1853  and  became  a  clerk  in  J.  R.  Gordon's 


:1028  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

clothing  store,  continuing  in  this  capacity  for  some  years.     When  the  Civil  war 

broke  out  he  raised  three  companies  and  went  to  the  front  in  defense  of  the 

Union,  being  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  hostilities  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 

,  Upon  his  return  to  civil  life  he  was  appointed  chief  of  police  of  Galesburg  and 

•  he  also  ran  a  livery  stable,  while  later  he  was  elected  sheriff.     He  was  one  of 

;  the  public-spirited,  enterprising  citizens  of  the  early  days  and  did  much  toward 
developing  the  city.  His  death  occurred  in  Galesburg  in  1907,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years.  The  mother,  however,  is  still  living  and  is  now  in  her 
seventieth  year.  The  family  of  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Willsie  numbered  five,  as 
follows:  Wilbur  F.,  our  subject;  Horace  M. ;  Alfred  N. ;  John;  and  Daisy,  the 

'  wife  of  Edward  Kulp.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  John  Willsie,  a  native 
of  the  state  of  New  York.  He  was  a  farmer  and  subsequently  removed  to 

\  Minnesota,  where  he  passed  away  at  a  ripe  old  age.  In  his  family  were  the 
following  children:  Horace  H.,  the  father  of  our  subject;  Hiram;  Milo;  Asa; 
and  George.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orson  Nichols,  the  maternal  grandparents,  had 
three  children:  Leila,  Betsey  and  Leroy.  Mr.  Nichols  was  for  many  years 
engaged  in  the  livery  business.  He  was  also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having 
gone  to  the  front  as  fife  major  to  General  John  A.  Logan  and  remained  in  the 
service  until  the  close  of  hostilities. 

Galesburg  has  always  been  the  home  of  Wilbur  F.  Willsie,  who  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  turned  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  for  three  years  cultivated  a  piece  of  land 
belonging  to  his  father.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  entered  the  govern- 
ment employ  as  postal  clerk  and  has  been  in  the  service  continuously  since  1873. 
In  May,  1879,  Mr.  Willsie  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Boyce,  a  native  of 
Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Abbie  Boyce.  The  parents  early  came  to 
Illinois  and  thereafter  made  this  state  their  home,  passing  their  latter  days  at 

- '  Warsaw.  They  had  five  daughters  and  three  sons :  Kate ;  Ella ;  Mary,  now 
Mrs.  Willsie ;  Hattie ;  Gussie ;  Henry ;  George ;  and  Fred.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willsie 
became  the  parents  of  four  children:  Maude,  the  wife  of  H.  Clay  Smith,  of 
Galesburg,  by  whom  she  has  had  two  daughters,  Loreta  and  Fern;  Wilbur,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  years;  Florence,  who  is  clerking  in  O.  T.  Johnson's 
store;  and  Harold,  who  is  still  attending  school.!  -  I  -\. :. 

Mr.  Willsie  belongs  to  Alpha  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  his  political  support 
he  accords  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  postal  clerks,  from 
the  point  of  years  of  continuous  service,  in  his  division,  and  is  widely  known  in 
Galesburg  where  he  has  many  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  were  comrades  of 
his  boyhood.  •  :  .  '•  :  /  ,..  ;; 


CHARLES  ROBSON  NEELY.  ;•;';/  -•f^- 

The  agricultural  interests  of  Knox  county  find  a  worthy  representative  in 
Charles  Robson  Neely,  who  is  now  engaged  in  farming  in  Sparta  township. 
He  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  this  locality,  having  been  born  May  9,  1849, 
upon  the  farm  which  is  now  his  home.  His  father,  James  Neely,  was  a  native 
of  Cayuga  county.  New  York,  born  September  6,  1806.  He  early  began  earn- 
ing his  own  livelihood  and  as  a  boy  drove  a  horse  on  the  canal.  He  was  about 


..J, 


X 


U- 
X 


1028  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  : 

clothing  store,  continuing  in  this  capacity  for  some  years.  When  the  Civil  war 
broke  out  he  raised  three  companies  and  went  to  the  front  in  defense  of  the 
Union,  being  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  hostilities  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 
Upon  his  return  to  civil  life  he  was  appointed  chief  of  police  of  Galesburg  and 
he  also  ran  a  livery  stable,  while  later  he  was  elected  sheriff.  He  was  one  of 
the  public-spirited,  enterprising  citizens  of  the  early  days  and  did  much  toward 
developing  the  city.  His  death  occurred  in  Galesljurg  in  1907,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years.  The  mother,  however,  is  still  living  and  is  now  in  her 
seventieth  year.  The  family  of  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Willsie  numbered  five,  as 
follows:  \Vill)ur  F.,  our  subject;  Horace  M.;  Alfred  X.;  John;  and  Daisy,  the 
wife  of  Edward  Kulp.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  John  Willsie,  a  native 
of  the  state  of  New  York.  He  was  a  farmer  and  subsequently  removed  to 
Minnesota,  where  he  passed  away  at  a  ripe  old  age.  In  his  family  were  the 
following  children:  Horace  IL,  the  father  of  our  subject;  Hiram;  Milo;  Asa; 
and  George.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orson  Nichols,  the  maternal  grandparents,  had 
three  children :  Leila,  Betsey  and  Leroy.  Mr.  Nichols  was  for  many  years 
engaged  in  the  livery  business.  He  was  also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having 
gone  to  the  front  as  fife  major  to  General  John  A.  Logan  and  remained  in  the 
service  until  the  close  of  hostilities. 

Galesburg  has  always  been  the  home  of  Wilbur  F.  Willsie,  who  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  turned  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  for  three  years  cultivated  a  piece  of  land 
belonging  to  his  father.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  entered  the  govern- 
ment employ  as  postal  clerk  and  has  been  in  the  service  continuously  since  1873. 

In  May,  1879,  Mr.  Willsie  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Boyce,  a  native  of 
Ohio  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Abbie  Boyce.  The  parents  early  came  to 
Illinois  and  thereafter  made  this  state  their  home,  passing  their  latter  days  at 
Warsaw.  They  had  five  daughters  and  three  sons :  Kate ;  Ella ;  Mary,  now 
Mrs.  Willsie;  Hattie;  Gussie;  Henry;  George;  and  Fred.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willsie 
became  the  parents  of  four  children :  Maude,  the  wife  of  H.  Clay  Smith,  of 
Galesburg,  by  whom  she  has  had  two  daughters,  Loreta  and  Fern ;  Wilbur,  who 
died  at  the  age  of  seven  years;  Florence,  who  is  clerking  in  O.  T.  Johnson's 
store;  and  Harold,  who  is  still  attending  school.  '  .  j  .. 

Air.  Willsie  belongs  to  Alpha  Lodge,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  his  political  support 
he  accords  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  postal  clerks,  from 
the  point  of  years  of  continuous  service,  in  his  division,  and  is  widely  known  in 
Galesburg  where  he  has  many  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  were  comrades  of 
his  boyhood. 


CHARLES  ROBSOX  XEELY. 

The  agricultural  interests  of  Knox  county  tind  a  worthy  rei)resentative  in 
Charles  Robson  Xeely.  who  is  now  engagecl  in  farming  in  Sparta  township. 
He  is  one  of  the  native  sons  of  this  locality,  having  been  born  May  9,  1849, 
upon  the  farm  which  is  now  his  home.  His  father,  James  Xeely,  was  a  native 
of  Cayuga  county.  New  York,  born  September  6,  1806.  He  early  began  earn- 
ing his  own  livelihood  and  as  a  boy  drove  a  horse  on  the  canal.  He  was  about 


X 


;;;v.^-:  ;.>;:;.;;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v  •  ^'       1031 

thirty-two  years  of  age  when  in  1838  he  left  the  Empire  state  and  came  with 
his  family  to  Illinois,  settling  at  Log  -City.  Later  he  removed  to  Henderson 
and  was  employed  at  packing  pork  by  J.  Gay  for  ten  years.  On  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  removed  to  what  is  now  the  Neely  homestead  farm,  then  a 
tract  of  wild  prairie  land  practically  destitute  of  improvements.  With  charac- 
teristic energy  he  began  to  break  the  sod  and  till  the  soil  and  as  the  years  passed 
he  converted  the  place  into  productive  fields  which  he  cultivated  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death,  on  the  27th  of  June,  1894.  It  was  on  November  2,  1836,  in  New 
York,  that  he  married  Miss  Sabrina  Arnold,  a  native  of  the  Empire  state.  In 
the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Neely  were  nine  children,  of  whom  five  are 
yet  living:  Mandeville,  who  is  now  retired  in  Galesburg;  Mortimer,  who  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Civil  war  and  is  now  a  merchant  of  Blanchard,  Iowa ;  Hannah, 
the  wife  of  S.  F.  Johnson,  now  living  retired  in  Galesburg;  Lucy,  the  widow  of 
Dr.  Vivian,  of  Galesburg;  and  Charles  Robson,  of  this  review.  Another  mem- 
ber of  the  family  who  reached  adult  age  was  Maria. 

At  the  usual  age  Charles  Robson  Neely  began  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  and  when  his  text-books  were  put  aside  he  devoted  all  of  his  time  to 
the  work  of  the  farm,  remaining  with  his  parents  until  they  were  called  to  their 
final  rest.  He  is  busily  employed  in  the  cultivation  and  development  of  the 
fields  and  is  also  engaged  in  stock-raising  on  a  farm  he  and  his  father  purchased 
several  years  ago,  both  branches  of  his  business  proving  profitable.  The  farm 
presents  a  neat  and  attractive  appearance,  everything  about  the  place  indicating 
his  careful  supervision  and  progressive  methods. 

On  the  5th  of  October,  1871,  Mr.  Neely  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  J.  DeLong,  who  was  born  July  28,  1850,  at  Center  Point  School  House, 
in  this  county.  Her  father,  Marshall  P.  DeLong  was  a  native  of  Addison  county, 
Vermont,  born  June  14,  1826,  and  in  1836,  when  a  lad  of  nine  years,  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  Illinois,  the  family  settling  at  what  was  then  Log  City  in 
Henderson  township.  For  some  time 'he  engaged  in  teaching  school  as  well  as 
in  farming.  The  purchase  of  land  made  him  owner  of  seventy-seven  acres  in 
Sparta  township  upon  which  he  resided  until  1886,  when  he  took  charge  of  the 
county  poor  farm,  there  residing  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1892,  when  he  was  sixty-six  years  of  age.  He  had  been  somewhat  prominent 
in  public  affairs  for  many  years.  For  a  long  period  he  had  served  on  the  school 
board  and  was  also  postmaster  at  Center  Point,  Illinois.  For  a  quarter  of  a 
century  he  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  to  which  position  he  was 
elected  in  i86i,  his  long  continuance  therein  being  proof  of  the  thoroughness 
and  impartiality  of  his  decisions.  For  many  years  he  held  the  office  of  super- 
visor and  in  1886  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Knox  county  poor 
farm,  which  position  he  filled  until  his  demise.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
agricultural  board  of  Knox  county  for  a  number  of  years  and  during  three  years 
of  that  time  was  its  president.  In  early  manhood  he  had  wedded  Mary  Hard- 
ing, who  was  born  April  7,  1831,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  a  daughter  of  Jones 
and  Mary  (Rowley)  Harding,  who  removed  westward  in  1837,  settling  in  Knox 
county  near  Galesburg.  Mary  Rowley  was  bom  at  Westport,  New  York,  Decem- 
ber 20,  1805,  and  was  married  to  Jones  Harding  April  21,  1825.  Jones  Hard- 
ing was  a  large  land  owner  of  this  county  and  became  one  of  the  prominent 
farmers  of  his  district.  He  was  born  at  Rome,  New  York,  December  ii,  1799, 


1032          :  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY --y: '•;;;:!>; 

and  died  August  ii,  1896.  Marshall  P.  DeLong  was  a  son  of  Julius  DeLong, 
who  was  a  shoemaker  and  tanner  and  ijiarried  Julina  Sanford.  Julius  DeLong 
died  August  22,  1870,  when  he  was  sixty-eight  years  of  age,  and  his  wife,  who 
was  born  in  1806,  passed  away  March  6,  1871.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  P.  De- 
Long  were  the  parents  of  a  son  and  two  daughters,  the  brother  of  Mrs.  Neely 
being  Walter  DeLong,  who  is  now  in  the  transfer  business  in  Galesburg.  The 
sister  is  Hattie,  the  wife  of  Addison  Hastie,  an  attorney  of  Seattle,  Washington. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  R.  Neely  have  been  born  four  children :  Arthur 
M.,  who  married  Mattie  Crandall  and  is  a  motorman  on  the  Rock  Island  Southern 
Railway  and  lives  at  Monmouth ;  W.  D.,  who  married  Henrietta  Newton  and 
is  assistant  postmaster  of  Butte,  Montana ;  Cora  A.,  the  wife  of  Guy  D.  Root, 
of  Galesburg;  and  James  Ray,  who  is  at  home  with  his  parents. 

Charles  R.  Neely  holds  membership  in  Galesburg  Camp,  No.  667,  M.  W.  A., 
and  his  political  support  is  given  to  the  republican  party  but  he  has  never  sought 
nor  held  political  office.  He  has,  however,  served  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board  for  fifteen  years  and  is  now  acting  as  its  president.  His  long  connection 
with  this  office  indicates  his  deep  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  and  his 
efforts  toward  advancing  the  high  standard  of  the  schools  have  been  far-reach- 
ing and  beneficial.  His  influence  has  always  been  found  on  the  side  of  progress 
and  improvement,  whether  in  public  affairs  or  in  private  life.  The  more  pro- 
gressive spirit  is  manifest  in  his  business  interests  and  finds  tangible  evidence 
in  the  methods  which  he  follows  in  carrying  on  the  work  of  the  farm. 


'  \  •-•'•'-:'•''•• -\  ^  HUGH  ENNIS.      ;      /'.  .'/'vC'.-  - '    '. 

Few  men  who  have  reached  the  age  of  Hugh  Ennis  are  still  actively  en- 
gaged in  business.  The  great  majority  prefer  to  retire  but  with  him  indolence 
has  always  been  foreign  to  his  nature  and  he  still  gives  his  attention  to  business 
as  a  dealer  in  sand.  He  is  today  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Galesburg  and 
has  witnessed  its  development  from  a  village.  He  was  born  in  County  Meath, 
Ireland,  in  1830,  a  son  of  William  and  Nancy  (McGovern)  Ennis,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  the  Emerald  isle.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Hugh  and 
Betty  (Killeen)  Ennis  who  were  farming  people  of  Ireland,  and  there  reared 
their  family  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  William,  James,  John,  Lawrence, 
Patrick,  Hannah  and  Margaret.  William  Ennis  also  took  up  the  occupation 
of  farming  as>  a  life  work  and  always  remained  a  resident  of  his  native  land 
where  he  died  at  an  advanced  age.  His  wife,  however,  passed  away  in  early 
womanhood  in  the  year  1835.  Both  we^e  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 
Their  family  numbered  five  children :  Elizabeth,  now  deceased,  who  married 
Patrick  Ennis,  who,  however,  was  no  relation  of  the  family;  Bridget,  the  de- 
ceased wife  of  Michael  Mooney ;  Hugh,  of  this  review ;  Patrick,  deceased ;  and 
Mary,  who  has  also  passed  away. 

Hugh  Ennis  was  reared  in  his  native  land  and  acquired  his  education  there 
in  the  parochial  schools.  He  came  to  America  in  1852  and  worked  for  five 
months  in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  He  then  went  to  Bridgeport,  Connecticut, 
and  was  employed  on  a  construction  train  on  a  railroad  extending  from  Bridge- 


r  y  ;       ,  .        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •  -  1033 

port  to  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts.  The  year  1856  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Gales- 
burg,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  For  three  and  a  half  years  he  was 
employed  in  the  foundry  of  J.  P.  Frost  &  Company,  after  which  he  began 
business  on  his  own  account  as  a  dealer  in  sand,  in  which  line  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. He  furnished  sand  for  all  the  streets  south  of  Main  street  from  Cherry 
to  the  old  Beiderman  building,  and  also  for  the  jail  and  many  of  the  large 
buildings  of  Galesburg.  He  has  always  been  accorded  a  liberal  patronage  and 
his  straightforward  business  methods,  promptness  in  delivery  an'd  his  enter- 
prising spirit  have  constituted  the  salient  forces  of  his  success. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  1858,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Ennis  and  Miss 
Margaret  Ryan,  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Alice  (Ryan)  Ryan.  The  father 
died  during  the  early  girlhood  of  Mrs.  Ennis  and  the  mother  afterward  came 
to  America  with  her  two  daughters,  settling  in  Galesburg  where  all  passed 
away.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Ennis  occurred  May  28,  1906,  when  she  was  sixty- 
nine  years  of  age.  By  her  marriage  she  had  become  the  mother  of  nine  chil- 
dren, six  sons  and  three  daughters:  William,  who  died  at  the  age  of  forty-two 
years ;  Daniel,  who  died  when  about  twenty-one  years  of  age ;  John,  at  home ;  . 
Elizabeth  and  Alice,  both  of  whom  died  when  but  two  years  old;  Margaret,  the 
wife  of  Fred  Bohnenberger ;  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Ennis  has  been  a  life-long  communicant  of  the  Catholic  church.  He 
has  now  reached  the  age  of  eighty-one  years  and  yet  is  a  hale  and  hearty  man, 
and  well  preserved  mentally.  His  residence  in  Galesburg  covers  a  period  of 
fifty-five  years  and  he  has  seen  it  develop  from  a  small  town  of  little  business  ' 
importance  to  one  of  the  chief  commercial  centers  of  the  state,  having  important 
trade  and  manufacturing  interests.  While  he  has  never  sought  to  figure  prom- 
inently in  any  public  connection  the  sterling  worth  of  his  character  has  gained 
him  the  warm  regard  of  those  with  whom  he  has  been  associated. 


X       :     •;  WILLIAM  ARTHUR  THOMPSON.  ^ ';>'•:  :^.r-^ 

Prominent  among  the  industrious  and  enterprising  agriculturists  of  Walnut 
Grove  township  is  William  Arthur  Thompson,  the  owner  of  the  well  developed 
farm  which  he  now  cultivates.  His  birth  occurred  on  this  farm  August  4,  1879, 
his  parents  being  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Thompson.  David  Thompson  was  born 
September  ii,  1835,  in  Elkhart,  Indiana,  the  son  of  John  and  Catherine 
(Livingston)  Thompson,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  settled  in  Indiana  for  a  short 
time  and  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  they  located  on  a  part  of  what  is 
now  the  Thompson  farm,  near  Altona.  David  Thompson  in  1862  enlisted  and 
served  for  three  years  in  the  Civil  war.  Being  mustered  out,  he  returned  to  Al- 
tona, where  he  followed  farming  and  largely  engaged  in  stock  buying  until  his 
death  on  September  ii,  1902.  In  1868  he  married  Catherine  Richmond,  who 
was  born  September  22,  1845,  near  Wheeling.  West  Virginia,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Joseph  Richmond  and  Susan  Thess.  She  comes  of  an  old  family  of  Virginia, 
in  which  state  her  grandfather  and  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming, 
and  the  father  later  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  church  as  circuit  rider. 
:  :  William  A.  Thompson  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  school 


1034  ^    '          HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ; 

and  afterward  completed  the  regular  course  in  the  Altcna  high  school,  from 

•  which  he  was  graduated  previous  to  his  matriculation  in  the  Gem  City  Business 
College  at  Quincy,  in  1899.    Thus  equipped  with  more  than  an  ordinary  school 

:  training,  he  returned  home  to  take  up  agriculture  as  his  life  work.     He  bought 

•  a  farm  opposite  his  father's  property  and  took  entire  charge  of  the  management 
of  both  places,  this  being  an  undertaking  which  has  called  for  skill,  judgment 
and  constant  application.     In  his  general  farming  pursuits  he  has  made  rapid 
progress  and  in  stock-raising  he  has  gained  more  than  ordinary  success,  having 
proceeded  along  well  approved  scientific  lines  in  raising  registered  sheep.     His 
sheep   farm   is  the  largest  in  this  section  and  is  well   stocked   with   recorded 
pedigree  stock.  •        ;     ' ' '  '~ 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1903,  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  McMaster,  who  is  the  daughter  of  John  McMaster  and  whose 
birth  occurred  December  12,  1877.  John  McMaster,  a  retired  farmer,  living 
now  in  Altona,  was  born  May  15,  1827,  in  Sorn,  Ayrshire,  Scotland.  The 
family  emigrated  in  1850  and  came  down  from  Chicago  by  way  of  canal  to 
Peoria  and  by  team  to  Copley  township,  where  they  settled.  He  followed  farm- 
ing in  Walnut  Grove  township  until  1898,  when  he  retired  and  is  now  living  in 
Altona.  He  married  Lorinda  H.  Multer,  who  was  born  in  New  York  state, 
,  May  lo,  1832,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susan  (Becker)  Multer,  who  were  of 
German  descent.  She  came  to  Knox  county  in  1860,  where  she  married  John 
McMaster  August  22,  i86i.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  A.  Thompson  two  chil- 

•  dren  have  been  born:    Helen  Augusta,  whose  birth  occurred  October  23,  1904; 
and  Mary  Maxine,  who  was  born  August  7,  1907. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  democrat  and  has  served  his  party  well  by 
filling  the  offices  of  township  clerk,  clerk  of  the  school  board  and  judge  of  elec- 
tion at  various  campaigns,  duties  which  he  discharged  with  promptness  and 
'  fidelity.  He  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  favorably  known  throughout  the  township,  having 
gained  many  friends  during  their  residence  there.  ..-.-.,..;.  . 


,''•;>:'';?••'-•'-  •          WALTER  F.  BOYES.' ';:.-: ^Vi-v'.';,:  v:'v 

No  name  is  more  closely  interwoven  with  the  history  of  the  educational  in- 
stitutions of  Knox  county  than  is  that  of  Walter  F.  Boyes,  who  for  eighteen 
years  has  been  connected  with  the  schools  as  teacher  and  superintendent.  He 
was  born  in  Knox  county,  October  8,  1865,  his  parents  being  Robert  D.  and 
Emily  A.  (Bird)  Boyes.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Robert  Boyes,  was  a  native 
of  England  and  came  to  New  York  with  his  family  in  1827.  Subsequently  he 
removed  to  Belleville,  Canada,  and  about  1864  settled  in  Knox  county,  Illinois. 
His  wife  was  Miss  Frances  Douglas,  who  was  born  in  England  of  Scotch  an- 
cestry. Stephen  and  Ann  Bird,  his  maternal  grandparents,  were  born  in  the 
north  of  Ireland  and  emigrated  to  Canada  while  they  were  young,  subsequently 
coming  to  Illinois  in  1863.  The  father  was  born  in  northern  New  York  and  the 
mother  in  Ontario,  Canada,  where  they  were  married.  One  year  after  their 
marriage  they  removed  to  Knox  county,  arriving  here  in  1864.  i  - 


WALTER  F.  BOYES 


1034  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

and  afterward  completed  the  regular  course  in  the  Altcna  high  school,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  previous  to  his  matriculation  in  the  Gem  City  Business 
College  at  Quincy.  in  1^99.  Thus  equipped  with  more  than  an  ordinary  school 
training,  he  returned  home  to  take  up  agriculture  as  his  life  work.  He  bought 
a  farm  opposite  his  father's  jiroperty  and  took  entire  charge  of  the  management 
of  both  places,  this  being  an  undertaking  which  has  called  for  skill,  judgment 
and  constant  application.  In  his  general  farming  pursuits  he  has  made  rapid 
progress  and  in  stock-raising  he  has  gained  more  than  ordinary  success,  having 
.  proceeded  along  well  approved  scientific  lines  in  raising  registered  sheep.  His 
sheep  farm  is  the  largest  in  this  section  and  is  well  stocked  with  recorded 
pedigree  stock. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1903,  Mr.  Thompson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  McMaster,  who  is  the  daughter  of  John  McMaster  and  whose 
birth  occurred  December  12,  1877.  John  McMaster,  a  retired  farmer,  living 
now  in  Altona,  was  born  May  15,  1827,  in  Sorn,  Ayrshire,  Scotland.  The 
family  emigrated  in  1850  and  came  down  from  Chicago  by  way  of  canal  to 
Peoria  and  by  team  to  Copley  township,  where  they  settled.  He  followed  farm- 
ing in  Walnut  drove  township  until  1898,  when  he  retired  and  is  now  living  in 
Altona.  1  le  married  Lorinda  II.  Multer,  who  was  born  in  New  York  state. 
May  lo,  1832,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susan  (ISecker)  Multer,  who  were  of 
German  descent.  She  came  to  Knox  county  in  1860,  where  she  married  John 
McMaster  August  22,  i86i.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  A.  Thompson  two  chil- 
dren have  been  born:  Helen  Augusta,  whose  birth  occurred  October  23,  1904; 
and  Mary  Maxine.  who  was  born  August  7,  1907. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  democrat  and  has  served  his  party  well  by 
filling  the  offices  of  township  clerk,  clerk  of  the  school  board  and  judge  of  elec- 
tion at  various  campaigns,  duties  which  he  discharged  with  promptness  and 
fidelity.  He  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  favorably  known  throughout  the  township,  having 
gained  many  friends  during  their  residence  there.  :. 


;  WALTER  E.  BOYES. 

Xo  name  is  more  closely  interwoven  with  the  history  of  the  educational  in- 
stitutions of  Knox  county  than  is  that  of  Walter  F.  Boyes,  who  for  eighteen 
years  has  been  connected  with  the  schools  as  teacher  and  superintendent.  He 
\vas  born  in  Knox  county,  October  8.  1865,  his  parents  being  Robert  D.  and 
Emily  A.  (I'ird)  Boyes.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Robert  Boyes,  was  a  native 
of  England  and  came  to  Xew  York  with  his  family  in  1827.  Subsequently  he 
removed  to  Belleville,  Canada,  and  about  1864  settled  in  Knox  county,  Illinois. 
His  wife  was  Miss  Erances  Douglas,  who  was  born  in  England  of  Scotch  an- 
cestry. Stephen  and  Ann  Bird,  his  maternal  grandparents,  were  born  in  the 
north  of  Ireland  and  emigrated  to  Canada  while  they  were  young,  subsequently 
coming  to  Illinois  in  1863.  The  father  was  born  in  northern  New  York  and  the 
mother  in  Ontario.  Canada,  where  they  were  married.  One  year  after  their 
marriage  they  removed  to  Knox  county,  arriving  here  in  1864. 


XVAI.TKK   K.   I!(»VK- 


;•-•'--.•.<:::     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     ;  '',  1037 

;  •••'.'-'        •?;?    .,  •'.'/.  •  .. ;    :': ;  " .-.-    •      '.  .•• 

'V.  Walter  F.  Boyes  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Elm- 
wood,  Illinois.  A  spirit  of  thoroughness  and  diligence  was  early  manifest  and 
led  him  constantly  forward  in  his  school  career.  Recognizing  that  success  is 
due  in  largest  measure  to  the  individual  and  the  exercise  of  his  inherent  qualities 
rather  than  to  environment,  Mr.  Boyes  determined  to  work  his  way  upward, 
brooking  no  obstacle  that  could  be  overcome  by  persistent  and  earnest  effort. 
For  more  than  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  connected  with  public  schools  as 
teacher  and  superintendent.  He  began  teaching  because  it  seemed  the  most 
expedient  occupation  he  could  find  at  the  time  and  continued  it  because  he  found 
it  most  congenial  and  pleasing  work.  For  four  years  he  was  a  teacher  in  the 
ungraded  schools  of  Peoria  county,  for  two  years  served  as  principal  of  the 
Monica  public  schools  and  for  three  years  was  principal  of  the  Princeville  public 
schools  and  principal  of  the  Yates  City  high  school  for  eight  years  before  be- 
coming superintendent  of  schools  of  Knox  county.  Since  1902  he  has  held  this 
position.  That  he  is  industrious,  capable  and  faithful  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that 
he  has  been  three  times  elected  to  the  office.  He  is  watchful  of  all  the  details 
of  the  school  system  and  of  all  indications  pointing  toward  progress  and  from 
the  beginning  he  has  had  great  faith  in  the  ultimate  success  of  establishing  the 
school  system  of  Knox  county,  so  that  it  will  rank  second  to  none  in  the  state. 

In  Princeville,  Illinois,  in  March,  1896,  Mr.  Boyes  was  married  to  Miss  Minnie 
M.  Klinck,  a  teacher  in  the  schools,  and  a  daughter  of  Graham  and  Sarah 
(Alexander)  Klinck.  Her  grandparents  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Peoria 
county.  Her  paternal  grandmother  died  in  Princeville  in  1887,  at  the  age  of 
one  hundred  and  five  years,  and  an  aunt,  Mrs.  Zillah  (Klinck)  McMurtrie,  of 
Lacon,  Illinois,  reached  in  October,  1911,  the  age  of  one  hundred  years  and  is 
still  in  good  health.  Mrs.  Klinck,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Boyes,  is  the  oldest  person 
living  in  Princeville  township,  who  was  born  there.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boyes  have 
two  children,  Norma  Kathleen  and  Herbert  Klinck. 

Mr.  Boyes'  political  support  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  His  entire 
active  career  has  been  devoted  to  pedagogical  pursuits  and  he  has  the  confidence 
of  those  associated  with  him  in  school  work.  Various  honors  of  a  professional 
nature  have  come  to  him,  among  these  being  a  service  of  ten  years  as  member 
of  the  Illinois  State  Teachers'  Reading  Circle  Board.  Geniality,  consideration 
and  kindliness  have  bound  him  to  his  fellowmen  and  the  value  of  his  life  does 
not  consist  in  the  improvement  of  opportunities  for  the  attainment  of  success 
more  than  it  lies  in  the  attitude  which  he  maintains  toward  his  fellow  citizens 
and  which  they  in  turn  hold  toward  him.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order  since  1890,  holding  membership  in  the  blue  lodge  and  the  Royal  Arch 
chapter.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Presbyterian. 


/^;        ••;;;•  :^;      JOSHUA  MAJOR  LAMOREUX.  •       r^ -'iv'^;:  •  • 

Dr.  Joshua  Major  Lamoreux  is  a  well  known  representative  of  dentistry  in 
Galesburg  and  is  prominent  in  the  professional  circles  where  he  has  been  recog- 
nized for  years  as  one  of  the  useful  men  in  the  profession  in  Knox  county.  He 
was  bom  in  Lehman  township,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  iTth  of 


1038  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     /,;>;; 

February,  1842.  His  parents,  Josiah  Cease  and  Ellen  (Major)  Lamoreux,  were 
farming  people.  The  mother  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  and  came  to 
America  with  her  parents  when  she  was  about  three  years  of  age.  The  father 
in  addition  to  carrying  on  his  agricultural  pursuits  frequently  engaged  in  car- 
penter work  and  at  one  time  owned  and  operated  a  sawmill  in  Pennsylvania. 
The  family  removed  to  Ohio  in  the  autumn  of  1860  and  located  near  Monroe- 
ville  in  Huron  county,  where  Mr.  Lamoreux  was  subsequently  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  Family  tradition  is  that  the  Lamoreux  family  came  from 
France,  two  brothers,  Thomas  and  John,  arriving  in  this  country  about  the  time 
of  the  Revolutionary  war.  They  both  served  in  the  American  army  and  were 
active  soldiers  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  One  of  these  brothers,  John,  settled 
in  New  York  state  while  the  other,  Thomas,  settled  in  Jackson  township, 
Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  It  is  from  this  latter  branch  that  Dr.  Lamoreux 
is  descended.  The  mother's  family  arrived  from  England  about  1820.  There 
were  eleven  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Lamoreux  was  the  tenth. 

Dr.  Lamoreux  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Lehman,  Penn- 
sylvania, at  the  same  time  giving  his  father  such  assistance  as  he  could  in  the 
duties  on  the  farm.  He  has  always  been  more  or  less  of  a  student  and  was 
frequently  found  studying  at  home.  The  opportunities  which  the  district  schools 
in  Pennsylvania  and  subsequently  in  Ohio  afforded  him  were  meager  in  that  he 
was  able  to  take  up  only  the  common  branches  usually  taught  in  country  schools. 
He  continued  working  on  the  home  farm  in  Ohio  until  he  enlisted  in  Company 
A  of  the  Hoffman  Battalion  Prison  Guard  at  Johnson's  Island,  Ohio,  for  service 
in  the  Civil  war.  His  enlistment  took  place  in  December,  1862,  and  he  served 
for  two  years  and  three  months.  The  Hoffman  Battalion  was  later  recruited  to 
a  full  regiment  known  as  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-eighth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Dr.  Lamoreux  was  mustered  out  of  service  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  in 
the  spring  of  1865.  In  the  summer  of  that  year  he  removed  to  Oneida,  Illinois, 
and  entered  the  service  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company. 
He  was  first  made  night  watchman  and  caller  with  headquarters  in  the  baggage 
room.  Being  eager  to  advance  and  having  an  apt  mind,  he  learned  telegraphy 
during  his  leisure  hours,  having  obtained  permission  from  Mr.  W.  H.  Hall,  who 
was  at  that  time  superintendent  of  the  telegraph  department.  For  about  two 
years  Dr.  Lamoreux  was  employed  at  different  stations  on  the  railroad  and  was 
later  made  traveling  operator  with  headquarters  at  Galesburg.  Subsequently  he 
served  as  train  dispatcher  and  was  thus  employed  for  about  twenty  years.  In 
1892,  however,  he  severed  his  connections  with  the  railroad  company  in  order 
to  devote  more  time  to  the  practice  of  dentistry.  Elarly  in  his  career  he  had 
taken  up  for  a  short  time  the  study  of  dentistry  in  the  offices  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  A. 
W.  Davis,  of  Galesburg.  At  that  time  the  law  did  not  require  a  regular  course 
as  obligatory  to  enter  into  the  profession  and  he  began  to  practice  in  the  state  of 
Illinois,  opening  his  first  office  in  Oneida  in  1877.  He  would  go  to  Oneida  in 
the  morning,  returning  in  the  early  evening  to  be  ready  for  his  work  in  the  rail- 
road office.  Early  in  the  summer  of  1878  he  removed  his  dental  offices  to 
Galesburg,  and  has  since  been  practicing  in  this  city,  obtaining,  about  1882,  as 
soon  as  a  law  was  passed  to  that  effect,  his  registration  as  a  dentist.  In  his 
practice  he  has  met  with  excellent  success,  being  recognized  as  one  of  the  able 
members  in  the  profession  in  Galesburg.  That  his  labors  have  been  attended 


•  ;  :       .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      •       ;  /.. ' : V        io39 

with  gratifying  results  when  viewed  from  a  professional  standpoint  is  indicated 
by  his  constantly  increasing  patronage  which  comes  from  the  best  class  of  citizens. 
In  Oneida,  February  20,  1869,  Dr.  Lamoreux  was  married  to  Miss  Amy 
Jane  Tracy.  To  their  union  five  children  have  been  born,  four  of  whom  survive, 
namely:  Daisy  Louise,  who  is  married  to  Frank  G.  Matteson,  of  Galesburg; 
Olive  Ellen,  who  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  J.  Hoffheimer,  of  Decatur,  Illinois; 
Mabel  Jane,  who  is  married  to  Clement  Whittier,  of  Webster  Groves,  Missouri ; 
and  Philip  Major,  who  is  residing  in  Kalispell,  Montana,  and  who  married 
Helen  Hill,  of  Galesburg.  The  first  son,  Frederick  Tracy,  has  passed  away. 

•  In  politics  Dr.  Lamoreux  was  a  republican  when  he  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  1864.    He  voted  for  Grant,  Hayes,  Garfield  and  Harrison, 
but  in  1896  changed  his  political  affiliations  and  has  since  cast  his  vote  for  the 
candidates  of  the  democracy.    He  holds  membership  in  the  Soangetaha  Club. 


•  :     ;-;;:'    SWAN  PETERSON.: 

Among  the  public-spirited  and  enterprising  citizens  that  Sweden  has  con- 
tributed to  Knoxville  must  be  numbered  Swan  Peterson,  who  during  the  fifty-nine 
years  of  his  residence  here  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  promoting  and 
advancing  the  development  of  the  community.  He  is  not  only  one  of  the  pioneer 
settlers  but  he  was  one  of  the  early  school  teachers,  and  he  also  established  one 
of  the  first  grocery  stores  which  he  conducted  for  twenty  years,  and  although 
for  some  years  he  has  been  living  retired  he  has  not  lost  his  interest  in  public 
affairs. 

His  birth  occurred  on  the  27th  of  September,  1827,  and  he  is  a  son  of 
Peter  and  Bodel  (Johnson)  Peterson,  both  of  whom  passed  their  entire  lives 
in  Sweden,  where  the  mother  died  in  1843  ^"^  the  father  in  1863.  Their  fam- 
ily consisted  of  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  of  whom  our  subject,  who  is  the 
eldest  and  Bengt,  the  youngest,  who  is  living  in  Lee  county,  Illinois,  are  the 
only  two  now  surviving.  Those  deceased  are:  Christina,  John,  Nels,  Hannah 
and  Ola. 

Swan  Peterson  was  reared  in  his  native  land  where  he  was  given  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  good  education.  He  began  his  career  as  a  teacher  in  the  schools 
of  Sweden,  continuing  to  follow  this  profession  for  several  years.  Early 
recognizing  that  the  future  held  little  prospect  of  his  attaining  a  position  com- 
mensurate with  his  abilities  he  decided  to  seek  new  opportunities  in  the  United 
States  and  in  1852  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world.  He-  landed  in  New 
York  city,  after  spending  twenty-one  days  on  the  ocean,  and  came  directly 
west,  stopping  for  a  time  in  Chicago  and  Peoria,  this  state,  after  which  he  came 
to  Knoxville.  During  the  first  two  years  of  his  residence  here  Mr.  Peterson 
worked  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  devoting  all  of  his 
spare  time  to  perfecting  his  knowledge  of  English.  At  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  obtained  a  position  in  one  of  the  district  schools,  and  followed  teach- 
ing during  the  winter  months  of  1855-56  and  57,  and  in  the  summer  peddled 
merchandise  in  the  country.  By  exercising  thrift  and  self-denial  he  managed 
to  accumulate  sufficient  money  to  enable  him  to  embark  in  business  and  in 


1040  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ,    . 

1859  he  opened  a  grocery  store  in  Knoxville,  that  he  successfully  operated  for 
twenty  years.  He  then  withdrew  from  commercial  activities  and  went  into  the 
insurance  business,  which  he  followed  until  his  retirement.  Mr.  Peterson  has 
always  been  very  loyal  to  his  fellow  countrymen  and  has  taken  a  deep  interest 
in  their  welfare,  and  it  is  largely  due  to  his  efforts  that  the  first  Swedish  school 
was  established  here. 

In  Knoxville,  on  the  loth  of  February,  1855,  Mr.  Peterson  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Beng^a  Nelson,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Sweden,  where 
her  parents  always  lived.  She  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  in  1854  settling 
in  Knoxville,  and  here  she  passed  away  on  the  2d  of  January,  1896.  Eight 
children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson,  all  but  three  of  whom  are  now 
deceased.  Matilda,  who  is  the  eldest,  lives  at  home.  Emma,  the  next  in  order 
of  birth,  married  Nels  Larson,  who  is  connected  with  the  grocery  of  N.  Peter- 
son, of  Knoxville.  Nicholas,  who  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Knox- 
ville, married  Elizabeth  Fielding  and  they  have  two  children,  Herbert  and  Inez. 

Mr.  Peterson  is  affiliated  with  the  Swedish  Evangelical  church,  in  which 
his  wife  also  held  membership,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  republican.  He  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  has  ever  since  given  his  unqualified  sup- 
port to  the  men  and  measures  of  that  party.  One  of  the  most  striking  charac- 
teristics of  Mr.  Peterson  is  his  intense  loyalty,  particularly  in  matters  of  citizen- 
ship, as  at  all  times  he  has  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
community  toward  the  development  of  which  he  has  contributed  his  full  quota, 
through  his  cooperation  and  indorsement  of  every  progressive  measure.  He 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Old  Settlers  Society  and  has  held  the  offices  of 
both  president  and  secretary  of  this  organization,  in  the  annual  meetings  of 
which  he  takes  an  enthusiastic  interest.  Although  Mr.  Peterson  in  all  proba- 
bility has  not  realized  the  dreams  of  his  early  manhood  in  America,  he  has 
never  had  occasion  to  regret  the  transference  of  his  allegiance  to  this  country, 
as  he  has  met  with  a  fair  degree  of  prosperity  and  is  now  able  to  spend  his 
latter  days  in  ease  and  comfort. 


/;.  MRS.  FRANCES  BARRY.       -   -.       : 

Mrs.  Frances  Barry,  for  fifty-nine  years  a  resident  of  Knox  county,  is  the 
widow  of  James  Barry,  a  wealthy  farmer,  who  was  for  many  years  extensively 
engaged  in  stock-raising  and  later  retired.  A  native  of  Sommersetshire,  England, 
born  on  March  8,  1845,  she  was  a  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Wagland) 
Edwards.  When  she  was  seven  years  of  age  her  parents  came  to  America  locat- 
ing in  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where  her  father  rented  a 
farm  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  When  he  had  become  sufficiently 
acclimated  and  had  decided  upon  Knox  county  as  his  permanent  home  he  bought 
what  is  known  in  the  vicinity  as  the  old  John  Tate  farm,  which  he  developed 
and  operated.  There  he  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine;  his  wife  passing  away 
at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  of  whom 
eight  are  now  living.  These  are:  Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  James  Main,  residing 


.Ml!<.  -lAMKS    ItAlJUV 


.>      :;;  ;  ,^  v;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     :•;•.-,          1045 

in  Oneida ;  George,  living  in  Boise  City,  Idaho ;  Frances,  the  subject  of  this 

biography;  Edwin,  in  Cambridge,  Nebraska;  Albert,  a  horseman  in  Chicago; 

William,  in  Nebraska ;  and  Lucy  and  her  sister  Mary,  both  widows  living  on  the 
.    old  homestead  in  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois. 

V  Mrs.  Barry  came  of  an  old  family  of  the  substantial  English  yeomanry.    Her 

'    paternal  grandparents  were  George  and  Elizabeth  Edwards  and  her  maternal 

;     grandparents  were  John  and  Mary  Wagland.    When  nineteen  years  old  Frances 

':    Edwards  was  united  in  marriage  to  James  Barry  the  ceremony  being  performed 

•:    on  December  15,  1864.     Mr.  Barry  was  a  native  of  Limerick,  Ireland,  born  in 

.:     August,  1838.    When  nineteen  years  of  age  he  came  to  America  hoping  to  find 

•-•   broader  fields  for  his  activities  and  larger  opportunities  open  to  an  ambitious 

;  young  man.    At  the  very  outset,  on  landing  in  New  York,  he  met  with  a  very 

disheartening  experience.    Bent  on  finding  his  aunt,  who  was  living  in  the  city, 

•  he  walked  forty  blocks  through  the  streets  of  New  York  only  to  find  his  aunt's 
family  and  their  home  under  quarantine  for  small-pox.    He  left  his  luggage  with 
them,  however,  and  went  elsewhere  to  find  a  lodgfing  for  the  night.    In  the  morn- 
ing when  he  returned,  he  found  that  every  vestige  of  his  possessions  had  been 

;    burned  during  his  absence.    With  one  dollar  in  his  pocket  he  set  out  and,  working 

•.    his  way  westward,  he  arrived  at  length  in  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  Illi- 

.     nois.    Here  he  worked  for  seven  years  at  fourteen  dollars  a  month,  out  of  which 

:    he  saved  enough  to  enable  him  to  marry  and  buy  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.    Many 

of  his  sterling  qualities  which  made  his  rise  possible,  his  splendid  initiative,  his 

r.ndaunted  courage  and  his  tireless  industry,  were  inherited  from  his  sturdy  stock 

of  ancestors.    His  father,  who  remained  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  his  faculties  until 

i    his  death  at  the  age  of  ninety-three,  was  John  Barry,  a  farmer,  son  of  James 

Barry.     His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  Healey,  was  a  daughter 

;;    of  Patrick  Healey. 

"'..   .   '  James  Barry  proved  to  be  a  very  efficient  fanner  meeting  with  much  success 

in  his  career.     Besides  general  farming  he  raised  stock  to  a  considerable  extent 

and  traded  in  land,  buying  and  selling  farms.     He  bought  the  farm  of  three 

.   hundred  and  seventy  acres,  which  he  cultivated,  in  1884,  and  left  at  his  death 

•  a  thousand  acres  of  fine  farm  land  in  Knox  county.    He  passed  away  November 
-   17,  1910.    In  his  religious  faith  he  was  a  Catholic  and  in  his  political  allegiance 
;  he  was  an  ardent  democrat,  and  represented  his  district  as  delegate  in  all  the 

conventions  of  his  party.    He  was  one  of  the  school  directors  for  fourteen  years 

:''    and  worked  earnestly  to  assist  the  community  in  its  desire  to  improve  educational 

facilities.     Mrs.   Frances   Barry  lives   in   retirement,   cherishing  her  husband's 

•  •  memory  and  continuing  his  spirit  of  helpfulness  in  her  relations  with  the  com- 
;'  munity  in  which  she  lives.    The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

-• '  Barry.  John  W.,  married  to  Julia  Bierderman,  lives  in  Chicago,  Illinois.  George 
H.,  married  to  Ida  Bradley,  is  a  farmer  in  Knox  county.  He  is  the  father  of 

:•  two  children,  Lloyd  and  Georgiana.  Lilly  C.,  the  widow  of  George  Rockwell, 
of  Galesburg,  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Frances.  Mary  E.  is  the  wife  of  James 

,  ;  Barry,  retired,  living  in  Galesburg.  Lucy,  the  wife  of  H.  Welsh,  a  farmer  of 
Knox  county,  is  the  mother  of  three  children,  Morris,  Frances,  and  Florence. 

{ '  Winefred,  the  wife  of  Charles  Welsh,  a  farmer  in  Sparta  township,  has  one 
'  child,  Anna  May.  Morris  J.,  married  to  Blanche  McDermott,  is  the  father  of  one 

-.  child,  James.    He  is  living  at  home. 


1046 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Mrs.  Frances  Barry  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Catholic  church  at  Wataga, 
where  she  has  a  large  circle  of  friends  who  hold  her  in  high  esteem.  Devoted 
to  her  children  and  grandchildren  her  life  is  a  full  and  happy  one  and  she  finds 
her  true  delight  in  the  service  of  those  who  are  dear  to  her.  .'  7  .\  ;'  -  -•; 


WILLIAM  EDWIN  WEST. 


William  Edwin  West,  the  mayor  of  Yates  City,  is  a  grain  dealer  and  operates 
a  grain  elevator,  being  the  successor  to  M.  W.  Thomson  from  whom  he  bought 
the  business  in  November,  1905.  He  was  born  in  this  town  July  lO,  1876,  his 
parents  being  Isaac  N.  and  Eliza  Ann  (Mason)  West,  both  natives  of  Ohio  who 
came  to  Knox  county  when  children  accompanying  their  parents  hither.  Passing 
his  childhood  days  in  Salem  township,  William  Edwin  West  obtained  his  early 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  this  locality  and  later  attended  high  school 
at  Yates  City  and  Lombard  College  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  after  which  he  pre- 
pared himself  for  a  business  career  by  taking  a  commercial  course  at  the  Quincy 
Business  College.  The  first  position  that  he  obtained  was  as  bookkeeper  for  a 
firm  in  Chicago  and  after  remaining  there  for  two  years  he  found  another  posi- 
tion at  an  increased  salary.  Two  years  later  he  returned  to  Yates  City  and  has 
resided  here  ever  since.  He  is  one  of  the  able  business  men  of  the  town,  being 
wide-awake  and  full  of  well  directed  energy,  capable  of  aiding  in  the  promotion 
of  the  public  welfare  as  well  as  attending  to  his  private  interests.  He  has  served 
as  alderman  of  Yates  City,  being  elected  on  the  republican  ticket,  and  in  August, 
1911,  was  appointed  mayor  of  the  city  to  finish  out  the  unexpired  term  of  former 
mayor,  L.  A.  Lawrens,  who  resigned.  Although  the  period  since  assuming  the 
responsibilities  of  his  office  is  a  brief  one,  Mr.  West  has  already  given  sufficient 
proof  of  the  fact  that,  as  a  public  official  occupying  the  position  of  highest  honor 
accorded  by  the  administration  of  a  municipality  to  any  of  its  citizens,  he  is 
thoroughly  reliable  and  consicentious  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  having 
only  the  best  interests  of  the  community  at  heart. 

In  1899  Mr.  West  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Vena  Ewalt,  a  daughter 
of  J.  M.  and  Ella  Ewalt  of  Yates  City,  the  mother  being  deceased.  Fraternally 
Mr.  West  is  associated  with  the  Masonic  Lodge  of  Yates  City,  in  which  he  holds 
the  office  of  secretary.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  always  gives  his  active 
and  helpful  cooperation  to  every  measure  designed  to  advance  the  interests  of 
the  people  for  their  moral  and  material  good.  .  .  ,/  -.  :;.. v 


JAMES  W.  NEALE. 


A  very  notable  record  of  service  in  the  Civil  war  was  made  by  James  W. 
Neale,  for  many  years  a  carpenter  in  Victoria,  Copley  township,  who  has  the 
distinction  of  having  been  in  forty-nine  engagements  without  receiving  a  wound. 
To  be  so  favored  by  fortune  at  the  outset  of  one's  career  is  a  good  omen  which, 
in  Mr.  Neale's  case,  has  in  the  main  been  borne  out  in  the  many  years  that 
followed.  •  .  .  .  ;  /;  -.  .  .  .=  ; 


- •:  ^:  :  V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '••• '-"  1047 

Born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  October  20,  1840,  he  is  a  son  of  John  M.  and 
Celia  A.  (Wilson)  Neale,  the  former  a  native  of  Boonville,  Kentucky,  and  the 
latter  of  Virginia.  The  grandfather,  James  Neale,  was  a  noted  planter  in 
Virginia  and  the  grandmother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Martha  March,  was 
directly  descended  from  the  famous  Scottish  Earl  of  March.  John  M.  Neale, 
the  father  of  James  W.  Neale,  was  born  in  1807.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Kentucky  and  after  his  father's  death  attended  medical  school  at 
Lexington,  Kentucky,  receiving  his  M.  D.  degree  from  that  institution.  Later 
he  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  U.  S.  Corps  of  Dragoons.  During  the  Indian  war  he 
served  as  second  sergeant,  his  company  being  engaged  chiefly  with  the  Comanche 
Indians.  Upon  receiving  his  discharge  he  settled  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
there  met  Abraham  Lincoln  with  whom  he  became  fast  friends.  Together 
they  were  commissioned  to  survey  Logan  county.  James  W.  Neale  was  only  a 
baby  when  the  family  lived  in  Springfield,  where  they  remained  two  years  but 
in  after  years  he  was  often  told  by  his  elders  of  their  next-door  neighbors,  the 
Lincoln  family,  and  how  the  great  man  had  many  times  dandled  him  on  his 
knees.  The  Neales  then  removed  to  Athens,  Illinois,  and  there  Dr.  Neale  prac-, 
ticed  medicine  during  the  years  1839  and  1840.  From  there  he  went  to  Troy,;- 
Knox  county,  and  after  a  year  took  up  his  residence  and  practiced  in  Abingdon, 
where  he  remained  until  1848.  From  1848  to  1856  he  practiced  in  Moore 
county,  coming  at  the  end  of  this  time  to  Victoria  where  he  lived  until  his  death 
in  1885,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years,  continuing  in  the  exercise  of  his  pro- 
fession till  the  last.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and 
joined  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Keithsburg,  Illinois.  His  widow  is  still  living, 
being  now  in  her  ninety-second  year  and  the  oldest  woman  residing  in  this  part 
of  the  county.  She  makes  her  home  with  her  son,  James  W.  Neale,  and  not  in- 
frequently calls  back  memories  of  the  early  days  in  the  history  of  Illinois  when 
her  father,  Jesse  Wilson,  came  from  Virginia  to  this  state  and  settled  in  Sanga- 
mon  county. 

James  W.  Neale  obtained  his  schooling  in  Illinois  and  at  the  age  of  twenty 
was  prepared  to  enter  college,  when  the  war  broke  out  and,  becoming  enthusias- 
tic, he  enlisted  from  Victoria,  Illinois,  in  Captain  Clayton  Hall's  company  at 
Knoxville.  He  was  the  first  man  on  the  roll  after  Giles  Cook,  who  enlisted  in 
Knox  county  when  the  first  rally  call  was  made  for  service  and  was  introduced 
as  the  first  volunteer  when  the  people  met  to  cheer  the  soldiers.  His  company 
was  not  assigned,  however,  and  therefore  he  enlisted  in  Knoxville  county.  Com- 
pany D,  First  Illinois  Regulars,  commanded  by  Captain  J.  B.  Smith  serving 
under  General  Fremont.  They  departed  for  Missouri  and  there  on  September 
20,  i86i,  he  was  captured  in  the  battle  at  Lexington.  He  was  discharged  on 
parole  by  special  order  July  14,  1862,  and  was  recalled  to  drill  the  company 
regulars  under  Captain  Carr  of  Peoria.  Later  he  came  to  Victoria,  Illinois,  and 
reenlisted  in  the  Ninth  Illinois  Cavalry,  Company  K,  at  Camp  Butler  and  was 
detailed  as  sergeant  major.  He  joined  his  regulars  at  Memphis  at  the  close  of 
the  war  when  the  reorganization  of  the  government  of  Alabama  was  taking 
place,  and  soon  after  retired  to  his  home  in  Victoria.  Desirous  of  continuing 
his  interrupted  education,  he  now  entered  business  college  at  Monmouth,  Illinois, 
and  upon  completing  the  course  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Victoria., 


1048  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

He  remained  in  this  until  1872  when  his  establishment  was  entirely  destroyed 
by  fire.  For  the  following  three  years  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brushes 
and  at  the  end  of  this  time  took  up  carpentering,  working  at  this  occupation 
until  the  present  time. 

In  1869  the  marriage  of  James  W.  Neale  and  Lydia  J.  Finch  occurred.  She 
was  born  October  30,  1848,  in  Stark  county,  Illinois,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Louis  and  Harriet  (Wittier)  Finch  of  Ohio.  Three  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  James  W.  Neale:  Frank,  living  in  North  Dakota,  who  has  one  child, 
Kenneth  M.;  William  Arthur,  a  city  contractor  and  builder  in  Los  Angeles, 
California ;  and  Nina  E.,  the  wife  of  W.  A.  Stubbins,  who  lives  in  Los  Angeles, 
California,  and  has  one  child,  Richard  C. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neale  are  devoted  members  of  the  Congregational  church, 
in  which  they  take  great  interest  as  well  as  in  its  affiliated  societies.  Mr.  Neale 
is  an  aggressive  prohibitionist  and  is  a  strong  adherent  of  his  party.  He  main- 
tains relations  with  his  comrades  of  the  great  war  through  his  membership  in 
Victoria  Post,  No.  698,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  a  man  of  sterling  qualities,  though  un- 
obtrusive in  manner,  letting  his  actions  speak  f6r  him,  instead  of  proclaiming 
his  own  virtues.  He  is  a  man  of  worth  and  character,  gentle  and  kind,  and  has 
many  warm  friends.  .  ,,  .:  .  ,  , 


;  .y'v      MR.  AND  MRS.  DAWSON  BURGESS  ELLIOTT. 

Among  the  respected  citizens  and  representative  agriculturists  of  Knox 
county  must  be  numbered  the  late  Burgess  Elliott  who,  with  the  aid  of  his  good 
wife,  and  by  industry,  frugality,  and  enterprise  acquired  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  in  Victoria  township  together  with  a  very  comfortable  home  and 
valuable  business  property  in  Williamsfield. 

The  parents  of  Burgess  Elliott  were  Thomas,  a  native  of  Ohio,  bom  No- 
vember 8,  1812,  and  Hannah  (Reece)  Elliott,  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  born 
March  14,  1818.  They  were  married  in  Ohio,  December  i6,  1835,  and  the  next 
year  they  came  overland,  by  wagon,  there  being  no  railroads  here  at  that  time, 
and  settled  in  Persifer  township.  They  were  especially  attracted  to  this  part 
of  western  Illinois  which  was  then  little  known,  by  the  glowing  accounts  of  the 
beauties  of  the  country  and  of  the  fertility  of  it's  soil  brought  back  to  Ohio  by 
an  older  brother  of  Thomas  Elliott.  A  few  years  previous  this  brother  had 
visited  Illinois  and  returned  to  Ohio  on  horseback.  He  reported  that  when  near 
the  Illinois  river  he  had  frozen  his  legs  nearly  to  his  body  and  had  been  kept  all 
winter  and  nursed  back  to  health  by  the  Indians  of  a  village  near  wliere  Peoria 
now  stands.  Thomas  Elliott,  like  most  of  the  pioneers,  located  in  a  timbered 
country  near  a  stream  for  the  conveniences  of  those  two  great  necessities,  wood 
and  water.  From  Persifer  township  he  removed  to  Victoria  township  in  1856, 
remaining  there  until  he  moved  to  Missouri  in  1868.  There  he  died  May  30, 
1882,  and  his  wife  followed  him  October  21,  1901.  The  paternal  family  con- 
sisted of  fourteen  children,  six  of  w^om  are  still  living.  They  are  George  W. 
Elliott,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Robinson,  and  Mrs.  Hannah  Fields,  all  of  whoni  now 


X 


y. 
y. 


104d  •         .  :  .  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

He  remained  in  this  until  1872  when  his  establishment  was  entirely  destroyed 
by  fire.  For  the  following  three  years  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brushes 
and  at  the  end  of  this  time  took  up  carpentering,  working  at  this  occupation 
until  the  present  time. 

In  1869  the  marriage  of  James  \\'.  Xeale  and  Lydia  J.  Finch  occurred.  She 
was  born  October  30,  1848,  in  Stark  county,  Illinois,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Louis  and  Harriet  (\\'ittier)  Finch  of  Ohio.  Three  children  were  born  to  Mr.  : 
and  Mrs.  James  \V.  Xeale:  Frank,  living  in  Xorth  Dakota,  who  has  one  child, 
Kenneth  M.;  William  Arthur,  a  city  contractor  and  builder  in  Los  Angeles, 
California;  and  Xina  E.,  the  wife  of  W.  A.  Stubbins,  who  lives  in  Los  Angeles, 
California,  and  has  one  child,  Richard  C. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Xeale  are  devoted  members  of  the  Congregational  church, 
in  which  they  take  great  interest  as  well  as  in  its  affiliated  societies.  Mr.  Xeale 
is  an  aggressive  prohibitionist  and  is  a  strong  adherent  of  his  party.  He  main- 
tains relations  with  his  comrades  of  the  great  war  through  his  membership  in 
\'ictoria  Post,  Xo.  698,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  a  man  of  sterling  qualities,  though  un- 
obtrusive in  manner,  letting  his  actions  speak  for  him,  instead  of  proclaiming 
his  own  virtues.  He  is  a  man  of  worth  and  character,  gentle  and  kind,  and  has 
many  warm  friends.  ,  . 


MR.  AND  MRS.  DAWSOX  BURGESS  ELLIOTT. 

Among  the  respected  citizens  and  representative  agriculturists  of  Knox 
county  must  be  numbered  the  late  Burgess  Elliott  who,  with  the  aid  of  his  good 
wife,  and  by  industry,  frugality,  and  enterprise  acquired  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  in  \'ictoria  township  together  with  a  very  comfortable  home  and 
valuable  business  property  in  Williamsfield. 

The  parents  of  Burgess  Elliott  were  Thomas,  a  native  of  Ohio,  bom  Xo- 
vember  8.  1812,  and  Hannah  (Reece)  Elliott,  a  native  of  South  Carolina,  born 
March  14.  i8i8.  They  were  married  in  Ohio,  December  i6,  1835,  and  the  next 
year  they  came  overland,  by  wagon,  there  being  no  railroads  here  at  that  time, 
and  settled  in  Persifer  township.  They  were  especially  attracted  to  this  part 
of  western  Illinois  which  was  then  little  known,  by  the  glowing  accounts  of  the 
beauties  of  the  country  and  of  the  fertility  of  it's  soil  brought  back  to  Ohio  by 
an  older  brother  of  Thomas  Elliott.  A  few  years  previous  this  brother  had 
visited  Illinois  and  returned  to  Ohio  on  horseback.  He  reported  that  when  near 
the  Illinois  river  he  had  frozen  his  legs  nearly  to  his  body  and  had  been  kept  all 
winter  and  nursed  back  to  health  by  the  Indians  of  a  village  near  where  Peoria 
now  stands.  Thomas  Elliott,  like  most  of  the  pioneers,  located  in  a  timbered 
country  near  a  stream  for  the  conveniences  of  those  two  great  necessities,  wood 
and  water.  From  Persifer  township  he  removed  to  Victoria  township  in  1856, 
remaining  there  until  he  moved  to  Missouri  in  1868.  There  he  died  May  30, 
1882,  and  his  wife  followed  him  October  21,  icpi.  The  paternal  family  con- 
sisted of  fourteen  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living.  They  are  George  W. 
Elliott,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Robinson,  and  Mrs.  Hannah  Fields,  all  of  whom  now 


v;  ;     3     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ^^  1051 

reside  in  Knox  county;  and  Mrs.  Samantha  Labar,  Mrs.  Sarah  Marley,  and 
Thomas  Elliott,  who  are  now  living  in  Missouri.  :  c .  ,-. 

Burgess  Elliott  was  the  oldest  of  the  children,  being  bom  in  Persifer  town- 
ship August  7,  1837.  In  the  days  of  his  boyhood  people  existed  with  less  of  the 
necessities  and  very  few  of  the  luxuries  of  the  present  time.  Educational 
advantages  were  very  limited,  there  being  no  public  schools.  As  more  settlers 
came  in,  neighborhood  schools  were  organized,  each  patron  paying  in  proportion 
to  the  number  of  pupils  sent.  These  schools  were  far  between  and  lasted  but 
a  few  months  in  a  year.  They  were  held  in  log  buildings  in  which  the  old- 
fashioned  fireplace  served  as  heating  system.  The  furniture  consisted  of  punch- 
eon benches  on  which  the  pupils  sat.  These  benches  were  made  by  splitting  out 
logs  similar  to  slabs  of  the  present  day.  To  complete  them  the  flat  side  was 
made  as  smooth  as  possible  and  on  the  opposite  side  four  holes  were  bored  to 
receive  legs  of  a  suitable  length.  Among  these  surroundings  Burgess  Elliott 
spent  his  youth  and  gained  the  rudiments  of  his  early  education.  In  those  early 
days  the  cultivation  of  flax  for  weaving  into  cloth  came  next  to  the  raising  of 
grain  for  food.  The  old  loom  with  which  the  mother  of  Burgess  Elliott  wove 
the  material  to  clothe  her  large  family  was  in  use  in  Victoria  township  until  1905. 
There  is  still  some  of  this  cloth  in  the  family  after  over  fifty  years  of  use. 

There  was  great  rejoicing  in  the  early  '5os  when  it  was  learned  that  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  was  to  be  built  through  Knox  county. 
Thomas  Elliott  was  among  the  early  ones  to  profit  by  its  coming,  he  having  taken 
a  contract  to  supply  several  thousand  ties  to  be  delivered  between  Galva  and 
Altona.  At  this  time  Burgess  was  too  young  to  cut  and  hew  ties  but  he  did 
his  part  in  delivering  them.  There  were  few  roads  and  no  bridges  then,  so  that 
teams  hauling  across  the  prairies  encountered  many  difficulties.  Whenever  a 
miry  creek  or  swampy  place  was  reached  the  line  of  wagons  stopped  and  each 
man  took  a  tie  from  his  load  and  carried  it  forward  to  improvise  a  bridge. 
When  all  had  crossed  they  loaded  up  their  ties  and  continued  on  their  journey. 
Burgess  Elliott  remained  at  home  and  assisted  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty- 
seven  years  of  age.  During  the  winter  he  worked  in  the  timber,  from  whence, 
by  the  aid  of  the  ax  and  other  simple  implements,  the  pioneers  derived  their 
furniture,  building  material,  and  other  household  and  farm  necessities.  He 
devoted  the  warmer  months  to  agricultural  labors,  especially  to  breaking  prairie. 
This  he  accomplished  with  oxen,  sometimes  driving  four  yoke  of  oxen  to  his 
breaking  plow.  He  was  married  June  14,  1865,  to  Achsah  Ann  Rue,  who  was 
bom  in  Indiana,  March  29,  1846. 

Mrs.  Achsah  Ann  (Rue)  Elliott  was  the  daughter  of  Michael  Rue.  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  Mary  (Fudger)  Rue,  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  immediate 
family  consisted  of  three  girls,  Lucy,  Hannah  and  Achsah,  who  was  the  young- 
est. The  mother  died  when  Achsah  was  an  infant  and  the  father  followed  in 
1855.  Thus  the  children  were  early  deprived  of  the  care  and  comforts  of  a 
home.  They  were  separated  and  changed  from  place  to  place.  Achsah  living 
in  Indiana  for  a  while  and  then  in  Ohio.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  she  came  to 
Knox  county.  Illinois,  with  a  half-sister,  Sarah  Rhodes,  who  engaged  in  school 
teaching  in  Victoria  township  in  the  earlv  '6os.  ' 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burgess  Elliott  were  the  parents  of  four  children ;  William 
Burgess,  bom  May  20,  1866;  Charles  Wesley,  bom  June  19,  1867;  and  Hannah 

Vol.  11—48 


1052  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


Mary,  who  died  in  infancy.  William  B.  Elliott  married  Jannette  Armstrong, 
November  14,  1888.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children,  Jennie  Achsah,  Wil- 
liam Burgess,  Edward  Rue,  Robert  Montgomery,  Charles  Rolland  (deceased), 
and  John  Kenneth.  William  B.  Elliott  and  family  now  live  on  the  old  family 
homestead  in  Victoria  township.  Charles  W.  Elliott  was  married  to  Marie  John- 
son, September  5,  1894.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  Virgil  Don- 
ovan, Marie  Achsah,  and  Maude  Arsula.  Charles  W.  Elliott  and  family  live  at 
89  Arnold  street,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 

Burgess  Elliott  and  wife  felt  keenly  the  lack  of  educational  advantages  that 
surrounded  their  early  days  and  for  that  reason  they  desired  to  provide  amply 
for  the  education  of  their  children.  Accordingly,  W.  B.  Elliott  entered  Lom- 
bard College  in  1887,  remaining  there  until  the  winter  of  1888.  Later  he  entered 
the  State  Normal  University  at  Normal,  Illinois,  from  which  school  he  was 
graduated  in  1893.  Charles  W.  Elliott  entered  Lombard  College  in  1888  and 
was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  June  1892.  In  1893  he  received  the 
degree  of  M.  S.  from  this  school.  Later  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  and  en- 
rolled with  the  American  Correspondence  School  of  Law,  receiving  his  diploma 
in  1911.  :  ;^.''  •  •  .•  :  •  "^  '"' 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burgess  Elliott  remained  on  the  farm  until  the  fall  of  1895 
when  they  moved  to  Williamsfield  to  occupy  a  new  home  which  they  had  pur- 
chased there.  Here  Burgess  Eliott  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  having  died 
April  7,  1908.  Mrs.  Elliott  now  lives  here,  still  retaining  in  a  large  measure 
that  characteristic  fortitude,  perserverance,  and  congeniality  which  so  materially 
aided  her  husband  through  all  the  years  of  their  married  life.  The  religious 
faith  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elliott  was  manifested  through  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  in  political  matters  Mr.  Elliott  was  generally  in  support  of  the 
principle  of  the  republican  party,  his  first  presidential  vote  having  been  cast  for 
Abraham  Lincoln.  He  always  took  an  active  interest  in  national  and  local 
political  matters.  He  never  aspired  to  political  preferment,  although  he  held 
several  minor  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  that  degree  of 
efficiency  which  characterized  all  his  undertakings  in  life.  A  man  of  clean  judg- 
ment, high  principles,  and  progressive  spirit,  he  contributed  his  quota  toward 
promoting  the  community  welfare  along  the  highest  lines  of  citizenship. 


'     ;:  f-;  JOHN  THOMAS  DICKINSON.       ;^v,.:  I'  > 

John  Thomas  Dickinson,  one  of  Abingdon's  prominent  citizens  and  foremost 
business  men,  is  the  general  manager  of  the  Dickinson  Drug  Company,  which 
conducts  two  stores  in  Abingdon  and  one  at  Knoxville.  His  birth  occurred  in 
Onarga.  Illinois,  on  the  1st  of  September,  1876,  his  parents  being  John  Thomas 
and  Elvira  (Cleveland)  Dickinson,  the  former  a  native  of  Binghamton,  New 
York,  and  the  latter  of  Griggsville,  Illinois.  Their  marriage  was  celebrated  in 
Abingdon.  where  John  T.  Dickinson,  Sr.,  was  president  of  the  college  for  a 
number  of  years. 

John  Thomas  Dickinson,  Jr.,  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  pursued 
his.  education  in  the  public  schools  until  he  was  graduated  from  the  high  school 


:     ;    :.      ;    V  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '"    1053 

at  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa.  Subsequently  he  attended  the  Iowa  Wesleyan  College 
at  Mount  Pleasant,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1897,  winning  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  He  then  returned  to  Abing- 
don  and  began  the  study  of  pharmacy  in  the  drug  store  of  F.  P.  Foltz,  there  re- 
maining for  three  years.  In  1900  he  went  to  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  there  securing 
a  position  as  clerk  in  the  house  of  representatives.  While  employed  in  that  ca- 
pacity  he  completed  his  pharmaceutical  studies,  passed  the  required  examination 
and  in  igoo  was  given  his  certificate  as  a  graduate  pharmacist  in  Iowa.  In  the 
spring  of  1901  he  again  returned  to  Abingdon  and  passed  another  examination, 
receiving  his  Illinois  certificate  as  a  registered  pharmacist  in  June  of  that  year. 
Fora  year  following  he  clerked  for  Drs.  Creel  and  Dickinson  in  the  drug  store 
at  this  place.  In  1902,  in  association  with  Dr.  Dickinson,  he  purchased  Dr. 
Creel's  interest  in  the  business  and  organized  the  Dickinson  Drug  Company,  un- 
der  which  style  the  enterprise  has  since  been  conducted.  In  March,  1909,  they 
established  a  branch  at  Knoxville,  this  county,  and  in  December,  1910,  purchased 
the  opposition  drug  store  in  Abingdon.  In  December,  1909,  in  partnership  with 
M.  R.  Hunter,  Mr.  Dickinson  opened  a  drug  store  in  Avon,  Fulton  county,  which 
is  conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Hunter  Drug  Company.  He  is  a  man 
of  keen  discrimination  and  sound  judgment  and  his  executive  ability  and  ex- 
cellent management  have  brought  to  the  concerns  with  which  he  is  connected 
a  large  degree  of  success. 

In  October,  1907,  Mr.  Dickinson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rose  Mc- 
Clure,  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Abingdon,  by  whom  he  has  one  child, 
Leanna  Grace.  He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  be- 
longs to  the  following  organizations:  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  185,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.; 
Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  373,  K.  P. ;  and  Abingdon  Lodge,  No.  194,  I.  O.  O.  F. 
His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  They  are  people  of  the  highest  respect- 
ability, enjoying  in  large  measure  the  friendship  of  those  with  whom  they  have 
been  brought  in  contact,  and  well  directed  activity  has  gained  Mr.  Dickinson  a 
creditable  place  in  business  circles. 


- :        .   .       : .'      WILLIAM  D.  GODFREY.    ;  .;  ; .  •; ;    ;  ^; 

William  D.  Godfrey,  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  bar,  who  since  1893,  has  prac- 
ticed continuously  in  this  city  and  is  now  accorded  a  large  and  distinctively  repre- 
sentative clientage,  was  born  near  Roseville,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  August  ii, 
1867.  The  family  was  founded  in  this  state  at  any  early  period  in  its  develop- 
ment, his  grandparents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elijah  Godfrey,  having  been  farming 
people  of  Warren  county,  where  they  spent  their  last  days.  Their  family  num- 
bered two  sons  and  four  daughters,  including  David  C.  Godfrey,  the  father  of 
William  D.  Godfrey.  He  was  born  in  Indiana  and  on  starting  out  in  life  took  up 
the  occupation  of  farming,  to  which  he  had  been  reared.  Later  he  turned  his  at- 
tention to  merchandising.  He  married  Miss  Nancy  M.  Kretzinger,  a  native  of 
Ohio,  who  in  her  girlhood  days  went  to  Warren  county,  with  her  parents.  Rev. 
Isaac  Kretzinger  and  wife,  who  lived  there  for  some  time  and  afterward  in  Knox- 
ville, while  subsequently  they  became  residents  of  Latham,  Logan  county,  where 


1054  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

they  died  when  well  advanced  in  years.    Their  family  numbered  three  sons  and 
two  daughters,  George  W.,  Joseph,  William,  Nancy  M.  and  Sarah. 

Unto  David  C.  and  Nancy  M.  Godfrey  there  were  born  five  children;  Wil- 
liam D. ;  Nellie,  who  married  L.  E.  Payne  and  resides  in  Galesburg ;  August 
J.,  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas ;  David  C.,  Jr.,  of  New  Orleans,  Louisiana ;  and  Nae 
D.,  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas.  It  was  some  years  after  their  marriage  that  the  par- 
ents removed  to  Missouri  settling  near  Kirksville,  and  the  father  now  makes  his 
home  in  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  where  he  is  living  retired.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  are  ever  loyal  to  their  professions.  Mr. 
Godfrey  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  for  three  years  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Eighty-third  Illinois  Infantry.  On  one  occasion  he  was  wounded  in  battle. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  his  father's  farm  and  subsequently  took  up  his  abode 
on  a  farm  near  Kirksville,  Missouri.  ; 

William  D.  Godfrey  spent  his  youth  in  Missouri  and  attended  the  public  •    . 
schools  of  Kirksville,  and  Green  City,  being  graduated  from  the  high  school  in 
the  latter  place  and  also  from  the  Green  City  College.     Later  he  attended  the 
Kirksville  State  Normal  School,  and  seven  terms  he  engaged  in  teaching,  proving  •'. 
a  capable  educator  because  of  his  ability  to  impart  clearly,  readily  and  concisely     • 
to  others  the  knowledge  that  he  had  acquired.    He  then  took  up  the  study  of  law      : 
in  the  Northern  Indian  Law  School  at  Valparaiso  and  was  graduated  in  1893.    He 
was  then  admitted  to  the  bar  and  began  practicing  in  Galesburg  in  1893,  since  ,r 
which  time  he  has  here  followed  his  profession.     He  prepares  his  cases  with   •  • 
great  thoroughness  and  care,  and  his  careful  analysis  enables  him  to  present  in 
logical  form  the  salient  points  bearing  upon  his  cause.    He  is  also  seldom,  if  ever, 
at  fault  in  the  citation  of  principle  or  precedent  and  his  ability  is  manifest  in  the 
many  favorable  verdicts  which  he  has  won.  ;  .:  -. 

On  the  6th  of  September,  1904,  Mr.  Godfrey  was  married  to  Miss  M.  Ada 
Bubb,  a  daughter  of  General  J.  W.  Bubb.  They  have  three  children,  Helen,  Mary 
Ada  and  William  D.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  Mr.  - 
Godfrey  also  belongs  to  the  Vesper  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Galesburg  Chapter, 
R.  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.  T. ;  the  Galesburg  Club  and  the 
Soangetaha  Country  Club.  In  his  life  professional  activity  and  social  and  rec- 
reative interests  have  maintained  an  even  balance  that  has  made  him  a  valued 
citizen,  and  his  public  spirit  has  all  times  prompted  his  support  of  the  projects  and 
plans  for  the  public  good.  •  .  .  •  .  :  \  •-  -.  ;, 

*  *  '-'  .     •  •  .  •    '      "•'  I        ••  •  •     f-  .          .-       9    '         ••  • 


;          ::rv;.  EDWARD   P.    ROBSON.          -     ':    ^^V 

Edward  P.  Robson.  who  is  intimately  connected  with  the  agricultural  and 
financial  interests  of  Knox  county,  was  born  on  January  5,  1875.  He  is  the 
grandson  of  John  Robson,  who  was  born  near  Newcastle,  in  Northumberland 
county,  England,  and  who  was  married  to  Mary  Brown,  and  he  is  a  son  of 
William  Robson,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  England,  on  the 
5th  of  September,  1831,  and  who  came  to  America  with  his  parents  when  a 
young  man.  They  located  first  at  Beaver  Point,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1850  removed  to  Knox  county,  near  Rio.  After  his  marriage  he  purchased 


1054  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

they  died  when  well  advanced  in  years.  Their  family  numbered  three  sons  and 
cwo  daughters,  George  \\'.,  Joseph,  William,  Nancy  M.  and  Sarah. 

Unto  David  C.  and  Nancy  M.  Godfrey  there  were  born  five  children;  Wil- 
liam D. ;  Nellie,  who  married  L.  E.  Payne  and  resides  in  Galesburg;  August 
J..  of  Kansas  City.  Kansas ;  David  C.,  Jr.,  of  New  Orleans,  Louisiana ;  and  Nae 
D.,  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas.  It  was  some  years  after  their  marriage  that  the  par- 
ents removed  to  'Missouri  settling  near  Kirksville,  and  the  father  now  makes  his 
home  in  Kansas  City,  Kansas,  where  he  is  living  retired.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  are  ever  loyal  to  their  professions.  Mr. 
Godfrey  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  for  three  years  served  as  a  member 
of  the  Eighty-third  Illinois  Infantry.  On  one  occasion  he  was  wounded  in  battle. 
After  the  war  he  returned  to  his  father's  farm  and  subsequently  took  up  his  abode 
on  a  farm  near  Kirksville,  Missouri.  ,  .  | 

William  D.  Godfrey  spent  his  youth  in  Missouri  and  attended  the  public 
schools  of  Kirksville,  and  Green  City,  being  graduated  from  the  high  school  in 
the  latter  place  and  also  from  the  Green  City  College.  Later  he  attended  the 
Kirksville  State  Normal  School,  and  seven  terms  he  engaged  in  teaching,  proving 
a  capable  educator  because  of  his  ability  to  impart  clearly,  readily  and  concisely 
to  others  the  knowledge  that  he  had  acquired.  He  then  took  up  the  study  of  law 
in  the  Northern  Indian  Law  School  at  Valparaiso  and  was  graduated  in  1893.  He 
was  then  admitted  to  the  bar  and  began  practicing  in  Galesburg  in  1893,  since 
which  time  he  has  here  followed  his  profession.  He  prepares  his  cases  with 
great  thoroughness  and  care,  and  his  careful  analysis  enables  him  to  present  in 
logical  form  the  salient  points  bearing  upon  his  cause.  He  is  also  seldom,  if  ever, 
at  fault  in  the  citation  of  princijile  or  precedent  and  his  ability  is  manifest  in  the 
many  favorable  verdicts  which  he  has  won. 

On  the  Tith  of  September,  1904.  Mr.  Godfrey  was  married  to  Miss  M.  Ada 
Bubb,  a  daughter  of  General  J.  W.  llubb.  They  have  three  children.  Helen,  Mary 
Ada  and  William  D.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  and  Mr. 
Godfrey  also  belongs  to  the  X'esper  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Chapter, 
R.  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Commandery.  Xo.  8,  K.  T. ;  the  Galesburg  Club  and  the 
Soangetaha  Country  Club.  In  his  life  professional  activity  and  social  and  rec- 
reative interests  have  maintained  an  even  balance  that  has  made  him  a  valued 
citizen,  and  his  public  spirit  has  all  times  jjrompted  his  support  of  the  projects  and 
plans  for  the  public  good. 


^.      -  KDWARD    P.     ROIiSOX.          i 

Edward  P.  Robson.  who  is  intimately  connected  with  the  agricultural  and 
financial  interests  of  Knox  county,  was  born  on  January  5.  1875.  lie  is  the 
grandson  of  John  Robson,  who  was  born  near  Xewcastle.  in  Xorthuniberland 
county.  England,  and  who  was  married  to  Mary  I'.rown.  and  he  is  a  son  of 
\\'illiani  Robson.  whose  birth  occurred  in  Xewcastle-on-Tyne.  England,  on  the 
5th  of  Sei)tenil)cr,  1^31.  and  who  came  to  America  with  his  parents  when  a 
young  man.  They  located  first  at  Ueaver  Point.  Pennsylvania,  and  in  the  spring 
of  iS;o  removed  to  Knox  conntv.  near  Rio.  After  his  marriage  he  purchased 


;  ••:'••' 


;?:/•'  .      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ;%^:v -^    . 

his  present  homestead  near  Wataga  and  afterward  engaged  in  stock-raising  and 
general  farming.  William  Robson  was  twice  married.  His  first  union  was  to 
Miss  Jane  Goff,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Louis  Goff,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Rio  township.  To  this  union  three  children  were  born,  one  of  whom  survives, 
Cora  Alice.  Mrs.  Robson  passed  away  in  1867.  Mr.  Robson's  second  union 
occurred  in  1871  to  Mary  E.  Gordon,  who  was  born  in  Victoria,  Knox  county, 
November  7,  1847,  *"d  was  a  daughter  of  Peter  Gordon,  a  native  of  Scotland, 
who  came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and  settled  at  Peoria,  where  he  was 
employed  for  three  years  at  six  dollars  per  month.  Later,  in  1841,  he  removed 
to  Victoria  and  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  throughout  his  life.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  McDowell,  who  was  a  daughter  of  John  McDow- 
ell, who  came  to  America  in  1838,  going  directly  to  Knox  county.  Mrs.  Gordon, 
who  had  been  previously  married  to  William  Tate,  died  in  1900,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-six  years.  Mrs.  Robson  is  at  present  sixty-nine  years  of  age  and  is 
residing  at  the  home  of  her  son,  E.  P.  Robson,  who  was  the  second  of  three 
children  born  to  his  parents,  the  others  being:  Gordon,  deceased;  and  Henry 
Stewart,  whose  birth  occurred  May  i8,  1892,  and  who  is  residing  with  his 
brother.  Mrs.  Robson  is  a  graduate  of  the  North  Western  Normal  School  of 
Ohio  and  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Wataga  and  of  its 
Ladies'  Aid  and  Missionary  Society.  Mr.  Robson,  whose  death  occurred  Jan- 
uary  lO,  1901,  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Galesburg  National  Bank  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  was  serving  in  the  capacity  of  vice  president.  In  poli- 
tics  he  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  was  one  of  its  active  mem- 
hers,  among  the  offices  to  which  he  had  been  elected  being  that  of  school  director 
for  several  years,  of  highway  commissioner  for  two  terms  and  member  of  the 
county  board  of  supervisors  for  twenty-one  years. 

Edward  P.  Robson  attended  the  common  schools  in  his  youth  and  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years  entered  Knox  College  for  a  three  years'  course,  after 
which  he  graduated  from  Brown's  Business  College  in  1895.  Having  thus  com- 
pleted his  education,  he  returned  home  and  undertook  the  management  of  his 
father's  farm  because  of  the  latter's  ill  health.  In  addition  to  general  farming  he 
also  engaged  in  stock-raising  and  in  both  lines  met  with  immediate  success. 
But  he  has  also  interested  himself  in  other  undertakings,  among  these  being  the 
Western  Tool  Works  of  Galesburg,  in  which  he  became  interested  in  1905  and 
which  is  now  principally  owned  by  him  and  known  as  the  Robson  Manufactur- 
ing Company  of  Galesburg.  Three  years  previous  he  and  his  brother  opened 
the  Bank  of  Wataga,  at  Wataga,  and  he  has  since  served  in  the  capacity  of 
president.  His  success  in  this  financial  undertaking  was  so  great  that,  in  1905, 
he  opened  the  Victoria  Exchange  Bank  of  Victoria  and  has  always  acted  as  its 
president  and  since  his  father's  death  has  filled  the  vacancy  caused  thereby  in 
the  directorate  of  the  Galesburg  National  Bank.  Mr.  Robson  has  always  had 
the  support  and  confidence  of  the  residents  of  his  community  and  under  his 
able  management  these  banks  have  become  solid  financial  institutions.  Their 
policies  have  ever  been  such  as  to  commend  them  to  the  public  and  Mr.  Robson 
has  always  surrounded  himself  with  such  men  as  officers  that  are  well-known 
for  their  reliability  and  trustworthiness. 

In  1899  Mr.  Robson  was  married  to  Miss  Helen  McCall  Sisson.  She  was 
born  November  27,  1871,  near  Galesburg,  in  Henderson  township,  and  is  a 


1058  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      '    - 

daughter  of  Henry  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Sisson,  the  former  deceased  and 
the  latter,  who  is  seventy-three  years  of  age,  a  resident  of  Galesburg.  They  have 
become  the  parents  of  two  children :  William  Henry,  born  February  lO,  1902 ; 
and  Mary  Elizabeth,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  2gih  of  July,  1907. 

In  politics  Mr.  Robson  gives  active  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  for  nine  years,  since  1903  has 
been  a  member  of  the  township  school  board  and  has  been  a  delegate  to  state 
conventions.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Congregationalist  and  Mrs.  Robson  also 
holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  of  Wataga.  They  are  both 
active  in  its  various  departments,  Mrs.  Robson  being  at  present  president  of  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  her  husband  is  acting  as  church  treasurer.  In  frater- 
nal circles  Mr.  Robson  is  equally  prominent,  holding  membership  in  Wataga 
Lodge,  No.  291,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Oneida  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Com- 
mandery,  K.  T. ;  and  Mohammed  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  also  be- 
longs to  the  Galesburg  Lodge  of  Elks  and  the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  Club. 
Mr.  Robson  is  constantly  working  for  the  industrial,  commercial,  financial  and 
social  development  of  his  district  and  high  regard  is  tendered  him  by  reason  of 
business  enterprise  and  integrity  and  his  sterling  personal  worth. 


•       ;:;•;;;'  CHARLES  B.  PENN.        >    /V^-       ; 

For  twenty  years  Charles  B.  Penn  has  been  engaged  in  bricklaying  and 
plastering  in  Galesburg,  and  during  much  of  this  time  has  carried  on  business 
on  his  own  account  as  a  contractor,  his  success  being  due  to  the  fact  that  he  is 
energetic,  industrious  and  reliable.  He  was  born  in  Kirton-Lindsay,  Lincoln- 
shire, England,  August  ii,  1853.  His  father,  Thomas  Penn,  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, came  to  America  in  1857  and  one  year  later  brought  his  wife  and  family 
to  the  new  world.  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  upon  his  arrival  here 
immediately  secured  employment  in  the  town  of  Knoxville,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  He  began  learning  his  trade  when  but  seven  years  of  age  and 
followed  it  continuously  until  about  ten  years  ago  when  he  retired.  He  is  now 
nearly  eighty-six  years  of  age  and  enjoys  very  good  health  for  one  of  his  years. 
Indolence  and  idleness  are  utterly  foreign  to  his  nature,  and  while  he  no  longer 
engages  in  shoemaking,  he  does  give  considerable  attention  to  the  cultivation  of 
strawberries,  and  has  as  fine  a  garden  of  that  fruit  as  anyone  in  the  town.  He 
is  known  by  all  the  citizens  of  Knoxville,  and  is  held  in  the  highest  respect. 
Throughout  the  county,  too,  he  has  a  wide  acquaintance,  and  his  well  spent  life 
has  gained  him  warm  regard.  He  married  Susan  Oglesby,  an  English  lady, 
who  was  also  a  native  of  Lincolnshire.  After  her  husband  came  to  America 
she  remained  in  England  with  the  family  until  1858,  when  Mr.  Penn  felt  con- 
vinced it  would  be  advantageous  to  establish  his  home  in  the  United  States  and 
made  plans  for  his  family  to  come  here.  Like  her  husband,  Mrs.  Penn  was 
well  known  in  Knoxville  where  she  passed  away  in  1910.  In  their  family  were 
three  children,  a  daughter  and  two  sons,  namely:  Eliza,  who  became  the  wife 
of  Isaac  Gumm  of  Knoxville,  and  is  now  a  widow  living  in  that  place;  Charles 
B.,  of  this  review ;  and  Henry,  who  was  a  resident  of  Knoxville  but  is  now 
deceased. 

Charles  B.  Penn  was  about  six  years  of  age  when  brought  to  the  United 


;:;•;;;-..;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         //•;•:     1059 

States  by  his  mother,  so  practically  his  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  Knox  county. 
He  attended  the  public  schools,  and  as  soon  as  old  enough  to  work  secured  a 
position  as  a  farm  hand  in  the  vicinity  of  his  father's  home.  For  a  quarter  of  a 
century  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  during  part  of  that  time 
was  engaged  in  the  business  on  his  own  account.  At  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  turned  his  attention  to  bricklaying  and  plastering,  which  trades  he  has 
now  followed  through  two  decades,  being  still  active  in  this  work.  He  is  a 
member  of  Bricklayers'  Union  No.  12. 

Mr.  Penn  was  married  at  Knoxville,  Illinois,  June  30,  1876,  to  Miss  Ella 
Ingle,  a  daughter  of  Asa  and  Elizabeth  (Bershire)  Ingle,  of  Knoxville.     They  • 
are  the  parents  of  three  children :    Elvira,  now  the  wife  of  Bert  Bunker,  a  well  J 
known  shoe  merchant  of  Galesburg ;  Hazel,  who  is  married  to  Lloyd  McCulluck, 
an  employe  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  residing  in  Gales- 
burg;  and  Edythe,  who  is  at  home. 

In  all  the  years  of  his  residence  in  Knox  county,  Mr.  Penn  has  enjoyed  the 
respect  and  good-will  of  his  fellowmen.  Whatever  success  he  has  achieved  is 
due  to  his  own  labors,  and  his  life  has  been  a  busy  and  useful  one.  He  has  not 
sought  to  figure  prominently  in  any  public  connection,  being  content  to  faithfully 
perform  his  duties  day  by  day  in  his  relations  of  citizenship  to  his  country  and 
in  his  relations  as  a  man  among  his  fellowmen. 

Mr.  Penn  is  the  proud  possessor  of  a  very  unique  table.  It  is  entirely  his 
own  work  and  was  done  during  leisure  hours,  mostly  by  lamp-light.  The  table 
contains  two  hundred  and  ninety  pieces  of  wood,  all  visible  and  many  of  them 
having  a  historic  record.  It  contains  pieces  of  handsome  black  walnut  from 
one  of  the  pioneer  residences  of  Galesburg,  white  oak  from  remains  of  the  first 
jail  in  Knox  county,  built  in  1832,  and  from  the  first  courthouse,  built  in  1831. 
In  the  center  of  the  beautiful  inlaid  top  appears  a  star  made  from  wood  cut 
from  the  oak  tree  under  which  Pemberton  surrendered  to  General  Grant,  July 
4,  1863,  with  thirty-three  thousand  men.  ,,  ,..  •  .  .  -.  ...,-'-• 


:>--.•--:'.•-/"  ..  -  •-.-.  r:-...;';;;.?     c.  H.  UPP. :::.:.'••.> :xv; ..,,.. .     ..•:';.iA-;:::v;;::^'V,,-":;r  >-^ 

C.  H.  Upp,  who  engages  in  general  farming  and  stockraising  in  Haw  Creek        :     . 
township,  of  which  he  has  been  the  supervisor  since  April,  1910,  was  born  in  the       •'•:  ' 
township  where  he  now  resides  on  the  I5th  of  December,  1866.    His  father,  W.v    "  ; 
C.  Upp,  was  born  and  reared  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  the  son  of  .Milton  and 
Karlitha  Upp.     The  grandfather  passed  away  in  the  Buckeye  state,  after  which 
his  widow  with  five  sons  and  two  daughters  removed  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,        .  ' 
where  she  resided  for  a  number  of  years.    For  his  wife  W.  C.  Upp  chose  Miss       :• 
Emily  Sherman,  a  native  of  Haw  Creek  township  and  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Eliza  Sherman.     After  their  marriage  they  located  on  a  farm  in  Haw  Creek 
township,  but  subsequently  removed  to   Persifer  township.      There   Mr.   Upp 
passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  Gilson.    He  was  an  active  member  of  the  United  Brethren  church  to  which  his       .  . 
widow  also  belongs.    Although  she  has  attained  the  age  of  sixty-seven  Mrs.  Upp 
continues  to  reside  upon  her  homestead  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  the  cultiva-       'S'\.- 


1060  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

tion  of  which  she  superintends.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Upp  numbered  eight 
children:  C.  H.,  our  subject;  A.  E.,  who  is  living  in  Boone  Grove,  Indiana;  Isaac 
and  Eliza,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Eva,  the  wife  of  Hubard  Keller,  who  re- 
sides east  of  Knoxville;  George,  who  is  also  living  east  of  Knoxville;  Ella,  the 
wife  of  Joseph  Mastin,  now  living  east  of  Knoxville ;  and  Garrold,  who  is  living 
on  the  home  farm  in  Persifer  township. 

Practically  the  entire  life  of  C.  H.  Upp  has  been  devoted  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  Haw  Creek  township.  His  boyhood  and  youth  were  very  like  those  of 
other  lads  of  the  same  period  and  like  circumstances.  In  the  acquirement  of  his 
education  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  winter  until  he  had  mastered  the 
common  branches,  his  summers  being  devoted  to  the  mastery  of  the  practical 
methods  of  agriculture,  under  the  supervision  of  his  father.  When  he  had  at- 
tained the  age  of  twenty-two  he  left  the  parental  roof  and  started  to  make  his 
own  way  in  the  world.  He  now  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  2,  Haw 
Creek  township,  all  of  which  is  in  pasture,  while  he  leases  two  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  on  the  northeast  corner  of  section  i6  that  he  devotes  to  general  farming. 
He  makes  a  specialty  of  the  breeding  and  raising  of  Percheron  horses,  in  which 
he  has  engaged  for  the  past  ten  years. 

In  1889  Mr.  Upp  was  married  to  Miss  Ada  Houser,  who  was  born  in  Haw 
Creek  township,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  Houser.  Of  this  union  there 
was  born  one  child,  Isal,  who  is  still  at  home.  Mr.  Upp  is  a  member  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  politically  he  is  a  republican.  He  has  always 
been  one  of  the  public-spirited  citizens  of  his  community,  taking  an  active  inter- 
est in  all  political  matters.  He  was  assessor  of  the  township  for  eight  years, 
while  he  was  township  supervisor  and  clerk  and  member  of  the  township  high 
school  board  for  a  similar  period.  He  is  now  acting  as  supervisor,  having  suc- 
ceeded F.  M.  Lawrence  in  April,  1910,  and  during  the  year  and  a  half  he  has 
been  identified  with  this  office  has  discharged  his  duties  in  a  manner  to  meet  with 
the  approval  of  his  constituency  as  well  as  the  community  at  large. 


/.:\<':--  .  FRED  T.  DU  VON.         :'';->:>;. 

Fred  T.  Du  Von,  senior  partner  of  the  firm  of  Du  Von  &  Brown,  wholesale 
bakers,  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  five  miles  west  of  Galesburg,  on  the 
1st  of  June,  1877.  He  is  a  son  of  the  late  Nels  T.  and  Johanna  (Linberg) 
Du  Von,  natives  of  Christianstad,  Sweden,  the  father's  birth  having  occurred 
on  January  27,  1827,  and  that  of  the  mother  on  the  iQth  of  February,  1842. 
Nels  T.  Du  Von  followed  farming  in  his  native  land  until  1870,  when  he  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Warren  county.  There  he  continued  to 
engage  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1884,  when  he  removed  to  Knox  county. 
In  1895  he  withdrew  from  the  active  work  of  the  fields  and  came  to  Galesburg, 
where  he  lived  retired  until  his  death,  on  the  i4th  of  August,  1899.  The  mother 
passed  away  on  the  loth  of  March,  1892.  Their  marriage  occurred  in  Galesburg 
in  the  month  of  August,  1875,  and  unto  them  were  born  four  children:  Fred  T., 
our  subject;  Jay  H.,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  this  city;  Alice,  who  is  a  resident 
of  Peoria,  Illinois ;  and  Hannah,  who  is  deceased.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Du  Von 


-.    ^- 

"-^^ 


( 


;:    V-  :     V    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  t;        1063 

were  members  of  the  Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  his  political 
support  he  gave  to  the  republican  party. 

The  public  schools  of  Galesburg  provided  Fred  T.  Du  Von  with  an  education, 
after  which  he  spent  two  years  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  began  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  His  first  position 
was  that  of  a  teamster  in  Galesburg,  but  he  subsequently  entered  the  employ  of 
N.  J.  Gottschall,  a  baker.  He  remained  in  his  service  for  two  years,  during 
which  time  he  learned  the  trade.  He  next  found  employment  in  the  establish- 
ment of  Gust  Hawkinson  and  worked  there  for  a  year,  when  he  went  to  Chicago. 
After  a  year's  sojourn  in  the  latter  city,  he  returned  to  Galesburg  and  worked 
for  two  and  a  half  years  at  his  trade  as  a  baker.  His  next  removal  was  to  New 
Mexico,  and  after  being  employed  there  for  a  year  he  once  more  became  a  res- 
ident of  Galesburg.  Upon  his  return  he  bought  the  business  of  T.  R.  Wilson  on 
Main  street,  which  he  operated  alone  for  eight  months.  On  the  2Oth  of  Septem- 
ber, 1906,  Mr.  Brown  bought  a  half  interest  in  the  enterprise  which  they  have 
ever  since  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Du  Von  &  Brown,  meeting  with 
excellent  success.  The  business  was  originally  established  in  1857  and  is  one 
of  the  oldest  concerns  of  the  kind  in  the  city.  They  do  an  exclusive  wholesale 
business  in  bread,  pies,  cakes  and  cookies,  and  enjoy  an  extensive  trade,  their 
products  being  shipped  to  practically  every  town  of  any  size  within  a  radius  of 
fifty  miles.  During  the  five  years  of  their  ownership  Messrs.  Du  Von  and 
Brown  have  practically  revolutionized  the  business,  having  erected  a  fine  new 
brick  building  at  Nos.  541  to  557  East  Main  street,  that  they  have  occupied 
since  1910.  It  is  fully  equipped  with  all  modern  conveniences  and  appliances 
essential  to  the  operation  of  a  thoroughly  modern  and  sanitary  bakery.  They  give 
employment  to  fifteen  people,  four  of  whom  are  salesmen,  and  their  business 
is  constantly  increasing,  each  year  showing  a  marked  advance  over  the  one  pre- 
vious. 

Mr.  Du  Von  manifests  his  religious  views  through  his  membership  in  the 
Swedish  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of  which  he  takes  a  deep  in- 
terest, and  is  now  serving  as  secretary  of  the  official  board.  He  is  a  worthy 
exemplar  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  holding  membership  in  Vesper  Lodge,  No. 
584,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Galesburg  Chapter,  No.  46,  R.  A.  M.;  Galesburg  Com- 
mandery.  No.  8,  K.  T. ;  Illinois  Council,  No.  i,  R.  &  S.  M. ;  Mohammed  Temple, 
A.  A.  O.  N.  M.  S.,  and  also  has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  in  Peoria  Con- 
sistory. He  has  served  at  various  times  as  worshipful  master  of  the  lodge,  high 
priest  of  the  chapter  and  eminent  commander  of  the  commandery.  He  also  be- 
longs to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Galesburg  and  Coun- 
try Clubs,  while  he  maintains  relations  with  the  business  men  of  the  city  through 
his  connection  with  the  Retail  Merchants'  Association.  His  political  allegiance 
Mr.  Du  Von  gives  to  the  democratic  party  and  he  is  now  serving  on  the  board 
of  supervisors.  He  is  not  only  a  most  capable  and  progressive  business  man,  but 
a  public-spirited,  enterprising  citizen  who  fully  appreciates  his  obligations  to  the 
municipality  and  conscientiously  strives  to  discharge  them  by  assisting  in  every 
possible  way  the  city's  development.  His  prominence  in  trade  circles  is  in- 
dicated by  the  fact  that  he  has  been  honored  with  the  presidency  of  the  Illinois 
Master  Bakers'  Association,  which  position  he  filled  in  the  year  1911.  He  has 
been  very  active  along  this  line,  doing  much  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  trade 


1064          :    '  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          ^^'     - 

'*•'         •.      ' '        •  '        '  .  •'"•-.        •»»•*•••'••.       ••.•,.'•'"-•..••'' 

'•'-.'.-.,•       -•'-•'•.  .    .  '..  \      '.''..'".•'   ^•.-   •'       .-}.  \ -.  . 

and  to  stimulate  a  desire  for  a  higher  standard  of  service  to  the  public.  His 
own  business  ability  is  manifest  in  the  success  which  has  crowned  his  labors  in 
the  years  which  have  chronicled  his  advancement  from  a  humble  position  to  one 
of  prominence.  The  business  in  which  he  is  now  interested  as  senior  partner  is 
today  an  extensive  enterprise,  owing  its  success  in  large  measure  to  the  capable 
management,  laudable  ambition  and  enterprising  spirit  of  Fred  T.  Du  Von. 


:• :"    .  GEORGE  ABNER  PERRY.  7       v      ' 

George  Abner  Perry,  who  is  business  manager  of  the  Galesburg  Printing  & 
Publishing  Company,  publishers  of  the  Republican-Register,  was  born  in  Payson, 
Illinois,  July  20,  1868,  his  parents  being  William  Dodd  and  Clarissa  Fitch  (Whit- 
man) Perry.  The  father  was  at  one  time  owner  and  publisher  of  the  Adams 
County  News  and  was  also  connected  with  agricultural  pursuits.  The  maternal 
grandfather,  Charles  Whitman,  was  born  in  West  Hartford,  Connecticut,  July 
28,  1802,  and  on  the  I3th  of  November,  1833  at  Windham,  Connecticut  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Henrietta  Perkins.  Almost  immediately  afterward  they  came 
to  Illinois  locating  in  Payson,  where  they  resided  throughout  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  He  was  engaged  in  farming.  Mrs.  Whitman  was  born  September  4, 
1814.  To  their  union  two  children  were  born :  Qarissa  Fitch,  whose  birth  occurred 
in  Payson,  Illinois,  December  8,  1835  ;  and  Edward  Perkins,  who  was  born  August 

13,  1837,  and  died  in  November  of  the  same  year.    Mr.  Whitman  was  married  in 
Salisbury  Connecticut,  in  1842  to  Miss  Jane  Holmes  and  by  this  union  he  had  two 
children,  a  daughter  who  died  in  infancy  and  a  son,  Charles  Holmes,  whose  birth 
occurred  December  4,  1844.     Mrs.  Whitman's  death  occurred  in  Payson,  June 
19,  1874.    Charles  Whitman  died  May  14,  1877,  at  Payson.    William  Dodd  Perry 
was  born  September  30,  1835,  a  son  of  Abner  and  Adaline  (Dodd)  Perry,  the 
former  a  native  of  Holden,  Massachusetts,  and  the  latter  of  Rutland,  Massa- 
chusetts.    Mr.  Perry's  marriage  to  .Miss  Clarissa  Fitch  Whitman  occurred  June 

14,  1855.    To  their  union  three  sons  were  born:  Arthur  Henry,  born  December 
30,  1857 ;  Edward  Perkins,  whose  birth  occurred  April  13,  i86i ;  and  George 
Abner,  who  is  the  subject  of  this  review.  ,>;v     ..•;;,;  •.  :;^ :  'V  .;^^      | 

In  the  common  and  high  schools  of  Payson,  George  A.  Perry  pursued  his 
early  education,  which  prepared  him  to  enter  Knox  College  in  1887.  He  com- 
pleted the  full  course  offered  in  the  scientific  department  and  was  graduated  in 
1891.  Throughout  his  college  career  he  found  it  necessary  to  aid  in  his  support 
and  he  engaged  in  newspkper  work  and  advertising  soliciting.  Early  in  life  he 
realized  that  in  newspaper  work  he  would  find  his  most  congenial  occupation. 
After  graduating  from  Knox  College  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  business  de- 
partment of  the  Daily  Mail  at  Galesburg,  which  was  being  started  at  that  time 
under  the  management  of  George  W.  Colville,  W.  R.  Colville  and  W.  B.  Barnes. 
For  four  years  he  worked  on  this  paper.  In  1895  Ben  B.  Hampton  and  D.  H. 
Hampton  purchased  the  stock  in  the  Daily  Mail  which  had  been  owned  by  the 
Colville  brothers  and  Mr.  Barnes,  and  for  a  few  months  Mr,.  Perry  remained  in 
the  employ  of  the  Messrs.  Hampton.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  at  the  request  of 
the  Colville  brothers  and  Mr.  Barnes,  Mr.  Perry  purchased  an  interest  in  their 


-  '  ;      .    ••     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        :;-    •  Vrv       1065 

job  printing  and  binding  business.  After  several  months  Mr.  Barnes  disposed 
of  his  holdings  to  the  partners  and  the  firm  became  known  as  Colville  Brothers 
&  Perry.  Mr.  Perry  remained  interested  in  the  concern  until  December,  1902, 
when,  at  the  unanimous  request  of  the  directors  of  the  Galesburg  Printing  &  Pub- 
lishing Company,  publishers  of  the  Republican-Register,  he  became  business 
manager  of  their  corporation.  He  also  purchased  some  stock  and  has  since  oc- 
cupied that  position.  Mr.  Perry's  prominence  in  the  community  has  largely  been 
due  to  his  connections  with  newspaper  work.  In  molding  public  opinion  the 
power  of  the  newspaper  cannot  be  estimated,  but  at  all  events  its  influence  is 
greater  than  that  of  any  other  single  agency.  The  rule  is  that  good  papers  are 
found  in  good  towns ;  inferior  journals  in  towns  of  stunted  growth  and  uncertain 
future,  it  being  not  so  much  a  matter  of  size  as  the  excellence  and  adaptability 
to  the  needs  of  its  locality.  These  conditions  given,  in  an  appreciative  and  pro- 
gressive community,  the  size  of  the  paper  will  take  care  of  itself  in  a  way  mutually 
satisfactory  to  publishers  and  patrons.  Galesburg  is  one  of  the  most  progressive 
and  active  cities  of  Illinois  and  the  press  which  records  the  items  of  its  advance- 
ment is  always  a  leader  in  the  work  of  progress  and  improvement.  As  one  of  its 
foremost  newspaper  men  Galesburg  finds  in  Mr.  Perry  a  man  worthy  of  occupying 
this  influential  position. 

In  Chicago,  on  the  nth  of  September,  1895,  Mr.  Perry  was  married  to  Miss 
Marie  Louise  Gregg,  a  daughter  of  Raymond  and  Mary  Elizabeth  (Mason) 
Gregg.  Her  grandparents  were  Aaron  Phillip  and  Annis  (Ward)  Mason,  of  God- 
frey, Illinois.  Mrs.  Perry  was  educated  at  Monticello  Seminary,  from  which  she 
graduated  as  a  member  of  the  class  of  1891.  To  their  union  one  son,  George 
Mason,  was  born,  his  birth  occurring  June  30,  1898.  In  politics  Mr.  Perry  gives 
his  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club, 
Soangetaha  Club  of  Galesburg,  the  Press  Qub  of  Chicago,  the  Knights  of  Pyth- 
ias, the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  the  Central  Congregational 
church.  .  ••  -..'•'-.  ^•••- •;••••:  I-"-' ••.•;•;  :.''-....r'-,". ;:-;••-'•:;:  '  '  .-'•••.-..'."'-';.  ;.:;.-;^-'v- 


;  JAMES  WILLOUGHBY  JONES.  ::C;      4)''r 

James  Willoughby  Jones,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  in 
Lynn  township,  was  born  October  27,  1867,  in  the  old  log  house  upon  the  family 
homestead,  his  parents  being  Walter  N.  and  Addie  E.  (James)  Jones.  The  father 
was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  and  came  with  his  wife  and  two  children  to 
Illinois,  locating  in  Galva  and  there  engaging  in  the  restaurant  business.  A  fire, 
however,  destroyed  his  establishment  and  he  removed  to  a  farm  in  Lynn  town- 
ship. He  lived  on  this  property  until  he  retired  fourteen  years  ago  and  again 
made  Galva  his  home,  later  removing  to  St.  Joseph,  Missouri.  Here  he  died  on 
September  9,  1908,  in  his  sixty-fifth  year,  while  his  wife,  who  is  surviving  him,  is 
now  seventy  years  old.  There  were  seven  children  in  the  family  of  Walter  N. 
Jones,  beside  our  subject  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  namely :  Ed 
way,  who  is  deceased ;  Charley,  of  Galva,  Illinois ;  George  W.  and  William, 
of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri ;  and  Lottie  Jones  Mason  and  Tensie  Jones  Mason,  also 
of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri.  ,  ........  .......  ^ 


1066     ,    .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

,..  J.  W.  Jones  spent  his  early  life  attending  the  common  schools  and  later  re- 
ceived tuition  in  the  old  schoolhouse  in  the  winter,  apd  devoted  his  summers  to 
farm  work.  After  his  marriage  he  removed  to  his  present  farm,  which  he  pur- 
chased at  that  time  and  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  But  he  has  not  confined  his  attention  wholly  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. Business  ability  and  progressiveness  have  led  him  into  mercantile  pur- 
suits and  he  has  become  a  stockholder  in  the  Galva  elevator  of  the  Farmers 
Grange  Company  and  he  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  La  Fayette  Fair  Association 
and  in  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Galva.  ^  .  -V  '• 

On  February  ii,  1896,  Mr.  Jones  was  married  to  Miss  Susie  Mabel  Shreck. 
who  was  born  February  i,  1874,  and  who  is  a  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Fick- 
ling)  Shreck.  The  father  was  an  agriculturist  of  Henry  county  until  his  recent 
retirement  and  the  mother's  death  occurred  January  19,  1911.  Mrs.  Jones  at- 
tended the  Geneseo  schools,  after  which  she  taught  school  until  her  marriage. 
Jesse  Shreck  was  born  November  9,  1840,  in  Vinton  county,  Ohio,  where  he  farmed 
until  he  came  to  Illinois  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  with  his  parents,  Paul  and 
Bethema  (Moss)  Shreck,  and  located  in  Henry  county,  where  they  again  took 
up  agricultural  pursuits.  Mrs.  Mary  (Fickling)  Shreck  was  born  on  the  28th  of 
November,  1850,  in  Peoria  county,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Susan 
(Draper)  Fickling.  Mr.  Fickling's  birth  occurred  on  the  6th  of  February,  1812, 
and  he  died  at  the  age  of  ninety  years,  while  Mrs.  Fickling  was  born  near  Cin- 
cinnati on  the  i8th  of  December,  1824,  her  death  occurring  on  the  I9th  of  January, 
1906.  Of  the  ten  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jesse  Shreck  four  are  living,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Jones  is  the  eldest,  the  others  being:  Clara  Gertrude,  who  was  born  in 
1875  and  is  the  wife  of  Arthur  Baltimore,  an  agriculturist  of  La  Fayette,  by 
whom  she  has  two  children ;  Frank  Jesse,  who  is  married  to  Jennie  Sellon,  by 
whom  he  has  three  children;  and  Harry,  who  was  born  January  27,  1891,  and  is 
residing  at  home.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Jones  were  born  three  children:  Harry, 
on  May  3,  1897 ;  and  Arthur  and  Hazel,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

In  politics  Mr.  Jones  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  school  board  for  the  past  seven  years.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Galva.  Lynn  township  owes  much 
of  its  development  and  of  its  progressive  business  spirit  to  the  activities  of 
Mr.  Jones. 


^  :;;  ;:•;  •  MARTIN  THISTED.         /^      /  r'  V 

'     .,•*    *.-     '.^  ',-.    :    '.  -          '       '    *•    "  '•'.        '-..'      - 

Among  the  many  thrifty  sons  of  Denmark  who  have  been  factors  in  the  agri- 
cultural  development  of  Knox  county,  must  be  numbered  Martin  Thisted,  of. 
Chestnut  township.  He  was  born  in  Jerslev,  on  the  2Oth  of  May,  1854,  and  is  a 
son  of  Geert  Sorenson  and  Inga  Christina  (Peterdater)  Thisted.  The  parents 
who  were  farming  people  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Denmark.  Unto  them  were 
bom  six  children,  as  follows:  Soren  Peter,  who  is  living  in  Denmark;  Martin, 
our  subject;  Anna  T.,  the  wife  of  Jasper  Jones,  of  Orange  township;  Martina 
and  Caroline,  both  of  whom  are  living  in  Denmark ;  and  one,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Reared  in  the  land  of  his  birth,  Martin  Thisted  attended  the  common  schools 


MARTIN  THISTED 


1066  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

J.  W.  Jones  spent  his  early  life  attending  the  common  schools  and  later  re- 
ceived tuition  in  the  old  schoolhouse  in  the  winter,  and  devoted  his  summers  to 
farm  work.  After  his  marriage  he  removed  to  his  present  farm,  which  he  pur- 
chased at  that  time  and  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  Ikit  he  has  not  confined  his  attention  wholly  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. ]  business  ability  and  jirogressiveness  have  led  him  into  mercantile  pur- 
suits and  he  has  become  a  stockholder  in  the  Galva  elevator  of  the  Farmers 
Grange  Com])any  and  he  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  La  Fayette  Fair  Association 
and  in  the  Farmers  Hank  of  Galva.  '.  .  I 

On  I''el)ruary  ii,  i8<X».  ^Ir.  Jones  was  married  to  Miss  Susie  Mabel  Shreck. 
who  was  born  I-'ebruary  i,  1874.  and  who  is  a  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Fick- 
ling)  Shreck.  The  father  was  an  agriculturist  of  Henry  county  until  his  recent 
retirement  and  the  mother's  death  occurred  January  19,  1911.  Mrs.  Jones  at- 
tended the  Geneseo  schools,  after  which  she  taught  school  until  her  marriage. 
Jesse  Shreck  was  born  Xovember  9,  1840.  in  X'inton  county,  Ohio,  where  he  farmed 
until  he  came  to  Illinois  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years  with  his  parents,  Paul  and 
Bethema  ( Moss )  Shreck,  and  located  in  Henry  county,  where  they  again  took 
up  agricultural  pursuits.  Mrs.  Mary  (I-'ickling)  Shreck  was  born  on  the  28th  of 
Xovember,  1850,  in  Peoria  county,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Susan 
(Draper)  Fickling.  Mr.  Fickling's  birth  occurred  on  the  6th  of  February,  1812, 
and  he  died  at  the  age  of  ninety  years,  while  Mrs.  Fickling  was  born  near  Cin- 
cinnati on  the  i8th  of  December,  1824,  her  death  occurring  on  the  I9th  of  January, 
1906.  Of  the  ten  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jesse  Shreck  four  are  living,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Jones  is  the  eldest,  the  others  being:  Clara  Gertrude,  who  was  born  in 
1875  and  is  the  wife  of  Arthur  P.altimore,  an  agriculturist  of  La  Fayette,  by 
whom  she  has  two  children ;  Frank  Jesse,  who  is  married  to  Jennie  Sellon,  by 
whom  he  has  three  children;  and  Harry,  who  was  born  January  27,  1891,  and  is 
residing  at  home.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W.  Jones  were  born  three  children:  Harry, 
on  May  j^,  1897:  and  Arthur  and  Hazel,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

In  politics  Mr.  Jones  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
been  a  meml)er  of  the  school  board  for  the  past  seven  years.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  of  Galva.  Lynn  township  owes  much 
of  its  development  and  of  its  progressive  business  spirit  to  the  activities  of 
Mr.  Jones. 


MARTIN  THISTED. 

Among  the  many  thrifty  sons  of  Denmark  who  have  been  factors  in  the  agri- 
cultural development  of  Knox  county,  must  be  numbered  Martin  Thisted,  of. 
Chestnut  township.  Me  was  l)orn  in  Jerslev,  on  the  2Oth  of  May.  1854,  and  is  a 
son  of  Cieert  Sorenson  and  Inga  Christina  (  Peterdater )  Thisted.  The  parents 
nho  were  farming  jjeople  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Denmark.  Unto  them  were 
born  six  children,  as  follows :  Soren  Peter,  who  is  living  in  Denmark ;  Martin, 
our  subject:  Anna  T.,  the  wife  of  Jasper  Jones,  of  Orange  township:  Martina 
and  Caroline,  both  of  whom  are  living  in  Denmark  :  and  one,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Reared  in  the  land  of  his  birth,  Martin  Thi.sted  attended  the  common  schools 


.MAUTIN   TIIISTKI) 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


1069 


in  the  acquirement  of  his  education,  at  the  same  time  assisting  his  father  in  the  .          ; 
work  of  their  little  farm.    By  the  time  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-seven         :  ^ 
he  realized  that  if  he  were  ever  to  attain  the  position  to  which  he  aspired,  it          v .;  - 
would  be  necessary  for  him  to  go  to  a  new  land  of  greater  opportunities,  and  he 
took  passage  for  the  United  States.    He  landed  at  Castle  Garden,  May  20,  i88i,  ?': 

after  being  one  month  en  route,  having  spent  a  week  in  England.     Upon  his  ar-    •  .    '••,,: 
rival  thirteen  dollars  constituted  all  his  resources  and  he  immediately  made  his       •  C.    ; 
way  inland,  in  order  to  find  employment  in  agricultural  lines.     He  located  in 
Benton  county,  Indiana,  where  he  resided  for  ten  years,  subsequently  coming  to 
Knox  county,  where  he  invested  his  capital  in  a  farm  on  sections  8  and  9,  Chest-         .; 
nut  township.    This  has  ever  since  been  his  home  and  he  has  extended  his  hold-        •> 
ings  and  now  owns  two  hundred  and  six  acres  in  this  place.     Energetic  and          •' 
capable,  Mr.  Thisted  has  so  intelligently  directed  his  efforts  that  he  has  met  with  v 

a  most  gratifying  degree  of  success.     His  homestead  is  well  cultivated  and  here 
in  connection  with  his  agricultural  pursuits  he  engages  in  breeding  and  raising  ;-.' 
Polled  Angus  cattle,  and  he  also  buys  and  sells  horses,  making  his  shipments  to  the  .        -   . 
St.  Louis  market.    Regarding  real  estate  as  the  most  desirable  safe  and  conserva- 
tive investment,  Mr.  Thisted  has  acquired  property  as  his  means  permitted  and  in         ;  : 
addition  to  his  fine  homestead  now  owns  seven  acres  of  land  adjoining  Galesburg,  ;  :, 

and  a  fine  residence  and  property  on  the  comer  of  Berrien  and  Day  streets,         \'^ . 
Galesburg.    He  also  has  a  store  building  and  a  house  and  three  lots  in  East  Gales- 
burg,  the  rentals  from  this  property  affording  him  a  very  good  monthly  dividend.  /. 

In  1878,  while  still  a  resident  of  his  native  land,  Mr.  Thisted  was  united  in          ;    ' 
marriage  to  Miss  Johanna  Mary  Peterdater,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  five         -  . 
children,  as  follows :    Caroline,  the  wife  of  Oscar  Freeze,  of  Rock  Island,  Illinois ; 
Anna,  who  married  Fred  Sharp,  also  of  Rock  Island ;  Maria,  who  is  unmarried, 
a  resident  of  Galesburg;  Rena,  who  married  Roy  Grabell,  of  Maquon;  and  Ida, 
the  wife  of  James  Stout,  of  Hermon. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thisted  are  faithful  church  attendants.  Politically  he  is  a 
republican  and  meets  the  requirements  of  good  citizenship.  Success  has  attended 
his  efforts  as  the  result  of  unremitting  energy,  business  sagacity  and  thrift.  ;  . 


-'  :  -'•'•,'•  •:  ^     •'  -^:'.;--.:/'V .^;  PETER  F.  LAWSON.     '••": '" '     .  .  '•''•  •^^'•.-r-:^Jv>. 

Peter  F.  Lawson,  managing  editor  of  the  Evening  Mail  of  Galesburg,  was  born 
in  Bermuda  in  the  British  West  Indies,  September  8,  1875.  His  father,  Thomas 
Lawson,  was  a  native  of  Scotland  and  a  son  of  Thomas  Lawson,  Sr.,  who  was 
also  born  in  the  land  of  hills  and  heather.  The  latter  was  a  weaver  by  trade, 
following  that  business  throughout  his  entire  life.  Both  he  and  his  wife  lived 
to  old  age  and  reared  a  large  family  including  Thomas  Lawson,  Jr.,  who  spent 
his  youth  in  his  native  land  but  when  a  young  man  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the 
new  world.  He  followed  general  merchandising  in  Grafton,  Nova  Scotia,  after- 
ward residing  for  a  time  in  Philadelphia  and  in  Baltimore.  He  still  makes  his 
home  in  Nova  Scotia  and  he  and  his  wif^  are  faithful  members  of  the  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  church  there.  He  wedded  Agnes  Fearn  who  was  also  bom 
in  Scotland,  as  were  her  parents,  Alexander  and  Mary  (Urquhart)  Fearn.  Her 


1070  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     '-'    '  '  '• .'  ^ '  '  - 

father  was  a  ship  builder  on  the  Clyde  river  and  both  he  and  his  wife  had  long 
traveled  life's  journey  when  they  were  called  to  their  final  rest.  They  were  par- 
ents of  four  children,  Alexander,  John,  Christina  and  Agnes.  Unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Thomas  Lawson  there  were  also  born  four  children,  as  follows :  Thomas,  of 
Ottawa,  Canada;  Peter  F..  of  Galesburg;  David  A.,  a  resident  of  Chicago;  ana 
Christina,  living  in  Grafton,  Nova  Scotia. 

Peter  F.  Lawson  spent  his  youthful  days  at  his  father's  home  in  Canada  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  and  acquired  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Nova  Scotia.  He  then  went  to  sea,  following  the  life  of  a  sailor  for 
a  year  or  more,  but  realizing  the  further  need  and  value  of  education  he  resumed 
his  studies  as  a  student  in  Dalhousie  University  at  Halifax.  Later  he  again  went 
to  sea  and  acted  as  correspondent  for  a  number  of  Canada  papers  and  periodicals. 
At  length  he  crossed  the  border  into  the  United  States,  establishing  his  home  in 
Chicago  in  1905.  For  over  two  years  he  was  associated  with  the  R.  R.  Donnelley 
&  Sons  Company  and  on  the  1st  of  June,  1909,  came  to  Galesburg,  accepting  the 
position  of  managing  editor  of  the  Evening  Mail.  In  the  meantime  his  literary 
ability  had  been  developed  in  his  business  connections  as  well  as  the  executive 
force  necessary  in  his  present  position.  During  the  two  years  of  his  association 
with  the  Mail  he  has  labored  continuously  and  effectively  toward  raising  the 
standard  of  the  paper  which  is  today  one  of  the  popular  journals  published  in 
central  Illinois,  having  a  wide  circulation  and  therefore  becoming  an  excellent 
advertising  medium. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  1908,  Mr.  Lawson  was  married  to  Mrs.  Maude 
Tryon,  who  was  born  in  Nilwood,  Illinois.  She  was  the  widow  of  Frank  A. 
Tryon  and  a  daughter  of  Dr.  H.  T.  and  Etta  (-Metcalf )  Jones,  who  were  likewise 
natives  of  this  state.  Her  parents  are  now  living  in  Alton,  Illinois,  and  their 
family  numbers  two  children,  the  elder  being  a  son,  Fred  W.  Jones.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lawson  have  become  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Agnes.  During  the  period  of 
their  residence  in  Galesburg  they  have  won  many  warm  friends  and  their  home  is 
attractive  by  reason  of  its  cordial  hospitality.  Mr.  Lawson  belongs  to  Glace  Bay 
Lodge,  at  Cape  Breton,  Nova  Scotia,  and  in  politics  is  a  republican  whose  inter- 
esting discussions  of  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  through  the  columns 
of  the  Mail  show  his  thorough  understanding  of  the  topics  that  are  now  engaging 
public  attention.  .•  ;  /-^r  .  V  "-  v  v' 


.         '    Vo.'-  FRANK  OSCAR  GUSTAFSON.    .       .;  ' 

Frank  Oscar  Gustafson  is  living  retired  in  Altona.  His  birth  occurred  on  the 
6th  of  January,  1855,  in  Sandstad,  Ydre  Harrar,  Linkoping  Lan,  Ostergotland, 
Sweden,  his  parents  being  Gustav  and  Maria  (Israelson)  Johnson.  The  father's 
birth  occurred  in  1812  in  Sweden  and  throughout  his  life  he  engaged  in  farming 
Mrs.  Johnson  was  a  daughter  of  Ian  and  Eva  Israelson  and  was  born  in  1822. 
They  both  passed  away  in  1877,  Mrs.  Johnson  having  died  very  suddenly  on 
Sunday  while  going  home  from  church  on  account  of  a  violent  seizure.  Mr.  John- 
son's death  occurred  a  few  weeks  later  and  both  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  same 
cemetery.  They  were  the  parents  of  a  large  family,  three  of  whom  survive :  Gus- 


\         .    •  .  s  ;     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY          i; 

,-\ 

tav  Adolph,  who  is  a  carpenter  of  Hunter,  Oklahoma;  Anton  L.,  of  Holdredge,    ;/ 
Nebraska;  and  Frank  Oscar  the  subject  of  this  review. 

After  attending  the  common  schools  in  his  native  land,  Frank  Oscar  Gustaf son  ; 
began  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years  to  work  on  his  father's  farm  and  until  his  em-    . 
igration  on  the  2ist  of  April,  1875,  was  engaged  in  farming  and  railroading.     He     : 
made  the  trip  to  America  in  company  with  his  sister,  who  later  died  in  Monroe, 
Nebraska,  coming  directly  to  Altona,  where  he  arrived  on  the  i  ith  of  May.    On 
the  same  day  he  hired  out  to  Andrew  Main  and  the  next  year  was  in  the  employ 
of  William  Main  for  one  season.    Upon  his  arrival  in  America  he  had  almost  no    ^ 
financial  resources  and  because  of  his  inadequate  knowledge  of  the  language  and 
of  the  customs  of  the  country,  was  forced  to  accept  any  work  that  offered.     In  •  ^ 
the  fall  he  engaged  in  husking  corn  and  cutting  broom  corn  and  for  fourteen 
summers  was  engaged  in  tiling.    During  the  intervening  winters  he  worked  in  the  .- 
Clifford  coal  mine,  in  Walnut  Grove  township,  and  for  five  years  was  employed 
in  Culbertson's  meat  market  and  for  an  equal  length  of  time  was  employed  by   ; 
S.  M.  Whiting.  ; 

On  the  1 7th  of  March,  1902,  he  left  Illinois  and  removed  to  Clark  county,  .. 
South  Dakota,  where  he  took  up  farming  on  his  own  account.     Having  always    , 
saved  his  money  carefully  he  was  now  able  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  sixty     . 
acres  of  land  and  subsequently  acquired  an  additional  quarter  section,  and  had   ; 
five  hundred  acres  in  crops  under  cultivation,  all  of  which  gave  good  yields.    •;• 
While  there  Mr.  Gustafson  served  as  juror  in  the  United  States  court  of  the     - 
Black  hill  division.    He  was  elected  to  the  school  board  and  served  as  chairman   ^  . 
until  1910.    In  1906  he  was  a  central  committee  man  from  his  division  and  also 
was  appointed  judge  of  election  of  his  district  in  that  year;  in  1908  he  received 
the  appointment  of  superintendent  of  election  for  his  precinct.     In  that  year  he  /- 
sold  one  of  his  farms  dividing  the  proceeds  between  his  sons,  and  returned  to  ,  ' 
Altona,  where  he  now  lives  retired.    Prior  to  his  departure  for  the  west  he  was  : 
elected  repeatedly  constable  of  Walnut  township  and  served  as  such  for  eight   ; 
years,  or  until  1889.  .^ 

Mr.  Gustafson  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  occurring  on  the  4th    ;. 
of  August,  1884,  to  Miss  Emma  Carolina  Nelson.    She  was  a  daughter  of  Swan 
and  Bangda  Nelson,  and  was  born  January  3,  1858,  in  Galesburg,  Illinois.     Her 
parents  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Knox  county  and  she  was  one  of  ten  chil-   - 
dren.     Her  death  occurred  September  15,  1892,  in  Altona.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.     . 
Gustafson  three  children  were  born:  Anthony  Leonard,  who  is  a  teacher  in  ': 
Brown's  Business  College  of   Peoria;  Arthur   Paul,  who   is  residing  in  Clark    -.- 
county.  South  Dakota,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming ;  and  Edward  Cline,  who 
is  married  and  is  engaged  in  cultivating  his  father's  farm  in  Clark  county.  South    v  • 
Dakota.    Mr.  Gustafson's  second  union  was  to  Miss  Sigrid  Swanson,  whose  birth 
occurred  October  8,  1854,  in  Christianstad,  Sweden  and  who  is  a  daughter  of     . 
Swan  and  Eva  (Anderson)  Olson.     Her  mother  died  when  she  was  but  three  ,. 
years  of  age  and  she  was  reared  by  her  father  and  his  parents.     In  1882  she    V 
left  her  native  land  for  America  and  settled  first  in  Geneseo,  Illinois,  but  later    . 
came  to  Altona.     Mr.  Gustafson  is  a  member  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church    ;. 
and  also  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  of  Altona.    In  America  Mr.  Gus-   '. 
tafson  found  the  opportunity  he  sought  in  the  freedom  and  appreciation  of  the 
growing  country.    Born  in  a  foreign  land  and  proud  of  his  native  land  and  sturdy    - 


1072      ;;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       %>      •    J  ;      i-;  - 

ancestry,  he  is  patriotic  and  sincere  in  his  devotion  to  the  land  of  his  adoption. 
His  career  is  actively  identified  with  the  history  of  the  development  of  the  middle 
and  far  west,  and  as  a  result  of  incessant  labor  and  application  he  now  lives  in 
retirement  at  Altona  in  most  comfortable  circumstances.  He  arrived  there  years 
ago  practically  penniless  but  is  now  numbered  as  one  of  the  honored  and  re- 
spected citizens. 


CHAUNCEY  S.  COLTON. 


Chauncey  Sill  Colton,  a  son  of  Justin  and  Abigail  Colton,  was  bom  on  the 
2ist  of  September,  1800,  in  Springfield,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  the  first  mer- 
chant of  Galesburg  and  erected  a  store  on  land  which  is  now  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  public  square.  From  1836  until  his  death  in  1885,  he  was  a  con- 
spicuous figure  in  the  public  life  of  Galesburg,  where  he  was  well  and  favorably 
known.  He  was  interested  in  all  of  the  institutions  which  were  established  to 
promote  the  public  welfare  and  he  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  friends  of 
Knox  College.  At  the  time  of  his  death  Newton  Bateman,  then  president  of 
Knox  College,  wrote  the  following  letter  to  his  family: 

, ,.     .;,.  •-•..;-    %•;••;   v.v': ;;.. .;•'••-•'- >^'i- .•:-:-••';  .V  :  ;i.-.-    ••'--- 
V  "Sea  Cottage,  York,  Maine,  July  30,  1885. 

"The  sad  news  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Colton  pains  me  deeply.  Knox  College 
had  no  truer  friend.  He  was  an  honest,  upright,  just  and  good  man.  He  was 
my  personal  friend.  He  gave  me  a  kind  welcome  when  I  first  came  to  Gales- 
burg and  was  my  friend,  ever  generous  and  true,  from  that  day  till  he  died. 
My  respect  for  him  and  confidence  in  his  unswerving  integrity  increased  with 
every  year  of  my  acquaintance  with  him.  I  honored  and  loved  him  in  his 
life  and  I  mourn  for  him  now  that  he  is  gone.  I  shall  never  see  my  venerable 
friend  again  in  this  world.  God's,  will  be  done.  The  college  he  loved  so  long 
and  well  will  now  be  dearer  to  me  than  ever,  if  possible,  and  my  life  shall  be 
consecrated  anew  to  its  interests  while  I  have  strength  to  think  and  plan  and 
work  for  its  prosperity. 

;   '^•^-'    .  "Yours  in  sorrow, 

.         • '^^w;  ^-  .  :       "NEWTON  BATEMAN."  '-  ; 

For  nearly  a  score  of  years  C.  S.  Colton  developed  his  business,  constantly 
enlarging  its  scope,  until  it  assumed  large  proportions.  He  built  and  operated 
a  large  packing  establishment — the  first  one  in  that  large  section  of  Illinois. 
He  packed  and  shipped  the  first  pork,  beef,  corn  and  wheat  from  that  part  of 
the  country.  Hundreds  of  farmers'  wagons  annually  hauled  this  freight  to  the 
Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers,  down  which  he  shipped  it  to  New  Orleans,  and 
thence  to  New  York  and  Liverpool  for  sale.  Mr.  Colton  annually  bought  large 
quantities  of  sugar,  molasses  and  other  heavy  goods  cheaply,  of  first  hands,  in 
New  Orleans,  and  shipped  it  at  "high  water"  to  Oquavvka,  to  be  hauled  to 
Galesburg,  enabling  him  to  sell  these  products  cheaper  than  his  competitors  in 
other  towns,  and  thereby  increased  his  trade  and  built  up  Galesburg  as  a  trad- 
ing center.  ..... 


:::;:-;    -V        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  /'•>;:         1075 

Finally,  Mr.  Colton  appreciated  that  the  mode  of  transportation  to  water, 
by  "horse  power,"  was  too  slow  and  cumbersome.  He  therefore  decided  that 
a  railroad  was  needed  so  he  went  to  the  legislature  and  secured  a  charter  for  the 
Central  Military  Tract  Railroad,  to  run  from  Galesburg  to  Chicago. 

At  this  time  Mr.  Colton  fortunately  made  the  acquaintance  of  James  F.  •  ', 
Joy,  the  leading  spirit  of  the  Michigan  Central  Railway,  then  just  completed 
to  Chicago.  Mr.  Joy  contracted  with  Mr.  Colton  to  secure  the  cooperation  of 
his  company  in  the  building  of  this  first  branch  road  from  Chicago  to  the  in- 
terior of  Illinois.  The  Boston  directors  demanded  a  considerable  local  sub- 
scription to  the  stock.  The  time  limit  was  expiring,  when,  at  James  F.  Joy's 
urgent  appeal,  Mr.  Colton  and  another  gentleman  subscribed  for  the  balance 
of  the  stock,  which  they  carried  five  years  without  any  dividends.  Then  the 
Boston  people  had  to  carry  out  their  contract.  The  railroad  was  completed  to 
Galesburg  in  1854.  About  this  time  a  road  was  built  from  Peoria  to  Oquawka.  : 
The  company  got  into  financial  troubles.  General  A.  C.  Harding,  of  Mon- 
mouth,  the  leading  spirit  in  this  road,  proposed  to  his  friend,  C.  S.  Colton,  to 
get  his  company  to  take  over  the  P.  &  O.  Railroad.  Mr.  Colton  went  to  Boston 
and  got  his  directors  together  and  laid  the  offer  before  them,  and  finally  in- 
duced them  to  buy  this  cross-country  railroad.  Later  on,  the  Quincy  people 
undertook  to  build  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad,  and  had  about  fifty  miles 
built  when  their  money  gave  out.  Mr.  Colton  was  an  intimate  friend  of  the 
president  of  the  Northern  Cross  Company.  The  two  men  had  an  interview, 
and  finally  Mr.  Colton  proposed  that  if  the  Northern  Cross  people  would  build 
to  Galesburg,  he  would  try  to  induce  his  Boston  directors  to  back  them  with 
the  money.  Mr.  Colton's  arguments  again  prevailed  with  his  directorate.  The 
result  of  these  three  enterprises  was  a  completed  line  connecting  Chicago,  Bur- 
lington and  Quincy.  Then  the  joint  owners  dropped  their  original  titles  and 
named  their  system  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railway. 

The  village  of  Galesburg  became  the  local  center  of  this  railway  system,  and 
later  on  was  developed  by  this  railway  into  the  important  city  it  is  today. 

In  1868  the  Mississippi  was  bridged,  both  at  Burlington  and  Quincy.  Over 
these  bridges  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  spread  eventually  to  the  Mis- 
souri river,  and  later  on  to  the  mountains  beyond.  It  was  at  the  suggestion  . 
of  Mr.  Colton  that  his  company  purchased  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  and  St. 
Louis  Railway,  and  also  the  skeleton  of  the  Burlington  and  Missouri  River 
Railroad,  which  was  completed  and  extended  indefinitely. 

Chauncey  S.  Colton,  by  his  constant  study  and  work  in  the  interests  of 
these  great  railroad  enterprises,  lived  to  see  less  than  a  hundred  miles  of  rail- 
way develop  and  extend  four  thousand  miles  in  a  quarter  of  a  century,  while  he 
was  the  only  western  director  in  the  company.  He  had  initiated  every  extension 
of  the  system  from  its  incipiency.  Today,  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railway  has  ten  thousand  miles  of  track  spanning  a  dozen  states. 

:;;.•':  ^-.-.^   ;.    :' .  ;;  -/•:'."';\.:          TRIBUTE  OF  RESPECT,  r"'  •'•;'.-;:•    '  ,••'..•".'.•-     ;';;.';  i;'^;"  .'.v   -J 

The  directors  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company,  at 
their  August  meeting  in  Boston,  added  their  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  late 

Hon.  Chauncey  S.  Colton:    '  ;'     V^  •'  'ji^'  'T''   ,;^-^  •    '        '  \  >•'.-'   ^•' 

voi.n— 49  .,         .    ...'•'••-.:.     ••.••'•'-••'  •'•••''''/.•'.;:•'-:-.•'".         . '•      'v-/.  ••;•:••''••  ^  ••;'••••• 


1076  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ' 

"Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  directors  of  this  company,  held  August  12, 
1885,  it  was  voted  to  adopt  the  following  resolution : 

"The  board  of  directors  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Com- 
pany has  learned  with  sincere  regret  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Chauncey  S.  Colton, 
who  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  organization  of  the  company,  and  served  as  a 
director  from  that  time  until  1876.  To  the  earnest  efforts  of  Mr.  Colton  in 
the  early  days  of  the  company  is  largely  due  the  successful  inauguration  of  the 
enterprise,  and  this  board  desires  to  place  on  record  the  fact  of  its  appreciation 
of  Mr.  Colton  and  his  valuable  services  to  the  company. 

"T.  S.  ROWLAND,  clerk  pro  tern." 


•-  .  FRANCIS  COLTON.       :;    'V'-    r        i''-- 

To  place  a  specific  value  upon  the  labors  of  the  Hon.  Francis  Colton  is  im- 
possible and  yet  there  is  no  individual  that  has  not  been  at  least  indirectly  bene- 
fited by  his  life  work.  Moreover,  in  the  consular  service  of  the  nation  his 
course  reflected  credit  and  honor  upon  the  country  he  represented.  Capable  of 
solving  important  and  intricate  problems,  he  at  all  times  has  been  actuated  by 
a  patriotic  devotion  to  his  native  land  and  his  work  in  behalf  thereof  has  ever 
been  of  a  practical  and  resultant  character  that  furthered  American  interests 
and  promoted  the  high  standing  of  this  country  among  Europeans. 

While  Mr.  Colton  made  Galesburg  his  home  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
time  spent  in  this  country  he  was  born  in  Monson,  Maine,  May  22,  1834,  his 
parents  being  Chauncey  Sill  and  Emily  (Hamilton)  Colton,  who  removed  with 
their  family  from  New  England  to  Galesburg  in  1836.  The  progenitor  of  the 
Colton  family  in  the  new  world  was  Quartermaster  George  Colton,  an  officer  of 
the  English  army  and  descended  from  an  old  family  of  England.  "Quarter- 
master George,"  as  he  was  known  during  his  life  and  since,  was  the  first  set- 
tler of  Long  Meadow,  now  a  suburb  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  where  he 
took  up  his  abode  in  1640,  since  which  time  the  family  has  regarded  that  place 
as  the  ancestral  home.  Its  cemetery  is  filled  with  monuments  to  different  mem- 
bers and  collateral  descendants  of  the  Colton  family.  Almost  without  excep- 
tion the  members  of  the  family  have  held  to  the  faith  of  the  Congregational 
church. 

When  Chauncey  S.  Colton  brought  his  family  to  Galesburg  in  1836,  Francis 
Colton,  the  youngest  child,  was  only  two  years  of  age.  The  journey  from  New 
England  to  Illinois  was  an  arduous  undertaking  with  four  small  children  and 
a  mother  who  was  in  delicate  health.  It  required  six  weeks  to  travel  by  water 
and  stage.  The  only  railroad  in  the  United  States  at  that  time  was  a  short  line 
extending  from  Boston  half  way  to  New  York,  over  which  they  traveled. 

Francis  Colton  was  educated  in  the  Galesburg  schools,  in  Knox  Academy 
and  Knox  College.  He  was  graduated  from  the  college  in  1855  when  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  In  June,  three  days  after  his  graduation,  he  entered  busi- 
ness life  in  connection  with  his  father  and  brother  John,  under  the  firm  name 
of  C.  S.  Colton  &  Sons.  On  the  nth  of  May,  1864,  Mr.  Colton  became  director 


:          v"  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  M'^ 

and  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  and  later  was  appointed  United 
States  collector  of  internal  revenue.  From  each  experience  and  activity  of  life 
he  learned  the  lesson  therein  contained  and  stored  up  his  knowledge  for  future 
use.  He  has  never  faltered  in  the  accomplishment  of  any  purpose  or  task  to 
which  he  seriously  set  himself  and  his  entire  career  has  therefore  been  charac- 
terized  by  progress  and  by  successful  achievement. 

On  the  26th  of  June,  1857,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Francis  Colton  and 
Miss  Frances  A.  Garey,  who  died  March  21,  1869,  in  Paris,  France.  There 
were  two  sons  of  that  marriage  but  the  elder,  Albion  Garey,  who  was  born  Feb- 
ruay  15,  1859,  died  August  lO,  1860.  The  younger  son,  George  Radcliffe,  bom 
April  lo,  1865,  is  now  governor  of  Porto  Rico.  It  was  in  1875  that  Francis  Col- 
ton  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Annie  C.  Snively,  of  New 
York.  Their  children  were:  Emily  Marian,  the  wife  of  Captain  Davis  of  the 
navy;  Julia  Carina,  deceased;  and  Annie  Marguerite.  'V  •  .  vvv 

During  the  Civil  war  Francis  Colton  spent  two  years  in  settling  up  the  widely 
scattered  business  affairs  of  his  firm  and  was  then  called  to  public  service,  being 
in  June,   1866,  appointed  as  United  States  consul  to  Venice,  Italy,  to  succeed 
William  Dean  Howells,  the  well  known  author,  who  returned  to  America  to 
assume  the  editorship  of  the  Atlantic  Monthly  Magazine.     On  the  24th  of  Au- 
gust,  1866,  Mr.  Colton's  resignation  as  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Galesburg  was  received  and  accepted  and  his  father,  C.  S.  Colton,  was  at  once 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  both  as  director  and  vice  president  of  the  bank.    This 
change  was  rendered  necessary  because  of  the  absence  of  Francis  Colton  occa- 
sioned  by  his  consular  service  in  Venice.     While  in  that  city  on  the  Adriatic  he 
v/as  the  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  writing  concerning  the  "Uni- 
fication  of  Italy."    This  was  an  important  historic  period  for  in  the  first  year  • 
of  his  residence  in  Venice  came  the  "Battle  Summer" — ^the  great  conflict  between 
Germany  and  Austria  which,  together  with  other  great  transformations  in  Furo- 
pean  history,  also  resulted  in  the  freedom  of  Venice  from  Austrian  domination 
and  the  uniting  of  it  to  Italy.     During  Mr.  Colton's  residence  abroad  he  opened 
a  chapel  at  his  consulate  for  American  and  Fnglish  travelers,  presided  over  by. 
a  Scotch  Presbyterian  preacher.     It  became  the  nucleus  for  a  Protestant  mis- '..'.: 
sion  among  the  Venetians.     Finally  they  purchased  a  Venetian  palace  through   -/ 
the  liberal  subscriptions  of  chapel  attendants  and  other  generous  people  in  Eng- 
land  and  the  United  States.     This  palace  was  used  for  church  and  school  pur- 
poses  under  the  charge  of  the  old  Waldensian   Protestant  church  of   Savoy. 
King  Victor  Emmanuel  issued  a  royal  decree  putting  this  palace  property  in  the 
legal  possession  of  the  Waldensian  church  which  is  the  oldest  church  in  Europe. 
This  royal  decree  is  considered  to  have  been  the  entering  wedge  which  resulted 
in  a  statute  allowing  all  Protestant  churches  to  own  property  in  Itah  '. 

In  1869  Francis  Colton  returned  to  America  just  as  the  first  Pacific  railroad 
was  completed,  spanning  the  continent.  He  was  appointed  general  passenger 
agent  with  headquarters  in  Omaha.  The  first  year  in  office  Mr.  Colton  attended 
a  railway  convention  in  Chicago  in  which  all  of  the  railroads  of  the  country 
were  represented.  He  introduced  a  measure  for  through  tickets  and  reduced 
rates.  The  railroad  people  at  first  were  strongly  opposed  to  the  scheme  but  Mr. 
Colton  carried  his  motion  on  the  last  day  of  the  session,  after  a  week's  contest. 


1080  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  "     ;V 

This  was  the  beginning  of  reduced  through  passenger  tickets,  a  system  which  has 
grown  and  expanded  continuously  since.  As  a  result  the  passenger  traffic  of  the 
Pacific  roads  was  doubled  and  the  earnings  of  the  other  lines  were  largely  in- 
creased. In  1871  Mr.  Colton  was  appointed  general  foreign  agent  of  the  Union 
and  Central  Pacific  Railways  and  was  sent  to  Japan  and  China  to  turn  the  tea 
trade  to  San  Francisco,  the  result  of  which  was  a  greatly  increased  freight  busi- 
ness for  both  roads  and  connecting  lines.  Fast  tea  trains  from  San  Francisco 
to  Chicago  and  New  York  could  successfully  compete  with  the  all-water  lines 
by  way  of  the  Suez  canal  to  London  and  New  York.  Mr.  Colton  traveled 
through  India  and  finally  completed  the  circuit  of  the  globe.  He  arranged  with 
all  the  steamer  and  railway  lines  for  a  "round-the-world"  ticket.  This  was  the 
first  of  the  long  distance  passenger  tickets  ever  put  on  sale  which  led  in  time 
to  the  present  extensive  sale  of  tourist  tickets  to  every  part  of  the  globe.  When 
in  this  country  or  abroad  he  was  constantly  studying  situations,  figuring  out 
possibilities  and  making  preparations  to  meet  any  emergency  or  condition  that 
might  arise.  He  reasoned  out  logically  from  cause  to  effect  and  his  solution  of 
intricate  and  involved  problems  was  a  most  accurate  one.  While  still  working 
in  the  interests  of  the  railway  companies  he  established  a  general  agency  in  Lon- 
don for  booking  passengers  to  China,  Australia  and  India  by  way  of  America, 
which  largely  increased  the  business  of  the  Pacific  railways  and  all  connecting 
lines.  During  the  stay  in  London  he  negotiated  with  all  of  the  Atlantic  steamer 
lines  to  unite  with  American  railways  in  diverting  the  regular  passenger  traffic 
by  way  of  the  Suez  canal  to  our  new  route  to  the  Orient  by  way  of  New  York 
and  San  Francisco.  Each  steamer  company  joined  in  instructions  to  their  hun- 
dreds of  agents  all  over  Europe  to  advertise  this  new  route  by  way  of  America, 
which  furnished  travelers  with  a  temperate  line  of  travel,  thus  avoiding  the  old 
hot  route  by  way  of  the  Red  sea.  To  further  emphasize  this  new  departure  in 
Oriental  traffic  Mr.  Colton  wrote  and  published  a  book,  illustrated  with  pictures 
of  American  sleeping  and  dining  cars  and  other  attractive  features  of  "Our 
New  Way  Around  the  World."  This  was  circulated  from  the  London  office  of 
the  Pacific  railways  and  the  new  venture  proved  a  success. 

Mr.  Colton  purchased  many  thousands  of  acres  of  railway  lands  in  Ne- 
braska during  this  period  and  the  investment  proved  a  profitable  one.  Today 
these  same  lands  in  their  present  owners'  hands  are  worth  millions,  which  shows 
what  the  railway  systems  have  done  for  the  development  and  growth  of  the 
far  west.  In  1872  he  became  president  of  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank  of 
Galesburg  and  the  first  year  in  which  he  had  executive  control  and  administra- 
tive direction  he  doubled  the  capital  and  the  deposits  of  the  bank.  Its  business 
steadily  grew  during  the  twelve  years  of  his  management  and  made  him  a  prom- 
inent factor  in  the  financial  circles  of  his  home  city,  second  only  to  the  promi- 
nence and  importance  of  his  labors  in  public  connections.  Mr.  Colton  was  again 
called  to  public  office  when  in  1876  he  was  appointed  by  the  governor  of  Illinois 
as  a  commissioner  to  the  Centennial  Exhibition  at  Philadelphia.  At  the  opening 
of  the  fair,  he  stood  with  the  other  commissioners  by  the  side  of  Dom  Pedro, 
empergr  of  Brazil,  and  General  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  president  of  the  United 
States,  when  the  latter  touched  the  button  in  the  presence  of  tens  of  thousands 
of  enthusiastic  people  and  set  in  motion  all  of  the  machinery  of  that  remarkable 


:      •  :      /  -\  ^^^;      HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  '    •:        1081 

exposition,  celebrating  the  one  hundredth  birthday  of  the  American  Republic. 
In  1884  Mr.  Colton  retired  from  active  business  and  removed  to  Washington, 
D,  C.,  where  he  now  resides  at  1635  Connecticut  avenue.  For  a  quarter  of  a 
century  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Metropolitan  Club,  whose  membership  in- 
cludes the  president  and  his  cabinet,  all  of  the  foreign  legations  and  the  princi- 
pal army  and  navy  officers.  Mr.  Colton  was  fifty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
retirement  and  almost  thirty  years  of  leisure  in  which  to  enjoy  those  activities 
and  interests  which  are  most  pleasurable  to  him  have  been  accorded  him.  His 
life  has  indeed  been  a  serviceable  one  to  the  world's  work,  his  labors  being  of 
far-reaching  value  and  of  both  national  and  international  importance. 


^•;  '•':.;:-;..-'.'';"'>''-••?:;:•''  GEORGE  w.  JONES.    ;-.••;     '"';;:;.' :''.1>:;':::-- -:;',: 

George  W.  Jones,  the  well  known  auctioneer,  who  owns  and  opyerates  a  farm 
in  Lynn  township  and  is  one  of  the  heaviest  stock-raisers  and  shippers  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  county,  was  born  on  the  I7th  of  Aug^jst,  1872,  on  the  old 
home  farm  called  the  Lynnwood  stock  farm,  upon  which  the  old  log  house  stands 
which  was  built  by  J.  Heiter,  the  pioneer.  George  W.  Jones  is  a  son  of  Walter  N, 
and  Addie  E.  (James)  Jones.  The  father  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  but 
after  his  removal  to  Illinois  settled  permanently  with  his  wife  and  two  children 
at  Galva.  As  a  boy  he  learned  and  followed  the  art  of  photography,  but  here  he 
engaged  in  the  restaurant  business.  Soon,  however,  after  starting  this  establish- 
ment it  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Lynn  township 
on  to  his  farm,  but  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Galva  and  in  St. 
Joseph,  Missouri,  where  he  died  on  the  9th  of  September,  1908,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-four  years.  Mrs.  Jones  is  still  living  and  is  seventy  years  of  age.  Mr. 
Jones  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  farmers  in  the  northern  part  of  Knox 
county. 

After  finishing  school  George  W.  Jones  remained  at  home  and  farmed  on  the 
home  place  and  on  his  brother's  farm,  while  his  parents  were  in  Galva.  After 
continuing  in  this  occupation  for  eleven  years  he  was  married  and  moved  to  Galva, 
but  still  retained  the  ownership  of  his  farm.  He  attended  the  Trenton  (Mo.) 
Auctioneering  School  and  received  the  training  which  has  helped  to  make  him  one 
of  the  most  successful  auctioneers  in  these  parts.  In  addition  to  this  Mr.  Jones  is 
also  extensively  engaged  in  feeding  and  shipping  cattle  and  hogs,  and  is  one  of  the 
largest  taxpayers  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  -During  the  past  three  years 
he  has  sold  over  ten  thousand  dollars  worth  of  hogs  besides  grain  and  other  farm 
products.  By  careful  management  and  unabating  energy  he  has  built  up  a  large 
stock-raising  and  shipping  business  and  has  become  one  of  the  best  known  stock- 
men in  this  section.  In  addition  to  these  various  enterprises  in  Illinois  he  is  also 
interested  in  business  undertakings  in  St.  Joseph,  Missouri. 

Mr.  Jones  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy  M.  Cree,  a  daughter  of  Simeon  R.  and 
Eva  L.  Lowe  Cree.  She  was  born  on  the  I2th  of  April,  1873,  in  Lynn  township, 
and  her  mother  is  living  in  Toulon,  Illinois.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  four  chil- 
dren have  been  born :  Walter,  who  is  ten  years  of  age ;  Clarence,  who  is  eight ;  and 
Evalyn  and  Ivan,  who  are  five  and  three  years  respectively. 


1082  .        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     .V  :•;'.;-•-: 

His  extensive  undertakings  have  prevented  Mr.  Jones  from  any  active  par- 
ticipation in  political  affairs  and  he  has  never  desired  nor  sought  public  office. 
Yet  he  finds  time  to  consider  it  his  duty  as  citizen  to  carefully  weigh  the  qual- 
ifications of  measures  and  candidates,  and  uses  his  vote  and  infiuence  in  behalf 
of  the  interest  of  the  commonwealth.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist 
church  of  Galva  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Woodmen  of  America.  He  has 
shown  industry  and  perseverance  and  has  step  by  step  made  his  way  in  the  world 
until  he  is  now  numbered  among  Knox  county's  substantial  and  very  successful 
men  and  one  of  its  most  highly  valued  citizens. 


'   -  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  SHADLEY.    \.       .',      ;• 

The  name  of  Benjamin  Franklin  Shadley  at  once  indicates  the  regard  of  his 
ancestors  for  those  men  who  have  been  foremost  in  molding  the  destiny  and 
shaping  the  policy  of  America.  He  was  born  in  Shelby  county,  Indiana,  June  3, 
1867,  and  comes  of  German  lineage,  his  grandfather,  William  Shadley,  having 
been  a  native  of  Germany  and  an  early  settler  of  Licking  county,  Ohio.  He  re- 
moved westward  to  Illinois  in  pioneer  times  and  died  in  Clark  county  of  milk 
sickness — a  disease  prevalent  in  an  early  day.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  well 
advanced  in  years  when  called  to  their  final  rest.  They  had  reared  a  large  fam- 
ily including  Nathaniel  Shadley,  who  was  born  in  Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  which 
state  he  was  partially  reared  although  spending  a  portion  of  his  youth  in  In- 
diana. Having  reached  man's  estate  he  wedded  Emily  Fouty,  a  native  of  Shelby 
county,  Indiana,  and  a  daughter  of  William  Fouty,  who  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  was  of  German  descent.  Mr.  Fouty  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and 
was  thus  associated  with  the  business  interests  of  Shelby  county  where  both  he 
and  his  wife  died  in  old  age.  They,  too,  had  a  large  family  including  Mrs.  Emily 
Shadley,  who  is  still  living  and  now  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Nancy, 
in  Fairland,  Indiana.  Her  husband,  the  father  of  our  subject,  passed  away  in 
Shelby  county  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  had  been  a  worthy 
and  respected  citizen  there  and  for  many  years  had  capably  filled  the  office  of 
surveyor.  His  life  conformed  to  the  teachings  of  the  Methodist  church  of  which 
he  was  long  an  active  member  and  to  which  his  widow  still  belongs.  They  had 
a  family  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters :  Ephraim,  of  Los  Angeles,  Cali-  .  •. 
fornia ;  John,  a  resident  of  Fairland,  Indiana ;  Nancy,  who  married  J.  W.  Faus- 
ler,  also  of  Fairland ;  Isaac,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years ;  Fanny, 
the  wife  of  A.  C.  JeflFries,  of  London,  Indiana ;  Benjamin  F.,  of  this  revi«'w ; 
Tilson,  of  Greenwood,  Indiana ;  Francis,  living  in  Galesburg ;  Charles,  of  In- 
dianapolis, Indiana ;  and  Jennie,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  five  years. 

Benjamin  Franklin  Shadley  was  reared  in  the  county  of  his  nativity,  spend- 
ing his  youthful  days  on  the  home  farm  where  he  early  became  familiar  with  the 
duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist.  The  summer  seasons 
were  devoted  to  the  task  of  tilling  the  soil  and  winter  months  to  the  acquirement 
of  an  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  when  he 
left  Indiana  for  Illinois,  becoming  a  resident  of  Canton  in  1888.  There  he 
worked  in  the  plow  shops  for  a  year  and  a  half,  after  which  he  removed  to  Gales-  . 


;;  ,'-  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ,       ;;;X        1083       ;. 

burg  and  became  a  brakeman  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad, 
June  23,  1889.  For  about  twelve  years  he  followed  railroading  and  for  five 
years  of  that  period  he  was  depot  master  and  also  ran  trains  occasionally  as  a 
conductor.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  was  appointed  chief  of  police 
under  .Mayor  Shumway's  first  administration  and  continued  in  the  office  for 
about  sixteen  months.  He  was  then  appointed  by  Governor  Yates  on  the  state 
board  of  arbitration,  representing  organized  labor,  and  was  chairman  of  that 
board  for  about  seven  years.  In  June,  1911,  he  received  the  appointment  to  his  ..• 
present  position  as  parole  commissioner  for  Pontiac,  Illinois.  ! 

On  the  22d  of  December,   1890,  Mr.  Shadley  was  married  to  Miss  Alice 
Prichard,  who  was  born  in  Lewiston,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  John  E.  and  Laura . :      - 
Murphy  Prichard,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Illinois.     Her '•- 
father  died  in  Galesburg,  October  24,  1902,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  but  her     '    ; 
mother  is  still  living.    Mr.  Prichard  had  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  do- 
ing duty  with  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,         : 
Mrs.  Shadley  was  their  only  child  and  by  her  marriage  has  become  the  mother   .      . 
of  two  children,  Harold  M.  and  Hazel  Marie.  ; 

Mr.  Shadley  is  well  known  in  fraternal  and  club  circles.     He  has  attained 
high  rank  in  Masonry  and  in  the  order  has  a  wide  acquaintance,  belonging  to 
Alpha  Lodge,  No.  155,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  Chapter,  R.  A.  M. ;  Galesburg  . 
Council,  R.  &  S.  M. ;  Galesburg  Commandery,  No.  8,  K.  T. ;  and  Mohammed     r. 
Temple  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.    His  name  is  likewise  found  on  the  -     . 
membership  roll  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Elks  lodges  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.    He  belongs  also  to  the  Brotherhood  of  Rail-          : 
road  Trainmen,  No.  24,  the  Fraternal  Reserve  Life  Association,  of  which  he  is 
a  supreme  director,  and  to  the  Galesburg  Club.     His  political  prominence  as  a 
leading  member  of  the  republican  party  and  his  membership  relations  with  many 
fraternal  and  social  organizations  have  made  him  very  widely  known  and  his  •,      v 
personal  characteristics  have  gained  him  warm  friends  wherever  he  has  gone.  _        .'• 


;;•:,,    .'•'  •  :•;.:/'•;•  .  :  ;;•;-  PETER  F.  BROWN.,:  '.'y::        --r^/:.  -;:  :.;;;r^V^- 

Peter  F.  Brown  has  long  been  a  prominent  and  leading  factor  in  financial 
circles  in  Knox  county,  having  for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  Galesburg  National  Bank.  His  birth  occurred  in  Mercer  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  year  1851,  his  parents  being  Harrison  and  Martha  Brown.  They 
were  both  natives  of  Kentucky  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1834. 

Peter  F.  Brown  supplemented  his  preliminary  education  by  a  course  of  study 
in  Lombard  College  of  Galesburg.  Illinois.  He  made  his  initial  venture  in  the 
business  world  as  a  clothing  merchant  of  Galesburg  but  subsequently  became  iden- 
tified with  financial  interests  as  the  teller  and  cashier  of  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics 
Bank  at  that  place.  In  1889  he  was  chosen  president  of  the  Galesburg  National 
Bank  and  in  that  important  capacity  has  since  guided  the  interests  of  the  institu- 
tion in  such  a  manner  as  to  insure  its  continued  growth  and  success. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  1875,  in  Galesburg,  Mr.  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Clara  Maud  Tenney,  a  daughter  of  Hammond  Marshall  and  Lorette  (Low- 


1034  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ther)  Tenney.  They  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  as  follows :  Maurice 
Tenney,  who  wedded  Mary  E.  Johnson ;  Mildred,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage 
to  Edward  E.  Pearce ;  and  Curtis  Harvey  Brown.  In  politics  Mr.  Brown  is  a 
republican,  loyally  supporting  the  men  and  measures  of  that  party.  He  is  a  char- 
ter member  of  the  Galesburg  Club  and  was  three  times  honored  by  election  to  the 
presidency  of  that  organization.  Such  in  brief  is  the  life  history  of  Peter  F.  ' 
Brown,  who  is  known  as  a  dependable  man  in  any  relation  and  in  any  emergency. 
His  right  conception  of  things  and  his  habitual  regard  for  what  is  best  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  human  activities  are  notable  assets  in  his  career.  His  frankness  and 
cordiality  of  address  have  gained  him  many  friends,  while  his  genuine  personal 
worth  has  won  for  him  well  merited  confidence  and  trust. 


;.;.;<•::,:•;  :^     .          '  ALBERT  JAMES  PERRY. ';^-      ':v';;^-c. 

'  ,    Albert  James  Perry  was  born  in  Alden,  Erie  county,  New  York,  December 
lO,  1841.     Since  1889.  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  as    ': 
a  mortgage  broker — his  efforts,  however,  extending  to  various  lines  of  business 
which  have  constituted  forces  in  public  progress  and  improvement  as  well  as  in 
individual  advancement. 

His   father.   Colonel   James   Perry,   was   born   at   Brimfield,   Massachusetts,   .' 
September  19,  1796.    He  was  the  son  of  Isaac  Perry,  who  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in    •' 
the  Revolutionary  war.    After  a  short  time,  he  was  detailed  as  an  army  nurse  in 
the  city  of  Boston.     After  his  death,  his  widow,  Mrs.  Mary  Tiffany  Perry,  was 
granted  the  usual  pension.     Isaac  Perry  died  in  1843  or  1844  when  about  eighty-   ? 
six  years  of  age,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1857  at  the  same  age.  Both  are  ,' 
buried  at  LeRoy,  New  York.  Their  son.  Colonel  James  Perry,  was  well  educated  : 
for  his  time  and  acted  as  superintendent  of  schools.    He  was  also  lieutenant  col-  . 
onel  of  the  New  York  militia  in  Erie  county.    In  the  community  where  he  lived,    • 
he  figured  prominently  in  various  connections.    He  was  a  pension  and  bounty  land 
attorney  and  likewise  attended  to  all  kinds  of  business  for  his  neighbors  that  re-    ; 
quired  a  knowledge  of  legal  forms  and  procedure.    His  death  occurred  at  Alden,    , 
New  York,  November  29,  1860.     His  wife,  Mrs.  Sophronia  Perry,  was  born  in 
western  New  York,  May  22,  1804,  and  died  October  30,  1880.    She  was  descended    ' 
from  the  grim  old  Quaker,  Stephen  Hopkins.     Hopkins  was  born  at  Scituate, 
Rhode  Island,  in  1707  and  died  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  in  1785.    He  was  ' 
a  colonial  governor  of  Rhode  Island  and  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  f. 
Independence.     His  daughter,  Lydia  Hopkins,  the  great-grandmother  of  Mrs.    • 
Sophronia  Perry,  married  Colonel  Daniel  Tillinghast,  and  the  ancestry  of  the 
Tillinghast  family  includes  Richard  Warren,  who  came  to  America  in  the  May-  • 
flower.    Mrs.  Sophronia  (Pengra)  Perry  was  a  woman  of  liberal  education  and  ,  ^ 
a  successful  school  teacher.     In  other  lines,  too,  she  displayed  marked  capability, 
notably  in  the  rearing  of  her  large  family  of   four  sons  and  six  daughters,    ; 
namely,  M.  Antoinette,  Edgar  H.,  Mortimer,  Mary  A.,  James  B.,  Amanda  M., 
Adaline  J.,  Albert  J.,  Adelia  R.,  and  Ellen  Louise.    Of  these,  James  died  in  in- 
fancy and  all  are  now  deceased  with  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Antoinette  Dodge,  . 
Albert  J.  Perry  and  Mrs.  Adelia  R.  Taylor.       :  •         .  y. .; 


ALBERT  J.  PERRY 


1034  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

ther)  Tenney.  They  became  the  parents  of  three  children,  as  follows:  Maurice 
Tenney,  \vho  wedded  Mary  E.  Johnson ;  Mildred,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage 
to  Edward  E.  Pcarce ;  and  Curtis  Harvey  Brown.  In  politics  Mr.  Brown  is  a 
republican,  loyally  sujiporting  the  men  and  measures  of  that  party.  He  is  a  char- 
ter member  of  the  Galesburg  Club  and  was  three  times  honored  by  election  to  the 
presidency  of  that  organization.  Such  in  brief  is  the  life  history  of  Peter  F. 
Brown,  who  is  known  as  a  dependable  man  in  any  relation  and  in  any  emergency. 
His  right  conception  of  things  and  his  habitual  regard  for  what  is  best  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  human  activities  are  notable  assets  in  his  career.  His  frankness  and 
cordiality  of  address  have  gained  him  many  friends,  while  his  genuine  i)ersonal 
worth  has  won  for  him  well  merited  confidence  and  trust. 


•  ALBERT  JAMES  PERRY. 

Albert  James  Perry  was  born  in  Alden,  Erie  county,  New  York,  December 
lO,  1841.  Since  1889.  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  as 
a  mortgage  broker — his  efforts,  however,  extending  to  various  lines  of  business 
which  nave  constituted  forces  in  public  progress  and  improvement  as  well  as  in 
individual  advancement. 

His  father.  Colonel  James  Perry,  was  born  at  Brimfield,  Massachusetts, 
September  19,  1/96.  He  was  the  son  of  Isaac  Perry,  who  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  war.  After  a  short  time,  he  was  detailed  as  an  army  nurse  in 
the  city  of  Boston.  After  his  death,  his  widow,  Mrs.  Mary  Tiffany  Perry,  was 
granted  the  usual  pension.  Isaac  Perry  died  in  1843  or  1844  when  about  eighty- 
six  years  of  age,  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1857  at  the  same  age.  Both  are 
buried  at  LeRoy.  Xew  York.  Their  son.  Colonel  James  Perry,  was  well  educated 
for  his  time  and  acted  as  superintendent  of  schools.  He  was  also  lieutenant  col- 
onel of  the  Xew  York  militia  in  Erie  county.  In  the  community  where  he  lived, 
he  figured  i)rominently  in  various  connections.  He  was  a  pension  and  bounty  land 
attorney  and  likewise  attended  to  all  kinds  of  business  for  his  neighbors  that  re- 
(|uired  a  knowledge  of  legal  forms  and  procedure.  His  death  occurred  at  Alden, 
Xew  ^'ork,  November  29,  1860.  His  wife.  Mrs.  Sophronia  Perry,  was  born  in 
western  New  York,  May  22,  1804,  and  died  October  30.  1880.  She  was  descended 
from  the  grim  old  Quaker.  Stephen  Hopkins.  Hojikins  was  born  at  Scituate, 
Rhode  Island,  in  1707  and  died  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  in  1785.  He  was 
a  colonial  governor  of  Rhode  Island  and  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  His  daughter,  Lydia  Hopkins,  the  great-grandmother  of  Mrs. 
Sophronia  Perry,  married  Colonel  Daniel  Tillinghast,  and  the  ancestry  of  the 
Tillinghast  family  includes  Richard  Warren,  who  came  to  .America  in  the  >Tay- 
flower.  Mrs.  Sophronia  (  Pengra)  Perry  was  a  woman  of  liberal  education  and 
a  successful  school  teacher.  In  other  lines,  too,  she  displayed  marked  capability, 
notably  in  the  rearing  of  her  large  family  of  four  sons  and  six  daughters, 
namely,  M.  Antoinette,  Edgar  H.,  Mortimer,  Mary  A.,  James  B.,  Amanda  M., 
Adaline  J..  Albert  J.,  Adelia  R.,  and  Ellen  Louise.  Of  these,  James  died  in  in- 
fancy and  all  are  now  deceased  with  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Antoinette  Dodge, 
Albert  J.  Perry  and  Mrs.  Adelia  R.  Taylor. 


Al.ltKKT  .1.    I'KKUV 


' -:  v^.  .;;  A;>  {:' V       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  v:          1087 

After  attending  the  common  schools  and  the  Alden  (N.  Y.)  Academy,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  admitted  in  1860  to  the  sophomore  class  of  the 
Rochester  University  at  Rochester,  New  York.  He  was  without  financial  re- 
sources, and  owing  to  this  and  the  out-break  of  the  Civil  war  and  the  death  of 
his  father,  he  did  not  find  it  possible  to  pursue  his  university  course.  Moreover, 
his  mother  needed  his  assistance  in  the  support  of  herself  and  her  invalid  daugh- 
ter. Mr.  Perry  entered  business  life  as  a  telegraph  operator  and  railroad  station 
agent  in  i86i,  remaining  in  the  employ  of  the  New  York  &  Erie  Railroad  in 
that  capacity  until  1865.  In  the  latter  year  he  came  to  Galesburg  as  bookkeeper 
in  the  building  department  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Com- 
pany, in  which  position  he  continued  until  1873.  He  afterward  engaged  in 
teaching  for  two  terms,  and  then  entered  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court  and  recorder  of  Knox  county  in  July,  1873,  '"  ^  .clerical  capacity.  The  fol- 
lowing year  he  was  appointed  deputy,  which  office  he  held  until  December,  1882. 
In  this  year  he  was  elected  county  clerk  of  Knox  county  and  held  the  office  most 
acceptably  for  eight  years,  making  a  period  of  seventeen  years  in  the  service  of 
the  county.  He  began  reading  law  while  in  the  circuit  clerk's  office  under  the 
tutorage  of  Honorable  E.  P.  Williams,  and  in  1877  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  but 
he  has  never  engaged  in  practice  other  than  to  use  his  knowledge  of  the  law  in 
the  conduct  of  his  private  business.  In  1889  he  began  conducting  a  mortgage 
brokerage  business  and  also  acted  as  administrator  and  guardian  of  numerous 
estates.  He  has  also  been  treasurer  of  the  Mechanics'  Homestead  &  Loan  Asso- 
ciation and  has  been  connected  with  banking  interests  in  various  capacities.  He 
was  president  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Galesburg  from  January,  1891, 
until  February  24,  1904.  In  the  latter  year  he  became  a  director  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Galesburg.  Activities  of  a  public  nature,  relative  to  educa- 
tional interests  and  benevolent  projects  have  divided  his  time  with  his  business 
affairs.  He  has  been  treasurer  of  Knox  College  since  1891  and  was  at  one  time 
president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Galesburg  Hospital  Association.  He 
has  also  been  a  director  of  the  public  library  from  1896  and  for  three  years  was 
its  president. 

On  the  9th  of  December,  1866,  at  Savona,  New  York,  Mr.  Perry  was  married 
to  Miss  Albina  Hughes,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Hiram  and  Lurissa  (Boone)  Hughes. 
Her  father  was  a  self-made  man  and  in  early  life  followed  the  millwright's  trade, 
but  afterward  became  a  successful  physician.  His  wife,  a  representative  of  the 
family  to  which  Daniel  Boone  belonged,  was  a  loving  wife  and  mother,  whose 
life  was  quietly  devoted  to  her  own  home. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Perry  has  always  been  a  republican  and  twice  represented  the 
fifth  ward  in  Galesburg  on  the  board  of  aldermen.  He  has  belonged  to  Alpha 
Lodge,  No.  155,  F.  &  A.  M.  since  1866,  and  was  its  secretary  for  eleven  years 
and  senior  warden  for  one  year.  He  also  holds  membership  in  Vesper  Lodge, 
No.  584,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  belongs  likewise  to  the  Galesburg  Club  and  to  the 
Sequanota  Club  which  has  a  resort  on  Pine  Lake  near  Charlevoix,  Michigan.  Mr. 
Perry's  activities  have  largely  touched  public  interests  and  have  constituted  a 
feature  in  the  general  progress  and  improvement  of  Galesburg.  He  is  extremely 
modest  and  unassuming  "in  relating  the  saga  of  his  own  doings."  However,  the 
specific  and  distinctive  office  of  biography  is  not  to  give  voice  to  a  man's  estimate 
of  himself  and  his  accomplishments,  but  rather  to  leave  a  perpetual  record,  es- 


1088 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


tablishing  his  position  by  the  consensus  of  public  opinion.  Judged  in  this  light, 
Mr.  Perry  deserves  the  recognition  that  should  come  to  those  who  unselfishly  and 
effectively  labor  for  the  best  interests  of  the  community  with  which  they  are 
identified. 


MRS.  ALBINA  HUGHES  PERRY.  \v v' 
JuLY  31,  184 1 -MARCH  ii,  1912.  •;.      .. 

•Miss  Albina  Hughes  was  born  in  Savona,  Steuben  county,  New  York,  July 
3 1 st,' 1 84 1.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Doctor  Hiram  Hughes  and  Lurissa  Boone 
Hughes.  She  continued  to  reside  in  her  native  village  until  her  marriage  to  Mr. 
Perry.  The  early  life  of  Mrs.  Perry  was  spent  studying  and  teaching.  She 
attended  the  common  schools  of  her  native  village  and  had  the  privilege  also  of 
attending  the  Sonora  Academy,  where  she  enjoyed  an  advanced  course  of  study. 
For  a  time  she  was  also  the  preceptress  of  this  institution.  She  was  a  successful 
teacher  when  but  sixteen  years  of  age.  From  earliest  youth  she  revealed  a 
clear,  perceptive  mind  and  she  made  rapid  progress  in  all  her  studies.  It  was 
characteristic  of  her  that  while  following  one  course  of  reading  she  would  mem- 
orize another  course  read  in  her  presence  by  pupils  of  a  higher  grade.  This 
alertness  of  mind  has  characterized  Mrs.  Perry  throughout  her  entire  life.  As 
a  teacher  she  was  marked  by  exceptional  skill  as  a  disciplinarian.  While 
possessed  of  a  lively  and  humorous  nature,  her  students  were  somewhat  awed 
by  her  presence  and  the  promptest  obedience  always  followed  the  expression  of 
her  requests.  In  some  respects  her  pupils  scarcely  discovered  the  kind  and  sym- 
pathetic nature  so  thinly  veiled  by  her  outward  manner,  and  yet  all  dearly  loved  her. 

Thus  as  student  and  teacher  and  as  daughter  in  the  home  she  grew  to  maturity. 
Her  marriage  to  Mr.  Perry  occurred  on  December  pth,  1866.  Mr.  Perry  had 
preceded  her  to  Galesburg  by  about  a  year  and  a  half,  but  in  January,  1867,  they 
came  to  our  city  and  here  for  forty-five  years  they  have  remained,  sharing  in 
all  the  higher  life  of  our  community,  and  gathering  about  them  a  very  large 
circle  of  loved  and  loving  friends.  In  this  fellowship  they  have  received  and 
contributed  unceasing  pleasure. 

Throughout  her  life  Mrs.  Perry  has  not  been  physically  strong.  Even  at  the 
time  of  her  marriage  she  showed  signs  of  failing  health.  It  is  therefore  a  great 
tribute  to  her  that  she  attained  the  good  age  of  seventy  and  one-half  years.  This 
was  due  almost  entirely  to  her  methodical  life,  her  innate  knowledge  of  hygiene, 
and  her  constant  recognition  of  and  her  obedience  to  the  laws  of  right  living. 
These  careful  habits  became  characteristic  of  her  in  all  departments  of  her  life. 
Order  and  economy  became  the  law  of  her  household.  Under  the  stress  of  a 
limited  income  she  planned  that  there  should  always  be  at  least  a  small  surplus. 
Realizing  that  age  might  bring  its  own  problems  of  finance,  she  did  her  part 
toward  making  an  annual  increase  to  this  small  surplus.  Her  conscience  took 
on  much  of  the  same  formal  and  judicial  character  and  her  moral  and  social 
nature  was  dominated  by  it.  Indeed,  one  might  quote  that  somewhat  austere  verse 
of  Pope  in  order  to  describe  her  in  this  direction:  ',--  •  •;•..  .  • 


•     ''/'./.• 


/<  ff  f  /  /t  f.'t      /'/yv/ 
f  .  ,  ' 


•..  .1,- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :  •;  1091 

'•  ''• '-  •-. 

'What  conscience  dictates  to  be  done,  -  C,    "iV  '  ' 

V  ;     Or  warns  me  not  to  do,  v  '  .^    ^    .'>^  ^ 

This  teach  me  more  than  hell  to  shun,  .',:..• 

That  more  than  Heaven  pursue."  ;         4    ;;:    Xv  . 


But  while  submitting  all  her  life  to  order,  Mrs.  Perry  so  directed  her  affairs  .-. 
as  to  leave  time  for  the  reading  of  the  choicest  literature  in  history  and  fiction,  '  '-. 
and  for  acquiring  those  treasures  of  the  mind  which  became  so  characteristic 
of  her.     She  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Clio  Club  of  this  city  and  for  two 
years  its  president.     That  she  contributed  very  much  to  the  success  and  to  the 
pleasure  of  the  club,  all  its  members  lovingly  testify.     In  all  matters  her  judg- 
ment was  excellent,  and  it  was  always  at  the  service  of  her  husband,  whether  ' 
upon  matters  of  the  domestic  arrangement  or  in  the  larger  affairs  of  life.  >;. 

While  no  children  were  born  to  the  home,  it  is  to  be  recorded  that  many  :. 

children  and  youth  have  here  found  a  true  home.     Many  grown  to  maturity  .,- 

recall  with  exquisite  pleasure  the  kindness  of  Mrs.  Perry,  and  some  of  them  •'•: 

were  fortunate  in  finding  here  the  love  of  true  parents.  •• 


y  :  ;  MICHAEL  J.  DAUGHERTY.  n'V^'^.^^'^^  i;/ 

Michael  J.  Daugherty,  a  prominent  and  successful  attorney  of  Galesburg,  has 
there  practiced  his  profession  continuously  for  the  past  third  of  a  century.  He 
is  also  a  leading  factor  in  the  public  life  of  his  community,  serving  as  a  member 
of  the  forty-third  and  forty-fourth  Illinois  general  assemblies.  His  birth  oc- 
curred in  Monongahela,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  i8th  of  March,  1850,  his  parents 
being  Thomas  and  Isabella  (Campbell)  Daugherty.  The  father  came  to  Illinois 
"by  water,"  that  is  he  made  the  trip  by  steamboat  down  the  Ohio  from  Pitts- 
burg  to  Cairo,  thence  up  the  Mississippi  to  Alton,  and  from  that  point  up  the 
Illinois  river  to  Liverpool,  which  was  then  a  flourishing  river  town  but  is  now 
extinct.  He  thence  drove  overland  to  St.  Augustine  and  settled  on  a  farm. 

Michael  J.  Daugherty  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
St.  Augustine.  In  1862,  when  a  boy  of  eleven  years,  he  became  an  active  factor 
in  the  work  of  the  farm.  It  was  hard  to  find  men  who  wanted  employment  at 
farm  labor  in  those  days  as  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  was  then  raging  and  as  the 
boy  could  not  guide  the  plow  and  hold  the  team  at  the  same  time,  his  younger 
brother  rode  one  of  the  horses  and  drove  the  other  while  Michael  J.  Daugherty 
handled  the  plow.  In  1865  he  entered  St.  Vincent's  College  at  Wheeling,  West 
Virginia,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  on  the  i8th  of  June,  1869. 
He  then  returned  to  the  west  for  fifteen  months,  after  which  he  left  home  to 
make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  He  was  identified  with  general  agricultural  pur- 
suits for  a  period,  and  also  followed  the  profession  of  teaching  for  a  time  an<f 
likewise  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  In  1876  he  began  the  study  of  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1878,  whereupon  he  opened  an  office  at  Avon,  Illinois, 
where  he  remained  until  1879,  when  he  came  to  Galesburg,  entering  into  a  part- 
nership relation  with  F.  A.  Willoughby.  He  has  remained  a  legal  practitioner  of 
this  city  to  the  present  time,  enjoying  an  extensive  and  gratifying  clientage.  >; 


1092  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       >  C^  i  >    - 

On  the  1 8th  of  May,  1882,  Mr.  Daugherty  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  E.  Brown,  a  daughter  of  James  E.  Brown  and  a  granddaughter  of  George 
W.  Brown.  Unto  them  has  been  born  one  son,  Edwin  M.,  who  wedded  Miss 
•Mabel  Dunbar  of  Riverside,  California.  Mr.  Daugherty  is  a  valued  member  of 
the  Galesburg  Business  Men's  Qub  and  also  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  Protective 
Order  of  Elks  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  is  a  communicant  of  the  Cath- 
olic Church  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  Hope  Abbey.  His  has  been  an  active 
and  useful  life,  crowned  with  success  and  enriched  by  the  kindly  regard  of  many 
friends  who  recognize  and  appreciate  his  worth. 

Mr.  Daugherty  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  democratic  party.    He  was 
nominated  in  1884  for  secretary  of  state  on  that  ticket,  Carter  H.  Harri.<;on,  Sr., 
then  running  for  governor.    The  ticket  made  the  best  showing  of  any  democratic 
ticket  in  the  state  up  to  that  time  since  the  war.     Mr.  Daugherty,  in  1885,  was 
appointed  postmaster  on  the  i8th  day  of  April  and  continued  until  May  i,  1889. 
In  1892  and  1896  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  campaigns,  speaking  throughout 
this  and  other  states.    He  was  (elected  a  member  of  the  forty-third  general  as- 
sembly of  Illinois  as  minority  representative  for  this  district.     He  was  again 
elected    without   opposition    for   the    forty-fourth   general   assembly.     He   was 
strongly  urged  to  accept  the  third  term  without  opposition,  but  refused  to  permit 
his  name  again  to  go  upon  the  ticket,  desiring  to  return  to  the  active  practice  of 
law.     While  in  the  legislature  he  introduced  the  first  direct  primary  law  doing 
away  with  conventions,  and  although  there  were  but  fifty-one  democrats  to  sup- 
port his  bill  and  it  took  seventy-seven  to  pass  it  through  the  house,  enough  re- 
publicans rallied  to  his  assistance  to  give  his  bill  seventy-six  votes,  or  only  one 
vote  short  of  enough  to  pass  it.     Mr.  Daugherty  has  always  taken  an  active  part 
in  public  affairs  and  has  used  every  endeavor  in  his  power  to  assist  the  making 
of  improvements  in  the  public  service.    He  took  an  advanced  stand  on  questions 
of  municipal  regulation  of  public  utilities  and  has  steadfastly  and  persistently 
urged  the  necessity  of  the  government  controlling  and  directing  all  corporations 
using  the  public  property  for  private  purposes,  such  as  running  street  cars  and 
other  franchises  on  the  public  highways.    Mr.  Daugherty,  while  on  the  committee 
of  hard  roads  in  the  legislature,  took  a  bold  stand  for  the  improvement  of  the 
public  highways,  insisting  that  the  public  alone  should  have  the  dominant  right 
to  the  use  of  public  highways  and  that  when  a  franchise  was  given  to  any  person 
or  private  corporation  upon  the  highways,  that  they  should  take  a  subservient 
right  therein  and  that  they  should  be  regulated  by  public  officers.    As  far  back  as 
igoo  Mr.  Daugherty  took  the  position  in  public  affairs  that  the  aggressiveness  of 
those  owning  public  utilities  would  control  the  community  and  the  laws,  unless 
the  laws  were  made  to  curb  their  ambition  to  do  this,  and  he  has  insisted  that  the 
great  corporations  would  sooner  or  later  become  masters  of  the  situation  and 
grasp  the  reigns  of  government,  or  at  least  enough  power  to  give  them  control  in 
directing  the  trend  of  law  making. 

Mr.  Daugherty  has  always  sought  for  advancement,  progress  and  improve- 
ment. He  has  taken  an  advanced  stand  on  questions  of  municipal  ownership  and 
as  showing  his  ability  as  a  writer  as  well  as  his  logical  reasoning  and  his  ad- 
vanced position  concerning  one  of  the  vital  questions  of  the  day,  we  quote  an 
address  which  he  delivered  before  the  good  roads  committee,  as  follows : 


':       >:        .     ';        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  I:  ;    1093 

The  pride  of  the  English  people  for  centuries  was  "The  King's  Highway." 
It  was  the  subject  of  bard,  poet  and  patriot.  On  its  course  distinctions  of  rank 
melted  away  and  the  beggar  stood  equal  to  the  nobleman — the  chariot  of  the  King 
turned  out  for  the  peasant's  cart. 

The  very  mention  of  the  name  suggests  equality  and  justice.  It  is  singular 
how  popular  the  ancient  laws  of  the  road  grew  among  the  people. 

The  unwritten  laws  were  cherished  as  boons  by  the  peasantry  and  respected 
by  the  nobility,  even  the  crown. 

The  meat  of  this  was  the  satisfaction  that  a  people  find  in  sacred  precincts 
of  a  place,  where  the  artificial  barriers  that  "hedge  about"  classes,  are  broken 
down  and  the  people  who  generally  feel,  without  admitting  it,  that  they  are 
underlings — 

'  -  .    .      "For  one  sacred  moment  touch  Liberty's  goal."  ;  '  i      '  Vv':; 

The  highways  are  constructed  for  the  general  good,  not  for  special  accom- 
modation. Their  office  is  to  facilitate  travel  and  commerce.  For  that  reason  they 
should  be  free  from  private  interference  and  jealously  guarded  by  the  laws  for 
untrammeled  public  use. 

This  is  the  recognized  law  from  the  very  earliest  ages  of  national  roads,  and 
it  is  only  of  late  years  an  imperium  in  imperio  has  obtained  where  the  word  quasi 
was  added  to  private  corporations  to  give  them  advantages  of  public  power — ^the 
power  to  condemn  land  for  their  use.  Elarly  governments  found  it  necessary  to 

.  establish  neutral  grounds  where  the  citizen  or  subject  should  with  equal  right 
pass  over  or  enjoy  it  in  common.  The  Greeks,  Romans  and  other  ancient  coun- 
tries establish  baths,  parks  and  highways  that  were  open  to  all  alike.  The  rights 
of  commerce,  not  the  rights  of  commercial  corporations,  and  military  movements 
had  the  dominant  right  on  such  roads.  Bandits  and  robbers  exercised  dominion 
over  these  ancient  ways,  sometimes  with  the  acquiescence  of  the  government  just 

:  as  they  do  now.     The  construction  of  these  highways  was  sometimes  made  at 

•  enormous  cost.     Sometimes  they  were  maintained  by  tolls  collected  but  oftener 
were  free  to  the  public. 

The  most  wonderful  of  these  highways  that  history  records  is  what  is  known 
as  the  "Appian  Way."  This  great  thoroughfare  was  constructed  over  three  hun- 

-  dred  and  fifty  miles  of  country,  considered  theretofore   impassable.     Appius 
Claudius,  knowing  the  delays  of  coast  commerce  from  the  east,  that  had  to  be 
carried  hundreds  of  miles  around  the  Italian  peninsula,  conceived  the  idea  of  cut- 
ting a  road  through  the  miasmatic  marshes,  from  Rome  to  the  Adriatic  Sea.    This 
shortened  the  travel  from  Rome  to  the  east  about  one-third  what  it  had  been. 

The  work  was  begun  three  hundred  and  twelve  years  B.  C.,  and  not  completed 
until  thirty  years  B.  C.  But  it  made  Rome  the  mistress  of  the  world  in  commerce 
and  in  war.  We  have  no  data  informing  us  of  any  attempt  by  any  syndicate  to 
obtain  a  charter  to  the  Appian  Way. 

The  American  idea  of  having  the  government  build  roads  for  private  indi- 
viduals, as  the  Pacific  railways  were  built,  had  not  occurred  to  the  grand  old 
heathen  Appius  or  his  fellow  politicians.  This  wonderful  road  gave  Rome  all  the 
advantage  over  her  neighbors  in  the  movements  of  troops  and  enabled  her  citizens 


1094  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     V;-':,:. 

to  outstrip  their  competitors,  and  yet  it  has  always  been  free  from  monopoly.  In 
every  age  the  streams,  harbors,  parks,  streets  and  highways  have  been  conceded  to 
be  public  property  and  free  from  private  control.  The  government  in  its  sov- 
ereign capacity  demanded  the  right  to  condemn  private  property  for  public  use 
under  the  right  of  eminent  domain.  None  but  a  sovereign  of  people  has  that 
right  and  it  is  class  legislation  to  concede  it. 

When  the  application  of  steam  power  to  motor  engines  was  discovered  am- 
bitious men  laid  the  foundation. of  the  present  system  of  private  ownership  of 
public  highways.  Within  a  century  and  a  quarter  the  nations  have  abdicated  the 
greatest  power  they  possess  to  private  individuals  and  have  made  laws  carrying 
out  the  abdication. 

Along  with  this  change  of  ownership  of  public  utilities  has  been  started  a 
school  of  instruction  teaching  people  that  public  ownership  is  a  phantasmagoria,  a 
dream  of  diseased  minds. 

The  Roman,  Appius,  found  his  nation  struggling  with  other  maritime  powers 
to  win  trade.  Such  a  project  was  unheard  of  before,  but  he  saw  and  succeeded. 
It  is  quite  different  with  modern  civilized  governments.  Special  privileges  and 
special  laws  have  placed  in  the  hands  of  private  individuals  the  most  dangerous 
weapons  to  do  with  as  they  please.  Consolidation  and  combination,  with  the 
wealth  of  the  country,  their  influence  in  every  city  and  hamlet,  their  army  of  em- 
ployees and  a  subsidized  press — what  reform  affecting  them  can  obtain  when  they 
have  thoroughly  organized.  Then  we  can  easily  understand  that  the  "King's 
Highway"  has  been  surrendered  to  trunk  lines,  interurban  lines,  street  car  lines 
and  electric  and  gas  companies,  monopolizing  every  right  that  they  want. 

Marco  Polo  laid  the  foundation  of  another  great  commercial  thoroughfare  that 
brought  the  Indies  and  East  in  commercial  relations  with  Germany,  France  and 
other  European  nations.  This  was  by  way  of  Greece  up  the  Danube  and  down 
the  Rhine.  It  is  singular  how  modern  methods  assert  themselves.  The  Roman 
government,  not  Christian,  protected  the  travelers  on  the  Appian  Way.  It  was 
built  and  maintained  as  a  national  highway.  The  Danube  route,  however,  run- 
ning through  Christian  countries,  fell  under  the  detestable  yoke  of  "The  Robbers 
of  the  Rhine  Valley,"  who  laid  tribute  on  all  who  passed  that  way.  Caravans  of 
merchants  were  plundered  and  robbed  and  finally  settled  down  by  paying  a  "trib- 
ute, a  tariff  to  the  robbers  who  ran  infant  industries,"  amid  the  crags  of  the  Ger- 
man hills.  Those  who  coasted  through  the  Mediterranean  ocean  and  around  the 
Atlantic  coast  of  Europe  were  assessed  by  similar  robbers,  who  infested  Tenner- 
iffe.  Our  word  tariff  comes  from  the  tribute  the  merchantmen  paid  these  robbers. 
The  United  States  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  century,  following  the  example  of 
foreign  nations,  began  the  construction  of  military  roads  throughout  the  United 
States  principally  westward.  The  great  "Washington  Pike,"  built  from  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  was  the  greatest  and  about  the  last.  Fulton  and 
others  discovered  the  force  and  steam  and  how  to  apply  it  to  motive  power.  Here 
the  modern  methods  stepped  in.  The  construction  of  railways  sprung  into  exist- 
ence and  the  legislatures  ceased  to  make  national  roads  and  assigned  to  individuals 
the  almost  exclusive  right  to  construct  them. 

To  do  this  another  form  of  abdication  took  place.   :        '•;^:'''.'^- ';'''.'    I/' 

The  right  of  eminent  domain  is  a  sovereign  prerogative.  None  but  a  sovereign 
should  wield  that  authority.  By  a  fiction  of  law  the  courts  give  this  right  to  indi- 
viduals and  the  constitutional  inhibition  against  a  legislative  body  legislating  away 


;  •   ;      ^       :    •  -.   HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  •   V^      1095 

its  sovereign  power  has  been  violated  and  acquiesced  in  until  it  is  a  fixture.  Now 
we  know  that  the  roads,  bridges,  waterways  and  harbors  were  the  exclusive  prop- 
erty of  the  people,  until  steam  railways  came  into  vogue.  We  have  steamboats  on 
our  rivers,  but  no  one  ever  thinks  of  permitting  them  to  appropriate  our  water 
ways.  Steam  and  electricity  have  almost  monopolized  the  travel  and  movements 
of  commerce.  Private  individuals  have  succeeded,  not  only  in  monopolizing  these 
highways,  but  have  gone  into  our  cities  and  have  bound  them  under  a  net  work  of 
street  car  lines.  They  have  subsidized  the  press,  and  controlled  legislation,  courts, 
and  executive  officers  until  the  average  American  citizen  shouts,  "Anarchist," 
"Socialist,"  or  other  appellations  at  any  one  who  dares  to  challenge  the  right  of 
these  monopolists  to  own  our  streets  and  use  them  for  their  own  good. 

The  supreme  court  of  Illinois  has  decided  that  a  street  car  company  has  a 
dominant  right  to  that  portion  of  the  street  covered  by  its  lines.  The  corporations 
influence  the  city  authorities  to  grant  them  franchises  to  use  the  streets  to  lay 
pipes,  mains,  and  tracks,  erect  telephone  and  telegraph  poles  and  string  wires  and 
give  them  authority  to  compel  the  public  to  step  aside  for  them.  The  fact  is  that 
franchises  worth  thousands  of  dollars  are  donated  to  them  and  they  have  enjoyed 
these  privileges  so  long  that  they  imagine  they  own  the  streets.  Nay  more,  they 
point  with  pride  to  their  magnanimity  in  letting  the  public  use  the  parts  of  the 
streets  they  do  not  want. 

The  denizens  of  our  cities  have  slept  on  in  a  dream  of  fancy  until  their  wak- 
ing hours  have  been  dominated  with  the  dream  illusion.  The  public  has  been 
gradually  shunted  from  its  inheritance  in  public  highways  and  private  enterprise 
has  taken  and  monopolized  them.  It  is  deemed  treason  to  talk  of  municipal  own- 
ership and  a  crime  to  advocate  municipal  control  of  public  utilities. 

The  municipal  ownership  of  railroads  would  naturally  require  or  demand  a 
revolution  in  public  carriage  and  commerce.  It  has  passed  to  that  stage  where  it 
»s  doubtful  whether  the  government  could  make  the  transfer  without  serious  in- 
convenience to  the  public  and  an  upheaval  in  the  departments. 

With  the  great  power  of  men  and  money  at  its  disposal,  what  might  be  the 
result  of  nationalizing  the  great  trunk  line  system  of  this  country?  The  time  is 
past  when  such  a  project  can  be  attempted  with  impunity  and  leave  the  results  to 
be  regulated  by  succeeding  events.  It  is  a  serious  question  and  one  that  but  few 
attempt  to  solve.  The  government  has  assumed  control  of  these  by  an  inter-state 
commerce  law  that  will  best  control  and  care  for  the  welfare  of  all  concerned.  It 
is  late — too  late  to  talk  of  Government  Ownership ;  that  should  have  been  years 
ago. 

The  smaller  public  utilities,  however,  demand  immediate  attention.  They  are 
growing  fast  and  waxing  strong  and  aggressive.  They  consist  of  street  and  inter- 
urban  lines,  waterworks,  gas  works  and  electric  plants.  A  law  exists  in  Illinois 
prohibiting  cities  and  villages  from  selling  gas  or  electricity.  Many  cities  have 
their  own  plants  to  light  their  own  streets  and  yet  they  cannot  sell  the  surplus  even. 
Why?  Because  certain  influences  dominate  the  political  field  and  forbid  it.  The 
people  not  only  acquiesce  in  this  outrage  on  their  rights,  but  reelect  the  men  who 
defeated  the  bill  that  restored  to  the  people  the  right  to  manufacture  and  use  their 
own  electricity  and  gas  as  they  now  furnish  water.  The  people  groan  and  sweat 
under  a  load  of  extortionate  prices,  bad  service  and  supercilious  conduct  toward 


1096  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         '  ••    • 

the  public,  and  yet  tie  themselves  year  after  year  by  party  bonds  to  the  chariot 
wheels  of  these  corporations.  The  country  cannot  flourish  without  these  corporate 
monopolies ;  it  cannot  do  so  long  if  their  encroachments  continue.  It  is  surprising 
that  a  free  people  in  this  enlightened  age  submit  to  the  arrogant  manipulation  of 
our  laws  by  corporate  greed.  The  cry  of  socialism  is  misleading.  It  is  the  sophis- 
try of  the  demagogue  who  is  paid  by  the  corporations  that  own  him. 

The  demand  for  municipal  ownership  and  municipal  control  is  simply  a  de- 
mand to  restore  to  the  people  the  "King's  Highway,"  the  streets  and  roadways. 
Let  the  uncrowned,  yet  despotic  princes  of  commerce  turn  their  chariot  wheels 
aside  and  not  run  over  or  into  every  poor  man's  vehicle  in  the  way.  Let  us  re- 
turn to  the  principles  that  have  controlled  commerce  in  every  age,  let  the  nation, 
at  least,  have  control  of  public  thoroughfares  and  protect  every  man  who  travels 
them.  Let  the  republic  give  us  a  highway  of  commerce  as  free  and  safe  as  the 
"King's  Highway."  ...  .  , 


•  ;^V;  JAMES  FULTON  PERCY,  M.  D.  v.  ^vV^^yV.; 

Determination,  energy,  natural  aptitude  and  a  life  long  devotion  to  the  highest 
professional  ideals  are  the  qualities  which  have  placed  James  Fulton  Percy  in 
a  prominent  position,  not  only  among  the  members  of  the  medical  fraternity  in 
Illinois  but  in  the  nation  as  well.  His  whole  professional  career  and  his  advance 
have  been  based  upon  a  mastery  of  medicine  and  surgery  as  a  science.  These 
characteristics  have  placed  him  in  the  position  that  he  now  occupies,  i  ..  v  ' 

Dr.  Percy  was  born  in  Bloomfield,  New  Jersey,  March  26,  1864.  The  ances- 
tral history  in  the  paternal  line  is  traced  back  to  France,  in  the  year  iioo  and 
the  name  was  written  De  Percy.  In  less  remote  generations  the  ancestry  has 
become  largely  Scotch-Irish.  The  great-grandfather,  Francis  Percy,  was  born 
in  Belfast,  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  but  he  was  connected  directly  with  the  house 
of  Percy  to  which  belonged  the  distinguished  Percy,  Earl  of  Northumberland, 
whose  deeds  have  filled  many  a  page  of  English  history.  Another  of  the  great- 
grandfathers of  Dr.  Percy  was  Stafford  Wilson,  who  was  born,  lived  and  died, 
at  Gatside,  in  County  Antrim,  where  was  also  the  birthplace  of  his  daughter, 
Isabel,  who  became  the  wife  of  the  paternal  grandfather  of  Dr.  Percy.  His  father, 
James  Percy,  was  born  in  Soho,  Essex  county.  New  Jersey,  and  wedded  Sarah 
Ann  Fulton,  a  native  of  New  York  city  and  the  daughter  of  James  Fulton,  who 
was  born  in  County  Downs,  Ireland.  The  last  named  wedded  Mary  Rogers, 
who  was  a  native  of  County  Antrim,  having  been  born  within  the  shadow  of 
Gilhall  Castle.  Her  grandparents  were  McCormicks.  James  Fulton,  for  whom 
Dr.  Percy  was  named,  went  out  from  New  York  city,  where  he  had  made  his 
home,  as  a  contractor  under  the  French  in  the  building  of  the  Panama  Canal. 
He  lost  his  life  there  from  yellow  fever — that  scourge  which  brought  defeat  to 
the  French  project.  His  wife,  Mary  Fulton,  removed  with  her  five  children  to 
Oronoco,  Minnesota,  securing  a  homestead  claim  there  in  pioneer  times.  She 
died  in  the  state  hospital  at  Rochester,  Minnesota,  at  an  advanced  age.  Her 
daughter,  Sarah  Ann,  became  the  wife  of  James  Percy.  He  was  a  contractor, 


} 


-  ":•;  ^V;,.  :  ;;    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY .    :"''•>•:,      1099 

becoming  well  known  as  a  builder  of  flour  mills,  woolen  mills  and  veneer  saw- 
mills.   He  constructed  many  such  plants  in  the  middlewest. 

Dr.  Percy  attended  the  public  schools  of  Bloomfield,  New  Jersey,  until  fourteen 
years  of  age  when  because  of  ill  health  he  was  sent  by  his  parents  to  Minnesota 
with  the  hope  that  a  change  of  climate  would  prove  beneficial.  While  in  that 
state  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  Oronoco  and  of  Rochester.  It  was  at  the 
latter  place  that  he  met  W.  J.  and  C.  H.  Mayo,  who  have  since  become  world- 
renowned  surgeons.  The  acquaintance  formed  at  that  time  has  ripened  into  a 
friendship  that  has  not  diminished  as  the  years  have  passed.  After  this  period  spent 
in  the  public  schools  of  Minnesota,  during  which  time  he  regained  his  health, 
Dr.  Percy  went  to  New  York  city  where  he  pursued  a  four  years'  course  in  the 
Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College.  This  was  at  a  time  when  the  law  required 
but  two  years  in  a  medical  school  in  order  to  obtain  a  license  to  practice.  It  is 
believed  that  Dr.  Percy  was  the  first  medical  student  in  this  country  who  took 
a  four  years  consecutive  graded  course.  He  was  graduated  in  1886  and  was 
honored  with  the  presidency  of  his  class.  At  the  time  of  his  graduation  he  was 
offered  by  Dr.  Joseph  D.  Bryant  of  New  York  city,  the  family  physician  of 
President  Cleveland,  the  position  of  surgeon  to  the  Rhode  Island  Hospital  at 
Providence,  Rhode  Island.  After  seriously  considering  the  offer  for  some 
weeks  Dr.  Percy  declined  on  the  ground  that  he  had  not  sufficient  experience 
either  with  the  world  of  life  or  the  medical  world  in  order  to  be  fully  qualified  • 
to  accept  so  responsible  a  position. 

Following  his  graduation  in  New  York  Dr.  Percy  went  to  Minnesota  and 
located  for  practice  in  Mazeppa  where  he  remained  for  two  years.  His  practice 
grew  rapidly  and  reached  extensive  proportions ;  realizing  that  he  could  prac- 
tice with  a  measure  of  success  and  that  if  he  was  ever  to  change  his  residence 
it  should  be  done  early  in  his  professional  career,  he  resolved  to  come  to  Gales- 
burg. While  living  in  the  north  he  had  formed  the  acquaintance  of  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Bradshaw,  pastor  of  the  "Brick"  Congregational  church  of  Galesburg. 
On  the  occasion  of  his  single  meeting  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bradshaw  the  latter  inci- 
dentally mentioned  his  home  city  as  a  desirable  place  of  residence.  When  he 
had  decided  to  make  a  change  in  his  place  of  residence  Dr.  Percy  remembered 
the  praise  given  this  city  by  Mr.  Bradshaw  and  visited  Galesburg  only  to  be 
told  by  the  minister  that  he  could  not  hope  for  any  success  here  because  the 
field  was  overcrowded  and  he  "would  starve  to  death"  if  he  located  here.  Dr. 
Percy,  however,  saw  an  opportunity  that  the  good  minister  could  not  see  and 
subsequent  events  have  amply  vindicated  his  judgment.  It  has  been  a  character- 
istic of  the  Doctor  that  he  does  his  own  thinking  and  bases  his  conduct  on  his 
own  judgment.  Indeed,  his  position  as  a  representative  of  the  profession  is 
further  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he  has  been  honored  with  the  presidency  of  ' 
the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society.  His  success  gradually  grew  and  he  has  today 
probably  the  finest  physician's  office  in  the  world  under  one  management.  X'iewed 
from  a  practical  and  artistic  standpoint  it  certainly  approaches  perfection.  It 
contains  twenty-two  rooms  and  in  connection  therewith  but  in  a  separate  build-  -  . 
ing  he  has  probably  the  finest  private  laboratory  in  the  state.  Dr.  Percy  has  : 
done  much  post-graduate  work  in  New  York,  Philadelphia  and  Boston.  He 
spent  six  months  in  the  state  hospital  at  Braunschweig,  Germany,  under  the  - 

famous  surgeon.  Professor  Sprengel.     During  the  same  year  he  also  spent  six 

Vol.  n— 50  .      .  .    -.,:,-......     .  ..-^   :.,.,,.   ........         .:.-,.•,.--.         ;•''. 


1100  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  :^       -'V,!       '^ 

months  with  the  equally  famous  surgeon,  Professor  Dr.  Kraske,  in  Freiburg, 
Baden.     While  in  that  place  Dr.  Percy  also  studied  pathology  under  Professor 
Zeigler,  one  of  the  world  famous  teachers  of  that  subject.    He  obtained  his  first 
experience  in  abdominal  surgery  in  the  Chicago  Veterinary  College  under  Pro- 
fessor Fred  Byron  Robinson.     He  did  this  with  the  idea  of  not  subjecting  the 
human  being  to  his  inexperience  when  valuable  experience  could  so  easily  be 
gained  on  the  lower  animals.    He  has  continually  advanced  in  skill  and  efficiency 
in  the  practice  of  both  medicine  and  surgery  and  the  eminent  position  which 
''  he  now  occupies  has  been  well  won.    He  is  a  valued  member  of  various  medical 
and  scientific  societies.    He  was  president  of  the  Military  Tract  Medical  Society 
in  1892,  became  a  member  of  the  Chicago  Gynecological  Society  in  1904  and 
was  president  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  in  1907.    He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Western  Surgical  Association.     He  called  the  first  meeting  out  of 
which  grew  the  Galesburg  Hospital,  now  an  institution  of  eighty-five  beds.     A 
meeting  was  held  February  9,  1891,  and  the  hospital  was    formally  opened  on 
the  5th   of   July,    1893.     He   is   serving  as   the   Illinois   representative   of   the 
National  Legislative  Council  of  the  American  Medical  Association  for  1912-13. 
He  had  held  the  chair  of  surgery  and  surgical  clinics  in  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  1898,  and  it  was  there  that  he  learned  the 
futility  of  a  medical  school  trying  to  teach  medicine  as  a  science  and  paying 
professors  and  the  running  expenses  of  the  school  from  the  fees  of  the  students. 
At  the  end  of  the  college  year,  therefore,  he  resigned.     He  afterward  served  as 
a  member  and  in  1911  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee  on  medical  educa- 
tion in  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society.    While  chairman  of  this  committee  he 
read  a  paper  at  Aurora  at  the  Illinois  meeting  of  this  society  which  set  forth  the 
deplorably  low  grade  of  all  but  three  of  the  many  medical  schools  of  Chicago. 
This  report  accomplished   for  medical  education  in   Illinois  what  the  Flexner 
report  did  in  exposing  the  almost  uniformly  low  grade  of  medical  school  methods 
in  the  entire  country.    He  stands  at  all  times  for  high  ideals  which  find  practical 
fulfillment  in  the  service  rendered  by  the  profession  to  the  public.     Dr.  Percy 
has  written  many  articles  on  surgery  which  have  attracted  wide  attention  and 
have  contributed  to  the  advancement  of  the  profession  along  that  line.     He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  council  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  for  eighteen 
years  and  he  was  secretary  of  the  section  on  the  practice  of  medicine  of  that 
society  in  1894.     He  limits  his  practice  to  general  surgery. 

Dr.  Percy  is  a  member  of  the  University  Club  of  Chicago  and  has  a  wide 
acquaintance  among  prominent  residents  of  the  state.  Aside  from  professional 
lines  he  has  written  largely  upon  sociological  subjects  and  has  made  a  close 
study  of  conditions  bearing  thereon.  His  standards  of  life  in  every  relation  are 
high.  He  seeks  that  which  contributes  to  the  world's  progress  as  well  as  to  the 
individual  advancement.  The  wide  acquaintance  and  prominence  which  he  has 
gained  through  his  professional  ability  have  made  him  known  throughout  the 
country  and  stand  in  contradiction  to  the  prediction  of  Dr.  Bryant  of  New  York 
city  who,  when  Dr.  Percy  declined  to  accept  the  position  at  Providence,  Rhode 
Island,  remarked,  "Yes,  and  this  is  the  last  we  will  ever  hear  of  James  Percy." 

Dr.  Percy  was  married  on  June  12,  1888,  to  Miss  Josephine  L.  Robinson,  the 
only  child  of  Prosper  and  Katharine  Robinson  of  Mazeppa,  Minnesota,  the 
former  a  merchant  of  large  financial  interests  in  the  southern  part  of  that  state. 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


1101 


Dr.  and  Mrs.  Percy  now  have  one  child,  a  daughter,  Katharine,  who  was  born  in 
Galesburg,  September  4,  1891,  and  is  at  present  occupying  the  chair  of  domestic 
science  and  household  economics  in  Hedding  College  at  Abingdon. 

When  Dr.  Percy  located  in  Galesburg  in  February,  1888,  there  was  a  strong 
sentiment  in  favor  of  the  union  of  the  two  Congregational  churches  which  existed 
within  a  half  block  of  each  other.  This  sentiment  crystalized  in  the  Doctor's 
Bible  class  and  resulted  in  the  calling  of  the  meeting  at  his  home  which  was 
largely  attended  by  members  of  both  churches.  The  sentiment  was  strongly  in 
favor  of  the  union  but  as  the  "Old  First"  church  had  extended  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Sherrill  the  final  union  which  occurred  subsequently  was  not  con- 
summated at  that  time.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Percy  greatly  interested  themselves  and 
were  the  prime  movers  in  the  establishment  of  the  East  Knox  Street  Congrega- 
tional church  which  was  dedicated  June  23,  1895.  Out  of  this  work  grew  the 
establishment  of  the  East  Main  Street  Congregational  church.  From  the  fore- 
going it  will  be  seen  that  a  spirit  of  broad  humanitarinism  has  actuated  Dr. 
Percy  in  all  of  his  relations  throughout  his  entire  life..-  .  .  ; ., ;  ' 


•  •    •-       '.  v'^;  ^^:  '•.    ;,.:-^    JOHN  WILLSIE.       ^v':--"-.        ,        ^:"-^'•^- :/. '• 

;   .  ^     •.•••'  ,^    .•..••••/'.  ~  •'.-      •'  ,  .  ^..  •,;•,  ':..'.        _'  ; .      ;':v'.  _/"•.-'.  ';/' 

John  Willsie  is  a  locomotive  engineer  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
Railroad  and  resides  at  No.  1432  East  Knox  street,  Galesburg.  He  was  bom  in  this 
city  August  13.  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Horace  and  Betsey  (Nichols)  Willsie,  na- 
tives of  Canada  and  of  New  York  respectively.  The  father  was  a  son  of  John 
Willsie,  also  a  native  of  Canada,  whose  family  numbered  nine  children  of  whom 
three  are  living,  Milo,  George  and  Asa.  Among  those  deceased  were  Charity, 
Julia  and  Polly.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Willsie  was  Alfred  Nichols 
whose  wife  was  Eliza  (Felt)  Nichols.  Both  were  natives  of  New  York  but  be- 
came early  settlers  of  Galesburg,  where  Mr.  Nichols  conducted  a  hotel  on  the 
present  site  of  the  Metropolitan  block.  He  lived  to  old  age  but  his  wife  died 
in  middle  age.  Of  their  children  three  are  now  living,  namely :  Betsey ;  Louise, 
the  wife  of  William  Cobb,  of  Schoolcraf t,  Michigan ;  and  Le  Roy  Nichols,  also 
of  that  place.  The  first  named  became  the  wife  of  Horace  Willsie,  who  resided 
near  Perry's  Mills,  in  Canada  until  twelve  years  of  age.  When  a  young  man  he 
came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Marion,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in 
clerking  in  a  store.  He  then  removed  to  Missouri  where  he  did  railroad  con- 
tracting. In  1853  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  clerked  in  a  store  while  subsequently 
he  conducted  a  livery  stable.  He  also  served  as  city  marshal  and  as  sheriff,  re- 
maining in  public  office  for  fifteen  years,  and  later  he  carried  on  a  livery  business. 
At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  defence  of  the  Union,  becoming  cap- 
tain of  his  company  and  winning  promotion  to  the  rank  of  colonel.  He  recruited 
two  or  three  companies  in  Galesburg  where  he  was  a  man  of  influence  and  of 
prominence.  He  died  June  17,  1906,  at  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-nine  years, 
respected  and  honored  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  1839. 


1102  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        v'  I       -  : 

still  survives  him.    She  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  church,  to  which  Mr.    •' 
Willsie  also  belonged  and  his  life  was  ever  honorable  and  upright  in  harmony  \^ 
with  his  professions.    They  had  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  all  of  whom  were  . 
born  in  Galesburg,  as  follows :  Wilbur  F. ;  Horace  N. ;  Alfred  N. ;  John ;  and  '^ 
Daisy,  the  wife  of  Edwin  Kulp.  • 

John  Willsie  was  reared  in  Galesburg  and  attended  the  public  schools,  his 
course  there  being  supplemented  by  five  terms  of  study  in  Lombard  University. 
He  afterward  worked  at  the  machinist's  trade  for  four  and  a  half  years  and  then  .  ; 
turned  his  attention  to  railroading  as  fireman  on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy.  He  spent  ten  years  in  that  way  and  during  the  past  twelve  years  has 
been  locomotive  engineer,  capably  filling  this  position  of  responsibility.  He  is 
most  careful  in  the  discharge  of  all  of  his  duties,  realizing  that  human  life  de- 
pends upon  his  watchfulness  and  fidelity,  and  he  has  made  for  himself  a  most 
creditable  position  among  the  trusted  representatives  of  the  road. 

Mr.  Willsie  was  married  February  2,  1890,  to  Miss  Juniata  Stiers,  a  daughter- 
of  James  and  Martha  (Cornell)  Stiers.  .Mrs.  Willsie  was  born  in  Woodhull,  Illi- 
nois, July  II,  1870.  Her  paternal  grandfather,  Ralph  Stiers,  was  a  native  of 
Germany.  He  married  Catharine  Foraker  and  both  lived  to  old  age,  dying  near 
Cambridge,  Ohio.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Willsie  was  William  Cornell 
who  was  born  in  London,  England,  and  wedded  Agnes  Jeffers.  They  were  early 
settlers  of  Ohio,  living  near  Cambridge  and  Marietta,  and  Mrs.  Cornell  died  in 
that  state.  Her  husband  afterward  established  his  home  upon  a  farm  near  Wood- 
hull  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  but  later  returned  to  Ohio.  Their  children  were 
Mary,  Martha,  Harrison,  Hannah,  Cynthia,  James  and  Joseph. 

James  Stiers,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Willsie,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  wedded 
Martha  Cornell,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  became  early  residents  of  Woodhull, 
Illinois,  and  afterward  removed  to  Peoria,  where  Mr.  Stiers  died  July  6,  1909, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  His  wife  still  survives  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children  of  whom  eight  are  now  living, 
Vibert  O.,  Wallace  R.,  Flora  E.,  Juniata  F.,  Ona  L.,  Fred  L.,  Qay  B.  and 
Thurlow  S. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willsie  was  born  but  one  child,  -Majorie  N.,  who  is  now 
a  student  in  the  Art  Institute  of  Chicago.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willsie  are  well 
known  in  Galesburg.  The  former  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  society  and 
the  latter  holds  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  . 


.       /;.  DANIEL  WILLIAM  SHEAHAN.  ;     / 

During  the  many  years  in  which  Daniel  William  Sheahan  was  connected  with 
the  agricultural  interests  of  Knox  county  he  was  numbered  among  the  progressive 
and  intelligent  farmers  of  this  county.  .  His  birth  occurred  on  the  I5th  of  Au- 
gust, 1843,  at  Saratoga,  New  York,  and  he  was  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Goodwen)  Sheahan.  The  father  was 'born  in  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  on  the 
i9th  of  February,  1819.  He  came  to  this  country  alone,  his  wife  having  been 
injured  while  boarding  the  vessel  at  Queenstown.  He  arrived  at  New  York  in 
1843  and  immediately  went  to  Saratoga,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  his  wife 


V  X  M>;  }•        :      Hi^^  '  ;:;         1103 

i;.     arriving  seven  weeks  later.     In  1855  Mr.  Sheahan  removed  to  Altona,  Illinois, 
with  his  wife  and  three  children.    From  that  town  they  walked  to  the  eighty  acres 
•/      of  land  which  he  had  purchased  in  Copley  township  and  there  they  took  up  farm- 
,        ing.    Subsequently  they  removed  to  Lynn  township  and  in  1870  began  farming  on 
\    the  old  Heaton  farm.     After  living  on  that  property  for  many  years  he  retired 
.1    and  removed  to  Galva,  where  his  death  occurred  on  the  27th  of  April,  1904.    Mrs. 
. :     Sheahan,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Mazie  (Murphy)  Goodwen,  died 
• ..     at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years,  on  the  igth  of  February,  1897. 
•,:       -  Daniel  W.  Sheahan  removed  to  Altona  with  his  parents  when  but  a  child. 
'.  .V     After  he  finished  his  education  in  the  district  schools  he  was  employed  as  a 
;.     laborer  by  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  for  one  summer.     Sub- 
'.    sequently  he  farmed  for  his  father  until  he  enlisted  at  Oneida,  Illinois,  in  Com- 
pany I,  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  Infantry,  on  the  24th  of  July,  1862. 
.   .     He  was  one  of  the  first  to  enlist,  his  captain  being  the  late  E.  E.  Conger,  who  later 
was  minister  to  China.     Mr.  Sheahan  won  rapid  promotion  and  after  serving  as 
first  sergeant  became  first  lieutenant.     His  most  important  service  was  under 
.'.;      Sherman  on  the  march  to  the  sea.     He  was  mustered  out  on  the  4th  of  June, 
.  :     1865.    Returning  home,  he  entered  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  College  in  Chi- 
;    .    cago  and  took  a  thorough  commercial  course  in  that  institution.    Later  he  took  up 
agricultural  pursuits  at  Oneida  and  subsequently  at  Galva.     He  remained  thus 
.  -    engaged  until  1873,  when  he  left  with  his  family  for  Qay  Center,  Nebraska.    In 
i88i  he  again  returned  to  Illinois  and  located  upon  the  property  which  was  his 
home  at  the  time  of  his  death.    During  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  gave  up  his 
•       activities  and  lived  retired,  the  competence  which  he  had  earned  earlier  in  life 
•      affording  him  the  necessities  and  comforts  in  his  later  years. 
. '  .:  Mr.  Sheahan  was  married  August  20,  1866,  to  Miss  Sarah  Jane  Brown,  whose 
birth  occurred  near  Chicago,  in  Dupage  county,  on  the  22d  of  December,  1845,  ^^^ 
parents  being  Mr.  and 'Mrs.  William  Brown.    To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheahan  ten  chil- 
•    dren  were  born.    Adelaide,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  E.  S.  Potter,  of  Galva.    John 
.  .     P.  is  residing  on  the  home  farm.     He  married  Miss  Wilbur  and  to  their  union 
one  child,  Daniel,  has  been  born.     William  W.  is  married  to  lona  Fuller.     To 
:     their  union  two  children,  Gladys  and  Anita,  have  been  born.    Albert  G.,  who  is 
living  in  California,  is  married  to  Bessie  Masterson,  and  to  their  union  one  child, 
;    Marie,  has  been  bom.    Mary  E.,  who  is  the  wife  of  William  F.  Sipes,  is  residing 
'     in  Missouri.     Catherine   is  deceased.     James    F.   makes   his   home   in   Galva. 
;  :     Frances  A.  is  a  caterer  at  Galva  and  local  correspondent  for  the  Galesburg  Regis- 
.-.      ter.    Florence,  her  twin  sister,  is  deceased.    Daniel  E.,  the  youngest  of  the  family, 
is  an  auctioneer.    Mr.  Sheahan's  death  occurred  on  the  25th  of  February,  1911. 
"     Throughout  his  life  he  had  been  one  of  the  most  active  promoters  of  any  meas- 
ures, undertakings  or  organizations  which  were  started  for  civic  or  social  develop- 
. ;   ment  and  welfare.    He  was  one  of  the  promoters  and  the  secretary  of  the  Grange 
of  Walnut  Creek  and  Knox  districts  for  nine  years  and  was  also  a  director  of  the 
Knox  County  Fire  Insurance  Company,  an  office  to  which  one  of  his  sons  has 
fallen  heir. 

Much  of  his  time  and  effort  were  given  to  the  public  welfare  and  he  was  a 
powerful  factor  in  the  democratic  party  in  the  township,  which  often  sought  and 
heeded  his  counsel.  He  served  for  twelve  years  as  the  town  clerk  and  for  four 


1104  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  / 

as  assessor,  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  To 
such  a  man  as  Mr.  Sheahan  the  community  owes  a  debt  of  gratitude  for  the  ac- 
tivities which  he  both  supported  and  actively  assisted  during  his  lifetime.  Much 
of  the  progress  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived  was  due  to  the  impetus  which 
it  received  from  him.  His  friends  and  neighbors — and  they  are  many — found 
him  to  be  a  loyal  citizen,  a  progressive  agriculturist  and  a  man  of  the  strictest 
integrity.  ••  '  .  '  •;.-• ':-^''A  •/ ^'''':  •'^./..^•'^;\V\v;'  •'•';:';•.•:•,;••>• '-^ 


,  :  WALTER  WATSON  WHIPPLE.      '      r          : 

'     -  .  .••-.'••        -.  •'    '    '• 

- '     '  •        \  '•''••-•-'..-  ^ 

Walter  Watson  Whipple,  city  editor  of  the  Galesburg  Evening  Mail,  entered 
upon  his  present  connection  with  journalistic  interests  in  Knox  county  in  1910,  but 
also  received  his  initial  newspaper  experience  in  this  city  and  the  impetus  gained 
in  early  life  has  carried  him  forward  to  his  present  position.  With  the  exception 
of  a  brief  period  spent  in  the  west  he  has  always  been  a  resident  of  Illinois,  his 
birth  having  occurred  in  Birmingham  township,  Schuyler  county,  April  ii,  1880. 
His  parents  are  Heman  Oscar  and  Anne  Estelle  (Lawton)  Whipple.  The  an- 
cestry of  the  Whipple  family  can  be  traced  back  in  direct  line  through  eight  gen- 
erations to  Captain  John  Whipple,  who  was  born  in  Milford,  Wales,  in  1617.  He 
came  to  America  when  a  young  man  and  was  married  in  Massachusetts.  The 
Whipple  family  then  remained  in  New  England  until  Edward  Whipple,  grand- 
father of  W.  W.  Whipple,  removed  to  Illinois,  coming  to  this  state  from  Vermont. 
Captain  John  Whipple  was  a  contemporary  of  Roger  Williams  and  on  his  arrival 
in  the  new  world  first  settled  in  Rhode  Island.  In  the  Lawton  line  the  ancestry 
can  be  traced  back  to  1630,  in  which  year  occurred  the  birth  of  John  Lawton, 
probably  in  Connecticut.  Heman  O.  Whipple,  the  father,  was  born  in  Illinois  and  is 
now  a  well-to-do  farmer  and  stock  raiser.  His  wife  was  born  in  Massachusetts. 

In  the  district  schools  near  Plymouth,  Illinois,  Walter  W.  Whipple  pursued  his 
studies  to  the  age  of  ten  years  and  afterward  attended  the  graded  and  high  schools 
in  Plymouth,  followed  by  a  five  years'  course  in  Knox  College,  of  Galesburg,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  A.  B.  with  the  class  of  1903.  He  resided  on  the  home 
farm  until  he  had  completed  his  college  course  and  then  took  up  newspaper  report- 
ing for  the  Daily  Republican  Register,  at  Galesburg.  That  he  seemed  to  have  en- 
tered a  field  for  which  he  had  natural  aptitude  and  ability  was  evidenced  in  the 
fact  that  he  was  made  city  editor  in  1905.  In  1907-8-9  he  did  newspaper  report- 
ing and  handled  the  state  news  for  the  Denver  Republican,  at  Denver,  Colorado, 
but  in  1910  returned  to  Galesburg  and  has  since  been  city  editor  of  the  Galesburg 
Evening  Mail,  his  efforts  contributing  largely  to. the  success  of  the  paper  which  is 
regarded  as  one  of  the  leading  journals  of  the  Military  Tract. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  1907,  at  Bloomington,  Nebraska,  Mr.  Whipple  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Maud  Olivia  Scogland,  a  daughter  of  Charles  J.  and  Emily 
Scogland,  of  Galesburg,  but  the  former  died  in  1900.  Mrs.  Whipple  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  this  city,  being  graduated  from  the  high  school  with  the  class 
of  1897.  -  ;  > 

Mr.  Whipple  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  the  columns 
of  the  paper  which  he  edits  advocates  its  principles,  so  that  his  influence  in  this 


AXEL  GABRIELSON 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  1107 

connection  is  of  no  restricted  order.  He  has  an  interesting  military  chapter  in  his 
life  history  as  a  member  of  Battery  B,  First  Artillery,  Illinois  National  Guard, 
with  which  he  served  from  1900  until  1903.  He  belongs  to  the  Congregational 
church  and  his  social  nature  finds  expression  in  his  membership  in  the  Country 
Qub.  He  has  never  sought  to  figure  prominently  in  any  public  relation  and  is 
perhaps  not  widely  known  in  the  state  outside  of  the  newspaper  guild  but  in  his 
home  city  sterling  and  attractive  traits  of  character  have  firmly  established  him  in 
the  regard  of  his  fellow  townsmen.  ;•  •  < 


:;  ::>i;-: ::,/-:; ''••••'"^ " :.,•; '   AXEL  . 

'  Called  to  the  office  of  assistant  cashier  in  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank 
of  Galesburg  in  1906,  Axel  Gabrielson  has  made  for  himself  a  creditable  posi- 
tion  in  the  business  circles  of  his  native  city.  He  was  born  March  4,  1860,  a 
son  of  Andrew  G.  and  Maria  C.  Gabrielson.  The  father  was  born  July  15, 
1822,  and  died  August  26,  1904,  while  the  mother,  whose  birth  occurred  January 
20,  iSiS,  passed  away  December  27,  1899.  They  emigrated  from  Ostergot- 
land,  Sweden,  to  America  in  1857,  reaching  Galesburg  in  July.  The  father  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade  and  was  employed  by  the  G.  W.  Brown  Company  and  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  to  the  time  of  his  retirement 
from  business.  In  his  family  were  five  children:  Mrs.  Minnie  Anderson,  who 
lived  in  Binghamton,  New  York,  but 'is  now  deceased;  John  A.,  a  resident  of 
Stromsburg,  Nebraska;  Mrs.  Annie  Swanson,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York;  Charles 
D.,  a  resident  of  Salem,  Oregon;  and  Axel,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg,  also  in  Knox 
Academy  and  in  the  high  school  at  Binghamton,  New  York.  His  specifically 
literary  education  being  completed  he  then  began  preparation  for  the  ministry 
as  a  student  in  the  Swedish  Methodist  Theological  Seminary  at  St.  Paul,  Min- 
nesota.  However,  much  of  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  business  pursuits.  He 
was  employed  for  four  years  by  the  E.  F.  Thomas  Dry  Goods  Company  and 
for  four  years  in  the  millinery  store  of  F.  N.  Gay.  He  spent  eleven  years  suc- 
cessively in  the  Second  National  Bank,  Farmers  and  Mechanics  Bank  and  The 
Bank  of  Galesburg  and  in  1889  organized  the  Bank  of  Galesburg,  of  which  he 
was  the  first  cashier,  occupying  that  position  for  three  years  or  until  he  re- 
signed  to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  church.  While  engaged  in  preaching  the 
gospel  he  acted  as  pastor  of  Methodist  churches  in  Wataga,  Bishop  Hill  and 
Peoria,  and  for  six  years  was  Sunday  school  missionary  in  Henry  county,  Illi- 
nois.  For  the  past  six  years  he  has  been  assistant  cashier  of  the  Farmers  & 
Mechanics  Bank,  thus  resuniing  active  relations  with  financial  interests  in  Gales- 
burg,  his  previous  experience  along  this  line  well  qualifyng  him  for  his  present 
responsibilities. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  1886,  in  Stoughton,  Wisconsin,  Mr.  Gabrielson  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Christina  Myron,  a  daughter  of  Ole  O.  and  Karina  Myron.  Her 
father  was  bom  August  21,  1825,  and  died  June  22,  1893.  The  mother,  bom 
in  1827,  passed  away  in  1867.  Mr.  Myron  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and 


AXKI.  (;.\I$I!IKI.SON 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  1107 

connection  is  of  no  restricted  order.  He  has  an  interesting  military  chapter  in  his 
life  history  as  a  member  of  Battery  B,  First  Artillery,  Illinois  National  Guard, 
with  which  he  served  from  1900  until  1903.  He  belongs  to  the  Congregational 
church  and  his  social  nature  finds  expression  in  his  membership  in  the  Country 
Qub.  He  has  never  sought  to  figure  prominently  in  any  public  relation  and  is 
perhai^s  not  widely  known  in  the  state  outside  of  the  newspaper  guild  but  in  his 
home  city  sterling  and  attractive  traits  of  character  have  firmly  established  him  in 
the  regard  of  his  fellow  townsmen. 


:       AXEL  GABRIELSOX. 

Called  to  the  office  of  assistant  cashier  in  the  Fanners  &  Mechanics  Bank 
of  Galesburg  in  1906,  Axel  Gabrielson  has  made  for  himself  a  credital)le  i)osi- 
tion  in  the  business  circles  of  his  native  city.  He  was  born  March  4.  i8<^o.  a 
son  of  Andrew  G.  and  Maria  C.  Gabrielson.  The  father  was  born  July  15, 
1822,  and  died  August  26,  1904,  while  the  mother,  whose  birth  occurred  January 
20.  i8i8,  passed  away  December  27,  1899.  They  emigrated  from  Ostergot- 
land,  Sweden,  to  America  in  1857,  reaching  Galesburg  in  July.  The  father  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade  and  was  emjiloyed  by  the  G.  \V.  Brown  Company  and  the 
Chicago,  Iktrlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  to  the  time  of  his  retirement 
from  business.  In  his  family  were  five  children:  Mrs.  Minnie  Anderson,  who 
lived  in  Binghamton,  Xew  York,  but  is  now  deceased:  John  A.,  a  resident  of 
Stromsburg.  Nebraska:  Mrs.  Annie  Swanson,  of  Brooklyn.  New  York:  Charles 
D.,  a  resident  of  Salem.  Oregon :  and  Axel,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  of  Galesburg,  also  in  Knox 
Academy  and  in  the  high  school  at  Binghamton,  New  York.  His  sjiecifically 
literary  education  being  com])leted  he  then  began  ])reparation  for  the  ministry 
as  a  student  in  the  Swedish  Methodist  Theological  Seminary  at  St.  Paul,  Min- 
nesota. However,  much  of  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  business  pursuits.  He 
was  employed  for  four  years  by  the  E.  F.  Thomas  Dry  Goods  Company  and 
for  four  years  in  the  millinery  store  of  F.  N.  Gay.  He  sjient  eleven  years  suc- 
cessively in  the  Second  National  Bank,  Farmers  and  Mechanics  P>ank  and  The 
Bank  of  Galesburg  and  in  1889  organized  the  Bank  of  Galesburg.  of  which  he 
was  the  first  cashier,  occupying  that  position  for  three  years  or  until  he  re- 
signed to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  church.  \\'hile  engaged  in  preaching  the 
gospel  he  acted  as  pastor  of  Methodist  churches  in  Wataga,  P.ishoj)  Hill  and 
Peoria,  and  for  six  years  was  Sunday  school  missionary  in  Henry  count}'.  Illi- 
nois. For  the  past  six  years  he  has  been  assistant  cashier  of  the  Farmers  61: 
Mechanics  Bank,  thus  resuming  active  relations  with  financial  interests  in  Gales- 
burg, his  previous  experience  along  this  line  well  qualifyng  him  for  his  present 
responsibilities. 

On  the  25th  of  'May,  1886,  in  Stoughton,  Wisconsin,  Mr.  Gabrielson  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Christina  Myron,  a  daughter  of  Ole  O.  and  Karina  Myron.  Her 
father  was  born  August  21,  1825,  and  died  June  22,  1893.  The  mother,  born 
in  1827,  passed  away  in  1867.  Mr.  Myron  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade  and 


1108 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


followed  that  pursuit  in  Wisconsin,  following  his  emigration  from  Christiania, 
Norway,  to  America  in  1862.  He  first  settled  in  Madison  but  afterward  re- 
moved to  Stoughton  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  In  the  family  were  seven 
children,  three  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mrs.  Gabrielson  was  born  in  Madison, 
Wisconsin,  April  13,  1865.  By  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  six 
children:  Frederick,  Mabel,  Ervin,  Katherine,  Bertha,  and  Julian,  but  the 
first  named  has  passed  away.  The  parents  are  members  of  the  Swedish  Meth-  . 
odist  Episcopal  church  and  are  deeply  and  actively  interested  in  its  work.  Mr.  Gab- 
rielson votes  with  the  republican  party  and  recognizes  the  obligations  as  well  as 
the  privileges  of  citizenship.  He  for  two  terms  represented  the  third  ward  in  the 
Common  Council  in  the  city  of  Galesburg.  He  has  ever  held  to  high  ideals  and  has 
sought  to  make  his  life  a  serviceable  factor  in  the  world's  work.  Wherever 
known  he  is  spoken  of  in  terms  of  high  regard  and  the  circle  of  his  friends  is 
constantly  increasing  as  the  circle  of  his  acquaintance  grows. 


HAROLD  MAY  HOLLAND. 


The  career  of  one  who  has  been  accorded  the  superior  advantages  of  the 
higher  educational  institutions  is  favored  with  splendid  and  special  oppor- 
tunities. At  the  outset  it  aflfords  him  an  independence  which  in  itself  is  of  an 
inspirational  nature  and  gives  him  confidence  to  reach  higher  and  attempt 
greater  things  than  his  fellow  citizens  who  have  been  denied  those  advantages. 
Withal,  however,  the  university  with  its  learning  is  one  thing  and  the  business 
world  with  its  practical  experience  and  competition  is  quite  another.  The 
world  calls  for  real  value. 

Harold  M.  Holland,  after  graduating  from  Dartmouth  College  made  his 
start  in  the  business  world  in  1903.  At  that  time  he  engaged  in  the  retail 
and  wholesale  athletic  goods  business  with  John  F.  McLean,  under  the  firm 
name  of  McLean  &  Holland.  After  remaining  in  partnership  with  Mr.  McLean 
for  some  time  he  purchased  the  entire  business  and  has  since  continued  to 
conduct  the  store  independently,  although  the  firm  name,  McLean  &  Holland, 
is  still  used.  ;  .  ^-'v'^'  •  '  .!  ..  ^V  ;  •'.  •'.•.  I  ;/ 

Mr.  Holland  was  born  in  Galesburg,  Illinois,  on  the  I5th  of  April,  1878,  a 
son  of  Joseph  Basset  and  Mary  Otis  (May)  Holland.  The  father's  birth  oc- 
curred near  Brattleboro,  Vermont,  July  ii,  1830.  After  being  graduated  from 
Dartmouth  College,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire,  in  1858,  he  entered  the  medical 
department  of  Dartmouth.  While  an  undergraduate  he  was  admitted  to  the 
Psi  Upsilon  fraternity,  and  because  of  the  excellent  record  he  made  in  his 
studies  he  was  admitted  to  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa.  Later  he  was  a  special  student 
at  Amhurst  College,  Harvard  University  and  Columbia  University.  For  sev- 
eral years  he  was  demonstrator  in  microscopical  and  pathological  anatomy  at 
Dartmouth  and  subsequently  was  associated  with  D.  Appleton  &  Company  and 


;:.  ';^-^'      :         HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  i^ 

William  Wood  &  Company  in  wholesale  publishing.  He  holds  membership  in 
the  American  Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science  and  was  the  first 
American  to  be  elected  as  a  member  of  the  British  Economic  Society.  At  one 
time  he  was  vice  president  of  the  New  England  Agricultural  Society,  and  for 
years  has  been  president  of  the  Galesburg  Public  Library  Association.  His 
name  also  appears  on  the  directorate  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Galesburg. 
On  the  i8th  of  November,  1872,  he  was  married  at  Galesburg  to  Miss  Mary 
Otis  May,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Harvey  and  Delia  (Ray)  May.  Mr.  H.  H. 
May  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  Knox  county,  having  arrived  here  in  1837. 
He  was  the  inventor  of  the  first  successful  horse-power  reaper  and  made  the 
first  steel  plow.  Mrs.  Joseph  B.  Holland  is  now  residing  in  California  with 
her  son,  Hubert  Ray. 

Harold  M.  Holland  first  attended  school  at  Galesburg  where  he  pursued 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools.  In  1893  he  entered  Knox  College 
Academy  and  for  several  years  was  a  student  in  Knox  College.  He  was  grad- 
uated from  Dartmouth  College  in  1900  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  W-hile  a  stu- 
dent there  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  Phi  Delta  Theta. 

On  the  3d  of  April,  1909,  Mr.  Holland  was  married  to  Miss  Beula  Mary 
Hunt,  of  Galesburg.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Soangetaha  Qub,  of  which  he 
has  been  a  director  for  three  years.  He  also  holds  membership  in  the  Cooper 
Ornithological  Club  of  California  and  is  an  associate  member  of  the  American 
Ornithologists'  Union.  In  1908,  1909  and  again  in  1912  he  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Galesburg  Base  Ball  Company.  In  religious  faith  he  is  affiliated 
with  the  Central  Congregational  church  of  Galesburg.  In  politics  he  is  a  re- 
publican. Mr.  Holland  bears  the  reputation  of  being  very  progressive  in  his 
business  ideas  and  has  been  most  successful  in  promoting  and  introducing  new 
lines  and  methods  which  tend  to  further  the  welfare  of  his  business. 


WILKINS  SEACORD. 


'  •  Wilkins  Seacord,  deceased,  was  for  many  years  an  active  and  honored  resi- 
dent of  Galesburg  and  Knox  county,  many  business  interests  feeling  the  stimu- 
lus of  his  activity,  his  commercial  and  industrial  connections  being  at  all  times 
of  such  a  character  as  contributed  to  general  progress  and  prosperity  as  well  as 
to  individual  success.  Moreover,  the  methods  pursued  would  ever  bear  close 
investigation  and  scrutiny  so  that  he  was  honored  and  respected  wherever 
known,  and  most  of  all  where  he  was  best  known.  His  life  history  constitutes 
a  creditable  chapter  in  the  annals  of  Knox  county.  His  birth  occurred  in  Orange 
county,  New  York,  September  20,  1833,  and  his  ancestry  can  be  traced  back  to  the 
Huguenots  of  France.  His  grandfather  was  subordinate  officer  under  Marquis 
de  la  Fayette  and  came  to  America  with  that  gallant  French  hero  who  aided  in 
the  establishment  of  American  independence.  Pleased  with  the  new  world  and 
its  prospects  he  decided  to  remain  and  established  his  home  in  the  Empire  state. 


1110  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         ^  .i^t     ' 

His  son,  Wilkins  Seacord,  father  of  him  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  mar- 
ried Hulda  J.  Morris,  also  a  native  of  New  York.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen  of 
that  state  and  for  many  years  represented  his  district  in  the  general  assembly, 
leaving  the  impress  of  his  individuality  upon  the  laws  which  were  enacted  during 
his  connection  with  the  state  legislature.  He  continued  a  resident  of  New  York 
until  called  to  his  final  rest  in  1862,  when  sixty-two  years  of  age.  His  widow  sur- 
vived him  for  about  fifteen  years  and  passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years. 
In  their  family  were  five  children  of  whom  Wilkins  Seacord,  of  this  review, 
was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  He  had  the  advantage  of  training  in  a  home 
of  culture  and  refinement,  enjoyed  good  educational  privileges  and  in  early  man- 
hood came  to  the  middle  west.  In  his  youth  he  learned  something  of  the  black- 
smith's trade  and  also  worked  at  farming  for  a  time.  He  was  twenty-two  years 
of  age  when  he  left  home  and  for  a  brief  period  he  drifted  about  in  Ohio,  Mich- 
igan and  Indiana  but  found  what  he  regarded  as  a  suitable  place  of  residence  when 
in  October,  1855,  he  arrived  in  Galesburg.  He  then  devoted  his  attention  to  teach- 
ing school  for  a  brief  period  and  also  broke  prairie,  but  in  the  spring  of  1857 
took  up  commercial  pursuits,  engaging  in  business  in  Oneida.  In  the  spring  of 
1862  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  meat  and  live-stock  business  which  he  carried 
on  with  considerable  success  for  about  six  years  but  abandoned  that  line  in  1868 
and  removed  from  Oneida  to  Knoxville,  which  was  then  the  county  seat.  There 
he  filled  the  office  of  sheriff  for  a  two  years'  term  but  in  1870  returned  to  Gales- 
burg  and  took  charge  of  the  stock  yards  at  this  place.  In  1876  his  duties  were 
further  extended  to  include  the  superintendency  of  the  stock  yards  at  Quincy,  the 
two  places  being  under  his  care  for  many  years.  He  also  had  supervision  over 
the  yards  at  Ottumwa  and  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  and  over  the  large  sheep  yard  at 
Montgomery.  He  became  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  judges  of  live  stock  in 
the  Mississippi  valley  and  in  connection  with  his  activity  as  superintendent  of 
stock  yards  he  also  conducted  an  extensive  rendering  establishment.  In  fact  he 
was  associated  with  many  prominent  business  enterprises  of  this  city  and  state, 
was  the  owner  of  three  large  farms,  had  extensive  banking  interests  and  was  also 
connected  with  other  business  concerns.  He  became  one  of  the  early  stockhold- 
ers of  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank  and  served  on  its  directorate.  He  was  also 
a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  for  many  years  and  became  one  of  the 
original  stockholders  of  the  Purington  Paving  Brick  Company,  of  which  he 
served  as  a  director  for  several  years.  He  was  active  in  promoting  the  Gales- 
burg  Electric  Motor  &  Power  Company,  took  considerable  stock  in  the  enter- 
prise and  served  as  its  president  for  a  number  of  years,  and  also  as  a  member 
of  its  board  of  directors.  This  company  purchased  the  old  horse-car  lines,  in- 
stalled electric  power  and  after  successfully  conducting  the  system  for  several 
years  sold  to  the  McKinley  interests. 

^  It  was  on  the  ist  of  October,  1857,  in  this  county,  that  Mr.  Seacord  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Keren  L.  Courtwright,  who  died  in  November,  1869, 
leaving  three  children:  Fred,  of  Galesburg;  Louise,  the  wife  of  John  Wilcox; 
and  De  Forrest,  who  is  familiarly  known  as  Judd.  On  the  2Oth  of  September, 
1883,  Mr.  Seacord  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Fannie 
M.  Hollowell,  nee  Turner,  of  Kansas  City,  who  still  survives  him.  The  death 
of  Mr.  Seacord  occurred  July  3,  1900,  and  in  his  demise  the  county  lost  one  of 
its  most  valued  and  representative  citizens.  His  political  allegiance  was  given 


•  :      7  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '  ':         mi 

to  the  republican  party  and  he  belonged  also  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  exem- 
plifying in  his  life  the  beneficent  spirit  of  the  craft.  He  was  a  man  of  social 
disposition  and  of  unfeigned  cordiality,  whose  attractive  qualities  made  him  a 
congenial  companion.  His  friendship  always  stood  the  test  of  time  and  he  was 
loved  by  all.  In  fact  there  were  few  citizens  in  Knox  county  as  popular  and 
highly  esteemed  as  was  Wilkins  Seacord,  and  the  death  of  none  has  been  more 
deeply  deplored. 


'     ;  •         ^     c—      WILLIAM  D.  SMITH.     ;t  7   '<  ^v-/^^^- 

William  D.  Smith,  depot  master  for  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Rail- 
road at  Galesburg,  was  born  in  Portageville,  New  York,  August  i6,  1857.  He ' 
comes  of  an  old  family  of  the  Empire  state.  His  grandfather  was  there  bom 
and  became  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  In  days  of  peace  he  followed  the 
occupation  of  farming  and  was  called  to  his  final  rest  when  in  middle  life.  His 
wife,  Mrs.  Lavina  Smith,  also  a  native  of  New  York,  long  survived  him  and 
died  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  sons  and 
four  daughters,  of  whom  one  son  died  in  childhood.  The  others  were  Joseph, 
Franklin,  Abigail,  Betsey,  Louise  and  Laura.  Of  these.  Franklin  C.  Smith  was 
the  father  of  William  D.  Smith.  He,  too,  was  born  in  New  York  and  was 
reared  in  Wyoming  county,  where  he  practiced  law  for  a  few  years.  He  after- 
ward became  a  contractor  on  the  Erie  canal  and  in  1859  removed  to  Illinois, 
settling  in  Galesburg,  where  he  lived  for  two  years.  He  next  located  at  Oneida, 
Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  and  also,  filled  the  office  of 
internal  revenue  collector  for  one  term.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war  and 
served  for  three  years  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Second  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, holding  the  rank  of  colonel.  He  made  an  excellent  record,  inspiring  his 
men  with  much  of  his  loyalty,  zeal  and  bravery.  He  married  Sarah  M.  Gil- 
bert, who  was  born  in  New  York,  as  were  her  parents.  Her  mother  was  a  Miss 
Weed  in  maidenhood.  Her  father  was  proprietor  of  a  hardware  and  tin  store 
in  Portage,  New  York,  and  died  in  middle  life,  while  his  wife  reached  the  age 
of  eighty-nine.  Their  family  numbered  three  daughters  and  a  son,  including 
Caroline,  Sophia,  Sarah  and  Charles.  As  previously  stated,  Sarah  M.  Gilbert 
became  the  wife  of  Franklin  C.  Smith  and  unto  them  were  born  four  children: 
Anna  E.,  now  deceased,  who  had  been  married  twice,  her  first  husband  being 
Dr.  Edwin  Card  and  the  second  Edwin  E.  Terry;  William  D.,  of  this  review; 
Franklin  C.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  three  years ;  and  Ella,  who  died 
when  seven  years  old. 

William  D.  Smith  was  reared  in  Oneida,  Illinois,  between  the  age  of  four 
and  sixteen  years,  and  attended  the  public  schools  there.  Coming  to  Galesburg, 
he  served  as  brakeman  and  conductor  in  the  service  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Quincy  Railroad  Company  from  1874  until  1887.  He  then  went  to  Elgin, 
Nebraska,  where  he  resided  until  1891,  devoting  his  time  to  farming  upon  a 
tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  which  he  owned.  At  length  he  sold  that 
property  and  returned  to  Galesburg,  reentering  the  employ  of  the  Chicago,  Bur- 


1112  .  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  I     ' 

lington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  as  a  brakeman.  For  the  past  twelve  years 
he  has  been  depot  master,  and  his  long  connection  with  the  line  indicates  the 
faithfulness  and  loyalty  of  his  service  and  his  capability. 

In  October,  1882,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  D.  Pike,  a  daughter 
of  William  Pike,  whose  wife  in  her  maidenhood  was  Letitia  D.  Bull.  They 
were  residing  in  the  outskirts  of  Galesburg  at  the  time  of  Mrs.  Smith's  birth. 
They  had  come  to  this  state  from  New  York  and  her  father  died  at  Woodhull, 
where  he  was  proprietor  of  a  general  store.  Her  mother  passed  away  in  Gales- 
burg  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  In  their  family  were  but  two  children, 
Charles  and  Mary  D.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  been  born  four  children, 
Lx)uise  D.,  Gilbert  C.,  Frank  C.  and  Stanley  W.,  the  first  named  a  graduate  of 
the  high  school.  Mrs.  Smith  belongs  to  the  Congregational  church  and  the 
family  are  well  known  socially  in  the  community.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  republican  in 
his  political  views  and  conversant  with  the  principles  of  the  party  and  the  lead- 
ing questions  of  the  day  but  has  no  ambition  for  office,  his  time  and  energies 
being  given  to  his  business  duties,  which  are  always  most  faithfully  performed. 


.  \;.  V  M.  O.  WILLIAMSON.     -    '    -^^    ^    ^ 

M.  O.  Williamson  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  July  14,  1850.  while 
his  parents  were  on  their  way  from  Sweden  to  this  country.  They  located  in 
Knox  county,  where  since  has  been  the  family  home.  The  father  died  in  1853, 
leaving  the  mother  with  a  family  of  six  children.  This  family  she  cared  for 
until  they  were  all  grown  to  man  and  womanhood.  The  mother  died  in  1886. 

When  a  lad  of  thirteen  years,  M.  O.  Williamson  learned  the  harness  trade 
with  Olson  &  Gray  at  Wataga,  Illinois,  serving  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years, 
and  worked  at  the  bench  thereafter  for  twenty-five  years.  His  educational  ad- 
vantages were  limited.  He  attended  the  district  school  up  to  the  age  of  thirteen 
and  stayed  for  a  term  of  six  months  in  the  village  school  when  seventeen  years 
of  age. 

Mr.  Williamson  was  married  October  i8,  1871,  to  Mary  A.  Driggs,  of 
Wataga,  Illinois,  and  there  were  born  to  them  one  son,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  two  daughters.  Adelaide  F.,  born  May  6,  1878,  married  -May  13,  1902, 
Edward  Clyde  Slocumb  and  their  home  is  at  present  at  Artesia,  New  Mexico. 
Nellie  M.  was  born  April  22,  1883,  and  married  May  8,  1907,  H.  A.  Whipple, 
her  home  at  this  time  being  at  Galesburg,  Illinois.  M.  O.  Williamson,  was 
elected  and  served  as  town  and  city  clerk,  alderman  and  justice  of  the  peace. 
He  was  elected  county  treasurer  of  the  county  of  Knox  in  1886,  and  was  elected 
county  clerk  of  the  same  county  in  1890,  1894  and  1898.  In  1900  he  was  nom- 
inated and  elected  state  treasurer.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Swedish-American  Republican  League  of  the  state  of 
Illinois,  and  was  its  president  in  1897.  In  political  faith,  he  is  an  earnest  and 
consistent  republican.  He  believes  in  his  party  creed,  and  has  done  much  for 
the  success  of  his  party  candidates  and  party  principhs.  In  1884  he  was  made 


M.  O.  WILLIAMSON 


1112  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY  : 

lington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company  as  a  l)rakeman.  For  the  past  twelve  years 
he  has  been  depot  master,  and  his  long  connection  with  the  line  indicates  the 
faithfulness  and  loyalty  of  his  service  and  his  capability. 

In  October.  1882.  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  D.  Pike,  a  daughter 
of  William  Pike,  whose  wife  in  her  maidenhood  was  Letitia  D.  Bull.  They 
were  residing  in  the  outskirts  of  Galeslmrg  at  the  time  of  Mrs.  Smith's  birth. 
They  had  come  to  this  state  from  Xew  York  and  her  father  died  at  Woodhull, 
where  he  was  i)ro])rietor  of  a  general  store.  Her  mother  passed  away  in  Gales- 
burg  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  In  their  family  were  but  two  children, 
Charles  and  Mary  I).  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  been  born  four  children, 
Louise  IX,  (lilbcrt  C..  Frank  C.  and  Stanley  \V.,  the  first  named  a  graduate  of 
the  high  school.  Mrs.  Smith  belongs  to  the  Congregational  church  and  the 
family  are  well  known  socially  in  the  community.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  republican  in 
his  political  views  and  conversant  with  the  principles  of  the  party  and  the  lead- 
ing (juestions  of  the  day  but  has  no  ambition  for  office,  his  time  and  energies 
being  given  to  his  business  duties,  which  are  always  most  faithfully  performed. 


M.  O.  WILLIAMSON. 

M.  O.  \\'illiamson  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  July  14,  1850.  while 
his  parents  were  on  their  way  from  Sweden  to  this  country.  They  located  in 
Knox  county,  where  since  has  been  the  family  home.  The  father  died  in  1853, 
leaving  the  mother  with  a  family  of  six  children.  This  family  she  cared  for 
until  they  were  all  grown  to  man  and  womanhood.  The  mother  died  in  1886. 

\\'hen  a  lad  of  thirteen  years,  M.  O.  Williamson  learned  the  harness  trade 
with  Olson  ^  Ciray  at  \Vataga,  Illinois,  serving  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years, 
and  worked  at  the  bench  thereafter  for  twenty-five  years.  His  educational  ad- 
vantages were  limited.  1  le  attended  the  district  school  up  to  the  age  of  thirteen 
and  stayed  for  a  term  of  six  months  in  the  village  school  when  seventeen  years 
of  age. 

Mr.  \\'illiamson  was  married  October  i8,  1871,  to  Mary  A.  Driggs,  of 
U'ataga,  Illinois,  and  there  were  born  to  them  one  son,  who  died  in  infancy, 
and  two  daughters.  Adelaide  I'.,  born  May  6,  1878,  married  '^lay  13,  1902, 
r-'-dward  Clyde  Slocumb  and  their  home  is  at  jjresent  at  Artesia,  New  Mexico. 
Xellie  M.  was  born  Ajjril  22,  1883,  and  married  May  8,  1907,  H.  A.  Whipple, 
her  home  at  this  time  being  at  Cialesburg,  Illinois.  M.  O.  Williamson  was 
elected  and  served  as  town  and  city  clerk,  alderman  and  justice  of  the  peace, 
lie  was  elected  county  treasurer  of  the  county  of  Knox  in  1886,  and  was  elected 
county  clerk  of  the  same  county  in  1890,  1894  and  1898.  In  1900  he  was  nom- 
inated and  electe<l  state  treasurer.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  is  an 
active  member  of  the  Swedish-American  Re]:)ublican  League  of  the  state  of 
Illinois,  and  was  its  president  in  1897.  In  political  faith,  he  is  an  earnest  and 
consistent  republican.  I  le  believes  in  his  party  creed,  and  has  done  much  for 
the  success  of  his  party  candidates  and  party  princij^hs.  In  1884  he  was  made 


t.  WILI,IA:MS(»N 


r>    :    v;  -    :.  ;        HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY         •  1115 

secretary  of  the  county  central  committee,  and  was  either  secretary  or  chairman 
for  twenty  years. 

In  1890,  he  with  his  family  removed  to  Galesburg,  Illinois  which  has  since 
been  his  home.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Business  Men's  Club  of  Galesburg,  the 
Hamilton  Club  of  Chicago,  and  is  a  Knight  Templar  Mason,  an  Odd  Fellow,  a 
Knight  of  Pythias,  and  an  Elk.  He  was  for  two  years  a  member  of  the  Lin- 
coln Monument  Association  of  Illinois,  and  it  was  during  his  term  that  the  re- 
building of  the  Lincoln  monument  at  Springfield  was  completed,  and  the  re- 
mains of  the  martyred  president  were  laid  in  their  final  resting  place  in  the 
monument.  Mr.  Williamson  is  at  this  time  president  of  the  People's  Trust  & 
Savings  Bank,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois,  one  of  the  largest  and  most  successful 
financial  institutions  in  the  state  outside  of  Chicago.  •  • 


; .          .'  '       GEORGE  W.  BROWN.  :-'::^r;;  :       \V  ^       V   ;-^ 

•  We  know  of  no  better  biography  of  the  late  Hon.  George  W.  Brown  of  Gales-      ... 
;  burg,  the  inventor  of  the  corn  planter,  than  the  following  address  delivered  by      7 
;  Hon.  Qark  E.  Carr  at  the  formal  opening  of  Mr.  Brown's  great  shops  in  Gales-       ^ 

burg  on  September  22,  1875.  >.  .- 

•          The  address  is  copied  from  the  Illinois  Prairie  Farmer  in  which  it  appeared  in 
,  full.  ^;; 

;          "Fellow  Citizens:  I  have  prepared  this  paper  at  the  request  of  some  business 
.    men  of  this  city,  who  deemed  it  proper  that  during  the  inaugural  ceremonies  now        ;; 
;  being  celebrated,  a  brief  history  should  be  given  of  the  invention  of  the  com       ' 

•  planter  and  the  founder  of  these  great  shops,  Mr.  George  W.  Brown.     If  Mr. 
.    Brown  had  his  own  way  tonight,  nothing  would  be  said  about  him ;  but  his  friends 

have  now  the  entire  control  of  the  buildings,  and  can  say  just  what  they  please.  :. 

"Like  most  men  who  have  conferred  lasting  benefits  upon  humanity,   Mr.       : 
Brown  commenced  life  poor.     He  was  born  in  Clifton  Park  township,  Saratoga       r 
V  county.  New  York,  on  the  29th  of  October,  1815,  and  is  sixty  years  old.     He 
V  remained  upon  the  farm  where  he  was  born  until  he  was  fourteen,  when  he  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  in  which  he  worked  many  years.     He  remembers  distinctly. 
:    the  first  boat  which  came  through  the  Erie  canal,  with  Dewitt  Clinton  and  other 

•  distinguished  persons  on  board,  with  band  playing  and  flags  flying.     He  worked       ;- 
:  at  his  trade  on  the  railroad,  built  from  Albany  to  Schenectady,  sixteen  miles  long,       ; 

which,  when  completed,  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  triumphs  of  the  age.  This  "' 

was  then  the  only  railroad  in  the  United  States,  except  a  line  of  about  the  same  ^ 

length,  running  out  of  Baltimore.  He  remembers  the  first  trip  made  over  the  : 

;    road,  by  a  distinguished  party  in  cars  a  little  larger  than  our  hacks.    Of  those  ex-  •;. 

,  cursionists,  Thurlow  Weed  is  the  only  survivor.    The  company  owned  one  wheezy        • 

•  little  engine,  named  the  'John  Bull.'    Mr.  Brown  had  the  honor  of  being  appointed  ; 

,  roadmaster  or  trackmaster  of  this  celebrated  railroad,  a  position  which  he  did  not       ; 
.•    find  to  be  lucrative.    He  was  married  before  he  was  of  age,  to  Maria  Turpening.      ; 
;='  with  whom  he  has  lived  happily  all  of  these  years,  and  to  whom  he  is  largely  in-       .' 

•;  debted  for  his  success.    They  were  both  members  of  the  Methodist  church,  and 
have  continued  their  membership  for  over  forty  years.    The  old  church  which      V 


1116  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      .•      /     f- 

they  joined  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk,  in  their  halcyon  days  is  still  in  ex- 
istence. 

"Some  near  relatives  of  the  young  couple  had  gone  to  Illinois,  who  sent  back 
glowing  accounts  of  the  prairie  and  of  the  possibilities  of  the  future.  There  was 
room  for  the  young  mechanic — a  chance  to  own  a  farm,  make  a  home,  establish  a 
hearth-stone ;  an  opportunity  to  become  independent.  Besides,  was  there  not  an 
opportunity  to  build  up  that  church  and  help  plant  the  seeds  of  that  religion  to 
which  they  had  consecrated  their  lives  ?  They  did  not  hesitate,  but  bought  a  team 
and  wagon,  loaded  all  their  available  property,  and  started  upon  their  long  jour- 
ney. It  rained  nearly  all  the  way,  and  the  roads  were  dreadful.  Still  the  white, 
covered  wagon  kept  on ;  but  the  driver  had  as  much  work  as  had  the  horses,  lift- 
ing and  prying  wheels  when  stuck  fast  in  swamps  and  sloughs.  Worn  and  weary 
they  reached  their  destination,  and  located  in  July,  1836,  before  many  who  hear 
me  were  born,  upon  a  farm  near  what  was  afterwards  Tylerville,  in  Warren 
county,  nine  miles  northwest  of  here.  At  that  time  there  was  not  a  house  on  this 
prairie.  He  traded  his  team  for  an  eighty  of  land  and  went  to  work.  He  had  a 
log  house  to  build  for  himself,  and  the  neighbors  needed  the  services  of  a  car- 
penter. For  a  long  time  he  went  out  to  work  at  his  trade,  and  his  wife  conducted 
the  farm.  There  was  no  pine  lumber  here,  nothing  but  the  hard  woods  of  our 
groves,  and  it  was  no  child's  play  to  work  them.  Carpenters  thoroughly  appreciate 
the  difference  between  pine  and  the  oak  and  walnut  of  our  forests. 

"Money  was  hard  to  get  when  ten  cents  a  bushel  was  a  good  price  for  corn, 
and  three  dollars  a  hundred  a  good  price  for  pork.  But  where  there  was  a  will 
there  was  a  way,  and  Mr.  Brown,  with  plow  and  hoe,  and  saw  and  chisel,  man- 
aged to  make  a  living,  although  he  laid  by  scarcely  anything.  There  are  many 
houses  in  the  neighborhoods  of  Shanghai  and  Tylerville  upon  which  he  worked. 
He  built  the  Alfred  Brown  house  on  this  side  of  Henderson  Grove.  He  also 
worked  considerably  in  Galesburg  and  Knoxville.  He  built  the  house  on  the  cor- 
ner opposite  the  Universalist  and  Episcopal  churches,  owned  and  occupied  by 
Mrs.  Wells.  He  worked  a  winter  in  Knoxville,  for  Hon.  James  Knox,  and  built, 
among  others,  the  building  occupied  by  the  First  National  Bank  of  that  city. 

"Mr.  John  S.  Winter,  county  clerk,  remembers  being  at  his  house  in  1846,  near 
Tylerville,  a  small  log  building.  He  found  Mr.  Brown  barefooted,  his  only  cloth- 
ing a  straw  hat,  hickory  shirt  and  jean  pants,  literally  in  a  brown  study  upon  farm 
implements.  Among  other  implements  used  were  cultivators,  and  in  1848  Mr. 
Brown  conceived  the  idea  of  turning  a  cultivator  into  a  corn  planter.  His  first 
idea  was  to  drop  three  rows  at  once,  placing  the  shovels  of  the  cultivator  as  wide 
apart  as  he  wished  to  have  the  corn  rows,  and  boxes  of  corn  on  the  beam's  back 
of  the  shovel,  so  fixed  that  the  center  of  each  box  would  be  over  the  middle  of  the 
furrows  made  by  the  shovels.  A  slide  was  so  adjusted  that  by  moving  it  there 
would  be  an  aperture  at  the  center  of  the  bottom  of  each  box  large  enough  for 
from  three  to  five  kernels  of  corn  to  slip  through,  which  would  of  course  fall  into 
the  middle  of  each  furrow  behind  the  shovels.  This  slide  was  to  be  operated  by 
a  man  walking  behind  the  machine.  He  attached  heavy  wheels  to  the  cultivator 
back  of  the  boxes,  which  were  made  of  sections  sawed  off  from  logs,  and  which 
would  roll  the  ground  after  the  corn  was  dropped  in,  filling  and  leveling  the  fur- 
row. 

"How  simple  all  these  contrivances  seem  now !    We  naturally  exclaim,  'Why, 


,  .         •;;  -  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;  -  1117 

anybody  can  do  that !'  That  is  true,  almost  anybody  can  do  it — after  he  is  shown 
how.  You  remember  the  story  of  Columbus.  When  he  was  told  that  many  men 
had  sailed  to  America,  he  called  for  an  egg  and  asked  any  of  those  present  to  set 
it  upon  the  small  end  and  make  it  stand.  None  could  do  it,  when  he  took  it  and 
tapping  it  on  the  table  until  slightly  broken  in,  let  go  and  it  stood  upright.  Sev- 
eral voices  shouted,  'Why,  anybody  can  do  that.'  'Yes,'  answered  the  great  dis- 
coverer, 'after  he  is  shown  the  way.' 

:  "Out  of  these  simple  experiments  upon  a  cultivator  czime  the  perfected  com 
planter,  with  which  two  men  and  a  team  can  plant  from  sixteen  to  twenty  acres 
of  corn  in  a  day. 

"In  the  spring  of  1851,  -Mr.  Brown  made  the  first  complete  corn  planter  of  the 
present  style,  and  planted  corn  with  it  the  following  May.  Prior  to  that  he  was 
experimenting,  but  it  was  his  corn  planter  drop  attached  to  a  cultivator  already  de- 
scribed. In  1852  he  planted  with  his  improved  machine  sixteen  acres  for  himself, 
and  eight  acres  for  Alfred  Brown.  That  same  spring  he  commenced  the  manu- 
facture of  ten  machines,  but,  on  account  of  poverty  and  embarrassments,  only  one 
was  completed.  About  this  time  he  determined  to  stake  all  he  possessed  upon  the 
success  of  his  invention.  He  had  already  sold  everything  about  the  place,  includ- 
ing his  last  horse,  to  furnish  means  to  secure  his  patents.  He  then  sold  his  little 
farm  for  what  he  could  get,  went  deeply  into  debt  for  more  money,  and  took  the 
chances  of  success.  Times  were  hard  and  the  facilities  for  manufacturing  poor. 
He  had  no  such  machinery  as  you  have  seen  here  tonight ;  but  everything  had  to 
be  done  by  hand.  Very  soon  he  was  so  much  involved  that,  had  he  been  called 
upon  to  pay,  he  would  not  have  been  worth  a  dollar.  But  he  was  an  upright  man ; 
had  a  good  name ;  was  full  of  enthusiasm  for  his  new  invention ;  and  his  largest 
creditors  were  willing  to  give  him  a  fair  trial.  But  he  was  frequently  obliged  to 
pay  exorbitant  rates  of  interest — sometimes  from  one  to  two  per  cent  a  month, 
and  once  three  per  cent  for  one  month,  and  a  short  month  at  that.  He  com- 
menced manufacturing  at  Shanghai,  and  in  1853  completed  twelve  machines,  one 
of  which  that  season  planted  three  hundred  acres  of  corn.  In  1854  he  made  a 
hundred  machines,  and  in  1855  he  made  three  hundred  machines,  after  which  he 
removed  to  Galesburg.  In  1856  he  made  six  hundred  machines,  and  in  1857  he 
made  a  thousand  machines.  It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  give  in  detail  the  num- 
ber of  machines  in  detail  manufactured  since  that  time.  It  is  enough  to  say  that 
last  year  Mr.  Brown  manufactured  six  thousand  machines,  and  had  orders  which 
came  too  late  been  a  little  less  tardy,  he  would  have  manufactured  and  sold  many 
hundreds  more.  !  .  ^;  ,;^  •:;.^^.^ :  Vr-'c -'•"^^'  -  .•  -  \  ~  '' 

"Everyone  knew  that  corn  could  be  planted  with  a  hoe  and  would  come  up, 
but  would  it  grow  when  run  through  the  hopper  of  this  newfangled  machine? 
All  could  see  that  the  machine  would  run  very  prettily  through  a  field,  but  did  it 
leave  the  corn  in  the  right  places  in  the  proper  quantities  ?  Was  it  well  covered, 
and  would  it  grow  ?  It  was  a  serious  matter  for  the  manufacturers  to  answer  these 
questions. 

•       "It  is  not  necessary  to  go  through  the  years  of  long  wearisome  lawsuits. , 
Shakespeare  in  Hamlet's  soliloquy  makes  the  'law's  delay'  an  excuse  for  suicide, 
and  Dickens  vividly  protrays  the  miseries  produced  by  the  slow  court  of  chan- 
cery in  the  imaginary  case  of  Jarndyce  and  Jarndyce.    It  is  enough  for  our  pur- 
pose to  state  that  in  May,  1874,  after  hearing  all  the  evidence  and  arguments,  the 


1118  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  '      ^ V.  I    %{- 

supreme  court  of  the  United  States,  the  highest  judicial  tribunal  on  this  conti- 
nent, declared  that  George  W.  Brown  was  the  inventor  of  the  corn  planter.    Soon 
after  this  decision  was  announced,  most  of  those  who  had  been  engaged  in  the      ^ 
manufacture  of  planters  came  forward  and  paid  Mr.  Brown  a  royalty  upon  the    .''vL 
machines  they  had  made.  .• ' -• 

"The  completion  of  these  magnificent  shops,  with  their  monstrous  capacity  for  /-•'>'. 
turning  out  corn  planters,  marks  an  era  in  the  history  of  Galesburg  well  worthy  of  '••••'•.'  '•  • 
inaugural  ceremonies.     The  buildings  comprise  foundry,  polishing  rooms,  black-  .'      -, v 
smith  shops,  wheel  building  (they  do  not  use  logs  for  wheels  now)  and  office,         ';• 
besides  this  immense  building.     There  are  in  these  buildings  thirty  thousand 
square  feet  of  floors.     This  building  with  some  other  improvements  made  this         ;u. 
summer,  cost  sixty  thousand  dollars.    With  the  present  facilities,  Mr.  Brown  can       ;,  .T 
manufacture  twenty  thousand  planters  a  year.  I- 

"I  have  thus  as  briefly  as  possible  given  a  history  of  inventor  and  invention.  '       ; :. 
Concerning  Mr.  Brown,  I  would  be  glad  to  say  all  that  is  in  my  heart.     These        '  ;• 
great  shops.  Brown's  Hotel,  the  Methodist  Church  edifice,  proclaim  his  enterprise         "•• 
and  public  spirit  more  eloquently  than  any  mere  words  can  do.    He  has  little  of  the 
learning  of  schools,  and  no  mere  accomplishments;  yet  there  are  very  few  more         :'-v, 
competent  mechanics,  and  he  is  always  a  gentleman.     He  will  not  be  ranked  as        '.' 
either  statesman  or  philosopher;  yet  there  are  no  purer  patriots,  nor  more  practi-       ;;    • 
cal  common-sense  men.    He  never  preaches  morality,  but  always  practices  it.    He 
never  wrangles  upon  doctrine,  but  is  always  a  Christian.     Would  that  we  had  i^ 

more  such  men !  Who  can  estimate  their  influence  upon  humanity  ?  Give  me  the  ..' . 
name,  if  you  can,  of  a  statesman  whose  whole  life  of  lofty  endeavor  has  given  him  .  • 
a  claim  to  gratitude  equal  to  that  of  Johan  Gutenberg,  the  inventor  of  printing.  .•. 
Call  to  mind,  if  you  please,  a  military  hero  whose  memory  humanity  has  so  much  •  f 
reason  to  bless,  as  that  of  George  Stephenson.  The  mighty  deeds  of  Alexander  /  ;' 
and  Hannibal,  of  Caesar  and  Napoleon — what  are  they  compared  with  the  tri-  : 

umphs  of  Galileo  and  Milton,  of  Stephenson,  Fulton  and  Morse!  |,       •         . 

"How  many  men  during  the  war  represented  in  the  army  McCormick's  reapers        ./. 
and  Brown's  corn  planters ;  or  what  would  have  been  the  difference  in  the  muster 
rolls  if  wheat  had  been  cut  by  cradles  and  the  corn  planted  with  hoes,  when  the 
interest  of  our  great  armies  depended  upon  wheat  and  corn?    We  in  Galesburg        /;. 
can  see  how  many  families  are  fed  and  clothed  by  the  seventy-five  thousand  dol-         ;  -' 
lars  paid  out  annually  in  wages  by  Mr.  Brown  and  how  this  money  finds  its  way         >  ; 
into  and  stimulates  every  branch  of  business ;  but  who  can  estimate  the  comforts        (-J/ 
and  advantages  derived  from  this  one  machine  in  the  Mississippi  valley?"      1          ;  .    ' 

The  above  glowing  tribute  is  the  history  of  George  W.  Brown  to  1875,  paid 
to  him  by  one  of  the  closest  observers  of  the  economic  conditions  of  the  state  of 
Illinois  and  of  the  nation.  From  1875  until  1892  Mr.  Brown  had  active  man-  ; 

agement  of  the  shops.    The  business  increased  and  flourished  and  was  incorpor-        :   I 
ated  under  the  name  of  George  W.  Brown  &  Company.     Mr.  I.  S.  Perkins  was         V^ 
general  manager  for  a  number  of  years.     Loren  Stevens  was  secretary,  A.  O. 
Peterson  was  master  mechanic,  and  James  E.  Brown,  son  of  George  W.  Brown,' 
was  treasurer.    The  shop  buildings  were  enlarged  to  more  than  double  their  orig- 
inal size  and  a  great  deal  of  other  machinery  besides  corn  planters  was  manufac- 
tumed  there,  such  as  corn  shellers,  rakes,  cultivators,  discs,  and  other  farming         ; 
implements.     During  the  year  1886  Mr.  Brown  purchased  a  ranch  at  Riverside, 


,:'.^   •;;/;;•    V.    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        .      _    :   -      1119 

California,  and  spent  a  great  deal  of  the  winter  months  in  his  western  home.  He 
had  one  of  the  most  beautiful  orange  ranches  in  the  Santa  Ana  valley  and  spared 
neither  time  nor  expense  in  putting  it  in  shape. 

Mr.  Brown  was  always  an  active  participant  in  public  affairs  and  even  in  his 
declining  years  did  not  cease  to  take  a  helpful  interest  in  matters  relative  to  the 
general  good.  He  served  for  one  term  as  mayor  of  Galesburg  and  during  his  ad- 
ministration the  first  attempts  were  made  to  establish  hard-road  streets. 

In  1891  Mrs.  Brown,  who  had  by  her  loving  example  and  industrious  life  and 
her  worthy  counsel,  assisted  Mr.  Brown  in  his  brightest  as  well  as  his  darkest 
days,  expired  at  Galesburg,  surrounded  by  her  family,  consisting  of  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Perrin,  Mrs.  Jennie  S.  Cowan  and  James  E.  Brown.  Her  death  was  a  sad 
blow  to  Mr.  Brown  and  apparently  he  never  recovered  from  the  effects.  In  the 
winter  time  he  would  go,  first  with  one  daughter  and  then  with  the  other,  to  Cali- 
fornia, there  to  spend  his  winters,  his  health  being  very  much  impaired.  In  the 
spring  of  1895  he  returned  to  Galesburg  earlier  than  usual.  Anxious  to  see  the 
old  place  of  his  early  struggles  in  Illinois  and  his  old  friends  who  were  living 
near  Tylerville,  he  took  his  team  and  buggy  and  drove  to  Tylerville.  The  day 
was  fair  enough  when  he  started,  but  before  night  it  developed  into  a  roaring, 
blustering  storm.  Not  being  acclimated  to  such  weather  Mr.  Brown  contracted  a 
severe  cold  which  developed  into  pneumonia  and  he  died  at  the  home  of  his  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Cowan,  on  the  2d  of  June,  1895.  He  left  surviving  him  an  only  son, 
James  E.  Brown,  who  was  manager  of  the  Brown  &  Company  Planter  Works 
from  the  withdrawal  of  I.  S.  Perkins  until  the  death  of  his  father,  George  W. 
Brown.  Immediately  afterward  the  son  went  to  Riverside,  California,  to  take 
care  of  the  large  financial  interests  which  his  father  had  acquired  there.  He  pur-  * 
chased  the  shares  of  the  other  heirs  in  the  property  there  and  added  three  or  four 
other  ranches  to  the  holdings  which  his  father  had  acquired.  The  surviving 
daughters  are  .Mrs.  M.  T.  Perrin,  and  Mrs.  Jennie  S.  Cowan.  Both  live  in  Gales- 
burg, surrounded  by  their  children. 

Mr.  James  E.  Brown  is  residing  in  California  now.  He  is  a  director  of  one  of 
the  banks  and  a  director  of  the  La  Mesa  Fruit  Packing  Company.  His  wife  died 
at  Galesburg  in  November,  1910,  while  they  were  visiting  his  daughter,  Mrs.  M.  J. 
Daugherty.  Mr.  Brown  has  two  daughters  living,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Daugherty  and 
Mrs.  A.  L.  Woodill.  The  latter  lives  near  her  father  in  Riverside,  California. 
Mr.  James  E.  Brown  was  for  many  years  a  director  in  the  Galesburg  National 
Bank  of  Galesburg.  He  was  a  public-spirited  man  and  although  of  a  retiring  na- 
ture was  admittedly  one  of  Galesburg's  financiers.  Mrs.  Cowan  and  Mrs.  Perrin 
have  spent  their  lives  in  Galesburg  and  can  enjoy  the  many  incidents  that  George 
W.  Brown's  life  left  in  the  history  of  the  city.  ;,  ;  , 

George  W.  Brown  was  a  free  giver  to  every  enterprise  that  came  to  Gales- 
burg. He  was  one  of  the  donors  to  the  Santa  Fe  railroad  and  he  liberally  con- 
tributed toward  other  public  enterprises  of  all  kinds.  He  owned  two  farms  two 
miles  east  of  Galesburg  and  on  each  of  them  he  constructed  a  lake.  The  first 
was  a  small  one,  which  he  called  Lake  Washington,  and  then  he  constructed  an- 
other lake  partly  in  Galesburg  township  and  partly  in  Knox  township,  just  north 
of  Main  street,  which  he  called  Lake  George.  This  lake  he  offered  several  times 
to  the  city  of  Galesburg,  together  with  the  property  surrounding  it,  for  less  than 
what  it  cost  him,  the  intention  being  to  establish  a  public  park  there  with  water 

Vol.  11—51  •  . 


1120  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

supply  for  the  city.  The  offer  was  refused.  Finally  the  heirs  sold  the  property  to 
the  Burlington  road  for  their  water  supply  and  they  changed  the  name  to  Lake 
Rice.  It  is  not  denied  or  questioned  that  the  most  public-spirited  man  that 
Galesburg  ever  had  was  George  W.  Brown.  It  is  further  not  denied  or  questioned 
that  George  W.  Brown  made  many  valuable  donations  to  public  enterprises,  espe- 
cially to  religious  and  educational  institutions,  and  yet,  singfular  to  say,  with  all 
that,  no  place  has  been  dedicated  to  his  name,  no  effort  made  to  assist  the  citizens 
of  Galesburg  in  preserving  the  memory  of  a  man  whose  works  for  thirty  years 
contributed  the  largest  revenues  the  city  ever  had,  with  the  exception  of  the  Chi- 
cago, Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad.  The  great  achievements  of  George  W. 
Brown  in  a  business  way  will  long  survive  his  memory  as  a  great  and  good  citizen. 
In  the  past  Galesburg  has  failed  to  realize  what  she  has  lost  but  his  name  and 
good  works  will  be  a  monument  to  his  memory  for  years  to  come. 


':•'-;:-.•: ••;-r^^-:  ..•.';   RILEY  ROOT.   ':; -'0'-"-':..,':-:'^-^.''-.:v  ••;^ 

In  the  history  of  the  pioneers  of  Knox  county  it  is  imperative  that  mention 
be  made  of  Riley  Root  who  arrived  at  Log  City  in  the  latter  part  of  July,  1836. 
From  that  time  forward  until  his  death  he  was  closely  associated,  save  for  a 
brief  period,  with  the  development  and  progress  of  this  part  of  the  state.  His 
talents  were  varied  and  along  many  lines  he  displayed  more  than  ordinary  abil- 
ity. He  was  an  inventor  whose  ideas  have  become  practical  in  mechanical  cir- 
cles, and  he  possessed  talents  of  seemingly  diverse  nature  in  that  he  was  a 
musician  of  considerable  skill  and  ability.  His  impress  for  good  was  also  felt 
along  many  other  lines  and  Galesburg  has  reason  to  honor  him  as  one  of  her 
worthy  and  valued  early  settlers.  He  was  born  at  Durham,  Greene  county, 
New  York,  August  29,  1795,  and  passed  away  February  24,  1870.  He  was 
descended  from  good  old  Anglo-Saxon  stock,  his  ancestry  being  traced  back 
directly  to  John  Root  who  emigrated  to  America  from  Badby,  England,  in  the 
year  1630.  Ten  years  later  he  married  Miss  Mary  Kilbourne  who  came  to 
America  in  1635.  They  settled  in  Farmington,  Connecticut,  and  became  the 
progenitors  of  the  family  whose  representatives  for  many  generations  contin- 
ued to  reside  in  New  England.  Thomas  Root,  the  father  of  Riley  Root,  was 
born  in  Westfield,  Massachusetts,  September  25,  1765,  and  died  at  Camden, 
New  York,  January  22,  1826.  He  was  married  in  Westfield,  Massachusetts, 
February  lo,  1791,  to  Prmcess  Noble,  who  was  born  in  Westfield,  May  8,  1766, 
and  died  at  Camden,  New  York,  April  5,  1830.  At  the  time  of  their  marriage 
they  removed  to  Durham,  Greene  county.  New  York,  where  Thomas  Root 
purchased  a  farm  on  which  he  resided  until  1821.  He  then  bought  land  in 
Camden  and  removed  to  that  place  where  he  and  his  wife  continued  to  reside 
until  called  to  their  final  rest.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  children,  Roland, 
Mrs.  Clarissa  Phelps,  Riley,  Reuben  and  Royal. 

Riley  Root  early  developed  traits  of  character  that  foreshadowed  upright 
purpose  and  honorable  manhood.  He  remained  with  his  parents  upon  the  home 
farm  through  the  period  of  his  youth  and  his  educational  advantages  were 
somewhat  limited  but  he  attended  the  district  school  as  opportunity  offered. 


^^^/^ 


;;^^';2     VV"^^-^     >^^^       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY      ;   ;/      |          1123 

V    This  however,  did  not  satisfy  his  thirst  for  knowledge.     So  anxious  was  he  to 
••:s-  increase  his  fund  of  information  that,  in  an  age  when  books  were  very  scarce      : 
'     he  kept  a  dictionary  on  the  mantel  and  utilized  every  spare  moment  in  poring     ,' 
/'•    over  its  pages.     He  thus  stored  his  mind  with  many  valuable  bits  of  knowledge       .; 
.     and  such  was  his  mental  power  that  he  was  able  to  systematize  these  and  use 
!    the  information   at   will.     In   early   youth   he   was  a   pupil   in   the   Westfield 
•   (Mass.)  Academy  for  a  time,  there  preparing  for  teaching  and  also  pursuing  a 

course  in  surveying.     For  many  years  he  taught  school  and  displayed  particu-       •/;: 
/^  .^   lar  ability   in   imparting  readily  and   clearly  to   others   the   knowledge   he   had      •,' 
'     acquired.     In  1821  he  purchased  a  farm  at  Camden,  New  York,  and  resided        '^ 
.    thereon  until  1836  but  spent  much  time  in  the  interim  in  surveying  in  addition 
' ;   to  performing  the  work  of  the  fields.    In  1835,  when  a  company  was  organized 
for  the  purpose  of  building  a  college  town  in  what  was  then  considered  the  far 
;:  west,  he  became  one  of  the  number  and  in  the  latter  part  of  July,  1836,  arrived       y 
at  Log  City,  Knox  county,  Illinois.    Possessing  expert  mechanical  ability  he  aided 

•  V  in  erecting  the  first  house  in  Galesburg  and  also  assisted  largely  in  the  building        - 
V    of  the  old  First  church.     In  1837  he  procured  some  big  stones  and  at  his  own      • 

;       fireside,  with  the  aid  of  only  a  small  chisel  and  hammer,  he  shaped  these  into 
,    millstones.     Then  in  company  with  another,  he  erected  a  horse-power  gristmill,      ••- 
and  thus  furnished  the  only  means   for  the  colonists  within  a  radius  of  fifty      v. 
miles  to  get  their  grain  ground  until  a  waterpower  mill,  known  as  Olmstead's      :\  ^ 
'.   mill,  near  Monmouth,  was  erected.     He  continued  an  active  factor  in  the  work      >  ' 
.',  of  progress  and  development  here  until  April,   1848,  when,  in  company  with 
;!:  others,  he  traveled  in  a  train  of  twenty-five  wagons  drawn  by  oxen,  overland      ;  ,: 
•:•      for  Oregon,  arriving  at  his  destination  in  the  autumn.     In  the  following  spring      ' 

he  went  to  California  where  gold  had  just  been  discovered.     He  remained  for 
;       some  time  searching  for  the  precious  metal  but  ill  health  forced  him  to  return      :  • 
/  home  and  taking  the  route  via  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  and  New  Orleans  he      . 
;:     arrived  in  Knox  county  on  the  8th  of  January,   1850,  being  the  first  man  to      '/ 
'  •     return  from  the  gold  fields  of  California.     Upon  his  return  he  wrote  a  book 

concerning  his  travels,  giving  a  graphic  account  of  the  trip  and  a  description      : 
.'• ; ;   of  the  processes  of  mining  gold  on  the  Pacific  coast.    He  possessed  considerable      f 
:    literary  ability  and  in  1866  he  wrote  a  treatise  on  musical  philosophy  and  made      ; 
A     a  keyboard  to  illustrate  the  transposition  of  the  scale.     He  was  very  fond  of 
.  ;    music  and  during  his  later  years  devoted  much  time  to  the  study  of  the  art.     He 

•  .  was  recognized  as  a  musician  of  much  more  than  ordinary  skill  although  he 

;;    shrank  from  appearing  in  public  as  an  interpreter  of  the  art.     With  only  the      '  - 
simple  tools  at  his  command  he  made,  working  at  his  own  fireside  a  violin  of      •-.; 
;x   such  excellent  tone  and  quality  that  it  was  purchased  by  one  of  Galesburg's 
'•    leading  musicians.     His  skill  along  mechanical  lines  was  variously  shown  and       ;\: 
.   he  gave  to  the  world  a  number  of  valuable  inventions.     In  1857  he  secured  a 
:  <.   patent  for  the  first  rotary  fan  blower — a  machine  for  clearing  the  snow  from 
the  railroad  tracks.     The  device  proved  successful  beyond  his  expectations,  but      •.• 
through   lack   of   funds   he   was  unable  to   demonstrate   its   usefulness   to   the       -V 
.    skeptical  public  and  the  officials  of  the  new  railroad  enterprise  who  could  not 
.  grasp  the  importance  of  such  a  machine.     The  patent  therefore  was  allowed  to 
V^     expire.     Later  the  efficiency  of  his  invention  became  apparent  to  officials  of 

•  ':,    western  roads,  and  today  his  principle  is  employed  in  the  machines  for  clearing 


1124  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  'l    '' 

the  tracks  where  the  greatest  snow  blockades  occur.  About  the  time  he  was 
perfecting  his  snow  plow  he  secured  the  patent  on  a  device  for  holding  a  spirit 
level  in  surveying,  besides  a  number  of  other  patents  of  value.  He  ordered  made 
the  first  glass  fruit  jars  ever  used.  They  were  closed  with  corks  and  sealed 
with  wax  and  held  four  and  six  quarts.  He  also  devised  a  magfnetic  battery 
and  took  magnetic  treatments  in  his  own  home.  Whenever  he  realized  a  need  it 
seemed  he  could  meet  it  by  reason  of  his  superior  inventive  skill  and  ingenuity. 

On  the  7th  of  October,  1821,  Mr.  Root  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lavinia 
Butler  who  was  born  at  Durham,  New  York,  April  9,  1803,  and  died  at  Camden 
that  state  on  the  25th  of  June,  1834.  Five  children  were  born  to  them  but  only 
two,  Dency  Elizabeth  and  Clarissa  Noble,  reached  years  of  maturity.  During 
his  later  years  Mr.  Root  lived  a  more  retired  life,  dividing  his  time  between  his 
two  daughters.  To  him  was  accorded  the  precious  prize  of  keen  mentality  to  the 
last,  and  his  physical  powers  were  also  but  slightly  impaired  in  the  closing  years 
of  his  life.  In  1870  he  walked  two  miles  on  a  bitter  cold  day,  notwithstanding 
the  protest  of  his  daughters,  to  obtain  castings  for  a  steel  sphere  to  be  magnetized 
— a  work  which  had  not  then  been  accomplished.  He  contracted  a  severe  cold 
which  brought  on  pneumonia  and  he  passed  away  three  days  later.  I-'.  "'• 

Mr.  Root  was  always  a  man  of  retired  disposition  and  of  few  words.  He 
spent  his  leisure  in  research  along  many  scientific  lines  and  remained  a  student 
to  the  last.  Few  college-bred  men  possessed  as  comprehensive  a  knowledge 
of  scientific  laws  and  principles,  and  in  addition,  Mr.  Root  was  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  literary  attainments.  During  his  travels,  which  covered  many  sec-; 
tions  of  the  country,  he  gathered  many  choice  curios  and  rare  geological  speci- 
mens. Although  more  than  four  decades  have  passed  since  he  was  called  from 
this  life  it  is  well  known  that  his  contributions  to  the  world's  work  were  valuable, 
and  some  of  these  have  not  yet  reached  their  full  fruition.  As  the  pioneer  in- 
ventor of  the  rotary  snow  plow,  who  can  measure  how  great  is  the  influence  and  re- 
sult of  his  work  or  who  can  estimate  how  much  suffering  as  well  as  delay  in  time 
has  been  prevented  by  the  use  of  this  device  which  he  brought  forth  ?  His  investi- 
gation and  researches  along  scientific  lines  were  ever  a  stimulus  to  others.  Dijath 
gives  the  perspective  which  places  man  in  his  true  relations  with  his  fellows 
and  his  age,  and  in  this  instance  indicates  clearly  how  far  reaching  in  its  efforts 
was  the  life  of  one  of  Galesburg's  most  honored  pionee;rs. 


:'.;;;;•''•""••'"  .^'-.  FRANK  E.  JOHNSON.  ;  ;'-v;-:/^  .v'V, .•:.;'•;  \^ 

Frank  E.  Johnson,  proprietor  of  the  Johnson  Fuel  Company  located  at  646 
Chambers  street,  Galesburg,  was  born  in  this  city  on  the  7th  of  March,  1868. 
His  parents  were  Andrew  F.  and  Anna  (Peterson)  Johnson,  both  natives  of 
Westergotland,  Sweden.  There  the  father,  whose  birth  occurred  on  Christmas 
day,  1823,  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  he  also  served  in  the  Swedish  army. 
Both  parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  locating  in  Galesburg, 
where  they  were  subsequently  married.  Andrew  F.  Johnson  was  a  skilled 
mechanic,  and  for  many  years  was  successfully  engaged  in  carpentry  work  and 
contracting,  thus  acquiring  a  competence  that  enabled  him  to  spend  his  latter 


FRAXIv  E.  JOHNSON 


1124          /;  HISTORY  OF  KXOX  COUNTY 

the  tracks  where  the  greatest  snow  blockades  occur.  About  the  time  he  was 
l^erfecting  his  snow  plow  he  secured  the  patent  on  a  device  for  holding  a  spirit 
level  in  surveying,  besides  a  number  of  other  patents  of  value.  He  ordered  made 
the  first  glass  fruit  jars  ever  used.  They  were  closed  with  corks  and  sealed 
with  wax  and  held  four  and  six  quarts.  He  also  devised  a  magnetic  battery 
and  took  magnetic  treatments  in  his  own  home.  \\'henever  he  realized  a  need  it 
seemed  he  could  meet  it  by  reason  of  his  superior  inventive  skill  and  ingenuity. 

On  the  "th  of  October.  i(S2i,  Mr.  Root  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lavinia 
Butler  who  was  born  at  Durham,  Xew  York.  April  9.  1803.  and  died  at  Camden 
that  state  on  the  25th  of  June.  1834.  Five  children  were  bom  to  them  but  only 
two.  Dency  IClizabeth  and  Clarissa  Xoble.  reached  years  of  maturity.  During 
his  later  years  Mr.  Root  lived  a  more  retired  life,  dividing  his  time  between  his 
two  daughters.  To  him  was  accorded  the  precious  prize  of  keen  mentality  to  the 
last,  and  his  physical  powers  were  also  but  slightly  impaired  in  the  closing  years 
of  his  life.  In  1870  he  walked  two  miles  on  a  bitter  cold  day,  notwithstanding 
the  protest  of  his  daughters,  to  obtain  castings  for  a  steel  sphere  to  be  magnetized 
— a  work  which  had  not  then  been  accomplished.  He  contracted  a  severe  cold 
which  brought  on  pneumonia  and  he  passed  away  three  days  later.  .  :  I 

Mr.  Root  was  always  a  man  of  retired  disposition  and  of  few  words.  He 
spent  his  leisure  in  research  along  many  scientific  lines  and  remained  a  student 
to  the  last.  I'^ew  college-l)red  men  possessed  as  comjjrehensive  a  knowledge 
of  scientific  laws  and  principles,  and  in  addition.  Mr.  Root  was  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  literary  attainments.  During  his  travels,  which  covered  many  sec- 
tions of  the  country,  he  gathered  many  choice  curios  and  rare  geological  speci- 
mens. Although  more  than  four  decades  have  i)assed  since  he  was  called  from 
this  life  it  is  well  known  that  his  contributions  to  the  \\  orkl's  work  were  valualile, 
and  some  of  these  have  not  yet  reached  their  full  fruition.  As  the  pioneer  in- 
ventor of  the  rotary  snow  plow,  who  can  measure  how  great  is  the  influence  and  re- 
sult of  his  work  or  who  can  estimate  how  much  suffering  as  well  as  delay  in  time 
has  been  prevented  by  the  use  of  this  device  which  he  brought  forth?  His  investi- 
gation and  researches  along  scientific  lines  were  ever  a  stimulus  to  others.  Death 
gives  the  perspective  which  places  man  in  his  true  relations  with  his  fellows 
and  his  age.  and  in  this  instance  indicates  clearly  how  far  reaching  in  its  efforts 
was  the  life  of  one  of  Galesburg's  most  honored  pioneers. 


.!    ;  FRANK  E.  JOHXSOX. 

Frank  E.  Johnson,  proprietor  of  the  Johnson  Fuel  Company  located  at  646 
Chambers  street,  (ialesburg.  was  born  in  this  city  on  the  jth  of  March,  1868. 
His  parents  were  Andrew  F.  and  Anna  (Peterson)  Johnson,  both  natives  of 
Westergotland,  Sweden.  There  the  father,  whose  birth  occurred  on  Christmas 
day,  1823,  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  he  also  served  in  the  Swedish  army. 
Roth  parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  locating  in  Galesburg. 
where  they  were  subse(|uently  married.  Andrew  F.  Johnson  was  a  skilled 
mechanic,  and  for  many  years  was  successfully  engaged  in  carpentry  work  and 
contracting,  thus  acquiring  a  competence  that  enabled  him  to  spend  his  latter 


FRANK  K.  .lOIlNSDN 


^'>-^:    ;K    •    ;  ;;;       HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  1127 

days  in  retirement.  He  passed  away  in  November,  1899,  at  the  age  of  almost  sev- 
enty-six years.  Both  parents  held  membership  in  the  Swedish  Lutheran  church, 
which  the  father  erected  in  1868,  and  for  many  years,  he  was  one  of  its  officers. 
In  his  political  views  he  was  a  republican.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson 
numbered  four,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  youngest.  The  others  were  as  fol- 
lows: Charles  F.,  who  is  deceased;  Tillie  M.,  who  is  at  home;  and  Oscar  F., 
who  died  in  infancy. 

The  education  of  Frank  E.  Johnson  was  begun  in  the  public  schools  and 
completed  by  a  commercial  course  in  Brown's  Business  College.  After  laying 
aside  his  text-books,  he  worked  with  his  father  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  seven 
years,  and  then  entered  the  employ  of  the  Simpson  Lumber  Company.  For 
fifteen  years  he  held  the  position  of  manager  of  the  latter  enterprise,  and 
during  that  time  he  bought  out  the  business  he  is  now  conducting,  which  was 
founded  by  Cline  &  Shaw.  In  1908  he  gave  up  his  position  with  the  lumber 
company  and  has  ever  since  given  his  undivided  attention  to  the  development  of 
his  fuel  business.  It  has  made  a  very  substantial  growth  since  he  undertook 
its  management  three  years  ago,  and  gives  the  most  gratifying  assurance  of 
prospering.  He  carries  both  hard  and  soft  coal  as  well  as  coke  and  wood  and 
every  other  variety  of  fuel,  maintaining  both  a  wholesale  and  retail  depart- 
ment. Mr.  Johnson  is  the  type  of  man  who  niakes  anything  he  undertakes 
succeed,  having  not  only  the  enterprise  and  industry  but  the  determination  of 
purpose  that  refuses  to  recognize  defeat.  .  ^ 

In  this  city  on  the  6th  of  October,  1896,  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  J.  Pauline  Anderson,  a  daughter  of  Hans  and  Hannah  Anderson,  and 
they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  daughters,  Helen  Frances  and  Ruth  Mar- 
garet. .  '  •  I-  ; 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  are  members  of  the  First  Swedish  Lutheran 
church.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  His  connections  with  organizations  of 
a  more  purely  social  nature  are  confined  to  the  Galesburg  and  Country  Clubs, 
while  he  keeps  in  touch  with  his  fellow  business  men  through  the  medium  of 
the  Retail  Merchants  Association.  His  political  support  is  given  to  the  repub- 
lican party,  but  he  has  never  sought  public  honors,  preferring  to  give  his  entire 
time  and  attention  to  the  promotion  of  his  business  interests.  The  Johnson  Fuel 
Company  was  founded  on  the  4th  of  July,  1903,  and  its  development  must  be 
entirely  attributed  to  his  clear  judgment,  sagacity  and  unceasing  effort. 


'-'  -;--':         THOMAS  McCLELLAND,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.  ^    ^  ^.:;;V-.\ 

;         Thomas  McClelland,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  was  called  to  the  presidency  of  Knox 

;   College  in  1900.    He  has  sustained  during  his  administration  its  high  reputation 

:  — it  being  one  of  the  oldest  colleges  in  the  state.    He  was  born  in  Quilly,  County 

Derry,  Ireland,  May  i,  1846.    His  parents  were  William  and  Margaret  (Smiley) 

McClelland,  the  former  a  teacher  of  considerable  experience.    The  family  on  both 

sides  comes  of  Scotch  ancestry. 

<        Doctor  McClelland  was  only  three  years  of  age  when  brought  by  his  parents 
'   to  the  new  world.     He  early  displayed  special  aptitude  in  his  studies  and  his 


1128  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY ^••^;^;:.v.;v    '•; 

fondness  for  learning  led  him  to  continue  his  education  beyond  the  public  schools.      •   v, 
He  prepared  for  college  in  Denmark  Academy,  Denmark,  Iowa,  and  was  gradu-  '     -  y 
ated  from  Oberlin  College  in  1875  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.    Eight    '  -   : 
years  later,  his  alma  mater  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.    In  >;    ,;:• 
the  meantime,  he  had  been  a  student  in  the  Oberlin  Theological  Seminary  in        .  • 
1876-7,  and  in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  in  1877-8,  and  in  1880,  he  was    ^ 
graduated  from  the  Andover  (Mass.)  Theological  Seminary,  having  thus  thor-    '.,.       - 
oughly  qualified  for  the  ministry.    However,  his  work  has  been  mostly  done  in  the 
college  class  room,  rather  than  in  the  pulpit.    In  1880,  he  accepted  the  position  of 
professor  of  philosophy  at  Tabor  College,  where  he  remained  until  1891.    In  the 
fall  of  that  year,  he  became  president  of  the  Pacific  University  of  Oregon,  where     J>    • 
he  continued  until  1900.     In  September  of  the  latter  year,  he  was  called  to  the    .      ;• 
presidency  of  Knox  College.    During  his  administration,  the  college  has  made  most          •; 
gratifying  progress,  both  in  its  educational  standing  and  in  its  material  and  finan-    •       .. 
cial  resources.  •  '  •  •  '  I        '••     . 

-     On  the  i9th  of  August,  1880,  in  Denmark,  Iowa,  Doctor  McQelland  was  mar-       ;  ;t 
ried  to  Miss  Harriet  C.  Day  and  by  this  union  three  children  were  born  to     .     • 
them,  Kellogg  Day,  Cochran  Bruce  and  Ruth  Marjory.  . 

Doctor  McClelland  has  become  widely  known  in  educational  circles.    In  1891,  '  •      .- 
Tabor  College  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.    In  1905, 
the  University  of  Illinois  honored  him  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Law.     He          ' 
has  been  a  trustee  of  the  Carnegie  Foundation  for  the  Advancement  of  Teach- 
ing since  its  establishment  in  1905.  ,.       , 


CHARLES  ALFRED  HINCKLEY.       '^  :  ,         f 

Charles  Alfred  Hinckley  at  one  time  lived  on  a  farm  that  embraced  the  dis- 
trict between  Seminary  and  Chambers  streets  in  Galesburg  and  north  of  Grove 
street  and  the  fields  which  he  once  cultivated  are  converted  into  a  thickly  popu- 
lated and  splendidly  improved  district  of  that  city.  With  the  history  of  Knox 
county  from  pioneer  times  he  was  closely  associated,  arriving  here  in  1846 — the 
year  in  which  he  attained  his  majority.  He  was  born  January  23,  1825,  in 
Meredith,  Delaware  county.  New  York,  and  was  descended  from  Samuel  Hinck- 
ley, who  came  of  good  English  stock,  and  was  born  at  Tenderden,  in  the  county 
of  Kent,  England,  in  1595.  He  brought  his  family  to  the  new  world,  accompanied 
by  Nathaniel  Tilden,  an  ancestor  of  Governor  Samuel  J.  Tilden,  of  political 
fame.  They  embarked  on  the  sailing  ship  Hercules,  a  vessel  of  two  hundred 
tons,  in  1634,  sailing  from  Sandwich,  the  seaport  of  Kent,  and  several  months 
later  reached  Boston,  taking  up  their  abode  at  Scituate,  about  twenty  miles 
from  Boston.  Later  they  removed  to  Barnstable,  where  the  parents  died.  Their 
youngest  son  was  John  Hinckley.  the  founder  of  the  branch  of  the  family  to 
which  Charles  A.  Hinckley,  of  Galesburg.  belonged.  He  settled  in  Stonington, 
Connecticut.  Mrs.  Hannah  (Wheeler)  Hinckley,  the  grandmother  of  Charles  A. 
Hinckley,  was  a  descendant  of  John  Howland,  of  the  Plymouth  colony.  Alfred 
Hinckley,  the  father  of  Charles  A.  Hinckley,  was  born  in  Berne,  Albany  county. 
New  York,  December  6,  1799,  and  died  at  Galesburg,  March  lo,  1888,  He  fpl- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  -  ^^  -     1129 


lowed  agricultural  pursuits  and  also  conducted  a  sawmill  in  New  York.  In  that 
state  he  married  Eliza  Stanley  Van  Devort,  who  was  born  in  Cork,  Ireland, 
June  25,  1797,  and  died  in  Galesburg,  March  4,  1874.  Mrs.  Hinckley  had  been 
brought  to  America  by  her  parents  in  1799,  when  about  two  years  of  age.  The 
voyage,  undertaken  by  a  sailing  vessel,  was  a  stormy  one  and  it  was  feared  that 
they  would  not  reach  their  destination.  During  one  severe  storm  the  mother 
put  her  two  little  daughters  in  a  wooden  chest  and  locked  them  in  so  that  in  case 
the  boat  sunk  they  would  not  be  devoured  by  sharks.  Mrs.  Hinckley  was  reared 
in  the  Empire  state  and  in  Delaware  county,  March  23,  1824,  gave  her  hand  in 
marriage  to  Alfred  Hinckley.  The  year  1846  witnessed  their  removal  to  Illinois, 
at  which  time  they  settled  on  a  farm  south  of  Knoxville,  but  later  removed  to 
Galesburg.  In  their  family  were  six  children,  Charles  Alfred,  Mary  Eliza, 
George  Wheeler,  William  Stanley,  Francis  Edward  and  Harriette  Amelia.  Of 
these  Mary  E.  and  George  W.  are  still  living. 

Like  many  other  boys  of  his  day  the  opportunities  which  Charles  Alfred 
Hinckley  had  for  obtaining  an  education  were  quite  limited.  He  spent  the 
three  months'  winter  term  as  a  pupil  in  the  district  schools  while  the  remainder 
of  the  year  was  devoted  to  hauling  logs  to  his  father's  sawmill  or  to  the  work 
of  the  farm.  When  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  of  age  he  secured  the  position 
of  driver  on  the  towpath  of  the  Erie  canal.  When  twenty  years  of  age,  in  com- 
pany with  his  sister  Mary  he  journeyed  westward  to  Illinois,  with  Knoxville  as 
his  destination.  For  a  time  he  lived  with  his  uncle,  W.  H.  Holcomb,  where  he 
proved  his  usefulness  in  doing  any  tasks  that  were  assigned  him.  For  his  labor 
he  received  the  munificent  sum  of  nine  dollars  per  month,  a  sum  paid  him  in 
provisions  for  the  family  when  they  arrived  in  Illinois  the  following  spring. 
During  the  winter  of  1845-6  he  carried  the  mail  on  horseback  from  Princeton 
to  Macomb.  The  winter  was  severe  with  deep  snow,  artd  it  was  not  an  easy 
task  to  follow  the  trail  over  the  unbroken  prairie,  many  times  through  l>linding 
snow  storms.  The  following  spring  he  rented  a  farm  south  of  Knoxville  and  thus 
had  a  home  in  readiness  for  his  parents  and  the  other  members  of  the  family 
upon  their  arrival  in  June.  In  1849  they  removed  to  Galesburg,  renting  what 
was  then  known  as  the  Kellogg  farm,  situated  between  Seminary  and  Chambers 
streets  and  north  of  Grove  street.  The  old  barn  which  they  used  still  remains  in 
about  the  middle  of  the  block.  In  1852  the  family  purchased  from  the  trustees 
of  Knox  College  a  quarter  section  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  city.  In  1857  he 
arranged  to  buy  out  the  interests  of  the  others  of  the  family  in  that  property 
and  they  removed  to  a  farm  across  the  street  to  the  west,  leaving  Charles  A. 
Hinckley  in  possession  of  the  farm  upon  which  he  lived  until  his  death,  on  the 
I5th  of  October,  1910.  It  was  not  an  easy  task  to  make  payments  upon  the 
place  and  carry  on  the  work  of  improvement.  ]\Iany  were  the  vicissitudes, 
struggles  and  trials,  but  with  the  encouragement  and  aid  of  his  wife,  who  was 
judicious  in  management,  far-seeing  and  helpful,  he  paid  for  the  original  farm 
and  added  something  to  the  first  purchase.  ' 

It  was  in  Galesburg,  on  the  I7th  of  March,  i86i,  that  Mr.  Hinckley  was 
married  to  Miss  Clarissa  N.  Root,  the  wedding  ceremony  being  performed  by 
the  Rev.  Kingsbury  of  the  First  Baptist  church.  Mrs.  Hinckley  is  the  daughter 
of  Riley  and  Lavinia  (Butler)  Root,  and  was  born  in  Camden,  New  York, 
November  22,  1831.  She  is  one  of  the  few  survivors  of  the  founders  of  Gales- 


1130  ^  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  .;.,.- 

burg  and  is  at  present  the  only  living  member  in  Galesburg  of  that  memorable 
canal  boat  party  that  came  from  New  York  to  Illinois  by  water,  the  trip 
extending  over  a  period  of  three  months  through  the  heated  season  of  the  year, 
being  terminated  when  they  reached  Log  City,  August  2,  1836.  Her  father, 
Riley  Root,  was  born  August  29,  1795,  and  died  February  24,  1870.  He  was  of 
good  old  English  stock,  being  a  descendant  of  John  Root,  the  emigrant  ancestor 
who  came  to  America  in  1630.  The  wife  of  Riley  Root  was  born  April  9,  1803, 
and  passed  away  June  25,  1834.  Five  daughters  were  born  of  their  marriage 
but  only  two,  Dency  E.  and  Clarissa  N.,  reached  maturity.  The  father  was  a 
mechanic  and  inventor  of  rare  ability,  bringing  out  a  number  of  valuable  inven- 
tions, the  most  important  of  which  was  a  rotary  fan  blower,  a  machine  for  clear- 
ing the  snow  from  the  railroad  tracks.  The  device  proved  successful  but  for  lack 
of  funds  he  was  unable  to  demonstrate  its  usefulness  to  the  skeptical  public 
and  officials  of  a  new  railroad  enterprise,  and  the  patent  was  allowed  to  expire. 
Later  its  efficiency  was  noted  by  officials  of  the  western  roads  and  today  the  prin- 
ciple which  he  used  is  employed  in  machines  for  clearing  the  tracks  where  the 
greatest  snow  blockades  occur.  In  1837  Mr.  Root  cut  millstones  and  built  a 
horse-power  grist  mill  which  was  the  only  mill  within  a  radius  of  fifty  miles 
until  the  erection  of  Olmstead's  water-power  mill  near  Monmouth,  Illinois.  The 
Root  mill  was  a  great  convenience  to  the  settlers,  being  chiefly  used  to  grind 
corn  and  sorghum.  Mr.  Root  also  assisted  in  erecting  the  first  house  built  in 
the  city  of  Galesburg  and  in  other  ways  took  a  most  active  and  helpful  part  in 
promoting  public  progress  and  in  laying  the  foundation  for  the  city's  present 
prosperity. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinckley  became  the  parents  of  four  children :  Pluma  E. ;  Mrs. 
Ada  P.  Chapman ;  Arthur  E. ;  and  Alice  G.  Lavinia,  who  departed  this  life 
February  20,  1904.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hinckley  was  a  republican  from 
the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  party.  His  first  vote  had  been  cast  for 
General  Zachary  Taylor.  He  joined  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Galesburg  on 
its  organization  and  at  his  death  was  its  oldest  member.  Both  the  Hinckley  and 
the  Root  families  have  taken  a  very  active  and  helpful  part  in  matters  relating 
to  general  progress  and  improvement  in  Galesburg  and  Knox  county,  and  no 
history  of  this  section  would  be  complete  without  according  to  them  due  recog- 
nition of  what  has  been  done  in  laying  the  foundations  for  the  present  develop- 
ment of  this  part  of  the  state. 


'''-:--. ://'--'':'^'--'i.--?-'':  .•'•''  JOSEPH  THIRLWELL. 

When    keen    business    judgment    supplements    tireless    labor    the    result    is 
certain.     Those  qualities  were  dominant   factors  in  the  life  of  Joseph  Thirl- 
well   and   gradually   he  worked  his   way   upward   in   the  business   world   to   a 
place  of  distinction.    He  was  born  at  Combhill,  Northumberland,  England,  July 
''  5,  1827,  a  son  of  John  and  Ruth  Thirlwell.     The  father  died  in  England  after 
.     which  the  mother  married  again  and  with  her  son  Joseph  came  to  America, 
'•  settling  in  Galesburg.     They  landed  on  American  shores  on  the  4th  of  July, 
••':   1849,  and  made  their  way  direct  to  Knox  county.     . 


^/..>.//  .^////...// 


:>:";:>    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY        >     :?;:^      1133 

In  the  meantime  Joseph  Thirlwell  had  obtained  a  fair  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  town  and  had  learned  the  stone  mason's  trade.  After 
arriving  in  Galesburg  he  purchased  a  farm  that  now  lies  in  the  outskirts  of  the 
city  and  was  a  part  of  the  college  grant  land.  In  addition  to  the  cultivation  of 
his  fields  he  worked  at  his  trade,  building  culverts  on  the  land  of  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad,  then  in  the  course  of  construction.  He  also 
worked  on  various  buildings  in  Galesburg.  He  was  a  natural  mechanic  and  very 
efficient  in  all  tasks  of  a  ipechanical  nature.  Whatever  he  did  was  characterized 
by  thoroughness  and  this  was  one  of  the  elements  that  brought  him  success.  His 
first  house  on  his  farm  was  of  frame  but  he  later  erected  one  of  brick  and  that 
still  stands.  Mr.  Thirlwell  burned  the  brick  for  his  second  building,  and  he  did 
much  to  further  the  work  of  improvement  upon  his  homestead.  He  was  very 
thrifty,  had  keen  business  judgment  and  was  possessed  of  unfaltering  industry. 
As  the  years  passed  he  became  interested  in  investments  and  speculation  and 
amassed  a  fortune.  His  opinion  of  the  value  of  a  business  proposition  was 
usually  sound.  He  seemed  to  know  where  the  most  advantageous  investments 
could  be  made  and  time  proved  the  wisdom  of  his  opinions.  When  he  passed 
away  he  had  many  financial  interests  and  was  a  director  of  the  First  National 
Bank  and  the  Farmers  &  Mechanics  Bank,  both  of  Galesburg.  He  lived  and 
died  on  the  farm  which  he  purchased  on  his  removal  to  Knox  county,  having  in 
the  meantime  brought  it  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  For  years  it  was  the 
"first  premium"  farm  of  the  county  and  also  won  the  cash  prize  and  gold  medal 
at  the  Illinois  State  Fair. 

•  In  1876,  at  Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  England,  Mr,  Thirlwell  was  married  to 
Miss  Charlotte  Bullman  of  England,  who  died  April  23,  1891.  The  following 
year  Mr.  Thirlwell  wedded  Miss  Caroline  Giddings  of  Galesburg  and  for  nine 
years  they  traveled  life's  journey  happily  together,  being  separated  by  the  death 
of  Mr.  Thirlwell  on  the  I4th  of  Felpruary,  1901.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican 
and  fraternally  was  connected  with  the  Masons.  He  was  domestic  in  his  tastes 
and  loved  his  home  and  fireside,  spending  his  happiest  hours  there.  While  he  had 
membership  in  no  church  he  was  actuated  in  all  he  did  by  high  principles  and 
was  a  liberal  giver  to  all  denominations.  He  also  gave  generously  to  charitable 
organizations  and  to  the  needy  individual,  in  fact,  his  hand  was  ever  outreaching 
in  aid  and  sympathy  to  those  in  distress,  and  in  matters  of  citizenship  he  was 
public  spirited,  seeking  ever  the  welfare  and  best  interests  of  the  community ; 
in  a  word,  he  stood  for  helpfulness  and  for  progress  and  he  accomplished  much 
good  in  the  span  of  life  allotted  him  which  covered  almost  seventy-four  years. 


;  =  :  /   ^:    ;-        CHARLES  WESLEY  LEFFINGWELL,  D.  D.      '  ^  -^^-V  v^  •; : 

'.,'••  •-.-.-.•*•  :••-''-.• 

Although  Dr.  Charles  W.  Leffingwell  has  since  1908  made  his  home  in  Pasa- 
dena, California,  he  yet  gives  a  portion  of  his  time  to  St.  Mary's  school  at  Knox- 
ville,  of  which  he  was  the  founder  and  of  which  he  still  continues  rector.  More- 
over, he  was  an  honored  citizen  of  Knox  county  for  forty  years  and  his  life's 
labors  have  constituted  an  important  chapter  in  its  history.  A  man  of  scholarly 


1134  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY       -7     ::'^-v 

attainments,  whose  talents  have  been  devoted  to  the  work  of  assisting  and  in- 
structing his  fellowmen  along  intellectual  and  moral  lines,  his  influence  has  been 
of  no  restricted  order,  for  from  the  platform  and  through  the  press  he  has  left 
the  impress  of  his  thought  and  purpose  upon  the  lives  of  many.  He  was  born  in 
Ellington,  Connecticut,  December  5,  1840,  a  son  of  Lyman  and  Sarah  Chapman 
(Brown)  Leffingwell,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Connecticut  and  were  repre- 
sentatives of  old  families  of  that  state.  The  father  was  a  descendant  of  Lieuten- 
ant Thomas  Leffingwell,  a  leader  in  the  colony  which  settled  in  Norwich,  Connec- 
ticut, about  1637. 

Although  born  in  New  England,  Dr.  Leffingwell  spent  a  portion  of  his  youth 
in  Knox  county  and  was  graduated  from  Knox  College  in  Galesburg  with  the  class 
of  1862.  In  recognition  of  the  excellent  work  which  he  had  done  in  connection 
with  the  ministry  his  alma  mater  conferred  upon  him  the  Doctor  of  Divinity  degree 
in  1875.  Ere  he  pursued  his  college  course  he  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching 
and  was  principal  of  the  Galveston  Academy  in  1859-60.  He  also  served  as  dep- 
uty  surveyor  of  Galveston  county.  Following  his  graduation  from  Knox  College 
he  became  military  instructor  in  the  Poughkeepsie  Military  Institute,  where  he 
remained  from  1862  until  1865.  In  the  meantime  he  had  determined  to  enter 
upon  the  active  work  of  the  ministry  and  was  graduated  at  the  Nashotah  Theo- 
logical Seminary  with  the  class  of  1867.  The  same  year  he  was  ordained  deacon 
and  priest  and  was  assigned  to  the  position  of  assistant  minister  of  St.  James 
church  in  Chicago.  The  following  year  he  founded  St.  Mary's  school  at  Knox- 
ville,  Illinois,  with  which  he  has  been  more  or  less  actively  connected  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  He  has  also  been  rector  of  the  school  since  1868.  Along  varied  and 
constantly  broadening  lines  his  usefulness  has  extended  and  in  many  fields  of 
labor  his  work  has  been  a  vital  element  for  moral  and  intellectual  progress.  He 
was  connected  with  St.  Alban's  school  in  1890  and  for  twenty-one  years  he  was 
editor  and  publisher  of  The  Living  Church,  a  paper  published  weekly  in  Chicago 
to  further  the  interests  of  his  denomination.  In  every  possible  way  he  has  pro- 
moted  the  growth  and  extended  the  influence  of  his  church,  being  an  active  factor 
in  its  organized  and  in  its  individual  efforts.  He  has  been  president  of  the  stand- 
ing  committee  of  the  diocese  of  Quincy  (111.)  since  its  organization  in  1878  and 
has  been  deputy  to  the  general  convention  since  1877.  He  has  also  been  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  Jubilee  College,  rector  of  St.  Alban's  school  since  1890  and  vis- 
itor  of  St.  Martha's  school  of  Knoxville.  He  is  likewise  a  trustee  of  the  Western 
Theological  Seminary  at  Chicago  and  is  a  lecturer  on  church  history  in  the  Train- 
ing  School  for  Deaconesses  in  Los  Angeles,  California.  He  has  likewise  proved 
himself  a  capable  business  man  in  connection  with  more  material  interests,  being 
the  president  of  the  Leffingwell  Rancho,  Inc.,  of  Whittier,  in  California.  Along 
the  lines  of  general  progress  and  improvement  he  has  likewise  been  active  and 
especially  in  the  fields  of  scientific  investigation.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ameri- 
can Geographical  Society,  the  Chicago  Geographic  Society,  the  National  Geo- 
graphic Society  and  the  Archaeological  Institute  of  America. 

In  1862,  at  Westfield,  New  York,  Dr.  Leffingwell  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Francis,  daughter  of  John  Francis,  who  came  from  Kent,  Eng- 
land, to  the  new  world.  The  children  of  this  marriage  are:  Charles  Warring, 
who  married  Virginia  Rowland,  and  resides  in  Pasadena,  California ;  Ernest  De 
Kovin,  an  Arctic  explorer ;  Hortense  Nesbit,  the  wife  of  Harlan  R.  Wilson ;  Ger- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ;         .   :      '         1135 

trude,  the  wife  of  Dr.  John  Walter  Vaughan ;  and  Alice,  who  became  the  wife  of 
I>r.  John  T.  Binkley,  of  Chicago,  and  died  leaving  one  child,  Madeline,  who  is 
now  living  with  her  grandparents.  As  stated.  Dr.  Leffingwell  now  makes  his  home 
in  Pasadena,  California,  although  his  various  duties,  interests  and  activities  call 
him  frequently  elsewhere.  He  belongs  to  the  Valley  Hunt  Qub  of  Pasadena 
and  the  Annandale  Country  Qub,  but  he  also  still  holds  membership  in  the  Uni- 
versity Club  and  the  Church  Qub  of  Chicago  and  in  the  Galesburg  and  Kiiox- 
ville  City  Clubs.  It  would  be  tautological  in  this  connection  to  enter  into  any 
series  of  statements  showing  Dr.  Leffingwell  to  be  a  man  of  broad  intelligence  and 
genuine  public  spirit,  for  these  have  been  shadowed  forth  between  the  lines  of 
this  review.  Strong  in  his  individuality,  he  never  lacks  the  courage  of  his  convic- 
tions but  there  are  as  dominating  elements  in  his  individuality  a  lively  human 
sympathy  and  an  abiding  charity,  which,  as  taken  in  connection  with  the  sterling 
integrity  and  honor  of  his  character,  have  naturally  gained  for  him  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  men.  .  ..  ,  ,  . 


•  '  •  :  ;    :       PROFESSOR  NEHEMIAH  H.  LOSEY.  :>•  'JV  =;,  v' 

Thirty-seven  years  have  passed  since  Professor  Nehemiah  H.  Losey  was  called 
from  this  life,  and  yet  Galesburg  will  never  cease  to  honor  his  memory  because 
his  work  lives  on  in  the  lives  of  those  who  came  under  his  teachings  and  those 
who  have  benefited  by  the  instruction  received  in  Knox  College,  of  which  he  was 
one  of  the  founders  and  promoters.  He  was  born  in  Orange  county.  New  York, 
in  1804,  and  was  graduated  from  Middlebury  College,  Vermont,  in  that  city,  with 
the  class  of  1830.  Taking  up  the  profession  of  teaching  as  a  life  work,  he  was  con- 
nected  with  the  Potsdam  (N.  Y.)  Academy  for  a  time  and  subsequently  became  a 
teacher  in  Whitesboro,  New  York.  While  in  the  latter  place  he  became  interested 
in  the  project  instituted  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gale  for  founding  and  endowing  a 
Christian  college  in  the  then  far  west.  He  became  one  of  the  incorporators 
of  Knox  College  and  a  lifelong  member  of  its  board  of  trustees.  For  seventeen 
years  he  was  secretary  of  the  board  and  for  eleven  years  was  its  treasurer.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  the  early  summer  of  the  year  1836  and  surveyed  and  laid  out 
the  town  of  Galesburg.  He  then  returned  to  Michigan  for  his  family  and  in  the 
fall  again  reached  Knox  county  and  opened  a  school  at  Log  City,  Henderson 
Grove,  with  Miss  Lucy  Gay  as  his  assistant.  In  that  school  both  the  common 
and  classical  branches  were  taught  and  this  constituted  the  real  foundation  of 
Knox  College.  In  connection  with  his  school  duties  he  served  as -the  town's 
first  postmaster,  being  appointed  in  1837  and  acting  in  that  capacity  for  four 
years.  He  remained  as  principal  of  the  academy  until  college  courses  were 
organized  and  introduced,  at  which  time  he  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  mathe- 
matics  and  natural  philosophy,  which  position  he  held  until  the  year  i86i,  when 
failing  health  compelled  him  to  resign.  During  the  earlier  years  of  the  school 
he  also  filled  the  chair  of  physics  and  chemistry  and  the  progress  of  the  school 
is  indicative  of  the  excellent  work  which  he  did  in  collaboration  with  the  other 
teachers  of  the  institution.  He  ever  held  to  high  ideals  in  his  work,  was  pro- 
gressive  in  his  methods  and  kept  in  touch  with  the  advancement  continuously 
being  made  in  the  teachers  profession.  .  ••,.:••-...  :  .•:;-•  -  , :  . .  \v 


1136  ;  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Soon  after  resigning  Professor  Losey  returned  to  New  York,  where  he  resided 
for  three  years,  and  then  again  came  to  Galesburg.  He  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  treasurer  of  the  college,  which  position  he  filled  to  the  time  of  his  death  in 
June,  1875. 

His  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  republican  party  and  his  religious 
faith  was  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He.  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  Upper 
Mississippi  valley  to  plant  the  seeds  of  higher  civilization.  When  Chicago  was 
struggling  to  maintain  its  place  as  a  thriving  village  he  was  engaged  in  the 
organization  and  conduct  of  a  school  that  in  the  scope  of  its  work  and  influence 
should  be  equal  to  the  older  institutions  of  similar  character  in  the  east.  Knox 
College  stands  as  a  monument  to  the  labors  of  such  men  and  its  hundreds  of 
alumni  pay  tributes  of  respect  and  honor  to  his  memory.  He  was  a  man  of 
high  ideals,  broad  culture  and  a  teacher  of  eminent  ability.  Although  retiring 
in  disposition,  he  was  ever  genial  and  amiable,  was  conscientious  in  the  discharge 
•;  •-  of  his  duties  and  ever  stood  as  a  high  type  of  the  Christian  gentleman. 


;         r-.M  CHARLES  H.  MATHEWS.     '..ci'-'^-^!—^.i'.'-:, 

To  accomplish  what  one  undertakes,  to  believe  that  one's  capacities  and 
powers  are  equal  to  his  opportunities,  to  avail  oneself  of  the  advantages 
near  at  hand — all  these  things  indicate  the  innate  strength  of  the  individual  and 
are  the  measure  of  his  success.  Prominent  among  those  who  have  occupied 
foremost  positions  in  the  ranks  of  Galesburg's  business  men  and  who  have 
attained  a  notable  measure  of  prosperity,  at  the  same  time  commanding  the 
respect  and  honor  of  those  with  whom  they  have  had  dealings,  was  Charles 
H.  Mathews  whp  was  born  in  Schenectady,  New  York,  February  i,  1823. 
His  parents,  John  and  Letitia  (Humphrey)  Mathews,  were  born,  reared  and 
married  in  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  and  after  the  birth  of  their  first  child  they 
came  to  America,  settling  at  Schenectady,  New  York,  where  the  father  followed 
merchandising  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1871. 

In  the  common  schools  of  his  native  city  Charles  H.  Mathews  pursued  his 
education,  but  his  father  met  with  financial  reverses  and  the  boy  began  earning 
his  own  livelihood  by  clerking  in  a  store  in  Schenectady  when  thirteen  years  of 
age.  Later  he  went  to  New  York  city  where  he  engaged  in  business  on  his  own 
account  for  several  years.  He  then  returned  to  his  native  city  where  he  estab- 
lished a  l^rge  dry-goods  business  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  1856. 
His  interests  were  constantly  broadening  in  scope  and  volume,  and  believing 
that  there  were  still  better  opportunities  in  the  middle  west  he  came  in  1856  to 
Galesburg  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising  until  1864.  The  following  year 
he  became  identified  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  the  city  but  in  the  autumn 
of  1865  he  returned  to  Schenectady  where  he  remained,  retired  from  business, 
until  1874.  His  Galesburg  interests  having  grown  to  large  proportions  he  re- 
turned here  and  again  entered  the  dry-goods  business  from  which  he  finally 
retired  in  January,  i88i.  So  wisely,  capably  and  carefully  were  his  interests 
directed  that  he  amassed  a  fortune  and  had  become  the  richest  man  in  Gales- 
burg at  the  time  of  his  death  which  occurred  on  the  I2th  of  March,  1883.  Dif- 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  1139 


ficulties  and  obstacles  never  seemed  to  cause  any  great  mental  disturbance  with 
him ;  he  seemed  to  find  ,a  way  out  of  any  dilemma^  such  as  one  continually  con- 
fronts in  a  business  career  and  gradually  he  advanced  to  a  point  where  his  suc- 
cess made  him  one  of  the  foremost  business  men  in  Galesburg.  He  always  fol- 
lowed constructive  methods,  never  taking  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  an- 
other, and  his  straightforward  dealing  and  enterprise  gained  him  not  only  pros- 
perity but  the  high  regard  and  honor  of  his  fellow  townsmen. 

On  the  i8th  of  October,  1855,  in  Amsterdam,  New  York,  Mr.  Mathews  was 
married  to  Miss  Eliza  Sheldon,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  Sheldon,  for  many 
years  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Albany  bar.  He  married  Miss  Jackson  and 
died  in  Amsterdam,  New  York,  in  1860.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mathews  became  the 
parents  of  five  children:  Alice,  now  deceased;  Letitia;  Charles  H.,  who  has  also 
passed  away;  Mary;  and  Annie  W.,  who  is  the  wife  of  J.  Grant  Beadle  of 
Galesburg. 

':  Mr.  Mathews  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  but  never 
sought  the  rewards  of  office  in  recognition  of  party  fealty.  He  died  in  Gales- 
burg, March  12,  1883,  and  a  life  of  great  activity  and  usefulness  was  thus  ended. 
Many  years  have  since  come  and  gone  but  his  memory  is  cherished  by  those  who 
knew  him  and  all  students  of  history  recognize  the  part  he  played  in  the  up- 
building and  development  of  this  section.  It  was  a  far  step  from  his  starting 
point  in  a  humble  clerkship  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years  to  his  later  position  as  a 
foremost  citizen  of  Galesburg,  but  the  way  which  he  traveled  was  straight,  his 
purpose  unfaltering  and  his  success  was  the  legitimate  reward  of  his  enterprise. 


^v-   ;'  :\    V   ERASTUS  SWIFT  WILLCOX.       c  ?;;:"-'' 

That  man  may  be  considered  fortunate  who  succeeds  in  finding  a  place  in 
the  business  or  educational  world,  for  which  he  is  in  all  respects  thoroughly 
adapted. 

.  The  above  reflection  applies  with  full  force  to  Erastus  Swift  Willcox,  the 
librarian  of  the  Peoria  public  library.  Mr.  Willcox  was  bom  at  Port  Henry, 
Essex  county,  New  York,  February  i6,  1830,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  Keziah 
(Meacham)  Willcox.  They  both  belonged  to  that  sturdy,  substantial,  sensi- 
ble class,  common  to  New  England  and  New  York  state.  The  father  was  a 
fanner.  He  came  west  as  one  of  the  first  colonists  who  settled  on  the  prairie 
where  the  city  of  Galesburg,  in  Knox  county,  now  stands.  His  object  in  set- 
tling there  was  to  give  his  children  the  benefit  of  a  liberal  education  in  the 
college  which,  under  the  plan  of  Dr.  George  W.  Gale,  was  about  to  be  es- 
tablished in  Galesburg,  now  and  for  a  long  time  known  as  Knox  College. 

James  Willcox,  grandfather  of  Erastus  S.  Willcox,  was  born  in  Killing- 
worth,  Connecticut.  His  ancestors  came  from  Plymouth,  England,  about  1640. 
I"  ^773  the  grandfather,  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  removed  to  Bridge- 
port, Vermont,  where  he  owned  a  large  farm  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Champlain, 
residing  there  until  his  death  in  1840.  He  was  one  of  the  two  guides  to  help 
Ethan  Allen  and  his  Green  Mountain  boys  across  the  lake  at  the  time  of  the 
capture  of  Fort  Ticonderoga  in  1775.  His  remembrance  of  the  language  of 


1140  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

Ethan  Allen,  at  the  time  of  his  demand  for  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  was:  "In 
the  name  of  God  I'Mighty  and  the  Continental  Congress,"  etc.,  instead  of  the 
language  usually  attributed  to  him. 

The  great-grandfather  on  the  mother's  side  was  Captain  William  Meacham, 
commander  of  a  company  in  Colonel  Woodbridge's  regiment.  He  was  killed 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  June  17,  1775,  and  his  name^  is  inscribed  on  the 
bronze  tablets  at  Winthrop  Square,  just  below  that  of  General  Warren. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  descended  from  patriotic, 
fighting  stock,  and  it  accounts,  in  a  measure,  for  that  persistent  tenacity  which 
has  characterized  his  entire  career.  Mr.  Wilcox  was  graduated  in  the  classical 
department  of  Knox  College  in  the  class  of  1851.  As  before  stated,  his  father 
was  a  farmer,  and  Mr.  Willcox  was  reared  upon  the  farm.  His  taste,  how- 
ever, was  not  for  that  sort  of  a  life,  but  rather  for  books.  After  graduation 
he  taught  a  select  school  in  Farmington,  Illinois,  for  one  year.  He  then  became 
clerk  in  a  bank  in  Peoria,  where  he  remained  for  a  year,  after  which  he  studied 
and  traveled  in  Germany,  France,  Italy  and  England,  for  two  years,  with  his 
personal  friend.  Professor  Churchill,  of  Knox  College.  He  was  then  professor 
of  modern  languages  for  six  years,  until  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  compelled 
retrenchment  in  the  college  finances.  He  then  returned  to  Peoria,  studied  law 
and  subsequently  engaged  in  the  business  of  manufacturing  and  coal  mining, 
which  he  continued  until  1891,  when  he  assumed  the  duties  of  librarian  of  the 
Peoria  public  library.  Probably  no  man  in  Peoria  was  so  actively  and  earnestly 
engaged  in  the  establishment  of  the  public  library  as  Mr.  Willcox.  Soon  after 
his  return  and  settlement  .in  Peoria  he  interested  himself  in  the  library  as  it 
then  existed,  and  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  establishment  of  the  Mer- 
cantile library.  With  great  persistence  and  sound  judgment  he  aided  in  the 
development  of  the  latter,  and  subsequently,  in  connection  with  others,  brought 
about  the  establishment  of  the  Peoria  public  library,  to  which  was  transferred  all 
of  the  personal  property  of  the  Mercantile  Library  Association.  The  beautiful 
building,  now  known  as  the  Public  Library  building,  was  largely  the  result  of  the 
earnest  efforts  of  Mr.  Willcox,  and  it  will  stand  as  a  monument  for  years  to 
come  of  his  zeal  and  interest  in  the  education  of  the  people.  He  has  occupied 
the  position  of  inspector  of  the  Peoria  public  schools,  and  was  president  of  the 
board  for  two  years.  He  has  always  been  especially  interested  in  the  subject 
of  education,  not  only  in  the  public  schools,  but  through  the  influence  of  the 
public  library,  and  has  been  noted  during  his  whole  career  in  Peoria  for  his 
devotion  to  this  cause.  His  experience  as  a  director  of  the  Mercantile  library 
from  1864  demonstrated  that  a  subscription  library — the  only  kind  of  public 
library  known  in  those  days — was  a  failure,  so  far  as  reaching  the  masses  of 
the  people  were  concerned ;  and,  for  the  very  good  reason  that  the  women  and 
children  who  hungered  for  books  did  not  hold  the  family  purse  strings,  while  the 
men  who  held  the  purse  strings  did  not  care  particularly  for  books.  I-  - 

Mr.  Willcox  has  always  earnestly  favored  the  societies  and  organizations 
that  had  for  their  purpose  the  development  of  all  that  was  best  in  the  city,  and 
has  given  of  his  time  and  means  generously  in  that  direction.  He  is  the  author 
of  the  present  state  library  law,  which  was  adopted  March  7,  1872 — the  first 
really  comprehensive  free  public  library  law  in  the  United  States,  and  the 
model  of  the  library  laws  which  other  states  have  enacted  since.  The  proof 


^"   V  •  '    ::;       ^-HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^-^  1141 

that  such  a  law  was  needed  is  seen  in  the  fact  that,  whereas,  the  old  subscrip- 
tion library  had  a  membership  never  exceeding  three  hundred,  the  free  public 
library  now  has  a  membership  of  nine  thousand,  four  hundred  and  seventy. 

Mr.  Willcox  grew  up  under  the  influence  of  the  Presbyterians  and  Congre- 
gationalists,  but  in  his  maturer  years  has  not  been  able  to  subscribe  to  all  the 
peculiar  tenets  of  either  of  those  churches,  but  has  always  believed  in  all  that 
was  best  in  all  church  work.  ^  "  •:' 

In  politics  he  is  and  always  has  been  a  republican  but  believes  in  that 
manly  independence  which  leads  a  man  to  vote  for  the  best  man  for  public  office, 
especially  in  local  affairs,  whether  belonging  to  his  own  party  or  another. 

In  July,  1857,  Mr.  Willcox  was  married  to  Mary  T.  Hotchkiss,  of  Peoria, 
the  only  daughter  of  J.  P.  Hotchkiss,  and  granddaughter  of  General  Walter 
Booth,  of  Meriden,  Connecticut.  She  died  January  lo,  1863,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren, George  M.  and  Mary  H.,  the  latter  now  Mrs.  Sisson,  of  FlagstaflF,  Arizona. 
Mr.  Willcox  was  again  married,  June  22,  1869,  his  second  union  being  with 
Mary  L.  Hatch,  of  Warwick,  Massachusetts.  Two  children  have  been  born  of 
this  union,  William  Arthur  and  Harold  Hatch. 

As  the  beginning  of  this  sketch  indicates,  Mr.  Willcox  is  the  right  man  in 
the  right  place.  His  thorough  education,  his  foreign  travel,  his  interest  in  and 
acquaintance  with  books,  render  him  an  invaluable  man  in  the  position  he  now 
occupies.  It  would  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  fill  his  place  with  any  one  so  well 
fitted  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  position.  He  has  for  years  kept  himself 
well  abreast  of  the  times  and  well  informed  in  reference  to  books  and  writers. 
His  sound  knowledge  touching  the  value  of  books  peculiarly  fits  him  for  the  posi- 
tion. He  has  made  a  special  study  of  public  libraries,  and  is  well  versed  in  all 
modern  methods  relating  to  their  operation.  All  the  friends  of  the  public  library 
earnestly  hope  for  many  future  years  of  his  efficient,  acceptable  service,  and 
would  seriously  regret  his  retirement.  He  has  always  in  all  his  dealings  and  life 
been  highly  regarded  for  his  high  purpose,  his  advocacy  of  all  that  is  best  in 
personal,  municipal  and  national  life.  The  influence  of  such  men  is  not  always 
fully  appreciated  during  their  life  but  it  leaves  its  mark  for  good  upon  the  com- 
munity, becoming  more  apparent  and  potential  as  time  goes  on. 


.      •      -   .  '        THEODORE  M. 

••..•.- ••'.-^'•. ':.:•-. 't;  •-.••••:•;.  -•;---;V'^-  ?^^  •'::o..-:>-v:^:';'  ;  :-\:.-  ;..- '-.v/;-^;- 

Theodore  M.  Cox,  the  president  of  the  Galesburg  Grocery  Company  and 
also  of  the  Cox  Brothers  Company,  made  his  start  in  life  upon  the  basis  of  a 
public-school  education  and  good  home  training,  and  since  that  time  has  con- 
stantly advanced,  the  field  of  his  activity  continuously  broadening  while  his 
labors  have  more  and  more  become  a  factor  in  upholding  the  commercial  stabil- 
ity and  progress.  He  was  bom  in  Vermont,  Fulton  county.  Illinois,  May  26, 
1866.  His  grandfather,  Jesse  Cox,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  car- 
penter by  trade.  He  married  Theodosia  Mershon  and  they  became  early  resi- 
dents of  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed.  They 
had  a  large  family  including  Mary,  Samuel,  Henry,  Rebecca,  Caleb  B.  and 
others.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Theodore  M.  Cox  was  Josiah  Wilkinson, 


'•{  1142  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  . 

..who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  learned  and  followed  the  cabinet-maker's 

trade.     He  was  also  an  early  settler  of  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  where  both  he 

and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Ellen  Hamer,  lived  to  an  old  age. 

'.    Their  children   were   as   follows:    Joseph,   Hannah,   Mary,   Annie   B.,   Henry, 

Cornelia  and  Charles. 

Caleb  B.  and  Annie  B.  (Wilkinson)  Cox,  the  parents  of  Theodore  M.  Cox, 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.     The  former  was  reared  in  the  Keystone  state 
;   and  became  a  school  teacher  but,  removing  to  the  west,  cast  in  his  lot  with  the 
early  settlers  of   Fulton  county,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising. 
.    Some  time  afterward  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  banking  business  in  Ver- 
.  •".':  mont,. Illinois,  and  also  became  a  prominent  factor  in  the  public  life  of  the  county 
which  for  two  terms  he  represented  in  the  Illinois  legislature.     He  also  served 
V  for  three  years   in   the  Eighty- fourth   Illinois  Volunteer   Infantry   during  the 
r'';  Civil  war  with  the  rank  of  major.    He  died  in  Vermont  in  1874  when  but  forty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  in  that  period  he  accomplished  a  work  which  might  well 
be  regarded  as  a  serviceable  life  work  of  many  a  man  of  twice  his  years.     His 
'  •  widow  still  survives  him.     They  were  originally  members  of  the  Society  of 
•;  Friends   or   Quakers.     Their   family   numbered  seven   children:    Wilmer,   de- 
o  ceased;  Theodore  M.,  of  this  review;  Mary  Ellen,  who  has  also  passed  away; 
;  Olive,  the  wife  of  H.  H.  Cleveland,  of  Rock  Island,  Illinois;  Edward,  of  Gales- 
burg;  Howard,  also  a  resident  of  Rock  Island;  and  Sherman,  of  New  York  city. 
.,  Theodore  M.  Cox  spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  native  county  and  after  at- 

tending the  public  schools  of  Vermont  was  for  a  brief  period  a  student  in  Knox 
]'•  •  College.     He  afterward  began  clerking  in  a  hardware  store  belonging  to  his 
;  uncles,  J.  W.  and  Henry  Cox,  and  subsequently  became  a  partner  of  his  uncle, 
,  '  Ezra  Dilworth,  and  the  latter's  son  Willis  in  the  conduct  of  a  business  at  Ver- 
. .     mont  under  the  firm  name  of  E.  Dilworth  &  Company.     After  two  years  Mr. 
Cox  withdrew    from   that   partnership   and   joined   his   brothers    Edward   and 
Howard  in  purchasing  the  Dilworth  interests  in  the  business,  which  they  con- 
"'     tinued  to  conduct  until  1896.     In  that  year  Theodore  M.  Cox  and  Howard  Cox 
came  to  Galesburg  and  purchased  the  business  of  the  Avery  Brothers  &  Brooks 
Company  which  they  conducted  with  success  until  1903,  when  they  sold  out  and 
•,.  .  erected  the  Cox  building  at  the  corner  of  Chambers  and  Mulberry  streets.    There 
V  they  conducted  a  heavy  machinery  storage  and  transfer  business  and  in   1904 
'  ;  organized  the  Cox  Brothers  Company  in  order  to  engage  in  the  general  vehicle 
•     and   implement   business   in   addition   to   their   storage   enterprise.     They   also 
opened  a  retail  store  for  the  sale  of  vehicles,  farm  implements  and  seeds,  and 
•       through  the  establishment  of  branch  houses  conducted  business  in  that  line  in 
three  different  locations.     Eventually,   however,  they  disposed  of   their  retail 
interests  and  in  1909  in  connection  with  F.  S.  Taylor  acquired  the  Galesburg 
Grocery  Company  of  which  Theodore  M.  Cox  is  the  president.    In  1910  he  also 
became  interested  in  the  Galesburg  Cornice  Works,  the  business  being  now  con- 
ducted in  the  Cox  building.    He  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  syndicate  that  pur- 
chased the  George  W.  Brown  property.     Long  since  recognized  as  a  prominent 
and  progressive  man,  his  cooperation  has  been  sought  in  many  fields,  in  all  of 
'which  his  labors  have  become  effective  and  far-reaching  elements  of  success. 

Mr.  Cox  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lilly  I.  Oviatt,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Mary  (Jones)  Oviatt  and  a  native  of  Arkansas.    Eight  children  have  been 


•  ;        ^     :v    -   .:     HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY  ^  -;        1143 

born  of  this  marriage,  as  follows:    Anna  Beth,  Margaret  Ella,  Olive  Louise, 
Doris  Irene,  Mary  Ann,  Syble  Josephine  and  two  who  died  in  infancy. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Cox  is  a  republican  and  has  served  as  chairman  of 
the  board  of  election  commissioners  but  has  on  the  whole  taken  little  active  part 
in  politics  or  public  affairs,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  busi- 
ness interests  which  have  constantly  developed  in  importance  and  in  extent.  He 
never  falters  until  he  has  carried  forward  to  success  his  well  defined  plans,  yet  in 
their  execution  he  has  never  been  known  to  take  advantage  of  another  in  trade 
conditions  but  has  promoted  his  business  along  constructive  lines  and  by  honor- 
able methods  has  won  public  confidence  as  well  as  prosperity. 


'  For  fifteen  years  Isidor  I.  Bondi  has  been  numbered  among  the  merchants 
of  Galesburg,  having  in  1897  opened  here  a  dry-goods  store  under  the  name  of 
Bondi  Brothers  &  Company.  The  correctness  of  their  business  methods  is  man- 
ifest  in  their  success,  which  has  enabled  them  not  only  to  build  up  an  extensive 
establishment  and  control  a  large  trade  in  this  city  but  also  to  establish  various 
branch  stores  elsewhere  which  are  also  proving  profitable  sources  of  income. 

Mr.  Bondi  was  born  in  Salina,  Kansas,  April  29,  1868,  his  parents  having 
been  pioneer  settlers  there.  His  father,  August  Bondi,  was  born  in  Vienna, 
Austria,  July  21,  1833,  and  acquired  his  education  in  the  Academic  Gymnasium 
of  Vienna.  He  was  fifteen  years  of  age  when  on  the  i5th  of  May,  1848,  he 
joined  the  Academic  Legion,  lifting  the  first  granite  paving  block  to  start  the 
first  barricade  in  the  Vienna  revolutionary  struggle.  On  the  6th  of  September, 
1848,  he  left  Vienna  for  the  United  States,  arriving  at  New  Orleans  on  the  loth 
of  November  and  going  thence  to  St.  Louis.  In  October,  1849,  he  began  retailing 
auction  stock  at  Quincy  but  afterward  returned  to  St.  Louis  to  learn  the  printer's 
trade.  In  1854  naturalization  rights  made  him  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  and 
the  same  year  he  entered  a  claim  near  Lawrence,  Kansas.  While  there  he  formed 
the  acquaintance  of  John  Brown,  the  noted  apostle  of  liberty,  and  joined  the 
Free  State  minutemen  under  command  of  that  intrepid  leader.  They  marched 
to  Lawrence  and  thus  was  instituted  the  beginning  of  the  Border  Ruffian  war. 
On  the  I4th  of  May,  1857,  Mr.  Bondi  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Walker,  An- 
derson  county,  Kansas,  and  was  still  the  incumbent  of  that  office  when,  three 
years  later,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1860,  he  was  married  to  Henrietta  Einstein,  of 
Leavenworth,  Kansas.  On  the  23d  of  December,  i86i,  he  offered  his  services 
to  the  government  in  defense  of  the  Union  as  a  member  of  Company  K,  Fifth 
Kansas  Cavalry,  with  which  he  remained  for  three  years.  Mr.  Bondi  was  a 
lawyer  by  profession  and  was  prominently  identified  with  public  interests  in 
the  various  communities  in  which  he  lived.  He  served  at  different  times  as 
United  States  commissioner  at  Fort  Harker,  as  postmaster  at  Salina,  Kansas, 
and  in  various  county  and  state  offices  in  Kansas.  The  love  of  liberty  and  the 
spirit  of  loyalty  which  prompted  him  to  ally  his  interests  with  the  contending 
forces  in  Vienna  when  but  fifteen  years  of  age  were  manifest  throughout  his 
entire  life.  He  died  September  30,  1907. 

Vol.  n— 52 


:         1144  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 

'•.:;•  '  --h^' 

Isidor  I.  Bondi  laid  the  foundation  of  his  education  in  the  public  schools  at 
Salina,  Kansas,  and  made  his  initial  step  in  the  business  world  in  1886  by  pur- 
suing a  course  of  drafting  and  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  carpentering  and 
building.  Subsequently  he  took  a  business  course  in  the  Salina  Normal  College 
at  Salina,  Kansas,  and  in  the  spring  of  1889  he  removed  westward  to  Portland, 
Oregon,  where  he  remained  for  six  years.  The  following  year  was  spent  in 
eastern  Oregon  and  in  Idaho  and  after  the  McKinley  election  he  left  the  west 

-.  and  came  to  Illinois.  In  the  spring  of  1897  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
brother,  Hart  E.  Bondi,  and  opened  a  dry-goods  store  in  Galesburg  under  the 
firm  style  of  Bondi  Brothers  &  Company.  They  have  increased  their  business 
from  year  to  year  until  theirs  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  establishments  in 
this  part  of  the  state  and  in  addition  they  have  opened  and  conduct  success- 
fully branch  stores  in  Kewanee,  Illinois;  Salina,  Kansas;  and  Sedalia,  Missouri. 
On  the  26th  of  July,  1911,  Mr.  Bondi  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Tennie 

.  Zuzak,  of  Boonville,  Missouri.  They  have  one  daughter,  Helen,  who  was  born 
on  the  8th  of  June,  1912.  Mr.  Bondi  belongs  to  the  Sons  of  Judah,  a  Jewish 
congregation,  and  is  its  secretary.  He  is  a  charter  member  and  one  of  the  di- 
:•  rectors  of  the  Provident  Saving  &  Loan  Association  of  Galesburg  and  his  fra- 
ternal relations  are  with  the  Elks  Lodge  No.  894  and  Veritas  Lodge,  No.  478,  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  of  which  he  has  been  treasurer  for  a  number  of  years.  He  is  likewise 

;        an  active  member  of  the  Galesburg  Club,  serving  at  the  present  time  on  its 

commercial  committee,  and  he  is  a  member  of  the  Soangetaha  Country  Club. 

. .  -      He  also  has  an  interesting  military  chapter  in  his  life  record,  for  at  the  age  of 

seventeen  years  he  was  mustered  into  the  Fourth  Regiment  Band  of  the  Kansas 

, .. .     National  Guard,  with  which  he  served  for  three  years.    As  a  business  man  he  is 

alert  and  enterprising,  actuated  by  a  spirit  of  progress  in  all  that  he  does.    As  we 

look  over  life  we  see  that  to  one  is  given  the  talent  for  poetry,  to  another  that  of 

.          art,  to  another  of  construction,  to  another  of  mechanics,  and  to  still  another  the 

capability  for  successful  business  management.    Few  men  under  fifty  would  will- 

.  ingly  admit  that  the  last  mentioned  is  limited  and  young  men  especially  all  believe 
that  they  possess  it.  But  the  annual  records  of  business  failures  show  that  the 
rule  holds  good  and  that  only  a  comparatively  few  have  the  capability  for  the 
successful  control  of  commercial  interests.  Mr.  Bondi  is  one  who  has  been  thus 
endowed  and  his  diligence  and  progressiveness  have  constituted  the  basis  of 

•        continuous  advancement.  .     t  ....        - 


J;/:       ^-;v-  .    REV.  LUCIUS  H.  PARKER.       T'        ::;V,^:; 

For  many  years  the  Rev.  Lucius  H.  Parker  devoted  much  of  his  life  to 
Christian  teaching.  As  a  minister  of  the  Congregational  church  his  labors  were 
far  reaching  and  effective  and  still  bear  fruit  in  the  lives  of  those  who  came 
under  his  guidance.  He  was  born  March  20,  1807,  in  Woodstock,  Vermont, 
and  although  he  passed  away  in  Galesburg  on  the  29th  of  February,  1872,  he 
is  yet  remembered  by  many  of  the  older  citizens  who  recognized  his  worth  and 
.entertained  for  him  the  highest  regard  and  gave  to  him  their  warm  friendship. 
His  parents  were  Lucius  H.  and  Marion  (Wallace)  Parker,  in  whose  home  his 


;•   ^•;  ?V'  r>;:.  ,>:\.    HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY    :'      '  1145 

youthful  days  were  passed.  Having  determined  to  devote  his  life  to  the  ministry 
he  began  studying  in  the  Lane  Theological  Seminary  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  but  left 
that  school  in  April,  1836,  six  weeks  before  graduation,  together  with  ninety 
other  students  because  of  the  anti-slavery  ideas  which  they  held.  Later  he  at- 
tended lectures  at  Oberlin  College,  of  Oberlin,  Ohio,  and  his  wife  was  a  student 
there  at  the  same  time. 

In  1836  the  Rev.  Lucius. H.  Parker  went  to  Galena,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged 
in  preaching  for  about  one  year  and  then  resumed  his  studies  at  Oberlin  where 
he  remained  for  two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  accepted  a  call 
from  a  church  at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  engaged  in  preaching  until  1844. 
He  then  came  to  Galesburg  and  filled  the  pulpit  of  the  Congregational  church 
at  this  place  for  two  years.  In  addition  to  his  church  work  he  was  interested  in 
agriculture.  When  he  no  longer  accepted  regular  pastorates  he  spent  much  of 
his  time  in  organizing  Congregational  churches  and  many  of  the  now  strong 
church  societies  of  the  northern  and  central  part  of.  the  state  were  formed  through 
his  instrumentality  and  under  his  guidance.  He  likewise  labored  earnestly  in  the 
interest  and  for  the  upbuilding  of  Knox  College  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

On  the  3 1st  of  August,  1836,  the  Rev.  Parker  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Treat  Holyoke,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Lucy  (Greenleaf )  Holyoke,  the  latter 
an  own  cousin  of  the  poet,  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  Mrs.  Parker's  father  was 
a  wealthy  carriage  manufacture  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  the  daughter  attended 
Harriett  Beecher  Stowe's  school  in  that  place. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Parker  have  been  born  the  following  named:  William 
Holyoke,  Lucius  Clark,  Robert  Stuart,  Edward  Austin,  Mary  Elizabeth  Castle, 
David,  Charles  Wallace  and  Emily  Almira  Gilbert. 

The  Rev.  Parker  was  always  deeply  interested  in  the  anti-slavery  movement 
and  before  the  war  his  home  was  one  of  the  so-called  stations  on  the  famous 
underground  railway  and  gave  shelter  and  food  to  many  fugitive  slaves  on  their 
way  to  Canada.  His  early  political  allegiance  was  given  to  the  whig  party  and 
when  the  republican  party  was  formed  to  prevent  the  further  extension  of  slavery 
he  joined  its  ranks  and  continued  one  of  its  stanch  advocates  until  his  death. 
He  was  very  deeply  interested  in  the  Union  cause  during  the  Civil  war  and  at  all 
times  was  a  loyal  and  progressive  citizen  who  sought  the  welfare  of  the 
community  at  large  as  well  as  the  advancement  of  the  individual.  .-  ,  .. 


,:\v       ;     •    V     EWING  VAN  DARIEN  MORRIS,  M.  D.  C  •u';V:"'^v 

"  Dr.  Ewing  Van  Darien  Morris  is  now  one  of  the  oldest  practicing  physicians 
in  Galesburg  in  years  of  continuous  connection  with  the  profession,  having  first 
opened  an  office  in  this  city  in  1885.'  Thorough  preparatory  training  well  quali- 
fied him  for  the  responsibilities  which  have  devolved  upon  him  and  study  abroad 
has  also  given  him  intimate  knowledge  of  the  methods  followed  by  many  of  the 
distinguished  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  old  world.  Illinois  claims  Dr. 
Morris  as  one  of  her  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Monmouth,  on 
the  7th  of  May,  1858.  His  parents  were  Easton  and  Rebecca  Ann  (Butler) 
Morris,  the  father  born  in  southern  Illinois,  May  13,  1833,  while  the  mother's 


•1146  HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY     -  -         -'    ^  V^ 

birth  occurred  in  Monmouth  on  the  28th  of  February,   1834.     Easton  Morris 

'   after  establishing  his  home  in  the  vicinity  of  Monmouth  gave  his  attention  to 

farming  which  he  made  his  life  work.     He  met  a  sudden  death,  on  the  8th  of 

'   September,   1866,  being  struck  by  lightning  while  in  Kansas,  whither  he  had 

gone  to  purchase  land.     His  political  support  was  ever  given  to  the  democratic 

.  party  and  the  community  in  which  he  lived  regarded  him  as  a  worthy  and  valued 
citizen.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  William  and-  Susan  (Chapman)  Butler, 
the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  Illinois.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Easton  Morris  were  bom  three  children  of  whom  the  Doctor  is  the  eldest.  The 
second  child,  a  daughter,  died  in  infancy,  while  Myron  is  now  a  farmer  in 
Minnesota. 

Dr.  Morris  was  a  lad  of  only  eight  years  at  the  time  of  his  father's  death. 

.     In  his  youthful  days  he  walked  three  and  a  half  miles  to  and  from  school  and 
when  but  nine  years  of  age  he  engaged  in  driving  teams.    When  a  lad  of  nine 
years  he  began  farming  for  himself  and  he  saved  money  until  he  had  a  sum 
sufficient  to  buy  a  self-raking  reaper,  after  which  he  cut  grain  for  neighboring 
farmers  by  the  acre.    Later  he  purchased  a  binder  and  continued  his  work  as  a 
factor  in  the  agricultural  development  of  the  community.     From  his  earnings 
he  saved  every  cent  possible,  until  he  felt  that  he  was  justified  in  carrying  out 
his  intention  of  preparing  for  the  medical  profession.    He  was  twenty-two  years     ••.--'/',] 
of  age  when  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Webster,  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  who    ''.  ! .   .• 
directed  his  preliminary  reading  while  later  he  pursued  a  three  years'  course 

:     in  Rush  Medical  College.    He  also  spent  one  year  in  the  study  of  dental  surgery 

in  Chicago  and  in   1884  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Cullom,      :  '^  •,'; 
Illinois,  where  he  remained  for  a  year.     In  1885  he  came  to  Galesburg  and  is       .-.-.' 

,    one  of  the  oldest  practicing  physicians  in  this  city,  having  for  more  than  a     •  C  •  ' 
quarter  of  a  century  been  active  in  the  profession  here.    From  the  outset  he  has 
been  a  close  student  of  everything  bearing  upon  the  profession  and  tending  to 
bring  to  man  the  key  to  the  complex  mystery  which  we  call  life.     In  1894  he 
pursued  a  post-graduate  course  in  Chicago  and  a  year  later  went  to  New  York 

;     for  further  study.     Another  year  passed  and  he  then  went  to  Vienna,  Austria, 
where  he  spent  a  year,  and  also  pursued  special  courses  in  Berlin,  Paris  and 
London,  coming  under  the  instruction  and  watching  the  methods  of  some  of 
the  most  eminent  practitioners  and  specialists  of  the  old  world.     Since  1904  he 
has  remained  continuously  in  Galesburg  and  in  1909  extended  his  business  ac-     . 
tivities  to  include  the  conduct  of  a  drug  store,  becoming  a  partner  of  Dr.  Dick-     :      ' 
inson  in  this  enterprise.     Subsequently  he  purchased  his  partner's  interest  and       • ,  ; 
is  now  sole  owner  of  the  business.    Dr.  Morris  has  always  enjoyed  an  extensive    -'  -   .  \ 
practice  and  his  ability  is  widely  recognized,'  placing  him  among  the  eminent        •  > v 
representatives  of  the  profession  in  this  part  of  the  state.     He  is  extremely     .-      ;'. 
careful  in  the  diagnosis  of  his  cases  and  very  conscientious  in  the  performance     /  ;  -> 
of  professional  duties.  r      >    v';        ':••;;  I "      ^'    ' 

Dr.  Morris  has  been  married  twice.    He  first  wedded  Miss  Francis  Margaret     .'.v   ./ 
McVey,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Margaret  McVey,  of  Warren  county,  Illinois,    v  .  . . 
She  was  born  November  2,  1858,  and  died  on  the  3Oth  of  October,  1883.     For      ;  j-. 
his  second  wife  Dr.  Morris  chose  Miss  Lavina  Gale,  a  daughter  of  James  Gale,    ;    ,  ;' 
of  Galesburg,  this  marriage  being  celebrated  in  January,  1895.     Dr.  Morris  is 
a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  Camp  at  Galesburg  and  his  social  as  well 


HISTORY  OF  KNOX  COUNTY 


1147 


as  his  professional  qualities  render  him  popular.  He  has  a  very  wide  acquain- 
tance and  his  friends  are  many.  He  never  allows  social  or  other  interests,  how- 
ever, to  interfere  with  the  faithful  performance  of  his  professional  duties  and 
he  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  onward  move  of  the  profession  through  his 
membership  connections  with  the  Knox  County  Medical  Society,  the  City  Medi- 
cal Society,  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Asso- 
ciation. 


•  •  •         '.  '.'•,-'*    "^    '     .'-.''' 

^  :'•'•  '  '•':  ^••:':'.''.,  c^-.   '.::--  . 


-*  -    ;\  ,'V    .'    ' .;  •  .'-.»-   •  '•-.  ''    ''  , 
•  .  •.*.'".'-       V *,.'•*      *•;  -   •-•     •' 


>.  ^.   '      •     '•••"''' 


INDEX 


Abdill,  J.  F 861       Belden,  W.  L 319 

Abrahamson,    Charles 685      Bellwood,  W.  S 850 

Adams,  E.  R 302      Bennett,  H.  J 891 

Adams,  F.  L 27*--  Benson,  L.  W 795 


Aldrich,  D.  W 1005 

Allen,  A.  H 448 

Allen,  C.  E 108 

Allen,  H.  A 294 

Allen,  J.  S 57 

Allen,  N.  T 106 

Ament,  G.  D 368 

Anderson,  A.  B 445 

Anderson,  A.   0 846 

Anderson,  Ole   937 

Anderson,  S.  A 347 

Appell,  A.  L. 593 

Appell,  E.  J 704 

Applegren,  J.  M 471 

Armstrong,  James   913 

Arnold,  B.  F.   ...... .r. 160 

Arnold,  H.  F 154 

Arnold,  Wilfred   147 

Asplund,   J.   W 599 

Austin,  Charles    606 

Austin,  Thomas 825 

Avery,  C.  M 30 

Ayres,  S.  C 80 

Bailey,  Walter  819 

Baines,    Francis     T^ 22 

Baird,  B.  P 774 

Baird,  L.  P 661 

Barlow,  A.  A 472 

Barlow,  J.  E 807 

Barry,   Frances    1040 

Bartlett,  F.  S 308 

Bartlett,  J.  D 371 

Bartlett,  W.  A 362 

Bates,  M.  C 153 

Baymiller,  Michael    831 

Bearmore,  F.  C 785 

Becker,  Louis   86 

Beckett,  John  251 

Behringer,  George    516 


Bentley,  W.  F 360 

Berggren,  A.  W 276 

Betterton,  Joshua   1018 

Bliss,  C.  R. 848 

Bloom,  H.  C.    r. 996 

Bohan,  J.  M. 339 

Bond,  William    .. 862 

Bondi,    I.   I 1143 

Boutelle,  A.  J 170 

Bowers,  Aaron 385 

Boyes,  W.  F.    ..:.... 1034  ' 

Bradburg,  J.  L 330 

Bradley,  W.  O'R. 71 

Bradshaw,  D.  W. 438 

Brandt,  John    331 

Bridge,  G.  H 728 

Bdggs,  J.  W. 793 

Broadfield,  E.  H 766 

Brooks,  R.  J 1021 

Brown,  Charles    459 

Brown,  G.  W 1115 

Brown,  P.  F. 1083 

Bryant,  J.  H 78 

Buck,  W.  N 758 

Bulson,  Ira,   591 

Burch,  John    857 

Burgland,  H.  P, 327 

Buriiaugh,  Daniel    886 

Burnett,  A.  C 118 

Burnside,  C.  S 541 

Burnside,  Isaac    867 

Burnside,  William   369 

Butler,  A.  C 786 

Byram,  G.  R 345 

Cadwell,   O.   0 933 

Cain,  J.  H 844 

Call,  E.  C 646 

Callahan,  Alex 898 

Callender,  I.  S 217 


1149 


1150 


INDEX 


Cameron,  W.  S 468 

Campbell,  O.  L 502 

Campbell,  S.  M 546 

Carlson,  A.  P 923 

Carlson,  C.  J 934 

Carlton,  W.  B 378 

Cams,  J.  Z. 95 

Carr,  C.  E 5 

Cation,  David   796 

Cation,  James    976 

Chamberlain,  C.  H 393 

Cbapin,  B.  N 712 

Chapman,  Frank    691 

Chase,  Mrs.  W.  A 821 

Churchill,  George 310 

Churchill,  G.  B 189 

Clark,  C.  S 386 

Clark,  G.  M 137 

Clark,    T.    A 789 

Cline,  A.  J 85 

Cline,  G.  W 866 

Cole,  F.  G 921 

Cole,  I.  F 178 

Coleman,  Eliza  A '. 632 

Collinson,  E.  T 703 

Collinson,  G.  M 677 

Colton,  C.  S 1072 

Colton,    Francis     1076 

Colton,  J.   B 268 

Colville,  R.  W 186 

Conger,  F.  L 83 

Conley,  G.  F ' 305 

Cook,  James   616 

Cooke,  F.  F 105 

Cooke,  John    96 

Corbin,  J.  F 353 

Costa,  Joseph 248 

Cox,  J.  N 345 

Cox,  J.  W 736 

Cox,  L.  J 764 

Cox,  Reuben   946 

Cox,  S.  J 515 

Cox,  T.  M 1141 

Craig,  A.  M 254 

Craig,  C.  C 588 

Craig,  George    328 

Craig,  W.  D 927 

Craver,  Thomas  623 

Crocker,  G.  D 50 

Crouch,  J.  K 266 

Crump,  Seth 174 

• 

Dalton,  Enoch 823 

Daugherty,  M.  J 1091 

Daughmer,  F.  U 772 

Davidson,  G.  W 651 

Davidson,  R.  E 671 


Davis,    S.    B 168 

Davison,   Edward    684 

Davison,   I.   W 622 

Davison,  Robert 630 

Dayton,  Benjamin   562 

Dayton,  W.  0 563 

DeLong,  W.  D 425 

Dennison,  L.  H 343 

Dickinson,  J.  T 1052 

Dikeman,  W.  N 878 

Donason,  A.  0 694 

Doubet,  G.  L 897 

Doubleday,  G.  P 261 

Doyle,  W.  E 124 

Drake,  E.  R 139 

Drury,  H.  F 173 

Dunbar,  G.  W 484 

Dunn,  F.  J 719 

Dunn,  W.  E 485 

Du  Von,  F,  T 1060 

•'  .."•';...^;v  •.;^-.^-•••'.v^•l• 

Eastes,  G.  J 92 

Edgar,  F.  L 199 

Edgar,  L.  J 198 

Edmundson,    G.   P 834 

Edwards,  D.  B 415 

Eiker,  A.  M 743 

Ekstadt,  C.  A.  896 

Elliott,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  B 1048 

Elliott,  G.   W 936 

Elliott,  W.  B 968 

Ely,   Boannerges    226 

Emrich,  Henry   323 

Ennis,   Hugh    1032 

Epley,  Peter  141 

Ericson,  J.   E 356 

Ervin,  R.  E. 332 

..v.:-'.^•;•:-••,^:..^;•.. .•••.,-  -J 

Fahnestock,  J.  C 324 

Ferris,  L.  C.    995 

Finley,  J.  A:    615 

Finley,  J.   0 580 

Fisher,  Joseph    530 

Fleharty,  W.  D 225 

Frankenburger,  B.  E 945 

Frankenburger,  C.  E 945 

Fredricks,  G.  E 608 

French,  P.  H 566 

Fritz,  William   600 

Fuller,   Erastus    986 

Gabrielson,    Axel     1107 

Galpin,   John    835 

r.arren,  U.  S 816 

Gates,  G.  S 401 

Gay,  F.  N 610 

Gebhart,  W.  A 421 


INDEX 


1151 


Geer,  J.  C 122 

Gehring,  Alexander   494 

Gehring,  A.  J 571 

Gehring,  Joseph   836 

Gibbs,  A.  0 908 

Gibbs,  Grant    663 

Gibbs,  Jonathan 941 

Gibbs,  L.  E 755 

Gibbs,  P.  H 922 

Gibbs,  Robert   779 

Gibbs,  R.  F Y48 

Gibbs,  W.  H 592 

Gibbs,  W.  H 966 

Gibson,  G.  A.  992 

Giles,  H.  W 62 

Gillis,    Heber     444 

Givens,  Strawther   863 

Godfrey,  W.  D 1053 

Goff,  W.  B 631 

Goldquist,    Fredericka    372 

Goldsmith,  E.  W 664 

Goodspeed,  N.  H 408 

Gough,  T.  R.  P.   876 

Graham,  G.  H 431 

Granville,  P.  N 88 

Gray,    J.    D 865 

Greep,  Catherine  U 733 

Griffith,  H.  R 164 

Griswold,  D.  J 275 

Gross,  Joseph   283 

Grubb,  J.  W 159 

Gustafson,  F.  0 1070 

Hagan,   G.    L 804 

Hagan,  H.  A 805 

Haggenjos,  K.  R.  558 

Hall,  John   983 

Hall,  Lydia  M.  730 

Hamerstrand,  A.  W 721 

Hamilton,  Josiah  938 

Hamilton,  J.  F 130 

Harler,  W.  W 803 

Harris,  I.  J. 486 

Hart,  B.  T 499 

Hathaway,  J.  B 672 

Hawkinson,  Andrew     957 

Hawkinson,  C.  M 437 

Hazlett,  F.  R 398 

Hedstrom,  G.  L.   1008 

Heffeman,  John  576 

Heller,  S.  H 855 

Hensley,  J.  A 801 

Herlocker,  W.  A 56 

Hertig,  E.  F 87 

Hilton,  G.  F 726 

Hinchliflf,  E.  E 116 

Hinchliff,  J.  E 212 


Hinchliff,  R.  W 117 

Hinckley,  C.  A 1128 

Hjerpe,    John    392 

Holahan,    John    211 

Holland,  H.  M 1108 

Holmes,  C.   E 532 

Holmes,  E.  F 197 

Holmes,  F.  L.  200 

Hoofnagle,  A.  L 579 

Hooker,  F.  H 99 

Hopkins,  Frank    814 

Hopkins,  F.  C 481 

Hubbell,  T.  J 542 

Huber,  Jacob    901 

Huber,  J.  L 914 

Huber,  W.  B 907 

Huff,  B.  J.,  Jr 531 

Hughes,  S.  M 354 

Humphrey,  A.  G 435 

Hunt,  R.  C 215 

Hunter,   J.   W 916 

Hurburgh,  C.  F 268 

Hurd,  A.  L.   ,>  .,  ...  548 

Hurlbut,  Francis 925 

Hurlbutt,  D.  C 102 

Ingersoll,  S.  A.    377 

Ives,  N.  B.,  Sr 624 

Jelliff,  F.  R 34 

John,    Mandiville    751 

Johnson,  A.  J.  V 771 

Johnson,    C.    G 585 

Johnson,  C.    0 953 

Johnson,   F.  E 1124 

Johnson,    John     705 

Johnson,    Jonas    577 

Johnson,  S.  H 952 

Johnston,  J.  A 1002 

Jones,  G.  W 1081 

Jones,  J.  W 1065 

Jordan,  W.  A 36 

Junk,  John    637 

Junk,  J.  H 597 

Junk,  Thomas    453 

Keefe,  Thomas  177  , 

Keener,  A.  C 476  • 

Keightley,  H.  N 9 

King,  Ambrose   915 

King,  A.  L 578 

King,  E.  J 647 

King,  H.  R 912 

King,  Hugh   918 

Kjellander,  E.  J 695 

Krans,  Anna  O.  B 682 

Krans,  F.  C. 500 

Kunkel,  H.  J 493 


1152 


INDEX 


Lafferty,  John  '. '. 540 

,  Lamoreux,  J.  M 1037 

Lapham,  Frank  888 

...  Larson,  Erich  605 

,-  Larson,  N.  J 697 

Larson,  William     340 

•  ';       Lass,  Ebenezer  710 

•  '        Lawrence,  R.  A 26 

Lawson,  P.  F 1069 

/     ;      Leffingwell,  C.  W 1133 

;  ';         Lehman,  W.  G 789 

Lemon,  M.   S 790 

:     Leng,   Albert    722 

Lewis,  J.  H 110 

Liken,  C.  T 553 

Lindstrum,  A.  0 452 

^.       Little,  0.  H 524 

;:~    Locklin,  John   594 

Lockwood,  E.  J 234 

•  •       Lofgren,  Gust  601 

.;     Longden,  A.  C.  351 

•  /     Losey,  N.  H 1135 

McAuley,  J.  B 423 

McCallister,  Alpha  B 1017 

.    '        McClelland,  Thomas    1127 

McClure,  Thomas 669 

ornack,  A.  F 429 

McFarland,    F.    0 583 

McGaan,  Hugh    944 

McGaan,  William    943 

McGirr,  N.  H 833 

McGirr,  W.  L. 805 

McKeighan,  R.  J 760 

McKie,  J.  M 202 

McKissock,  Peter 690 

McMaster,  C.   J 126 

McMaster,  D.  N 962 

McMaster,   John    508 

McMaster,   J.    E 645 

McMaster,  J.  M 926 

McMurtry,  J.  C 462 

McQuarrie,  Alan   510 

Me  Williams,  David  155 

Machen,  C.  H 977 

Machen,  H.  S 984 

Mack,  M.  J 241 

Mackey,  John  893 

Maholland,  Andrew  681 

Main,    C.    A 636 

Alain,  C.  W 659 

Main,  H.   E 529 

Main,  J.    E 906 

Main,  T.  P 519 

Main,  William    644 

Main,  W.  B 826 

Malcolm,   C.   A 316 


Maley,  W.  H 148 

Mason,  E.  T.  S 65 

Mathews,  C.  H 1136 

Mathews,  J.  S 649 

Matteson,    F.    G 209 

May,  S.  W 284 

Merrill,  C.  W 447 

Men-is,  J,  B 564 

Metcalf,  E.  P 300 

Miles,  J.   W 958 

Miller,  Charles    233 

Miller,    D.    C 69 

Milroy,    Nathan    770 

Milroy,  N.  M, 629 

Moats,  Summerfield    693 

Montgomery,  W.  H 440 

Moor,  Angus  362 

Moore,    W.    B 443 

Morgan,  G.  E.    904 

Morgan,  J.  E 928 

Morris,   E.   V.   D 1145 

Morse,  Menzo    820 

Mosher,  S.  W ' 935 

Mosser,  John 192 

Mott,  F.  B 432 

Mount,  Michael  . .  jc 399 

Murphy,  H.  N 125 


Nash,   Edwin    ........................  290 

Neale,  J.   W  .........................  1046 

Neely,  C.  R  ..........................  1028 

Nelson,  C.  V  .........................   555 

Nelson,  J.  C  ..........................  670 

Nelson,  J.    H.    .......................   924 

Nelson,  0.  C  .........................  322 

Nelson,  S.  B  .........................  1014 

Newberg,  G.  L  ........................   458 

Niles,  D.  P  ...........................   461 

Nisley,  J.  M  .........................     28 

Norene,  E.  W.  ........................   769 

North,  C.  D  ..........................  738 


Oberg,  J.  C.    ......'  ----  ..  .....  .'...... 

Oberholtzer,    J.    M  ...................  744 

Oberholtzer,   0.    J  ....................  142 

O'Connor,  J,  D  ........................  43 

Olson,  F.  H  ...........................  654 

Olson,  N.  E  ..........................  273 

Paden,  A.  F  .........................  911 

Paden,  James   ........................  348 

Palmquist,  Louis  .....................  117 

Parker,  I.   A  .........................  411 

Parker,  L.  H  .....  ;  ...................  1144 

Parkinson,    J.    R  ...............  ......  446 

Parkinson,  S.  R  ......................  778 

Patterson,  J.  H  .......................  725 


INDEX 


1153 


Patty,  George  584 

Payne,  J.  S 620 

Payton,  Orlando    809 

Penn,  C.   B 1058 

Percy,  J.  F 1096 

Perrin,  M.  T 281 

Perry,  Albina  H 1088 

Perry,  A.  J 1084 

Perry,  G,  A 1064 

Peterson,  August    656 

Peterson,  L.   W 538 

Peterson,  Swan    1039 

Peterson,  S.  H 344 

Pillsbury,    I.    L 520 

Poplett,   Frank    759 

Porter,  Hattie    817 

Potter,  A.  S 788 

Potts,  Silas   683 

Preston,  I.  C 701 

Pulver,  C.  H 955 

Purdy,  John   991 

Quick,  C.  E 613 

Rankin,  Samuel  628 

Ray,  T.  W 956 

Rebstock,  Jamea   963 

Redmon,  J.  C.  M 394 

Reed,  F.    L 272 

Reed,  G.  W.    563 

Reed,  J.  G 587 

Reed,  W.  P 872 

Reif snider,  Edson 988 

Reynolds,  C.  C 492 

Reynolds,  G.  W.   74 

Reynolds,  Jennie  H 974 

Rhodes,  C.  H.   621 

Rice,  A.  H 903 

Rice,  A.  S 951 

Rice,  J.  H 1007 

Rice,  R.  C 40 

Richey,  James 813 

Rickords,  S.  S 290 

Rinella,  August   384 

Ripley,  C.  B 1026 

Robbins,  W.  A. 314 

Roberson,  J.    E '. 874 

Roberts,  O.  T 882 

Robertson,  C.  W 675 

Robson,  E.  P.  1054 

Roby,  A.  L.  609 

Roe,  C.  W 426 

Rogers,  F.  E 376 

Root,  Riley  112o 

Ross,  A.  J.  . .' 737 

Roundtree,  J.  H.   44 

Routh,  J.  A 875 


Routh,  T.  L 696 

Ryan,  L.  R 218 

Ryan,  S,  H 884 

Rylander,  Andrew  477 

Rylander,    F.    0 460 

Sanbom,  L.  W 534 

Sargent,  A.  1 359 

Schryver,  J.  H 73 

Schwarz,  John    507 

Seacord,  De  F 222 

Seacord,  Wilkins   1109 

Seaton,  B.  F 252 

Selby,  W.  H 565 

Sennett,  L.  F 267 

Shadley,  B.  F 1082 

Shaffer,  B.  F 830 

Shaffer,  J.  A 881 

Shaffer,  T.  B 824 

Sheahan,  D.  W 1103 

Shear,  J.  H 655 

Shipplett,  G.  A.  750 

Shives,  Samuel  806 

Shumaker,  C.  E.    569 

Simonds,  W.  E 998 

Simpson,  D.   M 780 

Simpson,  H.  C 1020 

Simpson,  J.  C.    175 

Sinclair,  R.  G 163 

Sisson,  H.  M 93 

Sloan,  H.  A 852 

Sloan,  Sarah    818 

Slough,  G.  K 747 

Smith,    C.    P 782 

Smith,    Dewitt     752 

Smitb,  F.  C 145 

Smith,  F.    G 561 

Smith,  G.   A.    570 

Smith,  G.   H 517 

Smith,  H.  A 282 

t^Smith,    H.    P 741 

Smith,  J.  F 864 

Smith,  J.  W 338 

Smith,  W.  D 1111 

Snider,    William    635 

Sornboi;ger,  G.  M.   964 

South,  David 851 

Spencer,  Charles,  Sr 932 

Spies,  W.  A.  794 

Spinner,  W.  H 72 

Squires,  A.  L 470 

Standish,  H.  A 16 

Standish,  J.  Van  N,  10 

Steams,  G.  G 478 

Steele,  L.  L 201 

Steele,  W.  L.    380 

Steepleton,  L.  P 183 


1154 


INDEX 


Stegall,  Edward 843 

Stephens,  J.  W 706 

IStephenson,  F.   S 652 

Stephenson,  G.  L.    469 

Stephenson,  J.  C 892 

Stephenson,  William   533 

Stevens,  B.  A 528 

Stevens,  Loren   320 

Stockdale,  W.  M 698 

Strom,  Peter 556 

Stuckey,  N.  8 598 

Stuckey,  R.  C 954 

Stuckey,  S.  V 660 

Sunwall,  P.  A. 967 

Swanson,  Oliver    495 

Swartz,  August   895 

Sweborg,  J.  A 832 

Tanney,  James   539 

Tapper,  A.  W 416 

Templeton,  Mary  A 711 

Tannery,  P.  E 678 

Thirlwell,  John    1130 

Thisted,    Martin    1066 

Thomas,  W.  N 781 

Thompson,  David  953 

Thompson,  H,  W 1022 

Thompson,  W.  A 1033 

Thomson,  T.  W 1003 

Thuline,  S.  J 765 

Toler,  J.   C.    185 

Townsend,  L.  A 52 

Tucker.  J,  A 902 

Tucker,  M.   E 156 

Tucker,  N.  N 877 

Tucker,  Samuel    132 

Turner,  J.  S 115 

Tyler,  F.  P 496 

Upp,  C.  H 1059 

Van  Buien,  G.  W.  547 

Vance,  S.  L.  948 

Vivion,   J.    B 454 

Vivion.    J.    G -  66 

\'o\k,  Anna  822 

Wagoner,  S.  A 306 

Wainright,    Daniel    208 


Ware,  E.  H 854 

Warner,  W.  E 810 

Wayman,  Cornelius    572 

Weech,   C.    E 642 

Weinberg,   Lafayette    63 

Welch,  Henry     601 

Welsh,  Jay    602 

Welsh,  J.  D 58 

Welsh,  Michael 978 

Welsh,  W.  M 885 

Wenzelmann,  Gustave    231 

Wertman,  L.  F 22 

West,    John 858 

West,   O.    B 975 

West,  W.  E 1046 

Whipple,  W.  W. 1104 

White,   C.  A 274 

Whited,  George    947 

Whiting,  S.  M 868 

WikoflF,  F.  Z 42 

Wilks,  James  100 

Willard,  E.  S 997 

Willcox,  E.  S 1139 

Willcox,  W.  H 406 

Williams,  A.  C 653 

Williams,  E.  P 236 

Williams,  George    51 

Williamson,  Douglas     993 

Williamson,  E.  P 686 

Williamson,  M.  0 1112 

Williamson,    W.    S 418    '•:", 

Willis,  H.  F 483 

Willsie,    John    1101 

Willsie,    W.    F 1027    - 

Wilmot,  Jesse 667     '• 

Wilson,  F.  E 48      - 

Wilson,  L.  P 982  -  ^. 

Witherell,  G.  W 734   ;. 

Witherell,  L.   R.    223    •> 

Wood,  H.  W 242 

Woolsey,  David   638 

Woolsey,  F.  E 182 

Wyman,  Stephen  978 

Young,  J.  M 948  .. 

Young,  J.  R 408 

Youngdahl,  C.   L.    . . .'. 757 


Zenor,  C.  A 


